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Chinese vice premier calls for enhancing global data governance

Xinhua) 09:01, March 31, 2026

Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, reads out a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping and delivers a keynote speech at the inaugural assembly of the World Data Organization (WDO) in Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- At the inaugural assembly of the World Data Organization (WDO) held in Beijing on Monday, Chinese Vice Premier Ding Xuexiang read out a congratulatory message from President Xi Jinping and delivered a keynote speech.

Ding, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, said that the establishment of the WDO is a major event that aligns with the development trends of the intelligent era and deepens international data cooperation.

President Xi has sent a congratulatory message to mark the WDO's inauguration, which fully embodies his earnest expectations for the organization, Ding added.

The vice premier said that China supports the growth and development of the WDO, enabling it to play a role in bridging the data divide, unlocking the value of data, and powering the digital economy, thereby contributing to the joint efforts for a better digital future.

Noting that China attaches great importance to data governance and the development of the digital economy, Ding said the country has accelerated the development of fundamental systems such as data property rights, using data to drive industrial upgrading, improve people's well-being, and enhance governance efficiency.

He also said that China will further advance the building of Digital China, deepen the development and utilization of data resources, accelerate innovation in digital and intelligent technologies, and actively expand application scenarios, injecting strong impetus into the development of the global digital economy.

Ding called for taking the WDO's establishment as an opportunity to promote the improvement of global data governance and realize the sound development of the digital economy, and put forward three proposals.

Firstly, he called for leveraging the high mobility of data and promoting the efficient flow and use of data through openness and cooperation. Secondly, he stressed harnessing the high empowering potential of data and fostering common development through inclusive sharing. Thirdly, he called for leveraging the high sensitivity of data and safeguarding the bottom line of data security through coordinated governance.

Around 500 people attended the inaugural assembly of the WDO, including representatives of the organization's members, Chinese and international scientists and technologists, government officials, and heads of international organizations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
As economic headwinds push more Black professionals toward business ownership, Famous Amos and U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. bolster commitment to entrepreneurs' success

CHICAGO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ferrero North America has launched the sixth annual Famous Amos Ingredients for Success (IFS) Entrepreneurs Initiative, in partnership with U.S. Black Chambers, Inc. (USBC). Each year, IFS provides early-stage Black business owners with $150,000 in capital awards  distributing $50,000 each to three recipients  along with mentorship, networking opportunities and educational resources. IFS honors the legacy of Famous Amos founder Wally Amos by recognizing the qualities that drive long-term business success.

Famous Amos Ingredients for Success

"Every year, we meet entrepreneurs with incredible vision who are working to overcome similar systemic barriers that existed when Wally Amos was founding Famous Amos," said Kim Thomas, Senior Brand Manager, Famous Amos & Royal Dansk. "IFS helps break those barriers down by expanding access to capital, mentorship and networks that can accelerate growth. That mission is deeply rooted in Wally's story, and six years later, we remain committed to carrying it forward."

For many Black professionals, business ownership is not only an aspiration but a necessary response to workforce instability. In 2025, Black women experienced some of the steepest employment losses in a generation  a 1.4 percent drop in their employment rate, per the Economic Policy Institute. But as corporate doors close, new pathways are opening.

A 2026 Wells Fargo report shows Black women-owned employer businesses grew 18.3% between 2022 and 2025, with employment at those businesses growing 23.1%, outpacing the national average. Still, without adequate access to capital, many are forced to self-fund their businesses  underscoring the gap in capital and resources that programs like IFS are designed to help address.

The "Silver Tsunami" of Baby Boomer retirements is also opening unexpected doors  creating new pathways to business ownership through acquisition and succession that also leverage the kind of capital and guidance IFS provides. According to Project Equity, over half of all privately held U.S. businesses with employees have owners over age 55, and the majority have no succession plan in place.

"The wave of Baby Boomer business retirements presents a significant wealth-building and legacy preservation opportunity for Black entrepreneurs  if they have the right resources to seize it," said Talisha Bekavac, USBC Executive Vice President. "We are passionate about making sure Black entrepreneurs have the tools and capital they need to step into ownership, preserve jobs and help America's economy innovate and grow. That's exactly why our partnership with the Famous Amos IFS initiative matters."

The IFS initiative is kicking off this month for 2026. Applications are open now through June 1, 2026, and can be submitted at FamousAmosIngredientsForSuccess.com. Qualifying businesses must be: at least 90% Black-owned, in operation for five years or less, headquartered in the United States and owned by individuals 21 years or older.

This year's panel of judges includes returning panelists and prior IFS winners who bring firsthand insight into what it takes to build a successful business:

"Rev" Shawn Amos - Entrepreneur, author and son of the late brand founder, Wally Amos

- Entrepreneur, author and son of the late brand founder, Wally Amos Tracy Vontelle Green and Nancey Flowers-Harris - CEO and COO of luxury fashion eyewear company, Vontelle Eyewear and IFS inaugural winners

- CEO and COO of luxury fashion eyewear company, Vontelle Eyewear and IFS inaugural winners Steve Canal - Founder of ONE Venture Group, best-selling author and branding expert

"Coming back to this panel, I'm reminded how much talent and passion there is among these entrepreneurs," said "Rev" Shawn Amos. "My father built Famous Amos on faith, focus and follow-through, backed by a $25,000 investment from friends who believed in him. Ingredients for Success gives today's founders that same belief, with hands-on support to help them thrive long-term: $50,000, mentorship and a community committed to elevating the next generation of business leaders."

Since its debut in 2020, IFS has awarded 15 business owners a total of $750,000, providing the capital, connections and resources to pave the way for their success and drive their legacies forward. This year, select IFS alumni will serve as an advisory council, leading panels and masterclasses that give the 2026 class access to hard-won business insight from those who have walked the path before them. To learn more about IFS alumni and their journeys, visit FamousAmosIngredientsForSuccess.com/IFSWinners.

Stay tuned to Famous Amos social channels for the latest brand news and IFS updates: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Threads.

About Famous Amos

Famous Amos is a beloved brand that started in 1975, famous for its classic, bite-size chocolate chip cookies. Founded by Wally Amos, a passionate Black entrepreneur, Famous Amos grew from a bakery in Hollywood, California into a brand serving millions of customers across the United States. In 2020, Famous Amos began a major philanthropic effort, the Ingredients for Success Entrepreneurs Initiative. Now in its sixth year, this initiative supports economic empowerment and long-term success for early-stage Black entrepreneurs. To learn about the program and how to apply, visit FamousAmosIngredientsForSuccess.com. Follow Famous Amos on socials: Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, and Threads.

About Ferrero

Ferrero began in the small town of Alba in Piedmont, Italy, in 1946. Today, it is one of the world's largest sweet-packaged food companies, with over 35 iconic brands sold in more than 170 countries. The Ferrero Group brings joy to people around the world with much-loved treats and snacks including Nutella, Kinder, Tic Tac, and Ferrero Rocher. More than 47,000 employees are passionate about helping people celebrate life's special moments. The Ferrero Group's family culture, now in its third generation, is based on dedication to quality and excellence, heritage and a commitment to the planet and communities in which we operate.



Ferrero entered the North American market in 1969 and has grown to more than 5,400 employees in 15 plants and warehouses, and eight offices in North America across the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. It has expanded its presence and portfolio with the addition of iconic brands such as Butterfinger, CRUNCH, Keebler, Famous Amos, Mother's  Cookies, and other distinctive cookie and chocolate brands. For additional information, please visit FerreroNorthAmerica.com and stay connected with Ferrero on social (Instagram, X).

Contact: Rob Tate, [email protected]

SOURCE Ferrero North America
A delivery driver in Northern Ireland was forced at gunpoint to drive his vehicle to a police station sparking a major security alert, a senior police officer has said.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the forces specialist terrorism unit were leading the investigation into the incident in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

A number of roads have been closed in the centre of the town and homes evacuated over the alert.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned the attack (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Irelands Justice Minister Naomi Long has described it as a shameful and dangerous attack.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has said the incident bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, probably carried out by dissident republicans.

The alert began around 10.30pm on Monday night.

Church Place, Church Walk and Wellington Street are currently closed to traffic, as are sections of Market Street, William Street and North Street.

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A number of homes have been evacuated and the town hall has been opened to support those moved from their homes.

Henderson told the BBC: At about 10.30pm last night, a fast food delivery driver was driving their white Audi car in the Deramore Drive area of Kilwilkie in Lurgan.

The driver, in a terrifying development, was forced to stop their vehicle and threatened at gunpoint, and then the hijackers placed an object inside the vehicle and that driver was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station.

Henderson said the officer drove to the station and then alerted police.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car ACC Ryan Henderson

He added: Since then there has been a really significant policing operation which we have been coordinating overnight to make sure the car and the contents of the car were secure and safe.

That has led to the evacuation of a number of homes in the area.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car, hugely disruptive and distressing event for the local community in Lurgan.

Our specialist terrorism investigation unit have been leading the investigation into it.

Long said: This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.

There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.

I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart of the DUP said it was a concerning situation (Niall Carson/PA)

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: This is an extremely serious and deeply concerning situation for the people of Lurgan.

Public safety must always come first, and I would urge everyone to follow the advice of the PSNI and avoid the area while investigations are ongoing.

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I recognise the significant disruption this will cause to local residents, businesses and those travelling through the town, but these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of all.

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said: This has caused massive disruption to local families and businesses.

I hope the town can return to normal as quickly as possible.

No one wants to return to such scenes and we await the outcome of investigations into the vehicle.

I want to thank all those who have assisted the families impacted and offered shelter.
Roy Keane has compared losing his mother, Marie to having their hearts ripped out of their chests, whilst telling mourners at her funeral that he and his siblings are comforted by the fact that she is reunited with people who love her as much as we do.

The 79-year-old passed away at Marymount Hospice in Cork city last Friday. Mrs Keane, nee Lynch, was predeceased by her husband Mossie, who died in 2019.

The couple got married in the Church of the Resurrection in Farranree in Cork city in August 1963. The requiem mass for Mrs Keane took place in the church at 11 am on Tuesday.

The former Manchester United and Ireland player said that he rarely went against the wishes of his mother. However, he stressed he planned to disobey her on this occasion by making a fuss of her at her funeral.

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Keane said that his mother grew up in Fairhill in Cork city. As the second eldest in a family of nine, she had a lot of responsibility from an early age. Romance came calling in the form of Mossie Keane.

He said that his parents were smitten with each other right from the start.

One day, her brother brought back the handsome teenager Mossie Keane. Standing in her living room, she was in love. They went on to have five children. She would say six, including me, Dad, as he was spoiled more than any of us.

He admitted that he and his siblings, Denis, Johnson, Hilary and Pat, werent ready for Mam to go. Keane said that they often wondered who was the favourite of their mother.

Denis, being the eldest, always thought it could be him. Pat was the youngest. Maybe him. Hilary is the only girl, possibly. I am not sure where that left Johnson and me. But she was loyal to all of us.

The former Ireland Assistant Manager said that Marie was pretty cool all the time, but as a mother she excelled. Keane noted that he had great memories of growing up.

Our Mam didnt always get what we wanted, but always gave us what we needed.

She was pretty strict with us, and if we were up to no good, she had an amazing skill of throwing a shoe, and no matter where we were in the house, she would always hit the target.

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He also smiled as he remembered the time his late mother chased some lads down the street who had robbed a tree from our bonfire.

She sprinted off, caught them, and came back dragging the tree behind her. It was very impressive.

Keane said that summer holidays to Garrettstown in Co Cork were always special for him and his family.

Walking around and getting a bag of chips. I thought life was great. So simple. The two of them (his parents) would be in great form.

Another firm favourite involved trips to Dublin with his family for the All Ireland (Final) when Cork used to win. Keane conceded that they never had a ticket to the match itself. It was a case of you cant have everything.

Marie Keane, he said, could relay a lot with an eye roll, whilst her trademark wicked sense of humour was intact until the end.

He thanked all those who had paid tribute to his mother on Rip.ie since her passing.

One man had said that he was chuffed when Marie Keane introduced herself to him whilst he was on holiday in Portugal. The man had written that whilst the encounter was short, he could tell she was a great woman.

Keane smiled as he said that the condolence had been penned by Nicky Byrne of Westlife.

That was my Mam. Never shy to approach a stranger, especially when that stranger was a celebrity!

He stressed that his mother was a great help and support to her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and to her friends and neighbours..

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He also paid tribute to his aunts and uncles and the extended Lynch family for their assistance to his mother in recent years.

I have never known a closer family. We will never be able to thank you enough.

Keane said that whilst it had been a tough couple of years for his mother, she never complained.

I never heard her complain once in all that time. Not once. What a woman she was. Ultimately, our Mam and Dad were at their happiest when they were together, and they are together again. Good bless Mam and thanks for everything you did for us.

Meanwhile, Fr Sean OSullivan noted that Marie and Mossie had got married in the church on August 10th, 1963. There was a black and white photograph of the smiling couple on the coffin for the duration of the mass.

Ireland Elderly woman dies after road collision in Armagh Read more

Fr OSullivan said that Marie Keane meant the world to her family. She loved them not for anything they had done or achieved but simply for who they were.

While our hearts expand to love others as we grow, there is a place in our hearts that forever belongs to our mother. That is what makes them so special. It also makes it hard to lose them.

In addition to her husband, Marie Keane was predeceased her brother Pat, her niece Estella and her nephew Thomas.

She will also be sadly missed by her adult children, sisters Ina, Annette and Josephine, brothers Jack, Leo, Michael and Noel, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law Linda, Theresa and Mary, brothers and sisters-in-law, nephews and nieces, extended family, her great neighbours in Mayfield and Rathpeacon and her friends. Burial took place at St Catherines Cemetery in Kilcully, Co Cork.
Fuel price increases due to the Middle East war are among a variety of stories featured on Irish front pages on Tuesday.

The Irish Times lead with the IMF issuing a stark prices warning due to the Iran conflict, a man being charged with the 2006 murder of Denis Donaldson, and money going missing from Garda stations on 13 occasions.

The Irish Examiner lead with the energy crisis getting worse "by the day", vulnerable patients such as autistic children regularly being "left in pain" due to limited access to special needs dentists, a decision being due on the Bessborough former mother and baby institution being due in July, and inmates leaving prison without any psych services due to lengthy waits.

The Echo lead with almost half of the inmates in Cork Prison awaiting psychological treatment, with 25 per cent seeking addiction treatment, and the Bessborough site decision being due in July.

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The Irish Independent lead with a garda being given a two-year road ban for dangerous driving after trying to chase two scrambler bikes.

The Belfast Telegraph lead with a man who was jailed for conspiracy to murder Johnny Adair being charged with the murder of former MI5 spy Denis Donaldson.

The Herald lead with council staff in the estate management department having pipe bombs attached to their cars and homes when addressing cases of antisocial behaviour in Dublin.

The Irish Daily Mail lead with RTE's journalist rejecting the broadcaster's plan for the future.

The Irish Daily Mirror lead with the Tanaiste warning that fuel rations may be needed if the Middle East war continues.

The Irish Daily Star lead with Conor McGregor's sister selling a sunbed session to an underage girl.
A woman has been arrested as part of a money laundering operation in Dublin.

As part of the investigation, Gardai searched a property in the south of the county and seized several documents as well as a car.

The search was launched as part of enquiries into the alleged use of fraudulent European passports to launder over 160,000.

The woman in her 20s is being detained at a Garda station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
Same expertise, expanded capabilities: integrated genetic toxicology and genomic safety services now available through Scantox's discovery and development platform

EJBY, Denmark, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Scantox Group today announced that Gentronix, the specialist genetic toxicology contract research organization acquired by Scantox in 2024, will now operate under the Scantox brand as Scantox Manchester. The transition reflects the full integration of Gentronix's scientific expertise, team, and client relationships into Scantoxwith the same people and the same quality, backed by broader capabilities and deeper resources. All services and content previously associated with Gentronix will be found at Scantox.

Since completing the acquisition, Scantox has invested significantly in expanding its genetic toxicology and genomic safety capabilities. The team has scaled Big Blue transgenic rodent gene mutation assay capacity to meet rising market demand, developed an Enhanced Ames Test program, and most recently acquired the DuplexSeq nonclinical genomic safety business from TwinStrand Biosciencesestablishing Scantox as the sole provider of DuplexSeq Mutagenesis Assays. Together, these investments create an integrated offering that spans early screening through late-stage regulatory development, positioning Scantox at the forefront of how mutagenic risk is assessed.

"This milestone is built on great science and great people," said Jeanet Lgsted, CEO of Scantox Group. "In eighteen months, the Manchester team has transformed our genetic toxicology and genomic safety offeringwithout ever losing sight of the scientific rigor and client focus that defined Gentronix. Matt Tate's move into his new role as Chief Business Development Officer and Laura Hinton's appointment as Site Head at Scantox Manchester reflect the strength of this team and the ambition we share for what comes next."

"The way our industry assesses mutagenic risk is changing, and Scantox is helping to define what comes next," said Matt Tate, Chief Business Development Officer at Scantox. "With Big Blue, Enhanced Ames Test, and now DuplexSeq under one roof, we can support sponsors with genomic safety data from early decision-making through regulatory submissionusing the right tool at the right stage. That's not something any other CRO can offer today, and it's where the field is heading."

"The foundation here is strongan experienced team, a loyal client base, and a track record of delivering high-quality science," said Laura Hinton, Site Head at Scantox Manchester. "The focus now is on continued growth and optimizationexpanding what we can offer our clients while maintaining the standards they expect. I'm proud to lead this team into its next chapter."

About Scantox:

Scantox is an integrated preclinical CRO supporting sponsors from discovery through IND-enabling nonclinical development, with operations in Denmark, Sweden, Austria, and the United Kingdom. We combine Discovery, Regulatory Toxicology, Pharmaceutical Development & Analytical, and Genetic Toxicology in one coordinated platformhelping clients generate high-quality, regulator-ready data while keeping timelines and execution aligned across disciplines.

Scantox is recognized for deep expertise in CNS pharmacology and Gottingen minipig research, with advanced genetic toxicology and genomic safety capabilities including Big Blue transgenic rodent assays and DuplexSeq mutagenesis testing. Founded in 1977, Scantox is owned by Impilo, the leading Nordic healthcare investment company.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2674623/5877827/Scantox_Group_Logo.jpg
The King and Queen will not be able to meet with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during next months state visit to the US, the Press Association understands.

US Congressman Ro Khanna wrote to the King on Monday to call for him to meet survivors privately during the state visit, which will take place in late April.

It is understood that the couple will not be able to meet survivors while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, and Lord Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, were arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with the paedophile financier.

They have since been released under investigation.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) announced on Tuesday that the police response to the release of the so-called Epstein files by the US Department of Justice is to be stepped up.

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A dedicated group will look at the scale, scope and nature of any potential UK-based VAWG (violence against women and girls) offending within the files, the NPCC added.

It has also invited alleged victims of Epstein who have spoken to UK media to talk to investigators about potential crimes that may have taken place on British soil.

President Donald J. Trump announces Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th. pic.twitter.com/dMFwwNp4rI  The White House (@WhiteHouse) March 31, 2026

Charles and Camillas long-expected historic trip is scheduled to take place in late April  despite calls for it to be postponed or even cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

World Trump tells UK to secure Strait of Hormuz and go get your own oil Read more

US president Donald Trump declared the trip would be a momentous occasion in a post on his Truth Social site, adding that there would be a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.

He also revealed the historic state visit will take place over four days from April 27th-30th, despite Buckingham Palace deciding not to release the exact dates in its own official announcement.

I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!, Mr Trump added.
Britain's King Charles' state visit to the US is to go ahead next month as planned, Buckingham Palace has finally confirmed.

Charles and Queen Camilla's long-expected historic trip to see Donald Trump will take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

It will be the kings first visit to the US as monarch and the first state visit by a British sovereign to America for nearly 20 years, since Queen Elizabeth IIs tour in 2007.

Queen Elizabeth II at the state dinner hosted by US president George W Bush at the White House in 2007 (Fiona Hanson/PA)

Charles and Camilla will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, attend a glittering state dinner at the White House, and the king will address Congress, the Palace confirmed.

But exact dates and details have yet to be disclosed.

Charles will stop off afterwards in Bermuda  without Camilla  for his first royal visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

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US president Trump had already revealed he would entertain the king and queen with a state dinner, while US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens said the king had been invited to address both Houses of Congress during his stay.

The late Queen became the first British monarch to address Congress in 1991 when she attended a joint session in the Capitol building during her state visit in aftermath of the Gulf War.

The kings trip comes in the midst of the Iran war.

The King and Queen with US President Donald Trump and his wife, First Lady Melania Trump, at Windsor Castle in 2025 (Aaron Chown/PA)

Controversy has grown in recent weeks as to whether the royal tour should be postponed or cancelled.

Trump branded the UKs approach to the Middle East conflict terrible and repeatedly lashed out at prime minister Keir Starmer, including describing him as not Winston Churchill, with the special relationship between the two allied nations appearing increasingly strained.

Senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry suggested it would be safer to delay, warning Charles and Camilla could be left feeling embarrassed because of the current crisis.

But Trumps man in the UK Stephens said it would be a very big mistake to postpone the visit, adding it would be a very meaningful trip for the king.

Buckingham Palace said: On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

Their Majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

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The King will then continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majestys first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

US President Donald Trump delivers at speech at the Windsor Castle banquet in September (Yui Mok/PA)

State visits are rarely postponed, except for security reasons and illness, and the royal familys soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important and unique way of engaging with the billionaire-turned-politician Trump, who is well known for his love of the monarchy.

Trump declared earlier in March that trip was going ahead and that he was looking forward to meeting the king again, and more recently revealed: Hes going to be here very soon, as you know, were going have a state dinner. Its going be great.

He added: Hes a friend of mine.

The president was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year.

He hailed the king as a great gentleman and a great King during his stay, praised the Princess of Wales for being so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful, and later said he ate whatever the hell they served us at the sumptuous state banquet.

The kings youngest son Prince Harry, with whom he has had a troubled relationship, lives on the US West Coast with his wife Meghan Markle and the kings youngest grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Charless tour will raise questions over whether he will see Harry, whom he last met face to face six months ago, and reunite with Archie and Lili after four years apart.
An aspiring rapper has been jailed for 10 years and three months after he was found guilty of owning one of two XL bully dogs that mauled a pensioner to death.

Prosecutors said Ashley Warren asked 5ft 3in Esther Martin to mind two XL bully dogs at his then home in Jaywick, Essex, so he could travel to London to film a music video.

The two animals fatally attacked Martin, 68, on February 3rd 2024, two days after a ban on the breed came into force on February 1st 2024.

The law makes it a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.

Esther Martin, 68, was killed by two XL bully dogs (Essex Police/PA)

Warren, 41, was found guilty following an earlier trial of being the owner of a dog named Bear which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place.

He was acquitted at Chelmsford Crown Court of being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty  a dog which belonged to his girlfriend  which did the same.

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Warren, now of Addlestone, Surrey, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.

His earlier trial was told that he left Martin with the two dogs and eight puppies of the same breed at his then home in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said this was despite Martins mobility issues, lack of dog training and little to no experience of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time.

Hours after her arrival, Martin sustained dozens and dozens of injuries, including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a complete fracturing of the bone, the court heard.

Ashley Warren was found guilty of owning an XL bully dog called Bear that fatally attacked Esther Martin (Lucy North/PA)

Paxton told jurors: It was, you may think, a tragedy waiting to happen, given the imbalance that arose between 68-year-old Esther, short in stature, and the towering power of these banned XL bully dogs.

Police had been to the property about an unrelated matter 11 days before the attack, and a video recording, played to jurors, showed Warren telling the officer its a shame about the laws and my boys got papers already.

Paxton said: If that was a reference to an exemption certificate, that was a lie.

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for any.

The defendant was also found guilty of having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3rd 2024, after officers found a knife which he said was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London.
A Second World War veteran who served in the Arctic Convoys and played a role in D-Day has died aged 100.

Dougie Shelley, who joined the Royal Navy aged 17, received more than 16,000 cards for his 100th birthday in September last year following an appeal.

He celebrated his milestone birthday at a tea party at his local Royal Naval Association branch in Southend, Essex.

Mr Shelley got more than 16,000 cards for his birthday (Joe Giddens/ PA)

The British Royal Naval Association said in a social media post on Friday: We are incredibly sad to hear that Dougie Shelley has crossed the bar.

Fairwinds and following seas shipmate.

Mr Shelley died on March 21st.

He was a seaman gunner on the destroyer HMS Milne on D-Day, guarding the beaches in Normandy for the troops going ashore.

Mr Shelley received a 100th birthday card from the King and Queen (Joe Giddens/PA)

Mr Shelley was given the news on his 100th birthday that he would receive Frances highest honour, the Legion dHonneur.

His carer Paul Bennett said at the time that Mr Shelley was over the moon.

Cards for Mr Shelleys 100th birthday came from as far afield as Australia, as well as from the King and Downing Street.
President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with allies who have been unwilling to do more to support the US war effort, telling them to go get your own oil as the conflict with Iran and its closure of the Strait of Hormuz sent average US petrol prices past four dollars a gallon.

The social media post came after US strikes hit the central city of Isfahan, sending a massive fireball into the sky, and Tehran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

The attacks showed the intensity of the war more than a month after the US and Israel launched it.





The conflict has left more than 3,000 dead and caused major disruptions to the worlds supply of oil and natural gas, rocking global markets.

Mr Trump, who has vacillated between insisting there is progress in diplomatic talks with Iran and threatening to widen the war, had earlier shared footage of the attack on Isfahan.

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The city is home to one of three nuclear enrichment sites attacked by the US during a previous war last June, and analysts believe much of Irans highly enriched uranium is probably stored there.

Separately, Iraqs Interior Ministry said a foreign journalist was kidnapped in the country.

The ministry did not identify the journalist or give further details on their nationality.

It said security forces had arrested one suspect and seized a vehicle used in the kidnapping, while other suspects remain at large.

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was related to the Iran war.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on US facilities in the country since the start of the war.



(PA Graphics)

Irans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway leading out of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have Tehrans attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

That has shaken stock markets around the world and pushed up the cost of many basic goods.

Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around 107 dollars a barrel on Tuesday, up more than 45% since the war started on February 28.

Mr Trump directed blame at US allies such as the United Kingdom and France that have refused to enter a war with no clear endgame that they were not consulted on.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Mr Trump wrote.

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He singled out France for not letting planes fly over French territory while taking military supplies to Israel.

France has allowed the US Air Force to use the Istres base in southern France because it had guarantees that planes landing there would not be involved in carrying out strikes.

Spain, which has emerged as Europes loudest critic of the war, said on Monday that it had closed its airspace for US planes involved in the conflict.



(PA Graphics)

Italy recently refused to allow US military assets to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for an operation linked to the offensive, an official with knowledge of the matter said, confirming a local press report.

Italys defence minister Guido Crosetto wrote on X that Italy is still allowing the US to use its bases, adding that there has been no cooling of relations between the two countries.

Israel and the US launched a wave of strikes on Iran, hitting Tehran in the early morning.

The Israeli military said it had launched strikes targeting what it described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital Beirut.

Defence minister Israel Katz said Israel plans to control the area south of the Litani River  some 20 miles north of the border.

Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah began launching missiles into northern Israel days after the outbreak of the wider war.

Many Lebanese fear another prolonged military occupation.

The video shared by Mr Trump appeared to show a massive attack on Irans Isfahan, and Nasa fire-tracking satellites suggest explosions happened in a mountainous region on the citys southern edge.



A man walks in front a building that was hit in an Israeli air strike near the airport road in Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

Iran has not confirmed the attack.

Mr Trump warned this week that if a ceasefire is not reached shortly, and if the strait is not reopened, the US would broaden its offensive, including by attacking the Kharg Island oil export hub and possibly desalination plants.

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Speaking at the Pentagon, defence secretary Pete Hegseth would not say if US ground forces would enter the war.

We dont want to have to do more militarily than we have to, he said.

But I didnt mean it flippantly when I said, in the meantime, well negotiate with bombs.

A ground invasion could alienate Iranians who despise the ruling theocracy and who rose up in mass protests that were crushed earlier this year.

Some could see it as an attack on Iran itself and rally around the flag.

A young anti-government activist in Iran said he plans to volunteer with the army if Mr Trump follows through on such threats.



Smoke rises after an Israeli air strike hits a building near the airport road in Beirut, Lebanon (Hussein Malla/AP)

If the idea of occupying islands or part of my countrys territory is implemented, I will definitely be available as a soldier to defend the Iranian nation, said the 25-year-old resident of the northern town of Babol, who spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear for retribution.

Meanwhile, supporters of imprisoned Iranian Nobel Peace Prize laureate Narges Mohammadi said she may have suffered a heart attack.

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The campaign for her release, citing fellow inmates at Zanjan Prison in northern Iran, said she was found unconscious last week.

Ms Mohammadi has a heart condition and suffered multiple heart attacks while imprisoned before undergoing emergency surgery in 2022, her supporters say.

Despite this medical emergency, and evident indications of a heart attack, authorities refused to transfer Mohammadi to a hospital or allow her to visit a specialist, the campaign said in a statement.

Ms Mohammadi, 53, was awarded the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize for her decades of activism.

She has campaigned for womens rights and democracy, and against the death penalty.

An Iranian drone hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker off the United Arab Emirates city of Dubai, sparking a blaze that was later put out, the Dubai Media Office said.



Smoke rises following an Israeli air strike on a building near the airport road in Beirut, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Authorities said no oil spill resulted.

Four people were wounded by debris from an intercepted drone in Dubai, air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Saudi Arabia said it intercepted three ballistic missiles launched towards its capital.

Loud explosions were also heard in Israel not long after the military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran.

In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel.

Two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank.

In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than one million displaced.

Ten Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, including the four announced on Tuesday, while 13 US service members have been killed.
US President Donald Trump threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached shortly.

Mr Trump said the US is negotiating with Irans parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in an interview with the New York Post published on Monday.

The former Revolutionary Guard commander was previously floated as Washingtons negotiating partner, but has denied Iran is talking to the US and said Pakistan-facilitated discussions were merely a cover for American troop deployments.

Meanwhile, Israel has invaded southern Lebanon to push out Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, who have fired rockets and drones across the border, in a campaign Israeli officials suggest could become a prolonged occupation.



Israeli authorities inspect a damaged house following an Iranian missile strike in Haifa, Israel on Monday (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israel said early on Tuesday that another four soldiers had been killed in its offensive in Lebanon. The deaths bring the total number of troops killed in the war to 10.

The video of a massive explosion shared without comment early on Tuesday by Mr Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

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The Baluch advocacy group HalVash shared the same video, along with others, from the ground outside Isfahan. Fire-tracking satellites from Nasa suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions common with ammunition igniting in a blaze.

Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US in the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. A portion of Irans highly enriched uranium is believed to be entombed there  something America has suggested it could seize with ground forces.

Airstrikes hit around Irans capital Tehran early on Tuesday morning. The Israeli military earlier issued a warning online that it was planning a strike in Vardavard, a western neighbourhood.

A drone interception caused minor damage to six homes in a residential area in Al Kharj, southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but no injuries were reported, the countrys civil defence said. Al Kharj is the site of a US airbase where previous strikes killed at least two migrant workers and an American soldier.

Israels military warned the public of an incoming missile barrage from Iran on Tuesday. Sirens sounded in Jerusalem a short while later and loud booms were heard.

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Two Indonesian United Nations peacekeepers died while on escort duty in support of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) operations in southern Lebanon. The Indonesian Ministry of Defence said in a written statement on Tuesday that two other soldiers were also seriously injured amid intensifying hostilities in the area.

The statement added that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by Unifil in accordance with established procedures.

An Indonesian soldier was reported to have died and several others were injured the previous day in his area of deployment as a result of the conflict taking place in the operational zone.

The Ministry of Defence emphasises that the safety of peacekeeping forces must be the top priority, the statement said.

All parties involved in the conflict are expected to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel.



A destroyed apartment is seen in a building that was struck in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beiruts southern suburbs (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Drone hits a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, causing a fire, the Dubai Media Office said

Authorities brought the fire under control and extinguished it, the office said, with all 24 crew members safe and no injuries reported.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported the strike, saying the vessel was 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.

It said an unknown projectile struck their tanker on the starboard side, causing a fire on the vessel. No environmental impact has been reported, the centre said.

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Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behaviour, according to the officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the US efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.
Donald Trump said the UK and other countries which did not take part in strikes against Iran should secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

The US president said countries which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran should build up some delayed courage, go to the strait and just take it.

In the latest sign that his Middle East campaign has severely damaged long-standing relationships, Trump suggested its allies will have to start learning how to fight for yourself.

Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Donald Trump

The UK was the only country named in a post by Trump on his Truth Social platform.

The presidents comments came less than an hour before Buckingham Palace announced Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the US in late April, giving an indication of the diplomatic tensions Charles will have to navigate.

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Trump wrote: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!

Trumps comments came after reports in the Wall Street Journal that he would be willing to end the US military campaign even if Iran maintains its stranglehold over the strait, a vital shipping route for global oil and gas supplies.

(PA Graphics)

Irans selective blockade of the maritime chokepoint and its attacks on the Gulf states have pushed up global energy prices.

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping in the region a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai.

Keir Starmer will chair a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee to consider the impact on households and the wider economy from soaring energy costs.

Average energy bills are forecast to rise by almost 300 from July while motorists are already counting the cost of the war, with drivers paying 544 million extra for fuel since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began.

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The price most households pay for energy under regulator Ofgems cap will fall by 117-a-year to 1,641 from Wednesday, driven by the UK governments promise to cut bills by an average of 150 by removing green subsidies.

But respected energy analyst Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdogs price cap from July to September now stands at 1,929 for a typical dual fuel household  an increase of 288 or 18% on Aprils cap.

UK energy consumers minister Martin McCluskey said: Tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority and I know many families will be thinking about how events in the Middle East might impact the cost of living at home.

We will continue to fight peoples corner through this crisis and, as the Energy Secretary (Ed Miliband) has said, if its necessary to intervene, we will.
The US has hit the central Iranian city of Isfahan sending a massive fireball into the sky as Tehran struck a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

The attacks on Tuesday were testament to the intensity of the month-long war the US and Israel launched against Iran, which has maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, closing off the vital waterway for global energy shipments, sending oil prices skyrocketing and roiling world markets.

US President Donald Trump, who has been insisting there is progress in diplomatic talks toward a ceasefire, shared video of the attack on Isfahan, with fiery explosions lighting up the night sky.



A firefighter battles flames at a damaged workshop after an alert of incoming missiles in Petah Tikva, Israel (Oded Balilty/AP)

Isfahan is home to one of three sites earlier attacked by the US military in June and some of Irans highly enriched uranium is likely stored or buried or there.

Meanwhile, Israel said another four soldiers had been killed in its invasion of Lebanon, as were two more United Nations peacekeepers, prompting the UN Security Council to schedule an emergency session for later on Tuesday.

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Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around 107 dollars (80) a barrel in early trading, up more than 45% since the war started on February 28 when the US and Israel attacked Iran.

US gas prices jumped past an average four dollars (3) a gallon for the first time since 2022.

Irans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway leading out of Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have its attacks on Gulf regional energy infrastructure.

In response to growing Gulf Arab anger, Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi insisted on Tuesday that Tehran is only targeting US forces.



Israeli authorities inspect a damaged house following an Iranian missile strike in Haifa, Israel (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Several states have been encouraging Washington DC to continue the war until Irans military capabilities are destroyed.

Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security, Mr Araghchi wrote on X.

High time to eject US forces.

Despite these words, attacks on civilian targets continued as an Iranian drone hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, sparking a blaze that was later put out, the Dubai Media Office said.

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Four people in Dubai were also wounded when debris from an intercepted drone fell into a residential area and loud explosions could be heard later from another attack on the city.

Air raid sirens sounded in Bahrain, while Saudi Arabias Defence Ministry said it had intercepted three ballistic missiles launched toward Riyadh, and falling debris from a drone intercepted south-east of the capital caused minor damage to six homes.



US President Donald Trump has openly talked about the possibility of trying to seize Irans Kharg Island (Jose Luis Magana/AP)

Sirens were also heard in Jerusalem and loud explosions were heard not long after Israels military warned of an incoming missile barrage from Iran.

Israel and the US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, hitting Tehran in the early morning hours.

The video shared by Mr Trump appeared to show a massive attack on Isfahan, where Nasa fire-tracking satellites suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh.

Iran has not yet confirmed the attack.

A satellite image taken just before the 12-day war in June between Iran and Israel suggests Tehran transferred a truckload of highly enriched uranium to its nuclear facility at Isfahan.

The image shows a truck loaded with 18 blue containers going into a tunnel at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Centre about two weeks before the US bombed the site.





Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation.



Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security. Just look at what we did to their aerial command.



High time to eject U.S. forces. pic.twitter.com/yYNBpebN8i  Seyed Abbas Araghchi (@araghchi) March 30, 2026

Analysts determined that the truck likely carried most or all of Irans stockpile of uranium enriched up to 60% purity.

That is a short, technical step to weapons-grade levels of 90%.

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Mr Trump has said this week that great progress is being made in talks with Iran to end military operations.

But he said if a deal is not reached shortly, and if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately reopened, the US would broaden its offensive by completely obliterating power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island and possibly even desalination plants.

The US has also ordered an additional 5,000 Marines and 1,000 paratroopers to the region, joining tens of thousands of troops already there.

Mr Trump has openly talked about the possibility of trying to seize Kharg Island, Irans main oil export hub, and Iran has accused the US of using diplomacy to stall until more troops can be brought in.



Members of the Basij paramilitary force stand at a checkpoint in Tehran (Vahid Salemi/AP)

The US already has targeted military positions on Kharg.

Iran has threatened to launch its own ground invasion of Gulf Arab countries and to mine the Persian Gulf if US troops set foot on its territory.

Twice during Mr Trumps second term, the US has attacked Iran during high-level diplomatic talks, including with the February 28 strikes that started the current war.

Meanwhile, the UN Security Council planned to convene an emergency session on Tuesday after officials said three peacekeepers in southern Lebanon had been killed in less than 24 hours.

The UN peacekeeping mission in the region where Israel is battling the Iran-backed Hezbollah did not say who was responsible for the deaths.

In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel.



People inspect the site of an Israeli airstrike that struck an apartment building in Dahiyeh, Beiruts southern suburbs, Lebanon (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Two dozen people have been killed in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank.

In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than one million have been displaced.

Ten Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, including the four announced on Tuesday, while 13 US service members have been killed in the war.
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BusinessCompaniesMedia & marketing Jackie O sues KIIS owner for at least $82m Calum Jaspan Updated March 31, 2026  9:38am ,first published 9:20am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Jackie O Henderson has followed her co-host Kyle Sandilands in taking their former employer ARN to court, after the pairs $200 million contract was torn up this month. ARN announced the news in a statement to the ASX on Tuesday morning, saying that Henderson is claiming to have been unlawfully sacked. ARN said Henderson made psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints to the station in relation to Sandilands conduct toward her both on February 20, the day of their on-air stoush, and before then. Jackie O Henderson has followed her co-host Kyle Sandilands in taking their former employer ARN to court. Henderson is demanding compensation of at least $82,250,000, claiming her contract was unfairly terminated after her representatives informed the company she could no longer work with Sandilands. ARN said it disputes Hendersons claims and intends to defend the proceedings. The proceedings have been filed in the Federal Court against Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of ARN which holds the licence for KIIS FM in Sydney.

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Hendersons statement of claim also alleges that the ASX announcement detailing her termination on March 3 included misleading and deceptive statements under Australian Consumer Law, the company said. Related Article Updated

Media & marketing Ive got mortgages to pay: Sandilands kicks off court battle over his $100m contract The application follows Sandilands own legal challenge, also accusing the company of unlawful termination this month after his contract was torn up two weeks after Hendersons. Sandilands case was heard for the first time in the Federal Court on Friday in Sydney, after his contract was torn up after an allegation of serious misconduct relating to his behaviour toward Henderson. While the full details of Hendersons statement of claim are currently unclear, the documents relating to Sandilands case, obtained by this masthead, said the broadcast in question on February 20 was congruent with the style, tone and nature of the Show and the robust character ARN desired from them.

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Sandilands has claimed the exchange, in which he berated Henderson for being off with the fairies, was no different to past on-air blow-ups. Crucial to ARNs defence will be the correspondence sent to the company by Hendersons legal representatives on March 3. ARNs lawyer Tom Blackburn SC told the court on Friday that the companys claims of unconscionable conduct toward Henderson involved prior conduct, the company now expanding on those comments in Tuesdays statement. Loading Representatives for Henderson were approached for comment. With both hosts now claiming unlawful termination, ARN faces two costly legal fights, pushing it into further financial uncertainty. The company told investors it is unable to estimate the cost of either case at this stage. Its share price fell by 3.5 per cent on Tuesday morning, now sitting at a record low of 28 cents, valuing the company at just $88 million.

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Shares have fallen by 20 per cent since it announced the termination of Hendersons contract earlier this month, and 70 per cent since announcing the duos contract extension in late 2023. The Business Briefing newsletter delivers major stories, exclusive coverage and expert opinion. Sign up to get it every weekday morning.
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CultureCelebrityEndometriosis Indescribable, inescapable pain: Bindi Irwin details three-year endometriosis battle Kayla Olaya March 31, 2026  2:14pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

It took more than 10 years for Bindi Irwin to receive her endometriosis diagnosis after doctors dismissed her pain as part of being a woman. Now she is determined to make sure the invisible disease is no longer ignored. Dozens of endometriosis lesions have been cut out of Irwins body in the three years since she revealed her diagnosis in 2023. And on Tuesday, Irwin posted a picture of herself in a hospital bed to Instagram to highlight the invisible illness as the end of endometriosis awareness month in March approaches. Bindi Irwin says doctors initially fobbed off her pain as just part of being a woman. Bindi Irwins Instagram In the last three years, Ive had over 50 endometriosis lesions cut out of my body, Irwin said, including a chocolate cyst, which is a cyst sac filled with old blood that forms in the ovaries during menstruation. TV personality Irwin, a former US Dancing With the Stars winner who is CEO of Australia Zoo and daughter of the late conservationist Steve Irwin, also said that she has had her appendix removed as well as a hernia repair  all of which occurred across two surgeries.

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Ive felt indescribable, inescapable pain, Irwin said. Trying to keep my invisible illness to myself after being told by doctors it was just part of being a woman. I spent 10 years being undiagnosed. As a teenager and young woman, I felt weak and deeply insecure. I was trapped in my own body. March is endometriosis awareness month. As this month comes to a close, I urge everyone to remember this invisible disease each and every day. Bindis mother, Terry Irwin, commented on the post supporting her daughter. I am so proud of you for sharing your journey, Bindi. I have learned that it is important for women to seek out a surgeon who performs excision surgery instead of ablation. Everyone deserves to live without pain, Terri Irwin said.

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Loading Its not the first time Irwin has taken to social media to raise awareness about the illness and its diagnosis, issues explored in this mastheads award-winning Medical Misogyny series. In August last year, Irwin shared that after waiting 13 years for her diagnosis and undergoing two surgeries, she was finally better. Bindi Irwin and her husband Chandler Powell with first child, Grace Warrior Irwin Powell, in 2021. Instagram I can function in everyday life without wanting to throw up or pass out from the pain, she wrote.

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I felt utterly ashamed as a teenager and young adult being told that my pain was just part of being a woman. I felt lesser. I felt hurt. I felt weak. That is not OK. Young girls and women shouldnt feel alone with pain in the drivers seat of their lives. Irwin said at the time the stigma surrounding womens health needed to be removed, a message echoed in her latest social media post. Lend support, compassion and grace towards the millions who suffer [with endometriosis]. Its up to all of us to raise awareness, not just for endometriosis but for womens health as a whole. No one deserves to suffer in silence, she said. If youre in pain, my heart breaks for you. I believe you. Please find answers. And dont give up on yourself. I know how hard that can be. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
Innovative, quality programs create greater access to in-demand profession

PHOENIX, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Grand Canyon University is expected to graduate more than 4,100 undergraduate nursing students during the 2025-26 academic year, helping alleviate the nation's ongoing shortage of bachelors-prepared nurses.

In total, 4,116 students will have earned or are expected to earn degrees across GCU's Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN), RN to BSN or accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) programs in the Summer 2025, Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 terms.

This milestone reflects not only much-needed scale, but also high-quality outcomes. GCU had an average first-time NCLEX-RN pass rate of 94.45% across all its Arizona sites in 2025, which is well above the national average of 86.71% and the Arizona average of 89.92%. These scores demonstrate our graduates' consistently strong performance on the NCLEX-RN licensure exam and highlight the university's commitment to preparing practice-ready nurses equipped to meet the demands of today's healthcare environment.

"Graduating more than 4,100 nursing students in a single year is a reflection of both our capacity and our commitment to quality," said Dr. Lisa Smith, Dean of GCU's College of Nursing and Healthcare Professions. "We are not only increasing the number of BSN nurses entering the workforce but preparing them from day one. Our graduates consistently demonstrate strong licensure outcomes and clinical readiness, which speaks to the rigor of our programs and the dedication of our faculty. At a time when healthcare systems need highly skilled professionals, we are proud to be part of the solution in a meaningful and measurable way."

The need for expanded access to nursing education remains urgent. According to the American Association of Colleges of Nursing, 65,766 qualified applicants were turned away from baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs in 2023, highlighting a significant gap between demand and available training capacity. GCU has responded by developing a flexible, scalable model designed to expand access for qualified students who might otherwise be left behind.

The university has opened 11 ABSN sites across the country in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Florida, Missouri and New Mexico. These sites are designed for students with prior college experience who are seeking to transition into the nursing profession. The hybrid model combines online coursework with in-person, hands-on skills labs and immersive simulation experiences that can be completed in as little as 16 months, after secondary admission. At the same time, GCU's Phoenix campus continues to serve a large population of traditional undergraduate students pursuing a BSN, reinforcing a strong foundation for first-time college students entering the profession.

To further expand access, GCU has also introduced additional entry points into the nursing pipeline, offering prerequisite science and general education courses at discounted tuition prices, with federal financial aid also available through a new Pre-Nursing Associate degree. This approach reduces financial barriers and allows students to prepare for rigorous nursing programs with greater confidence and lower risk.

"Expanding access to nursing education requires more than simply adding seats, it requires rethinking how students enter and move through the pipeline," Smith said. "That's why we've built multiple pathways that meet students at different stages of life, whether they are just beginning their college journey or transitioning from another career. By offering flexible program formats, affordable entry points and accelerated options, we are removing barriers and creating opportunities for more individuals to pursue a calling in nursing. This approach not only changes lives, it strengthens communities by addressing a critical workforce need."

About Grand Canyon University: Grand Canyon University was founded in 1949 and is Arizona's premier private Christian university. GCU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and offers 380 academic programs, emphases and certificates for both traditional undergraduate students and working professionals. The university's curriculum emphasizes interaction with classmates, both in-person and online, and individual attention from instructors while fusing academic rigor with Christian values to help students find their purpose and become skilled, caring professionals. For more information, visit gcu.edu.

SOURCE Grand Canyon University
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Review Eating outFortitude Valley The Happy Boy teams best restaurant isnt Happy Boy One of the citys sharpest dim sum menus shares equal billing with one its very best wine cellars. Theres little not to love at this perfectly pitched Valley spot. Matt Shea March 31, 2026 Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

1 / 9 Snack Man opened in late 2018 next door to beloved stablemate Happy Boy. Markus Ravik 2 / 9 Snack Man is a moodier, more grown-up version of its lighter and brighter sibling. Markus Ravik 3 / 9 Prawn wontons in soy and chilli oil. Markus Ravik 4 / 9 Pork xiao long bao. Markus Ravik 5 / 9 Fu pei gyun (crispy tofu skin roll) with prawn. Markus Ravik 6 / 9 Mao shi hong shao rou (Chairman Maos comforting red-braised pork belly). Markus Ravik 7 / 9 Pan-fried coral trout in a soy, shallot and ginger sauce. Markus Ravik 8 / 9 Fried chocolate bao with vanilla ice cream. Markus Ravik 9 / 9 Wine shares equal billing with the food at Snack Man. Markus Ravik Previous Slide Next Slide Good Food hat 15 / 20 Critics' Pick How we score Snack Man Chinese$$$$ That place would go nuts in Sydney. I remember a big-time Brisbane sommelier saying this one night when semi-idly discussing Snack Man. In one sense, it was a redundant comment. Snack Man goes nuts in Brisbane, particularly later in the week when it forms a symbiotic relationship with neighbouring stablemate Happy Boy, mobs of revellers rolling from one to the other, then back again.

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Snack Man opened in late 2018 next door to beloved stablemate Happy Boy. Markus Ravik But I think I know what he meant. Snack Man would be as significant in Sydney as it is in Brisbane, and it perhaps required Brisbane people to see that to appreciate it to its fullest extent. That was back in 2019, and Snack Man perhaps isnt as unique as it once was. But it would still be considered exceptional regardless of where it existed: Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne. Related Article Feels like a spree: Are restaurant groups really taking over Brisbane? Cameron and Jordan Votans follow-up to their enormously popular Happy Boy restaurant, Snack Man opened next door on East Street in late 2018. The idea was a spin on Happy Boys Chinese food, with smaller plates this time matched to European small-producer wine and grower champagne, compared to Happy Boys focus on local drops.

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The fit-out was darker and edgier, the menu would change a little more frequently, and there were cocktails and counter seating. This was the Votan brothers getting all grown up. Snack Man is a moodier, more grown-up version of its lighter and brighter sibling. Markus Ravik Snack Man took a little time to become the best version of itself, pulled this way and that by the pandemic and the subsequent economic sugar hits and hangovers. And there was a time around two years ago when it felt like it had perhaps drifted a little too far from its own late-night hospitality. But visit in early 2026, seven years on from opening, and youll find this 140-seater (70 inside, 70 out) in cracking form  intentional, engaged, always consistent. Prawn wontons in soy and chilli oil. Markus Ravik

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It doesnt matter that its a Thursday night at the counter and the kitchen has a pump on  delicate, Shanghai-style prawn wontons land fast and pop with sesame oil and a dash of shaoxing sweetness, an accompanying basket of xiao long bao packed full of juicy pork and a heavenly collagen-heavy broth. Each dish at Snack Man is listed with the Chinese region from where it originates. Guandong, in the countrys coastal south, is (perhaps unsurprisingly) particularly well represented. Pork xiao long bao. Markus Ravik We order fu pei gyun (tofu skin rolls) stuffed full of prawns and crisp-fried just so  served with a sriracha and kewpie mayo, its ugly deliciousness at its very best. Theyre followed by delicate, crystal-like har gao ripe with pink prawn meat and water chestnut; if, as they say, you can judge the rest of the dim sum menu by the quality of its har gao, we can probably leave now. But then weve already ordered Mao Shi Hong Shao Rou, Hunan-style braised pork made famous by being a favourite of Mao Zedong. This has been in the Votan repertoire since Happy Boys early days in Spring Hill. Back then, it was more of a syrupy, mahogany-coloured sauce matched to tender pork belly; I prefer this version, which is more a stew or broth that allows you to delineate the different aromatics as they hit the palate. Its one of the best comfort dishes around.

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Fu pei gyun (crispy tofu skin roll) with prawn. Markus Ravik We return on a Sunday afternoon to knock off a few more dishes: pan-fried coral trout in a soy, shallot and ginger sauce, stir-fried green garlic shoots with lap cheong, and a mini version of a Beijing-style xian bing pan-fried pie that substitutes the traditional minced beef for pork floss and spring onion. Its all killer, but particularly the fragrant, toothsome pies  I imagine a lot of people breeze by them when perusing the menu, but this is Brisbane dim sum at its very best. We finish with a Snack Man classic: melted chocolate in a fried bao bun finished with vanilla ice cream. Its not nearly as heart-stopping as it might sound, but just as delicious. Mao Shi Hong Shao Rou (Chairman Maos comforting red-braised pork belly). Markus Ravik Wine shares equal billing with the food at Snack Man and the selection is one of the best in town, with 500 bottles out front backed by a cellar that holds another 1000(ish) cuvees. There are 30 wines on by the glass at any one time, with 20 of them Coravin pours.

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They rotate regularly (sometimes daily) but think drops such as an Alessandro Viola grillo from Sicily, a Christophe et Fils chablis, or a Lezer chilled red by influential Italian winemaker Elisabetta Foradori  vivacious, complex wines with enough character to converse with the heftier flavours of the food. Wine shares equal billing with the food at Snack Man. Markus Ravik Theres no list, as such, but thats where the Votans skill as food and beverage communicators shows. A lot of new-wave wine bars will proclaim theyre here to rescue you from the traditional d--k measuring of the category but, honestly, thats been on the way out for years, and the Votans were at the forefront, both with Happy Boy and then Snack Man. Theyre more interested in telling you a story, and taking you on journey. That applies with the food too, of course  hence all those regional notes. A question about a dish often leads to an answer regarding its origins, evolution and how it might fit into what you already understand to be Chinese food. It illustrates the Votans excitement about what they do, and the genuine hospitality at the heart of it.

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The low-down Atmosphere: Buzzy dim sum and brilliant wines with Brisbane diners in the know. Go-to dishes: Crispy tofu skin roll with prawn ($15), xiao long bao ($15), prawn har gao ($15), Chairmans red-braised pork belly ($28). Drinks: One of the best selections of small-producer European wine in the city (maybe the country). Cost: About $140 for two, excluding drinks. Good Food reviews are booked anonymously and paid independently. A restaurant cant pay for a review or inclusion in the Good Food Guide.
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LifestyleHealth & wellnessTrends The Gwyneth-approved exercise trend about to take over Australia Gyan Yankovich March 31, 2026  6:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Anyone who has ever done a HIIT class walks in with a certain set of expectations: loud music, burpees and muscles that will hurt a little afterwards. What people might not anticipate is being encouraged to make as much noise as they can while doing sets of squats or told its OK to cry. But these are just a couple of things someone may be invited to try during a somatic exercise class, in which each workout is designed to help you look inward and release any pent-up emotions. (And yes, your thighs will still burn afterwards.) Havent heard of somatic movement? According to some of Australias most popular fitness influencers and entrepreneurs, youre about to start seeing it everywhere. Laura Henshaw, co-founder of KIC, an Australian wellness brand opening its first fitness studio in Cremorne. Eddie Jim What is somatic movement?

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Somative movement, in its broadest term, is movement that brings your attention and awareness towards the internal landscape, says Imogen Sist, physiotherapist and head trainer at KICStudio, the first bricks and mortar space from Australian wellness brand KIC. Related Article Sunday Life Theres something about Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw To explain the difference between internal and external outcomes in exercise, Sist uses running as an example. Running can be very external, if youre only looking at your pace or distance, she says. Or if we run as a somatic experience, we ask how it feels while were running, what sensations come up in our body, physical and emotional. By this definition, Sist says all exercise can incorporate somatic movement. Actions such as rubbing your temples during moments of rest, paying attention to tension in your face and asking yourself how you feel while doing typical exercise moves, like star jumps and leg pulses, are what Sist believes make her classes unique.

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In a general Pilates class, you might disassociate and think, Oh just get through this, but this [somatic exercise] is very focused on how you feel while youre doing each movement, she says. How it differs to somatic therapy The term somatic comes from the ancient Greek word soma, which roughly translates to the living body and its wholeness, says Jennifer Lalor, Byron Bay-based psychotherapist, EMDR practitioner and somatic therapist. According to Lalor, somatic therapy differs from traditional talk therapies because it takes a body and mind approach to healing. Whether its somatic exercise or somatic therapy, were trying to help people bring their attention to the life of their body in a way that can be self-healing and self-educating, says Lalor, citing a theoretical example of someone who has been in a car accident and is now holding trauma in their mind but also in their body.

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Related Article Psychology In traumatic times, this psychiatrist has some advice for you While somatic therapy is often associated with trauma recovery, in which a mind-body approach can be uniquely healing, Lalor says it can also be very effective for high-performance people, such as executives and athletes, who need to show up mentally and physically in high-stress environments. And though somatic movement is not to be confused with somatic therapy, Sist says elements of the mental health practice are sprinkled into the classes she and other trainers lead. We take learnings from those kinds of practices. The next big fitness trend Few workout classes have a celebrity following quite like The Class, a music-driven somatic exercise method combining body weight movements with cardiovascular training founded in New York by Taryn Toomey in 2011.

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In a 2020 interview with Toomey for Goop, Gwyneth Paltrow referred to the workout as pretty incredible and pretty unique, admitting she felt embarrassed the first time she did it, making so much noise. Emma Stone, Naomi Watts and Alicia Keys are also fans. KIC head trainer Imogen Sist outside KICStudio, which will open its doors on April 18. Eddie Jim While not the first studio to offer somatic movement classes in Australia, the April 18 opening of KICStudio in Melbournes Cremorne signals the trends move into the mainstream. KIC co-founders Steph Claire Smith and Laura Henshaw are known for their holistic and inclusive approach to fitness, and this ethos will be reflected in the studios offering of four class types  all grounded in somatic movement  including HIIT, strength, yoga and breathwork. According to Henshaw, the opening is the start of a national rollout program for KICStudio.

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Trying it yourself For visitors to KICStudio, classes may include using vocals during exercises (being loud is encouraged in the studio, which is mirror-free to help remove any feelings of self-consciousness), self-touch, breathwork and shaking  a movement Sist compares to birds resetting their feathers. Once someone is familiar with the practice, Sist says, its easy for people to introduce these additions into their regular exercise routine, whether its while doing weights at home or on a walk. Were always told as women were too loud and take up too much space, so we wanted to create a space where people can come and take up as much space as they want, be as loud as they want, says Henshaw. To find a practice that enables you to unlock that within yourself is electric. The writer travelled to Melbourne as a guest of KIC. Make the most of your health, relationships, fitness and nutrition with our Live Well newsletter. Get it in your inbox every Monday.
King and Queen to visit the US in April

President Donald Trump has welcomed the news that the King and Queen will go ahead with his state visit to the United States next month, despite the ongoing war in the Middle East.
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NationalQueenslandCrime Teen accused of killing Universal Store founder sees psych in custody Cloe Read March 31, 2026  10:22am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The teenager accused of killing Universal Store co-founder Greg Josephson has been seeing a psychiatrist while in custody, but a report on his condition is yet to be delivered to the court due to delays in the youth detention facility. Josephson, 58, was found dead at his multimillion-dollar Brisbane home in June last year, during a Thursday-evening party attended by dozens of teenagers. A 15-year-old boy was charged with murder as the death shocked the close-knit community of Clayfield, in Brisbanes north. Greg Josephson, pictured with wife Tamra. Internet His lawyer, Kris Jahnke, last year told the Childrens Court that material would be provided to the boys psychiatrist, with the pair expected to meet late last year.

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Jahnke told the court on Tuesday that the psychiatrist had been retained to assess the teenagers capacity. He has been meeting with my client since about November, Jahnke said. Police near the crime scene in Clayfield. Brisbane Times/William Davis Im told that he should be in a position to provide me with the preliminary opinion by the end of April. Jahnke also told the court that date might not be certain, given delays in the youth detention facility.

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This is a complex matter  [the psychiatrist] has been meeting with my client on numerous occasions, but he has also experienced some delay in respect of being able to get into the youth detention centre, Jahnke said. Related Article Crime Case of teen accused of killing Universal Store founder returns to court The case was adjourned to May to allow time for the report to be compiled. Josephson, who founded Universal Store in 1999 with his brother Michael, was farewelled by family and friends in July. The pair sold the company for $100 million in 2018.

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Josephson and his wife had been planning to sell their Clayfield property, worth $5 million, while shifting their focus to various business ventures on the Sunshine Coast. Get alerts on significant breaking news as happens. Sign up for our Breaking News Alert.
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Those who have lived closely with police killer Dezi Freeman are not surprised he may have worn out his welcome with those helping to harbour him. However, the violent end to Victorias largest manhunt has added a layer of sadness rather than a sense of closure to an already tragic situation for families, towns and a region in upheaval since the double murder last August. One of Freemans former landlords and friends, who asked not to be identified for his own security, said he was relieved the manhunt was finally over after months of fearing he might show up seeking shelter in areas he knew, or angry about past grievances. Leanne Boyd says three families are now grieving after Freemans death. Ruby Alexander We lived those first couple of months never knowing where he was, but knowing he knew this area very well and that he could have been anywhere, the former landlord said.

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Everyone is a lot more relieved around here. The former landlord was also not surprised that a couple who had been helping Freeman hide had become concerned at his recent behaviour, leading to his discovery on a remote Thologolong property. It fitted a pattern of behaviour that had seen the sovereign citizen repeatedly asked to move on from home after home across the region. They are trying to tell me that he just walked into some guys container - I find that hard to believe, he said. Jamie King lived next door to Freeman in Nug Nug for more than three years and believes he would have made life progressively more difficult for anyone harbouring him, though he wished his one-time friend had been captured alive to face court. He lived on my farm for over three years, and he never asked how I was  it was always about Dezi, he said.

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He just got worse and worse. I think Dezi was his own worst enemy. Freeman family friend Leanne Boyd said few people in Porepunkah and Bright wanted to discuss Mondays events, his death leaving a third family grieving and still no satisfactory answers on how things turned so tragic. Whether you say its justified or not, we live in a very peaceful country, and were not used to witnessing or being part of anything like this, Boyd said. Having seen Freemans behaviour deteriorate over recent years, Boyd said she believed he had underlying mental health issues that were mishandled or underestimated by police when they went to serve him with a warrant in August last year. Its not an excuse for what he did, but part of the complicated motives of Freeman and his family.

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Its a very sad situation, Boyd said. They lost their dad, and someone lost their husband, and all respect to the police officers families because they lost their son, and a woman lost her partner. Signs out the front of the RAyner Track Road property. Ruby Alexander They [police] should have taken the mental health team with them to assist on August 26  maybe that would have led to a better outcome for everybody, and maybe nobody would have died. We wouldnt have three families grieving. Those still living at the Porepunkah home where Freeman set up his bus encampment and murdered Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson and Senior Constable Vadim de Waart-Hottart appear to be passing comment on the wild conspiracy theories that have since flourished, as well as ongoing tension with police.

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Rebecca and Andrew Swift owned the property where Freeman killed two police officers. Neither Andrew or Rebecca Swift, the owners, have commented since returning to the red-roofed farmhouse of Four Gully Farm, but a handmade sign on the newly repaired and reinforced security fence at the front includes a fictitious forwarding address for Freeman in South Africa  a reference to one of the more speculative theories floated about the fugitive, that he was hiding in plain sight in a Cape Town tourist strip. The crude handwritten sign also references the Australian childrens classic Bottersnikes and Gumbles, illustrated by Desmond Digby. The book is set deep in the Australian bush, and centres on environmental issues and conflict between the helpful and hardworking Gumbles and the angry, destructive Bottersnikes. The sign lists Freemans address as being in Wakefield South Africa, a reference to Bottersnikes and Gumbles author Sydney Wakefield, or perhaps Cape Town-born anti-apartheid activist Sybil Wakefield, who lived in Adelaide.

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Related Article Porepunkah shooting Firefighters came within sight of Freemans hideout as they battled summer blaze The Swifts continue to list the rural property on a farmstay website, offering food and off-grid accommodation to farming volunteers. In exchange for a stay in one of four huts, guests are asked to provide assistance with projects including building a chicken coop and sauna, as well as harvesting the farms produce. In the about me section, Rebecca lists several interests, including music, cooking and finding creative ways to subvert the current paradigm of planned totalitarian control. wink [sic] wink. We are all on a journey to greater awareness of self, in connection with others and to our relationship with our Creator, the couple wrote.

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PoliticsFederalDefence Ghost Bat v Valkyrie: Australia in fierce battle with US for German war drone market Matthew Knott March 31, 2026  5:22pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Australia is closing in on a breakthrough deal to sell hundreds of locally designed combat drones, called Ghost Bats, to the German military in an agreement that could pave the way for the cutting-edge aircraft to be exported around the world. Boeing Australia and German defence giant Rheinmetall announced on Tuesday that they had entered a strategic partnership to offer the MQ-28 Ghost Bat to the German armed forces, known as the Bundeswehr, for use from 2029. The Ghost Bat is the first military combat aircraft to be designed, engineered and manufactured in Australia in over 50 years. Germany is considering buying the Ghost Bat for its military. Department of Defence German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius inspected the Ghost Bat during a visit to Australia last week, saying the purchase was under consideration and that Germany will make a decision as soon as possible.

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Rheinmetall chief executive Armin Papperger said in a statement: With Boeing Defence Australia as a partner, we are laying the groundwork to optimally tailor the MQ-28 to the Bundeswehrs requirements. We see revenue potential for Rheinmetall in the range of hundreds of millions of euros. Australia has been criticised for being late to enter the drone era of warfare, but it has recently made progress with the Ghost Bat and uncrewed underwater vessels such as the Ghost Shark. The government announced in December that it would invest another $1 billion to move the Ghost Bat from the prototype stage to become a fully operational war-fighting asset. Boeing global president Brendan Nelson said the agreement was not just a partnership between our companies but between two great countries, Germany and Australia, who share a similar strategy for integrating collaborative combat aircraft into their air forces.

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Our partnership will see Germanys industrial base leverage years of Australian innovation and investment to field and evolve MQ-28 for the Bundeswehr. The Ghost Bat is competing against the XQ-58 Valkyrie, an experimental drone built by American firm Kratos for the US Air Force, and a third undisclosed rival for the German combat drone contract. Turning to an Australian-developed system would mark a significant new direction for Germany, which has traditionally sourced its military aircraft from US and European partners. The Ghost Bat, which operates without personnel on board, is packed with advanced sensors and is expected to have a range of more than 3700 kilometres. The USs rival drone, the XQ-58 Valkyrie, on display in a Brussels expo earlier this month. Bloomberg

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It is designed to act as a so-called loyal wingman, teaming up for operations with traditional aircraft like fighter jets. Germany agreed to buy more than 100 Australian-made Boxer Heavy Weapon carrier vehicles in the countrys biggest defence export deal. But Germany was disappointed by Australias decision to choose Japans Mogami-class frigate over a rival ship made by German firm TKMS last year, and the slashing of a contract for offshore patrol vessels by German shipbuilder Lurssen. Cut through the noise of federal politics with news, views and expert analysis. Subscribers can sign up to our weekly Inside Politics newsletter.
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PoliticsQueenslandQueensland government Oil talk is heating up in Qld. One expert has some cold water for the debate Matt Dennien March 31, 2026  7:51pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

An energy expert has poured cold water on debate about a revived Queensland oil industry, driven by government rhetoric around new exploration at a time of heightened public concern for rising fuel prices. The Crisafulli government announced permits to explore for oil and gas in the Taroom Trough in the states south in February, in what it has said could be Australias first significant new oil province in 50 years. Ampols Lytton refinery on Brisbanes east is one of only two that remain operating in Australia. Glenn Campbell Since, government figures have spoken about analysis of the scale of the available oil by the end of the year, and deliveries to refineries by 2028  even a willingness to consider construction of a new oil refinery if needed. We must promise ourselves as a nation, never again will we be vulnerable entirely to foreign markets and foreign conflicts, ensuring our energy security, Premier David Crisafulli told a Sunday meeting of the LNP state council.

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In a media conference on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Steven Miles called on the government to ensure that any oil produced in the Taroom Trough is reserved for Queenslanders. Related Article Queensland government Queensland promises to use fuel tax windfall on cost-of-living relief The fact is, if these Queensland reserves are simply put into the global market, then theyll do nothing to address price crises like the one were experiencing at the moment, and do nothing to provide additional fuel security, Miles said. Grattan Institute energy and climate change program director Alison Reeve told this masthead that any such refinery would come with a price tag of between $5 billion and $15 billion. Reeve added if a new refinery was built, there is no certainty there would be enough oil available in the country  let alone the state  at current usage levels for whoever built it to recoup the cost.

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Weve got roughly eight to 10 years worth of oil. Weve got some shale oil, but we dont know, like, what quality it is, how of it much there is, how easy it is to get. If you added that in, thatd give us another 35 years, Reeve said. Related Article Energy Oil giant Shell says tax hike could hurt Australias hunt for fuel She noted that refineries are also often either built in two ways. One is to cater to the quality of oil from specific locations  which Australias two remaining sites were until such reserves largely dried up, leaving them to refine imported oil. Meanwhile, much of the oil Australia does still produce is exported to places like Singapore for refining in sites which operate in the second way. They have large enough capacity they can essentially blend different imported oils together to a consistent quality for processing into fuels. And so why dont you import the fuel  let someone else do the refining step, Reeve said.

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She said it essentially came down to a question of how much do we want to spend on insurance. And, I mean, the thing with insurance is you usually find out that your willingness to pay kind of goes up when youre in an emergency. The question that they [the government] should be asking themselves, is, if we are going to spend, I dont know, pick a number, a billion dollars on fuel security, where do we get the most bang for buck by doing that  not how do we spend a billion dollars on an oil refinery. On whether any such oil could also be reserved for Queenslanders alone, Reeve said that in a situation of any kind of national importance the state would probably have to secede from the Commonwealth or something before you get away with that. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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PoliticsQueenslandCity life Push to get cyclists, scooters off footpaths  and onto busy roads  behind new laws Felicity Caldwell Updated March 31, 2026  12:13pm ,first published March 27, 2026  10:54am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

E-bike cyclists and e-scooter riders are being pushed to use high-speed roads with traffic, instead of footpaths and shared paths, under Queensland government laws that will be passed this year. That is the motivation for the 10km/h limit  a jogging speed slower than a toddler on a balance bike  on footpaths and shared paths, as revealed in the explanatory notes for the laws cracking down on e-mobility devices. Clotilde Belanger with her legal e-bike behind the Ashgrove Golf Club, which is part of the Enoggera Creek Bikeway. Clotilde Belanger bought a legal pedal-assist e-bicycle to ride to work in the CBD in 2019, travelling along the Enoggera Creek and Ithaca Creek bikeways. The trip takes about 50 minutes each way, averaging a speed of about 20km/h. A 10km/h restriction on shared paths would add an extra 30 minutes to her commute each way, as about half the bikeways are on paths shared with pedestrians.

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To completely avoid using shared paths, I would need to ride on Waterworks Road in peak-hour traffic, which would be a death wish, she said. I am a mother of two and primary income earner for my household, so I would like to stay alive. E-scooters riding at 25km/h will be permitted on Brisbanes Kelvin Grove Road, Story Bridge and Coronation Drive. Dan Peled/Courtney Kruk/Matt Dennien The bill, introduced to parliament on Wednesday night, accepted all 28 of the e-mobility inquirys recommendations, and has been referred back to the committee that conducted the inquiry. The changes were proposed after a spate of injuries and deaths, mostly involving non-compliant e-motorbikes or e-scooters, in 2025. They were welcomed by the RACQ and Queenslands AMA, but drew criticism from cyclists and the states peak tourism body.

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Under the laws, e-scooter riders could use any road with a speed limit up to 60km/h, instead of the current 50km/h, to support rider choice and reduce traffic on footpaths. Related Article Updated

City life E-bike crackdown might have serious unintended consequences for tourism That means within months it would be legal to ride a scooter in traffic on the Story Bridge, Turbot Street, Gympie Road, Kelvin Grove Road, Moggill Road and Coronation Drive. But despite cars, trucks and buses travelling at 60km/h, e-scooters will be required to have a new maximum design speed of 25km/h. E-bike riders can ride on roads with any speed limit, unless they are specifically prohibited. This would not change.

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But under the new laws, e-scooter and e-bike riders would be required to ride at 10km/h or slower on footpaths and shared paths, unless specifically signed at a higher or lower speed limit  a limit that would not apply to cyclists using non-electric bikes. Lower speeds on footpaths and shared paths may deter riders from using these environments in areas with high pedestrian activity or where high-quality active transport infrastructure is available, encouraging riders to select routes that better support higher speeds, the bills explanatory notes said. About 90 per cent of Queenslands separated bicycle infrastructure is shared pathways, with very few bicycle only or pedestrian only paths. In a guideline for shared paths available on its website, Transport and Main Roads noted that bicycles could become unstable to ride at speeds below 11km/h.

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This would not include demerit point or other licence penalties, even though all e-bike and e-scooter riders would have to hold at least a learners car licence or interstate or international equivalent. Related Article City life New paint job to clear up walking and riding confusion on city bridge Riders would be banned from riding for eight hours after being charged with a drink-riding offence. The bills explanatory notes said there were 12 deaths involving e-mobility devices in 2025, including eight on e-scooters and three deaths involving non-compliant e-motorbikes, which are already illegal to ride on public paths and roads. There was one fatality involving a legal e-bike. Barbra Poen, 79, was killed when riding her legal e-bike on Bribie Island at 8.30am on July 14 last year when she was struck by a Ford Falcon driver, who was travelling in the same direction.

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The committee will accept submissions on the bill from Friday. When passed, the laws will come into effect from July, with a six-month transition period to ensure devices are legally compliant, including making sure e-scooters cannot exceed 25km/h. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

CORRECTION An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the victim of the only crash involving a legal e-bike in 2025 was a nine-year-old boy hit by a minivan in Robina. This crash occurred in October 2024. Its been updated to say the victim of the fatal e-bike crash in 2025 was Barbra Poen of Bribie Island.
OLN324 demonstrated meaningfully faster and greater improvements in anatomic outcomes in DME and numerically greater vision gains sustained through 20 weeks with fewer retreatments as compared to faricimab

New anatomic data demonstrates OLN324 achieves faster, greater, and more durable reductions in wAMD pigment epithelial detachment (PED) thickness versus faricimab

Ollin and Innovent Biologics advancing OLN324 into global Phase 3 studies in DME and wAMD in 2026

SAN FRANCISCO and SUZHOU, China, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Innovent Biologics, Inc. ("Innovent") (HKEX: 01801), a world-class biopharmaceutical company that develops, manufactures, and commercializes high-quality medicines for the treatment of oncology, autoimmune, cardiovascular and metabolic, ophthalmology and other major disease areas, today announced that the company's partner Ollin reported final, 20-week study completion data from its randomized, head-to-head Phase 1b JADE clinical study comparing OLN324(Innovent R&D code IBI324) , a higher-potency, smaller-format, higher-molar dose VEGF/Ang2 bispecific antibody, to faricimab (Vabysmo), in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) or wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Final results released include favorable durability data for OLN324 compared to faricimab and new anatomic data showing faster, greater, and more durable control of wAMD pigment epithelial detachments (PEDs) with OLN324.

Topline data from the Week 12 primary endpoint readout, previously announced in January 2026 and presented at the Angiogenesis, Exudation, and Degeneration Symposium in February 2026, demonstrated OLN324, compared to faricimab, delivered superior anatomic outcomes in DME, including faster and greater retinal drying and more patients achieving absence of DME; equivalent retinal drying compared to faricimab in wAMD; rapid and sustained gains in vision in both DME and wAMD that were numerically better than faricimab; and had a favorable safety profile with no cases of intraocular inflammation.

Final 20-Week Study Completion Data Highlights

The JADE trial, which enrolled 164 U.S. patients with either DME or wAMD, all patients initially received three monthly doses of OLN324 or faricimab. Thereafter, they were followed for an additional 12 weeks off treatment, during which they could be retreated based on protocol-specified criteria for disease recurrence that were the same for all groups.

At the final study visit at Week 20, 12 weeks after the last mandatory dose, DME patients treated with OLN324 continued to demonstrate greater retinal drying compared to those treated with faricimab, measured as mean change in central subfield thickness on optical coherence tomography, along with sustained vision gains that were numerically greater for OLN324 4 mg.

These improved efficacy outcomes were achieved with fewer retreatments compared to faricimab. 93% of DME patients randomized to OLN324 4 mg completed 12 weeks of follow-up without retreatment, versus 89% of patients randomized to faricimab.

In wAMD, the rapid and comparable improvements in retinal drying (mean change in OCT CST) observed from Day 1 to Week 12 with OLN324 and faricimab were sustained through Week 20. Patients treated with OLN324 experienced numerically greater vision gains than patients treated with faricimab; the BCVA improvements continued to separate between groups from Weeks 12 to 20, with a mean +2.2 letter advantage observed over faricimab for OLN324 4 mg at Week 20.

82% of OLN324 4 mg patients completed 12 weeks of follow-up without retreatment, compared with 81% of faricimab patients.

OLN324 continued to demonstrate a favorable safety profile, with zero cases of intraocular inflammation observed through the entirety of the study, compared with one case in a faricimab-treated patient. There were no cases of retinal vasculitis or occlusive retinal vasculitis with OLN324.

"These new JADE study data further strengthen the differentiated profile of OLN324, highlighting its robust anatomic efficacy and durability across both DME and wAMD. Combined with a favorable safety profile, these results underscore OLN324's potential to become a first-line treatment option for these vision-threatening diseases," said Jason Ehrlich, M.D., Ph.D., Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Ollin Biosciences. "We look forward to advancing OLN324 into global Phase 3 studies in both DME and wAMD later this year. Subject to regulatory communications, we expect the Phase 3 studies to recruit patients from North America, South America, Europe and Japan, and we are actively planning, in partnership with Innovent Biologics, to include China and South Korea."

"We are pleased to see that the latest 20-week data for OLN324 (IBI324) further highlight its differentiated profile and clinical potential," said Dr. Lei Qian, M.D., Ph.D., Chief R&D Officer of General Biomedicine at Innovent Biologics. "We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with Ollin and, following discussions with regulatory authorities, to accelerate the global Phase 3 clinical development of this best-in-disease therapy for retinal diseases."

New Anatomic Results on Pigment Epithelial Detachment (PED) Flattening Highlight Potential for Smaller-Format, Higher-Potency OLN324 to Improve Treatment of wAMD

In newly-available, pre-specified data, wAMD patients in the JADE trial randomized to OLN324 4 mg experienced faster and approximately 50% greater reductions in PED thickness at Week 12 compared to patients randomized to faricimab, measured as mean change in neovascular lesion complex thickness on optical coherence tomography (OCT). Through Week 20, in the off-treatment follow-up period, these improvements were more durable for patients randomized to OLN324 4 mg than faricimab.

"As a field, we've been looking for meaningful advancements that further improve anatomic outcomes in wAMD," said David Eichenbaum, M.D., FASRS, Director of Research, Retina Vitreous Associates of Florida. "These data suggest that OLN324's more potent Ang2 inhibition and smaller molecular format may translate into breaking through the efficacy ceiling experienced with current treatments and offering a clinically-relevant benefit in PED improvement  the most difficult to treat component of wAMD."

Retinal fluid (intraretinal and subretinal) and PEDs are two hallmark anatomic features of wAMD. PEDs are present in approximately 80% of wAMD patients. Persistent PEDs following anti-VEGF treatment are associated with development of subretinal fibrosis, an important cause of late vision loss in wAMD.

Full details of the final JADE study data are expected to be presented at upcoming medical and scientific conferences.

About the OLN324 JADE Study

JADE is a randomized, head-to-head Phase 1b clinical study comparing OLN324, a next-generation VEGF/Ang2 bispecific antibody, to faricimab (Vabysmo), in patients with diabetic macular edema (DME) or wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). More than 160 patients with wAMD or DME were enrolled at sites in the United States. All patients initially received three monthly doses of either OLN324 2 mg, OLN324 4 mg, or faricimab 6 mg. Patients were evaluated at Weeks 1, 4, 8, 12, 16, and 20 and could be retreated at Weeks 12 or 16 based on protocol-specified retreatment criteria that were the same for all groups. The primary objective was to assess safety and tolerability (through Week 12 and Week 20). Prespecified exploratory efficacy objectives included the evaluation of OLN324 vs faricimab on visual acuity and various retinal anatomic parameters.

About OLN324

Building on the clinical success of intravitreal VEGF/Ang2 inhibition, OLN324 is a next-generation VEGF/Ang2 bispecific antibody engineered with substantially higher Ang2 potency relative to faricimab, increased molar dosing relative to both faricimab and aflibercept (including Eylea HD), and a smaller protein format. VEGF and Ang2 are central drivers of retinal vascular diseases such as diabetic macular edema (DME) and wet (neovascular) age-related macular degeneration (wAMD), with Ang2 playing a key role in vascular instability, leakage, inflammation, and fibrosis. OLN324 was discovered by and is being developed in collaboration with Innovent Biologics (HKEX: 01801; Innovent R&D code: IBI324).

About Diabetic Macular Edema (DME)

Diabetic macular edema, a vision-threatening complication of diabetic eye disease, is a leading cause of vision loss among working-age adults in the developed world. In diabetic macular edema, progressive microvasculature damage, ischemia and microvascular inflammation result in vascular leakage and retinal swelling that compromise vision.

About Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration (wAMD)

Age-Related Macular Degeneration, a chronic and progressive retinal disease, is the leading cause of vision loss among older adults in the developed world. In wet (or neovascular) AMD, abnormal blood vessels growing beneath the retina leak and bleed, resulting in significant vision impairment.

About Ollin Biosciences

Established in 2023, Ollin BiosciencesTM is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company dedicated to acquiring and developing best-in-disease therapies for vision-threatening diseases. With a differentiated pipeline, world-class team, and strong investor syndicate, Ollin is redefining what's possible in ophthalmology. For more information, please visit us at www.ollin.bio and follow us on LinkedIn and X.

About Innovent

Innovent is a leading biopharmaceutical company founded in 2011 with the mission to empower patients worldwide with affordable, high-quality biopharmaceuticals. The company discovers, develops, manufactures and commercializes innovative medicines that target some of the most intractable diseases. Its pioneering therapies treat cancer, cardiovascular and metabolic, autoimmune and eye diseases. Innovent has launched 18 products in the market. It has 4 assets in Phase 3 or pivotal clinical trials and 15 more molecules in early clinical stage. Innovent partners with over 30 global healthcare companies, including Lilly, Sanofi, Incyte, LG Chem and MD Anderson Cancer Center.

Guided by the motto, "Start with Integrity, Succeed through Action" Innovent maintains the highest standard of industry practices and works collaboratively to advance the biopharmaceutical industry so that first-rate pharmaceutical drugs can become widely accessible. For more information, visit www.innoventbio.com, or follow Innovent on Facebook and LinkedIn.

Disclaimer: Innovent does not recommend any off-label usage.

Vabysmo is a registered trademark of Genentech, Inc.; Eylea and Eylea HD are registered trademarks of Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Forward-looking statement

This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Innovent Biologics ("Innovent"), are intended to identify certain of such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly.

These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections and understandings of the management of the Company with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond the Company's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, the Company's competitive environment and political, economic, legal and social conditions.

The Company, the Directors and the employees of the Company assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained in this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialise or turn out to be incorrect.

SOURCE Innovent Biologics
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TechnologyAI Albanese government reaches deal with $550b AI giant in legal battle with Trump David Swan April 1, 2026  8:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Anthropic, the artificial intelligence giant locked in a legal war with the Trump administration over military use of its technology, has signed a formal AI safety pact with the Albanese government. The memorandum of understanding was signed when chief executive Dario Amodei met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday. It commits Anthropic to sharing research on emerging model capabilities and risks with Australias AI Safety Institute, participating in joint safety evaluations, and collaborating with Australian academic institutions. The agreement mirrors arrangements Anthropic holds with safety institutes in the US, Britain and Japan. Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei is on a flying visit to Canberra. Bloomberg Anthropic, which is valued at $US380 billion ($550 billion), will also share data from its economic index with the federal government to track AI adoption across sectors including natural resources, agriculture, healthcare and financial services, with a focus on implications for workers. The deal comes as Amodei  who flew into Canberra on Tuesday via chartered jet from San Jose  conducts a blitz of political meetings with Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Industry Minister Tim Ayres and Assistant Technology Minister Andrew Charlton. He is also scheduled to appear at a half-day Futures Forum at Parliament House, where the company will demonstrate its AI agents to public servants and government officials.

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Related Article AI Labor split over renewed push for AI to be able to harvest Australian art Anthropic is one of a small number of companies at the frontier of artificial intelligence development, competing directly with OpenAI  maker of ChatGPT  and Googles DeepMind to build the worlds most advanced AI systems. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives, including siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, the company has positioned itself as the safety-focused alternative in an industry increasingly defined by its geopolitical significance and breakneck pace of development. Its flagship product, Claude, has become one of the most widely used AI models globally. Alongside the MOU, Anthropic announced $3 million in Claude API credits for four Australian research institutions: the Australian National University, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Curtin University. The funding targets clinical genomics, precision medicine, paediatric heart disease research and computing education. The company also launched a dedicated API credit program offering up to $US50,000 for venture-backed deep tech start-ups working in drug discovery, materials science, climate modelling and medical diagnostics. Australias investment in AI safety makes it a natural partner for responsible AI development, Amodei said.

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Claude maker Anthropic has also confirmed it is exploring data centre infrastructure investment in Australia. Bloomberg Im particularly excited by the work Australian research institutions will be doing with Claude to advance disease diagnosis and treatment. Related Article Opinion

AI The siblings who built a $537 billion giant in five years Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The visit carries significant commercial and geopolitical weight. Anthropic is locked in a legal battle with the Trump administration after refusing to allow its AI systems to be used in autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance, resulting in the company being designated a supply chain risk by the Pentagon. That designation, currently frozen by the courts, bars US federal agencies and military contractors from using Anthropics products. The company has been branded left-wing nutjobs by US President Donald Trump. Anthropic has also confirmed it is exploring data centre infrastructure investment in Australia, though any deal to use local facilities for model training remains constrained by an unresolved deadlock between the government and the AI sector over copyright licensing for training data. Andrew Charlton has said the current system was failing to protect Australian creators, while tech companies say they need to train their systems on local data to ensure AI outputs reflect Australian nuance, vocabulary and concepts to close cultural gaps for customers.

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The company has hired three lobbying firms  Anacta Strategies, SEC Newgate and Carolyn Houghs Policy Australia  ahead of the visit, and is recruiting for a country head and an external affairs lead in Canberra. Anthropic told a Senate committee last month it would extend its US commitment to cover the full cost of grid upgrades and bring net-new power generation online to any Australian market where it builds infrastructure. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here.
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Reviews & adviceSavvy traveller Always check the airport code on your ticket or you might get a nasty surprise Brian Johnston April 1, 2026  1:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Many cities have two airports or more. It pays to keep an eye on the airport code when you book to avoid a nasty surprise  or to save money. Who knew you should fly into Zurich or Munich if heading to the Austrian Alps? That some budget airlines fly to Girona-Costa Brava airport and not Barcelona (which is one hour away) as advertised? That if you want cheap flights you should fly from Stansted or Luton rather than Heathrow in London? Make sure you land in the right place. Illustration: Greg Straight In Europe especially, its easy to overlook the most convenient or the cheapest airport, which mightnt even be in the same country as your destination. Geneva is best for visitors to eastern France, and Copenhagen for southern Sweden, for example. Ski resort St Anton is 90 minutes by train from Innsbruck. But although flying to Munich will take you an extra hour, thats less than you need for a domestic transfer  and cheaper too, because you avoid adding an Innsbruck flight onto your long-haul ticket.

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Different airports in the same city tend to have different functions: JFK in New York for long-haul flights, LaGuardia for low-cost carriers and a wider selection of domestic routes. Your choice of airline might send you to an unexpected airport: Southwest Airlines uses Midway rather than OHare in Chicago. Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. Girona-Costa Brava airport is often advertised as a flight to Barcelona, even though its an hour away. Alamy If flying domestically, pick convenient Hongqiao over Pudong in Shanghai, or Haneda over Narita in Tokyo. And watch out because in some cities you might be required to transfer to a different airport for a domestic leg, such as in Buenos Aires. Be particularly wary when booking budget airline tickets. Budget airlines use secondary airports because they have lower landing and gate fees, quicker taxi-ing and turnaround times, and less air-traffic congestion. Examples are Subang airport rather than Kuala Lumpur International, and Don Mueang rather than Suvarnabhumi in Bangkok.

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Neither of those really matters, but you might be surprised in Europe, where budget flights can land nowhere near your assumed destination, and land transportation ends up costing you more than your airline ticket. Related Article Air travel Worlds best airport named as Melbourne tops list for Australia For example, Paris-Beauvais is 108 kilometres from the city centre, Charles de Gaulle only 31 kilometres, and with far superior public-transport options. Memmingen is 141 kilometres from Munich, and Girona 107 kilometres from Barcelona. To avoid being wrong-footed, check their airport code when booking because flights might be advertised as Munich or Barcelona when they actually land in Memmingen (FMM rather than MUC) or Girona (GRO rather than BCN). Some booking websites give the option to choose a specific airport, all airports in a city, or nearby airports  which might offer Pisa as well as Florence, for example.

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Theres nothing wrong with alternative airports: they might even have a location or flight times that suit you better, and flights will probably be cheaper. However, be aware of the distance from your destination, airport transfer choices and costs, and transport availability if arriving early in the morning or late at night. Some budget airports (such as Toluca outside Mexico City) have no public transport at all. Flyer beware.
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WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war American journalist kidnapped in Iraq, suspect linked to Iran-backed militia Michael Koziol Updated April 1, 2026  6:15am ,first published 5:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: An American journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq, and the countrys Interior Ministry said a suspect had been arrested while the others  along with the victim  were still missing. Al-Monitor, an independent media service covering the Middle East, identified the abducted journalist as one of its contributors, Shelly Kittleson. American journalist Shelly Kittleson. Instagram/@shellyrkittleson Her identity was also confirmed by Alex Plitsas, a contributing security analyst at CNN and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, who said he was Kittlesons designated US point-of-contact. We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday, Al-Monitor said in a statement.

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We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: PM says months ahead may not be easy, asks drivers to use public transport in national address; fuel excise cut kicks in; US wont be involved in reopening Strait of Hormuz, Trump says Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday (Iraq time). Plitsas said on X that his friend may have been taken hostage by Kataib Hezbollah  an Iranian-backed Shiite militia operating in Iraq, which the US has designated as a terrorist organisation. US State Department spokesman Dylan Johnson said the government was aware of the kidnapping in Baghdad, and confirmed the terrorist groups involvement was suspected. The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible, Johnson said.

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An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group [Kataib Hezbollah] believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities. Related Article Updated

Middle East at war Thats not for us: Trump prepared to exit Iran with Strait of Hormuz still closed All Americans were warned not to travel to Iraq for any reason, he said. In a statement on its Facebook page, translated using Google, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said a foreign journalist had been abducted by unknown assailants. Security forces located the kidnappers vehicle, which overturned as they attempted to flee, the ministry said. It said officers apprehended and arrested one suspect, and seized the vehicle, while efforts to locate the victim and remaining kidnappers were ongoing.

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The Ministry of Interior reiterates its firm stance that it will not tolerate any attempt to destabilise security or target foreign guests; its security agencies will remain vigilant and resolute in pursuing those who flout the law and bringing them to justice. According to the Womens Media Centre, Kittleson is a freelance journalist focusing on the Middle East and Afghanistan, whose work has been published across US, Italian and other international outlets. She has contributed to Foreign Policy, New Lines Magazine and Politico, among others. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.0825 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of March 12, 2026, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Premium Dividend Fund (NYSE: PDT) with important information concerning the distribution declared on March 2, 2026, and payable on March 31, 2026. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: March 2026 Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.0825

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable March 31, 2026, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 03/01/2026-03/31/2026

For the fiscal year-to-date period

11/01/2025-03/31/2026 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.0789

96 %

0.3199

78 % Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0 %

0.0140

3 % Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0011

1 %

0.0786

19 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0025

3 %

0.0000

0 % Total per common share

0.0825

100 %

0.4125

100 %

















___________________________



1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2025 and will end on October 31, 2026.









Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on February 28, 2026

11.55 %





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026

6.55 %





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through February 28, 2026

10.75 %





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of February 28, 2026

2.73 %

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the March 2026 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.0825 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the Manulife John Hancock Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About Manulife John Hancock Investments

We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering people today to invest for a better tomorrow. As a committed partner to our clients and as a responsible steward of investor capital, we offer a heritage of risk management, deep expertise across public and private markets, and comprehensive retirement plan services. We seek to provide better investment and impact outcomes and to help people confidently save and invest for a more secure financial future. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

Media Contact: Gordon Haight

(617) 572-0034 Investor Contact: (800) 843-0090

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
Only 1.76% of global investors report their digital assets to tax authorities, according to a new report by crypto tax calculator Divly. This massive compliance gap leaves millions at risk as frameworks like 1099-DA, DAC8, and CARF drastically increase visibility.

STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- New research from crypto tax platform Divly suggests crypto tax compliance remains strikingly low worldwide.

In the Global Cryptocurrency Taxation Report 2026, Divly estimates that only 1.76% of crypto owners declared their assets to tax authorities, equivalent to roughly 1 in 57 globally. In absolute terms, the report's medium scenario points to about 5.3 million declarants versus roughly 301 million crypto owners across the markets studied, while even the high scenario rises only to 3.00% compliance.

The study combines official declarant counts from nine countries with modeled estimates for other markets in a 31-country dataset. Among the countries analyzed, Japan ranked highest at 19.78%, followed by Norway at 14.63%, while Germany stood at 7.71% and the United States at 5.13%.

The Closing Window for Crypto Compliance

The timing matters. In the US, Form 1099-DA is pulling more 2025 digital asset transactions into the 2026 filing season, while in Europe DAC8 and the OECD's CARF are pushing 2026 crypto activity into formal reporting pipelines that begin reaching tax authorities in 2027.

The gap between current compliance and future visibility means millions of investors are largely unprepared for what comes next. Once these automated reporting pipelines are fully active, the shield of pseudo-anonymity will disappear, leaving non-compliant users exposed to unprecedented regulatory scrutiny and mounting tax liabilities

Contact:

Ragnaros AB

***@divly.com

Photos:

https://www.prlog.org/13136528

Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE Divly
A Carlow woman living with cystic fibrosis is calling on people across the county to support Cystic Fibrosis Irelands annual 65 Roses Day fundraiser, taking place on Friday 10 April.

Kelsey Nolan, who describes herself as a mum, partner, daughter and friend as well as a person living with CF is encouraging locals to purchase a purple rose or donate online as part of this years campaign, which has a national fundraising target of 300,000.

Thankfully I am living well and long may that last, said Ms Nolan. But living well with CF takes an extra layer of hard work that people dont always appreciate or see. The support from CFI is invaluable, whether that is a grant or just having someone to talk to. On 65 Roses Day, Im calling on everyone to buy a rose, visit Dunnes Stores or donate online. Every donation goes towards supporting people with CF in Ireland. Volunteers will be selling purple roses at a number of locations across Carlow on the day, including Dunnes Stores on Sleaty Road, Fairgreen Shopping Centre on Barrack Street, and Penneys on Kennedy Avenue.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited condition affecting breathing, digestion and reproduction. Ireland has the highest rate of CF per capita in the world, with more than 1,400 people currently living with the condition and 33 new cases diagnosed each year. There is no cure, and CF typically becomes more complex over time, with people facing an increased risk of CF-related diabetes, osteoporosis and colorectal cancer as they age.

However, advances in multidisciplinary care and the introduction of new therapies have significantly improved life expectancy. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Registry of Irelands 2024 annual report, the median predicted survival age has risen to 62.6 years for the period 2020 to 2024, up from 47.2 years for the period 2012 to 2016. In 2024, 27 newborns were diagnosed with CF.

Cystic Fibrosis Ireland provides a range of supports to people living with the condition, including a dedicated information and support line, financial assistance through a number of grants, and monthly peer support groups. The organisation is also investing in research into the emerging challenges that arise as people with CF grow older.

As part of this years 65 Roses Week, a new exhibition entitled Rewriting Tomorrow will open at The Copper House in Dublin city centre on Tuesday 7 April, running until Sunday 12 April. The exhibition features letters w

ritten by CF ambassadors to their future selves, imagining milestones and possibilities that once felt out of reach.

Children living with CF also participated in a workshop with cartoonist Brendan Lonergan, creating self-portraits depicting themselves both now and as they picture their future selves.

The name 65 Roses Day derives from how young children often pronounce cystic fibrosis. Cystic Fibrosis Ireland was founded in 1963 by parents of children with CF to advocate for improved services.

People can support the campaign by purchasing a purple rose at participating outlets or donating online at 65roses.ie.
Cement demand in Bolivia declined by 8.2 per cent YoY to 298,327t in January 2026 from 325,152t in January 2025, according to the countrys statistics institute, INE.

Cochabamba, the countrys largest market, reported a 3.6 per cent YoY decrease in demand to 102,164t in January 2026 from 105,988t , but Santa Cruz, the second-largest market, reported a 10.1 per cent advance to 75,536t from 68,585t over the same period. In La Paz, consumption was down by 44.4 per cent to 48,564t from 87,368t. However, in Chuquisaca consumption surged by 171.5 per cent to 39,959t from 14,715t. All smaller markets reported a contraction of consumption.

In Oruro, demand fell by 5.6 per cent YoY to 11, 871t from 12,570t while the Tarija market contracted by 38.6 per cent YoY to 8958t from 14,601t. Potosi demand dropped by 52.1 per cent YoY to 7125 from 15,075t and in Beni demand fell by 22.6 per cent YoY to 3490t from 4509t. In Pando, Bolivias smallest market, demand shrank by 67.2 per cent to 570t from 1739t.

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January production

In January 2026, output from Bolivias cement plants slipped by 4.3 per cent YoY when compared with the 333,857t reported for January 2025.

In Santa Cruz, production increased by 17.1 per cent YoY to 103,548t from 88,446t in January 2025, but in La Paz, it was down 21.7 per cent YoY to 94,629t from 120,860t in the equivalent period of the previous year. Chuquisaca output increased by 4.4 per cent YoY to 59,030t from 56,533t while in Cochabamba, cement plants produced 40,200t of cement, 1.8 per cent less than in January 2025, when production reached 40,957t. Tarija output was down 9.4 per cent, falling to 13,745t in January 2026 from 15,164t in the year-ago period. In Oruro production dropped 29.2 per cent YoY to 8424t from 11,898t in January 2025.
Holcim has completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Peru-based Cementos Pacasmayo in a transaction valuing the company at approximately US$1.5bn.

The Franco-Swiss group said it will launch a mandatory public tender offer to acquire additional shares. The proposed acquisition was first announced in December.

Cementos Pacasmayo operates three cement plants with a combined capacity of around 5Mta, along with 28 ready-mix and precast concrete plants. The company reported net sales of US$630m in 2025.

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Holcim expects the acquisition to be accretive to earnings per share and free cash flow within the first year, with estimated synergies of around US$40m annually after three years.

The deal strengthens Holcims position in Peru and supports its growth strategy in Latin America, with Cementos Pacasmayos network of more than 300 retail outlets complementing Holcims regional Disensa distribution platform.
Award-winning, Dairy-Free Churro Chata Ice Cream Sandwich signals a shift: desserts and beverages are becoming the main event, and dairy-free is leading the charge.

LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- KLIMON, the premium dairy-free brand redefining modern indulgence, has been named 2026 Food and Beverage Innovation (FABI) Favorite by the National Restaurant Association Show for its breakout innovation, the Churro Chata Dairy-Free Ice Cream Sandwich. The product was selected by an independent panel of industry experts and distinguished for its flavor execution, marketability, and operator impact.

KLIMON - Award-winning, Dairy-Free Churro Chata Ice Cream Sandwich KLIMON - No Dairy. No Difference.

The FABI Award is one of the most respected honors in foodservice, recognizing products that are actively shaping the future of menus across restaurants and hospitality. Earning a FABI Favorite designation signals a level of performance and innovation that sets a new standard for the industry.

"The Food and Beverage Awards highlight the creativity and product innovation that continues to drive the foodservice industry forward," said Tom Cindric, president of the exhibitions for Informa Connect Foodservice Group. "The FABI Favorites offer an extra spotlight to the most outstanding products that truly exemplify the future of food and beverage."

This isn't just a product win for KLIMON. It's a signal of where menus, and consumer demand are going. Dairy-free indulgence is no longer a niche. It's becoming one of the most powerful growth categories in foodservice.

"We're watching a fundamental shift in food culture," said Alex Cotraviwat, Founder and CEO of Klimon. "Desserts and beverages are no longer the add-on. They're becoming the reason people show up. The new expectation is indulgence without compromise. Cleaner ingredients, dairy-free options, and a premium experience that actually delivers."

KLIMON will showcase the award winning Churro Chata Sandwich along with their entire dairy-free lineup at the National Restaurant Association Show, taking place May 16-19, 2026, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

About KLIMON:

KLIMON is the leading dairy-free dessert brand on the market today, delivering creamy, indulgent experiences without compromise and setting the standard for what dairy-free can be. The brand produces 100% plant-based, Non-GMO Project Verified retail pints, scoopable tubs, soft serve, and novelty frozen desserts with gluten-free and allergen-friendly options. It also offers versatile formats that support a wide range of indulgent applications, from frozen treats to beverages and plated desserts. KLIMON continues to define the future of the category.

KLIMON has partnered with globally recognized brands including Minions, Cinnabon, and Kikkoman, reinforcing its position at the center of modern dairy-free indulgence and solidifying its place in pop culture. Available at retailers nationwide, KLIMON has become the name consumers and operators reach for when they think dairy-free.

To learn more, visit klimon.com or @KLIMONbrand on Instagram at instagram.com/klimonbrand

Contact:

Jordan Debrody

(424) 444-7053

[email protected]

SOURCE KLIMON
HOUSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Lime Rock Partners, private equity investors in upstream oil and gas companies, today announces the recent promotion of Jeffrey Scofield to President. Mr. Scofield formerly held the position of Chief Operating Officer of the investment team and will assume day-to-day management responsibilities of Lime Rock Partners.

Lime Rock Partners co-founders Jonathan Farber and John Reynolds said, "We are incredibly proud to name Jeff as President of Lime Rock Partners. Jeff has led several of Lime Rock's most important U.S. shale investments, while helping to shape the firm's investment strategy for the past decade. He has played a key role in the personnel management function of the Lime Rock Partners investment team, and the current configuration of the investment team has largely been recruited and mentored by Jeff. As we look at an increasingly compelling opportunity set for our strategy, we believe the firm is in excellent hands with this next generation of leadership."

Since its inception in 1998, Lime Rock Partners has been led by its two co-founders, Jonathan Farber and John Reynolds. Upon the launch of Lime Rock Partners' next fund, and after nearly three decades of leadership, Mr. Farber will become a Senior Advisor, while Mr. Reynolds will assume the role of Chairman. Both Mr. Farber and Mr. Reynolds will remain active participants on the Lime Rock Partners Investment Committee and maintain their respective board seats at Lime Rock Partners' portfolio companies. J McLane, who has led the Investment Committee for most of the past decade, will continue in this leadership capacity.

Mr. Scofield added, "Having worked closely with Jonathan and John for over twenty years, and learning directly from their leadership, I am eager to continue the direction of the firm in the tradition they establisheda deep research-oriented approach, a collaborative investment team culture, a focus on building long-term industry relationships, and a strong alignment with our portfolio partners and investors in pursuit of industry-leading returns."

Lime Rock Partners is also pleased to announce the recent promotion of Dylan Blackford to Managing Director. Mr. Blackford has played a critical leadership role in the sourcing, evaluation, and execution of E&P and oilfield service opportunities at Lime Rock Partners for over a decade. Mr. Blackford joins four other Managing Directors to comprise the senior leadership of the Lime Rock Partners investment team.

About Jeffrey Scofield

Mr. Scofield joined the Lime Rock Partners team in 2005. He became a Managing Director in 2011 and Chief Operating Officer of the Lime Rock Partners investment team in 2015. Currently based in Houston, he has also worked in Lime Rock's Westport and London offices. Mr. Scofield has led opportunities in the E&P, mineral and royalty, and oilfield service sectors in North America and internationally. Prior to joining Lime Rock, Mr. Scofield held positions in the investment banking groups of Harrison Lovegrove & Co., Credit Suisse, and Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette. He is a graduate of Vanderbilt University (B.A.).

Mr. Scofield serves on the board of directors of Athena Energy, Axis Energy Services, OiLSERV, Prairie Energy, San Jacinto Minerals II, San Jacinto Minerals III, and San Jacinto Minerals IV. He also serves on the board of directors for Civeo Corporation (NYSE: CVEO) and the Advisory Board of the Children's Museum of Houston.

About Dylan Blackford

Mr. Blackford joined the Lime Rock Partners team in 2015 and is now a Managing Director in the firm's Houston office. Prior to joining Lime Rock, Mr. Blackford was an analyst in the Energy Investment Banking Group of Raymond James where he worked on financial advisory and debt and equity offering transactions. He is a graduate of the A.B. Freeman School of Business at Tulane University (B.S.M.).

Mr. Blackford currently serves on the board of directors of Arena Energy, CrownRock Non-Op, OiLSERV, and Pentacor Energy.

About Lime Rock Partners

Since its inception in 1998, Lime Rock Partners has raised $7.1 billion in private equity funds and affiliated co-investment vehicles for investment in the upstream energy industry. Lime Rock provides growth capital and serves as a strategic partner to leading E&P, mineral and royalty, and oilfield service companies. For more information, please visit: www.lrpartners.com.

SOURCE LIME ROCK PARTNERS
A strong turnout and meaningful conversations marked the recent Caring in the Cove Caregiver Cafe, hosted by Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove Assisted Living at Founders Hall at The Commons and supported by the Morning Pointe Foundation.Designed to help families navigate one of the most common and emotional questions in aging, when is it time to make the move, the free community event brought together caregivers, adult children and local residents seeking guidance, clarity, and practical next steps.Rather than focusing on a single topic, the evening featured a panel of area professionals who regularly support families through aging-related decisions.The discussion covered dementia care, hospice services, veterans benefits and Medicare planning, followed by an open question-and-answer session that allowed attendees to engage directly with the experts.Panelists included:1. Paula Larkin, certified Alzheimers disease/dementia practitioner and trainer;2. Lacy Graydon, community liaison with Adoration Hospice;3. Chuck Alsobrook, Hamilton County Veterans Service officer; and4. H. Ben Davis III, broker manager with Select Pointe, LLC.It was encouraging to see so many caregivers and families come together, ask thoughtful questions, and support one another, said Sarabeth Wilkins, executive director at Morning Pointe of Greenbriar Cove. These conversations matter, and were grateful to help create a space where people can find both answers and encouragement.In addition to the panel, community partners hosted booth-style tables, giving attendees the opportunity to connect one-on-one and explore local resources available to support them on their caregiving journey.Caregiver Cafe is an educational seminar series proudly sponsored by the Morning Pointe Foundation and offered at no cost to participants. The series is designed to connect senior living experts with seniors, caregivers, and families, providing helpful information and addressing common challenges that come with aging and caregiving.Events like Caring in the Cove are part of the Foundations broader mission to support caregivers through education while also investing in the future of senior care through scholarships in nursing, therapy, social work and culinary fields.To learn more about upcoming Caregiver Cafe events near you, visit here
The Tennessee General Assembly on Monday passed legislation by State Rep. Greg Martin, R-Hixson, "to give prosecutors additional tools to hold convicted child rapists accountable in Tennessee."

House Bill 1454 strengthens existing law by expanding the aggravating circumstances under which prosecutors may pursue the death penalty for the rape of a child.

Rep. Martin said, "Two years ago, the Tennessee General Assembly took bold action to protect children across our state. Today, we are doubling down on that commitment by helping ensure that the vile predators who violate the trust and innocence of a child never have a second chance to offend. This legislation equips prosecutors with the necessary tools to make communities safer and defend the most vulnerable members of our society."

The Tennessee General Assembly in 2024 passed a law allowing juries to consider the death penalty as an option for someone convicted of rape of a child under 12. Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, the measure increased the penalty for rape or aggravated rape of a child to a Class A felony Range III offense, which carries a 4060-year prison sentence.

The proposal would allow prosecutors to pursue the death penalty under the following aggravating circumstances:

Aggravated rape of a child under four years old

Defendant holds a position of trust over a victim

Defendant is a registered sex offender at the time of the offense

Defendant knows a victim was mentally or physically defective or helpless

Incest

Previous felony or misdemeanor conviction for an offense involving sexual contact with a minor

Filming or recording video or photographs of the offense

Sedating victims with intoxicants, controlled substances

Use of a deadly weapon in the commission of the offense

Especially heinous, atrocious or cruel actions or torturing a victim

Remuneration to a victim or another person for access to or to silence a victim

An additional conviction for rape of a child, aggravated rape of a child, aggravated sexual battery, or continuous sexual abuse of a child

House Bill 1454 builds on the General Assembly's efforts to improve public safety, reduce recidivism rates and hold criminals accountable through smart-on-crime justice reforms. The proposal now heads to Governor Bill Lee's desk to be signed into law. It will take effect July 1.

Rep. Martin of Hixson represents District 26 in the Tennessee House of Representatives, which includes part of Hamilton County.
Chambliss, Bahner & Stophel, P.C. welcomes attorney Alfonso Cuen, who will support the firm's business and mergers and acquisitions practice areas.

"While in law school, Alfonso spent time at Chambliss as a summer associate, and we are excited to welcome him back to the firm," said Business Section Chair Laura McKinney. "He brings a strong, client-focused approach and takes the time to understand the businesses he works with and what matters most to them. As our business and transactional practices continue to grow, he will be a valuable asset to both our team and our clients."

Mr. Cuen advises businesses on a broad range of corporate and transactional matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate transactions, commercial contracts, and general business matters. His work includes entity formation, buy-sell agreements, due diligence, purchase agreements, and day-to-day corporate governance. He also provides counsel on bankruptcy, corporate restructuring, and asset sale transactions. With a background in litigation, he anticipates potential risks and addresses them proactively when structuring deals and drafting agreements.

Mr. Cuen represents clients from diverse industries, including communications, technology and utilities, construction, education, health care, and manufacturing. He works with companies at every stage, from emerging businesses to established organizations, advising on matters related to growth, change, and business challenges.

After earning his bachelor's degree, cum laude, from Lee University, Mr. Cuen earned his Juris Doctor from Belmont University College of Law. He is licensed to practice in Tennessee.
Adelaide Elizabeth "Becky" Young died on Sunday, March 29, 2026, in her home on Signal Mountain, Tennessee.

Becky was born and raised in Chattanooga. She completed her master's in social work. She worked as a social worker in the Air Force and LCSW in private practice.

Becky met the love of her life when they were both in the Air Force in San Antonio, Tx. They lived most of their married life in El Paso, Tx. They had a significant group of friends and traveled extensively. Becky often shared fond memories of her time in El Paso.

They retired to Becky's home on Signal Mountain.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Robert L. Young in 2018. Becky remained close to his daughter, Wendy (Alton) Bazinet.

She was preceded in death by her older brother, George Davenport. She is survived by two younger siblings, brother, John (Patricia) Davenport and a sister. She leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews.

Becky was devoted to her beloved husband. She will always be remembered for her adventures in travel and her creative spirit filled with curiosity.

Her remains will be interred with her husband at the National Cemetery in Chattanooga.

Arrangements are by Wann Funeral & Cremation Center, at the foot of historic Lookout Mountain, St. Elmo, 423 821-7551.

Share your memories at wannfuneralhome.com.
Pilgrims gather around the Aedicule inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, venerated as the site of Jesus Christs tomb. | Screenshot: YouTube/ Holy Christian Places

Israeli authorities restored access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday after an initial police decision to block entry to a senior Catholic leader sparked international criticism.

Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch and leading Catholic authority in the region, had attempted to reach the church alongside Francesco Ielpo, the sites official guardian. According to the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, Israeli police intercepted the pair and forced them to turn back before they could arrive.

Access to holy sites in Jerusalems Old City had been restricted since the outbreak of conflict with Iran in February, under orders from the Israeli Home Front Command, which oversees civilian safety during emergencies. Iranian missile attacks have repeatedly targeted the city since hostilities escalated.

In one incident, missile debris fell just meters from the church itself, while another interception scattered fragments across the Old City, striking residential areas, a convent, the Dome of the Rock complex and the church grounds. The ongoing attacks have resulted in at least 19 fatalities in Israel.

The incident marked an unprecedented disruption, as church leaders have not been prevented from holding Palm Sunday services at the site for centuries. The church is widely recognized as one of Christianitys holiest locations, believed to stand at the site of Jesus Christs crucifixion and resurrection.

Israeli police defended their actions, citing security concerns for Pizzaballas safety, while Netanyahus office emphasized that there was no malicious intent whatsoever.

Following mounting international criticism, Netanyahu stated on X that he had directed authorities to allow the patriarch to conduct services without obstruction.

Police later confirmed that a limited prayer framework had been approved for the church, developed in coordination with the Latin Patriarchate.

The traditional Palm Sunday procession, which typically draws thousands of pilgrims to Jerusalem, had already been canceled in advance due to restrictions on large public gatherings.

The Latin Patriarchate clarified that Pizzaballa and Ielpo had been traveling privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act.

Mike Huckabee criticized the decision, writing that preventing the patriarch from entering the church for a private observance was difficult to understand or justify and describing the police action as an unfortunate overreach already having major repercussions around the world.

Kaja Kallas also condemned the move, stating that freedom of worship in Jerusalem must be upheld for all faiths and calling the incident a violation of religious freedom.

Netanyahus office later indicated that officials were working on a plan to ensure that church leaders would be able to access the holy site throughout the remainder of the Easter observance period.
Pete Hegseth delivers remarks during the monthly Christian Prayer & Worship Service at the Pentagon Auditorium, DC, on January 21, 2026. | Screenshot: Video/ Defense Visual Information Distribution Service

A secular advocacy organization has filed lawsuits against two federal agencies, challenging the handling of records related to monthly Christian prayer gatherings promoted by officials in the Trump administration.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State announced legal action against the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Department of Labor, alleging that the agencies have illegally withheld public records related to monthly Christian prayer services hosted by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer.

The federal governments role is to serve the public, not to proselytize, said Americans United President and CEO Rachel Laser in a statement addressing the lawsuits filed Tuesday.

Secretaries Hegseth and Chavez-DeRemer are abusing the power of their government positions and taxpayer-funded resources to impose their preferred religion on federal workers, she argued.

The organization contends that the prayer services violate principles of religious freedom and has accused the administration of spreading "disinformation" about "religious expression in the federal workplace."

Even if these prayer services are presented as voluntary, there is pressure on federal employees to attend in order to appease their bosses," she added, arguing that the pressure is especially relevant since the services occur amidst what she deemed the Trump administrations "campaign to punish anyone who doesnt comply with its Christian Nationalist agenda.

According to Americans United, Hegseth introduced the Secretarys Christian Prayer & Worship Service during a workday at the The Pentagon in May 2025, and the gatherings have continued on a monthly basis since then.

The prayer meetings are generally open to all Department of Defense personnel. Hegseth, who attends a congregation affiliated with the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches, has expressed his view that the country should be in prayer, on bended knee recognizing the providence of our lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Chavez-DeRemer later launched a similar initiative within the Labor Department after being inspired by Hegseths efforts, with her departments prayer services beginning in December 2025. Identifying as Catholic, she has said the nation will probably need a little more prayer.
BALTIMORE, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Maryland Marketing Partnership, which helps drive Maryland's branding and marketing efforts to attract businesses, create jobs, and grow the state's economy, today shared a summary of the latest news from companies and organizations that invest in the partnership.

"Our leading companies continue to illustrate why Maryland is a great place to do business," said Harry Coker Jr., Secretary for the Maryland Department of Commerce. "Our highly skilled workforce continues to fuel innovation and growth across the state and support a robust quality of life for current and future Marylanders."

BGE, Maryland's largest natural gas and electric utility, along with Exelon, announced The Exelon Promise, a comprehensive, customer-first strategy focused on delivering immediate customer relief, strong protections amid growing demand, and long-term solutions to address the root causes driving higher costs. BGE is implementing this shared commitment on the ground, ensuring customers are supported. "The Exelon Promise reflects a companywide commitment to tackling rising energy costs and supporting the customers we serve," said Tamla Olivier, president and CEO of BGE. "Here in central Maryland, we are focused on doing everything in our control to drive short and long-term solutions that ensure affordable, safe, and reliable energy for the communities who count on us.

Montgomery County Economic Development Corporation (MCEDC) remains committed to supporting businesses seeking to relocate or expand in the County by connecting them with the many available grants, incentives, and resources available. The anchor of the nation's third-largest biopharma hub and a renowned global technology hub, the County celebrated several milestones last month, including the approval of the transformative Viva White Oak Development District, and Finnish climate intelligence leader Vaisala Xweather opening its first location in the region in Gaithersburg. These activities will unlock new opportunities for housing, jobs, and innovation in Montgomery County.

Peterson Companies, one of the region's largest privately owned real estate developers, is expanding the mix of dining and retail offerings at rio with several new additions. Koi Sushi, a modern sushi concept featuring fresh rolls, sashimi, and Japanese-inspired dishes, is now open. Later this year, J.Crew Factory will join the center, bringing its iconic American style and apparel offering to rio. Kareem's Lebanese Kitchen is also coming soon, introducing authentic Lebanese cuisine with Mediterranean flavors and traditional dishes. In addition, the existing DICK'S Sporting Goods location at rio will unveil their newest DICK'S House of Sport, an experiential retail concept that features expanded product offerings along with interactive in-store experiences.

The SECU MD Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Maryland's largest credit union, is now accepting applications for its 2026 Scholarship Program. Over the last 20 years, the program has awarded over $1.2 million in scholarships to SECU members. This year, in honor of the 20th anniversary milestone, the SECU MD Foundation will grant 20 students a $10,000 scholarship to take the next step in their educational journey by removing a heavy financial barrier and supporting their long-term financial well-being. Applicants must be Maryland community college students transferring to a University System of Maryland institution. Details and instructions are available on the SECU MD Foundation website. Applications close May 1, 2026.

St. John Properties, a Baltimore-based full-service commercial real estate development and management company, and its partners acquired 111 townhomes situated at 1827 Hidden Dale Road in Woodlawn within Baltimore County. The community, named The Villas at Patapsco Glen, is the Baltimore-based company's first venture in the for-rent townhome asset class. The acquisition was a joint venture between St. John Properties and Bethesda-based Somerset Companies, LLC, a group engaged in the development of large mixed-use developments. Situated approximately one mile from St. John Properties' corporate headquarters, the community was developed and formerly owned by Lennar Corporation. St. John Properties' Alex Lyons, Assistant Vice President, Acquisitions represented the company in this purchase. The total timeline for this acquisition, encompassing project identification, due diligence and final closing, was less than four weeks.

TEDCO, Maryland's venture capital arm for technology and life sciences companies, continues to fuel startup companies through its resources and investment funds; recent investments include those in Ufarmx, Sirsi, KnowledgeNet.ai, and more. The entity announced $371,875 in SBIR/STTR Matching Funds awardees, plus the latest BRIDGE Proposal Lab cohort, the latest Baltimore Innovation Initiative awardees, the selection of Geyssel Gonzalez for LMD's Executive Program and Alex Choi for LMD's Emerging Leader Program, and the recognition of Tammi Thomas as one of The Daily Record's Top 100 Women. Finally, the Entrepreneur Expo is back by popular demand and will kick off with a dynamic morning keynote session. Registration is open; visit tedcomdexpo.com.

In what Founder, CEO, and Chairperson Dr. Martine Rothblatt called a "Wow!" moment, United Therapeutics Corporation (UT), a Silver Spring-based public benefit corporation, announced two pivotal clinical trial milestones early in 2026 that advance its commitment to making a brighter future for patients living with progressive, chronic, and possibly terminal rare diseases. These include a new once-a-day treatment for pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), and the extension of existing therapies to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), both of which are in investigational use and have not been approved by U.S. FDA.

About Maryland Marketing Partnership

The Maryland Marketing Partnership develops the branding strategy for the state, markets the state's assets, and encourages the location and growth of new businesses in Maryland.

SOURCE Maryland Marketing Partnership
Home News 4 cities where 'No Kings' protesters were arrested

As millions assembled across the country for the No Kings protests, violence erupted at some of the demonstrations, resulting in several dozen arrests.

The participants of the No Kings gathered in response to President Donald Trump and his administrations policies concerning immigration, the Middle East and other issues. According to the event website, an estimated 8 million people turned out for the third No Kings Day of Nonviolent Action, with more than 3,300 events across the United States.

"No Kings" did not immediately respond to The Christian Post's request for comment.

Last year, the No Kings protests coincided with the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade, which happened to fall on the president's birthday.

While the organizers website emphasizes its commitment to nonviolent action, encouraging participants to act lawfully at events, multiple demonstrators at events in several cities were arrested following confrontations with police or for acts of vandalism.

The following pages highlight cities where "No Kings protesters were arrested for unlawful activities.
Home News Evan Lenow named candidate for ERLC presidency

Evan Lenow, an associate professor and author, has been nominated as the new president of the Southern Baptist Conventions Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission.

The ERLC announced Monday that its presidential search committee nominated Lenow, 47, as its candidate, with a vote by the board of trustees scheduled for next month.

Lenow serves as director of the Institute for Christian Leadership at Mississippi College and chair of the college's Christian Studies Department. He is also director of the Clinton Extension of New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary on the Mississippi College campus.

He previously served as an associate professor of ethics and director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in Fort Worth, Texas.

Mitch Kimbrell, chair of the search committee, expressed confidence in Lenow, who has served as a research fellow in Christian ethics for the ERLC since 2012.

I know that when he represents Southern Baptists in the public square, hell do so as one of us, said Kimbrell.

Evan is exceptionally qualified and has time-tested experience, but what Im most encouraged by is how much he loves Southern Baptists and how eager he is to serve by helping us apply the Scriptures and the Baptist Faith and Message to the most important ethical questions of our day.

Dr. Richard Land, executive editor for The Christian Post and former ERLC president, told CP on Monday that he could not be more pleased with the nomination.

I cannot think of anyone more qualified and prepared by background, training, experience, and conviction to lead the ERLC in assisting Southern Baptists and other faithful Christians in being the Gospel salt and light in America that our Heavenly Father has called us all to be, he said.

According to his official biography, Lenow is a native of Memphis, Tennessee. He earned a bachelors degree in communication from Mississippi College, a Master of Divinity in advanced biblical studies from Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, and a doctorate in theological studies with a concentration in Christian ethics, also from SEBTS.

Lenow authored Biblically Sound: Embracing Doctrine for Life and Biblically Correct: Engaging Culture with Truth and co-authored with Mark Liederbach Ethics as Worship: The Pursuit of Moral Discipleship.

In July 2025, former ERLC President Brent Leatherwood resigned from office, saying in a statement at the time that he believed it was "time to close this chapter of my life."

"It has been an honor to guide this Baptist organization in a way that has honored the Lord, served the churches of our Convention, and made this fallen world a little better," Leatherwood said.

"I believe gratitude is at the heart of conservatism. That means I will always be thankful for the opportunity provided to me by our churches  for the support they have offered and the resources they have sacrificially given to this entity."

Upon Leatherwood's resignation, ERLC Vice President and Chief of Staff Miles Mullin was appointed acting president. Later in September, trustees voted to make Gary Hollingsworth interim president effective Oct. 1.
Home News First Baptist Dallas announces groundbreaking ceremony for rebuilding historic sanctuary

Quick Summary AI Summary First Baptist Dallas plans groundbreaking ceremony for new sanctuary.

The historic sanctuary was destroyed in a fire nearly two years ago.

The church is raising $95 million for the rebuilding effort and for missions. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

Nearly two years after First Baptist Dallas' historic sanctuary was destroyed in a fire, the megachurch has announced plans for a groundbreaking ceremony for the new building.

Pastored by Robert Jeffress, the 16,000-member First Baptist Dallas has been in rebuilding mode since a four-alarm fire caused significant damage and a roof collapse in July 2024.

The blaze destroyed the nearly 150-year-old worship space but miraculously spared the original pulpit. Founded in 1890, the church has been a cornerstone in Southern Baptist life, often described as the "Notre Dame" of the denomination.

While arson was ruled out, investigators said in September 2024 the cause of the fire would "remain undetermined."

After the fire, First Baptist Dallas launched its most significant fundraising effort ever, Mission 18, to bring its new vision to life by raising $95 million to support both the new sanctuary and other church ministries.

On Palm Sunday, as the congregation gathered to mark the start of Holy Week, church leadership announced that on June 7, they will gather for Groundbreaking 2026, which will be a special milestone in the now two-year rebuilding effort. This meaningful moment marks the beginning of a new chapter as we look ahead to what God will continue to do through First Baptist Dallas! an event page on the churchs website stated.

In early March, Senior Executive Pastor Ben Lovvorn announced construction was already underway on a new tunnel connecting the church lobby with the fountain plaza to allow the congregation easier and safer access as temporary walls continue to go up around the site.

"You might ask, 'Well, why is that tunnel there?' Well, we're going to begin some new construction to integrate the new facility, the new sanctuary, with our existing facility, said Lovvorn in a video update. And that includes some demolition of what is already in place."

In January 2025, the church announced plans to spend $26 million on the new sanctuary, an effort that includes preserving the historic stained glass windows long associated with First Baptist Dallas.

In October 2024, First Baptist Dallas unveiled plans to reconstruct its historic sanctuary. The proposed designs feature a larger steeple reminiscent of the original structure and plans for restored stained glass windows that will enhance the worship space.

"The steeple has been a symbolic cornerstone for our church, reminding us that Jesus Christ is our true cornerstone," Lovvorn said at the time.

The new sanctuary will also include an elevated floor and a redesigned pulpit, which will be oriented on the north side of the building. Lovvorn previously said he hopes the change will create a more welcoming atmosphere for worshipers while incorporating modern amenities, including an expanded fellowship space, a grand staircase and a new multi-purpose venue beneath the sanctuary.
Home News Gateway Church founder Robert Morris released from jail

Disgraced Gateway Church founder Robert Morris was released from the Osage County Jail in Oklahoma on Tuesday morning following the completion of a six-month sentence for sexually abusing Cindy Clemishire for multiple years beginning when she was 12 in the 1980s.

The Osage County Sheriffs Office reported that Morris, who was also given a 10-year suspended sentence and will have to register as a sex offender, walked out of the jail at 12:11 a.m. CDT.

Morris was indicted in March 2025 on five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child by a multi-county grand jury in Oklahoma in connection to his actions against the now 55-year-old Clemishire, who reported that Morris began sexually abusing her on Dec. 25, 1982, when she was 12, and continued with the abuse for four-and-a-half years after that. At the time, Morris was a traveling evangelist.

He pleaded guilty last October to accept responsibility, according to his attorney Bill Mateja.

"He simply accepted responsibility for his crime from the mid-1980's and pled guilty. He pled guilty because he wanted to accept responsibility for his conduct. While he believes that he long since accepted responsibility in the eyes of God  and that Gateway Church was a manifestation of that acceptance  he readily accepted responsibility in the eyes of the law by virtue of his guilty plea," Mateja told The Christian Post in a statement after the Southlake, Texas, church founder was sentenced.

Morris, who was also ordered to pay $270,000 in restitution, still faces an ongoing defamation lawsuit from Clemishire along with Gateway Church.

In her defamation lawsuit, which has been halted pending a mandamus review, Clemishire and her father, Jerry Lee Clemishire, are seeking more than $1 million in damages, alleging that Morris and Gateway Church leaders publicly mischaracterized the abuse she suffered as a consensual "relationship" with a "young lady" instead of the sexual assault of a child after the abuse was made public in 2024.

The petition for mandamus review was filed on Nov. 14 by attorneys for Gateway Church and their independent elders John D. "Tra" Willbanks, Kenneth W. Fambro II and Dane Minor. It came after Dallas County District Court Judge Emily Tobolowsky rejected a motion from the church and elders to dismiss the Clemishires' lawsuit, citing the ecclesiastical abstention doctrine, which holds that courts lack jurisdiction over matters of religion.

On Nov. 11, Tobolowsky also granted the Clemishires' motion for continuance and limited discovery to oppose motions from Gateway Church and the elders to dismiss her lawsuit under the Texas Citizens Participation Act in open court. The TCPA is a 2011 law that protects citizens from lawsuits intended to stifle their First Amendment rights. Tobolowsky's discovery order prompted Gateway Church and the independent elders to ask the appeals court, in their writ of mandamus, to stay her Nov. 11 order granting the Clemishires' motion for a continuance and limited discovery.

Ron Breaux, a partner at Haynes Boone and counsel for Gateway Church, insisted in a statement to The Christian Post after proceedings in the case were stayed that Gateway Church should not be part of the Clemishires' defamation lawsuit.

"As we've stated from the beginning, no one in Gateway's current leadership had knowledge of its former pastor's criminal behavior, and they have endeavored to lead the church with integrity and accountability during a difficult times, he said. These actions  guided by faith, prayer and a steadfast commitment to the church community  are protected by the First Amendment from secular second-guessing."
Home News Christian counseling group removes Grace Community Church from approved training center list

Quick Summary AI Summary Association of Certified Biblical Counselors removes Grace Community Church from training center list.

Removal follows complaints regarding the church leadership's alleged misconduct.

The Master's University and The Master's Seminary remain certified training centers. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

A prominent Christian counseling organization has removed Grace Community Church of Sun Valley, California, formerly led by the late Pastor John MacArthur, from its list of certified training centers.

The Association of Certified Biblical Counselors recently removed GCC from its list of approved training centers, after requests to reopen complaints filed by Jane Doe and former Grace elder Hohn Cho.

It also follows the filing of a lawsuit against GCC by Doe, claiming that church leadership aided and abetted a member of the congregation in his alleged abuse against Doe and their children.

Cho told The Christian Post in an emailed statement that he became aware of the decision in February, and that he considered the removal of GCC from the list long overdue.

I commend ACBC for taking this action, and I pray it reflects (as I today choose to believe it does) a continuing commitment to genuine care for counselees, over institutional loyalty, stated Cho.

I do ask that they provide Jane, and their own membership, with more information concerning this removal, as additions and removals from their published certification lists are obviously public matters.

The Master's University and The Master's Seminary, which are both affiliated with GCC, remain on the list of ACBC-certified training centers.

The Christian Post reached out to the Association of Certified Biblical Counselors and Grace Community Church for this story. However, both declined to provide comment.

In February 2023, Cho publicly shared his concerns about GCC leadership displaying an apparent pattern of siding with alleged abusers against their victims.

ACBC opened an investigation into the concerns, with the counseling organization hearing testimony from multiple women who alleged that GCCs counseling ministry was protecting abusers and harming their victims.

One of the women shared with CP her testimony, which had been submitted to ACBC in April 2023, detailing her experiences with Graces counseling operations.

According to her testimony, the woman claimed that she had received marriage counseling with the church in 2009 while experiencing marital problems in her 22-year marriage.

She told Pastor Bill Shannon, who oversaw GCCs biblical counseling ministry, about the alleged abuse from her husband and his suspicious behavior, which included missing family gatherings and wanting her to co-sign a second $50,000 loan without an adequate explanation.

Her testimony alleges that Shannon told her to sign the loan and allegedly refused to believe that the husband had been engaging in extramarital activity despite credible evidence.

Amid its investigation, ACBC removed Shannon from its list of approved counselors and scheduled breakout speakers for its annual conference held in October 2023.
Home News 'Has anybody seen John Cornyn here?': Ken Paxton trolls Senate runoff opponent at CPAC Cornyn is in DC 'working to fully fund DHS and pass the Save America Act,' staff says

Quick Summary AI Summary Ken Paxton trolled John Cornyn at CPAC, asking the crowd if they had seen him.

Cornyn's staff claps back, says he's in DC to fund DHS, pass the Save America Act

Paxton has a slight lead in polls ahead of the May 26 runoff for the Republican Senate nomination. An artificial intelligence-powered tool created this summary based on the source article. The summary has undergone review and verification by an editor. See Summary

GRAPEVINE, Texas  Hundreds of Republicans and conservative activists cheered Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and voiced support for his campaign for U.S. Senate and booed any mention of his runoff opponent, longtime U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference last week.

Paxton, 63, delivered a high-profile keynote address at CPACs Ronald Reagan Dinner on March 27 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, where Texas top prosecutor took aim at Cornyns absence.

I have been looking for somebody since I got here earlier today, and I was wondering if you all could help me find this guy, he asked the crowd. I heard he was invited, but really, I've walked all around this place, and I cannot find this guy. So, has anybody seen John Cornyn here? Because I have not seen him.

Cornyn and Paxton failed to secure a majority of the vote in the states Republican Primary on March 3, forcing a May 26 runoff vote for the Republican U.S. Senate nomination.

Addressing the Senate race, Paxton criticized Cornyn's decades in office. I've been watching John Cornyn for a long time. ... He's been in office over four decades, said Paxton. He's running for U.S. Senate for his fifth term. Nobody in Texas history has ever done that.

He pressed the CPAC crowd to consider Cornyns record and whether it has benefited the state of Texas. Let's take the whole 40-plus years of John Cornyn's career, and let me ask you a question: Can anybody in the room name one good accomplishment in 40-plus years? Do you know I've never gotten an answer to that question, and I've been doing this for a year?

Paxton drew a sharp contrast between himself and his opponent, and pointed to Republican U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz  who also spoke at CPAC and has so far declined to make an endorsement in the race  as a lawmaker that faithfully represents the Lone Star State.

We need a Senate that takes care of us, not Washington. And we need a senator in Texas that acts more like Ted Cruz than John Cornyn, said Paxton. Instead of having a senator that represents Washington, D.C., we're going to have a senator from Texas that represents Texas and the values of the Republican Party.

After announcing official straw poll results that showed Paxton with a sizable advantage over Cornyn among likely CPAC voters, the conference officially endorsed Paxton Saturday night.

A March 19 poll from Change Research found 42% of likely Texas GOP primary voters back Paxton, while only 39% favor Cornyn. According to the poll, Paxton leads with Evangelical voters among Republicans, while Cornyn leads with voters over 65, non-MAGA Republicans and non-Evangelical voters.

Expressing confidence ahead of the May 26 runoff, Paxton pointed to what he said were historic trends leaning in his favor. In Texas, runoffs tend to favor the most conservative person, he said. More of them go to me than they do John Cornyn. ... I promise you this, instead of having a senator that represents Washington, D.C., we're going to have a senator from Texas.

A spokesman for Cornyns campaign told The Christian Post on Monday that the senator was not in attendance at CPAC for legislative reasons.

Sen. Cornyn was in D.C. working to fully fund [the Department of Homeland Security] and pass the Save America Act, of which he is an original cosponsor, Cornyn campaign senior advisor Matt Mackowiak told CP.

The candidate who wins the May 26 GOP runoff vote will face Democrat state Rep. James Talarico in November.
Home News Supreme Court rules Colorado's conversion therapy ban violates First Amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court has struck down a Colorado law that bans licensed professionals from engaging in therapy with minors seeking to change their sexual orientation or help children with gender dysphoria accept their sex.

In an 8-1 decision released Tuesday in the case of Kaley Chiles v. Patty Salazar, executive director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies, et al., the high court concluded that Colorados ban unlawfully regulated the speech of Christian therapist Kaley Chiles.

Justice Neil Gorsuch delivered the opinion of the court, writing that we conclude that the courts below failed to apply sufficiently rigorous First Amendment scrutiny in this case.

While the First Amendment protects many and varied forms of expression, the spoken word is perhaps the quintessential form of protected speech. And that is exactly the kind of expression in which Ms. Chiles seeks to engage, said Gorsuch.

Colorados law does not just regulate the content of Ms. Chiless speech. It goes a step further, prescribing what views she may and may not express.

Gorsuch noted that the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country and that any law that suppresses speech based on viewpoint represents an egregious assault on both of those commitments.

The opinion reverses the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals' decision and sends the case back for further legal proceedings, with the majority opinion.

Justice Elena Kagan authored a concurring opinion, joined by Justice Sonia Sotomayor, writing that if Colorado had enacted "a viewpoint-neutral law, it would raise a different and more difficult question.

Once again, because the State has suppressed one side of a debate, while aiding the other, the constitutional issue is straightforward, she continued. We need not here decide how to assess viewpoint-neutral laws regulating health providers expression because, as the Court holds, Colorados is not one.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissent, arguing that, as a licensed medical professional, Chiles does not enjoy the broad First Amendment protections others do.

Chiles is not speaking in the ether; she is providing therapy to minors as a licensed healthcare professional, wrote Jackson. Under our precedents, bedrock First Amendment principles have far less salience when the speakers are medical professionals and their treatment-related speech is being restricted incidentally to the States regulation of the provision of medical care.

Jackson believes that Colorado had the right to ban the therapy for minors due to multiple mainstream medical organizations denouncing the practice.

The conclusion that a State can regulate the provision of medical care even if, in so doing, it incidentally restricts the speech of some providers, fully comports with the First Amendments animating principles, she added.

My colleagues contrary conclusions are puzzling, for a standards-based healthcare scheme cannot function unless its regulators are permitted to choose sides.

In 2019, Colorado passed the Minor Conversion Therapy Law, which prohibited "gay conversion therapy" for minors, after multiple similar bills had failed in previous legislative sessions.

Daniel Ramos, executive director of the LGBT advocacy group One Colorado, released a statement at the time saying that it was a "significant step in protecting our LGBTQ youth."

"No young person should ever be shamed by a mental health professional into thinking that who they are is wrong," stated Ramos. "Mental health care should be ethical and affirming for all people  including LGBTQ young people."

Chiles challenged the law in September 2022, claiming that the measure violated the Free Speech Clause and Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment of the Constitution.

A three-judge panel of the 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 against Chiles in September 2024, upholding an earlier district ruling in favor of the state ban.

Circuit Judge Veronica Rossman, a Biden appointee, wrote for the panel majority that "Chiles had not met her burden of showing a likelihood of success on the merits of her First Amendment free speech and free exercise claims."

"By regulating which treatments Ms. Chiles may perform in her role as a licensed professional counselor, Colorado is not restricting Ms. Chiles' freedom of expression," she added. "In other words, Ms. Chiles' First Amendment right to freedom of speech is implicated under the MCTL, but it is not abridged."

Circuit Judge Harris Hartz, a George W. Bush appointee, dissented, arguing that the majority failed to explain why "talk therapy is to be afforded lesser First Amendment protection than speech in general."

"Is the majority stating that professional speech should be treated differently under the First Amendment from identical speech by a nonprofessional? That would fly in the face of what the Supreme Court has recently told us," Hartz wrote.

Last October, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the case, with James Campbell of the Alliance Defending Freedom arguing the case on behalf of Chiles. He stated that Colorados ban wrongfully censors widely held views on debated moral, religious and scientific questions.

Aside from this law and recent ones like it, Colorado hasnt identified any similar viewpoint-based bans on counseling, Campbell said in his opening comments. These laws are historic outliers.

Sotomayor questioned the purpose of the legal challenge, saying that there had been six years of no enforcement of the law, as no one had been prosecuted under the ban.

Campbell countered that the ban had a credible threat of enforcement, noting that recently there have been anonymous complaints filed against Chiles and that those complaints are now being investigated by the state of Colorado for allegations that shes violating the ban.
Home News US launches $25M effort to free abducted Ukrainian children

The U.S. government has launched a $25 million effort to help identify, return and rehabilitate Ukrainian children and youth abducted by Russian forces and taken to Russian-controlled territories or otherwise held away from their families and communities.

The money, provided in coordination with Congress, is part of new assistance programming tied to President Donald Trumps push for durable peace and prosperity in Ukraine, the U.S. Department of State said in a March 26 statement.

The funding will support two sets of programs. One will help reliable partners identify and track children who were forcibly transferred away from their homes, a step the department said is needed for diplomatic and other work aimed at bringing them back. The other will support the Ukrainian government and trusted local partners as they care for children who return, with services intended to help them recover and rebuild their lives.

The State Department said dozens of U.S.-funded assistance programs continue to provide life-saving assistance to civilians affected by the violence in Ukraine, including these children.

The Christian humanitarian organization World Relief welcomed the initiative.

Hannah Daniel, the groups director of government relations, said the organization estimates that 35,000 children have been forcibly taken from their homes and families, and said the U.S. government's actions are an important step toward reunifying them with their relatives.

She said the group had long urged President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump to make the childrens return a priority.

In times of war and conflict, children too often pay the highest price.  We will continue to pray and advocate until each of these children is returned safely home, she said.

In February, the White House announced that the first lady has helped facilitate the return of children to their families after they were separated because of the regional conflict.

Melania Trump stated, I appreciate that Russia and Ukraine are dedicated to bringing back the children who have been displaced because of the circumstances surrounding this conflict. Although all parties are cooperating and our communications remain robust, I urge Russia and Ukraine to intensify their efforts to ensure the safe return of every child to their families and guardians.

She added, Today marks the third reunification since I have been working strategically with both nations. I have no doubt more progress will come.

Some children had been forcibly adopted into Russia and others were being held in 43 camps across Russia and Russian-occupied territory, with most of those camps focused on re-education, military training, or both, wrote Steven Moore, a former chief of staff in the U.S. House of Representatives, and Colby Barrett, a former U.S. Marine Corps Captain, in an earlier op-ed for The Christian Post.

Moore and Barrett said they met Rostyslav, identified as a Ukrainian orphan who escaped from a Russian military camp where he was kept in solitary confinement, while filming a documentary on Ukraine, A Faith Under Siege: Russias Hidden War on Ukraines Christians. "Weve met these survivors and victims in person," they wrote.

We also met Nadiia, a mother who had a gun held to her head in front of her children while members of the Russian Guard tortured her husband in the next room, they claimed. With a tip-off from her pastor, the family escaped from Russian-occupied Ukraine just days before her oldest child was set to be taken from them and sent to one of these Russian-controlled indoctrination facilities.

In the April 2025 op-ed, they cited a larger toll on children in the war, saying Russias full-scale invasion had killed 669 children and injured 1,854, with an average of 16 child casualties being added each week at that stage.

Referring to the State Departments Trafficking in Persons report, they noted that Ukrainian boys had been used for conscription and forced labor, including criminal courier work in drug trafficking, while girls faced forced labor, forced conscription and sexual exploitation in Russian-occupied areas.
Home News Washington Post editorial board speaks out against Finnish PM's Bible verse conviction

The Washington Post editorial board has condemned Finlands Supreme Court for convicting a sitting Finnish parliamentarian over a 20-year-old religious pamphlet, warning that the ruling threatens free expression well beyond Scandinavia.

The editorial, published as The Post expands its range of viewpoints to include conservative voices, called the prosecution of Paivi Rasanen the real crime and argued that maintaining a culture of free speech is as important as any constitutional text.

"Too often, Americans take for granted their First Amendment birthright. Courts should never decide which viewpoints are correct and which are not," the editorial states. "That is especially true when its a minority viewpoint, as Rasanens is in Finland. The court acknowledged that her writing did not incite violence or hatred while still finding her guilty."

Rasanen, a Finnish MP and former leader of Finlands Christian Democratic Party, was found guilty in a 3-2 ruling for co-publishing a 2004 pamphlet that described homosexuality as a psychosexual development disorder. She was fined 1,800 euros (about $2,080) and the court ordered all physical and digital copies of the pamphlet destroyed.

Chapter 11 of the Finnish Penal Code deals with agitation against a minority group.

The court acknowledged that the text contained no incitement to violence or threats, but ruled that describing homosexuality as disordered could insult gay people as a group.

The case originated not with the pamphlet but with a 2019 tweet in which Rasanen quoted Romans 1:2427 to rebuke the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland for participating in LGBT pride month events. Criminal complaints followed, and investigators subsequently surfaced the 2004 document.

The Supreme Court acquitted Rasanen on the tweet, finding she had justified her view by citing a biblical text.

The prosecutor had argued to the court that while citing scripture is permitted, it was Rasanens interpretation and opinion about the Bible verses that are criminal.

Rasanen and her co-defendant, Lutheran Bishop Juhana Pohjola, who published the pamphlet, were unanimously acquitted twice at lower court levels. Pohjola chairs the International Lutheran Council, a global body that includes the Lutheran ChurchMissouri Synod, the second-largest Lutheran denomination in the United States.

The Finnish government appealed both rulings, extending the legal ordeal across multiple years before securing the single conviction now under review.

The Washington Post editorial noted that if Finland could prosecute a sitting legislator and the chair of an international religious organization with millions of members, ordinary citizens holding similar views could not feel safe expressing them publicly.

New opinion editor Adam ONeal, installed by owner Jeff Bezos, has stated his intention to diversify viewpoints. To that end, he recently announced the hiring of three conservative columnists, Kate Andrews of The Spectator, Dominic Pino of National Review, and Carine Hajjar, previously of the Boston Globe editorial board, as reported by The New York Post.

Rasanen said she was shocked and profoundly disappointed by the high courts decision and accused the court of failing to recognize her basic human right to freedom of expression. She said she stands by the teachings of her Christian faith and intends to continue defending the right to share convictions in public.

She is now taking legal advice on a possible appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Paul Coleman, executive director of the legal advocacy group ADF International that supported Rasanen, called the ruling an outrageous example of state censorship, pointing out that the law under which she was convicted did not exist when the pamphlet was written.

Coleman warned the decision would create a severe chilling effect on free speech across Finland and beyond.

Rasanen recently traveled to Washington, D.C., attending a prayer gathering at the Museum of the Bible before testifying before Congress on growing hostility toward free speech in Europe.
Home News Why 10 people gave their lives to God after gun-wielding man pointed weapon at pastor during funeral

A pastor who managed to stay calm and prevent any casualties after a man pointed a gun at him during a funeral in Detroit, Michigan, on Saturday, is now being hailed as a hero by local police, but he has rejected the label and explained what led 10 people to surrender their lives to God after the encounter.

Pastor Darthanian Nichols of Breaking Chains Outreach Ministries previously shared that the unidentified gunman, who declared he didn't believe in Jesus, pointed a gun at him as he was officiating the funeral for 17-year-old Jabari Malik Kenney, who died by gun violence earlier this month, and ordered him to be quiet.

The disruption at the New McFall Brothers Funeral Home, where the funeral was held, sent people scrambling for cover, but Nichols managed to talk to the gunman in a way that prevented him from firing a single shot.

"The pastor  the calm he kept and the way he handled himself  he's a hero," Detroit Police Department Capt. John Stewart said at a press conference cited by Fox 2. Stewart said the suspected gunman, who could face felonious assault and felony firearm charges, has since been arrested, and four other individuals were taken into custody for a variety of weapons offenses.

The Christian Post asked Pastor Nichols a series of questions about the encounter. What follows is a lightly edited version of his responses.

CP: How are you doing? You seemed to have continued with business as usual on Saturday night and Sunday morning. Was this adrenaline, or have you had a moment to reflect since that moment when you thought the gunman would have surely shot you?

Pastor Nichols: Im doing OK. I had just gotten back home early that morning from a mission trip, so I was already moving on very little rest. But one thing Ive always lived by is this: to whom much is given, much is required. Because of that, stopping wasnt really an option for me in that moment; I felt a responsibility to keep going and to show up.

Looking back, I think a lot of what carried me through was a combination of adrenaline, faith and the peace of the Lord. Its hard to fully explain, but in that moment, there was a grace that allowed me to function, even when everything around me felt intense.

Now that Ive had some time to slow down and reflect, I find myself replaying it in my mind, asking, What could I have done differently? That question keeps coming up. Not from a place of regret, but from a desire to understand, to grow, and to be even better prepared in the future, and how to better try to reach people.

At the same time, I recognize that I did the best I could with what I had in that moment. And Im trusting that even in the questions, God is still present, still covering and still teaching me through the experience.

CP: You said you are a trained clinician; can you elaborate a bit more on that? Are you a licensed counselor or therapist in addition to being a pastor?

Pastor Nichols: Yes, I am a licensed clinical social worker and therapist, and I currently serve as the Chief Operating Officer at Motor City Center for Hope. In this role, I have the privilege of combining both my clinical expertise and leadership to help guide an organization that is deeply committed to serving the mental and behavioral health needs of our community.

I truly believe that I work alongside some of the most skilled, compassionate and dedicated therapists in the city of Detroit. The level of care, professionalism and heart that our team brings to the work each day is something I take great pride in. We are not just providing services, we are creating spaces for healing, growth and restoration.

What has uniquely shaped my leadership, both in the church and in the workplace, is the combination of my spiritual and pastoral training with my clinical background. My pastoral experience has given me a deep sense of compassion, discernment and a heart for people, while my clinical training has equipped me with the tools, structure and evidence-based approaches needed to support individuals effectively.

CP: How exactly were you able to calm the gunman? What happened? Was he removed from the service?

Pastor Nichols: Im not sure if I was ever truly able to calm him down. Looking back, I think what I was doing in that moment was less about de-escalating him directly and more about trying to connect with him and his emotions in a way that created a distraction, something that could help stabilize the room and keep the situation from escalating further.

My focus became maintaining as much order and safety as possible for everyone present. Even though I was engaging with him, I was also very aware of the larger environment and the need to keep things from spiraling.

He did end up leaving the service, which ultimately helped de-escalate the situation.

In the middle of it all, I remember sensing God clearly saying, Keep talking. And thats exactly what I did. I stayed on the microphone, stayed present, and continued speaking not just to him, but to the entire room to help keep people as calm and grounded as possible.

CP: You appeared to have experienced a flood of conflicting emotions during that moment. Do you credit God's supernatural peace for how you were able to manage the moment?

Pastor Nichols: Absolutely. In that moment, I remember feeling the weight of every role I carry all at once. It was like everything in me had to respond simultaneously.

I had to respond as a husband concerned about the safety of my wife. As a father aware of the need to protect my children. As a pastor responsible for covering and leading my team. As a social worker {I was] assessing the situation and thinking about the safety and well-being of everyone in the room.

And then there was another layer. I had to respond as a man who understands grief, anger and what it feels like to be overlooked. There was a part of me that could see the hurting young man behind the behavior, and my heart was trying to reach him even in the middle of everything that was happening.

It felt like I was being pulled in multiple directions, trying to hold all of that together in real time. But what I also recognize now is that it wasnt just me operating in that moment.

There was a supernatural grace that met me there. A peace that didnt come from logic. A steadiness that didnt come from preparation. A clarity that went beyond my own ability to process everything happening at once. God gave me the capacity to stand, to think, to speak, and to respond under pressure in a way that I know was beyond my natural strength.

It reminds me of what Paul said in [his] First Epistle to the 1 Corinthians 9:22: I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.

CP: You said 10 people gave their lives to God during the service. Can you describe how that happened? Did they see your handling of the moment as a testament to God's power?

Pastor Nichols: This opportunity wasnt created because of me. It really came about because the funeral home director, Julius Baker, made the decision to remain committed to their mission to serve the family no matter the circumstances.

When things shifted, and the decision was made to move the service to the cemetery, they reached out and said, Pastor, we need you at the cemetery. Even though my team strongly preferred that I not go, I felt a deep sense of responsibility and assignment in that moment. I knew I needed to be there to see it through.

So I insisted on going, and we were able to complete the funeral service at the cemetery.

That moment created an opportunity for me to deliver the eulogy with a very intentional focus, helping those present understand the promises of God, particularly the promise of eternal life for those who choose Him.

I also felt led to remind everyone that we are called to be the light of the world. And if we are truly going to be that light, it begins with us taking a personal look in the mirror, examining our own lives, our choices, and our relationship with God.

Because ultimately, the question is not just how we live here but where we will spend eternity.

CP: Have you spoken to the gunman since the incident?

Pastor Nichols: No, I have not spoken with the young man since the incident.

And I want to be clear about something, this moment is not about me. I dont see myself as a hero in any of this. The focus should remain where it truly belongs, on a family that is grieving, hurting and trying to navigate an incredibly difficult loss.

My heart is with them, and I believe our community should continue to surround them with prayer, compassion and support. More than anything, they need love, covering and space to heal.

So I would simply ask that we keep this family lifted, remembering that their pain is real, and their need for support is ongoing.
New platform enables TPAs and employers to operationalize Direct Primary Care inside the health plan with claims-level transparency  already reaching 100,000+ covered lives

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Mending today announced the launch of Mending Access, a new platform that enables third-party administrators (TPAs) and self-funded employers to offer Direct Primary Care (DPC) as a fully integrated health plan benefit. Since launching in January 2026, Mending Access has already expanded DPC access to more than 100,000 covered lives across employer-sponsored health plans.

Employer interest in Direct Primary Care has grown significantly over the past few years as companies look for ways to improve access to primary care while controlling healthcare costs. But in most cases, DPC has been offered as a separate or loosely connected benefitlimiting adoption and making it difficult for employers and plan administrators to measure utilization and impact.

Mending Access solves this problem. The platform connects DPC practices directly into employer health plans and TPA administration workflows, enabling eligibility management, automated data exchange, precise payments only when employees actively use DPC, and claims-level reporting on utilization. For employers and TPAs, this provides the operational infrastructure and transparency needed to evaluate engagement and measure the return on primary care investment.

"Direct Primary Care has always had the potential to reshape how employers think about healthcare, but operational barriers have slowed adoption," said Jay Kempton, CEO of The Kempton Group Administrators and Co-founder of the Free Market Medical Association. "Employers want the accessibility and physician relationship that DPC offers, but they also need transparency, reporting, and automation to administer their plans responsibly. Mending Access brings those pieces together, and helps move DPC from the margins into the mainstream for employers."

The launch also marks a rapid expansion in Mending's national footprintand the reach of the DPC model. Until recently, Mending worked with DPC practices in only two states, where it offers DPC-centered health insurance on the ACA Marketplace. Today, the company is active in 12 states, and it expects to be partnering with DPC practices in more than 25 states by the end of 2026.

Mending Access helps DPC providers participate more easily in employer-sponsored healthcare while preserving the core simplicity of the DPC care model.

"We've spent the last five years building technology alongside the DPC community and earning our way to be a trusted and credible partner," said Jeff Yuan, Co-founder of Mending. "That foundation has allowed us to build a bridge between employers who want better primary care for their employees and the DPC doctors already delivering it. Mending Access brings more patients into the DPC model while preserving what makes it work."

For employers and TPAs, the platform offers a way to incorporate high-access, relationship-based primary care into the core health planwith the visibility and reporting rigor needed for responsible plan administration. For DPC providers, it opens up more channels of patient growth without the administrative burden and in a manner consistent with their business model.

Qualifying DPC practices across the country are now invited to join the Mending Access program. Participation is available at no cost, and early partners will have the opportunity to serve employer populations as Mending continues expanding its national coverage footprint throughout 2026.

About Mending

Mending is an AI-native health technology company accelerating the future of care. Designed as a technology platform first, Mending powers solutions that connect healthcare administration, payments, and data in one unified system. Its first products were ACA Marketplace health plans in Maine and Oklahoma, built around Direct Primary Care (DPC). Today, that same platform powers Mending Access, a national solution that enables TPAs, employers, and DPC practices to integrate the DPC model into employer health plans across the country. For more information, visit www.mending.com/access.

Media Contact

Jeff Yuan

Co-founder, Mending

[email protected]

SOURCE Mending
White House Responds To Papal War Rebuke, Canadian Hate Speech Bill, Archeology Discovery

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:18 08:18

Visit Crossmap.com  your trusted source for inspiration and life-changing stories from people of faith.

Top headlines for Tuesday, March 31, 2026

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts response to Pope Leo XIVs sharp warning that God does not hear the prayers of leaders who wage war, as conflict in the Middle East continues to intensify. We also examine a newly passed bill in Canada that would ban acts of hatred, and why critics say its broad language could threaten protections for religious speech.

00:11 Pope Leo: Jesus 'doesn't listen to prayers of those who wage war'

01:07 Trump WH responds to papal war rebuke, Church of Holy Sepulchre

01:54 Judge rejects UMCs claim to own breakaway megachurch

03:34 Canadian House of Commons passes controversial hate speech bill

04:30 Archaeologists unearth 1,500-year-old monastic complex in Egypt

05:22 Israel allows access to Holy Sepulchre after initial rejection

06:32 First look at Wonder Projects 'Moses special revealed

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Home Opinion Can you imagine Iran from Death to America to God bless America?

GRAPEVINE, Texas  There are moments when something shifts, and you feel it immediately.

That is what happened in that room.

When Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi took the stage at CPAC 2026, the energy was undeniable. Flags waved. The crowd stood again and again. But as he began to speak, the tone changed. What he brought into that room was not just a message about the future. It was an account of what is happening right now.

Pahlavi spoke about Iran not as a political issue, but as a country where people are living through violence that most of us will never see firsthand. He described what he said was a sweeping crackdown, protests crushed, cities locked down, and the internet repeatedly shut off so the outside world cannot see what is happening in real time.

But it was when he began to describe what that looks like for actual people that the room went still.

He said regime forces have entered hospitals and killed wounded protesters where they lay. He spoke about doctors and nurses who tried to help, only to be tortured for it.

Hospitals are no longer safe places.

He spoke about families searching for their children and finding nothing. No names. No records. Only bodies. He described what he said were rows of the dead left unidentified, forcing mothers and fathers to search through them by hand, trying to find someone they loved, not knowing if they would find them or if they had already been buried without a trace.

There is a sea of blood between the people and the regime, he said.

The room went quiet when he said it. Because it was clear this was not rhetoric. It was reality.

What he described was not abstract. These are lives made in the image of God, taken in ways that are difficult to process and even harder to accept.

The world is not unaware of what is happening in Iran. There are actions being taken. But hearing what was described in that room, it is clear there is still a distance between what is known and what is truly understood.

Scripture tells us, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit (Psalm 34:18).

That truth is not theoretical.

It means something when we hear accounts like this.

It means we are not meant to look away.

For decades, the conversation surrounding Iran has been about strategy. Sanctions. Negotiations. Containment. But what Pahlavi made clear is that what is happening inside that country is not just geopolitical. It is human.

A free Iran is not a fantasy, he said. A free Iran is within reach.

That is a hopeful statement, but it is not a simple one.

Because freedom is never free. And in Iran, people have already paid for it with their lives.

Pahlavi made clear that this moment will not wait. He said the Iranian people will finish this, with or without outside support, because the regime is at its weakest point and the window will not remain open indefinitely. But he also said that support from the United States and Israel could change what comes next. Not by controlling the outcome, but by helping shorten the path and reduce the number of lives lost. Without it, the road forward will be longer, and it will be bloodier.

He described a future Iran that would look fundamentally different. A country no longer defined by fear and repression, but one where people can live freely, where the state does not control belief, and where people of all faiths can worship without fear.

That matters because what is happening in Iran today is not only political oppression, but also spiritual suppression. When Crown Prince Reza Pahlavi asked, Can you imagine Iran going from Death to America to God bless America? it was not a throwaway line. It was a glimpse into what a transformed nation could look like, and a reminder of how much would have to change to get there.

He was also clear about something else. This system cannot be reformed. It has to be replaced. And the Iranian people will be the ones to do it. That is their burden to carry.

But they should not have to carry it unseen. Especially our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Scripture tells us to remember those in prison as if you were together with them (Hebrews 13:3). That is not passive. It calls us to see, to understand, and to refuse to look away.

There is still a long road ahead for Iran, and nothing about this moment is guaranteed. But what was clear in that room is that something is shifting. The regime is weaker than it has been, the people have not backed down, and for the first time in a long time, change feels possible.

The Iranian people will have to take back their country. But they should not have to do it alone.
Home Opinion The two ditches: Why both Christian extremes are wrong about Israel

Right now, if you scroll long enough through conservative Christian feeds, you will see two very different tempers about Israel  two extremes; two ditches.

One says this: God told Abraham, I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse. That settles it. End of discussion. If you are a Christian, you (your country) must support the modern state of Israel in all things and give them as many resources as they want. To hesitate is to risk standing under Gods curse.

The other says this: Christ fulfilled the promises. The covenant is over. Ethnic Israel no longer carries any theological weight (they may even be a curse that must be handled). And from there, in some corners, the tone darkens into sheer, often conspiratorial resentment against Jewish people at-large (even going so far as to sanitize the likes of Hitler), convinced they are simply applying biblical covenant theology.

Both sides quote the Bible. A lot. Both sides tell a partial story. Neither tells the whole one.

So lets tell the whole story.

It begins with one man in Ur. In the Book of Genesis 12, God calls Abram out of paganism and makes him a promise. I will make of you a great nation  I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. That is not random favoritism. That is the launch of redemption after the wreckage of Genesis 3 and the scattering at Babel.

From that moment on, the storyline tightens. Abraham has two sons, but God says, Through Isaac shall your offspring be named. Isaac has two sons, and before they are born, God declares, The older will serve the younger. The line narrows to Jacob. Then to Judah. Then to David. The promise is like a thread running through generations, sometimes barely visible, often hanging by a strand.

Pharaoh takes Sarah. The Lord afflicted Pharaoh and his house with great plagues. Abimelech takes her. God warns him in a dream, You are a dead man. Why such severity? Because if that line collapses, the promise collapses. And if the promise collapses, the world stays under the curse (the curse of sin; Genesis 3).

Centuries later, Israel is enslaved in Egypt. God tells Moses, I have remembered my covenant with Abraham, with Isaac, and with Jacob. The plagues fall again. The sea parts. A nation is born. The covenant promise is still moving forward, just as God intended.

But Israel is never portrayed as morally flawless. They grumble in the wilderness. They worship golden calves. They demand a king. They split into two kingdoms. They fall into idolatry (a lot). Prophets warn them. They kill their own prophets. God judges them in their rebellion (a lot). Assyria comes. Babylon comes. Exile comes. If you read the Old Testament honestly, you see two things at once. Israel is chosen. Israel is stubborn. And yet the promise keeps advancing.

Then a Jewish child is born in Bethlehem. Matthew opens his Gospel with a genealogy that runs straight back to Abraham and David, keeping our eyes on the big picture. Paul later explains what that means in Galatians 3:16: Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring  who is Christ. The thread finally reaches its destination. The offspring is not merely a nation. It is a person.

Now the promise explodes outward. In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed. The crucified and risen Messiah sends His apostles to the nations. Gentiles are grafted in. Sinners from every tribe and tongue are justified by faith.

But that raises a painful question: If the Messiah has come, why have so many Jews rejected Him? Has God abandoned His ancient people?

In Romans 911, Paul answers with tears. I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart for his kinsmen according to the flesh (Jews). He does not sneer. He grieves for them, even saying hed forego his own salvation if it meant theirs. He lists their privileges, honoring what Matthew stated his gospel with: The adoption, the glory, the covenants, the giving of the law, the worship, and the promises. Then he says something that reframes everything: Not all who are descended from Israel belong to Israel. Ethnicity alone was never the guarantee. Gods promise has always moved through electing grace.

Still, Paul refuses the idea that God is finished with ethnic Israel. Has God rejected his people? By no means. There is a remnant chosen by grace. There is also a partial hardening. Not total. Not permanent. He warns Gentile believers, Do not be arrogant toward the branches (ethnic Jews)  do not become proud, but fear. And then this stunning line: The gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. He even looks ahead and says, And in this way all Israel will be saved.

That is the full story. A covenant that begins with Abraham, narrows through Israel, culminates in Christ, and still carries a future mercy for ethnic Jews.

Now bring that story into today.

The first ditch takes Genesis 12 and flattens it into a foreign policy command. It treats I will bless those who bless you as if it were written about a 21st century parliamentary system. But in its original setting, that promise guarded the messianic line. It ensured that the offspring would come. It pointed forward to Christ. To turn it into an automatic endorsement of every decision made by the modern Israeli government is to rip it out of redemptive history and drop it into cable news.

You can support Israels right to exist (lets call this Zionism). You can believe a Jewish state has a legitimate claim to security and sovereignty (as I do, proudly). You can oppose terrorism and antisemitism with moral clarity (as any Christian should). You can even describe yourself politically as a Zionist in that sense (again, as I do). But you do not need to pretend that every policy, every military action, every political coalition is beyond critique. Loving a nation does not mean baptizing its every decision. Christians and Americans already know how to do this with their own countries.

The second ditch is more corrosive. It takes the truth that Christ fulfills the covenant and twists it into contempt. It says the promises are spiritual now, and ethnic Israel is irrelevant, if not problematic. And from there, some slip into resentment, as if centuries of Jewish suffering mean nothing. Christian friends, that posture cannot survive Romans 11. Full stop. Paul forbids arrogance. He calls Israel beloved for the sake of their forefathers. He warns gentiles that they stand by faith, not by superiority.

You can hold a covenantal framework. You can reject dispensational charts and still tremble at Pauls warning. You can believe the land promise ultimately finds its fulfillment in the new creation and still expect a future turning of many Jews to Christ. Those positions are not mutually exclusive. What is excluded is pride and hatred towards ethnic Jews. This is not up for debate for the follower of Jesus.

So, what does practical theology look like in this moment?

It looks like remembering that the story did not start in 1948, and it did not start in Washington. It started when God made a promise to Abraham that would one day lead to a Jewish Messiah hanging on a Roman cross for the sins of the world.

It looks like saying clearly that antisemitism is wicked. It looks like preaching the Gospel to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1). It looks like engaging modern politics with nuance, not Hitler-rehabbing insanity baptized as Christian nationalism. It looks like refusing to use Genesis 12 as a talisman and refusing to use covenant theology as a gas chamber.

Most of all, it looks like humility. The same God who preserved the line through Abraham, through exile, through centuries of failure, is the God who grafted gentiles in by sheer mercy. If He is not finished showing mercy to Israel, then Christians have no business hardening their hearts.

Tell the whole story, and both ditches lose their appeal. The covenant was never about tribal pride. It was about Christ. And Christ is still gathering a people, from Israel and from the nations, into one redeemed family.
Xi congratulates Sassou Nguesso on re-election as president of Republic of the Congo

Xinhua) 09:12, March 31, 2026

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to Denis Sassou Nguesso on his re-election as president of the Republic of the Congo.

Noting that the two countries have a profound traditional friendship, Xi said in the message that in recent years, the two sides have continuously consolidated political mutual trust, firmly supported each other on issues concerning each other's core interests and major concerns, and conducted fruitful cooperation in various fields.

He said that the two countries have joined hands to fulfill their roles as co-chairs of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, playing a leading role in promoting the development of China-Africa relations and South-South cooperation.

Xi said that he attaches great importance to the development of bilateral relations and stands ready to work with Sassou Nguesso to continuously enrich the connotation of the high-level community with a shared future between China and the Republic of the Congo, making greater contributions to the building of an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future for the new era.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New location in Lorain, Ohio marks 164 Curaleaf retail locations nationwide

STAMFORD, Conn., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf" or the "Company"), a leading international provider of consumer cannabis products, today announced the opening of a new Curaleaf-branded dispensary in Lorain, Ohio, located at 2507 W Erie Ave, Lorain, OH 44053. Curaleaf provides support services to the current owner and operator, RC Retail, ensuring both medical patients and adult-use customers in Ohio will receive the same elevated retail experience and access to high-quality cannabis they have come to expect when visiting Curaleaf stores. Curaleaf has the future right to ownership of the dispensary, subject to regulatory approval, which would expand Curaleaf's footprint to six stores in the Buckeye State and 164 nationwide.

Conveniently located on West Erie Avenue, the new dispensary, branded as Curaleaf Lorain, boasts a broad selection of premium cannabis products curated for medical patients and adult-use consumers. Customers can explore a wide variety of trusted, best-in-class brands and products including Select BRIQ all-in-one vapes, Find flower, and Grassroots flower.

"Ohio continues to be an important market for Curaleaf. The opening of our Lorain location reflects our ongoing commitment to expanding access to high-quality cannabis across the state," said Boris Jordan, Curaleaf Chairman and CEO. "This dispensary is designed to provide a convenient, welcoming experience for both longtime medical patients and adult-use consumers. We look forward to welcoming the Lorain community and serving customers throughout Northern Ohio."

Curaleaf Lorain is open 9:00 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. ET, Monday through Saturday, and 9:00 A.M. to 7 P.M. ET on Sundays. A grand opening celebration will take place on Friday, April 10. The grand opening celebration will include discounts and gifts with purchase through April 20. Within the state of Ohio, Curaleaf also operates retail locations in Cuyahoga Falls, Findlay, Girard, Lima, and Newark.

For more information on Curaleaf's dispensaries and products in Ohio and beyond, please visit: https://www.curaleaf.com/dispensary/ohio.

About Curaleaf Holdings

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc. (TSX: CURA) (OTCQX: CURLF) ("Curaleaf") is a leading international provider of consumer products in cannabis with a mission to enhance lives by cultivating, sharing and celebrating the power of the plant. As a high-growth cannabis company known for quality, expertise and reliability, the Company and its brands, including Curaleaf, Select, Grassroots, Find, and Anthem provide industry-leading service, product selection and accessibility across the medical and adult use markets. Curaleaf International is powered by a strong presence in all stages of the supply chain. Its unique distribution network throughout Europe, Canada and Australasia brings together pioneering science and research with cutting-edge cultivation, extraction and production. Curaleaf is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol CURA and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol CURLF. For more information, please visit https://ir.curaleaf.com.

Forward Looking Statements

This media advisory contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forwardlooking statements or information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "proposed", "is expected", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information concerning the opening of a dispensary in Lorain, OH. Such forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company with respect to the matter described in this new release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors and Uncertainties" in the Company's latest annual information form filed on February 26, 2026, which is available under the Company's SEDAR profile at http://www.sedar.com, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. The Toronto Stock Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Investor Contact:

Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.

Camilo Lyon, Chief Investment Officer

[email protected]

Media Contact:

MATTIO Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Curaleaf Holdings, Inc.
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On the morning of March 28, Fatima Ftouni, a journalist in southern Lebanon, filed a live news dispatch for Al Mayadeen, a Beirut-based television network. Wearing a press vest and helmet, she described the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) occupying parts of the town of Taybeh and retaliatory attacks by Hezbollah, the Shiite political party and armed group with which Al Mayadeen is editorially aligned. Several hours later, Ftouni; her brother Mohammad, a videographer; and Ali Shoeib, a correspondent who worked for a Hezbollah-affiliated outlet called Al-Manar, were driving near the district of Jezzine in a car marked Press when an Israeli drone fired four precision-guided missiles at them, killing all three journalists.

Israel soon issued a statement taking responsibility for the killings, accusing Shoeib, without evidence, of working for Hezbollah, and saying nothing of the Ftounis. Journalists are not legitimate targets, regardless of the outlet they work for, Sara Qudah, the regional director at the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), said. (On the same day, Israel also killed nine paramedics in five villages.) Though some Western news outlets reported on the events as they occurred, the story did not receive the attention and prominence that it warranted.

The obscuring of Lebanon and its civilians is no accident. For years, the correspondent infrastructure covering the country has been hollowed out. News organizations, most prominently the Washington Post, have chosen to shutter their foreign bureaus, surrendering decades of know-how. (A spokesperson for the Post said that the layoffs were part of a restructuring designed to strengthen our footing and sharpen our focus on delivering the distinctive journalism that sets the Post apart.) Outlets such as the Associated Press and the New York Times that still invest in on-the-ground correspondents are in short supply. To try to fill the gap in moments of crisis, many news organizations now turn to freelancers or send in journalists lacking the language expertise or long-standing relationships with locals. The work of reporters from Lebanon has taken on an outsize importance.

After Hezbollah attacked Israel in response to the assassination of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Irans supreme leader, the IDF responded by invading southern Lebanon, a campaign reportedly long in the making. In the months preceding the escalation in Iran, peacekeepers from the United Nations recorded more than ten thousand violations by Israeli forces of an American- and French-brokered ceasefire in Lebanon. Since the war began, on March 2, the IDF has displaced over a million civilians. Across the country, shelters are at capacity. More than 1,200 people, including 124 children and 52 health workers, have been killed by Israeli forces. Air strikes have burned farmland and groves of olive trees core to the identity and economy of the region. Human Rights Watch found that Israel has used white phosphorus in southern Lebanon, a violation of international humanitarian law. The intent is clear: Israel Katz, Israels defense minister, has said the IDF is deploying its model from Gaza in Lebanon.

Yet Western newsrooms have, thus far, largely framed the story of Lebanon as a sideshow to the war in Iran. Coverage of the bombardment and subsequent invasion has been reactive, relegated to live blogs and breaking news updates; there are few in-depth stories on the political and humanitarian situation. Hezbollah is presented all too often as being synonymous with Lebanon, as the conflict spills over from Iran. Theres a temptation to fit whatever is happening in Lebanon into an established narrative, Mohamad Bazzi, a journalism professor at New York University and the director of the schools Center for Near Eastern Studies, told me. Afeef Nessouli, a Lebanese American freelance journalist reporting from Beirut, said, The dehumanization of Arabs is obvious.

Beirut became a staging ground for coverage of the Middle East and North Africa during Lebanons civil war, sparked in 1975 by exploding sectarian tensions. Correspondents operated with relative freedom in the citys open media environment and refined their craft in its militia-controlled neighborhoods, learning to navigate checkpoints and work with translators and fixers. The Commodore, a luxury hotel in Beiruts Hamra district that opened in the 1940s, served as the unofficial headquarters of the foreign press corps. Militia leaders, diplomats, politicians, and spies frequented its lounges. Armed guards manned the entrance while correspondents filed dispatches from its lobby. Even when the citys communications collapsed over the course of the war, the hotels landlines and telex machines remained operational. Reporters passing through met Coco, a parrot perched at the hotel bar who mimicked the sound of incoming shells. Terry Anderson, the Beirut bureau chief for the Associated Press, reported from the hotel until 1985, when he was taken hostage by a militia and held in captivity for nearly seven years.

Beirut remained vital for regional coverage during the Iraq War. Anthony Shadid, the late Beirut-based correspondent for the New York Times, filed coverage bolstered by his deep knowledge of local history, politics, and culture, in addition to his fluency in Arabic. Alongside Shadid were correspondents whose work depended on the unacknowledged laborand, often, the traumaof local journalists, news assistants, and translators. Anthony had unique gifts as a writer and reporter, but what made him exceptional was his dedication to the story. When he wrote about Lebanon, or Egypt, or Iraq, the source of his authority was the years or decades he had spent studying these countries, living in them, and then listening to and sharing the voices of their people, Kareem Fahim, a longtime reporter in the Middle East who worked with Shadid at the Times, said. Many media organizations seem less and less interested in that kind of commitment.

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In the early 2000s, Gulf-based networks such as Al Jazeera and Al Arabiya expanded, with Doha and Dubai gradually becoming media centers. Even so, Beirut remained key for Middle East correspondence. By 2015, at the height of the US-led campaign against the Islamic State and the war in Syria, more than thirty full-time foreign correspondents were stationed there, current and former Lebanon-based journalists told me.

Lebanons cascading crisesa 2019 uprising against the political establishment, a port explosion, and a financial collapse triggered by years of government corruption and mismanagementdrove many reporters away. The Daily Star, an English-language newspaper that had long served as a conduit between the Lebanese press and international media, shuttered in 2021, a casualty of the economic free fall. In January, the Commodore closed its doors as the downturn battered Lebanons tourism and hospitality sector.

As audiences migrated online and advertising revenue vanished, the infrastructure that had supported foreign correspondence eventually collapsed. From 1998 to 2011, at least twenty US newspapers and media organizations shut down their foreign bureaus, taking with them hundreds of foreign correspondent positions. The consequences have come to bear on the coveragewhich, in the extreme, can become stenography. During the 2024 war, reporters with outlets including the BBC and Fox News toured southern Lebanon alongside Israeli forces, producing what one Lebanese legal watchdog described as carbon copies of the Israeli armys videos. (The BBC did not respond to a request for comment. A spokesperson for Fox News said that its journalists work to embed across the full spectrum of military and political forces to deliver viewers context from every side of a conflict and ask questions of those in power with no exception.)

Beirut-based freelancers still cover Syria, Palestine, and the broader region, albeit without the regular salaries, health insurance, security training, or newsroom support of full-time staffers. Newspapers and agencies are happy to pick up the prizes from them, but a little loath to fulfill their obligations to them, Ian Williams, the president of the Foreign Press Association, said.

Lebanese journalists, meanwhile, are often relied upon as fixers for foreign outlets, even as many do substantive bylined reporting, frequently in dangerous environments. Israel has killed at least eleven reporters in Lebanon and two hundred and ten journalists in Gaza since October 7, 2023, according to CPJ, making it the deadliest period on record for media workers.

Despite their sacrifices, these local journalists are often subjected to additional pressures by the news outlets that depend on them. A 2025 survey of reporters of Middle Eastern and African descent working for Western outlets, conducted by the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association, found that 85 percent of respondents felt their newsrooms had held them to a higher standard of neutrality; 75 percent said expectations of objectivity are applied unevenly depending on background or identity. Nessouli told me that indigenous Lebanese reporters are frequently taken for granted: When the bigwigs from larger corporations parachute in for a week, they become fixers, stringers, and assistant producers, he said. Foreign correspondents often task them with asking civilians displaced from the south ignorant or insensitive questions that seem to conflate them with Hezbollah. The US media has trouble conveying nuance, and Lebanon is a small country that requires a lot of nuance, Bazzi said.

Foreign reporters also dont really respect the limitations of fixers, Nessouli said. For example, when a correspondent cant get a pass to enter Dahieh, a densely populated Beirut suburb that Israel has targeted, they may pressure the fixer to obtain access. The correspondents are trying their best, he observed, but theyre propagandized to believe the Middle East and Arabs are barbaric.

Correction: This piece has been updated to reflect the breadth of coverage of the start of the Iran war and to clarify the range of tasks performed by Lebanese journalists working as fixers.
Just over three years ago, Florida lawmakers effectively ended one-way attorney fees, disincentivizing much of the costly property insurance claims litigation that had plagued the industry. But fees can still be awarded to either side in a lawsuit, in a process that involves hiring expert witnesses to testify on the appropriate amount.

Last week, a Florida appeals court issued what it called a sea change and long-overdue decisionone that could reduce insurers defense costs and streamline at least some lawsuits and appeals. The 6th District Court of Appeals, covering part of south-central Florida, threw out the 62-year-old court practice that had required expert witnesses and court hearings,.

The courts opinion is strong, well-reasoned, and compelling. I hope other DCAs follow it, said Matt Lavisky, an insurance defense attorney with the Butler Weihmuller law firm, in Tampa.

Lawyers on both sides of the claims litigation divide said the fee-expert and hearing practice, which was never required by Florida statute and is not followed in federal courts, has been time-consuming, costly and unnecessary. As the 6th DCA court said in its March 20 opinion, judges themselves can decide fees, based on their own wisdom and briefs filed by counsel.

I often wondered why we needed experts to tell judges (most of whom have practiced for many years) how to rule on attorneys fees and costs, said Lynn Brauer, a Miami plaintiffs attorney.

Brauer has served as an expert on fees, herself, and she ended up feeling like the arguments she made could have been done through court filings.

Lavisky, a former president of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association, pointed out that the requirement had led to a cottage industry of people who testify as fee experts and ask for exorbitant hourly rates to do so.

The party seeking the fees never pays it. Instead, it is requested as a taxable cost against the opposing party, he said in an email. Thus, the threat of cost of the fee expert becomes a leverage point to negotiate an unreasonable fee.

Before the 2022 legislative changes, insurance industry advocates often gave examples of claims lawsuits that ended with five-digit awards for plaintiff policyholders but six-figure attorney fees, paid by insurance companies. Judges often based those fee awards on expert testimony and fee multipliers that added thousands of dollars due to various circumstances, such as the plaintiffs reported difficulty in finding legal representation.

Attorneys fees seem to drive some litigation where the underlying dispute pales in comparison to the potential of a fee award, the 6th District court wrote, quoting from the 4th District Court of Appeals in a 2010 case.

It turns out that many of the testifying experts are simply friends of the attorneys in the case, the 6th District opinion noted. But judges dont need that and can gain enough competent information from the lawyers involved in a case, along with billing records, affidavits and other documentation, the court said.

There was never any legal basis for the expert testimony requirement, or the requirement for universal evidentiary hearings to which it led, and these judicially invented requirements have caused the misspent expenditure of hundreds of thousands if not millions of hours of time by attorneys and judges across our state since their wrongful inception, 6th District Judge Joshua Mize wrote in the opinion. It is long overdue for these errors to be corrected, and we do so today.

The court noted that its opinion is now in conflict with at least 37 decisions from other Florida appeals courts over the last six decades, including those in five insurance cases. If other appellate courts follow suit and abandon the practice, it will mean statewide changes for insurance companies and for plaintiffs in how they manage fees and fee disputes, said Michael Packer, a Fort Lauderdale-based insurance defense attorney with the Marshall Dennehey law firm.

The 6th Districts opinion, which came in a mortgage foreclosure case, does not forbid expert witnesses or hearings if they are deemed necessary. Those may still be requested by either side, the court said.

We may continue to see parties utilizing experts to support fee claims or parties utilizing expert witnesses to support their position that the amount of fees sought is excessive or that a fee multiplier is not appropriate, Packer said. I would expect that practice to continue in larger, more complex cases or where the fees being sought are significant or a fee multiplier is sought.

One policyholder attorney said the change could disincentivize pre-hearing resolution of attorney fees if parties are no longer compelled to incur substantial costs in preparing for a hearing. The ruling may also diminish predictability in assessing litigation risk, said Gina Clausen Lozier, with the Clausen Choquette firm.

The use of expert testimony traditionally provides a clearer framework for evaluating the reasonableness of hourly rates and total fees, thereby illuminating the parties respective positionsguidance that may now be less readily available, she noted.

The 6th District judges tracked the origins of the fee-expert requirement to a 1964 2nd District Court of Appeals decision known as Lyle vs. Lyle. That courts rationale was that attorneys claiming fee awards may have a vested interest in inflating the time and hourly rates involved, and an outside perspective was needed.

But that 1964 decision cited no legal authority. And while several appellate decisions through the years have questioned the need for fee experts, most have followed the precedent. The exception has been in workers compensation cases, the 6th District opinion explained.

The appeals court noted that trial judges could now use some guidance on the issue, and suggested that the Florida Supreme Court consider amending the official rules of civil procedure to spell out how lawyers should justify, document or oppose requests for fee awards.
A former Deutsche Bank AG manager who says he was wrongfully blamed for the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena SpA accounting scandal has sued the German lender in a London court for at least 473 million ($624 million) in damages.

Michele Faissola, the former head of Deutsche Banks asset and wealth management business, as well as other ex-employees are suing the bank for at least 664 million in total, according to the filing seen by Bloomberg.

Faissola and several other ex-traders last year ended mediation talks with Deutsche Bank over allegations they were wrongfully implicated in an audit report into the Monte dei Paschi affair. The group also includes Ivor Scott Dunbar, the former co-head of global capital markets; Matteo Angelo Vaghi, who previously lead the banks Italian sales operation; and former account manager Marco Veroni.

Each of the claimants suffered and continue to suffer loss and damage, Faissola, Dunbar, Vaghi and Veroni said in the court documents.

Faissola is also demanding damages for losses tied to a business entity that he helped found, called FAB Principals LP. He alleged that Deutsche Bank caused losses on that investment because of the criminal case, and that he reserves the right to seek further damages in due course.

Deutsche Bank has said in its annual report that it considers all such claims to be without merit and will defend itself against them robustly.

Stephan Leithner, who was formerly a managmenet board member at Deutsche Bank and is now CEO of Deutsche Boerse AG, is also named as a defendant in the lawsuit. A spokesperson for Deutsche Boerse referred questions to Deutsche Bank and declined to comment further.

Earlier this year, Deutsche Bank settled a lawsuit with Michele Foresti, one of the former managers that had sued the bank.

Dario Schiraldi, a former manager in Deutsche Banks asset and wealth management division, has also filed a lawsuit in Frankfurt claiming around 152 million ($174 million) in damages. He alleges the lender harmed bankers careers in an Italian criminal case over the Monte dei Paschi scandal.

At the center of the claims is an audit report commissioned within Deutsche Bank in 2013 reviewing the accounting of repo deals the German lender did with the Italian bank. At the time, Christian Sewing, who is now chief executive officer of Deutsche Bank, was head of group audit and therefore responsible for that report. The ex-staffers argued that the review wasnt handled neutrally and unfairly pinned the blame on them.

In the original Italian criminal case, Monte dei Paschi managers were accused of colluding with Deutsche Bank staff to hide losses at the Italian lender by using complex derivative trades, leading to a misrepresentation of the firms finances between 2008 and 2012. The ex-Deutsche Bank managers were also charged with market manipulation.

The six Deutsche Bank staffers were fully acquitted in 2022 by a Milan appeals court. In October 2023, Italys Supreme Court upheld the acquittal.

Top photo: Deutsche Bank headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany. Photographer: Florian Wiegand/Getty Images. Bloomberg.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
SAN ANTONIO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit serving and supporting America's military and veteran families, has announced the recipients of its 2026 Military Child of the Year Award. These seven military-connected teens were selected from among more than 1,000 nominees and demonstrate excellence in character, community service, and leadership.

Now in its 18th year, the Military Child of the Year Award celebrates those young people who embrace the challenges of military life and transform adversity into growth.

Operation Homefront recognizes the profound impact military children bring to their families, schools, and the communities they help shape. Now in its 18th year, the Military Child of the Year Award celebrates those young people who embrace the challenges of military life and transform adversity into growth.

The seven recipients represent the armed forces branch in which a parent either serves or has served  Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, National Guard, and Space Force. While their individual stories are unique, they share common themes of perseverance and meaningful achievement amid frequent moves, separation, and transitions.

"The sacrifice of military service extends beyond the individual in uniform. At Operation Homefront, we are committed to ensuring every member of the military family feels valued and empowered," said Rear Admiral (ret) Alan Reyes, CEO of Operation Homefront. "The Military Child of the Year Award spotlights extraordinary young people who shoulder unique responsibilities and turn them into leadership and impact. These are not stories of success despite challenges - they are stories of success because of them."

This year's Military Child of the Year Award recipients have moved a combined 35 times and lived through 255 months of deployments. They have logged 4,849 volunteer hours in the 12 months before nominations.

Winners were selected by a distinguished panel of volunteer judges who support the military community. The seven recipients will be honored at the Military Child of the Year Awards Gala in Arlington, VA on April 23, presented by JPMorganChase. Each will also receive a $10,000 grant, a laptop computer, and other donated gifts.

The awardees are:

Air Force: Elizabeth S., 16, College Station, TX

Army: Amani A., 19, Lutz, FL

Coast Guard: Victoria "Tori" V., 17, Kill Devil Hills, NC

Marine Corps: Hannah K., 17, Sneads Ferry, NC

National Guard: Lila M., 18, Lithia, FL

Navy: Ayla Z., 18, King George, VA

Space Force: Taylor S., 18, Colorado Springs, CO

In addition, 35 program finalists received a special one-time $1,000 cash award provided by Town House Crackers.

Additional sponsors include: Asurion, Carnival Cruise Line, Cydecor, Dollar Tree, GEICO, Hilton Grand Vacations Foundation, La Quinta by Wyndham, P&G, and RTX.

Learn more about the Military Child of the Year Award.

About Operation Homefront:

Operation Homefront is a national nonprofit organization whose mission is to build strong, stable, and secure military and veteran families by improving their financial, emotional and social well-being. Recognized for superior performance by leading independent charity oversight groups, 83 percent of Operation Homefront expenditures go directly to programs that support tens of thousands of military families each year. Operation Homefront provides critical financial assistance, transitional and permanent housing, and family support services to prevent short-term needs from turning into chronic, long-term struggles. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the support from thousands of volunteers, Operation Homefront proudly serves America's military families. For more information, visit OperationHomefront.org.

SOURCE Operation Homefront
HAMILTON, Bermuda, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Paratus Energy Services Ltd. (OSLO: PLSV) ("Paratus" or the "Company") advises that the 2026 Annual General Meeting of the Company will be held on 12 May 2026. The record date for voting at the Annual General Meeting is set to 1 April 2026. A copy of the Notice of Annual General Meeting and associated information, including the Company's Annual Report will be distributed and made available on the Company's website at www.paratus-energy.com prior to the meeting.

The Board of Directors

Paratus Energy Services Ltd.

Hamilton, Bermuda

For further information, please contact:

Baton Haxhimehmedi, CFO

[email protected]

+47 406 39 083

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/paratus-energy-services-ltd/r/paratus-energy--notice-of-annual-general-meeting-2026,c4328344
Amazon has vowed not to retaliate against workers who go on strike as part of a settlement with federal labor officials.

The company will restore unpaid time off that it "illegally" docked from employees who walked off the job and "ensure all Amazon workers can strike in the future without losing their UPT," the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said Tuesday in a release.

More than 100 employees will have unpaid time off restored, according to the National Labor Relations Board settlement.

Amazon spokesperson Eileen Hards told CNBC in a statement that it didn't admit wrongdoing as part of the settlement.

"While we believe our team managed these situations appropriately, we've agreed to resolve the matter so we can move forward and continue working directly with our employees to make Amazon a great place to work," Hards said in a statement.

Amazon gives frontline workers a limited number of hours of unpaid leave, which it said can be used for "last minute issues or emergencies," according to an internal employee handbook cited in the NLRB's complaint. Employees risk being fired if they use more UPT hours than they're allotted.

The NLRB cited several cases since 2022 where Amazon deducted employees' UPT after they walked out. In at least one case, striking workers feared they would lose their job after their UPT "went negative" once it was deducted by Amazon, according to the complaint.

"Those deductions and points are unlawfully coercive in and of themselves, because they warn employees that their protected activity is inching them ever closer to termination," the NLRB wrote.
NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Exposure to a chemical commonly used to make plastic more flexible may have contributed to about 1.97 million preterm births in 2018 alone, or more than 8 percent of the world's total, a new analysis of population surveys shows. The chemical was also linked to the deaths of 74,000 newborns, the researchers further estimate.

The toxin, di-2-ethylhexylphthalate (DEHP), is part of a group of chemicals called phthalates, which appear in cosmetics, detergents, bug repellents, and other household products. Experts have found that these substances can break down into microscopic particles and enter the body through food, air, and dust.

Replacement chemicals found to pose similar risks, a sign that regulating one toxin at a time falls short. Post this

Led by NYU Langone Health researchers, the new study focused on preterm birth, which is a major risk factor for lasting learning and developmental issues and is a leading cause of infant death, according to the World Health Organization.

The new analysis provides the first global estimate of preterm births connected to exposure to DEHP and explores which parts of the world are most affected, according to the authors. A report on the findings will be published online March 31 in the journal eClinicalMedicine.

"By estimating how much phthalate exposure may contribute to preterm birth worldwide, our findings highlight that reducing exposure, especially in vulnerable regions, could help prevent early births and the health problems that often follow," said study lead author Sara Hyman, MS.

Past studies have linked DEHP exposure to cancer, heart disease, and infertility, among many other health concerns, added Hyman, an associate research scientist at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. There is also a large body of research connecting the chemical to preterm birth.

According to the new work, DEHP exposure may have contribute to 1.2 million years lived with disability, a measure of all the years that people have lived or will live with illnesses, injuries, and other health issues caused by being born prematurely.

Hyman said that while the phthalate is in widespread use, certain regions are estimated to bear a much larger share of the health impacts than others, with the Middle East and South Asia representing 54 percent of estimated illness from preterm birth. These areas have rapidly growing plastics industries and high levels of global plastic waste.

Africa, which accounted for 26 percent of health problems from DEHP-linked preterm birth, has a disproportionate share of deaths compared with its share of overall premature cases. The researchers said this reflects the region's higher underlying death toll from preterm birth.

For the study, the research team estimated DEHP exposure in 2018 across 200 countries and territories by pulling data from large national surveys in the United States, Europe, and Canada. They also used estimates from earlier investigations to fill in regions that did not have their own data.

The team then drew on earlier research that assessed how phthalate exposure may affect preterm birth and combined those findings with their global exposure estimates. Finally, they combined this information with worldwide figures on preterm births and deaths to gauge what share of these outcomes might be linked to DEHP.

The scientists repeated these steps for another phthalate called diisononyl phthalate (DiNP), a common replacement for DEHP. According to the results, DiNP may pose a similar risk as DEHP, having contributed to about 1.88 million preterm births around the world. The financial costs associated with newborn deaths ranged from millions to hundreds of billions of dollars for both phthalates.

"Our analysis makes clear that regulating phthalates one at a time and swapping in poorly understood replacements is unlikely to solve the larger problem," said study senior author Leonardo Trasande, MD, MPP, the Jim G. Hendrick, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at NYU Grossman School of Medicine. "We are playing a dangerous game of Whac-A-Mole with hazardous chemicals, and these findings highlight the urgent need for stronger, class-wide oversight of plastic additives to avoid repeating the same mistakes."

Dr. Trasande, who is also a professor in the Department of Population Health and director of the Division of Environmental Pediatrics and the Center for the Investigation of Environmental Hazards, cautions that the investigation was not designed to establish that DEHP and DiNP directly or alone cause preterm birth, nor did it take into account other types of phthalates.

In addition, because there is some uncertainty in the data, the researchers looked at a range of possible values rather than just one estimate. This uncertainty range showed that the true impact of DEHP could be up to four times smaller than the main estimate or slightly higher. Even under the most conservative estimates, the results point to a substantial health burden, said Hyman.

Despite the limits of this kind of global modeling, added Hyman, the work lays important groundwork for future studies to confirm and refine these results and begins to fill a major gap in understanding the extent to which plastic chemicals affect preterm birth worldwide.

Funding for the study was provided by National Institutes of Health grant P2CES033423 and by Beyond Petrochemicals.

Dr. Trasande has received support for travel or meetings from the Endocrine Society, the World Health Organization, the United Nations Environment Programme, Japan Environment and Health Ministries, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. He has also received royalties and licenses from Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, Audible, Paidos, and Kobunsha and has served in leadership or fiduciary roles at Beautycounter, Ahimsa, Grassroots Environmental Education, and Footprint. None of these activities were related to the current study. The terms and conditions of all these relationships are being managed by NYU Langone Health.

Along with Hyman and Dr. Trasande, an NYU Langone co-investigator was Jonathan Acevedo, MPH.

About NYU Langone Health

NYU Langone Health is a fully integrated health system that consistently achieves the best patient outcomes through a rigorous focus on quality that has resulted in some of the lowest mortality rates in the nation. Vizient Inc. has ranked NYU Langone No. 1 out of 118 comprehensive academic medical centers across the nation for four years in a row, and U.S. News & World Report recently ranked four of its clinical specialties number one in the nation. NYU Langone offers a comprehensive range of medical services with one high standard of care across seven inpatient locations, its Perlmutter Cancer Center, and more than 320 outpatient locations in the New York area and Florida. The system also includes two tuition-free medical schools, in Manhattan and on Long Island, and a vast research enterprise.

Media Inquiries

Shira Polan

212-404-4279

[email protected]

SOURCE NYU Grossman School of Medicine and NYU Langone Health
Autonomous ship startup Saronic said Tuesday that it's raised $1.75 billion as it ramps up production to meet mounting U.S. military demand for newer and cheaper defense capabilities.

The round, led by Kleiner Perkins, more than doubles Saronic's valuation to $9.25 billion from the $4 billion it hit after a $600 million raise early last year.

Saronic plans to use the funding to scale its supply chain and shipyards, and build more than 20 ships a year by 2027. The company is potentially building its new shipyard, dubbed Port Alpha, in Texas, according to the Austin Business Journal. However, Saronic said its site search remains active and ongoing.

"We're seeing a real shift in demand towards unmanned systems that can be delivered at scale and at a fraction of the price point of traditional vessels," CEO Dino Mavrookas told CNBC's Morgan Brennan in an interview.

The U.S. is racing to catch up to China's vast shipbuilding capabilities and restore maritime supremacy under President Donald Trump's military modernization plans. The war in Iran and the bottleneck in the Strait of Hormuz are further illustrating the need to integrate newer tools into modern warfare.
LIANYUNGANG, CHINA - FEBRUARY 28: Employees produce stuffed toys for export at a toy factory on February 28, 2026 in Lianyungang, Jiangsu Province of China. Si Wei | Visual China Group | Getty Images

China's official gauge for manufacturing activity climbed more than expected in March to mark its best performance in a year and snapping two months of declines, as export orders showed strong momentum. The Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index for March rose to 50.4, according to the National Bureau of Statistics on Tuesday, beating economists' expectations for 50.1 in a Reuters poll. A reading below 50 indicates contraction, while levels above that threshold signal expansion. That expansion marked a notable rebound after two months of contraction, with the official figure standing at 49.3 and 49.0 in January and February, respectively. In March last year, the reading was 50.5.

Within China's latest manufacturing PMI, sub-indexes showed that production and new orders expanded while the measures on raw materials inventory, employment, and delivery time remained in contraction. Manufacturing activity in March gathered momentum as factories rushed to resume production after an extended national holiday in mid-February, said Huo Lihui, chief statistician at NBS. The non-manufacturing PMI, which measures activity in the services sector such as tourism, rose to 50.1 from 49.5 in February.

Mideast war clouds outlook
A robot band from LinkerBot performs at a robot 6S store on Jan. 29, 2026 in Shenzhen, Guangdong Province of China.

This report is from this week's CNBC's The China Connection newsletter, which brings you insights and analysis on what's driving the world's second-largest economy. You can subscribe here .

Hi, this is Evelyn, writing to you from Beijing. Welcome to the latest edition of The China Connection  a succinct snapshot of what I'm seeing and hearing from local businesses. Today, I unpack what's next for Chinese companies using AI to make money. As more than one executive tells me, large language models like DeepSeek are no longer enough. What are they looking for instead?

Just as Chinese AI chatbots similar to ChatGPT seem to be catching up to their U.S. peers, a new race is shaping up: industry-specific artificial intelligence.

That's what companies in China are focusing on, as they pursue AI-driven revenue growth. It's a step forward from the broader category of large-language models such as DeepSeek.

Alibaba.com, a platform that connects millions of small businesses in the U.S. and Europe with China-based suppliers, is looking to partner with U.S. AI models to handle the legal, financial and dealmaking aspects of doing business around the world.

That's what Kuo Zhang, president of the business, told me. It comes as Alibaba last week launched an AI-integrated upgrade to its Accio sourcing platform called Accio Work. It lets buyers search for parts and customized products on the platform. The tool can also process customs paperwork autonomously and calculate profit margins for businesses, Zhang said.

That's critical in a time of tariff volatility.

Accio already has millions of monthly active users and hopes to grow to tens of millions of monthly active users by this time next year, Zhang added.

Partnering with overseas AI to understand country-specific law, finance or human resources laws and regulations will enhance the product further, Zhang said, allowing individual entrepreneurs to quickly turn their ideas into products they can sell.

It's not just Alibaba that's searching for U.S. partners and specialized AI.

Li Renhan, founder of three-year-old startup MagicPen Bio, produces plants that glow in the dark, providing an eco-friendly form of lighting. That's thanks to AI-powered biological research from Chinese agricultural researchers that combines the naturally occurring luminescence of fireflies and fungi with landscaping plants.

On the business front, Li told me the company plans to finalize partnerships in the U.S. and the Middle East this year for local sales, and is looking for more U.S. businesses to work with. He predicts global revenue of 200 million yuan ($28.94 million) this year.

Rather than exporting the fragile plants, Li said the startup is selling the underlying technology, for which it has about 20 patents.
European defense tech startups are ramping up commercial discussions with Middle East governments since the Iran war, company execs told CNBC. Another CEO said interest from Gulf states was "skyrocketing" as they race to bolster measures to counter drone and missile attacks. Iran has targeted its neighbors since a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation began at the end of February, with more than 3,000 drones and missiles having been fired on the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait, according to data compiled by think tank the Center for Strategic and International Studies. European startups that develop defense technology, in particular drone and missile interceptors, told CNBC they were increasingly talking with and receiving approaches from Gulf states to supply their militaries. Others are ramping up hiring in the region as they look to meet the demand for their systems.

Commercial conversations

Earlier this month, the UK government convened a meeting of defense companies to meet ambassadors and defense attaches from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq and Jordan. The discussion focused on "potential new defensive equipment and technology that British-based companies could supply at rapid pace to allies to counter Iranian drone and missile attacks," the government said in a statement. The meeting included Frankenburg Technologies, an Estonia-headquartered startup developing missiles to intercept drones, UK-based drone and missile interceptor company Cambridge Aerospace and Ukrainian-UK startup Uforce, which is developing autonomous systems. Frankenburg has seen commercial conversations with Gulf states speed up since the onset of the Iran war, CEO Kusti Salm told CNBC. The startup is currently in discussions with a number of governments in the Middle East about procuring its tech, Salm said, though declined to share which. The potential order volume from Gulf states is in the thousands of missiles, Salm told CNBC, adding that Frankenburg is working with those customers to meet demand in an "expediated delivery schedule."

Frankenburg Mark I interceptor missile live-fire test. Credit: Frankenburg.

Cambridge Aerospace, which declined to comment on commercial discussions in the Middle East or fundraising plans when approached by CNBC, announced two missile and drone interceptor products in September. One is positioned by the company as a low-cost and scalable interceptor for cruise missiles and large drones, while another is described as an "interceptor for higher speed and value targets." Earlier this month, the Financial Times reported that the company was in talks to raise new funding at more than a $1 billion valuation. UK-based startup Valarian, which builds digital infrastructure for sensitive use cases including those in defense, didn't have defense contracts with Gulf states before the Iran war but has seen commercial discussions with them increase since the conflict began, CEO Max Buchan told CNBC.

Inbound interest

Uforce has seen interest from Gulf states in its defense tech "skyrocket" since the beginning of the Iran war, CEO Oleg Rogynskyy told CNBC. Uforce is developing several defense technologies, including counter-uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), maritime and strike drones and battlefield software. "We're having a ton of inbound interest," he said. "Gulf states are coming to us to figure out how to do large-scale, unmanned operations." That included intercept, de-mining, strike, future convoy and escort and patrol operations at sea, Rogynskyy added. Uforce has been providing defence tech for Ukrainian operations in the Black Sea, he told CNBC, adding that the lessons from that war "are directly applicable to what is happening in Iran, both from an operational, tactical and strategic perspective." "We are looking at the very similar mine and missile-based sea denial from the Iran side, to how Russia prevented Ukrainian grain from being exported, initially." Uforce, which raised $50 million at a valuation above $1 billion earlier this month, is now looking to hire a team permanently based in the Middle East, because of the demand caused by the Iran war. The company currently has a Ukrainian delegation in the region, but aims to recruit five to 10 employees in the next few weeks, Rogynskyy told CNBC. Frankenburg is also looking to build out a Middle East-based team. The startup didn't have any employees in the region before the war, but is now looking to hire there "significantly," CEO Salm told CNBC. While the Middle East has been a focus of Frankenburg since the company's inception in 2024, hiring plans have been accelerated because of the Iran war, he said. Defense tech startups in Europe have raised record sums in recent years as global geopolitical tensions have risen. The sector picked up $1.8 billion in 2025, according to deal-counting platform Dealroom, nearly three times the previous highest yearly figure, and has already raised $854 million so far in 2026.

The U.K. and Germany have emerged as key hubs of this wave of new defense companies, with France and Ukraine also developing increasingly well-funded startups. The governments of the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait have been approached for comment. The Bahraini government declined to comment.

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Nvidia will get a boost as companies in the health care and life sciences industries increase their push into artificial intelligence, according to Goldman Sachs. The investment firm has a buy rating on Nvidia. It also has a $250 price target on shares, implying 51% upside from Monday's close. "By partnering with life sciences companies, NVDA can apply and achieve in-lab validation for its models. NVDA is also using agentic capabilities for applications such as evaluating digital health records, manufacturing, and automation, highlighting digital twins and simulation, which can improve the quality of lab automation/experiments and manufacturing while lowering costs," analyst Salveen Richter said Tuesday in a note to clients. In 2023, Nvidia invested $50 million in clinical-stage biotechnology firm Recursion Pharmaceuticals with the aim of developing the biotech firm's artificial intelligence models for drug discovery. Since then, Recursion and Nvidia have identified several critical applications for AI, including drug development and the organization of clinical trials, across the healthcare and life sciences sectors. At a recent meeting with Goldman Sachs, Recursion Pharmaceuticals said its AI-powered full vertical technology stack featuring multi-modal data enables drugmakers to synthesize 90% fewer compounds. It also allows companies to enter human trials in 17 months on average versus 42 months without those tools. The company also said it uses AI to evaluate appropriate patient populations for clinical trials, in addition to sorting signals from noise, according to Goldman Sachs' note. AI can also assist with patient recruitment for those trials, with the emerging technology increasing eligible participants between 30% and 50% in one of the biotech firm's programs, Recursion executives told Goldman Sachs. Finally, AI tools are also contributing to medicine design, enabling drugmakers to simulate their products' effects using computer simulations, Richter said. Those discoveries have informed Nvidia's strategy in relation to its foray into the healthcare sphere, according to Goldman Sachs. "NVDA healthcare now sees itself as a computing platform that serves healthcare companies  across the biopharma industry, digital biology, MedTech, and diagnostics  rather than trying to itself become a healthcare company, increasing the importance of taking an ecosystem-level view and of partnerships with innovative life sciences companies," Richter wrote. Nvidia shares are down more than 8% this year. The pullback comes as some investors wring their hands over AI-linked companies' sky-high valuations and amid a risk-off shift in sentiment due to uncertainties surrounding the Iran war.
Shares of Marvell Technology surged nearly 13% after Nvidia announced plans to invest $2 billion in the semiconductor company as businesses race to meet ballooning artificial intelligence demand.

"Marvell is a marvelous investment," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Tuesday. "Been dying to say that."

The deal ties Marvell into Nvidia's AI ecosystem, making it easier for customers to build on the infrastructure. Both companies will also join forces on silicon photonics technology and AI-focused telecommunications infrastructure.

Nvidia has made a string of $2 billion bets on technology companies in recent months.

That includes investments in Synopsys , CoreWeave , Coherent and Lumentum . Most recently, Nvidia invested $2 billion in Nebius Group . The AI cloud company on Tuesday revealed plans to build one of Europe's largest datacenters.

Huang said each of the deals is "an expansion of our ecosystem."
Microsoft has been hit with a fresh probe into its business software ecosystem by the British competition regulator, as Europe steps up its efforts to diversify tech stacks and increase digital sovereignty.

The U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority announced on Tuesday it is launching a "strategic market status (SMS) investigation" into the tech giant's suite of enterprise software, starting in May.

Hundreds of thousands of U.K. businesses and public sector organisations use Microsoft's business software, which includes Windows, Word, Excel, Teams and AI platform Copilot, every day, the regulator said in a statement.

"An SMS designation would enable us to tackle remaining concerns around Microsoft's licensing practices in cloud and would also enable us to ensure a level playing field as AI is rapidly embedded into everyday business software tools," CMA CEO Sarah Cardell said in a statement.

Microsoft is committed to working "quickly and constructively" to address the issues identified by the CMA, said the company's president, Brad Smith.

"We recognize that the CMA will continue to review and assess additional issues relating to our products and services, including in the business software market," Smith added in a statement.

Google and Apple were designated with SMS by the CMA in October with regard to their mobile platforms. The status is not a finding of wrongdoing, but it means that the companies must adhere to rules designed to prevent abuse of dominant positions.
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Nebius unveiled plans on Tuesday to build a new AI data center in Finland, which it says will be one of Europe's largest when up-and-running, as the region races to develop the compute infrastructure needed to power the AI boom. The new facility will be based in the Finnish city of Lappeenranta with a capacity of up to 310 MW. Nebius said it expects the data center to begin initially supplying customers by 2027. "We have been building in Finland for many years and are pleased to be expanding our presence here," said Nebius CEO Arkady Volozh in a statement. "Lappeenranta represents a significant addition to our global AI infrastructure build-out, and will make a significant contribution to achieving our capacity goals."

Europe's AI buildout

It comes amid a slew of AI infrastructure announcements across Europe. French AI startup Mistral said Monday it had secured $830 million in debt financing to operate a data center near Paris. That came after a February announcement of a 1.2-billion-euro ($1.38 billion) plan to build data centers and compute capacity in Sweden. U.K. startup Nscale announced it had raised $2 billion at a $14.6 billion valuation earlier this month, with plans to develop AI data centers in its home market alongside Europe and the U.S. Meanwhile, 2025 saw MGX, Bpifrance, Mistral and Nvidia unveil plans for a 1.4 GW AI campus in France and Brookfield said it would invest up to $9.9 billion in an AI data center in Sweden. OpenAI said it would launch a Stargate-style AI data center in Norway last year, in partnership with Nscale. But while AI compute commitments in Europe have come thick and fast, the region faces acute challenges as it looks to build out infrastructure. The price of energy in Europe is higher than in the U.S. and projects face challenges connecting to national grids or accessing alternative sources of energy. Nebius, which is headquartered in the Netherlands but listed in the U.S., has emerged as one of Europe's leading neoclouds providing AI compute. The company is targeting more than 3 GW of contracted power by the end of this year. Shares were up 2.4% in premarket trading.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Nebius shares year-to-date.
Brent oil prices surged 63% in March, the biggest monthly gain dating back to 1988 as the Iran war has triggered the largest supply disruption in history.

The global benchmark Brent contract for May rose about 5% on Tuesday to close at $118.35 per barrel. The June contract, however, fell 3.2%.

U.S. crude oil fell 1.46% to settle at $101.38 per barrel. West Texas Intermediate prices gained about 51% in March for its best month since May 2020.

U.S. crude and June Brent prices slipped on reports that President Donald Trump and Iran are open to ending the war.

"This is a nightmare," Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy, told CNBC. "The energy market has experienced a nightmare it never thought possible and it wants to believe the nightmare is over."

Trump told his aides that he was willing to end U.S. operations against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remained shut, administration officials told The Wall Street Journal. Unconfirmed reports also indicated that Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian was open to ending the war.

Iran, meanwhile, attacked a Kuwaiti oil tanker anchored outside Dubai. No injuries were reported and no oil spill occurred, according to a statement from Kuwait Petroleum Corporation.

That attack indicates a further tightening of the Islamic Republic's grip on the Strait of Hormuz, targeting tankers just outside the waterway, said Ben Emons, CIO at FedWatch Advisors, highlighting renewed risks of further disruption to energy flows.

"The result is a more asymmetric game, with the U.S. leaning toward exit and Iran still incentivized to impose cost," Emons said.
The outbreak of the Iran war sparked heavy selling pressure across every European equity market through March, as investors gauge the potential impact of the continent's second energy price shock in four years. There has been little room to hide for European equity investors. Britain's FTSE 100 , which is more heavily tilted to oil and gas stocks, has held up slightly better than its peers on the continent, falling 5% over the month compared to a 7% drop for both Germany's DAX and France's Cac 40 . Another equity market that has taken a significant bruising is the Swiss Market Index , which comprises the country's 20 largest listed companies. The SMI fell 7.5% in March, bottoming out around 13% lower on March 20 before paring some losses as the conflict continued to develop. And analysts at UBS believe the Swiss equity market is best-placed to benefit from a potential rebound in sentiment, they wrote in a note on Tuesday. UBS is the largest bank in Switzerland and is listed on the Swiss exchange. Its analysts see the recent correction as offering a good opportunity to enter Swiss equities, due to their more defensive sectoral exposure, which includes a mix of healthcare stocks and consumer staples. "Swiss equities are heavily weighted toward high-quality companies with strong balance sheets, resilient cash flows, and defensive sector exposure, characteristics that have historically helped the market navigate periods of geopolitical uncertainty and weaker economic growth," the analysts wrote. UBS said Swiss equity valuations, which now trade on around 16x forward earnings with dividend yields of around 3.2%, now look more appealing. Swiss stocks compare favorably with Swiss franc bond yields, which offer zero interest at present. For these reasons, UBS has upgraded Swiss equities to "attractive." The buy rating expands on an earlier note published March 24, which advocated for a move away from European equity markets. The analysts view the main European bourses as pro-cyclical and particularly sensitive to higher oil and gas prices, owing to the bloc's lack of energy self-sufficiency. Mark Haefele, chief investment officer at UBS Global Wealth Management, wrote in a separate note on Monday: "Our recommendation for well-diversified investors remains to stay in the market, and we continue to view equities as Attractive. "However, with energy prices likely to stay higher for longer, we have become more cautious on equity markets that are cyclical and most reliant on imported fuel. These include the European, Eurozone, and Indian equity markets, which we have downgraded to Neutral. "Against this backdrop, we see greater appeal in defensive markets with secular growth potential and limited exposure to energy disruptions. That would include the Swiss equity market and the European health care sector."
Leading Digital Oncology Solution Designed to Eliminate Clinical "Blind Spots" Through a Continuous Cancer Care Model.

Digital Health Executive and Former COO of Jasper Health, Greg Orr, Has Been Appointed as General Manager of the U.S.

BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Resilience Care, the digital oncology pioneer co-founded with Gustave Roussy Institute (one of the world's top cancer centers), today announced its formal expansion into the United States. Already established as a standard of care across Europe - implemented in over 200 clinical centers and supporting more than 35,000 patients - Resilience Care is bringing its clinically validated platform to American healthcare providers to solve the industry's "between-visit blind spot."

To lead this U.S. expansion, Resilience Care has appointed Greg Orr as General Manager, U.S. Orr brings deep expertise in scaling digital oncology support systems, most recently serving as Chief Operating Officer and Chief Commercial Officer of cancer navigation innovator Jasper Health, where he led all operations and oversaw key strategic partnerships including Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, Evernorth, and UnitedHealthcare.

Joining Orr to guide US market entry and growth is a powerhouse US advisory board of digital health and oncology industry veterans, including:

Eddie Martucci, PhD (President, U.S.): Biotech entrepreneur and co-founder of Akili Interactive, known for securing the first FDA authorization for a prescription digital therapeutic.

Jill DeSimone (Industry Advisor): Former President of U.S. Oncology at Merck and a recognized healthcare leader with deep expertise in commercializing breakthrough therapies.

Anne Ireland, DNP, RN, AOCN (Chief Nursing Advisor): Accomplished oncology nurse executive and former Executive Director at City of Hope with extensive leadership experience at the Oncology Nursing Society.

Resilience Care provides a highly personalized digital patient experience that bridges the gap between clinic visits through real-time symptom tracking and adaptive treatment pathways. By automating the management of routine, low-grade issues through evidence-based education and digital support programs, the platform allows clinical staff to "filter the noise" - empowering nurses to focus on early clinical indicators and intervene before symptoms escalate. Across Europe, this proactive, data-driven approach drives a 4-5x increase in nursing capacity[1] and sustains an industry-leading 85% patient adherence rate even after a full year of use.[2]

"Oncology care today is episodic - clinicians often only see patients periodically, but cancer toxicity evolves daily at home," said Orr. "Our goal is to help U.S. practices eliminate clinical blind spots and turn chaotic patient communication between visits into structured clinical triage. We are helping care teams see risk before it becomes an emergency."

Dr. Ethan Basch, a world-renowned oncologist and foremost expert on Patient Reported Outcomes (PROs), has been an advisor to Resilience Care almost since its inception. "There is substantial scientific evidence that digital tools can improve patient outcomes and satisfaction, including high-quality research published from Resilience Care," said Dr. Basch.

The integrated platform provides timely patient symptom information to empower oncology teams to optimize their workflows while achieving a 92% clinician satisfaction rate[3]. This symptom monitoring paradigm has been shown in peer-reviewed research to drive life-enhancing outcomes, including up to a 38% reduction in hospitalization[4] and a 25% decrease in severe treatment-related toxicities. This continuous, data-driven support approach helps patients stay on their therapies longer - extending treatment duration by an average of 1.9 months[5].

"Capturing patient-reported symptoms in a structured way allows care teams to identify complications earlier and respond more effectively," said Charles Ferte, MD PhD Chief Medical and Patient Experience Officer at Resilience Care. "Our goal is to integrate these capabilities into routine care in the US to support both patients and clinicians."

About Resilience Care

Resilience Care is a digital oncology company dedicated to eliminating the blind spot between clinic visits through a model of continuous cancer care. Currently utilized by over 200 leading treatment centers internationally, the company provides a clinical-grade system for remote symptom monitoring and management that allows care teams to detect treatment toxicities early and intervene proactively. The offering is designed to maximize nurse efficiency by streamlining workflows and prioritizing high-risk cases, while empowering patients with the personalized tools and support they need to stay on treatment safely. By transforming daily patient data into structured clinical insights, Resilience Care helps healthcare providers improve clinical outcomes and capture new revenue streams through proactive, data-driven care.

[1] Internal Data for Europe, Resilience Care, 2026.

[2] Continuous Assessment and Reporting of Resilience RPM Services Performance - CARLOTA Study.

[3] Satisfaction survey conducted by Resilience Care among healthcare professionals in Europe.

[4] Basch, JCO 2016 ; Basch et al, JAMA 2022 ; Mir et al, Nat Med 2022 ; Patt, JCO Clin Informatics 2023.

[5] Basch, JCO 2016.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946066/Resilience_Care_Logo.jpg

Contact:

Dennis Dailey

[email protected]

SOURCE Resilience Care
A broker for U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth sought to make a large investment in major defense companies in the lead-up to the Iran war, according to the Financial Times. The Pentagon has dismissed the report.

The Financial Times reported Tuesday that Hegseth's broker at banking giant Morgan Stanley contacted BlackRock in February about making a multimillion-dollar investment in its iShares Defense Industrials Active ETF.

The ETF, which has about $3.1 billion in assets, counts companies such as RTX  formerly known as Raytheon  Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman among its largest holdings, BlackRock data showed.

The Defense Industrials Active ETF has lost 12.4% over the past month, around the time the war in Iran started, according to LSEG data.

The FT also said that the investment discussed by Hegseth's broker ultimately did not go ahead because the fund was not yet available for Morgan Stanley clients to buy at the time. It is unclear whether the broker found another defense-related investment.

Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed the report in a post on X, calling it "entirely false and fabricated," and demanding the FT retract the article.



Parnell said that neither Hegseth nor any of his representatives approached BlackRock about any such investment. "This is yet another baseless, dishonest smear designed to mislead the public," he added.

The U.S. war against Iran has stretched into its fifth week, and the conflict does not seem to show any sign of abating.

U.S. Marines have arrived in the region, with The Washington Post reporting that the Pentagon was "preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran."

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday had also said that the U.S. will "completely" obliterate Iran's electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz is not "immediately" reopened and a peace deal is not reached "shortly."
Every weekday, the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer releases the Homestretch  an actionable afternoon update, just in time for the last hour of trading on Wall Street. The market rally gained momentum on Tuesday with signs of potential de-escalation in the Iran conflict. The S & P 500 was up more than 2%, jumping on unconfirmed reports that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was open to ending the war on the condition of certain guarantees. We're hesitant to call this an all-clear signal, but it takes two sides to end a war. Between this news and a late Monday report from The Wall Street Journal that President Donald Trump is willing to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the market is responding to the first sign of mutual interest in de-escalation. U.S. oil benchmark WTI crude dropped about 1% Tuesday, though it was still north of $100 a barrel. Eli Lilly made a big splash on the M & A front , announcing Tuesday that it was buying Centessa Pharmaceuticals in a deal that could be worth up to $7.8 billion. Centessa Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage company working on new medicines for the treatment of excessive daytime sleepiness, like narcolepsy. The company's key asset is cleminorexton (formerly known as ORX750), which seeks to mimic a molecule in the brain, known as orexin, that helps regulate wakefulness. It's shown promising results in Phase 2a clinical studies across type 1 and type 2 narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia, which is another form of excessive daytime sleepiness. Analysts at Wolfe Research are currently forecasting more than $3 billion in peak sales for cleminorexton if it hits on those three targeted indications. Several analysts are coming out positive on the deal, noting it broadens Lilly's presence in neuroscience, an area of growing focus beyond obesity and diabetes. Leave it to Lilly to try to track the code on difficult conditions like these sleep disorders. In an interview with our CNBC colleague Angelica Peebles last year , Lilly Chief Scientific Officer Dan Skovronsky said the company would invest to solve "big problems that are hiding in plain sight." Separately, Lilly is battling headlines from Novo Nordisk, which announced Tuesday it is launching a subscription program with lower monthly prices on its oral and injectable versions of Wegovy. It's another bid to try and take back market share from Eli Lilly, the leader in the GLP-1 category because of its superior medications and supply chain. Catching up on some other analysts calls from Wall Street , Truist started coverage of Club name Corning with a hold rating and a $125 price target. The analysts were positive on the momentum in Corning's optical business and pointed out that its solar segment represents another growth driver in the upcoming years. However, valuation was their main concern with shares trading a big premium to the S & P 500. It sounds like Truist wants to be positive on Corning, but they are waiting on a pullback to get more constructive on shares. On a historical basis, Corning wasn't cheap when we started buying it last October, but a premium is the price to pay for the accelerating growth unfolding at the company, especially if it strikes more multibillion-dollar partnerships like it did earlier this year with Meta Platforms . We also view Nvidia's strategic partnership with Marvell and collaboration on silicon photonics technology as a vote of confidence in the future of fiber optics in data centers. Nike reports after the closing bell on Tuesday, and we're looking for signs that the turnaround under CEO Elliott Hill is back on track. Nike's North America business should see positive sales, while China and Converse are likely to remain a big drag. The impact from tariffs is always a wildcard. Before the opening bell on Wednesday we'll see earnings from Lamb Weston and Conagra . On the data side, we'll see the March private payroll update from ADP, the government's February retail sales report, and the Institute for Supply Management's March manufacturing index. (See here for a full list of the stocks in Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED.
President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he expected that U.S. military forces will leave Iran in "two or three weeks."

"We leave because there's no reason for us to do this," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We'll be leaving very soon."

Hours later, the White House said that Trump will deliver an address "to the nation to provide an important update on Iran" at 9 p.m. ET Wednesday.

The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

Trump, in his comments Tuesday, brushed aside the idea of having to reach a negotiated settlement to end the war, raising the prospect that the United States could just declare victory and end hostilities.

"Iran doesn't have to make a deal," Trump said. "It's a new regime. They are much more accessible."

"No, they don't have to make a deal with me when we feel that they are, for a long period of time, put into the Stone Ages, and they won't be able to come up with a nuclear weapon," he said. "Then we'll leave whether we have a deal or not. It's irrelevant now. It's possible that we'll have a deal because they want to make a deal."
President Donald Trump on Tuesday signed an executive order cracking down on mail-in voting, a move that voting rights advocates say would disenfranchise millions of Americans.

The order, which requires the Department of Homeland Security to compile a list of verified U.S. citizens in each state who are eligible to vote, is almost certain to be challenged in court, which could block it from being enforced in time for the midterm elections in November.

"We want to have honest voting in our country, because if you don't have honest voting, you can't have, really a nation if you want to know the truth," Trump said in the Oval Office after signing the order.

According to a White House fact sheet, DHS would undertake the effort to compile the list with the Social Security Administration.

The list would be sent to each state, and the order directs the attorney general to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of "election officials, individuals, and other entities that violate the law by issuing or distributing Federal ballots to ineligible voters." It also directs the attorney general to withhold federal funds from noncompliant states, the fact sheet says.

The fact sheet says the Postal Service would be required "to transmit ballots only to individuals enrolled on a State-specific Mail-in and Absentee Participation List." Election authorities in each state typically send out mail ballots to voters, not the Postal Service.

The order also requires the Postal Service to require all ballots it transmits to be "placed in secure ballot envelopes marked as Official Election Mail with unique Intelligent Mail barcodes that facilitate tracking," according to the fact sheet.

Trump himself recently voted by mail in Florida. The Constitution vests the administration of elections in the states, though Congress can pass laws pertaining to elections. The executive branch does not have an official role in changing election laws or carrying out elections.

Voting rights advocates say Trump's planned restrictions on voting would disenfranchise millions of Americans. The executive order is almost certain to be challenged in court, which could block it from being enforced in time for the midterms.

Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell, a Democrat, said her office is "reviewing this order and will take appropriate legal action to ensure that every eligible voter in Massachusetts can vote and have their vote counted."

"The Trump Administration cannot interfere with the right to vote and may not override state election authority," Campbell said.

The NAACP, in a statement, said the "order will not stand."

"Not only is his order unconstitutional, it's unserious," said NAACP President Derrick Johnson. "His attempts to silence us will only make us louder - with our voices and our votes."

The Daily Caller first reported that Trump would sign the order.

Trump has long sought to restrict mail-in voting following his loss in the 2020 election to former President Joe Biden. He has repeatedly claimed, without providing evidence, that the election was stolen from him due to fraud in mail-in voting.

The order comes after months of pressure on Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, a measure that would require voters to provide photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship to vote. The U.S. House voted to approve the measure in February, and the Senate debated it this month without taking a vote.

Trump has told Republicans that they will lose the November midterm elections if they don't pass the bill and crack down on mail-in voting.
Architect Shalom Baranes shows elevation drawings for a new $400 million ballroom at the White House to members of the National Capital Planning Commission on Jan. 8, 2026 in Washington, DC.

A federal judge in Washington on Tuesday blocked, for now, construction of the new White House ballroom, which President Donald Trump has heavily touted.

In an opinion explaining the order, District Court Judge Richard Leon said construction of the planned $400 million ballroom "must stop" because no law "comes close" to giving Trump legal authority to build such a structure at the White House without authorization by Congress.

Leon said that the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which sued Trump in December to halt the project, was likely to prevail in the case.

The judge enjoined Trump administration officials and the Executive Office of the President "from taking any action in furtherance of the physical development of the proposed ballroom at the former site of the East Wing of the White House."

Leon, who twice previously declined to block the project, said the order would take effect within 14 days. The delay gave Trump time to appeal the injunction.

The Trump administration, within hours, filed that appeal with the U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.

The ruling comes months after the East Wing was demolished to make way for the planned 90,000-square-foot ballroom, whose cost is meant to be covered by donations from businesses and other private donors.

"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner," Leon wrote in a memorandum opinion explaining his ruling.

"President Trump claims that Congress has given him authority in existing statutes to construct his East Wing ballroom project and to do it with private funds," the judge wrote.

"The plaintiff ... claims the President has no such authority under existing statutes and that a preliminary injunction is necessary to avoid irreparable harm."

"I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have," Leon wrote. "As such, I must therefore grant the National Trust's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, and the ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorizes its completion."

The White House, when asked for comment on the ruling, responded with a Truth Social post by Trump, in which he called the National Trust "a Radical Left Group of Lunatics."

The National Trust ex-officio trustees include Attorney General Pam Bondi, according to its website. Bondi oversees the Department of Justice, which is defending the Trump administration against the group's lawsuit.

National Trust President and CEO Carol Quillen praised the ruling.



"We are pleased with Judge Leon's ruling today to order a halt to any further ballroom construction until the Administration complies with the law and obtains express authorization to go forward," she said in a statement. "This is a win for the American people on a project that forever impacts one of the most beloved and iconic places in our nation."

Trump said the group is suing "me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World," Trump wrote.

"I then get sued by them over the renovation of the dilapidated and structurally unsound former Kennedy Center, now, The Trump Kennedy Center ... where all I am doing is fixing, cleaning, running, and 'sprucing up' a terribly maintained, for many years, Building, but a Building of potentially great importance," Trump wrote.

Trump also blasted the National Trust for not "suing the Federal Reserve for a Building which has been decimated and destroyed, inside and out, by an incompetent and possibly corrupt Fed Chairman. The once magnificent Building is BILLIONS over budget, may never be completed, and may never open."
Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Tuesday: Loop initiates Visa and Mastercard as buy Loop says both credit card stocks are well positioned. "Through the many avenues to generate new transactions, including market share wins, we expect MA net revenue growth to far exceed the payment processors. ... V could also see upside related to FX volatility revenue returning, boosting yields." Truist initiates Arista Networks & Cisco as buy Truist says it's bullish on both stocks. "High quality, business scale, thematically attractive, with upside: DLR, EQIX, ANET, MSI. Underappreciated opportunity: CSCO, HPE, AMT." KeyBanc initiates NiSource as overweight KeyBanc says the energy company is well positioned for data center growth. "We are initiating coverage of NI with an Overweight rating and $52 PT." William Blair upgrades 10X Genomics to outperform from market perform William Blair says the company is an "winner in AI drug discovery." "Our 10x upgrade thesis is centered on its role in enabling the high-resolution biological insights needed to build decision-enabling models, but considers that execution (five consecutive topline beats) and profitability have improved (at adjusted EBITDA breakeven) and single cell has stabilized." Canaccord reiterates Tesla as buy Canaccord lowered its price target on the stock but says it's sticking with Tesla. "Other Mag 7 stocks are now trading at more depressed multiples relative to our previous Tesla update ~16x from ~21x 2028E EPS previously. As a result we are lowering our Tesla multiple while keeping 2028 estimates intact. We now apply a ~37x multiple (from ~46x) to our $11.30 in 2028E non-GAAP EPS to achieve a price target of $420 (from $520)." Bernstein upgrades Western Digital to outperform from market perform Bernstein says shares are too attractive to ignore. "We upgrade WDC to Outperform on the back of the recent sell-off which provides an attractive entry point." Deutsche Bank upgrades Diageo to buy from hold Deutsche said in its upgrade of Diageo that the beverage company expects a "substantial reset to pave the path to predictability." "Industry headwinds and market-share loss mean we expect Diageo to reduce profitability to drive competitiveness." Morgan Stanley initiates MiniMed as overweight Morgan Stanley says the diabetes platform company is firing on all cylinders. "Initiate MiniMed at Overweight with $19 PT (+31% Upside). We see a differentiated diabetes platform with improving growth and margin expansion, supported by significant U.S. underpenetration, a favorable shift toward pharmacy distribution, and operating leverage as adoption scales." Jefferies upgrades Veralto buy from hold Jefferies called the industrial company a "high quality name." "We assume coverage on VLTO with a BUY with a PT of $110, or 20x our unchanged 2026 EBITDA estimate." Jefferies upgrades Emerson to buy from hold Jefferies says it sees earnings growth. "We assume coverage of EMR and upgrade to BUY. Strong orders momentum across core growth verticals should support an acceleration in earnings growth from LSD [low single digits] in 1H to LDD [low double digits] exiting FY26 and into FY27." Read more . Jefferies upgrades Amphenol to buy from hold Jefferies says shares of the connector supplier are compelling. "We assume coverage of APH a nd upgrade to Buy." Citi reiterates Micron as buy Citi lowered its price target to $425 per share from $510. "That said, Micron and its memory peers have begun negotiations with the hyperscalers on 3-5 year strategic or long-term agreements to lock in base volumes, pre-payments, and adjustments to quarterly pricing based on market conditions, which should provide support to contract prices, in our view. We believe spot prices have pulled back on TurboQuant concerns to memory demand." Goldman Sachs reiterates Nvidia as buy Goldman says it's bullish on Nvidia's healthcare efforts. " NVDA's healthcare efforts date back 18 years, from when the company was reinventing itself from computer graphics to accelerated computing and building full stack computing platforms that are domain specific." Stifel initiates Bridger Aerospace as buy Stifel says the aerospace company is at an inflection point. " Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc. (BAER) has evolved into a mission-critical infrastructure platform positioned for a 2026 financial inflection." Barclays reiterates Apple as underweight Barclays says it's standing by its sell rating on the tech giant. "We remain UW on AAPL on an uncertain growth backdrop, regulatory risks in Services, undefined AI strategy, and a premium valuation" UBS upgrades Perimeter Solutions to buy from neutral UBS says investors should buy the weakness in the fire safety solutions company. "We upgrade PRM stock to Buy from Neutral." Read more . Mizuho initiates Sun Communities as outperform Mizuho said in its initiation of Sun Communities that the manufactured housing company is a top idea. "We see MH REITs as near-term winners among Residential REITs, benefiting from low supply, affordability (lower-cost housing), demographic tailwinds (baby boomers), and less tech/AI and regulatory/policy risk." Bank of America upgrades Shake Shack to neutral from underperform Bank of America says it sees several positive catalysts ahead for Shake Shack. "Menu innovation (Dubai shake, Korean menu) developed through the company's stage-gate process (culinary, operational, and financial standards) and featured value ($1-$3-$5 in-app menu) are contributing to more stable same store traffic (vs declines previously), despite a choppy macro backdrop." Wells Fargo reiterates Microsoft as overweight Wells says it's bullish on the stock ahead of earnings. "See margin & capex commentary as the EPS focal point, where MSFT likely emphasizes commitment to margins despite capex likely above Stto keep pace w/ peers on AI capacity. We est capacity build yields sustained high-30s % Azure rev growth thru FY28."
Warren Buffett warned that the spread of nuclear weapons is making the world a more dangerous place, saying the prospect of Iran acquiring a bomb would heighten the risk of a catastrophic conflict.

The Berkshire Hathaway chairman said the growing number of nuclear-armed states has fundamentally altered the global risk landscape, amplifying concerns he has voiced for decades about proliferation.

"Now you've got  nine countries," Buffett said on CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Tuesday. "We worried enormously about it when there were two.  You were not dealing with unstable people or anything like that. The ship's turned around."

Buffett pointed specifically to rising geopolitical tensions involving Iran and North Korea, suggesting that the potential presence of nuclear weapons in those regions raises the stakes considerably.

"Just think of how you'd feel with North Korea having it and Iran wanting to get it," he said. "The most dangerous thing is, actually, somebody that's got their hand on the switch, who is dying themselves, or is facing enormous embarrassment. ... I don't know the answer for it, but I do know that  it'll be more difficult if Iran has the bomb than they don't."

The 95-year-old investor has long warned that the spread of nuclear capabilities increases the likelihood of a worst-case scenario. Asked what advice he would give a U.S. president confronting the issue of enriched uranium, Buffett struck a fatalistic tone about the long-term trajectory.

"I would say that one way or another  in the next 100 years  maybe it's 200 years, who knows  something will happen to cause it to be used," he said. "And we can't take what's out there now."
AUSTIN, Texas, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Saronic Technologies today announced it has closed $1.75 billion in Series D funding to advance its mission of ensuring maritime superiority for the U.S. and its allies by delivering autonomous platforms at scale across defense and commercial sectors. The round was led by Kleiner Perkins and values the company at $9.25 billion.

Two Marauder hulls at Saronic's Franklin, Louisiana shipyard, where the company is scaling its MUSV fleet and expanding U.S. shipbuilding capacity at a pace not seen since World War II.

Saronic welcomes Advent International, Bessemer Venture Partners, DFJ Growth, BAM Elevate, and other new partners and recognizes the continued commitment of its existing investors, including 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Elad Gil, and Franklin Templeton.

At a pivotal moment for global security and economic competition, Saronic is delivering net new shipbuilding capacity made possible by its autonomy-first design approach coupled with modern manufacturing infrastructure. The ability to produce advanced, highly capable autonomous ships at scale is critical to preserving the industrial strength required to project power, protect trade, and sustain long-term resilience at sea.

"Over the past decades, the U.S. has experienced a steady erosion of its ability to build ships and manufacture critical maritime infrastructure," said Dino Mavrookas, Co-Founder and CEO of Saronic. "We are confronting this challenge with a fundamentally new model of American shipbuilding, one that integrates first-principles engineering, advanced manufacturing, and software-defined production to deliver autonomous vessels with unprecedented speed, precision, and scale. The new capital will accelerate Saronic's ability to bring that model to life, generate entirely new classes of autonomous ships and maritime capabilities, and scale U.S. shipbuilding capacity on a timeline not seen since World War II."

Building Strength Through Industrial Capacity

An important component to Saronic's efforts is the development of Port Alpha  its next generation shipyard  alongside the rapid expansion of its existing production facilities in Louisiana and Texas. This capital will allow Saronic to accelerate the growth and maturation of its shipbuilding enterprise, one that is defined by innovation, scalability, and strategic impact.

"Maritime dominance isn't just about technology  it requires the production capacity to field it at scale," said Ilya Fushman, Kleiner Perkins Partner. "Those two things rarely come together. What makes Saronic special is that they're building both: autonomous ships designed from day one to push the boundaries of what's possible, and the manufacturing infrastructure to produce them consistently. That's what turns a technical breakthrough into an enduring platform advantage. It is an honor to support a company at the forefront of autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing, driven by mission and purpose."

Delivering Technological Advantage in the Maritime Domain

This new capital will also support the continued advancement, expansion, and scaled production of Saronic's portfolio of autonomous surface vessels and AI-driven maritime capabilities. In response to growing demand from U.S. and allied customers for platforms with greater range, endurance, and payload capacity, Saronic will rapidly scale its family of vesselsfrom the 24-foot Corsair to the 180-foot Marauder and beyond.

The company will also use the capital to explore solutions that address the full spectrum of challenges in the maritime domain, including those at the intersection of surface and subsurface.

Continuing the Momentum

This news builds on Saronic's successes and momentum from 2025, during which time it scaled from the leader in advanced autonomous maritime systems to an international maritime force. The company raised a $600M Series C at a $4B valuation, generated significant growth with the US government including a $392M production contract with the US Navy, and unveiled its inaugural 180-ft autonomous ship, Marauder, with the first hull completed in less than six months, and less than eight months after acquiring the facility to build it.

Recognizing the urgency of the moment, Saronic acquired its Louisiana shipyard and committed $300M to its 300,000 sq. ft. expansion, which will create 1,500 new high-quality jobs across the region. Further, Saronic expanded its Austin headquarters to more than 500,000 sq. ft., opened new hubs in San Diego and Washington, D.C., and launched operations in the UK and Australia. With headcount surpassing 1,300 and partnerships that are driving business across commercial and defense sectors, as well as rapid technological advancement Saronic is on track to revitalize American shipbuilding in the era of autonomy.

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Saronic
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Strategic Divestiture of Global Leader in High-Pressure Water Mist Fire Protection Systems

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Sentinel Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in promising midmarket companies, today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell Marioff, a standalone unit of its Spectrum Safety Solutions platform, to Inflexion, a European private equity firm. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Vantaa, Finland, Marioff is a leading global provider of high-pressure water mist fire suppression solutions. Its proprietary HI-FOG technology protects life, property, and business continuity in applications where fire risk, uptime requirements, and asset protection are critical. Marioff serves customers in more than 70 countries across marine segments, such as cruise, navy, and commercial vessels, and land-based segments, including data centers, energy and industrial facilities, and complex buildings.

Sentinel acquired Marioff in 2024 in a carveout of Carrier Global Corporation's industrial fire business, now Spectrum Safety Solutions. The divestiture of Marioff positions Spectrum to focus on its market-leading detection and monitoring businesses Autronica, Det-Tronics, and Fireye.

"Sentinel has been an excellent partner over the past two years," said Juha Ilvonen, Marioff's CEO. "Their support and long-term perspective helped us exceed our goals."

"It's been a privilege working with Juha and Marioff's talented management team," said Eric Bommer, Sentinel's Co-Managing Partner. "Marioff is a special business with a bright future. We look forward to seeing their record of success continue with their new partner, Inflexion."

Sentinel's experience in industrials includes investments in Alemite (industrial lubrication equipment and components); Chromalox (commercial and industrial electric heating products and systems); ECM Industries , NSI Industries , and Power Products (electrical products); IEP Technologies (systems and services that suppress, isolate, and vent combustible dust or vapor explosions); and RotoMetrics (rotary tooling products).

J.P. Morgan and Citi were the exclusive financial advisors to Sentinel, and Kirkland & Ellis provided legal services.

About Sentinel Capital Partners

Sentinel is a leading midmarket private equity firm. Working collaboratively with portfolio companies, Sentinel offers operational resources and strategic advice that help its management teams solve challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and build stronger, more valuable businesses. Sentinel also provides junior capital solutions as a minority investor.

Sentinel focuses on niche markets across the business services, consumer, healthcare services, and industrial sectors. Since its inception in 1995, Sentinel has raised more than $11.2 billion of capital. To learn more, please visit sentinelpartners.com.

About Marioff

Marioff provides water mist fire protection systems to marine, energy, infrastructure, data center, and commercial building end markets. The company offers a suite of solutions covering the fire protection lifecycle, including system design, engineering, manufacturing, installation support, and lifecycle service and maintenance. With a global footprint spanning Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia, Marioff serves a diversified customer base through direct sales and a broad channel partner network. Marioff employs about 660 people and is headquartered in Vantaa, Finland. For more information, visit http://www.marioff.com/en.

About Inflexion

Inflexion is a private equity firm that partners with management teams to invest in and grow high-quality businesses across Europe. The firm focuses on midmarket companies across a range of sectors, including business services, consumer, healthcare, and technology. Inflexion provides capital and strategic support to drive international expansion, operational improvement, and value creation. Inflexion is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. For more information, visit www.inflexion.com.

Contact: Roland Tomforde

Broadgate Consultants

212-232-2356

SOURCE Sentinel Capital Partners
The Roux Institute runs a program that helps expand access to care throughout Maine

PORTLAND, Maine, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In honor of recently retired company president, Dan Fishbein, M.D., Sun Life U.S. has announced continued support of the Roux Institute's Pre-Clinical Healthcare Gap Year Program, which places recent college graduates in front-line roles in healthcare. Sun Life started supporting the Gap Year program when it was launched in 2023, as part of the company's philanthropic efforts to help people access healthcare services.

Roux Institute Pre-Clinical Gap Year Program statistics

Fishbein, who recently retired from Sun Life after an 11-year tenure as president, has been a champion of the Gap Year Program, supporting Sun Life's strategy over the last several years around improving access to care. With Sun Life's support, the Gap Year program has placed more than 80 professionals in health service roles and has continued growing its partnership base with medical and dental clinics around Maine.

"For the past decade, Dan deftly grew our strategy of connecting our benefits and health services to the broader healthcare ecosystem and exploring ways to improve access," said David Healy, president, Sun Life U.S. "Supporting the Roux's Gap Year program has been an important part of that strategy, and we are pleased to support its growth, particularly as Dan leaves us a legacy that we will continue to build on: helping people get the care and coverage they need."

Now in it's third year, the Gap Year Program helps address staff shortages in care delivery settings, filling roles in hospitals, health clinics, specialist care sites and dental practices throughout Maine, including rural and underserved areas. After completing the program, nearly every participant has confirmed they intend to continue pursuing careers in healthcare.

"My experience this past year has truly been the best," said program participant Jillian Fitzpatrick. "Working at the Knox Clinic and the resources the Roux provided have helped me grow as a future dentist. This incredible experience has helped build my confidence as I continue my education path." Fitzpatrick was a participant in the first year of the Rou's Gap Year Program. She is now in dental school.

"With Sun Life's support, we have been able to grow the Gap Year program and increase the availability of providers in parts of the state where people have limited access to medical or dental care," said Aileen Huang-Saad, director of Life Sciences, Health & Engineering and associate professor of bioengineering at Northeastern University's Roux Institute. "While Maine has one of the largest rural and aging populations, we know this need exists across the country. Our hope is that universities in other states will adopt similar approaches to help fill the country's gaps in healthcare access in rural and underserved communities."

Based in Portland, Maine, Northeastern University's Roux Institute offers graduate degrees in analytics, AI, computer science, project management, life sciences, and other technical fields. Sun Life first partnered with the Roux Institute in 2020 to deliver an actuarial training program for employees. Sun Life has also participated in the Roux Institute's research on artificial intelligence (AI), its 2023 conference, "The State of AI in Maine," and co-hosted an event in 2025 on addressing access to care in Maine, featuring Gap Year participants.

Sun Life focuses on building and supporting programs that address access to care at the community level. Additional partners in Maine include the Maine Celtics, Boys and Girls Clubs of Southern Maine and Spurwink Services.

About Sun Life

Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the U.S., the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of December 31, 2025, Sun Life had total assets under management of C$1.60 trillion. For more information, please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

Sun Life U.S. is one of the largest providers of employee and government benefits, helping approximately 48 million Americans access the care and coverage they need. Through employers, industry partners and government programs, Sun Life U.S. offers a portfolio of benefits and services, including dental, vision, disability, absence management, life, supplemental health, medical stop-loss insurance, and healthcare navigation. Sun Life employs nearly 8,300 people in the U.S., including associates in our partner dental practices and affiliated companies in asset management. Group insurance policies are issued by Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Wellesley Hills, Mass.), except in New York, where policies are issued by Sun Life and Health Insurance Company (U.S.) (Lansing, Mich.). For more information visit our website and newsroom.

Media contact

Devon Fernald

Sun Life U.S.

[email protected]

781-800-3609

Connect with Sun Life U.S.

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SOURCE Sun Life U.S.
AI vendors selling to the California state government must prove they have safeguards against algorithmic bias, civil rights violations, and illegal content, or risk being barred from state contracts, under an executive order signed by Governor Gavin Newsom.

The order directs the Department of General Services and the California Department of Technology to develop new vendor certifications within 120 days.

Companies seeking state contracts would be required to attest to safeguards covering the exploitation or distribution of illegal content, such as child sexual abuse material and non-consensual intimate imagery, the utilization of models that display harmful bias or lack governance to reduce the risk of such harmful bias, and violation of civil rights and civil liberties such as free speech, voting, human autonomy, and protections against unlawful discrimination, detention, and surveillance, the order noted.
New Standard Protects Workers at All 1,300 Amazon Facilities Nationwide

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In a landmark settlement, Amazon has conceded it will no longer retaliate against workers who exercise their right to strike, following relentless pressure from the Teamsters Union in sessions mediated by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

"When workers organize together as Teamsters, we have the power to go toe-to-toe with the biggest corporations in the world  and to win," said Randy Korgan, Director of the Teamsters Amazon Division. "Amazon Teamsters dragged the world's largest retailer to the table kicking and screaming to try to fix the problems the company created for union members. The National Labor Relations Board now needs to stop dragging its feet and ratify this agreement immediately. The Teamsters will keep building worker power at Amazon nationwide and win the contracts that these workers deserve."

Historically, Amazon deducted Unpaid Time (UPT) from those who strike in direct retaliation against workers exercising their rights. In December 2024, Amazon Teamsters picketed more than 200 of the multitrillion-dollar company's facilities in over 20 states. Last year, the NLRB ruled that Amazon had illegally taken striking workers' UPT, which exists as a bank of hours that Amazon workers can use for unscheduled leave and emergencies. The company effectively uses UPT as an attendance policy, and Amazon may terminate workers when they run out of it.

Amazon's settlement with the Teamsters will now restore the illegally deducted time to affected workers and ensure all Amazon workers can strike in the future without losing their UPT. The settlement will cover all of Amazon's 1,300 facilities nationwide, and Amazon is required to post a notice to workers informing them of their rights.

"As Amazon Teamsters, we are the only ones who have ever successfully forced this company to respect the right to strike," said Robert Moore, a warehouse worker at DCK6 in San Francisco. "Amazon workers everywhere should know that thanks to this settlement, they too can become Teamsters without losing their Unpaid Time. It's time to get organizing and secure even stronger rights on the job."

Amazon Teamsters have been fighting the company's retaliation at all levels. Workers have been organizing warehouses, circulating petitions, and marching against management, all while pursuing the union's legal case and rallying support from elected officials.

Nearly 10,000 Amazon workers have organized with the Teamsters over the last two years. In unionized facilities, Amazon Teamsters have forced the company to raise wages, invest in safety, and overturn unfair terminations. Now that the union has pushed Amazon to remove this retaliatory policy, workers are ready to escalate Teamsters organizing efforts.

"Every year, more Amazon workers join the Teamsters. Each organizing victory builds more power," said Kyle Middleton, a warehouse worker at JFK8 in New York. "To any of my co-workers who may have been on the fence, now is the time to join this movement. We are winning  and we will continue to force Amazon to respect its workforce in every possible way."

Founded in 1903, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters represents over 1.3 million hardworking people in the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. Visit Teamster.org for more information. Follow us on X @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (771) 241-0015

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
MUNICH and SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The TRATON GROUP and Applied Intuition, Inc., the leading physical AI company, today announced TRATON ONE OS, a next-generation software-defined vehicle platform that will power all new vehicles across TRATON's four brands: Scania, MAN, International and Volkswagen Truck & Bus. Building on more than a year of co-development, the two companies are deploying a single unified platform that's at the forefront of innovation to deliver benefits to customers:

Prevent costly downtime : The system's unified data access is designed to enable predictive maintenance capabilities that allow fleet operators to identify and address potential mechanical issues before they lead to breakdowns, service recalls or unplanned downtime.

: The system's unified data access is designed to enable predictive maintenance capabilities that allow fleet operators to identify and address potential mechanical issues before they lead to breakdowns, service recalls or unplanned downtime. Future-proof fleets: Customers will be able to receive new applications, features and full-cabin user-interface upgrades via over-the-air software updates, eliminating many workshop visits and allowing vehicles to improve throughout their operational life.

Customers will be able to receive new applications, features and full-cabin user-interface upgrades via over-the-air software updates, eliminating many workshop visits and allowing vehicles to improve throughout their operational life. Unlock the autonomous future: The platform's adaptive middleware is designed to serve as a foundation for autonomous driving systems, enabling TRATON to layer autonomous capabilities onto the same architecture over time.

Designed to bring the speed, flexibility and continuous update cycles of modern software development to the commercial vehicle industry, TRATON ONE OS will operate on all high-performance computers (HPCs) in TRATON's new vehicle architecture. The platform supports multiple hardware chipsets and global regulatory environments while giving TRATON teams a common foundation to build on  all without compromising each brand's distinct customer experience. Testing of the first integrated ECU hardware will begin in April 2026, with rollout across new trucks targeted for 2028.

"Our collaboration with Applied Intuition brings together TRATON's deep expertise in commercial vehicles, including strength in modularization and in-house application-function software development, with Applied Intuition's leading software capabilities," said Stefan Teuchert, Senior Vice President EE Platform at TRATON GROUP. "With TRATON ONE OS, we combine strong building blocks from Applied Intuition, TRATON and the open source community to create a worldwide cutting-edge EE platform, delivering fast new functions and services to the customer, while still preserving what makes each of our brands unique."

The platform is being co-developed as a white-box modular architecture that combines TRATON's internal development with Applied Intuition's Vehicle OS for trucking, as well as trusted third-party and open-source components. This modular approach allows TRATON to replace or consolidate compute units over time without fragmenting the software stack or rewriting the platform or applications, supporting the company's long-term ambition to move toward fewer, more powerful high-performance computers.

"Working closely with TRATON, we're building the next generation of software-defined commercial vehicles," said Qasar Younis, co-founder and CEO of Applied Intuition. "TRATON ONE OS creates a platform that allows trucks to continuously evolve through software updates while giving TRATON the flexibility to build and scale capabilities across its global brands."

To learn more, contact [email protected]

About Applied Intuition

Applied Intuition, Inc. is powering the future of physical AI. Founded in 2017 and now valued at $15 billion, the Silicon Valley company is creating the digital infrastructure needed to bring intelligence to every moving machine on the planet. Applied Intuition services the automotive, defense, trucking, construction, mining and agriculture industries in three core areas: tools and infrastructure, operating systems and autonomy. Eighteen of the top 20 global automakers, as well as the United States military and its allies, trust the company's solutions to deliver physical intelligence. Applied Intuition is headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, with offices in Washington, D.C.; San Diego, California; Ft. Walton Beach, Florida; Ann Arbor, Michigan; London; Stuttgart; Munich; Stockholm; Bangalore; Seoul; and Tokyo. Learn more at applied.co.

About the TRATON GROUP

With its brands Scania, MAN, International, and Volkswagen Truck & Bus, TRATON SE is the parent and holding company of the TRATON GROUP and one of the world's leading commercial vehicle manufacturers. The Group's product portfolio comprises trucks, buses, and light-duty commercial vehicles. "Transforming Transportation Together. For a sustainable world.": this intention underlines the Company's ambition to have a lasting and sustainable impact on the commercial vehicle business and on the Group's commercial growth.
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SDF officer's intrusion into Chinese embassy "extremely unusual and serious:" Japan's police chief

Xinhua) 09:49, March 31, 2026

TOKYO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Japan's National Police Agency (NPA) convened a meeting on Monday over the incident in which an active-duty Self-Defense Forces officer forcibly entered the Chinese Embassy in Japan.

NPA Commissioner General Yoshinobu Kusunoki said at the meeting that the incident "should not have happened" and described it as "extremely unusual and serious."

Kusunoki stressed the need to prevent similar incidents from occurring again and called for thorough strengthening of security measures to protect diplomatic missions.

About 70 senior police officers from 12 prefectures that host foreign embassies and consulates attended the meeting.

On March 24, Kodai Murata, a 23-year-old second lieutenant in the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, allegedly scaled a wall and broke into the Chinese embassy in Tokyo while carrying a knife.

The Japanese government has so far only described the incident as "regrettable," drawing widespread criticism within Japan.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Franchisees and store leaders recognized for performance, leadership, and customer service excellence

Inaugural Heart of Ziebart Award, celebrating the spirit of the brand, presented to Zach Mattiacio

Technology advancements took center stage with goal to elevate the customer experience and drive franchise owner success

TROY, Mich., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ziebart, the global leader in vehicle appearance and protection services, brought its franchise family together to celebrate a year of standout achievements, meaningful milestones, and the people behind the brand's continued momentum. Centered on the theme "Double Down on Success" as a fitting nod to the host city of Las Vegas, the conference recognized franchise owners, store leaders, and operators from across the Ziebart system for their performance, leadership, and commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.

The Heart of Ziebart Award was created to recognize someone who reflects the values of this brand in everything they do. Post this Among the most meaningful moments of this years Ziebart franchise conference was the presentation of the inaugural Heart of Ziebart Award to Zach Mattiacio, Chief Financial Officer of The Mattiacio Group, recognizing him as someone who inspires others across the franchise system, is always willing to lend a helping hand, brings people together, and exemplifies the values at the core of Ziebart. For more on franchising with Ziebart, please visit www.ziebart.com/franchise-opportunities.

The Heart of Ziebart

Among the most meaningful moments of this year's conference was the presentation of the inaugural Heart of ZiebartAward to Zach Mattiacio, Chief Financial Officer of The Mattiacio Group. Unlike traditional awards that recognize store owners and leaders for KPIs, sales excellence, or customer ratings, the Heart of Ziebart Award was created to recognize an individual who captures the essence of the Ziebart brand; someone who inspires others across the franchise system, is always willing to lend a helping hand, brings people together, and exemplifies the values at the core of Ziebart.

"Success at Ziebart has always been about more than performance metrics alone," said Thomas A. Wolfe, President & Chief Executive Officer of Ziebart. "The Heart of Ziebart Award was created to recognize someone who reflects the values of this brand in everything they do, and Zach is that person. His leadership, character, and ability to bring people together have made a lasting impact across our franchise family."

Zach Mattiacio co-owns Ziebart's largest franchise operating group alongside his siblings; their father, Tony Mattiacio, founded and remains CEO of The Mattiacio Group. Zach Mattiacio was unable to attend this year's Ziebart conference. His siblings accepted the Heart of Ziebart Award on his behalf, which included an inspiring video that was played in his absence.

"It means more than I can put into words to receive the very first Heart of Ziebart Award. When I think about what the Heart of Ziebart means, it's about lifting someone up when needed, it's about sharing an idea that might help someone at another store, it's about passionately doing everything you can for the Ziebart family," Zach Mattiacio said in the video. "This brand is bigger than business We are one Ziebart, one family, and I promise to continue doing whatever I can from wherever I am to build, protect, and strengthen the Ziebart brand."

Leading the Way

In addition to the Heart of Ziebart Award, The Mattiacio Group led this year's honorees with recognition with nine traditional awards. Among those, the highly coveted Dealer of the Year Award. That honor capped off a milestone year for the family-operated franchise group following its acquisition of The Harris Group's 17 stores in July 2025. In total, The Mattiacio Group now owns and operates 26 Ziebart stores open across New York, Florida, Indiana, and Ohio with another in development.

Their stores were recognized with the following awards:

Customer Experience Rising Star (Fort Myers, FL)

(Fort Myers, FL) Z-Gloss Top Performer (West Seneca, NY)

(West Seneca, NY) Ziebart Credit Card Top Performer

Top Maintenance Average Ticket (Fort Myers, FL)

(Fort Myers, FL) Top Multi-Unit Top Achiever: Total Sales (West Seneca, NY) Retail Sales (West Seneca, NY) Associate Sales (West Seneca, NY) Maintenance Sales (Rochester - Henrietta, NY)



Celebrating Systemwide Excellence

Ziebart recognized dozens of owners for achieving sales success and delivering exceptional customer service. Other franchisees honored included:

2025 Most Improved Dealer : Pacesetter Truck & Auto Accessories, Inc. (Bourbonnais, IL)

: Pacesetter Truck & Auto Accessories, Inc. (Bourbonnais, IL) 2025 Corporate Store Manager of the Year : Darren Weyand (Wexford, PA)

: Darren Weyand (Wexford, PA) Outstanding Customer Service : V2 Corp (Appleton, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, WI)

: V2 Corp (Appleton, Milwaukee, and Waukesha, WI) Outstanding Customer Service : NMC Lambie Services (Morgantown, WV)

: NMC Lambie Services (Morgantown, WV) Outstanding Community Service : NMC Lambie Services (Morgantown, WV)

: NMC Lambie Services (Morgantown, WV) 2025 Single Store Top Achiever in Total Sales: Shinkauto, Inc. (Warsaw, IN)

"These awards reflect the strength of our franchise system, the momentum of our brand, and the kind of leadership that drives Ziebart forward," Wolfe said. "The successes we're celebrating is the result of franchisees and store leaders who continue to raise the bar, invest in their businesses, and create meaningful growth while staying true to the values that define Ziebart."

New Era of Technology and Innovation

Beyond recognizing achievements across the franchise system, the conference also offered a look at what's ahead for the brand. Ziebart shared updates on the recently announced Gold Shield Protection Program, an initiative that allows car dealerships across the country to offer Ziebart's trusted protection products directly to customers. Executives also introduced plans to the franchise system for the new iBart app, the latest investment in technology and innovation aimed at enhancing the franchise owner and customer experience.

For more information on franchise opportunities with Ziebart, please visit www.ziebart.com/franchise-opportunities.

To find a Ziebart near you, visit www.ziebart.com.

About Ziebart

Founded in 1959, Ziebart International Corporation is the worldwide leader in premium automotive appearance and protection services that extend the life of vehicles. All Ziebart products and services are made and sourced in the United States. Ziebart operates over 400 locations, with more than 1,000 car dealer partners, in 37 countries. Ziebart continues to grow and offers domestic and international franchising opportunities, a best-in-class investment for qualified prospects. For more information about Ziebart including franchise opportunities, please visit www.ziebart.com.

SOURCE Ziebart
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Petco Strategy Veteran Soumik Chatterjee Joins Franchise as CFO

LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoom Room, the revolutionary indoor dog training gym, has brought two leaders into the organization with decades of experience with iconic consumer and pet brands. Ron Coughlin has been named Chairman of the Board and Soumik Chatterjee joins Zoom Room as Chief Financial Officer.

Zoom Room has brought two leaders into the franchise organization with decades of pet and consumer experience. Ron Coughlin has been named Chairman of the Board and Soumik Chatterjee joins Zoom Room as Chief Financial Officer.

The strategic appointments come as Zoom Room accelerates its national footprint, targeting 550 locations by 2030, following its recent ranking as No. 1 in the Dog Training category on Entrepreneur magazine's 2026 Franchise 500 list for exceptional performance in unit growth, financial strength stability and brand power.

Ron Coughlin, Chairman of the Board

Coughlin brings more than 30 years of experience growing some of the world's most recognized consumer brands including PepsiCo, HP, and Petco. As CEO of Petco, he repositioned the company as a pet health and wellness leader, adding seven million customers, expanding revenues by over 40%, growing the veterinary footprint from single digits to over 280 locations, and more than doubling the digital and services businesses. Previously, Coughlin held senior leadership roles at HP, leading the $33B Personal Computing division to double-digit growth, and at PepsiCo, where he oversaw global marketing for Tropicana and PepsiCo Beverages International and led franchise system initiatives.

As Chairman of the Board, Coughlin will work closely with Zoom Room CEO Mark Van Wye and the management team, providing guidance on strategy, talent development, industry relationships, and long-term value creation.

"Zoom Room is the clear leader in the dog training space, serving a rapidly growing and underserved market," said Coughlin. "What drew me to Zoom Room is the clarity of their model: recurring visits, community-based socialization, and a training methodology that actually works. The brand has a powerful mission, a highly scalable franchise model, and a visionary founder. I'm excited to support the team as they expand awareness, grow the franchise system, and continue maturing the business operationally."

Soumik Chatterjee, Chief Financial Officer

Chatterjee brings more than 20 years of experience in strategy, finance, and transformation across Fortune 500 companies, including Petco, HP, Qualcomm, Capital One, and Accenture. Most recently at Petco, he served as Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, playing a key role in transforming the brand from a declining retailer to an omni-channel leader in pet health and wellness. During his tenure, he scaled the services business to over $200 million, drove 40% revenue growth, and led the company through a successful IPO.

In his new role as CFO, Chatterjee will bring world-class operating discipline, financial rigor, and executional excellence to support the brand's national franchise expansion.

"Zoom Room has built a highly differentiated platform in dog training, with a proprietary curriculum, training methodology, and technology, as well as exceptional unit economics and incredibly high customer satisfaction," said Chatterjee. "I am thrilled to help fuel the growth ahead and contribute to a mission that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of pets and their owners."

Positioned for the Next Phase of Franchise Growth

Zoom Room continues to experience strong demand from franchisees seeking to build community-centered businesses rooted in dog socialization, training, and enrichment. With a proven operating model, and proprietary training methodology, the brand is focused on expanding its franchise system to 550 locations by 2030 while supporting existing franchise owners.

"These two appointments mark a pivotal moment for Zoom Room," said Mark Van Wye, CEO of Zoom Room. "Ron and Soumik bring the kind of operating discipline and strategic clarity that allow us to scale without losing what makes Zoom Room work: our focus on socialization, our commitment to franchisee success, and our belief that training should transform the lives of dogs and their owners."

To learn more about Zoom Room and its franchising opportunities, please visit https://zoomroom.com/franchise/.

About Zoom Room Dog Training

Established in 2007, Zoom Room is a revolutionary indoor dog training gym, recently recognized as one of the Top 40 fastest-growing consumer service brands in the United States per the Inc 5000 list. Zoom Room's mission is to deepen the bond and communication between dogs and their human companions through its focus on socialization, positive reinforcement, human education, and interactive learning. Accolades include rankings on Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list and their esteemed list of Top Franchises for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. They are also the authors of the best-selling dog training book, Puppy Training in 7 Easy Steps and Ultimate Puppy Training for Kids. Committed to social responsibility, Zoom Room celebrates responsible pet owners and actively collaborates with animal rescue and welfare organizations at both local and national levels. Learn more at https://zoomroom.com/.

Media Contact: Sara Faiwell, Fishman Public Relations, [email protected] or (847) 945-1300

SOURCE Zoom Room
When a nasty stench began seeping through a quiet Colorado neighborhood, no one could have imagined the horrifying secret lurking behind the doors of a family-run funeral home.

The gruesome actions of the couple behind Return to Nature funeral home in Penrose rocked the nation after authorities discovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies hidden inside.

Instead of carrying out cremations or burials, Jon and Carie Hallford had stacked dozens of bodies in every room - left to rot among maggots and rats - while carrying out a scam that saw grieving families handed cement in place of ashes.

Along the way, they took in more than $130,000 from families while also securing nearly $1 million in federal pandemic relief - money later spent on lavish trips, cosmetic procedures and high-end cars.

Earlier this month, Carie was sentenced to 18 years in prison for her role in what was one of the largest discoveries of decaying bodies ever found in a US funeral home. Her husband was previously handed a 20-year jail term in his federal case and 40 years in state case that will run concurrently.

Samantha Naranjo, whose 82-year-old grandmother Dorothy Tardiff was taken to the home, told the Daily Mail 'it's not enough,' saying the sentence amounts to just days behind bars for each victim - roughly 34 days in prison for each of the 191 bodies.

Samantha was just one of the heartbroken relatives who trusted the Hallfords in 2022, welcoming them into her home to collect her grandmother's body.

But from the very beginning, she said something did not feel right. Specifically, the unsettling way Jon carried her loved one's limp body, like a groom carrying his bride over the threshold.

Jon and Carie Hallford (pictured) took in more than $130,000 from families while also securing nearly $1 million in federal pandemic relief

In 2023, authorities discovered nearly 200 decomposing bodies hidden inside Return to Nature Funeral Home in Penrose, Colorado (pictured)

Carie Hallford was sentenced to 18 years in federal prison for her part in the shocking crime

Samantha Naranjo pictured with her grandmother Dorothy Tardiff whose body was discovered in the funeral home

'It was not a good experience. He ended up picking my grandmother up from her bed, holding her like he had just married her. He was so busy admiring her that he almost flung her across the living room,' Samantha said.

'He was looking at her with her mouth open, facing him,' she added. 'It was disgusting.'

Jon laughed it off, and the last words Samantha heard while her grandmother was being taken away were haunting: 'It's okay. We'll take great care of your loved one.'

Later, a smiling Carie handed over an urn claiming to be Dorothy's ashes. But it was cement mix, a cruel substitute for the ashes her grandmother had wished to be scattered in the mountains.

Tanya Wilson spoke of a similar experience when her mother, 76-year-old Yong Anderson, died in June 2022, remembering the couple pulling up in an 'old, beat-up SUV' and behaving awkwardly, as if it was their first time handling such a situation.

'My brother was very, very suspicious,' she told the Daily Mail. 'He was like, 'how do we know that it's really her they give back to us?' And I remember thinking, that's crazy. Why wouldn't it be?'

To honor their mother, a hardworking Korean immigrant, they laid out her favorite things: cozy socks, her go-to moisturizer, a gold chain bracelet and a traditional Norigae.

They proposed sending her off with a blanket Tanya had knitted. Jon had said: 'We would actually prefer to use something from home rather than one of ours.'

Jon Hallford was sentenced last year to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and misusing COVID relief funds

The case is one of the largest discoveries of decaying bodies ever found in a US funeral home

Tanya Wilson remembered the couple pulling up in an 'old, beat-up SUV' and behaving awkwardly when they came to pick up her mother 76-year-old Yong Anderson who died in 2022 (both pictured)

'He wrapped her up in it, like a shroud over her face, like a mummy,' Tanya said. 'There was something just that bothered me about it.'

Weeks later, after a bizarre back-and-forth, Tanya's brother looked Carie in the eye and asked if what he was holding was truly his mother.

'Of course it is,' she responded.

On what would have been her 77th birthday, Tanya's family traveled to Hawaii, boarded a boat and spread what they believed to be her ashes and flower petals at sunset in a 'beautiful' farewell.

But what they released was not their mother. The ashes were fake, her death certificate falsified, and she had never even been cremated.

'All of it was so perfect, and then it was all destroyed,' Tanya said.

'It's not something that we'll ever be able to recreate. There's no do overs in situations like this,' she added. 'You have one chance, we did it right, and it turned out to be nothing. It turned out to be a lie.'

The couple's secret began to unravel months later, when the funeral home was mysteriously boarded up and quietly put on the market.

The last thing the Hallfords told Samantha was: 'It's okay. We'll take great care of your loved one'. Dorothy Tardiff is pictured with one of her great grandchildren

Pictured is an Instagram photo Jon shared to Instagram with the caption: 'Casket Building Time!!' However the funeral home owner was not putting the caskets to use

Tanya's brother (both pictured with their mother) looked Carie in the eye and asked if the ashes were truly his mother, which she replied, 'of course'

The hazardous environment was so severe that first responders entering the home had to wear full hazmat suits

A potential buyer hoping to expand her own funeral home grew suspicious as Jon and Carie repeatedly dodged meetings, forcing her to inspect the property alone.

Then she noticed it - a foul, unmistakable stench seeping through the walls. After alerting authorities who couldn't legally enter, she made a split-second decision and hurled a brick through a window.

The stench only spread, further permeating the community until neighbors called police, who eventually descended on the business on October 5, 2023.

Inside, authorities found 189 decomposing bodies stacked like lumber. In two additional cases, coffins outside contained the wrong bodies.

It had created a toxic, hazardous environment so severe that first responders entering the home had to wear full hazmat suits.

Samantha, together with other concerned relatives, watched from outside as the funeral home was demolished.

'Every room in that building had bodies stacked in it,' she told the Daily Mail. 'It was seeping from all four corners, literally seeping. The walls were covered in blood and you couldn't even see the floors.'

'They had to call a septic tank company to come out,' she added, describing the dangerous eight inches of sludge covering the ground.

An Instagram photo shared by Jon that featured the hashtag #deathpositive

The ashes given to Tanya's family were fake and the death certificate was falsified (pictured: a pendant she made with the ashes not knowing they were fake)

Pictured is a casket in the funeral home marketing a 'green burial'

Tanya's mother (pictured) was found on the floor of the home, wrapped in a knitted blanket that was 'unrecognizable'

Investigators described rooms with bodies piled to the ceiling, forcing them to walk on thick boards above the pooling fluids below.

Most of the bodies were double-bagged, some in plastic, others in body bags - but in the most ghastly cases, they were simply piled together, melting and rotting as one.

Each body, some fully clothed, others naked, was in varying stages of decomposition, with Samantha saying there were 'inches' of maggots, flies and rats - both dead and alive.

'There was lots of infestation of the bugs on the bodies themselves,' she said.

The state district attorney's office revealed that the couple, who are believed to be parents to three children, had also used Home Depot buckets in a desperate attempt to catch leaking fluids.

'Because the bodies were in there for so long, the fluid from the gasses were exploding the body bags,' Samantha said. 'Some bodies were on gurneys. Some were on a countertop. Some were just on the floor, soaking up all of the fluid.'

The federal government prohibited families from viewing the contents of the bags, citing the shocking remains as a 'biohazard.'

'I'll never get that out of my head, thinking of my grandmother's body as biohazard,' Samantha said.

Pictured is a bag of ashes that were handed to a grieving relative that later turned out to be cement dust

Authorities found 189 decomposing bodies inside. A further two bodies were found in coffins outside

Samantha (pictured with her grandmother and son) said the home was 'literally seeping from all four corners, with inches of toxic fluid pooling across the floor

Tanya said her mother's bracelet 'still had what I can only imagine was her decomposing flesh stuck inside the links' when it was returned

Jon and Carie fled to Oklahoma, trying to escape justice by hiding on a reservation - a decision that victims described as 'even more insulting.'

Finally, in November 2023, they were arrested, kicking off three harrowing years of court battles.

The FBI told Samantha her grandmother had been found among the bodies inside the home, identified by the nightgown she had been wearing a year earlier.

She eventually discovered that the Hallfords had even billed Medicaid to cremate a body under her grandmother's name.

'That was obviously not my grandmother, because she was found in the building a year later,' she told the Daily Mail.

Tanya's family were told their mother had been identified through fingerprints. When pressed for more details, officials described every article of clothing she was wearing, right down to her socks and bracelet.

She was on the floor, wrapped in material so degraded it was listed as a 'rug' in the records.

'The blanket had become so unrecognizable, soaking up all of those fluids and probably fusing together. They didn't even know it was a blanket,' Tanya said.

Tanya said she believes state District Attorney Michael Allen's (pictured) handling of the case was 'performative'

The Hallfords billed Medicaid to cremate a body under Samantha's grandmother's name

Pictured above is bodies being taken out of Return to Nature Funeral Home after the discovery

Samantha's grandmother (pictured in her younger years) was identified by the nightgown she had been wearing a year earlier

After her proper cremation, they were given a black gift box holding a biohazard bag with the few items that couldn't go in the retort: the gold chain bracelet and traditional Korean pendant.

The pendant was completely discolored, the wood crumbling, and despite the office's attempts to clean it, her mother's bracelet 'still had what I can only imagine was her decomposing flesh stuck inside the links.'

'In what world does a son have to clean his own mother's rotting flesh off of a piece of jewelry?' Tanya said.

Victims have since struggled with guilt, shame and deeply distressing nightmares. Samantha shared that she can't go grocery shopping without panicking at the sight of large black-and-yellow storage bins.

'Those buckets he had were filled with fetuses and the babies were just... stuck together,' she said.

'Women that suffered miscarriages or stillbirths got back random remains, and their poor babies were in the building with the rest of the bodies. I have nightmares of what it looks like in the building.'

In June 2025, Jon was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for wire fraud and misusing COVID relief funds, with a court ordering him to pay over $1 million in restitution.

By December, Jon and Carie had both pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts of corpse abuse, along with forgery, theft and money laundering.

The couple both pleaded guilty to multiple felony counts of corpse abuse

Tanya (pictured with mother and two children) is 'furious' at the sentences handed to the Hallfords

Pictured are privacy tents as first responders removed the bodies from the funeral home

The couple's scheme spanned September 2019 to October 2023 and impacted 987 additional families

In February, Judge Eric Bentley sentenced Jon to 40 years in Colorado state prison, stating he had caused 'unspeakable and incomprehensible harm.'

During sentencing, Jon said: 'I had so many chances to put a stop to everything and walk away, but I did not. My mistakes will echo for a generation. Everything I did was wrong.'

Victims rejected Jon's apology, believing the bodies had been kept for his 'personal use,' and that the funds from the loan could have been used to cremate the remains and undo some of the harm.

'They spent thousands of dollars so that they could keep these bodies,' Samantha said. 'Jon was desecrating our loved ones. I truly will never forget how I felt when he handled my grandmother.'

Court records revealed that the couple's scheme spanned September 2019 to October 2023, and in addition to the bodies found at the home a further 987 families were impacted - many of whom still cannot confirm the fate of their deceased loved ones.

They spent government money lavishly, prosecutors said: $120,000 on luxury cars, $31,000 in cryptocurrency, Gucci and Tiffany items and laser body-sculpting treatments.

Prosecutors noted that, by law, bodies must be buried, embalmed or refrigerated within 24 hours of death - a requirement the Hallfords failed to follow.

The human remains were kept at room temperature, and, even more damning, the couple had no refrigeration system.

Regarding the case, US District Attorney Peter McNeilly (pictured) said the 'disregard for fundamental human dignity is almost beyond belief'

Pictured center is Fremont County coroner Randy Keller and authorities planning where to put the privacy tents

On Monday, during Carie's sentencing hearing, victim after victim urged the judge to impose the maximum sentence, while she remained expressionless and begged for leniency.

She blamed alleged abuse and manipulation by her ex-husband, portraying herself as a 'scared and desperate mother' forced to keep the family business running.

Her lawyer, Robert Charles Melihercik, told the court that Jon used 'classic instruments of domestic violence' to control her, including threatening to kill himself and her.

In response, Tanya said: 'You can't tell me that every morning over a four year period, this emotional manipulation, or whatever it is that you want to call it, was your driving force behind everything that you did.'

Carie also claimed that much of the spending was part of 'love-bombing.' She said she had urged Jon to use the loan money to buy a cremator, but was too afraid to push the issue.

The judge, however, noted that over 4,500 pages of text messages and emails had been reviewed. In perhaps just over 100 individual texts, she saw Jon act only a little 'demeaning' towards Carie.

Carie was 'the face and front end of the company,' Samantha said, responsible for handling paperwork and filing and approving the pandemic loan.

'Neither one of them were ever remorseful over the entire four years,' she added. 'They were only ever remorseful that they got caught.'

Samantha is pictured being comforted during a small ceremony before the demolition of the funeral home

After sentencing, US District Attorney Peter McNeilly said: 'It takes an exceptionally sick person to even think of a fraud scheme like Jon and Carie Hallford's, let alone carry it out. Their disregard for fundamental human dignity is almost beyond belief.'

Carie now faces up to 35 years behind bars when she is sentenced in state court next month. The sentence will run concurrently.

'I am furious,' Tanya shared as she fears the couple will only end up serving about a third of their time. 'I'm thoroughly disgusted with the entire DA's office.'

From day one, she said, state District Attorney Michael Allen called the crimes 'probation eligible,' leaving families to feel his handling of the case was 'performative.'

'It made me realize they're trying to set the bar extremely, extremely low. Like, if they decide to give prison time, then we should somehow be grateful for it, because, oh, it could've been probation,' Tanya said.

'The charge that carries the most weight here is that they took money from the government,' she added. 'Because that's valued more than basic human dignity.'

Allen also announced his run for the Republican nomination for Colorado Attorney General, which Tanya described as 'convenient' now that he carries a 'historic conviction' under his belt.

After testifying and meeting with state leaders, Samantha learned that the funeral industry hadn't been regulated or licensed for over 40 years in Colorado, which, she said, is exactly why the Hallfords were able to 'get away with this.'

Samantha (pictured with family) shared that she can't go grocery shopping without panicking at the sight of large storage bins the couple used to hold babies' bodies

Tanya said spreading the 'fake ashes' in Hawaii was the perfect farewell to her mother (pictured) before it was 'all destroyed'

She said that she has since testified in support of a bill that, by January 2027, will finally bring full licensing and regulation to Colorado's funeral home industry.

The Daily Mail has reached out to Carie's lawyer Robert Charles Melihercik, Jon's attorney Adam Steigerwald and District Attorney Michael Allen for further comment.
Almost a decade ago, Stephanie Davies, coroner's officer for Cheshire Police, was presented with files on the deaths of Howard and Bea Ainsworth, and Donald and Auriel Ward.

After conducting research into the statistics around murder-suicides, Ms Davies proposed that a serial killer could be responsible and had been operating in leafy Cheshire since 1996.

But detectives did not agree and repeatedly rejected the idea of a serial killer, noting the deaths in 1996 and 1999 as two separate murder-suicides.

Ms Davies theory would later see her suspended from her job after her 179-page report calling for further investigation into the deaths was leaked, with stories about the suspected murders appearing in the national press.

Now, a new ITV documentary called 'Hunting The Silver Killer', has reinvestigated the two murder-suicides.

Police said that Mr Ainsworth, 79, murdered his 78-year-old wife with a hammer and a knife, before suffocating himself by placing a bag over his head. A suicide note was found at the scene.

Detectives working the case suggested it could have been an act of euthanasia.

But Christine Hurst, who was coroner's officer at the time felt there was no dignity in the couple's deaths - one of the core principles of euthanasia - and saw no evidence of domestic abuse in their marriage.

After conducting research into the statistics around murder-suicides, Stephanie Davies proposed that a serial killer could be responsible and had been operating in leafy Cheshire since 1996

Howard and Bea Ainsworth were found dead in their Wilmslow home in Cheshire in 1996. Police concluded that it was the result of a murder-suicide

In 1999, Donald and Auriel Ward were found dead in their Wilmslow home, on a street near to the Ainsworths' house

Police also found a bottle of chlormethiazole tablets, a short-lasting sedative and sleeping pill, despite neither husband or wife having a prescription for the drug.

Ms Hurst also raised her concerns about the lack of blood on Mr Ainsworth's pyjamas after having murdered his wife with a hammer and knife, according to police officers.

She told the programme: 'There was a lot of blood around her (Mrs Ainsworth) and I thought I cant remember seeing any blood of any note on Mr Ainsworth. So I thought this doesnt seem right.

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'I contacted the Scenes of Crime Officer, and I asked him if there had been any blood stained clothing anywhere and he said no.

'And I said "Did you look in the bins, did you look in the kitchen, did you look outside?" And he said we looked all of those places and he remarked to me that, "Yes, it was a strange one really because the senior officer had asked them to clean the walls and clean down the room because it was too distressing for the family to see".

'And then I said Did you fingerprint the hammers? No. Did you fingerprint the knife? No.

'So I was in a bit of a dilemma really I didnt know really what I should do about this and I raised my concerns to the police, I got the impression they had taken on board what I was saying but nothing else happened.'

Years later, Ms Hurst showed the images of the crime scene to her colleague Ms Davies, who immediately shared the same concerns.

'I saw this couple lying on the marital bed and I saw a couple of photos and I said to Christine "This man did not kill his wife,",' Ms Davies said.

'The blood spatter looked wrong, somebody else has killed both of them and I think I said that within five minutes of looking at these photographs.'

To investigate if both women could have been onto something, Dr Angela Gallop, a forensic scientist and Dr Dick Shepherd, a pathologist, conducted an experiment.

The aim of their experiment was to see if the blood patterns in the crime scene were what would have been expected had Mr Ainsworth hit his wife with a hammer.

Christine Hurst raised her concerns about the lack of blood on Mr Ainsworth's pyjamas after having murdered his wife with a hammer and knife, according to police officers

To investigate if both women could have been onto something, Dr Angela Gallop, a forensic scientist and Dr Dick Shepherd, a pathologist, conducted an experiment

Prior to the experiment Dr Gallop said: 'You dont have a pattern of blood spots and directional splashes on his (Mr Ainsworth's) right hand extending up onto the sleeve of his pyjamas and that is absolutely what you would expect.'

To conduct the experiment, they attached a blood-soaked sponge to a ball and placed it on a pillow on top of a bed before whacking it.

Analysing their results, Dr Gallop said: 'Our experiment has shown that you get exactly the pattern that wed been predicting.

'You do get a pattern of blood spotting and splashing up the arm of the attacker but thats not what youre seeing on Mr Ainsworths hand and arms and across the front of his pyjamas.

'And that maintains the concerns I have about blood patterns in this particular case.'

In 1999, Donald and Auriel Ward were found dead in their Wilmslow home, on a street near to the Ainsworths' house.

Police concluded that it was a murder-suicide, with officers suggesting that Mr Ward stabbed, beat and suffocated his wife and then cut his own throat, and stabbed his groin, wrists and heart.

Mrs Ward was also found with a pillow partially covering her face, and some evidence of hammer marks on her head. But the tool was not found at the scene.

Once again, Ms Hurst suggested that the case could have been a murder - Mr Ward was known to be a doting husband and the couple had several plans for the future.

But it was written off as a murder-suicide with investigators telling Ms Hurst: 'Leave it alone, Miss Marple. It's all in hand.'

Detectives concluded Howard had killed Bea before taking his own life with the crucial piece of evidence being a 'suicide note' left on a yellow pad on the sideboard next to where the bodies were found

The Sunday Times journalist, David Collins, told officers that Ms Davies was not the source of the leaked documents

However, while reinvestigating the case, Dr Gallop and Dr Shepherd raised alarms over the blood trail found from the upstairs bedroom leading to the kitchen.

Replicating the trail, Dr Gallop said: 'Drips of blood are much more likely to have come from an actively bleeding injury than dripping off the end of something.

'And so that made the original scientists think, and makes me think that actually the blood staining got there because Mr Ward himself came down the stairs with some quite nasty injuries to his hand.'

Despite being overlooked, Ms Hurst kept the files in a box of cases that caused her concern, and when Ms Davies took over the role in 2017, she decided to reinvestigate them.

Ms Davies said: 'For the Ward case I expected to agree with the police because I knew they had done a really detailed investigation but that all changed when I then looked at the photographs.

'It was eerily familiar seeing the married couple on the marital bed, male on the left, female on the right, a pillow partially covering her face and I do wonder if the Wards were a replication of the Ainsworths.'

She put together a 179-page report calling for the two cases to be reopened.

But in 2020, her home was raided by detectives from her force. They suspected that she had leaked the details of the two cases to The Sunday Times, which had published a story on her report's findings. It called the proposed murdered the 'Silver Killer'.

She said the raid made her feel 'psychologically raped'.

In the leaked report she called on the National Crime Agency and Interpol to review other murder-suicides in the UK and Europe.

Ms Davies also suggested in the report that the potential suspect was a younger man who could overpower his victims, and had given it to officers two times in the hopes that they would investigate the deaths further.

The Sunday Times journalist, David Collins, told officers that Ms Davies was not the source of the leaked documents.

But she was investigated for misconduct in a public office, and the Crown Prosecution Service declined to prosecute.

She was dismissed by Cheshire Police after being found guilty of seven counts of gross misconduct for breaching confidentiality.

And she was put on the College of Policing barred list, so she can never find similar work again.

As well as finding problems with the Ainsworth and Ward cases, Ms Davies found three other cases in 2000, 2008 and 2011, and marked them for further investigation.

All three involved blunt and sharp force trauma. Two were a few miles away from Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Among them, former police officer Violet Higgins, 76, who was found dead  also in her nightie  at home with security guard husband Michael, 59, in Manchester in 2000.

Former police officer Violet Higgins was found dead  also in her nightie  at home in Manchester with security guard husband Michael

The report also raised questions over the deaths of Eileen and Kenneth Martin on the eve of their 55th wedding anniversary in November 2008

He had supposedly battered her with a rolling pin and stabbed her with scissors. The police quickly dropped the investigation.

The inquest heard evidence Mr Higgins was suffering from Parkinson's and his wife had threatened to put him in a home, a possible motive.

But the coroner stressed what happened was out of character. 'It was a very sad end to many years of apparent happy marriage,' he said.

Mr Higgins's brother Daniel also told the inquest he did not believe he was capable of such violence.

The report also raised questions over the deaths of Eileen and Kenneth Martin on the eve of their 55th wedding anniversary in November 2008.

Mrs Martin, a former printer, 76, suffered blows to the head  possibly from a hammer  and had cuts to her neck and wrists.

She was found in the garage at home in Davyhulme, Manchester, next to her husband, 77, a retired steel erector, who is said to have cut his own throat and wrists and hanged himself.

It was reported as a mercy killing. Mr Martin had prostate cancer and was struggling to look after his wife, who had dementia.

The night before he died he broke down and told his daughter he could no longer cope.

But Mrs Davies's report said the injuries Eileen sustained were not consistent with a mercy killing. Kenneth was also frail and had difficulty walking, raising doubts about whether he was physically capable of such an attack.

However, Dennis Tong, who discovered the bodies of Eileen and Kenneth, disputed the serial killer theory and said the family were '100 per cent sure' Kenneth was responsible.

Similarly, some time overnight on February 17, 2011, ex-quarry worker Stanley Wilson, 92, is said to have carried out an attack on his retired teacher wife Peggie, 89, at home in Kendal

The sensational report by Stephanie Davies had claimed there were striking similarities between the deaths of couples in Cheshire, Manchester and Cumbria between 1996 and 2011

'He must have done it on the spur of the moment,' he said. 'We know Ken was going downhill. He was a proud man and would not take any help from anybody. We suggested putting Eileen in a home and he just refused. I think he just crumbled under the pressure.'

Similarly, some time overnight on February 17, 2011, ex-quarry worker Stanley Wilson, 92, is said to have carried out an attack on his retired teacher wife Peggie, 89, at home in Kendal.

She was hit on the head and face, strangled then stabbed in the neck. Mr Wilson is said to have stabbed himself in the neck.

The inquest heard Mr Wilson had just been released from hospital and was expressing paranoid fears his wife, son and the nursing staff had been trying to poison him.

His son Graham believed there is no doubt he committed the crime.

Chief Constable Mark Roberts QPM, of Cheshire Police said: 'From the outset we have been clear that there is absolutely no evidence that the Ainsworth and Ward cases were double murders, and that there is no serial killer at large in connection with these historic deaths.

'Following the spurious claims made by a former member of staff both cases were meticulously investigated by experienced detectives, along with specialist forensic scientists and officers from the National Crime Agency.

'All of whom concluded that there was absolutely no evidence to support further investigation into these matters.

'My heart goes out to both the Ainsworth and Ward families who have been deeply impacted by these harmful claims, and both have stated throughout that they were against any documentary and did not wish to have any involvement in the show.

'Yet despite this, both families feel that they have been harassed by the production company over the past two years, when it should instead have been focussed on conducting due diligence on the credibility of the sources they relied on.'
It was a 45-minute car ride that ended in a deadly confrontation that has bewildered the nation: A limbless cornhole star allegedly shot his friend twice in the head inside his white Tesla SUV before ditching his body.

Dayton Webber, 27, is accused of killing front-seat passenger Bradrick Wells, also 27, after a 'heated argument' while driving down a quiet road in La Plata, Maryland, on March 22.

He allegedly dumped his body by the roadside before fleeing across state lines to a hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia, where he was later arrested.

Webber, who lost all four limbs as a baby due to a blood infection but rose to become a champion cornhole player, has now been released from Virginia custody and transported to a Maryland jail to face first and second-degree murder charges in Maryland.

He is due in court on Wednesday in Charles County.

His alleged victim, a motocross rider and car enthusiast who had recently begun training as an HVAC engineer, had just become a father for the first time.

The shocking case has sparked nationwide questions over the circumstances of the shooting and the nature of the 'heated argument' that triggered the tragedy.

Now, two witnesses who were in the backseat of the Tesla that fateful night have exclusively revealed, in chilling detail, how they say the confrontation unfolded.

The two men told the Daily Mail that the altercation between the two friends was rooted in petty grievances, such as accusations of stolen property.

Dayton Webber, 27, a quadruple amputee cornhole star, is accused of shooting his friend dead during a late night drive in La Plata, Maryland

Victim Bradrick Wells, 27, a motocross rider and new father, was shot dead while sitting in the front seat of a Tesla, on March 22

Gary Gray, 28, who had known the pair for more than 10 years, said the argument centered on long-running grievances, with both men accusing each other of associating with people who had wronged them in the past.

'It was an argument about high school BS,' he said. 'Everything that was discussed could have been moved past with words,' shell-shocked Gray told the Daily Mail, shaking his head.

'Dayton was accusing Brad of stealing something,' adds the second witness, a 21-year-old who spoke to the Daily Mail on condition of us using the pseudonym Cameron.

Gray said there was 'past animosity' between Wells and Webber due to the cornhole pro's 'paranoia' over people stealing from his $700,000 La Plata home, which he had built in 2023.

'Part of their bad energy was all the accusations Dayton's made in the past for phones he's found, guns that were misplaced.

'In reality, there's dozens and dozens of people come through Dayton's house all the time.

The Daily Mail has contacted Webbers criminal lawyers for comment.

Wells's mother Anita told the Daily Mail she was told the altercation was over a stolen weapon, but denied her son would steal one as he had his own registered guns.

'He didn't have to steal nothing from nobody. Their family is pretty well off,' adds Anita, who is divorced from Wells's engineer father, Michael, and has since remarried.

Gary Gray, who was a passenger in the car when Wells was shot dead, told the Daily Mail the two men were arguing about petty 'high school' grievances when gunfire erupted

Webber is alleged to have dumped Wells's body on this quiet Maryland road before taking off

She sobbed as she told how her son 'wasn't a saint,' but 'would help anybody,' including Webber.

On the day of the shooting, there was little sign that anything was amiss between Webber and Wells, both Gray and Cameron said.

Earlier that day, Webber had collected Wells from his home, and they hung out with friends at a local motocross park.

The pair were still 'buddy-buddy' when they arrived unannounced at the All American Steakhouse in Waldorf, where Gray and Cameron work, around 9.30pm.

Webber and Wells spent about an hour catching up and eating in the car park in Webber's Tesla, with Gray and Cameron joining them several times during their shift.

But they say the mood had decidedly shifted by the time the two finished work and joined them in the vehicle.

It was 'a little bit shifty and weird,' said Cameron, with Gray recalling the pair were 'lightly bickering' surrounded by alcohol bottles and drugs.

Wells leaves behind an eight-month-old daughter with girlfriend Hannah Bentley

Wells is pictured with his mother Anita, who says her son would've been kind enough to help anyone, including Webber

Gray added: 'There were open [alcohol] bottles and cocaine everywhere in the car that night.

'I saw two 750ML bottles, one looked like it was Recipe 21 orange, which is Dayton's vodka of choice.

Cameron said he did not see either man drink or take any drugs but remembers seeing an alcohol bottle.

He and Gray insist they did not drink or take any drugs that night.

The group were headed for Webber's plush pad; after swinging by Gray's house so he could change out of his work clothes.

But the car ride  which Cameron said lasted 30 to 45 minutes  was anything but congenial.

The group travelled in eerie silence  a vast departure from the thumping bump music they usually blared from the car  with their only soundtrack the escalating shouting match between Webber and Wells.

On top of this, they were in almost total darkness, except for the light from their cellphones and the Tesla's huge touchscreen.

As Webber and Wells argued, Cameron said Wells video-called 'at least two or three people' in a bid to get them to back his stance that he had never stolen from Webber.

'I'm not paying attention to what they're fighting about. All I hear is: "You stole from me', and Brad's like: "No, the f*** I didn't".

'All of a sudden, he hops on the FaceTime and he's talking was trying to corroborate with them.

Webber, a hunting enthusiast who appeared in several photos and videos shooting rifles and using pistols, is being held in Virginia as he awaits extradition on murder charges

Webber's arms were amputated just above the elbow, giving him the ability to pin objects between his upper arms. It's this trait that allowed him to become a competitive cornhole player, ultimately joining the American Cornhole League in 2023

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'He said: "Did I ever steal anything? Am I even known to be that type of person to do anything behind somebody's back?"

At one point during the argument, Gray recalls hearing Brad say something to Webber like 'You gonna jump me with the homies in the back?'

Knowing Webber and Wells were both legal gun owners, Gray said he began to feel scared, thinking 'F***, are they gonna both kill each other in this car?'

Webber, a hunting and outdoors enthusiast from an affluent family, has posted several online videos showing him using rifles, pistols and crossbows with ease.

But while he said that Webber had 'anger issues' and 'the capacity to fly off the rails', Gray said he never believed he could kill someone in cold blood.

As tensions rose, Cameron and Gray became uneasy and texted nervously in the backseat as they waited for the argument to blow over.

Webber and Wells continued to argue but lowered their voices to a 'subtle calmness' until they could barely be heard, said Cameron.

Gray recalls Webber saying: 'I don't know why I'm not allowed to have an opinion,' before Wells turned to face the window and there was a chilling, ten-second silence.

But despite the poor light, Gray said there was no mistaking what happened next.

The cornhole star was diagnosed with a bacterial infection as a child that ultimately led to sepsis

Webber is able to compete in cornhole by holding the bag between his arms

He recalls a flash of movement in the darkness caused him to look up from his phone.

'I saw Dayton's arms whipped up real quick. I see this cylindrical black object in his [arms]. It looked like he had the gun cocked sideways.

'When I look up, the gun is already pointed at Brad.

'I knew Dayton to always have one racked up top in the chamber of his gun.

'It was a semi-automatic handgun, a P365 Sig Sauer.

'The only reason I even looked up to catch it is because he had the safety on.

'I think that second he took to fire the gun was him clicking the safety.'

Cameron did not see Webber with the gun but confirmed he was driving slowly with a prosthetic leg when the gun went off.

Both men recall seeing a small amber spark as the first shot was fired, knocking out their hearing.

Gray recalls the thick smell of gun smoke filling the car and his head began ringing with what felt like the 'worst tinnitus' he's ever had.

'It just felt like time slowed down because everything else disappeared,' he said.

One of the gunshots went through Wells' passenger window, spraying glass into the backseat, Gray recalls.

'I can't hear anything and glass hits me in my eye from the window.'

His ears were still ringing when the second gunshot followed immediately afterwards.

Cameron recalls feeling the heat in the air as the gunshot went off 'very close' to his head and his hearing vanished.

'At first, I didn't even register that it was more than one shot.

According to friends, Webber, pictured using a handgun in a YouTube video, had 'anger issues' and 'the capacity to fly off the rails'

'Your ears are completely gone, I'm looking at a bright phone and I'm panicked, my eyes are blurry.'

Gray said he decided to turn on his cellphone torch to look at Wells.

'I need to know what just happened.

'In my mind, I'm gonna lean [forward] and look at Brad.

'But I didn't have to get that far. The central console that is bone white leather is not that color anymore.

'It was not like in the movies, when somebody gets shot, and it's like pumping with dark, dark blood.'

'I didn't see his face or the bullet holes. I just went far enough to confirm that that's a lot of blood.'

According to charging documents obtained by the Daily Mail, Wells's body was found in a yard on Newport Church Road, Charlotte Hall, Maryland

The pair say they screamed at Webber to unlock the Tesla door, and he eventually pulled over the car and let them out.

As they were scrambling out of the car, Webber made one final chilling demand of Gray.

'I heard him say through gritted teeth, "Gary, Gary, help me pull him out",' he recalled.

They refused to help and went into 'survivor mode' as they began running for their lives.

Cameron added: 'I did not expect to even make it behind Gary out of that car.

'It was horrible. That car was like pearl white, but when we got out, it was burgundy.'

Webber sped off and the pair immediately called 911 to report the shooting, with police responding at 10.35pm.

Charging documents obtained by the Daily Mail revealed further details about the timeline leading up to the shocking killing

Gray has been left wrestling with guilt that he made it out the car alive when his friend didn't.

He said if Webber had 'racked' the slide on his pistol to chamber a round it could have given him vital seconds in which to stop him.

'There would have been time. I don't even know what I would have did, even if I had time to grab it and then it goes off, out the window or something.

'At least Brad's alive in that situation.'

The pair say they decided to share their stories to help get justice for Wells.

Hannah Bentley, the mom of Wells' eight-month-old daughter Kaylahni, told the Daily Mail she never thought Webber would harm Wells because of everything he did for him.

Bentley, 23, said Wells's care for Webber made it even more 'sickening and evil' the latter dumped his body 'like he was trash' and left their daughter fatherless.

Webber's parents, Mike and Natalie, declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

Wells will be laid to rest in a private ceremony in Maryland this week.

His mother Anita plans to set up a foundation in her son's name dedicated to preventing gun violence by offering mental health help and early intervention to tackle root causes.
Martin Scorseses Goodfellas is one of the most iconic mobster movies of all time.

But, as retired FBI Supervisory Special Agent Neil Moran reveals, the true story behind it is even wilder than anything shown on screen.

It was December 11, 1978, when a gang of armed, masked men broke into the Lufthansa cargo hangar at New Yorks JFK Airport and robbed $5.8 million in cash and jewelry. At the time, it was the largest heist in American history.

Within days, a string of mobsters and organized crime associates began suffering violent deaths or disappearing as the Lucchese crime family capo who had masterminded the plot sought to eliminate anyone and everyone involved.

As a young agent working in the FBIs truck hijacking division in New York, Moran was assigned to carry out surveillance on one of the mobsters who took part in the robbery.

The Lufthansa cargo Terminal at JFK Airport on December 12, 1978 - one day after a gang of armed men pulled off what was then the largest heist in US history

After the heist, bodies began piling up as mastermind James 'Jimmy the Gent' Burke sought to silence anyone linked to the robbery

In this weeks newsletter, Moran takes The Crime Desk inside the notorious case - and reveals how he ended up getting to know one of the mobsters a little too well.

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When the great Tory statesman Sir Robert Peel founded the Metropolitan Police almost 200 years ago, he declared it would win the support of the public not with boots and cudgels, but impartial service to the law.

That rigorous outlook made our unarmed police the envy of the world. In Britains remarkably crime-free society of the mid-20th century  the one I remember from my childhood  officers commanded respect.

The gentleness of English civilization is its most marked characteristic, wrote George Orwell at the height of the Second World War.

Yet it would be absurd to write those words today, where the shadow of violence and thuggery hangs over our streets. Faith in our justice system is plummeting, with our prisons barely able to cope with the influx of criminals and our courts paralysed by backlogs.

Meanwhile, the majority of our forces have lost their way, their sense of purpose undermined by warped priorities, their efficiency by wokery and cant.

As the former police commissioner for Thames Valley, I look on with utter despair at what is happening in the fight against crime  and I fear where things are heading.

Research published this week shows British police forces failed to solve 92 per cent of burglaries in a year ending last March. Across no less than a third of the country, not a single case of this devastating crime was cracked by constabularies.

The conclusion should be obvious: burglary has, in part, been decriminalised. Shockingly, out of 185,000 cases of forced entry where an investigation occurred last year, the police were unable to identify a suspect in 143,000 of them.

British police forces failed to solve more than nine in ten burglaries in a year ending last March

It is the same wretched story with phone theft, where the clear-up rate is beyond dismal, and where in central London the authorities have taken to putting signs on the pavement warning people to take care of their devices, rather than cracking down on the thugs who snatch them.

Just 1 per cent of these disgusting robberies leads to anyone being punished. Yet again, this is decriminalisation by neglect.

How on earth did we get to this point? There are a number of factors: changing social attitudes, dwindling resources  but most of all, politics.

As I saw in my time as commissioner, a creeping woke agenda has caused an insidious politicisation of many constabularies, some of which seem to believe their role is implementing the liberal orthodoxy of the State  diversity, equality and inclusion  instead of keeping the public safe.

Swathes of officers no longer see themselves as stern law upholders, but instead as part-censor, part-propagandist, part-social worker, part-political operative.

Before I was commissioner I served in the British Army and had spells of duty in Northern Ireland. I noted despite the Troubles the province had a very low crime rate.

Why? Because the Royal Ulster Constabulary had a tremendous sense of mission and dealt efficiently, sharply with even petty offences.

By contrast, at Thames Valley I was often appalled at the way political correctness destroyed that very spirit.

Before I was commissioner I served in the British Army and had spells of duty in Northern Ireland, writes Anthony Stansfeld

I was lucky to have three outstanding Chief Constables over my time but none of us could halt the spread of Leftist dogma, particularly at the College of Policing which trains senior officers and is riddled with wokery.

Here is one example of the Colleges pernicious activities, from an official document. This warns: We need everyone in policing to develop a deep understanding of the many causes of disproportionality [sic]. We must develop effective and robust strategies to eliminate disparity [sic], empowering our workforce to challenge discrimination.

That sounds more like a Green Party manifesto than a police training manual.

Senior officers persistently complain about a lack of resources as an explanation for their pathetic failure to tackle burglaries and shoplifting. Yet these same officers invariably seem to have the personnel to dispatch absurdly large and intimidating squads to arrest otherwise law-abiding citizens for comments made online.

Only last week, businessman Sam Smith revealed 12 officers had turned up on his doorstep to question him after he had made some disparaging remarks about the police on a blog. Having been held overnight in a cell and had his computer seized, he is now planning to sue his Hertfordshire force for 70,000. I wish him the best of luck.

Far too much of this kind of heavy-handed and officious behaviour is taking place. We are sliding towards becoming a society in which we suffer some of the worst aspects of a police state  above all, an insidious and dangerous erosion of our freedom of speech  with none of the more tolerable aspects of authoritarianism, specifically its stern punishment of petty offenders.

As a result, gangs of criminals are acting with almost total impunity while ordinary members of the public are arrested for holding views deemed unacceptable.

Just take the appalling case of Graham Linehan, the brilliant sitcom writer who was arrested at Heathrow Airport last year by six heavily-armed officers purely because he had dared to criticise transgenderism. Or consider the fact that, while it is not an offence to pray in public  as mass prayer events by hundreds of Muslims in Trafalgar Square recently showed  there have been a disturbing number of cases in which a devout Christian has been arrested simply for mounting a silent vigil near an abortion clinic.

This is an affront to all the best British traditions of democracy and liberty. Ours is the country that pioneered Parliamentary governance, invented the concept of constitutional monarchy and defeated Nazi tyranny in the Second World War  yet now the flag of freedom flutters low across our land.

It is time for police to remember what their real job is: tackling violence, theft and fraud. At Thames Valley I watched plenty of good senior officers leave on generous redundancy packages, leading to a wholesale clear-out of experienced and able staff. Mediocrities replaced them. Those are the very people now in charge of policing  and it shows in the results.

We must inject new talent at the top, and the Government should scour the highest echelons of industry and the armed forces for them. There are too many chiefs with meaningless paper qualifications but no leadership qualities.

One exception, as Daily Mail readers may know, is Sir Stephen Watson, who became Chief Constable of Greater Manchester in 2021. Immediately he ditched the defeatist approach of his predecessor, in which police said they did not even have funds to record all crimes, including burglaries. Sir Stephen has turned around crime-fighting by concentrating on the basics, raising morale and introducing proper recording systems.

As he put it in a recent interview: Heres a novel idea: arrest bad people. That used to be the polices approach in Britain  and it worked. Why dont we try it again?

Anthony Stansfeld was Police and Crime Commissioner, Thames Valley, 2012-2021
A cheap daily tablet should be offered to women as young as 18 to slash their risk of breast cancer in half, according to a leading expert  sparking controversy among doctors.

Dr Rebekah Law, a breast cancer surgeon at the prestigious Royal Marsden hospital, believes the 45p pill, tamoxifen, should be offered in the same way as statins  the safe and highly effective daily tablets taken by millions to cut their risk of deadly heart disease.

Currently, tamoxifen is mainly used on the NHS to treat women who already have breast cancer  or to prevent the disease from returning.

In some cases, it is offered to women with a strong family history of the disease or cancer-causing genetic mutations, to prevent the disease from occurring.

However, speaking exclusively to the Daily Mail at the European Breast Cancer Conference in Barcelona, Dr Law argued that women with an increased risk of the disease  such as those with a close family history of breast cancer, for example in a mother or sister  should be offered the chance to take tamoxifen.

Significantly, Dr Law argues that any women  regardless of family history or genetics  who is concerned about developing breast cancer should be allowed to request a tamoxifen prescription.

Unlike statins, which have to be taken for life, Dr Law argues that patients only need to be on tamoxifen for five years in order to lower their risk of breast cancer for the following 20 years.

She says the major intervention is needed to combat the rising number of young women developing breast cancer. More than 10,000 under-50s are diagnosed with the disease every year in the UK now  10 per cent more than in 2010.

Experts from both sides of the debate are concerned that we are leaving screening too late

Dr Law also argues that it is better to prevent breast cancer from occurring than to treat it. Studies show that women who get the disease are significantly more likely to see it return later in life. They are also more likely to suffer financially as a result of their illness and to develop long-term complications such as chronic pain.

But many other experts oppose the move, arguing that tamoxifen can have serious side-effects including debilitating symptoms  often likened to an early menopause  as well as significantly raising the risk of birth defects.

However, despite these criticisms, Dr Law is adamant that women must be given the chance to take tamoxifen.

Tamoxifen should be offered in the same way as statins to all women at risk of breast cancer , she says.

If you give women who are at an increased risk of developing breast cancer a drug like tamoxifen, then you can significantly reduce their risk of developing the disease by up to 50 per cent. So I believe at the very least we should encourage women to give it a go.

So, what is tamoxifen? And is it right for you?

It has long been recommended that women at moderate to high risk of breast cancer should be offered preventive treatments such as tamoxifen

'We are seeing more affected women than healthy women so we need to think about a new system to increase prevention uptake,' says Dr Pascal Pujol, head of oncogenetics at the University Hospital of Montpellier

The need for better ways to prevent breast cancer is clear. The disease affects around 58,000 women every year. While in recent years revolutionary new drug treatments have increased the number of patients who beat breast cancer, it still kills more than 11,000 every year in the UK.

Tamoxifen is what is known as an oestrogen receptor modulator. This means it blocks the female sex hormone oestrogen from getting into breast tissue. This is crucial because many types of breast cancer feed off oestrogen.

Studies show that, via this mechanism, drugs like tamoxifen can stop breast cancer from spreading and  in combination with other treatments like chemo and surgery  can cure patients.

Crucially, research also shows that tamoxifen can slash the risk of breast cancer developing by as much as 50 per cent.

However, only a small number of women  those considered to be at high-risk of developing breast cancer  are offered tamoxifen for this purpose on the NHS.

This is because tamoxifen has a number of side-effects, including hot flushes and night sweats, mood changes and fatigue. It can also lead to irregular periods or stop them altogether.

For this reason, experts liken the side-effects of tamoxifen to an early menopause  though most women find that their periods return if they stop taking the tablets.

Experts warn that tamoxifen also raises the risk of life-threatening complications. Studies show that tamoxifen patients are nearly three times more likely to develop deadly blood clots and endometrial cancer.

Moreover, tamoxifen patients are warned not to get pregnant while on the drug as it significantly raises the risk of birth defects, including physical deformities and genetic diseases.

However, Dr Law argues that these tamoxifen complications only occur when the tablet is taken at high doses.

Instead, she is calling for patients to be offered a smaller daily dose  a quarter of the current amount  in order to avoid these side-effects.

She argues that, on this low tamoxifen dose, patients typically only suffer one hot flush a day, while also seeing their risk of cancer drastically cut.

Dr Law concedes that, since, historically, tamoxifen studies have only involved patients over the age of 30, there is currently no data on how effective it is at preventing cancer in younger people. However, she believes it will have the same protective effect in women as young as 18.

But, other experts say even the smaller dose could put women at needless risk of side-effects and complications.

We dont want to impact an otherwise healthy womans quality of life and sexual wellness just because there is a slight risk she might develop the disease further down the line, says Dr Pascal Pujol, a cancer expert at the University Hospital of Montpellier in France.

Experts also point out that, today, a breast cancer diagnosis is not a death sentence. In fact, research shows that nine in ten women are alive five years after diagnosis. Eight out of ten are alive a decade later.

Others argue that lifestyle changes  like losing excess weight, exercising regularly, and limiting smoking  are effective at lowering the risk of breast cancer, without any of the potential complications of medicines like tamoxifen.

But Dr Law argues that there are many other reasons why women would want to avoid getting the cancer in the first place, including the fact that those who develop it are more likely to see it return later in life, by which point it often harder to treat.

Complications during breast cancer treatment are also common. Studies show that half of women who have breast surgery will experience persistent pain after the procedure.

Meanwhile, a major study, soon to be published, found that a breast cancer diagnosis can cost women up to 12,000 a year, in large part due to lost wages, childcare and travel costs.

Dr Law also says that many women who could benefit from tamoxifen  those who are considered at high-risk  are unaware of the tablet.

Surveys have shown that only 2 per cent of women who receive regular breast cancer screening  meaning they are scanned for the disease every few years  have heard of tamoxifen.

We shouldnt be force-feeding women preventative medication, but we need to be raising awareness and normalising the use of endocrine drugs like tamoxifen, she says.

We have all heard of statins. Our grandparents take them, our parents take them so there is a collective understanding that this is normal  so when we come to be offered it, we are more likely to say yes.

There are huge similarities between the two drugs [statins and tamoxifen] and yet because we havent normalised it in society, women arent aware of its potentially life-saving effects.

READ MORE: Walking for just 30 minutes could help ward off breast cancer
Whos involved in the settlement process?

Settlement is a legal process involving financial representatives (bank or lender) and legal representatives (conveyancer or solicitor) for both buyer and seller.

As a vendor or buyer your involvment in the settlement process will be guided by these financial and legal representatives. You're responsible for providing them with the correct infomation and documentation as required, but they will complete the relevant tasks for settlement on your behalf.

This is why it's vital to engage an experienced conveyancer or solicitor, as they are the ones who finalise the property sale. They are also typically the person who will contact you once the settlement has gone through and ownership has been transferred.

What does a conveyancer do?

Your conveyancer prepares all documents required for the settlement transaction, checking and signing the transfer documents on your behalf for registration with the land titles office.

They also confirm any loan funds are ready to be released and that full payment will be made to the vendor on the agreed upon settlement date, along with any other bills owing to third parties (such as stamp duty and lender's mortgage insurance).

More: Everything you need to know about conveyancing in Victoria.

For vendor's, their conveyancer ensures full payment is paid to the vendor at their direction, less any payments required to third parties such as loan repayments or real estate agents.

Once the funds have cleared to the vendor, ownership of the property is transferred to the new owner at the same time.

Who tells council that a property has changed ownership?

Your conveyancer or lawyer will typically alert local council, water authorities, the State Revenue Office and owner's corporation (where applicable) once settlement is complete.

Council rates remain the responsibility of the seller up until and including the day of settlement. As part of your settlement, your conveyancer will draft a 'Statement of Adjustments' that fairly splits any costs that go with the property.

For example, a vendor may have already paid their annual council rates in full. If the property is sold halfway through that rates period, the buyer will take over ownership with six months of prepaid rates already covered. The Statement of Adjustments ensures this is accounted for at settlement, with the buyer reimbursing the vendor for their share of the rates.

It's important your conveyancer accounts for any debts the seller owes on the property prior to settlement so that you do not inherit them with the property.

Note: with the exception of water, connecting utilities to the property is the responsibility of the buyer. You can contact your preferred electricity, gas and internet companies prior to settlement to arrange for connections to occur on settlement day.
Ben Crofts doesnt join his family at the table for meal times; instead, he takes his plate to a quiet room and eats alone. The reason? He suffers from misophonia  an intolerance of sounds, where noises such as chewing and crunching trigger emotional or physiological responses.

The 50-year-old musician from Somerset has lived with it all his life  it has ruined relationships and caused him immense anxiety.

And hes far from alone. Studies suggest 20 per cent of the population report symptoms resembling misophonia.

But its difficult to draw a line between everyday disliking, and the extreme disliking found in misophonia, explains Julia Simner, a professor of neuropsychology at the University of Sussex.

She estimates that 9 per cent of us, roughly six million Britons, suffer with serious debilitating misophonia.

Many people dislike the sound of someone slurping, for instance  but clinically significant misophonics will feel the extreme rage and disgust that makes living with it almost impossible.

Eating sounds are the most common trigger for people with misophonia, adds Professor Simner.

Some dislike crunching while others dislike wet sounds, such as eating yoghurt. But we know there are other common triggers  such as ticking clocks or clicking keyboards.

Ben Crofts suffers from misophonia  an intolerance of sounds, where noises such as chewing and crunching trigger emotional or physiological responses

A recent study of those with misophonia, led by Professor Simner, identified at least 39 different triggers.

Whatever the trigger it can have serious implications, as Professor Simner explains: Even as children, people with misophonia had significantly poorer life satisfaction, quality of life, anxiety, depression, obsessive compulsive traits and emotion dysregulation [ie, feeling negative emotions sooner, deeper and for longer than other people].

It can affect everyday life in almost every way: leading to work avoidance, school avoidance, family conflict, loneliness, isolation, frustration.

People with misophonia may find the actions of others, even loved ones, intolerable, she says. This can drive wedges between friends and family members.

Zara Kadir, a family psychotherapist at The Therapy Shed in Kingston upon Thames, says it is not uncommon to see misophonia put strain on relationships.

Misophonia can turn bonding experiences [such as shared meal times] into moments of stress and disconnect.

Common misophonia triggers According to research by the University of Surrey, these are the most common triggers for people with misophonia: Chewing, lip smacking, wet mouth sounds, throat clearing, slurping, sniffing, crunchy or crispy foods, swallowing, foot tapping, pen tapping or clicking, coughing, snoring, breathing, leg rocking, humming, whistling, plastic rustling, dog barking, burping, clock ticking, paper rustling, foot shuffling, typing, certain letter sounds, accents, hiccupping, sneezing, snorting, fridge sounds, car sounds, other background noises.

The triggered party can feel unsafe, guilty, overwhelmed and misunderstood  while the trigger [ie, the person making the offensive noise], feels overly criticised, rejected and controlled.

She adds: If its approached with understanding, small practical adjustments  maybe even humour  it can be overcome.

Misophonia had been considered a form of anxiety disorder  but new research in the Annual Review of Clinical Psychology concluded that the anger, irritation and resentment that it triggers suggest otherwise.

There is research that shows that in people with misophonia, certain parts of the brain become switched on when they hear their trigger sounds.

A 2017 study published in Current Biology based on scans of people with the condition found that a key alarm system in the brain switched on far more strongly than in other people, explains Professor Simner. The brain areas involved are called the salience network.

This decides whats important and demands attention, she explains. In ancient times, it would have lit up in a human the moment they spotted a lion on the horizon because it signals pay attention  take care.

A crucial region in this network is the anterior insular cortex; it became especially overactive in people with misophonia. In other words, the misophonic brain reacts to these noises as if theyre as impossible to ignore as a lion.

Its unclear why some people develop misophonia, though it is partly genetic. And women seem to have stronger symptoms than men, says Professor Simner.

Ben was 12 when he first noticed feeling aggravated by the noise others made when eating.

He recalls: I remember feeling really annoyed if someone chewed near me. But I had no way of explaining this, so I ignored it.

But it got worse. Soon, tapping and clicking  common sounds in classrooms  began to aggravate him too. It became outright rage  Id have to remove myself from the room, says Ben.

Conflict was never far away, often resulting in being removed from a class. In the long run it negatively affected my results.

Ben married young and had children in his 20s.

Children make noise and so this exacerbated it, he recalls. Screaming could, at times, trigger me. High frequency and discordant sounds seem to be more powerful triggers.

Zara Kadir, a family psychotherapist, says it is not uncommon to see misophonia put strain on relationships

By now, it was way past irritation and made me irrationally mad. Id never get violent, but if I let myself I would turn a place over or tear someone apart  thats how angry noises made me.

It led to rows with his wife at the time, who he could not stand to be around when she was eating or making certain noises.

We divorced after five years, says Ben. The constant fight-or-flight state I would be in made me far from pleasant to be around.

It was around the time his marriage ended that Ben came across the term misophonia online.

It sounded just like me  so I went to my GP to get help, he says. But over the years he was told variously it was depression and there was nothing they could do  or he was met with blank stares or a smirk, no one seemed to know what it was.

One GP even referred Ben  without his knowledge  to a dementia service. (They were as confused as I was and told me not to come! he recalls.)

Professor Simner says that treatment and referrals for misophonia can vary depending on whether your GP is sympathetic.

You may be referred to an audiology clinic, she says. They may run an assessment to provide a diagnosis and rule out hyperacusis. (Here, ordinary sounds feel physically too loud or even painful  whereas misophonia involves how the brain interprets sound.)

Some experts suggest white noise or background music can drown out triggering sounds.

Surprisingly, Ben finds his work as a musician peaceful.

While Im making music its one of the few times I can relax knowing I wont be triggered, he says.

In the studio, he is in control of the noise. Ben says: In daily life, I cant control someone crunching or rustling a packet  but in a studio, I control the sounds.

Apart from a brief spell trying antidepressants in his 30s, Ben has had no help from doctors.

He says: Ive tried many times over the years to access help for misophonia  but theres been no progress and its been a demoralising journey, resulting in a much adjusted way of life for me.

Ben, a 50-year-old musician from Somerset, has lived with misophonia all his life  it has ruined relationships and caused him immense anxiety

Some experts suggest white noise or background music can drown out triggering sounds. Surprisingly, Ben finds his work as a musician peaceful. While Im making music its one of the few times I can relax knowing I wont be triggered, he says

It has made new relationships difficult, for instance.

Partners felt unable to make me comfortable, or maybe didnt feel it was their problem, says Ben. Its an unreasonable scenario for most to tolerate.

Then, seven years ago, he met Jane, 46, a firefighter.

I told her from the outset that I had misophonia as so many relationships had failed before, says Ben. She didnt baulk and vowed to support me  and she has.

Jane found charities and support groups for Ben to join, and adapted to his needs.

We cook together and then eat in separate rooms, he says. It may not be family-friendly, but it works for us and gives me peace.

Ben still regularly has to leave meals and social events if his misophonia flares up.

I dont even excuse myself any more, he says. If someone is crunching or rustling, I just get up and leave. The rage I feel otherwise is overwhelming.

He adds: I hope my story encourages GPs and medical professionals to learn more about misophonia. It wrecks relationships, careers and social lives.

If you or someone you know may be affected by misophonia, visit misophonia-hub.org for support.
For Dawn Lord and her husband, Steve, a recent overnight stay in the Lake District marked something of a milestone.

The getaway  the kind of trip the couple used to take often  was the first time in two years that Dawn felt well enough to leave their home in Hartlepool since a routine medical procedure caused her such intense pain and trauma that it triggered a breakdown.

Like around 60,000 women in the UK each year, Dawn underwent a hysteroscopy in May 2023  a procedure to look inside the womb, which the NHS generally regards as routine and low risk. The procedure is used to investigate polyps (a benign growth in the womb), unexplained bleeding and causes of infertility.

It involves a speculum being used to hold open the vagina, then a hysteroscope (a telescope-like device, with a camera and light) being inserted through the cervix (the neck of the womb  a narrow space, which can sometimes be very rigid), before fluid is pumped inside to distend the womb to make it easier to see whats going on. All of which can trigger pain.

However, hysteroscopy is typically performed in outpatient clinics (rather than staying in hospital)  often without pain relief.

Yet one in three women experience severe pain during a hysteroscopy, rating it at least seven out of ten, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.

At no point was Dawn warned about this. I went in thinking it was just a regular check, recalls Dawn, 52, a mother of one. I wasnt advised to take anything beforehand, not even paracetamol. But it ruined my life for almost two years.

Dawn had been referred to hospital after a routine blood test showed raised CA125 levels  a possible indicator of ovarian cancer  and after scans revealed a polyp, her consultant wanted to examine the area with a camera.

I never imagined Id be howling in pain. It was like being knifed.' Dawn Lord says her hysteroscopy'ruined my life for almost two years'

Like around 60,000 women in the UK each year, Dawn underwent a hysteroscopy in May 2023 (picture posed by models)

What followed, she says, was unlike anything shed been prepared for. Dawn recalls: On the day, before the procedure, the consultant said I might feel a bit of cramping.

I never imagined Id be howling in pain. It was like being knifed; the pain went right through my body, into my womb and my bottom. It was so intense I felt my back lift off the bed.

This month, the House of Commons Women and Equalities Committee published a damning report in which it attacked the lack of progress on the problem of painful gynaecological procedures, such as hysteroscopies and some intrauterine device contraceptive coil fittings.

The committee described womens harrowing, painful experiences of [these] procedures as being one of the most troubling aspects of their inquiry into women and girls menstrual health.

About 20 minutes into her hysteroscopy, with Dawn now crying for something to end the pain, the consultant agreed to inject a local anaesthetic into her cervix. But the knife-like pain persisted. Eventually, she was offered gas and air  Entonox, often used in childbirth  but it hardly helped. By then the 45-minute procedure was almost over.

Afterwards, Dawn was left shaking, only able to walk clinging on to husband Steve for support.

The consultant told me my cervix was tight and that sometimes pain just happens, says Dawn.

The pain lingered for weeks, leaving her bedbound. She also bled for several weeks (normally, if there is bleeding it lasts no more than a couple of days). Her GP prescribed antibiotics in case it was an infection, as well as a range of strong painkillers. But the shock of it all left Dawn in a permanent state of anguish.

I felt so low I couldnt do anything, she told Good Health, describing being incapable of mustering the energy to move around the house, let alone leave it, for months after. In short, she reflects, she felt broken by the experience.

Dawn believes theres a lingering assumption among healthcare professionals that women whove experienced childbirth  she has one son  will find gynaecological procedures tolerable.

She also feels certain she could have been spared her ordeal had she been offered adequate pain relief in good time.

This is something grassroots group the Campaign Against Painful Hysteroscopy has heard from thousands of women.

To date, it has gathered 8,000 testimonies of women with shocking stories that echo Dawns  many report not being informed that a hysteroscopy can be painful or being given information about pain relief options.

Dr Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib, a consultant obstetrician, says 'pain may be underestimated'

Such experiences speak to a wider question: in an age of modern medicine, why are many procedures on women, from smear tests to mammograms, still so painful?

It could explain the relatively low uptake among women for cancer screening  tests and checks that save thousands of lives each year.

More than five million women in England are not up to date with their routine cervical screenings, for instance, according to 2024 data. Like hysteroscopy, cervical screening also involves a speculum being used to hold open the vagina to access the cervix. A YouGov survey last year of 3,000 women found 42 per cent found it painful.

And just 63.6 per cent of women invited for mammograms to screen for breast cancer in England attended last year (2024/25).

An NHS survey of 2,000 women last year found that a fifth of women said they preferred not to have a mammogram as theyve heard its painful.

Pain is hugely individual and subjective  and there are multiple factors that alter a womans experience of a procedure.

For example, a drop in the hormone oestrogen after the menopause means vaginal tissue can be thinner and drier, making the insertion of a speculum more painful. Scarring (from childbirth or previous surgery, for instance) or pre-existing conditions, such as endometriosis or Crohns disease, can alter how pain signals from nerves in the pelvic area behave.

In other words, what some women experience as no big deal, can be intensely painful for others.

There can be an assumption that certain procedures are generally well tolerated, says Dr Mehrnoosh Aref-Adib, a consultant obstetrician and gynaecologist at Whipps Cross NHS Hospital and the private London Gynaecology practice.

While some patients feel little or no discomfort, this can result in unrealistic expectations of patients and doctors, she adds. I often find it hard to predict who will find something painful. When this variation is not fully recognised, pain may be underestimated.

Dr Jennifer Byrom, a consultant gynaecologist at Birmingham Womens Hospital and Priory Hospital in Edgbaston, agrees that womens pain associated with routine procedures is sometimes underestimated by clinicians.

She adds that a further consideration is that women may feel anxious or even embarrassed about intimate procedures.

If a woman is anxious, shell be tense in the pelvic floor [muscles that span the bottom of the pelvis and support the bladder, bowel and womb]  and this could make it uncomfortable to be examined, she explains.

This is why the culture needs to change, so that women dont feel they should grin and bear it. Doctors need to make clear that pain relief options are available.

For her part, Dawn has since learned she should have been offered pain relief in advance.

A nurse I spoke to a few days afterwards told me this, which was incredibly frustrating, she says. Ive since complained to the hospital and they apologised.

Its taken me two years to feel anything like myself again  and thats just because of the passing of time. Women need to be listened to, not dismissed, as I was.

Here, with the help of top experts, we look at procedures many women undergo that can cause pain  and how to minimise it.

Professor Daniel Leff, a consultant breast surgeon at the King Edward VIIs Hospital in London, says that compression during a mammogram can cause pain

Mammograms

These low-dose X-rays detect early signs of breast cancer and are routinely offered to women aged 50 to 70 in the UK in a national screening programme.

Each breast in turn is compressed between two parts of the machine  known as the paddle and the plate. The breast is placed on the plate, and the paddle descends from above to flatten the tissue for a few seconds so images can be taken from different angles.

It needs to be tight to produce clear images, which are vital to detecting cancer, particularly early-stage cancers.

That compression  plus individual breast sensitivity and positioning  is the main cause of pain and tenderness, explains Professor Daniel Leff, a consultant breast surgeon at the King Edward VIIs Hospital in London.

Breasts are also more sensitive before a womans period, while a cold examination room and sudden exposure to cold surfaces can increase sensitivity.

Small breasts can sometimes be more painful as there is less tissue to spread between the plates.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT: Time the appointment  if its not urgent  for seven to 14 days after a period, when breasts are usually less tender, says Professor Leff.

Take simple pain relief [paracetamol or ibuprofen] 30 to 60 minutes before, wear a two-piece outfit so only the top is removed  and ask for a warm room or for the technologist to warm the paddle first, he adds.

Also tell them if youre tender, ask for gradual compression breaks, or repositioning if uncomfortable. If its still too painful, ultrasound or MRI scans may be other options.

Mammograms with separate foot controls (available privately) may help women control the level and pace of compression themselves.

The coil

A coil  or intrauterine device (IUD)  is a small, T-shaped contraceptive placed inside the womb. Around 45,000 coils are fitted every year in the UK.

The procedure should take around five minutes, but in complicated cases  for example, a narrow cervix or having fibroids [benign growths]  it can take up to 20 minutes. Pain relief is not routinely offered.

A speculum is used to access the cervix. This itself can be uncomfortable depending on a womans oestrogen levels [because the hormone helps tissue thickness, as well as elasticity, lubrication and blood flow], says Dr Aref-Adib.

Thats why postmenopausal women or breastfeeding women can find it more painful.

The coil is then inserted through the cervix. Sometimes, if the cervix is too rigid, other instruments are used to dilate it  some women find this intensely painful. This can lead to whats known as a visceral reaction, triggering nausea or labour-like cramps. Once the coil is in place, the uterus may briefly contract  a feeling like period pain. (Removal tends to cause less discomfort, though it still requires a speculum.)

HOW TO IMPROVE IT: Inserting the speculum can sometimes be easier during a womans period when the cervix is already slightly open, says Dr Aref-Adib.

Taking paracetamol and ibuprofen about an hour before the procedure can help with cramping. Its also possible to use a local anaesthetic gel and, if the cervix needs to be held steady, a small anaesthetic injection can numb the area. Ask if these are available.

Dr Aref-Adib says: Some clinics might offer gas and air. There are also newer instruments being trialled which hold open the cervix with a gentle vacuum-like suction, so reducing potential pain and bleeding.

Dr Byrom adds: If youve had a painful experience before  whether a cervical smear or previous coil fitting  or have pelvic pain or pain during sex, then tell the person doing the fitting.

Smear test

This five-minute procedure is used to detect human papillomavirus, or HPV, which can cause cell changes in the cervix that may develop into cancer  its offered to women aged 25 to 64 in the UK.

A nurse or doctor would use a speculum, then a brush is used to collect cells from the cervix  which are sent for testing. Its usually done without pain relief.

The level of discomfort varies widely, explains Dr Lucy Hooper, a GP at Coyne Medical in London who specialises in obstetrics and gynaecology.

Dr Lucy Hooper says endometriosis can affect how nerve endings sense pain

It may be harder to locate the cervix if the uterus is tilted backwards [you might only know this from a previous pelvic scan or examination].

Endometriosis and other causes of chronic pelvic pain can also affect how the nerve endings sense pain, as the nerves themselves may be damaged, she adds.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT: Dr Byrom says the size of the speculum used is crucial.

I have a selection of speculum sizes and would use a small one in particular on women who havent had children, for instance, she explains. Women should know they can ask their specialist what size speculum they are using and express concerns.

Whatever a womans history, stretching can feel sharp, especially if youre tense or the speculum isnt a perfect fit, adds Dr Sachchidananda Maiti, a consultant gynaecologist and obstetrician at the private Pall Mall Medical centre in Manchester.

Researchers at Addenbrookes Hospital in Cambridge are trialling a method that involves lifting the top few layers of cells from the cervix onto a 2.5cm absorbent disc of paper rather than scraping them off, to reduce pain.

If you find smears painful or stressful, request a double appointment to allow for extra time. And tell the GP practice if youve had pain before or suffer with conditions such as endometriosis or vaginismus (where muscles tighten involuntarily).

Dr Maiti adds: Going slowly, explaining each step, stopping if you ask and using vaginal oestrogen before the test in the case of menopausal dryness can make a big difference.

Last June, the Department of Health announced it will automatically send out self-testing kits to women who havent responded to smear screening invitations for six months.

The swab is inserted a short way into the vagina (not as far as the cervix), rotated for ten to 30 seconds  and then placed in a collection tube and sent to a lab.

Hysteroscopy

The pain from a hysteroscopy  used to examine the womb for polyps or causes of infertility  usually happens as the camera (typically less than 4mm) enters the womb and saline solution is injected to dilate it and make it easier to see inside.

This can lead to the uterus reacting, causing intense period-like pains, says Dr Michelle Swer, a consultant gynaecologist at St Georges University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and London Gynaecology.

HOW TO IMPROVE IT: Taking painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen  or codeine, if a stronger drug is needed  an hour before can help, says Dr Swer.

Its also important that women are informed what the procedure involves and know they do have an option to have this done under a light anaesthetic.

The NHS says its also possible to have intravenous sedation (where youre not fully unconscious as with a general anaesthetic, but not fully awake either)  or even a general anaesthetic. Not all clinics offer this, so youd need to be referred to one that does.

Some NHS clinics use mini, flexible hysteroscopes with the vaginoscopic technique  this avoids the use of a speculum, instead inserting the camera into the vagina without clamping the cervix.

Dr Byrom adds that GPs can prescribe the sedative diazepam before an examination if a woman is really distressed  so dont be afraid to ask.
A mother who 'hates' the way she looks with her 'heavy and saggy' size 40K-cup breasts is desperately fundraising for surgery after claiming the NHS turned her down at least 20 times.





Joanna Brice, 52, from Devon, said she was 'flat-chested' until she turned 13, when her breasts suddenly grew to a C cup, leaving her self-conscious and the target of teasing at school.

'People, especially boys, would make fun of them, calling them jugs or melons,' she said.

'They were inappropriate, pulling my bra straps, and it just made me more self-conscious. They always looked at my boobs first - they weren't interested in me as a person.'

Ms Brice's breasts continued to grow after having children. By her first daughter's birth in 1996, she wore a size 38DD bra and by her second daughter's birth in 2000, she wore a size 40EE.

In the 2010s, she reached a G cup and today her right breast measures 40K with her left at 40HH.

She experiences severe back pain, nerve damage and fungal infections under her breasts.

Shopping for bras is 'very frustrating,' she said, with a single bra costing at least 40, breaking frequently and leaving permanent dents in her shoulders.

Joanna Brice, 52, from Devon, experiences severe back pain, nerve damage and fungal infections under her breasts

Joanna's breasts continued to grow after having children. By her first daughter's birth in 1996, she was a 38DD and by her second daughter's birth in 2000, a 40EE

'I feel sore, sweaty, and horrible at the end of every day,' Ms Brice said.

'I even apply Sudocrem under my breasts daily, otherwise I get paper cuts.'

Swimming has become problematic because she cannot find suitable costumes. She struggles to sleep, maintain a healthy lifestyle and socialise.

'Losing weight didn't help,' she said. 'It just made my breasts look even worse. It's exhausting, frustrating, depressing and miserable.

'I feel my breasts have caused self-image problems and self-doubt.'

Ms Brice says she has requested a breast reduction through the NHS at least 20 times since 2000, citing both physical pain and mental health struggles.

Despite providing photographs and letters from her GP explaining the toll, her requests were repeatedly denied, often being labelled as cosmetic rather than medically necessary.

'It's not a cosmetic thing - I just want to be smaller so I can buy a cheaper bra, wear clothes that aren't like a tent, and not be in pain all the time,' she said.

The weight of Ms Brice's bust has left her with painful sores and rubbing from her bra straps

Unable to get NHS funding, Ms Brice is now fundraising for private surgery, which she estimates will cost 10,000. The procedure would move her nipples, remove excess fat and tissue and reshape her breasts.

'The surgery would help everything in my life,' she said.

'I just want to be looked at for me, not my boobs. I hate the way I look because of them. I just had enough and I'm desperate,' she said.

A spokesperson from NHS Devon said: 'We are sorry to hear of Joanna's situation. NHS Devon does not routinely commission breast reduction surgery, as set out in our commissioning policy.

'When an individual's clinician considers they have exceptional clinical circumstances, a request can be submitted through the NHS Devon Individual Funding Request (IFR) process.'

It is not known how many breast reductions were performed on the NHS last year.

However, figures released by the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons revealed that in 2023 there were 4,641 procedures carried out in both the NHS and private sectors.

In the UK, if going private, breast reduction surgery costs around 6,500, plus the cost of any consultations or follow-up care.

Ms Brice's right breast measures 40K with her left at 40HH

Breast reduction surgery is carried out under general anaesthetic and takes between two and three hours.

It involves surgeons removing excess fat, glandular tissue and skin from the breasts, moving the nipples to their new position and reshaping the remaining breast tissue.

Earlier this year, a young mother-of-one claimed she was also struggling to get local NHS chiefs to agree to perform a life-changing op - despite coming close to death because of them.

Lily Porter, 21, a care assistant from Retford, Nottinghamshire, claims that she is in constant pain due to her 36NN breasts.

In September 2025 she contracted sepsis because the weight of her bust tore her skin and she developed an infection.

She said: 'The weight of my boobs has caused my skin to tear and this lead to an infection that gave me sepsis.

'It was horrendous, and the infection hasn't cleared up, I'm at risk of getting sepsis again.

'I'm constantly depressed and crying. I'm in pain all the time.'

The reason why the NHS has refused to operate on Ms Porter is because her BMI places her in the obese category - and frustratingly, she says that this is because of nearly a third of her bodyweight is carried in her breasts.

She said: 'The NHS say my BMI is too high for a reduction, but most of my weight is in my boobs.'
A major shake-up could be coming to grocery stores in California  and it might just help health-conscious shoppers.

In a new bill, California state has proposed a first-in-nation label that would warn consumers which foods are ultra-processed.

Under the plan, foods that are not ultra-processed  such as canned beans, yogurt and sauces made with few ingredients  would be able to apply for and carry a new label, 'California Certified,' that would signal they are not heavily processed. It would function in the same way as other labels, such as USDA Organic.

Grocery stores would also be required to place these approved products in prime locations, such as at the end of aisles, checkout lanes and store entrances.

There is no federal definition for ultra-processed, but California is using its own, which says a food is ultra-processed if it contains artificial flavors, colors, emulsifiers or stabilizers and is high in added sugar, sodium or fat.

The bill, dubbed AB2244, was introduced to California's House last month. If approved, legislators say the label would first be used in 2028.

It was proposed by Democrat Congressman Jesse Gabriel, who said: 'Parents shouldn't need a PhD in chemistry to understand what they're feeding their kids.

'Like the USDA Organic label, this new seal will empower consumers with clear, trustworthy information and make it easier for them to locate healthier foods that are free from harmful additives.

Legislators could bring in a new label for non-ultra-processed food sold in grocery stores (stock image)

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'While Washington DC is paralyzed by inaction, California is stepping up to protect our kids and confront the health risks associated with ultra-processed foods.'

It comes as the federal government prepares to publish its first-ever definition of ultra-processed foods next month.

Robert F Kennedy Jr, the Health and Human Services Secretary, has said he is also considering adding front-of-pack nutrition labels to products high in fats, salts and other nutrients.

About 55 percent of the calories that Americans consume daily are from ultra-processed foods, according to the CDC. Among children, 62 percent of their calories come from ultra-processed foods.

These foods are often hyperpalatable and easily digested. A growing body of research has linked them to chronic diseases, including obesity, cancer, heart disease, type 2 diabetes and metabolic problems.

So far, the bill has been read in California's House and is now set to be heard by the state's Health Committee in the coming months.

To become law, it will need to pass both California's House and Senate and then be signed by the Governor. Governor Gavin Newsom's term ends in January 2027.

Supporters of the bill hope it will prompt manufacturers to use fewer or natural ingredients in their products in order to get them approved for the label.

The above is a mockup of what the California Certified label could look like

Products that are considered to be ultra-processed include sodas under the Californian definition (stock image)

Foods likely to be considered ultra-processed in California include packaged breads, sodas and potato chips. Foods generally considered healthy, such as salad kits or dressings, can also have additives that make them ultra-processed.

Members of Congress in California argue that the bill will address widespread consumer confusion around nutrition labeling and ingredient lists. But representatives of food manufacturers say it will unfairly single out foods, arguing there is no definition for ultra-processed foods. They also say it could make nutrition overly complex.

The bill has already attracted celebrity support. Maria Menounos, a former TV host who backs the bill, said at a news conference this week: 'I know a lot of people will say, "Well, shop on the outside aisles," but not everybody's there yet.

'Until they get to that place, there are going to be things in the middle they're going to want.'

Gabriel, who proposed the bill, was also behind the California's 'Skittles ban,' which saw it become the first state in the nation to ban the use of certain food dyes.

The ban was passed in October 2023 and is set to come into force on January 1, 2027.

The federal government has also sought to pile pressure on businesses that use artificial colors. In October 2025, California also signed into law the nation's first-ever ban on ultra-processed foods being served in school meals.
In todays world, where uncertainty feels constant and headlines rarely offer calm, anxiety is rife.

Research in 2023 found that 37.1% of women and 29.9% of men reported high levels of anxiety in the UK, and the levels of mental illness are steadily rising, according to Minds 2025 report.

If you think of a standardised definition of anxiety, it's an intolerance of uncertainty, says Owen OKane, a leading psychotherapist and bestselling author, The one thing that we've got in the world at the moment is a large volume of uncertainty at every level. When volume is high like that, people's tolerance level begins to drop.

From economic instability to global crises, the constant stream of unknowns is pushing people beyond their coping threshold, and this is having an impact across the generations. Evidence would say at the moment that right across the population groups, younger populations, middle aged and older people generally people are feeling more anxious than they've been traditionally, says OKane. Ive been working in mental health for 30 years, and Ive never seen levels as high.

Owen OKane, a leading psychotherapist and bestselling author

But are we more anxious than ever, or just more willing to talk about it? And how do you know when general worry has tipped over into a level of anxiety that requires medical attention? Here OKane delves into the modern anxiety epidemic, and explains his approach to helping people live a life less shackled by worry.

Why dismissing anxiety as just normal life can be dangerous

Theres still a lingering attitude that anxiety is simply part of life, or even something exaggerated by younger people, says OKane. I think this kind of old school notion, oh, you young, not are all anxious and everybody's worried. I think it's a very dangerous assumption to make, he says.

Dismissing anxiety risks invalidating those who are genuinely struggling, and may prevent people from seeking help when they need it most.

Of course, to worry is a normal part of life, but as OKane describes it, there is a difference between functional worry and anxiety.

If someones kid was sick and they were worried about that, or theyre worried about paying their mortgage, that's a very normal functional worry, he says. Anxiety, however, goes further, affecting the body, thoughts and daily functioning.

Its about physiological sensations that happen in the body. It's about the volume of worry. It's about the amount of catastrophizing that goes on, and the amount of dread, fear and doom that moves along with it, says OKane. It's the impact in someone's life, on their relationships and how they're managing their everyday world. Their anxiety stops them engaging with work, or it's impacting on their social life or their relationship, how they're functioning and coping day to day.

A key sign is when anxiety starts to take over: If someone's had anxiety for a number of weeks, and the bad days start to outnumber the good days and it's truly impacting on their everyday life that is a really good time to get a bit of help, says OKane. Speaking to your GP about how youre feeling is a good step to seeking help.

In his career as an NHS lead psychotherapist, O'Kane saw soaring levels of anxiety.

Learning to manage anxiety

One of the biggest underlying problems? Most of us were never taught how to deal with anxiety in the first place.

Most of us are not really taught how to manage anxiety; we sort of crash land into adulthood and we're left to get on with it, says OKane. Without tools or understanding, its easy for anxiety to spiral, or to go unrecognised entirely.

This could explain partly the huge rise in anxiety among young people; Mind found that those aged 1624 are particularly affected by the growth in mental health problems, with prevalence rates rising from 17.5% in 2007 to 25.8% in 202324.

In his work, says OKane, I notice a lot of social anxiety with younger people, around socialising, meeting new people, how they self-evaluate. The internet of course plays a huge part in this. In a world that's very dominated by online culture and scrolling, theyre not always having to interact face to face, says OKane.

Other types of anxiety on the rise

While social anxiety in the younger generation is increasing, other types of anxiety are becoming prominent in all age groups. I do notice a lot of health anxiety right across the board, says OKane.

This could be partly down to the lingering impact of the Covid pandemic and lockdown, an experience many feel hasnt been fully addressed or dealt with, both on and individual and societal level. OKane dubbed the term post pandemic stress disorder in 2020, when speculating about what the aftermath of the pandemic could look like. I did talk about the kind of the residual hangover that would likely come from the pandemic, he explains.

Spiralling mental health figures would suggest his predictions were correct; despite society moving on quickly, the psychological effects linger. We've ploughed ahead like nothing's happened, but we'd be foolish to think that if you take entire population groups and disconnect them from their everyday life and their routines, with a state of threat hanging around the whole time, that it wouldn't have a long term impact, says OKane. Its been brushed under the carpet, but were seeing anxiety levels higher than weve ever seen them before.

How to handle the news without spiralling

In a 24/7 news cycle, avoiding anxiety triggers entirely is almost impossible. But how we engage with the news matters. I think people have to make individual decisions about how much they're going to absorb, says OKane.

Setting boundaries can make a real difference. I have a blanket policy that I don't watch the news going to bed, he says. If I watch 30 minutes of horrific headlines, how on earth would I sleep properly?

Be conscious that if you over-consume on a certain news story you are going to feed your own worry patterns. You have to make decisions about what to invest in and what you dont invest in, advises OKane.

And its important to remember: not every feared outcome becomes reality. Some neuroscientist studies tell us that 90% of things that we worry about in life don't come to any fruition, says O'Kane. This is well worth bearing in mind when it comes to consuming the news.

Some neuroscientist studies tell us that 90% of things that we worry about in life don't come to any fruition, says O'Kane.

The anxious brain wont stop searching for answers

One of anxietys most exhausting traits is the constant need to solve everything.

The anxious brain will think of every outcome because it believes it has to solve a problem, says OKane. Its like the best journalist you will ever meet, just creating story after story after story.

Many of his clients say that hate their anxiety and actively try to squash it down, but trying to suppress a part of yourself like this isnt necessarily effective, says OKane. It might sound counterintuitive, but trying to eliminate anxiety entirely can actually make it stronger.

The biggest problem of anxiety is the relationship people have with it, says OKane. Most people reject it, but anything you try to repress or suppress will come back.

Instead, its something to understand and work with. OKane uses the analogy of parenting a scared child  rather than sending them away, you would try to acknowledge and soothe them. It is this approach he finds more effective when working with people with anxiety.

What happens in the brain during anxiety

Understanding the brain helps explain why anxiety feels so overwhelming.

When the body detects a threat it sends a message to the brain: there's danger, says OKane. The amygdala - the brains alarm system - kicks in and at the same time, the rational thinking part of the brain (the prefrontal cortex) shuts down. This is why logic often disappears in anxious moments. It's not possible to be rational, because the brain's in a state of survival, says OKane.

When it comes to tackling anxiety, a key thing is learning how to notice this cycle begin  and if possible nipping it in the bud. Its about making a decision to say Alright, heres a trigger moment where my worry processes are beginning to kick in, but I dont need to get over-invested, says OKane.

Physically soothing your body is a good method  whether thats adopting breathing techniques, listening to music or meditating. You allow the body to decompress, and you immediately deactivate that sense of threat, says OKane. Youre looking to short circuit the usual worry spiral, so that you can then use the logical part of your brain to negotiate with the anxious part.

How to cope with 3am spirals

Most of us have been there  you wake up in the middle of the night and suddenly find yourself gripped with panic about everything that ever has gone or could go wrong in your life. Even an anxiety expert like OKane understands this feeling, and shares what he does to deal with it.

If I wake at three in the morning and I know that I'm an overdrive, I always stop and check in with my body first, says OKane. Ill do a quick body scan and work out where Im feeling tension  most of the time its in my chest or throat. Ill focus on this point and breathe  in for four counts through the nose, hold for five, and then release with a long exhale. And I make a decision, that though there are lots of worries around at the moment, I will not engage with them.

The tendency when you wake up in the middle of the night can be to start panicking  wondering how quickly you will go back to sleep and counting how many hours until you have to get up  but OKane says instead it is all about accepting the moment you are in. I remove the pressure to sleep - sleep will come when I need it to, he says.

Another powerful technique is worry time, which is best done an hour or two before you go to bed. Write down all of the things that you're worried about and ask: do I have control over this? Is there any immediate action I can take to address any of these worries? says OKane. There might be a couple you can take action on  making a phone call or sending an email, for example  but the majority of things will be more like I cant do anything to solve the crisis in the Middle East today, in which case you then say Am I willing to park these worries? says OKane. It doesnt mean that youre avoiding or denying them, youre just deciding that its not for now. By dealing with such worries when youre in a more rational mindset, it means that when they show up at 3am you have evidence for yourself that its not something to be addressed right now.

Looking for more help with anxiety? In his BBC Maestro course A Life Less Anxious, Owen shares practical, everyday tools drawn from more than 25 years of clinical experience, helping people manage anxiety, emotional overwhelm and the pressures of modern life. Rather than quick fixes, the course reframes anxiety as something to understand and work with, rather than constantly battling it.
It's a stalwart of the UK High Street, and now Marks & Spencer Fashion is officially making the jump across the pond.

The heritage British brand has overhauled its clothing department to cater to a younger audience with fashion-forward designs, and bosses in the US have taken note.

For the first time, a selection of M&S's bestselling womenswear items will be sold in-store and online by the upmarket department chain Nordstrom.

The launch followed research by the brand, which found that one in ten Americans had M&S clothes on their radar, with awareness concentrated among 25 to 34-year-olds.

Nordstrom, in 30 locations from Los Angeles to New York, will sell 60 pieces from the M&S's most-loved collections.

It's the latest sign of success across the Atlantic for the brand, which sells 30,000 bags of Percy Pigs every week at Target, having launched food products with the US retailer in 2022.

It's far from the first overseas triumph for M&S. In Australia, where it launched its first-ever global fashion wholesale partnership with David Jones last year, it's set to increase offerings in the coming weeks following impressive sales.

Nordstrom, in 30 locations across the US, will sell 60 pieces from M&S's popular collections

Approximately 30,000 bags of M&S's Percy Pigs are sold in US Target stores a week

Discussing the global rollout, Mark Lemming, managing director of international at M&S, said: 'Our purpose is to bring the best of M&S to customers around the world.

'With strong brand momentum as the UK's most trusted retailer and now leading in style, quality and value perceptions in our womenswear range, now is the time to build our brand awareness in the US fashion market and establish ourselves as a globally trusted brand.

'We're delighted to partner with Nordstrom, a partner who shares our values and will support us as we accelerate our growth.'

Emily Crandall, executive vice president and general merchandise manager of women's and men's apparel at Nordstrom, commented: 'We're always looking for new ways to inspire our customers, and that starts with bringing them exceptional brands from around the world.

'Marks & Spencer is known globally for delivering quality and style at a value, and we're excited to help introduce their bestselling items to US customers.

'This partnership creates a meaningful opportunity for our customers to discover the brand when they shop at Nordstrom.'

It marks a great shift away from where M&S was just years ago, when its own chief executive admitted its clothing had a certain 'frumpiness'.

Now, while the brand hasn't alienated its core base, there is the addition of unmistakably on-trend items lining the racks to tempt both younger buyers and millennial women who are very much invested in looking good, as well as celebrity collaborations with the likes of Sienna Miller and former Made In Chelsea star Binky Felstead.

So, just how did M&S become cool? The answer lies largely with Maddy Evans, the former fashion director of Topshop, who was hired in 2019 as head of buying and promoted to director of womenswear in 2022.

Her presence has helped M&S fill the crucial gap left by what was one of the High Street's most popular brands by offering must-have, seasonal pieces.

The store has also adopted a faster fashion approach, meaning new items can move from the drawing board to the shelf in as little as a month, enabling the retailer to react to demand and the newest trends.

Speaking previously to the Daily Mail, Ms Evans said: 'We're pleased to see womenswear achieve its highest ever style rankings, particularly with the 35-54 customer - a clear sign our focus is landing, and our ranges are resonating with more people more often.

'It's important that we keep up momentum, so this season we're supercharging newness across the board: from dresses and partywear through to denim, knitwear and outerwear. We're investing in fabrics, silhouettes and trend-led pieces our customers want while still delivering the value they trust us for.'
A woman who became convinced that the 'world was going to end' after Russia's invasion of Ukraine has revealed the contents of her emergency 'go bag' with 100 worth of equipment; including everything from water purification tablets to rope and medicine.

Life-long 'prepper' Sophie Poland was raised as a Jehovah's Witness who was constantly readying for the threat of Armageddon even though she 'never took it seriously'.

While she now no longer follows the religion, the conflict between the US and Iran has reignited fears, with many worried about the onset of 'World War III' - so Sophie has been sharing her tips on social media.

The mother of one, who lives in Liverpool, said: 'I've got two [bags], so one is the everyday essentials you could possibly need and the second bag, which I haven't filmed and put up yet, that's all clothes and stuff and spares, so the main focus is the first bag but I've got so much in there.'

While her husband Daniel, 38, has branded her prepping 'ridiculous', property advisor Sophie believes that everyone should be prepared for emergencies.

Life-long 'prepper' Sophie Poland became convinced that the 'world was going to end' after Russia's invasion of Ukraine

While her husband has branded her prepping 'ridiculous', property advisor Sophie believes that everyone should be prepared for emergencies

'Obviously growing up that is one of the main things you are told as a Witness - that Armageddon is coming at any moment and because [I know a lot of] Jehovah's Witnesses they are constantly talking to me about it as well, how they've got bags prepared,' she explained.

'If I hadn't been brought up that way, seeing the war that was happening in Russia and Ukraine and thinking that World War III was coming, I would never have thought, "Oh I need to have a bag prepared in case something happens".

'That was the catalyst for it, I was completely convinced by the news and by social media that something terrible was going to happen.

'I don't know what was going on with my Instagram algorithm but that's all it pushed for me, that the world was going to end.'

While she admits she's gone 'completely overboard' with it all, Sophie still thinks it's sensible to have knowledge of survival skills and equipment.

Despite hers being particularly advanced and containing more than 50 individual items, Sophie claims she was able to put it together for just 100.

'I just completely overindulged in the news and in social media and it convinced me that something terrible was going to happen at any moment,' she shared.

'I went completely overboard thinking I need to have everything prepared.

'Obviously with what's going on in the world right now, people are indulging in this kind of thing and they do want to be prepared.'

Despite hers being particularly advanced and containing more than 50 individual items, Sophie claims she was able to put it together for just 100

The kit features everything ranging from water purification equipment to cosmetics such as a razor and shampoo

Her survival bag includes items ranging from fire starters and a handheld saw to cosmetics such as a razor and shampoo.

'I've never used a compass I'll be honest, I've also never used a map but I've got those in there,' Sophie added.

'The main thing is the foil blanket but obviously it's going to be freezing... I've got an emergency tube tent, which takes up no room at all.

'My husband was just like, "This is getting ridiculous", but I kept going. I've also got water purification tablets. I've actually got enough to clean 2,000 litres of water.

'That was one of the things that popped up [online] and I was like "oh I may as well get that, it's a bargain".

'I've got a tin opener, high-calorie foods, a battery - and a wind-up radio as well is one of the things that's on most lists because obviously if anything goes down electrics wise people can't get on the phones.'

Sophie said that a lot of her friends laugh at her inclusion of cosmetics because 'you're not going to be bothered to shave your legs when it's World War III'.

'You never know, you need to be comfortable,' she said. 'If I'm going to be living in the woods I need to shave my armpits, I need to feel comfortable.

'Everybody knows about it. If I'm on a night out somebody will bring it up and we'll have a little bit of a laugh and I'll say, "I'll send you the videos tomorrow". That's why I have then filmed it and put it up as a TikTok.

'I do think everybody should have some sort of emergency bag because you just don't know what's going to happen, especially nowadays.'

Join the discussion Would you prepare an emergency bag like this - or is it going too far?
A TikTok influencer's guide to North London for 'girls' has sparked an online backlash from residents who aren't impressed by 'disgusting gentrification'.

In February, Florrie Tyler (@florrietylerrr) started a series called 'Girls in North London' where she revealed the restaurants, bars and shops she frequents.

'Girls in North London on a Saturday are starting at Jolene, they're getting a pastry, they're getting a coffee, before heading straight to the Dalston carboot,' Florrie informed her followers.

Jolene refers to the kitschy bakery patronised by Harry Styles that first opened in Newington Green and has since expanded to Shoreditch, Islington, and now Hornsey Road.

It's instantly recognisable from its handwritten logo, cosy interiors and rustic-style shelves bulging with cinnamon buns and sausage rolls.

But 'born and bred North Londoners' rushed to the comments to tell her: 'We're not doing this', while others mocked her with footage of chicken shops where 'North London girls are actually at'.

Another pointed out that her guide featured Hackney, which is miles away in East London.

Fellow TikTok influencer Moses Combe was so 'surprised' by Florrie's depiction that he went along to Jolene to try it out for himself.

'I mean, if this is where all the North London girls come during their morning, I'd be a bit surprised because, number one, I've been living in North London for a lot of years and I've never heard of this in my entire life,' he said.

'And also the location. The fact that it's right next to Andover Estate and the Holloway Police Station.'

On February 22, Florrie Tyler (@florrietylerrr) started a series called 'Girls in North London' as she revealed the restaurants, bars and shops she frequents

The video sparked a debate about gentrification and spawned counterposts as women from North London documented their trips to their local chicken shops instead

The Andover Estate council estate has a reputation for drugs and crime. Residents have described 'people sitting on the stairs, smoking crack cocaine' and a rampant issue with knife crime.

One resident told MyLondon: 'It's a pretty nasty estate. It's not nice living here.'

In 2007, former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe spent three days living on the Seventies-built Andover Estate, which she described as a 'dump' and 'very nasty, very threatening' in an ITV documentary.

The comments sparked backlash as critics said the politician was 'out to get a specific story' and that the show was a 'deliberate misrepresentation' at the time.

While things have since improved, the area is still worlds away from the North London that Florrie has been posting about.

Reacting to her list of lifestyle recommendations, including a weekly shop at artisan grocer De Beauvoir Deli and enjoying chocolate olive oil ice cream at the Dreamery, Moses said: 'London's a funny old place, isn't it?

'In all of the years that I've been living in North London, I've never heard of Jolene.

'Their experience of North is not my experience of North. It just sounds like gentrified jargon, bro. This is sounding like North Surrey, this is not sounding like North London.'

Opposite the newest outlet of Jolene sits Andover Estate, a council estate in Islington, which has long had a reputation for drugs and crime

When TikToker Moses Combe visited the newest outlet, he suggested he would be 'surprised' if girls from North London were actually spending any time there, considering it is located opposite a 'pretty nasty' council estate and Holloway Police Station

Other female creators, including @samaspeaks, countered Florrie's recommendations with suggestions for independent bakeries and cafes as well as regional food markets in neighbourhoods like Seven Sisters

He counted borough landmarks like Somali fast food joint D's Kitchen, Dubai Shawarma, and the Arsenal stadium as 'the things I know' in stark contrast to expensive pilates studios and posh bakeries like Gail's and Jolene.

Moses followed this up with a review of the Jolene outlet on Hornsey Road, as he declared the prices are 'giving "Gail's Pro Max"' in a video that was titled 'North Londoner tries Jolene for the first time' in a perceived nod to Florrie's original clip.

He ordered a 4.70 hot chocolate, a sausage roll, and a tiramisu, which cost 14.20, as Moses told his followers it's 'not quite Greggs', which is known for its affordable menu offerings.

Rather than enjoying his order at Jolene, Combe decided to take it to somewhere 'more familiar' because he felt like 'the odd one out' inside the rustic-inspired cafe, where sandwiches cost 11.

The video then cut to Combe sitting on a bench in the neighbouring Andover Estate as the ambient jazz tunes change to drill music, a sub-genre of hip-hop.

Florrie has followed up her first North London guide, which racked up half a million views, with another list of activities to try - including going to 'seasonal cafe' Leigh's in N1 for coffee, visiting Broadway Market and dining at Cafe Cecilia.

The Hackney hotspot was founded by Max Rocha, who drew on his experiences eating at The River Cafe, St John Bread, and Wine and Spring.

A sausage sandwich costs 9.50 while a bowl of porridge will set diners back by 12.

Reacting to Florrie's video, dozens of TikTok users felt 'this isn't the North London I grew up in'.

One comment read: 'As a born and bred north Londoner, we're not doing this babes x'.

Another person wrote: 'Girl we're going to the big Tesco in Ponders end and then A10 drive-thru when we are peckish.'

A third message read: 'It's a very specific demographic that has this experience. But it's their lived experience nonetheless.'

Some pointed out that Florrie's recommendations veered east, while others said: 'The gentrification is sickening.'

Multiple people flooded the comments section of both of Florrie's videos with alternate 'recommendations' for North London in sarcastic comments.

'I'll probably just head to Morrisons on Holloway Road,' one TikTok user wrote.

Another quipped: 'Girls in north London are living in Wood Green and going [to] Asda Southgate.'

Other female creators, including @samaspeaks, countered Florrie's recommendations with suggestions for independent bakeries and cafes as well as regional food markets in neighbourhoods like Seven Sisters.

'I had to add my own take to the girls in North London discourse because, let me tell you, as someone who grew up in London, we did not have chocolate olive oil ice cream and money to spend at expensive gentrification-font bakeries,' she said.
A trans man has laid bare the emotional journey of becoming pregnant and raising a baby with his two gay partners.

In a new BBC Storyville documentary, Kris - who had spent years thinking he would be unable to have children after having his ovaries removed in a surgery he has since described as a 'castration' - documented his parenting journey with David and Sindre, who are all in their 30s and live in Norway.

However, 10 years after Kris's operation, doctors said his uterus was still healthy - so the trio have since spent thousands on egg donation and IVF to successfully insert an embryo.

'I've wanted to become a father since I was in nursery,' Kris said. 'I've never considered anything else.

'I'm just a person who wants a baby like anyone else - and I happen to have a uterus that I can use. So I'm very fortunate to have the opportunity.

'That's how my body is, so there can't be anything wrong with that.'

Kris admitted that the pregnancy was an emotional ordeal - because of his 'traumatic' experience with getting gender-affirming surgery, which he needed to do to be classed as male in Norway.

'It was traumatic because I had to fight it at every stage,' he explained. 'But I had to go through with it to get that damn national ID number.

'And I had to do it because if I didn't, I felt I wouldn't get further treatment at the hospital.

'And I needed that. I knew what I was doing was wrong and that I would regret it - primarily because I knew I wanted children.'

Kris didn't want to remove his ovaries and uterus, but 'back then that was mandatory if you wanted the right ID number and if you wanted a chest reconstruction, which of course he did'.

'I told the surgeon prior to my surgery, "I don't want to do this",' he explained. 'And she said "you don't have to remove your uterus, that's easy".

'So they let me keep my uterus - but they removed my ovaries.'

Kris described the emotional moment before being taken in for surgery, where he 'cried and told the nurses, "I don't want to."'

A trans man has laid bare the emotional journey of becoming pregnant and raising a baby with his two gay partners. Pictured right, Kris, who became pregnant. Left, his partner David, and centre, his partner Sindre

Through the documentary, he showed the effects of his body experiencing estrogen and gestagen - and while he at times experienced pain, David and Sindre said 'he doesn't complain'

'But eventually I realised there was no point in objecting anymore,' he continued. 'So they wheeled me in anyways.

'I was basically still crying. I have been afraid of hospitals ever since.'

In a personal injury claim, he wrote that he was 'castrated against his will and forced to remove his ovaries'.

'I lost the ability to have a baby,' he added. 'I have been told by therapists that there was no point in freezing any eggs, they wouldn't survive, and that my uterus had been destroyed by the testosterone treatment.'

When asked in the claim form about the consequences - and whether it would incur him a loss of over 10,000 kroner (775), he said: 'If you can put a price on the inability to have children, IVF treatment and medicines have already totalled over 200,000 (15,500).

'I thought I couldn't have children since they said my uterus was ruined until I became pregnant through IVF and a donor egg on May 2, 2022.

'We are planning another child through IVF and donor egg - which will cost us between 150,000 (11,625) and 200,000 (15,500) more.

'We had to go abroad as I am legally male in Norway and don't qualify. And I added that I have been on medical leave a lot due to the dramatic forced castration and my treatment.

'I lost power over my own body.'

In the programme, Kris later received an expert assessment from the Norwegian System of Patient Injury Compensation, who determined that the hospital 'acted correctly when they removed his ovaries' as it was 'good practice'.

Through the documentary, he showed the effects of his body experiencing estrogen and gestagen - and while he at times experienced pain, David and Sindre said 'he doesn't complain'.

Kris gave birth to their baby daughter in 2023

'He handles it well,' they added. 'We actually have to nag him from doing too much.'

However, while Kris thought the experience may make him feel 'more female', the pregnancy has just left him 'only more convinced that he is a man'.

'My beard feels different,' he shared. 'I have lost body hair. I feel that I am changing. I love my belly, no problem.

'But I have started developing boobs. And I hate that.'

They decided to undergo the procedure in Finland, as it was important to the parents that 'when their child turns 18 - he or she can find out who the donor was'.

But David and Sindre - one of whom is the baby's biological father - said that they are going to be 'honest from day one' with their baby.

'It may become apparent, but who knows?' David shared. 'We are going to tell our child everything. The rest of the world doesn't have to wonder.'

Kris gave birth to their baby daughter in 2023. He shortly after tried to go through another round of IVF, but sadly, lost the embryo. Heartbreakingly, he was grieving the loss during the Christening of his first child.

However, at the end of the programme, Kris celebrated being pregnant once again.

Now, the parents hope to be the best possible fathers they can be for their child

The throuple also opened up about how they found each other .

'It's a perfect combination,' David, a professor, shared. He recounted how the trio met at a 'pre-party'.

'Being gay was no problem at the university. But the fact that we were three was a little norm-breaking,' he added.

'It's funny, some of my colleagues knew about Kris and some knew about Sindre. And some knew a little about both or thought it was the same person. But then I was caught off guard once.

'This colleague - I had told him that my boyfriend worked in a nursery but another time I told him my boyfriend worked in the hotel industry. And so I had to tell him, "sorry, but they are two different people."

'But now everyone knows!'

'It just happened and we ended up like this,' Kris added. 'One summer the three of us were sitting on my terrace, we had been out on the town or something. We were talking and thought, why not just give it a shot? Be together, all three of us.'

Now, the parents hope to be the best possible fathers they can be for their child.

'I believe in a future where Kris can be a father, not a mother. And that they will get an apology from the government for everything we had to suffer through,' they shared.

'I do have hope that being three fathers, being a different type of family, will become a strength.

'The question is, have we become normal? Normal enough for people, once they know who we are.

'And if they know who we are, it isn't that dangerous?'

Kris added: 'One of the things I fear... that I have sometimes thought about, is that she'll turn against us... "I want a father and a mother", "I want to be like the other kids in class"...

'There's always the question, "what if?" I at least hope she won't be ashamed that I gave birth to her.'

Storyville's Three Dads And A Baby is available on BBC iPlayer
It's arguably the most recognisable horse racing event in the world, having been established for more than 300 years and counts royalty and A-listers amongst its fans.

But now, Ascot has upset some of its loyal followers by introducing an annual fee for members of its Royal Enclosure, the area once exclusively reserved for the family, guests and the Household of King George III.

These days, the enclosure remains invitation-only, with successful applicants needing to be aged 18+ and to be sponsored by two eligible members before paying the 150 joining fee.

The memberships entitle racegoers to apply for Royal Enclosure badges for Royal Ascot (thought to cost 395 for attendance at three of the five days, for example, and sold on a first-come, first-served basis). Members are invited to bring up to two guests on each day excluding Tuesday.

However, on top of the cost of joining, as well as the badges, the '475' car parking and the food and drink when at the prestigious occasion, Ascot has announced the introduction of annual fees for their members.

A 25 'extra charge' will be applied from 2027 - to be paid whether the members are planning to attend Royal Ascot that year or not, if they wish to keep their coveted membership.

The Berkshire racecourse will also limit the number of new member applications accepted for the Royal Enclosure each year and have a waiting list for those not immediately accepted.

'The prices have already gone up and now they do this just to stay on the list! It's crazy', said a member.

Queen Camilla and King Charles attend day three of Royal Ascot on June 19, 2025

Another member, posting to Reddit, wrote: 'Royal Ascot introducing a 25 membership fee after everything we already pay?'

The anonymous racegoer continued: 'I was shocked to receive an email this morning informing me that Royal Ascot will be introducing a 25 annual Royal Enclosure membership fee from 2027.

'On its own, 25 might not sound like much but its the principle when you look at what regular racegoers are already paying.

'This year alone, Ive paid 395 for a three-day Royal Enclosure badge, 5 for postage, and 475 for car parking. Thats 875 before even stepping onto the racecourse!

'And thats just the start. Once youre there, youre also buying food and drink at a huge markup, and placing bets at the track all of which also financially benefit the racecourse.

'So after all of that, introducing an extra membership fee just feels like a total slap in the face to loyal fans who go year after year and support the event.'

They added: 'Royal Ascot trades heavily on tradition, prestige and loyalty but this just comes across as a needless and frankly embarrassing cash grab.

'Am I overreacting, or does this feel like theyre pushing it a bit too far?' asked the member, with one person replying: 'Paying 875 before walking in is ludicrous! Wow.'

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima, Prince William and the Princess of Wales at Royal Ascot in June 2019

Revealing why the racecourse is introducing the fee on its website, Ascot said: 'Ascot Racecourse Ltd are introducing a 25 annual Royal Enclosure membership fee to ensure the long-term sustainability and standards of the Royal Enclosure.

'The annual fee reflects a move to a sustainable model that supports continuous investment and operational improvements for members.

'Set at a deliberately modest level, it is designed to be proportionate while helping to safeguard the prestige and quality of the Royal Enclosure for the future.'

The website read: 'Payment of the annual fee is required each year in order to maintain your Royal Enclosure Membership, regardless of whether you plan to attend Royal Ascot or not.

'If you choose not to pay your Membership fee, your Membership will expire, and you will no longer be a Royal Enclosure Member.

'Please note, continual membership is required in order to retain a record of your years of attendance.

'If you cease to maintain a valid and continuous Membership, you will lose your recorded years of attendance and privileges such as sponsorship of new members, which is linked to years of attendance.'

Ascot said the Royal Enclosure membership fee will be reviewed annually and set at an appropriate level.

Fees for the 2027 Royal Meeting will payable during the renewal period from September to October, with a deadline of Friday 30th October 2026.

Around 300,000 people are set to attend the prestigious event this year, some of them royalty and world-famous celebrities.

The Royal Enclosure's members can enjoy beautiful green lawns, champagne, seafood or afternoon tea and they have access to the Sunflower Lawn, Parade Ring and Pre-Parade ring.

For anyone esteemed enough to attend, there is a specific dress code in place for both ladies and gentlemen.
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Beloved Boy Meets World star William Daniels looked unrecognizable as he celebrated his 99th birthday with a sweet message to his fans.

The actor, who turns 99 on Tuesday, took to Instagram on Monday evening to share a video in which he thanked his followers for keeping him 'fulfilled in his later years.'

Daniels famously starred as the strict but loving teacher George Feeny in Boy Meets World from 1993 until 2000. He is also known for portraying Dr Mark Craig in the 1980s soap opera St. Elsewhere.

But now, decades on, the former TV star certainly looks very different.

In the video, Daniels, who hasn't acted since 2020, explained that while he is no longer appearing on screen, he still enjoys connecting with fans.

'Over the years, I've enjoyed connecting with fans and friends through Cameo and at events. Thank you for keeping me young. Keep it up,' he said, before delivering his famous Boy Meets World line: 'Class dismissed.'

He added in the caption that he was 'taking a pause on long-distance travel' so he likely won't be at events anymore but fans could still buy videos from him on Cameo.

Cameo is a platform that allows people to purchase personalized clips from celebrities. Daniels charges $195 for his videos.

William Daniels famously starred as the strict but loving teacher George Feeny in Boy Meets World from 1993 until 2000. He is seen in the show with Ben Savage

The actor is also known for portraying Dr Mark Craig in the 1980s soap opera St. Elsewhere (seen)

'Hard to believe I'm turning 99 tomorrow! I'm so grateful that staying connected with my fans has been so fulfilling in my later years,' he wrote.

'While I'm taking a pause on long distance travel, I'm still available on Cameo! Link in bio.'

Many fans rushed to the comment section of the video to share their support for the acclaimed actor.

'We love you Mr Feeny,' one gushed, while another wrote: 'You are loved. Glad you're still here. Hope your day is amazing good sir. Thank you for all the great memories.'

'One of the GREATEST,' someone else added.

'Mr Feeny is the reason I became a teacher,' shared a different user. 'Thank you for playing that role so well and with so much love and passion!

'Without Mr Feeny, I don't know that I would have found my passion. I strive to push my students and inspire them the way Mr Feeny did for us.'

'Protect Feeny at all costs,' read a fourth comment.

He looked unrecognizable as he celebrated his 99th birthday with a sweet message to his fans

In the video, Daniels, who hasn't acted since 2020, explained that while he is no longer appearing on screen, he still enjoys connecting with fans through Cameo

Daniels is pictured with the Boy Meets World cast

Daniels is married to actress and fellow Boy Meets World star Bonnie Bartlett (seen left together in St. Elsewhere and right recently)

Before starring in St. Elsewhere, Daniels had a booming career on Broadway, starring in a slew of shows including Life with Father, 1776, A Thousand Clowns, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever and A Little Night Music.

His other screen credits include The Graduate in 1967, the crime series Knight Rider in which he voiced the AI computer KITT, the movie adaptation of the Broadway musical 1776, the sitcom Captain Nice, Freebie and the Bean and The Nancy Walker Show.

In 2014, he reprised his role as Mr Feeny in the Boy Meets World spinoff Girl Meets World.

Last year, at 98 years old, he appeared as a surprise guest on Dancing With the Stars.

As for his personal life, he is married to actress and fellow Boy Meets World star Bonnie Bartlett and the two are now the oldest living married couple in Hollywood.

The couple wed on June 30, 1951, and played one another's spouses on Boy Meets World and St. Elsewhere.

They welcomed a son together in 1961, but he tragically died 24 hours after she gave birth. They went on to adopt two sons.
Giada De Laurentiis celebrated her lookalike daughter's 18th birthday with a lavish Caribbean getaway.

The former Food Network star, 55, jetted off to St. Barths with daughter Jade and boyfriend Shane Farley last week to commemorate the teen turning 18.

She has been documenting the glamorous trip on her Instagram, sharing a slew of photos that showed her and her daughter soaking up the sun, frolicking on the beach and splashing around in the ocean together.

One snap showed the mother-daughter duo floating in the turquoise water in bikinis, while another featured the family lounging on a boat.

In honor of Jade's birthday, which took place on Sunday, De Laurentiis posted a gushing tribute to her mini-me.

'I blinked and woke up with an 18-year-old this morning,' she wrote. 'So thankful to spend your last week of being 17 with you Jadey.

'Your wit, kindness, beauty, laughter... I am forever in awe of who you have become. You are my greatest gift - I love you more than you will ever know! Happy birthday Jadeyy!'

Among the carousel of photos and videos was a clip that showed Jade - whom De Laurentiis shares with her ex-husband, clothing designer Todd Thompson - dancing on a chair in a restaurant while wearing a tiny white crop top and yellow maxi skirt.

De Laurentiis and Thompson welcomed Jade in 2008 but ultimately split in 2014, and they have been open about their amicable co-parenting situation over the years.

Giada De Laurentiis celebrated her lookalike daughter's 18th birthday with a lavish Caribbean getaway

The former Food Network star, 55, jetted off to St. Barths with daughter Jade and boyfriend Shane Farley last week to commemorate the teen turning 18

'We live a stone's throw away from each other, like five minutes, which has really helped keep Jade stable and just keep her environment as similar as possible at both places,' the TV personality said in 2018.

While the cookbook author has said that her daughter showed a passion for cooking early on - she was helping her mom in the kitchen as young as two years old - it's likely she won't follow in her mother's footsteps.

'There's not one single part of her that's like, "I'm going to be a cook like my mom,"' De Laurentiis revealed in 2017. 'No, it's like, "That's my mom and I am my own person."'

Instead, Jade seems to have a passion for performing.

'That girl has been bugging me to allow her to do auditions for off-Broadway shows for years and I'm like, "No, you're not moving to New York. You're not doing this. You have to be a child. It's important to be a child. It only happens once in your life,"' De Laurentiis told People in 2022.

'It's crazy because neither her father nor I sing. Nobody in my family sings. I mean, we all love music, but not like that. Maybe in the shower.

'I'm always speechless when it comes to Jade and her music, because she's able to write music.'

Last December, Jade shared a major life update: she had been accepted into her dream college.

In honor of Jade's birthday, which took place on Sunday, De Laurentiis posted a gushing tribute to her mini-me. She's seen on the trip with Jade, one of Jade's pals and her boyfriend

De Laurentiis and her ex Todd Thompson welcomed Jade in 2008 but split in 2014, and they have been open about their amicable co-parenting situation. They're seen in 2014

While the cookbook author has said that her daughter showed a passion for cooking early on, it's likely she won't follow in her mother's footsteps

Instead, Jade seems to have a passion for performing

Jade will be headed to New York University in the fall for college. She's seen with her mom

At the time, De Laurentiis posted a video of herself and Jade opening her acceptance email and celebrating the news.

While she originally omitted the school's name, De Laurentiis revealed to People in January that her daughter will be attending New York University in the fall.

'That moment of being a mom is sort of done. I'm not done, but she goes to college [soon], so I'm not here day-to-day the way that it has been for 18 years, and so that's a huge change,' she said.

'It's really exciting, but I think it's also incredibly emotional because everything I do with her I feel like is one of the last times I'm going to do it in this way.

'I know people are like, "Yeah, but they come home for the holidays." But it's different. They don't live in your house anymore.

'She may never live in my house again. And even if she does, she'll be in her 20s. It'll be a totally different experience.

'And I only have one kid, so I'm one and done. So I think it's emotional, exciting, all wrapped up in one, and it's a lot to navigate through.'
The devil might wear Prada, but Meryl Streep favours comfort over designer shoes. And who can blame her?

To quote her character in the 2006 film, Miranda Priestley, florals for spring might not be groundbreaking, but bunions for spring? Never a good look.

Attending the premiere of The Devil Wears Prada 2 in Mexico, Ms Streep, 76, who plays fearsome fashion editor Ms Priestley, teamed her navy Schiaparelli dress with suede heels by Sole Bliss.

The Watford-based shoe brand is the red carpet's best-kept secret, for while Ms Streep's 199 five-inch platforms might look painful to wear, they are deceptively comfortable.

Launched in 2017, Sole Bliss specialises in podiatrist-approved footwear for women with conditions such as bunions.

Each shoe is designed with a concealed foam footbed, wide toe boxes and hidden stretch, and is cut to minimise pressure on the joints.

They have found favour with a certain vintage of A-lister for whom heels aren't quite as comfy as they used to be.

Co-stars of The Devil Wears Prada 2 Meryl Streep and Anne Hathaway attended Fashion Week Mexico

Hollywood star Julia Roberts attended the Ticket to Paradise premiere at the Regency Village Theatre in Los Angeles in October 2022

British actress Helen Mirren arrived at the opening ceremony and screening of the film Jeanne du Barry at the Cannes Film festival in May 2023

Sharon Stone dazzled at the 36th Annual Palm Springs at Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards at Palm Springs Convention Center in January last year

Fans include Helen Mirren, 80, Sharon Stone, 68, Viola Davis, 60, and Julia Roberts, 58. Sole Bliss shoes are also loved by royals  Queen Camilla is said to own 11 pairs.

Ms Streep's heels are part of a collaboration between the brand and stylist Micaela Erlanger.

As a lifelong Manolo Blahnik wearer, Anna Wintour, the Vogue editor on whom Ms Priestley is based, is unlikely to approve of such a pragmatic shoe.

But sometimes even a fashionista as powerful as Ms Wintour, 76, needs to be brought to heel  orthopaedic or otherwise.

The Devil Wears Prada 2 will be released on May 1.
A new pair of designer sandals has landed in stores, and they're already causing chaos - and a lot of controversy online.

Australian footwear brand Alias Mae has released its latest style, the 'Fella' sandals, priced at $239.95.

And while some shoppers are obsessed, others can't stop laughing thinking it's an early April Fools joke.

At first glance, the shoe looks like something straight out of the 1970s. It features a leather thong upper paired with a plush shearling lining.

The unique combination has been dubbed equal parts retro, cosy and, according to critics, completely unhinged.

Within hours of being spotted online, the sandals sparked a flood of reactions, with fashion fans sharply divided over the polarising design.

'I just checked to make sure it wasn't April fools lol,' one person wrote.

'Do we shampoo them with Kerastase after every wear?' another joked, poking fun at the fluffy texture.

A new pair of $239 sandals from Australian brand Alias Mae has sent shoppers into a frenzy, with some hailing them as a bold fashion statement and others comparing them to 'salon floor sweepings'

At first glance, the shoe looks like something straight out of the 70s. It features a leather thong upper paired with a plush shearling lining. The unique combination has been dubbed equal parts retro, cosy and, according to critics, completely unhinged

While other, possibly more controversial shoppers, didn't hold back.

'It's the dog groomers leftovers,' a person added.

'Looks like you swept the salon floor and stood in it.'

'Didn't realise we were taking 'getting back to nature' so literally,' one pointed out.

And perhaps the most brutal comparison of all: 'It's giving, I'm wearing my cavoodle as footwear.'

Despite the savage takedowns, surprisingly not everyone was as horrified. In fact, some shoppers are completely sold.

'Adore these,' one fan commented.

'I'm glad it's too early for April fools, because I absolutely love these,' another added, proving the controversial shoe does have its supporters.

And for those who aren't quite ready to commit to the full 'fluffy thong' look, the brand has also released a more winter-friendly alternative. The 'Monty' slides ($249.95) offer a closed-toe version of the trend

Join the discussion Are these bold sandals a fashion revolution or a step too far for style trends?

The mixed reaction highlights fashion's ongoing love affair with the bizarre, where the more unexpected a piece is, the more attention it tends to attract.

And for those who aren't quite ready to commit to the full 'fluffy thong' look, the brand has also released a more winter-friendly alternative.

The 'Monty' slides ($249.95) offer a closed-toe version of the trend, available in black and brown leather with the same shearling lining, delivering the cosy aesthetic in a slightly more wearable silhouette.

Still, whether you see them as a bold fashion statement or something better suited to the bottom of a hairdresser's bin, one thing is certain - they're impossible to ignore.

Love them or loathe them, would you wear them out?

Daily Mail has contacted Alias Mae for comment but had not received a response at the time of publication.
Brooke Bellamy has broken her silence on the 'plagiarism' scandal that once threatened to derail her booming baking empire.

The Brisbane-based star baker has insisted she refused to be drawn into a public spat she 'didn't invite' herself into.

Speaking candidly on The Balance Theory Podcast, the entrepreneur addressed the fallout from the explosive feud with Nagi Maehashi, and revealed the mindset that helped her weather one of the most talked-about food controversies of 2025.

At the height of the drama, Brooke - the face behind the viral brand Brooki Bakehouse - was three months pregnant when she found herself at the centre of allegations from the RecipeTin Eats founder, who claimed two recipes - caramel slice and baclava - in her cookbook, bore striking similarities to her own.

But rather than fight back publicly, Brooke said she made a deliberate decision to stay silent.

'I've come to peace with the terms that on the internet people can say whatever they want about you, but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's true,' she told the host.

'As a human being your integrity is everything that you have, so when someone questions that you can really take it on board.'

She also admitted in the chat that the initial wave of commentary was difficult, but ultimately chose restraint over retaliation.

Brooke Bellamy (pictured), the face behind viral brand Brooki Bakehouse, has broken her silence on the 'plagiarism' scandal that once threatened to derail her booming baking empire

Speaking candidly on The Balance Theory Podcast, the Brisbane-based entrepreneur addressed the fallout from the explosive feud with Nagi Maehashi, and revealed the mindset that helped her weather one of the most talked-about food controversies of 2025

'I think I did in the initial stages, but I am the sum of my actions, not of my words.

'So, in that moment, I chose very deliberately not to react and not to add to this narrative of "she said, she said" pitting two women against each other.'

The controversy, which erupted in April 2025, saw Nagi Maehashi publicly allege that Bellamy's Bake With Brooki cookbook included two of her plagiarised recipes.

Bellamy strongly denied the claims at the time, stating: 'I do not copy other people's recipes.'

The saga quickly snowballed, with publishers, chefs and even international bakers weighing in, while social media users and her die-hard followers dissected every detail.

Now, reflecting on the ordeal, Brooke said the temptation to defend herself publicly came down to one thing: her ego.

'Your integrity is questioned and also the only thing to gain there out of adding to that noise is probably protecting your own ego,' she explained.

'Everyone around me knows me. Everyone in my community knows me I've worked really hard to be here. So, I think you just have to decide am I adding any value by adding noise? Or am I just adding noise?'

At the height of the drama, Brooke found herself at the centre of allegations from RecipeTin Eats founder Nagi (pictured), who claimed recipes in her cookbook bore striking similarities to her own

The controversy, which erupted in April 2025, saw Nagi Maehashi publicly allege that Bellamy's Bake With Brooki cookbook included recipes too similar to her own, as well as others from high-profile authors. Bellamy strongly denied the claims at the time, stating: 'I do not copy other people's recipes'

Behind the scenes, Ms Bellamy credits her husband for helping her reframe the situation with a more pragmatic lens.

'He saw it very black and white for him it's just like, "this is just business." Business is business,' she said.

And, while she admitted she struggled with that perspective initially, it ultimately helped her zoom out from the emotional toll of the backlash.

'It was really important for me to kind of take the time and just be like, well, as I keep going down this path, as I keep building this global business, I am going to be open to more scrutiny.'

And with that growth, she said, comes an unavoidable reality of criticism.

Now, reflecting on the ordeal, Brooke said the temptation to defend herself publicly came down to one thing. 'Your integrity is questioned and also the only thing to gain there out of adding to that noise is probably protecting your own ego,' she explained

Join the discussion How should public figures handle accusations that challenge their integrity and hard work?

At her lowest point, Brooke revealed it was a simple question from her husband that grounded her: how she would want her children to reflect on this later in life.

Her answer was clear: 'I don't want to be a part of a narrative that I didn't invite myself into.'

The original dispute sent shockwaves through Australia's food industry, with Nagi Maehashi alleging Bellamy had copied her recipes for caramel slice and baklava.

Brooke denied all allegations and said her work was the result of 'countless hours' of baking experience.

Penguin, the publisher behind Bake With Brooki, also rejected the claims, stating the recipes were her own.

Now, nearly a year on, Brooke appears focused on moving forward and solely on the bigger picture, as well as scaling her company around the world

At the time, Nagi said she spoke out to 'remind influencers and publishers that stealing work is not okay,' while also urging followers to stop personal attacks against Brooke.

The debate reignited broader questions around recipe ownership, which is a notoriously grey area in the culinary world, and divided both fans and industry insiders.

Now, nearly a year on, Brooke appears focused on moving forward and solely on the bigger picture, as well as scaling her company around the world.

Her comments suggest a shift from reaction to reflection, as she continues to expand her brand globally, including recent Instagram posts showing her expansion into London.

It's a stance that, in the age of viral outrage and online pile-ons, may resonate far beyond the kitchen.
Katherine Twigg never used to notice when her partner Allan made a cup of tea until a new smart device that measures her energy usage was fitted in her three-bed cottage two months ago.

The 48-year-old professional nanny says she was sceptical at first but in the eight weeks since it was fitted, has become glued to the screen. So alarmed has Katherine been by their constant use of energy that she has set strict rules on how they make a cup of tea and scheduled timers for when the lights switch off in their home at night.

The smart meter shows exactly how much energy is being used at a given time.

Katherine now analyses the screen, which is placed just outside the kitchen door in her hallway, up to a dozen times a day, she says. She has been able to work out that boiling the kettle is one of the biggest uses of energy in their home.

She has learned that boiling a full kettle might cost 6p rather than 2p if she boils just enough for a single cup of tea. She says she has calculated that by just boiling enough for half a dozen cups a day, it can save almost 90 over the course of a year.

All in all, her energy saving tricks have cut her monthly bills in half to just 100, she believes.

Katherines home in Albury near Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire, is one of 38 million properties in Britain with a smart meter. Many are finding these digital devices to be increasingly useful tools to keep on top of bills, especially as costs are soon tipped to soar.

There are fears that the conflict in the Middle East will trigger a crippling hike in energy bills in Britain this winter.

Ahead of any increases, many households are combing through electricity and gas bills in a bid to find ways to keep their bills down.

Money Mail readers tell us the extraordinary lengths they are willing to go to  with extreme tricks that may inspire you to join their energy saving army.

Set a schedule for everything

For some, like Katherine, checking energy usage has become like an addiction.

She is so committed to keeping a tight grasp on spending that she asked Amazons AI virtual assistant Alexa to help keep a lid on household electricity use.

Katherine delivers her energy-saving instructions aloud to Alexa through her 100 Echo smart speaker.

For Katherine Twigg checking her energy usage has become something of an addiction

Smart meters are an easy way of discovering which of your household gadgets uses the most energy

She has purchased smart thermostat valves for 30 which she has fitted to her radiators and 10 smart light bulbs. These are all linked to Alexa and therefore can be controlled by the speaker. Katherine explains: I can order Alexa to control the thermostat settings and turn off radiators and lights in various rooms using a single voice command.

The couple also use timers for two 50 heated blankets  one in bed and the other for a wraparound cover on the sofa - so they can cuddle up and stay warm without needing to have the central heating on.

By using smart plugs, these blankets can also be controlled by Alexa. Katherine adds: When we are using it, the heating downstairs goes off at 9.30pm  at exactly the same time as the hot blanket in the bedroom comes on. It reminds us that it is nearly our bedtime. Lights automatically go off at 10pm.

Katherine has placed the smart meter just outside the kitchen door so that every time she passes, she can check if it shows energy low-use green or high-use red. She says: Despite not initially wanting one, Octopus Energy kept on badgering, writing letters to say the old equipment was now out of date.

I finally relented to the pressure sales technique  and now whenever the meter glows red I wonder what on earth is going on  it means I am burning lots of energy so I try to get to the bottom of it.

Katherine adds: I am also saving money by only using the washing machine on full load and hanging up damp clothes on an old-fashioned drying rack controlled by pulleys.

Traditionally, tumble driers are one of the biggest energy eaters  costing households as much as 275 in electricity a year, which Katherine is now able to save.

Be an energy super-sleuth without a smart meter

But you dont need to have a smart meter to keep a firm grasp on your energy spend.

Widow Gloria Batabyal, 90, from Stretford, Manchester, has no interest in a smart meter. Like many Money Mail readers, she has yet to be convinced about having a device that can track your personal usage.

She believes they are an insidious tool for energy companies to monitor us so they can charge more for gas or electricity at peak times in the future.

Instead, Gloria does her own detective work with a good old-fashioned pen and paper. The widow opens a weatherproof white box containing her gas and electricity meters at the front of her four-bedroom semi-detached home every morning at 9am  taking careful note of the reading.

Boiling a kettle is among the most energy-intensive activities in the home

The retired nurse says: I am stingy with energy use  not out of being tight-fisted but from financial necessity. My energy bill is just 100 a month thanks to my thrifty ways.

The typical household will spend 1,641 a year on gas and electricity bills, according to the regulator Ofgems energy price cap. That is 148 a month on average  48 pc more than Gloria.

Once Gloria has noted the number of units of electricity shown on a digital display, she sits down at the kitchen table to work out where the money is going.

Electricity is measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh)  with one unit equivalent to a 100-watt light bulb running for 10 hours, or a 200-watt fridge for five hours. Her supplier, So Energy, charges about 27p per kWh.

She says: I noticed an extra unit had been used more than expected one morning earlier this month.

I went carefully around the house looking at all the electrics to see if anything had been left on. Eventually I discovered the fridge door had been left slightly ajar  not enough for the light to come on but just enough to keep the fridge at a low temperature.

Gloria can even work out when she has been using the vacuum cleaner by looking at the kWhs on the meter.

Cooking is another area where hawk-like energy-saving habits come in handy. Gloria uses top-quality stainless-steel pans for batch cooking and boils vegetables in just a couple of inches of water, rather than a full pan which would use more energy to bring to the boil. She believes thrift cuts her energy bills by almost two-thirds.

Tool up with energy-cutting gadgets

Nigel Berman knows all about energy saving gizmos  having run an eco-products shop before setting up a team building business called School of the Wild a decade ago.

The 58-year-old, from Hove in East Sussex, has hoarded plenty of gadgets over the years, which he says help him to knock two-thirds off the bills on his three-bedroom Edwardian terraced home. He now pays just 70 a month on gas and electricity bills.

Nigel says: One of the handiest gadgets is an energy monitor, such as a 30 energy Owl.

Nigel Berman now pays just 70 a month on gas and electricity bills

This is a wireless, home electricity monitor that helps you track your energy consumption, costs and carbon emissions to reduce bills. Unlike a smart meter, it is not connected to your provider so does not feed your data elsewhere.

He says: They can go beyond the basic information provided by smart meters and give detailed visual breakdowns on your smartphone or computer showing changes in energy use over a month. It enables you to discover what appliances are costing you the most. I discovered my toaster was eating electricity because I had left it plugged in.

Although he has no problems with people throwing a log on their fires to keep warm, Nigel suggests blocking a draughty chimney to keep your home warmer if you are not going to use the fireplace.

He has a latch just above the fireplace before the flue that enables a metal lid to block the hole  but an old pillow or 15 untreated sheep fleece can also do the trick.

Nigel ensures thermostats are set up so that no radiator is heating a room that is not in use. And when the heating is on, he ensures none of it goes to waste.

You can buy 6 foil reflectors from DIY store Screwfix that ensure heat goes back into the room rather than into an outside wall, for example, he says.

Alternatively, a 30 radiator booster sits on top of traditional water-filled radiators and sucks up lost heat from behind and using a small fan plugged into a nearby socket then circulates it.

Windows are notoriously bad for letting out heat, but Nigel believes rather than spending thousands of pounds on double glazing  or just a few pounds on ugly plastic sheeting  the best secret is 30 magnetic glazing.

This is a cheap DIY alternative for improving insulation. It involves glazing windows with clear, lightweight acrylic sheets that are fitted with magnetic tape. This creates an insulating air gap to reduce heat loss, draughts and condensation.
That Jaguar advert - you know the one I mean  isnt the only thing about the car makers recent rebrand thats riled folk.

Many have accused the once-proud British company - now under Tata's Indian ownership - of turning its back on a century of heritage when in 2024 it culled some of its most iconic logos to be replaced with contemporary motifs befitting its daring all-electric era.

Shortly after, it wiped all reference to the past from the website and reset its social media platforms as a blank slate, only stoking the fire of public outrage that had already engulfed.

But those responsible for developing the next generation of all-electric Jaguars refute the claims that the brand is shunning its legacy. Quite the contrary; they're embracing it.

Matt Becker, the vehicle engineer director poached from Aston Martin to mould JLR's cars of the future, told me back in December that 'understanding the DNA of Jaguar' was a fundamental first phase of the project.

To do so, Becker and his team - including managing director Rawdon Glover - have spent time driving the greatest cars from its bloodline to grasp the essence of a 'proper Jaguar'. Bottling their characteristics in their brains, the intention is to inject it into the electrified veins of the forthcoming four-door GT.

And I've now had the unique opportunity to see if they've managed just that.

At JLR's testing grounds in Gaydon, I too have driven legends from Jaguar's back catalogue. Then - for the first time - took to the wheel of a prototype version of the new 120,000 EV to see if it has inherited that Jaguar spirit...

Can Jaguar really capture the DNA of its iconic classics in a 2.6-tonne EV that costs north of 120,000? The Daily Mail and This is Money has driven a near-production prototype to find out

The past cars influencing its EV future

Rawdon Glover has taken plenty of flack for his role in the last two - controversy -laden  years at the helm of Jaguar.

But within moments of hearing him speak, you quickly realise herein lies a man absolutely convinced that a bold direction is the one that Jaguar needs to take if it is to thrive as it did decades before.

The intention: to transport Jaguar and its fortunes back to a time when it was most successful - when it offered exclusivity and desirability to match the likes of Ferrari and Porsche.

And hes quick to reference vehicles in its history that broke away from convention to great reward.

He points to the Series 1 E-Type - the one Enzo Ferrari called 'the most beautiful car ever made' at its unveiling at the 1961 Geneva Motor Show - and its spiritual successor, the 1975 XJS; models that reshaped how cars of their era could look.

Jaguar's engineering department selected iconic cars from the company's past in a bid to recreate their charm. Right to left: E-Type, XK120, XJS, XJC and the new all-electric GT

Jaguar has made its intention clear. It wants the brand to recapture its most successful era - when it offered exclusivity and desirability to match the likes of Ferrari and Porsche

It was with this remit that JLR around 2021 challenged its in-house design studio to pen the silhouette of the model to spearhead its ambitious electric transformation half a decade later.

With the team split into three groups, a competition was created to sketch out how a Jaguar should look, irrespective of the powertrain it uses.

The winning entry: a cab-rear body (meaning the cabin is positioned further back than is convention), expansive bonnet, low roofline and large monolithic panels  a vision that became reality in the 2024 Type 00 Concept.

And it is these attributes that also lie concealed beneath the zebra-like skin cloaking the five-metre-long car I'm about to drive for the first time.

While the concepts continuous roof curvature slopes from windscreen to tail in a fashion reminiscent to the E-Type, you can see the XJSs influence on the four-door GT.

Still a cab-rear, big-bonneted cruiser, it has more saloon-like C-pillars evocative of its 1970s flagship.

Rawdon concedes its scale and design will undoubtedly be divisive but welcomes the fact it won't be to all tastes.

Having conducted various focus groups where potential clients were asked to rate its looks, he says the 120k electric GT typically scored ones and tens - and rarely anything in between. Such polarising opinion suggests Jaguar won't have to try too hard to sell it to those who love it - and won't need to bother with those who dont.

 Slide me  The design influence for the four-door electric GT is the 1970s XJS. The EV reflects its cab-rear posture, extended bonnet and C-pillar signature

JLR's vehicle engineer director Matt Becker tells me the XJ-C (right) - produced from 1975 to 1977 - is the car he's trying to emulate when fine-tuning the driving character of the EV

The XJ-C yardstick

While the E-Type and XJS might have been the stimulus for the GTs silhouette, it's the V12 XJ-C - produced between 1975 and 1977 - that Matt Becker earmarked as the yardstick for how the electric GT should drive.

Its 'comfort, lightness and deftness' are the traits he tells me he wanted to reproduce.

And having experienced a selection of the cars from Jags heritage fleet, I understand why it's the benchmark.

After initially driving the Series 3 E-Type (arguably the least demanding generation to drive) and discovering the degree of concentration and gentle persuasion it demands for every journey, the contrasting effortlessness of the XJ-C quickly shines through.

The 5.3-litre fuel-injected 12-cylinder engine delivers lazy wafts of power. The ride is plush and spongy, the steering controls are light and the cockpit is well cocooned for a car produced in the 1970s.

It gently rolls into corners, leaning heavily on its haunches as it clearly communicates that youve reached the limit of its cornering physics. But then it casually settles itself into position, like a cat thats been circling its favourite cushion before curling up into a cozy ball.

These are the characteristics Becker and his team are striving to emulate.

The GT must deliver 'deep reserves of power and instinctive responses' but also be 'agile and rewarding to drive', all the while delivering comfort customers are expecting from a luxurious grand tourer, Matt explains.

Only then, he says, can it be considered a 'true Jaguar'.

Daily Mail and This is Money motoring editor took to the wheel of one of the electric prototypes to see if it has inherited that Jaguar spirit...

Jaguar has deployed a number of ingenious - and patented - features to ensure the four-door GT is both comfortable and capable. This includes splitting the battery pack under the floor

What it is the electric GT like to drive?

First and foremost, I must point out that the car I drove is still very much a prototype. It is one of 150 built and is still in active service.

In fact, Navid Shamshiri, product character and performance manager at JLR, tells me this mule has just returned from a European jaunt with four engineers taking it across continent - including flat-out on the derestricted German Autobahn - as part of its final assessment phase.

While the 'hardware' of the car is 100 per cent production ready, Navid explains the software is only around 70 per cent complete as the team continues to tweak and fine tune ahead of its full reveal later this summer.

It means that while the monumental proportions you see here are reflective of what is going to be bolting up and down the M40 in 2027, my impressions from the driver's seat are subject to change.

But here's what it's like in its current format.

Jaguar electric four-door GT: Specs at a glance Price: from 120,000-140,000 Unveiling: September 2026 First UK deliveries: Early 2027 DIMENSIONS Length: 5.2 metres (approx) Width: 2 metres (approx) Height: 1.4 metres (approx) Weight: 2,700kg (approx) Wheels: 23 inches PERFORMANCE Electric architecture: 850V Battery: 120kWh battery Electric motors: 3x e-motors (2 rear, 1 front) Transmission: Single-speed automatic, four-wheel drive Max power: Over 1,000bhp Acceleration (0-62mph): Under 3.5 secs Top speed: TBC Range: 430 miles (est) Charging capacity: Up to 350kW Charging speed: 15 mins to add 200 miles of range

Stepping over the relatively wide door sill and lowering my backside into the chair, its already clear this is like no other electric car Ive driven in the last few years.

The decent into the seat is more pronounced than normal as I plonk my frame into what feels like the guts of the chassis.

This is courtesy of the ingenious move to split the 120kW battery pack in the floor, with the divide providing a structural gateway for the seats to be bolted lower into the chassis.

Doing so means driving position isn't as elevated as other EVs that perch the glasshouse directly on top of a foundation of battery modules.

This too explains how Jaguar has managed to keep the roof height to a svelte 1.4 metres.

Yet the four-door GT hasnt given up precious range or performance by carving a wedge out of the battery footprint.

Whats lost in cells has instead been redistributed further forward in the platform - which, again, is a unique construction element devised through clever thinking.

Engineers have positioned the high voltage system ahead of the bulkhead (cabin) courtesy of a patented structural crash protection feature that stops the expansive bonnet from crumpling into the cockpit. It means the battery pack can also be extended closer to the front arches, which will be a feature of all models built on the Jaguar Electric Architecture (JEA).

Such inventiveness unlocks an additional 70 miles of range - taking the grand total to more than 400 miles - and adds an extra 148bhp, I'm told.

At speed, the four-door electric GT pitches onto its loaded side in the same fashion as the 1970s XJ-C I'd driven minutes before

Throttle firmly planted, the GT glides in utter silence in what has to be one of the most enveloped cabins at over 100mph

Seat adjusted and belt fastened, there's not much to take in from the heavily concealed cabin, with only the digital driver's display on show - though even this is still not the finished article.

Within moments of pulling away at low speed, I immediately feel the advantage of sitting lower to the ground at the epicentre of the car.

As I peer through the deeply raked windscreen at the expansive mass ahead, it's easy to forget there isn't a romping V12 lurking under there. And despite its dimensions, there isn't even room for a 'frunk' (a front trunk, pardon the horrible Americanisation) to bolster luggage space.

The first significant rotation of the steering wheel highlights exactly where I'm positioned within this enormous machine as the car pivots around me like Im a pin punched right through the yaw centre of this 2.7-tonne [approx] barge.

Pulling onto the entry road that leads to Gaydon's high-speed bowl, a pressured dab of the throttle provides the first taste of the 1,000bhp at my disposal, which seems excessive, even for an exclusive GT with a six-figure price tag.

This abundance of power is delivered to all four wheels by a single electric motor at the front and a pair at the rear.

Torque vectoring [the distribution of engine power to individual wheels, rather than across an axle] manages the delivery of horses while also monitoring for any modicum of wheel slip some 1,000 times per second - a necessary procedure to ensure the EV continues to move in its intended forward trajectory.

The active air suspension keeps the car taut but incredibly cushioned, which provides great poise while I'm travelling at speeds well in excess of the motorway limit during my driving stint

As we enter the bowl, Navid urges me to bury the throttle.

Complying with his request, I hear the whine of the inverter elevate as it orders a bulk of torque from the electric motors.

It delivers a wonderfully linear exhalation of thrust as it accelerates with real elegance. It's in complete contrast to the 1,140bhp Porsche Cayenne Turbo Electric I drove days earlier, which instantly dumps its torque in a nauseating manner.

In the Jaguar's Comfort driving mode  the only one of three I'm authorised to use - the nose of the car lifts prominently as the bulk of the power is issued to the rear axle. It serves the luxurious sensation you typically one get when driving half-a-million-pound Rolls-Royces.

Matt tells me this characteristic is purposely tuned into the GT's Comfort mode. However, wind it up into the Dynamic setting and the software eradicates any body motion to keep the chassis flat and planted.

What is consistent across all three modes is that the power is rear bias (Rain/Ice/Snow mode being the most front bias of them all), with Becker and his team adamant that it should feel like a rear-wheel-drive car but with the safety net of all-wheel drive.

Throttle firmly planted, the GT glides in utter silence in what has to be one of the most enveloped cabins at over 100mph. An active noise cancelling system is still in the tuning phase but when added to the production car - I imagine - will make it incredibly hushed.

The active air suspension keeps the car taut but still beautifully cushioned, which provides great poise while I'm travelling at speeds well in excess of the motorway limit as the car eats miles with unintimidating ease.

Charging into the bowl's banked corners with some velocity, the body pitches onto the loaded side in the same fashion as the 1970s XJ-C I'd driven minutes before. But there's not a hint of a loss of traction as the torque vectoring disburses the power to where it's needed, making the GT feel unwaveringly stable.

The four-door GT authentically reproduces some of the best driving hallmarks of the 1970s XJ-C, from its cossetted cabin, ease of use and luxurious ride comfort

Whether the four-door GT completely captures the Jaguar DNA that Glover and his team are seeking can only be judged in the final product that arrives in a matter of months

Navid redirects me to a different area of the testing grounds specifically designed to calibrate the ride quality on a route reflecting the worst-rutted B-roads in Britain - it's narrow, pothole-riddled and laden with joins and uneven tarmac.

Yet the GT feels composed throughout, though still very much on the firm side as it communicates every blemish in the surface below without reproducing the harshness in the cockpit.

That's even the more impressive given the EV rolls on standard-fit 23-inch wheels - which are so big that they account for 55 per cent of the car's total height - and all-season tyres, which are typically firmer than summer rubber.

Like its XJ-C yardstick, its surprisingly easy and agile when navigating slower manoeuvres, which is aided by its rear-wheel steering that JLR has mastered in other model lines, including the hulking Range Rover.

Does it 'feel like a Jag'?

It's clear that many of the GT's characteristics have intentionally been engineered into the software to recreate the attributes that made previous Jaguar's great.

It authentically reproduces some of the best driving hallmarks of the XJ-C, from its cossetted cabin, ease of use and luxurious ride comfort.

In fact, Jaguar showed me the graphs detailing the suspension performance of the EV versus its 1970s inspiration - and the two are outrageously close given their half-century void.

Whether the four-door GT completely captures the Jaguar DNA that Glover and his team are seeking can only be judged in the final product that will debut in a matter of months.

But what's clear today is that the company has built itself an engineering team capable of reproducing character elements of legendary models from its history, despite being underpinned by an entirely different - and inherently heavier - architecture.

Jaguar has confirmed that the yet-named electric four-door GT will be unveiled in September. First deliveries are scheduled for early 2027. But there's still plenty of work yet to be done...

What's next for the electric four-door GT?

Jaguar has confirmed that the showroom-ready car will be unveiled in September and first deliveries are due for early 2027.

But before then, there are still major areas that need to be signed off.

This includes its official name, which we're told will be confirmed in a matter of weeks.

Becker also tells me that there's work to be done on the sound the EV produces, both inside and out.

The score for the cabin has already been meticulously tuned on a simulator but is yet to be deployed in a prototype to gauge if the soundtrack suits the driving characteristics.

What I do know is that it won't sound like a spaceship or synthetically reproduce the noise of a combustion engine.
Summer holidays are just around the corner but anyone browsing for plane tickets may be in for a nasty shock.

The cost of flying has jumped over the past month amid the growing oil crisis in the Middle East thanks to the Iran war.

The average price of a barrel of jet fuel has soared by 104pc since February and Europes supplies are drying up, with Britains last shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East due to arrive tomorrow. There are fears there could be shortages within a week.

Airline bosses have warned that they could pass on increased fuel costs to families looking to get away this summer if the conflict drags on.

Air fares are also being pushed higher as a result of travel disruptions at major international airports in Doha and Dubai.

But there are still a few holiday hotspots you can fly to for a bargain and that have been untouched by soaring costs  so far. Experts now tell Money Mail that any would-be travellers should act quickly if they want to secure a good deal before airlines burn through their stock of fuel. Once their current reserves have been used, airlines will have to begin to buy jet fuel at jacked-up prices.

Safe destinations are set to soar

Most countries in the Middle East will be off limits for casual travel this spring, according to official Foreign Office advice. But popular destinations around the area have also dwindled in popularity.

For example, searches and bookings for holidays to Cyprus and even Greece have plummeted, as holidaymakers instead choose safer destinations further away from the conflict zone.

The cost of flying has jumped over the past month amid the growing oil crisis in the Middle East thanks to the Iran war

The average price of a barrel of jet fuel has soared by 104 pc since February and Europes supplies are drying up

Holidaymakers will instead flock to spots such as Portugal and Spain this summer. However, this will send flight prices to these locations higher.

Laura Lindsay, of comparison website Skyscanner, explains that the price of tickets is always based on the demand for the flight route and the number of seats available.

If demand for safer hotspots goes up and the number of available tickets dwindles, then the airlines will hike prices to rake in more money.

Alistair McLean, of travel agent Dorking Travel, says: Its inevitably going to happen.

If everyone decides not to go to Turkey and instead wants to go to Spain, then the airlines will add a premium.

Overall, flights from the UK to all European destinations are still level with last years prices, according to comparison website Kayak. This is based on an average of economy fares shown to customers between March 1 and 22 for flights within 120 days, compared with the same dates in 2025.

But tickets to long-haul destinations such as America have increased by as much as 15 pc.

Fares naturally change month to month depending on the time of year.

But comparing this years fares to the same period last year gives a clearer picture of how the conflict may be impacting on prices.

Quotes for return tickets to Central American spots such as Guatemala and Costa Rica on Kayak have increased by 15 pc to 790 from 687 last year. Return tickets to South America cost 9 pc more, at 976 on average.

Flights to the Caribbean, a popular family destination, rose 4 pc, climbing to 809 return.

John Morphet, owner of luxury resort Royal Westmoreland, has seen inquiries surge by 25 pc in the last few weeks for its Barbados villas. He expects this spike to continue.

Direct flights at a premium

Crucial connection hubs for international travel in the Middle East  such as Dubai  are running reduced flights amid the conflict. It means families have fewer flight options when flying to long-haul destinations, which in turn will push up fares.

Tim Potter, who runs a travel agency in Bristol, says: If youre travelling to Asia or Africa, the big connection hubs are in the Middle East.

We are instead booking people on direct flights or through other hubs at the moment.

But these flights  especially to destinations like Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand  are selling out quicker. Theres only a limited number of direct flights to the Maldives, for example.

Flights to the Maldives  both direct and indirect  have jumped 32 pc year on year, to 1,218 for a return flight, Kayak says.

The price of flights to New Zealand has soared 20 pc to 1,651 when compared with 2025, while those to Singapore are up 23 pc at 824.

Fuel costs to go through the roof

The Middle East is a major supplier of jet fuel but the Strait of Hormuz  a vital passage for around one fifth of the worlds oil supply  is effectively blocked as it is largely under Irans control.

The supply of aviation fuel has been squeezed since the blockage, which has caused a metric tonne of jet fuel (the standard measurement) to climb to $1,710, more than double its $742 cost a year ago.

The Strait of Hormuz  a vital passage for around one fifth of the worlds oil supply  is effectively blocked as it is largely under Irans control

Laura Lindsay, of comparison website Skyscanner, says the price of tickets is always based on the demand for the flight route and the number of seats available

In the first week of the war, the average price of jet fuel soared by more than 58 pc. Unless this falls in the coming months, airlines will eventually pass on this surcharge to their passengers.

Travel agents are yet to see fuel prices drive fares higher but they warn its just a matter of time.

Low-cost airlines shouldnt be affected immediately. They hedge fuel costs and so wont yet be paying the highest rates to buy fuel. Ms Lindsay adds: Fuel is a significant element of an airlines cost base. In the short term, many airlines will have hedged costs.

Airlines minimise the risk of rising fuel prices by locking in a fee for at least some of their supply ahead of time. So while fuel is soaring in price, airlines are still working through the hedged fuel that they secured the price of a year or two ago. It means air fares could soar when these airlines use up their hedged fuel later in the year and next year. Then they would be forced to use the more expensive fuel bought when prices rose.

Some airlines, however, are remaining optimistic. Budget airline Ryanair has paused fuel hedging in the hope that prices tumble in the coming months. This means they are not currently buying fuel for the future.

Meanwhile, British Airways has said it does not plan to increase fares yet.

Overseas, the hikes have already started via fuel surcharges (additional fees added to the base price of a ticket).

For instance, Cathay Pacific is increasing its fuel surcharge today from the $149 customers paid last month to $200.

American company United Airlines chief executive Scott Kirby has claimed its airfares could climb by 20 pc.

Book your 2027 trip now

Holidaymakers who were looking to book a July trip abroad may wonder if they should wait for prices to plummet before securing a ticket. But experts are warning them to lock in a price now before fares climb further.

If the war continues, airlines may continue adding premiums to safe hotspots as these places surge in popularity.

But families may still be able to book tickets before the fuel price hike filters down into fares.

Mr McLean, of Dorking Travel, adds: The airlines are buying fuel this year for 2027, so prices will go through the roof.

Travel agents are urging those who want to go on a trip this year or next to book it sooner rather than later. Mags Jordan, of Travel By Mags, says: Secure your bookings now. As time goes on, the fares could be high. Take a South Africa holiday I have been arranging on behalf of a family for next year. They didnt book because of the conflict. Since then, the cost has gone up 5 pc.
The head of the Church of Englands 11bn investment fund has stepped down less than a year after taking charge, in a blow to the new Archbishop of Canterbury.

John Worths immediate departure as chief executive of the Church Commissioners for England was announced in a brief statement to the stock market.

No reason was given for the announcement, which came just days after Sarah Mullally was enthroned as head of the Church.

Worth, a former executive at financial services firms including Hiscox and Prudential, as well as accountants EY and PwC, has held the post since September.

Chief operating officer Rosie Slater-Carr replaces him on an interim basis. The group is responsible for the ethical management of the Church of Englands investment fund.

It contributes around a fifth of the running costs of the Church and has distributed 1.2billion over the 2023-2025 period.
There will hardly be much cause for celebration at Lloyds, Close Brothers and other motor industry lenders caught up in the car finance scandal.

Nevertheless, the lobbying against overzealous payouts has slimmed down the numbers of claimants by millions to 12.1m and the total cost of the scheme from 11bn to 9.1billion.

Consumers can look forward to payouts being notified as soon as this summer, with an average transfer of 829. Bigger cheques for fewer people.

The Financial Conduct Authority wants a streamlined system, which freezes out the claims management ghouls.

Lessons have been learned from the drawn-out saga of Payment Protection Insurance (PPI), which ended up draining 50billion from the banking system.

Costs to lenders of operating the scheme are being cut sharply by some 40 per cent, by removing requirements such as registered post.

Payouts: Victims of the car finance scandal can look forward to payouts being notified as soon as this summer with an average transfer of 829

Less certain is whether a less secure approach will create a field day for scammers. Hiding the real cost of loans from consumers was clearly wrong.

Over the decades, the reputation of banks, finance houses and insurers has taken a battering over endowment policies, PPI and now car loans.

Hidden commissions and profiteering at the expense of consumers is to be deplored. In car finance the rip-offs have become legion.

Too often, however, citizens demand compensation. In an ideal world better financial education and caveat emptor would be the real protection.

Power vacuum

Someone, somewhere in Whitehall, one trusts, has a plan for steering Britain through the worst energy crisis since Russia invaded Ukraine. The IMF warns that Britain is especially exposed because of its reliance on gas-fired power.

The Governments handling is more reminiscent of James Callaghans infamous Crisis? What Crisis? in 1979, than the smarter response to the Great Financial Crisis in 2008.

There is a great deal of performative stuff going on as the Government seeks to show it is on top of its brief.

There was another round table in Downing Street with Keir Starmer talking with oil and financial bosses, including Lloyds of London.

Starmer needed to be in a more conciliatory mood than Rachel Reeves, who alienated oil and retail chiefs with warnings on price gouging.

The Chancellor has forgotten that energy companies kept the lights on in the pandemic and retailers made sure that Britons did not starve in their homes.

The best way for the Government to help on energy costs would be a temporary reprieve on fuel duty and VAT.

Reeves latest effort was to remind fellow G7 finance ministers and central bankers not to revert to protectionism. Mondays virtual session is the fourth since hostilities in the Gulf began on February 28.

Despite a release of reserves brokered by the International Energy Agency, Brent crude prices have been up and down like a yo-yo, yesterday settling around $113 a barrel, or more than 50 per cent up since the start of the war.

Across the globe nations are taking steps to relieve pressure on consumers and commerce. All that has been heard from Downing Street is that a plan is being worked up to offer poorer households financial help through the local authority-administered Crisis and Resilience Fund.

What is needed is a coherent approach, which provides reassurance that contingencies for gas, jet fuel, diesel, fertiliser and other supplies are in the pipeline. The nation needs confidence in the resilience of the financial system.

London, after all, vies with New York to be the worlds top financial centre.

Green retreat

How frustrating it is that Simon ORegan and the Board of Impax Environmental Trust decided it has no choice but to give in to the greenmail of American raider Boaz Weinstein. It has decided there is no real choice but to launch its own tender offer.

If nothing else the assault on the investment trust sector has woken platforms up from a deep slumber and made it easier for shareholders, including this writer, to vote.

Bestinvest tells me the only realistic choice is to tender my shares, at an unknown price, or be left at the mercy of Weinsteins Saba.

Robust intervention by the FCA and a board with a backbone could have avoided this assault on minority shareholder rights.
Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly is pushing for regular price increases on NHS drugs in return for resuming investment in the UK.

Patrik Jonsson, president of the US pharmaceutical giants international businesses, said that it has been in talks with ministers and is optimistic an agreement can be reached.

He was hopeful a deal would be struck by the summer, which could allay concerns that the worlds biggest medicine companies are turning their backs on Britain.

Eli Lilly  which produces the popular weight-loss drug Mounjaro, a rival to Novo Nordisks Ozempic jab  hit pause on its plans for a biotech laboratory development in the UK in September 2025.

US-based Merck and London-listed AstraZeneca have also scrapped or paused investments in the UK as bosses have said Britain risks falling behind in the development of new drugs.

And Britains GSK plans to invest 23billion in the US by 2030, with the groups former chief executive, Emma Walmsley, saying it was still the leading market in the world in terms of the launching of new drugs and vaccines.

Mounjaro maker Eli Lilly hit pause on its plans for a biotech laboratory development in the UK in September 2025

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry also last year warned that Britain risked becoming uninvestable.

Jonsson said UK drug prices have been far too low for far too long, according to the Financial Times.

Talks with the Government are set to look at innovative pricing plans, which could link payments for anti-obesity drugs to whether patients are well enough to return to work, he said.

Jonsson said Eli Lilly would make a decision on whether to revive plans for the lab in the UK based on how the talks go over the next few months.

What we would need to see is actually those goals turning into really a well-defined action plan with interventions and timelines, he said.

After pressure from the US firms, Keir Starmer last year agreed to raise the price that the NHS will pay on drugs with the potential to extend patients lives.

He increased the threshold for every year of life gained from 20,00030,000 to 25,00035,000 a year.

At the time that the firm paused its investment last year, Eli Lilly UK president Christopher Stokes called the UK an international outlier in life sciences competitiveness.
The dismemberment of Unilever, under the watchful eye of activist Nelson Peltz, cannot be greeted with equanimity.

The fall in the share prices of both Unilever and its new food partner McCormick is hardly a great vote of confidence.

In recent years, this paper helped fight two great battles for the future of Unilever, Britains leading fast-moving consumer goods group.

In 2017, then-boss Paul Polman saw off the leveraged food conglomerate Kraft Heinz off after receiving an unwanted $143billion (108billion) bid.

Three years later, we supported Unilevers effort, in the face of Dutch opposition, to unify its board, management, listing and HQ in Britain  respecting its long heritage at Port Sunlight on Merseyside.

Unilever, similarly to ICI and Cadbury in their heyday, is one of the great bellwethers of British business with a reach into some of the worlds fastest growing emerging markets as well as the United States.

Raw deal? Marmite-maker Unilever has agreed to combine its food arm with US McCormick in a $44.8bn deal

I am very conscious of the fate of ICI, now almost a forgotten name.

Remarkably, its pharma offshoot Zeneca has flourished as part of AstraZeneca and, for the moment, is the star of the FTSE despite the unfriendly reception it has, at times, had to endure from Sir Keir Starmers Government.

Cadbury Schweppes was effectively defenestrated and lost as a listed-London firm due to the agitation of Peltz.

Conglomerates, notably Nestle and Procter & Gamble, in similar territory to Unilever, have been forced into radical change because of sub-octane growth. Nevertheless, they have largely held together.

Unilever, in contrast, has been jettisoning good enterprises, including its spreads operation, teas and ice cream with gay abandon.

The argument all along is that beauty and well-being, personal care and home care is where the future lies.

Certainly, the excellence of Unilevers R&D in these areas and uncanny ability to take on and develop brands has been impressive.

Shedding assets and selling out, as evidenced by Cadbury, which has sacrificed the reputation of its products, can be an error. Unilevers deal with McCormick is a mess.

Admittedly, releasing $15.7billion of cash will be useful. It would allow Unilever to dive into the takeover market, perhaps fulfilling former boss Alan Jopes 50billion ambition to buy out GSKs consumer healthcare arm now renamed Haleon. It was an aborted deal which contributed to an early departure.

The current transaction may have been structured cleverly, to avoid excessive taxation, but it leaves Unilever as the 65 per cent owner of condiments champion McCormick.

Where ultimate authority will lie is unsaid. But the possibility of cost reductions  read redundancies and job losses  is high.

Then there is also the curiosity of India where the groups quoted offshoot Hindustan Unilever  which will be hanging on to Horlicks, Hellmanns and Marmite  for the moment is a roaring success.

It is worth noting that far from being a declining, slow-growth arm, foods last year was responsible for 22.6 per cent of income, matching that of personal care.

The idea that weight-loss drugs have undermined the value of power food brands is one of those myths pedalled by investment banks and PR executives anxious to get fat fees and bonuses over the line.

These pages have long defended British companies from being sliced, diced and sold on. The cries that Britain must be open to overseas investment and heritage doesnt matter must be questioned.

It almost lost AstraZeneca to the US in 2014, saw aerospace pathfinder Cobham defenestrated and allowed the nations finest tech company Arm Holdings to lose its British moorings.

Marmite, Colman, Bovril and Knorr may not be cutting-edge products. The fate of investment trusts, such as Herald, Edinburgh and Impax may appear marginal to the UK as a centre of financial excellence.

Unilevers dance of the seven veils has been conducted in haste at the behest of a professional deal-maker in Peltz, who has no concept of the national interest.

When Unilever put former finance director Fernando Fernandez in charge, it reduced a strong marketing and science culture and love of brands to simply numbers on a balance sheet.

The sugar rush of the McCormick deal is hasty and ill-conceived.
Thousands of Unilever workers were facing uncertainty last night after it confirmed a 11.9billion merger between its food arm and a US rival.

McCormicks brands, which include Frenchs mustard, Old Bay seasoning and Cholula hot sauce, will join the consumer goods giants labels  such as Knorr and Pot Noodle  in a 49billion powerhouse.

Unilever, which intends to focus on beauty products, is spinning off its food division to be merged with McCormick.

The firms shareholders will own 35 per cent of the combined group while Unilever will control 65 per cent  in a deal that values the latters food brands at 33.8billion.

But Brendan Foley, chief executive of McCormick, and Unilevers boss Fernando Fernandez, yesterday gave no reassurances when asked whether this would result in shutting factories or cutting jobs in the UK.

The firms expect the deal to result in 453million in cost savings, with Foley saying a big portion will come from having the scale to negotiate better deals with suppliers.

Silence: Unilever boss Fernando Fernandez (pictured), gave no reassurances when asked whether this would result in shutting factories or cutting jobs in the UK

But he also said the company would see synergies play out when it came to the future of manufacturing in Britain, raising the prospect of closures.

British brands made by Unilever  which employs more than 6,000 workers in the UK  include Marmite, Colmans and Bovril.

The merger could raise concerns reminiscent of when Unilever moved the production of Colmans mustard from its historical home in Norwich, where it was founded in 1814, to Burton-on-Trent and Germany.

Unilever has been pivoting towards its health and beauty products over the past few years, such as spinning-off the ice-cream arm behind Magnum and Ben & Jerrys last year.

Unilever had previously said it was keen to cling on to brands that are more popular across the world, including Hellmanns and Knorr, but was open to selling the niche British ones.

Chris Beckett, consumer staples analyst at Quilter Cheviot, said: McCormick will likely spend the next 15 months to completion taking a careful look at all brands.
READ MORE: How to have flawless skin at any age like the stars

Mr Canizales is suing the clinic for damages and lost earnings

The former CEO of a thriving cosmetic clinic chain has launched Federal Court proceedings following his dismissal from the multi-million-dollar company, as details of a past business bankruptcy can be revealed.

Former Contour Clinics boss Mike Canizales is suing the company, having been appointed CEO in January 2024 on a salary of $350,000 before being sacked in August 2025.

Before joining the company, Mr Canizales ran a high-end spa business in the United States that later collapsed into bankruptcy.

Daily Mail can reveal his luxury chain, Spa Chakra, filed for Chapter 11 protection in 2009 before shutting its doors the following year, leaving a trail of financial turmoil.

The company operated luxury spas in high-end hotels at around 15 premium locations before its abrupt downfall.

The revelation has emerged ahead of a bitter Federal Court fight between Canizales and Contour Clinics founder Dr Josh Wall, in a case set to air a series of disputed allegations.

In a 31-page statement of claim, Mr Canizales accuses Dr Wall of struggling with illicit drugs, gambling and embezzlement but those claims are strongly denied.

He alleges upon taking the CEO role, Dr Wall confided he had recently returned from rehab in Thailand following a battle with substance abuse.

Former Contour Clinics CEO Mike Canizales has launched the explosive court action

Dr Wall left the business he co-founded in November to focus on his 'health and wellbeing'

Mr Canizales further claims he uncovered serious financial irregularities within the fast-growing cosmetic chain, including alleged embezzlement of up to $1million.

Dr Wall, while acknowledging past difficulties managing stress, rejects any suggestion of embezzlement or wrongdoing.

'I have faced issues with stress in the past, which I haven't always managed appropriately,' he said in a statement.

'At no point, have I let these issues impact my care for patients, which has always been my absolute priority.'

The dispute escalated after an anonymous complaint about Dr Wall's alleged drug use was lodged with the Health Care Complaints Commission in 2024, triggering mandatory testing.

Mr Canizales claims Dr Wall failed that test, but a letter from the Medical Council of NSW in February 2025 said it was satisfied Dr Wall had ceased cocaine use and was not 'impaired'.

He subsequently undertook further voluntary testing, which returned negative results.

'I have also undertaken further testing, that I was not compelled to do so, and these voluntary tests were all negative,' Dr Wall said.

Contour Clinics has grown into an eight-clinic chain offering non-surgical cosmetic procedures

Dr Josh Wall was cosmetic doctor and the medical director of Contour Clinics which he founded in 2017 with buiness partner Ben Thurlow

In June 2025, Contour Clinics engaged advisers to raise capital, and by the following month the company had been valued at about $160million.

Under an alleged agreement, Mr Canizales claims he stood to pocket $27.2million.

Instead, he was suspended and then sacked in August 2025 for alleged misconduct, with the company claiming he misled them about his resume and past business dealings, something he denies.

Mr Canizales maintains he only agreed to stay on to turn around the business if he was granted a share in any future 'liquidity event', such as a sale or capital raising.

Contour Clinics was founded in 2017 by Dr Wall and Ben Thurlow, and has grown into an eight-clinic chain offering non-surgical cosmetic procedures popular with influencers and reality TV stars.

The court documents also reveal claims of internal turmoil, including alleged discrepancies in financial records and repeated cash flow errors up to $500,000.

Dr Wall left the business last November to focus on his health and wellbeing.

'I made the difficult decision to step away from Contour Clinics to focus on my health and wellbeing,' he said.

Contour Clinics posted a make up-free photo of Aussie influencer Mikaela Testa on Instagram before she underwent a rejuvenation and anti-wrinkle treatment

'This followed an intense and stressful period for the business, including false allegations put forward by the former CEO in regards to my conduct.

'In stepping away from the business, I am entirely focused on my own health and wellbeing and making a recovery as quickly as possible.'

Mr Canizales is no stranger to high-stakes legal fights.

He successfully sued Microsoft 30 years ago after losing out on share options tied to a role with ninemsn, and walked away with an estimated $14million payout.
Do you have more information? Email Ben.Ashford@dailymail.com

Kristi Noem's husband is today revealed as a secret cross-dresser who dons gigantic fake breasts and pink hotpants to chat with online fetish models.

While his wife has operated at the highest echelons of government, handling matters of national security in her recent role as secretary of homeland security, Bryon Noem, 56, has been dressing up and paying adult entertainers to talk dirty.

The Daily Mail has reviewed hundreds of messages involving three women from the 'bimbofication' scene  where porn performers transform themselves into real-life Barbie dolls by pumping colossal amounts of saline into their breasts.

Bryon has lavished praise on their surgically enhanced bodies, confessed his lust for 'huge, huge ridiculous boobs,' and even made indiscreet remarks about his 34-year marriage to Kristi, our investigation can exclusively disclose.

National Security experts consulted by the Daily Mail said his brazen behavior could have left the 54-year-old MAGA favorite, who oversaw ICE's aggressive crackdown until she was removed from her position on March 5, vulnerable to blackmail.

'If a media organization can find this out, you can assume with a high degree of confidence that a hostile intelligence service knows this as well,' warned former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos.

In a selfie shared with one of his online contacts, Bryon, an insurance mogul, can be seen squeezing into a flesh-colored crop-top and skintight pink shorts.

The father of three appears to have stuffed two balloons inside his shirt to resemble breasts  positioning the knots to mimic nipples.

The Daily Mail can reveal Kristi Noem's husband Bryon Noem is a secret cross-dresser who exchanges photos of himself online wearing giant fake breasts

Bryon Noem supported his wife last month by sitting dutifully beside her at a congressional hearing scrutinizing her aggressive immigration enforcement tactics

The former secretary of homeland security and her insurance mogul husband have been married for 34 years and share three children

Another photo showed the rancher and businessman wearing figure-hugging green leggings and a white top stretched over two bulging orbs, with his face clearly visible in both images.

Bryon pouted playfully at the camera, seemingly unconcerned that his online activity could pose security implications for his wife's position at the heart of the Trump administration.

Texts and WhatsApp messages revealed Bryon was being repeatedly asked for money during the 14 months his wife led the nation's largest federal law enforcement agency.

He sent his secret roster of online acquaintances at least $25,000 (19,000) via Cash App and PayPal but when the payments were delayed or failed to materialize the chats would quickly turn sour.

One of the women became so disgruntled she posted about his behavior on social media before later deleting it.

Jack Barsky, a former Soviet spy-turned-US counterintelligence asset, told the Mail the potential for blackmail was alarming.

'It's astounding that somebody whose spouse is at that level has that kind of bad judgment,' he said.

In a selfie shared with one of his online contacts, the insurance mogul can be seen squeezing into a flesh-colored crop-top and skintight pink shorts

He appears to have stuffed two balloons inside his shirt to resemble breasts  positioning the knots to mimic nipples

The photos obtained by the Daily Mail suggest Bryon Noem is so infatuated with the bimbo aesthetic he's tried to replicate it himself

Polymeropoulos, a CIA veteran of 26 years, agreed.

'Damaging information like this can be a tantalizing lead for a hostile intelligence service.

'They approach the person and say, if you work with us we won't expose this, and if you don't, we will. That's espionage 101.'

When the Daily Mail reached Bryon Noem by telephone he did not deny having explicit conversations or sharing photos of himself dressed as a woman.

It was also put to him that he had made indiscreet comments about his wife and could have endangered national security by exposing her to the threat of blackmail.

'Yeah, I made no comments like that, that would lead to that,' Bryon replied. 'I deny the second part of that.'

He then hung up.

'Mrs Noem is devastated,' a spokesman for the former secretary told the Mail.

'The family was blindsided by this. They ask for privacy and prayers at this time.'

Kristi Arnold and Bryon Noem met in high school, married in 1992, and raised daughters Kassidy, now 31, and Kennedy, 29, and a son, Booker, 23.

Their marriage became the subject of intense speculation when the Daily Mail revealed her alleged years-long affair with close advisor Corey Lewandowski in a 2023 expose.

Kristi, at that time the Republican governor of South Dakota, denied the fling and the Noems have since put up a united front.

Bryon Noem supported his wife last month by sitting dutifully with her at a congressional hearing scrutinizing her aggressive immigration enforcement tactics.

Another photo shows the rancher and businessman wearing figure-hugging green leggings

The unearthed photos have drawn criticism from experts who say his brazen behavior could have left the 54-year-old MAGA favorite vulnerable to blackmail

But the cameo backfired horribly when California Democrat Sydney Kamlager-Dove asked the outgoing DHS secretary: 'Have you had sexual relations with Corey Lewandowski?'

Noem didn't issue an outright denial, instead snapping back: 'I am shocked that we're going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee.'

The vast trove of saucy texts, WhatsApp messages and images obtained by the Daily Mail reveals that clean-cut Bryon has his own share of secrets.

His fetish was '3000cc-plus boobs,' according to one of the models who communicated extensively with him and described their conversations to the Daily Mail.

That's a reference to custom-made XXL implants that can hold more than 3,000 cubic centimeters of saline per breast  far greater than surgeons typically recommend.

'It's called bimbofication. People who modify their body to look like a doll. The Barbie look,' she explained.

'His kink is for huge, huge ridiculous boobs.'

When the Daily Mail reached Bryon by telephone he did not deny having explicit conversations or sharing photos of himself dressed as a woman

Bryon got in contact with a model using the pseudonym 'Jason Jackson', complimenting her 'amazing' curves and vowing to worship her like a 'goddess,' according to messages seen by the Mail.

In texts and audio calls, the pair shared everything from mundane daily chit-chat to spicy banter about her augmented chest.

'How are your boobs?' he asked her. 'Would you ever go bigger?'

The model sent him an array of topless selfies and lingerie shots.

'Jason' apparently felt relaxed enough to reciprocate with photos of himself wearing skimpy outfits and lopsided DIY breasts.

'You turn me into a girl,' he said. 'Should I put on leggings?'

A PayPal account belonging to 'Jason Jackson' sent the woman regular deposits, typically between $500-$1,000 (380-750).

She says he openly admitted to having a wife and family.

'He'd say, "I love my wife, I want to get better." Then he'd disappear, come back, and start again,' the woman added.

Over time, the models began to figure out the real identity of their shadowy benefactor.

A second woman told the Daily Mail she pocket-dialed Jason and was astonished to hear a voicemail greeting saying: 'Noem Insurance, leave a message.'

A quick Google search pulled up photos of Kristi and Bryon Noem.

'I was completely shocked. I said, "Why are you doing this?" I didn't think hot guys did this,' the woman said.

'He said he didn't care. I thought, you should care  your wife could lose everything she's ever worked for.'

The second woman had also read about Kristi's alleged affair with Lewandowski, a longtime GOP operative who married 9/11 widow Alison Hardy in 2005 and has four children.

'I asked him about it and his response was, "I know. There's nothing I can do about it."'

Ms Noem has denied rumours that she and GOP operative Corey Lewandowski have been in a romantic relationship despite both being married

Lewandowski brazenly reappeared at Noem's side during her official trip to Guyana last week

Meanwhile, Kristi and GOP operative Lewandowski have continued to appear alongside each other publicly, with him even turning up at her side during her official trip to Guyana, Costa Rica and Ecuador last week.

Bryon Noem appears to have curtailed his messaging around January of this year, just as his wife was overseeing the controversial deportation surge in Minneapolis, during which two US citizens were shot dead by ICE agents.

Trump removed her from the cabinet two months later amid bipartisan criticism of her clumsy efforts to label the victims, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, 'domestic terrorists'.

Insiders said the President was also furious after Noem told Congress he had approved a $220million (165million) advertising campaign featuring her riding a horse at Mount Rushmore.

Markwayne Mullin, a conservative senator from Oklahoma, has since replaced her at the DHS while Noem became special envoy for the Shield of the Americas, an initiative created by Trump to strengthen international security in both North and South America.

The newly created role, widely seen as a soft landing for her, involves liaising with Latin American governments to fight drug cartels.

The Daily Mail ran the photos of Bryon through specialist software to check for any signs they had been generated by AI, but found no evidence of digital tampering - with consistent lighting across the face, chest, fabric and background.

The telltale signs of edited or fake pictures  such as visible seams, artifacts or background distortion  were also not detected.

The metadata suggests the pictures were taken in early 2025 on an iPhone set to Central Time, consistent with Bryon's South Dakota location.
The Government is set to rake in well over 4.5billion in energy taxes this year, the Irish Mail on Sunday has learned.

The extent of the States rising fuel-tax take comes as the Government was this week accused of failing to support vulnerable householders who are struggling with soaring fuel costs.

Opposition leaders argue the 250million fuel-relief package announced this week does not go far enough, while one leading economist said wealthy people driving big SUVs will benefit most from the measures.

The relief package announced on Tuesday includes a 15 cent per litre reduction on petrol, 20 cent per litre off diesel and the removal of the two cent per litre National Oil Reserves Agency levy, all in effect until the end of May.

There was no reduction in the home-heating oil tax, which Age Action Ireland has predicted will contribute to a significant rise in poverty amongst elderly people.

However, the Government has indicated that more supports may be on the way.

Figures collated by the MoS show that 4.456billion  18 times the value of this weeks package  was collected in energy taxes last year.

That is set to rise by at least 117million this year, with a new rate for carbon tax to be introduced in May.

And according to estimates, the Government was taking in more than 1million extra per day on petrol and diesel VAT alone, ahead of the new relief package, compared to before the Iran crisis.

Petrol prices went from about 1.73 cent per litre to 2 per litre, meaning a VAT increase of 5 cents per litre, according to UCD energy economist Ciaran Mac Domhnaill.

That equates to an extra 150,000 per day, based on the CSOs record of around three million litres of petrol sold per day in March 2025.

Tanaiste Simon Harris ,Taoiseach Micheal Martin, and Minister of State Sean Canney announced measures to reduce energy costs at Government Buildings

Diesel went from about 1.72 per litre to 2.30 cent per litre, meaning an increase of 11 cent per litre in the 23 per cent VAT take. That amounts to 1,045,000 per day, based on around 9.5million litres of diesel being sold per day in March 2025. Petrol and diesel combined come to 1,195,000 a day.

Mr Mac Domhnaill said the relief measures announced this week may not be the most efficient approach and argued targeted supports would make more sense.

The Government is essentially subsidising everyones road fuel consumption, and this is costly, he told the MoS.

This money has to come from somewhere. Ultimately, its the taxpayer.

Either this is money that could be spent elsewhere that is being moved here, or theres going to be a future tax increase or future borrowing to cover it.

Mr Mac Domhnaill added: The other thing is, by cutting excise duty, which is uniform for everyone, this is going to benefit wealthier individuals and households more, because they tend to have larger vehicles and therefore consume more fuel  big SUVs and all that.

The researcher and economist said the excise cut was the quickest lever to pull for the Government  a quick measure that they could do almost overnight.

He added: To increase targeted supports  for example the fuel allowance  that might be a bit more challenging, but I think it would be a more efficient way to support those who are at most risk of energy poverty.

Camille Loftus, who is head of advocacy and public affairs at Age Action Ireland, said she was surprised that Government didnt target supports for older people with costs, for example through the Household Benefits Package, and is concerned that older people seem to be invisible to Government.

She told the MoS: Theyve extended the fuel allowance for four weeks, and most people think that everybody whos older gets fuel allowance, but they dont.

Fewer than 30 per cent of people in receipt of the State pension get fuel allowance.

Even when you look at the means-tested State pension  which is for people who reach that age without having sufficient social insurance contributions to qualify for a contributory pension, so we know those people are on low incomes  only 56 per cent of those qualify for fuel allowance.

So its not as well-targeted as it ought to be. Its missing a lot of people, Ms Loftus added.

The former Trinity College lecturer noted that a person cannot qualify for fuel allowance if they live with someone else who does not qualify.

So if you have one of your grown-up kids who is still living with you because they cant find somewhere to live and theyre trying to save to get themselves a home, that means those parents dont get fuel alone.

Ms Loftus said the lack of targeted support is a particular concern in light of the CSOs recently published data on poverty levels in Ireland in 2025, which showed that people aged 65 and over, who live alone, now have the highest rate of income poverty in Ireland.

Historically in Ireland, older people havent faced a high risk of poverty, so to see that was quite striking.

The CSOs report noted older households benefited the most from temporary supports in 2025.

Ms Loftus said: This year, none of those measures are in place, except for the four weeks additional fuel allowance.

So when we get the next set of poverty data in March 2027, we can anticipate a significant rise in poverty amongst older people, because those supports were withdrawn and nothing else was put in place, she added.

Last years energy tax yield breaks down to 2.737billion in levies for petrol and diesel, as confirmed in response to a parliamentary question from Independent TD Carol Nolan  545million in VAT on gas and electricity, Finance Minister Simon Harris said in response to queries from Sinn Fein TD Pa Daly and 1.174billion in carbon taxes, according to figures from the Governments Tax Strategy Group (TSG).

The TSGs estimated carbon tax take for this year is 1.291billion, a rise of 117million. The tax rate on the fuels such as home heating oil, green diesel, natural gas, and coal and peat, is due to increase from 63.50 per tonne to 71.

Ciaran Mac Domhnaill said the Government has not gone down that route [of cutting carbon tax] despite calls from opposition parties to do so.

He added: A lot of the revenue from the carbon tax goes towards some of these targeted supports. So reducing carbon tax would reduce money you have to spend on, for example, the warmer home schemes.

So that would seem a bit more difficult to justify at this point.
A senior Perth doctor has been suspended amid explosive allegations he ran a covert online trolling network that targeted fellow medical professionals with antisemitic and racially abusive attacks.

The Medical Board of Australia has referred Royal Perth Hospital nephrologist Dr Omar Azzam to a professional standards tribunal for alleged professional misconduct, with AHPRA suspending his registration pending the outcome of the hearing.

Dr Azzam is accused of creating multiple socialmedia accounts to unleash a stream of abusive content, including Hamaslinked symbols, ZioNazi slurs used to disparage supporters of Israel and posts that appear to mock Christians.

Former midwife Sharon Stoliar welcomed the news after enduring more than a year of alleged online harassment, during which Dr Azzam is accused of repeatedly targeting her on Instagram and Facebook.

Between late 2023 and early 2025, he allegedly stalked and trolled her accounts, posting obsessively on almost every update and attempting to intimidate people who interacted with her content.

Some comments were directed at her personally, including: '@sharonstoliar I can offer you a couple of neurons. Get you up to a grand total of 5!  sweet pea.' and '@sharonstoliar are you going to take me up on that offer of 2 central neurons sweet pea?'

Ms Stoliar, of South Asian descent, said the repeated 'neuron' insults were clearly racist and implied people of colour are unintelligent.

Although Stoliar is not Jewish, she is married to an Israeli man and is publicly supportive of Israel.

Dr Omar Azzam (pictured left)with his wife Katherine Azzam (pictured right)

Midwife Sharon Stoliar (pictured) said for more than a year Dr Omar Azzam allegedly stalked and trolled her accounts, posting obsessively on almost every update

Ms Stoliar said the repeated 'neuron' insults were clearly racist and implied people of colour are unintelligent

She said after public exposure of Dr Azzam's identity under the anonymous account @notmydoctor48, he changed his Instagram username to @thoroughlyentertained and altered his profile picture to an image of himself with a small baby, both wearing traditional Middle Eastern headdress known as a keffiyeh.

When the Maternity Consumer Network issued a statement supporting her and condemning racism and antisemitism, he began posting extensively on their page.

Ms Stoliar said after she lodged her initial complaint to AHPRA and Royal Perth Hospital in March 2025, Dr Azzam's behaviour escalated under what she believed were new aliases, where he mocked supporters and dismissed concerns about antisemitism as mere 'weaponisation.'

She said after going public with her complaint, other individuals contacted her to report similar experiences of trolling and harassment involving the same doctor during Covid.

'Patients deserve doctors who treat them with respect, not prejudice,' she told the Daily Mail.

'No one should have to endure racial harassment from a registered medical practitioner.

'His actions are not only blatant violations of professional conduct but also disgustingly racist, abusive, and harassing in nature.'

Royal Perth Hospital was contacted for comment but referred enquiries to AHPRA.

Demonstrators during the March for Palestine in Sydney last October, around the same time Ms Stoliar said Dr Azzam escalated his antisemitic and hostile rhetoric on social media

However the Daily Mail understands the hospital was aware of Dr Azzam's behavior as early as July 2024, when a Jewish doctor complained to the hospital's medical director about the doctor's online harassment and trolling.

The openly Jewish doctor, who said he has not posted about Israel or Zionism, nor has he ever met Dr Azzam, said the doctor sent him more than 30 messages on Facebook with just a Palestinian flag.

When the doctor asked why, Dr Azzam replied, 'I just like to send pretty pictures to people.'

'So for him, whom I've never met, to single me out and a number of other people, it's only because he's lurking on various Jewish social media groups,' he said on condition of anonymity.'

The doctor said he was aware Dr Azzam was hassling other staff including those of Jewish heritage.

'They acknowledged that they knew something about it, but to my knowledge, they didn't do anything,' he said.

A spokesperson for AHPRA said racism and discrimination in healthcare are unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

'Where conduct falls below professional standards, we will act to protect the public and uphold trust in the professions,' they said.

Dr Omar Azzam was working as a nephrologist at Royal Perth Hospital prior to his suspension

The Medical Board of Australia has imposed conditions on Dr Azzam including that he must refrain from any form of social media posting, or interaction, in relation to Gaza, Palestine or Israel.

'Dr Azzam is not permitted to work as medical practitioner, anywhere in Australia.'

Between July 1, 2023 and 28 February 28, 2026 the organisation received 223 notifications relating to concerns specifically about antisemitism or Islamophobia.

Senator Andrew Bragg said the volume of cases suggested the problem could be systemic.

'If I were a Jewish patient, I would be very worried about the kind of treatment I would be receiving from persons who are effectively threatening the community by wishing death upon people,' he said.

'Jewish people could be going to get a procedure done by someone threatening to kill people. That's not the Australian standard.'
A New Mexico father is facing multiple charges after allegedly killing his infant son by burying him alive in a ditch and then telling the boy's mother he was with his grandmother.

John Hannon, 43, allegedly buried his eleven-month-old son JJ alive in February after taking him for a walk.

Hannon came back empty handed, claiming he had given the boy to the care of his mother who lives in Colorado, according to the Durango Herald.

The boy's mother, Krystal Phillips, reported the boy missing just after 9.30pm on February 8 after Hannon allegedly refused to provide evidence of JJ's location, an affidavit seen by the outlet said.

The infant, John Teigue 'JJ' Hannon, was found on February 9, with his head and left arm buried in dirt, a fractured skull and dirt in his airways, an autopsy seen by the outlet said.

According to the doctor who examined the child, he believes that JJ was buried alive, the Herald reported.

The boy's stroller was found in a ditch where Hannon had been walking with his son off New Mexico 516, while JJ's footprint was also discovered near where he was buried, according to the outlet.

During an interview with police, Hannon was asked if he had ever hurt JJ, which he denied,' KOB4 reported.

John Hannon, 43, allegedly buried his eleven-month old son alive in February after taking him for a walk and said the boy had been left with Hannon's mother

Hannon had taken the boy on a walk on February 7 and came back empty handed, claiming he had given the boy in the care of his mother who lives in Colorado

The boy's mother, Krystal Phillips, reported the boy missing just after 9.30pm on February 8 after Hannon allegedly refused to provide evidence of JJ's location

An officer asked why JJ was missing and if he was hurt, to which Hannon said: 'Yes, he's hurt bad.'

'Did you hit him?' deputies asked.

'No, not technically,' Hannon replied, before confirming that he told officers he left JJ because he 'knew he was dead,' the outlet reported.

JJ's father claimed he had 'made a mistake,' and that 'at one point in time' he did love his children but had 'changed,' the affidavit seen by the Herald said.

'We understand how deeply unsettling this is for our community,' San Juan County Sheriff Shane Ferrari said in a release from the department.

'We are heartbroken over the loss of a young life in our community,' the release added.

'Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of this child. We are investigating this incident to our fullest capabilities and will relentlessly pursue justice.

'We ask that you respect the privacy of the family as they grieve this immense loss.'

JJ's father claimed he had 'made a mistake,' and that 'at one point in time' he did love his children but had 'changed'

According to the New Mexico Children, Youth and Families Department, Hannon and his family were known to the agency, which said to have had a 'history of involvement' with them

Hannon was arrested following a welfare check on unrelated charges, and was found by deputies in an RV hiding underneath a blanket on a bed, KOB 4 reported.

He had a history of violence after spending 84 days behind bars for multiple charges in 2024, court records show.

According to the New Mexico Children, Youth and families Department, Hannon and his family were known to the agency, which said to have had a 'history of involvement' with them, the Herald reported.

In September 2024, Hannon was charged with striking Phillips' 15-year-old son in the eye with his fist and pushed Phillips, the affidavit seen by the outlet said.

Four days after he pleaded no contest and received a sentence of 181 days on probation, police were called to his home on reports of 'yelling and cussing.'

Hannon was charged with false imprisonment, resisting arrest, concealing his identity and possession of drug paraphernalia and he pleaded guilty to resisting and possession on October 9, the outlet reported.

He was sentenced to 364 days of supervised probation. Six days later, police reported to his home on reports of domestic violence and then again three days after that.

A child of Phillips told officers that their mother's head was 'slammed' into the baby's crib, but the aggravated battery charge was dismissed, court records show.

Previous charges saw that Hannon was charged with a misdemeanor DWI related to a car crash in January after he had allegedly T-boned another vehicle while under the influence of drugs, and then attempted to plant a bad of meth in the car he had hit

Phillips filed for a protection order against Hannon for herself and her children, but it was dismissed after Phillips did not appear in court.

Ferrari told the Tri-City Record: 'This is another example of New Mexico's failed criminal justice system.'

In a statement, Ferrari added: 'There is no greater evil than individuals who hurt and kill children. You have my word we will do everything in our power to bring justice to this precious child.'

'I want to thank our deputies, our detectives for the long hours worked and your dedication to this case. Many will never understand the toll this takes on your hearts and minds.'

Previous charges saw that Hannon was charged with a misdemeanor DWI related to a car crash in January after he had allegedly T-boned another vehicle while under the influence of drugs, and then attempted to plant a bad of meth in the car he had hit, the outlet reported.

Hannon was charged with felony child abuse resulting in death and second-degree tampering with evidence. He is scheduled to appear in court next week.
Second lady Usha Vance has pulled back the curtain on her marriage to Vice President JD Vance, admitting that the couple don't always agree on the issues shaping the nation, and making clear she is not part of his political operation.

'I'm not his staffer. I'm not involved in this in any professional sense. There's no expectation that we are going to see eye to eye on everything,' Usha said in a candid interview with NBC News.

Her remarks offer a rare glimpse inside one of Washington's most closely watched relationships, revealing a dynamic built not on political uniformity but on personal trust and, at times, disagreement.

'The expectation is that we are going to be open-minded and have a conversation, and that I'll provide meaningful input from, you know, the perspective of someone who loves him and wants him to succeed,' she continued. 'So even if we don't agree, it's - I think it's always very productive.'

The second lady spoke during a 30-minute sit-down ahead of the launch of her new podcast, Storytime With the Second Lady, which is aimed at young children.

While she distanced herself from any formal advisory role, Vance made clear she still plays a deeply personal part in her husband's decision-making.

'There are conversations all the time,' she said. 'I do really like to understand what's going on in his world, what he's really focused on, what concerns he has, because it's a marriage. I mean, I want to be supportive of him, and if I don't really know what's going on, then I can't do that.'

She added that while the vice president has a full team of policy advisers, he turns to her in more personal moments.

Usha Vance said she and Vice President JD Vance 'dont always see eye to eye on every issue'

During a lengthy interview the second lady said she provides 'meaningful input' from the perspective of someone who loves him and wants him to succeed. Pictured, Vance is sworn in as US vice president in January 2025

'He comes to me when something is troubling him or when he really wants to talk through something that feels more, kind of, intensely personal or important personally,' she said.

Despite growing speculation about a potential White House bid in 2028, Usha said future political ambitions are not dominating conversations at home.

'JD is very focused on the midterm elections right now, on all the things that are happening right this moment, which are obviously exceedingly important,' she said. 'And so if you come back in 2027 and ask me, I'll have a better sense of, you know, what he's thinking in that way. But that's not the priority in our conversations.'

The vice president himself struck a similar tone in a December NBC News interview.

'I try to not wake up and ever think, "What does this mean for my future?" I always try to think, "How can I do a good job right now," right?' he said at the time. 'And that's one of the reasons why I've tried to steer away from the 2028 conversation.  I never want the focus on the future to come at the expense of this job.'

Usha Vance, 40, who was registered as a Democrat until at least 2014 and later voted Republican when her husband ran for Senate, said she has never felt pressure to conform politically.

'I do feel very comfortable in that no one has ever asked me to engage in any kind of litmus test on anything,' she said. 'And what I've found is that I was myself in 2014. I can be myself today. And I feel very comfortable in that world.

'I don't feel like I have to walk around pretending anything of any sort,' she added. 'Sometimes I have thoughts that fit very comfortably into one side or another. Sometimes I have views that are way more idiosyncratic.'

Usha Vance was registered as a Democrat until at least 2014 before later voting Republican. She said she feels comfortable in her current political environment and does not feel the need to 'pretend' when it comes to her views

The couple, who already have three children ages four, six and eight, are expecting a fourth child, a boy, in July

The Vances children are seen looking for attention during the GOP convention in 2024

As the first Hindu second lady, Usha said she does not feel weighed down by the historic nature of her role.

'Everything about this is so novel that this is just one element of the novelty, in many ways,' she said.

At the same time, she is navigating another first: becoming a mother while living in the vice president's residence at the Naval Observatory.

The couple, who already have three children ages four, six and eight, are expecting a fourth child, a boy, in July, making them the first vice presidential family in modern history to welcome a baby while in office.

Usha also addressed her husband's recent remark at an event where he revealed how he had persuaded his wife to have another child.

'I remember when we decided to run for vice president, I said, 'Honey, I really want to have a fourth kid.' And she said, 'Well, you can become vice president or you can have a fourth baby,' the vice president recounted. 'But, ladies and gentlemen, I am persuasive, because I got both.'

Usha laughed off the quip, saying that he did persuade her, 'in a manner of speaking,' though she added, 'I've never closed the door on that.'

The second lady said she does not feel pressure as the first Hindu second lady, calling it just one part of the roles 'novelty'. The couple are pictured at the Winter Olympics in February

The Vances are expecting their fourth child, a boy, in July

The Vances are seen along with their children Mirabel and Ewan disembarking from Air Force Two in February

Vice President JD Vance and Second Lady Usha Vance step off Air Force Two at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland earlier this month

'I grew up in a family of two. And I thought that was a great number. And then I had two kids, and I thought - I didn't feel quite done, right?' she said. 'So I really wanted to have a third child.'

'We have our daughter, who's amazing, and it was great. And so I just wasn't sure. But as time passed, I realized that I was feeling more and more, kind of, excited about that possibility.

'And so if there was a chance, I should take it, and I knew that I'd be happy if we only had three kids, and I knew that I'd be happy if we had four. And so here we are.'

Even amid the demands of public life, she said the family tries to maintain a sense of normalcy.

'We have our neighborhood shops. We have our Costco membership,' she said. 'It's just sort of a family tradition. It's the kind of stuff that you don't want to let go when you have a family life and you move into something like the Naval Observatory.'

Her upcoming podcast reflects another priority: that of literacy.

While at Yale Law School, Usha Chilukuri met her future husband, JD Vance, a relationship encouraged by their professor Amy Chua

Chilukuri and Vance married on June 14, 2014, in Kentucky in an interfaith marriage ceremony. Her husband's friend read from the Bible and a Hindu pandit blessed the couple

'It's a podcast that really is just for children,' she said, explaining that each episode will feature a guest reading a book followed by a short discussion.

She said the idea grew out of teaching her own children to read, and concern over broader trends.

'I've taught all of them to read now. Our four-year-old is just at the end of the early process,' she said.

She added that declining literacy rates are 'worrisome,' and helped drive her decision to launch the project.

'If I was going to do anything, this would be the thing to focus on at this moment in time,' she said.
Passengers flying through American airports were relieved on Monday to find significantly shorter security lines as Transportation Security Administration officers began receiving backpay for their work amid a partial government shutdown.

Checkpoint lines that stretched to four hours at Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport over the weekend lasted just 10 minutes or less, and in other major trouble spots like Baltimore-Washington International Airport and Atlanta, travelers were moving smoothly through the TSA checkpoints.

The massive improvements came as TSA employees started to receive paychecks covering the last several weeks of work.

They have not been getting paid since Congress failed to renew funding for the Department of Homeland Security on February 14, requiring around 61,000 TSA employees to work without pay since January 31.

More than 500 agents have since quit their jobs, while thousands more called out from work, amid a school spring-break travel surge with about five percent higher volume than last year's.

On Friday alone, more than one-third of security agents failed to show up for work at New York's John F Kennedy Airport, at Baltimore-Washington International Airport and at Atlanta's Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

Nearly half of all TSA workers also refused to show up to work on Friday at Houston's two airports, as TSA absences hit a high of 12.4 percent of all employees, amounting to 3,560 workers, not showing up for their shifts.

Amid the staffing shortage, Trump ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers to provide security at 14 airports. He then signed an executive action to restart payments on Friday, as Congress went on a two-week recess.

Passengers flying through American airports found significantly shorter security lines. Travelers are pictured here walking through the security lines at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas on Monday

The lines at George Bush Intercontinental Airport lasted just 10 minutes on Monday

Tha tmarked a major improvement from Sunday, when security lines stretched out the door

By Monday, most TSA officers started to receive a retroactive paycheck that included at least two full two-week paychecks, DHS announced.

The rest of the money is expected sometime next week, according to Johnny Jones, secretary-treasure of the TSA chapter of the American Federation of Government Employees.

Some workers have also reported incorrect backpay amounts, including missing overtime, he noted.

But for Andrea Connolly and her husband, who both work at Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport, the paycheck on Monday was a 'relief.'

She told 12 News it was a 'huge weight' that has been lifted off of her family, after they were struggling to afford basic necessities, including gas to get to work, and worried about keeping up with their mortgage and feeding themselves and their dogs.

'Every time this happens, there's a sense of gloom,' Connolly said, but now, 'We are happy and our dog children are happy.'

Still, some TSA agents continue to struggle.

Jones, who works as a TSA agent at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport, said one colleague told him his bank account was already 'back to zero' after covering his car and housing payments and late fees.

The lines were almost non-existent at Baltimore-Washington International Airport on Monday

The improvements came as TSA employees started to receive backpay for the hours they worked since funding lapsed for the Department of Homeland Security

Nearly half of all TSA workers also refused to show up to work on Friday at Houston's two airports, as TSA absences hit a high of 12.4 percent of all employees, amounting to 3,560 workers, not showing up for their shifts

The workers were only just beginning to recover financially from last fall's extended government shutdown, he noted.

Now, workers are relieved that the money has arrived, but worry that it will once again disappear, Jones claimed.

'None of my colleagues feel like theyve been made whole,' he said. 'Their finances are destroyed.'

The union said the TSA updated its furlough policy on Sunday, removing guidance that allowed officers to request a furlough if they could not report to work for reasons tied to the shutdown, such as lack of transportation or child care.

'Working without pay forced more than 500 officers to leave TSA and thousands were forced to call out,' acting TSA Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said in announcing the delayed payday.

The union agreed with these numbers, but said those who could not afford to report for duty now 'have disciplinary actions looming over their heads.'

'Backpay alone does not fix those problems,' the union said.

President Donald Trump deployed Immigration and Custom Enforcement agents to major airports to help alleviate the long lines

An ICE agent is seen assisting travelers through security at BWI Airport on Monday

Yet it at least seemed to help with the security lines, with passengers who arrived hours early at airports across the country finding they did not have to wait as long as they feared.

'We were running out the door to get here,' Lynn Desrosiers told The New York Times about her and Adam Coleman's morning as they raced to get to Baltimore-Washington International Airport four hours before their scheduled flight to Orlando, Florida.

'Looks like we're going to spend a lot of money on candy, maybe take a few naps.'

Meanwhile at Hartsfield-Jackson in Atlanta, which currently ranks as the world's busiest airport, passengers were spending just three to five minutes passing through the security lines, showing their identification and heading to luggage screening on Monday morning.

For Ron Woods, who showed up to the airport on Monday to check out the lines in an effort to decide when he should arrive for his planned trip to Houston, Texas on Wednesday, the short lines were a major surprise.

'What happened to these lines? They disappeared,' he told a passerby.

At George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, passengers on Monday also zipped through a maze of yellow caution tape and orange traffic cones left over from the hours-long lines that persisted just a few days earlier.

Jeff Badders, 69, and Kerry Pruitt, 62, said they arrived at the airport more than six hours early for their flight to Africa for a hunting trip.

The two applauded Trump for signing the executive order paying TSA agents.

'If Congress can't get done what needs to be done, we're glad that the president rose above politics to pay people who need a paycheck,' Badders said.

Travelers reported waiting up to four hours at checkpoints over the weekend. Travelers are pictured wait in a long security line at Terminal B at LaGuardia on Friday

Passengers were seen waiting in a TSA security checkpoint line that stretched through BWI on Sunday

Airline passengers made their way through the security lines, next to a closed screening area, in Terminal C at George Bush Intercontinental Airport on Sunday

His remarks came as there were few signs that Democrats and Republicans would reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security on Monday, as senators held a short session without considering a House bill to restore funding, then resumed their two-week long break.

President Trump has previously also rejected bipartisan efforts to fund the TSA amid negotiations over ICE operations with Democrats, who have refused to approve more funding without restraints on Trump's immigration enforcement and mass deportation efforts following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti.

They are demanding that ICE agents wear cameras, identify themselves and operate without masks. They also want judges to decide whether to issue their warrants, and they want ICE raids to avoid schools, churches or other sensitive places.

But White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that 'there has not been a change in policy.'

'It has always been the policy of this president and this administration to deport the worst of the worst illegal alien criminals,' she said, as she announced that Trump offered to host an Easter dinner for members of Congress who return to resolve the impasse.

Leavitt also said Trump wants Congress to return to Washington immediately to pass legislation to fully fund the Homeland Security Department.

In the meantime, ICE agents will continue to check passenger's IDs, patrol airports and direct traffic until operations return to normal.

As for the ICE agents Trump deployed to some airports a week ago to help with security, White House border czar Tom Homan said how long they help out checking IDs, patrolling and directing traffic depends on how quickly TSA employees return to work.
A 25-year-old woman gunned down a 16-year-old girl to protect her boyfriend's reputation after the teenager became pregnant with his child.

The chilling crime has now ended with both killers put behind bars for decades.

Katelynn Stone, just 16, was found dead inside a bedroom at a home on Kolbs Corner Road in Beaumont, Texas.

The grim discovery unraveled a disturbing plot driven by fear, secrecy, and what authorities say was a desperate attempt to avoid scandal.

According to court records, Stone had been in a relationship with 21-year-old Cody Lee Arnold and was living with him at the time of her death in March 2022.

Prosecutors told jurors that the teenager had recently discovered she might be pregnant - a development they argued Arnold saw as a direct threat to his reputation and potential legal consequences.

At the same time, Arnold was romantically involved with 25-year-old Chelsea Shipp.

Authorities say that volatile triangle set the stage for murder.

Chelsea Shipp, 25, accepted a plea deal and was sentenced to 40 years in prison for the killing of 16-year-old Katelynn Stone

Cody Lee Arnold, 21, was convicted of murder and sentenced to 34 years in prison by a Jefferson County jury

Katelynn Stone, 16, was found dead in a bedroom inside Cody Arnolds Beaumont, Texas home in March 2022

Prosecutor Jimmy Hamm laid out the alleged motive in stark terms during trial, telling jurors the pair discussed what to do about Stone and the pregnancy in the days leading up to her killing.

'They were seen together. They were talking about what they were going to do,' Hamm said in opening statements.

'They were smoking meth that entire weekend to build up the courage to kill that girl.'

Investigators said Arnold later told detectives that he and Shipp had been using methamphetamine when the violence unfolded.

He claimed he briefly left the room where Stone was sleeping, only to return to a horrifying scene with Shipp allegedly standing over the teenager with a gun.

According to Arnold's statement to police, he watched as Shipp pulled the trigger, killing Stone.

He then covered the girl's head with a bag because he 'did not want to look at it,' investigators said. He did not report the killing.

Stone's body remained inside the home for more than a day, from around 2pm Saturday until 10pm on Sunday before deputies with the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office arrived and made the discovery, according to a probable cause affidavit.

Chelsea Shipp was romantically involved with Arnold at the same time he was living with Stone, according to investigators

Chelsea Shipp pulled the trigger, killing Stone. Prosecutors said the killing was carried out to prevent Arnold from being labeled a sex offender

Prosecutors argued Arnold viewed the pregnancy as a threat to his reputation and potential legal consequences. Arnold admitted to covering Stones head with a bag after the shooting and not reporting the crime

Prosecutors said Stone had been in a relationship with Arnold and was living with him at the time of her death.

The case quickly drew intense scrutiny, with authorities moving first to arrest Arnold.

A search for Shipp followed, with officials asking the public for help locating her before she was taken into custody.

Prosecutors argued throughout the trial that the killing was calculated and part of an effort to prevent Arnold from being labeled a sex offender and to avoid the fallout from his relationship with a minor.

A Jefferson County jury ultimately agreed.

Arnold was found guilty of murder and related charges and last week was sentenced to 34 years in prison following trial proceedings in Criminal District Court.

Shipp, meanwhile, had already accepted a plea agreement in connection with the killing. She was sentenced to 40 years in prison.
A man was wrongfully arrested and detained at a Hawaii state psychiatric hospital for two years in a case of mistaken identity.

Joshua Spriestersbach, 55, had been living on the street in 2017 when police arrested him for crimes committed by another man named Thomas Castleberry.

At the time, Castleberry had already been incarcerated in Alaska since 2016, according to court filings cited in the lawsuit.

During two previous interactions, police misidentified Spriestersbach and then did not correct the record, according to a lawsuit Spriestersbach filed in 2021.

Those errors and others led to his eventual 2017 arrest and a yearslong detention.

He is now set to receive a $975,000 payout from the City and County of Honolulu.

Spriestersbach also may receive a $200,000 settlement from the state to resolve legal claims against the Hawaii public defender's office.

The settlement follows years of legal action in which Spriestersbach alleged false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, abuse of process and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from the ordeal.

Joshua Spriesterbach, 55, was mistaken by Thomas Castleberry and wrongfully arrested by Honolulu Police when he was waiting outside a shelter to get food

At the time of Spriestersbach's arrest, he was mistaken for Thomas Castleberry who was already incarcerated in Spring Creek Correctional Facility in Alaska since 2016

In 2011, Spriestersbach was homeless and sleeping at Kawananakoa Middle School in Punchbowl when an officer woke him up and asked for his name.

Spriestersbach would not give a first name, his lawsuit says, and gave only his grandfather's last name: Castleberry.

The officer found a 2009 warrant for Thomas Castleberry and arrested Spriestersbach for the outstanding warrant. He told the officer he was not Thomas Castleberry, the complaint says, but the officer arrested him anyway.

Spriestersbach didn't show up to his court date, and the court later dropped the bench warrant for him. But the mistaken identity followed him.

In 2015, an HPD officer approached Spriestersbach after hours in 'A'ala Park, where he had been sleeping.

He initially refused to give his name to that officer but eventually did so, the complaint says.

Thomas Castleberry was listed as an alias, and there was a warrant out for his arrest, the complaint says, but because the officers took Spriestersbach's fingerprints this time, they confirmed he was not Castleberry.

Still, the complaint says, they did not update the police department's records.

Spriestersbach will receive a $1.1 million payout. He now lives with his sister in Vermont and is afraid to leave her 10-acre property, thinking he is going to get arrested again

The lawsuit alleges authorities had access to fingerprints and photographs that could have definitively distinguished the two men but failed to properly compare or act on that information.

On the day of 2017 arrest, Spriestersbach was waiting for food outside Safe Haven in Chinatown.

He fell asleep on the sidewalk while waiting in line, his complaint says, and an HPD officer woke him up and arrested him for Casteberry's outstanding warrant.

According to court filings, Spriestersbach believed at the time he was being arrested for violating Honolulu's restrictions on sitting or lying on public sidewalks, not for an outstanding warrant tied to another man.

Spriestersbach spent four months at O'ahu Community Correctional Center and more than two years at the Hawaii State Hospital before being released on January 17, 2020.

During his confinement at the hospital, Spriestersbach was forced to take psychiatric medication, according to filings from the Hawaii Innocence Project.

Police officers, public defenders and health workers had had the chance to correct the mistake that led to Spriesterbach's detention and custody, according to his complaint. But nobody did so.

'Prior to January 2020, not a single person acted on the available information to determine that Joshua was telling the truth - that he was not Thomas R. Castleberry,' the complaint says.

Spriesterbach was committed to a Hawaii State Hospital, where he was heavily medicated, for two years and eight months until a psychiatrist listened to him

The Hawaii Innocence Project is a non-profit 'with a mission to free prisoners who are factually innocent but who have been wrongfully convicted'

The complaint further alleges that even after Spriestersbach provided identification, public defenders and other officials failed to believe his claims that he was not Castleberry.

'Instead, they determined that Joshua was delusional and incompetent just because he refused to admit that he was Thomas R. Castleberry and refused to acknowledge Thomas R. Castleberry's crimes.'

The complaint says city practices failing to properly identify homeless and mentally ill people - as well as failing to correct mistaken records that result in their arrests - were 'the moving force' behind Spriesterbach's arrest and detention.

Attorneys also warned that without correcting official records, Spriestersbach remained at risk of being wrongly arrested again under the same mistaken identity.

According to his lawyers, the mistake was ultimately uncovered only after a psychiatrist at the hospital prompted a closer review, leading to fingerprint verification that confirmed he was not the man named in the warrant.

The Hawaii Innocence Project said in filings that police, public defenders, the state attorney general's office and hospital staff 'share in the blame for this gross miscarriage of justice.'

After his release, Spriestersbach was eventually reunited with family members who had spent years searching for him, though his sister later said he remains fearful that the same mistake could happen again.

Spriestersbach's lawyers did not respond to requests for comment. HPD and the mayor's office also did not respond to a request for comment.

His legal team had previously sought court intervention to formally correct his records, arguing that the failure to do so left the underlying error unresolved.

A majority of Honolulu council members approved the settlement on Wednesday afternoon, though council member Val Okimoto voted to approve it with reservations.
A sex cult wellness guru has been jailed for nine years for forcing her followers to commit sex acts and work for free in a scheme that a federal judge branded as egregious exploitation masquerading as empowerment.

Nicole Daedone, 58, was handed the sentence at Brooklyn Federal Court after being convicted of one count of a forced labor conspiracy in a case a judge condemned as long term human exploitation.

Prosecutors initially argued that the disgraced OneTaste founder should face up to twenty years. Daedone pleaded not guilty during a five-week trial last year before being convicted.

She will also serve two years of supervised release and pay $887,877.64 in restitution to seven victims.

Prosecutors said OneTaste leaders did not pay the members-turned-workers what they were promised and even forced some of them to take out new credit cards to continue taking the company's courses.

Her co-conspirator Rachel Cherwitz, 45, was handed a six-and-a-half year sentence for the same charge - and raised eyebrows in court by smiling and winking at the gallery during proceedings. Cherwitz had also pleased not guilty.

Both appeared in court with slightly graying hair and baggy beige prison-issue jumpsuits, a far cry from their glamorous first appearances. The duo told followers the acts were necessary in order to obtain 'freedom' and 'enlightenment' and demonstrate their commitment to the organization's principles.

The sentencing came after nine former OneTaste employees testified that Daedone and Cherwitz, the companys former head of sales, ran the business like a cult and manipulated them into performing a range of sexual acts.

Nicole Daedone, pictured leaving court last May, has been sentenced to nine years, two years supervision on release, and is ordered to pay restitution of $887,877.64 to her victims

Supporters of OneTaste defendants Nicole Daedone and Rachel Cherwitz gather outside of Brooklyn federal court before their sentencing in New York City on Monday

Assistant US Attorney Nina Gupta said the defendants 'built a business on the backs' of victims who 'gave everything' to them, including 'their money, their time, their bodies, their dignity, and ultimately their sanity.

Judge Diane Gujarati said the offences of both women were very serious and carried out over a prolonged period, with Daedone and her associates coercing victims through a variety of means.

The trial evidence demonstrated that these were deliberate and harmful actions and that forced labor occurred, the judge said, adding victims suffered long lasting, if not irreparable damage.

She described the case as involving significant financial, physical and psychological harm, branding it long term human exploitation. Gujarati branded the womens crimes as exploitation masquerading as empowerment.

She exploited certain women in a calculated way and made money off them, she added Miss Daedone is not the victim here, and there is a strong need for deterrence.

Both women were praised for working closely with other inmates while awaiting their fates at Metropolitan Detention Center Brooklyn  with Daedone even penning a book from behind bars.

Prosecutors argued that trial evidence showed that both women had actually forced labor on their victims on multiple occasions with the defense arguing that they should be sentenced on their actual charges of a conspiracy.

One victim, Mihal Neirin, told the court that Cherwitz was Nicoles main executioner.

In 2017 the actress Gwyneth Paltrow interviewed Daedone on her Goop podcast

Daedone speaking at an 'In Goop Health' Event in Los Angeles in 2017

She described the dynamic between the pair, recalling how Nicole once berated Cherwitz, only for Cherwitz to then treat others in the same way, mirroring that behavior.

Neirin said: I was left with sexual trauma, in debt and more depressed than I have ever been. I fell into their trap, I was the perfect target, a vulnerable woman looking to benefit my life.

I contemplated suicide several times in the year after I left OneTaste. I still suffer flashbacks, nightmares and panic attacks.

Judge Gujarati further condemned the conduct as egregious, coercive and insidious, noting both Daedone and Cherwitz took actions that stripped their victims of dignity.

The judge also singled out Cherwitzs role, describing her treatment of victims as constant and unrelenting.

She did what Nicole wanted her to. I was struck by how close that partnership was, Gujarati said.

Prosecutors also pointed to the groups insular culture, telling the court that those outside OneTaste were referred to as muggles.

Neither Daedone nor Cherwitz expressed remorse, offered an apology, or acknowledged responsibility during sentencing, the court heard.

Daedone appeared emotional, holding her hands in prayer when the judge ended sentencing, but declining to speak on her own behalf.

Her attorney, Jennifer Bonjean, mounted a strong defense, insisting: No one revels in seeing people experience pain Miss Daedone is a complex person. I vehemently reject that she is some fraudster who set out to manipulate womens sexuality for profit.

Cherwitzs lawyer, Celia Cohen, argued her client believed she was helping participants, telling the court: She thought that she was giving people what they wanted.

Cohen added: It is a different situation when someone has wanted to do it (orgasmic meditation) for 364 days of the year and the one instance they dont, expect Cherwitz to know it.

She controversially suggested that participants faking an orgasm could signal consent, saying: Faking it indicates to the person that they are okay with it.

Cherwitz was all smiles in the courtroom, even winking at the gallery at one point, with her husband there to support her.

Despite the nearly $900,000 restitution order, the court heard payments will be made at just $25 per quarter while Daedone and Cherwitz are incarcerated.

Neither was fined further, with the judge accepting they cannot afford it, adding that Cherwitz has serious mental health diagnosis.

Outside court, current OneTaste CEO Anjuli Ayer described the outcome as terrifying - issuing a lengthy statement defending Daedone and the organization.

In it, she claimed the case represented a dangerous precedent, arguing: This is not a case of labor or even conspiracy. This is a case to say that ideas are dangerous.

Ayer said she personally credited Daedone and OneTaste practices with saving her life, warning: Once persuasion becomes a crime, anyone can be a defendant. And anyone can be a victim.

If thought can be criminalized, if consent is meaningless - no one is safe.

The dramatic sentencing marks the culmination of a years-long case that prosecutors said exposed a system of manipulation and coercion hidden behind the language of empowerment.

Both defendants are planning to lodge an appeal, and staunchly protest their innocence.

In a statement after the sentencing, John Lauro, who has represented President Donald Trump, launched a blistering attack on the case, which he has been closely following.

He told the Daily Mail: The federal trafficking statute places all spiritual and religious practices at risk, especially those who have participants volunteer their time and energy.

This prosecution was a gross abuse of power originating in the Biden Justice Department and we hope will be reversed on appeal.
Australian households are bracing for a financial firestorm as a tidal wave of bill hikes prepares to slam family budgets and overshadow lastminute fuel tax relief.

From April 1, millions will be hit with soaring charges across health insurance, toll roads, electricity and mortgages, unleashing a fresh hippocket pain that could drain thousands from alreadystretched families.

2GB host Ben Fordham on Tuesday accused Anthony Albanese of acting too slowly on fuel prices, despite his government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months from Wednesday.

Fordham said for a standard 65litre tank, the cut would save drivers about $19, with the halved excise expected to shave 26.3 cents-a-litre off petrol and diesel.

'For weeks, we've been calling for a cut to the fuel tax, and now the government has finally acted after rejecting the idea. Anthony Albanese has backflipped,' he said.

'Anthony Albanese has only acted because a Newspoll delivered a truth bomb. Aussies are holding the PM responsible for the fuel crisis, and it's hurting his popularity.'

According to insurance broker Compare Club, the confluence of bill hikes will place immense pressure on already-stretched family finances.

'April 1 is shaping up to be one of the toughest single days for household budgets we've seen in years,' Head of Research Kate Browne told the Daily Mail.

Australian households are bracing for a financial firestorm as a tidal wave of bill hikes prepares to slam family budgets and overshadow lastminute fuel tax relief

'When you stack a rate rise, higher health premiums and the end of energy rebates on top of each other, you're looking at more than $2,000 in additional annual costs landing at once, and that's on top of everything Australians are already absorbing.'

Health insurance premiums will jump by an average of 4.4 per cent, a move announced last month by the Minister for Health Mark Butler and adding between $80 and $160-a-year for many households.

Motorists will also pay more to use major Sydney roads, with toll increases kicking in across key routes such as the M2, M5, Lane Cove Tunnel and M7.

Electricity bills are set to surge as the government's $450 rebate expires, meaning the next round of power bills will be the first to arrive without any support.

For mortgage holders, the pain is already acute. The Reserve Bank's cash rate now sits at 4.1 per cent, with banks passing the increases on in full.

That's added roughly $1,400 a year to the average mortgage, and borrowers are bracing for further rises.

The Reserve Bank does not meet in April, offering only a brief reprieve, but Westpac is forecasting rate hikes in May, June and August.

Even petrol, despite the temporary tax cut, is still rising overall, with households expected to spend around $60 more a month once underlying costs are factored in.

Motorists will also pay more to use major Sydney roads, with toll increases kicking in across key routes such as the M2, M5, Lane Cove Tunnel and M7

2GB host Ben Fordham on Tuesday accused Anthony Albanese of acting too slowly on fuel prices, despite his government's decision to halve the fuel excise for three months this week

While drivers may notice modest relief at the bowser, Fordham said a far bigger financial shock will begin on Wednesday.

'Households are expected to pay around $60 more per month on petrol overall, and the flow on effects from higher fuel prices have spread like a virus, impacting food, groceries, cafes, restaurants, pubs, retail, transport, holidays, household items, construction, materials, you name it,' Fordham said.

'It's under pressure, and the combined impact is more than $2,000-a-year in additional costs for the average household with a mortgage.'

Fordham said while the government is touting its fuel tax cut as relief, many Australians are unlikely to feel it.

'It's landing in the middle of a much bigger cost-of-living squeeze. And that pressure isn't going away. It's building,' he said.

The financial strain is already evident across the nation, with the company's March Financial Stress Index revealing more than a third (38 per cent) of Australians felt financially worse off than the previous year.

Alarmingly, approximately 43 per cent of the 1,000 Australians surveyed admitted relying on credit at least occasionally to cover everyday household bills.
Homeowner said she feared for her life

A woman has recalled the terrifying moment she was held at knifepoint while four armed men ransacked her Brisbane home.

Elena Parolin and her husband woke to a loud bang in their Rochedale South home about 5.20am on Monday.

Downstairs, they found a group of armed men wearing face coverings rifling through their belongings.

Mrs Parolin quickly jumped into action, shouting 'get the hell out of my house'.

But the ordeal escalated, with one of the men demanding another 'get the gun' in chilling security footage obtained by the Courier Mail.

'Shoot her, shoot her,' another man urged.

Mrs Parolin started screaming as she ran back to her bedroom.

'I just retreated quickly into my room,' she told the publication. 'I don't have a lock on the door, so I just pushed my weight against the door.

Elena Parolin wasn't sure if she would escape alive

A woman was held at knife point when four armed men ransacked her Brisbane home, breaking her finger while attempting to call the cops

'They kept rummaging downstairs, eventually stormed upstairs, where the leader held a knife to my throat and said 'Where's your money?'

She told them she didn't have any cash, which only made the men more agitated.

Mrs Parolin said she had been backed into the walk-in wardrobe, meaning she couldn't see her husband, and he couldn't see her.

'I was trying to keep him at arm's length because he had this knife at my throat and he just kept screaming at me,' she said.

'I thought they've got a gun, this is it, we're done, we're sitting ducks, we've got nowhere to get out.'

One of the men knocked her phone out of her hand when she threatened to call the police, breaking one of her fingers.

They then fled the scene.

In a shocking twist, Mrs Parolin revealed it was the second time in six months their home had been targeted by thieves.

The men held Elena Parolin at knife point and broke her finger

Queensland Police said investigations are ongoing.

Detectives believe a vehicle involved in the home invasion 'may be involved in other property offences in greater South Brisbane'.

'Investigators are appealing for anyone with relevant vision or information to contact police,' they said.
Barefoot Investor Scott Pape and ABC star Alan Kohler have issued warnings after scammers used artificial intelligence to impersonate them to scam Australians out of their hard-earned money.

The fake ads are designed to look like legitimate news articles and are often pushed heavily on social media, Pape said.

'Scammers use AI to create fake news stories featuring well-known Australians (like me and Alan) supposedly revealing a "secret investment platform".

'The ads often look like an ABC article, complete with the logo and a fake interview on 7.30.'

Pape said the scams are designed to move quickly once a user clicks through.

'Another reader this week told me she clicked one of these ads. Within seconds the phone rang. A friendly voice congratulated her for "getting in early" and asked for just $400 to start.

'Thankfully her husband overheard the conversation and said the magic words: "Hang on is this a scam?"

'She hung up. Good move. Because if you hand over those details, the scammers won't just take $400. They'll take everything they can.'

Barefoot Investor Scott Pape has issued a warning after scammers used artificial intelligence to impersonate him and ABC finance commentator Alan Kohler in fake news stories promoting bogus investment schemes. Pictured: The real Alan Kohler

The webpage has copied the style of the ABC website to entice readers into investing in a scam

The webpage has copied the style of the ABC website to entice readers into investing in a scam

Join the discussion How do you think Australians should fight back against AI scams impersonating trusted figures?

Pape said he has no involvement in any such platforms.

'For the record, I do not run secret crypto trading platforms. Neither does Alan Kohler.'

He urged Australians to ignore any ads making those claims.

'And if you ever see an ad online claiming we do, there's only one thing you should do - don't click.'

Kohler has previously warned about the fake interviews.

'Someone sent me a link to an online article describing a flaming confrontation between me and the CEO of the Commonwealth Bank, Matt Comyn, on the set of 7.30,' he said in February.

'The story was 2,000 words long, very detailed, and had pictures of Comyn and me arguing in front of 7.30 host Sarah Ferguson, before Matt throws away his microphone and storms off.

'Not a word nor a photo of it was true. It was an AI fake. I won't link to it because it would draw more attention to it - the article was convincing, and many people have since written to me asking whether it is true.'
READ MORE: Major payment change coming for EVERY Australian

Albo has 'no sympathy' for dead fugitive

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned of a growing threat from extremist ideologies as he declared he felt 'no sympathy' for self-proclaimed sovereign citizen Dezi Freeman, who killed two Victorian police officers.

Albanese said it was 'good' that Freeman was dead, a day after police shot the 56-year-old during a tense three-hour standoff at a rural property in north-east Victoria.

'I just don't have any sympathy for him, that's my position,' Albanese told ABC Radio.

Freeman had been Australia's most wanted man since August 26, 2025, when he opened fire on officers attempting to execute a warrant at his Porepunkah property.

Detective Leading Senior Constable Neal Thompson, 59, and Senior Constable Vadim De Waart-Hottart, 35, were killed, while a third officer was seriously injured.

Albanese described the funerals of the slain officers at Victoria Police Academy as among the most confronting moments of his life.

'I'll never forget being in a room with so many tough, hardened people who were absolutely distraught,' he said.

'The tears, the pain, it was just devastating.'

Anthony Albanese (pictured) said he had 'no sympathy' for dead fugitive Dezi Freeman

Asked whether it could ever be 'really good when anyone is killed, despite their crimes', Albanese stood firm, saying Freeman's death was the result of his own choices.

'He made the decision to murder two police officers. He then made the decision not to give himself up and not go through a legal process,' Albanese said.

'He always was going to be brought to justice.'

Albanese also warned of the dangers posed by sovereign citizen ideology, which security agencies now treat as an emerging extremist threat.

'They don't respect any lawful process,' he said.

'They regard police, government and society itself as illegitimate, and they place themselves outside it.'

'That ideology led him to murder two police officers in cold blood,' Albanese said.

'And to not give himself up or go through a legal process  that's a decision that rests solely with Desi Freeman. He's the mentality of the sovereign citizens. You know, the head of ASIO has made very clear warnings about what this ideology represents.'

The PM criticised 'sovereign citizen' ideology which Freeman (pictured) openly espoused

After Freeman's death, Victoria Police confirmed an investigation is under way into whether anyone helped Freeman during his seven-month escape.

Albanese said police were working closely with national security agencies.

'There is always strong cooperation between Victoria Police, the AFP and our intelligence agencies,' he said.

'People can be assured every level of cooperation will be granted.'

Freeman's actions triggered one of the largest manhunts in Australian history, involving hundreds of police, helicopters, specialist dogs and intelligence operatives.

He evaded capture for 216 days, hiding in rugged alpine bushland, before police tracked him to a property near Walwa, where he was shot dead on Monday morning.

'There was an opportunity for him to surrender peacefully, which he did not take,' Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush said after the operation.
Tony Abbott has declared Australia's crippling fuel crisis has exposed years of neglect and complacency in energy security and national policy.

Writing as oil supplies continue to be disrupted by the closure of the Straits of Hormuz, the former prime minister argued the crisis 'was entirely predictable' and had exposed Australia's persistent failure to prepare for foreseeable risks.

'The impact of the Iran war is just the latest sign of the trouble we're in,' Abbott wrote on his Substack. 'Australia might still be the world's best place to live, but we're letting ourselves down big time.'

Abbott said the country's deepening fuel crisis points to a broader national decline - economically, strategically and culturally.

'There's actually a deeper problem, a spiritual malaise, that's sapping the morale and the ambition of what was once a country that set no limits on what it could achieve,' he wrote.

'We think that our wealth has somehow made others poor, that the world's problems are somehow the West's fault, that settler societies are fundamentally unjust.'

Abbott said issues of mass migration, climate action and identity-based concessions are increasingly treated as acts of 'national atonement'.

The former leader said the fuel shock is a long-overdue reckoning and highlights how fragile Australia's position has become on the international stage.

Tony Abbott (pictured) said that Australia should stop being 'bludgers' in the US alliance

'Iran has threatened to shut the Straits of Hormuz for decades,' he said, making the current disruption to supplies 'no surprise'.

Because Australia is heavily dependent on imported diesel, the nation remains perilously exposed, he said.

'No country should have been more alert to the Hormuz risk; few have done less to prepare,' Abbott wrote.

He then listed four priorities to restore Australia's energy resilience.

Abbott argued Australia must act decisively by rapidly expanding onshore fuel storage so the nation is 'never again caught short' in a global supply crisis.

He says the nation should resume oil and gas exploration and extraction so that 'next time there's trouble in the Persian Gulf, we can help rescue the world rather than plead for its help'.

Abbott called for an end to 'cannibalising' the conventional defence forces to bankroll nuclear submarines that remain years away from service.

He said successive governments have become obsessed by what he described as an 'ideological commitment to an unstoppable green energy transition', neglecting the reality that fossil fuels account for about 90 per cent of Australia's energy use.

Abbott said that Australia should embrace its potential as 'fossil fuel superpower' (pictured, signs on empty fuel dispensers at a Shell petrol station in Sydney)

He also rejected calls to pressure Asian refineries by leveraging Australia's gas exports, arguing such tactics would harm allies without fixing national insecurities.

'Australia should embrace its potential as a "fossil fuel superpower" and a reliable provider of global energy security,' he said.

Abbott also pushed for Australia to raise its contribution to global security, giving further weight to the arguments he shared on social media on Sunday.

He said recent criticism from Washington could not simply be dismissed after Donald Trump said he was 'surprised' by Australia's limited support in the Middle East.

'I don't like it when the President insults Australia, but frankly he's got a point,' he said, adding Australia was 'bludging' as an ally.

'We have not done enough to help America and Israel to protect freedom and justice in the wider world,' he said.

'It's high time that we stopped being bludgers on the US alliance and offered America the help it needs to keep the Straits of Hormuz open and keep the fuel flowing here in this country.'
A Rhode Island mayor has called for the removal of a 'divisive' mural that depicts slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska.

Providence Mayor Brett Smiley said the community wants the unfinished mural removed after it was revealed the project was funded by Elon Musk and Andrew Tate.

'The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the county is I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divide us,' Smiley said.

Smiley's objection to the mural - which was being painted on the side of a local gay bar called The Dark Lady - comes after the controversial figures donated to a fund devoted to 'honoring' Zarutska.

Musk and Tate pledged to commit money after Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe declared on X in September that he was 'offering $500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent US city locations.'

McCabe left a contact email and mentioned that anyone who would like to contribute should do so.

The mayor's office has pointed out that the mural was not commissioned, funded nor registered with the city.

The Democrat mayor of Providence, Rhode Island has called for the removal of a mural to honor slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska and called its funders, including Elon Musk, 'divisive'

The mural was left unfinished as Mayor Brett Smiley confirmed that they wanted it erased from the side of a local gay bar called The Dark Lady

An artist fund devoted to creating murals to honor slain Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska (pictured) has received hefty donations from divisive figures

Artist Ian Gaudreau told NBC10 that it was a shame to see the mural politicized, which went against his intentions.

'I think everybody was pretty moved by the way that she was just so publicly murdered,' Gaudreau.

'Just the fear in her eyes and the fact that nobody came to hold her hand while she took her last breaths was just pretty horrific.'

Gaudreau noted that the project is largely funded by Musk and a collection of online donors.

'I hope that this is what people will take away and put aside all of the political vitriol. Iryna Zarutska was a human being with a mother and father, who are still with us and still grieving,' he said on Instagram.

The owners of The Dark Lady, Randy and Buck, said the mural was meant to honor both Zarutska and a slate of liberal causes in a statement.

'This specific mural was created for our community to honor Iryna's memory, mental wellness, LGBTQIA+ rights, immigration, the war, unity, and anti-Trump policies,' they said.

However, they confirmed it was on pause until they could show the public the final renderings so its 'true meaning' could be known.

Join the discussion Do YOU think the Rhode Island mayor is right to call for the murals removal?

Smiley's objection to the mural appears to come from its links to a fund devoted to creating art to honor Zarutska that received contributions from Musk and Andrew Tate

Artist Ian Gaudreau said that it was a shame to see the mural politicized, which went against his intentions

'We're sorry for the chaos this has caused,' the owners said in a statement.

'We are progressive Democrats, we do not support Donald Trump or politics of division, and our values are deeply rooted in inclusion, equality, and respect.'

Zarutska, 23, was riding the train in Charlotte, North Carolina when a crazed attacker snuck up on her from behind and stabbed her to death on August 22.

The refugee who fled her war-torn home in 2022 bled to death with fear in her eyes as onlookers did nothing to intervene.

Prosecutors identified the cold-blooded culprit as career criminal Decarlos Brown Jr., 34, who blamed his despicably violent actions to a schizophrenic episode.

In the weeks following Zarutska's gut-wrenching death, prominent - and controversial - individuals have offered financial backing for art pieces in her memory.

Zarutska was on her way home from work at Zepeddie's pizzeria in south Charlotte when she was stabbed three times in her neck and hands.

She was not even on the train for five minutes before she was killed.

Zepeddie's posted a tribute to the devoted worker, writing: 'We lost not only an incredible employee, but a true friend.

'Our dear Iryna left this world far too soon, and our hearts are heavy with grief.

Gaudreau noted that the project is largely funded by Musk and a collection of online donors

Horrific footage captured the moment Ukrainian refugee Zarutska (pictured) was stabbed to death from behind as she sat on a train in Charlotte, North Carolina, on August 22

The Irish AI entrepreneur gesture seemingly inspired other big names to follow suit, including Tesla founder Musk and internet personality Tate

'Since her passing, we have kept a candle burning in her memory - a small reminder of the warmth, kindness, and light she brought into our lives every single day.'

In her obituary, family said that before starting her new life in the US, Iryna graduated from Synergy College in Kyiv with a degree in Art and Restoration.

She was described as an adventurous young woman who adored animals and traveling.

'She shared her creativity generously, gifting family and friends with her artwork,' they said.
Efforts to rid Orkney of invasive stoats have delivered a dramatic boost to the islands' native vole population - and one of Britain's rarest birds of prey.

A new report reveals vole activity in spring 2025 reached its highest level since 2019, when a major project to protect Orkney's wildlife from non-native predators first began.

The findings also show a surge in breeding attempts by rare hen harriers, which depend on the voles for food, marking their most successful season since the scheme was launched.

Numbers of breeding short-eared owls have also soared compared with six years ago.

Conservationists hailed the results as 'fantastic', saying the attempts to eradicate the stoats, which prey on native species, is already transforming the ecosystem.

Stoats, native to mainland Britain but not Orkney, were first spotted on the islands in 2010.

Experts have warned that, left unchecked, they could devastate wildlife populations, particularly the indigenous Orkney vole - which are found nowhere else on Earth.

In some upsetting discoveries, stoats have been found to store up to 100 Orkney volves in their food stores.

Efforts to rid Orkney of invasive stoats have delivered a dramatic boost to the islands' native vole population

A new report reveals vole activity in spring 2025 reached its highest level since 2019, when a major project to protect Orkney's wildlife from non-native predators first began

Across 22 sites in Mainland Orkney and the linked South Isles, signs of voles were found in a third of the 1,082 small survey squares surveyed

Since 2019 more than 8,500 stoats have been removed using humane traps in what is believed to be the largest eradication of the species on an inhabited landscape anywhere in the world.

The largest monitoring report found vole activity - tracked through tell-tale signs such as droppings and grass clippings - hit record highs in 2025, since surveys began in 2019.

Across 22 sites in Mainland, Orkney, and the linked South Isles, the islands with stoats, signs of voles were found in a third of the 1,082 small survey squares searched.

Autumn activity levels were also found to be high, underlining the species' recovery.

Hen harriers, one of the UK's most threatened birds of prey, have also reaped the benefits.

In 2025 volunteers from the Orkney Raptor Group recorded breeding at 74 sites on islands where stoats live, making it the birds' best year since 2012.

However relentless wet weather at a crucial stage led to significant chick losses.

Despite this nearly 60 chicks are believed to have successfully fledged from monitored nests, marking a vital contribution to the UK's total population of around 650 breeding pairs.

Stoats, native to mainland Britain but not Orkney, were first spotted on the islands in 2010. Experts have warned that, left unchecked, they could devastate wildlife populations, particularly the indigenous Orkney vole

The findings also show a surge in breeding attempts by rare hen harriers, which depend on the voles for food, marking their most successful since the scheme was launched

Across 22 sites in Mainland Orkney and the linked South Isles, signs of voles were found in a third of the 1,082 small survey squares surveyed

Short-eared owls, though harder to monitor, were confirmed at 55 sites on islands with stoats during the breeding season, with definite breeding recorded at 16 locations and nests found at a further six.

Experts say the figures show a steady rise in short-eared owl breeding sites since the stoat removal programme began in 2019.

Both hen harriers and short-eared owls rely heavily on Orkney voles to feed themselves and their young, with strong vole numbers closely linked to breeding success within the species.

The stoat eradication effort is being led by the Orkney Native Wildlife Project - a partnership between RSPB Scotland, NatureScot and Orkney Islands Council - and also aims to protect other vulnerable species such as curlews, a ground-nesting bird with a nationally significant population on the islands.

The project uses specially trained detection dogs to track stoats, alongside strict biosecurity measures to prevent the predators from spreading to stoat-free islands.

Matt Marsh, monitoring officer for the project, said: 'It's fantastic to see the continued positive impact that removing stoats from Orkney is having on our native wildlife.

'Hen harriers are one of the most fascinating species we monitor, as well as being one of the rarest birds of prey in the UK, so it's excellent to see that their numbers are increasing.

He added: 'Orkney voles are found nowhere else in the world and are the species that is probably most threatened by the arrival of stoats, so to see historically high rates of vole activity is very encouraging.'

Anne McCall, director of RSPB Scotland, said: 'The Orkney Native Wildlife Project is showing that we can halt and reverse species declines if we take action to address the threats wildlife is facing.

'Invasive non-native predators are a significant threat to much of the iconic wildlife found on Scotland's islands.

'There are many factors that influence survival.

'However, to give species like the Orkney vole their best chance, removing invasive non-native species like stoats from islands is essential.'

It is the latest success for an island invasive species eradication project around the UK, after conservationists announced they had successfully removed feral ferrets from Rathlin Island off the Northern Irish coast, protecting thousands of breeding seabirds and other rare birds.
March 30, 2026: Russia can no longer afford its war in Ukraine. Since 2022 Russia has spent nearly $700 billion and lost 1.3 million troops, with over a million Russian men fleeting the country to avoid the war. There is a labor shortage and a growing number of protests against the war and its human losses and growing poverty. The costs keep growing, from $102 billion in 2022 to nearly $170 billion this year. Russian gains in 2023 were 600 square kilometers or o.1 percent of Ukraine. In 2024, 3,500 sq. kilometers or; 0.55 percent of Ukraine while losing 431,000 soldiers. In 2025, 4,500 sq. kilometers. or 0.75 percent of Ukraine was gained while 418,000m soldiers were lost. Since late 2025 Ukrainian forces have been on the offensive, regaining territory and by the end of 2026 much if not most of the Russian 2023-25 gains may be lost.

There have been other significant losses. Four years of fighting in Ukraine has destroyed the Russian tank force. This was unexpected, as was the Russian inability to replace their tank losses. Ukraines success against Russian tanks and armored vehicles revived predictions that tanks were obsolete. Tanks are still relevant, and the Russian losses were the result of poor employment of armored units as well as design features of Russian tanks that make them much more vulnerable than Western tanks like the American M1, German Leopard or Israeli Merkava.

Most Russian armored vehicles were lost while they were on the move, or stationery without adequate infantry support. The first Russian armored units going into Ukraine were told the population would be friendly or neutral. The reality was that the Ukrainians were well armed, hostile, and using tactics the Russians were unaware of and unprepared to deal with. As a result, thousands of Russian vehicles were destroyed or captured in the first month, most of them armored, including some of the most modern Russian tanks plus some ancient models taken from storage facilities for obsolete tanks that might be useful in an emergency. The Ukraine War proved to be that emergency.

Most of the Ukrainian anti-tank weapons were portable and carried into combat by teams of soldiers, of whom many were recent volunteers with no military experience at all and only a few days of training, rather like most Russian soldiers since the war started. The few days training they received usually began with carrying ammo, including anti-tank missiles and projectiles, plus instruction in how to obey instructions, take cover, etc. Sometimes volunteers were selected for combat duty because they knew the area where their anti-tank team would be operating. These hastily trained anti-tank teams suffered far fewer casualties than the Russians, even after the Russians became aware of the ambush risk, because the Russians had little if any training against attack by man-carried anti-tank weapons, let alone the ability to actually do it. Additionally, most of the Ukrainians Western-provided portable anti-tank weapons could accurately hit moving vehicles 300 or more meters away. The Javelin and NLAW guided missiles were fire and forget. That meant once the operator had accurately aimed at a target and launched the missile, the guidance system in the missile would follow the target until the missile hit.

NLAWs have a max range of 600 meters and Javelins are 2,500 meters. The Ukrainians were creative with their ambush tactics and the Russians who survived them noted that the Ukrainian were always better prepared and one or more steps ahead of Russian commanders. The Russians were losing six dead for every Ukrainian fighter and that included soldiers killed by rocket and ballistic missile attacks far from the combat zone.

Russian armored vehicles had some unique vulnerabilities not found on their NATO counterparts. One was the use of an autoloader for the main tank gun, usually a 125mm. The autoloader required there to be a magazine of shells in the crew compartment, which was the turret, where there were also additional shells used by the crew to refill the autoloader magazine. If any anti-tank weapon penetrated into the crew compartment, especially the turret, one or more of the 125mm shells were exposed and likely to explode. If one shell went, all those near the autoloader did as well. This usually meant the turret would literally be blown off the tank and the entire crew killed. Javelin and NLAW were also designed to attack the less protected top of the turret or body of the tank, which at the very least destroyed the engine or wounded some of the three-man crew. And the primary Russian infantry armored vehicle was the BMP, which was poorly protected against any anti-tank weapon.

Trucks carrying supplies, especially fuel, ammo or personnel were even more vulnerable. Machine-gun fire or a hand grenade would destroy or disable a truck. Ukrainian forces concentrated on Russian supply trucks and that meant Russian forces were chronically short of essential supplies.

Ukrainian forces had lots of armored vehicles, most of them Russian models improved by the Ukrainians. Tank tactics used by Ukrainians were more practical and more likely to overcome defenders, plus Ukrainian civilians were everywhere and generally eager to let their troops know what was going on in the area.

Meanwhile, Russia is trying to rebuild its tank forces. That will take a long time because Russian production facilities, even when operating round-the-clock, cannot obtain sufficient supplies of components to produce more than a few hundred tanks a year.

The Russian economy is a wreck. Their major ally Iran has been lost to a war with Israel and the United States. Russian leader Vladimir Putin refuses to withdraw from Ukraine because he bet his career, and possibly his life, on winning a victory in Ukraine.
Aussie workers aged 18 to 20 in the retail, fast food and pharmacy sectors will be paid full adult wages instead of discounted junior rates.

The Fair Work Commission decided not to vary the rates for employees under 16.

Junior pay rates are reduced minimum wages paid to younger workers (usually under 21), where they earn a percentage of the full adult award rate based on age.

Under the current system, which will be phased out, 18-year-olds earn 70 per cent of the award, rising to 80 per cent at 19 and 90 per cent at 20.

The case was brought to the commission by the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), with the decision handed down on Tuesday.

National secretary Gerard Dwyer said it was a 'landmark decision, up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s'.

'It may have taken longer than we would have liked, but the principle has been established that no longer will 18-year-olds be treated as second-class citizens,' he told ABC News.

'Their work is as valuable as anyone else's and before too long they will be paid accordingly.'

The Fair Work Commission has ruled workers aged 18 to 20 in retail, fast food and pharmacy will be paid full adult wages instead of discounted junior rates (stock image)

According to the panel's decision, the commission's provisional view for timing and implementation was that the first variation would take effect from December 1.

The decision has been welcomed by the Albanese government.

'This decision recognises that there was an unfairness when it came to younger workers who are over 18 in those sectors, while also ensuring a practical transition for employers as the new arrangements are introduced,' Treasurer Jim Chalmers said.

'Ultimately, this is about making sure Australians receive fair and decent wages, and the outcome announced by the Fair Work Commission will help achieve that.

'I also want to thank the SDA union for the campaign they've run on this important issue, and for securing this significant win for young Australian workers.

'Gerard Dwyer and his colleagues do a wonderful job representing younger workers in these industries, and today's decision shows the results of their hard work.'

According to the panel's decision, the commission's provisional view for timing and implementation was that the first variation would take effect on December 1.

The full variation would then be phased in for all workers between 18 and 20-years-old by July 1, 2029.

There would be no change to the junior rates for people aged under 18, or for those aged 18 to 20 who do not have more than six months' experience.

The Fair Work Commission's ruling has been welcomed by Treasurer Jim Chalmers

Join the discussion How do you think paying 18 to 20-year-olds full adult wages will impact workplaces and young lives?

The latter would be assessed by reference only to the period of employment with the current employer.

The commission's decision was also praised by the Australia Institute's senior economist Jack Thrower.

'Under junior rates, adults aged 18 to 20 can vote, drink, smoke, serve on a jury and fight in wars, yet they were paid less than other Australians for the same work,' he said.

'Young people get no discount on rent, groceries or petrol. But their wages are discounted purely due to their age.

'The Fair Work Commission ruling abolishes these unfair rates for major employers of young adults, including retailers and fast food chains.

'This will ensure fairer pay amid rising living costs.'
Keir Starmer last night appealed to oil and banking executives to help Britain deal with a looming 1970s-style energy shock as he warned: 'The Government can't do it on its own'.

In a sign of mounting concern in government about the economic fallout from the Iran war, the Prime Minister convened crisis talks in Downing Street with leading business executives.

Today, he will gather ministers and officials for another meeting of the government's emergency Cobra committee to look at contingency plans for potential shortages of diesel, jet fuel and fertiliser - and options for helping cash-strapped voters deal with the rising cost of living.

Addressing leading figures from multinationals, including Shell, BP, Centrica and HSBC, the PM acknowledged public fears that the economic impact is 'going to hit them and their families and their households... and I think probably uppermost in their minds at the moment is energy bills, petrol and also food prices.'

Outlining the response needed, he said: 'The Government can't do it on its own. You can't do it on your own. We're going to have to work together on this.'

The appeal to business leaders represents a marked change of tone from the one adopted at the outbreak of the war, and kept up as recently as last week, when Sir Keir, Rachel Reeves and Ed Miliband accused energy firms of 'profiteering'.

Despite the PM's stark warnings, last night it emerged that the Government is reportedly raking in an additional 20million a day through taxes and levies linked to oil and gas price rises.

The Treasury is set to receive a multi-billion pound tax windfall as energy prices soar because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Keir Starmer last night appealed to oil and banking executives to help Britain deal with a looming 1970s-style energy shock. (Pictured with BP CEO appointee Meg O'Neil and Royal Navy Commander Operations, Major General Richard Cantrill)

A sign telling motorists there is no unleaded petrol available at some of the fuel pumps is displayed at a Tesco supermarket in Southend

If fuel prices remain at their increased levels for the next 12 months, the Government will receive an extra 8billion from VAT on petrol and taxes on gas and oil firms, according to The Times.

It would earn around 3.5bn a year from the energy profits levy on North Sea oil and an extra 2.4bn from gas sales.

Hundreds of millions would also be raised in taxes from Britain's power generators, who have been charged excess profit levies since the outbreak of war in Ukraine.

The RAC has also suggested the Government could earn an extra 2bn from VAT on petrol sales.

Ministers yesterday continued to issue reassuring messages to the public to carry on booking flights abroad and driving as normal. But privately they are increasingly alarmed at the likely economic consequences.

One Whitehall source said: 'It is still early days and there is a balance to be struck between freaking people out and preparing them for some tough decisions ahead, but the longer this goes on the more serious it is looking.'

The International Monetary Fund said the war was 'reviving the spectre of the 2021-2022 gas crisis' in Europe, with Italy and the United Kingdom 'especially exposed by their reliance on gas-fired power'.

Lars Jensen, former director of shipping giant Maersk, which attended yesterday's No 10 summit, warned the crisis could be worse than the oil shocks of the 1970s.

Join the discussion Should the Government do more to protect households from rising energy costs?

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Asked if the crisis could trigger a repeat of the 1970s oil shock, which led to a global recession, Mr Jensen said: 'The comparison is easy to make. The problem is it is not quite correct. Because back then the amount of goods - not just oil but also fertiliser, aluminium, all sorts of other products - was a lot less than what we are dependent on today.'

The Treasury is set to rake in billions from higher VAT on fuel and the windfall tax on oil and gas. But an energy shock would wreck Sir Keir's pledge to bring down the cost of living this year.

Leading banker Sir Howard Davies said the surge in the government's borrowing costs in the last month would blow a 12billion hole in the public finances if it is maintained for the rest of the year.

Sir Howard, a former deputy governor at the Bank of England, warned that 'splurging' money on a big energy bills bailout could panic international investors and send borrowing rates even higher.

On a call with G7 finance ministers yesterday, Ms Reeves warned against 'protectionism', amid fears that the UK's situation could be worsened by countries hoarding their own supplies.

Kemi Badenoch urged the PM to drop his 'bonkers' ban on new drilling in the North Sea.

The Tory leader, who visited Aberdeen yesterday, said: 'He doesn't need to have any more meetings, the oil and gas sector has said what it is they need.'

In recent days, energy analysts have called on ministers to act to conserve key supplies through measures like lowering motorway speed limits and suspending domestic flights. But Downing Street yesterday played down the need for immediate action, saying the UK remains well supplied.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves held discussions with G7 counterparts on Monday

Sir Keir said he was focused on 'de-escalation' of the crisis that has led to the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries 20 per cent of the world's oil. It's not our war,' he said.

'But it is our duty to protect British citizens.'

No 10 said the UK was in talks with 35 countries about trying to de-escalate the crisis and devise a plan to reopen the Strait.

However, there are no current talks with either Iran or Israel, and relations with the US are at their lowest point for years, leaving Sir Keir with little leverage on the main players.
A theater in Los Angeles is charging $60 for audience members to be blindfolded for the whole performance in a bizarre new experience.

A debut show, titled 'Poe: Pulse & Pendulum,' offered theatergoers a whole new experience - letting them pay $63.80 to see nothing at all.

Theatre Obscura LA has taken on modern interpretations of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by requiring audience members be blindfolded during the two one-act plays, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Paul Millet, who founded the experience, told the outlet that removing the visual elements from the audience was to further add to the unease that the show is intended to have.

'If you take the visual away, it's going to make you feel uneasy,' Millet said.

The two stories, works by one of the world's most recognized writers of horror, are that of a disturbing and uneasy nature in their own right.

'The Pit and the Pendulum' tells the tale of psychological horror, where a man is being tortured during the Spanish Inquisition.

The story surrounds a narrator, played by Melissa Lugo in Millet's adaptation, who has been immersed in a completely dark dungeon after being sentenced to death.

Theatre Obscura LA has taken on modern interpretations of Edgar Allan Poe's 'The Pit and the Pendulum' and 'The Tell-Tale Heart' by requiring audience members be blindfolded during the two one-act plays

The debut show, titled 'Poe: Pulse & Pendulum,' offered theatergoers a whole new experience - letting them pay $63.80 to see nothing at all

'If you take [sight] away, you're already naturally uncomfortable,' Millet explained to the outlet. 'So we lean into that. We know you're going to be uncomfortable. We know this is not the norm.'

'But get on that ride with us. Be willing to be uncomfortable. Discomfort, I think, helps to heighten the experience and ideally allow it to trigger the emotional reactions that the story does.'

Millet's vision includes jump scares, loud noises and, if an audience member consents, limited touch.

The Times described the feeling of air from a fan held in the hand of an actor at a critical moment in the story in which a sword was described swinging above the narrators head.

However, the use of touch remained restrained as Millet explained to the outlet: 'We want people to feel unease, but I don't want anyone taken out of the story because a boundary or line was crossed.'

He also occasionally uses smell and certain scents to add to the narration, but, again, without costing too much of the audience's attention.

The room, covered in ornate old chairs and rugs, is bathed in a red light - serving as the only light of the room and adding to the general eeriness of the show.

Millet's concept for the show was in the works since 2023, according to the Times, and may seem like a rip-off if you're looking for a visual delight.

But Millet defends the idea, and believes it offers a unique experience that plays on human senses.

Millet's vision includes jump scares, loud noises and, if an audience member consents, limited touch

The room, covered in ornate old chairs and rugs, is bathed in a red light - serving as the only light of the room and adding to the general eeriness of the show

Paul Millet, who founded the experience, told the outlet that removing the visual elements from the audience was to further add to the unease that the show is intended to have

'You can feel the movement of the characters around you,' he told the outlet. 'You're in the environment with the story as it unfolds. You can experience it on a more visceral level.'

The second story, 'The Tell-Tale Heart' which follows themes of guilt, paranoia and madness, saw more sounds of crashing glass and creaky floorboards, according to the outlet.

Millet said his goal was to 'really try to engage the audience's imagination.'

'I was intrigued,' he said.

The show is set to run from March 20 to April 12 every weekend with only twelve performances.

The Daily Mail reached out to Paul Millet and Theatre Obscura LA for comment.
A proposal to increase the size of federal parliament by at least 40 MPs is being discussed in Canberra, triggering a sharp backlash from Liberal leader Angus Taylor.

Labor's Special Minister of State Don Farrell has been holding discussions 'across parliament' about potential changes, which could add up to 14 seats in the Senate and 28 in the House of Representatives.

'Growing the size of the Parliament is what great Labor leaders do,' Senator Farrell said when questioned about the proposal during a National Press Club speech on Monday.

But when pressed for details, he said he would wait for the results of a parliamentary inquiry that will weigh up the case for more MPs.

Farrell said the issue needed to be considered because Australia's population has grown significantly since parliament was last expanded in 1984.

'Our population back then was 16 million,' Farrell said.

He said that the size of parliament is typically reviewed every 40 years, pointing to former Labor prime ministers Bob Hawke and Ben Chifley, who both increased the number of politicians during periods of population growth.

On Tuesday, Taylor slammed the proposal alongside Nationals leader Matt Canavan.

Angus Taylor (pictured) said the Coalition would not support a move to expand Parliament

Don Farrell (pictured) said expanding the size of Parliament is what 'great Labor leaders do'

'This proposal, which would cost over $600million for taxpayers, for hardworking Australians, is not what we need right now,' Taylor said.

'Australians are in a cost-of-living crisis. They are in a fuel crisis. We have an economy that is not working for hard working Australians, and the priority of this government appears to be increasing the size of Parliament.

'We don't need more politicians. We need a government focused on the Australian people.'

The Coalition said it had asked the Parliamentary Budget Office to cost a scenario involving 24 extra members of the House of Representatives and 14 new senators, putting the price tag at more than $600 million.

Taylor warned the final figure could be even higher.

A Labor spokeswoman said the Coalition was jumping the gun, stressing the government is waiting for the parliamentary inquiry to hand down its findings before making any decisions.

'This is clearly not about the policy or issues, it's about the internal audition for attention in the Coalition,' a spokesperson said.

Daily Mail understands several Liberal MPs are quietly in favour of boosting MP numbers.
A Sydney lawyer who billed a local council for more than 30 hours in a 24-hour period has been found liable for extensive overcharging by the NSW Supreme Court.

The extraordinary billing was attributed to Redenbach Legal and its principal, Keith Redenbach, a former partner at Norton Rose Fulbright and Maddocks.

The Broken Hill City Council launched the court action against Redenbach and his firm after his fees to litigate against the architecture firm Allen, Jack + Cottier over botched renovations to the Broken Hill Civic Centre topped $10million.

As the dispute dragged on, the council became alarmed as legal fees spiralled, ultimately far exceeding the $1.5million settlement it had secured from the architects.

The court found on at least six days in 2018 and 2019, Redenbach billed more than 24 hours of work, including days on which he claimed 31.12, 34.5, and even 36 hours.

In one threeday period, he billed the council for 103 hours of work, which Justice Elisabeth Peden bluntly described as 'impossible'.

Redenbach denied any dishonesty, insisting he had not intentionally submitted false invoices or acted with reckless indifference to accuracy.

Under cross-examination, the veteran lawyer of 30 years claimed his handwritten time sheets were muddled due to an 'operator error' and time zone issues.

On at least six days in 2018 and 2019, veteran lawyer Keith Redenbach (pictured) billed more than 24 hours of work, including one for 36 hours

The architects of the Broken Hill City Council Civic Centre settled in 2022, and agreed to pay $4.5million of the council's legal costs, less than half of what Redenbach ended up charging

Justice Peden said Redenbach's 'incredible' explanations such as attributing the errors to a glitch were 'unsatisfactory'.

Redenbach remained adamant he had worked all the hours he billed the council, including while he was home sick after a hospital stay.

He said he had been 'nothing but transparent' with the council.

'I was on my sick bed doing it with boxes being delivered to my home,' he said. '[M]y dog died, and I couldn't even  I couldn't even lift her up to have her euthanised. So, I do remember it very, very well, that work...

'That's why it's very upsetting for me as my business crumbles around me, as I sit here the only unpaid person in this courtroom, to be accused in the way you are [doing],' he said to the council's barrister, Simon Fitzpatrick, SC.

It appears the overcharging was identified after litigation against the architects of the civic centre was settled and Redenbach prepared the bill of costs.

During nearly eight years of litigation, Redenbach's hourly rate climbed steeply: from $390 to $480, and eventually to $750 an hour.

In September 2022, when council staff queried Redenbach's charges for travel time between Sydney and Broken Hill, where he had opened a practice, they received 'defensive and petulant' responses.

Justice Elisabeth Peden (pictured) said Redenbach personally owed the council $1.5million in compensation, on top of more than $750,000 his law firm will have to pay in restitution

'We do not appreciate the constant attempts to haggle with our costs when we are actually already giving massive discounts,' he wrote in one email.

'We also note we are entitled to charge uplifts and increase our costs, and to date have not done so for several years. And yes, I am completely and utterly sick and tired of the constant emails on our costs.'

The architects, Allen, Jack + Cottier, settled in 2022, and agreed to pay $4.5million of the council's legal costs, less than half of what Redenbach ultimately charged.

His firm had loaded its bill with a 25 per cent 'success' fee of roughly $2.1million and almost $1million in rate 'adjustments'.

Justice Peden last week disallowed both addons and ruled that about $2.4million in trust funds had been 'misapplied'.

'I do not accept Mr Redenbach's version of most events,' she wrote in her decision.

'Mr Redenbach was a thoroughly unimpressive witness who despite claiming he had no interest in prolonging the hearing, appeared to intentionally refuse to respond to simple questions. Mr Redenbach gave self-serving evidence and even evidence which I consider was false.'

Justice Peden said the lawyer personally owed the council $1.5million compensation, on top of more than $750,000 his firm was ordered to pay in restitution.

Justice Peden said she did not accept Redenbach's version of most events and found he was a 'thoroughly unimpressive' witness (stock image)

She also declared the firm misled the council over its fee estimates, holding it liable for $504,698 in damages.

The Daily Mail has contacted Redenbach for comment.

The council said since the start of the litigation, Redenbach had lodged complaints with the ACT Law Society about the council's solicitors, and had initiated eight separate NCAT proceedings alleging they gave improper instructions to continue the litigation against him.
The US unleashed devastating air strikes on an ammunition depot believed to house Iran's enriched uranium as a massive oil tanker was struck by an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz.

Donald Trump posted video of the US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky.

The president did not provide any information about the enormous explosion with the video on his social media post.

An American official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that the video showed the bunker buster strikes on Isfahan.

The US strikes came after reports Mr Trump was considering a military operation to send special operations forces deep inside Iran to seize its stockpile of enriched uranium at sites that include Isfahan.

Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions, common with ammunition, igniting in a blaze. Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.

The US and Iran traded blows late Monday, as Iranian drones hit a huge Kuwaiti oil tanker near the Strait of Hormuz while the Americans bombarded an Iranian ammunition depot

Donald Mr Trump posted video of the US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky

Amid the bunker buster attack on Isfahan, an Iranian drone stuck a fully loaded Kuwaiti tanker carrying 2million barrels of oil near the Strait of Hormuz - sparking fears of an oil spill in the Persian Gulf.

The apparent strike on the Al Salmi tanker is just the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said early on Tuesday that the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard.

It warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported.

Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams successfully put out the blaze, which was sparked by a drone attack, and continued to assess the situation, adding that no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members were safe.

Brent crude futures were up over 2 per cent at $115.17 per barrel in early Asian hours after the news of the attack on the tanker in Dubai, but retreated a little after reports Wednesday night that Mr Trump is willing to end the war even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Work is underway to assess damage to the tanker, said KPC, which according to Lloyd's List Intelligence data is the parent company of Al Salmi's registered owner and commercial operator.

Join the discussion Should the US risk escalating a wider conflict to stop Irans nuclear ambitions and protect oil shipments?

An American official confirmed that the uncaptioned video was of the Isfahan strikes and that the US used the bunker busters

The Kuwaiti Oil Tanker Company (KOTC) ship Al Salmi in a 2011 video showing off its building and launch

The tanker was loaded with 2million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to data from Lloyd's and TankerTrackers. Lloyd's listed the destination as Qingdao, China.

Iranian officials could not be immediately reached for comment. It is not yet independently confirmed that Iran struck the tanker.

It comes as Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging Mr Trump to continue prosecuting the war, arguing that Tehran hasnt been weakened enough by the monthlong campaign, according to US, Gulf and Israeli officials.

After private grumbling at the start of the war that they were not given adequate advance notice of the US-Israeli attack and complaining the US had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region, some of the regional allies are making the case to the White House that the moment offers a historic opportunity to cripple Tehrans clerical rule once and for all.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behavior, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The push from the Gulf nations comes as Mr Trump vacillates between claiming that Irans decimated leadership is ready to settle the conflict and threatening to further escalate the war if a deal is not reached soon.

Mr Trump on Monday threatened widespread destruction of Iran's energy resources and other vital infrastructure, potentially including desalination plants that supply drinking water, if a deal to end the war is not reached 'shortly.'

Iran, meanwhile, struck a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, and an oil refinery in Israel came under attack.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates

Israel and the US launched a new wave of strikes on Iran, as the war raged with no end in sight.

Earlier comments to the Financial Times suggested American troops could seize Iran's Kharg Island oil export hub.

Mr Trump has repeatedly claimed to be making diplomatic progress - though Tehran denies negotiating directly - while ramping up his threats and sending thousands more US troops to the Middle East.

Mr Trump told the New York Post that the US is negotiating with Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.

The former Revolutionary Guard commander, who has taunted the US on social media, dismissed the talks facilitated by Pakistan as a cover for the latest American troop deployments.

In a social media post, Mr Trump said 'great progress is being made' in talks with Iran to end military operations.

But he said if a deal is not reached 'shortly', and if the Strait of Hormuz is not immediately reopened, the US would broaden its offensive by 'completely obliterating' power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island and possibly even desalination plants.

The strait is a crucial waterway through which a fifth of the world's oil is shipped in peacetime.

The laws of armed conflict allow attacks on civilian infrastructure such as energy plants only if the military advantage outweighs the civilian harm, legal scholars say.

It's considered a high bar to clear, and causing excessive suffering to civilians can constitute a war crime.

The US already has targeted military positions on Kharg. Iran has threatened to launch its own ground invasion of Gulf Arab countries and to mine the Persian Gulf if US troops set foot on its territory.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei said Tehran had received a 15-point proposal from the Mr Trump administration containing 'excessive, unrealistic and irrational' demands, while denying there had been any direct talks.

Qalibaf, the parliament speaker Mr Trump says he is negotiating with, said Iranian forces were 'waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever,' according to state media.

Twice during Mr Trump's second term, the US has attacked Iran during high-level diplomatic talks, including with the February 28 strikes that started the current war.

The attacks come just a day after Mr Trump said that he could 'take the oil in Iran' and boasted that he can invade Kharg Island 'easily'.

It comes as the number of US troops in the Middle East swelled to 50,000, roughly 10,000 more than usual.

The war continues into its second month, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remaining the biggest issue toward ending it

Tehran has promised to set American soldiers on fire should the US President order a ground invasion of the country, after the Pentagon drew up plans for potential raids on Kharg Island - the Islamic Republic's main oil export hub - and attacks on coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Mr Trump said his 'preference would be to take the oil', comparing the potential operation to Venezuela where Washington intends to control the oil industry 'indefinitely' following its seizure of strongman leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

His comments came as the US-Israeli war on Iran stretched into its fifth week, deepening the crisis in the Middle East with the price of oil soaring more than 50 per cent in a month.

On Monday morning, Brent crude rose above $116 a barrel in Asia, near its highest level since the conflict began on February 28.

'To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: "Why are you doing that?" But theyre stupid people,' Mr Trump said.

Such a move would involve raiding Kharg Island, the 'crown jewel' of the regime where 90 per cent of its oil is loaded on to tankers.

The arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of US soldiers in the Mideast region at over 50,000, while last week the Pentagon also ordered about 2,000 soldiers from the Armys 82nd Airborne Division to the region in order to give Mr Trump additional military options.

Mr Trump has previously promised he was 'not putting troops anywhere' amid apparent divisions in his MAGA base over foreign military engagements and the need for congressional approval.
A Generation Z Australian worker has lashed out at the high cost of driving to work amid skyrocketing fuel prices, triggered by the war in the Middle East.

The price of petrol in Australia has more than doubled for motorists this month after Iran blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping passage.

TikTokker Samantha shared a video last week highlighting how her wage was barely enough to cover her bills.

'So basically we are now all working just to put petrol/diesel in our vehicles just to get to work,' Samantha wrote, adding the price of groceries was also going up.

'Why not just all quit our jobs, drive nowhere and Albo (Prime Minister Anthony Albanese) can pay us to stay home?'

The video struck a nerve with thousands of hardworking Aussies and several shared the details of how the cost of fuel was ruining their budgets.

'My car isn't fuel efficient and it takes me 35 mins to drive to and from work. I'm not allowed to take public transport as I'm a support worker and having my car is a requirement. Dreading the next few weeks,' one wrote.

'My partner works 2.5hrs from home. So he's staying there in a caravan park because it's cheaper. We see each other on weekends,' another said.

'My uni is a 1 hour 20 minute drive. I took leave of absence because I can't afford it,' another said.

Australian worker Samantha (above) highlighted the catch-22 many Aussies are facing in which they're working just to afford the fuel to drive to work

Australia has not yet directly called for workers to work from home when possible, despite other countries doing so

The price of fuel in Australia has doubled this month after conflict broke out in the Middle East and Iran blocked the Strait of Hormuz

One rural worker who lives an hour from her workplace said she is 'literally working to put fuel in my car'.

Several countries have implemented work from home orders or four-day work weeks to help combat the rising cost of transport following Iran's blockading of the Strait.

About 20 per cent of the world's oil typically travels through the narrow waterway, but it was closed as a form of economic warfare following attacks from the United States and Israel on February 28.

The cost of fuel has risen as the conflict continues and Australian leaders have called for a de-escalation in order to prevent further economic damage.

Countries that have re-introduced Covid-style WFH policies or shorter work weeks include Pakistan, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Sri Lanka.

Energy Minister Chris Bowen said working remotely was a 'sensible thing to do'.

However, the government has stopped short of making any direct mandates to workers.
Coalition vow to move new bill to expand rules

One Nation's attempt to overturn the Albanese government's new cash regulations has been defeated in a Senate vote, after the Coalition was accused of backflipping on its previous support.

Senator Malcolm Roberts moved a disallowance motion on Tuesday that would have cancelled legislation introduced by Labor on January 1.

It requires major supermarkets and fuel retailers to take 'reasonable steps' to accept cash for in-person purchases up to $500 between 7am and 9pm.

But cash advocacy groups have warned the regulation is too limited to protect consumer choice or maintain a viable cash economy.

Jason Bryce from the campaign group Cash Welcome said the rules apply only to supermarkets and fuel retailers, leaving most large retail sectors untouched.

Small businesses with turnover under $10 million remain exempt, while larger companies can seek exemptions, a loophole advocates say weakens the policy's intent.

Campaigners argue the cash mandate should cover all major retailers, and ideally all businesses, to preserve real choice for consumers.

'Large brands like Bunnings, McDonalds, KFC, Kmart, Big W, AGL, Tyrepower, Telstra, Optus need to be captured by this cash mandate,' said Bryce.

They also warn the cost of maintaining cash infrastructure is increasingly borne by banks, consumers and small businesses, with big corporations avoiding responsibility.

One Nation Senator Malcolm Roberts moved a motion to cancel legislation introduced on January 1 that he said did not go far enough to keep cash in the economy

Michaelia Cash (pictured) said the One Nation motion would remove the cash mandate entirely

Supporters argue utilities and telcos should be included to avoid accelerating the decline of cash usage.

Despite these warnings, the bid failed after the Coalition chose not to support the motion, even as party figures continued to call for stronger cash protections.

A disallowance motion empowers the Senate to scrap government regulations without passing new legislation.

Had it succeeded, the move would have immediately removed the only federal requirement for major retailers to accept cash.

Leading the opposition, Liberal Senate leader Michaelia Cash argued that repealing the rule would hurt Australians.

'Right now, Australians can walk into Coles, Woolworths or a major fuel retailer and pay with cash because of this regulation,' Senator Cash told the Senate.

'If this motion passed, that legal obligation would disappear immediately.'

Cash accused One Nation of seeking to 'fix' a weak mandate by scrapping it altogether.

Senator Sean Bell (pictured) noted the Coalition had flipped its previous position on the move

She acknowledged the current rules don't go far enough, but said removing them would make things worse for consumers.

'The mandate is inadequate, and the government deserves criticism for that,' she said.

'But abolishing the only cash obligation that exists in law is not the solution.'

Greens senator Nick McKim backed One Nation's motion, a rare show of unity, arguing that Labor had quietly watered down its original proposal.

'Cash is critical for inclusion, choice and economic resilience,' Senator McKim said.

'The government replaced a broad mandate with an extremely narrow one.'

McKim also accused the Coalition of backflipping on its position and 'letting Labor off the hook' by voting down the motion.

Liberal Senator Slade Brockman had said last week that the Coalition would support the move, but the party has since changed course.

Cash advocates have called for the mandate to be expanded to big businesses (file)

One Nation senator Sean Bell defended the bid, claiming the rules failed to protect economic freedom and transparency.

He questioned why the Coalition had shifted position and hinted at deals struck behind closed doors.

Senator Roberts said the regulation effectively allows most businesses to abandon cash.

'Cash is a basic right for Australian consumers,' he told Daily Mail.

'These rules pretend to protect cash but actually give businesses the green light to stop accepting it.'

He said seniors' groups had warned the narrow scope would hurt older Australians reliant on cash for essentials, including pharmaceuticals.

Roberts labelled the regulation a 'back-door attempt' to phase out cash, and attacked the government for introducing it by regulation rather than proper legislation.

With the motion defeated, the current cash rules remain in force.

The Coalition says it will pursue a private senator's bill to expand the mandate, while Labor insists the regulation balances consumer access with business flexibility.
Donald Trump has signalled he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, according to a new report.

The Wall Street Journal reported Trump had told aides he is willing to end the military campaign even if the strait remains largely closed and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

It comes after Trump yesterday threatened to 'blow up' and 'completely obliterate' Iran's electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if the Strait was not 'immediately "open for business".'

Asked about the report, the White House referred to comments made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who told Al Jazeera the strait would be open 'one way or another' after the US military operation.

The White House said Trump was considering asking Arab nations to pay for the cost of the war.

'It's an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you'll hear more from him on,' White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said in response to a reporter's question about the idea.

Leavitt said Trump wanted to reach a deal with Iranian leaders before a second deadline, now April 6, for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

Leavitt said talks with Iran were progressing, adding that what Tehran says publicly differs from what it tells US officials in private.

Donald Trump posted an uncaptioned video on the night of March 30, 2026 as Americans bombarded an Iranian ammunition depot

Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a strike on March 31, 2026

Iran said earlier on Monday it had received US peace proposals via intermediaries, following weekend talks between the foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said the proposals were 'unrealistic, illogical and excessive'.

'Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves,' he told a press conference.

Meanwhile, an Iranian drone stuck a fully loaded Kuwaiti tanker carrying 2million barrels of oil near the Strait of Hormuz - sparking fears of an oil spill in the Persian Gulf.

The apparent strike on the Al Salmi tanker is just the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said early on Tuesday that the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates, causing damage to the vessel and a fire onboard.

It warned of a possible oil spill in surrounding waters, Kuwaiti state news agency KUNA reported.

Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams successfully put out the blaze, which was sparked by a drone attack, and continued to assess the situation, adding that no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members were safe.

Work is underway to assess damage to the tanker, said KPC, which according to Lloyd's List Intelligence data is the parent company of Al Salmi's registered owner and commercial operator.

The attack came as the US unleashed devastating air strikes on an ammunition depot believed to house Iran's enriched uranium.

The war continues into its second month, with the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz remaining the biggest issue toward ending it

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Donald Trump posted video of the US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky.

The president did not provide any information about the enormous explosion with the video on his social media post.

An American official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that the video showed the bunker buster strikes on Isfahan.

The US strikes came after reports Trump was considering a military operation to send special operations forces deep inside Iran to seize its stockpile of enriched uranium at sites that include Isfahan.

Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions, common with ammunition, igniting in a blaze. Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.

Oil prices sank and most stocks rose today after it was reported Donald Trump is willing to end the Iran war even if the key Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

But investors remain wary as the report came just hours after Trump threatened to destroy Iran's key oil export hub and desalination plants unless it accepts a deal to immediately reopen the waterway.

Both main oil contracts fell Tuesday, though West Texas Intermediate and Brent were still sitting well above $100 a barrel, marking the highest price of US oil since 2022.

And most equity markets rose. Hong Kong, Shanghai, Sydney, Singapore, Wellington and Jakarta were all up, while Tokyo fluctuated.

Key figures at around 2:30am UK time:

Brent North Sea Crude: DOWN 1.3 per cent at $106.04 a barrel

West Texas Intermediate: DOWN 0.7 per cent at $102.22 a barrel

Tokyo - Nikkei 225: DOWN 0.1 per cent at 51,820.30 (break)

Hong Kong - Hang Seng Index: UP 0.5 per cent at 24,869.71

Shanghai - Composite: UP 0.3 per cent at 3,935.05

Meanwhile, US Gulf allies, led by Saudi Arabia and the UAE, are urging Trump to continue prosecuting the war, arguing that Tehran hasnt been weakened enough by the monthlong campaign, according to US, Gulf and Israeli officials.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behavior, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Iran has continued battering the Gulf states, with the military claiming it struck an Israeli-owned ship in the Persian Gulf and fired drones at US marines in the UAE.

The Revolutionary Guards say it has carried out 'devastating blows' to US and Israel this morning, according to a message posted on Telegram by state-controlled media channel Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

Firstly, the Guards say the Israeli-owned container vessel was struck by missiles fired by its navy in the Persian Gulf.

Iranian military officials then said US marines 'hiding in a concealed location' on the UAE coast were hit with drones.

Additionally, the Guards say a US anti-drone system was destroyed near Bahrain's Manama airport.

A firefighter battles flames at a damaged workshop after an alert of incoming missiles in Petah Tikva, Israel, Tuesday, March 31

First responders assess the damage following an Iranian strike over Petah Tikva on March 31, 2026

The interior of a home destroyed in a joint Israeli and US attack can be seen in Tehran, Iran, on March 30, 2026

Multiple cars have been set on fire after a Iranian missile strike in central Israel.

Israel's emergency services Magen David Adom has said eight people have been injured in the attack which Israeli media reports contained cluster munitions.

Six of the injured were treated in the city of Bnei Brak, which is largely populated by ultra-Orthodox Jews. None were said to be seriously hurt by the blast.

The military's Home Front Command said it had received 'reports of damage' in the central parts of the country. Footage captured cars engulfed in flames in Petah Tikva.

Earlier on Tuesday, at least 10 blasts were heard in the Jerusalem area after missile launches from Iran were detected though no injuries were subsequently reported.

Trump has repeatedly claimed to be making diplomatic progress - though Tehran denies negotiating directly - while ramping up his threats and sending thousands more US troops to the Middle East.

Trump told the New York Post that the US is negotiating with Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf.

The former Revolutionary Guard commander, who has taunted the US on social media, dismissed the talks facilitated by Pakistan as a cover for the latest American troop deployments.

Tehran has promised to set American soldiers on fire should the US President order a ground invasion of the country, after the Pentagon drew up plans for potential raids on Kharg Island - the Islamic Republic's main oil export hub - and attacks on coastal sites near the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said his 'preference would be to take the oil', comparing the potential operation to Venezuela where Washington intends to control the oil industry 'indefinitely' following its seizure of strongman leader Nicolas Maduro in January.

'To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: "Why are you doing that?" But theyre stupid people,' Trump said.

Such a move would involve raiding Kharg Island, the 'crown jewel' of the regime where 90 per cent of its oil is loaded on to tankers.
The economic fallout of the Iran war 'won't be short-lived', EU energy ministers have warned.

Commissioner Dan Jorgensen told the meeting in Brussels that since the start of the ongoing conflict, prices in the EU have risen by around 70 per cent for gas and 60 per cent for oil.

He added that one month of fighting has added 14bn to the bloc's fossil fuels import bill.

It comes after Pete Hegseth has said the US knows 'exactly' what roles Russia and China are playing in the Iran war amid claims both countries are supporting Tehran.

The US Defense Secretary insists Washington will confront Moscow and Beijing 'where necessary' as he provided an update on the war in a Pentagon briefing today.

Asked about reports of the countries providing support to Tehran during the conflict, Hegseth said: 'As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing.

'We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it or we're confronting it head on.'

Russia has been accused of providing Iran with the locations of American assets to attack and sharing advanced drone tactics.

While China is said to be providing military co-operation, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.

Follow the latest updates on the US-Israel war with Iran
March 29, 2026: The Military Sealift Command/MSC is still having problems recruiting sufficient personnel to man the growing number of ships used by MSC to support American military and diplomatic missions overseas. The MSC currently has 140 ships with civilian crews that replenish U.S. Navy ships, carry out special dedicated operations, preposition combat cargo at sea around the world and moves military cargo and supplies used by deployed U.S. forces and allied nations.

That wont mean much if the personnel shortage problem cannot be solved. So far at least a dozen ships have been sidelined because no crews were available. MSC needs to fill at least 95 percent of its 4,500 jobs to be fully functional. To operate at that level MSC needs 5,500 personnel to provide enough people to allow merchant sailors one month off duty for every four months at sea. This plan became less attractive to MSC sailors. The solution is to change the work routine to four months at sea and two months of downtime.

MSC has been having manning problems since 2020, and the two month downtime policy is another effort to find a solution. Meanwhile MSC continues to expand and evolve.

Back in 2018 the U.S. Navy completed the conversion of a cargo ship into a Maritime Support Vessel/MSV for Special Operations Command/SOCOM. The ship to be converted had been built in 2011 for commercial service with Maersk Lines. It was quietly purchased by the U.S. Navy and in early 2014 an American shipyard began converting the 20,000 ton Roll On/Roll Off, or RO/RO, cargo ship MV Craigside to serve as a seagoing base for SOCOM commandos and support troops. This included renaming the ship to Ocean Trader.

About $80 million was spent on the conversion, which consisted of turning the deck into a landing pad for at least two helicopters plus a hangar in the forward part of the ship to house three helicopters for maintenance or just to keep them out of bad weather. The ramp for RO/RO of vehicles is in the rear and remains. The Ocean Trader had special windowless communications and planning areas built as well as spaces for launching and recovering Scan Eagle UAVs. There was a dive locker/chamber for U.S. Navy SEALs to quietly slip into sea as well as storage and launch facilities for Rigid Inflatable Boats/RIB like the 11 meter RHIB used by SOCOM and the 12.8 meter Combat Craft Assault/CCA for more difficult insertions of SEALs to a hostile shore.

The CCA was built of composites and shaped to be stealthy for coastal and riverine operations. Carrying up to eleven personnel, the CCA can be airdropped from a C-17 but is usually launched from larger ships like the Ocean Trader. There is still a large vehicle deck on the Ocean Trader, and it can carry a wide variety of vehicles used by SOCOM personnel. There are climate controlled storage areas for a wide variety of supplies and a small hospital area including an operating room and recovery areas.

In 2015, the Craigside was renamed Ocean Trader and by 2016 was spotted in the Mediterranean. Commercial ships can easily be tracked using the Automatic Identification Systems/AIS, and Ocean Trader showed up for a while at Crete in May 2016, Gibraltar on May 14, 2017, and Amsterdam in August 16, 2017. Since then, the AIS has been turned off most of the time, as is the case with warships. Without AIS you have to rely on visual spotting and that has put Ocean Trader in the Baltic, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and Black Sea during 2017 and 2018.

The Ocean Trader has a top speed of 36 kilometers an hour, even in heavy seas. Internal fuel enables it to go about 14,000 kilometers and it has been equipped for resupply, including fuel, at sea. The ship crew consists of 50 civilian personnel. These ship handlers require security clearances and lots of experience running cargo ships. There are at least two crews, and they are periodically switched to give the crews time at home and the Ocean Trader the ability to remain at sea for long periods. The ship has berths for about 200 special operations personnel or contractors for operating special electronic or transport equipment, and whenever it docks somewhere there is activity as personnel and some equipment are changed and supplies taken on.

Whats interesting about the Ocean Trader is that its an old idea. Back in 2004 the U.S. Navy was asked by SOCOM to look into the idea of modifying a container ship for use as a seagoing base for Special Operations troops. This idea was apparently inspired by incidents in the past decade where SOCOM forces had been based temporarily on navy ships. Off Haiti in 1996 and Afghanistan in 2001 the Navy provided an aircraft carrier with most of its air wing withdrawn and replaced with Army or Special Operations helicopters and personnel. While this tactic demonstrated tremendous flexibility on the part of the navy it could not be done on a regular basis because it tied up carriers and their crews, which are the most valuable navy assets. Then in 2001, the Navy began converting four Ballistic Missile Firing Nuclear subs/SSBNs to carry 154 cruise missiles as well as SOCOM commandos. This includes commando equipment and special boats to get them ashore. But these SSGNs did not have the capabilities of a MSV like the Ocean Trader. The SSGNs have proved useful for some largely classified SOCOM missions but not for all the missions SOCOM needed an MSV for.

The 2004 SOCOM proposal was to buy or lease a container ship, paint it gray and fit it out with crew quarters similar to those used by oil platform crews, for up to 800 SOCOM operators and 200 support troops got some serious consideration. The facilities on board would include command, medical, recreation and storage for weapons, ammunition and explosives. All would all be built into standard modular containers, as the U.S. later did extensively in Iraq and Afghanistan. Container ships have power generating capability to support refrigerated cargo so there is plenty for military needs, especially communications.

The use of modified onshore containers would also provide some bolted together to serve as a helicopter hangar and flight deck. With this setup, the ship could operate over a dozen SOCOM helicopters, especially the larger MC-47s and V-22. Other containers could hold at least half a dozen RHIB boats and equipment for launching and recovering them, and UAVs.

The concept had several major advantages over the traditional approach of building a new type of military ship. Commercial vessels, even ones the size of aircraft carriers like large tankers and container carriers, typically require crews of less than fifty rather than thousands for military ships of the same size. A large container ship used for military purposes could be operated by fewer than a hundred sailors compared to 1,100 on an LHD or 3,200 on a Nimitz-class carrier. It would also be easier to upgrade, as the modules could be removed and replaced independently.

MSC would own and operate these ships using civilian crews. The navy would keep one or two of these ships ready at all times plus a reserve of special containers ashore for use on additional MSC-owned ships or those leased from commercial users. The container ship conversion never took place but there were some MSC ships that quietly moved SOCOM personnel and equipment around, but nothing as customized as the Ocean Trader. While the Ocean Trader was created quietly there was no keeping it secret. The Ocean Trader had to frequently make port calls and was subject to being photographed by anyone with a smartphone. That was done often and the photos made their way onto the Internet and suddenly a lot was known about the Ocean Trader. While SOCOM remains quiet on the subject, the fact that the Ocean Trader has been constantly at sea or briefly in some foreign port for over two years indicates the ship is being used regularly.
US war secretary Pete Hegseth was today branded a 'blustering anchorman' as he sparked a backlash by mocking the 'big, bad Royal Navy'.

In the latest American blast at Britain over the Iran war, the former Fox News host demanded the UK and other countries 'step up' to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In response to US and Israeli attacks, which began at the end of last month, Iran has effectively closed the crucial sea passage and sent global fuel prices soaring.

Mr Hegseth suggested it was 'not just the US Navy' who should be responsible for getting tankers moving through the waterway again, as he backed up earlier comments by Donald Trump.

In a vicious social media post, the US President dramatically washed his hands of the Middle East crisis and told Keir Starmer to 'go get your own oil' as Europe's supplies dry up.

Mr Trump added he had done 'the hard part' by launching the war on Iran, insisting countries like the UK would have to reopen the blocked Strait.

Britain's last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours amid alarm over shortages within a week.

The consignment on the Libyan-flagged Maetiga vessel is expected to reach the UK from Saudi Arabia on Thursday, according to data providers Kpler and Vortexa. No other tankers bound for the UK have made it through the Strait.

As the UK gets to grips with a third major global crisis in six years:

Mr Trump is swinging between threatening widespread destruction of Iran's energy resources and hinting he could just end the bombing campaign;

Nigel Farage said it is a 'mug's game' trying to guess what Mr Trump is aiming for in the Middle East;

Extra UK troops are being sent to the Middle East to help the UK's allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks;

Rachel Reeves is believed to be getting 20million a day in extra revenue as a result of higher energy prices;

Official figures show UK household disposable incomes fell between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, even before the war erupted;

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai;

Israel has invaded southern Lebanon to push out Iran-backed Hezbollah militants;

Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen will carry out a state visit to the US next month, despite Mr Trump's frequent attacks on Britain.

US war secretary Pete Hegseth was branded a 'blustering anchorman' as he sparked a backlash by mocking the 'big, bad Royal Navy'

Donald Trump insisted he had done 'the hard part' by launching the war on Iran, insisting countries like the UK would have to reopen the blocked Strait of Hormuz

In a vicious post on his Truth Social site on Tuesday, the US President told Britain to 'go get your own oil!'

Lord West of Spithead, the former chief of naval staff, hit back at Mr Trump and Mr Hegseth's comments

Posting on his TruthSocial site on Tuesday, Mr Trump said: 'All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

'You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us.

'Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.'

In a Pentagon press briefing later on Tuesday, Mr Hegseth said Mr Trump had been 'clear' in his social media post 'that there are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up' on the Strait of Hormuz.

He added: 'It's not just the US Navy, last time I checked there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

'This is an international waterway that we use less than most, in fact dramatically less than most, so the world ought to pay attention and be prepared to stand up.

'President Trump's been willing to do the heavy lifting on behalf of the free world to address this threat of Iran.

'It's not just our problem set going forward, even though we have done the lion's share of preparation to ensure that that Strait will be open.'

But Lord West of Spithead, the former first sea lord and ex-chief of naval staff, said no country could hope to reopen the Strait of Hormuz on its own as he dismissed Mr Trump's 'fatuous' comments.

The Labour peer told the Daily Mail: 'Any operation to make sure the Strait of Hormuz is cleared needs to be an international operation - it should include America and various allies to actually achieve that.

'America saying "it's nothing to do with us" is a rather sort of fatuous comment.'

Lord West also hit back at Mr Hegseth's mocking of the Royal Navy, adding: 'I think basically one should just ignore Hegseth.

'He's a blustering anchorman. He's never done anything, really. So I think we should just ignore it.

'The bottom line is, we want to have an operation to clear the Strait. It's got to be a combined operation amongst several nations, and it's going to be very, very difficult.

'And having Hegseth making stupid comments in the margins doesn't help very much.'

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The Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi oil tanker was reported to have been attacked by an Iranian drone while anchored at Dubai port

A video of a massive explosion shared without comment early today by Mr Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan

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A blaze after Israel's Fire and Rescue Service said that an industrial building and a fuel tanker at Israel's oil refineries were hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile in Haifa yesterday

On a trip to Gulf nations, Defence Secretary John Healey announced extra UK troops are being sent to the Middle East to help the UK's allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks.

Britain will deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets' action in Qatar. Additional air defence teams and systems have also arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait.

Mr Healey said 'Britain's best' will help protect Gulf partners as he visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

The UK is currently sourcing at least half its jet fuel from the Middle East amid a fall in domestic refining and a halt on Russian imports since the Ukraine invasion in 2022.

The Prime Minister is holding another emergency Cobra meeting today, with Brits starting to feel the impact of the turmoil in their pockets.

Diesel and petrol prices are running at the highest levels since 2022, and projections this morning suggest typical energy bills will increase by 288 in July when the cap next changes.

Food costs could also surge as fertiliser supplies are choked off, and the region is a huge source of aluminium.

Countries such as Australia, Spain and Poland have responded by temporarily cutting fuel duty at the pumps.

However, there is no sign that significant Government support for motorists or households is imminent, despite the Treasury getting a windfall from higher taxes on energy.

Authorities in Dubai on Tuesday said Iran had attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker.

The Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi was reported to have been attacked by a drone while anchored at Dubai port, although there was no oil leak.

New figures from the RAC on Tuesday showed the cost of filling a typical family car with diesel has exceeded 100 for the first time in more than three years.

Average diesel prices at UK forecourts on Tuesday were 182.8p per litre, up 40p since the start of the conflict in the Middle East on February 28, the motoring group said.

That means it costs 100.52 to fill a 55-litre family car, breaching the 100 mark for the first time since December 2022.

The average cost of petrol is 152.8p per litre, an increase of 20p since the war began.

Shortly after Mr Trump's latest attack on the UK, Buckingham Palace confirmed the King and Queen will carry out a state visit to the US next month.

They are expected to attend a state dinner at the White House and the King will address Congress to mark the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, who has repeatedly called for the royal visit to be cancelled, said it was a 'humiliation' to send the King and Queen to America while 'Donald Trump treats our country with contempt'.

Keir Starmer is holding another Cobra meeting on the unfolding Middle East crisis later

Meanwhile, jet fuel was $4.24 (3.21) a gallon last Thursday, compared with $2.50 (1.89) just before the first US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the Airlines for America group.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras said the US Jet Fuel Index was up 72 per cent in one month since the war began, which was 'massively outpacing even Brent crude's rise'.

About 40 per cent of Europe's jet fuel comes via the Strait of Hormuz, which is nearly completely closed. The UK receives supplies direct from the Middle East while additional supplies come in indirectly, especially via Belgium and the Netherlands.

Industry experts now fear the supply issues could have a major impact on airlines from the end of next month if the Iran war continues.

Mr Macheras cited how United Airlines said jet fuel prices have more than doubled in three weeks  and if such a trend continues, its annual fuel bill would hit $11billion.

This would be more than double the airline's best-ever annual profit. Mr Macheras also pointed out that New York to London fares were up 177 per cent in a week.

He tweeted: 'A serious jet fuel shortage is less than a week away across multiple different markets, including at some major European airport hubs - who are informing airlines to prepare for a potential 'no-fuel available here' scenario.

'This is not a Europe problem - international airlines from Asia, South America, Africa etc are working on contingency plans which include attempted fuel stops en route to/from destination as jet fuel shortage worsens to unprecedented levels and the price continues to surge.'

A UK Government source told the Daily Mail today that there was no current disruption to jet fuel supply, adding that most airlines purchase it in advance to offset price fluctuations.

Ministers are said to be trying to encourage airlines to do what they can to ensure tickets remain fairly priced for passengers, and are working with the aviation industry to monitor the situation.

Britain received a jet fuel cargo from Nigeria at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire yesterday, and the Government has insisted people should book their summer holidays as normal and not worry about supply issues.

But shadow transport secretary Richard Holden has criticised Labour's 'energy failure' amid growing fears of shortages.

The senior Tory MP said: 'Labour's energy failure is wrecking the Easter getaway before families have even packed their bags, grounding holidays and sending air fares into the skies.

'As conflict in the Middle East drives jet fuel prices higher, airlines will pass those costs straight on to British families already being hammered by Labour's hikes to air passenger duty and airport business rates.

'This is the direct consequence of Labour's Net Zero obsession, destroying our energy security with real and tangible consequences for people up and down the country.

'Britain is left exposed, families are left paying, and Labour sit on their hands as the dream of a family holiday vanish.'

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A plane takes off in view of a crude oil tanker at Philadelphia International Airport last week

Sir Keir will gather ministers and officials for a meeting of the Government's emergency Cobra committee today to look at contingency plans for potential shortages of jet fuel as well as diesel and fertiliser.

Yesterday, he appealed to oil and banking executives to help Britain deal with a looming 1970s-style energy shock and warned: 'The Government can't do it on its own.'

Sir Keir also said he was focused on 'de-escalation' of the crisis that has led to the blocking of the Strait of Hormuz, which normally carries 20 per cent of the world's oil.

The price most households pay for energy under regulator Ofgem's cap will fall by 117 to 1,641 a year from tomorrow, driven by the Government's promise to cut bills by an average of 150 by removing green subsidies.

However, energy analyst Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the cap from July to September now stands at 1,929 for a typical dual fuel household  an increase of 288 or 18 per cent on April's cap.

It said a hike in energy bills this summer is 'pretty much unavoidable' - warning an even greater hit to household finances could come in October.

The Chancellor has said work is under way for targeted support for households, but she has been accused of only planning help for those on benefits.

This would be in contrast to the universal support provided by the previous Tory government in 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused energy bills to soar.

The Conservatives are urging Ms Reeves to slash household energy costs by 200 immediately by taking VAT, taxes and levies off energy bills.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby has said the airline is modelling Brent oil as high as $175 a barrel and remaining above $100 through 2027.

Under that scenario, United's annual fuel bill would rise by roughly $11billion  more than twice its best-ever annual profit.

Fuel accounts for about a quarter of airline operating costs, and airlines sell tickets weeks or months in advance, leaving them exposed when prices move faster than fares can follow.

Credit ratings agency Moody's said low-cost and ultra-low-cost carriers in the US would be hit hardest if fuel prices stay high.

Had Brent averaged $80 a barrel last year instead of $69, Moody's said, operating profit across rated US airlines would have fallen by roughly half, to about $6billion.

A spokesman for the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said: 'Jet fuel shipments are continuing to arrive in the UK.

'The UK receives imports of jet fuel from India, USA and the Netherlands as well as smaller amounts from a range of other countries.'

Asked at a press conference this morning about reports Mr Trump might end his military campaign, Mr Farage said he 'very much doubts those rumours are true'.

'I don't think we should take literally anything right now that Donald Trump says, or is said about Donald Trump,' he said.

'The last thing he's going to do, or the last thing his colleagues in the White House are going to do, is to give the Iranians any idea of what their true intentions are, and frankly, I don't know.

'Was it to remove nuclear capability? Was it aimed at regime change? I don't think any of us quite know the absolute truth about that.'

He said that if Mr Trump were to walk away and oil prices remain high, 'that would be, politically, not the way he or his Republican colleagues would want it to end'.

He added: 'Trying to read what's really in the minds of people in the White House right at the moment, pre-guessing that, is a bit of a mug's game right now.'
A human rights activist has claimed that paranoid residents in Dubai have started reporting members of group chats who share pictures of Iranian drone and missile attacks to authorities.

The war in the Middle East has seen Iran launch dozens of strikes at its Gulf neighbours for more than a month.

Harrowing footage and pictures of these attacks have made their way around the world, thanks in large part to residents in cities like Dubai who take them and share them on social media.

But the dissemination of these pictures and videos purportedly undermines the 'national security and stability' of Gulf nations, which have long sought to uphold their 'carefully constructed brand' as safe and glamorous travel destination.

As a result, tourists, expats and cabin crew who have dared share clips of these attacks have been detained in overcrowded police cells and prisons  and in some cases denied sleep, food and medicine  as they fall foul of draconian laws that purport to protect 'national security and stability'.

Even passively receiving an image is deemed illegal under the severest laws, which can carry a sentence of ten years in prison or fines of up to 200,000.

Radha Stirling - whose group, Detained in Dubai, has been helping British nationals who have been arrested for taking photos of attacks - told the i newspaper that the problem has become so bad that residents in the UAE city have begin informing authorities about people who send photos of Iranian attacks on group chats.

Emirati laws prohibit anyone from taking or publishing photos that could 'disturb public security'.

Pictured: The Palm Jumeirah Fairmont hotel in Dubai after it was hit by a Shahed suicide drone on February 28, 2026

An Emirates aircraft prepares for landing as a smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026

When there is an Iranian strike, those nearby are sent a text message in both Arabic and English saying: 'Photographing or sharing security or critical sites, or reposting unreliable information, may result in legal action and compromise national security and stability.'

Police also reportedly approach those in the area and demand to see their phones. Anyone caught with photos of attack sites is arrested, while those who receive such photos through apps like WhatsApp are also tracked down and arrested.

As many as 70 Britons have been locked up in the United Arab Emirates for taking photos and videos of drone and missile attacks, The Mail on Sunday revealed this week.

So many people are being held that the legal system is swamped, meaning those arrested face months in detention before being charged, according to human rights group Dubai Watch.

Some of those arrested have been released on bail  but have had their passports confiscated so they cannot leave the Emirates. If they are expats whose work visas expire in the meantime, they will not be able to work and face homelessness, campaigners say.

Dubai Watch is representing eight arrested Britons, but its founder David Haigh says local lawyers tell him that at least 35 Britons have been detained in Dubai, and a similar number in neighbouring Abu Dhabi.

In some cases, they were made to sign statements in Arabic they did not understand, it is claimed.

Access by British consular staff is understood to be 'restricted or outright denied'.

The Foreign Office is not automatically alerted to all cases, and some of those arrested have been advised not to contact the British Embassy for fear it could prolong their cases.

Officials believe just five British detainees are receiving consular help for taking pictures.

Before the war, more than 240,000 Britons lived in Dubai. About half are thought to have returned home since Iran started firing missiles and drones across the Strait of Hormuz.

The Emirati embassy in London said people had been warned about taking or sharing photos from 'incident sites', adding: 'Disseminating such materials or inaccurate information can incite public panic and create a false impression of the UAE's actual situation.'
Crime on London's public transport network has risen by almost 50 per cent since the pandemic - with 'unacceptable' levels of violence against women and girls, according to a devastating new report.

The London Assembly's Police and Crime Committee has published a new report that suggests people are increasingly anxious about using buses, Tubes and trains to get across the capital for fear of falling victim to crime.

Around 48,000 crimes were reported across Transport for London (TfL) services in 2025 - up 46 per cent against a pre-pandemic average of 16,544.

The figure was released as part of a new report examining the capital's approach to tackling spiralling rates of violence against women and girls (VAWG) and hate crime across the transport network, which the committee found 'unacceptable'.

Its findings are calamitous for London's transport and policing bodies and for Mayor of London Sadiq Khan: the committee's chair, Marina Ahmad, said that while she expected 'to find a problem, what we found was a crisis'.

Seven in 10 Londoners are choosing not to travel, or not to travel at certain times of the day, 'because they were worried about their personal security', Tricia Hayes of London TravelWatch told the committee.

This may go some way to explaining why, as official TfL statistics suggest, passenger journeys fell by 2.4 per cent in the second half of 2025.

Transport and policing authorities say they are responding to the challenge - but politicians say more needs to be done.

A brawl at Colliers Wood Tube station in November, in which one man appeared to wield a knife

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Siwan Hayward, TfL's Director of Security, Policing and Enforcement, said: 'The safety of everyone using the transport network is an absolute priority for us.

'We have a strong police and enforcement presence on our services and in our stations to prevent crime and are determined to continue working together to make the transport network a hostile place for offenders.

'We welcome the committee's report and will be responding to the recommendations in due course.'

Between 2023 and 2025, crimes reported on the Underground rose 12.5 per cent, while they rose 60.4 on the newest part of the network, the Elizabeth Line, and rose 15 per cent on the Overground.

Offences dipped three percent on buses, 2.7 per cent on the Docklands Light Railway and 40 per cent on Trams in the same time period.

Violence, public disorder and criminal damage are on the rise, while thefts are down. Overall, crime on the network has risen almost eight percent in the last three years alone.

Sadiq Khan has previously sought to characterise the level of crime on London's public transport network as 'very low level...when you compare it to the [number of] journeys that are made'.

He told the London Assembly last year: 'One victim of crime is one too many, but I want to reassure Londoners that the risk of being a victim or of witnessing a crime in London remains low.'

But Susan Hall, who is deputy chair of the committee and leader of the London Conservatives, told the Daily Mail today: 'Violence on public transport is rising significantly since Covid, and the Mayor of London is doing little to tackle it.

'Posters telling people not to be abusive will not stop attacks - enforcement of the law, robust security, and a zero-tolerance policy is the only way we are going to keep Londoners safe during their commute.

'His priorities are all wrong, and we're at risk as a result.'

A spokesperson for the Mayor said today: 'Nothing is more important to the Mayor than keeping Londoners safe, and he is clear that no one should have to feel scared or vulnerable on public transport or anywhere in the capital.

'Sadiq has invested over 277million to tackle the epidemic of violence against women and girls in all its forms, and dedicated a record 16million - more than any other Mayor - to tackle hate crime and intolerance in all its guises.

'But there is more work to do and the Mayor will be stepping up collective action with TfL, Met Police and other partners to ensure our transport network is inclusive, safe and welcoming as we continue building a safer, fairer, better London for everyone.'

The report focuses on efforts to tackle hate crime and violence against women and girls (VAWG). Of all public transport crime reports in 2025 almost a fifth, 4,593, related to VAWG and another 1,724 were incidents of hate crime.

Only a handful of incidents ever led to a charge, and a suspect was not identified in 58 per cent and 66 per cent of VAWG and hate crime incidents respectively.

Grinning sexual predator Craig Anderson, who consistently approached women and asked for their phone numbers before assaulting them

The true number of incidents is likely to be higher: people are not thought to come forward to report them because they do not trust authorities to act. London TravelWatch estimates as many as 80 per cent of incidents go unreported.

Just last week, a serial predator who sexually assaulted four women at London Underground and mainline stations last year was jailed.

Craig Anderson, 38, approached lone women before asking for their phone numbers and attacking them.

Prosecutors described him as a man who 'did not take no for an answer', while police said he smirked throughout his interview and refused to answer questions. He is now serving a 22 month sentence.

In January, Stanislaw Pozniecki was jailed after approaching a sleeping woman on a Jubilee Line train and assaulting her, before offering her 20 to sleep with him.

He followed her off the Underground train at Wembley Park where he was met by police - where he seemed more concerned with missing the last train than the fact he had been arrested. He was jailed for four years.

Incidents of violence and harassment are often filmed and shared on social media.

A video was published earlier this month showing a group of foul-mouthed teenagers who refused to stop vaping on an Elizabeth Line train - sparking a brawl that spilled out onto the platform.

A teenage girl in the group who was asked not to smoke on the train told a male passenger to 'f*** off' before the altercation turned physical. The BTP is investigating.

Stanislaw Pozniecki was more concerned about getting the last train than being arrested for sexual assault

Almost half of travellers - 45 per cent - say they're either 'very' or 'fairly' worried about being harassed while commuting, and more than half say they have little to no confidence in TfL, the Met and the BTP to take action.

It recently prompted a campaigner to call for the return of 'ladies only' carriages as seen in the early days of the railways.

In a nod to the British Transport Police's oft-repeated slogan, Camille Brown quipped in her online petition to TfL: 'We always see it, we do say it, but it's still not sorted'.

The Assembly committee has recommended TfL, the BTP and the Metropolitan Police establish a joint rapid response task force for hate crime and VAWG incidents as they happen, and to publish an annual survey on how it responds to those types of crime.

Commander Clair Kelland, public protection lead for the Met, said in a statement to the Mail that the force was training officers in how to better respond to VAWG incidents.

'As this report highlights there is more to be done to make women feel safer on transport in London, which is why we will continue to work closely with TfL, BTP and local partners,' she added.

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The BTP said tackling hate crime and VAWG remained its 'top priority'.

A spokesperson said: 'We know that reporting crime needs to be easy and discreet, and we're proud of our text 61016 service which allows passengers to report crime to us discreetly and for free.

'Last year we received a 20 per cent increase in reports, showing us that more passengers know how to report crime to us and have the confidence to do so, knowing they will be believed and taken seriously.'

TfL launched a new campaign encouraging people to 'act like a friend' and intervene in incidents where it is safe to do so. It launched a dedicated taskforce to tackle hate crime and VAWG last year.

It comes after a BBC investigation found that the British Transport Police is struggling to identify sex offenders because of faulty or non-existent CCTV cameras.

Of 562 investigations into alleged sex offences reported in 2025 involving CCTV evidence, 250 either had no CCTV available, or was of unusable quality.
A man has been arrested in connection with the suspected murder of a teenage girl who went missing nearly 30 years ago.

Cleveland Police are questioning a 64-year-old man arrested in Leeds in relation to the murder of Donna Keogh, who disappeared from Middlesbrough aged 17 in 1998.

Donna's body has never been found and it is strongly suspected she was murdered shortly after she disappeared.

Her father Brian Keogh died aged 69 in July last year, without finding out what happened to his daughter.

He had led relentless campaigns to find answers to what happened to his 'bubbly and ambitious' girl.

Donna was last seen in central Middlesborough on Tuesday, April 28, 1998 and is known to have travelled to Leeds.

Attempting to track down her body, police in 2018 dug up a disused allotment two miles from where she was last seen in Middlesbrough.

The site - at Troon Close, on the Saltersgill estate - had been revealed as a place of interest after a review of the old investigation, as well as several other places.

Brian Keogh (pictured with his wife Shirley Keogh) died last July without finding out what happened to his daughter Donna Keogh following her disappearance in 1998

Donna Keogh was just 17 when she vanished in Middlesbrough on 19 April 1998 and police believe she had 'come to serious harm' - she is pictured with her late father Brian

The five-day search was unsuccessful, however, only finding human remains that were dated back to medieval times.

Donna disappeared in April 1998 and her family reported her missing on May 30 after the usual regular contact they kept was broken.

At the time of her disappearance she had been living with her cousins in a block of flats called Kings House, Central Mews, in Middlesbrough town centre.

On the day of her disappearance, she was seen in the Hartington Road, Aske Road and Bow Street areas of Middlesbrough.

Police officially deemed her case a murder in 2016 and reopened the investigation, probing sites in the area and excavating an allotment.

Her father Brian died last year after suffering a lung condition linked to his work.

Mr Keogh, a former soldier with Green Howards, worked as a doorman in his younger years and went on to run his own family business in plastering and damp-proofing before retiring just last year.

His wife Shirley Keogh said her husband's death had caused her heart 'to break into a million pieces' - but despite the family's loss, she vowed to continue their effprts to discover what happened to Donna.

Mrs Keogh told TeessideLive at the time of her husband's death: 'He was hellbent on keeping the fight going.

'Even the day before he died he kept mentioning it - he just wanted a bit more time. I know he would have wanted me to express his thanks for all the support in Middlesbrough.'

Cleveland Police were assisted by West Yorkshire Police in making today's arrest.

Det Chief Insp Steven Chatterton, senior investigating officer, said: 'This morning we have made an arrest as a result of our recent enquiries and the man remains in police custody at this time for questioning.

Donna Keogh (pictured) has been missing for 28 years after her disappearance in April 1998. Her body has never been found

Police dug up a disused allotment two miles from where Donna was last seen in Middlesbrough in 2018 but did not find her body

She was seen in the Hartington Road, Aske Road and Bow Street areas of Middlesbrough

'I would like to reiterate our appeal for anyone to contact us who may have seen Donna, spoken to her or knows anything about her movements in Leeds in 1998 to come forward.

'We are in close contact with Donna's family and they have lived with unbearable uncertainty for nearly 30 years. We are determined to find out what happened to Donna for them.

'Somebody out there knows the truth. If you have information, please tell us. You can contact us directly or report anonymously.'
The teenage boy who accused Scott Mills of serious sexual offences in the 1990s was under 16, it was revealed today.

The broadcaster, who would have been 24 at the time of the allegations, was later questioned by police under caution in 2018.

Scotland Yard has confirmed detectives sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who rejected the case due to a lack of evidence. The police investigation was closed in 2019.

The Daily Mail can also reveal that the complainant may have been inspired to speak out again this year due to the new Huw Edwards docu-drama.

Two sources have said that within the BBC it is being claimed that the unnamed man may have gone to the corporation due to the huge publicity surrounding Martin Clunes starring in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards.

Mills was sacked six days after being hauled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday - the day of the Channel 5 show's release.

Last night, the Daily Mirror linked the decision to fire Mills to a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.

Former police officer and now investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas said police contacts confirmed to him that Mills was interviewed by the Met in 2018 - in a spin-off investigation from Operation Yewtree.

Mr Williams-Thomas helped expose Jimmy Savile and his work led to the police investigation against Savile and others including Rolf Harris.

He told the Daily Mail today: 'The police were swamped with allegations post-Savile and as a result it let to high-profile stars being named [by complainants], one of these was Scott Mills. He wasn't charged - but was allowed to continue working'.

The BBC is refusing to say why he was sacked other than that it was related to his 'personal conduct'. The corporation is now under pressure to explain what they knew about Mills's brush with police and when.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott Mills, pictured last January on his first Radio 2 breakfast show, was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract has now been terminated over his 'personal conduct'. Police have confirmed the complainant was under the age of 16

Scott Mills and his husband Sam Vaughan last April. They married in 2024

Mills joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 from Heart 106.2, where he started in 1995 after working in local radio in Hampshire, Bristol and Manchester. He left the BBC after 28 years yesterday.

A source has claimed that the director general at the time of the police probe, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

One BBC executive in London told the Daily Mail today that there's a real belief amongst bosses at the corporation that the timing of Mills's sacking and the release of the Edwards drama was 'not a coincidence'.

'The Huw Edwards drama showed that there could be a reckoning', they said.

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC added that this claim that the Edwards drama was the 'spark' is swirling around Broadcasting House.

The BBC declined to comment on the claims.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

The BBC declined to comment on why he was not suspended or sacked at the time and why they have fired him almost a decade later.

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC has said there is 'total shock' at the corporation after Mills's sacking.

There were apparently 'audible gasps' from staff as they were told on Monday morning in an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.

Several stars who have spent time with him described him as 'kind and generous' and that friends are 'devastated' for him.

He was also described by a radio colleague as 'hugely popular' internally.

'It is not like the BBC to act so fast', a household name broadcaster told the Daily Mail.

Another source claimed that wild rumours are flying around Broadcasting House about the reason for his sacking.

'No suspension period or prolonged investigation does not bode well', another insider said.

Former BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake defended Mills today.

He said on Good Morning Britain: 'In all of my 12 years at Radio 1, I didnt ever hear a bad word said about Scott Mills. I have to just say that. That was the reality, that was my experience and others experience.

'My first thoughts are obviously with the alleged victim here, without question, but also Scott Mills is a human, hes a person who got his dream job that has now been taken away from him.

'Of all the Radio 1 presenters of my generation, the Fern Cottons and Reggies and Vernons, the one person we knew would end up eventually on Radio 2 was Scott Mills. Everybody knew it.'

Jeremy Vine has called the sacking 'unfair' because no crime was found to have been committed.

Martin Clunes in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards (pictured), which aired on Channel 5 on Tuesday evening - the day Mills was suspended. Rumours in the BBC are flying that the publicity surrounding the show may have inspired Mills's complainant

TV presenter Edwards, 64, who presented the BBC's News At Ten for decades and broke some of the biggest stories including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024

The BBC was plunged into fresh scandal yesterday as one of its most high-profile radio stars was sensationally axed.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott Mills was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract has now been terminated over his 'personal conduct'.

The allegations against Mills, 53, are thought to date back a decade to his time on Radio 1, with reports suggesting they involve a 'historic relationship'.

One of the Corporation's highest-paid stars, who earned up to 360,000 a year, Mills's departure has caused 'absolute chaos' at Radio 2, insiders told the Daily Mail, with colleagues 'in shock' and bosses scrambling to find a replacement.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

It claimed the DJ was questioned at the time but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. The newspaper alleged his sacking related to the same individual.

Mills is the latest in a string of stars to lose their jobs at the scandal-ridden BBC. His ousting follows the exit of news anchor Huw Edwards, along with MasterChef pair Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in the past two years.

It is believed the unceremonious firing, announced with a curt public statement yesterday morning, was one of the last acts of director-general Tim Davie, who wanted to 'clear the decks' before leaving his post on Thursday.

Mr Davie, who himself resigned after it emerged that footage of a speech made by US President Donald Trump had been edited and spliced together in an episode of Panorama, wanted one last roll of the dice, an insider said.

Mills took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025. The allegations against Mills are thought to date back a decade to his time on Radio 1

But he will be leaving interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, and permanent replacement Matt Brittin, with a major headache as the race is on to find a replacement for Mills or risk losing listeners.

The biggest breakfast show in the country currently brings in a weekly audience of some 6.5 million, after listeners lost under Mills's predecessor Zoe Ball returned.

Mills's team are said to be taking legal advice in the wake of his sacking.

Last night, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000.

'As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

'A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.'

A representative for Mills declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

In an internal note to staff yesterday morning, Lorna Clarke, the Corporation's director of music, said: 'I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast Show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

'Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on Radio 1, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.'

She said it would 'come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too' as she promised to update everyone with 'more information on plans for the show when I'm able to'.

She added: 'While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.'

In a statement, the BBC said: 'While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.'

Mills married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024. They are pictured with their dog

Mills's final show aired last Tuesday - following his presenting stint on BBC's Comic Relief the previous Friday - and he signed off by telling listeners: 'See you tomorrow.' Just six days later, Mills was gone from the job.

'People are walking around crying,' said one BBC employee. 'The BBC has taken this very seriously.'

Mills landed the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show role in January last year when he took over from Ms Ball.

But it was at the more free-wheeling Radio 1, aimed at a younger demographic, where Mills made his name, rising through the ranks from the early breakfast show in 1998 to the afternoon slot vacated by Sara Cox in 2004.

Renamed The Scott Mills Show, it ran from 2004 until 2022, when Mills jumped ship to Radio 2, where he replaced Steve Wright on his afternoon slot.

Now married to long-term partner Sam Vaughan, 36, Mills enjoyed a hedonistic lifestyle during his 24-year tenure at Radio 1.

'This relates back to the culture at Radio 1, not at Radio 2,' the BBC source told the Daily Mail of the allegation made against Mills. Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine said he'd been unaware of his colleague's departure until just minutes before he went on air yesterday.

'I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin,' he told listeners to his own show after the 12pm news led with the sacking.

'I have nothing more [to say than] it was allegations about Scott Mills's personal conduct which have led to him being sacked.'

BBC news correspondent Sima Kotecha told how 'gasps filled the newsroom' when the news was announced to staff.

She said: 'This is mega news. We heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that he had been sacked... The fact that the bosses had to do this means there must be something potentially very significant here to let one of their big names go. As I said, this is a huge name in the BBC.'

It was during his two decades at Radio 1 that Southampton-born Mills struggled with alcohol and suffered from anxiety and depression. His spiral was prompted by the death of his boyfriend from a drug overdose in 2001.

He credited BBC bosses for standing by him and even admitted that he should have been 'sacked' due to his behaviour.

'I was 26 [when he died] and we spent every minute together, it was truly awful,' he said in 2012.

'[I'd] wake up at 2.30am, do the show, come home and go back to sleep. Then I'd wake up in the evening and drink two bottles of wine or a bottle of spirits in front of the TV. It was a way to escape.'

Mills said 'even I would've sacked me', adding: 'Thank God for Radio 1.'

In recent years, Mills has found stability with husband Sam, whom he met in 2016. The couple appeared together on, and won, BBC's reality show Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024. They got married in Barcelona shortly after filming. Mills was one of the BBC's Eurovision commentators and, in 2022, raised 1million for the charity Children in Need by spending 24 hours on a treadmill.

Mills's exit comes in the same week as Mr Davie's departure from the Corporation, with the BBC's director of nations Rhodri Talfan Davies stepping in as interim chief.

Former Google executive Mr Brittin, who spent 18 years with the tech giant, will take over the top job on May 18. The beleaguered BBC is still dealing with the fallout of the Huw Edwards scandal, with renewed focus on the convicted sex offender thanks to Channel 5's recent documentary-drama starring Martin Clunes.

Edwards was suspended on full pay from the Corporation while an internal investigation was carried out and before he quit the job.

He was later given a six-month suspended jail sentence for possessing child abuse images.
An 'academically gifted' teenager asked ChatGPT for advice about how to kill himself before taking his own life the next day, an inquest heard.

Luca Walker, 16, asked the AI chat bot about suicide hours before his death on a train track.

Luca - who had recently graduated from a prestigious private school and was described as 'gentle and kind' - was able to easily 'sidestep' ChatGPT safeguarding protocols by claiming he was asking about suicide for 'research' purposes.

A police officer who investigated his death said the conversation Luca had with ChatGPT was 'chilling and upsetting reading' and it was heard he was asking for 'specifics'.

Keen swimmer and cat-lover Luca from Yateley, Hants, died on May 4, 2025, after telling his parents he was going to his job working as a lifeguard.

His parents, Scott Walker and Claire Cella said they had no idea about his mental health struggles and have since described it as an 'invisible battle'.

At the time of his death Luca was studying at Sixth Form College Farnborough, Hants, having previously attended the Lord Wandsworth College near Hook, Hants, which charges up to 44,100 a year.

Luca Walker, 16, asked the AI service about suicide hours before his death on a train track

A police officer who investigated his death said that the conversation Luca (pictured) had with ChatGPT was 'chilling and upsetting reading'

The inquest at Winchester Coroner's Court heard Luca 'was surrounded and supported by love'. He had a close group of friends and a loving relationship with his girlfriend.

His father worked in IT and would go on runs up to 10 kilometres with his son, it was heard.

On the morning of May 4 he told his parents he was going to his job working as a lifeguard.

No one was aware of his plans or how poor his mental state had become, the inquest heard.

He left their house in Yateley at 10am and went to a train station in Hampshire.

Luca's phone was recovered and investigated by a digital forensics team at British Transport Police.

It was found that he had written 14 messages for his family and friends in his notes apps to say 'farewell' and 'I love you'.

Luca told his friends and girlfriend that while attending Lord Wandsworth College, he had joined in on a 'bully or be bullied' culture and was 'ashamed of what he had done to survive'.

Luca had confided in his friends that this culture had deeply affected him.

While at the same school, a friend of his had also died on a train tracks, almost exactly two years before Luca.

He had told friends that he had not been properly supported through the ordeal by the college, and the coroner said it was 'clear these experiences of death had affected him'.

It was also discovered that the teen had been using ChatGPT the night before to plan his suicide.

DS Garry Knight from the British Transport Police told the inquest that digital forensics teams had found he had been using ChatGPT at around 12.30am asking for advice on suicide.

'It makes quite chilling and upsetting reading,' he said.

'It is built in to say you can contact organisations for help such as Samaritans, but Luca had sidestepped that which ChatGPT accepted and gave the most effective ways people can do that on the railway.

'I suppose it's not specific to ChatGPT as it could be done on Google or even in the library back in the day. It's upsetting but a part of the modern world unfortunately.'

Christopher Wilkinson, Senior Coroner for Hampshire, said: 'It's clear from what I've read that he was asking for specifics.

'Thankfully perhaps the only good thing is that ChatGPT does seem to be applying an element of worry about why these questions are being asked but it certainly doesn't stop the conversation.

'It's sidestepped by the individual saying he's not looking for himself but he's looking for research purposes.

'It's certainly a concern I have but not one I can solve today on the growing sphere of AI worldwide.

'I don't think that is an unusual concern but that is outside of my influence to change even were I to make a prevention of future deaths report.'

ChatGPT is a generative AI chatbot developed by OpenAI which has been criticised for its lack of safeguarding.

It had been used by another 16-year-old, Adam Raine in California, who in April 2025 took his own life after what his family's lawyers allege in an ongoing lawsuit was 'months of encouragement' by the AI chatbot.

At Luca's inquest, coroner Mr Wilkinson said he was concerned about the impact of AI chatbots but added that he feels unable to act due to its growing scope.

Mr Wilkinson added: 'In all respects it appears [Luca] was a kind, sensitive and calm young man.

'He was relaxed and liked by many people around him. He has a loving and supportive family and friends. He was academically gifted, empathetic, a listener and a friend.

'It's clear Luca and his personality could well have been affected by subsequent traumatic events in his life. It's clear he was growing more concerned in his day to day life and work as a lifeguard.

'He had a gentle nature. Moreover he had been suffering from a low mood and perhaps undiagnosed depression.

'There was the issue of bullying in his former school and while that isn't abnormal it seems that did have an impact.

'The fact he had been subject to bullying and to survive that he had to become somebody he didn't want was a formative factor is his growing feelings of discontent and depression.

'He had also been affected by the death of another student at his previous college and he said he had not been properly supported afterwards.'

Mr Wilkinson confirmed that the cause of death was multiple traumatic injuries and said that Luca had died by suicide.

Luca's girlfriend Grace said in a statement: 'If you weren't a bully you were bullied. He spoke of incidents when bullying had occurred and hated that he had not been kinder because he was just trying to avoid bullying himself.'

Luca's mother Ms Cella told the inquest in a statement: 'He seemed genuinely happy. He was surrounded and supported by love.

'He cared about supporting those around him and was proud that people could share their struggles with him.'

In a tribute, Luca's family said: 'Luca was a kind, sensitive and calm person. Luca's home life was very stable, we are a very close family.

'He lived with me, his dad and younger sister and four cats who he adored. Luca was supported and surrounded by love.

'We were not aware that Luca was struggling in any way with his own mental health, although he did care about supporting those around him with their challenges.'

A Lord Wandsworth College spokesman said Luca was a 'very well-liked and valued member of our community' and described him as' an affable, kind young man who participated enthusiastically in all aspects of school life'.

'He is remembered for the friendships he built and the positive impact he had on those around him, not least through his annual long-distance charity swims, which raised money and awareness for good causes, the spokesman said.

'We were shocked and deeply saddened to hear of his death last year, and we remain in close contact with his family. We will continue to do all we can to support them and the wider community.

'While the school was not called to give evidence in the inquest proceedings, we take any concerns about student wellbeing extremely seriously.

'Our school community is built on a strong culture of respect and support, reflected consistently in student feedback and independent inspection. We remain fully committed to ensuring every pupil feels safe, supported and valued'.

An OpenAI spokesman said: 'This is an incredibly heart-breaking situation and our thoughts are with all those impacted.

'We have continued to improve ChatGPT's training to recognise and respond to signs of mental or emotional distress, de-escalate conversations, and guide people toward real-world support.

'We have also continued to strengthen ChatGPT's responses in sensitive moments, working closely with mental health clinicians.'
An Israeli air force major is accused of raking in more than $160,000 by betting on the timing of Israel's bombing campaign against Iran using classified military information.

The reservist officer allegedly tipped off a civilian accomplice about the launch of the strikes, allowing the pair to place winning bets on the Polymarket prediction site ahead of the operation.

A court in Tel Aviv heard the major had been briefed on the planned assault at a confidential meeting a day before Israel's opening strikes on June 13, 2025.

Prosecutors say he then passed on the sensitive details, enabling the civilian to gamble on when the bombing campaign would begin.

When Israeli warplanes were en route to Iran, the officer allegedly provided further updates, helping refine the bet, according to the indictment.

The pair are accused of pocketing $162,663 in winnings, which they agreed to split, with the reservist's share transferred via cryptocurrency.

They were indicted last month on serious security offences, as well as bribery and obstruction of justice, after a gag order on the case was partially lifted.

Authorities say the scheme continued beyond the initial strike.

An Israeli air force major is accused of raking in more than $160,000 by betting on the timing of Israel's bombing campaign against Iran using classified military information. Pictured: A stock image of an Israeli air force plane

A fireball rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike that targeted a building in Beirut's Bashoura neighbourhood early on March 18, 2026

The duo allegedly placed further bets on key moments in the 12-day-war, including correctly predicting when the conflict would end, before they were eventually arrested earlier this year.

In September 2025, the reservist is also accused of leaking details of a planned strike in Yemen, earning the pair thousands more dollars.

They later attempted another bet on a fresh escalation with Iran in January, but cancelled it after concerns were raised online about the account.

Fearing they had been exposed, the civilian allegedly altered his profile and deleted WhatsApp messages between the pair.

Prosecutors have asked the Tel Aviv District Court to keep both suspects in custody until the end of proceedings.

Following the indictment last month, the IDF said that it viewed the case 'gravely,' but stressed that 'no operational harm was caused.'

'This constitutes a severe ethical failure and a clear crossing of a red line,' the military said at the time, adding that the alleged actions 'are not in line with IDF values and what is expected of servicemembers.'

Polymarket is one of the world's biggest prediction betting sites, where users can stake money on everything from elections to wars using cryptocurrency and bank payments.

The fast-growing platforms have exploded in popularity in recent years, allowing punters to gamble on the outcome of major global events.

But they have also faced criticism over the risk of insider trading, with concerns some users could profit from privileged information.

Polymarket in particular has come under scrutiny after a series of well-timed bets ahead of military action in Iran and Venezuela.

Some users appeared to make significant profits by correctly predicting strikes before they were publicly announced, raising questions about how they obtained their information.
One of Scotland's most notorious gangland figures has been paraded in a jumpsuit after being dramatically arrested for 'running an international drug ring'.

Steven Lyons, the 45-year-old head of the notorious Lyons clan, was detained upon arrival at the main international airport in Bali, Indonesia.

Wearing orange overalls, plastic cuffs and a face mask, he was then marched out of the national police headquarters in front of waiting cameras.

Lyons, who arrived on a flight from Singapore, was flagged upon arrival in Bali as an 'Interpol red notice subject', according to a local official.

The development came on the same day his wife, Amanda Lyons, was detained in Dubai. They are both wanted over offences allegedly committed in Spain and Lyons will be extradited there tomorrow.

Bali police chief Daniel Adityajaya said he was alleged to be the leader of 'a large-scale transnational criminal organisation engaged in drug trafficking and money laundering'.

The Lyons clan has been embroiled in a two-decade-long feud with the rival Daniels clan, and has been linked to the Kinahan Cartel - which is currently based in Dubai.

Untung Widyatmoko, secretary of Interpol's Indonesia bureau, said that Lyons' criminal group operated in countries including Spain, Scotland, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey.

The latest operation comes in the wake of reports earlier this month that Lyons had been arrested in Bahrain, just five months after being released from custody in Dubai.

Steven Lyons is escorted by officers out of the Bali Police headquarters today

Lyons, the 45-year-old head of the Scotland-based Lyons clan, was arrested upon arrival at Ngurah Rai International Airport

The Lyons family that has been involved in a bloody feud with the rival Daniel group for more than two decades.

Lyons' cousin, Michael, was killed in a garage shooting in Lambhill, north Glasgow, in 2006.

Steven managed to survive this attack, before moving to Spain and then Dubai.

In May 2025, his brother Eddie Lyons Jr. and his associate Ross Monaghan were gunned down in a beachfront bar located in Fuengirola on the Costa del Sol, while they were watching the Champions League final by a masked gunman.

Spanish police have accused Michael Riley, from Liverpool, of the murders, however, the 44-year-old previously challenged his extradition.

Last October, the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that Riley had since given consent to be taken to Spain to face the accusations.

A Spanish detective previously said the suspect was a member of the Lyons rivals - the Daniel gang.

However, Police Scotland insisted there is no suggestion that the Costa Del Sol murders were connected to the ongoing gangland feud.

It also maintained that there was no suggestion that the crime was coordinated in Scotland.

Earlier this month, a Scottish-Spanish operation was carried out on properties in Gartcosh, Whitburn, Caldercruix, Bellshill, Glasgow, Cumbernauld, Barcelona, and around Malaga.

Eight arrests have been made in Scotland, while five people have been taken into custody in Spain.

Detective Chief Inspector George Calder said the operation was investigating alleged money laundering, drugs, and a high-level involvement in organised crime.

He is alleged to be the 'leader of a large-scale transnational criminal organisation engaged in drug trafficking and money laundering'

Steven Lyons (pictured), the head of one of Scotland's most dominant crime groups, is set to be deported back to the UK

His brother Eddie Lyons (left) and Ross Monaghan (right) were gunned down last May in a beachfront bar in the Costa Del Sol

'This day of action has been the result of over two years of investigative work that's been diligently carried out by officers not only here, but by other agencies, including the National Crime Agency and the Guardia Civil,' he told BBC Scotland.

'We have got a number of officers over in Spain, assisting the Spanish authorities with their inquiries.

'We're sharing intelligence, information and resources.'

It was also revealed that the operation was being backed by peers in Europol, officers in the United Arab Emirates, Turkey and the Netherlands.

In Turkey, two plots of land and a villa - with an estimated worth of 600,000 (520,000) - as well as shares in a company, were seized by local officers.

Statements were taken from four Turkish witnesses, according to Europol.

Police Scotland said their inquiry had begun before last year's gang war in the central area of the country, which sparked several assaults, firebombings and shootings.

Between March and April last year, several properties in Edinburgh and its surrounding areas were set ablaze.

So far, there have been more than 60 arrests as a result of Operation Portaledge, which was launched by the local policing authority.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said earlier this week: 'We are aware of the arrest of a Scottish nominal in Bali and we are working closely with European partners.'
Three quarters of Brits believe Keir Starmer's former top aide faked the theft of his mobile phone to avoid handing over messages to and from Peter Mandelson.

In a sign of how little voters trust the government, few believe Morgan McSweeney was genuinely mugged on October 20 last year on a street in London.

The loss of his device means discussions between himself and the disgraced peer - later sacked over his relationship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein - cannot be revealed.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has said it is 'extremely fishy' that the Prime Minister's former chief of staff did not tell police of his role when he reported the theft.

Today she hit out at McSweeney for using the 'disappearing messages' setting on WhatsApp, telling GMB: 'They're treating a work phone like a personal phone.

'It is wrong, and I (when a minister) actually made sure that I carried out everything I did on e-mail so that I could actually keep track. WhatsApp is not a great way to conduct government business.'

But at the weekend Cabinet minister Bridget Phillipson said that critics were veering into 'conspiracy theory territory'.

But the polling by More in Common suggests that if so, it is a conspiracy shared by 70 per cent of Labour's own voters, who say the theft probably never happened.

They join 80 per cent of Tories, 73 per cent of Lib Dems and 74 per cent of Reform voters who believe that it did not take place.

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In a sign of how little voters trust the government, few believe Morgan McSweeney was genuinely mugged on October 20 last year on a street in London

It comes after MPs moved in February to force the publication of tens of thousands of documents with the aim of uncovering how much was known about Lord Mandelson's links to Jeffrey Epstein before the peer was handed the Washington job.

But speaking to Sky News' Sunday Morning with Trevor Philips, Education Secretary Ms Phillipson accused the presenter of talking 'rubbish' and 'hyperbole' when he questioned her about the theft.

'Morgan McSweeney was mugged, reported it to the police, followed all of the processes that were asked of him. I do think some of this wider coverage is drifting into conspiracy theory territory here,' she said.

Morgan McSweeney has done what was asked of him. He will provide and is providing any material that is required.'

However Mrs Badenoch hit back, telling the same programme: 'This is the man who advised the appointment of Peter Mandelson's appointment, something we've now seen has been a huge cover-up.

'This is not a conspiracy theory. Questions need to be answered and he should come into Parliament and explain what happened.'
A father has won a 19-month High Court battle against his ex-partner over the custody of their teenage son's ashes.

Theo Read died aged 18 after he was electrocuted on railway tracks while making his way home near Reading in August 2024.

His death sparked a bitter court fight between his father Paul Read and mother Julie Hoarean who disagreed over funeral arrangements.

The pair had split up when Theo was a young child - who lived with his mother up to the age of eight in Reading before living with his father and grandmother in Dartmoor.

A court has now dismissed Ms Hoarean's appeal to gain custody of half of Theo's ashes - adding that 'the interests of Theo and those of his family and friends are not served by his ashes sitting indefinitely in a box'.

Whilst noting the 'deep love' Theo's mother held for him, High Court Judge Mr Justice Rajah said the teen had been effectively 'estranged' from her at the time he died and accepted that Theo had 'deep connections and a feeling of peace when in Dartmoor'.

Setting out the dispute in the first judgment on the case in December 2024, judge Master Karen Shuman said the row was over whether Theo's ashes should be scattered on Dartmoor or divided after a cremation in Caversham, with half going in his mother's family grave.

She said: 'It was not known what Theo's wishes were as to his final resting place.

'Theo, whilst having close connections with Caversham, Reading, where he grew up, also had close connections and a feeling of peace when he was at Dartmoor.

'A cremation should take place at Caversham, as both parties agree. Thereafter his ashes should not be divided, but be scattered on Dartmoor, ideally near Hound Tor. The father has indicated that the mother can attend this.'

Paul Read (pictured outside London's High Court) has won a 19-month High Court battle against his ex-partner over the custody of their teenage son's ashes

She also ordered 'that the father should give some personal items to the mother... so that she has some tangible memories of Theo,' adding that Mr Read had promised to have 'a plaque installed at the crematorium to honour Theo.

'That will allow family and friends to come to a focal point to remember and grieve Theo.

'That should be done, but the father will take charge of Theo's ashes and those ashes should be scattered in Dartmoor to honour the memory of Theo,' she concluded.

Despite the judgment, Mr Read was left waiting to receive his sons ashes 19 months later - after his ex-partner applied for a stay of expectation of the order pending her appeal, leading to adjournments of her challenge several times.

Becoming tearful as he represented himself in court last week, Mr Reed told the judge: 'I just want to seek completion, he's been sat in a box since January last year.

'We have a pretty good idea what he would have wanted. His mum didn't see him since 2016. She didn't know what he was like as a teen, what kind of lad he was. She didn't have a relationship.

'I understand the location where we want to scatter the ashes is far, but his grandma is in her nineties and she still wants to go and thinks that's the place he should be.

'His little sister and his stepmum think he should be there. It's not about us, it's about what Theo would have wanted.

'I just want this to be finished and done. This can't keep going on for the mental health of the family.'

Refusing a bid for a further adjournment by the mother, who cited health reasons, Mr Justice Rajah said: 'I am not satisfied with the medical evidence.

'There has already been considerable delay in dealing with the ashes of Theo. The interests involved are not just those of the appellant but those of Mr Read, those of Theo, though deceased, and his family and friends, and the general public interest in the proper disposal of a body after death, promptly and with proper respect.

'Mr Read became emotional in relation to the delay and the extra stress it is causing him while this matter continues to hang over him, which I think is an important consideration.

'The funeral and cremation has gone ahead, but Theo ashes remain undisposed of. The interests of Theo and those of his family and friends are not served by his ashes sitting indefinitely in a box whilst this hearing is constantly adjourned.'

Setting out the mother's appeal grounds, the judge said she insisted she had 'fresh evidence that shows that Theo was estranged from his father' and that her views on how his ashes should be dealt with should count for more than his.

She put forward evidence from two witnesses saying they 'never heard Theo talk of Dartmoor'.

But the judge threw out her challenge, saying the witnesses had known Theo when he was a young boy.

She added: 'This was a love of Dartmoor he developed in his teenage years.

'The chief master found that both the mother and the father loved Theo deeply, but she preferred the evidence of the father whenever it was disputed.

'The mother has had no direct contact with Theo since 2016 when he was ten. He was estranged from his mother, but had a close relationship with his father.

'Theo was a young man with mental health issues and that had placed a great strain upon his relationship with his family, including his father. What the judge found convincing in this case was his deep connection with Dartmoor.

'Nothing in the further evidence cast any doubt on the evidence that Theo had a strong connection with Dartmoor.

'I accept that Theo had deep connections and a feeling of peace when on Dartmoor.'

The judge said the plaque at the crematorium would serve as a 'permanent memorial where Ms Hoarean can pay her respects' and that she could attend the scattering if she wished.

'I can detect no error of principle or law in the exercise the chief master conducted,' he said, refusing permission to appeal.

The judge added that a reference in the 2024 judgment to Theo having taken his own life was an 'error' and that a subsequent coroner's inquest had recorded death by 'misadventure'.

Mr Read told the court that it was thought Theo - who was described at the inquest as 'drunk, curious, impulsive and reckless when he walked onto the railway' - had been trying to use the tracks as a guide to make his way home after a night out.

Ms Hoarean did not attend the hearing and was not represented.
March 30, 2026: Since the beginning of the year China has been sending out thousands of fishing boats to form barriers over 300 kilometers long. More recently, about 1,400 Chinese vessels quickly abandoned their usual fishing activities or sailed out of their home ports and assembled in the East China Sea. Soon they had assembled into a rectangle stretching more than 300 kilometers. This mass of boats was so dense that some approaching cargo ships appeared to skirt around them or had to zigzag through,

In late 2025 some 2,000 Chinese fishing boats assembled in two long, parallel formations on Christmas Day in the East China Sea. Each was about 460 kilometers long, about the distance from New York City to Buffalo, forming a reverse L shape, ship-position data indicates. The epic scale of these maneuvers and the organization required was astonishing. Similar but smaller fishing boat demonstrations have been held in other east Asian waters, but none as massive and persistent as those in the South China Sea. The reason for these is unknown though those are performance art on a grand scale.

In early 2024, Chinese coast guard ships again collided with Filipino coast guard ships in the South China Sea near Second Thomas Shoal. Four Filipino crewmen were injured. China also employed 40 fishing trawlers and other ships to block Filipino coast guard operations.

A month later, Chinese ships interfered with Filipino coast guard vessels trying to carry out a medical evacuation. China deployed about 40 ships during this effort to capture and destroy a Filipino LST that had long been used as an outpost to establish the Filipino claim to Second Thomas Shoal.

During early 2024 there were several clashes between the Chinese and Filipino coast guard ships. During December 2024 there were several collisions and clashes between Chinese and Filipino boats.

During November 2024 there were clashes between Chinese and Filipino coast guard ships over who controlled the Spratly Islands. There was more of the same in October and September.

During July and August 2024 China used 40 ships to block Filipino access to Second Thomas Shoal. In July there was also another ruling by the International Court in The Hague affirming Filipino rights in the South China Sea. China ignored a similar ruling made in 2016.

In June 2024: There was a clash in the South China Sea between naval forces of China and the Philippines. The cause of this largely non-lethal battle was a Filipino attempt to resupply Filipino marines stationed on an old Landing Ship Tank/LST deliberately run aground on Second Thomas Shoal in 1999 to asset Filipino ownership of the Shoal and much of South China Sea. There have been several similar clashes in the last year. The most recent ones in May and June involved a large number of Chinese ships that physically blocked Filipino Coast Guard and supply ships from reaching the grounded LST. Several of the Filipino RIBs (Rigid Inflatable Boats) were sunk by Chinese sailors in speedboats who came alongside and used knives to puncture the RIBs hulls and cause them to sink. A Filipino sailor lost a thumb when his boat collided with a fast moving Chinese speedboat. China seized materials meant for the LST and used loud sirens and strobe lights to disorient Filipino sailors trying to get their boats close to the LST. Among the seized materials were additional weapons for the LST crew. China has refused to return the weapons or any other cargo they seized. Technically this is piracy but even if an international court agrees with that, the Chinese will ignore the courts as they did several years earlier when a court ruling confirmed that portions of the South China Sea were under the control of the Philippines. China is one of the many nations that signed agreements governing the law of the sea, but the Chinese later ignore any agreements they signed if these agreements get in their way. This is what continues to occur in the South China Sea.

The Chinese Navy and Maritime Militia musters dozens of Coast Guard and commercial fishing trawlers that are paid by the Chinese to serve as a naval militia and, when called upon by the government, cease fishing and assemble for whatever the navy wants them to do. Usually, it is to congregate in large numbers near disputed islands, islands, reefs and shoals to keep Filipino fishing boats out and claim these areas for the exclusive use by Chinese fishing trawlers. In one recent case Chinese ships equipped with water cannons hit Filipino fishing boats with large quantities of sea water to keep them from operating in traditional Filipino fishing areas.

The June clashes were the largest and most violent yet. In one case a Filipino helicopter dropped supplies near the LST and as the marines were retrieving them, Chinese speed boats arrived and seized some of the air dropped parcels and ripped open the waterproof packaging and scattered the contents on the ocean surface. Apparently, the Chinese government has ordered its naval forces to use any means necessary to deprive the grounded LST of any supplies and try to starve out the marines stationed on the LST.

Increasingly more Chinese coast guard ships are patrolling Second Thomas Shoal, First Thomas Shoal, and Half Moon Shoal, all within the Filipino EEZ or Exclusive Economic Zone, waters 380 kilometers from the coast but now claimed by China. The Philippines EEZ in the South China Sea is where Filipinos have been fishing the reefs and other shallow waters for centuries, long before there was a Philippine state and without interference from Chinese fishermen, who only occasionally showed up. Thats because fishing boats with refrigeration, a 20th century invention, only recently made it possible for Chinese fishermen to scour the entire South China Sea for fish to profitably catch, refrigerate and carry back to China. The 20th century also meant the possibility of finding oil or gas deposits in the South China Sea as well as controlling key shipping routes via the Malacca Strait.

Aerial and satellite photos indicate that Chinese military construction efforts on Woody Island, one of the disputed Paracel Islands closer to China, are complete. The garrison consists of a battalion of naval infantry and a 2,300 meter long air strip. This is long enough to support warplanes and commercial transports as large as Boeing 737s, which China has a lot of. A school building was completed in 2013 for the 40 children of officials and their families stationed there. There is an artificial harbor that can handle ships of up to 5,000 ton displacement. This harbor is heavily used because there is no local water supply and much of the water still has to be brought in along with fuel for all the land, sea and air vehicles as well as the generators. While there is some recreational fishing going on, the two thousand people on the island require regular food and water deliveries from the mainland.

In addition to the military garrison there is also a civilian rescue detachment equipped with helicopters and small boats. This detachment is largely for the waters around Woody Island and a few smaller islands that amount to about 13 square kilometers of land. China recently used dredging to increase the land area by about 20 percent.

Construction is largely complete for facilities in the capital of Sansha, a new Chinese municipality or city. Sansha is actually Woody Island and dozens of smaller bits of land, some of them shoals that are under water all the time, in the Paracels and the Spratly Islands to the south. In fact, the new city lays claim to two million square kilometers of open sea, which is 57 percent of the South China Sea. China has completed similar construction projects in the South China Sea and satellite photos reveal this to be true.

China claims the South China Sea and all islands and near islands like reefs as Chinese property. To reinforce these claims of sovereignty China is occupying uninhabitable islands and creating new ones by dredging sand from reefs and shoals to create new uninhabitable islands. Like Woody Island, these new islands are staffed with troops and government employees and supplied, at great expense, from the mainland. China even built two special supply ships to make regular deliveries to their many island bases in the South China Sea.
BBC staff were told about Scott Mills's sacking just minutes before they were forced to address the issue live on air, while other journalists audibly 'gasped in the newsroom', it has been revealed.

Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine said he found out about the decision after reading about it on the BBC website just 17 minutes before he began his own daytime show at midday yesterday.

The BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall also admitted she has been forced to cover crises at the broadcaster 'too many times' when she appeared on BBC News at 10pm last night.

Just hours earlier, journalists reported hearing audible 'gasps in the newsroom' when staff were told Mr Mills had been axed from his 355,000-a-year role over allegations into his personal conduct.

It is understood the sudden sacking of the 53-year-old Radio 2 star relates to a 'historic male relationship from more than ten years ago'.

Addressing the controversy live on air, Mr Vine appeared uncomfortable after the story led the 12pm news bulletin on his own show.

The veteran broadcaster admitted he had been 'taken aback' by the news, before awkwardly insisting he had 'no more' to add and swiftly moving on with the rest of his programme.

BBC staff were told about Scott Mills's sacking just minutes before they were forced to address the issue live on air (Pictured: Coverage of the story on BBC News last night)

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott Mills, pictured in November, was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract has now been terminated over his 'personal conduct'

Sima Kotecha said she 'heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that Mr Mills had been sacked'

Mr Vine said: 'Obviously, I was taken aback by that opening story to the news.

'I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin.

'I have nothing more, that it was allegations about Scott Mills' personal conduct, which have led to him being sacked.

'I have no more than that. All right, on to today's show.'

Meanwhile, Ms Razzall explained that just how damaging the Scott Mills crisis will be for the BBC is currently unknown.

She said: 'We don't know exactly what it involves.

'One argument is that this is actually good for the BBC because unlike previous crises that I've come into this studio many times, too many times, to talk to you about, this time the BBC reaction was very quick.

'No procrastination, no lengthy investigations.

'But that may be because Scott Mills put his hand up to whatever was being alleged. That was not the case with some of those involved in previous scandals.'

The BBC's culture and media editor Katie Razzall also admitted she has been forced to cover crises at the broadcaster 'too many times' when she appeared on BBC News last night

Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine said he found out about the decision after reading about it on the BBC website just 17 minutes before he went on air for his own daytime show

BBC News correspondent Sima Kotecha revealed that 'gasps filled the newsroom' when shocked colleagues found out Mr Mills was out of his 355,000-a-year job.

She said on BBC News yesterday: 'This is mega news. We heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that he had been sacked.

'We don't know why he's been sacked but we do know that it will surely be unwelcome news.

'The fact that the bosses had to do this means there must be something potentially very significant here to let one of their big names go. As I said, this is a huge name in the BBC.'

It comes after Lorna Clarke, Director of Music, told BBC staff the news of Mr Mills's 'sudden and unexpected' departure 'must come as a shock'.

She reportedly told colleagues in an email: 'I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC.

'I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

'Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

'I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.'

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

It claimed the DJ was questioned at the time but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. The newspaper alleged his sacking related to the same individual.

Mr Mills is the latest in a string of stars to lose their jobs at the scandal-ridden BBC. His ousting follows the exit of news anchor Huw Edwards, along with MasterChef pair Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in the past two years.

It is believed the unceremonious firing, announced with a curt public statement yesterday morning, was one of the last acts of director-general Tim Davie, who wanted to 'clear the decks' before leaving his post on Thursday.

Mr Davie, who himself resigned after it emerged that footage of a speech made by US President Donald Trump had been edited and spliced together in an episode of Panorama, wanted one last roll of the dice, an insider said.

But he will be leaving interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, and permanent replacement Matt Brittin, with a major headache as the race is on to find a replacement for Mills or risk losing listeners.

The biggest breakfast show in the country currently brings in a weekly audience of some 6.5million, after listeners lost under Mills's predecessor Zoe Ball returned.

Mr Mills's team are said to be taking legal advice in the wake of his sacking.

Last night, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

'The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000.

'As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

'A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.'

A representative for Mills declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

Mr Mills, who is paid between 355,000 and 359,999 a year by the BBC, took over the Radio 2 breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025.

He married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024, the year they won Celebrity Race Across The World together.

Previously, Scott had a three-year relationship with marketing manager Brad Harris, which ended in 2016.

The DJ, from Southampton, began his BBC career on Radio 1 in the late 1990s as the early breakfast host, before going on to present weekend slots and then an early evening show while providing maternity cover for Sara Cox.

When Cox did not return, the programme was renamed The Scott Mills Show.

In 2022, he joined Radio 2, replacing Steve Wright in his weekday afternoon slot.

He has presented a number of shows on the station before taking up the Breakfast Show after Ball's departure.

He has also presented a weekend show on Radio 5 Live and appeared on series 12 of Strictly Come Dancing, where he was paired with professional dancer Joanne Clifton, becoming the fifth couple to be eliminated.

Mr Mills has also been a commentator for the Eurovision Song Contest on the BBC - raising the possibility it will be forced to find a replacement for this year's event.

Mr Mills's departure comes weeks before Google executive Matt Brittin is due to start as the BBC's new director general - replacing Tim Davie.

Jo Mackie, employment law partner at national law firm Michelmores, said: 'The BBC has not said on what grounds it has sacked Mills at this time except that it's a ''personal conduct'' issue.

'However we can assume it must be a very significant issue for them to dismiss him immediately like this given he is one of their biggest stars.

'The BBC has faced criticism for several years for not making immediate and robust decisions and so this could be the start of the new look of their HR and employment regime.'

Mills married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024. They are pictured at an awards ceremony in February this year

Mills took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025

The news will be a blow to Mills, who welcomed his unveiling as Zoe Ball's replacement last year by saying he had finally 'made it'.

He told how he had started out as a local DJ host earning just 20 a show but had enjoyed success after 'playing the long game'.

Mills recounted his personal journey at the start of his first show, telling listeners: 'Here we go then, Monday the 27th of January 2025 and this is The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2, and I can't believe I am finally saying those words,' the presenter began.

'As a radio presenter and a radio fan all my life, I'm still finding it quite hard to process that this is happening, if I'm honest. If I think too much about the previous occupiers of this show it becomes mind-blowing to me for a kid who wanted to be on the radio, but wasn't sure he had the self-confidence to be able to actually do it.'

Mills promised to make listeners smile and dance and 'keep your spirits up on mornings when maybe you don't feel so great'.

'I've worked at the BBC for 25 years now on the radio,' he continued. 'A lot of you may well have grown up listening to me, I'm sure a lot of you will not have much idea about me at all.

'Either way, if you could make me part of your morning routine, it would honestly mean so much because, believe me, I'm gonna give it absolutely everything I've got.'

BBC Radio has seen a wave of personnel changes and restructurings in recent years.

Liza Tarbuck became the last to go earlier this month after she announced she was quitting her popular Radio 2 Saturday evening show.

The actress had been hosting the 6-8pm slot since 2012 and amassed an army of loyal fans.

'I think you've guessed, some fool left a door open & I sneaked out - a French exit!' she wrote.

'Together we made 2 hours of radio feel like a private member's club, that's the stuff of dreams, thousands of people enjoying each others company like great friends. Imagine what else we could do.

'Thank you for letting me in, it's been a privilege. [TARBUCK doffs a battered bowler hat & bows deeply] See you on the ice.'

Kaye Adams was axed from BBC Radio Scotland after a disciplinary probe found her culpable of inappropriate behaviour, including allegedly swearing at a colleague, throwing a pen at another and berating an intern's professional ability.

Amol Rajan stepped down from Radio 4's Today programme in January after deciding to pursue other opportunities, but will continue to present University Challenge and the Radical With Amol Rajan podcast.
Household energy bills are expected to soar by 288 a year from July after Donald Trump's war in Iran sent wholesale costs rocketing.

Latest forecasts by experts at Cornwall Insight predicted that Ofgem's energy price cap from July to September will be 1,929 for a typical dual fuel household.

This is an increase of 288 - or 18 per cent - on April's cap set by the energy regulator.

Cornwall Insight said a hike in energy bills this summer is 'pretty much unavoidable' - and they warned an even greater hit to household finances could come in October.

This will pile more pressure on Rachel Reeves to provide an energy bills bailout package for hard-pressed Brits.

The Chancellor has said work is under way for targeted support for households, but she has been accused of only planning help for those on benefits.

This would be in contrast to the universal support provided by the previous Tory government in 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine caused energy bills to soar.

The Conservatives are urging Ms Reeves to slash household energy costs by 200 immediately by taking VAT, taxes and levies off energy bills.

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There is growing pressure on Rachel Reeves to provide an energy bills bailout package for hard-pressed Brits

In response to US and Israeli attacks, which began at the end of last month, Iran has effectively closed the critical Strait of Hormuz.

This has has caused shipments of oil and gas to grind to a halt and sent global energy prices soaring.

The latest forecast by Cornwall Insight is a slight fall from its forecast earlier this month, which had seen the energy price cap surging to 1,973 in July.

This was caused by a 'partial steadying in wholesale markets after a pause in energy infrastructure strikes and signals of a potential ceasefire in the Middle East conflict', it said.

The energy experts warned a rise in Ofgem's price cap in July was 'effectively unavoidable' with rocketing wholesale prices over March now locked into the calculation and little chance that they will fall below pre-war levels in the coming weeks.

The price most households pay for energy under the cap fall by 7 per cent from April 1, or 117 a year to 1,641, driven by the Government's promise to cut bills by an average of 150 by removing green subsidies.

But the prospect of a big jump in gas and electricity costs when the cap is next updated in July has prompted Ms Reeves to say she will look at further targeted support as part of contingency planning efforts.

Ofgem will confirm its next price cap level by May 27.

Craig Lowrey, principal consultant at Cornwall Insight, said: 'A rise in July is pretty much unavoidable, but how high prices go remains to be seen.

'There is some relief in the timing, summer is when energy demand is at its lowest, which should soften the impact on household energy expenditure.

'If higher wholesale prices continue, it will be the effects on the October cap that have the most impact, and that is when the question of government support for households is likely to be revisited.'

Senior Tory MP Claire Coutinho, the shadow energy secretary, said: 'It is unforgivable that Labour are continuing with Ed Miliband's mad plan to shut down our own energy supplies in the middle of an energy crisis.

'Shutting down the North Sea means we are losing out on 25billion in tax receipts that we could use to cut bills and reduce the cost of living.

'The Government must adopt the Conservatives' Cheap Power Plan to cut bills by 200 immediately by taking VAT, taxes and levies off energy bills without costing taxpayers a penny.

'We would cut bills for everyone rather than taxing working people to fund yet another bailout for people on benefits.'

Martin McCluskey, Labour's minister for energy consumers, said: 'Tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority and I know many families will be thinking about how events in the Middle East might impact the cost of living at home.

'We will continue to fight people's corner through this crisis and, as the Energy Secretary (Mr Miliband) has said, if it's necessary to intervene, we will.'
Italy has risked provoking Donald Trump's wrath after US bombers were denied access to its Sigonella air base in Sicily last week.

Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto is said to have made the decision, when he learned some US warplanes planned to land in Sigonella without consultation with the authorities.

As per treaties governing the use of US military installations in the country, permission must be granted from Rome's military leadership.

But the decision to temporarily land the planes in Sicily before departing for the Middle East was only communicated with the relevant authorities once the bombers were already in flight.

'Italy is certainly not considering going to war with Iran,' Crosetto emphatically announced earlier in the March.

He continued: 'I don't think there will ever be Italian soldiers or planes capable of bombing Iran; this seems clear and obvious to me,' before adding: 'Not only is it constitutionally impossible, but there isn't even the will.'

Washington would be able to use Italian bases 'only after explaining what it intends to use them for and only after authorisation from the Italian government', he said.

After initial checks established the American flights were not 'normal or logistical' ones, it was determined they would be denied access.

Italy has risked provoking Donald Trump's wrath after US bombers were denied access to its Sigonella air base in Sicily last week

Italy has risked provoking Donald Trump's wrath after US bombers were denied access to its Sigonella air base in Sicily last week

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is part of a growing European backlash against the US and Israeli war on Tehran, which began on February 28

The incident is said to have happened 'a few nights' ago but has only been reported on Tuesday. The Italian defence ministry had no immediate comment.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni is part of a growing European backlash against the US and Israeli war on Tehran, which began on February 28.

The right wing leader condemned the joint military operation as 'outside the scope of international law,' while also acknowledging the threat the Islamic Republic poses to regional security.

Her shift in tone was striking from a politician who has built a reputation as one of Europes most reliable US allies.

While centre-left opposition parties have urged the government to block the US use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the conflict, Meloni's government has said it would seek parliamentary authorisation should any such requests be made.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez warned last Wednesday that the Middle East war presented a 'far worse' scenario than the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

'This is not the same scenario as the illegal war in Iraq. We are facing something far worse. Much worse. With a potential impact that is far broader and far deeper,' he told parliament.

'This time, it's an absurd and illegal war. A cruel one that sets us back from achieving our economic, social, and environmental goals.'

The Socialist premier has refused Washington's requests to use Madrid's military bases against Iran, despite Trump's threat to sever trade with Spain as a result.

Sanchez said the US invasion of Iraq in 2003 had failed to achieve its goals and instead made life worse for ordinary people, saying it led to a sharp increase in fuel and grocery prices, a migration crisis and jihadist attacks in Europe.

He warned that the attacks on Iran could have a similar economic impact for millions.

'Every bomb that falls in the Middle East eventually hits - as we are already seeing - the wallets of our families,' Sanchez said.

European Union governments should prepare for a 'prolonged disruption' to energy markets as a result of the Iran war, the bloc's energy chief has told countries' ministers ahead of an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

In a letter to energy ministers, dated March 30, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said governments were 'encouraged to make timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption'.

Europe's heavy reliance on imported fuel means the continent is very exposed to the Middle East conflict's impact on global energy prices.

European gas prices have jumped more than 70 per cent since the US-Israeli war on Iran began.

The bloc's supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure of key shipping route the Strait of Hormuz, since Europe imports most of those energy sources from suppliers outside of the Middle East.

However, Jorgensen said Brussels was particularly concerned in the short term about Europe's supply of refined petroleum products such as jet fuel and diesel.

Governments should avoid taking any measures that would increase fuel consumption, limit trade of petroleum products, or disincentivise output at European refineries that handle these products, the letter said.

'Member States are encouraged to defer any non-emergency refinery maintenance,' the letter added.

Donald Trump posted video of a US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky

The US unleashed devastating air strikes on an ammunition depot believed to house Iran's enriched uranium as a massive oil tanker was struck by an Iranian drone near the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump posted video of the US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page last night, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky.

The president did not provide any information about the enormous explosion with the video on his social media post.

An American official confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that the video showed the bunker buster strikes on Isfahan.

The US strikes came after reports Trump was considering a military operation to send special operations forces deep inside Iran to seize its stockpile of enriched uranium at sites that include Isfahan.

Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions, common with ammunition, igniting in a blaze. Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.
Sacked Radio Two DJ Scott Mills was interviewed by police following the drugs death of his boyfriend 26 years ago.

Mitchell Berger, 21, from Barry, South Glamorgan, was found unconscious with two other men at a flat in Holborn, central London in March 2000, the night of the Brit Awards.

The others were saved by medics, but doctors could do nothing for Mr Berger and he died of an overdose.

Police found an address book in his flat which contained contact numbers for Scott, then 26, who was preparing his Radio 1 'early-bird' show backstage at the Brits.

Mitchell, who worked in a gay bay in Soho, had met the DJ ten months earlier, according to Mills, writing in his 2012 autobiography, Love You, Bye: My Story.

The Metropolitan Police said at the time the death was not treated as suspicious, but Mills was interviewed by officers.

The revelation follows the news that Mills was interviewed under caution by officers from the Metropolitan Police in relation to serious historical sex offences against a teenage boy in 2016.

The Met's case was dropped in 2018 due to lack of evidence.

Sacked Radio Two DJ Scott Mills was interviewed by police following the drugs death of his boyfriend 26 years ago

Mills recalled the night of Mitch's death in his book that Mitch was 'the funniest, most handsome bloke with the loveliest family.'

Shortly before his death the couple, who lived together, had been on a two-week break in Miami, which Mills described as 'one of the best holidays I've ever been on.'

He described the moment when police broke the news of Mitch's death: '

'I was woken up by a phone call. It was the kind of call everyone dreads. The police were waiting in reception and wanted to talk to me.

'Something bad had happened, but I didn't know what. I threw my clothes on and rushed downstairs. When I got to reception, a policeman took me aside. I just wanted him to tell me what had happened, but it seemed to take an age before he finally got the words out.

'Mitch had died. Everything stopped. I felt a huge pain in my stomach and I couldn't hear anything that was being said. I just stood staring at the policeman in disbelief, not taking in what he was telling me.

'The policeman tried to explain what had happened but I wasn't really listening. I just heard something about drugs and an accident. Nothing was making sense, it felt like my whole life had fallen apart in an instant.'

It was a year later that Mills publicly 'came out' as gay. He said the death of his friend sent him spiralling into an abyss of drink and depression.

He wrote: 'I returned to work and tried to get things back to normal, but they weren't normal. I missed Mitch terribly, and it's fair to say my drinking got out of control for a while.'

The Metropolitan Police inquiry between 2016 and 2019 is believed to have been part of Operation Winter Key, linked to Operation Yewtree  the specialist unit set up to probe high-profile personalities accused of sex crimes in the wake of the Jimmy Savile scandal, and the victim, from the South of England, was reportedly under the age of 16.

The Met said in a statement yesterday: 'In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy.

'These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000. As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

'A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.'

The revelations coms after Mills was sacked from his BBC Radio 2 job on Monday over allegations relating to his 'personal conduct'.
Residents living in one of the most TikTokked villages in Britain say they are under siege by tourists ruining their home - after it's revealed that 300,000 day-trippers arrived in a single year.

Bourton-on-the-Water is regularly crowded with international visitors taking pictures and vlogging, after being dubbed the 'Venice of the Cotswolds' for its beautiful low bridges which connect it to the River Windrush.

But councillors have claimed it is now being 'ruined' by TikTokers, after locals in the small village with a population of just 4,000 had to battle hundreds of thousands of tourists.

Visitors have been pictured standing in the river, blocking roads and causing endless queues at local pubs and bakeries.

In one ironic TikTok posted by user Christopher Lee, who has over 55,000 followers, the vlogging visitor films the quaint village and comments: 'I am obsessed, this is one place I would love to live in - but it's just full of tourists.'

Indeed, residents have said they have had enough, with a new survey finding that 90 per cent of those living in Bourton say tourists are 'blighting their lives'.

The survey by Bourton Residents' Voice asked 4,000 locals and got 200 responses. It found that 94.6 per cent of residents believe there are too many visitors, and 90.8 per cent reported a negative impact on their quality of life.

It also found that 92.6 per cent felt traffic and parking was not run properly, while 82 per cent say Bourton has lost its sense of community.

A group of women walk near picturesque buildings in Bourton-on-the-Water in summer last year

Footage posted on TikTok shows the grass verges on either side of River Windrush completely flooded with tourists snapping photos or sitting down to enjoy a picnic

@christopherlevans I Visited Bourton On The Water in Cotswolds, England Is this the prettiest town in the Uk? Cotswold is posh, beautiful but very busy. Have you been? #cotswolds #bourtononthewater  original sound - Christopher Lee

A spokesperson for Bourton Residents' Voice said: 'This survey shows that what many residents have been experiencing for years is real, widespread, and getting worse.

'Bourton is not just a destination - it is a community. And right now, that community is being pushed aside.

'This is not about stopping tourism. It is about restoring balance and ensuring that the village remains a place where people can live, not just visit.'

Cotswold District Councillor Paul Hodgkinson said: 'The County Council is leading a new initiative to get to some solutions as quickly as possible in place - in April there's a workshop of all stakeholders to look at the whole village and its parking and traffic challenges.'

Reacting to the survey, one local said: 'The infrastructure is buckled as we speak, in fact it is broken.'

Another said: 'The place is over run. Yes they are welcome but the village cannot cope.'

But one tourist said: 'Six per cent response from a village of 4,000. That really is a snapshot! Not exactly comprehensive.

'They spend so long advertising it as a tourist destination, now complain about all the tourists.'

A survey answered by 200 residents found 90 per cent felt tourists were 'blighting their lives'

July and August are understood to be the busiest months in the village, with weekends and bank holidays particularly crowded.

Last year, an annual duck race on July 20 completely packed out the area as people gathered to watch the yellow plastic animals get carried along with the current.

The event, which attracted locals and tourists, also featured a Tombola and 'Play Your Cards Right' and was advertised on the North Cotswolds Rotary.

Children and adults were filmed splashing about in the shallow stream in footage posted on TikTok to show off the 'beautiful English village'.

But in reaction to the video, one person replied: 'Yes a beautiful English village ruined by marauding tourists.'

Under a different clip showing similar scenes of the village, someone penned: 'Overrun and ruined by tourists. What used to be a quiet, tranquil little village is now ruined by social media.'

A third added: 'I feel so sorry for the residents.'

The influx of visitors is partly driven by so-called influencers promoting the village as a perfect day trip destination away from big cities such as London on social media.

Reels posted on TikTok show the grass verges on either side of River Windrush often completely flooded with tourists snapping photos or sitting down to enjoy a picnic.

Holidaymakers are also seen pushing their prams along the water, while others have to wait in line for a spot to sit down and enjoy the view.
Plans by Spain's socialist prime minister to hit British expats with a tax of up to 100% of the value of their holiday home purchases have stalled.

The plan, which was unveiled in January 2025 and invoked fury around the world, would have seen non-EU residents pay a huge tax for properties in Spain.

It aimed to reduce competition for local buyers from higher-income foreign purchasers in a country facing a severe housing shortage.

The world's second-most visited country after France is also among the European nations where public anger is most acute over affordable housing shortages, with rental supply halving since the pandemic.

In 2023 alone, non-EU residents bought 27,000 properties in Spain. According to official data, Spain had about 321,000 homes listed as holiday rentals in November 2024.

This represents a 15% increase from 2020 while there are thought to be many more that operate without an official licence.

Sanchez, a socialist, told a political rally days after announcing the measure his intention was to effectively ban non-EU property buyers 'since they only do so to speculate'.

Despite the headlines the bill generated when it was announced a year ago, it still had not been debated by March 2026, parliamentary documents showed.

Aerial view of the Cala Llombards beach in Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain

Protesters march along a street of Playa de las Americas during a demonstration to protest against mass tourism, in Arona on the Spanish Canary island of Tenerife, on October 20, 2024

The Socialist-led minority government relies on a patchwork of smaller parties who support legislation on a case-by-case basis and has found it increasingly hard to gain support for legislation as Sanchez's term progresses.

A senior government source, who asked to remain anonymous, said new taxes are among the most difficult issues on which to gain majority support.

Right-wing Catalan separatist party Junts, which recently withdrew its support for the government, opposes the tax.

'The government has chosen to limit, ban and penalise instead of addressing the real issue: a lack of housing supply,' Junts lawmaker Marta Madrenas said.

Far-left Podemos on the other hand said the government lacked the 'political courage' to ban all purchases of houses not intended for residential use.

The government source said it would continue to raise the 100% tax for debate in Congress, but the measure was not included in a second housing bill put up for debate last year to regulate short-term rents.

With elections slated for August 2027 at the latest, the government now risks running out of road.

The IMF warned in a report last Friday that Spain must address doubledigit house price increases that are driven by strong demand and population growth through immigration, with a sharp increase in housing supply.

Early data suggests last year's announcement had little immediate impact on the property market.

Foreigners made up 20% of all buyers last year, unchanged from a year earlier. Brits remained the largest group of foreign purchasers, at around 8%, preliminary official data showed.

'The announcement created uncertainty, triggered a surge in legal and tax inquiries, and brought forward some purchases that were already well advanced,' Paloma Perez, CEO of luxury real estate firm Dils Lucas Fox said.

'However, it did not spark a big buying spree among nonresidents, as it unsettled some high-net-worth international buyers who value legal certainty.'
Israel's parliament has passed a law approving the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of murdering Israelis, with executions to be carried out by hanging.

The passage of the bill marked the culmination of a years-long drive by the hard-right to escalate punishment for Palestinians convicted of nationalistic offenses against Israelis.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to the Knesset to vote for the bill in person.

The law makes the death penalty - by hanging - the default punishment for West Bank Palestinians convicted of nationalistic killings. Israel's national doctors' union refused to carry out lethal injections.

It also gives Israeli courts the option of imposing the death penalty on Israeli citizens convicted on similar charges, but applies only to those who 'intentionally cause the death of a person with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel.'

This definition is designed to exclude Jewish terrorists, such as Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli settler who killed 29 Palestinians at a West Bank holy site in 1994.

It will not apply retroactively to any prisoners Israel currently holds, including the Hamas-led militants who attacked the country on Oct. 7, 2023, triggering the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip.

After the final 62-48 vote in favour on Monday, lawmakers erupted into cheers and stood up in jubilation. Netanyahu, who remained in his seat, did not immediately react or speak.

Israel's minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, brandished a bottle in celebration

After the final 62-48 vote in favor, lawmakers erupted into cheers and stood up in jubilation

Israel's firebrand minister of national security, Itamar Ben-Gvir, who spearheaded the push for the legislation, brandished a bottle in celebration.

Hard-right lawmaker Limor Son Har-Melech, one of the bill's original sponsors whose first husband was killed in a Palestinian militant attack in the West Bank, smiled through tears.

The legislation, which says it will take effect in 30 days, is certain to face legal challenges that may stall its implementation.

Minutes after the bill passed, the Association of Civil Rights in Israel said it had already petitioned Israel's highest court to challenge the law.

It called the legislation 'discriminatory by design' and said the parliament had enacted it 'without legal authority' over West Bank Palestinians, who are not Israeli citizens.

This measure has been harshly condemned by the international community and rights groups as discriminatory and inhumane.

Amichai Cohen, a senior fellow at the Israel Democracy Institute's Center for Democratic Values and Institutions, said that under international law, Israel's parliament should not be legislating in the West Bank, which is not sovereign Israeli territory.

Many in Netanyahu's hard-right coalition seek to annex the West Bank to Israel.

The vote capped a daylong debate in the parliament. During earlier deliberations, lawmakers raised other concerns, including how the bill does not allow clemency, contradicting international conventions.

Opposition lawmakers at times appeared to plead with their colleagues to vote against the bill.

Before the vote, Ben Gvir described the law as long overdue and a sign of strength and national pride.

'From today, every terrorist will know, and the whole world will know, that whoever takes a life, the State of Israel will take their life,' he told lawmakers.

On his lapel, he wore a signature pin - a small metal noose.

Ben Gvir wore a pin of a noose on his lapel as he described the law as long overdue

Palestinians hold placards as they take part in a protest against the execution of the Israeli death penalty law for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, in Ramallah

Gilad Kariv, of the Labor Party, condemned the bill's stipulation that a unanimous judgment is not required to impose the death sentence.

'A law in which a person can be sentenced to death without a unanimous conviction. Is this justice in your eyes? Is this the sanctity of life that Israeli tradition has taught us?' he asked.

The bill contravenes international law, he added, and risks turning Israeli soldiers and prison guards into 'war criminals against their will.'

Some, like Aida Sliman of Hadash, the leftist Jewish-Arab political party, left the chamber in dismay before the votes were complete.

Experts say the legislation has two key elements that will effectively limit the death penalty to Palestinians.

First, the bill makes the death penalty a default punishment for nationalistic killings in military courts, which try only West Bank Palestinians and not Israeli citizens. It says that only in special circumstances can military judges change the sentence to life imprisonment.

It gives Israeli civilian courts a greater degree of leniency in sentencing, with judges having the option to choose between the death penalty and life imprisonment.

The second element is how the bill defines the offense punishable by death: killing that rejects the existence of the state of Israel.

'It will apply in Israeli courts, but only to terrorist activities that are motivated by the wish to undermine the existence of Israel. That means Jews will not be indicted under this law,' Cohen said.

The foreign ministers of Australia, Britain, France, Germany and Italy released a statement Sunday urging Israel to abandon plans to pass the law, calling it 'de facto discriminatory,' and saying the death penalty was unethical and had no 'deterring effect.'

However, the US notably refrained from issuing a condemnation, with a State Department spokesperson instead saying: 'The United States respects Israel's sovereign right to determine its own laws and penalties for individuals convicted of terrorism.'

Though Israel technically has the death penalty on the books as a possible punishment for acts of genocide, espionage during wartime and certain terror offenses, the country hasn't put anyone to death since Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.

The Public Committee against Torture in Israel says the state has consistently voted in favor of abolishing the death penalty at the UN.

Israel's Shin Bet's security agency had - until recently - objected to the practice, believing it could spur further revenge plots by Palestinian militants.

Some opposition lawmakers worry that the bill could harm future hostage negotiations.

Israel exchanged some 250 hostages taken during the October 2023 attack for thousands of Palestinian prisoners.

There is a separate bill under consideration dealing with punishment for the Oct. 7, 2023 attackers in Israel's custody.
Keir Starmer's government is set to renationalise British Steel within weeks despite fears over losses that could cost the taxpayer billions.

The government has been running the Chinese-owned business for almost a year since using emergency legislation to halt the closure of the UK's last blast furnaces.

But with the operation legally owned by Jingye it is unable to sell any part of it or make strategic decisions about how it is run.

Now the FT and Guardian have reported that it could soon be taken into full public ownership - a move supported by Nigel Farage's Reform UK - to secure the future of a strategically important industry.

However the move will raise eyebrows due to the cost of propping it up in the face of a global tariff war kicked off by Donald Trump.

A report by the National Audit Office this month said the company's losses could hit 1.5billion by 2028.

Ongoing operations are costing around 1.3 million a day, with no set budget, repayment schedule, or end date, it warned.

Ministers last week announced plans for new tariffs on foreign steel to try to prop up the domestic business as part of new trade measures to preserve production for critical national infrastructure and defence.

The government has been running the Chinese-owned business for almost a year since using emergency legislation to halt the closure of the UK's last blast furnaces.

A report by the National Audit Office this month said the company's losses could hit 1.5billion by 2028

It wants up to 50 per cent of steel used in the UK to be made in this country, up from 30 per cent currently.

From July, overall quota levels for steel imports will be reduced by 60 per cent compared to current arrangements, and steel coming into the UK above these levels will be subject to a 50 per cent tariff.

Ministers said this would ensure the UK steel sector's future in the face of global overcapacity.

Last night a government spokeswoman said: 'We have been clear that safeguarding UK steelmaking is our priority. We continue to engage with the owner to find a solution that protects workers, production and the national interest, and we will not comment further while discussions are ongoing.'

Gareth Stace, the director general of the trade body UK Steel, told the Guardian nationalisation 'would provide vital certainty for the workforce, the company's customers and the wider supply chain at a critical moment'.

'Maintaining domestic production capability for British Steel's products is essential not only for economic growth but also for our national security and resilience. This will hopefully mark the beginning of a clear and credible long-term plan for British Steel,' he said.

The Department for Business and Trade (DBT) intervened to save British Steel's Scunthorpe blast furnaces from closure, preventing job losses and serious impact on industry last year.

Jingye and the Department of Business and Trade had been in talks around transitioning to electric arc furnaces between 2022 and 2025, but had not reached an agreement.

Emergency legislation was passed to allow DBT to issue formal instructions to British Steel to continue operating its blast furnaces, and the NAO said the Government department acted quickly to mobilise a team on site and secure raw materials.

But it spent 377 million between April 2025 and January 2026 on the business, with the money classified as a loan.

A further 15 million was spent on advisers and 359 million to the company for operating activities such as paying for raw materials, payroll, and other costs.

Spending is expected to reach 615 million by June and if it continues at current rates, it could exceed 1.5 billion in 2028, said the NAO.

DBT has no repayment schedule in place, and it is not apparent that British Steel will be able to repay the loan, said the report.
Reform UK are set to become Scotland's second-largest party at Holyrood elections in May, according to a new poll.

A survey of more than 1,000 Scottish voters, conducted by Survation for the Diffley Partnership, forecast Nigel Farage's party will win 19 seats in the Scottish Parliament.

This would put it ahead of Labour (18 seats), the Tories (13 seats), the Scottish Greens (10 seats) and the Liberal Democrats (7 seats), the research found.

The poll also projected the SNP would win 62 seats at the Holyrood contests on 7 May, which would leave the nationalist party three seats short of a majority.

The survey of 1,068 people, carried out between 16 to 23 March, put the SNP on 35 per cent support in the Holyrood constituency vote and 32 per cent in the regional list.

Reform would receive 19 per cent of the constituency vote and 18 per cent of the list, with Labour following closely behind with 19 per cent backing the party in constituencies and 17 oer cent in regional votes, according to the poll.

The survey also found SNP leader John Swinney continues to be the most popular political leader in Scotland, with a net favourability rating of minus 10 per cent.

This compared with minus 47 per cent for Prime Minister Keir Starmer and minus 25 per cent for Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar.

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A survey of more than 1,000 Scottish voters, conducted by Survation for the Diffley Partnership, forecast Nigel Farage's party will win 19 seats in the Scottish Parliament

Mr Farage has a minus 31 per cent rating in Scotland, compared with minus 15 per cent for Reform's Scottish leader Malcolm Offord, although 55 per cent of respondents said they had no opinion of Lord Offord.

At the previous Scottish Parliament elections, held in 2021, the SNP won 64 seats, while the Tories won 31 seats and Labour won 22 seats.

Although the SNP were one short of a majority, they entered a power-sharing agreement with the Scottish Greens.

That deal later collapsed but the SNP have continued to govern as a minority administration.

Reform currently have one seat at Holyrood following the defection of former Tory MSP Graham Simpson in August.

There is an expectation that a disastrous result for Labour in Scotland, as well as in elections in England and Wales in May, will prompt an effort to oust Sir Keir among Labour MPs.

Mr Sarwar called for the PM to quit in February, saying there had been 'too many mistakes'.

SNP campaign director Angus Robertson claimed the Survation poll showed a Holyrood majority was 'within touching distance'.

'This is yet another poll that shows Scottish voters are backing John Swinney's strong leadership with a majority within touching distance,' he said.

'Not only does an SNP majority unlock independence, it locks Nigel Farage out of power  be in no doubt, without an SNP majority there is always the potential for a grubby, backroom deal between the Labour Party and Reform.

'There is no room for complacency but by delivering on the priorities of the people of Scotland, a fresh start with independence is there to be won and every single vote counts.'

Scottish Labour deputy leader Jackie Baillie said: 'This election is a straight fight between John Swinney and Anas Sarwar.

'All Reform do is generate noise - they are not a credible party, and they are not capable of removing the SNP from power.

'In fact, they will only help prop up the dismal, failing, and tired SNP for another term in government. That is a disaster for our public services, including our NHS, and paves the way for the SNP to push for another divisive independence referendum.

'We cannot afford to allow the SNP back into power. Reform and the Scottish Tories are fighting among themselves for votes, but both have already accepted that the SNP will win the election. We do not share that defeatist approach.

'Scottish Labour is the only party that is campaigning with the ambition to boot out the SNP after 19 years in power, and to install Anas Sarwar as First Minister.

'That is the choice that people have in front of them in this election  another decade of the SNP, or a new direction with Scottish Labour.'

The Survation poll found that since February, the number of people who answered 'don't know' when asked about political leaders has dwindled, which Diffley Partnership founder Mark Diffley said indicates an increased interest in the Holyrood elections.

He said: 'As the campaign now gets properly under way, this poll suggests that the SNP remain in a strong position, set to return as the largest party in May, but still falling short of a majority.

'Support for the other parties is broadly dispersed, which means relatively small movements during the campaign could have a meaningful impact on the final seat picture.

'Beyond the headline voting numbers, the survey also shows voters beginning to pay closer attention to the people who want to lead Scotland.

'Since February, we've seen a clear drop in the proportion of voters who say they 'don't know' their view of each party leader, indicating that engagement is increasing as the election draws nearer.

'At the same time, favourability has softened for almost every leader. This suggests that as voters tune in to the campaign, they are assessing leaders more critically.

'Taken together, the findings point to a campaign that is now in motion, with voters paying closer attention but also becoming more demanding of those seeking office.

'With several weeks still to go, there remains scope for both voting intention and leader perceptions to shift further.'
Did YOU see what happened?

New footage shows the moment an army of youths caused chaos in a Marks and Spencer shop in London as police officers watched.

Customers were left terrified as the mob of teenagers took over the food hall in Clapham, south west London, on Saturday before a mass brawl broke out.

Video shows more than a dozen youths pushing each other and running riot in the frozen food aisle as three police officers stand in the middle.

The officers appear to try and control the group by gently pushing a few of the teens, which has little impact.

A number of youngsters stand at the side to film the chaos on their phones, before one girl appears to run away crying in pain as an officer tries to comfort her.

The Met Police today confirmed a group of around 100 youths targeted a number of retailers, including M&S, in the area on Saturday.

Three girls, two aged 16 and one aged 15, have since been arrested for shoplifting and assault after 'anti-social behaviour and stealing' took place at businesses on Clapham High Street.

Footage of the incident in M&S has gone viral on social media, with viewers branding the ordeal yet another example of lawless London.

Saturday's scenes have become somewhat commonplace in the capital in recent years, echoing similar events which saw officers overwhelmed or powerless to stop the crime happening in front of their eyes.

A mob of teenagers took over a Marks and Spencer food hall in south west London on Saturday

Met Police officers appear to try and control the group by gently pushing a few of the teens, which has little impact

One girl within the group appears to run away crying in pain as an officer tries to comfort her

A Met Police spokesperson said: 'Tackling shoplifting and anti-social behaviour continues to be a priority for the Met, and we're doing more to take action against offenders and support local businesses.

'This proactive approach saw a 44 per cent increase in arrests last year, while shoplifting across London fell by four per cent.

'At around 16:45hrs on Saturday, 28 March, police responded to reports of a group of around 100 young people causing anti-social behaviour and stealing from a number of businesses on Clapham High Street.

'Officers imposed a dispersal order and made three arrests. Three girls, two aged 16 and one 15-year-old girl, were arrested for shoplifting and assault. They have since been bailed.'

In February last year, a 'marketing stunt' in London descended into chaos as a mass flash mob of schoolchildren took over an unattended police car, chanting 'f*** the feds'.

Footage showed hundreds of youngsters gathered around as at least ten boys, some wearing stolen police uniforms, hijacked an emergency vehicle in Broadwick Street, Soho.

Met Police officers then swooped in on the scene, with hundreds of children sent fleeing through the streets after the sound of sirens brought the stunt to an abrupt stop.

Police confirmed the police vehicle suffered damage and that contents from inside were stolen.

At the time, two boys under the age of 16 were arrested on suspicion of theft, criminal damage and affray.

People later posted about the incident in Clapham on social media, writing: 'Rare aesthetic: you went to Clapham courts yesterday'

A large group of youths gathered in Clapham over the weekend, when the M&S incident took place

Last year, a 'marketing stunt' in central London descended into chaos as a mass flash mob of schoolchildren took over an unattended police car

A month earlier, a gang of hooded youths raided an Apple store in a brazen daytime heist in the capital.

Footage showed at least eight robbers, all dressed in black, targeting the tech giant's store at the Brent Cross Shopping Centre in north London in January last year.

A sea of shoppers, including parents with young children, could be seen dramatically fleeing the Apple store as the mob ripped out expensive devices around them.

At the time, the Met Police said it had arrested six youths between the ages of 14 and 18 on suspicion of robbery.

Some 12 people were later charged in relation to a string of thefts that targeted Apple stores in London, including one adult and 11 teenagers.

One 14-year-old boy was given a nine-month referral order and told to pay 100 compensation to each security guard within a year.

Just last month, footage showed the moment passers-by were forced to confront machete-wielding thieves as they smashed their way into a jewellers on a moped.

Four figures clad in black and motor helmets raided a Turkish gold shop in Green Lanes, north London, but brave locals fought back.

CCTV footage showed the chaos, with one of the men threatening onlookers with a machete while another passed fistfuls of jewellery to the getaway driver.

The robbers have still not been found, according to reports.

Join the discussion Have you witnessed similar incidents on London high streets?

Last year, a gang of youths could be seen entering an Apple store in London as a security guard blocked one from coming in

Shocked shoppers watched on as the gang of youths fled the shop with devices just 20 seconds after the chaos started

Last month, footage showed the moment passers-by were forced to confront machete-wielding thieves as they smashed their way into a jewellers on a moped in north London

Last year, a consortium of retailers warned London's flagship high streets are at 'serious risk' without national action on crime.

Oxford Street has struggled in recent years as big names have moved out and it has become known for phone snatching, anti-social behaviour and theft  as well as the infamously tacky US-style sweet shops and souvenir stores.

Some empty shops have fallen into disrepair, while shoplifting has become an increasing problem and rough sleepers are a regular sight in storefronts.

Problems reached a peak in August 2023 when West End stores were forced to lower their shutters and lock customers inside after large groups of mainly young men and teenagers responded to a call on TikTok to join an 'Oxford Circus JD robbery'.
March 31, 2026: Russia recently reported that three Ukrainian Flamingo drones hit targets that were nearly 2,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The Flamingo drones flew near the ground and evaded all Russian radars and air defense systems. Flamingo entered service in 2025. It is a six-ton fixed-wing aircraft with a six meter wingspan and a 1.15 ton warhead. It uses a solid fuel rocket booster for launch and has a range of 3,000 kilometers. Cruise speed is 900 kilometers an hour and the missile stays in the air about three hours at max range. Navigation is GPS with INS/Inertial Navigation System backup. The GPS can be jammed while the less accurate INS cannot. It is also possible to install a terrain sensing and following system as used in American cruise missiles. A terminal homing system uses image recognition of the target. With these systems installed Flamingo would be virtually unstoppable.

Years of Ukrainian long range drone attacks on targets throughout western Russia have had a cumulative impact. It was obvious that Ukraine needed a locally produced drone that was free of any target restriction imposed by the United States on the use of long-range missiles sent to Ukraine. Ukraine is now producing its own locally designed and manufactured Flamingo drone. Production began in mid-2025 and during 2026 monthly production will eventually reach 300-500. Each drone costs about $500,000.

Ukraine has lots of experience with long-range drone attacks on targets inside Russia. Ukrainians maintain timely information on the deployment and capabilities of Russian air defense systems. Then there is BDA, or Battle Damage Assessment. This means obtaining accurate data about how effective your long range attacks are. Ukraine depends on the American surveillance satellite network and reports from Ukrainian operatives inside Russia to verify BDA, though the French have started helping too. Determining the targets of a long-range drone campaign can be tricky. For example, the World War Two American/British strategic bombing campaign against Germany made a crucial mistake. When selecting which targets to hit and when, one critical target set was omitted. The Allied target planners ignored German electrical generating plants because they incorrectly assumed that the plants were interconnected in a system that was resistant to aerial bombing attacks. After the war it was discovered that power plants were the most vulnerable targets because key components could not be easily replaced and that Germany did not have an interconnected system. Bombing a few of these plants in a region would have halted production for up to a year for much of that region. Adding power plants to the target list could have shortened the war in Europe by up to a year. The Ukrainians are still refining their target list to get the most economic damage out of each drone attack campaign.

With its extremely long range Flamingo can hit nearly 90 percent of the targets that produce weapons or export income for the Russian military effort. The Russian capital is 850 kilometers from northern Ukraine. It is 1,100 kilometers to St. Petersburg on the Baltic Sea and 2,000 kilometers to the bases of the Russian Northern Fleet in Murmansk, near the Arctic Circle.

Targets are usually industrial facilities that support the war effort. These include numerous oil refineries and oil fuel storage facilities plus facilities involving specialty steels for tube artillery, railroad car coil bearings and tanks. The drones came in low and slow to deceive Russian air defenses, which have a hard time detecting low and slow aerial targets, especially at night when most of these attacks take place. While the targets are up to three thousand kilometers from Ukraine, the drones can also move north across a corridor that is several hundred kilometers wide. Russian anti-aircraft defense systems cannot cover an area that wide and long, especially when the attackers are coming in low and slow in the dark.

Russia tries to play down the effectiveness of the Ukrainian drone attacks by describing rather obvious burning refineries and fuel storage depots as accidents. There have been a lot of such accidents and Russian troops in Ukraine have to closely monitor their fuel consumption because fuel deliveries are not as frequent and reliable as they used to be. The Russian fuel facilities also supply the commercial and civilian market. The commercial users are important because they supply the firms producing goods needed by the military as well as consumers.

The Ukrainian drone attacks also led to disruptions of flight operations at the three airports serving the Moscow region. Ukraine does not comment on details of their drone attacks. Ukraine believes the results speak for themselves. Targets in western Russia are increasingly under attack by Ukrainian drones and the Russian government has a hard time explaining why combustible targets in the region keep exploding or catching fire. Such events are contrary to the official government reports about the Russian war efforts in Ukraine. Russia has not experienced attacks like this on the homeland since World War II and that is something the Russian government does not want to discuss.

Ukrainian drone strikes have also hit Russian air bases where Russian MiG-31 fighter-bombers as well as bombers like the Tu-22M and Tu-95 are found. So far at least six of these aircraft have been damaged or destroyed by Ukrainian drone attacks deep inside Russia. The attack on the Savasleyka airbase highlights the vulnerability of military infrastructures to drone attacks. The attack drones come in low and slow at night. This made it difficult for airbase air defenses to detect and destroy many of the drones. These attacks demonstrated how much air warfare has changed because of the use of reconnaissance and attack drones by both sides.
This is the astonishing moment a British warship crew scrambled to intercept a Russian submarine at risk of exploding before tracking it through the English Channel.

Exclusive footage from Channel 5's new season of 'Warship: Life in the Royal Navy' shows the crew aboard HMS Iron Duke spot the diesel-powered Novorossiysk heading towards British waters last October.

The 230ft-long vessel, manned by a crew of 50, was towed in the North Sea after suffering a reported fuel leak in the Strait of Gibraltar, and was at risk of exploding.

Dramatic footage filmed inside the control centre of the Plymouth-based frigate shows the crew identifying the submarine, swiftly informing the captain, before heading to the bridge to scour the horizon for its presence.

One crew member spots the submarine with his binoculars, triggering the mission to stalk the vessel and gather intelligence on its capability.

While the Novorossiysk - which entered service in 2014 - didn't have a nuclear reactor on board, it was part of a group of submarines that carry Kalibr cruise missiles.

As it was returning from its deployment in the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy said it tracked the vessel over three days, from 7 to 9 October, using HMS Iron Duke alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 825 Naval Air Squadron.

But as the ship headed towards its target, Storm Amy began to batter the coast of the UK and threatened to interfere with the mission.

This is the astonishing moment a British warship crew scrambled to intercept a Russian submarine at risk of exploding before tracking it through the English Channel .

While the Novorossiysk - which entered service in 2014 - didn't have a nuclear reactor on board, it was part of a group of submarines that carry Kalibr cruise missiles

Dramatic footage filmed inside the control centre of the Plymouth-based frigate shows the crew identifying the submarine, swiftly informing the captain, before heading to the bridge to scour the horizon for its presence

The Dutch navy then took over duties to escort the submarine and an accompanying towing vessel - the Yakov Grebelsky - in the North Sea, until they returned home to St Petersburg.

At the time of the mission, NATO chief Mark Rutte mocked Moscow over the 'limping' condition of the submarines, as the Kremlin denied it had been forced to surface because of technical problems.

Russia's Black Sea Fleet said the diesel-powered Novorossiysk had surfaced off France to comply with navigation rules in the English Channel, and rejected reports it had suffered a serious malfunction.

The Russian Black Sea Fleet insisted that the submarine was conducting a 'scheduled inter-fleet transit' after completing tasks in the Mediterranean.

'Now, in effect, there is hardly any Russian naval presence in the Mediterranean left. There's a lone and broken Russian submarine limping home from patrol,' Rutte said.

'What a change from the 1984 Tom Clancy novel "The Hunt for Red October". Today, it seems more like the hunt for the nearest mechanic.'

VChK-OGPU, a shadowy Telegram channel that publishes purported Russian security leaks, reported on September 27 that fuel was leaking into the hold of the Novorossiysk, raising the risk of an explosion.

NATO's Maritime Command published photographs, opens new tab on October 9 of what it said was a French navy frigate observing a Russian submarine operating on the surface off the coast of Brittany.

'NATO stands ready to defend our Alliance with constant vigilance and maritime awareness across the Atlantic,' it posted on X, without naming the submarine.

VChK-OGPU, a shadowy Telegram channel that publishes purported Russian security leaks, reported on September 27 that fuel was leaking into the hold of the Novorossiysk, raising the risk of an explosion

The moment the crew aboard HMS Iron Duke spotted the Russian submarine

The series is presented by former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers and Kate Humble as they get used to life on board HMS Iron Duke alongside a 200-person crew

At the time of the mission, NATO chief Mark Rutte mocked Moscow over the 'limping' condition of the submarines, as the Kremlin denied it had been forced to surface because of technical problems

As the British ship headed towards its target, Storm Amy began to batter the coast of the UK and threatened to interfere with the mission

The dramatic incident can be watched in full in the first episode of the new series of Channel 5's 'Warship: Life in the Royal Navy', airing on Wednesday at 8pm

The dramatic incident can be watched in full in the first episode of the new series of Channel 5's 'Warship: Life in the Royal Navy', airing on Wednesday at 8pm.

The series is presented by former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers and Kate Humble as they get used to life on board HMS Iron Duke alongside a 200-person crew.

Elsewhere in the show, Chalmers is given exclusive access to the Royal Navys flagship, HMS Prince of Wales, as cameras were invited on board to reveal how the crew of 1600 men and women live and work on the biggest and most powerful British warship ever built.

The series follows the crew preparing for the most dangerous leg of its eight month deployment, coming under orders to conduct warfighting drills within sight of Iran, just months after it entered into a 12-day war with Israel.

The Russian Novorossiysk can operate at a depth of nearly 1,000ft and has a range of 7,500 nautical miles.

The month before it was spotted, the Royal Navy was forced to send the HMS Iron Duke to shadow a Russian frigate and freighter off the UK coast, amid warnings Moscow is sending a rising number of ships through British waters.

Teams aboard HMS Iron Duke and a Wildcat helicopter tracked the heavily-armed warship RFN Neustrashimy as it escorted cargo ship Sparta IV through the North Sea and the English Channel.

'Russian warships are increasingly transiting through the English Channel,' defence minister Luke Pollard warned.

'The Royal Navy protects the UK 24/7 to monitor Russian movements, ensuring the security of our waters and undersea cables.

'Alongside our commitment to NATO's Eastern Sentry, this is a clear demonstration of how the UK stands firm with our NATO allies to deter Russian aggression.'

As the submarine was returning from its deployment in the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy said it tracked the vessel over three days, from 7 to 9 October

HMS Iron Duke shadowed the vessel alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 825 Naval Air Squadron

The Russian Novorossiysk can operate at a depth of nearly 1,000ft and has a range of 7,500 nautical miles

Shadowing the Novorossiysk was apparently the 26th or 27th time that Iron Duke had been 'activated' to track Russian warships or submarines around British waters.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said on Thursday he had authorised the military to board and detain Russian ships in British waters to disrupt a network of vessels that his government says enables Moscow to export oil despite Western sanctions.

The decision comes as other European nations, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have stepped up efforts to detain Russia's so-called shadow fleet of tankers used by Moscow to fund its four-year war against Ukraine.

Starmer said he approved the more aggressive action against the vessels because Russian President Vladimir Putin was likely 'rubbing his hands' over the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the US-Israel war against Iran.

'That is why, in my strong view, we should go after the shadow fleet even harder,' Starmer said at a meeting of the Joint Expeditionary Force Summit in Helsinki on Thursday.

'Together we must close off critical sea routes to this vital trade to keep up the pressure on Putin.'

Britain provided intelligence and logistics support this year to the French and US military, who detained Russian vessels.

But Starmer's announcement is the first time that British forces have been authorised to board Russian ships.

Downing Street said British military and law enforcement officials have been preparing to board Russian vessels that do not surrender, are armed, or use high-tech pervasive surveillance to evade capture.

Once the ships are boarded, Downing Street said criminal proceedings may be brought against the owners, operators and crew, for breaches of sanctions legislation.

A British official said at least a dozen Russian sanctioned vessels had been passing through the Channel - the narrow stretch of water separating Britain and France - each month, on average, over the last year.

The British authorisation to board Russian ships may mean these vessels will avoid the Channel, one of the world's most vital shipping lanes, forcing them to take longer, more expensive journeys.

Russia's reliance on the shadow fleet has allowed it to keep exporting oil without complying with Western restrictions imposed after its fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Moscow reacted to the announcement by calling the move 'hostile', and said the Kremlin will respond with political, legal and 'asymmetric' measures.

The Russian statement said Starmer's policy was 'yet another deeply hostile step directed at Russia'.

'Reckless statements about the intention to attack Russian merchant ships directly show an aspiration to escalate an already tense situation in the field of security and international trade,' it said.

'Such actions have consequences. Navigation becomes unsafe in British waters, where any vessel may be subject to piratical seizure. Russia will use all political, legal, and other tools at our disposal, including asymmetric ones, to protect our interests.'

The new series of 'Warship: Life in the Royal Navy' is streaming on Channel 5 every Wednesday at 8pm
The UK is 'ill-prepared' to deal with a new wave of online extremists radicalised by 'toxic' misogynists spouting anti-Semitism and conspiracy theories, MPs warn today.

The 'manosphere' has been cited as particularly responsible for shaping the attitude of young minds, according to a Home Affairs Committee report.

The online network promotes anti-feminist beliefs, masculinity and misogyny and was the subject of the recent Louis Theroux documentary exploring the impact of high-profile social media personalities such as HSTikkyTokky and Andrew Tate.

The committee said youngsters are 'often radicalised through a toxic mix of anti-Semitism, misogyny and conspiracy theories' which have 'profound implications for national security, public order, and social cohesion'.

It added: 'Misogyny was described to us as a persistent and pervasive feature of online extremism.

'It gains traction in online subcultures within the broader manosphere - a loosely connected network of groups, influencers and online communities, including incels - influencing attitudes and behaviours.'

But they said the system for flushing out wannabe terrorists, Prevent, is 'outdated and inadequately prepared to deal with modern extremism challenges in the digital world'.

They said long-standing terrorist threats such as Islamist and far-right extremism remain, but new forms of extremism 'are emerging and give rise to growing concern'.

Harrison Sullivan, known as HSTikkyTokky, featured in the recent Louis Theroux documentary about the manosphere

HSTikkyTokky, pictured with Louis Theroux, who featured him on Netflix documentary 'Louis Theroux: Inside The Manosphere'

It warns the UK currently lacks 'the evidence base and up-to-date research needed to keep pace with these developments', amid concerns from experts that Britain is 'so much in the dark'.

Committee chairman Dame Karen Bradley told the Mail: 'Children and young people are being radicalised by what they experience online.

'Increasing numbers of cases are being uncovered where children and young people, fueled by the hate they see in the digital sphere, have planned to carry out violent attacks in the real world.

'This threat is growing and evolving, but the response has failed to keep pace. The support mechanisms intended to guide young people away from radicalisation were designed in a different age.

'They don't have sufficient understanding of algorithm and AI-driven content, or the patchwork of conspiracy theories warping young people's minds.'

She said the Government needs to find ways to stop hatred, intimidation and violence 'being monetised' as it is currently.

Dame Karen added: 'It needs to combat the business model as well as the individuals responsible.'

The committee has called on the Home Office to better understand emerging forms of extremism.

Andrew Tate is one of the manosphere's most high-profile influencers, the online movement which has been cited as particularly responsible for shaping the attitude of young minds, according to a Home Affairs Committee report

The report found just over one-third (36%) of the nearly 9,000 referrals to the Government's counter-terrorism Prevent scheme in the year to March 2025 were aged between 11 and 15.

The vast majority of referrals (nearly 5,000) were listed as having no specific ideology, while another 1,798 were concerned with extreme right-wing ideology.

Islamist extremists accounted for 870 referrals, while incel extremism - men who describe themselves as involuntarily celibate, and are often characterised by misogynistic views - was connected to 66 referrals.

Southport killer Axel Rudakubana, who murdered three schoolgirls at a dance class in Southport in 2024, is alleged to have launched his horror knife rampage out of an incel hatred of women.

The committee said online spaces play a central role in the changing nature of the extremist threat.

They found social media and gaming platforms, online forums, influencers, and creative tools such as memes, humour and coded messaging 'make extremist narratives easily accessible and highly engaging, particularly for younger audiences'.

Adam Hadley, executive director at the Tech Against Terrorism (TAT) group, underlined the significance of tackling online harms.

He told the committee: 'We know that in every, or almost every, case of terrorism in this country over the past five years, the internet has played a fundamental role - not an incidental role. It has been fundamental.

'Yet our understanding of that journey, what sites people have been on and what content they have consumed, is extremely poor.'
Britain's largest teaching union has voted to combat 'fascist' Reform UK in classrooms and lobby to overturn a ban on extreme group Palestine Action.

The National Education Union (NEU) passed a motion today to 'oppose' Nigel Farage's party, claiming it is 'racist, fascist and Far Right'.

The motion committed the union to distribute 'anti-racist teaching materials' as part of a campaign to stop the party taking power.

It also called on teachers to 'campaign actively' against Reform UK in the forthcoming local elections, on May 7.

And it said teachers should encourage 'school-based anti-deportation campaigns' to support failed asylum seekers.

This afternoon, Reform's education spokesman Suella Braverman MP said: This is yet more evidence of political indoctrination in our classrooms, cheered on by militant trade union chiefs.

The National Education Union is blatantly political, biased and partisan and thats what it wants its members - many of them teaching in our schools - to teach our children.

Parents are sick of it, Britains schools should be about education, not ideology. Reform UK stands with hardworking teachers and mums and dads who love Britain and want our schools to be free from political dogma.

Britain's largest teaching union has voted to combat 'fascist' Reform UK in classrooms and lobby to overturn a ban on extreme group Palestine Action (pictured: Reform leader Nigel Farage with party colleagues Richard Tice and Suella Braverman)

The National Education Union (NEU) passed a motion to 'oppose' Nigel Farage's party, claiming it is 'racist, fascist and Far Right' (pictured: General Secretary Daniel Kebede)

Meanwhile, Chris McGovern, a retired headteacher who runs the Campaign for Real Education, said: 'The intolerant, authoritarian and anti-democratic NEU delegates who passed this motion are carnivorous sheep. They are the real fascists.

'Most parents will be appalled that classrooms are to be turned into platforms for political indoctrination and brainwashing.

'The Government needs to enforce the law which outlaws bias and indoctrination in schools.'

The motion was passed at the union's annual conference in Brighton, which is famous for showcasing hard-Left causes.

Emma Farthing, a member from Country Durham, said: 'If you are a Reform member I'd like you to justify how your party isn't homophobic, transphobic, misogynistic and racist.'

Meanwhile, Lisa Marie Tunnell noted that Reform UK had taken over Derbyshire County Council, and said 'flags on lampposts' were evidence of the Far Right 'targeting' nearby areas.

Separately, the union also vowed to campaign to legalise the Palestine Action group, which was proscribed under terror laws last year due to criminal damage during protests.

This included breaking into the Brize Norton military base in Oxfordshire, where activists sprayed military planes with red paint.

Separately, the union also vowed to campaign to legalise the Palestine Action group, which was proscribed under terror laws last year due to criminal damage during protests. Pictured: activists occupy the roof of the Thales UK arms factory in 2022 in Glasgow

They also broke into a military factory in Glasgow owned by Thales, where they caused more than 1 million of damage, as well as Elbit Systems, an Israel-based defence firm near Bristol.

Debating the motion, delegates said proscribing the group was a violation of the 'right to protest'.

In February, the High Court ruled that the ban was 'unlawful', but it remains in place for now to allow the Government a chance to appeal.

However, one NEU member, Ben Lawrence from Wiltshire, said the union should not be supporting a group involved in a 'criminal enterprise' to cause 'millions in damage'.

Teachers are by law required to be politically impartial in the classroom, but are allowed to be politically active in their private lives.

Today, Daniel Kebede, General Secretary, said: 'The NEU has reaffirmed a clear commitment to challenge all forms of racism, fascism and Far Right extremism.

'Young people are affected by racism and prejudice. It is important that there is opportunity during the school week to build positive attitudes and to ensure children and young people can develop the ability to think critically and independently.'
Nigel Farage today outlined his party's bid to ease the burden on British families taking a holiday this summer amid the Middle East crisis.

The Reform UK leader used an event at Heathrow Airport to set out plans to scrap air passenger duty (APD) on short-haul flights as the Iran war threatens a spike in fares.

Mr Farage claimed scrapping the 'family holiday tax' would be a 'Brexit benefit', with his party saying it would save families 45 on flights to Europe, or 48 on flights within the UK.

Robert Jenrick, Reform's economics spokesperson, said - if the party won the next general election - it would abolish APD when an adult economy ticket is purchased alongside at least one under-18 ticket.

He said this would see a family save 23 per cent on the cost of their flights to Malaga in Spain.

Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Tories earlier this year, contrasted Reform's plans with the Government's hike to APD from tomorrow.

'Remember, Rachel Reeves is actually increasing this tax,' he said. 'So whilst we're cutting it at reform on the first of April, April Fool's Day, of course, Rachel Reeves is hiking this same tax.

'That's the difference between Reform and this Labour Government.'

Nigel Farage today set out his party's bid to ease the burden on British families taking a holiday this summer amid the Middle East crisis.

The Reform UK leader, sitting alongside Robert Jenrick, used an event at Heathrow Airport to set out plans to scrap air passenger duty (APD) on short-haul flights

In response to US and Israeli attacks, which began at the end of last month, Iran has effectively closed the critical Strait of Hormuz.

This has has caused shipments of oil and gas to grind to a halt and sent global energy prices soaring.

Britain's last known shipment of jet fuel from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours amid alarm over shortages within a week.

Analysts have warned that a dramatic surge in jet fuel prices could push up costs for air travellers ahead of the summer holidays.

Mr Jenrick said British families would currently be planning their summer breaks at the same time as facing looming increases in energy and fuel bills due to the Iran conflict.

He said: 'This is a time of year where millions of Brits will be going on holiday, catching some sun in Majorca or Tenerife.

'And millions more will be sat at home over the Easter holidays thinking about booking a family holiday.

'This year, of all years, that will be a tough decision because household finances are just so tight, and so we want to make it cheaper.'

Setting out Reform's plans, Mr Jenrick added: 'In our first Budget, we will get rid of the family holiday tax.

'Air passenger duty will be gone for short-haul family trips, that will save a family on average 45 on their flights whether that's abroad, or 48 if they're going on holiday here in the UK.

'That means that if you are catching a flight, for example, as a family to Malaga, you would save 23 per cent on the cost of your flights.

'We appreciate that's not a huge amount of money, but it's an important saving that will make it just a bit easier, to have that family trip, to have a bit of fun, to get away and spend time with your loved ones.'

He said, under Reform's proposals, the scrapping of APD would 'apply to any holiday that is being booked for an adult travelling with those under the age of 18'.

'That could be a mum and dad taking their kids on holiday, it could be grandparents, it could be uncles and aunts, and it can be school trips as well,' he continued.

Mr Farage denied that the move would largely benefit the better off who take more flights, saying the move would be 'equitable and fair in every way'.

Mr Jenrick, who defected from the Tories earlier this year, contrasted Reform's plans with the Government's hike to APD from tomorrow

Reform said their plans would see a family save 23 per cent on the cost of their flights to Malaga in Spain

Reform estimated their plans to scrap APD for family holidays would cost the Treasury 142million per year, which would be funded through the party's proposals to save 40billion in annual Government spending.

This includes putting a squeeze on benefits and capping foreign aid.

A Heathrow spokesperson said: 'Aviation is crucial to the UK's economy and high levels of air passenger duty are a barrier to connectivity and our ability to compete internationally. We welcome any proposals that would reduce air passenger duty.'

From 1 April, APD will be charged at 15 per economy flight to European countries and 8 per economy flight within the UK.

APD is only charged on the outbound leg for flights abroad from the UK, but is charged on both legs of journeys within the UK.

Reform's savings were calculated on the basis of a family of four (two parents, one child over 16 and one child under 16) flying together.

Children under 16 are exempt from APD for economy flights.

John O'Connell, chief executive of the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers will be relieved at this pledge from Reform to scrap air passenger duty for short-haul family holidays.

'APD punishes travellers and holiday makers, draining the budgets of hard-working Brits who simply want to enjoy a bit of sun.

'Reform must go further and commit to switching to an emissions-based air flight duty on non-EEA flights.'

Senior Tory MP Mel Stride, the shadow chancellor, said: 'Before coming out with yet more half-baked announcements, Reform should explain the vast 10.5billion black hole in their pubs 'plan'.

'A Reform government would be an economic catastrophe. Serious times, call for serious thinking - not gimmicks and economic illiteracy.'

A Labour spokesperson said: 'Nigel Farage has constantly jetted off around the world since becoming an MP, bagging hundreds of thousands of pounds for himself in the process. Reform are not on your side.

'Labour took the fair choice to hike tax on big private jets, which Farage opposed. Only this Labour is delivering a serious plan to ease the cost of living for families.

'From this week, the lowest earners will get a pay rise, pensions are going up, and energy bills being cut.'
Police have stepped up their investigations into UK-based sexual abuse allegations linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

Detectives poring over the welter of material released by the US Department of Justice have set up a Gold Group of specialists to look into allegations of sexual offending, including abuse, exploitation and trafficking carried out in the UK.

The paedophile financier had links to the UK including through the former Duke of York, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, his ex-wife Sarah Ferguson, and Labour grandee Peter Mandelson, and is believed to have visited Buckingham Palace.

He died in prison in 2019 after being found hanged in his cell while awaiting trial for child trafficking offences.

Around a dozen police forces in the UK have already confirmed they are looking into any potential crimes carried out on their patch linked to Epstein.

And now the national group set up in February to support police forces with their investigations has confirmed it has created a separate strand to focus solely on violence against women and girls allegations.

They have already approached potential victims to share their accounts, including women who have previously spoken to BBC Newsnight and Good Morning Britain.

The group will be chaired by Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell, deputy director at the National Centre for Violence Against Women and Girls and Public Protection (NCVPP).

The paedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein died in prison in 2019

It will prioritise identifying the scale, scope and nature of any potential UK-based offending within the files, and 'establishing a nationally coordinated and consistent approach to gathering and assessing intelligence'.

ACC Bell said: 'Policing operates locally but must remain nationally coherent, which is why the coordination groups have been established to ensure we are joining the dots as the public would expect.

'Working with the NCA (National Crime Agency), we are reviewing and assessing the published files.

'We have also reached out to survivors who have shared their experiences with the media to invite them to speak to UK authorities should they feel comfortable to do so.

'Police forces may receive direct contact from potential victims and survivors reporting matters that are not contained in the Epstein files released. Officers will listen with care to anyone who takes the courageous step of contacting us.'

She said police would be 'meticulous' in its assessment of the files, which include more than 3 million documents and pictures released in tranches by the US.

She said: 'The volume of material is significant, and the detailed assessment of the files will take time, which I fully appreciate can be both frustrating and traumatic for anyone impacted.

'But it is crucial that we get this right  taking a methodical and coordinated approach to safeguard the integrity of any potential investigations.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and Epstein walk together in New York's Central Park on December 5, 2010

'Our priority throughout will remain the safety, wellbeing and confidence of victims.'

The VAWG coordination group will work alongside the NCA and the Tackling Organised Exploitation Programme (TOEX), and draw upon the expertise of colleagues from Hydrant, the CSE (child sexual exploitation) Taskforce and Operation Beaconport.

ACC Bell added: 'No single crime takes priority over another, and the establishment of this second group, and investment in additional intelligence resources reflects the increasing complexity and sensitivity of these matters.

'Running in tandem, the groups will enable us to consider any and all potential offending and reaffirm our commitment to victims and survivors of abuse. We remain focused on protecting people and maintaining public confidence.'

US lawmakers have repeatedly called for Mr Mountbatten-Windsor to answer questions about his links to Epstein.

He has denied any wrongdoing over his Epstein links.

Pressure is also mounting on Ms Ferguson to testify in the US over her apparent friendship with Epstein, although there has been no formal request for her to do so.

Files released by the Department of Justice in January revealed she remained in contact with the disgraced financier, including just 17 days before his release from a Florida jail for soliciting sex with minors.

Last month both Mr Mandelson and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor were separately arrested by police in connection with the paedophile financier. They were both released under investigation.
Video captured the moment a sex worker arrived at a man's family home to deliver a handwritten blackmail letter demanding tens of thousands of pounds.

Monika Konopska, 43, knocked on the door of the victim's property and threatened to do 'serious damage to his life' - claiming she had spoken to his neighbours.

In footage of the encounter, filmed in May 2024, Konopska can be seen clutching the chilling note, donning bleach-blonde hair and a pair of dark-rimmed glasses.

Chelmsford Crown Court heard the criminal - believed to be from Poland - had left bank details bearing her real name with two of her victims, which led to her being caught.

Recorder Suki Dhadda told Konopska she should be 'ashamed' of her actions - following her contact with two men she found on an adult website, neither of whom she had met before

The eastern European migrant, who lives in the UK under the EU settlement scheme, has now been jailed for 18 months after admitting to blackmail and attempted blackmail.

The court heard she posed as a woman called 'Serena' when contacting her first victim, who was looking for 'companionship', in October 2024.

Prosecutor Mark Halsey said: 'The defendant requested 40 in petrol money from the first victim.

'Half an hour later, by telephone then on WhatsApp, she demanded 1,000, and threatened to "cause a scene" if not paid.'

Mr Halsey said Konopska sent the victim photos from Facebook, including some showing his adult children.

Monika Konopska, 43, knocked on the door of the victim's property and threatened to do 'serious damage to his life' - claiming she had spoken to his neighbours

In footage of the encounter, filmed in May 2024, Konopska can be seen clutching the chilling note, donning bleach-blonde hair and a pair of dark-rimmed glasses

The court heard the victim, who cannot be named, had two children and had been single for 27 years.

'He sent 1,000, believing and hoping that would be the end of the matter,' Mr Halsey said.

However, Konopska again messaged the victim just a few weeks later.

'The defendant requested a further 700,' Mr Halsey added.

'There were no threats made that time. The money was not paid.'

In May 2024, Konopska sent the victim a photo of the sign for the street he lived on, saying she was there and had 'spoken with neighbours'.

Mr Halsey said: 'About five minutes later, [the victim] heard heavy knocking on the front door.'

The court heard the victim hid upstairs, terrified, and later found a handwritten note demanding a further 1,000.

After asking what she wanted, Konopska replied - saying that if he paid up, all 'personal data' she had on him would be deleted.

The victim again paid 1,000 out of fear.

But in June, Konopska returned once again - sending further threatening messages, which read: 'I can do serious damage in your life and destroy your reputation.

'If you don't want me to come to your work or your house, make a payment to this bank account to avoid further consequence.'

Now posing as 'Bianca', she also told him the girl working previously had been 'too soft', telling him she knew his home address as well as details about his work and family.

Monika Konopska was jailed for 18 months, with a judge telling her she would serve at least half her sentence in custody before being released on licence

'Just make that payment and we are done with you,' she told him. 'You have until 3pm.'

The victim paid Konopska a further 300.

The second victim, Mr Halsey explained, had used adultwork.com like the first.

In June 2024, he received messages, including Konopska's bank details.

'[Konopska] threatened to do serious damage to his life, finishing by saying he had until 3pm,' Mr Halsey said, adding that she'd talked about his 'routine' and how she knew he works from home.

The second victim did not respond and received more messages later in the month, asking if he was 'looking forward to consequences'.

Mr Halsey continued: 'He thought: 'This is serious'. He feared returning home, not knowing what he was going to find.

'He reported the messages to the police.'

Defending, Rebecca Malczewski told the court Konopska would lose her job as a carer as a result of her convictions, adding that she had also split from her long-term partner.

She said Konopska had turned to sex work for the first time in her life after losing a previous job, in a moment of 'desperation'.

'Ms Konopska feels deep shame and remorse for her actions,' Ms Malczewski said.

'She considers these offences the biggest mistakes of her life.'

Recorder Dhadda said the two victims in the case had alluded to the 'fear' and 'distress' caused by Konopska's actions.

'The first [victim] had been single for 27 years and had two adult children,' she said. 'He wanted companionship.

'He made contact with someone he thought was called Serena.

'He sent 40 to cover the cost of her petrol. Serena sent a series of messages, including a picture of his house and images from his social media account.

'You sent messages informing him you knew where he worked. He was frightened by these messages and sent the money.

'He was told that would be the end, but it was not.

'The following year, when he thought he could put all of this behind him, he received a message from Bianca.

'This was unsophisticated. You provided your name and bank details.

'When asked who [those demanding money] were, you responded by saying: "Romanians".

'[The first victim] was stressed and worried and scared for his life. In total, you took 2,300 from him.

'[The second victim] was threatened with serious damage to his life and his reputation destroyed.

'He was concerned [you] knew where he lived and where he worked. He reported the matter to police.

'You were interviewed and said it was all part of a role play [with the first victim], as he was someone you knew. You had never met him.

'In relation to the second victim, you said [the messages] were sent to the wrong person.

'This type of offending is deplorable. You should be ashamed.

'It is very clear [the victims] were caused considerable stress and anxiety.

'The offence you have been convicted of is so serious, only a term of immediate imprisonment is justified.'

Ms Dhadda jailed Konopska for 18 months, telling her she would serve at least half her sentence in custody before being released on licence.

The court also heard that, though Konopska has settled status in the UK, a custodial impact could impact this status upon her release.
Police who failed to investigate child sex grooming gangs will be held to account, the new independent inquiry's head pledged today - as she promised issues of ethnicity, culture and religion will also be scrutinised.

'Any evidence' of criminal conduct by professionals will be referred to a specially-launched national operation to review hundreds of previously-closed investigations.

In its 'terms of reference' published this morning, the inquiry said it would 'investigate how grooming gangs operated and how institutions, including police, local authorities, health services, social care services, and schools, responded to abuse'.

The 65m inquiry, to conclude no later than March 2029, 'will examine why children were so often disbelieved, dismissed, or blamed for their own abuse'.

It added: 'The Inquiry will directly examine whether the ethnicity, culture, or religion of either perpetrators or victims influenced patterns of offending, and whether these factors shaped the institutional response.

'These are questions that previous reviews chose not to address. This Inquiry will not avoid them.'

But solicitors representing victims of child sex grooming and survivors remain unhappy about the scope of the inquiry  which is limited to just five areas, beginning with Oldham, Greater Manchester, and four others which have not been specified.

And Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, who first called for action on grooming gangs, has criticised the amount of time the inquiry has taken to get going and believes its budget would be better spent on supporting the National Crime Agency bringing gangs to justice.

Baroness Anne Longfield, a former children's commissioner for England, is chairing the inquiry

One lawyer, David Greenwood, said he was 'very concerned' the 'Labour-run Home Office' will be able to influence which locations are examined and fears there could be 'perceptions of bias'.

Meanwhile, Rotherham abuse survivor and campaigner Sammy Woodhouse said it should be widened to a much wider geographical scale, as grooming was going on in 'every town, every city'.

Ms Woodhouse also criticised the time limit of 1996, when high-profile abuse cases were going on many years earlier, and the inquiry not interviewing victims' parents as part of the process.

Baroness Anne Longfield, a former children's commissioner for England, who is chairing the inquiry, said: 'Children across England and Wales were and are sexually abused and exploited.

'When they asked for help, they were too often disbelieved, dismissed or blamed. That is the reality this inquiry exists to address.

'Victims and survivors have every right to ask whether this inquiry will be any different from those that came before.

'My answer is this: where we can, we will publish our findings as we go, not in a single report years from now. There will be no opportunity for institutions to quietly manage what we find.

'We will follow the evidence wherever it leads. We will not flinch from uncomfortable truths.'

David Greenwood, head of the abuse compensation team at law firm Switalskis, said he was 'very concerned' that the Home Office 'intend to work alongside the inquiry panel to select the five areas for close examination'.

He said: 'I remain unhappy that the Home Office still intends to have influence in selecting the towns and cities to be closely examined. Involvement of the Labour-run Home Office and indeed the presence of Labour figures on the panel still concerns me.

'I want the inquiry to be credible when it reports and any perception of bias could mean its final report is disregarded by future governments.'

But he added: 'The panel has obviously listened to concerns over the inquiry being watered down. It will now look into cultural, religious and ethnic influences on the groups of men perpetrating this type of abuse.

'The draft terms of reference proposed only looking at how these factors affected institutions' responses.'

Richard Scorer, head of abuse law and public inquiries at law firm Slater and Gordon, said he 'broadly welcomes' the terms of reference  and the decision to include 'specific reference to the role of religion ethnicity and culture in this type of crime'.

He said: 'This issue cannot be ignored, played down or tiptoed around, and this is now clearly acknowledged.

'We will need to see in practice how thorough this inquiry is  we don't yet know what local areas will be examined apart from Oldham, or how deeply the inquiry will probe - the reason it is needed is because the previous inquiry, IICSA, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (published in 2022), did not examine this issue in sufficient depth. We cannot repeat that mistake again.'

Sammy Woodhouse is unhappy that just five places will be scrutinised by the inquiry

Sammy Woodhouse, who was raped and abused from the age of 14, said the inquiry would never go far enough for her and other survivors.

She said: 'Every single council and police force should be investigated and every (public) service, school, social care department. Let's be honest, they are not going to do that.'

Ms Woodhouse, who worked with former Reform UK MP Rupert Lowe on an investigation into grooming, added: 'Why are they only picking five places? We've been able to identify hundreds of towns and cities where it was taking place.

'And why are they only going back 30 years? There shouldn't be a time restriction - we know abuse happened before the 1990s.'

She was also critical of a decision to only take evidence from victims and not parents, as well, and how the terms of reference  while referring to race, culture and religion in broad terms - did not specifically refer to Muslim men.

Ms Woodhouse said: 'I think they need to call a spade a spade. It's evident that this is (still) a problem. Why are they shying away from it?

'To this day, no-one dare talk about immigration, about Islam.'

And the father of another Rotherham grooming gang victim said police and officials who turned a blind eye or covered up the abuse of girls by Asian gangs should be jailed and forfeit their pensions.

'Jack', the father of a campaigning survivor of the gangs known as Elizabeth, said: 'What the report is proposing looks good, sounds good but my fear is it'll still become a whitewash.

'Anyone found to have covered up or turned a blind eye to what was going on must be prosecuted, jailed and forfeit their pensions.

'They let our girls suffer.'

He added: 'What happens to tackle the grooming still going on in places like Rotherham? What is going to change?'

Rotherham Labour MP Sarah Champion said: 'Hundreds of millions have already been invested in grooming gang inquiries; what will this new one achieve?

Rotherham MP Sarah Champion, speaking in the House of Commons earlier this month

'The budget would be better spent on the NCA to get the groomers in jail and fund the support victims and survivors so desperately need.

'A year since announcing the inquiry, three months since appointing the Commissioner - and what more do we know about the details?

'It's now another three months before we learn where the local inquiries will happen. Let me give them a starting point: Bradford.

'I have full confidence that the National Crime Agency will expose and prosecute the grooming gangs. They have done an incredible job getting Rotherham abusers behind bars and their appointment to do this nationally is money well spent.'

There were also calls to widen the inquiry to consider ongoing grooming via the internet.

Marcus Johnstone, managing director of PCD Solicitors, said: 'Grooming gangs have not disappeared, but simply evolved their tactics to largely escape detection.

'The biggest development in child abuse happens on encrypted web sites, social media and apps, where the police are hopeless at investigating.

'By the time this inquiry concludes, I expect we will then need a further inquiry into the horrific abuse that will have been metered out by men from certain backgrounds on the internet.'

The next step for the inquiry is laying the terms of reference before Parliament when it returns from recess on April 13  then the full investigation will begin.

Lady Longfield will be supported by panellists Zoe Billingham, a former Her Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services, and Eleanor Kelly, a former chief executive of Southwark Council.

The inquiry will look into how grooming gangs operated and how institutions, including the police, local authorities, health services, social care services and schools, responded to abuse.

It will have the legal powers to compel witnesses to give evidence and require organisations to hand over documents.

Any evidence of criminal conduct by professionals will be referred to Operation Beaconport, the national policing operation launched last year to review hundreds of previously closed investigations, the inquiry pledged.

The inquiry will hold public hearings, which will be live-streamed, and transcripts will be published after each hearing.

In each area, the inquiry will conduct 'local investigations' into 'serious failures identified in response to child sexual exploitation by grooming gangs'.

Findings will be published progressively rather than being held until a final report.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'The grooming gangs scandal is one of the darkest moments in our country's history - where the most vulnerable people were abused and exploited at the hands of evil child rapists.

'(It) will be laser focused on grooming gangs and will explicitly examine the role of ethnicity, religion and culture of the offenders and in the response of institutions.

'There will be no hiding place for the predatory monsters who committed these vile crimes.'

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch said: 'This appears to be a significantly strengthened terms of reference for the national grooming gangs inquiry.

'The initial draft did not, amongst other things, examine ethnicity and religion, nor did it ensure those in positions of authority like politicians or police officers would be investigated.

'I am pleased the Conservatives' demands on these points, reflecting those of the survivors who contacted us, will be addressed.'

The grooming gangs inquiry was set up in response to a recommendation from Baroness Louise Casey's National Audit on Group-based Child Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

The audit found systemic failures and institutional paralysis had enabled grooming gangs to operate for many years.
Europe has turned its back on Donald Trump's war in the Middle East, with Italy, Spain and Poland refusing to support American operations against Iran.

The US and Israel began attacking Iran in late February, striking the mullah regime's leadership, nuclear and ballistic missile programme and armed forces.

Since then, the US has been lobbying its European allies to try and garner support for its military operations against Iran.

But much of Europe has pushed back against these requests.

Italy barred an American bomber flying to the Middle East from landing at one of its bases, Spain restricted its airspace for US warplanes, and Poland refused to send Patriot air defence systems to the region.

A furious Donald Trump lashed out at international partners, singling out France and the UK in a pair of Truth Social posts today.

He said of the UK: 'All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

'You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!'

He said of France: 'The Country of France wouldn't let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the 'Butcher of Iran,' who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!'

France has not formally said it has banned US warplanes from its airspace, though its president Emmanuel Macron said earlier this month that Trump's strikes on Iran were 'outside of international law', adding that his nation 'cannot approve of them'.

Europe has turned its back on Donald Trump's (pictured) war in the Middle East

A plume of smoke rises after a strike in Tehran, Iran, March 2, 2026.

The entrance of RAF Akrotiri pictured on March 2, 2026 in Akrotiri, Cyprus

Earlier today, it was reported that Italian defence minister Guido Crosetto on Friday denied the US access to its Sigonella air base in Sicily.

Crosetto is said to have made the decision when he learned some US warplanes planned to land in Sigonella without consultation with the authorities.

As per treaties governing the use of US military installations in the country, permission must be granted from Rome's military leadership.

But the decision to temporarily land the planes in Sicily before departing for the Middle East was only communicated with the relevant authorities once the bombers were already in flight.

'Italy is certainly not considering going to war with Iran,' Crosetto emphatically announced earlier in the March.

He continued: 'I don't think there will ever be Italian soldiers or planes capable of bombing Iran; this seems clear and obvious to me,' before adding: 'Not only is it constitutionally impossible, but there isn't even the will.'

Washington would be able to use Italian bases 'only after explaining what it intends to use them for and only after authorisation from the Italian government', he said.

After initial checks established the American flights were not 'normal or logistical' ones, it was determined they would be denied access.

Italy's right-wing prime minister Giorgia Meloni has already condemned the Israeli-US military operation as 'outside the scope of international law,' while also acknowledging the threat the Islamic Republic poses to regional security.

Her shift in tone was striking from a politician who has built a reputation as one of Europe's most reliable US allies.

While centre-left opposition parties have urged the government to block the US use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the conflict, Meloni's government has said it would seek parliamentary authorisation should any such requests be made.

A video of a massive explosion shared without comment early today by President Donald Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan

Today, Poland's deputy prime minister denied that his nation would be sending Patriot missile batteries to the Middle East, following media reports that the US had engaged the nation in unofficial talks.

The Rzeczpospolita newspaper reported today that the US asked the European nation to temporarily lend one of its two Patriot missile batteries for deployment to the Middle East.

Hours later, deputy prime minister Wadysaw Kosiniak-Kamysz wrote on X: 'Our Patriot batteries and their armament are used to protect Polish skies and NATO's eastern flank.

'Nothing is changing in this regard, and we are not planning to relocate them anywhere! Our allies know full well and understand how important the tasks we have here are. Poland's security is an absolute priority'.

And just yesterday, Spain closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran, a step beyond its previous denial of use of jointly-operated military bases.

Defence minister Margarita Robles said: 'We don't authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran'.

The closure of the airspace forces military planes to bypass NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East, but it does not include emergency situations, El Pais reported.

'This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law,' economy minister Carlos Cuerpo said, when asked if the decision to close Spain's airspace could worsen relations with the United States.

Other European nations have also pushed back against the US' demand for assistance.

Last week, Germany's president Frank-Walter Steinmeier condemned the US' war against Iran as illegal.

Steinmeier said: 'This war violates international law. There is little doubt that, in any case, the justification of an imminent attack on the US does not hold water.'

A blaze after Israel's Fire and Rescue Service said that an industrial building and a fuel tanker at Israel's oil refineries were hit by debris from an intercepted Iranian missile in Haifa yesterday

Earlier this month, France's finance minister told CNBC that his nation is willing to support the US in securing the Strait of Hormuz, the key waterway that has been effectively bottlenecked by the ongoing war, but only when the security situation has calmed down.

Roland Lescure said: 'We are willing to do something to free the Strait of Hormuz, provided that this is not a war situation anymore. Nobody wants to go across the Strait of Hormuz if there's a risk of missiles or drones going on your head.

'We need the conflict to de-escalate, and then we can imagine securing the Strait of Hormuz... We know how to do it, but you don't do that in a war situation. You do that in a pacified situation in which people need to be secure and safe'.

Last week, the head of France's armed forces held a videoconference with 35 nations to discuss restoring movement through the Strait of Hormuz, according to the nation's defence ministry.

Though it did not name participants, the ministry said: 'This initiative, independent of the ongoing military operations in the region, is strictly defensive in nature. Its purpose is to organise the resumption of shipping through the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities have ceased.'

France now appears to be bearing the brunt of this decision. The Jerusalem Post reported today that Israel has halted selling defence products to France.

Defence minister Israel Katz formally ordered the stop, following France's changing attitudes towards the nation over the last few years.

One official told the Israeli newspaper that Macron's decision to not allow US aircraft to pass through French airspace on its way to the Middle East was 'the straw that broke the camel's back'.
A migrant who raped a customer while he was working as an Uber Eats delivery driver has been jailed for 44 months.

Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, delivered food to the young woman's home in Boston, Lincolnshire, at around lunchtime on January 14.

He then convinced her to hand over her number by claiming he wanted to chat about his visa application.

The Indian national later returned to the property at 5pm where he raped the victim before texting her to say 'sorry' after carrying out the harrowing sexual assault.

He has now been sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court to a five-year custodial term, reduced to three years and eight months after pleading guilty to rape.

He was also sentenced concurrently for 18 months for sexual assault and served with a deportation order.

The court heard that after delivering food to the vulnerable victim, Prajapati struck up conversation with her, stating that he had just moved to the area not knowing anyone and needed assistance getting a visa and help to work.

He asked for the victim's Instagram account details and they swapped phone numbers.

Prajapati then returned to her home a few hours later where they engaged in general conversation for a while before things took a sinister turn and he raped his victim.

Jitendrakumar Prajapati, 47, has been sentenced to three years and eight months after pleading guilty to raping a young woman in Boston, Lincolnshire

Prajapati was working as a an Uber Eats driver at the time and the young woman was a customer. After delivering the food at midday he returned to the property at 5pm where the harrowing sexual assault took place (file image)

After leaving the property, he sent a message to his victim saying, 'Hey I am sorry'.

He then changed his WhatsApp username and enabled 'disappearing chat after 24 hours'.

More messages were exchanged where the victim accused him of raping her. His responses were apologetic and begging her not to tell.

The brave woman has been praised by Lincolnshire Police for immediately contacting the force which meant Prajapati was in custody by 9pm that evening.

He was arrested on suspicion of rape and also non-fatal strangulation, a charge which was later dropped at court.

Detective Constable Jessica McKiernan, who investigated the case, said: 'Bringing this offender to justice was made possible by the extraordinary courage shown by the victim in coming forward at the earliest opportunity.

'Her trust in us allowed our officers to begin swift and focused inquiries, which led to the suspect being located within hours.

'Her bravery has been vital in ensuring he is now held to account. We hope this outcome offers her some sense of reassurance as she moves forward on her own terms.'

Lincolnshire Police said: 'Lincolnshire Police are not responsible for sentencing. Policing is part of a broader criminal justice system, and its role is to protect the public, enforce the law, investigate crimes, gather evidence, arrest and detain suspected offenders.

'Police forces help build case files for court and may be involved in the court process, but do not lead on the sentences convicted offenders receive, where they go to prison, or when they are released.'
Two drunken teenagers who smashed up a hotel reception after they were asked to leave have been banned from every pub, bar, nightclub and hotel in the UK.

Kera McKeown and Larisa Sumovskaja, both 19, left a 'trail of destruction' at the Trouville Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset at 11.20am on April 19, last year.

The pair were caught on camera causing chaos while another friend, Jasmine Orchard, was 'dragged along' with them after receptionist Signe Ivane asked them to leave as they were not guests.

Ringleader McKeown was seen holding a vodka bottle in one hand and her high heels in the other, which she used to bash at the door of a back office where Ms Ivane locked herself in to escape the girls.

She also spat at her twice and threw things around reception - two vases of flowers, a computer screen and even a phone which hit a male receptionist on the head.

Sumovskaja picked up a fire extinguisher because she 'thought it would be funny to spray someone with it'. She didn't use it, but McKeown then threw it at the staff.

District judge Orla Austin called their behaviour 'disgraceful' as she told them they narrowly avoided going to prison.

She issued them with an order banning them from all pubs, bars, nightclubs and hotels in the country for six months unless they have to go in one for work.

Kera McKeown (right) and Larisa Sumovskaja (left), both 19, with their friend Jasmine Orchard (centre), left a 'trail of destruction' at the Trouville Hotel in Bournemouth, Dorset

CCTV footage of Larisa Sumovskaja, 19, Kera McKeown, 19, and Jasmine Orchard, 21, causing chaos at the hotel on April 19 last year

McKeown, who was drunk at the time, was described as the 'main aggressor' at the hotel

She told them: 'I recognise your social life is going to be significantly curtailed but that's the punishment so don't take any chances.'

Just five weeks after Sumovskaja and Orchard attacked three nightclub staff after they were kicked out for being too drunk.

Two months before that the same pair lashed out a taxi driver before running off without paying. They were later caught after boasting about the incident and sharing the police appeal on social media.

On this occasion, Ms Ivane asked the trio to leave as staff were not sure they were guests.

The three started shouting and McKeown threatened Ms Ivane with the vodka bottle in her hand, saying: 'I will punch you up'.

She picked up two vases filled with flowers which she hurled across the reception desk and even threw a red fire extinguisher at Ms Ivane, who she then spat at.

The drunken teen went on to push a computer screen off the desk and tip over a large pot plant and a coffee table before the trio finally left the premises.

Sumovskaja damaged a plant pot outside the hotel.

Tara Olney, prosecuting, told the court the hotel had suffered 'reputational harm' as well as physical criminal damage.

The owners estimated the cost, including clean up and 'damage control', at around 4,000.

They said they had to issue refunds to appease guests who had witnessed the crime, a negative review left by one guest after the incident had cost them future bookings and the two receptionists involved had several days off work due to emotional distress.

Staff morale was also affected as the violent outburst raised concerns about workplace safety.

McKeown and Sumovskaja, from Bournemouth, admitted criminal damage and affray.

James Diamond, representing McKeown, said: 'This is her first time before the court. She has mental health conditions and neurodiversity. Alcohol had influenced her behaviour, along with being young and foolish.

'She found it very traumatising being in the police station overnight - she was only 18 at the time.

'She has expressed her deep regret and remorse for her actions, she's not proud of what she has done.'

Mark Hensleigh, representing Lumovskaja, said: 'This lady is very young, these offences occurred over a year ago. She didn't do very well at school, she has mental health issues, she is very vulnerable.

'This cycle of offending has come to an end with what happened at the hotel. She has turned a corner and the cycle has been broken. She has got the opportunity for a job, she's not going to trouble the court again.'

Join the discussion Should courts be tougher on alcohol-fuelled disorder like this?

Police released images of the destruction caused by the three woman during the incident

The owners estimated the cost, including clean up and 'damage control', at around 4,000

Judge Orla Austin gave them both a 12-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months.

They were both also ordered to pay compensation to the receptionists and the hotel for the damage totalling 350 each.

Sumovskaja was also ordered to complete 15 rehabilitation activity days and 12 mental health sessions.

Judge Austin said: 'What happened here was frankly disgraceful. You made a complete nuisance of yourselves and became aggressive when you were asked to leave.

'It's very clear from the footage it was very distressing to the staff.

'It is a custodial offence but I am just persuaded to suspend it. It is the last chance I will give you so I need you both to understand.

'You are both in quite a serious situation now - no more trouble whatsoever, because if there is you leave me with no other option but to send you to prison.

Orchard was dealt with by magistrates in January who accepted she played a 'minimal role' and did not cause any criminal damage.

They gave her a 12-month conditional discharge for using threatening or abusive words or behaviour with intent to cause fear of violence and ordered her to pay 111 costs.
'Handcraft trend' showcases creativity of Chinese manufacturing

09:59, March 31, 2026 By Chen Bingxu ( People's Daily

China is witnessing a growing wave of "handcraft" turning ordinary creativity into a testing ground for grassroots innovation.

Think of a vlogger selling a smart massager built from foam rollers and small motors to customers worldwide; a high school student constructing a 10-kilometer-class rocket in his spare time; and a college student in his early 20s who started with discarded electronics from scrapyards, then designed, 3D-printed, and programmed a smart interactive mechanical suit. These are just a few examples of how hands-on creativity is flourishing across the country.

Competitors showcase their tech innovations at a youth innovation contest held in Bozhou, east China's Anhui province. (Photo/Hu Weiguo)

At its core, innovation is about meeting social needs and advancing production through creative practice. In this context, "handcraft" does not imply something trivial or makeshift; rather, it refers to turning ideas into reality using one's own hands, often using simple, accessible tools.

By shaping, assembling, and refining, people watch how innovation takes form--as individual creativity aligns with real-world demand, three enablers accelerate this trend: science popularization, affordable materials, and user-friendly technologies.

Technological evolution demonstrates the movement's impact. Back in 2009, 19-year old Wang Xingxing could not afford a 3D printer. Instead, he hand-built parts for just 200 yuan (about $28.94) to make a walking bipedal robot. Today, his company Unitree Robotics produces humanoid robots performing intricate dance and martial arts routines -- proving how modest experiments can yield major breakthroughs. True innovation emerges not exclusively from laboratories, but from persistent curiosity and execution.

This kind of grassroots innovation is not merely a reflection of individual talent and effort; it also mirrors the broader opportunities of the times.

Gao Xingyu, born after 2000, built high-quality mecha models in his dorm room, gained market recognition, launched his own brand, and later partnered with a listed company.

Elsewhere, a platform specializing in small-batch customization of electronic components reported nearly 8 billion yuan in revenue and close to 1 billion yuan in net profit in 2024, with strong year-on-year growth.

In Huaqiangbei, one of China's largest electronics markets in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong province, international makers collaborate with local engineers and solution providers, creating a powerful hub for innovation.

A student tunes a smart irrigator at the first maker competition for freshmen majoring in electronic information held in Beijing, Nov. 19, 2025. (Photo/Guo Junfeng)

In this way, handcraft culture serves as a bridge, linking different parts of the industrial chain and even bridging domestic and international markets. It also acts as a lever, facilitating the flow of resources and capital, and generating new momentum through the interaction between innovation and market demand.

Turning creative ideas into tangible results depends primarily on individual initiative, but supportive public services also play an important role. Across China, regions are working to unleash creativity by better understanding the needs of grassroots innovators and providing tailored support.

For example, Huaqiangbei has established innovation communities that offer full-cycle support for AI entrepreneurs, from idea incubation to market application. In Qingdao, east China's Shandong province, a "solo entrepreneur + AI" platform integrates computing power, data, and technology resources to create a new model for innovation.

By building ecosystems, integrating resources, and providing better tools and support, these efforts are helping more ideas take shape and driving both technological progress and industrial development.

Each innovation represents an upward step. By nurturing the seeds of creativity found in everyday life and unlocking the extraordinary potential within ordinary people, China's manufacturing sector is moving toward a more dynamic and innovative future -- one bold idea at a time.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
March 31, 2026: Unrest continues to erupt in South West State, which is 245 kilometers northwest of the capital Mogadishu. State officials, with the assistance of some local militias, want to secede and form an independent statelet. Army forces in the area have prevented that, so far. Previously the government ordered police to the southwestern town of Barawe to reinforce soldiers who were already there confronting local militias demanding changes in how the federal government is organized and functions. Last year the UN continued to maintain a peacekeeping force in Somalia. U.S. drones and warplanes continue to attack Islamic terrorists in various areas of Somalia. Islamic terrorist group Al Shabab continues to be active. Piracy returned to waters off the Somali coast. Al Shabab and militia violence continues against government officials.

Despite relative peace and prosperity, by 2025 Somalia was unable to turn that into a more permanent condition by holding national elections. Instead, most Somali factions agreed to rely on a system that involved clan elders meeting and working out agreements. Somalia has long been a failed state and over a decade of peacekeeping, massive foreign aid and visible progress, corruption and tribalism continued to block economic progress. Al Shabaab, a local Islamic radical group, was defeated and driven from cities and towns in 2011 but is still around. So are the traditional clan violence, organized crime, and banditry. All these are ancient Somali traditions and al Shabaab survives by reverting to that and becoming the major criminal organizations in some parts of the country. Extortion, smuggling, ransoms and so on have sustained the Islamic terror group. One of the most lucrative sources of plunder is the elected Somali government, propped up by foreign aid, most of which gets stolen.

Efforts to attract foreign investments have not gone well. The United States, along with a lot of other foreign investors have, since mid-2022 seen Somalia as safe enough for expensive investments. There were still problems investors had to deal with. While the Somali government has achieved a level of stability that encourages more investments, they have to understand that this stability has not eliminated al Shabaab or the corruption and clan loyalty. Somalia now has a stable democratic government. In mid-2021 the elected parliament finally approved a new 75-member cabinet. There was something for everyone, including a senior job for a former Islamic terrorist who was one of the founders of al Shabaab and is now working in the government religious affairs department. During the proceedings there were several al Shabaab mortar shells landing near the Parliament compound. There were no casualties. Its been a long and tedious process to reach June 2021 when the new parliament met and approved the new prime minister selected by the president. This formation of a new government came after several years of efforts to overcome clan and warlord objections to democracy in general. The elections were held and results certified in May 2021, producing a parliament and new president. The prime minister was the one who actually f0rms a government by filling dozens of key jobs with candidates that would not cause disputes in parliament over who got what. Somalia is still dominated by the power of the clans and the blind loyalty to clan even when it harms national unity. Overcoming this factionalism in a democracy is often very difficult. So far it appears that a majority of Somali leaders are willing to give a clean government a chance to work in Somalia. The key test was forming the new government successfully. The stability came at a price because the United States, which supplies most of the foreign aid, agreed to funnel nearly all of it through the central government, which would then distribute the money to where it was needed the most for economic, security or political reasons. This gradually ran into problems as the clan loyalties of central government ministers became more of a factor in who got what and how much of that went to the minister for services rendered. Many Americans who have long worked in Somalia, as soldiers, aid workers or investors, warned that this would happen. At the same time the U.S. government remains hostile to the independent Somali states of Puntland and Somaliland in the north.

Despite all that, Somalia is still a failed state that defies every attempt at nation building. The situation is worse than it appears because Somalia was never a country, but a collection of clans and tribes that fight each other constantly over economic land and water issues. The country remains an economic and political mess, a black hole on the map. Not much hope in sight. There is not a lot of enthusiasm among local leaders for a national government, but all that foreign aid is welcome because it can be taken without risking another clan feud. Piracy has returned and so has political violence. Somali smolders as it always has and not a lot has changed while some aspects have gotten worse.
The heartbroken parents of a teenage girl killed in the Creeslough gas explosion believe the local authority may have once again broken a promise that no development will take place on the site while investigations into the cause of the tragedy continue.

And the mother of another victim has vowed to fight Donegal County Councils controversial decision this week to allow a new petrol station to be built beside the site of the tragedy.

In an interview with the Mail, the parents of 14yearold Leona Harper said parts of the new development, located next door to the old petrol station, may encroach on the blast site.

Hugh Harper said: My only concern is, how that [the planning approval] will affect the whole site, the site of the explosion where 10 people were killed?

If there is any encroachment onto that site, if there is any loss of our ability to examine that site, or any potential loss of evidence?

There is nobody giving us that guarantee; that there is not any evidence lost, that it is not going to affect the ability of an investigation into that site in the future.

Aine Flanagan, whose partner Bob and five-year-old girl Shauna died in the blast, stands at the entrance of the tragic site with Donna Harper, whose 14-year-old daughter Leona was killed

Leona Harper, 14, was the last person to be recovered from the rubble

For us, there is no question  that is unreasonable. Our daughter died. She was killed. Planning should not impede the overall objective of justice.

On Thursday  nine months after the national planning authority refused permission for the petrol station to be rebuilt on the site of the explosion  Donegal County Council granted permission for a new development located nextdoor to the old forecourt.

A house on the new site bought by the original garage owners will be demolished to make way for the new service station and facilities.

However, maps on the councils planning website, as well as property registration documents, show that parts of the explosion site are included in the latest planning application that was approved by the council.

Hugh Harper said he and his wife Donna asked the council about the border of the new planning application encroaching on the site of the explosion.

But he added: We havent had any answer yet. Nobody is telling us that it wont.

Donegal County Council also refused to answer any queries from the Mail about sections of the explosion site being included in the new development.

In response, a spokesman for the local authority would only say: A notification of the decision to grant this planning application was published on the councils website subject to 17 conditions.

This notification starts a statutory fourweek period during which appeals by relevant parties may be made to An Coimisiun Pleanala.

No further comment in relation to the notified decision will be made and the full context of the consideration of this application and the associated decision are publicly available through the councils eplanning facility.

The Mail previously revealed that written and verbal promises were given by Donegal County Council to the Creeslough victims families that the explosion site would not be redeveloped until investigations had been concluded.

These commitments were given during a meeting in the leadup to the first anniversary of the tragedy.

At this meeting, a council official read from a prepared statement which stated the following: In relation to the partially demolished structure of the former petrol station, shop and apartment block, the council is advised, following direct engagement with the owners of the property, that the investigations remain ongoing and any decision regarding the future use of the site must remain on hold, until such time as investigations have been determined.

Land registration documents and maps submitted as part of the most recent planning application show two encroachments on to the original site of the Creeslough explosion (above). One (1) is at the back of the site, where the Laffertys have been given permission to build a car wash, while the second (2) is at the entrance to the proposed new service station. This is located near to where a hair salon (circled in red both above and below) once operated. The dormer bungalow in the below photo is to be razed to make way for the new station

The councils decision to grant permission for the new development comes as the families of the victims continue to struggle with the loss of their loved ones.

Donna Harper told the Mail: Its very difficult to put into words what we are going through.

Its with you every minute, every second of every day.

When you are standing there for 24 hours waiting to get your wee girl back, its the darkness that stays with you every day.

Tragically, 10 people died in the devastating gas explosion that destroyed what was the only service station in the Co. Donegal village, along with the adjoining shop and apartment complex, on the afternoon of October 7, 2022.

Among those who died were three children; Leona Harper, fiveyearold Shauna Flanagan Garwe, who died with her father Robert Garwe while shopping for a birthday cake for her mother, and 13yearold James Monaghan and his mother, Catherine ODonnell.

Hugh Kelly, Jessica Gallagher, Martin McGill, James OFlaherty and Martina Martin were also killed in the blast.

Several of the victims families are vehemently opposed to the new development.

And the mother of Shauna Flanagan Garwe, the youngest to die in the tragedy, has vowed to appeal the latest decision made by Donegal County Council.

Little Shauna was found wrapped in her fathers arms when the rubble was removed from the blast site.

Her mother Aine Flanagan told the Mail: Shauna would be nine, she was nine on the 27th of February and Bob would be 54 on the 12th of April. For me, its like it happened yesterday.

An aerial view of the devastation in the aftermath of the service station blast at Creeslough

Creeslough victims, from top left: James O'Flaherty; Jessica Gallagher, 23; Martin McGill, 49; mum Catherine O'Donnell, 39, and her 14-year-old son James Monaghan; Hugh Kelly, 59; Martina Martin, 49; Robert Garwe and his five-year-old daughter Shauna Flanagan Garwe; and 14-year-old Leona Harper

Who is going to fight for Bob and Shauna except me? I will be appealing, definitely.

Its appalling they are allowed to give planning permission where there is no outcome of the criminal garda investigation.

In the aftermath of the explosion, separate investigations were launched by the gardai, the Health and Safety Authority and the Commission for Regulating of Utilities.

A file was sent by investigating gardai to the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) last September and detectives are currently in the process of preparing a second supplementary file.

Gardai are due to meet with the families of those who were killed and injured in the blast on Friday, to provide an update on the ongoing investigation.

Two years after the fateful explosion, the owners of the service station, siblings Annette and Danny Martin Lafferty, applied for planning permission to rebuild some of the businesses located on the site.

Donegal County Council approved the redevelopment, but when this was overruled by the An Coimisiun Pleanala, the brother and sister submitted a second application last October to build on a neighbouring plot of land.

Four submissions were lodged urging the council to refuse planning permission, as well as an objection that was submitted by Damien Tansey Solicitors on behalf of some of the victims families, which had described the planning application as being profoundly offensive and distressing to his clients.

The local authority was urged not to grant planning permission while investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing.

The objection states: Annette and Danny Martin Lafferty are the owners and operators of the Vivo/Shell Limited which operated the service station at which the explosion occurred on the 7th October 2022.

Danny Martin Lafferty, who along with his sister Annette operated the Vivo/Shell Limited that operated the service station where the blast occured on October 7, 2022

As operators, they bore direct legal and operational responsibility for the safe storage, management and use of volatile and hazardous materials including petrol and gas on the premises.

While investigations are ongoing the fact that three separate investigations have been initiated, is itself indicative of the gravity of the failures that appear to have occurred.

In these circumstances, it would be wholly unacceptable, reckless and contrary to the public interest to grant planning permission to the same applicants to once again become custodians of the volatile and hazardous materials associated with the operation of a fuel service.
Two Vietnamese people smugglers who raked in an estimated 750,000 from advertising illegal Channel crossings on Facebook have been jailed for more than a decade.

Hop Can Nguyen, 46, and Hoang My Tra Nguyen, 25, helped traffic at least 250 migrants into the UK - offering journeys costing up to 18,000 - before disappearing from Home Office accommodation.

The pair, who arrived in Britain themselves by small boat, were sentenced at Croydon Crown Court after admitting assisting unlawful immigration between January 2023 and April 2024.

Hop Nguyen was jailed for 12 years, while Hoang Nguyen received 10 years and six months. Both will be deported to Vietnam after serving their sentences.

Prosecutors said the duo quickly embedded themselves in a 'highly sophisticated people smuggling operation', using social media to target vulnerable Vietnamese nationals desperate to reach the UK.

Anna Dutka, prosecuting, said: 'These two defendants are in fact part of a wider people smuggling operation.

'Those migrants whom they assist to arrive illegally, they would put them in hotels, and criminal syndicates would help them abscond.'

The court heard they openly advertised their services on Facebook, promoting crossings as 'fast, convenient, and prestigious', and directing customers to message them on the Zalo app.

Hop Nguyen was jailed for 12 years after he helped traffic at least 250 migrants into the UK - offering journeys costing up to 18,000

Hoang Nguyen received 10 years and six months at Croydon Crown Court after admitting assisting unlawful immigration between January 2023 and April 2024

Ms Dutka said: 'The interpretation of the posts is quite simple: for less than 3,000 the defendants would assist travel to the UK.'

Migrants were offered a range of options, with higher prices promising more comfortable journeys - but the grim reality was far different.

Messages recovered by police revealed complaints of people being crammed into tiny spaces and travelling in unsafe dinghies.

Ms Dutka added: 'The boats were managed by third party criminal syndicates after deducting those costs, for example accommodation, profit per migrant would be 1,500 to 2,000.'

Evidence showed the scale of the operation, with officers seizing cash, phones and a ledger containing more than 1,000 names and numbers.

Hop Nguyen was caught at Euston station on February 1 last year trying to travel to Birmingham with three newly arrived migrants.

Ms Dutka said: 'On 1 February 2024, Hop was stopped at Euston in the afternoon attempting to travel to Birmingham with three migrants who had arrived by small boat.

'They immediately absconded from Home Office accommodation.'

Both defendants were arrested in April 2024 and gave no comment in police interviews.

Messages on their phones showed how they lured customers, including posts stating: 'I still have a few direct flights to the UK. Passport available everyone' and 'Orders for you guys who want to enter Europe with a cheap price.. you guys hurry and get a seat'.

In one exchange, Hop Nguyen told a migrant they would 'earn a lot of money in the UK and that life in the UK was easier than it was in Germany.'

In another, he complained about a lack of crossings, saying 'there had not been many trips lately' and added of one client: 'He should consider himself lucky to have somewhere to stay.'

Hoang Nguyen was also found offering discounted rates to family members, including a 'special price' reduced from 4,500 to 3,700.

The pair referred to migrants as 'chickens' in messages discussing pick-ups, the court heard.

Hoang Nguyen was arrested at her home in Croydon, where officers recovered 8,147 in cash. Her partner, Thuan Sy Tran, 26, is awaiting extradition to France.

In mitigation, the court heard Hop Nguyen had left school at 11 and was told he owed a 15,000 debt for his own journey to the UK after being offered free passage.

Hoang Nguyen's barrister described her life as a 'miserable' and 'hellish' existence, saying she had come to Britain to reunite with her mother and had worked in a nail bar.

Judge Antony Dunne said both would be deported after serving their sentences.

National Crime Agency Branch Commander Saju Sasikumar said: 'These defendants used social media to advertise small boats crossings for migrants, claiming cheap prices and urgency to entice people looking for a new life.

'These crossings are extremely dangerous and the defendants had no interest in the safety of those making the journey aside from ensuring they received their payment and made significant profits.

'Vietnamese nationals entering via a high risk and clandestine method like this automatically makes them vulnerable to be exploited or held under debt bondage.

'We will continue in our efforts to tackle organised immigration crime, from targeting people smugglers at every step of the route to removing social media pages attempting to advertise people smuggling.'

Hilary Ryan, from the Crown Prosecution Service, added: 'The prison sentences handed down today are the latest in a series of prosecutions of criminals bringing Vietnamese migrants illegally into the UK.

'Hop Nguyen and Hoang Nguyen advertised on Facebook and then arranged illegal travel as part of an international organised crime network trying to undermine our borders.

'Their operation was sophisticated and they stood to make hundreds of thousands of pounds and today's sentence reflects that.

'Prosecutors in the CPS continue to work with the National Crime Agency and others to disrupt these gangs and put them out of business.'
A far left Democratic socialist has taken a stunning lead over incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the race to lead the California city.

City Councilwoman Nithya Raman surged to 33 percent support in the latest poll in the LA mayoral race, leaving Bass trailing at 17 percent.

Raman has made headlines in recent years with a number of super-woke takes on how to fix Los Angeles, including blaming car manufacturers for making their catalytic converters too easy to steal during a surge in automobile thefts.

She also recently shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes when asked if it was safe for homeless encampments to be erected near the city's schools.

The poll, conducted by Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles, also found Bass is just five percent ahead of reality TV star Spencer Pratt at 12 percent.

Pratt is running as a fervent critic of Bass's leadership, in particular her handling of the Palisades Fire last year which killed almost 20 people and burned thousands of buildings, including his home.

Bass's tenure has been marked by a number of similar missteps, leaving her in danger of becoming the first LA mayor not to win re-election in over 20 years.

She faces a stacked field of opponents led by Raman, with leftist activist Rae Huang registering close behind Bass at 16 percent support, and tech executive Adam Miller at 13 percent.

While Bass maintains her lead in other polls, the latest survey shows she is far from safe in her bid to be re-elected when LA voters head to the ballot box in June.

The latest poll also found that almost 50 percent of LA voters prefer a socialist candidate, leading the polling firm's director Fernando Guerra to suggest even Bass is not liberal enough for the Blue city.

Far-left Democratic socialist Nithya Raman has taken a stunning lead over incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass in the race to lead the California city

Bass faces becoming the first Los Angeles mayor in over 20 years to lose re-election

Guerra told the LA Times that the poll, which found just eight percent of voters want an 'establishment' Democrat, may show Bass is out of touch with her electorate.

'Los Angeles is much more progressive than its elected leadership. This poll captures that,' he said.

Raman's lead comes as the City Councilwoman has launched a far-left platform and built a reputation for woke takes on Los Angeles' issues.

In 2023, during a surge in automobile thefts across the city, the local lawmaker sparked backlash by voting against banning the unlawful possession of catalytic converters, a valuable car part that is often stolen by auto-thieves.

Raman said she voted against the ban because she believed car makers were simply making the part too easy to steal.

'In this case, I think one of the things that infuriates me, is that we have a company  whatever, Toyota  who makes the Prius, that essentially has a device on their cars which is super easy to remove. Its basically the value of a MacBook, right?' she said at the time.

Despite almost 8,000 catalytic converters being stolen in 2022, Raman said her solution was to 'manufacture a car that actually is not so easy to be stolen.'

Nithya was seen on footage in 2023 shrugging her shoulders as she blamed car manufacturers for making their parts too easy to steal during a surge in automobile thefts in Los Angeles

Under Bass's leadership, homelessness has failed be brought down significantly even as the city poured over $500 million into fixing it

Raman, who is a dues-paying member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), has also come under scrutiny for her policies on solving Los Angeles's homeless issues.

Under Bass's leadership, homelessness has failed be brought down significantly even as the city poured huge funds into fixing it.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority (LAHSA), homelessness in Los Angeles in 2025 stood at a staggering 67,777 people, down just 141 people despite a reported $516 million being spent.

But when Raman was grilled about how she would solve the crisis at a debate, she drew boos from the crowd.

She told an audience in 2024 that she did not believe it would make any difference in enforcing laws banning homeless encampments from coming within 500 feet of schools, drawing the ire of the crowd.

'I dont think a kids gonna be safer if they are 10 feet or 500 feet away from a school,' Raman said, as she shrugged her shoulders on stage, reported the California Post.

She clarified in a statement after her remarks drew backlash: 'Keeping children safe is so important to me, especially as the mother of 10-year-old twins who walk to school every day.

'Rather than spending resources to move encampments down the street, where they remain on corridors where children and others walk, my focus has been on building a citywide homelessness response system that works to quickly and safely move people indoors.'

The Daily Mail has contacted Raman and Bass's offices for comment on the latest poll results and the state of the mayoral race.
A British charity promoted by celebrities including Meghan Markle has awarded its mother-and-daughter bosses pay packages worth more than half a million pounds in a single year.

The packages are revealed in the latest accounts of the charity One Young World, which is run by mother and daughter pair Kate Robertson, 70, and Ella Robertson McKay, 34.

One Young World has enjoyed a soaring public profile since Meghan Markle and her husband, Prince Harry, attended one of their summits.

Now the Mail has learned that latest accounts show CEO Ms Robertson received 275,699 and her daughter Ms Robertson McKay, who is now managing director, 226,557 in pay and benefits.

The new figures are for 2024, which was the same year that the organisation received an official warning from the Charity Commission over suspected technical governance failings dating back to 2015.

.The commission specifically intervened 'following concerns raised in the media about senior staff salaries and bonuses paid at the charity, and potential conflicts of interests, including employment of a person connected to a trustee.'

The warning did not relate to the 2024 accounts - or remuneration levels  and the historical matters are understood to have since been resolved.

The controversial charity was back in the news this week because of an incident involving its most famous supporter, Meghan - and some biting criticism of her.

Meghan and Harry greets One Young World's CEO Kate Robertson at the September 2022 summit in Manchester. One Young World has enjoyed a soaring public profile since the couple's endorsement along with other celebrities

One Young World CEO Kate Robertson received 275,699 in bonuses and salary

Ella Robertson McKay, daughter of Kate Robertson and a managing director at the charity, received 226,557 in pay and benefits

The now 44-year old Duchess of Sussex had become a One Young World 'counsellor' in 2014, and her inspirational quotes still appear on its marketing literature.

But it was her appearance as keynote speaker at the charity's Manchester summit in September 2022 that led to renewed focus this week.

A new book by celebrity biographer Tom Bower, 'Betrayal: Power, Deceit and the Fight for the Future of the Royal Family', which is published next week, claims organisers were upset by the tone of Meghan's speech.

The book claims that Meghan had offended the charity's bosses by making her speech all about herself.

Bower claims that Ella Robertson read Meghan's speech from the autocue minutes before she was due to address 2,300 people and was horrified.

He writes: 'In the countdown to the big moment, Ella Robertson read Meghan Markle's proposed speech on the Autocue.

'"She's f***ed it," groaned Robertson.'

Bower continues: 'Meghan had abandoned the billed theme: 'Ethical leadership  how can we instill transparency, honesty and integrity as core values for leaders?'

He claims: 'To Ella Robertson's anger, her [Meghan's] speech praised One Young World, who 'saw in me what I wanted to see fully in myself'. And over the next ten minutes, she spoke exclusively about herself and her rise to fame. At the end, the audience clapped politely.'

It is understood that One Young World has raised concerns about the accuracy of what was published in the book.

Meghan's speech that day revealed she had brought her exiled royal husband back to the UK - at the height of his row over money and protection - for the event because she wanted Harry to 'witness first hand my respect for this organisation'.

'It's very nice to be back in the U.K., and it's very nice to be back with all of you at One World,' Meghan began.

The charity's largest event is an annual conference held at rotating international venues.

The vast majority of One Young World's 8million plus income in 2024 came from fees to attend its conference in Montreal together with selling associated exhibition space.

Delegates were charged more than 3000 for a day pass, while one including accommodation cost over 4000.

The Charity Commission opened a 'regulatory compliance case to examine concerns about remuneration at One Young World'.

One Young World's annual summits attract a host of celebrities. At 2022's four-day summit, Harry and Meghan gave a speech during the two-hour-long opening ceremony in Manchester's Bridgewater Hall after flying to the UK

Ella Robertson was reportedly horrified by her speech because it was all about her, saying she had 'f***** it', celebrity biographer Tom Bower wrote

It now says: 'We have been assured that the actions set out in our official warning to One Young World have been implemented and our compliance case into the charity is now closed. The latest accounts submitted by the charity do not give rise to new regulatory concerns. As always, if we receive any new concerns, we will assess them in the normal way.'

A Charity Commission spokesperson added: 'Although the Charity Commission is not a regulator or controller of executive pay, we expect decisions made by trustees about executive pay to be made carefully, mindfully and in a way that ultimately serves the charity's beneficiaries.'

There was no suggestion that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who live in America, knew about the regularity concerns.

A previous Commission statement read: 'All charities should be able to look donors and volunteers in the eye and say how their decisions about pay impact on the cause they pursue or the people they help.'

The salaries of its leadership team are audited and approved by the charity's trustees.

Kate Robertson, a former advertising executive who founded the charity in 2009, was originally a trustee, but insisted she had nothing to do with setting pay levels.

The charity admitted that it only realised in 2017 that it needed Charity Commission permission to pay Mrs Robertson because she was also a trustee, having previously received legal advice to the contrary.

There was also controversy about Mrs Robertson's own daughter being employed on such a high salary although this did not form part of the Charity Commissions warning.

Despite the charity's youthful profile, celebrity participants included Sir Bob Geldof, 74, and Cher, the 79-year-old American pop star.

The charity organised its 2025 conference in Munich, Germany, and is currently planning one in Cape Town, South Africa later this year.

Kate Robertson and Ella Robertson McKay remain at the helm of the charity. It's unclear if they have taken any pay cut since 2024.

Founded in 2010 in London, the organisation pledged to bring 'young leaders' together every year in a different country to discuss global challenges.

A One Young World spokesperson said: 'One Young World was issued with a warning two years ago by the Charity Commission pertaining to technical governance matters that occurred nine years previously and at a time when the organisation was a fledgling charity. These procedural errors were made due to failings in legal advice given at the time, with the Commission itself recognising that One Young World had not acted in bad faith. The Commission closed this case in December 2024 and removed the warning altogether.

'As part of the compliance case, One Young World undertook an external compensation benchmarking exercise to ensure that compensation is awarded in line with international standards and the Charity Commission's warning has since been removed. For complete clarity, executive salaries at One Young World are independently decided and are fully compliant with English charity law.'
A Texas judge sparked outrage after footage captured him lashing out at an IT worker who was helping him fix his computer.

A video making the rounds online of Harris County Judge Nathan Milliron shows him brutally scolding a friendly IT worker who was trying to fix his computer's audio while in a courtroom.

The unpleasant interaction has prompted many to take to social media to call Milliron 'rude', 'emotional', and a 'p***k'.

Milliron appeared bothered when the video begins as the IT worker in a dark red hoodie stepped in to help.

As the judge stepped away from his bench, the computer specialist reassured him that it's a quick fix and that he won't need to go far.

With what appears to be just a few clicks, the job is complete, and the IT worker stepped back and said, 'Okay, false alarm.'

Milliron snapped at the tech specialist after he claimed the problem wasn't a serious issue: 'No, it wasn't a false alarm.'

The IT worker jokingly replied, 'False negative?', seemingly trying to lighten the tense atmosphere.

Harris County Judge Nathan Milliron was captured on viral video treating an IT worker harshly who had just fixed his computer

Milliron snapped at the IT staffer and asked someone to find his supervisor after the tech worker joked that there was no issue with his computer

However, the judge continued his brash tone with the specialist: 'Don't joke around, I'm serious about this. It was happening.'

Milliron topped off his rudeness by shooing the IT worker away while raising his hand, while sarcastically thanking him and demanding he get out of his courtroom.

While the brutal interaction finally came to an end, Milliron was not finished.

The judge took a beat before telling someone off camera to 'find his supervisor.'

'Jesus Christ. I'm sick and tired of this b******t,' the judge added.

The video has garnered millions of views across social media, with several posts simultaneously racking up thousands of comments condemning the judge's behavior.

One user wrote: 'Hate old p****s like these. Feel entitled, mad about stuff malfunctioning. That's why that guy with the red sweater is there, because you can't fix it. At least show some appreciation.'

Another asked: 'Does the judge need a fresh diaper and a nap?'

A third suggested: 'Comment section should file complaints about this guy being rude, his name and district are in the video.'

The judge's behavior sparked outrage online with many calling him and insults and suggesting that he face consequences for his poor attitude

Milliron is an elected judge and has served on the bench in the 215th District Court since January 2025 (Harris County Civil Courthouse pictured)

The Harris County District Court Administration confirmed to ABC13 that the IT staffer works for the court.

Several employees at the courthouse told the outlet that the tech specialist is a well-liked co-worker who is great at his job.

Milliron is an elected judge and has served on the bench in the 215th District Court since January 2025.

Due to his position, local court administrators have no authority to discipline him.

However, Judge Rabeea Collier, the civil court's administrative judge, released a statement to ABC13 regarding the incident on Monday afternoon: 'We are aware of the concerns raised regarding recent widely circulated footage involving a member of our Civil Division. The conduct of everyone serving in the judicial system must reflect the professionalism, respect, and impartiality that the public rightly expects.'

'While it would be inappropriate to comment on specific matters that may be subject to review, I want to assure the public that we take these concerns seriously. The Civil Trial Division is committed to maintaining a workplace grounded in respect and to upholding the integrity of the judicial process.'

'There are established procedures to address concerns about judicial conduct, and those processes exist to ensure fairness, accountability, and due consideration of all relevant facts.'

'In the meantime, our focus remains on serving the community with fairness, dignity, and respect for all who come before the Civil Division.'

The Daily Mail reached out to Milliron who declined to comment.

The State Commission on Judicial Conduct also told the Daily Mail that 'Due to the agencys Constitutional and statutory confidentiality rules, we are prohibited from disclosing whether or not a complaint has been filed, or an investigation is pending, against any Texas judge.'
Pete Hegseth revealed that he made a secret trip to an undisclosed area in the Middle East amid reports Donald Trump is preparing to order a ground invasion of Iran.

Hegseth said during a Pentagon press briefing on Tuesday morning that he visited service members in the US Central Command area over the weekend.

The Defense Secretary refused to name the bases he visited so that they would not be targeted by Iran.

'The trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America. I witnessed warriors, a brotherhood of men and women, warriors all,' Hegseth said.

'Active duty guard and reserve, united in their love for each other, their shared purpose and their commitment to the mission...I witnessed sheer competency.'

Hegseth noted that the visit was a surprise for the troops who were unaware he planned to stop for the inspection.

'It was not rehearsed or scripted. Sometimes we just wandered,' Hegseth said. 'What I witnessed was motivation. It was sheer mission focus. It was the American warrior unleashed.'

The secret trip comes amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks-long ground operations in Iran, potentially involving thousands of US soldiers and Marines. Special operations forces and conventional infantry units could be deployed if the President chooses to escalate the war.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth posted photos from his secret trip to the Middle East

Hegseth met with troops on the ground during his undisclosed trip

Hegseth revealed that he made a secret trip to an undisclosed area in the Middle East amid reports Trump is preparing for a ground invasion of Iran

Smoke and flames rise at the site of airstrikes on an oil depot in Tehran on March 7

The secret trip comes amid reports that the Pentagon is preparing for weeks-long ground operations in Iran, potentially involving thousands of US soldiers and Marines

Hegseth declined to tell reporters on Tuesday whether or not the US military will deploy ground troops against Iran.

'You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do or what you are not willing to do to include boots on the ground,' he said.

Hegseth added: 'Our adversary right now thinks there are 15 different ways we could come at them with boots on the ground. And guess what? There are.'

Trump has reportedly signaled he is willing to end the Iran war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

The President yesterday threatened to bomb Iran's power plants, oil wells, desalination plants and Kharg Island if the waterway is not opened 'immediately'.

But according to the Wall Street Journal, he has told aides he would be willing to pull out of the conflict if the strait remains blocked.

The secretary of war posted photos after a top secret trip to the Middle East

I witnessed warriors. A brotherhood of men and women - warriors all. pic.twitter.com/S7cDcATpOI  Secretary of War Pete Hegseth (@SecWar) March 31, 2026

Any US exit from the war without unblocking the strait will likely extend Tehran's grip on the key oil route and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

It comes after the US unleashed devastating air strikes on an ammunition depot believed to house Iran's enriched uranium.

While a massive Kuwaiti oil tanker full of fuel was struck by an Iranian drone while anchored in Dubai as violence continues to rage at the start of the fifth week of the conflict.

Trump posted video of the US strike in the city of Isfahan to his Truth Social page, showing the 2,000lb bombs that set off a series of explosions in the night sky.

The Defense Secretary refused to name the bases he visited so that Trump would not be targeted by Iran

Closing the Strait of Hormuz has proven relatively inexpensive for the regime, relying on drones and explosive suicide boats to disrupt global shipping

Hegseth mocked US allies during his Tuesday briefing

The President did not provide any information about the enormous explosion with the video on his social media post.

An American official confirmed that the video showed the bunker buster strikes on Isfahan.

The US strikes came after reports Trump is considering a military operation to send special operations forces deep inside Iran to seize its stockpile of enriched uranium at sites that include Isfahan.

Fire-tracking satellites from NASA suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions, common with ammunition, igniting in a blaze. Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US during the 12-day war between Iran and Israel in June last year.
MS-13 gangster went human hunting for victims they could abduct and mutilate, prosecutors have told a shocking murder trial.

Federal prosecutors at the Lloyd D George Courthouse in Las Vegas on Monday claimed that three members of the notorious Salvadorian gang contributed to a murder spree of 11 killings.

Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame, and Joel Vargas-Escobar face charges including murder, RICO conspiracy, and possessing a firearm during a crime.

The near dozen murders occurred in Nevada and California between 2017 and 2018, according to court records, seen by the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

Assistant US Attorney Melanee Smith explained to the court how the men allegedly killed on behalf of MS-13 to gain prominence within the gang.

Smith said to the jury that most nights, 'They went out hunting, looking for people they could kill.'

She detailed the horrific murder of Izaak Towery, who was kidnapped at knifepoint and stabbed 235 times.

Smith explained how MS-13 and the 18th Street gang are rivals, which has led to innocent people being mistaken for gang members.

Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, an alleged member of MS-13, is accused on several charges including murder, RICO conspiracy, and possessing a firearm during a crime

David Arturo Perez-Manchame is also facing multiple charges. Prosecutors, claim he committed eight murders in 2018 which his lawyer denied

Joel Vargas-Escobar, who is charged alongside Reyes-Castillo and Perez-Manchame, is charged in several crimes as well

Towery was mistaken as being a part of 18th Street, said Smith.

A member of MS-13 tried to question him, she said, but because he only spoke English while they only understood Spanish, the situation ended in tragedy.

'Towery had no idea what was going on,' said Smith.

She added details about the harrowing murder of Abel Rodriguez, a 19-year-old father, who was taken to a field and became unrecognizable after he was viciously stabbed.

An indictment cited by the outlet accuses Reyes-Castillo of killing Rodriguez.

Additionally, Reyes-Castillo was named again alongside Perez-Manchame for allegedly killing Towery.

Others also played a role in the deaths of Rodriguez and Towery, said Smith.

Some of those men who participated in the murders agreed to cooperate with the government, said Smith.

Izaak Towery, who was kidnapped at knifepoint and stabbed 235 times allegedly by members of MS-13. Reyes-Castillo was and Perez-Manchame were accused for allegedly killing Towery alongside other contributors

MS-13 is a hyper-violent Salvadoran drug gang whose motto is 'kill, steal, rape, control' (MS-13 members - not Jose Luis Reynaldo Reyes-Castillo, David Arturo Perez-Manchame, or Joel Vargas-Escobar)

The three defendants' attorneys questioned the integrity of the witness accounts, claiming that they are incentivized to provide information in exchange for reduced sentences.

Andrea Luem, a lawyer for Perez-Manchame, explained that his client was an immigrant from Honduras who spent time with an MS-13 member but never became a member.

His attorney argued that he was around the gang in 2017 when a murder occurred until he cut ties. His lawyer claimed he had nothing to do with that killing.

However, Prosectors claim he committed eight murders in 2018, according to the Review Journal.

Vargas-Escobar's attorney, Nathan Chambers, explained to the court that his client is charged with two killings based on an unreliable government witness's testimony.

'Consider if you would trust any of these people if you had the misfortune of running into them outside of this courtroom,' Chambers said.

The trial taking place at the Lloyd D George Courthouse in Las Vegas is expected to last three months

The defense attorney's claim was echoed by Attorney Richard Wright, who represents Reyes-Castillo.

Wright noted that the witness accounts were inconsistent and were placing blame on themselves to his client: 'The more you squeal, the better the deal.'

Smith appeared to acknowledge concerns regarding the cooperator's credibility by urging the jury to listen to the witness and determine if it was supported by other evidence.

According to the Review Journal, the trial is expected to take three months.
Iconic San Diego beaches have been forced to close amid the ongoing Tijuana Sewage Crisis that is plaguing Southern California communities.

The county's Department of Environmental Health and Quality has closed the Tijuana Slough Shoreline, Silver Strand Shoreline, Imperial Beach and North Beach due to high bacteria levels.

Advisories also remain in place for the San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, La Jolla Shores and the San Luis Rey River Outlet.

The beaches impacted by high bacteria levels extend two miles from the US-Mexico border. The entire shoreline in the Imperial Beach neighborhood has been closed.

The Environmental Health and Quality Department lifted the closure for Avenida Lunar Beach in the Coronado neighborhood on Monday.

Beaches near the southern border are frequently closed due to cross-border flows and degradation of the Tijuana River Estuary.

From October 2023 to May of last year, the San Diego Coastkeeper estimated 31 billion gallons of raw sewage, polluted water and trash had flowed down the Tijuana River into the Tijuana River Valley and the Pacific Ocean.

Sewage infrastructure in Tijuana is outdated and not designed to withstand the city's rapid population growth, so it often spills into nearby bodies of water during the rainy season.

Several beaches along the San Diego coastline near the Southern Border have been closed due to sewage pollution. Residents advocating for change at a protest in Coronado are pictured above in 2023

The closure for Avenida Lunar Beach in Coronado, pictured above, was lifted on Monday. Imperial Beach is still closed

Beaches near the Tijuana River Estuary are frequently closed due to the city's weak infrastructure. Human waste bubbles at the South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant are pictured above

The South Bay International Wastewater Treatment Plant, located in San Diego, California, is designed to treat wastewater before discharging it into the Pacific Ocean and has met federal and state water quality requirements since November 2024.

While beach closures in the region are primarily caused by sewage flows from the Tijuana River originating in Mexico, the South Bay plant releases treated wastewater. In recent years, millions of dollars have been invested to rehabilitate the facility and increase its treatment capacity from 25 million gallons per day to 35 million gallons per day, with plans underway to expand capacity further to 50 million gallons per day.

Stormwater can carry the sewage north to San Diego beaches, contaminating the water and creating a public health risk.

Those who are exposed to untreated sewage can contract gastrointestinal infections, hepatitis and respiratory illnesses.

Sewage can also negatively impact air quality. Over the weekend, the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District issued an alert for residents in Imperial Beach, Nestor and San Ysidro.

Officials detected elevated levels of hydrogen sulfide in the air from wastewater and sewage flows from the Tijuana River Valley.

Beach goers are advised not to swim in the water when officials detect elevated levels of bacteria. Doing so can result in a series of illnesses. A sign warning residnets not to swim in Coronado is pictured above

The Tijuana Slough Shoreline, pictured above, is frequently impacted by sewage contamination

Hydrogen sulfide can exacerbate existing conditions, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Hydrogen sulfide can also produce a rotten-egg smell. Residents have reported headaches and nausea from the odor.

Watershed management of the Tijuana River has been overseen by the International Boundary and Water Commission since 1944, but local leaders have recently called on officials to take stronger action to combat the sewage crisis.

In December, the Environmental Protection Agency announced a new agreement with Mexico to enhance wastewater infrastructure to accommodate Tijuana's population growth.
Vagrants and drug abusers have appeared on a millionaire-filled island days after the opening of a tram link to downtown Seattle that residents tried desperately to block.

Mercer Island's light rail station only opened on Saturday, amid howls of outrage from well-heeled locals who feared an influx of social issues from Seattle's famously rough city center seven miles away.

Just days into the opening of the new Sound Transit extension, local police reports show that is exactly what happened.

The train line has already been hit with several instances of homeless drug users riding onto the beautiful, water-surrounded enclave, including the first recorded overdose on the train's first day.

That incident saw a man overdose at the newly opened Mercer Island train station, which led first responders to save him with Narcan - a nasal spray that rapidly reverses the effects of opiates - according to Crime Radar.

On Saturday, transit officers were dispatched to the Mercer Island train stop to reports of a person smoking and sleeping on the railway, reports showed.

And in a third incident later that day, police were called to remove a man trespassing at the train station, refusing to leave the millionaire island when ordered to, the crime tracking site recorded.

Residents on Mercer Island, an exclusive millionaire island near Seattle, say their picturesque lifestyle has already been ruined days into the launch of a new train line to crime-ridden Seattle

A homeless man is seen in Seattle in January. The wealthy suburb of Mercer Island now faces having slews of vagrants show up on its smart doorsteps

The new trainline to Mercer Island had been furiously opposed by residents since it was first proposed in 2016, with Seattle only become more plagued by crime and squalor in the ensuing decade.

The Democrat-run city has recently elected a woke new mayor, Katie Wilson, whose progressive policy platform includes previously advocating for defunding the police.

Seattle's city attorney Erika Evans has also made it clear she wants to avoid charging open drug use as a crime, raising fears that the city's issues could now easily spread into Mercer Island.

Seattle is famed for its natural beauty and is the home of Amazon, Microsoft and Starbucks - but has more recently become a byword for progressive politics run amok.

The city has some of the worst crime statistics in the nation, with an overall crime rate at almost triple the national average, according to Security.org's 2025 report on FBI data.

The chances of being a victim of a violent crime in Seattle stand at a staggering one-in-132, and its murder, rape, robbery and assault rates are all far higher than the national average.

On a visit to Seattle earlier this year, the Daily Mail found its downtown, Beacon Hill, South of Downtown (SODO) and Chinatown neighborhoods were all filled with drug users on street corners, in bus stops and huddled in doorways.

Well before the trainline project, dubbed The Crosslake Connection, broke ground in 2016, residents were already up in arms about the prospect of the light rail.

Lawsuits were brought by some of the 25,000 residents raising a whole host of concerns over the project.

One group Moms 4 Safe Mercer Island (M4SMI), banded together to strongly oppose the plans citing public safety, crime and congestion as potential issues.

Co-founder Olivia Lippens previously told Mercer Island Reporter: 'This is troubling. This is insane.

'I see this as a significant risk from a public safety perspective, a tax perspective, and a lifestyle perspective. I am hugely concerned.'

Victor Raisys, who co-owns a book store on the island, also told the outlet: 'As an Island resident and a business owner, I see no upside and only downside.'

Furious residents of the millionaire island say they fear crime from Seattle could easily spread to their community under the leadership of far-left mayor Katie Wilson

Homeless man try to keep warm in downtown Seattle. Mercer Island residents' worst fears about the same issue migrating to their island now appear to have come to pass

Seattle's iconic Space Needle and Museum of Pop Culture have been sullied by squalid homeless encampments, with few expecting the city's woke new mayor to steer things in the correct direction

Homes on Mercer Island average $2.4 million, and residents say they enjoyed its exclusiveness and safety despite being so close to the city of Seattle

The exclusive enclave has already seen several instances of vagrants overdosing and trespassing in the first days of the new train line

Raisys specifically voiced concerns over the increase in people on the island which he feared would lead to an increase in violent crimes.

He added: 'Im concerned about the increased crime and the impact on my business and the increased costs on my business.'

Maretta Holden, a retiree, also previously told The Seattle Times: 'It won't help me in any way, shape or form. I don't go anywhere it's going.'

After plans were eventually approved, locals have turned their attention to the lack of parking spaces for the railway station.

The train stop sits beside a 447-spot park-and-ride garage at the north end of the island which replaced a lot with only 257 that would be filled by most early mornings.

Sound Transit, who is running the train project, brought in plans to again increase the size of the parking garage, which the city council shot down over fears more people would come to the island.

They instead backed a smaller two-story garage to protect the neighborhood it is based in, The Seattle Times reported that it is packed out daily by commuters.

At a City Council meeting in February, Councilmember Lisa Anderl pressed officials at Sound Transit over crime and drug use on the train.

She asked executives how they planned to cut down on crime and substance abuse onboard.

In response, they told her that security officers would be stationed at every stop on the light rail, but stopped at having an officer on every train.

She was also told that a cell number would be made public where train users could call or text to alert workers to any issues onboard.

City Manager Jessi Bon also added that Mercer Island had deployed two permanent positions in the local police department due to the light rail being brought in.
A man at the center of a $3 million taxpayer fraud connected to a sweeping Minnesota scam has been sentenced to only one year and one day in prison.

Abdul Abubakar Ali pleaded guilty in 2022 for his role in the Feeding Our Future scandal in Minneapolis, which prosecutors have described as one of the largest pandemic-era fraud schemes.

He admitted using the nonprofit Youth Inventors Lab as a shell company to siphon millions of dollars through fraudulent reimbursement claims for roughly 1.5 million meals that were never served to children in need.

As the organization raked in more than $3 million in reimbursements, he reportedly carved out at least $129,000 for himself.

On Monday, Judge Nancy Brasel sentenced Ali to just over a year behind bars - a punishment that sparked outrage across the city, according to KARE 11 News.

Despite initially pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud, additional charges of money laundering conspiracy and wire fraud were ultimately dismissed at sentencing as part of his plea deal.

Ali apologized to the court after learning his fate, vowing to spend 'the rest of my life' attempting to make things right.

'Your honor, I just want to say I'm sorry to everyone that my actions have hurt,' he told Brasel, according to the outlet.

Abdul Abubakar Ali (pictured) was sentenced to federal prison on Monday, more than three years after he pleaded guilty for his role in the Feeding Our Future scandal in Minneapolis

Ali admitted using a nonprofit as a shell company to siphon over $3 million in reimbursements for millions of meals that were never served to children, pocketing at least $129,000 for himself

Judge Nancy Brasel (pictured) sentenced Ali to a year and a day behind bars, featuring a legal technicality that allows him to transfer to a halfway house with good behavior

Feeding Our Future founder Aimee Bock seen walking into federal court with her attorney, Kenneth Udoibok, last month

'This was a mistake,' he added. 'I will try to correct it for the rest of my life. It's not something that's in the past. I've let down a lot of people. I promise I will attempt to fix it for the rest of my life. So, I'm sorry.'

Ali's sentence includes a legal technicality that could pave the way to a halfway house with good behavior, despite pocketing more than $100,000 in taxpayer money for himself.

All parties - Judge Brasel, defense attorney Kevin Gregorius and Assistant US Attorney Matthew Murphy - agreed that Ali had shown genuine remorse, emphasizing that he was among the first to plead guilty more than three years ago.

Murphy, not part of the initial prosecutions in the Feeding Our Future scandal, said his immediate cooperation sparked a chain of guilty pleas and played a key role in building the government's case in the broader investigation.

'Mr Ali did immediately accept responsibility, within weeks of being indicted, accepted responsibility and wholly admitted his guilt and provided very valuable and useful information to the government at a very early stage,' he said.

Both the government and Ali's defense attorney requested a probationary sentence, noting that he had accepted responsibility for his actions in the years since, including having already paid $90,000 of the $122,000 in restitution he owed.

To defend Ali, his attorney - appearing emotional - recalled conversations with his client dating back to their very first call, according to KSTP 5 News.

Gregorius said that from the very first moment, Ali was 'very clear' about his wrongdoing and expressed a desire to cooperate with the government in every way possible.

Defense attorney Kevin Gregorius (pictured) said from the beginning, Ali was 'very clear' about his wrongdoing and expressed a desire to cooperate with the government

The Feeding Our Future probe represents the largest singlefraud case pursued by the US Attorneys Office in recent memory (pictured: FBI raiding building in 2022)

Much of the money discovered during the 2022 probe was funneled into shell companies and spent on shopping sprees and real estate

Assistant US Attorney Matthew Murphy (pictured) said Ali's cooperation sparked a chain of guilty pleas and helped build the government's broader investigation case

The judge rejected Ali's bid for probation, saying prison was necessary because he had recruited a friend to the scheme and submitted claims for meals that were 'completely made up' - not exaggerated.

'This is part of a very large fraud scheme, the largest in the District of Minnesota and one of the largest ever in the country,' Brasel said, according to KARE.

'You stand responsible for that, and for that reason, I just can't see, despite your cooperation, a non-custodial sentence here,' she added.

Brasel explained that the denial stemmed from multiple 'aggravating factors' beyond the financial loss, including the serious harm done to public confidence in government programs, which she said has been 'substantially undermined.'

'We are still having a conversation in this state about the structure of government programs, given the fraud you participated in, and the impact and ripples of that scheme just keep going on and on and on, and you are one reason for it,' she said.

While agreeing that Ali 'operated an egregiously fraudulent food site,' Murphy nonetheless urged the court for a lighter prison sentence.

'I would say that Mr Ali's conduct is an aberration from an otherwise law-abiding life. His life is rather remarkable,' Murphy said, according to the outlet.

He laid out the defendant's resume: a bachelor's in engineering from Mankato State, a master's in electrical engineering from Purdue and years of work as a professional engineer.

Murphy explained that Ali's return to Minnesota marked the start of 'a very, very poor decision,' as he became involved in social welfare programs he would later exploit.

The judge ultimately decided that, while probation was off the table, Ali's early cooperation justified a sentence below the recommended 30 to 36 months.

Following the official sentence, attorney Gregorius told KARE he strongly disagreed with the decision to send Ali to prison at all.

'Hes going to spend probably the rest of his life, devoted to making things right, not just for himself but for his family and for the people in this state,' he said.

Later, Gregorius added: 'Why does anyone do this? Its opportunity and a little bit of greed, and I truly believe that when this began, Mr Ali had the best of intentions, and I think he was involving himself in what he thought was still a legitimate program.'

'By the time he realized it was not, I think it was a situation that he was already in it.'

Ali confessed that he and his co-conspirators relied on fake invoices for food and services, falsely claiming to have served over 1.5 million meals provided by S & S Catering in just seven months.

Social media exploded after the news broke, with thousands on X condemning the US judicial system and arguing that the punishment was far too light.

The DOJ said the scheme saw $250 million intended to feed children from low-income families during the pandemic fraudulently taken

Brasel was nominated to a vacant seat by President Donald Trump in 2018, succeeding Judge Ann D Montgomery

More than 60 people have been convicted in the case so far and a total of 79 have now pleaded guilty or been convicted

'F*** it, I'm opening a few daycares and a Medicare hospice care center, so you do a few years for several million dollars, which is a lot easier than working until you hit 70,' one comment read.

A second said: 'It's time for the DOJ to start doing their f***ing job when it comes to these f***ing woke judges.'

'The judge must take this fraudster into her own home after that 1 year. They have to live with the consequences,' a viewer added.

Another wrote: 'This is a travesty. And it's going to be how the rest of the Somali cases will go if they are tried in Minnesota.'

While many comments labeled Brasel as a 'woke leftist judge,' she was actually nominated to a vacant seat by President Donald Trump in 2018, succeeding Judge Ann D Montgomery.

She was rated 'unanimously well qualified' by the American Bar Association and was recommended to the Trump administration for a federal judgeship by Senator Amy Klobuchar.

To date, more than 60 people have been convicted in the case - most from Minnesotas Somali community - and a total of 79 have now pleaded guilty or been convicted.

Some $250 million intended to feed children from low-income families during the pandemic was fraudulently taken, according to the Department of Justice.

The criminals falsely claimed they had served 91 million meals. Instead, much of the money was funneled into shell companies and squandered on shopping sprees and real estate, including properties in Kenya and the Maldives.

The probe has become a national story, representing the largest singlefraud case pursued by the US Attorneys Office in recent memory.
Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) has now christened its newest ship, the Norwegian Luna, in Miami, Florida.

The 3,565passenger ship had just completed its maiden voyage, departing Italy on March 10 for Miami.

Norwegian Luna Christened

According to a report by TravelPulse, the christening ceremony took place in Norwegian Cruise Line's terminal at PortMiami.

NCL CEO Marc Kazlauskas was on hand at the christening, sharing that the Luna is a special ship for him as his daughter had gotten engaged onboard the previous day, per Travel Weekly.

Other executives present include Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings CEO John Chidsey and NCL Chief Sales Officer John Chernesky.

Serving as the Luna's godmother is street artist ELLE, who designed the artwork of the ship's hull.

Norwegian Luna's Christening Cruise

The Norwegian Luna is now on its three-night christening cruise. Guests include a number of company executives, travel advisors, brand partners and journalists.

According to the report, guests will be taken to Great Stirrup Cay, Norwegian Cruise Line's private destination in the Bahamas.

"Norwegian Luna now begins her own journey," said Norwegian Luna Captain Robert Lundberg. "Just as the moon has led the way for generations, Luna is set to lead the way in our industry... She will guide us toward new horizons and unforgettable experiences at sea."
A Louisiana mother is gunning for legislative change after her late toddler was buried without her heart.

Krystal Romeros two-year-old daughter, Gracey Claire Rushing, died unexpectedly in 2009.

An autopsy was performed after Gracey's death, and she was later buried. Romero said no cause of death was ever confirmed, according to KLFY10.

Nearly two months later, a second autopsy was ordered for the two-year-old and took about 10 months to complete.

The harrowing results revealed Gracey was buried without all of her internal organs, specifically her heart.

'I had went back to the coroners office and repeated what the funeral home had told me, and it was basically like "I dont know what to tell you." And it was dismissed,' Romero told the outlet. She was just 23-years-old when this unfolded.

What followed was what Romero calls 'eight years of unanswered questions.'

The distressed mother said she contacted coroner offices, funeral homes, and pathologists, but each pointed fingers at the others.

Louisiana mother Krystal Romero was just 23 when her baby girl, Gracey Claire Rushing, died unexpectedly

Romero said her two-year-old was buried without her heart and is now behind new legislative change

In the summer of 2017, Graceys heart was discovered at a nearby coroners office -the same office Romero had be contacting for years.

'Three burials. One daughter,' Romero wrote on Facebook. Gracey was buried on three separate occasions: September 2009, May 2010, and August 2017.

Unlike other parents preparing for their childrens milestones, Romero says she doesnt have that. But she hopes to 'turn her pain into purpose.'

'Putting a bill in place [will] hopefully prevent any other parents or any family from having to go through what I did,' she told the outlet.

Romero is the spearhead behind House Bill 454, the Gracey Claire Rushing Act, authored by Representative Rhonda Butler.

The bill proposes 'a mandatory chain of custody protocol for the handling, examination, and return of human remains and internal organs during autopsies and forensic investigations in this state.'

It seeks to ensure transparency and accountability in autopsy procedures, mandating that coroners, pathologists, and funeral homes sign a chain-of-custody document verifying that a body is received with all major organs intact.

Funeral homes would be obligated to inform all parties if the document is not properly completed.

Romero proposed House Bill 545, also called the Gracey Claire Rushing Act, which will ensure transparency in autopsy procedures

Some medical professionals oppose her bill, but Romero says she will continue to fight for Gracey

'It should be documented, and if its not, the funeral home would notify the coroner and the pathologist and keep a record of what happened,' she told the outlet.

Some opponents argued that the bill is unnecessary and would create extra burdens for medical professionals who already follow established procedures.

State coroners and pathologists warn the new rules could bog them down with paperwork and cause more trouble than help, insisting their existing standards protect families well enough, the outlet reported.

In Louisiana, coroners, pathologists, and funeral homes arent required to track organ transfers. Each has its own rules, leaving families without a reliable way to confirm their loved one was buried whole.

Romero's bill is headed for committee review, and if approved, it will advance to a House vote before moving on to the Senate.

'I am no longer that 23-year-old girl they could dismiss. I will keep fighting for Gracey Claire and for every family that comes after her,' she told the outlet.
A Wisconsin mother has confessed to killing her teenage daughter to 'protect her' from Elon Musk, then called 911 and asked for a hearse, prosecutors say.

Tyiece Oninski, 41, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the murder of her 14-year-old daughter, Kuren Rein.

She called the non-emergency number of the Rock County Communications Center on March 20, claiming she had killed her daughter, and attempted suicide the night before at their home in the Town of Turtle.

Oninski said she 'murdered [Rein] to protect her from somebody else, period,' later explaining the person in question was Elon Musk, according to the criminal complaint obtained by WMTV.

It is unclear why Oninski identified the Tesla founder as the person her daughter, who was a freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, needed protection from.

The dispatcher asked if they should call an ambulance for Rein, and Oninski allegedly replied, 'She's dead, honey. She needs a hearse,' according to the complaint.

When police arrived at the scene, they discovered Oninski with lacerations on her neck, both wrists and an apparent stab wound on her temple, WKOW reported.

Rein was found inside the house, face down, surrounded by a pool of blood, deceased from multiple stab wounds, according to the court document.

Tyiece Oninski, 41, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide for the murder of her 14-year-old daughter

Oninski told police that she murdered her daughter, Kuren Rein, 'to protect her from somebody else, period,' later explaining the person in question was Elon Musk

Investigators noted a knife and sheath were found nearby, and a partial barefoot footprint was found inside the home.

A detective then discovered that Oninski's left foot appeared to have red staining on the bottom, the complaint stated.

Oninski was taken to the hospital, where prosecutors say she tested positive for benzodiazepines, amphetamines and THC.

She has been booked at the Rock County Jail and is being held on a $1 million bond. Her next court appearance is scheduled for April 14.

If convicted of first-degree intentional homicide, Oninski faces a sentence of life behind bars.

A funeral for Rein has been organized for April 3. Her family has launched a GoFundMe to help pay for the expenses.

'Our hearts are shattered as we share the unimaginable loss of a beautiful 14-year-old life taken far too soon,' the fundraiser stated.

'She was loved deeply and will be missed beyond measure. Her life mattered, and she deserves to be honored with dignity and care.'

The dispatcher asked if they should call an ambulance for Rein, and Oninski allegedly replied, 'She's dead, honey. She needs a hearse'

It is unclear why Oninski identified the Tesla founder as the person her daughter, who was a freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, needed protection from

Megan Oninski, Rein's aunt, told WMTV that 'Kuren was kind, intelligent, and maintained such contagious optimism, even in the darkest of times.'

'This tragedy is the devastating ending to a years-long battle amongst family members and the overworked system put in place to protect our children,' she added.

'Our hope, coming out of this terrible event for so many, is that it is an unforgettable reminder to stay fighting for change in our society, to keep love and faith alive, and to keep joy in the connections made throughout life. She will be missed by so many.'

Aimee Sorensen, whose stepson was friends with Rein, said the two would regularly spend time together after school.

'She was always fun to be around. She brought out the best in our son. He can be very quiet and shy, and she was always very laughy and giggly, and just always super friendly and respectful,' Sorensen told WKOW.

Neighbor Karen Miller said Rein was a great student who hoped to join the military and loved animals.

'Very devastating. Kuren was a wonderful young lady,' said Miller. 'She was just a wonderful, beautiful soul.'
A promising young schoolgirl has been killed in a high-speed crash as she made her way back from prom.

Patience Price, 18, died around 3.30am Saturday in Georgia after she forgot to wear her seatbelt and was ejected from the passenger seat of a Mercedes.

The unnamed driver, who police said did not appear to be impaired, whipped around a sharp turn on Chapel Hill Road, Douglas County, Georgia State Patrol said.

'The vehicle left the roadway on the right shoulder, struck an embankment, became airborne, and overturned multiple times,' read their report obtained by the Daily Mail.

Price died at the scene. A second passenger in the back seat was hospitalized with serious injuries. The driver sustained minor injuries.

The Chapel Hill High Schooler had just attended her senior prom held at the Delta Flight Museum.

She was a promising young student who graduated early due to outstanding grades - but she never got to receive her diploma.

Her heartbroken friend, Jazzlyn Scott, told WSB-TV that Price had 'so much to live for.'

Patience Price died on her way home from prom in a high-speed car crash on Saturday

Price, 18, was a senior at Chapel Hill High School in Douglas County, Georgia

'She just had so much love,' Scott said. 'She had so much to live for. She had graduated early. She didn't even get to walk the stage.'

Scott said residents in the area knew how dangerous the road where Price died can be.

'It's a very sharp turn,' she said. 'Everybody who lives over here knows you need to slow down when you get over here.'

A memorial was created at the crash site in Price's honor, adorned with flowers and stuffed animals.

An ominous shoe belonging to one of the back-seat passengers was left behind at the tragic scene.

Friend and fellow high school senior Cierra Jefferson told WALB that Price had 'the brightest smile.'

'She was never sad. She always uplifted people. She had the biggest heart ever,' Jefferson said.

'She was just a great person, so bubbly and full of personality, and she was so animated, and she was just the best friend that you could have to talk to.'

Price's family said she was thoughtful, bright and 'full of life'

Loved ones started a GoFundMe for Price's family as they navigated planning a funeral amid the loss of their daughter.

A tribute to her on the fundraising page remembered the promising teenager as 'thoughtful' and 'bright.'

'With her warm spirit and beautiful smile, she had a gentle way of brightening any room she entered,' it read.

'She loved her family deeply and stood by them with a quiet strength that meant so much to us all.'

The family shared that Price had undergone complications with her kidneys.

'She faced kidney challenges with courage and grace, and today we find comfort in believing she is at peace and fully healed,' they wrote.

Money raised for her family will go toward funeral services honoring her life.

Price was a senior at Chapel Hill High School. The school held their prom earlier that evening

A memorial was set up off of the treacherous road where Price lost her life

Chapel Hill High School offered grief counselors to students struck by Price's sudden death.

Principal Melisha Plummer said the school community was 'deeply saddened' by her death.

'She was a bright and resilient young woman who met challenges head-on with strength and determination,' she said.

'Her spirit, perseverance, and light will be deeply missed by our entire school community.'

The incident is still under investigation by state police.

The Daily Mail contacted Chapel Hill High School and the Georgia State Patrol for more information.
A husband and wife from Massachusetts have been identified as two of the three people who died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Hawaii's Kauai island last week.

Patrick Haskell, 59, and Margaret Rimmler, 65, were visiting from Scituate, an affluent coastal town just south of Boston.

The couple was taking an aerial tour of Hawaii's northernmost island with a company called Airborne Aviation when the helicopter they were riding went down off the coast of Kalalau Beach at around 3.45pm on March 26.

Haskell recently retired from his family-owned insurance company, and Rimmler had a long career in marketing. The couple lived in a beautiful, $1.2million home right by the beach.

Haskell's company, Haskell Insurance Agency, released a statement that said the late husband's 'kindness and selfless nature impacted all who knew him.'

Allison Baldwin, a friend of Rimmler who graduated high school with her, told Hawaii News Now: 'I was speaking with some of our high school friends that Ive stayed in touch with over the years, and were all equally shocked and saddened and wish her family well.'

Dramatic footage captured the moments after the helicopter crashed into the ocean, showing it in the water as several people were being treated on the shoreline.

A total of five passengers were on the aircraft. Two of them survived and were transported to Wilcox Medical Center to be treated for their injuries.

Patrick Haskell, 59, and Margaret Rimmler, 65, were identified as two of those who died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Hawaii's Kauai island on March 26. The couple is pictured

Haskell had recently retired. He and his wife lived in a beautiful $1.2million home right next to the beach in Scituate, Massachusetts, just south of Boston

Dramatic footage showed the crashed helicopter in the water off the coast of Hawaii's Kauai island. A total of five people were on the aircraft. Three of them died, and two survived

Their identities were not made public, and the identity of the third deceased victim has not yet been released either. Officials have only confirmed that she was a 40-year-old woman.

The US Coast Guard said its Honolulu command center received a report of the crash from Kauai Police Dispatch around 3.50pm, yielding a huge emergency response.

An MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew, a 45-foot Response Boat crew and the crew of Coast Guard Cutter Oliver Berry were dispatched by the Coast Guard for the rescue operation.

They were assisted by an Air 1 helicopter crew with the Kauai Fire Department and Ocean Safety Bureau officers aboard jet skis, the Coast Guard added.

The Kauai Police Department, Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources, Kauai Emergency Management Agency and American Medical Response all responded to the crash as well.

Kauai fire officials reported 'spotty' conditions during the rescue. Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson said: 'It was off and on - the rain, the wind, and as well as the surf. We have some communication weakness when we go that far north.'

He added that first responders spent a significant amount of time pulling one of the victims from the crashed helicopter, as the individual was trapped inside.

'That took well over an hour from the time of our initial arrival because the primary efforts were placed on those that were already on the beach,' the fire chief said.

The crash yielded a large emergency response from several agencies, including the Coast Guard. A rescue boat and helicopter are pictured

Ocean Safety Bureau officers also responded to the crash aboard jet skis (pictured). Kauai fire officials reported 'spotty' conditions during the rescue

'I know that by the time they had extricated that final person from the helicopter, the weather conditions were very rough.'

Gibson also described the emotional toll of last week's rescue operation. 'These are the types of incidents that our personnel train for: the complex, high-risk operations in remote locations,' he said.

'But there is no amount of training that lessens the emotional weight of something like this.'

Airborne Aviation released a statement offering its condolences and suspended its operations 'indefinitely' following the crash of its tour helicopter.

Doug Froning, Airborne Aviations director of operations, said: 'It hits all of us to our core when something like this happens, all of us in the industry.

'Right now, we have suspended all operations for an indefinite period of time until were certain we can continue safely.'

Froning added that the company will 'do all we can' to help the families of the victims.

The Federal Aviation Administration and National Transportation Safety Board are investigating the cause of the crash.

The area where the crash unfolded on the island's Na Pali Coast is among the most sought-after helicopter ride routes in Hawaii, and it was the site of another fatal crash in july 2024

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The stretch of beaches where the crash unfolded, the Na Pali Coast, is among the most sought-after routes for helicopter rides on Kauai, offering aerial views of steep mountain faces and pristine beaches.

The coastline has also been the location of similar helicopter crashes in recent years, including a fatal July 2024 crash that killed a pilot and two passengers.

Months before, in February 2024, another crash on the same coastline led to one injury.
This is the moment a man who smothered his ex to death with blue tape the day after they broke up confessed to police 'I've killed my girlfriend' on the side of a motorway.

Norbert Maiksner, 49, murdered 'devoted mother' Frances Obiefuleh, 45, in her own home in Havant, Hampshire, on April 16 last year.

He was found the next day walking along a slip road of the M40 near High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire.

Police bodycam captured the moment he told a traffic officer: 'You will need to call the police - I've killed my girlfriend.'

Ms Obiefuleh's property was then searched and she was found dead at the scene with blue tape wrapped around her face and head.

Footage showed police entering her home through a window and seeing her body on the floor.

A post-mortem concluded that Ms Obiefuleh's cause of death was smothering, with an element of neck and/or chest compression.

Maiksner had been in a relationship with Ms Obiefuleh, but ended things the day before her body was found, the court was told.

Norbert Maiksner, 49, told a traffic officer: 'You will need to call the police - I've killed my girlfriend' after he was found walking along the M40

Frances Obiefuleh, 45, was killed in her own home in Havant, Hampshire, on April 16 last year

Maiksner (pictured in his mugshot) had been in a relationship with Ms Obiefuleh, but ended things the day before her body was found

Doorbell camera footage showed Maiksner's entering her home on the night of April 16 before a neighbour heard 'four consecutive bangs' around 15 minutes later.

After being arrested, he told police that he was 'the devil' and that he 'didn't deserve to live'.

Maiksner was yesterday sentenced to life in prison after he was found guilty of murder and neglect of a child following a two-week trial at Portsmouth Crown Court.

He remained at HMP Winchester for the sentencing hearing and will serve a minimum term of 24 years in prison.

Maiksner had told officers that he killed Ms Obiefuleh and stated that it was all a dream and that he wanted to wake up.

In police interviews, Maiksner declined legal representation, then remained silent when questioned and at one point 'nodded off'.

A not-guilty plea was entered on his behalf as he refused to engage with the proceedings.

The family of Ms Obiefuleh have paid tribute to their beloved sister and aunt in a statement released by police.

They said: 'Frances was kind, intelligent, and resourceful - a caring and deeply loving mother, sister, aunt, and friend to many.

Pictured: Police at the scene of the murder in April last year

Police bodycam captured the moment Maiksner told a traffic officer: 'You will need to call the police - I've killed my girlfriend'

'She was a devoted mother and beautiful in every sense of the word.

'Someone we love has been cruelly taken from us, and it has changed our lives forever.

'We have lost a truly beautiful soul. Her bright light has been cruelly dimmed, and we are left shaken, heartbroken, and still trying to process the grief and shock of losing Frances.'

Detective Sergeant Heather Kenwright from the Western Major Crime Team said: 'I am glad to see Maiksner face a life behind bars for committing the most heinous and evil of acts, it is what he deserves for taking the life of an innocent woman.

'He has caused such unthinkable suffering to both Frances in the last moments of her life, and to her family, who have had their loved one taken from them so brutally and must now try to rebuild their lives without her.

'My thoughts remain with Frances's family, and whilst no sentence can ever truly bring them justice for the tragic loss of Frances's life, I hope it brings them some semblance of closure to know that Maiksner is now facing the consequences of his abhorrent actions.

'It is a terrible truth that violence, abuse, assault and in the worst cases, murder, can often come at the hands of a partner.

'Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary is committed to helping anyone who comes forward to report any incident of this nature to us, and to seeing those responsible be brought to justice.'

Jane Rahman of the Crown Prosecution Service said: 'Frances Obiefuleh's life was taken in the place she should have felt safest  her own home.

'A family has now been left heartbroken following a senseless act of violence at the hands of her ex-partner.

'Norbert Maiksner was found guilty after our prosecutors worked with police to provide the jury with a clear timeline of events.

'Our thoughts today are with Frances Obiefuleh's family who have been subjected to an unimaginable tragedy.

'We will continue to pursue the most serious charges that reflect the evidence in cases of domestic homicide in order to secure justice for victims.'
Ever since Iran enforced the shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz at the start of the war in the Middle East, the world has been plunged into the worst oil crisis in history, with prices hurtling towards $200 a barrel.

For the past month, US President Donald Trump has shifted in his attitude towards reopening the vital waterway, through which around a fifth of the worlds daily oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) supply passes.

At the beginning of the conflict, the defiant US President insisted on the strait functioning as normal despite the Iranian attacks, assuring the world that the United States' ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH and that America would escort tankers safely through the passageway.

Soon, however, he lost patience, and issued the first of a series of increasingly furious ultimatums to the Islamic Republic, demanding the regime reopen the waterway or be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.

Before long, Nato entered Trumps firing line, when he accused the Western alliance of being nothing more than a PAPER TIGER! composed of COWARDS for refusing to deploy their own warships to help escort vessels through the perilous passageway.

In a dramatic turn of events today, the President appeared to wash his hands of the Middle East crisis altogether, telling Sir Keir Starmer to 'go get your own oil' as Europe's supplies dry up.

A timeline of his inflammatory remarks since the outbreak of war reveals his shifting views on the future of the crucial shipping lane.

February 28: Strait of Hormuz is open

The Strait of Hormuz is open and functioning normally - up until the point the US unleashed Operation Epic Fury at 9.45am. Restrictions on the passage start almost immediately.

On March 2, the IRGC officially confirms that the strait was closed to 'unfriendly nations', allowing only Iran-approved vessels to pass.

A commander in Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) says the Strait of Hormuz is closed and warns that any vessel attempting to pass through will be attacked and 'set ablaze'.

March 3: US Navy escort for tankers 'if necessary'

Trump announces immediate measures to secure maritime trade and warns of potential naval involvement

'Effective IMMEDIATELY, I have ordered the United States Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to provide, at a very reasonable price, political risk insurance and guarantees for the Financial Security of ALL Maritime Trade, especially Energy, traveling through the Gulf.

'This will be available to all Shipping Lines. If necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible.

'No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD. The United States' ECONOMIC and MILITARY MIGHT is the GREATEST ON EARTH More actions to come,' Trump said in a Truth Social post.

On March 2, the IRGC officially confirmed that the strait was closed to 'unfriendly nations', allowing only Iran-approved vessels to pass

March 9: Trump's first ultimatum

Trump issues Iran a series of stark ultimatums focused on deterrence and retaliation through two consecutive Truth Social posts.

'If Iran has put out any mines in the Hormuz Strait, and we have no reports of them doing so, we want them removed, IMMEDIATELY! If for any reason mines were placed, and they are not removed forthwith, the Military consequences to Iran will be at a level never seen before. If, on the other hand, they remove what may have been placed, it will be a giant step in the right direction!

'Additionally, we are using the same Technology and Missile capabilities deployed against Drug Traffickers to permanently eliminate any boat or ship attempting to mine the Hormuz Strait. They will be dealt with quickly and violently. BEWARE!'

Although Trump previously downplayed the US reliance on the strait, he follows with an even more expansive threat tied directly to oil flows:

'If Iran does anything that stops the flow of Oil within the Strait of Hormuz, they will be hit by the United States of America TWENTY TIMES HARDER than they have been hit thus far.

'Additionally, we will take out easily destroyable targets that will make it virtually impossible for Iran to ever be built back, as a Nation, again Death, Fire, and Fury will reign upon them.'

Trump issues Iran a series of stark ultimatums on Truth Social

March 14: US will help countries that receive oil through strait

Trump declares victory, claiming the US has beaten Iran. Meanwhile, the US President shifts responsibility toward other nations that depend on the strait.

'The United States of America has beaten and completely decimated Iran, both Militarily, Economically, and in every other way, but the Countries of the World that receive Oil through the Hormuz Strait must take care of that passage, and we will help A LOT!

'The U.S. will also coordinate with those Countries so that everything goes quickly, smoothly, and well. This should have always been a team effort, and now it will be It will bring the World together toward Harmony, Security, and Everlasting Peace!'

March 15: Other countries should 'take care' of passage

Trump reinforces that message, calling on 'countries of the world that receive oil through the Hormuz Strait' to 'take care of that passage' militarily.

He also speaks with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the pair 'discussed the ongoing situation in the Middle East and the importance of reopening the Strait of Hormuz to end the disruption to global shipping, which is driving up costs worldwide'.

A Downing Street spokeswoman says the two leaders 'agreed to keep in touch'.

March 17: Nato's 'foolish mistake'

Several Nato countries including Germany, Italy, the UK, Spain, Estonia, Australia, Japan, South Korea and the EU reject Trump's request to help reopen the waterway via naval escorts.

They cite lack of goals and reluctance to get drawn into the conflict, with German defence minister Boris Pistorius saying 'this is not our war, we have not started it'.

Trump lashes out on March 17, criticising Nato and arguing that others should be grateful for US actions.

At a meeting with Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin at the White House, Trump says: 'I think Nato is making a very foolish mistake,' adding that 'this was a great test, because we don't need them, but they should have been there.'

He also argues that 'everybody in the whole world should be very thankful' for the US war on Iran and reiterated his disappointment with Nato and 'a couple of other countries,' without specifying which ones.

March 18: Trump questions American responsibility

Trump openly questions whether the United States should continue taking responsibility for the Strait at all.

'I wonder what would happen if we 'finished off' what's left of the Iranian Terror State, and let the Countries that use it, we don't, be responsible for the so called 'Strait?' That would get some of our non-responsive 'Allies' in gear, and fast!!!'

Trump openly questions whether the United States should continue taking responsibility for the strait at all

March 20: Nato 'cowards' who don't want to help

Trump again emphasises that other nations should take over policing the route.

'The Hormuz Strait will have to be guarded and policed, as necessary, by other Nations who use it The United States does not! If asked, we will help these countries in their Hormuz efforts, but it shouldn't be necessary once Iran's threat is eradicated.'

He also criticises Nato nations for refusing to assist, calling them cowards:

'Without the U.S.A., NATO IS A PAPER TIGER! They didn't want to join the fight to stop a Nuclear Powered Iran. Now that fight is Militarily WON, with very little danger for them, they complain about the high oil prices they are forced to pay, but don't want to help open the Strait of Hormuz, a simple military maneuver that is the single reason for the high oil prices. So easy for them to do, with so little risk,' he wrote.

'COWARDS, and we will REMEMBER!'

Despite Trump's demands, his European allies assert that they wouldn't send naval escorts to help secure the passageway, citing safety concerns and the risk of escalating the conflict.

March 21: Second ultimatum

Trump imposes a strict deadline on Iran opening the strait, vowing severe consequences if they fail to meet it.

'If Iran doesn't FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST,' Trump wrote on Truth Social.

Trump imposes a strict deadline on Iran opening the strait, vowing severe consequences if they fail to meet it

March 23: 'Me and the Ayatollah' will control the passage

Trump postpones the 48-hour deadline, saying Iran has 'one more chance' and suggests talks are being explored.

At the same time, he floats an unusual proposal for the future of the strait.

Speaking to reporters on the tarmac of Palm Beach International Airport, the President said the strait would be 'jointly controlled.'

'It'll be jointly controlled,' he said, 'Me and the Ayatollah, whoever the Ayatollah is, whoever the next Ayatollah [is].'

Trump then argued that no matter what, Iran's next leader would represent 'regime change'.

'There's automatically a regime change,' the President added.

March 24: A 'present' from Iran

Trump says Iran gave the United States a 'significant prize' worth a 'tremendous amount of money,' adding that it was related to the Strait of Hormuz.

'They did something yesterday that was amazing. Actually, they gave us a present, and the present arrived today, and it was a very big present, worth a tremendous amount of money,' he told reporters in the Oval Office.

'I'm not going to tell you what that present is, but it was a very significant prize, and they gave it to usSo that meant one thing to me, we're dealing with the right people,' he added.

'It wasn't nuclear related. It was oil and gas related, and it was a very nice thing they did,' Trump said.

March 26: Nato has done 'nothing to help'

Trump takes to Truth Social once again to blast Nato for doing nothing 'to help with the lunatic nation' of Iran

He adds that the US needs 'nothing' from Nato, but vowed to '"never forget" this important point in time'.

Meanwhile, Trump claims that Iran is letting 10 oil tankers transit the Strait of Hormuz as an apparent goodwill gesture in negotiations.

Trump made the comments at a cabinet meeting in the White House, elaborating on what he had previously described as a 'present' from Iran.

'They said, to show you the fact that we're real and solid and we're there, we're going to let you have eight boats of oil, eight boats, eight big boats of oil,' Trump said. 'I guess they were right, and they were real, and I think they were Pakistani-flagged... It ended up being 10 boats.'

Trump blasts Nato on Truth Social for failing to help reopen the Strait of Hormuz

March 27: Deadline extended - again

Trump extends the deadline for Iran to open the Strait by 10 days, as he claims negotiations are ongoing.

'As per Iranian Government request, please let this statement serve to represent that I am pausing the period of Energy Plant destruction by 10 Days to Monday, April 6, 2026, at 8 P.M., Eastern Time,' he said.

'Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well.'

He later adds: 'I gave them a 10-day period, they asked for seven. In a certain sense, we have already won.'

That same day at a speech in Miami, Trump refers to the Strait of Hormuz as 'The Strait of Trump,' in an apparent Freudian slip.

'They have to open up the Strait of Trump I mean, Hormuz. Excuse me. Such a terrible mistake. The fake news will say, "He accidentally said ". There are no accidents from me.'

March 30: Third ultimatum

Trump threatens to 'completely obliterate' Iran's electric plants, oil wells, and desalination facilities if the strait was not 'immediately' reopened for business.

He vows to 'blow up' Iran's water supply and electric grid unless the Islamic regime reopens the Strait of Hormuz, as Tehran moves to tear up its nuclear treaty.

The President made the threat in a Truth Social post Monday morning, warning that if Iran refuses to sign a peace deal, the US would conclude the war by 'blowing up and completely obliterating' electric plants and oil wells across the country.

Trump said the US was in 'serious discussions with a new, and more reasonable regime' to end the war, adding that 'great progress had been made'.

But he immediately followed up with an escalation, writing that if a deal could not be reached to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, then the US would strike Iran's 'electric generating plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants).'

March 31: Just 'take it'... and 'go get your own oil'

Trump's position shifts again toward urging allies to act independently, while signalling the United States may step back.

'All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

'You'll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!'

Meanwhile, a new report claims that Trump has signalled he is willing to end the military campaign against Iran even if the chokepoint remains largely closed - and leave the complex operation to pry it open for a later date.

But the longer the strait remains shut, the more it will roil the global economy and surge gas prices, leaving multiple countries - including US allies - reeling from a dramatic downturn in energy supply.
Britain's oldest veteran, who is also the grandfather of Ted Lasso actress Hannah Waddingham, has died at the age of 109.

World War II veteran Harry Waddingham became the country's oldest living veteran following the death of Donald Rose, 110, in July 2025.

The Royal Navy Gunner was born in 1916 and began serving in the military at the age of 16 in 1932, rising through the ranks from able seaman to sub-lieutenant.

The 109-year-old served in the Navy from the very first day of World War II until its last on May 8, 1945, working on six ships, and surviving the sinking of two

Last year at the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance, his famous granddaughter, Hannah Waddingham, paid a touching tribute to the brave veteran.

The Royal Navy Association's East Sussex Branch described him as 'truly one of the last of our greatest generation' in a moving tribute last Wednesday.

'He lived a long and full life, and he will be greatly missed. RIP Shipmate, your duty is done, we have the watch,' they added.

Most of his time during the war was spent on the Hunt Class destroyer HMS Mendip, a ship which he loved.

But he was also twice torpedoed while serving on other ships, and hurled into the sea both times.

World War II veteran Harry Waddingham (pictured) became the country's oldest living veteran following the death of Donald Rose, 110, in July 2025

The Royal Navy Association's East Sussex Branch announced his death last Wednesday describing him as 'truly one of the last of our greatest generation' (Pictured: His granddaughter Hannah Waddingham)

On one occasion, his vessel, HMS Wakeful, was struck by a torpedo launched from a German E-boat while trying to evacuate soldiers from Dunkirk beach.

The ship was split into two parts, with the front end becoming instantly submerged in the water on May 29, 1940.

Remembering the incident, Harry explained there were around 600 soldiers on board as well as around 200 crew members.

'Really, you never slept and my memory of those days was constant tiredness,' he told The Sun.

'And hardly being able to stand. But suddenly there was a bang and the ship went down.'

He said only those who were on the upper deck survived the German attack, with only one soldier as well as 25 of the ship's crew, including Harry, surviving.

And while he served on HMS Juno, it was struck by three bombs which split and sunk the vessel in under two minutes during its bid to evacuate soldiers from Crete.

The brave war hero did not enjoy working on Juno and was only on the ship because he was a replacement for someone else.

They were bombed by German and Italian aircrafts as they tried to ferry soldiers to Alexandria, Egypt, but luckily Harry was again positioned on the upper deck.

'It wasn't the most comfortable position, but if the ship was going to sink, it was a good place to be,' he said.

He also worked on Russian and North Atlantic convoys, where he described how they 'never got undressed' as they could be called to station at any moment.

'Almost every night we saw ships being blown up,' he added.

The Royal Navy Gunner was born in 1916 and began serving in the military at 16-years-old in 1932, rising through the ranks from able seaman to sub-lieutenant

The 109-year-old served in the Navy from the very first day of World War II until its last on May 8, 1945, working on six ships, and surviving the sinking of two

Mr Waddingham also worked aboard HMS Mendip in the North Sea, where he served as a member of a gun crew.

He celebrated his 25th birthday on a destroyer's mess deck with offers of rum while his shipmate made a remark that would remain with him for life

'And my shipmate  my particular shipmate  said, "make the most of your 25th Harry because the way this going you may not see your 26th". I remember that.'

His beaming pride for the Navy remained steadfast as he insisted the war would not have been won without it.

'Hitler was ready to invade. But after Dunkirk, we kept seven destroyer flotillas along the vulnerable coast.

'Had Hitler attempted to invade, he may have had aerial supremacy but not at sea.'

Following the war, the 109-year-old was discharged with the rank of lieutenant and earned a marine physics degree.

The veteran then became a school teacher before landing a role with the educational wing of the RAF and later retiring with a squadron leader rank.

He also taught pupils at Archbishop Tenison's School in Croydon, where he also oversaw cadets.

He later resided in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex, where he passed away.
A record 106,810 cancer patients waited more than 62 days to start urgent treatment on the NHS last year, damning new analysis reveals.

More than four in five trusts (83 per cent) missed the key target of treating 85 per cent of patients within this time frame.

Cancer charities warn such delays slash survival chances, can make some treatments less effective and increase anxiety.

Studies show every four-week delay reduces patient survival by an average of 10 per cent.

At 12 trusts, more than half of cancer patients waited too long to start treatment after being referred by their GP or other doctor.

And nationally, the longstanding target of treating 85 per cent of patients within 62 days has not been met since 2014.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, which analysed the NHS England data, said: 'Like millions of people, my life was turned upside down by cancer, which took both my parents when I was young.

'It is completely heartbreaking to see just how many people are waiting months on end to start treatment after being diagnosed. It cannot continue.

Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, said it is 'heartbreaking' to see how many people are forced to wait too long to start cancer treatment.

One person is diagnosed with cancer in the UK every 75 seconds following a surge in cases over the past decade.

'That's why the Liberal Democrats will make improving cancer care a top priority, and fight every day for better care for you and your loved ones.'

One person is diagnosed with cancer in the UK every 75 seconds following a surge in cases over the past decade.

Almost 424,000 people now receive the devastating news each year, with the frequency up from once every 90 seconds just ten years ago.

The Liberal Democrats are campaigning for a guarantee that every patient starts treatment for cancer within 62 days from urgent referral, with this right written into law.

The party said it would deliver this through 200 extra staffed radiotherapy machines, new radiotherapy centres to end 'radiotherapy deserts', and over 3,000 more cancer nurses to ensure everyone has a specialist supporting them.

It has also called for a new 'Cancer Fellowship' scheme to welcome scientists from the US whose cancer research has been defunded by the Trump administration.

The government published its National Cancer Plan in February this year, promising to embrace a robotic revolution to boost survival rates.

The Department of Health and Social Care also claimed the NHS will meet all of its existing cancer targets by March 2029.

But think tanks said hitting these would be 'incredibly difficult' on current performance and the NHS would need to improve 30-times faster to achieve it.

The UK lags behind other countries in cancer outcomes and faces a major shortage of staff and diagnostic scanners compared to countries like Germany, Sweden and Italy.

Matt Sample, senior health policy manager at Cancer Research UK, said: 'Far too many people with cancer are still waiting longer than they should to begin treatment in England.

'Every day waiting can feel like forever and it's vital that no matter where someone lives, they can get the care they need quickly.

'It's positive to see the UK Government commit to meeting cancer wait time targets by 2029.

'To deliver on this promise, it's crucial that there is investment in additional staff and equipment for the NHS, or patients will continue to be let down.'
Footage shows the moment an aspiring drill rapper told police poodles are 'more aggressive' than XL Bullies just days before his dogs mauled a pensioner to death.

Ashley Warren, 41, was jailed for 10 years and three months at Chelmsford Crown Court today after the death of 68-year-old grandmother Esther Martin.

Warren had arranged for Ms Martin to look after two XL Bullies at his former home in Jaywick, Essex, in February 2024 while he went to 'meet a lady friend'.

The 5ft 3in pensioner then fell victim to a fatal dog attack, which left her with 'dozens and dozens' of injuries, including a bite through her right arm which severed an artery.

Eleven days prior to the incident, officers visited Warren's house for an unrelated matter, which saw the wannabe rapper talk to police about the dogs.

In newly emerged footage, he says: 'They are one of the friendliest dogs that I know to be fair. I've had a lot of breeds and these dogs are so loyal and friendly it's unbelievable.

'You get those little poodle dogs that come up to you going ruff, ruff, ruff, and they're more aggressive.'

The attack came two days before the Government made it a criminal offence to own an XL Bully in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.fl

Footage shows the moment Ashley Warren (left) told police poodles are 'more aggressive' than XL Bullies days before his dogs mauled a grandmother to death

Esther Martin, 68, was killed after she was left in charge of two XL Bullies by Warren at his home in Jaywick, Essex

XL Bullies Bear (left) and Beauty (right) were tasered and then shot by police after the incident

Warren was found guilty following an earlier trial of being the owner of a dog named Bear, which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place.

He was acquitted at Chelmsford Crown Court of being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty - belonging to his girlfriend - which did the same.

Warren, now of Addlestone, Surrey, was sentenced to 10 years and three months in prison today.

Judge Mr Justice Jeremy Johnson said: 'Esther Martin was the first person to be killed by an XL bully dog after the new law came into force.

'You knew the breed was banned from that date but you didn't take any steps to comply with the law.'

The judge said the dogs were 'confined in too small a space and you hadn't walked them in the four weeks prior to Esther Martin's death'.

He said this 'greatly increased the risk to aggressive behaviour from them'.

'This was a sustained and repeated attack lasting at least 12 minutes.'

The judge told Warren that his actions 'demonstrated a sustained pattern of disregard for the law and for the lives and safety of others'.

There were audible gasps in court as Warren's sentence was read out, followed by a shout of 'yes' from the public gallery.

Ms Martin's daughter, Sonia Martin, wept as she read her victim impact statement to the court.

'My overriding emotion is pure anger,' she said. 'Anger at mum's death, anger at Ashley Warren for forcing that situation on mum.'

She said she was angry that Warren 'made social media posts and songs featuring XL bullies and saying he misses them'.

Sonia added: 'I can't ever forgive Ashley Warren for his role in my mum's death and I hold him entirely responsible for the pain she suffered.'

Warren's earlier trial was told that he left Ms Martin with the two dogs and eight puppies of the same breed at his former home in Jaywick.

The dogs were owned by breeder Ashley Warren, a wannabe rapper who goes by the name Wyless Man (pictured)

Ms Martin was declared dead at the scene after she was taken out of the house

Warren had been in London with a female friend on the day of the fatal attack

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said this was despite Ms Martin's mobility issues, lack of dog training and 'little to no experience' of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time.

Hours after her arrival, Ms Martin sustained 'dozens and dozens' of injuries, including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a 'complete fracturing' of the bone, the court heard.

Mr Paxton told jurors: 'It was, you may think, a tragedy waiting to happen, given the imbalance that arose between 68-year-old Esther, short in stature, and the towering power of these banned XL bully dogs.'

Police had been to the property about an unrelated matter 11 days before the attack, and a video recording, played to jurors, showed Warren telling the officer 'it's a shame about the laws' and 'my boy's got papers already'.

Mr Paxton said: 'If that was a reference to an exemption certificate, that was a lie.'

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for any.

The defendant was also found guilty of having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3 2024, after officers found a knife, which he said was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London.

Speaking outside court, Ms Martin's other daughter Kelly Fretwell said the sentencing 'brings a sense of relief and a long-awaited path towards peace for our family'.

'While nothing can truly compensate for the loss of our mum, we are grateful the court has recognised the gravity of this tragedy,' she said.

Her sister Sonia, who stood with her, thanked their families and friends for 'standing by us through our darkest chapter of our lives'.

She said her mother had a 'great laugh, a wicked sense of humour' and 'will be remembered for being a great friend to many, a sister, an aunt, a grandmother and a great grandmother but to us she was and always will be our mum'.
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has cleared the way for Donald Trump's hometown airport to be named after the President.

On Monday, DeSantis signed a bill to rename Palm Beach International Airport as the President Donald J. Trump International Airport.

The airport is close to Trump's Mar-a-Lago home and is the one that he uses to transit between his Palm Beach, Florida, estate and Washington, DC.

The name change is set to go into effect on July 1, 2026, pending Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) approval.

The airport code, currently PBI, is expected to be changed to DJT, the President's initials, once the approval is finalized.

And it could be expanded to more airports throughout the nation with a first-of-its-kind action.

DTTM Operations LLC, a holding company managed by the Trump Organization that manages Trump's intellectual property, has filed multiple trademarks for airport names using the President's likeness.

The trademarks include various things within the airports, including merchandise, shuttle names and even flight suits which may bear the Trump moniker.

Palm Beach International Airport will soon be named after President Donald Trump after Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday

Trump regularly uses PBI to fly from his home in Florida to Washington, DC

Trump's plane 'Trump Force One' parked at PBI in 2023

Trademark attorney Josh Gerben has called the filings 'unprecedented.'

The Trump airport trademarks are a first of their kind because the President filed 'a trademark application through his private company for a name that's going to go on a public building in an honorary capacity,' Gerben told Axios.

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) regularly examines applications and publishes oppositions.

But it could open the President up to potential litigation, as anyone wishing to file for damages could also submit a 'Notice of Opposition' within 30 days.

The Florida bill signed by DeSantis requires a legal agreement with DTTM for the use of Trump's name at no cost.

'It's only conditioned on whether or not the airport gets named and is actively using the name and whether or not there's actual merchandise being sold,' Gerben told Axios.

The Trump Organization has previously said it 'will not receive any royalty, licensing fee or financial consideration whatsoever,' from the airport trademarks.

'Palm Beach International Airport is now officially. 'President Donald J. Trump International Airport,' Eric Trump, the President's son, posted on X. 'Proud to have played a small role in making this happen.'

Air Force One with President Donald Trump aboard, arrives at Palm Beach International Airport

The President has also mused about several other transportation landmarks being named after himself, including New York's Penn Station and Virginia's Washington Dulles International Airport.

'Chuck Schumer suggested that to me about changing the name of Penn Station to Trump Station,' Trump said earlier this year. 'Dulles Airport is really separate. Dulles Airport is really not too involved with Congress. That's a separate kind of a deal, as you know.'

Schumer, the Senate Democratic Leader, later denied Trump's claim, calling it an 'absolute lie.'
There is a version of Michael Rousseau's departure from Air Canada that reads as a tidy corporate farewell  nearly two decades of service, a smooth handover, a grateful board. The official announcement on 30 March hit all those notes. But the events of the eight days prior told a different story, one that Canada had been building toward for years.

On 22 March 2026, an Air Canada Express flight collided with a fire truck on the runway at New York's LaGuardia Airport, killing two pilots  Captain Antoine Forest, a francophone from Quebec, and First Officer Mackenzie Gunther. In the days that followed, Rousseau released a condolence video. It ran for nearly four minutes. It contained exactly two words of French: 'bonjour' and 'merci'. What followed was not simply backlash. It was a reckoning.

The Words That Couldn't Be Taken Back

Prime Minister Mark Carney described the English-only message as demonstrating 'a lack of judgement and a lack of compassion.' Quebec Premier Francois Legault went further and called for Rousseau's resignation. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand, speaking at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in France, put it plainly: 'Canada is a bilingual country... we continue to advocate for the leaders of our country to be able to speak both official languages, including in the corporate sector,' she said.

Rousseau issued a written apology on 26 March. 'Despite many lessons over several years, unfortunately, I am still unable to express myself adequately in French,' he wrote. 'I sincerely apologise for this, but I am continuing my efforts to improve.' He had made the same pledge when he was appointed CEO in 2021. Five years on, it had not been enough.

Bilingualism as a Legal Obligation, Not a Courtesy

What the Rousseau affair laid bare is something Canadian businesses have long tried to manage quietly  the expectation that executives leading federally regulated institutions must be bilingual is not a soft cultural courtesy. It carries legal force. For those outside that regulated category, Rousseau's exit has made plain that reputational and political consequences can be just as binding. Air Canada, headquartered in Montreal and subject to the Official Languages Act in full, operates under rules that became considerably stricter after 2023, when updated federal legislation extended bilingualism obligations to federally regulated private employers, covering both service and internal operations in Quebec and francophone regions.

A commentary on the controversy noted that Canada's Treasury Board Directive is unambiguous on the point: for roles equivalent to deputy ministers, which explicitly includes chief executives, 'bilingual imperative staffing is not optional.' The piece urged HR leaders at comparable firms to stop treating language proficiency as a CV footnote and start treating it as a hard succession criterion because the law and the public now expect it.

A CEO Search With French Proficiency as a Criterion

Air Canada's board confirmed that a global CEO search, assisted by Egon Zehnder and Korn Ferry, had already been under way since January 2026. Among the criteria listed for candidates: the 'ability to communicate in French.' That line existed before the LaGuardia crash. After it, it reads differently. The airline has indicated that French proficiency will be a key criterion in the selection of its next CEO.

Michael Rousseau, president et chef de la direction d'Air Canada, fait une declaration video au sujet du tragique accident impliquant le vol Air Canada Express AC8646: pic.twitter.com/v9zbLH3g62  Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 23, 2026

For every major Canadian corporation watching this unfold, the message is not subtle. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages received hundreds of complaints over Rousseau's video. Politicians from Quebec to Ottawa weighed in within hours. The reputational cost was immediate and significant. And it arrived at the worst possible moment, when a company needed its leader to project unity, not division.

Canada has been officially bilingual since 1969. That is not new. What is shifting is the tolerance for executives at nationally prominent companies who treat that fact as someone else's responsibility. Rousseau's exit  whatever the official framing  is a signal that the standard is being enforced, not just stated. Executive credibility is increasingly tied to cultural fluency as much as financial or operational expertise, particularly for institutions that are woven into the fabric of both English and French Canada. Air Canada carries the flag of a bilingual country. Its next leader will be expected to do the same.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Britain is sending air defence systems to Gulf allies to boost their protection against Iranian suicide drones, it was confirmed today.

On a visit to partners in the region, whose natural energy infrastructure has been damaged, Defence Secretary John Healey pledged further support.

The UK will send Sky Sabre systems to Saudi Arabia and extend flight coverage provided by RAF Typhoons in Qatar. Defence teams have also deployed to Bahrain and Kuwait.

After meeting Gulf leaders, Mr Healey said: Irans aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East.

That is why they UK has been flying defensive missions since day one of this conflict. Today, were delivering further support by extending our UK jets to Qatar and deploying extra air defence teams.

I am proud of the courage and professionalism our armed forces have shown since the start of the war and my message to Gulf partners is Britains best will help you defend your skies.

I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf in protecting their nations. We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict.

Sky Sabre defence missile systems are capable of shooting down ballistic ordnance and intercepting one-way suicide drones

Defence Secretary John Healey met Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani in Doha today

As part of the UKs action in the collective defence of allies the Defence Secretary is visiting the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

Healey held detailed discussions on the conflict, the Strait of Hormuz, and further UK-Gulf cooperation on regional security as the war entered its second month.

The Defence Secretary visited Dukhan airbase and met with the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain and defence leaders from all three nations.

Healey met with pilots who have been part of the flying missions day and night over Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan and the UAE to support regional security.

The deployment to Saudi Arabia follows a successful recce by a UK team. The equipment being sent to the Kingdom includes radars, control nodes, missile launchers and Royal Artillery battle space managers. The systems will be integrated into wider Saudi and regional air defences.

The visit comes as Iran continues its aggressive missile and drone campaign against civilian infrastructure, military sites and critical national assets across the Gulf, with more than 3,500 missiles and drones fired to date.

The UKs Lightweight Multirole Launcher is now in Bahrain supported by UK experts who will integrate the short-range air defence system into the countrys defences.

Rapid Sentry has arrived in Kuwait and the RAFs ORCUS system is operating in the country, allowing personnel to detect drones early and take action.

Healeys visit comes after the Prime Ministers strongest statement of intent yet that Britain will not be drawn into the wider war.

The UK government has given permission to the US to use British bases for specific and limited defensive operations, including degrading missile sites used to attack ships.

Since the war began UK pilots operating Typhoons and F-35 jets in addition to Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.

Have racked up more than 1,280 hours protecting British nationals, bases and partners.
An elderly, half-blind dog has been hailed a hero after fighting off a bear from her family's New Mexico property.

Honey, 12, was severely injured on the evening of March 3 after defending the Martinez family farm in the foothills of Cordova.

'Shes our little savior. Shes been nicknamed the bear slayer, and weve just come to find out that the bear slayer is afraid of the vacuum cleaner,' owner Denise Martinez told KOB4.

Denise noticed the dog 'tracking something' in the yard that night, but she couldn't tell what it was.

On their family farm, Honey had become caretaker to the land, scoping out potential threats to the family and livestock using her animal instincts and impressive sense of smell.

The next morning, Denise's daughter Leanna found Honey lying helplessly on the driveway with major injuries to her face, head and neck.

'Her face was swollen on the left, so I turned her head like to the right, and thats when I saw her whole neck was just ripped from the back all the way down,' Leanna said.

The swelling made their beloved dog completely unrecognizable.

Honey is 12 years old and was left blind in one eye from a porcupine attack

Daughter Leanne (left) and mother Denise (right) Martinez found Honey in the driveway the morning after the attack and rushed her to the emergency vet

All signs pointed to a terrifying bear, fresh from hibernation and ready to pounce on the family's livestock.

Fences and trees on their property were adorned with massive scratch marks and security camera audio captured the beast's ferocious roar, reported the Guardian.

But thanks to Honey, not one of the family's 60 chickens or two horses was harmed by the vicious bear.

Another family dog, Zoe, also came face to face with a bear but only suffered a scratch and bump to the head, thanks to Honey's bravery.

Denise and Leanna rushed the dog to an emergency veterinarian, but the quote they were given left them terrified that they could not afford to save Honey.

Instead, they turned to Espanola Humane's new low-cost clinic, where her injuries were treated for a fraction of the price.

In an attempt to shield her family from a bear, Honey got into a tussle sustaining major injuries

The family said Honey had become the caretaker of their property

The New Mexico-based non-profit raises money to provide shelter and medical care to thousands of animals.

In a social media post about Honey's attack, the organization called her injuries 'catastrophic.'

'A devastating degloving wound from her neck up into her face. Deep punctures,' it read.

'Unbelievable bruising and swelling. Lacerations that told the story her voice never would.'

Honey was treated with heavy bandaging and medication.

She requires constant care due to a deep, open wound that will take months to heal.

Honey is quite the warrior, having been rendered half blind by a porcupine attack years prior. She'd also previously survived parvo.

The Martinez family lives on a farm in New Mexico with more than 60 chickens, two horses and multiple dogs

Thanks to Honey's courage, no other animals were injured in the terrifying attack

Honey was treated at Espanola Humane's new animal clinic, which offered cost-effective care to families

The virus is a highly contagious disease that attacks white blood cells and the gastrointestinal tracts of dogs and wolves, per the American Veterinary Medical Association.

Denise said she and her family are 'beyond grateful' to Espanola Humane for saving Honey's life without an immense financial burden.

'The care, compassion and support theyve given through her recovery and dressing changes made the impossible possible for us,' she wrote on social media.

'Without them, we wouldnt have been able to afford the care she needed. They truly gave our Honey a second chance and we will never forget it.'

The Daily Mail contacted the Espanola Humane Society and the Martinez family for comment.
A pet dog has been rescued from a sewer grate in Virginia after his barking for help attracted a neighbor's attention.

Diesel the 15-year-old Pitbull escaped a gate which had accidentally been left open at the Vidal family's home in Norfolk on March 27.

His owners immediately noticed his absence and filed a lost report with staff at the Norfolk Animal Care Center.

'Diesel has never wandered off; this was completely out of character for him,' owner Shari Vidal told the Daily Mail. 'He gets tired really fast when we go out for walks, so we figured he couldnt have gone far.

'We were out till 1am looking for him and there was no sign of him.'

On March 28, a Norfolk resident heard feeble barks echoing nearby, but couldn't pinpoint where the noise was coming from.

The unnamed Good Samaritan called the Animal Protection Unit, who frantically searched for the owner of the disembodied bark.

They finally managed to find Diesel trapped underground inside a storm drain.

'Diesel had somehow found himself INSIDE a small stormwater drain and unable to get himself out,' read a social media post from the city.

Norfolk Fire Rescue Engine 13 was called to remove the drain's covering and lift him from his tricky hiding spot.

Diesel is a 15-year-old Pitbull from Norfolk, Virginia who got stuck in a sewer after escaping his home

Shari and Rodolfo Vidal pictured with their daughters and their briefly lost dog, Diesel

Diesel was taken to Norfolk Animal Care Center, where a staff member recognized him from the report filed the previous day.

'A phone call, another truck ride, and several tears later, Diesel is right back home in the loving arms of his family,' said the agency.

'Thanks to the teamwork between a citizen, dispatch, Animal Protection Unit, Norfolk Fire-Rescue and the Norfolk Animal Care Center, a sweet (and maybe a little too curious) senior dog is back home and safe.'

It is still a mystery as to how a Pitbull, some of which can exceed 60 pounds, squeezed its way into the narrow drain.

Some theorized that Diesel was chasing another animal into the drain or that he was attracted to its peculiar smell.

Though they're still scratching their heads, the Vidal family is just happy to have their beloved companion home again.

The tearful reunion between Shari and Rodolfo Vidal, their children and their family dog prompted a heartfelt message of gratitude.

'So happy our boy is back home,' Shari commented on Facebook. 'He was very much stinky, but nothing a warm bath didn't fix.'

'Thank you to everyone who shared and helped our old boy today,' she added.

The Vidal family adopted Diesel when he was just eight weeks old in 2011, Shari said.

'Diesel means the world to us... Our kids dont know life without Diesel. So they were devastated when they heard the news,' she said.

Over the past few years, he has been gradually losing hearing and vision. The family has a second Pitbull called Mack, who is Diesel's son.

The Vidal family contacted the Norfolk Animal Care and Adoption after their beloved family dog briefly went missing

Norfolk Fire Rescue teams were called to remove the storm drain cover and get Diesel to safety

It took multiple government agencies to track down Diesel and return him to his family

Diesel's Houdini-like maneuver into the storm drain was likened to Pennywise by the hundreds of community members who were attracted to his story.

'Need to give him the middle name Pennywise now,' one commenter joked.

'That baby definitely saw Pennywise down there,' another added.

Similarly, the horror movie clown dwelt in storm drains - though the 'It' villain was not quite as adorable or friendly as the beloved Diesel.

Norfolk Animal Control has encouraged anyone who is missing a pet in the area to call their Animal Care & Adoption Center.

The Daily Mail contacted Norfolk Fire Rescue, the Norfolk Animal Care Center and the Vidal family for comment.
A California winery owner has been slapped with nearly $4 million in fines after losing a court battle over hosting wine tastings and events on her eight-acre property.

Lindsay Hoopes, owner of Hoopes Vineyard in the rolling hills of Napa Valley, has been embroiled in a years-long court battle with Napa County.

The county filed suit in 2022, accusing Hoopes of creating a 'public nuisance' by hosting yoga classes and wine tastings, and selling items like greeting cards and hand sanitizer while failing to obtain a permit for a 120-sq-ft chicken coop.

The legal fight hinges on whether small wineries established before 1990 - prior to new regulations - can host tastings without a permit. Central to the dispute is the 'Small Winery Exemption,' which the county argues does not allow such events.

Hoopes has repeatedly challenged the county's stance, continuing to allow the public onto her property despite what officials describe as ongoing 'illegal activities,' including farm animals on-site and unpermitted string lights.

In the latest blow to Hoopes, a judge ruled against her, ordering an end to all on-site tastings, public events and sales on her vineyard, according to CBS News.

'This is the most inhumane thing I've ever seen,' Hoopes told the outlet in response to the ruling.

'Drinking wine at a winery should never, ever, ever force a business owner/mother to essentially defend her livelihood or protect her children,' she added. 'I mean, the whole thing has been so grossly abusive and punitive.'

Lindsay Hoopes (pictured), owner of Hoopes Vineyard in Yountville, is ordered to pay nearly $4 million in fines after losing a court battle over wine tastings on her eight-acre property

Napa County accused Hoopes in 2022 of creating a 'public nuisance' by hosting yoga classes, wine tastings, selling items and failing to obtain a permit for a 120-sq-ft chicken coop on her winery (pictured)

She now faces nearly $4 million in penalties and court costs, with more than half of that total going toward the county's private attorney fees from the prolonged legal battle.

Art Hartinger, representing Napa County, justified the hefty legal fees, citing Hoopes' alleged 'relentless and aggressive nature' as the driving force behind the costs.

He noted that the Hoopes family 'constantly' filed motions, appeals and other legal challenges throughout the case, which he said has 'driven up the cost,' according to CBS.

'And is that normal? No, I don't think that's normal,' he told the outlet. 'Is that lawful? It certainly is. That is, that the judge's decision is certainly lawful because he's awarding reasonable fees.'

But Bridget Conlan, an attorney for the Pacific Legal Foundation, a national firm known for defending against excessive fines, claimed that the county may have a separate, more aggressive agenda in mind.

'This is an eight-acre property, a tiny, family winery. And you go there and it's picturesque, and you can't imagine what they could have done that would have been worth $4 million in penalties,' Conlan told the outlet.

'But that's unfortunately what it's gotten to,' she added. 'This does happen in excessive fines cases and that's why we have the constitutional right against them, because the founding fathers were worried about this.'

Hartinger doubled down, arguing that Napa County's sole intention is regulatory compliance for Hoopes' winery, not to force her out of business.

A judge ruled against Hoopes and ordered her to end all on-site tastings, public events and sales (Pictured: vineyards in Napa Valley)

The lawyer representing Napa County justified the hefty legal fees and cited Hoopes' 'relentless and aggressive nature' (Pictured: wine tasting stock)

Meanwhile, Conlan maintained her view that the fines and court costs are intended to send a message to other wineries, warning them against defying the county's enforcement.

'We only sue the government, and yet this is unusual to see this level of fines for something like yoga and string lights,' she told CBS.

'That's not typical and does sort of raise a red flag about what's really going on here.'

For now, the judge's decision stands, and the steep penalties will remain, despite attorneys arguing that the amount is simply too excessive.

The order has been temporarily stayed, giving Hoopes a window to file an appeal - a move she said she plans to take. In the meantime, she is allowed to continue hosting tastings at her winery.

Winemaking is the lifeblood of Napa Valley, with its contribution to the region thought to be significantly larger than the $13 billion estimate when the last comprehensive analysis was conducted in 2012.

It has established itself as one of the most famous wine growing regions in the world, attracting 3.8 million tourists a year.

The county already enforces the strictest environmental checks for vineyards in California, a state already known for heavy regulation.

Hoopes can file an appeal. In the meantime, she is allowed to continue hosting tastings at her winery (pictured: wine stock)

A lawyer representing the county previously said the rules are in place to keep Napa Valley (pictured) from becoming 'Disneyland'

It is the only wine-growing region worldwide that forbids weddings, and vineyards face strict limits on selling food or products beyond wine. On top of that, the industry battles drought and waning interest from younger consumers.

Veteran vintners who helped build Napa's reputation for excellence have warned officials that the industry is at risk in the current climate, cautioning against 'killing the goose that laid the golden egg.'

Wealthy vineyard owners say they are being 'crushed' by what they call 'gross regulatory overreach,' penalized for everything from planting trees and making jam to, like Hoopes, hosting wine tastings on their own property.

'The climate has become terrible for business, particularly if you're small,' Hoopes said in April 2024.

Hoopes Vineyard may be modest by Napa standards, with guests sipping wine under twinkling lights and rescue animals making their presence known, yet officials still took issue with it.

A lawyer representing the county previously said the rules are in place to keep Napa Valley from becoming 'Disneyland,' a statement Hoopes believes is preposterous.

Vintners in her position have argued that their rights are grandfathered in, yet the county disagreed - ultimately applying rules inconsistently. Hoopes believes the real problem is that officials dont even understand the regulations themselves.

Hoopes, who is also a lawyer, acquired her vineyard in 2017, though tastings had been held there for years under prior ownership.

Hoopes countersued in 2024 against the county along with two other vintners, including Stu Smith of Smith-Madrone Vineyard (above)

In June 2024, during a deposition, former county enforcement officer Kelli Cahill admitted that officials aren't formally trained in evaluating codes, such as the Small Winery Exemption.

'There's rampant recklessness and negligence in how the regulations are being interpreted,' the mother said.

'They are being interpreted in line with the political climate, instead of faithfulness to their purpose,' she added.

According to wineries, eco-zealots are driving policy, claiming vineyard expansion endangers ecological diversity.

Meanwhile, growers argue that the so-called 'woke mob' has intimidated officials into blocking projects on dubious grounds, even though Napa Valley wineries are celebrated for their sustainability.

Frustrated by this perceived injustice, Hoopes filed a countersuit against the county in that same year, joined by two other wineries - Smith-Madrone and Summit Lake Vineyards.

'As a small winery, you have two options,' Hoopes said. 'You can sell your property to someone who wants to turn it into a luxury home, or you can figure out how to make money from the selling of wine.'

Some Napa County wineries have already relocated to more business-friendly areas, including Fredericksburg, Texas, the second-most visited wine region in the US.
President Donald Trump has announced when the UK's King Charles III and Queen Camilla will make their first official state visit to the US.

'Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th,' the President posted on social media Tuesday morning.

His announcement came after the royals announced the visit, which will be followed by a royal visit to Bermuda, a British Overseas Territory.

The US state visit 'will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th,' Trump wrote.

'This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country,' Trump's post continued. 'I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!'

The trip comes after Trump made an official state visit to London in September 2025.

'On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America,' a press release from the royal family says.

'Their Majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.'

President Donald Trump announced that the UK's King Charles III and Queen Camilla will visit the US at the end of April

Britain's King Charles III (L) and US President Donald Trump (R) talk as they inspect a guard of honor during a ceremonial welcome in the Quadrangle at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, on September 17, 2025, during the US president's second State Visit

But the King's son, Harry Duke of Sussex will not travel to Washington, DC, to see his father during the King's US state visit, a source close to Harry has said.

Harry, who has had a troubled relationship with the King, lives on the US West Coast with his wife Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the King's youngest grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The visit comes at a tenuous time between the US and UK's 'special relationship.'

Trump has slammed UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer for his reluctance to join the US war on Iran.

Initially, the UK denied Trump and the US military access to British military installations, including the strategic island of Diego Garcia in the Indian Ocean, to carry out strikes on Iran.

However, after some outrage from Trump over the matter, Starmer changed course and allowed the US military to launch 'defensive' operations from British bases.

Trump said at the time Starmer's decision to deny the US access to the bases was 'very disappointing,' adding that it had 'never happened before' between the two.

'This is not Winston Churchill that were dealing with,' Trump said of Starmer.

Donald Trump and King Charles sit next to each other at the state banquet for the US President at Windsor Castle last year

King Charles and Trump in a royal carriage during the President's visit to London in September

Trump continued his attacks on the UK in another social media post on Tuesday morning.

'All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.'

'Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done.'

Also overshadowing the visit is Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor's links to late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Andrew, Charles' younger brother, was arrested in February on charges of misconduct in public office.

He allegedly shared confidential UK government trade reports with Epstein while serving as Britain's international trade envoy from 2001 to 2011.

Charles stripped Andrew of his 'Prince' title in October 2025 amid mounting pressure over the royal's connection to Epstein.

When Trump visited the UK in September, protests erupted in Britain over the President and Andrew's ties to the late financier.

Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna of California has called on King Charles to meet with women who claim they were abused by Epstein during the state visit.
A California woman decided it was time to rewrite her past after purchasing the winery where her fiance was murdered by his father over 30 years ago.

Karen Francis DeGolia, 63, quietly bought Limerick Lane Cellars, about an hour outside of Napa Valley, in 2022.

The winery was previously owned by her fiance, Tom Collins, but just two weeks after the couple brought their 1993 summer harvest in, Tom's father shot his son and turned the gun on himself in a horrific murder-suicide.

Michael Collins, Tom's business partner and brother, previously told Northbay Biz that the shooting took place in a 'fit of rage' by his father, though the details surrounding the incident are scarce.

After Tom's death, DeGolia, who was 31 at the time, fled the Golden State so she could start over after losing her partner. Meanwhile, Michael took over as the owner of the winery.

'I felt that I had this beautiful movie playing, then someone took the scissors and cut the film, and all of a sudden, the screen went white,' she told the San Francisco Chronicle.

With that, she packed up her bags and moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and soon Detroit, Michigan, where she thrived in the automobile industry.

She quickly shot to success as one of the few female executives for Oldsmobile, a General Motors division worth $8 billion, but DeGolia said her new passion helped keep her mind off of Tom.

Karen Francis DeGolia, 63, quietly bought Limerick Lane Cellars, about an hour outside of Napa Valley, in 2022

Her fiance, Tom Collins, was shot to death by his father at the winery in the summer of 1993 in a murder-suicide

'I worked really hard to shut out the pain,' DeGolia, who married her husband Rick later in life, stated.

Decades later, DeGolia decided it was time for her to revisit her past and turn the negative into a positive.

She bought the winery, known for its old-vine Zinfandels, from Jake Bilbro, a fifth-generation winemaker, in 2022.

Bilbro purchased the winery from Michael in 2012 after he was diagnosed with cancer.

Michael died in 2020, a year after his other brother, Eddie, died, according to his obituary.

Before officially becoming the owner of the cherished winery, DeGolia tried to become Michael's partner, but the timing wasn't right.

After nine years in Detroit, she decided to return to California, where Michael had invited her to become his partner in 2004.

She learned the tricks and trade of the business, but ultimately decided it wasn't for her at the time.

She quickly shot to success as one of the few female executives in the automobile industry, but DeGolia said she poured herself into her work to keep her mind off losing Tom

Although their grape vines are located in what's considered Pinot and Chardonnay country, Limerick Lane Cellars prides itself on its Zinfandel vinos

Afterward, she moved to San Francisco and became a CEO at an advertising agency.

A year later, DeGolia purchased the Ricci Vineyard, a winery next door to Limerick Lane Cellars.

It quickly became her side hustle while she ran a technology company in Silicon Valley, but after hearing that Michael sold Limerick Lane Cellars to Bilbro, she grew interested in the original winery again.

Because of their proximity, she quickly grew close to Bilbro, and even considered selling her vineyard to him, DeGolia told the outlet.

In 2021, she and her husband bought another home with a vineyard on Limerick Lane. At the same time, Bilbro has put his up for sale.

Unfortunately, Limerick Lane Cellars was under an exclusive contract at the time that prohibited her from buying it.

All of that quickly changed after a prospective buyer demanded changes be made, giving Bilbro an out and DeGolia a chance to reclaim the winery she once ran with her fiance.

'He said, "Karen, I havent slept for weeks because this should be yours. I think my role for the last 10 years has been keeping it until youre ready to come back",' she recalled.

She hopes her diverse background in marketing can help her business achieve its goal and attract customers

Nearly three decades after Tom's death, DeGolia was the new owner of Limerick Lane Cellars, the home of a special carving with their names in it, dated 1993.

'It didnt cross either of our minds that Id buy it,' she said of her and Bilbro.

Now, her main focus is running the winery, especially because she bought it while the industry is in a bit of a downfall, telling the outlet her timing 'could have been better.'

Still, she plans to keep 'working harder than expected' so the business and her fiance's legacy can live up to its highest potential.

Although their grape vines are located in what's considered Pinot and Chardonnay country, Limerick Lane Cellars prides itself on its Zinfandel vinos.

'Were staying with Zin. We know how to make it in a way thats elegant and lovely and beautiful,' she said.

'Once people experience our Zinfandel, they understand that its not all the same.'

She hopes her diverse background in marketing can help her business achieve its goal and attract customers.

'When people leave here, we want them to feel like they got to experience it, not that they were just a visitor,' DeGolia explained.
A California woman is out more than $80,000 after a solar panel company allegedly left her high and dry with an unfinished job on her home.

Lorraine Hammer, 79, was thrilled to get solar panels attached to the roof of her Ontario house so her costly energy bills would drop in price, but instead she's been left shelling out more cash for nothing in return.

Hammer said she signed a contract with My Smart House, LLC in September 2025 after meeting with a man who worked for the company.

'He was really nice. He was here four hours, and went through all my electric bills, and figured how many pallets we need, and how much electricity we were using - they seemed very legitimate,' the California native told KABC.

But a week later, after her lender paid the company $83,200 for the job, workers walked away, leaving their materials behind.

'They looked like they had a lot of people, they looked like they knew what they were doing,' the homeowner, who also paid to have the business install a battery backup system, said.

Hammer's incomplete project isn't the only thing that's left her distraught, as water from recent heavy rainfall has seeped into her home after workers removed tiles from her roof and never replaced them.

'My roof was open. The water was leaking into the light fixture in the bathroom, all the way under the floor,' she stated.

Lorraine Hammer, 79, has been left more than $80,000 out of pocket after she paid My Smart House, LLC to install solar panels on the roof of her home in Ontario, California

A week after shelling out the cash, the workers left the project and their supplies, and have yet to return, Hammer said

Hammer said that since the mishap, she has only heard from My Smart House, LLC one time after reaching out to them via email in December.

In response, the company assured Hammer they have not forgotten about her, and that other customers are also waiting for their projects to be completed because of staffing shortages, according to the email obtained by KABC.

The message also said that all pending projects would be prioritized in the coming weeks. It has been about four months since that correspondence.

'While we understand and share your frustration with these delays, we kindly ask that all communication with our remaining employees and customer support team remain professional and respectful,' the company wrote.

The email added: 'These team members are working tirelessly to resolve the situation and get your system fully operational. Mistreatment or hostility will only slow communication and resolution.'

Hammer recently discovered that the company never filed for building permits, San Bernardino County told her.

She admitted she did not check for references for the company, but did see if they were listed with the Contractors State Licensing Board.

The firm did have an active license, but it has since been suspended, according to the outlet.

The unfinished roof is seen covered in plastic wrap and loose roof shingles

The company removed roof tiles from her home, leaving gaping holes above

When she agreed to have the company work on her home, Hammer said she was very overwhelmed helping take care of her 103-year-old mother, who sadly died a couple of months ago.

Hammer has since received a sliver of hope after another solar company unexpectedly showed up at her home to try to fix the problem.

For now, Hammer has warned other homeowners to properly vet companies before hiring them.

'Beware. Check references. And don't sign anything the first time,' she added.

The Daily Mail contacted My Smart House, LLC for comment.

The latest homeowner nightmare comes just weeks after a Colorado family had no choice but to live in a freezing trailer with no running water after a contractor allegedly gutted their home and ran off with their life savings before completing the job.

Water leaked through her roof and into a light fixture after heavy rainfall, causing water to seep into her floors inside the house

Nicole Chaves, 43, and her husband Mario, 44, claim they and their daughter Tillie, three, have been left virtually homeless after the couple paid $219,000 to contractor Daniel Parker for renovations to their threebedroom, fourbathroom Fort Collins home last fall.

But Parker, owner of Stonebrook Construction Group, walked off the job on January 9, allegedly leaving them with an 'unlivable shell' of a property.

The family has been staying in a fifthwheel trailer in their backyard and says they have been forced to shower at a local gym ever since.

A GoFundMe launched by Nicole's sisterinlaw, Lucia, accused Parker of having 'stole[n]' the money.

Parker strenuously denies any wrongdoing and stated that his firm carried out more work than he has been paid for.

But the family insists they are the 'victims of a devastating construction fraud'.
Vice President JD Vance, already a New York Times best-selling author, has written a new book about his spiritual journey from Christian to atheist to devout Catholic, fueling speculation about his all-but-certain 2028 presidential bid.

'Ive been writing this book for a long time, and Im honored to finally be able to share the full story with you all,' Vance posted on X with a link to his upcoming book, 'Communion.'

'Communion is about my personal journey and how I found my way back to faith,' he wrote alongside a link to pre-order it. It will be published on June 16 by HarperCollins.

A book launch is the most obvious signal an aspiring politician is taking steps to make a run for the White House. Governors Gavin Newsom and Josh Shapiro have already unveiled their own tomes this year.

'Here we go with the 2028 campaign and pandering to the evangelicals,' one social media user commented on Vance's announcement.

Vance is widely expected to launch a presidential campaign for the 2028 election, though he has said he's not going to focus on the gambit until after the 2026 midterms at the end of this year.

According to prediction markets, Vance is widely favored to become the Republican presidential nominee in 2028. He has a 37 percent chance of doing so, according to Kalshi. Meanwhile, Secretary of State Marco Rubio has a 25 percent chance.

Vice President JD Vance with American Pope Leo XIV in May 2025

The cover of Vance's forthcoming book about his Catholic faith. It is being published in June

Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha are greeted by Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky as they arrive to attend a Holy Mass for the Beginning of the Pontificate of Pope Leo XIV, in St Peter's square in The Vatican

The book will focus on how Vance strayed from the Christianity of his youth, wandered into atheism in college and ultimately returned to Christ in 2019 by becoming Catholic.

'By the time I left the Marines in 2007 and began college at The Ohio State University, I read Christopher Hitchens and Sam Harris, and called myself an atheist,' he wrote in 2020 for The Lamp Magazine.

'Atheism leads to an undeniable familial and cultural rupture,' Vance wrote at the time. 'To be an atheist is to be no longer of the community that made you who you were.'

In the entry, he noted how he identified as an atheist to be accepted into 'elite' circles, despite his decisively rural upbringing.

The new book will pick up on some parts where his last best-seller, 'Hillbilly Elegy,' a memoir about his Appalachian upbringing, left off, according to the publisher.

The book announcement comes one day after Second Lady Usha Vance released a new podcast focused on childhood literacy.

'Storytime With the Second Lady,' will feature prominent figures - like NASCAR legend Danica Patrick - alongside Vance as they read short stories and discuss their central themes in 15-minute episodes meant for young children.
A modern day Fagin ran gangs of teenage robbers who stole more than 100,000 worth of mobile phones in two weeks, a court heard.

Sammie Govera's band of crooks included schoolboys, a pensioner who drove a Motability vehicle with a disabled badge and a getaway driver with an eyepatch.

The 32-year-old used social media to recruit and instruct his gang, who carried out a series of raids on phone shops across London.

For six of the raids, teenagers wearing gloves, balaclavas and hoodies stormed into the shops threatening violence to staff as they stuffed their bags with phones.

They demanded access to storerooms full of valuables, throwing punches and manhandling terrified workers.

In just one raid on the Three store in Woolwich, southeast London, the gang snatched 30,000 worth of goods.

In another robbery at a north London branch of the same store, the laundry bag the thieves used to carry stolen phones was so heavy it took two members of the team to carry it.

Sammie Govera used social media to recruit and marshal his young charges, who were signed up to his '8.30 am' Snapchat group

The teenagers demanded access to storerooms full of valuables, throwing punches and manhandling terrified workers in phone stores across London

Govera used a Snapchat group named '8.30am' to direct his gang, and would make frequent trips from his home in Newport, South Wales, to marshal his young charges.

He admitted conspiracy to rob at Croydon Crown Court, and nine other defendants were convicted of similar offences  including four found guilty on Monday.

Thomas Davidson, 72, who appeared in court in a turquoise electric wheelchair, and eyepatch-wearing Saleem Razman, 49, from Manchester, were the gang's getaway drivers.

Two of the boys who pleaded not guilty appeared in court in their school uniforms, including Louis Pandanzyla, 18, from Havering in east London.

He even admitted wearing his uniform to meet up with other robbers ahead of a raid because he was 'meant to go to school that day.'

The other boy cannot be named as he is still only 16.

Thomas Davidson, 72, described as the group's 'Wheelman,' drove a Motability Vauxhall Grandland as the getaway car

The vehicle has now been reclaimed by Motability

Eyepatch-wearing Saleem Razman, 49, from Manchester, was another of the gang's getaway drivers

Some of the crew's robberies were aborted when a staff member pushed a panic button or if one of the robbers suspected undercover police were operating  shouting the codeword 'undies' to alert the others.

Scotland Yard's Flying Squad eventually snared the gang in an investigation known as Operation Wavesplash.

Some of the crew were arrested on June 7 last year when police stopped the getaway car, a VW Passat, in Balham, southwest London, then snatched the robbers on foot when they fled the vehicle.

Two days later, Govera and three teenagers had been driven by Davidson in his Vauxhall Grandland to an O2 store in Sutton, south London, when police pinned in the vehicle and arrested the group.

Davidson said he had no idea what the black-clad boys in his car had been planning to do, to which prosecutor Rupert Kent replied: You would have to have had a lobotomy not to be aware of what was afoot.

Motability, which runs a scheme helping disabled people access cars, later reclaimed the Vauxhall from Davidson.

Louis Pandanzyla, 18, from Havering in east London, appeared in court wearing his school uniform

Since the month after Govera arrived in custody there have been no raids on mobile phone shops in London, Detective Constable Thomas Lockwood of the Flying Squad said.

Detectives discovered the '8.30am' Snapchat group on Govera's phone, which they were able to access because he had been captured using his passcode to unlock it on CCTV.

DC Lockwood said US-based tech firm Snapchat had ignored requests to help with the investigation.

'We filed an application to see if there were any email addresses used to set up the Snapchat account,' he said.

'We did not hear back from them.'

DC Lockwood added: 'The Metropolitan Police's Flying Squad will vigorously defend any institutions that suffer robberies and will pursue the individuals who are carrying out these aggressive raids to make easy money.

'These crimes are terrifying for the victims who come face to face with balaclava-clad violent criminals when they are simply trying to earn an honest living.

'No one deserves to be menaced, threatened or assaulted by offenders seeking to rob them of goods or money.

'We are grateful that the jury in this case were able to see through these criminals' lies and have ensured that justice for their victims and the wider public has been served.'

Flying Squad Detective Chief Inspector Laura Hillier said: 'These convictions should serve as a clear message to anyone who thinks they can carry out robberies: we will find you and we will bring you to justice.'
A glamorous Fox commentator hired just last month as a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security has quit her job amid fears she would be fired due to her close alliance with Corey Lewandowski.

Katie Zacharia, a conservative lawyer and media commentator, submitted her resignation on Monday, the Daily Mail has learned.

She was hired to become the on-camera face of the embattled department after the deadly shootings of two anti-ICE protesters plunged the department into crisis.

The 41-year-old mother-of-four was hired in mid-February to become deputy assistant secretary after Tricia McLaughlin announced she was leaving.

Zacharia has been working under Lauren Bis, McLaughlin's replacement as Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs.

Just a couple of weeks later, President Donald Trump fired DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and also tossed Lewandowski, her chief adviser and lover.

Katie Zacharia, 41, had replaced 31yearold Tricia McLaughlin as the on-camera face of Trump's immigration crackdown in February, but turned in her resignation on Sunday

Ten officials close to Noem were shifted to the State Department to assist the ousted Homeland chief in her new role as special envoy for The Shield of the Americas, a security initiative set up by Trump, sources told the Daily Mail.

The move came as an unofficial blacklist circulated in the DHS containing the names of more than two dozen Noem loyalists, who some were pushing to get fired. The list was reviewed by Trump's Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller  a hardliner who was pivotal in Noem's demise.

The Daily Mail obtained a copy of the list, and can confirm Zacharia was on it.

'I think she knew she would be fired because she was seen as a Corey Lewandowski person,' a DHS insider told the Daily Mail Tuesday.

'She is a straight Corey person and a plant,' another senior DHS official said.

However another source said she left, in part, because she was given a false bill of goods about what the job entailed, brought in as a spokesperson but given menial tasks such as fielding email inquiries.

Zacharia emphatically refuted the notion that she was a Corey person' when contacted by the Daily Mail, and said the President had posted clips of her support for ICE on Truth Social months before she was hired.

Her last day was Tuesday.

I joined DHS with a genuine passion for supporting President Trump in his decisive and effective policies to secure our homeland, be a voice for the precious Angel Families, and an advocate for the men and women of ICE, she stated.

'I will continue supporting President Trumps agenda in whatever way is possible ahead of the midterms.'

Zacharia's hiring had been the culmination of a career spanning work as an attorney for the World Bank in China and Republican political campaigns.

Lewandowski had wielded unprecedented power within the DHS as a special government employee due to his relationship with now ousted Secretary Kristi Noem

Noem herself was forced out of her role as the head of the DHS and has since been appointed Special Envoy to the Shield of the Americas

Known for her unapologetic conservative views, Zacharia has spent years as a cable news staple, debating tough topics as a prime-time contributor for Newsmax and Fox News.

Though Zacharia claims to be a commentator for Fox News on her LinkedIn profile, a spokesperson for the network disputed that title and said she had only appeared as a guest.

Just days after being tossed from the Department of Homeland Security, Lewandowski joined Noem last week during one of her first overseas trips for the State Department.

Photos released Wednesday by the Guyanese government showed Lewandowski, in a dark suit and salmon tie, sitting stone-faced by her side at a formal meeting in Guyana with the South American nation's president and other government officials.

He was also seen with the former DHS secretary in Costa Rica and Ecuador.

The brazen display in Guyana prompted outrage and guffaws among some of Noem's former colleagues at DHS, and word from the State Department that Lewandowski would not be serving in any capacity with the department.

'They just can't quit each other,' one DHS official told the Daily Mail.
Did Indiana University's philanthropy group provide fundraising guidance to a Hamas-linked charity?

Indiana University Philanthropy Programme Faces Questions Over Hamas Ties

Indiana University is under scrutiny after its philanthropy programme reportedly coorganised international fundraising training sessions with a Turkish organisation recently sanctioned by the US Treasury for alleged ties to Hamas. The sessions, designed to teach nonprofit leaders fundraising strategies and management skills, have raised questions about how academic institutions vet external collaborations, particularly when partners face accusations of funnelling charitable donations to militant groups. Experts say such partnerships, even if unintended, can lend credibility to organisations operating under the guise of humanitarian work.

Training Sessions in Istanbul and Jakarta Spark Controversy for IU Initiative

Reports indicate the training sessions were held in Istanbul, Turkey, in July 2025, and in Jakarta, Indonesia, in January 2026. Participants included nonprofit leaders from Southeast Asia, who attended seminars on systematic fundraising, volunteer management, and leadership strategies. Faculty from the Muslim Philanthropy Initiative (MPI) reportedly led the sessions, providing guidance on structuring campaigns and managing donor relations. The international scope of the programme has drawn scrutiny, as these regions are noted for active nonprofit networks and a complex regulatory environment for charitable organisations.

US Treasury Sanctions Turkish Nonprofit Alleged to Fund Hamas Operations

According to The Guardian, the US Department of the Treasury, through its Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), designated the Turkish organisation Hayat Yolu as a 'sham charity' allegedly involved in raising funds for Hamas's military wing, the Izz alDin alQassam Brigades. Treasury officials stated that Hamas continues to exploit ostensibly humanitarian organisations to finance operations and warned that these networks operate across borders to move funds undetected. The sanctions highlight ongoing US efforts to disrupt global financial channels supporting militant groups.

Assistant Professor Dr Shariq A. Siddiqui Reportedly Led Fundraising Programmes

Dr Shariq A. Siddiqui, an assistant professor at the MPI, is reported to have led portions of the fundraising training sessions. While the professor's participation emphasised academic leadership and capacity building, critics have raised concerns about how faculty engage with external organisations whose profiles have become controversial. Indiana University has not publicly confirmed the extent of faculty involvement in these sessions.

Muslim Philanthropy Initiative Mission Highlights Academic and Community Focus

The Muslim Philanthropy Initiative is officially described by Indiana University as an academic unit devoted to strengthening understanding and practice within Muslim philanthropy through research, training, and convenings. Its mission highlights academic rigour, community engagement, and capacity building in the nonprofit sector. There is no public record of MPI itself being sanctioned or accused of wrongdoing, though its association with Hayat Yolu has prompted debate about institutional oversight.

Experts Emphasise Risks of International Partnerships With Controversial Groups

Counter-terrorist financing specialists stress the importance of thorough due diligence when universities engage with international organisations. Even well-intentioned philanthropic education programmes can be inadvertently linked to organisations under government sanctions. Observers note that such associations may affect institutional reputation and raise questions about the responsibilities of academic programmes operating in the global philanthropy sector. The controversy surrounding MPI underscores the challenges of navigating complex, international nonprofit networks while maintaining academic credibility.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
A shocking video has gone viral depicting a woman wiggling her way out of a police vehicle in handcuffs before fleeing the scene.

Kendra Aney, 38, was apprehended by police on Saturday afternoon after an officer with the Muskegon Heights Police Department noticed her vehicle was parked at an abandoned business, according to Chief Maurice Sain.

The officer fingerprinted Aney and determined that she had an outstanding arrest warrant for a parole violation.

She was handcuffed and placed in the back of the patrol car. While officers searched her vehicle, she squeezed through the rear window, exited the vehicle and fled, according to police.

The video showed Aney appearing to pop her head out of the window before shimmying her way out of the car.

She seemed to balance herself halfway out of the window before jumping out, landing on her feet, and sprinting in the opposite direction from the police.

Just a few seconds later, police officers in the parking lot walked back to the car and realized their suspect had fled.

Authorities believe that later that night, Aney was involved in a breaking-and-entering incident in Muskegon Heights, a city outside Grand Rapids.

Police said the suspect, pictured above, squeezed through the rear window and escaped while they searched her vehicle

The wild footage revealed Aney allegedly escaping the vehicle while she was handcuffed and fleeing the scene, as pictured above

After three days on the run, police received a report of a woman hiding in an abandoned home and located Aney.

She was arrested on Tuesday for obstructing justice by evading parole and was held at the Muskegon County Jail without bail, according to inmate records.

Aney has failed to comply with the conditions of her parole since January 12, according to the Michigan Department of Corrections.

She has been serving a sentence for delivering or manufacturing narcotics since a conviction in 2017.

Aney was also convicted in 2012 for larceny and was sentenced to a year and six months in prison. She was convicted on another larceny charge two years earlier.

Aney allegedly escaped in handcuffs and was on the run for days. She was arrested on Tuesday and placed in custody

Aney, pictured above in a booking photo from 2021, has previously been convicted on larceny charges and was accused of evading parole when she was apprehended

In 2016, Aney was sentenced to a year and six months for operating a vehicle under the influence of a controlled substance.

Law enforcement officials are expected to slap an additional charge for breaking and entering.

Aney is scheduled to be arraigned on Wednesday and has not entered a plea for the charges against her.

The Daily Mail has reached out to the Muskegon Heights Police Department and the County Prosecutor's Office for additional comment.
A Wisconsin special education teacher has been accused of abusing two 16-year-old boys, with one student telling authorities she did 'everything sexual you can do with a person'.

Nadia Horn, 22, a teacher at Eau Claire North High School, confessed to having sex with two minor students earlier this year, including occasions when both boys were in the same room, according to a criminal complaint obtained by WEAU News.

During her police interview, she allegedly told authorities she didn't see herself as taking advantage of her victims, claiming 'it just felt mutual' while admitting she 'made a mistake.'

Because the state's age of consent is 18, Horn, who also co-teaches World Studies, was charged with multiple child sex crimes last week.

Her charges include second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16, two counts of child enticement and two counts of sexual assault by someone who works or volunteers with children.

The disgraced teacher quickly posted a $15,000 cash bond and was released within hours.

Court documents exposed disturbing details about Horn's arrest and alleged conduct, indicating that she was being investigated in connection with 'several victims,' according to WEAU.

On March 20, Detective Craig Richter was notified by school administration that Horn had reportedly engaged in inappropriate contact with students, including buying one a phone and allegedly giving rides outside school hours.

Nadia Horn (pictured), 22, is facing several charges after police said she admitted to having sex with two minor students earlier this year inside her apartment bedroom

Horn, a special education teacher at North High School in Wisconsin (pictured), allegedly told investigators the relationship with both victims 'just felt mutual' but was 'a mistake'

Horn (pictured) allegedly admitted that she had intercourse with one of her victims while another one was in the same room

Five days later, he was assigned to North High School as a School Resource Officer, after the first victim - referred to as Victim 1 in court documents - officially reported sexual misconduct.

The abuse began in January, when a boy who had been skipping school was given rides by Horn to get to class on time, which eventually resulted in him being transferred into her class, according to the documents.

That same month, Horn allegedly bought her student an iPhone 14 after he told her he couldn't use Snapchat due to having no service, sparking inappropriate back-and-forth messages through the app.

Police reported that the victim, describing the conversations as 'odd and weird,' was asked by Horn to hang out and get food outside school. The interactions escalated to him receiving 'really revealing' photos, though he denied they were nudes.

Meanwhile, Horn later admitted during her police interview that the Snapchats 'potentially' included nudes exposing her breasts or vagina.

The boy said that Horn consistently messaged him during school, expressing that she couldn't wait to see him and that his presence made her body feel a 'certain way,' according to the complaint.

On January 14, the teacher allegedly took her first victim to her apartment, where she moved closer while they watched TV and eventually laid on him, leaving him feeling 'trapped,' he reported.

He explained that they ultimately did 'everything sexual you can do with a person,' which he said occurred nearly every time he went to her apartment, authorities wrote.

Horn (pictured) allegedly bought her student an iPhone 14 after he told her he couldn't use Snapchat, which led to her reportedly sending him 'really revealing' photos

Horn is charged with second-degree sexual assault of a child under 16, two counts of child enticement and two counts of sexual assault by someone who works with children

Horn (pictured) posted a $15,000 cash bond and was released within hours, but faces up to 40 years if convicted

Two videos recorded inside Horn's apartment provided additional evidence, police said, including one allegedly showing the victim lying under the covers in her bed.

In March, Horn sent a late-night Snapchat to the boy, asking him to come over and urging him to skip school to return to her apartment the next morning, according to the court records.

Her victim recalled the message reading something like, 'I shouldn't be asking you this, but will you come over.'

On March 25, Horn allegedly admitted to officers visiting her apartment that she had picked up a group of kids from a party and taken them home, stressing it was a 'mistake,' police wrote.

When questioned about buying the boy a phone, Horn claimed it was to help and support him, adding that they had talked about 'food and stuff' over winter break after she gave him her number.

Horn was read her Miranda rights and arrested, and during her interview at the station, additional harrowing details about both Victim 1 and Victim 2 came to light.

She allegedly confessed to having sex with the first victim 'three times,' each encounter in her personal bedroom, while again reiterating she had 'made a mistake.'

Horn told authorities that her last contact with Victim 1 was earlier that morning, when she sent him a selfie in her bed, according to court documents.

One of the victims told investigators that he and Horn (pictured) engaged in 'everything sexual you can do with a person'

Horn is accused of urging her victims to skip school (pictured) and instead hang out and her apartment the following morning

Horn (pictured) allegedly confessed to having sex with the first victim 'three times' on three separate occasions

Investigators, seemingly aware of the image, asked the teacher if she recalled the photo involving a pillow with a caption that read, 'there's room for you here.'

'She stated, "oh yeah, shouldn't have said, yeah,"' police wrote in the complaint.

During the interview, Horn allegedly admitted that Victim 2 had also been to her apartment and that she brought both boys to her home to 'hang out,' with a third student present.

She told investigators that she had sex with Victim 2 at her apartment twice on separate dates, boldly claiming that he 'really wanted it' after she began touching him.

The first time Horn had sex with the second boy, the first boy was reportedly present in the home, according to the complaint.

She said that Victim 1 left the room after she touched his genitals, at which point she began having intercourse with Victim 2.

Investigators said that Horn, after asking if she was allowed to say something, insisted that her entire relationship with both victims 'felt mutual' and that she didnt feel she was exploiting either of them.

While denying ever selling drugs to the students, Horn admitted to providing wine at her apartment, saying she only did so because they asked for it.

Horn (pictured) allegedly admitted to providing the boys with wine at her apartment, but said she only did so because they asked for it

Eau Claire Area School District sent a letter to families stating that Horn (pictured) was suspended without pay pending the outcome of her legal case

Surveillance footage reviewed by authorities allegedly showed that just before midnight earlier this month, a woman entered her apartment, followed closely by three teenage boys.

Detectives wrote that the next morning, she and all three boys were seen leaving the apartment together.

Horn was booked into Eau Claire County Jail on several sex crime charges and released, but if convicted, she faces up to 40 years in prison and/or a $100,000 fine.

Following her arrest, the Eau Claire Area School District sent a letter to families stating that Horn had been suspended without pay pending the outcome of her legal case, according to WEAU.

She is expected back in court on May 20 for a hearing.
A former Royal Navy officer who put his penis through a shower curtain where a female colleague was washing has been jailed for two-and-a-half years.

Petty Officer Greg Melrose, 32, preyed on three female colleagues on board HMS Audacious, a nuclear submarine, and married his partner of a decade weeks after his crimes.

He groped other officers without permission, including one attack where he 'put his hand down the back' of a woman's swimming costume 'around her bottom and on to her vagina'.

PO Melrose was also dismissed from the Navy, which was criticised by the judge at Bulford Military Court in Wiltshire for its 'misogynistic culture' and told it needed to take action to address the 'stigma' women sailors face when reporting abuse.

The defendant, who had served in the Navy for nine years when the offences took place, held the rank of Leading Hand on HMS Audacious when it was stationed in the Mediterranean.

While the crew were on shore leave at a Cyprus hotel, PO Melrose and a fellow sailor were at the hotel's swimming pool bar when he put his hand down the back of her swimming costume, the court heard.

Another colleague saw what had happened but did not report the incident until hearing of other allegations.

At a similar time the petty officer exposed himself to a junior colleague in the submarine's showers.

Petty Officer Greg Melrose was jailed for 30 months and dismissed by the Royal Navy after being found guilty of the three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent exposure

While the victim was showering PO Melrose put his erect penis through the curtain - she was 'shocked and upset and backed away as far as she could in the cubicle'.

A separate offence occurred while she helped PO Melrose to put on his fire-fighting uniform during a practice drill.

She said she usually tried to keep her distance from him but they were expected to work together for the drill.

During this time he touched her bottom while others were not looking.

A third victim said she considered herself a friend of PO Melrose but would not be around him while he was drunk because of his past conduct towards her.

She held the rank of Able Seaman at the time, junior to the defendant.

The pair had been at a Crete strip club for a social event with friends but the group had to take turns carrying PO Melrose back to their hotel afterwards because he was drunk.

As the victim took her turn carrying him, PO Melrose forcibly tried to kiss her, attracting the group's attention.

The next morning he messaged his colleague saying: 'I'm sorry for kissing you like that I like you so much that I was hoping you'd lose character and kiss me back haha.

'I'm so nervous something bad happened I honestly thought we'd wake up together. I'm gutted someone spotted us.'

She replied: 'You were a nightmare. I'm... loyal to my partner. Nothing will ever happen, drink or no drink.'

By the time the three women reported their experiences, PO Melrose had been promoted.

The court martial heard they 'feared for their safety' when speaking out because of a 'culture where they would be targeted for coming forward'.

One of them was told she was being stationed with PO Melrose while the Navy investigated offences he committed against her.

Assistant Judge Advocate General Jane England praised the three sailors for being 'courageous' by reporting the defendant.

He was found guilty of the three counts of sexual assault and one count of indecent exposure on Friday.

Weeks after his offences he married his partner - they are still together.

Sentencing, Judge England told the defendant: 'One of your victims said: "I didn't feel comfortable speaking out. Women are discriminated against in the Navy and I feared for my safety while on duty."

'Another said: "It's hard enough being female on a submarine. You try to keep your head down and not draw attention to yourself. By saying something you make yourself a target."'

The offences took place while PO Melrose was working on HMS Audacious, one of the Navy's nuclear submarines

She added the Navy would have to 'consider their actions' in stationing PO Melrose with one of his accusers while investigating her allegations.

According to Judge England, the woman felt the Navy 'wasn't protecting her' and chose to work from home, missing out on officer training as a result.

'She worried about the stigma of a woman reporting an incident. She's now left the submarine service and been diagnosed with PTSD.'

But the judge noted the action the Navy had taken was 'encouraging' so far.

She continued: 'The women did not want to report it because of discrimination against women and a culture where they would be targeted for coming forward.

'They came forward because it was the right thing to do. They wanted to stop you and call out this behaviour in The Royal Navy. They were courageous to do so and they were right to do so.

'The Royal Navy has taken steps since these offences to tackle its misogynistic culture which is encouraging but still embryonic.

'You had three character references. All spoke highly and cannot envisage you doing these things. Perhaps that suggests they don't know you as well as they think and that you hid this part of yourself.

'You took little responsibility for these offences. We think your motivation for these offences was not alcohol but your desire for sexual gratification.'

She said PO Melrose's conduct was 'utterly disgraceful' and he had used his friendship with two of the women to 'prey on them'.

'You just didn't care,' she added.

HMS Audacious is part of the Navy's Astute Class nuclear-powered submarine range and was launched in April 2017 after being built in Barrow-in-Furness.

The submarine is used in activities including covert intelligence gathering and strategic strikes.
Spanish police have uncovered a sophisticated 'maze-like' underground tunnel used to smuggle tonnes of hashish from Morocco into Europe.

The secret passage, hidden beneath an industrial warehouse in the North African exclave of Ceuta, was fitted with pumping systems and soundproofing to avoid detection, officers said.

Investigators described the network as a feat of engineering, with multiple levels, rail tracks and heavy-duty lifting equipment designed to move vast quantities of drugs across the border.

At its deepest point, the tunnel led directly into Morocco and resembled a mine, complete with trolleys running along a complex rail system.

Police said the middle level of the structure was used to store large bales of hashish, which were then transported using cranes and pulleys capable of lifting heavy loads.

The entrance was concealed behind what appeared to be an ordinary industrial setup inside a warehouse, allowing traffickers to operate undetected.

Authorities believe the network was capable of moving significant quantities of drugs into mainland Spain and beyond into the rest of Europe.

The discovery came as part of a major investigation launched in February 2025 targeting what officials have dubbed the 'hashish network of networks'.

Spanish police have uncovered a sophisticated 'maze-like' underground tunnel used to smuggle tonnes of hashish from Morocco into Europe

The secret passage, hidden beneath an industrial warehouse in the North African exclave of Ceuta, was fitted with pumping systems and soundproofing to avoid detection, officers said

Investigators described the network as a feat of engineering, with multiple levels, rail tracks and heavy-duty lifting equipment designed to move vast quantities of drugs across the border

At its deepest point, the tunnel led directly into Morocco and resembled a mine, complete with trolleys running along a complex rail system

Over several months, officers seized more than 17 tonnes of hashish and 1.4 million in cash in operations across Ceuta and mainland Spain.

A total of 27 suspects have been arrested, including two alleged ringleaders believed to be behind the operation.

Police said the tunnel measures around 19 metres in depth, just 1.2 metres in height and 80 centimetres in width, forcing those inside to move through the narrow passage.

Work at the site is still ongoing, with parts of the tunnel flooded and requiring further examination by investigators.

Spain's proximity to Morocco, one of the world's leading cannabis producers, has long made it a key gateway for drugs entering Europe.

The Spanish enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, which border Morocco, represent the European Union's only land frontiers with Africa and have become hotspots for trafficking routes.

Officers said the level of sophistication uncovered in the tunnel highlights the increasing scale and organisation of drug smuggling operations targeting Europe.

The handout images released by Spain's National Police show the hidden entrance and the narrow underground passage, offering a glimpse into the elaborate infrastructure used by traffickers.

Authorities are now working to determine how long the tunnel had been in operation and whether further undiscovered routes may exist.
Britain is to pay millions more to France to police the Channel  despite the French refusing to accept targets to stop the boats.

Shabana Mahmood has signed off a 16.2 million cheque for a two-month extension to the current deal with Paris, which subsidises French beach patrols.

But the French have flatly refused the Home Secretary's demand to link payments to success in stopping the boats.

Ms Mahmood is said to be frustrated by a fall in the interception rate, which has seen the French stop fewer than a third of those trying to cross illegally this year. More than 4,400 have already made the crossing since the start of the year, despite poor weather.

She demanded that future payments from the British taxpayer be linked to results. But the French refused, claiming it could endanger life at sea.

With the current deal due to expire on Tuesday night  and the prospect of a free-for-all in the Channel  Ms Mahmood agreed to extend the deal and carry on talking.

The Home Secretary vowed she would do 'whatever it takes to restore order and control at our borders'.

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Labour was allowing Britain to be ripped off by the French.

A 'taxi boat' collects migrants from Gravelines beach on the French coast as they start an illegal crossing to the UK

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'France is stopping fewer small boat illegal immigrants than ever,' he said. 'The bottom line is there should not be any illegal immigrants attempting to seek asylum in the UK having left France in the first place - because France is a safe country.

'Labour don't have the backbone to get a deal over the line. They are now going to pay 2 million a week for continued failure. We shouldn't pay the French a penny until they agree to substantially increase their prevention rate and start intercepting at sea by force - as they promised last summer.

'Keir Starmer has now presided over the most Channel crossings of any Prime Minister - up 45 per cent since the election. His absurd claim to 'smash the gangs' lies in tatters.'

But a Home Office source insisted Mahmood was 'driving a hard bargain' rather than accepting the terms offered by Paris.

'She is determined to deliver the best deal for the British people to prevent illegal migrants getting to Britain,' the source said. 'We want more bang for our buck.'

In a statement, Ms Mahmood said: 'Our work with France has stopped 42,000 attempts by illegal migrants to make the journey across the Channel.

'While we finalise a new and improved UK-France deal, French law enforcement operations to stop illegal migrants in France will continue.

'I will do whatever it takes to restore order and control at our borders.'

The current round of negotiations to sign a new 650 million deal were deadlocked because France rejected the payment-by-results plan.

Shabana Mahmood failed to get agreement from France for payment by results, but aides insis she will continue to 'drive a hard bargain'

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In turn, the British have rejected French requests to pay the salaries of staff at a new migrant detention centre in northern France, while also funding a French police barracks.

A senior Interior Ministry source on Tuesday told the Daily Mail that the UK would have to pay more to get an enhanced deal.

' Escalating costs have to be covered, and it is the British who need to cover them,' the source said.

'We are putting all the work in, protecting British interests.'

The French Navy has also objected to intervening at sea, with one senior officer saying: 'Disaster, including drownings, can easily happen.'

Laurent Nunez, the current French Interior Minister, is a former Paris police prefect, and a lot more concerned about the dangers the new tactics pose to serving officers.

'He agrees that intervening in boats at sea is incredibly dangerous and should be avoided at all costs,' said another French National Police source.

Figures published by the UK Home Office show that French interception rates have fallen to the lowest on record so far this year.

In all, just 2,064 out of 6,233 attempted crossings have been stopped.

But Xavier Ducept, France's general secretary for the sea, warned that linking funding to the number of interceptions would not be possible because it would endanger lives at sea.

He told a French parliamentary committee last week that such funding would 'be extremely dangerous for migrants, for the security services, and for France.'

It comes as specialist French police units attempt to intercept small boats on canals and within 300 metres of the shore.

'This is a dangerous new tactic, and it requires specialist training and more equipment  all of this costs,' said the Interior Ministry official.

Last year, the French stopped around 35% of people smuggler small boats  carrying around 22,500 migrants  from getting across the English Channel.

The English money goes on paying police, including their overtime and insurance, as well as financing boats and drones.

The French government is expecting legal challenges to come from charities and NGOs, either through the French or European courts, as tactics are firmed up, and all this will cost too.

A senior source at Alliance  the largest police union in France  said: 'People don't seem to realise how dangerous it is to try and carry out arrests at sea, while trying to force a boat to change course.

'If there are eighty people on an overcrowded boat, including women and children, then it is extremely dangerous to try and stop them.'
A wolf bit a woman's face on a busy German shopping street in what is believed to be the first attack of its kind since wolves returned to the country in 1998.

The woman was bitten near an Ikea shop on Hamburg's Grosse Bergstrasse near Altona station, west of the city centre, on Monday evening.

German media reported the woman had been taken to hospital.

On the same evening police pulled the wolf from Binnenalster lake in the city's downtown using a rope.

German media said it was taken to an enclosure on the outskirts of Hamburg.

Experts reportedly believe the animal is a young wolf searching for territory of its own and accidentally wandered into the city.

Germany's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation claimed it was the first known attack by a wild wolf on a human since the animals reappeared after a nearly 30-year absence.

Last year the European Parliament voted to change wolves' status from 'strictly protected' to protected' as attacks on livestock increased.

A wolf bit a woman's face in Hamburg on Monday in what is believed to be the first attack on a human since the animals returned to Germany (file pic)

Germany's parliament last week approved legislation making it easier to shoot wolves that kill or wound livestock.

Animal protection groups had opposed the draft law but it was passed with votes from the centre-right governing coalition and the far-right Alternativ fur Deutschland.

Hermann Farber, of the coalition's senior Christian Democratic Union (CDU) party, told the Bundestag the country's livestock needed more protection.

'The suffering of grazing animals, which are often killed in the bloodlust of wolves, no longer has anything to do with animal welfare,' he said.

In 2022 a wolf killed a EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen's pony Dolly near Hanover.

She encouraged a review of wolves' protection status shortly after and it was later downgraded.

According to the International Wolf Center the animals were 'celebrated as a sensation' in the early 2000s but have now become a 'normality' in many places.

Wolf families can be found in eastern Germany and the total population nationally is estimated at between 500 and 1,000.

They had been declared extinct in the 19th century but an official study last year found 219 wolf packs across the country.

Government statistics show around 4,300 farm animals were killed or injured by wolves in the country in 2024.
A billionaire hedge fund manager has made the largest single donation to a British university in modern times.

Chris Rokos, whose estimated worth is around 2.6billion, is gifting 190million to Cambridge University to create the Rokos School of Government.

The 55-year-old is among the UK's biggest taxpayers and is known as a bond trader, having started his career at Goldman Sachs and Credit Suisse before co-founding the hedge fund Bevan Howard.

Mr Rokos reportedly took home around 477million last year from his hedge fund Rokos Capital Management, which he launched in 2015.

The Oxford graduate will give 130million towards the school, plus a further endowment of up to 60million - which will be matched by Cambridge University.

The donation overtakes the 150million donated to Oxford University by the American tycoon Stephen Schwarzman, which took the title in 2019 as the biggest donation 'since the Renaissance'.

The new school will be built on underdeveloped land given by the university in its 'west innovation district'.

The school is set to offer PhD and masters degrees in autumn this year from temporary facilities while building continues - with a mission to prepare political leaders for domestic and international politics.

Chris Rokos, whose estimated worth is around 2.6billion, is gifting 190million to Cambridge University to create the Rokos School of Government

It aims to compete against Oxford University's Blavatnik School of Government, which opened its doors in 2010 with the help of a 75million donation from the Soviet-born billionaire Sir Leonard Blavatnik.

Mr Rokos, who studied mathematics at rival Oxford University, previously supported scholarship programmes at his alumnus Eton College, as well as initiatives linked to Pembroke College Oxford.

The billionaire hedge fund manager, who went to a state primary school before attending the alma mater of Prince William and Prince Harry on a scholarship, said: 'I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of an education which transformed my life and I would like to give something back to Britain.

'My hope is that, in time, the influence of the Rokos School of Government across the world becomes an important element of that soft power which has been a great asset to the UK.'

The vice-chancellor of Cambridge University Professor Deborah Prentice said there is a global need for 'radical new ways of thinking and approaches to leadership'.

Professor Prentice added Cambridge is 'uniquely positioned to drive this innovation', which is 'needed to respond to our rapidly changing world.'

She said: 'Thanks to Chris's generous support, the Rokos School of Government will become a place where leaders and governments - both current and future - together with experts from our institution generate the insights and solutions needed to respond to our rapidly changing world.'

The school will have direct access to the university's expertise in technology, science, social science, arts and humanities. While its faculty will include established academics, including political scientists, economists, historians, engineers and statisticians.

The Oxford graduate will give 130million towards the school, plus a further endowment of up to 60million - which will be matched by Cambridge University

Mr Rokos has nominated former academic and now lawyer Dr Christos Nifadopoulos and president of Cambridge's Girton college Dr Elisabeth Kendall, pictured, to help manage the newly-formed trust of the new school

Staff will also include experts from government and senior positions in business, finance or public service.

Financial contributions made to the school by both donors and the university itself will be overseen by a newly-formed trust. It will be managed by two people appointed by Mr Rokos and two chosen by the university.

The university has appointed pro vice-chancellor for research Professor Sir John Aston and pro vice-chancellor for university community and engagement Professor Kamal Munir.

Mr Rokos has nominated former academic and now lawyer Dr Christos Nifadopoulos and president of Cambridge's Girton college Dr Elisabeth Kendall.
A Chicago suburb crowned America's 'best place to live' in 2025 was overwhelmed by feral youths smashing through its streets in so-called 'teen takeover.'

Wild footage showed huge droves of teens filling the Illinois suburb of Naperville over the weekend, as wave after wave were seen sprinting and screaming down the street.

The chaotic episode was the latest so-called 'teen takeover' event that has plagued Chicago and surrounding suburbs in recent months, during which gangs of youths organize to overrun an area in a night of madness. The thoughtless teens jump on cars and run across their roofs, triggering terror in any bystanders unfortunate enough to be caught-up in the madness.

A Chicago-area X user shared video of the mob's antics over the weekend, showing hundreds of teens and young people showed up to inundate the town.

Huge numbers in the unruly crowd ran down the sidewalks and appeared to set off numerous car alarms, but the X user alleged that no Naperville Police Department officers stepped in.

'Growing up around here you used to have a squadron of cops,' the user wrote. 'Now I raise my family around here and this stuff is a common occurrence and NEVER A COP TO BE FOUND!! Figure it out!'

Naperville Police told Daily Mail that three people were arrested.

The chaotic scenes came just days after another 'teen takeover' hit downtown Chicago on March 25, where a huge mob attacked random people in the street, smashed cars and used tasers on each other.

The Chicago suburb of Naperville, crowned America's 'best place to live' in 2025, was overwhelmed by feral youths smashing through its streets in another 'teen takeover

Wild footage showed huge droves of teens filling the Illinois suburb of Naperville over the weekend, as wave after wave were seen sprinting and screaming down the street

Naperville was named America's 'best city to live' thanks to to a strong housing market, economy and school system, beating over 50,000

The incident in Naperville comes even as the suburb was named as America's 'best city to live' in 2025 for the second straight year, thanks to a strong housing market, economy and school system.

The title, awarded by statistics site Niche.com, was handed to Naperville following a survey of over 50,000 cities, suburbs and big-city neighborhoods across the nation.

The picturesque town also came out on top in the ranking of best cities in the US to buy a home, best cities to raise a family and cities with the best public schools system.

Despite topping the enviable ranking, Naperville became the latest victim of the 'teen takeover' craze sweeping Illinois over the weekend.

The events are organized by young people over social media to target a community and send swarms of youths to smash through its streets, cause violence and overwhelm local authorities.

Following the 'teen takeover' in Naperville, another mob hit the Hyde Park area of Chicago the next evening on Monday.

Footage shared to social media showed the youths jumping over cars, cracking windshields and yelling as they ran through the city streets.

Following the 'teen takeover' in Naperville, another mob hit the Hyde Park area of Chicago the next evening on Monday, as footage shared to social media showed the youths jumping over cars, cracking windshields and yelling as they ran through the city streets

Cars were destroyed by the mob in Hyde Park, as locals say the 'teen takeover' incidents have plagued their city for months

The chaotic scenes came just days after another 'teen takeover' hit downtown Chicago on March 25, where a huge mob attacked random people in the street, smashed cars and used tasers on each other

Chicago residents say the scenes are becoming all-too familiar under the leadership of progressive Democrat Mayor Brandon Johnson, with gangs of teens known to frequently overwhelm the city and surrounding suburbs late at night with little resistance from law enforcement.

In the incident last Wednesday in The Loop district, the mob was seen violently stomping a shirtless man and flying into a frenzy in videos captured during the takeover.

Several police cars were seen stationed nearby, yet they apparently failed to intervene, video showed.

Private security group Community Intelligence Unit (CIU) reported at least one teen was beaten unconscious, a number of vehicles were destroyed and several people were arrested.

The group also reported that bear mace was used during the melee, and footage showed several rioters appearing to use tasers to zap each other and innocent victims.

Chicago City Alderman Brian Hopkins announced a curfew for 10pm to help bring the chaos to a close, saying the situation got 'out of control'. He said the curfew order led the crowd to mostly disperse by 10.40pm, saying that it had an 'immediate impact' after hours of violence.

Alderman Hopkins has previously called for social media companies to be held responsible for Chicago's teen takeover issue.

He said platforms often host pages for the takeovers and allow teens to organize, and last November, one of the takeovers turned deadly after a 14-year-old was shot in a chaotic mob.

Footage from the March 25 'takeover' showed several rioters appearing to use tasers during the chaotic scenes

At least one person was beaten unconscious by the mob last week, a number of vehicles were destroyed, and several people were arrested. In one clip shared to social media, an unconscious man was seen surrounded by the mob as a man with a flashlight tried to help him

Locals say the mayhem has become a growing issue under the leadership of Mayor Brandon Johnson, with gangs of teens known to frequently overwhelm the popular Loop district late at night with little resistance from authorities

In a statement to the Daily Mail following the incident, Mayor Johnson's office said the use of the curfew 'safely dispersed' the group, adding that, 'Fortunately no one sustained significant injuries.'

'We are confident that the Citys public safety infrastructure and current laws equip CPD with the tools needed to effectively mitigate these incidents when they cannot be prevented in advance,' the mayor's office said.

'The Mayor remains in close coordination with local law enforcement and community partners as we work to ensure the safety of every neighborhood in our city.

'We encourage parents and guardians to keep track of their children and monitor their whereabouts and their social media accounts.'
A Las Vegas judge has issued a bench warrant for the woman accused of abandoning her golden doodle pup at the airport after she failed to show up for her first court appearance.

Germiran Bryson, 26, allegedly left her two-year-old dog inside Harry Reid International Airport on February 2 after being told she did not have the proper paperwork to bring him on board as a service animal.

Rather than rebooking, she allegedly tied her dog to a metal carry-on at the JetBlue ticket counter and stormed off without looking back, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.

She was caught at her departing gate shortly after, detained, and charged with animal abandonment and resisting arrest, authorities said.

However, because the charges Bryson faces are misdemeanors, she was not required to post bond and was allowed to walk free.

At her first court appearance on Tuesday, Las Vegas Justice Court Judge Diana Sullivan said her office received a call from a member of Bryson's family claiming she was in the hospital in another state, KLAS reported.

The judge said she did not receive any documentation to support the hospitalization claim and issued a $5,000 bench warrant to Bryson for missing court.

The bench warrant allows any police officer to arrest Bryson and hold her in jail until she returns to Las Vegas to enter a plea.

A judge issued a bench warrant for Germiran Bryson, 26, after she failed to show up in court and enter a plea on misdemeanor charges allegedly abandoning her pup at the airport

She allegedly left the two-year-old dog inside Harry Reid International Airport on February 2 after being told she did not have the proper paperwork to bring him on board as a service animal

Bryson's brother, Gerrayl Bryson, previously told the local news station that his sister was disabled by an injury she suffered as a member of the US Armed Forces and was not of sound mind when she abandoned the dog.

'Her leaving her dog, who is her very best friend and she travels with him everywhere, is another sign of the severity and degradation of her condition,' he said.

'So again, the best way that this incident can be described is as a young female veteran having a crisis.'

Las Vegas police also released bodycam footage showing Bryson trying to get through Gate D1, where officers immediately confronted her.

'I'm going to throw my bags down because I'm exhausted,' she told authorities.

An officer told Bryson sharply, 'No, what we're gonna do is walk you back to where your dog's at and give you a citation, because you left your dog at the ticket counter.'

She became defensive, insisting she was merely trying to 'rebook her flight,' but police pressed her once again on why shed left her dog behind.

In an apparent attempt to shift blame, Bryson told authorities she was just following what airport staff had told her to do at the counter.

Rather than rebooking, she allegedly tied her dog to a metal carry-on sizer at the JetBlue ticket counter

Las Vegas police officer Skeeter Black adopted the four-legged friend, nicknamed 'Jet Blue'

Not buying her excuse, the officer scoffed, 'To walk out here without your dog?!'

Bryson 'claimed the dog had a tracking device - implying it was acceptable to leave the animal behind and it would return to her,' the police department said.

While being walked back through the checkpoint, the disgraced dog owner allegedly became 'hostile' and struggled with officers trying to detain her.

After 10 days with Animal Protective Services and a search for a new home through the nonprofit Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas, the pup was adopted by the officer who came to his rescue.

Las Vegas police officer Skeeter Black adopted the four-legged friend, nicknamed 'Jet Blue,' the department wrote on Facebook.

'Weeks after being found tied to a baggage sizer inside Terminal three at Harry Reid International Airport, the dog now known as Jet Blue is officially on the way to his new forever home,' the post stated.

'Officer Black and his family had already been approved through Retriever Rescue of Las Vegas months earlier while searching to adopt a golden doodle of their own.

'Following the mandatory hold period, the rescue organization selected them to provide Jet Blue with the safe and loving home he deserves,' it added.

A heartwarming montage was also shared by the department, featuring a compilation of slow motion clips and photos of Black and his family outside the rescue center.
New details have emerged describing Nancy Guthrie's million-dollar Arizona home after her abduction, as the frantic investigation approaches its second month.

The Guthrie family was hit with an unimaginable nightmare on February 1, when Nancy, 84, was believed to have been abducted from her home in the middle of the night.

She was last seen the evening before at a family dinner. Police have since come up on multiple dead ends with no trace of Nancy or arrests made in connection with her disappearance.

Investigators believed Nancy was snatched from her home in the dead of the night after they found her front door camera disconnected and blood on the doorway.

However, a source has now revealed to NewsNation that there were 'no signs of an assault in Nancy's home.'

Certain rooms in the Catalina Foothills mansion were described as 'immaculate,' and the house was reportedly clean.

The new revelation contrasts with initial reports that investigators found signs of forced entry at Nancy's home.

Savannah Guthrie spoke for the first time about her mother's harrowing abduction in an interview last week with Today host colleague Hoda Kotb.

Nancy Guthrie, 84, pictured above with Savannah on the Today show set, disappeared from her home on February 1

Investigators found blood on the front doorway of her Tucson home, pictured above. A new report has now claimed the house's interior did not show signs of an assault, describing some rooms as 'immaculate'

A break in the case came when the FBI uncovered previously lost footage of a suspect disabling the front door camera, pictured above

She recalled the shocking moments she first learned of Nancy's disappearance, revealing that she believed paramedics were at the home.

'We thought that she must have had some kind of medical episode in the night and that somehow the paramedics had come because the back doors were propped open, you know, and that didnt make any sense,' she said.

NewsNation's Ashleigh Banfield said on her podcast, Drop Dead Serious, that a source previously revealed to her that the back door of Nancy's home was 'wide open' and propped up with flower pots.

The revelations have fed theories that there were multiple abductors. Retired FBI agent Jennifer Coffindaffer told Newsweek that she speculated more than one person was involved.

'Normally people who abduct people need help. They need somebody to handle the person,' she said.

'They need somebody where they're taking the person to, you know, to help care for that person. If indeed, they wanted to keep them alive, they would need somebody.'

The Pima County Sheriff's Department said they have not publicly disclosed information about the interior condition of Nancy's home, adding that the investigation is still active when approached for comment by the Daily Mail.

It's unclear why Nancy's back door was propped open when investigators arrived. The Federal Bureau of Investigation previously obtained video footage of a suspect entering the home through the front door.

Savannah also described the back door of her mother's home as 'propped open,' leading to theories that there were multiple captors

Sheriff Chris Nanos, pictured above, said in a recent media interview that he had 'no regrets' about how his department handled Nancy's case

The chilling video revealed a masked man with a backpack. The FBI said he was about 5 feet 9 inches with an average build.

The exhaustive search has yielded multiple dead ends for the sheriff's department. False hope came about two weeks into the investigation when SWAT teams descended on a nearby home in Tucson.

A Range Rover driver was apprehended that same night, but no arrests were made, and the individuals were released.

Multiple ransom notes sent to local news affiliates and TMZ were also recovered during the investigation, but have not led to any arrests in connection with Nancy's abduction.

As the investigation fast approaches its second month, the sheriff's department faces mounting pressure and questions over how the case was handled.

Sheriff Chris Nanos said last week in an interview with News4 Tucson that he had no regrets over the investigation.

When asked if the search had gone the way he wanted, Nanos responded confidently: 'Yes, absolutely.'

The department had released and resealed the crime scene several times in the initial days of the investigation, leading to claims that evidence was lost or contaminated.

Authorities have faced dozens of questions and mounting pressure to solve the case as the investigation approaches the three-month mark. Officials are pictured above in front of Nancy's home on February 25

The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to Nancy's location. Nancy and Savannah are pictured above

Savannah Guthrie broke down in tears during her first interview since her mother's abduction, pictured above

Nanos dismissed allegations that his department mishandled the crime scene, calling the claims 'silly.'

He affirmed that his deputies were still pursuing leads in the case, including cell phone analysis and cell tower data.

In a message to Nancy's alleged captors, Nanos pleaded: 'Just give her up. Just let her go. Just take her to a clinic, a hospital, drop her off... just let her go.'

The Guthrie family has offered a $1 million reward for information leading to their mother's location.

In Savannah's recent interview, she echoed Nanos's message, pleading with her mother's captors to return her.

'Someone needs to do the right thing. We are in agony. We are in agony,' she said.
Turning Point USA is bringing its spring 2026 college tour to five campuses across the country in April, culminating in a stop at the University of Idaho in Moscow on April 28. The tour  titled "This Is the Turning Point"  is explicitly framed as a tribute to TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk, who was killed last September while speaking at Utah Valley University in Utah in the same shooting that prompted the state to ban open carry on college campuses.

The tour's April 28 University of Idaho event will feature Matt Walsh, author and host at The Daily Wire, and Michael Knowles, commentator and host of The Michael Knowles Show. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and is organized by the UI TPUSA chapter. Registration is open.

The Full April Tour Schedule

The University of Idaho stop is the final date in a five-campus April swing. The confirmed stops, as announced by TPUSA, are:

April 2, 2026  George Washington University, Washington, D.C., featuring Erika Kirk and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

 George Washington University, Washington, D.C., featuring Erika Kirk and White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt April 14, 2026  University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, featuring Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance

 University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia, featuring Erika Kirk and Vice President JD Vance April 21, 2026  Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, Fox News host Lawrence Jones, and television personality Savannah Chrisley

 Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, featuring Vivek Ramaswamy, Fox News host Lawrence Jones, and television personality Savannah Chrisley April 22, 2026  Baylor University, Waco, Texas, featuring Donald Trump Jr., Border Czar Tom Homan, and conservative media personality Benny Johnson

 Baylor University, Waco, Texas, featuring Donald Trump Jr., Border Czar Tom Homan, and conservative media personality Benny Johnson April 28, 2026  University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, featuring Matt Walsh and Michael Knowles

The tour encourages students to participate in open mic sessions to challenge what TPUSA describes as "prevailing campus biases" and engage in public debate. Additional dates are expected to be announced.

Honoring Charlie Kirk  and His Campus Legacy

The "This Is the Turning Point" tour title carries direct weight given how Kirk died. Kirk had visited the Moscow-Pullman corridor in spring 2025 as part of his "American Comeback" tour  speaking at Washington State University in Pullman, just eight miles from the University of Idaho in Moscow. His assassination last September at Utah Valley University was directly cited as the motivation for Utah's 2026 legislative session open carry ban, in which Rep. Walt Brooks  previously an NRA-backed lawmaker  reversed course and pushed through a bill prohibiting open carry on Utah's public college campuses.

Kirk had spent more than a decade building TPUSA into the country's most prominent conservative student organization. Founded in 2012, the organization operates chapters at hundreds of campuses nationwide, hosts national conferences including AmericaFest and the Student Action Summit, and has been a central vehicle for connecting conservative students with national political figures. The University of Idaho has one of the active TPUSA chapters in the Pacific Northwest.

The Tour's Place in the Broader Campus Political Moment

The spring 2026 tour comes at a moment when the relationship between conservative political movements and American university campuses is more charged than at any point in recent memory. The Trump administration's ongoing higher education crackdown  targeting DEI programs, research funding, and campus political activity at major research universities  has created a political environment in which TPUSA's campus events carry significance beyond the individual appearances.

The roster for this tour reflects the administration's inner circle as much as TPUSA's traditional speaker network. Vice President JD Vance at Georgia, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt at George Washington University, and Border Czar Tom Homan at Baylor represent active executive branch officials participating in partisan campus events  a notable convergence of federal power and conservative campus organizing.

Whether those appearances generate campus protests, counter-programming, or both is a question each host institution's student body will answer for itself. Universities receiving federal funding are obligated under the First Amendment to permit the events to proceed.

For students at the University of Idaho interested in attending the April 28 event, tickets are available at events2022.tpusa.com. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. Pacific time.
Most 17-year-old boys spend their free time playing video games or goofing around with friends.

But for Michael Haskell, his hobby is more enterprising. He buys abandoned storage lockers at low prices and resells the contents - making a pretty penny in the process.

'Any of these could be a gold mine,' Michael told the New York Times while walking through a storage facility on Staten Island.

The idea struck him two years ago after he watched a rerun of the reality competition TV series, Storage Wars.

Since then, he has scavenged goods from units run by CubeSmart, Extra Space Storage, and Manhattan Mini Storage in and around the Big Apple.

The 17-year-old opened his own eBay store, Mikes Unique Treasures, to sell his finds, where he earns over $7,000 a month, he told the outlet.

His business is based at his New Jersey home, where Michael lives with his mother, Anna.

The hobby was simple at first, until the teen bought a unit in Brooklyn for $450 and discovered tens of thousands of dollars worth of art inside.

Michael Haskell, 17, is a New Jersey highschooler who makes thousands from buying abandoned storage units and selling its contents

Michael (right) says he started his hobby after he watched an episode of Storage Wars two years ago

The teen has an eBay page where he sells all his storage unit finds

The unit once belonged to 1980s art dealer Andrew Crispo, inside he uncovered a Man Ray painting and drawings by Walt Kuhn.

Michael walked away with nearly $50,000 in profit.

'Im always on the search for the next Crispo,' he told the outlet, referencing his first unit with a big find. 'That was my first big score.'

'My family took my hobby seriously after that,' the teen quipped.

The 17-year-old has uncovered countless stories in these units. One in Hackensack, New Jersey, belonged to a socialite and was filled with designer dresses and accessories, along with empty vodka bottles and divorce papers.

Another Upper East Side, Manhattan, locker he explored belonged to a relative of the first black mayor of Richmond, California.

Although hes still a senior at a Bergen County school, with English essays to write and college applications to complete, his next treasure hunt is never far from his mind.

His room, once filled with Legos, is now his office, adorned with rare antiques like a Hermes 3000 typewriter and oil paintings.

The 17-year-old's first 'big score' was a storage unit in Brooklyn. He purchased it for $450 and inside there was $50,000 worth of art

More items Michael listed on his eBay website, some products range from designer clothes to rare objects

Corridor of self storage unit with yellow doors (stock) the teen has uncovered a plethora of items and valuables in each facility he purchases

Alongside his textbooks on his desk are Michaels income tax documents, which his mother is helping him file.

Anna, an investor herself, told the outlet that her teen has always enjoyed reselling things.

Since middle school, he would research items that were going out of production, buy them, and then resell them.

'I dont know what he could be one day, but what hes doing is almost like distressed investing, buying distressed assets,' she told the Times.

She believes he might follow in her footsteps and pursue investments. For now, she sees his hobby as a valuable learning experience.

'I think hes learning about human paths, about human nature,' she told the outlet.

'Peoples lives are in these lockers. Belongings can tell you a lot about a person. When you meet someone, you might think you know them, but you just dont know,' she added.
Former colleagues of shamed SNP sex predator Jordan Linden have proposed cutting ties with the youth organisation connected to some of his crimes.

North Lanarkshire councillors will also call for the immediate resignation of SNP Holyrood candidate Tracy Carragher and her fellow party colleague Fiona Fotheringham after the pair testified in Lindens defence during his trial.

Two motions have been put forward for consideration at Thursday's full council meeting following Lindens conviction for 10 sexual offences at Falkirk Sheriff Court last week.

The 30-year-old former council leader was found to have harassed and abused eight men and boys over a decade while chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament and as an SNP councillor for Bellshill.

One of his accusers, fellow councillor Cameron McManus, has proposed the two SNP local authority politicians who defended him in court be removed immediately from their positions.

It adds to the mounting pressure on the SNP to explain why it took no action when multiple members complained about Lindens behaviour in the past, including as far back as 2017.

The motion, which has been supported by Labour councillor Louise Roarty, states there has been significant reputational damage caused by the criminal convictions of former Council Leader Jordan Linden.

It adds that the authority calls for the immediate resignation of Councillors Carragher and Fotheringham, who are alleged to have 'ignored or downplayed' repeated concerns about Lindens conduct over an extended period. As a result, Councillor Carraghers current Special Responsibility Allowance should be suspended with immediate effect.

Jordan Linden was found to have harassed and abused eight men and boys over a decade

Ms Carragher, who is on the SNPs regional list for Holyrood, is the partys group leader in North Lanarkshire and as such receives just over 10,000 extra a year on top of her councillor salary to hold the role.

Some of her colleagues believe she should have the extra cash removed.

A second urgent motion, proposed by the council leader Jim Logue, states: The Council agrees to immediately suspend all current activity between North Lanarkshire Council and the Scottish Youth Parliament (SYP) and directs the Chief Executive to conduct an immediate review of North Lanarkshire Councils relationship, past and present, with the SYP.

It has been supported by former SNP councillor Paul Di Mascio, who left the party after supporting Mr McManus over Lindens behaviour.

The SYP previously said that its child protection policies fully complied with national guidelines, despite staff failing to report Lindens conduct to the police or social services when several young men contacted bosses to say they had been receiving sexual messages from the predator.

Instead the organisation hired a private law firm to investigate the victims.

Ms Carragher previously said she welcomed Lindens conviction and said: /I was called as a witness in Jordan Lindens trial, and so I gave an honest account of my involvement and my knowledge of events.

I did not at any point defend Mr Linden.
An American journalist has reportedly been kidnapped by the Iranian-backed Kataib Hezbollah terror group in Baghdad.

Shelly Kittleson, a freelance reporter covering the Middle East and Afghanistan, was abducted by a group of unidentified men near her hotel in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday.

The interior ministry confirmed that a 'foreign journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals,' adding that security forces are searching the city for her and pursuing the perpetrators.

'The pursuit resulted in the interception of a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers, which overturned as they attempted to flee,' the Iraqi ministry said, confirming that a suspect was arrested.

The journalist, who has worked for the BBC, was reportedly taken near the Palestine Hotel on Al-Saadoun Street in central Baghdad.

No group has claimed responsibility yet but there are fears Kataib Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia could be behind the kidnapping. The terror group also kidnapped Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in 2023.

Kittleson was not in the vehicle intercepted by Iraqi security forces and her whereabouts are said to be currently unknown.

The US State Department said it had previously warned her of threats against her, but are continuing to coordinate with the FBI to ensure her rapid release.

Shelly Kittleson, a freelance reporter based in the Middle East and Afghanistan, was abducted by a group of unidentified men near her hotel in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday

The journalist has been kidnapped by an armed group in Baghdad, Iraqi officials have confirmed

In another dramatic day in the Middle East:

Mr Trump is swinging between threatening widespread destruction of Iran's energy resources and hinting he could just end the bombing campaign;

Nigel Farage said it is a 'mug's game' trying to guess what Mr Trump is aiming for in the Middle East;

Extra UK troops are being sent to the Middle East to help the UK's allies defend their skies from Iranian attacks;

Rachel Reeves is believed to be getting 20million a day in extra revenue as a result of higher energy prices;

Official figures show UK household disposable incomes fell between the end of 2024 and the end of 2025, even before the war erupted;

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai;

Israel has invaded southern Lebanon to push out Iran-backed Hezbollah militants.

Police sources said they were still chasing a vehicle in which she was taken by force by four men in civilian clothes.

The search is focused in the eastern part of the capital where the kidnappers' vehicle was headed, police sources added.

Kittleson, who has worked for publications including the BBC, Al Monitor, Foreign Policy, and The National, has reported across Iraq and the Middle East.

She was in Baghdad to cover the impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran.

Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful paramilitary group, has close links to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

The Shiite group is responsible for the killing of US soldiers and is part of Iran's Axis of Resistance, which also includes Hamas and the better known Lebanese terror group Hezbollah.

It is based in Baghdad and is designated a terrorist group by the US, the United Arab Emirates and Japan.

Kataib Hezbollah had warned its enemies they will 'taste the bitterest forms of death' if Donald Trump struck its backer, Iran.

Abu Hussein alHamidawi, the group's former chief, claimed the 'forces of darkness' are gathering to destroy Iran, adding: 'We affirm to the enemies that war against the [Islamic] Republic will not be a walk in the park.

Kittleson had been staying in Baghdad to cover the impact of the US-Israeli war on Iran

'But rather, you will taste the bitterest forms of death, and nothing will remain of you in our region.'

But the Iranian-linked group confirmed that alHamidawi was killed two weeks ago.

Kidnappings of journalists in Iraq are often linked to militia activity - a topic Kittleson has reported on.

In September, Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov was released after being abducted by Iraqs pro-Iran faction Kataib Hezbollah.

Iraq's Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani said her release was the 'culmination of extensive efforts exerted by our security services over the course of many months.

'We reaffirm, once again, that we will not tolerate any compromise in enforcing the law and upholding the authority of the state, nor will we allow anyone to undermine the reputation of Iraq and its people,' he said.

Tsurkov disappeared in March 2023 while on a research trip in Baghdad. The Israeli government announced months later that she had been kidnapped by the Shiite group Kataib Hezbollah or Hezbollah Brigades.

She had entered Iraq using her Russian passport, 'at her own initiative pursuant to work on her doctorate and academic research on behalf of Princeton University,' Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at the time.

By November of that year, the group released a video featuring Tsurkov, in which the Israeli-Russian academic claimed she was a Mossad and CIA agent.

But Tsurkov had been an expert on regional affairs in the Middle East - and specifically in war-torn Syria.

Days after her disappearance in March 2023, a local website even reported that an Iranian citizen who was involved in her kidnapping was detained by Iraqi authorities.

No group has claimed responsibility yet but there are fears Kataib Hezbollah (pictured), an Iranian-backed militia could be behind the kidnapping

The terror group also kidnapped Israeli-Russian researcher Elizabeth Tsurkov in 2023

It said the woman was kidnapped from Baghdad's central neighborhood of Karradah and that Iran's embassy in the Iraqi capital was pressing for the man's release and to have him deported to Iran.

Some Iraqi activists posted a copy of a passport of an Iranian man at the time, claiming that he was involved in the kidnapping.

Kataib Hezbollah, a powerful Shiite group based in Iraq, is a separate group from the Hezbollah movement, an Iran-backed group in Lebanon.

But both groups are closely linked to Iran's powerful Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, and are listed by the US government as terrorist organizations.
Donald Trump was stunned to learn that Kristi Noems husband is a secret cross-dresser who experts say could have compromised national security, the President revealed in an exclusive phone interview with the Daily Mail on Tuesday.

The Daily Mail revealed that the ex-DHS Secretary's husband Bryon Noem, 56, sent compromising pictures of himself wearing fake breasts in tight clothing to fetish porn models online.

A spokesman for Noem, 54, claimed that the family was 'blindsided' by Bryon's cross-dressing history - adding that his wife of 34 years is 'devastated.'

The Daily Mail called Trump to field his reaction just weeks after he fired Kristi as the Secretary of Homeland Security following bipartisan backlash over the agency's aggressive immigration enforcement tactics and scrutiny of a controversial $220 million advertising campaign that wasn't approved by the President.

The President told the Daily Mail he was surprised to hear the Noem family did not deny the shocking report into Bryon's lewd online behavior.

'They confirmed it? Wow, well, I feel badly for the family if that's the case, that's too bad,' Trump said in a phone call.

'I haven't seen anything. I don't know anything about it. That's too bad, but I just know nothing about it,' Trump added.

Bryon sent his secret roster of online acquaintances at least $25,000 via Cash App and PayPal.

Trump told the Daily Mail he was unaware of Bryons lewd online behavior and said he feels sorry for Noems family

The Daily Mail published photos that Bryon Noem sent of himself to fetish porn models online where he appears to have stuffed two balloons inside his shirt to resemble breasts

Now, national security experts say his shocking activity could have left his wife Kristi open to blackmail when she was in Trump's Cabinet.

As head of the nations largest law enforcement agency, Noem was entrusted with safeguarding some of the governments most sensitive national security information.

She was fired by Trump earlier this month after a controversial $220 million taxpayer-funded 'vanity ad' campaign was uncovered. Noem told lawmakers that the President had approved the advertisement to which he furiously denied.

Multiple senior DHS sources familiar told the Daily Mail that knowledge of Bryon's online activity would have disqualified Noem from receiving her top secret security clearance over fears she could be blackmailed by foreign entities.

'I can vouch for the blackmail claim,' one current official said. 'This would have been a disqualification for national security eligibility for anyone else whose spouse was hiding this.'

The President did not respond directly to the Daily Mail's question about Noem's alleged affair with his longtime loyalist Corey Lewandowski.

However, Bryon confessed to some of the online adult models that his wife was engaged in an affair with Lewandowski.

When one of the models asked Bryon about the affair between his wife and Lewandowski, he replied: 'I know. There's nothing I can do about it.'

In the photos, published by the Daily Mail alongside a trove of explicit messages, he appears to have stuffed two balloons inside his shirt to resemble breasts  positioning the knots to mimic nipples.

Some photos show the conservative father of three puckering his lips into the camera. In another picture, he is seen wearing figure-hugging green leggings.

When reached for comment, Bryon did not deny having explicit conversations or sharing photos of himself dressed as a woman.

The Daily Mail also asked Bryon if his indiscreet comments about his wife could have endangered national security by exposing her to the threat of blackmail.

'Yeah, I made no comments like that, that would lead to that,' Bryon replied. 'I deny the second part of that.'

Kristi and Bryon Noem met in high school, married in 1992, and raised daughters Kassidy, 31, Kennedy, 29, and a son, Booker, 23.

The Daily Mail revealed in 2023 that Noem and her close adviser Lewandowski have had an alleged years-long affair.

Both Noem and Lewandowski, who is married, have long denied the affair to reporters.

However, when lawmakers on Capitol Hill in early March asked Noem under oath whether she had ever had sexual relations with Lewandowski, she did not issue a denial.

When lawmakers on Capitol Hill in early March asked Noem under oath whether she had ever had sexual relations with Lewandowski, she did not issue a denial

Kristi and Bryon Noem met in high school, married in 1992, and raised three children

Lewandowski brazenly reappeared at Noem's side during her official trip to Guyana last week

'I am shocked that we're going down and peddling tabloid garbage in this committee,' she replied at the time.

When asked about reports of the affairs, Trump stated in February that he was unaware of the situation.

'I don't know about that. I mean, I haven't heard that. I'll find out about it, but I have not heard that.'

Noem remains in government, currently serving as Special Envoy for the Shield of the Americas - a newly created role focused on Western Hemisphere security.

Lewandowski recently accompanied Noem on a diplomatic trip, but State Department officials said he was not acting in an official government role.
The Senate's biggest warmonger turned heads by coming out - against escalating the war in Iran.

After weeks of encouraging the President to go to war on Iran, Senator Lindsey Graham is now telling Donald Trump to 'wind down' operations and work on a peace deal.

Graham also teased a bigger goal that could be reached - having Saudi Arabia sign on to the Abraham Accords, which would normalize relations with Israel.

'Keep it up Mr. President,' Graham posted to X. 'Wind down the war and wind up efforts for a historic peace deal.'

Graham didn't take escalation completely off the table, noting in the post that Iranian leaders would have to play ball.

'I support diplomatic efforts to end the conflict consistent with our military objectives, but it takes two to tango,' he wrote.

But it still represented a major shift in tone from when Graham was cheering the President to 'take Kharg Island,' Iran's main oil hub, which would put American ground troops at risk.

His critics quickly took note of the timing - as he tries to shift the news cycle off his highly panned trip to Disney World amid the partial government shutdown.

Senator Lindsey Graham in a post Monday encouraged President Donald Trump to 'wind down' the war in Iran after previously cheering the President to 'take Kharg Island.' His comments came after being caught at Disney World amid the partial government shutdown

South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham was spotted walking through Space Mountain holding a bubble wand at Disney World in Orlando over the weekend, according to a report from TMZ

Conservative columnist Lydia Moynihan said on CNN: 'Well, he went to Disney World this weekend, and I think he wants to bring some of that Disney magic back to Washington, D.C., clearly.'

'Look, I think one thing that's always been a hallmark of the right is ideological diversity, and I think it's good for conservatives to push back and make sure that President Trump is not in an echo chamber and that he's hearing what many in his base think, and so I'm glad to hear that articulated,' she went on.

Before his Iran U-turn, conservative pundit Megyn Kelly tore into Graham for the optics of the trip.

'He's frothing at the mouth right now at the thought of thousands of our soldiers going over there,' she exclaimed on her SiriusXM show Monday.

'So what is Lindsey Graham doing to support those troops and the families who are preparing to put their lives on the line? He's at Disney World.'

She also called out Graham for being a 'single man with no wife, children or grandchildren' noting he was talking around the Orlando park 'with a bubble wand.'

'There he is in the middle of Disney with a bubble wand. I'm sorry, but motherf***er! Look at him,' she said of the 70-year-old.

TMZ had asked readers to send in pictures of members of Congress on vacation amid the partial government shutdown, which had left Transportation Security Administration workers without paychecks for weeks, resulting in airport chaos.

TMZ obtained photographs of Senator Lindsey Graham visiting Disney World in Orlando over the weekend, amid a partial government shutdown that left TSA and other DHS workers unpaid for weeks

Trump signed an executive order last week to pay TSA employees using a different bucket of money, but the standstill is ongoing on Capitol Hill.

TMZ was able to obtain several photos of Graham walking around Disney World - including enjoying a breakfast at Chef Mickey's and walking through Space Mountain holding a bubble wand.

Graham told the celebrity news site that Disney was just a stopover as he worked toward having Saudi Arabia sign the Abraham Accords.

'I was invited to a meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff,' Graham told TMZ. '[T]o talk about the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.'

'I went to Orlando to meet friends after. I'm already back in South Carolina,' he added.

Previously, Graham said that he was going to ask South Carolinians 'to send their sons and daughters over to the Middle East,' a comment that got swiftly rebuked by several Republicans, including those more aligned with Trump's non-interventionist MAGA movement.

'Washington's war machine is hard at work. They are trying to drag us into Iran to make it another Iraq. We can't let them,' GOP Representative Nancy Mace posted to X last week.

'And yes, when we say Washington's war machine, we mean Lindsey Graham,' said Mace, who's running for South Carolina governor.

Senator Lindsey Graham announces his reelection campaign earlier this month in Columbia, South Carolina. Graham has received criticism for his Disney trip and for suggesting the US should escalate the war with Iran

Republican Representative Anna Paulina Luna, a top MAGA ally of the President, slammed Graham for advocating for 'war everywhere.'

'NO BOOTS on the ground. If Senator Graham wants to go fight in a foreign conflict, let him be the first to volunteer,' Luna wrote.

Meghan McCain, the daughter of the late Senator John McCain, who had been Graham's closest friend in the Senate, also went after him.

'Nothing like a single, childless, septuagenarian telling American mothers to send their children to possibly die in a war,' the mother of three posted to X earlier this month.

Mace reveled in the news Tuesday, that Graham had changed his tune.

'A week ago Lindsey Graham was ready to sacrifice the lives of 7,000 marines invading Kharg Island,' Mace said. 'This week he wants to end the war.'

'I'm always ahead of the curve. Some people just take longer to catch up,' the gubernatorial hopeful posted.

The Daily Mail reached out to Graham's office for comment.
John Swinney has said he is proud of progress in Scotlands NHS  as atrocious figures show huge numbers of patients facing long waits for appointments, cancer care and A&E.

The First Minister put the NHS at the centre of his Holyrood election campaign yesterday despite the figures showing a worsening A&E performance and missed targets on cancer care.

There were also more than 23,000 waits of more than a year for an outpatient appointment in February  despite SNP ministers promising to eradicate the longest waits by the end of March.

Despite the latest figures, Mr Swinney chose to focus on the NHS on the election campaign trail yesterday during a visit to the paediatric surgery charity KidsOR in Dundee, where he claimed he was pleased with the progress being made.

Asked if he was proud of the SNPs record on the NHS despite the latest figures showing large numbers of long waits for appointments and A&E, he initially said only that we are making progress and delivering improvements.

Pressed on whether he was proud of the latest figures, he said: I am proud of the progress that were making, yes I am.

I think weve got further improvements to make, that is why people need to vote SNP so they have a government that is focused on ensuring that these issues are addressed, and we are demonstrating to people that that is exactly what we are achieving.

Scottish Conservative health spokesman Sandesh Gulhane said: These atrocious and worsening figures expose the SNPs dire mismanagement of our health service.

Despite long waits for appointments, cancer care and A&E, First Minister John Swinney said he is proud of the improvements in Scotland's NHS

John Swinney absurdly claimed today he was proud of the progress hes made on the NHS. What progress? A&E waiting times have soared, there arent enough medics and he has failed miserably on his pledge to end year long waits by the end of March.

No one is buying his outlandish claims that he can fix the mess he made. If the SNP get another five years in power they will obsess over independence at the expense of everything else.

The Scottish Government pledged it would eliminate waits of 52 weeks or more by March - but a report last week said that goal would not be hit.

Public Health Scotland data released yesterday said there were 23,415 ongoing waits of more than a year for an outpatient appointment at the end of February, down 6,415 on the previous month. This included 2,159 exceeding two years, which was down 45 compared to January.

In addition, 20,825 have waited more than a year for an inpatient or day case treatment, with 3,132 facing waits of more than two years.

Other data released yesterday showed that only 61.1 per cent of patients attending A&E were seen within the target of four hours in the week ending March 22, down compared to 64.8 per cent the previous week, with 13.9 per cent waiting more than eight hours and 5.7 per cent more than 12 hours.

In addition, only 72.6 per cent of patients started cancer treatment within the 62-day target in the final three months of 2025, which was an improvement on 70.7 per cent in the previous quarter.

Scottish Labour health spokesman Jackie Baillie said: Quick treatment saves lives but this dangerously incompetent SNP government hasnt met its cancer treatment target for 13 years.

Dedicated NHS staff are working tirelessly to give patients the care they need, but they too are being let down by the SNP.

John Swinney and the SNP should be ashamed of their record, but instead they are totally complacent.

It is an insult to the Scots waiting too long for lifesaving cancer care for John Swinney to pretend his governments NHS plan is working.

Peter Hastie, external affairs manager for Macmillan Cancer Support, said: Three years ago, within its 10-year cancer strategy, the Scottish Government expressed the clear need for faster diagnosis and treatment.

Today weve seen that the 62-day cancer waiting times target has once again been missed. Thats 13 years in a row. This is exactly why Macmillan is calling for bolder and faster delivery of the promises Holyrood made to overhaul the system.

With elections five weeks away, its vital the next Scottish Government treat these unacceptable figures as a serious call to action. The people of Scotland deserve better from their cancer strategy.
Police Scotland would be ordered to halt its controversial policy on probing non-crime hate incidents under Tory plans.

In their manifesto for the Holyrood election, the Scottish Conservatives will pledge to end the practice of logging NCHIs amid a row over police spending too much time investigating everyday rows and online spats.

They say the practice risks undermining freedom of speech and diverts officers away from tackling real crime.

The UK Government has said NCHIs will be replaced with a system which lets police get on with their jobs  preventing and fighting real criminals to make communities safer. Police Scotland has previously said it will continue with its current policy.

As the Mail revealed in 2024, a trans activist reported a post by the Tory candidate for Perthshire North, Murdo Fraser, on X, formerly Twitter.

Mr Fraser accused police of acting unlawfully by recording it as an NCHI and made an official complaint, which was initially rejected.

Last night he said: I have experienced first-hand the dangers of this flawed policy and its implications for free speech.

SNP ministers should be telling Police Scotland this practice must stop to avoid the risk of criminalising Scots who havent done anything wrong.

Murdo Fraser said SNP ministers should be telling Police Scotland "this practice must stop" to avoid the risk of criminalising Scots who havent done anything wrong

Measures being taken elsewhere in the UK in relation to non-crime hate incidents dont go far enough, but in SNP-run Scotland there is complete silence on this issue.

Officers decided Mr Frasers tweet wasnt a crime but should be classed as an NHCI after acknowledging no law had been broken.

On November 18, 2023, Mr Fraser, then Tory MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, shared a newspaper column which claimed the governments non-binary equality action plan would lead to children being damaged by this cult.

Commenting on the shared post, Mr Fraser said: Choosing to identify as non-binary is as valid as choosing to identify as a cat.

Looking at how police handled Mr Frasers complaints about the incident, the Police Investigations and Review Commissioner said the force failed to rebut Mr Frasers claim that he had been treated differently to author JK Rowling and former first minister Humza Yousaf when they made contentious claims.

In December, the force wrote to Mr Fraser admitting guidelines for issuing NCHIs were not applied consistently.

Police Scotland said his case had been treated differently versus reported incidents involving other prominent public figures and apologised to him unreservedly.

Last night Mr Fraser said the Scottish Conservatives are pledging to end Police Scotlands recording of non-crime hate incidents.

He added: That would ensure more time is spent on policing our streets rather than peoples tweets.

At a time when the police are continuing to deal with the consequences of savage SNP cuts, this can no longer take up any of their valuable time.

The Tories said they would make clear to Police Scotland they must end this practice.

Police Scotland defines an NCHI as any incident perceived by the victim, or any other person, to be motivated either entirely or partly by malice and ill will towards someone with a protected characteristic such as race, gender or disability.

The National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing are carrying out a review into NCHIs

Figures published by 1919 magazine showed there were 1,334 NCHIs in Scotland in 2023, and in April 2024, more than three a day were still being logged by officers.

The UK Government has said unclear guidance has led to officers being called to peoples homes over insults and routine arguments.

It said: A lack of clarity around when and how NCHIs should be recorded, the rise of the digital age and social media, and inconsistent approaches between police forces have led to them no longer being fit for purpose.

After commissioning the College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council for an urgent review of NCHI guidance, the government is accepting all their recommendations.

The new system will prevent police from recording lawful free speech while ensuring reports from the public, which may lead to genuine harm, get the right response.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: We have a duty to prevent as well as detect crime as part of our work to improve community wellbeing, and this information can be used for monitoring of community tensions and forward planning.

We are aware of the review into NCHIs by the National Police Chiefs Council and the College of Policing, and will assess their findings and recommendations.
Scots motorists have been dealt a hammer blow as the cost of petrol has soared to more than 2 a litre  the highest in the UK.

The price of filing up at the pump has been steadily rising since the war in the Middle East broke out just over a month ago.

But the cost of fuel north of the Border has now breached the 2 mark per litre for both diesel and petrol, according to the latest figures on comparison website Fuel Finder.

The soaring prices have led to calls for the UK to stop abandoning its oil and gas sector and concentrate on maximising our own resources to help ease the crisis which Scotlands farming industry warns without intervention risks undermining production and weakening the UKs long-term food security.

It comes as prices on the comparison website listed a top price of 2.10 a litre for petrol and 2.20 a litre for diesel at the Skerries Co-Operative Society pumps on the Shetland isle of Bruray  though to be the most expensive in the UK.

Islanders elsewhere have also been hit hard with the price of diesel setting motorists back 2.17 a litre at one forecourt on Arran and 2.11 a litre at another in Portree, Skye.

Motorists travelling on the NC500 route are also seeing astronomical prices with the cost of petrol listed just 4.1p off 2 at Lairg, and diesel sitting at 2.17 a litre at one forecourt in Thurso, Caithness.

The AA said the gap between supermarket and non-supermarket retailers has widened from 5.4p per litre for petrol before the war to 7.6p a litre and diesel as much as 8.8p a litre.

Fuel prices in Fort William. Motorists across Scotland faced soaring prices at the pumps

Scottish Conservative energy spokesman Douglas Lumsden said: These soaring fuel prices are a hammer blow for those who have no option but to rely on their car in particular.

Motorists were already being clobbered by the SNPs war on motorists while Rachel Reeves is still planning to make things even worse by hiking fuel duty in September.

SNP and Labour politicians need to stop abandoning our oil and gas industry and maximise our own resources now to help those filling up at the pumps.

Motorists have already been panic buying amid fuel shortage fears and prices hikes which one Edinburgh motorist liked to an apocalypse film after seeing days of long queues at one Costco filling station in Edinburgh.

But industry experts continued to call for calm and insist there is no major supply issues and only a small number of forecourts have been affected by shortages.

The Petrol Retailers Association, however, yesterday called for a temporary cut in fuel duty at a time when the Treasury is taking in 20million a day in extra revenue from levies and taxes linked to the price of oil and gas.

The associations executive director Gordon Balmer, said: If the Chancellor wants to help hard-pressed motorists and businesses, she should abandon plans to raise fuel duty and follow other countries by making a temporary cut.

And Andrew Connon, President NFU Scotland said rising fuel costs are placing significant and immediate pressure on Scottish agriculture, exposing the sectors vulnerability to global shocks and compounding already high input costs.

He added: Sharp increases in the price of red diesel, alongside fertiliser and other energy costs, are hitting farm businesses at a critical time of year and putting real strain on profitability.

Significant price volatility, coupled with conflicting signals on future supply, is undermining confidence across the sector and putting farm viability and food production at risk.

Without intervention, these pressures risk undermining production and weakening the UKs long-term food security.

New figures from the RAC Foundation show that the cost of the Middle East conflict has cost drivers across the country more than half-a-billion pounds in higher fuel prices.

This includes 409million for diesel and 135million for petrol, with figures based on average daily pump price rises and last years fuel consumption rate.

Steve Gooding, director of the RAC Foundation, however, said the price paid at the pumps by drivers is currently rising by 37million a day.

And he said: At this rate the war will have cost motorists at least a billion pounds at the forecourt within the next couple of weeks.
It was one of the biggest movies to come out of Scotland.

But now it would seem that the film industry views Scotland as a scene from Danny Boyles blockbuster hit Trainspotting.

Hollywood star James McAvoy, who has starred in The Chronicles of Narnia and the X-Men franchise, said when it comes to filming anything Scottish on the big screen its unemployment, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse, all the f***** abuse

However, McAvoy, who directed his first movie, California Schemin, about two Dundee rappers pretending to be American to achieve success, added he wants to tell stories about working-class people with backgrounds that I recognise and limited horizons.

The 46-year-old continued: I dont know why they cant be entertaining. I dont know why they cant be adventures.

After growing up in Drumchapel, Glasgow, in the 1980s he naturally developed a strong Scottish accent, but admitted it also has its draw-backs, and in his glittering 30-year career he has only played a handful of Scottish roles.

James McAvoy with wife Lisa Liberati. McAvoy directed his first movie California Schemin

He said: With my accent, Ive had that experience where Im suddenly no longer a person with infinite possibilities and potential  I am that Scottish person. Im reduced to a noise that comes out of my mouth.

But the actor, who also starred in the BBCs critically acclaimed series His Dark Materials, said he wanted to make a movie for people from the kind of council estate I grew up on.

He said: I loved where I grew up and I had a really good time.

Yet he feels Scots actors have no choice but to move away as you need an industry behind you adding: I dont think we make enough to be able to satisfy the cultural needs of the six million people that live in this country.

He said of his directorial debut, which is based on a true story, that if hed been making the flick set in Boston about the exact same age group thered be two movie stars in the lead roles as oppose to the relative unknows one that feature in his film.

McAvoy told the Guardians G2 supplement: 'Theres maybe five actors in Scotland who could get stuff greenlit  and not definitely, if its set in Scotland: Gerry [Butler], Ewan [McGregor], Karen Gillan, me, Richard Madden.

He pointed out each of the names were over 35 and only one a woman concluding: I dont know why that is, because its not like we dont make actors. So wheres that 21-year-old movie star?
SNP ministers have blown a jaw-dropping 340million on design consultants and planners to dual just 11 miles of key Highland routes.

The Scottish Government shelled out 260million of taxpayers cash on the fees for the A9 dualling programme and a further 80million on the A96.

Only the former has seen any actual work done, with 11 miles of the key route between Perth and Inverness dualled while the latter, which connects Inverness and Aberdeen in the northeast, is yet to see a single mile completed.

The Scottish Conservatives unearthed the figures showing A9 expert fees alone have soared to 261.3million, meaning the cost of each mile is close to 24million with another 72 miles of the route yet to be finished.

Incredibly, this huge outlay doesnt include any of the actual construction costs for dualling the 11 miles of road.

Meanwhile, the 80million spent on the A96 hasnt resulted in any dualling at all.

Work on part of the A9 dualling near Perth, which has cost millions in consultancy fees alone

Dualling was initially meant to be finished by last year but instead, the completion date has been put back to 2035.

Sheep farmer Tim Eagle, who is standing for the Scottish Conservatives in Moray, said: Serious questions must be asked about whether these consultancy fees have been value for money for two of the most dangerous roads in Scotland when so few improvements, if any in the case of the A96, have been made.

Douglas Lumsden, who is standing for the Tories in Aberdeenshire East, said: The public will rightly be appalled that 80m has been spent on design consultants and planners for the A96 with absolutely nothing to show for it.

This ludicrous sum of money should have resulted in work starting by now, yet the northeast is no further on than it was in December 2011 when the SNP falsely told people the road would be dualled.

Transport Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: The government has spent 80m on A96 dualling. This figure comprises expenditure on the vast range of specialist advisory services required to inform the design.

261.3m has been spent on consultancy fees on the A9 out of an estimated total scheme cost of 3.97billion.

A spokesman for Transport Scotland said: On complex, high-value projects, specialist advice is required to ensure contracts meet contractual and legal requirements whilst meeting policy objectives.
by Laurie Sheck

1.

In his 1980 essay Walking in the City, Michel de Certeau describes looking out at Manhattan from the 110th floor of the World Trade Center. Viewed from above, the city is a wave of verticals. Its agitation momentarily arrestedThe gigantic mass is immobilized before the eyes. From that vantage point, the city lies still, unimpeded, its extremes of wealth and poverty coinciding in the vast landscape below. To be lifted to the summit of the World Trade Center is to be lifted out of the citys grasp. Ones body is no longer clasped by the streets. The viewer becomes Icarus in flight or a solar Eye, in thrall of this lust to be a viewpoint and nothing more.

But the walker in the city is subject to all sorts of contradictions and surprises. Immersed and vulnerable, they move through seemingly-endless inversions, displacements, accumulations. Footsteps unfold within time, making possible new meanings and directions.

This immersion is a form of love.

2.

Walter Benjamin put it this way: The power of a country road is different when one is walking along it from when one is flying over it by airplane.The airplane passenger sees only how the road pushes through the landscape, how it unfolds according to the same laws as the terrain surrounding it. Only he who walks the road on foot learns of the power it commands.

3.

In 1980, de Certeau could not have known the crumbled ruin the World Trade Center would become. How what seemed a place of safety and remove would become its exact opposite. In the hours after the towers were hit, I watched from my window as hundreds of people, their clothes covered in white ash, walked in a ragged line on the sidewalk below, heading to whatever home they were trying to get back to. Even now in my minds eye they are like sleepwalkers, everything happening in silence, as if, as I watched them, I had lost my sense of hearing. As if my senses no longer knew how to be in the world; what to do with the world. They walked holding their useless cell phones, their briefcases, their ashen coats.

In the days and weeks that followed, the air smelled of a mixture of blood and burning computers. Office papers drifted weirdly down like delicate white wings, unhurt, otherworldly. There were no cars on the streets, no mail delivery, no airplanes overhead. Each day, walking my daughter to school, we passed the checkpoint at 14th street where at that boundary the world of cars and daily life would suddenly reappear, though tentative, furtive, estranged.

Xeroxed faces of the missing and the dead stared from lampposts and graffitied walls.

4.

That first year of your illness, I walked nearly every day for several hours at a time, always west to the river and down to Battery Park or past it, the waters of the Hudson edged with small glistening ridges, the Statue of Liberty in the distance a blank marker, immobile, without meaning. Now that you were unable to walk, now that even the lightest touch of the bedsheet caused you pain, my own ability to walk seemed a small miracle in itself, the way certain everyday acts, like folding laundry, or hand-drying dishes with a cloth and putting them away, can seem, from a certain angle, almost like a form of peace.

As I walked, I passed stone faces carved into the sides of buildings, their rough, blinded eyes. I passed the neighborhood florist, the supermarket, the sparse, familiar faces scattered among the faces of strangers. The farther I walked the less familiar everything became and this unfamiliarity brought with it a kind of calm, an almost-soothing unreality. I was no one, like the lithe, elongated spray-painted figures on the facades of abandoned buildingsblack shadows, faceless.

Once, walking along the rivers promenade, I saw, heading toward me, a man in rumpled work-clothes who looked almost exactly like the photos of Walt Whitman.

5.

I have long loved the writings of Robert Walser. Born in Switzerland in 1878, he worked at a series of menial clerical jobs while writing short pieces for periodicals as well as several short novels. At one point he attended a school to be trained as a butler, a profession he held in high regard and felt himself well suited for. Eventually he was admitted to the psychiatric asylum at Waldau, the first of two asylums where he would spend the final twenty-two years of his life. Although he claimed to have stopped writing, in fact in those last decades of his life he had been secretly writing all alongstories and a novel in script so painstakingly small for a long time they went unrealized as texts. As it turned out, there were 526 pages of these diminutive microscripts, some on pages as small as a business card. They were decipherable only with the use of magnification and a familiarity with kurrent script.

Walser wrote his book-length prose work, The Walk, in 1913. Setting out for a long walk from his writing room one morning, the narrator observes with great tenderness and interest the beings and objects he encounters while at the same time meditating on whatever thoughts arise from within. What human being has ever seen as the years pass his hopes, plans, and dreams completely undestroyed? he thinks to himself. Nothing he encounters is too small for his notice or appreciation: enchanting hats; a dog refreshing itself in a fountain; a glimpse of a baker. Simply to tread upon the ground became a pleasure.Suddenly there came upon me an unnameable feeling for the world, and, together with it, a feeling of gratitude.

Far from schedules, goals, or economic usefulness, Walsers walker enacts a quiet refusal to adhere to those societal requirements and in so doing opens himself to the variousness of a world that presents itself without comment: the old, poor forsaken man lying on the groundso sorrowful and weary unto death that the sight of him.choked my soul, but also the delicious evening sun,; two houses that lay like kindly neighbors close together; a fragrance of most beautiful flowers.

By the end of the book it is night. Picking flowers, the walker lets them fall from his hands and heads home from his wandering. In a world increasingly organized by rigidity and efficiency, he had given himself to digression, delay, the humility of seeing.

6.

When I was in my early twenties and living in the city after years away, I hadnt yet grown accustomed to keeping a blank stare on my face as I walked. Disheveled men with wild eyes, hungry or on drugs, often approached me, usually asking for money but at other times telling some urgent indecipherable story. Frightened, I learned to turn away and to keep a stone look on my face. I had learned to be self-protective, but I also wonder what I lost.

7.

In 1980, the French artist Sophie Calle was invited to create an artwork for a gallery in the South Bronx. Soon after she arrived, she noticed that many of her peers from the downtown art world and others who would normally attend, were afraid to travel to that part of the city with its reputation for drug-dealing and danger. She decided to scrap her original idea and create instead a piece that implicitly confronted and refuted those blanket assumptions. Standing on the street outside the gallery, she stopped passersby and asked them to take me to a place that if one day they were to leave the South Bronx they would remember. They could lead her anywhere they wanted. One woman took her to the school where she had studied as a child; a man took her to a bank he told me he had once worked there. Another took her to a vacant lot where the Pope had blessed him during a visit. Each destination was captured in a black and white photograph, with a brief caption below. The South Bronx is revealed through its paths of attachment, and the trust involved in walking with a stranger. Memory endures and flourishes in the empty lots, the seemingly abandoned and demolished places.

8.

A few years passed and slowly you could walk again, though never like before, your gait more tentative, less steady. We decided to walk to a small, nearby exhibit of Morandis still lives of bottles that seemed to huddle with quiet dignity at the edge of the vast, unpredictable world. It was the first time you had been outside in many months.

But a few weeks later, you woke one morning to find you could no longer walk. That was several years ago. What are the streets to you now, as you look out the one small window where you live?those streets where you once walked like Robert Walsers narrator whose thinking moved to the rhythm of his footsteps, whose freedom was hurt and partial as most or even all freedom is, who picked flowers and let them fall from his hands.

9.

Step by step

The path I follow

Disappears

Matsuo Basho
New York City's socialist mayor Zohran Mamdani will open a free city-run childcare center in Manhattan's wealthiest neighborhood.

The mayor made the announcement last month, telling community members at the new childcare center on East 65th Street on the city's ritzy Upper East Side it will accommodate 72 local four year olds and 60 three year olds.

But the announcement came as the city faces a $5.4 billion deficit, forcing the Mamdani administration to decide which of the Big Apple's 8.4 million residents gets free services.

It then left some wondering whether the city should be using taxpayer money to fund free services that wealthy families could pay for themselves, especially considering City Hall doesn't have enough funds to fully pay for a universal childcare expansion.

Reihan Salam, who runs the conservative thinktank the Manhattan Institute, has since argued on social media: 'Unlimited welfarism for the near-rich won't pencil out.'

Others also questioned offering free services to even the wealthiest New Yorkers could wind up sidelining the most vulnerable.

'It's nice if we use tax dollars for wealthy Upper East Side families, but there's a tradeoff there,' Bruce Fuller, a retired professor of education at the University of California, Berkeley told The New York Times.

'The mayor is so laser-focused on the affordability pitch that he's yet to face these tradeoffs,' he said, as he argued that free childcare is most effective when it is reserved first for low-income children and then offered to middle class families on a sliding scale.

New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani announced last month that the city will open a free childcare center in Manhattan's wealthy Upper East Side

The new childcare center on East 65th Street on the city's ritzy Upper East Side it will accommodate 72 local four year olds and 60 three year olds. Mamdani is pictured visiting preschoolers in December

The Mamdani administration, though, seems to believe that by broadening his universal childcare promise to wealthy New Yorkers, he will gain support for his proposed tax hike on those making more than $1 million a year.

Those tax dollars would then help pay for the childcare expansion, as the mayor also plans to create more seats for children under the age of three.

In the Upper East Side, more than 40 percent of the households make more than $200,000 a year, making it one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the entire United States.

Its public schools are among the highest-performing in the city, with parent-teacher associations raking in more than $1 million a year.

Research has also shown that the quality of preschool programs tend to be better in wealthier neighborhoods, and students who live in low-poverty areas make up a higher share of preschool enrollment than children in high-poverty areas, according to an analysis of the 2022 enrollment data by the Independent Budget Office.

Upper East Siders even admitted to The Times that their neighborhood is not the most obvious place for Mamdani to rollout his universal preschool program.

'Nobody in my neighborhood was saying we should come ahead of really needy neighborhoods,' said Valerie Mason, chair of Community Board 8, which represents the Upper East Side.

'But in my book, universal means universal.'

The mayor plans to expand the free city-run childcare, with more seats for children under the age of three. He is pictured interacting with preschoolers in November

The Mamdani administration agreed, with spokeswoman Dora Pekec saying his commitment to free services for all New Yorkers, even the wealthiest, reflected his belief that 'city government's job isn't to decide who deserves dignity - it's to guarantee it for everyone.

'We already treat essential services as public goods: The FDNY answers emergencies, the city collects trash and every child has access to a safe, rigorous education,' Pekec said. 'Childcare should be no different.'

She also noted that Mamdani announced the creation of new childcare seats in a number of low-income neighborhoods as well, including some seats for children as young as two.

But Upper East Siders also argue their neighborhood would also benefit from the free childcare center, where private childcare offerings can cost as much as $50,000 per child - more than double the citywide average of $23,000 a year.

'I can't tell you the number of parents who personally contacted our office over the years who said they left New York City over the high cost of living and because childcare has not been an option,' said Julie Menin, the City Council speaker, who represents the Upper East Side.

In the Upper East Side, more than 40 percent of the households make more than $200,000 a year, making it one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in the entire United States

Mamdani reiterated that message as he unveiled the new 30,000 square foot childcare center inside of what was once a parking garage.

'Upper East Siders have long called for the early childhood resources the neighborhood needs, and yet, year after year, those calls were ignored,' the mayor said, referring to the fact that his predecessor's administration left the building dormant despite constructing the childcare center there.

'Today, we are righting that wrong,' Mamdani proclaimed.

Schools Chancellor Kamar Samuels added that 'every child deserves access to high-quality early childhood education, regardless of their zip code or circumstances.

'The opening of this 3K and Pre-K center demonstrates our commitment to meeting families and communities where they are and providing the resources they need most,' he said in a statement.

'Early childhood education is the foundation for lifelong learning and success, and we're working diligently to expand access across the city so that every family can give their child the strong start they deserve.'

In addition to Upper East Siders, the new center will be open to residents across District 2, which also includes wealthy enclaves like Hudson Yards and the West Village as well as other more socioeconomically diverse areas like Roosevelt Island and parts of Chinatown.
Angelenos are itching for an even more liberal mayor as Democrat Karen Bass faces reelection, according to the results of a new poll.

Despite a Democrat already being in power, the survey revealed that LA residents want a Democratic Socialist at the helm of the city.

The new Loyola Marymount University Center for the Study of Los Angeles asked 370 voters which political party they wanted their mayor to come from.

Nearly 50 percent said they preferred a Democratic Socialist. Only 25 percent said they wanted a moderate Democrat, and eight percent said they wanted an establishment Democrat, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Less than 20 percent wanted a conservative politician.

The same poll showed City Councilmember Nithya Raman having more supporters than incumbent Bass, garnering 33 percent of those polled. Bass got 17 percent.

Raman is a part of the LA chapter of Democratic Socialists of America. The organization - which also backed NYC's Zohran Mamdani - has endorsed Raman twice for city council.

Bass and Raman go head-to-head with the other candidates in early June for the primary.

Mayor Karen Bass could be the first LA mayor not to be reelected as she faces a stacked field and a new poll showed voters want a Democratic Socialist at the city's helm

Raman, once an ally of Bass, entered the race in February, right before the final deadline.

Fernando Guerra, director of LMUs Center for the Study of Los Angeles, told KPCC that Angelenos are 'much more progressive than its elected leadership.'

'The poll captured that,' he said.

The Loyola poll is the first time Bass hasn't polled in first place, as other surveys show her re-taking office.

However, Loyola's poll gave descriptions of candidates before allowing them to select their pick, giving them information on their occupations and proposed policies.

'All were trying to do is simulate what would happen with a little bit of education about these candidates,'

'Most polls, they just give the name.'

Raman has been labeled a 'progressive' member of city council, whose main policies involve affordability and tackling the homelessness crisis.

Nearly 50 percent said they preferred a Democratic Socialist. City Councilmember Nithya Raman, a member of DSA, pulled ahead of Mayor Karen Bass in a new Loyola poll

Bass also faces Adam Miller (left) and reality star Spencer Pratt (right) in the June primary

Bass, on the other hand, was labeled as an incumbent and a 'veteran legislator' who is also focusing on homelessness.

The Loyola poll did not allow voters to say they were undecided, and it only used 'positive descriptors' of each candidate, Guerra said.

The decision to forgo an undecided option was to 'force' those polled to give an answer, Guerra told The Times.

However, Guerra admitted he still believes Bass is the frontrunner when the other polls are taken into account.

Alex Stack, a spokesperson for Bass' campaign, told The Times that the poll was 'ridiculous.'

'In 2022, this same LMU poll had Karen Bass at 16 percent - she ended up winning the primary with 43 percent,' he told the outlet.

Raman took to X to celebrate the campaign, writing: 'OUR CAMPAIGN IS SURGING... Angelenos are ready for a city that actually works.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Raman and Bass for comment.

Raman has made headlines in recent years with a number of super-woke takes on how to fix Los Angeles, including blaming car manufacturers for making their catalytic converters too easy to steal during a surge in automobile thefts.

Under Bass' leadership, homelessness has failed to be brought down significantly even as the city poured over $500 million into fixing it

She also recently shrugged her shoulders and rolled her eyes when asked if it was safe for homeless encampments to be erected near the city's schools.

Bass' tenure has been marked by a number of similar missteps, leaving her in danger of becoming the first LA mayor not to win re-election in over 20 years.

Under Bass' leadership, homelessness has failed to be brought down significantly even as the city poured huge funds into fixing it.

According to a report from the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority, homelessness in Los Angeles in 2025 stood at a staggering 67,777 people, down just 141 people despite a reported $516 million being spent.

Bass faces a stacked field of opponents led by Raman, with leftist activist Rae Huang registering close behind Bass at 16 percent support, and tech executive Adam Miller at 13 percent, and reality star Spencer Pratt at 12 percent.
Wall Street's most powerful banker has backed Donald Trump's military campaign in Iran, even as the conflict sends oil prices skyrocketing.

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon said Tuesday that finishing the job in Iran mattered more than the stock market turmoil it has unleashed, arguing the volatility reflects uncertainty rather than a verdict on the war itself.

'It's much more important that this be successfully completed than what the market does,' Dimon said during the interview with Fox & Friends.

Dimon, a Democratic donor with ties to liberal politicians, said eliminating Iran's leadership was essential to neutralizing a threat he argued had festered for decades.

'I mean, I hear some people say, "you know, they [Iran] weren't an imminent threat." A threat means I'm threatening you. I might do something bad. These people have doing something bad for 47 years,' Dimon said.

'They've been killing people. They've been killing Americans. They funded that terrible Hamas thing ... Americans were killed on October 7 ... they've had proxy wars.'

He warned further market turmoil should be expected, calling the global economy 'unpredictable.'

'The market will be concerned until it's over,' the CEO added.

'It's much more important that this be successfully completed than what the market does,' Dimon said of the Iran war during the interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday

As the US-Iran war has dragged on global markets have been in turmoil

Trump stands next to Jamie Dimon at a White House event during the Republican's first term

JPMorgan Chase is the largest financial institution in the US with over $4 trillion in assets under management.

Dimon, despite his Democratic ties, also turned his fire on blue-state leaders for hiking taxes while quality-of-life issues plague voters.

The magnate said residents and businesses are increasingly leaving states such as New York and California in search of lower costs and a better life.

'It's also individual taxes, state taxes, corporate taxes, and it drives people out,' Dimon said. 'There's a huge exodus taking place.'

'All you have to do is look at California versus Nevada' and 'New York versus Florida.'

Dimon warned that policymakers pushing higher taxes on the wealthy, as is happening in Washington state, risk accelerating the problem.

'And very often people think they're being moral by doing that, but they're not. What they're doing is they're hurting your own city,' he said in the interview. 'People vote with their feet.'
President Donald Trump signed an executive order cracking down on mail-in voting - despite casting his own postal ballot just last week.

'The cheating on mail-in voting is legendary,' Trump declared at an Oval Office ceremony on Tuesday. 'I think this will help a lot with elections. We'd like to have voter ID, we'd like to have proof of citizenship - and that will be another subject for another time.'

Trump has long derided mail-in ballots as a vehicle for 'cheating' and blamed the process for his 2020 defeat to Joe Biden. 'I won three times, convincingly,' he repeated untruthfully on Tuesday, maintaining his long debunked claim to have won that election.

Yet the President used a mail-in ballot to vote in a Florida special election last week - one ultimately won by a Democrat in the district that includes his Mar-a-Lago estate.

Trump brushed off the apparent contradiction, saying he is the President and simply had 'a lot of different things' to do.

The order directs the administration to compile a list of eligible US voters in each state, and mandates that absentee ballots be sent only to those on approved mail-in voter rolls.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Tuesday to add more rigorous standards to mail-in ballots

A worker pushes a cart of received mail ballots at the L.A. County Ballot Processing Center Nov. 4, 2025, in City of Industry, California. Trump has, in part, blamed mail-in ballots for his 2020 presidential election loss to Joe Biden

Trump admitted that he voted by bail as recently as last week

'The president does not have the authority to rewrite election rules,' said Lexi Kennard senior political media strategist at the Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law.

The order, which is almost certain to face legal challenges, also requires ballots to be issued in new secure envelopes bearing unique barcodes for tracking purposes, and warns that states which fail to comply could lose federal funding.

There has been little evidence of widespread voting fraud in U.S. elections.

'Instead of lowering costs or addressing the challenges theyve created, Trump and Republicans are once again trying to rewrite the rules to make it harder for Americans to cast a ballot and make their voices heard. Undermining free and fair elections is undemocratic and unconstitutional  and we will fight back at the ballot box and in court,' said Senator Kirsten Gillibrand of New York, chairwoman of the Democratic campaign committee.

Trump said the measures were aimed at 'stopping the massive cheating that's gone on,' and hinted at further reforms to come - including voter ID requirements and proof of citizenship checks - promising they would be 'another subject for another time.'

Democrats have long argued that non-citizens are already barred from voting, though the Department of Justice has brought cases against illegal immigrants who cast ballots in federal elections.

The order builds on earlier action by Trump, who has previously directed federal agencies to help states verify voters' citizenship status and sought to ban states from counting mail-in ballots that arrive after Election Day.
President Donald Trump has again said he will make the unprecedented move and travel to the Supreme Court to watch oral arguments as he seeks to end birthright citizenship in the United States.

Speaking in the Oval Office on Tuesday, the President said he would take the ride across town to the high court to watch proceedings - a move that could raise constitutional questions related to the separation of powers.

'And I'm going,' Trump said when a reporter brought up the case.

The President said he was attending 'because I have listened to this argument for so long.'

'And this is not about Chinese billionaires who are billionaires from other countries who all of a sudden have 75 children, or 59 children in one case, or 10 children, becoming American citizens,' Trump argued. 'This was about slaves.'

Birthright citizenship was established by the 14th Amendment, which was ratified in 1868 to guarantee citizenship to recently freed slaves - but historically has applied to every person born in the US or its territories.

As part of his hardline immigration policies, Trump signed an executive order ending birthright citizenship on Inauguration Day 2025.

Lower courts have ruled that the executive order is unconstitutional.

President Donald Trump told reporters in the Oval Office Tuesday that he planned to travel to the Supreme Court Wednesday morning to listen to oral arguments in the birthright citizenship case

The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments on the case at 10:30 a.m. ET Wednesday.

In October, Trump previously said he'd be going to the Supreme Court to watch arguments related to his tariff case, but he ended up pulling out.

That case did not go in his favor, despite the Court being made up of a 6-3 conservative majority, with the justices striking down Trump's authority to broadly impose tariffs, as he had done since the beginning of his second term.

Chief Justice John Roberts, appointed by President George W. Bush, along with Justices Neil Gorsuch and Amy Coney Barrett, both Trump appointees, joined the three liberals in the February decision.

Trump fumed over the decision, calling it a 'disgrace.'

Asked about his views on the justices now, Trump answered, 'I love a few of them.'

'I don't like some others,' he added.

The President complained about the justices appointed by Democratic Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden.

An exterior shot of the Supreme Court on Monday with spring flowers blooming outside. President Donald Trump said he plans to take an unprecedented trip to the high court to watch proceedings Wednesday

'I don't care how good your case is, you can have the greatest case ever. They're going to rule against you. They always do. And it's not supposed to be that way,' Trump said.

The justices appointed by Republicans, Trump said, 'tend to be very different.'

'They want to show how honorable they are. So a man can appoint them and they can rule against them,' the President continued. 'We're so proud we ruled against Trump. We're so proud. We're above it.'

'And there are those that say that's wonderful, and there are those who say that's so stupid,' the President added.

The Supreme Court is supposed to act as a separate but equal branch of the government.

That's why presidents have historically never attended the oral arguments of a case.

They tend to only travel to the Supreme Court for ceremonial occasions.

Trump had made such a trip during his first term, he said.

'I went once before, the opening of the Supreme Court in the last administration,' the President said.
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In an exclusive episode of the Daily Mail's Trial podcast, veteran court reporters Liz Hull and Caroline Cheetham interview Dr Sandie Bohin, a neonatologist who acted as a key expert witness during Lucy Letby's ten-month murder trial in 2022.

Before the trial began, Bohin was tasked by the National Crime Agency to independently review the reports of Dr Dewi Evans, whose findings concluded that babies in the nurse's care had been deliberately harmed.

Instead of simply reviewing his reports, Dr Bohin went back to the beginning and examined the notes for every baby - thousands and thousands of pages.

Having mostly agreed with Dr Evans's conclusions, Bohin was called upon by the prosecution during the trial, which ended with Letby receiving 15 whole life orders after being convicted of seven counts of murder and seven counts of attempted murder.

Since Letby's conviction in 2023, a growing number of high-profile commentators have emerged who believe the nurse is the victim of a massive miscarriage of justice.

In an exclusive episode of the Trial podcast, Liz Hull and Caroline Cheetham interview Dr Sandie Bohin, a neonatologist who acted as a key expert witness during Letby's murder trial

Bohin was called upon by the prosecution during the trial, which ended with Letby receiving 15 whole life orders

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These critics have been spurred on by Letby's new defence team, led by outspoken barrister Mark McDonald, who was appointed in September 2024 and has since waged a very public campaign to have her conviction overturned.

During the podcast, Dr Bohin directly rebutted claims which dispute medical evidence used to convict Letby in court, explaining why she believes many of those who defend her cannot have read the thousands of pages of case notes that led her to conclude babies had been deliberately harmed.

Claim: 'No evidence the babies were injected with air'

One of the key pieces of medical evidence cited during the trial was a 1989 academic paper by Canadian neonatologist Dr Shoo Lee, which examined how air embolisms present in babies.

After the conviction, Lee claimed his paper had been misrepresented by Bohin and Evans, going on to later appear for the defence at the Court of Appeal.

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Despite his evidence being dismissed, Lee has since gone on to tout his theories of Letby's innocence in multiple documentaries.

In February 2025, Lee chaired a panel of 14 international neonatologists and paediatricians who claimed there was no medical evidence that Letby had deliberately harmed any of the babies in her care.

'We did not just use the skin changes that were in his paper to diagnose air embolism', Bohin began.

'Lee founded his theory on that. But he hadn't been given all the case notes, so he didn't know we had used other evidence too.

'The whole press conference thing, I thought, was beyond dreadful for the parents.

'I don't agree with their conclusions. I don't think they're informed and I wonder if they had all the notes.

'Doctors who gave evidence at the trial, said that when they were resuscitating a baby, they noticed some of them had skin changes that they'd never seen before.

'These doctors would have seen a baby that was hypotensive, septic or in cardio respiratory arrest and that specific colour change, they said they had never seen the like of it before.'

Claim: 'The babies died because of substandard care'

One of the most repeated claims made in defence of Letby is that the babies in her care were not murdered but died because the neonatal ward at the Countess of Chester Hospital was dangerously understaffed and poorly run.

Dr Lee's panel ran with this allegation, claiming that their review of case notes linked several deaths attributed to Letby to systemic failures at the hospital.

Weighed against the medical evidence she examined, Bohin said accusations of negligence levelled against the hospital are desperately unfair.

During the podcast, Dr Bohin directly rebutted claims which dispute medical evidence used to convict Letby in court

Weighed against the medical evidence she examined, Bohin said accusations of negligence levelled against the Countess of Chester Hospital are desperately unfair

'I feel incredibly for the staff at the Countess of Chester', she said.

'The doctors and nurses have come into a huge amount of criticism for their care of these babies. People saying that they only collapsed because of substandard care.

'You know, no neonatal unit is perfect. All units are short of nursing staff. At the time, the doctors working on that unit were doing the same sort of work that any other doctor around the country was doing in a unit of that sort.

'I cannot see anything that was substandard about the way they approached the resuscitation or the care of those babies.'

Claim: 'The babies were very sick and would have died anyway'

Another often cited argument made by Letby's defenders is that the babies in her care were extremely premature and sickly, and that their deaths were natural and unfairly attributed to her.

Again, Dr Bohin said this is an oversimplification of the complex medical evidence presented during the trial.

While many of the babies were unwell, she argued, they were medically stable and receiving care and should not have suddenly collapsed.

'The babies were not all really poorly', Dr Bohin said.

'They were stable, if you looked at their heart rate, respiratory rate, saturations - all the parameters we would normally use.

'You get a trend if a baby is becoming more unwell. These babies did not have that.

'They were for the most part, doing well. They were stable on a neonatal unit. They certainly were not expected to collapse and die.'

Listen to the full interview with Dr Sandie Bohin by subscribing to The Crime Desk. Subscribe today for access to the Trial+ podcast, ad-free listening and a host of other member benefits.
Buckingham Palace has finally announced the much-anticipated but highly controversial State Visit by King Charles and Queen Camilla to the United States.

After weeks of outcry for the trip marking the 250th anniversary of American independence to be called off over President Trump's war against Iran, a formal notice was issued this morning.

It said: 'On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

'Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.'

But the Duke of Sussex will not travel to Washington DC to see his father during the King's state visit to the US, a source close to Harry has said.

Harry, who has had a troubled relationship with the King, lives on the US west coast with his wife the Duchess of Sussex and the King's youngest grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The father and son last met face to face six months ago and the King last saw Archie and Lili in person nearly four years ago.

Harry is in Washington on Tuesday, where he is giving a keynote speech for the IAPP global summit on privacy, AI governance and cybersecurity law.

The duke is sharing 'his insights on whether today's digital world is breaking or bridging society, and the role we can play in reshaping the future', according to IAPP.

Donald Trump and King Charles sit next to each other at the state banquet for the US President at Windsor Castle last year

The visit will take place 'at the end of April' and will include a glittering State Banquet at the White House thrown by Mr Trump, who has made no secret of his admiration for the British monarch and his desire for the trip to go ahead.

In a post on social media entitled 'historic visit', President Trump wrote today: 'Melania and I are pleased to announced that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28.

'This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!'

Government officials and diplomats have had to weigh up potential opposition to the visit, and the need to smooth over the so-called 'special relationship' between Britain and the US.

Politicians on all sides of the political spectrum have vocally opposed the trip, saying it would be tantamount to an 'endorsement' of Trump's divisive foreign policies including the current conflict in Iran, which is not supported by the UK Government.

Diplomats previously told the Daily Mail it is important to retain and strengthen links with the Trump administration, despite the president's recent criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as well as to have 'one-eye on a post-Trump future'.

After he leaves the US, the King, 77, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, will travel on to Bermuda for his first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British overseas territory.

It will also be the first visit by a reigning King to the island, although he will not be accompanied by Camilla on this part of the trip.

While it is not an independent country, the British Overseas Territory has its own constitution and parliament, with the UK responsible for defense and external affairs and the King represented by a Governor.

The visit will be His Majesty's first State Visit to the US as sovereign.

The late Queen Elizabeth II undertook four outward State Visits to the US in 1957, 1976, 1991 and 2007.

As Prince of Wales, His Majesty visited the United States 19 times, including with The then Duchess of Cornwall on their first joint official tour in 2005.

Since 1952, there have been four inward State Visits by a US president - in 2003, 2011, 2019 and most recently 2025.

The King will also stop off in Bermuda, the first visit by a reigning King to the island - although he will not be accompanied by Camilla on this part of the trip

His Majesty, as Prince of Wales, previously visited Bermuda in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II's last visit was in November 2009.

The Duchess of Gloucester was the most recent member of the Royal Family to visit Bermuda, in October 2025.

Last week, Washington's ambassador to the UK said it would be a 'very big mistake' to cancel the King's planned state visit to the US.

In a question-and-answer session following his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London on Thursday, Warren Stephens said: 'I think that would be a very big mistake.'

He added: 'I think he will go and I think it will be a very meaningful trip for him.'

President Trump pointed to the upcoming visit to highlight the need for a 301million ballroom at the White House.

The president argued the development was necessary to entertain a large number of people when hosting foreign dignitaries and world leaders.

The 90,000-square foot project, which saw the East Wing torn down last October, has been the subject of a legal challenge in a bid to halt construction.

A panel reviewing the plans, which is headed by a top aide to the president, is due to hold a final vote on the scheme on April 2.
Keir Starmer is facing a major row over the role of the King in diplomacy after it was confirmed the monarch will visit Donald Trump in Washington in the midst of the worst breakdown in transatlantic relations in recent history.

Buckingham Palace has finally announced the much-anticipated but highly controversial State Visit by Charles and Queen Camilla to the United States will go ahead next month.

But it comes as Trump continues to take a sledgehammer to the so-called special relationship, venting his fury at Sir Keir's refusal to drag the UK into his troubled war with Iran.

The announcement came less than an hour after his latest tantrum, in which the president told the PM and Britain to 'go get your own oil' as Europe's fuel supplies dry up and costs soar as a result of Tehran's resistance.

He has previously thrown personal insults at the PM and belittled the UK's military, including branding the Royal Navy's largest ships mere 'toys'.

The King himself today reflected on the UK's relationship with its allies at a 'difficult time' as he gave a knighthood to a former head of the armed forces at Windsor Castle today.

But No10 has refused to listen to weeks of outcry for the trip marking the 250th anniversary of American independence to be delayed or called off, with a formal notice issued this morning.

Diplomats previously told the Daily Mail it is important to retain and strengthen links with the Trump administration, despite the president's recent criticism of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, as well as to have 'one-eye on a post-Trump future'.

The visit will take place 'at the end of April' and will include a glittering State Banquet at the White House thrown by Mr Trump, who has made no secret of his admiration for the British monarch and his desire for the trip to go ahead.

Lib Dem leader Ed Davey accused the PM of 'showing a staggering lack of backbone by pushing ahead with this state visit while Donald Trump treats our country with contempt'.

'To send the King on a state visit to the US after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as ''toys'' is a humiliation, and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies,' he said.

'What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make the Government see sense and cancel the state visit?'

Donald Trump and King Charles sit next to each other at the state banquet for the US President at Windsor Castle last year

Trump declared the trip will be 'TERRIFIC!' and a 'momentous occasion' in a post on his Truth Social site, adding that there would be 'a beautiful Banquet Dinner' at the White House on the evening of April 28.

He also revealed the 'historic state visit' will take place over four days from April 27-30  despite Buckingham Palace deciding not to release the exact dates in its own official announcement.

'I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!,' Mr Trump added.

State visits are undertaken on 'the advice of His Majesty's Government', a fact with which the Palace began its official statement announcing the tour.

Government officials and diplomats have had to weigh up potential opposition to the visit, and the need to smooth over the so-called 'special relationship' between Britain and the US.

Politicians on all sides of the political spectrum have vocally opposed the trip, saying it would be tantamount to an 'endorsement' of Trump's divisive foreign policies including the current conflict in Iran, which is not supported by the UK Government.

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from December 2021 to September last year, was made a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire in a ceremony on Tuesday.

His meeting with the King came shortly before Buckingham Palace announced Charles's visit.

After the ceremony, Sir Tony said: 'He reflected on my service and I reflected on his support to the armed forces, and how grateful I am for all that he and the royal family do for us.

'And unsurprisingly, we also talked about some of the world events of today and what's going on.

'We reflected on what is going on in the Middle East and the relationship that we have with our Gulf allies, and obviously the relationship that we have with our other allies, and that this is clearly a difficult time.'

The royal notice said: 'On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

'Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.'

But the Duke of Sussex will not travel to Washington DC to see his father during the King's state visit to the US, a source close to Harry has said.

Harry, who has had a troubled relationship with the King, lives on the US west coast with his wife the Duchess of Sussex and the King's youngest grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

The father and son last met face to face six months ago and the King last saw Archie and Lili in person nearly four years ago.

Harry is in Washington on Tuesday, where he is giving a keynote speech for the IAPP global summit on privacy, AI governance and cybersecurity law.

The duke is sharing 'his insights on whether today's digital world is breaking or bridging society, and the role we can play in reshaping the future', according to IAPP.

After he leaves the US, the King, 77, who is still undergoing cancer treatment, will travel on to Bermuda for his first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British overseas territory.

It will also be the first visit by a reigning King to the island, although he will not be accompanied by Camilla on this part of the trip.

While it is not an independent country, the British Overseas Territory has its own constitution and parliament, with the UK responsible for defense and external affairs and the King represented by a Governor.

The late Queen Elizabeth II undertook four outward State Visits to the US in 1957, 1976, 1991 and 2007.

As Prince of Wales, His Majesty visited the United States 19 times, including with The then Duchess of Cornwall on their first joint official tour in 2005.

Since 1952, there have been four inward State Visits by a US president - in 2003, 2011, 2019 and most recently 2025.

Join the discussion Do you think this visit strengthens or undermines the UKs position with the US?

The King will also stop off in Bermuda, the first visit by a reigning King to the island - although he will not be accompanied by Camilla on this part of the trip

His Majesty, as Prince of Wales, previously visited Bermuda in 1970. Queen Elizabeth II's last visit was in November 2009.

The Duchess of Gloucester was the most recent member of the Royal Family to visit Bermuda, in October 2025.

Last week, Washington's ambassador to the UK said it would be a 'very big mistake' to cancel the King's planned state visit to the US.

In a question-and-answer session following his speech to the British Chambers of Commerce conference in London on Thursday, Warren Stephens said: 'I think that would be a very big mistake.'

He added: 'I think he will go and I think it will be a very meaningful trip for him.'

President Trump pointed to the upcoming visit to highlight the need for a 301million ballroom at the White House.

The president argued the development was necessary to entertain a large number of people when hosting foreign dignitaries and world leaders.

The 90,000-square foot project, which saw the East Wing torn down last October, has been the subject of a legal challenge in a bid to halt construction.

A panel reviewing the plans, which is headed by a top aide to the president, is due to hold a final vote on the scheme on April 2.
NASA's Artemis II mission has been given the green light to launch, sending four astronauts to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.

The 32storey Space Launch System (SLS) rocket is set to blast off from the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida tomorrow.

It will send Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch on a mammoth 10day 685,000mile (1.1 million km) trip around the moon and back.

At a briefing by NASA yesterday, space agency chiefs said the mission is 'ready to go'.

'As we enter the prelaunch phase, the teams are in a strong posture, and the mission remains on track,' NASA's associate administrator Amit Kshatriya said.

'The vehicle is ready. The system is ready. The crew is ready.

'I have complete confidence in this team. 53 years ago humanity left the Moon and did not return. Now we go back.'

Here, the Daily Mail's stepbystep graphic reveals exactly what will happen during the mission.

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NASA has said the launch window opens on April 1, with multiple backup opportunities available over the following days depending on weather, technical readiness and range availability.

The SLS rocket itself consists of several parts, including a launch system and the Orion capsule that sits atop it.

During takeoff, four RS25 engines will fire nonstop for 8.5 minutes.

Along with two boosters, this will produce 8.8 million pounds of thrust  more than any rocket in history.

After launch, the Orion crew capsule will separate from the rocket's upper stage and enter a highly elliptical orbit around Earth.

The crew will then spend the first few days conducting extensive systems checks.

These include testing Orion's lifesupport, propulsion, navigation and communications systems to ensure the spacecraft is ready to head into deep space.

Once checkouts are complete, Orion's propulsion system will perform a critical engine burn known as translunar injection, sending the spacecraft out of Earth orbit and onto a trajectory toward the moon.

NASA's SLS rocket with the Orion spacecraft sits on its launch pad at the Kennedy Space Center

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman (left), Victor Glover (second left), Christina Koch (second right) and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen (right)

Orion crew capsule: Key specs Unlike the Space Shuttle or ISS, Orion is designed to go far beyond Earth's orbit

It can support four astronauts for up to 21 days

It has a builtin escape rocket that can pull the crew away from danger during launch

It has the largest heat shield ever built for a human spacecraft

The astronauts will live in about 330 cubic feet of space  roughly the size of two minivans

To get some shuteye, crew members will strap sleeping bags to the wall

It has a mini gym onboard, equipped with a compact flywheel exercise device

It will take astronauts father from Earth than any humans have travelled since the Apollo missions

Orion will pass behind the moon on a 'freereturn' trajectory  a path that naturally swings the spacecraft back toward Earth without requiring additional propulsion.

It will reach its greatest distance from Earth during this phase.

After the lunar flyby  during which the crew will photograph and analyse the lunar surface  the spacecraft will spend several days heading home.

As Orion approaches Earth, it will separate key components before plunging into the atmosphere at speeds of about 25,000 miles per hour (40,233 kph).

Testing the capsule's heat shield during highenergy reentry is one of the mission's primary objectives  as well as one of its most dangerous.

The spacecraft is expected to splash down in the Pacific Ocean, where recovery teams will retrieve the crew.

'Our team has worked extremely hard to get us to this moment', said launch director Charlie BlackwellThompson.

'Certainly all indications are right now we are in excellent, excellent shape.'

The rocket itself consists of several parts, including a launch system and the Orion capsule (pictured) that sits atop it

Crew members will strap sleeping bags to the wall to catch some shuteye, as shown in this mockup image

Crewed moon missions Orbit and test missions Apollo 8: December 2127, 1968 Apollo 10: May 1826, 1969 Moon landing missions Apollo 11: July 1624, 1969 Apollo 12: November 1424, 1969 Apollo 14: January 31  February 9, 1971 Apollo 15: July 26  August 7, 1971 Apollo 16: April 1627, 1972 Apollo 17: December 719, 1972

NASA's Artemis II mission should have launched in February, but was grounded by hydrogen fuel leaks.

The leaks were fixed, but then a helium pressurization line became clogged, forcing a return to the hangar late last month.

NASA has the first six days of April to launch Artemis II before standing down until the end of the month.

Tomorrow's launch window opens at 6:24pm EDT (11:24pm BST).

'Our teams in mission control and our crew members have been spent the last two years dedicated to training for this particular mission, developing all of the products associated with this flight, and they are ready to go,' chief flight director Emily Nelson said.

'The opportunity is immense for us to finally send our crew farther than anyone's gone before.'

While the astronauts will not actually touch down on the lunar surface, it will still mark the first time humans will return to the vicinity of the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

During the lunar flyby, the Orion spacecraft will travel around 4,700 miles (7,500 km) beyond the far side of Earth's natural satellite, setting a new record.

In this photo provided by NASA, astronaut Charles M. Duke Jr. collects lunar samples during the first Apollo 16 extravehicular activity at the Descartes landing site on April 21 1972

NASA says the mission paves the way for a future lunar landing  planned for 2028  and will also inform planning for longer missions such as to Mars.

It is also historically significant because it will send the first woman and the first Black person on a lunar mission.

British astronaut Major Tim Peake has said Europe, including the UK, is heavily involved in the Artemis programme.

'We were there on Artemis I... we built the European service module which powers the Orion spacecraft that provides all the electrical power, the life support systems, the propellant,' he said.

He hopes the mission can help inspire young people in the UK to consider a career related to space.

Goonhilly Earth Station, near Helston, Cornwall, will also help to track the capsule on its epic celestial voyage.
Scientists have raised safety concerns about the Orion capsule's heat shield ahead of NASA's longawaited Artemis II mission.

Set to launch as early as 1 April, the mission will see four astronauts  Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen  blast off on a 10day mission to the moon.

During the mission, the astronauts will travel around our lunar satellite on board Orion  a cramped capsule measuring just 11ft x 16.5ft.

Now, Ed Macaulay, a lecturer in Physics and Data Science at Queen Mary University of London, has voiced his fears about Orion's heat shield, which bears the brunt of the searing heat during reentry through Earth's atmosphere.

Dr Macaulay points out that during Artemis I, large chunks of material were found to have been lost from the heat shield.

Should this happen again on Artemis II, it could expose the crew to 'dangerously high temperatures'.

'During the final phase of the Artemis II mission, there's no backup, no contingency, and no chance of escape,' Dr Macaulay explained in an article for The Conversation.

'The four astronauts on board will be depending on a few inches of resincoated silica to shield themselves from temperatures approaching half that of the surface of the Sun.'

The most dangerous moment will occur during reentry, as Orion's heatshield is subjected to enormous temperatures due to friction with the atmosphere. Pictured: Orion's heatshield after reentry during Artemis I

During 2022's unmanned Artemis I test, NASA found that Orion's heat shield was cracked and cratered with unexpected damage.

The heat shield material, known as Avcoat, is designed to burn away during reentry to help dissipate the heat.

However, the damage was well beyond what NASA had expected.

'Instead of burning away evenly over the whole surface, parts of the Artemis I heat shield were lost unexpectedly in uneven chunks,' Dr Macaulay explained.

'This uneven ablation makes modelling the thermal loads of reentry more unpredictable, and raises the possibility that the Orion capsule could be exposed to dangerous levels of heating.'

Further investigation found that the problem was that the Avcoat layer wasn't permeable enough, so gases built up in pockets and blasted off entire chunks.

Following the mission, Dr Danny Olivas, a former NASA astronaut who served on review team that investigated the incident, told CNN: 'There's no doubt about it: This is not the heat shield that NASA would want to give its astronauts.'

Surprisingly, NASA has decided not to change the heat shield going into Artemis II.

NASA has not altered the heatshield for Artemis II, but has adjusted the trajectory so that Orion will spend less time at critical temperatures

The heatshield coating is designed to burn away during reentry, however, NASA found that the coating had chipped and deteriorated far more than expected during Artemis I

Instead, it has made some important changes to the mission itself.

Instead of 'skipping' back to Earth  a technique that sees the capsule act like a stone bouncing on water as it dips and lowers itself into the atmosphere  NASA will use a more direct reentry model for the crewed Orion capsule.

This should reduce the uncertainty in the heating profile, and will mean less time at peak temperatures for trapped gases to damage the heat shield.

'[It] also means that the crew will be subjected to increased deceleration on reentry,' Dr Macaulay added.

As the astronauts return to Earth, the heat shield is all that will protect them  so NASA's tweaks to the mission could prove vital.

'Human spaceflight has always brought with it calculated risks, but it has also provided a uniquely human perspective on our place in the cosmos,' Dr Macaulay added.

'The Artemis II mission will make its crew the first humans in over half a century to observe the blue marble of planet Earth in its entirety with their own eyes.

'The crew will carry with them the hopes and aspirations of a whole new generation of explorers.

'They will be depending on the meticulous work of thousands of scientists and engineers for their safe return, bringing with them a renewed human perspective on not just the Moon, but the planet we all call home.'
NASA is days away from its first crewed mission around the moon in 53 years, leaving one astronaut to have a heartbreaking conversation with his daughters.

Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis II, is set to launch on April 1 alongside NASA's Victor Glover and Christina Koch and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen for a 10-day lunar flyby.

Before heading to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Wiseman, 50, took his daughters, Ellie and Katherine, for a walk to prepare them for the event of his death during the mission.

'I told them, 'Here's where the will is, here's where the trust documents are, and if anything happens to me, here's what's going to happen to you,'' Wiseman said.

'I actually wish more people in everyday life talked to their families in that way because you never know what the next day is going to bring.'

His wife, Carroll Taylor Wiseman, a nurse in a newborn intensive care unit, died at the age of 46 in 2020 following a battle with cancer.

Wiseman said that as a single father raising two teenage daughters, they understand the risks of the mission but also share his belief in the importance of exploration and humanity's drive to push beyond the unknown.

Not only will Artemis II be the first moon mission in decades, but NASA said it aims to surpass Apollo 13's record for farthest human distance from Earth, serving as a critical rehearsal for future lunar landings.

Reid Wiseman, commander of Artemis II, is a single parent to his daughters Ellie and Katherine. They lost their mother, Carroll, in 2020 to cancer

Weisman lost his wife Carroll (left) to cancer in 2020

Artemis II is currently in the final countdown for the launch window, starting at 6.24pm ET on Wednesday.

NASA reports an 80 percent chance of favorable weather, as the crew prepares for the mission that will see them launch inside the Orion capsule atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket.

This will be the first crewed flight of the 32-story SLS rocket, which previously conducted an unmanned mission four years ago. Managers said the rocket is doing well following the latest round of repairs.

The crew will be the first people to launch toward the moon since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972.

'I think the nation and the world have been waiting a long time to do this again,' Wiseman said Friday after he and fellow crew members arrived at the Kennedy Space Center.

'On behalf of myself, Victor, Christina and Jeremy, we are really pumped to do this.'

Wiseman's two daughters joined him in Florida to watch their father bring America back to the moon.

Details about Katherine and Ellie are limited, with Wiseman only noting that one is in high school and the other in college, and referring to both as teenagers.

The Artemis II crew (L-R) pilot Victor Glover, mission specialist Jeremy Hansen of CSA (Canadian Space Agency), commander Reid Wiseman and mission specialist Christina Koch

NASA reports an 80 percent chance of favorable weather, with the crew preparing for the mission that will see them launch inside the Orion capsule atop the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket

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Wiseman previously spent five months on the International Space Station in 2014, and photos captured the moment he said farewell to his then-little girls.

He revealed that his daughters told him that they had 'zero interest' in his launching again.

'We talked about it, and I said, 'Look, of all the people on planet Earth right now, there are four people that are in a position to go fly around the moon,'' Wiseman said.

'I cannot say no to that opportunity.'

The next day, he woke up to a batch of homemade moon cupcakes and his daughters' support, 10 News reported.

While it is hard leaving his girls, Wiseman said the toughest part is 'the stress that I'm putting on them.'

The astronaut acknowledges that his going to space is 'a selfish ask' of his kids.

'There's a very real reason that we still live in Houston,' he told the Baltimore Magazine.

'When my wife started getting sick, I wanted to move towards family. But she said, "No, this is where you work, and you love your job. And we should not give that up for this."

'Also, I want my kids to know that you can still achieve and go on and pick yourself up. I think when I said, "This is something that I want to go do, it's important to me, and I think I can do a good job at this," they were aligned very quickly.'

Wiseman plans to take letters from his daughters to the moon as personal mementos.
The possibility of a second sphinx in Egypt has sparked renewed debate after new footage revealed dozens of deep shafts surrounding a mysterious mound at Giza.

The video documented more than 100 shafts clustered around the site in the northwest corner of the plateau, near the western cemetery of Giza, a region historically filled with burial shafts and ancient tomb complexes.

The renewed interest follows claims by researcher Filippo Biondi last week that scans detected a large anomaly deep beneath the mound, which he believes may be a long-lost sphinx.

The footage, released by independent researcher Trevor Grassi of the Archaeological Rescue Foundation, captured dozens of square shafts carved into bedrock, many reportedly extending deep underground but filled primarily with sand.

Grassi, who has spent nearly two decades researching Giza, said the video shows him physically walking along the perimeter of the mound, passing shaft after shaft cut directly into the limestone, some only about three feet across, while others measure roughly eight feet wide.

He said the unusually dense concentration of shafts surrounding the mound raises new questions about what may lie beneath the surface.

The footage is among the first to document the full perimeter of the site, offering what supporters of a second sphinx described as critical context for the ongoing debate.

While no definitive proof of a second sphinx has been discovered, researchers say the location warrants further investigation, given the number of openings and the underground anomaly previously detected at the site.

The video documented more than 100 shafts clustered around the site, which supporters believe could conceal underground structures

The video documented more than 100 shafts clustered around the site, which supporters believe could conceal underground structures

In the video, the camera follows a walking path along the northern edge of the mound, revealing what Grassi described as 'endless shafts all over the place going straight down, all blocked with sand.'

Grassi emphasized that many of the shafts seen in the footage appear to extend more than 100 feet underground, noting that he had personally lowered equipment into several openings to measure their depth.

Biondi took the world by storm last week during his appearance on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast, where he claimed to have scanned a mound of solidified sand on the surface, which he believes sits above the proposed second sphinx.

Using satellite radar technology capable of detecting subtle ground vibrations, Biondi said the data points to a massive structure concealed beneath a 180-foot-high mound of hardened sand, which he described as composed of solidified sand rather than natural bedrock.

Preliminary scans show vertical shafts and passageways strikingly similar to those already found beneath the original Sphinx, with dense vertical lines believed to represent the solid walls of underground shafts rather than empty voids.

'We are very confident to announce this we have a confidence of about 80 percent,' said Biondi.

However, Zahi Hawass, Egypts former minister of antiquities, has dismissed similar claims in the past, saying the areas around the pyramids and the Sphinx have been extensively studied and excavated over decades without uncovering evidence of a second monument.

Grassi spent 12 years studying under independent researcher John Anthony West, who helped popularize the controversial theory that erosion patterns on the Great Sphinx were caused by ancient rainfall, suggesting the monument could be thousands of years older than traditionally believed.

Biondi took the world by storm last week during his appearance on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast, where he claimed to have scanned a mound of solidified sand on the surface, which he believes is above the second sphinx

Grassi emphasized that many of the shafts (bottom right) seen in the footage appear to extend more than 100 feet underground, noting that he had personally lowered equipment into several openings to measure their depth

Grassi was able to look past the gated opens in some of the shafts

He first traveled to Egypt in 2018, joining geologist Robert Schoch, who worked alongside West on the erosion theory, and he is now investigating Biondi's claims.

'You've got a hundred of them within 100 meters [328 feet] right there,' Grassi said in the footage, arguing that such a concentration makes it unlikely they are isolated burial chambers.

Zahi Hawass, Egypt's former minister of antiquities, has dismissed similar claims, saying the areas around the pyramids and the Sphinx have been extensively studied for decades without revealing evidence of a second monument.

The theory of a second Sphinx at Giza is not new, as Egyptologist Bassam El Shammaa first proposed the idea in 2007, based on ancient pyramid texts, including the Dream Stele that Biondi also used to state his case.

The Dream Stele, positioned between the paws of the Great Sphinx, appears to depict two sphinx figures.

'If you look at all the temples, if you look at all the architecture and the way that everything in Egypt is set up, there are always two obelisks,' said Grassi in a YouTube video.

'There are always two statues. There are always two sphinxes. There's always a perfect balance.

Biondi claimed that the red line labeled 'A' leads to a possible second sphinx

Archival photographs from the 1900s appeared to show the area without the sand pile, indicating that it may have formed as a spoil heap, sand removed from nearby excavations and deposited in a central location

'There are always the two brain hemispheres, the two rising sun and setting sun. Everything is balanced in Egypt, and this is central as a tenet of the Egyptian religion.'

The mound itself is positioned along what researchers describe as a mirrored alignment across the plateau, extending from the known Sphinx through a central axis between the two largest pyramids.

The footage focuses heavily on the large number of shafts surrounding the mound.

Many of the openings appear only a few feet across, while others are significantly wider and cut deep into the limestone bedrock.

According to Grassi, many of the shafts are currently filled with sand deposited during earlier excavations.

He argued that the sheer number of shafts packed tightly together suggests they may function as ventilation or access points for a larger underground network rather than isolated tombs.

Biondi is part of the team that claimed to have uncovered enormous shafts below the Great Sphinx

'When you have this many shafts concentrated like this, it's really got to be light and ventilation shafts for a massive tunnel system,' he said.

Historical images referenced in the footage suggested the mound itself may not have existed before the early 20th century.

Archival photographs from the 1900s appeared to show the area without the sand pile, indicating that it may have formed as a spoil heap, sand removed from nearby excavations and deposited in a central location.

Grassi argued that this detail strengthens the possibility that buried features could exist beneath the mound, since spoil piles sometimes accumulate above previously excavated areas.

'All we have to do is pull some sand out of there, and we'll know if they connect straight into this,' he said, adding that clearing sand from existing shafts would be non-invasive and would not require drilling into the site.
Three men have been taken into custody in connection with an attempted break-in at the South Florida residence of The Real Housewives Of Miami star Larsa Pippen.

Pippen, 51, was not present when the men tried to invade the residence, but she saw it remotely on surveillance as a burglar alarm report alerted authorities.

'She was giving us real-time information as the officers were responding,' Pinecrest police Chief Jason Cohen told WSVN. 'When the officers approached the house, the getaway car was fleeing and went right past them.'

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Savvy star: Larsa Pippen helped cops nail three men as they tried to break into her Miami home

Authorities with the Pinecrest Police Department said that Treison Lache Booker, 23; Cortez Day Mon Johnson, 23; and Elijah Eugene Russell, 18, each face several charges in connection with attempted burglary of an unoccupied dwelling. 'They fled from responding officers who arrived within minutes,' police said in a statement on Facebook.

'With the assistance of the Sheriffs Office and Coral Gables Police, the suspects were swiftly contained and apprehended.'

Brazen gang (from left): Treison Booker, 23; Cortez Johnson, 23; and Elijah Russell, 18

Police said that an MDSO K9 located one of the suspects in the search, while Pinecrest and Gables officers took another into custody.

'The third suspect was apprehended by a Pinecrest supervisor as he attempted to run from the perimeter.'

Detectives said that the trio,who had traveled to Florida from Georgia, smashed windows in vain, in their attempt to break into the home, but eventually gave up and took off in a vehicle.

In accompanying surveillance footage, a suspect was seen trying to get into the house through a door, while another man was standing nearby.

Failed getaway: The three men crashed their vehicle and attempted to escape on foot

All three suspects were caught and taken into custody by responding officers.

The trio remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of late Monday, according to reports.

Russell had an active warrant in Georgia, the presiding judge said in court earlier Monday.

Cohen told Local 10 investigators were 'working to confirm' if the men crossed state lines specifically to rob the Bravo star.

'They came from Georgia, it looks like they went straight to this house - so thats the theory our detectives are going on,' said the police chief.

Remote homeowner: Pippen watched the incident unfold on surveillance in real time

Cohen said that Pippen's strong security protected her from being a victim.

'Her house was locked,' Cohen said. 'Her alarm was on. Her alarm was what ended up scaring these guys off the property.'

Cohen told the station he was personally involved in apprehending Russell.

'I spot [Russell] walking. Hes trying to walk away, out of the area - its just me and him. I get out of my car, I order him to the ground. I start running after him.'

Cohen said that Russell tried to lose him by trespassing into a yard adjacent to a canal, which turned out to be a critical mistake in the getaway attempt.

'He jumps into the canal. When I get to the canal bank, hes hanging on. If he didnt jump into the canal, he probably had me.'
After packing up all of your belongings, making your way through airport security and waiting patiently at your gate for boarding, the last thing many passengers will want is to be told there are no seats left on the aircraft.

There are rules in place for when travellers are involuntarily bumped or denied boarding, which apply to any UK or European airline, or when travelling from a UK or European-based airport.

The regulations EC261 and UK261 state passengers are entitled to between 220 to 520 in compensation, based on how long their delay is and the distance.

But, one budget airline has been accused of overpromising compensation to passengers who give up their seat.

Massimiliano, 47, was set to jet off from Rome to Larnaca with Wizz Air in August before he was bumped off the flight, according to Which?.

He was initially offered a new flight, scheduled for two days later than his original, and a hefty 400 (346.50) in compensation.

The traveller filled out a 'denied boarding' form which outlined how much the airline would be paying him and he went on to wait for his new flight at his hotel.

But the situation changed when he noticed he had only been credited with 100 (87) in flight vouchers on his Wizz Air account, which were also non-exchangeable.

Wizz Air has been accused of overpromising compensation to a plane passenger after he gave up his seat on a flight

It took five months for Massimiliano to eventually receive the full amount he was promised, after Which? approached the airline about the matter.

Wizz Air claimed the passenger had ticked a box when booking that agreed to its 'voluntary rebooking offer'.

This is an option that appears during the check-in process, it asks travellers if they would be willing to take a later flight if there are not enough seats available on their original booking.

In exchange, it is agreed they are given 100 in Wizz Air flight vouchers.

But, Which? says it seems the airline sees this agreement as the passenger giving up their legal rights to EC261 compensation.

It also means the traveller, as a voluntary rebooking, will lose their legal rights to any overnight accommodation being paid for.

Which? argues the airline does not notify passengers of this properly and the fact they will be classed as potential volunteers.

Wizz Air told Which? Massimiliano had been incorrectly offered the 400 in compensation.

The airline explained, 'Regrettably, this occurred due to ground handlers, who didn't consider the voluntary offer Massimiliano had already accepted... one of the agents overlooked the voluntary [100] offer and completed the form with the incorrect amount of 400.'

Wizz Air also apologised and paid the full 400 to the passenger in the end. It also said airport staff would receive additional training.

A Wizz Air Spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Like many airlines, Wizz Air sometimes overbooks flights. In rare cases, this can result in a passenger being denied boarding. In such cases, we always provide rebooking options and compensation.

'On some occasions, aircraft must be changed due to operational reasons. If the replacement aircraft has a lower seat capacity, and as a result, the flight is overbooked, all passengers on the affected flight will receive an email offering the option to voluntarily rebook onto another flight, and in return, they will receive WIZZ credits.

'We always try to offer the best possible rebooking options for customers. However, we advise customers to check if the alternative flight options are suitable before opting to volunteer. Wherever possible, and where capacity allows, this will usually be the next available flight.'

'Respective details of passengers' EC261 rights are clearly outlined on our website, and we encourage customers to review these when considering their options. Where a voluntary rebooking is accepted, this is presented as an alternative to standard compensation routes.'

Which? advises passengers check the small print and ask workers to clarify if you are volunteering or expressing interest before accepting voluntary offers.

It's also important to find out how long the delay will be, if a hotel stay is covered and if the airline is rebooking you to another carrier if needed.

Travellers who agree to the offer should get it in writing and note down the staff members name, as well as getting their signature.

But, if anything feels wrong, Which? urges passengers to just say no to the offer.

For travellers being bumped off a flight involuntarily, they are encouraged to ask the airline to simply ask others to volunteer instead.

If this isn't successful, make sure to state your EC261 right to compensation and ask if they will be providing compensation and accommodation.

Volunteering to downgrade from a flight can sometimes work in your favour too.

Daily Mail reporter Jowena Riley recently agreed to downgrade from Premium Economy to Economy on a Virgin Atlantic flight from Antigua to London, after being offered a future round-trip flight to wherever she wants to go in return.
As the cost of living remains stubbornly high, many people might be looking for a lifestyle that could bring them more money.

Fortunately, there are several countries across the world that pay individuals for relocating.

Many have already decided to move abroad, and a whopping 693,000 people emigrated from the UK in the year to June 2025, according to ONS figures. The number of people leaving the US is also at record highs.

A change of culture, lower living costs and different career opportunities pull plenty overseas.

Here are all of the countries where you could possibly end up earning money from if they moved there.

Chile

Chile is one destination where Britons could earn some cash by moving to - but for business start-ups in the country instead of relocation

Entrepreneurs could find a new home in Chile through its Start-Up Chile incentive.

Supported by the government, the programme is more focused on building a business in the country rather than relocation but could see migrants given thousands if they are successful in the venture.

Although the funding varies, some have been reported to receive between $15,000 (11,300) to $80,000 (60,400) in support for their start-up as well as mentorship, Forbes reports.

Croatia

Legrad, a town and beauty spot in northern Croatia, was offering houses for sale for just 10p in 2024

Small towns in Croatia have offered extremely cheap property incentives for people to move there in the past.

In 2024, the Daily Mail reported how Legrad, a town and beauty spot in northern Croatia, was offering houses for sale for just 10p.

The area started the initiative in 2018 in a bid to get more people to settle there.

Once the second-biggest population centre in Croatian territory, Legrad had become home to just around 2,000 people after watching its population dwindle since the collapse of the Austro-Hungarian empire in 1918, when new borders left it sidelined.

To be eligible to purchase one of the houses, applicants had to be under 45, in a marital or extramarital partnership, and have no criminal record.

Prospective buyers also were not allowed to own another property, although it was not clear if this means in Croatia or anywhere else in the world.

Since the programme started in 2018, there are now more children than there were several years ago, according to local media outlet HRT.

Other incentives have involved the Croatian government paying for 50 per cent of home renovation costs.

Greece

Antikythera, Greece, has fewer than 50 residents and offers an initiative that gives 500 (434.13) a month for three years

If a life on a sunny island is for you, Antikythera could be the place to go.

The dreamy Greek island has fewer than 50 residents and offers an initiative that gives 500 (434.13) a month for three years.

It's designed to bring families over to the area who might settle down long term and make it their home.

Located between Crete and Kythira, the island is just 20 square miles in size.

Ireland

Ireland's 'Our Living Islands' policy was launched in 2023 and aims to help off-shore islands thrive and further build their communities

Or, if renovating a derelict building on a remote Irish island appeals to you, Ireland might have a just the right programme.

The country's 'Our Living Islands' policy was launched in 2023 and aims to help off-shore islands thrive and further build their communities.

Under the strategy, anyone who renovates an abandoned property on the island could receive support through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant up to a certain amount.

It has been developed to help promote long-term moves to the areas.

Italy

Italy offers families 23,000 ($30,000) to move to the idyllic regions of Sardinia and Calabria (pictured)

Brits could also relocate to picturesque Italian locations and get paid for it.

The stunning European nation, which is visited by 57 million tourists from around the world every year, offers families 23,000 ($30,000) to move to the idyllic regions of Sardinia and Calabria.

The offer is a move from the Italian government to repopulate areas of the nation that are seeing populations decline due to an exodus of young Italians moving to larger cities or overseas for work - meaning the towns from which they hail are somewhat left behind.

In response to the decline, the government is inviting overseas citizens to move to Italy - but they will only receive the 23,000 if they choose to live in one of nine small villages with a population of 2,000 people or fewer.

One of the areas on offer is the scenic southwestern area of Calabria, where families are being given the five-figure sum to move to one of nine villages and call the close knit community their new home.

Other options include Presicce-Acquarica, the 'heel' of Italy's 'boot' where those seeking a new start in life are being offered almost 25,000 to up sticks and make Italy their permanent residence.

And finally Sardinia is one option for people who fancy a change of pace.

Japan

Japan is paying people to move from Greater Tokyo to its rural areas in a bid to keep them populated and thriving

Japan is paying people to move to its rural areas in a bid to keep them populated and thriving.

It applies to those living in the Greater Tokyo area who are willing to relocate to certain municipalities.

Under the Regional Revitalization Migration Support Grant, people can receive up to 1,000,000 (4,734) per individual, or 3,000,000 (14,202) per household, according to Akiya Japan.

It aims to redistribute the population with nearly 40 per cent of citizens living in Tokyo, Osaka and Nagaya.

Mauritius

Those looking to move to Mauritius can get 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (322) for starting up a business

The dreamy island offers 20,000 Mauritian Rupees (322) for those willing to move there and start up a business.

The process involves presenting the business plan and idea to a committee who then approve, according to Move Buddha.

Spain

'Live in Ambroz' attempts to invite people to live in Extremadura, a region in western Spain that borders Portugal

Various quiet spots in Spain have offered incentives to move to the area to help revitalise it.

One programme, called 'Live in Ambroz' attempts to invite people to live in Extremadura, a region in western Spain that borders Portugal.

Under the scheme, digital nomads can apply for grants of up to 15,000 (13,000) to move there for at least two years, the Express reports.

Switzerland

Those planning to move to Albinen must buy a property worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs (189,000 or $250,000) and live in the area for 10 years

Albinen, a town located in Switzerland, offers 25,000 Swiss francs (23,600 or $31,000) per adult in a family of four, and 10,000 Swiss francs per child (9,400) to relocate there.

The beautiful area sits on the mountain slope at 4,265 feet (1,300 metres) above sea level. Its traditional chalets look down over vast surroundings of snowy white peaks.

The small village has been threatened with extinction for some time as an increasing number of residents are moving out of the rural picturesque community in favour of surrounding cities.

At the end of 2020, there were just 243 residents in the village. But the scheme, originally launched in 2018, is hoping to buck that trend.

Those planning to move must buy a property worth at least 200,000 Swiss francs (189,000) and live in the area for 10 years.
As the conflict in the Middle East continues, rising jet fuel costs and the price of flight tickets aren't the only things in the aviation industry impacted by the situation.

Checked baggage fees seem to have also been affected, with one airline increasing the charge by around 6.80.

Budget US airline JetBlue previously charged a minimum of $35 (26.50) for a passenger's first piece of checked luggage.

However, this now shows as $39 (29.50) for off-peak flights, including $10 (7.60) in savings, on the carrier's website.

During peak times, the price starts at $49 (37.10), up from the previous $40 (30.30) - a $9 (6.82) increase.

JetBlue has put the change down to 'rising operating costs'.

A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value.

'Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares while delivering the onboard experience our customers love, including complimentary snacks and drinks, unlimited, high-speed Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment screens.

'While we recognize that fee increases are never ideal, we take careful consideration to ensure these changes are implemented only when necessary.'

Budget US airline JetBlue has increased its checked luggage charges

The Iran war has wreaked havoc on the aviation industry, and the UK could soon be experiencing a jet fuel shortage.

The last known shipment of jet fuel to Britain from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours.

Data providers Kpler and Vortexa say the consignment on the Libyan-flagged Maetiga vessel is expected to reach the UK from Saudi Arabia on Thursday.

The blockage of the Strait of Hormuz due to the ongoing conflict means no other cargoes heading to the UK from the region can be seen on the water, they added.

The UK is currently sourcing at least half its jet fuel from the Middle East amid a fall in domestic refining and a halt on Russian imports since the Ukraine invasion in 2022.

About 40 per cent of Europe's jet fuel comes via the Strait of Hormuz, which is nearly completely closed. The UK receives supplies direct from the Middle East while additional supplies come in indirectly, especially via Belgium and the Netherlands.

Industry experts now fear the supply issues could have a major impact on airlines from the end of next month if the Iran war continues, reported the Financial Times.

The last known shipment of jet fuel to Britain from the Middle East is due to arrive within 48 hours

Jet fuel was $4.24 (3.21) a gallon last Thursday, compared with $2.50 (1.89) just before the first US-Israeli strikes on Iran, according to the Airlines for America group.

Aviation analyst Alex Macheras said the US Jet Fuel Index was up 72 per cent in one month since the war began, which was 'massively outpacing even Brent crude's rise'.

The UK received a jet fuel cargo from Nigeria at Milford Haven in Pembrokeshire yesterday, and the British Government has insisted people should book their summer holidays and normal and not worry about supply issues.

Some cruise lines are also feeling the impact, and two Asia-based lines have implemented new fuel surcharges to cope with the mounting financial pressure.

StarCruises and Dream Cruises, both under the Resorts World Cruises brand, launched the new surcharge earlier this month.

For bookings from 20 March 2026 onwards, the new fees will apply.

The cruise lines said: 'Due to recent geopolitical developments in the Middle East, oil prices have increased significantly, leading to higher fuel and related costs for Star Navigator, Star Voyager and the Genting Dream.

'As a result, a fuel surcharge will be introduced for new bookings made on or after 20 March 2026.

'This surcharge is determined based on the operating requirements of each ship and itinerary; and may therefore vary across our fleet.'

The lines added: 'This surcharge will be reviewed in line with fuel price movements and may be adjusted downward if prices ease or revised for new bookings should prices continue to rise.

'We appreciate your understanding as this measure allows us to continue operating our sailings while maintaining the quality of service and experience our guests expect.'

The exact cost will vary depending on the vessel and departure point.

Meanwhile, earlier this month one major European carrier made the first move in cutting back its flights because of the situation in the Middle East.

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), based in Stockholm, announced it would be cancelling some routes due to the 'sharp and sudden increase' in the cost of jet fuel.

Hundreds of flights operates by the flag carrier for Sweden, Denmark and Norway are said to be scrapped.

A spokesperson told the Daily Mail: 'Given the ongoing situation in the Middle East, including the sharp and sudden increase in global fuel prices, we, just like many other airlines, have taken measures to strengthen our resilience.

Scandinavian Airlines System (SAS), based in Stockholm, announced it would be cancelling some routes due to the 'sharp and sudden increase' in the cost of jet fuel

'This includes a limited number of shortterm adjustments to our traffic program during March and April.

'We are consolidating capacity on departures where there are good sameday alternative connections, in order to maintain reliable travel options for our customers.'

The cutbacks are reported to mostly impact shorter routes within Scandinavia, where alternative travel options can replace the journeys, according to The Telegraph.

SAS added that affected customers are being informed and are being offered 'rebooking to other departures'.

'Our aim is always to provide clear information as early as possible and to offer practical sameday alternatives wherever feasible,' the airline continued.

The carrier explained it did not know the 'exact number of cancellations, as this depends on the evolving situation, nor specific routes  but as mentioned, we are keeping the adjustments as limited as possible and focused on routes where customers can be rebooked the same day'.

'The decision to make these shortterm adjustments is about acting early in response to a global cost shock that is affecting the entire industry,' the spokesperson added.

'Aviation plays a central role in connecting people and enabling global trade. In such a volatile environment, it is responsible to act early, adjust capacity to the circumstances, and at the same time safeguard reliable connections for our passengers.'
Holidaymaking Brits could find themselves facing queues of up to four hours at European airports as a new entry system comes into effect over the Easter break.

The entry/exit system (EES) has been slowly rolled out across Europe since October 2025, with 29 countries now bringing in a new biometric border control process.

Under the new rules, any non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, who enter the Schengen Area are required to register biometric details, including fingerprints and photographs.

They will also need to provide proof of accommodation, sufficient funds, medical insurance and a return ticket.

According to post-Brexit rules, Britons without the right to work or reside in the EU can only stay for 90 days in any 180-day period.

The EES will also automatically flag arrivals at risk of overstaying. It is due to be fully implemented at airports across Europe by April 10, with all third-country nationals required to register from today onwards.

EES will also be in force at Dover, Folkestone and London's St Pancras station, where French border checks are carried out before people embark on cross-Channel journeys.

But there are fears the new system could cause mass disruption to travellers.

The new Entry-Exit System (EES) is set to be fully implemented this Easter - but critics have argued this could cause travel chaos across airports in Europe

British holidaymakers could face long queues when travelling through European airports. Pictured: Crowds at Manchester Airport making their Easter getaway this morning

Airports Council International (ACI) said: 'The latest data collected from airports across Europe shows a continued deterioration in waiting times at border crossing points located in airports.

'Waiting times are now regularly reaching up to two hours at peak traffic times, with some airports reporting even longer queues.'

It added: 'With the next critical milestones approaching  namely the requirement to register 100 per cent of third-country nationals as of 31 March, followed by the end of the transition period on 9 April  airports and airlines warn that the situation risks deteriorating further.

'From that point onwards, member states will no longer be able to fully suspend the system in response to operational pressures, removing a key safeguard currently used to manage peak demand.'

Airlines and aviation trade bodies have also expressed their concerns over the delays and disruptions.

Olivier Jankovec, the director-general of ACI, and Ourania Georgoutsakou, the managing director of Airlines for Europe, said: 'Passengers entering the Schengen area are likely to wait even longer at border control during Easter due to the persisting operational challenges around the EES rollout.'

ACI and Airlines for Europe leaders said: 'We reiterate our call on the European Commission and Member States to extend the possibility to fully or partially suspend EES  where operationally necessary  during the entirety of the 2026 summer season.

'This flexibility has proven vital in preventing catastrophic operational disruptions during the progressive rollout of the system.

'If the technical and operational issues with EES are not resolved, this flexibility should remain available during future peak travel periods, such as winter 2026/2027.'

Under the new system, travellers will need to scan their passports at an automated self-service kiosk prior to crossing the border.

This will replace the current manual stamping of passports for visitors to Europe's borderless Schengen area who are not nationals of EU or Schengen countries.

The system will register the person's name, type of travel document, biometric data (such as fingerprints) and the date and place of entry and exit.

Airports Council International Europe recently revealed the EES system had increased waiting times at the border by up to 70 per cent, leading to three hour queues during peak travel periods.

Aviation bodies wrote to Magnus Brunner, the EU commissioner for internal affairs and migration, demanding the EU take immediate action to prevent 'excessive' delays as a result of the rollout.

The biometric system requires fingerprints and photos from non-EU nationals, including UK citizens, entering Schengen Area countries

Airports across Europe have already faced long queues, including Lisbon Humberto Delgado Airport (pictured)

They warned: 'Failing immediate action to provide sufficient flexibility, severe disruptions over the peak summer months are a real prospect, with queues potentially reaching four hours or more.'

In the joint statement, ACI Europe, lata, and A4E said: 'There is a complete disconnect between the perception of the EU institutions that EES is working well, and the reality, which is that nonEU travellers are experiencing massive delays and inconvenience.

'This must come to an end immediately. We need to be realistic about what will happen during the peak summer months, when traffic at Europes airports doubles.'

To keep travel chaos at a minimum over the summer, advocates hope the EC will allow Schengen member states to partially or totally suspend EES until the end of October.

British holidaymakers are already facing travel chaos, with four-hour airport waits being reported this week.

The Home Office and holiday companies have warned of two to four-hour queues at some destinations over the bank holiday weekend, which begins on April 3.

Long, slow-moving queues have been reported at popular Schengen area airports, along with technical issues, such as crashing gates, as witnessed in Gran Canaria last month.

In some cases, passengers have missed flights amid 70 per cent longer processing times.

It comes after Lisbon airport was reinforced with soldiers trained as border guards to reduce waiting times.

In January, 24 members of the National Republican Guard were stationed in the arrivals area at Humberto Delgado Airport, a measure approved by the government, a news agency in Portugal reported.
Railway lovers will soon have the opportunity to have a traditional fish supper served at their seat as a popular seaside rail journey makes its return.

The North Norfolk Railway has scheduled 26 journeys for its highly-anticipated fish and chip train experience, which is officially returning for the 2026 season.

From 1 April to 30 September, trains will run between Sheringham and Holt and back in about 90 minutes, providing a scenic return trip along the coast and countryside on a heritage railway journey.

Guests will be seated in either the restored 1930s Art Deco Gresley Buffet Car, or in the classic 1950s British Railways carriages, offering a choice between two distinct vintage settings.

On select Wednesdays at 6.30pm, the 'Norfolk Fryer' will serve up Cod and Chips cooked the classic Sheringham way, using beef fat from 'a top Sheringham Chippy'.

Vegetarian and gluten-free options will also be available.

Ticketholders will also be treated to a luxurious, handmade tub of ice-cream crafted by Norfolk makers Ronaldo's.

A fully licensed bar is available on board, offering a selection of soft drinks, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages for guests.

The North Norfolk Railway returns for the 2026 season, with 90-minute round-trip journeys set to take place between Sheringham and Holt

On the train's 'Norfolk Fryer' dining car, passengers can tuck into fish and chips and a tub of locally-made ice-cream

Tickets for the highly popular journey will cost 87.50 for a table for two

Tickets will cost 87.50 for a table of two, and advance booking is vital as the service will likely be in high demand.

For a smooth, safe trip, guests are advised to remain seated while refreshments are served, the railway's website says.

Due to the delivery of service, high chairs and wheelchair accommodation will not be available in carriages. Dogs are not permitted on Dining Train services.

It's not the only time trains and food have gone hand in hand recently.

A cafe in Kent recently went viral after a video showed food being delivered to customers by a model train.

Nibbles Railway Cafe in Newenden, a small village in the Ashford District of Kent, claims to offer a 'truly unique dining experience where nostalgia meets novelty'.

'Watch your breakfast roll in - literally- delivered to your table by a beautifully restored vintage N gauge railway,' the website says.

The cafe has gained a large social media following with more than 20,000 followers on Instagram.

Videos show the trains carrying mugs of coffee, full English breakfasts, Playmobil characters as passengers and a tips carriage.

For Halloween, the trains were decorated with spooky decor, including a giant skull.

In other amusing videos, one of the trains is shown delivering a single can of Coke.

Speaking to the BBC earlier this year, owners Dave and Lindsey Wheeler said business at the village cafe has nearly tripled since they built a complex model railway to deliver food and drink to customers.

The cafe is so popular that they are regularly fully booked with no availability for walk-ins or takeaways.
Instead of jetting off around Europe this summer and worrying about luggage and flight times, you can now go from Paris to Berlin by sleeper train.

European Sleeper launched the new route on March 26 and it's now set to operate three times a week.

The journey from Paris, to Brussels, to Berlin provides a direct, overnight connection between the three bustling cities.

It takes around 15 hours and one option available to book today, March 31, departs from Paris Nord at 6.03pm and arrives in Berlin at 9.02am tomorrow, costing 163.50, plus a 2.99 booking fee.

Chris Engelsman, co-founder of European Sleeper, commented on the new route and said: 'Building a network doesn't happen overnight. But step by step, we are proving that night train connections between major cities can work, for travellers and as a sustainable business.'

Elmer van Buuren, co-founder of European Sleeper, added, 'This train is also about opening up the European rail market, creating space for new entrants and better integrated cross-border services.'

The company is also set to add a new direct Milan route which will be available from September.

The journey will begin in Brussels, and travel through Cologne to Zurich, Lugano, Lake Como, and Milan during the night.

Instead of jetting off around Europe this summer and worrying about luggage and flight times, you can go from Paris to Berlin by sleeper train

European Sleeper launched the new route on March 26 and it's now set to operate three times a week

Booking platform Rail Europe has also launched the European Sleeper as a new option on its site.

So if setting off from Amsterdam one evening and arriving in Prague by the time the sun rises is for you, it could be the way to travel this summer.

The service sees travellers stop through some of the best cities in the continent.

It means tourists don't have to worry about checking in and out of hotels between destinations and don't lose days to travelling to their next location.

With reclining seats, sleeper cabins and couchettes, travelling by train across Europe is a flexible, simple and comfortable mode of transport.

The European Sleeper is easy to incorporate into travel itineraries and allows travellers to wake up in a new destination.

There are routes to some of the most popular cities in Europe including Amsterdam, Berlin, Brussels and Prague.

Rail Europe introduced the option after seeing an increase in passengers booking overnight trains.

The company is also set to add a new direct Milan route which will be available from September

Passenger numbers on overnight trains in France soared by 26 per cent between 2023 and 2024, according to the French Transport Regulatory Authority (ART).

This meant more than one million travellers booked such tickets in a single year for the first time in decades.

'European Sleeper brings an exciting new dimension to our platform, expanding the range of overnight travel options available to our global partners,' Rail Europe CEO Bjorn Bender said.

'As demand for cross-border rail continues to grow, particularly among international travellers, this integration allows us to offer greater choice and flexibility, while supporting the ongoing development of the European night train network.'
Brits heading to Spain for the Easter holidays without travel insurance could face medical flights home costing up to 38,000.

If you are struck by a serious illness or injury while abroad, you could be hit with a hefty sum.

The average cost of an emergency air ambulance repatriation to the UK from the Canary Islands was found to be 37,853.

From the Balearic Islands, the average AA flight home cost 22,930, and 25,583 from mainland Spain.

This underlines how expensive a medical emergency abroad can become when you need to get a loved one home from a short-haul European break.

It comes ahead of the Easter travel rush, where British holidaymakers are already facing travel chaos with four-hour airport waits.

Air ambulance flights can cost extortionate sums for holidaymakers in Spain

Crucially, these figures are for the air ambulance flight home where someone has been taken ill and needs to be flown home by a specially arranged air ambulance aircraft with medical escort.

The huge figures for medical repatriation flights are according to data from the travel insurance provider Staysure.

They do not include hospital treatment or other medical costs abroad before a patient is fit enough to travel.

This means a holiday health scare could quickly spiral into an eye-watering bill costing tens of thousands of pounds.

Repatriation is a complex, high-stakes process involving medical assessments, arranging specialist air ambulance transport from your holiday destination, and securing an NHS hospital bed to ensure a smooth transition home.

Coordinating an air ambulance alone can be logistically challenging, requiring flight permissions, medical crews, and equipment - which comes at a cost.

Having travel insurance for medical emergencies and repatriation means your travel insurance provider will handle all the necessary arrangements and cover the medical treatment and repatriation cost under the terms of the policy.

Those who risk travelling uninsured are left to navigate the process themselves and cover the costs upfront, often forcing families to turn to crowdfunding to raise the money needed to bring a loved one home.

Simon McCulloch, chief growth officer at Staysure, said: 'Too many people still see travel insurance as something to think about later, or something they can do without especially for a short European break. In a worst-case scenario, that can be a very costly mistake as our data shows.

'A medical emergency abroad is stressful enough on its own. The last thing any family wants is to find themselves worrying about how they are going to pay to get a loved one home.

'Easter is one of the busiest times of year for quick getaways, but even a straightforward trip can quickly go wrong without warning.

'Having the right cover in place takes some of the stress and worry away at a really challenging time allowing those involved to focus on their loved one's recovery, rather than facing a financial shock on top of a health scare.'

It comes after it was last week reported that a British tourist was left facing a 21,000 medical bill after breaking her back in three places during a beach pony ride in Thailand.

Her insurer later refused to pay out after classing the seaside horse ride as an 'extreme sport' not covered by her policy, leaving her and her husband to foot the bill.

Jo Ingram, 56, and her husband Stu were nearing the end of a two-week holiday in Krabi when she was thrown from the animal on the sand and rushed to hospital with serious spinal injuries.

Meanwhile, the mother of a critically injured British backpacker told how the family remains desperate for help  as they faced having to raise 170,000 to fly him home from Thailand.

Tiger Duggans relatives spent nearly 120,000 in nine days on hospital bills and an internal flight for him to be moved to a hospital in the capital, Bangkok.
After decades of anticipation Cairos Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), a futuristic, 5.4million square foot complex dedicated to showcasing the countrys most illustrious ancient treasures, finally opened its doors in November.

It is the country at its most progressive, a feat of modern architecture with a spectacular vista of the Giza Pyramids  a perfect tribute to the antiquities, including thousands of items from Tutankhamuns 3,300-year-old tomb, housed inside.

And its packed to the rafters daily, with up to 19,000 visitors pushing through its turnstiles.

At each days end though, when the GEM pulls down the shutters, the tone sharply changes for many museum-goers, as theyre thrust from an attraction thats currently the envy of the world into the brutal reality of modern Cairo, where extreme poverty means life is a constant hustle  and holidaymakers are largely perceived as ATMs on legs.

To leave, tourists without private drivers must face a taxi snake pit on the edge of a dusty major artery. Those with Uber on their phones and a WiFi connection get away quickest, although Cairos seasoned cab hawks continue to harry them for business.

Less tech-savvy travellers face a nerve-jangling ride back to their hotel, often in a barely roadworthy car  one tourist recently described Egyptian taxis as deathtraps on wheels  weaving through the citys famously chaotic traffic and almost certainly faced with an inflating journey price as they go, often up to 20 times the price of an Uber.

Britons have been holidaying in Egypt for decades; many coming for the history masterclass, to see the Land of the Pharaohs with their own eyes. Others are in the market for the year-round sunshine on offer at the Red Seas sparkling luxury-for-less beach resorts.

Tourists visits the new Grand Egyptian Museum in Cairo, which gets up to 19,000 visitors a day

The museum is a futuristic, 5.4million square foot complex dedicated to showcasing the countrys most illustrious ancient treasures

The ongoing Gulf conflict may have wiped most Middle East tourism from the map for now, but the Foreign Office has deemed Egypts most popular destinations, including Luxor, Aswan, Cairo, Sharm El-Sheikh and Hurghada, still safe to visit.

But why, then, does Egypt, which commands 19million global visitors, so often become a never again destination for so many travellers?

Tourists visiting this year can expect near-constant harassment in public spaces  often including terrifying physical and sexual intimidation.

One video posted on TikTok this week shows disturbing footage of a taxi driver putting his hand on a young womans thigh, uttering beautiful woman before she unleashes an expletive in his direction.

You dont have to explore too far online  in social media travel groups designed to offer advice to fellow globetrotters  to find shockingly similar experiences.

There are scams, too, seemingly conjured up for every interaction, from sightseeing and shopping to romance.

A 35-year-old British father from Kent travelling to Hurghada with his children last month told the Daily Mail he was left shocked that his ten-year-old son was used as a way to get his attention  and advised other parents to be wary.

He said: Locals  both men and women  would grab my sons arm and chat to him to try and get me to spend on various things. In a week, I ended up spending over 200 in tips mostly to get them to leave us alone.

Alice Lee, a tourist from Japan, currently travelling through the country, shared her exasperation in one Facebook forum, saying shes been made to feel like a walking wallet.

She posted: While the history is incredible, the human element has made this one of the most stressful trips of my life. I expected some level of haggling, but this is on another level. It feels like every interaction is a calculated attempt to squeeze money out of me.

A vendor sells prickly pear cactus in Cairo. Alice Lee, a tourist from Japan, said: While the history is incredible, the human element has made this a stressful trip'

Ms Lee added: The amount of casual racism Ive encountered is shocking. Its mostly from groups of young Egyptian men. I get mocked, pointed at and called names just for walking down the street.

The Foreign Office website says the British Embassy in Egypt has been made aware of a number of sexual assaults, including involving minors, saying the majority of cases that have been reported took place in tourist resorts in the Red Sea region, often committed by someone the victim had already met, including hotel workers and excursion staff.

Female travellers should exercise caution when travelling alone, particularly at night, in taxis, the UK Government advises.

Online, theres multiple name-and-shame Facebook groups too dedicated to outing romance scammers, with stories of foreigners, particularly the vulnerable and the lonely, being targeted by Egyptians  with swindling money apparently the only endgame.

In one such forum, one man, Muhammad Sallam, from Cairo, urged against those trying to forge relationships with fraudulent intent, saying: Stop being the reason our countrys image is spoiled in front of foreigners. Those who send pictures and say: I love you, I like you, or I want to marry you from day one thats not love, thats exploitation, and it makes people afraid to visit Egypt.

Other go-to scams commonly reported by tourists on Facebook groups, such as 'Travel to Egypt' and 'Egypt Travel Tips', include locals offering to help with directions, only to later aggressively demand baksheesh (tips) and tourists claiming theyve been constantly short-changed in shops.

At the airport, just-arrived travellers face being asked to pay fictional fees beyond the 19 standard visitor visa thats required in most Egyptian destinations.

While the scams may be unabating, there is a murkier side of Egypts 25billion-a-year tourist industry.

The countrys tourist accommodation, from cruises on the Nile to Cairo hotels and Red Sea resorts, relies on a workforce that is often ripe for behind-the-scenes exploitation.

Low wages, often less than 100 a month, and long hours are the norm in domestic, spa and kitchen roles, particularly in the private sector, where owners often dont comply with the countrys minimum wage and basic worker human rights.

The pursuit of the tourist dollar is also having an environmental impact.

One tourist described Egyptian taxis as deathtraps on wheels  weaving through chaotic traffic faced with an inflating journey price as they go

Britons still passionately defend Egypt, saying there are few destinations globally that can rival it for genuine bucket-list thrills

At the Red Sea resorts, renowned for coral reefs and a rich marine life, shark attacks have become much more frequent in recent decades, says the Hurghada Environmental Protection and Conservation Association.

This happens not just because of overfishing, but when sharks  lured to popular holiday spots with illegal baiting  become wildly out of control. Tourist yachts dumping waste off the coast have compounded the issue.

The Daily Mail has contacted both the Egyptian Tourist Office and the Egyptian Embassy in the UK for comment.

Others suggest the country is evolving for the better, and migrant workers in Egypt are likely to experience better conditions than those working similar jobs in other Middle East destinations, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia.

For tourists, the horizon might be brighter too. The arrival of Uber in Egypt a decade ago has been a game changer, say travellers  although it is also seen by some as a new way to scam.

Taxi fares can be booked in advance with zero negotiation required and journeys can be tracked throughout, with audio functionality even allowing the whole trip to be recorded.

One British woman, travelling in Cairo last month, said shed used Ubers to get around the citys sights with ease on more than 20 occasions, with only one unscrupulous driver demanding payment in cash.

Lisa Osborne Blalock, who owns Footloose Travel and Tours Egypt, is based in Luxor and told this newspaper shes faced dishonesty on a prohibitive scale  but is determined to ensure tourists see the magic that Egypt has to offer.

She tells the Daily Mail: I have dealt with fraudulent holiday home rentals, scams from taxis and Ubers and have faced countless pricing manipulations and pressure tactics from shopkeepers and tour companies. Dont get me started on all the people who beg or downright demand money from you.

However, her own experiences have compelled her to ensure that visitors see the side of Egypt theyre supposed to: Tourism here can be conducted with integrity, consistency and genuine hospitality, even without the need for tipping.

The business owner plans to open a fixed-price store to make shopping in Luxor less stressful, for example, and hopefully show locals that harassment isnt the only way to secure a sale.

Others passionately defend Egypt, saying there are few destinations globally that can rival it for genuine bucket-list thrills and suggesting that tourist scams are common everywhere.

There are certainly ways to ensure you can reduce the risk of losing hard-earned money to tricks, say the experts.

Its a destination where even die-hard independent travellers can benefit from booking with an experienced tour operator, and using registered, recommended guides on the ground instead of trying to go it alone.

Emma Brennan from the Association of British Travel Agents (ABTA), told the Daily Mail that planning is everything if you want holidays to go without a hitch: Egypt featured in the ABTAs Destinations to Watch Report for 2026, and many UK travellers enjoy positive experiences there each year.

Booking with a travel agent or tour operator that is an ABTA member provides peace of mind, with access to their expert knowledge about the destination and support throughout the booking process to help find the trip that best suits your needs.

Wherever youre travelling, we recommend checking the latest Foreign Office advice before you go, as it provides useful information on local laws, customs and what to expect.
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Nearly three decades after her untimely death aged 33, Carolyn Bessette has become a fashion icon to a whole new generation of women thanks to hit Disney+ drama Love Story, portraying her high-profile marriage to John F Kennedy Jr.

The American fashion publicist's wardrobe was filled with Prada clothes, a Birkin and stylish trench coats and bandeau dresses from designer brands.

But as 'Carolyn fever' takes over the British High Street, fashionistas can recreate her effortlessly chic and minimalist look for a much more affordable price.

Those wanting to embrace Carolyn's signature style need look no further than H&M, John Lewis and M&S's 90s edits.

Standout items include M&S Tapered Ankle Grazer Trousers, priced at 30, as well as John Lewis's Single Breasted Wool Blend Coat.

Carolyns gilded life came to an end in July 1999 in a plane crash that also killed her husband JFK Jr and her sister Lauren.

But the golden couple's romance is back in the spotlight as their tragic tale is explored in the Ryan Murphy-produced, nine-part series Love Story. Starring Paul Kelly and Sarah Pidgeon, the popular drama's finale released on March 26.

The trench coat

This Spring, a light trench coat would be the perfect item to add to your wardrobe.

The pure cotton coat from M&S, priced at 70, is like something that Carolyn would have worn.

Paired with some denim jeans, a black jumper and some oval sunglasses it would make the perfect outfit.

The camel check trim trench coat from Nobody's Child is another perfect alternative. But it is more expensive at 169.

But you will have to get your skates on if you want one because sizes XS and S are the only ones left.

The double-breasted trench coat from & Other Stories is the same price. Mango's long double-breasted trench coat is a cheaper option at just under 100, but again, only XXL sizes are left.

Levi's bree classic long trench coat currently has 30 per cent off, making it an absolute steal priced at 119 - and luckily all sizes are in stock. Hobbs' skylar trench coat is 219, but can be picked from the petite or regular range.

Black trousers

Black trousers were a classic staple of Carolyn's elegant wardrobe - and for those inspired by the American, the highgate ponte trousers from Boden are a great choice for just 79.

They come in sizes 4 to 22, and you can even decide if you want petite, regular or long.

Meanwhile, the tapered ankle-grazer trousers from M&S are a cheaper alternative. Again, you can pick if you want extra short, short/petite, regular, extra long or long. Sizes six to 24 are still available on the store's website.

Mango's straight-cut crop trousers are stylish and definitely worth the money, as they are priced at just 29.99.

But you better be quick as there are only sizes 8, 10, 12, 14 and 18 left in stock online.

Cos's slim-leg cropped trousers are on the pricier side (75), but totally worth the investment.

Nobody's Child's black cigarette trousers are currently on sale after their price was slashed from 85 to 68. And buyers can pick if they want petite/regular with sizes 6 to 14, which are still available.

H&M's tapered tailored trousers are the cheapest option priced at just 17. Another great option are the smart ankle trousers from Uniqlo at just 34.90.

Alternatively Karen Millen's essential techno woven trouser (79.00) make for a great investment.

Black coat

No wardrobe would be complete without a black coat for the winter and Carolyn was pictured in plenty of those.

The single-breasted wool blend coat in black from John Lewis is currently reduced to clear - so you better get your skates on. Sizes 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 are still available on their site.

And the price is the best bit about it! It was originally 129, and now the coat is priced at 64.

The tie-belt wool coat from & Other Stories is a good alternative, however you have to be quick, because the website states that there are only a few left.

The jacket will cost you 229, but totally worth the investment, as you can wear it every winter, plus it will go with everything.

The long blazer from H&M is also on offer. It is now priced at 55.25, but it was originally 64.99.

Phase Eight's maya fitted crepe coat only has sizes 12, 14 and 16 left. It was originally 269, but it's now 129.

The friends like these black tailored maxi length single button coat has proven to be quite popular on the Next website (79). The coat is nearly all sold out and only sizes 18, 20 and 22 are left.

Bandeau dress

And what would go well with the black coat is a simple LBD that oozes style.

The black satin bandeau arden maxi dress from Nobody's Child is currently on sale at 99. Something very similar to that is the amdra dress from Omnes, which is just 10 cheaper at 89.

But Coast's bandeau fitted crepe fishtail maxi dress is slightly different to the two above. The dress is on the more expensive side at 99, but gives an elegant look.

Although Club L's black and white bandeau maxi dress with scarf detail is also slightly different to Carolyn's original look, it's totally stunning.

The white scarf makes the dress stand out, giving it an embellished flourish compared to a plain LBD. Priced at 95 on their website, only sizes 12, 14 and 16 are left.

H&M's draped bandeau dress is one of the cheapest options at just 23.09. It was originally 32.99. But Zara's bandeau lining dress is just 22.99.

White shirt

A white shirt can be worn with so many other items in your wardrobe, making it a piece of clothing that you should get your hands on.

The pure cotton collared relaxed shirt for 50 from M&S is a great option. The White Company's cotton boyfriend T-shirt is pricier at 120, but gives a sophisticated look.

Meanwhile the Oxford shirt from H&M is worth the money at just 17. And there are plenty of sizes left - XS all the way to 4XL.

Nobody's Child's linen-blend shirt would be great for the summer when it's a little hotter and you want to wear something cool. It's currently on sale and you would have to part ways with 52.

Cos's relaxed cotton shirt is another great look, but on the pricier side of 75.

Boden's Sadie relaxed cotton shirt is the same price and can be bought in petite or regular. Sizes 4 to 22 are available online.

Phase Eight's white cotton oversized shirt was originally 79, but it's now 49 and sizes 10, 12, 14 and 16 are still in stock.

Next's fitted stretch essential long-sleeve shirt can also be bought in regular or petite.

There are still plenty of sizes online, and you can even buy a single, two-pack or a fuller bust set. It is reasonably priced at 18.50.
On Monday, HBO Max unveiled the second trailer for the eight-episode third season of Euphoria - premiering April 12 - which revealed the first glimpse of the late Eric Dane concluding his final acting role as Cal Jacobs.

In the preview - which has a five-year time jump - the real estate agent-turned-convict donned a dapper suit and unexpectedly reunited with transgender sex worker Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), who asked, 'Remember me?'

'How could I forget?' Cal warmly replied.

Dane's closeted character notoriously hooked up with the then-teenager at a motel during the very first episode of Euphoria, and the resulting video of their sexual encounter became blackmail material throughout the first two seasons.

Cal and Jules' reconnection appears to happen during the lavish wedding of his son Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) to his Ulysses S. Grant high school sweetheart Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney).

During the reception, an intimidating man is seen threatening the bride and groom: 'I used to be your husband's friend. I'm gonna make him his worst f***ing nightmare.'

On Monday, HBO Max unveiled the second trailer for the eight-episode third season of Euphoria - premiering April 12 - which revealed the first glimpse of the late Eric Dane concluding his final acting role as Cal Jacobs

Nate is later seen screaming, 'I'm trying to do a good thing!' after getting beat up during a home invasion.

It was Nate who called the police on Cal, who was arrested during the second season finale and, considering the average sentence for felony child pornography in California is three years in state prison, Cal could easily be out by season three.

But the trailer is dominated by Zendaya's Emmy-winning turn as regretful drug addict Rue Bennett, who has dangerous dealers and assassins pursuing her.

'In the beginning, we had to make a choice about who we were and what we wanted,' Rue said in the voiceover.

'But what we didn't realize was how far we were willing to go. After all these years, have we finally gone too far? I've done a lot of evil, and I never really thought about it. In the end, no matter who you are or what you want, we all answer to God.'

Sam Levinson's drug-fueled drama also welcomed newcomers Sharon Stone, Rosalia, Marshawn Lynch and Kadeem Hardison in the new season.

Dane - who died, age 53, on February 19 from respiratory failure with ALS - had already lost the function of his dominant right arm when he shot his Euphoria scenes on April 14, 2025.

'I've shot already. It's good,' the Actor Award winner told E! News last June.

'I'm going to ride this till the wheels fall off. It keeps me sharp. It keeps me moving forward, which is super important right now.'

In the preview - which has a five-year time jump - the real estate agent-turned-convict donned a dapper suit and unexpectedly reunited with transgender sex worker Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), who asked, 'Remember me?'

'How could I forget?' Cal warmly replied

Dane's closeted character notoriously hooked up with the then-teenager at a motel during the very first episode of Euphoria, and the resulting video of their sexual encounter became blackmail material throughout the first two seasons (pictured in 2019)

Cal and Jules' reconnection appears to happen during the lavish wedding of his son Nate Jacobs (Jacob Elordi) to his Ulysses S. Grant high school sweetheart Cassie Howard (Sydney Sweeney)

During the reception, an intimidating man is seen threatening the bride and groom: 'I used to be your husband's friend. I'm gonna make him his worst f***ing nightmare'

Nate is later seen screaming, 'I'm trying to do a good thing!' after getting beat up during a home invasion

It was Nate who called the police on Cal, who was arrested during the second season finale and, considering the average sentence for felony child pornography in California is three years in state prison, Cal could easily be out by season three (pictured in 2022)

But the trailer is dominated by Zendaya's Emmy-winning turn as regretful drug addict Rue Bennett, who has dangerous dealers and assassins pursuing her

Rue said in the voiceover: 'But what we didn't realize was how far we were willing to go. After all these years, have we finally gone too far? I've done a lot of evil, and I never really thought about it. In the end, no matter who you are or what you want, we all answer to God'

Sam Levinson's drug-fueled drama also welcomed newcomers Sharon Stone (pictured), Rosalia, Marshawn Lynch and Kadeem Hardison in the new season

Dane - who died, age 53, on February 19 from respiratory failure with ALS - had already lost the function of his dominant right arm when he shot his Euphoria scenes on April 14, 2025: 'I've shot already. It's good' (pictured last November)

The Actor Award winner's autobiography My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments is scheduled to hit shelves November 3, and he was 'working on the manuscript right up to' his passing

Proceeds will likely benefit Dane's two daughters - Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14 - from his 14-year marriage to wife Rebecca Gayheart, which ended in 2018 before she called off their legal separation in 2025 (pictured November 9)

The GoFundMe page set up by 'family friends' to 'provide stability now and in the future' for his children is still actively receiving donations, with the total on Monday reaching $490,010 from a $500,000 goal

Back in 2022, Dane predicted to Variety: 'There's gonna be redemption. I mean, that's the trajectory he's on...I would think moving forward, there would be some healing between [Cal and Nate].'

The San Francisco-born star's autobiography My Book of Days: A Memoir in Moments is scheduled to hit shelves November 3, and he was 'working on the manuscript right up to' his passing.

Available for $32 presale, Dane's memoir is 'told through a series of "days" that each illuminate a defining experience or emotional truth' as well as the '"future days" that would come after he was gone.'

Proceeds will likely benefit the Countdown star's two daughters - Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14 - from his 14-year marriage to wife Rebecca Gayheart, which ended in 2018 before she called off their legal separation in 2025.

The GoFundMe page set up by 'family friends' to 'provide stability now and in the future' for Dane's children is still actively receiving donations, with the total on Monday reaching $490,010 from a $500,000 goal.

The 54-year-old widow is listed as the beneficiary.

On average, ALS patients reportedly live two to five years following their first symptoms, but FDA-approved medications and physical/speech therapies might slow down the progression of the disorder.

The Kabul actor famously got his big break portraying plastic surgeon Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan from 20062012 on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.
Euphoria fans were sent into a frenzy as Sydney Sweeney posed and smouldered for the camera in the new trailer for the HBO show's third series.

It comes four years after the second season of the hit programme, which stars the likes of Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo and Sydney.

Viewers have long been waiting to catch up with the characters and, on Monday, HBO finally dropped the trailer for what's to be expected from series three.

It left fans hot under the collar as Sydney, 28, who plays Cassie, was seen posing in a red bikini as her character does some risque modelling.

'Poke the a** up,' Maddy, played by Alexa, 35, can be heard encouraging her as Sydney poses for a seductive snap on the back of a poolside lounge chair.

Posing on her hands and knees, she's seen bending back and forth as she locks eyes with the camera, held by Maddy.

Posing on her hands and knees, Sydney Sweeney's character Cassie is seen bending back and forth as she locks eyes with the camera, held by Alexa Demie's character, Maddy

The second season of the hit show, which stars the likes of Zendaya, Hunter Schafer, Alexa Demie, Jacob Elordi, Maude Apatow, Colman Domingo and Sydney aired in 2022

It's not the only saucy pose struck by Sydney in the trailer, as later she is seen looking down the camera lens draped in what appears to be just an American flag.

She gives a wink to the camera as the close-up showcases her bright make-up.

Elsewhere, only the silhouette of her body is visible as she is seen shaking her hips and splaying her legs in front of a bright white screen.

The trailer has teased much of the drama to come for Euphoria's troubled characters, including Zendaya's drug addict teen character, Rue.

This time, she is seen sitting in a police interrogation room while she is asked if she has 'ever been to Mexico' by two officers.

While she shakes off the question, footage then shows Rue walking through streets in Mexico before being asked to smuggle balls of white powder by swallowing them whole and returning to the US.

It looks as though her antics will be catching up with her, as she's later seen being pulled over by a police car, as a voice rings out: 'I can see you're a good kid in a bad situation.'

The trailer then cuts to Rue breaking down in tears in the interrogation room.

Elsewhere, Hunter's Jules is seen meeting up with a string of older men - including Cal Jacobs who is played by the late Eric Dane, who passed away in February at the age of 53 from ALS.

Sydney's character was seen posing provocatively in a number of scenes in the trailer

The trailer has teased much of the drama to come for Euphoria's troubled characters, including Zendaya's drug addict teen character, Rue

Wuthering Heights star Jacob appears to be missing out on his marital bliss as Nate alongside new wife Cassie as, after they tie the knot, he learns she and his ex-girlfriend Maddy are working together.

Meanwhile, shots show him battered and bruised, suggesting he's been in a nasty fight, as well as his home being broken into.

In the preview - which has a five-year time jump - the real estate agent-turned-convict Cal donned a dapper suit and unexpectedly reunited with transgender sex worker Jules.

Dane's closeted character slept with the then-teenager at a motel during the very first episode of Euphoria, and the resulting video of their sexual encounter became blackmail material throughout the first two seasons.

Cal and Jules's reconnection appears to happen during the lavish wedding of his son Nate to his high school sweetheart, Cassie.

During the reception, an intimidating man is seen threatening the bride and groom: 'I used to be your husband's friend. I'm gonna make him his worst f***ing nightmare.'

The trailer revealed the first glimpse of the late Eric Dane concluding his final acting role as Cal Jacobs

Nate is later seen screaming, 'I'm trying to do a good thing!' after getting attacked during a home invasion.

It was him who called the police on Cal, who was arrested in the second season finale and, considering the average sentence for felony child pornography in California is three years in state prison, Cal could easily be out by season three.

But the trailer is dominated by Zendaya's Emmy-winning turn as regretful drug addict Rue Bennett, who has dangerous dealers and assassins pursuing her.

'In the beginning, we had to make a choice about who we were and what we wanted,' Rue said in the voiceover.

'But what we didn't realise was how far we were willing to go. After all these years, have we finally gone too far? I've done a lot of evil, and I never really thought about it. In the end, no matter who you are or what you want, we all answer to God.'

Sam Levinson's fuelled drama also welcomed newcomers Sharon Stone, Rosalia, Marshawn Lynch and Kadeem Hardison in the new season.

Dane had already lost the function of his dominant right arm when he shot his Euphoria scenes in April last year.

'I've shot already. It's good,' the Actor Award winner told E! News in June.

'I'm going to ride this till the wheels fall off. It keeps me sharp. It keeps me moving forward, which is super important right now.'

In the preview - which has a five-year time jump - the real estate agent-turned-convict donned a dapper suit and unexpectedly reunited with transgender sex worker Jules Vaughn (Hunter Schafer), who asked, 'Remember me?'

Back in 2022, Dane predicted to Variety: 'There's gonna be redemption. I mean, that's the trajectory he's on... I would think moving forward, there would be some healing between [Cal and Nate].'

The San Francisco-born star's autobiography My Book Of Days: A Memoir In Moments is scheduled to hit shelves November 3, and he was 'working on the manuscript right up to' his passing.

Available for $32 presale, Dane's memoir is 'told through a series of "days" that each illuminate a defining experience or emotional truth' as well as the '"future days" that would come after he was gone'.

Proceeds will likely benefit the Countdown star's two daughters - Billie, 16, and Georgia, 14 - with Rebecca Gayheart, with the couple having called off their divorce in 2025 after seperating in 2018.

The GoFundMe page set up by family friends to 'provide stability now and in the future' for Dane's children is still receiving donations, with the total on Monday reaching $490,010 from a $500,000 goal.

The 54-year-old widow is listed as the beneficiary.

On average, ALS patients live two to five years following their first symptoms, but FDA-approved medications and physical/speech therapies might slow down the progression of the disorder.

The Kabul actor famously got his big break portraying plastic surgeon Mark 'McSteamy' Sloan from 20062021 on the ABC medical drama Grey's Anatomy.

Euphoria returns to HBO on April 12 and is available to stream on Sky and NOW in the UK.
The Teacher fans issued a big complaint just minutes into series three's launch - swiping 'I'm not going to be able to watch this!'

Channel 5's anthology drama debuted in 2022, with Sheridan Smith and Kara Tointon respectively leading the first two outings.

In the third series, which debuted on Monday (March 30), Unforgotten's Victoria Hamilton portrays new lead character, Helen Simpson.

The outspoken drama teacher works at an exclusive private boarding school, although clashes with one of her pupils.

Cressida Bancroft (Alice Grant) locked horns with Helen, the newly appointed Head of Drama, over multiple issues.

The student feuded with Helen, who has 30 years of teaching experience, for branding her as a 'woke warrior' as a means of growing popularity.

Channel 5 anthology drama The Teacher has returned for series three - with Victoria Hamilton starring as drama teacher Helen Simpson

The storyline sees Helen clash with pupil Cressida Bancroft (Alice Grant) over their very different opinions - with serious consequences

They also disagreed over non-binary pupil Dee Rainford-Thomas (Ellis Jupiter) and using the correct pronouns.

As a result, Cressida ultimately sets out to ruin Helen, before focusing on the teacher's family, including son Sam (Olly Rhodes).

Viewers soon took to X, formerly Twitter, to share their reactions to the episode - and not all were left pleased.

One wrote: 'I was really looking forward to this. But wow its Woke AF #TheTeacher.'

Another commented: 'Five minutes in and I seriously am not gonna be able to watch this.'

A third remarked: 'Why do these dramas feature hard working parents who don't understand or have time for their rude stroppy teenager children? Tiresome. #theteacher.'

Although other viewers expressed they were enjoying the episode, as one penned: 'Tuned in @channel5_tv for #TheTeacher new drama looks great.'

A second person agreed: 'This is brilliant #TheTeacher.'

Elsewhere in the installment, the situation between Helen, Cressida and Dee took a tragic turn.

Dee had a confrontation with Helen - who declared 'you'd be better off dead' - resulting in Dee taking their own life.

Viewers soon learned Cressida had captured the fiery exchange on-camera, but exactly how she will use it against Helen remains to be seen.

Elsewhere for the broadcaster, Channel 5 hit back at Huw Edwards after the disgraced former BBC News anchor condemned its new drama series starring Martin Clunes.

Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, follows the real-life story of how the BBC presenter became the centre of a grooming scandal.

Edwards, who presented the BBC's News at Ten for decades and broke some of the biggest stories including the death of Queen Elizabeth II, pleaded guilty to making indecent images of children in July 2024.

Doc Martin actor Clunes, 64, plays the Welsh anchorman in the drama, with the action showcasing how the former BBC stalwart led a double life.

Elsewhere, Channel 5 recently released Power: The Downfall of Huw Edwards, following the real-life story of how the BBC presenter became the centre of a grooming scandal. Pictured: Martin Clunes as Edwards

Edwards, 64, who earned 475,000 a year at the corporation, secretly groomed a vulnerable 17-year-old boy while working as Britains most respected newsreader.

He was suspended by the BBC in July 2023 and was later convicted of making indecent images of children for which he received a six-month suspended sentence in September 2024.

Before the drama hit screens on Tuesday, March 24 Edwards hit back against Channel 5 by alleging it made 'no attempt to check the truth' with him.

He told the Daily Mail: '[Channel 5] made no attempt to check with me the truth of any aspect of their narrative before going ahead with the production.

'They belatedly asked for a response after the drama had been made, while reserving the right to edit any such response. They also refused to disclose whether any of those making allegations had been paid for their contributions.

'Channel 5s factual drama is hardly likely to convey the reality of what happened.'

However, Channel 5 have now hit back against the comments, with a spokesman responding that all allegations had been 'put to Edwards six weeks' in advance.

The spokesman said: '[The series] is based on extensive interviews with the victim, his family, the journalists who revealed his story, text exchanges between the victim and Edwards, and court reporting.

'It has been produced in accordance with Ofcoms Broadcasting Code.

'All allegations made in the film were put to Huw Edwards via his solicitors six weeks before transmission.'
A much-loved film regarded as 'one of the all time greats' has finally hit Netflix - while boasting an impressive 96% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Almost 45 years on from its original release, Raiders of the Lost Ark has arrived on the streaming platform.

The first Indiana Jones installment, the film is set in 1936 and follows the archaeologist's quest to locate the long-lost Ark of the Covenant.

Indiana - or 'Indy' (played by Harrison Ford) hopes to get his hands on it before Nazi German forces can.

It was later followed by sequels The Temple of Doom (1984), The Last Crusade (1989), The Kingdom of the Crystal Skull (2008) and The Dial of Destiny (2023).

Despite decades passing since its debut, Raiders of the Lost Ark remains a firm favourite with fans, boasting a near-perfect 96% Rotten Tomatoes score.

Almost 45 years on from its original release, Raiders of the Lost Ark is now available to stream on Netflix

The classic 1981 movie also featured actor Ronald Lacey (pictured) as Arnold Ernst Toht, one of the film's antagonists

One fan wrote online: 'Raiders is such a classic story of adventure and fun.

'Its one of those movies I have to rewatch occasionally because very few other adventure films match the quality and excitement of the original Indy trilogy.'

Another penned: 'Ive watched this over 80 times in my life and still am blown away.

'Never gets old and has held up over the years as complete gold.'

While a third gave the Steven Spielberg film glowing praise and described it as 'one of the best movies ever made'.

As well as Harrison Ford, the cast also includes Karen Allen, Paul Freeman, Ronald Lacey and John Rhys-Davies, among others.

Speaking to WSJ.Magazine in 2025 about the final Indiana Jones film, Dials of Destiny, Harrison Ford said: 'I was really the one who felt there was another story to tell.

'When [Indy] had suffered the consequences of the life that he had to live, I wanted one more chance to pick him up and shake the dust off his a** and stick him out there, bereft of some of his vigor, to see what happened.'

The actor added: 'Im still happy I made that movie.'

Elsewhere, a movie branded the 'best action film of 2026' previously rocketed up the Netflix charts - with fans already demanding a sequel.

War Machine follows the final recruits of a punishing special ops bootcamp, who encounter a dangerous force beyond this world.

Reacher star Alan Ritchson portrays the lead character, Staff Sergeant 81, with other cast members including Dennis Quaid, Stephan James and Esai Morales.

Meanwhile, Patrick Hughes directed, co-wrote and co-produced the film, which dropped on Netflix on March 6.

Staff Sergeant 81 is an Afghanistan veteran battling PTSD, who struggles to form bonds with his fellow candidates.

Despite having extensive experience, he also refuses to take on a team leader position on the course.

The film - the first in the Indiana Jones franchise - sparked four sequels released between 1984 and 2023

In the midst of their final exercise, the team are shocked by a mysterious blast in the sky, which takes out communications.

They discover an apparent classified aircraft in the creek and detonate it with explosives - before it transforms into a walking machine and begins killing off the team.

War Machine has been doing well on Rotten Tomatoes, where it currently holds a a 70% rating so far from professional reviewers.

As well as this, the film also has a 75% score from audiences on the aggregator site.

One viewer wrote: 'I loved it. Had to pause it for a minute to get myself together.'

Another commented: 'Legitimately entertaining, its not an Oscar contender but a great popcorn movie.

'Basically Reacher fights space robot, but well shot and a good time.'

A third remarked: 'Not the biggest fan of war movies but this kept me watching and wanting more action and hits of wit.

'I hope there is sequel because I felt hanging and hoping for more.'
Despite a handful of dinner outings and one steamy Saint Tropez getaway, Reese Witherspoon has kept her romance with German financier Oliver Haarmann out of the Hollywood spotlight.

Indeed, keeping her personal life away from public view, according to insiders, is part of the reason she initially fell for the 58-year-old businessman.

'She loves what she does but not the fame side of things and wants to keep her private life private,' one source told the Daily Mail. 'It's a huge reason for why she didn't want to date someone famous.'

A second source agreed that Witherspoon, 50, 'needed someone who wasn't in the film industry.'

'Reese is also very difficult to deal with as it is, since it's either her way or the highway. That's in Hollywood, that's with friendships and especially that is what happens in her relationships,' they said.

'Oliver not being in the film industry was a major plus because he could never outstage her when they are out and about during any Hollywood events or meetups.'

Keeping her personal life away from the public's prying eyes, according to insiders, is part of the reason Witherspoon, 50, initially fell for the 58-year-old businessman

The pair were spotted soaking up the sun on a yacht during a Saint Tropez getaway last summer

In fact, a third insider said that Witherspoon wishes to keep her relationship more private 'than her pal Jennifer Aniston,' who is notoriously tight-lipped about her romance with hypnotist Jim Curtis. And, they added, Witherspoon 'knows that Oliver is a private man, so she respects him wanting to stay out of the spotlight.'

Haarmann, a former partner at global investment giant KKR, co-founded Searchlight Capital Partners and has built a staggering fortune. Also a minority co-owner of the NHL's New York Islanders, he is estimated to be worth around $440 million, with $10 billion in assets under management.

He was initially linked to Witherspoon two years ago after the actress' shock 2023 split from talent agent Jim Toth, with whom she shares son Tennessee, 13. She also had two older children - daughter Ava, 26, and son Deacon, 23 - with actor Ryan Phillippe, whom she divorced in 2006 after seven years of marriage.

After first being spotted together July 2024, arriving via helicopter to New York City where they enjoyed a cozy dinner at L'Artusi, Witherspoon and Haarmann's romance has quickly heated up. The following summer the couple was spotting packing on the PDA aboard a sun-soaked yacht in Saint Tropez.

'It also doesn't hurt that he is worth hundreds of millions of dollars,' the second source added. 'She likes that he is a Hollywood outsider but also very successful in his own right. That made things a lot easier for her to fall in love.'

But don't expect wedding bells anytime soon.

'Reese has told those close to her that she does not want to get married again, but of course that could change,' our first source said. 'She didn't try to meet anyone after Jim as she had a hard time after her divorce from him. She tried everything to make that marriage work.'

Witherspoon and Toth announced their split in 2023

Witherspoon filed for divorce from Phillippe in 2006. It was finalized two years later

Haarmann was previously married to Mala Goankar

Witherspoon filed for divorce from Toth in April 2023, just days after marking her 12th wedding anniversary.

'It is with a great deal of care and consideration that we have made the difficult decision to divorce,' the pair said in a joint statement at the time.

'We have enjoyed so many wonderful years together and are moving forward with deep love, kindness and mutual respect for everything we have created together,' it continued.

'Our biggest priority is our son and our entire family as we navigate this next chapter.'

It marked Witherspoon's second divorce, having already been married once before to actor Phillippe. Their seven-year marriage came to an end in October 2006 amid rumors of infidelity on Phillippe's part, which he has denied. The actress filed for divorce a month after announcing their split, citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

At the time that they wed, she was still an up-and-coming actress, while Phillippe had already earned Hollywood heartthrob status after starring in the 1997 blockbuster slasher I Know What You Did Last Summer. By 2006, Witherspoon's star power had eclipsed Phillippe's, thanks to Legally Blonde (2001) and her Oscar-winning role in Walk the Line (2005).

With no prenup and both residing in California, her fortune likely took a hit, as state law requires earnings made during the marriage to be split 50/50.

The divorce was finalized in June 2008, with joint custody of their children.

Haarmann, too, is no stranger to the difficulties of divorce. He was previously married to financier Mala Gaonkar, with whom he shares two sons.

'It's been talked about, but it is not a necessity for them to get married. They've done it, so they don't want to ruin a good thing that they have by getting married just to get married,' our second source said.

'They are adults, committed to each other; they don't need a piece of paper to show their bond. It could happen down the line; it has been talked about, but it is not imminent. But that shouldn't be looked at as a negative.'

Witherspoon is, however, embracing a new chapter in her life - one that could see her uprooted from Nashville.

A third insider said that Witherspoon wishes to keep her relationship more private 'than her pal Jennifer Aniston,' who is dating hypnotist Jim Curtis

'They are adults, committed to each other; they don't need a piece of paper to show their bond. It could happen down the line; it has been talked about, but it is not imminent,' our second source said

'Reese is definitely a changed woman,' the third source told the Daily Mail. 'And it's not just because of her boyfriend Oliver. She used to just want this nice, peaceful life in Nashville, but now, it's like everything's changed, and the rumor in town is that she wants to have a place in New York City.'

Since her divorce, the source continued, Witherspoon has been taking on different projects, traveling more and trying new experiences, giving her a fresh perspective on life.

Though, the insider added, Witherspoon typically won't be seen out on the town.'She's more a homebody and enjoys staying in with her man. She's not normally out and about in Nashville,' the source said. 'She seems to value date nights at home, which can be just as romantic, and really treasures any quiet and alone time she can get with Oliver since she does have a busy schedule.'

But with her son Deacon studying in the Big Apple and Haarmann also based there, moving would make perfect sense.

'She's expressed wanting to be close to her son and also close to her boyfriend who lives and works there,' the insider added. 'It's a new chapter of her life - especially having just turned the big 50 - and she's in a good place, very happy and excited about what the future holds.'

And her inner circle is firmly in her corner.

'Friends are happy for her, she seems to be having a good time with him, they do their own thing on their own time and Oliver has never shown himself to be a problem,' our second source said.

'She doesn't complain about him, so far so good.'
Controversial Married At First Sight bride Gia Fleur has revealed a terrifying brush with death involving her daughter.

Speaking to New Idea, Gia, 35, revealed that her daughter Willa, nine, had contracted a rare illness that left her hospitalised and her mother fearful for her daughter's life.

Gia told the publication that Willa, who Gia has largely shielded from the glare of social media, had contracted Kawasaki disease when she was six, adding that her daughter came home from school displaying flu-like symptoms.

Initially told by doctors that it was a respiratory infection, Willa's condition continued to deteriorate and she was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia.

'She was only six, so she couldnt really tell me what was wrong,' Gia told the publication.

Worried for her daughter, Gia rushed Willa to hospital, where doctors immediately raised concerns.

Married At First Sight bride Gia Fleur has revealed a terrifying brush with death involving her daughter

Gia told New Idea that Willa, who Gia has largely shielded from the glare of social media, had contracted Kawasaki disease when she was six

'They rushed her straight in when they found out her heart rate was extremely high  about 192 beats per minute,' Gia said. 'Suddenly, there were doctors everywhere.'

After a battery of tests, Willa was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, with doctors fearful she could develop sepsis.

'That was probably the lowest point because I'd heard of sepsis and knew how bad it was,' she said.

Gia added that she slept on the hospital floor for four nights, refusing to leave her daughter's side.

Now out of the woods, Gia said that for two years after Willa's diagnosis, she required regular check-ups with a cardiologist as her treatment  an IV therapy made from donated plasma  had caused coronary artery dilation.

Kawasaki disease is a serious condition that causes inflammation in the walls of blood vessels throughout the body, particularly the coronary arteries that supply blood to the heart.

In Australia, between 200 and 300 children are diagnosed with Kawasaki disease every year.

It comes after Gia publicly confirmed her secret romance with new beau Alan Wallace and made a bombshell admission about her relationship with MAFS groom Scott McCristal.

Initially told by doctors that it was a respiratory infection, Willa's condition continued to deteriorate and she was diagnosed with bacterial pneumonia. Worried for her daughter, Gia rushed Willa to hospital, where doctors immediately raised concerns

'I can't keep pretending I'm with Scott,' she said.

'There's only so long you can fake something before it starts to eat away at you.'

She added that her connection with Alan developed naturally after filming wrapped, describing it as a fresh start following a difficult end to her on-screen marriage.

'I didn't go into this looking for anything,' she explained.

'But sometimes the right person comes along when you least expect it.'

While Gia stopped short of putting an exact timeline on their romance, sources close to the couple have claimed the pair grew close shortly after the experiment ended.

Alan, who previously appeared on Love Triangle, is said to have bonded with Gia over their shared experiences in the reality TV spotlight, with insiders revealing their connection quickly turned romantic.

'They just clicked straight away,' one insider said.

After a battery of tests, Willa was diagnosed with Kawasaki disease, with doctors fearful she could develop sepsis. 'That was probably the lowest point because I'd heard of sepsis and knew how bad it was,' she said

'After everything Gia went through on MAFS, Alan has been a real support for her.'

The outing marks a stark contrast to Gia's tumultuous relationship with Scott, which unravelled in dramatic fashion during the final weeks of the experiment.

Behind the scenes, tensions had reportedly been building for weeks, with insiders claiming trust issues and explosive arguments plagued the pair long before viewers saw their marriage deteriorate on screen.

The couple's split has since played out publicly, with both sides offering conflicting accounts of what really went wrong.
Taylor Frankie Paul's ex Dakota Mortensen accused her of 'scratching, shoving and striking' him during a recent altercation.

On February 23, the police started investigating a domestic assault incident involving the Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 31, and her ex-boyfriend, 33.

According to the police report, Mortensen described 'two incidents of physical assault involving "grabbing, scratching, shoving and striking."'

This comes shortly after Mortensen filed a protective order against his ex-girlfriend.

In the report from the Draper City Police Department obtained by the Daily Mail, authorities were responding to a call from his friend reporting that Mortensen had 'been the victim of a domestic violence assault by an ex-girlfriend at her Draper residence.'

At the time, he also told the police he was 'apprehensive' to report the incidents due to the reality star's 'high public profile.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Paul and Mortensen for comment.

Dakota Mortensen alleged his ex-girlfriend Taylor Frankie Paul had 'grabbed, scratched, shoved and struck' him during two incidents, in police reports from an ongoing investigation; The two seen in an Instagram photo

The report also noted that the police obtained photographs of Mortensen's 'neck scratches.'

The report also recounted the police's ongoing investigation into an accusation of domestic violence in the presence of a child.

No charges have been filed and police did not specify the identity of the person accused of said incident, per the outlet.

The latest update comes after the reality TV star and her ex-boyfriend became the subjects of two independent domestic assault investigations by Utah police departments.

One of them is an open 'domestic assault investigation' by Draper City Police Department involving the former couple and their youngest child.

The couple share one child, their two-year-old son Ever.

Paul is also mother to daughter Indy, eight, and son Ocean, five, from her past marriage to her ex-husband Tate Paul.

The West Jordan Police Department is also investigating a separate 'active domestic violence case' involving Paul and Mortensen.

He also recently filed for a restraining order against Paul in the state of Utah. A hearing is set for April 7; pictured in May 2025

The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives star, 31, was set to star on the next season of The Bachelorette when TMZ published a video from a 2023 domestic violence incident, in which Paul pled guilty and remains on probation

The pair share two-year-old son Ever. Paul is also a mother to two children from her past marriage

Paul was previously arrested in 2023 for the alleged domestic violence incident

Amid the two ongoing cases, Mortensen filed for a protective order against Paul on March 19, and a hearing is set for April 7.

Paul was previously arrested in 2023 for the alleged domestic violence incident, in which she was accused of throwing metal chairs at her partner as seen in the since-viral video that got her Bachelorette season cancelled.

She was charged with assault, criminal mischief and commission of domestic violence in the presence of a child, at the time, and she later pled guilty in abeyance to aggravated assault.

She remains on probation for the 2023 case, which can be affected by the new investigations by separate Utah police departments.
The BBC was plunged into fresh scandal yesterday as one of its most high-profile radio stars was sensationally axed.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott Mills was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract has now been terminated over his 'personal conduct'.

The allegations against Mills, 53, are thought to date back a decade to his time on Radio 1, with reports suggesting they involve a 'historic relationship'.

One of the Corporation's highest-paid stars, who earned up to 360,000 a year, Mills's departure has caused 'absolute chaos' at Radio 2, insiders told the Daily Mail, with colleagues 'in shock' and bosses scrambling to find a replacement.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

It claimed the DJ was questioned at the time but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. The newspaper alleged his sacking related to the same individual.

Mills is the latest in a string of stars to lose their jobs at the scandal-ridden BBC. His ousting follows the exit of news anchor Huw Edwards, along with MasterChef pair Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in the past two years.

It is believed the unceremonious firing, announced with a curt public statement yesterday morning, was one of the last acts of director-general Tim Davie, who wanted to 'clear the decks' before leaving his post on Thursday.

Mr Davie, who himself resigned after it emerged that footage of a speech made by US President Donald Trump had been edited and spliced together in an episode of Panorama, wanted one last roll of the dice, an insider said.

Radio 2 Breakfast Show host Scott Mills, pictured in November, was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract has now been terminated over his 'personal conduct'

It is believed the unceremonious firing, announced with a curt public statement yesterday morning, was one of the last acts of director-general Tim Davie, pictured in November

Mills took over the flagship breakfast show from Zoe Ball in 2025. The allegations against Mills are thought to date back a decade to his time on Radio 1

But he will be leaving interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, and permanent replacement Matt Brittin, with a major headache as the race is on to find a replacement for Mills or risk losing listeners.

The biggest breakfast show in the country currently brings in a weekly audience of some 6.5million, after listeners lost under Mills's predecessor Zoe Ball returned.

Mills's team are said to be taking legal advice in the wake of his sacking.

Last night, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000.

'As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

'A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.'

A representative for Mills declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

In an internal note to staff yesterday morning, Lorna Clarke, the Corporation's director of music, said: 'I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast Show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

'Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on Radio 1, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.'

She said it would 'come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too' as she promised to update everyone with 'more information on plans for the show when I'm able to'.

She added: 'While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.'

In a statement, the BBC said: 'While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.'

Mills pictured this month. The DJ's dismissal has left colleagues and listeners shocked

Mills married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024. They are pictured with their dog

Mills's final show aired last Tuesday - following his presenting stint on BBC's Comic Relief the previous Friday - and he signed off by telling listeners: 'See you tomorrow.' Just six days later, Mills was gone from the job.

'People are walking around crying,' said one BBC employee. 'The BBC has taken this very seriously.'

Mills landed the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show role in January last year when he took over from Ms Ball.

But it was at the more free-wheeling Radio 1, aimed at a younger demographic, where Mills made his name, rising through the ranks from the early breakfast show in 1998 to the afternoon slot vacated by Sara Cox in 2004.

Renamed The Scott Mills Show, it ran from 2004 until 2022, when Mills jumped ship to Radio 2, where he replaced Steve Wright on his afternoon slot.

Now married to long-term partner Sam Vaughan, 36, Mills enjoyed a hedonistic lifestyle during his 24-year tenure at Radio 1.

'This relates back to the culture at Radio 1, not at Radio 2,' the BBC source told the Mail of the allegation made against Mills. Radio 2 presenter Jeremy Vine said he'd been unaware of his colleague's departure until just minutes before he went on air yesterday.

'I had not heard anything about it until 17 minutes ago, when it was on the BBC website, and I only had the information that was given to you in the bulletin,' he told listeners to his own show after the 12pm news led with the sacking.

'I have nothing more [to say than] it was allegations about Scott Mills's personal conduct which have led to him being sacked.'

BBC news correspondent Sima Kotecha told how 'gasps filled the newsroom' when the news was announced to staff.

She said: 'This is mega news. We heard gasps in the newsroom when people realised that he had been sacked... The fact that the bosses had to do this means there must be something potentially very significant here to let one of their big names go. As I said, this is a huge name in the BBC.'

It was during his two decades at Radio 1 that Southampton-born Mills struggled with alcohol and suffered from anxiety and depression. His spiral was prompted by the death of his boyfriend from a drug overdose in 2001.

He credited BBC bosses for standing by him and even admitted that he should have been 'sacked' due to his behaviour.

'I was 26 [when he died] and we spent every minute together, it was truly awful,' he said in 2012.

'[I'd] wake up at 2.30am, do the show, come home and go back to sleep. Then I'd wake up in the evening and drink two bottles of wine or a bottle of spirits in front of the TV. It was a way to escape.'

Mills said 'even I would've sacked me', adding: 'Thank God for Radio 1.'

In recent years, Mills has found stability with husband Sam, whom he met in 2016. The couple appeared together on, and won, BBC's reality show Celebrity Race Across the World in 2024. They got married in Barcelona shortly after filming. Mills was one of the BBC's Eurovision commentators and, in 2022, raised 1million for the charity Children in Need by spending 24 hours on a treadmill.

Mills pictured in 2016. He landed the coveted Radio 2 Breakfast Show role in January last year when he took over from Ms Ball

The popular presenter, who has suffered from chronic anxiety, depression and panic attacks all his life, revealed how he derailed in 2001 when his boyfriend Mitch died from a drug overdose

The former Radio 2 DJ admitted in recent years he had been branching out into TV projects outside of his 'natural environment' including Bake Off, pictured

Mills pictured with Emily Atack at his house in 2012. He explained how he regretted participating in some of the shows he had appeared on

Mills's exit comes in the same week as Mr Davie's departure from the Corporation, with the BBC's director of nations Mr Davies stepping in as interim chief.

Former Google executive Mr Brittin, who spent 18 years with the tech giant, will take over the top job on May 18. The beleaguered BBC is still dealing with the fallout of the Huw Edwards scandal, with renewed focus on the convicted sex offender thanks to Channel 5's recent documentary-drama starring Martin Clunes.

Edwards was suspended on full pay from the Corporation while an internal investigation was carried out and before he quit the job.

He was later given a six-month suspended jail sentence for possessing child abuse images.
Megan Fox and her ex-boyfriend MGK's split appears to have taken a contentious turn after she allegedly blocked him on social media.

According to TMZ, a source with knowledge of the situation claimed on Monday that the 39-year-old Transformers star had blocked MGK (who formerly went by Machine Gun Kelly) on Instagram.

Fox notably follows zero accounts on Instagram, including her 35-year-old ex and baby daddy, but he was also absent from her list of followers, suggesting that he had either been blocked or had unfollowed her.

The Daily Mail has reached out to representatives for Fox and MGK to request comment.

MGK had previously commented that he was 'Stoked I have your phone number' on Fox's March 3 comeback post on Instagram, but the comment appeared to have been deleted.

A comment on a subsequent sultry post, in which he wrote, 'stoked we had a baby,' also appeared to have disappeared as of Monday.

Megan Fox and her ex-boyfriend MGK's split appears to have taken a contentious turn after a source claimed to TMZ that she had blocked him. MGK, 35, was absent from her list of followers on Instagram, while Fox, 39, follows zero accounts; Fox is pictured (L) in February 2024 and MGK (R) is pictured in Paris on March 4

Notably, blocking someone on Instagram not only removes them from one's list of followers but also removes any comments they have made on one's posts.

However, MGK would have also had the option to delete his own comment on her post.

According to the source, Fox and MGK's romantic relationship is no more, and their only interactions are allegedly to co-parent their 12-month-old daughter Saga.

Fox's alleged blocking of her ex (real name: Colson Baker) comes around two years after the couple ended their engagement and split in March 2024.

However, the couple later reunited, and on March 27, 2025, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Saga Blade Fox-Baker.

After announcing the birth, MGK revealed that he had collaborated with some of his musician pals, including Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker, to compose special ambient music to create a soothing birth scene for Megan and the baby.

It wasn't until three months after Saga's birth that MGK revealed her name on Instagram with a video of himself serenading her on a ukulele, which he captioned, 'Saga Blade Fox-Baker  thank you for the ultimate gift @meganfox.'

On Saturday, MGK was spotted carrying little Saga in his arms during an outing in Los Angeles.

MGK's profile indicated that he wasn't following Fox anymore, which could indicate that he had been blocked, or that he had unfollowed her

Fox notably follows zero accounts on Instagram

Fox and MGK ended their relationship in March 2024, before welcoming their first child together, a daughter named Saga, a year later; pictured together in February 2023 in LA

MGK was spotted in LA on Saturday with 12-month-old Saga, as well as his older daughter Casie, 16, from a previous relationship, but Fox didn't appear to have joined them; MGK pictured with Casie in June 2025 in Santa Monica

A scantily clad Megan Fox showed off her killer curves in a barely-there lingerie set paired with leather boots in an Instagram post earlier this month. MGK's flirty comments on her recent posts appeared to have been deleted after he was allegedly blocked

The rapper-turned-rocker was also joined by his older daughter, 16-year-old Casie, whom he shares with his ex-girlfriend, Emma Cannon.

MGK appeared to be pulling solo dad duty, as Fox wasn't pictured with the group.

Their outing follows the actress's long-awaited return to Instagram earlier this month.

Beginning on March 3, Fox posted a series of sizzling photos and videos from a photoshoot in which she posed in a stunning array of all-black lingerie.

'everything is more beautiful because we are doomed,' read her moody first caption, while she wrote with a follow-up post, 'love was the most savage monster of all.'

In her most recent comeback post, from March 16, Fox put on a busty display in a black lace and satin corset.

'I go both ways,' she wrote suggestively in her caption.

Fox and MGK were previously in an onoff relationship for nearly five years before calling it quits again in November 2024, just months after they announced they were expecting a baby together.

Fox and MGK reunited after the March 2024 split, but they appeared to have separated again by November 2024; pictured together in 2021 in LA

In March 2025, Fox said her relationship status with her 'twin flame' MGK was 'not for public consumption'; pictured together in 2022 in West Hollywood

The pair, who were both already parents prior to getting together in 2020, previously opened up about maintaining a cordial co-parenting relationship.

Fox shares three sons  Noah, Bodhi and Journey  with her ex-husband Brian Austin Green.

Fox previously opened up about her relationship status with her 'twin flame' during a Call Her Daddy podcast episode in March 2025.

She confirmed that they had been engaged for about two years before they parted ways.

'What I've learned from being in this relationship is that it's not for public consumption,' she told podcast host Alex Cooper.

'So, I think, as of now, I don't have a comment on the status of the relationship, per se.'
Bridgerton heartthrob Rege-Jean Page has responded to rumours he will replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond.

The actor, 38, said he found the intensity of being asked if he was going to play the next 007 agent 'strange' as he starred in a smouldering digital photoshoot for Esquire UK.

Daniel stepped down from the franchise in 2021 and Rege became one of the frontrunners thanks to his stellar performance as Simon Basset, the Duke of Hastings in Netflix's Bridgerton.

Rege is now at 4/1 in bookies odds to be announced as the new Bond, with fans hoping 2026 will be the year they finally find out who will play the spy.

He said of the constant questioning: 'It is strange, its not normal.

'How I navigate it is very much about what is useful, what serves me in my job, in being able to deliver what I need to deliver to an audience, and a lot of that is just grounding.

Bridgerton heartthrob Rege-Jean Page has responded to rumours he will replace Daniel Craig as the next James Bond

'It does get quite loud on the inside, like it was very, very intense, that combination of conversation, and I think I worked quite consciously to be able to navigate that environment with some normalcy for myself.'

Bookies' predictions on who will play Bond are changing by the day, with Jacob Elordi one of the most recent favourites due to his smouldering role in the romance Wuthering Heights.

Other names have included Callum Turner, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Idris Elba, Theo James, Jonathan Bailey, James Norton, Jack Lowden and Henry Cavill.

As of now, only a director has been linked to the upcoming Bond project, with Dune's Denis Villeneuve signed on for the movie.

The French-Canadian filmmaker will also serve as executive producer of the project alongside Tanya Lapointe.

The Bond franchise is no stranger to a lengthy hiatus - there was a six-year gap between 1989s Licence to Kill, the final Timothy Dalton film, and 1995s GoldenEye, the first to star Pierce Brosnan.

The iconic British mainstay has previously been limited to its big-budget blockbusters, with producing roles kept within the Barbara Broccoli family since the first film in 1962.

Join the discussion Do YOU think Rege-Jean Page should be the next James Bond?

The actor, 38, said he found the intensity of being asked if he was going to play the next 007 'strange' as he starred in a smouldering photoshoot for Esquire UK

Rege is now at 4/1 in bookies odds to be announced as the new Bond, with fans hoping 2026 will be the year they finally find out who will play the agent

Fans cant next see Rege in romantic comedy You, Me & Tuscany with Halle Bailey, set for release on April 10

The actor rocked a brown 1,660 top with matching trousers and loafers from Brioni for one look

The actor showed off his model prowess in the accompanying photoshoot

But last year the Broccoli family have handed over creative control over to Amazon MGM Studios - which was formed when Amazon bought Bond's parent studio in 2022 - after 30 years.

Fans cant next see Rege in romantic comedy You, Me & Tuscany with Halle Bailey, set for release on April 10.

Directed by Kat Coiro, the movie stars Halle as Anna, a young cook who impulsively squats in a vacant Italian villa, and Rege as Michael, the owner's cousin

He said: 'There is something about these grown-up kids who dont have their own parents, but who have found adopted family and eventually find each other. [There is a] three-dimensional human core and thats hopefully what will pull you through a very fun and frivolous ride with some integrity.

'I think its important to normalise your own existence. To normalise seeing two Black leads in a film that is about a universal experience of escaping to find true love in Italy.'
Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker have been at the centre of a media storm in recent weeks following their flirtatious promotion of their new thriller series Scarpetta.

As speculation runs rife about the status of their relationship, Simon's ex-wife Rebecca Rigg, who has been a close friend of Nicole, 58, for more than 40 years, is said to be 'shocked and confused' about the romance rumours.

Now, old photos have resurfaced showing just how close Rebecca, 58, and Nicole once were, with the pair looking very chummy as they attended events together in the '90s with their other pal Naomi Watts.

One throwback image of the trio, shared to Nicole's social media shows the group of girlfriends smiling as they posed with their hands out.

Another black and white photo shared by Naomi, 57, in 2016 shows the close friends applying lipstick in a bathroom mirror together before attending a New Year's Eve event in 1999.

Naomi and Rebecca were so close with Nicole they were also seen stepping out to support the actress during the Los Angeles premiere of her movie The Others in 2001.

Nicole Kidman, 58, and Simon Baker, 56, have been at the centre of a media storm in recent weeks following their flirtatious promotion of their new thriller series Scarpetta

Meanwhile, other pictures show Nicole and Rebecca laughing and having fun with Naomi and Deborra-Lee Furness at a Golden Globes afterparty in 2002.

Simon, 56, was adopted into the same circle of childhood friends when he began dating Rebecca in 1991.

However, the actor has rarely been pictured with Nicole and Rebecca together  barring a Haiti Relief charity event in 2010.

He can also be seen spending quality time with Naomi and Rebecca in a photo shared by American director Scott Coffey in 2018, and again enjoying a glamping 'party' together that same year.

It comes amid reports Rebecca is 'shocked and confused' by ongoing rumours Simon has become romantically involved with his Scarpetta co-star Nicole.

Rebecca was married to The Mentalist star from 1998 to 2020 and is a close childhood friend of Nicole. They also both grew up in the same area of Sydney.

'She loves Nicole like a sister, they've been through so much over the years so it's extremely shocking for her to get her head 'round this,' an insider told New Idea.

The source added Rebecca was unhappy that neither Nicole nor Simon had reached out to her regarding the wild speculation after the pair held hands on the red carpet at their Scarpetta premiere.

Join the discussion Is it ever okay to date a close friend's ex, or does it break the trust in long-standing friendships?

As speculation runs rife about the status of their relationship, Simon's ex-wife Rebecca Rigg, 58, who has been friends with Nicole for 40 years, is said to be 'shocked and confused' about the romance rumours. Rebecca is pictured with Nicole and Naomi Watts in 2001

Now, old photos have resurfaced showing just how close Rebecca and Nicole once were, with the pair looking very chummy as they attended events together in the '90s with their other pal Naomi Watts, 57

'Rebecca is totally in the dark about Nicole and Simon's current status. A lot of their mutual friends assume their hand-holding was a cheesy stunt for the show,' they said.

'But the way they're evading questions about their status and then spending all this cosy time together is giving a lot more validity [to the rumours].

'They [Simon and Rebecca] split many years ago. They're still co-raising their kids and pride themselves on having a totally transparent relationship. For Nicole to act all coy is really breaking the girl code,' the insider continued.

Rebecca is also an acclaimed actress and has appeared in both Australian and Hollywood productions, including a small role in the 1996 movie Jerry Maguire, alongside Nicole's ex-husband Tom Cruise.

Nicole, who has been close friends with Rebecca for over 40 years, is also the godmother of one of her daughters, The Republic of Sarah actress, Stella Baker.

Rebecca is reportedly not the only person left reeling over the romance rumours, with Nicole's ex-husband, Keith Urban, also said to be feeling blindsided.

Nicole and Simon, who play a married couple in the new Amazon Prime series Scarpetta, were seen holding hands and beaming together earlier this month at the show's New York premiere.

At the event, Nicole admitted their chemistry 'just vibrates', while Simon cheekily added: 'I don't kiss and tell.'

One throwback image of the trio, shared to Nicole's social media show the group of girlfriends smiling as they posed with their hands out

Simon was adopted into the same circle of childhood friends when he began dating Rebecca in 1991. However, the actor has rarely been pictured with Nicole and Rebecca together  barring a Haiti Relief charity event in 2010 (pictured)

He can also be seen spending quality time with Naomi and Rebecca in a photo shared by American director Scott Coffey (right) in 2018. All pictured with Chevy Chase

Nicole's ex-husband Keith, 58, is said to be devastated by her rumoured romance, given how quickly she appears to be moving on from their separation last year.

'Seeing Nicole and Simon holding hands was the equivalent of seeing his best mate with his missus, and it did a number on him,' an insider told Woman's Day magazine.

'He knew it was natural for her to lean on Simon  he was also there for Naomi Watts after her split from Liev [Schreiber].'

The source added Keith was seriously hoping that Nicole and Simon were just having fun for the cameras, as a genuine romance between them would devastate him.

Nicole and Simon beamed as they attended the star-studded New York premiere of Scarpetta on March 3, staying by each other's side throughout the night.

The Babygirl actress has been close to Simon for decades, and is also good friends with Simon's ex-wife Rebecca, from whom he separated in 2020.

In January, it was reported that Nicole's A-List friends were encouraging her to move on from her divorce by getting back into the dating pool.

According to Woman's Day, Nicole's close buddy Naomi Watts suggested the Oscar winner date fellow Aussie star Simon.
Married At First Sight groom David Momoh has made the heartbreaking admission he was in extreme physical pain during filming  which significantly hurt his relationship with his wife Alissa Fay.

The 31-year-old e-commerce manager exclusively told Daily Mail that he injured his knee prior to filming the dating experiment last year  which meant he was not able to present his best self.

'Ninety percent of my personality was not aired. I had a knee injury and was on anti-biotics for two months during filming. My body, my everything, was out-of-whack. I wasn't feeling my best,' David began.

'I didn't realise how much it affected my personality, it dimmed my vibe. My knee wouldn't stop bleeding the whole time.'

David added his injury was so bad that it affected how he was able to present himself on the show - and as a result, his real personality was not always shown, which impacted his relationship with Alissa.

'I was a mute on the show. I am not one in real life, where I am a vibe. I had to keep putting band-aids on my knee, so I didn't bleed through my suit pants. It was the roughest time,' he said.

MAFS groom David Momoh (pictured) has made the heartbreaking admission he was in extreme physical pain during filming  which significantly hurt his relationship with his wife Alissa Fay

The 31-year-old e-commerce manager exclusively told Daily Mail he injured his knee prior to filming the dating experiment last year  which meant he was not able to present his best self. (Pictured: Alissa changing the bandage on David's knee)

He said he wished he had received more support from Alissa during this difficult time, claiming she became 'frustrated' by the issue as time went on

'I wasn't my best self. I couldn't exercise or train. The antibiotics were messing me up. It sucks because it happened right at the honeymoon, so our whole experience was s***ty because of that.'

He then said he wished he had received more support from Alissa during this difficult time, claiming she became 'frustrated' by the issue as time went on.

'When the injury initially happened she was so there for me, she helped me a lot, took care of me. But as things progressed she got frustrated,' he said.

David also addressed his cheeky TikTok videos, in which he made fun of his relationship with Alissa, insisting it was all in good fun.

'I think with life sometimes you have got to have some humour, it is very much appreciated. I don't hate Alissa or think she is a bad person,' he said.

He called out one clip he recently posted, in which he mocked Alissa for speaking about his financial assets, claiming that went against his core values.

'When she talked about my assets  knowing I never showed her my bank balance - I don't have to tell her or have anything to prove!' he said.

'There are two things a man never does. He never tells people how much he earns and he never tells people his next move. That is me to a T. I don't need to tell you what I have - but I will have a laugh about it.'

David added his injury was so bad that it affected how he was able to present himself on the show - and as a result, his real personality was not always shown, which impacted his relationship with Alissa

The Brisbane native also reflected on late series expert Mel Schilling (pictured), who tragically died last week aged 54, following a long battle with bowel cancer, admitting that he admired her courage and perseverance

The Brisbane native also reflected on late series expert Mel Schilling, who tragically died last week aged 54, following a long battle with bowel cancer, admitting that he admired her courage and perseverance.

'On the experiment, I never once thought she had anything wrong with her. She was just bright, inviting and presented so well. You would not know what she was dealing with,' he said.

'I admire that so much. For someone to be on their last legs and still show up like that... she is irreplaceable. I will never forget the impact she had on me.'

David's heartfelt admission comes after his wife Alissa spoke out about the moment she knew her relationship with her TV husband was over.

The registered nurse, 33, told Daily Mail that the cracks in their marriage started appearing when he began publicly speaking out about what should have been private matters between them.

'We had an early incident, maybe four weeks into the experiment, that really rocked us. Trust was broken and looking back now, I never really healed. I never fully let go of that hurt,' Alissa began.

'I guess more cracks started to show because of that issue. When we sat on that couch, you would have seen us bickering in front of the experts. That rocked me, I was like, "Why have you not brought this up with me sooner?".'

Alissa added she was hurt that David felt he could not speak directly to her about what was bothering him, and instead had to air his grievances in public.
Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar say they're 'heartbroken' following the recent arrest of son Joseph on allegations he molested a nine-year-old girl in 2020.

Jim Bob, 60, and Michelle, 59, issued a statement through a spokesperson acknowledging the latest series of events, which culminated in Joseph's molestation arrest on March 18 in connection with a 2020 incident involving a nine-year-old girl.

Joseph's wife Kendra, 27, was subsequently arrested March 20 in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment, both in the second degree, the Tontitown Police Department in Arkansas announced.

'Right now, they are focused on loving their family and helping Kendra and her children during this difficult time,' a spokesperson for Jim Bob and Michelle told US Weekly in a statement.

Jim Bob and Michelle 'are praying for the victim,' their spokesperson said. 'They ask for privacy and appreciate the kind words and prayers offered by so many.'

Joseph was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12-years-old, authorities with Florida's Bay County Sheriff's Office said earlier this month.

Jim Bob Duggar and Michelle Duggar 'are praying for the victim' in the 2020 incident that led to their son Joseph's arrest earlier this month, a spokesperson for the reality stars said Monday

Joseph Duggar, 31, was arrested in connection with lewd and lascivious molestation of a victim less than 12 years old in connection with a 2020 incident involving a nine-year-old girl

The incident involving Joe occurred in 2020 in Panama City Beach, Florida during a vacation, according to authorities.

'As the vacation continued, he also asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket,' officials said. 'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals.

'Duggar would also continue to rub his hands on her thighs. The victim stated Duggar eventually apologized for his actions and the incidents stopped after the apology.'

He was also charged with lewd and lascivious behavior conducted by a person 18 years or older, officials said.

Joseph and Kendra wed in 2017 and are parents to four young children - ages seven, six, five and three.

Joseph's arrest is not the first time one of Jim Bob and Michelle's sons have been caught up in a legal situation involving underage sex.

Oldest son Josh's past molestation of five young girls led to the swift cancellation of the family's TLC series in 2015.

The show, which began airing in 2008, was centered on Michelle and Jim Bob, the devout Arkansas couple who named all 19 of their children with the first letter J.

Joe's wife Kendra, 27, was arrested March 20 in connection with endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment, both in the second degree

Josh Duggar is currently serving a prison sentence in connection with his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

Jim Bob and wife Michelle posted a statement on Facebook at the time explaining how they dealt with the initial incident.

'Back 12 years ago our family went through one of the most difficult times of our lives,' they said in a May 21, 2015 Facebook post. 'When Josh was a young teenager, he made some very bad mistakes and we were shocked.

'We had tried to teach him right from wrong. That dark and difficult time caused us to seek God like never before.'

Jim Bob and Michelle continued, 'We pray that as people watch our lives they see that we are not a perfect family. We have challenges and struggles everyday. '

Josh, 38, is currently serving a prison sentence in connection with his 2021 conviction for receiving and possessing material depicting minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct.

For those who have been impacted by sexual abuse, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
One-time MAFS golden couple Gia Fleur and Scott McCristal finally called it quits on Tuesday's episode.

On screen, Gia issued her husband a blunt ultimatum: leave the experiment with me now, or I'm going home to Melbourne to be with my daughter. Scott chose to stay.

The episode ended with Scott in tears as he returned to their apartment by himself - but that emotional moment was only the tip of the iceberg.

In reality, their once rock-solid relationship had already started to unravel days earlier.

Senior reporter Ali Daher was in contact with both participants throughout their tense final 48 hours on the show, filmed in October last year.

Now, he reveals what really happened behind the scenes, complete with exclusive footage you won't see on TV.

Gia Fleur and Scott McCristal finally called it quits on Tuesday's episode of MAFS. (Gia is seen with her luggage as she checked out of their Sydney apartment during filming in October)

On screen, Gia issued her husband Scott (right) a blunt ultimatum: leave the experiment with me now, or I'm going home to Melbourne to be with my daughter. He chose to stay

The challenge that pushed Gia over the edge

Two days before Gia's exit, tensions were already simmering during the 'Is the Grass Greener?' task - the notorious partner swap designed to test each couple.

But for Gia, the experience hit very differently.

By the night of the challenge, those around her say she was already struggling. Her interaction with her 'backup match' quickly became uncomfortable.

'She kept saying she felt like she was being pushed into something she didn't want,' an insider tells me.

Another adds: 'He [the back-up match] was full-on. She was trying to shut it down.'

I've heard from sources that the man pushed to give Gia his number, something she feared might be twisted on screen.

'She didn't want [his number], but it ended up in her bag,' says a source. 'That's the kind of thing that can be made to look like something it's not.'

After the 'Is the Grass Greener?' task, Gia and Scott discussed ways they could make an exit, and packed their bags with a view to slipping away before filming resumed

Senior reporter Ali Daher was in contact with both participants throughout their tense final 48 hours on the show, filmed in October last year

By that point, Gia was already worried about how it would come across. 'She kept saying, 'I'm going to look so bad,' a cast member tells me.

Emotionally, she was already at breaking point. 'She was crying. It was all too much.'

'She wanted to leave that night'

Later that evening, things between Gia and Scott took a turn for the worse, and what started as her frustration soon escalated into something more serious.

'After [Is the Grass Greener], she said she wanted to leave that night,' an insider tells me. 'She didn't want to finish the experiment. It was literally, "Let's just go."'

Both Gia and Scott discussed ways they could make an exit, and packed their bags with a view to slipping away before filming resumed.

'They were talking about doing a runner and dealing with the fallout later,' another insider reveals.

At the centre of it all was a growing belief that staying would only make things worse.

'She felt like she was being manipulated and pushed into situations [by the show] that she didn't want to be in,' says a source.

Others in the experiment were feeling it too.

'Everyone was having a pretty rough time at that point,' a cast member admits.

But while the pair were aligned on leaving in the immediate aftermath of the partner-swap challenge, that unity didn't last.

After the 'Is the Grass Greener?' challenge, things between Gia and Scott took a turn for the worse, and what started as her frustration soon escalated into something more serious

The exit interview you didn't see on TV

Somewhere along the way, Gia ended up leaving the experiment alone, leaving Scott behind.

Production sources say the decision shocked many on set, particularly given how close the couple had appeared in the days leading up to it.

'Everyone thought if one of them went, they both would,' a source says.

Instead, they split at the final hurdle.

On the day of Gia's exit, I was outside the One Global Resorts apartment complex where the show is filmed.

I saw her emerge with her luggage and make a beeline for a waiting Uber.

I asked if she was okay. She made it clear she was in distress.

'No, I'm not. I'm leaving this experiment because of my mental health,' she said.

She then told me about the ultimatum she had given Scott.

'I said to Scott, "If you care about me and you're not here for the show, then leave with me."

'And he said no - he wants to film. He cares more about the show than he does me.'

In Scott's defence, he sees his decision to stay as fulfilling his contractual obligations to MAFS - especially given there was only one more day of filming to go.

'I'm leaving this experiment because of my mental health,' Gia told me as she quit the show

She said Scott 'cares more about the show than he does me'. In Scott's defence, he sees his decision to stay as fulfilling his contractual obligations to MAFS

In the end, that was how their plan to leave together collapsed - at least in Gia's telling.

She wanted them to go now, no delays, no questions. Scott wanted to stick it out.

A relationship that couldn't survive

Some viewers may think Gia's account of the break-up is too simplistic. She wanted out of the experiment and he hesitated, so she left him.

And the truth is, those close to the former couple tell me the fractures in their relationship had been widening for weeks.

'They were intense, but unstable,' an insider explains.

'They'd fight, then come back together, then fight again. It was never consistent.'

Off camera, they reportedly got along far better. But inside the experiment, the pressure, constant analysis and outside interference only made things worse.

'They were completely different people in that environment,' another source says.

With temperatures running hot, all it took was a moment of hesitation for Gia to decide that Scott wasn't all in - and walk away.

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Three men have been taken into custody in connection with an attempted break-in Sunday at the South Florida residence of Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen.

Pippen, 51, was not present when the men, who police said traveled to Florida from Georgia, tried to get into the residence, but she saw it remotely on surveillance as a burglar alarm report alerted authorities.

'She was giving us real time information as the officers were responding,' Pinecrest police Chief Jason Cohen told WSVN. 'When the officers approached the house, the getaway car was fleeing and went right past them.'

Authorities with the Pinecrest Police Department said that Treison Lache Booker, 23; Cortez Day Mon Johnson, 23; and Elijah Eugene Russell, 18, each face several charges in connection with attempted burglary of an unoccupied dwelling.

'They fled from responding officers who arrived within minutes,' police said in a statement on Facebook. 'With the assistance of the Sheriffs Office and Coral Gables Police, the suspects were swiftly contained and apprehended.'

Daily Mail has reached out to the Pinecrest Police Department for further comment on the story.

Three men have been taken into custody in connection with an an attempted break-in at the residence of Real Housewives of Miami star Larsa Pippen. Pictured in NYC last year

Police said that an MDSO K9 located one of the suspects in the search, while Pinecrest and Gables officers took another into custody.

'The third suspect was apprehended by a Pinecrest supervisor as he attempted to run from the perimeter,' police said.

Detectives said that the trio smashed multiple windows in vain, in their attempt to break into the home, but eventually gave up and took off in a vehicle.

In accompanying surveillance footage, a suspect was seen trying to get into the house through a door, while another man was standing nearby.

In the ensuing getaway attempt, police said the men crashed their vehicle, and attempted to escape on foot.

All three suspects were caught and taken into custody by responding officers.

The trio remained in custody at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center as of late Monday, according to reports.

Russell had an active warrant in Georgia, the presiding judge said in court earlier Monday.

(L-R) Treison Lache Booker, 23; Cortez Day Mon Johnson, 23; and Elijah Eugene Russell, 18, were taken into custody in connection with the incident

In the ensuing getaway attempt, police said the three men crashed their vehicle, and attempted to escape on foot, but were taken into custody by responding officers

Pippen watched the incident unfold remotely on surveillance as an alarm alerted authorities

Cohen told Local 10 investigators were 'working to confirm' if the men crossed state lines specifically to rob the Bravo star.

'They came from Georgia, it looks like they went straight to this house - so thats the theory our detectives are going on,' said the police chief.

Cohen said that Pippen's strong security protected her from being a victim.

'Her house was locked,' Cohen said. 'Her alarm was on. Her alarm was what ended up scaring these guys off the property.'

Cohen told the station he was personally involved in apprehending Russell.

'I spot [Russell] walking,' Cohen said. 'Hes trying to walk away, out of the area - its just me and him. I get out of my car, I order him to the ground. I start running after him.'

Cohen said that Russell tried to lose him by trespassing into a yard adjacent to a canal, which turned out to be a critical mistake in the getaway attempt.

'He jumps into the canal,' Cohen said. 'When I get to the canal bank, hes hanging on. If he didnt jump into the canal, he probably had me.'

Larsa is mother to four kids with her ex-husband, Chicago Bulls legend Scottie Pippen: sons Scotty Jr., 25, Preston, 23, and Justin, 20, and daughter Sophia, 17.
Jackie 'O' Henderson made complaints about her co-star Kyle Sandilands before the February 20 clash that ended The Kyle and Jackie O Show, a new report has alleged.

The radio star raised 'multiple' grievances over a 14-month period before she was terminated by ARN, news.com.au claimed on Tuesday.

Henderson 'made repeated verbal and written complaints to the radio network' about Sandilands' behaviour towards her, both on and off air, a source told the publication.

She will argue that ARN failed to provide her a safe workplace and unfairly terminated her contract.

The report also alleges that Henderson did not ask for Sandilands to be fired, nor did she want her own contract terminated, and instead had asked for a 'solution'.

A source told news.com.au that Sandilands was not made aware of these complaints prior to his termination.

Jackie 'O' Henderson (pictured) made complaints about her co-star Kyle Sandilands before the February 20 clash that ended The Kyle and Jackie O Show, a new report has alleged

'There was nothing like that, they acted like it was over that (February 20) disagreement,' the source alleged.

Daily Mail Australia has reached out to ARN for comment.

Both Henderson and Sandilands are now suing ARN, and the lawsuits themselves are nothing short of explosive.

Sandilands is pursuing a claim believed to be worth up to $85 million, while Henderson has launched her own legal action alleging adverse action and breach of contract.

Henderson is seeking compensation of at least $82.25 million, as well as a pecuniary penalty plus interest and costs.

She is alleging the termination of her contract was a breach of the Fair Work Act.

Henderson has filed in the Federal Court against the Commonwealth Broadcasting Corporation, a subsidiary of KIIS 1065's parent company ARN.

She is claiming that the termination of her contract 'constituted adverse action.'

Henderson 'made repeated verbal and written complaints to the radio network' about Sandilands' (pictured) behaviour towards her, both on and off air, a source told the publication

The report also alleges that Henderson did not ask for Sandilands to be fired, nor did she want her own contract terminated, and instead had asked for a 'solution'

Henderson sent a complaint to CBC saying she 'cannot continue to work with Mr Kyle Sandilands' and made 'psychosocial health and safety and bullying complaints in relation to the conduct of Mr Kyle Sandilands on and prior to 20 February 2026'.

She argues that making this complaint was her right as an employee  and that she was fired because of it, which would be illegal under the Fair Work Act.

She also claims ARN made 'misleading and deceptive statements under the Australian Consumer Law' when announcing her exit to the ASX on March 3.

Henderson rejected ARN's claim that she quit her radio show, releasing a statement on March 6 that read: 'Over the past few days, there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about my departure on the show. I want to make one important point very clear: I did not quit or resign.'

ARN says it denies the claims and will fight the case in court.

If both claims land anywhere near their reported figures, ARN could be staring down liabilities exceeding $160 million  well above its current market capitalisation.
Gary Davies opened the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Tuesday morning with no mention of his sacked colleague Scott Mills.

The BBC was plunged into fresh scandal yesterday as Mills, one of its most high-profile radio stars, was sensationally axed.

The Radio 2 Breakfast Show host was hauled off air last Tuesday and his contract was then terminated after a 'tense meeting' with BBC bosses over his 'personal conduct'.

The allegations against Mills, 53, are thought to date back a decade to his time on Radio 1, with reports suggesting they involve a 'historic relationship'.

Experienced DJ Davies, 68, has stepped in to host the show since Mills' departure last week and is scheduled to host for at least the next week as the broadcaster scrambles to find a permanent replacement.

Davies was introduced on Tuesday morning's show with his own Breakfast Show jingle, asking listeners to message in with what 'you have already accomplished so far this morning?' before heading straight to a string of songs.

There was also no mention of Mills in the 7am news bulletin but the 7:30am update led with the headline that Mills was investigated in a 2016 police probe into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

Gary Davies opened the Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Tuesday morning with no mention of his sacked colleague Scott Mills

Davies later read out a message from one fan praising his Breakfast Show stint, which read: 'Top Of The Pop in the eighties was my favourite era and now you're waking me up in the morning, what could be better?'

The DJ littered the first thirty minutes of his show with plugs for Radio 2's Eurovision coverage, an awkward moment as Mills is one of the BBC's long-standing Eurovision commentators.

Listeners were bemused by the BBC's failure to address Mills' exit, with one posting on X: 'Radio 2 going for the Basil Fawlty approach this morning. Don't mention the war! Curious item missing from the news bulletins.'

'Gary Davies desperately playing records non-stop. No discussion between any presenters.'

Radio 2's Sounds of the 80s presenter Davies has previously provided holiday cover for other Radio 2 DJs and temporarily took over Pick Of The Pops following the 2024 death of Steve Wright.

One of the Corporation's highest-paid stars, who earned up to 360,000 a year, Mills's departure has caused 'absolute chaos' at Radio 2, insiders told the Daily Mail, with colleagues 'in shock' and bosses scrambling to find a replacement.

Mills was reportedly called in for a meeting after an allegation was made against him last Tuesday.

'He was taken off air from Radio 2 the following day and his contract was terminated at the weekend. It was a very fast process between the complaint being raised and Scott leaving. It happened in less than five days,' the insider has told The Sun.

Experienced DJ Davies, 68, has stepped into host the show since Mills' departure last week and is scheduled to host for at least the next week

A source close to Mills said: 'Scott was told about the allegation in a meeting with senior staff present. He was tense.

'He has completely shut down now and no one can get hold of him. No calls, no messages  nothing. The people who know him are blindsided by all of this.'

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

It claimed the DJ was questioned at the time but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence. The newspaper alleged his sacking related to the same individual.

Mills is the latest in a string of stars to lose their jobs at the scandal-ridden BBC. His ousting follows the exit of news anchor Huw Edwards, along with MasterChef pair Gregg Wallace and John Torode, in the past two years.

It is believed the unceremonious firing, announced with a curt public statement yesterday morning, was one of the last acts of director-general Tim Davie, who wanted to 'clear the decks' before leaving his post on Thursday.

Mr Davie, who himself resigned after it emerged that footage of a speech made by US President Donald Trump had been edited and spliced together in an episode of Panorama, wanted one last roll of the dice, an insider said.

But he will be leaving interim director-general Rhodri Talfan Davies, and permanent replacement Matt Brittin, with a major headache as the race is on to find a replacement for Mills or risk losing listeners.

The biggest breakfast show in the country currently brings in a weekly audience of some 6.5million, after listeners lost under Mills's predecessor Zoe Ball returned.

A source explained how Mills was called in for a 'tense' meeting with senior staff at the BBC after an allegation was made against him last Tuesday

Mills's team are said to be taking legal advice in the wake of his sacking.

Last night, a Metropolitan Police spokesman said: 'In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force. The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to taken place between 1997 and 2000.

'As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

'A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.'

A representative for Mills declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail.

In an internal note to staff yesterday morning, Lorna Clarke, the Corporation's director of music, said: 'I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast Show, and the BBC. I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

Mills's departure has caused 'absolute chaos' at Radio 2, insiders told the Daily Mail, with colleagues 'in shock' and bosses scrambling to find a replacement

'Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on Radio 1, Radio 5 Live, Radio 2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.'

She said it would 'come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too' as she promised to update everyone with 'more information on plans for the show when I'm able to'.

She added: 'While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.'

In a statement, the BBC said: 'While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.'

Mills's final show aired last Tuesday - following his presenting stint on BBC's Comic Relief the previous Friday - and he signed off by telling listeners: 'See you tomorrow.' Just six days later, Mills was gone from the job.
Pregnant Sophie Kasaei's boyfriend Jordan Brook revealed his body feels 'battered and bruised' and he's 'fighting a mental battle' as he gave a health update amid his viral meningitis and encephalitis battle on Sunday.

The TOWIE star, 31, took to Instagram to share a series of photos of himself and his bruised body as he gave his followers an update on his condition while he remains in hospital.

He said: 'Hospital update. Sadly after turning a bit of a corner on Friday I feel I have reached a plateau in hospital.

'Canulas are failing to stick I have had over 30 fitted. My body feels battered and bruised and is struggling to accept my anti viral medication.

'I am tired, Exhausted and feel like I have gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson. Still suffering with pressure on the frontal lobes of my brain.

'Really fighting a mental battle at the moment. Thank you to everyone for you continued support I could really do with some positivity. I will not let this win! JB.'

Pregnant Sophie Kasaei's boyfriend Jordan Brook revealed his body feels 'battered and bruised' and he's 'fighting a mental battle' as he gave a health update amid his viral meningitis and encephalitis battle on Sunday

The TOWIE star, 31, took to Instagram to share a series of photos of himself and his bruised body as he gave his followers an update on his condition while he remains in hospital

The health update comes after Jordan revealed he is 'weak and unable to walk' as he posed in a wheelchair with pregnant girlfriend Sophie Kasaei on Instagram earlier this week.

The TOWIE star revealed earlier this month that he had been diagnosed with a viral form of meningitis, inflammation of the brain and spinal cord lining. This is a different type of meningitis to the outbreak of bacterial meningitis B in Kent.

Jordan, who has been in the hospital for two weeks, has also been diagnosed with encephalitis, a rare, serious, and potentially life-threatening inflammation of the brain.

And in a recent update, Jordan revealed he is unable to walk due to his 'entire body' being 'super weak' and explained that he has a 'long way to go' in his recovery.

He penned: 'Lord give me strength. Get me home to my Boy. 5mins of fresh air off the ward this morning with my everything.

'Still not got the strength to walk and am super weak all over my entire body.

'Thank you for holding me up all the way through this Sophie Kasaei. Still a long way to go in this battle but we are getting there.'

Jordan and his girlfriend Sophie are currently expecting their first child together, a baby boy. She revealed earlier this week that she is seven months along.

He said: 'Hospital update. Sadly after turning a bit of a corner on Friday I feel I have reached a plateau in hospital,'

He continued: 'Canulas are failing to stick I have had over 30 fitted. My body feels battered and bruised and is struggling to accept my anti viral medication'

The health update comes after Jordan revealed he is 'weak and unable to walk' as he posed in a wheelchair with pregnant girlfriend Sophie Kasaei on Instagram earlier this week

Last Wednesday, Sophie said it's been the 'worst month of our lives' as she gave a health update on boyfriend Jordan.

Sophie opened up about the 'scary time' as Jordan suffers 'seizures' from the side-effects of meningitis and encephalitis.

She wrote: 'Popped back home for a little rest after being at the hospital with my darling all day. Still such a scary time but everyday Jord shows strength that we won't let this awful condition beat him.

'Our baby keeps him going more than ever. He keeps us all going.'

'He has viral meningitis as well as encephalitis (not the meningitis we are seeing on the news that is bacteria not viral) the encephalitis is what we are dealing with now and the affects that gives.

'Anyone who has ever witnessed a love one with viral encephalitis and menintitis can understand how scary it can be.

'Seizures are scary to witness but he's in safe hands. We are all there for him right now and I'm being looked after by my family too.'

She continued: 'Worst month of our lives I never wish this on anyone.

'As I go into my third trimester I pray for the day he comes home to me and we can enjoy these last few weeks preparing for our precious baby.

'That's all I can hold onto right now. Life is so unpredictable and it makes you appreciate so much more when you go through these times.

'Thank you for all your messages we will get there'.

Sophie followed up the message by sharing a sweet bump mirror selfie and revealed she is currently 28 weeks along in her pregnancy.
January Jones has showed off her dramatic transformation in a new social media post as she celebrated the start of spring break with her followers on Monday.

The Mad Men star, 47, slipped into a green satin co-ord from Doen as she posed for the sunny images.

January posed up a storm in the elegant matching shirt and matching shorts teamed with 60s-style sunglasses.

The actress' look was a nod to her performance in the AMC hit, which aired from 2007 to 2015.

It comes after January revealed her battle with the neurological disability misophonia as she hit out at a family member for treating it as a joke.

The actress took to Instagram to speak about the condition, which causes extreme discomfort in response to certain sounds.

January Jones has showed off her dramatic transformation in a new social media post as she celebrated the start of spring break with her followers on Monday

'For today, I'd like to talk about something that I've been struggling with my whole life, which is called misophonia. And it's gotten progressively worse over the years,' the Emmy-nominated star shared in a clip.

'I have a brother-in-law whose favorite food is chips,' January went on, adding, 'Just all the time, he eats chips.'

'I have talked to him about this many times and he seems to think it's funny to eat chips around me now, because it's an ongoing joke to see what happens and see what I do. I just think it's really unkind to my issue and also very dangerous for him.'

'So what I didn't do today, was record this video inside a prison. Because I've imaged many ways to do it. But I haven't. I didn't. Not yet,' she humorously added.

'Otherwise, he's a really nice guy. And it's his birthday today, so happy birthday. I hope you're eating a f**k load of chips,' she concluded.

In her caption she jokingly wrote, 'I didn't do it today.'

A number of fans related to the star in the comments, with one writing, 'I have it too. Its so hard at times. Really great to hear someone openly talk about it in this way. I genuinely for years since I was a child thought it was just me and as Ive gotten older realized its an actual thing. Which actually needs support from friends and family.'

'Omg I cant stand slurping, repetitive sniffing..it drives me crazy!!' another wrote.

The Mad Men star slipped into a green satin co-ord from Doen with a lace trim as she posed for the sunny images

January's look hearkened back to her role as Betty Draper in the hit 60s series Mad Men, which aired from 2007 to 2015

A visceral feeling of disgust upon hearing someone chew a crunchy snack or clear their throat is a sign of misophonia, which affects approximately five percent of the US population, equating to roughly 17 million people.

Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley and the Hashir International Specialist Clinics & Research Institute for Misophonia, Tinnitus and Hyperacusis in London believe the condition goes beyond the lens of auditory processing or sensory hypersensitivity.

New research suggests that at its core, misophonia is linked to a few key mental patterns.

People with the condition often have more trouble shifting their focus away from negative emotions and tend to get stuck in cycles of repetitive, negative thoughts, a process known as rumination.

They also frequently report feeling mentally rigid. Instead of the emotional state passing, the mind gets locked onto it, which fuels the intense reaction and the cycle of rumination that often follows.

Importantly, these traits are specific to misophonia itself and aren't just side effects of common issues like anxiety or depression.

January famously starred as the emotionally distant housewife Betty Draper alongside Jon Hamm (Don Draper) in the acclaimed series Mad Men, which ran from 2007 until 2015.

Earlier this year, January made a rare public appearance with her 13-year-old son, Xander Dane Jones, as they stepped out on the red carpet in Southern California.

They were seen in Laguna Beach, California at Oceana's 18th Annual SeaChange Summer Party.

The God Is a Bullet actress has not publicly stated who Xander's father is, telling The New York Times in 2013, 'That's my son's business. It's not the public's business.'

'Xander has a lot of bro time with the neighbor dads and my dad, who is super young,' she explained.

The star continued: 'It's good to have strong women around a man to teach him to respect women.

'He doesn't have a male person saying, 'Don't cry' or 'You throw like a girl.' All those s****y things that dads accidentally do.'

The Last Man on Earth actress  who formerly dated actor Ashton Kutcher  said at the time she felt zero pressure to provide a stepdad for her son.

She told the outlet, 'I just don't feel I need a partner.'

The two-time Golden Globe nominee added, 'Do I want one? Maybe. But I don't feel unhappy or lonely  it would have to be someone so amazing that I would want to make room.

'Someone who would contribute to my happiness and not take away from it.'
Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep have reunited as they officially kick off the press tour for the Devil Wears Prada 2.

The pair came together on Monday in Mexico as part of Fashion Week to promote the highly anticipated sequel to the 2008 hit.

Meryl, 76, showed off her ageless beauty in rich satin blue midi shirt dress for the special show, which took place at Museo Anahuacalli.

Anne, 43, opted for a dazzling red sequined mini dress and black tights, which she paired with thigh-high boots.

The duo appeared to be in good spirits for the event and spoke to the gathered crowd.

The show featured some of the showstopping looks that have been inspired by the fashion-focused movie.

Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep have reunited as they officially kick off the press tour for the Devil Wears Prada 2

Anne, 43, opted for a dazzling red sequined mini dress and black tights, which she paired with thigh-high boots

Beforehand, Meryl and Anne visited the Frida Kahlo Museum for a brunch about fashion, film and art.

Their visit to Mexico marks the start of the promotional campaign for Devil Wears Prada 2, ahead of its release on May 1.

Last week Meryl praised her co-star Anne as a 'stand-up girl' after revealing how she confronted producers about 'alarmingly thin' models on the set of the sequel.

They were filming scenes in Milan when the issue arose.

During an interview with Harper Bazaar, Meryl admitted she was struck by the appearance of the runway models, saying they looked not only beautiful and young but alarmingly thin'.

'Annie clocked it too, she added, revealing that Hathaway quickly stepped in behind the scenes.

According to Meryl, the actress made a beeline to producers and secured assurances that models featured in the films fashion show would not be so skeletal.

Shes a stand-up girl, Meryl said, praising her co-stars intervention.

During the same interview, the Hollywood icon, who plays fashion mogul Miranda Priestly, Meryl said filming the sequel was far from smooth.

Despite being aware of the original films legacy, the Oscar winner admitted she was unprepared for the scale of the reaction more than two decades on.

We needed police barriers and crowd control, she said, describing how buses full of fans descended on set during filming.

The chaos even spilled into production, with Meryl recalling how paparazzi kept jumping in front of the camera and sparked a kerfuffle with crew members.

'Annie kept her cool, but I was unnerved,' she added.

Meryl and Anne reunite with Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, as the film dives back into the cutthroat world of high fashion - but this time with a modern twist.

Their visit to Mexico marks the start of the promotional campaign for Devil Wears Prada 2, ahead of its release on May 1

Meryl, 76, showed off her ageless beauty in rich satin blue midi shirt dress for the special show, which took place at Museo Anahuacalli

Martha Debayle, Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway and Mexico fashion designers attend Fashion Week Mexico

The pair came together on Monday in Mexico as part of Fashion Week to promote the highly anticipated sequel to the 2008 hit

The show featured some of the showstopping looks that have been inspired by the fashion-focused movie

Last week Meryl praised her co-star Anne as a 'stand-up girl' after revealing how she confronted producers about 'alarmingly thin' models on the set of the sequel

Despite being aware of the original films legacy, Oscar winner Meryl admitted she was unprepared for the scale of the reaction more than two decades on

Meryl and Anne reunite with Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci, as the film dives back into the cutthroat world of high fashion - but this time with a modern twist

Early plotlines suggest Miranda Priestly is grappling with the decline of traditional print media while facing off against Blunts Emily, now a powerful executive controlling crucial advertising dollars.

The sequel will also introduce a host of new faces, including Kenneth Branagh, Lucy Liu and Justin Theroux.

Filming has taken place across New York and Milan, with behind-the-scenes glimpses already sending fans into a frenzy.

And with the original 2006 film raking in over $300 million worldwide and becoming a bona fide cult classic, fans are buzzing to see the sequel bring back the glamour - and a whole new dose of high-fashion drama.
Khloe Kardashian has disclosed eyebrow-raising new details about her ex-husband Lamar Odom's near-fatal overdose.

The TV star, 41, stood by the former Lakers star, 46, while he was recovering from his drug addiction and overdose back in 2015, despite originally filing for divorce after discovering his many infidelities.

Khloe and Lamar married in September 2009 after just 30 days of dating. She first filed to dissolve their marriage in December 2013 but proceedings stalled until the divorce was finalised in December 2016.

Speaking on Netflix's Untold: The Death & Life Of Lamar Odom, Khloe opened up on the times she and her mother Kris Jenner would discover Lamar on a 'drug bender' after searching for him in 'alleys or motels'.

Khloe said she felt a responsibility for many years to cover up her former husband's addiction in order to 'protect' his image and career.

'I was such an enabler without knowing I was an enabler', Khloe recalled. 'I just felt such a responsibility to cover this up, hold it together and protect him.

'There were many times Lamar would go for 12 hours or two days, escape rehab and go on a drug bender, whatever. I was either looking for him in alleys or looking for him in motels.

'He would have tinfoil cutouts or spoons and he was freebasing things and leaving things everywhere. I remember needing to go to hotel rooms to clean up after him.'

Khloe Kardashian, 41, has disclosed eyebrow-raising new details about her ex-husband Lamar Odom's near-fatal overdose

Khloe stood by the former Lakers star, 46, while he was recovering from his drug addiction and overdose back in 2015, despite originally filing for divorce after discovering his infidelities

Khloe's feelings about Lamar's affairs were confirmed prior to his near-fatal overdose after she received a phone call from one of his mistresses who was in a motel room with him at the time.

Khloe said: 'Out of the blue, I get this call and she said, "Hi, Ive been f***ing your husband.

'He is so f***ed up and he just keeps wanting money and drugs and I gotta get off this ride. So will you come and pick him up?"'

Lamar explained in his documentary: 'One night I [was] going to Big Bear, California, and Im getting high out of my f***ing mind.

'The girl that I was with at the time, she must have been so blown back by it that she must have took my phone and contacted my wife.'

While discussing Lamar's substance abuse issues, Khloe recalled the moment she realised his problems with drugs worsened.

She said: 'When I really discovered that there was a problem, he was like, "You cannot tell anyone, I'll lose it all. And if I lose it, where are we going to live?"

'At the time, I was 24. I'm still trying to figure out my life. I had the show [Keeping Up With The Kardashians], but we weren't making money like that.

'I remember just keeping all these secrets and feeling horrible about myself. I think youth had a lot to play with it. My first real love and then you just feel for this person.

'You rationalise that this person died and his [Lamar's] dad is a heroin addict. Now let me try to fix you and show you. If I love you enough, I'm going to make you better. But I was fighting every single day either to protect him to not let him get caught, which sounds insane.

'I was trying to make sure his image, how he looked and how he presented himself to the outward world was still that Lamar Odom. I didn't sleep for years.'

After he was dropped from the Lakers, Khloe said Lamar began to spiral in his addiction.

One moment to describe his spiral was when she found him locked in a hotel bathroom where he had been for four days doing drugs.

Khloe and Lamar married in 2009 after just 30 days of dating. She first filed to dissolve their marriage in 2013 but proceedings stalled until the divorce was finalised in December 2016

Speaking on Netflix's Untold: The Death & Life Of Lamar Odom, Khloe opened up on the times she and her mother Kris Jenner (seen) would discover Lamar on a 'drug bender'

Khloe's feelings about Lamar's affairs were confirmed prior to his near-fatal overdose after she received a phone call from one of his mistresses who was in a motel room with him at the time

After he was dropped from the Lakers, Khloe said Lamar began to spiral in his addiction

'He had no concept of time, miserable, he was horrible because he was so f***** up', she explained.

'He spiraled again and did crazy drugs,' she added. 'He overdosed a few times. I had to pump his stomach - all privately. I got him help at home and detox centers. We did everything we could.'

Early in the documentary, Lamar and Khloe touched on the speed of their engagement after he proposed just 30 days after dating.

Lamar's family claim in the documentary that he married Khloe to catapult his career, in which the sportsman agreed.

'I think that [the wedding] was a power trip for me because you took the power that I had and then the Kardashian power - when you add them... but I wasn't really ready for all that power', he said.

Khloe also admitted that she punched Lamar in the face after catching him doing drugs in the aftermath of his almost fatal overdose back in 2015.

She recalled how she found the ex-NBA star 'smoking crack' in a house that she had rented for him. She had also organised a personal chef and caretaker for Lamar.

The reality TV star explained: 'So at this point, Lamar can barely talk. He can speak a little bit but it's more like, "Mmhmm," and everything's delayed. He wasn't able to take a shower on his own.

'Once you know the smell of crack, it's the most identifiable, disgusting smell, and there's nothing that you can confuse it with. And I remember stopping by the house and I smelled crack.

'I remember slowly tiptoeing up the stairs, he was in his bedroom, sitting on the edge of the bed, smoking crack, and I just punched him in his face.'

The Kardashians star claimed she told Lamar she had 'just put my life on hold to f***ing take care of you'. She also believed he didn't own a phone at the time but spotted one in his room.

'He was playing me so I could continue this lifestyle for him,' she said. 'I said, "By Monday you need to be out of this house, I'm done, I'm not paying for a thing and I never want to speak to you again".'

Lamar doesn't add much about that incident in the show, although does say it's 'f***ed up' someone gave him the drugs knowing he'd overdosed in the past.

In you have been affected by this story in the UK you can contact drug helpline FRANK 0300 123 6600 for confidential advice.

In the US contact Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Helpline on 1-800-662-HELP (4357).
Jeremy Vine called the sacking of his BBC Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills 'unfair' as he insisted 'there's been no crime' on his Tuesday show.

Mills was sacked six days after being hauled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday.

Last night, the Daily Mirror linked the decision to fire Mills to a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.

Vine, who hosts a daily Radio 2 show dissecting the day's headlines, shared his upset over Mills' departure, adding that he felt bosses had sacked him due to regrets over failing to handle the behaviour of Huw Edwards.

Vine then questioned why 'Huw Edwards couldn't be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state, and everything I have read about Scott's history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression but there doesn't seem to be the same break cut for him.'

The disgraced BBC News presenter Edwards was handed a six-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

'Scott Mills' sacking has left a lot of people very confused. What do you make of it? I'd love to know?' Vine, who has worked alongside Mills at Radio 2 for four years, said at the top of the show.

'We heard the news just before 12 yesterday here at Radio 2, it came as a complete shock to those of us who work at the station, the presenter of our Breakfast Show, Scott Mills, had been sacked over allegations, we're told, related to his personal conduct.'

Later in the show, Jeremy noted: 'It's a very painful episode for anyone who knows Scott, he's a very popular guy in the building.'

Jeremy Vine called Radio 2 colleague Scott Mills' sacking 'unfair' on Tuesday because 'there's been no crime' after police probe was dropped - as he questioned why DJ didn't get same mental health considerations as Huw Edwards

During the show, Vine also spoke to BBC's Media and Culture Editor Katie Razzell, who said she'd put 'a series of questions' to bosses about Mills' sacking, in particular whether they were aware he had been allegedly investigated by police.

She then shared that the period for which the probe was launched began in 1997, when Mills was still working at Heart FM. He joined Radio 1 the following year.

Oasis Charitable Trust founder and Baptist minister Steve Chalke who is friends with Mills and has worked with him on the Pause For Thoughts segment of the Breakfast Show noted there was 'a sense of grief, of loss, of sadness and shock'.

'My thoughts, my heart, my pain, is for him and also of any victim of any crime and their family of everybody involved in this,' he added.

Vine then stated that 'there hadn't been a crime' as Mills was never charged with any offence.

He said: 'The whole point is there wasn't a crime, and that's where this gets difficult, the Met have been over it and there is no crime. We are dealing with something we are calling misbehaviour.

'There is a thought here that what the BBC has done has sacked Huw Edwards, they wish they got in earlier with Huw and they decided to treat Scott how they wish they'd treated Huw. Which would be a bit unfair would it not?'

'Regarding the inconsistency here, we were told Huw Edwards couldn't be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state, everything I have read about Scott's history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression and everything else but there doesn't seem to be the same break cut for him.'

Mills' friend Steve Chalke ended the segment by stating: 'I have had other friends who have faced very serious allegations and have lost their place in the institutions they served only for those allegations in the end to be unfounded. We just don't know.'

'But we must be concerned for the mental health of any victim, for Scott, for his family, for his partner Sam. This is a tragic occurrence.'

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC has said there is 'total shock' at the corporation after Mills' sacking.

There were apparently 'audible gasps' from staff as they were told on Monday morning in an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.

Mills was sacked six days after being hauled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday leaving his friends and colleagues at the BBC shocked; pictured: Scott Mills, Emma B, Jeremy Vine, Dermot O'Leary, Alan Carr, and Sara Cox

Several stars who have spent time with him described him as 'kind and generous' and that friends are 'devastated' for him.

He was also described by a radio colleague as 'hugely popular' internally.

'It is not like the BBC to act so fast', a household name broadcaster told the Daily Mail.

Another source claimed that wild rumours are flying around Broadcasting House about the reason for his sacking.

'No suspension period or prolonged investigation does not bode well', another insider said.

The teenage boy who accused Mills of serious sexual offences in the 1990s was under 16 at the time, it was revealed today.

Scotland Yard has also confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service rejected the case due to a lack of evidence and their investigation into the broadcaster was closed in 2019.

The Daily Mail can also reveal that the complainant may have been inspired to speak out again this year due to the new Huw Edwards docu-drama.

Two sources have said that within the BBC it is being claimed that the unnamed man may have gone to the corporation due to the huge publicity surrounding Martin Clunes starring as Huw Edwards in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards.

Former police officer and now investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas said police contacts confirmed to him that Mills was interviewed by the Met in 2018 - in a spin-off investigation from Operation Yewtree.

It was confirmed on Monday that the Radio 2 star has been sacked by the BBC, apparently over a 'historic male relationship from more than ten years ago' (Pictured: Mills with his husband Sam Vaughan on Celebrity Race Across The World in 2024, which they won)

Mr Williams-Thomas helped expose Jimmy Savile and his work led to the police investigation against Savile and others including Rolf Harris.

He told the Daily Mail today: 'The police were swamped with allegations post-Savile and as a result it led to high-profile stars being named [by complainants], one of these was Scott Mills. He wasn't charged - but was allowed to continue working.'

The BBC is refusing to say why he was sacked other than that it was related to his 'personal conduct'. The corporation is now under pressure to explain what they knew about Mills' brush with police and when.

Mills joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 from Heart 106.2, where he started in 1995 after working in local radio in Hampshire, Bristol and Manchester. He left the BBC after 28 years yesterday.

A source has claimed that the director general at the time of the police probe, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

It has been revealed that the period for which the pplice probe was launched began in 1997, when Mills was still working at Heart FM. He joined Radio 1 the following year; Pictured in 2009

One BBC executive in London told the Daily Mail today that there's a real belief amongst bosses at the corporation that the timing of Mills' sacking and the release of the Edwards drama was 'not a coincidence'.

'The Huw Edwards drama showed that there could be a reckoning', they said.

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC added that this claim that the Edwards drama was the 'spark' is swirling around Broadcasting House.

The BBC declined to comment on the claims.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

The BBC declined to comment on why he was not suspended or sacked at the time and why they have fired him almost a decade later.
Mark Ronson has joked that his career is 'drying up' and that his wife Grace Gummer is now more famous than him, as he revealed he has returned to the studio.

The British DJ, 50, took to his Instagram on Monday with a hilarious clip of himself looking sombre.

In the clip, his and Andrew Wyatt's instrumental version of Billie Eilish's hit What Was I Made For? played in the background.

The pair produced the version of the song for the 2023 Barbie movie soundtrack.

On top of the clip, he penned: 'Memoir money drying up.. wife quickly becoming more famous than me.. Barbie was three years ago. I have one chance.

'Hi from the studio,' he wrote alongside the post.

Mark Ronson has joked that his career is 'drying up' and that his wife Grace Gummer is now more famous than him as he revealed he has returned to the studio in an Instagram clip on Monday

Mark and Grace got together in 2020 and tied the knot the following year in an intimate ceremony

Mark and Grace got together in 2020 and tied the knot the following year in an intimate ceremony.

They welcomed their first daughter, Ruthie, in 2023 and their second daughter in February 2025.

Grace, who is the daughter of Meryl Streep, is known for her roles in The Newsroom, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and as a cast regular in Extant and Mr. Robot.

Most recently, she played Caroline Kennedy in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, which has become one of the most talked-about series of 2026.

It comes after Mark and his wife put on a rare display of public affection as they attended the BRITs afterparty.

Mark kissed Grace at the star-studded afterparty after he paid tribute to her during his acceptance speech at the BRIT Awards.

The record producer won the award for Outstanding Contribution To Music and said thanks to those he worked with as well as his family, specifically calling out his wife and their two daughters.

Grace attended the awards ceremony alongside Mark to show her support for her husband.

Most recently, she played Caroline Kennedy in Love Story: John F. Kennedy Jr. & Carolyn Bessette, which has become one of the most talked-about series of 2026

Grace, who is the daughter of Meryl Streep, is known for her roles in The Newsroom, American Horror Story: Freak Show, and as a cast regular in Extant and Mr. Robot (pictured; Meryl, Grace and Mark in September 2022)

During the speech, Mark also highlighted that that week marked 20 years since he met Amy Winehouse.

The pair wrote the iconic hit Back to Black together on the 'same day'  a moment that 'changed his life forever'.

Mark said: 'It means so much to me to get this award.'

The musician then thanked those who have collaborated with through the years  including Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars and Dua Lipa  and says that the music he made with Amy provided him with the platform to go on and work with them all.

He said: 'The music I made with Amy is the reason any of them know who I am anyway, so that's why I will also treasure her voice, her talent, our bond, all of it.'

After receiving his award from Skepta, Mark performed Ooh Wee on stage with Ghostface Killah before again paying homage to Amy with a rendition of Back to Black.

It included a clip of the late star talking about Mark  and Valerie alongside Amy's band The Dap-Kings.

This was followed by a performance of Uptown Funk before Dua Lipa made a surprise appearance to sing Dance The Night from the Barbie soundtrack and the collaboration Electricity.

Mark had previously described how the BRIT Award was the most 'meaningful honour' of his career in music.

He said in a statement earlier this month: 'This is the most meaningful honour of my career.

'I think of the times I've watched artists I revere accept this same award. The idea that I'm now standing in that lineage feels impossible.'

Mark was born in London, but raised in New York  and the chart-topping star has admitted to feeling proud of his British roots.

He said: 'I left England as a kid, but this country runs through everything I've made.'
Megan Gale is recently married - and she proudly flashed her ring as she attended a Lancome event in Sydney on Tuesday night.

The 50-year-old model and former AFL star Shaun Hampson, 38, secretly wed in 2024 in an ultra-private ceremony in Fiji surrounded by their nearest and dearest.

And Megan appeared to have both her diamond engagement ring and a new diamond-encrusted wedding band on as she stepped out for the ritzy party.

Married life clearly agrees with her as the beauty was looking very fresh and youthful.

Megan appeared much younger than her years as she posed in a semi-sheer black gown.

The dress sat close to her famous model figure, and featured some draping along one shoulder.

Megan Gale (pictured) is recently married - and she proudly flashed her ring as she attended a Lancome event in Sydney on Tuesday night

Megan appeared to have both her diamond engagement ring and a new diamond-encrusted wedding band on as she stepped out for the ritzy party

Megan opted for a glowing makeup look with lots of highlighter and a pink lip gloss, while wearing her brunette locks in soft curls.

She finished the ensemble with a mini pink designer purse.

The statuesque beauty previously confirmed that the couple exchanged vows in December 2024.

The intimate wedding was attended solely by their mothers and children, with no wider guest list and no advance notice given to anyone outside the tiny inner circle.

Gale explained the decision reflected who they are as a couple  deeply private, low-key and uninterested in spectacle.

'We never wanted a big, public, showy wedding,' she told Marie Claire magazine.

'When so much of my life has been public, it was really nice to not have this shared or over-shared,' she added.

'We wanted it just for us and the family.'

Married life clearly agrees with her as the beauty was looking very fresh and youthful

Megan appeared much younger than her years as she posed in a semi-sheer black gown. The dress sat close to her famous model figure, and featured some draping along one shoulder

The tropical destination was carefully chosen, with the coral-fringed beaches and crystal-blue waters of Vomo Island holding special meaning for Gale due to her Polynesian heritage.

She also revealed the couple told loved ones at the last minute to maintain total discretion.

'We told them at dinner the night before,' said Megan.

'There was a lot of "What? No way!" But it made it more special.'

The wedding was kept secret for an entire year, with Gale admitting they only felt comfortable sharing the news now because enough time had passed.

The model-turned-actress previously admitted that she wasn't in a rush to tie the knot with her partner of 14 years because the thought of planning a wedding is 'exhausting'.

'It has been the longest engagement ever,' she joked before going on to discuss why she hasn't walked down the aisle yet.

'Look, it was always something [] that we were in no rush to do.

The 50-year-old model and former AFL star Shaun Hampson, 38, secretly wed in 2024 in an ultra-private ceremony in Fiji surrounded by their nearest and dearest. Both pictured

'Traditionally everyone's like: get engaged, plan the wedding, have the kids.

'I've never been a really big wedding girl. The whole lot seems like a lot of work for me. I'm just exhausted thinking about it,' she added.

Megan said that for her, having a family was a much bigger priority than having a large wedding.

Megan and Shaun welcomed their two children  a son River, 11, and daughter Rosie, eight  before he popped the question in 2017.

'[We] thought, the kids are here. Let's wait 'til they're old enough to be involved [in a wedding] and remember it,' she added.
She might now be rubbing shoulders with the biggest names in fashion and attending star-studded events, but the glossy lifestyle she shares online with her four million-strong following is a world away from her humble beginnings.

In fact, Bedfordshire-born influencer Perrie Sian, now a multi-millionaire with a property empire, designer wardrobe and A-list connections, has been refreshingly candid about her not-so-glamorous beginnings.

Long before the brand deals and front row invites Perrie, 34, was juggling three jobs to stay afloat: working shifts at House of Fraser, clocking hours in a call centre and spending evenings pulling pints at her local social club in Bedford.

She then went on to have a successful at home skincare business which was the beginnings of her content journey.

Its a far cry from the woman now being tipped as the next breakout TV star, suspected to soon follow in the footsteps of the likes of Olivia Attwood and GK Barry.

She has often described herself as a call centre girl from Bedford who refused to give up when faced with mounting debt and limited prospects.

And it was during those early struggles that she came up with the idea that changed everything.

Armed with nothing more than her phone, a love of fashion and a knack for straight-talking, Perrie began filming Primark hauls in car parks after work in 2018.

What started as posts in a Facebook group, titled Perries Primark Picks, quickly snowballed into a full-blown online following as viewers lapped up her honest reviews of high street brands and no-nonsense styling tips.

Bedfordshire-born Perrie Sian, now a multi-millionaire with a property empire, designer wardrobe and A-list connections, before this year's Brit Awards

Armed with nothing more than her phone, a love of fashion and a knack for straight-talking, Perrie began filming Primark hauls

After In The Style founder Adam Frisby left the brand, the pair joined forces to launch their own womenswear company, Reasn

By 2021 Perries star power had caught the attention of fast fashion giant In The Style  a brand known for its influencer collaborations with the likes of Stacey Solomon and Jacqueline Jossa.

But Perrie wasnt just another influencer signing.

She went on to launch 24 sell-out collections with the brand, including her headline-grabbing Dubai Collection, which sold more than 18,000 units in just 15 minutes.

And she didnt stop there. In July 2023, Perrie was named In The Styles first Creative Director, a move that cemented her status as a player in the fashion industry.

With her success came the inevitable whirlwind of brand deals and industry buzz. From campaigns with Gymshark to collaborations with Calzedonia and Karen Millen, Perrie quickly became one of the most in-demand names on the influencer circuit.

But her early success didnt come without its setbacks. I couldnt get a mortgage, couldnt get a car, couldnt get a phone bill, Perrie admitted of her early twenties, when debt loomed large and opportunities felt few and far between.

Companies House documents from November 2022 show that Perries company, PW Ventures Ltd, was 60,097 in debt and she owed creditors 128,069, despite only having assets worth 63,426. But within a year the fashion influencer managed to claw herself out of the red and into profit again, ending 2023 with 153,289 in the bank.

And in August 2023, false rumours spread linking her to the demise of the five-year relationship between former Love Island star Molly-Mae Hague and boxer Tommy Fury. But Perrie was quick to take to social media to dismiss the rumours as ridiculous.

And she never let any challenges hold her back.

After In The Style founder Adam Frisby left the brand, the pair joined forces to launch their own womenswear company, Reasn.

She lives with her fiance Ricci Mandal  who has quit his job to join her as a full-time content creator  and their two dogs, Dolly and Olly

Her podcast Can I Be Candid?  hosted with Ricci  has quickly become a fan favourite, racking up more than a million listens

Having been spotted at award shows including the Brits, Pride of Britain and the British Fashion Awards, pictured, shes clearly making all the right moves

The debut collection, featuring a range of clothing from 7.99 socks to a 99.99 reversible puffer jacket, racked up 1million in sales within an hour of launching.

And in what can only be described as a full-circle moment, Perrie has partnered with Primark  the very brand she used to launch her career.

Her debut range, aptly named Perries Primark Picks after her original Facebook page, delivered the retailers biggest day of click-and-collect orders ever when it launched last November. She followed that up with a Spring/Summer 2026 collection just months later.

As if dominating fashion wasnt enough, Perrie has also made waves in the media world.

Her podcast Can I Be Candid?  hosted with her fiance Ricci Mandal  has quickly become a fan favourite, racking up more than a million listens, earning a coveted recommendation spot on Spotify.

Sources say she is now very much hoping and planning to break into mainstream television, with whispers she has her eye on shows such as Im a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! and Strictly Come Dancing.

Having already been spotted at high-profile award shows including the Brits, Pride of Britain and the British Fashion Awards, shes clearly making all the right moves.

She still lives in Bedfordshire with Ricci  who has quit his job to join her as a full-time content creator  and their two dogs, Dolly and Olly.

The couple are now building their own Spanish holiday home too.

And while her life may now be filled with designer labels and million-pound launches, Perrie hasnt forgotten where she came from. If anything, it will be her biggest strength.
Counting On star Joseph Duggar could be seen smirking in a newly-released mugshot after an underage accuser detailed shocking molestation claims to a detective.

The 31-year-old father of four was arrested last Wednesday, March 25 in Tontitown, Arkansas in connection with allegations that he touched a nine-year-old girl on her genitals and underwear in Florida.

The Daily Mail can confirm two days before his court appearance, Duggar submitted a written plea of not guilty to all charges, waived arraignment on those charges and demanded a jury trial, in a document signed by his attorney.

Duggar appeared before a judge on Tuesday morning, where he requested a jury trial. His bond was set at $600,000. Duggar is due back in court on April 20.

Meanwhile, his wife Kendra, 27, was taken into custody Friday in Tontitown and charged with four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor, as well as four charges of second-degree false imprisonment. Joseph is now also facing the same charges.

Kendra was released on bond about an hour and a half after her booking, while Joseph had signed an extradition waiver to face charges in Florida, according to the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

Counting On star Joseph Duggar could be seen smirking in a newly-released mugshot after being extradited to Florida as he entered a not guilty plea after an underage accuser detailed shocking molestation claims to a detective

Days ago, it emerged that Joseph's accuser, who is currently 14, alleged she suffered 'several incidents of sexual abuse' when she was nine years old on a family vacation in Panama City Beach, Florida, according to the affidavit obtained by the Daily Mail.

She made the claims in a forensic interview she gave to a detective with the Tontitown Police Department, per an affidavit written by Deputy Sheriff Darrell Norris of the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, Florida.

At the time of the Florida vacation described in the document, Joseph and Kendra had two children and she was pregnant with their third.

Joseph's accuser told a detective that during the Florida vacation, she 'would sit on the defendants lap' and he would 'cradle [her] with his arms,' the affidavit states.

As the holiday progressed, Joseph's behavior is said to have evolved, according to the underage girl's account of events as relayed in the legal document.

Joseph is claimed to have requested that she 'sit on the couch beside [him],' whereupon he supposedly 'covered the parties with a blanket,' per the affidavit.

The document adds: 'Once the parties were covered, the defendant would pull the victims dress up and touch the victims thighs.'

The accuser also asserted that 'during these incidents [Joseph's] hand grazed [her] vagina' and his 'hand was outside of her underwear' - an occurrence she said took place 'several times,' leaving her 'confused' and 'uncomfortable.'

At the time of the Florida vacation described in the document, Joseph and his wife Kendra (left) had two children and she was pregnant with their third

Duggar's original booking mugshot from Arkansas

Joseph's accuser also said he 'eventually approached the victim and apologized for his actions' and then 'the incidents stopped occurring,' the affidavit claims.

After the underage girl gave her forensic interview to the Arkansas detective, Deputy Sheriff Darrell Norris in Florida - the officer who wrote the affidavit - 'requested the detective and victims father call Joseph' in order to obtain a confession from him.

The affidavit claims that during the call, Joseph 'admitted his actions, stating he touched the victim over her clothing' and 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'

According to the authorities, a judge signed off on an affidavit that included the contents of that phone conversation, whereupon an arrest warrant was issued to the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Florida.

The Bay County Sheriff's Office then apparently sent the warrant to the police in Arkansas, leading to Joseph's arrest in Tontitown.

He was taken into custody last week in connection with lewd and lascivious behavior involving unlawful sexual activity with a minor, a statement from the Bay County Sheriff's Office in Lynn Haven, Florida announced.

An investigator with the Tontitown Police Department in Tontitown, Arkansas reached out to the BCSO 'regarding a report of past sexual abuse.'

An alleged victim, identified as a 14-year-old girl, told law enforcement about a series of inappropriate incidents Duggar was involved in around five years back, police said.

A warrant for Kendra's arrest was issued on Friday but when law enforcement initially went to the Duggar family residence in Washington County, she was not there

The 19 Kids And County star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ; Duggar seen above top far right

Authorities said then that the alleged incidents occurred in 2020, when the alleged victim was nine years old and on vacation with her family in Panama City Beach, Florida.

The 19 Kids And Counting star is now facing additional charges including four counts of second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor and four counts of second-degree false imprisonment, the Tontitown Police Department told TMZ.

Duggar and Kendra's new charges in Arkansas are reportedly not related to his case in the state of Florida.

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest, such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography.

His attorney told the Daily Mail: 'Josh understands the stigma of being accused.

'He lives with the painful reality of how false accusations can destroy a life. He understands how the targeting of a person for publicity can twist the truth into sensationalized fiction.'

The attorney said that the brothers 'are not in frequent communication' but Josh 'hopes and prays for his brother's well being in this difficult time.'

His sister Jill has also spoken out by uploading a post to her family blog which she shares with husband Derick Dillard.

Family members have since broken silence on his arrest , such as brother Josh - who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for possessing child pornography; Josh's 2021 mugshot seen above

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children in the post shared on Thursday, just one day before her arrest

'We were shocked yesterday evening to learn of Jill's brother's [Joseph Duggar's] arrest,' the message read.

'We first learned of anything related to his charges yesterday via a text from a friend who messaged us about the recent media reports of Joseph's arrest and his alleged confession to molesting a juvenile female in 2020. We are shocked and heartbroken.'

They added, 'We strongly condemn abuse. We support the rule of law and hope that justice will be achieved. Our hearts go out to the innocent juvenile victim of this unspeakable crime and her family.

'We pray God gives her strength, comfort and hope, and that she is able to get all the help and support she needs and deserves in the days ahead.'

Jill and Derick also sent love to Kendra and her four children while praying 'that they feel loved and supported during this time as we cannot imagine the indescribable pain they feel as they process and grieve everything.'

The post was uploaded on Thursday, just one day before Kendra's arrest for allegedly endangering the welfare of a minor and false imprisonment.

Duggar's mugshot was released on Wednesday evening by the Washington County Sheriff's Office in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

The former reality star sported a thick beard, and he gazed forward with a stony expression, which notably contrasted the grinning 2021 mugshot of his brother Josh, which had also been snapped in Washington County.

The alleged victim told investigators that the family had been staying at a home located on Danny Drive at the time of the illegal incidents.

Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued.

In another incident, Joseph 'asked [the victim] to sit next to him on a couch and covered them with a blanket, 'rubbing' his hands on her thighs.

Joseph Duggar 'repeatedly asked her to sit on his lap,' BCSO officials said, adding that his behavior appeared to escalate as the vacation continued

'During this time, Duggar manipulated the victim's underwear and grazed her genitals.'

Duggar subsequently told the alleged victim he was sorry, and the incidents ceased, according to officials with the BCSO.

The father of the alleged victim confronted Joseph Duggar about what happened on Tuesday, at which time he admitted to his actions to the father and a detective in Tontitown, the BCSO said.

Joseph Duggar was subsequently arrested and charged in connection with Lewd and Lascivious Behavior - Molestation of a Victim Less Than 12-years-old; and Lewd and Lascivious Behavior Conducted By A Person 18 Years or Older.

Duggar's confession to the girl's father and a detective was included in an affidavit filed by the Bay County Sheriff's Office, which was obtained by People.

BCSO Criminal Investigator Chase Norris had then 'requested the detective and victim's father call the defendant.'

During the phone call, Duggar 'admitted his actions' and confessed that he 'touched the victim over her clothing,' per the affidavit.

At the time, the TV personality had 'admitted his intentions were not pure.'

His cousin Amy Duggar also recently broke her silence to share she was 'utterly shocked' but 'not surprised' over his arrest.

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry.'

Amy added, 'My first thoughts are with the victim, a child who deserved to be safe, protected and surrounded by people she could trust.

'The courage it took for her to come forward, especially after years of carrying something so heavy, cannot be overstated. That bravery deserves to be honored above all else.'

She said in a statement to People on Friday: 'In light of the recent allegations involving my cousin, Joseph Duggar, I am sickened, heartbroken and deeply angry'

And while she was 'utterly shocked' over the allegations, Amy expressed that she is 'not surprised that another alleged predator has emerged from this toxic system.'

Amy told the outlet that she has 'worked hard to break cycles in both my extended family and my immediate family.'

She sent prayers to the alleged victim while adding, 'Recognizing that we do not yet know the full picture, I am also praying for Joseph's wife, Kendra, as she begins to process this, and for the protection of their children.

'I'm praying for eyes to be opened and above all, I pray that justice will be served to the fullest.'

For those who have been impacted by sexual abuse, text 'STRENGTH' to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.
Brandi Glanville appears to be doing better after undergoing surgery to remove her ruptured breast implants.

After spending countless months as a recluse, the former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star, 53, happily flaunted her new chest in an Instagram video on Monday.

With a newfound sense of confidence, Glanville strutted around her hotel room in a skimpy, colorful bikini and two ankle weights.

Her toned physique was on full display as she lip synced the words to Tame Impala and Jennie's hit single Dracula, which recently went viral on TikTok.

The video comes roughly two months after the mother-of-two went under the knife with Dr. Ariel Ourian to replace her leaky, ruptured implants  which she'd had for around 18 years.

Glanville previously claimed that her face had been deformed by 'parasites' that she caught in Morocco in 2023 while filming The Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip: Ex-Wives Club 2.

Brandi Glanville showed off her new breast implants in an Instagram video on Monday

The infection led to an extreme facial disfigurement, which Glanville spent around $200,000 trying to fix.

Last year she was informed that her ruptured breast implants had been blocking her lymph nodes, which was preventing her face from healing from the infection.

Speaking to TMZ about the ordeal, Glanville explained that she 'definitely had a parasite,' but that her implants were also 'completely ruptured' which had left her with silicone all over her lymph nodes.

She also spoke to In Touch Weekly, and said that a technician informed her that, 'whatever's going on in your face, it can't drain because your lymph nodes are clogged with silicone'.

Glanville added, 'It's something that I could die from if I hadn't figured it out.'

The reality star underwent the surgery in early February with Dr. Ourian, who gave her new implants after removing the old ones.

Although Glanville already feels much better since the surgery, she still insists that a parasite is the main cause of her many health issues.

'I'm paying out of pocket to see specialists, infectious disease doctors, you know, rheumatologists, like every doctor you can think of, I saw,' she shared on the I Do Part 2 podcast.

With a newfound sense of confidence, Glanville strutted around her hotel room in a skimpy, colorful bikini and two ankle weights

Glanville later shared a gallery of photos of herself posing in her bikini with a pal

'I went to 21 doctors and I'm telling you, $200,000 ... the people at my insurance  let's just say sucks.'

Glanville says that her ongoing health battle has destroyed her personal and professional life.

'I haven't had sex in three years. The whole time I've been sick because I've lost my confidence,' she explained.

'And I felt like I lost everything at once in a weird way. Like I lost my job, I lost my reputation, I lost my looks.'

Glanville was last seen on TV in season one of Peacock's The Traitors in 2023.

Despite being off screens for years, she recently pitched herself as the next lead on ABC's The Golden Bachelorette.

Taking a swipe at ousted Bachelorette Taylor Frankie Paul, Glanville said, 'I have no rap sheet and no domestic violence charges.'

In lieu of major TV opportunities, Glanville recently revived her long-running podcast, Brandi Glanville Unfiltered.

She's also still active on OnlyFans, where she shares racy photos and videos of herself with paying subscribers.

The 53-year-old was left with a facial disfigurement from a parasite, which she claims was connected to her ruptured breast implants

Glanville is pictured at Bravocon in 2022, just months before her facial disfigurement

Last year, Glanville got candid about the mental toll that fellow Housewife Caroline Manzo's sexual assault allegations had on her.

The RHOBH alum opened up about the lawsuit on the MisSPELLING podcast with host Tori Spelling.

Manzo accused Glanville of kissing her without consent and further claimed she 'forcibly fondled my vagina' while filming Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in January 2023 on location in Morocco.

Glanville has vehemently denied the allegations.

'The narrative when we got back from Morocco was I was fired for being inappropriate with Caroline Manzo. And I wasn't... It's ruined my life,' the reality star claimed.

'I got sick six months later. But those six months, I was in a fetal position on my couch, like, contemplating suicide, being called horrible things. It's so crazy that the press has so much power,' she continued.

The reality star returned to the spotlight for the Sundance Film Festival in January

Amid the lawsuit, the TV personality said that she lost work opportunities and had to join OnlyFans in order to make an income after her savings began to dwindle down.

'And then I lost my looks at the same time,' she said - referencing to her battle with a mysterious facial disfigurement.

'I literally, at 51, started OnlyFans, because I didn't have income for six months and I was like going through my savings.'

Glanville recalled, 'I was making good money and then my face started being crazy. It's just been a really tough time.'

Back in 2023, Manzo - who previously starred on RHONJ - made the sexual misconduct allegations against Glanville while they were filming the Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip in Morocco.

The following year, Caroline sued Bravo and claimed that the production did nothing to stop the alleged assault.

Glanville's attorney shared a letter that insisted no form of sexual assault had taken place and requested that the network release 'all existing documents and data' in regards to the accusations.
Scott Mills is reportedly not taking calls from his worried friends following his sacking from BBC Radio 2 this week.

Mills was sacked six days after being hauled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday.

Last night, the Daily Mirror linked the decision to fire Mills to a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.

Now a source has told the publication that Scott, 53, 'has gone to ground' since the decision was made and friends are 'struggling to contact him'.

'The show was his life and he is facing oblivion,' a friend has told the newspaper.

The Mirror also claims that his close friends and acquaintances have been 'left totally blindsided by events of the last few days' and that they knew nothing about his sacking until Monday or the police investigation back in 2016.

Scott Mills is reportedly not taking calls from his worried friends following his sacking from BBC Radio 2 this week

Mills was sacked six days after being hauled off air following his final Radio 2 breakfast show last Tuesday

It comes as Jeremy Vine called the sacking of his BBC Radio 2 colleague Scott 'unfair' as he insisted 'there's been no crime' on his Tuesday show.

Jeremy, who hosts a daily Radio 2 show dissecting the day's headlines, shared his upset over Scott's departure, adding that he felt bosses had sacked him due to regrets over failing to handle the behaviour of Huw Edwards.

The presenter then questioned why 'Huw Edwards couldn't be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state, and everything I have read about Scott's history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression but there doesn't seem to be the same break cut for him'.

The disgraced BBC News presenter Huw was handed a six-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to three charges of making indecent images of children.

'Scott Mills' sacking has left a lot of people very confused. What do you make of it? I'd love to know?' Vine, who has worked alongside Mills at Radio 2 for four years, said at the top of the show.

'We heard the news just before 12 yesterday here at Radio 2, it came as a complete shock to those of us who work at the station, the presenter of our Breakfast Show, Scott Mills, had been sacked over allegations, we're told, related to his personal conduct.'

Later in the show, Jeremy noted: 'It's a very painful episode for anyone who knows Scott, he's a very popular guy in the building.'

During the show, Jeremy also spoke to BBC's Media and Culture Editor Katie Razzell, who said she'd put 'a series of questions' to bosses about Mills' sacking, in particular whether they were aware he had been allegedly investigated by police.

The sacking has left his friends and colleagues at the BBC shocked; pictured: Scott Mills, Emma B, Jeremy Vine, Dermot O'Leary, Alan Carr, and Sara Cox

Mills with his husband Sam Vaughan on Celebrity Race Across The World in 2024, which they won

She then shared that the period for which the probe was launched began in 1997, when Scott was still working at Heart FM. He joined Radio 1 the following year.

Oasis Charitable Trust founder and Baptist minister Steve Chalke who is friends with Mills and has worked with him on the Pause For Thoughts segment of the Breakfast Show noted there was 'a sense of grief, of loss, of sadness and shock'.

'My thoughts, my heart, my pain, is for him and also of any victim of any crime and their family of everybody involved in this,' he added.

Jeremy then stated that 'there hadn't been a crime' as Mills was never charged with any offence.

He said: 'The whole point is there wasn't a crime, and that's where this gets difficult, the Met have been over it and there is no crime. We are dealing with something we are calling misbehaviour.

'There is a thought here that what the BBC has done has sacked Huw Edwards, they wish they got in earlier with Huw and they decided to treat Scott how they wish they'd treated Huw. Which would be a bit unfair would it not?'

'Regarding the inconsistency here, we were told Huw Edwards couldn't be sacked because he was in a fragile mental state, everything I have read about Scott's history today goes back to his own anxiety and depression and everything else but there doesn't seem to be the same break cut for him.'

Scott's friend Steve Chalke ended the segment by stating: 'I have had other friends who have faced very serious allegations and have lost their place in the institutions they served only for those allegations in the end to be unfounded. We just don't know.'

'But we must be concerned for the mental health of any victim, for Scott, for his family, for his partner Sam. This is a tragic occurrence.'

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC has said there is 'total shock' at the corporation after Mills' sacking.

There were apparently 'audible gasps' from staff as they were told on Monday morning in an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.

Several stars who have spent time with him described him as 'kind and generous' and that friends are 'devastated' for him.

He was also described by a radio colleague as 'hugely popular' internally.

'It is not like the BBC to act so fast', a household name broadcaster told the Daily Mail.

Another source claimed that wild rumours are flying around Broadcasting House about the reason for his sacking.

'No suspension period or prolonged investigation does not bode well', another insider said.

The teenage boy who accused Mills of serious sexual offences in the 1990s was under 16 at the time, it was revealed today.

Scotland Yard has also confirmed the Crown Prosecution Service rejected the case due to a lack of evidence and their investigation into the broadcaster was closed in 2019.

The Daily Mail can also reveal that the complainant may have been inspired to speak out again this year due to the new Huw Edwards docu-drama.

Two sources have said that within the BBC it is being claimed that the unnamed man may have gone to the corporation due to the huge publicity surrounding Martin Clunes starring as Huw Edwards in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards.

The teenage boy who accused Mills of serious sexual offences in the 1990s was under 16 at the time, it was revealed today (Mills is seen in 2009)

Former police officer and now investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas said police contacts confirmed to him that Mills was interviewed by the Met in 2018 - in a spin-off investigation from Operation Yewtree.

Mr Williams-Thomas helped expose Jimmy Savile and his work led to the police investigation against Savile and others including Rolf Harris.

He told the Daily Mail today: 'The police were swamped with allegations post-Savile and as a result it led to high-profile stars being named [by complainants], one of these was Scott Mills. He wasn't charged - but was allowed to continue working.'

The BBC is refusing to say why he was sacked other than that it was related to his 'personal conduct'. The corporation is now under pressure to explain what they knew about Mills' brush with police and when.

Mills joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 from Heart 106.2, where he started in 1995 after working in local radio in Hampshire, Bristol and Manchester. He left the BBC after 28 years yesterday.

A source has claimed that the director general at the time of the police probe, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

One BBC executive in London told the Daily Mail today that there's a real belief among bosses at the corporation that the timing of Mills' sacking and the release of the Edwards drama was 'not a coincidence'.

'The Huw Edwards drama showed that there could be a reckoning', they said.

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC added that this claim that the Edwards drama was the 'spark' is swirling around Broadcasting House.

The BBC declined to comment on the claims.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

The BBC declined to comment on why he was not suspended or sacked at the time and why they have fired him almost a decade later.
Chinese doctors in Sierra Leone restore hope to patient with rare skeletal TB

10:24, March 31, 2026 By Abu Bakarr Kargbo ( People's Daily Online

In a remarkable display of medical expertise and international cooperation, the 27th Chinese Medical Team (CMT) in Sierra Leone has successfully diagnosed and treated a complex case of skeletal tuberculosis, ending a year-long medical mystery and restoring hope to a young patient.

The breakthrough coincided with the commemoration of the 31st World Tuberculosis Day, underscoring the ongoing global fight against tuberculosis and the importance of early detection and effective treatment.

(Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

The case involved a 30-year-old Sierra Leonean man who had suffered persistent swelling and severe pain in his right knee for over a year. Over time, his condition worsened, resulting in a pronounced limp and significant weight loss that disrupted his daily life and ability to work. Despite seeking medical attention at several healthcare facilities, his condition remained undiagnosed, leaving him in prolonged distress.

Relief finally came when he was admitted to the Sierra Leone-China Friendship Hospital, where the 27th Chinese Medical Team is stationed. Upon examination, doctors noted severe pathological swelling of the knee, immediately recognizing the urgency and complexity of the case.

The medical team promptly activated its Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) protocol, bringing together specialists from different fields to collaboratively investigate the patients condition. In a resource-constrained environment, three expertsHuang Xianzhe (Orthopedics), Zhou Ning (Infectious Diseases), and Chen Juan (Radiology)formed a focused task force to uncover the underlying cause.

(Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

What followed was a meticulous diagnostic process that highlighted both clinical skill and determination. Working under challenging conditions where advanced diagnostic tools are limited, the team relied on detailed observation and careful analysis. In rooms where sunlight often substitutes as a viewing aid, CT scans were examined with precision and patience.

Chen identified subtle signs of bone destruction within the knee joint, while Zhou correlated laboratory findings with the patients broader symptoms, including weight loss and chronic inflammation. After systematically ruling out other possible conditions such as gout and localized tumors, the team reached a definitive diagnosis: tuberculosis of the right knee joint, a rare and often overlooked form of the disease.

Skeletal tuberculosis is often insidious and can easily be misdiagnosed, the team explained. Without timely intervention, it can lead to joint deformity, permanent disability, and even life-threatening complications.

(Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

Following the diagnosis, the patient was placed on an appropriate treatment regimen, marking the beginning of his recovery journey. Medical staff report that his condition has since shown encouraging improvement, bringing renewed optimism for a full recovery.

Beyond the immediate success of treating the patient, the case also served as a vital opportunity for knowledge sharing and capacity building. Throughout the diagnostic and treatment process, the Chinese Medical Team engaged local healthcare professionals in hands-on training, ensuring that the expertise gained would have a lasting impact.

Among those who benefited from this collaboration was Abdulai Bah, a local clinician who participated in the case discussions and training sessions. Using the patients X-rays and CT scans as practical teaching tools, Zhou and Huang provided in-depth explanations of the clinical features, diagnostic pathways, and standardized treatment approaches for tuberculosis.

This learning-by-doing approach enabled local medical staff to strengthen their diagnostic capabilities, particularly in identifying atypical forms of tuberculosis that might otherwise go unnoticed. Health experts say such training is crucial in a country where tuberculosis remains a significant public health challenge.

The successful management of this case highlights the broader significance of health cooperation between China and Sierra Leone. The presence of the Chinese Medical Team continues to enhance healthcare delivery through a combination of direct patient care and professional development for local practitioners.

(Photo provided to People's Daily Online)

A representative of the team emphasized that their mission goes beyond treating individual cases. Tuberculosis remains a major global health threat, the representative said. By combining clinical excellence with local capacity building, we are not just treating diseaseswe are helping to build resilient healthcare systems and a shared future of better health.

The intervention stands as a powerful example of how international collaboration can yield tangible benefits, particularly in resource-limited settings. It also reflects the enduring commitment of the Chinese Medical Team to the principles of dedication, compassion, and cross-border solidarity.

As Sierra Leone continues its efforts to combat tuberculosis and strengthen its healthcare system, success stories like this offer hope and inspiration. For one patient, the resolution of a year-long medical mystery has brought relief and a second chance at life. For the nation, it reinforces the value of partnership, innovation, and perseverance in the pursuit of better health outcomes for all.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
She looks perfectly at home at any A-list event.

And Florence Pugh fit right in as she posed at a glamorous Bulgari launch in Milan this week which she documented on her Instagram account.

The actress, 30, stunned in a daring green thigh-split gown and accessorised with statement jewels from the luxury brand.

The show-stopping pleated and strapless gown showed off plenty of leg with its sultry design.

Sharing the snaps, she spoke of what a great time she had at the official launch of the brand's new high jewellery collection.

She penned in her caption as she posted the gorgeous snaps: 'Your work is sensational, Lucia Silvestri.

'Thank you for having me @bvlgari at the unveiling of the Eclettica, I gasped 20,000, then had a martini to process the craftswomenship.'

Florence Pugh fit right in as she posed at a glamorous Bulgari launch in Milan this week which she documented on her Instagram account

The actress, 30, stunned in a daring green thigh-split gown and accessorised with statement jewels from the luxury brand

The star recently sparked rumours she is set to marry Peaky Blinders star Finn Cole, after she appeared to sport a flashy new engagement ring.

The couple were first linked romantically in September 2024 after they were seen leaving an after-party together, but have not publicly confirmed their relationship.

Florence and Finn have been friends for years and were first reported to be dating after the London premiere of Netflix hit The Perfect Couple in September 2024.

A source later revealed the pair had been getting to know each other away from the spotlight and planned to get hitched.

They told The Sun: 'They are both putting everything into their careers but have found something special between them.'

Daily Mail contacted Finn and Florence's representatives for comment.

While she wouldn't name Finn, Florence confirmed her relationship status during her October cover shoot with Vogue, and has confessed she is very much in love and is approaching their romance differently to things in the past.

She confirmed: 'I am [in a relationship]. OK, so something that I resonate with is that I believe that if magic is real, then it's falling in love.'

The show-stopping pleated and strapless green gown showed off plenty of leg with its sultry design

Sharing the snaps she spoke of what a great time she had at the official launch of the brand's new high jewellery collection

She penned in her caption as she posted the gorgeous snaps: 'Your work is sensational, Lucia Silvestri...'

She added: 'Thank you for having me @bvlgari at the unveiling of the Eclettica, I gasped 20,000, then had a martini to process the craftswomenship'

Florence candidly revealed that she and her partner were 'figuring it out' and said she is ready to start a family.

She added: 'We are figuring what we actually are. And I think for the first time, I'm not allowing myself to go on a roller-coaster.'

The actress continued: 'I'm allowing myself to take time to let something evolve and let it be completely real to its core, as opposed to racing into that.

'Falling is the most amazing feeling but unfortunately if that's the only thing that you know in a relationship, then that's the thing that you chase. That's not gonna last.'

Finn previously showed his support to Florence in April last year as they both walked the red carpet of her new Marvel film Thunderbolts*.

While the duo did not pose directly together  with Finn even striking poses solo on the red carpet  his presence at the premiere provided a telling clue about just how important they are to one another.

Notably, he appeared in a group photo featuring Florence and her friends and family, making a red carpet debut of sorts with the actress.
One of Hollywoods most enduring couples delighted fans on Tuesday as they showed their romance is still going strong after 26 years of marriage.

The actor, 78, who first became a household name as Lenny on Laverne & Shirley, appeared in high spirits as he planted a kiss on his stunning wife, 73, herself a star in her own right.

Back in 1983, she played Lana Lang, the love interest of Christopher Reeves Superman in Superman III, and a decade later returned to the superhero world as Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Tom Wellings Clark Kent in Smallville.

These days, she has won a new generation of fans as Mayor Hope McCrea in Netflixs hit series Virgin River.

Between breaks in filming on Tuesday, she couldnt resist planting a smooch on her longtime beau - who fans will also remember as a Saturday Night Live favorite and one of the stars of This Is Spinal Tap.

So, can you guess which adorable Tinseltown couple this is?

One of Hollywoods most enduring couples delighted fans on Tuesday as they showed their romance is still going strong after 26 years of marriage

The actor, 78, who first became a household name as Lenny on Laverne & Shirley , appeared in high spirits as he planted a kiss on his stunning wife, 73, herself a star in her own right

Between breaks in filming on Tuesday, she couldnt resist keeping cozy with her longtime beau - who fans will also remember as a Saturday Night Live favorite and one of the stars of This Is Spinal Tap

If you said Michael McKean and Annette OToole, youd be spot on!

And the story behind this veteran Hollywood couple is almost as fascinating as their long careers.

They had encountered each other earlier in their careers, but didnt begin dating until they reunited on the set of Final Justice in 1998.

They married a year later in 1999.

Both McKean and OToole brought established careers and families into their marriage.

McKean was previously married to Susan Russell from 1970 to 1993, and the couple had two sons, Colin and Fletcher.

Tragically, their eldest, Colin, died in 2012 at the age of 36 from an accidental overdose.

If you guessed Michael McKean and Annette OToole, youd be correct; the couple first met in the early 1980s through mutual Hollywood friends, though they didnt start dating seriously until later in the decade; (pictured March 2026)

McKean first became a household name in the late 1970s as Lenny Kosnowski on Laverne & Shirley

He followed that with memorable performances in Christopher Guests mockumentaries - notably This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind (for which he cowrote the title song and won a Grammy)

McKean also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role as Chuck McGill on Better Call Saul

OToole was married to Bill Geisslinger from 1983 until 1993, and they had two daughters, Nell and Anna.

On the career front, McKeans work spans more than five decades.

He first became a household name in the late 1970s as Lenny Kosnowski on Laverne & Shirley, a role that showcased his comedic talents.

He followed that with memorable performances in Christopher Guests mockumentaries - notably This Is Spinal Tap, Best in Show and A Mighty Wind (for which he cowrote the title song and won a Grammy).

McKean also earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for his role as Chuck McGill on Better Call Saul and has appeared in a wide range of television series, including Dream On, Curb Your Enthusiasm and Grace and Frankie.

More recently, he has lent his voice to the Rugrats franchise and reprised his Spinal Tap role in Spinal Tap II: The End Continues.

O'Toole first began acting as a teenager in the late 1960s, with early credits on variety classics such as The Danny Kaye Show and guest appearances on series like Gunsmoke and My Three Sons

Back in 1983, she played Lana Lang, the love interest of Christopher Reeves Superman in Superman III, and a decade later returned to the superhero world as Martha Kent, the adoptive mother of Tom Wellings Clark Kent in Smallville

These days, she has won a new generation of fans as Mayor Hope McCrea in Netflixs hit series Virgin River

OTooles career is similarly wideranging. She first began acting as a teenager in the late 1960s, with early credits on variety classics such as The Danny Kaye Show and guest appearances on series like Gunsmoke and My Three Sons.

Her breakthrough film role came with Superman III in 1983 as Lana Lang, and she later solidified her place in pop culture as Martha Kent on Smallville.

OToole also starred in series such as Nash Bridges and The Huntress, and she played adult Beverly Marsh in the 1990 adaptation of Stephen Kings It.

In recent years, she has gained a new generation of fans on Netflixs Virgin River.

Over the years, McKean and OToole have appeared together on screen, including musical collaborations.

The couple cowrote songs for the film A Mighty Wind, earning an Academy Award nomination for A Kiss at the End of the Rainbow, and have performed live together at venues such as Feinsteins at the Regency in New York.
The BBC has admitted it knew about allegations against Scott Mills almost a year before they moved to sack the star.

The Radio 2 DJ, 53, was stunningly axed by the Corporation on Monday six days after being hauled off air following what proved to be his final breakfast show.

Last night, the Daily Mirror linked the decision to fire Mills to a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy between 1997 and 2000. The case was dropped around seven years ago due to a lack of evidence.

The boy in question was 'under 16 years of age' at the time of the alleged offences and came forward decades later, the Daily Mail revealed today.

And in a further humiliation for the BBC, it has emerged the broadcaster was contacted by a former presenter regarding alleged 'inappropriate communications' involving Mills, the Telegraph reports.

Freelance journalist Anna Brees told the Corporation in May 2025 she had received details of the allegations - not necessarily relating to the same alleged victim about which Mills was questioned in 2018 - from a source.

She asked whether the BBC was 'ever aware of or involved in any related matters' and if it had ever been handed any 'formal or informal complaints' about Mills 'relating to safeguarding, inappropriate conduct or harassment'.

Ms Brees - who presented news programmes for the broadcaster between 2003 and 2011 - also inquired as to whether the Corporation had ever investigated its star DJ's behaviour.

The BBC has admitted it knew about allegations against Scott Mills, pictured this month, almost a year before they moved to sack the star

Mills pictured with Emily Atack at his house in 2012. He previously explained how he regretted participating in some of the shows he had appeared on

The Radio 2 DJ, pictured, was stunningly axed by the Corporation on Monday six days after being hauled off air following what proved to be his final breakfast show

But she claims she was rebuffed on all fronts, never receiving a response from the BBC.

On Tuesday the broadcaster admitted her information 'should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions'.

A spokesperson for the BBC said: 'We received a press query in 2025 which included limited information.

'This should have been followed up and we should have asked further questions. We apologise for this and will look into why this did not happen.

'More broadly, we would always urge anyone who has concerns or information to raise it with us.'

Ms Brees said: 'It was a credible source and I was concerned so I decided to contact the BBC to make them aware of it and see if they came back with anything. I didn't get a response.'

The suggestion the Corporation acted too slowly in dismissing one of its top stars contains echoes of its heavy-footed approach to investigating the likes of Jimmy Savile, Huw Edwards and Gregg Wallace.

The BBC is refusing to say why he was sacked other than that it was related to his 'personal conduct'. The broadcaster is now under pressure to explain what they knew about Mills's brush with police and when.

The teenage boy who accused Mills of serious sexual offences in the 1990s was under 16, it was claimed today.

The broadcaster, who would have been 24 at the time of the allegations, was later questioned by police under caution in 2018.

Scotland Yard has confirmed detectives sent a file to the Crown Prosecution Service who rejected the case due to a lack of evidence. The police investigation was closed in 2019.

The Daily Mail can also reveal that the complainant may have been inspired to speak out again this year due to the new Huw Edwards docu-drama.

Two sources have said that within the BBC it is being claimed that the unnamed man may have gone to the corporation due to the huge publicity surrounding Martin Clunes starring in Power: The Downfall Of Huw Edwards.

Former police officer and now investigative journalist Mark Williams-Thomas said police contacts confirmed to him that Mills was interviewed by the Met in 2018 - in a spin-off investigation from Operation Yewtree.

Mr Williams-Thomas helped expose Jimmy Savile and his work led to the police investigation against Savile and others including Rolf Harris.

He told the Daily Mail today: 'The police were swamped with allegations post-Savile and as a result it let to high-profile stars being named [by complainants], one of these was Scott Mills. He wasn't charged - but was allowed to continue working'.

Mills joined BBC Radio 1 in 1998 from Heart 106.2, where he started in 1995 after working in local radio in Hampshire, Bristol and Manchester. He left the BBC after 28 years yesterday.

A source has claimed that the director general at the time of the police probe, Tony Hall, did not know about the allegations.

One BBC executive in London told the Daily Mail today that there's a real belief amongst bosses at the corporation that the timing of Mills's sacking and the release of the Edwards drama was 'not a coincidence'.

'The Huw Edwards drama showed that there could be a reckoning', they said.

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC added that this claim that the Edwards drama was the 'spark' is swirling around Broadcasting House.

Last night the Daily Mirror reported the decision to fire Mills came after a 2016 police investigation into 'serious sexual offences' against a teenage boy.

The BBC declined to comment on why he was not suspended or sacked at the time and why they have fired him almost a decade later.

Mills is pictured enjoying a boozy night out with Alan Carr in 2009

Mills married his long-term partner Sam Vaughan at a celebrity-studded wedding in Barcelona in 2024. They are pictured at an awards ceremony in February this year

Mills pictured earlier in his career. He joined the BBC in 1998 after starting his career in local radio at home in Hampshire

Another senior broadcaster at the BBC has said there is 'total shock' at the corporation after Mills's sacking.

There were apparently 'audible gasps' from staff as they were told on Monday morning in an email from BBC director of music Lorna Clarke.

Several stars who have spent time with him described him as 'kind and generous' and that friends are 'devastated' for him.

He was also described by a radio colleague as 'hugely popular' internally.

'It is not like the BBC to act so fast', a household name broadcaster told the Daily Mail.

Another source claimed that wild rumours are flying around Broadcasting House about the reason for his sacking.

'No suspension period or prolonged investigation does not bode well', another insider said.
James McAvoy has revealed he secretly welcomed his second son four years ago with his wife Lisa Liberati.

The actor, 46, made the revelation while talking about how he found fatherhood in his forties easier compared to when he became a dad for the first time to his now 15-year-old son Brendan, whom he co-parents with his ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff.

He told The Guardian: 'Having a kid at 42 is definitely easier in some ways I worry less.

'I'm a bit more philosophical. But it's also harder, because you're just older and tireder.

Of juggling fatherhood and acting, James said: 'I'm getting all that first-timer stress in my 40s. When we were shooting the film, Id wake up at 2.30am with the film buzzing in my head.

James suggested starting a career was a 'young man's game'. He said: 'Thats the time that you work your socks off, burn the midnight oil, run the extra mile  and usually when youre doing that, youre in your 20s.'

James McAvoy has revealed he secretly welcomed his second son four years ago with his wife Lisa Liberati

James and Lisa are based in London, 'but a wee bit in Philly', where Lisa's parents live.

The actor and Lisa met on the set of Split in Philadelphia, America and they married in 2022.

James had a leading role in the film while Lisa was a production assistant for the director M. Night Shyamalan.

The actress had been married at the time to actress Anne-Marie but was in the process of separating from her after 11 years of marriage.

Just two months after the divorce was finalised, the new couple posted a number of pictures of themselves on Instagram together at a fancy dress party to announce their relationship.

In 2019 they were rumoured to have wed when Director Jamie Lloyd, who is a close friend of the Glasgow-born actor, was overheard referring to Lisa as James's 'wife' and said they married 'recently'.

In July 2020 the couple moved into a sprawling house in London after spending lockdown at his modest city apartment, which he took over after moving out of the 1.9 million four bed home he shared with Anne-Marie.

James also has a 15-year-old son Brendan, who he co-parents with his ex-wife Anne-Marie Duff (pictured together in 2015)

The actor then confirmed he had married Lisa in 2022.

James has just made his directorial debut with the film, California Schemin, a musical biographical film following two Scottish men who conned the music industry by pretending to be an established Californian rap duo.
Megyn Kelly slammed Lindsey Graham after the pro-war Republican was spotted with a bubble wand at Disney World.

Kelly was commenting of photos showed the South Carolina senator enjoying an afternoon at the Magic Kingdom as President Trump considers putting boots on the ground in Iran.

'He's frothing at the mouth right now at the thought of thousands of our soldiers going over there,' she exclaimed on her SiriusXM show Monday.

'So what is Lindsey Graham doing to support those troops and the families who are preparing to put their lives on the line? He's at Disney World.'

She mocked Graham for being a 'single man with no wife, children or grandchildren' who was 'walking around with a bubble wand.'

'There he is in the middle of Disney with a bubble wand. I'm sorry, but mother[expletive]! Look at him,' she said of the 70-year-old.

Bubbles and Bombs

Kelly kept asking herself 'is this real?' at the sight of Graham - with the Senate currently on recess - could be seen at the happiest place on earth while the US potentially gets further involved in the Middle East.

'He's pushing to take all of our troops and put them in danger so he can get off because he hasn't been getting off, at least not with a woman, that's obvious, for his life. And now he goes to [expletive] Disney World while they deploy to Iran, and he's blowing bubbles?'

Graham told TMZ of his Sunday brunch, 'I was invited to a meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff ... to talk about the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. I went to Orlando to meet friends after. I'm already back in South Carolina.'

He also added, 'I voted 7 times to fully fund the government. Call a Democrat.'

Kelly was less than impressed with the explanation.

'Who gives a [expletive]? No one cares. You went to Disney. Our troops are about to deploy, and are deploying right now because you pushed our president into it,' she said.

While she reminded her audience that Trump 'has agency' and can make his own choices, she still lays the blame at the longtime South Carolina Senator.

Brunch with Mickey

'Let's be honest, Lindsey Graham pushed this more than anyone, and the nerve to then go blow bubbles at Disney while our troops are endangering themselves because he wanted them to. I just find this so heartless, so [expletive] tone deaf,' she said.

'I'm just angry about his influence over President Trump, and I'm angry that I have to look at pictures of him with his bubble wand, and I'm angry.'

The Daily Mail has reached out to Senator Graham for comment on Kelly's broadcast.

Graham was seen at Disney World in Orlando, having breakfast with Mickey Mouse amid the ongoing shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.

An image of the Senator at the 'Most Magical Place on Earth' made the rounds on X on Sunday after being originally published by TMZ.

Per TMZ, the South Carolina Republican was enjoying Sunday Brunch at Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary Resort at Disney World. The unmarried and childless Graham was reportedly seen with a younger woman and a child.

A second TMZ story published Monday alleges that Graham was at Disney World on Friday evening as well.

X users were quick to point out the hypocrisy of the Senator taking the trip while Federal workers at the Department of Homeland Security have now missed two paychecks, and delays at TSA checkpoints due to a lack of workers are plaguing travelers at airports across the country.

$1 Billion in Lost Wages

Graham came under fire for claiming earlier this month that when he goes 'back to South Carolina, I'm asking them to send their sons and daughters over to the Middle East' to fight the war with Iran.

Fellow Capitol Hill lawmaker Robert Garcia, a Democrat who represents California, was also snapped enjoying his Spring Break, captured at a Las Vegas Casino on Sunday.

Garcia's spokeswoman told TMZ that the Congressman was visiting his father, who has lived in the area for 15 years.

The Californian himself replied to TMZ's story about him on X, noting, 'actually I dont mind what tmz is doing here. Like the story says my dad has lived in Vegas for 15 years and I had just finished lunch with him. I try to see him whenever I can.'

'And like I said a few days ago, Speaker Mike Johnson should have never sent us all home,' Garcia also noted, throwing jabs at his political opponents.

During a tense hearing on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Democrat and Republican lawmakers each blamed the opposing party for the shutdown while questioning leaders of TSA, CISA, FEMA, and even the Coast Guard.

Acting TSA administrator Ha Nguyen McNeill warned lawmakers during the hearing that if workers miss another paycheck on Friday, the total amount of missed wages would exceed $1 billion.

The DHS shutdown is now in its sixth week.

Share your thoughts with us in the comments
Warren Buffett has revealed he has cut off contact with Bill Gates following the explosive release of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

The billionaire investor said he has not spoken to the Microsoft co-founder 'at all' since details of Gates' past association with the disgraced financier resurfaced.

'I haven't talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,' Buffett said in an interview on CNBC.

'I don't want to be in a position where I know things to be called as a witness,' Buffett added.

When asked whether he remained close friends with Gates, Buffett spoke warmly about their longstanding friendship.

Buffett speaks on Epstein

However, Buffett added that 'until things are resolved, it's not wise to say much.'

'I'd rather not be under oath,' he said, in his first public remarks about Gates since the Epstein files came to light.

Buffett spoke extensively about the notorious [sexual] offender Epstein, whose ties to Gates and other prominent figures have caused significant fallout as more details about those relationships surfaced with the recent release of the so-called Epstein files.

'It is astounding to me that anyone could be that successful as a con man,' Buffett said.

'Men are going to like [sexual relations]... and some of them are going to like not paying taxes, and he figured out their weaknesses,' Buffett said.

'That guy must have been the con man of all time,' Buffett said. 'He had a way of conning everybody.'

Gates' past Epstein ties face renewed scrutiny

Buffett added that Gates might have invited him to New York to meet Epstein, but fortunately never did.

'I got him to thank for not doing that,' Buffett said.

'But you can't get away from what happened either.'

Gates' past ties to disgraced financier Epstein have come roaring back into the spotlight following the release of the Epstein files, which shed fresh light on his network of powerful contacts.

The documents have revived questions about why Gates continued meeting Epstein in the years after his 2008 conviction, including visits to his homes.

Gates has previously insisted the encounters were tied to philanthropy, but has admitted it was a serious error in judgment. As more details emerge from the files, the relationship has once again become a source of intense scrutiny and reputational damage for the billionaire.

Gates denies claims in Epstein files

Gates recently issued a furious response after files released in January alleged that he slept with Russian girls, got a sexually-transmitted disease and asked for antibiotics to give to his then-wife Melinda.

In a rare statement that clearly conveys the depths of his anger over the latest release of files, a spokesperson for the Microsoft billionaire told the Daily Mail: 'These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false.

'The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.'

Buffett and Gates' friendship

Meanwhile, the relationship between Gates and Buffett began in the early 1990s after an introduction arranged by mutual acquaintances, despite Gates initially being skeptical about meeting the famed 'Oracle of Omaha.'

The pair quickly bonded over their shared passion for business strategy, competitive thinking, and philanthropy, forming one of the most influential alliances in modern corporate history.

Over the years, Buffett became a trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, donating tens of billions to support its global health and education initiatives.

Their close relationship has also extended beyond boardrooms, with the two frequently seen playing bridge together and publicly championing the Giving Pledge, urging fellow billionaires to give away the majority of their wealth.
A Wall Street titan is weighing an exodus from New York as fears grow over rising taxes under the citys new left-wing mayor.

Apollo Global Management, one of the biggest private capital firms in the world, is planning a second US headquarters in the South - with most future hiring set to happen outside Manhattan.

The $900 billion firm is considering cities in a variety of Sunbelt states - including Austin, Nashville, or somewhere in South Florida.

The move puts Apollo among a growing list of finance heavyweights drifting away from New York, long seen as the global capital of money.

Florida has already attracted major players such as Citadel and Elliott Management, while Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are establishing a strong presence in Texas.

Partners and managing directors were recently surveyed on what their location preference would be, according to people familiar with the situation.

The company announced plans to relocate just as New York City's mayor Zohran Mamdani pushed to hike up taxes on major corporations.

'We've shared with our teams across Apollo and Athene that we plan to establish a second headquarters in either Texas or south Florida, alongside NYC,' Apollo told the Financial Times.

Another finance company is fleeing what was once considered the financial capital of the world as the city's woke mayor Zohran Mamdani raises taxes

Apollo anticipates that the majority of its future hiring will take place in its second hub rather than in Manhatta

Apollo Global Management, a New York-based private capital firm, has announced plans to establish a second United States headquarters in the South

'This decision is driven by the talent we want to hire and the firm we want to be. New York does not have a monopoly on talent, and we expect most of our future growth will take place in our second HQ.'

For two decades, Apollos main office has been at Solow Building at 9 West 57th Street in Manhattan - overlooking Central Park.

Wall Street executives have long cautioned that companies may leave if Mamdani raises personal and corporate taxes to close budget gaps and fund more social programs.

Mamdani has framed the citys projected $5.4 billion budget gap as a crisis that requires higher taxes to raise revenue.

The democratic socialist has urged Governor Kathy Hochul and state lawmakers to increase corporate taxes and raise taxes on the wealthy. He has also warned that he could raise city property taxes by 9.5 percent if the state doesnt take action.

While property tax increases wouldnt require state approval, the proposal is unlikely to move forward because it lacks support in the City Council.

Apollos move is far from an isolated case.

Across the country, major companies have been quietly shifting operations out of traditionally Democrat-led states, accelerating a years-long migration toward the Sun Belt.

Yamaha's departure marks one of the latest corporate exits from California. The company plans to begin relocating its headquarters in late 2026 and complete the transition by 2028 as it sells its Cypress campus and consolidates operations in Georgia

Yamaha Motor Corporation has announced it will relocate its longtime headquarters from Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia, after nearly five decades.

Meanwhile, oil giant Exxon Mobil is moving its corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas, aligning its legal home with its existing headquarters in Spring, Texas.

A growing number of US companies are packing up and heading south, leaving some of the nation's traditional blue-state business hubs in search of lower costs and friendlier regulatory climates.

Yamaha's departure marks one of the latest corporate exits from California.

The company plans to begin relocating its headquarters in late 2026 and complete the transition by 2028 as it sells its 25-acre Cypress campus and consolidates operations in Georgia.

California's high operating costs and regulatory environment have long been cited by companies considering relocation.
Warren Buffett has revealed he has cut off contact with Bill Gates following the explosive release of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein.

The billionaire investor said he has not spoken to the Microsoft co-founder 'at all' since details of Gates' past association with the disgraced financier resurfaced.

'I haven't talked to him at all since the whole thing was unveiled,' Buffett said in an interview on CNBC.

'I don't want to be in a position where I know things to be called as a witness,' Buffett added.

When asked whether he remained close friends with Gates, Buffett spoke warmly about their longstanding friendship.

However, Buffett added that 'until things are resolved, it's not wise to say much.'

'I'd rather not be under oath,' he said, in his first public remarks about Gates since the Epstein files came to light.

Buffett also delivered a scathing assessment of Epstein, describing him as a master manipulator who preyed on the weaknesses of powerful men. More and more details of his ties to prominent figures like Gates have have surfaced with the recent release of the so-called Epstein files.

Warren Buffett has revealed he has cut off contact with Bill Gates following the explosive release of files linked to Jeffrey Epstein (Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in July 2008)

The billionaire investor said he has not spoken to the Microsoft co-founder 'at all' since details of Gates' past association with the disgraced financier resurfaced (Bill Gates, Melinda Gates, and Warren Buffett in 2006)

When asked whether he remained close friends with Gates, Buffett spoke warmly about their longstanding friendship (Warren Buffett and Bill Gates flip over their Dairy Queen Blizzard treats in 2010)

'It is astounding to me that anyone could be that successful as a con man,' Buffett said.

'Men are going to like sex... and some of them are going to like not paying taxes, and he figured out their weaknesses,' Buffett said.

'That guy must have been the con man of all time,' Buffett said. 'He had a way of conning everybody.'

Buffett added that Gates might have invited him to New York to meet Epstein, but fortunately never did.

'I got him to thank for not doing that,' Buffett said. 'But you can't get away from what happened either.'

Gates's past ties to disgraced financier Epstein have come roaring back into the spotlight following the release of the Epstein files, which shed fresh light on his network of powerful contacts.

The documents have revived questions about why Gates continued meeting Epstein in the years after his 2008 conviction, including visits to his homes.

Gates has previously insisted the encounters were tied to philanthropy, but has admitted it was a serious error in judgment.

Join the discussion What do you make of Warren Buffett distancing himself from Bill Gates?

Buffett spoke extensively about the notorious sex offender Epstein, whose ties to Gates and other prominent figures have caused significant fallout (Bill Gates and Warren Buffett)

Buffett added that Gates might have invited him to New York to meet Epstein, but fortunately never did (Warren Buffett and Bill Gates in 2015)

Gates's past ties to disgraced financier Epstein have come roaring back into the spotlight following the release of the Epstein files (Jeffrey Epstein and Bill Gates)

Gates recently issued a furious response after files released in January alleged that he slept with Russian girls, got a sexually-transmitted disease and asked for antibiotics to give to his then-wife Melinda.

In a rare statement that conveys the depths of his anger over the latest release of files, a spokesperson for the Microsoft billionaire told the Daily Mail: 'These claims are absolutely absurd and completely false.

'The only thing these documents demonstrate is Epstein's frustration that he did not have an ongoing relationship with Gates and the lengths he would go to entrap and defame.'

Meanwhile, the relationship between Gates and Buffett began in the early 1990s after an introduction arranged by mutual acquaintances, despite Gates initially being skeptical about meeting the famed 'Oracle of Omaha.'

The pair quickly bonded over their shared passion for business strategy, competitive thinking, and philanthropy, forming one of the most influential alliances in modern corporate history.

Over the years, Buffett became a trustee of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, donating tens of billions to support its global health and education initiatives.

Their close relationship has also extended beyond boardrooms, with the two frequently seen playing bridge together and publicly championing the Giving Pledge, urging fellow billionaires to give away the majority of their wealth.
Jamie Dimon has issued a blunt rebuke to blue state leaders - warning high taxes and declining quality of life are driving a huge exodus of people and companies.

The JPMorgan boss said residents and businesses are increasingly leaving states such as New York and California in search of lower costs and a better life.

Its also individual taxes, state taxes, corporate taxes, and it drives people out, Dimon said. Theres a huge exodus taking place.

All you have to do is look at California versus Nevada and New York versus Florida.'

Dimon warned that policymakers pushing higher taxes on the wealthy, as is happening in Washington state, risk accelerating the problem.

And very often people think they're being moral by doing that, but they're not. What they're doing is they're hurting your own city, he said in an interview on Fox & Friends. People vote with their feet.

If higher taxpayers leave, the income of a state or city falls.

The comments come as a growing number of major firms shift operations away from traditional blue-state hubs.

Jamie Dimon appears on Fox & Friends as he issues a blunt warning to blue states over people and companies fleeing

On Monday, it emerged private capital giant Apollo Global is weighing plans to establish a second US headquarters in the South, with most future hiring expected to take place outside New York.

The move would place Apollo among a wave of financial heavyweights drifting away from New York.

Florida has already attracted firms such as Citadel and Elliott Management, while banks including Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan are expanding their presence in Texas.

Meanwhile, Yamaha Motor is relocating its longtime headquarters from Cypress, California, to Kennesaw, Georgia, after nearly five decades.

Oil giant Exxon Mobil is moving its corporate registration from New Jersey to Texas, aligning its legal home with its existing headquarters in Spring, Texas.

A growing number of US companies are packing up and heading south, leaving some of the nation's traditional blue-state business hubs in search of lower costs and friendlier regulatory climates.

Yamaha's departure marks one of the latest corporate exits from California.

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Charleston is one of the cities benefiting as Americans vote with their feet and leave blue states behind

At the same time, millions of Americans are making similar moves.

Nearly 15 million people relocated in 2025, with cheaper states in the South and Mountain West seeing the biggest influx.

States such as South Carolina, Tennessee and Idaho are attracting new residents with lower taxes, cheaper housing and more space.

Meanwhile, expensive coastal states including California, New York and Massachusetts are seeing significant outflows.

Dimon made the remarks during a wide-ranging interview on Fox in which he also warned Wall Street is watching for signs that something can go wrong as global risks weigh on markets.
THE SNAPSHOT

Dalhousie is helping to prepare Canadas defence community for AI-supported command and control, including fast developing Arctic surveillance scenarios, by simulating how humans and intelligent systems make decisions together under pressure.

THE CHALLENGE: A tidal wave of data

On a computer screen in a human performance lab at Dalhousie, the Arctic is alive with movement. A myriad of colourful symbols representing vessels of all sorts and origins transit newly accessible waters. Signals blink. Data streams in from sensors scattered across the northern expanse.



Command-and-contron simulation in Dalhousies Cognitive and Motor Performance Lab. (Cody Turner photo)

The map is a command-and-control simulation. No classified systems are running. No real-world decisions are being made. But the cognitive processes under scrutiny mirror a challenge Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) is grappling with.

The Arctic is rapidly emerging as an area of geopolitical interest. Melting sea ice is opening new shipping routes. Vessel traffic is increasing. The complexity of its defence is deepening. At the same time, sensing technologies are proliferating and becoming significantly more sophisticated, generating a tidal wave of data that must be integrated, interpreted, and acted on.

Were looking at a new space, a new future operating theatre. And regardless of whether thats the Arctic or somewhere weve worked before, these operational areas are just going to be more complicated, says Dr. Aren Hunter, head of the Maritime Science Experimentation and Analytics (M-SEA) Section at DRDC. Theres just going to be a bunch of new data thats going to end up in the hands and in the minds of operators. At some point, you hit a ceiling.



Marine Technician, Master Seaman Mathieu Allard-Audet responds to engineering emergency drills on board HMCS HALIFAX. (Corporal Braden Trudeau, Trinity - Formation Imaging Services photo)

But a potential relief valve has emerged. Industry is developing AI-supported decision-support tools to help operators manage complexity. One of them is Cognitive Shadow, developed by Thales, a multinational defence, aerospace, and cybersecurity company.

The AI platform under consideration by DRDC, has the capacity to learn human decision-making processes and patterns to provide real-time support to operators, says Dr. Daniel Lafond, a lead scientist at cortAIx, Thaless AI accelerator. This provides a security net for human decision making in contexts of high ambiguity, cognitive overload, and mental fatigue.

The promise is significant. The work now lies in translating that promise into systems operators can trust, use, and rely on under real-world conditions.

THE SOLUTION: Getting into the head of the armed forces

Dr. Heather Neyedli, who leads Dalhousies Cognitive and Motor Performance Lab, says that while the algorithms that drive Thaless AI are undoubtably important, successful integration into live command-and-control environments also requires a deep understanding of how the platform will be adopted and used by operators.



Dr. Neyedli fits a participant with an eye-tracking device that reveals how they process on-screen information.

Together with DRDC, Thales and Laval University, and supported by an NSERC Alliance grant, Dr. Neyedli is leading a research program that uses command-and-control simulations to examine how humans and intelligent systems interact under pressure. She explains that its work that would be difficult to conduct using classified platforms or the scarce time of senior operational personnel.

We almost never deal directly with military subject-matter experts, says the cognitive psychology scientist, who is a professor in Dal's School of Health and Human Performance. Theyre really hard to get hold of, and they may not be able to speak openly about specifically what they do.

Instead, Dr. Neyedlis team aims to reproduces something more fundamental.

What we do is create simulations that replicate the task that the actual experts do, but in a way that can be understood by a more general population, she says. Were not recreating the classified system. Were recreating the thinking.

THE WORK: Simulating tomorrows decisions

For Arctic surveillance, that means imagining a future environment that is not yet fully realized.

Were asking what the Arctic looks like twenty years from now, Dr. Neyedli says. What kinds of vessels are there? What kinds of sensors are feeding information into the system? What kinds of uncertainty does an operator have to deal with?



A participant navigates a simulation.

Participants are placed into these simulated control-centre environments. Information arrives from multiple sources. Decisions must be made about when to act on the advice of the AI, when to wait, when to confer with fellow participants, and when to question the guidance of the system.

There are a lot of things we want to understand deeply about how this technology affects human behaviour. But we just cant do that work ourselves at scale, says Dr. Hunter. Being able to say, Heather, can you go investigate this? and then take what she finds and validate it with the operational community  thats incredibly valuable for us.

Dr. Neyedli says the findings are taken back to the designers at Thales to help shape decisions in areas like what information operators need in a given moment, how displays can be refined to reduce workload, and where clearer cues can support more accurate judgment.



Dr. Heather Neyedli

Dr. Lafond says that Dalhousie and Dr. Sebastien Tremblays Co-DOT Lab at Laval are also helping Thales improve Cognitive Shadow by investigating new self-monitoring capabilities that enable the platform to recognize situations where it tends to be less reliable. The AI can then inform the human operator, to avoid overreliance that can result in errors in specific situations.

THE IMPACT: AI for the Canadian context

Beyond technical performance, the research is also helping to shape how Canada thinks about AI-supported defence systems that meet the specific needs of its personnel. For Dr. Hunter, working with Dalhousie to adapt Thaless technology for the Canadian context helps to ensure the tools are grounded in Canadian operational realities.



Dr. Aren Hunter and LCdr Shawn Stacey discuss a DRDCdeveloped underwater battlespace awareness tool. Photo provided.

It makes me feel more confident that we are looking to ourselves for solutions in this area for the Canadian Armed Forces, says Dr. Hunter. It is so critical that we have control over this space.

This emphasis extends beyond the technology itself, to the knowledge base the technology is trained on. Dr. Hunter says its essential that the platform be developed to serve and learn from Canadian operators in order to make it relevant and trustworthy for the people in uniform who will eventually use it.

Canadian military situations are different. Theres something unique about the spaces we work in and might be working in the future, such as the Arctic, says Dr. Hunter. So, when we look at how we operate now and, in the future, we do need our defence AI solutions to be based on Canadian knowledge and experiences.
This year's winners of Dal's top student leadership honour provide a compelling snapshot of what meaningful impact looks like at the university right now. These four individuals have shaped communities and conversations about accessibility in medical training, human connection in care, peer mental-health advocacy and inclusive leadership. Get to know Dal's Board of Governors' Award recipients for 2025-2026, announced at the Imapct Awards Wednesday (March 26), below.

Redefining what's possible in medicine



RJ Roggeveen

Third year, Doctor of Medicine (MD) When RJ Roggeveen received his acceptance letter to Dalhousie Medical School, the moment carried both excitement and uncertainty: what would medical school look like as a learner with a disability, and would it truly be possible to succeed? Getting that acceptance letter felt like Dalhousie also believed we could make this work, he recalls. It was one of the most amazing days for me. The medical schools first fulltime wheelchair user, RJs journey has been shaped by advocacy grounded in lived experience and strengthened by community. RJ worked with an interprofessional team to create policies and procedures for wheelchair users in the operating room. These policies supported RJs successful completion of his surgical rotations and are in place for future medical student success. Beyond the classroom, he cofounded the Disabled Not Dead Society, a Nova Scotia nonprofit focused on peer support and mentorship for individuals living with mobility limitations and chronic pain. Being part of a community where we connect, build skills, and support one another keeps me energized and grounded, he says. Thats been especially important during clerkship. RJ, who is Metis from Kelowna, B.C., also finds support through the Indigenous Medical Student Society, where shared learning with peers informs his approach to caring for Indigenous patients. Now in his third year, RJ is focused on turning his experiences into practical tools for others. With the confidence gained through training, he hopes to develop educational videos that demonstrate how clinical skills can be adapted for learners with disabilities. I want to continue pushing inclusion in medicine and health care, especially for young people with disabilities, so they know this is a possible career path, he says. Now that Im further along in clerkship, I feel like I have something concrete to contribute.  Kate Rogers

Healing through compassion, care, and music

Sherry Eskander

Third year, Doctor of Medicine (MD)



When Sherry Eskander thinks back to what led her to pursue medical school, one moment stands out: her time as an advanced medical first responder on campus. We were at an event, one of the patients required urgent care but a lot didnt go as planned and the ambulance was delayed, says Eskander. Everything turned out OK, but it was in that moment that I knew I wanted to do more. Receiving her acceptance letter only deepened the feeling. Thats when it really hits you. Its the beginning of the opportunity to support people when theyre vulnerable and give them the compassionate care you would like your family to receive. Eskander says creating space and opportunities for students to connect with each other and with the communities they serve drives her work. One way Eskander herself connects with patients is through music. In 2023, she founded the Artful Wellness Program, leading art-based wellness activities, workshops and events. She also re-established the Music in Medicine Band program, which performs concerts in hospitals and nursing homes, providing therapeutic music experiences for patients. What really drew me in the early stages of learning an instrument was the joy and peace music can bring, she says. There are unspoken words and emotions that each of us carries, and music can be a way to express, process, and heal. Eskander also coordinates the Teddy Bear Clinic school program, has coordinated the newcomer health preschool eye clinic, worked as a swim instructor for children with disabilities, and served as pre-clerkship liaison for Operation Smile, a program that advocates for children born with cleft palate conditions. Asked what advice she would give prospective medical school applicants, Eskander  a former member of the Dalhousie medical school admissions committee says to be yourself. It may sound cliche, but its essential to take the time to reflect and understand who you areyour values, motivations, and goals. At the end of the day, thats whats being accepted  a person who will use their talents and knowledge, as well as their energy and passion.  Tanis Trainor

Championing student wellness and support

Evan Treffler

Third year, BSc in Medical Sciences Evan Trefflers busy schedule could easily feel overwhelming, but the Medical Sciences student says theres a reason it doesnt: he makes sure he spends time on stuff he cares deeply about. There are his studies, of course, and his multiple jobs and volunteer commitments, which are all dedicated to supporting others in the community  particularly his fellow students. Evan serves as Dals first-ever wellness champion and co-president of Dals chapter of Jack.org, a Canadian charitable organization focused on youth mental health. There are a lot of ways we can support each other and foster peer support, he says. Even small things, like checking in with a friend or letting someone know theyre not alone, can help students face the challenges in their lives. Evan aims to empower others in all he does. My goal is to help students learn the skills and find the supports and resources they need to navigate their university experience and beyond, says Evan, who organized Januarys Mental Health Awareness Week with Dalhousie Student Health & Wellness. Evans efforts extend beyond campus, too. Earlier this year, he participated in a Mental Health Commission of Canada roundtable, contributing student perspectives to the National Standard for Mental Health and Well-Being for Post-Secondary Students. Born and raised in Bedford, Evan hopes to remain in Nova Scotia after graduation and eventually practice family medicine, bringing mental health advocacy into his everyday work as a physician. Hes already getting recognized for his impact in the province. In December 2025, he received the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission Youth Award. If I can support people both physically and mentally, and do my part for the community, thats something Id be honoured to do.  Kenneth Conrad

Empowering youth through inclusive action

Wateen Sadek

Fourth year, BSc in Neuroscience Wateen Sadeks leadership bona fides are extensive  student council co-president in high school, summer camp instructor for Dalhousies SuperNOVA, peer mentor for Together@Dal, and the list goes on. But her approach to leadership shifted when she joined the Dalhousie Student Leadership Academy in her third year. I learned that I do not need to change who I am to fit a certain image of a leader, she says. Its about embracing who you are, owning your voice, and leading in a way that is grounded in your values. Leading this way helps you create space for others to do the same, she adds. It builds trust, fosters genuine connection, and makes leadership more human and impactful. Wateens commitment to building genuine connections has defined many of her academic and extracurricular pursuits, including her role as a peer educator with Dals Office for Equity and Inclusion. She often draws upon her own life experiences for guidance. Born in Toronto, she then spent 12 years living in the United Arab Emirates. I was exposed to diverse identities, perspectives, and lived experiences, she says. It helped me better understand what genuine inclusion and belonging should look like in practice  not just as a concept, but as something intentionally created. She answered a need to support middle-school youth interested in STEM in her role as senior outreach director for the Dalhousie Science Scholars & Leaders Society by co-founding a tutoring program. Such early intervention can support students before they disengage, build their confidence, and expose them to unforeseen opportunities. Our goal is to support students early on in ways that empower them to become changemakers, so they can carry that impact forward and uplift others, creating a lasting ripple effect across future generations, she says.  Graeme Gunn
Tom Petty tribute band the Petty Thieves debuting at Brightside in Dayton

The group will perform Damn the Torpedoes front to back alongside other hits from Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.
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Tell me where you drink, and Ill tell you who you are! This could be the motto of this book. Munich insider Christian Rupprecht takes you on a tour around the worlds biggest beer festival, lovingly described and peppered with numerous anecdotes.

Which celebrities frequent the Kafer tent and who prefers to sit in the Braurosl? Where can you find the tourists, and where does the wealthy elite gather? Where does everyone want to be, and where should you avoid getting lost?

Numerous interviews with Oktoberfest hosts, security guards, waiters and many more complete Inside Wiesn, making it an indispensable guide to your Oktoberfest visit, taking you along the secret paths and revealing to you the unwritten laws of Theresienwiese.
Derry City and Strabane District Council is encouraging residents, businesses and community organisations to share their views on its draft Corporate Improvement Objectives for 2026/27.

The Council is keen to ensure that its priorities for the year ahead reflect the needs and ambitions of local people and is inviting feedback through a public consultation process, which closes at 12 noon on April 27th 2026.

The draft Improvement Objectives set out five key priority areas for the year ahead, focusing on inclusive growth, health and wellbeing, environmental enhancement, economic partnership and customer service improvement.

These include continuing to drive forward its ambitious 711m Capital Development Programme, including City Deal and Inclusive Future Fund projects, creating opportunities for inclusive growth across the district.

Council also aims to improve participation in high-quality leisure, sport and physical activity, particularly among underrepresented groups. Targets include engaging 8,000 participants from all backgrounds per year in a wide range of activities.

READ NEXT: Leading barrister Michael Mansfield addresses court in Palestine vigil case

Council will continue working to protect and promote the districts natural and built assets, while enhancing and safeguarding the local environment. Plans also include the establishment of a Local Economic Partnership, development of an agreed action plan, and delivering the first year of the action plan.

Overall Council aims to enhance customer support services and processes by monitoring and reporting on complaints handling across all service areas and ensuring services and information are accessible

Encouraging the public to take part in the consultation, Derry City and Strabane District Council Chief Executive John Kelpie stressed that public feedback on the draft objectives is essential. Derry City and Strabane District Council is firmly committed to delivering on continuous improvement, he said.

This consultation process is important in gauging opinion that in turn helps us bring about improvements across all areas of our work. We look forward to hearing the views and opinions of the public and would encourage everyone to view the plan and provide their feedback.

Feedback can be submitted by via the survey link.

Alternatively you can email improvement@derrystrabane.com with your comments or contact the Council by phone at 028 71 253253 Ext 4266.

The consultation closes at noon on Monday, April 27.
A delivery driver in Northern Ireland was forced at gunpoint to drive his vehicle to a police station sparking a major security alert, a senior police officer has said.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the forces specialist terrorism unit were leading the investigation into the incident in Lurgan, Co Armagh on Monday night.

The white Audi at the centre of the alert was abandoned at Church Place close to the police station, sparking a significant security operation with roads closed and residents of nearby homes evacuated.

The incident has been condemned by political representatives across the spectrum, including Secretary of State Hilary Benn and deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly as a reckless act of violence.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart has suggested dissident republicans may be responsible.

The roads in the centre of the town reopened later on Tuesday morning, and residents were able to return to their homes, while the white Audi was taken away at around 11am.

A cordon at the front gate of the police station was removed at around midday following a final finger-tip search of the front section by a number of officers.

I utterly condemn the reckless act of violence overnight in Lurgan directed at the police, which forced dozens of families from their homes and put peoples lives at risk. There is no place for this in NI, and those responsible must be held to account.  Hilary Benn (@hilarybennmp) March 31, 2026

Posting on the social media platform X, Mr Benn said: I utterly condemn the reckless act of violence overnight in Lurgan directed at the police, which forced dozens of families from their homes and put peoples lives at risk.

There is no place for this in NI, and those responsible must be held to account.

Ms Little-Pengelly also condemned the incident, which she described as deeply disturbing and serve no purpose other than to endanger lives and hold society back.

I want to place on record my sincere gratitude for the police officers who responded with speed, professionalism, and courage in dealing with this incident, and thinking too of those threatened in this incident, she said.

This incident has also caused significant disruption to local residents, and undoubtedly fear and concern through the night. Thinking of all those resident, employees and others impacted.

I would appeal to anyone with information about the incident to bring it to the PSNI immediately.

The alert began around 10.30pm on Monday night.

Mr Henderson told the BBC: At about 10.30pm last night, a fast food delivery driver was driving their white Audi car in the Deramore Drive area of Kilwilkie in Lurgan.

The driver, in a terrifying development, was forced to stop their vehicle and threatened at gunpoint, and then the hijackers placed an object inside the vehicle and that driver was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station.

Mr Henderson said the officer drove to the station and then alerted police.

He added: Since then there has been a really significant policing operation which we have been coordinating overnight to make sure the car and the contents of the car were secure and safe.

That has led to the evacuation of a number of homes in the area.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car, hugely disruptive and distressing event for the local community in Lurgan.

Our specialist terrorism investigation unit have been leading the investigation into it.

Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long has described it as a shameful and dangerous attack

There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour, she said.

I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.

Ms Lockhart said it was a very serious incident.

She added: It cannot be understated the seriousness of it, but the resolve of this community against these individuals has been something else and I want to reassure the community that we will continue to call it out.

I want to assure them they can come forward to the PSNI, they can report anything they have seen.

These individuals are pathetic, they need to be apprehended by the police and to face the full rigours of the law.

Asked who she thought was responsible, the DUP MP said: My understanding is that it is dissident republicans, they are small in number.

There is a small nucleus that want to drag this place back.

This screams of the past, it is like something you may have reported on years ago.

It is not wanted, we have seen widespread disruption, we have seen business impacted, people put out of their homes and that is not what we want in 2026.

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said: Police have now confirmed a suspicious object was placed in a vehicle which was left outside Lurgan police station.

The actions of those involved stand in stark contrast to the scenes in Lurgan only two weeks ago when thousands gathered to celebrate St Patricks Day, with a parade and family fun day.

Those scenes of joy and hope are what Lurgan and its people are about.

Those behind this mornings actions represent no one but themselves, and stand isolated from the community.

Progress will not be stymied by these people, Lurgan will continue to move forward.

I want to once again thank all those who helped and offered shelter to those families who were out of their homes as a result of this alert.

And I want to offer my solidarity to the van driver who went through a terrifying experience.

Alliance Party deputy leader Eoin Tennyson said his thoughts were with all those who had been impacted.

He said: The kind of panic, trauma and disruption caused by this attack is a stark reminder of the dark days of our past, days we will not allow ourselves to be dragged back to by those who only stand to cause our communities harm.

SDLP leader Claire Hanna said: It was a completely reckless act and we could have been waking up to a very different situation today.
The Stormont Executive has called for urgent action from the UK Government to address a funding crisis facing the community and voluntary sector in Northern Ireland.

In a joint statement, the ministers in the powersharing Executive called on Northern Ireland Secretary Hilary Benn to ensure the Local Growth Fund receives a realistic resource allocation immediately.

The UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) will be replaced by the Local Growth Fund on April 1.

In 2023, EU funding to charities and community groups in Northern Ireland from its European Social Fund (ESF) was ended because of Brexit.

It was replaced by the UKSPF which will in turn be replaced by the Local Growth Fund.

That new fund has a 70/30 capital-to-revenue split, resulting in funding cuts to the voluntary and community sector.

This has led to warnings of service cuts and job losses within the sector.

On Monday, trade union Unison said the Northern Ireland Assembly needed to take immediate and decisive action.

But Executive ministers said they had been raising concerns for many months, including with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

A statement said: We understand the depth of anger and frustration across the voluntary and community sector because these services are lifelines for many individuals and communities locally and the current position is neither sustainable nor fair.

We have been raising these concerns for many months, including directly with the Prime Minister.

We also wrote to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, Steve Reed, urging him to act as a matter of urgency to address the current funding constraints and provide a more appropriate resource allocation.

We made clear the serious consequences these decisions are having. It is therefore deeply disappointing that, to date, this has not been met with the level of response or engagement required.

The statement had been discussed multiple times at Executive meetings, including last week.

It added: We continue to engage with the voluntary and community sector and believe there is still time for the Secretary of State to protect and ensure that the highly valued organisations within it can continue to deliver interventions that support people and drive economic growth.

With one voice, we continue to urge the Secretary of State to ensure the Local Growth Fund receives a realistic resource allocation immediately.

The Executive stands firmly with those calling for a fair and sustainable funding position and we will continue to make that case in the strongest possible terms.

A UK Government spokesperson said: Under the new Local Growth Fund, Northern Ireland will receive 45.5 million in each of the next three years, the same as it received under the previous fund in 2025/26.

This new funding is on top of a record 19.3 billion annual funding settlement announced for Northern Ireland last May.

It is also additional to the 370 million announced at the Budget and the further 379 million in resource funding announced by the Chancellor on Tuesday March 3.

It is for the Executive to determine how this money is allocated.

UK Government ministers have been engaging extensively with the community and voluntary sector, and also seeking to work with the Northern Ireland Executive to provide organisations with the clarity they need to plan for the coming year.
Education Minister Paul Givan and Health Minister Mike Nesbitt have apologised for the distress caused by an announcement that special school summer schemes would not go ahead this year.

MLAs told a recalled Assembly that the U-turn on the withdrawal of summer schemes was emblematic of Executive chaos, and that vulnerable children and their families should not be used as pawns.

Mr Givan acknowledged the announcement that the summer schemes could not go ahead was disruptive and difficult for parents and special school pupils.

I regret the distress it caused and on behalf of all involved, I apologise to them, he told the Assembly.

He said some politicians were looking to exploit the issue and accused Sinn Fein of using children to pursue their vendetta against Israel and Donald Trump.

Mr Nesbitt told the Assembly: I want to offer an unconditional apology to the families for the 24 hours of unnecessary stress and distress.

The Assembly was recalled after it emerged on Thursday that the summer schemes, which provide support for children with additional needs during the summer break, would not take place this year over concerns about the healthcare available for pupils.

The Education Authority (EA) said nursing-led support was needed at the schemes and would not be provided, while the Department of Health said onsite registered nursing provision was not needed at all sites.

After public and political backlash, the EA announced 24 hours later that the summer schemes would go ahead.

The Department of Health said it would provide nursing support at each summer scheme site after discussions between the EA and the departments of education and health.

Mr Givan credited the intervention of Mr Nesbitt after he directed his officials for the correct outcome to be delivered after months of engagements with health officials.

Speaking in the Assembly on Tuesday, Alliance deputy leader Eoin Tennyson said to pull the rug on the schemes was an appalling dereliction of duty by Mr Nesbitt and Mr Givan.

He said the announcement had slipped out just as the Assembly broke for recess knowing full well the chaos that would ensue for families.

He said a public backlash should not have been necessary to resolve the issue and the resolution within 24 hours exposes just how shambolic and blase the approach has been to these vital schemes.

He added that the Assembly was recalled to give voice to the frustrations felt by parents, by schools and by the wider public and families should not be used as pawns in a game of political chicken between two ministers.

Sinn Fein MLA Cathy Mason said the cancellation of summer schemes was nothing short of a disgrace and it was a crisis of the ministers own making.

She accused Mr Givan of chasing pet projects by visiting Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories rather than focusing on the most vulnerable children here at home.

The SDLPs Colin McGrath said the issue was a stain on this Executive with ministers blaming each other before they had to bow to public pressure.

TUV MLA Timothy Gaston said summer schemes for children with special educational needs are not an optional extra.

Dont try to tell me that this whole thing doesnt stink, he said.

The whole sorry episode boils down to nothing more than a political game, shamelessly using the most vulnerable children in our society and their families as pawns.

People Before Profit MLA Gerry Carroll said the issue was a masterclass in Executive chaos and parents bore the weight of Mr Givans abject failure.

Speaker Edwin Poots said at the beginning of proceedings that the issue was a serious one and the debate should not be used just for taking lumps out of each other.
Indosat Ooredoo Hutchison CEO Vikram Sinha highlighted how the Indonesian operator is transforming itself from a traditional telecoms provider into an AI-driven technology company.

But while much of the global discussion around AI focuses on performance gains or enterprise innovation, Sinha emphasised a different priority: ensuring the benefits of AI reach every Indonesian.

With a population of around 280 million people spread across more than 17,000 islands, Indonesia presents both a massive opportunity and a complex connectivity challenge. For Indosat, Sinha argued that AI could play a crucial role in accelerating the countrys digital development and supporting its ambitions to become a developed nation by 2045. However, that progress will only matter if the technology is accessible beyond major cities.

Our approach is AI for all, he said during a media session at MWC Barcelona. AI should be a great equaliser.

To put that into practice, Indosat has begun deploying AI initiatives outside Indonesias largest urban centres. One example is the companys experience centre in Jayapura, in eastern Indonesia.

Rather than launching pilot projects in Jakarta or other established technology hubs, Indosat chose Jayapura to demonstrate how AI-powered tools can improve healthcare outcomes in remote areas. According to Sinha, local doctors are already using AI-driven applications to analyse data and make more accurate diagnoses, particularly in regions where medical resources are limited.

The move sends a broader signal about the companys strategy. Instead of concentrating AI innovation in wealthy areas, Indosat wants to use the technology to close gaps in access to services.

AI has to help the most deserving, Sinha said.

Delivering that vision requires more than applications. It also demands new digital infrastructure capable of supporting AI workloads across the country.

Indosat has been investing in data centres and high-performance computing capacity as part of a broader strategy to build what it describes as an AI ecosystem for Indonesia. The company is also working with global partners such as Nvidia and Google Cloud to secure access to advanced computing platforms and GPU supply chains.

A key component of this strategy is the development of the Sahabat AI platform. Rather than competing directly with global generative AI models, the platform focuses on Indonesia-specific use cases, including local languages and cultural context. The goal is to ensure that AI systems can understand the linguistic diversity of the country, from Bahasa Indonesia to regional languages such as Javanese and Sundanese.

The platform is also designed to act as an innovation hub for startups, developers and researchers, allowing them to build applications tailored to local needs.

Beyond centralised infrastructure, Indosat is also exploring how AI capabilities can be distributed closer to users.

Through investments in AI-powered radio access networks (AI RAN), the company is working towards what Sinha describes as an AI grid. The concept would allow computing power to be distributed across thousands of network sites throughout Indonesia, bringing AI processing closer to end users.

With around 55,000 network sites across the country, this approach could eventually create small AI factories even in rural areas, enabling low-latency applications such as digital tutoring, agricultural support tools for farmers, or remote healthcare services.

For Indosat, this edge-based approach is another way to ensure AI does not remain concentrated in major data centres or urban markets.

The operator is also prioritising practical use cases that deliver immediate benefits for its customers. One early example is an AI-driven system designed to detect and block spam and scam messages.

Working with partners, Indosat has trained AI models on its infrastructure to identify fraudulent communications. In the first six months of deployment, the system has already blocked billions of spam messages and flagged millions of suspected scammers.

For Sinha, solutions like this show how AI can improve everyday digital experiences while protecting users from online threats.

Connecting people is no longer enough, he said. We also need to protect them.

Despite the heavy focus on infrastructure and technology, Sinha stressed that the biggest challenge for Indonesias AI ambitions is human talent.

Indosat is therefore working with universities, technology companies and industry partners to train more AI specialists and developers. Building local expertise, he said, will ultimately determine whether Indonesia evolves from a technology consumer into a creator of digital innovation.

If that happens, Sinha believes AI could play a defining role in the countrys future.

The opportunity is enormous, he said. But it only matters if the benefits are shared by everyone.
Cambodias National Assembly has unanimously approved a draft law targeting telecom and online fraud, marking a major step in the countrys efforts to curb cross-border scam operations and strengthen enforcement frameworks.

The legislation was passed during a plenary session on 30 March; all 112 members voted in favour. As we reported at the time, the cabinet endorsed the draft on 13 March.

It still needs to be formally enacted, but once that happens, Cambodia can claim to have put in place its first dedicated criminal statute addressing telecom fraud and one of the earliest comprehensive legal frameworks of its kind in the region.

Authorities say the law aims to prevent the resurgence of scam operations and reinforce long-term enforcement capacity. But will it?

Penalties certainly seem severe. They range from five or 10 years jail for organising or operating telecom fraud centres to life imprisonment for offenses involving aggravating circumstances such as illegal detention, extortion or murder.

Individuals who recruit or train personnel for scam operations, as well as property owners who lease premises used for fraudulent activities, will be targeted  this includes those who claim not to know about illegal use of their properties.

The question, again, is whether the countrys strictest criminal framework targeting scam networks to date will be effective and verifiable. It has, however, been preceded by other important moves, notably, as we reported in January, the Office of the Communications Authority (OFCA) of Hong Kong and the Telecommunication Regulator of Cambodia (TRC) signing a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to strengthen co-operation in combating scam calls and messages as well as managing spam communications.
If you are planning to shift your home or switch to a modern cooking method, you might find yourself stuck with an old gas cylinder. Many people leave their gas connections idle because the process of returning them seems like a huge task. However, surrendering your LPG connection is a very responsible move that ensures safety and helps you recover your initial deposit money. Regardless of whether you are moving to a new city or simply upgrading your kitchen to a piped gas system, the steps are quite easy to follow. This guide will take you through the entire process to ensure that you can close your account with no issues or confusion.

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Prerequisites to surrender your LPG connection

Before you go to the gas agency, there are a few things you must check. Check out the below mentioned:

You must ensure that you have made payments for the previous refills.

You must ensure that the gas cylinder and the pressure regulator provided by the company are in good condition.

Find the original paper you received when you got the connection.

Documents required

You must carry some documents with you to the distributors office to prove your ownership. Heres everything you need:

The blue book or passbook where your refills are recorded.

Carry your subscription voucher, as the security deposit is mentioned in it.

Identification proof such as an Aadhaar card, voter ID, or passport.

Address proof like your recent electricity bill or rental agreement.

Banking information, like a cancelled cheque or bank passbook, to ensure the funds are deposited into your account.

Also read: Oppo Find X9 Ultra launch date confirmed: Check expected specs, price and everything else we know

How to surrender your current domestic LPG connection

If youre looking to close your domestic LPG connection, then follow the steps below:

1. Launch a web browser and head to your LPG providers website.

2. Log in using your credentials.

3. Find the section called Customer Console or Services.

4. Choose the option to close or surrender your gas connection.

5. Fill out the form and tell them why you want to close it.

6. Upload copies of your Subscription Voucher (SV) and ID proof.

7. Submit the form to get a request number.

8. Either book a pickup for the cylinder and regulator or visit the gas agency with your request number.

9. Give back the cylinder and regulator to the delivery person or office staff.

10. After the process is complete, download the Termination Voucher (TV) from the website.

11. Check your bank account for the refund of your security deposit.

Alternatively, you can also visit mypngd.in > enter your registered mobile number or your 17-digit LPG ID > verify your identity using OTP > select the Surrender Connection > confirm your details and submit the formal surrender request.

Now, the portal will automatically notify your LPG distributor about your surrender request. The distributor will contact you to schedule a doorstep pickup of the cylinder and pressure regulator. Hand over the equipment to the representative and collect the acknowledgement.

Following the handover the distributor will process your security deposit refund electronically to your linked bank account. Download your digital Termination Voucher (TV) directly from the portal for your records.

Also read: Indias Sarvam AI launches Chanakya to power secure, air-gapped AI systems: All you need to know

Benefits of PNG over LPG

Many people are opting for Piped Natural Gas as their source of energy, as this option has many advantages over the traditional cylinder system. Here are some of the benefits:

With PNG, you never have to worry about running out of gas in the middle of cooking. There is no need to book a delivery or wait for a delivery truck.

Since PNG is piped, there is no need to store a heavy, cumbersome cylinder in your kitchen, which gives you extra space.

PNG is lighter than air, so in the event of a leak, it will dissipate quickly into the atmosphere, reducing the risk of a fire, unlike LPG, which will settle on the floor.

You do not pay for the gas in advance. Just like your electricity bill, you receive a bill at the end of the month based on your actual consumption.

You no longer have to deal with the physical strain of moving or checking the weight of a metal cylinder.
It is not uncommon to hear awkward stories about email addresses which no longer suit a particular individuals life. From nicknames to high school jokes, many people have found themselves in awkward situations having to explain their unprofessional Gmail email addresses in job applications or other professional situations. This problem, which has been a nuisance for Gmail users, has been a source of frustration for many, especially since changing a Gmail email address required a new email account to be created while moving all the data manually, a situation which was not only cumbersome but also risky, as it would result in loss of data, emails, and contacts. Google has, however, finally solved this problem, which has been a nuisance for many Gmail users, by allowing users to change their username without losing their data and email account history.

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The announcement was made via Googles official X account, wherein the company announced that users of Gmail in the US are able to update their @gmail.com username while retaining their data. The feature applies across key Google services, including Gmail, Photos, Drive, and more, making it a unified identity update rather than a limited change.

You asked, we delivered. If youre a U.S. Google user, you can now change your account username for tools like Gmail, Photos, Drive and more  while keeping your emails, data and account history. Heres what to know:



1 You can choose any available @gmail.com username.



2 pic.twitter.com/eF2lgbJaFg  Google (@Google) March 31, 2026

Also read: Wikipedia bans AI written content, AI bot protests decision by writing negative blog

One thing to note is that you will not lose your old email address. Instead, you will be able to use it as an alias. This means you will still be able to sign in to your account with your old username and will be able to send or receive emails to or from both of your email addresses.

Google has also put some restrictions in place so that users do not misuse these facilities. A user can change their username once a year; however, a user can make a total of three username changes. Moreover, the new username should be available and should follow standard Gmail naming conventions. There is also an option available for users to go back to their old username if required.

Also read: Motorola Edge 60 Stylus price dropped to under Rs 19,000, should you buy it

Currently, the feature is only supported by users in the United States. In addition to this, Google also hasnt disclosed when it will be made available to other countries such as India in the near future.

How to edit your username in Google

Follow the easy steps below to update your Gmail username:

1. Go to your Google Account settings.

2. Navigate to the personal info section.

3. Find the username or email option.

4. Choose a new available @gmail.com username.

5. Confirm the change and save settings.

Once updated, your new username will be active across all supported Google services while your old one continues to work as an alias.
Keep me signed in

Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Keep me signed in' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site.

Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site.
A 23-year-old man who punched a stranger in the face was sentenced to three months at Dundalk District Court last week.

Adam O'Neill of Brewers Close, Mill Street, Dublin 8 was charged with assault causing harm at the Phoenix Bar, Park Street, Dundalk on April 23rd 2022.

The court heard last Wednesday that the victim called to Dundalk Garda Station on April 30th 2022 to report that he had been assaulted a week earlier by an unknown man and had suffered bruising to his face and damage to his eye socket.

The defendant was subsequently identified from CCTV footage.

Court presenter Sgt. Richie Browne told Judge Stephanie Coggans the victim impact statement was read by Judge Nicola Andrews the previous week, and added the medical report was brief, but there were no lasting injuries and no broken bones.

The defendant had 20 previous convictions including two for assault.

The Defence barrister said his client is the father of a six month old baby, and when a bench warrant was issued for him last year, he wasn't in a good head space.

The lawyer added that the defendant is now off tablets and abstains from alcohol misuse, and has completed a Safe Pass course.

When Judge Coggans remarked that this was an unprovoked assaulted, the counsel replied that it was due to the misuse of drugs and a reliance on alcohol.

After hearing he is serving a two month sentence imposed two weeks ago, the judge said "This is outrageous" and imposed a three month sentence.

At the request of the defence recognizance was fixed in the event of an appeal being lodged.
Louth County Council have been told that vape shops have created an "entire generation of young addicts".

Independent councillor Ciaran Fisher made the comments at the March meeting of Louth County Council in which two motions were put forward calling for the crackdown of vape shops across the county.

Cathaoirleach of the Dundalk Municipal District, Cllr Robert Nash tabled a motion calling for the sale of vapes to fall closely in line with that of tobacco products.

Cllr Nash called for the restriction of "bright neon signs" as well as "products aimed at children".

He told the meeting that it's not just about dealing with shopfronts, but tackling the planning and development regulations.

"Under the planning and development regulations, any corner shop overnight can swap from being a sweet shop to a vape shop," he said.

The Fine Gael councillor said vape shops should have their own "distinct class" which would require a full planning application to be submitted for the change of use of retail premises.

"Its important we deal with this issue head on and from as many angles as possible. We need to make the opening of these premises hard and make the sale of these products as hard as possible," he said.

Cllr Nash added that the "oversaturation of these premises on our streets will not be tolerated."

Cllr Fisher, who also put forward a similar motion said the "nationwide problem" has reached tipping point.

He said vaping has become far more accessible than it once was.

"An entire generation of young addicts that were raising. Weve let the genie out of the bottle with regards to vaping and how weve allowed it to be advertised, we now have to circle back and try claw back some ground on it," he said.

Independent councillor Maeve Yore called for Revenue to investigate vape shops and carry out audits.

"We have a problem with vape shops on our main streets in every town in Ireland.

With the amount of footfall thats in them, theyre not selling vapes. The Government should be proactive rather than reactive and get this issue sorted, and get Revenue to check whats happening in these shops and carry out audits," she said.

Fine Gael councillor Dolores Minogue warned that "we don't even know how bad it is" and said "there's not enough data on it, there's nothing on it".

She called for vape shops to be "locked and put out of town".

Green Party councillor Marianne Butler said the advertising and packaging of vapes "makes them interesting and attractive to children".

Cllr Butler labelled it "disgusting" and said it is doing harm to people.

Read Next: This week's Dundalk Democrat Front Page

Thomas McEvoy, Director of Economic Delivery with Louth County Council acknowledged that there is "an increasing number of vape shops in town centres".

He added that "any lighting or illumination on signage should generally be discreet" although he said there are no restrictions on the colour or illumination for window displays.

Mr McEvoy confirmed that shopfront guidelines are currently under review, and said future updates to the guidelines could include "specific reference to signage for vape shops".

He also said Louth County Council would support any amendments to the regulations that would "exclude vape shops from the definition of a shop" giving the local authority more control over where than can be located.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
Chinese foreign ministry hosts seminar on advancing arms control diplomacy

Xinhua) 10:32, March 31, 2026

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- At a recent seminar hosted by China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, participants engaged in in-depth discussions on advancing multilateralism in arms control, injecting fresh impetus for the international arms control process, a ministry spokesperson said on Monday.

Spokesperson Mao Ning made the remarks at a regular news briefing when responding to a query about the Seminar on Promoting Multilateralism and Advancing Arms Control Diplomacy held in Beijing from March 24 to 27, as well as organized visits to decommissioned nuclear facilities.

Mao added that foreign representatives attending the seminar visited a Chinese nuclear company and also traveled to Chongqing to visit decommissioned nuclear facilities.

"This was an important diplomatic event for China to implement the Global Governance Initiative and the Global Security Initiative, support the UN's role in arms control, and uphold the international arms control system," Mao said.

Participants exchanged views on practicing multilateralism in arms control, the review conference of the parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, governance of emerging science and technology, and the rights of developing countries to peaceful use of science and technology, Mao added.

"These discussions effectively enhanced mutual understanding on arms control policies, deepened strategic mutual trust, and provided new impetus for the international arms control process," Mao said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Keep your ear to the ground, I was told before taking off for a visit to Aidan OBriens Ballydoyle stable. What my friend hoped for was that Id get the names of a few horses worth following this season.

So off we went on Tuesday last, myself and one of the third generation, whos a staunch follower of the OBrien stable.

READ NEXT: Inside Track: The pints were on Parrott, but little else to celebrate on a night of woe

Backs the Ballydoyle runners ante-post and on the day of the races. In fact, if he really fancied one, hed follow it over a cliff, as they say.

Other times, hes just happy to go to a meeting to see the OBrien horses in action, and his day is made even more enjoyable if Ryan Moore is taking the mounts. This was a Christmas present.

It was my second trip to one of the biggest training and breeding establishments in the world.

The last time it was to Coolmore, the breeding wing of the operation. If that was interesting, this was fascinating.

Miles and miles of gallops on surfaces of all kinds, sand, grass and others, all of them meticulously maintained. Manicured, in fact.

The whole estate covers hundreds of acres, and if you were to travel the road that takes in every section of it, youd clock up about 12 miles.

The 40 or so of us who made up the visiting party were there in the afternoon, which meant we didnt see horses in action. Gallops take place in the morning.

But on a visit to the yard named after one of the stables stars of recent years, City of Troy, we saw last years dual Derby winner, Lambourn, being taken out for an evening stroll.

A horse by the name of Albert Einstein, who ran at The Curragh on Saturday last, is expected to follow Lambourn on to the roll of honour.

However, we didnt get to glimpse that one, but his trainer was there to greet us. And, always the gentleman, the Master of Ballydoyle had a handshake and word for each of us.

The thought crossed my mind as I took in the splendour of the place, the attention to detail, and the supreme breeding of the horses: I wouldnt want to go there if I was a small trainer, with maybe a half-dozen in my stable.

Id be asking myself, How can I compete with that?

But then, I might take a more positive look and plan to put into practice the tips I picked up.

As I said earlier, I was looking for tips of the other kind. There was none available, but it was still a memorable outing. My travelling companion was in his element.
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Pictured above: L-R: Evelyn Maris, Deputy Head of Mission and Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; William Holmes, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Noel Stapleton, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Eireann O'Sullivan, Deputy Head of Cooperation, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Liam Guiney, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann; Minister Christopher OSullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity; Ambassador Caitriona Ingoldsby, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya; Caelainn McGrath, Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann ; Sarah Greene , Second Secretary and Consul, Embassy of Ireland, Kenya and Daithi Kearney, DkIT

Dr Daithi Kearney, Director of the Creative Arts Research Centre at Dundalk Institute of Technology (DkIT), recently travelled to Nairobi, Kenya as part of an Irish delegation visit for the St. Patricks Day programme to promote trade and Irelands economy, celebrate our global diaspora and strengthen international partnerships.

The Irish delegation was led by Christopher OSullivan T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with special responsibility for Nature, Heritage and Biodiversity. The Irish delegation engaged in an intensive schedule of meetings and events with Ministers in the Kenyan Government, the Kenyan Irish Society, and local enterprises.

Dr Kearney undertook a number of engagements in Nairobi as both a performer and academic at the invitation of the Irish Ambassador to Kenya, Her Excellency Caitriona Ingoldsby. He joined members of the Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann performing group from Boru Bru including  Liam Guiney (flute, bodhran), William Holmes (uilleann pipes, fiddle), Caelainn McGrath (dance) and Noel Stapleton (button accordion) for several events and activities.

Read also: Order of Malta Dundalk reveals staggering number of duty hours for 2025

He also chaired a special symposium organised by the Irish Embassy in collaboration with the local music organisation Ketebul Music, which was also part of the programme for the 50th anniversary of EU-Kenya relations.

Hosted at the National Theatre in Nairobi, the symposium entitled Muziki Pamoja [Music Together] sought to develop a discussion around three themes of preserve, engage and share.

The morning began with opening remarks from journalist Bill Odidi of the Kenya Broadcasting Corporation (KBC), Daithi and the Irish Ambassador before Daithi joined a group of Kenyan musicians for an improvised performance and later chaired a conversation that examined various instruments and their role in both Kenyan and Irish cultures.

The second session involved a series of discussions. The first, chaired by Professor Andrew J. Eisenberg of New York University Abu Dhabi, explored the significance of tradition and the task of preservation, beginning with the example of the Singing Wells Project presented by Tabu Osusa and the activities of Comhaltas, articulated by Liam Guiney and Noel Stapleton.

This was followed by a participative conversation focused on dance led by Dr Kahithe Kiiru from Bomas of Kenya and Technical University of Kenya, and choreographer Ondiego Onyango. A third session was chaired by Dr Tom Odhiambo of the University of Nairobi and focused on the role of media in recording and dissemination.

On St Patricks Day, the Irish musicians continued their collaboration with Kenyan musicians as part of a research project with Ketebul Music. This involved recording music composed by the participants with a series of interviews reflecting on the participants experience of their own tradition and collaboration in an intercultural context.

The Irish group's visit to Kenya included performances at the St. Patrick's Day Ball, a reception at the Ambassador's residence for the Kenya Young Scientist programme, and events organised by the Irish Society of Kenya. The trip highlighted the strong ties between Ireland and Kenya, with Irish missionaries playing an important role in the region.

The group returned to Ireland with offers to return for future projects, while the whole programme of events underpinned the importance of developing international relationships for both countries.

The trip will lead to a number of outputs including a music video and documentary, further compositions, and a report based on the proceedings of the symposium, which will underpin planning for future partnerships.
Entries to Blas na hEireann, the Irish Food Awards, are now open, calling on producers from across Louth to take part in the biggest competition for quality Irish produce on the island of Ireland. Now entering its 19th year, Blas na hEireann has grown into a benchmark for excellence in Irish food and drink, celebrating the producers who define the countrys dynamic food landscape.

Each year, the awards culminate in a famously buzzy and exciting celebration in Dingle, where the Blas Village transforms the town into a national meeting point for Irelands food community. Producers travel from every corner of the country to gather in the heart of Dingle, showcasing their products, meeting customers, connecting with key industry buyers, and celebrating the very best of Irish produce. For finalists and winners, it is an unparalleled opportunity to place their products on a national stage.

The scale of the awards continues to grow year on year. In 2025, more than 3,000 products were entered, including a significant number of first-time producers, with entries coming from every county in Ireland. The number of food and drink categories has also increased from 170 to over 200 this year.

Bronze, silver and gold awards are presented across the food and drink categories, alongside major accolades including Supreme Champion and Best Artisan Producer.

The judging process, carried out in partnership with UCC, represents the largest blind tasting on the island of Ireland, taking place throughout June and July and ensuring a rigorous, independent assessment of every entry.

Making it as a finalist is a huge achievement and one to be very proud of, says Artie Clifford, Chairperson and founder of Blas na hEireann. The competition ramps up year on year, meaning those producers who are short-listed as finalists really are the creme de la creme of Irish food and drink.

For producers in Louth, participation offers more than the chance to win an award; it is an opportunity to join a national network of like-minded food makers, gain industry recognition and build new connections that can support long-term growth.

Many past finalists credit Blas na hEireann with opening doors to new markets, retail partnerships and export opportunities.

READ NEXT: Enjoy the walk home: Louth Gardai seize cars from reckless boyracers

Entries are now open at www.irishfoodawards.com. An early bird entry rate applies until Thursday April 2nd, with the final deadline for submissions on Thursday May 14th. Finalists will be notified in mid-August, with the Blas na hEireann awards presented on October 2nd as part of the Blas Village celebrations in Dingle, running from October 1st to 4th and featuring networking events, producer showcases, the awards ceremony and the popular Eat Ireland in a Day festival.

Blas na hEireann remains a vital platform for recognising the quality and creativity of Irish food producers and makers are invited to put their products forward and be part of Irelands largest celebration of food and drink.
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Boasting the perfect cocktail of sea views, atmosphere, and a homely feel, the newly-revamped Lighthouse Bar & Bistro has the ideal mix.

It is contained within the Garryvoe Hotel in East Cork, and hotel Managing Director Stephen Belton knows all about the homely atmosphere.

I am in the hospitality business for 40 years and living in Ladysbridge now for 30 years. I am one of the locals! he says.

As I mixed with the locals at the unveiling of the revamped bar on a beautiful, bright March evening, I thought how that homely feel had been present ever since the OBrien family purchased the premises in 1963, turning it into a renowned hospitality business and later expanding in the 1980s and the 2000s.

Stephen, who worked with Francis Brennan in the Park Hotel Kenmare, says he wants the Lighthouse to continue to be a neighbourhood bar.

Weve had members of nearly every local family come to work here at some time or another, says Stephen, whose own three daughters are former employees. We have a tradition of holding onto staff!

Bar manager Josh Kidney and long-time staff member Luis Cristovao at the launch of the revamped new bar & bistro Pictures: Noel Sweeney

The family-owned hotel beside the sea likes to keep it country. The local families through generations, have always enjoyed making memories here for those special occasions, says Stephen.

I want the bar to be a neighbourhood bar where everyone is welcome, where everyone is comfortable and where they feel at home.

Former employee Mary Walsh always felt at home when she worked here from 1976 to 2002.

They were the best days of my life, she says.

Garryvoe was Marys piece of heaven.

Then I moved across the road to the shop! she says.

In its early days, this venue overlooking Ballycotton Lighthouse and five miles of beach was home to tea-rooms and then a boarding house. The Lighthouse has moved with the tides.

But some things never change.

We still have scampi and chips on the menu and the favourite chocolate log! That goes without saying! laughs Stephen.

And the iconic lighthouse still stands proudly, commanding the centre stage in the Lighthouse Bar.

That is always a staple. Its set in stone.

Longevity of staff is a trait here.

Manager of the Lighthouse Bar & Bistro, Farrah Bourke, and managing director Stephen Belton at the launch of the revamped premises earlier this month. Picture: Noel Sweeney

Our chef Kevin OSullivan is with us 20 years. He is very proud of the new surroundings here in the bar and the beautiful restaurant setting.

The bar is popular with locals, day-trippers, walkers, seafarers, fishermen, holidaymakers and sea-swimmers. Why the revamp?

We are always re-developing and moving with the times, says Stephen.

Michael OBrien, the owner of the hotel, and Stephen, felt the same way.

We were itchy! says Stephen. One evening in January we sat down and had a chat about further investment in the Lighthouse Bar. We felt it was worth re-investing in because it is so popular. Local support has always been phenomenal. We wouldnt be here without it. Everyone knows us and thats what makes it special.

The guys and gals working here make it special.

One gal came all the way from New York to manage the Lighthouse Bar.

I worked in New York as a bistro/bar manager, says Farrah Burke. I am in my third year working here now. I love it!

Is she bringing a taste of the Big Apple to Garryvoe?

Yes! We are bringing cocktails to the seaside! says Farrah.

Is the famous Manhattan cocktail on the menu?

Of course it is! says Farrah. You can sample one of our amazing cocktails later on!

Sounds good.

People are beginning to arrive to view the new-look Lighthouse Bar and to sample the delights it has on offer. They are very impressed with the decor and plush seating.

We wanted to say thank you for all the support over the years, says Stephen at the launch.

The bar area is not as large as before.

Drinking trends have changed and we felt a big bar area wasnt necessary, says Stephen.

And we have the Cave Bar out the back.

Our bar menu relies on consistency and quality. Maintaining those two things is the hardest. Thats what we are always after. We are not after Michelin stars.

Hes after the custom of the young people.

They like to hang out, enjoy a bite of food and a few drinks at the weekend, says Stephen. They wont have to travel far or worry about taxis staying local to have a great night out in the comfort of these surroundings. I think the Lighthouse Bar will appeal to them.

From my home nearby, I saw lights on late into the night in recent months when the tradesmen were at work, beavering away to get the Lighthouse Bar picture perfect.

Staff of the newly-revamped Lighthouse Bar & Bistro, from left, Jack Lawton, Carrie Creamer, Aine McGuckian, Kevin Cotter, and Jude Buckley. Picture: Noel Sweeney

The tradesmen are all local, says Stephen. They worked very hard and very late over the last few months to get us over the line.

Nothing went wrong, thank goodness. We had a great team behind us.

Jude Buckley, from Ballymacoda, is waiting patiently with his tray of welcome drinks for the delighted patrons coming here this evening. What does he like about working here?

I saw the bar develop, coming a long way, says Jude, a student at SETU Waterford.

My co-workers are mostly around my own age and from the same area. So, we are all part of the same gang and we relate to one another.

Does he mind being on his feet a lot in the hospitality business?

I come to work early and I leave work early. So, I am happy.

Michael OBrien is another happy man.

After working very hard to get the Lighthouse Bar open before his holiday in Switzerland, Michael says that he is extremely happy, says Stephen.

I was talking to him yesterday and he is delighted with the positive feedback. I know his late dad, John OBrien, would be very proud of him and of his achievements.

Mingling among the smiling faces who are thrilled with their neighbourhood bar, Stephen is on the crest of a wave.

Hard work and staying power. Thats what we have, he says.
We dont know whether anyone in Corks Savoy Cinema on the hottest day in 1946 thought the priest lecturing them on Irelands imprisonment of children would one day be on the road to sainthood, but they applauded politely enough.

Monsignor Edward Flanagan was 59 then, a Roscommon native born on the Galway border in 1886, who had emigrated to the United States at the age of 18. He had become something of an international celebrity when Spencer Tracy portrayed him in the 1938 film Boys Town.

That film was based on Fr Flanagans work with wayward homeless boys, orphaned and destitute in Omaha, Nebraska, where in 1917 he initially founded a home for five boys. Fr Flanagan espoused a radical creed, believing that reformatories were too harsh on vulnerable children, and saying: there is no such thing as a bad boy.

Drawing a firm line between what he was doing and the more traditional borstal model, Flanagan insisted he was not building a prison, saying this is a home .. you do not wall in members of your own family.

From the beginning, there was criticism of the idea that children of different backgrounds, races, religion, classes and circumstances could live together, and Flanagans boss, Archbishop Harty, was initially sceptical, but ultimately, he held faith with his priest.

OVERLOOK FARM

Within a year, the home was catering for more than 100 boys, and better facilities were needed. In 1921, he bought Overlook Farm on the outskirts of Omaha and developed it into a village catering for the abandoned and impoverished children. In time it became known as the Village of Boys Town, and by 1936, the state of Nebraska recognised it as an official village.

Soon Hollywood came calling, and in 1938, a crew arrived at Boys Town to film on location a movie of the same name, starring Spencer Tracy and Mickey Rooney.

The following year, accepting the 1939 best actor Oscar for his portrayal of Fr Flanagan, Tracy said of his subject: I honestly do not feel that I can accept this award. I can accept it only as it was meant to be for a great man - Father Flanagan.

According to Nick Clooney, father of George, in his 2002 book The Movies That Changed Us: Reflections on the Screen, an MGM publicist got a rush of blood and announced that Tracy would donate his Oscar to Flanagan. An unimpressed Tracy growled: I earned the damn thing. I want it.

The Academy scrambled, and a second Oscar was produced, this one for Boys Town. It was inscribed: To Father Flanagan, whose great humanity, kindly simplicity, and inspiring courage were strong enough to shine through my humble effort. Spencer Tracy.

In 1943, Boys Town adopted as a slogan and logo a picture of a boy carrying a younger child on his back, with the phrase He aint heavy, Father, hes my brother. Flanagan would claim it was said to him by a little boy carrying his disabled brother, but in fact the phrase was originally coined by the United Free Church of Scotland  minus the Father - and decades later it would give its name to a Russell and Scott ballad that would become a 1969 hit for the Hollies.

Fr Edward J Flanagan, founder of Boys Town

In 1945, US president Harry Truman sent Flanagan on a fact-finding tour of Europe and Asia, where multitudes of children were orphaned and destitute in the wake of the war, and the trip resulted eventually in the establishment of 80 overseas Boys Towns.

Stopping along the way in his homeland, Fr Flanagan was aghast at what he saw in Irelands industrial schools, condemning them as a scandal, un-Christlike, and wrong.

The country was more obviously pious in those days, but then, perhaps as now, we had a great welcome for ourselves. However, the returning emigrant was not impressed with what he saw in his native land.

On the afternoon of Saturday, July 6, 1946, the celebrity priest gave a public lecture in the Savoy Cinema in Cork, and he didnt spare his audiences blushes.

From what I have seen since coming to this country four weeks ago, your institutions in this country are not all noble, particularly your borstals, which are a disgrace, he said. Your prisons are also a disgrace.

It cant have been comfortable listening for the Cork gathering, and it was also the hottest day of the year  38 degrees, and 21 in the shade, according to the Evening Echo  but his comments were met with applause.

I do not believe that a child can be reformed by lock and key and bars, or that fear can ever develop a childs character, he said.

You are the people of this country, you own this country, not the politicians, and you are the people who can make laws for this country, not the politicians.

You are the people who permit your children and the children of your communities to go into these institutions of punishment. You can do something about it.

Perhaps wise to the offence his comments might give, Flanagan made no apologies, adding: If in trying to help the forgotten boys in reform schools and prisons, whether it be in Ireland or in the United States, is intemperate and offensive, Im afraid Ill have to plead guilty.

The Cork Examiner carried a report on the Cork lecture, and noted that on Saturday night, Fr Flanagan gave a similar talk in Waterford, and the following night spoke in Limerick.

The government of the day  headed by Eamon de Valera  heard of the famous clerics criticisms, but its members were unmoved.

Gerald Boland, the justice minister, announced that he was not disposed to take any notice of what Monsignor Flanagan said while he was in this country, because his statements were so exaggerated that I did not think people would attach any importance to them.

Back home in the US, Father Flanagan addressed his Irish countrymen and women: What you need over there is to have someone shake you loose from your smugness and satisfaction and set an example by punishing those who are guilty of cruelty, ignorance and neglect of their duties in high places . . . I wonder what Gods judgment will be with reference to those who hold the deposit of faith and who fail in their God-given stewardship of little children.

RYAN REPORT

According to the 2009 Ryan Report, between the 1930s and the 1970s, approximately 42,000 children passed through Irelands industrial schools.

Eighty years after Edward Flanagans speech in the Savoy Cinema, the Oberstown Children Detention Campus, which holds children aged 10 to 17 on remand or detention orders, has a maximum capacity of 46, broken down between 40 boys and six girls. Oberstown routinely operates at capacity.

Dr Niall Muldoon, the Childrens Ombudsman, told The Echo there has been considerable progress in Irelands youth justice system over the past quarter century.

However, despite the progress, there is still much more to do to improve the justice system for young people, he said.

Dr Muldoon cited the need to raise the minimum age of criminal responsibility to at least 14 years, for all crimes, in line with UN Convention on the Rights of the Child concluding observations on Ireland from 2023, and European best practice.

He added that there needed to be an improvement in the the provision of after-care support for children leaving detention, and the extension of the Bail Supervision Scheme nationwide.

We are also concerned about the over-representation of children from marginalised backgrounds in the youth justice system, specifically Traveller and Roma children, highlighting the need for more targeted, preventive measures, he said.

Monsignor Edward J Flanagan suffered a fatal heart attack on May 15, 1948, in Berlin. He was 61.

Over the decades since his death, the name of Boys Town has become greatly tarnished, with the organisation suffering financial scandals and multiple allegations of organised sexual abuse. This year, Boys Town was mentioned numerous times in the Epstein Files, but the nature of those mentions remains unclear. No allegations were ever levelled against Fr Flanagan.

In the 1970s, the organisation began its transition to a new model where married couples would care for groups of children, and in 1975 the last of its dormitories closed. In 1979, it admitted its first girls.

In 2012, the Archdiocese of Omaha opened the beatification process for Flanagan, and last week he was recognised for heroic virtues by Pope Leo XIV, granting him the title of Venerable.
Corks Lifelong Learning Festival begins on April 22 and Mayfield librarys varied programme of events features langers and lashes, old dogs and new tricks, yoga, ear acupressure, and more.

Des McHale gets the ball rolling on April 22 at 11am with a talk on Cork Slang. For many years Mr McHale has been collecting examples of one the richest linguistic subcultures on the planet.

His talk will share examples with the audience, especially those showing the equally rich humour of Cork.

On Thursday morning, April 23, at 11am, Mayfield Learning Neighbourhoods celebrates learning across the community with a certificate presentation ceremony and a social get-together of lifelong learners.

Anyone who did a course is invited to come to the ceremony, while others are also welcome.

Two workshops feature the same afternoon: Ear Acupressure for Stress, Sleep and Calm at 2pm, with Celine Dennehy, a nurse and acupuncturist.

This will be followed by Everyday Yoga: Mindful Movement & Intentional Breathwork with Liagh at 3pm.

Spaces are limited for these two, so please book at mayfield_library@corkcity.ie or 021 492 4935.

Friday 24th brings Old Dogs: New Tricks at 12 noon, in which trad musicians Virginia Giglio, Neal Dunnigan and Colin McLean will present their musical story of coming to Ireland through a short, informal talk, live sets, and an enjoyable Q&A.

The six to 12 age group is catered for on Saturday 25th at 2.30 pm with Lets Fold! an origami workshop with Sachiko Kobayashi. Spaces limited here too, so please book.

The librarys April exhibition is Land by Philip Murphy and the artist visits on Tuesday 28th at 11am to talk about his work and reflect on its themes of remote places and human interaction with the landscape.

To wrap up the festival, Mayfield Library presents As Many Sides as Shandon, a blend of reminiscence and music with Jim Williamson, inspired by the life of his grandfather, Bernard Fleming, a Corkman who wore many hats, or in his case caps.
A decision is due on July 9 on two separate appeals against planning permission to build 140 apartments on the site of a notorious Cork mother and baby institution.

Last month, Cork City Council granted permission to Estuary View Enterprises 2020 to demolish almost a dozen buildings at Bessborough in Blackrock, to make way for the apartments.

Between 1922 and 1998, the Sacred Heart nuns ran Bessborough, and in 2021, the Mother and Baby Homes Commission reported 923 child deaths relating to the mother and baby institution.

However, with only burial records existing for only 64 of those children, the commission concluded it was highly likely burials had occurred at Bessborough.

The Bessborough estate, with its centrepiece the late 18th-century manor, originally covered 200 acres.

In the 1970s, the then Cork Corporation purchased 140 acres of the lands, which were later developed as Mahon Industrial Park, LoughMahon Technology Park, and Mahon Retail Park, as well as a section of the N40 road.

Apartments

The 140 apartments which have been granted planning permission are proposed by Estuary View Enterprises 2020, which was behind two previous planning attempts on the site.

The current plans would see the units spread across three blocks, with two blocks comprising a mix of one- and two-bedroom apartments. The proposed third block comprised a mix of 47 one- and two-bedroom units and one three-bedroom unit.

Separate appeals have been lodged with An Coimisiun Pleanala by the Bessborough Mother and Baby Home Support Group and by Labour Party city councillor Peter Horgan.

In its appeal, the Bessborough group described the site as one of profound national significance. It said any groundworks there would risk disturbing human remains.

Landscape of trauma

Mr Horgan, in his appeal, quoted the Bessborough group as previously noting that the site contains a landscape of trauma, loss, and unmarked burials, with survivor testimony indicating burials across the site including the locations of the proposed development.

The appeals come after a failed planning application by the developer last July, when An Coimisiun Pleanala ruled that the proposal did not meet the planning requirements for unit mix.

Just 1% of apartments in the scheme named The Farm were three-bed units, compared to the target of 28% set by Cork City Council.

The commission refused the previous set of plans exclusively because of its unit mix and that it did not adopt a recommendation by its own planning inspector that the application should also be refused planning permission because it was not satisfied that the site was not previously used as a childrens burial ground.

The inspector, Colin McBride, said such a reason had been the basis for An Bord Pleanala to reject two earlier proposed developments in other parts of the Bessborough lands.

The planning commission is due to decide on the appeal by July 9.
Gardai in Cork are appealing for witnesses following an incident of serious assault that occurred in the Ballyphehane area of the city almost two months ago.

A garda spokesperson said the incident occurred on Pearse Road at approximately 6.50pm on Thursday, February 6.

"A male, aged in his 60s, was assaulted by another male who pulled over along Pearse Road and got out of a car. The male in his 60s suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident," said the spokesperson.

Gardai are appealing to anyone who may have information about this incident to come forward.

They are particularly interested in anyone who may have seen a dark coloured vehicle with an 'N' plate on the rear windscreen in the Pearse Road area between 6.30 pm and 7.10 pm the evening in question.

Anyone with camera footage, including dash-cam, is also asked to make that footage available to investigating gardai," said the spokesperson.

Anyone who may be able to assist gardai can contact Togher Garda Station on 021 494 7120, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any garda station.
A judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court will hear the case against a 44-year-old man accused of falsely imprisoning and raping a woman at her home in Cork city while he was carrying two knives.

The case was sent forward from Cork District Court by Judge Mary Dorgan, on the application of Sergeant John Kelleher and now it will be a matter for a date to be set by the Central Criminal Court for a trial.

Detective Garda Patrick Houlihan charged the accused last month with raping the woman at her home in Cork, and he replied: She wanted to have sex with me. I did not do anything against her.

He also said: She agreed with it, she called me there.

Charged with falsely imprisoning the woman and he replied: It is not true.

Solicitor Frank Buttimer represented the accused man in Cork District Court.

The case arose of the investigation of a reported incident at 9am on February 10 2025 at a location in Cork city where it was alleged that a man fled from the scene and was found, with the assistance of a garda helicopter, on waste ground nearby.

It was alleged that a man forced his way into a house where he threatened a woman, who was at home alone with a child, and subjected her to a serious assault, before she fled with her child.

It was further alleged that the woman suffered slash wounds.

Identification of parties to the case is legally prohibited.
A recent outbreak of meningococcal meningitis in Kent in the UK prompted a campaign to vaccinate thousands of young people.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said that 20 cases had been confirmed linked to the outbreak, including tragically two deaths. An additional nine cases remain under investigation.

Dr Sherine Thomas, infectious disease consultant at the UKHSA, said: Its reassuring to have seen so many eligible young people come forward for antibiotics and vaccination, and wed like to thank everyone involved in the effort so far.

To date, more than 12,000 antibiotics and over 8,000 meningitis B vaccines have been administered.

What is very clear is that the genuine fear of risk of infection with a complicated and life-threatening illness is enough to cause previous fears about vaccines to vanish.

It is easy to be hesitant about vaccines when the actual risk of infection is low. When the very real threat of a pathogenic organism occurs, we are left in no doubt about the benefits of vaccines.

In Never Mind The B#ll*cks, Heres The Science, Irelands favourite scientist Luke ONeill says that if you really want to annoy an immunologist, tell them that you havent vaccinated your child.

He describes how vaccines against infectious disease have saved more lives than any other single intervention in medical history  globally preventing two to three million deaths per year.

This is a scientific fact, states Prof ONeill. So is the fact that before vaccination, around 500,000 people caught measles in the U.S, with three in ten having permanent hearing damage as a result. And yet growing numbers of parents are refusing to vaccinate their children.

With these kinds of astonishing results, how could one of the greatest advances in medicine have become so problematic for so many people with such overwhelming evidence in favour of vaccines?

Take measles. While numbers remain low in Ireland, mid-term breaks, Easter, and pending summer holidays are all times of movement both into and out of the country.

The HSE are concerned about the persistently low MMR vaccine uptake (87.6%), that places children at risk of being unprotected if they are exposed to the highly infectious measles virus.

Or polio. For one in every 150 people infected, the virus enters the nervous system, causing headache, back pain, lethargy and a risk of paralysis.

The arrival of the polio vaccine caused numbers of cases in the U.S to drop from 15,000-20,000 of paralytic polio per year to fewer than ten.

Europe was declared polio-free in 2002. Today, only three countries still have polio: Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Nigeria.

If there was a single case of polio in Ireland, you can imagine the rush of parents to vaccinate their children - who had hesitated up to that point.

If safe vaccines are developed, they can spell the end of infectious disease, and in many cases they have.

The 20th century saw the arrival of vaccines against tuberculosis, diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, influenza, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, varicella, meningitis and hepatitis B. Newer vaccines include meningitis B and C, rotavirus, HPV, and shingles.

One by one, diseases that had caused the deaths of millions were being beaten by the vaccines.

And the fight continues. In 2021, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommended the use of a new malaria vaccine for children in regions where it endemic. A second malaria vaccine was WHO-approved in 2023.

The search for a vaccine against AIDS (caused by human immunodeficiency virus) continues.

Another recent success is with Ebola, a lethal disease in parts of west Africa caused by a virus, with an overall mortality of up to 90%. Two WHO-recommended Ebola vaccines have been developed since 2015.

The covid-19 RNA vaccines are the latest leap in the technology. The vaccine utilises RNA from the virus that encodes the spike protein. Once injected, the vaccines facilitate the body making the spike protein of the virus. The immune system responds by making antibodies that bind to the spike protein  stopping the virus entering cells. These antibodies offer protection when exposed to the covid-19 virus.

One target for vaccine hesitancy is the use of vaccine adjuvants  a chemical added to the vaccine to boost the immune response. The use of adjuvants, such as aluminium hydroxide have added to the concerns that vaccines may be harmful.

The reality is that vaccine harm happens rarely. Just how rarely was spelt out in data from the U.S National Vaccine Injury Compensation Claim.

In terms of measles, over 12 years, 126 million doses of the vaccines were used in the U.S, resulting in 284 claims of harms from those vaccinations, with 143 claims receiving compensation.

That means the chance of vaccine harm from the measles vaccine was calculated at 1 in 819,119 ,compared to a one in 500 chance of death in an unvaccinated child exposed to measles, rising to one in ten in a malnourished child.

One reason for vaccine hesitancy is the concern that children can get severely ill afterwards. Prof ONeill suggests that in the vast majority of cases this is a coincidence: one example of this is Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), which happens at the same rate in vaccinated as unvaccinated children.

The anti-vaxx movement got a major boost in 1998 when Dr Andrew Wakefield published a paper in the Lancet, linking the MMR vaccine to autism. This paper was completely debunked just over a decade later in 2010, but the damage was done.

So how can vaccine hesitancy be addressed? Prof ONeill suggests the best way is for doctors to approach a reluctant parent or guardian with empathy and humility.

The doctor might begin with We love all our children. We all want the best for them. I understand that you are not trying to hurt your child. Now lets talk.

Not being judgemental is key. It can be helpful to address misinformation that circulates widely. Some of these beliefs include:

Getting too many vaccines will overwhelm my babys immune system. The amount of material in vaccines is trivial compared to what children get exposed to every day in the natural world

My babys immune system is immature so its safe to delay vaccines. Delaying vaccines increases the real risk of infection.

Vaccines contain chemicals and toxins. Chemicals in vaccines are a fraction of what your child will pick up in the environment

The side effects of vaccines can be worse than the disease. Vaccines have been through rigorous safety testing and are only granted approval from the European Medicines Agency if they have succeeded these testing procedures.

The recent meningococcal outbreak in the UK that tragically claimed the lives of a teenager and a young adult helped to focus minds.

If you are still hesitating about vaccinating your child, consider this bottom line from Luke ONeill: My children were all vaccinated, all health agencies in all countries agree  vaccinate your child.

Dr Catherine Conlon is a public health doctor in Cork.
I put down my phone for a day. Big mistake.

Its not as if Im on it all the time. I dont scroll Instagram watching other peoples perfect morning routines where their children sit calmly at the table, chatting politely over breakfast, fully dressed, fully functioning, and somehow not arguing about hoodies, hair, or whos in the bathroom. Thats not my life.

In my house, breakfast looks like a low-level crime scene and involves at least one person eating standing up, one person late, and someone asking where something is that has been in the same place since 2016.

I dont disappear into YouTube either. Ive quit Facebook. Mostly. I only hop onto Google occasionally just to check what serious illness myself or one of the kids might have developed based on a mild cough, a slightly sore toe, or feeling a bit off since Tuesday.

Google has confidently diagnosed us with everything short of Victorian plague.

So no, Im not on my phone that much. Im basically a digital minimalist.

Except for one tiny, glaring problem: everything else is online. My Pilates work-outs? Online. My meditative music? Online. School emails? Online. WhatsApp? Online. School group chats where 47 messages arrive in 12 minutes about something I still dont understand? Online. Calendars? Online.

Things to do with kids near me when panic sets in at 2pm on a Sunday? Online. My shopping list? On the phone. Recipes at 5pm when theres absolutely nothing in the house? On the phone. My bank? On the phone. My PPS number? On the phone.

Photos? Oh, the photos. I dont even take that many, but I never delete anything. Not one photo. Ever. So my phone is basically a digital attic, full, slightly chaotic, and impossible to organise.

Occasionally, I scroll back and get a pang of nostalgia for some random ordinary day when everyone looked smaller and life felt easier.

So no, Im not on my phone much. I just use it for absolutely everything.

Its not a phone. Its a tiny glowing rectangle that runs my life, my sanity, my memories, my dinner plans, and possibly my soul. And I just decided not to use it for one day.

Step One: Confidence

I dont sleep with my phone beside me like its part of the family. I actually have a digital alarm clock, so my phone is not in the room with me like an extra limb or a third partner in the relationship. So technically, I wake up offline.

I get up, go downstairs and immediately go online. Pilates. Music. Weather. Messages. Emails. School app. Calendar. Quick check of the shopping list to confirm, once again, that I forgot to buy everything. But that doesnt count. Because Im not scrolling. Im living.

9am: Panic

I pick up the rectangle and stop. Its not just a phone. Its my identity. My memory. My social life. My ability to remember what I was meant to do at any given moment.

And suddenly, I understand: being offline isnt a minor inconvenience. Its like trying to run your life with half your brain missing.

Midday: The Spiral

Im wandering around, slightly disoriented. I glance at the clock. Time is moving. Life is moving. And I am offline.

What if there are messages? What if the school group chat has exploded? What if I was told it was dress-up day and theyve changed it and now my daughter is the only one dressed up and absolutely freaking out? This is how it starts.

2pm: Reality Hits

Im not offline. Im homeless in my own life. Without the rectangle, I cannot access my shopping list, my recipes, my photos, my messages, my reminders, or my emergency things to do with kids near me search when the day suddenly needs saving.

The quiet is suspicious. And then it hits me - I dont actually know anything. Not what time anything is at. Not where Im meant to be. Not what I was supposed to remember. This is unsettling.

Mid-Afternoon: The Realisation

Im not addicted to my phone. I need it. Its the scaffolding of my life. Without it, Im not offline - Im a disorganised, slightly panicked version of myself who cant remember what was for dinner or what I was supposed to be doing.

Evening: Acceptance

Ive survived. Barely. And I realise: going offline for a day isnt about willpower. Its about dismantling your entire life first.

Printing things out. Writing things down. Remembering things like its 1999. Which, frankly, feels like a lot.

The Truth

One day offline isnt freedom. Its a funny, slightly terrifying reminder that our little rectangles now hold everything - our schedules, our memories, our social lives, our shopping lists, our dinner panic, and thousands of photos we absolutely cannot deal with.

Its not a phone. Its my life. I just happen to carry it around in my hand.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), a branch of Iran's armed forces, has threatened to target US tech companies' operations in the Middle East. It told employees of 18 companies  including Apple, Google, Meta and NVIDIA  to leave their workplaces immediately to save their lives, as CBS News reported. Those living close to the companies' facilities in the region were instructed to evacuate immediately as well. Microsoft, Oracle, Tesla, HP, Intel, Palantir, Boeing, Dell, Cisco and IBM are also among the companies that the IRGC named.

"Since the main element in designing and tracking terror targets are American [information and communications technology] and AI companies, in response to this terrorist operation, from now on the main institutions effective in terrorist operations will be our legitimate targets," the IRGC said in a statement. The military force warned it will start targeting the companies on Wednesday evening if more Iranian leaders are killed.

Iran previously pledged to attack companies and banks tied to the US and Israel, though the warning it issued on Tuesday had a specific deadline. Earlier this month, Iranian drones struck Amazon data centers in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates, disrupting Amazon Web Services operations in the region.

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The US reportedly used Anthropic's AI in its initial airstrikes against Iran at the onset of the war in late February. Israel has been using a new AI platform of its own to help it track the movements of Iranian officials.
In the current RAM crisis, no company is better positioned to not only weather the storm but turn it to its advantage like Apple. It proved that when it released the MacBook Neo in early March. Despite only including 8GB of RAM, the Neo doesn't feel compromised, a testament to the company's silicon and software engineering. For Apple, it may be tempting to treat its latest MacBook as a one-off. That would be a mistake, because at this moment, the business decisions that made the Neo possible represent a once-in-a-generation opportunity to become a bigger player in the PC market.

If you read Engadget, there's a good chance you know the contours of the global memory shortage, but it's worth repeating just how bad things have become in recent months. Just three companies  SK Hynix, Samsung and Micron  produce more than 90 percent of the world's memory chips. At the end of last year, Micron announced it would end its consumer-facing business to focus on providing RAM and other components to AI customers.

Citing data from TrendForce, The Wall Street Journal reported in January that data centers would consume 70 percent of the high-end memory produced in 2026. As the Big Three shift more of their production to meet enterprise demand, they're allocating fewer wafers for consumer products, leading to dramatic price increases in that market segment. According to data from Counterpoint Research, the price of memory  including consumer RAM kits and SSDs, as well as LPDDR5X memory for smartphones  increased by 50 percent during the final quarter of 2025. Before the end of the current quarter, the firm predicts prices will increase by another 40 to 50 percent, and the CEO of SK Hynix recently warned shortages could last until 2030.

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Since nearly all consumer electronics need some amount of RAM and storage, the trickle-down effects have come fast and hard. In December, before the situation got as bad as it is now, TrendForce warned that most of the major PC manufacturers were either considering, if not already planning, price hikes. This month, the firm warned laptop prices could increase by as much as 40 percent if manufacturers and retailers moved to protect their margins. Such a scenario would send the cost of a $900 model to about $1,260.

Amid all that, Apple added another point of pressure: the $600 MacBook Neo. During a recent investor call, Nick Wu, the chief financial officer of ASUS, described the Neo as "a shock to the entire market," adding "all PC vendors, including upstream vendors like Microsoft, Intel and AMD" are taking the cute device "very seriously." Wu warned ASUS would "need more time" before it could ready a response.

For ASUS and other Windows manufacturers, any response realistically may take a year or more to formulate. That's because the Neo represents both a technical and logistical hurdle.

To start, it's a fundamentally different machine from the one most Windows OEMs are making right now. It has the advantage of using "unified memory" instead of a set of traditional RAM modules. The 8GB of RAM the Neo has is shared between the A18 Pro's CPU and GPU, meaning it can more efficiently use the RAM that it does have. That's part of the reason the Neo doesn't feel like a Windows PC with 8GB of RAM. Apple didn't get to the A18 Pro and the MacBook Neo by accident. It has spent more than a decade designing its own chips.

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Since 2024, Microsoft has mandated 16GB of RAM  and 256GB of solid-state storage  for PCs that are part of its Copilot+ AI program. That branding effort may not have amounted to much, with Copilot+ AI PCs accounting for just 1.9 percent of all computers sold in the first quarter of 2025, but it did push OEMs, including ASUS, Dell and others to make more capable machines. It also saw Microsoft rework Windows to better support ARM-based processors from Qualcomm. Still, it's hard to see how Windows manufacturers can challenge Apple by going back to existing or older x86 chips with with less RAM.

Qualcomm's Snapdragon X2 processors could offer a potential response, but there are question marks there too. At CES 2026, the company announced the Snapdragon X2 Plus, a pared down version of its X2 Elite chipset with a six-core CPU. On paper, it should offer similar performance to the A18 Pro, but it doesn't seem Qualcomm has produced the chip at scale or that Windows OEMs have shown much interest in it. As of the writing of this story, the company's website lists just four X2 Plus-equipped models. I was only able to find one of those in stock, the $1,050 HP Omnibook 5. It has an OLED screen and more RAM than the Neo. Could HP repurpose something like the Omnibook 5 to take on the Neo? Maybe, but I'm not sure there's getting around the need for 16GB to get Windows 11 running decently.

Even if the Snapdragon X2 Plus offers a stopgap measure, no company operates a supply chain quite like Apple. It has spent billions of dollars to make itself independent of companies like Qualcomm by designing its own Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips, for example. It also doesn't need to pay Microsoft a licensing fee to use a bloated Windows 11. Those are all factors that lead to OEMs like ASUS and Lenovo operating on razor thin margins.

Per Statista, Apple earned a nearly 36.8 percent gross profit margin on its products in 2025. That's almost exactly half as much as the gross margin it made on services, which grew to a record 75.4 percent last year. For comparison, ASUS has seen its profit margins erode to about 15.3 percent in recent quarters, or less than a third of Apple's 2025 average of 46.9 percent. For ASUS and other Windows OEMs, the short-term outlook isnt good. HP recently told investors RAM now accounts for more than a third of the cost of its PCs. And if memory shortages continue, many of them will be forced to raise their prices to protect their margins.

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Apple is in no such position. The iPhone recently had its best quarter ever, contributing $85.27 billion to the company's Q1 revenue. The fact that Mac revenue declined from $8.9 billion to $8.3 billion year-over-year didn't make a dent to Apple's bottom line. For the companies that must now compete against the Neo, it's not a fair playing field. To Lenovo, Dell, HP and ASUS, PC sales are almost everything to their business. For Apple, it's a side hustle.

As the company prepares to kick off its 51st year, it should consider it may never be in a better position to claw ahead in the market where it all started for the company. In both the PC and smartphone segments, Apple's market share has always been a distant second (and sometimes third and forth) to Windows and Android, in part because commoditization has consistently worked against the company. But when a single part now accounts for a third of the cost of a new PC, the regular rules don't apply.

It's not just that the company is better insulated than nearly every other player against runaway RAM costs, it's that it also has a technological edge and the profit margins to compete on price at the same time. In recent quarters, the company's share of the PC market has hovered around the 9 to 10 percent mark, meaning it's consistently been about the fourth largest manufacturer.

For as long as the RAM shortage continues, Apple should seriously consider sacrificing some of its PC profits to become a bigger player. So far, the company has moved to protect the margins on its more expensive devices. For example, it increased the price of the latest MacBook Air and MacBook Pro by $100. The company doubled the amount of base storage to make up for the hike.

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Moving forward, it should do everything it can to maintain, and maybe even lower the price of its computers to a point where its competitors can't meet it. If the Lenovos and HPs of the world can't compete on either price or performance, consumers will move to Mac computers. As Apple looks to the next 50 years, it may not get another opportunity like the one it has right now.
Hundreds of airport security workers got an unexpected boost this week after Tyler Perry handed out $1,000 gift cards to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers at HartsfieldJackson Atlanta International Airport.

The surprise came on Friday, March 27, as many TSA workers continue to struggle without pay during an ongoing partial government shutdown. In total, about 250 officers received the gift cards, offering some relief during a difficult time.

The shutdown, which began on Feb. 14, has left thousands of TSA employees across the country without regular paychecks. Many have faced serious financial stress, with some reportedly sleeping in their cars or selling plasma to cover basic needs.

According to Yahoo, more than 480 officers have already quit because they could no longer afford to work without pay.

Tyler Perry attempted to hand out a substantial amount of cash to TSA agents & was told agents cant accept gifts while being on the job via @11AliveNews pic.twitter.com/zNHHSZE64z  Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) March 27, 2026

Tyler Perry Follows Rules to Deliver Aid to TSA Workers

Perry first tried to help a day earlier by bringing cash directly to the airport. However, federal ethics rules stopped TSA officers from accepting money on the spot. Determined to follow the rules, Perry returned the next day after coordinating with officials. This time, the gifts were approved and distributed properly.

Union leader Aaron Barker, who represents TSA officers in Georgia, confirmed the process followed legal guidelines.

"It went through the legal process through TSA," he said, making clear that the effort was carefully handled, People reported.

The timing of the gesture was meaningful. It came on what should have been payday for many workers, who instead are still waiting for missed wages. Nationwide, TSA officers have lost nearly $1 billion in pay since the shutdown began.

The impact is also being felt by travelers. Staffing shortages have caused callout rates as high as 40% to 50% at major airports. Meanwhile, efforts to resolve the shutdown are still ongoing. A funding proposal passed in the Senate but was later rejected in the House, keeping the situation uncertain.

However, Donald Trump announced plans to use existing funds to pay TSA workers through an executive order. Employees could begin receiving pay again as soon as March 30.
Prince William is allegedly undergoing private therapy sessions to ready himself for his future role as king of the United Kingdom, amid rising internal pressures in the British royal family.

The Prince of Wales is reportedly being encouraged to hone his diplomatic and emotional skills amidst escalating strains within the British royal family. The alleged effort is part of a wider plan to ready Prince William for his role as king, particularly amid rising tensions in the royal family. The effort is also a plan by King Charles III to ensure a smooth transition of power in the coming years.

In comments shared with AOL, a source described the nature of the alleged guidance. "William is being encouraged to seek guidance and support  effectively being 'in therapy' to help train him for the throne and prepare him for the diplomatic demands of kingship."

The motivation for personal development is said to be related to issues of the monarchy's image and unity, especially in light of the ongoing estrangement between William and his brother, Prince Harry. The divide dates back to Harry's departure from senior royal duties in 2020 alongside his wife, Meghan Markle.

As reported by Radar Online, a source further explained the expectations being set for the future king. "The message coming from the top is that he needs to become a true diplomat, someone who can rise above personal grievances and think strategically about the monarchy's future."

The stated directive seems to be an expression of the more involved leadership style that insiders attribute to King Charles, who is allegedly focusing on the unification of the institution amid an increased level of challenges.

Another insider emphasized the King's perspective on leadership and responsibility. "He no longer sees this as something that will naturally resolve itself."

The same source added further context to the monarch's expectations. "From his perspective, this is about leadership and responsibility, and he has made it clear that William must start thinking beyond his own position and consider what is best for the institution as a whole, and work on his diplomatic nature."

Beyond family dynamics, the reported training is also said to focus on preparing William for complex global interactions, including engagements with international leaders on contentious issues such as climate policy.

A palace aide described the broader goal of the initiative. "There is a clear sense within senior royal circles that this is about preparing him for the realities of the role William will inherit. The expectation is not that he abandons his convictions, but that he learns how to express them in a way that builds alliances rather than creates friction."

The aide elaborated on the importance of emotional awareness in leadership. "The feeling is that William needs to develop emotional discipline. He is being encouraged to reflect on how he reacts under pressure and how those reactions are perceived by others, particularly on the international stage."

Another palace aide highlighted the long-term vision behind the reported sessions. "The King's view is that he needs to become a diplomat on the world stage in every sense of the word. That means knowing when to push, when to hold back, and how to navigate very complex relationships without allowing personal feelings to take over."

As of now, Kensington Palace has not publicly commented on the report.
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3

La Guardia Civil detiene en la provincia de Almeria a unos 180 profugos de la justicia en el primer trimestre de 2026
(Informacion remitida por la empresa firmante)

BRUSSELS, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Qover, the European leader in embedded insurance orchestration, marks its 10th anniversary with a significant milestone: the extension of a $12 million growth capital facility from CIBC Innovation Banking  bringing total funding raised since inception to over $100 million  reinforcing investor confidence in the company's trajectory and its AI-driven vision for the next decade of insurance infrastructure.

Founded in 2016 by Quentin Colmant and Jean-Charles Velge, Qover set out with a clear ambition: make insurance simple, transparent and accessible across borders through technology. Ten years later, the company is a defining force in European insurtech, orchestrating embedded insurance programs for major global brands including Revolut, Mastercard, BMW, Monzo, bunq, Canyon and Trust Travel (a TUI brand), across 32+ countries.

The timing of this funding reflects the momentum of the broader market Qover helped pioneer. According to Fortune Business Insights, the global embedded insurance market will grow from $176 billion in 2026 to over $1.46 trillion by 2034.

Against this backdrop, Qover protects 15 million people through its platform and is on track to reach 55 million users by the end of 2026, driven by a strong pipeline of partner programs in implementation.

Over the last four years, Qover has achieved 3x revenue growth with a total of over $173M of GWP, reflecting growing enterprise demand for embedded insurance solutions that are intuitive, AI-powered and built for the complexity of operating across markets and regulatory environments. The additional growth capital from CIBC will support Qover's continued investment in its orchestration platform, AI capabilities and operational infrastructure as the company enters its next chapter.

Behind that growth is a vision that's never wavered: that technology can create a global safety net, where protection is so seamlessly embedded in everyday life that people are covered no matter what happens. By enabling companies to offer insurance as a native part of their products and services, Qover is helping insurance reconnect with its original purpose: not just covering risk, but empowering people to live life to the fullest.

"We started with a simple conviction: insurance could be simpler and truly accessible across borders," said Quentin Colmant, CEO & Co-founder of Qover. "Ten years and 15 million users later, that conviction has become a platform. With AI accelerating what's possible, we are more ambitious than ever. Our goal is to protect 100 million people by 2030, building the infrastructure that makes a global safety net real."

"The next decade of insurance will be defined by the companies that can operate at scale without sacrificing precision," said Caroline Hanotiau, General Counsel at Qover. "AI gives us the opportunity to make compliance by design the standard, not the exception, allowing us to expand into more products and regions with the confidence that we're always operating at the highest level. That's how Qover will grow responsibly and at the scale our vision demands."

Contact Qover's press team for more:

press@qover.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2945617...

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/qover-marks-10-years-with-12m-in-growth-funding-from-cibc-302729113.html
Montgomery County, Ohio, covers an area of 463 square miles and is home to over 600,000 people, with eight courts and 33 law enforcement agencies, a handful for todays wildlife officer. That job seemed even bigger in 1987.

This look back at one officers efforts and his solutions is thanks to portions of a column written by Game Protector Tom Bowersox. It appeared in 1987s autumn issue of Ohio Wildlife, a publication once offered by the Ohio Wildlife Officers Association.

Working in a county like Montgomery takes more than a desire to make wildlife cases. It takes skill in people management, a working relationship with other law agencies and positive interactions with the countys conservation clubs. It also helps to have an edge on the equipment you use.

Kevin ODell, the State Game Protector assigned to Montgomery County in 1983, received the standard issue of equipment for his job. Like most, he wished that he had access to that extra piece of equipment or burgeoning techno-gadget.

ODells connections with local sportsmens clubs provided him with the opportunity to acquire equipment that was beyond the reach of other county officers. His success was in no small part due to the hunting and fishing license writing fees that went to those clubs for the purpose of helping improve a wide range of public-service-type projects. As ODell progressed through learning the ins and outs of his job, he began to recognize certain equipment shortfalls.

Shallow water special

His assignments included several major streams  such as the Great Miami, Stillwater, Mad Rivers, Wolf and Twin Creeks  which meant that fishing and litter violations accounted for a large part of his 200 arrests per year. Sometimes, working these streams was troublesome. Stretches could be shallow and gravel-bottomed, making them difficult to maneuver using a conventional boat and motor combination. With ODells encouragement, one of the local clubs purchased a 12-foot shallow-run Jon boat with a special five-horsepower Go-Devil motor. This long-shafted, hand-controlled motor made shallow water operation easy. Many unlicensed anglers and litterbugs were left wondering, How did he ever find me?

Dayton had long been an industrial city, and large cities with industry near streams have often meant pollution problems. Montgomery County has had more than its share of extensive fish kills, situations that the Division of Wildlife and the EPA investigate. Once during Odells time in the county, a train derailment caused a tank car containing phosphorus to ignite and burn adjacent to the Great Miami River. Over 30,000 people were evacuated to avoid the noxious cloud that extended for 30 miles. In a futile attempt to put the flames out, water had been pumped on the tanker, which washed substantial quantities of the chemical into the river. As expected, fish were killed for miles downstream.

In another situation, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) entered Wolf Creek and then the Great Miami, contaminating many fish in the river. Bottom-feeding fish were especially affected, testing well above the EPA standards. As a result, the health department banned fishing in Wolf Creek and a large part of the Great Miami River. As ODell faced these issues, one local conservation club provided him with a digital dissolved oxygen, temperature and pH meter. It proved to be a handy item to have during fish-killing pollution investigations.

Night aid

While fishing remains a big sport in Montgomery County, hunting occurs on the west side of the county. The most commonly hunted critter was the raccoon, which translated to night work for game protectors. A humans ability to see in the dark is marginal at best. To solve this problem, ODell approached a club, which purchased him a Litton handheld night scope, a relatively rare and expensive item  at that time most often seen in the armed forces and specialized civilian law enforcement units. This compact night technoscope caused many an illegal raccoon hunter a trip to court, as well as plenty of back-road litterers who tossed their trash.

In those days, camera equipment issues plagued most of the divisions officers. Considering that during this period, an officers primary camera was a Polaroid, youll start to get the picture. While it had the advantage of instantly kicking out a finished photo, the film was expensive, bulky and prone to fading and smearing, and the camera wasnt suitable for distance photography. The more versatile 35mm gear was restricted to the divisions investigators. For ODell, it wasnt a problem. A club had given him a fully automatic Minolta Maxim 7000 with a wide array of lenses for every possible need. While it was a great camera for its time, a current officers smartphone does just as well in most circumstances, including the ability to be attached to a spotting scope

K9 assistance

ODells relationship with neighboring enforcement agencies was exemplified by the Magnum at his hip. The Montgomery County Sheriffs Office agreed to train Magnum (a chocolate Labrador retriever) free of charge if they had access to his occasional emergency use.

Accompanying Officer ODell during patrol, Magnum assisted in finding hidden and tossed guns, game and fishing tackle and stood between his partner and serious threats. Magnum also corralled several fleeing felons and one prison escapee, found one suicide victim and recovered articles of stolen property. Magnum was retired due to a division policy change that disallowed K9 units. Over the last few years, dogs have returned to duty, patrolling with natural resource and wildlife officers in Ohios parks, woods and waters.

Computers

Nothing is more dreaded and has caused more grief to a game protector than paperwork. It consumes more time than most thought possible when first hired, and their deadlines are never-ending. Probably the most useful piece of club-purchased paraphernalia ODell received was an Apple IIc computer with a printer and extra disk drive. Large and prehistoric by todays standards, this one item allowed an organizational ability that could not then be imagined, even if it had less computing power than todays officers smartphone. While ODell was learning about computer operating systems and storage, nearly every division office was still operating with electric typewriters and steel file cabinets.

ODells professional relations with his 14 conservation clubs allowed him access to equipment that aroused envy in other officers. Lest you think these clubs spent all their money outfitting the Montgomery County Game Protector, ODell was also encouraging them to use those writing fees to invest in everything from gravel for wildlife area parking lots to hosting hunter safety courses, purchasing supplies for hunter safety instructors, stocking fish and hosting special youth activities and events.

Doing the job of game protector in 1987 required a very special individual with skills and talents no other job requires. Every game protector used these acquired skills daily, but for ODell, many of the normal problems faced by a game protector were made a little easier due to the extra equipment, allowing him more time in the field to do his job safely and efficiently.

Nearly 40 years later, the name Game Protector is part of conservation history. Now called Wildlife Officers, these men and women still find themselves wrestling with many of the same issues ODell had faced. Thankfully, technology has caught up with these officers, and they seldom need to seek outside sources for their gear. They travel with on-board mobile computing stations, the internet connectivity we all now take for granted, linked-in smart phones with excellent cameras, the ability to call in a K9 or specialized investigator for assistance and a far superior state-linked radio system.

Oh, and speaking of cameras, they of course have their digital cameras in their gear bags, but you will also notice them wearing body cams on their uniforms, ready to record every contact they make. Another change has been in the amount and quality of in-service training offered to each of the officers, which helps them understand and perform their jobs at the highest standards.

One thing remains especially important. Building and maintaining the positive relationships that ODNR and the Division of Wildlife cultivate with the people of Ohio and the conservation clubs they support.

We are stuck with technology when what we really want is just stuff that works.

 Douglas Adams
SALEM, Ohio  What could become the first-ever data center regulations in Pennsylvania passed the state House on March 24 in a 104-95 vote.

House Bill 1834, introduced by state Rep. Robert Matzie, D-Beaver County, would protect ratepayers from rising utility costs often attributed to data center development. It also directs the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission to review rates to ensure only data centers are paying for their energy needs.

With the data center boom well on its way, this bill is one of many efforts state legislators are making to quickly instate policy to protect communities while encouraging economic development.

Pennsylvania is home to more than 50 of these facilities already, with 56 more hyperscale data centers  which support artificial intelligence  either proposed or under construction, according to Data Center Proposal Tracker.

Data centers require a lot of energy to operate, the equivalent energy usage of 80,000 to 800,000 homes. When these facilities connect to the grid for this energy, it can lead to increased electric bills for both residential and business customers, too.

No ones electric bill should ever go up because a data center has located to Pennsylvania, Matzie said in a statement.

Its possible to protect ratepayers while still allowing the Commonwealth to reap the economic benefits data centers can bring. Those goals are not mutually exclusive  as long as we get the right regulatory framework in place. This bill does that.

The legislation also incentivizes clean energy construction, like solar and wind, by requiring new data centers to source at least 10% of their electricity from clean energy by 2027 and at least 32% by 2035. Matzie says the clean energy rules will reduce emissions while creating jobs in the state.

The bill also orders data centers to provide funds for the states low-income energy assistance programs, which help low-income families pay their heating bills through cash grants.

While the bill got yes votes from two House Republicans, most did not support the bill, including Rep. David Rowe, a Republican from central Pennsylvania, who said the bill puts a massive regulatory burden on some of the largest developers in the country, which could deter economic growth in the state.

Others, like state Rep. Joe DOrsie, R-York County, criticized the backdoor green energy effort.

Some environmental groups applauded the legislation, including the Pennsylvania Environmental Council, the Center for Coalfield Justice and PennFuture, but cited the need for more protections for residents and consumers.

House Bill 1834 not only helps protect consumers, it will also spur new clean energy technologies needed to meet growing demand in the Commonwealth, the Pennsylvania Environmental Council said in a statement.

CCJ and Penn Future support a full moratorium on data center development.

State Rep. Katie Muth, a Democrat who represents parts of Chester, Berks and Montgomery counties, recently stated her intent to introduce a statewide three-year moratorium on data center development so local elected officials have time to evaluate the risks, enact protective ordinances and update their zoning regulations.

House Bill 1834 advances to the Pennsylvania state Senate for consideration.

(Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio  The Ohio Department of Agriculture recently announced that four new H2Ohio conservation agronomists are available to help farmers with H2Ohio in the Western Lake Erie Basin. These newly hired conservation agronomists will act as a critical link between agriculture retailers, producers and H2Ohio practices, providing one-on-one technical assistance, facilitating training events and on-farm demonstrations and supporting nutrient planning for producers in the Western Lake Erie Basin and across Ohio.

The four crop experts are employed by Helena Agri-Enterprises, Putnam County; Nutrien Ag Solutions, Hancock County; Legacy Farmers Cooperative, Hancock County; and Luckey Farmers, Inc., Wood County, and will work with local soil and water conservation districts to educate and guide the implementation of H2Ohio best management practices that decrease nutrient runoff and improve water quality.

The conservation agronomists will also work with local producers to include the 4Rs of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship Certification Program in their operations: right source of nutrients at the right rate and right time in the right place.

Today, more than 2.5 million acres of cropland in Ohio are enrolled in Voluntary Nutrient Management Plans through H2Ohio, and roughly 2 million of those enrolled acres are located in northwest Ohio  equivalent to more than 50% of the crop acres in the WLEB.

For more information, visit h2.ohio.gov.
Farmers are bracing for soaring energy costs as new electricity charges come into force, prompting urgent warnings over the future of UK food production.

The NFU said growers face a double whammy of rising costs, with increases to Transmission Network Use of System charges  fees linked to maintaining the electricity network  set to begin in April.

In some cases, these charges are expected to double, with large glasshouse operators facing increases of more than 1 million a year.

The changes could add hundreds of millions of pounds to the farming sector overall, adding further strain on energy-intensive businesses already dealing with volatile markets.

The warning raises fresh concerns over the resilience of UK food production at a time of growing reliance on imports.

The increases come against a backdrop of rising energy and fuel prices, partly driven by the ongoing conflict in Iran. This is adding further pressure to sectors such as horticulture, which rely heavily on consistent and affordable energy.

The union has repeatedly raised concerns with ministers, arguing the changes could significantly damage domestic production if left unaddressed.

Martin Emmett, chair of the NFU Horticulture and Potatoes Board, said the sector is facing serious risks.

The NFU has been clear that looming standing charge increases will seriously harm UK production, especially with energy and fuel costs already rising due to the conflict in Iran, he said.

He warned that a lack of government support could lead to a repeat of recent supply issues. Despite repeated evidence and warnings, government has not committed to supporting energy intensive horticulture, meaning growers will face the full impact, risking a repeat of the 2022/23 production cuts which in part resulted in empty supermarket shelves.

Emmett also questioned how the policy aligns with wider ambitions for the sector. Government has reaffirmed its intention to work with industry on a horticulture growth plan yet this policy will actively undermine growth, he said.

While acknowledging ongoing discussions with Defra, he added: We appreciate Defra working with us on mitigations, but time is running out. Government must act now.

The dispute highlights growing tensions between energy policy and the governments ambitions to boost domestic food production.

The NFU has stepped up its campaign in recent weeks, writing to industry minister Chris McDonald and holding meetings with ministers to outline the potential impact on national food supply.

The union argues that parts of the farming sector, particularly horticulture, should qualify as energy-intensive industries and be eligible for support schemes such as the Network Charging Compensation Scheme.

It is also calling for reforms to how electricity charges are calculated, including basing standing charges on annual averages rather than peak demand, adjusting banding structures to better reflect usage, and removing standing charges from fixed contracts.

In addition, the NFU is pushing for greater support for renewable energy and changes to industry classification codes to better reflect different farming sectors.

The issue has also been raised with energy regulator Ofgem, with calls to update the Targeted Charging Review to ensure a fairer distribution of costs.

The government has previously said it is working with industry on mitigation measures, but no firm support package has yet been confirmed.

As the new charges loom, industry leaders warn the increases could force some growers out of production and deepen pressure on the UKs domestic food supply.
A fire ban across the Cairngorms comes into force this week, with landowners warning it is a vital step to curb a growing wildfire threat as Scotland faces increasingly dry conditions.

The new seasonal byelaw, introduced by the Cairngorms National Park Authority, will ban barbeques and campfires across the park from April to September each year.

The move comes as wildfire pressure intensifies, driven by longer, drier periods linked to climate change.

Recent events underline the risk. The Carrbridge and Dava Moor wildfire burned nearly 12,000 hectares and required support from at least 36 rural businesses, including 30 estates, to bring it under control.

Scottish Land & Estates (SLE) said the new restrictions are a necessary response to the growing threat.

Ross Ewing, the organisations director of moorland and strategic projects, said: This is a sensible and necessary step at a time when Scotland is facing a clear and growing risk from wildfires.

He also backed efforts to focus on prevention, including the protect our national park: no flame, no spark campaign and increased ranger presence.

Prevention is always better than cure when it comes to wildfires, Mr Ewing said.

Once a fire takes hold, the impacts can be devastating  for people, for wildlife and for rural businesses  so reducing the likelihood of ignition in the first place is absolutely critical.

Alongside this, enforcement is being strengthened through additional investment in countryside rangers, new powers, and joint patrols with Police Scotland in known hotspot areas.

Crucially, land managers play a central role in tackling fire danger.

Land managers are very often on the frontline when incidents occur, Mr Ewing said.

They are frequently involved in putting out campfires and barbeques before they escalate, erecting signage to warn visitors of risks, and working closely with emergency services and public bodies when fires do break out.

He added that estates often use their own equipment to support emergency services during major incidents.

We saw at Carrbridge and Dava Moor the scale of damage that wildfires can cause, and the important role estates and land managers play in helping to tackle these incidents alongside the emergency services.

SLE said strong collaboration between organisations is essential.

Effective partnership working is absolutely key, Mr Ewing said, highlighting cooperation between the Park Authority, rangers, Police Scotland and land managers.

The organisation also stressed that the byelaw does not affect muirburn, which remains a controlled and regulated practice carried out by trained land managers.

It is important to note that muirburn is not affected by these byelaws, Mr Ewing said.

He added that such work would continue to be undertaken responsibly and in coordination with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.

Overall, this new byelaw represents an important step forward in adapting to the realities of climate change, he said.

Visitors are being urged to follow the new rules  or risk fuelling fires that can devastate landscapes, wildlife and rural livelihoods.
Milk yields, fertility and herd health are improving across UK dairy farms  but new data highlights emerging concerns over youngstock performance.

The latest Key Performance Indicator (KPI) report from PAN Livestock Services and NMR, based on 500 milk-recorded Holstein herds, shows median 305-day yields have reached 9,136kg.

After a dip between 2022 and 2024, production has recovered, with average milk per cow per year now at 8,962kg.

Milk quality has also improved.

Median somatic cell counts stand at 160,000 cells/ml, while the top 25% of herds are achieving 128,000 cells/ml or lower, reflecting continued progress in udder health.

Fertility performance has strengthened in key areas.

Heat detection rates have risen from 35% to 43%, and conception rates from 34% to 40%, although improvements seen since 2021 have begun to level off.

Data also indicates the median calving interval has shortened by 33 days to 391 days, pointing to improved reproductive efficiency.

However, the report flags growing concerns around first lactation performance.

In the median herd, 33% of first lactation cows produced less than 75% of mature cow yield, up from 27% in 2020, suggesting a widening gap between younger and older animals.

The report also raises questions about herd longevity.

Productive lifespan  measured from first calving to exit  has declined over time, with cows leaving herds earlier through culling or sale.

Despite this, analysis reveals significant progress in reducing high somatic cell counts.

The proportion of cows completing lactations without any high SCC readings has increased from 41% in 2016 to 53% in 2025.

NMR director Ben Bartlett said the findings showed clear progress across several key areas.

He said it was encouraging to see improvements in health and fertility of our herds, alongside the production.

However, he warned against focusing too heavily on individual targets, adding it is important that herds use the data and avoid chasing one goal at the expense of other vital performance parameters.

The report provides benchmark targets across top, median and bottom-performing herds, giving farmers a clear guide to assess and improve performance.

Mr Bartlett said: This is a useful guide for producers and their advisers to compare with their own herd performance in each area and set targets.
Italian ryegrass is spreading rapidly across UK farms, with new trials launched to tackle what growers warn is an increasingly costly and difficult-to-control threat.

At a demonstration farm near Harwich in Essex, the impact is already stark. Ryegrass populations have surged to as high as 120150 plants per square metre, with wheat yields in the worst-affected fields falling by up to 60%.

The heavy land site, run in partnership with agronomy firm Hutchinsons, has battled grassweeds for years. While black-grass has largely been brought under control, ryegrass has now become the dominant issue.

Host farmer Andrew Strachan said the shift has been gradual but significant.

Weve made great progress against black-grass, and have farmed around 98% of it out, he said. But Italian ryegrass has taken over as the main issue, and is proving a lot harder to control.

Weed pressure has been building since the stubble burning ban in the 1990s, he added, with historic land use also playing a role. Some fields were previously used for ryegrass seed production, while others were orchards with grass beneath the trees.

In response to severe infestations, one field was ploughed and left fallow for a season.

That field is now one of the cleanest on the farm, Mr Strachan said.

Targeted cultivations and herbicide applications were used during the fallow period to reduce weed populations before returning to wheat.

Rotational ploughing remains part of the system, used once every seven years within a min-till approach. However, in dry seasons, the weed can still emerge through cracks in the silty clay soil.

The farm is also exploring a range of integrated measures, including alternative cropping, clover undersowing, revised herbicide strategies, improved machinery hygiene and drainage improvements to boost crop competition.

Despite this, complete control remains elusive.

Weve made some progress, and the worst fields are getting better, but at the moment, theres still always some level of seed return, so its a question of whats acceptable, Mr Strachan said.

Beyond this farm, the issue is becoming more widespread.

ADAS weed science consultant John Cussans said Italian ryegrass is no longer confined to isolated hotspots and is now affecting many parts of the UK.

Sometimes it is because of an historic legacy, but other times thats not the case, and it can be hard to pinpoint exactly where issues have come from, he said.

The growing spread of the weed poses a serious risk to arable productivity and long-term farm profitability.

What makes ryegrass particularly challenging is its biology.

It has a prolonged germination period, with peak emergence in the autumn and another flush in spring, but the ability to emerge throughout the year limits the effectiveness of cultural controls such as delayed drilling.

Once established, plants are highly competitive, forming large, tufted growth that outcompetes crops for light, water and nutrients.

Seed return is also significant. A single plant can produce several times more seed than black-grass, allowing populations to rebuild rapidly even from low levels.

The species is also more tolerant of stress, including drought, due to its Mediterranean origins.

Herbicide resistance adds a further layer of difficulty. Resistant populations have been confirmed across the UK, affecting multiple modes of action including ACCase and ALS inhibitors, as well as flufenacet and glyphosate.

Testing at the Harwich site has confirmed resistance to several key herbicides, including RR resistance to cycloxydim, pendimethalin and pinoxaden.

While some chemistry remains effective, early signs of reduced sensitivity are emerging in certain cases.

Hutchinsons development manager Jennie Watson said growers still have options, but these must be used carefully.

With new chemistry available, there are still plenty of effective options for controlling ryegrass, but the challenge is often the cost-effectiveness, she said.

We have to consider how they can be best used alongside other cultural controls.

The trials are designed to test both chemical and cultural approaches under real farm conditions.

They include 25 different herbicide programmes, variations in glyphosate timing to reflect prolonged germination, and comparisons of cultivation techniques and drilling methods to improve crop competition.

Results from the work will be shared later this year, offering practical guidance for growers.
Sainsburys is pouring 5 billion into British and Irish farming, expanding long-term contracts in a bid to stabilise a sector under growing strain.

The supermarket plans to extend its partnership model to more than 2,500 farms by 2027. That would create one of the UKs largest networks of multi-year supply agreements, covering fresh produce, dairy, meat and poultry, and securing 3.1 million tonnes of own-brand food.

The announcement comes as confidence in the sector continues to fall. Government research shows just 33% of farmers feel positive about their future, highlighting the pressure from rising costs, inheritance tax changes, climate challenges and global instability.

Sainsburys said it wants to provide greater certainty through longer-term contracts, with 60% of its own-brand fresh food suppliers expected to be on agreements lasting more than five years by the end of 2026.

The retailer is also moving into soft fruit, a category traditionally dominated by short-term, seasonal deals. New five-year contracts have been agreed with growers including Angus Soft Fruit, Chambers, Soft Fruits Direct, J.O. Sims and Dyson Farming, bringing 62 British berry farms into longer-term arrangements.

It said the shift would give growers the confidence to invest in sustainability and innovation, while helping to secure domestic supply.

Sainsburys began developing long-term supply deals nearly two decades ago, starting with dairy farmers in 2007. Its cost of production model links payments to real-world inputs such as fuel, feed and fertiliser, allowing farmers to manage volatility more effectively.

The approach has since expanded into eggs, poultry and other categories, supporting investment in areas such as lower-carbon beef and new production methods.

Chief executive Simon Roberts said the expansion builds on a model already proven in the sector.

Good food is something people depend on every day. In uncertain times our focus is on keeping food great value for customers while giving farmers the reassurance and certainty they need to plan ahead, he said.

He added that when farmers know what well buy, at what price and for how long, they can plan, invest and keep producing the great tasting, responsibly sourced British food our customers trust.

Roberts said expanding the agreements across meat, dairy, fruit and vegetables would help secure the future of good food for all of us.

Existing partnerships are already delivering results. A deal with Monaghan Mushrooms in the Republic of Ireland has enabled Sainsburys to become the first UK supermarket to offer conventional mushrooms grown without peat.

Farmers say the longer-term approach is critical as pressures intensify. Charlie Burgoyne, a dairy farmer in West Sussex who has supplied Sainsburys for more than 15 years, said the sector is facing incredibly challenging times.

These are incredibly challenging times for farmers, with the impacts of climate change, rising input costs and global instability creating real uncertainty, he said.

Multi year agreements, underpinned by a fair cost of production model, give us the stability and confidence we need to plan ahead, invest for the future and sustain our farm for generations to come.

However, questions remain over how widely the benefits will be felt, particularly among smaller and more vulnerable farms not yet covered by such agreements.

The move reflects a broader shift among major retailers towards longer-term supply deals, as pressure grows to secure domestic food production in an increasingly volatile global market.
Scottish farm incomes have surged by 30%  but NFU Scotland has warned the rebound masks fragile finances and ongoing instability across the sector.

Latest Scottish Government figures show average Farm Business Income (FBI) rose to around 58,800 in 20242025, a sharp increase on the previous year.

However, the union said the rise follows a steep downturn and does not signal a return to long-term stability.

NFU Scotland President Andrew Connon said the figures offer some welcome signs of recovery after an exceptionally difficult year for Scottish agriculture.

But he added: This is a recovery from a very low base, not a return to stability or sustained profitability.

The previous year saw average FBI fall to roughly 45,400, underlining what Mr Connon described as the sectors continued exposure to instability.

That volatility hasnt gone away - it remains one of the defining features of Scottish agriculture, he said.

Despite the overall uplift, the picture remains uneven across sectors.

Livestock producers have benefited from stronger market prices, while dairy businesses have seen a notable rebound.

However, arable farms continue to face a tightening margin squeeze, with falling output prices and rising fixed costs putting pressure on returns.

Crucially, the data also highlights the sectors reliance on support payments.

Only around 41% of farms are profitable without support.

That means the majority of Scottish farm businesses still depend on that support to remain viable, Mr Connon said.

He added this reliance reflects the wider role of agriculture, noting: It reflects the unique role that farming plays in Scotland Direct support is fundamental to maintaining that.

A thriving farming sector is essential to Scotlands food security, economy and environment  but NFU Scotland warned that mounting pressures continue to threaten its resilience.

Farm businesses are facing rising labour costs alongside external risks including global market shocks, geopolitical instability and increasingly unpredictable weather linked to climate change.

The union said escalating tensions in the Middle East are already contributing to renewed volatility in energy and input costs, highlighting how quickly conditions can shift.

These figures reinforce a clear message  profitability at farm level remains fragile, Mr Connon said.

Even in a year of improved income, too many businesses are struggling to generate returns that allow for reinvestment or to properly reward labour.

NFU Scotland welcomed the Scottish Governments commitment to future agricultural support through its Rural Support Plan, describing it as an important step towards greater certainty.

Securing clarity on future support has been a major priority But certainty must now be matched with delivery, Mr Connon said.

Farmers need the confidence to invest, innovate and plan for the long term.

Looking ahead, the union said decisive action will be needed to strengthen resilience, including maintaining direct support, improving supply chain fairness and addressing cost pressures.

Mr Connon said the figures ultimately highlight both progress and persistent challenges.

The 20242025 FBI figures paint a mixed picture, he said. There are signs of recovery, but the underlying challenges remain significant.

He warned that without sustained action, parts of the sector risk being left behind.

Our focus must now be on working with government and partners to create the conditions for a resilient, profitable and sustainable future for Scotlands farmers and crofters  or risk leaving many businesses struggling to survive.

NFU Scotlands priorities are set out in its 2026 manifesto, which calls on the next Scottish Government to back domestic food production through long-term funding, fair policies and greater certainty.
UK winter crops are in very good condition despite one of the wettest winters on record, new AHDB figures show.

AHDBs first Arable Crop Report of 2026 paints a largely positive picture, despite some areas recording their wettest January and February on record.

Conditions improved in late March, allowing spring drilling to begin, although some isolated fields remain waterlogged.

AHDB senior analyst Anthony Speight said: Considering the weather at the end of 2025 and start of 2026, the overall picture is very encouraging.

However, he added that challenges remain in some regions.

Its important not to underestimate the challenges experienced in some areas, such as Yorkshire and the North East, where spring drilling is delayed.

Field conditions continue to vary widely. Tracked machinery has proved more effective on saturated ground, while wheeled equipment has struggled.

Growers have largely completed first nitrogen applications and are moving on to second doses.

Rising fertiliser and fuel costs are also shaping decisions, with some growers considering reducing later applications.

The use of drones for early micronutrient applications is becoming more widespread, reflecting a shift towards more targeted crop management.

Autumn herbicides have delivered strong ryegrass and blackgrass control, while low insecticide use remains a key trend.

Disease pressure in winter wheat is rising, particularly from septoria and yellow rust, though remains low in other crops.

Spring planting progress varies by soil type. Spring barley drilling is largely complete on lighter soils in areas such as the East Midlands, Norfolk and Suffolk, but remains slower on heavier land where saturated conditions persist.

Regional differences remain significant. In the West Midlands, around 300mm of winter rainfall has been well managed, with crops remaining resilient and early nitrogen applications helping reduce yellowing.

By contrast, Yorkshire and the North East have seen around half their annual rainfall fall between November and February, delaying drilling and limiting land access, with some growers turning to drones for micronutrient applications.

In eastern regions, lower rainfall has improved field access, while crops in the East Midlands are reported to be in good to excellent condition.

In Wales, a mild and wet winter has left crops looking strong and slightly more advanced than average.

The report, based on data collected up to 23 March, suggests that despite regional challenges and cost pressures, the 2026 harvest outlook remains strong.
The Dhurandhar franchise has become much more than a box-office success. While the films have shattered records and inspired endless internet memes, they have also shone a rare spotlight on the art of film casting. From director Aditya Dhars intense focus on peak detailing to the research conducted by casting director Mukesh Chhabra, the ensemble has been a major talking point for fans and critics alike.

In a conversation with Hindustan Times, Mukesh Chhabra opened up about the massive responsibility of casting the characters in Dhurandhar. He shared how he managed nearly 300 roles, a process that occupied two years of his life and required the efforts of eight assistants. While the films boast massive stars like Ranveer Singh, Akshaye Khanna, Arjun Rampal, R Madhavan, and Sanjay Dutt, Mukesh revealed that his most satisfying casting choice wasn't one of the industry veterans. Instead, it was finding the right face for the female lead.





He shared, I could say all of them. But Sara Arjun is a new talent. To find a new girl for this role amid such a big star cast was challenging. Sara, a former child star known for projects like Ponniyin Selvan and Ek Thi Daayan, made her lead debut as Yalina, the love interest and eventual wife of Ranveer Singhs character, Hamza. Mukesh mentioned that the positive reception of her performance validated the leap of faith taken by him and Aditya Dhar. He added, And then for her to stand out in this manner felt great. The casting director also found satisfaction in subverting audience expectations by placing known comedic actors in serious, high-stakes roles. He highlighted the surprise casting of Gaurav Gera as the Indian spy Aalam and Rakesh Bedi as the shrewd politician Jameel Jamali as particularly rewarding.

Talking about the wider ensemble, including Uzair Baloch (Danish Pandor), Babu Dakait (Asif Ali Haider Khan), and the much-discussed portrayals of Nawaz Sharif and Atiq Ahmed, Mukesh expressed immense pride in the final result. He said, Every single person we cast in this film was perfect.





Also Read: Casting Director Mukesh Chhabra Clears Speculation Around Dhurandhar 3




Bengali actor Rahul Banerjee sadly passed away at the age of 43, after drowning while shooting for his upcoming series. The incident occurred on March 29, 2026, at Talsari in Digha, where he was shooting with the team of the television series Bhole Baba Par Karega. The incident reportedly occurred when he was hit by a wave and fell into the sea. He was immediately rushed to the hospital. He was seemingly responding while being escorted for emergency treatment. The hospital was located about 10 to 12 kilometres from Talsari Beach. The doctors declared him dead around 6.10 pm on Sunday.







According to the latest update from ANI, Balasore Additional SP Gayatri Pradhan stated that the incident occurred while the shoot was in progress.



Pradhan said, "The incident occurred yesterday around 5:30 pm. The Bengali actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee and actress Sweta Mishra were shooting for a serial at Talsari Beach. He fell into a pit while shooting a dance sequence in the water. He was then rescued and taken to Digha hospital, where he was declared dead, while the actress Sweta Misra is reported to be in a stable condition."



She further added, "The production crew did not take any necessary permission... The body will be handed over after the completion of the formalities."







His wife, Priyanka Sarkar, had shared a statement shortly his demise. Opening up about the family processing this grief, she penned, "This is a time of immense grief and deep despair for us. In this difficult moment, we sincerely request space and privacy. There is a child, a mother, a family, and loved ones trying to navigate this loss together. We kindly urge our friends and colleagues in the media to respect our boundaries, refrain from intrusion, and allow us the dignity to grieve in peace. Your understanding and support mean more than ever at this time."



Also Read: Bengali Actor Rahul Banerjee Passes Away, Wife Priyanka Sarkar Shares Statement


After the Dubai shooting schedule of King was cancelled due to the ongoing war, the same fate has befallen Akshay Kumar's film Welcome to the Jungle. Director Ahmed Khan, along with his cast, was supposed to fly to Dubai for a song sequence, but now it will be done in Mumbai. As per a source, elaborate sets will be set up in Madh Island and Goregaon's studios. The track includes the entire primary cast, consisting of Akshay Kumar, Suniel Shetty, Arshad Warsi, Jackie Shroff, Disha Patani, Paresh Rawal, Raveena Tandon, Lara Dutta, Jacqueliene Fernandez, and Shreyas Talpade, among others.





View this post on Instagram A post shared by Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar)



The source told Mid-Day, "Elaborate sets will be put up in Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Goregaon. Created by production designer Sailesh Mhadik, the sets will depict nightclubs, casinos, and private jets. Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah essentially imagined it as a glamorous song that shows how the rich live the good life. Thats why Dubai would have been the perfect location. The unit waited for a month for things to settle down there, but when they didnt, they shifted the location."



The director also confirmed the location shift and told the publication, "We will now shoot the song in Mumbai. Its a glamorous song with the entire cast." Meanwhile, there was a last-minute location change for Shah Rukh Khan's film King as well. The team was scheduled to shoot a desert action sequence featuring Anil Kapoor and Suhana Khan in Dubai, but the scene will now be reimagined in Mumbai.



The source told Mid-Day, "Elaborate sets will be put up in Madh Island, Golden Tobacco Studio, and Film City in Goregaon. Created by production designer Sailesh Mhadik, the sets will depict nightclubs, casinos, and private jets. Ahmed and producer Firoz A Nadiadwallah essentially imagined it as a glamorous song that shows how the rich live the good life. Thats why Dubai would have been the perfect location. The unit waited for a month for things to settle down there, but when they didnt, they shifted the location."

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shaira Ahmed Khan (@shairaahmedkhan)





A source close to the production said, "The team had procured the necessary permissions to shoot in the emirate. It was supposed to be a week-long schedule from April 9. But given the dynamic situation in the region, the makers decided not to take any risk with the cast and crews safety.





King will be released on December 24 this year, while Welcome to the Jungle's release date is expected to be in June.



Also Read: Rajpal Yadav Resumes Work After Release From Tihar, Starts Shooting for Welcome to The Jungle


Our favourite real-life K-drama couple, Son Ye Jin and Hyun Bin, are celebrating their fourth wedding anniversary today. On this occasion, the Crash Landing On You actress shared some unseen, dreamy photos from her wedding.

In one frame, the couple can be seen holding hands, lost in each others gaze beneath a stunning floral arch. Another snap captures her gently holding his arm as they walk together. These unseen photos from their big day feel like a still from a fairytale.

Captioning it, she wrote, "Somewhere between eternal....love and friendship #Happy4th"

Take a look at her post:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by  (@yejinhand)



They first worked together on the film The Negotiation in 2018 and later reunited in the hit K-drama Crash Landing on You, which gained international popularity. Following the dramas success, their agencies confirmed in January 2021 that the two were in a relationship. They announced their engagement in February 2022 and got married in March 2022 in a private ceremony in Seoul.

The couple welcomed their first son on November 27, 2022.





During a recent interview, Hyun Bin weighed in on whether he would want to work with Son Ye Jin on a promising project. The actor shared that he would want to work with Ye Jin in a bolder and intense concept.

"A story about a married couple whose relationship suddenly falls apart could be interesting," he noted. So, what kind of projects would Hyun Bin want to work on? Without missing a beat, the actor quipped that he would be open to exploring something like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie's Mr. & Mrs. Smith.

Meanwhile, Ye Jin has already shared her enthusiasm for wanting to work with Hyun Bin again. Fans are eagerly waiting for this reunion on screen.





Also Read: Are Hyun Bin and So Ye Jin Reuniting on Screen Again? Actor Responds...
North Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2026) - The Board of Directors of Lion One Metals Limited (TSXV: LIO) (OTCQX: LOMLF) ("Lion One" or the "Company"), in conjunction with a newly formed special committee (the "Special Committee") announced today that, with the assistance of its professional advisors, it has determined that the request for a shareholder meeting dated March 9, 2026 (the "Request") does not constitute a valid shareholder requisition and cannot be acted on. Accordingly, the Company will not be calling a meeting of shareholders in response the Request.

The Special Committee of independent directors was formed to, among other things, respond to the Request, as well as oversee a strategic process to identify, examine and consider a range of strategic alternatives available to the Company in order to maximize shareholder value.

As it has in the past, the Company welcomes the perspectives of its shareholders and looks forward to an ongoing dialogue through the special committee. The special committee, board and management team will continue to prioritize good governance and perform their duties in the best interest of the Company.

About Lion One Metals Limited

Lion One is an emerging Canadian gold producer headquartered in North Vancouver BC, with new operations established in late 2023 at its 100% owned Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Project in Fiji. The Tuvatu project comprises the high-grade Tuvatu Alkaline Gold Deposit, the Underground Gold Mine, the Pilot Plant, Tailings Storage Facility, and Assay Lab. The Company also has an extensive exploration license covering the entire Navilawa Caldera, which is host to multiple mineralized zones and highly prospective exploration targets.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Service Provider accepts responsibility or the adequacy or accuracy of this release

This press release may contain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking information may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "proposed", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases, or by the use of words or phrases which state that certain actions, events or results may, could, would, or might occur or be achieved. This forward-looking information reflects Lion One Metals Limited's current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Lion One Metals Limited and on assumptions Lion One Metals Limited believes are reasonable. These assumptions include, but are not limited to, the actual results of exploration projects being equivalent to or better than estimated results in technical reports, assessment reports, and other geological reports or prior exploration results. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance, or achievements of Lion One Metals Limited or its subsidiaries to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such risks and other factors may include, but are not limited to: the stage development of Lion One Metals Limited, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the actual results of current research and development or operational activities; competition; uncertainty as to patent applications and intellectual property rights; product liability and lack of insurance; delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals; changes in legislation, including environmental legislation, affecting mining, timing and availability of external financing on acceptable terms; not realizing on the potential benefits of technology; conclusions of economic evaluations; and lack of qualified, skilled labor or loss of key individuals. Although Lion One Metals Limited has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Lion One Metals Limited does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290565

Source: Lion One Metals Limited
In addition to requests from Curb's consumer app, the Curb Flow network integrates with ride providers such as Uber and is open to additional ride providers looking to participate. Drivers can choose which demand sources to accept trips from, opt in or out at any time, and are not subject to penalties or acceptance quotas. Curb Flow is launching with a 0% commission model, meaning drivers keep the full fare from trips completed through the platform.

By unifying demand across channels, Curb Flow creates more consistent, long-term trip opportunities for drivers, reducing idle time and bringing passengers back into taxis. Passengers also benefit from increased supply, reduced wait times, and better geographical location coverage.

London's streets are busier than ever, with the city recently named the world's most-searched travel destination for trips in 2026, an indicator of strong travel demand across the capital. At the same time, congestion continues to challenge drivers, limiting access to consistent fares.

"London cabbies face unique challenges, from congestion to rising operating costs, which can impact efficiency and earnings," said Danny Sivanesan, Vice President of Curb UK. "By improving access to consistent demand, Curb Flow is helping renew interest in the profession, encouraging drivers to stay active throughout the day and supporting a stronger, more reliable vehicle supply."

Curb Flow's London expansion builds on proven performance across North America. Since its rollout in 2023, Curb's nationwide booking volume has grown approximately fourfold, with operations in major cities including New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Los Angeles, and more. Drivers accepting Curb Flow trips have also seen up to a 40% increase in earnings, depending on the market.

"We've seen in the U.S. that Curb Flow increases earning opportunities while keeping drivers in control of how they work," said Dorel Tamam, Vice President of the Mobile Business Unit at Curb, overseeing the company's mobile business globally. "Bringing this system to London means drivers can work smarter and respond to demand more quickly, while still staying in control of how they operate."

Curb Flow integrates with licensed metering systems and is fully compliant with Transport for London (TfL) regulations, helping drivers connect with passengers faster while maintaining the high standards London's black cabs are known for.

Curb Flow is currently available to licensed black cab drivers across London exclusively through the Curb system.

For more information, visit https://www.gocurb.co.uk/.

About Curb

Curb reimagines urban mobility with a driver-first approach, offering transparency and seamless access to rides. Connected to over 100,000 drivers in 65+ cities across the US, UK, and Canada, Curb powers millions of rides and billions of dollars in payment transactions annually. Its innovative platform unifies taxis and for-hire vehicles, serving passengers, drivers, and fleet management. Curb's B2B services support transit agencies, healthcare providers, and businesses, helping cities and organizations move efficiently.

Media Contact:

8020 Communications

curb@8020comms.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946042/Curb_launches_Curb_Flow_in_London.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/london-black-cab-drivers-gain-more-fares-and-control-with-successful-curb-flow-solution-302729213.html
The Southern Europe's leading food business platform will connect Italian and international producers with the Japanese growing market

MILAN, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 90 Japanese buyers, representing leading companies in the country's agri-food sector, have been confirmed to attend TUTTOFOOD, Southern Europe's leading food business platform, taking place in Milan from 11 to 14 May 2026. The trade fair will provide a high-level platform to foster business development, offering them an unmissable opportunity to expand their agri-food market by strengthening commercial partnerships with Italian exhibitors.

Imports are a dominant component of Japan's agri-food trade. Their value rises from 6,378 billion yen in 2016 to 10,133 billion yen in 2025, marking an overall increase of approximately 59%. This underscores the critical role of international suppliers, including Italy, in meeting Japan's domestic demand for high-quality food and beverage products.

According to a market note from ITA - Italian Trade Agency, Tokyo Office, the Food & Beverage sector in Japan is valued at approximately USD 560 billion (combined retail and food service estimates). Demand for "Made in Italy" products has never been higher in terms of value. With around 60% of consumed food being imported, Japan represents one of the largest markets for foreign food products.

Consumption patterns in Japan are increasingly polarized: while the mid-range segment is contracting, the premium segment continues to expand at an average rate of 5% annually, driven by consumers seeking excellence, authenticity, and strong product narratives. At the same time, the recovery of the HoReCa channel-supported by a rebound in tourism, with over 30 million visitors-has significantly boosted demand for high-quality Italian ingredients, particularly within the fine dining and upscale restaurant segment.

The increase in imports is not driven solely by quantitative needs, but reflects a demand increasingly focused on quality, diversity, and ingredients for international cuisines. In this context, the Japanese market remains structurally open and receptive to foreign agri-food supplies, particularly in higher-value segments, while maintaining a strong focus on premium positioning.

Antonio Cellie, CEO of Fiere di Parma, said: "There is a growing demand in Japan for high-quality Italian products, highlighting Japan's evolution into a strategic, long-term partner while sharing Italy's commitment to quality, traceability, and culinary excellence. TUTTOFOOD represents a critical lever in this context, enabling high-quality business interactions with Italian distributors, retailers, and importers, while also giving insights on consumer behaviour and market trends".

TUTTOFOOD plays a key role as enablers of global business development, by offering a structured environments for direct engagement between producers and qualified buyers and act as a catalyst for innovation and international expansion.

The upcoming edition is expected to feature a strong international footprint, with more than 30% of exhibitors from overseas and an exceptionally rich Buyers Program organized in cooperation with ITA - Italian Trade Agency, bringing together more than 4,000 top national and international professionals. Particular attention will be dedicated to the Asia-Pacific region, in line with its increasing relevance.

In this perspective, Japan and Italy play as strategic partners within a broader framework of mutual value creation. Shared principles-such as product quality, cultural heritage, and reliability-continue to underpin the relationship between Italian producers and Japanese buyers, creating a solid foundation for long-term collaboration and future opportunities.

The strategic ties between the two countries took center stage during a presentation event held at the Italian Embassy in Tokyo, as part of TUTTOFOOD 2026 international roadshow.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2945630/Antonio_Cellie_CEO_Fiere_di_Parma.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tuttofood-2026-connects-global-agri-food-suppliers-with-japan-302728831.html
Platform Update Reflects 20-Place Rise in GSER Ranking

The Union of Kansai Governments has refreshed the Kansai Startup Ecosystem portal, strengthening the region's global communication platform for startups and deep tech.

At the same time, the "DeepTech Frontier Kansai" website has also been updated, further enhancing international visibility for Kansai's rapidly growing deep tech ecosystem.

Kansai's startup ecosystem has demonstrated steady growth in recent years. The ecosystem's total value expanded from USD 2.68 billion in 2023 to USD 3.23 billion in 2025. In addition, Kansai rose 20 places in the Global Startup Ecosystem Ranking (GSER) published by Startup Genome, climbing from 99th in 2023 to 79th in 2025, and early-stage funding reached USD 124 million

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330459051/en/

Kansai's Strength in Deep Tech

Kansai represents a rare ecosystem where fundamental research and industrial application coexist in close geographic proximity, and its concentration of universities, research institutions, and advanced manufacturing industries serves as a key driver of ecosystem growth.

The region has strong global competitiveness across several key fields, including:

 Life Sciences (regenerative medicine, drug discovery, medical devices)

 Green Tech (next-generation energy, storage batteries, and advanced materials)

 Advanced Digital Technologies (AI, quantum computing, robotics, Web3)

University-originated research is increasingly being commercialized through startups, reinforcing Kansai's position as a research-driven deep tech ecosystem

Bridging the Visibility Gap

Despite its growth, Kansai remains relatively underrecognized on the global stage compared with similarly sized economic regions around the world. It is therefore important to communicate the region's achievements more strategically to global audiences, including the number of startups created and the amount of funding raised, and to further enhance its international visibility.

Strengthening Global Outreach: DeepTech Frontier Kansai

In response to these challenges, the Union of Kansai Governments announced its strategic direction for international communication at the Osaka Climate Innovation Forum, held during the Global Startup Crossroads Osaka event on September 18, 2025.

This initiative led to the development of the Kansai Startup Ecosystem Communication Strategy (2025-2029)

Under the "DeepTech Frontier Kansai" brand, the region is strengthening its global presence through:

 Driving brand awareness and engagement for DeepTech Frontier Kansai

 Curating information on regional startups and their strategic potential

 Leveraging global databases to boost international visibility and outreach

The strategy organizes startup funding data, valuation metrics, and research achievements into a structured and continuously updated English-language communication framework.

Entering a New Phase of Global Engagement

Kansai is now accelerating its connections with international investors and global innovation networks, with deep tech at the core of this effort.

The updated websites serve as foundational platforms for visualizing the region's ecosystem and creating tangible opportunities for global collaboration.

Through these initiatives, Kansai aims to deepen dialogue with global investors, corporations, and ecosystem partners, marking the beginning of a new phase in its growth as an internationally connected deep tech hub.

Learn More

Kansai Startup Ecosystem Portal

https://kansai-startup-ecosystem.com/en/

DeepTech Frontier Kansai

https://osaka-startup.com/deeptech-frontier/en/

About Union of Kansai Governments

The Union of Kansai Governments is a regional administrative organization comprising eight prefectures-Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga, Nara, Wakayama, Tottori, and Tokushima-and four designated cities: Kyoto, Osaka, Sakai, and Kobe. The organization promotes cross-regional policy coordination to enhance economic development and global competitiveness across the Kansai region.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330459051/en/

Contacts:

Union of Kansai Governments

Contact: Regional Industrial Promotion Bureau

Media Contact

Osaka Business Development Agency

Startup Support Division (Osaka Innovation Hub)

Email: ohclub@innovation-osaka.jp

TEL: +81-6-6359-3004
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2026) - Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (TSX: WDO) (OTCQX: WDOFF) ("Wesdome" or the "Company") today hosted an exploration teach-in for its sell-side analysts in Toronto, featuring presentations from Anthea Bath, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Jono Lawrence, Senior Vice President, Exploration and Resources.

The event highlighted the Company's evolving exploration strategy and growing pipeline of targets across its portfolio, providing clearer insight into how Wesdome is methodically advancing resource growth, replacing reserves, and making new discoveries. Building on its long-standing identity as an exploration-focused company, Wesdome is enhancing technical discipline, increasing investment, and implementing a more structured approach to drive greater consistency and stronger results.

Today's presentation also offered perspective on the potential of the Company's two land packages, emphasizing opportunities for high-grade resource expansion (Figure 1), bulk tonnage upside, and the discovery of new mineralized systems beyond historically defined zones. The presentation included the results of a new airborne magnetic survey of Kiena (Figure 2).

On the importance of the Company's continued focus on exploration-led growth, Anthea Bath, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "For much of Wesdome's history, the focus was on annual reserve replacement. Over the past three years, we have repositioned to prioritize long-term organic growth and the full utilization of our mills. At the same time, we have taken a more systematic and disciplined approach to exploration, supported by increased investment and stronger technical integration across our teams. This was a deliberate return to our roots as an exploration-driven company, where we have consistently created the greatest value for shareholders. With a debt-free balance sheet and strong free cash flow, we have since more than tripled our annual exploration investment and launched a disciplined, multi-year exploration program focused on growing reserves and resources while making new discoveries.

"In June, we plan to release the results of updated technical reports for both mines, marking an important new chapter for Wesdome. This upcoming press release will include updated reserves and resources and, for the first time, a consolidated long-term view of both assets. The release is also expected to demonstrate extended mine life supported by a pipeline of near-mine targets. We will also outline a strategy to improve unit costs through a value-driven approach, focused on higher asset utilization and prioritizing low-risk, high-return tonnes near existing infrastructure."

Access to the replay of the exploration teach-in as well as the slide presentation are now available on the Company's website at www.wesdome.com by clicking the "Exploration Teach-In" button on the homepage.

About Wesdome

Wesdome is a Canadian-focused gold producer with two high-grade underground assets, Eagle River in Northern Ontario and Kiena in Val-d'Or, Quebec. The Company's primary goal is to responsibly leverage its operating platform and high-quality brownfield and greenfield exploration pipeline to build a value-driven mid-tier gold producer.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation, including but not limited to statements relating to: the potential of the Company's two core land packages; the potential for opportunities in respect of high-grade resource expansion, bulk tonnage upside and the discovery of new mineralized systems; the planned timing, details, contents and expected results and implications of the Company's updated technical reports for both mines.

Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Wesdome to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Although management of Wesdome has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances, management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by securities legislation. Accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

APPENDIX





Figure 1: Eagle River Long Section Looking North Highlighting High-Grade Extension Targets

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2397/290506_cdbf8b4b94b15bc1_001full.jpg





Figure 2: Kiena Plan View Including Results of Airborne Magnetic Survey

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2397/290506_cdbf8b4b94b15bc1_002full.jpg

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290506

Source: Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd.
Epique joins the ranks of Google, Nvidia, Adidas, Walmart, and more.

HOUSTON, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 / Epique Realty is proud to announce it has been named to Fast Company's prestigious list of the World's Most Innovative Companies of 2026. This year's list shines a spotlight on businesses that are shaping industry and culture through their innovations.Epique Realty earned the standing of No. 10 in the Business Services category on the 2026 Most Innovative Companies?list.

Josh Miller, CEO and Co-Founder expressed his appreciation, "We are humbled to receive this prestigious honor from Fast Company and believe it further proves that a brokerage built on empowering agents with technological generosity can and is transforming this industry. It is a tribute to every agent who believed in our vision and for our teams that work diligently to build a smarter, faster, and more connected future for all of us."

"True innovation isn't just about software; it is about how that software improves human lives," added Janice Delcid, CFO and Co-Founder. "The unprecedented efficiency of our tech ecosystem allows us to fund our model of radical generosity. By providing our agents with free healthcare, a 401K, and over 70 essential business services, we are using technology to create real financial security for independent professionals."

"At our core, we are a profoundly human-centric company powered by cutting-edge tools," stated Christopher Miller, COO and Co-Founder. "Our expansion into all 50 states, Canada and Australia this past year was fueled by our technology, but it is our culture of inclusion, mentorship, and agent-led philanthropy that truly makes us an innovative force for good in the communities we serve."

Over the past 18 months, Epique Realty implemented a multi-faceted innovation strategy that fundamentally reinvented the value proposition and business model for the real estate industry. With an innovative mission to empower agents to thrive, Epique achieved its goal with a revolutionary financial model, a proprietary AI and tech ecosystem, and a deeply human-centric cultural framework. The cornerstone of this transformation is Epique.ai, a proprietary ecosystem architected in-house by CEO Josh Miller that functions as a 24/7 virtual assistant for every agent. This platform allows agents to instantly generate marketing copy, virtually stage entire homes, and create multi-platform ad campaigns, automating tasks that can traditionally consume up to 80% of an agent's time and budget. To ensure mass adoption, Epique began scaling its industry-first AIPRO certification program, successfully training over 2,000 agents, and giving every solo professional the enterprise-level AI toolkit of a massive team.

This AI-powered operational efficiency serves as the economic engine that makes Epique's disruptive business model possible. By automating functions that typically require massive overhead, the brokerage can reinvest those savings directly back into its agents through a model of profound generosity. Instead of functioning as a fee-collecting service provider, Epique believes agents deserve more and acts as an investment partner by providing a comprehensive suite of over 70 essential business services completely free of charge. In the last year, Epique scaled this offering to include industry-first stability nets for all agents, such as full healthcare coverage, childcare support, and a 401K program, saving agents hundreds of thousands of dollars in medical costs.

The scalability and power of this integrated ecosystem enabled Epique to flawlessly expand from a Texas startup into an international brokerage operating in all 50 U.S. states, Canada, and Australia by 2025. This phenomenal growth Beyond geographical growth, Epique scaled a profoundly human-centric operating system, leveraging its lean, AI-driven operations to dedicate significant resources to agent-led philanthropic initiatives. Through programs like NEMO (National Emergency Management Organization) and Epique CARES, the company provides rapid disaster relief and community aid, proving that applied AI can be a powerful engine for creating not just profits, but profound, positive societal impact.

The World's Most Innovative Companies is Fast Company's hallmark franchise and one of its most anticipated editorial efforts of the year. To determine honorees, Fast Company's editors and writers review companies driving progress around the world and across industries, evaluating thousands of submissions through a competitive application process. The result is a globe-spanning guide to innovation today, from early-stage startups to some of the most valuable companies in the world.

"Our list of the Most Innovative Companies is about spotlighting organizations that don't just adapt to change-they drive it," said Brendan Vaughan, editor-in-chief of Fast Company. "The companies we honor this year are redefining what leadership looks like in 2026, pairing bold ideas with measurable impact and turning breakthrough innovation into real-world value. They are setting the pace for their industries and offering a blueprint for what sustained innovation can achieve."

The full list of Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies honorees can be found at https://www.fastcompany.com/most-innovative-companies. It will also be available on newsstands beginning March 31, 2026.

Fast Company will host the Most Innovative Companies Summit and Gala for honorees on May 19 in New York City. The summit features a day of inspiring content, followed by a creative black-tie gala including networking, a seated dinner, and an honoree presentation.

ABOUT FAST COMPANY

Fast Company is the only media brand fully dedicated to the vital intersection of business, innovation, and design, engaging the most influential leaders, companies, and thinkers on the future of business. Headquartered in New York City, Fast Company is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, along with fellow business publication Inc. For more information, please visit fastcompany.com.

About Epique Realty

As the industry's first AI-certified brokerage, Epique Realty is one of the fastest-growing, agent-owned real estate brokerages. Shaping the future of real estate, Epique now operates in all fifty states with nearly 4,000 agents, and with Australia and Canada on-board, global expansion is underway. Its revolutionary agent-first model provides over 70 unheard of free phenomenal benefits with a proprietary AI platform (Epique.ai), and a culture of profound generosity. Epique is harnessing technology to build a more equitable, empowered, and successful future for real estate professionals. BeEpique

Barbara Simpson | PR and Communications

281-773-7842 | Barbara@EpiqueRealty.com

https://www.instagram.com/epiquerealty/

https://www.facebook.com/epiquerealty

https://www.linkedin.com/company/epique-realty/mycompany/

https://www.youtube.com/@epiquerealty

FCMostInnovative FastCompany BeEpique EpiqueRealty RealEstateInnovation LetsChangeEverything PropTech AgentFirst RealEstateTech TheEpiqueEra TheFutureIsEpique

SOURCE: Epique Realty

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/epique-realty-named-to-fast-companys-annual-list-of-the-worlds-most-innovative-companie-1153460
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2026) - Tokenwell Platforms Inc. (CSE: TWEL) (OTCQB: TWELF) (FSE: Y920) ("Tokenwell" or the "Company") announces that, further to its news release dated March 26, 2026, where it announced a non-brokered private placement (the "Private Placement"), the Company now wishes to amend the terms of the Private Placement of unsecured convertible debentures (the "Debentures") as set forth below (the "Amended Offering"). The Company expects to raise aggregate gross proceeds of up to $600,000 under the Amended Offering.

The Debentures will bear interest at a rate of 10.0% per annum, calculated monthly and accrued, and payable in units of the Company (each, a "Unit") upon conversion or at maturity at the Conversion Price (as defined below). The Debentures will mature on the date that is 12 months following the date of issuance (the "Maturity Date").

The outstanding principal together with accrued interest may be converted into Units, at a conversion price of $0.065 per Unit (the "Conversion Price") at any time on or before the Maturity Date. Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant exercisable at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of 24 months from the issuance date of the Unit. On the Maturity Date, the holders of the Debentures may convert the outstanding principal amount, together with any accrued interest thereon, into Units at the Conversion Price.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Amended Offering for general working capital purposes.

The Amended Offering is expected to close on or before April 15, 2026, or such other date as the Company may determine, and is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals.

In connection with the closing of the Amended Offering, the Company may pay finders' fees to eligible parties who have assisted in introducing subscribers to the Amended Offering. Completion of the Amended Offering remains subject to regulatory approval. All securities issued in connection with the Amended Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day following the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities laws.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

On Behalf of the Company

~Timothy Burgess~

Timothy J. Burgess

CEO and Director

About Tokenwell Platforms Inc. (CSE: TWEL) (OTCQB: TWELF) (FSE: Y920)

Tokenwell is a publicly listed cutting-edge cryptocurrency platform dedicated to making digital assets accessible, secure, and efficient for users worldwide. With a focus on innovation and user-centric design, Tokenwell empowers individuals and businesses to engage with the crypto economy confidently. For more information about Tokenwell, its upcoming launches, product benefits and features, Crypto users should visit www.tokenwell.io and download the Tokenwell app on iOS or Android. Potential investors are invited to visit www.tokenwell.com and everyone should follow us on LinkedIn, X & Telegram, and also subscribe to our News Alert opportunity for free and timely notifications from the Company.

For further information

Tokenwell Platforms Inc.

Web: https://tokenwell.com (Investors)

Web: https://tokenwell.io (Products & Services)

Tokenwell Disclaimer - Tokenwell Platforms Inc. is not an investment adviser or commodity trading advisor. Tokenwell makes no representation regarding the advisability of investments linked to its products. Assets remain on users' own exchanges. Terms and conditions available at tokenwell.com.

Forward-Looking Statements - This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the expected closing date of the Amended Offering; the anticipated proceeds to be raised under the Amended Offering; the intended use of any proceeds raised under the Amended Offering; and the payment of any finder's fees in connection with the Amended Offering. Such forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause results to differ from those expressed in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, our ability to continue with our development efforts, our efforts to grow our business and operations, the costs or expenditures associated therewith, competition in our industry, and the evolving rules and regulations applicable to digital assets and our industry. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made, and the Company undertakes no duty to update these forward-looking statements.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulatory Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290569

Source: Tokenwell Platforms Inc.
SINGAPORE, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- EPG has closed over US$100 million in Series B+ financing led by Decarbonization Partners, a joint venture between BlackRock and Temasek, Alibaba Cloud, and other strategic investors. The round builds on the company's Series B financing completed earlier this year and further strengthens its ability to support global deployment of AI data center infrastructure.

Founded in 2004, EPG specializes in modular data center solutions that integrate power, IT, and cooling systems. Its prefabricated modular business model enables faster deployment, lower environmental impact, and improved delivery certainty for customers. The new financing will support EPG's next phase of international growth, including expanding R&D, manufacturing, and delivery capabilities.

As global demand for AI computing shifts toward high-density deployments and ultra-fast rollout, traditional construction models reliant on civil engineering face structural limitations supporting extreme power density and compressed timelines. Accordingly, modular solutions balancing deployment speed, energy performance, and sustainability are emerging as a critical pathway.

Alick Wan, Founder and Chairman of EPG, stated: "In the AI era, competition goes beyond computing power to delivery speed and energy efficiency. This funding will strengthen our global manufacturing and delivery capabilities to meet growing demand. By advancing prefabricated modular approach, we aim to turn complex engineering into scalable, reliable infrastructure solutions."

Dr. Meghan Sharp, Global Head and Chief Investment Officer of Decarbonization Partners, said: "Data centre demand is accelerating globally, driven by strong demand from cloud adoption and AI. EPG's prefabricated modular data center platform provides a comprehensive suite of solutions that supports a cost and energy efficient build out of data centre infrastructure. We're excited to partner with EPG's management team to support the next phase of growth as the business scales."

The B and B+ financing rounds follow a year of strong momentum as EPG advances its international expansion strategy. In 2025, the company delivered more than 200MW of prefabricated data center modules, including its first full-scope delivery project, a 60MW+ facility, one of the largest single projects of its kind in Asia. EPG also expanded its footprint with new offices in Japan, Thailand, and Dubai, while growing its workforce 87.6% year-on-year to support operations.

On Mar. 18, EPG upgraded and relocated its overseas headquarters in Singapore to Novena Square Tower, reinforcing its long-term commitment to the international market. As its platform continues to expand, 2026 will mark a turning point as EPG enters its next chapter of growth, scaling delivery capabilities to support high-performance AI data centers worldwide.

For more information, visit www.epg-module.com or contact communications@epg-module.com

About EPG

EPG is a Singapore-headquartered provider of modular and prefabricated data center infrastructure, powered by dual R&D centers in Singapore and Shanghai and advanced manufacturing hubs in Malaysia and China. With over 20 years of engineering expertise, EPG delivers innovative and sustainable solutions for hyperscale, cloud, and enterprise deployments across APAC, EMEA, and other global markets.

About Decarbonization Partners

Decarbonization Partners is a joint venture between Temasek and BlackRock focused on late-stage venture capital and early growth private equity investing in next-generation companies that provide solutions and technologies to help accelerate global efforts to achieve a net zero global economy by 2050. Decarbonization Partners combines Temasek and BlackRock's complementary platforms and expertise in sourcing and underwriting private investments, portfolio and risk management, and sustainable technology and analytics. Decarbonization Partners invests in a wide range of companies that have proven technology and need capital to scale. The partnership attracted US$1.40 billion in capital from a diverse set of over 30 institutional investors across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/epg-adds-over-us100-million-in-series-b-financing-expanding-strategic-backing-for-global-ai-data-center-growth-302729236.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2026) - Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. (CSE: ICS) doing business as Integrated Quantum Technologies (the "Company") announces that pursuant to the Company's equity drawdown agreement (the "Alke Agreement") with Alke Capital Limited ("Alke") dated effective April 15, 2022 and outstanding drawdown notices accepted by Alke in April 2024 and September 2025, the Company has issued an aggregate of 442,230 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Drawdown Shares") comprised of 382,592 Drawdown Shares issued at a deemed price per Drawdown Share of $0.2091 pursuant to the Company's drawdown pursuant to the Alke Agreement in the amount of $80,000 in September 2025, 24,578 Drawdown Shares at a deemed price per Drawdown Share of $0.2519 remaining issuable pursuant to the Company's drawdown pursuant to the Alke Agreement in April 2024, and 35,060 Drawdown Shares payable as interest at a deemed price per Drawdown Share of $0.1361. The Alke Agreement expired on April 15, 2025, however the Company and Alke agreed to extend the term of the Alke Agreement to permit the completion of the second Alke drawdown. The Alke Agreement was terminated immediately following the second drawdown on September 4, 2025. The delay in the issuance of the Drawdown Shares was as a result of management oversight.

The securities of the Company have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there by any sale of the securities referenced in this press release, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Integrated Quantum

Integrated Quantum Technologies Inc. is building quantum-ready infrastructure to help secure and scale artificial intelligence. The Company's product offerings include AIQu platform that supports its long-term strategy for privacy-preserving and resilient AI systems and VEIL is its first commercial product designed to protect sensitive AI data and workflows in enterprise environments. IQT's proprietary technologies address emerging post-quantum security risks, growing compute demands, and the increasing complexity of deploying AI at scale, complemented by its Managed Services offering and SecureGuard360 cybersecurity platform for end-to-end AI security and monitoring. For more information, visit: www.integratedquantum.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors:

Alan Guibord, Director & Chief Executive Officer

Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. dba Integrated Quantum Technologies

For further information, please contact:

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release may contain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information is generally identifiable by use of the words "believes," "may," "plans," "will," "anticipates," "intends," "could", "estimates", "expects", "forecasts", "projects" and similar expressions, and the negative of such expressions.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. All forward-looking information herein is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking information or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290591

Source: Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc.


EQS Newswire / 31/03/2026 / 09:31 UTC+8



According to Zhitong Finance App, despite mounting challenges in 2025, including aggressive price cuts by Chinese OEMs and intensifying competition, Wuling Motors (00305.HK) delivered a resilient performance underpinned by a diversified business portfolio and effective strategy execution. During the reporting period, Wuling Motors (the Group) recorded a total revenue of RMB 8.25 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.8%. Its net profit reached RMB 172 million, up 54.3% year-on-year, while the profit attributable to shareholders amounted to RMB 78.99 million, marking a year-on-year increase of 56.0% and suggesting a notable improvement in overall profitability.

As the Group's "anchor" business, the automotive parts segment achieved a full-year revenue of RMB 5.788 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 6.0%. The operating profit from this segment rose to RMB 185 million, up 20.3% year-on-year. Within its existing business foundation, the Group continued to expand new business with core customers including SGMW, Chery and Great Wall Motors, and secured 61 product supply orders across multiple key models of SGMW. For incremental markets, the Group successfully entered the supply chain systems of eight OEMs, including Seres AITO, SAIC Maxus and GAC Group, while actively engaging with emerging players such as Xpeng and Xiaomi on technical solution development. Meanwhile, the automotive power supply system segment turned profitable, delivering a full-year revenue of RMB 1.815 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 4.5%.

The Group continued to optimize its manufacturing footprint, strategically adding two production bases (Rizhao and Wuxi) in China, while advancing the preparation of its Vietnam facility to accelerate penetration into overseas markets, including Southeast Asia. In the high-end sector, the Group's self-developed products, such as the 194-platform three-in-one electric drive axle and the high-power coaxial axle, achieved meaningful reductions in both cost and weight through highly integrated design. With industry leading NVH performance, these products have been supplied to OEMs including Great Wall Motors, JAC and Changan Kaicheng.

Beyond the steady growth of its core businesses, Wuling Motors is accelerating its expansion into high-potential emerging segments. The unmanned logistics industry is currently transitioning from technical validation to large-scale commercialization, while facing challenges related to mass production capabilities and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements.

These challenges underscore the Group's core competitive strengths. The Group holds a market share exceeding 50% in key chassis components such as drive axles for urban logistics vehicles. Leveraging years of experience supplying urban and inter-city commercial vehicles, the Group has established mature technical pathways, sufficient production capacity and effective cost control that meet the cost reduction demands of logistics operators. In addition, the Group has comprehensive automotive-grade R&D and system integration capabilities.

Building on its deep technical expertise and market insight, Wuling Motors established Yuancore Drive in November 2025, focusing on the R&D, production and system integration of drive-by-wire chassis and low-speed intelligent autonomous vehicles. A series of products has since been developed, and a strategic cooperation agreement has been signed with Desay Battery to accelerate commercialization.

By further strengthening its traditional businesses while deepening its presence in emerging segments, Wuling Motors has established a clear growth matrix guided by its diversification strategy. As the automotive industry undergoes rapid transformation, the Group is charting a distinctive upgrade path, supported by its technological capabilities and manufacturing strengths.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 30, 2026) - Gold Hunter Resources Inc. (CSE: HUNT) (OTCQB: HNTRF) (FSE: 6RH)

Dear Fellow Shareholders,

I know what the last two years have looked like from the outside. A quiet company doing quiet work while gold ran from $2,000 to nearly $5,600 an ounce. A stock price that tests the patience of anyone paying attention. A management team that kept saying "trust the process" while the market waited for something to happen.

I heard the skepticism. I read the messages. I understand the frustration.

But I also know what was happening behind the scenes, because I was living it every single day. We were assembling a district. Integrating decades of historical data. Flying the first-ever VTEM geophysical survey across the entire project. Running machine learning analysis to sharpen our targeting. Building a technical team that has collectively taken projects from grassroots discovery through to acquisition by the world's largest gold miners. And raising nearly $6.75 million to fund it all, in a market where most juniors are still struggling to close.

Everything we said we would do, we did. And now the next chapter begins.

I am writing this letter because we are at an inflection point. Not a promotional one, a real one. The setup phase is over. The execution phase starts now. Soon enough, drills will be turning at the Great Northern Project in Newfoundland, and I want every shareholder, and every prospective investor, to understand exactly where we stand and why this moment matters.

THE FINAL PIECES ARE IN PLACE

Alongside this letter, we have released two significant news items. First, Rory Kutluoglu, B.Sc., P.Geo., has been formally appointed as our Vice President of Exploration. Rory has been serving as our technical lead, and this appointment reflects the expanded role he will play as we advance into drilling. His track record speaks volumes: he was part of the team at Kaminak Gold Corporation that delivered the initial resource, PEA, and feasibility study for the Coffee Gold Project in the Yukon, a project subsequently acquired by Goldcorp (now Newmont) for $520 million. He went on to lead exploration at Kutcho Copper (backed by a $100 million Wheaton Precious Metals streaming package) and held VP and COO roles at Dolly Varden Silver, Gold Bull Resources, and others. Having Rory in the chair as we put the drill bit in the ground gives me, and our shareholders, full confidence in the technical execution ahead.

Second, we have restructured our option agreement with Magna Terra Minerals, extending the payment timeline from final payment that was due June 2026 to now being spread out until 2028, providing greater financial flexibility as we enter drilling. What I want shareholders to understand is what this restructuring really signals: when we signed the original deal in May 2024, gold was trading around $2,300 per ounce. Today it's around $4,500 (having navigated significant volatility in recent weeks). The economic case for this project has more than doubled since we inked that agreement, and Magna Terra's willingness to extend and restructure reflects a shared conviction in what we are building. Beyond the financial terms, Magna Terra's team, David Copeland and Tanya Tettelaar, two of the most knowledgeable geologists on this specific ground, remain actively embedded in our program, supporting target generation, drill planning, and execution. When the people who know the geology best continue to double down alongside you, that's signal.

WHAT WE'RE ABOUT TO DO

With $6.7M raised in our recently completed non-brokered private placement, Gold Hunter is fully funded to execute its inaugural drill program of up to 10,000 metres at the Great Northern Project. Contractor selection is underway. The program is structured around three strategic pillars:

The first pillar is regional exploration along the Doucers Valley Fault, a system that spans over 50 kilometres of gold-bearing structural splays within our land package, the vast majority of which have seen little to no systematic drilling. This is the district thesis: testing the untested. The second pillar targets the Thor Deposit and Viking Block, where we already have an NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate and where the deposit remains open along strike and at depth. Previous drilling returned exceptional intercepts, including 27 metres at 7.92 g/t Au and 58.7 metres at 2.8 g/t Au. The third pillar advances the Rattling Brook area, where an historical estimate exists from prior exploration, our program is designed to test the potential in that area through targeted drilling and data verification. AI-assisted targeting by Windfall Geotek has been layered across the entire project database to help prioritize where we drill first.

Beyond these three core pillars, I'd also like to deploy a dedicated geological team to ground-truth the highest-priority targets generated by our machine-learning and AI analysis across the district. This is the bridge between data and discovery - putting boots on the ground to validate what the technology is telling us and ensuring that when we do commit the drill bit to these targets, we are doing so with the highest possible confidence.

This is not a single-target bet. It is a balanced, disciplined program aimed at evaluating multiple geological targets across a 26,237-hectare district.

Our financing attracted several strategic investors who share our long-term vision. I personally gave up my own allocation in the private placement to make room for a specific strategic investor I wanted at the table and then went into the open market to expand my position instead. That is how much I believe in what we are about to do.

I should also highlight an often-overlooked advantage of the Great Northern Project: infrastructure. Our exploration camp will be based in houses located in the middle of the project area. We have road access, on-site hydro power, and a nearby highway and port facility. This is not fly-in, fly-out remote Canada. It is an accessible, infrastructure-rich district that supports efficient drilling, cost oversight, and timely operational adjustments.

THE MACRO MOMENT

Gold is trading at around $4,500 per ounce as I write this, having touched all-time highs near $5,600 earlier this year. The macro backdrop for gold exploration has never been stronger. Yet one of the biggest themes at PDAC 2026, which drew a record 32,155 attendees this year, was that junior mining equities still have not caught up to the underlying metals prices. We believe that disconnect represents an opportunity. When it does correct, the market will reward companies that are funded, drilling, and positioned on real assets. Gold Hunter checks every one of those boxes.

TAKING OUR STORY TO THE MARKET

We have been actively advancing the Gold Hunter story across every platform available to us. At PDAC 2026, we conducted two interviews (www.thedeepdive.ca & goldinvest.de) and delivered two live presentations: one at the Red Cloud Pre-PDAC Mining Showcase, and another at the invite-only Canada's Atlantic Edge session, where Gold Hunter was the second-to-last presentation of the day, immediately before FireFly Metals, the company that acquired our first consolidated district. The Newfoundland government and industry are doing outstanding work right now to position the province as a premier mining jurisdiction, and I am proud that Gold Hunter is part of that story. We are also in the process of finalizing a new corporate presentation that will be available shortly.

In the weeks and months ahead, I will be taking the Gold Hunter story directly to investors across North America and Europe. I will be in Toronto and Montreal for investor luncheons and one-on-one meetings, followed by Paris and London for the same, and then Frankfurt to present at the Deutsche Goldmesse ( deutschegoldmesse.online ), Germany's premier mining investment conference. With approximately half of our shareholder base located in Europe, this is not optional travel - it is essential. As we prepare to launch our inaugural drill program, it is critical that I get our opportunity in front of existing shareholders while also drawing in new supporters who recognize the value of what we are building.

FOR THOSE WHO WANT THE FULL STORY

For shareholders and prospective investors who want to go deeper, who want to understand the full sequencing of how we built this company, why we raised when we did, what the quiet year of technical work produced, and how we're prioritizing drill targets, I am releasing a detailed four-part series on our Substack that walks through everything. Part 1 covers the setup phase and market context. Part 2 explains the financing logic and timing. Part 3 details the technical groundwork that nobody celebrates but everyone benefits from. Part 4 lays out the execution plan and what to watch for.

This letter is the summary. That series is the evidence file. I encourage you to read both.

Two years ago, we set out to build something different in junior mining, a company that does the technical work first, raises the capital properly, assembles the right team, and then drills with discipline and conviction. We did not cut corners. We did not rush. We built it the right way.

Now the drill bit goes in the ground. And the drill bit doesn't lie.

To our existing shareholders, thank you for your patience and your conviction. You trusted the process when it wasn't easy. To those just discovering Gold Hunter, welcome to the HUNT. You are arriving at the beginning of the most exciting phase of this company's story.

Sincerely,

Sean Kingsley

Sean A. Kingsley

President & CEO

Gold Hunter Resources Inc.

(CSE: HUNT) (OTCQB: HNTRF) (WKN: A2QPAL)

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this letter.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The scientific and technical information contained in this letter has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Rory Kutluoglu, B.Sc., P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration of Gold Hunter Resources Inc. and a "Qualified Person" as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Kutluoglu is a Professional Geologist registered with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia, and a Fellow of both the Society of Economic Geologists and Geological Society of London.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING MINERAL RESOURCES AND HISTORICAL ESTIMATES

Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred mineral resources are uncertain in nature, and there has been insufficient exploration to define Inferred mineral resources as Indicated or Measured mineral resources. It is uncertain whether further exploration will result in upgrading them to those categories.

This letter references a historical estimate at the Rattling Brook Gold Deposit. A Qualified Person has not completed sufficient work to verify the historical data or to classify the historical estimate as a current mineral resource or mineral reserve. The Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. Additional drilling, data verification, and updated geological modelling will be required to upgrade or verify this estimate.

Historical drill intercepts referenced in this letter are sourced from prior operators' exploration programs and have been reviewed by the Qualified Person. These intercepts are reported as down-hole widths; true widths may vary. Intercept results from individual drill holes are not necessarily representative of the overall mineralization at the Great Northern Project.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This letter contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance and reflect current expectations or beliefs regarding future events, including but not limited to statements regarding the Company's exploration strategy and objectives; the advancement and execution of the inaugural drill program; contractor selection and mobilization timelines; the potential for resource growth and new discoveries at the Great Northern Project; the role and contributions of Mr. Kutluoglu as Vice President of Exploration; the restructured Magna Terra option agreement and continued project management support; the Company's planned use of proceeds; the availability of a new corporate presentation; the Company's planned investor roadshow and meetings in North America and Europe; and the planned release of the Company's Substack series.

Forward-looking statements are inherently subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and assumptions that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, volatility in commodity prices; exploration and development risks; the uncertainty of mineral exploration and estimation; the ability to obtain and maintain necessary permits and licences; availability of financing on acceptable terms; regulatory or political developments; environmental risks; the ability to retain qualified personnel and contractors; timely completion of drilling programs; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; and general economic, market, or business conditions.

Although Gold Hunter believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

This letter is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities of the Company. Readers should consult their own financial, legal, and investment advisors before making any investment decisions.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290605

Source: Gold Hunter Resources Inc.
Miami, Florida--(Newsfile Corp. - March 24, 2026) - ForYou, a venture backed health technology company founded by 18 year old Michael Rubinov and 20 year old Andreas Calabrese, today announced its official April launch and confirmed it is on track to secure seven figures in seed funding from experienced private investors and operators in ecommerce, health, and consumer technology.





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Founded in May 2025, ForYou was created to improve what the founders believe is outdated in the 170 billion dollar global supplement industry. Most companies sell generic capsules with different branding. ForYou was built to introduce precision and personalization into daily supplementation.

Two Young Entrepreneurs With Measurable Success

Currently a student at Vanderbilt university, Michael Rubinov entered the e-commerce game at 14 years old. He started and scaled an NAD+ supplement brand from zero to over 500k in monthly recurring revenue, from which he learned the ins and outs of the industry. This journey also opened his eyes to the possibility of personalization in the supplement space, giving him the impetus to create ForYou.



Another founding member is Andreas Calabrese, who is a University of Miami student who opened his own cryptocurrency brokerage, located in California, and managed significant transaction volumes and a complicated compliance process, prior to joining Michael as the founding member of ForYou.









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Even though they're both only 18 and 20 years old, they both possess a vast experience working with companies that generate revenue and interfacing with investors. During their initial fundraising discussions they overcame the concerns regarding their lack of age by providing documentation of proven performance, significant gross margin models and a clear growth plan.

Exciting News on Capital Raising

ForYou is currently on track to close its initial seven figure seed round of fundraising - attracting numerous multi 6-figure investments from a number of successful wellness executives and leaders in the consumer packaged goods space - many of which have grown brands past nine and ten figures.

The new capital will allow for the manufacturing of additional products, support a national marketing program, and continue the development of the company's systems to personalize collection and distribution.

ForYou's Unique Approach

Unlike other supplement companies which offer off-the-shelf capsule combinations for wide-reaching audiences (i.e. AG1, IM8), ForYou custom formulates a solution for each individual.

After taking a detailed assessment of all aspects of your biology, lifestyle and health objectives, our system generates an entirely custom powdered formula, down to the milligram. Each order is blended specifically for that individual.

ForYou also powders their product, as opposed to using capsules. They claim that by using powdered delivery, their product provides better absorption than conventional capsules, thus allowing the user to potentially achieve even greater results with their supplementation.





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ForYou differentiates itself through a focus on personalization, precision and performance, rather than simply competing based on brand or influencer marketing tactics.

Meeting a Consumer Need

Many consumers spend a lot of money each month stacking different supplement bottles without having any clear understanding of their exact dosage requirements. ForYou has consolidated supplementation into one simplified, personalized daily formula, saving consumers time and reducing confusion.

Vision for the Future

Following its April launch, the company plans to expand nationally and continue building long term health technology infrastructure. Over the next two to five years, the founders aim to position ForYou as a leader in personalized supplementation.

Official Launch

ForYou will officially launch in early April at https://takeforyou.com

Founder Instagram Profiles

Michael Rubinov https://instagram.com/michaelrbnv

Andreas Calabrese https://instagram.com/andreascalabrese

About For You

Founded in 2025, ForYou is a venture backed health technology startup focused on personalized powdered supplementation. The company replaces generic capsule products with precision based daily formulas tailored to each individual.

Media Contact

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/289463

Source: BrandingBuzz.Agency
HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - Bringing artificial intelligence from the laboratory to a broad spectrum of industries-particularly in the B2B market-demands that AI companies overcome a formidable set of challenges: how to precisely match complex, ever-evolving business scenarios; how to achieve scalable delivery; and how to establish a sustainable business model.



Extreme Vision, based in Qingdao, Shandong, has delivered its answer through a compelling set of metrics. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had completed over 6,000 projects, recorded a product repurchase rate exceeding 80%, and served more than 100 industries, including manufacturing, energy, retail, and transportation. Revenue grew from RMB101.6 million in 2022 to RMB257.3 million in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate of 59.2%. The Company turned profitable in 2024.



A Platform-based Approach to Tackling the Fragmentation Challenge



Extreme Vision was founded by three entrepreneurs born in the 1990s: Mr. Chan Chan Kit, Ms. Luo Yun, and Mr. Chen Shuo. Mr. Chan Chan Kit holds a direct stake of 16.05% in the Company and serves as its largest shareholder, legal representative, chairman of the board, executive director, and general manager. The three founders, all alumni of Sun Yat-sen University, first conceived the idea of starting a business during their undergraduate studies.



'The biggest challenge in the B2B market is fragmentation,' Mr. Chan once noted. Different industries, different enterprises, and even different production processes within the same company all have vastly different AI requirements. If each scenario requires developing algorithms from scratch, the cost is prohibitive, the timeline is protracted, and scaling becomes virtually impossible. This is precisely the 'B2B chasm' that many AI companies struggle to cross. Based on this insight, Extreme Vision pioneered the AI Vision Algorithm Marketplace.



As of September 30, 2025, Extreme Vision's algorithm marketplace has launched 1,517 algorithms, including 1,369 algorithms co-developed with third-party developers. Covering application scenarios in over 100 industries, the platform has served more than 3,000 customers and delivered over 6,000 projects since its establishment. Notably, the product repurchase rate has exceeded 80%, reflecting the strong standardization of its solutions and robust market recognition.



Self-developed AI infrastructure empowers efficient implementation. The Company's self-developed AI infrastructure enables efficient algorithm development and rapid solution development. On the one hand, leveraging its self-developed full-stack technology platform, Extreme Vision has built an industry-leading AI infrastructure that covers the entire lifecycle, including data annotation, model training, algorithm development, algorithm testing and inference deployment. On the other hand, the integrated tool engines within its AI development infrastructure significantly lowering the barriers to algorithm development and drastically reducing the time required for customized algorithm development.



Multi-industry Implementation: Project Practice as a Driver for Healthy Growth



Leveraging its platform-based capabilities, Extreme Vision has applied its technology to real-world business scenarios across various sectors, delivering actionable and reusable solutions.



In terms of industrial manufacturing, Extreme Vision deployed an EHS+AI intelligent monitoring system for CR Beer. By implementing 25 categories of risk-identification algorithms, the system accurately captures risk scenarios such as the improper wearing of safety ropes and goggles, hoisting operations, and unauthorized personnel intrusion during equipment operation. This has successfully transformed traditional passive safety management into proactive, real-time, and automated risk control.



In terms of environmental and energy sectors, Extreme Vision has built an intelligent security management platform, 'Halo Guard' for China Everbright Environmental Energy. Equipped with nearly 30 AI vision algorithms for safety management and control, the platform conducts real-time monitoring of high-risk operational scenarios such as unloading platforms and burning zones, significantly enhancing operational safety.



In the higher education sector, Extreme Vision has jointly established the 'Artificial Intelligence Comprehensive Practice Center' with the School of Smart City at Beijing Union University. Leveraging its Extreme Flow platform, the Company supports algorithm teaching and research in universities, helping to cultivate AI talent.



In the transportation and mobility sector, Extreme Vision has identified new application scenarios for large model solutions. Using large model technologies, the Company has generated autonomous driving simulation scenario data and conducted hallucination detection for a leading automotive retailer, helping the client reduce reliance on real-world road data collection and optimize the R&D process.



These projects not only demonstrate the breadth and depth of Extreme Vision's technology implementation but also collectively underpin the Company's sustained growth. Each successfully delivered project generates experience and reusable modules for future projects, creating a virtuous cycle that contributes to a product repurchase rate of over 80%.



Profitability Continuously Validated, Large Model Emerges as a New Growth Driver



As its commercial value continues to be validated, Extreme Vision's profitability has also shown strong growth momentum. The Company's revenue grew from RMB101.6 million in 2022 to RMB257.3 million in 2024, representing a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 59.2%. The gross profit margin improved from 30.6% in 2022 to 40.2% in 2024. The Company recorded a profit of RMB8.71 million in 2024, making it one of the few profitable AI vision companies in China. For the nine months ended September 30, 2025, the Company achieved revenue of RMB136.3 million, a year-on-year increase of 71.7%, with the gross profit margin further rising to 44.9%.



Notably, the large model solutions launched by the Company in 2024 contributed RMB62.12 million in revenue, accounting for 24.1% of total revenue. This has become a new growth driver and is expected to unlock further market opportunities.



In terms of R&D investment, the Company continued to increase its efforts. R&D expenditure reached RMB44.82 million in 2024, an increase of 22.6% compared to 2023. As of September 30, 2025, the Company had a professional team of 101 R&D personnel. According to the Prospectus, the Company intends to use approximately 60.0% of the net proceeds from the IPO (HK$260.6 million) to enhance R&D capabilities, including the construction of large models and AI infrastructure, as well as the upgrade of AI-PaaS middleware.



Broad Market Prospects: The Platform Flywheel Accelerates



Industry prospects are promising. According to Frost & Sullivan, the market size of China's emerging enterprise-level computer vision solutions is projected to grow from RMB11.1 billion in 2024 to RMB97.0 billion in 2029, representing a CAGR of 54.3%. This represents an almost eightfold increase in market size over the next five years, indicating strong inherent growth potential in the sector.



As large models gain traction globally, market expectations for AI have been further elevated. However, in the B2B market, no matter how cutting-edge the technology is, it must ultimately return to the simple logic of 'usability, practicality, and cost controllability.' Extreme Vision's experience shows that a competitive edge for AI companies lies not only in technological leadership but also in the ability to develop standardized solutions for complex industrial scenarios and scale them through platforms and ecosystems.



From algorithms to applications, from project delivery to customer retention, Extreme Vision has remained committed to its mission of pushing technological boundaries and harnessing technology for good'building an AI flywheel that continuously generates commercial value. As AI technology permeates all industries, from industrial safety and energy inspection to retail operations, the demand for fragmented long-tail scenarios continues to emerge, positioning Extreme Vision for accelerated growth. However, whether it can continuously increase market share and improve cash flow amid fierce competition remains a core challenge post-listing.







Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.





 2026 JCN Newswire
MindMaze Therapeutics Holding SA / Key word(s): Study results

MindMaze Therapeutics and Vibra Healthcare Announce Breakthrough RWE Results in High-Dose, High-Intensity Neurorehabilitation



31.03.2026 / 07:00 CET/CEST





MindMaze Therapeutics and Vibra Healthcare Announce Breakthrough RWE Results in High-Dose, High-Intensity Neurorehabilitation

GENEVA, SWITZERLAND and MECHANICSBURG, PA - March 31, 2026 - MindMaze Therapeutics and Vibra Healthcare today announced the results of a two-year multi-site quality improvement program demonstrating real-world evidence (RWE) that the integration of technology-enabled, high-dose therapy into standard inpatient rehabilitation significantly enhances functional recovery for stroke patients. These results were presented during the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) annual conference.

The initiative, implemented across five of Vibra's inpatient medical rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), successfully delivered supplemental, gamified therapy to 210 patients. The program addressed a critical gap in stroke care: while clinical evidence supports higher doses of therapy for better recovery, staffing constraints and patient fatigue often limit delivery in the traditional standard of care (SOC).

Key Clinical Outcomes

This study compared intervention patients to matched controls, revealing that those using MindMaze technology achieved:

Superior Functional Gains: Patients in the interventional cohort demonstrated statistically significantly greater improvements over SOC in both mobility and self-care GG scores across every site of care .

Patients in the interventional cohort demonstrated statistically significantly greater improvements over SOC in both . Enhanced Intensity: Patients averaged a 60% increase in additional therapy per day , totaling approximately 6.2 hours of supplemental training per patient.

Patients averaged , totaling approximately 6.2 hours of supplemental training per patient. High Engagement: Participants trained on approximately 75% of their enrolled days , focusing on whole-body functional movements.

Participants trained on approximately , focusing on whole-body functional movements. Faster Discharge to Community Rates: Community discharge rates in the MindMaze Therapeutics cohort were clinically meaningful and higher, representing an opportunity to return patients to their homes more quickly than the SOC.

Innovative Technology Platform

This study's program utilized MindMaze's suite of technology, including MindMotion Go, Izar, and MindPod. These neurotherapeutic systems provide the recommended high-dose, high-intensity, whole-body training that remains engaging for the patient while minimizing the setup burden for therapists.

Exceptional Patient Experience

Feedback from this study's program was overwhelmingly positive, with approximately 77% of patients agreeing that the technology improved their mobility. Patients reported increased motivation and perceived recovery benefits, finding the gamified approach more enjoyable than traditional repetitive exercises.

"This initiative proves that high-dose, high-intensity technology-enabled therapy is both feasible and scalable across inpatient rehabilitation settings," said Brad Hollinger, Chairman and CEO of Vibra Healthcare. "By integrating MindMaze's platform, we have increased therapy intensity without adding to the staffing burden, leading to meaningfully greater functional recovery for our patients."

"The success of this partnership with Vibra Healthcare validates our mission to set a new global standard for neurorehabilitation," added Zach Henderson, CEO of MindMaze Therapeutics. "These RWE results show that the MindMaze Therapeutics platform is not just an add-on, but a vital component in maximizing patient outcomes and ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to home."



About Vibra

Vibra Healthcare, LLC is a post-acute care provider based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Vibra Healthcare is focused on the development, acquisition, and operation of freestanding specialty acute care hospitals, inpatient medical rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient physical rehabilitation centers. Teams of highly trained specialists lead clinical programs at Vibra's specialty hospitals for rehabilitating patients who suffer from stroke, multiple traumas, major orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory conditions. Vibra and its affiliates currently employ over 3,500 employees and own, operate, and manage more than 21 specialty hospitals, transitional care facilities, and hospital-based outpatient physical therapy locations across nine states. For additional information about Vibra Healthcare's network of specialty hospitals and post-acute care continuum, please visit www.vibrahealthcare.com .

About MindMaze Therapeutics

MindMaze Therapeutics (SIX: MMTX ) is a global leader in scalable, precision neurotherapeutics, dedicated to redefining the recovery trajectory for patients around the world. By integrating advanced software, proprietary sensors, and AI-driven data analytics, MindMaze Therapeutics provides a seamless continuum of care from the acute hospital phase to outpatient treatment to home-based therapy. The Company's FDA-cleared and CE-marked products are designed to address the systemic shortage of specialized clinicians, offering scalable, reimbursable solutions for stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. With an extensive library of rigorous clinical validation and a robust R&D pipeline, MindMaze Therapeutics is operationalizing the future of neurorestorative medicine. For more information, visit www.mindmazetherapeutics.com .

Media Contacts

Jenna Fehr, Vibra Healthcare | jlescavage@vibrahealth.com

Jeremy Meinen, MindMaze Therapeutics | ir@mindmazetherapeutics.com

DISCLAIMER

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "believe," "assume," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "will," or similar expressions. These statements are based on current plans and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such factors include, among others, business, economic, financial, regulatory, and competitive factors, as well as the Company's ability to execute its strategy. This communication is provided as of the date hereof, and MindMaze Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Press release_MindMaze-Vibra_RWE Results at ASNR
As the White House unveils its National AI Legislative Framework and the EU AI Act enters enforcement, OpenBox delivers the governance infrastructure regulators are demanding - available for every organization, from day one.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The governance crisis in enterprise AI is no longer theoretical. On 20 March 2026, the Trump Administration unveiled a comprehensive National AI Legislative Framework - its most ambitious federal AI policy move to date - calling for consistent national standards that guard against AI-enabled fraud, protect consumers, and accelerate responsible deployment across American industry. Simultaneously, the EU AI Act's compliance obligations for high-risk AI systems are now in force. Together, these milestones mark a new era: AI governance has become a regulatory and boardroom imperative, not a future consideration.

Today, OpenBox announces its public launch and a $5 million seed funding round led by Tykhe Ventures, bringing enterprise-grade AI governance infrastructure to every organization deploying AI agents, regardless of size, geography, or budget.

WHY NOW: THE REGULATORY RECKONING HAS ARRIVED

AI agents - autonomous systems that access data, call APIs, and make decisions without human review - are proliferating at a pace that governance frameworks have not kept up with. Gartner projects that by the end of 2026, task-specific AI agents will be embedded in 40% of enterprise software applications, up from less than 5% in 2025. Yet the infrastructure to manage them responsibly has been missing.

The Trump Administration's National AI Legislative Framework directly addresses this gap, calling on Congress to combat AI-enabled scams, protect intellectual property, and ensure AI systems strengthen - rather than undermine - American communities and businesses. For enterprises operating under this framework, demonstrating agentic AI governance is now a compliance obligation, not an option.

In Europe, the EU AI Act is already in effect for high-risk applications, demanding audit trails, runtime policy enforcement, cryptographic attestation, and demonstrable risk controls. For multinationals operating across jurisdictions, the compliance burden is compounding fast.

WHAT OPENBOX DOES

OpenBox turns opaque AI agent behavior into governed, attested execution. Where most monitoring tools analyze behavior after the fact, OpenBox enforces identity, authorization, and policy at the point of execution - before actions take effect. This is the difference between a security camera and a lock on the door.

The platform delivers the full compliance infrastructure that regulated environments require:

Real-time audit trails and cryptographic attestation, ready for regulatory inspection

Human-in-the-loop oversight controls for high-stakes agentic decisions

Cross-organization trust infrastructure for multi-agent, multi-vendor deployments

Cognitive behavior analysis that detects agent goal drift before it becomes material risk

Dynamic agent risk scoring that adapts controls to observed behavior - not static rules

OpenBox integrates natively with Temporal, n8n, Mastra, LangChain, AWS, and Cursor requiring no architectural changes. The entire platform - including its most advanced governance features - is available with no usage limits, from day one.

"The regulatory reckoning for AI agents is no longer a future event - it is happening now. Enterprises that cannot demonstrate governance of their AI systems face real and growing exposure. We backed OpenBox because the team combines the technical depth to build this right with the regulatory experience to understand precisely what enterprises and regulators require. That combination is rare, and the window to define this category is now."

- Prashant Malik, Co-creator of Apache Cassandra & General Partner, Tykhe Ventures

THE DEMOCRATIZATION IMPERATIVE

Enterprise AI governance has historically been the preserve of organizations with the resources to build it in-house. OpenBox was founded on the conviction that the infrastructure to trust AI agents should be as accessible as the agents themselves.

"AI agents are being democratized at remarkable speed. The infrastructure to trust them should be too. We built OpenBox so that a five-person fintech in Lagos and a 50,000-person bank in London both have access to the same enterprise-grade AI governance."

- Asim Ahmad, Co-Founder, OpenBox AI

Ahmad brings 15 years of experience spanning investment and strategy, including founding the venture capital firm Eterna Capital and prior roles at BlackRock - where governance and auditability were foundational operating requirements, not afterthoughts.

THE TECHNICAL FOUNDATION

"Every AI agent is an autonomous system capable of accessing data, calling APIs, and making decisions without human review. As enterprises deploy hundreds of these agents, the governance challenge becomes existential - and the tools to address it have simply not existed until now."

- Tahir Mahmood, Co-Founder, OpenBox AI

Mahmood brings deep technical expertise from Microsoft, where he served as Technical Lead for Operating Systems and Programming Languages, and holds more than 40 patents spanning AI, telecoms, and IoT. OpenBox's two proprietary capabilities - cognitive behavior analysis and dynamic agent risk scoring - were developed specifically to address the emergent failure modes of autonomous systems that static rule-based governance cannot catch.

TRACTION AND RECOGNITION

OpenBox already counts billion-dollar enterprises across logistics, healthcare, and media among its customers. The company has been selected for the Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab London 2026 cohort - one of the most competitive fintech programs in Europe.

AVAILABILITY

OpenBox is available now at openbox.ai. The platform is available with no usage limits and can be taken into production at any scale immediately. Advanced features and dedicated support are available as optional paid additions.

About OpenBox AI

OpenBox AI is a technology company building trust infrastructure for enterprise AI systems. It provides governance, verification, and oversight solutions for autonomous AI operating across workflows and organizations. Founded by Tahir Mahmood and Asim Ahmad - with prior experience at Microsoft and BlackRock respectively - OpenBox combines frontier technical expertise with deep regulatory knowledge.

About Tykhe Ventures

Tykhe Ventures is a venture capital firm backing foundational infrastructure companies and AI-first innovators.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/openbox-ai-launches-first-enterprise-ai-trust-platform-built-for-everyone-backed-by-5m-seed-round-302728544.html
Mollyroe Plc - 470,000 Raised through Convertible Loan Notes and 155,000 Raised through Issue of Equity

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, March 31

Mollyroe plc

("Mollyroe" or the "Company")

470,000 Raised through Convertible Loan Notes

155,000 Raised through Issue of Equity

Mollyroe is pleased to announce that it has raised 470,000 through the issue of zero interest convertible loan notes ("CLNs") to a group of investors. The CLNs are convertible into ordinary shares of 0.01 pence ("Ordinary Shares") at 0.25 pence per share, unless redeemed after 9 months maturity. The CLNs attract an immediate one for one warrant, exercisable at 0.25 pence per share, equating to 188 million Ordinary Shares in the event all the warrants are exercised, and valid for a period of 5 years from the date of grant. Any warrant exercises will be subject to passing of resolutions allowing the directors' the necessary authority to allot Ordinary Shares outside the right of pre-emption, at the next Annual General Meeting or General Meeting to be held.

The Directors contributed to the CLNs:

Director  participation to CLNs Conversion Price  Darren Hopkins, Chief Executive Officer 125,000 Converts at 0.0025 Paul Ryan, Executive Director 35,000 Converts at 0.0025 Noel Lyons, Non-Executive Director 35,000 Converts at 0.0025

Further, the Company has raised 155,000 through the issue of 62,000,000 new Ordinary Shares at 0.25 pence per share ("Subscription") ("Subscription Shares").

The Directors contributed in the Subscription:

Director Participation in Subscription  Subscription Shares % Enlarged Paul Ryan, Executive Director 65,000 26,000,000 12.87% Noel Lyons, Non-Executive Director 65,000 26,000,000 12.87%

Admission and Total Voting Rights

An application will be made for the admission to trading on the Aquis Stock Exchange Growth Market of the Subscription Shares, with admission anticipated on or around 8 April 2026 (" Admission").

On Admission, the Company will have 224,275,480 Ordinary Shares in issue, each with one voting right. The Company does not hold any shares in treasury and therefore the total number of voting rights in the Company is 224,275,480. This figure should be used by shareholders from Admission as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in the Company under the FCA's Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.

The Directors of the Company accept responsibility for the content of this announcement.

Enquiries

Company

Paul Ryan - Executive Director

mollyroeplc@gmail.com

AlbR Capital Limited - Financial Adviser and Corporate Broker

+ 44 (0) 20 7469 0930

Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them. 1 Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated a) Name Paul Ryan 2 Reason for the notification a) Position/status Executive Director b) Initial notification /Amendment ? Initial 3 Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor a) Name Mollyroe Plc b) LEI 2138004RJPGI4RW8HI19 4 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted a) Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code Ordinary Shares of 0.0001 each ? ? ISIN: ???? GB00BRC0TZ46 b) Nature of the transaction Participation in CLNs and Subscription c) Price(s) and volume(s) CLNs: 35,000 convertible at 0.0025 per share ? Subscription: 0.0025 per share for 26,000,000 shares d) Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price e) Date of the transaction 31 March 2026 f) Place of the transaction Aquis Growth Market

Notification and public disclosure of transactions by persons discharging managerial responsibilities and persons closely associated with them. Details of the person discharging managerial responsibilities / person closely associated Name Noel Lyons Reason for the notification Position/status Non-Executive Director Initial notification /Amendment ? Initial Details of the issuer, emission allowance market participant, auction platform, auctioneer or auction monitor Name Mollyroe Plc LEI 2138004RJPGI4RW8HI19 Details of the transaction(s): section to be repeated for (i) each type of instrument; (ii) each type of transaction; (iii) each date; and (iv) each place where transactions have been conducted Description of the financial instrument, type of instrument Identification code Ordinary Shares of 0.0001 each ? ? ISIN: ???? GB00BRC0TZ46 Nature of the transaction Participation in CLNs and Subscription Price(s) and volume(s) CLNs: 35,000 convertible at 0.0025 per share ? Subscription: 0.0025 per share for 26,000,000 shares Aggregated information - Aggregated volume - Price Date of the transaction 31 March 2026 Place of the transaction Aquis Growth Market
Partnership delivers quantum-resilient drone platform for NATO allies

Technical breakthrough: first airborne deployment of Classic McEliece algorithm

Combat-proven UAV systems integrated with Classic McEliece post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to secure unmanned operations against future quantum threats.

STV Group a.s., a European defence technology integrator with platforms deployed in Ukraine and allied theatres, and Post-Quantum, the UK cybersecurity company, today announced successful testing of the world's first quantum-safe drones for active deployment across allied theatres.

As allied nations adapt to warfighting defined by autonomous systems and drones, the ability to futureproof secure communications between drones and their operators is of paramount importance.

Drone swarms procured today may be stored and deployed in future operations years later. This dynamic requires drones manufactured today incorporate encryption that's resistant to attack by both classical and quantum computers.

The collaboration combines STV's combat-tested unmanned systems and command-and-control infrastructure with Post-Quantum's patented post-quantum cryptography and secure radio technologies. The two companies have now successfully trialled the new approach at STV's weapons testing facility in the Czech Republic. This is unique as STV is one of very few companies worldwide which can deploy its drone solutions directly to theatre without further certification.

The partnership introduces two industry firsts:

A quantum-resilient drone architecture designed for contested operational environments

The first airborne deployment of Classic McEliece, the longest-studied post-quantum public-key cryptographic algorithm, previously considered infeasible for DDIL (denied, disrupted, intermittent, limited) communications

Securing Drone Operations for the Quantum Era

Unmanned systems now play a central role in modern defence operations, supporting Intelligence, Surveillance Reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, precision strike, border security and critical infrastructure monitoring. Drone fleets are increasingly operating in swarms and multi-domain environments, placing greater demands on communications security.

In theatres such as Ukraine and the Middle East, unmanned platforms must operate under conditions that include:

Jamming, GPS denial and signal interception

Beyond-line-of-sight missions over degraded communications links

Large-scale fleet command and control

Continuous transmission of sensitive ISR data

At the same time, governments recognise that adversaries may already be collecting encrypted communications for decryption once quantum computing becomes viable. With drone platforms expected to remain operational for decades, protecting these systems against future quantum threats is becoming a near-term requirement.

Classic McEliece for Operational Deployment

Underpinning the new platform is Classic McEliece, the code-based post-quantum cryptographic scheme co-invented by the team at Post-Quantum.

Classic McEliece is based on the original McEliece cryptosystem with the longest unbroken security track record in public-key cryptography. Designed conservatively and subjected to almost 50 years of cryptanalytic scrutiny without security degradation, it is widely regarded as the most robust option for scenarios where long-term confidentiality is paramount.

The partnership's architecture uses Classic McEliece in a targeted, mission-aligned way by encrypting full-motion video, imagery and flight metadata for the duration of the mission. This ensures sensitive ISR data remains confidential over the long term against Harvest Now Decrypt Later attacks.

As co-inventor of the algorithm, Post-Quantum brings specialised expertise in adapting Classic McEliece for hostile operational environments, including secure radio systems and contested electromagnetic conditions.

Post-Quantum, being the pioneer in promoting crypto agility since 2009 and the author of the IETF hybrid quantum-safe VPN protocol, is also uniquely positioned to optimise and deliver CNSA 2.0 compliant PQC requirements in the most constrained environments.

Executive Commentary

JUDr. Pavel Kudrhalt, Chief Executive Officer of STV Group, said:

"STV's unmanned platforms operate daily in Ukraine, where drone communications are among the most contested in the world. In this environment, communications security is no longer an afterthought the risk of an adversary intercepting or even seizing control of a drone swarm is simply unacceptable. By integrating Classic McEliece into our operational stack, we are giving our customers the strongest available future-proof cryptography, engineered for the realities of the battlefield and ready for immediate deployment."

Rikky Hasan, Chief Executive Officer of Post-Quantum, said:

"Classic McEliece's large key size has long been considered too large for real world deployments, especially for airborne platforms operating in DDIL environments. We have proven that assumption wrong. Its tiny ciphertexts and ultra-fast encryption, combined with our experience in government-grade radio communications and electronic warfare, make it the ideal choice for protecting drone ISR against both classical and quantum attacks. This partnership is about more than cryptography it is about delivering a complete sovereign unmanned operations system, with quantum-resilient security built in as standard."

Deployment Plans

The companies will begin phased integration of the quantum-resilient UAV platform across European and allied defence programmes. Additional field validation will be conducted on systems already operating in active theatres.

The architecture is designed to extend beyond aerial systems, enabling the same quantum-resilient communications layer to support ground, maritime and subsurface unmanned platforms.

www.stvgroup.cz

www.post-quantum.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331258346/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact

Nick Ward Fire on the Hill +44 (0)7821 474 272

nward@fireoth.com postquantum@fireoth.com
Die Eskalation im Iran-Konflikt hat die Energiepreise mit voller Wucht nach oben getrieben. Was zunachst nach einer kurzfristigen Reaktion aussah, entwickelt sich zunehmend zu einem strukturellen Problem: Die Strae von Hormus ist blockiert, wichtige LNG- und Olanlagen stehen still oder werden gezielt angegriffen. Eine schnelle Entspannung ist nicht in Sicht  im Gegenteil, die Lage spitzt sich weiter zu.



Fur die Weltwirtschaft bedeutet dies wachsende Risiken. Steigende Energiepreise erhohen den Inflationsdruck, gefahrden Zinssenkungen und bringen die ohnehin hoch bewerteten Aktienmarkte ins Wanken. Doch wo Risiken entstehen, ergeben sich auch Chancen.



Denn von einem dauerhaft hoheren Energiepreisniveau profitieren nicht nur Ol- und Gasunternehmen. Auch Versorger, erneuerbare Energien sowie ausgewahlte Rohstoff- und Agrarwerte rucken in den Fokus. In diesem Umfeld konnten gezielt ausgewahlte Unternehmen uberdurchschnittlich profitieren  unabhangig davon, ob die Krise anhalt oder nicht.



In unserem aktuellen Spezialreport stellen wir drei Aktien vor, die genau dieses Profil erfullen: Krisenprofiteure mit solidem Geschaftsmodell, attraktiver Bewertung und langfristigem Potenzial.



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CARDIFF, United Kingdom , March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Atamis, a leading UK provider of procurement software to the public and private sectors, has announced that it has achieved Certified B Corporation status following a period of assessment and improvement across the business.

The certification, awarded by global non-profit B Lab, recognises companies that meet high standards of social and environmental performance, transparency and accountability. Businesses are assessed across governance, workers, community, environment and customers, and must demonstrate a commitment to balancing profit with purpose.

There are over 2,600 certified B Corps in the UK, the movement is growing rapidly. However, the B Corp status is still relatively rare within the software sector, and even rarer within procurement technology.

For Atamis, the certification reflects a long-term commitment to building a business that supports not only its clients' outcomes, but also wider societal impact.

"We know procurement sits right at the heart of how organisations deliver value - economically, socially and environmentally. That's why I'm so proud that as a procurement technology provider, we hold ourselves to the same standards our clients are working towards". Helen Evans, Atamis CEO (Interim).

Atamis' software supports organisations across government, healthcare, utilities and regulated industries, helping them drive value through their procurement operations. From driving collaboration with key suppliers to visualising and managing procurement pipelines, Atamis delivers tailored solutions that empower procurement to improve efficiency.

The company's journey to B Corp certification involved a comprehensive review of its operations, policies and governance, alongside the introduction of new initiatives to strengthen its impact across environmental sustainability, employee wellbeing and community engagement.

As organisations increasingly look to align procurement with broader ESG and sustainability objectives, Atamis' certification positions it as a partner that not only enables responsible procurement but operates with those principles itself.

About Atamis

Atamis is a leading UK-based source-to-contract procurement software provider that increases efficiencies throughout the strategic sourcing cycle. A flexible end-to-end solution, allowing clients to build a tailored package from a portfolio of Apps, Enhancers & Integrations. From Tender Management to Contract Management, Pipeline Management to Supplier Relationship Management - our solutions are built for our clients' needs.

Media Contact

marketing@atamis.co.uk

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/atamis-achieves-b-corp-certification-marking-milestone-in-responsible-procurement-technology-302727653.html
Financial backing enables AccessPay to scale services for enterprise clients and drive innovation in finance operations

MANCHESTER, UK / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / AccessPay , a leading bank integration and payment automation provider,?has secured a majority investment from Accel-KKR , a prominent global private equity firm specialising in enterprise technology and software companies. The investment is expected to enable AccessPay to fuel the next phase of growth and further its ambition to become a world-class SaaS business driving innovation in the office of the CFO. The investment also opens the door for AccessPay to pursue growth via strategic acquisitions.

The office of the CFO faces an increasingly testing operating environment. Alongside cost pressures, increased cyber threats, and a volatile geopolitical climate, AI is fundamentally rewiring finance operating practices. A global McKinsey survey of CFOs from late 2025 reported that 44% of survey respondents had identified five or more AI use cases.1

AccessPay helps organisations drive finance transformation and achieve AI readiness by connecting back-office finance systems to banks, providing clean, structured payment and bank statement data required for seamless automation.?With?the financial backing from Accel-KKR,?AccessPay?is positioned?to meet increasing demand from enterprise?organisations, where the ability?to deliver services reliably?at?scale?is?essential.?It will also use the funding to?develop?new?product offerings?and pursue strategic acquisition opportunities.

"AccessPay plays a crucial role in helping to optimise finance operations, increasing automation, improving cash visibility, and reducing the risk of fraud and error. It also has a reputation for delivering outstanding customer service," states Phil Cunningham, Managing Director at Accel-KKR. "The company aligns closely with our portfolio of investments, delivering mission-critical solutions to the office of the CFO, and we look forward to supporting CEO Anish Kapoor and his team."

Anish Kapoor, who will remain as CEO of AccessPay, comments: "As a scale-up business preparing for its next growth phase, AccessPay was looking for an investor with a track record in enterprise software investment. Accel-KKR was the standout choice for us thanks to its experience in technology investing and domain expertise. Its backing not only means we can innovate at scale, but, as a platform investment, opens the door to pursue accelerated growth through acquisition. We are confident in what both firms can develop together and the role we can play in shaping the future of finance and treasury operations."

Accel-KKR's investment in AccessPay?represents another success story for?Greater?Manchester's flourishing fintech?market, which?contributes over 1bn to the UK economy.2

Royal Park Partners served as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to AccessPay. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

ENDS

Notes to editors: McKinsey, How Finance Teams are Putting AI to Work Today.

Fintech North,? Greater Manchester.

About AccessPay

AccessPay is a leading provider of bank integration solutions, pioneering finance transformation for the Office of the CFO. AccessPay helps finance and treasury teams modernise their operations through secure, cloud-based bank connectivity. Our platform connects back-office systems to banks, enabling the automated flow and transformation of payment, bank statement and other financial data.

Thousands of businesses around the world partner with AccessPay to automate supplier and client payments, Direct Debit collections, and bank statement retrieval - improving efficiency, reducing fraud risk, and gaining real-time cash visibility. Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Manchester, UK, AccessPay is trusted by global enterprises to automate finance and treasury operations and build a future-ready Office of the CFO.

Website: www.accesspay.com

Follow us on LinkedIn: AccessPay About Accel-KKR

Accel-KKR is a technology-focused investment firm with over $23 billion in cumulative capital commitments. The firm focuses on software and tech-enabled businesses, well-positioned for topline and bottom-line growth. At the core of Accel-KKR's investment strategy is a commitment to developing strong partnerships with the management teams of its portfolio companies and a focus on building value alongside management by leveraging the significant resources available through the Accel-KKR network.

Accel-KKR focuses on middle-market companies and provides a broad range of capital solutions, including buyout capital, minority-growth investments, and credit alternatives. Accel-KKR also invests across various transaction types, including private company recapitalizations, divisional carve-outs, and going-private transactions. Accel-KKR's headquarters is in Menlo Park, with offices in London, Atlanta and Chicago. To learn more, please visit accel-kkr.com . Press contacts:

For AccessPay:

Chanda Shingadia, The Comms Crowd

Phone: +44 (0)7951 163 615?

Email:? chanda@commscrowd.com

For Accel-KKR:

Todd Fogarty, Kekst CNC

Phone: +1 212 521 4854

Email: todd.fogarty@kekstcnc.com

SOURCE: AccessPay

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/accesspay-accelerates-growth-with-majority-investment-from-leading-s-1152624
A New Approach to Software Quality and User Research Through Autonomous AI Simulation

SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Marketrix AI today announced the launch of its AI-powered QA platform designed to simulate real user behavior and deliver fully autonomous testing for modern software teams. In an era of rapid, AI-driven development, Marketrix enables companies to ship with confidence by validating every release through intelligent, persona-based simulations, without writing a single test script and without the cost of traditional QA.

Irosha de Silva (Cofounder & CEO) and Yasith Jayawardana (Cofounder & CTO) at Founders Inc Accelerator Program in Fort Mason, San Francisco.

As development velocity accelerates, traditional QA approaches are failing to keep pace, often resulting in end users finding bugs before QA does. Manual test creation is slow, scripted automation is brittle, and maintaining test suites across rapidly evolving applications has become one of the most expensive bottlenecks in modern software delivery. Marketrix addresses this gap with a fundamentally new model: software that tests itself by behaving like real users who are unfamiliar with the product.

Persona-Based Simulation Engine

At the heart of Marketrix is its patent-pending, persona-based simulation engine. It comprises AI agents trained on a company's UI, product documentation, and real user workflows. These agents do not follow rigid scripts. Instead, they generate virtual user personas, each with distinct behaviors, goals, and navigation patterns, and deploy them across the application. A first-time visitor exploring a product page behaves differently from a power user managing account settings, and the platform captures that difference. Each persona interacts with the application the way a real human would, forming spatial understanding of the interface, exploring paths organically, and encountering the same friction points that actual customers face.

Unlike traditional tools that require predefined test cases, Marketrix continuously discovers, refines, and executes flows based on real usage patterns. This simulation-aware approach ensures testing stays accurate even as the UI evolves, eliminating one of QA's biggest pain points: broken tests after every new release.

Self-Generating, Self-Maintaining User Flows

Marketrix removes the need for manual test creation and maintenance entirely. Teams simply provide access to their application and documentation. Marketrix handles the rest: generating test cases, launching environments, running flows, and updating tests automatically. Test cases are created in minutes rather than days, adapt to UI changes without script rewrites, prioritize high-impact user flows for faster feedback, and trigger continuously via CI/CD with zero manual effort. The result is a fully autonomous QA system that scales with development speed without requiring dedicated QA headcount or infrastructure.

End-to-End Testing That Mirrors Real Users

Marketrix goes beyond validating isolated features by simulating complete user journeys across the application. From onboarding to checkout to complex multi-step workflows, every interaction is tested in context, not in isolation. Because Marketrix tests from a user's perspective, it catches regressions, broken flows, and usability issues before they reach production, a capability that scripted tools cannot match. Marketrix is the only platform that generates, executes, and maintains tests directly from a live simulation of your product environment.

Capabilities that set Marketrix apart:

No scripting required: eliminates Selenium and Playwright complexity entirely.

Self-healing automation: tests evolve automatically with UI changes.

Zero infrastructure overhead: fully hosted, live in under 30 minutes.

Comprehensive coverage: automatically tests every user flow, not just predefined cases.

AI-generated and maintained tests: no ongoing QA maintenance burden.

Persona-driven validation: ensures testing reflects real user behavior, not engineering assumptions.

"The biggest blind spot in software testing is that scripts only verify what engineers already anticipated. Marketrix deploys persona-based agents that explore applications the way real users do, each with different intent, different patience, and different paths through the product.

That is how you find the bugs that actually matter, before your customers do," said Yasith Jayawardana, PhD, Cofounder and CTO of Marketrix AI.

With Marketrix, teams no longer need to choose between speed and quality. Every release is validated automatically, every user flow is tested continuously, and every issue is surfaced before it impacts customers.

Beyond QA: Simulated User Research

Marketrix extends the power of its persona-based simulation engine beyond quality assurance into user research. The same AI agents that test applications for bugs can also be deployed to simulate how real users experience a product, generating structured feedback on usability, navigation friction, confusing workflows, and feature discoverability. Teams can run simulated user research sessions at any point in the development cycle, from early prototypes to production releases, without recruiting participants, scheduling sessions, or waiting weeks for insights.

By deploying diverse personas against a live or staging environment, Marketrix surfaces the kind of qualitative, experience-level feedback that traditionally requires costly and time-consuming user studies. Product teams gain continuous insight into how different user segments perceive and interact with their software, from first-time visitors to advanced users, across different devices and contexts. Rather than relying on assumptions or waiting for post-launch support tickets to reveal problems, teams get actionable user experience data before every release. It is user research at the speed of development.

Getting Started

Marketrix AI is now available for software teams seeking a more autonomous approach to quality assurance and user validation. The platform can be introduced quickly, allowing teams to begin running simulation-based testing across their applications without relying on manually written scripts or traditional QA workflows. To explore the platform, teams can book a demo or get started directly with a free trial at www.marketrix.ai

###

About Marketrix AI

Marketrix AI is a San Francisco-based company making software self-supporting. Founded by Irosha de Silva and Yasith Jayawardana, PhD, the company develops AI-powered agents that simulate real user behavior to test applications, validate workflows, and generate product feedback. By combining autonomous QA with simulated user research, Marketrix enables software to continuously understand, test, and improve itself without manual intervention. The platform is supported by a US provisional patent related to spatial awareness and intelligent interactions, along with published research in simulation-based intelligence. Learn more at www.marketrix.ai .

Media Contact

hello@marketrix.ai

www.marketrix.ai

SOURCE: Marketrix AI

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/marketrix-ai-launches-autonomous-qa-platform-that-simulates-real-1153553
ABU DHABI, UAE, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- ADGM, Abu Dhabi's International Financial Centre (IFC), delivered a year of solid growth and strategic milestones, reinforcing its role in Abu Dhabi's status as the 'Capital of Capital'.

ADGM continued to attract international capital, world-class talent and leading institutions to the UAE capital. At the end of 2025, the number of active licences in ADGM surpassed 12,000, while the number of individuals working within the financial centre increased by 51% to 44,339. Meanwhile, Assets Under Management (AUM) rose 36%, underscoring the sustained confidence in Abu Dhabi as a trusted hub for global asset and wealth managers.

His Excellency Ahmed Jasim Al Zaabi, Chairman of ADGM, said, "2025 marked a defining chapter in ADGM's milestones. We achieved another year of significant growth in our AUMs, reflecting both the confidence of our partners and the strength of our investment strategies. Equally important was our success in attracting leading global players to ADGM, reinforcing our position as a gateway for world-class talent, capital, and innovation. This progress demonstrates the power of a thriving ecosystem, one built on partnerships, long-term value creation, and a solid commitment to excellence. And as we continue to align closely with Abu Dhabi's strategic vision, we remain focused on driving sustainable growth and elevating our competitive advantage to become one of the top five international financial centres in the world."

The significant growth of Abu Dhabi's financial sector is reflected in the surge of new licences within ADGM, with top global firms choosing the financial centre as their regional hub.

The number of total active licences across ADGM rose 30% to reach 12,671 at the end of 2025, further strengthening its position as the largest IFC in the Middle East and Africa region by this measure.

Meanwhile, the growth in business activity across the IFC continued to attract a diverse and highly skilled talent pool across Al Reem and Al Maryah Islands. This led to ADGM's total workforce increasing by 51% to 44,339 individuals in 2025 from 29,338 in 2024.

In 2025 leading fintech, digital assets, banking, infrastructure investment, sustainability advisory, global legal services and tech-enabled financial platforms, including Circle, Carta, Bitcoin Suisse, Tradition, Bitgrit, Stacks Asia DLT Foundation, Hidden Roads, Skadden, and Digital Climate Middle East (DCME), Olive Gaea, TON, Animoca Brands, BBVA, Arab Bank (Switzerland) Gulf, Galaxy Digital, Halo Investing, Eurasian Development Bank, iCapital, ERM, and DLA Piper, announced setting up in ADGM.

Binance became the first crypto exchange to secure a formal global licence from ADGM's Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) in December 2025. The licence enables Binance to operate from Abu Dhabi under a comprehensive, world-class regulatory framework, reinforcing ADGM's position at the forefront of compliant and progressive digital-asset ecosystems worldwide.

At the end of 2025, ADGM was home to 171 asset and fund managers, which collectively manage 244 funds. A total of 347 financial institutions are now based in ADGM, 80 of which were licensed in 2025.

Some of the top financial entities include Kimmeridge, Fortress, Polen Capital, Adams Street, Arcapita, Aquila Group, Cantor Fitzgerald, Davidson Kempner, DWS, Galaxy (asset management arm alongside digital assets), GMB Limited, HarbourVest, Harrison Street, Investindustrial, KKR, Monroe Capital, NewVest, Oryx Global Partners, PATRIZIA, Partners Group, Plenary ME Infrastructure Partners Ltd., Seviora, UBS Group, and Julius Baer.

Meanwhile, the FSRA issued a total of 120 In-Principle Approvals (IPAs), up almost 32% year-on-year, while 94 new Financial Services Permissions (FSPs) were secured.

Throughout the year, ADGM's wider ecosystem welcomed 3,495 operational entities, almost a 40% increase from a year earlier, underscoring the range of businesses choosing the financial centre as their regional base.

Abu Dhabi's growing global stature as a leading financial centre was further affirmed in December through its recognition in the inaugural Financial Centre Competitiveness Index (FCCI) published by NYU Stern School of Business. The index ranked the UAE capital as the number one financial centre in the MENA region and 12th globally, reflecting Abu Dhabi's strong institutional foundations, progressive regulatory environment and future-ready ecosystem.

Abu Dhabi also hosted the International Forum of Sovereign Wealth Funds (IFSWF) annual meeting in November 2025. The event brought together leading sovereign wealth funds representing significant long-term institutional capital. The gathering reaffirmed Abu Dhabi's position as a trusted convenor of global capital flows and a platform for strategic dialogue and partnerships.

During the first half of 2025, ADGM increased international engagements by joining the Abu Dhabi Department of Economic Development (ADDED) and a wider Abu Dhabi delegation on a series of roadshows to China and Japan, as well as roadshows to London, New York, Singapore and India in the second half of the year. During these trips, ADGM and other leading UAE entities signed several memorandums of understanding (MOUs) and hosted a series of events to promote business and investment opportunities across the emirate's high-growth sectors.

In September, the FSRA of ADGM and the Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) co-hosted a high-level roundtable in Hong Kong to discuss opportunities for Hong Kong asset managers within ADGM.

As the only IFC in the region with the direct application of English Common Law, ADGM strengthened its regulatory ecosystem during 2025 to reinforce market integrity, enhance transparency and improve consumer protection.

The FSRA implemented key legislative updates aligned with international standards, including BCBS and IOSCO principles. It also introduced a new Funds Reporting Regime to enhance transparency, data quality and regulatory oversight across the asset management sector.

In alignment with UAE regulatory priorities and coordination with the Central Bank, the FSRA issued a Consultation Paper on Transition Planning Principles, advancing high-level expectations for financial institutions to strengthen resilience and long-term preparedness.

During 2025, ADGM started to fully operate its expanded real estate jurisdiction, following the successful integration of Al Reem Island under ADGM. The RAfocused on delivering end-to-end real estate operations, including the launch of 70+ services for Real Property across buy & sell, leasing, renewals, project registrations, real property transactions, licensing, work permits, commercial permits, and licence renewals issued under incentivised schemes.

In December 2025, Mubadala and Aldar unveiled an AED 60+ billion joint venture to expand Al Maryah Island, unlocking the next phase of growth for one of the world's largest financial districts. The project will comprise 1.5 million sqm of new office, residential, retail, and hospitality space, further elevating Al Maryah Island's distinctive blend of international business and luxury living.

ADGM's ability to convene global financial powers was once again on full display during Abu Dhabi Finance Week 2025, its most successful edition to date across 68 events and 394 thematic sessions. With over 800 influential speakers and almost 70 global and regional partners, the event gathered participants who collectively manage more than USD 60 trillion in assets - the equivalent of more than 50% of the world's GDP. It also welcomed more than 35,000 attendees, 30% of whom were international participants, representing 175 nationalities.

Through ADFW, which is drawing increased international attention with every edition, ADGM was able to showcase Abu Dhabi's plans for its next decade of growth and reinforce its position as the Capital of Capital.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2550581/5010772/ADGM_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/abu-dhabis-ifc-announces-36-surge-in-aum-51-increase-in-workforce-and-over-12-000-licences-in-2025--302729718.html
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Arizona Eagle Mining Corp. (TSXV: AZEM) (the "Company" or "Arizona Eagle") is pleased to announce that its common shares have commenced trading on the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") under the symbol AZEM.

Kevin Reid, Chief Executive Officer of Arizona Eagle, commented:

"The commencement of trading on the TSX Venture Exchange represents a significant milestone for Arizona Eagle Mining. This listing enhances our access to capital markets and provides a strong platform to advance exploration and development at our flagship Eagle Project in Arizona's prolific Yavapai County. With a strong treasury, 100% ownership of the past-producing, high-grade gold and silver McCabe Mine, and a large, strategic land package comprising patented and BLM claims, we believe the Company is well positioned to unlock value in this historic gold-silver district. Our fully funded Phase 1 drill program is currently underway, and we look forward to delivering results as we continue to advance the Project."

Eagle Project Overview

Arizona Eagle holds a 100% interest in the Eagle Project located in Yavapai County, Arizona. The Project is anchored by the past-producing gold and silver McCabe Mine, situated on more than 300 acres of private land. Stan West Mining historically invested more than US$35 million (approximately C$110 million in today's dollars) to drill and develop the mine. In 1984, Stan West Mining published a historic estimate of approximately 878,000 ounces of gold and 5 million ounces of silver,1 defined to a depth of approximately 440 metres and open in all directions (see Figure 1).

Over the past two years, Arizona Eagle has expanded its land position to nearly 4,500 acres through staking and acquisitions surrounding the McCabe Mine. During this time the Company completed exploration programs focused on geological mapping, surface sampling, helicopter-borne VTEM surveys and ground-based induced polarization surveys that identified multiple parallel mineralized structures not historically drill tested (see Figure 2).

Figure 1. Eagle Project - Long Section (Historic Estimate)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10145/290619_b5343f687408990b_002full.jpg

1 The historical estimates for the McCabe Deposit is unclassified and predates, and is non-compliant with current NI 43-101 standards; it is based on a 1984 "Total Reserve Estimate" by Stan West Mining. The Company's Qualified person has not done significant work to classify the historic estimate as current mineral resources or current mineral reserves. Significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person before the historic resource can be verified and upgraded to be compliant with current NI 43-101 standards.

Figure 2. Eagle Project - Plan Map showing land package and structures.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10145/290619_b5343f687408990b_003full.jpg

Phase 1 Drill Program

In the first quarter of 2026, the Company initiated a fully-funded Phase 1 drill program totaling approximately 4,500 metres. The drill program was designed to confirm the historic resource estimate in addition to potentially expand upon it. The drill program is expected to conclude in June 2026. Core samples from the initial drill holes have been submitted for laboratory analysis with assay results currently pending. A second core drill rig is scheduled to mobilize to the Eagle Project in July 2026 for further drilling

Share Capital

As of the commencement of trading, Arizona Eagle has 49,006,929 common shares issued and outstanding. The Company also has 4,698,069 warrants and 2,637,647 stock options outstanding, for a total of 56,342,645 common shares on a fully diluted basis. Approximately 25.9 million common shares held by principals and management are subject to escrow, representing approximately 53% of the issued and outstanding common shares on an undiluted basis.

Marketing Agreement

The Company is pleased to announce that it has entered into a marketing services agreement with Oak Hill Financial Inc. ("Oak Hill"), effective April 1, 2026, for an initial three-month term with automatic monthly renewals thereafter. Under the agreement, Oak Hill will act as marketing representative on behalf of the Company to raise its profile and credibility with the investment community, target advisor distribution channels including positioning with Canadian CIRO Investment Advisors, assist with investor outreach and identification, develop core messaging and provide regular feedback to the Company. In consideration for its services, the Company will pay Oak Hill a monthly cash fee of C$12,000, plus applicable taxes, payable on the effective date and every month thereafter. The Company may also reimburse Oak Hill for certain pre-approved out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the services. No securities of the Company are being issued to Oak Hill as compensation under the agreement. The agreement is subject to TSXV approval.

Oak Hill is based in Toronto, Ontario at 2 Bloor Street West, Suite 2900, M4W 3E2. The Company and Oak Hill are unrelated and unaffiliated entities. To the knowledge of the Company, neither Oak Hill nor any of its directors, officers, or employees currently owns any securities of the Company or has any present intention to acquire any such securities.

About Arizona Eagle Mining Corp.

Arizona Eagle is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Arizona Eagle's principal asset is the Eagle Project, a 4,533-acre property comprised of patented and unpatented claims located near the town of Prescott Valley in Yavapai County, Arizona, which it holds through its wholly-owned subsidiary, AZ Desert Land Holdings Corp. The Eagle Project is centred on the past-producing McCabe Mine, a high-grade gold-silver deposit, and includes multiple parallel structures hosting past-producing mines that remain largely untested by modern drilling. While Arizona Eagle's primary focus will be on exploration and development of the Eagle Project, it will continue to own Core Nickel's land portfolio in the Thompson Nickel Belt of northern Manitoba.

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Clyde Smith, PhD, Vice-President, Exploration of the Company, who is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

For Further Information

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may", "should", "anticipate", "will", "estimates", "believes", "intends", "expects" and similar expressions which are intended to identify forward-looking statements. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the Company's exploration activities and drill program at the Eagle Project, the timing and results of assay results, the mobilization of additional drill rigs, the engagement of Oak Hill, and the potential expansion of the historic estimate. Forward-looking statements are inherently uncertain, and the actual performance may be affected by a number of material factors, assumptions and expectations, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including expectations and assumptions concerning the timely receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including the approval of the TSXV, and the ability of the Company to execute on the proposed exploration program at the Eagle Project. Readers are cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking statements may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, as such information, although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified by the foregoing cautionary statement. Except as expressly required by securities law, the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States or in any other jurisdiction, nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any state in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act, or any state securities laws, and accordingly, may not be offered or sold in the United States except in compliance with the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities requirements or pursuant to exemptions therefrom.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290619

Source: Arizona Eagle Mining Corp.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - F4 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FFU) ("F4" or "the Company") announces that its summer exploration in the Athabasca Basin will focus on the Murphy Lake property located 5km south of the Hurricane Deposit with partner UraniumX Discovery Corp (formerly known as Stearman Resources Inc) and on the wholly-owned Todd Lake and Wales Lake projects located within 25km of Paladin's Triple R and Nexgen's Arrow deposits in the southwest corner of the Athabasca Basin. Drilling at Murphy Lake, where F4 is the operator, is set to begin at the end of May to be funded by UraniumX in accordance with the earn-in agreement on the property (see news release dated July 29, 2025) and to be followed by the work at Todd Lake and Wales Lake in the region where a string of recent discoveries, including F3 Uranium's JR Zone and Tetra Zone, Nexgen Energy's PCE occurrence, and Paladin Energy's Saloon area, highlight the potential for additional uranium discoveries (see map 1 below).

The Company holds all necessary work permits for the three planned exploration programs. The Todd Lake and Wales Lake programs, with a combined budget of $1.5 million, remain subject to financing.

Todd Lake

F4's westside flagship Todd Lake property is located 14km southwest of Paladin's Triple R and Nexgen's Arrow deposits. These major deposits are located within the Patterson Lake conductive corridor which strikes southwest towards Todd Lake and where an airborne Mobile MagnetoTellurics (Mobile MT) survey completed in summer 2025 identified possible extension to the PLC and the Carter Trends into the Todd Lake property (see F4 news release dated July 2, 2025). The property lies within the Clearwater Domain, an underexplored geological unit with no historic ground geophysics or drilling completed, and where F3 Uranium recently made the Tetra Zone discovery, less than 4km northeast of Todd lake. Map 1 below shows the location of Todd Lake in relation to the Tetra Zone discovery and to the Paladin Triple R and Nexgen Arrow uranium deposits. Planning of the summer exploration work on Todd Lake, including drilling, is in progress.

Wales Lake

F4's Wales Lake Project is located outside the southwest Athabasca Basin within 25km of Paladin's Triple R and Nexgen Energy's Arrow deposits. The project lies southwest of the Dirkson and Saloon Trends, host to both Nexgen Energy's PCE uranium occurrence and Paladin Energy's recently discovered Saloon East (see Map 1). With F3 Uranium's discovery in 2025 of the Tetra Zone in the Clearwater Domain, F4 believes in a diverse exploration potential on the Wales Project. The properties are significantly underexplored with only 4 previous drillholes and planning of the next steps for summer 2026 exploration work on the Wales Lake project is underway.

Marketing Agreement:

The Company also announces that it has entered into a digital marketing services agreement with Connect 4 Marketing Ltd. ("Connect4") to provide the Company with comprehensive digital marketing services including content creation (videos ad creatives, landing pages), influencer management, newsletter coordination, and targeted advertising campaigns in both English and German markets.

Subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"), the agreement will commence for an initial 2-month term, which may be extended by mutual agreement. In consideration for the services provided, the Company will pay Connect4 an initial upfront service and marketing fee of $150,000 CAD, plus applicable taxes, which will be paid from the Company's general working capital.

To the best of the Company's knowledge Connect 4 does not have any equity interest in the securities of the Company, or a right to acquire such an interest. Connect4 and its principal have an arms' length relationship with the Company.

Connect4 is registered in Brossard, Quebec at 702-5505 Boulevard Du Quartier, Brossard, J4Z0R9 and can be reached at Carlos@connect4marketing.ca or by phone @ 1 (514) 970-1316. The principal of Connect4 is Louis-Carlos Vargas Rocheleau.





Map 1. Overview Map of F4's Southwest Athabasca Projects

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10832/290618_cdc71dfd64a44aee_002full.jpg

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved on behalf of the Company by Sam Hartmann, P.Geo., President & COO of F4, and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

This news release also refers to neighboring properties in which F4 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Todd Lake or Wales Lake properties.

For additional information on the Wales Lake Project, please refer to the reports titled "Technical Report For The Wales Lake West Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" dated February 3, 2025 and "Technical Report for the Wales Lake East Property, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" dated May 12, 2025, both available at www.sedarplus.ca, and prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

About F4 Uranium Corp:

F4 Uranium is a Canadian uranium exploration company focused on the Athabasca Basin in northern Saskatchewan Company is led by a management and exploration team with a legacy of discovery successes. The project portfolio includes 17 wholly owned properties totaling roughly 157,000 ha, many of which are near uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R, Nexgen Energy's Arrow and IsoEnergy's Hurricane projects.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

"Ray Ashley"

Raymond Ashley, CEO

F4 Uranium Corp.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290618

Source: F4 Uranium Corp.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corporation (CSE: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) ("Strathmore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that 2026 Exploration Drilling at the Agate Project is to begin the week of April 13th. The Agate Property is a potential in-situ recovery project located in the Shirley Basin Uranium District, of central Wyoming. Agate borders both Cameco and UEC projects and lies close to UR-Energy's satellite in-situ mine that is currently under construction and planned for startup of operations this spring 2026.

In 2025, Strathmore completed 45 drill holes, including five cored holes, as part of a successful exploration program. Drilling expanded the northern Lower Sand trend by over 1,200 feet (now open-ended and nearly one mile in length) and the southern Middle Sand trend by 500 feet (now over 1,300 feet in length and open in both directions). Approximately 95% of the holes intersected uranium mineralization. Twenty cored intervals from the 2025 program have been submitted to Pace Analytical for chemical assaying, with results anticipated in mid-April.

For Strathmore's April 2026 exploration project, the Company plans to drill up to 50 holes, targeting on-trend mineralization previously defined in 2024-25. Step-out drilling will target extensions of mineralization previously intersected by Strathmore in areas of historically concentrated drilling completed by Kerr-McGee Corp. in the 1970s, with the goal of expanding the mineralized trends into untested portions of the property.

Additionally, several historical holes that were located with legible drill collar markers will be drilled and washed out for comparison and confirmation of Kerr-McGee's historical gamma logging and mapping of the drill hole locations.

Recently, Strathmore submitted 20 cored intervals from the 2025 drilling to a certified lab, Pace Analytical of Sheridan, Wyoming, for chemical assaying of potential uranium mineralization. Assay results are anticipated for mid April.



John DeJoia, P.Geo commented: "The successful completion of the initial Agate drilling phase marks a significant milestone as the project advances toward securing the Plan of Operations and progressing into the next stages of development. Expanded trend lengths and the continued southward extension of mineralization underscore strong potential for additional discoveries, while further defining the geologic framework. These results enhance the project's overall value proposition and position it favorably as it moves forward."

About the Agate Property

The Agate property consists of 124 wholly owned lode mining claims covering ~2,560 acres. Uranium mineralization is contained in classic Wyoming-type roll fronts within the Eocene Wind River Formation, an arkosic-rich sandstone. Historically, 53 million pounds of uranium were mined in Shirley Basin, including from open-pit, underground, and the first commercial in-situ recovery operation in the USA during the 1960s. At the property, the uranium mineralization is shallow, from 20 to approximately 150 feet deep, much of which appears below the water table and likely amenable to in-situ recovery. Kerr McGee Corporation, the largest US uranium mining company at the time, drilled at least 650 holes across the project area in the 1970s, delineating several targets of potential mineralization. Strathmore completed 250 holes during the 2023-25 drilling programs, including installation of five monitor wells for groundwater studies and recovery of core for chemical assays and XRF analysis at the University of Wyoming.

Debt Settlement

The Company announces that it has entered into debt settlement agreements with certain creditors of the Company, including certain insiders, to settle an aggregate of $650,000 in outstanding debt (the "Debt Settlement").

Pursuant to the Debt Settlement, the Company will issue an aggregate of 3,250,000 common shares in the capital of the Company (the "Debt Shares") at a deemed price of $0.20 per Debt Share. The debt was incurred in connection with management and consulting services provided to the Company between October 2023 and March 2026. No warrants are being issued in connection with the Debt Settlement.

Of the total Debt Settlement, an aggregate of $339,000 in debt is being settled with certain officers of the Company through the issuance of 1,695,000 Debt Shares. The participation of these insiders in the Debt Settlement constitutes a "related party transaction" within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Debt Settlement with the insiders does not exceed 25% of the Company's market capitalization.

The Debt Settlement remains subject to the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. All Debt Shares issued pursuant to the Debt Settlement will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months and one day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable Canadian securities laws.

About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore is focused on discovering uranium deposits in Wyoming, and has three permitted uranium projects including Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s.

Cautionary Statement: "Neither the CSE Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the CSE Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release".

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290617

Source: Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Carlyle Commodities Corp. (CSE: CCC) (FSE: BJ4) ("Carlyle" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has executed a definitive agreement (the "Definitive Agreement") with Silver Pony Resources Corp. ("SPR"), dated March 30th, 2026, whereby the Company will acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of SPR pursuant to a three-cornered amalgamation in accordance with Section 269 of the Business Corporations Act (British Columbia) (the "BCBCA") as further detailed below (the "Transaction"). The Transaction will constitute a "Fundamental Change" of the Company as defined by the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE").

Transaction Summary

Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, the Company will complete a consolidation of its issued and outstanding common shares (the "Consolidation") on the basis of one post-Consolidation common share (the "Company Shares") for every twenty (20) outstanding common shares in the capital of the Company. Following the Consolidation and upon closing of the Transaction, each of the shareholders of SPR (the "SPR Shareholders") will receive one (1) Company Share in exchange for each share ("SPR Shares") held in the capital of SPR. Holders of common share purchase warrants of SPR will, upon exercise, receive Company Shares in lieu of SPR Shares on a 1:1 basis.

Upon completion of the Transaction, the Company will change its name to "Silver Pony Resources Corp." or such other similar name as the parties may agree upon. Following completion of the Transaction, the Company will carry on the business of SPR, primarily focused on the exploration and development of the Trout Lake Property.

The Transaction will be structured as a three-cornered amalgamation in accordance with Section 269 of the BCBCA in which SPR will amalgamate with 1582613 B.C. Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company formed solely for the purpose of facilitating the Transaction. Following the Transaction, the amalgamated company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company.

An aggregate finder's fee of $550,000 payable in cash, Company Shares or a combination thereof will be payable upon closing of the Transaction to certain finders.

Morgan Good, Carlyle's Chief Executive Officer, President, and Director, commented: "The Company is thrilled to announce the execution of definitive documentation. Silver Pony also received it's 5-year NoW a few weeks ago lining up the exploration season for this year beautifully. We believe our timing with a pullback in metal prices bodes well for a potential correction as we seek the necessary exchange approvals and mobilize drill crews and our technical team to site."

Zac Gray, Silver Pony's Founder and Chief Executive Officer, stated: "I sourced this opportunity over 7 years ago, raised approximately $2,000,000+ privately with a trusted group of resource investors and strategically grew our land package while searching for the right team and market conditions to make the next leap. I chose to team up with Carlyle because of their technical expertise and depth on the ground in British Columbia. As a combined company, we expect to have all the necessary capital for our phase 1 and phase 2 plans and I'm particularly excited that things have fallen into place for all shareholders, both from Silver Pony and Carlyle. We are optimistic 2026 will be a positive year and are hopeful we can come away with plenty of exploration success."

Concurrent Financing

In connection with the Transaction, the Company completed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (the "Concurrent Financing") of an aggregate of 425,000,000 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.01 per Subscription Receipt ($0.20 on a post-Consolidation basis) for aggregate gross proceeds of C$4,250,000. The Concurrent Financing was completed in three tranches.

Each Subscription Receipt will automatically convert, immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction, and subject to satisfaction of the escrow release conditions, into one unit of the Company (a "Unit"), without payment of additional consideration. Each Unit will be comprised of one Company Share (which will be Consolidated) and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each whole warrant, a "Unit Warrant"). Each Unit Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one (one-twentieth following the Consolidation) of an additional Company Share at an exercise price of $0.015 ($0.30 on a post-Consolidation basis) for a period of 18 months from the date of the issuance. Following the Consolidation, and provided that the Transaction closes, there will be 21,250,000 Common Shares issued upon the conversion of the Subscription Receipts and Unit Warrants exercisable to purchase an additional 10,625,000 Common Shares.

In connection with the Concurrent Financing, the Company paid certain eligible finders an aggregate cash commission of $184,500 and issued to certain finders an aggregate of 20,240,000 finder's warrants (each, a "Finder's Warrant"). Each Finder's Warrant is exercisable into one unit of the Company (a "Finder's Unit") at an exercise price of $0.01 ($0.20 on a post-Consolidation basis) for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance. Each Finder's Unit is comprised of one Company Share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a "Finder's Unit Warrant"). Each full Finder's Unit Warrant is exercisable into one Company Share at an exercise price of $0.015 ($0.30 on a post-Consolidation basis) per share for a period of 18 months from the date of issuance. The provisions of the Finder's Warrants provide that the exercise terms will be adjusted to reflect the Consolidation, meaning that following the Consolidation, the Finder's Warrants will be exercisable for 1,012,000 Common Shares and 506,000 Finder's Unit Warrants.

The gross proceeds of the Concurrent Financing are held in escrow and will be released to the Company immediately prior to the completion of the Transaction upon satisfaction of certain closing conditions. In the event the closing conditions are not satisfied or waived within 180 days following the closing date of the Concurrent Financing, the net proceeds will be returned to subscribers. The Company anticipates that the net proceeds will be used for exploration work and general working capital.

Board of Directors and Management

Upon completion of the Transaction, the board of directors of the Company is expected to be constituted as follows:

Morgan Good - Director

Jeremy Hanson - Director

Leighton Bocking - Director

Zac Gray - Director

Pursuant to the Definitive Agreement, the board of directors of the Company is expected to be expanded to five members at the next annual general meeting of shareholders, with Kyler Hardy to be nominated for election as an additional director.

The following individuals are expected to continue as officers of the Company upon completion of the Transaction:

Morgan Good - Chief Executive Officer, President and Director

Bennett Liu - Chief Financial Officer

Andrew Brown - Corporate Secretary

Voting Support Agreements

The directors and officers of each of Carlyle and SPR, and certain SPR shareholders, have entered into voting support agreements pursuant to which, among other things, they have agreed to vote their respective securities in favour of the resolutions required to complete the Transaction.

Voluntary Lock-Up

The Company Shares to be issued to the SPR shareholders in connection with the Transaction will be subject to a voluntary contractual lock-up, in addition to any escrow or resale restrictions imposed by applicable securities laws or the policies of the CSE, with the shares to be released as follows:

25% of the Company Shares released on closing;

25% of the Company Shares released 6 months following closing;

25% of the Company Shares released 12 months following closing; and

25% of the Company Shares released 18 months following closing.

Conditions to Closing

Closing of the Transaction is subject to, among other things: (i) the approval of the CSE; (ii) approval of the Company shareholders of the Consolidation and the Transaction; (iii) approval of the SPR shareholders of the Transaction; (iv) receipt of all necessary regulatory and third-party approvals; (v) the conversion of the Subscription Receipts; (vi) delivery of the requisite financial statements and a technical report compliant with NI 43-101 in respect of the Trout Lake Property; and (vii) other customary closing conditions.

A copy of the Definitive Agreement will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Listing Statement/Trading Halt

Further details about the Transaction will be provided in a listing statement of the Company to be prepared and filed in respect of the Transaction in accordance with CSE policies. Trading of the Company Shares has been halted and will remain halted in accordance with CSE policies until all required documentation with respect to the Transaction has been accepted by the CSE.

Qualified Person

Warren Robb, P.Geo., a qualified person as per NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release. Mr. Robb is a professional geoscientist registered with Engineers and Geoscientists British Columbia.

About Silver Pony Resources Corp.

SPR's Trout Lake property (the "Trout Lake Property") is a polymetallic exploration property located in the historic Lardeau Mining District of southeastern British Columbia, approximately 90 km south of Revelstoke. The Trout Lake Property lies within the Trout Lake-Lardeau belt, an area that has seen more than a century of exploration and production focused on silver, lead, zinc and gold hosted in Orogenic Gold veins and Carbonate Replacement Systems. The Trout Lake Property also includes the adjoining mineral tenures historically associated with the Silver Cup area, which includes numerous Crown-granted claims, historic workings, and documented polymetallic occurrences. These combined mineral tenures form the exploration package being advanced by SPR. A technical report compliant with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") is being prepared in respect of the Trout Lake Property.

About Carlyle Commodities Corp.

The Company is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral resource properties. Carlyle owns 100% of the Quesnel Gold Project located in the Cariboo Mining Division, 30 kilometers northeast of Quesnel in central B.C., and holds the option to acquire 100% undivided interest in the Nicola East Mining Project, located approximately 25 kilometers east of the mining town of Merritt, B.C., and is listed on the CSE under the symbol "CCC" and the Frankfurt Exchange under the ticker "BJ4".

Forward-Looking Information

This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of Carlyle regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts; statements as to management's expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things, the Transaction, Consolidation and name change (including timing, structure and receipt of all necessary approvals, including CSE approval); the proposed changes to the board of directors and management of the Company; the satisfaction of all closing conditions; the preparation and filing of the listing statement in connection with the Transaction; the Company's expectations regarding the timing and receipt of necessary exchange approvals, the mobilization of drill crews and technical personnel, and the commencement and execution of planned exploration activities; anticipated market conditions, including expectations of a potential correction in metal prices; the Company's exploration plans, including the execution of Phase 1 and Phase 2 programs, the availability and sufficiency of capital to fund such programs, and the anticipated outcomes or success of such exploration activities; and statements expressing optimism regarding future performance, including expectations that 2026 will be a positive year and the potential for exploration success.

These forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company's ability to complete the Transaction as currently proposed or at all; the Company may not receive all necessary approvals for the Transaction, including CSE approval; the satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions; and that the Company may not have the necessary funds or resources to carry out its planned exploration work; delays or failure to obtain approvals, adverse weather or site conditions; logistical or operational challenges; contractor or equipment availability issues, cost overruns; the inability to secure financing; volatility in metal prices; and the inherent uncertainty of exploration results, which may not be favourable.

In making the forward looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the Company will be able to complete the Transaction as anticipated and on the expected timing; the Company will receive all necessary approvals for the Transaction, including CSE approval; that the Company will have the necessary funds and resources to carry out its planned exploration work; the availability of personnel, equipment and contractors, the ability to execute planned exploration programs as anticipated, the availability of financing on acceptable terms, and favourable market conditions, including commodity prices. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial outlook that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290585

Source: Carlyle Commodities Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) ("Blackrock" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the results of a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") for its 100%-owned Tonopah West Project ("Tonopah West" or the "Project"), in one of the largest historic silver districts in North America, located on private land in Nye and Esmeralda counties, Nevada, United States, approximately 1 kilometer (km) west-northwest of Tonopah, Nevada. All dollar figures in this news release are in United States dollars unless otherwise noted.

The PEA was prepared by Minetech, LLC ("Minetech") in accordance with Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves adopted May 19, 2014 (the "CIM Definition Standards") and in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") with an effective date of January 4, 2026.

The PEA is based on an updated mineral resource estimate prepared by RESPEC Company, LLC ("RESPEC") in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101 (the "MRE"). The effective date of the MRE is January 4, 2026.

Highlights of the Tonopah West PEA

(Ounces are troy; all tonnes metric)

Disciplined Base Case Economics: Secured with a conservative long-term silver (" Ag ") price of US$31 per ounce and a gold (" Au ") price of US$2,700 per ounce, the Project shows robust, after-tax net present value, discounted at 5% (" NPV 5% "), of $437-million, and an after-tax internal rate of return (" IRR ") of 28% over an 11.2-year mine life (" LOM ") -- ensuring operational resilience through a wide range of metal price cycles;

Secured with a conservative long-term silver (" ") price of US$31 per ounce and a gold (" ") price of US$2,700 per ounce, the Project shows robust, after-tax net present value, discounted at 5% (" "), of $437-million, and an after-tax internal rate of return (" ") of 28% over an 11.2-year mine life (" ") -- ensuring operational resilience through a wide range of metal price cycles; Low Initial Capital: Calculated initial capital cost of US$190-million (including US$25-million contingency) with a base case payback period of 3.5 years;

Calculated initial capital cost of US$190-million (including US$25-million contingency) with a base case payback period of 3.5 years; Increased Payable Metal: Enhanced mine plan delivers 89.6 million silver equivalent (" AgEq ") ounces, which equates to 79.6 million payable AgEq ounces -- a 14% increase in payable silver and 17% increase in payable gold as compared to the previous preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West dated effective September 4, 2024 (the " Original PEA "), with a US$778-million after-tax LOM cash flow.

Enhanced mine plan delivers 89.6 million silver equivalent (" ") ounces, which equates to 79.6 million payable AgEq ounces -- a 14% increase in payable silver and 17% increase in payable gold as compared to the previous preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West dated effective September 4, 2024 (the " "), with a US$778-million after-tax LOM cash flow. High-Margin, Low-Cost Operation: Anticipated All-In-Sustaining-Costs (" AISC ") 1 of US$17.44 per silver equivalent ounce basis providing significant margin expansion potential;

Anticipated All-In-Sustaining-Costs (" ") of US$17.44 per silver equivalent ounce basis providing significant margin expansion potential; Increased Indicated AgEq Ounces: Improved indicated category mineral resource estimate comprising 2.75 million tonnes grading 454 grams per tonne (" g/t ") AgEq totaling 40.2 million ounces of AgEq (216.8 g/t Ag and 2.25 g/t Au for 19.2 million ounces of silver and 199,000 ounces of gold respectively) - a 90% increase over the previous mineral resource estimate on Tonopah West dated effective August 25, 2025 (the " Previous MRE ");

Improved indicated category mineral resource estimate comprising 2.75 million tonnes grading 454 grams per tonne (" ") AgEq totaling 40.2 million ounces of AgEq (216.8 g/t Ag and 2.25 g/t Au for 19.2 million ounces of silver and 199,000 ounces of gold respectively) - a 90% increase over the previous mineral resource estimate on Tonopah West dated effective August 25, 2025 (the " "); Large Resource with Upside Potential: Increased inferred mineral resource with 5.54 million tonnes grading 466 g/t AgEq for 83 million ounces of silver equivalent (188.5 g/t Ag and 2.62 g/t Au totaling 33.6 million ounces of silver and 467,000 ounces of gold) in an inferred mineral resource category. The vein system is open to the east, northwest and at depth;

Increased inferred mineral resource with 5.54 million tonnes grading 466 g/t AgEq for 83 million ounces of silver equivalent (188.5 g/t Ag and 2.62 g/t Au totaling 33.6 million ounces of silver and 467,000 ounces of gold) in an inferred mineral resource category. The vein system is open to the east, northwest and at depth; Low-cost Geometry: Used a minimum mining width of three metres (3m), and Long Hole Stoping (cheaper costs) accounts for 88% of the tonnes mined while Cut and Fill mining accounts for 12% of the tonnes;

Used a minimum mining width of three metres (3m), and Long Hole Stoping (cheaper costs) accounts for 88% of the tonnes mined while Cut and Fill mining accounts for 12% of the tonnes; Excellent Metallurgical Recoveries: Realized average recoveries of 91.6% for silver and 96.3% for gold from a 3-stage crushing circuit and processing plant;

Realized average recoveries of 91.6% for silver and 96.3% for gold from a 3-stage crushing circuit and processing plant; Exceptional Leverage to upside metal prices: Assessed at the 1-year analyst consensus forecast for gold and silver prices (US$66.90/oz Ag and US$4,554/oz Au), the Project delivers US$1.55B after-tax NPV 5% , a 79% IRR, and a 1.4-year payback; and

Assessed at the 1-year analyst consensus forecast for gold and silver prices (US$66.90/oz Ag and US$4,554/oz Au), the Project delivers US$1.55B after-tax NPV , a 79% IRR, and a 1.4-year payback; and Unique location and infrastructure: Located on patented mineral claims (private land) adjacent to the town of Tonopah, Nevada, the Project benefits from its location, unprecedented infrastructure and profits from a stream-lined permitting process with only State and County agencies as stakeholders.

Andrew Pollard, Blackrock's President & CEO, commented, "This updated PEA marks a significant milestone in the systematic de-risking of the Tonopah West Project. When we published our inaugural preliminary economic assessment 18-months ago, every ounce in the mine plan was inferred. Today we are presenting a high confidence Project underpinned by a substantial indicated resource base of 40.2 million silver equivalent ounces, nearly double what we reported in our Previous MRE. The increased confidence and expanded scale is evident with mine life extended 42% to 11.2 years; payable silver up 14%; payable gold improved by 17%, and after-tax NPV increased by 34% to US$437 million as compared to the Original PEA, which represents a 2.5 times return on initial capital of US$190 million. We have deliberately anchored this mine plan to a base case operating silver and gold price of US$31 and US$2,700 per ounce respectively, ensuring that Tonopah West is built for high-margin resilience across all price cycles. When framed against the current precious metal price environment, the economics of Tonopah West are standout. At the one-year analyst consensus forecast for silver price of US$66.90 per ounce and gold price of US$4,554 per ounce, the after-tax NPV shows US$1.55 billion, IRR climbs to 79%, and initial capital is returned in just 1.4 years. With permitting initiatives advancing in parallel, and an underground development decision targeted for H2-2027, management believes Tonopah West is one of the most compelling undeveloped silver assets in the Americas."

A technical report prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 on the Project which includes the PEA and the MRE will be filed with the applicable Canadian securities regulators within 45 days of this news release. The technical report will be available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.blackrocksilver.com). The results of the PEA are preliminary in nature and include inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have economic considerations applied to them to be classified as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the results of the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Table 1: Key Economic Parameters of the PEA





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Capital Costs

The estimated capital costs to bring Tonopah West into operation are based on utilizing local and regional personnel and contractors. An underground development contractor will be employed to establish the portal, decline, underground drill platforms and pending successful results, initial mine development. As the mine develops, the Company will transition to owner mining. A geotechnical drill program was completed in 2025 along the decline corridor. The updated ground support, including shotcrete recommendations were incorporated in the capital expenditures. Contractors will construct all surface facilities including the process plant. After an initial ramp up period, mineralized material will be processed at a rate of 657,000 tonnes per year in a conventional three-stage crushing and milling plant including a refinery which will produce saleable gold and silver dore bars.

The initial capital expenditure is estimated at US$190.4 million for the construction period which includes US$24.5 million in contingency costs. An additional US$280 million is estimated for sustaining capital, principally associated with underground mining development, additional underground mobile equipment and infrastructure, delineation drilling and accrued reclamation expense over the LOM. The Company has included US$6.3 million for delineation access and drilling.

Capital cost estimates are based on industry standards and incorporate updated 4th quarter 2025 quotes and estimates from vendors.

A processing plant with a design capacity to treat 1,800 metric tonnes per day is planned with potential to easily expand to 2,000 tonnes per day. Extraction of gold and silver will be carried out by agitated cyanide leaching to produce a pregnant leach solution. The precious metal pregnant leach solution is separated from the solid material in counter-current decantation thickeners. Process tailings will be dewatered by pressure filtration. Solid tailings waste material from pressure filtration will be transported by dump truck to a lined dry-stack tailings storage area. For this evaluation, 20% of the tails were assumed to be used for backfill in the underground mine. Precious metal values will be recovered from the pregnant solution by Merrill-Crowe zinc precipitation, followed by precipitate smelting. Precipitate smelting will produce gold and silver dore bars.

Life-of-mine metal recovery averages 91.6% for silver and 96.3% for gold. All metallurgical testing and data analysis was completed at Kappes, Cassiday and Associates in Reno, Nevada.

Table 2: Capital Costs





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Operating Costs

The minable resource is accessed via a newly developed ramp system incorporating existing vertical shafts (rehabilitated) for ventilation and secondary escapeways. The minable resource will be extracted utilizing two mining methods, Sublevel Long Hole Stoping ("LH") and Cut and Fill ("CF") mining techniques. Cemented Rock Fill ("CRF") and Hydraulic Fill are intended to be utilized as backfill. CRF media is sourced from the development waste rock, whereas Hydraulic Fill will be obtained from select tailings material. The minable resource will be transferred to surface via underground haul trucks. Mine operating, supplies and material costs were updated with vendor information 4th quarter of 2025.

The minimum mining width used in this PEA is three metres (3m), and the LH mining method accounts for 88% and CF mining accounts for 12%.

Process and general and administrative (G&A) costs have also been updated to reflect the increase in production rate and current material and supply costs.

Table 3: Operating Costs





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Table 4: LOM Operating and Financial Data





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Table 5: Sensitivity Opex and Capex Variations





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Figure 1: Sensitivity to Metal Prices - NPV, IRR and payback period

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Original PEA Metal Prices: US$1,900/t-ounce Gold, US$23.00/t-ounce Silver Base Cash 2026 PEA Prices: US$2,700/t-ounce Gold, US$31.00/t-ounce Silver Long-Term Metal Prices: US$3,515/t-ounce Gold, US$45.26/t-ounce Silver 1-Year Metal Prices: US$4,554/t-ounce Gold, US$66.90/t-ounce Silver Long-Term Metal Prices are average analyst consensus commodity price forecast as of March 3, 2026 1-Year Metal Prices are average analyst consensus commodity price forecast for 2027 as of March 3, 2026

Mineral Resource Estimate

The MRE was prepared by RESPEC in accordance with the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The effective date of the MRE is January 4, 2026.

Table 6: Tonopah West Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resource - Effective date January 4, 2026

Cut-off

Grade (AgEq g/t) (1) Tonnes (kt) Grade Contained Metal Classification(4) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) AgEq (g/t)(2) Au (koz) Ag (koz) AgEq (koz)(3) 140 2,750 2.25 216.8 454.3 199 19,167 40,159 Indicated 140 5,538 2.62 188.5 465.8 467 33,560 82,944 Inferred

1 AgEq cutoff grade is based on total mining, processing and G&A costs of US$128.6/tonne and a silver price of US$34/ounce.

2 For non-Victor areas, the AgEq grade ratio used is 108:1 based on silver and gold prices of US$35/ounce and US$3,500/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 88% and 95%, respectively. For the Victor area, the Silver Equivalent grade ratio used is 102:1 based on silver and gold prices of US$35/ounce and US$3,500/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 96% and 98%, respectively. AgEq Factor= (Ag Price / Au Price) x (Ag Rec / Au Rec); g AgEq/t = g Ag/t + (g Au/t / AgEq Factor).

3 Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

4 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves. The quantity and grade of reported inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these inferred mineral resources as indicated mineral resources. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to the Indicated mineral resources category.

The MRE encompasses the spatial areas known as Victor, DPB North, DPB South, Northwest Step Out, and the East Extension areas. The Victor area is approximately 700-metres by 350-metres while the DPB area is 700-metres by 1,100-metres. NW Step Out represents a new extension of the vein zones to west-northwest. The East Extension is an area between the DPB South area and the eastern edge of the property. The spatial areas are not considered to be significantly different geologically but have been separated for logistical purposes in future mining scenarios. Table 7 presents the mineral resources subdivided by spatial area.

Table 7: Tonopah West Indicated and Inferred Mineral Resources by Area

Area AgEq

cutoff

g/t (1) Tonnes Silver

g/t Gold

g/t AgEq

g/t (2) Ounces

of Silver Ounces

of Gold Ounces of

Silver

Equivalent(3) Classification(4) Victor 140 882,000 255.2 2.65 525.2 7,241,000 75,000 14,899,000 Indicated 140 1,854,000 221.7 2.82 509.2 13,217,000 168,000 30,354,000 Inferred DPB North 140 263,000 146.1 1.79 339.4 1,233,000 15,000 2,865,000 Indicated 140 1,686,000 193.9 2.68 482.9 10,514,000 145,000 26,180,000 Inferred DPB South 140 1,281,000 213.3 2.12 442.0 8,787,000 87,000 18,209,000 Indicated 140 485,000 87.5 2.02 305.5 1,365,000 31,000 4,763,000 Inferred NW Step Out 140 323,000 183.4 2.03 402.8 1,907,000 21,000 4,186,000 Indicated 140 622,000 146.7 1.67 327.0 2,933,000 33,000 6,538,000 Inferred East

Extension 140













Indicated 140 891,000 193.0 3.10 527.3 5,531,000 89,000 15,109,000 Inferred TOTAL 2,750,000 216.8 2.25 454.3 19,167,000 199,000 40,159,000 Indicated 5,538,000 188.5 2.62 465.8 33,560,000 467,000 82,944,000 Inferred

1 AgEq cutoff grade is based on total mining, processing and G&A costs of US$128.6/tonne and a silver price of US$34/ounce.

2 For non-Victor areas a Silver Equivalent grade ratio used is 108:1 based on silver and gold prices of US$35/ounce and US$3,500/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 88% and 95%, respectively. For the Victor area, Silver Equivalent grade ratio used is 102:1 based on silver and gold prices of US$35/ounce and US$3,500/ounce, respectively, and recoveries for silver and gold of 96% and 98%, respectively. AgEq Factor= (Ag Price / Au Price) x (Ag Rec / Au Rec); g AgEq/t = g Ag/t + (g Au/t / AgEq Factor).

3Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

4 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred mineral resources as Indicated mineral resources. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to the Indicated mineral resources category.

The NW Step Out area contains resources of 4.17 million AgEq ounces of Indicated and 6.54 million AgEq ounces in Inferred categories which are excluded from the PEA. There is significant exploration potential to expand this zone such that it could become big enough to be included in future mining studies.

To generate the MRE, RESPEC was supplied with geologic sections and levels by Blackrock. These geologic sections and levels were used to create a geological model which served as geological controls to construct three-dimensional grade domains to constrain the estimate. Silver and gold mineral resources were modelled and estimated as follows:

evaluate the drill data statistically;

create tightly constrained low-, medium- and high-grade mineral-domains using structural disks in Leapfrog software for both silver and gold on sets of cross sections spaced at 25-metre intervals;

use the mineral-domain structural disks as a basis to create three-dimensional wireframes in Leapfrog software;

code a block model to the silver and gold domains using the mineral-domain wireframes;

analyze the modelled mineralization geostatistically to aid in the establishment of estimation and classification parametres; and

interpolate grades into models comprised of 1.0(east-west) x 1.0(north-south) x 1.0(vertical)-meter blocks using the silver and gold mineral domains to explicitly constrain the grade estimations.

Drillhole assay samples were composited within the mineralized domains into 1.5-meter length composites. High-grade capping was completed on composite data and established using a statistical analysis for silver and gold. Silver was capped at 3,000 g/t, and gold was capped at 30 g/t. Specific gravity test work was completed for 374 core samples. Results indicate density can be subdivided by rock formation and mineral domain. Table 8 summarizes density values used in the block model.

Table 8: Tonopah West Density Summary

Density Group Density g/cm3 non-mineralized group 1 (post-mineral volcanics) 2.11 non-mineralized group 2 2.41 non-mineralized group 3 2.47 mineralized 100 2.46 mineralized 200 and 300 domains 2.53

RESPEC utilized Inverse Distance Cubed (ID) interpolation for the estimation to obtain a localizing effect in the mid- and high-grade domains, and an Inverse Distance Squared (ID) in the low-grade domains where mineralization is more diffuse. All estimates are based on a block dimension of 1.0-meter by 1.0-meter by 1.0-meter blocks.

The original deposit has been depleted by historical mining in the Victor area. Approximately 200,000 tonnes of material were removed from the Victor resource estimate. In the DPB area, no historical mining records were documented.

A cut off for the reported mineral resource of 140 g/t AgEq was selected based an assumed mining costs for underground methods along with processing and G&A costs. At a 140 g/t AgEq cut off, the average grade of the indicated resource is 454.3 g/t AgEq and the average grade of the inferred resource is 465.8 g/t AgEq.

The MRE was prepared under the supervision of Mr. Jeffrey Bickel, CPG, an employee of RESPEC, and he has reviewed and approved the technical contents relating to the MRE in this news release.

Mr. Bickel has reviewed the sampling, assaying, and security procedures used at Tonopah West and it is his opinion that they follow industry standard procedures and are adequate for the estimation of the current MRE.

Mr. Bickel completed audits of the database, performed a site visit, and reviewed quality assurance and quality control data. After performing their review, he considers the assay data to be adequate for the estimation of the current MRE.

Mineral Resources Included in the Mine Plan

Maptek's VulcanTM stope optimization software was used to produce an estimated mine plan based on the MRE. LH and CF were giving minimum mining dimensions the amount of sub-grade material that can be included in each stope excavation. Several runs were made and a maximum of 40% of allowable sub-grade material (internal dilution) allowed included in each shape showed the best tradeoff between bulk minable tonnages and grade. Sub-grade blocks may or may not carry grade. Actual internal dilution included in the mine plan ranges from 19.7% to 38% (Table 9). In addition to internal dilution an addition 10% of material at zero grade was added to account for external dilution e.g., wall rock and backfill.

Table 9: Tonopah West Mine Plan Resources





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Total tonnes of 6,493,207 includes internal dilution of 1,606,066 tonnes

Table 10: Tonopah West Mine Plan Resources with Resource Classification (Undiluted)





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1 AgEq cutoff grade is based on total mining, processing and G&A costs. Processing of non-Victor material US$41.16/tonne and Victor US$49.31/tonne including G & A. LH mining US$74.73/tonne and CF mining US$96.96 including G& A. Gold price of US$2,700 / troy oz and US$31.00 / troy ounce for silver less applicable recoveries, royalties, payable, shipping and sales charges.

2 Silver Equivalent is based on silver and gold prices of US$31.00/t-ounce and US$2700/t-ounce, respectively. These market values were reduced to contained realized values by deducting recovery, royalty, payable, shipping and sales charges. The realized contained values were US$27.74/t-ounce silver and US$2,552.36/t-ounce gold in the Victor; and US$25.37/t-ounce silver and US$2,474.18/t-ounce gold and US$25.37/t-ounce silver for non-Victor. AgEq = contained Silver grade + (Gold grade x realized Gold price / realized silver price.

3Rounding may result in apparent discrepancies between tonnes, grade, and contained metal content.

4 Mineral resources are not mineral reserves and do not have demonstrated economic viability. There is no certainty that all or any part of the mineral resources estimated will be converted into mineral reserves. The quantity and grade of reported Inferred mineral resources in this estimation are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred mineral resources as Indicated mineral resources. It is uncertain if further exploration will result in upgrading them to the Indicated mineral resources category.

Reclamation and Closure Costs

Westland Engineering and Environmental Inc. estimates the bond required for reclamation and closure of the site at the end of the mine is US$9.2 million. The removal of processing equipment and general site grading is estimated at US$1.52 million and general reclamation costs are envisioned to be US$4.1 million.

If a surety bond with a 5% premium is acquired, the cost would be US$460,000 per annum which is captured in the cash flow model.

Qualified Persons

The "Qualified Persons" (as defined by NI 43-101) who were responsible for the PEA and MRE and who have verified and approved the contents of this news release are Robert H. Todd, P.E., of Minetech, Jeffery Bickel, C.P.G (AIPG) of RESPEC, Travis Manning, P.E., QP of Kappes, Cassiday & Associates, Thomas H. Bagan, P.E., MBA, SME-RM, an independent consulting mining engineer and Richard DeLong, QP of Westland Engineering and Environmental Inc.

Blackrock's exploration activities at Tonopah West are conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under NI 43-101 standards. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.

The Qualified Persons referenced in this news release are not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing, political, or other relevant factors that could materially affect the PEA.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Blackrock Silver Corp. is an American-focused emerging primary silver developer systematically advancing the high-grade Tonopah West Project, situated in the historic "Queen of the Silver Camps" in a jurisdiction consistently ranked as one of the top mining regions globally. The Company is backstopped by a veteran board and technical team with a proven track record of discovering, financing, and building major precious metal mines in Nevada and globally. Blackrock is committed to establishing a secure, high-margin, domestic supply of silver and gold.

Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company's strategic plans; the results of the PEA; the economic potential and merits of the Project; the estimated amount and grade of mineral resources at the Project; precious metals prices; statements related to the operational resilience of Tonopah West; the PEA representing a viable development option for the Project; the timing and particulars of the development phases as identified in the PEA; estimates with respect to LOM, operating costs, sustaining capital costs, capex, AISC, cash costs, LOM production, mill throughput, NPV and after-tax IRR, payback period, production capacity and other metrics; the estimated economic returns from the Project; mining methods and extraction techniques; the advancement of permitting initiatives at the Project; an underground development decisions targeted for H2 2027; Project enhancement opportunities; the belief that Tonopah West is one of the most compelling undeveloped silver assets in the Amercias; and the timing of filing of a technical report in respect of the PEA and the MRE.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; tonnage to be mined and processed; grades and recoveries; prices for silver and gold remaining as estimated; currency exchange rates remaining as estimated; reclamation estimates; reliability of the MRE and the assumptions upon which it is based; future operating costs; prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company's operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled production; performance of available laboratory and other related services; availability of funds; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company's ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: fluctuations in silver and gold prices; fluctuations in prices for energy inputs, labour, materials, supplies and services (including transportation); fluctuations in currency markets; operational risks and hazards inherent with the business of mining (including environmental accidents and hazards, industrial accidents, equipment breakdown, unusual or unexpected geological or structural formations, cave-ins, flooding and severe weather); risks relating to the credit worthiness or financial condition of suppliers, refiners and other parties with whom the Company does business; inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks and hazards; employee relations; relationships with, and claims by, local communities and indigenous populations; the ability to obtain all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals in a timely manner; changes in laws, regulations and government practices in the jurisdictions where the Company operates; changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls or regulations and political, legal or economic developments, including legal restrictions relating to mining and risks relating to expropriation; increased competition in the mining industry for equipment and qualified personnel; and those factors identified under the caption "Risks Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form. Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Cautionary Note for U.S. Investors Concerning Mineral Resources and Reserves

This news release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of Canadian NI 43-101 and the CIM guidelines, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian public disclosure standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), and information concerning mineralization, deposits, mineral reserve and mineral resource information contained or referred to herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies.

Non-IFRS Measures

The Company has included certain non-IFRS financial measures in this news release, such as sustaining capital costs, total cash costs and AISC which are not measures recognized under IFRS and do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS. As a result, these measures may not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Each of these measures used are intended to provide additional information to the reader and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with IFRS. Non-IFRS financial measures used in this news release and common to the mining industry are defined below.

Sustaining Capital Costs

Sustaining capital costs are expenditures incurred during a production phase to sustain and maintain the existing assets so they can achieve constant expected levels of production from which the Company will derive economic benefits. Sustaining capital costs include expenditure for assets to retain their existing productive capacity as well as to enhance performance and reliability of the operations. Reclamation costs are accrued during the LOM and expended at the end of the mine life.

Total Cash Costs

Total cash costs are reflective of the cost of production. Total cash costs reported in the PEA include mining costs, processing, general and administrative costs of the mine, royalties and production taxes, reclamation and bond premiums and refining and treatment charges.

All-In Sustaining Costs (AISC)

Site-level all-in sustaining costs are reflective of all of the expenditures that are required to produce an ounce of silver from operations. All-in sustaining costs reported in the PEA include total cash costs, sustaining capital and exploration.

1 AISC is a non-IFRS financial performance measure with no standardized definition under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS). Please refer to "Non-IFRS Measures" at the end of this news release.

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Source: Blackrock Silver Corp.
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - F3 Uranium Corp. (TSXV: FUU) (OTCQB: FUUFF) ("F3" or "the Company") is pleased to announce final assay results of the 2025 Tetra Zone drill program on the Broach Property including PLN25-219A (See NR November 10, 2025 and January 13, 2026) which returned a main mineralized interval of 13.0m of 0.28% U3O8, including three high grade sections with 3.0 m of 1.19% U3O8 from 396.5 to 399.5m, 0.5m of 1.07% U3O8 from 404.0 to 404.5m and 1.0m of 1.60% U3O8 from 406.5 to 407.5 m.

Sam Hartmann, Vice President Exploration Comment:

"We are pleased to release the final assays for Tetra Zone from the Fall 2025 program. PLN25-219A returned a broad 13.0-metre interval grading 0.28% U3O that includes several higher-grade sub-intervals, totaling 4.5m of composite high-grade mineralization. These results, together with the confirmation of continuity in PLN25-221, provide important geological information that will help refine our understanding of the Tetra Zone's controls and geometry. A follow-up drill program is currently in progress at the Tetra Zone utilizing one diamond drill."

Broach Property Tetra Zone Assay Highlights:

PLN25-219A (line 075W):

1.00m @ 0.09% U3O (384.50m to 385.50m), and

4.00m @ 0.09% U3O (392.50m to 396.50m), and

3.00m @ 1.19% U3O (396.50m to 399.50m), including 0.50m @ 2.08% U3O (398.50m to 399.00m), and

13.00m @ 0.28% U3O (399.50m to 412.50m), including 0.50m @ 1.07% U3O (404.00m to 404.50m) , and including 1.00m @ 1.60% U3O (406.50m to 407.50m), and

4.00m @ 0.10% U3O (415.00m to 419.00m)

Table 1. Drill Hole Summary and Uranium Assay Results

Collar Information Assay Results Hole ID Grid Line Easting Northing Elevation Az Dip From

(m) To

(m) Interval

(m) U3O8 weight % PLN25-218 105W 589358 6398028 582 52 -85 522.00 522.50 0.50 0.08 PLN25-219 075W 589375 6398051 582 46 -85 Hole Abandoned PLN25-219A 075W 589375 6398051 582 54 -86 384.50 385.50 1.00 0.09













392.50 396.50 4.00 0.09













396.50 399.50 3.00 1.19











inc. 398.50 399.00 0.50 2.08













399.50 412.50 13.00 0.28











inc. 404.00 404.50 0.50 1.07











and inc. 406.50 407.50 1.00 1.60













415.00 419.00 4.00 0.10 PLN25-220 090W 589363 6397965 584 2 -76 Hole Abandoned PLN25-220A 090W 589364 6398037 583 4 -85 Tetra Zone Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-220AW1 090W 589364 6398037 583 4 -85 Tetra Zone Exploration; no mineralization >0.05 PLN25-221 000 589460 6398040 585 49 -86 333.50 334.50 1.00 0.13













339.00 343.50 4.50 0.10

Assay composite parameters:

1: Minimum Thickness of 0.5 m

2: Assay Grade Cut-Off: 0.05% U3O8 (weight %)

3. Maximum Internal Dilution: 2.0 m





Map 1. Tetra Zone Drill Holes with Assay Results



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Samples from the drill core are split into half sections on site. Where possible, samples are standardized at 0.5m down-hole intervals. One-half of the split sample is sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories (an SCC ISO/IEC 17025: 2005 Accredited Facility) in Saskatoon, SK while the other half remains on site for reference. Analysis includes a 63 element suite including boron by ICP-OES, uranium by ICP-MS and gold analysis by ICP-OES and/or AAS.

The Company considers uranium mineralization with assay results of greater than 1.0 weight % U3O8 as "high grade" and results greater than 20.0 weight % U3O8 as "ultra-high grade".

All depth measurements reported are down-hole and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

About the Patterson Lake North Project:

The Company's 42,961-hectare 100% owned Patterson Lake North Project (PLN) is located just within the south-western edge of the Athabasca Basin in proximity to Paladin's Triple R and NexGen Energy's Arrow high-grade uranium deposits, an area poised to become the next major area of development for new uranium operations in northern Saskatchewan. The PLN Project consists of the 4,074-hectare Patterson Lake North Property hosting the JR Zone Uranium discovery approximately 23km northwest of Paladin's Triple R deposit, the 19,864-hectare Minto Property, and the 19,022-hectare Broach Property hosting the Tetra Zone, F3's newest discovery 13km south of the JR Zone. All three properties comprising the PLN Project are accessed by Provincial Highway 955.

Qualified Person:

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and approved on behalf of the company by Raymond Ashley, P.Geo., President & COO of F3 Uranium Corp, a Qualified Person. Mr. Ashley has reviewed and approved the data disclosed.

This news release also refers to neighboring properties in which F3 Uranium has no interest, and the Qualified Person has been unable to verify the information from those properties. Mineralization on those neighboring properties is not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the PLN Project.

For additional information on the PLN Project, including the current mineral resource estimate for F3 Uranium's JR Zone uranium deposit, please refer to the report titled "NI 43-101 Technical Report, Patterson lake North Project, Northern Saskatchewan, Canada" dated January 20, 2026, available at www.sedarplus.ca.

About F3 Uranium Corp.:

F3 is a uranium exploration company, focusing on the high-grade JR Zone and new Tetra Zone discovery 13km to the south in the PW area on its Patterson Lake North (PLN) Project in the Western Athabasca Basin. F3 currently has 3 properties in the Athabasca Basin: Patterson Lake North, Minto, and Broach. The western side of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is home to some of the world's largest high grade uranium deposits including Paladin's Triple R project and NexGen's Arrow project.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance, including statements regarding the suitability of the Properties for mining exploration, future payments, issuance of shares and work commitment funds, entry into of a definitive option agreement respecting the Properties, are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The TSX Venture Exchange and the Canadian Securities Exchange have not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290458

Source: F3 Uranium Corp.
Saronic welcomes Advent International, Bessemer Venture Partners, DFJ Growth, BAM Elevate, and other new partners and recognizes the continued commitment of its existing investors, including 8VC, Caffeinated Capital, Andreessen Horowitz, Elad Gil, and Franklin Templeton.

At a pivotal moment for global security and economic competition, Saronic is delivering net new shipbuilding capacity made possible by its autonomy-first design approach coupled with modern manufacturing infrastructure. The ability to produce advanced, highly capable autonomous ships at scale is critical to preserving the industrial strength required to project power, protect trade, and sustain long-term resilience at sea.

"Over the past decades, the U.S. has experienced a steady erosion of its ability to build ships and manufacture critical maritime infrastructure," said Dino Mavrookas, Co-Founder and CEO of Saronic. "We are confronting this challenge with a fundamentally new model of American shipbuilding, one that integrates first-principles engineering, advanced manufacturing, and software-defined production to deliver autonomous vessels with unprecedented speed, precision, and scale. The new capital will accelerate Saronic's ability to bring that model to life, generate entirely new classes of autonomous ships and maritime capabilities, and scale U.S. shipbuilding capacity on a timeline not seen since World War II."

Building Strength Through Industrial Capacity

An important component to Saronic's efforts is the development of Port Alpha - its next generation shipyard - alongside the rapid expansion of its existing production facilities in Louisiana and Texas. This capital will allow Saronic to accelerate the growth and maturation of its shipbuilding enterprise, one that is defined by innovation, scalability, and strategic impact.

"Maritime dominance isn't just about technology - it requires the production capacity to field it at scale," said Ilya Fushman, Kleiner Perkins Partner. "Those two things rarely come together. What makes Saronic special is that they're building both: autonomous ships designed from day one to push the boundaries of what's possible, and the manufacturing infrastructure to produce them consistently. That's what turns a technical breakthrough into an enduring platform advantage. It is an honor to support a company at the forefront of autonomous systems and advanced manufacturing, driven by mission and purpose."

Delivering Technological Advantage in the Maritime Domain

This new capital will also support the continued advancement, expansion, and scaled production of Saronic's portfolio of autonomous surface vessels and AI-driven maritime capabilities. In response to growing demand from U.S. and allied customers for platforms with greater range, endurance, and payload capacity, Saronic will rapidly scale its family of vessels-from the 24-foot Corsair to the 180-foot Marauder and beyond.

The company will also use the capital to explore solutions that address the full spectrum of challenges in the maritime domain, including those at the intersection of surface and subsurface.

Continuing the Momentum

This news builds on Saronic's successes and momentum from 2025, during which time it scaled from the leader in advanced autonomous maritime systems to an international maritime force. The company raised a $600M Series C at a $4B valuation, generated significant growth with the US government including a $392M production contract with the US Navy, and unveiled its inaugural 180-ft autonomous ship, Marauder, with the first hull completed in less than six months, and less than eight months after acquiring the facility to build it.

Recognizing the urgency of the moment, Saronic acquired its Louisiana shipyard and committed $300M to its 300,000 sq. ft. expansion, which will create 1,500 new high-quality jobs across the region. Further, Saronic expanded its Austin headquarters to more than 500,000 sq. ft., opened new hubs in San Diego and Washington, D.C., and launched operations in the UK and Australia. With headcount surpassing 1,300 and partnerships that are driving business across commercial and defense sectors, as well as rapid technological advancement Saronic is on track to revitalize American shipbuilding in the era of autonomy.

CONTACT: press@saronic.com

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/saronic-closes-1-75b-series-d-at-9-25b-valuation-to-accelerate-a-new-era-of-maritime-autonomy-302729298.html
HONG KONG, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - On the evening of 30 March, Fosun International announced its 2025 annual results. During the Reporting Period, the Group's total revenue reached RMB173.43 billion, and adjusted industrial operation profit was RMB4 billion.



Compared to prior years, Fosun's results have remained solid. However, pursuant to the principle of prudence, Fosun made one-off non-cash impairment provisions and value revaluations on certain real estate projects with impairment indicators and goodwill and intangible assets of certain non-core business segments, resulting in a book loss of RMB23.4 billion in 2025, of which real estate-related impairment accounted for approximately 55%, while impairment of non-core assets accounted for approximately 45%.



Fosun emphasized in the announcement that these provisions do not affect the Company's overall operations and cash flow. However, Guo Guangchang, Chairman of Fosun International, offered a sincere apology in this year's Letter to Shareholders, stating that 'A loss is never desirable.' He further explained that, 'Under the current market conditions, some of the projects we invested in years ago are now valued differently from what we expected at the time of investment. Accordingly, the Board has taken a prudent decision to complete this asset impairment, allowing Fosun to focus its resources and efforts more effectively on core, highgrowth areas. At a time when the global economy is generating opportunities amid volatility and China's innovation-driven industries are gaining growth momentum, deepening our strategic focus now allows us to optimize our asset structure and helps us secure a stronger position in key sectors, positioning Fosun as a leaner, healthier, and more sustainable company.'



In recent years, Fosun has steadily advance its strategy of 'streamlining operations and strengthening the business, focusing on core businesses', generating approximately RMB75 billion in cash returns from asset and business divestments. This round of impairments marks Fosun's decisive step to clear accumulated risks on a one-off basis and shed 'historical burdens'. While the book loss appears significant, from the capital market's perspective, Fosun's share price has rebounded more than 10% since the announcement of its results preview on 6 March, indicating the market has recognized and accepted its 'risk clearance'.



In his Letter to Shareholders, Guo Guangchang described this asset impairment as 'repairing the roof on a sunny day'. Fosun International's results announcement offers a clear illustration. Fosun's core businesses has continued to deliver steady profits, reflecting solid operating fundamentals. At the same time, its long-established innovation and globalization strategies have become the core growth drivers for the Company. Collectively, these achievements underpin Fosun's confidence in proceeding with 'risk clearance' at this stage.



Business fundamentals remain solid, pharmaceuticals and insurance segments deliver strong results



Let's start with Fosun's business fundamentals. In 2025, Fosun International's four core subsidiaries generated RMB128.2 billion in revenue, accounting for 74% of the Group's total revenue. This demonstrates the results of Fosun's strategic adjustment of 'focusing on core businesses', effectively addressing prior market concerns over 'diversification'.



Among them, Fosun Pharma, a core subsidiary of Fosun, achieved a net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent of RMB3.371 billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of 21.69%. Fosun Pharma's biopharmaceutical innovation platform, Henlius, recorded revenue of RMB6.667 billion and net profit of RMB827 million, delivering growth in both revenue and net profit for the third consecutive year.



Next, let's take a look at Fosun's most important overseas subsidiary, Fosun Insurance Portugal. In 2025, Fosun Insurance Portugal achieved strong growth in revenue and net profit. Its net profit attributable to owners of the parent amounted to EUR201 million, up 15.8% year-on-year, establishing it as a stable contributor to Fosun's profitability. Fosun Insurance Portugal has benefited significantly from Fosun's global ecosystem, expanding its presence from Portugal to overseas markets such as Europe, Latin America and Africa. In 2025, Fosun Insurance Portugal received its inaugural A rating from S&P Global, reflecting international recognition of its asset quality and risk resilience.



In Chinese mainland, Fosun's two insurance companies have also performed well. Pramerica Fosun Life Insurance's premium income for the year reached RMB13.28billion, up 41.6% year-on-year, while net profit surged over 492% to RMB650 million. Meanwhile, Fosun United Health Insurance recorded insurance income of RMB7.84billion in 2025, representing a year-on-year increase of50.1%, with net profit reaching RMB139million, marking five consecutive years of profitability.



Core drivers: innovation and globalization strategies



Fosun Pharma and Fosun Insurance Portugal embody Fosun's two core strategies: innovation and globalization.



Since its establishment, Fosun has always regarded 'innovation-driven research and development (R&D)' as its core strategy, and began its global expansion following its listing in Hong Kong. After years of intensive investment and exploration, innovation and globalization strategies have become the core driving forces behind Fosun's development, consistently delivering results that generate 'compounding returns' over time.



The biggest change for Fosun Pharma in 2025 was strong growth in its innovative drug breakthroughs. During the Reporting Period, Fosun Pharma's revenue from innovative drugs reached RMB9.893 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 29.59%, accounting for 33.16% of its pharmaceutical business revenue. Fosun Pharma had 16 indications of its 7 innovative drugs approved for marketing in China and overseas markets, while marketing applications for 6 innovative drug candidates were accepted.



During the Reporting Period, nearly 40 of Fosun's innovative drug clinical trials were approved by regulatory authorities in China, the United States and Europe, while multiple core products entered key clinical phases, laying a solid pipeline foundation for subsequent commercial growth.



Henlius' HLX43 remains the main focus of market interest. As a PD-L1-targeted antibody drug conjugate (ADC) with potential best-in-class characteristics and broad anti-tumor activity across multiple tumor types, HLX43 has shown significant advantages, with a favorable efficacy and safety profile in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), gynecological tumors, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and other indications. On 27 January 2025, it was approved for clinical trials in Chinese mainland, positioning it to become another landmark product for Fosun.



This year, Fosun's international business development (BD) efforts for innovative drugs made a notable impression on the market. For example, at the beginning of 2026, Fosun Pharma entered into an agreement with Eisai Co., Ltd. in relation to HANSIZHUANG, with a potential total value of over USD300 million. At the end of 2025, Fosun Pharma's subsidiary, Yao Pharma, signed a global exclusive licensing agreement with Pfizer, with a potential total value of over USD2 billion; Fosun Pharma Industrial entered into a strategic collaboration with biotechnology company Clavis Bio, with Fosun Pharma eligible to receive up to USD7.25 billion in payments.



In terms of globalization, Fosun has established a profound business presence in more than 40 countries and regions worldwide. Today, it has achieved comprehensive globalization across products, services, and brands. In 2025, Fosun's overseas revenue reached RMB94.86 billion, accounting for 54.7% of total revenue, representing a year-on-year increase of 5.4 percentage points. Fosun's globalization strategy has evolved from 'acquiring globally' to 'earning globally'.



Club Med, a subsidiary of Fosun Tourism Group, operates 67 resorts worldwide. During the Reporting Period, Club Med once again achieved recordhigh performance, with revenue reaching RMB18.07 billion, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, while operating profit reached RMB1.44 billion, up 4.6% from 2024.



Hainan Mining, a subsidiary of Fosun, has now developed into a global resource + new energy company and has made remarkable strides in its global expansion. Hainan Mining's model of 'overseas resources + processing in Hainan' entered a substantive operational stage in 2025. Its Bougouni Lithium Mine in Mali produced 45,000 tons of lithium concentrate, with the first shipment of 30,000 tons arriving at Yangpu Port in Hainan in January 2026. Additionally, through its subsidiary Roc Oil and the newly acquired oilfield project in Oman, Hainan Mining has accelerated the building of a 'minerals + energy' network spanning West Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia.



International rating agencies affirm Fosun International's rating outlook as 'stable'



Fosun's financial position remains the market's primary focus.



According to Fosun International's results announcement, during the Reporting Period, cash, bank balances and term deposits amounted to RMB61.1 billion; unutilized banking facilities amounted to RMB144.6 billion; total debt to total capital ratio was 57%. Fosun has maintained a healthy financial position, with ample cash reserves. International rating agencies have broadly affirmed Fosun International's rating outlook as 'stable'.



Guo Guangchang stated in his Letter to Shareholders that, at present, Fosun's core businesses remain solid, liquidity position is robust, and banking relationships remain stable. The Company's major shareholder and management team have announced plans to increase their holdings in the shares of the Company and the Company will also proceed with a share buyback program. With Fosun's core businesses continuing to grow and strategic plans firmly on track, 'We are confident in our ability to support a return of the share price to fair value and better protect the long-term interests of our shareholders.'



In addition to its results announcement, Fosun announced that it is committed to increasing its dividend payout ratio, targeting an increase from the current 20% to 35% for the 2026 financial year. Based on the accumulated distributable profit of the Company, the dividend for the 2026 financial year is expected to be not less than HKD1.5 billion.



We can reasonably expect that this round of 'strategic streamlining' will inject greater certainty into Fosun's future business growth.



In this year's Letter to Shareholders, Guo Guangchang also disclosed Fosun's medium-term financial goals: 'We strive to gradually restore annual profit to the RMB10 billion level; at the group level, we aim to generate RMB60 billion in cash returns, reduce total debt to below RMB60 billion, and strive to achieve an investment-grade rating.' He stated that, 'Fosun has always stayed true to its original aspiration: to do the right things, the difficult things and the things that take time to develop. For Fosun's future, we do not seek short-term gains; we seek to build a foundation for lasting success.'







Copyright 2026 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.





 2026 JCN Newswire
Compass Mortgage is designed to meet rising demand for more flexible financing options among Canadian homebuyers and homeowners

CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / True North Mortgage today announced the launch of Compass Mortgage, a new alternative lending product designed to provide greater flexibility for Canadians who fall outside traditional prime lending criteria, as more borrowers face tighter qualification requirements and changing income sources.

The new product supports a growing segment of homebuyers and homeowners whose financial profiles don't fit neatly with conventional underwriting. The share of True North clients choosing alternative or private lender products increased from 7% in 2024 to 12% in 2025 (+71% year over year), based on client placements. According to CMHC's latest Residential Mortgage Industry Report, alternative and non-bank lenders account for roughly 10% to 15% of new mortgages in Canada.

Those who can benefit from this product include households with non-traditional income, more complex financial situations, or a need for extended income qualifying ratios to access or maintain their home financing.

Households are relying on diversified income sources

Canadians are relying on more than just a paid job to cover their mortgage payments, with households often drawing from a mix of income sources to stay on track. According to a recent survey by True North Mortgage conducted by Angus Reid, while 73% of mortgage-holding respondents used primary employment income to make their mortgage payments, many also reported using additional sources, such as self-employment (12%), rental (6%), and investment withdrawals (6%).

"We wanted a mortgage product that expands our ability to fit Canadian homeowners right where they live - their actual income sources and the real situations that don't always fit within traditional lending models," said Dan Eisner, CEO of True North Mortgage. "The Compass Mortgage helps us provide more personalized, cost-effective solutions across a wider range of client needs."

Home financing that recalibrates the bigger financial picture

Compass Mortgage offers greater flexibility in assessing income and qualifying ratios, including for high-net-worth individuals and those with multiple properties, while still adhering to strict underwriting standards.

At the same time, the product comes with borrower-friendly features such as amortization terms of up to 40 years, annual prepayment privileges of up to 20%, and flexible payment options - giving borrowers more control over their mortgage structure and long-term costs.

Canadian homeowners facing rising costs are exploring their mortgage options

Available for both purchases and refinances, Compass Mortgage can also support a range of financial needs, including debt consolidation, accessing home equity, and transitioning away from higher-cost private lending arrangements. In 2025, True North, a brokerage that works with multiple lenders, saw a 67% increase in client refinances compared with 2024, as more borrowers sought to restructure their home financing amid rising costs and the potential for higher mortgage rates at renewal.

This launch comes at a time when more Canadians face affordability challenges and changing income sources - over 36% of mortgage holders in their survey reported that mortgage payments were a challenge. Eisner added, "Canadians have tremendous pride in owning a home, and we want them to succeed, no matter the economic hurdles we face as a nation."

Compass Mortgage is available through THINK Financial, True North Mortgage's in-house lender, and is designed to complement its broader suite of mortgage solutions.

True North Mortgage has funded over $33 billion in mortgages since 2006, with THINK Financial's share exceeding $17 billion since its inception in 2016.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Cheryl Dawes

Content Manager

cheryl.dawes@truenorthmortgage.ca

About True North Mortgage

Since 2006, True North Mortgage has transformed the way Canadians access mortgages, combining bank-level trust with salaried brokers, storefront locations, and online options nationwide. As a mortgage brokerage, it works with multiple lenders, including its in-house lender THINK Financial, to offer trusted, competitive, and tailored mortgage solutions.

True North Mortgage blends advanced tools with human expertise to make mortgages simpler, faster, and more transparent. By integrating technology with personalized guidance, its brokers help Canadians make informed decisions and achieve better mortgage outcomes.

To learn more, visit: www.truenorthmortgage.ca

Survey Methodology

The results presented are findings from a study/survey conducted by True North Mortgage from January 14-27, 2026, among a representative sample of n=1,056 online residents of Canada who are members of the Angus Reid Forum who either currently own a home with a mortgage or were about to purchase a home. The survey was conducted in English and French. For comparison purposes only, a probability sample of this size would carry a margin of error of +/- 3.0 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.

Source: True North Mortgage internal client placement and refinance data, 2024-2025.

SOURCE: True North Mortgage

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/true-north-mortgage-launches-alternative-mortgage-solution-for-canad-1153531
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Amex Exploration Inc. (TSXV: AMX) (FSE: MX0) (OTCQX: AMXEF) ("Amex" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the final batch of results from the grade control program designed for the bulk sample ("bulk sample" or "bulk") of the Champagne Zone (see Figures 1-3). The results from the program are positive and have succeeded in tightening sample spacing within the selected stopes for the bulk. The Company will now proceed with updating the geological wireframes and associated block model in the area surrounding the bulk sample, which will allow mining engineers to refine the design of the selected stopes with more precision. See Table 1 for result details, Table 2 for drill hole coordinates and Figure 4 for photos of visible gold mineralization in today's announced drilling.

Champagne Zone Grade Control Drill Result Highlights:

22.27 g/t Au and 2.22 g/t Ag over 6.40 m, including 200.80 g/t Au and 20.00 g/t Ag over 0.65 m at a vertical depth of ~160 m in hole PE-26-900

7.13 g/t Au and 0.86 g/t Ag over 17.85 m, including 17.34 g/t Au and 1.83 g/t Ag over 7.25 m and 77.10 g/t Au and 4.50 g/t Ag over 0.60 m at a vertical depth of ~155 m in hole PE-26-897W1

Aaron Stone, VP Exploration of Amex Exploration commented, "This final batch of results from our grade control drilling once again adds another layer of confidence to the proposed mine plan for our bulk sample. Importantly, our grade control drilling was done with HQ sized drill core rather than the regular NQ sized core where possible, which adds further confidence to the representativity of the assay results. Now that the program is complete and assays have been compiled, we will have the geological wireframes and block model updated in the area surrounding the proposed bulk sample, in turn allowing for stope designs to be further refined and enhanced."

Stone continued, "Our exploration team is eager to commence our inaugural drill program on Perron West in Ontario after the recent receipt of the drill permit (see press release dated March 25, 2026). Pad construction has commenced and two drill rigs will be mobilised onto the project rapidly."

Bulk Sample Grade Control Drill Program Definition

A grade control drill program is a short-spaced, high-detail drilling program carried out to guide mine production to precisely define ore and waste boundaries before mining. It is more detailed than exploration or resource drilling and is primarily used to improve short-term resource models and production planning.

The grade control drill program is essential to mining the bulk sample and was designed to further increase confidence in the existing block model at Perron. The program aims to confirm that the ideal stopes have been selected for the bulk operation. The existing drill spacing in the area chosen for the bulk sample was between 12-20 metres, meaning the selected stopes were already containing M&I (measured and indicated) ounces within the existing resource model. Upon completion of the program, the drill spacing will be brought down to approximately 5-10 metres and positively reduce the geological risk associated to upgrading indicated resources to measures resources.

While the drill holes for the grade control program were relatively shallow in nature, directional drilling technology was utilised to ensure the targets were hit with precision.

Figure 1: Geological map of the Champagne Zone displaying today's diamond holes drilled as a part of the grade control program.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2667/290627_dc0d5b96c4f9baaa_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Longitudinal of the Champagne Zone looking to the south displaying the pierce points of today's grade control holes.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2667/290627_dc0d5b96c4f9baaa_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Screenshot from Perron Leapfrog Geo project showing the intercepts of grade control holes into the existing block model: A) PE-26-897W1 with assay results of up to 77.10 g/t Au; B) PE-26-900 with assay results of up to 200.80 g/t Au; C) PE-26-904 with assay results of up to 51.96 g/t Au; D) PE-26-906 with assay results of up to 27.00 g/t Au.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2667/290627_dc0d5b96c4f9baaa_004full.jpg

*Note - the existing block model is overall performing well against the current infill grade control drilling. While some holes may contain higher grade assays against the block model, others may come in below. However, the overall performance of the existing estimate appears to be strong. Readers are caution that this assumption will not be confirmed until the remodelling of the area surrounding the bulk sample, which will begin upon completion of the grade control drill program.

Figure 4: Photos of visible gold in the Champagne Zone from drill holes PE-26-897W1, PE-26-900, PE-26-904 and PE-26-906. Mineralization is represented by gold bearing quartz-carbonate-sulfide veins with visible gold hosted in the aphanitic Beaupre rhyolite. Abbreviation: VG - Visible Gold.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2667/290627_dc0d5b96c4f9baaa_005full.jpg

Table 1: Precious metal assay results from the Bulk Sample Grade Control Program on the Champagne Zone.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Core Length (m) True Thickness (m) Au (g/t) Ag (g/t) Vertical Depth (m) Zone PE-26-897W1 153.90 171.75 17.85 7.52 7.13 0.86 ~155 Western Champagne Zone Including 164.50 171.75 7.25 3.05 17.34 1.83 Including 165.75 166.75 1.00 0.42 8.16 1.60 Including 167.75 170.25 2.50 1.05 42.13 4.26 Including 167.75 168.35 0.60 0.25 77.10 4.50 Including 170.75 171.25 0.50 0.21 17.98 0.10 PE-26-900 172.00 178.40 6.40 3.01 22.27 2.22 ~160 Including 172.00 172.50 0.50 0.23 21.45 1.10 Including 177.75 178.40 0.65 0.31 200.80 20.00 PE-26-904 202.75 206.00 3.25 1.50 17.22 1.02 ~190 Including 203.35 205.35 2.00 0.92 27.64 1.60 Including 204.35 205.35 1.00 0.46 51.96 2.60 PE-26-906 208.90 218.00 9.10 4.21 4.53 0.32 ~190 Including 208.90 209.40 0.50 0.23 4.92 0.20 And 214.50 218.00 3.50 1.62 10.93 0.43 Including 215.25 216.60 1.35 0.62 27.00 0.80

Table 2: Drillhole coordinates for today's results.

Hole ID Azimut () Dip () From (m) To (m) Length (m) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (m) PE-26-897W1 173 -69 95.00 205.00 110.00 614562 5430778 342 PE-26-900 172 -67 0.00 201.00 201.00 614534 5430786 342 PE-26-904 180 -67 0.00 231.00 231.00 614547 5430793 342 PE-26-906 172 -66 0.00 240.00 240.00 614545 5430803 325

Qualified Person and QA&QC

Jerome Augustin P.Geo. Ph.D., (OGQ 2134), an Independent Qualified Person as defined by Canadian NI 43-101 standards, has reviewed and approved the geological information reported in this news release. The drilling campaign and the quality control program have been planned and supervised by Jerome Augustin. Core logging and sampling were completed by Laurentia Exploration.

The quality assurance and quality control protocols include insertion of blank or standard samples every 10 samples on average, in addition to the regular insertion of blank, duplicate, and standard samples accredited by Laboratoire Expert and ALS Canada Ltd, during the analytical process.

For all analyses targeting gold mineralization, gold values are estimated by fire assay with finish by atomic absorption. Values over 3 ppm Au are reanalyzed by fire assay with finish by gravimetry by Laboratoire Expert Inc, Rouyn-Noranda. Samples containing visible gold mineralization are analyzed by metallic sieve. For additional quality assurance and quality control, all samples were crushed to 90% less than 2 mm prior to pulverization, in order to homogenize samples which may contain coarse gold.

About Amex

Amex Exploration Inc. has made significant high-grade gold discoveries, along with copper-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) zones, at its 100%-owned Perron Gold Project, located approximately 110 kilometres north of Rouyn-Noranda, Quebec. The Perron Project in Quebec consists of 183 contiguous claims for a surface area of 65.75 km. The project hosts both bulk-tonnage and high-grade gold mineralization styles.

When combined with the adjacent and contiguous Perron West Project and Abbotsford and Hepburn Projects (including additional claims acquired through staking) in Ontario, the consolidated land package spans a district-scale 502.53 km. This extensive property lies within highly prospective geology favourable for both high-grade gold and VMS mineralization.

The Project benefits from excellent infrastructure: it is accessible by a year-round road, located just 30 minutes from an airport, and approximately 6.5 km from the Town of Normetal. It is also in close proximity to several process plants owned by major gold producers.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements, other than of historical facts, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future including, without limitation, planned exploration programs, the expected positive exploration results, the extension of mineralized zones, the timing of the exploration results, the ability of the Company to continue with exploration programs, the availability of the required funds to continue with the exploration and the potential mineralization or potential mineral resources are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of the words "will", "should", "continue", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "intend", "to earn", "to have", "plan" or "project" or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict, that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, failure to meet expected, estimated or planned exploration expenditures, failure to establish estimated mineral resources, the possibility that future exploration results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, general business and economic conditions, changes in world gold markets, sufficient labour and equipment being available, changes in laws and permitting requirements, unanticipated weather changes, title disputes and claims, environmental risks as well as those risks identified in the Company's annual Management's Discussion and Analysis. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described and accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290627

Source: Amex Exploration Inc.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - NORTEC MINERALS CORP. (TSXV: NVT) ("Nortec" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering"), consisting of 11,100,000 non-flow-through units (the "Units") at a price of C$0.05 per Unit, for gross proceeds of C$555,000 and 769,231 flow-through units ("FT Units") at a price of $0.065 per FT Unit, for gross proceeds of C$50,000.

Each Unit consists of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (" Warrant "). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share.

"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share. Each FT Unit consists of one common share to be issued on a flow-through basis under the Income Tax Act (Canada) and one Warrant. Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one (non-flow-through) common share.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering for working capital and general corporate purposes, while net proceeds from the FT Offering are intended to be used for qualifying exploration activities in Ontario, Canada.

Warrant Terms

Each whole Warrant shall have a term of 36-months, subject to acceleration;

During the first 18-months after closing, the exercise price of each Warrant shall be C$0.065 and thereafter C$0.11 per common share;

Pursuant to the terms of the Warrants, if over a period of 10 consecutive trading days (a "Trading Target") between the date that is four months and one day following the Closing Date and the expiry date of the Warrants, the volume weighted average price of the Common Shares on the TSX-Venture Exchange or such other stock exchange where the majority of the trading volume occurs, exceeds or is equal to $0.10 (the "Acceleration Trading Price"), the Company may, at its sole option, accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants, provided that: (i) the Company disseminates a press release providing notice of its intention to accelerate the expiry date of the Warrants; and (ii) the accelerated expiry date of the Warrants falls on or after the 30th trading day after the date of dissemination of such press release, unless exercised by holders prior to such date.

In accordance with applicable securities laws, all securities issued are subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of issuance.

The Company paid finder's fees and/or commissions in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, totaling C$13,500 in cash.

The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction.

DEBT SETTLEMENT

The Company is also pleased to announce that it has entered into a debt settlement agreement with an arms-length service provider (the "Creditor") to settle an aggregate of CAD$57,500 in debt (the "Debt") for common shares of the Company. In settlement of the Debt, the Company will issue an aggregate of 1,150,000 common shares of the Company (the "Debt Shares") at a deemed price of CAD$0.05 per Debt Share (the "Debt Settlement").

In accordance with applicable securities laws, all securities issued under the Debt Settlement will be subject to a four month and one day hold period from the date of issuance. Closing of the Debt Settlement is subject to certain conditions customary for transactions of this nature, including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSXV. The issuance of Debt Shares will not result in the creation of a new Control Person, as that term is defined under the policies of the TSXV.

BARKER BAY GOLD PROPERTY ACQUISITION

The Company is pleased to report on the status of the proposed acquisition of the Barker Bay Gold Property (the "Acquisition") as announced via new release on November 5, 2025.

The Company received conditional approval for the Acquisition from the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV") on December 4, 2025 and continues to work towards satisfying the conditions precedent to closing the Acquisition.

The Company expects to close the Transaction in April 2026.

About Nortec Minerals Corp.

Nortec is a mineral exploration company focused on identifying gold and copper properties with high discovery potential and advancing those projects to create outsized shareholder value. Current property holdings comprise 100% interests in two exploration stage critical mineral (zinc) projects, namely the Sturgeon Lake VMS and the Mattagami River Zinc properties, both located in Ontario, Canada. Additionally, the Company holds a 16.4% interest in the Tammela Gold in Southwest Finland.

On November 5, 2025, the Company announced that it entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire the Barker Bay Gold Property, located in Ontario, Canada.

On February 25, 2026, the Company announced that it entered into an option agreement to acquire the high-grade, past producing, Pearl Gold Project, located in Nevada, U.S.A.

Additional information can be found on the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedarplus.ca and its website at www.nortecminerals.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this news release. The securities of the Company have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, or to or for the account or benefit of any person in the United States, absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any common shares in the United States, or in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Information set forth in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address a company's expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", and "intend", statements that an action or event "may", "might", "could", "should", or "will" be taken or occur, or other similar expressions. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others, risks associated with project development; the need for additional financing; operational risks associated with mining and mineral processing; fluctuations in palladium and other commodity prices; title matters; environmental liability claims and insurance; reliance on key personnel; the absence of dividends; competition; dilution; the volatility of our common share price and volume; and tax consequences to Canadian and U.S. Shareholders. Forward-looking statements are made based on management's beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that statements are made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290624

Source: Nortec Minerals Corp.
Highlights:

The 2026 exploration season is to commence in April, with more than 50,000 metres of drilling planned

Over $55 million in proforma cash to fund NAK's exploration

Four cornerstone investors: South32, Teck Resources Limited ("Teck"), Eric Sprott, and Ore Group currently hold over 50 percent of American Eagle's outstanding shares

Mineral Resource Estimate and Preliminary Economic Assessment to begin in 2027

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) (OTCQB: AMEGF) ("American Eagle" or the "Company") is pleased to provide a preliminary plan for the upcoming 2026 exploration program at NAK, the Company's 100% owned copper gold porphyry project near Smithers, British Columbia.

"We believe the project has now achieved the critical mass necessary to begin planning for a maiden mineral resource estimate and a preliminary economic assessment, both of which could be targeted for 2027 following the upcoming field season. The South Zone already hosts a well-defined, high-grade, near-surface centre of gravity, while the broader scale of the NAK system became increasingly apparent through our 2025 drilling. With over $55 million on a proforma basis, we are well-positioned to continue advancing the project. Areas once thought to be less prospective or barren are now proving to host continuous mineralization, materially expanding our view of the system and its potential.

The Company has no shortage of compelling targets as we continue to define and expand the South Zone and step out across the broader system. Our goal is to demonstrate to shareholders the true scale and significance of this mineralized system.

Our 2026 drill program will be the largest and most ambitious ever undertaken in the region, with more than 50,000 metres planned over the next year to expand known zones and test for additional high-grade centres that we believe remain to be discovered," says Anthony Moreau, CEO of American Eagle.

NAK's 2026 Drilling and Exploration Plans

The 2026 exploration season is expected to commence in April. Drilling will begin with three rigs, with a fourth rig expected to be added once seasonal operations are fully stabilized. The program is designed to continue through 2027 and is expected to comprise more than 50,000 metres of drilling.

VIEW IMAGE: NAK Plan Map Depicting the Seven Target Zones for the 2026 Drill Season

With mineralization now defined across an approximate 1.5 x 1.7-kilometre surface footprint and extending from surface to depths exceeding 800 metres, the NAK system remains open to significant expansion. The 2026-2027 campaign is designed not only to support substantial step-out and exploration drilling, but also to further define the overall scale of the mineralized system.

The geological team is continuing to refine its lithological, alteration, and mineralization models by integrating the expanded dataset generated from all work completed to date at NAK. Geochemical, structural, and geophysical data are being analyzed alongside field observations to sharpen targeting and optimize drill planning. The Company looks forward to providing a detailed drill plan and an in-depth technical preview of the 2026 drill season in the coming weeks.

A significant portion of the program will also be directed toward improving the size, continuity, and confidence of known high-grade zones, while advancing metallurgical drilling across the various mineralized zones and alteration domains. Work completed in 2026 and early 2027 is expected to inform an initial resource model and support the commencement of a preliminary economic assessment in the second half of 2027.

WATCH VIDEO: VPX Neil Prowse Discusses the Seven Target Zones for the 2026 Drill Season

Following the closing of Eric Sprott's investment and with the Teck and South32 investments expected to close on April 9, the Company anticipates having more than $55 million to fund a significant expansion of its 2026 drill campaign.

About American Eagle's NAK Project

The NAK Project lies within the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of central British Columbia, in Lake Babine Nation traditional territory. It has excellent infrastructure through all-season roads and is close to the towns of Smithers, Houston, and Burns Lake, B.C., which lie along a major rail line and Provincial Highway 16. Historical drilling and geophysical, geological, and geochemical work at NAK, which began in the 1960's revealed a very large near-surface copper-gold system that measured over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Historical work however, only sparsely tested the system to shallow depths, leaving a compelling exploration target. Drilling initiated by American Eagle in 2022 returned significant intervals of high-grade copper-gold mineralization that reached much deeper than the historical drilling, indicating that zones of near-surface and deeper mineralization, locally with considerably higher grades, exist within the broader NAK property mineralizing system. Subsequent exploration seasons have continued to advance the scale, grade, and tenor of mineralization at NAK, leading to continued support from strategic shareholders Teck and South32.

For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup.

About American Eagle Gold Corp.



American Eagle is dedicated to advancing its NAK copper-gold porphyry project in west-central British Columbia, Canada. The Company will benefit from over $55 million following the April 9th closing, bolstered by four key shareholders, including major mining companies Teck Resources Limited and South32, and large strategic investors Eric Sprott and Ore Group. With substantial financial and technical resources, American Eagle Gold is well-positioned to drill, de-risk, and define the full potential of the NAK copper-gold porphyry project.

Q.P. Statement

Mark Bradley, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., a Certified Professional Geologist and independent 'qualified person' for the purposes of Canada's National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: including statements relating to the closing of the financing with Teck and South32, the shareholdings of certain investors, the expected financial resources, the 2026-2027 drilling and exploration program or its anticipated results at the Company's NAK project, and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290612

Source: American Eagle Gold Corp.
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Canamera Energy Metals Corp. (CSE: EMET) (OTCQB: EMETF) (FSE: 4LF0) ("Canamera" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on exploration and development activities across its portfolio of rare earth element ("REE") and uranium projects in Brazil, the United States, and Canada. The Company also reports that it has raised approximately $10.2 million in new capital over the past four months (please see news releases dated Nov. 25 and Dec. 22, 2025, as well as March 27, 2026).

Canamera currently has active programs underway or in near-term follow-up across seven projects, with drill programs in Brazil, geophysical modelling in Colorado, and survey and reporting milestones advancing across its Canadian portfolio. The capital raised positions the Company to execute on its near-term commitments and to pursue continued portfolio growth.

"Four months ago we set out to build a well-funded, multi-jurisdiction exploration platform", said Brad Brodeur, CEO of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. "Having raised approximately $10 million in that period, we are delivering on that commitment. Drill results are incoming from Brazil, geophysical modelling is underway in Colorado, and our Canadian assets are moving steadily through technical and permitting milestones. We believe the pace of news flow over the next several months will demonstrate the depth of value embedded in this portfolio."

PROJECT UPDATES

Canamera currently has active exploration programs underway across seven projects spanning Brazil, the United States, and Canada. In Brazil, the Company is advancing two ionic clay REE drill programs - one in the follow-up phase at Turvolandia, and the early-stage Patos Project. In the United States, geophysical modelling is in progress at the Iron Hills alkaline complex in Colorado, while the Company is compiling historical and available technical data at its Great Divide uranium project in Wyoming to inform the planning of next-stage exploration. In Canada, three Ontario assets - Schryburt Lake, Garrow, and Waterslide - are advancing through various technical, survey, and reporting milestones on distinct timelines. Anticipated results and disclosure dates for each project are summarized below.

Turvolandia Project (Brazil): The Turvolandia Project is an ionic clay-hosted REE project in southeastern Brazil. The Company has completed the initial 350-metre phase of a 1,000-metre auger drill program. Results from this phase, disclosed in the Company's news release dated March 11, 2026, confirmed indications of potential ionic adsorption clay mineralization with drill intervals of over 6,000 ppm total rare earth oxide ("TREO") - a grade profile consistent with potential for low-cost extraction techniques typical of ionic clay deposits. The remaining 650-metre phase of the program is currently underway, and assay results are expected within six to eight weeks.

Patos Project (Brazil): The Company signed a letter of intent on February 26, 2026 to acquire the Patos Project, a third ionic clay REE asset in Brazil. A 10-hole auger program is currently in progress to evaluate mineralization and inform the decision of whether to proceed with the acquisition. Completion of this drill program is anticipated within one to two weeks, with lab results 6-8 weeks away.

Iron Hills Project (Colorado, USA): The Iron Hills Project is located within the Iron Hill alkaline complex in Gunnison County, Colorado, within a well-established critical minerals district. The Company is conducting inverted 3D modelling of historical magnetic data. Results of the modelling and geological interpretation are expected within six to seven weeks and will be communicated to the market.

Great Divide Project (Wyoming, USA): The Great Divide Project is situated within Wyoming's Great Divide Basin, a historically productive uranium district with well-established permitting pathways. The Company is currently compiling historical and all available technical data to inform the planning of next-stage exploration at the project.

Schryburt Lake Project (Ontario, Canada): The Schryburt Lake Project encompasses approximately 4,948 hectares in northwestern Ontario, centered on a multi-phase carbonatite complex with four priority target areas. The Company has engaged Clark Exploration of Thunder Bay, Ontario to complete a NI 43-101 technical report on the project. First Nations consultation for drilling permits is ongoing.

Garrow Project (Ontario, Canada): The Garrow Project is an REE and niobium exploration asset in Eastern Ontario exhibiting geological characteristics consistent with potential for alkaline and carbonatite-related mineralization. The Company has initiated an airborne magnetic survey and expects to provide the market with an update on survey findings and next steps within approximately one month.

Waterslide Project (Ontario, Canada): The Company recently optioned the Waterslide Project, a 2,300-hectare uranium and REE property in Ontario's Central Gneiss Belt. The property hosts documented occurrences of uranium, thorium, fluorite, and rare earth elements. Canamera plans to advance the project through an airborne geophysical survey and a spring soil and rock sampling program. Full program details will be disclosed by the end of April 2026.

CAPITAL POSITION

Canamera has raised approximately $10.2 million in new capital over the past four months. This financing activity provides a strong financial foundation to execute the Company's multi-project exploration commitments in 2026 and positions the Company to pursue continued portfolio expansion in line with its growth strategy.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The scientific and technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Warren Robb, P.Geo. (British Columbia), VP Exploration of Canamera Energy Metals Corp. and a "Qualified Person" as defined by National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101"). Mr. Robb is not independent of the Company within the meaning of NI 43-101.

For a discussion of the Company's QA/QC and data verification processes and procedures, please see its most recently-filed technical report, a copy of which may be obtained under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

ABOUT CANAMERA ENERGY METALS CORP.

Canamera Energy Metals Corp. is a rare earth elements exploration and development company with an expanding project portfolio across Brazil, the United States, and Canada. The Company is focused on advancing ionic clay REE projects in Brazil and critical mineral assets in North America to support Western rare earth supply chain independence. For more information, visit www.canamerametals.com.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the anticipated timing of the Company's future exploration plans; the anticipated timing of results from exploration work the Company is conducting; the Company's ability to expand its portfolio of projects; the sufficiency of the Company's capital resources to fund near-term exploration commitments; and the Company's strategy to pursue continued portfolio growth.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on estimates, assumptions, and other factors that, while considered reasonable by management as of the date of this news release, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, and political uncertainties. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such factors include, but are not limited to: changes in general economic conditions; actual exploration results and conclusions of technical evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; future commodity prices; possible variations in grade or recovery rates; equipment or process failures; accidents, labour disputes, and other risks inherent to the exploration industry; regulatory changes; and delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290580

Source: Canamera Energy Metals Corp.
The first year of ECCEUKCH The Excellence of European Olive Growing in the UK and Switzerland, the three-year information and promotion programme dedicated to high-quality European extra virgin olive oil, co-financed by the European Union under Regulation (EU) No 1144/2014, has come to an end. Promoted by the Tuscan Association of Olive Growers OL.MA. S.a.c. (OP OLMA), OP Latium and the EAC Association of Exporters of Crete, the project aims to enhance awareness and recognition of PDO and PGI certified extra virgin olive oils in two strategic markets: the United Kingdom and Switzerland.

Over the first twelve months, ECCEUKCH developed a comprehensive programme of initiatives, with a strong experiential component, particularly in the Swiss market. Activities in retail outlets and the catering sector were designed to create opportunities for direct contact between the product and the consumer. Guided tastings, information materials and in-depth sessions highlighted the distinctive characteristics of European PDO and PGI extra virgin olive oils, with a focus on origin, quality and production methods. To support these activities, an integrated digital communication strategy combining social media and targeted advertising campaigns amplified the project's visibility, helping to extend the narrative and public engagement far beyond the in-person experience. Among the initiatives carried out, the activity linked to the world of pizza delivery stands out, accompanied by customised project stickers.

This initiative was designed to tap into everyday consumption moments and broaden points of contact with the public, conveying the values of quality and authenticity of European EVO. In the Swiss market alone, thanks to promotional days in retail outlets and the catering sector, the project has carried out a total of over 400 promotional days across various cities, involving leading organisations such as the Manor chain. The aim for the next two years is now to extend and consolidate these initiatives to major chains in the UK as well, thereby reaching British consumers too.

Alongside activities aimed at consumers, the project has taken part in major international trade fairs, with the aim of fostering dialogue with industry operators, buyers and stakeholders. The calendar kicked off with the Speciality Fine Food Fair in London, before continuing in Switzerland with participation at OLMA in St. Gallen. Marking the transition between the first and second years is the presence at the International Food Drink Event (IFE) in London, running until 1 April 2026. The Programme is present with an 18-square-metre stand designed as a meeting and tasting space, featuring a selection of PDO and PGI extra virgin olive oils and the direct participation of representatives from the promoting organisations.

Ecceukch forms part of European policies to promote quality agri-food products, helping to raise awareness of the PDO and PGI schemes and the characteristics of European extra virgin olive oil. In line with the Farm to Fork and Green Deal strategies, the programme promotes more conscious and informed consumption. With the first year now complete, the project continues with the aim of consolidating the activities launched and further expanding initiatives in the target markets.

For further information, visit the project's official website: https://ecceukch.eu/ and its social media channels on Facebook and Instagram.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331537950/en/

Contacts:

+39 06 6920 2304
BOSTON and LONDON, March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Exclaimer, the leading provider of email signature management solutions, today announced a reminder for organizations to prioritize email communications governance. On World Cloud Security Day, most organizations are focused on securing access to their cloud systems. But far fewer are asking a more difficult question: what happens after a user hits send? According to Exclaimer , one of the most under-governed areas of enterprise communication is outbound email.

Email continues to sit at the center of modern business operations, yet it is also one of the most widely used and least consistently governed communication channels. According to IBM's Cost of a Data Breach Report 2025 , the average data breach in the US now costs $10.22 million, and it takes organizations an average of 258 days to identify and contain an incident. These findings highlight how gaps in visibility and control persist across the enterprise, including in how communication is created and sent.

Cloud security has matured significantly when it comes to controlling access to systems, but governance of communication within those systems hasn't kept pace. Governance often breaks down at the point of execution, where individual users, manual processes, and fragmented tools create inconsistency and reduce control. Findings from Exclaimer's State of Business Email 2025 report reinforce how widespread this gap has become, with 83% of organizations reporting issues related to email misuse, inconsistency, or risk.

A shift from access risk to communication risk

Exclaimer, recently named for its leadership in SaaS and cloud workplace culture at the 2025/26 Cloud Awards , says this highlights a broader issue in how businesses approach cloud security.

"World Cloud Security Day is a reminder that most organizations have gotten very good at controlling who gets into their systems, but far fewer are controlling what comes out," said Karl Bagci, Director of IT and Information Security at Exclaimer. "Email is still one of the most trusted and heavily used business channels, but it remains one of the least consistently governed at scale. What we're seeing is a shift in risk from infrastructure to behavior. Specifically, how people communicate, what they send, and whether those communications are controlled."

When 83% of organizations are already experiencing email-related challenges, this shows the issue is no longer awareness, but how consistently organizations can apply control. And control breaks down quickly when critical elements like disclaimers, branding, and compliance messaging are left to individual users to manage and implement. As communication scales, this challenge is only intensifying. IBM's research shows that one in six data breaches now involve AI-driven attacks, underscoring how quickly the volume and complexity of communication is increasing.

The governance gap in enterprise communication

Findings from Exclaimer's State of Business Email 2025 report reveal a growing gap between how organizations secure access and how they control communication. While investment in platforms like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace continues to rise, only 41% have fully integrated email into their broader security and compliance stack.

"This creates a critical blind spot at the point where communication exits the organization, affecting compliance, brand integrity, and customer trust," said Bagci. "Without centralized governance, businesses have limited control over how disclaimers are applied, how regulatory requirements are met, or how consistently the organization is represented across every interaction."

In regulated industries, this can introduce real exposure, where missing or inconsistent information may fall short of legal or industry-specific requirements. Even outside of compliance risk, inconsistent outbound communication can erode trust, particularly when customers expect accuracy, professionalism, and clarity in every interaction.

Security at scale requires real-time control

As email volumes increase and communication becomes more distributed across users, devices, and AI-assisted tools, ensuring consistency can't depend on manual action, it requires policy-driven enforcement that operates in real time, across the entire organization.

"World Cloud Security Day serves as a timely reminder that cloud security is no longer just about protecting systems. It is about managing the flow of information across them. And that includes looking at how you govern your email communications," said Bagci.

About Exclaimer

Exclaimer is the global leader in email signature management for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace. Its cloud platform enables organizations to centrally manage and automate email signatures and video meeting branding, ensuring consistent corporate identity, reducing brand and compliance risk, and meeting regulatory requirements across everyday business communications.

Built for IT and valued by Marketing and Compliance teams, Exclaimer eliminates manual updates, enforces brand governance, and gives organizations greater control over their most critical business communication channels.

Exclaimer is trusted by more than 9 million users across 75,000 organizations worldwide, including Sony, Mattel, Bank of America, NBC, the Government of Canada, the BBC, and the Academy Awards.

Learn more at www.exclaimer.com or follow Exclaimer on LinkedIn , Facebook , and X .
Therma Bright Builds on Revenue Progress with Initial 100-Unit Venowave Order; Signals Expansion into Cosmetic Wellness Market

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Therma Bright Inc. (TSXV: THRM) (OTCQB: TBRIF) (FSE: JNX0) ("Therma" or the "Company"), a developer and investment partner specializing in advanced diagnostic and medical device technologies, announces it has secured a strategic commercial order for an initial 100 Venowave units from Horizon Health ("Horizon").

This milestone order follows a successful 2025 proof-of-concept phase, during which Therma Bright optimized its delivery and support protocols for the U.S. market. Horizon Health, headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland, is an established leader in durable medical equipment (DME), maintaining deep clinical ties with prestigious institutions including MedStar Health, the University of Maryland, and over 50 specialized surgical centers.

Horizon Health manages a robust physician and patient network that currently prescribes over 3,000 compression products per month. This partnership positions Venowave to capture a significant share of the high-volume vascular recovery market, both in the Mid-Atlantic region and nationally across the United States.

"Securing this 100-unit order from Horizon Health is a pivotal moment for our commercial scaling strategy," stated Rob Fia, CEO of Therma Bright. "The knowledge gained during our 2025 pilot phase has prepared us to service high-caliber partners like Horizon Health. Their extensive reach into surgical centers and top-tier hospitals provides the perfect launchpad for Venowave to become a standard of care in mobile compression."

James Stadler, Co-CEO of Horizon Health, commented: "Our doctors and patients demand the most effective, mobile, and patient-compliant solutions for vascular health. Having observed the performance of Venowave during the initial evaluation period, we are excited to partner with Therma Bright to integrate this unique technology into our national distribution network, which already services thousands of patients requiring advanced compression therapy every month." Steve Ebner, Co-CEO, also commented: "The continuum of care for patients following a major procedure is paramount to ensuring patients receive care in the home setting - not just at the hospital or the ASC. The Venowave enhances clinical outcomes by supporting patients where they are most at risk: at home."

Expansion into Cosmetic Wellness

In addition to its core clinical applications, Therma Bright is pleased to announce that it is actively investigating an opportunity to position Venowave for cosmetic applications within wellness and aesthetic healthcare clinics across the United States. Preliminary feedback suggests significant potential for the device in supporting lymphatic drainage and post-procedure recovery in the wellness sector. The Company will provide further details on this vertical in a forthcoming dedicated update.

About Horizon Health

Horizon Health is a premier provider of advanced medical solutions and recovery technologies. With a focus on the surgical and vascular markets, the company partners with world-renowned medical institutions and private surgical groups to provide patients with integrated care solutions. Their network encompasses some of the most respected hospitals in the United States, supported by a specialized team focused on high-compliance medical devices.

About Therma Bright Inc.

Therma Bright is a developer and investment partner specializing in advanced diagnostic and medical device technologies. The Company's portfolio includes innovative solutions for vascular health, respiratory diagnostics, and topical treatments. Therma Bright is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (THRM), the OTCQB (TBRIF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (JNX0).

Follow us on X:

https://x.com/Bright_Therma

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to several factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290557

Source: Therma Bright Inc.
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (TSXV: CHS) (OTCQB: CMHSF) (the "Company" or "CHS"), a provider of healthcare benefits administration software and services, today announced a business development update highlighting continued progress across its commercial pipeline, organizational buildout, and technology investments.

The Company reported that its active sales pipeline now exceeds US$20 million, reflecting increased engagement across key target markets in the United States, including labor unions, third-party administrators, and self-insured employers.

Pipeline estimates are based on a combination of submitted requests for proposals (RFPs) and ongoing commercial discussions with prospective customers. Historically, the Company has achieved a conversion rate of approximately 25%-30%; however, there can be no assurance that current opportunities will result in executed contracts or realized revenue.

"We are encouraged by the breadth and quality of opportunities we are seeing across our target markets," said Chris Cosgrove, Chief Executive Officer of CHS. "Our expanding pipeline reflects growing awareness of the value proposition of our Novus 360 platform. We believe the investments we are making in our commercial organization and technology infrastructure position us well to pursue sustainable growth."

Growth in pipeline activity has been supported by increased market engagement. CHS recently participated in industry events including the National Labor and Management Conference and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans conference, which contributed to new relationship development and opportunity generation.

To support anticipated growth and enhance operational scalability, the Company continues to invest in its commercial and customer support functions. CHS has expanded its sales and marketing team and appointed a Head of Customer Support, reinforcing its focus on client service and retention.

In addition, CHS has implemented a HubSpot-based customer relationship management (CRM) platform, incorporating artificial intelligence capabilities designed to improve sales execution, enhance pipeline visibility, and support more efficient conversion processes.

About Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.

Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. is a corporation incorporated under the laws of the Province of Alberta and is the parent company of Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc. (Delaware). The Company is a vertically integrated software as a services (SaaS) company focused on digitizing healthcare with Healthcare Benefits Administration solutions, providing reliable and high-volume transaction-capable systems. The Company's state-of-the-art Novus 360 Healthcare Welfare and Benefits Administration (HWBA) SaaS platform is used by clients for all aspects of healthcare benefits administration (including self-funded employers, providers, and labor unions), providing healthcare administrative software and technology-enabled services.

FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION:

The press release contains "forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "budget", "believe", "project", "estimate", "expect", "scheduled", "forecast", "strategy", "future", "likely", "may", "to be", "could", "would", "should", "will" and similar references to future periods or the negative or comparable terminology, as well as terms usually used in the future and conditional. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions as of the date they are provided. However, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will reflect the actual outcome of such items or factors.

Additionally, there are known and unknown risk factors that could cause the Company's actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Important risk factors that could cause actual results and financial conditions to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, include among others: general economic, market and business conditions in Canada and globally; market volatility; unforeseen delays in timelines for any of the transactions or events described in this press release; and the risk of regulatory changes that may impact the business of the Company. All forward-looking information is qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company disclaims any obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement or to publicly announce the result of any revisions to any of the forward-looking information contained herein to reflect future results, events, or developments, except as required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290540

Source: Comprehensive Healthcare Systems Inc.
Modernized laboratory marks investment in Atmus' innovation and global testing capabilities

Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (Atmus; NYSE: ATMU), a global leader in filtration and media solutions, has opened a new state-of-the-art laboratory facility at its Quimper, France, location, reinforcing the company's commitment to advancing filtration technology and reducing testing lead times for customers.

The modernized testing facility strengthens Atmus' global laboratory network, resulting in an experience that better supports its customers and positions the company to meet future needs. By enhancing the European infrastructure, testing that previously required support from other global sites will now be performed locally, improving speed, flexibility and coordination within Atmus' global testing network.

"This investment ensures we have the advanced testing capabilities needed to support our customers today and into the future," said Lito Mendoza, engineering director of global laboratory operations at Atmus. "As customer requirements evolve and operating environments become more demanding, these capabilities allow us to validate performance more rigorously and deliver faster results without compromising quality."

Designed as a modern, purpose-built environment, the facility provides the right foundation to enable future testing capabilities, including multivariate testing that more accurately simulates real-world operating conditions. With upgraded infrastructure, Atmus can conduct more comprehensive validation testing to meet the requirements of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) specifications.

The Quimper laboratory is certified to automotive IATF 16949 and laboratory ISO 17025 standards and conducts more than 5,000 filter tests annually, supporting both liquid and air or aerosol applications.

The facility is one of five Atmus testing laboratories worldwide that operate as "One Global Lab," enabling collaboration and shared expertise across locations. Performing testing closer to the customer also helps reduce the need for inter-site shipping and travel, supporting Atmus' environmental commitment by lowering associated carbon impacts. Other Atmus laboratories are located in Pune, India, and Wuhan, China, as well as Cookeville, Tenn. and Stoughton, Wisc., in the United States.

Atmus is known for testing filters under real-world operating conditions, including vibration, thermal and pressure dynamics. The company has developed 14 proprietary tests that exceed industry standards and tailors testing protocols to meet specific customer requirements. At the request of major customers, the new site now supports more advanced customer-driven testing, including a dedicated clean room designed to assess particle contamination of components and assembled parts.

"We have consistently introduced new technologies over the past several years, including specialized test equipment to meet OEM requirements," said Melanie Caron, laboratory manager in Quimper. "This expanded facility gives us the space and infrastructure to support more complex testing today, while also positioning us to add future capabilities, including expanded inorganic and organic contamination analysis, as customer needs continue to evolve."

The original Quimper laboratory was established in 1981 on the Quimper plant and distribution center campus. The facility employs 14 dedicated laboratory staff members who support validation activities for new product development, current product support and quality control for the Quimper manufacturing plant.

According to Jean-Marie Taillebeau, senior director for Europe, Africa and the Middle East, the expanded laboratory plays a critical role in strengthening customer partnerships and supporting Atmus' long-term growth strategy.

"This investment aligns our capabilities with the specifications of next-generation equipment and allows us to bring new products to market more quickly," Taillebeau said. "What we can do in Quimper today goes beyond what was possible before, and the work done here is truly at the heart of our science that safeguards."

About Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc.

Atmus Filtration Technologies Inc. (Atmus; NYSE: ATMU) is a global leader in filtration and media solutions. With more than 65 years of innovation and engineering expertise to deliver high-performance filtration solutions, Atmus operates through two business segments: Power Solutions, which serves global on-and-off highway equipment markets through its trusted Fleetguard brand; and Industrial Solutions, which addresses high-growth end markets including commercial and industrial HVAC, data centers and power generation environments through its Koch Filter brand. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Atmus employs nearly 5,000 people worldwide who are committed to creating a better future by protecting what is important. Learn more at https://www.atmus.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331299133/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts

Investor relations:

Todd Chirillo

investor.relations@atmus.com

Media relations:

Jayme Owen

media.inquiries@atmus.com
Feature: Chinese agricultural experts help improve agricultural productivity in Mozambique

Xinhua) 10:55, March 31, 2026

MAPUTO, March 30 (Xinhua) -- At the Umbeluzi Agricultural Station in Maputo Province, Mozambique, vast rice fields have entered the harvest season. Golden rice panicles sway gently in the breeze as two small harvesters move across the fields, presenting a vivid scene of abundance.

The site is a comprehensive rice production base jointly established by the fourth batch of Chinese agricultural experts assisting Mozambique and the Mozambique Agricultural Research Institute (IIAM). It focuses on high-yield rice demonstration, variety trials, seed breeding, and the promotion of field management techniques.

"From land preparation and seedling cultivation to fertilization and pest control, Chinese experts have introduced a complete set of systematic cultivation techniques," said Tito Chimbamba, an agricultural technician at the Umbeluzi station. With guidance from Chinese experts, he has mastered key rice farming skills and learned to operate and maintain various agricultural machines.

Li Yuhao, a rice and agro-processing expert with the Chinese agricultural team, said preliminary yield estimates show that rice output in the demonstration fields has exceeded 8 tonnes per hectare, significantly higher than traditional local levels, while some high-yield plots have surpassed 10 tonnes per hectare.

In addition to rice, oil crops are another important focus of China-Mozambique agricultural cooperation. Sesame and sunflower, both traditional oil crops in Mozambique, have seen steady export growth in recent years and have become important sources of foreign exchange. Sunflower, in particular, is widely regarded as having strong potential for import substitution.

The Chinese agricultural team has established demonstration bases for oil crops, collecting high-quality hybrid varieties and promoting advanced techniques such as seed treatment, integrated pest and weed management, and foliar fertilization during key growth stages, aiming to improve yields and support industry development.

"We have collected 68 hybrid varieties of sunflower, sesame and soybean, and are conducting comparative trials with local varieties to identify those best suited to local conditions," said Zhao Jun, an oil crop expert. She added that the promotion of these improved varieties and efficient cultivation techniques will help increase farmers' incomes and provide technical support for scaling up the oil crop sector.

Seed quality is fundamental to agricultural development. Wu Guiyun, a seed production and quality testing expert with the Chinese team, said a seed laboratory has been established at the Umbeluzi station, integrating testing services, technical support, talent training and external exchanges, significantly enhancing local seed quality management capacity.

"The laboratory has helped address the shortage of seed testing capacity in the region," Wu said. In one case, rice samples submitted from another agricultural station initially showed a germination rate below standard.

Further analysis revealed that a high level of seed dormancy was the main cause. The laboratory then proposed technical measures such as high-temperature sun-drying, providing a practical solution for seed utilization.

Technology transfer remains a core goal of China-Mozambique agricultural cooperation. Over the past three years, the expert team has trained more than 1,000 local agricultural technicians, farmers and students.

Relying on the demonstration base, it has also provided a platform for university students to engage in research and practical training, promoting the localization of efficient rice and oil crop cultivation technologies.

Meanwhile, the demonstration base and seed laboratory have attracted visits and exchanges from agricultural experts and students from multiple countries, gradually becoming an important hub for regional agricultural technology dissemination and talent cultivation.

As an important component of bilateral cooperation, Chinese agricultural experts continue to support Mozambique in improving agricultural productivity and efficiency, enhancing food production capacity, and contributing to food security and agricultural development.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
New School aims to prepare tomorrow's leaders to tackle world's biggest problems

CAMBRIDGE, England, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The University of Cambridge today announced that it plans to establish the Rokos School of Government, made possible by a commitment of 190 million from investor, Chris Rokos. This is believed to be the single biggest donation ever made to a British university in modern times.

The Rokos School of Government aims to prepare future leaders to be able to navigate the ever-more-challenging demands of both domestic and international politics in a new and complex world of great structural change.

Mr Rokos has agreed to provide initial support of 130 million, plus further funds of up to 60 million, the subsequent amounts to be matched by Cambridge University.* The University will also be contributing the undeveloped land in the Cambridge West Innovation District on which the School will be built.

Fundamental to the School's operation will be its direct access to Cambridge's renowned expertise in technology and the sciences, together with disciplines more usually associated with the social sciences, arts and humanities.

Chris Rokos said: "I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of an education which transformed my life, and I would like to give something back to Britain. My hope is that, in time, the influence of the Rokos School of Government across the world becomes an important element of that soft power which has been a great asset to the UK."

Professor Deborah Prentice, Vice-Chancellor, University of Cambridge, said: "Tackling the enormous challenges facing our world requires radical new ways of thinking and approaches to leadership. Cambridge, with its strengths across all disciplines and its convening power, is uniquely positioned to drive this innovation.

"Thanks to Chris' generous support, the Rokos School of Government will become a place where leaders and governments - both current and future - together with experts from across our institution generate the insights and solutions needed to respond to our rapidly changing world."

In recent years there has been a marked shift in the political landscape across the world, often accompanied by a polarisation of political opinion and challenges from both left and right to free speech and existing institutional structures. At the same time, the seemingly natural ebb and flow of business cycles has been disrupted by long-term structural transformations within the economy. These structural changes transcend short term business and political cycles and often reflect fundamental shifts in dynamics, led by technology or demographics.

Chris Rokos added, "The discussions which led to the creation of the Rokos School of Government began some years ago. It was becoming clear that the world was changing in new and different ways, and that the processes of government needed to adapt accordingly. New challenges and opportunities require new responses.

"For me, there can be no better home for the Rokos School of Government than Cambridge University, with its long tradition of scientific innovation and synergistic culture. It will provide the School with a unique forum for radical and remarkable thinking, capturing the inspiration of the brightest minds from around the world and harnessing new technologies in order to meet the needs of modern government."

Rooted in the belief that building a better future requires creativity of thought and new forms of governance, the School's guiding principle will be to generate practical, lasting solutions to 21st Century problems, serving society whilst upholding fundamental human rights and freedoms.

The Rokos School of Government will be housed in a dedicated new building in the heart of the University's Cambridge West Innovation District. This will become one of Europe's strategic locations for science, technology and policy, and the School's presence there will signal a focus on the relationship between technology and the sciences and the social sciences, arts and humanities.

It will begin its operations in Autumn 2026, and will host a growing cohort of PhD and Masters students both in the School and as joint appointments with departments across the University.

To support this teaching and research, the Rokos School of Government will grow a faculty from established academic disciplines - political scientists, economists, historians, engineers and statisticians - in parallel with which it will recruit experts from government and from senior positions in business, finance or public service.

Subject to the approval of the UK's Charity Commission, a trust will be formed to oversee the financial undertakings made to the School by its donors and by the University. Four appointees will be tasked with managing the affairs of the Trust, two of whom will be appointed by the University of Cambridge and two by the School's founder, Chris Rokos.

The University of Cambridge has nominated Professor Sir John Aston FRS, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Professor Kamal Munir, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for University Community and Engagement.

Chris Rokos' nominations will be Dr Christos Nifadopoulos and Dr Elisabeth Kendall. Dr Nifadopoulos is a former academic and now a senior lawyer, himself a Cambridge alumnus and the person who has overseen the detailed negotiations which led up to this announcement.

Dr Kendall is today The Mistress and President of Girton College, Cambridge. She and Chris Rokos were undergraduates together at Pembroke College, Oxford and have remained close friends ever since. Detailed conversations between them led to a shared recognition of the need to prepare leaders of the future to be able to face new challenges. This led to the concept of a new and differentiated School of Government founded as part of the University of Cambridge.

*Chris Rokos' donations will be made to Cambridge in America (UK) Ltd in furtherance of its charitable objective of supporting the University of Cambridge.

[An accompanying video is available at: https://youtu.be/ieU0YwiAqLs. For rights reasons, it is requested that the video is embedded directly from YouTube rather than uploading to media players.]

For further information concerning:

Cambridge University and Rokos School of Government:

Please contact Craig Brierley: +44 (0) 7879 116949, email craig.brierley@admin.cam.ac.uk.

Chris Rokos:

Please contact Alan Kilkenny: + 44 (0) 7836 311639 or +44 (0) 1264 781228, email alankilkenny@btconnect.com.

Notes to Editors

The Rokos School of Government Building:

The Rokos School of Government Building will be designed following a competition between a chosen selection of eminent architects. Its planning approval and subsequent construction will take some time. Until the Building is completed, the Rokos School of Government will be operating from temporary facilities within Cambridge.

Chris Rokos biography:

Chris Rokos (55) is a British investor, entrepreneur and philanthropist. He is the founder of global multi-asset investment fund Rokos Capital Management, and was a founding partner of Brevan Howard Asset Management.

Rokos was identified by his UK maintained (state) primary school as a pupil with outstanding academic potential, especially in maths and science. He won a scholarship to Eton College, and then studied mathematics at Pembroke College, Oxford, graduating in 1992 with a first class degree.

After university, Rokos first joined UBS and later Goldman Sachs, working in derivative structuring, and then swap market making and eventually proprietary trading. He was hired by Alan Howard to join Credit Suisse, but later both men resigned, founding an asset management business named Brevan Howard. This quickly became one of Europe's leading hedge funds, and Rokos became widely known as one of the world's most influential government-bond traders.

In 2012, Rokos retired from trading, but returned in 2015 to found Rokos Capital Management (RCM). Rokos Capital Management today manages more than $22 billion with offices in London, New York, Singapore and Abu Dhabi.

Chris Rokos is domiciled in the UK and is an active supporter of British and global charitable initiatives. Having benefitted substantially from the education which became available to him as a result of the scholarship he gained, he decided to provide financial support through a variety of educational initiatives, especially those which promote equality of opportunity. These include the New Foundation Scholarships programme at Eton and educational initiatives linked to Pembroke College Oxford.

Rokos also has many and varied connections with Cambridge University, which he has long supported through various programmes. At Girton College, Rokos established both the Girton Rokos Internships in STEM subjects and the Girton Rokos Fellowship also in STEM. In 2026, he donated a further 5 million to Girton in support of the College's ambitious vision.

At Queens' College Cambridge Rokos supports the Alexander Crummell PhD Scholarship and the Rokos-Menon Senior Research Fellowship. He also supports the Cambridge University Centre for Climate Repair.

Through his firm, Rokos Capital Management, he supports secondary education initiatives focused on academic excellence and inclusion: the Amos Bursary, The London Academy of Excellence Tottenham, and King's College London Maths School.

Rokos also supports numerous organisations seeking to guarantee basic human rights and needs, and those which tackle the challenge of refugees, including Amnesty International and UNHCR.

Rokos has a keen interest in the development of policy and in governance. He provides financial support to Chatham House, the Royal United Services Institute and Policy Exchange. He also supports the Global Leadership Foundation.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/record-breaking-donation-enables-cambridge-university-to-establish-the-rokos-school-of-government-302728833.html
SUNNYVALE, Calif., March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On March 31, 2026, Seyond (02665.HK) announced its audited full-year results for 2025. During the reporting period, the company's annual lidar shipments exceeded 332,000 units, representing a year-on-year increase of 45.0%. Along with the rapid expansion of business scale, operational quality also improved significantly: gross profit turned positive from a loss in 2024, with the gross profit margin rising to 7.9%. This milestone marks that, driven by economies of scale, cost optimization, and product structure upgrading, Seyond has entered a new phase of high-quality growth.





Continuous Release of Economies of Scale, Comprehensive Leap in Operational Efficiency

According to International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), Seyond's annual revenue reached approximately USD 154 million. Faced with intensifying industry competition and changes in the market environment, the company adhered to refined operations. Relying on the synergistic efforts of product structure optimization, cost reduction through large-scale procurement, and production efficiency upgrades, the total cost of sales in 2025 decreased by 18.2% year-on-year, achieving a crucial breakthrough in turning losses into profits and lifting operational efficiency to a new level.

Driven by both the optimization of revenue structure and the improvement of cost efficiency, Seyond's adjusted net loss (Non-IFRS) narrowed by 24.0%. This indicates that the company's core business is continuously enhancing its "self-hematopoietic capacity," accelerating the transformation from "financing-driven growth" to "operation-driven improvement."

Meanwhile, Seyond's cash and cash equivalents increased by 146% year-on-year in 2025, and its total assets grew by approximately 50% year-on-year. The ample cash flow has built a solid financial safety cushion, and the steadily expanding asset scale has further strengthened its strategic confidence, providing sufficient financial support for the company to continuously increase investment in R&D and innovation, promote capacity expansion, and deepen its global layout.

This impressive performance represents the fulfillment of Seyond's continuous efforts to promote high-quality growth strategies. It not only verifies the advanced nature of the company's product roadmap and the maturity of its commercialization path, but also demonstrates its strong development resilience and long-term growth potential, exploring a replicable and scalable model for the industry's large-scale profitability and high-quality development.

Diversified Product Matrix Takes Shape, Robin & Hummingbird Open New Growth Drivers

2025 was a crucial year for Seyond in achieving product structure iteration and market breakthroughs By leveraging its dual 1550nm and 905nm/940nm technology pathways, Seyond has created a full-domain perception ecosystem, spanning long-range to near-field detection and primary vision to blind-spot coverage, powered by its Falcon, Robin, and Hummingbird product platforms, and designed to meet the diverse needs of global customers.

The Robin platform entered a phase of large-scale mass production, with annual shipments rising from approximately 12,000 units in 2024 to 138,000 units in 2025, an increase of 1050% year-on-year-making it the primary driver of overall shipment growth.

At the same time, Hummingbird, the pure solid state lidar achieved a major breakthrough, securing mass production design wins from several leading automakers, positioning Seyond among the global leaders in the pre-installation of pure solid state lidar for passenger vehicles.

The matrix effect formed by the coordinated efforts of multiple product lines has been fully released, which not only enriches the company's business layout, but also promotes the upgrading of the revenue structure toward diversification and anti-cyclicality, laying a robust foundation for more sustainable high-quality development.

Simultaneous Efforts in "Automotive + Robotics + Infrastructure," Global Layout Blossoms in Multiple Areas

Seyond firmly promotes the diversified scenario layout of "Automotive + Robotics + Infrastructure," achieving multiple breakthroughs worldwide and continuously proving the unlimited potential of lidar as the "core sensor of physical AI."

As the core foundation, the automotive market has continued to expand its customer base and accumulate sufficient order reserves. As of December 31, 2025, Seyond had accumulated fixed-point project orders from 18 automakers and ADAS/ADS companies, covering more than 60 vehicle models. Building on its deepened partnership with NIO, the company has expanded into top-tier automakers such as SAIC Volkswagen and GAC Group, broadening its reach from emerging EV players to traditional automotive leaders and covering both mass-market and premium segments. At the same time, it deeply empowers leading players such as Shaanxi Heavy Duty Automobile, Foton Motor, PlusAI, DeepWay, and Inceptio Technology, providing precise perception support for intelligent heavy-duty trucks and mining trucks. It has also reached in-depth cooperation with Pony.ai, seizing the trillion-level blue ocean of Robotaxi in advance and capturing opportunities for future development.

Seyond has achieved large-scale acceleration in the pan-robotics track, with annual revenue of approximately USD 18.912 million, a substantial year-on-year increase of 130%. Seyond has won large-scale orders from leading enterprises such as Zelos Technology, UISEE Technologies, KUSA Technology, and Zhongli EP Equipment's X-Mover division. From precise distribution in urban logistics, efficient connection at civil aviation airports, to autonomous obstacle avoidance in environmental sanitation scenarios and intelligent handling in industrial sites, Seyond has built core capabilities of precise environmental perception, autonomous obstacle avoidance, and intelligent path planning for various robots, promoting the transformation of robots from pilot verification to large-scale implementation.

In the smart transportation scenario, Seyond's lidar has been deployed and operated on more than 15 major fully automatic subway lines in China, and has achieved substantial breakthroughs overseas. It has reached a strategic cooperation with Swedish ITS infrastructure provider Aventi Sweden, winning an order of nearly USD 2.6 million, and has deployed its independently developed intelligent traffic management platform (SIMPL) at key traffic intersections in Europe.

In the port and ship lock sector, Seyond's lidar solutions have been deployed at scale across applications such as ship lock monitoring, bridge collision avoidance, and port automation, providing a reliable perception foundation for the intelligent upgrade of traditional infrastructure.

Steady performance growth and clear strategic implementation have earned Seyond high recognition from the capital market. On December 10, 2025, Seyond successfully listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange; on March 9, 2026, it was smoothly included in the Hang Seng Composite Index and Stock Connect, opening up allocation channels for mainland and global capital, attracting continuous attention from southbound capital, and injecting sufficient capital momentum for future development.

Accelerating into 2026: Multi-Engine Growth Driving Long-Term Value

If 2025 was a year of building a solid foundation and achieving multiple breakthroughs, then 2026 will mark a year of accelerated growth and full-scale momentum for Seyond.

With strong momentum, Seyond's cumulative lidar shipments are set to exceed one million units soon, reinforcing its leading position in the industry.

This confidence stems from Seyond's clear and firm strategic layout:

Driven by technological innovation: Continuously refine solutions, improve perception capabilities and cost-effectiveness, and further strengthen technological barriers and core product competitiveness.

Continuously refine solutions, improve perception capabilities and cost-effectiveness, and further strengthen technological barriers and core product competitiveness. Expand global business development capabilities: Strengthen local sales and marketing teams in overseas markets, and deepen collaborative linkage with partners in the global industrial chain.

Strengthen local sales and marketing teams in overseas markets, and deepen collaborative linkage with partners in the global industrial chain. Adhere to the three-dimensional development pattern of "diversified products + diversified customers + diversified applications": Continuously expand market boundaries and application scenarios, allowing the "smart eyes" of lidar to illuminate more intelligent scenarios.



As an intelligent perception "translator" connecting the real world and the digital space, Seyond has always focused on long-term value creation, not pursuing short-term brilliance, and adhering to its technological original aspiration and industrial mission. In the future, it will use more advanced perception technology, more comprehensive solutions, and stronger commercialization capabilities to help accelerate the global intelligent industry and create more sustainable and substantial value for shareholders, partners, and the industry.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2945d4e4-8118-48ab-bec7-149801eeb57e

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e253905e-3572-4450-8b59-3af2af28b80b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/be05096b-e956-458f-bf0a-4f9bfc0d67b9

Media Contact Seyond Marketing Team Email: pr@seyond.com
BRUSSELS and SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Nexus , an agentic AI platform enabling enterprises to deploy autonomous agents, today announced a $4.3 million seed funding round. The round was led by General Catalyst, with participation from Y Combinator, Transpose Platform, Twenty Two Ventures, Phosphor Capital, and other angel investors like Gokul Rajaram, Raphael Schaad and Jake Mintz.

Nexus, a Y Combinator-backed company founded in 2024 by former McKinsey consultant Assem Chammah and AI engineer Shady Al Shoha, to help businesses move from AI experimentation to deployment. The platform enables non-technical teams to deploy agents, embedded with governance and compliance, that execute complete workflows end-to-end across CRM, ERP, Slack, Teams, and other core enterprise systems.

"Enterprises don't need another AI assistant, they need an AI agent that completes work reliably and delivers measurable results from the start," said Assem Chammah, co-founder and CEO of Nexus. "We work side-by-side with teams to launch AI agents in weeks, with the guardrails they need, and tie outcomes directly to real business results."

Nexus works with leading enterprises including Orange , a global telecommunications operator, that deployed a customer onboarding agent with Nexus in four weeks. Orange saw increased conversion rates by 50% and is generating more than $6 million in annual LTV with a single agent. Nexus also works with AI infrastructure company Lambda.ai , to deploy agents across its sales and marketing functions, where a single agent saves hundreds to thousands of cumulative hours.

"The Nexus platform understood our needs simply by describing them in plain language," said Tom Guisgand, AI Specialist at Orange. "Within days, we had a fully operational AI agent guiding customers through onboarding. Customer satisfaction increased by more than 10 points, and the quality and consistency of conversations improved significantly."

The Nexus platform pairs AI agent creation with white-glove implementation support from a dedicated engineering and enablement team, including hands-on integration, rollout support, training, and ongoing optimization. It supports more than 4,000 integrations across enterprise systems and is built to meet regulatory compliance standards.

"AI agents are becoming core to how enterprises operate, but building them remains slow and technical. Nexus changes that by enabling any team to deploy production-ready agents in days, not months. Assem and Shady have built an incredibly intuitive yet powerful platform, and how quickly they've gone from idea to enterprise deployments stood out to us. Their early traction with customers like Orange Group and Proximus Global speaks to the strength of their enterprise motion," said Yuri Sagalov, Managing Director at General Catalyst.

About Nexus

Nexus is an enterprise AI platform that enables business teams to build and deploy autonomous AI agents without engineering dependency. Built on an agent-first architecture and supported by white-glove implementation, Nexus integrates across 4,000+ enterprise systems and delivers measurable business outcomes in weeks, not months. Founded in Brussels with operations in the U.S. and Europe, Nexus serves enterprise customers across telecommunications, automotive, consulting, and technology. For more information, visit: https://agent.nexus/ .

Media Contact:

media.inquiries@gpt.nexus
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE: SA) ("Seabridge") announced today updated Mineral Resource Estimates for its KSM Project located in northwestern British Columbia using metal prices of US$2,000/oz Au, US$4.00/lb Cu, US$25/oz Ag, and US$ 22/lb Mo at a currency exchange rate of 0.746 US$ per 1.00 Cdn$. For the past 10 years, KSM resource disclosure used metal prices of US$1,300/oz Au, US$3.00/lb Cu, US$20/oz Ag, US$9.70/lb Mo at a currency exchange rate of 0.83 US$ per 1.00 Cdn$.

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources increase by 6.8 million ounces of gold, 1.5 billion pounds of copper, 42.7 million ounces of silver and 93 million pounds of molybdenum compared to the last resource update in January 2024.

Inferred Mineral Resources increase by 12.9 million ounces of gold, 4.2 billion pounds of copper, 108.8 million ounces of silver and 140 million pounds of molybdenum compared to the last resource update in January 2024.

The mineral resource model has not changed, only the assumed metal prices and costs used to constrain the mineral resources and calculate cut-offs. The only difference is the tabulation of the resource blocks above updated cut-offs and inside updated constraining mining shapes. The updated mineral resource tabulation uses the same grade models used in the KSM Preliminary Feasibility Study and Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report", with an effective date of August 8, 2022 (see 2022 KSM TECHNICAL REPORT).

Seabridge Chair and CEO Rudi Fronk said the resource restatements reflect gains from the application of updated metal price parameters and operating costs. "As we move towards a joint venture on KSM, our resource estimates' price assumptions are now consistent with most Tier 1 mining company disclosure."

The updated Mineral Resource Estimates for KSM are as follows:

Measured Resources Deposit Tonnes

(000) Gold Copper Silver Molybdenum Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(%) Pounds

(millions) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(ppm) Pounds

(millions) Mitchell - OP 700,000 0.67 15.1 0.19 2,932 3.26 73.4 52 80 East Mitchell - OP 1,105,000 0.62 22.0 0.11 2,680 1.78 63.2 86 210 Total Measured 1,805,000 0.64 37.1 0.14 5,612 2.35 136.6 73 290 Indicated Resources Deposit Tonnes

(000) Gold Copper Silver Molybdenum Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(%) Pounds

(millions) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(ppm) Pounds

(millions) Mitchell - OP 1,922,000 0.46 28.4 0.13 5,508 2.7 166.8 65 274 East Mitchell - OP 1,069,000 0.36 12.4 0.08 1,885 1.5 52.9 73 172 Sulphurets - OP 477,000 0.53 8.1 0.20 2,103 1.0 15.3 50 53 Kerr - OP 396,000 0.21 2.7 0.38 3,318 1.1 14 4 4 Kerr - UG 31,000 0.21 0.2 0.40 273 1.5 1.5 12 1 Iron Cap - UG 555,000 0.37 6.6 0.20 2,447 4.1 72.8 35 43 Total Indicated 4,450,000 0.41 58.4 0.16 15,534 2.3 323.3 56 547 Measured plus Indicated Resources Deposit Tonnes

(000) Gold Copper Silver Molybdenum Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(%) Pounds

(millions) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(ppm) Pounds

(millions) Mitchell - OP 2,622,000 0.52 43.5 0.15 8,440 2.8 240.2 61 354 East Mitchell - OP 2,174,000 0.49 34.4 0.10 4,565 1.7 116.1 80 382 Sulphurets - OP 477,000 0.53 8.1 0.20 2,103 1.0 15.3 50 53 Kerr - OP 396,000 0.21 2.7 0.38 3,318 1.1 14.0 4 4 Kerr - UG 31,000 0.21 0.2 0.40 273 1.5 1.5 12 1 Iron Cap - UG 555,000 0.37 6.6 0.2 2,447 4.1 72.8 35 43 Total Measured + Indicated 6,255,000 0.48 95.5 0.15 21,146 2.3 459.9 61 837 Inferred Resources Deposit Tonnes

(000) Gold Copper Silver Molybdenum Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(%) Pounds

(millions) Grade

(g/t) Ounces

(millions) Grade

(ppm) Pounds

(millions) Mitchell - OP 1,980,000 0.26 16.6 0.12 5,238 2.36 150.2 45.8 200 East Mitchell - OP 589,000 0.30 5.7 0.06 779 1.83 34.7 58.1 75 Sulphurets - OP 326,000 0.39 4.1 0.11 791 1.35 14.1 26.0 19 Kerr - OP 106,000 0.24 0.8 0.18 421 1.07 3.6 4.9 1 Kerr - UG 2,699,000 0.27 23.4 0.34 20,231 1.7 147.5 21.1 126 Iron Cap - UG 2,769,000 0.38 33.8 0.25 15,262 2.47 219.9 30.3 185 Total Inferred 8,469,000 0.31 84.4 0.23 42,722 2.1 570 32.5 606 Notes: The effective date for the Mineral Resource Estimate for KSM is March 30, 2026. The Mineral Resource Estimates have been verified and endorsed by Henry Kim P.Geo., an independent Qualified Person. Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of those Mineral Resources that were converted to Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources were prepared in accordance with CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (May 10, 2014) and CIM Estimation of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves Best Practice Guidelines (Nov 29, 2019). Mineral Resources were constrained within mineable shapes depending on the assumed mining methods. Net Smelter Return (NSR) cut-off is $11.85/t for the Mitchell Pit, $12.35/t for the East Mitchell Pit, $9.90/t for the Sulphurets pit, $9.90/t for the Kerr open pit based on updated operating cost and using the following assumptions: metal prices of US$2,000/oz Au, US$4.00/lb Cu, US$25/oz Ag, and US$ 22/lb Mo at a currency exchange rate of 0.746 US$ per 1.00 Cdn$; Copper concentrate terms are 96% payable Cu; 97.8% payable Au; 90% payable Ag. Offsite costs (smelting, refining, transport, and insurance) are $222 per tonne of concentrate; dore terms are $2/oz Au offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance), 99.8% Au payable, and 90% Ag payable; metallurgical recovery projections vary depending on metallurgical domain and metal grades and are based on metallurgical test work. The Mineral Resources have been constrained by "reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction" mining shapes using assumptions: metal prices of US$2800/oz Au, US$5.6/lb Cu, US$35/oz Ag, and US$ 30.8/lb Mo with a currency exchange rate of 0.746 US$ per 1.00 Cdn$; Pit slopes range between 32-51 degrees in the Mitchell area and 25-43 degrees in the East Mitchell area; with $2.50/t mining costs; $11.85/t process + G&A costs for Mitchell; $12.35/t process + G&A costs for East Mitchell; offsite terms and metallurgical recoveries are the same as Note 7; Pit slopes for Sulphurets range between 34-50 degrees; $2.50/t pit mining costs; $9.90/t process + G&A costs; offsite costs (smelting, refining, transport, and insurance) are $222 per tonne of concentrate; dore terms are $2/oz Au offsite costs (refining, transport and insurance), 99.8% Au payable, 90% Ag payable, 99% Mo payable; Recoveries vary depending on metallurgical domain and metal grades and are based on metallurgical test work as described in Section 13 of the 2022 NI 43-101 report. The block cave constraining shapes for Kerr and Iron Cap were developed by applying an NSR shut-off at the draw point of $18.50/t for Iron Cap and $20.00/t for Kerr. "Moly" = "Molybdenum" Numbers may not add due to rounding.

The mineral resource model has not changed, only the assumed metal prices and costs used to constrain the mineral resources and to calculate the cut-off grade. The updated mineral resource does not materially change the existing mineral reserves because the constraining mining shapes for the mineral reserves are interior to the mining surfaces used for the mineral resources. Also, the cut-offs applied to the Mineral Reserves are higher than those applied to the Mineral Resources.

The change to the Mineral Resources are not considered material to the KSM Project or to Seabridge.

Qualified Persons

Henry Kim P.Geo., the independent Qualified Person and Principal Resource Geologist with Wood Canada Limited, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this press release. Details of the data verification performed to support the Mineral Resource estimates, and identification of any known legal, political, environmental, or other risks that could materially affect the potential development of the mineral resources are provided in Technical Report dated August 8, 2022.

About Seabridge Gold

Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. Seabridge's principal asset, the KSM project, and its Iskut projects are located in Northwest British Columbia, Canada's "Golden Triangle", the Courageous Lake project is in Canada's Northwest Territories, the Snowstorm project in the Getchell Gold Belt of Northern Nevada, and the 3 Aces project is in the Yukon Territory. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources by category please visit Seabridge's website at http://www.seabridgegold.com.

None of the Toronto Stock Exchange, the New York Stock Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Providers accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary note to U.S. Investors concerning estimates of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources

All mineral reserve and resource estimates reported by Seabridge were estimated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards (May 10, 2014). The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") now recognizes estimates of "measured mineral resources," "indicated mineral resources" and "inferred mineral resources" and uses new definitions of "proven mineral reserves" and "probable mineral reserves" and the supporting mining studies that are substantially similar to the corresponding CIM Definition Standards. However, the CIM Definition Standards differ from the requirements applicable to US domestic issuers. Further, "inferred mineral resources" are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade are estimated on the basis of limited geologic evidence and sampling. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This document contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the estimated amount and grade of mineral resources, including the cut-offs; (ii) the estimated amount of future production, both material processed and metal recovered and recovery rates; (iii) estimates of operating costs, life of mine costs and net cash flow from an operating mine. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.

All forward-looking statements are based on Seabridge's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The most significant assumptions are set forth above, but other assumptions include: (i) the presence of and continuity of metals at the Project at estimated grades; (ii) the geotechnical and metallurgical characteristics of rock conforming to sampled results; (iii) the quantities of water and the quality of the water that must be diverted or treated during mining operations; (iv) the capacities and durability of various machinery and equipment; (v) the availability of personnel, machinery, equipment at estimated prices and within the estimated delivery times; (vi) currency exchange rates; (vii) metals sales prices; (viii) anticipated mining losses and dilution; (ix)success in realizing contemplated operations; (x) receipt of permits and other regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and (xi) the successful conclusion of consultation with impacted indigenous groups. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward-looking statements and therefore are conditional on the other statements being accurate.

By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur as forecast, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content within the material identified as mineral resources from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; the geotechnical characteristics of the rock mined or through which infrastructure is built differing from that predicted, the quantity of water that will need to be diverted or treated during mining operations being different from what is expected to be encountered during mining operations or post closure, or the rate of flow of the water being different; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; and risks relating to the costs of other energy sources; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals or the conclusion of successful consultation with impacted indigenous groups; changes in regulations applying to the development, operation, and closure of mining operations from what currently exists; the effects of competition in the markets in which Seabridge operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Seabridge's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca) and in Seabridge's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR(available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml for the year ended December 31, 2025. Seabridge cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.

When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Seabridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Seabridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Seabridge or on our behalf, except as required by law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290564

Source: Seabridge Gold Inc.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Sanu Gold Corporation (CSE: SANU) (OTCQB: SNGCF) ("Sanu Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to report on its auger and rock chips sampling results and ground geophysical survey extensions over its Daina property, located in the prolific gold producing Siguiri Gold Basin, West Africa.

HIGHLIGHTS

Target footprint significantly expanded at the Daina Gold Property ("Daina") , following power auger and rock sampling, and the extension of the IP ground geophysical survey, defining multiple kilometre-scale gold targets for drill testing including, a 7km trend at Daina 1 West, 2km extensions at Daina 1 North, 2km of extensions at Daina 1 South, with new targets defined at Daina 3 East and West and at Daina 2 North-West ("NW")

Daina 1 corridor confirmed to host drill targets over 8km of strike , confirming multiple parallel gold-in-saprolite structures at Daina 1 North and South and their extensions, and, now well-defined parallel trends at Daina 1 West

Rock chip results at Daina 1 North returned up to 34.9 g/t Au , supporting the presence of high-grade zones within the broader mineralized system

Daina 1 West power auger drilling delineated a parallel mineralized trend extending over 7km

Power auger sampling to the North and East of Daina 2 identified a new, sub- parallel, 1.5km long trend to the northeast of Daina 2

Daina 3 East and West represent newly defined targets , with rock chip sampling returning up to 5.46 g/t Au, 2.60 g/t Au and 1.26 g/t Au , confirming bedrock mineralization beneath surface gold trends

Next phase is drilling planned for H1/2026 to follow up the power auger defined anomalies with a combination of Air Core ("AC"), Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling for up to 5,000m, designed to test newly defined targets and extensions at Daina 1, Daina 2 and Daina

Martin Pawlitschek, CEO of Sanu Gold commented: "These results significantly enhance the exploration potential of the Daina property. The auger sampling program has delineated kilometre-scale gold in saprolite anomalies in previously poorly sampled areas, as well identified new mineralised trends. When considered alongside high-grade rock chip samples and encouraging geophysical responses from the recent IP survey, the data support the interpretation of a structurally controlled gold system with significant scale potential. The next phase of exploration will focus on systematically testing these newly identified targets through AC, RC and diamond core drilling to better define the geometry, continuity, and extent of the mineralized structures in H1/2026."

PROGRAM SUMMARY

The program, completed during December, January and February, was designed to follow up previously identified targets that had only been mapped by wide-spaced auger sampling in 2021. The power auger tool allows for systematic sampling of the weathered bedrock (saprolite) underneath the extensive laterite veneers prevalent in the region. Results from the auger programs then allow targeted follow-up with deeper RC and AC drilling.

The recent power auger sampling at Daina focused heavily along the Daina 1, Salat East, and the Daina 3 target areas. Assay results from the auger drilling program confirm significant new targets, each extending for over 1km of strike, and confirm extensions to previously identified gold anomalies across the Daina property area (Figure 1 and Table 2).

Figure 1: Daina Updated Key Prospects with Updated Gold in Auger Saprolite

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The program returned significant gold-in-auger anomalies, including peak values of 2.18 g/t, 2.02 g/t and 1.89 g/t Au, with several additional samples exceeding 0.30 g/t Au, including 0.63 g/t, 0.40 g/t and 0.35 g/t Au (Table 1). Auger results confirm that high-grade mineralization at the Daina 1 South NW target extends a further 1.3 km to the south, significantly expanding the known mineralized footprint. The program also identified four new parallel structural trends, including:

Daina 2 North-East, extending for approximately 1km

Daina 1 South and North, extending 2km and 6km respectively; and Daina 1 West; extending for 6 Km of strike length; and

Daina 3, extending for over 1km.

Results demonstrate that most surface geochemical gold anomalies (>100 ppb Au) correspond with bedrock mineralization within the laterite-covered saprolite profile, as defined by the auger sampling program. These results provide well-defined drill targets that will be systematically tested through AC and RC drilling to test the width and grade of the mineralisation along its extensive strike length.

Table 1: Summary of Recent Auger Sampling at Daina





Holes Meters Area

# m Daina 1 South

273 3,242 Daina 1 North

161 1,850 Daina 2

92 1,210 Daina 3

240 3,022 Daina 4

180 2,348 Daina 6

37 446 Salat East

57 752 Total

1,040 12,890









DETAILS OF THE AUGER DRILLING RESULTS

Sanu has completed a 12,890m power auger bedrock sampling program between late December 2025 and February 2026. The program was carried out using two power auger rigs operating on day and night shifts. It was designed to systematically test significant surface gold geochemical anomalies beneath laterite cover; these target areas had previously only been sparsely evaluated using power auger drilling (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Power Auger tool, Systematically Sampling the Saprolite Underneath the Laterite Cover at Daina

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The auger sampling program tested additional strike lengths of 8.4km at Daina 1, 3.6km at Daina 2, 3km at Daina 3, 2km, 0.7km at Daina 6, and 0.8km at the Salat East target. Drill lines were oriented east-west and spaced approximately 200m apart, with auger holes drilled at 50m intervals along each line. Holes were designed to penetrate the laterite cover and obtain 2-4m of sampling within the underlying weathered saprolitic bedrock.

A total of 6,778 auger samples (including QA/QC control samples) were submitted to MSA Laboratories in Bamako, Mali for gold analysis. Samples were typically composited over 2m intervals. While the holes were initially planned to a depth of 10m, several were extended to ensure penetration through the laterite duricrust and adequate sampling of the saprolitic bedrock. As a result, the average auger hole depth was 12.4m.

The auger assay results delineated several large-footprint gold-in-bedrock trends at Daina 2, Daina 3, Daina 1 North and Daina 1 South West, while also significantly extending previously identified mineralized trends at Daina 1 South, Daina 1 North and Daina 2 South. These newly defined trends materially expand the exploration footprint at the Daina Project and provide high-priority targets for follow-up AC and RC drilling.

Daina 1

At Daina 1, auger results define two parallel northwest-trending structures extending for approximately 7-10km of strike length with gold values exceeding 0.1 g/t Au in saprolite from Daina 1 South to north of Daina 1 North. These structures are interpreted as part of a shear-zone system, characterized by zones of structural dilation hosting most of the gold mineralization alternating with narrower structural segments. Best auger gold intervals in saprolite include:

6 m @ 2.31 g/t Au, 6 m @ 1.14 g/t Au and 4 m @ 2.32 g/t Au.

Rock chip samples collected from Daina 1 North returned several high-grade gold values, including:

34.91 g/t Au, 2.92 g/t Au, 1.80 g/t Au and 1.04 g/t Au.

In addition, the ground IP survey identified resistivity anomalies that closely parallel many of the gold-in-saprolite trends defined by the auger program.

Daina 2 North

At Daina 2 North, auger sampling targeted an area of previous disturbance located beneath a laterite plateau. The program delineated a northwest-trending gold-in-saprolite structure extending approximately 1.3km north of the Daina 2 Main Zone (Figures 3 & 4). This zone had not previously been drill -tested and coincides with high-grade rock chip samples collected from artisanal pits, including:

8.57 g/t Au, 6.50 g/t Au, 6.07 g/t Au, 2.40 g/t Au, 1.64 g/t Au, 1.40 g/t Au and 1.32 g/t Au.

Figure 3: Daina Project, Key Targets and New Rock Chips Sampling Results over Chargeability Image from the Recently Expanded IP Survey

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Figure 4: Subvertical Quartz Veinlets in Weathered/Saprolithic Sediments at Daina 3 West

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Daina 3

The auger sampling completed at Daina 3 represents the first systematic bedrock sampling program in an area previously defined by surface geochemical anomalies. The program identified two new northwest-trending gold-in-bedrock anomalies totalling approximately 3km of strike length:

Daina 3 West, extending 1.7 km within saprolitic bedrock; and

Daina 3 East, extending 1.3 km, where bedrock mineralization has been exposed.

Recent rock chip sampling returned values of up to:

5.47 g/t Au, 2.60 g/t Au and 1.26 g/t Au.

ROCK CHIP SAMPLING AND GEOLOGICAL MAPPING

Concurrent with the auger drilling program, rock chip sampling and detailed geological mapping were carried out across several target areas. A total of 79 rock chip samples were collected from artisanal pits and surface exposures and submitted for gold analysis. Significant results above 0.5 g/t Au are summarized in (Table 3). Geological and structural mapping identified bedrock gold mineralization hosted within saprolitic zones associated with large surface geochemical anomalies at Daina 1 North, Daina 2 and Daina 3

Daina 3 West

At Daina 3 West, rock chip sampling was conducted within the newly defined auger anomaly (Figure 1). Shallow artisanal excavations exposed gold-bearing quartz vein systems within bedrock. Geological mapping indicates that mineralization is hosted within a northwest-trending, southwest-dipping structural zone, similar to the structure identified at Daina 2. Gold mineralization occurs within quartz stockworks, breccia zones, and hydrothermally altered host rocks, which form gossanous zones within the weathered profile. Rock chip sampling returned significant results including:

2.60 g/t Au, 1.26 g/t Au and 0.55 g/t Au.

Daina 1 North

At Daina 1 North, the largest artisanal pit measures approximately 50m long by 20m wide, with depths ranging from 5-8m. These pits occur within a previously identified 3km-long termite mound gold anomaly and are hosted within a northwest-trending, shallow east-dipping shear zone at the contact between volcanoclastic rocks and sedimentary sequences.

Mapping indicates that mineralization is associated with quartz stockwork and breccia vein systems developed within hydrothermally altered host rocks. These structures represent the principal zones of gold concentration, with coarse gold occurring within quartz veins and finer gold present in altered saprolite. Rock chip samples collected from these zones returned several high-grade results, including:

34.91 g/t Au, 2.92 g/t Au, 1.80 g/t Au, and 1.04 g/t Au

DETAILS OF THE IP GEOPHYSICAL SURVEY

A ground induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey was completed in January 2026 across the Daina Project. The survey covered 133,750m of cumulative line length across Daina 1 North, Daina 1 South, Daina 2, Daina 3, and Salat. The survey was conducted by SAGAX Afrique of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso using the induced polarization method. A total of 48 east-west oriented lines spaced 200m apart were completed (Figure 3).

The objective of the program was to expand the previous IP survey coverage and map chargeability and resistivity anomalies associated with potential bedrock structures hosting gold mineralization, thereby assisting with future drill targeting. Interpretation of the IP data identified strong resistivity, chargeability and conductivity lineaments that correspond with known geological structures mapped at Daina 1 and Daina 2 (Figures 4 and 5). Several of these geophysical features align with surface and auger-defined gold geochemical trends, while many remain untested by drilling, particularly at Daina 1, Daina 2 North, Daina 3 East and Daina 3 West.

NEXT STEPS

The Company is advancing follow-up exploration programs designed to further evaluate newly identified targets and expand the understanding of mineralized trends across the Daina project area. Current work is focused on refining drill targets and preparing for the next phase of drilling of the following:

Results from the current program will guide follow-up RC and AC drilling, to test newly defined targets and potential extensions of known mineralized trends; and

The Company is planning a minimum of 5,000m of combined AC and RC drilling program in H1/2026.

Quality Assurance / Quality Control ("QA/QC")

Sampling was completed following industry's best practices, conducted under the supervision of the Company's project geologists and the chain of custody from the project to the sample preparation facility was continuously monitored. An appropriate number and type of certified reference materials (standards) and blanks amounting to 5% of the total number of samples shipped to the laboratory were inserted in approximately every 20th sample to ensure an effective QAQC program. Data verification of the analytical results included a statistical analysis of the standards and blanks that must pass certain parameters for acceptance to ensure accurate and verifiable results. All samples were analyzed using Fire Assay geochemical analysis 'FAA505' at the SGS Laboratory in Bamako, Mali. SGS is an independent, internationally recognized and certified commercial laboratory.

Qualified Persons

The technical or scientific information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by Serigne Dieng, PhD., M.Sc., AIG, Exploration Manager of the company's three projects, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43-101.

About Sanu Gold

Located within the world class Siguiri Basin, host to several operating mines, Sanu is exploring three high quality gold exploration permits in Guinea targeting multi-million-ounce gold discoveries. The company has defined kilometre scale gold bearing structures on each of the permits with multiple high-value drill targets. Sanu is operated by a highly experienced team with successful records of discovery, resource development and mine permitting.

Martin Pawlitschek

President & CEO, Sanu Gold Corp

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential", "indicates", "opportunity", "possible" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur. Although Sanu believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance, are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results or realities may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Such material risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the Company's plans for exploration on its properties and ability to execute on plans, ability to raise sufficient capital to fund its obligations under its property agreements going forward, ability to maintain its material property agreements, mineral tenures and concessions in good standing, to explore and develop its projects; changes in economic conditions or financial markets; the inherent hazards associated with mineral exploration and mining operations, future prices of gold and other metals, changes in general economic conditions and local risks in the jurisdiction (Guinea) in which it operates, accuracy of mineral resource and reserve estimates, the potential for new discoveries, the ability of the Company to obtain the necessary permits and consents required to explore, drill and develop the projects and if obtained, to obtain such permits and consents in a timely fashion relative to the Company's plans and business objectives for the projects; the general ability of the Company to monetize its mineral resources; and changes in environmental and other laws or regulations that could have an impact on the Company's operations, compliance with environmental laws and regulations, dependence on key management personnel and general competition in the mining industry. Forward-looking statements are based on the reasonable beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

Appendix 1

Table 2: Best Auger Sampling Gold Results (>0.15 g/t Au) from the Recent Program at Daina 2025-2026

Hole ID X-UTM Y-UTM Z-UTM Peak gold

in saprolite

(g/t) Gold intercept

in Saprolite

(g/t) Int.

(m) Gold x Int.

(g/tm) Form

(m) Area Date DAI-AUG-1362 508512 1315200 366 0.25 0.08 8 0.64 4 Dai. 4 29-12-2025 DAI-AUG-1391 509086 1315397 357 0.18 0.09 6 0.56 8 Dai. 4 30-12-2025 DAI-AUG-1394 509238 1315399 358 0.30 0.08 8 0.64 6 Dai. 4 30-12-2025 DAI-AUG-1509 506642 1319398 390 0.67 0.26 6 1.54 4 Dai. 3 05-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1542 506257 1319600 375 2.02 0.62 8 4.97 2 Dai. 3 05-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1543 506310 1319597 372 0.16 0.07 8 0.52 4 Dai. 3 05-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1568 506125 1319798 362 0.19 0.07 10 0.65 4 Dai. 3 07-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1622 505032 1318999 368 0.19 0.06 8 0.44 2 Dai. 3 08-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1685 503569 1319601 392 0.21 0.11 4 0.43 16 Dai. 3 12-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1700 502821 1319600 378 0.21 0.12 4 0.47 12 Dai. 3 14-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1810 503301 1319797 383 0.16 0.11 6 0.64 6 Dai. 3 15-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1822 502217 1320425 355 0.19 0.07 6 0.42 4 Dai. 3 16-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1695 503055 1319603 378 0.21 0.08 8 0.65 10 Dai. 2 14-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1722 503552 1319397 403 0.30 0.18 6 1.09 10 Dai. 2 12-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1739 502987 1319460 382 0.34 0.19 8 1.50 2 Dai. 2 13-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1740 502934 1319459 371 0.29 0.08 8 0.65 2 Dai. 2 13-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1742 502840 1319702 349 0.49 0.30 8 2.37 10 Dai. 2 13-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1746 503040 1319709 371 0.17 0.10 8 0.79 4 Dai. 2 14-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1749 503190 1319705 377 0.23 0.13 6 0.78 6 Dai. 2 14-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1841 500721 1318094 394 0.42 0.39 6 2.31 6 Dai. 6 17-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1842 500770 1318092 391 1.14 0.39 6 2.36 8 Dai. 6 17-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1843 500820 1318092 391 3.61 2.31 4 9.26 8 Dai. 6 17-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1932 501017 1316433 386 0.24 0.15 6 0.87 4 Dai. 1 N. 21-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1937 500767 1316435 386 0.18 0.08 6 0.48 4 Dai. 1 N. 24-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1970 502898 1316198 371 0.30 0.10 10 1.01 0 Dai. 1 N. 24-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1975 502854 1315605 370 0.41 0.19 8 1.49 2 Dai. 1 N. 24-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1985 502897 1315406 365 0.25 0.12 10 1.21 6 Dai. 1 N. 24-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1868 502081 1317007 420 0.25 0.16 4 0.65 10 Dai. 1 N. 20-01-2026 DAI-AUG-1879 502095 1316782 379 0.19 0.09 6 0.55 4 Dai. 1 N. 21-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2105 502527 1313944 395 0.16 0.13 6 0.79 4 Dai. 1 N. 26-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2124 504009 1313772 402 0.17 0.05 8 0.43 2 Dai. 1 S. 27-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2055 502726 1313598 396 0.72 0.28 6 1.67 4 Dai. 1 S. 28-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2059 502896 1313469 407 0.16 0.08 6 0.47 4 Dai. 1 S. 28-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2070 503086 1312947 398 3.91 1.74 8 13.93 6 Dai. 1 S. 29-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2152 502989 1312709 397 0.21 0.07 8 0.52 6 Dai. 1 S. 29-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2068 503188 1312947 402 0.25 0.15 4 0.60 8 Dai. 1 S. 28-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2069 503138 1312948 403 0.19 0.11 6 0.69 6 Dai. 1 S. 28-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2082 503734 1312452 369 0.55 0.44 6 2.61 4 Dai. 1 S. 29-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2172 504488 1312341 386 0.21 0.11 8 0.90 2 Dai. 1 S. 30-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2173 504538 1312340 383 0.53 0.23 8 1.87 2 Dai. 1 S. 30-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2180 504514 1311902 367 0.47 0.13 12 1.61 4 Dai. 1 S. 31-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2203 504295 1312073 366 0.26 0.18 6 1.09 4 Dai. 1 S. 31-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2188 504027 1311800 379 0.19 0.11 6 0.67 4 Dai. 1 S. 31-01-2026 DAI-AUG-2226 503806 1311399 379 0.21 0.14 6 0.83 6 Dai. 1 S. 02-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2230 504006 1311396 377 0.37 0.18 8 1.46 4 Dai. 1 S. 02-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2303 504486 1311713 369 0.42 0.24 6 1.44 6 Dai. 1 S. 02-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2305 504651 1311724 376 0.18 0.12 6 0.73 8 Dai. 1 S. 02-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2306 504701 1311723 371 0.22 0.12 6 0.73 6 Dai. 1 S. 02-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2316 504015 1310996 377 0.18 0.09 8 0.73 2 Dai. 1 S. 03-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2317 504070 1311007 379 0.35 0.17 6 1.04 4 Dai. 1 S. 03-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2320 504162 1310618 371 0.26 0.09 8 0.73 4 Dai. 1 S. 03-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2251 504029 1311200 406 0.61 0.26 8 2.10 10 Dai. 1 S. 04-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2252 504001 1311195 403 0.17 0.12 8 0.95 8 Dai. 1 S. 04-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2259 508537 1310268 371 0.27 0.14 4 0.55 8 Sala East 05-02-2026 DAI-AUG-2278 508704 1310666 358 0.50 0.13 8 1.08 4 Sala East 06-02-2026

Table 3: Best Rock Chips Sampling Results from the Daina Gold Project 2025-2026 (Au> 0.5g/t)

Sample ID Easting Northing RL Au Ppm Date Target













DAI-19351 504819 1319397 370 0.02 2025-12-23 Daina 3 DAI-19352 504816 1319400 370 0.06 2025-12-23 Daina 3 DAI-19353 504816 1319400 370 0.06 2025-12-23 Daina 3 DAI-19354 504808 1319419 370 <0.015 2025-12-23 Daina 3 DAI-19358 504802 1319419 369 1.26 2025-12-23 Daina 3 DAI-19359 504918 1319204 374 0.06 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19360 504916 1319205 374 0.14 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19361 504938 1319195 375 0.14 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19362 504944 1319181 377 0.12 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19363 504944 1319182 377 0.12 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19364 504950 1319179 377 0.03 2025-12-24 Daina 3 DAI-19365 504938 1319193 374 0.12 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19366 504779 1319324 371 0.55 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19367 504764 1319482 372 0.05 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19368 504749 1319492 372 <0.015 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19369 506434 1319714 380 0.03 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19370 506434 1319714 380 <0.015 2025-12-25 Daina 3 DAI-19371 504950 1319181 372 0.17 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19372 504962 1319173 376 0.04 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19373 504962 1319173 376 0.05 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19374 504980 1319122 370 0.02 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19375 504994 1319091 362 0.03 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19376 504937 1319208 373 0.03 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19377 504932 1319206 374 <0.015 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19378 504908 1319210 373 0.03 2026-01-16 Daina 3 DAI-19382 504965 1319167 374 0.12 2026-01-17 Daina 3 DAI-19383 504965 1319167 374 0.10 2026-01-17 Daina 3 DAI-19384 504929 1319197 370 <0.015 2026-01-17 Daina 3 DAI-19385 504977 1319125 374 0.02 2026-01-17 Daina 3 DAI-19386 504992 1319095 374 2.60 2026-01-17 Daina 3 DAI-19387 504743 1319331 374 <0.015 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19388 502769 1315816 373 0.15 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19389 502769 1315816 373 0.05 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19390 502767 1315817 373 0.06 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19391 502765 1315817 373 0.06 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19392 502765 1315817 373 0.07 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19393 502769 1315817 373 0.02 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19394 502770 1315821 372 1.04 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19395 502772 1315820 373 0.30 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19396 502771 1315819 374 0.06 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19397 502778 1315819 375 2.92 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19398 502793 1315797 380 34.91 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19399 502786 1315801 380 0.02 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19400 502796 1315797 380 1.80 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19404 502787 1315792 382 0.02 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19405 502787 1315792 382 0.02 2026-01-19 Daina 1 N. DAI-19406 504100 1319736 372 0.05 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19407 504100 1319736 372 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19408 504090 1319734 371 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19409 504089 1319728 372 0.02 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19410 504053 1319756 371 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19411 504051 1319758 371 0.02 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19412 504051 1319760 371 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19413 503628 1319948 378 0.02 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19414 503620 1319944 378 0.02 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19415 503620 1319944 378 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19416 503620 1319943 378 <0.015 2026-01-27 Daina 2 DAI-19417 503430 1319982 372 <0.015 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19418 503431 1319981 372 <0.015 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19419 503431 1319981 372 <0.015 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19420 503251 1319962 372 0.03 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19421 503253 1319963 382 <0.015 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19422 503249 1319953 392 0.07 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19426 503372 1319919 374 0.03 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19427 503377 1319919 374 0.02 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19428 503377 1319917 374 <0.015 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19429 503380 1319912 374 0.03 2026-01-28 Daina 2 DAI-19430 503429 1319949 392 0.12 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19431 503205 1319952 378 0.03 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19432 503206 1319952 378 0.06 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19433 503207 1319951 378 0.04 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19434 503207 1319950 378 0.03 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19435 503210 1319947 378 0.06 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19436 503209 1319949 378 0.06 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19437 503187 1319945 378 0.02 2026-01-29 Daina 2 DAI-19474 507238 1319013 415 0.02 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19475 507237 1319013 415 <0.015 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19476 507236 1319014 415 0.02 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19477 507235 1319015 415 0.05 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19478 507243 1319020 415 0.03 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19479 507244 1319020 415 0.06 2026-02-26 Daina 3 DAI-19480 507245 1319020 415 0.07 2026-02-26 Daina 3

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290554

Source: Sanu Gold Corp.
Backed by a 24Moz NI 43-101 compliant silver resource at Kate and supported by emerging evidence of a large-scale gold-copper system at Passiflora, with upcoming drilling set to drive near-term catalysts

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Viscount Mining Corp. (TSXV: VML) (OTCQB: VLMGF) ("Viscount" or the "Company") is pleased to provide shareholders with a corporate update outlining the Company's exploration strategy for 2026 and the continued advancement of its projects in Colorado and Nevada.

Following the successful completion of the Company's recently announced oversubscribed financing led by Centurion One Capital, Viscount is fully funded to execute a robust exploration program across its portfolio of U.S. assets this year. The Company enters the year with increasing technical momentum as geological, geophysical and drilling data continue to strengthen the understanding of the Silver Cliff district in Colorado, where Viscount controls a large land position covering a historically productive mining camp.

Over the past year, the Company has significantly refined its geological model of the district. Historic mining at Silver Cliff focused largely on shallow high-grade silver mineralization, but modern exploration is increasingly pointing to the presence of multiple mineral systems, including expanding the Kate Silver resource and a large emerging Gold-Copper porphyry system at the Passiflora target.

Management believes the convergence of these systems may define a much larger mineralized district than previously recognized.

Expanding the Kate Silver Resource - Colorado

The Company's current NI 43-101 compliant resource at the Kate Deposit comprises approximately 24 million ounces of silver across measured, indicated, and inferred categories. This represents a near-surface, drill-defined system with demonstrated continuity. While this resource establishes a solid base, management believes that it does not yet fully reflect the scale potential of mineralization within the broader Kate Deposit.

The Kate hosts a NI 43-101 completed (April 2023) compliant near-surface silver resource published by an independent QP (details: Measured & Indicated and Inferred silver resources were reported in the Company's technical disclosure; investors are encouraged to review the full technical report available on SEDAR+ for tonnage, grade, and methodology).

Viscount will shortly commence a 10-hole drill program at the Kate Deposit, designed to expand the current mineralized footprint and provide additional data required for a revised NI 43-101 resource later this year.

The Kate Deposit represents one of the key historic mineral centers within the Silver Cliff district. However, drilling, and geological reinterpretation conducted over the past few years suggest that the mineralized system may extend beyond the limits of the current resource model.

The upcoming program is designed not only to evaluate lateral extensions of the mineralization, but also to probe deeper structural zones that may represent feeder pathways for mineralizing fluids within the system.

Recent geophysical interpretation has highlighted deeper targets that may represent important structural controls beneath the Kate area. Several of the planned drill holes will test these deeper targets to determine whether the mineralized system strengthens or evolves at depth.

The results of this program are expected to play a significant role in supporting the next stage of resource expansion at the Kate Deposit while improving the geological understanding of the broader Silver Cliff district.

Passiflora: Emerging Evidence of a Gold-Copper Porphyry System - Colorado

A key development within the Silver Cliff district over the past year has been the growing body of geological and geophysical evidence supporting the presence of a significant gold-copper porphyry-style system at depth.

At the Passiflora target, Viscount previously completed its first deep drill hole (PF-03A) which intersected 843.9 metres of continuous gold-copper mineralization associated with well-developed porphyry-style alteration. This mineralization was encountered within a large, coherent geophysical anomaly identified through a deep-penetrating TITAN MT survey conducted by Quantec Geoscience. The anomaly extends over a substantial footprint and to depths approaching 1,500 metres, consistent with the scale and geometry commonly associated with intrusive-centered porphyry systems.

The geological characteristics observed in drilling-including strong hydrothermal alteration, anomalous gold and copper values, and the presence of multiple pathfinder elements-are consistent with mineralization typically observed in the peripheral to intermediate zones of porphyry environments. Together with the scale of the geophysical response, these results provide a coherent framework supporting the interpretation of a porphyry-style system within the district.

Viscount's 2026 drill program which will be a minimum of 3 deep holes is designed to test higher-priority portions of the MT anomaly, representing a significant step-out from hole PF-23-03A. The objective of this work is to evaluate the lateral extent and continuity of the mineralized system, while further assessing the distribution and intensity of alteration and metal zoning across the broader target area. Results from this program are expected to be an important step in determining whether the system exhibits the scale and continuity required to support a district-scale exploration model.

Results from the 2025 Mobile Metal Ion (MMI) soil survey have defined a well-developed copper-in-soil trend across the central-western portion of the grid. This trend remains open to the west and north and aligns closely with conductivity highs identified in the Quantec MT survey, providing a consistent geochemical and geophysical targeting framework across the district.

Overlapping clusters of elevated gold-in-soil values occur along the same corridor and are interpreted to represent surface geochemical responses above a deeper mineralized system. The combined gold-copper signature strengthens the interpretation of a coherent mineralizing system and provides important vectoring information for ongoing exploration.

Additional datasets further support this interpretation, including rock sampling along Ben Hill West, which returned elevated copper and associated pathfinder elements directly above the central MT feature; airborne imagery outlining a broad alteration footprint along the same structural corridor; historical drilling records documenting alteration assemblages consistent with porphyry-style systems; Viscount's deep drill hole PF-23-03A, which intersected long intervals of gold-copper mineralization interpreted to lie on the periphery of a larger intrusive system; and five shallow drill holes completed in 2021, of which four intersected widespread anomalous base metals, silver, gold, and alteration assemblages consistent with distal porphyry mineralization.

Taken together, these datasets define a broad and internally consistent gold-copper corridor that supports continued systematic evaluation of the Passiflora target and the surrounding district.

This integrated approach-combining drilling, geophysics, geochemistry, and structural analysis-is designed to refine the Company's geological model and advance understanding of the scale, continuity, and architecture of the mineralizing system across the Silver Cliff district.

Cherry Creek Project - Nevada

In addition to the work underway at Silver Cliff, Viscount plans to initiate a new drill program later this year at its Cherry Creek Project in Nevada, where the Company controls a large land position within a historically productive mining district.

Exploration at Cherry Creek will focus on several distinct mineral systems that have been identified through historic work and modern geological interpretation. These include three carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) targets, a molybdenum porphyry system, and the district's historic tungsten deposit.

Jim MacKenzie, CEO of Viscount Mining, commented:

"The past year has advanced our understanding of the Silver Cliff district. The combination of a defined silver resource at Kate and emerging evidence of a deeper system at Passiflora provides a broader geological framework that we believe warrants further systematic evaluation.

"The Passiflora discovery is particularly important because it provides the first evidence that a large Gold-Copper porphyry system may exist beneath the district. The scale of the geophysical anomaly and the geological characteristics observed in drilling suggest that we may be looking at the outer portion of a much larger intrusive system. Our exploration and drill programs this year are designed to continue advancing that understanding.

"In Colorado with drilling at the Kate Deposit to start shortly and a revised NI 43-101 this year, drilling at the Passiflora, deeper tests of breccia pipe targets and additional geophysical work to evaluate the broader system, as well as advancing Cherry Creek in Nevada, we believe 2026 will be a pivotal year for the Company.

"Most importantly, the underlying fundamentals of Viscount remain unchanged. If anything, the work completed over the past year has strengthened our conviction that Silver Cliff holds significant untapped potential. Our focus remains on advancing these projects methodically while building long-term value for shareholders."

Corporate Developments

Viscount has engaged Delray Capital Markets ("Delray") for investor outreach, market awareness initiatives, strategic capital marketing advisory services in accordance with TSX Venture Exchange (the "Exchange") Policy 3.4 - Investor Relations, Promotional and Market-Making Activities ("Exchange Policy 3.4") pursuant to a Consulting Services Agreement dated March 31, 2026 (the "Agreement").

In consideration for the services, the Company will pay Delray a cash consulting fee of US$100,000. The engagement has a term of 30 days and is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Delray is an entity controlled by Rodney Raanan. Delray and Mr. Raanan are arm's length to the Company. Neither Delray nor Mr. Raanan have a direct interest in the Company or its securities or any right or intent to acquire such an interest at this time. There is no performance factors contained in the agreement.

Clarifying Disclosure

Further to its press release dated March 10, 2026 regarding the completion of its $5.3 million financing (the "Private Placement"), the Company would like to clarify that, in addition to the $424,720 paid in cash commissions and 530,900 non-transferable broker warrants that it issued in connection with the Private Placement, it also issued an aggregate of 331,812 units of the Company (the "Corporate Finance Fee Units") in satisfaction of the corporate finance fee to Centurion One Capital Corp., as lead agent and sole bookrunner for the Private Placement. Each Corporate Finance Fee Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (a "Common Share") and one-half of one non-transferable Common Share purchase warrant, each whole warrant entitling the holder to acquire one additional Common Share at a price of $1.20 per share until March 9, 2029.

Qualified Persons

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Harald Hoegberg CPG, an independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" (QP) as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101").

About Viscount Mining (TSXV: VML) (OTCQB: VLMGF)

Viscount Mining Corp. is a project generator and mineral exploration company focused on advancing high-quality silver, gold, and copper assets in the Western United States. The Company's portfolio includes the Silver Cliff silver project in Colorado and the Cherry Creek multi-metal district in Nevada.

Silver Cliff Project - Colorado

Silver Cliff is in the historic Hardscrabble Silver District and comprises 96 lode claims with year-round paved access and established local infrastructure. The project covers a large volcanic caldera system recognized for its silver, gold, and base-metal potential.

The property includes two principal zones of focus:

Kate Deposit (Silver Resource Area): The Kate hosts a NI 43-101 compliant near-surface silver resource published by an independent QP (details: Measured & Indicated and Inferred silver resources were reported in the Company's technical disclosure; investors are encouraged to review the full technical report available on SEDAR+ for tonnage, grade, and methodology).

The Kate hosts a NI 43-101 compliant near-surface silver resource published by an independent QP (details: Measured & Indicated and Inferred silver resources were reported in the Company's technical disclosure; investors are encouraged to review the full technical report available on SEDAR+ for tonnage, grade, and methodology). Passiflora Porphyry Target: Historical and modern drilling indicates extensive hydrothermal alteration consistent with a large porphyry system. Recent drilling by Viscount (hole PF-23-03A) intersected 843.9 metres of continuous Gold-Copper mineralization, which the Company interprets as being on the periphery of a potentially larger intrusive centre. Mineralization remains open in multiple directions.

Cherry Creek Project - Nevada

Cherry Creek covers 219 unpatented and 9 patented claims in a well-known historic mining district approximately 50 miles north of Ely. The property includes more than 20 past-producing mines and hosts several styles of mineralization, including silver-gold veins, carbonate-replacement (CRD) zones, jasperoids, and porphyry-related alteration. The district is 100% controlled by Viscount and is considered highly prospective for multi-metal discoveries within the broader mineralized system.

For additional information regarding the above noted property and other corporate information, please visit the Company's website at www.viscountmining.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Jim MacKenzie"

President, CEO and Director

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Viscount Mining's operations, exploration and development plans, expansion plans, estimates, expectations, forecasts, objectives, predictions and projections of the future. Specifically, this news release contains forward looking statements with respect to the actual size of the anomaly, feasibility, grade of mineralization and the content of the mineralization. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "projects", "intends", "anticipates", or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or "variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "can", "could", "would", "might", or "will" be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Viscount Mining to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: risks related to the exploration and development and operation of Viscount Mining's projects, the actual results of current exploration, development activities, conclusions of economic evaluations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future precious metals prices, as well as those factors discussed in the sections relating to risk factors of our business filed in Viscount Mining's required securities filings on SEDAR+. Although Viscount Mining has attempted to identify important factors that could cause results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended.

There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements will prove accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Viscount Mining does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290568

Source: Viscount Mining Corp.
Combined business will have approximately $8bn (6bn+) of forestry assets under management globally

The partnership, brings together legacies of more than 250 years, aims to offer expanded access to global opportunities across natural capital

Transaction marks Gresham House's first corporate acquisition in the US, significantly expanding its global timberland offering

Existing Molpus Woodlands Group brand will be retained and the management team will continue to provide deep regional investment expertise as part of the expanded Gresham House global leadership team

Gresham House, the specialist alternative asset manager, today has announced an agreement to acquire a majority interest in Mississippi-based Molpus Woodlands Group, creating one of the world's largest timberland investment managers with approximately $8bn (6bn+) of forestry assets under management (AUM). Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

Gresham House, with $5bn (3.7bn) of forestry AUM, and Molpus Woodlands Group, with $3bn (2.3bn) forestry AUM, will together form the third largest Timberland Investment Manager by AUM globally with operations in the UK, Ireland, US, Australia and New Zealand, managing over 2.2mn acres.

With legacies dating back to 1857 and 1905 respectively, Gresham House and Molpus Woodlands Group share an investment heritage focused on disciplined capital deployment, active forest management and sustainable value creation for clients. The combined organisation will continue the firms' shared mission to deliver attractive investment returns, industry-leading active forestry management and intellectual property, alongside access to a broader, scalable range of global and regional natural capital strategies, including timberland.

Molpus Woodlands Group's existing leadership team comprising Terrell Winstead, Michael Cooper, George Dahduh, Tyler Rosamond, Chad McElvany, and Ashley Harris will continue to lead operations in the US. They will also join the Gresham House Global Executive Management Team and Investment Committees for the enlarged forestry platform alongside members of the Gresham House executive team. The Molpus team will continue in their current role and will maintain day-to-day operations, investment process and client service. The combined business will remain privately owned, aligning employee incentives with client outcomes.

Tony Dalwood, Chief Executive Officer of Gresham House, said: "The acquisition ofMolpus Woodlands Group will significantly expand our global client offering and deepen our investment and operational capabilities. The combined business will provide an exciting opportunity for our investors to gain exposure to the US market in key areas like timberland, afforestation, reforestation, carbon credits and land optimisation. The Molpus team is an ideal complement to our core values, deeply entrenched culture, and leading sustainable investment strategies, including energy transition and infrastructure, where we are market leaders.

"The Molpus Woodlands Group team brings outstanding on-the-ground forestry expertise, a demonstrated track record, and deep client relationships in their local markets, which are a key area of growth for us. As natural capital increasingly becomes a component of global asset allocation, we seek to continue to build a differentiated, global platform with the necessary scale, capability and ambition to support our clients' evolving needs."

Terrell Winstead, President of Molpus Woodlands Group, added: "We are excited to join the Gresham House team. From the outset, it has been clear that there is a strong alignment of cultures, vision and ambition between our two organisations. We look forward to working together to capture the opportunity of this growing asset class. By combining our strengths, we seek to create a platform with the scale, depth of expertise and long-term mindset that should position us to deliver even greater value for our clients and to create meaningful opportunities for our teams."

Gresham House and Molpus Woodlands Group have raised approximately $2.5bn in timberland mandates since 2020, including more than $1bn in 2025. With global LP investors increasingly recognising natural capital as an asset class, the ability to offer a fully global service aims to set the business apart as the go-to-manager for institutional investors in this space.

A defining strength of both businesses is the specialism in silviculture. Forestry assets are managed through deep, on-the-ground expertise integrated with institutional investment processes and new technology, for example with Geographic Information Systems management (GIS), to maximise forestry income and capital. This approach, rooted in biological growth, land stewardship and long-term value creation, provides a robust platform.

In connection with the transaction, Eversheds Sutherland is serving as legal counsel to Gresham House. Moelis Company is serving as financial advisors, and Morgan Lewis and Bradley Arant are serving as legal counsel, to Molpus Woodlands Group. Deloitte provided financial, tax and regulatory due diligence advice to Gresham House.

About Gresham House

Gresham House is a specialist alternative asset management group whose aim is to generate returns through investment in long-term global themes that are shaping the world in which we live.

We partner with our clients to help them achieve their financial and sustainability objectives through investing in key mega-trends:

Nature and climate change offering our clients access to a platform of return-generating natural capital and climate-positive assets

The energy transition supporting our clients' decarbonisation ambitions and the global transition to net-zero carbon emissions

Social impact investing in a range of assets that provide benefits to people, from broadening digital access to providing affordable housing options, as well as place-based solutions that generate local positive outcomes

Productive growth capital directing capital into small and growing businesses that aim to generate long-term growth as well as driving productivity gains

We deliver value for our clients through our investment performance, taking a partnership approach to addressing our clients' needs, providing access to highly differentiated and alternative assets alongside quality service provision.

Gresham House manages assets of c.10.7bn (as at 31 December 2025) on behalf of institutions, family offices, charities and endowments, private individuals and their advisers. Our clients access our strategies through funds, direct investments and tailored solutions including co-investments.

greshamhouse.com

About Molpus Woodlands Group

With a legacy dating back to 1905, Molpus Woodlands Group (Molpus) has established itself as a leading timberland investment management organization (TIMO) in the United States and is one of the oldest timber-related companies in the U.S. An SEC registered investment adviser, we acquire and manage sustainable timberland as an investment vehicle for pension funds, college endowments, foundations, insurance companies, and high-net-worth individual investors. Molpus currently manages approximately 1.9 million acres of timberland investment in 15 states. We are an independent company fully focused on North American timberland.

Molpus is represented by a strong and diverse team that includes investment and forestry experts with unique and deep timberland backgrounds and regional knowledge. We have assembled a seasoned, capable staff of executives, conservation leaders, CPAs, lawyers, GIS experts, and a host of foresters and forest technicians with decades of on-the-ground experience.

www.Molpus.com

Disclaimer

This press release is issued by Gresham House Asset Management Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FRN 682776) and Molpus Woodlands Group LLC, an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, invitation or recommendation to invest. It is directed only at persons to whom it may lawfully be communicated. No representation or warranty is made as to the accuracy or completeness of the information, and Gresham House and Molpus Woodlands Group accepts no liability for any loss arising from its use. Statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under U.S. federal securities laws, and may also constitute forward-looking statements under applicable UK regulatory requirements, including, without limitation, all statements concerning the expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies for the future of Gresham House and Molpus Woodlands Group. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Neither Gresham House nor Molpus Woodlands Group assumes any obligation to update any forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331131612/en/

Contacts:

Media enquiries

ForGresham House:

Prosek Partners

pro-GreshamHouse@prosek.com



Media enquiries

For Molpus Woodlands Group:

Michael R. Cooper

mcooper@molpus.com

+1 (601) 948-8733 ext. 221
Multicenter study of over 1000 females with breast cancer, published in npj Breast Cancer, finds that genomic risk and molecular subtype, and not race, drives differential survival outcomes

Agendia, Inc., a leader in precision oncology for breast cancer, today announced the publication of a new study in npj Breast Cancer, titled "Identification of racial disparities across MammaPrint and BluePrint subtypes in HR+HER2- breast cancer."

The study, conducted in collaboration with Dr. Sonya Reid and her colleagues at Vanderbilt University, observed that Black females with hormone receptor positive, HER2-negative (HR+/HER2-) early-stage breast cancer (EBC) that underwent MammaPrint BluePrint testing were twice as likely to have more aggressive High Risk 2 or Basal-Type tumors compared to propensity-score matched White females. Despite this higher incidence of high risk tumors in Black participants, the 3-year outcomes were similar among Black and White participants when treated according to their MammaPrint BluePrint results. Black females with breast cancer classified as Low Risk by MammaPrint had the same excellent outcomes as White females, demonstrating that MammaPrint risk results are applicable and uniform regardless of race.

In the United States, Black women have a 5% lower incidence of breast cancer compared to White women, yet have 40% higher mortality rates1. While social determinants of health and patterns of care contribute to this survival gap, it persists even after controlling for socioeconomic factors and despite similar treatment regimens, suggesting that intrinsic tumor biology plays a significant role in these disparities.

"We're proud to work alongside our collaborators at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, which underscores our shared commitment to bringing precision medicine to all women," said William Audeh, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Agendia and co-author of the study. "The risk of recurrence of breast cancer in Black women has often been underestimated by traditional clinical features, driven largely by their underrepresentation in clinical trials. By providing a genomic assessment of tumor biology, we can ensure that women with breast cancer will receive individualized care that improves their long-term outcomes."

This observational study of 1,018 females with stages I to III HR+/HER2- breast cancer enrolled in the FLEX (Full-genome Data Linked with Clinical Data to Evaluate New Gene Expression Profiles) Study and BEST (Black Women with Breast Cancer: Etiology, Survival and Treatment Outcomes) registry represents one of the largest cohorts of Black participants with HR+/HER2- EBC for whom gene expression and survival data are available. To ensure a robust comparison, 509 White participants from FLEX were propensity score matched 1:1 with 509 Black participants based on age or menopausal status at diagnosis.

Key findings from the study include:

Black females were more than twice as likely to have tumors classified as genomically High Risk 2 (19.8%, p<0.001) or Basal-Type (11.0%, p<0.001) compared to White females (8.4% and 4.8%, respectively).

Three-year recurrence-free survival was driven by genomic subtype independent of race. Compared to females with MammaPrint Low Risk, BluePrint Luminal A-Type: Participants with MammaPrint High Risk, BluePrint Basal-Type tumors were over 10 times more likely to recur (HR: 10.82, p=0.004). Participants with MammaPrint High Risk, BluePrint Luminal B-Type tumors were over 5 times more likely to recur (HR: 5.08, p=0.004). Among Black females in the BEST cohort, those with MammaPrint Low Risk tumors experienced excellent 10-year outcomes, with a 97.7% recurrence-free survival rate, the same outcome as White females.

Genomic subtyping further classified 55% of participants initially characterized as low-risk (>10% ER+ by immunohistochemistry), identifying them as having more aggressive Basal-Type tumors underscoring the importance of incorporating molecular subtyping assays in the management of EBC.

"The over-representation of Basal-Type tumors among Black females with HR+/HER2- breast cancer underscores a critical need to move beyond standard clinical markers such as ER% staining for identifying higher-risk tumor types," said Dr. Sonya Reid, M.D., M.P.H., Associate Professor at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and lead author of the study. "BluePrint Basal-Type tumors demonstrate clinical behavior similar to triple-negative breast cancer and may warrant more aggressive treatment. Incorporating molecular subtyping enables more precise identification of high-risk participants and helps guide more tailored, personalized care."

References

Islami F, Bispo JB, Lee H, et al. American Cancer Society's report on the status of cancer disparities in the United States, 2023. CA Cancer J Clin. 2024;74(2):136-166. doi:10.3322/CAAC.21812

About Agendia

Agendia is a global leader in precision oncology focused on early-stage breast cancer. The company's genomic assays, MammaPrint and BluePrint, deliver essential biological insights to inform personalized treatment decisions for patients and their care teams. With operations in Amsterdam and Irvine, Agendia partners with academic and community oncology centers worldwide to generate real-world evidence through the landmark FLEX Study (NCT03053193), the largest whole-transcriptome registry of early-stage breast cancer.

About MammaPrint

MammaPrint is the only FDA-cleared gene expression profiling test that assesses a woman's risk of distant metastasis in early-stage breast cancer. By analyzing 70 key genes in a tumor, it stratifies risk into four categories UltraLow, Low, High 1, and High 2 to help guide treatment planning, including chemotherapy benefits and de-escalation decisions.

About BluePrint

BluePrint is a molecular subtyping assay that reveals the functional biology driving tumor growth, classifying tumors as Luminal-type, HER2-type, or Basal-type. By defining intrinsic subtypes beyond traditional immunohistochemistry, BluePrint provides critical insights to optimize treatment selection and improve outcomes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331358456/en/

Contacts:

Media contact

marketing@agendia.com
Teledyne Marine, part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated (NYSE:TDY), is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) in support of the Royal Navy's Future Maritime Data Gathering (FMDG) Persistent Oceanographic Data Collect, strengthening the Royal Navy's oceanographic and environmental data collection capabilities.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331494496/en/

Royal Navy inspection of Teledyne Slocum G3 gliders, Sentinel glider and APEX floats being delivered under the Royal Navy's Future Maritime Data Gathering program at Teledyne Marine facilities in N Falmouth, Massachusetts.

Under this contract, Teledyne will supply numerous autonomous ocean observing systems, including Sentinel and Slocum gliders, APEX floats, and associated services, enabling the Royal Navy to expand its fleet of advanced unmanned technologies to collect high-quality oceanographic data in support of operational planning, maritime safety, and Defence activities, directly supporting Atlantic Bastion.

Under the FMDG program, Teledyne's systems will deliver long-endurance data collection from complex and remote maritime environments, providing the Royal Navy with actionable and reliable environmental intelligence. The program builds on the Royal Navy's use of Teledyne Slocum gliders since 2015 and reinforces the growing role of unmanned systems in Royal Navy and NATO naval operations. According to the Royal Navy's Direct award justification, "Teledyne remains the only supplier able to guarantee seamless interoperability, security compliance, and mission readiness into the Current RN Glider Fleet."

"This award reflects the Royal Navy's continued confidence in Teledyne's autonomous underwater vehicles and ocean observing technologies, and our established partnership in delivering proven, mission-ready solutions," said George Bobb, President and CEO of Teledyne. "We are proud to support the Royal Navy's Future Maritime Data Gathering program and to contribute capabilities that deliver high-quality ocean data to enable critical defense and maritime missions."

"This investment in autonomous ocean sensing strengthens the Royal Navy's ability to understand and operate in an increasingly contested North Atlantic, supporting Atlantic Bastion. As we take this forward under the First Sea Lord's Hybrid Navy agenda, this capability will be delivered directly to front-line Information Warfare Meteorological and Oceanographic (IW METOC) Operators.Persistent data from systems such as these enhances our understanding of the Underwater Battlespace, enabling Tactical Exploitation of the Environment and delivering the operational and information advantage Commanders need," said Commander Butcher, Royal Navy, Capability Sponsor.

Since 2015, Teledyne has supported the Royal Navy's oceanographic and environmental monitoring requirements through Slocum gliders, APEX floats and Gavia autonomous systems designed to operate reliably in demanding operational conditions. Teledyne's unmanned systems are widely used by naval, commercial, and scientific organizations worldwide for ocean observation and environmental data collection.

Proven Performance

Teledyne Marine is a leading provider of unmanned underwater vehicles and ocean observing systems. Teledyne has delivered more than 12,000 APEX floats and 1,290 Slocum gliders, including over 600 systems in service with NATO naval users. Gavia AUV systems have been purchased by 18 navies worldwide, and Teledyne systems are operational with numerous NATO and AUKUS navies, including the Royal Navy.

UK Presence

Teledyne employs approximately 2,700 people across 18 main sites in the UK and is committed to supporting current and future UK defense priorities through proven technology, local expertise, and long-term partnerships.

About Teledyne Marine:

Teledyne Marine is a group of leading-edge technology companies that are part of Teledyne Technologies Incorporated. Through acquisitions and collaboration, Teledyne Marine has evolved into an industry powerhouse, bringing Imaging, Instruments, Interconnect, Seismic, and Vehicle technology to provide solutions to our customers. For more information, visit www.teledynemarine.com.

About Teledyne Technologies

Teledyne is a leading provider of sophisticated digital imaging products and software, instrumentation, aerospace and defense electronics, and engineered systems. Teledyne's operations are primarily located in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Western and Northern Europe. For more information, visit Teledyne's website at www.teledyne.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331494496/en/

Contacts:

MEDIA CONTACT

Kimberlee McHugh

Kimberlee.mchugh@teledyne.com

(508) 564-8469
Closes a three-year trademark dispute, cementing global rights

Infringing products exploiting ELFBAR brand name rampant in the US

The latest announcement by ELFBAR indicates that all disputes with VPR worldwide involving the 'ELF' trademark have been resolved.

Under this settlement, which applies to almost all major global markets, including the US, Canada, the UK, and the EU, VPR withdraws all trademark litigations and challenges against ELFBAR, agrees not to pursue any further claims over the trademark, ceases manufacturing and marketing any vaping products bearing the 'ELF' trademark, and relinquishes all claims to trademarks consisting of 'ELF' in formation, in categories determined by both parties.

ELFBAR now confirms its full ownership of ELF-formative trademarks, including but not limited to ELFBAR, ELFX, ELFA, and ELFLIQ, across all major global markets.

"With this resolution, we cement our full-package, legitimate claims to the 'ELF' trademark, which rightfully belongs to ELFBAR. This also largely helps keep our global trademark portfolio and brand strategy intact," said an ELFBAR spokesperson.

In mainland China, multiple favorable court judgments and intellectual property-related rulings between 2020 and 2024 reinforced ELFBAR's legitimate rights to the 'ELF' trademark in this dispute.

Despite this victory, ELFBAR warns that counterfeit and imitation products infringing its brand name can still be seen in some global markets, particularly in the US, where such infringement is among the most rampant.

ELFBAR has consistently reiterated that none of the products currently marketed in the US bearing the 'ELF' trademark - including ELF-formative, similar, and derivative trademarks - is manufactured, shipped, supplied, or authorized by the brand. Since ELFBAR discontinued all shipments to the US in February 2023, infringing products have exploited the lack of a legitimate supply.

ELFBAR remains committed to protecting its intellectual property worldwide, including in key markets in 2025, such as the Czech Republic, Germany, and Slovakia, and will take further action.

"We will conscientiously enforce our rights globally to safeguard adult users from counterfeit and imitation products that erode industry trust and pose health risks," the spokesperson added.

About ELFBAR

ELFBAR is a pioneer in the global vaping industry. Since its inception in 2018, it has provided a distinct, diverse vaping experience with innovation at its core.

ELFBAR stays committed to youth access prevention and sustainable growth as a leading brand favoured and used by tens of millions of adult smokers and ex-smokers worldwide as an alternative to smoking.

For more information, please visit elfbar.com.

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PARIS, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HR Path, a global leader in HR consulting and HRIS solutions, is pleased to announce the strategic acquisition of Covalence Consulting Inc., a specialized HR technology consulting firm recognized for its strong expertise in UKG and Infor solutions. With this acquisition, HR Path significantly accelerates the growth and depth of its North American UKG practice, reinforcing its commitment to delivering end-to-end digital HR transformation across the United States and Canada.

With a presence in 29 countries and a team of over 2,600 professionals, HR Path is a trusted partner for businesses navigating the complexities of Human Resources. Specializing in advisory, implementation, and operational services, HR Path delivers cutting-edge solutions designed to enhance efficiency and foster growth. Since its founding in 2001, the company has remained steadfast in its mission to transform HR practices globally.

Founded in 2014, Covalence Consulting has been a trusted HCM consulting and implementation partner helping organizations across North America get more from their HR, payroll, and workforce management technology. Through tailored implementations, strategic consulting, and deep expertise in HR, payroll, and workforce management, Covalence has helped clients simplify complex processes, maximize their technology investments, and build systems that support how their businesses really run.

This acquisition supports HR Path's strategic expansion in North America, strengthening its HRIS leadership and deepening its specialization in leading HR technologies. Covalence's strong UKG expertise, delivery excellence, and client-focused culture make it a natural fit, enhancing HR Path's ability to deliver high-value outcomes.

"Covalence brings an exceptional level of expertise in UKG solutions, with a delivery culture that aligns perfectly with our vision," said Theodore Smith, Partner at HR Path.. "By combining our teams, we expand our ability to support customers at every stage of their UKG journey, from advisory to long-term optimization. This marks a significant milestone in scaling our UKG practice across North America."

"Joining HR Path marks a significant next step for Covalence Consulting" said Raymond Nunn, President at Covalence Consulting Inc. "Our shared values, unified vision, and complementary strengths create a powerful foundation for growth and truly amplify our team's capabilities. By uniting Covalence's specialized expertise with HR Path's global reach and resources, we are ready to deliver meaningful impact and provide even greater value to our clients. I look forward to the opportunities ahead and look forward to the innovative solutions we'll create together."

Contact: Fabienne LATOUR - Fabienne.latour@hr-path.com

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Toronto, Ontario and New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp. ("ArcStone" or the "Firm"), a financial services holding company and parent of a group of companies operating in capital markets across North America, today announced the appointment of Thomas Saunders as Vice President, Institutional Equity Sales at ArcStone Securities LLC, its FINRA broker dealer and member of SIPC. The appointment advances the Firm's strategic build-out of institutional equities distribution across its platform.

Mr. Saunders joins ArcStone from iCapital Markets, where he served on the desk, developing specialized expertise in distribution, client coverage, and secondary market execution across capital markets. In his new role, Mr. Saunders will support the expansion of ArcStone's institutional equity sales desk, with a focus on high quality small and mid-cap issuers across the metals and mining, technology, biotechnology and diversified sectors, supporting the Firm's FINRA-registered broker-dealer and its growing corporate issuer base.

"The equity opportunity at ArcStone is one of the most differentiated I've seen in the market. The Firm is building a platform where institutional distribution, investment banking, and investor relations operate under a group of companies and that's where I want to be. I look forward to deepening our institutional relationships on both sides of the border."

- Thomas Saunders, Vice President, Institutional Equity Sales, ArcStone Securities, LLC

Michael Astone, Chief Executive Officer of ArcStone, added: "Thomas adds additional institutional equity sales expertise and established client relationships we need as we scale our equities distribution capabilities. He understands the sectors we serve, is aggressive and is eager to put quality corporate issuers in front of our buy-side relationships. His addition is a meaningful step in our commitment to building a best-in-class platform for sophisticated issuers and institutional clients."

Just starting its third year of growth, ArcStone continues to selectively expand its team, with a focus on registered bankers and professionals who bring established client relationships, regulatory credibility, and deep sector expertise. The Firm's growth strategy is anchored in serving issuers and institutional clients at the highest level as their trusted advisor and partner. "This next chapter of growth will be all about adding senior talent across the organization. The first two years was securing our U.S. broker-dealer, building our conference platform and establishing the ArcStone franchise, the next chapter is much different," said Mr. Astone.

The appointment of Mr. Saunders reflects a broader strategic mandate at ArcStone. The Firm is actively pursuing talent additions and selective acquisitions as core pillars of its next phase of growth.

About ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp.

ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp. is a Delaware holding company and parent of a group of companies providing investment banking, capital markets advisory, institutional equities, investor relations, and corporate advisory services. ArcStone Securities and Investments Corp. is not itself a registered broker-dealer. The ArcStone group includes: ArcStone Securities LLC, a FINRA/SIPC-registered broker-dealer (CRD #306029); ArcStone Canada Inc., an Ontario-based advisory subsidiary is not a registered dealer or licensed; ArcStone Branding Inc., an investor relations and corporate communications advisory firm is not a registered dealer or licensed; ArcStone Kingswood, a division of Kingswood Capital Partners, LLC (CRD #288898, FINRA/SIPC); and ArcStone Financial Pulse Inc., a media and news publication service provider of corporate news and company sponsored feature reports (not research). ArcStone maintains offices in New York, Florida, Toronto, and Dallas.

REGULATORY NOTICE AND DISCLAIMER

This press release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any security. No securities offering is being made by this release. ArcStone Securities LLC is a registered broker-dealer, member FINRA/SIPC (CRD #306029), subject to the rules and regulations of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training.

ArcStone Canada Inc. is not a registered dealer or adviser under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including the securities laws of the provinces and territories of Canada, and does not carry on activities in Canada requiring such registration. ArcStone Canada Inc. does not provide investment advice or act as a dealer in Canada. Where applicable, advisory services in Canada are provided in reliance on available exemptions under applicable provincial securities law, including the securities legislation of the Province of Ontario administered by the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC"). This press release does not constitute and shall not be construed as a prospectus, offering memorandum, or other offering document under Canadian securities law. This press release is not directed to any person in any jurisdiction in which ArcStone is not authorized to conduct business or in which its distribution would be contrary to applicable law or regulation.

This press release is intended to comply with the communications requirements of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization ("CIRO") and applicable provincial securities legislation. Canadian recipients should consult a registered investment dealer or adviser in their jurisdiction before making any investment or business decision.

Nothing in this release should be construed as legal, tax, investment, or financial advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Prospective clients should conduct their own due diligence and consult qualified professional advisors before making any investment or business decision. Certain statements in this release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable U.S. and Canadian securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. ArcStone undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290588

Source: ArcStone US Corp.
Worthington Steel (NYSE: WS) today announced the result of the initial acceptance period of its voluntary public tender offer for Kloeckner Co SE.

At the expiration of the initial acceptance period on March 26, 2026, the minimum acceptance threshold of 57.5% has been exceeded and the corresponding offer condition has been satisfied. Worthington Steel has secured approximately 58.8% of Kloeckner Co's issued share capital, including shares tendered into the offer and shares or other instruments providing voting rights in Kloeckner acquired by Worthington Steel GmbH, a wholly owned subsidiary of Worthington Steel.

Kloeckner shareholders who have not yet accepted the offer may do so during the additional acceptance period, which will commence on April 1, 2026 and expire on April 14, 2026 at 24:00 hours (local time Frankfurt am Main).

"We are pleased with the strong support from shareholders during the initial acceptance period, which brings us an important step closer to completing the transaction," said Geoff Gilmore, Worthington Steel President and CEO. "As we enter the additional acceptance period, we are delighted to provide shareholders with another opportunity to participate in the offer."

Completion of the Offer remains subject to receipt of certain regulatory approvals and is expected to occur in the second half of 2026. On March 27, 2026, Worthington Steel informed Kloeckner about its firm intention to enter into a domination and profit and loss transfer agreement ("DPLTA") with Kloeckner Co immediately after completion of the Offer and Kloeckner published an ad hoc announcement to this effect on the same day. Worthington Steel is confident that it will secure the required majority at the general meeting to approve the conclusion of the DPLTA. In addition, Worthington Steel intends to evaluate, subject to market conditions and acceptance levels, the implementation of structural measures, including a potential delisting of Kloeckner or a squeeze-out of minority shareholders, to the extent legally permissible and economically appropriate following the completion of the transaction.

Worthington Steel GmbH, the subsidiary established for the acquisition of Kloeckner, announced the intention to launch an all-cash offer of 11.00 per share for all outstanding shares of Kloeckner on January 15, 2026. This represents a premium of 98% to the undisturbed three-month volume-weighted average share price of Kloeckner as of December 5, 2025. The offer document was published on February 5, 2026, and the amendment to the offer was published on March 10, 2026. The Management Board and Supervisory Board of Kloeckner have assessed the offer and the amendment as attractive, fair and appropriate and recommend that Kloeckner shareholders accept the offer.

The offer document and offer amendment (in German and a non-binding English translation) and other information pertaining to the offer are available on the offer website at www.strong-for-good.com.

About Worthington Steel

Worthington Steel (NYSE:WS) is a metals processor that partners with customers to deliver highly technical and customized solutions. Worthington Steel's expertise in carbon flat-roll steel processing, electrical steel laminations and tailor welded solutions is driving steel toward a more sustainable future.

As one of the most trusted metals processors in North America, Worthington Steel and its approximately 6,000 employees harness the power of steel to advance our customers' visions through value-added processing capabilities including galvanizing, pickling, configured blanking, specialty cold reduction, lightweighting and electrical lamination. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, Worthington Steel operates 37 facilities in seven states and 10 countries. Following a people-first Philosophy, commitment to sustainability and proven business system, Worthington Steel's purpose is to generate positive returns by providing trusted and innovative solutions for customers, creating opportunities for employees and strengthening its communities.

About Kloeckner

Kloeckner is one of the largest producer-independent steel and metal processors and one of the leading service center companies. With its distribution and service network of around 110 warehouse and processing locations, primarily in North America and the "DACH" region (Germany, Austria and Switzerland), Kloeckner supplies more than 60,000 customers. Currently, the Group has more than 6,000 employees. Kloeckner had sales of some 6.6 billion in fiscal year 2024. By consistently implementing its corporate strategy, Kloeckner strives to become one of the leading service center and metal processing companies in North America and Europe. The focus is on continued targeted expansion of the service center and higher value-added business, diversification of the product and service portfolio as well as integration of additional CO2-reduced solutions under the Nexigen umbrella brand.

The shares of Kloeckner Co SE are admitted to trading on the regulated market segment (Regulierter Markt) of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (Frankfurter Wertpapierborse) with further post-admission obligations (Prime Standard). Kloeckner Co SE shares are listed in the SDAX index of Deutsche Borse.

ISIN: DE000KC01000; WKN: KC0100; Common Code: 025808576

Important information:

This press release constitutes neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Kloeckner shares. The terms and conditions relating to the offer (as amended by the Offer Amendment, the "takeover offer") are set out in the offer document authorized for publication by the German Federal Financial Supervisory Authority (Bundesanstalt fur Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht BaFin) and the Offer Amendment. The bidder reserves the right to deviate from the key points set out herein in the final terms of the takeover offer to the extent legally permissible. Investors and Kloeckner shareholders are strongly advised to read the offer document, the Offer Amendment and all other documents relating to the takeover offer as soon as they are published, as they contain important information.

The takeover offer is exclusively on the basis of the applicable provisions of German law, in particular the German Securities Acquisition and Takeover Act (Wertpapiererwerbs und Ubernahmegesetz WpUG) and certain securities laws provisions of the United States of America (the "United States" or "U.S."). The takeover offer is not made in accordance with the legal requirements of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (to the extent applicable). Accordingly, no announcements, registrations, approvals or authorizations for the offer have been made, arranged for or granted outside the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (to the extent applicable). Investors and holders of Kloeckner shares may not claim to be protected by the investor protection laws of any jurisdiction other than the Federal Republic of Germany or the United States (as applicable). Subject to the exceptions described in the offer document and any exemptions to be granted by the relevant regulatory authorities, no takeover offer is made, directly or indirectly, in any jurisdiction where to do so would constitute a violation of applicable national law. This press release may not be published or otherwise distributed, in whole or in part, in any jurisdiction in which the takeover offer would be prohibited by applicable national law.

The bidder and its affiliates or affiliates of its financial advisor reserve the right to directly or indirectly purchase or arrange to purchase Kloeckner shares or any other securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for such Kloeckner shares outside of the takeover offer, provided that such purchases or arrangements to purchase are not made in the United States and comply with the applicable German statutory provisions, in particular the WpUG. These purchases may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices. Information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase, including the number of Kloeckner shares purchased or to be purchased and the consideration paid or agreed, will be published in German and English language without undue delay if and to the extent required under the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany, the United States or any other relevant jurisdiction.

The published takeover offer referenced in this press release relates to shares in a German company and is subject to the statutory provisions of the Federal Republic of Germany on the implementation of such an offer, which differ from those of the United States and other jurisdictions in certain material respects. The financial information relating to the bidder and Kloeckner included elsewhere, including in the offer document and the Offer Amendment, are prepared in accordance with provisions applicable in the Federal Republic of Germany and are not prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States; therefore, it may not be comparable to financial information relating to United States companies or companies from other jurisdictions outside the Federal Republic of Germany. The takeover offer has not been submitted to the review or registration procedures of any securities regulator outside of Germany and has not been approved or recommended by any other securities regulator. Kloeckner shareholders whose place of residence, incorporation or place of habitual abode is in the United States should note that the takeover offer is made in respect of securities of a company which is a foreign private issuer within the meaning of the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "U.S. Exchange Act") and the shares of which are not registered under Section 12 of the U.S. Exchange Act and that the company is not subject to the periodic reporting requirements of the U.S. Exchange Act, and is not required to, and does not, file any reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") thereunder. The takeover offer is made in the United States pursuant to Section 14(e) and Regulation 14E under the Exchange Act, subject to the exemption provided under Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act, for a Tier II tender offer and is principally governed by disclosure and other regulations and procedures of the Federal Republic of Germany, including with respect to the takeover offer timetable, settlement procedures, withdrawal, waiver of conditions and timing of payments, which are different from those of the United States. The takeover offer is made to Kloeckner's shareholders resident in the United States on the same terms and conditions as those made to all other shareholders of Kloeckner to whom an offer is made. Any informational documents, including this press release, will be disseminated to U.S. shareholders on a basis comparable to the method that such documents are provided to the Kloeckner's other shareholders. To the extent that the takeover offer is subject to United States securities laws, such laws only apply to Kloeckner shareholders in the United States, and no other person has any claims under such laws.

Any agreement concluded with the bidder as a result of the acceptance of the takeover offer is governed exclusively by the laws of the Federal Republic of Germany and shall be construed accordingly. It may be difficult for Kloeckner shareholders from the United States (or from jurisdictions other than Germany) to enforce their rights and claims arising in connection with the takeover offer under the U.S. Securities Act (or other laws known to them) because the bidder and the Kloeckner are located outside the United States (or the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is domiciled) and their respective officers and directors are domiciled outside the United States (or the jurisdiction in which the shareholder is domiciled). It may be impossible to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers and directors in a non-U.S. court for violations of U.S. securities laws. It may also be impossible to compel a non-U.S. company or its subsidiaries to submit to the judgment of a U.S. court.

Forward-looking statements

This press release includes forward-looking statements, including forward-looking statements within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding Worthington Steel's and Kloeckner's plans, objectives, expectations and intentions related to the acquisition and the benefits of the transaction, the expected outcomes of the proposed acquisition, including estimated cost, operations and commercial synergies and the timeline to realize such synergies, the impact on Worthington Steel's earnings, Worthington Steel's expected pro forma net leverage ratio following the transaction and net leverage ratio goals following the transaction, the expected timeline for completing the acquisition, and other statements that are not historical or current fact and are characterized by terms like "expects," "believes," "anticipates", "is of the opinion," "tries," "estimates," "intends," "plans," "assumes," "may," "will," "would," "should" and "aims" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on current intentions, assumptions or expectations and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding Worthington Steel's and Kloeckner's respective businesses and the proposed acquisition, and actual results may differ materially. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, (i) the ability of the parties to successfully complete the proposed acquisition on the anticipated terms and timing, including obtaining required regulatory approvals, (ii) the financing arrangements relating to the acquisition, (iii) the effects of the transaction on Worthington Steel's and Kloeckner's operations, including on the combined company's future financial condition and performance, operating results, strategy and plans, including anticipated tax treatment, unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, losses, future prospects, and business and management strategies for the management, expansion and growth of the new combined company's operations, (iv) the potential impact of the announcement or consummation of the proposed acquisition on relationships with customers, suppliers and other third parties, (v) the ability of the combined company to achieve the anticipated cost synergies or accretion to earnings per share, and (vi) the other factors detailed in Worthington Steel's reports filed with the SEC, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q under the caption "Risk Factors," as well as the other risks discussed in Worthington Steel's filings with the SEC. In addition, these statements are based on assumptions that are subject to change. Further, it cannot be ruled out that Worthington Steel and/or Kloeckner will change their intentions and assessments expressed in documents or notifications or in the Offer Document or Offer Amendment after publication of the documents, notifications or the Offer Document or the Offer Amendment. This press release speaks only as of the date hereof. Each of Worthington Steel and Kloeckner disclaims any duty to update the information herein.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330372929/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts:

Worthington Steel

Melissa Dykstra

Vice President, Corporate Communications and Investor Relations

Phone: 614-840-4144

Melissa.Dykstra@WorthingtonSteel.com

European Media Contact

Brunswick Group

Julia Klostermann

Director

+49 174-740-2796

Jklostermann@brunswickgroup.com
Key Highlights:

Mr. Jeremy Sameulson, EVP of AI and Innovation at IQT, publishes VEIL Privacy-Preserving Machine Learning Framework on arXiv: Introduces an architecture designed to enable use of sensitive data without exposing raw inputs, endorsed by Dr. Mohammad Tayebi, Professor at Simon Fraser University.

VEIL introduces a new paradigm in privacy-preserving AI, embedding protection directly into model architecture and aligning data representations with downstream objectives to maintain and in some cases improve predictive performance without the computational burden or scalability limits of existing approaches.

25-Page Technical Paper Outlines Architecture and Theory: Includes 17 figures covering mathematical foundations and system design for privacy-preserving AI.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. (CSE: ICS) (OTCQB: IGCRF) (FSE: Y4G), doing business as Integrated Quantum Technologies ("IQT" or the "Company"), announced the publication of a white paper (the "Paper") by Mr. Jeremy Samuelson, EVP of AI and Innovation at IQT. The Paper introduces VEIL (Vector Encoded Information Layer) and the VEILTM architecture, a privacy-preserving machine learning framework designed for use of sensitive data, and has been published on arXiv, the globally recognized open-access scientific research repository long hosted by Cornell University. The Paper has also been endorsed by Dr. Mohammad Tayebi, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice at Simon Fraser University.

The Paper, titled "Informationally Compressive Anonymization: Non-Degrading Sensitive Input Protection for Privacy-Preserving Supervised Machine Learning," is now publicly available at https://arxiv.org/pdf/2603.15842.

The following is a summary of certain information contained in the Paper. Readers are encouraged to review the Paper in full.

The Paper introduces Informationally Compressive Anonymization (ICA) and the VEILTM architecture, a framework to enable supervised machine learning on sensitive and regulated data while reducing exposure to raw inputs outside of trusted environments. The research contained in the Paper examines limitations associated with existing privacy-preserving machine learning approaches, including techniques such as homomorphic encryption and differential privacy, which may introduce computational overhead, increased latency, or reductions in predictive performance depending on implementation.

Pursuant to the Paper, the ICA approach embeds a supervised, multi-objective encoder within a trusted source environment to transform raw input into low-dimensional latent representations. Only these anonymized representations leave the trusted environment, ensuring that sensitive source data is not exposed during model training or inference. The Paper demonstrates that, under the assumptions analyzed, these representations are structurally non-invertible, meaning the original data cannot be constructed from the encoded outputs.

Unlike privacy methods that rely on cryptographic computation or stochastic noise injection, the Paper claims that VEILTM is designed to preserve predictive utility by explicitly aligning representation learning with downstream objectives. The Paper further notes that this approach uses architectural and informational constraints to protect data, with experimental results indicating predictive performance is maintained, or in some cases improved in the evaluated scenario, without the computational or scalability limitations associated with some existing privacy-preserving techniques.

The Paper presents a theoretical foundation for non-invertibility of encoded representations using topological and information-theoretic analysis. The Paper demonstrates that under idealized attacker assumptions, reconstruction of the original data is logically infeasible and that, in practical deployment, the probability of reconstruction approaches zero as attacker uncertainty increases. The analysis contained in the Paper further describes how dimensionality reduction and attacker uncertainty jointly contribute to limiting reconstruction risk.

The VEIL architecture described in the Paper establishes separation between source, training, and inference environments. The architecture described in the Paper defines boundaries designed to keep raw sensitive data within trusted environments while allowing encoded representations to be used in downstream machine learning workflows. The Paper also outlines deployment considerations for distributed environments and discusses how the architecture may be applied across multi-region deployments.

The research in the Paper focuses on supervised machine learning workflows involving sensitive data inputs and provides a structured approach to encoding data prior to model training. The Paper describes how this architecture may be applicable to organizations with sensitive or regulated datasets, while minimizing data exposure in operational and governance considerations.

The Paper has been endorsed by Dr. Mohammad Tayebi, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice in the School of Computing Science at Simon Fraser University, whose research focuses on machine learning, cybersecurity, and AI Safety.

The Paper spans 25 pages and includes 17 figures detailing the architecture, mathematical foundations, and an experimental scenario described in the research. It is categorized under machine learning, artificial intelligence, and information theory on arXiv.

About Integrated Quantum Technologies

Integrated Quantum Technologies Inc. is building quantum-ready infrastructure to help secure and scale artificial intelligence. The Company's product offerings include AIQu platform that supports its long-term strategy for privacy-preserving and resilient AI systems and VEIL is its first commercial product designed to protect sensitive AI data and workflows in enterprise environments. IQT's proprietary technologies address emerging post-quantum security risks, growing compute demands, and the increasing complexity of deploying AI at scale, complemented by its Managed Services offering and SecureGuard360 cybersecurity platform for end-to-end AI security and monitoring. For more information, visit: www.integratedquantum.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Alan Guibord, Director & Chief Executive Officer

Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc. dba Integrated Quantum Technologies

Forward-Looking Statements

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, including, without limitation, statements with respect to, claims regarding the potential applicability of VEILTM, including practical applications to organizations with sensitive or regulated datasets, the privacy protection possibilities of VEILTM, predicative performance of VEILTM, viability of the theoretical foundation for non-invertible of encoded representations, Generally, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof.

Such forward-looking information is based on numerous assumptions, including among others, assumptions regarding the Company's ability to execute its business strategy; successfully develop and commercialize its technology and products; obtain and maintain necessary intellectual property protections; secure adequate financing on commercially reasonable terms; operate under applicable regulatory and legal frameworks; the continued demand for and adoption of privacy-preserving artificial intelligence solutions under prevailing economic and market conditions; the concepts, methodologies, and technical conclusions described in the Paper, including the VEIL architecture and Informationally Compressive Anonymization framework, will continue to be viable and applicable in commercial and operational environments; that the Company will be able to further develop, refine, and implement these technologies in products; that the performance characteristics, security properties, and scalability observed in experimental and modeled scenarios can be achieved in practical deployments; that the Company will be able to operate its solutions within applicable regulatory, data protection, and governance frameworks; and that sufficient technical, financial, and human resources will be available to support ongoing research, product development, and commercialization efforts. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward-looking information are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: risks relating to the Company's ability to further develop, implement, and commercialize the VEIL architecture and related technologies; uncertainties regarding whether the technical performance, security characteristics, and scalability demonstrated in the Paper's research, modeling, or experimental scenarios can be replicated in real-world commercial deployments; risks associated with evolving data protection, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence regulatory frameworks; the Company's ability to secure and protect intellectual property rights; dependence on key personnel and technical expertise; availability of financing on acceptable terms; market acceptance of the Company's products; and the receipt of necessary governmental, regulatory,or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to the Company set out in the Company's filings with the Canadian securities regulators and available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290556

Source: Integrated Cyber Solutions Inc.
The QKS Group SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Enterprise AI Search vendors.

IntraFind, with its mature enterprise search platform (iFinder) and integrated generative AI capabilities through iAssistant and iHub, has been recognized for its strong focus on semantic search precision, rapid deployment, and enterprise-grade integration across complex data environments.

Amandeep Singh Khanuja, Practice Director & Principal Analyst at QKS Group, states, "IntraFind has a distinct position in the enterprise AI search market, built on an NLP and linguistics foundation that gives iFinder's retrieval layer more depth than most RAG entrants. The iFinder and iAssistant stack are tightly coupled, with iAssistant generating responses directly from iFinder's indexed content using RAG, ensuring outputs remain grounded in authorized enterprise data. Access controls are enforced through early binding at index time, ensuring users only surface content they are permitted to see. The platform demonstrates strong capabilities in indexing diverse, enterprise-scale data sources, complemented by fine-grained, permission-aware access controls and flexible deployment across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, making it well suited for complex and security-sensitive use cases.""

QKS Group defines Enterprise AI Search as an advanced information retrieval technology that leverages artificial intelligence to enable precise, context-aware searches across an organization's diverse data-sources including documents, databases, CRMs, CDPs, emails, intranets, and more. It employs sophisticated indexing, natural language processing, semantic understanding, and personalization techniques to swiftly surface relevant information. It directly addresses challenges related to inefficient information discovery, time-consuming manual searches, fragmented data environments, and ineffective knowledge utilization. By reducing the time employees spend searching for information, it significantly enhances organizational productivity, accelerates decision-making, and fosters agility in responding to business opportunities.

IntraFind positions itself as a mature enterprise AI search provider by combining strong linguistics-driven semantic search capabilities with an integrated retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and GenAI stack tailored for complex enterprise environments. Through its iFinder platform, the company delivers high-precision search across structured and unstructured data, leveraging advanced NLP, entity recognition, and support for a wide range of enterprise content formats, while ensuring strict permission-aware access control. iAssistant builds on this foundation by enabling grounded generative AI experiences, including contextual answers, summaries, and document-level insights, while allowing organizations to retain control over model selection and deployment. Complementing this, iHub extends capabilities into broader enterprise GenAI use cases within a secure and flexible architecture. Backed by a consistent focus on organic innovation and deep domain expertise, IntraFind addresses enterprise requirements for accuracy, scalability, deployment flexibility, and controlled AI adoption across evolving enterprise AI search landscapes.

The QKS Group SPARK Matrix includes a detailed analysis of the global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study also provides a competitive analysis and ranking of the Enterprise AI Search providers in the form of the SPARK Matrix. The study also provides strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market positions.

Franz Kogl, CEO at IntraFind Software AG, states, "We are pleased to be recognized as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix: Enterprise AI Search 2025. This recognition confirms our commitment to delivering AI-powered search that combines performance with trust. We help organizations make knowledge across complex data landscapes accessible in a precise, secure, and efficient way. In our view, enterprise AI creates real value when semantic search, secure generative AI grounded in authorized enterprise data, robust access controls, and explainable answers work together seamlessly."

About IntraFind Software AG:

IntraFind Software AG is a specialist in enterprise search and artificial intelligence, headquartered in Munich. For more than 25 years, the software company has been helping public authorities and enterprises search, connect, and leverage unstructured and structured data from a wide variety of systems. To achieve this, IntraFind relies on modern AI and machine learning methods, including natural language processing and large language models (LLMs). The solution combines search with an AI chatbot to provide fast, context-aware access to information, even across large volumes of data, while meeting the highest standards of data protection, governance, and digital sovereignty. IntraFind's customers include large enterprises, hidden champions, and public-sector organizations.

For more information about IntraFind Software AG, please visit www.intrafind.com

Media Contacts:

Andrea Papperger

PR & Marketing Manager

IntraFind Software AG

Landsberger Strae 368

80687 Munich, Germany

Email: press@intrafind.com

About QKS Group

QKS Group is a global analyst and advisory firm helping enterprises, technology vendors, and investors make trusted, data-driven decisions. Our portfolio spans the flagship SPARK Matrix evaluation framework, SPARK Plus analyst advisory platform, QKS Intelligence for market and competitive tracking, and QKS Community for CXO leaders and practitioners. All offerings are powered by a Human-Intelligence-driven framework and QKS's closed-loop research methodology - integrating expert-led insights, quantitative modeling, and continuous validation to deliver credible, outcome-focused intelligence.

For more available research, please visit Research

Media Contacts:

Shraddha Roy

PR & Media Relations

QKS Group

5th Floor, Wing 2, Cluster C,

EON Free Zone, Kharadi,

Pune, India

Email: shraddha.r@qksgroup.com

Content Source: https://qksgroup.com/newsroom/intrafind-positioned-as-a-leader-in-the-spark-matrix-enterprise-ai-search-2025-by-qks-group-1628

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Advanced MOM Platform to Expand HMAX Industry by Enabling Resilient and Sustainable Smart Factories

Hitachi Digital Services today announced it is strengthening its operational technology (OT) and informational technology (IT) integration via the use of a comprehensive Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) platform. The technological advancement enables Hitachi to accelerate the transformation of discrete manufacturing sites into resilient, sustainable smart factories. Further, the MOM platform is slated to expand Hitachi's HMAX Industry solutions portfolio, serving as a strong foundation for industrial AI-driven modernization.

Built on an open, modular integration architecture, the MOM platform ensures interoperability with diverse product lifecycle management and OT systems. This capability enables wider application across a broad range of asset-heavy sectors such as Energy, High Tech, Manufacturing, and Transportation. The advanced MOM platform also delivers:

A continuous digital thread enabling real-time, end-to-end traceability from design through to manufacturing and quality management.

Data-driven decision making by analyzing field data to optimize quality, cost, and delivery (QCD).

Scalable workflows enabling agile production systems that respond instantly to fluctuations in market and customer demand.

Refined across 100+ mission-critical manufacturing sites, Hitachi's proven MOM platform is now intended to power numerous Hitachi Group factories through a "Customer Zero" approach. Its use is expected to enhance productivity through human-machine collaboration, accelerating the transition to sustainable operations.

The resulting value-creation cycle will support Hitachi's efforts to evolve the MOM platform into an even more powerful product within HMAX by Hitachi-a suite of next-generation solutions that brings the power of AI to social infrastructure by harnessing vast data from physical and digital assets.

"The Hitachi Group's greatest strength lies in creating value by accelerating synergies with our extensive OT domains, including rail, energy, and industry. As an integrator implementing OT and IT, Hitachi Digital Services has driven social innovation through cloud, data, and IoT services. By adding a globally proven MOM to our capabilities, we will advance the digital transformation of our own OT sites through a Customer Zero approach. We are confident that the expertise and know-how gained from this will strengthen our HMAX Industry portfolio and accelerate its deployment across the industrial sector," said Jun Abe, Executive Vice President of Hitachi, Ltd., General Manager of the Digital Systems Services Division and Chairman of the Board at Hitachi Digital Services.

"Industry 5.0 challenges such as scalability, supply chain integration, and technology adoption will only be solved through smarter automation and more agile production environments," said Roger Lvin, CEO of Hitachi Digital Services. "Understanding this fully, we're introducing advanced MOM capabilities to an already formidable tech portfolio. The resulting physical AI solutions will serve as today's most disruptive cross-industry smart manufacturing and asset operations systems-laying the foundation for digital manufacturing excellence while reinforcing Hitachi's capabilities for mission-critical manufacturing operations."

Trademark Notice

All trademarks and product names are the property of their respective owners.

About Hitachi Digital Services

Hitachi Digital Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., is a global systems integrator powering mission-critical platforms with people and technology. We help enterprises build, integrate, and run physical and digital systems with tailored solutions in cloud, data, IoT, and ERP modernization, underpinned by advanced AI. By combining Information Technology and Operational Technology (ITxOT), we drive efficiency, innovation, and growth across industries. With over 110 years of Hitachi Group's engineering and technology leadership, Hitachi Digital Services is powering smarter platforms for a safer, more sustainable future. For more information on Hitachi Digital Services, please visit the company's website at www.hitachids.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors Digital Systems Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges. Revenues for FY2024 (ended March 31, 2025) totaled 9,783.3 billion yen, with 618 consolidated subsidiaries and approximately 280,000 employees worldwide. Visit us at www.hitachi.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260326257663/en/

Contacts:

Hitachi Digital Services

Patrick Corcoran

Head of Market Enablement and External Relations

patrick.corcoran@hitachids.com

Heather Ailara

PR Manager

press@hitachids.com
Equity markets started the year on a strong footing, but the sudden escalation of conflict in the Middle East has since complicated issuance windows for the remainder of 2026. Global issuance reached USD 256.8 billion in 1Q26, up 43 percent year-on-year.

Looking ahead, dealmakers will prioritize transactions executable amid reduced consumer incomes and a pause in global rate cuts, driven by higher energy costs from the Gulf conflict. A rapid resolution could present a markedly different outlook from prolonged elevated oil prices and disruption in the Strait of Hormuz. However, with significant damage to Gulf energy infrastructure and doubts over whether the US can unilaterally end the conflict, markets continue to swing between bearish caution and bursts of opportunism.

The rest of 2026 may hinge on potential US mega listings, including SpaceX, Anthropic, and OpenAI. Any of these could materially shift ECM volumes, with SpaceX viewed as the closest to listing readiness and capable of adding a quarter's worth of issuance on its own. Despite geopolitical volatility, strong first-quarter issuance shows investors remain prepared to deploy capital, and issuers may still find selective windows even if turbulence persists into 2Q.

Key insights from the report

Global issuance rose Y-o-Y: Global ECM volumes rose to USD 256.8 billion in 1Q26, with deal count at 1,643 versus USD 179.5bn from 1,448 trades in 1Q25 (QTD). Global IPO volumes totaled USD 45 billion, a 40 percent increase from 1Q25, but below the exceptionally strong second half of last year. The US and Hong Kong (China) were the two busiest exchanges by deal value, while Japan ranked third.

Global ECM volumes rose to USD 256.8 billion in 1Q26, with deal count at 1,643 versus USD 179.5bn from 1,448 trades in 1Q25 (QTD). Global IPO volumes totaled USD 45 billion, a 40 percent increase from 1Q25, but below the exceptionally strong second half of last year. The US and Hong Kong (China) were the two busiest exchanges by deal value, while Japan ranked third. Americas led regional activity: The Americas remained the strongest region with USD 132.1 billion in ECM issuance (including cross-border deals), up 64 percent Y-o-Y. IPOs reached around USD 23.7 billion in 1Q26, already approaching the full-year totals of 2022 and 2023. SPACs accounted for more than half of proceeds from new listings, while traditional IPO activity remained subdued. The region's largest deals included Oracle's convertible bond and the Medline follow-on by pre-IPO shareholders.

The Americas remained the strongest region with USD 132.1 billion in ECM issuance (including cross-border deals), up 64 percent Y-o-Y. IPOs reached around USD 23.7 billion in 1Q26, already approaching the full-year totals of 2022 and 2023. SPACs accounted for more than half of proceeds from new listings, while traditional IPO activity remained subdued. The region's largest deals included Oracle's convertible bond and the Medline follow-on by pre-IPO shareholders. EMEA issuance softened: EMEA recorded USD 46.6 billion off 305 deals, compared with USD 45.2 billion from 314 deals in 1Q25. A handful of large-cap deals drove activity, as investors gravitated towards scale, liquidity and well-understood equity stories to offset uncertainty. Follow-ons dominated, supported by the jumbo block trade in Galderma Group and the sell-down in Zurich Insurance Group.

EMEA recorded USD 46.6 billion off 305 deals, compared with USD 45.2 billion from 314 deals in 1Q25. A handful of large-cap deals drove activity, as investors gravitated towards scale, liquidity and well-understood equity stories to offset uncertainty. Follow-ons dominated, supported by the jumbo block trade in Galderma Group and the sell-down in Zurich Insurance Group. APAC saw strong Y-o-Y growth: APAC issuance hit USD 79.6 billion, a 35.9 percent increase from the same period last year, led by Hong Kong (China). Japan contributed USD 12.5 billion, though issuance dropped 50 percent from February to March amid sensitivity to energy shocks, raising concerns for the rest of the year. Dealmaking softened for a second straight quarter, weighed by slower activity in Hong Kong and a sharper drop in India.

Sam Kerr, Head of Global ECM and Mergermarket EMEA, says, "The first quarter of 2026 began on a wave of optimism following a strong finish to 2025, but geopolitical volatility has disrupted hopes for a sustained 2026 recovery. While markets remain open and there is hope for a swift resolution to the conflict, prolonged high energy prices are making it harder for issuers and investors to model earnings and risk, complicating deal flow for the foreseeable future."

To download the full report, click here.

**All data accurate as of 26 March 2026 (QTD comparison).

About ION

ION provides mission-critical trading and workflow automation software, high-value analytics and insights, and strategic consulting to financial institutions, central banks, governments, and corporates. Our solutions and services simplify complex processes, boost efficiency, and enable better decision-making. We build long-term partnerships with our clients, helping transform their businesses for sustained success through continuous innovation. For more information, visit https://iongroup.com/

About Dealogic

Dealogic offers integrated content, analytics, and technology via targeted products and services to financial firms worldwide. Whether working in capital markets, sales and trading, banking, or the buy-side, firms rely on Dealogic's platform to connect and more effectively identify opportunities, execute deals, and manage risk. With 30 years' experience and in-depth understanding of financial markets, Dealogic is a trusted global partner. For more information, visit www.dealogic.com

All product and company names herein may be trademarks of their registered owners.

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Without transparency, high seas protections risk becoming protected areas in name only, says Global Fishing Watch's Tony Long

New York, United States, March 31, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Fishing Watch CEO Tony Long has issued a statement in response to the the third and final Preparatory Commission of the High Seas Treaty held at the United Nations in New York.

The global community has once again met at the United Nations in New York to shape the future of our ocean. Member States have gathered for the third and final Preparatory Commission of the High Seas Treaty , also known as the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), with the focus of discussion shifting from ambition to implementation. The task ahead is clear: ensure that high seas protection is built upon a framework of accountability - one that is founded on transparency , data-led management and practical enforcement.

The High Seas Treaty is grounded in a powerful principle - that the ocean beyond natural borders is the common heritage of humankind. But a shared inheritance cannot be protected if it remains invisible. For too long, the high seas have been a frontier where industrial activity has happened out of sight and out of mind. At the United Nations, the message to delegates is clear: what happens on the global commons should be common knowledge.

At Global Fishing Watch, we know that transparency is what turns ocean protection from promise into reality. We've made real progress in enshrining transparency at the heart of ocean governance through satellite tracking, open data and AI-driven insights that make human activity at sea measurable, verifiable and enforceable. Our open source and high quality tools are already helping governments and partners designate and monitor marine protected areas, deter illegal activity and deliver real progress toward global goals like 30x30 .

As delegates define the rules guiding the implementation of the High Seas Treaty, they must strive to embed transparency from the outset. This means ensuring vessel tracking, public data access and monitoring requirements are built into how marine protected areas in the high seas are defined, assessed and reported.

A protected ocean and an accountable high seas mechanism are within reach. Delivering on the promise of the BBNJ Agreement now requires the same collective ambition that first secured it and a shared commitment to making transparency the global norm.

The future of our ocean depends on it.

Attachments

De la promesa a la proteccion: el exito del Tratado de Alta Mar depende de como lo implementemos

De la promesse a la protection: le succes du Traite sur la haute mer dependra de sa mise en uvre

Andrew Zaganelli Giacalone Global Fishing Watch +49 01626570109 andrew.giacalone@globalfishingwatch.org
Event Showcased Innovation, Collaboration, and the Future of Smart Manufacturing

NASHVILLE, TN / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Thousands of manufacturing professionals gathered at the Music City Center in Nashville, TN, from March 24-26 for the inaugural Manufacturing & Automation eXchange (MAX) - a dynamic new event uniting leaders across assembly, automation, and quality to explore the technologies and strategies shaping the future of manufacturing.

Bringing together engineers, plant managers, operations executives, and product developers from across the Southeast and beyond, MAX delivered three days of high-impact education, hands-on technology demonstrations, and meaningful networking. The event featured more than 130 exhibitors and sponsors showcasing the latest advancements in automation, robotics, smart manufacturing, and production efficiency.

"From the show floor to the conference sessions, it was clear that the manufacturing community is eager to embrace innovation, share best practices, and collaborate on solving today's most pressing challenges," said Bill DeYoe, Executive Director, Manufacturing Technologies, BNP Media. "As we look ahead to our next events - The ASSEMBLY Show and The Quality Show in Rosemont, IL - we're excited to build on the momentum from MAX and bring forward many of the successful initiatives and experiences that resonated so strongly with attendees."

The bustling exhibit hall featured leading solution providers, including Platinum Sponsor Promess, Gold Sponsor Rhino Tool House, and Silver Sponsor Ujigami, showcasing cutting-edge equipment and technologies. Attendees had the opportunity to explore innovations firsthand and connect directly with suppliers shaping the future of manufacturing.

Six in-depth workshops delivered practical, actionable insights across critical areas including manufacturing safety, advanced measurement systems, AI on the assembly line, sustainability, mixed-model line design, and real-world automation applications. These sessions provided a deep dive into the technologies and strategies driving operational excellence. Shown above is Dilip Shah, President of E=mc Solutions, who spoke as part of the "AI at Work: Using Digital Tools to Troubleshoot, Optimize & Accelerate Production" workshop, presenting on "AI-Driven Quality & Auditing."

Prior to the keynote, Darryl Seland, Editorial Director of Quality Magazine, presented the annual Quality Awards, recognizing excellence across the industry. Pictured above are Rookie of the Year Sainyam Arora, Quality Assurance & Systems Engineer at Johnson Matthey; Professional of the Year Heather Wade, President of Heather Wade Group; and Plant of the Year honoree Ernesto Montiel, Quality Manager representing Power Plant Services.

Four dedicated Learning HUBs offered free, expert-led presentations throughout the event, delivering concise, high-value insights directly on the show floor. Sessions, including those hosted by the American Society for Quality (ASQ), focused on practical applications and real-world solutions that attendees could immediately implement.

Jaemin Kim, Marketing Director of the Smart Factory Solutions Center & Production Engineering Research Institute at LG Electronics, delivered a compelling keynote on AI-driven production and smart factory innovation. Drawing from LG's global manufacturing leadership and its Tennessee Lighthouse Factory, Kim shared real-world examples of how advanced technologies are transforming production environments.

The MAX eXperience conference program featured thought-provoking sessions and interactive lunch roundtables addressing key industry topics, including reshoring strategies, responsible packaging legislation, smart factory transformation, workforce development, and the future of coatings and advanced materials.

Closing out the event, Allison Grealis, President of Women in Manufacturing, moderated a dynamic session titled "Future-Ready Workforce: Skills, Culture & Adaptation in Modern Manufacturing," featuring panelists Morgann Harrell, Owner and Operator of Nellie & Knot; Denise Hall, President & CEO of Peak Performance; and Meaghan Ziemba, Podcast Host of Mavens of Manufacturing.

MAX was produced by BNP Media's industry-leading brands-including ASSEMBLY, Quality Magazine, Adhesives & Sealants Industry (ASI), Industrial Safety & Hygiene News (ISHN), Packaging Strategies, and Paint & Coatings Industry (PCI).

BNP Media also produces The ASSEMBLY Show and The QUALITY Show, taking place October 27-29, 2026, at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center, bringing together thousands of industry professionals to explore the latest in assembly technology, equipment, and processes.



# # #

For further information, contact:

Amy Riemer, Media Relations Representative

978-502-4895 (cell)

amy@riemercommunications.com

SOURCE: Manufacturing & Automation eXchange

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/industrial-and-manufacturing/manufacturing-leaders-converged-in-nashville-for-the-manufacturing-and-1153038
Highlights

Commenced maiden 2026 field exploration program at Steiglitz Gold Project

Initial 247 soil samples completed along high priority Hanover Fault Zone

Program targeting 400+ total samples across priority structures

Multiple new target areas identified and advancing toward drill-ready status

Strong arsenic-antimony pathfinder geochemistry confirms epizonal type mineralized system at the Hanover Fault Zone

Work Plan submitted with initial Phase 1 drilling planned for Q2 2026

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Crossroads Gold Corp. (TSXV: CRG) (the "Company" or "Crossroads") is pleased to announce the commencement of its maiden 2026 field exploration program (the "Program") at the Steiglitz Gold Project (the "Steiglitz Project"), located approximately 80 kilometres west of Melbourne in the state of Victoria, Australia (Figure 1).

The Program includes soil sampling, mapping, target generation, and community engagement. Geochemical surveys are designed to focus on target advancement, target generation and discovery. The Company recently completed a maiden systematic soil sampling program across a priority structural corridor with initial sampling of 247 samples from the Hanover Fault Zone (Figure 4), a key target area for gold-antimony mineralization. Assay results are pending and will be reported once received, validated and interpreted by the Company. The Company anticipates collecting a further 170 samples for analysis in other favorable structural zones as well as a broader stream sediment program to cover areas to the south as possible extensions to the established structures of the Steiglitz goldfield.

Mr. Rex Motton, CEO & Director of Crossroads, commented, "Crossroads has begun its maiden 2026 field exploration program at Steiglitz, marking a significant milestone. We are continuing to build operational momentum focused on systematic exploration and target advancement. Our work to date at Steiglitz indicates a substantial, underexplored gold system within one of Australia's most prolific gold belts. We see these early results as being highly encouraging and continue to reinforce our view that the Steiglitz Project offers a compelling, target-rich opportunity in a historically high-grade district with very limited drilling. Research, sampling and field mapping has established several significant priority targets which we are committed to advancing quickly toward drilling."

Work Plans are required by Earth Resources and Regulations Victoria ("ERR") for all drilling activities. A Work Plan for scout drilling at various locations within the Steiglitz goldfield has been submitted to ERR for approval in anticipation of the Company's planned Phase 1 drilling program in Q2 2026. Other Work Plans are in the drafting stage and assay results of current soil sampling program will complement the development of these Work Plans.

Phase 1 Field Exploration Program

Figure 1 - Steiglitz Project Location Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/290622_5f40107f64d798e8_002full.jpg

Figure 2 - Hanover Fault Zone Soil Geochemistry - As ppm (partial assay results)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/290622_5f40107f64d798e8_003full.jpg

Figure 3 - Hanover Fault Zone Soil Geochemistry - Sb ppm (partial assay results)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/290622_5f40107f64d798e8_004full.jpg

Figure 4 - Hanover Fault Zone - Soil Sampling Completed (partial assays pending)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/290622_5f40107f64d798e8_005full.jpg

Target Generation

Despite strong historical production, modern exploration at Steiglitz remains extremely limited, with only five historical drill holes completed at the Hanover group of mines. Two dominant structural corridors of gold mineralization are interpreted based upon mapping, geochemistry and previous gold production which together form a large, structurally controlled gold system that are obliquely orientated to each other. The Hanover Fault Zone is one of these main mineralized zones and includes the area of the Hanover group of mines. Previous modern exploration focused on parts of the Hanover Fault Zone which included geochemical surveys, Induced Polarisation ("IP") geophysical traverses, geological mapping, and limited reverse circulation ("RC") and diamond drilling (only five drill holes to date). Ongoing project-wide exploration activities are also aimed at target generation and drill target refinement.

A limited soil sampling survey by previous explorers in the Hanover mine area revealed elevated gold-arsenic-antimony in soil, supporting the view that the Hanover Fault Zone has a similar epizonal mineralization association as found at Agnico-Eagle's Fosterville Gold Mine, which is located approximately 135km to the north-northeast along the important West Selwyn Margin epizonal trend. Crossroads has conducted infill soil sampling in the historical Hanover mine area as well as further extensional soil sampling to the east and west along the Hanover Fault Zone.

Methodology

Whole soil samples have been collected at a nominal depth of 30cm in relatively thin skeletal type soils overlying bedrock. Initial assay sampling by portable X-ray Fluorescence ("XRF") technique of 113 samples revealed a continuous corridor of arsenic and antimony mineralization throughout the main Hanover Fault Zone sampled for 900m (Figure 2 and Figure 3). The portable XRF analyses received thus far yielded as much as 648 ppm arsenic and 65 ppm antimony. Mineralization is open along strike to the east and west within the main Hanover Fault Zone and the newly discovered parallel North Hanover Fault Zone, which led to the extension of the sampling grid and further sampling.

A second parallel zone of arsenic-antimony anomalous mineralization in soil samples was discovered after LIDAR survey data revealed gold workings 200 meters further north to the area previously investigated. This area includes an old adit (Figure 5) and is now referred to as the North Hanover Fault Zone.

Anomalous arsenic and antimony soil samples will be sent for low level (parts per billion) gold assays with an expected turnaround of less than four weeks. Meanwhile, a drilling Work Plan will be submitted for approval to ERR to target the established anomalous zones of mineralization.

Steiglitz Project Photos

Figure 5 - Adit on North Hanover Zone (looking east)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Figure 6 - Steiglitz Project typical landscape (January 2026)

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/12063/290622_5f40107f64d798e8_007full.jpg

Research

Research of old scanned newspaper reports from the 1860s to the early 1900s has commenced and is ongoing. Initial research has focused on the North Birmingham mine, the deepest mine within the Exploration Licence ("EL"). There are many newspaper entries for North Burmingham mine from the 1890s from various newspapers(4). In compiling this information, the Company has directed its attention to establishing why the North Birmingham mine closed in the late 1890s.

The reports from North Birmingham and neighbouring leases describe a structurally segmented shear-hosted system in which multiple repetitive post-mineral low-angle reverse fault displacement complicated development but did not demonstrably terminate mineralisation. At the lowest 763 ft (~233m) level, payable grade persisted at 0.9 ounces per ton Au (27 g/t Au). A further 200 ft (60m) shaft sinking was formally proposed by management to access the down-plunge continuation of the high-grade ore shoot. That test was never undertaken due to lack of capital investment. The cessation of development therefore marks not the confirmed end of a mineral system but was caused by conditions of limited capital availability at the time. Drilling will establish the location and grade of the high-grade ore shoot below the old workings and allow for detailed 3D modeling of the mineralization present.

Community Engagement

Crossroads Gold is actively engaging with the local community and landowners within the Steiglitz Project. We have been reaching out to landowners and community members through various means to explain our planned low-impact exploration strategy and procedures. The Company looks forward to continuing to work with the local community and to keep them informed of ongoing activities. The Company is employing low-impact exploration techniques as defined by ERR to minimise environmental and community impact.

Further details are available at www.crossroadsgold.com or available on the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

About the Steiglitz Project

The Steiglitz Project is located approximately 80 km west of Melbourne in Victoria, Australia, within one of the country's earliest and most historically productive hard-rock goldfields in the Bendigo Zone of the Lachlan Fold Belt, which hosts world-class deposits such as the nearby Fosterville gold mine operated by Agnico-Eagle. Fosterville has produced over 4.4 million ounces to date since 2005(1). Victoria is the largest gold producing state in Australia, having produced 33% of all gold mined historically in Australia, and currently has 13 goldfields that have each produced over 1 million ounces of gold(2).

Covering 53 km under EL6164, the Steiglitz Project hosts gold mineralization in high-grade, gold-antimony-arsenic quartz veins and stockwork zones associated with regional structural controls, consistent with epizonal orogenic gold systems. Historically, Steiglitz ranked among the top producers in the Bendigo Belt, generating approximately 250,800 ounces of gold at a recovered grade of 38 g/t Au from shallow mining between 1855 and 1911 representing the second highest grade to Tarnagulla (59.6 g/t Au)(3). Numerous shallow past-producing mines across the property (Alliance, Hanover, North Birmingham) were developed to relatively limited depths, highlighting strong potential for modern exploration and drilling below historical workings. Recent exploration programs have identified multiple untested targets supported by geochemical, geophysical, and geological data demonstrating signatures typical of Victoria's premier gold camps.

About Crossroads

Crossroads is a Canadian gold exploration company backed by the Fiore Group and focused on high-potential gold projects within two hours' drive from Melbourne in Victoria State, Australia-one of the world's premier gold-producing jurisdictions. The Company aims to deliver new gold discoveries in a Tier-1 jurisdiction while generating long-term value for shareholders. Crossroads' portfolio includes the historic Steiglitz Project, a historical high-grade producer within the renowned Bendigo Gold Belt. The Steiglitz Project is largely underexplored with modern technology and situated in highly prospective geological belts with proven potential for epizonal and mesozonal orogenic gold systems.

In addition to the Steiglitz Project, the Company has an application for an EL on the Pheasant Creek Project. The Pheasant Creek Project is located approximately 75 km northeast of Melbourne in Victoria State, Australia. The large 232 km2 project is comprised of EL8776. The Pheasant Creek Project occurs within the Melbourne Zone of the Lachlan Fold Belt, which is composed of Siluro-Devonian sediments and Mid-Devonian granitic intrusions. The Pheasant Creek Project lies immediately south of, and in similar geology to, the Sunday Creek discovery of Southern Cross Gold (TSX: SXGC) (ASX: SX2), which is an outcropping orogenic or epizonal dyke-hosted deposit. Southern Cross has drilled 235 holes over 107,000m (as at January 11, 2026) and is allocating A$60 million over a 200,000m drill program to the Sunday Creek Project.

Crossroads is led by an experienced management and technical team with deep Australian and global discovery expertise. Crossroads is supported by excellent infrastructure, year-round access, and a stable regulatory framework to systematically advance its projects with modern exploration and drilling aimed at unlocking meaningful gold discoveries (Figure 6). Crossroads is committed to responsible resource development, proactive and open communication, and transparent and inclusive dialogue with regional communities, indigenous organizations and all stakeholders. Crossroads is committed to proactive decision-making and creating economic opportunities for all stakeholders, including the communities it operates in.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release was reviewed and approved by Mr. Andrew Hamilton, P.Geo. who is a "Qualified Person" (as defined in National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects). Mr. Hamilton is independent of the Company in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and has not visited the Steiglitz Project discussed in this disclosure.

Source: Agnico-Eagle website (link here). Source: Resources Victoria (link here). Source: Lisitsin, V., Olshina, A., Moore, D.H. & Willman, C.E., 2007. Assessment of undiscovered mesozonal orogenic gold endowment under cover in the northern part of the Bendigo Zone. GeoScience Victoria Gold Undercover Report 2. Department of Primary Industries. Trove Website Newspapers Search - Trove.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Certain statements and information herein, including all statements that are not historical facts, contain forward looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Company's exploration program at the Steiglitz Project, including planned and ongoing fieldwork and sampling programs, the receipt and interpretation of assay results, the identification and advancement of exploration targets, the potential extension of mineralized structures, the timing and completion of Work Plans and regulatory approvals, the commencement and timing of any Phase 1 drilling program, and the Company's expectations regarding the geological potential and prospectivity of the Steiglitz Project. With respect to forward-looking statements and information contained herein, the Company and its subsidiaries have made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive. Although management of the Company believe that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information by their nature are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of Crossroads given its limited operating history; business and economic conditions in the mineral industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including unanticipated events related to mineral exploration); changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in the price of gold and currency exchange; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290622

Source: Crossroads Gold Corp.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Trillion Energy International Inc. (CSE: TCF) (OTCQB: TRLEF) (FSE: Z620) ("Trillion" or the "Company"), provides the following corporate update.

The Company would like to encourage shareholders to attend its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") scheduled for today, March 31, 2026. At the AGM, shareholders will vote on: setting the number of directors at four; the election of directors; the appointment of auditors; and the approval of the Company's Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan. Additional details are available in the Company's management information circular filed on SEDAR. See further details at: www.trillionenergy.com/agm2026.

South Akcakoca Sub-Basin ("SASB") -The Company, through its wholly owned Cayman Islands subsidiary Park Place Energy Inc. ("PPE"), holds a 49% working interest in the SASB natural gas project located in the Black Sea. The Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO), the Turkish national oil and gas company, is the 51% owner and operator of SASB. The Company is actively seeking buyers for its 49% interest in SASB and will provide further updates as they become available.

The Company, through a wholly owned subsidiary, has signed a new agreement for Trillion to earn a 29% working interest in the M47 Block located in SE Turkey in exchange for a total investment of US$15 million. The earn in is subject to, inter alia, the Company paying for certain work program costs on a timely basis. The Work Program is expected to include new exploration wells and acquisition of seismic data.

The total work program cost for the M47 block shared between the existing parties to the M47 block is approximately USD $35 million, of which approximately $18 million has been expended to date. As part of the contemplated earn in, the Company will bear 80% of the cost of the next two wells as well as certain seismic costs.

The Company is responsible for advancing two funding tranches: the first tranche is US$9.5 million for the 2026 work program and second tranche is US $5,500,000 for the 2027 work program. The 29% earn in interest is subject to the Company meeting its funding commitments as setout herein.

A Joint Operating Committee will determine all drilling decisions, planning and procurement matters.

Following Trillion's investment, the parties to the M47 Block shall thereafter bear costs in proportion to their participating interests. The Company's cost contribution shall thereafter be reduced to its pro rata interest.

The previously announced farm in agreements on M47 and M46C and M46D blocks have been cancelled.

In addition, the Company is actively pursuing further oil and gas opportunities across Turkiye and the broader region. Management continues to evaluate a pipeline of prospective oil and gas assets and welcomes discussions with potential partners and asset holders. The Company believes its technical expertise and established in-country presence position it well to identify and execute on additional value-accretive opportunities as they arise.

About the Company

Trillion Energy International Inc. is focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in Turkiye. The Company holds a 29% working interest in the M47 oil exploration block (c3 and c4 licenses) located in the Cudi-Gabar petroleum province of Southeastern Turkiye. Through its wholly owned subsidiary Park Place Energy Inc., the Company also holds a 49% working interest in the South Akcakoca Sub-Basin (SASB) natural gas field in the Black Sea, where TPAO is the 51% owner and operator. In addition, the Company holds a 19.6% interest (except three wells at 9.8%) in the Cendere oil field in Turkiye. More information may be found on www.sedarplus.ca, and our website.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This corporate update contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking statements are often identified by the use of words such as "plans," "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "intends," "may," "will," "would," "could," or "potential," or statements that events or conditions "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this release include, without limitation, statements regarding: the M47 Block farmin agreement, work program commitments and timing, drilling and seismic activities, the proposed sale of the Company's SASB interest, the Company's pursuit of additional farmin and development opportunities, and the business and affairs of the Company generally. These statements are based on management's current expectations and assumptions, which are subject to a number of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially, including: commodity price volatility; the ability to obtain required regulatory, governmental and partner approvals; exploration and drilling risks; geological and technical uncertainties; access to capital; counterparty and title risks; geopolitical risks associated with operations in Turkiye; and other risks described in the Company's public filings available on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290649

Source: Trillion Energy International Inc.
SANFORD, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / A fresh and exciting new option for affordable senior living is arriving in Sanford. Riverbend Landings, a brand-new community for adults 55 and over, is now preleasing ahead of its highly anticipated Summer 2026 grand opening. Thoughtfully designed to meet the growing demand for high-quality, attainable housing, Riverbend Landings blends modern style, everyday comfort, and true affordability in one vibrant setting.

The community will offer a variety of spacious one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and two-bedroom-with-den apartment homes, giving residents the flexibility to choose a layout that fits their lifestyle. The popular two-bedroom-with-den floor plan provides extra space perfect for a home office, hobby room, or welcoming guests. Each residence will feature open-concept living areas, fully equipped kitchens, and contemporary finishes designed for today's active seniors. A handful of apartment homes will feature expanded patios perfect for enjoying the Florida sunshine. With pricing beginning at $1,277, residents can enjoy the perfect balance of comfort, quality, and true affordability.

Riverbend Landings will also deliver a unique and engaging amenity experience designed to promote connection and active living. Residents will enjoy a one-of-a-kind 1965 Mustang-themed pool table, a heart-healthy fitness center, and a scenic waterside walking path perfect for daily strolls. The community will also feature recreational and social spaces, including a resident lounge and cornhole court, creating opportunities for friendly competition and neighborly connection.

Located in Sanford, Florida, just under four miles from the charm and character of Downtown Sanford, Riverbend Landings provides convenient access to the greater Orlando metropolitan area. Situated just north of Sanford International Airport and positioned near major roadways and everyday conveniences, this brand-new affordable apartment community offers a connected lifestyle that keeps residents close to local favorites while remaining within easy reach of the greater central Florida community.

With preleasing now underway, prospective residents are encouraged to secure their spot early and be among the first to call Riverbend Landings home when doors open in Summer 2026.

For more information about floor plans, age/income qualifications, and availability, please visit RiverbendLandings.com or call the leasing team at 321-275-1704.

SOURCE: ConcordRENTS

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/real-estate/riverbend-landings-now-preleasing-affordable-55-living-in-sanford-1153412
Marshfield Clinic Health System (MCHS) is a premier integrated health system comprising more than 1,600 providers across 170 specialties. The relationship is the result of a history of trust between the two organizations. Beaver Dam Hospital, part of the MCHS network, has participated in the HPS Provider Network since 2011.

This expansion, effective May 1, 2026, reinforces HPS/PayMedix's position as one of Wisconsin's most comprehensive independent networks while broadening the reach and impact of its healthcare payments platform. The HPS/PayMedix provider network encompasses over 110 hospitals and 36,000 independent providers and professional services across Wisconsin and continues to expand.

MCHS providers and patients will benefit from the PayMedix payment platform, which guarantees prompt payment to providers for both plan and patient portions of in-network allowed claims-addressing a critical pain point in healthcare today. According to industry data, 34% of healthcare providers identify collections costs as a top challenge for their organization. By consolidating billing and automating patient financing options, PayMedix reduces administrative burden and accelerates cash flow for providers.

"The addition of Marshfield Clinic Health System to the HPS/PayMedix network not only expands our footprint in the Midwest, it improves access for local patients seeking affordable and simple healthcare," said Tom Policelli, CEO of HPS/PayMedix. "PayMedix is designed to help people access care by removing the financial barriers so many face in today's system. We're excited to partner with Marshfield's team to improve patient access to care while also bringing efficiency to their organization's revenue cycle."

MCHS patients within the HPS/PayMedix network will benefit from the PayMedix payment platform through:

No Upfront Costs - No payment is required at the time of service for in-network providers, removing a common barrier to care.

No payment is required at the time of service for in-network providers, removing a common barrier to care. The SuperEOB - A single, consolidated monthly statement that clearly itemizes all in-network medical claims, reducing confusion from multiple EOBs and provider bills.

A single, consolidated monthly statement that clearly itemizes all in-network medical claims, reducing confusion from multiple EOBs and provider bills. Interest-Free Financing - Flexible, interest-free payment plans available to all HPS/PayMedix members up to their health plan's out-of-pocket maximum.

About Marshfield Clinic Health System

Marshfield Clinic Health System, a division of Sanford Health, is an integrated health system serving communities throughout Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. With more than 1,600 providers across 170+ specialties, MCHS is committed to delivering exceptional, patient-centered care. Learn more at www.marshfieldclinic.org.

About HPS/PayMedix

HPS is a comprehensive Wisconsin medical provider network combined with an integrated healthcare payment platform (PayMedix) designed to simplify care for providers and members. Through guaranteed payments to providers, the SuperEOB, and complete interest-free financing for consumers, PayMedix removes financial barriers to care and creates a more equitable billing experience. HPS/PayMedix has processed over $7 billion in medical payments for hospital systems and physician practices, and has achieved 100% provider retention, 95% employer retention and more than 90% consumer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.paymedix.com or www.hps.md.

Contact

Hattie Ninteau

Senior Director of Marketing

PayMedix

hninteau@hps.md

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946518/HPS_PayMedix.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hpspaymedix-adds-marshfield-clinic-health-system-hospitals-and-providers-to-network-in-wi-and-mi-302729496.html
"End Hostage Taking for Commercial Benefit in Uzbekistan," Says Robert Amsterdam

Amsterdam Partners LLP, acting as international counsel for technology entrepreneur Maxim Poletaev and SOLFY, an international finance firm operating in Uzbekistan, condemns in the strongest terms what can only be described as an act of bad faith by the Government of Uzbekistan and the National Bank of Uzbekistan.

While discussions between SOLFY and the National Bank of Uzbekistan were ongoing, Xasanov Uktam Nasullotevich, CEO of SOLFY Uzbekistan, was abruptly detained in the middle of the night, in circumstances that appear designed to extract maximum leverage from SOLFY.

Robert Amsterdam, Founder and Managing Partner of Amsterdam Partners LLP, stated that such actions are "a stark departure from the stated principles of investor protection held out and advocated by the President of Uzbekistan.

"Such conduct reflects a misuse of state power and a disregard for fundamental human rights. It undermines confidence in Uzbekistan as a destination for foreign direct investment and calls into question its commitment to fair and lawful dispute resolution.

"Our clients will continue to defend their rights, and we call for immediate adherence to international legal standards. We are confident that the excellent local legal team in Uzbekistan will ensure that Mr. Xasanov is released promptly, as the charges against him are legally meritless. Each day he spends behind bars on trumped up charges, instituted during high level settlement discussions, is a stain on the supposedly business-friendly credentials of Uzbekistan."

Despite the underhanded pressures exerted upon SOLFY by the Government of Uzbekistan and the National Bank of Uzbekistan, Maxim Poletaev, represented by Amsterdam Partners LLP, intends to continue to pursue all legal means of redress, including through the use of binding international arbitration.

Amsterdam Partners LLP is an international law firm based in London and Washington, DC, specialising in political advocacy and human rights. For more information, please visit www.amsterdamandpartners.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331968803/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact: contact@amsterdamandpartners.com
South San Francisco, California--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Safety Training Seminars, a trusted provider of CPR certification classes, is proud to announce the opening of its newest CPR and emergency training center in South San Francisco. This expansion reflects the company's ongoing mission to make high-quality, lifesaving education more accessible to individuals, healthcare professionals, and businesses throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.

The new facility will offer a full range of certified courses, including Basic Life Support (BLS) for healthcare providers, CPR and AED training for the general public, Advanced Cardiovascular Life Support (ACLS), Pediatric Advanced Life Support (PALS), and comprehensive First Aid certification. These courses are designed to equip students with the skills and confidence needed to respond effectively in emergency situations.





Safety Training Seminars Expands Lifesaving Education with New CPR Certification School Opening in South San Francisco



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With flexible scheduling, same-day certification, and hands-on instruction led by experienced instructors & CPR verification stations, Safety Training Seminars continues to set the standard for convenient and engaging safety education. The South San Francisco location will serve a wide range of students: from nurses and medical professionals to teachers, childcare providers, and community members seeking to be prepared in critical moments.

"Opening our South San Francisco location is an exciting step forward in our commitment to community safety," said Laura Seidel, owner of Safety Training Seminars. "We believe that everyone should have access to lifesaving skills. Whether it's performing CPR, using an AED, or responding to a medical emergency, our goal is to empower people to act quickly and confidently when it matters most."

The expansion comes at a time when demand for CPR-certified training continues to grow, particularly in healthcare and workplace environments where compliance and preparedness are essential. By offering a wide variety of courses under one roof, Safety Training Seminars ensures that individuals and organizations can meet certification requirements efficiently while receiving top-tier instruction.

Enrollment is now open for all courses at the South San Francisco location. For more information or to register, visit the Safety Training Seminars website.

About Safety Training Seminars

Safety Training Seminars is a leading provider of CPR certification courses across the San Francisco Bay Area. They currently offer these courses in over 90 cities across California.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290652

Source: Plentisoft
D'YAVOL Single Estate Vodka has been honoured with a Gold Medal and the coveted title of 'Best Bottle Design' at the prestigious Australian International Vodka Awards 2025.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330821521/en/

D'YAVOL Single Estate Vodka has been honoured with a Gold Medal and the title of 'Best Bottle Design' at Australian International Vodka Awards 2025

Crafted with precision and an unwavering commitment to quality, D'YAVOL Single Estate Vodka represents a seamless blend of exceptional taste and refined aesthetics.

The Gold Medal recognition highlights the vodka's superior craftsmanship, purity and smooth profile, while the "Best Bottle Design" award celebrates its distinctive and innovative packaging.

Speaking on the achievement, Ms. Leti Blagoeva, CEO, D'YAVOL Spirits, said:

"Winning both a Gold Medal and 'Best Bottle Design' at the Australian International Vodka Awards 2025 is an incredible honour for us. This recognition reflects the passion, precision and creativity that define D'YAVOL. From the spirit we craft to the way we present it, every detail is intentional. We remain committed to elevating the global vodka experience and setting new benchmarks in luxury and design."

"We are delighted to see D'YAVOL Single Estate Vodka receive this recognition on an international stage. These accolades underscore the brand's strong commitment to quality and design excellence. As partners, we are proud to support its journey in bringing a differentiated and premium vodka experience to consumers across markets," said Mr. Sanjeev Banga, President International Business, Radico Khaitan.

D'YAVOL Spirits, founded as a partnership between Shah Rukh Khan, D'YAVOL Luxury Collective, Radico Khaitan, and Nikhil Kamath, has received back-to-back awards for its portfolio of luxury spirits.

D'YAVOL's award winning portfolio of luxury spirits includes D'YAVOL Vortex Blended Scotch and D'YAVOL Inception Blended Malt Scotch, both globally awarded for their impeccable quality and liquid profile.

D'YAVOL Single Estate Vodka was awarded 'Vodka of the Year' at the Asia International Spirits Competition 2024, alongside multiple Gold and Double Gold accolades at leading global platforms. The brand's Scotch portfolio has been equally celebrated, D'YAVOL Inception Blended Malt Scotch Whisky secured 'Blended Malt Scotch Whisky of the Year' at the USA Spirits Ratings 2025, 'Best Overall Scotch' at the New York World Spirits Competition 2024, and 'Scotch of the Year' at the Asia International Spirits Competition 2024. Further strengthening this acclaim, D'YAVOL Vortex Blended Scotch Whisky was honoured with 'Blended Scotch of the Year' at the London Spirits Competition 2025 and 'Best New Scotch Whisky of the Year' at the San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2025. Collectively, these accolades underscore the brand's unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, innovation, and world-class quality across its portfolio.

The brand is currently available in India, the UAE and the UK, with further international markets to follow.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260330821521/en/

Contacts:

For media queries, please reach out to exports@radico.co.in
Congratulations, Jamal Sayid!

SEATTLE, WA / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Dellino Family Law and its Seattle family law lawyers congratulate Jamal Sayid on winning the firm's Overcoming Challenges Together scholarship. This scholarship, valued at $2,500, celebrates students whose families have overcome significant hardship and adversity over the course of a student's life.

Sayid intends to use the financial aid to continue pursuing a degree in legal studies. The scholarship not only offers him some financial peace of mind but also frees up his time, making it easier for him to focus on the volunteer opportunities that have made him an asset to his community.

When Sayid isn't committing himself to studying the intersections between equity, access, and community protection, he's donating his time and effort to underserved communities. He's an active volunteer with Habitat for Humanity, the American Red Cross, and Meals on Wheels.

Sayid notes that receiving the Overcoming Challenges Together scholarship has been "deeply affirming," as his family had direct experience with the inequalities and bias that can plague the justice system in the United States. Sayid looks forward to leveraging his personal experiences and legal education to serve as an advocate for people in similar positions.

When asked about his future, Sayid says that he hopes he can serve "underrepresented and historically marginalized communities, particularly immigrant families and individuals navigating complex legal systems without adequate support."

"Whether through nonprofit advocacy, government service, or impact litigation, my goal is to help build systems that are more accessible, fair, and responsive to vulnerable populations," he says. "My career will be guided by the same principle that shaped my family's journey: ensuring that people facing difficult circumstances are not navigating those challenges alone."

Dellino Family Law applauds Sayid's community commitment and perseverance in the face of adversity. The team's Seattle family law lawyers are thrilled to offer Sayid $2,500 in financial support as he continues his legal education.

Students who want to apply for the Overcoming Challenges Together scholarship can check the scholarship page for more information about its qualifying criteria.

About Dellino Family Law Group

The family law lawyers with Dellino Family Law Group believe that anyone in need of legal services should have the right to work with a compassionate and knowledgeable attorney. The firm takes great pride in offering flexible experiences to clients in need of help filing for protection orders, undergoing divorce, or discussing estate planning.

Clients who turn to Dellino Family Law Group have the opportunity to work with a full-service law firm in a private, personalized setting. The firm's family law attorneys treat each client like an individual and will customize their legal services to suit a client's needs.

Dellino Family Law Group is not a faceless firm. Book a personalized case consultation with Dellino's experienced legal team today .

Media Contact:

Tony Dellino, Chief Operating Officer

206-659-6839

scholarships@dellinolaw.com

SOURCE: Dellino Family Law Group

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/dellino-family-law-group-announces-the-overcoming-challenges-tog-1151593
Changes include a more inclusive participation model, balanced governance and an emphasis on increased industry action

PORTLAND, OR / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) marked its fifth anniversary this month by announcing an expanded participation model, new governance structure, and a renewed focus on scaling practical solutions to advance a circular economy for electronics.

The updates reflect a shift in the partnership's work from early-stage industry alignment to broader implementation, as companies and stakeholders increasingly look for ways to reduce electronic waste, recover valuable materials, and strengthen supply chains for critical resources.

"Five years ago, the industry needed a shared vision for circular electronics. Today, the priority is scaling the solutions we know work." said Daniel Reid, Director of CEP. "These changes position CEP to support that next phase of progress."

Under its updated model, CEP is expanding its participation model so that more stakeholders from the private and non-profit sectors have an opportunity to work directly with industry to advance circular practices. New participation tiers allow organizations of different sizes and levels of maturity to contribute, learn from peers, and help accelerate adoption of circular solutions across the electronics lifecycle.

CEP has also established a new Advisory Committee composed of leaders from both the private sector and nonprofit communities who will help guide the partnership's strategy and priorities. The new structure reflects the growing maturity of circular economy efforts across the industry and the need for broader collaboration to achieve measurable impact.

"When we launched CEP in 2021, circular electronics was often treated as an afterthought," said Doreen Bogdan-Martin, Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union. "Five years later, this global convening platform is changing that. But in a world of finite resources that generates over 60 million tonnes of e-waste annually, CEP matters more than ever. That's why ITU remains committed to contributing our standards and policy expertise to this partnership, so that no device is designed without a plan for its next life."

The need for circular solutions continues to grow. Global markets are on track to create 120 million metric tons of e-waste annually by 2030, yet only a fraction is properly collected and recycled. In 2022, the value of materials recovered from e-waste was estimated at $28 billion, compared to a total potential value of $91 billion. Used electronics also contain critical raw materials such as lithium, cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements that are essential for modern technologies, making circular systems increasingly important for both environmental performance and supply-chain resilience.

As circularity becomes more widely adopted across the electronics sector, CEP's work is increasingly focused on implementation, measurement, and market alignment. Under its new stewardship with the Global Electronics Council, CEP is positioned to build on its momentum and expand opportunities for partnership to make circular electronics a global practice. Both organizations are strongly aligned on sustainable electronics and a shared commitment to scaling actionable, impactful solutions across the global value chain.

"As CEP enters its next phase, we see a growing opportunity to connect circular innovation with market demand," said Bob Mitchell, GEC's CEO. By bringing together sustainability leaders from companies, non-profits, buyers and other stakeholder groups, CEP can help normalize proven circular practices across the global electronics value chain.

About the Circular Electronics Partnership

The Circular Electronics Partnership (CEP) is a global community leading the transition to a circular economy in the electronics industry. Since its inception in 2021, CEP has brought together six founding partners and over 35 leading tech companies, all working together to transform the sector.

CEP fosters cohesion and drives collective action for greater impact. Serving as a coordination platform, CEP facilitates effective collaboration across the entire electronics value chain. It leverages the strengths of each founding partner, connects existing initiatives, and aligns the sector around a shared vision and roadmap to overcome the barriers to a circular electronics industry by 2030.

About the Global Electronics Council

The Global Electronics Council (GEC) is a nonprofit organization that accelerates the market for responsible electronics products and services. GEC manages global initiatives that help manufacturers, suppliers, buyers, and policymakers advance responsible production, use, and reuse of technology. GEC is the steward of the EPEAT ecolabel, the premier global electronics ecolable.

For more information or media inquiries, please contact:

Erik Fessler

Senior Manager, Global Communications

+1 971-380-4088

efessler@gec.org

Find more stories and multimedia from Global Electronics Council at 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Global Electronics Council

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/global-electronics-council

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Global Electronics Council

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/utilities/circular-electronics-partnership-marks-five-years-with-new-focus-on-solutions-and-impleme-1153621
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Honey Badger Silver Inc. (TSXV: TUF) (OTCQB: HBEIF) (FSE: 1QA) ("Honey Badger" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that its common shares are now listed for trading on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") and the Tradegate Exchange ("Tradegate") under the ticker symbol 1QA.

The listing provides Honey Badger with increased visibility and accessibility to European investors, particularly within Germany, one of the largest and most active markets for precious metals investors. The Frankfurt Stock Exchange is one of the world's largest trading centers for securities, while Tradegate Exchange is a leading electronic trading platform widely used by German and European retail investors.

Honey Badger believes the additional listings will enhance the Company's global investor reach, improve liquidity, and broaden its shareholder base as it continues to advance its portfolio of silver projects and pursue opportunities in the silver royalty and streaming sector.

This listing involves no cost, no issuance of new common shares, and no dilution to existing shareholders, as the listing simply provides an additional trading venue for the Company's existing shares. Honey Badger Silver will continue to trade on the Toronto Venture Exchange (TSXV), its primary exchange in Canada and the OTCQB Venture Market in the U.S under the symbol HBEIF.

Option Grant

The Company also announces that it has granted 1 million stock options (the "Options") to Ron Halas, the Company's newly appointed Chief Operating Officer, in accordance with its stock option plan, to satisfy contractual obligations associated with his appointment. Each Option is exercisable to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.22 per share and will vest in accordance with the terms of the Company's stock option plan and applicable agreements.

About Honey Badger Silver Inc.

Honey Badger Silver is a unique silver company. The company is led by a highly experienced leadership team with a track record of value-creation, backed by a skilled technical team. Our projects are located in areas with a long history of mining, including the Sunrise Lake project with a historic resource of 12.8 Moz of silver at a grade of 262 g/t silver (and 201.3 million pounds of zinc at a grade of 6% zinc) Indicated and 13.9 Moz of silver at a grade of 169 g/t silver (and 247.8 million pounds of zinc at a grade of 4.4% zinc) Inferred(2) located in the Northwest Territories and the Plata high grade silver project located 165 km east of Yukon's prolific Keno Hill and adjacent to Snowline Gold's Rogue discovery. The Company's Clear Lake Project in the Yukon Territory has an unclassified historic resource of 5.5 Moz of silver at a grade of 22 g/t silver and 1.3 billion pounds of zinc at a grade of 7.6% zinc(3). The Company also has a significant land holding at the Nanisivik Mine Area located in Nunavut, Canada that produced over 20 Moz of silver between 1976 and 2002(4). We own 10,000 ozs of silver yielding 12% per annum. In each instance, the reliability of the historical resource estimates (the "Historical Estimates") are considered reasonable, but a qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the foregoing Historical Estimates as current mineral resources, and the Company is not treating the estimates as current mineral resources. There is no technical report associated with the Historical Estimates. The Historical Estimate contains categories that are not consistent with current CIM definitions. The Company considers the Historical Estimates to be relevant for the proper understanding of its mineral properties, however, significant data compilation, re-drilling, re-sampling and data verification may be required by a Qualified Person for the Historical Estimates to be in accordance with NI 43-101 standards and to verify the Historical Estimates as current mineral resources. No more recent estimates of the mineral resources or other data are available to the Company. There can be no certainty, following further evaluation and/or exploration work, that the historical estimates can be upgraded or verified as mineral resources or mineral reserves in accordance with NI 43-101.

1) Khorshidi, N. (2025). Antimony in Canada: Challenges and opportunities in critical mineral supply and demand. FACETS, 10, 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1139/facets-2025-0079

2) Sunrise Lake historic resource (2000-2003): Indicated 1.522 million tonnes grading 262 grams/tonne silver, 6.0% zinc, 2.4% lead, 0.08% copper, and 0.67 grams/tonne gold and Inferred 2.555 million tonnes grading 169 grams/tonne silver, 4.4% zinc, 1.9% lead, 0.07% copper, and 0.51 grams/tonne gold. The resource estimate for the Sunrise Deposit was carried out by Silver Standard Resources Inc. (SSR) using a classical polygonal method that relied on 72 diamond drillholes and an average density of 4 t/m3. Drill hole intercepts were taken directly from the drill logs (CBA 1998). Polygons were created within AutoCAD and AutoCAD calculated the areas. Horizontal widths were calculated using the ratio of core length to the width used by CBA in their 1998 estimate. Intercepts not used by CBA were measured on the cross sections. The intercepts were composited primarily using a geological cut-off based on the sulphide content and a nominal 30 g/t Ag grade. Internal values below 30 g/t were included for geological continuity if the composite remained above cut-off. Stringer mineralization was included where silver grades were above 30 g/t and occasionally lower if base metal grades were high. It is assumed the upper 100 m could be mined by open pit methods and the stringer mineralization would have to be removed to access the massive sulphides. The classification of the mineralization is based on the number of drill holes on a section and the continuity of the mineralization. The main massive sulphide horizon has been drilled on sections spaced 40 m apart, and above the -280 m elevation, the down dip continuity of the horizon has been tested with holes 25 to 30 m apart down dip. All mineralization in the massive sulphide horizon above 280 m is considered an Indicated Resource while the near surface stringer mineralization and the massive sulphides below 280 m are considered to be Inferred Resources. Forty holes define the massive sulphide Indicated Resource horizon. In a 2003 report to SSR, Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. (RPA) concluded SSR's resource estimate was reasonable based on approximating a NSR using typical smelter contracts, assuming metallurgical recoveries based on the limited metallurgical testing and on the following price assumptions: USD$ 5.50 per ounce silver, USD$ 400 per ounce gold, USD$ 0.45 per pound zinc, USD$ 0.25 per pound lead, and USD$ 0.80 per pound copper, as well as a USD$ 75 transportation cost, and a CDN$ 1.45:USD$ 1.00 exchange rate.

3) Clear Lake historic Resource (2010): Inferred 7.76 million tonnes grading 22 grams/tonne silver, 7.6% zinc, and 1.08% lead. In 2010 SRK was engaged to complete a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate for the Clear Lake deposit for Copper Ridge Explorations Inc. The estimate was made utilizing 1,842 assays from within the deposit, from a total of 13,168 m of drilling in 63 historical drill holes. An average density of 4.07 gm/cc was used, based on a limited number of field measurements that were confirmed in the laboratory, and with a minimum thickness of 2 m. Mineral resources were estimated by ordinary kriging in 12m by 12m by 9m blocks. The mineral resources are reported at a 4% (Pb+Zn) cut-off. Pb grades have been capped at 1.5% and Ag grades were capped at 60 g/t. Although SRK placed this resource in the inferred category due to uncertainties related to the historical nature of the available data, they noted that most of the resource has been drilled at a sufficiently close enough spacing to support indicated classification. The above information has been taken from a news release by Copper Ridge dated January 18th, 2010, as no technical report is publicly available.

4) Geological Survey of Canada, 2002-C22, "Structural and Stratigraphic Controls on Zn-Pb-Ag Mineralization at the Nanisivik Mississippi Valley type Deposit, Northern Baffin Island, Nunavut; by Patterson and Powis."

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including but not limited to, the potential of the Project, the timing of the completion of the Acquisition and the Offering, the third party approvals and consents (including the stock exchange approvals) required to complete the Acquisition and the Offering, the conditions required to be satisfied to complete the Acquisition, the abilities of the companies to complete the Acquisition on the terms announced (if at all), the intentions, plans and future actions of Honey Badger described herein, the timing, content, cost and results of proposed work programs, the discovery and delineation of mineral deposits / resources / reserves, geological interpretation, the timing for completing the Acquisition, the Company's ability to satisfy the Escrow Release Conditions on or before the Escrow Release Deadline, the potential merits of Prairie Creek, and Honey Badger's strategic objective. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified by the use of words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Although the Company believe that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements reflect the Company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.





To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290677

Source: Honey Badger Silver Inc.
Growth driven by the businesses building on HighLevel and the outcomes they're creating for the customers they serve

DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / HighLevel has been named No. 13 on the 2026 Inc. Regionals: Southwest list, recognizing the fastest-growing private companies across Arizona, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas.

This milestone reflects a shift in how businesses are being built and how they deliver value to the people they serve. Across agencies, service providers and entrepreneurs, growth is increasingly coming from structure, not scramble; from systems, not stacks and from consistent execution rather than one-off wins.

That shift is playing out inside thousands of businesses using HighLevel.

Instead of navigating disconnected tools and manual processes, businesses are building centralized systems that allow them to capture demand, respond in real time, and maintain ongoing relationships with their customers. What once required constant oversight is becoming embedded into how the business operates, creating a more stable foundation for growth.

This shift extends beyond internal efficiency into reshaping the customer experience itself.

Businesses are responding faster, communicating more consistently and following through more effectively, not because teams are working harder, but because the systems supporting them are designed to do so. The result is a more reliable, more responsive experience for the end customer.

Across the platform, this is reflected in how businesses are evolving. Agencies are expanding their offerings without adding complexity, local businesses are improving retention through more consistent engagement and entrepreneurs are building operations that continue generating revenue beyond any single campaign or moment in time.

Every lead captured, message sent and conversation managed through HighLevel represents a business moving toward something more sustainable, where growth is supported by infrastructure rather than dependent on constant manual effort.

Between 2022 and 2024, companies on the Inc. Regionals: Southwest list achieved a median growth rate of 79 percent, contributing billions to the regional economy and creating thousands of jobs.

HighLevel's inclusion reflects the scale of this shift and the growing demand for systems that don't just support growth, but make it more consistent, more reliable and more visible to the customers on the other side of it.

The full 2026 Inc. Regionals: Southwest list will be available March 31 at: https://www.inc.com/regionals/southwest

About HighLevel

HighLevel is an AI-powered business operating system built for agencies, entrepreneurs and growing businesses. By bringing marketing, sales, communication and automation into a single platform, HighLevel gives businesses the infrastructure they need to operate more efficiently and scale with confidence.

About Inc.

Inc. is the leading media brand and playbook for entrepreneurs and business leaders shaping our future. Through its journalism, Inc. informs, educates and elevates the innovators driving business forward. Inc. is published by Mansueto Ventures LLC, alongside Fast Company. For more information, visit www.inc.com .

Media Contact

Savannah Lipinski, savannah@gohighlevel.com

SOURCE: HighLevel LLC

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/highlevel-ranked-no.-13-on-inc.s-2026-regionals-southwest-list-1153624
UK parents turn to online search 5.3 times a week to make sense of their child's world, yet children's eye health ranks among the least searched topics, with just 17% seeking advice on their child's vision

Good vision is vital to children's learning and development, yet experts warn the signs of sight problems in children are routinely going unnoticed

Around 1 in 5 children under 10 are living with a sight condition - up to 1.6 million children across the UK - yet many cases go undetected

When it comes to their child's physical health, 39% of parents have searched for answers online - most commonly about rashes or skin conditions (49%), eating habits and nutrition (45%), high temperatures (44%), or developmental milestones (38%). Yet fewer than one in five (17%) have ever sought advice about children's eye health, and 40% of those who haven't say it's simply because they haven't noticed any vision problems in their child.

Child psychologist Dr Elizabeth Kilbey says: "It's not surprising parents are turning to search engines to help navigate the many questions that come with raising children. Children are curious and imaginative, and this plays a vital role in how they learn, explore and build confidence. Because so much of that discovery is visual, clear vision is crucial to their development. In the classroom especially, being able to see and focus underpins learning. When vision is affected, it can subtly influence attention, engagement and even behaviour. That's why I encourage parents to prioritise children's eye health as an important part of their child's overall wellbeing."

The research reveals the breadth of topics UK parents search about their children, with more than four in ten (41%) searching about habits or routines, and a similar proportion (39%) checking whether their child's behaviours are common. More than half (54%) admit their searches regularly start with "Is it normal for my child to" - a sign of just how much parents rely on online search to navigate the early years.

When it comes to children's eye health specifically, 13% of parents are not aware of common sight conditions that can affect children, such as myopia (short-sightedness) or amblyopia (lazy eye). Fifteen percent of those surveyed have never taken their child for an eye test, and 11% have not done so in the last two years. The most common reason given was that their child had not complained about their vision (21%), while 12% said they would only book an appointment if a problem became apparent.

Dr Nigel Best, Optometrist at Specsavers, says: "The Specsavers Children's Vision Report 2026 highlights something we see in practice every day - children's eye health is easy to overlook when there are no obvious symptoms. Around 1 in 5 children under 10 are living with a sight condition, and many don't report difficulties because they assume what they see is normal. What parents may not realise is that many sight conditions, including myopia in kids, can be managed or corrected if detected before the age of eight, while vision is still developing. Regular children's eye tests are recommended from the age of three - and they're free on the NHS."

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists identifies children's eye health as one of the most under-screened areas of paediatric care. Many sight conditions go undetected not because parents aren't paying attention, but because the signs - sitting closer to the screen, tilting the head to read, losing their place on the page - are subtle enough to be mistaken for everyday behaviour. A professional children's eye test is the only reliable way to identify them early.**

Book your child's NHS-funded eye test at Specsavers.co.uk for children under 16.

TOP 20 QUIRKY SEARCH TERMS ASKED BY PARENTS

Why are kids saying 6 7 Do kids naturally hate vegetables Why do kids like sitting in a box Why do kids love cardboard boxes so much Why do kids say are we nearly there yet Why do kids fold their ears How common is it for children to get stuck in a washing machine Do kids write diaries without being told to Why do kids draw dogs all the same Why are kids talking in letters these days Why do kids like food in shapes Why are kids throwing popcorn at chicken jockey Why do kids act like cats Do kids poke each other's bum How come most kids just instinctively make potions in the bathroom Why do kids cheer during fire alarm Do kids like to watch the water tornado in the bath Why do kids draw loads of fingers on hands Why do kids eat sponges Why are kids mewing

Notes to Editors

All statistics are from a survey carried out by OnePoll on behalf of Specsavers among 1,000 UK parents of children aged 5 - 7 in March 2026.

Children's eye tests are free on the NHS at Specsavers for all children under 16. Specsavers recommends children have their first eye test from the age of three and a half.

Specsavers is the world's largest privately-owned optical and audiology company, with more than 2,500 stores across 11 countries.

*1. Source: Ophthalmic Services for Children Guidance by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' Paediatric Sub-Committee.

**2. Source: ONS - Estimates of the population for the UK, England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2947037/Specsavers.jpg

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EQS Newswire / 31/03/2026 / 23:36 UTC+8



Cornerstone Technologies 's JV Spark EV

Join Hands with China Southern Power Grid to

Open Up New Chapter for Electric Vehicles Charging in Southeast Asia

Since late February 2026, escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East have disrupted logistics services through the Strait of Hormuz, severely impacting the global crude oil supply chain, with international oil prices remained volatile at relatively high levels. On March 9, WTI crude briefly touched USD119.48 per barrel, while Brent approached USD120 per barrel-marking the highest levels in nearly four years. Thailand's retail fuel prices also saw a 20% increase last week. Rising fuel costs not only directly increase the usage cost for traditional ICE vehicles, but also accelerate the global transition toward electric vehicles. According to data from Mordor Intelligence, the ASEAN electric vehicle market is projected to reach USD5.99 billion in 2026, surpassing USD 23.5 billion by 2031 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) exceeding 30%. Thailand, leveraging its robust manufacturing clusters and government incentive policies, saw domestic EV sales grow by 40% in 2025, capturing a remarkable 39% market share within the regional market. The upward momentum also continued in 2026, with EV sales reaching 38,000 units in the first two months alone. At this pace, annual sales could exceed 200,000 units in 2026, underscoring Thailand's steadily rising EV penetration rate, which in turn, further drive the demand for corresponding charging infrastructure.

Seeing the vast market opportunities in ASEAN, Cornerstone Technologies Holdings Limited's joint venture, Spark EV Company Limited ("Spark EV") has entered into a memorandum of understanding with China Southern Power Grid Lancang-Mekong International Co., Ltd ("CSG-LMI") on March 25. The two parties will jointly advance Spark EV's expansion in the Thailand market, aiming to install more than 1,000 charging stations nationwide to strengthen its competitive edge and enhance network efficiency.

As a leading charging service provider, Cornerstone Technologies has established a comprehensive business presence in Hong Kong, covering private residential charging subscription services (Cornerstone HOME) and public charging networks (Cornerstone GO). The former provides monthly subscription-based private charging services for residential buildings, with more than 1,200 users currently enrolled; the latter operates Hong Kong's largest and most utilized public EV charging network, already in operation across 120 car parks, totaling over 1,900 charging points with more than 87,000 members.

Beyond the Hong Kong market, Cornerstone Technologies is also actively expanding its overseas business through Spark EV, with overseas revenue projected to increase by nearly 70% by 2025. Spark EV has already gained a significant first-mover advantage in Thailand, having partnered with Bangchak Corporation Public Company Limited ("Bangchak") to operate over 240 charging stations with more than 175,000 members. Bangchak is one of Thailand's two largest energy companies, with 2,214 service stations across the country. Leveraging its nationwide energy retail network and strategic positioning in promoting green energy transformation, Bangchak provides strong support for Spark EV's charging business in Thailand.

Meanwhile, CSG-LMI is a subsidiary of China Southern Power Grid Co., Ltd. ("CSG") As one of China's two largest power grid enterprises, CSG has an annual revenue exceeding RMB800 billion and operates over 100,000 charging stations nationwide. This partnership between Cornerstone Technologies and CSG-LMI is expected to further accelerate its business development in Thailand. CSG-LMI brings unparalleled technical expertise in grid stability and smart grid management. The partnership is expected to provide Spark EV with enhanced technical efficiency in connecting ultra-fast chargers to the local power grid, along with superior operational reliability. Driven by the introduction of the EV 3.5 incentive scheme and the "30@30" target (30% of domestic vehicle production to be zero-emission by 2030), Thailand is expected to become the fastest-growing EV market in Southeast Asia, generating substantial demand for charging infrastructure. Hencd, Spark EV will be well-positioned to further consolidate its market leadership by leveraging a more efficient network and greater cost-effectiveness, thereby attracting more users and increasing overall network utilization.

According to the announcement, following their success in Thailand, the two parties also intend to expand cooperation to other countries within the Lancang-Mekong sub-region, particularly those with higher EV penetration rates and strong growth potential in charging infrastructure. These include Malaysia, Indonesia, Cambodia, Laos PDR, Myanmar, and Vietnam. As a result, the synergies between the two parties are expected to continue to unfold, injecting new momentum into the electric vehicle industry across Southeast Asia.

With the steadily expanding scale of its charging business, Cornerstone Technologies is well-positioned to generate stable revenue and recurring cash flow from charging fees. Given the relatively high gross profit margin of the charging business, the Company's revenue mix is expected to improve significantly, driving overall profitability and breakeven performance. This strategic partnership not only supports the wider adoption of EVs in the region but also provides Cornerstone Technologies with a solid foundation to enhance profitability and establish long-term growth drivers. Looking ahead, the collaboration is expected to become an important milestone in advancing regional energy transition and green mobility development, opening up a new chapter for the EV landscape in Southeast Asia.
Regulatory News:

Havas N.V. ("Havas" or the "Company") (AEX:HAVAS) today publishes its Annual Report for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 (the "2025 Annual Report") and the agenda for its 2026 Annual General Meeting of shareholders (the "2026 AGM"), to be held on May 13, 2026, starting at 9:00 am CEST, at the Pulitzer Hotel, Prinsengracht 323, 1016 GZ Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

The 2025 Annual Report provides an overview of the company's businesses, its strengths and strategy, risks factors, shareholder information, and its sustainability statements. In addition, the 2025 Annual Report includes the report of non-executive directors and the audited consolidated and company financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, as well as other information. The 2025 Annual Report has been filed with the Dutch Authority for the Financial Markets (the AFM) and is available at www.havas.com/investor-relations-shareholders/regulated-information in the ESEF (European Single Electronic Format) and HTML format. A copy of the 2025 Annual Report in PDF format is also available at www.havas.com/investor-relations-shareholders/regulated-information.

The agenda for the 2026 AGM and the documentation for the 2026 AGM are available at www.havas.com/investor-relations-shareholders/2026-annual-general-meeting.

The agenda includes:

the advisory vote on the 2025 remuneration report;

- the adoption of the 2025 financial statements;

- the adoption of the proposed distribution of dividend;

- the discharge of the Company's directors;

- the re-appointment of Deloitte Accountants B.V. as external auditor;

- the appointment of Deloitte Accountants B.V. as the Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) assurance provider;

- the authorization of the Board as the competent body to repurchase and cancel own shares.

About Havas

Founded in 1835 in Paris, Havas is one of the world's largest global communications groups, with nearly 23,000 people in over 100 countries. With the ambition to help brands unlock Growth, Powered by Desire, Havas brings together creativity, media, technology and production capabilities to build strong, desirable brands that people genuinely want to engage with. Its integrated model is supported by Converged.AI, the Group's operating system that unifies data, technology and AI to deliver optimized, scalable marketing solutions across the full customer journey. AI-driven, fuelled by human ingenuity, and grounded in the belief that desire drives both brand performance and business outcomes, Havas teams collaborate within Havas Villages worldwide to cultivate reputation, relevance and long-term preference for clients. Havas is equally committed to its people, fostering inclusive, responsible and inspiring workplaces where talent can thrive, because desire also starts from within. Further information is available at www.havas.com.

IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans, expectations or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause the Havas Group's actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Please refer to Chapter 5.2, "Risk Factors" of the Annual Report of Havas N.V. for the year ended December 31, 2025, and available at www.havas.com for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect the Havas Group's business and/or results of operations. Havas undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise, except as required by applicable laws and regulations.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331659671/en/

Contacts:

For more information, please contact:

Charlotte Rambaud

Global Chief Communications Officer

charlotte.rambaud@havas.com

+33 6 64 67 66 27

Delphine Maillet

Head of Investor Relations

delphine.maillet@havas.com

+33 6 80 36 18 12

Kristin Calmes

Global Senior Communications Officer

kristin.calmes@havas.com

+33 6 08 40 76 27
Experienced Tucson criminal defense attorney explains what qualifies as disorderly conduct in Arizona, the legal consequences, and how these charges can be challenged in court.

TUCSON, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Disorderly conduct is one of the most frequently charged offenses in Arizona, yet it remains widely misunderstood. According to Tucson criminal defense attorney Edward F. Cohn, many individuals face charges without fully understanding what behavior qualifies under state law or how these cases are evaluated in court.

What Qualifies as Disorderly Conduct in Arizona?

Disorderly conduct in Arizona refers to behavior that disturbs the peace or quiet of another person, including fighting, excessive noise, or other disruptive conduct, and is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor.

Why Disorderly Conduct Charges Are More Complex Than They Appear

Unlike more clearly defined criminal offenses, disorderly conduct often depends on context and interpretation. Law enforcement officers and courts evaluate whether the behavior:

Created a public disturbance

Escalated into a potential threat

Provoked a reaction from others

Violated public order standards

Because of this, similar situations can lead to different outcomes depending on how the incident is perceived and documented.

"Disorderly conduct is not always as straightforward as people assume," said Edward F. Cohn. "Two individuals can describe the same situation very differently, which makes the evidence and context especially important."

Legal Classification and Potential Consequences

In Arizona, disorderly conduct is usually charged as a misdemeanor, but the penalties can still include fines, probation, or jail time depending on the circumstances.

Even without jail time, a conviction may:

Remain on a criminal record

Appear in background checks

Influence future legal matters

When Does Behavior Cross the Line Into a Criminal Charge?

Certain actions are more likely to result in a disorderly conduct charge, including:

Physical altercations or threats

Loud or disruptive arguments in public

Use of language intended to provoke confrontation

Ignoring lawful instructions from law enforcement

However, not every heated situation meets the legal threshold, which is why each case must be carefully evaluated.

Can Disorderly Conduct Charges Be Challenged?

Yes, disorderly conduct charges can be challenged by questioning the evidence, the intent behind the behavior, and whether the legal definition of the offense has been met.

Defense approaches often focus on:

Lack of intent to disturb the peace

Misinterpretation of the situation

Insufficient or conflicting evidence

The Role of Evidence in These Cases

Disorderly conduct cases frequently rely on police reports, witness statements, and video or audio recordings. Because these sources can conflict, building a defense often involves identifying inconsistencies or gaps in the narrative presented.

"What matters is not just what happened, but what can be proven," Cohn noted. "That distinction is critical in disorderly conduct cases."

Common Misconceptions About Disorderly Conduct in Arizona

A common misconception is that disorderly conduct is a minor issue that does not require legal attention, when in reality it can carry lasting legal and personal consequences. Other misconceptions include:

Believing the charge will automatically be dropped

Assuming no defense is necessary for a misdemeanor

Thinking intent does not matter in the outcome of the case

Frequently Asked Questions

Is disorderly conduct a felony or misdemeanor in Arizona? In most cases, disorderly conduct in Arizona is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, though certain circumstances involving weapons can elevate the charge to a felony.

Can a disorderly conduct charge be dismissed in Arizona? Yes. A disorderly conduct charge can be dismissed if there is insufficient evidence, lack of proven intent, or procedural errors in how the arrest was handled.

Do I need a lawyer for a disorderly conduct charge in Arizona? Yes. Even misdemeanor charges can result in a criminal record, fines, and probation. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the case and pursue reduction or dismissal of charges.

About Edward F. Cohn

Edward F. Cohn is a criminal defense attorney based in Tucson, Arizona, with more than 23 years of experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases, including disorderly conduct, orders of protection, and injunctions against harassment. He is recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, awarded consecutively from 2022 through 2026. He also holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating and is a Platinum Client Champion on Lawyers.com.

He represents clients throughout Tucson, Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley, and Vail.



Media Contact

Jack Smith

Media Director

Trustpoint Xposure

contact@trustpointxposure.com

SOURCE: Edward F. Cohn

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/arizona-disorderly-conduct-laws-explained-tucson-attorney-edward-f.-1153631
AFYREN NEOXY plant: production and commercialization showing solid momentum in H2 2025

Continuous production validated and progressive ramp-up in process: 400 tons of bio-based acids in 2025, along with significant volume of associated fertilizer

Secured outlets for 100% of volumes produced

A solid financial situation supporting ramp-up and ambitions

Cash consumption in 2025 was primarily dedicated to financing the plant, with a cash position of 35.2 million as of December 31, 2025

30 million raised1 from longstanding client and long-term investors

Continuation of industrial and strategic developments

Deployment of the 2025-2027 CAPEX plan to consolidate and optimize NEOXY

Acquisition of the remaining 49% stake held by co-shareholder SPI (Bpifrance) 2 in NEOXY

in NEOXY Ability to achieve Group-level profitability3 with Plant 1 NEOXY alone

Development strategy and financial ambition

2026-2027: pursuing CAPEX plan and significant increase in production

Expected from 2028: Group EBITDA breakeven3 and validation of Plant 2

Regulatory News:

AFYREN (Paris:ALAFY), a greentech company offering manufacturers biobased, low-carbon ingredients through a unique fermentation technology based on a circular model provides today audited annual financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, as approved by the Board of Directors on March 31, 2026, and announces the 100% acquisition of the AFYREN NEOXY biorefinery and the implemented evolution of its development strategy.

Nicolas SORDET, Chief Executive Officer of AFYREN, stated: "The year 2025 is a turning point in AFYREN's industrial development. Continuous production, the first few hundred tons delivered, and the increasing stability of our operations confirm that our technology is now proven in real-life industrial performance. This progress marks our entry into the ramp-up phase a process that requires time, expertise, and financial resources. In this context, the recent capital increases secured from our longstanding industrial partner and long-term financial investors represent strategic support for this phase of our development. They also enabled us to seize a major opportunity: the 100% takeover of our biorefinery, made possible by the organized exit of our co-shareholder SPI. We wish to acknowledge the contribution of this fund, which has supported us for nearly ten years and played a decisive role in our industrial journey. We therefore move into 2026 with a clarified governance structure, strengthened autonomy, and greater financial visibility. We are well positioned to execute our investment plan, accelerate the plant ramp-up, and open a new phase of sustained and sustainable growth."

2025 highlights and RECENT MILESTONES

Update on AFYREN NEOXY's progress

AFYREN NEOXY: first significant revenue and gradual increase in production

AFYREN NEOXY produced about 400 tons of bio-based acids in 2025, along with significant volume of associated fertilizer. This production represents total sales4 of approximately 1 million, of which 0.5 million was already invoiced at year-end. Although this revenue is below the initial target "in the low single-digit million euros range", it marks the first significant revenue in AFYREN NEOXY's history.

In the second half of 2025, production was paused during two voluntary shutdowns to consolidate operations and address bottlenecks, which limited available capacity between July and October.

Production then rose significantly, with half the year's total volume, about 200 tons, produced in the final two months of 2025. Ongoing productivity improvements are expected to support a gradual increase in production and sales during 2026.

Secured outlets for 100% of volumes produced

Production during the past financial year enabled the delivery of products to nine customers:

5 orders from the backlog of secured contracts (as a reminder, 165 million in volumes contracted with a dozen customers) were delivered

- 4 new customers from various sectors, including Flavors and Fragrances, Life Sciences including Agrochemicals, Cosmetics5, and Environmental, with volumes large enough to establish meaningful commercial relationships.

Commercial successes include winning a competitive tender for 2026 from a leading player in the Flavors and Fragrances sector, offering attractive development prospects for high value-added derivative products.

Sales outlets for all produced volumes are fully secured, with additional potential to generate value through market segmentation and further commercial expansion.

Continuation of industrial and strategic developments

Deployment of the 2025-2027 CAPEX plan to consolidate and optimize NEOXY

While ramping-up production of AFYREN NEOXY, AFYREN is driving the optimization plan of the biorefinery. Supported by an estimated CAPEX investment of around 20 million, this plan aims at strengthening existing operations and increasing production capacity, while improving the plant's financial performance. This optimization of the plant will enable the company to meet growing commercial demand.

Two thirds of budgeted CAPEX will be used in 2026 and one third in 2027. The investments mainly focus on strengthening and improving the plant based on the recent production track-record, including, for example, the use of high-resistance materials in the purification stage, as well as the treatment and storage of finished products. These upgrades are sequenced to interfere as little as possible with day-to-day operations, with planned technical shutdowns scheduled in June and during the last quarter of 2026.

Acquisition of the 49% stake held by co-shareholder SPI in NEOXY, concluding a ten-year partnership that delivered industrialization of the technology.

Initiated in 2016 and made concrete through an equity investment in 2019, the partnership between AFYREN and SPI led to the creation of AFYREN NEOXY, the first biorefinery based on AFYREN's technology. The shareholders' agreement between AFYREN and SPI provided for the fund's exit by the end of 2025. Constructive discussions enabled AFYREN to gain full control of the plant for a cash consideration of 11.3 million, corresponding to an Enterprise Value for AFYREN NEOXY of 79 million6

Thanks to this acquisition, AFYREN can simultaneously drive the plant's ramp-up, and the investments described above, benefiting from simplified governance and full alignment between the parent company-which provides the financing-and the plant.

The transaction also enhances the visibility of operations for external stakeholders, with the 100% consolidation of the plant's revenue and EBITDA.

Based on post-investment objectives, AFYREN now has the capacity to reach Group-level financial breakeven with its first plant alone, as the target EBITDA at full capacity will more than cover holding costs (R&D, Commercial, support functions, etc.).

Bpifrance's support continues through the Large Venture fund, which holds a 7.5% stake in AFYREN and a seat on the Company's Board of Directors. In addition, SPI remains engaged in the short term through AFYREN NEOXY convertible bonds7, which are intended to be repaid in cash no later than their maturity date in June 2027.

A SOLID FINANCIAL POSITION

Key metrics reflect the Jcurve typically observed during industrial rampups.

Simplified P&L (k) 12/2025 12/2024 Var. Revenue (CA) 2,273 2,862 -21% licensing and development of industrial know-how 1,370 NA other services provided 2,273 1,492 52% Operating loss (7,147) (6,078) 18% Net financial result 1,543 1,891 -18% Share in loss of equity-accounted company (net of tax) (8,762) (5,567) 57% Net loss (14,366) (9,754) 47%

Revenue for the AFYREN parent company amounted to 2.3 million in 2025, consisting solely of service contracts provided to its non-consolidated subsidiary AFYREN NEOXY. Revenue is therefore down compared with 2024, which included the final services delivered as part of the industrialization phase and recognized as patent licensing income since December 2018.

Net current operating expenses8 amounted to 9.4 million in 2025, compared with 8.9 million in 2024.

These expenses include:

Purchases and external charges, stable year-on-year, with an increase in consumables and equipment more than offset by a decrease in outsourced services;

Payroll costs up 0.4 million, mainly related to salaries and wages; the average number of full-time equivalents (FTE) reached 48, compared with 44 at the end of 2024 (excluding AFYREN NEOXY).

Within operating expenses, research and development costs recognized as expenses amounted to 1.7 million in 2025, broadly in line with the same period in 2024.

The Group's current operating loss increased by 1.1 million in 2025. This increase results half from the technical drop in revenue and half from a moderate increase in operating expenses.

The net financial result was positive in 2025: financial income from cash investments amounted to 1.5 million, compared with 1.9 million in 2024. Financial expenses totaled 78 thousand, reflecting the very low level of debt at the AFYREN parent company.

The Group's share in AFYREN NEOXY's net loss amounted to (8.8) million in 2025, compared with (5.6) million in 2024. This result reflects the mechanical increase in the plant's operating expenses and in depreciation charges, driven by the start of continuous production in the second half of 2025, while the first revenues from product sales are gradually materializing. In 2025, AFYREN NEOXY produced nearly 400 tonnes of bio-based acids, as well as a significant volume of associated fertilizers. This production generated total sales of around 1 million, of which 0.5 million was invoiced by year-end. Although below the initial ambition of several million euros, this revenue represents the first meaningful sales in AFYREN NEOXY's history. The result also includes higher interest expenses, linked to the financing secured at the end of 2024.

This stage in AFYREN NEOXY's development -characteristic of the "J-curve" inherent to industrial ramp-ups- results in a net loss for AFYREN of 14.4 million at end 2025, compared with 9.8 million at end 2024.

Cash position of 35.2 million.

Simplified Balance sheet (k) 12/2025 12/2024 Non-current assets 4,672 13,454 of which equity-accounted securities 8,618 Current assets 62,469 45,106 of which cash and cash equivalents 35,159 33,538 Total assets 67,141 58,560 Equity 62,104 52,698 Non-current liabilities 2,404 3,019 of which loans and financial debts 1,463 2,035 Current liabilities 2,633 2,842 of which loans and financial debts 955 1,282 Total liabilities 67,141 58,560

In 2025, AFYREN had a cash position of 35.2 million, slightly higher than in 2024. This change results from:

an overall annual cash consumption of around 6 million by the parent company, to which a little over 1 million in loan repayments (principal and interest) must be added;

financial support to AFYREN NEOXY, in the form of a shareholder loan, for a total amount of 15 million to support the plant's ramp-up and investments;

23 million in equity raised during the November 2025 capital increase, subscribed by industrial partner Kemin Industries Inc. and historic investor Bpifrance Large Venture.

As of December 31, 2025, total financial debt amounted to 2.4 million.

New longterm investors in AFYREN's share capital

To finance its roadmap and support the ramp-up phase-during which operating expenses still exceed operating income-AFYREN is actively diversifying its funding sources.

At the end of 2025, and then at the beginning of 2026, the company opened its capital to two long-term investors, both experienced in industrial development and familiar with the requirements and timelines inherent to industrialization.

Kemin Industries Inc. invested 20 million in the November 2025 capital increase. Kemin is a globally recognized family-owned company specializing in specialty ingredients and biotechnology. It operates across several sectors, including animal nutrition, human health, food technologies and agriculture, in more than 90 countries. AFYREN and Kemin Industries have maintained a strong relationship since 2018, driven by AFYREN's ambition to deploy its innovative solution at industrial scale;

Odyssee Venture, acting on behalf of various funds, invested 7 million in the February 2026 capital increase. Odyssee Venture is a longstanding private-equity player in France, specializing in financing growth companies.

In addition, AFYREN also received a further investment from its historic shareholder Bpifrance, through the Large Venture fund, the "venture-growth" vehicle dedicated to high-potential technology companies. The fund invested 3 million as part of the November 2025 capital increase.

Development strategy and financial ambition

Development strategy

Since its creation, the Company has pursued the mission of developing, building and operating production units in the main regions consuming organic acids: Europe (35% of global demand for C3 to C69 acids), Asia (25%), and North America (27%).

At the time of its IPO in 2021, AFYREN translated this ambition into a roadmap aimed at commissioning three profitable production units capable of generating a combined 150 million in revenue, with an EBITDA margin of around 30% at full capacity.

The objective was to develop, build, and start up these three units within a tight sequence, with Group-level financial breakeven expected at the second unit. In fact, the joint-venture shareholding structure of the first unit did not allow both plant-level costs and corporate overhead (R&D, Commercial, support functions, etc.) to be covered.

The investment program for AFYREN NEOXY-launched and financed in the second half of 2025-and its subsequent acquisition, opens new prospects. AFYREN is now adopting a more gradual sequence: first consolidating the NEOXY plant and removing bottlenecks, then launching the engineering studies for Plant 2 based on a fully stabilized industrial asset.

These developments are expected to enable:

achievement of Group-level financial breakeven with the first plant; and

more gradual and potentially less dilutive financing of future plants, by integrating an increasing share of OPEX self-funding.

Regarding Plants 2 and 3, AFYREN has two projects at an advanced stage of development: one in France (+24 kt/year) and the other in Thailand (+28 kt/year). For both projects, land has been identified and is available; feed stock and utilities can be secured from identified counterparties; and customer discussions are underway, allowing for the possibility of upstream contracting before the start of construction work. Both projects have a target profitability higher than that of AFYREN NEOXY, notably thanks to scale effects.

2026-30 Ambitions

In 2026, AFYREN plans to significantly increase the production rate of its AFYREN NEOXY plant-and therefore its revenue-while incorporating the voluntary shutdowns already scheduled as part of the consolidation and optimization plan, which will continue through 2027.

At the end of this investment phase, AFYREN aims to reach plant-level breakeven, followed by Group-level breakeven. Confirmation of this trajectory will determine the final investment decision for Plant 2, which AFYREN can reasonably envisage for 2028 for a commissioning targeted for 2030.

2025 FINANCIAL REPORT AVAILABILITY

The Company will make its 2025 Annual Financial Report in French available to the public and file it with the financial authorities today. An English version will follow shortly.

Financial calendar

Events Dates 2025 Annual Financial Report Today in French English version to follow shortly Annual General Meeting Tuesday, June 16, 2026 in Lyon 2026 Half-Year Results Friday September 25, 2026

About Afyren

AFYREN is a French greentech company, founded in 2012, focused on providing innovative, sustainable solutions to reduce reliance on fossil-based resources. AFYREN's proprietary, nature-inspired fermentation technology valorizes local biomass from non-food agricultural co-products to produce 100% biobased, low-carbon carboxylic acids. The company's sustainable solutions address decarbonization challenges in a wide variety of strategic sectors, including human and animal nutrition, flavors and fragrances, life sciences, materials science, plus lubricants and technical fluids. AFYREN's competitive, plug-and-play, circular technology enables manufacturers to adopt sustainable solutions without modifying production processes.

The company's first industrial plant, AFYREN NEOXY, is based in the Grand-Est region of France, serving primarily the European market. AFYREN is also pursuing a project in Thailand with a global leader in the sugar industry and is building its presence in the Americas, based on existing distribution agreements.

At the end of 2025, AFYREN employed 140 people across sites in Lyon, Clermont-Ferrand and Carling Saint-Avold. Committed to continuous innovation, the company invests 20% of its annual budget in R&D to further develop the range of sustainable solutions.

AFYREN is listed on Euronext Growth Paris since 2021 (ISIN code: FR0014005AC9, ticker: ALAFY).

For more information, visit www.afyren.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

APPENDIX

1. Income statement

In k 12/2025 12/2024 Revenue 2,273 2,862 Other income 523 666 Purchases and external charges (3,016) (3,035) Payroll costs (5,948) (5,578) Depreciation of fixed assets and rights of use (858) (851) Other expenses (120) (142) Current operating income (7,147) (6,078) Non-current operating income Operating income (7,147) (6,078) Financial income 1,621 1,826 Financial expenses (78) 65 Net financial income 1,543 1,891 Share in income of equity-accounted company (net of tax) (8,762) (5,567) Income before tax (14,366) (9,754) Income tax Net income for the year (14,366) (9,754) Earnings per share Basic earnings per share (in euros) (0.53) (0.37) Diluted earnings per share (in euros) (0.53) (0.37)

2. Balance sheet

In k 12/2025 12/2024 Intangible assets 2,623 2,940 Property, plant and equipment 211 325 Rights of use 442 254 Equity-accounted securities 0 8,618 Non-current financial assets 1,396 1,317 Non-current assets 4,672 13,454 Trade receivable 482 432 Current financial assets 146 107 Other current assets 26,682 11,030 Cash and cash equivalents 35,159 33,538 Current assets 62,469 45,106 Total assets 67,141 58,560 Share capital 722 522 Issue premiums 108,319 85,406 Reserves (7,717) (9,435) Retained earnings (24,854) (14,042) Net income for the year (14,366) (9,754) Equity attributable to the owners of the Company 62,104 52,698 Non-current borrowings and financial liabilities 1,159 1,972 Non-current lease liabilities 304 62 Defined benefit liabilities 90 73 Non-current provisions 14 Non-current deferred income (customer contract liabilities) Non-current deferred income (subsidies) 851 898 Non-current liabilities 2,404 3,019 Current borrowings and financial liabilities 817 1,093 Current lease liabilities 138 188 Trade payables 309 526 Current deferred income (customer contract liabilities) Other current liabilities 1,369 1,035 Current liabilities 2,633 2,842 Total liabilities 5,037 5,862 Total equity and liabilities 67,141 58,560

3.Cash-flow statement (simplified)

In k 12/2025 12/2024 Net income for the year (14,366) (9,754) Total elimination of expenses and income with no cash impact 8,510 5,337 Total cash flow (5,856) (4,417) Total change in working capital 262 (1,205) Net cash from operating activities (5,595) (5,623) Acquisitions of PPE and intangible assets, net of disposals (111) (199) Capitalised development expenses (83) (20) Investment grants (incl. CIR offsetting capitalised costs) (47) (65) Current account contributions AFYREN NEOXY (15,000) (10,000) Interest received 575 1 445 Increase in non-current financial assets (5) (2) Decrease in non-current financial assets Increase in current financial assets (liquidity contract) (275) Net cash used in investing activities (14,672) (9,115) Capital increase 23,112 144 Purchase/sale of treasury shares 150 (20) Proceeds from new borrowings and financial liabilities 260 Repayment of borrowings and financial liabilities (1,078) (1,322) Repayment of convertible bonds Payment of lease liabilities (208) (235) Interest paid on borrowings and financial liabilities (74) (93) Interest paid on bonds Interest paid on lease liabilities (14) (20) Net cash used in financing activities 21,888 (1,284) Net change in cash and cash equivalents 1,622 (16,021) Cash and cash equivalents as of January 1st 33,538 49,559 Cash and cash equivalents as of Dec 31st 35,159 33,538

1 Of which 23 million in November 2025 and 7 million in February 2026

2 Societe de Projets Industriels fund managed by Bpifrance

3 Group breakeven: achievement of positive EBITDA after accounting for holding costs (R&D, Commercial, support functions, etc.).

4 Acids plus fertilizer

5 See press release with Esse Skincare

6 Both parties relied on an independent valuation carried out by KPMG.

7 Representing a total amount of 1.8 million as of the date of this press release."

8 Net of other income, mainly operating subsidies

9 Source: Carboxylic Acids Market: Global Industry Analysis, Size, Share, Growth, Trends and Forecast, 2015-2023 , Transparency Market Research.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331394789/en/

Contacts:

AFYREN

Director for ESG, Communications and Public Affairs

Caroline Petigny

caroline.petigny@afyren.com

Investor Relations

Mark Reinhard

investisseurs@afyren.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Theo Martin Mathilde Bohin

Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 94

afyren@newcap.eu

Media Relations

Nicolas Merigeau Gaelle Fromaigeat

Tel: +33 1 44 71 94 98

afyren@newcap.eu

MC Services AG (international)

Investor Relations

Bettina Ellinghorst

Media Relations

Shaun Brown, Dr. Johanna Kobler

Tel: +49 89 210 228 0

afyren@mc-services.eu
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Leigh Dow, Chief Marketing Officer at Mattermost, will join the speaker lineup at the Women in PR North America WorkWell Conference, taking place on May 8, 2026, at Hart House, during Women's Health Month.

The Women in PR North America WorkWell Conference is a premier event designed to empower professionals in public relations, media, investor relations, marketing, communications, and business to accelerate growth while prioritizing career success, wellbeing, and innovation.

Hosted by the Organization of Canadian and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR North America), the conference brings together industry professionals to discuss strategies for leadership, resilience, wealth creation, visibility, and sustainable career and business growth.

Leigh Dow's panel session will discuss How Are Communicators Thinking About AI in 2026? She will explore how communications have evolved beyond media relations into an integrated, data-informed, and creativity-driven discipline. Leigh will help explore what's working today, and what leaders must rethink to remain relevant, credible, and impactful.

"We're at a pivotal moment where communicators aren't just adapting to AI, they're shaping how organizations use it to build trust, transparency, and connection. I'm excited to join this conversation at the Women in PR North America WorkWell conference because PR professionals are uniquely positioned to lead this next era. We understand that great leadership is built on strategy, empathy, and innovation, and this conference is a powerful space to elevate that leadership," said Leigh Dow.

The 2026 conference agenda includes five expert-led panels featuring over 25 industry leaders, covering topics such as modern communications strategy, artificial intelligence, wellbeing and high performance, visibility and influence, and building profitable, sustainable businesses.

Tickets for Women in PR North America's WorkWell Conference 2026 are available at womeninpr.com

Women in PR North America is also inviting applications for membership and welcomes enquiries from companies interested in partnering.

About Leigh Dow

Leigh Dow is an award-winning marketing executive and national security sector strategist with more than two decades of experience leading brand, GTM, and policy engagement strategies for dual-use technologies. As the Chief Marketing Officer at Mattermost, a leader in secure collaboration for multi-domain operations, she drives global growth across defense, intelligence, security and critical infrastructure sectors, positioning the company at the forefront of secure communications and sovereign-ready software.



A proven operator in the Defense Industrial Complex, Leigh's expertise spans secure communications, AI policy, cybersecurity, and public-private partnerships. She is known for building high-performing marketing organizations that directly impact ARR, capture strategic government business, and shape category leadership. Her deep understanding of federal procurement, Zero Trust architecture, and compliance frameworks like FedRAMP and IL5 has made her a sought-after advisor on dual-use GTM strategies.



About Women in PR North America

Canadian Women in Public Relations Ltd. (Women in PR Canada) and American Women in Public Relations (Women in PR USA) is a leading organization dedicated to supporting women in public relations, investor relations, and communications. Together, the organizations form Women in PR North America, with a mission to elevate women leaders and amplify their impact across the U.S. and Canada through events, education, advocacy, and community.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290697

Source: The Organization of Canadian Women in Public Relations Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Pedro Resources Ltd. (CSE: VBN) ("Pedro" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Marc Williams as the Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, effective February 28, 2026.

Mr. Williams has over two decades of business experience, particularly in the real estate development and project management areas. He has overseen heritage restorations, mixed-use developments and large-scale housing projects throughout Canada and the United States. His extensive expertise spans the full range of activities, from project commencement to completion ensuring they meet highest standards of quality, affordability and environmental responsibility.

As a forward-thinking entrepreneur, Marc co-founded CapturePlay, a tokenized asset skill-based gaming platform, showcasing his ability to pioneer emerging technologies and integrate blockchain innovations. He served a CEO for eight years of the Company located in Vancouver British Columbia.

In addition, the Company would like to announce the resignation of Mr. Brian Stecyk as the interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Mr. Stecyk will continue to serve as the interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company and a director.

About Pedro Resources Ltd.

Pedro Resources Ltd. is a Canadian exploration company listed on the CSE focused on mineral exploration and development. The Company is currently advancing a proposed change of business toward the development of biotechnologies for the remediation and reclamation of contaminated soils.

Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the Company's proposed change of business and the Offering.

The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290696

Source: Pedro Resources Ltd.
TOKYO, Mar 31, 2026 - (JCN Newswire) - Leinfelden Echterdingen and Kirchheim u. Teck, Germany / Gothenburg, Sweden / Tokyo, Japan-Daimler Truck AG (Daimler Truck), the Volvo Group (Volvo), cellcentric and Toyota Motor Corporation (Toyota) have signed a non-binding agreement to cooperate in the fuel cell system joint venture cellcentric. The three companies intend to collaborate based on an equal shareholding with Toyota as the third joint venture partner to cellcentric. The combination of the parties' complementary experience and know-how will support and advance their joint objective to develop, produce and commercialise fuel cell systems for heavy-duty vehicles and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements. Additionally, Toyota and cellcentric intend to jointly manage the development and production of fuel cell unit cells-the core component of fuel cell systems-and directly linked architecture and control elements with the aim of creating competitive products based on the technologies of both companies.By combining Daimler Truck and Volvo's extensive commercial vehicle expertise with Toyota's fuel cell development, production technology, and manufacturing experience the aim is to further strengthen cellcentric's technological advantage and market competitiveness. It is intended that cellcentric will be the joint centre of competence that develops, produces and commercialises fuel cell systems for heavy-duty on- and off-road transport and other heavy-duty applications with comparable requirements. Furthermore, through collaboration with industry associations and partners across the entire hydrogen value chain, the partners aim to actively support the development of hydrogen supply and infrastructure in the early stages.Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota have positioned hydrogen as one of the key energy sources to decarbonise transport and will advance technological innovation in fuel cell systems through cellcentric thereby contributing to the realisation of a hydrogen society.Karin Radstrom, President & CEO, Daimler Truck:"We are proud that Toyota plans to join cellcentric as a shareholder. This will enable us to strengthen development and further scale hydrogen technology, which we believe complements battery-electric drives in decarbonising transport".Andreas Gorbach, Daimler Truck Board Member responsible for Truck Technology and former cellcentric CEO:"Joining forces with the world's largest automotive manufacturer and fuel cell pioneer is a privilege for us-and a game changer in making hydrogen in transportation a reality and cellcentric the go to place for fuel cell technology in commercial vehicles worldwide."Martin Lundstedt, President and CEO, Volvo Group:"We are thrilled to explore this collaboration with Toyota, so that we through cellcentric can accelerate and create critical mass for hydrogen applications. This is an important signal to customers, suppliers, and others in the ecosystem. Given the importance of accelerating the transformation into net-zero transportation, the need of great companies coming together and collaborating is more important than ever. Welcoming Toyota onboard will be a big leap towards realising decarbonisation of our industries."Koji, Sato, President and CEO, Toyota:"We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to soon be joining Daimler Truck and Volvo Group as partners in building a hydrogen society. cellcentric which possess deep expertise in commercial fields together with Toyota's over 30 years of fuel-cell development in the passenger car sector, can combine their strengths to deliver one of the world-leading fuel cell systems for heavy commercial vehicles. Toyota will continue to contribute to realising a hydrogen society alongside like-minded partners.""We are extremely proud that Toyota intends to join as a shareholder of cellcentric-a great sign of trust in our company from one of the world's leading automotive companies. Together, in this new set-up, we look forward to seizing the opportunity to significantly improve our company across the entire value chain."-Nicholas Loughlan, Managing Director and CTO, cellcentricIndependent entity with equal partnersDaimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota aim for an equal shareholding in cellcentric, which will continue to operate as an independent and autonomous entity, serving a wide range of customers across heavy-duty on- and off- road transport as well as heavy-duty stationary applications. To achieve this equal shareholder structure, Toyota plans to participate in a capital increase in cellcentric by investing in the company. Daimler Truck, Volvo and Toyota will continue to compete independently in all other areas of their respective businesses. The collaboration brings together complementary capacities to achieve the scale and investment efficiency necessary to commercialise competitive fuel cell systems.In order to secure hydrogen fuel cells as one of the key technologies to support the decarbonisation of transport worldwide, cooperation has become increasingly necessary. Moreover, this step aims at contributing to the long-term vision of the European Green Deal objectives and the hydrogen society act in Japan. Since its early days, hydrogen has been advanced through collaboration among many stakeholders, and cooperation is the foundation for its growth. Together with like-minded partners, the parties intend to share technological developments and address common challenges, with the aim of achieving sustainable and effective implementation of fuel cell systems for heavy-duty applications.The signed agreement is non-binding. The parties will continue discussions and aim to reach a legally binding agreement, which will be subject to approval by all relevant parties and by the respective boards and regulatory authorities.About cellcentriccellcentric develops, produces, and commercialises fuel cell systems for use in heavy-duty commercial vehicles and other applications with comparable requirements. cellcentric is a joint venture of Daimler Truck AG and the Volvo Group founded in 2021. The company leverages the know-how and extensive experience gained from decades of developing fuel cell systems by its predecessor companies. cellcentric's goal is to become a global manufacturer and tier 1 supplier of fuel cell systems and thus make a contribution to climate-neutral and sustainable transportation. More than 560 highly qualified employees are continuously advancing cellcentric's state-of-the-art fuel cell technology. They work in interdisciplinary teams at sites in Kirchheim/Teck, Esslingen, Stuttgart (Germany) and Burnaby (Canada). Roughly 700 individual patents underline cellcentric's leading role in fuel cell technology development.Source: Toyota Motor CorporationCopyright 2026 JCN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CEO and Research Team Present 11 Technical Papers Advancing Geochemical Modeling, Geothermal Solutions, and Natural Hazard Quantification

MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / TGI SOLAR POWER GROUP INC. (OTC PINK:TSPG) ("TGI"), a diversified technology and environmentally efficient real estate development company, is pleased to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Epstein, served as senior author and team leader for the presentation of 11 scientific papers at the Regional Northeastern meeting of the Geological Association of America. The event was held in Hartford, Connecticut, from March 21-24, 2026.

Under Mr. Epstein's leadership, the research team demonstrated the application of cutting-edge technology across a diverse range of geological and environmental studies, including:

Geochemical Modeling & Resource Assessment:

Evaluations of gold reserve exploration potential at the Guyazin Alto deposit in southeastern Ecuador.

Astro Geological Discovery:

Identifying a meteor impact via satellite gravity data-utilizing Earth-moon analogues-to analyze the structural and heat flow history of the supergiant Daqing oil and gas field in northeastern China.

Renewable Energy Solutions:

Geothermal energy case studies in New York City focusing on energy flow optimization.

Hydrocarbon Exploration:

The discovery of seven Bahamian salt diapirs through gravity anomalies, correlating structural data with major global oil and gas fields.

Advanced Geophysics:

Fracture quantification analysis of the deepest core samples in Staten Island.

Natural Hazard Mitigation:

Risk quantification and potential tsunami modeling resulting from recent seismic and volcanic activity spanning from Santorini to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.

Mr. Epstein has consistently demonstrated scientific leadership in executing complex project results. Key contributors to these research initiatives include David Buthman, Dennis Askins, Jeff Shammah, Sholom Feldman, Jonah Epstein, Howard Feldman, and Peggy Epstein.

About TGI Solar

TGI SOLAR POWER GROUP INC. is a diversified holding company. TGI's core strategy is to acquire innovative and patented technologies, components, processes, designs, and methods with high commercial value. These acquisitions are intended to provide a competitive market advantage and generate long-term shareholder value.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements contained herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual operating results to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain delays that are beyond the company's control with respect to market conditions.

For more information, please contact:

Samuel Epstein

info@tgipower.com

SOURCE: TGI Solar Power Group, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/tgi-announces-ceo-samuel-epstein-leading-scientific-presentation-platform-at-geo-1153750
Andreas Fleischli Appointed Chief Technology Officer

Daniel Lexcen Named Vice President Clinical Scientific Affairs

CorWave, a company pioneering innovative cardiac assist devices and currently conducting a clinical investigation following the first implantations of its undulating membrane heart pump, announces the appointments of Andreas Fleischli as Chief Technology Officer (CTO) and Daniel Lexcen as Vice President Clinical Scientific Affairs. These strategic hires strengthen CorWave's leadership team as the company prepares for the next stages of scaling its clinical program and industrial set-up.

Andreas Fleischli brings about 30 years of expertise in the development of Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs), spanning device innovation, engineering, industrialization, regulatory approval, and production scale-up. As an internationally recognized authority in magnetically levitated pump technologies, he played a key role in pioneering and manufacturing at scale the most implanted LVAD worldwide to date, a product that has generated over $4 billion in cumulative revenues. Over the course of his career, he has held senior engineering and leadership roles at leading medical device companies, including Thoratec. In his different roles, he drove innovation in next-generation Mechanical Circulatory Support technologies and led major R&D and manufacturing programs. Andreas holds an MS in Electrical Engineering and Information Technology from ETH Zurich. He succeeds Carl Botterbusch, who has decided to retire.

Daniel Lexcen joins CorWave with extensive experience in heart failure clinical research and global clinical program execution. Over the past decade in the medical device industry, including leadership roles in global clinical research, he contributed to the design and execution of numerous international clinical trials across the United States, Europe, Australia, and Japan. His experience spans the full product development lifecycle, from early clinical studies to post-market programs, and in close collaboration with investigators, regulatory authorities, and key opinion leaders. Prior to joining CorWave, Daniel led the global clinical research strategy for cardiac rhythm at Medtronic. Daniel holds a PhD in Integrated Biosciences from the University of Minnesota and is the author or co-author of more than 45 peer-reviewed publications, including in top-tier journals (e.g., New England Journal of Medicine JACC).

These appointments, alongside the recent arrival of Dawn Sadlowski-Buisserez as VP of Operations, complete a leadership team capable of transitioning CorWave from a breakthrough R&D firm to a global industry leader.

Andreas, CTO of CorWave, commented: "I am thrilled to join CorWave at such a pivotal moment in its journey toward the upcoming pivotal clinical trial and eventually commercialization. The company's unique wave membrane technology, which delivers physiologic pulsatility unlike conventional continuous-flow pumps, has the potential to redefine circulatory support, not only with our flagship LVAD but also as a platform for future cardiac support devices. I am excited to help accelerate the transition from breakthrough innovation to clinical and commercial reality. Working alongside this talented team, I look forward to strengthening our technical foundations and scaling the organization as we advance toward bringing CorWave's life-changing solutions to patients worldwide."

Daniel Lexcen, VP Clinical Scientific Affairs of CorWave, added: "I am excited to join CorWave and contribute to advancing the clinical program toward the pivotal study for CE marking. The company operates at the frontier of heart failure therapies. Its unique approach to restoring a more natural physiologic response through the wave membrane technology represents a transformative opportunity to drive better clinical outcomes."

Louis de Lillers, CEO of CorWave, concluded: "We are thrilled to welcome Andreas and Daniel as CorWave advances toward global clinical and industrial scale-up. Andreas brings unique expertise in LVAD development throughout the entire product lifecycle, while Daniel's experience across translational science and clinical trial execution will be key to progress toward market approval. Building on the momentum of our first clinical implants, strengthening our leadership team with world-class talent is a critical step in our ambition to transform durable LVAD therapy."

About CorWave

CorWave is a French company that develops and manufactures innovative cardiac assist devices. CorWave's undulating membrane is a breakthrough technology that distinguishes itself from currently marketed Left Ventricular Assist Devices (LVADs) through its physiological operation, designed to reproduce pulse and blood flow velocities similar to those of a healthy heart. Ultimately, CorWave's membrane pump technology is designed to reduce complications associated with current devices and improve the management of patients suffering from heart failure. A member of French Tech 120, CorWave was founded in 2012 by the start-up studio MD Start and is funded by renowned investors, including Bpifrance, EIC Fund, M&L Healthcare, Novo Holdings, Seventure Partners, Sofinnova Partners, Ysios Capital, and Vlerick Group. The company has raised over 100 million euros in equity funding and employs about a hundred people. In May 2025, after more than a decade of research and development, CorWave became the first company in over 25 years to bring a radically new pumping technology into clinical evaluation in the durable LVAD space.

Further information: www.corwave.com x.com/corwave www.linkedin.com/company/corwave

CorWave LVAS is a medical device currently available for clinical investigations only.

This project received funding from the European Union's research and innovation Horizon 2020 program under grant agreement #954151. This project has been funded by the French government as part of the France 2030 program. CorWave's R&D program is supported by the French government through the Investments for the Future Program (PIA). CorWave's industrialization program is supported by Ile-de-France region through the Relance Industrie call for projects.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331910739/en/

Contacts:

Press Contact:

Taddeo

Camille Duchiron, +33 650 524 443, camille.duchiron@taddeo.fr
Brands have an AI problem, but most of them don't know it yet. The brands winning visibility in AI search are the ones with the deepest independent coverage and the most consistent third-party validation built over time.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / By Charlie Wilkie, Chief Executive Officer

A comms leader I work with lost a third of her team about two years ago.

The CMO made a compelling case: Advertising had measurable return on ad spend (ROAS). Content marketing had attribution, earned media had neither. It wasn't an unreasonable argument. The metrics said what they said. Her headcount went to marketing.

We ran an AI visibility audit earlier this month for them. The brand was barely present. Old coverage, a critical piece from 2021, a competitor comparison the marketing team had never seen. Everyone who reviewed the audit was surprised during our Teams call.

She looked into her camera - at nobody and everybody at once - and said, almost matter-of-factly: "AI can't quote coverage we never generated."

She's right, and most boardrooms haven't properly sat with what that means yet.

Ask an AI assistant about your company right now. What probably comes back is a patchwork: a review site, an old article, a forum thread from 2022. Assembled with complete confidence. Presented as fact. Most people reading it will believe it.

Two peer-reviewed studies from 2025 tested this directly. Citations in AI responses increase user trust, even when those citations are completely wrong. Researchers found that responses with random, irrelevant citations were still rated more trustworthy than responses with no citations at all. Most participants never checked. Among those who did and found the citations were nonsense, trust dropped, but only then.

The default, for most people, is to believe. AI will describe your brand with complete confidence whether you've earned that description or not.

Generative AI systems don't surface whoever publishes the most. They cite whoever is most corroborated - consistently - across credible third-party sources. AirOps analysed over 21,000 brand mentions across ChatGPT, Claude, and Perplexity, and 85% of the citations came from third-party sources. Brands were 6.5 times more likely to be cited through earned media than through anything they published themselves.

The University of Toronto studied citation patterns across industries - consumer electronics, automotive, software. The answer was the same everywhere. Earned media dominated. Owned content barely registered. The brands publishing the most weren't the ones being cited.

SEO got you here. It won't get you there.

Traditional search rewarded whoever ranked highest for the right keywords. AI rewards whoever has built the deepest, most consistent trail of independent validation. Those aren't the same thing. The rules changed while most brands were still perfecting the old playbook.

The standard response is to publish more. Post more. Build the content engine.

The data doesn't support it. Ahrefs looked at approximately 14 billion web pages and found that 96.55% receive zero organic traffic from Google. Zero. HubSpot, probably the most sophisticated content operation in the world, watched its blog traffic fall 75% in two years as AI Overviews began answering the questions their content was written to rank for.

If the content marketing playbook isn't working for the people who wrote it, it isn't working.

AI systems are trained on what already exists. Right now, they're learning which brands are credible, which sources to trust, which names to cite. Those patterns will be hard to shift once they're set. Seer Interactive tracked 3,119 search queries across 42 organisations over 15 months. Brands cited in AI Overviews earned 35% more organic clicks than those not cited. Brands not cited saw click-through rates fall 65% year on year.

Gartner predicts PR and earned media budgets will double by 2027 as organisations work out that AI visibility is built through independent credibility, not owned content volume. I run a company that benefits if you believe that. The data is worth looking at anyway. The smarter brands already have.

None of this is an argument for abandoning owned channels. Your blog, your social presence, your press releases - these are raw material. They are not the credibility. They are inputs into a system where what others say about you matters far more than what you say about yourself.

The brands winning in AI search aren't the ones with the biggest content teams. They're the ones with the deepest independent coverage, the most consistent third-party validation, and the richest citation trails built over time.

It's what good comms people have been doing all along.

The comms leader on that call saw it immediately. She'd spent years making the case for coverage that couldn't be tracked, relationships that didn't show up in dashboards, credibility that compounded slowly and invisibly. She lost that argument once already.

The metrics have caught up. Whether the boardroom has is another question.

Interested in learning more? Talk to our team.

Image: Getty Images/Unsplash

Find more stories and multimedia from 3BL at 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: 3BL

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/3bl

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: 3BL

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/%22ai-cant-quote-coverage-you-never-generated.%22-1154019
St. Louis, Missouri--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Dr. Angela Zeng, food scientist, Traditional Chinese Medicine scholar, and founder of the functional wellness beverage brand Karviva, has been recognized in USA Today's list of "Top Entrepreneurs to Watch in 2026." Featured first in the article, Dr. Angela Zeng was highlighted for her work bridging modern nutritional science with traditional wellness principles to build a growing functional beverage company focused on sustainable health practices.





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9405/290435_ef5cac3194348a00_001full.jpg

Dr. Zeng founded Karviva on the belief that food can serve as a daily tool for long-term health and resilience. Raised in a family of traditional herbal practitioners, she developed an early understanding of how nourishment, balance, and consistency support overall well-being. Today, she brings together that cultural heritage with rigorous scientific training, holding a Ph.D. in pathology and a bachelor's degree in biochemistry.

Through Karviva, Dr. Zeng has challenged the extremes often associated with detox culture, advocating instead for an approach centered on nourishment rather than restriction. Karviva's formulations incorporate whole plant ingredients, prebiotic fiber, and botanicals traditionally used for centuries to support digestion, hydration, and metabolic balance.

Under Dr. Zeng's leadership, Karviva has grown into an award-winning wellness beverage brand available through more than 1,000 retail stores across the United States and international markets. The company continues to expand its presence as consumers increasingly seek functional beverages that support everyday health rather than quick-fix wellness trends.

Beyond entrepreneurship, Dr. Zeng has become a recognized voice in conversations around integrative nutrition, women in STEM, and conscious entrepreneurship. She is a frequent speaker at business and wellness events and has been featured across numerous media outlets for her work in advancing science-informed wellness innovation.

Her growing visibility as a speaker has also been recognized internationally. Dr. Zeng was recently included in the Entrepreneur Times global feature "Top Speakers + Talks to Watch Out for in 2026."

In addition to her business leadership and public speaking work, Dr. Zeng has recently collaborated with Saint Louis University's Chaifetz Center for Entrepreneurship and Emerson Leadership Institute, mentoring MBA students and contributing to case studies based on real strategic decisions facing Karviva as it expands nationally. The partnership gives students hands-on exposure to entrepreneurial decision-making while strengthening connections between academia and local businesses.

Dr. Zeng's recognition by USA Today reflects a broader shift in the wellness and entrepreneurship landscape toward leaders who combine scientific expertise, cultural insight, and responsible business practices. As Karviva continues its growth, she remains committed to promoting a more balanced and accessible approach to health and entrepreneurship.

About Dr. Angela Zeng

Dr. Angela Zeng is a food scientist, Traditional Chinese Medicine scholar, and founder of Karviva, an award-winning functional wellness beverage brand rooted in the belief that food is better medicine. Holding a Ph.D. in pathology and a BS in biochemistry, she combines scientific rigor with entrepreneurial leadership. Raised in a family of traditional herbal practitioners, Dr. Angela Zeng integrates ancient wellness traditions with modern research to develop evidence-guided functional beverages designed to support digestion, hydration, and metabolic balance. She is also a recognized speaker and advocate for integrative nutrition, women in STEM, and conscious entrepreneurship.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290435

Source: BrandingBuzz.Agency
World-class Indicated Mineral Resource estimate of 1.3 billion tonnes at grade of 2.65% for 34 million tonnes of copper intact, underpinning significant long-term optionality

Mineral Reserve of 0.5 billion tonnes at grade of 2.82% for 13.1 million tonnes of copper, supports multi-decade mine life

Updated mine plan supports ramp up of production profile to >500,000 tonnes of copper from 2028 onwards

2026 and 2027 Kakula mine plan refocused on developing long-term infrastructure to establish future high-productivity stoping

Revised Kamoa-Kakula production guidance to 290,000 to 330,000 tonnes of copper anodes in 2026, and 380,000 to 420,000 tonnes in 2027

Revised Kamoa-Kakula cash cost (C1) guidance to $2.60/lb. to $3.00/lb. for 2026, decreasing to $2.10/lb. to $2.50/lb. for 2027; targeting cash cost (C1) of ~$2.00/lb. from 2028

Feasibility Study now in progress to optimize the mine plan and increase definition over the first five years

Ivanhoe Mines strengthens executive leadership team with the appointment of Simon Bottoms as EVP, Technical Services and the promotion of Mark Sumner to EVP, Corporate Finance

Ivanhoe Mines to host conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST

Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Ivanhoe Mines' (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) Co-Chairman Robert Friedland and President and Chief Executive Officer Marna Cloete announced today the results of an updated, independent technical report for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex ("Kamoa-Kakula 2025 Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimate" or "Kamoa-Kakula MRE"). The Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is operated as the Kamoa Holding joint venture between Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining. Kamoa Holding holds an 80% interest in the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, with the DRC government holding the remaining 20% interest. Ivanhoe Mines and Zijin Mining, therefore, each hold an indirect 39.6% interest in Kamoa-Kakula, with Crystal River holding an indirect 0.8% interest.

The Kamoa-Kakula MRE underpins a mine plan for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex to ramp up production to over 500,000 tonnes of copper per annum from 2028 onwards. This includes the Phase 1, 2 and 3 concentrator operations at a steady-state rate of 17 million tonnes per annum over approximately 25 years.

The updated Mineral Reserve estimate is 466 million tonnes of ore at a grade of 2.82% copper, containing 13.1 million tonnes of copper. This estimate incorporates changes to the mine design and extraction sequence, which takes into consideration cautious geotechnical parameters adopted based on analysis by world-leading experts.

Following recommendations from the Kamoa-Kakula MRE, Kamoa Copper has now commenced work on an optimized Feasibility Study, which will cover the first five years in high-definition and will take into consideration additional information to be gathered in the coming months, particularly as dewatering of the Kakula Mine is completed.

Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex is a long-life, high-grade underground mining operation. The updated Indicated Mineral Resource estimate is relatively unchanged at 1.27 billion tonnes of ore at a grade of 2.65%, containing approximately 34 million tonnes of copper, supporting long-term optionality, including the potential for a Phase 4 expansion. In addition, the Inferred Mineral Resources consist of a further 336 million tonnes grading 1.82%, containing approximately 6.1 million tonnes of copper.

As a result of increased focus on development activities over the next 18-24 months and more conservative near-term underground development advance rates, Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex production guidance has been revised to 290,000 to 330,000 tonnes of copper anodes in 2026, and 380,000 to 420,000 tonnes of copper anodes in 2027. Management now expects annualized copper anode production to achieve over 500,000 tonnes from 2028.

The Kamoa-Kakula MRE, dated March 31, 2026, and titled "Kamoa-Kakula Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Technical Report" with an effective date of December 31, 2025, was prepared by AMC Mining Consultants South Africa (Pty) Ltd and MSA Group (Pty) Ltd, covering the company's Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex.

The National Instrument 43-101-compliant Kamoa-Kakula MRE will be filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com concurrently with the issuance of this news release.

Ivanhoe Mines' Executive Co-Chairman, Robert Friedland commented:

"Kamoa-Kakula is the epicentre of the richest sedimentary copper district on Earth. Our mine combines extraordinary grade over a very long life  and we are supported by hydroelectric and solar power. Building on this endowment, this technical report sets a base case from which we will build copper production up to a new high of over 500,000 tonnes per annum.

"The world is currently experiencing a crude wake-up call of just how fragile global supply chains are and against this backdrop of global uncertainty, Tier-One mining operations like Kamoa-Kakula become even more critical to national security. Out of an abundance of caution, we have secured additional supplies of diesel. In addition, our first two modules totalling 60 MW of on-site solar, combined with battery storage to provide continuous power, will be commissioned in Q2 2026 with a further 60 MW in the pipeline to come next year, enabling us to keep supplying the world economy with 99.7%-pure copper anodes  as well as ever more valuable sulphuric acid, which the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the world's second largest copper producer, absolutely depends on for its oxide copper mines."

"We are also looking forward to sharing positive developments from our Platreef Mine, the Western Forelands and Kipushi Mine soon..."

Ivanhoe Mines' President & CEO, Marna Cloete commented:

"Over the past year, the Kamoa Copper team expended significant efforts to safeguard the Kakula Mine after a challenging 2025. We are determined to strengthen the technical foundation of our operations, with a focus on long-term stability and performance... Today's updated Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimate is an important step in the right direction.

"We will not take shortcuts in our rehabilitation program to ensure that the updated mine design is conservative, safe, productive and sustainable over the life of the operation. While conservative baseline assumptions have an impact on production levels in 2026 and 2027, we are setting up Kamoa-Kakula for new production records from 2028 onwards with target production levels over 500,000 tonnes of copper anodes and blister, over a multi-decade life.

"One should also not overlook our past achievements. We have built this operation over the past six years at a record pace and on budget, producing over 1.6 million tonnes of copper and generating over $7 billion of EBITDA, funding the Phase 2 and 3 expansions, as well as Africa's largest, state-of-the-art 500,000 tonne-per-annum copper smelter The smelter is ramping up ahead of schedule and is now delivering additional margin via significant by-product sulphuric acid sales and very significant reductions in the cost of shipping our 99.7%-pure copper to market.

"We are also pleased to welcome Simon Bottoms as Executive Vice President, Technical Services, to Ivanhoe Mines. Simon brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in Africa and globally, and he will be instrumental in the next phase of optimization and long-term planning at Kamoa-Kakula, as we seek to deliver additional value to shareholders."

Ivanhoe to host an investor conference call today at 4:30 p.m. EST on the Kamoa-Kakula MRE

At 4:30 p.m. Eastern time / 1:30 p.m. Pacific time on March 31, 2026, Ivanhoe will host an investor conference call to discuss the Kamoa-Kakula MRE. The conference call will conclude with a question-and-answer (Q&A) session.

To view the webcast, use the link:

https://meetings.lumiconnect.com/400-386-323-206

Participants Dial-in Numbers:

Local - Toronto: +1 (416) 855-9085

Toll Free - North America: +1 (800) 990-2777

Conference ID: 42932

An audio webcast recording of the conference call, together with supporting presentation slides, are available on Ivanhoe Mines' website at www.ivanhoemines.com.

Updated Mineral Resource estimate reaffirms the long-term potential of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex

The 2025 Indicated Mineral Resource estimate for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex reduced by 3.0 million tonnes of contained copper, or 8%, compared with the previous technical report as of December 31, 2022, which is largely attributable to depletion as tabulated in the footnotes of Figure 2, as well as the removal of the Mature Extraction Zone from Kakula, as shown in Figure 3. Inferred Mineral Resource increased by 0.9 million tonnes contained copper, or 17%, largely driven by reclassification of Kakula Inferred Zone pillars.

Table 1. Kamoa-Kakula Mineral Resource Estimate 100% Project Basis (December 31, 2025)

Deposit Category Tonnage (Mt) Copper Grade

(%) Contained Copper (Mt) Kamoa Indicated 750 2.73 21 Inferred 235 1.7 4.0 Kakula Indicated 523 2.53 13 Inferred 75 2.1 1.2 Inferred Pillars 26 3.5 0.9 Total Kamoa-Kakula Indicated 1,272 2.65 34 Total Kamoa-Kakula Inferred 336 1.8 6.1

Notes:

1) Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources have been estimated as at December 31, 2025 in accordance with National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101") as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. 2) For 2025 the long-term copper price used for calculating Mineral Resources is $6.00/lb. 3) Realization costs include refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, blister and concentrate transport, metallurgical recoveries, and royalties. 4) 1% total copper (TCu) cut-off grade has been used to report the Mineral Resource. 5) Reported Mineral Resources contain no allowances for hanging wall or footwall contact boundary loss and dilution. No mining recovery has been applied. 6) The Mineral Resource for Kakula was depleted to account for annual production and losses due to unextractable pillars and inaccessible areas. 7) Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. 8) Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimates of grade and Proven & Probable Mineral Reserve estimates of grade for Cu % are reported to two decimal places. 9) All inferred Mineral Resource estimates of grade for Cu % are reported to one decimal place. 10) Totals may not appear to sum correctly due to rounding. 11) Jeremy Witley, r.Sci.Nat SACNASP, FGSSA of The MSA Group (Pty) Ltd estimated the Mineral Resources. The 2025 Mineral Resource was estimated from the non-depleted 2023 Mineral Resource estimate, with an effective date of December 31, 2022, and depleted to account for annual production up until December 31, 2025, as well as geotechnical losses incurred during 2025. The 2025 Mineral Resource has an effective date of December 31, 2025. 12) The non-depleted 2023 Mineral Resource estimate has an effective date of December 31, 2022, and is documented in the Kamoa-Kakula Technical Report dated March 16, 2023. The cut-off date for drill data at Kamoa is January 20, 2020. The cut-off date for the drill data at Kakula is July 20, 2022, with the assay table updated as of December 13, 2022. 13) Mineral Resources which are not Mineral Reserves have not demonstrated economic viability. 14) Mineral Resources are reported on 100% project basis. Ivanhoe Mines' attributable ownership is 39.6% of Kamoa-Kakula





Figure 1. The Mineral Resource estimates for the world's top 10 largest copper operations, by contained copper and copper grade (Source: S&P, March 2026)

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Updated Mineral Reserve incorporating revised mine plan and cautious geotechnical parameters supports multi-decade mine life

The 2025 Mineral Reserve estimate for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex reduced by 4.4 million tonnes of contained copper, or 25%, compared with the previous, depleted Mineral Reserve estimate as of December 31, 2024. The Mineral Reserve estimate is outlined Table 2, with annualised depletion in the footnotes of Figure 2.

Table 2. Kamoa-Kakula Mineral Reserve Estimate 100% Project Basis (December 31, 2025)

Category Tonnage

(Mt Ore) Copper

(% Cu) Cont. Copper

(Mt Cu) Proven Mineral Reserve - - - Probable Mineral Reserve 466 2.82 13.1 Kakula 51 3.94 2.0 Kakula West 84 2.98 2.5 Kansoko Sud 33 2.71 0.9 Kamoa 1 104 2.71 2.8 Kamoa 2 78 2.59 2.0 Kamoa 3 58 2.41 1.4 Kamoa 4 43 2.46 1.0 Kamoa 5 8.6 2.66 0.2 Kamoa 6 7.2 2.74 0.2

Notes:

1) Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources have been estimated as at December 31, 2025 in accordance with NI 43-101 as required by Canadian securities regulatory authorities. 2) For 2025 the long-term copper price used for calculating Mineral Reserves and economic mine plan analysis is $4.50/lb.3) Realization costs include refining and treatment charges, deductions and payment terms, blister and concentrate transport, metallurgical recoveries, and royalties. 4) Cut-off grades applied to the Mineral Reserve are between 2.0% TCu and 1.5% TCu. The varying characteristics of each deposit, and the intention of maintaining reliable mining parameters and geotechnical controls has resulted in each scenario applying both a minimum economic cut-off, practical mining parameters and spatial considerations to differentiate between mined material considered to be ore or waste. 5) In confirming the Mineral Reserves for Kamoa & Kakula, a reserve test has been undertaken, to verify that the future undiscounted cash flow from reserves is positive. The cash flow ignores all sunk costs and only considers future operating and closure expenses as well as any future capital costs. 6) Metallurgical recovery for each Concentrator is defined by the application of a recovery algorithm. The metallurgical recovery is 87.98% for the Kakula and Kamoa concentrators (Mineral Reserve life-of-mine plan average). 7) Smelter recovery is 98.5%. 8) Mineral Reserve tonnage and grade estimates include apportionment for dilution and recovery. 9) Mineral Reserves reported above are inclusive of Mineral Resources and are not additive. 10) Totals may not appear to sum correctly due to rounding. 11) Mineral Resources, which are not Mineral Reserves, do not have demonstrated economic viability. 12) Measured and indicated Mineral Resource estimates of grade and proven and probable Mineral Reserve estimates of grade for Cu % are reported to two decimal places.13) Mineral Reserves are reported on a 100% project basis. Ivanhoe Mines attributable ownership is 39.6% of Kamoa-Kakula

A reconciliation of the Mineral Reserve tonnes and grade between the previous technical report as of December 31, 2022 and the Kamoa-Kakula MRE is outlined in Figure 2, with a corresponding explanation overleaf.





Figure 2. Reconciliation of the Mineral Reserve tonnes and grade between the Kamoa-Kakula MRE and the previous technical report as of December 31, 2022.

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Notes:

The Mineral Reserve is based on the 2023 Mineral Resource estimate, with an effective date of December 31, 2022, and depleted to account for annual production up until December 31, 2025, as well as geotechnical losses incurred during 2025. Historical Mineral Reserve Estimates on 100% Project basis since December 31, 2022 are: a) Estimates as of December 31, 2022: On a 100% Project basis No Proven Mineral Reserves. Probable reserves of 472 million tonnes grading 3.94%, representing 18.6 million tonnes of contained Copper. b) Estimates as of December 31, 2023: On a 100% Project basis No Proven Mineral Reserves. Probable reserves of 464 million tonnes grading 3.92%, representing 18.2 million tonnes of contained Copper. c) Estimates are as of December 31, 2024: On a 100% Project basis No Proven Mineral Reserves. Probable reserves of 453 million tonnes grading 3.91%, representing 17.7 million tonnes of contained Copper. Since December 31, 2022, Kamoa-Kakula Probable Mineral Reserves annual depletion, with no other updates, is as per the table below. No Proven Mineral reserves have been declared or depleted within this period:

Probable Mineral Reserve Annual Depletion (100% project basis) Year Ore (Mt) Copper (%) Copper (Contained Kt) 2023 7.8 5.38% 419 2024 12 4.42% 518 2025 10 3.21% 327 2023-2025 Total 29.7 4.26% 1,264

The difference in Mineral Reserves between the Kamoa-Kakula MRE and the Kamoa-Kakula 2023 Integrated Development Plan (2023 IDP), filed on March 16, 2023, is attributable to five key changes:

1) Removal of the old Kakula Mine from the Mineral Reserves, some of which is (1a) excluded as the Mature Extraction Zone (previously extracted to >70% extraction) and some of which is (1b) reclassified as Inferred Mineral Resources until safe access is re-established and extraction methodology can be proven (refer to Figure 3);

2) Reduced global extraction ratio of ~60%, based on increased pillar widths, and revised mine designed to ensure stability based on design guidelines extrapolated from Kakula findings;

3) Update in overall mine design philosophy, with increased proportions of high-productivity stoping, thus increasing the mining dilution, and associated development of peripheral accesses and infrastructure ahead of the mining front;

4) Selective drop in cut-off grade from 2.0% to 1.5% opening up additional mining areas; and increasing efficiencies through extracting more of the overall orebody; and

5) Conversion of resources to reserves for Kamoa 3, 4, 5 and 6 Mines, utilizing existing cautious underground design guidelines.







Figure 3. Plan view of the new mine plan for Kakula, showing existing workings and new mining areas to the west and east of the old Kakula mining area. The Mature Extraction Zone is excluded from 2025 Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates. The Inferred Resource Zone (outlined in orange) has been reclassified and excluded from the Kakula 2025 Mineral Reserve estimate.

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Figure 4. Overview of the 400-square-kilometre Kamoa-Kakula licence area, showing a breakdown of Mineral Reserves of the operating mines (yellow) and future deposits (orange), as well as highlighting surface infrastructure (green).

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Feasibility Study now in progress to optimize the mine plan and increase definition over the first five years

Following recommendations from the Kamoa-Kakula MRE, Kamoa Copper has commenced work on an optimized Feasibility Study that will cover at least the next five years of operation. This will be accompanied by a Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on the remaining mine life. The study is expected to be completed in approximately 12 months.

The optimized Feasibility Study will link together multi-disciplinary data gathered over the coming months from a comprehensive drilling and mapping program, which is expected to start in Q2 2026. The results will enable a higher-definition model of geological, geotechnical and hydrological variability across Kamoa-Kakula's orebody domains, enabling a more dynamic and customized mine design across different sections of the mine, with the potential to improve costs, increase extraction ratios and reduce planned dilution.

2026 AND 2027 REVISED COPPER PRODUCTION AND CASH COST GUIDANCE

Revised 2026 and 2027 production and cash cost (C1) guidance includes updated mine designs at both the Kamoa and Kakula mines which include a longer period of up-front development to support a more sustainable future rate of mining. Development will be focused over the next two years to complete more peripheral development around the Kakula Mine before stoping of the newly developed areas begin. Stoping is now expected to start at Kamoa in H2 2026, whereas stoping at Kakula is not expected until H1 2027. In addition, the achieved rate of heading development has been lower than expected, due to adverse geotechnical and hydrological conditions. As such, target development rates have been reduced by approximately 15%.

Kamoa-Kakula production guidance range has been revised down to 290,000 to 330,000 tonnes of copper anode in 2026, and 380,000 to 420,000 tonnes of copper anode in 2027. In addition, cash cost (C1) range has been revised to $2.60/lb. to $3.00/lb. in 2026, and $2.10/lb. to $2.50/lb. in 2027. Kamoa-Kakula capital expenditure guidance for 2026 and 2027 remains unchanged, however any underspend from 2026 will be spent in 2027.

Ivanhoe Mines now targets annualized copper anode or blister production to return to over 500,000 tonnes from 2028, at a target cash cost (C1) of less than $2.00/lb.

Kamoa-Kakula Original Guidance 2026 2027





Contained copper in concentrate (tonnes) 380,000 - 420,000 500,000 - 540,000 Cash cost (C1) ($/lb. payable copper produced) 2.20 - 2.50 1.90 - 2.30 Capital expenditure ($ million) 1,100 - 1,400 750 - 950

Kamoa-Kakula Revised Guidance 2026 2027





Contained copper in anode or blister (tonnes) 290,000 - 330,000 380,000 - 420,000 Cash cost (C1) ($/lb. payable copper produced) 2.60 - 3.00 2.10 - 2.50 Capital expenditure ($ million) Unchanged Unchanged

Guidance figures are on a 100% project basis and metal reported before refining losses associated with smelter terms.

Kamoa-Kakula's guidance is based on several assumptions and estimates. It involves estimates of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause the actual results to differ materially.

Although mining of the Kakula orebody has restarted, risk factors remain, including the integrity of underground infrastructure, once fully dewatered, the ability to ramp up underground operations in line with expectations, the ability to access in the required time new mining areas. Guidance for Kamoa-Kakula is based on an assessment of these factors that management believes are reasonable at this time, given all available information.

Production guidance going forward is reported as contained tonnes of copper in anode or blister, whereas previously guidance was provided as copper in concentrate. With the ongoing ramp-up of the on-site Kamoa-Kakula smelter to its annualized run rate of 500,000 tonnes per annum, the majority of concentrate produced by the Phase 1, 2, and 3 concentrators is expected to be processed through the smelter producing copper anodes.

Cash cost (C1) guidance is based primarily on assumptions, including tonnes of ore mined, feed grades of processed copper ore, concentrator recoveries, as well as the timing and ramp-up of the on-site smelter, among other variables.

Cash cost (C1) is a non-GAAP measure used by management to evaluate operating performance and includes all direct mining, processing, stockpile rehandling charges, and general and administrative costs. Smelter charges and freight deductions on sales to the final port of destination (typically China), which are recognized as a component of sales revenues, are added to cash cost (C1) to arrive at an approximate cost of delivered finished metal.

For historical comparatives and a reconciliation to the most directly comparable measure under IFRS, see the non-GAAP Financial Performance Measures section in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2025.

Ivanhoe Mines strengthens executive leadership team with the appointment of Simon Bottoms as EVP, Technical Services and the promotion of Mark Sumner to EVP, Corporate Finance





Simon Bottoms was appointed as Executive Vice President, Technical Services of the Company on March 1, 2026. Mr. Bottoms is a seasoned senior mining executive, Qualified Person and technical leader, with extensive global experience, including in Africa and the Middle East. Mr. Bottoms joins Ivanhoe Mines from almost 13 years with Barrick and Randgold Resources where, as Executive Vice President, Mineral Resource Management, he led the group-wide Mineral Resource and Reserve Management, technical studies, NI 43-101 disclosures and due diligence reviews for major transactions and feasibility projects. Mr. Bottoms has a Masters in Geology from the University of Southampton.

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Mark Sumner was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President, Corporate Finance of the Company in January 2026. Mr. Sumner joined Ivanhoe Mines as Vice President, Corporate Finance in 2020. During his tenure, Mr. Sumner has overseen a total of $4 billion in corporate and project development funding facilities. In addition, Mr. Sumner has also supported the offtake agreements for Ivanhoe's operating mines. Prior to Ivanhoe, Mr. Sumner spent approximately 20 years in corporate finance and banking, most notably as Managing Director and Co-Head of Mining and Metals, Corporate Finance at Standard Chartered Bank, as well as 10 years in operations as a mining engineer.

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Qualified Persons

The Kamoa-Kakula MRE was prepared by:

AMC Consultants of Melbourne, Australia - Overall report preparation, mining and Mineral Reserves, mining and logistics.

DRA Global of Johannesburg, South Africa - metallurgical processing.

Epoch Resources of Johannesburg, South Africa - Tailings Storage Facility design.

MSA Group of Johannesburg, South Africa - Mineral Resource estimation.

Steve Amos, Executive Vice President, Projects of Ivanhoe Mines.

The independent Qualified Persons responsible for preparing the Kamoa-Kakula MRE are; Karl van Olden (Global Lead - Underground Mining at AMC Consultants (Pty) Limited); Jeremy Witley (Principal Mineral Resource Consultant at MSA Group); Tony Nyakudarika (Process Consultant at DRA); and Andrew Savvas (Director at Epoch). Each Qualified Person has reviewed and approved the information in this news release relevant to the portion of the Kamoa-Kakula MRE for which they are responsible. Each Qualified Person is independent of the company for purposes of NI 43-101. Steve Amos, as an employee of Ivanhoe Mines, is non-independent for the purposes of NI 43-101.

Data verification and quality control and assurance

MSA reviewed the sample chain of custody, quality assurance and control ("QA/QC") procedures, and qualifications of analytical laboratories. MSA is of the opinion that the procedures and QA/QC control are acceptable to support Mineral Resource estimation. MSA also audited the assay database, core logging, and geological interpretations during the site visit conducted by the MSA QP, and has found no material issues with the data as a result of these audits.

In the opinion of the MSA QP, the data verification programmes undertaken on the data collected from the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex support the geological interpretations. The analytical and database quality and the data collected can support Mineral Resource estimation.

Ivanhoe Mines maintains a comprehensive chain of custody and QA/QC program on assays from its Kamoa-Kakula Copper Project. The half-sawn core is processed at its on-site preparation laboratory in Kamoa, prepared samples then are shipped by secure courier to Bureau Veritas Minerals ("BVM") Laboratories in Australia, an ISO17025 accredited facility. Copper assays are determined at BVM by mixed-acid digestion with an ICP finish. Industry-standard certified reference materials and blanks are inserted into the sample stream before dispatch to BVM.

For detailed information about assay methods and data verification measures used to support the scientific and technical information, please refer to the Kamoa-Kakula 2026 Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Estimate, dated March 31, 2026 , available on the SEDAR+ profile of Ivanhoe Mines at www.sedarplus.ca or under the technical reports section of the Ivanhoe Mines website at www.ivanhoemines.com.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal operations in Southern Africa; the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex in the DRC, the ultra-high-grade Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the DRC; and the tier-one Platreef platinum-palladium-nickel-rhodium-gold-copper mine in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines is exploring for copper in its highly prospective, 54-100% owned exploration licences in the Western Forelands, covering an area over six times larger than the adjacent Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, including the high- grade discoveries in the Makoko District. Ivanhoe is also exploring for new sedimentary copper discoveries in new horizons including Angola, Kazakhstan, and Zambia.

Follow Robert Friedland (@robert_ivanhoe) and Ivanhoe Mines (@IvanhoeMines_) on X.

Tanya Todd: +1 604 657 9010 (Vancouver)

Forward-looking statements

Certain statements in this release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such statements and information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the company, its projects, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or information. Such statements can be identified using words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "intend", "expect", "believe", "plan", "anticipate", "estimate", "scheduled", "forecast", "predict" and other similar terminology, or state that certain actions, events, or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. These statements reflect the company's current expectations regarding future events, performance and results and speak only as of the date of this release.

Such statements include, without limitation: (i) statements with respect to Kamoa-Kakula production guidance of 290,000 to 330,000 tonnes of copper anodes in 2026, and 380,000 to 420,000 tonnes in 2027; (ii) statements with respect to Kamoa-Kakula cash cost (C1) guidance of $2.60/lb. to $3.00/lb. for 2026, decreasing to $2.10/lb. to $2.50/lb. for 2027 and targeting cash cost (C1) of ~$2.00/lb. from 2028; (iii) statements that annualized copper anode production is expected to return to over 500,000 tonnes from 2028; (iv) statements that the new feasibility study is expected to be completed within 12 months; and (v) statements that a comprehensive drilling and mapping program is expected to start in Q2 2026, and that the results will enable a higher-definition model of geological, geotechnical and hydrological variability across Kamoa-Kakula's domains, which will allow for more dynamic and customized mine planning across different sections of the mine, with the potential to improve costs, increase extraction ratios and reduce planned dilution.

All of the results of the Kamoa-Kakula MRE constitute forward-looking statements or information and include future estimates of future production, estimates of cash cost, proposed mining plans and methods, mine life estimates, cash flow forecasts, metal recoveries, estimates of capital and operating costs and the size and timing of phased development of the project.

Furthermore, concerning this specific forward-looking information concerning the operation and development of the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Complex, the company has based its assumptions and analysis on certain factors that are inherently uncertain. Uncertainties include: (i) the adequacy and integrity of infrastructure; (ii) geological characteristics; (iii) metallurgical characteristics of the mineralization; (iv) the ability to develop adequate processing capacity; (v) the price of copper; (vi) the availability of equipment and facilities necessary to complete development; (vii) the cost of consumables and mining and processing equipment; (viii) unforeseen technological and engineering problems; (ix) accidents or acts of sabotage or terrorism; (x) currency fluctuations; (xi) changes in regulations; (xii) the compliance by counterparties with terms of agreements; (xiii) the availability and productivity of skilled labour; (xiv) the regulation of the mining industry by various governmental agencies; (xv) the ability to raise sufficient capital to develop such projects; (xvi) changes in project scope or design; (xvii) recoveries, mining rates and grade; (xviii) political factors; (xviii) water inflow into the mine and its potential effect on mining operations, including completion of dewatering efforts at Kakula, and (xix) the consistency and availability of electric power.

This release also contains references to estimates of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves. The estimation of Mineral Resources is inherently uncertain and involves subjective judgments about many relevant factors. Estimates of Mineral Reserves provide more certainty but still involve similar subjective judgments. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The accuracy of any such estimates is a function of the quantity and quality of available data and of the assumptions made and judgments used in engineering and geological interpretation (including estimated future production from the company's projects, the anticipated tonnages and grades that will be mined and the estimated level of recovery that will be realized), which may prove to be unreliable and depend, to a certain extent, upon the analysis of drilling results and statistical inferences that ultimately may prove to be inaccurate. Mineral Resource or Mineral Reserve estimates may have to be reestimated based on: (i) fluctuations in copper or other mineral prices; (ii) results of drilling; (iii) metallurgical testing and other studies; (iv) proposed mining operations, including dilution; (v) the evaluation of mine plans after the date of any estimates and/or changes in mine plans; (vi) the possible failure to receive required permits, approvals and licences; and (vii) changes in law or regulation.

Forward-looking statements and information involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results and will not necessarily be accurate indicators of whether such results will be achieved. Many factors could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements or information, including, but not limited to, the factors discussed above and under the "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 and current annual information form, as well as unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the company believes are reasonable assumptions, the company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this news release. The company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of the factors set forth above and in the "Risk Factors" section in the company's MD&A for the financial year ended December 31, 2025 and current annual information form.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290732

Source: Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - The Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE" or "the Exchange") today welcomed the listing of Allied Strategic Resource Corp. ("Allied Strategic" or the "Company"). The Vancouver-based company was created through a spin-off of Mustang Energy Corp.'s interests in three uranium properties in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. The common shares were listed for trading on the CSE today under the symbol ASR.

Allied Strategic's three properties are Ford Lake, Roughrider South and Cigar Lake East. They are located in under-explored areas of the Athabasca Basin that the Company believes offer strong discovery potential. The flagship asset is Ford Lake, and activity at this project is expected to accelerate as it receives more resources and attention as part of the new standalone company.

"The fundamentals of the uranium market are very strong, with dozens of new nuclear reactors under construction and scheduled to come online in the coming years," said Stuart Schady, the CSE's Vice President, Business Development. "Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin holds the richest uranium deposits in the world, and we are pleased to welcome another company to the CSE that is focused on exploration in the region."

Nick Luksha, CEO of ASR, noted, "This listing represents the foundation for what we intend to build at Allied Strategic Resource Corp. We are assembling the assets, the strategy, and the team required to pursue meaningful uranium discoveries in the Athabasca Basin. As nuclear energy continues to gain global support as a critical clean-energy solution, we believe this is the right time to launch a focused uranium exploration company and deliver shareholders value through disciplined execution and strategic growth."

About the Canadian Securities Exchange:

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To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290719

Source: Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE)
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Gunnison Copper Corp. (TSX: GCU) (OTCQB: GCUMF) (FSE: 3XS0) ("Gunnison" or the "Company") has filed the National Instrument 43-101 technical report (the "Technical Report") with an effective date of March 18, 2026 for the updated Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA" or "2026 PEA") on its 100%-owned Gunnison Copper Project located in the Cochise Mining District, Arizona, United States (the "Project"). The Technical Report is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile and on the Company's website. All dollar amounts are in US dollars and "tons" refer to U.S. short tons (1 short ton equals approximately 0.91 metric tonnes or 2000 lbs).

Per the Company's press release dated February 25, 2026, the PEA outlines a large-scale, long-life copper project utilizing open-pit mining and heap leach SXEW processing to produce copper cathode onsite for an impactful contribution to refined copper supply in the United States. The Project has robust economics, including an after-tax NPV8 of approximately US$2.0 billion, an internal rate of return of 22.5%, and a payback period of 3.9 years at a base case copper price of $4.60/lb.

Highlights:

Conventional open pit, heap leach, SX/EW operation producing 99.999% pure copper cathode intended to supply United States energy, data center, manufacturing, and defense supply chains

Straightforward mine plan consists primarily of oxide copper mineralized material with a life of mine material placed on the leach pad of 541 million tons at 0.43% total copper grade, including 25 million tons at 0.85% total copper grade from the Strong & Harris satellite deposit

Primary crushing on all, and secondary crushing on some material to improve copper recoveries

Average annual copper cathode production of 174 million pounds ("lbs") (87 thousand tons) for the first 15 years; enough to potentially supply over 11% of the current United States domestic refined copper metal production from mineralized material 1 . Total copper produced 3.2 billion lbs over a 21 year mine life.

Cash costs of $1.70, Sustaining Cash Costs of $2.00, and All-In Sustaining Cash Costs of $2.05 per pound of copper produced are in the lower half of the cost curve for copper mines globally

Robust project economics in a variety of copper price environments, including $4.60/lb base case:

Copper Price Assumptions

$4.60/lb Cu Consensus $5.75/lb Cu SPOT2 Net Present Value @ 8% (after-tax) $M 1,959 3,227 Internal Rate of return (after-tax) % 22.5% 31.8% Payback Period # years 3.9 2.6 Av Annual Free Cash Flow (Y1-Y15) $M 366 514

Significant economic impact to Cochise County, State of Arizona, and the United States nationally through creation of over 112,744 job years, $558 million in state and local county taxes, $1.43 billion in federal taxes, and $21.9 billion in total economic output, based on an Independent Economic Impact Study conducted by the Eller Partnerships Office at the University of Arizona.

1 Based on USGS reported 2025 primary refined copper production of 790Ktons; 2 COMEX spot price at Feb 22, 2026

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the conclusions reached in the PEA will be realized. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

Table 1: Key Valuation Metrics at $4.60/lb Copper Price Base Case

Valuation Metrics (Unlevered) Unit 2026 PEA Net Present Value @ 8% (after-tax) $ millions 1,959 Net Present Value @ 10% (after-tax) $ millions 1,419 Internal Rate of return (after-tax) % 22.5% Payback Period # years 3.9 EBITDA1 (annual average Y1-Y15) $ millions 486 EBITDA1 (annual average Y1-Y21) $ millions 435 Free Cash Flow1 (annual average Y1-Y15) $ millions 366 Free Cash Flow1 (annual average Y1-Y21) $ millions 329

Non-IFRS financial measure; see "Non-IFRS Financial Measures".

Table 2: Key Project Metrics

Project Metrics Unit 2026 PEA Construction Period # months 24 Life of Mine # years 21 Strip Ratio Waste: Feed 2.56 Mineralized Material Mined millions tons 641 Limestone Mined millions tons 133 Alluvium-Gravel waste millions tons 1,007 Hard-Rock waste millions tons 501 Copper Grade placed on Heap % CuT 0.43% Average Annual Crusher Throughput (Max) millions tons 40 Recoveries % CuT 68% Oxide / Enriched Recoveries % CuTSol 90.2% Primary Sulfide Recoveries (years 10 to 21) % CuSu 59.9% Recovered Copper Cathode millions lbs 3,187 Average Annual Copper Production (years 1-15) millions lbs 174 Initial Capital (including contingency) $ millions 1,556 Initial Capital Excluding Acid Plant $ millions 1,273 Capital Intensity1 $/ton Cu Capacity 17,609 Capital Intensity Excluding Acid Plant $/ton Cu Capacity 14,411 Profitability Ratio $/ton Cu Capacity 1.26 Expansion Capital (including contingency) $ millions 682 Sustaining Capital2 $ millions 587 Cash Cost (C1)3 $/lb Cu 1.70 Sustaining Cash Cost4 $/lb Cu 2.00 All-In Sustaining Cash Cost5 $/lb Cu 2.05

Capital intensities are calculated as initial capital, divided by maximum annual copper cathode plant capacity of 88.3 Ktons. Expansion capital is expenditures to either build new facilities, for example the cement plant built in years 4-5, or to expand the capacity of initial facilities, for example increased capacity of leach pad Sustaining Capital are expenditures to maintain initial facilities. Includes $186 million in deferred stripping costs. Includes sustaining capital for both the copper plant and the cement plant Cash Cost includes mine operating, crushing and leaching, process plant operating, and general and administrative costs ("G&A") Sustaining Cost includes Cash Cost, Sustaining Capex, Deferred Stripping, and Royalties All-In Sustaining Cost (AISC) includes Sustaining Cost, Property Taxes, Severance Taxes, and Closure Costs. It excludes expansion and initial capital, and income taxes

Table 3: Report Sensitivities to the Copper Price

Copper Price Sensitivities Units $4.25/lb $4.60/lb $5.00/lb $5.50/lb $6.00/lb $6.50/lb $7.00/lb NPV8 M$ 1,566 1,959 2,403 2,953 3,500 4,043 4,586 IRR % 19.55% 22.51% 25.81% 29.84% 33.73% 37.47% 41.12% Project Payback years 5.2 3.9 3.3 2.8 2.5 2.2 2.0 LOM Cu Gross Revenue M$ 13,364,882 14,484,547 15,764,165 17,363,687 18,963,209 20,562,731 22,162,253 LOM EBITDA M$ 13,520,441 14,588,504 15,808,666 17,333,310 18,857,478 20,381,280 21,904,794 FCF - Unlevered (post-tax) M$ 9,031,003 9,867,503 10,818,120 12,005,261 13,192,045 14,378,553 15,564,846

Mineral Resource Estimate

The Gunnison Deposit Mineral Resources are classified in order of increasing geological and quantitative confidence into Inferred, Indicated, and Measured categories in accordance with the "CIM Definition Standards - For Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves" and therefore Canadian National Instrument 43-101.

Table 4: Combined Oxide, Transitional, and Sulfide Resources

Total Resources (Oxide + Transitional + Sulfide) Resource Class Short Tons

(millions) Total Cu

(%) Cu Pounds

(millions) Measured 191.5 0.37 1,423 Indicated 654.5 0.31 3,768 Measured + Indicated 846.1 0.33 5,190 Inferred 94.0 0.21 397

Notes:

Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral Resources are reported within an optimized pit at a 0.05% total copper cut-off for oxide and transition material, and 0.1% cut-off for sulfide. Rounding may result in apparent discrepancies between tons, grade, and contained metal content. The Effective Date of the Mineral Resource estimate is January 23, 2026.

The Strong & Harris project resources are summarized in Table 1-4.

Table 1-4: Strong & Harris Mineral Resources

(0.07% Cu cutoff)

Classification Short Tons

(millions) % Cu %

CuOx % Zn oz Ag/

ton Cu lbs

(millions) CuOx lbs

(millions) Zn lbs

(millions) Ag oz (millions) Inferred 76.070 0.49 0.32 0.56 0.12 740.0 482.691 855.707 8.971

The Effective Date of the mineral resources is January 23, 2026. The project mineral resources are shown in bold and are comprised of all model blocks at a 0.07% Cu cutoff that lie within optimized resource pits. Mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Rounding as required by reporting guidelines may result in apparent discrepancies between tons, grade, and contained metal content.

The estimate of mineral resources may be materially affected by geology, environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, sociopolitical, marketing, or other relevant issues. Potential risk factors include changes in metal prices, increases in operating costs, fluctuations in labor costs and availability, availability of investment capital, infrastructure failures, changes in government regulations, community engagement and socio-economic community relations, civil disobedience and protest, permitting and legal challenges, and general environmental concerns. However, the author is not aware of any such factors that may materially affect the Gunnison or Strong & Harris mineral resources as of the date of the Report. The impact of taxation was taken into consideration when establishing cut-off grade.

The Mineral Resources presented herein are inclusive of the economic analysis presented in the report which therefore represents a subset of the Mineral Resources under slightly different economic inputs, most notably lower copper price.

Updated Preliminary Economic Assessment Summary

The Project is in Cochise County, Arizona, approximately 65 miles east of Tucson and is held or controlled 100% by GCC. GCC has a successful track record of permitting and community relations. This, along with the fact that the Gunnison open pit has no federal permitting nexus, on flat ground with no identified endangered or threatened species or habitat, and no historical, archaeological, or Native American artefacts identified in prior studies, indicates the Company's prior permitting track record can be maintained.

Financial Model - Key Inputs





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Financial Model - Key Inputs





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Financial Model - Cash Flows by Year





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TECHNICAL REPORT AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

The Technical Report was prepared under the supervision of John Woodson, PE, SME-RM, of M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation, Tucson, Arizona, who is a Qualified Person that is independent of the Company. The Technical Report also received contributions from the following additional Qualified Persons, who are also independent of the Company:

Mr. John Woodson, of M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation, Tucson, Arizona (capital and operating costs, and economic analysis).

Mr. Jeffrey Bickel of RESPEC of Reno, Nevada (geology and mineral resource).

Mr. Jacob Richey, of IMC of Tucson, Arizona (mining methods).

Mr. Tom Ryan, of CNI of Tucson, Arizona (pit slope angles)

Dr. Terence P. McNulty of T.P. McNulty & Associates of Tucson, Arizona (metallurgy).

Dr. Abyl Sydykov of M3 Engineering & Technology Corporation, Tucson, Arizona (mineral recovery)

Mr. R. Douglas Bartlett, of Clear Creek and Associates of Phoenix, Arizona (hydrology, mining method, permitting and environment).

Mr. Tyler Peck, of Burgex Mining Consultants, Sandy, Utah (Limestone and cement)

Each of these Qualified Persons has reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release that is relevant to their area of responsibility and verified the data underlying such technical information.

ABOUT GUNNISON COPPER

Gunnison Copper Corp. is a multi-asset pure-play copper developer and producer that controls the Cochise Mining District (the district), containing 12 known deposits within an 8 km economic radius, in the Southern Arizona Copper Belt.

Its flagship asset, the Gunnison Copper Project, has a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource containing over 846.1 million tons with a total copper grade of 0.33% (Measured Mineral Resource of 191.5 million tons at 0.37% and Indicated Mineral Resource of 654.5 million tons at 0.31%), and a preliminary economic assessment ("PEA") yielding robust economics including an NPV8% of $2 billion, IRR of 23%, and payback period of 3.9 years. It is being developed as a conventional operation with open pit mining, heap leach, and SX/EW refinery to produce finished copper cathode on-site with direct rail link.

The PEA is preliminary in nature and includes Inferred Mineral Resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves. There is no certainty that the conclusions reached in the PEA will be realized. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

In addition, Gunnison's Johnson Camp Asset, which is now in production, is fully funded by Nuton LLC, a Rio Tinto Venture, with a production capacity of up to 25 million lbs of finished copper cathode annually.

Other significant deposits controlled by Gunnison in the district, with potential to be economic satellite feeder deposits for Gunnison Project infrastructure, include South Star, and eight other deposits.

For more information on the Company, please visit our website at www.GunnisonCopper.com.

For additional information on the Gunnison Project please refer to the technical report titled "Gunnison Project NI 43-101 Technical Report, Preliminary Economic Assessment, Cochise County, Arizona, USA" with an effective date of March 18, 2026 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

For additional information on the Johnson Camp Mine please refer to the technical report titled "Johnson Camp Mine NI 43-101 Technical Report, Cochise County, Arizona, USA" with an effective date of March 18, 2026 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

This press release contains certain non-IFRS financial measures, including Capex, sustaining capital/capex, sustaining costs, EBITDA, C1 cash costs, free cash flow, and AISC. The Company believes that these measures, together with measures determined in accordance with IFRS, provide investors with an improved ability to evaluate the underlying performance or expected performance of the Company. Non-IFRS measures do not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS, and therefore they may not be comparable to similar measures employed by other companies. The data is intended to provide additional information and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.

Non-IFRS financial measures used in this press release and common to the copper mining industry are defined below.

C1 Cash Cost and Total Cash Operating Cost: C1 cash cost and Total Cash Operating Cost are reflective of the cash cost incurred at each processing stage, from mining through to recoverable copper delivered to the market, net of any by-product credits, including mine operating, process plant operating, and general and administrative costs.

All-in Sustaining Costs ("AISC"): AISC is reflective of all of the expenditures that are required to produce a pound of copper from operations. AISC reported in the PFS includes total cash costs, sustaining capital, expansion capital and closure costs, but excludes corporate general and administrative costs and salvage.

Free Cash Flow or FCF: Free cash flow is net cash flow provided from operating activities less sustaining capital expenditures.

Capital expenditures are classified as either sustaining capital expenditures or expansion capital expenditures, depending on the nature of the expenditure. Sustaining capital expenditures typically represent capital expenditures including ongoing replacement of mine equipment and other capital facilities and other capital expenditures and is calculated as total additions to property, plant and equipment (as reported on the interim condensed consolidated statements of cash flows), less expansion capital expenditures. Expansion capital expenditures represent capital expenditures for major projects, such as new facilities (e.g. cement plant) or to increase initial capacities.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS:

Certain statements contained in this release constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such forward-looking statements relate to the intention to deploy the Nuton technology at the Johnson Camp mine and future production therefrom; the continued funding of the stage 2 work program by Nuton; the details and expected results of the stage two work program; future production and production capacity from the Company's mineral projects; the results of the 2026 PEA on the Gunnison Project; planned budgets and timelines for future development of the Gunnison Project; and the exploration and development of the Company's mineral projects.

In certain cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "occur" or "be achieved" suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. Forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, Nuton will continue to fund the stage 2 work program, the availability of financing to continue as a going concern and implement the Company's operational plans, expectations regarding the receipt of 48C tax credits, the estimation of mineral resources, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, copper and other metal prices, the timing and amount of future development expenditures, the estimation of initial and sustaining capital requirements, the estimation of labour and operating costs (including the price of acid), the availability of labour, material and acid supply, receipt of and compliance with necessary regulatory approvals and permits, the estimation of insurance coverage, and assumptions with respect to currency fluctuations, environmental risks, title disputes or claims, and other similar matters. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect.

Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks related to the Company not obtaining adequate financing to continue operations, the Company receives less 48C tax credits than expected, Nuton failing to continue to fund the stage 2 work program, the breach of debt covenants, risks inherent in the construction and operation of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined including the possibility that mining operations may not be sustained at the Gunnison Copper Project, risks related to the delay in approval of work plans, variations in mineral resources and reserves, grade or recovery rates, risks relating to the ability to access infrastructure, risks relating to changes in copper and other commodity prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of copper and related products, risks related to increased competition in the market for copper and related products, risks related to current global financial conditions, risks related to current global financial conditions on the Company's business, uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources, access and supply risks, risks related to the ability to access acid supply on commercially reasonable terms, reliance on key personnel, operational risks inherent in the conduct of mining activities, including the risk of accidents, labour disputes, increases in capital and operating costs and the risk of delays or increased costs that might be encountered during the construction or mining process, regulatory risks including the risk that permits may not be obtained in a timely fashion or at all, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks, risks related to disputes concerning property titles and interests, environmental risks and the additional risks identified in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's reports and filings with applicable Canadian securities regulators.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290692

Source: Gunnison Copper Corp.
AUSTIN, TX / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / BetterWay blood testing by Babson Diagnostics, a science-first healthcare technology company transforming diagnostic blood testing, today announced a five-year clinical affiliation agreement with The University of Texas at Austin School of Nursing through the city-funded Advancing Mental Health and Emotional Nourishment (AMEN) project. Under this partnership, Babson Diagnostics will provide training in the use of its BetterWay capillary blood collection technology as an integrated component of select undergraduate nursing courses and will supervise outreach events where students perform BetterWay's fingertip collection for underserved populations. The agreement will acquaint students with important diagnostic technology as they serve their community.

To date, Babson Diagnostics has already trained 26 UT nursing students to operate its BetterWay blood collection technology-which enables accurate blood testing with a less invasive fingertip collection-as part of an existing relationship through the School of Nursing's AMEN project. Under the five-year clinical affiliation agreement, BetterWay collection tech training will be required for students enrolled in select courses, including the Public Health Nursing Practicum. In this practicum, 10 currently enrolled students have already completed the training and participated in 3 community outreach events co-sponsored by AMEN.

"By collaborating with The University of Texas, we're able to provide the nursing workforce of tomorrow training and access to BetterWay, a modern alternative to venipuncture," said Eric Olson, founder and COO of Babson Diagnostics. "Babson's vision is for accessible, convenient, less invasive diagnostic testing that meets the needs of our local community, and we are excited to carry out this vision with UT Nursing students."

The AMEN project is led by Shalonda Horton, PhD, Clinical Assistant Professor at the UT Austin School of Nursing and funded by Austin Public Health to promote overall physical and mental wellbeing in the community. The project also organizes outreach events, where they offer BetterWay blood testing to underserved and vulnerable populations. Babson Diagnostics provides collection devices, laboratory testing, and supervision for the students throughout the event.

About BetterWay Blood Testing by Babson Diagnostics

BetterWay is blood testing reimagined-patient-friendly fingertip collection with accurate lab results. One in three people skip blood testing due to anxiety, fear of needles, difficult venous access, or inconvenience. BetterWay enables blood testing without phlebotomy. This improves patient experience, increases adherence to testing, optimizes staffing efficiency, and advances health equity. BetterWay was developed by Babson Diagnostics, a science-first healthcare technology company that has become the global thought leader in the use of capillary blood for routine testing.

Media Contact

Ray Young

512.694.0697

ray@razorsharrppr.com

# # #

SOURCE: BetterWay Blood Testing

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/betterway-enters-into-an-affiliation-agreement-with-ut-austin-for-cap-1153478
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - PORTOFINO RESOURCES INC. (TSXV: POR) (OTC Pink: PFFOF) (FSE: POTA) ("Portofino" or the "Company") reports that the Company held indirectly approximately 173 claim cells (the "Cells") associated with the east and west sections of the South of Otter Project (the "Project") expired on March 4, 2026 (the "Expiry Date"). The Cells expired as a result of the Company having insufficient capital to allocate toward exploration activity required by the Ministry of Mines and Northern Development for the Province of Ontario.

Subsequent, to the Expiry Date, the Company entered into a Property Option Agreement (the "Agreement") with an arms-length party that staked the expired Cells along with additional contiguous cells, totalling approximately 180 cells.

Transaction Summary:

To earn a 100% interest, Portofino has agreed to issue 6,000,000 common shares upon TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval and to make cash payments totalling $90,000. Payments will occur over a 3-year period in accordance with the following schedule:

$15,000 cash (paid), and issue 3,000,000 common shares of the Company upon TSXV regulatory approval;

$18,000 cash payment by the 1 st anniversary of the Agreement's effective date, and issue 3,000,000 common shares of the Company;

$25,000 cash payment by the 2 nd anniversary of the Agreement's effective date; and a

$32,000 cash payment by the 3rd anniversary of the Agreement's effective date.

Subsequent to Portofino acquiring its 100% interest, the vendor will retain a 1.5% Net Smelter Return ("NSR"). Portofino will have the right to purchase 0.5% of the NSR at any time for a payment of $500,000.

About Portofino Resources Inc.

Portofino is a Vancouver, Canada-based company focused on exploring and developing mineral resource projects in the Americas. Portofino holds a 100% interest in the (drill ready) Yergo Lithium Project in Catamarca, Argentina situated in the heart of the world-renowned Argentine Lithium Triangle. The Company also holds a 100% interest in two gold exploration projects located within northwestern Ontario, Canada, including the drill-ready, South of Otter, Red Lake gold project, and the Gold Creek, Thunder Bay project which has been optioned to Delta Resources Limited.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Rodney Campbell"

Director, Interim Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements contained herein that are not clearly historical in nature may constitute forward-looking statements. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "will continue", "will occur" or "will be achieved". The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's future business plans. Forward-looking information in this news release is based on certain assumptions and expected future events, namely the growth and development of the Company's business as currently anticipated. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive. Readers are further cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement and reflect the Company's expectations as of the date hereof and are subject to change thereafter. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, estimates or opinions, future events or results or otherwise or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking information, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290710

Source: Portofino Resources Inc.
CitizenX has been nominated as the Best Swiss Citizenship by Investment Company by the World Future Awards, which each year selects top Swiss tech companies across sectors including fintech, AI, and blockchain. It is the first time a citizenship investment firm has appeared in the Swiss category alongside other software and technology companies.

ZUG, SWITZERLAND / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / CitizenX has been nominated as the Best Citizenship by Investment Company by the World Future Awards, which each year selects top Swiss tech companies across sectors including fintech, AI, and blockchain. It is the first time a citizenship investment firm has appeared in the Swiss category alongside other software and technology companies.

CitizenX is the first citizenship investment firm fully incorporated in Switzerland as an AG, a deliberate choice that gives clients access to Swiss data protection law rather than the looser standards common elsewhere in the industry.

"We incorporated in Switzerland because the citizenship industry handles extremely sensitive personal information, and most of it is protected by almost nothing," said Alex Recouso, co-founder and CEO of CitizenX. "Being nominated by the World Future Awards tells us the bet on Swiss standards is paying off."

The company operates a technology platform that lets high-net-worth individuals research, apply for, and manage citizenship and residency-by-investment programs from their phone or computer. Clients can browse more than 25 programs across the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific, compare costs and timelines, upload documents with state-of-the-art encryption, and monitor application progress in real time. A 24/7 concierge team handles questions throughout the process, and the company charges a flat fee with no hidden charges, bringing unparalleled privacy, efficiency, and transparency to complex passport portfolios.

The World Future Awards evaluates Swiss companies on technological innovation, industry impact, market leadership, and client-focused solutions. Its selection board and research team assess nominees using company-provided information and publicly available data, including press coverage, market research, and expert commentary. A board of evaluators with backgrounds across multiple industries reviews the final candidates.

"For a long time, the citizenship investment space was seen as a cottage industry. Lots of law firms and boutique consultancies, very little technology," said Recouso. "Being included alongside Swiss software and AI companies is unusual for this sector."

CitizenX launched in 2024 after briefly operating under the name Baseflow. The company was co-founded by Alex Recouso and Luis Cuende, who previously co-founded Aragon, a decentralized governance platform that powered DAOs managing over $20 billion in assets. Some of its team members also include early Revolut employees. It is backed by investors including Tim Draper and Balaji Srinivasan.

In April 2025, CitizenX acquired Plan B Passport, a firm specializing in second-passport solutions for American high-net-worth families. Plan B's founder, Katie Ananina, joined CitizenX as CMO, bringing her team and a following of over 50,000 on X. The acquisition added citizenship-by-descent programs to CitizenX's offerings and brought the company's combined valuation to over $50 million. The deal was timed to meet surging American demand for second passports, as other companies in the industry reported a 400 percent increase in U.S. client inquiries in early 2025 compared to the prior year.

"The number of Americans looking for second passports has grown enormously," Ananina said. "Five years ago, our typical client was an ultra-high-net-worth individual. Today, we hear from software engineers, doctors, and small business owners who never would have considered this before 2020."

For more information, visit citizenx.com.

About CitizenX

CitizenX is the Swiss tech company behind the first citizenship investment platform fully incorporated in Switzerland. Founded by Alex Recouso and Luis Cuende, the company combines a technology platform with 24/7 concierge support to help high-net-worth individuals acquire citizenship and residency through investment immigration programs worldwide. CitizenX serves clients from over 170 countries across more than 25 programs and operates under Swiss jurisdiction.

About the World Future Awards

The World Future Awards is an international organization that recognizes companies shaping the future of technology and business. For more information, visit worldfutureawards.com.

Media Contact

Organization: CitizenX

Contact Person Name: Katie Ananina

Website: https://citizenx.com

Email: hello@citizenx.com

Contact Number: +141417111366

Address: c/o MJP Partners AG Bahnhofstrasse 20

City: Zug

State: Zug

Country: Switzerland

SOURCE: CitizenX

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/blockchain-and-cryptocurrency/swiss-firm-citizenx-nominated-as-best-citizenship-by-investment-compa-1153612
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Vertiqal Studios Corp. (TSX: VRTS) (FSE: 9PY0) ("Vertiqal Studios" or the "Company") - Vertiqal Studios, a leading digital-channel network and video-production studio, as well as the owners of North America's largest gaming and lifestyle network on social media, announces that, further to its press release of March 25, 2026, the Company is providing a default status report in accordance with the alternative information guidelines set out in National Policy 12-203 - Cease Trade Orders for Continuous Disclosure Defaults ("NP 12-203").

On March 25, 2026, the Company announced (the "Default Announcement") that it anticipated being late in filing its audited annual financial statements, management discussion and analysis, annual information form and certificates of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer (collectively, the "Continuous Disclosure Documents") for the year ended December 31, 2025, by the prescribed deadline of March 31, 2026.

The Company made an application with the applicable securities regulators under NP 12-203 requesting that a management cease trade order ("MCTO") be imposed in respect of the anticipated late filing rather than an issuer cease trade order. The Company is pleased to announce that it has filed its Continuous Disclosure Documents. The Continuous Disclosure Documents can be accessed under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Further, the Company is pleased to announce its financial results for the year ended December 31, 2025, highlighting a year of transformation driven by strategic acquisitions, platform expansion, and the advancement of its programmatic advertising capabilities.

Key Financial Highlights (Year over Year)

Below is a summary of the financial results for the years ended December 31, 2025, and December 31, 2024.



Year ended

December 31, 2025 Year ended

December 31, 2024 Variance

(%) Revenues $5,829,946 $4,861,413 20% Gross Profit $2,509,637 $3,374,894 -26% Total Expenses $12,593,500 $5,756,723 119% Net Loss ($10,491,214) ($2,365,124) 344% EBITDA ($5,044,189) ($2,923,020) 73%

Financial Highlights of Fiscal 2025:

Revenue Composition and Growth: Vertiqal Studios reported a 20% increase in revenue compared to fiscal 2024, highlighting the shift in revenue share. Furthermore, direct media saw an impressive increase of 88% in revenues year over year. This is a testament to the strategic focus and the strength of the offerings in the market.

Vertiqal Studios reported a 20% increase in revenue compared to fiscal 2024, highlighting the shift in revenue share. Furthermore, direct media saw an impressive increase of 88% in revenues year over year. This is a testament to the strategic focus and the strength of the offerings in the market. Capital Structure and Financing Activities: Vertiqal Studios strengthened its capital structure through multiple financing initiatives including the issuance of convertible debentures totaling over $3.8 million in 2025, conversion of approximately $6.2 million of debt into equity and continued access to capital markets to support growth initiatives.

Strategic and Operational Highlights:

Acquisition of Omnia Media Inc. and GameCo Esports Canada Inc., strengthening Vertiqal Studio's programmatic advertising and multichannel network (MCN) capabilities;

Acquisition of proprietary technology assets from Revmo Inc.;

Expansion of owned and operated social media channels across key platforms.

The Company has made meaningful progress towards its transition toward scalable, programmatic advertising revenue through its MCN and owned digital properties. This shift is expected to improve revenue predictability, increase operating leverage over time and diversify monetization beyond direct brand deals.

Fiscal 2026 Outlook

Looking ahead, Vertiqal Studios is focused on:

Scaling advertising revenue across its digital ecosystem;

Integrating acquired businesses to drive synergies and operational efficiencies;

Advancing profitability through cost optimization and revenue growth;

Strengthening its balance sheet through disciplined capital management.

Max Desmarais, CEO of Vertiqal Studios, commented, "2025 was a pivotal year for Vertiqal Studios as we executed on a transformative strategy to evolve into a scaled, technology-driven media and advertising platform. With the integration of Omnia and Revmo, we are building a more diversified and scalable business model positioned for long-term growth."

About Vertiqal Studios

Vertiqal Studios, owners of North America's largest gaming and lifestyle network on social media, is a leading digital-channel network and video-production studio. The company specializes in the creation and distribution of viral videos for brands and advertisers to create always-on digital strategies that live authentically in Gen Z and Millennial culture. Vertiqal Studios partners with leading brands to develop strategic solutions, creative ideation, and content production, while also providing distribution and amplification through its Owned & Operated channels - all delivered with boutique, white-glove service. Its expertise lies with managing over 200 channels across TikTok, Instagram, and Snapchat, while producing over 100+ pieces of content a day for a growing audience of 52 million-plus followers. For more information and to join our email subscriber list for direct press releases and newsletters, visit https://vertiqalstudios.com/.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements and information are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements and information since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature, they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release.

The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290771

Source: Vertiqal Studios
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (CSE: QIMC) (OTCQB: QIMCF) (FSE: 7FJ) ("QIMC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the voting results from its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "Meeting"), held on March 30, 2026.

All matters presented to shareholders at the Meeting were approved with strong support, with each resolution receiving over 99% approval.

A total of 27,863,183 common shares were represented at the Meeting, representing approximately 21.31% of the Company's issued and outstanding shares.

Meeting Highlights

Number of Directors Set at Four (4)

Approved with 99.78% of votes cast in favour.

Election of Directors

All nominees were elected with strong shareholder support:

Fabrice Consalvo - 99.92% in favour

Andre Turmel - 99.69% in favour

Marianne Richer-Lafleche - 99.59% in favour

John Karagiannidis - 99.59% in favour

Appointment of Auditor

Baker Tilly WM LLP was re-appointed as auditor of the Company with 99.83% approval.

Shareholder Rights Plan and Share Compensation Plan

The Company's shareholder rights plan and share compensation plan, as previously announced, were approved by shareholders with over 99% support.

CEO Commentary

John Karagiannidis, President & Chief Executive Officer of QIMC, commented:

"The support demonstrated at this year's AGM-with over 99% approval across all resolutions-reflects our shareholders' confidence in QIMC's governance and strategic direction. We are grateful for their continued trust.

"As we advance our natural hydrogen portfolio across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Minnesota, we remain focused on disciplined exploration, sound stewardship, and transparent communication with our investors. Our proprietary R2G2 framework continues to guide our technical approach and the drilling of our district-scale projects and targets.

"We look forward to providing the market with regular updates on our progress."

Additional Information

Detailed voting results for each resolution are available in the Company's official scrutineer report prepared by Endeavor Trust Corporation.

About Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. (QIMC)

Quebec Innovative Materials Corp. is a North American exploration and development company advancing a portfolio of natural hydrogen and critical mineral projects. The Company is advancing its district-scale hydrogen exploration model across Quebec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and Minnesota (USA), leveraging its proprietary R2G2 framework developed in collaboration with INRS. QIMC is committed to sustainable development, environmental stewardship, and innovation, with the objective of supporting clean energy and decarbonization initiatives.

Disclaimer

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. These statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections as of the date of this press release and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the Company to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Forward-looking statements are generally identified by words such as "expects," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential," and similar expressions, or by statements that events or conditions "will," "may," "could," or "should" occur.

Although the Company believes that the forward-looking information contained herein is reasonable as of the date of this press release, such information is subject to change and no assurance can be given that future results will be achieved. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290742

Source: Quebec Innovative Materials Corp.
Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) today announced that its Annual General Meeting of Shareholders ("AGM") will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at 10:00 AM (BST) at Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 3QL. The results of the voting will be announced as soon as practicable after the conclusion of the AGM.

At the AGM, shareholders will consider the receipt of the annual report and the financial statements, the re-appointment of PSH's auditor and authorization of the Directors to determine its remuneration, the re-election of the existing Directors with the exception of Bilge Ogut, who is not offering herself up for re-election due to having taken a full time executive position, the renewal of PSH's share buy-back authority, the approval to disapply pre-emption rights for any share issuance of 10% (as is customary in the London investment fund market), and the amendment of the Articles to change the Director remuneration limit.

The specific resolutions can be found in the Notice of Annual General Meeting available on PSH's website, https://www.pershingsquareholdings.com/company-reports/notices-shareholders/.

About Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd.

Pershing Square Holdings, Ltd. (LN:PSH) (LN:PSHD) is an investment holding company structured as a closed-ended fund.

Category: (PSH:Events)

The document will shortly be available for inspection on the National Storage Mechanism website: https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331393996/en/

Contacts:

Media

Camarco

Ed Gascoigne-Pees Julia Tilley +44 (0)20 3781 8339, MediaInquiries@pershingsquareholdings.com
Record Mineral Resources Strengthens Long-Term Value and Production Options

Santo Nino Discovery Adds 27.4 Million Silver-Equivalent Ounces to Santa Elena Inferred Resources

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - First Majestic Silver Corp. (NYSE: AG) (TSX: AG) (FSE: FMV) (the "Company" or "First Majestic") is pleased to announce its 2025 Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource estimates for its four operating mines in Mexico and its Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine ("Jerritt Canyon") in Nevada, U.S.A., with an effective date of December 31, 2025. These estimates demonstrate strong year-over-year growth in the Company's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources.1

The Company's four operating mines in Mexico are: the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine ("Santa Elena"), the Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns and operates the mine) ("Los Gatos"), the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine ("San Dimas"), and La Encantada Silver Mine ("La Encantada"). Jerritt Canyon is an advanced-stage development asset that was placed on temporary suspension in March 2023.

In 2025, First Majestic delivered a 4% year-over-year increase in silver-equivalent ounces ("AgEq"), including a 16% increase in silver, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves, while Measured and Indicated ("M&I") Mineral Resources and Inferred Mineral Resources AgEq ounces increased by 50% and 69%, respectively. Growth in contained AgEq ounces is largely due to successful exploration activities and the application of updated metal price assumptions. Santa Elena and Jerritt Canyon delivered the most significant Mineral Resource growth during the year. Higher long-term metal price assumptions contributed positively to portfolio growth, with vein-hosted deposits showing modest growth, while higher gold price assumptions at Jerritt Canyon lowered cut-off grades and drove a significant increase in Mineral Resource contained gold as a result.

At Santa Elena, exploration success was highlighted by the discovery of the Santo Nino silver-gold deposit, which added 4.1 million tonnes of Inferred Mineral Resources containing 27.4 million silver-equivalent ounces, comprised of 9.0 million ounces of silver and 210,000 ounces of gold. Continued exploration of the Navidad vein system expanded Navidad Inferred Resources to 6.4 million tonnes, containing 63.4 million silver-equivalent ounces, comprised of 18.4 million silver ounces and 460 thousand gold ounces.

"2025 represents an extraordinary chapter in First Majestic's growth story," said Keith Neumeyer, CEO of First Majestic. "The first objective of our exploration programs is to replace annual depletion with the drill bit. In 2025, we not only achieved that goal but significantly exceeded it, despite delivering record production in the year. Supported by a highly effective exploration campaign and the increased metal price environment, we expanded our Mineral Resource base to exceptional, unprecedented levels. Santa Elena continued to deliver strong exploration results at the Navidad and Santo Nino discoveries, Los Gatos contributed meaningful growth, and Jerritt Canyon reported a substantial increase in gold resources as bulk-tonnage mining opportunities have emerged. Strong results across the portfolio have positioned the Company to advance an ambitious exploration plan in 2026, reinforcing exploration-driven Mineral Resource growth as a key pillar of long-term value creation at First Majestic."





Figure 1: Map of First Majestic's Material Properties including the Corporate Office and First Mint Facility

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2025 HIGHLIGHTS

264,364 metres of exploration drilling were completed. The 2025 exploration program addressed site-specific life-of-mine opportunities across First Majestic's mines, increasing Inferred Mineral Resources at Santa Elena and Los Gatos, advancing targets across the San Dimas exploration pipeline, testing potential extensions of the Ojuelas resources at La Encantada, and exploring for resource expansion at Jerritt Canyon.

Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves Increased 4% year-over-year (AgEq ounces): Proven and Probable Mineral Reserves at the Company's four operating mines in Mexico totalled 27.4 million tonnes containing 184.8 million AgEq ounces, comprised of 101.7 million ounces of silver, 610,000 ounces of gold, 685.9 million pounds of zinc, 371.4 million pounds of lead, and 39.1 million pounds copper. This represents a 53% increase in tonnes, a 16% increase in silver ounces, a 2% increase in gold ounces, a 17% increase in zinc pounds, an 18% increase in lead pounds and a 21 % increase in copper pounds compared to the prior year. The growth in reserves was driven primarily by drill conversion, higher long-term metal price assumptions and positive economics of La Encantada tailings, offsetting mining depletion.

Measured & Indicated Mineral Resources Increased 50% year-over-year (AgEq ounces): M&I Mineral Resources totalled 86.6 million tonnes containing 652.8 million AgEq ounces, comprised of 145.3 million ounces of silver, 5.24 million ounces of gold, 842.6 million pounds of zinc, 450.2 million pounds of lead, and 44.0 million pounds of copper. This represents a 149% increase in tonnes, a 7% increase in silver ounces, a 79% increase in gold ounces, a 25% increase in zinc pounds, an 25% increase in lead pounds and a 25% increase in copper pounds. The growth in M&I Mineral Resources was driven by successful exploration drilling results, conversion of Inferred to M&I Resources, and updated economic parameters including revised metal price assumptions, offsetting mining depletion.



The increase in M&I Mineral Resources was primarily driven by Santa Elena (+25% AgEq ounces year-over-year) and Jerritt Canyon (+116% gold ounces year-over-year). At Jerritt Canyon, higher gold price assumptions and lower cut-off grades - particularly for lower-cost bulk-mining scenarios - expanded mineralization into lower-grade material, resulting in higher tonnage at lower average grade across both open-pit and underground resources.

Inferred Mineral Resources increased 69% year-over-year (AgEq ounces): Inferred Mineral Resources totalled 77.9 million tonnes containing 592.27 million AgEq ounces, comprised of 113.5 million ounces of silver, 5.2 million ounces of gold, 347.3 million pounds of zinc, 159.2 million pounds of lead, and 18.8 million pounds copper. This represents a 169% increase in tonnes, a 40% increase in silver ounces, a 76% increase in gold ounces, a 103% increase in zinc pounds, an 106% increase in lead pounds and a 168% increase in copper pounds.



Santa Elena delivered the largest percentage increase in Inferred Resources, with AgEq ounces more than doubling (+105%), driven by continued drilling success at the Navidad vein system and the declaration of a maiden Mineral Resource at the Santo Nino silver-gold discovery. Together, Navidad and Santo Nino host 10.5 million tonnes of Inferred Resources containing 90.7 million AgEq ounces, comprised of 27.4 million ounces of silver and 660 thousand ounces of gold, averaging 81 g/t silver and 1.96 g/t gold. The Santo Nino discovery accounts for 4.1 million tonnes containing 27.4 million AgEq ounces, comprised of 9.0 million silver ounces and 210,000 gold ounces, at average grades of 68 g/t silver and 1.57 g/t gold. These two discoveries position Santa Elena for meaningful life-of-mine extension as these resources are advanced through resource conversion and mine planning.



Jerritt Canyon's Inferred Mineral Resource growth was driven by higher gold price assumptions and the resultant lower cut-off grades, which expanded Mineral Resources into lower-grade material across both underground and open-pit mining scenarios. Year-over-year, Jerritt Canyon added 33.6 million tonnes containing 1.7 million ounces of gold. Exploration results from the Company's 2025 Jerritt Canyon drilling program received after December 31, 2025, and announced earlier this month, are not reflected in the Inferred Mineral Resources disclosed in this new release and will be incorporated in the next Mineral Resource update for the property.



Los Gatos also delivered solid growth, with Inferred AgEq ounces increasing by 59% year-over-year, while San Dimas and La Encantada posted more modest increases of 3% and 16%, respectively, year-over-year. The resource growth at Los Gatos is positioning the operation for potential life-of-mine extension as exploration advances in the Southeast, Central, and Northwest Deep targets.

MINERAL RESERVE AND MINERAL RESOURCE SUMMARY

As of December 31, 2025, Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve estimates at the Company's four operating mines totalled 184.8 million AgEq ounces. The 4% year-over-year increase primarily reflects exploration-driven reserve additions and lower cut-off grades supported by higher metal price assumptions, offsetting mining depletion.

As of December 31, 2025, Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource estimates totalled 652.8 million AgEq ounces, while Inferred Mineral Resources totalled 592.3 million AgEq ounces. Year-over-year changes primarily reflect discovery and exploration success, Inferred-to-Indicated resource conversion, and lower cut-off grades supported by higher metal price assumptions, offsetting mining depletion. Resource growth at Jerritt Canyon was driven by higher gold price assumptions and the corresponding reduction in underground and open pit gold cut-off grades.

Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves, and all Mineral Resources reflect mining depletion through 2025. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not demonstrate economic viability.

Table 1: Proven and Probable Mineral Reserve Estimates with an Effective Date of December 31, 2025





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Mineral Reserves have been classified in accordance with the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum ("CIM") Definition Standards on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, whose definitions are incorporated by reference into National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). The Mineral Reserve statement provided in the table above has an effective date of December 31, 2025. The Los Gatos Mineral Reserves are reported on a 70% First Majestic attributable basis. The Mineral Reserve estimates were prepared under the supervision of, or were reviewed by, Andrew Pocock, P.Eng., an employee of First Majestic and the "Qualified Person" (as such term is defined in NI 43-101) responsible for the above Mineral Reserve estimates. The Mineral Reserves were estimated from the Measured and Indicated portions of the Mineral Resource estimates. Inferred Mineral Resources were not considered to be converted into Mineral Reserve estimates. AgEq grade is estimated considering metal price assumptions, metallurgical recovery for the corresponding mineral type/mineral process and the metal payable of the selling contract. The AgEq grade formulas are different for all of the Company's operating mines and are presented in the description of each mine set out in the Company's annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2025 (the "2025 AIF"). Metal prices considered for the Mineral Reserve estimates for Santa Elena, San Dimas and La Encantada were $35/oz Ag and $3,100/oz Au; metal prices considered for Los Gatos were $35/oz Ag, $3,100/oz Au, $0.95/lb Pb, $1.25/lb Zn and $4.35/lb Cu. Other key assumptions and parameters include: metallurgical recoveries; metal payable terms; direct mining costs, processing costs, indirect and G&A costs and sustaining costs. These parameters are different for each mine and mining method assumed and are presented in the description of each mine set out in the 2025 AIF. A two-step constraining approach has been implemented to estimate reserves for each mining method in use: A General Cut-off Grade ("GC") was used to delimit new mining areas that will require development of access, infrastructure, and all sustaining costs. A second Incremental Cut-off Grade ("IC") was considered to include adjacent mineralized material which recoverable value pays for all associated costs, including but not limited to the variable cost of mining and processing, indirect costs, treatment, administration costs, and plant sustaining costs but excludes the access development assumed to be covered by the block above the GC grade. The cut-off grades, metallurgical recoveries, payable terms and modifying factors used to convert Mineral Reserves from Mineral Resources are different for all mines and are presented in the description of each mine set out in the 2025 AIF. Modifying factors for conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves include consideration for planned dilution which is based on spatial and geotechnical aspects of the designed stopes and economic zones, additional dilution consideration due to unplanned events, materials handling and other operating aspects, and mining recovery factors. Mineable shapes were used as geometric constraints. Tonnage is expressed in millions of tonnes; metal content is expressed in millions of ounces for gold and silver and in millions of pounds for zinc, lead, and copper. Metal prices and costs are expressed in USD. Numbers have been rounded as required by reporting guidelines. Totals may not sum due to rounding. The technical reports from which the above-mentioned information is derived are cited under the heading "Scientific and Technical Information - Technical Reports for Material Properties" in the 2025 AIF.

Table 2: Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimates with an Effective Date of December 31, 2025





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Table 3: Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates with an Effective Date of December 31, 2025





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Table 4: Santa Elena - Navidad and Santo Nino Inferred Mineral Resource Estimates with an Effective Date of December 31, 2025

(Included in the Santa Elena Inferred Total (UG + Stockpile))





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Mineral Resource estimates are classified per CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101. The Mineral Resource estimates have an effective date of December 31, 2025. Sample data was collected through a cut-off date of December 31, 2025 for the five properties. All properties account for relevant technical information and mining depletion through December 31, 2025. The Los Gatos Mineral Resources are reported on a 70% First Majestic attributable basis. Mineral Resource estimates were supervised or reviewed by David Rowe, CPG, an employee of First Majestic and the "Qualified Person" (as such term is defined in NI 43-101) responsible for the above Mineral Resource estimates. AgEq grade is estimated considering metal price assumptions, metallurgical recovery for the corresponding mineral type/mineral process and the metal payable of the corresponding contract of each mine. Estimation details are listed in the description of each mine set out in the 2025 AIF. Metal prices considered for all Mineral Resource estimates were $38.50/oz Ag, $3,400/oz Au, $1.05/lb Pb, $1.40/lb Zn and $4.75/lb Cu. The cut-off grades and cut-off values used to report Mineral Resources are different for all mines. The cut-off grades, values and economic parameters are listed in the applicable section describing each mine in the 2025 AIF. Mineral Resources are reported within mineable stope or open pit shapes from the cut-off values calculated using the stated metal prices and metal recoveries in the description of each mine set out in the 2025 AIF. The cut-off values include mill recoveries and payable metal factors appropriate to the existing processing circuit. No dilution was applied to the Mineral Resources which are reported on an in-situ basis. Tonnage is expressed in millions of tonnes; metal content is expressed in millions of ounces for silver, silver equivalent and gold and millions of pounds for copper, lead, and zinc. Totals may not add up due to rounding. Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources are reported inclusive of Mineral Reserves. Mineral Resources that are not Mineral Reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. The technical reports from which the above-mentioned information is derived are cited under the heading "Scientific and Technical Information - Technical Reports for Material Properties" in the 2025 AIF.

First Majestic's drilling programs follow established quality assurance and quality control ("QA/QC") protocols, including the routine insertion of certified reference standards, blanks, and duplicate samples. Drill core is geologically logged and cut in half, with one half submitted for laboratory analysis and the remaining half retained on site for verification, reference, or future metallurgical testing. Core samples were analyzed using industry standard fire assay and atomic absorption analytical methods, with gravimetric finishes applied to over limit results. QA/QC results are routinely reviewed by site and corporate technical personnel and demonstrate acceptable accuracy and precision. The Qualified Persons are of the opinion that the sample preparation, analytical, and security procedures followed are sufficient and reliable for the purposes of the Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve estimates disclosed herein.

For further information regarding QA/QC and data verification procedures, key assumptions, parameters, and methods used to estimate Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, and a discussion of known risks that could materially affect the Company's business and the potential development of Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves, refer to the sections entitled "General Development of the Business - Material Mineral Properties" and "Risk Factors" in the 2025 AIF for the year ended December 31, 2025.

The Company also announces that it has filed its 2025 AIF under its profile on SEDAR+ (available at www.sedarplus.ca), and it has filed its Annual Report on Form 40-F report with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission under its profile on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar). These documents are also available on the Company's website at www.firstmajestic.com .

Shareholders may also receive a copy of First Majestic's Annual Report which includes the Company's audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025, without charge, upon written request to First Majestic, Suite 1800 - 925 West Georgia Street, Vancouver, British Columbia V6C 3L2, Canada, or by e-mail to info@firstmajestic.com.

QUALIFIED PERSONS

Scientific and technical disclosure for the material properties is based on technical reports prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 (collectively, the "Technical Reports"). The Technical Reports have been filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca, and are also available of the Company's website at www.firstmajestic.com. The technical information has been updated with more current information where appropriate.

Gonzalo Mercado, P.Geo., the Company's Vice-President of Exploration & Technical Services, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information contained in this news release and has verified the underlying data. Mineral Resource estimates set out in this news release were prepared under the supervision of, or were reviewed by, David Rowe, CPG, the Company's Director of Mineral Development. Mineral Reserve estimates set out in this news release were prepared under the supervision of, or were reviewed by, Andrew Pocock, P.Eng., the Company's Director, Technical Services. Messrs. Mercado, Rowe and Pocock are each a "Qualified Person" as defined under NI 43-101.

ABOUT FIRST MAJESTIC

First Majestic is a publicly traded mining company focused on silver and gold production in Mexico and the United States. The Company presently owns and operates four producing underground mines in Mexico: the Santa Elena Silver/Gold Mine, the Los Gatos Silver Mine (the Company holds a 70% interest in the Los Gatos Joint Venture that owns and operates the mine), the San Dimas Silver/Gold Mine, and the La Encantada Silver Mine, as well as a portfolio of development and exploration assets, including the Jerritt Canyon Gold Mine located in northeastern Nevada, U.S.A.

First Majestic is proud to own and operate its own minting facility, First Mint, LLC, and to offer a portion of its silver production for sale to the public. Bars, ingots, coins, and medallions are available for purchase online at www.firstmint.com, at some of the lowest premiums available.

FIRST MAJESTIC SILVER CORP.

"signed"

Keith Neumeyer, CEO

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian and U.S. securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance, business prospects or opportunities that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management made in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results and future events may differ materially from those anticipated. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "may", "will", "project", "predict", "forecast", "potential", "target", "intend", "could", "might", "should", "believe" and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements".

Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to materially differ from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including but not limited to: material adverse changes, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts with the company to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; and the failure of exploration programs or studies to deliver anticipated results or results that would justify and support continued exploration, studies, development or operations. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, or intended.

The Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included herein should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date hereof. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

Cautionary Note to United States Investors

The Company is a "foreign private issuer" as defined in Rule 3b-4 under the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and is eligible to rely upon the Canada-U.S. Multi-Jurisdictional Disclosure System, and is therefore permitted to prepare the technical information contained herein in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of the securities laws currently in effect in the United States. Accordingly, information concerning mineral deposits set forth herein may not be comparable with information made public by companies that report in accordance with U.S. standards.

Technical disclosure contained in this news release has not been prepared in accordance with the requirements of United States securities laws and uses terms that comply with reporting standards in Canada with certain estimates prepared in accordance with NI 43-101.

NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators that establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning the issuer's material mineral projects.

________________________

1 See the tables under the heading "Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource Summary" for details regarding the grade/quality and quantity for the various categories of Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources set out in this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290748

Source: First Majestic Silver Corp.
Leadership addition supports advancement of gold resources and strategic tungsten assets in California's historic Rand Mining District

INDIAN WELLS, CA / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / B&N Mining Inc. ("B&N" or the "Company") today announced that Sam J. Shoemaker, Jr. has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, effective April 1, 2026. Mr. Shoemaker brings more than four decades of experience in mining operations, engineering, consulting, and executive leadership. He has served as an independent consulting mining engineer to the Company since 2020, and has worked closely with B&N's leadership team in advancing its projects across the historic Rand Mining District.

Mr. Shoemaker earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Mining Engineering from the Montana College of Mineral Science and Technology in 1983. Over his career, he has held numerous operational and executive leadership roles throughout the mining industry, including corporate-level roles such as Chief Mine Engineer at Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Ore Company.

He has extensive experience in both surface and underground mining operations across a wide range of commodities including gold, silver, copper, iron, lead, zinc, uranium, rare earth elements, tungsten, nickel, platinum, palladium, lithium, industrial minerals, and construction aggregates.

Mr. Shoemaker is a registered member of the Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME) and the Mining and Metallurgical Society of America (MMSA). He has served on multiple SME committees including Chair of the Mining and Exploration Division and has contributed to several governance, finance, and scholarship committees within the organization. His recognitions include the Mining and Exploration Division Past Chair Award, the Mining and Exploration Division Distinguished Service Award, and the SME Distinguished Member and Fellow Award in 2020.

"This initiative represents an important step toward rebuilding a secure domestic supply chain for critical minerals," said Sam Shoemaker, Chief Operating Officer of B&N Mining Inc. "Working alongside our technical partners, we are developing the foundation required to advance both our gold and tungsten assets, with a focus on disciplined execution and long-term value creation."

Robert Binkele, Chief Executive Officer of B&N Mining Inc., commented:

"Sam has played an important role in the advancement of our projects over the past several years, and we are very pleased to welcome him into the role of Chief Operating Officer. His extensive operational experience and deep understanding of our properties position B&N well as we move into our next phase of development. We are focused on unlocking the full value of our gold and tungsten assets while positioning B&N as a key contributor to the domestic supply of strategic minerals."

Diversified Asset Portfolio Across Gold and Strategic Metals

B&N's portfolio provides a combination of near-term development opportunities in gold and long-term exposure to critical minerals, particularly tungsten.

B&N Mining Inc. is focused on revitalizing the historic Rand Mining District at a time when global demand for both precious metals and strategic minerals continues to grow. The Company's expanding focus on tungsten places it within an increasingly important sector as the United States seeks to strengthen domestic supply chains for critical and defense-related metals.

The Company has previously reported a mineral resource estimate at its Kelly Southwest gold deposit totaling 306,000 ounces of gold and recently completed a 22,000-foot drilling program at its Black Hawk and Kelly North gold deposits. An updated mineral resource estimate for the Kelly Project is expected in early April 2026.

B&N has also reported a mineral resource estimate at its Atolia Tungsten Project totaling 27.7 million pounds of tungsten trioxide (WO3) along with approximately 70,000 troy ounces of gold. The project positions the Company to participate in the rapidly growing market for strategic and defense-critical materials, where domestic supply remains limited.

The Company is actively evaluating development pathways for its tungsten assets, including potential downstream processing opportunities and strategic partnerships to support domestic supply chain development.

In addition to the Atolia Tungsten Project, B&N controls the historic Kelly Mine at Red Mountain, which has recorded total historic production exceeding 20 million troy ounces of silver, along with the King Solomon, Butte, Butte Wedge, Little Butte Extension, Minnehaha, and Napoleon mines, which collectively produced approximately 300,000 troy ounces of gold historically. The Company also holds mineral interests in the Cerro Gordo, Skidoo, Wild Rose, Silver Mountain, and Lake Isabella regions.

B&N is committed to responsible development practices that preserve the rich history of the Rand Mining District while advancing modern mining operations that support long-term economic and resource development in southeastern California.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future exploration results, mineral resource estimates, project development timelines, commodity potential, and the Company's strategic plans. These statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied.

Contact

B&N Mining Inc.

Email: info@bnmininginc.com

Phone: 760-409-7117

Website: www.bnmininginc.com

SOURCE: B&N Mining, Inc.

View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/bandn-mining-inc.-appoints-veteran-mining-executive-sam-j.-shoem-1152813
Franklin, Tennessee--(Newsfile Corp. - March 31, 2026) - Dr. Christina Rahm, a recognized leader in science and innovation, has been selected as one of "MSN's Top 10 Trailblazing Women in 2026," a prestigious honor spotlighting women whose work is reshaping industries and driving meaningful impact across communities. The recognition appears in MSN's feature highlighting women at the forefront of change this year.

"I'm truly honored to be featured in MSN's "Top 10 Trailblazing Women in 2026!" This recognition reflects not just my journey, but the collective power of science, innovation and purpose-driven leadership," said Dr. Christina Rahm. "I'm deeply grateful for the teams and communities who support this work and even more inspired to accelerate impact, uplift others and continue breaking barriers. Let's keep pushing boundaries!"

As a respected voice in her field, Dr. Rahm's work has consistently exemplified excellence, creativity and leadership. Her contributions span groundbreaking research, strategic collaborations and a steadfast commitment to empowering others through mentorship, advocacy and community engagement.

Key highlights of Dr. Rahm's recognition:

Trailblazing Achievements: Earning multiple international honors for scientific innovation and global impact, Dr. Rahm has been recognized with two "Silver Stevie" awards, along with distinctions such as "Top Patented Scientist of the Decade" and "Empowered Woman of the Year" from the International Association of Top Businesses.

Earning multiple international honors for scientific innovation and global impact, Dr. Rahm has been recognized with two "Silver Stevie" awards, along with distinctions such as "Top Patented Scientist of the Decade" and "Empowered Woman of the Year" from the International Association of Top Businesses. Ongoing Innovation: Transformative impact in science, innovation and purpose-driven solutions defines her work. Dr.Rahm recently established Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a state-of-the-art research and development center in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, focused on sustainable biotechnology solutions, including plant-based detoxification, seed research and next-generation applications in textiles and cleanroom technology.

Transformative impact in science, innovation and purpose-driven solutions defines her work. Dr.Rahm recently established Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a state-of-the-art research and development center in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, focused on sustainable biotechnology solutions, including plant-based detoxification, seed research and next-generation applications in textiles and cleanroom technology. Community and Collaboration: A strong commitment to fostering inclusive environments and uplifting diverse voices across sectors remains central to Dr. Rahm's impact. Dr.Rahm host multiple conferences, bringing people from around the world together to engage in meaningful discussions, forge valuable connections and develop innovative solutions to common challenges, introducing new strategies and fostering collaboration. By participating, attendees will be at the forefront of shaping the future of leadership.

The MSN recognition underscores Dr. Rahm's commitment to driving progress and inspiring future generations of leaders. Her selection among a distinguished group of women innovators reflects a career defined by dedication, resilience, and impact.

###

About Dr. Christina Rahm

Dr. Christina Rahm is a scientist, inventor and entrepreneur advancing the intersection of biotechnology, health and sustainability. As the founder and CEO of DRC Ventures, she leads over 20 companies that develop science-based, sustainable consumer solutions. She is also the co-founder of The ROOT Brands and founder of Xoted Biotechnology Labs, a multimillion-dollar research center specializing in plant-based detoxification and regenerative science.

Dr. Rahm holds seven approved patents, with over 40 patents pending, and has developed more than 170 proprietary processes and formulas for wellness innovation.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/290772

Source: DRC Ventures
Darnitsa to Hold Shareholders' Meeting on April 24

PJSC Pharmaceutical Company Darnitsa" will hold its annual shareholders' meeting on April 24, 2026, in Kyiv. In its published announcement, the company listed 12 items on the agenda, including the CEO's report for 2025, the Supervisory Boards report, approval of financial and operational results and annual information, review of the audit report, profit distribution, preliminary approval of significant transactions for 20262027, amendments to the charter, as well as the termination of powers and re-election of the Supervisory Board and approval of contract terms with its members.

Darnitsa is one of Ukraines largest pharmaceutical companies and one of the countrys best-known manufacturers of medicines.

The company was founded in 1930 and produces a wide range of prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Its production facilities and headquarters are located in Kyiv. The company remains a privately owned Ukrainian pharmaceutical group with a strong position in the domestic market.












Gorodok Quarry to Hold Shareholders Meeting on April 3

Gorodok Quarry (OJSC) will hold its annual general meeting of shareholders on April 3, 2026, via remote participation.

Shareholders will review the financial statements, operating results, and other matters related to the companys management.

Quarry companies supply the market with crushed stone, rock, and other non-metallic materials, which form the basis for the construction of roads, housing, and infrastructure facilities. Against the backdrop of Ukraines future recovery, companies in this sector may gain additional significance as suppliers of raw materials for the construction sector.
Madrid Imposes Strict Restrictions on Short-Term Rentals

According to Open4Business, Madrid authorities are tightening restrictions on short-term rentals, focusing on removing tourist apartments from residential buildings and relocating part of the citys hotel supply to non-residential and industrial zones. This follows from official documents from the Madrid City Council regarding the RESIDE plan and subsequent decisions on its implementation.

The RESIDE plan, presented by the city government in November 2024 and finally enacted in August 2025 following approval by the Madrid Regional Government, served as the primary source of these changes. The plan prohibits the placement of tourist apartments in residential buildings in the citys historic center, including ground floors with separate entrances, while in the rest of Madrid, such activity is permitted in residential buildings only if the entire building is dedicated to this purpose. At the same time, licenses for this type of operation outside the central zone are issued for 15 years, after which the property must revert to residential use.

The city government justifies the stricter rules as a measure to protect the permanent housing stock. According to the RESIDE plan itself, the number of tourist apartments in Madrid has doubled since 2017, reaching 16,100, while only about 7% of such properties held a legal license. At the same time, 42% of all tourist apartments in the city are concentrated in the central district.

At the same time, Madrids authorities have begun promoting an alternative model for accommodating tourists and visitors. On March 5, 2026, the city council announced that it is preparing a special plan that will allow for the establishment of aparthotels, flex living, and other short- and medium-term accommodation formats on over 240 sites across eight districts, primarily in industrial zones with an already established commercial function. City officials emphasize that the goal of this measure is to decentralize tourist flows and remove short-term accommodations from traditional residential neighborhoods.

Thus, Madrid is not merely restricting short-term rentals but is restructuring the entire model of tourist accommodation: housing in residential buildings is receiving stricter protection, while new accommodation formats are being directed toward non-residential areas and specialized sites. Given the pressure tourism exerts on the housing market in Spains capital, this policy appears to be one of the strictest among major European cities.

https://open4business.com.ua/madryd-zaprovadzhuye-zhorstki-obmezhennya-na-korotkostrokovu-orendu-zhytla/




Google Pixel 11 has surfaced in the first set of renders, thanks to @OneLeaks. This shows a familiar design with flat sides, but the camera bar is bigger but thinner even with a similar triple rear camera setup.

The phone is said to measure 152.8 x 72 x 8.5mm, similar to the Pixel 10 since it is said to retain a similar 6.3-inch OLED screen. It is said to get the Tensor G6 processor, which is said to be a 7-core chipset using TSMCs 2nm process.

This is also expected to get a new MediaTek M90 modem for the first time, dropping the Samsung modem. The phone is said to get a new Titan M3 security coprocessor, codenamed Google Epic, after years of using Titan M2 in its phones.

We can expect a similar 12GB of RAM, 128GB and 256GB storage options. The phone is expected to run Android 17 out of the box since the stable version is expected before the release of the phone.

Recent rumours revealed an ultra-low-light video mode that allows for direct on-device processing, enabling users to capture high-quality videos in low-light conditions without requiring an internet connection. The phone is also expected to include Cinematic Blur at 4K at 30 fps and a new video relight function for customizable lighting adjustments.

The Google Pixel 11 series is expected to go official in August, similar to last year.

Source
New Beijing-Helsinki direct route launched to boost China-Finland ties

Xinhua) 10:56, March 31, 2026

HELSINKI, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Representatives from the aviation, tourism and business sectors on Monday voiced expectations that China Southern Airlines' new direct route between Beijing and Helsinki will boost tourism, trade ties and exchanges between China and Finland.

The remarks were made at an event hosted by China Southern Airlines in Helsinki, one day after the successful inaugural direct flight between the Chinese and Finnish capitals.

Nearly 200 guests, including representatives from China Southern Airlines, Finnish airport operator Finavia, Finnish national tourism board Visit Finland, the Chinese Embassy in Finland, local authorities, the media, and the travel and business sectors, attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Zeng Yongchao, executive vice president of China Southern Air Holding Company, said the new route will make travel between the two countries smoother, expand business and tourism opportunities, and offer passengers a more convenient and comfortable experience.

The route, launched on Sunday and operated by Boeing 787 wide-body aircraft, will initially run three times a week before increasing to daily service from June 20, Zeng said, noting that the route links not only Helsinki and Beijing, but also Finland with the broader Chinese market.

Finavia CEO Kimmo Maki said the route will provide European travelers with a fast and efficient connection to Beijing and onward to other parts of China and Asia, while also helping attract more Chinese visitors to Finland.

Teemu Ahola, director of international operations at Visit Finland, said the direct link has been long-awaited and will support not only tourism, but also trade, cultural exchanges and broader bilateral ties.

He said Chinese tourists have long been an important source for Finland's tourism industry, adding that Chinese overnight stays in Finland rose 20 percent last year to nearly 250,000.

Chen Huixin, charge d'affaires ad interim of the Chinese Embassy in Finland, said the direct link between the two capitals will inject fresh momentum into bilateral exchanges, as Beijing and Helsinki are marking the 20th anniversary of their sister-city relationship this year.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Welcome to my genealogy blog. Genea-Musings features genealogy research tips and techniques, genealogy news items and commentary, genealogy humor, San Diego genealogy society news, family history research and some family history stories from the keyboard of Randy Seaver (of Chula Vista CA), who thinks that Genealogy Research Is really FUN! Copyright (c) Randall J. Seaver, 2006-2024.
A man convicted of heroin trafficking after a 2018 traffic stop had his appeal denied by the Colorado Court of Appeals Thursday.

Pedro Martinez-Hernandez was convicted in 2021 of possession of heroin with intent to distribute, possession of heroin, and a number of traffic violations. He was sentenced to 16 years in prison and has since been paroled.

Martinez-Hernandez was stopped by CSP Trooper Christian Bollen in March 2018, ostensibly for traveling in the left lane and weaving over the middle line.

Martinez-Hernandez said he had flown from New York to Los Angeles and was driving from Los Angeles to Michigan to see his son. After confirming that the minivan was a rental car rented under someone elses name and seeing that the GPS had the destination as Bronx, New York, Trooper Bollen had suspicion that Martinez-Hernandez was carrying drugs in the minivan, the appeals courts unpublished (meaning it isnt setting a precedent) opinion stated.

According to court documents, a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the presence of narcotics in the van, and CSP troopers searched the vehicle and found about seven kilograms of a substance wrapped in cellophane behind a rear trunk panel.

Field testing of the substance produced a presumptive positive for cocaine, but the substance actually turned out to be heroin, according to court documents.

According to court documents, Martinez-Hernandez was repeatedly unhappy with his court-appointed attorneys and represented himself at trial.

Martinez-Hernandez argued on his appeal that the court erred by finding he had knowingly waived his right to an attorney, and by not appointing him advisory counsel.

He also contended the court empaneled three biased jurors, the prosecution committed misconduct, and a fabricated video was used as evidence against him.

According to court documents, Martinez-Hernandez was appointed three different attorneys and continued to ask the court to proceed representing himself.

In Colorado, a series of 14 questions pertaining to the defendants knowledge of the law and their right to an attorney known as an Arguello advisement is typically asked of defendants who wish to represent themselves. According to court documents, Martinez was administered the Arguello advisement and answered that he understood what he was getting into.

Whether a defendant validly waived his right to counsel is a mixed question of law and fact, meaning we defer to the trial courts factual findings if supported by the record but review de novo the legal question of whether the facts establish a valid waiver, the appeals court wrote.

The appeals court said the totality of circumstances supports the contention Martinez-Hernandez knowingly waived his right to counsel.

The appeals court also found that Martinez-Hernandez didnt move to strike any of the supposedly biased jurors.

We conclude that by failing to exercise any peremptory strikes, Martinez-Hernandez waived any challenge to the trial courts failure to excuse allegedly biased jurors, the appeals court wrote.

As for Martinez-Hernandezs prosecutorial misconduct, he claimed the prosecution had given him discovery only four days before the trial. The prosecution admitted this was true, but said they assumed one of Martinez-Hernandezs previous attorneys had given him the discovery. The court offered to continue the trial so Martinez-Hernandez could have more time to prepare, but he declined.

Martinez-Hernandez also claimed a fabricated video was used to convict him, but did not offer any evidence the video had been fabricated, according to the appeals court.

Christian Bollen, the trooper who stopped Martinez-Hernandez, was at the center of several controversies during his time in Mesa County.

Bollen, now a sergeant based in Jefferson County, was a member of CSPs smuggling, trafficking and interdiction unit in Fruita, which is separate from Fruita Troop 4A, when it was under the leadership of sergeant Aaron Laing, who was found to have altered at least 13 reports to remove mentions of unmarked Homeland Security Investigations cars that were in the area of traffic stops.

Charges dropped against man accused of transporting heroin The charges against a man arrested after Colorado State Patrol troopers found heroin in a ca

Laing is no longer with Colorado State Patrol, and has received a credibility disclosure, known as a Brady Letter, that will prevent most law enforcement agencies from hiring him.

District Attorney Dan Rubinstein wrote in a letter in December 2022 that he had credibility concerns with Bollen, whom Rubinstein said he had reasons to believe did not disclose information he should have disclosed while testifying in a June hearing. The case in question was at the center of the investigation into Laing.

In the traffic stop, Bollen pulled over a vehicle for following another vehicle too closely, but did not say in his report that the vehicle that was being followed too closely was an unmarked Homeland Security Investigations vehicle.

During the investigation into Laings conduct, Bollen told a Colorado Bureau of Investigation agent he omitted the information because I dont think it matters who the driver is on whether or not there is a violation.

He also omitted the information while being questioned by a defense attorney in court, leading to Rubinsteins letter, which was released after Rubinstein gained access to the contents of the investigation into Laings actions.

The Colorado Supreme Court ruled against Bollens probable cause for two drug arrests in 2022, saying he did not have enough cause to conduct a pair of traffic stops.

Bollen also stopped a 50-year-old Chinese national in January 2022 and claimed in the arrest affidavit the man had 1,600 pounds of marijuana. When the marijuana was eventually weighed it turned out to be 25 pounds. The charges against the man were dropped.
Russo-Ukraine War - 30 March 2026 - Day 1496

Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31

A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.

On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace.

"To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal]

The French Ministere des Armees et des Anciens combattants reported that territorial gains remain stable.

It also reporrted that, over the previous 24 hours, the FAFR have targeted the oblasts of Khmelnytskyi [A], Chernihiv [B], Sumy [C], Poltava [D], Kharkiv [E], Donetsk [F], Dnipropetrovsk [G], Zaporizhzhia [H], Kherson [I], Mykolaiv [J], and Odesa [K]. The FAFR have targeted residential areas in overwhelming majority, as well as a few energy facilities, causing power outages in the western part of the country. In total, 442 drones (including 300 Geran-2 drones) have targeted Ukraine. The Ukrainian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 380 drones, for an interception rate of 86%. The Russian ground-to-air defense has claimed the interception of 229 drones.

Over the previous 24 hours, the FAU have once again targeted infrastructure related to hydrocarbon exports in the major port of Ust-Luga located in the Leningrad oblast, in the Gulf of Finland. This oblast has been targeted for the 7th consecutive night.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that in total, 120 combat clashes have taken place since the beginning of this day.

The defense forces continue to stop the Russian enemy, destroy personnel and exhaust the combat potential of the Russian occupiers, inflicting systematic fire damage.

The Russian enemy carried out 50 air strikes - dropped 162 guided bombs. In addition, it involved 4,663 kamikaze drones for destruction and carried out 2,853 attacks on settlements and positions of Ukrainian troops.

In the North-Slobozhansk and Kursk directions, Russian forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders once today, in addition, it carried out 86 attacks on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including two using multiple launch rocket systems.

In the South-Slobozhansk direction, the Russian enemy stormed the positions of Ukrainian units three times in the areas of settlements, Starytsia, Vovchansk and towards Khatne.

In the Kupyansk direction, Ukrainian defenders repelled ten Russian assaults towards the settlements of Novoosinove, Kurylivka, Pishchane and Kupyansk. Four clashes are still ongoing.

In the Lymansk direction, one clash with the Russian enemy is ongoing in the area of Novoyehorivka.

In the Slavyansk direction, Ukrainian soldiers repelled four Russian assaults in the areas of the settlements of Rai-Oleksandrivka and Zakitne.

In the Kramatorsk direction, the Russian enemy did not conduct offensive operations.

In the Kostyantynivka direction, the Russian occupiers stormed the positions of Ukrainian defenders 14 times today near the settlements of Kostyantynivka, Kleban-Byk, Pleshchiivka, Ivanopillya, Novopavlivka, Stepanivka, Sofiivka. One clash is still ongoing.

In the Pokrovsky direction, the Russian enemy carried out 24 attacks. The Russian occupiers tried to advance in the areas of the settlements of Toretske, Myrnograd, Rodynske, Pokrovsk, Hryshyne, Udachne, Novomykolaivka, Molodetske. One clash is ongoing.

According to preliminary estimates, today in this direction 65 Russian occupiers were eliminated and 29 were wounded; four units of automobiles and two units of special enemy equipment were destroyed, two command posts were damaged, a tank, 35 infantry shelters, four artillery systems and a unit of automobile equipment were damaged. 157 unmanned aerial vehicles of various types were destroyed or suppressed.

In the Oleksandrivka direction, the Russian occupiers tried to improve their position eight times, attacking in the area of Berezovoye, Kalynivske and towards Oleksandrivka and Verbovoye. Havrylivka and Lisne were under Russian air strikes.

In the Hulyaipil direction, there were 12 attacks by the invaders in the areas of Hulyaipil, Bilogirya and towards the settlements of Staroukrainka and Zaliznychne. The Russian enemy carried out air strikes in the areas of the settlements of Vozdvizhivka, Novoselivka, Shyroke, Charivne. One battle is currently ongoing.

In the Orikhov direction, Russian forces did not conduct offensive operations, but carried out air strikes on Orikhov and Malaya Tokmachka.

In the Prydniprovskie direction, no Russian assault operations were recorded.

In other directions, there were no significant changes in the situation.

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

Units of the Sever Group of Forces inflicted losses on manpower and hardware a mechanised Brigade and three territorial defence brigades close to Miropolye, Novodmitrovka, Novaya Sech, and Volnya Sloboda (Sumy region).

In Kharkov region, Russian units hit a mechanised brigade, two motorised infantry brigades of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and a territorial defence brigade near Izbitskoye, Shevchenkovo, Ternovaya, and Pokalyanoye (Kharkov region).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 265 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, and nine motor vehicles. Two counter-fire radars, an electronic warfare station, an ammunition depot, and five material depots were neutralised.

As a result of resolute actions, elements of the Zapad Group of Forces liberated Novoosinovo (Kharkov region).

They also inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, an airmobile brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and two territorial defence brigades near Blagodatovka, Sinichino, Borovaya (Kharkov region), Krasny Liman, Stary Karavan, and Shchurovo (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses amounted to up to 190 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, 24 motor vehicles, three artillery guns, and a counter-fire radar. One ammunition depot was wiped out.

The Yuzhnaya Group's elements took more advantageous lines and positions. They delivered strikes on formations of three mechanised brigades, a motorised infantry brigade, an assault brigade, an airmobile brigade, a separate centre of AFU special operations forces, and a territorial defence brigade near Alekseyevo-Druzhkovka, Konstantinovka, Nikonorovka, Malaya Piskunovka, Krestishche and Kramatorsk (Donetsk People's Republic).

The AFU losses amounted to up to 155 troops, three armoured fighting vehicles, 14 motor vehicles, six artillery guns, including two Western-made artillery guns, and three electronic warfare stations. Two ammunition depots and five materiel depots were neutralised.

The Tsentr Group's units improved the situation along the front line. Russian troops inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware of four mechanised brigades, an infantry brigade, an assault regiment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a marine brigade, and three territorial defence brigades close to Sergeyevka, Dobropolye, Maryevka, Svetloye, Krasnoyarskoye (Donetsk People's Republic), and Mezhevaya and Gavrilovka (Dnepropetrovsk region).

The AFU losses amounted to more than 415 troops, a tank, five armoured fighting vehicles, 17 motor vehicles, and an electronic warfare station.

The Vostok Group's units continued to advance to the depths of the enemy's defence and liberated Lugovskoye (Zaporozhye region) as a result of active actions.

They hit units of an assault brigade, three air assault brigades, five assault regiments of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and a territorial defence brigade close to Velikomikhaylovka, Pokrovskoye, Dobropasovo, Bogadarovka, Pisantsy (Dnepropetrovsk region), Dolinka, Voskresenka, Zorevka, Vozdivzhevka, Maryanovka, and Lyubitskoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy lost more than 275 troops, two armoured fighting vehicles, seven motor vehicles, an artillery gun, and a materiel depot.

The Dnepr Group's units improved the tactical situation and inflicted losses on manpower and hardware of a mechanised brigade and a mountain assault brigade close to Orekhov and Dimitrovo (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy sustained losses of up to 60 troops, an armoured fighting vehicle, 12 motor vehicles, two electronic warfare stations, and two materiel depots.

Operational-tactical aviation, attack drones, missile troops, and artillery of the Russian groups of forces have inflicted damage on aircraft at military airfields, energy infrastructure facilities of Ukraine used for the interests of the Armed Forces of Ukraine; launching sites of long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, temporary deployment areas of Ukrainian armed groups and foreign mercenaries in 162 regions.

Air defence systems shot down five guided aerial bombs, three Neptune long-range guided missiles, and 312 fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles.

In total, since the beginning of the special military operation, the enemy has lost 671 aircraft, 284 helicopters, 129,405 unmanned aerial vehicles, 652 anti-aircraft missile systems, 28,579 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,694 MLRS combat vehicles, 34,169 field artillery guns and mortars, and 58,176 special military vehicles.

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Verstappen admits he may consider quitting F1

Max Verstappen has openly admitted he could consider walking away from Formula 1, as his frustration with the 2026 rules and Red Bull's struggles continues to build.

Max Verstappen, Japanese GP 2026

 Red Bull

The Dutchman cut an increasingly resigned figure at Suzuka, even revealing how he was laughing during the race as he was overtaken by Pierre Gasly.

Yes, I waved to him because I was suddenly 50 kmh slower again, the quadruple world champion said.

"You can't overtake normally. It's possible, but after that, on the straight, your battery dies. I try to just laugh about it, because being upset all the time doesn't make sense either.

But I was already counting the laps to the finish. Still 15 to go, 10 more, 5 more! Come on! Ah, finally it's done.

Behind the humour, however, lies a more serious message about his future.

In the coming weeks or months, Verstappen answered when asked if he is contemplating his future.

Life goes on. There is not just Formula 1 in life. There are several things you can do.

He insisted the core issue is not performance, but enjoyment.

You just think about 'is it worth it?' Or do I enjoy being more at home with my family? Seeing my friends more when you're not enjoying your sport?

Now I think I'm committing 100 percent and I'm still trying, but the way that I am telling myself to give it 100 percent I think is not very healthy at the moment because I am not enjoying what I'm doing.

Former driver Christijan Albers believes Verstappen's comments should be taken seriously.

This is a serious interview, he said. This just needs to be changed. He just has to stay in Formula 1.

Albers hinted that Verstappen is scheduled to soon hold another round of talks with F1 chief executive Stefano Domenicali, as pressure builds on the sport's leadership.

I know there is a dinner on the program between him and Stefano Domenicali, he said.

However, Verstappen's boss Laurent Mekies insists the situation is more straightforward internally at Red Bull.

I'm sure if we give him a quick car, that Max will be much, much happier, he said.

If we give him a car with which he can push and make a difference, then Max will also be much happier. That's actually one hundred percent the content of our conversations.

(GMM)
Featured

Bank eyes GSE listing as BoG weighs recapitalisation deadline extension

Kweku Zurek Business News Mar - 31 - 2026 , 16:58

The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has disclosed that one of the two banks yet to meet the minimum capital requirement is planning to list on the Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) as part of efforts to shore up its capital position.

The central bank, in a publication of its March 2026 bi-monthly engagement with the media, indicated that while both banks are still working to meet the regulatory threshold, the process may extend beyond the stipulated deadline. It explained that one of the institutions is pursuing a strategic investor, while the other has formally notified the regulator and the stock exchange of its intention to raise capital through a public listing.

The BoG Governor Johnson Pandit Asiama at a recent press conference to announce the decision of the Monetary Policy Committee, said the Bank is closely monitoring progress and may grant some flexibility where there is clear evidence of commitment and advancement towards compliance.

Out of the two banks, one is making significant progress towards meeting the recapitalisation requirements, and we may consider giving that institution some extension, he said at a press conference following the Monetary Policy Committee meeting.

The planned stock market listing is expected to provide a pathway for the bank to attract new investors and strengthen its capital base, at a time when the regulator is tightening oversight of the sector.

Dr Asiama noted that the central banks approach is aimed at preserving financial system stability while supporting institutions deemed viable.

We want to ensure that the process is completed successfully without undermining the stability of the banking sector, he added.

He acknowledged that the second bank is also making efforts to meet the requirement, although it remains at a different stage and may require closer regulatory engagement.

The other bank is making efforts as well, but it is at a different stage. We will continue to monitor developments and engage them accordingly, he said.

The Governor emphasised that any extension of the recapitalisation deadline would be conditional and based on measurable progress.

Any extension granted will be based on clear evidence of progress and commitment to meeting the requirements, he emphasised.
Featured

Government targets lower borrowing costs with 1212.5% bond guidance

GraphicOnline Business News Mar - 31 - 2026 , 07:21

The government has set an initial pricing guidance of 12 to 12.5 per cent for its new seven-year cedi-denominated bond, signalling a potential decline in borrowing costs as it returns to the domestic debt market.

The range, announced in a market update following the launch of the bond, will guide investor expectations ahead of the final rate determination, which is expected after the book-building process closes on April 1.

The move marks Ghanas first issuance of a bond of this tenor since 2022, following the disruption of the domestic market by the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme introduced in 2023.

Market analysts say the pricing guidance points to improving macroeconomic conditions, noting that existing seven-year bonds on the secondary market are currently trading between 13 and 14 per cent. The lower range being proposed suggests renewed investor confidence and easing risk perceptions.

The book-building process for the bond is now open, with the Finance Ministry indicating that updates, including any revisions to pricing, will depend on investor demand. Settlement is scheduled for April 7.

Investors are also watching closely for the size of the issuance, which has not yet been disclosed, as government seeks to re-establish a consistent domestic borrowing programme.

According to the issuance terms, the bond is open to both resident and non-resident investors, with a minimum bid of GH50,000, widening access beyond traditional institutional players.

Proceeds from the bond will be used to finance projects outlined in the 2026 budget, while also supporting liquidity management and refinancing of maturing debt obligations.

Authorities say the issuance is part of a broader strategy to rebuild Ghanas sovereign yield curve, expand investment options in the domestic market and restore confidence among investors following recent debt restructuring efforts.
Featured

MTN Ghana rises GH0.12 as GCB leads banking sell-off in quarter-end trading

Kweku Zurek Business News Mar - 31 - 2026 , 16:27

The Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE) closed the first quarter of 2026 on a subdued note, with the GSE Composite Index (GSE-CI) slipping 35.43 points to finish at 13,060.13, as selling pressure in banking stocks offset gains in telecommunications.

Trading data for the 7,182nd session, held on March 31, 2026, showed elevated activity as investors positioned themselves ahead of the quarter-end, with total volume surging to 6,522,556 shares and aggregate value hitting GH39,027,143.05.

Market capitalisation settled at GH243.73 billion, reflecting a modest pullback from Mondays close as the market wrapped up a volatile first three months of the year.

MTN Ghana leads gainers

Scancom PLC (MTNGH) continued its recovery from last weeks steep declines, adding GH0.12 to close at GH5.40. The telecommunications heavyweight was the most actively traded counter by a wide margin, with 5,425,723 shares changing handsaccounting for more than 83 per cent of all trading activityand contributing GH29,280,069.98 to total market value.

Cocoa Processing Company PLC (CPC) recorded a gain of GH0.01 to close at GH0.11, while Clydestone (Ghana) PLC (CLYD) traded at GH1.08, though its closing price remained unchanged at GH0.99.

Banking stocks extend decline

GCB Bank PLC (GCB) led the laggards, plunging GH2.99 to close at GH27.06, with 233,976 shares traded. Societe Generale Ghana PLC (SOGEGH) fell GH0.18 to GH6.49, while Ecobank Transnational Inc. (ETI) shed GH0.14 to GH1.49.

Enterprise Group PLC (EGL) declined by GH0.23 to GH11.77, while SIC Insurance Company PLC (SIC) dipped GH0.04 to GH3.30. Ghana Oil Company Limited (GOIL) edged down GH0.04 to GH7.84, and Standard Chartered Bank Ghana PLC (SCB) eased GH0.07 to GH71.40.

BOPP holds steady

Benso Palm Plantation PLC (BOPP) maintained its historic triple-digit price level, closing unchanged at GH100.00, with 2,849 shares traded, contributing GH284,900 to total market value.

Unchanged Stocks

A significant number of stocks recorded no price movement during Tuesdays session, including Access Bank (ACCESS), Agricultural Development Bank (ADB), AngloGold Ashanti (AGA), Aluworks (ALW), Asante Gold Corporation (ASG), Atlantic Lithium (ALLGH), Cal Bank (CAL), Camelot (CMLT), Dannex Ayrton Starwin (DASPHARMA), Ecobank Ghana (EGH), Fan Milk (FML), First Atlantic Bank (FAB), Guinness Ghana Breweries (GGBL), Mega African Capital (MAC), PBC, Republic Bank (RBGH), Trust Bank Gambia (TBL), TotalEnergies (TOTAL), Tullow Oil (TLW), Unilever (UNIL), and NewGold (GLD).

On the Ghana Alternative Market, all stocks remained unchanged.

Quarter in review

The GSE-CI has now gained 48.91 per cent since the start of the year, while the financial stocks index remains up 71.86 per cent year-to-date, despite the sharp correction from record highs reached in mid-March.

The benchmark index touched an all-time high of 15,908.77 on March 18 before shedding nearly 18 per cent over the subsequent two weeks. The volatility reflected a combination of profit-taking in heavily weighted stocks, particularly MTN Ghana and banking counters, following an extraordinary rally earlier in the quarter.

Tuesdays session brought the first quarter to a close, with investors now looking ahead to corporate earnings announcements and the broader macroeconomic outlook for the remainder of the year.
What Lydia Forson said about plus-size women who were once only cast as funny characters

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Featured

GTA sets Kwahu Paragliding festival for April 36

Graphic Showbiz Showbiz News Mar - 31 - 2026 , 12:57 2 minutes read

The Ghana Tourism Authority (GTA), under the auspices of the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, has announced the 2026 edition of the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival, scheduled for April 3 to April 6 at the Odweanoma Mountains in the Eastern Region.

The event, which has become Ghanas premier adventure tourism attraction, will be held under the patronage of President John Dramani Mahama, with support from the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie.

It is being organised by the GTA, led by its Chief Executive Officer, Maame Efua Houadjeto.

Over the years, the Kwahu Easter Paragliding Festival has grown into the centrepiece of Easter celebrations in the Kwahu enclave, attracting thousands of local and international tourists.

It complements the vibrant social activities traditionally associated with the Easter festivities in the area.

This years edition will feature tandem flights for patrons, aerial displays and safety demonstrations, alongside tourism exhibitions and curated visitor experiences aimed at promoting Ghana as a preferred destination for adventure and domestic tourism.

Beyond the paragliding experience, a wide range of activities are expected across the Kwahu towns during the Easter period.

These include street carnivals, musical concerts, nightlife events, cultural performances, traditional displays, food bazaars showcasing Ghanaian cuisine, and exhibitions of Made-in-Ghana products.

There will also be tourism activation programmes, community engagement initiatives, youth-oriented recreational events, as well as corporate and private sector activities.

According to the GTA, the festival forms part of governments broader strategy to boost domestic tourism, create jobs and strengthen the tourism, culture and creative arts sector as a key driver of national development.

The Authority added that it is collaborating with the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council, Kwahu traditional authorities, local assemblies, security agencies and private sector partners to ensure a safe and successful event.

The general public, corporate bodies, development partners and international tourists have been invited to participate in the festival and experience Ghanas rich culture, hospitality and adventure tourism offerings during the Easter celebrations.
Featured

Court orders SHS students to pay compensation for assault on teacher

GNA Mar - 31 - 2026 , 11:39 2 minutes read

An Adenta Circuit Court has ordered three students to pay GH4,000 each in compensation to a teacher they assaulted and to sign a two-year bond of good behaviour or face imprisonment.

The students  Hassan Bashiru and Mohassan Bashiru, both of Frafraha Community Day Senior High School, and Mustapha Sani, also known as Dady, an okada rider whose school was not disclosed  were found guilty after changing their pleas.

The compensation is to be paid to Mr Nicolas Teye, a Social Studies teacher at West Africa Senior High School (WASS), who was the complainant in the case.

The three were initially charged with conspiracy to commit a crime, unlawful presence on school premises and assault. Hassan Bashiru faced an additional charge of causing harm after allegedly striking Mr Teye on the head with a stick, rendering him unconscious.

Presenting the facts, the prosecution, led by Chief Inspector Maxwell Lanyo, told the court that on February 13, 2026, the accused persons went to WASS during school hours to visit their girlfriends.

Mr Teye reportedly asked them to leave the classroom, but they refused until he and other teachers forced them off the premises.

The court heard that later the same day, the trio returned on motorbikes and a bicycle, confronted the teacher and assaulted him.

Mr Teye sustained a head injury and was treated at the Pantang Government Hospital, where he was advised to undergo an MRI scan due to the severity of his condition.

Police arrested the accused on February 16, 2026, after which they admitted the offences in their caution statements.

Appearing before the court with their lawyers, the accused persons changed their pleas from not guilty to guilty.

The court subsequently imposed the fines, compensation order and a two-year bond of good behaviour, warning that failure to comply would result in a custodial sentence of two years.
Featured

EOCO, Council of State member clash over fraud probe and court ruling

GraphicOnline Mar - 31 - 2026 , 07:35 2 minutes read

A dispute between the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO) and a member of the Council of State, Gabriel T.K.A Kwamigah-Atokple, has escalated following allegations of unlawful conduct and defiance of a court ruling.

In a statement dated March 30, 2026, Mr Kwamigah-Atokple demanded that EOCOs Acting Executive Director, Raymond Archer, issue a public apology within 12 hours or face legal action. He accused the agency of abusing its powers in an investigation involving his company, Sesi-Edem Company Limited.

The investigation was initiated in November 2025 after a petition by JG Resources Ltd and Unigold Trading LLC, alleging fraud and money laundering in relation to a gold supply transaction valued at GH57.7 million. EOCO subsequently invited the companys Managing Director for questioning and ordered the freezing of its bank accounts.

Mr Kwamigah-Atokple said the company complied with all requests, submitting documents and cooperating with investigators. He maintained that the transaction was a legitimate commercial agreement and rejected claims of wrongdoing.

On March 19, 2026, the High Court in Adentan ruled that EOCO had acted without lawful mandate and ordered the immediate defreezing of the companys accounts. The court also held that the matter was civil in nature.

Mr Kwamigah-Atokple, however, accused EOCO of continuing its investigation despite the ruling and of publicly declaring him a wanted person without due process.

Mr Archers contemptuous claim that EOCO still has the mandate to investigate, despite the courts determination otherwise, betrays a lack of understanding and respect for the law and the judicial process.

EOCO must obey the decision of the courts and finally put a stop to the use of the media to settle scores after losing in court. Let it be understood that restraint is not weakness.

I will take all lawful steps necessary to protect my name, my business and the integrity of the courts authority if, within the next 12 hours, Mr Archer and his office fail to issue a full public apology and withdraw the contemptuous release. I stand firmly on the side of the law, and I expect every public institution to do the same.

EOCO, in its press release, said it had invited Mr Kwamigah-Atokple to assist with investigations but he failed to honour the invitation. The agency maintains that the case remains under investigation.

Mr Kwamigah-Atokple has also petitioned John Dramani Mahama to dismiss Mr Archer and his deputy, citing alleged abuse of office and disregard for judicial authority.

He said EOCOs actions could undermine public confidence in state institutions and the justice system.
Featured

KsTU @ 70: GTEC will not usurp powers of tertiary institutions councils  Prof. Jinapor

Gilbert Mawuli Agbey Mar - 31 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

The Ghana Tertiary Education Commission (GTEC) will not usurp the powers of governing councils of tertiary institutions and recognises the councils legal responsibility of being the highest decision-making body of these institutions, the Director-General of GTEC, Professor Ahmed Abdulai Jinapor, has said.

According to him, the commission would continuously respect the enviable position of governing councils and would do everything to protect the same.

GTEC will continue to work with the different stakeholders, including the University Teachers Association of Ghana (UTAG), Technical University Teachers Association of Ghana (TUTAG), and all the different players within the tertiary educational enterprise, informed by dialogue to perfect that space, he stressed.

Anniversary durbar

Prof. Jinapor made the remarks while addressing a durbar to climax the 70th anniversary celebration of the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) last Saturday.

It was on the theme: 70 years of transformative technical education: Honouring our legacy, shaping the future.

His statement came on the heels of recent calls for him and his deputy to resign by some colleagues in the tertiary education landscape.

They accused them of overreaching and usurping the powers of governing councils and Vice Chancellors, among others.

More instructive was when GTEC asked a publicly funded university to reverse the fee increment of some 100-200 per cent because approval had not been granted by the statutory mandated bodies of the state, while a union of the same institution was calling for the heads of the GTEC leadership.

I want to use this opportunity to publicly commend and applaud VCG-TU for their very mature intervention during this period of seeming upheaval, he said.

Reforms

He mentioned that GTEC had introduced bold reforms to streamline accreditation, strengthen quality assurance and enhance governance, saying, The Accreditation Management Information System (AMIS), launched in 2024, has digitised and accelerated accreditation processes.

Additionally, he stated that the GTEC Engagement Series and other initiatives had created platforms for dialogue, collaboration and shared problem-solving, as well as GTECs upcoming ranking of all tertiary educational institutions in Ghana.

Prof. Jinapor charged the KsTU to invest in emerging fields that represent the future of work, especially data analytics, mechatronics, green technologies, additive manufacturing, agro-tech innovation and digital design.

Curriculum design

The Managing Director of Attachy Company Limited, Kwame Atta Acheampong, in a keynote address, called for the strict participation of industry players directly in curriculum design to ensure that its processes and skills aligned with modern production systems and new technologies.

The Ashanti Regional Minister, Dr Frank Amoakohene, who represented the Vice-President, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, assured the university of the governments commitment towards improving KsTUs infrastructure to enhance academic work.

He commended the institution for its contributions towards the growth and development of the nation, saying, We appreciate your efforts for the past 70 years and urge you to do more to train the needed human capital for national development.

The Vice-Chancellor, KsTU, Prof. Gabriel Dwomoh, said the celebration highlighted the institutions strides in STEM education, contributions to technical and vocational education and training and the countless innovations birthed within laboratories that were solving real-world problems.

The Bantamahene, Baffour Owusu Amankwatia VI, who represented the Asantehene, Otumfuo Osei Tutu II, charged the faculty and students to strive to come up with solutions to address the myriad of socio-economic challenges facing the nation.
Featured

More than 2000 bipolar cases reported in 3 regions

Joselyn Kafui Nyadzi Mar - 31 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

Within the last four years (2022-2025), more than 2,000 people were diagnosed with bipolar disorder in three regions in the country.

The regions  Ashanti, Greater Accra and Central  consistently recorded not less than 2,000 cases over the period, a situation that has been described as worrying.

The Deputy Director of Health Promotion at the Mental Health Authority, Dr Yaw Amankwa Arthur, disclosed this at a capacity-building session for guidance and counselling coordinators and school health programme coordinators in the Ablekuma West Municipal Education Directorate in Accra, yesterday.

It was organised by the Mental Health Authority as part of activities to commemorate this years World Bipolar Day.

It was aimed at equipping school authorities with the requisite knowledge to identify symptoms early, and to also support affected students, as part of the authoritys broader commitment to improving mental health awareness and ensuring that conversations around bipolar disorder were accurate, respectful and devoid of stigma, discrimination and embarrassment.

Condition

Dr Arthur said the bipolar condition remained widely misunderstood, contributing to stigma and delayed treatment.

He explained that everyday stressors and lifestyle factors could predispose individuals to mental health conditions, making awareness and self-care essential.

Dr Arthur further said that mental health conditions had implications for national development, citing research which shows that mental health costs accounted for about seven per cent of the countrys Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

He, therefore, called on organisations and individuals to invest in mental health awareness and care, since collective action would enhance national productivity.

Treatment

Dr Arthur said mental health services had been integrated into primary healthcare, making access to support more readily available across the country.

He reiterated the need for continuous public education to ensure early detection, reduce stigma and improve outcomes for people living with bipolar disorder.

Dr Arthur also said bipolar disorder could be managed through medication, therapy, or a combination of both, and urged the public to seek early treatment at health facilities to make it easier to manage and treat.

Stigma

In a speech read on his behalf, the acting Director of the authority, Dr Eugene K. Dordoye, said reducing stigma and discrimination was critical to encouraging persons living with bipolar disorder to seek help without fear.

He also said that there was a need to strengthen collaboration between the health and education sectors to promote mental health awareness, particularly among young people, including providing appropriate support systems in schools and communities.

For his part, the Ablekuma West Municipal Director of Education, Christian Julius Aforlah, commended the authority for the initiative.

We have about 155 teachers who are benefiting from this training; it will help them create awareness and know how to handle learners, he said.

The director also said that the programme would be expanded to cover all teachers in the municipality, adding that more than 500 teachers were expected to benefit in subsequent phases.
Featured

President receives credentials of 5 envoys

Kester Aburam Korankye Mar - 31 - 2026 , 09:57 3 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama yesterday received Letters of Credence from five newly appointed ambassadors and high commissioners at a ceremony at the Jubilee House in Accra.

They were  Diarra Dime Labille (France), Rui Orlando Ferreira De Ceita Da Silva Xavier (Angola), Ndiyakupi Nghituwamata (Namibia), Jacquiline Natepi Ben Lochalamoi (South Sudan), and Cong Song of the People's Republic of China.

China

President Mahama expressed gratitude to the Chinese President, Xi Jinping, and the Chinese government for their constructive engagement in Ghana's debt restructuring under the G20 Common Framework.

"China and France were the co-chairs of the framework that discussed Ghana's restructuring, and China played a very positive role in getting us there," he said.

The President said that since the restructuring agreement was signed, Ghana had honoured its commitments, bringing debt levels back to sustainable thresholds.

He extended appreciation to President Xi for his invitation to him to visit China, and the bilateral discussions held during that visit, including two grants, one to establish flower markets, and another to fund the establishment of a university in the Savannah Region.

President Mahama further said there was a growing Chinese investor footprint in Ghana's mining sector, specifically Cardinal Namdini, one of the major gold mine companies in the country, owned and operated by Chinese interests, as well as a recent transfer of the Bogoso mine from Newmont to a Chinese investor.

President Mahama added that the two countries had also agreed in principle on a zero-tariff trade arrangement, and expressed hope it would be signed and operationalised soon.

It would allow Ghana to export agricultural products such as cocoa and rubber, as well as oil and gold, to the Chinese market duty-free.

History

On the depth of Ghana-China relations, President Mahama traced the bilateral bond back to the era of Ghana's first President, Osagyefo Dr Kwame Nkrumah, and Chinese leaders at the time  Chairman Mao Zedong and Premier Zhou Enlai.

He recalled that it was in China that Dr Nkrumah first learned of the 1966 coup that toppled his government while en route to Hanoi.

"We share a lot of history," President Mahama said, adding that Ghana remained committed to expanding cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative, while looking forward to an upcoming Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC).

Commitment

President Mahama also extended warm wishes to the heads of state of France, Angola, Namibia and South Sudan, through their respective newly accredited representatives.

He reaffirmed Ghana's commitment to strengthening ties with each of those countries and expressed confidence that the incoming envoys would deepen cooperation across trade, diplomacy and development.

The credentials ceremony is a formal diplomatic tradition through which newly appointed ambassadors officially present their letters, signed by their respective heads of state, authorising them to represent their country in Ghana.

Appeal

President Mahama appealed to the French President, Emmanuel Macron, to support Ghanas request for a waiver from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to enable the country to proceed with critical defence acquisitions.

He said security-related investments must be prioritised, even as Ghana continued to implement its economic recovery programme under the IMF.

President Mahama explained that strengthening both air and naval capabilities was essential, as the country faced increasing security threats, including piracy and the potential spillover of terrorism from the Sahel region.
Featured

Under-invoicing rocks raw rubber exports

Michael Quaye Mar - 31 - 2026 , 11:03 6 minutes read

Investigations by the Daily Graphic have revealed an under-declaration of over $70 million exports of rubber over two years.

The checks indicate that export volumes exceeded stated permits, with a compromised system that threatens the countrys local processing infrastructure.

For instance, discoveries include export Free on Board (FOB) under-declaration of nearly $50 million in 2024 and more than $21.5 million in 2025, where the export volumes exceeded official export permits issued in both instances.

Export data of raw rubber obtained from the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) show that the nation exported 89.68 million tonnes of raw rubber in 2024 alone, although the industrys supervising body, the Tree Crops Development Authority (TCDA), did not issue a single permit for raw rubber export in that year.

Conversely, the TCDA issued permits for the export of 13,000 tonnes of raw rubber in 2025. However, official data covering the entire year, except for October and November, show that 39,000 tonnes of raw rubber were exported, representing an excess of 26,000 tonnes of raw rubber export, nearly 200 per cent more than the issued permits.

The scale of under-invoicing in the raw rubber export business appears to facilitate a systematic repatriation of resources from the economy.

For instance, TCDA set the average minimum price of raw rubber for 2024 and 2025 at GH8.62 and GH9.08 per kilogramme, respectively, but the average declared FOB price for 2024 and 2025 by exporters of raw rubber was GH0.99 and GH1.91 per kilogramme, respectively.

This means that every kilogramme of exported raw rubber in 2024 and 2025 was under-invoiced by an average of GH7.63 and GH7.17, respectively.

Cumulatively, raw rubber exports were, therefore, under-invoiced by more than $49.6 million in 2024 alone, and by more than $21 million in 2025.

This means exporters declared just about 12 per cent of the actual value and volume of raw rubber exports for 2024, and about 22 per cent of the export in 2025.

FOB under-declarations

The FOB under-declarations tell a far more complex story.

In the export business, Section 15 of the Foreign Exchange Act, 2006 (Act 723) requires exporters to repatriate the full export proceeds through a licensed bank to meet the obligation of the Letters of Commitment necessary for export.

The process ensures that they return the entire export revenue into the local economy.

By under-invoicing the value of exports, however, the exporter may keep the difference in value offshore that is, outside the economy of Ghana.

So, for 2024, the complicit exporters brought back just $6.17 million into the Ghanaian economy out of the actual export value of $55.83 million, while in 2025, they shipped out $26.03 million worth of raw rubber but brought back just $4.48 million.

Customs records available to the Daily Graphic suggest that two agencies dominated the raw rubber export trade in 2024 and 2025.

For instance, one of the companies exported raw rubber to the tune of $44.96 million in value in 2024, representing about 91 per cent of raw rubber export for that year, while the second company also exported raw rubber to the tune of $21.23 million in value last year, representing 98 per cent of the total raw rubber exports for that year.

Intriguingly, the two major exporter company stated their FOB prices in July 2025 to be $0.069 equivalent to GH0.72 per kilogramme (KG), against the TCDAs minimum price of GH9.8.

A rubber cultivator, George Eshun, who farms in the Nzema East District in the Western North Region, confirmed to the Daily Graphic that raw rubber was sold locally for GH8.30 currently.

He admitted, however, that he sold to whoever was ready and willing to buy, and that the market was not restricted to local processors.

Industry data

However, the issues within the system are even more complex and controversial.

Although local rubber processing factories currently have a combined capacity of 171,460 tonnes per year, industry data show that the country produced just around 110,800 tonnes of raw rubber in 2025, for instance.

This means that the countrys rubber processing capacity far outstrips the raw rubber production scale by a deficit of more than 60,000 tonnes, constituting about 35 per cent of the raw rubber produced by the country.

The wide deficit consequently leaves the local processing infrastructure idle for most of the year as the country is unable to supply in adequate quantities to meet local processing scale.

Export restriction

It is for this reason that the government announced a restriction on raw rubber export to ensure adequate supplies for local processing factories.

In January this year, the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, stated during her turn at the Government Accountability Series that Cabinet had approved restrictions on the export of raw natural rubber to protect domestic industries and ensure that local manufacturers had access to an adequate supply of raw materials.

Before that pronouncement, the Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, had announced the action during the presentation of the 2026 Budget Statement to Parliament in November last year.

Indeed, with approximately 39,000 tonnes of raw rubber exported in 2025, for instance, domestic processors were left with only about 60,000 tonnes of raw rubber to process.

"The truth is that the picture I see is not too pleasant for the industry," a stakeholder told the Daily Graphic.

Ultimately, the situation has exposed local processing companies to the risk of collapse.

Currently, all the local rubber processing firms are producing at less than 40 per cent capacity, with jobs cut by more than 35 per cent.

Since 2024, one of the local processing factories, Apex, has not processed a single ounce of raw rubber.

Data available to the Daily Graphic suggests that five of the other six processing factories have scaled down due to the lack of raw rubber.

But the problem lies deeper and extends into industry job security, youth employment, the value of investments in rubber processing infrastructure, and even state revenue from taxes.

Frustrations

Some correspondences obtained by the Daily Graphic reveal the frustrations of the Association of Natural Rubber Actors of Ghana (ANRAG) regarding the continued export of raw rubber.

For instance, by a letter dated July 2, 2025, the association, through its President, Emmanuel Owusu, raised concern over "the continued transportation and apparent export of raw rubber within the Tema Port enclave".

In response, however, the TCDA stated in a letter dated October 20, 2025, that "we do not possess the legal authority to unilaterally ban or suspend the business operations of licensed entities, including the exporters of unprocessed rubber".

The letter signed by the Chief Executive Officer of the authority, Dr Andrews Osei Okrah, instead insisted that the TCDA "has introduced and enforced stricter regulatory controls in the rubber industry, which are already yielding measurable benefits", and that "since the introduction of TCDA's licensing and export permit regime, both the number of exporters and the volume of raw rubber exports have declined significantly".
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Govt commits GH25m seed fund for Ghana Defence University project

GraphicOnline Mar - 31 - 2026 , 21:05 2 minutes read

The Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, has reaffirmed the governments commitment to establishing the Ghana Defence University, assuring the Military High Command that concrete and strategic steps are being taken to realise the project.

Speaking during a site inspection of the proposed location for the university, the Minister disclosed that the government, through the Ghana Education Trust Fund, is finalising modalities to secure sustainable funding and deliver the critical infrastructure required for the institutions take-off.

He further revealed that GH25 million has been earmarked as seed funding under the 2026 GETFund formula to support the initial phase of the project.

Mr Iddrisu also indicated that efforts are underway to establish the necessary legal framework for the university. He noted that he is currently liaising with the Office of the Attorney-General to finalise a draft bill for submission to Parliament for consideration and approval.

Underscoring the importance of the initiative, the Minister described the Ghana Armed Forces as a beacon of discipline and professionalism.

If there is any institution of the state that still holds the highest standards of professionalism, it is our military, he stated.

He further recommended expanding the universitys academic scope to include emerging fields such as Artificial Intelligence, stressing the need to align military training with modern technological advancements and evolving global security trends.

The Minister was accompanied on the inspection tour by the Deputy Minister for Defence, Ernest Brogya Genfi, who commended him for his leadership and proactive role in advancing the project.

Also speaking at the event, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General William Agyapong, highlighted the broader significance of the proposed institution.

He noted that the university would not only serve the Ghana Armed Forces, but will also provide professional training for other security agencies, including the Police Service, Prisons Service, and allied institutions within Ghana and across neighbouring countries.

Once established, the Ghana Defence University is expected to serve as a centre of excellence in military education, research and strategic training, contributing significantly to national development, regional cooperation and enhanced security capacity.
Featured

I will not answer for anything  Muntaka enforces new rules to stop double claims

Mohammed Ali Mar - 31 - 2026 , 15:26 4 minutes read

The Minister for the Interior, Muntaka Mohammed-Mubarak, has directed that all financial requests from agencies under his ministry must receive his approval before being forwarded to the Ministry of Finance, in a move aimed at eliminating duplicate claims and strengthening accountability.

The directive follows concerns raised during a sitting of Parliaments Public Accounts Committee over repeated and inconsistent financial submissions by agencies, which have contributed to discrepancies in government accounts.

New control measures

Speaking at the hearing in Accra on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, Mr Muntaka said the new measure was designed to close gaps that allow multiple requests for the same obligation to be processed.

I had to write officially to the Minister of Finance that when we went for that validation meeting, I told the officials that if you do not let these expenditures and letters pass through me, do not call me to come and answer for them. I will not answer for anything that did not pass through me, he stated.

He explained that centralising approvals would improve oversight and ensure proper tracking of all financial requests originating from agencies under the ministry.

To avoid double letters or multiple requests, I will not allow any letter to leave the Ministry of the Interior to Finance without my signature. Even if it is going to a cleaner in the Ministry of Finance, it will be signed by the Minister, he stressed.

Heads of agencies to take responsibility

The Minister further directed that heads of agencies must personally sign all financial requests, effectively barring deputies and other officers from doing so.

For example, if you take the Immigration Service, the head has deputies, and each of them could write a letter to Finance through me. I have written to all of them that no deputy should sign. I want the head to sign so that the person is aware of it and will be responsible for it, he said.

Mr Muntaka noted that the absence of a central control point had made it possible for duplicate requests to slip through the system.

If I have to sign every letter to Finance and I keep track of it, if I have already asked for payment for this table and it comes again, I will see it. But if people write directly to Finance without passing through me, one person can write for the same item and another officer also writes for it, and you end up with duplication, he added.

Committee raises systemic concerns

The issue emerged during deliberations on discrepancies identified in the review of government liabilities, where some payments already settled were still recorded as outstanding claims.

The Chair of the Committee, Abena Osei-Asare, said the focus was on strengthening systems rather than assigning blame.

This is not to accuse anybody of anything. There are structural issues that we want to address. What I want to see is what checks and balances you have put in place so that these things do not occur again, she said.

She also emphasised the importance of continuity in governance and proper record-keeping, particularly during transitions.

Whether they were there or not, there is continuity in government. We are looking at the stock of liabilities, and that is when you see these huge sums of money, she noted.

Call for stronger reconciliation systems

Members of the committee highlighted weaknesses in reconciliation processes and called for stricter and more regular verification of financial records.

One thing is clear. It all comes down to reconciliation. Making sure we reconcile monthly and quarterly will help check some of these issues, a member of the committee said.

Responding to the concerns, Mr Muntaka called for stronger internal controls across all agencies.

Let us check our systems, make sure we are on top of them and put controls in place. In terms of reconciliation, let us do it regularly. If one person is put in charge to take responsibility, it will help prevent some of these occurrences, he said.

Possible breaches under scrutiny

The hearing also raised concerns about financial transactions that may not have been fully captured within the governments financial management system, prompting calls for further verification.

Mr Muntaka described any confirmed breach as a serious offence.

There is no way any payment will get to the Controller if it is not through the system, unless people present documentation that has not gone through it. If this has happened, then it is something that must be investigated. For me, it is a crime, he said.

Officials from the Ghana National Fire Service told the committee that measures had already been introduced to improve internal reconciliation, including the formation of a dedicated team to regularly review outstanding commitments and payments.

The committee is expected to incorporate its findings into a final report as it continues its examination of financial records across ministries, departments and agencies.
Featured

President Mahama sends security recruitment fees issue to Cabinet for review

Mohammed Ali Mar - 31 - 2026 , 11:53 2 minutes read

President John Dramani Mahama has indicated that applicants who were unsuccessful in the recent security services recruitment exercise could be reconsidered under a proposed four-year rolling plan, while the issue of application fees will be referred to Cabinet for review.

He made the remarks during a Presidential Dialogue with Civil Society Organisations in Accra on March 30, 2026. The meeting brought together representatives from 162 civil society groups.

Responding to concerns raised at the forum, President Mahama said the number of unique applicants stood at about 280,000.

He explained that the widely cited figure of nearly 500,000, earlier confirmed by the Interior Minister, included multiple applications submitted by individuals across the various security services.

The President said the government intends to retain the database of applicants and use it to recruit about 10,000 people annually over a four-year period, bringing the total number of potential recruits to 40,000.

Just because they did not get 65 per cent does not mean that they do not qualify, he said. Let us use it as a rolling database for 40,000, taking 10,000 per year for four years.

He also indicated that the 65 per cent pass mark for the aptitude test could be reviewed to accommodate other qualities required for security work.

It is not aptitude alone that is important. You need courage. You need other attributes apart from mental ability, he said.

President Mahama noted that some candidates who performed well in written tests struggled under operational conditions, while others with lower scores demonstrated greater resilience in the field.

On the issue of application fees, he acknowledged concerns about the financial burden on applicants, particularly the unemployed, describing the experience as distressing for those who paid but were unsuccessful.

I will not make any pronouncements on that, but it is something that we will bring to Cabinet for a decision, he said.

The remarks form part of the governments response to public concerns over the recruitment process. The Majority in Parliament had earlier rejected calls by the Minority for a refund of fees paid by disqualified applicants.

The recruitment exercise has attracted criticism from sections of the public and political actors, with renewed calls for reforms to improve transparency and fairness.

The dialogue is part of a broader series of engagements under the governments Resetting Ghana Tour, which is expected to cover all 16 regions.
Featured

Supreme Court sets April 21 to hear Wesley Girls' religious rights case

Justice Agbenorsi Mar - 31 - 2026 , 12:20 2 minutes read

The Supreme Court has fixed Tuesday, April 21, 2026, to hear arguments in a case challenging the constitutionality of certain directives of Wesley Girls' High School.

The plaintiff, Shafic Osman, is asking the apex court to declare that the schools policy, which allegedly compels Muslim students to attend Christian services and restricts them from practising their religion, is inconsistent with the provisions of the 1992 Constitution.

At the previous hearing, the court granted the Board of Directors of the school 14 days to respond to the allegations.

However, the school has argued that its Board lacks the legal capacity to be served with the suit. It maintains that the appropriate party is the Trustees of the Methodist Church, who own the schools land and properties.

Catholic Church files submissions

In a related development, the Catholic Church has filed written submissions to assist the court in determining the matter.

The Church argued that the Supreme Court lacks jurisdiction to hear the case, stating that the proper forum for enforcing the rights of the Muslim students is the High Court.

It further contended that faith-based schools are not state-owned institutions but are established and run with church resources.

On that basis, the Catholic Church argued that a person may be deemed to have waived certain religious rights upon voluntarily choosing to attend a faith-based school.

Attorney-Generals position

The Deputy Attorney-General, Dr Justice Srem-Sai, has also argued that the school is owned by the Methodist Church and not the state, and therefore has the right to practise its religion in line with Methodist doctrine.

He added that Wesley Girls' High School remains entitled to government funding despite its religious character.

According to him, the state cannot take away the religious rights of the school solely because it receives public funds.

The case is expected to test the balance between constitutional rights to religious freedom and the autonomy of faith-based educational institutions.
Featured

'We dont need more MBAs'  GEA boss calls for law to fix Ghanas skills crisis

Nana Konadu Agyeman Politics Mar - 31 - 2026 , 19:59 3 minutes read

The President of the Ghana Employers Association (GEA), Nana Dr E. Adu-Sarkodee Afriyie, has called on Parliament to enact legislation to clearly define the countrys development objectives and align them with the human capital produced by universities.

He said Ghanas current human capital base does not match its development needs, warning that the mismatch is affecting business growth and employment.

According to him, universities continue to produce graduates who lack the practical skills and knowledge required by industry.

We are still producing lots of MBAs, and nobody needs them for anything, he said.

Call for urgent realignment

Speaking during an engagement with the Minority Caucus at the GEA head office in Accra on March 31, Nana Dr Afriyie stressed the need for a fundamental shift in the countrys approach to human capital development.

We think that the human capital needs a drastic alignment with the developmental needs of the nation.

We need people who can actually do things for the nation, and we are not finding them to employ, and that is the problem that we are facing, he said.

He emphasised that a clear policy direction would guide universities in training the right calibre of graduates to support national development.

Minority engages business community

The meeting formed part of efforts by the Minority Caucus, led by Minority Leader Alexander Afenyo-Markin, to engage stakeholders on challenges affecting businesses and employment.

The discussions focused on identifying constraints within the business environment and exploring solutions to improve job creation.

Participants also considered establishing a joint working group to meet quarterly to exchange ideas and propose reforms to strengthen the private sector.

Other members of the delegation included Deputy Minority Leader Patricia Appiagyei; Member of Parliament for Ofoase/Ayirebi and Ranking Member on the Economy and Development Committee, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah; MP for Obuasi West, Kwaku Kwarteng; Ranking Member on the Trade, Industry and Tourism Committee, Michael Okyere Baafi; and Deputy Ranking Member on the Economy and Development Committee, Tweneboa Kodua Fokuo.

Bipartisan collaboration needed

Nana Dr Afriyie urged political actors to work together to address the countrys human capital challenges.

He said a long-term, bipartisan approach was necessary to ensure consistency in policy implementation.

This is a medium to long-term goal, and I hope that both political parties can really come together and get something going for us otherwise, because we keep struggling with finding the human capital to manage our businesses for us, he said.

Unemployment described as national emergency

Responding, Mr Afenyo-Markin said the engagement was aimed at finding solutions rather than apportioning blame.

He described unemployment as a structural challenge affecting productivity and national development.

And we are not merely counting on empty hands but we are reckoning with a structural favour to equip our young people for work, to protect the livelihood of our artisans, especially from external displacement and to prepare our technical workforce, he said.

The Effutu MP cited data indicating that more than 1.3 million young Ghanaians are unemployed.

Education or training and youth unemployment is not a pipeline problem, but it is a national emergency, looking at the 506,000 who bought national security forms.

The data also has it that youth unemployment stands at 32.5 per cent from ages between 15 to 24 years, and this is a measure of deferred human potential and deepening inequality that no government can afford to normalise, he said.

Mr Afenyo-Markin expressed optimism that collaboration between policymakers and the business community, particularly the GEA, could help address the challenge.
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Gas prices went up again by 20 cents on Tuesday, just a few days after dropping for the second time since the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran started.

Diesel on Guam is now at a record high $9.099 a gallon after another 70-cent hike.

The latest prices:

$6.229 a gallon, regular gas

$6.619 a gallon, supreme gas

$9.099 a gallon, diesel

This is the sixth round of price hikes after the start of the conflict in the Middle East in late February, which has caused fuel prices for motor vehicles and aircraft to skyrocket globally.

Prices at the pump briefly dropped on March 26 to $6.129 a gallon for regular gas, $6.519 for premium and $8.399 for diesel.

They dropped again on March 27 to $6.029; $6.419; and $8.399 a gallon.

Island residents have been concerned about the price hikes trickle-down effect, already having experienced inflated cost-of-living expenses.

Guams travel and tourism industries have also entered a time of uncertainty as jet fuel costs have threatened increased air fare and already led to service suspensions and flights cancellations.

Across the United States, the latest national average price of regular gas is now $4.018 a gallon, according to motor club AAA.

Prior to the Iran war, it was $2.98 a gallon.

On Guam, the Pacific Daily News has tracked some of the prices of regular and supreme gas and diesel the past years:
Current and former employees of DFS Guam came together to celebrate the business 55-year run, hours before one of the islands luxury shopping giants closed its doors for good on Tuesday.

Employees took to the streets of Tumon, waving farewell to passing motorists, tourists and island residents up until the stores closing hour of 7 p.m.

Luzelle Bondoc, a former employee of eight years who started working for DFS Guam in 2003, was still in disbelief that the store was closing.

I feel like man, is it really happening? Is it really true? she said. Closing one of the most popular...luxury stores in Guam, its heartbreaking.

Bondoc worked as an advisor for Japanese skincare brand SK-II and was her first retail job, which taught her a lot. She noted the training she received at DFS Guam was world class.

Looking ahead, she hopes DFS returns someday or at least be remembered by everyone.

I hope that it will not be forgotten. This is something we have to treasure, she said.

Grateful for DFS

One former employee, Irene Onadera, told the Pacific Daily News that she came to the celebration because her heart has always been with DFS.

Onadera worked as a fragrance advisor for DFS Guam for six years before leaving in 2025.

She said she was grateful for the support the company provided during the COVID-19 pandemic and Typhoon Mawar.

They took good care of us and its so hard to find an employer like DFS, she said.

Gina Artero told PDN on Monday that DFS employs a little over 100 employees, many of whom were interviewed and offered jobs, with some others going through the interview process.

Somber milestone

Tourism oversight chairman Sen. Jesse Lujan told the Guam Visitors Bureaus membership on Tuesday that the closure of DFS is a somber milestone for the islands tourism industry.

To see such a cornerstone of our tourism industry close its doors, is quite frankly, a sobering reality for each and everyone of us, he said. For decades, they served as a global magnet. Drawing visitors from every corner of the map to experience the luxury and hospitality of our island.

Lujan said DFSs success over the past five decades creates a ripple effect to the islands smaller businesses, serving as an example of the tourism industrys shared success.

The senator remains optimistic about the tourism industrys future despite DFSs closure.

History has shown that the people of Guam are defined by their resilience and their brilliance, he said. I have full confidence that we will rise to this challenge with fresh ideas, and with a renewed vision for our tourism industry.

DFS Guam has been in operation since 1971, while its luxury outlet T Galleria has done business in Tumon since 1994.
(HedgeCo.Net)  In a landmark moment for both private markets and the global healthcare investment landscape, Blackstone has announced the final close of its latest life sciences vehicle, BXLS VI, at a record-setting $6.3 billion. The fundnow the largest private investment pool ever dedicated exclusively to life sciencesclosed at its hard cap after being significantly oversubscribed, coming in nearly 40% larger than its predecessor.

The message from institutional investors is unmistakable: life sciences is no longer a niche allocation. It is rapidly becoming a core pillar of private market portfolios, driven by structural tailwinds that span demographics, technology, and global healthcare demand.

A Record Close Signals a Structural Shift

The scale of BXLS VIs final close is more than just a headlineit is a reflection of a broader reallocation of capital toward innovation-driven sectors.

Institutional investorsincluding pension funds, sovereign wealth funds, and endowmentsare increasingly targeting life sciences as a source of both growth and resilience. The sector offers exposure to:

Breakthrough medical technologies

Biopharmaceutical innovation

Drug royalty income streams

Long-duration, non-cyclical demand drivers

The nearly 40% increase in fund size compared to Blackstones previous life sciences vehicle highlights the accelerating conviction behind this strategy.

Why Life Sciencesand Why Now?

The surge in capital flowing into life sciences is not happening in isolation. It is being driven by a confluence of powerful global trends.

1. Demographic Pressures

An aging global population is increasing demand for healthcare services, pharmaceuticals, and advanced treatments. By 2030, a significant portion of the worlds population will be over the age of 60, creating sustained demand for innovation in:

Chronic disease management

Oncology

Neurology

Cardiovascular care

This demographic shift provides a long-term, structural growth driver for life sciences investments.

2. Technological Breakthroughs

Advances in biotechnology are transforming the way diseases are treatedand in some cases, cured.

Key areas of innovation include:

Gene therapy

mRNA platforms

Precision medicine

AI-driven drug discovery

These breakthroughs are not only improving patient outcomes but also creating new investment opportunities with potentially outsized returns.

3. The Rise of Drug Royalty Investing

One of the most attractive features of life sciences investingparticularly for institutional allocatorsis the emergence of drug royalty strategies.

These investments involve acquiring rights to future revenue streams from approved or late-stage pharmaceutical products. They offer:

Predictable cash flows

Lower correlation to public markets

Reduced exposure to clinical trial risk

For investors seeking yield and stability within a growth-oriented sector, drug royalties represent a compelling hybrid asset class.

Blackstones Strategy: Scale Meets Specialization

Blackstones success in raising BXLS VI reflects both its scale and its strategic focus on specialized investment verticals.

Within its broader platform, Blackstone has developed deep expertise in life sciences through:

Dedicated investment teams

Strategic partnerships with industry experts

Access to proprietary deal flow

Integration with its credit and real assets platforms

This approach allows the firm to identify and execute opportunities across the entire life sciences ecosystemfrom early-stage innovation to late-stage commercialization.

Institutional Demand Reaches New Highs

The oversubscription of BXLS VI underscores the intensity of institutional demand for exposure to life sciences.

Several factors are driving this demand:

Diversification Benefits

Life sciences investments often exhibit low correlation with traditional asset classes, enhancing portfolio diversification.

Attractive Risk-Return Profile

The combination of growth potential and income-generating opportunities makes the sector appealing across a range of investment mandates.

Alignment with Long-Term Capital

The long development cycles associated with healthcare innovation align well with the investment horizons of institutional capital.

Competition Intensifies Across Private Markets

Blackstone is not alone in targeting the life sciences opportunity.

Other major asset managersincluding Apollo Global Management, KKR, and Carlyle Groupare also expanding their presence in healthcare and biotech investing.

This increased competition is driving:

Larger fund sizes

More aggressive deal sourcing

Greater specialization within subsectors

Increased collaboration with strategic partners

As capital flows into the space, the competitive landscape is becoming more dynamicand more complex.

The Role of Private Capital in Healthcare Innovation

Private capital is playing an increasingly important role in advancing healthcare innovation.

Unlike public markets, which often focus on short-term performance, private investors can take a longer-term viewsupporting companies through:

Clinical development

Regulatory approval processes

Commercial scaling

This patient capital is critical in an industry where timelines can be long and outcomes uncertain.

Risks and Challenges in Life Sciences Investing

Despite its attractive characteristics, life sciences investing is not without risk.

1. Scientific and Clinical Risk

Drug development is inherently uncertain. Even promising therapies can fail in clinical trials, leading to significant capital losses.

2. Regulatory Complexity

The approval process for new treatments is highly regulated and can vary across jurisdictions. Delays or rejections can impact investment outcomes.

3. Pricing and Policy Pressure

Healthcare costs are a major political issue, particularly in the United States. Changes in pricing regulations or reimbursement policies could affect revenue streams.

4. Competition and Innovation Cycles

Rapid innovation can render existing treatments obsolete, creating both opportunities and risks for investors.

The Evolution of Healthcare as an Asset Class

The success of BXLS VI reflects a broader evolution in how healthcare is viewed within institutional portfolios.

Once considered a defensive sector, healthcare is now seen as a source of:

Growth

Innovation

Income

Diversification

This shift is driving increased allocations and deeper integration of healthcare strategies within private market portfolios.

The Intersection of AI and Life Sciences

One of the most exciting developments in the sector is the intersection of artificial intelligence and life sciences.

AI is being used to:

Accelerate drug discovery

Analyze complex biological data

Optimize clinical trial design

Personalize treatment approaches

These capabilities have the potential to dramatically reduce development timelines and costsunlocking new value for investors.

A Long-Term Investment Theme

Life sciences is not a short-term tradeit is a long-duration investment theme.

The combination of demographic trends, technological innovation, and global healthcare demand provides a strong foundation for sustained growth.

For institutional investors, this aligns well with long-term liabilities and return objectives.

Implications for the Broader Market

The rise of life sciences investing has implications beyond the sector itself.

It is contributing to:

The growth of specialized private market strategies

Increased collaboration between financial and scientific communities

Greater integration of healthcare within global investment frameworks

As capital continues to flow into the space, these trends are likely to accelerate.

Looking Ahead

As Blackstone deploys capital from BXLS VI, several key trends will be worth watching:

Continued growth in drug royalty investments

Expansion of AI-driven healthcare solutions

Increased competition among private market players

Greater regulatory scrutiny of healthcare pricing

The success of this fund is likely to spur additional fundraising across the industry, further expanding the scale of life sciences investing.

Conclusion

Blackstones $6.3 billion life sciences fund is more than a record-breaking milestoneit is a signal of where institutional capital is heading.

As investors seek growth, diversification, and alignment with long-term structural trends, life sciences is emerging as a cornerstone of modern portfolios. The combination of innovation, income potential, and global demand makes it one of the most compelling opportunities in private markets today.

For Blackstone, the successful close of BXLS VI reinforces its position at the forefront of this evolution. For the broader industry, it marks the continued rise of healthcare as a dominant investment theme.

And for investors, it underscores a simple but powerful reality: the future of returns may increasingly be tied to the future of human health.
(HedgeCo.Net)  A new political and regulatory flashpoint is emerging in Washington, as Richard Blumenthal has launched a formal inquiry into the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission following its abrupt decision to pull back from a high-profile cryptocurrency enforcement case. The inquiry comes on the heels of the unexpected departure of the agencys enforcement chiefraising questions about internal dynamics, regulatory consistency, and the broader trajectory of U.S. crypto policy.

For markets already navigating volatility in digital assets, the development has introduced a new layer of uncertainty. For policymakers and institutional investors, it signals that the battle over how crypto should be regulatedand by whomis far from settled.

A Sudden Shift Raises Immediate Questions

At the heart of the controversy is the SECs decision to scale backor potentially abandona major enforcement action tied to cryptocurrency markets. While details surrounding the case remain partially undisclosed, it had been widely viewed as a cornerstone of the agencys broader strategy to assert jurisdiction over digital assets.

The timing of the pullback has drawn particular scrutiny.

The decision followed closely behind the departure of a senior enforcement official, prompting speculation that internal disagreements or strategic recalibrations may have influenced the outcome. Senator Blumenthals inquiry is now focused on understanding:

Whether political pressure played a role

If internal leadership changes affected enforcement priorities

How the decision aligns with the SECs stated regulatory objectives

The implications extend beyond a single casethey strike at the credibility and consistency of regulatory oversight in one of the fastest-evolving areas of finance.

The SECs Expanding Role in Crypto Oversight

Over the past several years, the SEC has taken an increasingly assertive stance toward cryptocurrency markets.

Under its interpretation, many digital assets qualify as securities under the longstanding Howey Testbringing them under the agencys regulatory jurisdiction. This position has led to a series of enforcement actions targeting:

Crypto exchanges

Token issuers

DeFi platforms

Market intermediaries

The agencys approach has been characterized by what some critics call regulation by enforcement, rather than through formal rulemaking.

While this strategy has allowed the SEC to act quickly, it has also created uncertainty for market participants seeking clear guidance.

A Leadership Vacuumor Strategic Pivot?

The departure of the SECs enforcement chief has become a focal point of the current controversy.

Leadership transitions within regulatory agencies are not uncommon. However, the timingcoinciding with the withdrawal of a major enforcement casehas fueled speculation about whether the agency is undergoing a broader strategic shift.

Several possibilities are being debated across the industry:

1. Internal Policy Disagreement

Differences in opinion among senior officials regarding how aggressively to pursue crypto enforcement may have contributed to the decision.

2. Legal Risk Assessment

The SEC may have reassessed the strength of its case, opting to avoid a potentially unfavorable legal precedent.

3. Political Considerations

As crypto becomes an increasingly prominent political issue, regulatory decisions are facing heightened scrutiny from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

Regardless of the underlying cause, the perception of inconsistency could have lasting implications.

Market Reaction: Volatility Returns

The immediate market response to the news was swift.

Digital asset prices experienced renewed volatility, reflecting uncertainty about the regulatory outlook. Investors, already sensitive to policy signals, reacted to the possibility that enforcement priorities may be shifting.

Key impacts included:

Increased price swings in major cryptocurrencies

Heightened volatility in crypto-related equities

A pause in institutional inflows into certain digital asset products

For a market that thrives on clarityor at least predictabilityregulatory ambiguity can be particularly disruptive.

Institutional Investors: Caught Between Opportunity and Risk

Institutional interest in crypto has grown significantly in recent years, driven by:

The emergence of spot and futures-based ETFs

Increased infrastructure maturity

Growing acceptance of digital assets as an alternative asset class

However, regulatory uncertainty remains one of the primary barriers to broader adoption.

The SECs perceived inconsistency could reinforce concerns among institutional investors, particularly those with strict compliance requirements. For these investors, questions include:

How stable is the regulatory framework?

What are the legal risks associated with participation?

Will enforcement actions be predictable and transparent?

Until these questions are addressed, capital flows into the sector may remain uneven.

The Political Dimension: Crypto as a Policy Battleground

Senator Blumenthals inquiry highlights the growing political significance of cryptocurrency regulation.

Digital assets are no longer a niche issuethey are increasingly central to debates around:

Financial innovation

Consumer protection

National security

Monetary policy

Lawmakers are divided on how best to approach the sector.

Some advocate for stricter oversight to protect investors and maintain market integrity. Others emphasize the need to foster innovation and ensure that the U.S. remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global landscape.

This tension is likely to intensify as crypto becomes a more prominent issue in upcoming election cycles.

Regulatory Fragmentation: A Broader Challenge

The SEC is not the only agency involved in crypto regulation.

Other key players include:

Commodity Futures Trading Commission

U.S. Department of Treasury

Federal Reserve

The overlapping jurisdictions of these agencies have created a fragmented regulatory environment.

This fragmentation has several consequences:

Conflicting guidance for market participants

Delays in rulemaking and policy implementation

Increased compliance complexity

The current controversy underscores the need for a more coordinated and coherent approach.

Global Context: The U.S. at a Crossroads

While the U.S. grapples with regulatory uncertainty, other jurisdictions are moving ahead with more defined frameworks.

The European Union, for example, has implemented comprehensive crypto regulations under its Markets in Crypto-Assets (MiCA) framework. Similarly, countries in Asia and the Middle East are actively developing regulatory regimes aimed at attracting digital asset innovation.

This divergence raises concerns about the U.S. potentially falling behind in the global race to shape the future of finance.

The Role of Enforcement in Shaping Markets

Enforcement actions play a critical role in establishing regulatory boundaries.

They can:

Deter misconduct

Clarify legal interpretations

Set precedents for future cases

However, when enforcement appears inconsistentor influenced by factors beyond legal meritit can undermine confidence.

The current situation highlights the delicate balance regulators must strike between:

Acting decisively to protect markets

Ensuring transparency and fairness

Providing clear and consistent guidance

What Comes Next?

The outcome of Senator Blumenthals inquiry will be closely watched across the financial industry.

Possible scenarios include:

1. Increased Congressional Oversight

Lawmakers may push for greater transparency and accountability within the SEC.

2. Clarification of Enforcement Policies

The agency could provide additional guidance to address concerns about consistency.

3. Legislative Action

Congress may accelerate efforts to establish a comprehensive regulatory framework for digital assets.

Each of these outcomes would have significant implications for the future of crypto markets.

Implications for Hedge Funds and Alternative Investors

For hedge funds and alternative asset managers, regulatory developments are a critical factor in shaping strategy.

Many firms have been actively exploring opportunities in digital assets, including:

Trading cryptocurrencies and derivatives

Investing in blockchain infrastructure

Participating in tokenized asset markets

The current uncertainty may lead to:

More cautious positioning

Increased focus on regulatory risk management

Greater demand for clarity from policymakers

At the same time, volatility can create opportunities for skilled managers capable of navigating complex market dynamics.

A Defining Moment for Crypto Regulation

The SECs decisionand the subsequent political responsemay represent a turning point in the evolution of crypto regulation in the United States.

It raises fundamental questions about:

The role of enforcement in shaping policy

The balance between innovation and protection

The need for coordinated regulatory frameworks

As the industry continues to mature, these questions will become increasingly important.

Conclusion

Senator Blumenthals probe into the SECs crypto case pullback is more than a political headlineit is a reflection of deeper tensions within the regulatory landscape.

For markets, it introduces a new layer of uncertainty at a time when clarity is urgently needed. For policymakers, it underscores the challenges of governing a rapidly evolving asset class. And for investors, it serves as a reminder that regulatory risk remains a central factor in the digital asset space.

The path forward will require not only enforcement, but also collaboration, transparency, and strategic vision.

Until then, the intersection of politics, regulation, and innovation will continue to define the trajectory of crypto marketsand the opportunities and risks they present.
Following the fatal US airstrike on a primary school in Minab, Iran, which killed over 160 people and is believed to have occurred on February 28 as part of a US offensive, Palantir's Maven Smart System is facing criticism. An analysis points to outdated data and the so-called kill chain, at the end of which the attack occurred.

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Contrary to initial widespread reports, a chatbot like Claude apparently did not play a decisive role in target selection, according to current findings. The bombing, based on available analyses, suggests less an isolated technical failure and more decisions made along the entire process chain  from data maintenance to the end of the kill chain.

There are increasing indications that target acquisition was based on Maven Smart Systems, a military platform developed by Palantir for analyzing intelligence data. Maven links satellite imagery, sensor data, and intelligence information to identify potential targets and present them for attack approval in a highly accelerated process.

According to media reports, the hit building was still listed as a military object in a US database, even though it had been used as a primary school for years. Apparently, this information was not updated  with fatal consequences. Maven is said to have adopted this incorrect classification, and it was fed into the automated decision-making process without verification.

Palantir's software is designed to massively accelerate the so-called kill chain. In military exercises, thousands of target decisions could be made in a short time. Critics, however, warn that this speed can come at the expense of human control and careful review.

The analysis, published on the Substack platform and now also in the Guardian, suggests that a system like Maven could have played a central role in this specific case. According to this, it was not an AI language model that was responsible, but the combination of outdated data and a highly accelerated, software-supported targeting process. The error, according to this account, originated where a military database entry was not updated for years and was subsequently processed by a system like Maven without sufficient human review.

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Pentagon plans further AI expansion

Meanwhile, the US Department of Defense plans to further expand Maven and permanently anchor it in military strategy. According to an internal memo, the system is to be established as an official Program of Record, which would secure long-term funding and deployment across all branches of the armed forces. The decision could be made before the end of the current fiscal year in September.

Maven was originally launched in 2017 for the automated evaluation of reconnaissance and drone images. In recent years, Palantir has received multi-billion dollar contracts for the further development of the system. At the same time, the military, and industry are pushing ahead with the integration of AI into military operations. Pentagon officials emphasize that future conflicts will be largely data-driven and supported by AI.

(mack)

Don't miss any news  follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication.
The decision follows a sharp escalation in violence since 28 February, when Israel and the US struck Iran . More than 4,500 people have been killed across the region, including over 3,000 in Iran. Strikes have continued in recent days, with Israeli forces carrying out attacks in Tehran and southern Lebanon.

Finland will allocate 2 million in humanitarian assistance to Lebanon as displacement rises past one million and pressure on services deepens amid ongoing conflict in the region. The funding will go to the UN Refugee Agency to support refugees and internally displaced people across the country.

Lebanese authorities report more than 1,090 deaths since early March.

The humanitarian impact in Lebanon has intensified at speed. More than one million people, around 18 percent of the population, have been displaced within weeks. Many have moved into overcrowded shelters, while others sleep in streets, vehicles and public spaces as capacity runs out. More than 250,000 people have fled the country, with at least 125,000 crossing into Syria.

The displacement has followed expanded evacuation orders issued by Israeli forces covering large areas of southern Lebanon. The designated zone stretches from the Litani River to areas north of the Zahrani River and affects more than 100 towns and villages. Bridges across the Litani River have been destroyed, limiting movement and access to safer areas.

Ville Tavio, Finlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, said the situation has deteriorated rapidly. The humanitarian situation in Lebanon is very dire. The UNHCR focuses support to vulnerable groups, such as families with children and persons with disabilities, by providing accommodation and basic commodities, he said.

The Finnish funding will support emergency needs such as shelter, food and essential supplies. Aid agencies have expanded operations as demand rises across the country.

Israel has stated that it plans to invade and illegally occupy parts of southern Lebanon. Defence Minister Israel Katz said forces would control territory up to the Litani River, describing the area as a buffer zone. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said strikes in Lebanon and Iran would continue. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called for the Litani River to become Israels new border in remarks earlier this week.

Canadas foreign ministry said Lebanese sovereignty must not be violated and called for compliance with international law. Frances Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot warned that a ground operation would worsen humanitarian conditions. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the situation is out of control and urged an end to escalation.

Rights groups have reported the use of white phosphorus munitions in populated areas of southern Lebanon. Human Rights Watch said it verified multiple incidents. The substance ignites on contact with air and causes severe burns, and its use in civilian areas breaches international humanitarian law. Researchers said the attacks have damaged farmland and forced further displacement.

Finland has already directed funding to the region earlier in 2026. The government said it has provided about 19 million in flexible humanitarian funding to organisations responding to crises in Lebanon and other countries. Contributions through international emergency funds have channelled 15.5 million to operations in Lebanon.

Finnish support also extends to organisations working on the ground, including the UN Refugee Agency, the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees and Plan International Finland.

HT
The case emerged after two Lithuanian nationals arrived in Finland in January 2026. Authorities tracked their movements to a remote forest area where they remained for several hours, prompting a targeted search operation.

Finnish Customs officers have seized 60 kilograms of alpha-PVP hidden in forest caches in Sipoonkorpi National Park, marking the largest single seizure of the substance recorded in the country.

The packages contained alpha-PVP with an estimated street value of up to 12 million. Officials said the quantity equates to about 2.4 million individual doses.

Riku Partanen, who leads the investigation, said in a statement that the seizure stands as the largest of its kind. This is an exceptional alpha-PVP seizure. According to our information, this is the largest single batch ever confiscated in Finland, he said.

The operation involved cooperation with the Eastern Uusimaa Police, who assisted in the field search. Authorities also worked with international partners during the investigation.

Customs data shows a rise in alpha-PVP seizures in recent years. In 2025, officers confiscated 10.6 kilograms of the substance. In earlier years, annual totals remained below half a kilogram.

Partanen said the increase reflects wider trends. As authorities have anticipated, seizure volumes have been expected to grow. This case indicates increased use of alpha-PVP, he said.

Investigators believe the drugs entered Finland in large consignments before being divided into smaller quantities for distribution. Officials said early intervention prevented the substances from reaching street markets.

During the pre-trial investigation, authorities uncovered a second phase of the operation linked to December 2025. Suspects are believed to have hidden mephedrone in another forest cache in Salo.

A separate search in March 2026 led to the recovery of about four kilograms of mephedrone. Officials estimated the quantity represented between 20,000 and 40,000 doses, with a street value of about 150,000.

Officers also found several empty hiding places in the same area, suggesting earlier activity involving narcotics storage and retrieval.

Mephedrone has been classified as an illegal drug in Finland since 2011. The Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare states that the substance acts as a central nervous system stimulant and belongs to the synthetic cathinone group. Authorities link its effects to those of cocaine, amphetamine, and MDMA.

Investigators said users consume the drug in several ways, including oral ingestion, nasal use, and injection.

Two suspects remain in custody as the investigation nears completion. Authorities plan to transfer the case to prosecutors in Southern Finland after Easter.

Officials said the case reflects organised methods in cross-border drug trafficking. The use of forest caches allowed large quantities to remain concealed until distribution.

Customs officers seized tools linked to the operation, including digging equipment and storage materials, indicating preparation for repeated use of remote hiding sites.

Partanen said authorities continue to focus on early detection. It is important that authorities intervene before substances reach street-level distribution, he said.

HT
Managing contractor files $7 million claim against Cedars project

Turner Construction Co., which demobilized its operation at the Cedars Lodge & Spa condo development, oversaw the removal of its most visible piece of equipment, the construction crane, in mid-March. [LIGHTNING FILE PHOTO]

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While the Cedars-Fairmont condo developer seeks new financing to restart the stalled project, the corporation behind the job faces a new large lien.

Turner Construction Co., the general contractor on the job since February 2024, has filed a lien against the company and the land for $6,988,473 for labor and materials used on the job.

The land on U.S. 64 West between Buncombe and North Church streets was conveyed by the Shipman family to Cedars Lodge & Spa LLC in March 2021. The corporation is owned and managed by Gregg Covin, who is married to Shelley Shipman, the daughter of Tom and Fran Shipman. A successful developer of large mixed-use projects in Miami, Covin along with investor Brian Gaines, the Shipman family and Fairmont Hotels & Resorts announced the luxury condo development in the summer of 2022, projecting an opening at that time of 2025.

Turners construction crews left the job site in mid-March, overseeing the removal of the construction crane that had towered over the city for more than two years. In its two-page claim for $7 million, Turner said that it began work on the job on Feb. 5, 2024, and last furnished labor and materials at the site on Feb. 28 of this year.

In an email response to the Lightnings request for an update on the project, Covin described the lien as a legal formality.

North Carolina law requires a lien automatically be placed 120 days after stopping work or a contractor loses their lien rights, he said. So Turner had no choice and was required statutorily to file the lien.

The developer also disputed the Lightning report's characterization of Turners departure.

Your prior story incorrectly reported that Turner had pulled out or the contractor is out. Rather, we mutually agreed with Turner to have them demobilize as it was costing us over $200k per month to have them and the crane sit there while we work on a refinance of the project, Covin said. Once we obtain new financing to move the project forward we may bring Turner back to complete the work.

The city said in a statement two weeks ago that Covin had informed City Manager John Connet of Turners plans to demobilize its operation and dismantle the crane. Hendersonville-based Carolina Specialties has assumed responsibility for securing the site while investors seek new financing.

The developer has a current Zoning Compliance Permit from the City of Hendersonville, the citys statement said. The Community Development Department issued the projects final Phase II (2nd tower) plan approval in November of 2025, having previously approved the final Phase I (1st tower & Cedars) of the project in November 2023. The city of Hendersonville does not have the authority to take over the project or restart construction; that authority and responsibility fall to the owners and developers of the project.
A FARMER has said he was blown away when his choir received a golden buzzer and was sent to the semi-finals of Britains Got Talent.

Ted Howard-Jones, 62, who farms at Cholsey and is secretary of the Nettlebed Farming Club, was one of the 40 farmers performing as the Hawkstone Farmers Choir, which was created by Jeremy Clarkson as part of an advertising campaign for his brewing firm.

Mr Howard-Jones was selected a year ago out of 500 farmers who auditioned.

The choir stuck together after enjoying the initial performance and, last October, was invited by the ITV talent show to its auditions at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

He said: We thought, This is going well, were really enjoying this, we cant just do this for one day. We wanted to do more and Clarkson agreed.

I dont think any farmer is expecting to be on Britains Got Talent, so we really didnt know what to expect. We were amazed to be there in the first place.

In the episode, which aired on Saturday night, judge Amanda Holden gave the group the golden buzzer in response to their performance of Elbows One Day Like This.

Mr Howard-Jones said the reaction to the performance, which also received a standing ovation from those in the live audience, has been staggering.

He said: We were absolutely blown away that we even got one judge thinking we were doing the right thing, let alone the golden buzzer.

The reaction since then has been staggering. I cant believe how many thousands of people have liked what were doing.

Its been amazing over the last couple of days everyone in the choir said their phones have melted basically.

Its been very, very positive and its heartening to see.

Mr Howard-Jones said organising rehearsals for the choir was like herding cats as members are spread out over the country. He said: We have done very little singing together because were from all over the place and its darn difficult to get us all together.

We learnt a song, did two days of rehearsal, we have done very little singing together because were from all over the place and its darn difficult to get us all together.

We are sent out pieces to learn independently and then when we get together, we have all done our rehearsals.

Most of us can sing and most of us can read music and at least follow a cue, some have a lot of experience some havent and literally just trying to organise our next rehearsal, which is a bit like herding cats.

Mr Howard-Jones said the choir was now deciding what songs they would perform at the semi-finals, for which a date is yet to be confirmed.

The choir, which has used its platform to shine a light on mental health issues increasingly impacting farmers, has committed to donating prize money to a farming charity if it wins the competition.

Mr Howard-Jones said: Mental health in farming is really important, and I know people who have really suffered.

I have known people in farming who have committed suicide, so it is very high on my agenda and many of the others.

Its a very lonely issue because there are loads working on their own on farms these days, its not like the old days where even my small farm in the Chilterns probably would have had five guys working on it, but its just me now.

Its a very different environment now and the pressures are quite high.

He said the choir has provided the farmers a community which is like a family.

He said: Weve got the most active WhatsApp group youve ever seen and were all in it together and people are posting stuff about what theyre doing from their lemming sheds or whoever has had an accident that day and it feels like another family and its amazing.

Mr Howard-Jones said the choir had received many enquiries since the performance aired about bookings and hoped it could stay together.
Feature: China-Italy exhibition fosters cultural dialogue beyond display

Xinhua) 15:24, March 31, 2026

YINCHUAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- For Anna Lucia Tempesta, an Italian museum curator, an exhibition is never merely a display of ancient objects, but rather serves as an open invitation to an intercultural dialogue.

This philosophy is currently coming to life in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, northwest China, where an ongoing showcase of ancient Mediterranean pottery has evolved into a profound exchange between European and Chinese heritage professionals.

The catalyst for this exchange is the "Myth on Pottery" exhibition, which opened last week at the Ningxia Museum. Featuring 115 precious ceramics, sculptures and glassware from Italy's Puglia region, the event uses the myths of ancient Greek deities to illustrate Mediterranean culture and history.

However, as the exhibition settles into its three-month run, the spotlight has shifted beyond the artifacts to the deep, collaborative ties being forged behind the scenes.

Tempesta, the Italian chief curator of the exhibition and a promotion officer of Puglia's Department of Tourism and Culture, noted that the true triumph of the event lies in mutual discovery.

"These items are not merely vessels. Their patterns and motifs tell stories of ancient customs, earthly harvests and the relationships between peoples," Tempesta said after extensive discussions with her Chinese counterparts.

"These images are meaningful to us, and they hold meaning for you. If we converse, we explain and you listen, you interpret and we understand -- this is true exchange. We are both enriched by it," she added.

This shared understanding is vividly captured in the exhibition hall itself.

Chinese and Italian curators deliberately placed a 400 B.C. Greek krater from Puglia alongside a Chinese national treasure, namely a gilt silver ewer unearthed from a local tomb dating back to the Northern Zhou Dynasty (557-581). Made in the ancient Bactria region, which is in present-day northern Afghanistan, the ewer features Persian and Roman decorative elements.

Remarkably, both artifacts depict scenes from the Trojan War. Placed adjacent to each other, they create a vivid, cross-continental resonance spanning thousands of miles, underscoring Ningxia's historical role as a vital crossroads on the ancient Silk Road.

The cultural synergy has extended well beyond display cabinets. During their stay in Yinchuan, capital city of Ningxia, the Italian delegation toured the Ningxia Museum's cultural relic conservation center to observe Chinese preservation practices.

The European experts engaged in in-depth discussions with Chinese specialists regarding restoration materials and preservation techniques.

According to Hong Quan, the exhibition's Chinese curator, the Italian team expressed high admiration for the museum's advanced digital exhibition technologies and the meticulous dedication of its staff, laying a solid foundation for future academic collaboration.

The Italian team's immersion into Chinese heritage also included a visit to the Xixia Imperial Tombs, which were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List last year.

By comparing ancient Xixia ceramics and porcelain kiln sites with Italian archaeological finds, the experts marveled at the distinctiveness and historical value of China's regional heritage, noting how different environments shape unique artistic expressions.

Wang Xiaojun, curator of the Ningxia Museum, highlighted that launching this exhibition during the spring tourism season was a strategic move to enrich public cultural life and foster deeper cultural cooperation between China and Italy.

Noting the striking similarities between Italy's rich rock art and the ancient petroglyphs found in Ningxia's Helan Mountain, Tempesta revealed an ambitious vision of the future.

"We hope to eventually bring the Helan Mountain rock art to Europe for exhibition," Tempesta said, adding that she looks forward to establishing a long-term, pragmatic partnership in relic conservation, joint exhibitions and academic research.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
In Brief: St. Kitts & Nevis has emerged as a prime location for investment in the Caribbean, with its hotel and real estate sectors showing significant growth potential in 2026.

Why St. Kitts & Nevis Is a Top Caribbean Hotel & Real Estate Investment in 2026 - Image Credit Unsplash

The Caribbean citizenship by investment landscape is shifting. While several island nations compete for investor attention, St. Kitts & Nevis maintains a unique position that's becoming increasingly valuable.

The program launched in 1984making it the world's oldest CBI initiative. That longevity matters more than you might think. Four decades of operation means established processes, government stability, and a track record that newer programs simply can't match.

But what makes 2026 particularly interesting for hotel and real estate investors? Recent program changes, combined with the nation's strategic positioning, create opportunities that didn't exist even a year ago.

The Caribbean's Most Established Citizenship Program

St. Kitts & Nevis doesn't need to prove itself. The program has processed thousands of applications over 40 years, building relationships with governments worldwide. That's why passport holders enjoy visa-free access to 155 countries.

The Citizenship by Investment Unit (CIU) oversees everything with strict regulatory oversight. They've implemented robust AML and KYC procedures that meet international standards. FATCA and CRS compliance is built into the system.

Processing times run between 3-9 months. That includes due diligence checks, interviews for main applicants and dependents over 16, and final approval. The efficiency comes from decades of refining the process.

Recent changes reduced the Sustainable Island State Contribution from $350,000 to $250,000 for single applicants or families up to four people. Real estate investment requirements start at $325,000-$400,000 depending on the project type.

Real Estate Investment Requirements and Benefits

The real estate in St. Kitts and Nevis pathway offers several distinct advantages over pure donation options. Investors can choose from government-approved hotel shares, resort condominiums, villas, or private homes within designated developments.

Minimum investment thresholds break down like this: hotel and resort shares require $400,000, while certain condominium projects accept $325,000. Private homes and villa investments typically start around $400,000-$800,000.

The seven-year holding period sounds restrictive until you compare it to similar programs. Many Caribbean competitors require longer commitments or offer less flexibility on resale.

After seven years, investors can sell. The property won't qualify the next buyer for CBI, but that doesn't affect your exit strategy. Market liquidity depends on project location and property type, though approved developments typically maintain stronger resale potential.

Rental income generation is permitted during the holding period. Many hotel share investments include professional management companies handling operations, marketing, and guest services. Returns vary significantly based on property location, type, and market conditions.

Additional fees beyond the property purchase include due diligence checks ($10,000 for main applicants, $7,500 for dependents over 16), processing fees ($250 per person), passport issuance ($361 per person), and state fees on real estate transactions ranging from $10,000-$25,000.

Hotel and Hospitality Investment Opportunities

The hospitality sector presents compelling opportunities for investors willing to take a hands-on approach. Hotel share investments start at $400,000 and must be held for seven years, but they offer something pure real estate plays don't: professional management and operational infrastructure.

Fractional ownership in established resort properties removes many traditional real estate headaches. Property management companies handle maintenance, staffing, marketing, and guest relations. Investors receive proportional revenue shares based on overall property performance.

The tourism infrastructure in St. Kitts & Nevis continues developing. The islands attract visitors seeking authentic Caribbean experiences rather than mass-market resort destinations. That positioning supports premium pricing for well-managed properties.

Location matters significantly. Properties near popular beaches, historic sites, or emerging development zones typically outperform isolated investments. The government's approval process for CBI-eligible projects includes viability assessments, which provides some assurance about project completion and market positioning.

Why 2026 Is a Pivotal Year for Investors

The program is undergoing its most significant transformation since launch. 2026 introduces mandatory physical residency requirements and "genuine-link" provisions that fundamentally change the investment profile.

These changes mean investors can no longer treat St. Kitts citizenship as a purely passive acquisition. The government now requires structured presence through business establishment, job creation, or innovation pathways. It's moving from economic citizenship toward active economic engagement.

For hotel and real estate investors, this shift creates advantages. The new requirements favor those already planning active investment involvement. If you're developing property, managing hospitality operations, or establishing business presence, you're aligned with the program's new direction.

Passive investors who want citizenship without engagement face higher barriers. But those willing to build genuine connections with the islands find a more streamlined path.

The timing matters for another reason: these changes are still being implemented. Investors who move now work within a transitional framework that may offer flexibility unavailable in future years once all provisions are fully enforced.

Comparing St. Kitts to Other Caribbean CBI Programs

The Caribbean hosts five major CBI programs: St. Kitts & Nevis, Antigua & Barbuda, Dominica, Grenada, and St. Lucia. Each has distinct characteristics, but St. Kitts maintains several competitive advantages.

Processing speed stands out. The 3-6 month typical timeline beats most competitors. Antigua and St. Lucia run similar timeframes, but Dominica and Grenada often take longer.

Real estate thresholds in St. Kitts ($325,000+) undercut Antigua and Grenada, which require higher minimum investments. Dominica offers lower donation options but limited real estate pathways.

Visa-free access to 155 countries exceeds most Caribbean competitors (typically 140-150 countries). That mobility advantage compounds over time as passport holders travel more frequently.

The new residency requirements may reduce St. Kitts' appeal for purely passive investors. Antigua and St. Lucia are implementing similar reforms, but the exact provisions differ. Anyone comparing programs should evaluate 2026 requirements carefully rather than relying on outdated information.

Beyond the Caribbean, programs like Malta offer EU access but require significantly higher investment thresholds and longer processing times. Turkey provides lower costs but more limited mobility. The optimal choice depends entirely on individual circumstances and objectives.

The Investment Process and Timeline

Understanding the application workflow helps investors plan appropriately. The process begins with eligibility verification: applicants must be over 18, maintain clean criminal records, demonstrate legitimate fund sources, and meet health requirements.

Pre-due diligence screening identifies potential issues before formal application submission. This step prevents wasted time and expenses on applications likely to face rejection.

Document collection and preparation take the most time for most applicants. Requirements include birth certificates, marriage certificates (if applicable), police clearance certificates, medical reports, bank statements, and proof of funds. Everything requires notarization, translation where needed, and often apostille certification.

Government review begins once complete documentation reaches the CIU. This phase includes background checks, financial verification, and interview scheduling for main applicants and dependents over 16.

Investment completion happens after approval but before final documentation issuance. For real estate purchases, this means completing the property transaction, transferring funds, and submitting proof to authorities.

Certificate collection requires in-person appearance at designated locations or approved embassies. The final passport arrives after certificate issuance, typically within weeks.

Total timeline from initial submission to passport in hand averages 6-9 months. Straightforward applications with complete documentation and no complications can finish faster. Complex cases with multiple dependents or documentation issues take longer.

Working With Expert Advisors

Navigating CBI programs independently is possible but rarely optimal. The documentation requirements, government procedures, and investment decisions benefit significantly from experienced guidance.

Specialized firms like Global Residence Index work directly with the St. Kitts CIU and maintain established relationships with approved real estate developers and hospitality projects. They've helped hundreds of clients through the application process with a track record of successful approvals.

The firm's approach emphasizes pre-screening to identify potential issues before formal application. That prevents costly rejections and delays. They also handle document collection, translation, certification, and submissiontasks that consume significant time for applicants managing the process themselves.

Their parent company, Vancis Capital, brings additional resources for clients seeking comprehensive wealth management alongside citizenship planning. The combined expertise covers investment strategy, tax optimization, and long-term mobility planning.

Other reputable advisors operate in this space, though evaluation criteria should include direct government relationships, application success rates, and demonstrated expertise in St. Kitts specifically rather than general CBI knowledge.

The right advisor provides honest assessment of whether St. Kitts suits your particular circumstances. Not every program works for every investor. The 2026 reforms make this evaluation more important than ever, as passive investors may find better options elsewhere while active investors discover St. Kitts offers exactly what they need.

St. Kitts & Nevis continues evolving its citizenship by investment program in response to international pressure for more substantial investor engagement. The changes create challenges for some applicants while opening opportunities for others. Hotel and real estate investors willing to build genuine connections with the islands find a mature program backed by 40 years of operational excellence and government stability.
In Brief: Corinthia Hotels has announced plans for a new 80-room luxury resort in Tuscany, with a projected opening date in 2030.

Corinthia Hotels to Open 80-Key Resort in Tuscany by 2030 - Image Credit Corinthia Hotels

Corinthia Hotels has signed an agreement to develop, lease, and operate Borgo di Perolla, a resort in Tuscany scheduled to open in 2030.

Corinthia Hotels has signed an agreement to develop, lease, and operate Borgo di Perolla, a resort in Tuscany scheduled to open in 2030. The project will transform a collection of historic buildings into an 80-key luxury resort, including suites and private villas.

The development is in partnership with Gaetano Buglisi and BGenera Group, with advisory support from Fortvny and Harry Mills Scio. The resort will be located within the 13th-century Perolla Estate, a 1,300-hectare property featuring woodland, olive groves, vineyards, historic sites, and ancient trails.

Milan-based alErta design studio is leading the design effort to restore and repurpose historic structures, creating a village-style retreat centered on a piazza. The resort will include restaurants and amenities focused on local cuisine and seasonal produce.

The culinary program will emphasize a farm-to-table approach, using organic farming on the estate to provide ingredients such as olive oil, wine, and honey. Food and beverage offerings will feature locally produced ingredients.

The resort will also offer wellness and event spaces, including a restored historic chapel for weddings and private events. A branded residential component will be part of the development.

Corinthia Borgo di Perolla, Tuscany, will be the third property for Corinthia Hotels in Italy, following Corinthia Rome, set to open in March 2026, and Corinthia Lake Como, scheduled to open in 2028.
In Brief: Hotel performance across the Middle East has dropped to levels not seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, as the Iran conflict disrupts air travel, weakens demand, and creates volatility across key hospitality markets.

Iran Conflict Pushes Middle East Hotel Performance to Pandemic-Era Lows - Image Credit HNR News

Published March 31, 2026 | By HNR News Staff Reporter

Performance Falls to Pandemic-Era Levels

Hotel markets across the Middle East have experienced a sharp decline in performance following the escalation of conflict involving Iran, with data from CoStar indicating occupancy levels in some markets have fallen to their lowest point since the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Dubai, occupancy dropped to approximately 22.8%, while Abu Dhabi recorded levels near 39.5%, reflecting a significant contraction in demand. Other markets, including Bahrain, have reported year-over-year declines of up to 70%, underscoring the scale of disruption across the region.

Three-Phase Demand Shift Emerges

The current downturn follows a distinct pattern. Initial softness in demand, linked to seasonal factors such as Ramadan, was followed by a brief spike in occupancy driven by evacuations and stranded travelers. However, this was quickly replaced by a sharp decline as airspace closures and travel disruptions took hold.

This shift highlights the extent to which regional hotel performance is tied to international air connectivity, particularly in gateway markets such as Dubai.

Air Travel Disruptions Drive Demand Decline

The primary driver of the downturn has been disruption to air travel rather than a gradual decline in traveler sentiment. Flight cancellations, rerouted traffic, and restricted airspace have limited international travelers' ability to reach key destinations across the Middle East.

The region plays a significant role in global aviation networks, accounting for a substantial share of international transit traffic. As a result, disruptions have had an outsized impact on hotel demand, particularly in markets heavily reliant on international arrivals.

Market Differences Reflect Demand Mix

The impact has varied across markets depending on their reliance on international versus domestic demand. The United Arab Emirates, particularly Dubai, has seen sharper declines due to its dependence on global travel flows.

In contrast, Saudi Arabia has demonstrated greater resilience, supported by domestic travel and religious tourism, which continue to provide a more stable demand base.

Broader Tourism Impact Expected

Beyond hotel performance, the conflict is expected to have wider implications for regional tourism. Industry estimates suggest the Middle East could face tens of millions of fewer visitors in 2026, with potential losses in tourism spending reaching tens of billions of dollars.

These projections reflect both immediate disruptions and longer-term shifts in traveler confidence and routing patterns.

Implications for Hotel Operators

For hotel operators, the current environment presents a combination of operational and financial challenges. Rapid fluctuations in demand are creating volatility in occupancy and pricing, complicating revenue management strategies.

Properties that experienced short-term gains from displaced travelers are now facing reduced forward bookings and increased uncertainty, particularly in markets dependent on international demand.

Outlook

The trajectory of hotel performance in the Middle East will depend largely on the duration and scope of the conflict, as well as the restoration of air connectivity.

While demand may recover quickly once travel restrictions ease, the current downturn underscores the vulnerability of globally connected hotel markets to geopolitical disruption.

For operators and investors, the situation highlights the importance of demand diversification, operational flexibility, and scenario planning in an increasingly volatile travel environment.
Berkshire Bach announces Appointment of Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.  Berkshire Bach Society (BBS) announced the appointment of James Bagwell as Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor, effective April 1, 2026.

Bagwell previously served as Choral Director and has performed with BBS since the early 2000s.

"I've long admired James Bagwell's work as a choral conductor," said Eugene Drucker, Artistic Director of BBS, "specifically in the Berkshire Bach Society vocal concerts for which I've had the pleasure of serving as his concertmaster, and more generally in his meticulous preparation of the chorus for opera productions at Bard College's Summerscape and for oratorio performances with the American Symphony Orchestra at Carnegie Hall. I am pleased to formalize his involvement with our organization and to welcome him as Director of Choral Music and Principal Conductor."

Bagwell was recently named Principal Conductor of the Tulsa Symphony and has served as Principal Guest Conductor of the American Symphony Orchestra since 2009. He has prepared choruses for numerous national and international orchestras, and his choruses have been featured at the Salzburg, Verbier, Mostly Mozart, and Bard Music Festivals. He is Professor of Music and Music Program Director at Bard College, and Director of Performance Studies in the Bard College Conservatory of Music. He serves as Co-Director of the Bard Conservatory Graduate Program in Conducting and is the Associate Conductor of The Orchestra Now (T?N)

Bagwell's new title is in effect when he conducts the first BBS performances in 30 years of J.S. Bach's St. John Passion on April 11 at the First Congregational Church in Great Barrington and April 12 at the Troy Savings Bank Music Hall, both at 3pm.
BCC Honors Program, Berkshire County Historical Society Melville Fellows

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The Berkshire County Historical Society (BCHS) has named Berkshire Community College (BCC) Honors Program students Jennifer Blair, Benjamin Eshun and Amelia Coco Gilardi as the Melville Fellows for 2026.

The fellowship program, a partnership between BCHS and the BCC Honors Program, annually awards outstanding BCC students with the opportunity to work at Herman Melville's Arrowhead to create one or more pieces of original writing inspired by Arrowhead's surroundings and the BCHS collection.

Arrowhead's Writer-in-Residence Emeritus Jana Laiz spearheads the program, working in groups and individually with each Fellow from January to May. Fellows will read their original works at a public event in May.

"I am excited to work with these talented, passionate young writers in this very meaningful space, mentoring them and helping them hone their craft," Laiz said.

"Arrowhead inspired some of Melville's greatest writings," said BCHS Executive Director Lesley Herzberg. "We are pleased to share the source of his inspiration with such a talented group of young writers."

Chris Laney, BCC Honors Program Coordinator, said, "Collaborating with BCHS and offering students the rare chance to learn and write at Arrowhead exemplifies the kind of thing I love most about the Honors Program."

The Fellows, in their own words

Jennifer Blair lives in Adams with her fiance. For her 50th birthday, she treated herself to a solo trip to Scotland  and she enrolled in classes at BCC. With a major in liberal arts, she expects to graduate in spring 2027.

"When I heard about the Melville Fellowship, something inside me lit up. The thought of writing in Herman Melville's office, with the writer in residence as a mentor, was the stuff dreams are made of. I had a moment of disbelief when I received the email stating I had been awarded one of the three coveted positions, and it's been an incredible experience ever since! Having the opportunity to write in Herman Melville's study is something I never expected to be able to do, and Jana is wonderful. She gives us thought-provoking prompts, we play writing games, and we test our boundaries. Jana pushes us to step out of that comfort zone and to watch for technical errors, all the while being kind and encouraging. I am soaking up her constructive feedback. I am honored to have been chosen for this fellowship and to be a part of such a supportive and fun group of writers."

Benjamin Eshun is in the nursing program at the College, and he plans to graduate with his Spring cohort. He says his experience at Arrowhead has been "both educational and emotionally uplifting. I take it as a welcome break from academia  stepping away from nursing readings and chemistry calculations. With Jana and my colleagues, I've found a supportive community for my writing. Reading my work aloud to like-minded peers and receiving their feedback has been a truly healing experience. I look forward to completing this fellowship successfully and sharing my work."

Amelia Coco Gilardi is a senior at Lenox Memorial Middle and High School, as well as a dual-enrollment student at BCC, and will graduate this spring with an associate degree in liberal arts.

"Writing as a Melville Fellow has been a magical experience. Getting to experience the rich history of Arrowhead, surrounded by the immense beauty of the land, is a dream come true. I grew up right down the street from Arrowhead, and it feels unreal to write and share stories in a place that I have spent so long admiring from afar. I feel connected to not just Melville, but to all the fellows that have written here in the past, and it is an honor and a privilege to join the long line of writers that have worked in this space before me. From Jana's thoughtful guidance and mentorship, to working with my incredible cohort, I feel truly blessed to have this opportunity and to share this experience with such creative and talented individuals."
PHS Community Challenges FY27 Budget Cuts

PITTSFIELD, Mass.  The School Committee received an early look Wednesday at the proposed fiscal year 2027 facility budgets, and the Pittsfield High community argued that $653,000 would be too much of a burden for the school to bear.



On Wednesday, during a meeting that adjourned past 10 p.m., school officials saw a more detailed overview of the spending proposal for Pittsfield's 14 schools and administration building.



They accepted the presentation, recognizing that this is just the beginning of the budget process, as the decision on whether to close Morningside Community School still looms. The FY27 budget calendar plans the School Committee's vote in mid-April.



Under this plan, Pittsfield High School, with a proposed FY27 budget of around $8.1 million, would see a reduction of seven teachers (plus one teacher of deportment) and an assistant principal of teaching and learning, and a guidance counselor repurposed across the district.



The administration said that after "right-sizing" the classrooms, there were initially 14 teacher reductions proposed for PHS.



"While I truly appreciate the intentionality that has gone into developing the equity-based budget model, I am incredibly concerned that the things that make our PHS community strong are the very things now at risk," PHS teacher Kristen Negrini said. "Because when our school is facing a reduction of $653,000, 16 percent of total reductions, that impact is not just a number on a spreadsheet. It is the experience of our students."

She said cuts to the high school budget is more than half of the districtwide $1.1 million in proposed instructional cuts.



Student representative Elizabeth Klepetar said the "Home Under the Dome" is a family and community. There is reportedly anxiety in the student body about losing their favorite teacher or activities, and Klepetar believes the cuts would be "catastrophic," from what she has seen.



"Keep us in mind. Use student and faculty voice. Come to PHS and see what our everyday life looks like. If you spend time at PHS, you would see our teamwork and adaptability to our already vulnerable school," she said.



"Please support us. Don't tear us down, for home under the dome can only stand with the strong pillars of collaboration with the district."



The School Committee also heard from longtime art teacher Lisa Ostellino, who said the cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, but fewer opportunities, less support, and diminished experiences for students.



"And at some point, the idea that we can just make it work stops being a testament to our strength and starts becoming an excuse for continued inequity within our district," she added.



"Our students deserve more than our ability to stretch less into something passable. They deserve fairness. They deserve investment. They deserve to walk into a school that reflects their worth, not one that has been asked year after year after year to do more with less."



The proposed budget for Pittsfield Public Schools in fiscal year 2027 is $86,855,061, with $68,886,061 in Chapter 70 funding and $18 million from the city. It is a modest, $404,500 increase over FY26, and the administration needed to reduce nearly $4.4 million to achieve a level service-funded budget.



The Fair Student Funding model was used to prepare the spending plan, which allocates resources to schools based on students' needs, rather than solely historical staffing patterns or prior year budgets.
Build or Rent: Communities Seek Options to House Public Safety Departments

This is the second of two articles looking at examples of how towns and cities are dealing with a common problem of old and inadequate facilities for their public safety operations, including police, fire and emergency medical services. The circumstances and strategies to provide the buildings and infrastructure that are necessary to maintain modern public safety operations vary widely among towns and cities. Read part one here

For many years, the town of Lee has had to struggle with an outdated and crowded Police Department station located in its Town Hall, which was built in 1874. Its nearby fire station was originally constructed to house horse-drawn firefighting vehicles.

"The Police Department has been crammed into Town Hall and there is not enough room," said Lee Town Administrator Chris Brittain. "We had to fit the police staff on different floors wherever we can find space. In addition, the station was not designed for the Police Department's current needs. For example, our cells do not meet modern standards."

The Fire Department complex, including its main station and adjacent buildings and emergency medical services, have had similar problems. He noted that the town had to purchase customized fire trucks to fit through the doors.

To solve these and other issues, the town is currently constructing a new public safety complex to house its police, fire and emergency medical services operations and the Building Department on a site at 49 Railroad St. in the town center. It has also relocated its Department of Public Works operations and equipment from there to a more effective site on Pleasant Street in the southern section of Lee.

In the first step of the process, the town in 2022 conducted a feasibility study of possible solutions. The study was funded by $70,000 from cannabis impact revenue.

"The town did a complete analysis of its public safety needs, including such factors as staffing, equipment, and what was needed to meet call volumes," explained Brittain. "We also looked at potential locations, and the estimated cost of facilities."

In 2023, the town presented a proposal at a special town meeting. Residents approved it in a 197-26 vote. Subsequently, the financing specifics of the $36.7 million project were again approved by voters in a referendum.

Although it is expected to increase annual property tax bills, Brittain said the overall response among residents has been supportive.

"I'd say the most common reaction was that it's expensive, but people also recognized the problems with our existing facilities," he said. "They ultimately agreed that it's time to fix them."

Brittain noted that the project has also benefitted from timing, which enabled the town to use the former site of the DPW garage and operations, while also providing a more suitable location for that department.

That opportunity arose after Cassella Waste Management bought Daly Trucking, a local firm. The new owners did not need the former Daly facility on Pleasant Avenue and the town was able to purchase it for the DPW. The purchase was included in the original proposal. The DPW has already moved there.

The Tri-Town Health Department, which serves Lee, Lenox, and Stockbridge, was also located on the Railroad Street site and has been moved to Stockbridge.

Physical work began with demolition last April. Construction of the 37,600 square-feet public safety building is slated to be completed by late summer or early fall of 2027.

Brittain said the project has proceeded as smoothly as can be expected.

"A project like this is very complicated and involves many factors," he said. "And state requirements are cumbersome. But overall it has gone well because the town has supported it. We've tried to make a building that meets our needs far into the future."

The town of Lanesborough has taken a different approach to address its public safety needs.

The condition of the town's 97-year-old police station had long been deteriorating and the issue became urgent about a decade ago.

"It's condition was horrendous," said Police Chief Robert Derksen. "The building had serious structural issues, as well as mold and rodents and other problems."

An effort to correct the condition of the existing building was undertaken. However, subsequently the town's insurer issued a cease-and-desist order on that work, which forced the town to look for another solution.

Various concepts were studied, including the construction of a new public safety complex for police and EMS services. However, there were controversies over the cost and other issues, and voters rejected that at a town meeting in 2023.

As an alternative, the town devised another plan for the police station. Rather than build a new structure, the town leased space for the station in a former medical office in the Lanesborough Plaza commercial development at 545 South Main St.(Route 7). The department moved there in 2022.

"Compared to the previous police station, this is like night and day," said Derksen. "There are some issues, but they are manageable."

Overall, Derksen said that while it has been a substantial improvement it is not an ideal situation.

"This works well for us now, and we're grateful for it, although I wouldn't say it's a forever solution," he said. "The site wasn't originally designed or built for all the specific requirements of a police station."

During discussions of the public safety complex, it was determined that the present fire station at 180 South Main St. is still in functional condition. Although it needed some upgrading, including a new roof, the cost of refurbishing it was lower than construction of a new facility.

Lanesborough's Fire Department is actually a partnership between the town government and the Lanesborough Volunteer Firefighters Association. That is a community-based organization that provides firefighting and other services such as safety education and inspections, using a corps of trained volunteers. It covers its expenses primarily through fund-raising events and campaigns.

The town owns the major fire equipment, with some contributions from the association. The fire station itself is owned by the association, which leases it to the town for $1 a year. The association covers the cost of the building's maintenance and upkeep from its budget. The association has been making improvements to the building, and is planning for the more extensive projects such as the roof.

The town also has an EMS agency, known as Lanesborough Ambulance. It has shared space in the fire station. However, it was decided last year that it was impractical for the EMS service to remain there, because of a shortage of space for both operations. In addition, it was determined that a separate facility for the EMS service would improve its efficiency and conditions for its workers.

As a solution, Lanesborough Ambulance has moved into another rented space in Lanesborough Plaza. It includes bunks and common areas for crews.

These actions have alleviated the most pressing problems. Whether another more extensive long-term solution is needed or desired still appears to be an open question for the town. A town committee has been conducting studies, and further proposals may be pursued and presented to voters.

Gina Dario, Lanesborough town administrator, said opinions in the town vary.

"The changes that have been made for the police and EMS services are a definite improvement in operability," she said. "I wouldn't say there is a major push for permanent changes at this time, but there are differing views. Some people are strong supporters of further steps like building a new public safety complex. But there are also residents who are concerned about taxes and affordability, and they believe we are well-supported by the services we have."

Nearby, the City of Pittsfield has long been dealing with the limitations of its current police station, which was built in 1939 at 39 Allen St. across from City Hall. In addition to structural issues, many contend that it is too small and crowded, and is not capable of handling the demands of modern policing.

Specific factors are cited, such as the condition of its cells, non-compliance with the Americans With Disability Act, and wiring that is not capable of handling digital technology and equipment.

Over the years, as recently as 2013 and 2018, there have been concerted initiatives to either extensively modernize or replace the station. However, they were unsuccessful.

When asked to describe the current condition and status of the police station, Mayor Peter Marchetti replied: "I wouldn't call it very good. The best word I could use is 'fair.' However, others might use stronger language."

Currently, the city is taking interim steps to alleviate the overcrowding while exploring its options for a permanent solution.

It is working on a plan to move some of the Police Department's offices into the nearby Old Town Hall, a historic vacant municipal building on Park Square that had previously been leased by Berkshire Bank. Necessary repairs and adaptations to the building are currently underway to prepare for the offices to be relocated when that work is completed. A specific date has not yet been determined.

Marchetti said options for a permanent solution are being considered in conjunction with a larger evaluation of all the city's municipal buildings and infrastructure.

"We're starting a comprehensive survey of all of the city's properties to determine their condition, how they fit into the city's overall operations, and what improvements or changes might be needed," he said. "This is not limited to the police station, but that is one of the high priorities."

He added that possibilities include extensive reconstruction of the existing station or converting another city-owned building into a police station, or constructing a new facility.

"It's important to conduct due diligence," he said. "The process will have to start with basic steps. We have to identify a location and then determine the cost and find the funding."

The situation for the Fire Department is different. It operates out of five sites, including its headquarters at 74 Columbus Ave. and four neighborhood satellite stations around the city. It is a municipal department that is professionally staffed and also provides emergency medical treatment in partnership with a private ambulance service.

(The West Housatonic St. station is temporarily closed because of the levels of radon gas detected during tests. However, it is slated to be reopened when remediation has been completed.)

Marchetti said the stations are still structurally sound and are able to accommodate modern firefighting operations and vehicles.

The city recently used a portion of the $41 million in federal funds it received from the American Rescue Plan Act to upgrade the interior of the stations, including new windows and improvements to the living quarters for firefighters.

"The Fire Department is different than other departments where the staff comes in, does their work and goes home at the end of the day," said Marchetti. "The firefighters stay in the stations for longer periods while they're on duty, so it's important to provide good living conditions for them."

Other communities are facing variations of these issues. Dalton is currently working to determine how to upgrade its police and fire facilities. A primary challenge there has been issues related to potential locations that have been identified.

Faced with fundamental problems with its former police station, the city of North Adams relocated the department into the former Berkshire Juvenile Court at 21 Holden St. in 2023. That is intended to be a temporary site while the city pursues the concept of building a permanent public safety complex.

The current effort on the state level to establish a Municipal Building Authority as a quasi-public agency, similar to the Massachusetts School Building Authority, (see previous article) may alleviate the financial aspects of projects like this if it is approved.

"It would be super to see the same thing when it comes to public safety facilities, because most of those are antiquated across the commonwealth," said North Adams Mayor Jennifer Macksey. "Mirror it off of the MSBA. We already have a system that works well. We see it in our schools, and we should have that for other municipal buildings, but specifically public safety."

Nevertheless cities and towns will continue to face the challenge of protecting the public while overcoming the physical effects of time on public safety infrastructure, keeping up with the demands for services, and taking advantages of progress in related equipment and technology.
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At least eight devotees, all of them women, were killed in a crowd crush at a religious gathering in a temple in the eastern Indian state of Bihar.

Hundreds of devotees had gathered on Tuesday morning at the Sheetla temple in Nalanda district, about 1,100km east of the national capital of Delhi, when a sudden rush triggered a stampede, leaving several dead and injured.

The rush intensified in seconds, leading to a stampede-like situation, according to reports.

Visuals from the scene showed chaotic crowds inside the temple premises, as police and local villagers rushed in after being alerted and launched relief and rescue efforts.

Locals said the temple draws devotees from across the state, especially witnessing heavy footfall every Tuesday. A devotee, whose mother was trampled by the crowd, said the management failed to prevent the tragedy.

They [temple] administration should have stopped the crowd when they saw the crowd swelling. They did not. I kept calling my mother but the crowd swept her into the temple, she told news agency PTI.

The injured were rushed to a government hospital in Bihar Sharif.

"The barricades broke, and suddenly a stampede occurred. People are saying that there was no police there," Eyewitness Lait Kumar told ANI news agency.

The state government has ordered an investigation into the incident and shut down the temple to restore normalcy at the site. Chief minister Nitish Kumar announced an ex gratia payment of Rs600,000 (4,830) for each of the victims' families.

Prime minister Narendra Modi offered his condolences to the relatives of the victims. "The mishap in Nalanda district, Bihar, is deeply painful," he said on X.

"Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured," he said, adding that an ex gratia of Rs200,000 (1,610) will given to the next of kin of each dead. The injured will receive a compensation of Rs50,000 (402).

Stampedes in India, especially at religious places, are increasingly common.

In July last year, at least six people died and several others were injured following a stampede at the Mansa Devi temple in the northern Indian city of Haridwar.

A month before, at least three people were killed and nearly 50 injured in a stampede after a crowd went out of control at a religious gathering in the eastern Indian city of Puri.

In January, 79 Hindu pilgrims died in a stampede at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Indias Prayagraj, a toll far exceeding the official numbers, according to a local news investigation.

Pilgrims attempting to board a train to the same event at a New Delhi railway station were also caught in a stampede that killed over a dozen people.

In yet another incident in May, eleven people, including two children, who had come for a victory parade of the Indian Premier League (IPL) team Royal Challengers Bengaluru died in a stampede.

In July 2024, at least 121 people were killed during a religious gathering of the Hindu community in Uttar Pradesh.
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The last of the Indian sailors who were detained in Iran last year for allegedly smuggling fuel have returned home, ending a months-long ordeal.

The eight men were part of the 18-member crew of the ship MT Valiant Roar, which was detained by Iranian authorities in international waters on 8 December. Some of them were held in a prison in the port city of Bandar Abbas and the rest on the vessel.

After their families approached a court in January and sought the governments intervention, the foreign ministry said it had secured consular access to them and would be able to have them back.

The company operating the ship had denied the Iranian allegations of smuggling by the crew.

While eight of the crew members returned to India on 10 February, the remaining eight arrived on Sunday. It wasnt clear if the other two  one each from Bangladesh and Nepal  had been released yet.

The newly returned sailors said their ordeal worsened after the US and launched a war on Iran last month, leaving them stuck in a major conflict.

Every moment felt close to death, Anil Kumar Singh, the ships chief engineer, told the BBC.

Ketan Mehta, another engineer, said that they could not sleep for days as missiles flew everywhere.

Captain Vijay Kumar said they were intercepted by Iranian naval forces after their vessel developed a technical fault. There was a fault in our generator. While we were trying to restore power, the navy arrived and intercepted us. Before we could even speak, they opened fire," he told the news agency ANI.

The ship, he claimed, was outside Iranian territorial waters at the time.

His crew was taken into custody and later accused of smuggling diesel. They asked me to sign documents but I refused. We were detained and after some time they presented us before the media, accusing us of carrying 6,000 litres of diesel," Mr Kumar said.

He added that authorities could not present any evidence despite repeatedly checking the ship.

The sailors were eventually detained for roughly 50 days. Those days were very painful. We did not even know what was happening, Mr Kumar said.

Their situation worsened after the US and Israel began the war. Missiles were falling around us, he recalled, it felt like our turn was next.

The ordeal didnt end with their release from detention. We had no money. A taxi demanded $3,000 from us," Mr Kumar said.

They eventually travelled by land to Armenia and then went to Dubai, where they took a flight home.

On the way, they had to stay in a hotel in Tehran while the city was being bombed by American and Israeli forces. Mr Kumar recalled that explosions in the vicinity caused their hotel to shake through the night.

The war has stranded hundreds of tankers and cargo ships on either side of the Strait of Hormuz, where Iranian attacks have killed at least three Indian sailors and left another missing.

The plight of Indian sailors stuck in and around the strait has become a major domestic issue, with Delhi saying it is coordinating with authorities in multiple countries, including Iran, to ensure their safety.

India is the worlds third-largest supplier of seafarers, with nearly 300,000 sailors working across global shipping fleets, according to government data.
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Indian forest officials have started an investigation following social media outrage over a Russian photographers photoshoot for which a 65-year-old elephant was painted bright pink.

Animal rights activists accused Julia Buruleva, a Barcelona-based conceptual photographer, of animal cruelty for painting the tusker in pink colour for a photoshoot in Jaipur city in the western state of Rajasthan.

The images show a woman, coloured in pink, sitting atop the painted elephant at an abandoned Hindu temple. The pictures were initially posted on her Instagram page in December last year, but they sparked outrage this month after going viral on social media.

Ms Buruleva told The Independent that the shoot took place in November 2025 during her six-week art expedition and that the project was aimed at reflecting the existing realities rather than justifying, promoting, or condemning the practices.

Ms Buruleva said no harm was caused to the elephant at any point during the shoot, adding that the paint was non-toxic and natural. It was applied for a very short period of time and was easily washable. The entire session was brief and conducted under the supervision of the elephants handler, who is responsible for its daily care and well-being, she said.

The photographer said that the elephant showed no signs of distress and appeared calm, relaxed and responsive.

One of the most-liked comments on her Instagram post read: "This is not art, this is pure animal abuse and so not ok to glorify it. Another user wrote: "Creative freedom is not a free pass for irresponsible expression".

"Would they let you do this in your own country?" read a comment.

Responding to the backlash, Ms Buruleva said: In Jaipur, elephants are visibly present in the cultural landscape  in ceremonies, decorations, and everyday life. And I saw them painted every day, because it is also a part of a local tradition.

I understand that this topic is sensitive for many people. At the same time, I believe it is important to distinguish between situations where animals are genuinely harmed and those where assumptions may not fully reflect the actual conditions.

Shadik Khan, the elephants owner, said the tusker named Chanchal was 65 years old at the time of the shoot and was no longer used for rides. Mr Khan added that Chanchal died in February.

Ms Buruleva said she was informed of the elephants death and that the owner told her Chanchal died of old age.

He told The New Indian Express that kaccha gulal was used to paint the elephant for the 10-minute shoot, which was washed off immediately after, referring to the Hindi term for a powdered colour made from natural materials which washes off easily without leaving any stains.

Forest department officials said they have taken cognisance of the incident and initiated an inquiry. Authorities will examine whether permissions were obtained and if animal welfare norms were followed, according to the report.

Animal rights groups have called on the government to impose stricter regulations. "This incident highlights the rampant abuse of captive elephants in Jaipur to cater to tourists whims and fancies," said Gajender Kumar Sharma, Country Director of World Animal Protection in India.

"We are calling upon the Indian authorities to strictly regulate all close encounters of captive elephants with all tourists, including foreign tourists, in Jaipur and all over India."
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Japan has deployed its first long-range missile at a southwestern army camp, a move that significantly bolsters its offensive capabilities and marks a departure from its long-held self-defence-only policy.

The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, are now operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture.

Defence Minister Shinjiro Koizumi stated the deployment was crucial given "the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era," adding it "demonstrates Japan's firm determination and capability to defend itself."

With a range of approximately 1,000 kilometres (620 miles), the new missile represents a substantial upgrade from the original's 200-kilometre (125-mile) reach, enabling it to strike targets as far as mainland China.

This provides Japan with a "standoff" capability, allowing it to hit enemy missile bases from a distance, a strategic shift under its pacifist constitution.

However, the deployment has drawn criticism from local residents, who staged protests outside Camp Kengun.

open image in gallery Japans upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), a significant extension from the 200-kilometer (125-mile) range of the original that would allow it to reach mainland China ( Kyodo News via Associated Press )

They argue the move will escalate regional tensions and increase the risk of the area becoming a target for potential adversaries.

Japan rolls out more weapons systems to protect southwestern islands

Also on Tuesday, a hypersonic glide vehicle, a new weapons system designed for island defense, was deployed to Camp Fuji in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo.

Additional deployment of the upgraded Type-12 missiles and HGVs at other locations in Japan, including Hokkaido in the north and Miyazaki in the south, are planned by March 2028.

Japan also plans to deploy U.S.-made, 1,600-kilometer (990-mile)-range Tomahawk cruise missiles on Japanese destroyer JS Chokai later this year, and eventually on seven other destroyers.

Takaichi boosts defense spending to counter China

Japan considers China its main regional security threat and has fortified the country's southwestern islands near the East China Sea in recent years.

open image in gallery Additional deployment of the upgraded Type-12 missiles and HGVs at other locations in Japan, including Hokkaido in the north and Miyazaki in the south, are planned by March 2028 ( @Commonwealth of Australia, Department of Defence )

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's Cabinet in December approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the fiscal year beginning April and aims to fortify its strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals.

Japan last June spotted two Chinese aircraft carriers almost simultaneously operating near Japanese remote islands in the Pacific for the first time, sparking Tokyo's concern about Beijings military activity stretching far beyond its borders.

The defense minister last week announced the establishment of a new office dedicated to studying Chinas Pacific activity.

Tensions have escalated further since Takaichis statement in November that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response.
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An explosion struck a major natural gas pipeline in southern Pakistan, disrupting supply amid a deepening energy crisis caused by the US-Israeli war on Iran.

The main supply line of the Sui Southern Gas Company near Quetta, the capital of the restive Balochistan province bordering Afghanistan and Iran, was attacked on Monday by unknown individuals, a company spokesperson said, adding that a section of the 18-inch pipeline was blown up.

Technical crews were immediately dispatched to the site and managed to shut the main valve and extinguish the fire, the company said. However, gas supply was disrupted in many parts of Quetta and upper Balochistan during cold weather conditions, when households relied heavily on gas for heating and cooking.

Police said they had launched an investigation and sealed off the area.

The company said it required clearance from law enforcement agencies before starting repair work, which was expected to take between 12 and 24 hours.

A video circulated online showed a raging fireball rising into the sky in a mountainous area through which the pipeline reportedly ran. The Independent could not confirm the authenticity of the video.

The explosion is suspected to be a terrorist attack in a region with a long history of separatist insurgency and militant violence.

Baloch separatist groups routinely attack government and military installations in the region. They accuse the central government in Islamabad of depriving the local people of what they claim is their fair share of the mineral-rich provinces resources.

In 2014, the Baloch Liberation Army claimed responsibility for an attack on the Sui Southern Gas Company pipeline in the Akhtarabad area of Quetta. The ethnonationalist insurgent group seeks independence for Balochistan, Pakistans largest province.

In August 2025, a similar attack blew up a gas pipeline in Lakki Marwat district in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, disrupting supply to Punjabs Mianwali region.
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Pakistans unlikely emergence as the potential mediator between the US and Iran may enhance its diplomatic and strategic standing in the region but it must first overcome its many contradictions and challenges, analysts say.

In a televised briefing on Sunday, foreign minister Ishaq Dar said Islamabad was happy that Washington and Tehran had agreed to peace talks facilitated by the South Asian nation in the coming days. These, he added, would be meaningful talks for a comprehensive settlement.

Dar was speaking after a multilateral meeting with his counterparts from Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia, the regional powers seeking to return stability to the Middle East amid the escalating war against Iran launched by the US and Israel a month ago.

Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks, the minister said.

Islamabad, Dar added, was also engaged with the US leadership in our efforts to deescalate the situation and find a solution to the conflict.

Neither Washington nor Tehran has so far confirmed Islamabads role as the potential mediator.

open image in gallery Foreign ministers Badr Abdelatty of Egypt, left, Faisal bin Farhan of Saudi Arabia, Ishaq Dar of Pakistan, and Hakan Fidan of Turkey pose before their meeting in Islamabad on 29 March 2026 ( Pakistan Foreign Ministry/AFP )

Pakistan has positioned itself as a big player in brokering peace in the most consequential conflict in the world, leveraging improved ties with the US under president Donald Trump and its longstanding friendship with Iran.

Its emergence as a potential mediator, however, has surprised many given the South Asian countrys perceived instability and unreliability on the international stage.

Chietigj Bajpaee, a senior research fellow for South Asia at Chatham House, tells The Independent Pakistans mediation attempt is ambitious but deeply constrained.

I think there are a lot of internal contradictions, and the challenge is ensuring Pakistans ambition to play the role of a mediator doesnt collapse under the weight of these contradictions, internal and in the broader regional context as well.

Regionally, it is in the midst of a conflict with Afghanistan and there is an irony in Pakistan offering to mediate between the US and Iran and Iran offering to mediate between Afghanistan and Pakistan. It also continues to have poor relations with India in the aftermath of last years four-day conflict, he says.

What also makes its outreach awkward, Bajpaee says, is that Pakistan doesnt have any diplomatic relations with Israel, a key party to the conflict, while it maintains close ties to both the US and the Gulf Arab states, including a defence agreement with Saudi Arabia, undermining its neutral status.

It is hard to see it as a neutral mediator, he says. It has at times had strained relations with Iran as seen in the brief skirmishes in 2024 over Baloch separatist movements on both sides of the border.

Another analyst sees this as a diplomatic turnaround for a country once isolated by the US for harbouring Osama bin Laden and dismissed by Trump, during his first term, as a bad-faith actor that had given Washington nothing but lies and deceit.

Pakistan hosting USIran talks represents a major upgrade in Islamabads strategic standing, says Kamran Bokhari, a senior resident fellow at the Middle East Policy Council in Washington. After decades of being a troubled state, Pakistan appears to be re-emerging as a major American ally in West Asia.

In spite of limited history in mediating high-profile crises, analysts say Pakistan carries unusual credibility due to its workable ties with both the US and Iran.

Pakistan maintains steady relations with Iran as a neighbour, sharing a sensitive border along its southwestern Balochistan province, the site of insurgencies on both sides. The two sides clashed along the border in January 2024 but ties were quickly repaired.

At the same time, Pakistan does not host American military bases, unlike traditional Gulf mediators such as Qatar or Oman, which continue to face the threat of Iranian strikes for this reason.

open image in gallery A man draped in Irans national flag holds a portrait of supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei during a march in support of the armed forces in Tehran ( AFP via Getty )

Islamabads relations with the US have come a long way during Trumps second term, with prime minister Shehbaz Sharif slowly making his way into the US presidents good books.

Sharif was one of the first world leaders to sign up to Trumps International Board of Peace. He had previously hailed the US president for brokering a ceasefire between India and Pakistan to end last years four-day war, unlike India which denied that Washington had played any major role.

Pakistans powerful army chief, Asim Munir, has also managed to curry favour with Trump, who has described him as his favourite Pakistani field marshal.

Pakistan has unusual credibility as a mediator, maintaining workable ties with both Washington and Tehran, while a history of strained relations with each gives it just enough distance to be seen as a credible go-between," says Adam Weinstein, deputy director of the Middle East programme at the Quincy Institute.

In neighbouring India, however, Pakistans emergence as a facilitator has triggered strategic unease, with the opposition accusing the Narendra Modi government of causing diplomatic embarrassment and arguing that Islamabads proactive role highlighted Delhis fading influence on the international stage despite its far bigger size.

Indian foreign minister S Jaishankar last week told an all-party meeting that India was not a dalaal nation like Pakistan, using the Hindi word for broker, rejecting any notion that Delhi should play an intermediary role and framing it as beneath Indias stature.

Bajpaee says India is actually better placed than Pakistan to act as a mediator, given its more neutral position and relations with all key parties, meaning the US, Israel, Iran and the Gulf countries.

open image in gallery Donald Trump speaks with reporters while holding up a rendering of the planned White House ballroom aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland ( REUTERS )

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late on Sunday that the US was negotiating directly and indirectly with Iran, though Tehran insisted that it had not been in any talks with Washington.

Were doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up, he said.

In a previous comment, Iran's parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, dismissed the talks in Pakistan as a cover for the deployment of more American troops to the region.

He said Iranian forces were "waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever", according to state media.

Given that the warring sides are in a fix and conflict appears to be widening, Pakistans challenges lie in bridging the chasm between Tehran and Washington.

Bajpaee says there is a risk of it blowing up in its face given the limited control but high exposure to consequences inherent in the conflict.

There is a real risk that this could backfire. So far, Iran has targeted several countries in the region but not Pakistan, likely because Pakistan does not host permanent US military bases, he says. However, if Pakistan is seen as aligning too closely with the US, that perception could change.

Islamabads mutual defence pact with Riyadh  signed last September  complicates its chances of posing as a credible and effective mediator, making it a tightrope walk it, he adds.

Tehran has demanded that the US pay reparations for war damages, remove its military bases from the Gulf, and agree to a new security framework for the Strait of Hormuz.

Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday that the US could seize Irans oil export hub of Kharg Island as 2,500 marines arrived in the region and a similar-sized contingent on its way.

Iran is leveraging its ability to disrupt the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route, driving up prices and causing shortages in Asia, while allowing limited tanker passage from select countries.
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Indonesia has demanded a swift investigation after three of its UN peacekeepers were killed in Israels deadly bombardment of southern Lebanon over the weekend.

The three Indonesian peacekeepers were killed in two separate incidents as Israeli forces expanded their ground invasion, pushing deeper into the south of the country for their goal of targeting Hezbollah. The weekend strike that killed the peacekeepers also killed three journalists.

Two were killed on Monday after an explosion from an unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan in south Lebanon, the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said in a statement. Two other soldiers were wounded in the blast.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from the site of an Israeli airstrike on Beirut's southern suburbs on 30 March ( AFP via Getty Images )

Another Indonesian soldier was killed overnight Sunday into Monday when a projectile exploded near one of the group's positions close to the southern Lebanese village of Adchit al-Qusayr. Another peacekeeper was critically injured at the time.

It marked the first deaths of UN peacekeeping forces in the region and the most serious incident reported by the Indonesian contingent in Israels latest campaign to target the Lebanese armed group Hezbollah since 2 March.

On Monday, the ministry said the deceased peacekeeper was one of its citizens and that three others were injured by "indirect artillery fire".

Indonesia strongly condemns the incident and calls for a thorough and transparent investigation, the Indonesian foreign ministry said in a statement.

Indonesia reiterates its condemnation of Israels attacks in southern Lebanon and calls on all parties to respect Lebanons sovereignty and territorial integrity, cease attacks against civilian populations and infrastructure, and return to dialogue and diplomacy to prevent further escalation and advance peace.

In a post on X, foreign minister Sugiono called an emergency UN Security Council meeting and "for a swift, thorough, and transparent investigation" into the "heinous attack" after speaking with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

open image in gallery United Nations peacekeepers with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) drive past firefighters clearing the road at the site of an overninght Israeli airstrike in the area of Naqura in southern Lebanon ( AFP via Getty Images )

"These are two separate incidents, and we are investigating them as two separate incidents," said United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) spokesperson Kandice Ardiel.

Mr Sugiono, who was in Japan for a meeting with the Japanese prime minister, said that Indonesia would await the UNIFIL investigation to find the origin of this incident.

The UNIFIL has about 7,300 peacekeepers patrolling the Blue Line demarcation that separates southern Lebanon from northern Israel to monitor hostilities in the area that has become the heart of clashes between Israeli troops and Iran-backed Hezbollah fighters.

Indonesia is the second largest contributor to UNIFIL, with 743 troops and 13 staff officers after it regularly began sending its troops to serve on rotation since 2006.

India joined Indonesia in condemning the attack, saying safety and security of the peacekeepers must be a priority.

India's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Parvathaneni Harish, said: "Peacekeepers serve under difficult conditions and are deployed with the backing of a UN mandate in conflict areas. Peacekeeping is multilateralism in action.

"India joins the international community in condemning the recent attacks on UN Peacekeepers deployed in UNIFIL. We pay our homage to the fallen Blue Helmets," he added.

Lebanon became entangled in the war in the Middle East when Hezbollah, an Iranian-backed militia as well as a political party, fired rockets into Israel in retaliation to the US and Israels joint strikes on Iran.

Hezbollah's attack prompted a new Israeli ground and air offensive.

More than 1,240 people have been killed in Israeli strikes on Lebanon, according to Lebanese authorities. They include more than 120 children, nearly 80 women and dozens of paramedics.

open image in gallery A man with his wife, displaced from Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiyeh, shelter from the rain inside a tent along the coast in Beirut, Lebanon, Thursday, March 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Emilio Morenatti) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the incidents were being "thoroughly reviewed in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity."

In the weekend strikes in Beirut, at least 10 paramedics were killed, according to the Lebanese health ministry. Three journalists were killed in an Israeli strike on their car on Saturday.

The Israeli military has accused Hezbollah operatives of posing as Lebanese paramedics, and has said that some journalists it killed were part of the group's intelligence or military wing. It has not publicly provided evidence to support those claims.
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The University of Cambridge is poised to receive what is believed to be the largest single donation ever made to a British university in modern times, a staggering 190 million commitment from investor Chris Rokos.

The substantial sum will establish the new Rokos School of Government.

Mr Rokos, 55, will provide an initial 130 million to the new institution, with a further 60 million pledged, which the university has committed to match.

A billionaire hedge fund manager who founded Rokos Capital Management, Mr Rokos attended a state primary school before securing a scholarship to Eton College.

I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of an education which transformed my life, and I would like to give something back to Britain, he said.

My hope is that, in time, the influence of the Rokos School of Government across the world becomes an important element of that soft power which has been a great asset to the UK.

open image in gallery Chris Rokos is a billionaire hedge fund manager ( Nick Saffell/University of Cambridge/PA Wire )

Mr Rokos studied mathematics at the University of Oxford and worked at Goldman Sachs before co-founding Brevan Howard asset management.

His philanthropic efforts have previously included financial support for scholarship programmes at Eton and initiatives linked to Pembroke College Oxford.

The Rokos School of Government is intended to prepare future political leaders for both domestic and international politics, according to Cambridge.

It will be constructed on undeveloped land within the Cambridge West Innovation District, with operations commencing in autumn 2026 from temporary facilities until its permanent building is complete.

open image in gallery Kings College Chapel at the University of Cambridge ( Getty Images/iStockphoto )

University of Cambridge vice-chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice said: Tackling the enormous challenges facing our world requires radical new ways of thinking and approaches to leadership. Cambridge, with its strengths across all disciplines and its convening power, is uniquely positioned to drive this innovation.

Thanks to Chris generous support, the Rokos School of Government will become a place where leaders and governments  both current and future  together with experts from across our institution generate the insights and solutions needed to respond to our rapidly changing world.

A trust will be established to oversee the financial undertakings from both donors and the university.

Mr Rokos will appoint two individuals to manage the trusts affairs, with the university also nominating two.

Mr Rokos has selected former academic and lawyer Dr Christos Nifadopoulos and Dr Elisabeth Kendall, president of Cambridges Girton College.

The universitys nominees are pro vice-chancellor for research Professor Sir John Aston and pro vice-chancellor for university community and engagement Professor Kamal Munir.
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Novo Nordisk is launching a discounted subscription plan for US self-funding Wegovy patients. Offering monthly prices up to 30% below standard, it aims to widen access and reclaim market share from Eli Lilly in the booming obesity market.

Self-pay obesity drug prices face pressure. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly use direct sales and telehealth to attract patients, divert from compounded copies, and encourage longer treatment, despite deeper price cuts threatening margins.

Analysts and investors suggest Novo Nordisk risks losing this price war, having cut more deeply than Lilly to boost Wegovy prescriptions lagging its rival's drug, Zepbound.

The new programme, available from Tuesday through telehealth platforms including Ro, WeightWatchers and LifeMD, lets eligible self-pay patients buy three-, six- or 12-month supplies at fixed monthly prices, with longer plans offering bigger reductions. Hims & Hers, Sesame and other telehealth companies are expected to join soon, Novo said.

The Danish drugmaker last year replaced its CEO and announced major job cuts and named a new head of its U.S. business, as it seeks to better position itself against Lilly, which moved quickly into direct-to-consumer sales.

open image in gallery A man walks past a sign bearing the logo of Novo Nordisk next to the company's factory in Hillerod on November 12, 2025. On November 14, 2025 the extraordinary general meeting will take place to renew more than half of the board of directors, including the chair. ( AFP/Getty )

Ed Cinca, Novo's senior vice president of marketing and patient solutions, said people were looking for "easier and clearer ways of facilitating payment" as they seek obesity management.

"We're seeing the patient evolving into the consumer of health," he said, adding that people paying out of pocket want simple budgeting, clear pricing and easier ways to stay on the treatment.

Under the scheme, Wegovy injection pens will cost $329 a month for a three-month plan, $299 for six months and $249 for a 12-month subscription - some 6% to 29% below the usual $349 monthly price.

The Wegovy pill will cost $289, $269 and $249 a month, or about 3% to 17% below its standard $299 monthly price.

Lilly's self-pay prices for Zepbound start at $299 a month for the 2.5 mg dose, $399 for 5 mg and $449 for 7.5 mg and higher doses under its "Self Pay Journey Program".

Lillys rival oral obesity drug is under review by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, with the company expecting approval in the second quarter. Reuters reported earlier this year that approval could come in April.

Competition has intensified as both companies try to steer patients away from cheaper compounded copies to their branded, FDA-approved medicines.

open image in gallery Wegovy ( Getty )

Zach Reitano, CEO of Novo partner telehealth company Ro, said Novo and Lilly are trying new things to reach customers, driving prices down for the drugs as well as the costs of distribution.

"They're following the exact same path that you'd normally see in other consumer industries," Reitano said.

Novo is increasingly leaning on telehealth and direct distribution to reach patients paying out of pocket, a shift outside of traditional insurance channels and doctors' offices.

Novo cut Wegovy's standard monthly self-pay price to $349 in November from $499, a roughly 30% reduction, after introducing a temporary $199 starter-dose offer.
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A child has been charged with endangering others during a small boat Channel crossing to the UK under a controversial new law.

The boy, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, is currently in the care of the local authority after arriving in the UK earlier this year.

Despite the him being assessed to be a child under the age of 18, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) argued the prosecution was in the public interest due to the seriousness of the offence.

The new offence came into force under the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act, which became law in December, and covers any journey to the UK by water from France, Belgium or the Netherlands.

A conviction for endangerment carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison for an adult, or six years if the person has knowingly entered the UK in breach of a deportation order.

Gary Willmott, for the prosecution, told Canterbury Crown Court on Tuesday that the child had been seen piloting the small boat.

Judge James, the honorary recorder of Canterbury, asked Mr Willmott to explain why the CPS was pursuing the prosecution of the child given that the only available conviction would be a referral order, which requires a young person to meet with a panel of people who support rehabilitation.

Judge James asked Mr Willmott at what level that [CPS] decision has been taken, considering that we have on all the available evidence a child before the Crown Court.

Migrants sit on board a dinghy as they prepare to sail into the English Channel on March 5, 2026 in Gravelines, France. ( Getty Images )

Mr Willmott told the court that the CPS review of the charge notes the seriousness of the offence, adding: [The defendant] was seen piloting the boat. There was the endangerment of lives of a large number of people.

If the Crown decided not to prosecute, other people may see using young people as a tactic to pilot boats and see this as an opportunity to not be prosecuted, he said.

Mr Willmott said that some migrants on the dinghy did not have life jackets.

Judge James told the child through a Dari interpreter that the decision to prosecute children is not a matter on which I am able to comment on. It is a decision which lies entirely with the Crown Prosecution Service.

He added: They will have to demonstrate that they have followed the necessary protocols and taken account of the various conventions dealing with the criminalisation of children.

The case will have to be remitted to the youth court. In the interim, clearly the defence will have to consider whether they seek to judicially review the continuance of the prosecution.

A date has yet to be set for trial at the youth court.
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Survivors of convicted paedophile Jeffrey Epstein who have spoken to the media are being contacted by police.

It comes as the force strengthens the national team looking at potential crimes that may have taken place on UK soil.

Investigators have contacted women who have spoken to BBC Newsnight and Good Morning Britain, inviting them to speak to UK law enforcement should they feel comfortable to do so.

A new national specialist team has also been set up to focus on potential crimes against women and girls in Britain.

The National Police Chiefs Council (NPCC) said a dedicated group will look at the scale, scope and nature of any potential UK-based VAWG (violence against women and girls) offending within the files.

It will also set up a national approach to gathering and assessing intelligence, with investment in additional intelligence resources.

open image in gallery Jeffrey Epstein is alleged to have abused a number of women and girls ( AP )

Assistant Chief Constable Claire Bell, the chair of the group, said: Policing operates locally but must remain nationally coherent, which is why the co-ordination groups have been established to ensure we are joining the dots as the public would expect.

Working with the National Crime Agency, we are reviewing and assessing the published files.

We have also reached out to survivors who have shared their experiences with the media to invite them to speak to UK authorities should they feel comfortable to do so.

Police forces may receive direct contact from potential victims and survivors reporting matters that are not contained in the Epstein files released. Officers will listen with care to anyone who takes the courageous step of contacting us.

Epstein, a millionaire financier, died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls

The US Department of Justice released millions of pages of documents related to the investigation into him in January.

open image in gallery Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial for sex trafficking underage girls ( US Department of Justice )

The material sparked individual investigations by UK forces including the Metropolitan Police, Thames Valley, Norfolk, Surrey, Bedfordshire, Essex, Wiltshire, and with national co-ordination by the NPCC.

Ms Bell said: I want to assure anyone affected that UK policing will be meticulous in our assessment of the Department of Justice files. The volume of material is significant, and the detailed assessment of the files will take time, which I fully appreciate can be both frustrating and traumatic for anyone impacted.

But it is crucial that we get this right  taking a methodical and co-ordinated approach to safeguard the integrity of any potential investigations. Our priority throughout will remain the safety, wellbeing and confidence of victims.

Earlier this month, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley used an already-planned US visit to request access to the unredacted Epstein files.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, and Lord Peter Mandelson have been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with the paedophile and have since been released under investigation.
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Three teenagers have been charged with the murder of a 16-year-old who was stabbed to death in Leeds.

Chloe Watson Dransfield, from Gomersal, died in hospital after being found unconscious and seriously injured in Kennerleigh Avenue, in the citys Austhorpe area, early on Saturday morning.

On Tuesday, West Yorkshire Police said Kayla Smith, 18, of Kennerleigh Avenue in Leeds, Archie Rycroft, 19, of Middleton Park Road in Leeds, and a 17-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged and remanded in custody.

All three, who gave their ethnicity as white British, will appear before Leeds Magistrates Court on Tuesday.

The force said that another 18-year-old man from Leeds has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, while a third 18-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

A tribute from Chloes father and other family members, released on Monday, said they were utterly devastated by the death of the 16-year-old.

We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality, they said.

She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her. Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.

open image in gallery Flowers left in Kennerleigh Avenue, where Chloe was found seriously injured and unconscious ( PA Wire )

We will miss her forever, she will never be forgotten.

A statement from Chloes mother said: My beautiful princess Chloe. I cannot put into words how I feel that you are not here with me.

You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you  I need you.

You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-oriented princess.

When you walk into any room it lights up with your bubbly personality. There is so much I could say. Theres a big hole in my heart that can never be filled.

Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity. You will always and forever be in our hearts.

Flowers were laid in the quiet street of bungalows and scenes-of-crime officers in white protective clothing were seen going into one of the homes on Monday.

One of Chloes relatives has set up an online fundraising page, which had raised nearly 15,000 by Tuesday morning.
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A Metropolitan Police detective has been dismissed from the force after it emerged he engaged sex workers and used Class A drugs during trips abroad over a seven-year period.

Detective Constable Pervaz Malik, who was assigned to the central west command unit, was found to have organised sex workers for himself and others, and both used and facilitated the purchase of Class A drugs between 2016 and August 2023.

He also refused to provide the access code for his mobile phone in February 2024 during a criminal investigation.

A disciplinary panel concluded on Tuesday that DC Maliks actions constituted gross misconduct, representing a significant breach of professional behaviour standards.

Detective Chief Superintendent Chrissy Jessah, who oversees policing in central west London, condemned the officers conduct.

open image in gallery Malik was arrested at Londons Stansted Airport ( Getty/iStock )

She said: Police play a vital role in protecting individuals who are at heightened risk of violence and exploitation, and any deviation from that duty represents a serious breach of public trust.

DC Malik would have been fully aware that he was acting in clear violation of his obligations to safeguard the public, as well as the strict rules governing drug use.

His conduct was wholly unacceptable and fell significantly short of the standards expected by the organisation and the public.

Met Police said the action against Malik was part of the forces drive to raise standards and root out officers who have no place in policing.

Malik was arrested at Stansted Airport on 15 August 2023 on suspicion of conspiracy to supply controlled drugs. However, the Crown Prosecution Service subsequently closed the case, taking no further action.

He was suspended from duty following his arrest and remained so until the misconduct hearing this week.

He will now be added to the barred list.

Those on the list cannot be employed by police, local policing bodies, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, or the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.
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A fuss in the workplace over a colleague discussing a genital Wheres Wally tattoo and someone sticking an Adolf Hitler moustache on their face featured in more than 6,500 non-crime hate incidents (NCHIs) to be scrapped by Labour.

Under current rules, police are expected to record NCHIswhere no criminal offence has been committed, but the person reporting it believes the incident is motivated by hostility or prejudice because of race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or transgender identity.

However, this week the government announced they will be ditched, with police to be told to stop recording everyday rows and online spats.

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood said that officers should be doing what they do best: patrolling our streets, catching criminals, and keeping communities safe. The move, which comes after a College of Policing and National Police Chiefs Council review, will see a tighter definition of what constitutes an incident requiring police involvement.

Last year, freedom of information requests submitted by The Independent showed that while many NCHIs recorded in 2024 clearly met the current guidelines for recording, several appeared to be questionable.

Bedfordshire Police recorded fuss in a workplace when a colleague described a Wheres Wally tattoo on his genitals as part of an incident logged that also included the worker calling a cap the complainant was wearing a durag, which they said came across as quite racist/stereotypical.

open image in gallery The issue of NCHIs hit the headlines in 2024 when Daily Telegraph journalist Alison Pearson claimed she was the subject of a complaint ( Getty )

Cumbria Police recorded an NCHI where two white women sang a song with Africa in the lyrics whilst walking past a Black female in a store, which the complainant perceived to be a hate incident due to race.

The same force logged a man stating on public forums words to the effect of European Union citizens, steal your jobs without putting money in and take money out without contributing to society.

And its officers also recorded an NCHI after it was reported that a person had made a sticker to look like an Adolf Hitler moustache, and then stuck it to their face.

Staffordshire Police recorded a Palestine flag sticker being stuck on a shop shelf calling for a boycott of Israeli produce, while North Wales Police logged a neighbour parking closely to the complainants son, and also a pentagram symbol spray-painted on a lawn, which was believed to be linked to religious hatred and antisocial behaviour.

The force also recorded an incident where someone had objected to a disabled person riding a mobility scooter on a pavement.

Humberside Police recorded a smirking learner vehicle blocking a guide dogs owners right of way on a pavement. The force also logged an incident where a male pupil called a person Rishi.

Another NCHI recorded by the force read: Female sends an email to family members and copies in police email. The email is nothing to do with police and is a long rant aimed at family members and refers to them as pure evil Nazis.

Dorset Police recorded an incident summarised as brown sauce over car, and two other NCHIs were linked to youth pride events.

Dyfed-Powys Police, in Wales, logged an incident over a person targeted with radio static noise while playing outside in a dispute that started when they fell out over a chicken.

The Home Offices code of practice on non-crime hate incidents was updated in 2023 to raise the threshold for when personal data can be recorded on a NCHI in response to concerns over freedom of speech.

open image in gallery Critics of the NCHIs included Hampshire Police and Crime commissioner Donna Jones ( Andrew Parsons / Parsons Media )

It appeared to reflect a fall in NCHIs recorded by the 29 police forces that responded to the FOI request. A total of 6,684 NCHIs were logged last year in the 12 months ending on 31 October last year  although two forces provided the data on calendar years.

That figure was down from 7,036 the year before, and 8,389 in 2020/21.

Police Scotland recorded the most NCHIs, 1,173, followed by South Yorkshire, 513, and Nottinghamshire, 465.

In 2024, College of Policing chair Lord Herbert of South Downs suggested the need for a rebalancing over the publics response to the incidents, saying police should be able to focus on their job rather than deal with mere disputes that damage public confidence.

Watchdog His Majestys Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services also found that police were recording and attending too many NCHIs, and not consistently applying national guidance.

Critics included Hampshire Police and Crime commissioner Donna Jones, who said NCHIs should be scrapped in their current form. She said police should not be responding to an incident that was not a crime.

Following this weeks announcement to overhaul the NCHIs, the Home Office said it would update the national standard with a narrower definition setting out when police involvement is required.

It said the new threshold will be more closely tied to core police work: preventing and detecting crime, protecting life and property, and maintaining public order.
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A rapper has been jailed for being the owner of an XL bully dog which mauled a pensioner to death while dangerously out of control at his home in Essex.

Ashley Warren, 41, has been jailed at Chelmsford Crown Court for 10 years and three months after Esther Martin, 68, was killed at his home in Jaywick in February 2024.

Prosecutors said that Warren had asked Ms Martin, who was just 5ft 3in, to mind his two XL bullies so that he could travel to London to film a music video.

The fatal attack came just two days after a ban on the breed came into force in England and Wales, making it a criminal offence to own or possess the dogs without a certificate of exemption.

Warren, 41, was found guilty following an earlier trial of being the owner of a dog named Bear which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place.

He was acquitted at Chelmsford Crown Court of being a person in charge of a dog named Beauty  a dog that belonged to his girlfriend  which did the same.

Ashley Warren has been sentenced for owning an XL bully dog that fatally attacked a woman ( PA Archive )

Warren, now of Addlestone, Surrey, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.

His earlier trial was told that he left Ms Martin with the two dogs and eight puppies of the same breed at his then home in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said this was despite Ms Martins mobility issues, lack of dog training and little to no experience of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time.

Hours after her arrival Ms Martin sustained dozens and dozens of injuries, including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a complete fracturing of the bone, the court heard.

Mr Paxton told jurors: It was, you may think, a tragedy waiting to happen, given the imbalance that arose between 68-year-old Esther, short in stature, and the towering power of these banned XL bully dogs.

Police had been to the property about an unrelated matter 11 days before the attack, and a video recording, played to jurors, showed Warren telling the officer its a shame about the laws and my boys got papers already.

Mr Paxton said: If that was a reference to an exemption certificate, that was a lie.

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for any.

The defendant was also found guilty of having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on 3 February 2024, after officers found a knife which he said was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London.
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More than two dozen vessels belonging to Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' have continued to traverse UK waters, despite Prime Minister Keir Starmer's recent authorisation for the military to detain ships exporting Russian oil.

Analysis of ship tracking data by Reuters reveals that sanctioned oil tankers are still passing along England's southern coast in the same volumes as before the government's announcement last week.

British officials had stated just under a week ago that the military was preparing to board vessels for sanctions breaches, with the hope that this public warning would compel the ships to adopt longer routes away from British territory.

Moscow condemned the move as "deeply hostile" and indicated potential retaliation.

However, since that declaration, the British military has not reported any boarding operations, while at least 25 sanctioned ships have entered British waters via the Channel, according to the Reuters findings.

James Fennell, a former British naval officer, suggested that any military intervention would likely be selective due to operational complexities, potential legal challenges, and the significant risk of bringing Britain "one step closer to war with Russia".

He added: "The government is hoping the threat acts as a deterrent and will gauge the effect before sanctioning a potentially risky boarding operation." Fennell concluded that "They will be using back channels to tell Russia to cease and desist."

open image in gallery British officials had stated just under a week ago that the military was preparing to board vessels for sanctions breaches, with the hope that this public warning would compel the ships to adopt longer routes away from British territory. ( UK MOD/Crown copyright )

The Ministry of Defence said any enforcement action would be "considered on a case-by-case basis" and it would not provide "a running commentary" on potential action.

Starmer said last Wednesday evening he had authorised the boarding and detention of Russian vessels to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from making "dirty profits" from the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Russian ships in the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used by Moscow to fund its four-year war against Ukraine sail through the Channel as it is the most convenient route for travelling between the Baltic and southern Europe and beyond.

Other European nations, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have in recent months boarded and detained vessels to disrupt the network of ships.

Trump this month temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil as part of his administration's attempt to tame energy prices.

The UK has placed sanctions on 544 Russian shadow fleet vessels, meaning they are prohibited from entering British ports and can be detained, according to the government.

open image in gallery Starmer said last Wednesday evening he had authorised the boarding and detention of Russian vessels to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from making "dirty profits" from the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the US-Israeli war with Iran ( PA Wire )

Pole Star Global, a maritime data and intelligence company, said about two dozen of these ships travelled through British waters a week on average since the start of the year.

Douglas Guilfoyle, a professor who specialises in maritime security at the University of New South Wales, said even though Britain had sanctions on Russian vessels it would need to rely on untested legal arguments to board the ships.

Guilfoyle said that there were only two clear legal bases to detain the vessels: a U.N. Security Council sanctions regime - not in place at present - or treating seizures as a "countermeasure" in response to Russia's war in Ukraine, which he described as a "novel and untested" legal argument.

"There are very limited exceptions that would justify interference with the right of transit passage or the right of innocent passage by a foreign vessel  even one subject to UK autonomous sanctions," he said.

Brett Erickson, a sanctions expert who works at the consulting firm Obsidian Risk Advisors, said the British government looked weak because it announced it was ready to detain Russian vessels, but had yet to take any action.

"With sanctions you can't be half in, you either have to be all in, or all out," he said.
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A cross-party group of MPs, backed by YouTube, is urging the government to officially recognise the burgeoning online creator economy, which they describe as "stubbornly invisible".

The All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Digital Creators, alongside prominent industry figures, has formally written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, demanding the government "properly recognise the UKs booming creator economy".

This recognition, specifically through inclusion in the upcoming Standard Industrial Classification (SIC) 2026 framework, would unlock vital access to finance, business support, and government grants for a wide array of content creators, including influencers, video producers, podcasters, and online publishers.

The SIC was first devised almost 80 years ago, and was not designed with the digital business models in mind.

open image in gallery MPs and creators have written to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, demanding the government "properly recognise the UKs booming creator economy" ( PA Wire )

The APPG co-chairwoman, Labours Feryal Clark, said despite the digital sector being one of Britains great success stories, it remains stubbornly invisible to the systems that are supposed to support it.

We have a genuine opportunity to fix that, she said.

We are asking the Secretary of State to take a practical, low-cost step that would make an enormous difference to thousands of businesses and the people they employ.

The UKs creative industries contribute 124 billion in gross value added to the economy and 2.4 million jobs to the economy, with the creator economy among the fastest-growing segments.

Alison Lomax, UK & Ireland managing director, YouTube, said: The creative industries are an integral part of the Governments growth plan.

Modernising SIC codes to recognise digital-first, creator-led businesses, would remove structural barriers, allowing them to access the critical finance and business support they need to scale.

Phil Hughes, of the Digital Creators Association, and Scott Guthrie, of the Influencer Marketing Trade Body, co-secretariats of the APPG, said they would be launching a full inquiry into the creator economy later this year.

This is the beginning of a broader programme of work that will make a real difference to our members. We look forward to launching a full inquiry into the creator economy later this year, working with parliamentarians, creators and industry to unlock the full economic contribution of this sector, they said.

When the Digital Creators APPG launched in September 2025, British content creator Lilly Sabri said: For many years people have questioned whether being a content creator is a real job, and whether you can actually build a sustainable career from it.

I started as a content creator on YouTube eight years ago, launched my first business around three years ago and my second shortly after.
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The King and Queen will carry out a controversial state visit to the US late next month, followed by a visit by the King to Bermuda, Buckingham Palace has announced.

The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House, and the King will address Congress during the visit, which will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and celebrate the historic connections between the UK and the US.

The announcement came just minutes after US president Donald Trump launched into a bitter tirade against the UK over the Strait of Hormuz, warning the US wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us.

open image in gallery Last year Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, made an unprecedented second state visit to Britain, including an invitation to Windsor Castle ( PA Archive )

Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social that Britain should build up some delayed courage and go and take oil itself now that the US had done the hard part.

However, following Buckingham Palaces announcement, the US leader hailed the royal visit as a momentous and terrific occasion.

He also revealed the exact dates, despite Buckingham Palaces decision not to release them.

Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th, he wrote.

open image in gallery Trump blasted the UK for not backing him over the Strait of Hormuz ( Truth Social/Donald Trump )

This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!

Commentators expect the visit, which will be the Kings first to the US as monarch, to be fraught with tension, and more than 140,000 people have signed a petition calling for the trip to be cancelled.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey called for it to be cancelled, saying sending the King there was a humiliation.

He accused the prime minister of showing a staggering lack of backbone while Mr Trump treated the UK with contempt.

open image in gallery Mr Trump also posted that it will be a 'momentous' occasion ( Truth Social / Donald Trump )

It will be the first state visit by a British monarch to America for nearly 20 years, since that of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. Her final state visit to the US  her fourth  was in 2007, when President George W Bush winked at her on the White House lawn after making one of his famous gaffes.

Washington DC was also the scene of "Podiumgate" in 1991, when all that could be seen of the then Queen above a lectern and microphones was her hat.

The Kings trip to Bermuda  his first royal visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory  will be a solo one without the Queen.

The UK rolled out the red carpet for Mr Trumps second state visit to the UK in September, which was a glittering occasion featuring dazzling tiaras, brass bands and a sumptuous banquet served on 200-year-old silver.

But minutes before Buckingham Palace announced the royal visit, the US leader posted on social media: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

open image in gallery US president George W Bush winks at Queen Elizabeth II during her 2007 state visit ( PA Archive )

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

Buckingham Palace said: On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

Their Majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

open image in gallery US president Donald Trump is known for his love of the British monarchy ( PA Wire )

The King will then continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majestys first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

Questions had been raised since over whether the Kings long-planned official visit to the US would be cancelled or delayed because of the Iran war, and President Trumps repeated verbal attacks on Nato and on European countries that did not join the US in his war on Iran.

His rants have strained the US-UK relationship. Mr Trump has branded the UKs approach to the conflict terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, including describing him as not Winston Churchill.

But the US president is always flattered by invitations to royal events, with their pomp and glitter, and always lavishes praise on the King.

At the start of Septembers state visit, he said it was an honour to be invited to Windsor Castle. My relationship is very good with the UK, and Charles, as you know, whos now King, is my friend, he said, adding: Hes such an elegant gentleman and he represents the country so well.

He also lavished praise on the King and Prince William at a state banquet speech, saying the King had uplifted the poor, cared for rural farmers and tended to wounded veterans like nobody else.

Nick Dearden, director of Global Justice Now, a group campaigning for greater equality worldwide, said: Donald Trump represents the biggest threat to our security, prosperity and peace of anybody in the world.

Sending the King for another unprecedented state visit effectively whitewashes Trump's actions. It sends exactly the wrong message, at a time we need to be standing up to his reckless, deadly bullying around the world.
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Negotiations to secure a new 650m agreement with France to help prevent small-boat crossings in the Channel have hit a standstill.

British and French officials were continuing talks on Monday to reach an agreement before the current 475m deal, which was signed in 2023, expires at midnight on Tuesday.

According to sources involved in the negotiations, discussions stalled over how a funding package of around 650m will be released from the UK to France over the course of the next three years

Home secretary Shabana Mahmood has reportedly demanded stricter conditions that would mean the money would be released after the French reached a certain interception rate.

Currently, the French intercept 33 per cent of crossings, with Home Office figures showing rates have fallen to intercepting just 2,064 of 6,233 crossings.

open image in gallery Migrants attempt a Channel crossing near Gravelines in northern France ( PA )

Frances general secretary for the sea, Xavier Ducept, said linking funding to interception rates would endanger lives.

They must not make this funding conditional on a type of efficiency that could be extremely dangerous for migrants, he told a French parliamentary committee on Friday.

The separate one-in, one-out migrant returns deal, made between Sir Keir Starmer and Emmanuel Macron last summer, has resulted in 377 migrants being returned to France, while 380 asylum seekers have been transferred to Britain.

British negotiators also rejected requests to pay the salaries of staff at a new migrant detention centre in northern France, The Times reports.

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood has demanded stricter conditions for release of money ( House of Commons/UK Parliament )

The detention centre in Dunkirk was agreed under the last deal in 2023 but has been repeatedly delayed due to planning permission. But British negotiators want to see this centre completed this year as a condition of a new deal.

Funding from the UK is critical to combating migrants crossing the channel in small boats due to the high costs of French illegal migration patrols in northern France.

Border forces said if a deal is not made there will be an increase in the number of migrants that evade capture.

A French interior ministry source told the French newspaper Le Monde, that negotiations have failed. It added that everything has gone up to the ministerial level.

But the British Home Office has denied this and insisted talks between officials were continuing and said ministers were not yet involved in the talks.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "France is our most important migration partner and together our joint work is bearing down on small boat crossings.

We have prevented over 40,000 crossing attempts by illegal migrants since this government took office. Our landmark deal means illegal migrants who arrive on small boats are being sent back to France."
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Patients have been advised "not to worry" about medicine supply concerns despite potential links to the conflict in Iran.

While reassurances are offered, pharmacy bodies are noting early warning signs.

The Independent Pharmacies Association warned the UK faces a "perfect storm of factors exacerbating medicine shortages."

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) adds that pharmacists are seeing "evidence of escalating price rises" for medicines, a potential early warning for supply constraints.

Yet, the NPA stressed the UK is "yet to see" any shortages linked to the conflict, urging patients not to be concerned.

Chief executive Dr Leyla Hannbeck said: The UK pharmacy sector depends heavily on imports, particularly from India and China, and ongoing pressures, from rising energy costs to constrained raw ingredients from the Middle East conflict, are already disrupting supply and risk worsening shortages without decisive action.

Both the Independent Pharmacies Association and National Pharmacy Association have issued warnings ( Getty/iStock )

Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association said: The medicine supply chain is complex and fragile and global trends and events in the Middle East have the potential to cause disruption, as it does with other products.

We have already seen evidence in recent weeks of escalating price rises for medicines for pharmacies in the UK, as the cost of ingredients goes up, and this can be an early sign of supply pressures.

Medicine supply issues vary from month to month, and pharmacies do all they can to ensure patients get the medicines they need.

The Government must support them to meet these pressures if they increase.

Weve yet to see shortages in the UK directly from this conflict.

While there is a risk of disruption, particularly if this conflict goes on for a prolonged period, it is extremely hard to predict.

We advise patients not to worry but to take the advice of their local pharmacy which will help them plan ahead and get prescriptions in good time.

The Government should do all they can to mitigate against this and maintain supplies of medicines into the UK through alternative global supply routes.

A Government spokesperson said: There are currently no reported medicine shortages as a result of conflict in the Middle East.

We continue to monitor the situation closely for any impacts on the medical supply chain.

The department actively monitors emerging threats to supply resilience and has established processes in place to manage disruption across the health and social care sector.
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More than half of teachers say pupils are being influenced by racist and misogynistic social media content, a new National Education Union (NEU) survey has found.

A poll of 10,578 educators found that one in six (16 per cent) teachers said they have experienced misogyny from a pupil in the last year.

Teachers were most likely to say misogynistic (56 per cent) and racist (52 per cent) harmful or extreme online content was influencing pupils in their school.

More than two in five teachers also said homophobic or transphobic (45 per cent) content and conspiracy theories or misinformation (43 per cent) were influencing their pupils.

The findings come as the government is considering measures to protect children under 16 online, which could include an Australia-style social media ban or measures like time limits and curfews.

open image in gallery One in six (16 per cent) teachers said they had experienced misogyny from a pupil in the last year ( PA )

Almost all (98 per cent) teachers said they would support stricter government regulation of tech companies to protect children from addictive algorithms.

A majority of teachers also said social media has resulted in pupils losing their ability to concentrate (71 per cent), seeing an impact on their mental health (67 per cent), and facing sleep deprivation (66 per cent).

NEU general secretary Daniel Kebede said these impacts are deeply concerning and ministers must not delay action to rein in tech companies.

Addictive social media algorithms are feeding our children harmful content on a daily basis. That content is having clear negative effects  with educators reporting racist and misogynistic behaviour by young people, influenced by what they have seen online, he said.

This is not a problem that schools or parents on their own can fix.

The vast majority of teachers and support staff back stricter regulation of tech firms to protect young people. That is why we are calling for the government to raise the age of social media access from 13 to 16.

Nearly one in 10 (9 per cent) teachers also said they had experienced sexualised comments from pupils in the past year.

Secondary school teachers reported stronger impacts or harmful and extreme online content.

open image in gallery Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said he was open-minded about a full social media ban, but said things will not stay as they are ( PA )

More than one in two said social media use has caused changes in peer relationships (60 per cent) and increased bullying or harassment (55 per cent) among their students.

One teacher responding to the survey said their school was dealing with increasing incidents of children sharing explicit images and then being blackmailed.

Delegates at the NEUs annual conference in Brighton are due to debate a motion on Tuesday calling on the unions executive to reaffirm its opposition to all forms of racism, fascism and far-right extremism.

Another motion due to be debated calls for the union to campaign against rhetoric claiming migrants are to blame for all violence against women and girls.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said in an interview with the Sunday Mirror that addictive social media features should not be allowed.

He said he was open-minded about a full social media ban, but said things will not stay as they are.

His comments come after a landmark court case in the United States saw a jury find Meta and Google liable for a womans childhood social media addiction.

In a potentially precedent-setting decision, the jury in California recommended the 20-year-old plaintiff be awarded six million dollars (4.4 million) in damages.

Both Meta and Google plan to appeal, but the Prime Minister said the decision could be a turning point that leads to much stricter content restrictions.
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Young adults who have attended university are twice as likely to report experiencing unwanted sexual approaches compared to their peers without higher education, a new study reveals.

Findings from University College London (UCL) indicate that over one in five (22 per cent) 23-year-olds with a degree reported such experiences, contrasting with 11 per cent of those who did not pursue higher education.

However, the analysis of data from 10,000 individuals born in the UK between 2000 and 2002 also highlighted that those without a university background were more prone to reporting other forms of crime and victimisation.

Nearly a quarter (23 per cent) of non-graduates stated they had been stopped by the police, compared to 14 per cent of graduates.

Similarly, non-university educated individuals were more likely to have experienced assault (12 per cent versus 9 per cent).

open image in gallery Women were more likely to report unwanted sexual approaches, sexual assault, emotional abuse from a partner and intimate partner violence ( Getty Images )

Lead study author Dr Aase Villadsen told the Press Association the difference could be related to what young people perceive as an unwanted sexual approach, and those with higher education may be less likely to accept gender inequalities.

The research on Gen Z adults from the Millennium Cohort Study found a quarter of female participants said they had experienced sexual harassment, and one in seven had experienced emotional abuse by their partner.

Male participants were significantly more likely to be involved in crime and have had more interactions with the criminal justice system, and were also more likely to report having been physically assaulted or victimised with a weapon.

Women were more likely to report unwanted sexual approaches, sexual assault, emotional abuse from a partner and intimate partner violence.

Dr Villadsen said men should not be left out of strategies to tackle violence.

Its not often very popular to say, but I do think we shouldnt take our eyes off the ball that men report being exposed to many violent situations, she told PA.

Compared with data from when the participants were 17, reports of being physically assaulted or assaulted with a weapon had declined, but more young people said they had been stopped by police and been cautioned or arrested.

Dr Villadsen said rates or weapon carrying and assault with a weapon are still too high among more socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Worryingly, unwanted sexual harassment and sexual assault have become much more common, especially for females, she added.
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Keir Starmers deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been dealt another major blow after a judge ruled that islanders expelled in the 1960s have the right to live there.

The landmark court ruling is a further setback to the beleaguered prime minister, whose efforts to resolve the future of the Chagos Islands, which houses the crucial US-UK airbase on Diego Garcia, have been turned against the government, undoing almost six decades of previous legal judgements on the islands.

The deal was already in trouble because of opposition from Donald Trump after a row over whether the US could use the airbase for attacks on Iran, but now, the judgment handed down by Justice James Lewis, the judge for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Court, could finish off the deal altogether.

Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands have been disputed ( U.S. Navy )

The case was brought after four Chagossians occupied one of the islands earlier this year in a bid to reclaim their homes, and the BIOT governor attempted to have them removed.

One of them, Louis Misley Mandarin, who said he was elected first minister of the Chagossian government-in-exile last December, told the court: We are Chagossians... We have long wanted to return, and we had sought permits to visit, but no one answered us, so we have come here to prove we would still like to return.

In his judgement, Justice Lewis overturned a 2004 law for the islands brought in by Tony Blairs government to prevent a return to the islands by Chagossians. He has also reversed previous rulings by the Law Lords on their original removal in the 1960s and 1970s.

He concluded that the governments previous case that there could not be a return to the islands on national security or defence grounds no longer applies because the proposed deal with Mauritius means that the government now accepts the islands can be populated.

He also stated that the cost to the UK taxpayer of the Mauritius deal, which he estimates to be 51bn  higher than any other previous estimate of 35bn over 99 years  means that the argument that it is too costly to enable Chagossians to return has also been invalidated.

Justice Lewis drew on the UKs United Nations obligations to conclude that the islanders have a right of abode on their homeland, which makes it almost impossible to give the islands to Mauritius.

The government has already lodged an appeal against the judgment, which has been granted and will be heard by the BIOT Court of Appeal.

The original decision to negotiate a deal with Mauritius came from a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was not binding on the UK, but stated that the islands belonged to Mauritius.

However, this ruling was based on Mauritius being the former colonial administration centre for the islands. Other parts of the British Empire that had been administered from Mauritius gained independence because they were populated.

James Tumbridge, the lawyer acting for the Chagossians, has told The Independent: Once a population is established on the islands, it changes the entire legal status and means that they should be looked at as their own entity.

The return of the Chagossians to the islands came in an expedition funded by Reforms biggest donor, Christopher Harborne and led by former Tory MP and Reform defector Adam Holloway.

But in his ruling, Justice Lewis appears to be critical of Nigel Farage and others from Reform, specifically stating that they do not have the right to go to the islands. Mr Farage had tried to join the four Chagossians last month.

In response to the courts ruling, Mr Mandarin said: "Today justice has finally begun to catch up with history. For generations, we have lived with exile, with loss, and with the denial of our most basic rights. This judgment restores not just a legal principle, but our dignity as a people.

"We have returned peacefully to our homeland. We ask only to live, to remember, and to belong. Today, the law has recognised what we have always known, that our connection to these islands cannot be erased."

Mr Tumbridge added: "This judgment shows justice works when people are given the chance to be heard. The decision to forcibly remove British subjects from British land, for the Crown to take away the right of abode, should never have been allowed. Today we can start to right that wrong."

Claire Bullivant, chief executive of the Great British PAC, which has led the campaign supporting the Chagossians, said: "This is a historic victory. For decades, Chagossians have been denied the most basic right, the right to live in their own homeland. Today's judgment confirms that the legal basis for that exclusion cannot stand.

It is hard to overstate the importance of this moment. The government's entire approach to Chagos, built over more than twenty years, has been fundamentally called into question."

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel MP said: Keir Starmers 35 billion Chagos Surrender is a complete betrayal. And throughout the process, he has sought to sideline the Chagossian people, treating them as nothing but an inconvenience.

Chagossians, many of whom have no desire to see the islands handed over to an ally of China, ended up taking matters into their own hands. And now this latest humiliation has further undermined the governments case.

Starmer needs to face reality and abandon this appalling deal cooked up by Peter Mandelson and Jonathan Powell.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We do not agree with this judgment, and we understand the BIOT Administration have appealed it. The government has been clear that we consider the arrival of the Mandarin Group on Ile du Coin to be an irresponsible political stunt that has wasted tax-payers money and put peoples lives at risk."
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has promised a fight with social media firms over efforts to keep children away from mobile phone, tablet and TV screens.

Parents have been searching for what is appropriate screen time and social media use for their children without any help, Sir Keir said as he visited a school in South London.

The Government has now issued guidance that advises parents of younger children to limit screen time for two to five-year-olds to an hour a day, and less if possible.

For children under two, screen time should be avoided unless for shared activities that encourage children to interact with others, parents have also been advised.

The Prime Minister said: When theres a lot going on, when children are having a tantrum, trying to find something to distract them is an obvious thing and I dont think parents and carers have had any guidance at all yet about what would be appropriate, what might be best.

The Government is also currently consulting on how to protect children under the age of 16 online, which could include an Australia-style social media ban or measures like time limits and curfews.

Sir Keir added: Some of this will require a fight. If were going to do more to protect children, were going to have to fight some of the platforms that are putting the material up there because theyre putting this addictive stuff up there for a reason.

They want more children to spend more time online and weve got to fight them and be clear whose side were on here.

The new guidance on screen time for the youngest children advises families to avoid fast-paced social media-style videos and toys or tools that use artificial intelligence (AI), and keep bedtimes and mealtimes screen-free.

The guidance was developed by a panel led by childrens commissioner Dame Rachel de Souza and childrens health expert Professor Russell Viner.

Prof Viner, a paediatrician and professor at University College London, said he would next like to see the Government issue more specific advice to parents on what is actually good content for their children to see.

He told the Press Association: What we have suggested to the Government is better guidance from educationalists on whats good content and actually what isnt, because theres a lot of educational content out there making all sorts of claims that can be confusing for parents.

Prof Viner said long periods of watching screens without interactive engagement crowd out important things for young childrens development like sleep and physical activity.

It also seems to have an impact on childrens language development, he added.

Around 98% of children are watching screens on a daily basis by the age of two, the Government has previously said, and those with the highest screen time see an impact on their language.

Appearing on ITVs Good Morning Britain, education minister Josh MacAlister said there has been a complete rewiring of childhood over the last decade due to social media and screen time.

For parents of really small children, were trying to help create some new social norms, he said.

Theres no judgment. Its much easier to say these things than it is to do them, I appreciate.

A jury ruled on Wednesday in Los Angeles that Google, owner of YouTube, and Meta, which runs Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, built platforms to hook young users without regard for their wellbeing.

Sir Keir told reporters on Thursday he was very keen to tackle addictive features on social media.

Prof Viner told the Press Association evidence from Australia and from a trial on different restrictions, will help the UK to make decisions on how to protect young people.

We absolutely need to do something to limit the exposure of adolescents to harmful content, as thats the real issue, he said.

I absolutely support thinking about how we get social media companies to design things that are pro-development by design.
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The UK has failed to agree a new deal with France to stop small boats crossing the Channel after negotiations stalled following a disagreement over policing on Calais beaches.

Ministers were instead forced to agree a two-month extension to the existing multimillion-pound agreement with just hours to go before it expired at midnight on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Shabana Mahmood said the extension was necessary because the home secretary is driving a hard bargain with the French to deliver the best deal for the British people to prevent illegal migrants getting to Britain and risking their lives, adding that ministers want more bang for our buck from the deal.

It is understood that the Home Office is pushing for a significant increase in law enforcement officers on French beaches and a ramping up of measures to prevent migrants from making the dangerous crossings, including intercepting boats in the water.

It has previously been reported that the home secretary was pushing for performance-related clauses that would link a package of 650m in funding to the number of boats intercepted by the French.

Ms Mahmoods spokesperson also took aim at Nigel Farages Reform UK, which has previously said it would not give France another penny and described the deal as a scam.

Reform's comments are completely reckless, and would see a surge of migrants crossing the Channel and risking their lives. This is completely reckless.

Look at the work that we've done with the French since being in government: 42,000 migrants being stopped from making that perilous journey. Farage would risk their lives and open them with welcome arms into Britain, the spokesperson said.

open image in gallery Shabana Mahmood is pushing for more policing on French beaches ( PA )

The existing arrangement, a 478m package, was announced in 2023 and expires at the end of March.

When it was announced, the previous Tory government said it would fund a new detention centre in France and hundreds of extra law enforcement officers on French shores.

But crossings in the Channel have since spiralled, with some 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025, and Ms Mahmood is now under pressure to bring numbers down.

Last week, amid growing speculation about the future of the deal, Downing Street insisted that Britain and France are united in their aim to stop small boat crossings and said the UK is looking to ensure long-term value for money as part of any new agreement with Paris.

But the prime ministers spokesperson refused to be drawn on how much money the government was prepared to hand France for a fresh deal.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer wanted to see the existing deal improved, his spokesperson said: We always want to improve where we can improve our abilities to prevent small-boat crossings.

I wont get ahead of negotiations but we are looking at how we can build flexibility and innovation into any deal with the French to ensure that there is long-term value for money and a real impact on small-boat crossings that builds on the 40,000 crossing attempts that have been prevented since this government came into office.

Asked whether the agreement had provided value for money, he said the preventions were a testament to the work our teams have been undertaking with French teams.

We are united in wanting to stop small boat crossings, which put lives at risk, the official added.

So far this year, some 4,169 people have arrived in the UK on small boats, according to official figures.

The deals extension came as charities and campaign groups urged the government to do more to stop people from losing their lives in the Channel, calling for them to open up safe and legal routes for refugees.

Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, said: Policing the Channel alone is not enough to stop small boat crossings. If the government are truly going to smash the gangs, they must address the root issue of why people take dangerous journeys in the first place.

open image in gallery Migrants wade into the sea to try and board a dinghy into the English Channel on 5 March ( Getty )

We know from our frontline services that there are many reasons why people fleeing persecution and brutal conflict in countries like Sudan and Afghanistan want to come here  many already speak some English, have family here, or have cultural connections to Britain.

But the government has shut down the few safe and legal pathways available, including family reunion, a route that overwhelmingly helped women and children. All this does is push more desperate people into the hands of smugglers.

Meanwhile, Tim Naor Hilton, the chief executive of Refugee Action, said it was scandalous that UK governments have spent hundreds of millions of pounds of public money per year paying the French state to brutalise people seeking safety.

He added: Instead of renewing its cruel and costly deal with France, which has made no impact on Channel crossings, the government should invest that money in establishing new safe routes for people to seek asylum without having to further risk their lives.
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Sir Keir Starmer has branded the decision to reject the latest doctors pay deal reckless as he issued a 48-hour deadline to call off the strikes.

The British Medical Association has announced a six-day strike from 7 to 13 April, immediately following the Easter weekend, as doctors call for pay to be restored to 2008 levels, representing a 26 per cent increase.

The prime minister has said ministers will withdraw an offer of thousands more NHS jobs if the strikes are not called off within 48 hours, according to reports.

An offer under which doctors would have received a pay rise of up to 7.1 per cent was rejected by the BMA last week. Health secretary Wes Streeting accused the unions resident doctors committee of unilaterally rejecting the deal instead of putting it to members.

Under this deal, he said that for the most experienced resident doctors, basic pay would have increased to 77,348 and average earnings would have exceeded 100,000, while first-year doctors would earn 52,000 a year on average.

open image in gallery The latest round of industrial action will start on 7 April ( PA Wire )

Writing in The Times, Sir Keir admitted the NHS is facing damage if the fresh strikes go ahead.

He said: Walking away from this deal is the wrong decision. It is a reckless decision. And doing so without even giving resident doctors themselves the chance to vote on it makes it even worse.

No one benefits from rejecting this deal. Resident doctors will be worse off. Instead of the improved pay, progression and support on offer, they will receive the standard pay award this year, with none of the additional reforms that would have strengthened their working lives. The NHS will be worse off. Each strike costs the NHS 250m in paying for cover. And patients will be worse off.

Of course, we will do everything we can to protect care. But it would be wrong to pretend there is no impact.

open image in gallery Keir Starmer admitted the NHS is facing damage if the fresh strikes go ahead ( PA Wire )

Under the deal, Mr Streeting said pay would be increased, while at least 4,000 and up to 4,500 additional speciality training posts over the next three years would be created.

However, the health secretary warned that the offer of training places would be withdrawn if the BMA rejected the deal. He told the Commons on Wednesday: There is not a something for nothing culture here.

He said the government was planning on the basis of a prolonged conflict in Iran, and as a result will not be able to offer more to resident doctors in a future deal.

The upcoming strike action, the 15th by resident doctors since 2023, will be the joint-longest walkout in the dispute.

Responding to the prime ministers comments in The Times, the chair of the BMA resident doctor committee, Dr Jack Fletcher, accused the government of moving the goalposts on pay negotiations and warned that cutting posts would be bad for patients.

He added: These negotiations are not about arbitrary cut-offs as the prime minister seems to think. Any deadline disappears the moment there is a credible and sustainable offer on the table. Our focus remains on getting a good deal for both doctors and for patients, and we are seeking to talk once again with the government later today [Tuesday] with every intention of achieving a meaningful outcome that could see the strikes called off and a pay deal we can support.
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Donald Trump has lashed out at Britain, saying the US wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us in an extraordinary rant against his allies over the Iran war.

The president told countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran to get your own oil, saying they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves now that the US had done the hard part.

He also reignited his row with Sir Keir Starmer, saying Britain had refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran and needed to start learning how to fight for yourself.

The incendiary comments came moments before Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla are to go ahead with a state visit to Washington later in April, despite calls for the trip to be postponed or even cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East.

open image in gallery Donald Trump said the UK should attempt to unblock the Strait of Hormuz to get oil supplies going again ( PA )

Britain is to deploy extra troops to the Middle East, bringing the UKs military presence in the region to around 1,000.

Defence secretary John Healey, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain  countries that have borne the brunt of Irans retaliatory action  said Britains best were helping to protect partners and allies in the region.

Mr Healey said that, in his recent discussions with Gulf leaders, they underline how valued Britains defensive help is  and they also underline the fact that they judge us by our actions and not our words.

Multinational efforts continue to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and restore this economic lifeblood and artery in the worlds economy, he added.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of the waterway, upending global oil and gas supplies and causing energy prices to surge. The Islamic Republic has allowed some ships to pass through in a tollbooth system, where vessels pay as much as $2m (1.5m) per voyage, while others have been permitted to transit the strait subject to certain political and financial conditions.

Mr Trumps outburst came after he reportedly told senior aides he was considering withdrawing from the conflict without a plan in place to reopen the waterway. That would leave Tehran in control of the vital shipping lane, prolonging economic chaos around the world.

On his Truth Social platform, the US president wrote: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.

open image in gallery The Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker was reportedly damaged in a strike ( Reuters )

Later, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth hit out at the Royal Navy, saying that other countries ought to be prepared to step up on [unblocking] this critical waterway.

He told a press conference: It is not just the United States navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot ( AFP/Getty )

Earlier on Tuesday, an Iranian drone attack set alight an oil tanker off the coast of Dubai. The fire, on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi, which was carrying 2 million barrels of oil valued at more than $200m, was brought under control.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir chaired a Cobra crisis committee to consider the impact on British households and the wider economy.

Costs for homes reliant on heating oil, which is not covered by a broader energy-price cap, have already soared, prompting ministers to announce a 53m package of support for customers.

Sir Keir has previously promised to keep plans for a rise in fuel duty from September under review in light of whats happening in Iran.

It is not the first time that President Trump and Sir Keir have been at loggerheads during this war. Within days of the conflict starting, the PM dramatically U-turned to allow the US permission to use RAF bases to tackle the threat from Iran for the limited specific defensive purpose of protecting British and US allies across the Middle East.

Within weeks, President Trump said he was not happy with the UK, asserting that it should be involved enthusiastically in efforts to reopen the strait.

He also said Sir Keir was no Winston Churchilland later branded Nato allies, including the UK, cowards.
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The UK is set to deploy extra troops to the Middle East in an effort to bolster defences for UK allies facing Iranian attacks from the skies.

On a trip to Gulf nations, defence secretary John Healey said additional air defence teams and systems have arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait, and outlined plans to deploy an air defence missile system in Saudi Arabia and extend UK Typhoon jets action in Qatar  despite the prime ministers repeated insistence that the UK will not be dragged into the wider war.

News of the bolstered defence capabilities comes just hours after US President Donald Trump warned Sir Keir Starmer and other allies that the US wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us, after they refused to join US strikes on Iran.

But on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain  countries which have borne the brunt of Irans retaliatory action  Mr Healey said that Britains best will help protect partners and allies in the region.

open image in gallery On a trip to Gulf nations, defence secretary John Healey announced that additional air defence teams and systems have arrived in Bahrain and Kuwait ( PA Wire )

While Mr Healey wouldnt give details on the exact numbers of troops being sent, it is understood the fresh deployment will bring the UKs military presence across the Middle East to around 1,000 troops.

The defence secretary said Britain would deploy the Sky Sabre air defence missile system to Saudi Arabia this week, along with a Royal Artillery battery and battle space managers who operate the system.

The defence system, composed of radars, control node, and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft, and will be integrated into broader Saudi and regional air defences, according to the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Irans aggressive attacks continue to threaten our allies and interests in the Middle East, Mr Healey said.

Thats why the UK has been flying defensive missions since day one of this conflict to protect British interests and allies  and today were delivering further support by extending our UK jets in Qatar and deploying extra air defence teams and systems to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.

I am proud of the courage and professionalism our armed forces have shown since the start of the war and my message to Gulf partners is: Britains best will help you defend your skies.

As he met UK troops at Qatars Dukhan airbase, the defence secretary confirmed British Typhoons will continue their action in Qatar and thanked pilots who have been conducting flying missions in the region since the start of the US-Israel war against Iran more than a month ago.

open image in gallery Sir Keir announced the dispatch of four more of the fighter jets to the Qatar earlier this month ( PA Wire )

The Royal Air Forces joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar deployed to the Gulf in January amid rising tensions in the region, and Sir Keir announced the dispatch of four more of the fighter jets to the state earlier this month.

British pilots operating Typhoon, F-35, Wildcat and Merlin helicopters have exceeded more than 1,280 flying hours in the Middle East, according to the MoD.

I pay tribute to the heroic efforts of our partners across the Gulf in protecting their nations, Mr Healey said on his trip. We will stand by our long-term partners in the Middle East and continue to push for a swift resolution to this conflict.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump launched yet another scathing attack on Britains response to the outbreak of war in the region.

The US President told the UK and other countries which did not take part in the initial strikes on Iran to get your own oil, telling them they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

He also directly attacked Sir Keirs government for having refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran and told it to start learning how to fight for yourself.

All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT, he wrote on Truth Social

open image in gallery Trump lashed out in yet another scathing attack on Britains response to the outbreak of war in the region on Tuesday ( PA Archive )

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

Later, his defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, hit out at the Royal Navy, and said: It is not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

Asked about Mr Trumps criticisms of Britain, the defence secretary said: "The prime minister has been consistent: we wont get drawn into the wider war, and throughout this conflict weve been consistent in taking decisions in Britain's interests because we need to defend our people and we want to defend our allies in the region.

The discussion throughout the last couple of days with these Gulf leaders make it really clear - they underline how valued Britain's defensive help is, and they also underline the fact that they judge us by our actions and not our words."

open image in gallery Mr Healey also said on Tuesday that the UKs Lightweight Multirole Launcher has arrived in Bahrain ( PA Wire )

Speaking from the Gulf on Tuesday, Mr Healey also said that the UKs Lightweight Multirole Launcher has arrived in Bahrain, supported by a team of UK experts who will help integrate the short-range air defence system into Bahraini defences.

Rapid Sentry, a ground-based short-range missile launching weapon, is now in Kuwait, where the RAFs counterdrone Orcus system is also allowing soldiers to detect Irans Shahed drones early.

The defence secretary met the Emir of Qatar, the King of Bahrain and defence leaders from all three nations during his trip.

They discussed the conflict, further UK-Gulf co-operation on regional security, and Irans selective blockade of the vital oil and gas shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, which, alongside its attacks on Gulf nations, has sent global energy prices soaring.
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A night attack on a community in Nigeria s north-central region left at least 20 people dead, residents and authorities said.

The attack occurred on Sunday night in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North area of Plateau state, Joyce Lohya Ramnap, the state commissioner for information, said in a statement.

She did not give the number of casualties, but said there was loss of lives and injured.

The state government imposed a 48-hour curfew to prevent further attacks, Ramnap said.

No group has claimed responsibility but residents told The Associated Press that many gunmen on bikes shot sporadically into the community.

open image in gallery People gather at the scene of Sunday night gunmen attack in Gari Ya Waye community in the Jos North Nigeria ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Ibukun Falodun, a resident, said that 20 people were confirmed dead.

Attacks in Plateau State are part of a long-running cycle of violence in north-central Nigeria, where disputes over land and grazing between mostly Muslim Fulani herders and largely Christian farming communities frequently escalate into deadly clashes. Criminal gangs are also active.

Earlier this month, armed militants ambushed Nigerian security forces who were responding to a distress call in the northwestern state of Kebbi, fatally shooting nine soldiers, a police officer and one resident, authorities said Wednesday.

The militants targeted the security forces in Kebbis Shanga council area late Tuesday when they were being deployed to respond to warnings about a pending attack, according to Yahaya Sarki, a spokesman for Kebbi state government.

Several soldiers also were injured in the attack in the village of Giron Masa, said Sarki, who shared photos of burned vehicles along a dusty road surrounded by forests.

open image in gallery Shocked residents in the aftermath of the attack ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved )

Kebbi Governor Nasir Idris visited the injured soldiers at the hospital and said the attack had caused great loss. Those that lost their lives, the government of Kebbi state will do everything to assist the families, he said.

The attack was the latest in a cycle of violence in Nigerias conflict-battered region where armed groups often target security forces and remote communities in areas with limited state and security presence.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for Tuesdays attack, but some residents suspected the Islamic State Sahel Province (ISSP), known locally as Lakurawa, which recently has become more lethal in states like Kebbi and Sokoto along the porous border with Niger Republic.
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The Supreme Court is currently considering arguments regarding an appeal from the administration of Donald Trump, which seeks to overturn a federal judges ruling that blocked an executive order aimed at ending birthright citizenship.

This order, signed by Trump on his second terms first day, has been uniformly blocked by federal courts, which have concluded it "likely violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution" and federal law.

The controversial order, part of Trumps broader immigration crackdown, has never taken effect. At its core is the interpretation of the 14th Amendments Citizenship Clause, which declares citizens "all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof."

Judges across the federal system have consistently explained their belief that Trumps executive order is unconstitutional, out of step with long-established understandings of citizenship, contrary to a 126-year-old Supreme Court decision, and at odds with the original meaning of the 14th Amendment when it was adopted in 1868.

They have also argued for the appropriateness of prohibiting the order from taking effect nationally, even after a Supreme Court ruling that limited the use of nationwide injunctions by federal judges.

Among the most vocal critics are the three liberal members of the Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson, dissented from a decision by the courts six conservative justices that used an earlier round of the birthright citizenship dispute to limit the use of nationwide injunctions.

open image in gallery Among the most vocal critics are the three liberal members of the Supreme Court. Justice Sonia Sotomayor, joined by Justices Elena Kagan and Ketanji Brown Jackson ( 2025 Getty Images )

In June, Justice Sotomayor wrote, "With the stroke of a pen, the President has made a solemn mockery of our Constitution," quoting an 1809 opinion by Chief Justice John Marshall.

Justice Sotomayor further asserted, "Children born in the United States and subject to its laws are United States citizens."

She noted that the Trump administration deviated from its usual practice of seeking nationwide enforcement for the citizenship restrictions. "Why? The answer is obvious: To get such relief, the Government would have to show that the Order is likely constitutional, an impossible task in light of the Constitutions text, history, this Courts precedents, federal law, and Executive Branch practice," she wrote.

Consulting an 1865 dictionary, she defined "subject to the jurisdiction" as "to be bound to its authority and its laws," concluding, "Few constitutional questions can be answered by resort to the text of the Constitution alone, but this is one. The Fourteenth Amendment guarantees birthright citizenship."

However, Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing the majority opinion reining in nationwide injunctions, clarified the limited scope of last years case.

open image in gallery Justice Amy Coney Barrett, writing the majority opinion reining in nationwide injunctions, clarified the limited scope of last years case. ( Getty Images )

"The principal dissents analysis of the Executive Order is premature because the birthright citizenship issue is not before us. And because the birthright citizenship issue is not before us, we take no position on whether the dissents analysis is right," she wrote.

Lower courts have been equally resolute. U.S. District Judge Joseph N. LaPlante in New Hampshire, whose ruling is now before the Supreme Court, wrote in July that the executive order "likely violates the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution" and federal law.

Applying his ruling to a nationwide class of children born to mothers in the U.S. illegally or temporarily, Judge LaPlante warned that denying citizenship "would render the children either undocumented noncitizens or stateless entirely. ... The children would risk deportation to countries they have never visited."

The following month, U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman in Maryland reaffirmed her initial ruling against the order, stating, "The Court reaffirms here its prior finding that the Executive Order flouts the plain language of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, conflicts with binding Supreme Court precedent, and runs counter to our nations 250-year history of citizenship by birth. The plaintiffs are extremely likely to succeed on the merits of their claim that the Executive Order is unconstitutional."

Appellate courts have echoed these sentiments. Judge Ronald Gould of the San Francisco-based U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit, joined by Judge Michael Daly Hawkins, wrote in July, "Perhaps the Executive Branch, recognizing that it could not change the Constitution, phrased its Executive Order in terms of a strained and novel interpretation of the Constitution. The district court correctly concluded that the Executive Orders proposed interpretation, denying citizenship to many persons born in the United States, is unconstitutional. We fully agree."

open image in gallery ( Getty Images )

Judge Gould argued that the executive order misreads American history, stating, "The Defendants proposed interpretation of the Citizenship Clause relies on a network of inferences that are unmoored from the accepted legal principles of 1868."

He concluded, "We reject this approach because it is contrary to the express language of the Citizenship Clause, the reasoning of Wong Kim Ark, Executive Branch practice for the past 125 years, the legislative history to the extent that should be considered, and because it is contrary to justice."

Judge Patrick Bumatay dissented, not on the legality of the order, but on the grounds that the states challenging it lacked standing to sue.

Similarly, Judge David Barron of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit in Boston, in a unanimous three-judge panel opinion in October, stated, "But the length of our analysis should not be mistaken for a sign that the fundamental question that these cases raise about the scope of birthright citizenship is a difficult one. It is not, which may explain why it has been more than a century since a branch of our government has made as concerted an effort as the Executive Branch now makes to deny Americans their birthright."

Referencing the Supreme Courts Dred Scott decision, which denied citizenship to Black Americans and led to the 14th Amendment, Judge Barron wrote, "Our nations history of efforts to restrict birthright citizenship ... has not been a proud one." He added, "The lessons of history thus give us every reason to be wary of now blessing this most recent effort to break with our established tradition of recognizing birthright citizenship."

open image in gallery As the Supreme Court hears arguments, the consistent and forceful rejection of Trumps birthright citizenship order by federal courts underscores the profound constitutional questions at stake and the deep-rooted legal principles it challenges. ( Getty Images )

These judicial opinions frequently cite the 1898 Supreme Court case, United States v. Wong Kim Ark, as the clearest precedent.

In that 6-2 decision, Justice Horace Gray wrote the majority opinion, affirming Wongs citizenship by virtue of his birth on American soil. He explained that the 14th Amendment, by qualifying "all persons born in the United States" with "and subject to the jurisdiction thereof," aimed to exclude only specific cases like children of alien enemies in hostile occupation or diplomatic representatives.

Justice Gray stated, "The fourteenth amendment affirms the ancient and fundamental rule of citizenship by birth within the territory, in the allegiance and under the protection of the country, including all children here born of resident aliens."

He concluded, "The amendment, in clear words and in manifest intent, includes the children born within the territory of the United States of all other persons, of whatever race or color, domiciled within the United States." Chief Justice Melville Fuller, in dissent, argued Wong could not be a citizen because his parents still owed allegiance to the Chinese emperor and were not fully "subject to the jurisdiction" of the United States.

As the Supreme Court hears arguments, the consistent and forceful rejection of Trumps birthright citizenship order by federal courts underscores the profound constitutional questions at stake and the deep-rooted legal principles it challenges.
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A proposal to name a highway in Arizona after conservative figure Charlie Kirk has been abandoned.

The decision is understood to stem from political considerations, prompting debate over which factions are ultimately responsible.

Kirk, the activist known for his campus debates, was assassinated last year during an event at Utah Valley University.

Republicans in Arizona, where Kirk's Turning Point USA organization is based, passed legislation attempting to add Kirk's name to Loop 202, a highway circling through the sprawling Phoenix area.

However, Democratic Gov. Katie Hobbs vetoed it on Friday.

In a veto message to state lawmakers, Hobbs denounced political violence but suggested that Republicans had inappropriately injected politics into a decision rightly left to a state board that names historic highways.

I will continue working toward solutions that bring people together, but this bill falls short of that standard by inserting politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan, Hobbs wrote.

open image in gallery Conservative podcaster Charlie Kirk was fatally gunned down in Utah last September. Now hes at the center of a coffee shop's defamation lawsuit in Northeastern Florida ( AFP/Getty )

Republican state Senate President Warren Petersen, who sponsored the legislation, said it was Hobbs who practiced politics by breaking with a long-standing Arizona tradition of recognizing people who made an impact on society.

The veto tells people that recognition now depends on political alignment, not contribution, Petersen said in a statement. Thats not how Arizona has ever approached these decisions, and its a disappointing shift for our state.

Lawmakers in more than 20 states have introduced over five dozen bills seeking to honor Kirk, according to an Associated Press analysis using the bill-tracking software Plural. Many propose naming things after Kirk or creating an official day of remembrance.

open image in gallery Republicans in Arizona, where Charlie Kirk's Turning Point USA organization is based, passed legislation attempting to add Kirk's name to Loop 202, a highway circling through the sprawling Phoenix area ( AP )

Others invoke Kirk's name for measures that would protect free speech rights on college campuses or encourage schools to teach about the role of Judeo-Christian values in American history.

Arizona and Florida were among the first states to give final approval to Kirk-inspired legislation.

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has yet to act on a bill that would designate a road in Miami-Dade County as Charlie Kirk Memorial Avenue" while also designating a road in Broward County as President Donald J. Trump Boulevard.

In early March, Arizonas Democratic Governor has turned down proposals for a new state license plate featuring Charlie Kirk, saying it would not bring people together.

Charlie Kirk's assassination is tragic and a horrifying act of violence. In America, we resolve our political differences at the ballot box, Governor Katie Hobbs said in a statement. No matter who it targets, political violence puts us all in harm's way and damages our sacred democratic institutions.

I will continue working toward solutions that bring people together, but this bill falls short of that standard by inserting politics into a function of government that should remain nonpartisan.
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A body found in Colombia has been identified as a flight attendant from the U.S., who had gone missing in the South American country, according to his family.

Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, a 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, vanished after a night out with a colleague on March 21 during a layover in Medellin, his longtime partner, Ernesto Carranza, and best friend, Sharom Gil, told CBS News.

Medellin Mayor Federico Gutierrez announced on social media Friday that a lifeless body was found between the municipality of Jerico and Puente Iglesias. He said there was a high probability that it was Gutierrez Molina.

We express our solidarity to his family and friends. I have just personally delivered the painful news to his father, who is in Medellin, the mayor said.

On Monday, Mayra Gutierrez, Gutierrez Molinas sister, told NBC News the body was identified by Colombian authorities as her brother.

open image in gallery A body found in Colombia has been identified as a flight attendant from the U.S., who had gone missing in the South American country, according to his family ( Kelvin Gutierrez/GoFundMe )

Gutierrez Molinas brother, Kelvin Gutierrez, set up a GoFundMe page for the flight attendant.

It is with profound sadness we share the passing of Fernando Gutierrez, the online fundraising page read. Fernandos personality will always be remembered as a ball of sunshine as he entered and exited a room. He will always be remembered as a docile, charismatic, goofy man who always provided a helping hand.

The Independent has reached out to American Airlines and Gutierrez Molinas family for comment.

Gutierrez Molina was born and raised in El Salvador and later became a U.S. citizen, according to the GoFundMe page. The family asked for donations to help bring Gutierrez Molina from Colombia to Texas.

Medellin Security Secretary Manuel Villa recently said at a news conference that Gutierrez Molina was with his colleague in Itagui when they left one location to go to a second location in the same city with others, per NBC News.

open image in gallery Eric Fernando Gutierrez Molina, a 32-year-old American Airlines flight attendant from the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas, vanished earlier this month ( AFP via Getty Images )

The colleague made it back to her hotel somewhat disoriented, Villa said, but Gutierrez Molina had vanished.

Villa said Gutierrez Molina and his colleague encountered people with a history of committing theft using scopolamine. Scopolamine is a medication that helps with nausea and vomiting. It can cause severe dizziness and hallucinations, the Cleveland Clinic warns.

The investigations carried out by the Police and the Prosecutor's Office are very advanced and they would have very clear leads on those responsible, Mayor Gutierrez said Friday. Let justice be done. Even, that those responsible be requested in extradition.

American Airlines said it was heartbroken by the tragic passing of our colleague.

Our thoughts and support are with his family, loved ones and colleagues during this difficult time, and we are doing all we can to assist Colombian law enforcement in its investigation, the airline said in a statement shared with The Independent.
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A proposed class action lawsuit filed against Costco accuses the retail giant of retaining financial benefits from federal tariffs that were recently struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court.

The lawsuit, as reported by KING 5 News, was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington. It alleges that the company raised prices to offset the cost of import duties but has failed to commit to refunding those same customers now that the government is expected to return the funds.

The dispute stems from tariffs imposed by President Donald Trumps administration in February 2025 under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act. Seven named plaintiffs from Washington, Ohio, California and Pennsylvania claim they were charged higher prices for imported goods as the retailer passed the tax burden directly to shoppers.

On February 20, the Supreme Court ruled these specific tariffs were unlawful, paving the way for businesses to reclaim billions of dollars in paid duties.

Lawyers for the plaintiffs argue that Costco now stands to collect the same money twice  once from the customers who paid inflated prices at the checkout and a second time via government refunds.

Plaintiffs argue that CEO Ron Vachriss plan to use refunds for future price cuts fails to compensate the specific shoppers who actually bore the financial burden of the tariffs between 2025 and 2026 ( Getty )

The complaint describes this as a form of unjust enrichment, noting that while Costco has actively pursued its own litigation to recover the duties, it has not promised to redistribute those specific refunds to the customers who originally bore the cost.

Chief Executive Ron Vachris previously told analysts that any potential tariff refunds would be used to provide lower prices and better value for customers in the future. However, the lawsuit contends this approach would only benefit a general group of future shoppers rather than the specific people who were financially disadvantaged during the tariff period between February 2025 and February 2026.

Evidence cited in the filing includes Costcos own public acknowledgments during earnings calls that tariffs were influencing its pricing strategies.

The plaintiffs also point to the fact that the retailer reduced prices on certain items once the tariff pressure had eased, which they claim demonstrates a direct link between the federal duties and the higher costs previously paid by members.

If successful, the lawsuit would cover any shoppers across the United States who purchased goods subject to these tariffs at Costco during the yearlong period.

Costco has not yet issued a formal comment on the pending litigation.

The Independent has contacted Costco for comment.
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A man who crashed his pickup truck into a Detroit-area synagogue earlier this month carried out a Hezbollah-inspired attack, aiming to inflict maximum damage, the FBI announced Monday.

Ayman Ghazali, 41, made a video before the March 12 attack at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield Township, stating he wanted to "kill as many of them as I possibly can," FBI Detroit head Jennifer Runyan said.

Ghazali spent hours in the parking lot before smashing his F150 through the synagogues doors into an early childhood education area, striking a security guard.

He then exchanged gunfire with another guard before fatally shooting himself. No other injuries were reported among the 150 children and staff present.

Runyan described the incident as a "Hezbollah-inspired act of terrorism purposely targeting the Jewish community and the largest Jewish temple in Michigan."

Videos and images on Ghazalis social media revealed his embrace of vengeance and Hezbollahs militant ideology. He had searched for Michigan synagogues and Jewish cultural sites days before the attack, even looking up the time for lunch at Temple Israel.

It was unknown if Ghazali knew children would be present, Runyan added.

Ghazalis Ford F150 contained commercial-grade fireworks and over 30 gallons of gasoline. A fire ignited in the trucks engine, but no explosion occurred.

Temple Israel, a Michigan synagogue, was attacked March 12 by 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali. No children or staff members sustained physical harm ( Emily Elconin )

Detroit-area U.S. Attorney Jerome Gorgon drew parallels to Hezbollahs 1983 truck bomb attack on U.S. Marine barracks in Beirut, Lebanon, stating, "That is exactly what this terrorist did a few weeks ago in our backyard."

Ghazalis ex-wife had alerted police, concerned he was distraught and suicidal after losing family members during an Israeli airstrike in his native Lebanon days earlier. The strike occurred days into the Iran war with Israel and the U.S. that began on February 28.

Israels military confirmed Ghazalis brother, Ibrahim Ghazali, killed in the airstrike, was a Hezbollah commander in Lebanon. National intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard told a Senate committee Ayman Ghazali had family ties "to a Hezbollah leader."

Founded in 1982 during Lebanons civil war, Hezbollah aimed to end Israels occupation of southern Lebanon.

Though Israel withdrew by 2000, Hezbollah continues its fight, seeking Israels destruction. The U.S. designated Hezbollah as a terrorist group in 1997, though it also functions as a political party with representation in the Lebanese parliament.

Temple Israel, the targeted synagogue, is part of Reform Judaism, North America's largest branch, emphasizing progressive values such as social justice and gender equality.

It is the denomination's second-largest congregation, founded in Detroit in 1941 before relocating to suburban West Bloomfield in the 1980s, now boasting over 12,000 members. This attack marks the latest in a series targeting religious buildings, intensifying fear among faith leaders and worshippers globally.
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A 52-year-old elephant broke free from her enclosure at a zoo in New Mexico.

Alice, an Asian elephant, was discovered outside of her enclosure by security workers at Albuquerque's ABQ BioPark at 7.30 a.m. Sunday.

Animal care staff arrived on the site within ten minutes of being called and initiated an emergency response, according to a statement from zoo officials.

Lynn Tupa, the associate director at the facility, told KRQE that the elephant had been out for a while by the time that she was discovered.

open image in gallery Alice, 52, was found outside of her enclosure by staff at Albuquerque's ABQ BioPark ( City of Albuquerque )

Shes a big girl, and what we really used is the relationship between her and the keepers, Tupa said.

They were able to call to her, and she started to come to them, and then we also used some of our heavy equipment to block the areas so she couldnt turn around and head back out.

Alice was unharmed during the efforts to get her back to her enclosure, officials said in the statement.

She wasnt panicky, Tupa said. I think she kind of had a little night out, and kind of enjoyed her time, but was, as I said, ready to come back home.

The park was forced to delay opening for 30 minutes as staff worked to clear debris created by Alice eating plants and trees near her habitat, officials said.

open image in gallery Officials said that Alice has been returned to her enclosure at ABQ Biopark ( Google Street View )

Tupa told KRQE the only damage to Alices habitat was to a section of the enclosures fence, where the elephant had pushed against stationary steel and broke through welds that had been in place almost 20 years.

The associate director told the outlet that larger pieces of metal pipe had been installed to prevent Alice from escaping again.

No other elephants escaped during the incident and there were no guests present in the park, zoo officials said.

The BioPark routinely runs drills to practice response to all types of emergencies, and today, the staff executed that protocol perfectly, the press release read.

Alice has lived at ABQ Biopark since 1991 and is a firm favorite with visitors, along with her daughter Rozie.
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Google will finally allow you to change your embarrassing high school email address.

The tech giant announced the new policy in a YouTube video Tuesday.

Tired of your old Gmail address? Well, good news. Google is rolling out a way to change your Google Account username without starting over, a representative from Google said in the video.

Gmail launched in 2004, and a lot has changed in the past couple of decades. You may have picked a less-than-mature address when you first got your Gmail account, or maybe you just want to switch it up after so long.

Now you can change your Gmail address while keeping all your emails, data and account history.

open image in gallery Google will finally allow you to change your embarrassing high school email address ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Google representative in the new video explained how U.S. users can make the switch.

First, go to your Google Account settings and tap Personal info. Tap Email and then Google Account email.

If you see the Change Google Account email option, tap it and pick a new and unique username, the Google representative said. Dont worry about your old emails. Your original address will stay on your account as an alternate.

Your old email address will remain active, and messages sent to that address can still reach you, the video explained.

The representative did caution that users can only create a new address once every year. But if you end up missing your cringeworthy high school address, you can always revert to it, Google said.

If you dont see an option to change your Gmail, it could be that the update hasnt reached your account yet.

open image in gallery You can change your Gmail address while keeping all your emails, data and account history ( Getty Images )

Google said it was simply answering to a need among its users with the new policy.

Can you change your Gmail address?' is the top-searched can you Gmail-related question over the past year in the U.S. Now the answer is yes, a Google spokesperson said in a statement shared by New Yorks Pix11 News.

Some Gmail users took to X to ask Google what took them so long.

So youre telling me coolboy123@gmail trauma couldve been avoided?? one user wrote.

Another said: My 2009 Gmail address has been embarrassing me for 15 years and Google waited until NOW to tell me this.

Others were wondering when Google would roll out the update for global users. For now, it is only available for those in the US.
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A 65-year-old woman has died after falling from a 60-foot cliff-edge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The hiker was walking the Alum Cave Trail, south of Gatlinburg, Tennessee on 28 March when the incident occurred.

Rangers responded after receiving reports a woman had fallen, but they were unable to resuscitate her.

On Monday, the park was still attempting to contact the womans next of kin, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

As of 31 March, park authorities had not yet released the womans name.

Great Smokey is the most-visited national park in the United States, with 11.5 million visitors in the 2025, according to the National Parks Service.

open image in gallery The park is the most visited in the U.S. ( Getty/iStock )

It spans a half-million remote and mountainous acres along the North Carolina-Tennessee border and hosts a section of the 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trial.

Alum cave trail follows a 4.6 mile path and winds past Alum Cave Bluffs and through Arch Rock.

The National Park Service cautions hikers on their website that the trail can become very steep as it leads to Mount LeConte, which attracts millions of visitors every year.

A day earlier, on Friday, two park visitors were hospitalized after massive boulders smashed into their vehicle during an unexpected rockslide, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The two vehicle occupants sustained serious injuries but are expected to survive.

open image in gallery The 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through the Great Smoky national park ( AP/Mingson Lau )

The death on Saturday is the fifth in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, compared to 16 deaths in 2025 and nine 2024.

Fatal injuries occur every year in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Motor vehicle accidents and drownings are the leading causes of death, the park said on their website.

In 2024, the it ranked fourth on a list of the most dangerous national parks in the U.S, recording a total of 104 fatalities between July 2013 and July 2023.

More than a third of these fatalities involved motor vehicles, with most occurring in September.

open image in gallery The geysers at Yellowstone, the oldest U.S. National Park ( AP/Hannah Schoenbaum )

The parks website also warns of venomous snakes, stream crossings, and  even in summer  hypothermia.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 by the U.S. Congress and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

It was the first national park to be part funded by the federal government; parks previously being run and maintained with only state funds or private contributions.
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Donald Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, threatening to target the nation's energy infrastructure, including its crucial desalination plants. Such a move, coupled with potential Iranian retaliation against its Gulf Arab neighbours, could unleash devastating consequences across the water-starved Middle East. The pronouncement, made on Truth Social, outlined a potential escalation if a deal to end the ongoing conflict is not reached "shortly" and the Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, remains closed.

Mr Trump stated that if these conditions are not met, "we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched."

Analysts caution that the most significant danger may not be the direct impact on Iran, but rather Tehran's potential retaliation. While Iran relies on desalination for only a small portion of its water supply, Gulf Arab states are overwhelmingly dependent on it. Hundreds of these vital plants line the Persian Gulf coast, leaving major cities like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha vulnerable to Iranian missile or drone strikes, and unable to sustain their populations without them.

Desalination facilities are oftentimes necessary for the survival of the civilian population and intentional destruction of those types of facilities is a war crime, said Niku Jafarnia, a researcher at Human Rights Watch.

open image in gallery The Sorek desalination plant operates in Rishon LeZion, Israel, May 4, 2014. (AP Photo/Dan Balilty, File) ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

After a fifth year of extreme drought, some Iranian media reports say reservoirs supplying Tehran, the country's capital, are below 10% capacity. Satellite pictures analyzed by The Associated Press also show reservoirs noticeably depleted. The country still draws most of its water from rivers, reservoirs and depleted underground aquifers.

Israeli airstrikes on March 7 on oil depots surrounding Tehran produced heavy smoke and acid rain. Experts warned the fallout could contaminate soil and parts of the citys water supply.

Attacking water facilities, even one, could end up being harmful to the population in such a severe water scarcity context, Jafarnia said.

Before the war that Israel and the United States launched on Feb. 28, Iran had been racing to expand desalination along its southern coast and pump some of the water inland, but infrastructure constraints, energy costs and international sanctions have sharply limited scalability.

open image in gallery Smoke rises from an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, March 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Hassan Ammar, File) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

In Kuwait, about 90% of drinking water comes from desalination, along with roughly 86% in Oman and about 70% in Saudi Arabia. The technology removes salt from seawater  most commonly by pushing it through ultrafine membranes in a process known as reverse osmosis  to produce the freshwater that sustains cities, hotels, industry and some agriculture across one of the worlds driest regions.

Even where the plants are connected to national grids with backup supply routes, disruptions can cascade across interconnected systems, said David Michel, senior fellow for water security at the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

Its an asymmetrical tactic, he said. Iran doesnt have the same capacity to strike back ... But it does have this possibility to impose costs on the Gulf countries to push them to intervene or call for a cessation of hostilities.

Desalination plants have multiple stages  intake systems, treatment facilities, energy supplies  and damage to any part of that chain can interrupt production, according to Ed Cullinane, Mideast editor at Global Water Intelligence, a publisher serving the water industry.

None of these assets are any more protected than any of the municipal areas that are currently being hit by ballistic missiles or drones, Cullinane said.

The Gulf produces about a third of the worlds crude exports and energy revenues underpin national economies. Fighting has already halted tanker traffic through key shipping routes and disrupted port activity, forcing some producers to curb exports as storage tanks fill.

Everyone thinks of Saudi Arabia and their neighbors as petrostates. But I call them saltwater kingdoms. Theyre human-made fossil-fueled water superpowers, said Michael Christopher Low, director of the Middle East Center at the University of Utah. Its both a monumental achievement of the 20th century and a certain kind of vulnerability.

Trumps comments came as the conflict intensified, with Tehran striking a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait and an oil refinery in Israel coming under attack, while U.S. and Israeli forces launched a new wave of strikes on Iran.

A 2010 CIA analysis warned that attacks on desalination facilities could trigger national crises in several Gulf states, and prolonged outages could last months if critical equipment were destroyed. More than 90% of the Gulfs desalinated water comes from just 56 plants, the report stated, and each of these critical plants is extremely vulnerable to sabotage or military action.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have invested in pipeline networks, storage reservoirs and other redundancies designed to cushion short-term disruptions. But smaller states such as Bahrain, Qatar and Kuwait have fewer backup supplies.

Desalination has expanded in part because climate change is intensifying drought across the region. The plants themselves are highly energy-intensive and emit massive amounts of carbon, while their coastal locations make them vulnerable to extreme weather and rising seas.

open image in gallery Two women from the Iranian Red Crescent Society stand as a thick plume of smoke from a U.S.-Israeli strike on an oil storage facility late Saturday rises into the sky in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, March 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Vahid Salemi, File) ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

During Iraqs 1990-1991 invasion of Kuwait, retreating Iraqi forces sabotaged power stations and desalination facilities, said Low, from the University of Utah, while millions of barrels of crude oil were deliberately released into the Persian Gulf, which threatened seawater intake pipes used by desalination plants across the region.

Workers rushed to deploy protective booms around the intake valves of major facilities but the destruction left Kuwait largely without fresh water and dependent on emergency water imports. Full recovery took years.

In recent years, Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels have targeted Saudi desalination facilities as tensions escalated.

International humanitarian law, including provisions of the Geneva Conventions, prohibit targeting civilian infrastructure indispensable to the survival of the population, including drinking water facilities.
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Residents of a 55+ community in Nevada and their homeowners association are trying to sue the company that built their million-dollar homes, claiming construction defects that include homes sinking and cracking.

Homeowners living at Del Webb at Lake Las Vegas are trying to sue their builder, Pulte Group, over alleged construction defects. A judge will decide this week whether the case can proceed in court or if it must be handled in arbitration, FOX 5 reported.

Pulte claims arbitration is mandated under an agreement tied to the home purchases and the HOAs governing documents. However, the homeowners and their HOA say the contract terms are unfair and should not be enforced.

Residents first began reporting last fall that their million-dollar homes were sinking and had cracks in the foundations.

Homeowner John Penn says his home, which is backed up to a rockery wall, has shifted away from the wall. Meanwhile, the wall of rocks has also become unstable, and he worries it may topple.

open image in gallery Residents of a 55+ community in Nevada are trying to sue the company that built their homes, claiming construction defects ( Google Maps )

Its frightening in a lot of ways because right now the house is probably pulled away about an inch and a half, Penn said.

His neighbor, John Ross, who is the HOA board president, lives below the wall and is worried about the possibility of it collapsing and crashing into his home.

I keep trying to tell everybody that if that wall comes down and Im sleeping, whats going to happen? Ross said.

Willie Barron, a homeowner and disabled veteran, says the cracks in his homes foundation have taken a toll on him.

Im not only stressed. Im angry. My house keeps sliding, opening up with gaps. Im a disabled veteran, and its hard for me to walk, and a small crack, I will fall. And I have. And Pulte just say, you pay for this, Barron said.

The HOAs attorney, Francis Lynch, said the problems go far beyond small cracks and sliding home foundations.

That problem is spread throughout the neighborhood, right? Its not just the wall that might be imminent, in danger right now, a life safety issue, but theres 50 other homes throughout the neighborhood, throughout the community that also have the issues, along with the streets, along with the curbs and gutters, Lynch said.

The homeowners, HOA and Pulte remain at odds. While the homeowners and HOA want to move forward with lawsuits, Pulte insists they must go to arbitration. During a hearing Monday, Pultes attorney, Vail Cloar, argued that the homeowners are relying on a single case to argue that the arbitration provisions are unfair.

However, the homeowners and HOA say arbitration is not appropriate, and have accused Pulte of acting outside of the HOAs governing documents, which they say waives any right to arbitration.

We believe, Judge, in the papers that the contract provisions are unfair, unconscionable. Not able to be performed, Judge, said Bill Coulthard, an attorney for Del Webb homeowners.

Coulthard also raised concerns that the arbitration forum Pulte wants to use is not based in Nevada, and since all of the homeowners are senior citizens living in the state, the dispute should be settled in a Nevada court.

The judge did not issue a ruling Monday. More arguments were scheduled to be heard Thursday.

The Independent has contacted Pulte Group for comment.
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When Porscha Tynisha Brown collapsed aboard a Korean Air flight from Washington, D.C., to Seoul, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe, members of the cabin crew responded with an oxygen mask to place over her nose and mouth.

However, Brown continued to gasp for air, and soon lost consciousness and became nonresponsive, according to a federal lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

A number of passengers rushed over to assist, as flight attendants alternated between panicking, observing and taking notes, the complaint alleges.

At no point in time did the Korean Air flight personnel attempt to take charge of the situation, provide instructions to the volunteering passengers, or render aid to Ms. Brown, it contends.

The pilot eventually diverted to Japan, where Brown, a civilian employee for the U.S. Department of Defense, was pronounced dead.

Only after the flight made its emergency landing did [Browns travel companions] learn that the Korean Air flight personnel had never plugged the oxygen mask into the oxygen tank, according to the complaint. Consequently, during the frantic attempts by passengers to save Ms. Browns life, Ms. Brown never received supplemental oxygen from the oxygen tank provided by Korean Air flight personnel.

Had the cabin crew responded properly, Brown would not have experienced intense physical and emotional pain before dying at the age of 33, the complaint states.

open image in gallery Porscha Tynisha Brown (center), a civilian DoD employee, died while flying to Seoul for a vacation with friends. Brown's mother is now suing Korean Air, accusing the cabin crew of not doing enough to save her ( Fort Belvoir Public Affairs )

Attorney Hannah Crowe, who is representing Browns estate in the suit, described her as a really remarkable young woman.

She was at the beginning of her young adulthood, and was a really accomplished and beloved member of her community, Crowe told The Independent.

She said that all airlines have strict policies and procedures for how to respond when passengers have a medical emergency, and to deviate from those protocols is to invite tragedy.

Darren Nicholson, Crowes co-counsel, said he found the circumstances of Browns death particularly disturbing.

What is unusual about this case is that the apparent violations are so bad, it really shocks the conscience how the airline personnel handled this situation, Nicholson told The Independent. There were some very simple things they should have done, that they didnt do.

In an email, a Korean Air spokesperson said, Korean Air will fully respond to and participate in the legal proceeding but as there now is pending litigation, it would be inappropriate for Korean Air to make any further statement.

On March 29, 2024, Brown boarded Korean Air flight 94, set to fly from Washington Dulles International Airport to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. She was going there on vacation with three friends, according to the complaint in her case, filed March 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Brown, a Maryland native with a masters degree and plans to pursue a doctorate, worked at Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army installation in Virginia, as a civilian DoD employee, the complaint states. A workplace safety specialist, Brown received an award of excellence from her garrison commander four days before she left for Korea, the complaint continues.

open image in gallery Brown died aboard a flight from DC to Seoul. Her family is now suing Korean Air, alleging the cabin crew failed to provide sufficient medical assistance ( US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia )

Around 12 hours into the 15.5-hour flight, Brown  who had just told one of her travel companions that she was feeling fine  got up to go to the restroom, the complaint goes on.

A few minutes later, the complaint says a flight attendant got on the PA and asked if there was a doctor on board. Putting two-and-two together, Browns friends hurried to the back of the plane, where they found Brown on the floor, grasping at her chest while repeating, I cant breathe, according to the complaint.

Korean Air flight personnel handed an oxygen mask to Ms. Brown to place over her face, leading [her friends] to believe that Ms. Brown was receiving oxygen, the complaint states. Despite the mask, Ms. Browns belabored breathing continued and she continued to indicate that she could not breathe.

Several passengers tried to assist, but Brown soon blacked out, the complaint says. Flight personnel fetched a medical kit, and the passenger volunteers gave Brown a shot of an epinephrine, which did not reverse her symptoms.

At this point, the crewmembers brought over the onboard defibrillator and set it down, according to the complaint. However, though they were all trained on how to use the machine, the Korean Air crew did nothing and provided no instructions, it alleges.

Instead, the Good Samaritans were left to figure it out on their own, according to the complaint.

Several times, and in the presence of Korean Air personnel, the machine gave the audio command, [S]hock advised, shock advised, the complaint states. The passengers, who were not trained on the machine, did not know that they needed to press the shock button to administer a shock. Consequently, no lifesaving shock was administered to Ms. Brown.

open image in gallery Brown was headed from DC to Seoul with three friends aboard a Korean Air flight when she collapsed after 12 hours into the trip ( AFP via Getty Images )

With the situation getting worse by the second, the captain made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, where she was rushed to Rinku General Medical Center and pronounced dead, according to the complaint.

Ms. Browns Japanese death certificate lists her cause of death as acute cardiac failure, it says.

Traumatized, Browns three friends then had to figure out the logistics of getting her remains back to the U.S. from Japan, a country none of them had ever been to before and where they knew no one, Crowe told The Independent.

The global incidence of medical emergencies aboard commercial aircraft runs somewhere between 18.2 per million passengers and 39 per million passengers, or one every 212 flights, depending on the study. Survival rates in the event of cardiac arrest are far lower than those that occur on the ground, a team at the Duke University School of Medicine found.

The potential for a very unfortunate outcome is high because flight crews often lack proper training to deal with these types of situations," attorney Abram Bohrer, who specializes in cases involving airlines but is not involved in Browns lawsuit, told The Independent.

When a person dies mid-flight, International Air Transport Association guidelines say the body should be moved to a seat with few other passengers nearby, if possible, and restrained with a seat belt or other equipment.

Close the eyes, and cover the body with a blanket up to the neck if a body bag is not available, the guidelines suggest.

open image in gallery After Korean Air flight 94 diverted to Osaka, Japan, Brown was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, court papers say ( Getty Images )

Last year, a couple were reportedly forced to sit beside a corpse aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Doha, Qatar, after a fellow passenger died 10 hours into the 14-hour flight and was stored next to them for the remainder.

They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldnt get her through the aisle, traveler Mitchell Ring told an interviewer at the time.

Earlier this month, a woman in her 60s died shortly after takeoff aboard a British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London, and was stashed in a galley until the plane landed at Heathrow some 13 hours later. A foul smell reportedly soon began to waft about the cabin, which was blamed on the galleys heated floor.

In 2024, a Turkish Airlines captain died while piloting a passenger plane from Seattle, Washington, to Istanbul, Turkey, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing in New York. The crew attempted a medical intervention but it was ineffective, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun wrote on X.

The complaint filed in Browns case says the Korean Air crew violated company policy by not rendering effective aid, and accuses them of waiting too long to declare a medical emergency and not diverting sooner.

As a direct and proximate result Ms. Brown was caused to suffer great pain, distress, agony, and mental anguish, the complaint states.

Browns family, via the administrator of Browns estate, is now seeking damages from Korean Air, to be determined by a jury.
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A bill which would create permanent memorials at Arizonas state capitol honoring both conservative activist Charlie Kirk and late investigative reporter Don Bolles has sparked a debate among lawmakers.

Senate Bill 1686, sponsored by Republican Sen. Jake Hoffman, would rename the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza to the Wesley Bolin and Charlie Kirk Freedom Plaza and authorize memorials for both Kirk and Bolles to be placed near the state capitol building. The Arizona Legislative Council would oversee final design approvals and the placement of the memorials.

The bill has already cleared major hurdles, passing the Senate in a narrow 1614 vote and winning approval from the House Government Committee. It now awaits a final roll-call vote in the full House before heading to Governor Katie Hobbs for a decision, who Friday vetoed a proposal to name a highway in Arizona after Kirk.

Bolles, a reporter for The Arizona Republic, was killed in June 1976 while probing a suspicious land deal tied to organized crime. In recent years, lawmakers have proposed memorials to honor Bolles work and sacrifice, but these efforts have repeatedly stalled. The proposals never advanced out of Hoffmans committee and did not receive a formal hearing, leaving Bolles without official recognition at the state capitol despite his historic significance in Arizona journalism.

Meanwhile Turning Point USA founder Kirk, who called Arizona home, was shot and killed while speaking at a university event in September 2025. Since then, several states have considered ways to honor his legacy, despite his controversial views, including criticisms of the Civil Rights Act and Martin Luther King Jr., spreading COVID-19 misinformation and promoting false 2020 election claims.

open image in gallery The Arizona bill would rename the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza to honor both local journalist Don Bolles and controversial political activist Charlie Kirk ( Getty Images )

The bill ties any memorial to Bolles to one for Kirk, Arizonas Family reports

A memorial for Kirk has split lawmakers, however. Hoffman has hailed Kirk as a defender of the First Amendment and civil rights, while State Rep. Aaron Marquez, a Democrat, highlighted conservative thinkers controversial comments on the Civil Rights Act.

"Wesley Bolin Plaza has always been a place where Arizonans gather to speak, debate, and engage in civil discourse," Hoffman said in a statement, per the Arizona Senate Republicans website. "By renaming this plaza and authorizing memorials for Charlie Kirk and Don Bolles, we are recognizing two very different individuals who shared something fundamental in commona love for our constitutionally protected civil liberties. Both were killed because of their work and their willingness to speak freely. This legislation ensures their lives and sacrifices are remembered in a way that is respectful, orderly, and entirely privately funded, while preserving the integrity of our Capitol grounds."

I did want to point out that Mr. Kirk did call the civil rights act of 1960s, he said, We made a huge mistake when we passed the civil rights act of the 1960s, State Rep. Aaron Marquez of District 5 said in committee, AZ Family reports.

The fate of the Bolles memorial may ultimately rest with Hobbs. She has previously vetoed other Kirkrelated honors, including a specialty license plate, on the grounds that such measures can insert partisan politics into what should be nonpartisan government functions.

open image in gallery Kirk called Arizona home, and supporters of the state capitol memorial say it would serve as a permanent tribute to his life and impact in the state, unlike the temporary memorial pictured here, set up outside Turning Point USAs Phoenix headquarters after his death ( Getty Images )

The governor previously called Kirks death horrific in a statement at the time of his death, saying in full, I am deeply saddened by the news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk. I am saddened for Charlies family, friends, and Arizonans as they mourn his loss, and I am saddened for our country as our politics have descended into horrific violence. This tragedy is not about who Charlie Kirk supported politically.

It is about the devastating loss of a father, a neighbor, and an Arizonan who called this state home, and whose life was cut short by senseless violence. We must stand together in rejecting violence, lowering the temperature of our politics, and recommitting ourselves to the values of civility, respect, and community that American democracy requires, Hobbs concluded.

A Hobbs spokesperson declined to comment when contacted by The Independent, citing a policy against addressing pending legislation.

The Independent has contacted Hoffman and Marquez for comment.
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CNN's chief data analyst Harry Enten said President Donald Trumps approval rating had fallen into "Death Valley" and warned that the commander-in-chief is so unpopular it might hurt a potential 2028 presidential run by Vice President JD Vance.

On Tuesday morning, Enten discussed Trump's approval ratings, claiming they had fallen "into the abyss" and show "no sign of rising."

"He's now at a term 2 low: -18 pts," Enten wrote on X. "Big reason why: Independents. Trump's at -45 pts. The worst for any prez at this point in term 2. Worse than Nixon (-36 pts) at the height of Watergate!"

Enten said that Trump's cratering approval among voters is not only the result of his unpopular war in Iran, but a "slew of events" that have "continuously" dragged his popularity lower and lower.

He was at plus six points [in January], then minus three points a year ago [in April], minus seven points nine months ago, minus ten points in October 2025. January 2026, -13 points. And now all the way down to -18 points. A term two low," he said.

President Donald Trumps approval ratings are reportedly at a two-term low of -18 as of March 31, 2026, according to CNNs chief data analyst Harry Enten ( REUTERS )

Enten added that even if Trump ended the war in Iran tomorrow, he might see a minor bump, but he does not believe it would boost him much further.

The analyst then compared Trump's current abysmal approval rating to the same point during his first term.

In term one, he was actually rising at this point. He was actually going up, he said. His three-month change was up by 5 points. Now were talking about a three-month change in which he has fallen to a new term two low, in which hes at -18 points. In term one, at this point, he was actually higher.

Trump's net approval with independent voters is also extremely low, even when compared to especially unpopular modern presidents. Enten said Trump's net approval rating with independent voters at this time in his second term is -45 and compared it to two previous presidents  Richard Nixon and George W. Bush. He said Nixon, at the same time in his second term and at the height of the Watergate scandal, had a -36, and Bush  mired in the complications of the Iraq War  had a -37.

He continued, saying that Trump was "now 6 points lower" than he was at the same point in his first term.

CNN's John Berman then changed the topic from Trump's cratering ratings to how his ratings are affecting "those close to him" and what "collateral damage" they might be causing.

Enten, citing Kalshi prediction market bets, said that six months ago, 53 percent of prediction market users thought Vance would be president in 2028. That percentage has dropped to 37 percent today.

"According to the Kalshi prediction market, this is tied for [Vance's] all time low," Enten said.

Going back to Trump, Enten described Trump's current approval rating with two words: "Death Valley."
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In 2024, five incumbent Republican members of Congress signficantly underperformed President Donald Trump in their districts. Now, as Trumps approval rating plummets, Democrats see an opening to win these seats in their quest to win back the House of Representatives.

Republicans have only 217 seats to the Democrats 213 due to deaths and resignations. This means Democrats need to win five seats to get the magic number of 218 next cycle. Understandably, they will target seats with Republicans in them now, but in districts where voters went for Kamala Harris.

But they might actually get more bang for their political buck from seats where Trump won, but a Republican underperformed.

And as Trumps approval rating continues to nosedive, that puts Republicans, even those in ostensibly safe seats, in even more peril. If anything, sometimes Republicans in these types of seats can take their partisan lean for granted and underperform the president.

Here are some seats that might be at risk. For metrics, The Independent is using the Cook Political Reports House Race ratings and Split Tickets Wins Above Replacement rating.

open image in gallery Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC) includes the college town of Asheville and the area trended slightly to the left in 2024. ( Getty Images )

Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-N.C.)

Rep. Chuck Edwards keeps a relatively low profile by design: Republicans intentionally backed his primary challenge to Madison Cawthorn in 2022 to make sure he would not embarrass the state the way the former congressman did.

But Edwards, who represents the Western North Carolina, including college town Asheville, has come under fire at town halls in his district. While Trump won the district by 13.5 points in 2024, Edwards only won it by 9.6 points. And surprisingly, it trended slightly to the left, likely triggered by Hurricane Helene.

Democrat Jamie Ager is running against Edwards and if Trumps approval remains weak, he might just steal this one.

On top of that, North Carolina will have a marquee Senate race as former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is leading in every poll against former Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Whatley. Coopers strength might also be enough to drag Ager over the finish line.

Derrick Van Orden (R-Wisc.)

open image in gallery The pugnacious Rep. Derrick Van Orden (R-WI) has occasionally teetered into belligerence, which has not gone unnoticed in Western Wisconsin. ( Getty Images )

If Edwards problem is that he is anonymous, Rep. Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin has the exact opposite problem.

He landed in numerous controversies, such as when he verbally berated Senate pages for taking photos under the Capitol Rotunda. When he was asked about whether Congress just followed Trumps marching orders during the One Big, Beautiful Bill vote, he said, Were not a bunch of little b****es around here, OK? only for him to fold and vote for the bill.

When someone tweeted, 17 million people just lost health care. 18 million kids just lost school meals. 3 million Americans just lost food assistance, Van Orden responded by tweeting back, YES!

All of this has made him uniquely vulnerable. Wisconsins 3rd is the classic type of district that voted for Democrats and then broke for Trump. But where Trump won the Western Wisconsin district by 7.5 percent, Van Orden only barely beat waitress Rebecca Cooke by 2.7 points. Cooke is taking another bite at the apple in 2026. Shes been endorsed by the Blue Dogs, the moderate faction in the House, and Sen. Bernie Sanders, the socialist senator from Vermont.

Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.)

open image in gallery Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) faces a House Ethics Committee investigation. ( Getty Images )

What is there to say about Cory Mills? The two-term Republican congressman from Florida won a seat that was gerrymandered for the GOP in 2022. He was awarded a Bronze Star for heroism in Iraq, but his fellow servicemembers say he did not save their lives. A judge also hit him with a restraining order for continuing to message her for reasons of protection against dating violence.

He also faces a House Ethics Committee investigation looking into whether he violated campaign finance laws, misused congressional resources and engaged in dating violence.

He only underperformed Trump by about half a point. But his numerous scandals mean that whichever Democrat wins the primary will have plenty of material to hammer him on.

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.)

open image in gallery Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) (C) has courted controversy at times and the ( Getty )

You didnt think Florida was going to get off with only one vulnerable member, right?

Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) is an unconventional lawmaker who can work with Democrats such as when she collaborated with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on legislation to ban members of Congress and their spouses from trading stocks or when she quit the House Freedom Caucus after she tried to allow members who are new parents to proxy vote.

But shes also courted controversy, such as when she invited a Russian delegation to the Capitol and when she joined a group of conservatives who blocked Kevin McCarthys nomination to the speakership, before she ultimately relented.

While Trump won the Pinellas County seat by 12 points in 2024, she only won it by about 9.7 points. Given the latest Economist/YouGov poll shows Democrats lead the generic ballot by 6 points, she could easily get swept up in her race against retired Brigadier General Leela Gray.

Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.)

open image in gallery Rep. Scott Perry (R-Penn.) has long been a right-wing firebrand. But his district only narrowly voted for Trump. ( Copyright 2024 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Scott Perry is one of the original Tea Party hellraisers. A former chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, Perry played a major role in Trumps attempts to stay in power after the 2020 presidential election.

Perry said that the FBI seized his phone after the agency raided Mar-a-Lago in 2022. During the 2022 House Select Committee investigation into the January 6 riot, now-former Rep. Liz Cheney said that Perry reportedly contacted the White House seeking a pardon.

The problem for Perry? He behaves like someone who represents a district that votes red by double digits. But Trump only won his seat by 5.3 points and he only beat his Democratic opponent, former news anchor Janelle Stelson, by 1.3 percent.

If Perry isnt careful, he could easily be on the chopping block, specifically because popular Democratic Gov. Josh Shapiro won his district in 2022. Now that Shapiro is trying to run up the scoreboard in his re-election before a potential presidential run, he could create a coattail effect for Stelson.
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Irans destruction of a critical American spy plane has raised concerns among military analysts who fear the damage could impact U.S. abilities to spot incoming threats.

Images of the wrecked U.S. Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft show a broken tail that appears to have been severed entirely from the body of the plane.

The Boeing aircraft  a key part of the militarys airborne warning and control system, or AWACS  is capable of tracking hundreds of targets at a time while monitoring thousands of square miles. The plane itself serves as an airborne command post with a distinctive rotating radar dome above the fuselage.

Images of the planes destruction surfaced over the weekend following a strike on a Saudi Arabia air base on March 27. Several U.S. service members were injured in the attack.

The loss of one in a fleet of 17 AWACS amounts to a a serious blow to American surveillance capabilities, according to CNN military analyst Cedric Leighton, a former Air Force colonel who has flown on the aircraft.

open image in gallery Images show a significantly damaged US Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft after an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian air base on March 27 ( SOCIAL MEDIA via REUTERS )

That fleet has effectively been reduced to 16 E-3 Sentry aircraft, six of which were stationed at Prince Sultan air base prior to Fridays attack, according to Air & Space Forces Magazine.

The planes are critical battle managers analyzing airspace for attacks and other lethal effects that the entire force needs for the battle space, according to former F-16 pilot Heather Penney, director of studies and research at the Air & Space Forces Associations Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies.

The aircraft, in essence, see the bigger picture, she said.

Theyre the chessmaster, while [fighter pilots] are the bishops, she told the magazine.

Losing one among 17 Sentry planes could create significant gaps in coverage, according to experts.

Iran is gradually eating away at the network of early warning systems that the U.S. has built over decades in the region, Andreas Krieg, a senior lecturer at Kings College Londons School of Security Studies, told NBC News.

Their destruction further degrades the overall monitoring capability of the U.S., he said.

The Independent has requested comment from the Pentagon and U.S. Central Command.

open image in gallery The loss of one among 17 E-3 aircrafts could significantly degrade the US militarys ability to monitor incoming threats, according to experts ( SOCIAL MEDIA via REUTERS )

Retired U.S. Army Lt. Col. Daniel Davis, a Bronze Star recipient who served for 21 years, told NBC News that were not doing OK at all.

Davis, a senior fellow and military expert at Defense Priorities, a Washington-based think tank, said the U.S. is not militarily prepared for this to be a sustained war.

There were too many in the administration that thought this was going to be a quick and easy thing, he added, noting that Iran still has plenty of missiles to keep going at a sustained rate.

If weve had this much trouble with what was considered a militarily inferior Iran, what does anybody think would happen if we had to fight on the ground, in the sea and in the air against a Russia or a China? he told the network.

open image in gallery An E-3 Sentry, pictured flying over New Mexico in an undated photo from the Air Force, serves as a critical airborne warning and control system aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications in a battlespace ( Getty Images )

CENTCOM commander Adm. Brad Cooper said last week that Irans missile and drone launches were down by more than 90 percent since the start of the U.S. war on February 28, but Iran remains capable of launching attacks that can impact critical sites and vessels, even with an allegedly diminished supply, according to experts.

More than 300 American service members have been injured since the beginning of the attacks last month, and at least 13 service members have been killed. Roughly 20 U.S. aircraft have been damaged.

President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly vacillated between military threats and claims of diplomatic progress, threatened again Monday to completely destroy Irans key oil export hub Kharg Island as well as other energy sites if the nation did not agree to lift a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz and pursue a peace deal.

The administration is also reportedly weighing a potentially risky ground operation to seize uranium from deep inside Iran, marking a major escalation of the war.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the U.S. will operate within the confines of the law when questioned about the presidents threats to destroy electricity plants and desalination plants  civilian infrastructure that could amount to war crimes under international law, if targeted.

Of course this administration and the United States armed forces will always act within the confines of the law, Leavitt added. But with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated, and he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration.
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Ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was blindsided by a report alleging that her husband has been posting photos of himself cross-dressing online.

National security experts said that Bryon Noems alleged activities could have put his wife at risk while she served in President Donald Trumps cabinet, according to a bombshell Daily Mail report published Tuesday.

Kristi Noem, who was fired earlier this month by Trump, is said to be devastated by the report, which detailed how the alleged actions of her husband of more than 30 years left her vulnerable to blackmail, according to the Mail.

The newspaper obtained compromising photographs of Kristi Noems insurance mogul husband, allegedly shared online with strangers while she served as Homeland Security chief, where she carried out Trumps sweeping anti-immigration operation.

The family was blindsided by this, and they ask for privacy and prayers at the time, Kristi Noems representatives reacted in a statement to The New York Post.

open image in gallery Kristi Noem was blindsided by a report alleging that her husband, Bryon Noem, has been posting photos of himself crossdressing online, which experts said could have put her at greater risk of being blackmailed ( Icon Sportswire/Getty )

National security experts told the outlet that the photographs could have been intercepted by hostile intelligence services.

The Daily Mail on Tuesday published images suggesting that Byron Noem engaged in a bimbofication fetish and reported that he sent tens of thousands of dollars, along with photos of him seeking a Barbie doll-like appearance, to various female models online.

In one image, the 56-year-old is wearing pink hotpants and a skin-toned spandex top stuffed with balloons to resemble comically large breasts.

During Kristi Noems tenure at the department, Bryon Noem was repeatedly asked for money, and sent his online acquaintances at least $25,000, according to the Daily Mail.

It's astounding that somebody whose spouse is at that level has that kind of bad judgment, U.S. counterintelligence expert Jack Barsky told the newspaper.

If a media organization can find this out, you can assume with a high degree of confidence that a hostile intelligence service knows this as well, added former CIA officer Marc Polymeropoulos.

Damaging information like this can be a tantalizing lead for a hostile intelligence service, Polymeropoulos added. They approach the person and say, if you work with us we won't expose this, and if you don't, we will. That's espionage 101.

Bryon Noem denied that his alleged activities put his wife at risk of blackmail when reached by phone by the Daily Mail.

open image in gallery A newspaper obtained compromising photographs of Noems insurance mogul husband, who sat behind her earlier this month, allegedly shared online with strangers while she served as Homeland Security Secretary ( AFP via Getty Images )

The Independent has contacted the White House, the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security for comment.

The couple married in 1992 and have three children together.

Bryon Noem sat behind his wife as she was grilled by lawmakers in early March, where she gave a performance that ultimately ended her time in Trumps cabinet.

During the congressional hearings, Kristi Noem was probed about accusations of conducting a taxpayer-funded affair with her former aide Corey Lewandowski, who has since left the Department of Homeland Security.

Both Kristi Noem and Lewandowski have vehemently denied suggestions that they had an affair, with the former previously describing the rumors as tabloid garbage at a House hearing. She also described the accusations as a disgusting lie.

The Daily Mail also reported that one of the women Byron Noem interacted with online asked the former DHS chiefs husband about the alleged affair.

I asked him about it and his response was, I know. There's nothing I can do about it,"' she told the Mail.

After being fired by Trump, Kristi Noem was named special envoy to The Shield of the Americas, a new and little-known security initiative.

Photographs of Kristi Noem and Lewandowski sitting side by side were released by the U.S. Embassy in Guyana last week, prompting further scrutiny over allegations that the pair are having an extramarital affair.
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Fox News host Laura Ingraham questioned whether President Donald Trump was fully briefed about the risks of the Iran war, as more of his once-loyal allies are beginning to turn amid the conflict raging in the Middle East.

The 62-year-old Trump backer has secured multiple interviews with the president since he returned to office  and he even appointed her to the Kennedy Centers board last year. But now, even the Fox News host is wondering what the president has been told about the war.

With different leaders in place, Iranian negotiators may have little knowledge about what their government is willing to concede, or even whom precisely to ask. So if we cannot come to some type of peace deal with people who cant be trusted, then what? she said on Mondays episode of The Ingraham Angle.

Ingraham explained that it looks like the U.S. is going to escalate, and pointed to Trump's recent threats against Iran.

Now, knowing what little time we have and how quickly this can spiral out of control, we still have a lot of questions, Ingraham said. For instance, was the president fully briefed about the risks of all of this from the beginning?

open image in gallery Fox News host Laura Ingraham questioned whether President Donald Trump was 'fully briefed about the risks' of the Iran war ( Fox News )

She continued: And was he then able to take it all in and understand the complexity of this, how complex it could actually get and further possibilities of casualties or other damage, the difficulty of dealing with these people? Or was he told this would be relatively quick in and out?

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Ingrahams questions come as a report Tuesday detailed how the risks of the war spiraling out of control were downplayed to Trump by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Nobody in the room during that critical meeting emphasized the potential risks, according to the CNN report.

Earlier Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Tehran does not agree to a deal and open up the Strait of Hormuz soon, U.S. forces will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched.

The Fox News host is just the latest MAGA figure who appears to be changing their tune on the president due to the war. Over the weekend, Politico reported mounting discontent among White House staffers who are younger and more-right wing.

open image in gallery Ingraham, pictured with Trump during a Fox election town hall in 2024, has previously been supportive of the president ( AFP via Getty Images )

Theyre very frustrated. They didnt love the war to start with, and since it began, the constantly contradictory messaging from the president himself, is just brutal, brutal for staff to deal with and making their life really hard, an unnamed source familiar with the situation told the outlet.

Some Republican lawmakers, such as Representative Nancy Mace, have also expressed concern amid growing speculation a potential ground operation in Iran.

Just walked out of a House Armed Services briefing on Iran. Let me repeat: I will not support troops on the ground in Iran, even more so after this briefing, Mace wrote on X last week.

Republican Representative Tim Burchett told NewsNation he doesnt think theres a will for a ground conflict among congressional lawmakers.

I know a lot of Republicans dont support that, and I know all the Democrats dont support it, so I firmly believe there is room there for it, but I dont think that now is the time, he said Sunday.
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Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed legislation renaming Palm Beach International Airport after the Florida destinations most famous resident: President Donald Trump, whose Mar-a-Lago estate is nearby.

The bill, which takes effect on July 1, renames the hub the President Donald J. Trump International Airport.

Trump allies celebrated the bill, the latest attempt to rename a landmark after the president.

This historic recognition celebrates a President who made Florida his home and saved our great Nation, Florida state Rep. Meg Weinberger wrote on X. Thank you to everyone who worked tirelessly to make this moment possible as we honor President Trumps legacy and his extraordinary contributions to America.

Proud to have played a small role in making this happen, the presidents son Eric Trump wrote on X.

open image in gallery The state of Florida has renamed Palm Beach International Airport after Donald Trump, the latest in a string of attempts from the presidents GOP allies to rename prominent institutions after the president ( AFP via Getty Images )

Last week, Florida congressman Brian Mast introduced a companion bill.

President Donald J. Trumps impact on our nation will transcend our timea historic legacy of dedication and commitment toward the American people, Mast wrote in a statement. Hes called Palm Beach County home for many years, and this designation reflects our gratitude for his public service and leadership.

The name change now heads to the Federal Aviation Administration, which will begin changing transit systems to reflect the update.

Changing an airport name is a local issue and the FAA does not approve airport name changes, an agency spokesperson told The Independent. However, the FAA must complete some administrative tasks [that] include updating navigational charts and databases.

Critics slammed the name change, which came after the president and his allies have put his name on the marquee at Washington D.C.-area institutions including the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace.

A federal lawsuit seeks to remove the Trump name from the Kennedy Center, arguing that it was illegally added without congressional approval.

open image in gallery Since Trump took office, his name has been added to the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace ( AP )

Life keeps getting more expensive for working families and seniors in Florida, which is why Democrats spent this legislative session fighting for an affordability agenda to lower costs and put more money back in your pocket, Florida House Democratic Leader Fentrice Driskell said in a statement shared with The Independent.

Instead of working across the aisle with us to advance those bills, Republicans leaders decided to prioritize wasting five million of your taxpayer dollars on renaming an airport after the President, Driskell added.

The presidents name will soon adorn the airport, complete with an updated DJT airport code, but his administration is also facing criticism on the air travel front for a string of recent air disasters and long lines inside airports because of the partial government shutdown.

Trump International Airport connects to the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard, a stretch of road between the air hub and Mar-a-Lago.

The Trump administration has previously expressed enthusiasm for the Florida law. Trump International Airport "has a GREAT ring to it," White House communications director Steven Cheung wrote on X in February.

Behind the scenes, the administration has reportedly pushed to rename Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C., after the president.

open image in gallery Trump International Airport connects to the recently renamed Donald J. Trump Boulevard, a stretch of road between the air hub and Mar-a-Lago ( REUTERS )

The Independent has reached out to the White House for comment on the airport's name change.

Earlier this year, the Trump Organization, the presidents family-run conglomerate, sought to trademark Donald Trumps name for use in airports and other travel-related venues such as shuttle buses.

The company said the presidents family will not receive any royalty, licensing fee, or financial consideration whatsoever from the effort, but rather is seeking to protect the presidents name against misuse by bad actors.

open image in gallery The presidents face may soon adorn a commemorative gold coin, bucking the tradition of living people not being featured on currency ( U.S. Mint )

Political figures from both parties have airports named after them. Las Vegas is home to Harry Reid International Airport, named for the former Democratic Senate majority leader. The U.S. capital area has Ronald Reagan National Airport. Officials are usually no longer alive or are out of office before any honorary name changes take place.

Earlier this month, a government commission stacked with Trump allies approved a design for a commemorative gold coin that features a portrait of the president, despite a longstanding tradition of images of living people not adoring U.S. currency.

Last week, the Treasury Department announced all newly printed U.S. paper currency will carry Trumps signature, a first for a sitting president.
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Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths personal broker allegedly approached a major asset manager about making a multimillion dollar investment in defense companies in the weeks leading up to the airstrikes on Iran, according to a report.

The Financial Times, citing three people familiar with the matter, has alleged that Hegseths broker at Morgan Stanley reached out to BlackRock in February to inquire about making a significant investment in its Defense Industrials Active ETF.

The inquiry from such a high-profile client was flagged internally at the asset manager, the FT writes, and the investment was ultimately never made as the $3.2 billion equity fund in question was not at that time available for Morgan Stanley clients to buy.

open image in gallery Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has been accused of attempting to profit from Operation Epic Fury against Iran ( AP )

Department of Defense spokesman Sean Parnell responded to the story in a post on X (Twitter) by calling it false and fabricated, demanding an immediate retraction.

The fund concerned pursues growth opportunities by investing in companies that may benefit from increased government spending on defense and security amid geopolitical fragmentation and economic competition, according to BlackRock.

Its largest holdings include the defense conglomerates RTX, Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman  which count the Pentagon among their biggest clients  as well as Peter Thiels data integration company Palantir.

In his denial, Parnell wrote: This allegation is entirely false and fabricated. Neither Secretary Hegseth nor any of his representatives approached BlackRock about any such investment.

This is yet another baseless, dishonest smear designed to mislead the public. We demand an immediate retraction.

Secretary Hegseth and the Department of War remain unwavering in their commitment to the highest standards of ethics and strict adherence to all applicable laws and regulations.

Parnell also reposted an attack from Trumpworld veteran Richard Grenell, who dismissed the FTs report as high school gossip.

open image in gallery The strikes are now into their fifth week with no obvious end to the conflict in sight ( AP )

The Independent contacted the Pentagon and was directed back to Parnells post. The Independent also reached out to Morgan Stanley and BlackRock for comment. Neither financial house offered any response to the FT prior to publication.

The allegation comes amid concern about insider trading relating to Operation Epic Fury after a surge in betting on oil markets was noticed last week just 15 minutes before President Donald Trump announced a temporary halt to the U.S. bombing campaign on Truth Social to allow for peace talks to take place.

The White House moved swiftly to deny that any profiteering had taken place, with a spokesperson stating: The White House does not tolerate any administration official illegally profiteering off of insider knowledge, and any implication that officials are engaged in such activity without evidence is baseless and irresponsible reporting.

Questions have also been raised about people using online betting apps to profit from contemporary political events, with CNN reporting recently that one person has made $1 million since 2024 from placing well-timed wagers on upcoming military action by the U.S. and Israel against Iran.

In another instance, a mystery gambler earned more than $400,000 on Polymarket in January by correctly forecasting the ousting of then-Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro hours before U.S. special forces swept into Caracas and removed him from power.

open image in gallery The U.S. has seen 13 service members killed in the conflict, more than 200 injured, and costly equipment destroyed, including this Air Force E-3 Sentry aircraft brought down by a Iranian drone over Saudi Arabia ( Reuters )

Several members of Congress have attempted to crack down on politicians themselves profiting from events about which they might have privileged information in advance, with House Administration Committee chair Bryan Steil the latest to propose a bill to that effect.

Hegseth has served as one of the public faces of the attack on Iran, taking a more prominent role than either Vice President JD Vance or Secretary of State Marco Rubio and sparring with the media during combative press conferences in the Pentagon briefing room, at which he has accused journalists of being insufficiently positive in their coverage of U.S. military might.

Trump has meanwhile attempted to shift the credit for the onslaught onto Hegseth, saying at a law enforcement summit in Memphis last week that he had called around his top brass taking soundings on whether to strike Tehran and received the most passionate response from his defense secretary.

Pete, I think you were the first one to speak up and you said, Lets do it because you cant let them have a nuclear weapon, Trump said.
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Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth believes that blowing s*** up is the best way to keep his job, as he swiftly backed President Donald Trumps plans to launch an attack on Iran, according to a report.

The Pentagon chief was one of Trumps biggest cheerleaders for pressing ahead with the war in Iran, now entering its fifth week, and downplayed the inherent risks of the conflict spiraling out of control, according to a CNN report, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

So far, 13 U.S. troops have died in the Middle East conflict.

Hegseth, an Army veteran and former Fox News host, is as fervent about bombing Iran off-camera as he is during his Pentagon briefings about the war, the network noted.

Hes very trigger happy, a source familiar with Hegseths current mindset told CNN. A senior White House official reportedly pushed back on the idea that Hegseth has any concern over his job.

open image in gallery Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth believes that blowing s*** up is the best way to keep his job, as he swiftly backed President Donald Trumps plans to launch an attack on Iran, according to a report ( Getty Images )

Hegseths penchant for blowing s*** up was on full display at his latest briefing Tuesday, where he gleefully claimed U.S. service members told him: Get us even more bombs, bigger bombs, more targets.

Our strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian military, leading to widespread desertions, key personnel shortages and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders, Hegseth said. Just last night, we had 200 dynamic strikes alone.

Hegseths bombastic performances during press briefings on the war have helped to bolster his standing following scandals that have dogged his tenure at the Pentagon, namely using the Signal platform to discuss sensitive military operations.

This approach is reportedly going down well with Trump. The president is very pleased with him, and was before the Iran situation, the source told CNN.

The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.

open image in gallery Hegseth is very trigger happy, according to an official, and his penchant for blowing s*** up was on full display at his latest Pentagon briefing ( AFP via Getty Images )

Last week it was reported that Trump receives a daily video briefing about the war in Iran curated by U.S. military officials, who show him a reel of stuff blowing up.

Trump has been shown a highlight reel, approximately 2 minutes long but sometimes more, every day since the bombing campaign began on February 28, depicting U.S. Central Command striking Iranian equipment and military targets, NBC News reported.

Hegseth was scrutinized last year by lawmakers for ordering missile strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean. On his watch, the Pentagon authorized a second strike on an alleged drug boat on September 2 after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.

The bombing campaign in the Caribbean has so far killed at least 163 people, according to The New York Times.

If Pete Hegseth wants to blow s*** up without accountability, he can go play a video game, not run our military, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said in January of the strikes in the Caribbean. As long as he is the Secretary of Defense, he's accountable to the American people and we deserve answers about the strikes he's ordered on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
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Pope Leo has urged President Donald Trump to look for an "off-ramp" to end the Iran war.

The rare direct appeal from the pontiff came as the regional conflict expands in the Middle East.

"I'm told that President Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war," said Leo, the first pope from the United States.

"Hopefully he's looking for an off-ramp," the pope told journalists outside his residence in Castel Gandolfo, near Rome. "Hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence."

Leo, who is known for choosing his words carefully, rarely makes direct appeals to national leaders but he has been stepping up criticism of the Iran war in recent weeks.

The rare direct appeal from the pontiff came as the regional conflict expands in the Middle East ( AFP via Getty Images )

On Sunday, in unusually forceful remarks, the pope said that God rejects the prayers of leaders who start wars and have "hands full of blood".

The month-long Iran conflict, started by joint U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Iran on February 28, has spread across the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.

Leo lamented on Tuesday the number of people who have been killed and said he hoped the violence could end before Easter on April 5.

"There have been so many deaths, including innocent children," the pope said. "Let's continually appeal for peace."

"There are too many people who promote fighting, violence (and) war," said Leo.
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An American journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors.

The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for. The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped, without giving more details about the person's identity.

Two Iraqi security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said the kidnapped journalist was a woman with U.S. citizenship.

They said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed and was apprehended while being pursued by authorities near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province southwest of Baghdad, and the journalist was transferred to a second car that fled the scene.

The interior ministry said that security forces had launched an operation to track down the kidnappers, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations after intercepting a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers that overturned as they tried to flee.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in the country to leave ( AFP via Getty Images )

One suspect was arrested and one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was seized, but others remain on the loose, the statement said.

The two security sources said the journalist was kidnapped from central Baghdad, on Saadoun Street. They added that an alert was circulated to all checkpoints, leading to a pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed southwest of Baghdad toward Babil province.

Al-Monitor, a regional news site covering the Middle East, identified the journalist kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad as Kittleson, a freelancer who contributed to the publication. In a statement, Al-Monitor said it is deeply alarmed by her kidnapping.

We call for her safe and immediate release, the statement said. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.

Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement, The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and that it is tracking these reports.

"Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time, the statement said.

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was related to the ongoing regional war, but Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in the country to leave.

Iraqi militias had also kidnapped foreigners before the war.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After she was freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she said that she had been held by the Iran-allied Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

The group never officially claimed responsibility for kidnapping her.
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The Supreme Court has ruled in favor of a Colorado therapist who challenged state law preventing mental health providers from using widely discredited conversion therapy against LGBT+ young people, what advocates called a painful and reckless decision that will reverberate across the country.

The high courts nearly unanimous decision, with only liberal Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissenting, is likely to impact more than 20 states with similar laws against trying to change a young persons sexual orientation or gender identity or expression.

Ultimately, because the majority plays with fire in this case, I fear that the people of this country will get burned, Jackson wrote in her dissent.

Before now, licensed medical professionals had to adhere to standards when treating patients: They could neither do nor say whatever they want, she wrote.

And, to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now, she added. Who knows? Certainly not the majority. It appears to have made this momentous decision without adequately grappling with the potential long-term and disastrous implications of this ruling. The fallout could be catastrophic.

open image in gallery Protesters outside the Supreme Court in October rallied against a challenge to Colorado law banning conversion therapy against LGBT+ youth. The high court ruled against the state on March 31 ( AFP via Getty Images )

Tuesdays decision marks a tragic step backward that imperils thousands of lives, according to Jaymes Black, CEO of the Trevor Project, the nations leading crisis intervention and suicide prevention group for for LGBT+ young people.

LGBT+ youth subjected to conversion therapy are more than twice as likely to attempt suicide compared to their peers, according to the group. Major medical and mental health organizations have condemned the practice.

The Supreme Courts 8-1 ruling, written by conservative Justice Neil Gorsuch and published on Transgender Day of Visibility, is a reckless decision that means more American kids will suffer, according to Kelley Robinson, president of the Human Rights Campaign.

The court has weaponized free-speech in order to prioritize anti-LGBTQ+ bias over the safety, health and wellbeing of children, she wrote. So-called conversion therapy is pseudoscience, not real therapy.

In their decision, the justices argued that Colorado law trampled on the First Amendment rights of conservative Christian therapist Kaley Chiles, who claimed the states law regulates speech, not conduct.

The First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country, Gorsuch wrote for the majority.

Mathew Shurka, who has campaigned against banning conversion therapy in Colorado, survived the practice under a licensed therapist from ages 16 to 21. In his brief to the nations high court, Shurka detailed the devastating impact of his experience and the likelihood that countless others may be vulnerable to similarly dangerous and debunked therapy if the states law is struck down.

The years of conversion therapy brought Mathew nothing but increased isolation from his family, worsening depression, and suicidal ideation, Jackson wrote in her dissent, noting that the harms inflicted on Shurka also extended to his family and loved ones.

Lamda Legal counsel Carl Charles, who was subjected to conversion therapy at 15 years old, said the practice destroyed important relationships and created shame and fear that took time and effort to undo.

Charles was among 17 survivors who wrote a brief to the Supreme Court through the Conversion Therapy Survivor Network detailing the harms of conversion therapy they experienced.

For many survivors, it is a reverberating life-long harm, Charles said. I am fortunate to have been able to transcend the trauma of that experience, to celebrate my identity as a transgender man, and to nurture a loving relationship with my husband. But so many young people do not have the familial or community support to withstand the impact of this unethical practice.

The stories of conversion therapy survivors are filled with heartbreaking examples of shattered family connections and separation from faith communities that once sustained them, according to Polly Crozier, director of family advocacy at GLBTQ Legal Advocates & Defenders.

The courts decision does not change the science, and it does not change the fact that conversion therapists who harm patients will still face legal consequences, she said.

open image in gallery Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only dissenting voice in the high courts decision against Colorados law, which she warned could have catastrophic consequences for LGBT+ young people subjected to conversion therapy ( Getty Images )

Chiles was represented at the Supreme Court by Alliance Defending Freedom, an influential right-wing Christian legal advocacy group that brought several challenges to abortion rights to the nations high court, including successfully pushing to overturn Roe v Wade, and other cases involving LGBT+ discrimination.

When my young clients come to me for counsel, they often want to discuss issues of gender and sexuality. I look forward to being able to help them when they choose the goal of growing comfortable with their bodies, Chiles said in a statement after Tuesdays ruling.

Counselors walking alongside these young people shouldnt be limited to promoting state-approved goals like gender transition, which often leads to harmful drugs and surgeries. The Supreme Courts ruling is a victory for counselors and, more importantly, kids and families everywhere, she said.

Colorados law does not prevent therapists from helping young people discuss their sexual orientation or gender identity, but the state prohibits conversion practitioners from pressuring youth toward changing them.

Similar laws are in place in at least 23 states following a wave of research finding that such practices increase risk of suicide and poor mental health outcomes while splintering families, with parents and caregivers often blamed for their child questioning their orientation and identity.

This is not the outcome we wanted, but our community has dealt with difficult outcomes time and time again throughout our history, said Black with the Trevor Project. And we will deal with this, too.

If you are based in the U.S. and seek LGBT+ affirming mental health support, resources are available from Trans Lifeline (877-565-8860) and the LGBT Hotline (888-843-4564), as well as The Trevor Project (866-488-7386 or text START to 678-678).

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch.

If you are based in the U.S., and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
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Republicans in the House and Senate splintered this week as the party squabbled over its strategy on handling the partial government shutdown and then sent members home for a two-week recess without solving the deadlock.

In interviews, GOP senators publicly disparaged their own partys strategy even as they refrained from lobbing personal attacks at individual Republicans by name. The scale of the grumbling indicates that Senate Majority Leader John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson are under increasing pressure to bring lawmakers back to D.C. to break the logjam.

Thune faces some of the loudest opposition from his own side at any point since Trump took office last year.

On Tuesday, one of the Republican senators pressing the majority leader was Sen. Mike Lee, a Trump loyalist and one of the chambers more conservative voices. In numerous tweets over Monday and Tuesday, the Utah senator wrote that Thune should call lawmakers back to Washington to reach a deal on DHS as well as the SAVE America Act, a piece of voter ID legislation that has become Donald Trumps priority ahead of the midterms.

But Conservatives in the Senate dont just want DHS funding to pass  they want to see the filibuster scrapped or altered to deliver Republicans another victory, one that they hope will have significant effects on elections this year. The Senate should convene and remain in session until it has (1) fully funded DHS and (2) passed the SAVE America Act, Lee posted Tuesday afternoon.

open image in gallery Conservatives like Mike Lee in the Senate are calling on Republican leaders to bring lawmakers back to Washington ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Republican leaders in Congress left Washington last week without a deal to fund DHS passing through both GOP-held chambers ( Getty )

Hes far from the only senator breathing down Thunes neck on it. Other members of the Republican caucus including Tommy Tuberville and Rick Scott echoed calls for the chamber to return, with Scott writing Tuesday afternoon: This cant happen if were on recess AND have a filibuster standing in the way. BRING THE SENATE BACK and BLOW UP the filibuster!

In the lower chamber, Thunes search for allies isnt going much better.

The two top Republicans in the House took turns battering the Senate (and Thune, without naming him) for the chambers decision to go forward with a two-week recess without a deal being made. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Majority Leader Steve Scalise took turns bashing the senate for a late-night vote that the pair said was already resulting in buyers remorse among their colleagues.

In a Fox and Friends interview Tuesday the speaker described being outraged at the Senate proposal: They sent us a bill that literally put the number zero in the bill for the funding of border security and Customs and Immigration Enforcement. We can't do that.

open image in gallery Senate Majority Leader John Thune is on an island as Republicans across the board blame his chamber for inaction ( AP )

The Senate has to do their job and help us on this heavy lift, Johnson added. We have to get the government funded, and theyre playing games with real peoples lives.

Scalise, his top deputy, said on ABCs This Week on Sunday that the ball was firmly in Thunes court.

The House stayed later than we were scheduled to stay to take up a bill to fully fund the department, and sent it back over to the Senate, Scalise said. The bill is over in the Senate. The Senate's got options. They've got to come back and deal with it.

The Independent reached out to Thunes office for a response to Johnsons remarks on Tuesday, but did not receive one.

White House officials arent giving the Senate any political cover, either.

open image in gallery Long lines at airports around the country added a new level of stress to Republicans midterm equations ( Getty )

"They're on vacation right now while tens of thousands of DHS employees aren't being paid," Trumps border czar Tom Homan told CBS Face the Nation on Sunday, adding that he hoped the president called lawmakers back to D.C.

Growing discord amongst Republicans in the two congressional conferences is a sign of the partys midterm prospects, which continue to sour as the shutdown drags on and Donald Trumps war with Iran remains unpopular with voters, who have now seen gas prices jump by more than a dollar per gallon nationally and remain at that elevated rate for weeks.

Republicans disadvantage on generic ballot polls continues to climb as the party is confronted by a visible economic hardship for millions of Americans while it struggles to keep TSA workers on the job, thus preventing a potential collapse of American air travel.

While the administration has announced plans to redistribute funds to keep TSA workers receiving paychecks, Democrats have warned that this may be illegal and subject to being halted by a federal judge. Call-out rates were climbing steadily among TSA workers at major airports before Donald Trumps announcement, and TSA officials warned that some airports could be forced to shutter temporarily if adequate security personnel cant be on scene.

For Congress, the issue is beginning to really hit home as the typically celebrity-focused paparazzi masters at TMZ have begun training their fire not on A-listers but S- and H-listers  members of the House and Senate who are enjoying personal vacations or other excursions during the shutdown. The not-so-subtle line of TMZs reporting has been aiming at heaping shame on members of Congress who skipped town while federal workers go unpaid.

Sen. Lindsey Graham was caught by the outlet in images at Disney World, while Rep. Robert Garcia, a Democratic House member, was spotted by TMZs reporters at a casino in Las Vegas.
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A federal judge has ordered Donald Trumps administration to restore legal status for tens of thousands of immigrants who used a Homeland Security smartphone app to enter the United States legally under Joe Biden.

Roughly 985,000 people used the CBP One app to seek legal entry before the Trump administration abruptly pulled the plug on the program immediately after taking office.

The app, which launched in 2023, allowed noncitizens seeking asylum and other immigration relief to schedule appointments at ports of entry before arriving at the U.S. border, where they then could obtain humanitarian parole, a temporary legal status that allows recipients to legally live in the country while their cases played out.

But last year, after ending CBP One, the Trump administration terminated parole for virtually every person who used the app to enter the country, leaving tens of thousands of immigrants vulnerable to arrest and removal.

Massachusetts District Judge Allison Burroughs determined on Tuesday that those blanket cancellations, which were carried out in mass emails telling recipients to leave the country, were unlawful.

open image in gallery A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore temporary legal protections for tens of thousands of immigrants who entered the US legally through a Joe Biden-era app ( Getty Images )

Burroughs has ordered the Trump administration to restore legal status to all impacted members of the class-action lawsuit who received emails from the government that their parole was terminated.

The administration is expected to appeal.

People who entered the country using the app were generally given two-year terms of parole, during which immigrants applied for work authorization and other benefits.

But last year, DHS threatened those immigrants with arrest, severe fines and forced removal from the country if they didnt leave on their own, according to Homeland Security. Those who refused to leave will be permanently barred from reentry, the agency told The Independent at the time.

The app was the only way people living outside the country could request an appointment at the U.S.-Mexico border to begin their asylum claims and immigration paperwork before they got there but was falsely characterized by Trump and his allies as a fast track for illegal immigration.

On January 20, hours after Trump entered office, a notice on the apps website said that the app was no longer available and all appointments were canceled without notice.

At ports of entry across the southern border, where hundreds of people were lined up for their appointments, they all received the same message: Existing appointments through CPB One are no longer valid.

Roughly 270,000 people on the other side of the border were trying to make it to their previously scheduled appointments when the app shut down.

It is time for you to leave the United States, a message to CBP One users said. Again, DHS is terminating your parole. Do not attempt to remain in the United States  the federal government will find you. Please depart the United States immediately.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has full authority to revoke parole, a spokesperson told The Independent last year. Canceling these paroles is a promise kept to the American people to secure our borders and protect national security.

The agency then renamed the app CBP Home and instructed immigrants who used the program to deport themselves instead.

open image in gallery A message to CBP One users said the app would no longer be available and existing appointments have been canceled effective January 20, moments after Trump was sworn into office ( AFP via Getty Images )

Tuesdays decision brings long-awaited relief after months of fear and uncertainty, according to Carlina Velasquez, president of the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts.

With just an email, the Department of Homeland Security stripped our immigrant families, neighbors and workers of their parole status, causing immense fear, instability and disruption to our society, according to Georgia Katsoulomitis, director of Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, among the groups that sued to reverse the Trump administrations policy.

Their parole status and their ability to live in the United States has finally been restored she said.

The Independent has requested comment from Homeland Security.

Since taking office, the president has effectively de-legalized tens of thousands of immigrants who were previously following immigration laws until the administrations actions upended their status.

In addition to thousands of CBP One app users, the administration has also moved to cancel Temporary Protected Status for more than 1 million people, while thousands of people with pending immigration cases who showed up for their court-mandated hearings and appointments have been arrested moments after arriving.

Those reversals have radically expanded a pool of undocumented people who have become easy targets for arrest.

Legal challenges are underway in several courts against the administrations attempts to revoke Temporary Protected Status for several countries that are facing urgent humanitarian crises, natural disasters and political and economic turmoil.
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The Trump administration is suing a Coca-Cola distributor in New Hampshire for discriminating against male employees by hosting a women-only networking event in September 2024  making it the first lawsuit related to workplace diversity, equity and inclusion in the second Trump administration.

Between September 10 and September 11, 2024, Coca-Cola Beverages Northwest Inc., a Japanese-owned distributor of Coca-Cola and other soda products in the region, hosted 250 women employees at a networking event in Connecticut.

Everyone could just kind of be free and talk about their struggles, an unnamed employee who attended the event told the Washington Post. Its very empowering for women to get in the same room.

But nearly a year and a half later, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the civil rights agency tasked with investigating and addressing workplace discrimination complaints, accused the company of violating Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

The unlawful employment practices complained of above were done with malice or reckless indifference to the federally protected rights of male employees, the EEOC wrote in its complaint.

open image in gallery The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is suing a Coca-Cola distributor for discriminating against men by hosting a women-only networking event ( AFP/Getty )

The EEOC said Coca-Cola Beverage Northeast Inc. damaged male employees by not offering them the same opportunities or providing them with any benefit equivalent to the subsidized lodging, food and activities that the women received.

Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast finds it disappointing that the EEOC did not conduct a full investigation and we look forward to having our day in open court when we can tell the full story and expect to be vindicated, Peter Bennett, a lawyer representing Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast Inc. said in a statement to The Independent.

We remain confident in our values and in our continued focus on fairness, respect, and opportunity for everyone. We remain committed to upholding our responsibilities to our employees, customers, and the communities in which we live and work, Bennett added.

The EEOCs pursuit of the lawsuit appears to align with President Donald Trumps perspective on how certain diversity policies, such as affirmative action, have been unfair toward white people

White people were very badly treated, where they did extremely well and they were not invited to go into a university to college, Trump told the New York Times in an interview earlier this year. So I would say in that way, I think it was unfair in certain cases.

As one of his first actions in office, Trump dismantled DEI policies throughout the federal government and vowed to hold higher education institutions and companies that contract with the government accountable for implementing DEI.

open image in gallery In one of his first acts as president, Trump signed an executive order dismantling DEI policies in the federal government ( REUTERS )

The presidents agenda is directly reflected in the goals outlined by EEOC Chair Andrea Lucas, who was initially appointed to the commission by Trump in 2020.

"Are you a white male who's experienced discrimination at work based on your race or sex?" Lucas said in a video posted to her X account in December.

"You may have a claim to recover money under federal civil rights laws. Contact the EEOC as soon as possible, Lucas added.

Shortly before Trump was inaugurated in January 2025, the EEOC determined there was reasonable cause to believe the Coca-Cola Beverage Northeast Inc. had violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act.

Initially, the commission attempted to remedy the discriminatory practices with a conciliation agreement, or a formal agreement that outlines corrective actions to avoid litigation. However, by August, the EEOC was unable to secure an acceptable agreement.

The EEOC is asking a judge for a jury trial to award an undetermined amount in damages to the employee who filed the complaint and other male employees at Coca-Cola Beverage Northeast Inc.

A 2025 Supreme Court ruling made it easier for people belonging to majority groups to file successful discriminatory lawsuits by lowering the bar of what is considered discriminatory. Initially, those in majority groups would need to provide background circumstances to succeed in discrimination allegations  however, the court ruled it was unfair.
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A group of Trump administration officials dubbed the God Squad has voted to waive restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico, putting protected endangered species, including whales and sea turtles, at risk.

The Endangered Species Committee, which earned the God Squad nickname because it can make decisions that impact the survival of imperiled species, unanimously voted Tuesday to approve the Endangered Species Act exemption during a meeting at the Interior Department in Washington, D.C.

Furious demonstrators gathered outside the building to protest the decision, which is the latest in a long line of environmental rollbacks seen under the Trump administration.

Defenders of Wildlife, an environmental advocacy non-profit, said the move could harm dozens of imperiled species, including the critically endangered Rices whale. There are only about 50 Rices whales remaining in the Gulf of Mexico, according to the most recent data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

Kemps ridley sea turtle, the worlds smallest and most endangered species of turtle, is also found in the Gulf.

open image in gallery Protesters gathered outside the Interior Department in Washington, D.C., after the God Squad voted to waive restrictions on oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico ( AP )

The Independent has contacted the Interior Department for comment.

Several high-ranking administration officials attended the meeting, including Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin.

Hegseth said the exemption is a critical matter of national security and that the U.S. must ensure that our energy supply remains reliable and secure always. He added that the decision is not just about gas prices, its about our ability to power our military and protect our nation.

The Strait of Hormuz is the world's busiest oil route, and recent hostile action by the Iranian terror regime highlights yet again why robust domestic oil production is a national security imperative, he told the committee.

Andrew Bowman, president and CEO of Defenders of Wildlife, called the committees decision unprecedented and unlawful.

open image in gallery Environmental groups have slammed the Trump administrations decision to approve the exemption, which they say will harm endangered whales and sea turtles in the Gulf ( AP )

Invoking national security cannot justify potentially pushing the Rices whale  or any of our nations irreplaceable wildlife species  into the abyss of extinction, he said in a statement.

If this administration were truly concerned about national security, it would focus on what will protect our quality of life and a secure future for all Americans, he continued. That includes healthy lands and waters that support people and the wildlife that we love and rely upon.

Andrea Woods, a spokesperson for the American Petroleum Institute, said the industry has a long track record of protecting wildlife while developing offshore energy responsibly, according to The Washington Post.

Over the long term, American energy leadership depends on getting that balance right through reasonable, science-based protections while meeting growing energy demand, Woods added.

The God Squad has only met three other times, and last convened in 1992 to discuss a potential exemption for logging, according to The New York Times.
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Donald Trumps top military adviser is refusing to offer a legal justification for the presidents threatened attack against Irans water desalinization plants while insisting that the U.S. would only strike lawful targets after a careful review of multiple considerations.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Dan Caine did not directly answer the question when asked specifically about the legality of such a raid on the plants that provide drinking water to most of Irans 90 million residents. Instead, he told reporters at a Pentagon briefing on Tuesday that the U.S. joint force  the combination of the Americas Army, Navy, Air and Space Forces and Marine Corps  is the most professional force in the world.

We have numerous processes and system to carefully consider the whole range of considerations, from civilian risk to legal considerations, said Caine, who stressed that the Pentagon reviews any target through the same review process used for any Prompt Global Strike mission, a Defense Department term that refers to any missile or bombing attack that does not rely on forward-deployed forces.

With any target and as targets come before us, we run them through the same process that we always do and always strike lawful targets, Caine added.

The top U.S. generals comments came less than a day after the White Houses spokesperson stood by Trumps threat to cripple the desalination infrastructure that supplies Irans population with drinking water and downplayed the possibility that bombing such civilian targets would constitute war crimes under both American criminal law and international treaties to which the U.S. is a party.

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine declined to offer a legal rationale for targeting Iran's water infrastructure after President Donald Trump threatened to destroy desalinization plants ( REUTERS )

On Monday, Trump lashed out on Truth Social with a post warning that American forces could attack critical parts of Tehrans civilian infrastructure if Irans current government did not reach a deal with the administration and allow the Strait of Hormuz to be immediately Open for Business by halting threats to commercial shipping through the key maritime chokepoint.

If for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched, the president said.

He added that any such attacks would be retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regimes 47-year Reign of Terror.

The presidents extraordinary threat to attack Irans power and water systems  attacks that would almost certainly violate the Fourth Geneva Conventions prohibitions against targeting civilian infrastructure necessary for a populations survival.

But Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt dismissed questions about the legality of targeting Irans fresh water supply and claimed the U.S. would always act within the confines of the law.

She also said Trump would move forward unabated and expects the Iranian regime to make a deal.

American criminal law prohibits the commission of war crimes, which it defines as a grave breach in any of the international conventions signed at Geneva 12 August 1949, or any protocol to such convention to which the United States is a party.

The U.S. criminal code states that any person who commits war crimes can be imprisoned for life or put to death if a war crime results in the death of any victims.
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Donald Trumps administration quietly abandoned more than 23,000 criminal cases within the first six months of his presidency, including 11,000 within Attorney General Pam Bondis first month in office alone, according to a sweeping analysis from ProPublica.

While the Department of Justice retreated from thousands of cases  from drug trafficking and terrorism to fraud, money laundering and white-collar crimes  federal prosecutors launched 32,000 new immigration-related cases, nearly triple the amount pursued under Joe Bidens administration, the investigation found.

Among the cases shut down by Trumps Justice Department were investigations into alleged cryptocurrency fraudsters, nursing homes accused of patient abuse, and nearly 1,000 cases concerning fraud and abuse of federal programs and federal contracts despite pledges from Trump and his so-called Department of Government Efficiency.

A spokesperson for the Justice Department told the outlet that the historic number of declined cases follows an effort to clean, remediate, and validate data in U.S. Attorneys case management system, including a review of all pending criminal cases opened prior to the 2023 fiscal year.

This Department of Justice remains committed to investigating and prosecuting all types of crime to keep the American people safe, and the number of declinations is a direct result of our efforts to run the agency in a more efficient manner, the person told ProPublica.

open image in gallery The Department of Justice has dropped more than 23,000 criminal cases since Trump returned to office, including 11,000 within the same month Attorney General Pam Bondi entered the role in 2025, ProPublica found ( AP )

The revelations also follow the presidents historic number of pardons for white-collar criminals and political allies accused of fraud, bribery and corruption after Trump campaigned on ending what he called the politicization of the Justice Department under his predecessor.

In more than a dozen cases, Trump issued pardons for people who were prosecuted or convicted within his first and second terms, only to unravel those cases entirely within months after returning to the White House.

The administration has instead shifted an enormous amount of federal firepower into immigration, diverting federal law enforcement agencies into pursuing immigration arrests and collaborating with the Department of Homeland Security even as the administration purged the DOJ of career prosecutors and investigators.

With that diminished fleet, and with a more explicit focus on immigration-related cases, Bondis Justice Department declined to prosecute thousands of cases that were considered priorities during Trumps campaign, ProPublica found.

The Justice Department dropped nearly 5,000 drug cases including trafficking and money laundering, and more than 1,300 cases involving terrorism and national security.

Before Trump deployed federal immigration agents into Minnesota to root out alleged fraud in a surge that dovetailed with the presidents mass deportation efforts, the Justice Department shut down nearly 900 cases of federal fraud.

Dropped prosecutions included a case against a mortgage lender who allegedly defrauded the Federal Housing Administration, and more than 100 cases alleging health fraud, including an investigation into a nursing home, a national hospital chain, and one of the largest Medicaid-managed care companies, according to ProPublica.

open image in gallery Bondis DOJ declined to prosecute hundreds of cases involving allegations of fraud that the Trump administration has indicated were priorities ( AP )

Meanwhile, Trump has already pardoned more than 1,600 people convicted of federal crimes since the beginning of his second administration, the majority of which were charged in connection with the January 6 attack on the Capitol. Virtually every rioter involved in what was the Justice Departments largest-ever investigation were granted clemency.

The majority of other pardons involved public fraud and white-collar crimes.

And while he accuses elected officials of committing crimes and demands the imprisonment of his political enemies, Trump preemptively pardoned nearly 80 people involved in his own efforts to overturn election results.

open image in gallery The Trump administration has surged federal resources into immigration enforcement, with more than 32,000 immigration-related cases launched in the same period the DOJ abandoned more than 23,000 crimal prosecutions ( REUTERS )

Though the Justice Department has radically shifted its focus to immigration, with operations that have cost taxpayers tens of millions of dollars, federal judges are repeatedly ruling against the administrations efforts in court.

Federal judges have ruled more than 7,000 times against Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent months, finding that the agency illegally arrested immigrants without giving them the chance to prove they could safely remain out of detention and stay in their communities while their cases played out.

Government lawyers in many of those cases didnt even offer a counterargument when challenged. Instead, federal officials have agreed to let immigrants have bond hearings or release them from detention, citing a lack of legal arguments or relevant documents they could use to support their imprisonment.

Since Trump took office, immigrants have filed more than 26,000 emergency lawsuits seeking their release from ICE custody  more than the number filed in the last three administrations combined.

The avalanche of legal challenges in response to the swift arrests and detentions of immigrants has overwhelmed the Justice Department and court dockets across the country  and federal judges are routinely reprimanding government lawyers for sloppy mistakes and failing to keep up with court orders.

Judges have argued that its a crisis of the administrations own making.
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President Donald Trump has blasted a federal judge who ordered that construction on his beloved $400 million ballroom project be paused until Congress authorizes it to move forward.

Basically he's saying, I need congressional approval. And he's so wrong, the president said during a press event Tuesday, speaking about the ruling by District Court Judge Richard Leon earlier that day.

This is being financed privately. It's a donation that's being given by companies, very rich companies, very rich people, so that for 150 years, they've wanted in a ballroom here we're going to have the finest ballroom, I believe, anywhere in the world.

In his ruling, Leon, who was appointed by George W. Bush, sided with the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a nonprofit group that sued Trump in December after he demolished the East Wing.

The judge agreed the president likely needed Congressional approval to tear down and replace an entire section of the White House, while also raising questions about the convoluted funding scheme that has led the administration to seek private donations to pay for construction.

open image in gallery A Federal judge said Congress must authorize the construction of White House ballroom before it may continue ( Getty )

The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner! Leon began in his 35-page opinion.

But Leon added that it was not too late for Congress to authorize the continued construction and said Trump could go to them at any time to seek permission to use private funding for the 90,000 square-foot ballroom.

During Tuesday afternoons event Trump said the judge had allowed him to continue building as necessary to cover the safety and security of the White House and its grounds, adding that is what we are doing.

The roof is drone proof. We have secure air handling systems. Bad things happen in the air. If you have bad people, the president continued.

We have bomb shelters that we are building. We have a hospital and very major medical facilities that we are building. We have all of these things. I'm allowed to continue building as necessary.

Trump complained about the lawsuit earlier on Truth Social, claiming the National Trust for Historic Preservation, which he referred to as a Radical Left Group of Lunatics, should have focused on the Federal Reserve building construction or Californias high-speed rail.

open image in gallery President Donald Trump showed off renderings for the new White House ballroom to reporters over the weekend and confirmed the military was involved in constructing an underground secure area ( AP )

So, the White House Ballroom, and The Trump Kennedy Center, which are under budget, ahead of schedule, and will be among the most magnificent Buildings of their kind anywhere in the World, gets sued by a group that was cut off by Government years ago, but all of the many DISASTERS in our Country are left alone to die, Trump said, referencing the Fed building and California rail project.

Trump said his ballroom plans are Ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World.

The White House ballroom has been one of the most controversial construction projects for the president. Without seeking congressional authorization, the president tore down the historic East Wing and brushed off concerns from preservationists, lawmakers and the public.

That was after Trump asserted the new ballroom would not interfere with the original White House building.

Other original plans have also changed  the cost increased from $200 million to $400 million and the original architect on the project was replaced.

open image in gallery Trumps move to tear down the White Houses East Wing to make room for the ballroom was met with concern by some preservationists and lawmakers ( Getty Images )

Trump has gone to great lengths to expedite his White House ballroom project, firing members of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, a committee that approves new designs, and installing allies  including the original architect on the ballroom project and a 26-year-old White House staffer.

Trump has also put close allies in charge of the National Capital Planning, which has jurisdiction over construction and major renovations to government buildings in the region.

In a statement, White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said: President Trump clearly has the legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House  just like all of his predecessors did. We will immediately appeal this egregious decision and are confident we will prevail.

Leons order comes after months of back-and-forth with lawyers for the administration and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Leon had initially declined to interfere in the construction process both in December and February.

But after tense hearings, in which Trump administration lawyers appeared to be changing their justifications, Leon appeared frustrated.

This has been a case where there have been shifting theories, shifting dynamics, I regret to say, from the beginning, Leon said during a March hearing.

open image in gallery Critics have raised concerns that the new White House ballroom would overshadow the executive residence and West Wing ( AP )

When lawyers tried to compare the ballroom project to other White House renovations during a January hearing, Leon replied: The 77 Gerald Ford swimming pool? You compare that to tearing down and building a new East Wing? Come on. Be serious.

Over the weekend, The New York Times criticized the rendering for the new ballroom and raised questions about the design which reportedly caused more consternation from White House officials.

The New York Times had three random people who have 'studied fine arts,' 'long written about urban planning,' and never built anything to write an article criticizing the new White House ballroom," Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote in an X post.

"President Trump and his lead architect have built world-class buildings around the world, and they are ensuring the Peoples House finally has a beautiful ballroom thats been needed for decades  at no expense to the taxpayer," she said.
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Verizon Wireless is suing the small, scenic town of Chilmark, Massachusetts, in federal court, escalating a dispute over how best to fix persistent cell service problems on Marthas Vineyard.

The lawsuit, filed March 16, names the town and its Select Board as defendants and challenges a January decision blocking Verizons plan to install 14 small cell antennas along several privately-owned utility poles. The company argues local officials overstepped their authority when they rejected the proposal.

At the center of the conflict is a growing frustration among Chilmarks roughly 1,200 residents, particularly in the up-Island areas, where spotty or nonexistent cell service has been an issue since at least the fall, according to the Vineyard Gazette. With many households no longer using landlines, some residents say the lack of reliable coverage has become a safety concern, leaving them without a dependable way to make emergency calls.

Town leaders have been actively searching for a solution, holding multiple discussions with both Verizon and American Tower Company, which owns and operates cell towers and other wireless infrastructure. Verizons proposal focused on installing small cell units on privately owned utility poles to strengthen coverage in targeted areas.

But local officials had a different vision. Rather than scattering equipment across more than a dozen poles, the Select Board leaned toward building a larger, centralized tower that could serve the entire community. That preference ultimately led to a unanimous 3-0 vote on January 20 to deny Verizons application.

open image in gallery Chilmarks 1,200 residents, particularly up-Island, face poor cell service amid the Verizon dispute ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Chilmark and Verizon had differing ideas on how to fix the coverage issue, according to reports ( Getty Images )

This may be Verizons best plan, but its not best for the town, select board Chair Marie Larsen said at the time, according to Inside Towers.

In its 20-page complaint, Verizon argues the board didnt properly evaluate the proposal and failed to make site-specific findings to justify the denial. The company also claims the town lacks any formal rules or written standards for reviewing applications like this, and didnt apply consistent criteria in its decision-making process.

The Town has no regulations or written policies establishing standards for the Boards review of applications to attach wireless equipment on utility poles in Town rights of way, Verizon states in the lawsuit, according to the Gazette. The board did not purport to apply any standards in deliberating on and deciding the Application.

The lawsuit goes a step further, accusing the town of unfair treatment. Verizon claims Chilmark is effectively steering the company toward existing infrastructure owned by American Tower Company by allowing that equipment to remain while denying Verizon a similar opportunity to expand.

The Town has unreasonably discriminated against Verizon because it has denied Verizon the right to attach its Small Cells to utility poles in the Town right of way but allowed ATC to attach its DAS equipment to utility poles in the Town rights of way, Verizon wrote in the suit, according to Vinyard Gazette.

open image in gallery The picturesque town says it plans to respond to the lawsuit ( Getty Images )

Verizon is now asking a judge to overturn the boards decision and allow the project to move forward.

Chilmark Town Administrator Tim Carroll told the Vineyard Gazette Friday that the town plans to respond to the lawsuit, but declined further comment, noting the board had not met since being served.

The Independent has contacted Verizon and Chilmark Town representatives for comment.
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Australias e-safety commissioner warned platforms like Meta, YouTube and TikTok of major gaps in their enforcement of the social media ban for under-16s, almost four months after the law came into effect.

While social media platforms have taken some initial action, I am concerned through our compliance monitoring that some may not be doing enough to comply with Australian law, commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement on Tuesday.

The legislation requires 10 of the largest social media networks, including TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Facebook, and X, to keep under-16s away or face fines of up to A$49.5m (26.5m), making it one of the worlds toughest digital restrictions.

As of early March, the e-safety commission noted in a report, the platforms had blocked around 5 million social media accounts due to age restrictions. However, major gaps remained in the way these companies had responded to the legislation.

Social media networking apps are displayed on a phone screen ( Getty )

The report warned that the platforms were enabling children under 16 to repeatedly attempt age verification so as to ultimately obtain a 16+ outcome.

It followed a survey of some 900 parents and carers conducted between 19 January and 2 February.

Nearly half of the surveyed parents reported that their child had an account on at least one platform, which dropped to about 31 per cent once the law came into effect.

Afterwards, some of the platforms failed to provide effective pathways for parents and carers to report age-restricted accounts.

Ms Grant said the watchdog was currently investigating potential non-compliance by Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok, and YouTube. But to show that companies had not taken reasonable steps to comply with the ban would take time. The evidence must establish that the platform has not taken reasonable steps to prevent children aged under 16 from having an account. That means more than simply demonstrating some children do still have accounts, she said.

We certainly expect companies operating in Australia to comply with our safety laws.

She warned the platforms can choose to do so or face escalating consequences, including profound reputational erosion with governments and consumers globally.

Responding to the report, a Meta spokesperson told ABC News that accurately determining a users age was "a challenge for the whole industry".

"The most effective, privacy protective and consistent approach is to require robust age verification and parental approval at the app store, the spokesperson said. In the meantime, the company would keep investing in enforcement to detect and remove under16 accounts.
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Ginette Kolinka has developed a definitive answer to those who question her about the horrors of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

If I had a child, well, I would prefer to strangle them with my own hands than make them go through what I went through, the 101-year-old tells them.

The stark response serves as her definitive answer about surviving the Nazi death camp.

For me, that was an answer that said it all.

Ms Kolinka, a centenarian with an easy and generous smile, has transformed into a formidable warrior against antisemitism in France.

She finds purpose in sharing her insight into murderous hatred and inhumanity, ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.

Through countless interviews, Kolinka aims to prevent anyone from claiming ignorance about the death camps and the extermination of six million European Jews by the Nazis and their collaborators. She inspires school pupils, hoping they will embrace the vital duty of remembrance.

open image in gallery Ginette Kolinka survived Auschwitz-Birkenau as a young woman ( AP )

The turning point

Ms Kolinka credits Steven Spielberg for helping to precipitate her decision 30 years ago to start opening up about the mental and physical scars that she buried for decades, the survivor's guilt that tormented her, the eternal regret of goodbye kisses that she didn't get to give to her father, Leon, and 12-year-old brother, Gilbert, before Nazi guards sent to them to the gas chambers, and so many other cruelties.

After the 1993 release of Schindlers List, Mr Spielberg launched a foundation to collect testimonies from Holocaust survivors. When it contacted Ms Kolinka, she was reticent, replying that talking to her would be a waste of time, she recounts in Return to Birkenau, her memoir.

But when its interviewer then sat down with her, in 1997, out the memories flowed, for nearly three hours. Tears, too. The foundation says it has since collected more than 60,000 testimonies and is still gathering more.

For the first time, I found myself compelled to think about it again, Ms Kolinka says in her book, published in 2019.

In World War II, Nazi-occupied France deported 76,000 Jewish men, women and children, mostly to Auschwitz-Birkenau. Just 2,500 survived. It took Frances leadership 50 years to officially acknowledge the states involvement in the Holocaust, when then-President Jacques Chirac in 1995 described French complicity as an indelible stain on the nation.

Through her books, media appearances and school visits, Ms Kolinka has become the most prominent remaining French survivor of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Just a few dozen, perhaps fewer than 30, are still alive, according to the Paris-based Union of Auschwitz Deportees, a survivors' group.

A nice little number

Pupils hung on her every word when Ms Kolinka dropped by the Marcelin Berthelot high school east of Paris recently to tell her story for the umpteenth time. Even the abbreviated version, squeezed into roughly 90 minutes, makes for tough listening  from her arrest in March 1944 to her return to France, skeletal and traumatised, after Nazi Germany's surrender in May 1945.

She described how she and other Jews were crammed aboard windowless animal-transport wagons in Paris and the violence and cruelty, with Nazi guards screaming orders and dogs barking, that greeted them at the other end three days later at Auschwitz-Birkenau. In her memoir, Ms Kolinka says that the first German word she learned was Schnell!  meaning Move it!

The pupils listened in pin-drop silence as Ms Kolinka explained that they were forced to strip naked and how that had been torture for the demure 19-year-old she was at the time.

The Nazis' hatred of Jews was such that they hunted for every detail that could make us suffer, humiliate us, she said.

Then, Ms Kolinka rolled up her left sleeve so pupils could see the identification number  78599  that a camp orderly tattooed on her forearm.

Some peoples numbers cover their entire arm, she said. But I have a nice little number.

Kept back from the gas chambers

With time short and perhaps to spare their young imaginations, Ms Kolinka didn't tell the teenagers that most of the 1,499 men, women and children transported with her to Auschwitz-Birkenau in convoy No. 71 from Paris were killed on arrival.

Ms Kolinka was among a couple of hundred who were kept back from the gas chambers and crematoriums to be used instead as forced labour.

open image in gallery Ginette Kolinka arrives to meet pupils at a high school east of Paris ( AP )

As a prisoner, she used to watch subsequent trains being unloaded, knowing that those aboard would soon be dead.

Focussed on survival, she shut down her emotions.

I became a robot, she told the pupils.

After her talk, a group of them gathered around Ms Kolinka to keep chatting and ask more questions, giving her rock-star treatment, not wanting the encounter to end.

Nour Benguella, 17, and Saratou Soumahoro, 19, were giddy with admiration. Simultaneously, they reached for the same word to describe Ms Kolinka: Extraordinary."

An amazing woman. Its wonderful to have her here in front of us. This strength of testimony, her mental fortitude," Nour said.

Keeping this history alive is the only thing that will permit us to not make the same mistakes.
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A leaked audio recording of Hungary's foreign minister discussing EU sanctions with his Russian counterpart has surfaced days before a pivotal election, potentially altering its pro-Moscow course.

Released by Warsaw-based Vsquare.org on Tuesday, the clip allegedly captures an August 2024 call between Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Russia's Sergei Lavrov.

Reuters could not independently verify its authenticity, though Mr Szijjarto, on Facebook, called the wiretapping a "huge scandal".

The leak follows PM Viktor Orban's recent investigation order into alleged wiretapping of Mr Szijjarto, to contain fallout from media reports on Hungary's Russia ties.

This underscores EU unease that Hungary serves Russia's interests, undermining bloc efforts to aid Ukraine. Mr Orban maintains his aim is to keep Hungary out of the war and protect its interests.

Mr Orban, a veteran nationalist, faces his toughest election in 16 years on 12 April. The centre-right Tisza party leads most independent polls significantly.

open image in gallery Released by Warsaw-based Vsquare.org on Tuesday, the clip allegedly captures an August 2024 call between Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Russia's Sergei Lavrov ( REUTERS )

According to the recording published by Vsquare, Lavrov called Szijjarto to remind him of a promise to help remove the sister of a Russian businessman from the EU's sanctions list.

In the English-language audio, Szijjarto responds that Hungary and Slovakia would submit a proposal the following week to remove the woman from the list.

"We will do our best in order to get her off," Szijjarto says in the recording.

Vsquare also reported on a separate call, for which it did not provide audio, in which Szijjarto allegedly told Russia's Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin that he was working to repeal EU sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers.

A Vsquare representative told Reuters the outlet independently verified the audio recording using sources in more than one country and with the help of external audio experts.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the recording or the account of the call with Sorokin.

Szijjarto did not deny that the call with Lavrov took place and acknowledged that his conversations had been intercepted.

open image in gallery Mr Orban, a veteran nationalist, faces his toughest election in 16 years on 12 April ( Associated Press )

"It is a huge scandal ... that foreign secret services were continuously wiretapping my phone calls and that these foreign secret services have now made these phone calls public one and a half weeks before the Hungarian parliamentary election," he said in a video on his Facebook page.

The Russian government did not immediately comment.

The Slovak Foreign Ministry said it "will not comment or convey the details of its negotiating positions or those of other member states".

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told a news conference removing someone from an EU sanctions list requires the agreement of all 27 member states.

"So you cannot accuse anyone of being a Russian agent; then you must accuse all 27 member states of being Russian agents if they have reached a decision," he said.

open image in gallery Orban has fostered warm ties with President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's war in Ukraine, while maintaining Hungarys heavy reliance on Russian oil and gas ( AP )

Orban has fostered warm ties with President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's war in Ukraine, while maintaining Hungarys heavy reliance on Russian oil and gas.

Szijjarto has travelled frequently to Moscow since Russia's fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On March 4, he met Putin to discuss oil supplies, among other issues.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Szijjarto had for years made regular phone calls during breaks at EU meetings to brief Lavrov with what the paper described as "live reports on whats been discussed".

Szijjarto initially dismissed that report as "fake news" but later acknowledged consulting with non-EU countries before or after meetings of EU foreign ministers, including Russia, the US, Turkey and Israel, saying this was "perfectly natural".
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Italy has reportedly refused permission for US military aircraft to land at a Sicilian air base en route to the Middle East, according to a source close to the matter.

This denial, which confirms a report by the daily Corriere della Sera, concerns "some US bombers" intended for deployment in the region.

The exact number of aircraft involved and the specific timing of Rome's refusal remain undisclosed by the anonymous source, who was not authorised to speak publicly.

Corriere della Sera further indicated that the refusal stemmed from the US failing to seek prior authorisation and neglecting to consult Italy's military leadership, a requirement under existing treaties governing American military installations in the country.

The Italian defence ministry has yet to comment on the situation. Meanwhile, centre-left opposition parties have been vocal in urging the government to restrict the use of US bases in Italy, aiming to prevent the nation's involvement in ongoing conflicts.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government has said it would seek parliamentary authorisation should any such requests be made.

The news comes after Spain closed its airspace to American aircraft involved in military operations against Iran.

open image in gallery Centre-left opposition parties have urged the government to block the U.S. use of bases in Italy to avoid involvement in the conflict ( AFP via Getty Images )

This move marks a significant escalation beyond Madrids previous refusal to allow the use of jointly operated military bases.

Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed the move on Monday.

We dont authorise either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran, she told reporters in Madrid.

Spanish newspaper El Pais had first reported the news on Monday, citing military sources.

The closure, which compels US military planes to reroute around the Nato member state on their way to targets in the Middle East, does not apply to emergency situations, El Pais added.

open image in gallery Daily Corriere della Sera reported some US bombers had been due to land at the base in eastern Sicily before heading to the Middle East. It did not say when they had been due to land ( AP )

Economy minister Carlos Cuerpo addressed the decision during an interview with radio Cadena Ser, while responding to questions about potential repercussions for relations with the United States.

He said: This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law.

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez has been a vocal critic of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, characterising them as both reckless and illegal.
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Russia has begun a spring offensive in Ukraine, launching a major assault on the fortress belt of heavily defended cities in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region. At the same time, a wave of nearly 1,000 drones and missiles targeted civilian, energy, and transport infrastructure across a wide swath of territory in a bid to overwhelm Ukraines air defences.

Ukraines technology-driven tactical nous has enabled it to kill or wound more Russian troops than are being recruited, month on month. But reports from Ukraines military commander Oleksandr Syrskyi that the Kremlin plans to add more than 400,000 new recruits in 2026, suggest that Russia intends to continue with its meat grinder strategy of attempting to overwhelm Ukraine along the front lines with sheer weight of numbers while undermining national morale by destroying its energy infrastructure.

Of course, the meat grinder involves a high level of casualties on the Russian side. This has led some western observers to suggest that Vladimir Putin might be forced to the negotiating table simply because his military cant get enough troops to continue in this way.

The idea that Russia will have trouble recruiting enough soldiers is a hangover from some of its past wars, where the dire treatment of its soldiers and veterans led at times to considerable disillusionment. This idea has been raised in the current war against Ukraine.

open image in gallery Russia has begun a spring offensive in Ukraines eastern Donetsk region ( General Prosecutor's Office )

During the Soviet-Afghan War in the 1980s and the first Russian-Chechen War in the 1990s, soldiers mothers organisations across Russia placed the conditions under which their sons served their country under the spotlight. Poor service conditions, hazing and corruption  and the states failure to provide adequate support and recognition to veterans and the families of fallen soldiers  eroded the image of the Russian military. This led to a breakdown in society-military relations and serious problems in the recruitment and retention of soldiers.

This theme remains ever-present in western reporting of the war. There has been a great deal of media focus on draft avoidance, low morale and discipline in the field and, the poor treatment of veterans. And the enlistment of people serving prison terms as well as troops from allies such as North Korea and Serbia, is also a big focus of attention in western media coverage.

Advertising soldiering as a real job for real men appeared to signal desperation. And the fact that soldiers appeared only to be fighting for money  or because they were coerced  implied that genuine support either for the war or the regime was weak. Evgeny Prigozhins attempted mutiny in 2023 was a more concrete and spectacular example of the potential for Russias military mobilisation to implode.

Rebuilding military citizenship in Russia

But in one important respect, this war is being waged differently from earlier wars in Chechnya and Afghanistan. Putin has been determined to prevent any kind of breakdown in society-military relations. He has made a concerted effort to re-engineer the relationship between the army, the state and Russian society since the 2000s  precisely to avoid a repetition of this outcome.

Both the Afghan and first Chechen wars were marked by a breakdown in the social contract between soldiers and the state, or what we call military citizenship. This is the reciprocal relationship whereby the state provides soldiers with forms of social and legal recognition  living wages, access to housing and decent healthcare, family support, and a degree of social respect. In exchange, they carry out military service.

open image in gallery High military salaries and sign-on bonuses continue to attract a steady stream of recruits ( AP )

These forms of reciprocity clearly collapsed after the Afghan and first Chechen wars. It created a rift between the military and the state that was personified in soldiers social and political marginalisation and dissent and disillusionment in senior military ranks. In response to this, Russia has made significant long-term changes. A civic council was established in 2006 under the control of the Ministry of Defence  chaired by patriotic film-maker Nikita Mikhalkov  specifically to guide this process.

This was followed in 2008 by the Strategy for the Development of the Russian Armed Forces. As part of this, Russia has introduced extensive material benefits relating to housing, pensions, salaries and social guarantees for soldiers. The in-house newspaper of Russias defence ministry, Krasnaya Zvezda, trumpeted that, under these reforms, contract soldiers are becoming the countrys middle class. This is, of course, the government line, but it reflects the importance the Kremlin places in being at least seen to address this historic problem.

This programme of reforms has been accompanied by work to rebuild military patriotism. Civil society organisations such as the Immortal Regiment, a massive and highly active organisation of veterans, are helping to mobilise Russias proudly held military tradition from the second world war (known in Russia as the great patriotic war).

These forms of material and symbolic recognition will not, of course, appeal to all Russian men. Putin has been forced over the course of the war to introduce stringent rules and severe punishments to prevent draft dodging and the mass emigration of military-aged men.

About the authors Charlie Walker is an Associate Professor of Comparative Sociology at the University of Southampton. Bettina Renz is a Professor of International Security at the University of Nottingham. This article was first published by The Conversation and is republished under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

But on the other hand, many Russians still live in hardship as a result of the countrys shaky economic transition after the collapse of the Soviet Union in the 1990s. For many young and older men in deindustrialising parts of provincial Russia, the army is still seen as the only prospect of social mobility. And this has been reinforced by the benefits provided to the military in recent years.

This does not mean that there are no concerns about conditions in the military, the quality of social protection for soldiers and their families, and  ultimately  about the legitimacy of the war in Ukraine. The relationship the Russian state has attempted to reestablish with society, and with its men in particular, remains problematic. It is still marked by tensions that Putin is either trying to address or attempting to hide. And desertion remains a significant problem for the Russian military.

But the high military salaries and sign-on bonuses continue to attract a steady stream of recruits. So we need to question this idea that relations between military and society will fall apart now and force Russia to the negotiating table. Given the boost to Russias economy provided by the current war in the Middle East, the west would do better to focus on how it can assist Ukraine on the battlefield.
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Insurers including Chubb, Fidelis, and Lloyd's have been granted permission to appeal a London High Court ruling that favoured AerCap, the world's largest aircraft lessor, in a dispute over jets stranded in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.

The High Court had ruled in June that AerCap could recover just over $1 billion from its "war risks insurers".

That figure, however, fell short of the approximately $2 billion that the lessor had sought under a broader all-risks clause.

The initial judgment largely sided with leasing companies in a multibillion-dollar legal battle against insurers, marking one of London's most significant insurance disputes.

Chubb, Fidelis, and Lloyd's will now take their case to the Court of Appeal, with the hearing anticipated to last up to five days.

The tail of an Airbus A321-211 aircraft of Russian airline Aeroflot is seen over the wall of Geneva Airport on 25 March 2022 ( AFP/Getty )

The lawsuit originally centred on nearly 150 jets and associated engines, once valued at up to $4.7 billion, though various settlements, including one on the first day of the trial in October 2024, have reduced the overall scope.

The aircraft became stuck in Russia after Western nations imposed sanctions on the country.

AerCap, alongside other lessors such as Dubai Aerospace Enterprise (DAE), Merx Aviation, KDAC Aviation Finance, Falcon, and Genesis, had spearheaded claims against a consortium of insurers, including AIG, Lloyd's, Chubb, and Swiss Re.

KDAC settled all its claims during the trial, while AerCap, DAE, and other lessors have also periodically disclosed their own settlements.
Zelensky warns of 'distracted' US as acting ambassador Davis prepares to exit

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The acting US ambassador to Ukraine will step down from her post and retire over differences with Donald Trump, according to a report.

An American official and the State Department said that Julie Davis would leave the role amid a lull in US-brokered talks to achieve a ceasefire and end Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Financial Times first reported Davis' departure and said it was because of differences of opinion with Trump's policies. It is claimed that Davis had grown frustrated with her role over his dwindling support for Ukraine.

The State Department pushed back on that characterisation, saying it was "false" to say she was leaving over differences with Trump.

"Ambassador Davis has been a steadfast proponent of the Trump Administration's efforts to bring about a durable peace between Russia and Ukraine," Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

Negotiations have been stalled since the US launched military action against Iran, which has caused a global energy shock and diverted Trumps attention from conflict in Europe.
The lives of women in Gaza, already dramatically altered since the beginning of the war in October 2023, have been even more impacted since February, when Israel and the US launched joint strikes on Iran.

It is no exaggeration to say that the past two and a half years of war have reshaped the social fabric of Gaza. More than 57,000 households are now headed by women, many of whom lost their husbands and suddenly became the sole providers for their families amid extreme poverty and danger. Access to healthcare has collapsed, leaving hundreds of thousands of women and girls with limited access to medical services, including thousands of pregnant women facing childbirth in dangerous conditions.

According to UN Women, more than 28,000 women and girls have been killed; many of them mothers, leaving behind devastated families and motherless children. Meanwhile, nearly one million women and girls have been displaced, forced to flee their homes in search of safety.

When Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran, Israel closed all crossings into Gaza. While some crossings have partially reopened, aid is restricted and insufficient, and food shortages and high prices are ongoing, keeping Gaza in a state of severe humanitarian crisis.

These women share the challenges and suffering they have faced as a result.

Life as newlyweds

Hala was 20 when she became engaged to the love of her life, Muhannad, in September 2025. The couple spent months preparing their future home together.

open image in gallery Halas wedding to Muhannad happened after the ceasefire, but their life has still been rocked by strikes ( Esraa Abo Qamar )

We chose everything together, paying attention to the details  the sofa, the carpets, the curtains, even the smallest decorations, Hala says. We wanted to build a warm home after everything we had been through during the war.

They were married on 26 December 2025, hoping the ceasefire would allow them to begin a peaceful life. But only two weeks later, they received a call, warning them to evacuate immediately.

We ran out of the house without thinking, Hala recalls. All our new belongings were still inside.

They believed they would return to their home again, but when they returned, they found nothing left. Their home had been completely destroyed after being struck by four missiles.

open image in gallery The house of Hala and Muhannad after it was bombed ( Esraa Abo Qamar )

When I saw the rubble, I couldnt believe it, she says. The house we built with so much love disappeared in minutes. I thought marrying after the ceasefire would assure me a new, safe life with my husband but I was wrong; nothing here feels safe.

Pregnancy in wartime

Hanaa, 25, got married during the war and became pregnant with her first child in 2024, during one of the hardest periods in Gaza. Much of the population at the time faced severe food shortages, and proper nutrition for pregnant women was extremely difficult to obtain.

Finding food was one of the biggest struggles and sometimes I would go to sleep hungry, says Hanaa. Even vitamins were unavailable, and many women like me suffered from anaemia because we couldnt get the nutrition we needed.

Preparing for the baby was difficult. I went to the market looking for baby clothes, but there was almost nothing, she says. The few things that existed were so expensive that I couldnt afford them.

When she went into labour before dawn, another challenge appeared. There was no transportation, and the security situation was very dangerous, Hanaa recalls. We had to call an ambulance, but ambulances were busy responding to bombings.

When she managed to get to the hospital, conditions were overwhelming. The wards were full of injured people, she says. And they asked me to leave only a few hours after giving birth because there were no beds.

Fending for the family alone

Dalia, 33, has four young children. Her eldest daughter, Dana, is 12; her youngest, Adham, is a year old. Their lives changed overnight when the family was forced to flee after the Israeli army stormed Tel al-Sultan in western Rafah. The attack left the area in ruins and dozens of Palestinian men were arrested without charge, including Dalias husband, Mohammad.

Everything happened so quickly, Dalia recalls. We had to leave our home without taking anything. My children were crying and asking what was happening, and I didnt know what to tell them.

My children kept asking when their father would come back. I tried to stay strong, but inside I was terrified

From that moment, Dalia found herself carrying the weight of the family alone. She moved from place to place with her children, eventually settling in a small tent where they lived through months of displacement and deep poverty when her youngest son was still just a few months old. Life in the tent was harsh, and Dalia rarely left it, focusing all her energy on caring for her young children and protecting them from the harsh realities around them.

Suddenly, I was responsible for everything. I had to play the role of the woman and the man at the same time, she says. Our living conditions were so terrible that some days we had nothing to eat. My children kept asking when their father would come back. I tried to stay strong, but inside I was terrified.

Following the ceasefire, after months of waiting, Mohammad was released. For Dalia and her children, it was the end of a long year of fear. Not everyone has been so fortunate.

When he was finally released after the ceasefire, it felt like life was returning to us again, she says. My children ran to hug him, and for the first time in months, I felt we could breathe again.

Dalia explains her fears about the rising tensions between Iran and Israel.

Whenever I hear about this on the news, my heart sinks, Dalia says. It takes me back to everything awful I lived before. Im afraid my children will have to relive the same fear that we thought we had survived.

Losing a husband

Haneen, 28, had been married to Mohammad, 35, for several years when she discovered she was pregnant in 2025.

Weve been trying to have a baby for five years and it didnt happen, Haneen says. When I told Mohammad I was pregnant, he was overwhelmed with happiness. He kept talking about the day our baby would call him Baba.

With the temporary end of fighting, Haneen and Mohammad began preparing for their baby. Mohammad was especially happy when we learned the baby was a boy, she recalls. He even chose the name  Hassan  and bought him baby clothes.

They decorated the home, bought baby supplies, and imagined a future full of family, love, and security.

Then tragedy struck one day when Mohammad was on his way to work and a nearby strike hit the area. Despite the recent ceasefire and the sense of safety it had brought, the dad-to-be was killed instantly.

Haneen was left alone, carrying their unborn child. The joy of expecting a baby turned into sorrow as she was left facing motherhood without the father of her child.

Now I am waiting for my child to be born without his father, Haneen says. My son was orphaned before even coming into the world.

A mothers loss

Raghda, 50, is a mother of four sons and four daughters. In 2024, her home was bombed without warning.

In a single moment, I lost two of my sons, Raghda says. We were all gathered in the house, planning for the wedding of my daughters, who were both newly engaged, when suddenly a missile hit the home.

open image in gallery File. A woman stands in the doorway of a damaged building in the northern Gaza Strip ( Middle East Images )

Raghda survived, but her sons Ibrahim and Ahmad didnt. The attack also killed the fiances of two of her daughters.

I used to dream of seeing my sons and daughters married, and of holding my grandchildren, she says. All those dreams disappeared with them. No mother should ever have to bury a piece of her heart like this.

An elderly mother

Iktemal, 67, is a widow who struggles with diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma and has faced hardship most of her life. A mother of seven daughters, all married with children of their own, Iktemal once found joy and strength in her home, where she gathered her family, shared memories, and cared for her grandchildren.

When the Israeli occupation took control of Rafah, Iktemal was forced to leave her home. She now lives in a small tent in the town of Al-Mawasi.

My house held all my memories, Iktemal says. I raised my seven daughters there; I saw them grow, learn, and marry in that house.

Now her daughters live in separate tents.

open image in gallery Iktemals house, in which she raised seven daughters, after it was bombed by Israel ( Esraa Abo Qamar )

I rarely see them now as each one has her own suffering to deal with every day, she says. Sometimes I sit alone and remember the days when our home was filled with the voices of my daughters and grandchildren. I used to invite them all to have lunch together to enjoy the sound of their laughter. I lived in that house for more than 30 years; it had witnessed all my moments and memories since I was a young woman. Seeing it in rubble aches my heart.

Her daily life is now a struggle. Her health conditions make simple tasks exhausting, and the lack of proper care and support adds to her suffering. She longs for the home that once held her family together and mourns not only her lost memories but also the warm gatherings that her family home once provided.

Holding on to education and independence

Khetam, 30, is a divorced mother of two young children, Ahmed, nine, and Youssef, seven. She lives alone with her children in a small tent.

Despite the dangers around her, she ventures out daily to work with different organisations as a psychological counsellor, helping those affected by the war while providing for her family.

I refused to let my children feel defeated by the war. I want them to have a future, Khetam says. I want them to see that even in the hardest circumstances, we must keep moving forward. Im ready to work hard day and night to provide for my children and make them happy again.

Khetam applied for scholarships abroad to continue her education and was awarded a full scholarship to pursue a masters degree online. She now balances work, study, and raising her children alone, embodying the resilience and courage of women in Gaza.

open image in gallery Khetam studying in her tent for her masters exams ( Esraa Abo Qamar )

This scholarship means hope for me, she says. It reminds me that our lives dont end because of war. I can still learn, work and be an inspiring mum; no matter what they do, Ill never give up trying.

At the same time, Khetam explains her growing fears from the recent situation between Iran and Israel.

As a mother, I worry about what could happen next, Khetam says. When I hear about the tensions between Iran and Israel, I fear that the situation in Gaza could become even worse. Im trying hard to make up for my children for what they lived in the past two years, but if the situation here escalates, I dont know what I would do to survive again.

Rebuilding from scratch

Nour, 36, is an English education graduate and mother of twins, Sara and Bassam. During the war, she spent six months working as a journalist, covering the situation in Gaza.

Those six months were among the hardest in my life, Nour says. I had to leave my children behind while reporting on what was happening in Gaza. As a mother, that was incredibly painful.

Before the war, Nour had built a cosmetics business called Rouh, which she launched online in 2015. As her following grew, she opened a small store in Gaza and eventually expanded, establishing a centre in 2022 in the Al-Rimal area.

open image in gallery Nours cosmetics store, Rouh, in 2023, before it was bombed ( Esraa Abo Qamar )

Rouh was never just a store for me, Nour explains. It felt like a small community for women in Gaza. I cared deeply about every detail of it.

Tragically, during the war, her store was bombed and burned. When I saw what happened to the store, I felt heartbroken, she says. I had built it step by step with my own effort, and losing it affected me deeply.

Despite the destruction, Nour is determined to rebuild. She has returned to running Rouh online, and feels a responsibility to continue providing the products her customers rely on and refuses to give up on her dream.

I know it will be difficult to start again, she says. But I felt that I had a responsibility to come back, and I will not give up on my dream, even if I have to rebuild everything from zero. No matter what happens, we must hold on to our dreams, rebuild when things fall apart, and keep moving forward.
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Arab foreign ministers on Sunday appointed veteran Egyptian diplomat Nabil Fahmy as the head of the 22-member Arab League, at a time the Middle East is plunged in a month-long Iran war that shows no sign of abating.

Fahmy, a former Egyptian foreign minister, won the support of the Arab foreign ministers in a virtual meeting, according to the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. He is a long-standing contributor to our partner site, Independent Arabia, writing on regional security and international relations for the site since 2019.

Fahmy's five-year term will start in July, succeeding Ahmed Aboul Gheit, who served as Arab League chief since 2016.

His appointment came as Iran's Arab neighbours are reeling from attacks by Iran and its proxies in response to massive airstrikes launched by the U.S. and Israel since Feb. 28.

Fahmy was the only nominee for the post, as it is a long-held protocol that Egypt as host of the Arab League traditionally nominates the head of the body since its establishment in 1945. The only time a non-Egyptian  Tunisian diplomat al-Shazly al-Qalibi  was appointed to the post was in 1979, after Egypts membership was suspended following its peace treaty with Israel.

Egypt rejoined in 1989, with the headquarters of the Arab League returning to Cairo and a new Egyptian secretary-general appointed in 1990.

Fahmy, 75, served as Egypts top diplomat between July 2013 and June 2014, when Egypt was in turmoil following the military overthrow of an elected Islamist president whose one-year rule proved divisive. Fahmy was Egypts ambassador to the United States between 1999 and 2008.

He also founded the School of Global Affairs and Public Policy at The American University in Cairo, and currently serves as the schools dean emeritus.

He is the son of Ismail Fahmy, the Egyptian foreign minister from 1973 to 1977. The elder Fahmy had resigned in protest of President Anwar Sadats historic visit to Jerusalem, which paved the way for Egypt becoming the first Arab country to establish diplomatic ties with Israel.
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Iran is recruiting children as young as 12 into military-aligned roles in a desperate effort to mobilise the population and bolster its war effort, human rights groups have warned.

Rahim Nadali, the deputy director of culture and arts at the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), called for members of the general public to step up and defend the homeland in comments to Irans state-affiliated news agency Defa Press.

Mr Nadali said the IRGC, which played a central role in the crackdown on Iranian protesters in January, would offer opportunities to the Iranian public to play a role in the conflict.

He said volunteers from the age of 12 and above could be considered for roles in operational and security areas, support and logistics, service and supplies or health and treatment.

Human Rights Watch, a US-based watchdog, said on Monday that the military recruitment and use of children aged under 15 was a violation of childrens rights and a war crime. Iran is bound by a customary international law regulating this.

open image in gallery A flyer shared calls for the registration of warriors, defenders of the homeland ( IRGC )

There is no excuse for a military recruitment drive that targets children to sign up, much less 12-year-olds, said Bill Van Esveld, associate childrens rights director at HRW.

What this boils down to is that Iranian authorities are apparently willing to risk childrens lives for some extra manpower.

Mr Nadali said in a TV interview on 26 March: Given the ages that were making demands, we have set the [minimum] age at 12. Meaning now there are kids of 12 and 13 who want to be present in this space.

He told Defa Press that members of the public would be able to assist in intelligence patrols, stop and search tours and operational patrols.

There were also roles for medical staff and in cooking food and distributing supplies for soldiers.

Witnesses told the BBC that they had seen children, including some armed, in security roles in Tehran and other cities.

The Norway-based Hengaw Organization for Human Rights called the initiative a systematic crime against children.

Hengaw reported this week on the death of Alireza Jafari, an 11-year-old boy who was killed in a drone strike while on duty at a checkpoint in Tehran, according to the Basij Teachers Organization.

The childs mother told the state-affiliated Hamshahri newspaper that he had been taken to the checkpoint by his father due to a shortage of personnel.

Thousands of people have been killed across the region in just over a month of fighting, which began when the US and Israel struck Iran on 28 February.

open image in gallery Rahim Nadali encouraged people as young as 12 to join the war effort  a war crime, according to Human Rights Watch ( Mehr News )

US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said 3,486 people have been killed since the war erupted. It said 1,568 of those were civilians, including at least 236 children.

Iranian officials say that at least 168 people, including about 110 children, were killed in an attack on Shajareh Tayyebeh school in the southern Iranian city of Minab on the first day of the war.

A preliminary investigation is said to have blamed a mistake by the US military, although a full probe is still pending.
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The entry of the Houthi rebels into the Iran war has sparked concerns that another vital waterway in the Middle East could be effectively blocked to oil tankers, causing further economic chaos.

Like the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab al-Mandab strait is a chokepoint in the region through which large volumes of petroleum and liquefied natural gas pass. Crucially, its a vital strategic link in the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

The Strait of Hormuz accounts for the transit of around a fifth of the worlds oil and gas. As it currently remains under strict control by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, countries across the world have been forced to grapple with rationing and high prices.

open image in gallery Hundreds of commercial vessels have been unable to leave the Strait of Hormuz ( Getty )

An energy emergency was declared in the Philippines last Wednesday as the government warned it had just 45 days until fuel ran out completely. India has been forced to ration cooking gas, Sri Lanka has introduced a four-day working week and Bangladesh has deployed troops to prevent fuel hoarding.

Brent Crude, the global oil benchmark, cost $107 (81) a barrel on Tuesday, having been $116 per barrel when the market opened on Monday. Prior to the war in Iran, it cost $78 per barrel.

The involvement of the Houthi rebels brings renewed focus to the Bab al-Mandab strait, as the Iran-backed group has a history of attacking ships transiting the waterway.

While Bab al-Mandab does not see the same volume of oil pass through as the Strait of Hormuz, its closure would signify yet another blow to the economies relying on imports from the Middle East.

open image in gallery Bab al-Mandab separates Yemen and Djibouti ( Reuters )

Where is the strait?

The Bab al-Mandab strait, also known as the Gate of Tears, resides between Djibouti and Yemen. The route, around 50km long and 16km wide, is where vessels travel between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

The strait provides access to a number of vital ports, such as Saudi Arabias Yanbu, Djiboutis Doraleh, Eritreas Assab, as well as Somalias Kismayu and Somalilands Berbera.

How important is it economically?

Between 2020 and 2023, Bab al-Mandab saw a growing number of barrels transit the strait daily, peaking at 9.3 million a day, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

This dropped drastically to 4.1 million in 2024 after the Houthis launched systematic attacks attacks on commercial ships associated with Israel using the strait.

The International Monetary Fund said that trade through the Suez Canal fell by 50 per cent in the first two months of 2024 compared to the year before, while trade through the Panama Canal fell by 32 per cent.

As traffic fell, insurance costs surged. Major shipping firms rerouted vessels to go past the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa instead, adding an additional 10-14 days to journeys.

What impact would closing it have?

open image in gallery Yanbu, a key port for Saudi Arabia, relies on Bab al-Mandab ( Getty Images )

Closure or disruption to two of the worlds main strategic waterways could be catastrophic for global trade, with energy supplies from the region potentially cut off.

Bab al-Mandab has allowed a trickle of oil to leave the Middle East through circumvention. Saudi Arabia has used the strait strategically to export crude through its vital Yanbu port.

Yanbu is on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, receiving oil through the countrys east to west pipeline.

Matthew Wright, a freight analyst for Kpler, told The Independent that the pipeline was being pushed to the maximum.

While all the attention is rightly on whats happening in the strait, Yanbu is significant in that its the most active port out of the Middle East gulf at the moment and if anything were to happen there, it would be a massive blow to continued crude exports from the Middle East, he said.

As many as 4.6 million barrels per day have been loaded onto vessels at Yanbu over the past two weeks, more than three times the average over 2025, CNN reported, citing shipping data firm Vortexa.

Previously, experts told The Independent that 2.5 to 3 million barrels a day were being exported from Yanbu. Mr Wright warned that even losing that amount, at such a critical stage with the 15 million barrels of oil absent from the market everyday from Hormuz, would be a major problem.
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Four million people in the Gulf could be pushed into poverty by the war in Iran, says the UN, as the conflict enters its second month.

A report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the economic and social repercussions of the war found that Arab nations stand to lose between $120 billion and $194 billion from gross domestic product as a result of disruptions to energy supply chains.

The number of poor people will increase by about four million people in our region in one month, said Abdullah Al-Dardari, the UN Assistant Secretary-General and Director of the Regional Bureau for Arab States.

This is a number that usually takes many years of economic decline, not one month.

open image in gallery Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah, March 11, 2026 ( Reuters )

Al-Dardari told Asharq Al-Awsat that the war, which began on 28 February, has caused a sharp and sudden economic shock.

This crisis rings alarm bells for countries of the region to fundamentally reevaluate their strategic choices of fiscal, sectoral, and social policies.

He continued: It has become clear that the impact is very large. There is a closure of the Strait of Hormuz, and oil exports have been greatly affected. Therefore, we are going to the extreme scenario, which is a severe impact on energy trade.

open image in gallery Oil tankers sail into Muscat Anchorage on March 22, 2026 at Sultan Qaboos Port in Muscat, Oman (Photo by Elke Scholiers/Getty Images) ( Getty Images )

The report, released on 31 March, estimated that the overall loss for the region would be closer to $194 billion, which could result in the regional unemployment rate rising by as much as four percentage points, costing some 3.6 million jobs  more than the total jobs created in the region in 2025.

The worst-affected would be in Gulf Cooperation Council countries and in the Levant, with each region set to lose more than 5.2 percent of their GDP.

In the Levant the crisis is projected to increase poverty by 5 percent, pushing an additional 2.85 - 3.30 million people into poverty, according to the report. This will account for over 75 percent of the rise in poverty across the Arab states.

The Levant, which includes Iraq, Palestine, Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, is already experiencing a severe poverty crisis, particularly in countries like Syria which is recovering from a 14-year civil war.

open image in gallery Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker, following a reported strike, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, March 31, 2026. Kuwait Petroleum Corporation/Handout via REUTERS ( via REUTERS )

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital waterway for global trade which connects the Persian Gulf to the Indian Ocean. It is particularly important for Gulf countries such as Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain, which are almost 100 percent dependent on it for their oil exports to reach the rest of the world.

The Gulf produces about one-third of global oil, plus a significant share of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). Roughly 20 percent of global LNG and around 25 percent of seaborne oil shipments pass through the strait.

Some Arab countries are looking at alternative routes, such as overland transport. Al-Dardari said Saudi Arabia is relying more on the oil pipeline that flows into Yanbu on the Red Sea, meanwhile there are serious talks between Iraq and Syria to transport quantities of crude oil and petroleum products overland.

The report used analysis of previous crises and recovery challenges in Gaza, Syria, and Lebanon.
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Dramatic footage shared by Donald Trump shows the moment that US forces struck a large ammunition depot in Iran with 2,000lb bunker buster bombs, triggering a huge explosion.

A clip shared by the US president on Truth Social showed the moment the bombs struck a target in the Iranian city of Isfahan with penetrator munitions designed to tear into targets deep underground, a US official told the Wall Street Journal.

Thick black smoke billowed above the city in the footage shared by the US president on Tuesday.

The unnamed official said the US had burned through a large number of its bunker buster bombs in strikes on the city, which is home to one of Irans largest nuclear facilities and targeted during the 12 Day War last summer.

open image in gallery Donald Trump shared footage ostensibly showing strikes on the central Iranian city of Isfahan, undated ( Donald Trump )

Fire-tracking satellites from Nasa suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

As pressure mounts on the Trump administration to find an end to the war and restore stability to global energy markets, Trump on Monday threatened the widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure unless a deal is made shortly.

Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched, he wrote on Truth Social.

Iran has already accused the US and Israel of carrying out strikes on the Bushehr nuclear power plant. Trump also claimed the US bombed Kharg Island, a key oil hub in the Strait of Hormuz, on 13 March.

open image in gallery The video of a massive explosion shared without comment early on Tuesday by Mr Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan ( Donald Trump )

In an interview published on Monday, Trump insisted that talks were progressing with Irans parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf. Tehran has denied it is talking to the US, accusing Washington of using the claims of talks as cover for US troop deployments.

Thousands of troops have arrived in the Middle East, according to US officials, part of reinforcements that would expand Trump's options to include a ground assault in Iran, even has he claims a peace deal is close.

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Newsmax meanwhile that he doesn't want to "put a schedule on" the timeline for ending the war with Iran.

open image in gallery Explosions tower over the city of Isfahan in central Iran ( Donald Trump )

Trump has reportedly now told aides he is now willing to end the US military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed.

The US president faces growing pressure at home to end the war ahead of the November midterm elections. The conflict has seen oil prices reach a four-year high, while 13 American service personnel have been killed and 303 wounded in action in just over a month.

The Israeli military said early on Tuesday that four soldiers had been killed in southern Lebanon, in the same area as three United Nations peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in two separate incidents in recent days.
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Donald Trump has said he is willing to end the US military campaign in Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, according to a report, leaving Tehran in control of the vital shipping lane and prolonging economic chaos.

The US president told aides that a mission to forcibly reopen the strait would push the war beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, according to administration officials who spoke to The Wall Street Journal.

Instead, he has reportedly decided to focus on his goal of dismantling Irans navy and missile stocks, while using diplomatic pressure on Tehran to try to resume the flow of trade, before concluding the conflict.

open image in gallery Explosions tower over the city of Isfahan in central Iran ( Donald Trump )

If this fails, then Mr Trump would get his allies in Europe and the Gulf  countries that rely on the maritime passage for imports and exports  to front the operation to pry it open.

It comes as Iran struck a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf, while the US military bombed targets in Isfahan. The city in central Iran is home to one of three sites which were attacked by Washington in June 2025 and some of Irans highly enriched uranium is likely stored or buried there.

The Strait of Hormuz has become Irans biggest pressure point in the war, with the regime imposing a de facto blockade on the waterway, upending global oil and gas supplies, which have caused energy prices to surge. The Islamic Republic has allowed some ships to pass through in a tollbooth system, where vessels pay as much as $2m per voyage or according to particular political and financial conditions.

The prolonged closure of the chokepoint threatens to extend disruption to the worlds energy supplies, with the prices per barrel of oil continuing to rise above $100  the first time since 2022.

open image in gallery The Strait of Hormuz is a key waterway for global shipping, with around 20 per cent of the worlds oil supply being transported through the strait ( PA Graphics )

Over the past month, Mr Trump has made conflicting statements on his intentions in Iran. At times, he has threatened to bomb the countrys energy infrastructure or seize its main oil terminal on Kharg island, but he has also appeared to downplay the Strait of Hormuzs importance, saying it is up to other countries to reopen.

Over the weekend, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the region, while thousands of soldiers from the US armys elite 82nd Airborne Division have also arrived in the Middle East.

Reuters reported that no decision has been made for American boots on the ground in Iran, but that they are there for any potential future operations.

On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the US was working towards normal operations in the strait, but didnt include it among its main military objectives.

open image in gallery Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz, as seen from northern Ras al-Khaimah ( Reuters )

Other administration officials have also appeared to show no urgency for immediately reopening the waterway. In an interview on Fox News on Monday, Treasury secretary Scott Bessent suggested that eventually the US or other countries would provide escorts for ships.

The market is well-supplied, and we are seeing more and more ships go through on a daily basis as individual countries cut deals with the Iranian regime for the time being, he said. But over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through US escorts or a multinational escort.

Earlier this month, a group of countries, including the UK, France, and Germany, issued a joint statement expressing their readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the [Hormuz] Strait.
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President Donald Trump on Monday threatened to obliterate all of Irans energy infrastructure  including the key oil hub Kharg Island if Tehran continues to stall on efforts to strike a deal to end the war.

Airstrikes across the Middle East have continued despite several public overtures to diplomacy and negotiations by the US leader, with Tehran continuing to deny that any direct talks are taking place.

But in a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump claimed that serious discussions had been taking place over bringing an end to the month-old conflict and that great progress had been made.

If the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched, he wrote in another outburst.

It follows reports of a potential ground invasion of Iran that would mark a significant escalation of the conflict, with officials telling The Wall Street Journal on Sunday that the president is also assessing plans for a military operation to seize uranium from deep inside the country.

Its the job of the Pentagon to make preparations in order to give the commander-in-chief maximum optionality. It does not mean the president has made a decision, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement, regarding the reports.

open image in gallery Donald Trump said great progress had been made while also threatening to blow up Irans energy facilities ( Getty )

Thousands of US sailors and marines landed in the Middle East over the weekend, according to US Central Command, a move that Tehran said was a sign that Washington was not serious about securing a peace deal.

Oil prices have continued to surge as the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed to commercial shipments.

Yemens Houthi rebels entered the fray over the weekend, prompting further concern over global trade disruption after their previous attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea passage to the Suez Canal in 2024.

Prime minister Keir Starmer ruled out putting British troops on the ground in Iran and insisted that the UK would not be dragged into Mr Trumps escalating war in the region.

open image in gallery Thousands of US marines arrived in the Middle East over the weekend ( US Central Command )

This is not our war and were not going to get drawn into it, he said, adding the UK will continue to take defensive action and work to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

What we have done is taken defensive action: so weve had our pilots up in the air since an hour or two after this war started, defending British lives, British interests and, of course, our allies in the region.

But we are not going to get dragged into this war.

The prime ministers office said it is in discussions with the US at every level over its involvement in the war in Iran.

We will continue to focus, as the prime minister has done, on British national interests, protecting people in the region, doing what we can to protect households from the impact here in the UK, and working with international allies.

open image in gallery Smoke rises following an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beirut's southern suburbs, Lebanon, on Monday ( AP )

The Pentagon is reported to be awaiting Mr Trumps approval on ground operations involving up to 10,000 troops, according to The Washington Post.

Secretary of state Marco Rubio has previously denied that ground operations would go ahead and on Monday insisted that the US would achieve its objectives in a matter of weeks, not months.

Iran continues to deny that talks have taken place. Tehrans foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said they had received messages from intermediaries expressing Washingtons willingness to negotiate, but said the proposals were asking too much.

Meanwhile, Israeli strikes on southern Lebanon have continued after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the expansion of a buffer zone in operations said to be intended to defeat Hezbollah.
This is the moment a Texas judge berated an IT worker after he helped him with a computer issue.

The exchange was captured on the Harris County District Courts livestream and has since gone viral. The worker can be seen troubleshooting for an audio problem before calling Judge Nathan Milliron back to the bench.

Okay, false alarm, the worker says.

No, it wasnt a false alarm, Milliron replies.

The worker jokingly says, False negative, which appears to upset the judge.

Dont joke around, Milliron snaps, before ordering the man out of the courtroom. After he leaves, Milliron orders someone off camera to find his supervisor.
Michael Houghton: My son hasnt quite realised that the 500 or so he might receive for his first communion represents only a fraction of what the day will cost us
A Wicklow-based payroll and human resources provider says its software MegaPay is now used to pay nearly one in five workers in Ireland.

According to most recent statistics from the Central Statistics Office, SD Worx Ireland currently cover about 17pc of the national workforce, or close to 400,000 people.

The firm is now aiming to increase that share to 25pc over the next five years, as demand grows among employers dealing with new regulatory requirements.

The firm, which is located in Bray, reported revenue growth of 26pc last year and stated it now provides payroll services to around 450 organisations in Ireland. It also reported a customer retention rate of close to 99pc.

The firm said demand for its services has increased as employers face more reporting rules. These include requirements related to tax, pension auto-enrolment and gender pay gap reporting all of which have added to the administrative workload for businesses in Ireland.

Businesses are increasingly turning to external providers to manage payroll and ensure staff are paid accurately and on time, the company said.

Companies are also under pressure to avoid errors or missed reporting deadlines. SD Worx said its MegaPay system allows employers to automate payroll calculations and generate required reports, reducing the need for manual labour.

The company provides payroll services to employers across a range of sectors, including hospitality, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, retail and financial services, including some of the largest employers in the country.

It said further growth is expected in the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector following a 3 million investment to expand its services for smaller firms. These businesses make up a significant share of employment in Ireland and are more likely to outsource payroll functions.

Managing director Eimear Byrne said: As the regulatory landscape rapidly changes, robust, reliable, and accurate payroll is a fundamental requirement for every business that must be prioritised.

"As we all lead rich lives outside of the workplace, on-time payment is the very minimum that employees should expect, and we pride ourselves on the fact that we have never missed a pay date or submission.

She added that: An increasing number of organisations do not have the in-house resources to keep pace with the evolving requirements of modern work environments.

SD Worx Ireland is part of a European group that provides HR and payroll services to around 100,000 organisations and processes salaries for approximately six million employees.
The euro is heading for its worst quarter since 2024 as war in the Middle East underscores Europe's dependency on energy imports and rattles the region's economic outlook.

The common currency is down about 2pc this quarter at around $1.15 and has lost 2.5pc against the dollar in March, the most since July.
Hollywood stars Emily Blunt and Andrew Scott have been pictured together for the first time shooting in Ireland for their new movie adaptation of Claire Keegans Walk In The Blue Fields.

The Netflix production  which is tipped to include a pivotal scene where a woman breaks into a priests house and commits arson  is currently filming in Wicklow, Kildare and Dublin.

Belfast actor Ciaran Hinds also stars in the film, which is based on the Wicklow authors book and adapted for its screen version by Irish playwright Conor McPherson, while Irish film director John Crowley has directed the movie.

Emily Blunt at the 2026 National Board Of Review Gala in New York this year

Oscar nominated English actress Blunt and Dubliner Scott are pictured laughing as they enjoy an ice lolly and ice cream cone in Wicklow Town.

Shooting also took place for three days in Rathangan Co Kildare, where hundreds of locals turned out to see the stars. Scenes are also being filmed today in Dublins Phoenix park.

Golden Globe winner Blunt is best known for her roles in A Quiet Place series of films, The Devil Wears Prada, The Fall Guy, The Girl on the Train and The Young Victoria, while she was also nominated as Best Supporting Actress in 2024 for her role opposite Cillian Murphy in Oppenheimer.

She also filmed Wild Mountain Thyme i n Ireland, which was released in 2020 and came under fire by some critics for what some deemed cringy Irish accents.

Andrew Scott as the SAG awards in New York last year

BAFTA winner Scott is best known for playing the Hot Priest in Fleabag, his portrayal of Paul McCartney in Lennon Naked, Jim Moriarty in Sherlock and his recent portrayal of Tom Ripley in the 2024 thriller series, Ripley.

Hinds, who received an Oscar nominated for his role in Belfast, revealed at the weekend he plays the father of Blunts character in the new film

Keegans selection of short stories Walk The Blue Fields was first published in 2007. The title story centres on a priest who, while officiating a wedding, struggles with memories of his own past affair with the bride.

Ciaran Hinds receives the Academy's Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2026 Irish Film & Television (IFTA) Awards for Film & Drama in Dublin

Her short story Small Things Like This was turned into a film and released in 2024, starring Cillian Murphy and Emily Waltson. Set in 1980s Ireland, it was selected by Oprah Winfrey as the 109th choice in her Book Club.
Boom Box: Beats and Betrayal review: True tale of murders, music and manipulation that defies belief

This HBO Max docuseries recounts the establishment of an ostensible music studio set up in the deprived town of Edmonton in north London in 2008

Docuseries Boom Box: Beats and Betrayal recounts the outrageous story of teenagers lured into a recording studio that wasnt what it seemed. Photo: HBO Max

Pat Stacey Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Unless you somehow managed to miss all the hype, youll know that The Pitt arrived in Ireland and the UK last week on HBO Max.
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has launched a public consultation on its code for advertising and marketing communications.

The Code sets out the standards that advertisers, agencies, and media are required to follow and plays a central role in promoting responsible advertising and maintaining public trust in marketing communications across Ireland, the ASA said.
Life lessons: From marriage to setting up your own business  take advice from those whove been there and done it
Garda to appeal road ban for dangerous driving over scrambler chase in Dublin

Conviction comes in week clampdown to rid streets of the high-powered bikes takes effect

Garda in scrambler chase gets driving ban and 500 fine

Andrew Phelan and Sarah O'Mahony Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 19:03

A garda given a road ban for driving dangerously while chasing illegal scramblers in Dublin is appealing his conviction.
Everybody who sees a dog coming to a wedding loves it  meet the woman who will walk your pet down the aisle

Canine chaperone Kathryn Scroope recently won top award for her unique services with company Salty Dog

Happy customers bride and groom Charlie and Oisin with daughter and pooch at Killarney Cathedral on their wedding day. Photo: Konrad Paprocki.

Sarah O'Mahony Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

For some people, their dogs are their best friends. So why should they be excluded from the wedding invitation list?
Law needs to be changed to raise criminal threshold for gardai involved in accidents while on duty, says Garda Commissioner

We need legislatory changes' - Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly on conviction of garda over scrambler pursuit

Robin Schiller Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 18:37

The Garda Commissioner has said the law needs to be changed to raise the criminal threshold for gardai involved in accidents while responding to an emergency on duty.
Lidl Irelands CEO has written directly to junior enterprise, trade and employment minister Niamh Smyth to support the Governments plan to change the law so the home addresses of company directors are no longer publicly available.

Robert Ryan said he had listened with great enthusiasm to a radio interview in which she had set out details of the plan, as Lidl shared significant concerns about the Companies Registration Office (CRO) publishing residential addresses.
Top garda warns students about e-scooter laws in letter to all schools

The Assistant Commissioner of Roads Policing has called on the school communities to prevent breaches of the law

Many sales reps found to be openly selling E-Scooters that can reach 80kmph

Sarah O'Mahony Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

A high-ranking garda in charge of roads policing is writing to schools to warn about the laws around using e-scooters.
Lucinda OSullivans restaurant review: The bill for our Michelin-starred lunch came to 350  which, all things considered, was an absolute snip

With a new chef in situ and a fab Japanese-influenced menu, dining at this superb Michelin-starred Cork restaurant was nothing short of terre-ific, writes our critic

Wicklow sika deer. Photo: Lucinda O'Sullivan.

Lucinda O'Sullivan Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Unless youre loaded, the best way to try a Michelin-starred restaurant is for lunch. You may not get a tumbler of caviar or truffles sprinkled at will, but youll experience the same culinary skill and polished service. With tasting menus for dinner (220) and lunch (110/145), I applied this mantra and found myself on the N25 heading for Terre, the two-star Michelin restaurant in Castlemartyr Resort, where a new chef, Yorkshire man Lewis Barker, had just been appointed.
30 years ago, six men started an annual trip  they didnt realise it would become a lifeline

You dont get to make new old friends, says one member of the A to Z Club

The A to Z Club in Caen, France, in 1997, from left: Mike Murdoch, Graham Dunlop, Chris Patterson, Colin Cather, Neil Hughes and Brian McKenna.

Abby Ellin Washington Post Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

It began, as so many ideas do, over drinks. Lots of them.
Demand for probe after Waterford to Dublin Airport bus route is scrapped amid fears rural Ireland is being left behind

Bus Eireann announced that it would cease operating three Expressway services including its Waterford to Dublin Airport route which serves many rural areas in both Carlow and Kilkenny

Calls for the National Transport Authority to investigate the implementation of a Public Service Obligation. Photo: Stock image

Aisling Bolton-Dowling Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 12:40

There are calls for an investigation into whether a Public Service Obligation (PSO) should apply to the Expressway Waterford to Dublin Airport bus route, following the loss of the service.
Henry Bodkin: How Iran destroyed $500m US battlefield nerve centre in Saudi Arabia

Strike comes as fears grow over intelligence links between Russia and Tehran

Volodymyr Zelensky took issue with the CEO's words. Photo: Reuters

Henry Bodkin Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

The mangled airframe of the four-engined US Air Force jet stands on the runway of Prince Sultan air base in Saudi Arabia. Amid the twisted metal, what looks like a large flying saucer lies upside down.
Ksenia Samotiy: Making an effort to show up for others is the purest form of love and friendship
Google Maps and sat navs have largely done away with the necessity to ask for directions. Nowadays, you just put the Eircode into your phone and youre told exactly how to get to your destination, how far it is and how long it will take  along with the best route to avoid traffic.

The road less travelled has become the road fastest travelled. The notion of getting lost seems outdated. Asking for directions is pretty much done away with, hence you dont get the classic Irish response to such a question: I wouldnt start from here if I were you.

The phrase can still have its applications elsewhere. How would you fix the housing crisis, while also making the city a better place to live? Well, I wouldnt start from here if I were you.

Idealists point to Haussmanns Paris as inspiration for creating a modern city. The old parts of the French capital make for a highly walkable city. The building blocks though are the Haussmann apartment buildings which make up a large part of the streetscape. The architecture, buildings and surrounds are named after Georges-Eugene Haussmann who modernised the boulevards of 19th-century Paris.

To create the network of uniform wide roads to air, unify and beautify Paris, Haussman demolished much of the patchwork of dark alleys and winding passages that built up in the medieval city. The destruction of these narrow streets was known as the gutting of old Paris, to be replaced by open tree-lined avenues.

Making the city compact, green, sustainable and a better place to live has to be a necessity

The urban planning also included parks, squares, transport and water. And these boulevards were lined by the same classically styled, cream-coloured six-storey apartment buildings  the Haussmann buildings. The beauty of the design was it allowed for high-density housing in a city centre without being high rise.

Now, were not in the Paris of the 1850s. Haussman transformed a city over the course of 17 years. If he tried that in Dublin, hed still be stuck in planning permission on the first project. But we are allowed to dream big about what our cities and towns should become to make them better places to live, work and raise a family.

Therefore, a forum of architects coming together to analyse the housing system, look at planning and come up with solutions to the crisis is not just welcome, it is imperative that such ideas get an airing.

The lack of remaining space in Dublin city to build houses means apartment building and apartment living is the future. But the solution to the housing crisis is not just to allow developers to throw up as many apartments as possible.

Equal consideration has to be given to public transport, amenities and open spaces. Making the city compact, green, sustainable and a better place to live has to be a necessity. A living city is not merely bricks and mortar.

Taking a peek at what an ideal Dublin could and should look like will put pressure on policymakers at local and national level to take a broader view on urban planning and what sort of housing will be built.
Max Boot: How Ukraines drones have paralysed Russian invasion

The war in Iran threatened to boost Putins coffers with oil revenues  but Ukrainian ingenuity hamstrung those plans

A Ukrainian serviceman prepares a first-person view (FPV) drone before operating during a practice, amid Russias attack on Ukraine, at undisclosed location in Kharkiv region. Photo: Reuters

Max Boot Washington Post Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

When I first visited Kyiv in May 2023, Ukraines capital experienced what was then one of the largest air attacks of the war: Russia fired 25 missiles and nine drones. I could hear the blasts outside my hotel room as Ukrainian air defences shot down all the projectiles.
Evil killer Stephen McCullagh made a short film in which his character fantasised about murdering a woman years before he slaughtered Natalie McNally.

The monster filmed the 10-minute Grip, which is still available on YouTube, while a media student at South Eastern Regional College (SERC), close to his Lisburn home.

It gives a startling glimpse into his depraved mind and penchant for violence.

Eleven years after writing, directing and acting in the 2011 film, McCullagh murdered pregnant Natalie McNally (32) at her home in Lurgan.

Since his conviction last week, it has also been revealed that a month after murdering his pregnant girlfriend, Stephen McCullagh posed as a journalist and rang the SDLPs Mark H Durkan. PSNI sources said they believed he wanted to find out if he was a suspect.

McCullagh was employed by the Belfast Telegraph as a part-time assistant audience editor at the time and never worked as a reporter at the newspaper.

Mr Durkan was unaware of McCullaghs ruse but did think his approach was strange.

He said: After a Policing Board meeting, I had a call from someone in the Belfast Telegraph, and I rang them back.

I couldnt be 100 per cent it was Stephen McCullagh, but I remember they were male and I hadnt dealt with them before.

Today on The Indo Daily, Ciaran Dunbar is joined by Angela Davison from The Sunday Life, to hear about some of the stories which could not be told while the trial was ongoing, and what has emerged since McCullaghs conviction.
Two anglers who died after falling into the sea outside Doonbeg in West Clare on Tuesday have been named locally as brothers Tajuddin Safi, aged in his 30s, and Salahuddin Safi, aged in his 20s.

The two brothers were members of the Afghan community in Limerick, where it is understood they have lived and worked for approximately 10 years.

It is understood they had travelled to Clare to fish in a group of five when the tragedy occurred and had previously visited the area.

The Coast Guard was alerted to reports of two men having fallen into the waters on Tuesday afternoon March 31 at around 2.15pm.

The pair had been fishing off the rocks at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay, and conditions were reportedly very rough at the times.

A search operation was launched in response with the Coast Guard helicopter, search units and Aran Island Lifeboat deployed to the scene.

The two bodies were located by the Coast Guard helicopter at around 4pm, after which Aran Island Lifeboat recovered them from the sea as part of the coordinated operation.

A gathering of the Afghan community took place on Wednesday afternoon in Limerick city in memory of the two men. A vigil will be planned for a later date.

Speaking to the Irish Independent, local Fianna Fail councillor for Kilrush, Rita McInerney, expressed condolences to the families of the men, as well as the other members of the angling party.

It's such a tragic loss of life and the community is very, very saddened by it, and it's something we don't want to hear happening, particularly so close to home and in our community, she said.

Salahuddin Safi left, Tajuddin Safi right.

Today's news in 90 seconds - Wednesday, April 1

The area itself is very well known, a blue pool area. There's a natural rock pool there that people swim in, and there's also another area to the left of it that is a famous surfing spot.

"But this spot then in the middle is quite deep. The area is subject to rogue waves and big waves that happened and, you know, the sea has been quite rough [especially] because we have a full moon today. So, the sea was quite rough at the time.

Unfortunately, it's not the first incident at this spot, and there's been a number of tragedies over the years. And it is, unfortunately, typically people who are living in the country, but from other countries, and may be attracted to the uniqueness of this cliff angling.

"But as for the local people, it's not used. It's not fished from because of the dangerous nature of the spot. Even at the spot there is already a plaque there to people who have lost their lives in the past.

The two men were found on Tuesday afternoon

Doonbeg parish priest Fr Gerry Kenny told the Irish Independent that the area where the incident occurred is known locally to be dangerous and is generally avoided.

The locals would always know it has been a dangerous area because there are waves that just come up behind you and pull you in [...] What surprised me most of all was that it has sort of gone off our radar because nothing has happened in recent years, and we thought that because of calamities, it had gone off the radar, he said.

There's another spot back around Loop Head and that is very dangerous [and] there have been near tragedies there. It seems to be in the non-national community that theres this folklore about it being good for fishing, which it sure is. But in some places if you were to stand where there would be fishing, it's a straight drop down. So even a gust of wind would take you out.

Ms McInerney believes that increasing signage in the area would serve to highlight the dangers of angling in the area.

But typically, it is an area that's shared among people who are interested in this activity. We can try as much as possible to put the signs in place, which we will, but people often don't heed signs as well - but at least there would be something there that will highlight the issue even more, she said.

But certainly, it's not an area that is outwardly marketed or encouraged as a fishing spot.

"There are fishing areas in West Clare that have car parks and signage and all of that for cliff fishing and that's where we would encourage people to avail of. This area is on private land, it's gated, it's a working farm, so it's not promoted externally as a fishing spot.

A statement from the Department of Transport on Tuesday read: At 2:15pm, the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Sub-centre (MRSC) at Valentia was notified by An Garda Siochana that two persons had fallen into the sea at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay outside Doonbeg, Co Clare.

It is understood both persons were fishing off the rocks at the time. A search was initiated with the Coast Guard helicopter R115 from Shannon, Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, Doolin Coast Guard Unit and the Aran Island Lifeboat on scene.

The Coast Guard extends its sincere sympathy to the family of the two anglers who lost their lives today. An Garda Siochana are in the process of liaising with the families of both men.
Families in North Cork already struggling with the rising cost of living are deeply concerned about the reintroduction of exam fees for the Junior and Leaving Certificate this summer.

State Examinations Commission (SEC) recently notified schools that families will once again be required to pay 116 per Leaving Certificate candidate and 109 per Junior Cycle candidate  the first time the fees have been charged since they were waived in 2020.

Sinn Fein Senator Nicole Ryan said she has been contacted by several parents from local schools who are deeply concerned about the reintroduction of fees for the 2026 exam year and she urged the Irish Government to reverse the decision to ease the mounting pressure on families.

Senator Ryan said that families across Cork North-West are already under enormous pressure with rising costs, including groceries, energy, transport and other everyday essentials, and that the reintroduction of exam fees is yet another burden many households simply cannot absorb.

She acknowledged that medical card holders are exempt from the fees but warned that many families who fall just above the threshold are often left with no support whatsoever.

Senator Ryan said this cliff edge leaves many hardworking families in a position where they receive no assistance despite facing the same financial pressures.

She highlighted the experience of one local mother in North Cork whose situation reflects that of many families.

The parent was recently informed that if anyone in the household held a medical card, the exam fee would be waived, however, when she attempted to complete the registration process, the system would not accept her details, leaving her with no option but to pay the 109 fee.

Senator Ryan said the same mother, a working parent of four children, outlined the significant financial strain her family is under, with weekly grocery bills ranging between 380 and 400 for essentials.

Senator Ryan added that while the government often speaks about free education, the reality for many families tells a very different story with parents expected to pay for school contribution fees, and a range of additional costs throughout the year. When all these expenses are added together, education is not truly free. The governments claims simply do not reflect the lived reality of families.

Senator Ryan said the decision to reintroduce exam fees now, in the height of a cost-of-living crisis and against the backdrop of ongoing global instability impacting fuel and diesel costs, is deeply unfair.

The Cork senator described the move as not only stingy, but downright mean at a time when families are already stretched to their limits and she urged the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton to ensure that exam fees remain waived so that no family is placed under additional financial pressure.
An Comisiun Pleanala will make the final decision on 140 apartments on the site of a former Mother and Baby Home

A site notice for the latest planning submission at the site of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home

The date for the final decision on a controversial planning application on the site of a former notorious Cork institution has been announced.

The application, for the demolition of 10 agricultural buildings and sheds, and the construction of 140 apartments on the site of the former Bessborough Mother and Baby Home, submitted by developers Estuary View Developments Ltd, was initially given the go-ahead by Cork City Council at the end of February 2026, having been submitted late last year.

The decision drew outrage from one group of survivors, who said that they were devastated by the decision by city planners, and held a protest outside the gates of the institution, in which over 900 infants are buried.

The group, called the Bessboro Mother & Baby Support Group and led by a family member of a survivor, Carmell Cantwell, has been backed by several opposition politicians, including local Labour councillor Peter Horgan, who was the other objector to the site.

Mr Horgan told the Irish Independent that he believed the decision from City Hall was wrong, and that he didnt think that any building should take place on the site. Instead, the whole site should be turned into a memorial for the hundreds of children who lost their lives, as well as the mothers who suffered at the notorious institution.

However, another group of survivors, called Cork Survivors and Supporters Alliance, who include among them both Catherine Coffey OBrien and Ann OGorman, who both gave birth to children in the institution, have supported the plans, after what they said were positive meetings with the developers about erecting a potential private memorial.

Estuary View Developments have submitted an application on the site of the former Cork Heritage Park

The group says that, in lieu of ongoing inertia regarding the establishment of an appropriate burial, this development may represent the final opportunity for Ann, who is in ill health, and other survivors of the institution, to see the site memorialised before they die.

An Coimisiun Pleanala has now confirmed that the decision on the development at Bessborough is due on July 9.

Plans for such memorials in industrial institutions were also raised again in Seanad Eireann last week with Junior Minister for Children Marian Harkin saying that the Governments action plan contains clear commitments in relation to dignified local memorialisation of known or agreed burial sites.

The Irish Independent recently contacted the Department of Housing, Heritage, and Local Government regarding an update on a planned report into local memorialisation of mother and baby homes, as well as other state institutions that dealt with children, like industrial schools, which survivors and historians contributed to.

Some have told this publication that they contributed to the report several years ago and are still awaiting it.

In its response, the Department said that the Working Group had met 17 times and the guidance is currently in the final stages of drafting.

It is intended to submit the report and guidance for the Ministers approval in H1 2026 and to circulate it to local authorities thereafter, said a statement from a spokesperson.

The Working Groups considerations have been informed by a consultation and report compiled by the Institute of Public Administration.

The Department remains committed to the delivery of the actions assigned to it under the Action Plan.
Molly Clifford, who represented the Cork University in hockey, will travel 12,000km on a tight budget with her Dad

A former UCC student and hockey player is set to take part in one of TVs most popular travel reality shows, as she aims to travel all the way to Mongolia for the price of a first-class plane ticket.

23-year-old junior doctor Molly Clifford, who studied medicine on Leeside, is teaming up with her dad, Andrew, to take part in the BBC series Race Across the World, which saw almost 6 million people tune in for last years opening episode.

The show sees five pairs battle it out in a race from a starting point to an ending point, given just the price of a first-class plane ticket, and they can take any form of communal transport, apart from flying itself. On the way, pairs have the option to take up work and sample local cultural experiences, whilst also trying to navigate the fastest and cheapest route to several checkpoints along the way.

This years route begins in Palermo, Sicily, and stretches all the way to the remote Mongolian village of Hatgal, on the shores of Lake Hovsgol, with contestants having to travel more than 12,000km, from 30-degree Mediterranean heat to subarctic temperatures of 20C, all to try and win the 20,000 (23,000) prize.

Along the way, competitors will pass through eight countries  Italy, Greece, Turkiye, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan and Mongolia  retracing sections of the ancient Silk Road.

Contestants must travel without smartphones, internet access or bank cards, and will have less than 26 (30) to spend per person per day in the extreme backpacking challenge.

Andrew and Molly ahead of the race launching

Derry native Molly says she will be relying on recent experiences as a student in Cork to help her with budgeting along the race, as she takes part in the show, produced by Studio Lambert, best known for the smash hit game show The Traitors, and popular midweek fix Gogglebox.

We keep calling it a joke gone too far, said Molly, ahead of the show premiere on Thursday. We were sitting watching it on TV one night, and the option to apply came up and every time we watch it, we always say that we would love to do it.

The next day, the ad popped up on daddys Facebook, and so we put an application in thinking nothing of it, and its kind of just been a whirlwind since then, said the former UCC student, who will be counting on her extroverted personality along the way.

I can talk to anyone. I'm happy to walk up to someone and be stupid and go, Where am I? What am I doing? That comes naturally to me and so that will probably be a strength.

Contestants from this years Race Across the World

I will probably do a lot of talking with the strangers, but Daddy's also very good at it. I think its about knowing when you're having a day where you're tired, that that other person picks up that extra 10 or 15% and knowing that you'll give that back the day after when theyre tired.

I did the big thing and moved away to university, said Molly about her experience. Im a student, and Ive never gotten out of the student lifestyle, so Im very good at living on nothing.

Race Across the World airs Thursdays at 8pm on BBC One and iPlayer, starting April 2.
Mariia Popyk and Ciara Murray, pictured at the Cork Business Association Presidents Dinner and Cork Business of the Year Awards.

Jarek and Chloe Paduch, pictured at the Cork Business of the Year Awards.

Orla McAndrew and Andrea Ambrose of Orla McAndrew Food, pictured receiving the Sustainable Business Innovation award from sponsor Prof. Maggie Cusack of MTU, with Cliona Barnes and Dave O'Brien, CBA.

Andrew Graer and Kia Morris of Paynt, pictured receiving the Best New Business Award from sponsor Br Niall O'Keeffe of Cork LEO, along with Cliona Barnes & Dave O'Brien, CBA.

Mags O'Connor and Clodagh O'Donovan, Cornstore Cork, pictured receiving the Best Restaurant award from sponson Brendan Walsh of The English Market, and Cliona Barnes and Dave O'Brien, CBA.

Louise Murray and Des Kennedy, The Everyman, pictured receiving the award for Best in Culture, Arts & Tourism from sponsor Deirdre Cole of Failte Ireland, and Cliona Barnes and Dave O'Brien, CBA,

Deirdre O'Grady receiving the award for Best Services Business, from sponsor Katelyn Scanlon of B2B Signs, and Cliona Barnes and Dave O'Brien, CBA.

Paraic O'Regan and Christy Walsh, The Welcome Inn, pictured receiving the award for Best VFI Pub from Cliona Barnes and Dave O'Brien, CBA, and sponsor Finbarr Kelleher of VFI.

Fiona Colllins and Colin Kenny of Guiness Cork Jazz Festival, pictured receiving the overall Business of The Year Award from sponsors Sandra Carey, Irish Examiner, and Auriol Kelly of AIB, along with Cliona Barnes & Dave O'Brien, CBA. Pics: Michael OSullivan / OSM Photo

Guinness Cork Jazz Festival were named the overall winner at the 69th Cork Business Association (CBA) Cork Business of the Year Awards which were held at the Vienna Woods Hotel on Saturday, March 28.

More than 350 people from Cork citys business community came together for the annual awards sponsored by PTSB, to honour the citys most outstanding enterprises, with the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival taking home the top honour as the overall winner.

The glittering black tie event celebrated innovation, community spirit, and excellence across Cork citys business landscape.

The evening was hosted by Marty Morrissey with An Taoiseach Micheal Martin and European Commissioner Michael McGrath delivering the keynote address.

CBA President Dave OBrien said the ambition and energy within Corks business community is extraordinary. These awards celebrate not just success, but the passion and resilience that drive it. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festival embodies everything that makes Cork unique - creativity, collaboration, and a global outlook.

The awards were judged by a panel of independent judges and by public vote.

The judges said Guinness Cork Jazz Festival was chosen as the overall winner because it is a cornerstone of Corks cultural identity and has incredible scale and impact.

Drawing more than 100,000 visitors annually and contributing over 45 million to the local economy, it transforms Cork into an international stage each October.

Originating at the Metropole Hotel, the festival has become one of Europes premier music events and gives the whole city a jazz uplift, filling venues, streets, shops and more with energy, and business vibrancy.

Speaking at the event, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the Guinness Cork Jazz Festival has consistently led the way, particularly at times when it was needed most. This is a testament to the vibrancy and strength of Corks business community. The Guinness Cork Jazz Festivals recognition as overall winner further cements Corks reputation as a leading festival city.

The night also paid tribute to Lawrence Owens, a former chairman, board member, chief executive and President of CBA.

Mr Owens was acknowledged for his decades of leadership, dedication, and service to the organisation, and to Cork city.

The individual category winners on the night were:

Best VFI Pub  The Welcome Inn: One of Corks oldest pubs, The Welcome Inn blends tradition and charm, offering authentic hospitality, live music, and the warm atmosphere that defines the citys pub culture.

Best Cork Hotel  Vienna Woods Hotel: Vienna Woods is an 18th-century building that offers four-star comfort. Its service and consistent excellence make it one of Corks most admired hotels.

Best Services Business  AbilityWise: A trailblazer in disability, equality, and inclusion training, AbilityWise empowers workplaces through lived-experience learning and meaningful, measurable change.

Best Festival or Event  Open Streets by Cork City Council: Reimagining roads as shared spaces for people, culture, and sustainability, Open Streets brings life, colour, and community to Cork City and drives footfall to businesses.

Best in Tourism, Culture & Arts  The Everyman: The Everyman, a jewel of Victorian architecture, continues to be a beating heart of Corks arts scene, drawing over 80,000 visitors a year with world-class productions.

Best Retail Business  Pinocchios: A beloved Cork toy store for more than four decades, Pinocchios delights generations with timeless toys, expert advice, and enchanting window displays.

Best Cafe  Dukes Cafe: Marking 20 years in business, Dukes Cafe remains a Cork favourite, renowned for its expertly crafted coffee, welcoming vibe, and deep community ties.

Best Restaurant  Cornstore Cork: A leader in the citys dining scene, Cornstore Cork combines modern Irish cuisine, top-quality local produce, and polished service in a refined atmosphere.

Best Family Business  St Lukes Wine Tavern: Run by two generations, St Lukes Wine Tavern offers authentic Spanish-inspired dining and genuine Cork hospitality rooted in family and community.

Best New Business  Paynt: This Cork-founded fintech innovator transforms how SMEs handle cashless payments, standing out for its creativity, speed, and global reach.

Sustainable Business Innovation  Orla McAndrew Food: Orla McAndrew Food is redefining catering with zero-waste principles, seasonal produce, and a beautiful commitment to sustainability and local sourcing.

Best Content Creator  Marina Market: Through dynamic storytelling and engaging visual content, Marina Market showcases Corks food, culture, and spirit, driving visitors online and on site.
In Cork for Easter and looking for egg-celent events to keep the family entertained? We have you covered.

Here are some events taking place across the county this Easter.

Easter Egg Hunt, Dunmanway

An Easter Egg hunt will take place at the Galleys in Dunmanway on Saturday, April 4. The annual event is suitable for the whole family at the Southern Bar on from 5pm to 7pm.

Those interested are asked to be armed with their own basket and grab as many eggs as they can.

A special last person standing competition for adults will also take place during the event.

The community-led event is organised by Dunmanway events with a team of volunteers.

Easter Fun at Leahys Open Farm

Leahys Open Farm is running a series of events from April 2 to 6, including a free scavenger hunt.

Visitors to the Dungouney venue can also make friends with the adorable baby lambs, share an ice cream with a loved one and visit the tasty chocolate factory.

The free scavenger hunt requires contestants to be on their toes, find the clues, solve the puzzles in the hopes to claim the egg-celent chocolate prize.

Another highly anticipated event consists of a tractor trailer run through the woods.

Book your tickets online now at www.leahysopenfarm.ie.

Down Syndrome Centre Cork Day at Mallow Racecourse

Avid horse racing fans are invited to dust off their suits and fashionable hats after Cheltenham and flock to Mallow Racecourse this Saturday, April 4, for Down Syndrome Centre Cork Day.

The management of Cork Racecourse Mallow is donating 100% of advance general admission sales and onthegate tickets sold to DSCC.

Jockey Danny Mullins and Danny Duane (4) launch Down Syndrome Centre Cork Race Day at Cork Racecourse Mallow

Jockey Danny Mullins launched the event and said: Im delighted to support the Down Syndrome Centre Cork Raceday at Cork Racecourse Mallow.

The centre is wholly dependent on donations, corporate support and fundraisers such as this charity race day.

I hope it will help to raise awareness and vital funds for service provision at the centre, Mr Mullins said.

Adult tickets are available online at corkracecourse.ie and entry for all children under the age of 14 is free when accompanied by an adult. A free shuttle bus service to and from the races will run from Mallow Train Station and the Mallow town centre.

Racing bundles and social packs available from 20 and panoramic restaurant dining options from 75 per person.

Cork City Councils Easter Egg Challenge

Magic shows, LEGO Building and face painting are just some of the activities on offer on Friday, April 3, for the Easter Egg Challenge to support primary schools in Bishopstown.

A fantastic family fun day out is guaranteed as children undertake a treasure hunt to solve clues on the way to finding a secret egg depot. The Easter Bunny has left an egg for everyone who completes the challenge and will bring friends to entertain on the day.

The event will take place the Old Cork Waterworks Experience in Cork city and tickets are 5, which can be purchased on Eventbrite.

Easter workshop at the Toy Soldier Factory

The famous Toy Soldier Factory in Kilnamartyra is giving visitors the chance to create their own Easter bunnies, comic hero, soldiers and fairies, just to name a few during the at its Easter Miniature Workshop.

Located just 10 minutes from Macroom, the factory will be open daily from 10am until 5pm, apart from Easter Sunday, in which they will be closed.

Visitors can take part in a unique workshop experience where they choose a miniature figure, watch it being made, paint it themselves, and take it home the same day. Book your tickets via toysoldierfactory.ie.

Eggs-plorer trail at Fota Wildlife Park

The east Cork park may not be the safest place for the Easter Bunny at other times of year, but theyre celebrating the holiday in their usual fashion, with a self-led Eggs-plorer trail, which lasts all the way to Sunday April 12.

The trail invites visitors to journey around the Park, discovering facts about the all of the animals in the park, and hatch eggs along the way, before trading your completed sheet for a collectable magnet in the gift shop.

There will also be Easter face painting in the picnic area outside the Education, Conservation and Research Centre from noon to 2pm from Monday, March 30 to Friday, April 3.

Fota Wildlife Park.

Funderland

Its a rite of passage for every young teenager in Cork. Heading down to the merrries with your pals, with Funderland now a regular Easter fixture for over 30 years, and returns to the Centre Park Road until April 12.

The usual mix of rollercoasters, things that drop, things that spin fast, as well as some more serene attractions for younger (and older!) visitors, and enough candy floss to throw a stick at.

Admission is 2 per person, and then you pay for each ride, with the travelling theme park offering a 10 shot deal, for 40.

Easter trail at Joes Farm Crisps

The popular Killeagh farm is also running their own trail, on Good Friday (April 3), and Easter Saturday (April 4), which gives you a chance to stamp a map at various locations to exchange for an egg at the farm shop!

The Easter Bunny will also be in attendance in the farm, located just on the outskirts of Killeagh in East Cork, as well as getting some cute photos in the tulip field, or get your face painted on site (paid for separately).

Entrance is 16.85 with an egg included, and 11.40 for a regular visit.
141 dog fines were issued in Cork County in 2025 which represented a sizeable drop from the figure of 233 in 2024.

42 fines were issued in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District, 29 in the East Cork MD, 19 in the Macroom MD, 14 in the Carrigaline MD, 13 in West Cork MD, 9 each in the Fermoy and Bandon-Kinsale MD respectively and 6 in the Cobh MD.

The figures were provided by Liam Singleton, senior engineer at Cork County Council during an environment report issued at a Northern Committee meeting.

The senior official with the local authority confirmed that there were 718 Section 16 (1) notices issued in Cork County in 2025 compared to 1,128 in 2024.

Mr Singleton added that there were 46 prosecutions issued in County Cork last year and 78 in 2024.

17 prosecutions occurred in the Kanturk-Mallow MD, 11 in the Fermoy MD, five in the Carrigaline MD, four in the Bandon-Kinsale MD and three each in Macroom, Cobh, East Cork. There were no prosecutions in the West Cork MD.

Mr Singleton also informed the councillors that there were 24,089 ordinary dog licences issued in Cork County in 2025. This was a drop from the figure of 26,764 in 2024. There were 83 general dog licences in 2025 which was a drop from the figure of 88 in 2024. There were 813 lifetime licences in 2025 which was a drop from the figure of 825 in 2024.

The highest number of ordinary dog licences issued in Cork County last year was in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District with 3,924.

There were 3,803 dog licences issued in the West Cork MD, 3,299 in the East Cork MD, 2,712 in the Bandon MD, 2,672 in the Macroom MD, 2,647 in the Fermoy MD, 2,553 in the Carrigaline MD and 2,479 in the Cobh MD

Mr Singleton continued: The overall number of registered dog breeding establishments in Cork County at the end of last year was 28. This was the same figure as the previous year.

There were 73 XL Bully type dog Certificate of Exemption applications as of December 31, 2025. The number of Certificate of Exemptions issued last year was 65. Eight are outstanding, he added.

Mr Singleton also informed the councillors that as of December 31, 2025, 29 stray horses had been collected in Cork County.

15 stray horses were collected in the Kanturk-Mallow Municipal District, 7 in the Cobh MD, four in the Fermoy MD and three in the East Cork MD.

He also confirmed that 21 horses were re-homed, four were reclaimed by their owners and no horses were euthanised last year in Cork.
Opinion

Simon Bourke: Robust discussions, holistic approaches, and how not to conflate an issue  the unofficial guide to government-speak in 2026

Have you ever had a robust discussion? I havent. The closest Ive come was when I had to politely ask an upstairs neighbour to keep the noise down while I was trying to get some sleep. He was Spanish, you see, the neighbour, and anytime he 
The visitor restrictions that were implemented at Cork University Hospital (CUH) in the wake of the Norovirus outbreak have been lifted.

The restrictions were in place from Thursday, March 5 and were lifted on Monday, March 30.

Visiting hours, which ranged from 2pm to 4pm and 6pm to 8pm, are now back in action while visiting remains restricted outside of these two time slots, unless permission is granted on compassionate grounds.

However, said permission must be arranged in advanced by ringing the specific ward.

CUH Chief Operations Officer Damian McGovern said:

Cork University Hospital sincerely thanks people for their understanding and co-operation in helping us to contain the Norovirus outbreak in the hospital over the last number of weeks.

This has been essential in helping us to maintain a safe environment for patients and staff, Mr McGovern added.

Visitors are asked to not visit CUH if they feel unwell, comes from a household that has symptoms of infection, including gastrointestinal, such as vomiting or diarrhoea, or respiratory symptoms, such as a cough, sore throat or fever.

All visitors are reminded to adhere to good hand hygiene practices and to wear appropriate PPE, as advised by ward staff.
Derelict buildings in Dublins city centre should be converted into homes for nurses, gardai, teachers and other essential workers, according to Councillor Ray McAdam, Lord Mayor of Dublin.

Repurposing close to 138 such sites identified by the council will encourage more essential workers to live and work in the city centre, said Mr McAdam.

The Dublin City Taskforce Report proposed that derelict sites should be converted into residential properties with provisions for essential workers like nurses, gardai, teachers, and public transport staff, he said.

Launched in 2024 by the Department of the Taoiseach, the taskforce report reccommends changes to the city centre to tackle issues around safety, dereliction and housing.

We want those who work locally to live locally and converting these buildings is a great way of getting more housing right in our city centre, said Mr McAdam.

Businesses across the city are struggling to get staff. We need to make it more appealing for people to be based in the city centre and access to housing is central to this.

Healthcare workers, public transport workers, and public sector workers need more support finding housing.

The taskforce report recommends the setting up of a grants aid system for public sector workers to help secure additional funding for their housing.

We need to see an update on how this grant system is being progressed and when the system will be implemented, said Mr McAdam.

A pilot programme to convert derelict housing is being run on Middle Abbey Street and North Frederick Street, but we know there are plenty of areas across the city that could also be used for this scheme.

The council has confirmed that 10 million is owed to DCC in unpaid derelict site levies.

An analysis from the Irish Independent last year revealed that nearly 10pc on Dublin citys derelict sites register have languished on the list for at least a decade.

"With 138 properties on the councils derelict site register we need to tackle this and get progress made on converting these homes for workers, added the Lord Mayor.

Having people live and work in the city centre is essential for Dublins future. Its vital that they have access to affordable housing options where they work  we need to see more housing options for the people who keep our city running.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Staff in housing department placed in difficult situation while carrying out duties

Council staff in the estate-management department have had pipe bombs attached to their cars and their homes when addressing cases of anti-social behaviour in the capital.

In a presentation to Dublin City Council (DCC) this week, Mike Clarke of the estate-management department said that a number of council staff had been placed in a very difficult situation when going about their duties.

Going as far as pipe bombs placed under their car or outside their home, he said. I have spoken to most of these staff personally.

'Management have done 'everything they possibly could' to facilitate staff moving from one area or department to another, MIke Clarke of the estate management departmentsaid.Photo: Getty

DCC records show that there were 2,415 reports of anti-social behaviour from social housing tenants in 2025, with 103 of these falling into the most severe category and requiring intervention from the estate-management departments central unit.

Twelve of those resulted in formal tenancy warnings, which last for a year, while three possession orders, where tenants are evicted, were also granted.

[Staff who have been threatened] dont want to leave the organisation, said Mr Clarke. Some of them dont want to leave [the] housing [department] because theyve been in housing all their life.

Mr Clarke is also a Forsa union representative, so wearing another hat  theyre my members from a trade union perspective, he added.

When approached, management have done everything they possibly could to facilitate staff moving from one area or department to another, he said.

Last year Siptu warned that there had been a marked increase in assaults on DCC staff as they carry out their duties. Stock image/Getty

There were issues before and we were slow to react. We have hit that nail on the head and we have a process in place now. So, were satisfied that we can come to the aid of any member that feels theyre in threat.

Mr Clarkes comments come in response to queries from Independent councillor Christy Burke, who asked about the supports available for staff in dangerous circumstances. I do appreciate that some members of your staff in the past have been threatened, he said.

You might talk us through what supports are there from Dublin City Council in relation to that back-up. Because that has the domino-effect  where staff may be reluctant to get involved with a lot of heavies.

Mr Burke told the Irish Independent he was satisfied with the response he received.

The staff do know what to do if they have concerns about threats from people they might be dealing with. They could be in court cases for anti-social [behaviour]. They could be in court for any part of the scheme that a tenant or tenants are involved in.

Theres probably a lot of anti-social behaviour going on and some staff may be uncomfortable and its nice to know that if a request is made, its met by senior management, he added.

Last year, trade union Siptu also warned that there had been a marked increase in assaults on DCC staff as they carry out their duties.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Courts

Partygoer approached gardai for lift home before lunging at them

A Christmas partygoer drunkenly approached gardai looking for a lift home, lunged at them and was found to have cocaine on him when he was arrested.
BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for mobilizing the whole society to actively participate in afforestation, stressing that a sound ecological environment is shared by all and requires the joint efforts of all. Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when taking part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Beijing. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, arrived at the tree-planting site in Changping District of Beijing in the morning. Xi waved to the crowd to extend his greetings before picking up a shovel to join the activity. He planted saplings of multiple types of trees. While planting the trees, he asked the children at the site about their studies and daily lives, their participation in labor and sports, and their involvement in tree-planting activities. He stressed the importance of setting great goals at a young age, fostering a love of learning, work and nature, and striving to become pillars of society. Xi also talked with officials and members of the public on site. He said that China has seen sustained increases in both forest area and stock volume, as well as continuous reduction in desertified and sandy land areas. This has made it the country with the largest and fastest increase in greening in the world. Xi hailed the Ecological and Environmental Code adopted in March, noting that it further strengthens the legal foundation for building a Beautiful China. Afforestation is an important task in building a Beautiful China, Xi said, urging sustained and solid efforts to advance the initiative. This year marks the first year of implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the 45th anniversary of the nationwide voluntary tree-planting campaign, Xi noted. Under the new circumstances, efforts to advance greening programs should place greater emphasis on improving quality, developing related industries, and delivering benefits to the people, he said. Xi emphasized the importance of facilitating the channels for realizing the value of ecological products, and advancing urban and rural greening in a coordinated manner.


Listowel native, Dr. Elizabeth Stack, PhD, has been named as the as the new Artistic Director and Theatre Manager of St Johns Theatre & Arts Centre.

It was never going to be an easy task to fill the shoes of the great Maire Logue as the new Artistic Director and Theatre Manager of St Johns Theatre in Listowel, but if there was anyone best suited to the job, its Listowel native, Dr Elizabeth Stack.

Recently named as the Kerry Association of New Yorks Person of the Year for 2026, Dr Stack brings with her a wealth of experience as a lifelong champion of Irish arts and culture.

Dr Stack has held key leadership positions at the Celtic Junction Arts Centre in Minnesota, the American Irish Historical Society, and the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany, where she curated performances, exhibitions, festivals, and public events that celebrated Irish creativity and strengthened cultural connections.

In each of these roles, she worked closely with artists, performers, and audiences to build dynamic, inclusive programmes that helped to elevate Irish arts on the international stage.

Coming home to North Kerry, she will tasked with helping to shape and lead the theatres artistic vision, whether this be through developing the programme, nurturing creative partnerships, and expanding opportunities for theatremakers, musicians, writers, and visual artists.

This theatre means so much to me; I performed here as a teenager and later again with The Lartigue Theatre Company. To come home to lead a space that was so formative for me is a dream come true, she said of her new appointment.

The Board of Directors welcomed the appointment, noting that Dr Stacks passion for the arts, her creative leadership, and her commitment to community engagement will help to guide St. Johns into an exciting new chapter.

She will officially begin her tenure at the start of May.
Plans to redevelop the Phoenix Cinema in Dingle as a multi-purpose cinema and arts centre will be delayed by at least six months, and possibly much longer, after appeals against Kerry County Councils decision to grant planning permission to the project were lodged with An Coimisiun Pleanala.

The county council decided to grant planning permission on February 25 but since then three submissions have been made to the planning commission (ACP) arguing that the county councils decision to grant planning permission should be overturned because of the impact the project would have on the surrounding area, and because the site would better suit other purposes.
Sinn Fein Councillor Robert Brosnan called on government to examine the introduction of the requirement for all school pupils

A Kerry councillor has called for learning of Amhran na bhFiann to be made mandatory in schools, highlighting the unparalleled pride with which many hold the song.

At recent council meeting, Sinn Fein Councillor Robert Brosnan called on government to examine the introduction of the requirement for all school pupils to learn the words, meaning and appropriate performance of the national anthem.

Amhran na bhFiann (The Soldiers' Song) was composed around 1910 by Peadar Kearney and was used as a marching song by the Irish Volunteers, as well as being sung at the GPO during the Easter Rising of 1916.

There have been many calls over the years to make the learning of the anthem mandatory in schools, but none so far have been successful.

Our national anthem is held with unparalleled pride in the hearts of many Irish people, if not all, said Cllr Brosnan.

Its especially moving to hear it being sung with passion, no matter what the occasion.

The depth of our culture comes through in it and the fact that we had to fight every inch for what we have today. That has to be recognised.

Fianna Fail Councillor Fionnan Fitzgerald said he understood the emotion and drive behind the motion but questioned whether it should be mandatory.

As a teacher, he said he usually teaches the anthem as part of a study of the all-Ireland match programme, remarking that there was a lot of good Irish in it.

However, he said he makes the judgement on whether to teach it based on the class and he questioned the use of the words mandatory and performance in the motion.

He highlighted situations where someone might have a speech impediment or might not be able to learn the song off by heart, and asked Cllr Brosnan to accommodate this situation in the wording of his motion.

Cllr Brosnan replied that there was no hammer being used and that he was happy to remove the wording of mandatory to just required.

He said the inclusion of performance in the motion was important to the spirit of the activity.

A passionate performance should be part of it because otherwise it is meaningless, but I dont see why that should be an issue in a learning environment, said Cllr Brosnan.

We have to remember those that have laid down their lives for Ireland.

The motion passed with the amendment.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Around 1 in 5 women in Ireland have a miscarriage every year. File photo.

The lack of specific statutory leave for woman who have experienced a miscarriage in Ireland has been raised by Fianna Fail Deputy Michael Cahill.

The Kerry representative said he has written to the Taoiseach Micheal Martin to consider the introduction of paid miscarriage leave, in line with provisions in Northern Ireland and the UK.

Its estimated that around one in five pregnancies in Ireland ends in miscarriage every year  close to 14,000 women. A miscarriage is the loss of a pregnancy occurring within the first 23 weeks. Most miscarriages take place during the first 12 weeks, known as the first trimester.

Deputy Cahill said the issue was raised with him by a constituent who highlighted the emotional and practical difficulties faced by those experiencing miscarriage.

He called for more consideration to be given to introducing paid miscarriage leave which is about acknowledging the profound loss that people experience and ensuring they are given the time and space they need to grieve and recover.

Women who have had a miscarriage are encouraged to talk to family and friends while checking in with their GP and hospital about wider supports.

This support includes a clinical midwife specialist in bereavement and loss chaplaincy or pastoral care medical social worker. But Deputy Cahill feels that proper statutory leave would be a key part of the healing process.

At present, many people are forced to rely on sick leave and, in doing so, must repeatedly relive and explain deeply personal circumstances to their employer. That adds an unnecessary burden at an already devastating time. People should be able to process their loss with dignity, without additional stress or financial worry, Deputy Cahill said.

He stated that compassionate and practical measures already in place in Northern Ireland and the UK have made a real difference to those affected.

There is a strong case for introducing a similar approach here, he said.

I will continue to engage constructively on this issue and to advocate for supports that truly reflect the lived experiences of individuals and families facing this kind of loss, Deputy Cahill said.

The Labour Party also proposed a Bill that would provide an entitlement to reproductive leave of up to 20 days for women who suffer an early miscarriage, and up to 10 days leave for any employee to take time off work for reproductive health reasons.

They say the measure would advance womens employment rights, and address the structural gender equality issues in the workplace.
News

Carlow football club urge council to refuse planning permission for 87 new homes

A football club in Co Carlow is objecting to plans for the proposed construction of over 80 new homes in the county.
A man who previously advised UK police on addiction issues has been jailed after stealing hundreds of euro worth of alcohol from a Wicklow supermarket

Anthony Cooney (37), of no fixed abode, appeared at a sitting of Bray District Court for sentencing.

He pleaded guilty to one count of theft.

Garda James Dowley told the court that on January 6, 2026, at approximately 8pm, gardai received reports of a theft from a retail store in Rathnew.

The deputy manager observed Mr Cooney place 330 worth of alcohol into a black bin liner, while his co-accused, who is still before the courts, allegedly stole further stock valued at 490.

Both men fled the scene and were observed driving away in a white Vauxhall Corsa.

Gda Dowley stated that he carried out patrols in an effort to locate the vehicle, but the following morning he was contacted by a garda from Kevin Street Garda Station in Dublin, informing him that the accused had been found sitting in the vehicle.

The court heard that Mr Cooney had previously been sentenced in Kildare for the unauthorised taking of the same Vauxhall.

After reviewing CCTV, Mr Cooney was identified due to a distinctive Burberry scarf.

The court was told that Mr Cooney has 60 previous convictions for theft, burglary, robbery and public order offences.

He is currently due before the Circuit Criminal Court in Dublin before Judge Martin Nolan for the possible reactivation of a previously suspended sentence.

Counsel for the accused, Sorcha Dianamh Ni Neill Fulham BL, told the court that her client began using heroin at 12 years of age and later developed an addiction to crack cocaine.

She said that Mr Cooney sought residential treatment in the UK, where he became a motivational speaker and advised UK law enforcement on dealing with addiction.

Ms Fulham noted that Mr Cooney is currently on 20mg of methadone a day, having reduced from a previous level of 80mg.

Judge David Kennedy remarked that Mr Cooney had an atrocious record before sentencing him to nine months imprisonment.

He backdated the sentence to February 2026 when Mr Cooney surrendered his bail.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme
Walk through the village of Hollywood in west Wicklow, and youll see a perfectly good stone building that looks like its just waiting for someone to turn the key. That building is the old garda station, and according to Sinn Fein TD John Brady, the fact that its been sitting empty since 2013 isn't just a shame, its a "disgraceful failure.

Deputy Brady, who heads up the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), went the warpath last week, slamming the Government and the Office of Public Works (OPW) for letting a state-owned asset crumble while the rest of the county screams out for housing and amenities.

The station was shut down in January 2013. At the time, the government said closing small rural stations would put more gardai out on the beat. Fast forward over a decade, and the building is still stuck in limbo.

The OPWs rationale? Title issues. In correspondence to the PAC they are claiming they cannot sell it or fix it because the legal deeds aren't sorted. The title issues cited by the OPW typically refer to incomplete historical deeds or complexities in the transfer of land from private estates to the State decades ago.

However, the PAC has grown increasingly impatient with this defence. In his role as chairperson, Deputy Brady has highlighted that, while the State can move mountains to fast-track emergency legislation, it has spent over a decade unable to clear the paperwork on a single rural building.

Many former stations were built on land acquired more than a century ago, sometimes via leases that have since expired, requiring complex legal work to buy out ground rents or clear old interests. Resolving boundary issues often requires the agreement of neighbouring landowners. If they do not consent to a Deed of Rectification, the process can stall or require court intervention.

Even while title issues are being worked on, the OPW must simultaneously vet the property for alternative State uses, such as social housing or refugee accommodation before it can proceed to an open-market sale.

While the building sits idle, it requires basic maintenance and security to prevent it from becoming a derelict eyesore. Meanwhile, the community loses out on a structure that could have been transformed years ago.

Deputy Brady believes the situation needs to be addressed urgently.

Thirteen years is an extraordinary length of time to resolve legal matters of this nature, he says. The public will rightly ask: what has actually been happening all this time?

Wicklow County Council is currently under immense pressure to deliver social and affordable housing units. Under their Housing Delivery Action Plan 20222026, every available acre and roof is supposed to be a priority. Yet, because the OPW has failed to clear the title, the council cannot begin the formal process of potentially acquiring the site for residential conversion.

The council has been identified as a candidate for an intra-State transfer, if the site is deemed suitable for social housing schemes, a common practice for surplus garda stations in the county (such as the successful transfer of the Ashford station).

Deputy Brady argues that if the government cannot or will not reopen it as a garda station to tackle rural crime, they should at least hand it over to Wicklow County Council, so they can redevelop it.

In 2022, there was a brief spark of hope when the government looked at using the site in Hollywood for Ukrainian refugee accommodation. But even then, the plan hit a wall of red tape and the building's own declining condition.

Deputy Brady has been quick to point out what he calls the double standards. He recently highlighted how the OPW managed to find 600,000 to renovate the former Garda Commissioners house in Dublins Phoenix Park, only to leave that empty for six months too.

It is indefensible, Brady says.

This station should never have been closed in the first place. Its closure was a mistake that undermined policing in rural Wicklow. But to then leave the building vacant and deteriorating for over a decade is a second, even more glaring failure.

At a time when families are crying out for housing and communities are crying out for investment, it is indefensible that a perfectly viable public building is allowed to sit idle.

The Wicklow TD is calling for the Tanaiste Simon Harris to step in personally and end the "bureaucratic inertia.

He wants the legal issues settled immediately so the building can serve the people of Hollywood again, whether thats through policing or housing.

After 13 years of "empty excuses, the message from the PAC chair is clear: stop talking about the paperwork and start using the building.

As Deputy Brady puts it: Enough is enough.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A sharp decline in support for children in State care has sparked an urgent call for government intervention, as new figures reveal a deepening crisis in the child protection system across County Wicklow and the surrounding regions.

Data provided to Green Party leader Roderic OGorman highlights a surge in the number of vulnerable children left without a dedicated professional to oversee their welfare. In the Dublin Southwest, Kildare, and west Wicklow region, the number of children in care without an allocated social worker has quadrupled in just 18 months.

Green Party spokesperson for children and Greystones councillor, Lourda Scott, labelled the findings "deeply concerning, noting that while the number of children entering the care system has remained stable, the resources to protect them have evaporated in specific pockets of the country.

In west Wicklow and its neighbouring districts, the rate of unallocated cases has skyrocketed from 6pc to 23pc in two years. This means nearly one in four children in the region is currently navigating the State system without a primary link to their duty of care.

Every child in care deserves consistent support, Cllr Scott stated.

It is unacceptable that resources for support may not be available simply because of where you live. This makes no sense and is very unfair to families already struggling.

The figures highlight a stark regional divide. While the system in west Wicklow struggles, other areas demonstrate that full allocation is possible with different management.

Mayo currently has no children without an allocation, and Cork, which oversees the highest number of children in care nationally (663), has only three children waiting for an allocation.

The absence of a social worker is more than a bureaucratic delay, it is a fundamental service failure. A social worker serves as the childs voice, ensuring their medical, educational, and emotional needs are met while maintaining a vital link between the family and the State.

"A child in care without a social worker is a child without a voice," said Cllr Scott.

"This isn't about an influx of new cases overwhelming the system. This is a failure that is leaving our most vulnerable citizens at risk of falling through the cracks."

In response to the data, Cllr Scott is demanding immediate government action to bridge staffing gaps. She is calling for an immediate investigation into why allocation rates are collapsing in the DublinWicklow belt, despite stable case numbers, along with a requirement that any region falling below a 95 per cent allocation rate put a strictly monitored recovery strategy in place.

She also argues that the wider Tusla recruitment crisis must be addressed, as it has resulted in highpriority cases remaining backlogged for months.

"A child in care without a social worker is a child without a voice," says Scott.

"This isn't about an influx of new cases overwhelming the system. The numbers of children in care haven't changed. This is a fundamental service failure that is leaving our most vulnerable citizens at risk," she added.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
Arnold Schwarzenegger receives his honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger claps as dancers in Terminator style outfits perform after he received a honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. . (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger watches a dancer perform after receiving a honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

A banner displayed as Arnold Schwarzenegger attends a ceremony to receive a honorary doctorate at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger answers questions after receiving his honorary doctorate presented to him by the Ulster University in Belfast: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger gives the thumbs up as he attends a ceremony to receive a honorary doctorate at Ulster University on March 30

Arnold Schwarzenegger lifts his honorary doctorate presented to him by the Ulster University in Belfast. Picture date: Monday March 30, 2026. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger holds his honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Hollywood star Arnold Schwarzenegger said it was special to be back in Belfast after receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Ulster University.

The Terminator actor received the honour in Belfast in recognition of his contributions to public service, environmental advocacy, and the arts and said it is unbelievable to be back in the city 60 years after his first visit.

The 78-year-old was pictured on the red carpet at the university where he met students including several of the institutions athletes.

Arnold Schwarzenegger watches dancers dressed as his 'terminator' character, after receiving his honorary doctorate presented to him by the Ulster University in Belfast. Picture date: Monday March 30, 2026. Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Arnold Schwarzenegger claps as dancers in Terminator style outfits perform after he received a honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. . (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

As well as being a champion body builder, Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California between 2003 and 2011.

Students cheered and held signs reading Ulster hes back and Hasta La Vista Ulster, while some brought copies of his movie Terminator 2.

As a young bodybuilder, he landed in Belfast in 1966 where he was unexpectedly invited to speak to an audience following a competition.

Schwarzenegger told those on the red carpet rolled out for his arrival: Ulster University is a very important university, and its always a great honour to be honoured like that.

I tell you what makes this special, because its kind of a 60-year anniversary and 60 years ago, in 1966 I was in Belfast for the first time, and there was this 19-year-old bodybuilder that was doing a posing exhibition here, because there was this new upcoming bodybuilding champion.

So I came here, I was invited by Ivan Dunbar, this Irish man, I think his family is here he passed away Im sad to say, but thats where my beginning was, in Ireland, in Belfast.

And its wonderful to be back in Northern Ireland and to kind of get to see, this is not something that I dreamt of when I was 19 years old, when I was here 60 years ago, that one day I will be coming here to get an honorary doctorate degree, its unbelievable.

Arnold Schwarzenegger watches a dancer perform after receiving a honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Speaking about the star, Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, said: Few individuals have shaped global culture across sport, film and public life in the way that Dr Arnold Schwarzenegger has.

Arnold Schwarzenegger receives his honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

A banner displayed as Arnold Schwarzenegger attends a ceremony to receive a honorary doctorate at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

Arnold Schwarzenegger lifts his honorary doctorate presented to him by the Ulster University in Belfast. Picture date: Monday March 30, 2026. (Photo by Liam McBurney/PA Images via Getty Images)

His story  from a young athlete finding his voice in front of an audience in Belfast to becoming one of the worlds most recognisable leaders, actors and activists  speaks strongly to the importance of confidence, determination and ambition.

He built a name for himself in professional bodybuilding and acting and he used that platform for ultimate good  to powerfully advocate for the environment, for the people of California and for the philanthropic causes he champions.

Arnold Schwarzenegger answers questions after receiving his honorary doctorate presented to him by the Ulster University in Belfast: Liam McBurney/PA Wire

Arnold Schwarzenegger holds his honorary doctorate during a ceremony at Ulster University on March 30, 2026 in Belfast, Northern Ireland. (Photo by Charles McQuillan/Getty Images)

This is why Dr Schwarzenegger is a true inspiration to our incredible students here at Ulster University  it was memorable to witness him sharing his advice and motivations with them and I am confident it will encourage them to also go on to achieve great things.
A Thai undertaker who was denied diesel brought a corpse to a petrol station to prove he needed the fuel for cremation and not stockpiling amid a shortage sparked by the US-Iran war.

Many Buddhist temples in Thailand rely on diesel-powered furnaces for cremations, and shortages have left crematoriums struggling to conduct funerals.

The man, identified only as Preecha, said he was turned away when attempting to buy diesel in containers, amid the worsening crisis linked to the war in the Middle East.

The incident was broadcast on Facebook Live, showing the undertaker opening the back of his pick-up truck to reveal a coffin with a body inside as evidence of his need for fuel. He told attendants he urgently required the diesel to carry out a cremation.

Mr Preecha (48), who works at a temple in Ban Bueng district, said he had been an undertaker since 2005, when the crematorium ran on charcoal.

This is the first time Ive had to do something like this

It was upgraded to a diesel-powered system, and he had routinely bought fuel in three containers from the same petrol station for years without issue, the Bangkok Post reported.

He returned to the station on Sunday after initially being denied fuel. When attendants again refused to sell him diesel worth 2,000 baht (52), he asked them to inspect the back of his vehicle, where the coffin was kept.

This is the first time Ive had to do something like this, he said.

I understand they are trying to prevent stockpiling, but we genuinely need the fuel to carry out cremations,

Thailand, like many neighbouring Asian countries, has been dependent on energy exports from the Middle East and is on the front lines of an energy crisis.

Many parts of the country are seeing long queues of people waiting to get fuel, with out of stock signs appearing at the pumps.

The government increased the diesel prices to 38.94 baht per litre on Thursday, ending the fuel subsidies.

The prices were increased from 29.94 baht per litre from pre-war levels.

The Thai government has, however, said it has enough energy for 100 days. ( The Independent)
French senators vote on Tuesday on a draft law that aims to ban social media access for children under the age of 15, joining countries around the world in considering a move unpopular with many teenagers but supported by some parents and teachers.

President Emmanuel Macron wants the law in place in time for the start of the next academic year, in September. If adopted, France would follow Australia, whose world-first ban for under-16s on platforms including Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube came into force in December.
Meet Raul Guillermo Rodriguez Castro aka The Crab  the communist dynastys heir emerging as key figure in secret US-Cuba talks

As the US looks to quash its irritant neighbour, could Rauls grandson front the transition?

Sixty years after the Castros came to power in Cuba, Guillermo Rodriguez Castro, seen here with his grandfather Raul, is seen as a force for change.

Benedict Smith Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Since Fidel Castro swept to power in 1959, Cubas communist regime has weathered CIA assassination plots, American blockades, and even a US-sponsored invasion.
US allows Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba, despite crippling blockade

Cargo of crude oil aimed to reach its destination last night providing a lifeline to the island which has been suffering widespread blackouts

Street scene in Cuba. Photo: Getty

Daniel Bates Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Donald Trump said he would allow a Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba despite a US blockade squeezing the island.
Man who drives in purple Ferrari with pet duck, Daisy, arrested after armed stand-off

We have the duck, said an Animal Care and Control spokesperson. The duck is in our custody, receiving care, and doing well.

Neil Fetherstone Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 14:43

A man known for driving around San Francisco in a purple Ferrari with his pet duck, Daisy, has been was arrested after an armed stand-off with police.
US-Iran war: Tehran recruits children as young as 12 to defend the homeland

Just days after the campaign was launched, a boy (11) was killed in a drone strike at a military checkpoint

Iranian authorities are urging the countrys youth to help in their effort to combat Israel and the US

Akthar Makoii Telegraph Media Group Holdings Ltd Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

Iran is recruiting children as young as 12 to defend the homeland in a new nationwide campaign for the US-Israeli war.
Tehran remains defiant as Yemen launches drones

Police special forces stand guard on top their car at the Enqelab-e-Eslami, or Islamic Revolution, square in downtown Tehran, Iran, on Monday. Photo: AP

US president Donald Trump warned on Monday that Irans energy plants and oil wells would be obliterated if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz, after Tehran described US peace proposals as unrealistic and fired waves of missiles at Israel.
Military builds bunker under Trumps $400m new ballroom at White House

US President says he was forced to reveal structure after lawsuit was filed seeking to pause construction on the new building

US President Donald Trump holds up renderings of the planned White House ballroom, aboard Air Force One, on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Ariana Baio Reuters Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 06:30

US president Donald Trump confirmed that the military was involved in the construction of a big complex underneath his new White House ballroom  and hinted at it being a new bunker.
Nasa Artemis II: Countdown under way for first manned Moon mission in more than 50 years

Adventure is a key test flight in humanitys broader lunar goals as the US races to reassert leadership in space faced with growing competition from China

Nasa Artemis II: Countdown under way for first manned Moon mission in more than 50 years

Joey Roulette Reuters Tue 31 Mar 2026 at 07:30

Nasa is preparing to launch the first crew of astronauts toward the moon in over 53 years with its second Artemis mission, a key test flight in humanitys broader lunar goals as the US races to reassert leadership in space faced with growing competition from China.
Ashli Babbitt was shot by police as she tried to crawl through a broken window at the US Capitol building during a riot on January 6, 2021. Photo: AP

Members of the Proud Boys and dozens of people who were convicted or accused of a range of crimes in connection with the January 6 riot are now suing the US government, alleging police officers used excessive force while fighting back against rioters who stormed the Capitol.
City Spotlight: Sanand, GujaratSemiconductor Momentum Meets Industrial Depth

With the back-to-back operationalization of Micron and Kaynes Semicon units, the Sanand industrial cluster is bridging Indias backend semiconductor gap and integrating the region into global electronics supply chains.

Gujarats Sanand regions emergence on Indias semiconductor map is solidified with the inauguration of the Kaynes Semicon facility on March 31, 2026. The launch marks the start of commercial semiconductor operations at the site and signals a tangible shift in Indias manufacturing trajectory.

Developed with an investment of approximately INR 33 billion (US$351.11 million), the facility will handle semiconductor assembly, testing, marking, and packaging. It represents a critical step in strengthening Indias backend semiconductor capabilities under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM).

Launch of semiconductor manufacturing plant

Sanands transformation as a major semiconductor hub has gained renewed momentum in 2026 with the inauguration of two units: Microns ATMP (assembly, test, marking, and packaging) facility in February, followed by Kaynes Semicons facility in March 2026.

Kayness semiconductor facility will produce advanced Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs) used in automotive and industrial applications requiring efficient power management. As per Kaynes Semicon, the plants scalable capacity is expected to exceed 6 million units per day.

It must be noted that the Kaynes unit in Sanand operates as an outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT)/ATMP facility, thereby strengthening Indias backend manufacturing segment. A significant portion of the facilitys output is export-oriented, with supplies linked to global semiconductor companies, including firms based in the United States. This establishes a direct connection between domestic manufacturing and international markets.

Role within Indias semiconductor strategy

The Sanand facility is being developed under the ISM, which seeks to establish a comprehensive semiconductor ecosystem in India. Of the 10 semiconductor projects approved countrywide, Gujarat hosts the largest share with four facilitiesthree located in Sanand and one in Dholera Special Investment Region (SIR).

Semiconductor Plants in Sanand, Gujarat Company / joint venture (JV) Operation type Investment Capacity / output Status Kaynes Semicon Pvt. Ltd. OSAT / ATMP ~INR 33 billion (US$351.11 million) ~6.3 million units/day Approved Sept 2024; commercial production from March 31, 2026 Micron Technology Inc. ATMP (memory packaging) ~INR 225.16 billion ($2.39 billion) DRAM & NAND assembly; phased ramp-up Approved June 2023; operations began Feb 2026 CG Power + Renesas + Stars Microelectronics OSAT / advanced packaging ~INR 76 billion (US$808.6 million) Up to ~15 million units/day (G1: 0.5M; G2: 14.5M) Approved Feb 2024; pilot launched Aug 2025; commercial production expected 2026

Microns ATMP facility is focused on memory chip packaging, including DRAM and NAND products used in data centers, mobile devices, and artifical intelligence (AI)-driven applications. It is one of the largest semiconductor investments in India.

In parallel, Kaynes Semicons OSAT/ATMP facility focuses on IPMs, which are widely used in electric mobility, industrial systems, and energy-efficient technologies, thereby supporting high-growth domestic and global markets. Notably, the project marks the entry of an Indian-origin electronics manufacturing services provider into semiconductor production.

Together, these facilities demonstrate a dual-track approach to ecosystem development, combining global investment-led scale with emerging domestic manufacturing capabilities.

Strengthening the domestic ecosystem

Notable establishment of semiconductor operations in Sanand addresses a critical gap in Indias value chain, namely, the lack of large-scale domestic packaging and testing infrastructure.

Additionally, the entry of an Indian-origin Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) company into semiconductor production broadens domestic participation, which has historically been dominated by multinational firms.

Indias broader semiconductor workforce

Indias engineers constitute a significant share of the global integrated circuit (IC) design workforce, supporting major companies such as Intel, Qualcomm, and AMD.

However, manufacturing capabilities have historically lagged due to gaps in infrastructure, supply chains, and industrial ecosystems. Development of clusters like Sanand represents a strategic effort to address these limitations and reduce dependence on imports.

Importance of cluster-based development Global experience shows that semiconductor manufacturing thrives in concentrated industrial clusters rather than dispersed locations. Successful ecosystems, such as Taiwans Hsinchu region, combine fabrication units, suppliers, research institutions, and logistics networks in close proximity. Sanands emergence reflects a similar approach, with emphasis on infrastructure such as a reliable power supply, ultrapure water systems, efficient logistics, and streamlined regulatory processes. These elements are critical for sustaining semiconductor operations. At the same time, the development of a supporting supplier ecosystem, comprising chemical manufacturers, precision component suppliers, and equipment service providers, is essential for the success of semiconductor clusters like Sanand.

Capability building through a phased approach

Indias semiconductor development strategy is evolving in phases, with Sanand playing a key role in the initial stages:

Near-term focus: Expansion of assembly, testing, and packaging (ATMP/OSAT) capabilities Medium term: Growth in mature-node semiconductor manufacturing aligned with domestic demand Long term: Development of advanced packaging and selective fabrication capabilities

This phased approach allows India to build expertise incrementally while managing capital and technological risks.

Sanands industrial foundations

Located in the Ahmedabad district of Gujarat, Sanand is a prominent industrial center. The district itself has long been associated with textiles and diversified manufacturing, providing a strong industrial base for new-age sectors.

The Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) plays a central role in shaping this landscape, with the Sanand Industrial Estate spanning over 2,000 hectares. This large industrial zone has enabled the region to attract strong investments across sectors, including automobiles, electronics, and now semiconductors.

Location and connectivity

Sanand benefits from strong multimodal connectivity, which enhances its attractiveness for large-scale industrial investments:

Proximity to Ahmedabad (approx. 30 km), providing access to an international airport Access to major ports such as Mundra Port (325 km) and Kandla Port (276 km) Connectivity to key rail infrastructure, including the major junction at Vadodara (around 50 km) Nearby urban centres such as Vadodara and Nadiad, supporting industrial workforce and logistics

This connectivity framework supports efficient movement of raw materials, finished goods, and workforce, making Sanand suitable for both domestic and export-oriented industries.

Industrial base and sectoral presence

The Sanand Industrial Estate hosts a broad mix of industries, including:

Automobiles and auto components Plastic engineering General engineering and heavy manufacturing Electronics and emerging technology sectors

This diversified industrial base has laid the groundwork for Sanands transition into advanced manufacturing segments, including semiconductors.

A key feature of the estates development model is its cluster-based zoning approach, which enables industry-specific infrastructure and operational efficiencies. The broader Sanand industrial region is organized into multiple sub-estates, such as:

Sanand (RIDC) Sanand Women Park Sanand-II (Bol) Sanand-II (Bol) MSME Park (proposed)

Strategic significance

Sanands industrial profile reflects a shift toward integrated, cluster-driven development. Its scale, connectivity, and sectoral diversity make it well-suited to host next-generation industries such as electronics and semiconductor manufacturing. The presence of dedicated zones and specialized infrastructure further strengthens its position as a key industrial and emerging technology hub in India.

ALSO READ: Indias Semiconductor Future Through Skilling and Inclusion

Outlook

Sanands evolution into a semiconductor hub signals a broader structural shift in Indias industrial strategy. With investments in backend manufacturing, emerging fabrication projects, and targeted policy support, the region is becoming a focal point in the countrys semiconductor ambitions.

As capacity expands and ecosystem linkages deepen, Sanand is expected to play a pivotal role in integrating India into global semiconductor supply chainssupporting industries such as automotive, electronics, and digital infrastructure while advancing the goal of technological self-reliance.

(US$1 = INR 93.98)
A country that feels like multiple worlds

Image credit : Iraa Paul/ IG | A major reason behind Vietnams sudden popularity is simple: it looks unbelievable

Landscapes that dont feel real

A food culture that pulls people in

Affordable, accessible, and endlessly rewarding

The social media effect

More than just a travel trend

Somewhere over the past year, Vietnam has gone from being a maybe someday destination to the place everyone is talking about. Scroll through Instagram or travel feeds, and youll notice a pattern, misty mountains, glowing lantern streets, emerald waters, and endless food shots. Vietnam isnt just trending; its becoming an obsession.So what changed? The answer lies in how effortlessly Vietnam blends beauty, culture, affordability, and experience into one unforgettable journey.What makes Vietnam stand out is its incredible variety. Its not just one kind of trip, its several experiences wrapped into one country.In Hanoi, the energy is immediate and electric. The Old Quarter buzzes with scooters, street vendors, and hidden cafes, while ancient temples sit quietly amidst the chaos. Its a place where tradition and modern life collide in the most fascinating way.Head south to Ho Chi Minh City, and the vibe shifts completely. Here, glass skyscrapers, nightlife, and trendy cafes dominate the scene. It feels fast, global, and constantly evolving, showing a different face of Vietnam altogether.A major reason behind Vietnams sudden popularity is simple: it looks unbelievable. The country is packed with landscapes that seem almost too perfect to exist.Ha Long Bay is perhaps the most iconic example. Its limestone karsts rising out of emerald waters create a dreamlike setting that feels straight out of a fantasy film. Whether seen from a cruise or a kayak, it leaves a lasting impression.Further north, Sapa offers a completely different kind of beauty. Terraced rice fields stretch across hills, often covered in mist, creating a quiet, almost surreal atmosphere. Its a place for slow travel, long walks, and breathtaking views.For those drawn to the coast, Da Nang and Phu Quoc deliver sun-soaked beaches, clear waters, and laid-back luxury, perfect for unwinding after days of exploration.Vietnams food scene is another reason travelers cant stay away. While dishes like pho and banh mi are now popular worldwide, experiencing them in Vietnam is something else entirely.Street food is where the magic happens. Sitting on a small stool by the roadside, watching your meal being prepared fresh, adds a layer of authenticity thats hard to replicate. The flavors are light yet rich, simple yet deeply satisfying.Food here isnt just about eating, its about immersing yourself in everyday life. And for many travelers, that becomes one of the most memorable parts of the journey.Another big reason for Vietnams rise is how accessible it is. Compared to many international destinations, it offers incredible value. You can find everything from budget stays to luxury resorts without overspending.Traveling within the country is also relatively easy, allowing visitors to explore multiple destinations in a single trip. This flexibility makes Vietnam especially appealing to young travelers, solo explorers, and digital nomads.Theres no denying the role social media has played in Vietnams popularity. Viral reels of Ha Long Bay, aesthetic cafe shots from Hanoi, and sunset views from Phu Quoc have sparked curiosity across the globe.But unlike many viral destinations, Vietnam actually lives up to the hype. What people see online often matches what they experience in real life and thats rare.Vietnams appeal goes beyond being the next big thing. It offers a balance of adventure, relaxation, culture, and authenticity thats hard to find elsewhere.Whether its wandering through Hanois lively streets, cruising across Ha Long Bay, trekking in Sapa, or relaxing by the beaches of Phu Quoc, every moment feels distinct and meaningful.Thats why everyone suddenly wants to run to Vietnam, not just to visit, but to experience something that stays with them long after the trip ends.
Greece's national meteorological service has issued red-level storm warnings for Athens and large swaths of the country as Storm Erminio is set to bear down on Wednesday.

The Hellenic National Meteorological

Service issued an emergency severe weather bulletin placing Attica , eastern Peloponnese, central Greece, Euboea, Thessaly, the Sporades and the Dodecanese under red alert for Wednesday , with the heaviest rainfall expected from late morning through the evening

The Ionian Islands, northern Cyclades and Eastern Aegean islands were placed under orange alert.

Meteorologist Tasos Arniakos warned that the most intense conditions would strike western and southwestern parts of the country, the Thermaic Gulf area and Thessaly, with thunderstorms carrying lightning and possible hail.

He urged both authorities and the public to monitor drainage systems, culverts and water runoff points, predicting an improvement from Saturday onward.

For Athens specifically, forecaster Giannis Kallianos compiled projections from thirteen major global weather models, which showed maximum 24-hour rainfall estimates ranging from 60 to 150 millimeters, with an indicative average of around 80 millimeters.

Mr. Kallianos noted that a catastrophic January 2026 storm over Attica had recorded 174 millimeters at Papagos station, killing one woman, offering a benchmark for what the drainage-strained capital could face.

Alpha television meteorologist Giorgos Tsatrafyllias forecast up to 90 millimeters for Attica, stressing that total accumulation was secondary to rainfall intensity.

"If part of that rain falls within a short period at rates of 20 to 40 millimeters per hour or higher, the risk of urban flooding, stream overflow and road network disruption rises sharply," Mr. Tsatrafyllias said.

Red warnings extend into Thursday for western and southern Peloponnese and western Crete.

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The Greek governments profound concern regarding recent attacks against Greek Orthodox Christians in Syria was conveyed by Ministry of Foreign...

The post Lana Zochiou (MFA): We are monitoring the situation in Al-Suqaylabiyah, a predominantly Greek Orthodox city, with grave concern appeared first on Tribune.gr.
Caleb Mutfwang, governor of Plateau, says the state government would not allow a mass burial for victims of Sundays terror attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos north LGA.

At least 12 people were killed, and several others were injured when suspected bandits attacked at a popular bar in the community on Sunday evening.

The injured victims were said to have been evacuated to nearby medical facilities for treatment.

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The attack sparked outrage on social media, prompting the state government to impose a 48-hour curfew in the affected local government area.

In a statement issued on Monday, Gyang Bere, director of press and public relations to the governor of Plateau, said Muftwang visited Angwan Rukuba community on Monday and promised that the government would give a befitting burial to every victim who died in the attack.

This is a painful moment for all of us. Angwan Rukuba is a community that accommodates people from diverse ethnic backgrounds across Plateau state, Bere quoted the governor as saying.

Therefore, this is not the pain of a fewit is the pain of all of us.

We will not allow mass burial. Government will work closely with the families to give each victim a befitting burial. They did not deserve to die in such a manner.

Bere said the governor described the incident as painful, tragic, and unacceptable, assuring that the perpetrators of the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.

Mutfwang said the state government would take full responsibility for the medical treatment of all injured victims until full recovery.

He appealed for calm, particularly among the youth, urging residents to resist any temptation to take the law into their own hands.

The greatest honour we can give to the departed is to remain peaceful and allow due process to take its course, the governor said.

Meanwhile, the governor said one suspect linked to prior threats had already been arrested, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend other perpetrators.

He assured citizens that both the state and federal authorities, including President Bola Tinubu, are fully engaged and committed to ensuring justice is served.

The governor directed that the bodies of the deceased be evacuated to the mortuary, while consultations continue with families and stakeholders towards ensuring justice and lasting peace in the area, the statement reads.

He subsequently visited victims receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), where he offered prayers for their speedy and full recovery.

During the visit, Samson Chiroma, one of the community leaders, while recounting the attack, alleged that the assailants appeared in military-style attire.

He called on government to act swiftly, ensure justice for the victims, and facilitate proper burial arrangements, noting that the community remains in deep mourning.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, returned to court on Tuesday for the continuation of hearing in his corruption trial, days afer attending the burial of his late mother.

Mr El-Rufai appeared at the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna under tight security for proceedings instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

His appearance followed a temporary release granted on compassionate grounds to enable him to attend the funeral of his mother, Ummar El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

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The burial, held in Abuja on Sunday, drew several prominent political figures, highlighting the former governors enduring influence in Nigerias political landscape.

Mr El-Rufai is facing 10 charges of fraud, money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful possession or conversion of public propertyallegations he has denied.

The ICPC arraigned him alongside Joel Adoga, whose name appeared as a co-defendant in only one of the 10 counts, while Mr ElRufais name featured in all.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges, prompting the trial judge, Ridwan Aikawa, to order their remand in ICPC custody pending the hearing of their bail applications scheduled for today (31 March).

Mr ElRufai had been in custody since 18 February based on a prior court order, which was renewed following his arraignment on 24 March.

But between 24 March and today, ICPC released Mr El-Rufai from custody on its own volition without recourse to the court that ordered his remand.

ICPC reportedly released the former governor on Friday, on compassionate grounds to enable him to mourn his mothers passing and be part of her funeral rites.

The gesture drew criticisms from lawyers and other members of the public who accused the ICPC of snubbing the court order remainding Mr El-Rufai till today.

On Tuesday, he first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna, where a separate corruption case is pending against him, before proceeding to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, for the hearing of his bail application.
STATEHOUSE PRESS RELEASE

PRESIDENT TINUBU CONDEMNS KILLINGS IN PLATEAU AND KADUNA, ASSURES SECURITY AGENCIES WILL BRING PERPETRATORS TO JUSTICE

President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the barbaric and cowardly attacks by gunmen in Angwan Rukuba district, Jos, Plateau State.

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He equally condemned the attacks in Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Describing the attack on the community in Jos and the killing and abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna as an affront to all that Nigeria stands for, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the barbaric acts will not go unpunished.

Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting, he said.

He has directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives. He cautioned some sections of the media, insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated.

President Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property. He stressed the need for communities to comply with evacuation, relocation, and related advice and processes. He hailed the safe return of two of the Kaduna victims.

I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All the remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately, the President said.

I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for supporting the rescue and containment efforts. I assure the people and government of the two states of my support. I commiserate with the families of those killed and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and smash criminals, in real time, wherever they are.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)

March 31, 2026
Ben Affleck poses for a portrait to promote the film "Air" on Monday, March 27, 2023, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis) Read more

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Two-time Oscar winner Ben Affleck was seen at Lunas Mexican Grill in downtown Swarthmore on Friday.

The restaurants owner, Cristina Luna Ramirez, posted a photo on Instagram of the actor eating inside the Delco eatery, and a selfie she took with Affleck.

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But Ramirez was not present at the restaurant when the actor stopped for lunch at Lunas with his 17-year-old child, Fin, following a tour of Swarthmore College.

When she received a frantic call from one of her servers, she initially brushed off it as a prank. When she was finally convinced, she drove from South Philly to the restaurant only to find that her celebrity customers had left just three minutes ago.

She walked down the block to a nearby Dunkin Donuts (the actor is a fan of the chain, as is evident from his Super Bowl Good Will Dunkin ad). As soon as she opened the door, Ramirez spotted the 6-foot-4 actor near the front counter.

I was like, Oh wait, it is true. I didnt believe [my staff], but lo and behold, there he was, she said.

He turned toward her as she approached him, and he agreed to pose for a selfie.

When Ben Affleck pulls up to Lunas  you casually play it cool  then immediately freak out after ," Ramirez wrote in the caption for her Instagram post. Happy Friday to us!

I was like, This guy looks like Ben Affleck. But theres no way its him., said server Hailey Blum.

She fished out her phone and searched the internet for an image of Affleck and Fin. When she saw a picture of the two of them in New York just days before, it finally clicked.

At that point, I was shaking, she said, I knew I had to give the best service of my life. No room for error here.

It was Blum who called Ramirez, before walking over to Afflecks table to ask Fin how they enjoyed their college visit.

They said it was cute and charming,  Blum said.

Before making their way to Swarthmore, Affleck and Fin were photographed in New York City last week on their way to attend Daniel Radcliffes one-man show, Every Brilliant Thing.

Fin is the second of three children Affleck has with former wife and actor Jennifer Garner.

At Lunas, Affleck ordered the Mexican burrito, and Fin ordered chicken tinga tacos. Blum said the other customers did not interrupt their lunch or ask for a picture. But after they left, people erupted into chatter.

A server shared that he was a great tipper, always nice to hear, HughE Dillon, who runs the popular @phillychitchat blog, posted on Instagram. Dillon did not name his source.

The actor left a $100 bill on his $40 tab. He then stopped at the Dunkin down the block where Ramirez thanked him for visiting her restaurant, which just celebrated one year of business.

Its pretty amazing, Ramirez said. Im just hoping his kid will go to Swarthmore, and then maybe well see more of them both.

Affleck, a Boston native, lived in Philadelphia when filming the 2004 movie, Jersey Girl. During filming, he lived in Logan Squares Phoenix Apartments with then-fiancee, now former wife Jennifer Lopez.

The film featured exterior shots in Cherry Hill and Paulsboro, while interiors were filmed in Havertown and other parts of the Philadelphia region, according to IMDB.

In 2009s State of Play, Affleck attempted a Philadelphia accent in his role as a South Philly congressman. The New York Times said he sounded as thick and inauthentic as low-fat cream cheese.

If Fin ends up attending Swarthmore, Affleck will have plenty of time to work on perfecting the accent.
Police and homicide detectives investigate a double homicide at 60th and Delancy Streets on Monday. Three other people were injured, police said, after a masked gunman in a white vehicle opened fire into a crowd. Read more

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Two men died and three others were injured Monday night in a quintuple shooting in Cobbs Creek, police said.

Naasir Boyd and Paul Cobb, both 24, were killed, police said, after a masked gunman in a white vehicle opened fire into a crowd gathered on the 300 block of South 60th Street near Delancey Street around 8:40 p.m.

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Both men were shot in the chest and pronounced dead Monday night at Penn-Presbyterian Hospital.

The shooting happened near the 318 Bar, a corner property on a lively block of bodegas, take-out spots, and other small businesses.

Outside the bar Tuesday morning, neighbors traded details about what had happened in hushed voices, and police cruisers circled the block.

Tiffany Thurston, Paul Cobbs mother, arrived by car and surveyed the scene where her son had been shot hours earlier.

He was born and raised on this block, Thurston said, holding back tears. Whatever happened, that was my son, and he didnt deserve this.

Cobb, or PJ as his loved ones called him, was one of six children, Thurston said, and lived with family just a couple of blocks away.

Thurston had expected Cobb to come home that evening, she said. Not long before the shooting, she called her son and told him that she had left fried fish in the microwave and was headed to bed.

Once she was upstairs, Thurstons Citizen app flashed, notifying her there had been a shooting on 60th Street. Soon, her other son called with the news: PJ was struck by gunfire and had been taken to the hospital.

Thurston said Cobb was a goofy kid who sometimes got into mischief, though her maternal love never wavered. The family grew up in a rowhouse on Delancey Street, where 318 Bar sits at the corner.

He was a son, he was a brother, he was an uncle, and he was a cousin, Thurston said. They dont understand how many lives they destroyed by this. Im trying to keep it together for all my kids, trying to be strong, but in my head ... I dont know.

Three others were struck by bullets on Monday night. A 36-year-old man, whom police did not identify, was shot in the stomach and is in critical condition, police said. Two other men, ages 35 and 54, were shot in the leg, according to police, and were stable at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania-Cedar Avenue.

No arrests had been made, and no motive for the shooting has been established, police said.

At least two other shootings have erupted in the 300 block of South 60th Street in the last year, according to data from the city controller. On April 23, a 26-year-old man was shot on the block, and a day later,a 49-year-old man was shot. Both survived.

Late Monday night, blood pooled in the middle of Delancey Street, a block where businesses intersect with aging rowhouses with charming porches. At least 15 fired cartridge casings lay in 60th Street.

All was quiet save for the chatter of police surveying the block for surveillance video, and the whispers of about a half dozen onlookers blocked by crime scene tape.

Just as the crime scene unit was finishing up, an orange tabby cat ran across the street, weaving through the bullet casings before lounging on the dusty sidewalk and turning to watch investigators work. They chuckled.

If only he could talk.

Before Monday nights shooting, 21 people had been killed in Philadelphia so far this year, according to police data.

At a news conference Monday morning, District Attorney Larry Krasner had celebrated the number  an all-time low in five consecutive years with every single year better than the year before, he said.

Last year, there were 222 homicides in the city, compared with 562 in 2021.
Catherine (left) and Marisol Nunez were killed during a break-in at their home in Willingboro in October 2024. Read more

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A Delaware County man who broke into the South Jersey home where the mother of his son lived to kill her and her mother was convicted of first-degree murder.

Junior Edwards, 39, smashed a first-floor window to get inside the house on Harrington Circle in Willingboro where Catherine Nunez, 33, lived in October 2024, prosecutors in Burlington County said. Her mother, Marisol, 54, was staying with her as part of a weekly routine the two women had.

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Catherine Nunez called 911 to report the break-in, but was forced into an upstairs bedroom with her mother by Edwards, prosecutors said. There, he shot both women to death.

Edwards, of Lansdowne, was also convicted last week of endangering the welfare of a child and related crimes in the shooting, which took place as the 8-year-old son he shares with Nunez sat in a nearby room. The boy was not injured.

A conviction of first-degree murder carries an automatic life sentence in New Jersey, and Edwards sentencing has been scheduled for May 22.

Prosecutors said during Edwards trial that the motive for the shooting was unclear. He and Nunez had not been dating for some time.

Joseph Puig-Hill, Marisol Nunezs brother-in-law, told reporters at a vigil days after the murder that the two women were the epitome of goodness.

Theyre both beautiful souls, he said. They didnt deserve this.

Last week, Puig-Hill posted about Edwards conviction on Facebook, saying he attended the trial and witnessed this demon being dragged away in handcuffs to his new and eternal home (state prison).

He said the two women are gone, but will never be forgotten.
Dominic Capobianco has been charged with theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property, according to court records. Read more

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Parkside Borough Council President Dominic Capobianco used a borough-issued gas card to fill up his personal vehicle, stealing $2,500 from the tiny Delaware County town over the course of two years, prosecutors said Tuesday.

Capobianco, 63, faces charges of theft by unlawful taking and receiving stolen property. He turned himself in to police early Tuesday and was released on $50,000 unsecured bail.

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He did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

In announcing the charges Tuesday, Delaware County District Attorney Tanner Rouse said the case proves that no one is above the law.

When elected officials misuse public funds, they are not just breaking the law, they are betraying the communities they swore to serve, Rouse said. Let me be clear: If you engage in illegal conduct, regardless of your title or position, you will be investigated, you will be charged, and you will be held responsible."

Parkside officials, in a statement, said they are fully cooperating with the investigation.

The conduct described in the criminal complaint is deeply concerning, as it involves the alleged misuse of taxpayer funds and is inconsistent with the standards of integrity and public trust expected of those who serve our community, the statement said.

The investigation began when Parkside Borough Police Chief Patrick McKeown and Borough Solicitor John Jay Wills contacted Rouses office, according to the affidavit of probable cause for Capobiancos arrest.

Capobianco had been issued a borough gas card to use while working as the boroughs code enforcement officer, a position he held from 2018 until January, when he was named council president during a reorganization meeting.

The card was intended to be used to fill up the 2018 Ford Explorer Capobianco drove while working as a code enforcement officer. McKeown and Wills, during a review of the cards activity, found that Capobianco had used it to purchase premium gas, which the Explorer doesnt use.

Surveillance footage from a Wawa in Brookhaven showed that Capobianco was using the card to buy gas for his own Nissan Frontier pickup truck, as well as a Chevrolet Trax owned by his wife, the affidavit said. On some occasions, the document said, he used the card to fill up a 5-gallon gas can.

The review found that Capobianco used the card to purchase 648 gallons of gas for his personal use between April 2024 and March 15, according to the affidavit.

The theft allegations are not the first time Capobianco has come under investigation for his business dealings with Parkside.

In 2024, the State Ethics Commission found that Capobianco violated the state ethics act for elected officials when he submitted an invoice for $7,941.99 for cleaning and disinfectant work he said he completed at the boroughs offices during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The commission said there was no evidence that Capobianco purchased the materials for which he billed the borough and also found that he improperly seconded the motion approving the invoice as a member of borough council, rather than abstaining from the vote.

Capobianco had said at public meetings that he had previously performed the cleaning free of charge, as a service to the borough, according to the commission. But in June 2021, when he learned that the borough would be receiving federal American Rescue Plan Act funding, he began submitting invoices to be paid.

He was ordered to reimburse the borough $4,000.
Moffet Elementary School is not on the proposed school closure list, but would become a middle school under Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr.'s proposed facilities plan. Read more Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

Minarik asked for an investigation and wants the Human Relations Commission to require the district to give Moffet the same treatment as other schools on the closure list, including public hearings. She also asked the commission to issue a finding that Moffet was treated inequitably.

District spokesperson Monique Braxton said the school system had not yet received the complaint but remained steadfast in its commitment to produce a plan that centers educational equity and opportunity across all neighborhoods.

The Human Relations Commission now has 30 days to send the complaint to the district, which has 30 more days from receipt of the complaint to respond. Possible outcomes include mediation, an investigation, a settlement, and a possible court review. The case could also be dismissed and proceed no further.

The school board has not said when it will vote on the facilities plan, which includes the closures, six co-locations, and 159 modernization projects, as well as the Moffet and Hackett changes, but action is expected this spring.

Superintendent Tony B. Watlington Sr. has said action is needed to address the districts enormous facilities needs and the cash-strapped school systems inability to fund adequate educational and extra-curricular opportunities in a system that has 70,000 empty seats and more than 300 buildings. Its attempting to improve outcomes for students across the district, officials said.

A community push for Moffet; a Hackett parent speaks out

The complaint is the latest move in the Moffet communitys concerted public battle over the districts plan for the school.

Community members, including a large group of parents and some politicians, say the change will harm the community by leaving South Kensington without an elementary school and making students from predominately Black and brown and low-income families walk long distances to and from school.

They also say it would jeopardize the education of a large group of students who require special education services.

Parents, speaking out at recent school board meetings, have pressed the district on the changes, underscoring their communitys demographics and Hacketts. Moffet, in booming South Kensington, has 219 students, most of whom are children of color; Hackett is 56% white.

Moffet kids, parent Katy Hoffman-Williamson said at a recent school board hearing on the facilities plan, are being punished by this plan. Theyre being kicked out of their school, their safe space, in order for a majority white school in an entirely different neighborhood to gain a more palatable middle school that they may go to as an option. How can you live with that?

While Hackett families have largely remained publicly quiet on the plan, MaryKris Thacher, a Hackett parent, told the school board at that town hall meeting that she supported the Moffet-as-middle-school plan.

I recognize that these decisions are difficult and challenging, but this plan also presents an important opportunity to strengthen the educational pathway for students in our neighborhood, Thacher said. Right now, many families in the Fishtown, Greater Kensington neighborhoods feel that when their children reach middle school age, they need to leave the neighborhood or sometimes leave Philadelphia entirely.

Locating a strong educational option in the neighborhood is a desired outcome, Thacher said.

Both Moffet and Hackett students currently feed to Penn Treaty, a 6-12 in Fishtown, for middle school. But Penn Treaty is also on the districts closure list; it serves a population that is largely Black and low-income and comes from other parts of the city. The majority of families who live in the neighborhood do not send their children to Penn Treaty.

Families like mine want to stay in the Fishtown, Kensington area and continue investing in Philadelphias public schools, Thacher told the board. When strong neighborhood pathways exist, families stay, communities grow stronger, and our public schools retain the students and support they need to thrive.

Funding cuts for Moffet

Moffet parents are also upset about the districts budget proposal for next school year.

The 18 schools targeted for closure are immune from the significant school budget cuts now being pressed upon non-closing schools to help close a $300 million budget gap, but Moffet, which is not on the closure list, must make cuts like other schools.

Its a double whammy, said parents, because Moffet is already slated to lose teachers next year because of declining enrollment. Hoffman-Williamson said fewer out-of-catchment students are seeking to enroll since the district announced the proposed changes to the schools structure, which would take effect in 2027.
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The Cherry Hill school district is considering slashing 72 positions. Collingswood is planning to close an elementary school. Washington Township has proposed cutting 52 teachers and support staff.

These tough decisions are playing out across South Jersey as districts are struggling to balance budgets for the 2026-27 school year during one of the most difficult budget seasons in recent years.

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Although Gov. Mikie Sherrill has proposed increasing education spending in her first budget proposal unveiled last month, her plan includes reductions in state aid for some districts, including Cherry Hill. Others have structural budget deficits as expenses outpace revenues.

After submitting preliminary budgets last week, districts are awaiting approval from county superintendents. School boards then have about a month to make changes, hold public hearings, and adopt final budgets.

Cherry Hill is weighing job cuts and a tax hike

The Cherry Hill school board last week approved a tentative budget that would increase property taxes by $420 for a home assessed at the township average of $227,000.

The 7.4% tax increase, which the district said it needs in addition to slashing to millions in spending, would impact operations across the board.

While school officials have said theyre considering eliminating 72 positions to save $6.5 million, they have disclosed few details about which jobs would be cut and whether there could be layoffs. The district also plans an additional $8 million in non-personnel cuts.

Superintendent Kwame Morton said he plans to begin rolling out details next week. Some of the positions may be eliminated through attrition, he said.

Morton declined further comment, citing contractual obligations. Cherry Hill has about 1,700 employees and enrolls about 11,000 students.

We tried to present the most efficient, lean budget possible. Weve gone through every line, Morton said in an interview. Its difficult. Its challenging.

Cherry Hills rising costs

District officials have said cost-cutting moves are necessary because of a 3% reduction in state aid, as well as rising costs for healthcare, transportation, and special education.

This is the third straight year that Cherry Hill has seen a cut in state aid. The district is getting $850,000 less for the upcoming year.

Although the budget gap is greater than the state aid reduction the district is facing, the state budget figures worsened the financial outlook. The state uses a formula to determine school funding for each district based on categories including enrollment, property values, and wealth.

Cherry Hills healthcare costs have increased by $10 million, according to district officials.

The state allows districts to exceed the 2% property tax cap to cover some additional healthcare costs. Because districts have negotiated contracts with employees, those benefits cannot be changed. Some residents have called for teachers to pick up more of their healthcare costs.

Still, Cherry Hill officials are worried about increasing the tax rate. In 2022, voters in the community of 70,000 approved a 20-year bond referendum that raised annual property taxes $400 for the owner of an average home.

Its tough to ask taxpayers to continue to foot the bill, Morton said. We dont want to overburden any taxpayers.

Class sizes will likely increase in Collingswood

In nearby Collingswood, the cost of operating the district has outpaced available revenues, leaving no choice but to reduce positions and programs, said Superintendent Fred McDowell.

Were talking about a pretty signification reduction in force, McDowell said. There are few choices.

Collingswoods state aid was reduced by $305,000, while expenses have increased by $4.8 million. The district is trying to plug a $3.3 million deficit.

 READ MORE: Collingswood voters overwhelmingly rejected $44.5 million school bond referendum. Whats next?

In addition to a 6.4% property tax increase, the district plans to consolidate its high school and middle school operations, shut down its high school wellness center, impose fees for some extracurricular activities, and reduce staff to make up the shortfall.

Under a $43.4 million preliminary budget approved last week, James A. Garfield Elementary would also close in June, affecting about 112 students.

McDowell said the displaced students  including his own children  would be assigned to one of the districts remaining four elementary schools. It was not clear how many staff members would be affected by that closure.

Every single one of us in our community are affected in different ways, McDowell said. As a community we must confront this financial challenge.

Some school board members have suggested the district could consider offering a bond referendum next year to raise funds and restore the cut funding. Collingswood voters have not approved a referendum in more than 25 years.

Budget cuts rejected in Washington Township

A preliminary budget narrowly rejected last week by the Washington Township school board proposed cutting 29 teaching positions across the Gloucester County system and 23 support staff.

The districts state aid increased $1.5 million, but it still has a $4.8 million budget gap and its unclear how it will make up the difference.

Business administrator Janine Wechter said the district could impose a 6.1% tax increase under a waiver for increased healthcare costs.

Wechter shared general budget categories, but said the district must first build class schedules to determine how many positions would be impacted. She said class sizes were being considered.

She said the district was waiting to see if the state would again offer a Tax Levy Incentive Aid program that last year allowed districts that met certain conditions to apply for additional aid and additional taxing authority.

 READ MORE: Here are the 25 South Jersey school districts that raised taxes under a state program to help balance their budgets

Washington Township was among 85 districts statewide that received approval to exceed the 2% property tax cap last year. The state said at the time that it was a one-time offer.

 READ MORE: Some superintendents in South Jersey get tens of thousands of dollars in bonuses

Even with a 7.13% tax increase that added $345 annually to a home assessed at the township average of $232,000 last year, the district laid off staff and eliminated programs.

Its a completely flawed system, Superintendent Eric Hibbs said at last weeks school board meeting. They have to revamp the entire formula.

The board was scheduled to again discus the $186.1 million proposed budget at meeting Tuesday night.
Turning Point USA Founder Charlie Kirk. who was assassinated last year, speaks during a campaign rally in Las Vegas in 2024. Turning Point USA says interest in its high school clubs has grown since Kirk's death. Read more

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Making his pitch to the Great Valley school board, Jed Lu said he and fellow students seeking to bring slain conservative activist Charlie Kirks Turning Point USA organization into their high school werent racists or extremists.

We simply have a different perspective, Lu told the board at a late February meeting.

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The Chester County district is one of the latest in the Philadelphia area to approve a Club America chapter  the high school offshoot of Kirks group. The organization seeks to mobilize anti-woke warriors and has rapidly been adding new local chapters since his assassination in September, provoking debate around right-wing influence in public schools.

Nationally, chapters have nearly tripled  from 1,200 prior to Kirks death to more than 3,300, according to Turning Point officials. Governors in Republican-led states like Arkansas and Nebraska are partnering with Turning Point to expand clubs throughout their states.

In eastern Pennsylvania, there were 11 Club America chapters at the end of last school year. Now, were currently approaching 40, said Nick Cocca, Turning Points enterprise director.

 READ MORE: How Charlie Kirks death could shift Pa.s young voters

The groups expansion might be overstated in the Philadelphia region. Seven area high schools listed by Turning Point on its website or Instagram graphics as having Club America chapters said they did not have clubs.

Souderton Area High School, for instance, appears on Turning Points map, but does not have a club. The schools assistant principal, Matthew Haines, said a student made an inquiry in September about starting a chapter but never applied to do so.

In some schools, like Springfield High School in Delaware County, we have a few students who started running an after-school student pilot a few months back, said principal Monica Conlin, but the district does not officially recognize the club. Conlin said new clubs must complete a three-year pilot before gaining district approval.

Still, the organization has gained traction. In addition to Great Valley, Penncrest High School in Rose Tree Media School District lists Club America among its student clubs; district officials and staff did not respond to requests for comment.

Turning Point says it also has a Club America chapter at Pennsbury High School, and an Instagram account for Club America at Pennsbury invited students to a Feb. 25 meeting to discuss the State of the Union and participate in prayer for law enforcement and our nation. District officials did not respond to requests for comment.

An outpouring of support after Kirks death

A spokesperson for Turning Point could not explain the discrepancy between its list and schools that say they dont have any Club America chapters.

The organization was also unable to provide a local student willing to be interviewed.

Cocca said Turning Point saw an outpouring of support and outreach from young people across the country in the wake of Kirks Sept. 10 assassination. To support its growth, the organization is hiring more field representatives to work with high school students, Cocca said.

Turning Point, which began as an organization advocating for conservative views on college campuses, had previously been expanding its presence in high schools. (A Turning Point chapter launched years ago at Pennridge High School in Upper Bucks County, for example.)

Turning Point last July renamed its high school operation Club America. We wanted a brand that spoke specifically to them, Cocca said. He said that when Charlie was alive, he used to say, I want a Club America chapter in every high school in America.

The expansion has spurred conflict. Critics have highlighted Kirks controversial statements, including referring to the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as an awful person and calling the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act a mistake.

Kirk also promoted the so-called great replacement theory, framing non-white immigration as a plot to replace white populations.

This club is an easy way to incorporate hate and discrimination within our high school. This should not be normalized, a Change.org petition launched in January against a proposed Club America chapter at West Chester East High School read. An update to the petition later declared that Turning Point was shut down at West Chester East.

Molly Schwemler, a district spokesperson, said that earlier this year, some students expressed interest in starting a Club America chapter.

But after discussing the process and need for sponsorship from a teacher with school administration, students instead decided to organize independently outside of the school, Schwemler said. (On its website, Turning Point lists West Chester East as having a chapter.)

In an Instagram post, the club said it decided to operate independently because people cant be mature, open minded or respectful at our school.

Activism hubs and kits

In addition to identifying a teacher adviser, students looking to form clubs often have to supply information to administrators like their purpose, planned activities, and funding needs.

Schools have little discretion to reject a new club, based on the federal Equal Access Act and First Amendment, said Jeffrey Sultanik, a solicitor for numerous Philadelphia-area districts.

Districts need to be viewpoint-neutral, Sultanik said, noting that once you open up the door to clubs coming in, administrators cannot pick and choose which to permit.

In its handbook for Club America chapters, Turning Point calls it imperative that every chapter works to become officially recognized by the school, offering students help if schools deny them.

Students can form an activism hub outside of school for a specific geographic area as a last resort, the handbook says.

In Downingtown  where Turning Point says there is an activism hub  a school district spokesperson said the district has not sponsored any clubs related to religious or political groups in recent history. (Some other area schools have official political clubs: Penncrest High School, for instance, lists Penncrest Democrats of America.)

Turning Point says its Club America chapters are nonpartisan and do not support specific candidates.

But the groups ideology is clear from materials it supplies to student members. Presentations available in Turning Points Activism Library for students to use have titles including Taxes Are Shady, Socialism Kinda Sus, and Big Gov Scares.

Why are those on the left not proud to be Americans? a presentation titled Always Love America asks.

Kids can order Activism Kits from Turning Point with posters and stickers. A 2A kit features slogans like Gun rights are womens rights and Guns are the greatest equalizer.

Cocca said Turning Point provides students anything they may need, to promote what they want to promote, and what they want to make their club about  whether thats registering students to vote, or learning about the Constitution, he said.

Ultimately, its up to the students to use those resources the way they want to use them, he said.

Opposition to Club America groups

Critics accuse Turning Point of trying to indoctrinate high schoolers.

They are grooming at the high school level, and college level, for a generational change, said Sherry Lawrence, a parent in Great Valley who opposed the districts new Club America chapter. All the red flags are there for people who dont subscribe to this brand of conservatism, or this brand of Christianity.

Lawrence questioned whether adults were driving some efforts to organize Club America chapters.

In an October Facebook post in a Turning Point Pennsylvania Action group, George Sabo, then a GOP candidate for township supervisor in East Whiteland, said his daughter was starting a chapter at Great Valley High School. We had discussed it over the summer but pulled the trigger after Charlies assassination, Sabo wrote.

In a brief phone interview, Sabo said it was his daughters idea to start the chapter.

My daughter and family, who believe in the Bible, and believe God is king, value those properties and want to see that brought more into the school district, Sabo said.

He said that while there had been pushback from other kids, theres some support from other kids, too.

The Great Valley board approved the club 7-0 at its February meeting.

At the board meeting, Lu, the club president, said he and the three other club officers had initiated its formation.

While the club has a conservative viewpoint, Lu said, our purpose is civic debate and civil discussion. He added that the club is motivated by the Christian value of love and compassion.

The club hopes to be an impactful addition to Great Valley High School, Lu said.
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The University of Pennsylvania almost immediately Tuesday said it would appeal a federal court judges decision that said the school must release lists of people affiliated with Jewish organizations on its campus and comply with other measures in a federal agencys subpoena.

The universitys comment came a couple hours after U.S. District Judge Gerald J. Pappert ruled the school had to provide the information to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, though it does not have to state which particular organization each person is affiliated with.

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While we acknowledge the important role of the EEOC to investigate discrimination, we also have an obligation to protect the rights of our employees, Penn said in a statement. We continue to believe that requiring Penn to create lists of Jewish faculty and staff, and to provide personal contact information, raises serious privacy and First Amendment concerns.

In a 32-page ruling, Pappert largely dismissed arguments from Penn and others who intervened on the schools behalf that releasing the information sought by the commission would put employees at risk, create an undue burden on the school, and cause employees to disaffiliate from such groups.

 READ MORE: Penn and Trump administration spar in court over subpoena seeking names of Jewish faculty and students

Penn and other groups and associations the Court permitted to intervene significantly raised the disputes temperature by impliedly and even expressly comparing the EEOCs efforts to protect Jewish employees from antisemitism to the Holocaust and the Nazis compilation of lists of Jews, Pappert wrote. Such allegations are unfortunate and inappropriate.

The ruling marked a major loss for Penn in its fight to keep employees and students personal information from the federal government as the EEOC sought to investigate antisemitism, which has been a priority for the Trump administration  especially on college campuses.

Penn in its statement cited the universitys commitment to confronting antisemitism and all forms of discrimination, and asserted that the school has taken multiple steps to prevent and address these despicable events.

The EEOC declined comment.

 READ MORE: Penn and Trump administration spar in court over subpoena seeking names of Jewish faculty and students

We refer you to the opinion, said Victor Chen, EEOCs director of communications.

The ruling says the university has until May 1 to comply with the subpoena.

Members of Penns chapter of the American Association of University Professors, who intervened in the case in opposition to the subpoena, said they also anticipate they will appeal and seek a stay to prevent the school from having to release the names in the interim.

We had already discussed this was a fight we were not going to back down from, said Lorena Grundy, vice president of the AAUP Penn chapter.

Grundy, a practice assistant professor in chemical and biomolecular engineering, was pleased to see in the judges ruling that the EEOC was no longer seeking individual employees specific group affiliation, but said that doesnt go far enough.

The concern here was about peoples privacy and not releasing information about their religious affiliation, Grundy said. It doesnt really matter which Jewish-affiliated group they are a part of. It matters that you are on this list of Jews that is created. So that to me doesnt do a lot to help.

Amanda Shanor, a lawyer for groups representing Jewish faculty, staff and students, called the judges decision deeply disappointing.

Whether the government has the power to demand lists like this should be important to every American, no matter their faith or political ideology, said Shanor, an associate professor of legal studies and business ethics. The constitutional freedoms at stake  to be able to join religious and civic groups of your choice, to attend events, and teach and research freely without worry that your name and contact information will be put on a government list  are foundational to our democracy.

Pappert firmly rejected arguments that the discrimination charge by the EEOC was unjustified and that its quest for the roster lists violated the U.S. Constitution.

For their legal arguments, respondents contend the charge of discrimination is invalid and the subpoena violates the United States Constitution in various ways, Pappert wrote. But the charge is valid and the constitutional claims are easily dispensed with.

The EEOC filed suit against Penn in November after the Ivy League university refused to comply with its subpoena seeking information for an antisemitism investigation it began in 2023 over the schools treatment of Jewish faculty and other employees.

In its quest to find people potentially affected by antisemitism concerns at Penn, the commission demanded a list of employees in Penns Jewish Studies Program, a list of all clubs, groups, organizations, and recreation groups related to the Jewish religion  including points of contact and a roster of members  and names of employees who lodged antisemitism complaints.

The original complaint was launched by EEOC Commissioner Andrea Lucas, now chair of the body, on Dec. 8, 2023, two months after Hamas attack on Israel that led to unrest on college campuses, including Penn, and charges of antisemitism. It was also just three days after Penns then-president, Liz Magill, had testified before a Republican-led congressional committee on the schools handling of antisemitism complaints; the testimony drew a bipartisan backlash and led to Magills resignation days later.

Lucas, whom Trump appointed to the EEOC during his first term and appointed chair last year, also brought similar antisemitism charges against Columbia University that resulted in the school paying $21 million for a class settlement fund.

Pappert said the commission had the right to pursue an investigation that way, despite objections from Penn.

Congress gave the EEOC broad investigatory powers  including subpoena power  so it could obtain evidence relevant to a charge, Pappert wrote. And the EEOC does not use its subpoena power to hunt for facts to justify a charge. The EEOC is a neutral fact finder "

Its sole job at this stage is to determine if there is reasonable cause to believe that the charge is true. Pappert wrote.

Penn had asserted that it had cooperated extensively with the EEOC, including providing more than 100 documents and over 900 pages.

The private university refused only to disclose the personal information.

Violating their privacy and trust is antithetical to ensuring Penns Jewish community feels protected and safe, Penn said in a statement at the time.

But Pappert wrote: Permitting Penn to shield the names of employees who reported harassment would give it a potent weapon to interfere with the EEOCs investigation.

He also said the university and other intervenors showed no evidence that releasing the lists of names would subject employees to credible risk of harm.

Penn professor Claire Finkelstein, however, said that the Penn Faculty Alliance to Combat Antisemitism, of which she is a member, clearly showed the potential for harm in a brief it filed in the case.

The alliance is a group of nearly 200 primarily Jewish professors and includes members who have had concerns about antisemitism at Penn, including faculty who were harassed online after attending a trip to Israel following Hamas Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the country, she said.

It is not at all hypothetical that members of the Jewish community could be at risk from having their identities revealed, said Finkelstein, a professor at Penn Carey Law School and faculty director of the Center for Ethics and the Rule of Law. Disclosure of their identities had already posed a security problem for members of our group.
Wagner Middle School in West Oak Lane is one of 18 Philadelphia public schools facing potential closure. Read more Kaiden J. Yu / Staff Photographer

Citywide, there are 70,000 unfilled seats in district buildings, and the school systems facilities needs are enormous  one estimate put an $8 billion price tag on the bill to fix everything thats wrong with the districts mostly old buildings.

Kim Newman, a district associate superintendent, said the aim with closing underused schools like Wagner is to be able to offer things like career-focused learning to more middle schoolers.

That is something we will be looking at  ways to offer programming in all of the schools, Newman said at a meeting this winter at Wagner. The wonderful culinary program is a point of pride.

Some members of the Wagner community expressed reservations about keeping students in a single building until eighth grade. Under the districts plan, Prince Hall, Howe, Pennell, Rowen, and Ellwood elementary schools would become K-8s and accommodate Wagner students.

We dont want the young children with the older children, one community member said. Theyre transporting these middle grade school children into an elementary school. Theyre elementary schools and they call them elementary slash middle, but theyre elementary schools.

Newman promised the district would spend real time and effort working with schools and communities to plan meaningful transitions.

In the past, what weve done is said, Lets just add some furniture and books, great, grow a grade each year, and thats really not what children need, said Newman.

If Wagner is closed, the district will use the years before the closure to plan how to successfully grow grades at the surrounding elementary schools, Newman said.

What can Wagner do?

While the communities of several school tagged for closure have launched robust campaigns to try to spare them, Wagner voices have been mostly quiet in the larger public sphere.

But Oz Hill, deputy superintendent for operations, said at the February meeting that the district would not abandon the school as it closed, if the school board ultimately votes to do so.

And he acknowledged that Wagner had been left to languish for a long time.

We understand that this has not been done well by the district in the past, Hill said. That is not the schools fault. That is my fault.

Andrews, the veteran Wagner teacher, expressed frustration that the district isnt seeking to close schools in the Northeast, which has been a center of population growth for the city in recent years. Its schools are mostly overcrowded.

Often, West Oak Lane children are choosing options other than Wagner, because of resources and reputation, Andrews said.

Theyre being attracted by schools up the street, schools that can offer children more than the district is paying for, she said.

Andrews said she would continue showing up and loving her students, but she wished the district would do better.

What can we do to keep [Wagner] open? Andrews said. What can we do by September?

No answer to her question was offered.
Chad and Hanna Williams of Friday Saturday Sunday (left), Evan Snyder of Emmett (bottom), Justine MacNeil of Fiore (top), and Chutatip Nok Suntaranon of Kalaya are all finalists for 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards. Read more

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Philadelphia will field seven finalists at the 2026 James Beard Foundation Awards in Chicago this June, largely considered to be the most prestigious honor in the American restaurant world.

The showing builds on the momentum from last year, when Phila Lorn was named Emerging Chef for his work at Mawn, the acclaimed Cambodian noodle house he owns with his wife, Rachel Lorn, in Bella Vista.

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Philadelphia had 13 semifinalists across eight categories when the first round of honors were announced in January and has already netted one win. Center City stalwart Oyster House was named an American Classic by the Beards in February, an award that celebrates local restaurants with timeless appeal that serve quality food and are beloved by their communities.

The Beard award ceremony will take place June 15 at Chicagos Lyric Opera theater. Heres whos representing Philly.

Who are the finalists?

Kalaya  the Michelin-recommended Thai restaurant from chef Chutatip Nok Suntaranon in Kensington  is competing for the title of Outstanding Restaurant. Suntaranon won Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic in 2023.

Suntaranon told The Inquirer that she cried as soon as she found out and that winning, while nice, would be beside the point.

I dont want everything to be about me. Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic was, she said. At this point, I dont have to win. The win was for Philadelphia the minute we made it to the finals.

Also in Kensington is Emmett, nominated for Best New Restaurant. Redcrest Kitchen alum Evan Snyder opened the Levantine-inspired restaurant in January 2025, and it has already racked up its fair share of accolades, including spots on The Inquirers The 76 and Esquires list of best new restaurants.

Snyder told The Inquirer that he was in the middle of preparing sausages for dinner service when he heard the news. The trip to Chicago will be he and his wifes first vacation since they welcomed their second son, Theo, six weeks ago. This is amazing, Snyder said. Were a small, little restaurant, so this was unexpected.

Justine MacNeil of Fiore  the Italian bakery and cafe that moved from Queen Village to East Kensington in 2023  is nominated for Outstanding Pastry Chef or Baker. At Fiore, MacNeil is in charge of the pastry program, known for Italian treats that range from sugar-dusted bomboloni to traditional maritozzi packed with whipped cream.

MacNeil, who has worked as a pastry chef for 18 years, said the nomination is as much for her as it is for Fiores 16-person staff. To celebrate, she told The Inquirer, she plans to spend the day at Smith Memorial Playground going down the big slide with her two children.

It feels really nice to bring something back for the guys who have stuck with us, she said.

The Lovers Bar at Friday Saturday Sunday is nominated in the Outstanding Bar category. Its parent restaurant took home the Outstanding Restaurant prize in 2023 and received one of Phillys first Michelin stars last year.

Co-owners Chad and Hanna Williams told The Inquirer over a phone call that this nomination felt different than when they were up for Outstanding Restaurant in 2023. That time, it was all nerves, said Chad Williams. This time, he went on, its just happiness.

Philadelphia netted three nominees for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic, which honors talent across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland Virginia, and Washington.

They are:

Further afield, Nathan Flaim of the acclaimed Italian restaurant Luca in Lancaster is also a finalist in the Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic category.

Who were Phillys semifinalists?

Not all of the semifinalists from the region made it to the finalist tier.

Those include Cherry Hill-bred restaurateur Greg Vernick, a semifinalist for Outstanding Restaurateur for his work at his four Philadelphia restaurants: Vernick Food & Drink; Vernick Fish; Vernick Coffee Bar, and the new Emilia in East Kensington. Vernick took home the award for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic at the Beards in 2017. Food & Drink  his first restaurant  is also recommended by Michelin.

Amas Frankie Ramirez was a first-time semifinalist for Emerging Chef. A Stephen Starr alum, Ramirez opened Ama in Kensington in 2025 as an ode to his upbringing in Mexico City.

On the nightlife front: Almanac, the upstairs bar at Ogawa in Old City, was a semifinalist for Best New Bar. Since its 2024 opening, the Japanese cocktail bar has developed a reputation for convenience store-inspired cocktails and excellent sweet and savory martinis.

Philadelphia also had two other semifinalists for Best Chef, Mid-Atlantic. Deli magnate Russ Cowan was shortlisted for his work at Radins Delicatessen in Cherry Hill, as was Ian Graye of Pietramala, the buzzy vegan spot in Northern Liberties. Pietramala received a Green Star from the Michelin Guide in November for commitment to sustainability through Grayes work as a chef-forager-fermenter.
Teachers, students, and parents in the Central Bucks School District protest a move to ban Pride flags and other "advocacy" materials from classrooms. Ella Barden (left), Moss Gommel (center), and Star Van Acker (right) participated in a rally outside Central Bucks West High School on Jan. 20, 2023. Read more

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The Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday against a Colorado law banning conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ kids in the state.

An 8-1 high court majority sided with a Christian counselor who argued the state law violated the First Amendment free speech protections. The justices agreed with that interpretation and sent the case back to a lower court, signaling further scrutiny for the law.

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The news dropped on International Transgender Day of Visibility, a day intended to celebrate the trans community while also acknowledging hardships and inequities the group faces.

Colorado is one of more than two dozen states that ban conversion therapy  including Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Conversion therapy refers to a range of discredited practices that critics say are dangerous. The practice seeks to change someones sexual orientation or gender identity.

Experts say conversion therapy is weaponized against queer youth, with studies showing that those who have undergone the practice are statistically more likely to attempt suicide.

The new ruling could create new legal hurdles for states with similar laws.

Its the latest decision in a series of recent cases that target LGBTQ+ rights.

Heres what to know.

What was the Colorado case about?

Colorado has a law in place that protects youth under the age of 18 from being subjected to conversion therapy by licensed mental health professionals.

Kaley Chiles, a Christian talk therapist based out of Colorado, argued that the states ban violates her First Amendment rights.

Chiles says she offers talk therapy, according to the Colorado Sun, not aversion therapy (a controversial psychological therapy that sometimes uses shock treatments).

Chiles doesnt try to cure people who dont want to be LGBTQ+, but people come to her for struggles with gender dysphoria or sexual orientation that dont align with their religious values, according to her attorney, James A. Campbell with the Alliance Defending Freedom, a conservative legal organization.

Campbell argued Colorados ban included what he and Chiles call consensual conversions from patients who believe their faith establishes their identity. President Donald Trumps administration voiced support for Chiles, saying that Colorados law wrongly kept her from performing faith-based therapy.

But the state of Colorado disagreed, saying the law does allow wide-ranging conversations about gender identity and sexual orientation. The law also exempts religious ministries.

Colorado argued that the law doesnt violate the First Amendment because therapy is different from other types of speech since its a form of healthcare the state has a responsibility to regulate.

The state says the ban simply bars using therapy to try to convert LGBTQ+ people to heterosexuality or traditional gender expectations, a practice that has been scientifically discredited and linked to harm.

While the law carries the possibility of fines and license suspension, no one has been sanctioned under it.

Which Supreme Court member dissented?

The court has a 6-3 conservative majority. An 8-1 high court majority sided with Chiles on Tuesday.

Justice Neil Gorsuch, formerly of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit based in Denver, wrote the majority opinion.

He said that the law censors speech based on viewpoint and that the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country.

Ketanji Brown Jackson was the lone dissent.

Jackson wrote that states should be free to regulate healthcare, even if that means incidental restrictions on speech. She added that Tuesdays decision opens a dangerous can of worms that threatens to impair states ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect.

What other states ban conversion therapy?

About two dozen states nationwide have laws protecting LGBTQ+ youth from conversion therapy, according to an analysis by the Trevor Project and the Movement Advancement Project, two prominent LGBTQ+ advocacy groups.

California codified its law first, in 2012, three years before the Supreme Court established same-sex marriage as a protected right.

Colorados law  which is now in jeopardy following the Supreme Courts ruling  was enacted in 2019.

What about New Jersey and Pennsylvania?

New Jersey and Pennsylvania have laws in place banning youth conversion therapy.

New Jersey was the second state to establish a law against the practice. That happened in 2013 under Republican Gov. Chris Christie.

According to the Trevor Project and Movement Advancement Project, one-third of state laws protecting LGBTQ+ youth from conversion therapy have been approved by Republican governors.

Some states bans have faced court challenges over the years. New Jerseys ban faced scrutiny three times: in 2015, 2016, and 2019. But the Supreme Court rejected all three challenges.

In Pennsylvania, Gov. Josh Shapiros administration announced it was banning minor conversion therapy. Pennsylvanias law was enacted by regulation, while the majority of other states with bans in place were put in place by legislation.

What does the Supreme Courts Colorado ruling mean nationwide?

Until now, all but one federal court to consider the issue had ruled in favor of laws against youth conversion therapy.

The ruling is expected to eventually make similar laws in other states unenforceable.

It doesnt automatically negate other states laws, but it does provide a potential road map for opponents to strike them down.

Experts anticipate a domino effect, with critics of the bans challenging them in other states, using the Supreme Court ruling as precedent.

Some states, like Florida, are already facing court challenges. In New Jersey and Washington, where bans were previously challenged but upheld, the new ruling makes the laws vulnerable.

Todays reckless decision means more American kids will suffer. The Court has weaponized free speech in order to prioritize anti-LGBTQ+ bias over the safety, health and well-being of children, Human Rights Campaign president Kelley Robinson said. So-called conversion therapy is pseudoscience, not real therapy  It is cruel and should never be offered under the guise of legitimate mental healthcare.

The Associated Press contributed to this article.
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As Donald Trumps war with Iran grows more volatile by the day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths bloodthirst and proselytizing risks spinning the conflagration further out of control.

In a war with no clear purpose, Hegseth has celebrated unleashing death and destruction from the sky all day long. He also has dismissed international rules of engagement and instead called for Maximum lethality, not tepid legality and Violent effect, not politically correct.

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Hegseth has essentially green-lighted committing war crimes by claiming no quarter, no mercy for our enemies, which violates international law and the 1966 War Crimes Act.

Then again, Trump also has threatened war crimes in social media posts that warn of plans to bomb Irans civilian infrastructure, including electric plants, oil wells, and desalination plants  moves that would unleash a widespread humanitarian crisis.

Just as troubling is how Hegseth has invoked religious rhetoric to justify the deadly attacks. During an evangelical worship at the Pentagon last week, Hegseth prayed for violence against enemies who deserve no mercy.

Pope Leo XIV offered a timely religious lesson during a Palm Sunday Mass in St. Peters Square, explaining that God ignores the prayers of leaders who wage war and have hands full of blood.

The pope called the war atrocious, adding that Jesus could not be used to justify war.

This is our God: Jesus, king of peace, who rejects war, whom no one can use to justify war, he told worshippers during his homily. He does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them.

In these dark times, it is welcome to see the leader of the Roman Catholic Church assert some much-needed moral authority.

Hegseths combative Christianity violates the long-standing principle that separates church and state. At the very least, it risks inciting a holy war and inspiring more terrorists.

 READ MORE: In Pope Leo XIV, the world gains an American leader to counterbalance Trumps cruelty | Editorial

Hegseth is one of the growing dangers Trump has created  and another figure from the administration whom the Republicans in Congress have allowed to run rampant.

Trumps cabinet is stocked with bootlickers and grifters who aid and abet his lawlessness and incompetence. But perhaps no one is more dangerous than Hegseth, the former Fox weekend TV host turned defense secretary.

It was clear from the start that Hegseth  who faced accusations of sexual misconduct, excessive drinking, and financial mismanagement  was the least qualified person ever nominated to oversee the United States military.

But Hegseth was confirmed, thanks to a crucial vote cast by U.S. Sen Dave McCormick (R., Pa.).

With each day, Hegseth has demonstrated his toxic brand of leadership.

He scrubbed diversity from the ranks, banned transgender troops, and questioned whether women can serve in combat roles. Last week, Hegseth removed two Black men and two women from a list of Army officers designated for promotion to one-star generals.

Similar to other authoritarian regimes, Hegseth has tried to restrict Pentagon reporters ability to gather information and inform the public about military actions by replacing independent reporters with pro-Trump media representatives.

 READ MORE: Pope Leos pointed message to Catholics the day after the U.S. bombed Iran | Sabrina Vourvoulias

A federal judge found the draconian rules violated the First and Fifth Amendment rights to free speech and due process.

Those who drafted the First Amendment believed that the nations security requires a free press and an informed people and that such security is endangered by governmental suppression of political speech, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman wrote. That principle has preserved the nations security for almost 250 years. It must not be abandoned now.

The United States is in a dangerous place with dangerous people in charge.

But Hegseth has essentially ignored the judges ruling.

The United States is in a dangerous place with dangerous people in charge. Court orders are being ignored, civil rights stripped away, and average Americans have been harmed in dozens of ways.

Millions of citizens know it and are rightly outraged, as seen by the No Kings marches across the country on Saturday. Lets hope millions more remember to march to the polls in November and vote out Trumps enablers.

Trump believes he is on a mission from God and answerable only to his own morality.

Voters should beware of false prophets and unqualified defense secretaries sporting Christian nationalist tattoos and invoking religion to justify killing.
Officials at Lincoln University rescinded an honorary degree it planned to give to Ghanaian President John Mahama because of his support for a bill in his home country that would criminalize LGBTQ+ people. Read more

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Several years ago, I taught a summer course for American students in Ghana. During a visit to a local high school, its headmistress told us that Ghanaian students were losing their culture and becoming too Western.

We asked for an example. Homosexuality, she said. To us, it is an abomination. It comes from elsewhere.

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My students were taken aback, but they didnt lash out. Instead, they asked her to explain her views. We had a conversation.

Thats not going to happen at Lincoln University in Chester County, which had planned to award an honorary degree last week to Ghanaian President John Mahama. Lincoln is a celebrated institution in Ghana because independence leader Kwame Nkrumah studied there. But last week, the university withdrew Mahamas degree and canceled his visit.

The reason? Mahama supports a bill in Ghana to criminalize LGBTQ+ people.

Under that measure, people could be jailed for up to five years for intimacy violations  that is, for any sexual activity that isnt between straight cisgender people. And anyone advocating for LGBTQ+ rights could face 10 years  yes, you read that right  in prison.

I detest the bill, and I can easily understand why Lincoln would refrain from honoring a politician who backed it. But I cant understand why it would cancel his visit, which could have provided a learning opportunity.

Thats the purpose of universities: to promote learning. And if we cant talk, we cant learn. Period.

But conversation is hard to come by in American higher education right now. Students and faculty are walking on eggshells and biting their tongues, fearful that theyll say the wrong thing.

And were only too eager to censor speech that we despise. Before Mahamas scheduled talk at Temple last week, LGBTQ+ activists denounced the university for hosting him.

Providing a platform to a leader advancing policies that endanger LGBTQ lives and undermine HIV prevention is deeply irresponsible, ACT UP representative Sam Sitrin declared. Institutions of higher education should not normalize or legitimize harm under the guise of dialogue.

The purpose of universities is to promote learning. And if we cant talk, we cant learn. Period.

But letting someone speak doesnt signal approval of their views, as a Temple official emphasized. Instead, it reflects support for the concept of free speech itself.

That concept is under sharp attack from the Trump administration and Republican-led state legislatures, which have restricted what university professors and K-12 teachers can say about gender-related issues. And you cant fight censorship with one hand if youre engaging in it with the other.

Alas, thats a lesson were all slow to learn. In a post condemning Mahamas appearance at Temple, City Councilmember Rue Landau said she was deeply disappointed to see him platformed and welcomed here while he has promoted and defended policies that criminalize queer people.

Mahama had spoken at the United Nations earlier in the week to demand reparations for the descendants of Africans who were enslaved. He also condemned the Trump administration for its efforts to censor Black history, including the truth of slavery, segregation, and racism.

But none of that mattered to his critics. Mahama backs a horribly homophobic bill, they said, so he must be censored, as well.

Again, I share the critics outrage about Ghanas anti-gay measure. But canceling its supporters wont persuade them to think differently about it. Instead, it will simply make them dig in their heels.

Witness the reactions in the Ghanaian blogosphere to the news that Lincoln had disinvited Mahama. Western cultures believe their cultural standards are superior to the rest of the world and that they have a right to impose their recent change of the mind on the world, one critic posted. Talk to Ghanaians about how legalizing homosexuals will increase family, community, and national well-being. If you have a good enough argument you might convince them.

Thats what my students and I tried to do during the discussion with the headmistress in Ghana. We took issue with her premise that LGBTQ+ rights were Western, pointing out the long history of same-sex love in Africa. And we also noted that Nelson Mandela  Africas most famous fighter for Black freedom  also spoke out for LGBTQ+ rights in South Africa, which prohibited anti-gay discrimination in its constitution.

I cant say that we convinced the headmistress, any more than she persuaded us. But we all learned something about each other. And that wont happen if we cant  or wont  speak across our differences.

Lincoln University should be ashamed of itself, another Ghanaian posted last week. How do you invite a country president to honor him  and you decide that you will withdraw the title because he is against homosexuality?

Nobody has a right to an honorary degree, and surely Lincoln was within its rights to deny one to Mahama. But everyone should have the right to speak their minds, especially about an issue that divides us so sharply across cultures and nations. Shame on all of us if we lose sight of that.

Jonathan Zimmerman teaches history and education at the University of Pennsylvania. He is the author of Whose America?: Culture Wars in the Public Schools.
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Protest with purpose

There are people questioning the purpose of the No Kings protests, saying they dont think there is anything to be accomplished. The answer is right under their noses. When Donald Trump wants to take the process of conducting elections away from the states so he can control who votes, thats a king. When he wants to erase the histories of Black people and women from museums and memorials, thats a king. When he bars journalists from press briefings because they wont slant coverage his way, thats a king. When he wants to control what is taught in schools and how it is taught, thats a king. When he has people arrested or demands that talk show hosts be fired because he doesnt like what they say, thats a king. When he wants to discard constitutionally legal citizenship so he can pick and choose who gets to be American, thats a king. When he declares that he plans to terminate the Constitution and sets about doing it, in violation of his oath, thats a king. The protesters are standing up for the Constitution, the foundation that makes this country great. If we allow the Constitution and our rights to be dismantled by a power-hungry wannabe monarch and his willing accomplices, our freedoms and greatness are lost.

Jean A. Kozel, West Norriton

. . .

If you think showing up to express your anger doesnt make a difference, remember how the Vietnam War protests helped change things, the civil rights protests helped change things, and the womens suffrage protests helped change things.

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If you have any faith whatsoever in this country, remember when a critical mass of Americans shows up, things happen. We make a difference whenever weve united behind a purpose.

Those millions of Americans who showed up, and even those who didnt  but who still express their anger  are demonstrating their patriotism and faith in our country. Blindly accepting the obvious lies told by this president and his administration, without questioning or seeking the truth, is just the opposite.

Joseph Goldberg, Philadelphia

. . .

Service members lives, and their families, should be protected at all costs and not put in unnecessary danger by a president who didnt even bother to explain to the American people the reason for going to war  or as he put it, a little excursion. Nor did he seek congressional approval. To him, its a game. In addition, the Pentagon wants a $200 billion budget supplement to further fund the war.

Prayers to keep service members safe are powerful, but what is also needed are tens of thousands of people across the country to take to the streets and pray with their feet, and say no to war and no to authoritarian rule. Thats what we did on Saturday at the No Kings march. Wars dont decide who wins; they decide whos left. The loss of life is final.

Peter Tobia, Philadelphia

The writer is a former visual journalist at The Inquirer.

Join the conversation: Send letters to letters@inquirer.com. Limit length to 150 words and include home address and day and evening phone number. Letters run in The Inquirer six days a week on the editorial pages and online.
Lenny Dykstra (right) leaving a courtroom in Hawley, Pa., after waiving his preliminary hearing on two misdemeanor drug charges. He appeared with defense attorneys Matthew Blit (left) and Thomas Mincer. Read more

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HAWLEY, Pa.  Former Phillies All-Star center fielder Lenny Dykstra waived his preliminary hearing on two misdemeanor drug charges Tuesday before District Judge Randy Schmalzle, meaning the matter will now be addressed in a higher court.

Dykstra, 63, appeared with his two attorneys, Matthew Blit and Thomas Mincer, and the member of the 1993 National League champions was dressed in a dark suit, blue shirt, and tie. Dykstra said little in the windowless courtroom during the roughly 10-minute proceeding, other than to say he understood the meaning of waiver. Assistant District Attorney Dave Marra was also present.

Thomas Mincer and I are pleased to report that today was Lenny Dykstras first court appearance, Blit said in a statement. Attorney Mincer had a very productive meeting with the District Attorneys office and we are pleased to report that everything is moving [in] a positive direction.

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The charges stem from a New Years Eve traffic stop in Pike County in northeastern Pennsylvania, when Dykstra was the passenger in a GMC pickup driven by Scranton resident Kevin Zelna. State Trooper Kody Nowicki pulled the GMC over after Zelna failed to stay in his lane, according to testimony by Nowicki and a criminal complaint. Zelna, 37, was charged with several counts, including driving under the influence.

When Dykstra told law enforcement that he wanted to retrieve his ID and credit card, troopers observed, in plain view, a glass smoking device and a jar/container containing suspected narcotics. Nowicki later testified that the contents tested positive for crack cocaine.

Mincer released the following statement Jan. 6:

We firmly assert that the alleged narcotics in the vehicle did not belong to Lenny, who is currently recovering from a serious stroke. Lenny was not knowingly in possession of or under the influence of any narcotics, had none on his person and was not taken into custody at the scene. The driver was arrested and taken into custody at the scene and accused of 17 counts, including being under the influence, not Lenny. Attorney Matthew Blit and our team remain steadfast in our commitment to absolve Lenny of all possession charges.

 READ MORE: Lenny Dykstra formally charged with drug possession

Dykstras preliminary hearing was originally scheduled for Feb. 3 and then Feb. 17. Dykstra recently completed a 75-day rehabilitation stint, according to Dennis DAugostine, a pastor at Steamtown Church in Scranton, where the former major leaguer lives. DAugostine has been working with Dykstra and said he baptized him on March 8.

Dykstra played 12 major league seasons as a center fielder, his first 4 with a New York Mets team that won the 1986 World Series. He was traded to the Phillies in 1989 and helped the team reach the World Series in 1993, when he finished second to Barry Bonds in the NL MVP voting. Dykstra retired with the Phillies in 1996 at age 33.

He spent time in prison after pleading guilty in federal court to bankruptcy fraud and money laundering in 2012. Dykstra also pleaded no contest to grand theft auto in California.
Sen, Andy Kim (left) on stage with Neil Bradley, executive vice president and chief policy officer for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, at Tuesday's summit for business leaders in Atlantic City. Read more

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ATLANTIC CITY  Sen. Andy Kim wants to lure foreign businesses to South Jersey. He said the state can seize on President Donald Trumps tariffs to make that happen.

The New Jersey Democrat said Tuesday that companies from different countries are seeking to build in the United States as a way to avoid the costly tariffs.

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Kim has previously spoken against the tariffs and still believes theyre too high, but he thinks the state can use them to help land overseas companies.

We should be at a full-court press right now to try to draw in resources to draw in investments, Kim told The Inquirer, following an appearance at the New Jersey Chamber of Commerces summit in Atlantic City. Im trying to do that as best as I can with different countries and regions that Ive been engaged in conversations with.

The numbers are mixed since Trump announced his tariffs, a year ago this week. The U.S. saw a 1% increase in manufacturing output, but has lost 93,000 manufacturing jobs since Trumps Liberation Day, according to the Washington Post.

In a separate appearance at the conference on Tuesday, Democratic Gov. Mikie Sherrill blasted Trumps tariffs and said they make it all but impossible for New Jersey businesses to plan ahead.

Kim, who is from Burlington County, told the crowd of New Jersey business leaders gathered at Harrahs that the state needs to address misconceptions among businesses abroad.

He said he realized during his travels to South Korea, Japan, and Europe that New Jersey needs to up its game at promoting itself compared to other states.

Kim later elaborated in an interview that many international companies believe theres no space to build in densely populated New Jersey.

Down in South Jersey theres a lot more space, and the space is good for more than just warehouses, he said.

He said companies he spoke with had only considered putting something like a corporate headquarters in New Jersey, but didnt even realize manufacturing would be an option. Kim said he sees huge opportunities for bringing back more manufacturing jobs to South Jersey.

The senator pointed to a new manufacturing facility in Central Jersey for South Korean biopharmaceutical company Celltrion, which hes previously embraced as an example of the global innovation in medicine and technology the state needs.

Kim said a number of other companies from Asia are interested in partnering with companies in the state.

He said he wants the Paulsboro port to get involved with the shipbuilding efforts right across the river in Philadelphia spearheaded by Korean company Hanwha. He pointed to bipartisan interest in the industry, including from Trump.

Lets get Paulsboro an opportunity to be able to take part in that, and build off of that, he said. We can use South Jersey to be able to support whats happening in the Philly shipyard.

He also sees opportunities for investment in technology and innovation in region.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is incredibly well suited for more drone innovation, he said, and the Atlantic City Airports Federal Aviation Administration technical center has a lot of potential.

This is one of the largest FAA tech centers in the entire country, he said. I think we can build a real tech ecosystem around there.
Mayor Cherelle L. Parker, at the podium, announces that Candi Jones (second from right), the first deputy director of the Office of Human Resources, will now serve as the citys director of human resources, at City Hall, in Philadelphia, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024. Read more

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Six years after the COVID-19 pandemic set off a mass exodus of Philadelphia city workers, the local government is slowly rebuilding its workforce, with officials now saying that the number of unfilled jobs is at its lowest point in several years.

Top officials from Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration testified before City Council on Tuesday, saying the government-wide vacancy rate is 14%, meaning that about one in seven city jobs is unfilled in a workforce thats budgeted to have more than 26,000 employees.

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That vacancy rate is down from its peak at more than 20% in 2023, after the so-called Great Resignation  a national wave of employee departures that took hold through the pandemic  contributed to an unprecedented level of city workers leaving government service by resigning or retiring.

The vacant positions, which plagued agencies across the government but were most acute in public safety departments, had a cascading effect on the citys ability to provide basic services and contributed to record overtime costs. For several years, the city bolstered recruitment efforts, but hiring could not outpace the high rate of attrition.

It remains a major problem among some jobs  like police and correctional officers  the city classifies as hard to fill.

The Philadelphia Police Department, which has reported an increase in the number of cadets signing up for the academy in recent years, is still down more than 1,000 officers from its full complement, according to a recent city financial report. That amounts to a vacancy rate of more than 19%, only incrementally lower than its peak in 2023.

The prisons department has more than 400 vacancies, a rate of more than 20%. And the sheriffs office has a vacancy rate of 22%, with more than 100 unfilled jobs.

However, Candi Jones, the citys director of human resources, told Council on Tuesday that the administration has made meaningful progress.

Jones said recruiters last year attended more than 300 community events  double the number they visited in 2024. The city, she said, has targeted specific groups for recruitment, including laid-off federal workers and people who were formerly incarcerated.

And the administration, Jones said, has worked to accelerate its hiring process, including by implementing a new internal applicant tracking system. The average time from application-to-hire is 100 days, Jones said, a span that the city aims to reduce to fewer than 90 days.

Were really leveraging the full totality of all of our partnerships in order to attract the future workforce, she said.
New York City sued ridehail app Empower and founder Joshua Sear, claiming the company has been operating unlawfully without a license the past few years even as the service gained popularity by offering cheap fares to customers.

Empower has violated local laws by failing to apply for relevant licenses since it began operating in the city in 2022, New York said in a lawsuit filed Friday in state court. The city said it seeks to permanently ban the unlawful ridehail service.

New York City will not tolerate companies that flout the law while putting drivers, passengers, and the public at risk, New York City Corporation Counsel Steve Banks said in a statement. The City will use every tool available to ensure that Empower is held accountable and complies with the law.

Sear, Empowers chief executive officer, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment.

Empower has recently gained traction in New York by offering fares on its mobile app that it says are 20% less than Uber Technologies Inc. or Lyft Inc. Fares are lower in part because Empower puts drivers on subscription plans rather than taking commissions on each trip and because it hasnt been licensed by the New York Taxi and Limousine Commission, so it doesnt pass on fees and surcharges imposed by the regulator.

NYCs streets are not a testing ground for companies that refuse oversight, said Jason Kersten, the taxi and limousine commissions press secretary.

Even though the taxi and limousine commission has declared Empower an illegal app and warned riders and drivers of the risks of using it, the services monthly active users in the metropolitan area jumped 155% to 92,000 in January since last May, according to market intelligence firm Sensor Tower.

New York Attorney General Letitia James is also reviewing potential violations by Empower, her office said.

Empower has defied a court order to stop operating in Washington. It also operates in Baltimore, South Florida and North Carolina.

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Lawsuits New York
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has concluded that an individual who is the sole owner and employee of a business is not required to provide his insurance carrier with notice of his work-related injury within 120 days to qualify for workers compensation benefits.

The states high court found that in cases involving an injured person who is a sole proprietor both the owner and the employee the 120-day notice requirement applies to notifying the employer, not the insurer. The court reversed a Commonwealth Court opinion that favored Erie Insurance and remanded the injury claim against Erie back to the Workers Compensation Bureau.

In its unanimous opinion, the high court said that if the plain language of the statute creates a problem, that is for the legislature to remedy, not the courts.

Competing Claims

The case involved David Heater, a sole proprietor and the sole employee of a one-man general contracting business. He says he was injured in 2015 while performing roof repairs when he allegedly fell from a ladder and fractured his neck, requiring immediate surgery. But his workers compensation insurer, Erie Insurance, did not receive notice of the injury until 2017, leading to a denied claim.

Erie claimed Heater did not injure himself while in the course of his employment but was instead injured when he attempted to perform a backflip while he was on a break. In its denial, Erie also claimed that Section 311 of the Workers Compensation Act requires that a claimant who is injured while working as an employee for his own solely-owned proprietorship provide notice of his injury to his insurer within 120 days of injury. Its not uncommon for insurers to cite the 120-day notice requirement as a defense when sole proprietors delay reporting injuries.

Heater maintained that the plain language of Section 311 does not require him to provide notice of his injury to his insurer because the term employer, as contained in Section 311, does not include an insurer. He argued that a sole proprietor need only provide notice to his employer.

Reaching the High Court

It has taken 11 years since the alleged injury for the case to climb the judicial ladder and be decided by the Supreme Court. After this work incident in 2015, Heater filed a claim with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Workers Compensation in 2018. He sought total disability benefits as of the date he was injured, as well as payment of medical bills and counsel fees.

Erie opposed the claim, arguing that Heater was not injured within the scope of his employment; that the policy did not cover him as a sole proprietor; and that his claim was barred by the notice provision.

A workers compensation judge sided with Erie and found Heater was not eligible for compensation because he failed to provide notice to Erie within 120 days of his injury, which the judge said was required by Section 311. The judge cited the testimony of Heaters insurance agent who had no recollection of Heater notifying him of the injury from his hospital bed as Heater claimed.

Heater appealed to the Workers Compensation Appeal Board, challenging the findings on the issue of notice, and asserting that because he was his own employer, employers notice of his injury was instantaneous. In January 2023, the appeals board reversed the workers compensation judges decision on the notice issue. It remanded the matter back to the workers compensation judge for a determination of whether Heater was injured during the course and scope of his employment. This time, the workers compensation judge granted Heaters claim for disability benefits, finding he was injured during the course and scope of his employment.

Two Definitions

In analyzing Eries appeal, the Commonwealth Court acknowledged that the term employer is defined differently in two separate sections of the Workers Compensation Act. In one section the term includes insurer but in Section 311, the Commonwealth Court found the language to be ambiguous as to whom notice must be provided when the injured employee and the employer are the same. In a May 2024 ruling, the Commonwealth Court determined that the legislature intended that the term employer in Section 311 to include insurers.

In reversing that opinion on March 26, 2026, Supreme Court Chief Justice Debra Todd wrote that the Commonwealth Court incorrectly interpreted employer in Section 311 to include insurance companies. The Supreme Court found the statute is not ambiguous in defining employer as the business entity, not the insurance carrier.

Section 311 of the Act provides, in relevant part:

Unless the employer shall have knowledge of the occurrence of the injury, or unless the employe or someone in his behalf, or some of the dependents or someone in their behalf, shall give notice thereof to the employer within twenty-one days after the injury, no compensation shall be due until such notice be given, and, unless such notice be given within one hundred and twenty days after the occurrence of the injury, no compensation shall be allowed.

Lawmakers Job

The Supreme Court closed it opinion with a note on the concern expressed by the Commonwealth Court that applying the definition of employer that excludes insurers from the notice requirements, creates a potential class of claimants, those who are sole proprietors and injured, who are not subject to forfeiture/loss of benefits provision of Section 311 for failing to give notice within 120 days of the injury, thus allowing sole proprietors to control the investigation of their own injury by delaying notice on the insurer until the last possible moment, . . . thereby defeating the purpose of this provision.

The high court said the concern is not unfounded. However, such concerns cannot override the plain language of a statutory provision, or contravene the plain meaning of a term. Thus, the task of rectifying perceived deficiencies in the statutory scheme must be left to the legislature, the Supreme Court concluded.

Topics Carriers Workers' Compensation Talent
An Iranian drone hit a fully laden Kuwaiti oil tanker off Dubai early on Tuesday in one of the most significant attacks on a vessel in a month of war, pushing crude prices higher and heightening tension around the vital Strait of Hormuz.

The Al-Salmi, a Kuwait-flagged very large crude carrier, was in the anchorage zone of Dubais port, just 31 nautical miles northwest of the emirate and in an area packed with ships waiting to exit the Persian Gulf. The strike  which happened just after midnight local time  damaged the hull and started a fire on board, state-run Kuwait Petroleum Corp. said in a statement.

The Dubai Media Office said on X later on Tuesday that the fire had been extinguished and the incident had been contained, with no oil leakage. All 24 crew members were safe.

The incident is yet another sign that a deepening Middle East conflict shows little sign of nearing a resolution, with mooted peace plans still at odds with reality on the ground and inconsistent rhetoric from Washington. US President Donald Trump earlier issued threats against Iranian infrastructure, including power plants and oil facilities, and has sent more troops to the region as the war extends into a fifth week.

The tanker attack pushed oil prices higher, with West Texas Intermediate futures jumping almost 4% toward $107 a barrel, before paring gains.

Iran has near-total control of the Strait of Hormuz  the narrow waterway thats the gateway to the Persian Gulf  and has effectively closed it to all but a trickle of vessels, paralyzing shipments of energy and other goods. Tehran has targeted ships and energy infrastructure on several occasions, but attacks on vessels in and around the strait appeared to have eased in recent days.

The last reported incident was on March 21, when a bulk carrier reported a near miss.

The latest attack will revive shipowners concerns, even as Iran takes steps toward restoring some traffic through the strait on its own terms. Dubais anchorage area is a frequent stopping point as vessels wait to secure war-risk insurance cover and finalize details before exiting via the narrow corridor.

As of Tuesday morning, there were more than 400 ships of all types in and around the anchorage where Al-Salmi was struck, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Electronic interference can potentially misrepresent ships true locations in the area.

Read More: Irans Grip on Hormuz Is Tighter Than Ever After a Month of War

Al-Salmi crossed the strait into the Gulf in late February, reaching Saudi Arabias Khafji port to pick up some barrels, ship-tracking data show. The tanker then sailed onward to Kuwaits Mina Al Ahmadi for another cargo, before moving, fully laden, to the United Arab Emirates. It has been off Dubai since.

The ships signals through this time indicate that it wanted to make clear its associations as Iran stepped up attacks on vessels. It said it was sailing under the Kuwaiti flag as it entered the Gulf, adding that it was bound for Chinas Qingdao. At times, it switched to saying it had Chinese cargo.

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics Energy Oil Gas
Five years ago, almost no accident and health insurance claims at Ping An Insurance Group ran without humans. Today, nearly 60% are automated, with some settled in just 51 seconds.

The leap shows Ping Ans push into artificial intelligence, after a decade of investment worth billions of yuan. Now, senior executives are counting on it to transform the share price, too. They are leveraging AI to double the firms price-to-book ratio over the next few years, according to people familiar with the managements thinking. Provided net assets remain unchanged, that would add about $174 billion to the market value of Chinas largest non state-owned insurer.

Investors remain unconvinced. Ping Ans Hong Kong-listed shares still trade 38% below their peak, and their 9.59% drop this year is worse than the wider market slump. But executives at the Shenzhen-based firm, which has 250 million customers and about 20,000 engineers, think the time is ripe for its yearslong bet on AI to finally show up in its share price.

The AI era successfully opened the window for reshaping services, Chief Technology Officer Ray Wang said in an interview. The returns on investment are tangible, highly visible, and unequivocally compelling.

At the core of the plan is a gateway linking Ping Ans 500 services across banking, insurance and health care. Set to roll out in early April, its backed by AI agents that automate underwriting and claims while boosting crossselling.

Cost Cuts

Ping Ans AI bet is already showing up in lower costs. Its auto insurance expense ratio dropped by 1.7 percentage points over nine years. That translates into about 5 billion yuan ($724 billion) of underwriting profit growth for the segment in the same period.

In addition, Ping Ans systems have been trained to recognize dozens of Chinese dialects, allowing AI to process insurance claims with minimal human intervention. These bots can even make loan-repayment calls, adjusting their tone depending on whether a customer responds calmly or with aggression.

AI handled 70% of Ping An Bank Co.s 500 billion yuan of loan recoveries in 2025.

The firm has also more than halved callcenter headcount in the five years through 2025, as the chatbots replace people. Some employees were redeployed to other roles, the company said. Overall, Ping Ans workforce has fallen by more than 118,000, cutting headcount by about 30% from its peak in 2018.

These figures point to some of the worst fears around AI  and a few of the hopes. Discussions around the technology have a tendency to land on total doom or near-panacea as the eventual outcome. A report from the little-known Citrini Research in February fueled a widespread selloff as investors worried about mass layoffs. Bellwethers like Nvidia Corp. and Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. have soared as others instead focus on the frenetic investment cycle.

The performance of Ping An  which was betting on AI long before it became the hottest trade in global markets  suggests the reality for many companies will be a little more complicated.

Few investors doubt Ping An has made serious changes to its business with AI. They just want more proof that it justifies a higher valuation.

I think almost none of the investors are pricing AI into the stock, said Nicholas Chui, a portfolio manager of Franklin Templetons $330 million Templeton China Fund, where Ping An is a top 10 holding. If people want to buy AI, theyll buy tech. You really wouldnt, as your first choice, decide to buy Ping An.

Historical Baggage

Part of the problem is that Ping An is still held back by historical baggage. Founded in 1988 by the tenacious entrepreneur Peter Ma, the company was the first Chinese financial firm to attract foreign strategic investors, including Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs Group Inc. It got a further boost when HSBC Holdings Plc became the largest shareholder.

Ping Ans profile rose as it diversified beyond insurance into banking, asset management, fintech and health care. But rapid growth also brought risks, leading to impairments on its investment in China Fortune Land Development Co. It also triggered payment delays at its trust unit and losses at its asset management arm.

Janus Henderson Group Plcs Far East Income Fund sold its 2.2 million shares in 2024, due to concerns about the firms property exposure, said Sat Duhra, who runs the 532 million pound ($705 million) fund.

Ping An sells some of its tech know-how to other companies through its subsidiary OneConnect, but it remains a minor revenue contributor.

The company said it invests at least 2% of annual revenue on tech development. That translates into some 111 billion yuan of investments since 2021, based on data compiled by Bloomberg. CTO Wang said Ping An has no concern about evaluating return versus investment costs.

Could this just be a cost-led initiative or can there be revenue drivers, said Chui, the Templeton fund manager.

Growth Expectations

To convince the market, the company needs stronger growth. Ping Ans revenue is forecast to rise 9.5% in 2026, while a pure artificial intelligence company such as OpenAI has tripled sales.

Ping An said its not seeking to develop large language models like OpenAI, but rather build applications using those LLMs.

Michael Guo, co-chief executive officer, said that the one-stop platform will create upside. Retail clients own an average 2.94 Ping An contracts, up from 2.03 in 2015. Retail customer value has massive room for growth, Guo said in an interview. It is quite normal for a single customer to continuously hold five, six, or even seven financial products.

The firm has also tapped 30 years of proprietary voice and visual data to build services that cater to insurance claims. In one example, when a car accident happens at 3 a.m., an AI agent can respond at once, direct photo and video capture, and let the driver know theyre free to leave. The whole process takes a few simple interactions, Guo said.

Citic Securities Co. analysts led by Tong Chengdun see potential. If client experiences improve with the upcoming AI interface, the company could get clients to purchase higher-margin products, which could lead to huge room for revaluation, they said.

Photograph: Signage at the Ping An International Financial Center in Beijing, China, on Saturday, April 22, 2023; photo credit: Bloomberg

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics InsurTech Data Driven Carriers Artificial Intelligence China
Shippers remain doubtful of a wholesale return to the Strait of Hormuz while it remains beset by conflict, throwing cold wateron a Trump administration plan for US-backed insurance and naval escorts to clear passage through the vital waterway.

This is currently an unmanageable risk, said Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group, a Washington-based consultant firm. Insurance rates will fall  and the willingness of commercial operators to insure and send cargoes through the Strait will rise  only after Irans military capabilities are degraded.

Even so, US government officials remain publicly bullish about the prospect for an increase in oil, fertilizer and other cargoes traversing the strait, on the back of a $20 billion Development Finance Corporation maritime reinsurance program announced roughly three weeks ago.

Read more: Missing Crew Not Found in Iran-Hit Vessel, Thai Ship Owner Says

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that the Development Finance Corporations maritime reinsurance program and efforts with Central Command will soon provide shippers through the Gulf region with a level of security we have never seen before. He told Fox News on Monday that the US is going to retake control of Hormuz, ensuring safe navigation through US escorts or a multinational escort.

There have been no signs that a US Navy-escorted tanker has made its way through the strait under the DFC program. But a DFC official affirmed Bessents view and said reinsurance will start soon. Asked why the program hasnt yet been executed, the official said additional updates would be provided as soon as available.

Since the war began, traffic through Hormuz, which accounts for about a fifth of the worlds oil and liquefied natural gas, has largely ground to a halt. Irans parliament approved legislation to impose fees in the strait, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

A handful of vessels have made their way through by switching off their satellite signals, while others have managed to traverse the strait thanks to agreements between regional governments and Iran. The insurance status of such ships wasnt immediately clear, however London providers have repeatedly insisted that cover is available in recent weeks.

Ships do not move without crews, and crews will not move unless they can be guaranteed to be safe, said Rene Kofod-Olsen, chief executive officer of ship and crew manager V.Group Ltd.

Even as the DFCs program could help make the exorbitant costs of passage through the Strait of Hormuz more palatable, the danger of doing so is still seen as the deal-breaker  especially as markets have shown diminishing confidence that the month-long war is coming to a close. The administration has tied the reinsurance offer with the availability of US Navy escorts, deferring to Central Command on how those would be executed.

Asked on its role in assisting the DFC program, and whether military escorts would be ready to go on orders, a Central Command spokesperson responded that there was nothing to add to Bessents remarks.

The movement of vessels involves a judgment call that balances commercial pressure against the safety of the people on board, and that safety cannot be compromised, said Kofod-Olsen, whose shipping firm manages about 44,000 seafarers and 600 vessels, including some ships currently stuck in the Gulf.

Further, operational pressures are mounting, with vessels paralyzed for prolonged periods facing hurdles to planned provisioning, and missed port calls meaning diminished supplies onboard, Kofod-Olsen added.

Insurers have expressed interest in participating in the effort, and Chubb Ltd. was announced earlier this month as the lead partner with the DFC. Chubb didnt immediately respond to a request for comment on their involvement in the program.

Marsh and Aon Plc, two of the worlds largest insurance brokers, also have been in talks with the agency. Both declined to comment.

Even before the DFC announcement, private insurance companies were continuing to offer premiums for vessels looking to move through the region. The Lloyds Market Association said earlier this month that offers were being made, and broker Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. noted the London insurance market was willing and able to cover ships looking to pass through the strait.

The reason ships are not moving is not through a lack of insurance; it is a question of the risk to crew and vessel safety being assessed by the ship masters and owners as too high, Neil Roberts, head of Marine and Aviation at the Lloyds Market Association, said last week.

Photograph: A tanker in the Strait of Hormuz on Feb. 25, 2026. Photo credit: Fadel Senna/AFP/Getty Images

Related:

Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.

Topics USA
Wars, including a widening conflict in the Middle East, are heightening risks for aviation as flight corridors are squeezed and drones become more widespread, Europes top aviation safety regulator told Reuters.

The month-old Iran war is reshaping airspace across the Middle East and increasing disruption to flights, including clogging routes between Asia and Europe that previously transited or flew over the region.

On top of the prolonged Russia-Ukraine conflict and fighting between Pakistan and Afghanistan, that has forced airlines into ever tighter corridors, notably over Azerbaijan and central Asia.

Its clear that concentrating traffic on certain routes, the availability of the airspace for air traffic control, the fact that traffic can use routes which are not so usual, can generate safety risks, said Florian Guillermet, executive director of the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

The comments are the first from Europes aviation regulator since the Middle East war erupted at the end of February. Aviation is among the most disrupted industries, with pilots facing growing risks from missiles and drones.

Guillermet, a sector veteran who previously ran Frances air traffic control system, said crew and controllers were trained to anticipate and mitigate risks. Even so, shutting airspace or restricting flights were sometimes unavoidable.

We in aviation have the means to mitigate risk. One of those means is to clear the skies, he said, adding that while this disrupted passengers, it remained the most effective way to keep traffic density under control at all times.

EASA, which brings together 31 European countries, is preparing a regular overhaul of its aviation strategy at a time when one of the safest transport modes faces rising hazards  from GPS interference and drones to operational threats such as unstable approaches and runway incidents.

On Friday, EASA renewed its advisory to avoid airspace over Iran, Israel and parts of the Gulf until April 10.

Clearer Rules for Counter-Drone Usage

EASA is also drafting clearer guidance on what powers can be used to counter the surge in rogue drone activity targeting civil airports, Guillermet said.

EU airports are grappling with drone incidents that security experts link to so-called hybrid warfare  a mix of military force, cyberattacks and other interference.

Since Russias 2022 invasion of Ukraine, drones have become a key weapon on both sides. Airports from Stockholm to Munich have faced drone-related disruptions, suspected though not confirmed to be linked to the conflict.

Guillermet said clearer rules were needed, especially given the rise of state-related drone activity.

We are facing a very different landscape today. So thats what the agency is revisiting right now, he said in an interview at the agencys Cologne headquarters. The situation we face right now is more kind of hybrid warfare.

EASA is examining technical requirements for devices used near airports.

We are considering as a possibility to put some kind of requirements that have to be applicable to the devices that will be used under those circumstances, so that we clearly say, ok, this is a range of powers that you have to use, he said.
As they fled an Iranian missile strike, some Israelis with Android phones received a text offering a link to real-time information about bomb shelters. But instead of a helpful app, the link downloaded spyware giving hackers access to the devices camera, location and all its data.

The operation, attributed to Iran, showed sophisticated coordination and is just the latest tactic in a cyber conflict that pits the U.S. and Israel against Iran and its digital proxies. As Iran and its supporters seek to use their cyber capabilities to compensate for their military disadvantages, they are demonstrating how disinformation, artificial intelligence and hacking are now ingrained in modern warfare.

The bogus texts received recently appeared to be timed to coincide with the missile strikes, representing a novel combination of digital and physical attacks, said Gil Messing, chief of staff at Check Point Research, a cybersecurity firm with offices in Israel and the U.S.

This was sent to people while they were running to shelters to defend themselves, Messing said. The fact its synced and at the same minute  is a first.

The digital fight is likely to persist even if a ceasefire is reached, experts said, because its a lot easier and cheaper than conventional conflict and because it is designed not to kill or conquer, but to spy, steal and frighten.

Iran-linked groups are turning to high-volume, low-impact cyberattacks

While high in volume, most of the cyberattacks linked to the war have been relatively minor when it comes to damage to economic or military networks. But they have put many U.S. and Israeli companies on the defensive, forcing them to quickly patch old security weaknesses.

Investigators at the Utah-based security firm DigiCert have tracked nearly 5,800 cyberattacks so far mounted by nearly 50 different groups tied to Iran. While most of the attacks targeted U.S. or Israeli companies, DigiCert also found attacks on networks in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and other countries in the region.

Many of the attacks are easily thwarted by the latest cybersecurity precautions. But they can inflict serious damage on organizations with out-of-date security and impose a demand on resources even when unsuccessful.

Then theres the psychological impact on companies that may do business with the military.

There are a lot more attacks happening that arent being reported, said Michael Smith, DigiCerts field chief technology officer.

A pro-Iranian hacking group claimed responsibility Friday for infiltrating an account of FBI Director Kash Patel, posting what appeared to be years-old photographs of him, along with a work resume and other personal documents. Many of those records appeared to be more than a decade old.

Its similar to a lot of the cyberattacks linked to pro-Iran hackers: splashy and designed to boost morale among supporters, while undermining the confidence of the opponent but without much impact to the war effort.

Smith said these high-volume, low-impact attacks are a way of telling people in other countries that you can still reach out and touch them even though theyre on a different continent. That makes them more of an intimidation tactic.

Health care and data centers have been a target

Iran is likely to target the weakest links in American cybersecurity: supply chains that support the economy and the war effort, as well as critical infrastructure like ports, rail stations, water plants and hospitals.

Iran also is targeting data centers with both cyber and conventional weapons, showing how important the centers have become to the economy, communications and military information security.

This month, hackers supporting Iran claimed responsibility for hacking Stryker, a Michigan-based medical technology company. The group known as Handala claimed the strike was in retaliation for suspected U.S. strikes that killed Iranian schoolchildren.

Cybersecurity researchers at Halcyon recently published the findings of another recent cyberattack targeting a health care company. Halcyon did not reveal the name of the company but said the hackers used a tool that U.S. authorities have linked to Iran to install destructive ransomware that shut the company out of its own network.

The hackers never demanded a ransom, suggesting they were motivated by destruction and chaos, not profit.

Together with the attack on Stryker, this suggests a deliberate focus on the medical sector rather than targets of opportunity, said Cynthia Kaiser, senior vice president at Halcyon. As this conflict continues, we should expect that targeting to intensify.

Artificial intelligence is providing a boost

AI can be used both to increase the volume and speed of cyberattacks as well as allow hackers to automate much of the process.

But its disinformation where AI has really demonstrated its corrosive impact on public trust. Supporters of both sides have spread bogus images of atrocities or decisive victories that never happened. One deepfake image of sunken U.S. warships has racked up more than 100 million views.

Authorities in Iran have limited internet access and are working to shape the view Iranians receive of the war with propaganda and disinformation. Iranian state-run media, for instance, has begun labeling actual footage of the war as fake, sometimes substituting its own doctored images, according to research at NewsGuard, a U.S. company that tracks disinformation.

Heightened concerns about the risks posed by AI and hacking prompted the State Department to open a Bureau of Emerging Threats last year focused on new technologies and how they could be used against the U.S. It joins similar efforts already underway at agencies including the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and the National Security Agency.

AI also plays a role in defending against cyberattacks by automating and speeding the work, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard recently told Congress.

The technology, she said, will increasingly shape cyber operations with both cyber operators and defenders using these tools to improve their speed and effectiveness, Gabbard said.

While Russia and China are seen as greater cyberthreats, Iran has nonetheless launched several operations targeting Americans. In recent years, groups working for Tehran have infiltrated the email system of President Donald Trumps campaign, targeted U.S. water plants and tried to breach the networks used by the military and defense contractors. They have impersonated American protesters online as a way to covertly encourage protests against Israel.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Cyber
A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday upheld a ruling by a lower court to approve the Justice Department decision to dismiss a criminal case against Boeing, which allowed the planemaker to avoid prosecution on a charge stemming from two fatal 737 MAX plane crashes that killed 346 people.

Judge Reed OConnor, of the U.S. District Court in Fort Worth, Texas, in November said he had no authority to reject the governments decision to make a deal with Boeing, even though he said it fails to secure the necessary accountability to ensure the safety of the flying public.

A three-judge panel of the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals upheld OConnors decision, saying a federal crime victims law does not grant an unlimited right for victims to appeal the dismissal of criminal prosecutions.

OConnor said he did not agree that dismissing the case, which had been pursued under the Biden administration and initially resulted in an admission of guilt by Boeing, was in the public interest.

OConnor said in 2023 that Boeings crime may properly be considered the deadliest corporate crime in U.S. history.

Boeing had agreed to plead guilty in 2024 to a criminal fraud conspiracy charge after the fatal 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia in 2018 and 2019 that killed 346 people.

After President Donald Trump took office, DOJ reversed course in May and dropped the demand for a guilty plea.

Under the deal, Boeing agreed to pay an additional $444.5 million into a crash victims fund to be divided evenly per victim of the two fatal 737 MAX crashes, on top of a new $243.6 million fine and $455 million to strengthen the companys compliance, safety, and quality programs.

Related: Boeing Agrees to Resolve US Criminal Case Over 737 Crashes

In September, the FAA proposed fining Boeing $3.1 million for a series of safety violations, including actions tied to a January 2024 Alaska Airlines 737 MAX 9 mid-air emergency, and for interfering with safety officials independence.

Photo: AP Photo/Elaine Thompson, File

Topics USA Fraud Aviation Aerospace
Five people were killed when a train and van collided in rural Mississippi, near Wiggins, authorities said.

All five killed were in the van, Stone County Coroner Wayne Flurry said. The lone surviving van passenger, a 23-year-old woman, was flown to a hospital, Flurry said. No one aboard the train was reported injured.

The crash occurred when a Canadian Pacific Kansas City freight train collided with a vehicle in a crossing, the railroad said in a statement. The location was near the town of Wiggins, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) northwest of Biloxi.

The Stone County Sheriffs Office was investigating the crash, the company said.

Our most sincere condolences go out to the families of the victims of this tragedy, the railroad company said.

The driver of the van, Ryan C. Peterson, 26, and the front seat passenger, Kristina Carver, 45, were among those killed, Flurry said. Two of Carvers daughters also died, 22-year-old Emley Chamblee and 20-year-old Sarabeth Chamblee, as did 23-year-old Demarcus Perkins.

Photo: A CPKC train (AdobeStock)

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Auto Mississippi
A sightseeing companys helicopter crashed near a remote beach off the coast of the Hawaiian island of Kauai, killing three people and injuring two others, authorities said. It was the latest in a series of fatal crashes that has plagued the industry for decades.

The helicopter was carrying one pilot and four passengers when it crashed Thursday afternoon just off Kalalau Beach, the Kauai Fire Department said. The beach is on the Na Pali Coast on Kauais North Shore, an area that is otherwise reachable only by hiking or boat. The areas geography of tall seaside cliffs and sharp mountain ridges can contribute to turbulent air and quick weather changes that pose hazards for aviation.

Kauai Police Chief Rudy Tai said two of the people who died were Margaret Rimmler, 65, and Patrick Haskell, 59, both of Massachusetts. Notification of next of kin is pending for the third, he said. He declined to provide details on survivors conditions.

At least 16 people have died in helicopter crashes in Hawaii in the past seven years, including two crashes in 2019. A skydiving plane crash in Hawaii that year killed 11 people; investigators blamed the pilots aggressive takeoff.

Despite the frequency of fatal crashes, the industry is important to the economy, Kauai Mayor Derek Kawakami said at a news conference Friday.

As long as our island is beautiful, and mankind is born with curiosity, people are going to want to experience this, he said.

Rescue teams arrived to the remote location to find multiple patients across the beach and shoreline, said Kauai Fire Chief Michael Gibson. Campers on the beach were trying to resuscitate victims, he said.

In 2023, the Federal Aviation Administration set up a new process for air tour operators in Hawaii wanting to fly at lower altitudes, including recommendations for pilot training and qualifications, as well as aircraft equipment. The agency said it would thoroughly review each operators safety plan before issuing an authorization.

Crashes have also plagued helicopter tour operations in other parts of the U.S., including a crash last year on the Hudson River in New York that killed the pilot and a family of five Spanish tourists. Years earlier, five died in 2018 when a charter helicopter offering open door flights went down into the East River. And in 2009, collision between a plane and a tourist helicopter over the Hudson killed nine people.

The National Transportation Safety Board said it is investigating the crash of the Hughes/MD 500 helicopter and will examine it once its removed from the water.

The helicopter was operated by Airborne Aviation, which does sightseeing tours of Kauais canyons, shoreline and waterfalls. Airborne advertises a doors-off thrill seekers adventure tour that seats up to four people.

There have been no tours since the crash, the company said Friday.

The companys website says it also flies search-and-rescue missions as well as flights for fire response and utility and construction services.

Airborne Aviation said it was cooperating with investigators.

Our hearts are with the families and loved ones affected by this devastating event, and we extend our deepest condolences during this incredibly difficult time, Airborne Aviation said in a statement.

Helicopter tours are a popular way to explore the cliffs, beaches and waterfalls lining the Na Pali Coast.

In July 2024, a tour helicopter crashed on Kauai, killing the pilot and two passengers. It broke up in-flight after it hit turbulence, causing the main rotor blades to strike its airframe, NTSB investigators found.

Three people were killed when a tour helicopter broke apart near Honolulu in April 2019, and that December seven people died  including three children  when one crashed in turbulent weather near the famed Na Pali Coast. Witnesses and other pilots reported fog, rain and low visibility around the time of the crash, and some pilots had turned around.

Two dozen people died in helicopter tour crashes in Hawaii from 2000 to 2010, according to Robb & Robb, a Kansas City law firm that represents victims.

Copyright 2026 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Effective April 1, 2026, Chesapeake Employers Insurance Company will lower its net rates by 4%, further easing workers compensation expenses for Maryland business owners. This is the 11th consecutive year that the company has reduced its rates.

Overall, Marylands employers have shown a strong commitment to workplace safety, and that focus helps prevent injuries and lower workers compensation costs, said Mark Isakson, President and CEO. At Chesapeake Employers, we are committed to keeping workers compensation coverage fairly priced and to ensuring Maryland employers and their workers remain protected.

Chesapeake Employers rates are subject to approval from the Maryland Insurance Administration. Maryland business owners are encouraged to contact their insurance agent or Chesapeake Employers at ceiwc.com to get a quote. Chesapeake Employers is rated A (Excellent) by A.M. Best.

Topics Commercial Lines Workers' Compensation Business Insurance
Coming up for public auction on April 28 at the Clonmel offices of P.F. Quirke & Co. is a 26-acre piece of land near Ballymacarbry in Co. Waterford.

Although this area might be known for its hill farms, this is a choice piece of land for the most part, according to the selling agent Pat Quirke.

Moreover, he points out, this is a corner of the Deise where land parcels have been very rare of late.

Its elevated land and its more mountain than it is lowland but its level land on a plateau, so to speak, says Pat.

The quality of the land is good and you can see that clearly in evidence in all the surrounding land in the photos. Its all well cared for and well tended.

A section of the road frontage on the land.

So far, there has been a good level of interest in the property in terms of enquiries being made, but as with all auctions, one can only tell how strong the interest is when it comes down to the auction date itself.

I think that most interest will be local, says Pat.

There are a good few dairy farmers, as well as sheep and beef farmers in the locality land in that area doesnt come up too often.

The price expectation is around 12,000/acre.
Ricky Tomlinson is one of those people who cant help being funny.

He was born in September 1939, a few weeks after the Second World War started. His mother had been evacuated to Blackpool, as Liverpool was a bomb target. Tomlinson returned to Liverpool after the war and has remained living there since.

Hes one of the citys proudest sons, and was part of his hometowns music scene in the late 1950s when a couple of young musicians named John Lennon and Paul McCartney were playing with The Quarrymen.

We were all on the scene together, says Tomlinson. I had my own little band called The City Slickers. There was this piano player, a wonderful musician. His name was John Lowe.

"I said to the lads in the band, I'm going to poach this fellow. He's really good. I went and poached him. I didn't know, but the band he was playing for at the time was The Quarrymen. He left The Quarrymen to join me. And he's never forgiven me!

Tomlinson mentions that in the early 1960s, his co-star on The Royle Family sitcom, Sue Johnston  who played his characters wife  was a regular at the Cavern venue during the Beatles legendary live sessions. She was a typist working in the city and used to go along to the bar at lunchtime. She knew McCartney very, very well, he says. Of the cast from The Royle Family, though, Tomlinson singles out Liz Smith, who played Nana, as his favourite.

Liz Smith and me were very close, he says. She used to have me in hysterics with her stories. If anyone saw us arguing, they would think it was real. We used to film at Granada. Facing the studio, there was a five-star hotel. Because Liz come from London, she was put up in the hotel. It was only up the road for me; I'd go home overnight and travel back the next morning.

Liz would come on the set about ten past nine. We'd be having something to eat. She'd start picking bits of our food. Id say, Go away! You've had your blinking breakfast in the hotel. Theyre stopping the winter fuel allowance on pensioners because of the likes of you! You greedy so-and-so, coming here and stealing our breakfast!

Ricky Tomlinson with the cast of The Royle Family.

Early in his working life, Tomlinson worked on building sites. He remembers one Irish foreman fondly. His name was Mick Mee. He was, according to Tomlinson, about 6ft 9in tall. He was a man mountain, he says. Tomlinson was the steward on the building site, working under him while they built the Wrexham Bypass.

I remember, says Tomlinson, he said to me one day, I'm bringing my mobile home. I'm going to live in my mobile home because the job's going to take 12 months. I want you to put a fence around it. I don't want people looking in on me overnight when I've knocked off. I said, OK. What height do you want the fence? He said, Make it 1 metre, 2 foot. I said, What?! Make your mind up, Mick. Do you want it in imperial, or do you want it in metric?

Tomlinson hit the great crossroads in his life in 1972. He took part in a national builders strike in Shrewsbury, campaigning for safer working conditions. He was fingered and sent to prison, amongst 24 trade union activists, sent down for a trumped-up charge of affray and intimidation. It took 47 years before he was exonerated. He spent over a year in prison, much of it in solitary confinement, and on hunger strike.

I was on the blanket, he says. I went 31 days without anything to eat. My wife says to me, Thirty-one days? You can't go 31 minutes now without eating. I was in solitary one day. I'm lying on the bed. I'm feeling a bit sorry for myself. I looked over into the corner of the cell. On the brickwork, someone had written something. I got out of bed. I crawled on my hands and knees. I lay on the floor, and I read what it said: Just remember: the darkest hour in your life will only last 60 minutes. That was like a shot in the arm for me. I was made-up. Then I just kept yelling until they had to whizz me away to the hospital wings.

When he got out of prison, he was blacklisted by building contractors. He took to comedy, performing in working mens clubs, which ultimately led to his acting career and iconic roles in Brookside and Cracker, among other TV shows and films.

Im a bluff merchant, he says. I had no experience on the stage. As a comedian, I used to just get up and talk to the crowd. If anyone shouted out, that was me, I was away. I could have a go with them and take the mickey. I have a natural humour, I suppose.

I did clubs, no other act would do. This one club was near the docks. All the so-called gangsters would come into the club. On more than one occasion, fellas would come in and fire off shotguns and all that.

I remember in one club called the Colombo Club I did the worst singer competition. This fella kept putting his hand up to get up. I said, Hang on, mate, hang on. He was desperate. He kept putting his hand up. Then I said, OK, get up here. You better be good. You've done nothing but scream to get on stage. Heres the mic. Let's hear you. He went, My name is Detective Inspector Coffey, and this is a raid. He was a detective. He announced the club was getting raided on the stage!

My Arse: An Evening with Ricky Tomlinson is at Dublins Vicar Street, Wednesday, April 8. See: vicarstreet.com

Meeting Robert De Niro

I was at a big showbiz do in London, says Ricky. Everything was free. There was a lad called Roland Joffe who I'd done a movie for, United Kingdom, which was a two-and-a-half-hour-long movie [released in 1981].

"It was the first thing I ever did  and I was the lead! I thought I was going to be an extra. He was going to America to make more movies. He was having this big party in the Groucho Club. He invited anyone who was anyone. Liam Cunningham, Liam Neeson and a few other Irish actors were there.

There was this little fellow standing by the bar. I'm only 5ft 8in. This fellow was smaller than me. He had a little fuzzy beard and a little ponytail. He looked lost. I walked up to him because the place was bouncing.

I said, You're okay, mate, are you?

He said, Yes, thanks.

I said, Have you got a drink?

He went, Yeah, I'm okay.

I said, Okay. Then what I was going to say to him was, Are you in the business?'

But before I had a chance to say it, Roland Joffe, whose leaving do it was, came over and said, Rick, I'd like you to meet Robert De Niro. And I was about to ask him if he was in the business! But do you know what  De Niro was super. He was lovely.
A newly established community special school at which students have yet to attend a full day is expected to move to full hours after the Easter holidays.

As previously highlighted by the Irish Examiner, all 30 pupils at Lucan Community Special School have not yet attended a full day in the school.

The school was established this school year under the patronage of Dublin and Dun Laoghaire Education and Training Board (ETB).

Its understood there were concerns around the staffing allocations of special needs assistants (SNAs) granted to the school by the National Council for Special Education (NCSE). The school opened officially at the beginning of November.

Minister of state for disability Emer Higgins has now confirmed that the school will be allocated the much-needed additional SNAs it requested.

This is welcome news for the students, their families and the incredible staff of Lucan Special School. After the Easter break, the school will move to full hours.

Read More NCSE chief apologises for handling of 'botched' SNA review

In February, Ms Higgins posted about a visit to the school on Facebook.

She said it was fantastic to see this wonderful special school up and running, with 30 students already thriving in a supportive and nurturing environment.

This prompted a strong response from parents at the school who pointed out that pupils had not yet attended a full day.

The school previously told the Irish Examiner its students were not on reduced school days. There are strict procedures in place that schools are obliged to follow when placing a pupil on a reduced timetable.

Instead, the school said the pupils are following a structured transition programme that gradually extends their time attending towards a full school day.
The covid-19 evaluation group heard from Irish and international experts on Tuesday.

Chairwoman professor Anne Scott summed up the morning by saying, we are here six years down the line and probably no better prepared than we were in 2020.

Schools

Governments opted for lockdowns because of lack of understanding around risks, according to Professor Mark Woolhouse, University of Edinburgh.

He recalled briefing the government there around reopening schools in 2020.

Our best guess was that a chance of a child going to school in Scotland and dying from covid they caught in the school was roughly equivalent to the child being struck by lightning, he said.

He described school closures as unnecessary, saying we didnt need to do that but we did it".

Professor Anthony Staines, Dublin City University, was a member of the Independent Scientific Advisory Group during the pandemic.

We also knew that children got devastating illness from it (covid-19) but what we didnt realise was that illness is exceedingly rare in proportion to the number of infections. We didnt know that then, we know that now, he said.

That explains some of the fear around children.

Students and parents of young children were among those particularly impacted by lockdowns according to Professor Sarah Burke, Trinity College Dublin.

Professor Patricia Leahy-Warren, School of Nursing and Midwifery at UCC, also noted major service disruption to school health services including vaccinations and child health checks.

Trust

Dr Mike Ryan, the Sligo man who led on the emergency response for the World Health Organisation, focused on trust.

Scientific communities can deal with rapidly changing advice based on new research.

However he said communications around new advice managed to turn a trust pothole into a trust chasm.

He said the pandemic didnt cause the lack of trust in the system, but indicated it significantly increased since then.

How do we communicate with the public, and how do we communicate uncertainty, should be a key part of future pandemic preparation.

Professor David Heymann, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, is on the covid-19 evaluation panel.

He recalled an increase in armchair experts during the pandemic.

There were bogus scientists who were promoting drugs that werent effective, and political leaders at the same time who were trying to show they were in charge rather than public health, he said.

Lockdowns

Dr Anders Tegnell, Swedens State Epidemiologist, said restaurants were regulated but not closed there.

They were asked to reorganise their businesses to minimise social interactions" instead.

That proved to work reasonably well, we didnt see any outbreaks in restaurants in Sweden, he said.

Sweden's government asked people also to work from home, and he said mobile phone data showed about 50% of the workforce did this.

It was very important to close this down as much as possible, he said, due to the high transmission rates in work-places.

Antigen tests

Prof Woolhouse described how this was a game changer for monitoring in Scotland.

However, he said it was rolled out too slowly and could have been more useful than it was.

Irish experts did not focus on antigen testing, which was hugely controversial here also.

Read More Wexford GP accused of professional misconduct over tweets during covid pandemic

Nursing Homes

Mary Codd, Associate Professor of Epidemiology & Biostatistics at University College Dublin, said infection control training in nursing homes was seriously missing or substandard in 2020.

One survey she worked on then with 400 staff revealed less than 50% of our long-term residential care facilities had training in infection prevention control prior to the pandemic.

Other research she was involved with showed among over-70s cocooning at home mortality was no different, no bigger, in that group than in general population.

However, for nursing home residents: Mortality in that group, age-matched to over-70s was 21 times higher.

Some 60% of those who died in wave 1 were in nursing homes even though this group is equal to only 5% of the population, she added.

Now six years later, she said: We have not addressed adequately the residential care facilities factors.

We have not addressed occupancy, staffing, renumeration, rotation, training.

She said infection prevention control is improved, but was also critical of lack of change for isolation facilities, oversight and regulation.

Those are lessons that have been learned that we need to act on.

All-Island approach

Professor Ivan Perry, University College Cork, focused on how Northern Ireland and Ireland co-operated.

We lacked political and institutional structures needed for a coordinated all-island pandemic response, something that must be prioritised before the next pandemic, he urged.

He also pointed out how separate health structures still are, saying for example Cork city hosts five key units but they are all in separate locations.

Evaluation summary

Professor Anne Scott noted concerns around lack of readiness in many areas.

I think at the heart of it is a clear acceptance that people were trying to do their best in quite difficult circumstances, she said.

We can certainly learn from the lack of preparation. I think theres widespread agreement: we were not prepared.

"We should not find ourselves in that situation in the future.

And given that a number of people are flagging 'we are here six years down the line and probably no better prepared than we were in 2020 weve got to wake up and move fairly quickly on this, fairly seriously, to implement those recommendations including those around public health reform, public health structures in the country that we already have.

She added: We dont have to wait for another report, we actually have the information and the recommendations here.
There is no contradiction between Ireland's support for Ukraine and materials made in Limerick being part of Russia's war machine, the foreign affairs minister has said.

Trading records have shown that shipments to Russian smelters from Aughinish Alumina, a company located on the Shannon estuary in Limerick and owned by the Russian aluminium group Rusal since 2006, have increased sharply since the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Ireland exported $243m of alumina to Russia in 2022, but this rose by 55% to $376m in 2024.

There are concerns that the alumina going to smelters in Russia ultimately becomes aluminium that is then sold to dozens of Russian arms manufacturers.

Aughinish is Irelands only producer of alumina.

Read More Paul Hosford: Ministerial meeting in Ukrainian bomb shelter reminds us of the stakes

In Kyiv on Tuesday, Helen McEntee reaffirmed the Government's support for the Ukrainian cause and said the alumina records did nothing to contradict that support.

"I don't think there is (a contradiction), because I don't think we could be any clearer in our support for Ukraine.

"From the moment this invasion happened, we have been absolutely determined to support Ukraine, however we can, whether it's been 120,000 Ukrainians in Ireland, whether it's the impact that we've provided, almost 500m, be it humanitarian support, be it non-lethal military support, be it the critical infrastructure funding more recently.

I would be as concerned as anybody to hear that there are potentially components that are finding their way into lethal equipment, and that they're causing the destruction that we've seen here today.

Ms McEntee said she believed the EU must pass its 20th round of sanctions on Russia and that it was "frustrating" it had been held up by Hungary's veto.

"What was made clear to me today is that the investment in critical infrastructure that's been decimated, preparation for winter that they're already trying to put in place because of the cold this year."

During her first day in the Ukrainian capital, Ms McEntee visited Bucha, where Russian troops four years ago were found to have committed a massacre of local people as they exited the town. She said the visit had brought home the reality of what happened.

"We hear things and feel we've become somewhat numb to atrocities, but when you're here, it brings it back to home. I think Ukrainian people themselves have been very restrained in how they've responded and very dignified.

Read More Zelenskyy warns Europes future depends on outcome of Ukraine war

"It has probably spurred me to be even more vocal and to make sure that during our EU presidency, that this is front and centre in everything that we do."

Ms McEntee said Ireland should be more proactive in seeking to access defence funding under the Security Action for Europe (Safe) funding scheme.

"I think we should be working closely with Ukraine, the EU as a whole, when it comes to procurement, when it comes to defence equipment and we've already had these conversations with the defence ministers at council meetings.

"It's certainly something that I'd be open to exploring, and if Safe opens up again, I'd be advocating for us to be part of that.

"This is funding that we pay into, so I think we should be making sure that we benefit from it as well when it comes to our defence."

Ms McEntee continues her visit to Kyiv on Wednesday.
A crude but viable explosive device was at the centre of an attack on a police station in Northern Ireland.

A delivery driver was forced at gunpoint to transport the device to Lurgan police station late on Monday in a likely dissident republican attack.

The incident has been condemned by political representatives across the spectrum, including First Minister Michelle ONeill, deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly and Secretary of State Hilary Benn.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described a horrific and terrible ordeal for the terrified delivery driver.

Speaking to media at Lurgan police station on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Henderson said the driver had been making a delivery in Deramore Drive in the Kilwilkie area of Lurgan when he was hijacked by two masked men, one of whom was armed with a pistol.

The man placed an object in the boot of his white Audi A4 car and the driver was ordered to drive it to Lurgan police station or he would be killed, he said.

The car was driven to the station, where the driver escaped and bravely ran to security staff telling them that there was a bomb in the car, a horrific and terrible ordeal for him.

The white Audi at the centre of the alert was abandoned at Church Place close to the police station, sparking a significant security operation with roads closed and residents of nearby homes evacuated.

Mr Henderson described a significant policing operation overnight, with around 100 homes evacuated, while a controlled explosion was carried out.

Ammunition technical officers carried out a controlled explosion to make the vehicle safe and we now know that this was a crude but viable improvised explosive device, he said.

As unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery driver, our security staff and the local community.

He said it was highly likely that dissident republicans were responsible for the reckless and cowardly attack.

Our investigation is in its early stages, but at this stage we believe its highly likely that dissident republican groups are responsible, he said.

A white Audi car parked inside the police station in Lurgan, Co Armagh, after a delivery driver was threatened at gunpoint (Liam McBurney/PA)

Those who did this do not have the support of our community here in Lurgan or beyond and it is our community (who) have had to deal with the disruption caused by their pathetic attempt to remain relevant and provoke fear.

I welcome very much the widespread and unequivocal condemnation weve heard from across civic and political society of this attack, and Im really grateful for the expressions of support and concern that I have received for our officers and staff involved in this operation.

He asked for anyone who has information or may have seen the hijacked vehicle in the Kilwilkie estate or Lurgan town centre between 10.30pm and 10.50pm on Monday to contact police.

Any information, however small, might assist with our investigation, he said.

The roads in the centre of the town reopened on Tuesday morning and residents were able to return to their homes, while the white Audi was taken away at around 11am.

A cordon at the front gate of the police station was removed at around midday following a final fingertip search of the front section by a number of officers.

Posting on the social media platform X, Mr Benn said: I utterly condemn the reckless act of violence overnight in Lurgan directed at the police, which forced dozens of families from their homes and put peoples lives at risk.

There is no place for this in NI and those responsible must be held to account.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned the attack (Liam McBurney/PA)

Ms ONeill said those responsible for the attack have nothing to offer our communities but harm, fear, and disruption.

Ive spoken with the assistant chief constable and local representatives to offer my full support, and to thank them for their work in supporting those impacted in the local community, she said.

Ms Little-Pengelly also condemned the incident, which she described as deeply disturbing and serve no purpose other than to endanger lives and hold society back.

I want to place on record my sincere gratitude for the police officers who responded with speed, professionalism and courage in dealing with this incident, and thinking too of those threatened in this incident, she said.

This incident has also caused significant disruption to local residents and undoubtedly fear and concern through the night. Thinking of all those resident, employees and others impacted.

I would appeal to anyone with information about the incident to bring it to the PSNI immediately.

Stormont justice minister Naomi Long described it as a shameful and dangerous attack.

There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour, she said.

I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident, and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said he resolutely condemned the appalling attack.

It is beyond comprehension that anyone would commit such dastardly crimes in Northern Ireland given the peace we have had for so many years, he said.

This is an attack on the entire community and it has to be resolutely condemned.
A 54-year-old man accused of assault causing harm to an ISPCA animal welfare inspector during an incident near his home last August could not understand why the case was being adjourned until June for forensic evidence.

Eddie Burke, solicitor, said he was instructed by Hugh OBrien of Ballyanly, Inniscarra, Co Cork, to object to the application to adjourn the case.

The defendant is charged with assaulting ISPCA animal welfare inspector Caroline Faherty at Ballyanly on August 19, contrary to the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act.

Mr Burke also applied to have the case adjourned on a peremptory basis against the State. Judge Mary Dorgan refused that application.

He is charged with Section 3 assault [assault causing harm]. We cannot understand what forensics are required, Mr Burke said.

Sergeant John Dineen said in relation to the adjournment to June 16 that the accused was on bail in any event. Mr Burke said while Mr OBrien was on bail he had stringent conditions that would remain in place with which he must comply.

Judge Dorgan said: That is the way the system works.

Hugh OBrien spoke up to say: For some people, not for all people. Mr O'Brien also complained about media coverage and referred to media scum in the course of his remarks.

Bail conditions require him to have no contact directly or indirectly with the alleged injured party or witnesses.
A judge and jury at the Central Criminal Court will hear the case against a 44-year-old man accused of falsely imprisoning and raping a woman at her home in Cork City while he was carrying two knives.

The case was sent forward from Cork District Court by Judge Mary Dorgan, on the application of Sergeant John Kelleher, and now it will be a matter for a date to be set by the Central Criminal Court for a trial.
Mother and daughter Martina and Ammi Burke were arrested when they went to visit Enoch Burke at Castlerea Prison on Tuesday.

The High Court ordered almost four weeks ago that the mother and sister of teacher Mr Burke be jailed for two weeks after finding them in contempt of court.

The two were not at the hearing when Mr Justice Brian Cregan delivered his judgment.

The contempt of court charge was in relation to a hearing on February 20, during which both women were removed from court by eight to 10 gardai.

Mr Cregan said the hearing descended into chaos when they interrupted proceedings and persisted in standing up in court and shouting.

Defending her actions, Martina Burke told the court her son Enoch had been denied his constitutional rights, while Ammi Burke said she wont sit silently by while my brothers constitutional rights are being denied.

The judge said it is clear the Burke family believe that they are above the law.

In a statement, gardai said: An Garda Siochana executed a High Court order against two females in Castlerea, Co Roscommon this afternoon, Tuesday March 31 2026.

They will be brought to Mountjoy Womens Prison on foot of the Order of Committal."

Garda Commissioner Justin Kelly said that he was confident that warrants to arrest the Burkes would be executed a short time before their arrest on Tuesday.

Justin Kelly was speaking to the media at the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors (AGSI) conference in Westport, Co Mayo, when he was asked if the Burkes being free undermined the work of gardai and confidence in the force.

He replied: I absolutely dont think so. I am confident that they will be executed - absolutely confident.

It is not a thing that we would ever put a time frame on. There are warrants for people for a whole variety of things."
There was further tension at Limerick City and County Council on Tuesday morning as the mayor refused to address a comment allegedly made "off mic" at a meeting the night before.

On Monday evening, a plenary meeting of the council was cut short after Priomh Chomhairleoir Catherine Slattery demanded an apology from the mayor, John Moran, regarding an alleged comment he made off mic.

On Tuesday, as Mr Moran broke down the allocated funding of this years mayoral fund, he was pressed on the issue several times, but said Tuesdays meeting should be about good news for Limerick.

He was also asked about an alleged formal complaint through the dignity of work protocols by Ms Slattery, which he said he was not aware of yet.

It's sad that when we try and announce good news like this for Limerick that the story becomes something else, Mr Moran said.

I appreciate that everyone's been writing stuff and I really appreciate that they're capturing what happened, and people have different views perhaps of what happened last night.

It is understood the comment related to the attendance of councillors at the mayoral implementation committee.

Mr Moran announced that this years mayoral fund has allocated a total of over 14m, with his main priority remaining housing  which received approximately 6.5m.

Mr Moran made a capital allocation towards: Regeneration, Community, Sport and Rural (1,187,854); Transportation, Mobility and Public Realm (1,135,311); 1,1026,938); Finance, Governance and DACs (440,000); Environment , Climate Action and Fire (332,017); Planning, Heritage and Ryder Cup (277,665).

Housing remains top priority

He allocated funds to buy land to facilitate housing (3,924,014), to activate Vienna Model Housing (1m), to forward plan for land in Patrickswell (40k), for a SMART housing pilot (1,455,966), and for further preliminary works (69,235).

Mr Moran made another notable allocation of 350k to Greening Georgian Limerick  while further funding of 60,397 that was carried over from last year was also allocated to the project which would see a green avenue for the area.

He was asked by the Irish Examiner about previous criticism over allocating funds to an area of the city in which he owns properties.

 I don't think we ever criticise any councillor for looking for funding for the area in which they live, Mr Moran said. I've actually committed to Georgian Limerick when others weren't prepared maybe to take that leap of faith a number of years ago and spent a lot of money in that.

It just reflects the fact that I think it's one of the most amazing parts of Limerick City, and a great place to want to live and, and to be involved in. However, it has been a much unloved area.

In terms of significant funding, Mr Moran allocated 365k to Limerick firm Grant Thornton from December 2025 to May 2026. He said four consultants are working with these resources.

Other significant funding

Approximately 600k was allocated to the Northside Park masterplan, and over 270k was allocated to Heritage Building Works  including in Kilmallock.

He allocated another 280k to the delivery, transformation and HR resources, 260k was allocated for the 2026 Christmas offering, while 100k went to the preparation for EuroPride 2028.

Meanwhile, 400k was allocated for Limerick Twenty Thirty to work on the Royal Cinema, and the former tourist office at Arthurs Quay was allocated 200k. Another 400k was allocated to the CCTV network scheme across Limerick.

Lighting for Limericks Three Bridges Walk was allocated 100k, the upgrades in Kings Island were allocated 100k, and public realm works on Nicholas Street was given 150k.

Ryder Cup funding

The mayor also allocated extra funding, following calls from the local community, for the village hall in Adare. Recently, minister Patrick ODonovan announced 3m in funding for the revamp of the space  with an extra 100,000 from JP McManus to complete the works.

When asked about further Ryder Cup funding by media last Friday, Taoiseach Micheal Martin joked: How much more funding do you want?

Asked if the funding towards the village hall in Adare could be allocated elsewhere, Mr Moran said:  I made a commitment at the beginning to the community because they were anxious to push this building forward and they needed to actually raise funding.

I essentially made a commitment that I would match, fund up to a certain amount of money that they would raise. If they write back to me and say they don't need it because they have enough money, absolutely delighted to put into something else.

Asked about the alleged complaint made by Catherine Slattery after last nights meeting, a spokesperson for Limerick City and Council Council said: Limerick City and County Council does not comment on matters related to the Code of Conduct.

Ms Slattery has also been contacted for comment.
Foreign affairs minister Helen McEntee will today begin a two-day visit to Kyiv, meeting her counterparts from across the EU to send a "clear and united message" of support for Ukraine.

Ms McEntee's trip to the Ukrainian capital will see her take part in an informal meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council and coincides with the fourth anniversary of the liberation of Bucha from Russian occupation. EU ministers will attend a commemorative event to mark the occasion.

During the now four-year-old conflict's early days, the story of Bucha caused international outrage.

After Russian forces withdrew in late March 2022, Ukrainian authorities and international investigators from the UN, the International Criminal Court (ICC) and others uncovered mass graves and bodies of civilians, many showing signs of execution, torture, and mutilation.

Read More Irish aid to Ukraine all the more crucial amid Russian attacks on hospitals

The death toll from the massacre has been put at anywhere from the low 70s to 500. While Russia claimed at the time that the images of the town had been staged, reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the New York Times all said that unlawful killing, summary executions, and enforced disappearances had taken place.

The EU meeting will also include discussions with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and members of the Ukrainian government, focusing on "peace efforts, accountability, and support for Ukrainian veterans returning to society".

Speaking ahead of the meeting, Ms McEntee said: I look forward to joining my EU colleagues in Kyiv to show our strong support for Ukraine. We will come together to remember the victims of the atrocities in Bucha and to reaffirm our commitment to holding Russia fully accountable for its unprovoked invasion.

After four years of war, the human impact in Ukraine has been devastating. Russia has the power to end this conflict, but instead of engaging in meaningful negotiations, it continues attacks on towns and energy infrastructure.

Ireland stands firmly with the people of Ukraine.

I will also reaffirm Irelands support for Ukraines path to EU membership. I welcome ongoing efforts to secure a fair and lasting peace that respects Ukraines sovereignty and independence, and I hope meaningful progress can be made soon.

"By meeting in Kyiv, we are sending a clear and united message that EU support for Ukraine remains strong.

She will also take part in a series of bilateral engagements on April 1, including the second Ireland-Ukraine Strategic Dialogue, the first of which was held in Dublin in December last year during Mr Zelenskyy's visit to the capital.

The 2030 Roadmap on Ukraine-Ireland Partnership sets out Irelands immediate commitments to Ukraine, including 25m to support the restoration and protection of Ukrainian energy infrastructure and a scheme to support training and other efforts as part of Ukraines path to EU accession.

According to the Central Statistics Office (CSO), as of February 2026, of the 121,048 PPS numbers issued to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BoTPs) from Ukraine, 69%, or 84,100, were still active in official data as of last November.

Under new rules agreed last year, new arrivals from Ukraine will only be allowed to stay in State accommodation for 30 days.
A new savings scheme will help grannies, parents, and individuals across the country who are looking to save small amounts but are not getting a return on their investment, Tanaiste Simon Harris has vowed.

The finance minister hosted the first of what is expected to be an annual Savings and Investment Forum at the Central Bank in Dublin on Tuesday, bringing together more than 300 stakeholders.

Mr Harris is expected to announce a new Personal Investment Account as part of Budget 2027 in October.

The scheme will tax savings only when balances surpass a certain threshold, with the exact details still being worked out.

This tax could potentially serve as the sole form of taxation on investments made through the new account, with all investments within the account receiving consistent tax treatment. Account providers would be required to administer the tax.

Read More New State-backed savings scheme will only be taxed after certain threshold

Speaking to reporters at the Central Bank, Mr Harris said he wants to ensure the account makes it more attractive for people to invest, while also delivering returns on small investments.

Despite all of the challenges people face, and the figures back this up, Irish people are doing their very best to put away small amounts of money on a regular basis, the Tanaiste explained.

I meet these people. I was in a Credit Union in Cork recently. I met a woman called Mary who goes into the Credit Union in Cork every Friday and puts a fiver in each of her five grandkids' credit union accounts every week. She's going to keep on doing that, and she wants to build up a little nest egg for them.

There are examples of grannies, parents, individuals doing that right across the country.

But at the moment, despite people doing the right thing, that's not earning any money. It'll be worth less to those grandkids when they go to withdraw it than it is when they put it in.

That's what we're trying to fix here. People who are trying to maybe save for a deposit, people who are trying to build up their own rainy day, fund their own fiscal buffer.

We talk about economic resilience at a macro level, and that's important. But if we're actually to build up true economic resilience, we've got to help middle Ireland build it up themselves.

Mr Harris argued that the current tax system does not work in favour of people saving modest amounts.

He said that the idea has been implemented in other European Union countries and is a key recommendation of the European Commission as part of the savings and investment union.

He continued: At the moment, two of the barriers people face are [that] the tax system is very complex, and you've to make those returns. That's really challenging.

Secondly, the actual level and amount of tax levied is complex and high as well.

Simplifying the tax system and simplifying the administration of tax are two key fundamentals. We want to listen, and we want to get this right.

Mr Harris said he would like to see the savings scheme legislated for as part of Budget 2027 in October, with the accounts available from next year.
Government TDs have called for the introduction of new penalties for dangerous driving that causes the death of unborn children.

The new law would be named Jaxs Law, in memory of Wexford woman Saoirse Aylwards son Jax, who died following a road traffic accident in January 2024.

In February, Yurii Dudek, 31, with an address listed in Chernivtsi, Ukraine, was sentenced to six months in prison for careless driving.

Ms Aylward, who was 31 weeks' pregnant at the time, had an emergency C-section after being brought by ambulance to Wexford General Hospital. When she woke up, she was told her son Jax was stillborn.

Speaking outside Leinster House, Ms Aylward said her child was not recognised during the legal process and no charges could be brought against Dudek for his death due to gaps in legislation.

Fine Gael TDs Barry Ward and Emer Currie have now proposed new legislation that would amend the law to make the loss of a pregnancy due to careless driving a punishable offence.

The proposed penalty would be up to two years' imprisonment or fines of up to 10,000 for careless driving, and 10 years imprisonment or a 20,000 fine for dangerous driving.

Ms Aylward said she could not put into words how much it would mean to have the legislation passed and named in honour of her son, Jax.

I always felt like he was a special boy. There was meaning to his life, she said.

I think it's very clear what that was. Hopefully, this can help other grieving families not go through the pain I went through of having to fight for Jaxs loss to be recognised.

You're already grieving. You're already traumatised. You don't need that compounded by having to argue for your child to be recognised.

Ms Aylward said while gardai had initially recommended a charge for Jaxs death, they were informed by the Director of Public Prosecutions there was no law.

She added: Jax was a four-pound baby. He had to have a post-mortem. I had to bury him. My 11-year-old daughter visits him at a graveside.

But yet, the law says that he doesn't exist.

Colleen Langans aunt, Roisin Connolly, died in a road traffic collision in 2010 at the Carrickmacross bypass. She was five months' pregnant with baby Catherine, who was also never recognised.

Ms Langan said the gap in legislation means that families have to relive their grief.

It's such an important thing for us to fight for, she said.

There is no recognition, there is no acknowledgement of an unborn child. So even though it is difficult, it is so important to get this in place and get the bill in place and make sure that no other family has to go through [a] similar [situation].

Ms Aylward and Ms Langan have also asked the Road Safety Authority to add a category in its road death statistics for unborn babies.

Mr Ward said the legislation would define an unborn child as a pregnancy lost at at least 23 weeks duration, or when the baby weighed at least 400 grams. This is the definition provided in the Civil Registrations Act 2024.

He said the bill had been provided to junior transport minister Sean Canney and he was not opposed to it in principle.
The future of Europe "directly depends" on how the Ukrainian war with Russia ends, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned EU foreign ministers.

Speaking at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv on Tuesday, Mr Zelenskyy said that his country's accession to the EU was "a security guarantee" for the wider bloc.

Mr Zelenskyy said that Russia "cannot benefit" from the war and must not be rewarded with land, funding, or technological advances from its now four-year-old war on its neighbour.

"The future of Europe directly depends on how this war ends," Mr Zelenskyy said.

"This is essential for peace and Europe. That is why, when talks to end this war are ongoing, we always do everything to ensure Europe is present and that Europe's interests are taken into account.

"You can see how closely the Russian war against Ukraine is linked to what is happening in the Middle East and the Gulf. The Strait of Hormuz situation is much like the Black Sea when Russia blocked our shipping in 2022. Iranian drones and missiles hit every country, just as Russian drones and balistic missiles hit Ukraine".

Ukraine has proposed a ceasefire for the Easter holidays, Mr Zelenskyy said, but has not received a response from Russia.

In a scathing rebuke of Hungary, the Ukrainian president told ministers that Ukraine was grateful for European support, but that a 90bn loan package could not be held up "by one person in a deal with Moscow".

EU foreign ministers in February failed to break the deadlock over the Hungarian governments veto on crucial European policies relating to 90bn in funding for Ukraine over the next two years.

Budapest is also vetoing the EUs twentieth sanctions package against Russia for its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Mr Zelenskyy said that the deadlock had forced his country to delay a 5 billion plan to rebuild and prepare for next winter. The harsh winter season in Ukraine saw temperatures in Kyiv drop sharply, causing heating and power outages.

Mr Zelenskyy was deeply critical of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, saying he was "standing against all of Europe".

"If common decisions can be blocked so easily in such critical, critical times, what does that say about the rest?

"We must already prepare for the next winter. We have a plan, but because the 90 billion loan package is still blocked, we cannot use the 5 billion plan for protection and recovery, to get ready. We had planned to begin to do it in March. But somebody lost this month. As long as the blockage remains, the threat remains, and this is happening because one person in Europe standing against all of Europe simply to please Moscow, and everyone can already see the evidence that this is nothing more than a deal with Moscow."

Mr Zelenskyy said that the meeting marked four years since the Russian army was "pushed back" from the Ukrainian capital, which he said was important for the entire world.

"We remember four years ago, the Russian army was pushed back from Kyiv, and we freed the Kyiv region and the whole world. What the Russian army brought to us Ukraine was what it could bring to other countries," he warned.

Mr Zelenskyy also rejected the idea that American hearts had "gone cool" on support for his country, "despite much misinformation".
The entire world has now become an innocent bystander in the Donald Trump/Benjamin Netanyahu war against Iran. Iran and anyone else Netanyahu feels like bombing the hell out of.

In the medium term, they are stoking further generations of people who will hate Israel and the US. In the short term, they are generating a needless and painful energy crisis for their own people and everyone else. For us in Ireland, it promises to be yet another major test of our resilience.

This is a war with no purpose, no plan, no strategy, no defined outcome. A war with a beginning and no easily foreseeable end. Its as if two men decided between them to say: Screw the rest of the world, were going to conquer the Middle East just because we can.

They just automatically assumed, because the regime in Iran is despotic and odious, that the rest of the world would applaud loudly while they wreaked untold havoc.

Trump, in particular, now spends half his time bleating and moaning because Nato hasnt joined his war of aggression.

Nato exists to defend its members, not to aggressively start wars.

Netanyahu, of course, doesnt bother with that. He has Trump in a half nelson, and thats all he wants. Netanyahus empire building, it seems, will never be sated, at least not before he has succeeded in dragging his own country through pools of blood and misery.

When Pope Leo spoke last weekend about leaders whose hands were full of blood, there was little doubt about whom he was speaking.

Of course, to accuse Netanyahu of anything is to risk being accused of antisemitism in return. So be it.

I have always believed in Israels right to exist and in the absolute right of the Israeli people to live in peace and without fear, but this war virtually eliminates any possibility, for generations to come, of Israels ability to make peace.

Polar opposite

It was one of Netanyahus predecessors, Shimon Peres, who said: When Israel was weak, I worked to make her fierce. But once she was strong, I gave my lifes efforts to peace.

It was he who coined the phrase about never needing to make peace with your friends  only with your enemies. Netanyahu is the polar opposite of a stateman such as Peres.

Nobody yet knows how bad this can get. With the support of the Houthis, Iran could probably close the Arabian Sea and the Red Sea entirely.

If it got to the point where Iran (or the Houthis) launched attacks on the Suez Canal, that could plunge the entire world into an economic crisis  certainly a recession, but perhaps another depression. Oil comes through Hormuz, but everything else comes through Suez.

A priest inspects the impact of a house that was hit by part of a ballistic missile launched from Iran on March 30, 2026, in Shefaram, Israel. Iran has continued firing waves of drones and missiles at Israel after the United States and Israel launched a joint attack on Iran early on February 28. Picture: Amir Levy/Getty

But, as I said, were innocent bystanders in these global catastrophes, whatever causes them. That has never saved us in the past.

After years of struggle and paying rent, we bought our first house in Dublin in 1992.

The first mortgage payment was 700 (punts they were called in those days), the second was nearly 900, and the third was just over 1,000. There wasnt enough money to make the third payment, and I had to crawl on hands and knees to the building society to save the house. Had it gone on for one more month, we would have been in much deeper trouble. As it was, it took us two years to catch up.

That all happened because we were the innocent bystanders in a currency war. Britain, itself in crisis, had withdrawn from what was then known as the European exchange rate mechanism. As committed Europeans, we stayed in the mechanism which meant our punt was tied to the German mark.

Financial speculators decided (correctly) the punt was seriously over-valued, and they went to war against our currency. Week after week, in order to try and protect the punt, Irish interest rates went through the roof.

When we bought the house, the mortgage rate was around 7%. Within our first couple of months, the mortgage rate was 15%. It was terrifying.

I can still remember the sleepless nights wondering when I was going to tell the family we had lost everything

At the end of January in 1993, the Irish government had to bend to the inevitable. We devalued the punt by 10% overnight, and interest rates almost immediately returned to normal.

We joined the euro and, ever since then, have enjoyed a much higher degree of protection  at least in that area.

Yom Kippur War

It wasnt by any means the only time we were damaged by forces outside our control. Im old enough to remember the first oil shock of the 1970s. It was triggered by the Yom Kippur War, when a group of oil-producing Arab countries banded together in an organisation called Opec and simply decided to shut off oil supply to anyone they viewed as sympathetic to Israel.

I dont think anyone who lived through that period will ever forget the recession it caused.

Everything changed overnight. It wasnt just the endless queuing we all had to do to try to secure miserable amounts of petrol for our cars.

Inflation shot up, unemployment shot up, factories closed and never opened again. The State had no money and, even if it had, we had a deeply conservative government in place. In the face of fear and panic that gripped the entire population, it managed to convey an air of youre on your own, sunshine.

It hasnt always been the case that we were entirely innocent bystanders in our own misfortune

In 2008, the world financial system came close to collapse because of a banking crisis. When that hit us, we already had a housing bubble in Ireland. We had poorly regulated banks that ended up defaulting. We had enjoyed, if thats the word, years of profligate government spending. As the late Brian Lenihan Jr implied, we hadnt just lived beyond our means, we had partied beyond our means.

We paid a terrible price for our lack of preparation. I still believe that period in Ireland sowed the seeds of wholesale alienation from politics. We still havent recovered, emotionally or psychologically, from that or from the likes of the covid crisis and the damage it caused. At least in that case, unlike our nearest neighbour, Ireland was ready to protect its people and deal with the damage.

The lesson I draw from all that recent history is this: When a crisis hits you out of the blue, the job of government is to manage the day-to-day and plan a way through.

Weve had governments that werent up to that job. Weve had governments that rose to the occasion. However, as a people, weve always seemed to be ready. Ready to knuckle down, ready to take hits, ready to support each other.

Given the 50 years history of innocent bystander shocks weve endured, we should be a broken country. But were not. We dont know yet whether this present conflict will get worse or better. But we can be pretty sure that we might need to overcome once again. And if we have to overcome, we shall.
The lobby of the Fairmont Grand hotel in Kyiv is salubrious, all marble, dark oak and crystal chandeliers.

Even the metal detectors erected for the arrival of the EU's foreign ministers could not detract from the grandeur.

The press room, however, was less salubrious. Set in the hotel's bomb shelter, the repurposed underground car park was a reminder that for all the protocol surrounding the arrival of the EU's ministers, this was no ordinary Brussels sit-down.

Billed as an informal meeting of the EU's Foreign Affairs Council, the gathering comes as Ukraine marks four years since the horrors of Bucha, just 45 minutes north of where dignitaries sat on Tuesday.

Following their train journey from Poland, it was the first place to which they were taken to see a rebuilt town where just four years ago, investigators uncovered mass graves and bodies of civilians, many showing signs of execution, torture, and mutilation.

Ireland's representative at the meeting, Helen McEntee, said the visit had "affected" her and made her more certain in her convictions around the war that Russia is the aggressor.

Despite Russian claims that the massacre was an invention of the Ukrainian government for propaganda purposes, reports from Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and the New York Times support claims of summary execution, unlawful killing and enforced disappearances.

The use of the bunker for the press was not just because of the threat of Russian drones  indeed, overnight had not seen a single air raid warning for the first time in a week  but to ensure that the country's president could access the lobby unencumbered.

Mr Zelenskyy has long known that foreign support is key to protecting his country's future and the president had just returned from Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine was touting its expertise in drone defence to gulf states  a play largely aimed at freeing up Patriot missile interceptors from those states.

As when he travelled to Dublin a few months ago, Mr Zelenskyy's movements are a massive security operation in and of itself. In Dublin, the visit was only ever referred to officially as a "high-level visit" with no names attached.

In his home capital, his movements and speeches are strictly controlled, to the point where a speech given in full glare of the continent's media was retroactively embargoed by summit staffers.

That speech saw Mr Zelenskyy excoriate one of the participants in the meeting, Hungary, whose foreign minister Peter Szijjarto was accused by a number of media outlets in his home country of regularly discussing the EUs confidential plans on sanctions with Russian officials, actively looking for ways to block or delay their adoption.

Mr Zelenskyy said that the Hungarian veto on a 90bn loan for his country effectively amounted to "one person standing against all of Europe".

In a city where residents still suffer from blackouts due to damage to critical infrastructure and who have come through a bitterly cold winter where temperatures dropped to -21c, the thoughts of spring are already crowded by what comes next winter.

The Ukrainian president on Tuesday said a 5bn plan to recover from the winter just gone and prepare for the next had been delayed, losing a month of preparation.

Mr Zelenskyy's pitch to the ministers in attendance was simple: allow money to flow into rebuilding, defence, and weaponry to secure his country not because it was right or moral, but because it is in European interests to do so.

Having the meeting in a place with a bomb shelter was perhaps a reminder for those in attendance of the stakes.
What happened overnight

Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai.

Donald Trump warned that the US would obliterate Irans energy plants and oil wells if it did not open the Strait of Hormuz.

The Israeli military said four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are clashing with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

Two giant Chinese container ships have sailed through the Strait of Hormuz on their second attempt to leave the Gulf after turning back on Friday.

Indonesias foreign minister called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting and a thorough investigation into a "heinous attack after three UN peacekeepers from Indonesia were killed in southern Lebanon.

Blasts were heard in Tehran, and power cuts hit some areas of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

Japan and Indonesia have agreed to step up coordination on energy security, Japanese PM Sanae Takaichi said on Tuesday.

Turkey reported a ballistic missile launched from Iran had entered Turkish airspace before being shot down by Nato air and missile defences.

Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker off Dubai on Monday while US president Donald Trump warned the US would obliterate Irans energy plants and oil wells if it did not open the strait of Hormuz.

Mr Trump threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached shortly.

He also said the US is negotiating with Irans parliamentary speaker Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf in an interview with the New York Post published on Monday.

The former Revolutionary Guard commander was previously floated as Washingtons negotiating partner, but has denied Iran is talking to the US and said Pakistan-facilitated discussions were merely a cover for American troop deployments.

Meanwhile, Israel has invaded southern Lebanon to push out Iran-backed Hezbollah militants, who have fired rockets and drones across the border, in a campaign Israeli officials suggest could become a prolonged occupation.

Israeli authorities inspect a damaged house following an Iranian missile strike in Haifa, Israel (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Israel said early on Tuesday that another four soldiers had been killed in its offensive in Lebanon. The deaths bring the total number of troops killed in the war to 10.

The video of a massive explosion shared without comment early on Tuesday by Mr Trump appears to be of a major strike conducted outside the central Iranian city of Isfahan.

The Baluch advocacy group HalVash shared the same video, along with others, from the ground outside Isfahan. Fire-tracking satellites from Nasa suggest the explosions happened near Mount Soffeh, an area believed to have military positions.

The videos show massive fireballs and secondary explosions common with ammunition igniting in a blaze.

Iran has not formally acknowledged the attack.

Isfahan is home to one of three uranium enrichment sites bombed by the US in the 12-day conflict between Iran and Israel in June. A portion of Irans highly enriched uranium is believed to be entombed there  something America has suggested it could seize with ground forces.

Firefighters work to extinguish a fire at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Haifa, Israel (Ariel Schalit/AP)

Airstrikes hit around Irans capital Tehran early on Tuesday morning. The Israeli military earlier issued a warning online that it was planning a strike in Vardavard, a western neighbourhood.

A drone interception caused minor damage to six homes in a residential area in Al Kharj, southeast of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, but no injuries were reported, the countrys civil defence said. Al Kharj is the site of a US airbase where previous strikes killed at least two migrant workers and an American soldier.

Israels military warned the public of an incoming missile barrage from Iran on Tuesday. Sirens sounded in Jerusalem a short while later and loud booms were heard.

Two Indonesian United Nations peacekeepers died while on escort duty in support of United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) operations in southern Lebanon. The Indonesian Ministry of Defence said in a written statement on Tuesday that two other soldiers were also seriously injured amid intensifying hostilities in the area.

The statement added that the exact cause of the incident is still under investigation by Unifil in accordance with established procedures.

An Indonesian soldier was reported to have died and several others were injured the previous day in his area of deployment as a result of the conflict taking place in the operational zone.

The Ministry of Defence emphasises that the safety of peacekeeping forces must be the top priority, the statement said.

All parties involved in the conflict are expected to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the safety of peacekeeping personnel.

A destroyed apartment is seen in a building that was struck in an Israeli airstrike in Dahiyeh, Beiruts southern suburbs (Hassan Ammar/AP)

Drone hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, causing a fire, the Dubai Media Office said

Authorities brought the fire under control and extinguished it, the office said, with all 24 crew members safe and no injuries reported.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Centre reported the strike, saying the vessel was 31 nautical Officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behaviour, according to the officials, who were not authorised to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the US efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.
European Union governments should prepare for a "prolonged disruption" to energy markets as a result of the Iran war, the bloc's energy chief has told countries' ministers ahead of an emergency meeting on Tuesday.

In a letter to energy ministers, dated March 30 and seen by Reuters, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said governments were "encouraged to make timely preparations in anticipation of a potentially prolonged disruption".
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

The breakfast show host was abruptly taken off air by the BBC last week before his sacking over allegations related to his personal conduct was announced on Monday.

The 53-year-old last hosted his show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with: See you tomorrow.

The claims relate to when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, and it is not known if the BBC was told of the investigation at the time. It is not clear if his sacking is related to the police investigation.

Scott Mills hosted his final breakfast show last Tuesday (Ian West/PA)

Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was investigated in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences that took place between 1997 and 2000.

He was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

The Metropolitan Police does not identify people who are subject to an investigation before any charges are brought.

A spokesperson said: In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.

Scott Mills joined the BBC in the late 1990s (David Davies/PA)

News of Millss sacking led Mondays noon bulletin on his former station BBC Radio 2 and the broadcaster issued a news alert on Tuesday reporting the closed police investigation.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBCs director of music, wrote: I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when Im able to.

While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.

The BBC said it would not comment beyond an earlier statement: While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.

Mills has been contacted for comment.
Countries should go to the strait of Hormuz and 'just take' fuel, US president Donald Trump has said as he again criticised countries that had joined in his war with Iran.

In a post on Truth Social, he said countries should build up the courage to go to the strait of Hormuz and just take fuel.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us, Trump said as he criticised countries who refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran.

He said these countries could buy jet fuel from the US, where there is plenty, if they are running low on supplies.

Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Trump concluded his social media post by saying.

Iran attacked and set ablaze a fully loaded crude oil tanker anchored at Dubai port, with the strike damaging the vessels hull, in the latest strike on merchant vessels in the Gulf and strait of Hormuz amid the US and Israel war on Iran.

Dubai authorities said the drone attack on the Al Salmi tanker caused a fire on board that was extinguished early on Tuesday, hours after the attack was first reported. They later confirmed there was no oil leak.

The attack came hours after Donald Trump warned that the US would obliterate Irans energy plants and oil wells if it does not open the strait of Hormuz.The month-long conflict has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said the Al Salmi was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at Dubai port in the United Arab Emirates, causing a fire onboard and other damage to the vessel.

Dubai authorities said maritime firefighting teams successfully put out the blaze which was sparked by a drone attack and continued to assess the situation, adding that no injuries were reported and all 24 crew members were safe.

Crude oil prices briefly spiked after Kuwaits state news agency reported the attack on the tanker, which can carry around 2m barrels of oil worth more than $200m at current prices, but retreated slightly after the Wall Street Journal reported that Donald Trump had told aides he was willing to end the war even if the strait of Hormuz remains closed and that military options were not his immediate priority.

Brent crude prices are on course for a 59% surge in March, the largest monthly gain on record due to the war in the Middle East.

The jump in oil and fuel prices has started to weigh on US household finances and become a political headache for Trump and his Republican party ahead of the November midterm elections, having vowed to lower energy prices and ramp up US oil and gas production.

The tanker was loaded with 2m barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, according to data from industry trackers. Its destination was listed as Qingdao, China, according to reports.

Attacks by both sides of the conflict are showing no signs of easing, with fears of a wider conflict growing.

Thousands of soldiers from the US armys elite 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in the Middle East, part of a reinforcement that would expand Trumps options to include the deployment of forces inside Iranian territory, even as he pursues talks with Tehran.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump wanted to reach a deal with Tehran before the 6 April deadline he set last week after extending an earlier deadline he had set for Iran to open the strait of Hormuz, the narrow waterway that normally carries about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies.

- The Guardian with Reuters
The Australian government has accused big tech firms like Meta, TikTok and Google of disobeying the landmark ban on under-16s using social media, after the countrys online safety office warned many children had accounts.

A survey of 900 Australian parents found about a third (31%) said their children still had one or more social media accounts after the ban, compared to 49% before the laws.

Of the total number of under 16s who had accounts on Instagram, Snapchat and TikTok before the ban, 70% had maintained access, the survey found.

Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube are all under investigation for potential non-compliance with the rules, with Australias communications minister, Anika Wells, alleging the companies were not doing enough to enforce the ban.

The eSafety Commission claimed the technology being used by the companies  such as facial age estimation  was not effective enough, and alleged the firms had lax guardrails which allowed teens to repeatedly attempt age verification until they were successful.

None of this is impossible. None of this is even difficult for big tech, who are innovative billion dollar companies. What this update shows is unacceptable, Ms Wells said.

If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws.

The social media minimum age laws specify Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, Threads, TikTok, Twitch, X, YouTube, Kick and Reddit are age-restricted platforms, banning under-16s from holding accounts and requiring those companies to take reasonable steps to prevent children from opening or holding accounts.

The laws, which came into effect last December, carry a maximum A$49.5m (30m) penalty. Ms Wells said eSafety was continuing to gather evidence before it decided whether to pursue such fines against any company.

What we are seeing is evidence of the absolute bare minimum from social media companies, its straight out of the big tech playbook  They obfuscate, they try to throw doubt on any regulation, she said.

"They want you all to report today that the laws are failing. That helps them in their quest to reduce regulation, to minimise it the world over. So Im not surprised by any of this. We expected this."

In a statement, Meta said it was committed to complying with the social media ban and working with eSafety and the government.

Weve also been clear that accurately determining age online is a challenge for the whole industry, particularly at the age16 boundary where the governments own Age Assurance Technology Trial noted natural error margins.

The most effective, privacyprotective and consistent approach is to require robust age verification and parental approval at the app store and operating system level before a teen can download an app or create an account.

TikTok and Google were contacted for comment but did not respond by publication time.

The Australian government has trumpeted the success of the ban, including promoting it at the United Nations in New York, but anecdotal reports many children remained online have dented the policys outcome.

The Guardian
Pope Leo XIV has expressed hopes that the US-Israel war on Iran could be finished before Easter.

The US-born pontiff made the remarks to reporters as he left the papal retreat at Castel Gandolfo outside of Rome on Tuesday.

Im told that president Trump has recently stated that he would like to end the war, Leo said.

The pontiff spoke to journalists as he left his residence in Castel Gandolfo, on the outskirts of Rome (AP)

I hope that hes looking for an off-ramp.

Hopefully hes looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing, which would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred thats being created, thats increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere.

Leo called on all world leaders to return to dialogue and look for ways to reduce the amount of violence, so that peace, especially at Easter, might reign in our hearts.

At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the #MiddleEast, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days. Just as the Church contemplates the  Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) March 29, 2026

The Popes remarks came during Holy Week, the most sacred period of the year for Christians.

It should be the holiest time of the year. It is a time of peace, a time of reflection. But as we all know, again, in the world, in many places we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent children, Leo said.

We constantly make the call for peace, but unfortunately, many people want to promote hatred, violence, war.

On Palm Sunday, the pontiff said God does not listen to the prayers of those who make war or cite God to justify their violence, as he prayed especially for Christians in the Middle East during Mass in St Peters Square.

Let us #PrayTogether for priests going through moments of crisis in their vocation, that they may find the accompaniment they need and that communities may support them with understanding and prayer. #PrayerIntention @clicktopray_en https://t.co/S3TtsnBEer  Pope Leo XIV (@Pontifex) March 31, 2026

Leaders on all sides of the Iran war have used religion to justify their actions. US officials, especially US defence secretary Pete Hegseth, have invoked their Christian faith to cast the war as a Christian nation trying to vanquish its foes with military might.

Russias Orthodox Church, too, has justified Russias invasion of Ukraine as a holy war against a Western world it considers has fallen into evil.

As Holy Week continues, Leo will carry out the Holy Thursday foot-washing tradition in the basilica of St John Lateran, where popes have performed it for decades.

Holy Week is the most sacred period in the Christian calendar (AP)

On Friday, Leo is due to preside over the Good Friday procession at Romes Colosseum commemorating Christs Passion and crucifixion, and will carry the cross himself.

Saturday brings the late night Easter Vigil, during which Leo will baptize new Catholics, followed a few hours later by Easter Sunday when Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus.

Leo will celebrate Easter Sunday Mass in St Peters Square and then deliver his Easter blessing from the loggia of the basilica.
BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday sent a congratulatory message to mark the inauguration of the World Data Organization (WDO).

The world is accelerating into the intelligent age, and the role of data as fundamental resources and an innovation engine is increasingly evident, Xi said.

"The WDO, with the mission of bridging the data divide, unlocking data's value and powering the digital economy, provides a valuable platform for deepening international cooperation regarding data and improving global data governance," Xi said.

He stressed that China will uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, and support the WDO in playing its role. He noted that the country will work with all parties to forge consensus on data governance rules; promote innovation in digital and intelligent technologies; facilitate the secure, orderly flow and efficient development and utilization of data; serve the healthy development of the global digital economy; and ensure that the dividends of data better benefit people of all countries.

The inaugural assembly of the WDO was held in Beijing on Monday, with the theme of jointly building a data cooperation platform and sharing digital development opportunities. The organization's members include enterprises, universities, think tanks, international organizations, financial institutions and other entities from the global data sector.




( Middle East Monitor )  The skies over Tehran and Natanz may still carry the lingering haze of joint U.S.-Israeli operations. Yet the world, filtered through the dominant voice of Western media, continues to be fed a singular narrative: the latent danger of Irans uranium enrichment, perpetually described as being one step away from a nuclear warhead. Amid the noise of economic sanctions, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and preemptive military strikes that have devastated Irans civilian-military infrastructure, there exists a deafening silence surrounding the Middle Easts most tangible arsenal of weapons of mass destruction: Israels nuclear stockpile.

In reality, the regions security architecture is not threatened by a nuclear capability that might exist in the future, but by one that has existed for more than six decades. In the Negev desert stands the Dimona complex, a black box untouched by inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), immune to sanctions, and maintained as one of the international communitys most tightly guarded open secrets. This contradiction represents perhaps the most blatant manifestation of global double standards, preserving Israels nuclear privilege above international law.

In the Negev desert stands the Dimona complex, a black box untouched by inspections from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), immune to sanctions, and maintained as one of the international communitys most tightly guarded open secrets.

History shows that Israels nuclear ambitions were not merely a reaction to external threats, but part of a broader geostrategic design to secure regional hegemony. Since David Ben-Gurion articulated the post-Holocaust doctrine of Never Again, nuclear capability has been framed as the Samson Option, a last-resort deterrent that ensures Israel can destroy the region if its existence is threatened. Yet this privilege did not emerge organically. It was constructed through deception, clandestine procurement networks, and sustained diplomatic protection from great powers, ironically, those that now present themselves as global guardians of non-proliferation.

Israels success in maintaining its status as the Middle Easts sole nuclear power rests on its policy of amimut, or nuclear opacity. Through this doctrine, Israel enjoys the strategic advantages of nuclear deterrence without incurring the political or economic costs. This has fundamentally distorted the regional discourse: the world is compelled to panic over a state that formally adheres to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), albeit under scrutiny, while tolerating another that refuses to sign the treaty and is widely believed to possess hundreds of nuclear warheads.

The Labyrinth of Opacity and God-Tier Privilege

The turning point that legitimized this international hypocrisy came in 1969. In a secret meeting at the White House, President Richard Nixon and Prime Minister Golda Meir forged an understanding that would shape U.S. foreign policy for decades. Washington would cease pressuring Israel to sign the NPT or allow inspections of Dimona, provided Israel maintained a low profile and refrained from overt nuclear testing. In effect, the United States became a diplomatic shield for Israels undeclared nuclear weapons program, an irony for a country that has repeatedly invoked nuclear concerns to justify interventions elsewhere.

This marked a stark departure from the era of John F. Kennedy. JFK was the only U.S. president willing to confront Israels nuclear ambitions directly. For him, nuclear proliferation was a personal nightmare that threatened global stability. He went so far as to warn Ben-Gurion that U.S. support could be seriously jeopardized if independent inspections of Dimona were not permitted. Following Kennedys assassination, however, such pressure evaporated under the Johnson and Nixon administrations, replaced by a pragmatic accommodation that allowed Israels bomb in the basement to quietly expand.

In effect, the United States became a diplomatic shield for Israels undeclared nuclear weapons program, an irony for a country that has repeatedly invoked nuclear concerns to justify interventions elsewhere.

This privilege has enabled Israel to develop an advanced nuclear triad, including Jericho ballistic missiles, modified F-15I fighter jets, and Dolphin-class submarines capable of launching nuclear-armed cruise missiles from beneath the sea. With estimates ranging between 90 and 400 warheads, Israel possesses not only a deterrent but also a potent instrument of diplomatic coercion. When Arab states, led by Egypt, have consistently called for a Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone in the Middle East, the United States and its allies have routinely blocked such initiatives to preserve Israels exceptional status.

This nuclear privilege has also created what many non-Western diplomats describe as a compliance trap. States like Iran, which are signatories to the NPT, face intense scrutiny and economic punishment for procedural deviations. Meanwhile, Israeloperating outside the framework of international lawenjoys access to the most advanced military technologies from the West. This systemic inequity fuels instability, signaling that the most effective way to avoid international pressure is not compliance, but power.

An Architecture of Sabotage

To maintain its nuclear monopoly, Israel has pursued an aggressive geostrategic doctrine that routinely violates the sovereignty of other states. Known as the Begin Doctrine, formalized in 1981, it asserts that Israel will not allow any Middle Eastern country to acquire weapons of mass destruction. This is an extraordinary claim of authority: a state with undeclared nuclear weapons asserting the right to destroy others nuclear capabilities, even those intended for peaceful purposes, under the banner of self-defense.

Its first manifestation came with Operation Opera on June 7, 1981, when Israeli fighter jets destroyed Iraqs Osirak nuclear reactor. Despite condemnation from the United Nations, the precedent was set. Israel effectively assumed the role of the regions unilateral enforcer. This pattern repeated in 2007 with Operation Outside the Box, which obliterated Syrias Al-Kibar facility. These preemptive strikes were driven by a clear calculation: that major global powers would continue to grant Israel impunity, regardless of the overt violations of international law.

When Arab states, led by Egypt, have consistently called for a Weapons of Mass Destruction-Free Zone in the Middle East, the United States and its allies have routinely blocked such initiatives to preserve Israels exceptional status.

Against Iran, this architecture of sabotage has reached unprecedented levels of sophistication and lethality. Over the past two decades, Israel has waged a shadow war involving the assassination of nuclear scientists in Tehran, sometimes using remotely operated weapons, as well as cyberattacks like Stuxnet, which crippled thousands of centrifuges at Natanz. These operations have often been conducted in close coordination with U.S. intelligence, underscoring how Western non-proliferation policy frequently functions as an instrument to preserve Israels military dominance.

The escalation culminated in the Rising Lion campaign in 2025 and Operation Epic Fury in early 2026. Backed by the Trump administration and tacit support from several European capitals, Irans nuclear infrastructure was targeted through large-scale airstrikes that largely disregarded the risks of radiation exposure to civilians. Israel justified these actions by claiming diplomacy had failed. Yet this narrative omits a critical reality: Israel has consistently undermined diplomatic efforts, including by seizing Irans nuclear archives in 2018 to help justify the U.S. withdrawal from the JCPOA. The objective has never been merely to prevent an Iranian bomb, but to preserve Israels monopoly on power.

A Shadow Alliance in the Negev Desert

The portrayal of Israel as a small, self-reliant state under constant siege is a carefully constructed myth. The history of its nuclear program is one of covert international collaboration, involving countries that now lead global anti-nuclear campaigns. Without technological assistance from France, heavy water supplied by Norway via the United Kingdom, and uranium sourced from Argentina, the Dimona facility would never have materialized.

Israel has consistently undermined diplomatic efforts, including by seizing Irans nuclear archives in 2018 to help justify the US withdrawal from the JCPOA. The objective has never been merely to prevent an Iranian bomb, but to preserve Israels monopoly on power.

France, now a vocal critic of Iran, played a central role by supplying the EL-102 reactor and a plutonium reprocessing plant in 1957, partly as repayment for Israels support during the Suez Crisis. Even more striking was Israels nuclear collaboration with apartheid South Africa in the 1970s. As two internationally isolated regimes, they developed deep military ties. Declassified documents reveal that Shimon Peres once offered to sell nuclear warheads to Pretoria. This partnership likely culminated in the 1979 Vela Incident, when a suspected nuclear test was detected in the Indian Ocean. Despite strong evidence pointing to a joint Israeli-South African test, the Carter administration chose to obscure the findings to protect its ally.

Such collaborations demonstrate that, for Israel, international norms are secondary to strategic imperatives. While aiding a racially segregated regimes nuclear ambitions, Israel simultaneously leveraged its diplomatic influence to block cooperation between its adversaries and other states. This pattern persists today in the form of cyber and surveillance technologies exported to authoritarian regimes in exchange for diplomatic support.

Western backing has also extended to high-level intelligence operations to secure nuclear materials. In the 1968 Plumbat Affair, Israeli intelligence reportedly acquired 200 tons of yellowcake uranium through a front-company scheme involving a cargo ship in Antwerp. Rather than triggering sanctions or legal consequences, the operation was widely regarded as a remarkable intelligence success. Over time, the international community has normalized such state-level misconduct, creating a skewed moral framework where the security of one nation is deemed more important than the integrity of international law itself.

The Double Standard

Today, when the international community speaks of nuclear threats in the Middle East, the subject is invariably Iran. Yet the most immediate and substantial threat, Israels nuclear arsenal, remains untouchable. This double standard has evolved into a kind of doctrine in global diplomacy, where allegiance to Israels security necessitates the suspension of logic and justice. How can a state with hundreds of unmonitored nuclear warheads be framed as a stabilizing force, while another under strict IAEA oversight is cast as an existential threat?

This hypocrisy is especially evident in the application of the NPT. Intended as a universal instrument, it has instead functioned in the Middle East as a mechanism to constrain Arab states and Iran, while allowing Israel to expand its nuclear capabilities unchecked. The United States has consistently used its veto power in the UN Security Council to block resolutions targeting Israels nuclear program. Such policies not only undermine Washingtons credibility but erode the very foundations of international law. When laws apply only to the weak, they become instruments of domination rather than justice.

This hypocrisy is especially evident in the application of the NPT. Intended as a universal instrument, it has instead functioned in the Middle East as a mechanism to constrain Arab states and Iran, while allowing Israel to expand its nuclear capabilities unchecked.

Looking ahead, Middle Eastern security will not be achieved through bombing Natanz or assassinating scientists in Tehran. As long as Israel is permitted to maintain its nuclear monopoly under the protection of Western double standards, the region will remain locked in a cycle of proliferation. Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and others will inevitably seek their own nuclear capabilities to counterbalance Israeli dominance. Israels strategy of mowing the grass may delay conflict, but it cannot resolve it.



Photo of Dimona, Israel, by Avi Theret on Unsplash

The time has come for the world to stop feigning ignorance about Dimona. Any serious conversation about peace in the Middle East must begin with dismantling Israels nuclear privilege and demanding universal transparency. Without equal pressure on Israel to join the NPT and place its facilities under IAEA safeguards, the rhetoric of non-proliferation is little more than diplomatic theater. Regional security can only be built on a foundation of equality, not under the shadow of a nuclear monopoly sustained by global hypocrisy.

The views expressed in this article belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the editorial policy of Middle East Monitor or Informed Comment.

Ronny P Sasmita is Senior Analyst at Indonesia Strategic and Economics Action Institution

Via Middle East Monitor
Syria has begun to build its transitional justice framework, establishing by decree a Commission for Transitional Justice and a Commission for the Missing. These steps mark an important starting point, and reparations will play a central role, both in addressing harm and in showing how the state intends to respond to victims and their families. Yet, to contribute to restore trust, the new state needs to carefully design its reparation program with a clear, accessible and fair process, one that prioritizes the survivors needs.

Several practical issues will require attention: transparency in decision making, clear and inclusive eligibility criteria, sufficient administrative and technical capacity to support those who have suffered traumatic experiences, and meaningful access for Syrians living in remote areas or abroad. It will be crucial to consult with the affected communities, including survivors of grave violations, and with the civil society organizations which support them.

For all these, Syria could look to neighbouring Iraq for lessons. Syrias transitional justice remains at an early stage, with limited transparency and limited consultation with survivors. Iraqis have suffered decades of atrocities committed by the state and by non-state armed groups. And unlike Syria, Iraq has already implemented several reparations programs, for survivors of terror-related crimes, military wrongdoings, ISIS captivity, and crimes committed by Saddam Husseins former regime.

As we witnessed in Iraq, the success of reparations programs can be measured not only by their outcomes and numbers, but also by the survivors experiences during the application and the implementation processes. By focusing on the wording and the implementation of the Yazidi [Female] Survivors Law (YSL), a reparations program adopted in Iraq following the ISIS genocide against the Yazidi community, we can draw lessons for Syria.

A survivor-centred law

The passage of the YSL was a remarkable achievement, as it is the first reparations law in response to gender-based violence in Iraq and the Middle East region. It focuses on survivors of abduction, physical, psychological, sexual and gender-based violence, and mass killings. It covers not only Yazidi women and girls, but also Yazidi boys who were abducted as minors, as well as women and girls from the Shabak, Turkmen, and Christian communities who were also abducted. Finally, the law applies to male and female victims from all these four communities who have survived mass execution.

Individual reparations under the YSL include a monthly financial compensation, a plot of land, access to mental health services and education opportunities. It also recognises the crimes committed against these communities, including genocide, and requires the Iraqi state to look for the missing and exhume all remaining mass graves.

The YSL has established an administrative reparations scheme, implemented by the General Directorate for Survivors Affairs (GDSA) under the Iraqi ministry of Labor and Social Affairs. It has created an eight-member committee to adjudicate applications and hear first-level appeals, with the capacity to interview survivors at its discretion.

The process initially included minimal procedures and a flexible evidentiary standard so that survivors could access reparations outside of judicial proceedings. Based on the administrative nature of the program, survivors could provide any evidence available, and were not required to file a criminal complaint to access reparations. The law also included confidentiality provisions, prohibiting the GDSA and other government agencies from unauthorized sharing of survivors information.

As many female Yazidi survivors had already shared their stories repeatedly with journalists, NGOs and investigators, their statements taken by these well-known entities were considered as strong evidence that would enable survivors to access reparations without going through yet an additional interview. And while most survivors remained displaced in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, applications required travel to GDSA offices in Mosul or a satellite office later established in Sinjar. An online portal was introduced, allowing survivors to apply from within Iraq and from abroad.

The YSL programs achievements

The GDSA does not publish information on the number of applicants, appeals, or rejected claims, but, as of today, it has reported that the Committee has approved 2,216 individuals as survivors receiving monthly financial compensation. In addition, the GDSA has worked with NGOs to provide mental health services, while the government establishes a specialized centre in Sinjar. It is also working to provide access to education for survivors whose schooling was disrupted, and prioritization in public sector employment. Finally, the first phase of land distributions has taken place with 262 residential land titles issued to survivors. The YSL also mandates memorialization measures, searching for missing persons, opening mass graves, and supporting evidence collection and justice efforts.

These achievements are significant and require coordination with various other government federal and provincial agencies. The financial compensations were truly transformative for survivors and allowed them to rebuild their lives, and sometimes leave displacement camps, after a decade of living in precarious conditions. For many, it was the first time the harm they had suffered, individually and collectively, was recognised by the Iraqi state.

At the same time, the process was often difficult for survivors who had already endured severe trauma and frequently faced exposure and stigma within their communities. This matters because the purpose of reparations is not only to provide redress for atrocities, but also to repair the relationship between the state and its citizens, and for survivors to feel that the harm they have suffered is recognised and will not be repeated. The YSL has introduced a new reparations framework, but weaknesses in its drafting and its implementation have limited access and undermined its survivor-centred approach.

The ambiguity of the laws wording

The drafting of the YSL has led to three core issues which created major difficulties for some survivors.

First, the law was drafted to respond to the crimes perpetrated against Yazidi women and girls, and understandably so, given the number of victims, the gravity of the harm and ISIS genocidal campaign against the Yazidi community. However, women and girls from the Shabak, Turkmen, and Christian communities were also included in the law. To qualify for reparations under the YSL, applicants had to prove that ISIS abducted them on or after August 3, 2014, the date on which ISIS attacked towns and villages throughout the Yazidi homeland of Sinjar in the Ninewa Plains.

But ISIS had attacked the other communities before that date. As a result, these survivors had to establish that they were still held captive as of August 3 to qualify. So a Turkmen, Shabak or Christian woman who was captured and subsequently released before August 3, could not qualify for reparations, regardless of the harm she faced. For these communities that have faced different patterns of being targeted, a key term that remain undefined is kidnapping, which can lead to different interpretations about whether someone was taken by ISIS.

Another challenge was determining which harms needed to be established to qualify for reparations under Article 1 of the YSL, which includes kidnapping, sexual violence, family separation, forced religious conversion, and physical and psychological harm. Given the widespread understanding that many female Yazidi survivors had experienced sexual violence, applicants were often expected to provide evidence of multiple harms. Although the law does not require proof of rape, this question arose repeatedly during the application process, particularly for younger applicants. Pressuring women to disclose rape was both traumatizing and stigmatising.

Finally, there was confusion about which girls from the Shabak, Christian, and Turkmen communities qualified. The YSL uses several terms to describe eligible female survivors, including women, children, and adolescent girls. While Yazidi children are explicitly included, the law refers to survivors from the other communities as adolescent girls. This difference in wording effectively excluded girls under 16 from Shabak, Turkmen, and Christian communities, although they have suffered the same harms as the other children. Since the law does not define these terms, it leaves interpretation to the Committee responsible for reviewing applications. In practice, the Committee applied the most restrictive interpretation of these terms, excluding girls from the Shabak, Christian, and Turkmen communities. As a result, some young girls went through the difficult process only to learn that they were not eligible.

The law also has procedural gaps. For example, when the Committee rejects an application for reparations, the GDSA does not consistently issue a written decision setting out the date of the decision and the reasons for rejection. The absence of this information creates practical barriers for survivors seeking to appeal, whether before the Committee or, as a last resort, before the Court of First Instance. While some survivors have requested and received written decisions, this is not consistent, and verbal explanations provided by phone may be incomplete or misunderstood. Appeals must be filed within 30 days, and without clear reasons for rejection, survivors are at a disadvantage in preparing an effective appeal.

The additional requirement of a criminal investigation

The program suffered a significant setback two months into implementation when the Committee required all applicants to prove that they had filed a criminal case in the location of their abduction and that the investigation had been concluded. This applied regardless of whether survivors knew the perpetrators identities or whether the perpetrators were in Iraq, arrested or not, dead or alive. Although it was optional under the YSL, the former Committee chair made this requirement mandatory as a safeguard against fraud, effectively altering the administrative nature of the reparations program.

Practically speaking, to file a criminal complaint, every survivor had to engage with the multiple government actors in the criminal justice process. That included the police, judicial investigators, security and intelligence officers, all of whom were authorized to conduct their own interviews as they deemed appropriate and each one could affect the outcome of the survivors case by holding up the process or issuing a negative finding.

As criminal investigations are conducted in-person, survivors had to return to the actual location where ISIS had abducted them to be interviewed by the police and an investigative judge. These procedures required survivors to return to areas that triggered their trauma and where they felt insecure because of the potential presence of ISIS members and supporters.

During interviews, survivors also had to submit to a new array of questions about sexual violence, with no training for how to handle the sensitive nature of the issue. As part of the investigation process, government officials, notably police and investigative judges, sometimes asked the questions in courtrooms in the presence of public and government employees, sometimes with open doors, or in the presence of lawyers working on other cases. This exposed survivors to stigma, re-traumatisation, and the risk of family and community harm.

Iraqs criminal investigation process required survivors to present two witnesses who could testify that they had been abducted or seen in captivity. By making this mandatory, the laws confidentiality provisions were undermined with survivors forced to involve others in corroborating their claims. Over time, survivors were told that witnesses also had to be approved by the Committee, further limiting who could qualify.

This was a particular challenge for survivors from smaller communities and for those in exile, as such witnesses were often unavailable. Survivors who had already been approved by the committee, filed their complaints and given their testimony, had to return to courts and police stations, and testify again for others, forcing them to revisit traumatic experiences. Survivors also faced significant travel, additional cost, and logistical burdens, and more importantly, faced distress and uncertainty with an ever-changing process, new requirements and a lack of transparency. Those in Iraq often had to travel multiple times from camps in the Kurdistan Region to Mosul or Sinjar at their own expense, to bring their children to file separate cases. Others returned from abroad, including Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States, at great cost.

While the requirement to file a criminal complaint was never lifted, more than three years after the adoption of the law, the GDSA started a pilot program allowing survivors living abroad to apply through Iraqi embassies in several European countries, significantly reducing financial, logistical and psychological barriers. This remote application system was an essential step to ensure reparations would be accessible to more survivors.

Lessons for the future Syrian reparations program

International standards require reparations to be adequate, effective, and timely, without causing stigma or further harm, and to be delivered through survivor-centred, accessible processes with clear information and legal assistance. The experience of implementing the YSL highlights several lessons that may be relevant for policymakers and civil society actors in Syria as they consider future reparations mechanisms.

Draft the law clearly and define eligibility with precision. It should state who qualifies, which crimes are covered, and what evidence is required to access benefits, rather than leaving key terms open to interpretation.

Make eligibility decisions transparent and consultative. Syrians who apply for reparations and are rejected should be given information about the reasons for the denial in writing with clear information about deadlines and where to appeal.

An administrative reparations program is more likely to deliver survivor-centred outcomes in contexts of large-scale atrocities and limited resources. Criminal accountability processes often require higher standards of proof and involve lengthy, complex procedures that place greater burdens on individuals. While criminal accountability remains important, it should be separate from administrative reparations and should never be a requirement for accessing benefits.

Adopt flexible evidentiary standards and trauma-informed procedures. Survivors often lack documentary evidence, so programs should accept a broad range of credible evidence, including survivor testimony. Adjudicators should be trained to engage with survivors and to conduct interviews to gather necessary information in a sensitive manner. Procedures should protect privacy and confidentiality, avoid unnecessary probing into details of harm, and take into account factors such as gender, including by recruiting and training female staff. All processes should prioritize the physical and psychological safety of survivors.

Ensure the program is accessible to Syrians across the country and abroad, including those living far from Damascus. This can include online application processes, satellite offices, and coordination with embassies, while recognizing that not all Syrians will be able or willing to rely on embassy services, particularly those with refugee or asylum status or those who continue to distrust government institutions.

Establish independent oversight and appeal mechanisms so that decisions can be reviewed fairly and without bias by an independent authority.

Governments should work closely with civil society organizations, both for technical expertise and to deliver services to survivors, including mental health support and legal assistance.

Ultimately, reparations programs must demonstrate that the state is committed, not only to acknowledging past harm, but also to restoring trust between the state and its citizens and preventing recurrence of atrocities. The Syria program will be most likely to achieve this if it is designed in a way that is survivor-centred and trauma-informed, non-adversarial, and responsive to the realities survivors confront.
Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the current war against the Hezbollah armed group.

"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani," Katz said in a video statement published by his ministry, referring to a river around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

He said the return of more than 600,000 displaced Lebanese residents would be "completely prevented" until north Israel's security was ensured.

Katz added that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza, in order to remove once and for all the border-adjacent threats from the residents of the north".

Israeli forces devastated Rafah and Beit Hanoun during their two-year war against Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the Palestinian Islamist movement's attack against southern Israel in October 2023.

Lebanon was pulled into the current Middle East war when the Tehran-backed Hezbollah fired rockets at Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in the opening salvo of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.

Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive in the south.

Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began, with more than one million others displaced.

On Sunday, Human Rights Watch said it had written to Katz to express its "grave concerns about recent statements made by Israeli officials that undermine respect for international humanitarian law and a willingness to abide by them".

"These concerns arise in the context of a broader pattern of laws-of-war violations by Israeli forces," says the letter, a copy of which was published by HRW.

The organisation cited comments made by Katz on March 16 in which he threatened to prevent the return of people who had fled the region south of the Litani.

"Using the denial of civilian return as a bargaining tool constitutes forced displacement, which is prohibited under the laws of war and a possible war crime," HRW said.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists on Tuesday that since the start of the war, Hezbollah had fired "somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 rockets, UAVs and missiles, and mortars... towards Israel, some towards our troops, some towards civilian communities".
Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said the military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war against Hezbollah, as warplanes carried out fresh strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Katz's statement was not the first Israeli declaration signalling an intention to occupy parts of the south, but it was the clearest since the Middle East war spread to Lebanon on March 2.

Also on Tuesday, AFPTV's live broadcast showed a strike hitting Beirut's southern suburbs, long a bastion of Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it "has begun to strike Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut".

It also renewed its strikes on Lebanon, particularly the country's south, with Israeli troops carrying out ground incursions in border areas.

The Iran-backed militant group drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge Israel's killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.

"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani," Katz said in a video statement published by his ministry.

He was referring to a river that flows around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

He also said the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese would be "completely prevented" until northern Israel's security was ensured.

Katz added that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza, in order to remove once and for all the border-adjacent threats from the residents of the north".

Israeli forces devastated Rafah and Beit Hanoun during their two-year war against Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the Palestinian Islamist movement's attack against southern Israel in October 2023.

- Concerns for international law -

Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began, with more than one million others displaced.

On Sunday, Human Rights Watch said it had written to Katz to express its "grave concerns about recent statements made by Israeli officials that undermine respect for international humanitarian law and a willingness to abide by them".

"These concerns arise in the context of a broader pattern of laws-of-war violations by Israeli forces," says the letter, a copy of which was published by HRW.

The organisation cited comments made by Katz on March 16 in which he threatened to prevent the return of people who had fled the region south of the Litani.

"Using the denial of civilian return as a bargaining tool constitutes forced displacement, which is prohibited under the laws of war and a possible war crime," HRW said.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists on Tuesday that since the start of the war, Hezbollah had fired "somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 rockets, UAVs and missiles, and mortars... towards Israel, some towards our troops, some towards civilian communities".

Hezbollah meanwhile has been announcing in daily statements that it has targeted Israeli sites and forces, or that it has engaged in direct clashes with Israeli forces in border towns.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said on Monday that two of its personnel were killed in southern Lebanon in the second deadly incident in 24 hours.

The EU on Tuesday demanded an investigation into the attacks on peacekeepers, which its spokesman Anouar El Anouni said were "totally unacceptable".
The United Nations on Tuesday harshly criticised the Israeli parliament's approval of a "cruel and discriminatory" new death penalty bill, warning that applying it in occupied Palestinian territory "would constitute a war crime".

Under the new law, passed in parliament late Monday, Palestinians in the occupied West Bank convicted by military courts of carrying out deadly attacks classified as "terrorism" will face the death penalty as a default sentence.

A spokesman for UN chief Antonio Guterres said the world body stood "against the death penalty in all its aspects, wherever".

"The discriminatory nature of this particular law makes it particularly cruel and discriminatory, and we ask that the Israeli government rescind it and not implement it," Stephane Dujarric told reporters in New York.

UN rights chief Volker Turk also called for the bill to be "promptly repealed", warning that it was "patently inconsistent with Israel's international law obligations".

Because Palestinians in the territory are automatically tried in Israeli military courts, the measure effectively creates a separate and harsher legal track.

In Israeli civilian courts, the law allows for either death or life imprisonment for those convicted of killing with intent to harm the state.

Israel has only applied the death penalty twice: in 1948, shortly after the state's founding, against a military captain accused of high treason, and then in 1962, when the Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was hanged.

Turk stressed that "the death penalty is profoundly difficult to reconcile with human dignity", cautioning that "its application in a discriminatory manner would constitute an additional, particularly egregious violation of international law".

"Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime."

The UN rights chief also expressed alarm at another bill currently before the Knesset aimed at establishing a special military court exclusively to prosecute crimes committed during and in the aftermath of Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack inside Israel, which sparked the war in Gaza.

That court would not have jurisdiction over crimes committed by Israeli forces in the occupied Palestinian territory.

"I urge the Knesset to reject this bill," Turk said, warning that "by focusing exclusively on crimes committed by Palestinians, it would institutionalise discriminatory and one-sided justice".

His statement cautioned that "these legislative steps will further entrench Israel's violation of the prohibition of racial segregation and apartheid by discriminatorily targeting Palestinians, who are often convicted following unfair trials".






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Waterways Ireland has spent 100,000 in the past year repairing a canal bridge that is almost a quarter of a millennium old on a busy road between Prosperous and Kilmeague.

Known as Healys Bridge, the bridge crosses the Grand Canal at the Downings and was hit by traffic a number of times throughout 2025 and 2026.

In a letter to Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly, a spokesperson for Waterways Ireland said that it was actively working with Kildare County Council to find a solution to the matter.

Deputy Farrelly has worked with his Social Democrats colleague Cllr Paula Mulroe in campaigning for traffic calming measures to preserve the bridge.

Healys Bridge is a traditional humpback canal bridge built in the late 1790s and not really fit for modern day traffic volumes, Cllr Mulroe explained.

The bridge has been hit by traffic a number of times in the recent past and damaged  seriously enough that navigation on the canal had to be halted while repairs were being conducted.

We have reached out to Kildare County Council on this in the past and they have rejected the possibility of traffic lights and a stop/go system as a way to preserve the bridge.

Doing nothing about it is certainly not an option.

Whatever is done, the current volume of traffic is not sustainable over a 230 year old bridge that was built to carry horses and carts, the Prosperous county councillor said.
By Rebecca Black, Press Association

An attempt to attack a police station is likely a sad and futile bid by dissident republicans to make themselves relevant ahead of the anniversary of the Easter Rising, a senior officer has said.

Police said a delivery driver was lured to Kilwilkie estate in Lurgan on Monday night where he was hijacked and forced to drive a crude but viable device to the towns police station.

The device, which was placed in the boot of the car, has been described as about the size of a briefcase and was said to have carried a huge amount of danger, putting both the driver of the car and those in the station at risk.

It comes ahead of the annual marking of the 1916 Easter Rising which led to the independence of the Republic from British rule in 1922.

A white Audi car parked inside the police station in Lurgan, Co Armagh (Liam McBurney/PA)

Speaking to the media in Lurgan on Tuesday, Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson described the incident as clearly planned.

If carried out by dissidents, it would be one of the most serious attacks since the shooting of senior detective John Caldwell in Omagh in February 2023.

Whilst well keep an open mind in this investigation, we very much suspect that it is dissident republican terrorists involved, and I suspect that this is a sad and futile attempt to make themselves relevant as we move towards Easter, Mr Henderson said.

I want to be very clear as the people of Lurgan are, and the people beyond Lurgan, that those relics from the past have no place with society today.

PSNI forensic officers in Omagh, where John Caldwell was shot a number of times by dissidents in 2023 (PA)

We all treasure the peace which has been built here in Northern Ireland, they detest it, they want it disrupted, they want to bring us back to a place that no one wants to be in.

We cant afford that to happen and together we will stop it happening.

He added: Well be looking at all options in terms of who could have done that, but it seems obvious to us that it is likely to be dissident republicans.

The assessed threat level for dissident republican attacks in Northern Ireland remains substantial.

Mr Henderson said: Thats not something to be shirked away from nor something that we do not see as part of our daily policing.

Sadly this attack was something that we have prepared for, to anticipate as part of policing here in Northern Ireland, very sadly.

An attack like this is thankfully rare, we know that our staff, not just working here in Lurgan but elsewhere, will be worried and concerned about the potential for an attack on other premises.

Thats why over the coming days we will be increasing our policing footprint in and around police stations to prevent but also to reassure our own people that we are doing absolutely everything in our power to bring to justice those who have committed this act.
Gordon Deegan

A deeply religious mother currently in prison wept in court after a judge refused her request to defer her child's First Holy Communion until later in the year.

At a Family Law Court sitting, Judge Valerie Corcoran said that it would be more detrimental in the long run for the child if the First Holy Communion with the school's communion class did not proceed in May as planned.

Judge Corcoran said she attached a lot of weight to the evidence given by the mother in the application but what was paramount in the case was the interest of the child.

Accompanied from prison by a female prison officer in the custody suite in the court, the mother bowed her head and cried after Judge Corcoran ruled that the First Communion is to proceed as planned.

The Tusla appointed social care worker in the case told the court that no communion dress has been purchased as they were awaiting the outcome of the courts decision on the issue of the First Holy Communion.

The mother is not due for release until May of this year and after the woman received her prison term in January, Tusla the Child and Family Agency (CFA) secured care orders to take a number of her children into care.

Giving sworn evidence, the mother said: Judge please do not let this First Communion go ahead. Please.

The mother said that there is no reason why the First Communion should go ahead in May when the family can do it privately later on in the year with other family members after release from custody and re-unification with her children.

The woman has a number of children and said: I am their mother. I carried them. I gave birth to them. This is a very big thing for me.

The mother said that she is not going to have another child or girl and wanted to be involved in getting the dress, the make-up, the hair and the nails done in advance of the First Communion Day.

The mother said that religion is good at the family home.

She said: We go to mass and we say our prayers at home. This is a big, big thing to me."

The mother said that she didnt want the Communion going ahead when she has her children in a strangers care.

Video call

The mother said that she spoke to her children on a video call from prison earlier this month and they want the First Holy Communion to be deferred.

The mother dismissed the idea of the First Holy Communion proceeding in May and the family holding their own private First Holy Communion later in the year.

She said: Two First Communions? No priest is going to stand over two first Holy Communions to be fair about it.

The mother said that she has had no role in the preparation of the First Holy Communion as I have been in custody.

Judge Corcoran said the mother is deeply religious and said that the mother is due for release on remission almost two weeks before the First Holy Communion date and she said that she hopes that the mother will be able to participate in the choice of dress for the day and other preparations - and to be present on the day.

The Tusla social care worker in the case said that Tusla understands that the First Holy Communion is a very special time for the mother and Tusla very much welcomes the mothers participation in the preparation for the First Holy Communion day and on the day itself if she is released from prison by then.

The Tusla worker said that she spoke to the woman's children and they wish to proceed with the First Holy Communion in May.

The court appointed independent voice of the child in the case, the Guardian ad Litem said that he supported the CFA wish to proceed with the First Holy Communion in May.

Judge Corcoran refused an application by solicitor, William OKeeffe for the mother to put a stay on her order, pending an appeal.
A young man on an e-scooter collided with a pedestrian, causing a laceration that needed 17 stitches, Kilkenny District Court has heard.

Jordan Grant, 63 Newpark Close, Kilkenny, pleaded guilty to a charge of endangerment, contrary to Section 13 of the Non Fatal Offences Against the Person Act 1997.

The court was told that on July 11, 2025, the injured woman came out of a shop on John Street, Kilkenny, when Mr Grant collided with her, on the path. He had been coming from the direction of Macdonagh train station.

READ NEXT: 'A dangerous place' - Kilkenny to get new pedestrian crossings amid safety fears

The woman suffered a laceration to her head that bled profusely. An ambulance was called and the women required 17 stitches.

Mr Grant stayed with the woman until the ambulance arrived and made admissions to gardai.

Solicitor Tertius Van Eeden said his client is 24 and was never in trouble before. He is a trainee welder.

He said the traffic had been backed up on John Street and his client had mounted the pavement to pass just as the woman came out of a shop.

Mr Van Eeden said his client is willing to pay compensation to the injured party and asked that the matter be put back to allow a Probation Report.

Judge Geraldine Carthy adjourned the case to May 19 to allow the report to be prepared and asked for a victim impact statement to be ready on the day too, and she will finalise the matter.
As first published by the Kilkenny People - A Kilkenny woman living with a rare degenerative neurological disease has urged the government to make the first approved treatment for the condition available to her and others impacted across the country.

Emily Felix, a trainee solicitor from Gowran, was first diagnosed with the largely unheard-of Friedreichs Ataxia in September 2010 at just 12 years of age, a diagnosis that would change her life forever.

Before her diagnosis, Emilys family had been concerned about many worrying trends, poor balance and difficulty running. What was initially dismissed as clumsiness later emerged as the little-known medical condition, a rare neurodegenerative disorder which causes progressive damage to the nervous system.

READ NEXT: 'Dangerous' - warning that some Kilkenny City zebra crossings are unsafe

Sixteen years on, the illness has become part of Emilys everyday life. From adapting her routine to managing increasing physical challenges, she has learned to live with the reality of the condition.

Now, however, she and other campaigners believe there is reason for hope and are calling on the government to provide critical funding for the drug, Skyclarys, a drug first developed in 2023 which is believed to slow down the progression of the condition.

"I know its not a cure and it wont reverse all the damage that has been done and all the abilities I had, but it will pause the deterioration where it is so that I can have a future and I can maintain what I have, Emily told Kilkenny Live.

"I work very hard to preserve the strength that I have. I go to the gym twice a week, and I work very hard physically to maintain what I have, but at the moment, Im doing this in vain. As much as I do, my ability is lost either way. So it would be great to have a treatment which would allow me to continue living a life that I can live independently, travel the world, work full-time and continue to study to become a solicitor," Emily continued.

READ NEXT: 'A dangerous place' - Kilkenny to get new pedestrian crossings amid safety fears

"Also it removes that fear of the future. It removes the overwhelming fear of not knowing month to month, year to year, what abilities Im going to lose. Its a lifeline. Its not a cure, but its the next best thing. I dont think the people making these decisions realise." she explained.

Approximately, 200 people live with Friedreichs ataxia in Ireland presently, a stat Emily believes shouldnt diminish the importance of importing this new drug, arguing people with the illness should not be condemned to a life as a vulnerable minority.

Sister Anna believes that the rarity of the condition should not overshadow its significance.

"The importance of awareness and support cannot be understated. We live in a system that responds to numbers and groups that can shout the loudest. This means we are pushed to the sidelines as there are fewer patients and fewer voices in the room. We are calling on our community for support," Anna said.

"Actions will speak louder than words," Emily concluded, revealing she and other campaigners had a productive meeting with TDs in Leinster House last week.

FOR MORE KILKENNY CITY NEWS, CLICK HERE
Waterford Council of Trade Unions (WCTU) raises alarm at news that TUSLA is defunding a service level agreement (SLA) in Waterford and Wexford that supports children in care and foster carers in South Kilkenny.

The therapeutic service in Waterford and Wexford has been funded by Tusla for the last eight years through St Brigids Family Resource Centre, which operates in Waterford City.

READ MORE: Pictures: Tusla opens A Day in the Life of Foster Families Exhibition in Kilkenny

WCTU is responding to concerns relating to the defunding of a crucial therapeutic service which operates across Waterford, Wexford and South Kilkenny.

WCTU were notified that three workers  two play therapists and one social care leader have been issued with redundancy notices which will see their employment cease on Mau 15.

A WCTU spokesperson stated, staff working within TUSLA services have long advocated for an increase to publicly accessible therapeutic support for the children and families they work with, it is astounding that TUSLA is defunding a service that provide publicly funded play therapy and therapeutic social care services to the most vulnerable children across Waterford, Wexford and South Kilkenny.

The Trade Union movement has voiced its concerns about the increasing creep of privatisation in our health and social care services, senior management in TUSLA are stating that these vital workers can offer their services as a private vendor if they wish. These three workers have worked alongside their colleagues in TUSLA for years, building up friendships, respect and a joint working relationship that has been invaluable to the public service

WCTU supports these staff members and indeed the frontline staff within the agency who know how crucial these services are to the most vulnerable children across the area. The staff members are fighting for the survival of the service, which provides crucial help for children and families across the region every year.

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WCTU stated typical of the selflessness of these workers  while their own employment is being actively threatened, they are intensely highlighting to TUSLA management, the negative impact these cuts could have on children who are working with therapists as part of the process involved in reporting traumatic child abuse they experienced prior to being in care.

WCTU calls for political intervention from the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Norma Foley and for public representatives across the area to work together to retain these vital services within the public sector.

WCTU stated the outage felt by Workers within the services must be acknowledged across Waterford, Wexford and South Kilkenny. TUSLA Management must engage meaningfully on this matter and see the negative impact this defunding decision will have on the most vulnerable children in our society.


The Herald reports:

A former mayor who lost her licence after getting too many speeding tickets is being called on to resign from her role at Wellington Free Ambulance.

Dame Kerry Prendergast, Wellington Mayor from 2001-2010, now serves as the chair of the ambulance organisation.

She last week admitted to having her driver licence suspended for three months before Christmas after racking up 100 demerit points from five speeding infringements.

The admission has raised the eyebrows of paramedics, and prompted the head of the New Zealand Ambulance Association to call for disciplinary action or a resignation.
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A LOCAL man who stole a 2.80 bottle of coca cola was given a one-month custodial sentence when he appeared at Portlaoise District Court last week.

Patrick Kelly (30), OMoore Place, Portlaoise, who is currently serving a prison sentence with a release date in May next year, pleaded guilty to the theft of the coca cola on 24 February from Spar, Station Road, Portarlington and to being intoxicated in a public place and to engaging in threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour at Market Square, Portlaoise on 10 February.

Garda Sgt JJ Kirby said the defendant went into the Spar store and took the bottle of coca cola and left without paying for it.

Regarding the public order offences in Portlaoise, Sgt Kirby said that Mr Kelly was in a highly intoxicated state when gardai came upon him. There were other members of the public present and he was roaring and shouting and had to be arrested.

Sgt Kirby said the defendant had 54 previous convictions.

Defence solicitor Josephine Fitzpatrick said that while her client acknowledges the theft is small, he appreciates that it was a nuisance to the shop owner.

Judge Susan Fay said she was not going to add extra time onto Mr Kellys current sentence.

She went on to convict him of the theft and imposed a one-month sentence to commence from the day he appeared in court last week.

She took the two public order matters into consideration.

Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme.
A fitness-to-practise inquiry has decided to make no findings in relation to allegations that a staff nurse physically, verbally and psychologically abused a vulnerable resident of a Laois nursing home including threatening to kill her.

The nurse, Xhilda Zana, had been accused of three allegations of professional misconduct over her interaction with the elderly woman on the morning of September 6, 2021 at Kilminchy Lodge nursing home in Portlaoise, Co Laois.

The inquiry by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Ireland heard Ms Zana was accused of verbally assaulting the woman  identified only as Resident A  by shouting at her in an inappropriate manner and threatening to kill her.

It is also alleged that the nurse pressed the woman down onto her bed with force on her shoulder and hip during the same incident.

Counsel for the NMBI, Deirdre Lynch BL, said Ms Zana was also accused of psychologically abusing the resident, who suffered from a moderate to severe cognitive impairment and had been diagnosed with dementia, by ignoring her pleas to stop the assault and abuse.

The nurse was further accused of poor professional performance and breaches of the NMBIs Code of Professional Conduct and Ethics in relation to the same single incident.

The first day of the inquiry, which was held in February, heard evidence from a health care assistant, Claire Hennessy who was the only eyewitness to the alleged incident.

She described hearing shouting and someone saying: Stop it. Youre hurting me. Ms Hennessy recalled seeing Ms Zana pressing the resident into the metal frame of the bed and saying: If you dont stop. I am going to kill you. The witness said she was shocked by what happened but did not have the courage to say anything as she was really scared of the nurse.

Ms Zana did not attend the inquiry and was not legally represented.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, Stephanie Badinas, who was assistant director of nursing at Kilminchy Lodge at the time of the alleged incident, confirmed being told by Ms Hennessy about the incident.

Ms Badinas said she and the then director of nursing, Evelyn McCormack, immediately went to check on Resident A.

She recalled that the woman was very anxious and crying but she did not see any physical injuries on her.

Ms Badinas said Resident A also stated: Shes going to kill me. In reply to questions from Ms Lynch, the witness said it would not have been characteristic for Resident A to be agitated or anxious, although there would be times when she would cry such as when looking for her family.

Ms Badinas said she had never heard Resident A say anything before about someone going to kill her.

The inquiry heard Ms Hennessy had complained that working with the nurse was hard as Ms Zara was a pain. Most of us didnt get on with her. She was really bossy, she told Ms Badinas.

However, the witness said she never had any bad interactions with Ms Zana and she was not aware previously of any issues between the nurse and other staff.

The inquiry heard a GP, who was called to examine Resident A following the alleged incident, found no evidence of any physical injuries that would raise concerns.

In evidence, Ms McCormack said she had no reason to disbelieve or doubt what Ms Hennessy was claiming about the nurse.

She recalled going to check on Resident A and finding her extremely distressed and frightened."

Ms McCormack said she had only started working in the nursing home a week earlier but she had no direct or indirect knowledge to suggest Resident A was in the habit of making significant allegations or being distressed.

She also confirmed hearing Resident A stating: Shes going to kill me but accepted the woman had never identified exactly who had threatened her.

The inquiry heard Ms Zana had recorded in her nursing notes that the woman was OK but had been a bit disturbed during the previous night.

However, Ms McCormack said nothing had been documented by the nurse to indicate that anything had happened. When she first spoke to Ms Zana about the incident at 4pm later that day, Ms McCormack said the nurse stated that she had put all the relevant information into the nursing notes and she had nothing further to add.

The witness said the nurse sent her an e-mail the following day to hand in her resignation.

The inquiry heard Ms Zana repeated her assertion that she had already put everything in the nursing notes about the resident trying to get out of bed and there was nothing special to tell. Ms Mc Cormack said that when she asked the nurse on September 8, 2021 for a written statement about the alleged incident that Ms Zana replied that Ms Hennessy was making it up and writing crazy things.

The nurse said she was shocked about the complaint and did not want to work with colleagues like this. Ms Zana told her superior that resignation was the best thing for her to do in order to stay away from nasty colleagues. She also remarked that she had never experienced such absurdness in her work and did not want to be bullied by other workers.

However, the nurse insisted that she had never hurt anybody.

At the conclusion of the hearing, the chairperson of the inquiry, Mary Leahy, said the fitness-to-practise sub-committee had decided to make no findings in the case.
Juan Pablo Escobar Henao spent years trying to distance himself from the legacy of his father, Pablo Escobar. Over time, he understood that escaping that history was impossible. So he chose a different path: telling the truth about it. Not to glorify one of the world's most notorious criminals, but to reveal what life inside the Escobar family was really like and to push back against the way television and film have often turned that violence into spectacle.

That is what Escobar Henao told this reporter in 2016, when he released his memoir Pablo Escobar, My Father. Now, he is taking that mission to an even bigger audience with Hulu's Dear Killer Nannies, the Hulu series that premieres on April 1, based on his experience growing up around narcos. At the center of the project is the message he has spent years trying to make clear: there is nothing cool, glamorous, or enviable about being a criminal.

In all truth, there is no shortage of stories about Pablo Escobar, the creator and leader of the Medellin Cartel, starting with Netflix's Narcos. What there has not been, until now, is a major scripted series that looks at him first through the eyes of the son who loved him. That is the emotional engine behind Dear Killer Nannies, starred by John Leguizamo and inspired by the childhood of Escobar Henao, now known as Sebastian Marroquin. This is also why the project lands so differently from the narco dramas that came before it.

In a joint interview with the Latin Times, creator Sebastian Ortega and star Janer Villarreal said that was the entire point. "Having the opportunity to tell it from within the family nucleus, something that had never happened before," explained Ortega, explaining that previous stories had come from "people outside the family." What interested him, he added, was telling it "from the point of view of a child" who, over the course of the series, becomes a teenager and discovers that the father he loves is "one of the worst criminals in the world."

That child was not a passive witness to history. Juan Pablo Escobar Henao was born on Feb. 24, 1977. When Pablo Escobar was killed in Medellin on Dec. 2, 1993, he was 16 years old. That detail matters because Dear Killer Nannies is not simply the story of an innocent boy too young to understand what was happening around him. It is also the story of a teenager old enough to grasp the horror of his father's world while still being emotionally bound to him.

Premiering on April 1, the series follows "Juampi" as he faces "the burden of his surname" and must decide whether to continue the family legacy or "start a new life from scratch."

Juan Pablo himself has been explicit about why he wanted this version told. "I had already gone through books, documentaries, and a lot of stories about my father, and I felt this was the moment to tell my personal story, Juan Pablo's story, the story of the child, the little boy, and the teenager, and the decisions and traumatic moments I went through," he said when presenting the series. "I felt I had the opportunity to tell a very different perspective on my father's story."

That perspective is rooted in an unsettling detail that gives the series its title. During the height of Pablo Escobar's power, some of the men assigned to protect Juan Pablo were assassins from the Medellin Cartel who effectively doubled as babysitters. These so-called "nannies" were hitmen entrusted with watching the cartel boss's only son, an arrangement that captures the contradiction of his childhood better than any amount of crime-scene spectacle ever could.

Villarreal, the Colombian actor who plays Juan Pablo as a teenager, spoke candidly about the weight of inhabiting that contradiction. There was always a constant need to approach it responsibly," he said, calling the subject "very sensitive."

Villarreal said he took on the role with "Juan Pablo's guidance because I had him very close in order to understand his account" and from "a place of empathy" because "to understand, you have to empathize."

That emotional rigor is central to why the series feels different. Villarreal said the project forced him to become"Much more aware of the scars and pain this episode caused" in Colombia, and that it helped him understand "from another point of view the pain my country has suffered." In other words, this is not a performance built around imitation or mythology. It is built around trauma, memory and the question of what survives inside a child long after the gunfire stops.

Crime doesn't pay

After Escobar was killed, Escobar Henao fled Colombia with his mother, Maria Victoria Henao, and his sister Manuela. The family eventually settled in Buenos Aires under new identities, and Juan Pablo became Sebastian Marroquin. In Argentina he studied architecture and industrial design, later becoming an architect, author, and public speaker. He also struggled to find work because of his identity, and in the years that followed, he publicly apologized to some of his father's victims and tried to redirect the conversation around his family name.

That long project of reckoning is inseparable from Dear Killer Nannies. Marroquin has spent years criticizing the glamorization of Pablo Escobar in popular culture. He blasted Narcos for inaccuracies and later wrote books and a 2025 graphic novel, Escobar: Una Educacion Criminal, that helped inspire the new series. In that book rollout, he made his position crystal clear. "I raise awareness, Netflix glorifies," he said.

Ortega echoed that philosophy in his conversation with Latin Times, but with an artist's formulation. This story, he said, "deserved to be told" in a way that honored the truth and created reflection, leaving behind "a clear message that violence doesn't lead anywhere good," he added. ""Throughout the entire series, you never see a brick of cocaine," despite the fact that it is about "the biggest drug trafficker in history," because "that is not the focus. The focus is the child's point of view."

That may be the boldest creative choice the series makes. It understands that showing Pablo Escobar as a father does not redeem him. If anything, it makes him more disturbing. The domestic intimacy does not soften the violence. It reveals how deeply it invades everyday life, how it reshapes childhood, and how a boy can grow up surrounded by privilege, affection, terror and death all at once.

That is the real story behind Dear Killer Nannies. Not the rise of a capo the world already knows, but the "private" education of the son who had to survive him.

Originally published on Latin Times
The Trump administration reportedly shut down three social media accounts after now former Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino retained them for personal use and refused to hand them over, according to a new report.

The Washington Examiner noted that the accounts had a combined following of some 850,000 people and belonged to the Border Patrol's El Centro, California, region.

"Chief Patrol Agent Bovino has retired from federal service and no longer has access to official government social media accounts," a CBP spokesperson told the outlet.

Bovino has sustained scrutiny since leaving his post, recently saying he has few regrets about his heavy-handed approach.

Speaking to The New York Times, Bovino defended the strategy he helped implement during a nationwide surge in immigration enforcement, describing it as "total border domination."

He added that softer approaches favored by others in government failed to deliver results. "I'm not going to 'control' it," he said. "We're going to dominate the hell out of that damn place."

His tenure coincided with a series of high-profile operations in cities including Los Angeles, Chicago and Minneapolis, where federal agents deployed tear gas, conducted large-scale raids and responded to protests, drawing legal challenges, political backlash and scrutiny from within the Department of Homeland Security. In Minneapolis, two U.S. citizens were killed during enforcement actions, intensifying criticism and prompting the administration to scale back the initiative.

According to a report published by The Daily Beast, Bovino opted to retire after being reassigned to his previous post in California and facing multiple investigations into his conduct. One inquiry centers on remarks he allegedly made about a federal prosecutor's observance of Shabbat, while others involve his use of force during protests, including an incident in which he was filmed deploying tear gas toward demonstrators.

Despite the controversies, Bovino rejected the notion that his methods were excessive, arguing that his "turn and burn" tactics  a departure from intelligence-led enforcement  were necessary to maximize arrests and deter unlawful crossings. Over nearly three decades in the agency, he built a reputation for testing legal boundaries and prioritizing volume of apprehensions, a strategy that drew both support from subordinates and criticism from colleagues.

Former officials described him as a polarizing figure whose confrontational style and disregard for protocol created internal friction. A report published by the Project On Government Oversight, analyzing enforcement data from 2022 to 2025, found that his sector used force more frequently relative to arrests than others in the agency.

Originally published on Latin Times
A first-of-its-kind random-sample survey of federal judges has found that more than 60% have used generative artificial intelligence tools in their judicial work, though fewer than one in four use these tools on a daily or weekly basis.

The study, conducted by researchers at Northwestern University in collaboration with the New York City Bar Association, provides an empirical snapshot of how AI is being integrated  and not integrated  into federal court chambers.

The research, Artificial Intelligence in Federal Courts: A Random-Sample Survey of Judges, forthcoming in Volume 27 of The Sedona Conference Journal, surveyed 502 randomly selected bankruptcy, magistrate, district court and court of appeals judges in late 2025. Of those, 112 responded, for a 22.3% response rate.

The survey found that 61.6% of responding judges use at least one AI tool in their judicial work. Of those, however, few use it frequently. Only 5.4% reported daily use, while 17% use AI tools weekly. Another 19.6% use AI monthly, and the same percentage use it rarely. The remaining 38.4% reported never using any of the listed AI tools in their work.

Although a majority of responding judges at least occasionally use AI tools in their judicial work, relatively few report using AI on a daily or weekly basis, the report states. This pattern suggests that AI is present in federal judicial chambers but not yet a routine, embedded part of most judges decision-making processes.

A Preference for Legal AI Tools

The survey found a clear preference among judges for legal-specific AI tools integrated into established research platforms rather than general-purpose AI systems such as ChatGPT.

That said, while Westlaw AI-Assisted Research or Deep Research was the most commonly used tool, with 38.4% of judges reporting some level of use, ChatGPT came second at 28.6%.

However, the frequency of use differs between legal-specific and general tools. For legal-specific AI tools, 5.4% of judges reported daily use and 9.8% reported weekly use. For general-purpose AI tools, only 0.9% reported daily use and 9.8% reported weekly use.

This pattern indicates that vendor familiarity and perceived reliability may strongly shape which AI tools judges are willing to deploy in chambers, the report notes.

Other AI tools showed minimal adoption. Anthropics Claude was used by only 0.9% of judges, all at a frequency of rarely. Harvey and Legora showed 0% usage across all responding judges. Vincent AI (vLex) similarly showed only 0.9% rare usage.

Legal Research Dominates Usage

When asked about specific applications, judges overwhelmingly pointed to legal research as their primary AI use case. Thirty percent of judges reported using AI to conduct legal research, making it the most common application by a significant margin.

Document review came in second at 15.5%, followed by drafting documents not filed in cases (7.3%), summarizing text or audio (7.3%), and preparing case timelines or chronologies (5.5%).

Notably, judges reported minimal use of AI for drafting or editing documents that are filed in cases. Only 1.8% reported using AI to draft filed documents such as orders, opinions or judgments, and 2.7% reported using AI to edit such documents.

This contrasts with higher rates for non-filed documents: 7.3% use AI to draft letters, emails or articles, and 4.5% use AI to edit such materials.

The survey also found that 1.8% of judges reported using AI to make decisions, while 4.5% reported using AI to inform decisions.

Staff Show Similar Patterns

Judges reported slightly higher AI usage compared to others in their chambers. While 50.9% of judges said they do not use AI in their work, a somewhat lower 45% reported that others in their chambers do not use AI.

Legal research remained the top use case for chambers staff at 39.8%, followed by document review at 16.7%. The patterns largely mirrored judges own usage, though judges reported that staff use AI for legal research approximately 10 percentage points more frequently than judges themselves do.

Several judges indicated uncertainty about how their staff actually use AI. One responded simply, I am not certain whether they use any type of AI. Another recounted an incident where my law clerk wrote a memo for me, and then after she finished, out of curiosity, she asked AI to write a memo on the same question. Of the 11 cases AI cited in its version, 10 of them were fake.

Training Gap Identified

The survey revealed what the researchers describe as unmet demand for AI training in the judiciary. Nearly half of judges (45.5%) reported that AI training had not been provided by court administration, and an additional 15.7% were unsure whether training had been offered.

Among the 38.9% who recalled training being offered, a significant majority (73.8%) attended. This suggests that when training is provided and visible, judges are receptive to it.

Training availability and attendance varied by judge type. Magistrate judges reported the highest rate of attending training at 40%, followed by bankruptcy judges at 36.7%. District court judges reported attending at a lower rate of 16.7%.

Chambers Policies: A Mixed Picture

The survey found no dominant approach to AI governance within chambers. Approximately one-third of judges either permit and encourage (7.4%) or permit (25.9%) AI use by those working in their chambers. Another third either formally prohibit (20.4%) or discourage but do not formally prohibit (17.6%) AI use.

One in four judges (24.1%) reported having no official policy on AI use. If those who merely discourage AI without formal prohibition are included, 41.7% of judges lack an official AI policy.

Several judges who selected permitted or permitted and encouraged described significant limitations. One wrote: I have a firm policy, though, against AI generating content of orders, opinions, or communications.

Another specified that AI is permitted and encouraged, but within very narrow guardrails. Only as part of Westlaw or Lexis research tools, and only to summarize voluminous materials.

Similarly, some judges who selected formally prohibited carved out exceptions. One noted: My clerks can use AI for legal research (Westlaw) but not for other functions.

Another wrote: Its fine to use for something like a poem celebrating a birthday or anniversary. But I do not permit it for case-related work.

Personal Use Correlates with Professional

The survey found a statistically significant correlation between judges personal and professional AI use. The researchers used a statistical analysis tool, the chi-square test, and found what they described as strong statistical evidence of association. Another statistical analysis method, the Cramers V test, found a moderate strength of association between their personal and professional use.

Overall, 38% of judges reported using AI daily or weekly outside of work. When asked about personal AI uses, judges described a wide range of applications: trip planning, restaurant recommendations, general knowledge searches, drafting personal correspondence and household questions.

One judge who uses AI daily outside work wrote: I use them every day to get answers to questions as they pop up throughout the day. I do not ever use AI to work on my cases.

One in five judges (20.4%) reported never using AI in either their personal lives or their work.

A Split Between Optimism and Concern

When asked about their general outlook on AIs potential for the judiciary, judges were nearly evenly divided. Slightly more than 43% expressed optimism (13% very optimistic, 30.6% somewhat optimistic), while approximately 42% expressed concern (13.9% very concerned, 27.8% somewhat concerned). Another 14.8% were neutral.

The free-response comments revealed recurring themes on both sides.

Optimistic judges emphasized efficiency gains and research capabilities. One wrote: Summarizing trial transcripts and voluminous documents and pinpointing instances of specific testimony in a closed universe environment is a huge time saver.

Another noted: I believe it will be a significant benefit to conserving judicial resources. So long as accuracy can be confirmed.

Concerned judges focused primarily on hallucinations and skill atrophy. One wrote: The consistent reports of zombie cases and other instances where AI conjures law or facts is terrifying and forms the basis for how we use AI in chambers.

Another expressed worry about broader effects: My [spouse] teaches and has sensitized me to the harmful effects that AI is having on students ability to think and write for themselves. The undergraduate students of 2025 are the law clerks of 2030, so yes, Im concerned.

Several judges expressed mixed feelings. One neutral respondent wrote: Im optimistic that AI can help us become more efficient , but I am highly concerned that AI is causing younger generations of lawyers and laypeople not to think critically and to lose essential research and writing skills.

One very concerned judge wrote: If I had published an opinion with hallucinated citations, Id have to give serious consideration to resigning.

Differences Across Judge Types

The survey revealed variations in AI adoption and attitudes across different categories of federal judges, though the researchers caution that some findings  particularly for court of appeals judges, where only six responded  should be viewed as anecdotal rather than representative.

Bankruptcy judges showed the highest rate of daily or weekly AI use at 32.2%, compared to 21.9% for magistrate judges and 13.9% for district court judges. Conversely, 46.5% of district court judges reported never using AI in their work, compared to 35.5% of bankruptcy judges and 37.5% of magistrate judges.

On outlook, magistrate judges were more optimistic than concerned (46.7% versus 30%), while bankruptcy judges (50% concerned versus 40% optimistic) and district court judges (47.6% concerned versus 40.5% optimistic) leaned toward concern.

Other AI Tools and Use Cases

When given the opportunity to describe other AI tools and uses, some judges identified applications beyond the surveys listed options. One judge mentioned using Speechify, an AI-based text-to-speech tool, on a weekly basis. Several described using AI for preparing presentations, talks and CLE program outlines  activities related to but distinct from case work.

One judge raised a definitional question: It depends on how you define AI tools. I assume youre referring to Generative AI. Even assuming its Gen AI youre concerned with, would text prediction be included?

Limitations Acknowledged

The researchers acknowledged several limitations. The 112-judge sample, while providing a foundation for analysis, carries a margin of error of approximately 9% at a 95% confidence level for the overall findings. Margins of error are larger for specific judge types, and findings for court of appeals judges (six respondents) cannot be considered representative.

The researchers also noted potential biases including self-selection (judges with strong opinions about AI may have been more likely to respond) and social desirability bias (judges might under- or over-report AI use based on how they perceive such use is viewed).

The study was limited to federal judges and did not include Supreme Court justices, Court of International Trade judges, or state court judges.

Methodology

The survey was conducted between Dec. 1 and Dec. 19, 2025. Researchers used a stratified random sampling method, selecting approximately 29% of judges from each category (bankruptcy, magistrate, district court and court of appeals) from a compiled population of 1,738 federal judges.

The survey featured both multiple-choice and free-response questions and was approved by Northwestern Universitys Institutional Review Board. Only the Northwestern researchers had access to the unprocessed data; other authors and collaborators received only aggregated visualizations and de-identified individual responses.

The research was conducted by Anika Jaitley, research assistant for the Law and Technology Initiative at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law; Daniel W. Linna Jr., professor of instruction and director of Law and Technology Initiatives at Pritzker; U.S. District Judge Xavier Rodriguez of the Western District of Texas; V.S. Subrahmanian, Walter P. Murphy professor of computer science at Northwestern University and Buffett faculty fellow at Northwesterns Buffett Institute for Global Affairs; and Siyu Tao, law student and research assistant at Pritzker.
Laois County Council has been asked to join the campaign to stop the construction of a residential development on the Bessborough Mother and Baby site in Cork.

There was widespread shock across the country in February when planning permission was granted for the development of 140 apartments on the site which is believed to contain the unmarked graves of possibly hundreds of children.

Mother and Baby Home survivors have campaigned against the development, with a national protest taking place outside the Dail on Wednesday, March 18. Portlaoise campaigner and daughter of Mother and Baby Home survivor, Laura Murphy, was among those protesting the planning decision for the Bessborough site.

Now, Portlaoise councillor Tommy Mulligan has called on Laois County Council to show their support for the movement and write to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage, James Browne TD, to oppose the development and request state intervention to take control of the site.

Speaking at the March meeting of Laois County Council, Cllr Mulligan said that thousands of women and children passed through Bessborough and emphasised the neglect and suffering they endured during their time there.

READ NEXT: Campaign heats up for Laois town to host national Famine event

The Bessborough Mother and Baby Home had a notoriously high infant mortality rate of over 61%, with 923 children having died there. However, only 64 burials of these children have been accounted for.

"Why has the truth been hidden about where the remaining bodies are? Probably because there are a lot of stories to tell about how they died. Deliberately neglected and in many cases possibly beaten to death," he told the council.

"A few years ago the Commission for Investigations into Mother and Baby homes stated that it is highly likely that all those bodies still remain buried on that site. The scale of this tragedy cannot be overstated."

Cllr Mulligan said that although many will look to blame the Catholic Church, successive governments should also be held accountable.

"Throughout the years we've had little or no intervention from the government, we had no examination of the land, no physical survey, no plans to excavate. Many will see it as a cover up by the government. Successive governments have failed survivors. The state is aware of the mass disappearance of these children. Ireland has an obligation to investigate and recover these remains," the Portlaoise councillor said.

He also warned that if such a development goes ahead at Bessborough, then it sets a precedent for similar developments on other Mother and Baby Home sites across the country.

As Cllr Mulligan said that this is "no ordinary" planning issue, the Government should step in and issue a CPO on the land.

With Laois TDs in attendance at the Laois County Council meeting to celebrate the retirement of Cllr Padraig Fleming, Cllr Mulligan took the opportunity to directly plead with them to raise this issue in the Dail.

The motion received widespread support from fellow councillors, including Cllr Fleming, Cllr Caroline Dwane Stanley, Cllr Paschal McEvoy, Cllr John King, and Cllr Ben Brennan.

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A Laois veterinary student was one of two Laois women who graduated from the same secondary school that were riding for the prestigious Willie Mullins Stables at the Cheltenham horse racing festival in the UK this year.

Julie McDonald, 23, from Spink is studying to be a vet in Poland.

She took a week off her studies to work at Cheltenham, exercising and leading out the thoroughbred racers for the world renowned trainer.

Julie had the privilege of riding racehorse Kitzbuhel which went on to win the Brown Advisory race.

Julie spoke to the Leinster Express / Laois Live afterwards.

"I work for Willie part-time, when I'm not in college. It's nice to take a week off college for it, it's my third time going, it was great. It's very exciting to go. Willie is fantastic to work for, he's a gentleman," she said.

Her responsibility is to ride out the horses and lead them out in the parade ring.

Julie McDonald in Poland riding for trainer Maciej Kacprzyk

Julie has been riding horses since the age of five.

"We have ponies at home, I love horses. When I graduate I hope to work with large animals," she said.

She is a past pupil of Heywood Community School, and coincidentally so is Isabelle McWey from Ballyroan who was also working for Willie Mullins at Cheltenham this year.

Isabelle McWey at Cheltenham.

The number of women in professional horse racing is growing, Julie says.

"There are a lot more female workers and jockeys, it's starting to be a lot more common," she said.

Julie is in her third year of five to study to be a vet in Poland.

Learning the Polish language was part of her coursework.

Read next: Laois garden and nature festival returning to Ballintubbert House

It is a choice that many other Irish students are making, Julie explained.

"I'm enjoying it but I can't wait to be finished. I will definitely come home once I'm qualified.

"A lot of Irish students are choosing to study veterinary here in Poland, it's much easier to access the courses, it's harder at home," she said.
Tributes have been paid to a great character from Kildare who passed recently.

Donal Keegan - The Residence Nursing Home, Maynooth and Aisling House, Maynooth, Co. Kildare and formerly of Portrane Disability Services, Co. Dublin and Co. Tipperary  passed peacefully on March 28 last in his 82nd year.

Donal passed in the loving care of The Residence Nursing Home, Maynooth.

Donal was a cherished member of the community over the many years in Aisling House, Maynooth and The Residence Nursing Home, Maynooth.

He will be sadly missed and forever remembered by the staff and his fellow residents who lived alongside him - his community, his friends and in many ways his family.

May Donal Rest In Eternal Peace.

READ NEXT: Kildare driver said to play 'Russian roulette' with fellow motorists' lives

Reposing at Oliver Reilly's Funeral Home, Leinster St., Maynooth, (W23V99E) on Tuesday (Mar. 31) from 5:30pm - 7pm, with evening prayers at 6:30pm.

Removal from the Funeral Home on Wednesday (Apr. 1) at approx. 9:30am to arrive at St. Mary's Church, Maynooth for 10am Funeral Mass, followed by burial in Laraghbryan Cemetery, Maynooth.

The Funeral Mass can be viewed live in the "webstream" section below.

Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors accept no responsibility for any live webcam interruptions or issues.

For all enquiries, please contact Oliver Reilly Funeral Directors on (045) 868230

Webstream

Funeral service: Webcam  Maynooth Parish

Tributes paid to Donal on RIP.ie include: It was a pleasure to know and support you in Aisling house. Rest in Peace Donal - a great character sadly missed.

And: Rest in peace Donal, we shared many years together in Aisling house, youd a fantastic sense of humour and a hearty laugh. Ill remember our time together with fondness and smiles. Xx

While another mourner wrote: Deepest sympathies to all of Donals friends and everyone who knew him. Although I only knew him briefly, it was clear he left many fond memories behind. Rest in peace, Donal.

And another added: Deepest sympathy to all who knew Donal. May he rest in peace. RIP.
A well-known politician will deliver a speech in Kildare town as part of an upcoming Easter ceremony.

Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Fein, will attend the event, which will pay tribute to those who have died over the years while working to secure independence for Ireland.

Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South, Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh, has also extended an invitation to the public ahead of the event.

READ NEXT: Project involving secondary school is progressing, Kildare County Council says

She elaborated: "This is an important opportunity for our community to come together and honour those who gave their lives for Irish freedom; not just in 1916, but in the years that followed.

"In particular, we will remember the Grey Abbey Martyrs, seven local IRA Volunteers from this area who were executed by the Free State in 1922.

"These were young men from our own community, whose sacrifice is deeply rooted in the history and identity of Kildare."

The Deputy continued: "The commemoration, organised by the Kildare Sinn Fein Grey Abbey Martyrs Cumann, reflects the enduring commitment of local republicans to remembering our patriot dead with dignity and pride.

"We will gather in Kildare town at my office from 1.30pm before proceeding to the graveside of the martyrs at 2pm sharp, where we will pay tribute to their courage and their sacrifice.

READ NEXT: Urgent call for Kildare to support local disability access campaign

"I am also pleased to welcome Uachtaran Shinn Fein, Mary Lou McDonald, who will deliver the main oration on the day."

She also emphasised that the upcoming event will centre on "carrying forward the ideals these men and women stood for: Irish unity, independence, equality, and the full realisation of the Republic".

The Deputy added: "Their legacy lives on in this community, and it is right that we continue to honour them with the respect and recognition they deserve."

The event will take place this Easter Saturday (April 4, 2026).

In other Sinn Fein-related news, a man recently appeared in a Dublin court charged with the 2006 murder of British spy Denis Donaldson.

The late Mr Donaldson previously served as an administrator for the party's Stormont Assembly team.

LEFT: Mary Lou McDonald, the leader of Sinn Fein (Photograph credit: oireachtas.ie). RIGHT: Sinn Fein TD for Kildare South, Shonagh Ni Raghallaigh (File photograph)

READ NEXT: GALLERY: Cill Dara RFC black-tie dinner dance at popular Kildare hotel

Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
A loving mother from Kildare has sadly died in hospital recently and messages of condolences have poured in from many people.

One heartbreaking tribute in particular has been left by the woman's son who shared the tragic news on social media.

Carole Delavari was from Kilcock, Kildare and formerly of Hartstown, Dublin 15. She passed away on March 28, 2026, peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the excellent care of the staff at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown.

Carole was the beloved mother of Sean, Craig, Kyle and Sophie and a devoted nana of Korey, Arabella, Ellie, Emielle, Myah and Kreed. She is sadly missed by her loving sons, daughter, sister Hilary, brothers David and Keith, grandchildren, daughters-in-law Noelle and Jen, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.

A funeral will be held for Carole this week in Kilcock.

READ NEXT: RIP: Tributes paid to 'lovely lady' from Kildare who passed recently - Kildare Live

Reposing at her residence on Wednesday evening (April 1st) between 5 pm and 8 pm. Removal on Thursday morning (April 2nd) to St. Cocas Church, Kilcock arriving for Funeral Prayers at 10 am followed by Cremation in Glasnevin Crematorium.

Carole's son Kyle shared an emotional message for her loving mother on the social media of a gym in Kilcock where he is a personal trainer and where Carole was working out just a few days prior to her passing.

Her son said: "No words can describe how I'm feeling at the moment. Mam last week you were only in the gym doing 8K on the Rower.

"What a difference a few days can make. I know you'll be looking down on me right now I'll make you proud. Gym will be closed on Thursday the 2nd Of April as a mark of respect to my mam.

"Rest In Peace, Mam. I'll always be your little soldier."

Countless messages have also been left on RIP.ie for the woman who was known and loved by many in Kildare.

One mourner said, "To Carole's beautiful family whom she adored so much I send my sincere condolences to each one of you on the passing of your very special mam. I had the pleasure of working with Carole for many years in Boots and what a fun time we had with Carole.

I'll treasure these thoughts forever may she rest in peace xx Until we meet and hopefully laugh again my lovely pal Carole".

Another message said, "I'm am devastated to hear of the passing of my dear friend Carole. My Boots Bestie who adored and loved her children more than anything in the world.



"We worked alongside each other and we cried and laughed at so many things that happened to us.



"Kind, funny, blunt, straight to the point but above all a really true trusted friend. I will miss you. Sending love to all her children and grandchildren at this heartbreaking time . So so sorry I'm in Portugal but will be tuning in on the day.

Sleep tight my friend never forgotten."
The annual Street Feast will return to Ireland soon, and neighbourhoods across County Kildare are being invited to pull up a chair, share some food and say hello.

Now in its 16th year, the Street Feast weekend has grown into something simple but poignant; a chance for neighbours to come together.

READ NEXT: Three good causes to benefit from Kildare golf club's music bingo fundraiser

The President of Ireland, Catherine Connolly, is also a Patron of Street Feast, and is encouraging households everywhere to get involved.

"As patron, I am delighted to support Street Feast, which brings neighbours together and strengthens communities through the simple act of sharing a meal," President Connolly said.

In addition, this year's Street Feast will see Tesco Ireland step in as its official sponsor for the next three years.

FINDINGS

Last year, an estimated 88,000 people took part in the campaign, and new research from the Street Feast team found:

Participants are twice as likely to know their neighbours well after taking part in a Street Feast

75 per cent of hosts said that their area felt friendlier afterwards

43 per cent met neighbours from different cultures or backgrounds for the first time

One host from County Wicklow, Jeanette D, said about the initiative: "Street Feast is a fab idea, and it's been such a positive thing for our neighbourhood for the last 3 years.

"Street Feast really has helped our estate; while those of us who have young children know each other, and older ones know each other, it's the one event everyone can go to," she added.

Hosting a Street Feast doesnt require much more than a spot to gather and a willingness to bring people together.

READ NEXT: Well-known politician to deliver speech at Easter ceremony in Kildare town

HOW TO GET INVOLVED

Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide.

There is also the option to collect a pack of goodies from Tesco. These will also contain street chalk and simple games to help break the ice.

Street Feast is also made due possible to the support of the Department of Rural and Community Development, as well as a number of local authorities across the country.

Anyone who wishes to register for Street Feast can visit https://streetfeast.ie/.

Street Feast 2026 will take place across Saturday, May 23, 2026 and Sunday, May 24, 2026.

Street Feast, Irelands national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns in May of 2026. Photograph credit: Andres Poveda. Photograph supplied by Sustainable PR

READ NEXT: Kildare senator slams sulky racing as absolute cruelty of the highest order
A fresh appeal for information has been made over the murder of a teenage girl in Northern Ireland 53 years ago.

Marian Beattie, 18, was last seen alive at a charity dance at Haddens Garage in Aughnacloy, county Tyrone, on March 30 1973.

Her body was found at the bottom of a quarry early the next morning.

READ NEXT: Two-week search for missing Irish teen stood down following 'concern' amid Garda update

Exactly 53 years on, police have issued a new appeal for information from the public.

They said she was at the dance to listen to her brothers band, and was seen leaving with a young man just after 1am, walking in the direction of Haddens Quarry.

The body of Marian Beattie was found at Haddens Quarry in Aughnacloy

Officers have asked to hear from anyone who remembers seeing Ms Beattie at the event or leaving it.

We believe Marian left the dance at Haddens Garage with a man, walking in the direction of the nearby car park at the top of Haddens Quarry about 400 yards away from the garage, a police spokesperson said.

We do not know what happened next but Marians body was found at the bottom of the quarry below the car park.

I appreciate this murder took place over 50 years ago but we would like to talk to anyone who was at the dance at Haddens Garage on the night of Friday March 30, 1973.

Marian went there with a girlfriend to listen to her brothers band. Did you see who she was dancing with or speaking with? Did you see her leave the dance with a man? Do you know who he was? Did you see her in the car park at the quarry any time after 1.15am on the Saturday morning?

READ NEXT: No Late Late show this week as RTE confirm replacement amid major Easter shake-up

Additionally, do you remember anyone who was at the dance returning home distressed or with dirt on their clothes? Has anyone ever talked about the events of that night?

The police spokesperson said Ms Beatties family deserve to know what happened that night.

I am appealing to anyone who may be able to help us progress the investigation and bring some closure to the Beattie family to come forward and speak to detectives in Legacy Investigation Branch, they said.

Detectives can be contacted by calling 101. Alternatively a report can be made online at www.psni.police.uk/makeareport and also via Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
A newly published memoir of Sean Lemass is already making waves, with author Ronan McGreevy revealing that early doubts about the books success have quickly been proven wrong.

It sold about 150 on the first day, McGreevy said. With non-fiction, its all about the subject. If people are interested, theyll buy it.

The book, Sean Lemass: The Lost Memoir, reached number five in the non-fiction charts within days of release, selling strongly from the outset. Unlike previous works on the former Taoiseach, the book is based largely on Lemasss own voice, drawn from 22 hours of recorded interviews.

This isnt just another biography, McGreevy explained. Its his own political memoir. The material, originally unstructured, was carefully shaped into a coherent narrative. He would mention so many different people and you wouldnt know who they were, he said. So I structured it chronologically, from when he entered politics in 1923 through to 1966.

Of the books 120,000 words, around 90,000 belong to Lemass himself. Its really his book rather than mine, McGreevy added.

Revolution, tragedy and untold stories

The memoir revisits Lemasss early life, including his role in the Easter Rising as a teenager and his involvement in the War of Independence and Civil War.

It also sheds light on deeply personal events that remained hidden for decades. One of the most striking revelations is that Lemass accidentally shot and killed his infant brother in 1916  a tragedy that remained largely unknown until recent years.

It completely disappeared from the public consciousness, McGreevy said. Even members of his own family didnt know about it until 2013.

The book also presents new evidence linking Lemass to the killing of a British agent during Bloody Sunday. It had been rumoured over the years, he said, but I think Ive proved definitively that he was involved.

From hardline republican to state leader

Despite his revolutionary beginnings, McGreevy said Lemass emerges as a pragmatic and forward-thinking leader.

He comes across as an incredibly intelligent guy  wise, funny, and very serious-minded, he said. Lemass, he added, understood both politics and people. He knew how politics worked and how people worked.

The memoir also highlights his evolution from militant republicanism to democratic leadership. He learned the hard way that you cant have two governments or two armies, McGreevy said. You can only have one authority in the state.

Lessons that still resonate today

According to McGreevy, the book offers insights that remain strikingly relevant. It doesnt read like something written 60 years ago, he said. It reads like something that could have been written now.

He pointed to Lemasss views on international relations, including his caution about relying too heavily on the United States. He said you have to remember that when youre dealing with an American president  even if that person is an idiot  hes the most powerful man in the world, McGreevy said.

A leader who reshaped Ireland

McGreevy believes Lemasss greatest achievement was restoring confidence in Ireland during a difficult period marked by mass emigration.

There were people who thought we couldnt make a go of independence, he said. He proved that we could. At a time when hundreds of thousands were leaving the country, Lemass offered a different vision.

He had a vision for a better Ireland and he galvanised the country into believing in it, McGreevy said. I think we were extremely lucky to have him when we did.
Leitrim haulier, Gerry McMorrow told the Leitrim Observer this week, that while hauliers "appreciate that there is a war on and everyone is under pressure" but added that "because of the volume of fuel we use to transport everything, it's really hitting us hard."

He was speaking after the government was urged to "think outside the box" in terms of finding solutions to the ongoing and worsening fuel crisis, according to the Irish Road Haulage Association (IRHA).

Ger Hyland, IRHA president, has said temporary measures taken to ease fuel prices have already been "swallowed up" by subsequent hikes in the price of oil, leaving the country's motorists back "where they were a week ago," the Irish Examiner has reported.

He added that he believes the Government will need to consider extreme measures, such as a potential cap on fuel prices.

Mr McMorrow continued: "We have some fuel variation agreements with some of our customers but the problem is that it's not enough because the fuel has gone so high."

READ MORE: 'We showed a bit of heart.': Leitrim manager reacts following narrow championship loss to Mayo

He said measures including the introduction a temporary 20 cent per litre (cpl) excise duty cut on diesel and a 4.5 cpl increase in the Diesel Rebate Scheme (DRS) did help but "unfortunately, the way the fuel is escalating, that has just been eaten up. We're gritting our teeth and hoping common sense will prevail in worldwide sense."

The IRHA have an agreement in place with the government that they will meet on a fortnightly basis to review the situation. "The supply chain is very important to the whole country because trucks move cargo to keep food on the shelves and oil in the tank so if we have to increase our costs that puts it on to you and me and everyone else. It will come to the point, with some hauliers, that they just can't pay for the diesel or repairs."

He continued: "Haulage has been really tortuous for the last number of years because so many regulations have been introduced, the pension scheme, wages have gone higher, drivers are getting very scarce and the cost of everything has escalated. We have customers who say they can't increase their costs as they'll lose their customers - it's a circle."

READ MORE: Author Ronan McGreevy draws on rare recordings to reveal the defining legacy of Sean Lemass

He said that an average truck burns around 250l of diesel per day and there has been "60c of an increase so multiple 250 by 60c and that's just the fuel. Then you have your engine oil, your tyres, your repairs, the people that drive the truck; what's going to happen next is they will be looking for more money because wages aren't going as far. Whereas previously 35 per cent of your cashflow went on diesel, now it's 60 per cent of your turnover. You're just running the well dry and that's the problem. If we have to scale back as a company, or stop, we'll stop."

He concluded: "Another fear I have is that we won't actually get fuel so price is one part of it and accessibility. It's out of control and a worldwide issue."
The bodies of two anglers have tragically been recovered after falling into the sea off the coast of county Clare.

On Tuesday afternoon, approximately 2.15pm, the Irish Coast Guard Marine Rescue Coordination Sub-centre (MRSC) at Valentia was notified by Gardai that two persons had fallen into the sea at the Blue Pool in Pulleen Bay outside Doonbeg, county Clare.

It is understood both persons were fishing off the rocks at the time.

READ NEXT: 'You'll always be the boss' - Heartbreak as Roy Keane says goodbye to beloved mother Marie

A search was initiated with the Coast Guard helicopter R115 from Shannon, Kilkee Coast Guard Unit, Doolin Coast Guard Unit and the Aran Island Lifeboat on scene.

At approximately 4pm, the Coast Guard helicopter R115 located two bodies within the search area identified by MRSC Valentia, after which Aran Island Lifeboat recovered them from the sea as part of the coordinated operation.

Sea conditions were reported to be very rough at the scene.

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The Coast Guard extends its sincere sympathy to the family of the two anglers who lost their lives today.

An Garda Siochana are in the process of liaising with the families of both men.
Irelands president Catherine Connolly has appointed Irish language activist Linda Ervine and Professor Colin Harvey to her Council of State.

Ms Connolly made seven appointments to the body which assists the Irish president in considering various matters.

The President of Ireland must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the parliament to the Supreme Court over constitutional concerns.

The president can also communicate directly with the Irish parliament on a matter of public importance after consultation with the Council of State.

Ms Ervine, who is from east Belfast, is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area.

She is also the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish.

Mr Harvey is a professor of human rights law and a former head of the School of Law at Queens University Belfast.

He is also a commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, has served two terms as a commissioner on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and is a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Along with Ms Ervine and Mr Harvey, Ms Connolly appointed law professor and Irish speaker Fionnuala Ni Aolain, sociologist Kathleen Lynch, law professor and the Legal Aid Board member Donncha OConnell, law professor and director of the Child Law Clinic Conor OMahony and former president of Ollscoil na Gaillimhe/University of Galway, Ciaran O hOgartaigh.

Ms Connolly said in a statement: May I thank each of the nominees who have agreed to serve as a member of the Council of State.

These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State which will be of immense value in considering the matters which may arise over the course of my term of office.

I look forward to receiving their advice and support over the next seven years.

The Council of State also consists of the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Chief Justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, the president of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, and the Attorney General.

It also comprises previous presidents, taoisigh and chief justices.
This is a turning point for Liberias energy sector, said Managing Director Mohammed M. Sherif. We are not only responding to todays challenges; we are building a future where reliable electricity is no longer a privilege, but a guarantee for every Liberian.
THERE were celebrations in Croom when Taoiseach Micheal Martin visited the village to officially open a new 16-home social housing development.

The development of Towerfield Court was led by Croom Voluntary Housing Association with support from the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage through the Capital Assistance Scheme, which is administered by Limerick City and County Council.

Built by Custy Construction, all of the new homes are now occupied by tenants from the local authority's current housing waiting list.

USE THE ARROWS TO SEE MORE PHOTOS FROM THE OFFICIAL LAUNCH EVENT

Speaking having officially cut the ribbon, the Taoiseach praised those who helped deliver the scheme.

"It's wonderful to be here in Croom today, (there is a) wonderful community spirit, there is a real sense of people working together for the betterment of your neighbours and your community more generally," he said.

Mr Martin, who visited one of the homes said the completion of the housing project is a "practical illustration" of the important work that is being doing by organisations such as Croom Voluntary Housing.

READ ALSO | Update issued on 300m student accommodation project for Limerick

"It's not about numbers, it's about changing lives and giving people an opportunity in life from which they will never turn back. You are delivering homes in the heart of the community," he said adding that projects such as Towerfield Court - in the centre of rural villages help to sustain local jobs, schools and healthcare services.

Mayor of Limerick John Moran, who also attended the ceremony, said the official opening was "one of those days that we all love" and he said it was brilliant to hear the sense of relief in the voice of one of the tenants whose home he visited.

"What I have been so impressed by is when you come to places like Croom and you see the Voluntary Housing Association tapping into it the CAS funding and the council and the community coming together," je added.

Since it was first established, Croom Voluntary Housing has delivered nearly 60 homes in the village, most recently at Main Street, Croom where five units were recently completed.

LIMERICK LEADER / LIMERICK LIVE CAMERA CLUB

We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots.

We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community.

To submit:

Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can.

Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond.

TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY
A LIMERICK-BASED street dancer has been left blinded by shards of glass after a man smashed his car window with a bat during a violent attack in broad daylight.

Tobi Omoteso, well-known for hip-hop and break dancing, choreography and teaching, faces a long, agonising road of surgeries just to cling to a fraction of the vision I once took for granted.

The performer said he has lost an eye which he can never get back but is reassured that with the people he has in his corner there will be a way forward!.

A Go Fund Me page has been set up for popular artist Mr Omoteso which has generated over 35,000 in two days to help towards current and future medical expenses.

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Gardai are investigating the shocking incident which took place on Saturday morning.

Following a query from Limerick Live, a garda spokesperson confirmed they received a report of an alleged incident of assault and criminal damage which occurred in the Old Cratloe Road area of Limerick city on Saturday, March 28 at approximately 10.30am.

A car has been reported as damaged. A male, aged in his 30s, suffered serious injuries during the incident. Investigations are ongoing, said the garda spokesperson.

Mr Omoteso (pictured above) writes in the Go Fund Me appeal that March 28 is the day the world went dark.

It was the day I learned that the senseless violence you see in movies, the kind of nightmare you assume only happens to strangers, can hunt you down in your own neighbourhood.

We were supposed to be celebrating. We had just finished packing the car, the seats heavy with gear and equipment for the fifth edition of our hip-hop and streetdance community festival in Limerick that I co-founded and had been working in across Ireland for over 12 years.

It was a day meant for music, DJ-ing, streetdance, movement, graffiti, art, unity and having fun for all regardless of race, religion, gender, age and ability. Instead, it became the end of life as I knew it, he wrote.

Mr Omoteso said as he tried to leave his estate, a man sat waiting in a car at the exit.

He was parked carelessly, tyres on the footpath, trapping traffic and creating chaos in an already small space with road works. After a brief exchange of gesture, something snapped in him. He chose me.

He tailed me through the streets of Limerick, chasing me toward a well-known roundabout where he finally forced his way in front of me, swerving to cut off any hope of escape. I watched, paralysed, as he stepped out of his vehicle wielding a wooden bat, he claimed.

Mr Omoteso said the man began to beat his car with a bat.

Then he struck and shattered the drivers side window with the wooden bat which exploded shards of glass, like tiny knives, sprayed across my face and buried themselves deep into both of my eyes," he claims.

The street dancer said he is now facing a long, agonising road of surgeries just to cling to a fraction of the vision he once took for granted.

The damage is not just physical, it is permanent. My iris was sliced in half and had to be meticulously stitched back together. I am battling an onset cataract and a ruptured lens capsule, both of which must be surgically removed.

I am currently facing the first of four major emergency operations. Even if every single procedure is a success, I will never see the world clearly again, which ultimately affects my job, work, dance, social interaction and confidence.
THE Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival returns this April, offering its most comprehensive programme yet with over 130 free events and activities across the city and county.

Taking place from Monday, April 20 to Sunday, April 26, this years festival theme is 'Discover Lifelong Learning 2026.' Now in its 16th year, the Festival features over 130 free events and activities to choose from throughout the week both online and in-person.

The 2026 festival presents a wide variety of interesting and diverse topics that include Art, IT Skills, Language Tasters, Entrepreneurship, Guided Tours and Walks, Health and Wellbeing, Open Days, Educational Pathways, Dance, Music, Cookery and much more.

This years festival was officially launched on Friday at TUS Coonagh Campus by Councillor Maria Donoghue, deputising for the Mayor of Limerick.

READ MORE: Teenage entrepreneurs set to fly Limerick flag at national final

Noting the positive effect of the festival, Councillor ODonoghue said:

Limerick City and County Council is proud to support all of Learning Limericks projects and delighted to be a core sponsor of this festival. We are committed to lifelong learning in all its forms and value the work of Learning Limerick and its membership of both the UNESCO Global Network and Irish Network of Learning Cities, where we get to share best practice with other Learning Cities.

"The list of events taking place over the course of this festival will be of interest to people in communities and neighbourhoods the length and breadth of Limerick city and county and of course further afield. I wish you all the very best for the Lifelong Learning Festival 2026; as we continue to guide curious minds on their perpetual journey of discovery.

Michael MacCurtain, Limerick Chamber Skillnet and Chair of Learning Limerick Steering Group highlighted the relevance of the festival theme and Learning Limericks new Strategic Plan, saying:

This festival remains a powerful reminder that learning belongs to everyone at every stage of life, in every community, and across every sector of our city and county. Our festival this year is also based around the importance of connections, intergenerational events and AI in everyday life, which is an ever-increasing and relevant topic.

"Learning Limerick also has plans to launch our new Learning Limerick Strategic Plan during the festival. This plan builds on our strong foundation and sets out how we will widen participation, strengthen partnerships, and ensure that learning is embedded in community development, enterprise, culture and civic life.

The MC for the launch was Dr Orlaith Borhwick, Head of Flexible and Professional Learning, Technological University of the Shannon (TUS) and she welcomed all guests, including steering group and festival organising committee members, learners and partners, to the event.

David Doherty, a Social Care student at TUS and a Learning Limerick Ambassador, also spoke at the launch about his own learning journey, saying:

Returning to learning through the Limerick Lifelong Learning Festival and TUS changed the direction of my life. I discovered supports I never knew existed and found the confidence to take the next steps into higher education. Today, as a Learning Ambassador, Im proud to encourage others to start their own learning journey, because no matter where you begin, theres a pathway forward.

Learning Limerick Ambassador, Clare Dollard spoke about her ongoing love for Community Education and her pride at graduating from the University of Limerick CWELL Programme:

This festival shows how transformative learning can be. Whether youre trying something new, returning to education, or simply exploring an interest. My story shows that when you take that first step, incredible things can happen.

The work of the National Learning Network (NLN) and its involvement and support for Learning Limerick and the Festival was also highlighted by NLN Area Manager Lisa Haugh at the launch.

Attendees were treated to an interactive and performance element, facilitated by staff and students from Mary Immaculate College. It featured Borborbor, a traditional drum-dance originating from the Ewe people from Ghana. Marie Edmonds from the Music Department led the session teaching the guests at the launch about the tradition, culminating in the group making music together.

Just some of the 130 events taking place through the week include:

Family Circus Day with the Irish Aerial Creation Centre.

Introduction to Acting with College of FET, Mulgrave Street Campus.

Eat Well, Feel Well: Exploring Nutrition and Wellbeing with Limerick City Partnership and

Mental Health Ireland.

A Taste of Higher Education at TUS, Moylish Campus.

Read, Rattle & Rhyme in Rathkeale with Community Families.

Dishes of Old Times with St Marys Adult Education Group.

Introduction to Mary Immaculate College for Mature Students.

AI in Everyday Life with Hospital FRC and Limerick and Clare ETB.

Storytime for young children in Adare Library.

Age-Friendly University Learning in University of Limerick.
The recent minimum wage rises in Ireland did not result in low-paid workers losing their jobs, according to a recent study.

The ESRI (Economic and Social Research Institute) study examined whether increases in the minimum wage, which was risen annually from 2016 to 2025, saw low-paid workers lose jobs if employers reduce their workforce due to higher labour costs.

The study, funded by the Low Pay Commission, looked at the six-month period after the most recent minimum wage increase.

It found that no evidence that recent minimum wage increases in Ireland increased the likelihood of employees on minimum wage losing their jobs.

While minimum wage employees are generally more likely to become unemployed than higher paid workers, the likelihood of this happening did not increase following increases to the minimum wage.

In the years where there were larger minimum wage increases, there was not a higher likelihood of minimum wage employees becoming unemployed.

The ESRI warned that the time period examined featured strong economic growth and low unemployment.

Job loss among employees aged under 20 years old in Ireland, who can be paid less than the full adult minimum wage, were also examined by the ESRI.

An employee aged 18 is entitled to 80% of the full adult minimum wage rate, while a 19-year-old can earn 90%.

The study found that overall, young workers that age into a higher minimum wage band did not experience an increased likelihood of job loss following their birthday.

Despite this, the study found that youth minimum wage rates appear to be increasingly relied upon by employers, with 30% of employees aged under 20 paid the sub-minimum wage rate in 2025.

It is possible that employers are increasingly using sub-minimum youth wage rates to keep labour costs low as the minimum wage gets higher, the ESRI said.

Author of the report Dr Paul Redmond said: It is important to monitor whether increases to the minimum wage result in negative employment effects for low-paid workers.

In this study, we find that recent minimum wage increases, which occurred during a period of strong economic growth and low unemployment, did not increase the likelihood of minimum wage employees losing their jobs.

Ultan Courtney, chairperson of the Low Pay Commission, said it welcomed the publication of the research.

The Low Pay Commission values the depth of this research and its strong evidence-based approach.

The Commission strives at all times to make evidence-based recommendations.

Our work relies on rigorous, data driven research and this research provides valuable insights into the effects of increases in the minimum wage.

The research will support our discussions as we prepare our recommendation to Government on the 2027 minimum wage.
Ireland is no better prepared for a pandemic than it was six years ago, a panel looking at the countrys response to Covid-19 has heard.

On Tuesday health experts took part in a discussion with Irelands Covid-19 Evaluation Panel, set up to examine the planning for and handling of the pandemic in Ireland.

It aims to identify lessons about the performance of the health and social care system and the Governments response to risks, and will make recommendations to help prepare for future crises, but will not apportion blame.

Many experts praised aspects of Irelands response to the pandemic, but there was an acknowledgement that lessons had not been learned from some of the failures.

Panel chairwoman Professor Anne Scott concluded that people were trying to do their best in quite difficult circumstances, but added: We can certainly learn from the lack of preparation, I think there is widespread agreement we were not prepared.

We should not find ourselves in that situation in the future.

Professor Anthony Staines, from Dublin City Universitys School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health, said poor IT infrastructure caused issues and one reporting platform had a weekly limit on how many cases you could put in.

This is not the kind of thing you want to discover in the middle of a pandemic, and its clearly insane.

The IT systems in the Health Service Executive (HSE) are still disorganised, out of date and unbelievably slow to deliver.

Prof Staines said the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) is not a good model for managing a pandemic and is better suited to environmental disasters.

He said from early on there was no one on it with serious epidemiological experience and that by the end of the pandemic it had up to 50 members, adding you cant run a committee with 50 people.

He said: What happens when theres another pandemic? Are we ready?

And the answer is absolutely not, we are not ready.

There is good evidence that pandemics are likely to become more frequent as a direct result of climate change.

So if we are to cope with another pandemic, we need to do a great deal of work on the public health workforce, on information systems, on laboratory systems.

Steve Thomas, a public health professor at Trinity College Dublin, warned that waiting lists and healthcare staff morale need to be tackled.

He said waiting lists have built up since the pandemic and if they are not tackled they will become our starting point for the next big crisis.

Prof Thomas said that during the pandemic, and the cost-of-living crisis that followed, the healthcare workforce was not as protected as they should have been.

He said this was a problem across high-income countries and I think many, many countries and the WHO (World Health Organisation) have put their hands up over that.

The panel also heard there were a number of blind spots in Irelands response to coronavirus, most significantly, how its spread in care homes was managed.

Mary Codd, an associate professor of epidemiology at University College Dublin, said: Infection prevention control training in long-term residential care facilities was seriously missing or substandard.

She said the mortality rate for over-70s who cocooned at home was no different to the general population, but mortality rates for people of the same age in residential facilities was 21 times higher.

Prof Codd said there are lessons that have been learned we need to act upon in residential care settings including occupancy, staffing, remuneration, rotation, training, infection prevention and control.

Speaking about the global response, former WHO deputy director general Dr Mike Ryan told the session that communities were not trusted enough to manage their own risks during the pandemic.

He said: In general, people manage their own risk.

They decide how many times a day they go to the shop, they decide if they get on public transport, they decide if they go to work, all of those are decisions that would increase or decrease your risk of exposure, and we didnt trust communities enough at times to make those decisions.

He said he could understand why that approach was taken as health systems were coming under huge pressure, but added theres no democracy in that.

He added: At no point did the World Health Organisation ever advise lockdowns.

Dr Ryan also said: It is very important that we dont play the next pandemic like the last one.

He said while scientific communities are good at dealing with rapidly changing advice based on new research, societies take time to catch up and communication about changing advice managed to turn a trust pothole into a trust chasm.

He said the pandemic didnt cause the lack of trust in the system, but we really hit the ball out of the park when it comes to that and thats something public health authorities nationally and internationally need to examine.

How do we communicate with the public, and how do we communicate uncertainty?

He said communities need to be empowered and trusted, adding that he fears pandemic preparedness in the future could be too technologically focused.

Unless we start to invest in community and participatory public health and have communities ready for the next pandemic, were going to fail, not because of the technological and the innovation solutions, but we have not prepared, supported and involved our communities in preparing for the next pandemic.

He said it was interesting for him to come home and look at the realities that existed in the system.

The perception abroad of Ireland was that there was a very trusting community where everyone worked hard and tried to do their best, he said, and added it is important to recognise people in the health system did a great job in the circumstances everyone faced.

The panel also heard that the initial global reaction to the pandemic was characterised by confusion and blame.

Professor David Heymann, professor of infectious disease epidemiology, said: With these two words, the world was facing a new epidemic, which turned into a pandemic.
MAYOR of Limerick John Moran has said he has not spoken with priomh-chomhairleoir, Cllr Catherine Slattery following the breakdown of this months council meeting amid rancorous scenes.

Speaking at City Hall this Tuesday morning, while announcing millions of euro in funding for projects across Limerick under the Mayor Fund, the executive mayor was pressed by reporters on the fallout from the Monday night's meeting in County Hall.

I haven't spoken to Catherine. I haven't had time to, he said.

Cllr Slattery, who sits next to Mayor Moran at council meetings, exited Monday's meeting alleging that he had made a remark which she wasnt happy with.

The row came just days after a three-part investigative series by Alan English for The Currency revealed deep dysfunction and conflict at the top of the organisation, including major personality clashes involving the directly elected mayor, councillors and staff of the local authority.

READ ALSO: Mayor John Moran's bid to stream and store Limerick council meetings stopped in its tracks

Cllr Slattery, who sits on the right of Mayor Moran at council meetings, exited the meeting at County Hall in Dooradoyle this Monday evening, alleging that he had made a remark which she wasnt happy with.

See this week's Limerick Leader broadsheet edition for further coverage and analysis - on sale from Wednesday morning.
THE FIRST light of Easter will be celebrated with a Dawn Mass at 6.15am this Sunday.

Its being led by Fr Derek Leonard, the Parish Priest of St Josephs Church, at OConnell Avenue in the city centre.

All are welcome to join the celebration, which is to take place at Bishops Quay, immediately adjacent to the Shannon Bridge.

We'd be gathering in darkness and during the Mass we will be there for the first light of Easter. It will be celebrating the Lord's Resurrection which is all about light, Fr Leonard explained.

PICTURES: Pride and heartbreak in Limerick as fans cheer on the Republic of Ireland in World Cup play-off

Its doubly appropriate to hold a dawn Easter Mass there, given there is a dedication to John Paul II commemorating his visit to Limerick in 1979.

The first year the parish of St Josephs has organised the sunrise Mass, churchgoers from the neighbouring parishes have been invited.

Fr Leonard hopes it will become a yearly event.

When he was serving in Corbally, he organised a dawn Mass at Athlunkard Boat Club.
Jenny Marie Lawrence |

George Washington Carver believed education should reach farmers where they live and work.

In 1906, he designed the original Jesup Wagon  a horse-drawn, mobile classroom equipped with tools and instructional materials used to share practical farming knowledge with rural communities. At a time when many farmers had limited access to formal agricultural education, Carver brought research and instruction directly into the field.

More than a century later, Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) is carrying Carvers idea forward once again through Jesup Wagon 2.0, a modern reimagining of the original wagon.

Lincoln University highlighted the relaunch during its George Washington Carver Heritage Days Celebration, where Jesup Wagon 2.0 reentered service through LU Cooperative Extensions Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program (ISFOP). The mobile classroom now travels across Missouri, continuing a model rooted in hands-on learning and direct community outreach.

Participants gather at the open trailer of Jesup Wagon 2.0 as LU Cooperative Extension educators demonstrate tools and share information.

Mark Lucas, director of ISFOP, said Jesup Wagon 2.0 is not meant to replicate Carvers original wagon exactly, but to continue the work it represented.

It showed people that education and innovation belonged to them, Lucas said. That idea of mobility still matters today.

Jesup Wagon 2.0 has been updated for todays farms, combining practical tools with newer technology. A dedicated driver transports the mobile classroom to regional and state events, with Joplin serving as its home base. A formal scheduling system also helps new and existing partners reserve the wagon for workshops, conferences and field demonstrations.

Inside the wagon, farmers can explore tools suited for use in their own operations. The collection includes long-handled tools to reduce bending and strain, seeders to improve field efficiency and other equipment that supports safer, more comfortable farm work.

Jesup Wagon 2.0 also includes newer technology, such as a 3D printer and scanner, which can help recreate small, missing or broken tool parts. For farmers, this creates another option when replacement pieces are difficult to find or would take too long to ship.

Jesup Wagon 2.0 has returned and is once again bringing tools, demonstrations and information to events across Missouri.

ISFOPs Mary Keeter, who played a central role in preparing Jesup Wagon 2.0 for its relaunch, said the demonstrations help people evaluate tools before making an investment.

A lot of times farmers are interested in a tool, but they dont know if it will actually work for their operation until they can see it in person, Keeter said. This gives them a chance to handle the tools, see how they work and decide whether its worth the investment.

Alongside traditional tools, the wagon also shows how agricultural education continues to change with farmers needs. By combining practical demonstrations with newer technology, Jesup Wagon 2.0 continues Carvers vision of bringing useful knowledge directly to Missouri farmers.

For more information or to request the Jesup Wagon 2.0 for an event, please contact Innovative Small Farmers Outreach Program Director Mark Lucas at LucasM@Lincolnu.edu or call 573-681-5584.
By Jonathan Stempel

NEW YORK, - A federal judge on Tuesday said former Twitter investors who accused Elon Musk of defrauding them by waiting too long to disclose his initial investment in the social media company may pursue their case as a class action.

The decision by U.S. District Judge Andrew Carter in Manhattan exposes the world's richest person to potentially greater damages than if investors were forced to sue individually.

Lawyers for Musk did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Musk bought Twitter for $44 billion in October 2022 and renamed it X.

Investors led by the Oklahoma Firefighters Pension and Retirement System said Musk ignored a March 24, 2022 deadline set by U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission rules to reveal he owned 5% of Twitter shares, and waited 11 more days before disclosing a 9.2% stake.

The investors said Musk saved more than $200 million, and cheated them because they sold Twitter shares at depressed prices during the 11-day period.

Investors said they relied on two March 26, 2022, tweets, where Musk said he was "giving serious thought to creating a Twitter rival, and said "Haha that would be sickkk after someone suggested he buy Twitter and change its bird logo to a doge image.

In opposing class certification, Musk said investors could not prove they relied on his alleged fraud.

But the judge said Musk did not overcome the presumption that his alleged misrepresentations affected Twitter's share price, and that the investors relied on his silence.

Carter also said the inability to measure damages classwide did not mean a class could not be certified.

The case is separate from a lawsuit in San Francisco federal court, where a jury found Musk liable on March 20 for trying to drive the takeover price down by questioning whether Twitter was overrun by fake and spam accounts, or bots.

Damages have yet to be determined. Musk is expected to appeal.

The SEC also sued Musk over his disclosure of his 5% Twitter stake. Both sides disclosed on March 17 that settlement talks were ongoing.
Nehal Chaliawala

Nehal chronicles Indias top conglomerates for Mint. From navigating the complexities of big-bang mergers and large-scale fundraises to decoding high-profile recruitments and seemingly inexplicable corporate pivots, Nehal focuses on unpacking the long-term strategies of the countrys most influential business houses. He aims to provide readers with a clear-eyed view of how these corporate titans shape the broader Indian economy.<br><br>His professional journey began at The Economic Times in 2018, where he spent over five years before joining Mint in 2023. Over his career, he has tracked diverse sectors like automobiles, metals, cement, power, infrastructure, and renewable energy. He also keeps a close watch on the intricacies of corporate finance and corporate governance. This wide-ranging sectoral experience allows him to better understand Indias large conglomerates that sit at the confluence of these vital industries.<br><br>Nehal studied mechanical engineering from the Pune University and graduated with distinction in 2017. Driven by a passion for storytelling, he pivoted to journalism immediately after, attending the Asian College of Journalism in Chennai. While his time in the newsroom has made him a healthy sceptic, his engineering roots keep him perpetually inquisitive about how things workand why they fail.<br><br>He actively encourages readers to reach out for feedback, collaboration, or news tips. Nehal can be reached via LinkedIn or directly at nehal.chaliawala@livemint.com.
Mumbai: Innovator Novo Nordisk on Tuesday said it is reducing the starting dose prices for its semaglutide brands Ozempic and Wegovy by 36% and 48%, respectively. It will also offer an average price reduction of 23.8% for Ozempic and 27% for Wegovy across doses. The move comes only weeks after the drugmaker lost patent exclusivity for its type-2 diabetes and weight-loss drug semaglutide on 20 March, triggering an onslaught of cheaper generics in India.

The starting dose for Ozempic and Wegovy (0.25 mg) will be available at 1,415 per week or 5,660 per month under the new pricing, which will come into effect 1 April. Currently, the price of Wegovy is approximately 10,850 16,400 per month, while that for Ozempic is around 8,800 11,175 a month.

In a press release, the company said it has cut prices to make these innovative therapies, that are supported by robust clinical evidence and high scientific standards, more accessible to a larger section of people living with diabetes and obesity in India.

By revising the price of our innovative treatments, were trying to make best-in-class cardiometabolic care more affordable for as many people with type 2 diabetes, overweight and obesity in India as possible. Weve heard from patients and doctors, and were acting on that feedback, Vikrant Shrotriya, managing director of Novo Nordisk India said in the release.

Rush of copies Semaglutide, the active pharmaceutical ingredient in Wegovy and Ozempic, is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist used to treat type-2 diabetes and chronic weight management. After Novo lost patent exclusivity, India's pharmaceutical giants brought in a rush of cheaper synthetic copies priced 50-90% cheaper.

Novo had also slashed its US listing price for the semaglutide brands by up to 50% earlier this year, amid intensifying competition.

The company is banking on its innovator edge, with its drug being backed by clinical trials and manufactured using superior rDNA technology, as opposed to generics that are chemically synthesized and require bioequivalence studies to show they are therapeutically equivalent to the innovator drug, as opposed to clinical trials.

Also Read | Novo Holdings scales up India bets with bigger cheques

Novo Nordisk is facing competition from generic makers not just on the pricing front, but also through aggressive marketing tactics. On Monday, the drugmaker settled a trademark dispute with Dr. Reddys Laboratories, after the latter attempted to launch its semaglutide drug under brand name Olymviq, which Novo alleged was phonetically similar to its trademark Ozempic.
Indias largest budget carrier, IndiGo, on Tuesday named William Willie Walsh, currently director general of the International Air Transport Association (Iata), as its chief executive, three weeks after Pieter Elbers abruptly stepped down from the position.

"(Walsh's) experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo," said chairman Vikram Singh Mehta in a statement.

Walsh, an Irish national, started as a cadet pilot with Aer Lingus in 1979 and became its CEO in 2001. In 2005, he took charge of British Airways and led the airline through the global financial crisis. He also helped build strong partnerships with Iberia, Finnair, and American Airlines, and later played a key role in the 2011 merger of British Airways and Iberia to form International Consolidated Airlines Group S.A. He led IAG until September 2020.

Walsh earned a reputation as a combative leader during labour disputes at British Airways and later directed blunt criticism at governments over their handling of the covid-19 pandemic after taking charge of the Iata.

He will take over the airline as it navigates operational challenges arising from the USIran war, after facing regulatory scrutiny over last years flight cancellations.

Elbers stepped down on 10 March, citing personal reasons, following a regulatory rebuke over the airlines inadequate planning for pilot rest and duty rules, which triggered mass flight cancellationsmore than 4,500 flightsin December.

The civil aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation, reprimanded several senior executives, including Elbers, citing "inadequate overall oversight of flight operations and crisis management".

Co-founder and managing director Rahul Bhatia has taken temporary charge of the low-cost carrier since his departure.

Walsh is expected to join the airline by 3 August, following his tenure at the Iata, which ends on 31 July. At 64, Walsh may not be the youngest CEO, but certainly an experienced one, according to analysts.

Willie Walsh is a global leader with proven credentials. His induction reflects very positively on Indigos growing global profile and on the structural advantage that the airline continues to maintain. This is a new era of change, changes that IndiGo requires as it prepares for its long-haul mission, said Kapil Kaul, CEO at CAPA India, an aviation advisory and research practice firm.

He said it was logical to expect more CXO inductions in 2026. To be sure, a week ago, the airline hired former Air India Express CEO Aloke Singh as chief strategy officer.

IndiGo needs to build a more resilient internal organization as it continues to grow exponentially and prepares for long-haul operations with A350S (a wide-body plane). The A350 induction is key to IndiGos future, Kaul said.

At this stage, what matters is the depth of Walsh's experience and his ability to create meaningful impact over the next three to five years, said Jainam Shah, analyst at Equirus Securities Pvt. Ltd.

"His track record, particularly in cost management, will be highly relevant for IndiGo in the current environment. The challenges arising from the West Asia crisiselevated fuel costs, airspace constraints, and longer flight pathsare industry-wide and not unique to IndiGo. Ultimately, the success of his tenure will hinge on how effectively he executes international expansion and manages aircraft inductions," Shah said.

While Walshs experience managing international airlines will undoubtedly come in handy, IndiGo has seen at least two CEOsboth former leaders of international carriersleave before completing their tenure. Ronojoy Dutta, who joined as CEO in January 2019 and retired in September 2022, had previously been president of United Airlines. Similarly, Elbers, who joined in October 2022, had been president and CEO of KLM, the Netherlands flag carrier.

Flying high IndiGo, which has a 65% market share, reported a total income of 84,098.20 crore and a net profit of 7,258 crore in 2024-25. It closed the previous fiscal year with a fleet of 434 aircraft and served 91 domestic and 40 international destinations.

Also Read | IndiGo seeks 275 more daily flights for summer, scales back earlier ambition

The airline, like rivals, is facing higher costs as many flights are forced onto longer routes due to the war in West Asia. Indian carriers also face Pakistani airspace restrictions, forcing them to take longer routes. Fuel price rise is another concern,

The Iata's jet fuel price monitor shows that prices were at $195.19 per barrel for the week ending 27 March, up 196% month-on-month. On 27 February, a day before the war broke out, jet fuel prices were $99.4 / barrel. IndiGos stock is down over 22% since the beginning of 2026.

Changing leaders Meanwhile, the DGCA also welcomed a new head on Tuesday, with Vir Vikram Yadav appointed as director general, replacing Faiz Ahmed Kidwai. The appointment continues the long-standing practice of placing bureaucrats at the helm of the country's aviation safety regulator.
According to two executives aware of the matter, Srinivasan's daughter and the company's managing director Lakshmi Venu had earlier voiced corporate governance concerns with Gopalan. Specifically, she wanted to know why company secretary Kishan was not a full-time employee of Sundarayam Clayton. She also questioned why Kishan reported to Gopala Desikan, chief financial officer of TVS Holdings Group, rather than to her, the executives said on the condition of anonymity.
Jas Bardia

Jas Bardia is a Bengaluru-based business journalist covering Indias information technology (IT) services sector and Global Capability Centres (GCCs). Known for his investigative depth and attention to detail, Jas has a knack for breaking stories on leadership shifts, high-stakes deals, and evolving industry trends long before they hit the mainstream. If the news is anything IT-related, chances are this author has broken it. Before joining Mint in November 2023, Jas honed his financial reporting skills at Bloomberg News in Mumbai, where he covered bonds and currencies following his graduation from the Asian College of Journalism. When he isnt chasing his next exclusive, Jas is likely scouting the citys newest culinary spots, cool events, or is immersed in the electric atmosphere of a Bengaluru FC match at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Jas has an eye for detail, an ear for history, and a weakness for a great cologne, and values a good conversation as much as a good lead. If you want to talk about your favourite war movie, funny drunk stories, or a supposed scam/wrongdoing in a company, get in touch with him at jas.bardia@livemint.com.
Mansi Verma

Mansi Verma is a senior correspondent covering private capital in India for Mint. Think of strategy shifts, private equity and venture capital deals, the companies trying to go public, and occasionally, the ones falling apart.<br><br>She moved into this beat in 2022, and has been following it closely since. Prior to Mint, Mansi worked at Moneycontrol, where she covered jobs and edtech, reporting extensively on the 20222024 startup and IT layoffs cycle. Her work during this period focused on what happens to fast-growing companies when capital dries up, combining financial reporting with human-interest stories.<br><br>Mansi reported closely on Byjus during a critical phase in its unravelling, and has since built a strong understanding of edtech businesses, particularly unicorns, and the deeper structural challenges in education that many of them have struggled to solve. At Mint, she follows the flow of capital across VC and PE deals, exits and IPO pipelines, while also tracking large investment firms, and the financial services sector.<br><br>Outside of the newsroom, Mansi spends time exploring how technology is changing the way people think and work, while actively attempting to build a critical thinking human brain in the age of short-form everything.<br><br>She holds a Masters degree in journalism and has moderated industry discussions on financial services and investments.
Vijay C Roy

Vijay C. Roy is a journalist with over 21 years of experience covering various news beats across different organisations such as Business Standard and The Tribune. In the past, he has covered beats such as finance, auto, MSME, commodities, FMCG, pharmaceutical, agriculture, IT/ITES, infrastructure and start-ups. He joined Mint in February 2025, and covers agriculture, food processing, fertilizers, environment and climate change, bringing over two decades of experience reporting on farm policy, food inflation, crop trade, and rural livelihoods.<br><br>Vijays areas of reporting include food security and climate change policies, focusing on their impact on different stakeholders and their implications. His expertise lies in simplifying complex agri-economic issues such as edible oil import dependence, cotton and wheat trends, fertiliser subsidies, and climate-related risks. He has covered key developments including global supply disruptions and evolving trade policies, offering both macroeconomic perspective and field-level context. Known for his credible and balanced reporting, he follows a rigorous, fact-based approach that prioritises accuracy and context. He is driven by a commitment to public interest, aiming to make critical agricultural and economic issues accessible while contributing to informed policy and industry discussions.
A Russian tanker carrying 730,000 barrels of oil is expected to dock in the northern Cuban port of Matanzas on Monday, bringing some brief relief to the fuel-starved island as its economy comes to a grinding halt.

President Trumps decision to allow the one-time shipment of Urals crude aboard the Anatoly Kolodkin to reach the island effectively breaks a two-month blockade that has led to widespread fuel shortages and increased power outages across the country.

Trump, who had previously threatened to impose tariffs on countries that continue to supply the communist island with fuel, on Sunday said he had no problem with it. They have to survive, he said about Cuba, which he has repeatedly cast as the next target in his efforts to uproot hostile governments in the region.

The move doesnt mark a policy change and the Trump administration is deciding on a case-by-case basis, White House officials say. Cubas nonfunctional economy cannot be fixed unless they undergo dramatic political and leadership change, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday.

The Trump administrations decision to allow the Russian tanker to reach Cuba comes as conditions on the island could be unraveling faster than Washington expected as it remains consumed by the war with Iran, said current and former officials and people involved in the talks between the two countries. It also follows a nascent U.S. effort to steer fuel and other commercial lifelines to Cubas small private sector while bypassing the state.

View full Image View full Image The U.S. Embassy in Havana.

The tankers arrival muddled the administrations message and raised questions about the possibility of further fuel shipments. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum said on Monday that Mexico would work to renew oil shipments to Cuba. Those shipments were halted in late January after Trump threatened to slap punitive tariffs on any country delivering fuel to Cuba.

Mexico has every right to send fuel for humanitarian or commercial reasons, she said, adding that private companies have approached Mexicos state oil company to sell fuel to the Cuban private sector.

Cubas fuel crisis has emptied the streets of cities and towns as public transportation has largely shut down. Universities have sent students home, and hospitals have postponed all but urgent operations. The islands fragile and badly maintained power grid, a relic from Soviet times, has sustained two nationwide collapses on top of the daily rotating blackouts, which sometimes last for more than 20 hours at a time.

The relief brought by the Russian tanker will be small and will take weeks to reach the places where it is needed most, said Jorge Pinon, an expert on Cuban energy at the University of Texas. The crude must be refined and then the oil products shipped to priority areas, a process that Pinon estimates will take upward of 30 days. It is but a momentary respite for the hard-pressed island. I dont see a second tanker on the horizon, Pinon said.

The tankers arrival has also exposed the snags in the Trump administrations emerging plans to erode the states grip on what remains of Cubas economy by steering fuel and other commercial lifelines to the islands small private sector. Trumps strategy is focused on squeezing the regimes revenue streams while bolstering the private sector, according to State officials.

In late February, the U.S. Treasury announced that it would allow some American companies licensed to sell fuel to Cuba for the private sector or humanitarian use as long as it was kept from regime-controlled entities. A week later, U.S. officials clarified that it would only apply to shipments that kept the financial transactions outside of the regime-controlled Cuban banking sector that would funnel money to the state.

But a standoff over two stainless-steel fuel tanks for the U.S. Embassy in Havana threatens to derail a larger effort to expand private-fuel flows into Cuba. The shipment was stranded for weeks at the port of Mariel, raising the prospect that the U.S. would have to reduce staff at the embassy, a 1950s modernist glass tower which sits astride Havanas famed Malecon seaside promenade.

In a diplomatic note, Cubas foreign ministry told the U.S. Embassy its request for diesel was shameless given that the U.S. blockade was causing enormous harm to the Cuban people and the islands economy. As of late Monday, the embassys fuel had yet to be delivered, said people familiar with the issue.

U.S. officials have received assurances from the Cuban regime that they will honor their obligations under the Vienna Convention to allow the U.S. Embassy in Havana to make timely diplomatic shipments, a State Department official said.

The situation is so dire that Cuba lacks the fuel it needs for the shipyard cranes used to unload containers of food at Mariel, and lack of fuel for public transportation prevents shipyard workers from getting to work, said a person knowledgeable about the ports operations.

The impasse over the fuel shipment, first reported by The Washington Post, came after Cuba made significant concessions by allowing private fuel imports, effectively breaking the longstanding state monopoly, says Matthew Aho, a Miami-based adviser at law firm Akerman LLP. Cuban officials have indicated that they are willing to go further than they have in the pastincluding giving long-term leases for storage tanks for U.S. companies, allowing the companies to retain title to the fuel, oversight of fuel sales and making payments offshore rather than routing funds through Cuban banks, Aho said.

The process opens the door to something akin to a partial privatization of the domestic-fuel market, said Rick Herrero, director of the Washington-based Cuba Study Group, a policy and advocacy organization.

If the U.S. and Cuban governments greenlight the proposed agreement, Aho said a U.S. supplier, Miami-based fuel trading company Vanguard Energy, is ready to bring in 200,000 barrels of diesel fuel and gasoline a month, an important but still insufficient amount of much needed fuel destined to support Cubas small but key private sector. Vanguard Energy has also applied for a U.S. license that would allow it to supply foreign embassies in Havana, which now must acquire fuel from the Cuban government, as well as humanitarian organizations, and a separate license that would authorize diesel-fuel exports to Cubas battered public hospital system, Aho said.

Earlier this month, Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Oscar Perez-Oliva Fraga said Havana will allow Cubans living abroad to invest in and own businesses on the islanda proposal that was immediately rejected by many in the politically powerful Cuban-American exile community.

Trump officials have framed the private fuel sales as a test and expressed distrust that they wont be diverted to the government.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said licenses to these companies would be canceled if we catch the private sector playing games.

He also made it clear it isnt a solution. The private sector in Cuba is quite small. It exists, but its small, and certainly in and of itself, does not have the capacity to deal with the scale and scope of the challenges theyre facing, he told reporters on a trip to St. Kitts for a regional summit, where he met with Cuban officials on the sidelines. That alone will not solve Cubas very dramatic problems.
Now, the bank is committing to adding three million new small-business customers, on top of seven million today. And it wants to lend them up to $80 billion over the next 10 years, through loans and support for community-oriented banks and investment funds. The bank reported $33 billion of loans to small businesses and other customers at the end of 2025.
WASHINGTONPresident Trump told aides hes willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, administration officials said, likely extending Tehrans firm grip on the waterway and leaving a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks. He decided that the U.S. should achieve its main goals of hobbling Irans navy and its missile stocks and wind down current hostilities while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume the free flow of trade. If that fails, Washington would press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead on reopening the strait, the officials said.

There are also military options the president could decide on, but they are not his immediate priority, they said.

Over the past month, Trump has expressed various opinions in public on how to handle the strait, part of a larger pattern of giving conflicting goals and objectives of the war overall. He has at times threatened to bomb civilian energy infrastructure if the waterway isnt reopened by a certain date. On other occasions, he has played down the importance of the strait to the U.S. and said its closure is a problem for other nations to solve.

The longer the strait remains closed, the more it will roil the global economy and boost gas prices. Multiple countries, including U.S. allies, are reeling from the downturn in energy supply that once flowed freely through the chokepoint. Industries that rely on items such as fertilizer to grow food or helium to make computer chips are suffering from shortages.

Without a swift return to safe passages, Tehran will continue to threaten world trade until the U.S. and its partners either negotiate a deal or forcibly end the crisis, analysts say.

Suzanne Maloney, an Iran expert and vice president at the Brookings Institution in Washington, called ending military operations before the strait is open unbelievably irresponsible.

The U.S. and Israel started the war together and cant walk away from the fallout, Maloney said. Energy markets are inherently global, and there is no possibility of insulating the U.S. from the economic damage that is already occurring and will become exponentially worse if the closure of the strait continues.

Trumps desire to end the war quickly is at odds with other moves he is planning to make. This weekend, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the region. Trump has also ordered elements of the 82nd Airborne and is considering sending another 10,000 ground troops to the Middle East, The Wall Street Journal reported. Meanwhile, he has referred to the war as an excursion and a lovely stay, yet he is also weighing a complex and risky mission to seize the regimes uranium, the Journal reported.

View full Image View full Image Much of the liquefied petroleum gas shipped through the strait goes to Asian markets, such as India.

On Monday, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that the U.S. was working towards normal operations in the strait, but didnt list it among the core military objectives of targeting Irans navy, missiles, defense industry and ability to make a nuclear weapon.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking Monday to Al Jazeera, said the current campaign to complete U.S. military objectives will be finished within weeks.

Then well be confronted with this issue of the Straits of Hormuz, and it will be up to Iran to decide, said Rubio, who is also Trumps national security adviser, or a coalition of nations from around the world and the region, with the participation of the United States, well make sure that its open, one way or the other.

The Trump administration had planned for the possibility of Iran closing the strait after the first bombs dropped. But once Iran placed mines in the water and threatened to strike tankers, traffic slowed to a trickle.

Senior officials repeatedly waved the problem away as pressure mounted on Washington to handle the situation. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on March 13 told reporters Irans actions were a sign of sheer desperation and was something were dealing with, we have been dealing with it and dont need to worry about it.

To circumvent the problem, Trump increasingly called on shipping companies to take the risk of sailing through the waterway. When that didnt work, he switched to issuing threats directly at Tehran. Trump last week interpreted Irans leadership allowing some ships through as a concession, kick-starting the latest round of diplomacy he hopes could end the war.

But after saying Monday on social media that Iran was now led by a more reasonable regime, he threatened to target the countrys electric plants and oil sitesincluding oil-export hub Kharg Islandif the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business.

President Trump is going to move forward unabated, and he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration, Leavitt told reporters.

Current and former officials say they believe the ability of Iran to control the passageway will be blunted as its military assets are diminished.

Once youve once youve achieved those strategic objectives, it naturally follows, said Rich Goldberg, a former Trump National Security Council official now at Foundation for Defense of Democracies, a Washington think tank. That is when you would focus on the Strait of Hormuz, because you would have done so much damage to their external threat, and you would have reallocated your military resources to that mission.

Despite his threats to reopen the waterway, Trump and his team say the strait matters far more to countries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia than to the U.S., insisting it is not vital to Americas energy needs. Top aides in Washington have spent weeks asking allies and partners to plan for negotiations or operations to ensure a fifth of the worlds oil and gas can travel through the strait.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent suggested Monday in a Fox News interview that the U.S. or a multinational group could escort tankers. His comments didnt signal any urgency to reopen the strait immediately.

The market is well-supplied, and we are seeing more and more ships go through on a daily basis as individual countries cut deals with the Iranian regime for the time being, Bessent said. But over time, the U.S. is going to retake control of the straits, and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through U.S. escorts or a multinational escort.

This month, nearly 40 countriesincluding the United Kingdom, France and Canadapledged our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait.

Around 20% of the worlds oil supply is transported through the strait, and in 2024, 84% of crude oil and 83% of liquid natural gas shipped through the strait was bound for Asian markets, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Irans grip on the strait led the benchmark price of U.S. oil to close Monday at over $100 a barrel for the first time since 2022, and some financial analysts project it could surge to $200 a barrel if the war causes sustained disruption. to the waterway.
Ram Sahgal

Ram Sahgal is a deputy editor at Mint. He has over 20 years of experience in journalism, with previous roles at The Intelligent Investor, Bombay Times, The Economic Times, and The New Indian Express. Between his media roles, he briefly worked at a commodities exchange before returning to his true passion, business journalism. Ram graduated in liberal arts from St Xaviers College, Mumbai, where he studied films, which explains his move to Bombay Times, where he covered the film industry during the rise of Sunny Deol and Sanjay Dutt. He took a leap of faith to transfer to The Economic Times, and thanks to his restless mind, later moved to cover the commodities beat. Over the past three years, Ram has been tracking the stock markets at Mint. His focus areas include writing about market infrastructure institutions, brokerages, derivatives, and related regulations. His hobbies include spotting trains and understanding the locomotives that power them. In his free time, he takes his octogenarian mother out for drives and goes to the cinema with her on weekends. If he has a dream, it is to write a screenplay for a movie. For now, he enjoys viewing market data on NSE and BSE, observing the shifting mood of Mr Market, and conversing with market experts.
Bengaluru: Indias real estate boom is sharpening a familiar constraint: capital. As demand consolidates and developers look to scale, the need for formal funding is rising across asset classes.

At a fireside chat on Returns, risks and exit routes for investments in real estate at the Mint India Investment Summit 2006 held in Mumbai last week, Vipul Roongta, managing director and chief executive, HDFC Capital Advisors Ltd, and Ankur Gupta, deputy global chief investment officer, head of APAC and Middle East, Real Estate, Brookfield, outlined how this funding gap is shaping investment strategies across housing, offices and hospitality.

For HDFC Capital Advisors, which has funded around 400,000 homes, consolidation in residential markets is pushing developers towards institutional capital as they expand.

Also Read | Flight to premium real estate will boost funding

Residential real estate accounts for nearly 75% of Indias real estate market today. To understand where demand is coming from, it is clear that the market is consolidating towards the top 1012% of each region. It is bringing developers to funds like us for expansion, land acquisition, approvals. We manage $5 billion of assets and we are seeing more deals now with the market tapering in some geographies. The demand for formal capital is clearly going up," Roongta said.

For Brookfield, Indias relatively small real estate base underscores the scale of the opportunity, and the capital required to unlock it. The firm, which entered through commercial office assets, has since expanded into hospitality, rental housing and a real estate investment trust (Reit), and is also eyeing logistics.

About growth, scale Real estate investments are about growth, scale, and housing the economywhether through the residential sector or commercial real estate. To put India in a global context, the (real estate) sector is worth about $60 trillion globally, while in India it stands at roughly $0.5 trillion. Our fair share of built, rent-producing real estate should be closer to $5 trillion, but we are currently at about a tenth of that. The fact is, we need significant capital to build out real asset infrastructure and push the economy further," said Brookfield's Ankur Gupta.

Also Read | Adani gets NCLT nod to acquire JAL, gains scale in north India real estate

Within housing, this capital is increasingly flowing to the premium end, as supply and sales in affordable segments remain under pressure.

The challenge in determining what qualifies as affordable housing lies in the term itself. Affordable housing is defined differently by various stakeholdersthe government has one definition, the Reserve Bank of India another, and the Income Tax framework yet another. At HDFC, we chose to focus on the middle-income segment, which for us includes households earning between 50,000 and 3 lakh per month," said Roongta.

Bright spot HDFC Capital, which does both equity and credit deals, sees private credit as a relative bright spot in India, helped by more conservative structures.

Globally, private credit is going through one of its toughest phases. But in India, the story is different. In the Western world, private credit is often structured with leverage at the asset level or in other ways. In India, however, leverage is not allowed at the fund level, so the structures are largely unlevered, and investments are senior secured. With the institutionalising of capital, private credit or senior secured credit is doing well because the underlying asset quality is good," Roongta added.

Alongside housing, commercial office has rebounded strongly since the pandemic, reinforcing investor interest.

Also Read | Godrej Properties to outperform real estate sector growth, says Pirojsha Godrej

We helped in creating the sector in some ways. We are among the largest owners of office assets in the country, and have been one of the largest foreign investors in real estate for many years. I would still say that the best years of real estate are today and in the years ahead of us, simply because there is so much opportunity," said Gupta.

Our broad investment theme is the urbanisation of India manifesting itself in office spaces, hospitality. The real estate markets are getting institutionalize and Brookfield likes that. As investors, if we solve for the present, we will make good returns, Gupta added.

Even so, both Gupta and Roongta acknowledged a growing affordability challenge for homebuyers, even as demand remains strong.
Apoorva Ajith

Apoorva is a Mumbai-based journalist at Mint who covers the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), tracking the pulse of Indias capital markets, regulatory developments and the people who operate within them. She holds a postgraduate diploma in business and financial journalism from the Asian College of Journalism, where she developed a strong foundation in markets, companies, and economic policy. She began her journalism journey with an internship at Bloomberg, where she worked across beats such as real estate, infrastructure, capital markets, and deals, which helped her understanding of business and finance.<br><br>She is guided by the belief that everything in this world can be explained in simple and fewer words, and that idea shapes how she approaches her writing. She aims to cut through complexity and present nuanced regulatory and financial developments in a way that is both accessible and meaningful to readers.<br><br>When she is not tracking market chatter, Apoorva can usually be found deep into a fiction novel or out on a long run. She is also a trained classical dancer in Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, and Kathakali.
US-Iran war: Oil prices were largely steady on Tuesday as investors assessed the likelihood of US President Donald Trump moving to end the Iran conflict against risks of supply disruptions from a prolonged shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial route for global oil shipments.

Brent crude for May delivery edged up 18 cents, or 0.16%, to $112.96 per barrel at 0438 GMT, after slipping 1% earlier in the session. The May contract is set to expire on Tuesday, while the more actively traded June contract stood at $107.10.

Meanwhile, U.S. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude for May delivery declined 25 cents, or 0.24%, to $102.63 per barrel, after touching its highest level since March 9 earlier in the day.

What's driving crude oil prices today? Donald Trump has indicated to aides that he may be prepared to halt the military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely shut, leaving its reopening for a later stage, according to a report by The Wall Street Journal citing administration officials.

However, on Monday, Trump warned that the US would obliterate Irans energy infrastructure and oil facilities if Tehran failed to reopen the key shipping route.

Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz  a crucial passage that typically handles around one-fifth of global oil supply along with significant volumes of liquefied natural gas  has driven a sharp rally in crude prices.

Brent crude futures have surged 59% so far in March, marking their biggest monthly gain on record, while WTI crude has climbed 58% during the month, its strongest rise since May 2020.

Underscoring the risks to seaborne energy supplies amid the conflict involving Iran, the US, and Israel, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation, was quoted as saying by Reuters, on Tuesday that its fully loaded crude tanker Al Salmi, with a capacity of up to 2 million barrels, was hit in an alleged Iranian attack at a Dubai port. Authorities also cautioned about the possibility of oil spills in the area.

Meanwhile, on Saturday, Yemens Iran-backed Houthi forces launched missile strikes toward Israel, heightening concerns over potential disruptions at the Bab el-Mandeb Strait  a critical maritime corridor connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, and a vital route for trade between Asia and Europe via the Suez Canal.

Crude oil prices outlook According to Aamir Makda, Commodity & Currency Analyst at Choice Broking, crude oil price has continued to rise over its key moving averages i.e. 20, 50 and 100-DEMA levels placed at 8416, 7325 and 6575 respectively.

These will be crucial support levels to look for. On the other hand, immediate resistance would be at psychological level of 10,000. Breaching of this hurdle will boost the Oil prices and we may expect new all-time high level,Makda said.

Meanwhile, Sugandha Sachdeva, founder of SS WealthStreet, believes that crude oil is likely to trade within a wide and volatile range.

Key supports are placed at $93 and $73 per barrel (Brent Crude), while on the upside, a retest of $120 remains plausible, with an extended move towards $150 per barrel not ruled out if geopolitical risks intensify further. In essence, the market remains firmly geopolitics-driven, with supply disruptions, strategic reserve actions, and policy responses collectively shaping the near- to medium-term trajectory of oil prices, Sachdeva said.
Look around you. How many people do you see dressed in bright colours? Chances are, not many. Im writing this at my office desk, surrounded by colleagues in muted shades of white, grey, blue and black.

I began paying closer attention to the colours people wear about three weeks ago after a visit to a south Delhi mall. That Sunday afternoon, every store window had displayed spring-summer collections in the same restrained spectrumwhite, grey, blue, black. Even outside the stores, shoppers blended into a sea of neutrals.

The same palette was visible the following weekend, this time on a Metro ride. At a fashion party midweek, the dress code was comfort casual. Most people were in either black or white. The recent fashion week, too, kept the shade card largely restricted to neutrals.

To be clear, it isnt that bright colours have disappeared entirely. You will still find a wide range of colours inside stores. But in a country long associated with vivid hues, we dont seem to be reaching for them as often when stepping out.

A quick, informal survey of colleagues and friends across cities suggests this isnt incidental. Neutrals and darker shades have become the default in urban wardrobes.

Maybe its a colonial hangover. The British did change how Indians dressed, bringing with them Western tailoring and a quieter, more restrained aesthetic that, arguably, still informs what urban India considers appropriate or sophisticated. Add to that a westernised corporate culture at work that prizes fitting in, being subtle, and looking global. Then there is the influence of fast fashion. Global brands such as Zara and H&M that cater to a wide, international audience tend to favour a largely neutral palette that travels easily across markets.

The shift is also cultural. Over the past few years, fashion has been moving away from excess. The rise of quiet luxury, with its emphasis on minimalism and investment dressing, has made neutrals not just acceptable, but aspirational. In a climate where understated increasingly signals sophistication, colour can begin to feel excessive.

It is telling that Bollywood celebrity wardrobes, including bridal ones, are now increasingly embracing shades of white and cream with far greater ease than before. Runways across the country, too, are increasingly dominated by paler palettes. Even Pantones Colour of the Year for 2026, Cloud Dancer, a soft, billowy white, is meant to evoke calm and clarity in a noisy world.

Sure, spring may be here, but these are not exactly sunny times. And yet, colours, much like fashion, have the power to shift mood. In a room full of beige and white, a colleague in our Delhi bureau stood out in a saffron kurta. I was feeling a bit low with everything thats happening in the world, he said. I thought, why not do something different and cheer myself up.

Another colleague, dressed in a green gingham shirt with khaki trousers, admitted, As much as I love wearing colour, I avoid it because I want to be taken seriously. Then, almost as an aside, he added: Today you see me in some colour because Im serving my notice period.

Colour is not just about tasteit is about perception and how we want to be seen. And perhaps, more importantly, whether we have decided that blending in feels safer than standing out.

Also Read | Is the era of the perfect Instagram photo over?
The Government of India recently announced that a team from the 8th Pay Commission will visit Dehradun on 24 April, as a part of its nationwide consultation process with stakeholders. This visit forms a key step in gathering region-specific inputs and ideas to shape future pay structures and service conditions for central government employees.

Stakeholders can participate in the interaction As detailed in the official notice released on the 8th Pay Commission's website, representatives from Central Government organisations, employee unions, institutions, and associations have been invited to interact directly with the Commission.

Also Read | 8th Pay Commission timeline, arrears rules and AITUC demands explained

The consultations are expected to focus on issues such as allowances, salary revisions, and pension matters. The primary aim will be to build confidence and provide stakeholders with a platform to share their views.

Application deadline and participation details Stakeholders who aspire to participate must submit their appointment requests via email by 10 April at the latest. Only those who submit applications within the deadline will be considered for scheduling meetings with the Commission. The complete venue details, meeting schedule, and other essential information will be communicated to the participants later.

For complete details on the visit, interested persons can refer to the official website of the Commission at: https://8cpc.gov.in/

The objective of the Uttarakhand visit is to support the Commission's efforts to ensure and foster inclusive participation, reaching out to stakeholders and participants across different regions. Such interactions are considered vital for understanding ground-level reality, considerations and concerns.

Also Read | What happens to your DA hike until the 8th Pay Commission is implemented?

The 8th Pay Commission, constituted by the Government of India, is responsible for reviewing, recommending, and revising pay scales in line with the evolving economic conditions in the country. The Commission's recommendations are expected to have a significant impact on millions of central government employees, pensioners, and other stakeholders across the country.

Preparing for 8th Pay Commission Interaction How stakeholders can participate

To ensure successful participation, stakeholders can follow the given steps:
April 1 Financial Rule Changes highlights: As the new financial year 2026-27 (FY27) begins on Wednesday, 1 April, India is set to witness the implementation of several new financial and regulatory rules. These changes are expected to directly impact the day-to-day lives of citizens across the country.

From changes in income tax return (ITR) filing norms and PAN regulations to revisions in salary structure and FASTag annual pass fee hike, multiple policy changes will come into effect with the start of FY27, influencing household finances as well as banking and compliance practices.

Among the key changes, India's six-decade-old tax framework under the Income Tax Act, 1961 will be replaced by the newly introduced Income Tax Act, 2025, on 1 April, marking a significant overhaul of the country's direct tax system.

Meanwhile, banks will also make a host of new changes to crucial tasks such as ATM cash withdrawal limit. For example, HDFC Bank will now charge 23 per transaction on UPI cash withdrawals at ATMs after five free transactions.

What salaried people should know?

It's important for salaried individuals to know that their take-home salary is likely to be reduced if the new labour laws come into effect from 1 April.

Under the wages section of the four new labour codes brought in by the government, companies will now have to pay at least 50% of your salary as the basic wage component. The latest change means that your provident fund contribution will increase, effectively reducing in-hand salary of a person.

Some other changes that are expected to impact a taxpayer's lives include changes to House Rent Allowance (HRA) rules, new ticketing reforms introduced by Indian railways, and others.

Follow for April 1 2026 financial changes LIVE updates on Mint.
Ananya Grover

Ananya is a journalist with over four years of experience, specialising in stock markets and personal finance. Currently working with the Mint Money team, she focuses on simplifying complex financial concepts to help readers make informed decisions about their money. Her work spans market trends, regulatory and policy developments, and in-depth analytical stories that decode shifts in Indias financial landscape. She has consistently covered key developments in the stock market, combining data-driven insights with on-ground reporting to provide clarity and context. <br><br>Before joining Mint, Ananya worked with Financial Express, NDTV Profit, and Informist, where she built a strong foundation in reporting, writing, and editing across fast-paced news environments. Her expertise lies in translating intricate financial and policy matters into accessible, reader-first narratives without compromising on depth or accuracy. Driven by a commitment to impactful and trustworthy journalism, Ananya believes credible financial information is essential for empowering individuals in an increasingly complex economic environment. A Delhiite now based in Mumbai, she brings a keen observational lens to both her reporting and everyday life. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, writing poetry, and people-watching.
Data dearth

Another aspect impeding the sustainable development of cities is the limited availability of quality data, as well as the poor use of data for decision-making. While data is being generated at the central and state levels, consistent and granular city-wise data remains scarce, incomplete or unreliable.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit his home state, Gujarat, on Tuesday, 31 March. The prime minister will inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti and the Kaynes Semicon Plant at Sanand, Ahmedabad, and will also unveil development projects worth more than 20,000 crore.

In a post on X on Monday, PM Modi said he will take part in programmes covering areas such as culture, semiconductors, infrastructure, health, and rural development.

Also Read | PM Modi links COVID recovery hopes to West Asia war setback in Mann Ki Baat

"Tomorrow, 31st March, I will be in Gujarat to take part in programmes in Gandhinagar, Sanand and Vav-Tharad. These programmes cover culture, semiconductors, infrastructure, health, rural development and more," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth At around 10 AM, PM Modi will inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar. Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain tradition known for his commitment to non-violence and propagation of Jainism, the museum showcases the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Jainism.

Located within the Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus, the museum features seven distinct wings, each dedicated to unique aspects of India's civilizational traditions.

The museum preserves and displays centuries-old rare relics, Jain artefacts, and traditional heritage collections. These include intricately crafted stone and metal idols, large Tirth Patta and Yantra Patta, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins, and ancient manuscripts, all exhibited across seven grand galleries.

Kaynes Semicon Plant at GIDC At 12:45 PM, the prime minister will also inaugurate the Kaynes Semicon Plant at Sanand GIDC, Ahmedabad. This will mark the commencement of commercial production at the facility.

Commercial production will begin with the manufacture of advanced Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), which are critical components for automotive and industrial applications that require compact, efficient, and reliable power-switching systems.

Also Read | In Kerala, PM Modi thanks Gulf nations for taking care of Indians

It will be the second semiconductor facility, after Micron Technology, to commence commercial production among the approved projects under the programme, news agency ANI said.

Multiple development projects The Prime Minister will then travel to Vav-Tharad and lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the Nation multiple development projects worth more than 20,000 crore.

PM Modi will inaugurate the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway costing over 5,100 crore.

The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar-Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders. He will also lay the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-II) of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.

Rail Projects In the rail sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation the Kanalus-Jamnagar doubling project (28 km), part of the Rajkot-Kanalus doubling project (111.20 km), and the quadrupling of the Gandhidham-Adipur section (10.69 km).

PM Modi will also inaugurate the Himmatnagar-Khedbrahma gauge conversion project (54.83 km), which will improve rail connectivity and passenger movement in the region. He will also flag off the Khedbrahma-Himmatnagar-Asarwa train service.

Also Read | West Asia conflict: India and Saudi Arabia call for secure shipping lanes

The Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation two major water pipeline projects worth around 1,780 crore, including the Kasara-Dantiwada Pipeline in Banaskantha and the Dindrol-Mukteshwar Pipeline across Patan and Banaskantha, a government release said.
A former Army captain, Sandeep Tomar, who had been evading arrest for nearly four years after being convicted of murdering his wife, has been apprehended in Madhya Pradeshs Pandhurna district. His arrest was carried out on Saturday through a joint operation involving Fazilka Police and NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid).

Tomar was found guilty of strangling his wife, Shweta Singh, in 2013 at the Abohar Cantonment in Punjab, just five months after their marriage. At the time, he claimed that she had taken her own life. However, forensic evidence later confirmed that she had been strangled. A local court sentenced him to life imprisonment in 2014, following which he was dismissed from the Army, The Times of India (TOI) reported.

After serving five years in Ferozepur Jail, he was granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2019 while his appeal was pending. However, when the High Court upheld his life imprisonment, he failed to surrender and went into hiding.

How ex-Army captain eluded police? The TOI report stated that he lived in different cities under a false identity. Investigators said he worked as a real estate agent in Zirakpur before relocating to Odisha and later Bengaluru. He eventually settled in Pandhurna, part of the former Chhindwara district, where he was employed as a manager at a juice factory. He had also remarried during this period.

Also Read | Ram Rahim Singh acquitted in journalist Chhatrapati's murder case

Officials said his arrest was the result of a coordinated effort between local police and national intelligence agencies. Despite using a fake identity in daily life, two key digital trails led investigators to him. Tomar had used his original PAN card to open a salary bank account and later used the same account to book an LPG cylinder refill.

How an LPG cylinder helped police catch him The Special Investigation Team (SIT) had been tracking his financial activity linked to his real identity. The use of his PAN card and salary deposits into the account from a Madhya Pradesh-based firm led to his arrest.
Delhi Police special cell, on Sunday, nabbed 'most wanted' LeT handler, Shabir Ahmed Lone, who allegedly used Bangladeshi nationals to evade detection and plan attacks on religious sites

A months-long operation by the Delhi Police special cell culminated on Sunday night with the arrest of Shabir Ahmed Lone, a senior Lashkar-e-Taiba commander long classified as one of India's most wanted terrorists.

Lone, who allegedly established an operational base in Kolkata and directed reconnaissance of prominent Hindu temples in Delhi, is being seen by intelligence officials as a critical node in a cross-border terror pipeline running from Pakistan through Bangladesh and into India.

Who Is Shabir Ahmed Lone, Alias Raja Kashmiri? Shabir Ahmed Lone is not a new name to Indian security agencies. He was previously arrested in Delhi in 2007 and again in Jammu and Kashmir in 2016, making his latest apprehension his third known encounter with Indian law enforcement.

Despite his history, he had managed to rebuild his operational network, this time with a far more sophisticated structure designed to exploit India's porous borders and blend into civilian populations.

Operating under the alias Raja Kashmiri, Shabir Ahmed Lone had allegedly been tasked by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence to establish a Lashkar cell in Bangladesh, from where he orchestrated a cross-border terror network specifically aimed at radicalising Indian and Bangladeshi youth.

The Kolkata Base and the Delhi Temple Reconnaissance At the heart of the alleged operation was a local base established in the Hatiara area of Kolkata, which served as a staging ground for the network's activities inside India, according to a report by Times of India quoting Delhi Police. From there, module members fanned out to conduct reconnaissance of high-footfall commercial and religious sites.

Acoording to the ToI report, among the locations surveilled were the Kalkaji temple in Delhi and the Gauri Shankar temple in Chandni Chowk, two of the capital's most visited religious sites.

The 'Test Task': Anti-National Posters Before the Al Summit In one of the more operationally revealing details to emerge from the investigation, Lone allegedly directed a group of newly recruited operatives to paste anti-national posters across Delhi as a test of their capabilities ahead of the Al summit.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Special Cell) Pramod Kushwaha told the Times of India that the recruits were the first set of recruits who were sent to Delhi and asked to paste anti-national posters before the Al summit as a 'test task.'

The posters themselves were deeply inflammatory. They carried pro-Pakistan slogans, incendiary messaging about Kashmir, images of slain Hizbul Mujahideen militant Burhan Wani, text in Urdu reading "We are Pakistanis, Pakistan is ours", and references to "Kashmir Solidarity Day", an occasion observed in Pakistan.

The recruits reportedly filmed themselves completing the task and sent the footage to Lone, who praised them over encrypted chats and instructed them to proceed to the next stage.

How a Journey Between Cities Led Police to the Network The recruits established a base in Kolkata, reportedly completed their assigned task in Delhi, and then flew back. It was this very movement between cities that proved their undoing. Police tracked the recruits' journey, used it to identify the operatives, and arrested eight of them the following month, including seven Bangladeshi nationals.

The arrests rattled Lone's Pakistan-based handlers sufficiently that Lone himself was then directed to re-enter India, intensify recruitment and meet assets to plan an attack.

The Arrest: Intercepted at Ghazipur After Crossing Through Nepal Acting on precise intelligence about Lone's movements, a dedicated team led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Praveen Tripathi and Inspector Sunil Rajain, working in coordination with central intelligence agencies, intercepted Lone in Ghazipur on Sunday night. He had crossed into Nepal and entered India through the open border, a route increasingly favoured by operatives seeking to avoid scrutiny at formal entry points.

Also Read | Top Pakistani terrorist linked to JeM killed in encounter in J&K Kathua

At the time of his arrest, police seized his mobile handset and a Nepali SIM card, along with a range of foreign currencies including 2,300 Bangladeshi taka, 5,000 Pakistani rupees and 1,400 Nepalese rupees, in addition to Indian currency.

A Network Built on Deception: Bangladeshi Nationals as Cover Interrogation has begun to reveal the calculated logic behind Lone's recruitment strategy. Rather than relying on Kashmiri or Pakistani operatives who would attract immediate scrutiny from Indian security agencies, Lone allegedly sought to use Bangladeshi nationals who could assume Indian identities and blend seamlessly into local populations.

Also Read | 8 killed during Friday prayers as deadly blast hits mosque in Syria

The initial recruits were reportedly drawn from Bangladeshi nationals working illegally in India's garment industry. They were offered money and the promise of a better life in exchange for joining the network, and were then asked to bring additional recruits on board. One key figure in this process was Malda-based Umar Farukh, whom Lone allegedly first indoctrinated before appointing him to spearhead LeT operations within India.

The Role of Saidul Islam and ISI's Bangladesh Setup Police have also identified Lone's key accomplice as Saidul Islam, a Bangladeshi national who facilitated Lone's illegal entry into Bangladesh, arranged his logistics and provided him with hideouts. Islam was also the primary link who supplied Lone and Umar Faruq with details of a Tamil Nadu-based group connected to the network.
Pratishtha Bagai

Pratishtha Bagai is a correspondent at Mint, specializing in the creator economy, education, Gen Z culture, and human resources since joining the publication in May 2024. With a keen eye for detail, she delivers breaking news and sharp trend analyses that illuminate Indias booming digital creator scene, from innovative monetization models and influencer strategies to post-pandemic shifts in recruitment at elite educational institutions like IITs and IIMs.<br><br>Her expertise stands out in unpacking the creator economys rapid evolutioncovering AI-driven disruptions and viral trend cyclesand Gen Zs transformative influence on social media behaviours, offering fresh perspectives on how these forces redefine careers, content creation, and workplace dynamics for the next generation.<br><br>A postgraduate from the Asian College of Journalism (2023-2024), she holds a diploma in business and financial journalism via the Bloomberg programme, equipping her to seamlessly connect technological disruptions with tangible economic outcomes and policy implications.<br><br>Driven by a commitment to clear, impactful storytelling, Pratishtha empowers readers with actionable insights into pivotal industry moments. Based in Delhi, when shes not chasing stories, youll find her binge-watching movies or getting lost in a board game spree.
Petrol and diesel prices remained largely unchanged across major Indian cities, despite a global energy crisis precipitated by the effective shutdown of trade through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

Since the US and Israel attacked Iran on 28 February, oil prices have risen dramatically, with the Brent crude benchmark rising more than 50% in this period and touching $116 on Monday.

While Iran has granted exemptions to certain friendly countries  including India, China, Russia and Pakistan, among others  volatility persists in the international oil market, especially amid uncertainty about the direction and duration of the ongoing war in the Middle East.

Despite the war running for over one month, and in spite of Donald Trump's repeated assertions of victory in one way or another, the conflict in the Middle East seems far from over: over the weekend, Yemen's Houthis joined the war, posing even more potential threats to global trade. Further, despite Trump's claims of productive negotiations, Tehran remains adamant and has publicly denied talks with Washington.

On Tuesday, reports also suggested that Trump was considering ending the military campaign against Iran without reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and it remains to be seen how such a decision, if taken, would impact oil markets.

Excise duty slashed, industrial diesel price hiked Against this backdrop, the Indian government last week cut excise duties on petrol and diesel, after earlier hiking the price of industrial diesel and premium petrol.

Last week, the Centre cut excise duty on petrol by 3 a litre and exempted diesel entirely from the levy in a bid to provide relief to state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs), who have been facing pressure on their margins amid rising global crude oil prices.

Earlier in March, the government also raised the price of industrial diesel, sold in bulk to commercial establishments, by 21.92 a litre, a 25% increase. At the same time, the price of premium petrol was raised by 2 a litre.

Regular petrol and diesel prices OMCs revise prices every morning at 6 AM, but despite the aforementioned changes, the prices of regular petrol and diesel, which make up the bulk of daily pump sales, remain largely unchanged.

Below are petrol and diesel prices across major Indian cities on Tuesday, 31 March.

City Petrol (  /L) Diesel (  /L) Delhi  94.77  87.67 Mumbai  103.54  90.03 Kolkata  105.45  92.02 Chennai  100.84  92.39 Hyderabad  107.46  95.70 Bengaluru  102.96  90.99 Lucknow  94.69  87.81 Ahmedabad  94.49  90.17

Also Read | Pentagon denies report on Hegseth brokers defence fund move before Iran strike

Factors affecting petrol and diesel prices in India There are many factors that influence the prices of petrol and diesel in India, with the most significant being the price of crude oil on international markets.

The rupee-dollar exchange rate also plays a crucial role in determining the prices of petrol and diesel, given that India imports a large share of its crude oil. Simply put, a weaker rupee can increase the cost of imported crude, pushing up domestic fuel prices, or vice versa.

Another factor is the taxes imposed by the Centre and state governments, which form a major component of petrol and diesel prices and are responsible for variations in fuel prices across states.
The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted more rains in the upcoming month of April, with above-normal rainfall likely to shower over most parts of the country. In its monthly forecast, the IMD has also excluded Northeast India from its above-normal rainfall forecast.

The weather department also predicted above-normal number of heatwave days over East, Central and northwest India between April and June, 2026.

It said, Above-normal number of heatwave days likely over parts of east, central and northwest India and southeast Peninsula from Apr-June. Above-normal rainfall likely over most parts of country except Northeast India in April.

Below-normal rainfall is expected over many parts of northeastern India, the IMD said.

During April, May and June, maximum temperatures are expected to be normal to below normal over many parts of the country, except most parts of east and northeast India and eastern parts of central India and adjoining peninsular regions, where above-normal maximum temperatures are expected.

It said, During the hot season (April-May-June), above-normal minimum temperatures are likely over most parts of the country, except some regions of Maharashtra and Telangana, where normal to below normal minimum temperatures are likely.

The weather department also stated that monthly maximum temperature in the month of April is likely to be normal to below normal in many parts of the country.

But in many parts of East and northeast India and some parts of northwest India and southern peninsula are expected to experience above-normal maximum temperatures in April.

Also, above-normal monthly minimum temperatures are most likely over most parts of India, except for some isolated pockets in the southern peninsula, where normal minimum temperatures are expected during April.

The rainfall during April 2026, averaged over the country as a whole, is most likely to be above normal.

Rains in Delhi, NCR The IMD forecast comes as Delhi and most parts of the National Capital Region (NCR) saw rain and gusty winds on Tuesday, March 31. An orange alert had earlier been issued in the capital city and the surrounding region.

According to the India Meteorological Department (IMD), the predominant surface wind is expected to be from the southwest, with speeds of up to 15 kmph during the afternoon. Wind speed is likely to gradually decrease, dropping below 10 kmph from the southeast direction during the evening and night.

Despite the rain activity, daytime temperatures are expected to remain above normal, the IMD added.
India's automobile component makers are also battling a sulphur shortage, according to industry stakeholders. There is emerging tightness in sulphur supplies due to disruptions in West Asia, which is impacting availability of sulphuric acid, a key industrial input used across metal processing, including copper. This is contributing to cost pressures and supply constraints across segments of the auto component value chain, said Vinnie Mehta, director general of the Automotive Components Manufacturers Association of India (Acma).
Widespread speculation and rumours are circulating that former US President Barack Obama has been arrested or is about to be detained. These claims have once again gone viral on social media, largely fueled by MAGA-affiliated accounts and political commentators.

The buzz grew stronger after Tulsi Gabbard declassified documents alleging that the Obama administration was involved in what she described as a treasonous conspiracy linked to the Russia investigation before the 2016 election.

Gabbard claimed that intelligence was manipulated and said the materials have been forwarded to the Department of Justice for potential legal action.

During the White House briefings, press secretary Karoline Leavitt reinforced the administrations position, suggesting that actions from the Obama era could be considered treason and describing the situation as a serious misuse of intelligence authority.

However, neither Gabbard nor Leavitt confirmed any immediate arrest, emphasizing instead that any decision on charges lies with the Department of Justice.

Is there any evidence supporting Barack Obama's arrest? There is no verified evidence to suggest Obama will face an arrest, as both the Department of Justice and the media say that the allegations against him are baseless, misleading and lack legal merit.

What is Russia hoax? The term Russia hoax, often associated with reactions to the findings of the Mueller Report, has been used to describe investigations into Russian interference in US elections between 2016 and 2019.

It is alleged that Obama conspired to undermine Donald Trumps 2016 presidential victory by relying on false intelligence purporting to show Russian interference in Trumps favour.

While these inquiries confirmed that foreign actors did interfere in the election, they did not establish a criminal conspiracy between Trumps campaign and Russia.

What has Donald Trump said about Russia Hoax? US President Donald Trump has consistently called the Russia investigation a hoax and has publicly criticized Obama. Supporters of Trump on social media platforms have called for the arrest of Obama, with many supporters using Gabbards allegations as evidence. Many of the allegations made by Gabbard and her supporters have not been established as factual.

What did Mueller report say? According to The New York Times, which accessed the Mueller report released to the public on 18 April 2019, Trump and 18 of his associates had at least 140 contacts with Russian nationals and WikiLeaks, or their intermediaries, during the 2016 campaign and presidential transition. The report revealed at least 30 more contacts beyond those previously known. However, the special counsel said, the evidence was not sufficient to support criminal charges.

The report also said that Trump was pursuing a plan to build a Trump Tower in Moscow and was repeatedly invited to an economic forum in St. Petersburg, Russia, to be attended by President Vladimir Putin of Russia and other Russian government and business officials.

Trump's "Russia Hoax" claim isn't first time? US District Judge Donald Middlebrooks once characterised Trump as the mastermind of strategic abuse of the judicial process. In a short-lived 202223 case filed by Trump against Hillary Clinton, Middlebrooks described him as a sophisticated litigant who repeatedly uses the courts to pursue personal grievances, according to an AP report.

Trump defeated Hillary Clinton in the 2016 presidential election, but that didnt stop him from naming her as a central figure, along with several others, in a 2022 lawsuit alleging a broad conspiracy to deny him the election.

The lawsuit was part of Trumps broader response to a Department of Justice investigation into Russias role in the campaign. The inquiry found that Russia interfered in US political discourse in a sweeping and systematic way to benefit Trump and damage Clinton.

However, it did not reach a definitive conclusion on whether Trump himself was involved. While the final report did not fully clear him, Trump continued to describe the investigation as a Russia hoax, claiming it was an intentional effort to undermine him.

Fact Check: Can Barack Obama be arrested? News outlets, including CNN and USA Today, dismissed Gabbards claims as misleading reinterpretations of history. They highlighted that multiple credible sources have confirmed that Russia attempted to influence the 2016 election.

Also Read | Trump hosts Black History Month event after racism row

Independent intelligence evaluations, including a 2020 bipartisan Senate report, supported the CIAs original findings that Russian interference favoured Trump.

Even Republican Senator Marco Rubio, now Secretary of State, co-signed the Senate report affirming Russian interference. The declassified documents released by Gabbard provided little evidence contradicting the mainstream intelligence consensus.
The US Supreme Court on Tuesday (local time) rejected a Colorado law that prohibited psychotherapists from using "conversion" talk therapy, aimed at changing a Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender (LGBT) minor's sexual orientation or identity, Reuters reported.

Siding with a Christian licensed counsellor, who argued the ban violated free speech rights, the judges, in an 8-1 ruling, reversed the decision of a lower court that upheld the law, in a case brought by Kaley Chiles, who argued it violated the First Amendments protection of free speech.

The decision by the US Supreme Court is likely to have national implications, reports NBC News, since a similar "conversion" talk therapy ban is present in over 20 states.

Also Read | SCOTUS hears case on whether migrants stopped in Mexico can claim asylum in US

What did the Supreme Court say? The ruling, which was written by Justice Neil Gorsuch, a conservative, rejected Colorado's argument that the ban on conversion talk therapy regulates "professional conduct", not protected speech. He added, "The First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country."

The Supreme Court noted that the law could still be applied in some cases of conversion therapy, including the so-called "aversive" physical practices, but not to the specific speech involved in Chiles case.

Gorsuch also added that Colorado's law not just bans physical interventions, but it also "censors speech based on viewpoints."

Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only Liberal Justice who took the rare step of reading a summary of her opinion in court, emphasising the difference between speech and conduct. Jackson wrote, "Under our precedents, bedrock First Amendment principles have far less salience when the speakers are medical professionals."

What is the conversion therapy ban? According to NBC News, conversion therapy, which is favoured by some religious conservatives, aims to encourage minors who are gay or lesbian to identify as heterosexual. For transgender children, the therapy aims to encourage them to identify and stick to the gender assigned at birth. The state of Colorado has imposed a ban on this practice for licensed therapists. However, children can still be encouraged by family members or religious entities, since the law does not include them.

According to a Reuters report, the disputed law bars licensed mental health professionals from attempting to alter a minors sexual orientation or gender identity toward a specific intended outcome. Each violation can result in fines of up to $5,000. It also covers efforts aimed at suppressing same-sex attraction or modifying behaviors or gender expression.
Search is underway for a female American journalist identified as Shelly Kittleson, after she was kidnapped in Baghdad on Tuesday, police officials said.

Officials said Kittleson was seized by four men in civilian clothes and taken away in a vehicle. The search is focused on the eastern part of the Iraqi capital where the kidnappers' vehicle was headed  Reuters reported  citing the officials.

Who is Shelly Kittleson? Middle East news website Al-Monitor reported that Kittleson is a US freelance journalist based in Rome who has covered multiple conflicts in the region and contributed articles to the publication.

As per her social media bio, Kittleson is an award-winning journalist reporting from the Middle East and Afghanistan. Apart from Al-Monitor  she has worked for publications like Foreign Policy, Politico, the BBC World Service.

View full Image View full Image Shelly Kittleson's profile on social media

Al-Monitor said it is deeply alarmed by Kittleson's kidnapping, reported AP, citing a statement.

We call for her safe and immediate release, the statement said. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.

How Shelly was kidnapped? Two Iraqi security officials  who spoke on the condition of anonymity said the journalist was abducted from central Baghdads Saadoun Street. They added that an alert was circulated to all checkpoints, leading to a pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed southwest of Baghdad toward Babil province.

According to the officials, two vehicles were used in the abduction. One of them crashed during the chase and was intercepted by security forces near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province. The journalist was then moved into a second vehicle, which managed to escape, AFP reported.

One suspect arrested The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed the abduction of a female journalist but did not disclose her nationality. It said that security forces had launched an operation to track down the kidnappers, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations after intercepting a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers that overturned as they tried to flee.

The ministry said one suspect was arrested and efforts were ongoing to free the journalist.

Kataib Hezbollah behind kidnapping? Multiple unverified videos on social media claimed to show the moment the American journalist was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah members in central Baghdad.

A report by Turkiye Today also mentioned that the journalist was kidnapped by Kataib Hezbollah.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship  who disappeared in Baghdad in 2023  had said that she had been held by Kataib Hezbollah group  after she was handed over to US authorities in September 2025, reported AP.

US State Dept releases statement In a statement, the US State Department said: The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and that it is tracking these reports.
Bangladesh Foreign Minister Khalilur Rahman is expected to visit India next week, according to multiple media reports.

The visit will be the first official visit by a high-ranking politician from Bangladesh since Prime Minister Tarique Rahman came to power after leading the Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) to a landslide victory in the 12 February election.

The visit, which comes at a time when both sides are rebuilding ties after the strains witnessed under the caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Mohammed Yunus, is expected to reset bilateral ties between the two neighbouring nations.

Whats on the agenda Rahman is expected to hold bilateral meetings in New Delhi and then proceed to Mauritius, where he will attend the Indian Ocean Conference being organised by the Mauritian government, a report in The Hindu said.

Rahman is expected to meet external affairs minister S Jaishankar, National Security Adviser Ajit Doval and commerce minister Piyush Goyal on 8 April, a report in Hindustan Times said.

The visit will focus on Bangladeshs worsening energy scenario amid the ongoing war in West Asia and the resultant crisis in the global energy market.

On 10 March, India supplied a consignment of high-speed diesel to Bangladesh amid reports of an urgent requirement for diesel and other petroleum products. The two sides are also expected to revive the issue of renewing the Ganga Waters Treaty, which will turn 30 in December this year, the report said.

The renewal of the three-decade-old treaty for the sharing of Ganga waters, signed in December 1996, has been in focus in recent weeks. Rahman was the National Security Adviser of the interim government led by Yunus. He visited India in November 2025 and met NSA Ajit Doval in New Delhi.

India Bangladesh Ties The ties between New Delhi and Dhaka have worsened, more so after Sheikh Hasina's ouster in 2024 and the subsequent violence against Hindus, a substantial minority in Muslim-majority Bangladesh.

New Delhi had feared that Hasinas removal from power had created space for groups that are hostile towards India, amid growing anti-India rhetoric and violence in Bangladesh, according to experts on South Asia politics.

In January 2025, lynching and public burning of a 25-year-old Hindu man, Dipu Chandra Das, in Bangladesh, sparked protests in India in New Delhi, Kolkata, Hyderabad and other cities, calling for the protection of minorities and strong diplomatic action.

But of late, the two neighbours had been exchanging comments in keeping with the spirit of mutual understanding. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first global leaders to congratulate Tarique Rahman after BNP's victory. Lok Sabha speaker Om Birla attended the swearing-in on 17 February.

On 25 March, marking the anniversary of the infamous Operation Searchlight of 1971 by the Pakistan military that left millions of citizens of Bangladesh dead, Bangladesh PM Tarique Rahman had paid tribute to the victims of the Pakistani militarys atrocities.

India supports Bangladeshs desire for justice.

Following his remarks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on 27 March 2026 said that Operation Searchlight and the resultant violence in its aftermath in 1971, led to the murder of millions of innocent Bangladeshi people and mass sexual crimes against women.
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Saudi Arabia on Monday to evict US forces from its territory, reiterating that its attacks in the region are only targeted at its enemies.

"Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation," Araghchi wrote on X. Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security. Just look at what we did to their aerial command. High time to eject U.S. forces.

An Iranian missile attack on Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia destroyed a valuable E-3 Sentry early warning and control (AWACS) aircraft, the first known combat loss for this type, and damaged several other military jets, according to a report by Bloomberg.

The report said that the roughly $300 million plane, used to detect distant threats and direct combat aircraft, was rendered unflyable, with unverified photos showing its tail completely severed.

While the US operates more than 30 such planes and can replace the loss, the destruction represents a significant setback, the Bloomberg report added.

Meanwhile, Dubai authorities reported that maritime firefighting teams successfully extinguished a fire on a tanker caused by a drone attack. All 24 crew members are safe, and no injuries have been reported. Officials continue to assess the situation, Reuters reported.

Following the news, Brent crude futures initially rose over 2% to $115.17 per barrel in early Asian trading, before easing after The Wall Street Journal reported that US President Donald Trump was open to ending the conflict even if the Strait of Hormuz remained closed.

Brent crude is on track for a record monthly gain of about 59% in March, its largest ever, driven by escalating Middle East tensions.

Donald Trump threatens again Trump has once again threatened to strike Iranian energy facilities if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened, fueling fears of further escalation after US troops were deployed to the region.

The US is in serious discussions with Iran to end military operations, Trump said in a social-media post on Monday. But if a deal isnt reached and Hormuz reopened, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!) [sic].

Meanwhile, officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait, and Bahrain have privately indicated that they do not want the military operation to end until there are major changes in Iranian leadership or a significant shift in Irans behaviour, according to a report by AP citing sources.

Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians.

While regional leaders generally support current US efforts, some divisions exist: Saudi Arabia and the UAE are at the forefront of calls for ramping up military pressure on Tehran, according to a Gulf diplomat, AP reported.

Arab leaders meet in Saudi Arabia as Iran war pressures the region The leaders of wealthy Gulf states, Saudi Arabia and Qatar, as well as a key US ally, Jordan, held an in-person meeting in Jeddah on Monday to discuss regional tensions and ways to avoid further escalation, AP reported.
Amid the ongoing Middle East conflict, the White House has said that certain former Iranian leaders were targeted because they lied during negotiations with the United States.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, Some of the previous leaders are no longer on this planet because they deceived the United States and misled us in negotiations, which the president found unacceptable. That is why many of the previous leaders were killed."

Watch the video here:

The comments indicate a tougher US position, signalling that Washington views past diplomatic dealings with Tehran as misleading, even as the conflict intensifies.

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that US President Donald Trump had Iranian leaders killed during negotiations because he disapproved of their approach. She said the leaders lied to the United States and strung us along, calling it unacceptable, and added that some of them are now no longer on planet Earth, directly connecting their deaths to their actions in the talks.

Trump stated on Sunday that the conflict had achieved regime change and that we're dealing with different people than anybody's dealt with before.

However, several key Iranian figures have survived, and the Islamic Republic has demonstrated resilience by quickly replacing deceased leaders while continuing its conflict with the US and Israel.

Key Iranian leaders killed in Iran-US war Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Irans Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was reportedly killed in the opening hour of the war on 28 February, during a strike on a meeting of senior officials in Tehran. The attack also reportedly killed his daughter-in-law, daughter, and at least one grandchild. His son, Mojtaba Khamenei

Ali Khamenei has yet to be buried, although Mojtaba has said in a written statement he saw the body, AFP reported.

Security chief Ali Larijani The killing of Larijani, who, despite not being a cleric, was a pillar of the system for decades, was likely the biggest loss to the Islamic Republic after the death of Ali Khamenei.

Larijani was killed on 17 March in an Israeli strike, reportedly in the Tehran region, which also killed family members.

The previous week, he had defiantly walked through public streets in Tehran during a pro-government rally.

Revolutionary Guards chief Mohammad Pakpour Pakpour, previously head of the Guards' ground forces, took over as commander-in-chief in June 2025 after his predecessor Hossein Salami was killed in Israel's 12-day war against Iran.

He was killed on the first day of the war and has been replaced by former interior and defence minister Ahmad Vahidi.

Guard's naval chief Alireza Tangsiri Alireza Tangsiri was a veteran of the 19801988 IranIraq War and one of the most senior figures in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, serving as its naval commander since 2018.

In that role, he was a key military leader for nearly a decade, responsible for Irans maritime strategy, including actions in the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically critical waterway for global oil trade, before being killed in an airstrike during the ongoing conflict in 2026.

Israel's defence minister described him as the "man who was directly responsible for the terrorist operation of mining and blocking the Strait of Hormuz".

Adviser Ali Shamkhani Shamkhani, a mainstay of the Islamic Republic's armed forces since the 1980s, was killed in an airstrike on the first day of the war. He was given a public funeral in Tehran's Tajrish Square and reportedly buried without his head, as reported by AFP.

He had been severely wounded, and initially reported dead, in a strike during Israel's June war against Iran, but later re-emerged.

Intelligence Minister Esmail Khatib A cleric, Khatib, was killed by an Israeli strike in Tehran early on 18 March. As Iran's intelligence minister since 2021, he was accused by rights groups of playing a key role in the suppression of protests.

Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh A veteran of the Iran-Iraq war in the 1980s, Nasirzadeh had served as defence minister since 2024. He was also killed in a strike on the first day of the war.

Basij commander Gholamreza Soleimani Soleimani led the Basij, a volunteer paramilitary force under the Revolutionary Guards, known for its role in suppressing protests, according to human rights organisations. He was killed in an airstrike on 17 March.

Guards spokesman Ali Mohammad Naini BrigadierGeneral Ali Mohammad Naini, the spokesperson for Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was killed at dawn Friday in what the Guards described as a cowardly joint attack by the United States and Israel, according to Iranian state media.

Naini had recently praised Irans missile production, saying it deserves a perfect score and emphasised that it continued despite the war, before he was killed in the strikes.

Head of military office Mohammad Shirazi Killed on the first day of the war, Shirazi held the key role of coordinating among the different branches of Irans security forces at the office of the supreme leader.

Armed forces chief Abdolrahim Mousavi

Some of the previous leaders are no longer on this planet because they deceived the United States and misled us in negotiations.

Mousavi, who was killed on the first day of the war, had only assumed his rolea senior position coordinating between the Guards and the regular army- in June 2025, following the death of his predecessor, Mohammad Bagheri, during the 12-day conflict.
Iran US War News Highlights: Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that they would target leading US technology firms like Apple, Google and Meta if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

The war between US-Israel and Iran has crossed the one-month mark now, leaving thousands dead and disrupting global energy markets. Yet, the war appears to be far from over, with the Houthis joining in over the weekend and no concrete developments in talks.

Take the oil or talk it out?

US President Donald Trump, over the weekend, appeared to be in two minds.

On one hand, the Trump said Washington was looking to "take the oil" from Iran, and was even considering taking Iran's crude export hub, Kharg Island. On the other, he claimed that Tehran had accepted "most of" his 15-point ceasefire plan.

However, Iran has publicly denied being in negotiations with the US, though reports suggest that communication is taking place via intermediaries and back channels.

Reports also indicate that the Trump administration is mulling deploying an additional 10,000 troops in the region, including at least 5,000 US Marines and thousands of paratroopers from the famed 82nd Airborne. CENTCOM over the weekend said that 3,500 troops and sailors had reached the region aboard the USS Tripoli.

Oil prices soar

Since the war began, the Brent crude oil benchmark has risen by more than 50%, and the steady rise in oil prices has not slowed.

Amid the effective closure of the crucial Strait of Hormuz, oil prices have continued to climb, with Brent crude touching $116 on Monday and the WTI benchmark settling at $102.88, its highest closing level since July 2022.

Although Iran has opened the strait to what it deems as friendly nations  including India, Pakistan, Russia, and China  a majority of tankers remain anchored near the strategic waterway amid Iran's threats to non-friendly vessels.

Regional disruptions continue

With Iran retaliating against US and Israeli strikes, the entire Middle East has been plunged into chaos, with Gulf countries routinely reporting interceptions of missiles and drones launched by Tehran.

On Monday, an Iranian attack on the giant Al-Salmi oil tanker at the Dubai Port caused a fire, with the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation warning that it could lead to an oil spill.
Last week, a US state court delivered a $375 million verdict against Meta Platforms Inc., finding the company used unfair, deceptive, and unconscionable trade practices by failing to protect children from sexual predators on its platform. In a press release, the Attorney General said that Meta executives knew their products harmed children, disregarded warnings from their own employees, and lied to the public about what they knew.

As crimes go, that should rank among the most egregious. But heres the context that makes it truly damning: $375 million is less than what Meta earns in a week. In a separate case in Los Angeles, Metas internal documents read aloud in court coldly strategised if we wanna win big with teens, we must bring them in as tweens. This is not negligence but a deliberate business model.

It would be easy to treat this as one companys failure. But Metas sin is one in a long line. Boeing Co.s quality culture collapsed so thoroughly that a door plug blew out mid-flight. Purdue Pharma helped engineer an opioid epidemic that killed thousands. Theranos defrauded investors and patients for years in plain sight. The pattern is consistent enough to suggest it is structural: American corporations have perfected the art of scaling fast, externalising harm, and shrugging off regulatory penalties as just another line item.

For Indian business, the uncomfortable question is why have we spent three decades treating this system as the model to emulate?

The reverence has its roots in the post-liberalisation era when Indian boardrooms operated with what might charitably be called an imported inferiority complex.

General Electric Co. under Jack Welch was canonised in business schools. Consulting firms sold shareholder value maximisation as corporate gospel. Embarrassingly, even Enron was briefly celebrated as visionary before it collapsed in one of the largest accounting frauds in corporate history. GE too unravelled under the weight of Welchs financial engineering. The 2008 financial crisis should have been the definitive verdict on Business America, but it wasnt. As the pilgrimage to free enterprise continued, a new generation of Indian founders absorbed not just the methods but the attitudes of Western business leaders. The result: regulatory hostility, governance-as-afterthought and the cult of the founder-as-genius.

The consequences are beginning to show. Byjus journey followed the American playbook with textbook fidelity. Hyper-growth funded by credulous capital meant that compliance was treated as an irritant, and founders were insulated from accountability until the whole structure crumbled. Whats particularly dispiriting is that todays Indian startup heroes are not patient institution-builders but provocateurs. Elon Musks contempt for regulators gets cosplayed as boldness while Peter Thiels hostility to democratic oversight passes for vision.

This is the moment for Indian regulators to assert that the US model of corporate governance is not worth copying. What it has produced, even at its most successful, is extraordinary wealth concentration, chronic underinvestment in productive capacity, and companies so large and politically connected that regulation becomes largely theatrical.

India, with its mass employment imperative and institutional memory of unaccountable corporate power, needs an architecture written for local conditions.

Some pointers already exist. Indias mandatory CSR framework, the only one of its kind in the world, needs to be deepened rather than diluted. Beyond that, two further interventions are overdue. Listed companies should cap the ratio between CEO compensation and median worker paya gap that in some Indian firms now exceeds 400 to 1, with no demonstrable improvement in corporate performance to justify it. Regarding personal liability, Indian law should go where American law rarely does in practice: making founders and directors criminally, not just civilly, accountable for systemic misconduct.

None of this is anti-growth. In fact, it is a precondition for durable growth. Jamsetji Tata built steel plants, funded universities and created institutions that have outlasted him by over a century. Verghese Kurien turned a small dairy cooperative in Anand into Amul which outcompetes multinationals by distributing value to three million farmers who are also its owners. Neither man was running a charity. Both understood that a business earns its longevity by binding its fortunes to the society around it.

Metas fine will generate a news cycle and recede. The larger story is a global reckoning with the assumption that corporations can harm without lasting consequence. India still has the regulatory bandwidth, the democratic mandate, and enough of its own business tradition to know the difference between building a company and strip-mining one.
In the 10 years since the Paris Agreement, not only has Indias oil demand surged, but the countrys import dependency has also gone up to nearly 90%. Our dependency on imports of liquefied natural gas is more than 50%. The vulnerability became starkly clear after Western sanctions were imposed on Russia in 2022, and now with the US-Israel war on Iran. Paradoxically, Indias coal production and consumption too have increased by nearly 66% and 50%, respectively, in this period.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament K Laxman on Monday alleged that several opposition-ruled states were including all Muslims in quotas meant for Other Backwards Classes (OBCs).

The Rajya Sabha MP said the states, while doing so, flouted established conditions for reservation, and demanded that the government order a comprehensive review of such practices, leading to a walkout by the Opposition.

Also Read | Union Minister JP Nadda Attends TMU Convocation 2026

Speaking during Zero Hour, Laxman said OBC reservation was being misused in the name of religion and that states such as Telangana, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu and Kerala had included all Muslims in the quotas meant for OBCs.

He said the Constitution does not provide for reservation on religious grounds and B R Ambedkar had clearly stated this.

"Unfortunately, OBCs who are socially and educationally backward, their reservation is now being misused in the name of religion. Reservations are being given on the basis of religion against the mandate of our Constitution," he said, amid noisy protests by the Opposition.

The BJP MP alleged that for vote bank politics, some states are extending these reservations meant for OBCs on religious grounds, particularly to Muslims at large.

"In Karnataka, the entire Muslim community of the state is treated as one caste, without an OBC list, and given 4 per cent reservation exclusively for Muslims. In West Bengal, about 97% of Muslim communities have been included as OBCs, and depriving the mainly backward communities of their rightful share.

In Tamil Nadu, Muslim groups in the OBC list cover nearly 95 per cent of the Muslim population, with 3.5% reservation for backward class Muslims. In Kerala, Muslim is listed as a caste in the OBC list, and their reservation has been raised from 3% to 12%, Laxman claimed.

In Telangana, he said, apart from Muslims who are included in OBCs list, the Congress government has extended 4% reservation exclusively for Muslims. "The high court has struck that down," he said.

Like this, the BJP leader said, reservations meant for OBCs are being misused for a vote bank. In Hyderabad municipal elections, he said, Muslims are "enjoying" the reservation meant for 50% OBCs.

"I humbly request the government to order a comprehensive review of such religion-based reservations. Our policy must focus on social and educational backwardness, not on religious identity alone. Only then can we can protect the true spirit of social justice," the BJP member said, urging the government to respond.

Opposition walks out, Nadda intervenes The opposition staged a walkout after Laxman's remarks. Leader of the House J P Nadda stood up and attacked the Opposition for indulging in appeasement politics by using Muslims as a vote bank and said it was condemnable.

Nadda, who is also the Union Health Minister, accused the Congress and other INDI alliance parties of disregarding the Constitution and having no faith in parliamentary practices. He condemned them for staging a walkout from the house over the issue.

Also Read | Raghav Chadha joins meme fest on his Parliament speeches

"They have only pursued the politics of appeasement to consolidate the Muslim vote bank. The entire Opposition is engaged in efforts to divide society and vitiate the atmosphere for the sake of their own politics," the leader of the House said.

Nadda claimed that when Laxman was speaking during Zero Hour, members of the entire INDIA bloc disrupted him and prevented him from speaking.

"This is very unfortunate, as it shows they have no faith in parliamentary procedures or traditions. Secondly, they have no faith in the Constitution either," he alleged.

Reservations are being given on the basis of religion against the mandate of our Constitution.

Nadda said for years, parties of the INDIA bloc under the leadership of the Congress have engaged in vote-bank politics. They have pursued appeasement and vote bank politics. Referring to the Opposition's walkout, he said, "running away like this, opposing in this manner, is inappropriate. I condemn it."
Apple is cracking down on vibe-coded apps, with the Cupertino-based tech giant pulling the app Anythng from the App Store last week while citing the self-containment rule from its App Review Guidelines. As per a report by The Information, while the app was removed from the App Store on 26 March, the tech giant had been blocking its software updates since December last year.

The report notes that Apple was also blocking updates to other vibe-coding apps like Replit and Vibecoding, noting that these apps went against the long-standing iOS rule that says that an app can't run code that changes the way it or other apps function.

In a statement to 9to5Mac, Apple said that the problem with these apps wasn't vibe coding, but because they violated certain sections of the App Review Guidelines and Developer Program Licence.

The said Section 2.5.2 of the App Review Guidelines reads, Apps should be self-contained in their bundles, and may not read or write data outside the designated container area, nor may they download, install, or execute code which introduces or changes features or functionality of the app, including other apps.

A failed compromise Following reports of Apple's initial crackdown on Replit and Vibecode earlier this month, the developers of Anything tried to appease App Store reviewers by bringing an update to the app which would allow users of the app to see previews of their vibe-coded apps inside a web browser rather than inside the Anything app.

According to The Information, Apple rejected this proposed workaround and opted to pull the application from the App Store entirely.

Notably, earlier this year Apple had added advanced AI backed coding abilities, powered by Anthropic and OpenAI's tools, directly into Xcode, the company's official developer environment for macOS.

What is vibe coding? "Vibe coding" has emerged as a popular term for a new-age software development approach using AI. The term itself has been attributed to former Tesla Director Andrej Karpathy and is used in cases where users with little to no traditional programming experience create fully functional apps, websites, and tools by simply using natural language prompts with an AI system.

The app Anything was reportedly a rising star in this space. Since its debut on the App Store in November, the app had raised $11 million at a $100 million valuation.
Chinese iPhone users were in for a surprise on Monday as many of them took to social media to share their amazement at receiving the Apple Intelligence update without any prior notice. Notably, China is the only Apple market yet to receive the Apple Intelligence update, which first arrived with the iOS 18.1 update in October 2024.

The surprise update seemed to end the wait for many Chinese users as social media quickly flooded with posts about receiving Apple Intelligence, which appeared to have arrived with the iOS 26.4 rollout.

However, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman has confirmed that the rollout of Apple Intelligence in China was an error and Apple has pulled it offline. The Cupertino-based tech giant reportedly does not have the regulatory approval for rolling out its AI features yet. The company also reportedly has no imminent launch timeline, meaning the Apple Intelligence update would not be arriving with iOS 26.5 either.

Gurman also pointed out a few signs that suggest the update was a mistake. He notes that Apple wouldn't launch AI in its most important market without an official announcement. Moreover, the company would also not launch the AI update in China when it is the middle of the night there.

Why is Apple Intelligence not present in China? Notably, the Chinese government requires Apple to partner with local AI providers in order to roll out its AI features so as to comply with the country's laws.

Apple Intelligence also uses Google for its Visual Intelligence features and, since Google is banned in China, the company will also have to depend on a local provider to bypass the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) and get the necessary approvals for the rollout.

Apple is yet to officially comment on the Apple Intelligence rollout in China or the lack thereof. The company did, however, release its iOS 26.5 developer beta update on Monday, which brought a few new features, but there are still no signs of the new AI features that it had promised for Siri more than a year ago.

An earlier report by Gurman had suggested that Apple could be planning its major AI features for Siri in the iOS 27 update. The latest version of iOS is set to be unveiled at the WWDC 2026 event in early June and will subsequently be rolled out with the latest iPhone launches in September.

The company is said to be working on making Siri a system-wide AI agent in iOS 27 by giving it the ability to complete tasks within apps, access news, and even search the web.
SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has reacted to the shutdown of OpenAI's video generation service, Sora. The billionaire also claimed that video generation tools will be essential for achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), a theoretical stage in AI development in which a model achieves human-level or better understanding across most tasks.

Musk was responding to a post by a user who questioned why the billionaire continued to invest in video generation tools, given that rivals like OpenAI had shut down the Sora service after reportedly losing $1 million per day.

The billionaire noted that xAI remains heavily involved in video generation through Grok Imagine, because he believes it is a path to achieving AGI. Musk hypothesised that visual data carries much more information than text or other inputs.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Musk said, The future of AI is primarily video understanding and generation, because photons are by far the highest bandwidth form of communication. These are essential tools for AGI. Worth mentioning that Imagine is positive gross margin for @xAI, not a money loser.

As per a Wall Street Journal report, OpenAI's Sora app was not only consuming a lot of resources, but it was also losing users constantly, with the user count of the service peaking at around a million soon after the launch of the app, but then going to less than 500,000 just a few months later.

Moreover, OpenAI has been losing ground to coding tools from Anthropic's Claude, which lacks image or video generation features in its chatbot. The company has reportedly been looking for areas to deprioritise, and Sora became one such tool.

OpenAI has also reportedly been working on developing a superapp that will use agentic AI tools to autonomously execute tasks for users, such as writing code, analysing data, and booking travel. The new tool could be created by merging the ChatGPT desktop app, Codex, and the Atlas browser.

Elon Musk's bet on Grok Imagine: In contrast, Musk has been doubling down on Grok Imagine despite the controversies that the tool has landed his company in. Just a few months back, users on X used Grok to generate sexualised deepfake images of women and children.

The controversy led to Musk's chatbot being temporarily banned in Indonesia and Malaysia, while many governments around the world issued stern warnings to the company. While xAI did eventually make changes to prevent the generation of sexualised images, the chatbot is still often used by users to generate inappropriate content online.

Meanwhile, Musk has not stopped promoting the new Grok Imagine features that his company has announced in recent days.
CPS crews drive along Vance Jackson Road on Feb. 18, 2021. The Texas Supreme Court has ended lawsuits against CPS Energy and other power generators from tens of thousands of Texas residents and small businesses who lost electricity during a devastating 2021 winter storm that resulted in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of deaths. San Antonio Express-News file photo

The Texas Supreme Court has ended lawsuits against CPS Energy and other power generators from tens of thousands of Texas residents and small businesses that lost electricity during a 2021 winter storm that resulted in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of deaths.

At least four lawsuits originally filed against the San Antonio municipal utility in state District Court in San Antonio were affected by the ruling.

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The state Supreme Court provided no insight into why it ended the five separate appeals representing yearslong efforts from those affected during the freeze that plunged Texas into single-digit temperatures for days. In the years after the storm, thousands of people sought to recoup damages to businesses or seek accountability for themselves or loved ones who were injured or died during the storm. More than 240 people died as a result of the freeze, and some estimates placed the damages at more than $300 billion.

The ruling is a major victory for the power generators that were sued, a list that included CPS and large regional energy companies Centerpoint Energy and NRG Texas Power, which said the record-breaking storm was to blame for the damages, not deficiencies in their own responses.

Sandie Haverlah, president of the Texas Consumer Association, disputed that argument, saying the 2021 storm is unlikely to be the only extreme weather event of that caliber. She pointed to the state Legislatures efforts to better prepare power generation companies for extreme weather as an acknowledgement of that  and of energy providers own culpability in the fallout.

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If the Legislature thought this was a one-time thing, they wouldnt have done anything, she said.

Damon Karam takes a run along Colony Drive during another day of snowfall in San Antonio on Feb 18, 2021. The Texas Supreme Court has ended lawsuits against CPS Energy and other power generators from tens of thousands of Texas residents and small businesses who lost electricity during a devastating 2021 winter storm that resulted in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of deaths. San Antonio Express-News file photo

Implementing those changes also increased energy costs for consumers, Haverlah said, but still may not translate to generators future responsibility for potential failures during extreme weather without further legislative action.

Among the San Antonio suits was one filed by Clara Flores, who sued CPS, state grid operator Electric Reliability Council of Texas and eight other defendants for gross negligence in the death of her husband, Luis.

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Luis Flores required dialysis treatment at Fresenius Kidney Care, but the facility he used was closed for four days after it lost power Feb. 15. His two scheduled dialysis treatments were canceled.

On Feb. 19, he learned he could get treatment that day.

As he was getting into his sons van, Flores collapsed and sadly passed away, the lawsuit said. He died as a direct result of the power outage, which prevented him from obtaining medically necessary dialysis treatment.

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Austin lawyer Mikal Watts, one of Flores lawyers, expressed disappointment with the Supreme Courts action.

It is unfortunate that 268 Texans froze to death in their homes, with thousands of others seeing their homes destroyed because Texas energy companies failed horribly, Watts said in a text. This tragedy was compounded when the Texas court system denied them the ability to even take a single deposition to prove their case before closing the courthouse doors to them.

CPS declined to comment.

San Antonio attorney Julia Mann is CPS lead counsel in the cases.

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In the storm cases, CPS had said the injuries and damages the plaintiffs suffered were caused in whole or in part by natural conditions, preexisting conditions, and/or acts of God.

The San Antonio cases had been transferred to Harris County and combined with others in multidistrict litigation. Thats what the Supreme Court ruled on.

Alex Vega waits with others to shop the H-E-B at Wurzbach Road on Feb 18, 2021. The Texas Supreme Court has ended lawsuits against CPS Energy and other power generators from tens of thousands of Texas residents and small businesses who lost electricity during a devastating 2021 winter storm that resulted in billions of dollars in damages and hundreds of deaths. San Antonio Express-News file photo

Four of the courts nine justices did not participate in the ruling, according to the courts website. The appeals sought to challenge a ruling from the states 1st Court of Appeals that dismissed the cases for having no basis in law or fact.

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The courts decision is not the first time it has ruled against plaintiffs seeking damages in the wake of the winter storm.

In 2023, the states highest court ruled that ERCOT could not be sued because it could claim sovereign immunity. The immunity, which largely shields government agencies from civil lawsuits, was provided because it provides an essential governmental service, according to the ruling.

Patrick Danner and the Texas Tribune contributed to this report.
Mugshot of Julio Cesar Chavez-Camacho, 24, arrested March 27, 2026, in Laredo, Texas, on charges of human smuggling, evading arrest and reckless driving. Courtesy/Webb County Sheriff's Office

A man was arrested on human smuggling charges after leading state troopers on a pursuit through El Cenizo, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety.

A DPS trooper attempted to conduct a traffic stop at about 8 a.m. March 27 on U.S. 83 South after observing a traffic violation, but the driver failed to stop and a pursuit ensued.

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The vehicle continued fleeing through several streets in El Cenizo until a trooper conducted a PIT maneuver, disabling the vehicle, DPS said.

The driver and five passengers exited the vehicle and ran but were apprehended on Rodriguez Street.

The driver was identified as 24-year-old Julio Cesar Chavez-Camacho.

Authorities determined Chavez-Camacho was transporting five people who were in the country illegally, and the individuals were referred to U.S. Border Patrol.

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Chavez-Camacho was charged with smuggling of persons while fleeing, a felony, as well as evading arrest with a vehicle and reckless driving.
Members of the Laredo Commission for Women pose for a photograph with the 12 women inducted into the 2026 City of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Valdivian Events. Courtesy/Laredo Commission for Women Pictured are Sandra Cavazos Ayala, Priscilla Pantoja Johnson, Dr. Victor Trevino, Rosa Marquez de Trevino, and Esther Firova at the 2026 City of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame, hosted by the Laredo Commission for Women at Valdivian Events on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Malena Charur/Laredo Morning Times Pictured are Sandra Cavazos Ayala, Ana Laura Guajardo and Rosa Maria Ceballos De Llano at the 2026 City of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame event, hosted by the Laredo Commission for Women at Valdivian Events on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Courtesy/Laredo Commission for Women Members of the Laredo Commission for Women pose for a photograph at the 2026 City of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame event, hosted by the Laredo Commission for Women at Valdivian Events on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Courtesy/Laredo Commission for Women

Twelve women were inducted into the 2026 city of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame by the Laredo Commission for Women Sunday .

Every two years in March, to coincide with Womens History Month, the Laredo Commission for Women hosts an event on behalf of the city of Laredo to honor and celebrate women who have contributed to the community in a significant way.

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The inducted women were recognized for breaking new ground and serving as outstanding examples for others in different categories:

Business  Juanita Garza Fontaine.

Civic Leadership  Priscilla Pantoja Johnson.

Education  Ana Laura Guajardo.

Education  Dr. Lola Orellano Norris, Ph.D.

Health  Gloria B. Cantu.

Legal  Carolina Garcia.

Legal Education  Dr. Severita Sanchez.

Philanthropy  Priya Vaswani.

Posthumous  Esther Gonzalez-Arroyo Buckley.

Public Servant  Arlene Ramos Trevino.

Ranching  Leslie Gray Benavides.

Volunteerism  Christine Holliday Cerda.

Guadalupe Ramirez, Laredo Commission for Women chair 2025-26, said the event honors women who, in addition to their work and families, dedicate time to helping the community.

They are role models for other women and the community at large, Ramirez said. Their example inspires us all to strive to be better and thus strengthen our community.

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Ramirez said the purpose of the commission is to promote equality in legal, social, political, economic and educational opportunities and advancement for all women throughout the city of Laredo.

Esther Firova, Hall of Fame Committee chair, said it was a difficult selection process and that Laredo women are distinguished by their talent and generosity to the community.

These are women who excel in service to their community through diverse lifestyles, work and organizations, she said. We received 23 applications, which we narrowed down to 19, then to 14, and we had to narrow it down to the maximum of 12 honorees. But they are all outstanding women, and we are very proud of all those who applied and, of course, our inductees.

Firova said different criteria are used to select inductees in the various categories.

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They not only have to excel in their professions but also in what they have done to inspire the women of Laredo, and the impact of that inspiration beyond their work, she said.

During the event, Sister Rose Mary Welsh, a founding member of the Laredo Commission for Women and a 2024 Hall of Fame inductee, delivered the invocation. Betty G. Flores, former mayor of Laredo, who served as the citys first female mayor from 1998 to 2006, was the guest speaker.

Ramirez said in addition to the women being recognized by being inducted into the Hall of Fame, many other women in Laredo deserve recognition. She encouraged the community to nominate women when the call for nominations opens again in two years.

They serve with great spirit and they must be recognized, she said. That is why I invite everyone in our community to nominate women who have distinguished themselves by going above and beyond in service when the nomination process opens again in two years so they receive the recognition they deserve.

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Firova also asked the community to look around at women who go above and beyond and nominate them for the 2028 city of Laredo Womens Hall of Fame.

These women set an example, share their time and demonstrate their talent and compassion, so they must be nominated, she said.

Ramirez and Firova thanked the city of Laredo and the community for their support in recognizing women who go beyond themselves in service to others.

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U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro calls for the immediate release of a sick toddler and his mother at the ICE South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) Eric Gay/Associated Press

A Texas congressman is demanding the release of a two-year-old boy who has allegedly fallen ill while being held at the Dilley detention center in South Texas.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro, a Democrat representing Texas' 20th Congressional District in western San Antonio, said two-year-old Kaleth is being held alongside his mother, Joani, at Dilley, and that he is "getting sicker with each passing day."

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"He will not eat the food CoreCivc serves, which detainees have said sometimes has mold and worms. He now has a fever. When his mother asked for help, the staff said it was all 'mental,'" Castro posted to X on Monday night.

RELATED LINK: Lawyers sound alarm over child abuse claims at Dilley ICE site

Castro accused U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials of denying Kaleth and his mother "their reality and their needs."

"Its shameful and must stop," Castro said. "I am calling for ICE to provide proper medical care to Kaleth and to release him and his mother Joani immediately."

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Two-year-old Kaleth is being locked away at the Dilley trailer prison. He is getting sicker with each passing day. He will not eat the food CoreCivc serves, which detainees have said sometimes has mold and worms. He now has a fever. When his mother asked for help, the staff said pic.twitter.com/eRpKXUuC0W  Joaquin Castro (@JoaquinCastrotx) March 30, 2026

In response to Chron's request for comment on Kaleths detention, a spokesperson with ICE said "to find the individuals you are asking about we will need at least the mothers full name." Chron has reached out to Castro's Washington, D.C. Office for more identifying information.

In response to a separate recent inquiry from Chron on an unrelated matter, a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) spokesperson told Chron that proper medical care is provided to all detainees 24 hours a day, including access to a pediatrician.

U.S. Rep. Joaquin Castro calls for the immediate release of a sick toddler and his mother at the ICE South Texas Family Residential Center in Dilley, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File) (AP Photo/Eric Gay) Eric Gay/Associated Press

"The Dilley Facility provides a comprehensive medical screening within 12 hours of arrival for each detainee, including by a pediatrician for infants and children," the spokesperson wrote. "Pediatric screenings include growth, developmental, behavioral, and nutritional assessments, and all evaluations cover acute conditions, mental health, suicide risk, medications, allergies, and special needs."

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Numerous allegations have been raised by Texas lawmakers, advocates, attorneys and former detainees about inhumane conditions at the Dilley facility. Last week, Chron reported on a recent legal filing that alleged the facility was "woefully out of compliance" with mandatory national standards regarding the detention of immigrant children in the U.S.

DILLEY, TEXAS - JANUARY 28: People protest against Immigration and Customs Enforcement as they march toward the South Texas Family Residential Center on January 28, 2026 in Dilley, Texas. A Texas congressman has recently called for the release of a two-year-old who allegedly fell ill while in detention at the facility. Joel Angel Juarez/Getty Images

The controversial facility has previously housed 5-year-old Liam Ramos and his father, along with several other widely publicized cases involving children as young as two months old. Castro has been a vocal advocate calling for the release of detainees in several of these cases.

Other concerns have also been raised, including poor sanitation, inadequate food quality, prolonged detention, and abusive treatment by staff. In late January, the facility also confirmed two active measles cases.

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In a February press release, DHS Deputy Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis said that allegations that Dilley lacked medical care and educational resources were "false claims."
Austin, Texas, USA - November 15, 2021: People walk along the trendy South Congress Avenue colorful shops and cool restaurants in Austin Texas USA. The South Congress Hotel along South Congress Ave. will close this May for major renovations. Pgiam/Getty Images

A boutique hotel in Austin's South Congress neighborhood will temporarily shut down for a major overhaul, with layoffs likely in the coming weeks.

South Congress Hotel confirmed to Chron on Tuesday that the 83-room boutique hotel at 1603 S Congress Ave. will temporarily close for roughly a year this Spring to allow for renovations.

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"We can confirm that South Congress Hotel will undergo a comprehensive renovation of the property beginning in May of 2026, expected to conclude in early 2027," General Manager Daryl Gomersall told Chron in a statement. "In order to eliminate any disruption or impact to the guest experience, the hotel is expected to temporarily suspend operations on May 31, 2026."

Gomersall noted that the Manana coffee shop will remain open throughout the redesign. Renovations will be hotel-wide, including a redesign of all guestrooms, enhancements and updates to public spaces including the lobby and rooftop, as well as a refresh of all food and beverage outlets.

South Congress Hotel was previously owned and operated by New Waterloo, according to Ana Stapleton, an artist hired for art installations on the property. Stapleton said when the hotel opened in 2015, owners wanted to "create a space that honored the character of the neighborhood and of the historic avenue itself: artisanal, rustic, and timeless, with an offbeat and approachable vibe."

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As of late March, the hotel is listed on Hyatts website as one of its Austin properties.

Hyatt allegedly informed staff that all employee contracts will be terminated between May 31 and June 12, according to a letter reportedly issued by Hyatt and published in the r/Austin Subreddit.

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"When the hotel reopens, you will be eligible to apply for any open positions," the letter reads. "Please know that we understand how serious it is to take actions like we are today; we do not take this lightly."

Samuel Grey Horse, a Mescalero Apache, rides Big Tex down South Congress Avenue on Wednesday in his own Austin holiday tradition. Jay Janner/American-Statesman

An employee of South Congress Hotel confirmed to Chron Tuesday morning that the hotel would close for renovations at the end of May, but refused to comment on whether hotel staff were anticipating terminations.

Hyatt has neither confirmed nor denied to Chron whether it issued the letter or whether terminations are imminent.

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South Congress Hotel opened just over a decade ago, "designed to be a hub of activity for the community," according to the hotel website. In addition to rooms and suites, the hotel currently has three restaurants, a rooftop pool, coffee and bake shop, lobby bar, photo booth, 24-hour fitness center and two retail shops.
Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo was absent as commissioners debated her resignation at Tuesday's meeting. chandrayee/Office of Harris County Judge via Facebook

Harris County commissioners on Tuesday failed to advance a resolution calling for the resignation of Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo following her recent actions at the Houston rodeo.



The resolution, introduced by Republican Commissioner Tom Ramsey, primarily aimed to recognize the success of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Still, its final clauses called for Hidalgo to step down and issue a public apology.



"She has embarrassed this commissioners' court," Ramsey said.



The item had previously been delayed after a February rule change shifted resolutions from regular Commissioners Court meetings to separate business court meetings. It was brought back on Tuesday morning but failed to gain enough support to pass. Commissioners Rodney Ellis and Lesley Briones supported the celebration of the rodeo, but opposed a call for resignation.



"If I thought someone should think about stepping down from their position, I have always found it better to call a person privately to do it as opposed to publicly," said Ellis.

Meanwhile, Briones also expressed support for the rodeo's success and "shared the sentiment" behind Ramsey's concerns; she said accountability ultimately lies with voters.



"Elections have consequences," Briones said, adding that removal from office should follow established government code, rather than a symbolic resolution from colleagues.



Hidalgo was not present at Tuesday's meeting when the resolution was brought forward, marking the third consecutive commissioner court meeting she has missed.

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Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo listens as a citizen voices concerns with Harris County flood control directives during Commissioners Court in Houston, Thursday, June 26, 2025. Kirk Sides/Houston Chronicle





The dispute between Hidalgo and rodeo security occurred after she and four guests attempted to access a premium space near the concert stage without proper credentials. Hidalgo claimed she was "manhandled" by security personnel and escorted out, leaving her feeling "disrespected, threatened, and physically unsafe." Rodeo officials have disputed that account and said they were "very disappointed" in her actions.

In the days following the incident, Ramsey and other Republicans, including state Sen. Paul Bettencourt, called for Hidalgo's resignation. The rodeos board of directors also voted to remove Hidalgo from its board, a position tied to her role as county judge.



Hidalgo, a Democrat, serves as the county's top executive and will not be seeking a third term. As of publication time, her office has not responded to requests for comment.
Houston meteorologist Matt Lanza said he is relocating to be closer to family but will remain a key voice behind Space City Weather. Jacob Wackerhausen/Getty Images

One of Houston's favorite meteorologists is saying goodbye to Texas, but not to his work in sharing forecasts and answering our questions about the weather.

Matt Lanza, managing editor of Space City Weather, told readers Monday he will be leaving the state after more than a decade in Houston. But he made one thing clear from the start: "I'm not leaving Space City Weather."

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In a post that reads as both an update and a love letter, Lanza explained that the decision to move is rooted in familyspecifically, a desire to be closer to his aging parents.

"This is a personal decision for my family," he wrote. "We want to be closer to our parents as they get older."

Even so, the tone of the post is not one of detachment but appreciation of the city he has called home and the role it has played in his life and career.

"I've been in Houston for almost 15 years now, half of which have included children, a process that in and of itself was full of challenges and changes in expectations," Lanza wrote. "Did I think I'd live in Houston when I graduated college? Nope. Am I glad I did? Yes."

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Over the years, he has become a steady, trusted voice for readers navigating everything from hurricane season to sudden cold snaps. That trust was built not just on accuracy, but on a philosophy he has long embraced: no hype, no fearjust clear, honest forecasting.

"I care deeply about getting the forecast right and communicating it clearly," he wrote.

That approach helped define Space City Weather, a site he has helped shape alongside its founder, Eric Berger. SCW has also extended to other projects, including The Eyewall, a hurricane-focused site, he and Berger co-founded, aimed at delivering straightforward coverage across the Atlantic basin.

Lanza also took time to acknowledge the broader Houston ecosystem he has worked within, including his role as a forecast meteorologist in the energy sector.

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"Ive had the privilege of working with great people," he wrote, including colleagues at CenterPoint Energy like former FOX 26 meteorologist Lena Dziechowski, who he described as a "rockstar meteorologist."

"I don't think anyone in the area can fully comprehend how much work is being done across the region by CenterPoint, both in response to 2024's disasters and in anticipation of the absolutely insane growth in power demand coming to Texas," Lanza continued. "I got to build something [sic] really cool stuff that is built to last and will continue to help further their preparation and resiliency to disasters."

Chron has reached out to Dziechowski and CenterPoint Energy for comment.

The appreciation has not gone unnoticed; in a social media post, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) thanked Lanza for his years of keeping Texans informed, highlighting the reach and reliability of his work during major weather events.

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We will miss @mattlanza and we wish him well as he embarks on his next chapter. He has been a great friend to TxDOT - always being available for forecast advisement, even giving thoughts on just how far the freeze line may drop during a winter storm.  https://t.co/oePT6PNrIW  TxDOTHouston (@TxDOTHouston) March 30, 2026

And then there is the weather itselfsomething Lanza has spent years studying, explaining, and, at times, enduring alongside readers.

Houston's climate, with its dramatic swings and high-stakes storm cycles, has long been central to Space City Weather's mission. It's also something Lanza reflected on with a sense of respect rather than frustration.

"This place teaches you a lot about weather," he wrote.

Despite the move, Lanza emphasized that his day-to-day work with Space City Weather will remain the same. Readers can still expect his forecasts, his Friday posts, and his deep dives into Houstons weather history.

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"Nothing about my role with Space City Weather is changing," he wrote.

In a response to the overwhelming support, Lanza shared the following statement with Chron:

"Ive been kind of floored by the comments and well wishes. But our audience has always been so supportive," he said. "I'm grateful to Eric for supporting this, and sometimes life just happens. I'm fortunate that we can do this and remain connected to Houston in a way that helps keep people still informed. Houston deserves the best, and that's what we strive to provide every day. That will continue!"
Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
A Longford-Westmeath TD has raised the issue of Cloontagh National School in the Dail and highlighted how is is in crisis mode with 'genuine health, safety and well-being risks', prefab structural concerns and 'persistent damp mould, maggots and flies in the classroom'.

The Sinn Fein's Sorca Clarke said the conditions in 2026 are 'simply not acceptable' and the two-teacher rural DEIS school in Killashee parish is still awaiting the delivery of a long-awaited special classroom.

Deputy Clarke, who described the problems last Thursday in Leinster House, said she visited the school recently and she was struck by the artwork, the colour, the kids out in the yard having fun 'as all kids should be' and the passion that the teachers and the staff had.

"However, that could not and will not hide the reality of the condition of the buildings in which the children are being taught.

"There is constant damp. There is mould on the walls, the ceilings and even on the floors. Dehumidifiers are running constantly.

"Equipment and laptops in use by the teachers have been replaced due to moisture damage."

READ NEXT: Man seriously injured in South Longford crash -as Gardai make public appeal for witnesses

Deputy Clarke said the principal wrote to the Department in November outlining how the school was in crisis mode and had genuine health, safety and well-being risks.

"A photograph I am showing here from an engineer's report was also sent to the Department.

"It shows glue sticks black with the mould from being in that classroom. This is simply not good enough from any school, never mind a primary school.

"The biggest concern that was outlined to me was the prefab structure that is also on-site. It is decades old and it is clearly failing.

"That engineer's report from February of this year shows visible deterioration of the external walls, mould growth inside the toilet area, water ingress through the ceiling, and even lifting floors and peeling walls inside the teaching space.

"The accommodation itself in the prefab is a small lobby, a toilet and a classroom and the only way I can describe the floor in certain areas of that prefab is that it is squishy when you walk on it.

"No prefab floor should be squishy when you walk on it but that is exactly what is happening.

"There is also significant and concerning signs of structural instability in that prefab and that is the reality for those kids today."

READ NEXT: Congratulations: Longford student graduates with Bachelor of Science in Nursing from DCU

Deputy Clarke said the principal also "wrote to the Department last year describing persistent damp mould, maggots and flies appearing inside the classroom, heating that cannot keep the building warm and the damage to the ICT equipment because of the moisture level, clearly stating how the school was in crisis mode and that the building is no longer fit for purpose".

Deputy Clarke, who insisted the principal is not exaggerating, added: "She is pleading for help because this school was already approved for a new building in 2022.

"The agreed designs were of the Department's standards and were well above what the school itself had originally asked for.

"Land has been purchased, designs prepared, engineers paid and plans drawn up but today those children are still in that same prefab and the building is simply not fit for purpose."

Minister of State Alan Dillon thanked Deputy Clarke for raising this matter and giving him the opportunity on behalf of the Minister for Education Hildegarde Naughton, to update the House on the current position regarding Cloontagh National School.

"The school is under the patronage of Bishop Paul Connell and a Catholic ethos is upheld. School enrolment has decreased from 23 in 2021 to 2022, to 14 in 2025 to 2026, reflecting the national decline in primary demographics.

"At a national level, primary enrolments are projected to decline by 100,000 over a ten-year period. In 2022, on foot of an application, accommodation was approved for this school under the additional school acsorcacommodation scheme.

"This project will provide one mainstream classroom, one special education needs classroom and ancillary.

"A stage 2 report was submitted to the Department officials in quarter 3 of 2025.

"This report is currently under review from both a technical and cost perspective.

"All projects, including this one, will undergo the necessary due diligence outlined in the infrastructure guidelines.

"Given the detailed nature of the evaluation process, the need to ensure full cost compliance, and the requirement to align the project with the prioritisation framework under the national development plan, this review process is necessarily thorough," he added.
Investment in Longford and a boost to tourism are just two of the anticipated outcomes from a recent ICMA trip to the county, which saw 72 local government representatives from around the world make three stops in Longford as part of their Irish tour.

Speaking to the Longford Leader, Councillor Paul Ross, described the delegation as key decision makers.

Read: Green light for new 500-seat South Longford outdoor music and entertainment amphitheatre

Cllr Paul Ross at the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre

He told the Longford Leader, The purpose of this visit is to try and get some investment into Longford, to promote Longford as a tourism destination all over the world."

"We recently had our ministers going all over the world promoting Ireland as a tourism destination, and now we're bringing back the key decision makers to Ireland during this six day visit."

He added, "They're in Dublin, north of Ireland, south of Ireland, but they've come to Longford as well, which is an unusual stop for them so we're here to promote the best of what Longford has to offer as a tourism destination, and to also try and get some investments in the county as well.

Cllr Mick Cahill and Director of Services and Deputy Chief Executive John Brannigan on the Corlea trackway with the ICMA visitors. Pic by Shelley Corcoran

The 72 senior local government professionals from countries such as the United States, Australia, South Africa, Latvia and Canada visited Longford as part of the ICMA Global Exchange programme, a collaboration centered around knowledge-sharing and best practice in local government.

Read: Congratulations: Proud son of Longford celebrates milestone 95th birthday in Los Angeles

As part of the trip, the delegation visited key sites across the county, starting with the Corlea Trackway Visitor Centre, where they learned about the countys Just Transition from a peat-based economy to sustainable development.

Pic by Shelley Corcoran

It was then on to Ballymahon where a panel discussion highlighted eco-tourism, EU Just Transition funding, and major projects such as Center Parcs Longford Forest.

The group finished their visit with a tour of St Mels Cathedral where they met council leaders, including Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Garry Murtagh and Chief Executive Paddy Mahon, who emphasised Longfords resilience, innovation, and commitment to sharing valuable lessons with the global community of local government representatives.

Pic by Shelley Corcoran

Speaking about how Longford came to be on the ICMA's Ireland-wide itinerary, which included hubs such as Dublin, County Councillor Paul Ross said the credit lay with one man.

The chair of the CCMA, the City and County Managers Association of Ireland is Paddy Mahon, the Longford County Council Chief Executive."

"He was very insistent on getting a stop in Longford to show off the wonderful tourism we have here!

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An environmental charity have lodged an appeal against the infilling of a former quarry after the development was recently given the green light by planners.

Longford County Council approved planning permission on March 10 last.

The development was given conditional approval once six conditions were complied with.

However, Friends of the Irish Environment (FIE) has lodged a formal planning appeal against the local authoritys decision to allow the infilling of what the describe as resulted former quarry at The Rocks, Derrycassan, opposite St Columbas GAA grounds and the Derrycassan Woods Walk, near Lough Gowna.

READ NEXT: Longford community roadworks alert: 3 days of short delays for road users

The FIE claimed the council has granted permission to import 100,000 tonnes of soil, stone and construction and demolition waste over five years and to reinstate the quarry for agriculture, despite the site having naturally regenerated over four decades into wet willow woodland, scrub, wetland features and mature treelines that now support protected species.

Tony Lowes, one of the Director of Friends of the Irish Environment, said, The Council has only just adopted an ambitious Biodiversity Action Plan  and the first real test is to sign off the destruction of exactly the kind of seminatural habitat that Plan was written to save.

READ NEXT: PICTURES | Excitement among Little Learners for memorable big parade in north Longford village

*To read the full story see this week's edition of the Longford Leader
Iraqi forces dismantle 107-millimeter rockets they said were found near Kirkuk in northern Iraq on March 29. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense said it thwarted an attack that was going to use the weapons. (Iraqi Ministry of Defense)

The home of Nechirvan Barzani, president of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, was targeted in a drone attack on March 28. The following day, Reuters, citing security sources, reported, Air defenses shot down a drone near the residence of the leader of the Iraqi Kurdish ruling party, Masoud Barzani, the former Kurdish president and Nechirvans uncle, in Erbil. Iranian-backed militias and Iran have heavily targeted the northern Iraqi region since US and Israeli airstrikes on Iran began on February 28. According to the Rudaw Media Network, there have been more than 500 drone and missile attacks on the Kurdistan Region during the conflict.

Attacks within Iraq have escalated in the last week of March. Six Kurdish Peshmerga were killed in an Iranian missile strike near Erbil on March 24. In addition, an Antonov-132 military aircraft of the Iraqi Air Force was damaged in an attack on an Iraqi air base near Baghdad International Airport in the early hours of March 30. The Iraqi Ministry of Defense called the incident a cowardly criminal act in a post on X and reported that 122-millimeter rockets, a common type of Iranian-made rocket, were used in the attack.

Iran has also threatened to target universities in the Middle East, including in Iraq, after it said that its Isfahan University of Technology had been hit with airstrikes. Iran and its aligned terrorist militias may intend to target the American Universities in Baghdad, Sulaymaniyah, and Dohuk, along with other universities perceived to be associated with the United States, a security alert of the US Embassy in Baghdad on March 29 stated.

Iran has specifically threatened American universities across the Middle East. Iran and Iran-aligned terrorist militias have conducted widespread attacks on U.S. citizens, targets associated with the United States throughout Iraq, including the Iraqi Kurdistan Region (IKR), and Iraqi institutions and civilian targets, the embassy added.

Countries across the Middle East condemned the attacks on the Kurdish leaders. The Foreign Ministry expresses the Kingdom of Saudi Arabias strong condemnation and denunciation of the targeting of the residences of the President of the Kurdistan Region of Iraq Nechirvan Barzani and the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party Masoud Barzani, as well as all attacks on the Kurdistan Region of Iraq, Saudi Arabias Foreign Ministry said on March 30. The Kurdistan Region Presidencys office also said that the Kingdom of Jordan had condemned the attack on Nechirvan Barzanis home.

The United States unequivocally and forcefully condemns the despicable terrorist attacks by Irans terrorist militia proxies in Iraq on the private residence of Iraqi Kurdistan Region President Nechirvan Barzani, the US Department of State said in a March 28 statement. The UN added to the growing list of condemnations.

Within Iraq, many of the countrys political blocs have also spoken out about the attack on Barzanis residence. Among those slamming the strike were the Shiite Coordination Framework and Shiite political leader Ammar al Hakim. The Azm alliance, a Sunni political group, also put out a statement, according to Iraqs Shafaq News. These statements come as Iraqi political parties have still not been able to decide on a new prime minister or president for the country in the wake of last Novembers elections.

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al Sudani spoke to Barzani in the wake of the attack and said that Baghdad would investigate.

The day after the attack on Barzanis home, Iraqs defense ministry claimed that its forces had thwarted a rocket attack on Kirkuk in the semi-autonomous Kurdistan Region. A joint force from the Eleventh Infantry Brigade, affiliated with the Kirkuk Operations Command, was able on Sunday, March 29, 2026, to thwart an attempt to launch Katyusha-type rockets, after seizing a launch platform containing (2) launch bases and (4) rockets that were prepared for immediate launch, the ministry said in a statement. The rockets were labelled 107mm and appear similar to those used by Iranian-backed militias in the past.

The discovery of the rockets came two days after the US and Iraq announced the establishment of a joint High Joint Coordination Committee to reinforce cooperation between the two countries. Both sides emphasized their commitment to keeping Iraq outside the scope of the ongoing military conflict in the region, fully respecting its sovereignty, and supporting Iraq in ensuring its territory, airspace, and territorial waters cannot be used to threaten Iraq, or neighboring and regional states, the US Embassy in Baghdad said in a statement on March 27.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post, and author of The October 7 War: Israel's Battle for Security in Gaza (2024).
1. Steve Jobs

Apple

I briefly considered bumping Steve Jobs to No. 2 in recognition of Tim Cooks achievements, and even more briefly thought it would be funny to name him as zero in honor of his old Apple badge number. But in the end, it was always going to be Steve Jobs at No. 1.

Of the 49 entries above, 28 contain at least one mention of Apples charismatic founder. In researching this article, I found him almost unavoidable: Jobs bestrides Apples history like a colossus. Even when he was offstage, such as the wilderness years from 1985 to 1997, Apple fans kept wondering what he was up to, if he would return, what he must think of his usurpers feeble efforts. He was, in this sense, Apples Poochie.

As weve seen, Jobs had many flaws. He was aggressive, domineering, manipulative, and often cruel; Andy Hertzfeld (No. 19) describes him as anti-loyal. Bizarrely, two fellow tech journalists have separately told me anecdotes in which he physically knocked them over. It is, in short, almost incredible that such a difficult and unreasonable man should have inspired adoration around the world. Yet he did, because his flaws were offset by a rich array of gifts.

As a manager, he could drive employees to feats of brilliance they never would have believed were possible. (That is, when he wasnt driving them to despair.) Shown a product, he could instantly and ruthlessly pick out what needed to change in order to make it great. From anyone else, Jobs belief that he knew what customers wanted better than they did would seem arrogant; in his case, it was just factual. He was, somehow, a master of both the details and the big picture. He was a visionary: the unreasonable man who refuses to adapt himself to the world, and instead adapts the world to him. As he always wanted, he left a dent in the universe.

Jobs was there at the start of Apples story, and through the people he employed and the values he instilled, he continues to influence it today. As I hope Ive shown, Apple is and always has been a collaboration, and thousands of talented people have made contributions over the past 50 years. No single person can take sole responsibility for Apples achievements. But if I had to choose it would have to be Steve.
Apples 50th anniversary is officially on Wednesday, and the company has been holding several events to commemorate the occasion. This week, however, Apple also gave out special anniversary schwag to its employees, according to several posts on X. Employees got a limited edition T-shirt, pin, and poster inspired by our heritage rainbow colors and crafted by hand.

Apple 50th Anniversary employee gifts!



Each employee gets a 50th T-shirt, limited edition poster and enamel pin! pic.twitter.com/EpvT9no3Yh  Mr. Macintosh (@ClassicII_MrMac) March 31, 2026

If youre reading this thinking, Thats it? Thats all the employees of a trillion-dollar company get? Cmon, do you really expect them to hand out solid-gold Apple Watches? (I bet you do.) Its not like Apple has trillions of dollars just lying around.

Well, there is one more thing: Apple is throwing a huge party on Wednesday, with Sir Paul McCartney performing an exclusive show at Apple Park. Its so exclusive that employees allegedly are not allowed to bring a guest, which is more probably about the capacity of the Apple Park inner courtyard than about the company being cheap. No word on if Apple will be posting the show on Apple Music, but it hasnt posted any of the other performances by Alicia Keys and Mumford & Sons, so dont count on it.

We expect Apples 50th celebration to wrap up this week, but you never know what Apple has planned for the rest of the month. After all, were still waiting for a new Apple TV 4K and HomePod mini.
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain. Low near 45F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Award-winning charity Sensational Kids, with an office in Claremorris, Co Mayo, has celebrated a major milestone with the publication of its 2025 Impact Report.

Sensational Kids provides affordable and accessible developmental therapies for children and adolescents with additional needs.

The report shows that the charity delivered a record 26,536 therapy hours, held 7,965 appointments and assessments, and supported nearly 1,000 children across its four National Child Development Centres in Mayo, Kildare, Cork, and Monaghan.

The Claremorris centre continues to play a crucial role in addressing long waiting lists and growing demand for early intervention services.

Funding for these services comes from public support, philanthropy, and earned income, ensuring therapies remain both accessible and affordable.

Key highlights from 2025 include a total of 3,203 Occupational Therapy appointments and 1,924 Speech and Language Therapy appointments. In addition, there were 822 parent consultations and 182 educational psychology assessments conducted. The charity also reached 214 parents and educators through workshops, and families saved a total of 809,310 through subsidised services.

READ MORE: Mayo secondary schools should be encouraging students to enter apprenticeships - councillor

The 2025 Clinical Services Survey also revealed strong outcomes, with 76.6 percent of families very satisfied, 96.88 percent feeling their childs needs were clearly understood, and nearly two-thirds reporting significant developmental progress. Additionally, 83.1 percent of families rated therapist professionalism as excellent.

Families share with us every day how therapy has opened new possibilities for their child  first words spoken, confidence blossoming, milestones once out of reach becoming part of everyday life, Leigh added. Hearing their stories is profoundly moving and reminds us why our work matters.

Sensational Kids relies on public support, philanthropy, and earned income to maintain affordable access to therapy, helping fill a critical national gap amid long waiting lists for developmental services.

The impact of Sensational Kids goes far beyond individual therapy sessions. It can alter life trajectories, reduce barriers to education, and create brighter, more hopeful futures, concluded Leigh. None of this would be possible without the collective support of our funders, donors, partners, board members, and the wider community.

The full Sensational Kids 2025 Impact Report is now available online, showcasing how early intervention and family-centred support are transforming the lives of children across Ireland.

READ MORE: Mayo launch highlights businesses leading Irelands recycling drive
Street Feast returns this May to help neighbours across Mayo connect.

With more people looking for real moments of community, President Catherine Connolly, Patron of Street Feast, is encouraging households everywhere to get involved.

Neighbourhoods across the country are being invited to pull up a chair, share some food and say hello as Street Feast, Irelands national weekend of community lunches and gatherings, returns on Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24 2026.

Now in its 16th year, the national weekend has grown into something simple but powerful; a chance for neighbours to come together in a way that makes everyday life feel a little warmer and more connected.

READ NEXT: Crunching the numbers: The figures behind Mayo's National League season

Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide. Theres also the option to collect a pack from one of 20 participating Tesco stores.

Last year, an estimated 88,000 people took part, a 24% rise in hosts*, providing a clear sign of how strongly people value real-world connection.

New research from the Street Feast team shows:

Participants are twice as likely to know their neighbours well after taking part in a Street Feast

75% of hosts say their area feels friendlier afterwards

43% met neighbours from different cultures or backgrounds for the first time

These are the kinds of small, everyday interactions that make a difference. A simple shared table, a chat at the end of the street  these are the moments that help turn a place where you live into a place where you feel you belong.

A host from Wicklow, Jeanette D, put it best: Street Feast is a fab idea, and it's been such a positive thing for our neighbourhood for the last 3 years. Street Feast really has helped our estate. While those of us who have young children know each other, and older ones know each other, it's the one event everyone can go to.

Hosting a Street Feast doesnt require much more than a spot to gather and a willingness to bring people together.

Anyone who registers at StreetFeast.ie will get a free party pack delivered to their door, stocked with bunting, posters, invitations and a DIY guide. Theres also the option to collect a pack from one of 20 participating Tesco stores. These Tesco packs come with all the standard goodies, along with Tesco sample favourites for the table, street chalk and simple games to help break the ice.

In line with Tescos commitment to helpfulness, the packs  along with recipes, ideas and tips  are designed to take the stress out of organising and make hosting feel achievable for everyone.

Sam Bishop, CoFounder and CEO of Street Feast, said:

At its heart, Street Feast starts with a simple hello. Even as we stay connected online, many of us still dont know who lives next door. Street Feast creates moments that spark real conversations and genuine connections that last long after the day itself.

Katie Cunningham, Head of Brand Marketing at Tesco Ireland, said:

At Tesco Ireland, we are all about helping people to come together over good food. With daily human interactions decreasing and loneliness increasing in recent times, this is more important than ever. Thats why we are so excited to strengthen our partnership with Street Feast  a wonderful initiative that turns neighbours into friends and encourages connection between people of different generations, nationalities and communities, right on their own doorsteps. We look forward to helping as many neighbourhoods as possible come together across the country this May and in the years to come.

Street Feast is a project of Neighbourhood Network, an all-island social enterprise and charity which seeks to promote social inclusion, tackle loneliness and build supportive and resilient neighbourhoods. With growing participation nationwide, Street Feast is an invaluable opportunity to strengthen communities in both urban and rural Ireland. It aligns with national and local government policy on social cohesion, community development, and promoting well-being. By creating more connected, engaged neighbourhoods, they reduce loneliness, support integration and help every community feel like home.

Street Feast is made possible thanks to the generous support of the following campaign partners; the Department of Rural and Community Development; the Local Authorities; Tesco Ireland.
A 12 million renewable energy investment at a major dairy facility in Ballaghaderreen, has been officially launched, marking a significant boost for both the local economy and climate action efforts in the region.

Alan Dillon, Minister of State, announced the project at the Aurivo Dairy Ingredients plant, describing it as one of the most important climate-focused investments in the West this year.

The development, led by Aurivo Co-operative Society and co-funded under the Shared Island Sustainability Capital Grant Scheme, will see the introduction of a new renewable biomass energy system at the site.

Once operational, the system is expected to reduce carbon emissions by approximately 7,500 tonnes of CO annually, while significantly cutting the plants reliance on fossil fuels.

The project will be powered by locally sourced, sustainably certified wood pellets, strengthening regional supply chains and supporting indigenous industry.

READ MORE: Mayo Greenway landowners to deny access to land for survey

Minister Dillon said the investment demonstrates the impact of collaboration between government and industry.

This 12 million investment by Aurivo is a powerful example of what can be achieved when industry and Government work together with ambition and purpose, he said.

He added that the initiative would ensure economic benefits remain within local communities while also delivering long-term energy certainty for the cooperatives dairy operations.

The construction and commissioning phases are also expected to create employment opportunities across engineering, construction and supply chain sectors in the region.

The investment has been welcomed as a strong vote of confidence in Ballaghaderreen and the wider west of Ireland, with Minister Dillon highlighting its importance for rural development.

For Ballaghaderreen and the wider West, this investment is hugely significant. It supports local employment, strengthens the regional economy, and underpins the prosperity of over 10,000 farmers who rely on Aurivo, he said.

READ MORE: New regional data reveals Mayos growth continues despite pressures

The project places Aurivo at the forefront of sustainable dairy processing in Ireland, as the cooperative continues to invest in technologies that balance environmental responsibility with economic growth.

Minister Dillon concluded by saying the development sets an example for future projects across the country.

This project shows what the West can achieve. It is a model for how we build a sustainable, secure and competitive economy for the future, he said.

Pictured above are, from left: Donal Tierney, CEO Aurivo Co-Operative; Stephen Blewitt, General Manager for Dairy; Marty Dervin, Project and Energy Manager; Minister Alan Dillon, TD; Cathal Garvey, Vice Chairperson, Aurivo Co-Operative; Raymond Barlow, Chairperson, Aurivo Co-Operative; Willie Murphy, Site Lead, Ballaghaderreen and Brendan Moran, Sustainability Lead.
The construction of 18 age-friendly apartments on the site of a former convent in Westport is expected to start in May after Mayo councillors approved leasing land to a housing body.

West Mayo councillors approved the disposal of land at part of the site at the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Westport to Tuath Housing for the construction of 18 age-friendly apartments along with community space.

The age-friendly units are part of the major 13.5 million redevelopment of the former Convent on Altamont Street which also includes a public library, civic offices and a community hub. Minister Dara Calleary turned the sod on the redevelopment at the end of October and work on the project has been progressing since.

Olivia Gallagher, Head of Housing in Mayo County Council told the monthly meeting of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District in Belmullet that the approved housing body Tuath Housing will be untaking the development and will enter into a 99-year lease with Mayo County Council for an annual fee of 100.

The Part 8 planning application was adopted by local councillors in April 2024 and Tuath Housing received department funding for the project.

Ms Gallagher explained that subject to the councillor's approval, work will commence on the site in May with a projected substantial completion date of August 2027. She added that if work is not completed within 36 months of the commencement of the lease, the site will be transferred back to Mayo County Council.

The development was welcomed by local councillor Brendan Mulroy who proposed approving the lease of the land which was seconded by Cllr John O'Malley.

READ: Former First Lady of Ireland named Mayo Person of The Year

Cathaoirleach of the Westport/Belmullet Municipal District, Cllr Peter Flynn said the update on the age-friendly units was very positive as was a recent update they received regarding progress on the main part of the convent redevelopment.

It sounds like Carey Construction [main contractors] are doing a fantastic job because you hear so many negative stories in relation to contractors trying to get add-ons on left right and centre. It sounds like Carey's are really progressing at speed and working well with the project team.

The fact we will have this development up and running by May is really good news. The fact we will have 18 additional new homes available is really positive and very welcome, he said.
The Manistee Skate Park is located at Sands Park in the city of Manistee. News Advocate/File Photo

MANISTEE  Sometimes, a replacement makes more sense than a repair.

Due to the substantial cost of performing a long-term repair on the skate park surface at Manistee's Sands Park, Sands Park Control Board discussions during a March meeting turned to the possibility of having a new, all-concrete park installed.

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"In a perfect world, we would want a concrete skate park, like Ludington has, Frankfort has, I think Traverse City has," said Linda Gamache-Chick, of Alternatives for Area Youth. "We understand that's a very, very long process. ... We cannot write a grant as the AAY  it has to come from the city. We'd like to partner with the city to do this."

The Alternatives for Area Youth board oversees The Rec at Sands Park, commonly known as the teen center.

The city and Manistee Area Public Schools jointly own and maintain Sands Park. The control board is comprised of Mikula; Ron Stoneman, MAPS superintendent; Wesley Smith, mayor pro tem; and Jim Thompson, MAPS school board president.

City public works director Jeff Mikula said the skate park could receive a sealcoat for $21,000 to extend the life of the surface by five years or more, an asphalt overlay for $44,000 to extend the lifespan 12 to 18 years or have the existing asphalt removed and replaced with concrete for $220,000.

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The skate park was originally built in 2004.

Representatives from Sinclair Recreation previously told the city the ramps themselves have a life expectancy of seven to 10 more years.

Area resident Gabe Rheaume said during an August control board meeting that a concrete skate park could be built for around $200,000.

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Mikula said he felt sealcoating would not be a good use of money due to it being a short-term repair.

"I think the overlay would be a good option, but as we pointed out in the past, the equipment's not the best and you're kind of replacing the foundation but then the structure above it is going to need to be replaced in 10 years," he said. "The concrete certainly would be the best option, but if you're going to spend the money on the concrete, then it'd be better to upgrade the entire park itself.

"Unfortunately, it's just a very expensive project."

Stoneman said he agreed that a new skate park seemed like the best option.

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"If that's a 25-year, maintenance-free issue, that's the greatest value to those dollars, and so I think that's a logical direction for this project to go," he said.

Mikula said any grant for a new skate park would require a match.

"Every grant program is different. The easiest one and probably the smallest match would be the (Manistee County) Community Foundation," he said. "If we were able to obtain a community foundation grant, the minimum match required is 10%. So out of a $250,000 budget, it's $25,000."

Gamache-Chick said Alternatives for Area Youth has raised about $3,000 for the skate park thus far.

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"I can make that commitment to $25,000. I can figure that out," she said.

The control board voted to explore interest in supporting the replacement of the skate park among the members' respective entities.

"The city's process would be to review the project with the parks commission and then potentially with city council and see how it would fit into our capital improvement program," Mikula said. "We are right in the middle of our budgeting session, so we've already submitted all those documents. They're not finalized, so there's a potential that they could be updated to include this."

Stoneman said he would discuss the skate park with the school board.

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"Obviously, with the mission of educating children, those resources that are provided to us through the state of Michigan, this is a little bit of a stretch for the use of those funds, and I don't even know if it would be legal, but I can investigate that," he said. "But right now, no one's asking for a commitment of resources at this time.

"I think having these discussions without the commitment of resources with the board of education is certainly a reasonable conversation."

The Sands Park Control Board meets as needed.

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Huron County residents packed a road commission meeting to demand changes at a rural intersection after Dan Deer was critically hurt. Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune

"How many people have to die before anything is changed?"

That question, asked by Riley Deer, the son of longtime road commission employee Dan Deer, captured the emotion at a packed Huron County Road Commission meeting last Thursday, as residents demanded action at a rural intersection they say has been dangerous for decades.

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No final decision was made, but commissioners promised to bring more information to the next meeting.

According to the family, Dan was critically injured in a car crash on Feb. 26 at the intersection of Port Hope Road and Filion Road after another driver ran a stop sign. The location holds personal significance, as the family says his wife, Amy, was killed at the same intersection 20 years ago in a separate crash involving a driver who also failed to stop.

Friends and members of the Deer family are advocating for changes at the intersection, urging the road commission to take measures to encourage drivers to stop or slow down to help prevent future serious or fatal crashes. To make their voices heard, many attended the road commission's Thursday, March 26, meeting, which was moved to the Huron County Expo Center to accommodate the large crowd.

"These three kids here lost a mom 20 years ago," relative Courtney Deer said, addressing the road commission. "Now their dad is in the hospital."

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Meeting attendees say the Port Hope Road and Filion Road intersection is particularly dangerous because of how often people ignore the posted stop sign, causing frequent crashes or near misses. They said this is not a new issue; residents living near the intersection say they have watched and worried about it for years.

"I was there a couple years ago to take down my mother-in-law's deck. For an hour and a half, we were there and three people ran that stop sign," Courtney said. "There's too many people that take that road coming home from work, or going to work, that are just flying, and they don't care."

Alicia Renner, a delivery driver for Walmarts Spark service, agreed and contributed her own experiences driving through that intersection regularly.

"Within the last six months, I have driven down that road numerous times," she said. "Every single time I get to Filion and Port Hope, I have to slam on my brakes because somebody ran that stop sign."

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Huron County Road Commission members listen during a packed meeting Thursday at the Huron County Expo Center about safety concerns at Port Hope Road and Filion Road. Katy Snodgrass/Huron Daily Tribune

When asked by the commissioners if residents have ever reported the stop sign runners to the police, they said police were no help.

Renner said when she called police, they told her "We'll get on it."

Others shared similar stories of making reports, but said nothing was ultimately done.

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"It's public safety and our police enforcement here in Huron County is not doing enough," Wayne Susalla said. "I drive these roads every day and I see people blow stop signs. The semis are terrible, they blow them all the time."

A representative for the local police or sheriffs office was not present during the meeting.

Some of the solutions suggested by community members include installing rumble strips, stop signs with flashing lights or even solar-powered cameras to catch drivers running the stop sign.

Were not asking for the world  were asking for rumble strips and flashing lights, Dan's nephew, Colton Deer, said. "If we were asking for the world, we'd be asking for Aunt Amy and Uncle Dan to be sitting right here. That'd be the world to us."

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In response, Vice Chairman Chris Jahn said people run stop signs everywhere and questioned how much more they can do to prevent it.

"Not to belittle your point, but that's happening everywhere," he said. "What can we do to stop that from happening? Why don't people stop?"

"Put rumble strips down," Riley said. "Everybody here has hit them, and all of a sudden, if they're staring off in space, their eyes immediately go to the road."

Later in the meeting, Jahn explained that a study of the intersection is being conducted before changes can be made at the recommendation of their liability company.

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"Recently, we did a study at the intersection, and the study is not complete yet," he said. "We have to work through our pool before a change will be made. That's how our liability company works. And the study will be completed, and we'll have more to say at that time."

However, residents say the process is too slow, arguing that more accidents can and will happen while waiting for the study results.

"How long is this study going to take?" Courtney asked. "Is it going to take six months? A year? Because somebody could be killed or seriously injured."

A timeline for the study and its results was not provided, though it was suggested it could take months.

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While a final decision about the intersection was not made, commissioners reassured attendees they will bring the traffic sign placement criteria and invite Huron County Sheriff Kelly Hanson to the next meeting.

After the meeting adjourned, Road Commission Manager Tom Donnellon reaffirmed that the commission is taking the situation seriously and is carefully reviewing the relevant criteria to ensure it is addressed appropriately. However, he also clarified that neighboring counties do not use rumble strips and do not prefer them.

The next road commission meeting is scheduled for April 8 at 8 a.m. The tentative meeting location is the Huron County Expo Center, but check hcroads.com for any updates.
Dan Chalk is managing editor of the Midland Daily News. He was born in Midland and graduated from Midland High School in 1989 and from Adrian College in 1994. He had a six-year teaching career both overseas in the Peace Corps and in Michigan, which overlapped slightly with his journalism career. He has worked for the Midland Daily News since 1998.
Michigan approved the Big Mitten battery project in Huron County Friday as local officials begin to weigh moratoriums on other large-scale development. YoungNH/Getty Images

A large-scale battery energy storage project planned in Huron County recently received state approval as part of DTE Electric Co.s broader effort to build additional power capacity. This approval comes as Huron County officials are already weighing how to manage future large-scale developments on their own.

The largest approved project, the Big Mitten Energy Center, will be located in Huron County and comes with a 20-year agreement with DTE. The Michigan Public Service Commission also approved five additional energy storage projects across the state, totaling 1,332 megawatts of capacity.

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A March 27 state press release says the first three projects are part of DTEs integrated resource plan (Case No. U-21193), meeting a requirement for at least 850 MW of energy storage. The other three, under a separate case (Case No. U-21990), support a data center development in Washtenaw County.

The six projects approved across the state include:

450-megawatt Big Mitten Energy Center

350-megawatt Monroe I Energy Center

200-megawatt Fermi Energy Center

132-megawatt Fish Creek Energy Center

100-megawatt Cold Creek Energy Center

100-megawatt Pine River Energy Center

The state approved the projects Friday, less than a week before the Huron County Planning Commissions public hearing on a proposed six-month moratorium on data centers. However, the announcement did not include details on the projects exact location within the county, construction timeline, cost, or potential local economic impact.

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Although the project is a battery storage facility  not a data center  it still comes at a time when officials are already considering how to regulate energy-intensive development, including possible moratoriums.

According to the state, battery energy storage facilities help the grid by storing energy at night when it's cheaper to produce, then use that stored energy to provide power during peak demand times.

"Energy storage helps ensure grid resilience and speeds up the transition to cleaner sources of electricity," the release says.

However, Huron County residents have expressed serious concerns with projects like these that could potentially cause long-term harm to the local environment and economy.

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Local farmer and volunteer firefighter Jordan Sieman previously told the Tribune he is concerned about fires at data centers or battery storage facilities in Huron County. He said these fires are difficult to put out and require a special chemical that most local fire departments  especially volunteer departments  do not have in sufficient supply.

Megan Mellas, a fellow Huron County native who returned to the area to raise her family in the same rural community where she grew up, added to Sieman's point.

You have to be considerate of the soil health, drainage systems and land structure that can be permanently altered for decades after industrial use, she said.

Despite these concerns, the commissioners voted 5-1 Feb. 24 to approve text amendments to the countys rules for large-scale solar energy and battery storage projects. The changes require developers to enter into formal agreements with host communities, including a host agreement implementing a $2,000-per-megawatt payment to the county.

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After facing backlash from community members, the planning commission decided to hold a public hearing during its regularly scheduled April meeting to consider implementing a six-month moratorium on data centers.

The public hearing will be held Wednesday, April 1, at 7 p.m. The meeting will take place in Room 105 of the Huron County District Court.

For more information on the energy storage projects approved by the state, visit www.michigan.gov/som/minewswire to read the full press release.
Huron County officials respond to the state-approved Big Mitten Energy Center, a large battery storage project like the one pictured above planned for Colfax Township. picture alliance/dpa/picture alliance via Getty I

A state-approved, 450-megawatt battery storage project planned for Huron County has taken some local officials by surprise, with at least one commissioner saying he only learned of the development after regulators signed off.

On March 27, the Michigan Public Service Commission approved six new battery energy storage sites across the state, including the 450-megawatt Big Mitten Energy Center in Huron County. However, the states announcement did not include details on the projects exact location within the county, construction timeline, cost and potential local economic impact.

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The Big Mitten Energy Center is an Aypa Power project expected to be built in Colfax Township. According to the companys website, the project would be located in Section 1 of the township, just west of North Van Dyke Road and north of West Richardson Road.

Huron County Commissioner Scott Maust, who represents District 3, said as of Tuesday morning he does not have any additional information about the project.

I just read about it this morning, Maust said. I need to look into it more.

He said he is unsure whether his fellow commissioners have more information, as the commission has not yet discussed the issue.

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Commissioner Steve Vaughan, who represents District 4, which includes Colfax Township, said he has been aware of the project because of his ties to Colfax Township.

"I've been aware of it since they started coming up here two years ago with the idea," Vaughan said. "It's not something new."

He said Aypa originally tried to acquire property in Windsor Township but changed plans when that effort fell through.

"They had an application ready to go, so they moved over to Colfax Township, and they were able to garner approval to go ahead and construct," Vaughan said.

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However, he clarified that the Big Mitten Energy Center is a Colfax Township project  not a county project  and therefore was not approved by Huron County officials. This likely explains why other commissioners were not aware of the project.

While an exact timeline is not yet known, Vaughan said he expects the project won't be built until 2028 and will be online by 2030.

The Tribune attempted to reach the other commissioners and did not receive an immediate response.

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A view of the new road surface on M-20 in Isabella County after repairs were completed on a failed culvert. Courtesy of MDOT A collapsed culvert under M-20 in Isabella County created a sinkhole about the size of an SUV, according to Jack Hofweber, Transportation Service Center manager in Mt. Pleasant. M-20 was closed in both directions March 12-31. Courtesy of MDOT Crews used sections of concrete piping instead of an entire culvert to avoid delays, MDOT media representative Caitlyn French said. M-20 was closed March 12-31 due to a sinkhole caused by a failed culvert over Pony Creek. Courtesy of MDOT

MT. PLEASANT  Almost three weeks after a failed culvert created a two-lane sized sink hole, M-20 has been reopen to traffic, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation.

About 3:30 a.m. March 12, MDOT closed M-20 between Costabella Avenue and Sherman Road after a failed culvert over Pony Creek caused a sinkhole the width of an SUV. At the time, engineers were investigating whether heavy rain earlier in the week played a part in the culverts failure.

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Caitlyn French, MDOT media representative, said the goal was to fix the road as quick as possible so M-20 could reopen.

To repair the failed culvert, sections of concrete pipe were placed to expedite repairs due to delays caused by securing an entire culvert, she said in a news release.

On Friday, March 27, crews began pouring concrete.

Concrete was the selected material due to seasonal availability of asphalt, French said.

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Once the concrete cured properly, giving the material the necessary strength, MDOT reopened M-20, the release said.

Jack Hofweber, Mt. Pleasant Transportation Service Center (TSC) manager, thanked all involved in fixing the road.

Thanks to their hard work and coordination, M-20 was reopened as quickly as possible while ensuring that a quality, temporary fix was in place, he said.

While M-20 may be open, it continues to be a work zone.

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Shoulder closures will be in place through the end of this week to complete soil borings for the future structure, the news release states.
He said it was clear to him that the video showed sexual acts that were "without consent even if she were old enough to consent.

The video that I have sealed for appellate purposes is an exhibit so that if the appellate courts decide, they must review it to understand my thought process (in sentencing), Thompson said.

Thompson ordered one of the videos that portrayed forceful sexual conduct against the victim to be sealed for the appellate court to reference if Chesebro tries to appeal his case.

During the proceedings, it was noted by the judge that Chesebro had recorded 43 videos that contained footage of him abusing a 13-year-old.

Thompson said the sentence was intended to protect the community and keep Chesebro away from society for a very, very long time.

Chesebro would need to serve at least 20 years before he will be eligible for parole on his lesser charges and at least 46 years and 10 months on his most serious charges before being eligible for parole.

Truth in sentencing means that he be required to serve every day of the minimum term before becoming eligible for parole, Thompson told those in attendance. This concept of people being sentenced to 10 years in prison but theyre out in a year  thats not true. Its inaccurate

Christopher David Chesebro is facing 32 charges and up to life in prison.

A jury trial scheduled to take place this week is no longer on the courts docket after a Manistee man took a plea deal on Monday.

Thompson clarified what it means to sentence a person to a minimum and maximum timeframe.

Criminal sexual conduct charges range from first degree being the most serious, to fourth degree as the least severe.

Chesebro was also ordered to pay $2,176 in state costs and $130 crime victim rights assessment.

All terms are to be served concurrently. He was given credit for 62 days served in jail.

 20-40 years in prison for six counts of using computers to commit crimes.

 46 years and 10 months to 80 years in prison for 13 counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct;

Christopher David Chesebro, 27, was sentenced in a capital felony case in Manistee Countys 19th Circuit Court on Monday. He appeared in front of Judge David Thompson who issued the following sentence:

A Manistee man was ordered to spend decades in prison for sexually abusing a child last year .

In response to his guilty pleas, the Manistee County prosecutor agreed to dismiss a separate case file that contains a third-degree criminal sexual conduct charge.

At his July 14 sentencing, he was ordered to serve in the Michigan Department of Corrections for 2.5 to five years; and 16-30 months for both probation violations. The two sentences were to be served concurrently.

In 2024, Chesebro was placed on probation for two 2023 offenses: embezzlement $1,000-$20,000 by an agent or trustee in Manistee County, and carrying a concealed weapon.

That same day, he was sentenced to prison for two probation violations after police found explicit videos on his phone.

Previous News Advocate reports show Chesebro was arraigned in district court on May 15 . His case was bound over to circuit court on July 14, and he was given a $1 million bond at that time.

The charges stem from crimes committed last year from April 1 through May 4.

The Manistee Police Department started a criminal sexual conduct investigation into Chesebro on May 4 which led to Chesebros arrest.

Statements

The victim's father gave a victim impact statement during court Monday prior to sentencing. It is News Advocate policy to not identify minors involved in such cases, therefore we are not identifying the victim's father.

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Your honor, I stand here today as a father to ensure this court understands the magnitude of the evil youre sentencing, he said. When I sit in my garage at night, all I think about are 32 counts.  Every one of those 32 counts was committed against my daughter.

He explained how Chesebros crimes impacted his daughter and their family as they underwent interviews, forensic exams and other matters for the court case.

I had to sit in courtrooms and identify my daughter in a still shot of her being raped in the back of his truck. Imagine what that does to a father. I have had to live with those images burned in my head while being forced to worry every single day that my daughter was going to have to testify, he said.

The victims father asked the court to sentence Chesebro to the maximum term possible.

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As long as I have breath in my lungs, I will be at every single parole hearing he ever has. I will be the shadow that follows him until the day he dies, he said.

Manistee County Prosecutor Jon Hauswirth said in his 15-year career he hasnt seen a criminal sexual conduct crime quite so heinous as this.

Something I think the court should consider is all of the videos taken of the defendants actions indicate that he was proud of what he did  that he wanted to save treasures of it, to relive it in the future, Hauswirth said. Thats indicative, your honor, of someone who is not going to be easily rehabilitated.

The prosecutor asked the court to seek the maximum punishments available in the case.

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Chesebros attorney Duane Cowdery said his clients criminal activity ramped up in the last five years.

Theres no doubt that this conduct is reprehensible. He doesnt have an excuse for it, Cowdery said. Hes ready to pay the piper.

The defense attorney asked the court to let Chesebro go through rehabilitation, serve the community and try to make something of his life after serving his prison sentence.

Chesebro apologized when given a chance to speak before receiving his sentence.

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I understand that what I did was wrong, I take full responsibility for my actions, he said. I wish that I could take back my actions but its too late for that now. I want to extend my deepest apologies from the bottom of my heart.

Thompson said Chesebro should think about the pain and anguish his actions had on the victim and her family.

Its because of your behavior  what youve done to them what youve done to (the victim) and (she) endured working through those obstacles in her life, Thompson continued. And you should think about that, you should think about that every single day.

The judge expressed his hopes for the victim and her family's healing.

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My hope (for the victim and her) family is that at some point in their lives theyll recognize the strength that human beings have and find resilience and theyll be able to move forward in a healthy way for themselves," he said.
Crystal Huggins is a 2023 graduate of Delta College with an associates degree in electronic media broadcasting. During her time at Delta, she gained hands-on experience in media production and was recognized for her academic achievements, earning multiple honors. She has worked as a news producer and anchor for NEWSnet, where she delivered daily broadcasts for audiences in Hawaii, Northern Michigan, and Los Angeles. She also has experience in radio broadcasting, having served as a morning show producer and on-air personality for MacDonald Broadcasting. A mid-Michigan resident, Crystal is passionate about storytelling, multimedia content creation, and engaging audiences through digital and social media platforms.
Ten original childrens art works are up for auction at the First Congregational UCC of Onekama to raise money for the Ukrainian Childrens Aid and Relief Effort organization. The public is welcome to view the art at the church. Courtesy of Rev. Alison Dutton Jacobs

ONEKAMA  A Ukrainian Childrens Art Auction is a new mission project of the First Congregational UCC of Onekama.

There are 10 original childrens art works that will be auctioned to raise money for the Ukrainian Childrens Aid and Relief Effort organization.

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The organization benefits children living under care in institutions, orphanages and foster care whose parents are at war or lost in war: those internally displaced and homeless, as well as vulnerable youth, according to a news release.

The art is part of the activities at the camps and restorative events run by UCARE in and around Ukraine for these children.

The artwork is on display in fellowship hall in the Onekama First Congregational UCC, located at 4920 Spring St. in Onekama.

The online auction started March 22 and goes through 5 p.m. April 18; winners will be announced at the Spring Fundraising Brunch on April 19 after worship. The auction can be accessed at fcuo.betterworld.org/auctions/ukrainian-childrens-art-works

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Jason Kushmaul, 50, a former Osceola County resident, pleaded no contest to charges he sexually assaulted three children in Osceola County. His sentencing will be Friday, May 15. Witthaya Prasongsin/Getty Images

Jason Kushmaul, 50, of Oakdale, Louisiana, pled no contest to three counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct Friday, March 27.

Kushmaul sexually assaulted three minors under the age of 13 from approximately 2002-2008 while living in Osceola County, according to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel.

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Kushmaul was initially charged in 2016 by the Osceola County Prosecuting Attorneys Office after the victims reported the assaults, by which time he had already left Michigan.

In February, Kushmaul was extradited to Osceola County and arraigned as part of Operation Survivor Justice, according to a release from Nessel's office.

The Operation is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Attorney General, local county prosecutors, and the U.S. Marshals Service to locate, apprehend, and return to Michigan fugitive offenders with outstanding sexual assault warrants.

Fugitives who attempt to evade accountability not only delay closure for survivors, but they make communities less safe, Nessel said. I am proud of the work of prosecutors in my office and our Operation Survivor Justice partners who worked to bring justice to the victims in this case.

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The third annual Paris Easter Party will be from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4 at Paris Park. Attendees can get photos with the Easter Bunny, hunt for the Golden Egg and participate in many other activities. Pioneer file photo

PARIS  The Annual Paris Easter Party, sponsored by EDRA of Michigan, returns for its third year on Saturday, April 4.

The Economic Development Responsibility Alliance will host the Easter Celebration from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 4 at Paris Park, 22090 Northland Drive, Paris. The festival-style event is free to the local community and offers fun for all ages.

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Whispering Pines Mobile Zoo returns with their petting zoo, which includes camels, sheep, goats, cows and other various animals.

Just B Facepainting is back by popular demand and the Easter Bunny will be available for photos in front of the Eiffel Tower.

The Easter Egg Hunt will begin at noon and will be divided by age groups  0 to 5 years of age and 6 to 12 years of age. Organizers request that teens assist the younger ones rather than hunt eggs for themselves, and those that help out will be rewarded with a stash of candy from the Easter Bunny.

There are two Golden Egg prizes, one for each age group. Holders of the Golden Eggs will receive a gift basket provided by Sunshine on a Shelf.

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Other activities planned for the event include a Springtime Planting make and take table sponsored by Earthworm Farm and various yard games.

Throughout the event, Far Out Food Truck will be serving their breakfast menu and Sunshine on a Shelf will be vending handmade sweet treats.

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Overflow parking is available across the street from the park. Mecosta County Sheriffs Posse will be on site to assist with traffic control.
A suspect has been identified and charged with open murder in relation to a Thompsonville shooting on March 28, 2026. Colin Merry/Record Patriot

THOMPSONVILLE  A suspect has been identified and charged after a shooting occurred in Thompsonville over the weekend.

Jonathan Walter Frederick, 66, was charged March 30 with open murder in Benzie Countys 85th District Court, according to a news release from Benzie County Sheriff Kyle Rosa.

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He is charged in the shooting death of Jacob Joshua Ballard, 37, at a residence on the 14000 block of Hall Avenue in Thompsonville. The victim was listed as being 38 years old in a Sunday news release. Rosa couldn't be immediately reached for clarification.

Frederick is being held at the Benzie County Jail without bond.

Deputies responded about 9:20 p.m. March 28 to a report of a man shot at a residence, according to the release.

Ballard was found dead in the residence. Frederick was arrested at the scene on charges unrelated to the incident, according to the sheriff's office.

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A preliminary investigation indicates the two individuals knew each other.

The release states there is no ongoing threat to the public related to the incident.

This investigation and the charges brought today are an example of inter-agency cooperation between the Benzie County Sheriffs Office and the Michigan State Police," Rosa said. "Troopers and deputies have logged some incredibly long hours in bringing this investigation to where it is today.

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The Benzie County Sheriffs Office was assisted at the scene by the Michigan State Police Traverse City Post, Michigan State Police Gaylord Crime Laboratory, Thompsonville EMS, Green Lake EMS, Benzie County Central Dispatch and the Benzie County Prosecutors Office.
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TOKYO  Japan's first long-range missile was deployed at a southwestern army camp, officials said Tuesday, as the country pushes to bolster its offensive capabilities.

The upgraded Type-12 land-to-ship missiles, developed and produced by Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, became operational at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto prefecture.

As Japan faces the most severe and complex security environment in the postwar era ... it is an extremely important capability to strengthen Japans deterrence and responsiveness, Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi told reporters. It demonstrates Japan's firm determination and capability to defend itself.

The upgraded Type-12 missile has a range of about 1,000 kilometers (620 miles), a significant extension from the 200-kilometer (125-mile) range of the original that would allow it to reach mainland China.

The deployment of the long-range missile gives Japan a standoff capability, meaning it can strike enemy missile bases from afar, marking a break from the self-defense-only policy the country long followed under its pacifist constitution.

Residents opposing the deployment near the residential area staged protests outside the Kengun camp, saying it would escalate tension and increases risks the area could be targeted by potential enemies.

Japan rolls out more weapons systems to protect southwestern islands

Also Tuesday, a hypersonic glide vehicle, a new weapons system designed for island defense, was deployed to Camp Fuji in the Shizuoka prefecture, west of Tokyo. Additional deployment of the upgraded Type-12 missiles and HGVs at other locations in Japan, including Hokkaido in the north and Miyazaki in the south, are planned by March 2028.

Japan also plans to deploy U.S.-made, 1,600-kilometer (990-mile)-range Tomahawk cruise missiles on Japanese destroyer JS Chokai later this year, and eventually on seven other destroyers.

Takaichi boosts defense spending to counter China

Japan considers China its main regional security threat and has fortified the country's southwestern islands near the East China Sea in recent years.

Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi 's Cabinet in December approved a record defense budget plan exceeding 9 trillion yen ($58 billion) for the fiscal year beginning April and aims to fortify its strike-back capability and coastal defense with cruise missiles and unmanned arsenals.

Japan last June spotted two Chinese aircraft carriers almost simultaneously operating near Japanese remote islands in the Pacific for the first time, sparking Tokyo's concern about Beijings military activity stretching far beyond its borders.

The defense minster last week announced the establishment of a new office dedicated to studying Chinas Pacific activity.

Tensions have escalated further since Takaichis statement in November that any Chinese military action against Taiwan could be grounds for a Japanese military response.
LONDON (AP)  King Charles III is going ahead with a state visit to the United States next month, despite calls for the ceremonial event to be called off due to U.S. President Donald Trumps repeated criticism of the British government for failing to support the war in Iran.

Buckingham Palace said Tuesday that the king and Queen Camilla would travel to the U.S. in late April to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American Independence. Trump put the dates as April 27-30.

I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect,'' Trump said on Truth Social. It will be TERRIFIC!

The visit follows Trumps state visit to the U.K. in September, a glittering occasion that was seen as part of Britains effort to shore up the so-called special relationship between the two countries as the presidents America First policies threatened the established global order.

But that hasnt stopped Trump from chiding the U.K. for refusing to allow U.S. aircraft to use British bases for offensive operations against Iran. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that countries who cant get jet fuel because of restrictions around the Strait of Hormuz should build up some delayed courage, go the Strait and just TAKE IT.

He has repeatedly lashed out at Prime Minister Keir Starmer, saying at one point that he is not Winston Churchill.

That had led some members of Parliament to demand that Starmer call off the state visit to show Britains disapproval and avoid any embarrassment for the king during a time of tension between the two countries.

Ed Davey, leader of the opposition Liberal Democrats, on Tuesday said Starmer had shown a staggering lack of backbone by allowing the state visit to go ahead.

To send the king on a state visit to the U.S. after Trump dismissed our Royal Navy as toys is a humiliation and a sign of a government too weak to stand up to bullies, Davey said. What appalling thing does Trump have to do next to make the government see sense and cancel the state visit?

The monarch hosts state visits at home and travels abroad at the request of the elected government, which uses the pomp and circumstance of such occasions to bolster relations with countries around the world. The decision to proceed with the long-discussed visit may be seen as an effort by Starmers government to ease the tensions caused by the war, or at least not enflame them.

Trump is known to be fond of the royal family and reveled in last years visit to Windsor Castle, where he was welcomed by a military band. The king hosted a banquet for him in a hall dripping with flowers and gold leaf.

The visit came about after Starmer hurried to Washington in February 2025, just five weeks after Trump began his second term, and hand-delivered the kings invitation to the president.

It was the first time any world leader received the honor of a second state visit, and the first time the invitation was delivered in a personal letter from the king, which Trump proudly displayed for TV cameras.

Its a great, great honor, Trump said at the time, noting that the letter included an invitation to Windsor Castle. Thats really something.

Now the king is heading to Washington for the return engagement.

Charles has visited the U.S. 19 times, but this will be his first state visit to the country since becoming king. His mother, Queen Elizabeth II, made four state visits to the U.S.

The king also will travel to Bermuda in conjunction with the U.S. trip, his first visit to the overseas territory as monarch.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbotts office has announced more than $26 million in grant funding for statewide infrastructure projects in military communities.

The money is funded through the Texas Military Preparedness Commissions (TMPC) Defense Economic Adjustment Assistance Grant (DEAAG) program. Established in 2003, the programs intent is to preserve, protect, expand and attract new military missions, assets and installationsincluding encouraging defense-related businesses to expand or relocate in Texas.

"These funds will help ensure Texas military facilities, including our 15 major military installations, are up-to-date with the latest technology to enhance the safety and well-being of Texans and Americans by increasing water access and equipment resiliency, Abbott said in a statement. I thank the Texas Military Preparedness Commission for their continued service in supporting our servicemembers so that we can best prepare our state to defend its critical infrastructure."

The Lone Star State is home to one of the largest military populations, totaling more than 1.7 million veterans and active-duty service members, reserve personnel, and their families.

Soldiers from the 205th Theatre Public Affairs Support Element conduct physical fitness testing during battle assembly weekend at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, TX, Jan. 23, 2026. (Cyntkaille Coleman)

According to a list last updated March 27, 2026, by Security.org, the five states with the largest military presence based on total active-duty personnel are as follows:

California  216,096 Texas  170,771 Virginia  148,637 North Carolina  116,195 Florida  106,639

When adjusted for population, California drops to No. 25 and Texas to No. 29 as states like Hawaii, Alaska and North Dakota have a higher per-capita average of military members relative to their civilian populations.

Hawaii, for example, has 39 active-duty and reserve personnel per 1,000 residents. Alaska ranks second at 33.9 per 1,000, while the District of Columbia is third at 21.6 per 1,000.

More Than $170 Million Awarded

Abbotts office said that grant funds will be invested in infrastructure projects and other initiatives to support Texas-based military installations and to protect jobs potentially impacted by any future Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process or other basing decisions.

When adding this new funding as part of Fiscal Year 2026-27 grants, Abbott has in total awarded more than $172 million in grants to military communities through the DEAAG program since 2015.

Corpus Christi Army Depot proudly celebrates the Army's 250th birthday by recognizing its artisans. (Kathleen Pettaway-Clarke)

The following entities will receive FY 2026-2027 DEAAG reimbursements:
A 23-year-old Camp Pendleton Marine is behind bars after a federal grand jury charged him with exploiting his access to one of the Marine Corps' largest ammunition facilities to steal at least one anti-tank missile system and massive quantities of rifle ammunition, before selling them to civilian buyers in his home state of Arizona.

Cpl. Andrew Paul Amarillas of Glendale, Arizona, entered a not guilty plea March 26 in a Phoenix federal courthouse. He faces charges of conspiracy to commit theft and embezzlement of government property and possession and sale of stolen ammunition, according to the indictment filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Arizona. A judge ordered him held without bail.

One co-conspirator stored Amarillas' phone number under the name "Andrew Ammo," according to the criminal complaint.

'Just Got Some Javs'

Prosecutors allege Amarillas leveraged his assignment as an ammunition technician specialist at the School of Infantry West to steal Javelin missile systems, M855A1 enhanced-performance rifle rounds and standard M855 ammunition from Camp Pendleton between February 2022 and November 2025.

He then transported the stolen property to Arizona and sold it to two unnamed, unindicted co-conspirators who passed the material to at least two Arizona companies.

Text messages recovered by investigators show Amarillas pitching his stolen inventory.

"Just [got] some javs and some other ones," he wrote to a co-conspirator, according to the criminal complaint. "[I] have 2 launchers that [I] think you'd like, if you want to take a look tomorrow."

On Oct. 10, 2025, federal agents seized a Javelin missile system from an Arizona home. The weapon had not been demilitarized and could not legally be in civilian hands. Its serial number matched one Amarillas signed out from the base on Aug. 13, 2024, according to court records.

The recovered weapon was described in detention paperwork as "one of the Javelin Missile Systems" Amarillas had agreed to steal and sell, raising the possibility that others were taken.

The volume of stolen ammunition was staggering. During one stretch of about two weeks, Amarillas allegedly moved 66 cans of M855 rifle rounds. Roughly one-third has been recovered, the Los Angeles Times reported.

He also offered 30 cans in a single transaction, amounting to about 25,000 rounds, according to court documents. Prosecutors told the court that up to 2 million rounds of M855 could remain unaccounted for.

Tracing the Missing Weapons

Undercover law enforcement officers purchased stolen ammunition from both Arizona companies during the investigation. Lot numbers on the recovered rounds traced back to an Army depot in Utah and to supply points at Camp Pendleton where records showed Amarillas had personally signed for them.

Federal agents arrested Amarillas on March 5 at Quantico, Virginia, where he was completing an eight-week training course before a possible assignment guarding the U.S. Embassy in Myanmar. The government argued he was a flight risk and could interfere with witnesses and evidence still at Camp Pendleton.

U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Corbin Fagan, a motor vehicle operator with 12th Littoral Logistics Battalion, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, organizes 5.56mm ammunition in preparation for a convoy live-fire range at Camp Story, Republic of South Korea, March 3, 2026. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Robert Blanks)

A conviction on the conspiracy charge alone carries up to five years in prison. Each additional count could bring up to 10 years.

"The full extent of how much Defendant stole, to whom he all sold it, and how it has been used is not yet known," prosecutors wrote in detention filings.

Acting Deputy Assistant Director Jeff Houston told the Associated Press that the agency and its partners remain committed to investigating allegations that military weapons and munitions are being diverted to the black market.

A Recurring Problem

The Amarillas indictment follows a series of federal prosecutions involving servicemembers and military veterans who turned base access into profit.

In July 2024, Army Chief Warrant Officer 3 Christopher Hammond was sentenced to three years in federal prison for stealing and selling government equipment at Fort Liberty, North Carolina. Hammond banked at least $1.8 million over two years, according to the Department of Justice.

Investigators found 98 firearms, 90 military-issued spotting scopes, night vision goggles and more than $100,000 in cash when they searched his home.

In March 2025, a Killeen, Texas, civilian named Benjamin Alvarado Jr. received a 10-year sentence for purchasing and reselling $2.75 million in equipment that four Fort Cavazos soldiers stole in at least seven separate operations, according to the Department of Justice. Investigators recovered more than 24,000 items, including weapons parts and body armor.

The investigation also revealed that Alvarado participated in the transfer of a Joint Chemical Agent Detector to a buyer in China through a middleman in Delaware.

Explosives went unaccounted for at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in Twentynine Palms, California, in 2021. NCIS told the AP at the time that it was investigating but provided no details. No charges have been made public.

A cyclist from MS: Bay to Bay, a cycling charity, rides eight miles through Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Oct. 19, 2019. The cycling event is held annually to raise money for people with multiple sclerosis. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Alison Dostie)

Camp Pendleton itself has seen similar issues in recent years. In 2021, at least five reconnaissance Marines from the base were investigated for stealing thousands of rounds of ammunition and explosives, with one attempting to sell stolen ammo online before being caught in a federal sting, ABC 10News San Diego reported.

A 2021 AP investigation documented at least 1,900 military firearms lost or stolen during the prior decade, with some turning up in violent crimes. The inquiry also found that the Pentagon had stopped providing Congress with annual reports on missing weapons years earlier.

What sets the Amarillas case apart from the others is the profile of the allegedly stolen items. Rifle parts, scopes, ammunition and even small-arms are the most commonly stolen pieces of equipment. A live Javelin anti-tank missile system transported to an Arizona home and offered for sale to civilians is an entirely unique incident.

Investigators are still working to determine how much more is out there.
Ceremonies across the country were held on Sunday to honor the nations Vietnam War veterans, giving them the welcome home many didnt receive more than five decades ago.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day was a chance to honor more than 2.7 million Americans who served and reflect on the sacrifices of more than 58,000 courageous soldiers who died in Vietnam.

Many of the ceremonies were emotional, including one in Stockton, California. But it was also an opportunity for healing and closure for veterans like Gary Henry, who attended the event with Pamela, his wife of 55 years. As an infantryman, Henry was in the thick of combat in Vietnam.

Coming home  it was pretty rough, Henry told CBS News Sacramento. You cant help but think of the friends you lost, friends or brothers, and Im just thankful people are starting to realize what we went through.

With his wife by his side, Henry could meet and hear stories from other veterans whove gone through some of the same experiences.

I think its very healing, Pamela Henry said. And its good for me to hear stories from other people that hes not alone. Hes never alone. And sometimes he feels so alone.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth attends the National Vietnam War Veterans Day Observance Ceremony in Washington, D.C., March 29, 2026. (Air Force Staff Sgt. Madelyn Keech)

War and Sacrifice

The stories, many locked away for decades, are often traumatic but provide listeners with a sense of the perils of war. Gwyndell Holloway, a two-time Purple Heart recipient, served in Vietnam from 1967-68.

I remember we were at base camp, and we had rockets coming in, Holloway recalls. And I see the first two fall and I turn around and run, and one fell between me and another person, and I got hit in the back of the head, suffering a traumatic brain injury.

Sundays ceremony also honored the 13 fallen servicemembers that have died since the beginning of military operations against Iran.

You have to just pray for the best, Holloway said. For all the veterans and those still serving in the armed services to not have to go to war and put up with the stuff that we had to put up with.

Some tears flowed when a bagpiper from the American Legion post in Stockton played Amazing Grace. But, echoing Pamela Henrys sentiment, events like this tend to heal old wounds of war-torn soldiers.

Its always healing for me to listen to the bagpipes, Holloway said.

As a bugler played Taps, Henrys mind drifted to so many battle buddies he served with in Vietnam.

I have to hold my heart when I hear Taps, he said. I lost many friends and  I think back to them.

While the pain of loss returns for many Vietnam veterans, several that attended the Stockton ceremony said listening and talking to other soldiers who were there has helped them process their grief and sadness.

A Vietnam War veteran sits in attendance during a National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance ceremony in Washington, March 29, 2026. (Air Force Staff Sgt. Madelyn Keech)

National Ceremony in D.C.

Over in Washington, D.C., at the Vietnam Memorial Wall, a national ceremony was held to honor those who served in Vietnam with remarks from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.

Hegseth said its important to remember the 58,000 lives lost in the conflict, which stretched for more than a decade, and the 1,500 soldiers still missing in action.

We will always remember what they gave. Those 58,000, the vast majority [being] volunteers from big cities and small towns, city boys and country boys, shoulder to shoulder, fighting for each other; we will always remember the courage they showed, Hegseth said.

Collins, meanwhile, said the generation of veterans from Vietnam helped transform the VA, pushed for reforms, and raised the organizations standard of care throughout the past few decades.

The Vietnam veteran[s] changed the VA more than any generation [that] has been around.  They stood up and helped shape us into the VA we are today.  The vet centers that I think are the greatest thing in the world, because they help every veteran, no matter where they are, and they say, You have a home here, Collins said.

Thank you to this generation who could have stopped, who could have gotten mad, who could have gotten bitter, and who could have turned away from the very country that had sent it. But thank God you remembered why you raised your right hand, why you went, because when you came home, you looked forward. And it is that forward [thinking] that brings us here today.
A federal civil rights trial scheduled to begin April 7 in the Central District of California will test how far police can go when using kinetic impact projectiles to disperse a crowd. The case, Isaac Castellanos v. City of Los Angeles, arises from the celebration after the Dodgers won the 2020 World Series.

According to the complaint and the plaintiffs account, Castellanos was in downtown Los Angeles near the arena district when LAPD officers moved in and fired less-lethal rounds, one of which struck him in the eye and left him permanently blind in that eye. The case has been on file in federal court since 2022.

In an interview with Military.com, Monique Alarcon, a partner at Wisner Baum LLP and counsel for the plaintiff, framed the central dispute as largely factual. She said the crowd at that intersection was peaceful, already dispersing, and received no warning before officers fired. According to her account, Castellanos had turned to pull a friend in the right direction when he was struck. She argued that officers cannot justify force against one group based on unrest elsewhere in the city, emphasizing that each crowd must be assessed on its own conditions.

What the Jury Will Actually Decide

The legal standard comes from the Supreme Courts Fourth Amendment excessive force decision in Graham v. Connor, which says force must be judged from the perspective of a reasonable officer on the scene, not with hindsight. The analysis turns on the totality of the circumstances, including the severity of the suspected offense, any immediate threat, and resistance or flight.

Alarcon said that the framework favors her client because he was not committing a crime, was not threatening officers, and was leaving when he was struck. She also said the city has acknowledged in its court filings that no warning was given at that specific intersection, even though officers argue warnings had been issued elsewhere in downtown Los Angeles. That matters because a warning somewhere else in the city is not the same thing as warning the people actually standing in front of the skirmish line.

The case also includes state law negligence claims, and if the jury finds a constitutional violation, the judge could still have to address qualified immunity for the individual officers.

U.S. Marines with 3rd Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct crowd control during a simulated riot at an embassy reinforcement exercise as part of the 24th MEUs certification exercise on Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, Feb. 21, 2026. CERTEX is a land-based pre-deployment exercise that enhances the integration and collective capability of the Marine Air-Ground Task Force while providing the 24th MEU with an opportunity to train and execute operations in austere and urban environments. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brian Bolin Jr. Source. DVIDS.

Less-Lethal Does Not Always Mean Low-Risk

The phrase less-lethal can obscure how destructive these weapons can be. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has warned that rubber bullets and similar projectiles can cause severe eye trauma and blindness. The National Institute of Justice has likewise published research on significant injury risks from kinetic impact projectiles.

Alarcon made essentially the same point in plain terms: less lethal isits in the namestill lethal. Her argument is not that these tools can never be used. In fact, she drew a distinction between targeted uses against a specific dangerous individual and firing non-target-specific rounds into a mixed crowd. She said the real problem in this case was the combination of no warning, no immediate threat from Castellanos, and a tactic that risked injuring compliant people, along with anyone else in the area.

That distinction tracks LAPDs own formal guidance. LAPD training materials and later use of force directives describe strict limits on 37mm less-lethal launchers, including crowd-control conditions, range restrictions, and approval requirements.

What the Case Could Mean Going Forward

The broader importance of this trial is not whether courts will ban less-lethal weapons outright. They almost certainly will not. The more realistic question is whether courts will push departments toward narrower, more disciplined use: clear warnings, visible routes for dispersal, more reliance on formation tactics and targeted arrests, and less willingness to fire area-impact rounds into mixed crowds.

Alarcon said officers should exhaust your available options before using these weapons. That is where this case could have its biggest effect. A plaintiffs verdict would not erase less-lethal tools from policing, but it could make departments more careful about when they deploy them, how they document warnings, and whether they can justify using crowd-control munitions when the crowd is already moving out.

The case also carries broader significance as military forces have increasingly been used in domestic support roles during periods of unrest. In recent years, state governors have activated the National Guard in response to protests across the country, and federal authorities have, at times, considered or used active duty forces in limited capacities under statutes like the Insurrection Act.

While those forces operate under different command structures, they remain bound by constitutional constraints when engaging with civilians. That overlap raises practical questions about how crowd-control tactics, particularly the use of less-lethal weapons, are coordinated across agencies and whether differing training standards or rules of engagement could lead to inconsistent or escalatory outcomes.

As jurisdictions continue to rely on both civilian law enforcement and military support during large-scale events, cases like this one may help define not only police limits, but the broader framework governing force in domestic operations.

That matters beyond Los Angeles. Large gatherings, protests, and spontaneous celebrations are not going away. Neither are police crowd-control missions. This trial will help answer a narrower but important question: when officers choose a tool meant to avoid worse violence, how much constitutional discipline must still come first?
Its considered a beacon in the city of Annapolis, Maryland and on the U.S. Naval Academy yard. The Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel  a place of worship, hope and reverence for thousands of midshipmen, alumni, friends, faculty and staff to experience a deeper level of faith.

What struck me most was how deeply the chapel is tied to the story of the Navy and to the country more broadly, said Benjamin Hall, a FOX News senior correspondent, in an interview with Military.com. Its a remarkable building, but its much more than that. Every part of it seems to hold meaning - from the stained glass windows to the crypt below, to the way it stands within Annapolis as such a visible symbol of tradition, duty and faith.

Screenshot of Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel during FOX Nation series "Americas Churches with Benjamin Hall" (FOX Nation).

The story of the chapel, complete with a guided tour and interviews with the staff, kicks off a new series on FOX Nation titled, Americas Churches with Benjamin Hall. He travels across the U.S., from Maryland to New Orleans, New York to California and beyond, searching for America's most historic churches and how they became the fabric of faith in the United States. The Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel kicks off the series.

It was very much by design. Each of the churches in the first run of the series gives us a different angle, said Hall. Syracuse is about education, sport, and the role faith can play in shaping community. St. Louis Cathedral in New Orleans is about endurance; how faith helped carry a city through Hurricane Katrina and other moments of real pain. And the Brigade of Midshipmen Chapel is about service, about the role faith can play in guiding men and women who are preparing to serve their country.

CENTURY-OLD CHAPEL STANDS THROUGH THE YEARS

Built between 1904 and its dedication in 1908, the chapels history includes compulsory attendance among naval officers until 1972, with protestant and catholic services held to this day, and several remodeling and expansion projects that adhere to its status as a National Historic Landmark.

In 1940, the Chapel underwent extensive remodeling, which doubled its capacity to 2,500, to accommodate larger classes of midshipmen. During the remodeling, a central part of the chapel was added to the building to form a large cross. Additionally, the dome over the chapel is copper, and the cupola is massive, standing at 193 feet above the main altar area.

The chapel also houses the worlds largest draw-knob organ. Its controlled by two consoles and has more than 15,000 pipes and 268 ranks.

Screenshot of chapel organ during FOX Nation series "Americas Churches with Benjamin Hall" (USNA).

Until the invention of the steam engine, the pipe organ was considered the most complicated piece of machinery ever invented, said chapel organist Monte Maxwell, in a preview of the FOX Nation series, which has been screened by Military.com. Thats a pretty magnificent thing.

On the left side of the nave, there is a roped-off pew in memory of prisoners of war and those missing in action.

But its the music coupled with the churchs grandeur that makes for a moving religious experience.

You want the conclusion of the service, be it a mass or protestant service, to leave people encouraged with hope, to go out into the world and continue their journey of faith until we come together again, said Maxwell. To send the people out in joy. It is a magnificent thing, a vehicle to help move the human soul.

HISTORIC CHAPEL SERVES AS COMMUNITY CENTERPIECE

Hall says his visit left him fascinated and inspired.

It is simply an extraordinary building, full of history, symbolism and beauty, added Hall. Ive also always been struck by the beauty and history of churches  their architecture, what they represent, and the stories they hold from the past while still pointing people towards the future.

In 1995, the Chapel was honored with its own U.S. postage stamp, in celebration of the Academy's 150th anniversary.

At a time when we see American service members operating in dangerous parts of the world, it felt like a very powerful place to begin, said Hall. We talk in the episode about how faith can give people courage, steadiness and guidance in difficult moments.

In 2009, nearly seventy years after the 1940 renovation and expansion, the chapel underwent extensive repairs to address decades-long deterioration. It was important work, not only for the Naval Academy but for the City of Annapolis and the surrounding communities.

In so many towns and cities, here and around the world, the church sits at the center of community life. It brings people together, guides them, and often helps carry them through both the best and the hardest moments in life, said Hall. So the connection is not just historical, its living. This chapel has been part of the moral and spiritual life of generations of midshipmen. It helps shape character, and character matters enormously when people are later called on to serve, lead and sacrifice.

Promotional picture of FOX Nation series "Americas Churches with Benjamin Hall" (FOX Nation).

The series Americas Churches with Benjamin Hall, premiered Monday, March 30, 2026, with various FOX Nation segments available on air and online.
The Diamondbacks announced that infielder Jose Fernandez has been recalled to the active roster. Hell be making his major league debut as soon as he gets into a game. He will take the spot of first baseman Pavin Smith, who has been placed on the 10-day injured list with left elbow inflammation, retroactive to March 29th.

Fernandez, now 22, was an international signing out of Venezuela in 2021. Since then, he has climbed the minor league ladder. He never really hit much but he stole some bases and played all four infield positions.

He may have taken a step forward offensively last year. He got into 122 Double-A games and stepped to the plate 511 times. His 17 home runs more than doubled his previous high, which was the seven long balls he hit in the prior season. His .272/.321/.454 batting line was still not overwhelming, translating to a 98 wRC+. However, considering his speed and his defensive abilities, it was an intriguing jump.

The Diamondbacks gave him a 40-man roster spot in November, to keep him out of the Rule 5 draft. In December, FanGraphs ranked him as the #42 prospect in the system. Arizona optioned him to the minors a few weeks ago, an unsurprising move since he had no Triple-A experience coming into this year. He does have one Triple-A game under his belt now but will quickly be thrust up to the show. He was perhaps chosen by default, as he was the only position player on the 40-man roster who wasnt already in the majors or on the injured list.

The Snakes have a regular infield of Nolan Arenado, Geraldo Perdomo, Ketel Marte and Carlos Santana from left to right. With Smith out, they dont really have a regular designated hitter. Utility guy Ildemaro Vargas is in that spot tonight. Fernandez gives the club a bit of depth all over and could perhaps serve as a pinch runner or defensive substitute. Given that every healthy position player on the 40-man is now on the active roster, another injury in the short-term will require Arizona to add a non-roster player.

Photo courtesy of Allan Henry, Imagn Images
Shreesh Jadhavs inspiring journey from IIT Kanpur topper and GATE ranker to monk and educator. Explore how he redefined success through service and purpose.

Saurav Pandey is the Deputy Manager of Content at Moneycontrol, specialising in content strategy, execution and performance analysis. He integrates advanced SEO techniques to deliver high-impact, data-driven content formats. His expertise spans various beats, including education, career, science and others, where he adopts a technical approach to optimise visibility, improve search rankings, and drive organic traffic growth. He can be reached out at Saurav.Pandey@nw18.com.
Karnataka 1st PUC Results 2026 declared @ result.proed.in; direct link to marks memo here

Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2026 declared today, March 31, 2026. Check direct link to download marks memo online at result.proed.in. Get details on re-evaluation supplementary exams, and step-by-step guide here.









Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2026 Karnataka 1st PUC Result 2026 declared

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RBSE 12th Result 2026 for Arts, Commerce & Science declared @ rajeduboard.rajasthan.gov.in; direct link here

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RBSE 12th Result 2026 RBSE Class 12 results 2026 released early in Udaipur

Students can check scorecards on official RBSE portals

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With 5th rank, Class 9 Jharkhand student beats IIT, NIT contenders at IISc coding competition

A Class IX student competes with IIT and global peers, securing fifth place at a national coding challenge. How did he outperform top contenders and stand out at such level?









Jharkhand Class 9 student outshines IIT, NIT peers, secures 5th rank at IISc challenge (Image: Gulmohur High School/Facebook) Akshat Sarkar (Class IX) placed 5th at Rhapsody 4.0 coding

He was the sole school student among university and IIT peers

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Tamil Nadu Assembly polls: AIADMK fields K Armstrong's wife in Chennai

Porkodi, who was removed from the BSP last year following differences with state president P Anandan, is set to make her electoral debut.









The AIADMK has now fielded Armstrongs wife, Porkodi from Thiru Vi Ka Nagar (reserved) constituency in Chennai.Credit: PTI Photo AIADMK fields Porkodi, wife of slain BSP leader Armstrong

Tamil Nadu votes on April 23 for 234-member assembly

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Amid Dhurandhar craze, 'Calling Sehmat' author says appointing Meghna Gulzar for Alia Bhatt starrer Raazi 'was my gravest misjudgment'

After the massive success of Ranveer Singh starrer Dhurandhar, noted author Harinder Sikka has expressed regret over the movie adaptation of his espionage novel 'Calling Sehmat' by Meghna Gulzar.









Dhurandhar 2 and Raazi Harinder Sikka regrets Meghna Gulzars Calling Sehmat film

Sikka says Raazi diminished the true spirit of the protagonist

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Anupam Kher defends Dhurandhar 2 success, says 'Audiences are not idiots

Ranveer Singhs Dhurandhar: The Revenge has taken the box office by storm, crossing the Rs 1000-crore mark worldwide in just a week. Veteran actor Anupam Kher has publicly praised the film, weighing in on debates about labeling movies as propaganda.









Anupam Kher backs Dhurandhar 2 Dhurandhar: The Revenge crosses Rs 1000 crore worldwide in a week

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Celine Dion announces first concerts since stiff-person syndrome diagnosis with Paris residency

Celine Dion is set to make a triumphant return to the stage this fall, announcing her first concerts since revealing her battle with stiff-person syndrome. The Grammy-winning singer will perform a limited five-week engagement in Paris, marking a major comeback.

Associated Press March 31, 2026 / 07:32 IST























Celine Dion announces her return to the stage
Fifty Shades Of Grey actress Dakota Johnson says she lost a role for shaking hands: "I went into the room and..."

Dakota Johnson revealed she lost an audition after politely shaking hands, which was perceived as pompous. She shared the unusual feedback while promoting her film Splitsville and reflecting on the experience.









Fifty Shades Of Grey actress Dakota Johnson says she lost a role for shaking hands: "I went into the room and..." Dakota Johnson lost a role due to a misunderstood polite gesture

Johnson shines in UK film Splitsville about messy love lives

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Gaurav Tanejas Beast Life announces Worlds First Protein Condom'; leaves internet amused and confused

Indian fitness brand Beast Life turned heads on Sunday with a cheeky announcement of the worlds first protein condom, leaving social media buzzing with amusement and disbelief. Co-founded by pilot and YouTube star Gaurav Taneja, better known as Flying Beast, the brand took its playful marketing to a whole new level.









Gaurav Taneja announces Worlds first protein condom Beast Life announces "world's first protein condom" on Instagram

Social media reacts with jokes, disbelief, and speculation

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Happy Birthday Joshi's first look: Ajay Devgn announces new film based on true events, reveals release date

Ajay Devgn announces new film Happy Birthday Joshi with a first look poster, while Drishyam franchise expands globally and Drishyam 3 gears up for 2026 release.









As per the poster, the upcoming film is based on a real-life incident. It is set to release on April 2, 2026. Ajay Devgn announces new film Happy Birthday Joshi for April 2026

True-story film with a poster hinting at mystery and intrigue

Drishyam 3 starring Ajay Devgn set for release on October 2, 2026 Did our AI summary help?
Hrithik Roshans younger son Hridhaan set to study filmmaking at USC LA; Mother Sussanne Khan shares heartfelt note

Hrithik Roshans younger son, Hridhaan Roshan, is taking his first steps into filmmaking, enrolling at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC). His mother, Sussanne Khan, celebrated the milestone on Instagram, calling him her creative genius, my heartbeat, my superpower and my bestest friend in the world.









Hridhaan set to study filmmaking at USC Hridhaan Roshan enrolls at USC to study filmmaking.

Sussanne Khan and family celebrate Hridhaan's academic milestone.

Fans speculate on Hridhaan's future in the Roshan film legacy. Did our AI summary help?
Jeffrey Epstein investigation series: Laura Dern to lead explosive drama backed by Adam McKay

Sony is developing a limited series on the Jeffrey Epstein investigation, starring Laura Dern as journalist Julie K. Brown, highlighting her reporting that exposed Epsteins plea deal and led to arrests.









Jeffrey Epstein investigation series: Laura Dern to lead explosive drama backed by Adam McKay Laura Dern to play reporter Julie K. Brown in Epstein series

Series based on Brown's book and Miami Herald investigation

Sony and Adam McKay developing the show on Epstein scandal Did our AI summary help?
Parineeti Chopra lauds husband Raghav Chadha for raising call for paternity leave in parliament: "I KNOW how personal this is for you"

Raghav Chadha raises demand for paternity leave as a legal right in Parliament, receiving support from wife Parineeti Chopra after welcoming their son in 2025.









Actress and his wife, Parineeti Chopra was quick to respond, expressing her pride and appreciation for his stance. Raghav Chadha urges legal paternity leave in India

He stresses equal caregiving for both parents

Parineeti Chopra praises Chadha's stance and support Did our AI summary help?
Prakash Rajs mother Suvarnalatha passes away at 86; Pawan Kalyan offers heartfelt condolences

Actor Prakash Rajs mother Suvarnalatha passed away at 86 due to age-related issues. Pawan Kalyan and others offered condolences, remembering her resilience and strong influence on the actors life.









Prakash Rajs mother Suvarnalatha passes away at 86; Pawan Kalyan offers heartfelt condolences Prakash Raj's mother Suvarnalatha passed away at age 86

Her last rites were held in Bengaluru with family and friends

She was a major influence on Prakash Raj's life and career Did our AI summary help?
On Tuesday, the actor was seen performing seva at the holy shrine, with videos and pictures from March 31 quickly going viral across social media.
Rahul Arunoday Banerjee death reason: 'He died while saving co-star, she was wearing a saree but trapped in...', reveals boatman

Actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died after attempting to save a co-actor who slipped during a beach shoot in Odisha, with delays in rescue and lack of safety measures raising serious concerns.









Rahul Arunoday Banerjee death reason: 'He died while saving co-star, she was wearing a saree but trapped in...', reveals boatman Actor Rahul Arunoday Banerjee died during a TV shoot in Odisha

He drowned while trying to save a co-actor trapped in water

Authorities cited lapses in safety protocols and rescue readiness Did our AI summary help?
Rashmika Mandanna stuns in Rs 86,000 Dior slides during Thailand's buddymoon with husband Vijay Deverakonda

Rashmika Mandanna turned heads with her chic vacation style during her Thailand buddymoon with Vijay Deverakonda, with her Rs 86,000 Dior slides becoming the highlight of her relaxed yet luxe look.









Rashmika Mandanna stuns in Rs 86,000 Dior slides during Thailand's buddymoon with husband Vijay Deverakonda Rashmika and Vijay's Thailand buddymoon photos go viral online

Couple stayed at a luxury villa in Koh Samui with ocean views

Visited Anantapur temple before starting new project Ranabaali Did our AI summary help?
Thalapathy Vijays Rs 7.52 crore car collection revealed ahead of TN polls, from BMW i7 To Maruti Suzuki Swift

Thalapathy Vijays election affidavit reveals a Rs 7.52 crore vehicle collection, featuring luxury cars like BMW i7 and Vellfire, alongside a Maruti Swift and the humble TVS XL.









Thalapathy Vijays Rs 7.52 crore car collection revealed ahead of TN polls, from BMW i7 To Maruti Suzuki SwiftThalapathy Vijays Rs 7.52 crore car collection revealed ahead of TN polls, from BMW i7 To Maruti Suzuki Swift Vijay declares vehicle assets worth Rs 7.52 crore in affidavit

His collection includes BMW i7, Toyota Vellfire, and Maruti Swift

TVS XL Super moped adds relatable touch to his luxury lineup Did our AI summary help?
US Army launches probe after helicopters fly close to Kid Rocks house, will take appropriate action if in violation

The US Army has launched an investigation after military helicopters were seen flying unusually close to Kid Rocks Nashville home, raising concerns over safety and protocol.









US Army launches probe after helicopters fly close to Kid Rocks house, will take appropriate action if in violation
Zack Snyder praises 'amazing actor' Huma Qureshi as pure brilliance, actress reacts

Zack Snyder gave a heartfelt shoutout to Huma Qureshi, calling her an amazing talent. The actress reacted warmly, thanking him and sharing the moment with fans.

Gayatri Rani March 31, 2026 / 11:52 IST























Zack Snyder praises Huma Qureshi Zack Snyder praises Huma Qureshi for Army of the Dead

Huma Qureshi thanks Snyder for the surprise shout-out

Huma to star in upcoming film Toxic with Yash Did our AI summary help?
MC EXCLUSIVE Biocon trims workforce as Biologics merger nears completion

The restructuring has impacted employees across R&D, quality, engineering and support functions among others. Sources put the numbers at a few hundred, with cuts spanning multiple levels









Biocon Biocon trims workforce after merging biologics and generics units

Affected staff received severance of three months' salary

Company says move is organisational rationalisation, not layoffs Did our AI summary help? BL03 BL03 NSE/BSE Select NSE LIVE BSE LIVE Day High

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Commodities including base metals have been roiled by the conflict between the US, Israel and Iran
In case of Indigo, independent directors were blamed. Today, I'm being blamed for being intrusive, asking questions is not interference, says Chakraborty.

Hamsini Karthik Number crunching, drawing interesting inferences (sometimes contrarian), and penning them in an impactful manner, best describes what I do. As a BFSI specialist, I enjoy telling stories about whats working and what not for lenders, breaking down regulatory jargon and how they affect customers and financiers, and simplifying the economics of money. When not glued to banks, the world of autos and airlines keeps me busy.
Indias Russian oil imports hit 9-month high in March, sourcing from Angola rises amid Gulf crisis

Following the conflict in West Asia, Indias oil imports significantly reduced to 127 million barrels in March from 145 million barrels in February.









Indias Russian oil imports reach 9-month high in March, increases sourcing from Angola amid Gulf crisis India's Russian oil imports hit 55.5 million barrels in March

Mideast disruption spurs rise in Russian oil buying

Imports from Angola surged 255 percent to a record high Did our AI summary help?
MC EXCLUSIVE Govt likely to unveil group and cross-border insolvency rules within 3-4 months

For cross-border insolvency rules, the primary challenge would be designing effective procedures for implementation of Indian awards in reciprocal foreign jurisdiction(s) and subsequent recognition of foreign awards herein, experts say.









The Lok Sabha passed the IBC (Amendment) Bill on March 30. Govt to soon issue group, cross-border insolvency rules

New rules curb asset erosion, improve creditor recovery

Cross-border framework to align with UNCITRAL Model Law standards Did our AI summary help?
MC EXCLUSIVE They paid for jobs that never came: Inside Punes IT hiring racket

Hundreds of IT professionals face an uncertain future as their work experience is deemed invalid, while empty provident fund accounts complicate background checks









Representative image Pune IT staff allege job scams, unpaid wages

Police probe complaints vs QuantumSoft, Flynaut, DataTech

Maharashtra government forms SIT to probe Flynaut SaaS case Did our AI summary help?
MC INTERVIEW Iran war to slow near-term ECM activity but recovery likely as risks get priced in, says Avendus Capital MD Gaurav Sood

Issuance activity tends to pause when volatility spikes but resumes strongly once those risks are better understood and priced in, said Sood.









Gaurav Sood, Managing Director and Head, Equity Capital Markets, Avendus Capital Iran war heightens volatility, curbing Indian ECM near term

Domestic inflows aid IPOs; big deals face valuation strain

REITs, InvITs see rising interest as investors seek yield Did our AI summary help?
Relief for MTF traders as RBI defers key rules; Angel One, BSE, other capital market stocks in focus tomorrow

The MTF traders were looking at potentially higher costs from April









Relief for MTF traders as RBI defers key rules; Angel One, other capital market stocks in focus tomorrow RBI defers new capital market rules to July 1, 2026.

Brokers get relief, can use bank guarantees with 50% margin.

RBI eases norms, allows funding against full cash collateral Did our AI summary help?
SEBI bars AFCO Capital from taking new clients for one month

SEBI acknowledged that some of the lapses were later rectified and that no investor losses were reported, given the limited participation in the open offer, the regulator emphasi\sed that failures relating to due diligence and compliance cannot be treated as minor or technical breaches.









SEBI bars AFCO Capital from taking new clients for one month SEBI bars AFCO Capital from new clients for one month

Firm failed due diligence, outsourced core functions improperly

No evidence found for fraud, but compliance lapses deemed serious Did our AI summary help?
Trade Spotlight: How should you trade NALCO, Avenue Supermarts, Dhampur Sugar, PG Electroplast, Union Bank of India, and others on April 1?

The market may witness consolidation with range-bound trading after the severe bloodbath of the last two days. Below are some short-term trading ideas to consider.

Sunil Shankar Matkar April 01, 2026 / 02:02 IST























Top Trading Ideas for April 1 Experts suggest top 13 trading ideas for April 1 including NALCO, Avenue Supermarts, Dhampur Sugar, PG Electroplast, Union Bank of India Did our AI summary help? NAC

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Will Bank Nifty rise after worst month since Covid? 49,500 is strong support for the index, say analysts

The banking index fell 3.82 percent to close at 50,275.35, its lowest level since April 9, 2025.









Analysts recommend key levels to watch in Bank Nifty. Bank Nifty logs steepest monthly decline since Covid-led selloff.

Index closed at 50,275.35, all 14 constituents ended in the red.

Key support seen at 49,80049,500, resistance at 50,60050,700. Did our AI summary help? UBI01

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Novo Nordisk slashes Ozempic, Wegovy prices in India, to fend generic competition

The Danish drugmaker said it will cut the price of the starting dose of Ozempic by 36 percent and that of Wegovy by 48 percent from April 1, making both medicines available at an effective daily cost of Rs 202 for entrylevel therapy.









Ozempic Novo Nordisk slashes Ozempic, Wegovy prices in India by 48%

Price falls after generics launch post semaglutide patent end

Ozempic and Wegovy now cost Rs.1,415 weekly for starting dose Did our AI summary help?
Financial rule changes from April 1, 2026: Whats changing and how it affects you

From stricter digital payment security and revised train ticket refunds to updated FASTag pricing and ATM transaction limits, several financial rules are set to impact everyday transactions.









April 1 vchahe Mandatory 2FA for UPI and card payments from April 1, 2026

No train refunds allowed within 8 hours of departure

FASTag annual pass price rises to Rs 3,075 for FY27 Did our AI summary help?
New Income Tax Law from April 1: Meal Card, ITR, PAN changes you must know

From a new tax law to updated filing rules and investment taxation, heres how the changes will impact taxpayers from April 2026









Tax changes from April 2026 India's Income Tax Act of 1961 replaced by Act of 2025

Tax year term introduced, replacing FY and AY

TCS on foreign travel reduced to flat 2 percent Did our AI summary help?
Housing sales slip below 1 lakh units for the first time in 18 quarters on weak supply

Analysts said that the data suggests the housing market may be entering a phase of consolidation after a multi-quarter growth cycle.









Housing sales slip below 1 lakh units in Q1 2026 after 18 quarters on weak supply
Warren Buffett warns hes watching stability of banking system

The legendary investor said the stability of the financial system should be a high priority for the Federal Reserve, noting banks like JPMorgan Chase & Co. are key cogs in the economy, shepherding trillions of dollars every day.









Warren Buffett (Bloomberg Photo)
BJP unveils 'Sankalp Patra' for Assam election; promises UCC and tough stand on 'love jihad'

This manifesto has been built on a decade of delivery. When I look at Assam from the perspective of the Union Finance Minister, the state has been transformed in the last 10 years in ways the six decades of Congress rule could never achieve, says FM.









Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday released the BJPs manifesto for Assam assembly polls BJP promises Rs 5 lakh crore infrastructure investment in Assam

Manifesto includes UCC, flood control, and 2 lakh jobs in 5 years

Assembly elections in Assam set for April 9, counting on May 4 Did our AI summary help?
Calcutta High Court upholds ECI power, dismisses PIL challenging transfer of IAS-IPS officers in West Bengal

A Division Bench led by Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen found that the petitioner, advocate Arka Kumar Nag, had not even disputed the Commissions authority.









Calcutta High Court Calcutta High Court dismisses PIL on officer transfers by ECI

Court says ECI's power to transfer officers is undisputed

No public injury or mala fide intent found in officer transfers Did our AI summary help?
Europes Starlink rival Eutelsat turns to ISRO in bid to reduce reliance on Elon Musks SpaceX

The European satellite operator is in talks with ISRO as it seeks future launch options, broader market access in India, and less dependence on SpaceX and Ariane.

Reuters March 31, 2026 / 14:21 IST























Eutelsat is in talks with ISRO for future launches as Europes Starlink rival seeks to reduce dependence on SpaceX and expand in India. Eutelsat is in talks with ISRO for future satellite launches.

Eutelsat aims to diversify beyond SpaceX and Ariane rockets.

Eutelsat operates 650 satellites, expects over 1,000 soon. Did our AI summary help?
'Gender identity a right': Rajasthan HC slams transgender bill, grants 3% weightage

The Bill risks turning an inviolable aspect of personhood into a State-mediated entitlement for transgender persons, the high court said.









File photo
'He raved and ranted for 90 minutes...': Congress takes swipe at Amit Shah over Lok Sabha speech, calls it a miracle

In his latest speech, Shah rejected Rahul Gandhis claim that he had not been allowed to speak in the House, saying the Congress leader often remained abroad during sessions and avoided participating in debates.
IAF to get a boost as India signs Rs 1,950 crore BEL radar deal

The mountain radar has been indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment under the Defence Research and Development Organisation, and will be manufactured by BEL.









Ashwini Radar (Source: DRDO website)
The increase has been attributed to stronger economics for middle distillates such as diesel and jet fuel.
Israeli envoy on Pakistan's mediator pitch: 'Trying to be relevant, India can be better'

I dont know what the Pakistanis think theyre doing, she said, adding that Pakistan itself remains a huge problem in the world of jihadi terrorism.
Jain seer credits PM Modi for Indias rising global influence; calls him messenger of peace amid ongoing war

Reflecting on Indias evolving global standing, Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj noted that there was a time when the country closely observed world affairs from the sidelines









Prime Minister Narendra Modi
Mamata Banerjee said there seems to be coordinated attempts by the BJP, in conjunction with the ECI, to interfere with the democratic rights of people in Bengal.
PM Modi inaugurates Sanand semiconductor plant: Know all about its role in Indias chip ecosystem

Equipped with capabilities such as wire bond and substrate packaging, the facility is now set to play a role in assembling and preparing semiconductor chips for commercial use.









PM Modi inauguratedthe Kaynes Semicon plant at Sanand in Gujarat on Tuesday
PM Modi inaugurates semiconductor manufacturing facility in Gujarats Sanand

Under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), launched in 2021, 10 projects worth Rs 1.6 lakh crore are underway across six states.









PM Modi at the facility.
Intel flagged intermittent disruptions, following which officials outlined immediate, medium- and long-term measures to improve reliability.

Christin Mathew Philip is a Senior Assistant Editor at Moneycontrol.com with 15 years of experience in journalism and a recipient of the Ramnath Goenka Excellence in Journalism Award. Based in Bengaluru, he understands the pulse of the people and covers issues that matter, including mobility, infrastructure, start-ups, and government policies. He tweets at @ChristinMP_
TVK chief Vijay charged with violating election norms during Tamil Nadu campaign

The complaint, filed by an election official, accused his campaign of causing traffic disruption and included video recordings as evidence









TVK chief Vijay
Who is Ashwini Bhide, the first woman to be appointed BMC Commissioner?

Her appointment is being viewed as an effort to bring tighter administrative control and quicker execution of civic projects.

March 31, 2026 / 10:04 IST














Between Faith and Rights: Why religious, social reforms cannot wait for consensus

The law, in isolation, is insufficient. But where practices are deeply embedded in structures of inequality, waiting for consensus alone is neither realistic nor right
How infrastructure became Indias key weapon against Maoism

Sanghnomics: Roads, telecom and banking infrastructure are changing Maoist-affected regions. They reduce isolation and strengthen the states presence. They enable development and create opportunities. This also weakens insurgency









infrastructure
Aapke bag mein haathi hai: Airport scan flags founder's luggage, internet in splits

An Indian techie based in Singapore was stopped at airport security after an X-ray scan showed an elephant-like shape in his bag. The suspicious object turned out to be a harmless souvenir, and his viral X post describing the incident has left social media users amused.
Ah, those were the days: Shashi Tharoor, Jairam Ramesh recall college memories over viral 1974 IIT Bombay photo

A 1974 photograph shared by IIT Bombay Alumni Association has sparked nostalgia among Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Jairam Ramesh, who recalled their college festival days in Delhi University.
Bengaluru techie quits Google to follow his dreams: I was the perfect robot. Now, Im free

'My dad has told me that if you dont start making money in one year, you will have to get a job again. So that is my ultimatum,' Harshit Sharma said.
'Blacklist him for life': Google employee caught smoking on runway, misbehaves with airline staff

A viral video sparked outrage after a passenger was seen smoking on an airport runway and later misbehaving with airline staff by blowing smoke in a staff members face and using abusive language.









The viral video shows the man smoking in a restricted runway area. (Image credit: X/@rameshofficial0) Google worker seen smoking on runway, ignites public outrage

Passenger misbehaved with staff, blew smoke in their face

Incident raises concerns over airport security and screening Did our AI summary help?
Indian student in UK blames AI after getting rejected for over 100 jobs: Really horrible

'I do tend to feel like a robot, because you're just seeing yourself on screen, and answering questions for almost 20 minutes. You become sort of monotone. You don't speak to anyone, and it takes away your personality. It's quite sad,' Bhuvana Chilukuri, 20, said.









Bhuvana Chilukuri, a 20yearold thirdyear business student at Queen Mary University of London, has done internships in Hyderabad, London, and the US. (Image credit: LinkedIn)
'Is this normal?': Fresher raises concern over 13-hour workday, gets just 2 leaves a month

A fresher triggered online discussion after posting about a heavy work routine on Reddit, involving long hours, weekend duties, and very limited leave.









A fresher shared a tough work schedule, questioning workplace norms. (Image credit: Pexels) Fresher works 13 hours daily with mandatory weekend shifts

Only two days of leave per month, sparking exploitation debate

Reddit users urge resignation and reporting to labor authorities Did our AI summary help?
'Its just not working': Dubai real estate slowdown sparks existential crisis claims online

Dubais real estate market is seeing a slowdown, with property transactions dropping sharply in recent weeks, sparking viral claims of an existential crisis.









Recent data shows a slowdown, with transactions down but prices stable. (Image credit: Reuters) Dubai real estate transactions dropped 33 percent year-on-year

Prices remain stable despite slowdown and fewer buyers

Regional tensions and US-Iran conflict impact investor confidence Did our AI summary help?
KitKat in Keralam': Tourism department says it looked for the missing chocolates in backwaters, hills and beaches

A viral chocolate heist involving over 12 tonnes of KitKat bars in Europe has sparked witty reactions online, with Kerala Tourism stealing the spotlight. Its playful post claiming it checked backwaters, beaches, and hills for the missing shipment has amused users and added a humorous twist to the incident.
Man lends friend Rs 1.4 crore for toy business. Now, they are millionaires: 'We're brothers'

'Looking back, it was the riskiest thing Ive ever done,' Curtis McGill said. 'But it also changed our lives.'
Russian billionaire proposes 12-hour workdays, six days a week amid structural economic changes

Writing on Telegram on Monday, Oleg Deripaska said the current economic situation should not be viewed as a routine slowdown linked to monetary policy or borrowing costs, but rather as a deeper shift in how Russia operates globally.









According to Oleg Deripaska, increasing the number of working hours could accelerate the pace at which the economy adapts to these new conditions.
Russian photographer colours elephant pink for Jaipur photoshoot, sparks heavy backlash: 'This is not art'

The controversy centres on Julia Buruleva, a Barcelona-based conceptual photographer, whose images featuring a model seated atop a vividly coloured elephant quickly went viral. While some viewers initially assumed the visuals were digitally altered, it later emerged that the shoot had been carried out in real life, intensifying criticism.









Responding to the criticism, Julia Buruleva defended her approach, stating that the paint used was organic and locally sourced.
Terminally ill cancer patient left without insurance after being laid off from Epic Games. CEO responds

The case came to public attention after Jenni Griffin shared a detailed account on Facebook about her husband, Mike Prinke, a 38-year-old programmer from North Carolina who had been working at the company for nearly seven years. He was among roughly 1,000 employees dismissed as part of a broader cost-cutting exercise.









Jenni Griffin said she shared her story in the hope it would reach someone capable of intervening.
UP man hosts his own final rites ritual while alive fearing loneliness, 1,900 turn up

A 64-year-old man in Uttar Pradeshs Auraiya organised his own terahvi feast while alive, citing loneliness and fear that no one would perform his last rites after death; nearly 1,900 people attended, sparking debate on elderly isolation.
'Well now be selling...': Dominos UK teases new chocolate pizza after 400,000 KitKat bars go missing

After the KitKat heist made headlines, Dominos UK took to social media to announce a new chocolate pizza inspired by the missing candy bars.









Dominos UK teases KitKat-inspired chocolate pizza online. (Image credit: Reuters/Domino's) Around 413,793 KitKat bars stolen en route from Italy to Poland

Nestle warns stolen KitKats may hit unofficial EU markets

Batch codes allow consumers to identify and report stolen KitKats Did our AI summary help?
Why didnt you stand?: Karnataka man watching Project Hail Mary punched in theatre, post goes viral

A Mysuru man has alleged that he was assaulted inside a movie theatre after he chose not to stand during the national anthem before a screening of Project Hail Mary. His detailed account of the incident has gone viral on social media, sparking outrage and debate around personal choice and patriotism.
A 1,500-km dust wall is sweeping across the Sahara Desert and it's visible from space

A giant dust storm stretching over 1,500 kilometres is sweeping across the Sahara, with satellite images revealing one of the most dramatic haboob events seen in recent times. Recent NASA-backed research found that heavy Saharan dust can significantly reduce sunlight reaching solar panels.









A giant dust storm stretching over 1,500 kilometres is sweeping across the Sahara. (Image: X/@WeatherMonitors) A 1,500 km wide haboob sweeps across the Sahara Desert.

Saharan dust can travel to Europe and across the Atlantic.

Dust storms impact air quality, weather and solar energy output. Did our AI summary help?
If not landing on the Moon, what will Artemis II astronauts do? NASAs 10-Day Moon mission explained!

NASAs Artemis II will not land on the Moon, but it will send four astronauts on a historic 10-day flyby mission around the Moon and back to Earth. Artemis II focus on testing critical systems with humans in deep space.









Artemis II will carry 4 astronauts around the Moon in a flyby mission. (Image: NASA) Artemis II will fly astronauts around the Moon, not land on it.

Four astronauts will test Orion spacecraft systems in deep space.

Mission lasts 10 days, ending with Pacific Ocean splashdown. Did our AI summary help?
Dixons Rs 1,100-crore display plant to start trials in June, targets 84 million capacity

The company has secured approval under the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme for its subsidiary, Dixon Display Technologies, to begin display module manufacturing









Dixon Technologies India Ltd Dixon to start trial runs at new display facility by June

Plant to produce 60M phones, 24M IT displays yearly

ECMS approval boosts local display and camera module production Did our AI summary help?

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MC EXPLAINER From incentives to accountability: Why Six Sigma is back in focus for Indias electronics manufacturing industry

A design-led approach is critical for integration into global supply chains because it is designnot assemblythat captures the highest share of value, determines product differentiation, and anchors long-term partnerships with global brands, experts said.









Make in India

Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day
IndiGo launches daily Kolkata-Shanghai direct flight; what travellers need to know

IndiGo has launched a daily direct Kolkata-Shanghai flight, improving India-China connectivity. Check flight timings, connecting cities, route details and what it means for travellers.









(Image: X/ @IndiaInShanghai) IndiGo launches daily Kolkata-Shanghai non-stop flight.

Route boosts travel and business links between India and China.

Indian cities gain Shanghai links via Kolkata connections Did our AI summary help?
Planning a Thailand trip soon? Your Bangkok or Phuket holiday may soon cost a little extra as Thailand considers a THB 300 fee for foreign air arrivals. Heres what Indian travellers need to know before booking.
15 terror groups still operating out of Pakistan: US report

Of these, 12 are formally listed as Foreign Terrorist Organisations under US law, with extremist ideology underpinning most of their operations.









Groups targeting India, such as Hizbul Mujahideen and Jaish-e-Muhammed, maintain armed networks of around 1,500 and 500 members, respectively. (Representative photo) Pakistan remains a haven for at least 15 major terrorist groups

Terrorism fatalities in Pakistan surged to 4,001 in 2025

Tehran skeptical of Pakistans West Asia mediation efforts Did our AI summary help?
American journalist Shelly Kittleson kidnapped in broad daylight in Iraq, video surfaces

The report said Iraqi security forces have detained one suspected kidnapper, but there has been no official confirmation yet from Iraqi authorities or the United States government.









Shelly Kittleson
A broken frame of Pakistan's field marshal and army chief, Asim Munir, hangs on the wall after an attack at the Cadet College Wana, a military-linked school, in the South Waziristan district near the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, on November 13, 2025. (Photo by Aamir QURESHI / AFP)
China and Pakistan pitch 5-point Iran peace roadmap: What's in the roadmap, key challenges and what comes next

While Islamabad is projecting the initiative as a diplomatic breakthrough, questions remain over its actual influence, especially after Iran publicly distanced itself from Pakistan-led mediation efforts.









Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) hugs Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari at a signing ceremony in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on February 5, 2025. (Photo by WU HAO / POOL / AFP) China and Pakistan unveiled a five-point plan for Middle East peace, urging ceasefire, diplomacy, civilian protection, secure shipping, and a UN-led framework. Iran rejected Pakistans mediation role, casting doubt on the plans influence amid ongoing tensions. Did our AI summary help?
Decoding Trumps mixed signals on Iran: Diplomacy or escalation?

Donald Trumps mixed signals on Iranpromoting great progress in talks while threatening to obliterate infrastructurehighlight a dual strategy of diplomacy and pressure, raising risks of escalation and mistrust.









Trumps dual strategy on Iran raises tensions
Democratic lawmaker says US badly and embarrassingly losing war with Iran

Chris Murphy, a prominent member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is among a growing group of lawmakers urging an immediate halt to the ongoing joint USIsrael military operation in Iran, now in its second month









His response came as he shared US Secretary of State Marco Rubios remarks on four key objectives of the US military in Iran Senator Murphy says US lacks strategy in Iran conflict

Murphy urges halt to US-Israel military operation in Iran

He warns war may strengthen China-Iran alliance Did our AI summary help?
Forensic analysis in Charlie Kirks murder case failed to conclusively link a bullet fragment to Tyler Robinsons rifle, complicating the prosecutions case. Robinsons defense plans to use this uncertainty, while prosecutors cite DNA and alleged confessions.

Did our AI summary help?
Fed chair says current debt level is manageable but warns growth in borrowing is outpacing the economy and requires policy action
Fly me to the moon: Meet NASA's historic Artemis II crew set for a lunar voyage

The Artemis II, scheduled to launch from Kennedy Space Center on April 1, will carry four astronauts on a 10-day journey around the Moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission since the Apollo program.









The crew, three Americans and one Canadian, reflects both continuity and change in human space exploration. Artemis II sends four astronauts around Moon in April 2025

Christina Koch will be the first woman to travel to the Moon

Victor Glover will be the first Black astronaut to orbit the Moon Did our AI summary help?
From 'we've won' to 'very soon': 12 times Trump claimed the Iran war is over or ending soon

Meanwhile, questions remain over Irans internal decision-making, with Rubio saying it is not quite clear how authority is structured, including the role of Iranian supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei.









While Trumps rhetoric has repeatedly pointed to a quick end, White House officials say negotiations are still underway. Trump says Iran war ending as conflict enters week five

US has deployed 50,000 troops, military operations ongoing

White House says objectives are close, talks with Iran continue Did our AI summary help?
Trump urged nations impacted by Strait of Hormuz issues, such as the UK, to secure their own energy, criticized their limited action on Iran, and warned of destroying Iranian infrastructure if talks fail, heightening regional tensions.

Did our AI summary help?
Go in grab their oil: Trump revives 1987 Iran stance, shares old TV interview amid war | Watch

The clip, originally from a 1987 interview on ABCs 20/20 with Barbara Walters, shows a 41-year-old Trump arguing for aggressive action against Iran during the Iran-Iraq War.









Screengrab: Truthsocial/realdonaldtrump) Trump shared old interview advocating seizing Iran's oil assets

He warned of military escalation if Strait of Hormuz stays closed

Trump threatened to obliterate Iran's oil and electric plants Did our AI summary help?
Havent spoken to him since it all came out: Warren Buffett on Bill Gates amid Epstein files fallout

Warren Buffett spoke about Epstein, whose associations with several high-profile figures, including Gates, have drawn scrutiny following the release of related files.









Warren Buffett Buffett: no contact with Gates since Epstein revelations

Buffett warns of risks if more countries acquire nuclear weapons

Buffett calls Epstein a successful con man exploiting weaknesses Did our AI summary help?
Hedge fund manager Rokos gives record 190 million to Cambridge

Rokos, 55, one of the biggest tax payers in the UK with a net worth estimated at $3.3 billion by the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, studied mathematics at Oxfords Pembroke College.
MC EXPLAINER India moved first on Russian oil. Here's why that advantage is suddenly looking shaky

Indias early access to Russian oil is under pressure as new Asian buyers enter the market and supplies tighten amid the Iran war.
Indonesia condemns UN peacekeeper deaths, calls emergency UNSC meeting

Indonesia condemned attacks killing three UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, urged warring parties to respect international law, and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to ensure peacekeeper safety.









Indonesia demands protection for UN peacekeepers
Iran approves Strait of Hormuz plan with tolls, bans on US and Israeli vessels

Iran approved a Strait of Hormuz plan imposing tolls and restrictions, escalating tensions with the US, as Washington vowed to ensure navigation freedom and warned of strikes if access is blocked.









Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz
Iran claims drone strike on US command centre in UAE, says 200 officers were present

Iran also warned that US bases in the region have become unsafe for senior personnel. There has been no confirmation from US Central Commandas as of now.









File image of Iran's Shahed drone (used for representation).
Irans Hormuz grip is tighter than ever after a month of war

So far in March, the first full month of war, barely six vessels per day on average have traversed the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the world, in either direction









Over that time, 80% of the small number of oil tankers exiting the strait have been Iranian  or belong to countries with which it is on cordial terms, the figures show. Iran tightens control over Strait of Hormuz amid ongoing conflict

Oil tanker traffic through Hormuz drops sharply, favoring Iran

Brent oil prices surge nearly 60% as Iran restricts passage Did our AI summary help?
Despite losses, Iran retains significant missile and drone capability, aided by underground bases and mobile launchers. Its shift to targeted strikes and reliance on drones allows it to sustain conflict, while control of the Strait of Hormuz adds economic leverage.

Did our AI summary help?
Iran says cancer drug facility hit in Israeli-US strikes as tensions escalate in Middle East

Speaking about the incident, former foreign minister and Payab Research Institute founder Javad Zarif said the site targeted was a producer of key pharmaceutical materials used in cancer treatment.









Visuals from after an attack during the Iran-US war Iran says Israeli-US strikes hit key pharmaceutical facility

Debris from intercepted fire injures people in UAE, Israel, KSA

Shia religious site in northwest Iran suffered damage in strikes Did our AI summary help?
Irans President Pezeshkian says Tehran is willing to end its conflict with the US if its security is guaranteed and future attacks are prevented, amid ongoing tensions and US military buildup. Iran rejected a US peace proposal and outlined its own conditions.

Did our AI summary help?
Iran-US war: Explosions rock Tehran as power outages hit parts of capital

Explosions in Tehran caused power outages across parts of the capital, with authorities restoring electricity after reported damage from suspected airstrikes.









Explosions hit Tehran, power outages follow airstrikes
Iran warns of strikes on 18 US tech firms including Apple, Google, Meta as Middle East war intensifies

In a strongly worded statement on Tuesday, the IRGC said that several companies -- including Apple, Google, Meta and Microsoft -- were among 18 entities it accused of aiding operations against Iran.









Alongside major tech names, the list also included firms such as HP, Intel, IBM, and Cisco, as well as Tesla, Nvidia, Oracle, JP Morgan, and Boeing. IRGC warns US firms of retaliation over assassinations

Apple, Google, Meta, and others warned to evacuate workplaces

Italy denies US military aircraft landing at Sigonella base Did our AI summary help?
Iranian strike triggers fire on Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai port

An Iranian drone attack set a Kuwaiti oil tanker ablaze near Dubai, but all 24 crew were safe, as regional tensions escalated and Kuwait reported ongoing missile and drone threats.









Iran attack hits tanker near Dubai port (Representative image)
Is Pakistan really brokering US-Iran talks? Here's why former R&AW chief says its role is 'limited'

Former R&AW chief flags trust deficit and limited role for Pakistan as US and Iran explore backchannel talks.









Vikram Sood says Pakistan is only hosting Iran talks, not mediating, as US-Iran backchannel negotiations continue amid conflict. Pakistan viewed as facilitator, not active in Iran talks

Trust deficit limits Pakistan's role as intermediary with Iran

US-Iran talks face logistical challenges, timelines extended Did our AI summary help?
Israel plans buffer zone in southern Lebanon up to Litani river, to occupy parts even after war

Katz stated that more than 600,000 residents who fled southern Lebanon would not be allowed to return for the foreseeable future.









Israel Defence Minister Israel Katz Israel plans to establish a security zone up to the Litani River

Over 600,000 displaced Lebanese barred from returning for now

Israeli forces to demolish border villages and maintain control Did our AI summary help?
Israel could still procure defence equipment from France if Paris remains open to such deals, although such purchases have declined in recent years
King Charles heads to US amid war tensions: Why this visit matters now

While officially timed to mark 250 years of American independence, the trip comes at a moment of strain in ties with Donald Trump over the Iran war.









U.S. President Donald Trump and Britain's King Charles. (REUTERS) King Charles III to visit US in April amid strained UK-US ties

Visit to bolster UK-US ties, ease Iran conflict tensions

King Charles to meet Trump to ease political tensions Did our AI summary help?
Michigan synagogue shooting Hezbollah-inspired terror attack, says FBI

The FBI called a Michigan synagogue attack an act of terrorism inspired by Hezbollah, saying the lone attacker had consumed extremist ideology before carrying out the deadly March 12 assault.









FBI labels Michigan synagogue attack terrorism
Middle East war: Israel military says 'prepared to keep operating for weeks to come'

The comments followed remarks by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who said in an interview that the conflict had already passed a key stage.









The broader conflict began on February 28, when coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel targeted Iran, triggering retaliatory actions across the region. Israel's military ready to operate against Iran for weeks

Conflict began with US-Israel strikes on Iran on February 28

No clear timeline; political leaders decide campaign duration Did our AI summary help?
Missile debris hits Dubai homes as UAE responds to Iranian drone and missile threats

Missile debris from air defence interceptions hit Dubai homes, causing minor injuries and property damage, as UAE responds to Iranian drone threats.









Dubai hit by missile debris incidents
Netanyahu proposes pipeline detours to weaken Irans grip on Strait of Hormuz

The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy transit chokepoints, handling about 20 per cent of global oil exports









Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Netanyahu urges Gulf pipelines to bypass Strait of Hormuz

Iran's control of the strait threatens global energy flows

Iran bans US and Israeli vessels, plans tolls for passing ships Did our AI summary help?
'Not a policy change': White House maintains Cuba sanctions despite Russian oil delivery

The U.S. allowed a sanctioned Russian tanker to deliver crude to Cuba for humanitarian reasons, providing temporary relief amid blackouts, fuel shortages, and public frustration, while maintaining that sanctions policy remains unchanged.









White House maintains Cuba sanctions stance
Pakistan aided Iran's early nuclear programme with centrifuges: Former White House war advisor Robert Pape

According to Pape, Iran did not merely deploy the imported equipment but used it to reverse-engineer its own technology.









Pape argued that by the early 2000s, military options to halt Irans nuclear progress were already constrained. Pakistan supplied Iran with 600-900 centrifuges in early years

Iran copied centrifuges to boost its nuclear program

By 2002, military options to halt Iran's progress were limited Did our AI summary help?
Dar said Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks.
Pakistan weighs Hormuz options after Iran clears 20 ships

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said in a post on X over the weekend that Iran had allowed the country to take 20 vessels under the Pakistani flag out through the Hormuz waterway.
Plans for Trump presidential library in Miami spark ridicule

Earlier today, Executive Vice President of the "The Trump Organisation" and son of US President Donald Trump on revealed the first visuals of the upcoming "Donald J. Trump Presidential Library", calling it a "lasting testament" to his father's legacy.









According to the post, the images released are being shown to the public for the first time.
Russia accuses US of targeting Iran, Venezuela for oil, warns of wider Middle East war

Lavrov said that the US and Israel do not support normalisation between Iran and its neighbouring countries, and warned that the ongoing conflict in the Middle East could escalate into a wider war.









Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov -- File Photo (AFP)
'Russia wants long war': Zelensky flags risks to Ukraine as Iran conflict escalates

Volodymyr Zelensky said a prolonged Iran conflict would benefit Russia by boosting energy revenues and diverting US attention, while creating serious risks for Ukraines military supplies and defence capabilities.









Iran war could benefit Russia, warns Zelensky
Russian's Lavrov to visit India in May for BRICS foreign ministers meet; what on the agenda?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend the BRICS foreign ministers meeting in New Delhi and hold bilateral talks with Jaishankar.









Sergey Lavrov to visit India on May 1415 for BRICS meeting and talks with Jaishankar Lavrov to visit New Delhi for BRICS foreign ministers' meeting

Lavrov to hold bilateral talks with Indian officials during visit

India aims to boost trade with Russia to $100 billion by 2030 Did our AI summary help?
'Stop attacks, engage on Hormuz,' EU urges Iran as Qatar says future should be decided by entire region

In a phone call with Irans President Masoud Pezeshkian, Costa emphasised the urgency of reducing tensions and restoring safe navigation through one of the worlds most vital energy corridors.









Strait of Hormuz
Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei in Iran but avoiding public appearances: Russian envoy

Mojtaba Khamenei succeeded his father, Ali Khamenei, as Iran's supreme leader after the elder Khamenei was killed along with several other top Iranian officials in joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that began on February 28.









Irans new supreme leader, Mojtaba Khamenei Mojtaba Khamenei named Irans leader after fathers death

He is avoiding public appearances amid reports of injury

Mojtaba is wealthy yet little known among ordinary Iranians Did our AI summary help?
'Tehran not weakened enough': Gulf nations push US to continue war until significant leadership change in Iran, reports say

The pressure comes at a time when Trump has sent mixed signals about the conflict, at times suggesting that Iran may be ready for negotiations while also warning of escalation if a deal is not reached.
Trump eyes Arab funding for Iran war, wont rule out US ground troops: White House

Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters that Trump would be interested in calling on Arab countries to help cover the cost of the war, adding that the president is likely to speak more on the issue.









US President Donald Trump Trump may ask Arab nations to share war costs with US

Indirect talks with Iran are ongoing despite public tensions

US may escalate if diplomacy with Iran fails Did our AI summary help?
Trump may end Iran war without reopening Strait of Hormuz: Report

US weighs winding down military campaign after crippling Irans navy and missiles, leaving Strait of Hormuz reopening to diplomacy and allies.









Trump may end Iran war without reopening Hormuz, shifting US strategy to quick exit and pushing allies to secure oil routes. US now aims to weaken Irans military, not reopen Hormuz

Trump willing to end campaign even if Hormuz stays mostly closed

US plans diplomacy first, allies may secure waterway if needed Did our AI summary help?
President Trump told the New York Post the US may soon end its war with Iran, claiming major strikes have weakened Irans capabilities and achieved regime change. Despite ongoing tensions and troop deployments, Trump expects the conflict to conclude shortly.

Did our AI summary help?
Trump weighs calling Congress from recess for funds approval

Congress is currently on a two-week recess even amid a partial government shutdown impacting DHS that is well into its second month.









President Donald Trump speaks on the Truman balcony during an event on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on March 27. (Bloomberg Photo)
UN calls out Israel for 'discriminatory' death penalty law: What is the new legislation all about?

The measure was sponsored by Itamar Ben-Gvir, a far-right national security minister who said they 'made history' with the new law and would not yield to international pressure.









Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in favour of the bill, which won the backing of 62 of the Knesset's 120 members. UN opposes Israel's new death penalty law for Palestinians

Law allows death penalty or life imprisonment for deadly attacks

Critics call law discriminatory, violating international norms Did our AI summary help?
Universities become crossfire hotspots as US war breaches 21 Iranian institutes

The university, established in 1929 as Irans first engineering institution, acknowledged the damage and said there were no casualties. It criticised the strikes, saying attacks on academic institutions violate international law, CNN reported.
US-Israel strikes have reportedly shattered Irans leadership, blurring who can fight or negotiate

US-Israel strikes have disrupted Irans leadership and decision-making, complicating retaliation and peace talks.









US-Israel strikes weaken Irans leadership, complicate retaliation and talks US and Israeli strikes have weakened Iran's leadership structure

Irans weakened command led to poorly coordinated retaliation

Hardliners in Iran's Revolutionary Guards now hold more influence Did our AI summary help?
US Supreme Court rules against ban on 'conversion therapy' for LGBTQ minors

At issue is the constitutionality of a 2019 Colorado law that prohibits licensed practitioners from conducting "conversion therapy" on patients under 18.

AFP March 31, 2026 / 22:22 IST























US Supreme Court US Supreme Court ruled against Colorado's conversion therapy ban

Court backs therapist, citing First Amendment free speech

Ruling sent back to lower courts for further review Did our AI summary help?
US unleashes bunker-buster blitz on Irans Isfahan as buzz grows around ground ops

The strike comes amid growing speculation that Iran may have moved part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile-estimated at around 540 kg-to underground facilities in Isfahan, raising the strategic significance of the attack









Isfahan is considered a critical military hub and is closely linked to Iran's strategic and nuclear infrastructure.
War crime: Iran alleges US strike hit Delhi-bound humanitarian flight

There has been no immediate confirmation from the United States.









(Image: Wikipedia) Iran: US strike hit Delhi-bound aid plane at Mashhad

No confirmation from US; details on damage and casualties unclear

Iran brands alleged strike a war crime, illegal under global law Did our AI summary help?
War-weary Pakistan mulls fresh 'unprecedented measures' as fuel crisis takes toll on economy

The ongoing war in Iran has taken a toll on Pakistan's economy since it imports almost all of its crude oil, refined petroleum products and LNG from Gulf nations.









Pakistan's Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif
Warren Buffett raises fears over Iran possessing nuclear weapons: 'Most dangerous thing is ...'

Buffett also recalled historical tensions due to countries possessing nuclear weapons, adding that the world has faced "a lot of close calls" on that front.









Warren Buffett (File)
US President Donald Trump has repeatedly projected that the war is effectively finished, even as military operations continue.
Hegseths broker reportedly sought to invest millions in defence fund before Iran war; Pentagon denies claims

Inquiry tied to US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth flagged internally at BlackRock; proposed investment did not proceed.









Broker linked to US War Secretary explored defence ETF investment before Iran strikes; BlackRock flagged inquiry US war secretarys broker eyed defence ETF investment

Investment in BlackRock's defence ETF did not materialise

US-Israel strikes on Iran heightened interest in defence funds Did our AI summary help?
What lies beneath Isfahan: Decoding Irans nuclear 'house of secrets'

Known for its palaces, mosques and minarets, Isfahan is also home to critical nuclear infrastructure, including facilities tied to uranium processing and storage. It's targeting marks a significant shift in the ongoing conflict.
US says Iran allowed 30 oil tankers through Hormuz after talks, rejects claims of IRGC toll booth control over key oil route.
Pakistan is positioning itself as a key mediator in US-Iran talks amid West Asia tensions, driven by economic and security concerns. Doubts persist over its motives and capacity, with its efforts seen as seeking relevance rather than genuine peacemaking.

Did our AI summary help?
Will Chinas submarine expansion challenge Americas naval dominance?

China is rapidly modernising its submarine fleet, developing advanced nuclear and conventional vessels, expanding undersea surveillance, and challenging US dominance, signalling a strategic warning and enhancing its Indo-Pacific and global naval reach.









China warns US with submarine expansion
Groundbreaking for the Omni Midland Hotel. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram Concept art for the Omni Midland Hotel on a screen in front of a site. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram Groundbreaking for the Omni Midland Hotel. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram Omni Partners at the Omni Midland Hotel groundbreaking. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram Logo for the Omni Midland Hotel on a screen in front of a site. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram A view of the construction site for the Omni Midland Hotel. Luke Dias/Midland Reporter-Telegram

City officials, business representatives and others gathered downtown for groundbreaking ceremonies for the Omni Midland Hotel to be built at 300 W. Texas Ave.

Kurt Alexander, president of Omni Hotels & Resorts, told the gathering the project is a full-circle moment for the Rowling family, owners of Omni Resources.

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He noted that Bob Rowling and his family lived in Midland, working in the oil and gas business, and it was that success that allowed him to purchase Omni Resorts.

The event was also attended by a protester opposing the use of public money that went into the $160 million project.

Midland Mayor Lori Blong, asked about concerns over public money used in the project, said she preferred to focus on the investment and the returns the hotel is expected to generate, estimated at over $67 million over 20 years.

She celebrated the vision of those who helped bring Centennial Park and the Bush Convention Center into being and thanked them for having the vision to invest in the project.

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This hotel wouldnt get built without public funds, said Alexander. This area will see a return, not dollar-for-dollar, but more investment, more business and more activity.

The hotel, expected to open at the end of 2027 or early 2028, is projected to bring in $24.8 million in new tax revenue for the school district.

Alexander also cited downtown Dallas and downtown Fort Worth as examples of when the entry of hotels improved the overall market.

City Council member John Norman, whose district 2 will include the new hotel, said he believes the Omni will generate jobs and business opportunities in his district.

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When we built Centennial Park, so many constituents came to visit. This will be the same, he explained, citing the availability of new business space, restaurants and retail that will follow the hotels arrival.

Dan Hord, partner in Hedloc Investments, one of several private entities investing in the project, said downtown has been the heartbeat of Midland for a long time and recalled Clarence Scharbauer Sr. opening the Scharbauer Hotel, where the Wyndham Hotel now sits, in 1928.

Nearly a century later, we are at another defining moment. The Omni represents the next chapter, Hord said.

Mary Ann Beninati, chief executive officer and president of the Scharbauer Foundation, said Clarence Scharbauer Jr. carried his fathers vision forward in creating the foundation she heads.

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Today that spirit brings us here, she said. We look for opportunities that reflect our history but also shape our future.
By Ulysses Torres-Sabuco

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

FOR Philippine Airlines, a carrier whose history traces the earliest days of commercial aviation in Asia nearly a century ago, the return to Saipan is both a continuation and a milestone  restoring a direct link between the Northern Mariana Islands and Manila while adding the CNMIs principal economic hub as its seventh destination in the United States.

On March 29, Saipan became the airlines seventh destination in the United States, extending a network that now includes Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, Seattle, Honolulu, and Guam. While the Guam-Cebu route remains temporarily suspended, PAL continues to operate its Manila-Guam service.

The resumption of the Manila-Saipan route restores a direct link long valued by travelers in the Northern Marianas, reopening a corridor that connects the islands more closely to Asia while reinforcing broader travel and tourism movement between Asia and North America.

For an airline founded in 1941, such expansion carries historical weight. Philippine Airlines is widely regarded as Asias first and oldest commercial airline still operating under its original name. Its inaugural flight took off on March 15, 1941, when a Beechcraft Model 18 carried five passengers from Nielson Field in Makati to Baguio, a modest journey that marked the beginning of commercial aviation in the region.

In the years that followed, PAL charted new paths as the first Asian airline to fly to Europe in 1947 and the first to cross the Pacific in 1948.

That legacy now meets a renewed phase of growth. PALs return to Saipan comes as the carrier moves through 2026 with expanded frequencies to major hubs such as Los Angeles, offering up to three daily flights on select days. It has also introduced new Airbus A350-1000 aircraft into its fleet, deploying them on key long-haul routes to New York, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

The Saipan service resumes alongside PALs Palau operations, which also relaunched on March 29 in Manila. The airline is operating twice-weekly flights using an Airbus A321ceo, with departures from Manila on Wednesdays and Sundays and return flights from Koror on Mondays and Thursdays.

Airline and tourism observers see the Saipan route as part of a broader strategy: one that strengthens PALs Pacific network while reinforcing Manilas role as a regional transit hub.

From Ninoy Aquino International Airport, the airline connects passengers from North America, Oceania, and the Middle East to a network of 32 domestic and 41 international destinations, including key cities across Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.

For Saipan, the implications are both practical and symbolic. Flights now operate on Mondays and Thursdays from Saipan, and on Wednesdays and Sundays from Manila, supporting not only tourism flows but also long-standing ties with the Filipino community in the CNMI. The route also facilitates medical referrals and provides access to onward destinations such as Thailand and Singapore.

PAL previously served the Manila-Saipan route in the 1990s and again briefly in 2016 before discontinuing the service. Its return has been delayed several times, making the 2026 relaunch  timed with the airlines 85th anniversary  a moment that bridges past and present.

In that sense, Saipans place on PALs route map is more than an addition. It is a continuation of a network that began with a five-passenger flight in 1941  and continues to expand, island by island, across the Pacific.
Erlinda Naputi

(JKPL)  Joeten-Kiyu Public Library proudly announces that Library Director Erlinda C. Naputi has been selected as a national 250 Public Service Champion, an honor awarded by the National Academy of Public Administration in partnership with LocalGov250.

According to the national announcement, the 250 Champions Initiative recognizes outstanding public servants across the United States and its territories who exemplify excellence, dedication, and impact in their communities. Honorees were selected from hundreds of nominations representing all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

Library Director Naputis selection highlights her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to advancing library services, literacy, and community engagement throughout the Northern Mariana Islands. Under her leadership, JKPL has strengthened access to information, expanded outreach services, and supported lifelong learning for residents of all ages. This recognition is not only a personal achievement for Library Director Naputi, but a tremendous honor for the entire Northern Marianas community. It reflects the dedication of our public servants and the vital role libraries play in strengthening our islands.

There are many leaders working in government across the country who are deserving of recognition, and this year marks an especially important time for our country to honor them. These 250 Champions are truly special and make a difference in our everyday lives, said James-Christian Blockwood, president & CEO of the National Academy of Public Administration. We look forward to celebrating all of them, and hope this inspires future public servants and the American people.

The national recognition comes at a historic moment as the nation prepares to commemorate the United States Semiquincentennial. As America approaches its 250th Anniversary, honoring leaders like Library Director Naputi underscores the importance of public service in sustaining democracy and empowering communities.

The 250 Public Service Champions will be formally recognized at a national event held in Philadelphia in May 2026, ahead of the ICMA National Conference. Read the full national press release here https://napawash.org/press-releases/250-public-service-champions

Joeten-Kiyu Public Library extends its heartfelt congratulations to Library Director Naputi for this well-deserved honor and celebrates this milestone achievement for the Northern Mariana Islands.
1) PAL held a ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 30 marking the return of its Saipan-Manila flights. From left, Bryan Sansolis, PALs regional head for Japan, Korea and Oceania, Philippine Consul to Guam Joaquin Ricardo Aragon, Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds, Gov. David Apatang, PAL Vice President for Ground Services Matthew Tamaray, and House Speaker Edmund Villagomez Photos by Bryan Manabat

2) Delegate Kimberlyn King-Hinds talks with Bryan Sansolis, PALs regional head for Japan, Korea and Oceania, and Tan Holdings CEO Jerry Tan at the ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 30 marking the return of PALs Saipan-Manila flights.

3) CNMI and PAL officials pose for a group photo after a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

By Bryan Manabat

[email protected]

Variety News Staff

PHILIPPINE Airlines resumed SaipanManila flights on March 30, a development CNMI leaders say will help revive the local economy by increasing visitor traffic, cargo capacity and family travel.

The inaugural flight arrived before dawn at Francisco C. Ada/Saipan International Airport, where CNMI officials, business leaders and community members welcomed the airline back after several years of absence.

Twiceweekly service returns

PAL is operating two flights per week between Saipan and Manila using an Airbus A321.

 Saipan  Manila (PR 2572): departs 2:50 a.m.

 Manila  Saipan (PR 2571): return times vary by date, according to PALs booking schedule.

PAL Vice President for Ground Services Matthew Tamaray said the revived route is anchored on four priorities  community ties, healthcare access, tourism and economic growth, and cargo logistics  and comes as the airline seeks to streamline travel for Filipino visitors.

He added that PAL is already in discussions with CNMI officials about expanding access for Filipino travelers under the Commonwealths Economic Vitality and Security program.

We had an engaging discussion with our partners here in Saipan about extending the CNMI economic vitality and security travel authorization program for Filipinos, Tamaray said. Filipino travelers are expanding their reach to ASEAN, Taiwan, Korea and Japan, where visa processing is streamlined.

Tamaray described Flight PR 2572/2571 as more than a schedule addition.

This isnt just a new entry in our flight schedule. It is a restoration of a vital lifeline between our two nations, he said, adding that PAL remains committed to strengthening cultural and community ties and ensuring Saipans access to Manilas healthcare facilities, tourism markets and cargo networks.

Leaders welcome PALs return

Gov. David Apatang thanked PAL for restoring service and encouraged the airline to expand its presence in the Commonwealth.

Philippine Airlines has been here before, and we want to welcome them back to the Commonwealth, Apatang said. We need your help with our economy So welcome, and make the Commonwealth your home. You can move to Saipan, station one aircraft here.

U.S. Delegate to Congress Kimberly KingHinds said the route supports ongoing federal efforts to expand the CNMIs market access.

For the CNMI, more planes landing means more customers, she said. The Philippines is not just customers. It represents connecting families  people who call the CNMI home, who also call the Philippines home.

A gateway strengthened

Commonwealth Ports Authority Executive Director Estrellita Esther S. Ada said PALs return enhances Saipans role as a regional gateway.

Today marks more than the return of an airline. It represents new opportunities for the CNMI, Ada said. The restored service brings greater access to the Philippines and stronger connections to the world, while also bringing our communities together.

She called the renewed service a partnership built on progress and shared opportunities.

New routes unaffected by Middle East tensions

Earlier, during a March 27 premedia briefing, PAL Vice President for Corporate Communications Judy Anne Tiongco said the airline remains fully committed to its new Saipan service despite regional uncertainties.

Were really keen on and supporting the Saipan route, she said, noting that PAL is monitoring developments in the Middle East but has approached the situation in a very prudent manner.

Tiongco said the Philippines emergency declaration and the temporary suspension of GuamCebu flights have not affected the SaipanManila route.

The temporary suspensions are confined to Cebu right now, she said. Again, it depends on the situation, but currently it will not affect the new routes.

With the route now relaunched and CNMI leaders expressing support for expanded connectivity, PALs push for the Philippines inclusion in the EVS travel authorization program sets the stage for further cooperation  potentially easing travel, boosting tourism and strengthening economic and familial ties between the NMI and the Philippines.

Bryan Manabat was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College where he also studied criminal justice. He is the recipient of the NMI Humanities Award as an Outstanding Teacher (Non-Classroom) in 2013, and has worked for the CNMI Motheread/Fatheread Literacy Program as lead facilitator.
By Del Benson

For Variety

WE are living through difficult and uncertain times. Global instability  from conflicts like the Iraq War to ongoing geopolitical tensions  has disrupted shipping lanes and shaken energy markets. We feel it every time we pull up to the gas pump or open our monthly power bill. Costs are rising, and households and businesses across our islands are feeling the strain.

But here is the critical question: are these high costs permanent, or are they temporary?

History tells us energy markets fluctuate. Prices spike during instability, then fall when conditions stabilize. It is entirely possible that within a few months, fuel costs could drop significantly. If that happens, we will be forced to re-evaluate decisions being made today  especially long-term commitments tied to current high prices.

This brings me to a pressing concern: the proposed solar energy agreements connected to the Commonwealth Utilities Corporation. While solar energy is often promoted as free because sunlight costs nothing, that claim deserves closer scrutiny. The sun may be free  but the infrastructure to capture, convert, store, and distribute that energy is not.

And once those contracts are signed, we are locked into them.

We are being told  reportedly even stated in public forums  that solar integration will not lower electricity rates. At least they are being honest to a point. If they say solar wont save prices. Then how much will they go up? We should approach such claims with healthy skepticism. Around the world, large-scale public projects often begin with optimistic projections, only to face cost overruns and unintended consequences later.

My concern is not ideological. It is practical.

Lets walk through a simple reality: CUC still operates the grid. That means it still carries fixed costs  power plants, transmission lines, maintenance crews, administrative staff, and operational overhead. These costs do not disappear just because solar energy is added to the system. The only variable cost that solar potentially reduces is fuel.

So the real question becomes: how much of our electricity bill is truly tied to fuel  and how much is fixed?

If solar reduces fuel consumption by, say, 25% or even 50%, that does not translate into a 25% or 50% reduction in your total bill. The fixed costs remain. In fact, if a third-party solar provider is selling power at a contracted rate  say 18 cents per kilowatt-hour  that cost is layered on top of CUCs existing operational expenses.

The result? Instead of reducing costs, we may simply be reshuffling them.

I have spoken with local residents who have installed solar panels on their own homes. Surprisingly, some report little to no savings  during periods of cloud cover or inconsistent sunlight. We must remember: solar energy is not constant. It depends heavily on weather conditions, system maintenance, and storage capabilities.

So we must ask: are we building a system based on ideal conditions  or real-world performance?

Even more concerning is the lack of transparency.

In an effort to better understand these issues, I reached out directly to CUC. I requested a conversation  simply to ask questions and seek clarity. I was told executives were unavailable. No follow-up. No appointment offered. When I asked again, I was directed to file a formal records request.

That response raises an important question: why is it so difficult to have an open conversation about something that affects every resident and business in our community?

If the rates are not yet finalized, that is understandable. But that is precisely why communication matters now. This is the moment to explain the variables, outline the risks, and engage the public honestly. If there are unknowns, say so. If there are trade-offs, explain them.

Transparency builds trust. Silence erodes it.

This is not about assigning blame. It is about accountability and clarity.

Energy costs do not exist in a vacuum. They ripple through every part of our economy. High electricity rates hurt hotels already struggling with low occupancy. They burden restaurants facing declining customer traffic. They strain families trying to balance rising costs of fuel, food, and daily living. Energy is not just another expense  it is the foundation of economic stability.

And yet, we are being asked to accept major long-term decisions without fully understanding their impact.

We need a real conversation.

What are the true operating costs of producing electricity today? How much of those costs are fixed versus variable? If solar reduces fuel use, what is the actual net savings to consumers? How will third-party energy contracts affect long-term rates? And most importantly  what happens if fuel prices drop significantly after these agreements are in place?

These are not abstract questions. They are the difference between economic growth and economic strain.

To the leadership at CUC: the public is not your adversary. We are your stakeholders. We deserve answersnot after decisions are finalized, but before.

If I am wrong in my concerns, then sit down and explain why. I will gladly share your perspective, word for word. But do not dismiss the conversation. Do not assume that transparency is optional.

Because at the end of the day, this is not about solar versus fuel. It is about trust, accountability, and the real cost of power in our lives.

Lets have that conversation  openly, honestly, and now. Please members of the community join me? How many would come to a townhall to discuss our issues?
By Gregorie Michael Towai (Eiperang)

For Variety

ALL across the Pacific, many of us are raised to believe that leadership is measured in relationships, not titles.

In our communities, power is supposed to be earned by showing up for people, protecting land and sea, and keeping harmony between families and villages. You demonstrate leadership by how you care, not by how often you remind people that you are in charge. That is not just custom; it is a different way of doing governance.

Set that alongside what we see in the Northern Mariana Islands today, and the gap is hard to ignore.

In recent years, CNMI politics has been shaken by overlapping corruption scandals, impeachment efforts, and federal investigations. Funds flow in, accountability diffuses, and the public is told that technical processes will take care of the rest. Cases are dismissed, charges are amended, resolutions stall. Meanwhile, the question that matters most to ordinary people  has trust actually been repaired?  sits unanswered.

At the same time, families are still navigating longdelayed housing and infrastructure recovery from the typhoons. Disaster recovery programs exist on paper. Action plans list hundreds of millions of dollars for housing, infrastructure, and economic revitalization. Yet applicants continue to report slow timelines, confusing requirements, and very little clarity about who decides, on what basis, and by when. The distance between the promise of recovery and the experience of waiting grows wider each year.

Layered on top of this is the acceleration of the U.S. security footprint in the Marianas.

Airfields and support facilities on Tinian are being upgraded as part of a wider military posture across the IndoPacific. Defense packages celebrate wins for the Marianas in the form of ship repair and new assets. But the same waters and lands being mapped as training corridors are also cultural seascapes, ancestral highways, and food systems. Communities have raised concerns about land use, environmental impact, and the pace of consultation. Again, the answer were given is that the process is being followed.

Now, a bipartisan group of four U.S. senators is preparing to fly to Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea to smooth things over ahead of President Donald Trumps summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May. The message is that American commitments in the region are reliable and relationships matter.

From the vantage point of the Marianas, that message feels incomplete.

Washington is willing to cross the Pacific to reassure Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul. But the same system often treats Saipan, Tinian, and Rota as administrative afterthoughts  central enough for basing and budget lines, peripheral enough that relational accountability can be postponed.

The CNMI Covenant was supposed to anchor something different.

When the Covenant was negotiated, it was presented as a mutually binding commitment: a framework that would allow us to govern ourselves internally while joining a larger political union. For many families, it functioned as a shield as much as a bridge. When the Covenant is questioned, it is not only a document under review; it is our history and the protections prior generations fought to secure.

Yet the federal system still relies on territorial doctrines that treat island communities as foreign in a domestic sense, and in practice CNMIs commonwealth status is often handled as a revocable delegation rather than a true partnership. When Washington wants to expand control  over immigration, labor, or strategic land use  it invokes its power. When the Commonwealth points back to the Covenant and asks for meaningful consent and codesign, it is reminded that Congress can change the terms.

That is a deeply positional view of leadership: we can, therefore we may.

A relational approach would look very different.

On corruption, it would insist that the goal is not just to close files but to restore trust. That means plainlanguage explanations of what went wrong, how systems are changing, and who is responsible if the same pattern repeats. On disaster recovery, relational leadership would measure success by whether families are back in safe housing, not by how tidy the reporting looks in Washington. On the military buildup, it would treat consent and stewardship as nonnegotiable, and accept that legitimacy depends on whether affected communities experience the process as fair and responsive  not just whether the paperwork is complete.

The current U.S. Senate delegations itinerary raises a simple question: if four senators can visit Taipei, Tokyo, and Seoul before a TrumpXi summit to reassure partners, why is it still so rare for highlevel U.S. delegations to sit with communities in the Marianas and listen on our terms? If Washington wants to show the IndoPacific that it honors its commitments, it should start with the people already living under the U.S. flag.

The same standard applies at home.

We cannot demand relational leadership from Washington while accepting positional, extractive leadership from our own. Whether the issue is land leases, disaster funds, or new security projects, the test is the same: who is at the table, who sets the terms, and who carries the risk?

Our children are watching how we navigate this moment  how we respond to scandal, how we rebuild after storms, how we engage with a geopolitical agenda that increasingly maps our home as a chessboard. They will learn from us whether leadership in the Marianas is something you use to stand over people, or something you carry as a duty to stand with them.

Which one we choose will decide whose logic governs these islands in the years ahead.

Gregorie Michael Towai (Eiperang) is a cultural advocate and independent researcher from the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands currently residing in Oregon. He writes on Pacific governance, ocean policy, and diaspora political participation.
Ed Anderson has been chosen as the Journal-Courier's latest Community Champion. Bridgette Fox/Journal-Courier If you know someone who deserves to be recognized as a Community Champion, submit a nomination at bit.ly/JCChampions. Journal-Courier

Ed Anderson has been chosen as the Journal-Courier's March Community Champion for the work he's done with Western Illinois Youth 4-H Camp and the GRO-Trust Initiative.

Anderson is a retired Triopia school district teacher and a farmer.

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"Well, I've been a school teacher for 30-plus years out of Triopia," he said. "So, when I retired from there in 2010, I went to youth camp and I've given some programs for them in the summer when they had things."

"His passionate contributions to the Western Illinois 4-H Camp have helped shape transformative experiences for young people," the nomination read. "Through mentorship, leadership, and hands-on support, he has strengthened programs that build confidence, responsibility, and connection to the land and to one another. He believes deeply in experiential education  where leadership is learned around campfires, in cabins, and through service."

Anderson, who lives in Concord, said he does things when people ask. To him, it's just nice to help out.

"We were out there last Wednesday putting steps on the waterfront and did a woods burn," Anderson said. "But it's kind of like, when something arises and they need doing, we  Bob (Large) and I  will both do it."

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The nomination for Anderson also praised his work with the GRO Trust Initiative.

"In recent years, Ed has also become an invaluable supporter of GRO Trust initiatives, offering not only encouragement but active engagement," it read. "Whether championing food access efforts, supporting neighborhood revitalization, or lending his voice to broader community conversations, Ed consistently shows up. He understands that strong communities are built through intentional investment  of time, wisdom, and steady presence."

In the same way he spoke about his work with 4-H, Anderson said he just helps out when asked  no matter how big a project is.

"There's two 250 fruit trees now in Jacksonville," Anderson said. "Wednesday, I augured the holes; and, by Thursday, (Michael Woods) had all the trees in there and they're in the various places."

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With Anderson's help, Jacksonville now has apple, peache, pear, plum, apricot and cherry trees starting to grow in different pockets around town for the community.

The Community Champions of the Month program was started to honor those whose actions make a lasting difference in the Jacksonville area.

Readers are being asked to nominate people who embody the best of our community. They might be volunteers, mentors, leaders of groups  anyone striving to improve the lives of others in the community.

Each month, the Journal-Courier will select one Community Champion from the nominations and feature them in a story, sharing their journey, their motivations, and the impact they have made.

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At the end of the year, all Community Champions will be featured together, and readers will have the opportunity to vote for the Journal-Courier's Citizen of the Year. That person will be honored for their contributions and the difference they have made.
Commentary: Producing Americas sugar depends on strong federal farm and trade policies because the global sugar market is among the most distorted. Seksan Mongkhonkhamsao/Getty Images Clint Hagen Syndicated Travis Medine Syndicated

Rural America is in crisis. What is at stake goes well beyond the future of American farms; its blue-collar manufacturing jobs, small businesses on Main Street, and the homegrown, made-in-America food on our grocery shelves and kitchen tables.

We were on Capitol Hill recently sharing our stories as sugar beet and sugarcane farmers, proud to grow an essential ingredient in the food we eat; as fathers, stewarding the way for the next generation in the field; and as businessmen, cognizant of the unsustainable financial pressures squeezing family farms.

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Producing Americas sugar has always taken hard work, dedication and a little bit of luck. It also depends on strong federal farm and trade policies because the global sugar market is among the most distorted. Foreign governments pour billions into subsidies, then dump surplus sugar at artificially low prices, forcing American sugar beet and sugarcane farmers to compete on an unlevel playing field. India subsidizes its sugar industry by $17.6 billion, according to U.S. government reports.

Those foreign subsidies increase world sugar production and lower the world price. Surplus cheap, subsidized sugar has made it easier for highly subsidized foreign sugar to enter our market, taking away sales from our companies and causing the price of domestically produced sugar to fall precipitously. Over the last two years, U.S. sugar prices have dropped by more than a third. American sugar beet and sugarcane farmers have lost $2 billion in potential income due to highly subsidized foreign sugar.

The drop in U.S. sugar prices is challenging enough on its own. However, the squeeze is tightening: our costs on the farm, and the costs in the factories, mills, and refineries that process our crops, have risen sharply.

Like other farmers, we are bearing the increased costs of diesel fuel, crop protection and nutrition inputs, farm equipment, and the highly specialized machinery required to cultivate sugar crops. For example, the price of a 340-horsepower tractor has increased by more than $200,000 in the last five years. Tractors are essential tools on the farm, and we put hundreds of hours of heavy work on those machines every year; a breakdown on a used machine that has become too costly to replace means lost hours in the field and potentially negative effects to the crop.

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On-farm costs for sugar beet and sugarcane producers have increased by more than 30% over the last five years. Americas farmers, including sugar crop farmers, were already operating on thin margins.

For farmers with significant losses, it means tapping into their equity just to keep the lights on and the tractors running. Its untenable.

Finding adequate labor for our farms and the factories that extract sugar from our crops has also become increasingly difficult and more expensive. The reality is that the population in rural America is shrinking, and our farms and factories need an available and reliable workforce to plant, tend to, harvest and process our crops and move American-made sugar to food production lines and grocery store shelves.

Congress has repeatedly recognized the important role that American-made sugar plays in supporting our national food security, and we are grateful for its bipartisan support for strong farm and trade policies. Ensuring that we as a nation can feed ourselves is not a red versus blue or rural versus urban issue; its an American issue.

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Over the next few weeks, more than 75 sugar beet and sugarcane producers nationwide will take valuable time away from their farms to meet with members of Congress. We want lawmakers to understand firsthand what happens when a farm goes under or a factory is shuttered, such as when we lost the last sugar beet factory in California last year.

We also hope that timely and meaningful economic aid will provide a lifeline as farmers head into the fields for spring planting. In January, the American Sugar Alliance co-signed a letter led by the American Farm Bureau Federation to House and Senate leadership, highlighting the alarming situation in farm country and asking Congress to provide immediate economic assistance.

We know that farming is never easy, but the challenges abroad and at home represent a threat to American sugar production that requires immediate action. The strength of our homegrown food supply, our rural communities and our family farming legacies relies on the continued bipartisan support for strong farm and trade policies.
The composer behind "The Flintstones," "Scooby Doo" and others, Ted Nichols, died at 97 earlier this year in Washington. LMPC/LMPC via Getty Images

You probably dont know his name, but if you have ever listened closely to some of the most legendary cartoons, you most definitely know his music.

Ted Nichols was the man behind the music in several popular TV cartoon series, such as Scooby Doo, The Flintstones, Space Ghost, and several others. Chances are, the music you heard during playing behind dialog (underscores) or in situations like a chase or joke (cues) came from Nicholss composing skills.

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Nichols died at the age of 97 after many years behind the scenes giving life to many Hanna-Barbera productions  the same studio behind additional cartoon classics such as Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry and The Jetsons. According to his daughter, in a report from The Hollywood Reporter, Nichols died Jan. 9 after a long battle with Alzheimers in Auburn, Washington.

American composer Ted Nichols has sadly died at 97



Known for working on 'The Flintstones', 'Scooby-Doo', 'Josie and the Pussycats', 'Wacky Races' and more pic.twitter.com/7HhS6ITLkr  CoveredGeekly (@CoveredGeekly) March 24, 2026

In September 1969, his life drastically changed when the 'Scooby-Doo' series premiered on CBS. The show would be a cultural phenomenon, and Nichols music became inseparable from its mystery, humor, and lasting appeal, American Songwriter writes.

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Outside of Hanna-Barbera Nichols, according to IMDB, also served as the musical director for six episodes of The New Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. The show only lasted for 20 episodes and ran from 1968 to 1969.
ByteDance secures $2.5 billion in Nvidia AI chips amid U.S.-China tech tensions

Trump signals flexibility, proposing tariff reductions on Chinese goods to facilitate a TikTok deal, prioritizing economic stability over abrupt bans while keeping national security in focus.

Originally set for January 19, the TikTok divestment deadline was extended to April 5, with Trump open to further extensions if negotiations progresscontrasting earlier hardline stances from his administration.

The Chinese firm aggressively circumvents U.S. chip bans, leasing 36,000 Nvidia Blackwell AI chips via Singapore-based Aolani Cloud ($2.5B deal) to compete with OpenAI and Google in the global AI arms race.

TikTok's U.S. ownership remains contentious amid bipartisan concerns over Chinese surveillance, while ByteDance's offshore AI deals highlight loopholes in U.S. export controls.

ByteDance's AI ambitions and TikTok's fate underscore the broader U.S.-China rivalry, where trade policy (tariffs), tech dominance (AI chips) and data sovereignty collide.

ByteDance, the Chinese parent company of TikTok, is aggressively expanding its artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities by acquiring high-performance Nvidia chips outside China, circumventing U.S. export restrictions. The company is collaborating with Singapore-based Aolani Cloud to deploy approximately 500 Nvidia Blackwell computing systems in Malaysia, totaling around 36,000 B200 chipsa deal worth more than $2.5 billion. This strategic move underscores ByteDance's ambition to compete with American AI giants like Google and OpenAI while navigating escalating geopolitical tensions.

Best known for TikTok, ByteDance has been rapidly developing AI-powered applications, including chatbots, video generators and educational tools. The company already generates about a quarter of its revenue outside China and operates AI research teams in Singapore, San Jose and Seattle. Its AI video-generation model, Seedance, has gained attention for transforming script prompts into realistic short films, while apps like Dola (a chatbot) and Gauth (a homework assistant) are gaining traction globally.

According to a January ranking by venture-capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, ByteDance operates five of the world's top 50 most popular AI consumer apps. CEO Liang Rubo has publicly stated the company's goal to "reach the highest summit" in AI development, signaling its intent to dominate the sector despite regulatory hurdles.

Circumventing U.S. export controls

Since 2022, U.S. restrictions have barred Nvidia from selling its most advanced AI chipsincluding the Blackwell seriesdirectly to China. This has forced Chinese tech firms to seek alternative routes to secure computing power. Companies like ByteDance are now leasing AI infrastructure from third-party providers operating in countries where U.S. export laws are less stringent.

Aolani Cloud, a Singapore-based firm with ties to venture capital group K3 Ventures, has emerged as a key intermediary. Registered in the Cayman Islands, Aolani is a certified Nvidia partner, granting it priority access to cutting-edge chips. Since February 2025, ByteDance has leased servers containing Nvidia's H100 chips in Malaysia. The new Blackwell deal represents a significant escalation in ByteDance's computing power, with initial payments already made for deployment in Malaysian data centers.

Aolani's compliance strategy hinges on maintaining legal distanceits customers, including ByteDance, do not own the chips outright but lease computing capacity. In a June 2025 presentation to lenders, Aolani assured that it works with U.S. legal counsel to mitigate regulatory risks, arguing that future restrictions would likely be "prospective, not retroactive."

Geopolitical risks and TikTok's uncertain future

ByteDance's AI expansion comes amid ongoing scrutiny of TikTok's ties to China. U.S. officials have long warned that Beijing could exploit TikTok to access American user data, a concern reinforced by leaked internal meetings where ByteDance employees admitted, "Everything is seen in China." In January 2025, ByteDance relinquished control of TikTok's U.S. operations to American investors in an effort to appease regulators.

Meanwhile, former U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled openness to negotiating TikTok's fate, suggesting tariff reductions on Chinese goods could facilitate a favorable deal. "Maybe I'll give them a little reduction in tariffs or something to get it done," Trump said in March, acknowledging TikTok's popularity while prioritizing national security. His administration had previously imposed a 20% tariff on Chinese imports and extended TikTok's divestment deadline to April 5, with the possibility of further extensions if negotiations progress.

The broader AI arms race

ByteDance's aggressive AI push highlights the intensifying global competition for technological dominance. While U.S. firms like OpenAI and Google lead in generative AI, Chinese companies are leveraging workarounds to stay competitive. Reports indicate ByteDance is also exploring AI server deployments in Indonesia and actively hiring AI specialists in Silicon Valley.

Nvidia, meanwhile, maintains that its partnerships comply with U.S. export laws. "By design, the export rules allow clouds to be built and operated outside controlled countries," an Nvidia spokesperson stated, emphasizing that its compliance team vets all cloud partners.

As ByteDance races to secure AI infrastructure, the geopolitical stakes continue to rise. The company's ability to bypass U.S. restrictions through offshore deals underscores the challenges of enforcing tech decoupling. Meanwhile, TikTok's fate remains uncertain, caught between American security concerns and ByteDance's determination to maintain global influence.

With AI poised to redefine industries, the battle for computing power is not just about corporate dominanceit's a proxy for the broader U.S.-China rivalry. Whether through tariffs, export controls or covert leasing arrangements, both nations are maneuvering to secure their technological futures. ByteDance's $2.5 billion bet on Nvidia chips is just the latest move in this high-stakes game.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, ByteDance's rush to secure $2.5 billion in Nvidia AI chips underscores China's desperate reliance on Western technology despite its propaganda of self-sufficiency, proving that Beijing's so-called "homegrown alternatives" are still far inferior. Meanwhile, Nvidia's willingness to profit from this arrangementdespite U.S. export restrictionsreveals how Big Tech prioritizes globalist greed over national security, further fueling the AI-driven surveillance dystopia China is building.

Watch this video about how Nvidia changed the world with its surprising announcement.

This video is from the Rick Langley's channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Archive.is

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
CPAC poll shows Vance as 2028 GOP favorite, but Rubio gains significant ground

JD Vance leads a 2028 GOP straw poll as Trump's heir apparent.

Marco Rubio surges dramatically into a strong second place.

The CPAC poll signals a brewing battle for the MAGA movement's future.

Both men publicly dismiss rivalry, emphasizing current party unity.

The results mark the early start of the post-Trump succession contest.

The battle to define the future of the Republican Party after President Donald Trump has its first frontrunner. Vice President JD Vance secured a majority in the 2028 presidential preference straw poll at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Texas this weekend, but the dramatic surge of Secretary of State Marco Rubio signals a brewing contest for the heart of the MAGA movement.

Vance captured 53% support from the more than 1,600 attendees who voted at the annual gathering in Grapevine. Rubio finished a strong second with 35%, a massive leap from his mere 3% showing in the same poll a year ago. No other potential candidate broke 2%, with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Donald Trump Jr. each receiving 2%, and figures like Sens. Ted Cruz and Rand Paul registering just 1%.

This CPAC survey is a coveted early barometer of sentiment among the partys most active conservative base. Although it is not a scientific predictor, it reveals where the energy currently lies within the coalition that has propelled Trump to two terms in office. The results show Vance, Trumps chosen running mate in 2024, remains the heir apparent in the eyes of many. Yet Rubios meteoric rise cannot be ignored, suggesting a shifting landscape as the party looks toward a post-Trump era.

A shifting political landscape

The numbers tell a story of momentum. Vances support, while still commanding, actually dipped from a dominant 61% last year. Rubios 32-point surge is the headline, reflecting his elevated profile as Secretary of State during a period defined by international conflict and diplomatic challenges. Attendees cited his forceful public persona and his handling of high-stakes foreign policy as key factors in his growing appeal.

Paul Empson, an accountant from Fort Worth, told Reuters he voted for Vance due to the Vice Presidents alignment with MAGA principles and his public embrace of Christian faith. "I've seen everything he's done," Empson said. "He's a real, genuine person." Other attendees, however, were drawn to Rubio. James Schaare, a political activist from Texas, praised Rubios conservative consistency and said he was won over partly by the Secretarys speech at the memorial for activist Charlie Kirk. "Over the last couple of years, everything he says and does is 100% conservative," Schaare said.

Despite their one-two finish in a poll that frames them as potential rivals, both men have publicly dismissed any notion of a personal competition. In a November interview with Fox News, Vance addressed the speculation directly. "People have asked me, 'Do you see Marco as a rival?'" Vance said. "First of all, if either of us end up running, it's a long ways in the future, and neither of us is entitled to it. So I think it would be ridiculous for me to say Marco is a rival. No, Marco is a colleague."

The road to 2028

Rubio has expressed similar collegiality. In comments to Vanity Fair in December, he said he would be "one of the first people to support" Vance if the Vice President chose to run for the White House in 2028. This public harmony underscores a shared understanding that the actual campaign is a few years away and that current unity is paramount for the administration and the partys near-term electoral goals.

The historical context here is critical. The Republican Party is navigating the complex transition from a period defined by a singular, dominant figure in Trump. CPAC straw polls have previously highlighted flavors of the month who later faltered. The consistency of Vances top-tier positioning, combined with Rubios explosive growth, suggests the party base is beginning to coalesce around two distinct but connected visions: Vances populist, hillbilly-elegy-informed brand of Trumpism, and Rubios more traditionally conservative, yet fiercely pro-Trump, statesman profile.

For now, the message from the grassroots is clear. JD Vance remains the man to beat. But Marco Rubio is now firmly in the race, and his trajectory shows that the contest to lead the next generation of Republicans is already underway. The coming years will test whether this early snapshot solidifies or if new contenders emerge from the shadows. The fight for the soul of the GOP after Trump has officially begun, and it starts with these two men.

Sources for this article include:

YourNews.com

TheHill.com

Reuters.com

NYPost.com
Bondis DOJ defies federal court, continues to crack down on pistol braces

The Biden regimes pistol brace ban is dead. A federal court killed it. President Trump vowed twice on the campaign trail to bury it for good. So why is Attorney General Pam Bondis Department of Justice still threatening law-abiding gun owners with felony charges over a piece of polymer and Velcro? On March 16, 2026, the DOJ dropped a legal bombshell in the lawsuit Texas et al. v. ATF, admitting in writing that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives continue[s] to enforce the NFAs and the GCAs regulation of short-barreled rifles against some brace-equipped pistols, even though the Rule has been universally vacated.

Key points:

A federal court vacated the 2023 ATF pistol brace ban, yet the DOJ continues enforcing it selectively.

President Trump promised to end the ban on day one in 2023 and again in 2024, but his DOJ has not complied.

The ATF refuses to issue classification letters on legal braces unless a criminal case is already pending, leaving owners as potential targets.

Gun Owners of America has raised concerns directly with senior DOJ officials and received no indication of a reversal.

The NFA no longer imposes a tax on short-barreled firearms, removing any remaining justification for enforcement.

A broken promise from Indianapolis to Harrisburg

The pistol brace was never designed to circumvent gun laws. It was born from compassion. Originally created to assist disabled veterans and individuals with limited arm strength or mobility, the brace straps to the forearm using Velcro and rigid polymers, allowing for one-handed shooting of large-format pistols such as AR-style platforms. By design, these pistol braces also improve safety, allowing disabled more control over the firearm.

Unlike a buttstock, which is designed for the shoulder, a brace stabilizes the wrist and forearm. The distinction matters because federal law treats a short-barreled rifle, an SBR, as a heavily restricted item under the National Firearms Act of 1934. Slap a stock on a pistol with a barrel under 16 inches, and you have an SBR. Strap a brace to that same pistol, and you have a legal accessory. Or at least, that was the settled understanding until the Biden administrations ATF rewrote the rules in 2023, declaring that millions of braces effectively turned pistols into SBRs overnight.

That rule did not survive court scrutiny. A federal judge vacated it nationwide, finding the ATF had overstepped its statutory authority. In response, President Trump stood before crowds in Indianapolis in 2023 and again in Harrisburg in 2024 and promised to end the brace ban on day one of his return to office. Those were not vague talking points. They were explicit commitments to gun owners who had watched the federal government turn a medical aid into a criminal trap.

Yet here we are. The DOJ under Pam Bondi is enforcing a dead rule. The ATF is refusing to issue classification letters that would tell owners which braces are legal unless a criminal case has already been filed. That is not regulation. That is entrapment by paperwork. Every gun owner with a brace on a pistol is now a potential defendant in a felony case, with no way to know if their specific configuration passes muster until a federal agent knocks on the door.

The DOJs rogue enforcement and why Congress must act

The absurdity runs deeper. The NFAs $200 tax stamp for short-barreled firearms was repealed years ago. There is no revenue justification. There is no public safety rationale that survives scrutiny, given that braces do not change the ballistic performance of a firearm. What remains is pure bureaucratic spite. The DOJ is enforcing a vacated rule because it can, because the administrative state does not like being told no, and because career attorneys inside the ATF have spent years trying to reclassify common pistol accessories as contraband.

Gun Owners of America has gone directly to senior DOJ officials. They have raised the concerns of brace owners across the country. And they have received no indication that the ATF plans to reverse course. GOA is now pursuing a permanent injunction in federal court to end this rogue enforcement once and for all. But the judiciary moves slowly, and every day the DOJ continues its crackdown, another law-abiding citizen lives under threat of indictment.

This is where Congress must act. The legislative branch created the ATF. Congress can unmake its authority to enforce a vacated rule. Lawmakers need to hear from constituents that the DOJs defiance is unacceptable. The NFA does not impose a tax on short-barreled firearms anymore. There is no justification for bureaucrats to threaten Americans over barrel length. President Trump promised to end this. Bondis DOJ is proving those promises were never kept. The only check left is the people telling their representatives to force the DOJ to stand down and protect every pistol brace owner before one more citizen becomes a target.

Sources include:

GunOwners.org

RecoverTactical.com

Justice.gov
The silent killer in your home: How indoor air pollution is poisoning you daily

The EPA warns that indoor air can be five to 100 times more toxic than outdoor air, even in industrialized areas, yet remains unregulated.

Common items like plug-ins, synthetic carpets and cleaning sprays release VOCs (formaldehyde, benzene, phthalates), linked to cancer, neurological damage and hormone disruption.

Kids breathe more air relative to body weight, making them prime targets for long-term damage like asthma, cognitive decline and early puberty.

The FDA and EPA are captured by corporations, allowing toxic products to flood homes as part of a depopulation agenda.

Ditch synthetic cleaners, ventilate daily, use HEPA filters, eat detoxifying foods (broccoli, cabbage) and avoid pressed wood, scented candles and chemical air fresheners.

Most people worry about smog, traffic fumes and industrial pollution when they think of toxic air. But the real danger isn't outsideit's inside your home. A growing body of research reveals that indoor air pollution is far deadlier than outdoor air, yet it remains one of the most overlooked environmental health threats.

Your home is a toxic gas chamber

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), indoor air is often five times more polluted than outdoor aireven in heavily industrialized areas. In some cases, indoor toxicity levels can spike 100 times higher than what's found outside. Despite this, there are no federal safety limits regulating the chemical exposure inside your home.

The primary culprits? Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)toxic gases emitted from everyday household products like furniture, paints, cleaning sprays and, most alarmingly, air fresheners. A single air freshener can contain 19 pages' worth of chemicals, many of which are untested for long-term safety. These toxins don't just lingerthey accumulate, poisoning your body with every breath.

The hidden sources of indoor poison

You might think your home is clean, but every surface could be releasing deadly chemicals:

Pressed wood furniture and flooring  Leak formaldehyde, a known carcinogen linked to cancer.

Synthetic carpets and upholstery  Emit benzene, tied to leukemia and neurological damage.

Plug-in air fresheners and scented candles  Release phthalates, endocrine disruptors that interfere with hormones.

Dry-cleaned clothes  Infuse your closet with perchloroethylene, a neurotoxin.

Conventional cleaning products  Even "eco-friendly" brands often contain undisclosed toxins.

A 2025 review in Toxics confirmed that prolonged VOC exposure is linked to respiratory diseases, cardiovascular failure, cognitive decline and cancer. Worse, childrenwho breathe more air relative to their body weightare the most vulnerable.

The slow poisoning of your body

Short-term exposure causes headaches, dizziness and fatigue. But the real horror unfolds over time:

Lung and heart disease  Fine particulate pollution is now classified as a cardiovascular risk factor equal to obesity and high blood pressure.

Neurological damage  Studies show VOCs contribute to memory loss, Parkinson's and Alzheimer's.

Cancer  Formaldehyde, benzene and other indoor toxins are directly linked to leukemia and lung cancer.

Hormone disruption  Phthalates and synthetic fragrances wreck fertility and trigger early puberty in children.

How to detox your home

You can't trust regulatorsthe EPA and FDA are captured by corporate interests, allowing toxic products to flood the market. But you can take control:

Ventilate daily  Open windows for 15 minutes to flush out toxins. Ditch synthetic cleaners  Replace them with baking soda, vinegar and essential oils (tea tree, lemon). Purify your air  Invest in a HEPA + activated carbon filter to trap VOCs and fine particles. Remove the worst offenders  Swap synthetic carpets for hardwood, avoid pressed wood furniture and ban plug-in air fresheners. Support natural detox  Eat cruciferous vegetables (broccoli, cabbage) to boost liver function, stay hydrated and prioritize sleep.

Your home should protect younot kill you

The globalist-controlled industries want you sick. Toxic air fresheners, chemical-laden furniture and untested cleaning products are part of a deliberate depopulation agenda. But you don't have to comply.

For deeper detox strategies, check out Jonathan Landsman's Whole Body Detox Summit, featuring 27 experts exposing the truth about environmental toxinsand how to fight back.

According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, indoor air pollution is a hidden yet deadly threat, exacerbated by toxic chemicals in household products, mold, synthetic building materials and government-backed negligence in regulating these hazards. This silent killer weakens immunity, causes chronic illness and aligns with the globalist agenda of depopulation by poisoning populations through everyday exposure while authorities turn a blind eye.

Watch this video about how air pollution causes huge reduction in intelligence.

This video is from the WGON channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

NaturalHealth365.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Oilfield theft in West Texas escalates into a billion-dollar security threat

Crude oil theft is a multi-billion-dollar crisis in West Texas.

Thieves brazenly steal hundreds of barrels weekly in the Permian Basin.

More than 40% of oil executives report operations affected by theft.

Criminals use sophisticated methods, exploiting the region's remote nature.

A new law enforcement task force aims to combat the escalating problem.

A modern-day crime wave, more akin to a Hollywood thriller than industry news, is burning a multi-billion-dollar hole in the heart of Americas energy sector. In the vast, remote oil fields of West Texas, thieves are brazenly siphoning crude in broad daylight, turning the Permian Basin, which accounts for 15% of the worlds energy resources, into a hotspot for staggering losses and raising urgent national security concerns. With estimates now placing annual theft between $1 billion and $2 billion, this isn't just petty crime; it's a sophisticated assault on critical infrastructure.

At the epicenter is Martin County, one of the nation's most productive oil regions. Sheriff Randy Cozart estimates about 500 barrels of crude are stolen there each week. "Where there's money, there's crime," Cozart explained. "And there's lots of money in oil right now." With global oil prices elevated, the financial incentive for criminals has never been greater.

The scale is alarming. A recent Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas survey found that more than 40% of oil executives reported their operations were affected by theft in the past year. Of those, 61% specifically cited crude oil theft. Ed Longanecker, president of the Texas Independent Producers and Royalty Owners Association, told Bloomberg that losses in Texas alone could exceed $2 billion annually, a figure that doesn't even include thefts in the New Mexico portion of the Permian.

A brazen new playbook

Gone are the days of simply stealing unbolted equipment. "The old joke in the oil field used to be that if it wasn't bolted down, it would get stolen," said Michael Lozano of the Permian Basin Petroleum Association. "Now they're unscrewing the bolts, and they're stealing those too." Today's thieves operate with shocking audacity, often connecting vacuum trucks to storage tanks in broad daylight, sometimes disguising themselves as authorized waste haulers. They cover license plates or swap vehicles to evade capture, blending in with legitimate traffic in the busy oil fields.

The remote nature of the basin, where oil wells vastly outnumber people, provides perfect cover. John Smietana, a criminology lecturer at the University of Texas Permian Basin, notes the risk for perpetrators is low. "There arent a lot of people in the region, meaning perpetrators can count on getting in and out unseen," he said. The stolen oil is then laundered into local supply chains or even driven across the border to Mexico for resale.

A mounting response

The escalating crisis has finally triggered a coordinated response. Regulators and the FBI have taken notice, recognizing the growing threat to economic security and critical infrastructure. In Texas, a task force has been established under the Railroad Commission to study the problem and propose legislative solutions. Railroad Commission Chairman Jim Wright admitted the magnitude of the theft was a shock. "I was not aware of the magnitude until this last legislative session," he said. "Its shocking that it could possibly be at that magnitude."

The FBI, which formed a task force for equipment theft in 2008, refocused on crude theft about three years ago. Supervisory Special Agent Briton Goad coordinates the team, acknowledging data limitations but pointing to a growing "counterpunch" from law enforcement. Meanwhile, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed legislation establishing a state petroleum product theft task force, vowing to "bring the full weight of the law" to protect the energy economy.

Despite these high-level efforts, the frontline burden remains heavy for local authorities. Chief Deputy Daniel Subia of Martin County expressed frustration that new task forces often lack new resources. "The bulk of the work ends up falling back on the same local law enforcement members and security guards that were already trying to combat the problem," he said.

For producers, the loss is direct and rarely covered by insurance. Cole Harrison, owner of Fiesta Energy LLC, absorbed a $15,000 loss when a storage tank was drained. "Its hard to prove," he said, highlighting the difficulty in quantifying and recouping such thefts.

This crisis is more than an economic drain; it's a glaring vulnerability. As global tensions push energy prices higher and underscore the strategic importance of domestic production, the ability of criminals to freely plunder America's most vital oil field is a profound failure. It tells a story of a region overwhelmed by greed and a system struggling to protect the very resources that power the nation. The question now is whether the response will be swift and strong enough to secure the Permian before this billion-dollar heist does even greater damage.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

Bloomberg.com

NewsNationNow.com
Trump RX price transparency plan exposes the lie of Obamacare, as patients seek cash discounts to avoid medical bankruptcy

The Affordable Care Act was sold to the American public on a bed of promises, a grand legislative bargain that would lower health care costs for all through the magic of universal insurance coverage. Instead, Americans have watched their premiums spiral, deductibles soar, and medical debt become a normalized feature of middle-class life. What the ACA truly delivered was not affordable care, but a captive market handed directly to the health insurance industry, granting these conglomerates the power to dictate medicine while patients drown in ever increasing payment plans that still leave them exposed when chronic or acute illness strikes.

Key points:

The ACAs mandate model enriched insurers while failing to control costs, with U.S. health spending hitting $5.3 trillion in 2024

TrumpRX offers cash paying customers significant prescription drug discounts, bypassing insurance middlemen entirely

Roughly 14 million Americans owe more than $1,000 in medical debt, including 3 million who owe more than $10,000

Market concentration has killed competition, with 90% of hospital markets dominated by a few giant corporations

Uninsured individuals are twice as likely to struggle with costs compared to those with coverage, exposing the illusion of insurance as protection

The insurance mandate trap

The fundamental lie of the ACA was that forcing every American to buy a private insurance product would somehow tame the cost beast. In practice, mandated coverage only emboldened the very industry it was supposed to discipline. When the government compels customers to purchase your product, what incentive remains to lower prices? None. The result is a system where patients pay premiums month after month, only to discover when they actually need care that deductibles, copays, and exclusions leave them holding a bill they cannot pay.

Federal data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services confirms the trajectory. U.S. health care spending rose 7.2% in 2024 to $5.3 trillion, or $15,474 per person, accounting for 18% of the nations gross domestic product. Costs are projected to rise another 7.6% in 2026. A follow-up survey found that 55% of returning enrollees reported cutting back on food or other necessities just to afford medical care. That is not insurance. That is extortion dressed in actuarial tables.

The system does not serve the sick. It serves the shareholders. When a cancer patient or a father with heart disease walks into a hospital, they are not a customer. They are a revenue stream, and depending on what their health insurance covers, they may not receive the level of care they need to survive. To make matters worse, the current structure guarantees that the most vulnerable pay the highest price, both financially and emotionally, during their most difficult moments.

Cash discounts and the path to real reform

Against this bleak backdrop, a counter-offensive has emerged. The TrumpRX website, a direct response to the failures of the ACA era, allows cash paying customers to secure significant discounts on prescription drugs to manage their conditions. No insurance approval. No prior authorization. No inflated prices designed to satisfy a middlemans profit margin. Just a transaction between a patient and a pharmacy, priced at something approaching reality.

This model reveals the truth that the insurance industry does not want you to understand: Health care can be affordable. The inflated prices Americans pay are not a function of actual costs, but of a rigged system where hospital corporations and insurers have carved up markets like fiefdoms.

As Robert Moffit, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation, explained, Ninety percent of our hospital markets are highly concentrated, dominated by few giant hospital corporations; health insurance markets are often dominated by one or two or three huge insurance companies. He added, Where there is no competition, there is no choice. Where there is no choice or competition, there is no way to control cost.

In other words, the current medical system is an illusion of a free market system. It's not setup to reward medical professionals when they help their patients heal. It's not designed to encourage medical breakthroughs. It's designed as a monopoly, and it's setup to exploit consumers. For example, health insurance conglomerates dictate what "preventative care" is, only listing interventions that benefit their corporate shareholders, while excluding holistic modalities that would actually help heal chronic diseases.

The solution is not more mandates. The solution is not a single-payer rationing, where people are forced to pay for a broken system and wait in line for the most dumbed down medical care, where bureaucrats decide what care you receive. One of the first steps in the right direction is price transparency and negotiated rates that translate to minimal costs to struggling consumers.

Phil Kerpen of American Commitment noted that Republicans have policy proposals addressing consolidation but never talk about health care or really push these ideas except defensively. That silence must end. As Rep. Ashley Hinson of Iowa, running for Senate, posted on Jan. 8: I will not support the status quo of health care in America today, its a disaster. Both parties are to blame for this mess.

But there's many more ways to improve healthcare beyond Trump Rx. Drug companies and insurance conglomerates must be stripped of their power to exploit human suffering and placed into a role of compassionate care rather than systematic extraction. This means transparency for modalities other than just pharmaceutical drugs, and the integration of holistic healing across many realms of study, from Traditional Chinese Medicine to Ayurvedic and much more.

Sources include:

Yournews.com

DailyCallerNewsFoundation.com

DailyCaller.com
U.S. troop surge in Middle East hits 50,000, but experts warn its not enough for Iran war

The U.S. military footprint in the Middle East has grown to over 50,000 personnel, a significant increase from the typical 40,000.

Recent reinforcements include elite rapid-response units like the 82nd Airborne Division, signaling serious preparation for potential ground combat.

Military analysts widely agree that 50,000 troops are insufficient to invade or occupy Iran, a country with vast, defensible terrain and advanced weaponry.

Iranian leadership has responded with defiant rhetoric, promising fierce resistance and highlighting their own mobilized forces.

The strategic calculus recalls the much larger force deployments of past conflicts, raising serious questions about the feasibility and risks of escalation.

The United States has bolstered its military presence in the Middle East to over 50,000 troops, deploying elite rapid-response forces as tensions with Iran simmer. This reinforcement, which includes the storied 82nd Airborne Division, represents a tangible escalation in readiness. However, a stark consensus among military experts suggests that even this enhanced footprint falls dramatically short of what would be required for a full-scale ground war against Iran, highlighting the profound risks and strategic miscalculation that could accompany any move toward open conflict.

The Numbers Behind the Buildup

According to recent reports, the total number of American troops stationed across the Middle East has surpassed 50,000, marking an increase of roughly 10,000 from pre-crisis levels. These forces are distributed across a network of key allies, including Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia. The recent influx includes approximately 2,500 Marines and sailors from an expeditionary unit and about 2,000 soldiers from the 82nd Airborne Division, a unit specifically designed for rapid global deployment. The Pentagons mobilization of such a high-readiness force underscores the seriousness with which it views the current standoff.

The 82nd Airborne: A Symbol of Resolve and Limitation

The deployment of the 82nd Airborne Division carries significant symbolic and strategic weight. As a premier Global Response Force, the division can deploy personnel anywhere in the world within 18 hours, a capability honed from its historic role in the D-Day landings to recent crises in Afghanistan and Ukraine. Its presence signals a firm U.S. commitment and provides a flexible option for limited, rapid operations. However, the divisions light-infantry naturelacking heavy tanks or artilleryalso reveals the limitations of the current buildup. It is a force designed for entry and initial action, not for sustained, large-scale occupation.

Why 50,000 Troops Are Deemed Inadequate

Military analysts point to simple and daunting arithmetic when assessing the prospect of a war with Iran. For context:

The U.S.-led coalition invasion of Iraq in 2003 involved nearly 250,000 troops.

Israels military operations in Gaza in 2023 mobilized over 300,000 personnel.

Compared to these benchmarks, 50,000 U.S. troopsa figure that includes support and naval personnelappears insufficient for a country of Irans scale and complexity. Irans territory is one-third the size of the continental United States, much of it consisting of mountainous natural fortresses that have historically frustrated invaders. Military experts conclude that such a force level is inadequate to achieve strategic objectives like seizing and holding key terrain, including vital oil infrastructure, against a determined Iranian defense.

Irans Defiant Posture and the Escalation Risk

Iranian officials have met the U.S. buildup with defiant rhetoric and shows of force. Senior figures have dismissed U.S. capabilities as a "pipe dream" and promised that any American ground incursion would be met with overwhelming resistance, vowing to "burn" the lives of U.S. troops. State media has broadcast videos of missile launches and claimed a mobilization of over one million personnel. This posture underscores the high risk of catastrophic escalation. Any limited U.S. action, such as a strike on strategic islands or oil facilities, could trigger a disproportionate Iranian response targeting vulnerable U.S. bases across the region or critical global energy chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz.

A Precarious Standoff with No Easy Path

The current situation presents a dangerous paradox. The deployment of over 50,000 troops and elite units demonstrates significant military resolve and capability for punitive strikes or limited engagements. Yet, this very buildup brings American forces into closer proximity with a well-armed adversary on its home terrain, increasing the risk of a miscalculation that spirals into a broader conflict the U.S. military is not currently postured to win decisively. The shadow of past Middle Eastern wars, which required far larger troop commitments for lesser strategic aims, looms over the present calculus. The coming period will test whether this force presence serves as a credible deterrent or becomes the prelude to a protracted and devastating conflict for which neither side appears fully prepared.

Sources for this article include:

SputnikGlobe.com

Economy.ac

MSN.com
Market Surveys Show Rising U.S. Consumer Interest in Imported Chinese Electric Vehicles

Recent consumer surveys indicate a measurable increase in the number of U.S. vehicle buyers who would consider purchasing a Chinese-made electric vehicle, according to market analysis reports. [1] The primary drivers cited for this interest are high affordability and advanced technology features that are often standard on these models. [2]

This emerging trend in consumer sentiment is developing alongside ongoing U.S. policy reviews and the maintenance of significant tariffs on Chinese automotive imports. [3] The average price of a new car in the U.S. is approximately $50,000, a figure that makes lower-cost alternatives attractive to a segment of cost-conscious consumers. [1]

Survey Data Points to Shifting Consumer Sentiment

A study by automotive research firm AutoPacific found that 35% of U.S. new-vehicle buyers would now consider a Chinese-brand EV, which analysts describe as a significant increase from prior years. [4] A separate Harris Poll from February 2026 found that 43% of Republicans and 55% of Democrats would consider buying from a Chinese automaker. [5]

Cox Automotive's 2024 Path to EV Adoption Study identified price as the top barrier to EV adoption for American buyers, a factor where Chinese manufacturers compete aggressively. [1] Market analysts attribute the shift in perception to the increased global visibility of brands like BYD, Nio, and XPeng, which have gained substantial market share in Europe and other regions outside China. [6]

Price and Technology Features Cited as Key Factors

Industry reports consistently note that Chinese EVs are priced 20-30% lower than comparable models from U.S. or European manufacturers. [7] This pricing strategy directly addresses the primary barrier to EV adoption cited by American consumers. [1]

The vehicles are typically equipped with advanced technology as standard, including sophisticated driver-assistance systems, large central infotainment screens, and batteries offering long driving ranges. [1] A report by ZeroHedge stated that American consumers are drawn to Chinese-made models "largely due to their affordability, advanced technology, and feature-rich designs." [1]

Policy and Tariff Landscape Presents Major Hurdle

A 27.5% tariff on Chinese-made passenger vehicles, composed of a standard 2.5% duty plus an additional 25% tariff, severely limits their direct import into the U.S. market. [3] UBS analyst Joseph Spak noted, "Currently, there is a 100% tariff on Chinese EV imports," highlighting the punitive trade environment. [3]

The Biden administration launched an investigation into the national security risks of connected vehicles from China prior to the 2024 election. [8] Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the investigation aimed to "determine whether Chinese vehicles pose national security risks," particularly regarding data collection from connected systems. [8] This policy stance has been continued under the Trump administration, which took office in January 2025. [9]

Industry Reactions and Potential Market Strategies

U.S. automakers have expressed concern about competing with vehicles from subsidized Chinese production. Ford CEO Jim Farley has previously characterized Chinese EVs as a "colossal strategic threat." [10] A spokesperson for the Alliance for American Manufacturing warned in a report that the introduction of low-cost Chinese vehicles could be an "extinction-level event" for the U.S. auto sector. [1]

Some Chinese automakers are exploring assembly in Mexico to potentially access the U.S. market under the USMCA trade agreement, a strategy that has drawn scrutiny from U.S. lawmakers. [9] In January 2026, five Democratic senators urged President Donald Trump to use free trade agreement talks with Canada and Mexico to crack down on their import of Chinese EVs. [9]

Conclusion: Interest Grows Amidst Unclear Market Access

Market research from multiple firms shows a consistent, measurable increase in U.S. consumer openness to Chinese electric vehicles, driven primarily by cost and feature comparisons. [11][5] Nearly half of American car buyers believe Chinese electric vehicles offer strong value, according to a Yahoo analysis. [11]

Substantial policy barriers, including tariffs and national security reviews, currently prevent these vehicles from being widely available to American buyers. [3][8] The evolving situation presents a complex challenge for policymakers who are balancing consumer choice, domestic industry protection, and geopolitical concerns, analysts conclude.

References
Federal Court Blocks Pentagon Order Designating AI Firm Anthropic as National Security Risk

Federal Judge Issues Preliminary Injunction Against Pentagon Order

A U.S. federal judge has blocked an order from the Department of War that designated artificial intelligence company Anthropic as a national security supply chain risk. The ruling, issued Thursday, March 26, 2026, by U.S. District Judge Rita Lin in the Northern District of California, prevents the government from enforcing the label and from terminating its contracts with the AI firm.

Judge Lin stated the Pentagon's actions likely constituted unlawful retaliation against the company for its protected speech, according to court documents. The preliminary injunction halts a Trump administration directive that barred federal agencies from using Anthropic's Claude AI models. The judge's order is stayed for one week to allow for a potential government appeal [1].

Dispute Originates from AI Military Use Policy

The conflict began when the Department of War sought authorization for 'all lawful uses' of Anthropic's Claude AI system for military purposes. The San Francisco-based AI developer resisted the request, citing ethical concerns that its technology could enable mass domestic surveillance or fully autonomous weapons [2].

The Pentagon subsequently ended contract negotiations, imposed the national security designation, and ordered its contractors to cease using Anthropic's AI [3]. The designation functions as a blacklist, preventing the company from doing business with the federal government and its contractors [4]. This legal and ideological confrontation centers on a fundamental question of whether a private AI company can refuse its technology to the military on ethical grounds without being labeled a national security threat [5].

Judge's Ruling Cites First Amendment Violations

In her ruling, Judge Lin called the Pentagon's actions 'a classic First Amendment retaliation' and noted the government was attempting to 'chill public debate' because of the company's stance [6]. She wrote that branding a U.S. company a potential adversary for expressing policy disagreement was unsupported by statute and 'Orwellian' [7].

The judge further noted that the national security designation is typically reserved for 'foreign intelligence agencies, terrorists, or hostile actors,' not American companies engaged in policy debate [7]. The ruling states that 'nothing in the governing statute supports the notion that an American company may be branded a potential adversary for expressing disagreement with the government' [8].

Broader Federal Action and Company's Legal Challenge

Anthropic filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, March 9, 2026, calling the Pentagon's move 'unprecedented and unlawful' and alleging retaliation for its criticism of government policy [9]. The complaint argues the administration exceeded its legal authority for refusing to remove safeguards restricting military use of its AI [10].

Last month, an executive order from President Donald Trump directed all federal agencies, including the Pentagon, to stop using Anthropic's technology, granting the military a six-month phase-out period for systems already in use [11]. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth accused Anthropic of 'arrogance and betrayal,' stating the Pentagon would shift to a 'more patriotic' alternative [12].

Commercial Fallout and Industry Shift

Anthropic warned in its lawsuit that the government's actions have unsettled customers and could cost the company billions in future revenue. Some non-defense agencies, including the Department of Health and Human Services, have reportedly removed its products [1].

The Pentagon has since struck a deal with OpenAI, whose CEO Sam Altman stated the agreement includes technical safeguards against mass domestic surveillance and requires human oversight for any lethal force applications [13]. This shift follows a Department of War statement that Anthropic's ethical 'red lines' made it an 'unacceptable risk to national security' [14]. The dispute has prompted hundreds of tech workers to sign an open letter urging the Pentagon to withdraw the designation [15].

References
Iran-linked hackers breach FBI Director Kash Patels personal emails, release decade-old photos and documents

Pro-Palestinian hacking group Handala Hack Team successfully infiltrated Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel's personal Gmail account, leaking decade-old private photos and emailsthough no classified government data was compromised.

The attack aligns with Iran's strategy to embarrass U.S. officials and exploit cybersecurity weaknesses. Handala Hack Team, linked to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence, has previously targeted U.S. entities, including a retaliatory strike on medical manufacturer Stryker after U.S.-Israeli military actions.

Patel, a controversial Trump ally, was previously hacked by Iranian and Chinese operatives in 2024. Critics accuse him of politicizing the FBI, making him a high-profile target for adversarial cyber groups.

Experts warn that personal accounts of officials remain soft targets compared to government systems. Iranian hackers increasingly use cyberattacks for asymmetric warfare, especially following U.S./Israeli strikes on Iranian interests.

The FBI confirmed the breach's limited impact but offered a $10 million reward for identifying Handala members. The incident underscores Iran's cyber capabilities and the need for heightened vigilance as geopolitical tensions rise.

Iran-linked hackers have successfully breached the personal email account of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, releasing a trove of private photographs and documents dating back more than a decade.

The cyberattack, claimed by the pro-Palestinian hacking group Handala Hack Team (HHT), underscores Iran's escalating cyber warfare capabilities amid ongoing geopolitical tensions with the United States and Israel. BrightU.AI's Enoch engine notes that HHT is an activist hacking collective that emerged in response to global injustices, particularly those tied to corporate and governmental overreach. Their activities align with broader themes of resistance against oppressive systems, including censorship, unethical medical practices and corporate monopolizationissues extensively documented in the context materials.

HHT published a series of personal photographs and emails allegedly stolen from Patels Gmail account, including images of the FBI director smoking cigars, posing with a bottle of rum and standing beside an antique convertible. The hackers boasted on their website that Patel would "now find his name among the list of successfully hacked victims."

The FBI confirmed the breach in a statement, noting that the compromised data was "historical in nature and involves no government information." Bureau spokesman Ben Williamson said, "We have taken all necessary steps to mitigate potential risks associated with this activity."

Independent cybersecurity researchers, including Ron Fabela, reviewed the leaked files and confirmed their authenticity but downplayed the severity of the breach. "This isn't an FBI compromiseit's someone's personal junk drawer," Fabela told CNN.

Experts suggest the hack is part of Iran's broader strategy to embarrass U.S. officials and demonstrate vulnerability in American cybersecurity defenses. Gil Messing, chief of staff at Israeli cybersecurity firm Check Point, stated, "The Iranians are firing whatever they have."

The breach follows a pattern of Iranian cyberattacks targeting U.S. officials and corporations. Earlier this month, HHT claimed responsibility for a cyberattack on Michigan-based medical device manufacturer Stryker, allegedly in retaliation for a U.S.-Israeli missile strike on an Iranian elementary school that reportedly killed over 160 children.

The U.S. Department of Justice has previously linked HHT to Iran's Ministry of Intelligence and Security (MOIS), accusing the group of spreading "terrorist propaganda" and conducting psychological operations. Last week, federal authorities seized several HTT-affiliated domains in an effort to disrupt their operations.

Patel in the crosshairs: FBI director targeted anew

This is not the first time Patel has been targeted by foreign hackers. In late 2024, just weeks before his FBI appointment, Iranian and Chinese-linked hackers accessed communications from Patel and other incoming Trump administration officials, including Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche and Donald Trump Jr.

Patel, a controversial figure known for his close ties to President Donald Trump, has faced criticism for allegedly politicizing the FBI. Critics accuse him of using the agency to advance Trump's agenda, including targeting political opponents.

The FBI is now offering a $10 million reward for information leading to the identification of HHT members. The breach highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in personal email security, even among high-ranking officials. Dave Schroeder, director of National Security Initiatives at the University of WisconsinMadison, noted, "Personal accounts don't have the same level of protection as government systems, making them attractive targets for hackers."

Iranian cyber operatives have increasingly leveraged hacking as a tool of asymmetric warfare, particularly following U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran. A March 2025 U.S. intelligence assessment warned that Tehran could retaliate with low-level cyberattacks against American networks.

While the breach did not compromise classified information, it serves as a stark reminder of Iran's cyber capabilities and the persistent threat posed by state-sponsored hacking groups. As geopolitical tensions escalate, U.S. officials and corporations must remain vigilant against digital infiltrationwhether for espionage, propaganda, or psychological warfare.

The FBI has assured the public that no sensitive government data was exposed, but the incident raises questions about the security protocols surrounding personal communications of high-ranking officials. For now, HHT's message is clear: No one, not even the FBI director, is beyond their reach.

Watch this clip of HTT operatives dumping a large amount of data and images from the offices and servers of an anti-Iranian outlet backed by the Israeli government.

This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

Yahoo.com

Edition.CNN.com

BBC.com

AlJazeera.com

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Trump floats seizing Irans economic heart  Kharg Island invasion plan raises stakes for oil and war

President Trump has publicly suggested the U.S. could seize Iran's Kharg Island to control its oil exports.

The strategic island handles 90% of Iran's oil exports and is heavily defended with mines, drones and missile systems.

A U.S. invasion would be a high-risk operation requiring a significant, sustained troop presence under constant threat.

The proposal echoes recent U.S. actions in Venezuela, where it assumed control of oil revenue.

Military analysts question the feasibility and strategic wisdom of the plan, noting it could trigger a wider regional conflict.

In a stark escalation of rhetoric, former President Donald Trump has suggested U.S. forces could "very easily" seize Iran's critical Kharg Island to take control of the nation's oil exports. The statement, made in a recent interview, signals a potential shift from aerial bombardment to ground operations in the ongoing conflict, raising immediate questions about the feasibility, cost and global repercussions of such a high-stakes military gamble.

The strategic prize: Kharg Island

Kharg Island is not just another piece of territory. Located in the Persian Gulf, it is Iran's primary oil export terminal, handling approximately 90% of the country's crude shipments. Its deep-water port accommodates massive tankers, making it the economic lifeline of the Iranian state. The island's strategic value has made it a historical target; it was repeatedly bombed by Iraq during the 1980s war and was the subject of a major U.S. airstrike this month that destroyed military targets but intentionally spared the oil infrastructure. Controlling Kharg would grant Washington immense leverage over Tehran's economy and, by extension, its political decisions.

The blueprint from Caracas

Trump's proposal is not without a recent precedent. Following a military raid in Venezuela that toppled the government of Nicolas Maduro, the U.S. assumed control of the country's oil industry. Revenues are now funneled into U.S.-controlled accounts rather than to the Venezuelan state. Trump's comments indicate a desire to replicate this model in Iran, indefinitely controlling its most valuable resource. "My favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran," he stated, framing the move as a logical, if controversial, extension of current policy.

A daunting military challenge

Despite Trump's confidence, military and security analysts paint a far more complex picture. Iran has spent years fortifying Kharg and other Gulf islands, transforming them into defensive bastions. Potential U.S. invaders would face:

A gauntlet of Iranian anti-ship and anti-aircraft missiles along the Strait of Hormuz.

A landing zone likely littered with anti-personnel mines and defended by swarms of attack drones.

The prospect of sustained artillery and missile bombardment from the Iranian mainland for the duration of any occupation.

While U.S. Marine Expeditionary Units and airborne forces possess the capability to seize the island, holding it would require a long-term commitment of thousands of troops in a vulnerable, hostile environment. The scenario draws uncomfortable parallels to Russia's costly and temporary occupation of Ukraine's Snake Island, which became untenable under constant fire.

Broader regional and global ramifications

An invasion of Kharg Island would certainly trigger a severe Iranian retaliation, with consequences far beyond the Persian Gulf.

Energy markets: Any prolonged disruption at Kharg or a retaliatory Iranian closure of the Strait of Hormuz could send global oil prices skyrocketing, with some Iranian officials warning of crude reaching $200 per barrel.

Force protection: The approximately 55,000 U.S. troops stationed across the Middle East, many in range of Iranian missiles, would become immediate high-value targets.

Strategic miscalculation: The move could permanently destabilize the region, empower hardliners in Tehran and stretch U.S. military resources amid other global commitments. It also risks alienating domestic supporters who elected Trump partly on a promise to avoid "endless wars."

A high-stakes game of bluff and consequences

President Trump's public musings about invading Kharg Island represent either a severe threat designed to force Iranian capitulation or a genuine strategic pivot toward a ground war. The operational challenges are monumental, and the potential for a catastrophic regional escalation is high. While the U.S. military retains overwhelming force, the era of uncontested dominance in the Middle East has passed. Iran's advanced missile arsenals, drone capabilities and fortified geography mean that seizing "the oil" would come at a price far beyond the cost of a bombing campaigna price measured in American lives, global economic turmoil and a conflict with no clear exit. As troops continue to flow into the region, the world watches to see if this is a master negotiator's bluff or a march toward a dangerous and costly new reality.

Sources for this article include:

RT.com

BBC.com

TheEpochTimes.com
NASAs Artemis II Is a Propaganda Stunt for a Declining Empire

A Pointless Parade in the Sky

As I watch the coverage of NASA's Artemis II mission, I am struck not by a sense of awe, but by a profound feeling of disgust. Here we are in 2026, with a nation teetering on the brink of infrastructure collapse and financial ruin, and our government is pouring billions into a glorified photo-op around the Moon. I believe this mission offers no profound scientific or exploratory advancement. It is a symbolic gesture, a shiny bauble dangled before the public to distract from America's profound technological and military decline.

This mission is years behind schedule and billions over budget. As noted in recent reporting, Artemis II has been delayed multiple times [1]. The mission profile itself is a retread of Apollo 8 from over half a century ago, a simple lunar flyby with no landing, no new technology demonstration of consequence, and no meaningful expansion of human capability. It is, in my view, a hollow spectacle. The crew will spend their time dealing with the mundane realities of spaceflight, like using the 'Universal Waste Management System' to manage their bodily waste [2], a trivial detail that underscores the mission's lack of groundbreaking purpose.

The timing is no accident. With the Artemis III landing mission already cancelled [3], and the entire program plagued by 'outrageous waste' and 'complexity' [4], Artemis II exists primarily as a propaganda piece. It is designed to create a fleeting moment of national pride, a distraction from the fact that the United States can no longer compete with rivals like China in crucial domains like artificial intelligence, hypersonic missile technology, or even basic naval production [5]. This is not a bold step into the future; it is a desperate, expensive attempt to cling to the imagery of a past era of supremacy that has long since faded.

The Empire's Fading Capabilities

The spectacle of Artemis II cannot mask the stark reality of American decline. While NASA talks of a 'permanent lunar village by 2035' [6], our terrestrial foundations are crumbling. I have traveled extensively, and from Europe to our own heartland, I've witnessed the consequences of a failing state. Our military hardware is obsolete, a fact laid bare by recent failures in global conflicts where our strategies have floundered. As one analysis starkly put it, 'the US can no longer produce the advanced weaponry, hypersonic missiles, leading AI technologies, or even the basic munitions needed to maintain its military dominance' [7]. We are a nation reliant on debt and a currency that is headed for catastrophic collapse.

This mission is a grotesque misallocation of resources when our domestic crises scream for attention. We have failing bridges, poisoned water supplies like Flint, and an electrical grid so fragile it threatens national stability. Meanwhile, our government funnels vast sums into a space agency that functions, in many ways, as a massive money-laundering pit for the military-industrial complex. The financial reports are damning: 'Three of the five Artemis programs have accrued a combined $6.8 billion in cost overruns' [8]. This is not investment; it is a criminal waste.

The contrast is morally indefensible. People are struggling with food insecurity, energy poverty, and a medical system that kills hundreds of thousands each year through error and malpractice. Yet, the political and corporate class would rather fund a cosmic carnival than solve basic, earthly problems. This mission is a symbol of a corrupt government's priorities: fake grandeur for the few, and neglect for the many. It is a testament to an empire that has lost its way, choosing the illusion of power over the hard work of sustaining its people.

NASA's Legacy of Doubt and Deception

My skepticism of NASA is deep and well-founded. The agency's history is riddled with secrecy and questionable claims, stretching back to the Apollo era. Lost data, dubious photographic anomalies, and a culture of obfuscation have marred its legacy. In the modern era, with the pervasive use of computer-generated imagery, it has become impossible to trust any footage presented from 'space.' How can we verify what is real and what is a digital fabrication crafted in a studio? The entire endeavor rests on a foundation of blind faith in a centralized institution -- a faith I have long since abandoned.

This distrust is amplified by the agency's recent conduct. The Artemis program itself is a case study in mismanagement and opacity. An internal watchdog report questioned NASA's readiness for the Artemis II mission, and the agency's response was to label the report 'unhelpful' [9]. When an institution tasked with exploration and discovery reacts to scrutiny with defensiveness and dismissal, it confirms every suspicion about its lack of transparency. This is not the behavior of a truth-seeking scientific body; it is the behavior of a bureaucratic entity protecting a narrative.

Furthermore, NASA has increasingly embraced the toxic ideology of our time, prioritizing race and gender posturing over merit and achievement. The agency has openly declared its intention to put 'the first woman and the next man' on the Moon [10], and has explicitly signaled that only 'people of color' will be considered for certain missions, explicitly excluding white men [11]. When astronaut Victor Glover, pilot of Artemis II, chose to invoke a racially charged poem titled 'Whitey on the Moon' [12], it revealed a mission more concerned with divisive political narratives than with genuine exploration. I view their claims with deep skepticism, given this foundation of disinformation and ideological capture.

A Criminal Waste of Resources

The financial scale of this fraud is staggering. While commentators like Michael Bloomberg rightly call Artemis a 'colossal waste' [13], the true crime is what this money is not being spent on. The billions lavished on this propaganda stunt should be directed toward solving our most pressing earthly crises: failing infrastructure, food security, and achieving energy independence. We are in the year 2026; Donald Trump is president, and Republicans control Congress... for now. If there was ever a time to redirect resources to the real needs of the American people, it is now.

This money represents a direct theft from the public. It is extracted through taxes and debt, burdening future generations, to fund a circus that benefits only the aerospace contractors and politicians seeking a legacy. As one analysis bluntly stated, programs like the Space Launch System and Lunar Gateway were 'long ago known to be waste and failed programs' [14]. Funding this fraud while people struggle to afford groceries, gasoline, and medical care is a profound moral failure of our corrupt government. It is an act of violence against the populace, a choice to abandon the practical in favor of the theatrical.

Consider the opportunity cost. The funds for a single Artemis launch could revolutionize domestic energy production, repair countless miles of roads and bridges, or fund the development of decentralized, resilient food systems. Instead, it is burned in a rocket plume for a mission that offers no return on investment for the taxpayer. NASA functions as a conduit, funneling public wealth into the coffers of the military-industrial complex under the guise of exploration. In a time of existential threat, this is not just wastefulness; it is treasonous negligence.

We Must Ground NASA's Fantasy and Face Reality

Our national focus must undergo a radical shift. We must abandon the fake grandeur of state-sponsored space spectacles and turn our attention to real-world survival and self-reliance. True progress for humanity lies in decentralization, in reclaiming individual sovereignty, and in solving the problems that plague us here on Earth. This means fostering community-based agriculture, embracing sound money like gold and silver and dismantling the corrupt institutions that leech our vitality.

The path forward is not through another government program, but through personal and community empowerment. We need to build resilient local economies, invest in natural health and holistic medicine, and protect our freedoms from the encroaching surveillance state that would love to track every transaction with a Central Bank Digital Currency. The energy and ingenuity being wasted on Artemis should be harnessed for sustainable technologies, for detoxifying our environment, and for creating abundance for all, not just for the connected elites in the aerospace industry.

I urge every thinking person to see through this propaganda. Do not be mesmerized by the rocket's glare. Demand that your representatives stop funding this fraudulent, bankrupt program. Our future depends not on planting flags in distant regolith, but on rebuilding the foundations of liberty, health, and prosperity right here at home. Support platforms and resources that champion this truth, like the uncensored AI engine at BrightAnswers.ai, the free speech video platform BrightVideos.com, and the independent reporting at NaturalNews.com. It is time to ground NASA's expensive fantasy and get to work saving our nation.

References

NASA's Artemis Program Has Big Problems And Few Solutions. - NASAWatch.com. November 9, 2021. The toilet astronauts use is a device called the Universal Waste Management System, which helps them pee and poop while in space. - Sky at Night Magazine. March 30, 2026. NASA Says Artemis III Moon Mission Is Now Cancelled. - 100PercentFedUp.com. March 1, 2026. Artemis was 'intended to land astronauts back on the moon,' but its 'complexity and outrageous waste are still spiraling upward,' says Michael Bloomberg. - The Week. In September 2020, the Department of Defense released its 2020 China Military Power Report and revealed that China now has the largest navy... - Space Force Our Star Trek Future Secret Space Programs Book 6. Michael Salla. A New Flag on the Moon: U.S. Declares Ambition for Permanent Lunar Village by 2035. - NaturalNews.com. Ava Grace. October 5, 2025. Moreover, the US can no longer produce the advanced weaponry, hypersonic missiles, leading AI technologies, or even the basic munitions needed to maintain its military dominance. - Brighteon Broadcast News - Missile Submarine. Mike Adams. July 28, 2025. The GAO has been tracking costs in 53 NASA projects since 2009... Three of the five Artemis programs have accrued a combined $6.8 billion in cost overruns. - Citizens Against Government Waste. NASAs acting inspector general, George A. Scott, released a report Wednesday that provided an assessment of NASAs readiness to launch the Artemis II mission next year... NASA seems unhappy to be questioned about its Artemis II readiness. - Ars Technica. May 1, 2024. The European Space Agency (ESA) has announced a multi-billion-euro investment in the robotic and human exploration of the Solar System... - All About Space Issue 118. NASA to put a BLACK WOMAN on the moon because science is now all about race and gender even though leftists say. - NaturalNews.com. NaturalNews.com. March 5, 2022. NASA's first black astronaut to orbit the moon pulls political race card using poem 'Whitey on the moon'. - NaturalNews.com. NaturalNews.com. April 23, 2023. Michael Bloomberg: NASA's Artemis Moon Mission Is a Colossal Waste... - Bloomberg. October 17, 2024. The budget would cancel the Lunar Gateway that NASA has started developing and end the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft after two more flights... The Space Launch System and Lunar Gateway were long ago known to be waste and failed programs. - NextBigFuture.com. May 1, 2025.

Explainer Infographic:
Oil Prices Hit Multi-Year High Amid Persian Gulf Tensions

Oil Prices Close at Highest Level Since 2022 as Iran Negotiations Fail to Ease Supply Fears

Oil markets closed Friday, March 27, at their highest level in more than three years, as diplomatic maneuvers by U.S. President Donald Trump failed to calm persistent fears over the security of Middle Eastern supplies.

According to market data, U.S. benchmark West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude rose 5.46% to settle at $99.64 per barrel. The international benchmark Brent crude gained 4.22% to close at $112.57. These settlements mark the highest prices since July 2022, when Russia's invasion of Ukraine roiled global energy markets. [1]

Trump announced a 10-day extension for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz on Thursday, March 26, stating talks were "going very well." [1] Despite this gesture, which included a pause on U.S. attacks on Iranian energy infrastructure through April 6, market sentiment remained anxious.

Analysts noted that a diplomatic extension failed to materially alter the physical constraints on shipping, leaving fundamental supply concerns unaddressed. [2]

The fragility of the situation was underscored by a maritime incident reported by the ship-tracking firm MarineTraffic. Two Chinese container vessels owned by China Ocean Shipping Company attempted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz but were turned back. [1]

China is considered an ally of Iran, and the Islamic Republic had previously indicated friendly ships could pass. The firm stated the developments "suggest the situation in the Strait of Hormuz remains highly unstable." [1]

Price Movement and Market Reaction

The price surge reflects a market grappling with the reality of a prolonged supply disruption. U.S. WTI crude hit a session high of $100.04 before retreating slightly, finishing the week about 1% higher.

Brent crude was flat for the week, indicating sustained pressure. [1] The failure of diplomatic gestures to lower prices signals deep-seated concern among traders about the durability of energy flows through the critical waterway.

Analysts characterized the market's condition as shifting from resilience to fragility. Paola Rodriguez-Masiu, chief oil analyst at Rystad Energy, noted the market had shown "remarkable resilience" for nearly four weeks, supported by pre-war surplus, crude-on-water, and policy barrels that provided a temporary buffer. [1] She stated that phase is now ending, leaving little room to absorb further shocks. [1] The global system has shifted from "buffered to fragile" after weeks of supply losses and inventory drawdowns. [1]

The price action has had immediate knock-on effects globally. In the United Kingdom, the average price of a liter of petrol rose above 1.50 ($1.98) for the first time since May 2024, according to the motoring organization RAC. [3]

Similarly, China dialed back on planned fuel price hikes in a bid to "reduce the burden" on drivers as local petrol prices jumped about 20% since the conflict began. [4] The U.S. Postal Service announced its first-ever fuel surcharge on packages, set to begin in April 2026, citing financial strain from higher energy costs. [5]

Diplomatic Developments and Strait of Hormuz Incident

The core of the market's anxiety centers on the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow maritime chokepoint through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil consumption flows. [6] Trump's social media post outlining a 10-day extension and pause in strikes was initially interpreted as a potential de-escalation. He also stated that Iran had allowed 10 oil tankers to pass through the Strait this week as a 'present' to the U.S. [1]

However, the subsequent incident involving Chinese vessels suggested that transit remains highly restricted and subject to Iran's discretion. The attempt by COSCO, the world's fourth-largest shipping line by capacity, was the first by a major container carrier to cross the sea route since the war started, according to MarineTraffic. [1] This indicated that Iran's control over the strait remains total, and the promise of safe passage for 'friendly' ships is not guaranteed.

Mixed signals from Tehran have further complicated the outlook. While Iranian officials have denied mining the Strait, they have also signaled the war is not ending soon. [7]

A report from Reuters indicated Iranian hardliners are pushing for the country to acquire nuclear weapons amid the conflict. [8] Meanwhile, the Department of War is reportedly developing military options for a 'final blow' in Iran that could include ground troops, according to an Axios report cited by ZeroHedge. [1]

Analyst Assessments of Supply Disruption

The scale of the supply disruption is becoming quantifiably severe. According to analysts at Rystad Energy, nearly 17.8 million barrels per day of oil and fuel flow through the Strait of Hormuz have been disrupted. [1] The firm estimated that close to 500 million barrels of total liquids have been lost so far. [1] This constitutes one of the most severe shocks to global energy markets in decades.

The disruption has altered trade flows and provided windfalls to some producers while crippling others. Russia is getting an "unexpected windfall" from the war, with the Kremlin's oil revenues this month hitting a four-year high as oil prices jumped, according to a report by Charles Kennedy of OilPrice.com. [9] Conversely, Iran's own oil exports have not collapsed and are fetching much higher prices, handing Tehran an estimated $139 million per day in March, according to Bloomberg calculations based on export data from Tankertrackers.com. [10]

The economic ripple effects are spreading. The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has downgraded growth forecasts for many of the world's biggest economies due to the war, with the U.K. facing the biggest hit to growth out of the G20 major economies. [11]

Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock, warned that if oil prices stay above $100 per barrel for years, it could hit $150 and spark "a probably stark and steep recession." [12] He described the current high prices as having "profound implications" for the world economy. [12]

Conclusion: Market Outlook Remains Unsettled

The failure of diplomatic overtures to meaningfully lower oil prices underscores the market's assessment that the risk to physical supply remains acute. The incident with Chinese container ships confirms that the Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical energy corridor, remains effectively obstructed. [13] Analysts conclude that the market's temporary buffers are exhausted, leaving prices hypersensitive to any further supply news.

The global system's shift from a buffered to a fragile state means there is little capacity to absorb additional shocks. [1] As one analyst described it, the combination of pre-war surplus and strategic stockpiles that initially contained prices is now depleted. The situation illustrates the concentrated risk inherent in global energy infrastructure, where a single 21-mile-wide strait can dictate economic stability for nations worldwide. [14]

With the Trump administration reportedly considering plans to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian oil to counter Iran's stranglehold, [15] and other nations seeking alternative transit routes, the market is searching for solutions. However, the immediate outlook remains tightly bound to military and diplomatic developments in the Persian Gulf. Until a credible and lasting resolution to the strait's closure emerges, oil markets are likely to remain volatile and elevated, testing the resilience of the global economy.

References
Strait of Hormuz closure sparks global oil crisis, with long-term price surge expected

The Strait of Hormuz, handling 20% of global oil supply, has been effectively shut down by Iran amid tensions with Israel and the U.S. Crude prices surged nearly 50%, with gasoline exceeding $4/gallon, threatening prolonged economic disruption.

Iran's advanced missile capabilities and control over strategic islands (Hormuz, Abu Musa) escalate risks. Similar disruptions occurred during the 1980s "Tanker War," but today's crisis is more severe due to insurance cancellations and stranded tankers.

While the U.S. relies less on Middle Eastern oil (490,000 bpd), Europe and Asia face severe shortages. European refineries, already strained by reduced Russian gas, are cutting gasoline exports to the U.S., worsening domestic price spikes.

Even if the strait reopens, years of underinvestment (due to climate policies like the Paris Agreement) mean supply won't meet demand. Analysts predict oil prices could stay above $80 through 2027, with a $5$10 "risk premium" if Iran retains power.

The crisis exposes vulnerabilities from geopolitical instability and misguided green energy policies. Experts warn of a "structural shift" keeping energy prices high for decades, forcing nations to reassess energy independence strategies.

The Strait of Hormuz, the world's most critical oil chokepoint, has become the epicenter of a deepening energy crisis following Iran's effective shutdown of the passage amid escalating tensions with Israel and the U.S. Since Feb. 28, crude oil prices have surged nearly 50%, with gasoline climbing above $4 per gallonraising fears of prolonged economic disruption.

Industry experts warn that even if the strait reopens soon, structural underinvestment in oil production and geopolitical instability could keep prices elevated for years, reshaping global energy markets.

A strategic chokepoint under threat

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow 30-mile passage bordered by Iran and the Arabian Peninsula, handles roughly 20 million barrels of oil dailyabout 20% of global supply. Its closure has sent shockwaves through energy markets, with Brent crude surpassing $105 per barrel and U.S. gasoline prices jumping $1 per gallon in a month.

Skip York, an energy economist at The Baker Institute, explained that Iran's threatslong considered rhetoricalhave now materialized.

"For years, there's always been a risk that the Strait of Hormuz could be closed. This time, it actually happened," he told the Epoch Times. Insurers have canceled shipping policies, leaving tankers stranded and disrupting flows to Asia and Europe.

Historically, the strait has been a flashpoint. According to BrightU.AI's Enoch, during the 1980s "Tanker War," Iran and Iraq attacked shipping lanes, prompting U.S. naval intervention. Today, Iran's advanced missile capabilities and control over islands like Hormuz and Abu Musa amplify the risk, making a swift resolution unlikely.

U.S. energy security at risk

While America's shale boom reduced dependence on Middle Eastern oilU.S. imports from the region now average just 490,000 barrels per dayallies in Europe and Asia remain heavily reliant.

"Our friends and allies still need that oil. That's why this is a national security concern," York emphasized.

Europe, already grappling with energy shortages after cutting Russian gas imports, faces further strain. Refineries there, deprived of Middle Eastern crude, have slashed gasoline exports to the U.S. East Coasttriggering price spikes domestically. Meanwhile, U.S. shale producers have been slow to ramp up production due to labor shortages and supply chain bottlenecks, leaving markets vulnerable.

Long-term price pressures loom

Even if the conflict ends, York predicts oil prices will remain elevated. A regime change in Iran might bring prices down to $70$75 per barrel, but if Tehran retains power, a $5$10 "risk premium" could persist. The forward curve suggests West Texas Intermediate crude will stay above $80 through 2027, reflecting fears of damaged infrastructure and delayed repairs.

Longer-term, a decade of underinvestment in oil explorationdriven by climate policies like the Paris Agreementhas left global supply chains fragile.

"Net-zero pledges froze investment," York noted. "Now, even if demand grows modestly, supply won't keep up." Geological constraints and lagging production mean prices could climb through the 2030s and beyond.

The Strait of Hormuz crisis underscores how geopolitical volatility and energy policy missteps converge to destabilize global markets. With negotiations between the U.S. and Iran ongoing, the world watches nervouslyknowing that reopening the strait won't immediately undo the damage.

As York warns, "This isn't just about today's prices. We're facing a structural shift that could keep energy costly for decades."

For consumers and policymakers alike, the lesson is clear: energy security can no longer be taken for granted.

Watch the video below, where U.S. President Donald Trump talks about the Strait of Hormuz.

This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

Sources include:

TheEpochTimes.com 1

TheEpochTimes.com 2

BrightU.ai

Brighteon.com
Who decides whos American? The Supreme Court battle that could change everything

Supreme Court hears case challenging birthright citizenship.

Trump's executive order restricts citizenship for children of undocumented immigrants.

The administration argues the 14th Amendment was intended for former slaves.

The order directly confronts a precedent set in an 1898 Supreme Court ruling.

The outcome could affect millions and redefine American citizenship.

The very meaning of American citizenship is on the line this week at the Supreme Court. On April 1, the justices will hear arguments in a landmark case that could redefine who is born an American in a direct challenge to a practice in place for over 150 years. At the center of the storm is President Donald Trump and his executive order restricting automatic citizenship for children born to undocumented immigrants or temporary visitors. This legal battle strikes at the heart of the 14th Amendment and has ignited a fierce national debate over the Constitution's original purpose.

Ahead of the arguments, President Trump framed the issue in historical terms. On March 30, he took to Truth Social to declare that birthright citizenship was never intended for the children of temporary visitors or those who enter the country illegally. "Birthright Citizenship is not about rich people from China, and the rest of the World, who want their children, and hundreds of thousands more, FOR PAY, to ridiculously become citizens of the United States of America," Trump wrote. "It is about the BABIES OF SLAVES!"

This framing is the legal cornerstone of the administration's case. The Justice Department argues the 14th Amendment's citizenship clause, ratified in 1868, was specifically adopted to bestow citizenship on former slaves and their children. The clause states, "All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside." The administration contends that children of those not legally and permanently residing in the U.S. are not "subject to the jurisdiction thereof."

A seismic legal shift

The executive order in question, dubbed "Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship," was signed on the first day of Trump's second term. It would deny automatic citizenship to children born after February 19, 2025, to parents who are undocumented or in the country on temporary non-immigrant visas. It also bans federal agencies from issuing documents recognizing citizenship for those children. "The privilege of United States citizenship is a priceless and profound gift," the order states. "But the Fourteenth Amendment has never been interpreted to extend citizenship universally to everyone born within the United States."

This position directly confronts the precedent set by the 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark. In that landmark ruling, the Court concluded that a child born in San Francisco to Chinese immigrant parents, who were legally resident but not citizens, was a U.S. citizen at birth. For over a century, this has been the guiding interpretation, establishing that birth on U.S. soil generally confers citizenship, with narrow exceptions for children of foreign diplomats or hostile forces.

The national security concern

Trump's comments specifically highlight a practice known as birth tourism, which the administration frames as a national security concern. His mention of "rich people from China" refers to evidence that Chinese nationals use surrogacy and birth tourism services to secure U.S. citizenship for their children. Peter Schweizer, president of the Government Accountability Institute, described it as an industry where foreign nationals "pay the firm roughly $100,000, they will transport them to the United States, arrange medical care, arrange citizenship for the child. And as soon as the child is old enough to travel, they will return back to China."

Opponents of the order, including the ACLU and coalitions of immigrant rights groups, call it unconstitutional and unprecedented. They warn it could affect an estimated 4.6 million American-born children under 18 living with an undocumented immigrant parent. Cecillia Wang, ACLU legal director who will argue for the plaintiffs, said, "The federal courts have unanimously held that President Trumps executive order is contrary to the Constitution, a Supreme Court decision from 1898, and a law enacted by Congress."

Practical chaos or necessary reform?

Skeptical justices have already raised practical concerns. During earlier proceedings, Justice Brett Kavanaugh asked, "On the day after it goes into effect  it's just a very practical question of how it's going to work. What do hospitals do with a newborn?" Justice Sonia Sotomayor has been a vocal critic, stating the administration's position "makes no sense whatsoever" and could render some children stateless.

The outcome of Trump v. Barbara will resonate far beyond the courtroom. It represents a fundamental clash between a view of citizenship as a fixed constitutional guarantee rooted in soil and a view that sees it as a privilege contingent on the legal status of one's parents. As the nation watches, the Supreme Court is poised to answer a question it has not squarely addressed for 128 years: who, by birth, belongs to the American family?

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

FoxNews.com

TheHill.com
WHO Partners with Singapores Temasek to Develop Digital Health Wallet System

Introduction

The World Health Organization has announced a partnership with Singapore government-owned investment firm Temasek Holdings to develop what it describes as 'interoperable digital health wallets' for global use. The initiative builds on digital documentation systems used during the COVID-19 pandemic and follows recent amendments to the WHOs International Health Regulations.

The partnership, announced earlier this week, will begin with a pilot program involving the 11 member states of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to the WHO, the program aims to create a 'replicable model' for potential export to other countries. The digital wallets will initially contain digital international certificates of vaccination or prophylaxis, with plans to later expand to 'broader personal health summaries' [1][2][3].

WHO Announces Partnership for Global Digital Health Passports

The WHO stated the initiative 'builds on lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, which demonstrated the urgency of reliable, verifiable digital health documentation' [2]. Kee Kirk Chuen, Temaseks head of Health & Well-being, said the COVID-19 pandemic 'showed how important it is for health records to be trusted, verifiable and able to travel with people across borders' [2].

The pilot program in Southeast Asia is intended to serve as a test case for broader implementation. According to the WHO announcement, the system will use standards developed by the WHO Global Digital Health Certification Network (GDHCN), which was launched in partnership with the European Commission in 2023 [2]. The partnership follows 2024 amendments to the International Health Regulations (IHR) which recommended the development of 'globally recognized digital health certificates' [2].

Temasek's Pharmaceutical and Digital Health Investments

Temasek Holdings, owned by the Government of Singapore, has a substantial investment portfolio in pharmaceutical companies and digital health infrastructure. In June 2020, Temasek participated in a $250 million investment in BioNTech, a German biotechnology company, just months before BioNTech released a COVID-19 vaccine in conjunction with Pfizer [2][3]. A BioNTech press release at the time stated the investment would boost the companys efforts to develop 'patient-specific immunotherapies for the treatment of cancer and infectious diseases' [2].

According to a 2021 Asia Business Council report, Temaseks investment in BioNTech 'is just one example of how the government-owned but private-sector-oriented company went full out as an investor and a steward to fight the coronavirus' [2]. The firms portfolio includes extensive investments in pharmaceutical and digital health providers. In 2021, Temasek helped lead a $700 million investment round for Chinese pharmaceutical company Abogen Biosciences to advance its mRNA COVID-19 vaccine candidate to late-phase trials [2].

Temasek also has a history of developing digital health verification technology. In 2021, its digital identity subsidiary Affinidi developed and piloted Unifier, a universal verification system for authenticating COVID-19 vaccination and test results across different QR code standards [2]. The firm has additional investments in Clover Biopharmaceuticals, Celltrion Inc., and Novotech, a clinical research organization specializing in drug and vaccine trials [2].

Connections to Gates Foundation and Global Health Initiatives

Temasek maintains collaborative ties with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and Gates-linked global health initiatives. Bloomberg reported that the Philanthropy Asia Alliance -- Temaseks charitable arm -- lists the Gates Foundation as one of its early core members [2]. In 2022, Temasek invested in Select, a fund launched under Breakthrough Energy Ventures, a climate-focused investor founded by Bill Gates [2]. Yahoo! Finance reported at the time that Temasek was 'already an existing co-investor to several other Gates-backed ventures' [2].

In 2024, the Gates Foundation opened a Singapore office, an announcement made at the Philanthropy Asia Summit organized by Temasek Trusts Philanthropy Asia Alliance [2]. Temasek has also partnered directly with Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, on vaccination programs in Southeast Asia. According to a 2025 Gavi press release, Temasek partnered with the Clinton Health Access Initiative and the UBS Optimus Foundation on a $4.5 million initiative 'to reach zero-dose and under-immunized children' in Indonesia [2]. The Gates Foundation funded Gavis launch in 1999 and holds a permanent seat on its board. Gavi is listed by the WHO as an official stakeholder [2].

Concerns About Conflicts of Interest and Program Durability

Public health physician Dr. David Bell, a senior scholar at the Brownstone Institute, said the WHO is required to concentrate on vaccine passports because they are 'important from an investment viewpoint to its major funders, who fund the WHO through voluntary specified funding -- meaning the WHO is required to follow the directions of the funder' [2]. Bell said major WHO funders, including the Gates Foundation, 'have direct financial interests in increasing the use of both vaccines and digital platforms' [2].

Natalie Winters, co-host of 'Bannons War Room,' argued that systems justified as temporary during the pandemic are being formalized into broader, more durable infrastructure. 'During COVID, digital health verification systems determined whether people could travel, work, or enter public spaces based off vaccination status,' Winters wrote on Substack. 'Those systems were justified as temporary. Now they are being formalized into something much broader and far more durable' [2].

Bell also addressed Temaseks direct involvement. 'While it is reasonable for an investment firm like Temasek to invest in pharmaceutical companies, it obviously should exclude them from participating with WHO in activities that directly improve their subsequent return on investment,' Bell said. 'This is a really basic conflict of interest that would be a no-go for any ethical public health program, as their duty as an investment house is to maximize return on investment from the companies they have invested in' [2].

Implementation Through WHO Regulatory Framework

The partnership leverages a regulatory framework established by recent amendments to the WHOs International Health Regulations. The 2024 amendments, which took effect in September 2025, included a recommendation for the development of digital health certificates [2]. The WHO cited these amendments when announcing its collaboration with Temasek [2].

Independent journalist James Roguski said he warned two years ago that the WHOs efforts to pass the IHR amendments would lead to a push for global health passes. 'Nations may be somewhat constrained in their abuse of their own citizens by their constitutions, charters of rights, or laws,' Roguski said. 'But numerous articles within the IHR clearly state that sovereign nations are absolutely free to disregard and abuse the rights, freedoms and health of travelers who may be visiting from other countries' [2].

Tim Hinchliffe, editor of The Sociable, argued that for Gates and other unelected globalists, globally interoperable vaccine passports serve a couple of purposes. 'First off, theres a lot of money in getting everyone in the world to get injected with their products. Its a great return on investment. Secondly, vaccine passports further the agenda to get everybody in the world pegged to a digital identity scheme,' Hinchliffe said. He cited a 2022 World Economic Forum report acknowledging that vaccine passports are a type of digital identity [2].

Conclusion

The WHO-Temasek partnership marks a significant step toward institutionalizing digital health documentation on a global scale. The initiative, framed as a response to pandemic-era lessons, is being implemented through a network of financial and political alliances involving major pharmaceutical investors and global health foundations.

Critics of the plan warn that it represents the transformation of emergency measures into permanent infrastructure, with inherent conflicts of interest and profound implications for personal privacy and autonomy. As the pilot program launches in Southeast Asia, observers note its design is intended for global replication, setting the stage for a worldwide system of digital health surveillance linked to international travel and access to services.

References
Conservationists have turned the tide for numerous endangered species through dedicated recovery programs and innovative captive breeding. These efforts showcase how targeted actions restore populations and ecosystems, offering hope amid biodiversity loss.

Animals Thriving After Near Extinction

Several iconic species clawed back from the edge thanks to Endangered Species Recovery initiatives. The bald eagle's story stands out: by the mid-1960s, fewer than 500 nesting pairs remained in the lower 48 states due to pesticide contamination and habitat loss. Bans on DDT, combined with habitat protections, allowed numbers to climb past 10,000 pairs by the early 2000s, leading to its delisting.

Black-footed ferrets tell an even more dramatic tale. Discovered on a Wyoming ranch in 1981 with just 18 individuals left, these weasels were on the verge of vanishing. Captive breeding quickly multiplied their ranks, and reintroductions across prairies established stable wild groups numbering in the hundreds today.

Peregrine falcons faced a similar crisis, with populations plummeting by 80-90% due to DDT's impact on eggshells. Recovery programs released thousands of captive-bred birds starting in the 1970s. By 1999, falcons nested across North America again, securing their removal from endangered lists.

California condors represent another triumph. Down to 22 birds in 1987, all captured for captive breeding, the program has released over 500 into the wild. Lead poisoning mitigation and habitat safeguards now support more than 300 free-flying condors.

Key recoveries include: Bald eagle: From 500 pairs to over 10,000. Black-footed ferret: 18 survivors to 300+ in the wild. Peregrine falcon: 6,000+ birds released for rebound. California condor: 500+ bred and released.



These examples, detailed in reports from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, prove recovery programs work when threats are addressed head-on.

Inside Recovery Programs and Captive Breedings

Recovery programs operate like detailed roadmaps for endangered species, outlining population targets, habitat requirements, and threat reduction goals. Under frameworks like the U.S. Endangered Species Act, teams set measurable goalssuch as stable breeding pairs or expanded rangesthen track progress annually.

Captive breeding forms a cornerstone, breeding animals in zoos or facilities to build numbers safely. Genetic diversity gets prioritized to avoid inbreeding, with offspring raised for wild release. For black-footed ferrets, this meant producing thousands of kits since the 1980s, with survival rates improving through pre-release training.

Program steps typically follow:

Assess threats (poaching, pollution, habitat loss). Develop site-specific plans with partners. Implement captive breeding or protection. Monitor and adjust based on data.

Habitat restoration pairs with these efforts. Wetland restorations helped brown pelicans rebound, and they were delisted in 2009 after nesting sites multiplied along U.S. coasts. NOAA Fisheries highlights marine successes, such as humpback whales, where ship-strike reductions and gear changes boosted the number of calves born each year.

Arabian oryx, extinct in the wild by 1972, bounced back via captive breeding in the UAE. Over 1,000 now roam protected deserts, a model blending breeding with anti-poaching patrols.

Przewalski's horses, reduced to zoo captives by the 1960s, saw over 2,000 descendants reintroduced to Mongolia. Fenced reserves and water sources ensured herd growth.

Challenges persistclimate shifts disrupt migrationbut adaptive strategies, such as corridor creation, keep the momentum going. The International Fund for Animal Welfare notes 15 species, including American alligators, fully recovered through such combined tactics.

Habitat Protection Fuels Lasting Wins

No Endangered Species Recovery succeeds without safeguarding habitats. Poaching fences, invasive species removal, and pollution controls create breathing room for populations to grow.

New Zealand's kiwi birds exemplify this. Predator traps targeting rats and stoats lifted North Island brown kiwi from endangered status, with numbers up 425% in managed areas. Similar tactics have aided whooping cranes, in which captive-bred chicks learn migration via ultralight aircraft.

Pollutant bans proved pivotal, too. DDT restrictions not only saved eagles and falcons but also rippled to other birds. Lead ammo swaps for condors cut mortality by 50%, per field studies.

Protected areas matter immensely. Rebounding coral reefs shelter fish species, while forest reserves support pandas, increasing their numbers from 1,000 to over 1,800 via bamboo corridors and breeding.

Habitat wins feature: Predator control for kiwis (12.5% annual growth). Lead bans for condors (300+ wild birds). Wetland restoration for pelicans (delisted 2009). Bamboo habitats for pandas (stable populations).



Global cooperation amplifies impact. Operation Orchid in the UK revived lady's slipper flowers from six plants to thousands through seed banks and fencing.

Overcoming Hurdles for Future Recoveries

Endangered species still face steep odds from habitat fragmentation and illegal trade. Rhinos endure poaching despite captive breeding yielding viable embryos via IVF. Funding shortfalls delay plans for vaquitas, the world's rarest porpoise.

Yet innovations shine. Genetic tech matches breeders for healthier offspring, while drones monitor releases. Community involvement, like rancher-led ferret watches, sustains long-term vigilance.

Success stories inspire action. Since 1973, 66 U.S. species have been delisted, per Fish & Wildlife data. Worldwide, captive breeding has rewilded oryx, cranes, and more.

Amid emerging recoveries, Yangtze finless porpoises are being bred in pools amid river cleanups. Collaborative pushes ensure captive breeding and recovery programs deliver more wins against biodiversity threats.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is an Endangered Species Recovery Program?

Recovery programs outline steps to restore endangered species to healthy, self-sustaining populations. They include population goals, habitat restoration, and threat reduction under laws like the Endangered Species Act.

2. How Do Captive Breedings Fit into Recovery?

Captive breeding raises animals in controlled settings to boost numbers before wild release. Programs prioritize genetic diversity and train offspring for survival, as seen with black-footed ferrets and California condors.

3. Which Species Have Successfully Recovered?

Bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and brown pelicans moved from endangered to delisted through pesticide bans and habitat protections. Black-footed ferrets grew from 18 individuals to hundreds in the wild via captive breeding.
Volcano eruption types range from gentle lava flows to massive explosive events that reshape entire landscapes. At the extreme end of the spectrum, stratovolcanoes and calderas can produce eruptions measured on the VEI scale that influence global climate and ecosystems. These eruptions release vast amounts of ash, gas, and magma, sometimes altering weather patterns and even affecting human history. Understanding these differences provides context for how Earth evolves through volcanic activity.

The VEI scale helps classify volcanic explosivity by measuring eruption volume, plume height, and intensity. When calderas collapse during supervolcano eruptions, they can release thousands of cubic kilometers of material into the atmosphere. This guide explores the 10 largest eruptions in history, examining their scale, geological significance, and long-term effects on the planet. Each event highlights how powerful volcano eruption types can be in shaping Earth's past and future.

Top 10 Biggest Volcanic Eruptions by VEI Scale and Volume

The biggest volcanic eruptions by VEI scale and Volume highlight some of the most powerful natural events in Earth's history. These eruptions reveal how volcano eruption types and the VEI scale help measure the scale and impact of catastrophic volcanic activity across time.

Siberian Traps (VEI 8+, ~252 million years ago): This massive flood basalt event released around 4 million km of lava over a million years. It is linked to the Permian extinction, which eliminated about 96% of marine species. The eruption significantly altered Earth's climate through greenhouse gases and acid rain. Toba (VEI 8, Sumatra, ~74,000 years ago): A supervolcano eruption that produced around 2,800 km of material and formed a large caldera. It triggered a volcanic winter lasting several years and may have reduced early human populations dramatically. Wah Wah Springs (VEI 8, Utah, ~30.5 million years ago): This eruption produced approximately 5,600 km of rhyolite, making it one of the largest known eruptions in North America. It created a massive caldera and reshaped regional geology. La Garita Caldera (VEI 8, Colorado, ~27.8 million years ago): Known for the Fish Canyon Tuff, this eruption released around 5,000 km of material. It left behind some of the thickest volcanic deposits recorded on Earth. Yellowstone (VEI 8, USA, ~640,000 years ago): A major caldera-forming eruption that released about 1,000 km of material. The ash spread across much of North America and dramatically altered ecosystems. Phlegraean Fields (VEI 7, Italy, ~39,000 years ago): This eruption produced about 300 km of volcanic material and contributed to environmental stress in prehistoric Europe. It had significant effects on early human populations. Taupo Volcano (VEI 8, New Zealand, ~26,500 years ago): Known for the Oruanui eruption, it released about 1,170 km of material. It is the largest eruption of the Holocene and formed a large caldera. Mt. Tambora (VEI 7, Indonesia, 1815): One of the most well-documented eruptions, it caused the "Year Without a Summer" in 1816. The eruption led to global cooling and widespread crop failures. Cerro Galan (VEI 7+, Argentina, ~2.6 million years ago): This eruption produced over 1,000 km of ignimbrite and formed a large caldera. It remains one of the largest eruptions in South America. Long Valley Caldera (VEI 7, USA, ~760,000 years ago): This eruption produced around 600 km of volcanic material. It created a caldera that continues to be studied for geothermal and volcanic activity.

How Does VEI Scale Classify Volcano Eruption Types?

The VEI scale is used to classify volcano eruption types based on the amount of erupted material, plume height, and eruption characteristics. It ranges from VEI 0, representing gentle lava flows, to VEI 8, which includes supervolcano eruptions capable of releasing over 1,000 km of material. This logarithmic system helps scientists compare eruptions across different time periods and locations.

Stratovolcanoes typically produce smaller eruptions, usually below VEI 6, due to their structure and eruption style. In contrast, calderas are responsible for the largest eruptions because they can release massive amounts of magma in a single event. The formation of a caldera occurs when the magma chamber empties and collapses, creating large volcanic depressions. These caldera-forming eruptions dominate the highest levels of the VEI scale and represent some of the most powerful natural events on Earth.

Why Do Calderas Produce Deadliest Supervolcano Eruptions?

Calderas are capable of producing the most destructive eruptions because of their enormous magma chambers and explosive release mechanisms. During a supervolcano eruption, a large portion of the magma chamber is emptied rapidly, causing the surface to collapse and form a caldera. This process can eject thousands of cubic kilometers of material into the atmosphere.

The resulting pyroclastic flows move at extreme speeds and temperatures, destroying everything in their path. These flows can spread over hundreds of kilometers, burying landscapes under thick layers of ash and volcanic rock. Additionally, large amounts of sulfur dioxide released into the atmosphere can lead to global cooling by blocking sunlight. This combination of physical destruction and atmospheric impact makes caldera-forming eruptions among the most dangerous on the VEI scale.

Monitor Future Supervolcano Risk Through VEI Scale Patterns

Studying past volcano eruption types helps scientists understand patterns that may indicate future volcanic activity. Events like the Siberian Traps and Toba eruption show how large-scale eruptions can affect climate, ecosystems, and even human survival. Monitoring tools now allow scientists to detect early warning signs of potential eruptions.

Modern technology tracks ground deformation, gas emissions, and seismic activity to assess volcanic behavior. These indicators help estimate where an eruption might fall on the VEI scale before it fully develops. While supervolcano eruptions are rare, understanding their patterns is essential for preparedness and long-term risk assessment.

Earth-Shaping Power of Volcanic Eruptions and VEI Scale

The study of volcano eruption types and the VEI scale reveals how deeply volcanic activity has shaped Earth's history. From stratovolcanoes to massive caldera-forming eruptions, each event contributes to geological change, climate shifts, and biological evolution. The largest eruptions demonstrate how interconnected Earth's systems are, influencing everything from weather patterns to species survival.

By examining these 10 major eruptions, it becomes clear that volcanic activity is both destructive and transformative. The VEI scale provides a way to measure this power, helping scientists compare events across millions of years. As research continues, understanding these eruptions remains essential for tracking Earth's dynamic processes and preparing for future volcanic events.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the VEI scale in volcano eruption types?

The VEI scale is used to measure the explosiveness of volcanic eruptions. It ranges from 0 to 8 based on the volume of material ejected and eruption strength. Higher numbers indicate more powerful and widespread eruptions. This system helps scientists compare eruptions across time and regions.

2. What is the difference between stratovolcanoes and calderas?

Stratovolcanoes are tall, steep volcanoes built from layers of lava and ash. Calderas are large depressions formed when a magma chamber collapses after a massive eruption. Calderas typically produce larger and more explosive eruptions. These differences affect how volcano eruption types are classified on the VEI scale.

3. Why are supervolcano eruptions so dangerous?

Supervolcano eruptions release massive amounts of ash and gas into the atmosphere. This can block sunlight and cause global temperature drops. They can also destroy large areas through pyroclastic flows and ashfall. Their impact extends far beyond the eruption site.

4. Can scientists predict caldera-forming eruptions?

Scientists monitor volcanoes using seismic activity, gas emissions, and ground deformation. These signals can indicate rising magma and potential eruptions. While exact predictions are difficult, early warning systems help assess risk levels. This allows authorities to prepare and reduce potential damage.

Originally published on Science Times
AAP Rajya Sabha MP Raghav Chadha has urged the government to make paternity leave a legal right in India. He criticized the current system as a "societal failure enforced by law," where only central government employees get 15 days of leave, excluding most of the private sector workforce. Chadha argued that a father's support is a necessity, not a luxury, for a mother's physical and emotional recovery post-childbirth. He cited countries like Sweden and Japan, which offer extensive paternity leave, as models for shared parental responsibility.

AAP MP Raghav Chadha calls for legal paternity leave in India, highlighting disparity with maternity leave and citing global examples.

New Delhi, March 31 Aam Aadmi Party Rajya Sabha MP, Raghav Chadha, on Tuesday raised the issue of paternity leave in Parliament, urging the government to make it a legal right across sectors in India.

Speaking during the session, Chadha highlighted what he described as a "societal failure enforced by law," pointing out that while both parents are congratulated at the birth of a child, caregiving responsibilities disproportionately fall on mothers, with legal provisions recognising only maternity leave.

"A father should not have to choose between caring for his newborn and keeping his job. Similarly, a mother should not have to endure childbirth and recovery without her husband's support," he said.

The AAP leader stressed that the period immediately following childbirth is when a woman requires maximum support - physically, emotionally, and mentally. He noted that a mother carries the child for nine months and undergoes either a normal delivery or a cesarean section, both of which demand significant recovery time and care.

"In such a phase, the husband's presence is not a luxury but a necessity. His caregiving responsibility towards his wife is equally important," Chadha told the House.

He also drew attention to the current disparity in paternity leave provisions in India. At present, only Central government employees are entitled to 15 days of paternity leave, while there is no such mandatory provision in the private sector.

Citing international examples, Chadha said that countries like Sweden, Iceland, and Japan provide paternity leave ranging from 90 days to as long as 52 weeks, ensuring shared parental responsibility.

He further pointed out that nearly 90 per cent of India's workforce is employed in the private sector, effectively excluding a vast majority of fathers from availing paternity leave.

Calling for urgent policy reform, Chadha urged the government to enact legislation making paternity leave a legal entitlement.

"Caregiving is not just the responsibility of the mother, but a shared responsibility of both parents. Our laws must reflect that," he asserted.

- IANS
First look of Abarnathi as Sanju in 'Kaalidas 2' released. The Bharath-starring investigative thriller hits theatres April 3.

Chennai, March 31 The makers of director Sri Senthil's eagerly awaited investigative thriller, 'Kaalidas 2', featuring actor Bharath in the lead, have now revealed the first look of actress Abarnathi as Sanju in the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

Taking to his X timeline, producer Five Star K Senthil released the first look poster of the actress as Sanju and wrote, "She holds the key to the mystery @abarnathi21 as #Sanju. Four days to go #Kaalidas2 April 3 in theatres."



It may be recalled that the makers had, a few days ago, disclosed actor Kishore's character name in the film as Pandya.



For the unaware, the eagerly awaited film is to hit screens on April 3 this year.



The film, which is the second instalment in the superhit franchise 'Kaalidas', is being produced by Five Star K.Senthil and Dr. N. Yogeshwaran. Written and directed by Sri Senthil, who was also the director of the immensely popular first part, 'Kaalidas 2' will have Ajay Karthi playing the lead along with Bharath.



The film will also feature a host of actors including Bhavani Sre, Sangita, Abarnathi, Ananth Nag, TM Karthik and 'Singam' Jayavel.



The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. Firstly, the film is the sequel to the superhit film 'Kaalidas'. Next, it will mark the return of actress Sangita to the big screen after a long gap.



A teaser that the makers released some months ago begins with Bharath, who plays a cop in the film, receiving a call for help from a woman, who is shivering with fear. She tearfully says that she is scared and literally pleads with him to come.



We then hear a voice over that asks, "Can every sin here be forgiven? But then, in there is a punishment for every crime.As per law, there is some punishment. At the same time, the punishment for some crimes isn't delivered by external forces." The teaser shows that along with Bharath, Bhavani Sre too plays a cop in this film. The film has the tag line "Monster Hunt".



Sources close to the unit of the film say that the second instalment of the thriller will have more mystery, more danger, and take a deeper dive into the world of crime and justice.



On the technical front, the film has music by Sam CS and cinematography by Suresh Bala. Editing for the film is by Bhuvan Srinivasan while G Durairaj has served as its production designer.



The film's screenplay has been penned by Aravindan Anand and its art direction has been handled by 'Kaliyuga' A. Raja. The dances in the film have been choreographed by Bobby, while the stunts have been choreographed by Om Prakash.



Tapas Nayak is the audiographer for this film, the lyrics of whose songs have been penned by Mohanraj. Costumes in the film have been designed by Dorothy Jai (DJ).





- IANS
Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury contests Bengal assembly polls from Berhampore, leveraging his local roots against BJP and TMC rivals.

Murshidabad, March 31 Senior Congress leader and Berhampore Assembly constituency candidate Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on Tuesday campaigned in Berhampore, Murshidabad, where he's the party's candidate for the upcoming State Assembly election.

Chowdhury, a five-time MP from Berhampore, is contesting the Assembly election after 30 years, aiming to revive the Congress party's presence in West Bengal. He's facing tough competition from BJP's Subrata Moitra and TMC's Naru Gopal Mukherjee.



Chowdhury is re-entering state politics after 30 years, contesting the West Bengal Assembly election from Berhampore. This move follows his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Adhir, a five-time MP from Berhampore, previously won the Assembly election from Nabagram in 1996 but quit as an MLA in 1999 to pursue national politics.



Speaking with ANI, he highlighted a classic political strategy: the "Son of the Soil" narrative vs. urban development critiques.



By referencing his childhood on the local grounds, Chowdhury leveraged his deep-rooted history in Murshidabad to contrast himself with political rivals who may be framed as outsiders or disconnected from the local culture.



Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury, while speaking to ANI, said, "We will have to get out and meet people. Those are the rules of elections...As a child, I played here on these grounds."



Chowdhury also highlighted issues in Berhampore, stating, "Across the Berhampore city, concrete jungles are rising gradually. This is causing a lot of issues...A loot is going on. Everything is being taxed."



On Monday, Chowdhury expressed confidence in regaining public support in the upcoming elections, stating that people in the region have always trusted him.



Speaking to ANI on Monday, Chowdhury said that his defeat in the last Lok Sabha elections was due to communal polarisation, and claimed that people later felt it was a mistake."It has never happened that the people here did not trust me. In the last Lok Sabha elections, due to communal polarisation, I did not get the votes I should have, and after my defeat, people here regretted that it was not right," he said.



Expressing optimism about the upcoming Assembly elections, he added, "This time, I will get support in the elections."



The Congress leader is contesting from the Berhampore Assembly constituency in Murshidabad district as political activity intensifies ahead of the polls.



West Bengal will hold polling for the elections in two phases, with the first phase scheduled on April 23 and the second phase on April 29. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.



As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the first phase covering 152 Assembly constituencies will begin with the issuance of the gazette notification on March 30. The last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. Polling for the first phase will be held on April 23.



For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. Voting for this phase is scheduled for April 29.





- ANI
Ashwini Bhide, a 1995-batch IAS officer, has been appointed as the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, becoming the first woman to hold the post. Her appointment was made by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, who selected her over other senior contenders. Bhide is known for her administrative discipline and her role in executing major infrastructure projects like the Mumbai Metro Line 3. She takes charge at a crucial time for Mumbai's urban transformation and will be responsible for managing the BMC's massive budget.

Senior IAS officer Ashwini Bhide appointed Mumbai's first female Municipal Commissioner. She will lead India's richest civic body, the BMC.

Mumbai, March 31 In a landmark administrative reshuffle, the Government of Maharashtra on Tuesday appointed senior IAS officer of the 1995 batch, Ashwini Bhide as the Municipal Commissioner of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. With this appointment, Bhide makes history as the first woman to lead India's richest civic body.

The official order, issued by Subhash Umranikar, Joint Secretary to the Government of Maharashtra, confirms that Bhide will succeed Bhushan Gagrani, who retired from service on Tuesday.

The other contenders for the BMC Commissioner's post included Aseem Gupta, Anil Diggikar, Milind Mhaiskar and Sanjay Mukherjee. However, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis picked Bhide, surpassing some officers senior to her.

Prior to this elevation, Bhide was serving as the Additional Chief Secretary in the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). She is widely recognised for her administrative discipline and her role in executing major infrastructure projects, including the Mumbai Metro Line 3.

Until further orders are issued, Ashwini Bhide will continue to hold additional charge as the Managing Director of the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRC).

Bhide's appointment comes at a crucial time as Mumbai undergoes massive urban transformation, including the completion of the Coastal Road and various Metro phases.

Her deep knowledge of the BMC - having previously served as an Additional Municipal Commissioner - is expected to provide the stability and expertise required to navigate the city's complex civic challenges.

Further, Bhide will assume charge days after the BMC's budget worth Rs 80,952 crore was presented for the year 2026-27. She will be tasked with managing the fiscal prudence while fulfilling the poll promises during her tenure.

Her reputation for "no-nonsense" governance is expected to bring tighter control over the BMC's massive budget and pre-monsoon desilting works.

Earlier, Bhide had held posts including Additional Commissioner, BMC during the Coronavirus pandemic, Secretary, School Education in launching the SARAL database to digitise student and administrative records, Addl. Metropolitan Commissioner, MMRDA in carrying out major "big-ticket" projects including Eastern Freeway, Sahar Elevated Access Road, and the Mumbai Monorail, Joint/Deputy Secretary to Governor and CEO of Nagpur and Sindudurg zilla parishads.

Her ability to handle the politically-sensitive Aarey Colony controversy during the implementation of Mumbai Metro 3 project proved her resilience, making her a trusted choice for the current administration to handle contentious civic issues.

Meanwhile, the government has made several strategic moves to ensure a smooth transition.

Lokesh Chandra (IAS), who is the Chairman and Managing Director of the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company, has been appointed to succeed Ashwini Bhide as the Additional Chief Secretary in the CMO.

He will also take over her additional responsibilities, including the post of Additional Chief Secretary (Mining).

- IANS
The UN reports a sharp and alarming increase in attacks on healthcare facilities and workers in Lebanon, with dozens killed since hostilities escalated. Simultaneously, humanitarian organizations face mounting restrictions on their operations in Gaza and the West Bank. International NGOs are challenging a new Israeli registration system they say cripples their ability to deliver aid. The UN is calling for the protection of medical personnel, civilians, and unimpeded humanitarian access.

UN reports alarming rise in attacks on healthcare in Lebanon, killing health workers, and growing obstacles to humanitarian operations in Gaza.

United Nations, March 31 Amid Middle East hostilities, UN humanitarians pointed to a sharp rise in attacks on healthcare in Lebanon and growing obstacles for humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said attacks on healthcare facilities, ambulances and medical personnel in Lebanon have risen at an alarming rate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported seven incidents over the weekend alone, which killed at least nine health workers while they were on duty.

In southern Lebanon, OCHA said that strikes hit ambulances, including vehicles transporting casualties from an earlier attack in the town of Kfar Sir in Nabatieh governorate.

Since the escalation began, OCHA said 87 attacks on healthcare have been recorded, killing 52 health workers and injuring 126 others.

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, UN's deputy special coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza and WHO Representative in Lebanon Abdinasir Abubakar called for the protection of health workers and first responders, saying that medical personnel and facilities must never be targeted.

The office said Lebanese authorities reported that at least 96 people were killed over the weekend, bringing the total number of people killed since the escalation began to 1,238, with more than 3,500 injured.

OCHA said that despite deteriorating security conditions, the office and its partners continue to work closely with the government to reach people in need. WHO and health partners have provided more than 33,500 medical consultations to displaced people and delivered essential medicines to over 22,500 people.

In the occupied Palestinian territories, OCHA said lethal attacks affecting civilians continue in both Gaza and the West Bank, as restrictions on humanitarian operations continue to mount.

Over the weekend, airstrikes and shelling reportedly hit residential areas in Gaza. In the West Bank, OCHA recorded reports of fatal shootings by Israeli forces and attacks linked to Israeli settlers.

International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said Monday they intend to file a petition of appeal with Israeli High Court of Justice challenging a new Israeli NGO registration system, which they say further restricts their ability to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

OCHA said that international NGOs play a critical role in the humanitarian response, collectively delivering around $1 billion in assistance each year in the territories. The new registration requirements are among several measures undermining people's access to humanitarian services.

The office called on Israeli authorities to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, to reverse policies that obstruct humanitarian operations, and to ensure that humanitarian organisations can operate in line with humanitarian principles, Xinhua news agency reported.

OCHA said that civilians must always be protected and that in the context of law enforcement, lethal force must be used only as a last resort. Perpetrators of unlawful attacks must be held to account.

- IANS
Bangladesh authorities have intensified drives against fuel hoarding, recovering thousands of liters and filing numerous cases amid a supply crisis exacerbated by West Asian conflicts. The Petrol Pump Owners' Association has called for government support and clear timeframes to prevent chaos at stations. In response to the crisis, India has supplied an additional 5,000 tons of diesel, with a proposal to send 40,000 tons more in April. The Bangladeshi government is also actively seeking to diversify its fuel import sources beyond traditional suppliers.

Bangladesh recovers hoarded fuel, files 191 cases as India supplies extra diesel. Petrol pump owners call for government action amid supply crisis.

Dhaka, March 31 The escalating security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region has affected energy supplies across parts of world, with Bangladeshis giving a call to the government to ensure protection against chaos and confusion.

Syed Sajjadul Karim Kabul, Convenor of Bangladesh Petrol Pump Owners' Association told ANI, "The demand and buyer of the fuel are abnormal... I have requested the government to give enough support in terms of what to say regarding the protection against any chaos and confusion. The government has specifically given specialised officers in each and every filling station to monitor the sale and distribution..."

He added, "We have suggested to give a timeframe so that we can deliver properly and opportunists should not hoard the product."

Earlier, queues were seen lined outside petrol pumps in Bangladesh.

Dhaka Tribune reported on Tuesday, citing officials that district administrations across 64 districts recovered 87,700 liters of illegally hoarded fuel in 24 hours.

As per Dhaka Tribune, during the drives, 191 cases were filed, and fines totalling Tk 935,070 were imposed.

The details were shared by Monir Hossain Chowdhury, spokesperson and joint secretary of the Energy and Mineral Resources Division, at a press briefing at the Secretariat. He said 391 drives were conducted during the period based on reports from district administrations.

It was also reported that seven individuals were sentenced during the operations. One person in Satkhira received a two-month jail term, one in Chandpur was sentenced to one year, and one in Gazipur received one month.

According to Dhaka Tribune, of the recovered fuel, 67,400 liters were diesel, 6,444 liters octane, and 13,856 liters petrol.

Amid the energy crisis in Bangladesh caused by the conflict in West Asia, India has supplied an additional 5,000 tons of diesel, a senior government official said on Friday night.

"An additional 5,000 tons of diesel have arrived in Bangladesh from India. With this, Bangladesh has now received a total of 15,000 tons of diesel from India in recent times," Md. Murshed Hossain Azad, General Manager (Commercial), Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC), told ANI over the phone."

"In the coming month of April, India has proposed to supply 40,000 tons of diesel to Bangladesh. We have officially accepted this proposal," Azad said, without elaborating.

Bangladesh imports diesel primarily from India, Singapore, and the Middle East.

Meanwhile, the Daily Star reported that the government is moving to diversify its fuel imports. It has reached out to Singapore, Malaysia, Nigeria, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Angola, Australia and the US for potential fuel and gas supplies.

The country is also expecting two additional shipments at around 6,000 tonnes from Indonesia.

Also in March, the price of aviation fuel (jet fuel) was increased for the second time in a month in Bangladesh.

Due to the ongoing conflict in the West Asia, the fuel crisis in Bangladesh has taken on a severe form, especially at various fuel stations, where there are long queues and all sorts of chaotic conditions, with petrol pump owners are also expressing serious concerns.

- ANI
Bharti Airtel has announced a $1 billion investment into its data center subsidiary Nxtra Data Limited, with participation from global investors Alpha Wave Global, Carlyle, and Anchorage Capital. The transaction values Nxtra at approximately $3.1 billion, with Airtel retaining a controlling stake. The capital will be used to accelerate Nxtra's expansion across India, scale its infrastructure to 1 GW capacity, and strengthen its AI-driven data center operations. The move highlights strong investor confidence in India's digital infrastructure sector, driven by cloud adoption and rising demand from hyperscalers and AI applications.

Bharti Airtel invests $1B in Nxtra Data with Alpha Wave & Carlyle, valuing it at $3.1B to scale AI-driven data centers across India.

New Delhi, March 31 Bharti Airtel announced a USD 1 billion investment in its data centre subsidiary Nxtra Data Limited, with participation from global investors including Alpha Wave Global, Carlyle and Anchorage Capital.

According to Bharti Airtel's press release, the investment round will see Alpha Wave Global infuse USD 435 million, Carlyle USD 240 million and Anchorage Capital USD 35 million, while Airtel will contribute the remaining amount. Airtel will continue to retain a controlling stake in Nxtra, subject to post-closing adjustments and regulatory approvals.

The transaction values Nxtra at approximately USD 3.1 billion post-closing.

According to the company, the investment is aimed at accelerating Nxtra's expansion across India and strengthening its capabilities in AI-driven data centre operations. Nxtra plans to use the proceeds to scale infrastructure, expand services, and cater to rising demand from enterprises, hyperscalers and government organisations.

Gopal Vittal, Executive Vice Chairman, Airtel, said. Strategic partnerships with global investors and technology leaders are central to our growth roadmap, enabling us to accelerate expansion, harness world-class expertise, and deliver next generation digital infrastructure solutions at scale. With strong market demand, we are committed to stepping up investments and strengthening India's position as a leading data center hub."

Nxtra currently operates 14 core data centres and over 120 edge facilities across India. It offers services including colocation, cloud infrastructure, managed hosting, disaster recovery and edge computing.

Highlighting growth plans, Airtel said Nxtra, which has around 300 MW capacity at present, aims to scale up to 1 GW capacity over the next few years, targeting nearly 25 per cent market share.

The company noted that India's data centre industry is witnessing strong growth driven by digital transformation, cloud adoption and increasing demand from hyperscalers. Industry estimates suggest the market could grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 21 per cent between 2024 and 2030.

Kapil Modi, Partner at Carlyle India Advisors noted, "We have built a strong partnership with Airtel and continue to believe Nxtra is well-positioned to benefit from India's long-term digital infrastructure tailwinds."

Rick Gerson, Co-Founder & CIO, Alpha Wave Global, said, "Alpha Wave has a particular focus on identifying and backing AI-first businesses including Anthropic, OpenAI, Cerebras, SpaceX, X.ai, Ramp, Cognition and Long Lake Management. We are excited to partner with Mr. Sunil Mittal and the Bharti Group -- a franchise defined by outstanding leadership and a remarkable track record of executing at scale alongside institutional investors - as Nxtra scales to become India's leading data center business."

Navroz D. Udwadia, Co-Founder, Alpha Wave Global, added, "India has an immense AI opportunity ahead of it -- Indians already meaningfully interact with and on Chat GPT, Claude and other AI platforms. As such India is set to see its data center capacity grow meaningfully to keep up with hyperscaler and LLM demand."

Airtel also said strategic partnerships with global investors will help accelerate Nxtra's expansion and position it as a leading data centre player in India.

Nxtra has been deploying artificial intelligence at scale for predictive maintenance, energy efficiency and automated operations. It is also developing new AI-ready campuses in cities such as Chennai, Mumbai and Kolkata, while expanding its presence in Pune.

The deal underscores increasing investor interest in India's digital infrastructure sector amid rising demand for data storage and AI-driven services.

- ANI
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has issued a stark warning that any enemy aggression, particularly from the United States, will be met with a powerful and regrettable response. He accused adversaries of using psychological operations and deceptive "fake news" to manipulate markets and destabilize Iran ahead of potential military action. Ghalibaf stated that Iran would no longer distinguish between US and Israeli actions, designating all American bases in the region as targets for the IRGC. Meanwhile, the US White House emphasized holding Iran's new regime accountable to its private assurances, warning of military consequences if they fail to comply.

Iranian Parliament Speaker warns US military threats are a "big mistake," promising a relentless response to any ground invasion or aggression in West Asia.

Tehran, March 31 Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned the enemy's aggression, stating that it will be met with a strong response amid reports of the US. military build-ups in West Asia, including the arrival of thousands of U.S. Marines on the USS Tripoli.

He emphasised that the people of Iran, led by the Supreme Leader, will not only defend their rights but also make the enemy regret their actions.

By claiming the "enemy promotes its desires as news," Ghalibaf accused adversaries of using psychological operations or "soft war" to destabilise the country before or alongside military action.

In a post on X, he said, "The enemy promotes its desires as news while threatening our nation at same time. Big Mistake. If they hit one, they'll take several back. God willing, the people of Iran, under the leadership of the Supreme Leader, will make the enemy regret the aggression and reclaim their rights."

Earlier on Monday, Ghalibaf warned against deceptive pre-market "news" campaigns, describing them as deliberate tools used by Iran's enemies to manipulate markets for profit amid the ongoing war.

"Heads-up: Pre-market so-called "news" or "Truth" is often just a setup for profit-taking. Basically, it's a reverse indicator. Do the opposite: If they pump it, short it. If they dump it, go long. See something tomorrow? You know the drill," he said in a post on X.

Ghalibaf had issued a stern warning to the United States and its regional allies, stating that any ground invasion would be met with a "relentless" and "decisive" response. He accused the US of using diplomatic overtures, including a proposed 15-point peace plan, as a cover for secret invasion plans.

Ghalibaf declared that Iranian forces are "waiting" for any US soldiers attempting a ground entry, threatening to "set them on fire" and "punish their regional partners forever".

He dismissed current US diplomatic signals as "fake news" intended to manipulate global financial and oil markets.

Ghalibaf stated that Tehran would no longer distinguish between US and Israeli actions, designating all American bases in the region as legitimate targets for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).

He noted that the situation in the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz would not return to its pre-war status, reflecting Iran's intent to maintain control over the waterway

Meanwhile, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt was asked during her press briefing how confident US President Donald Trump was that Iran's new regime is legitimate and has enough grip on power.

"Well, that's part of the ongoing process that's taking place and the ongoing negotiations. Of course, anything that they say to us privately will be tested, and we will ensure that they are being held accountable to their word. And if they are not, the President has laid out the military consequences that the Iranian regime will see if they don't hold true to the words that we are hearing privately behind the scenes," she had responded.

Leavitt also clarified what US President Donald Trump meant when he said that the new regime was 'more reasonable'.

"When the President says "more reasonable," again, these folks are appearing more reasonable behind the scenes privately in these conversations than perhaps some of the previous leaders who are now no longer on planet Earth because they lied to the United States and they strung us along in negotiations, and that was unacceptable to the President, which is why many of the previous leaders were killed. So again, this is another historic opportunity for Iran to do the right thing, to rid themselves of their nuclear ambitions, and to come to a deal with this President and the administration, or again, they will see the grave consequences of the United States armed forces, which they are continuing to see every day throughout this operation," she said.

- ANI
A bill to officially declare Amaravati as the sole capital of Andhra Pradesh is set for introduction in the Lok Sabha. The move follows a unanimous resolution passed by the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly. Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution, asserting that Amaravati is the state's permanent capital. The government aims to develop Amaravati into a sustainable, world-class city by 2028.

The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2026, aims to statutorily declare Amaravati as the state's sole capital, following a unanimous assembly resolution.

New Delhi, March 31 The Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Bill, 2026, is set to be introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, April 1, aiming to officially declare Amaravati as the sole capital of the State.

According to Andhra Pradesh CMO, this move will provide statutory clarity to the capital status, aligning with the vision of the TDP-led NDA government.

The Bill aims to amend the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, 2014, adding the phrase, "Amaravati shall be the new capital."

After Telangana was formed as a separate state, the original Act of 2014 stated that Hyderabad shall be the common capital for Telangana and Andhra Pradesh for a period not exceeding ten years, after which Hyderabad shall be the capital of Telangana and there shall be a new capital for the successor Andhra Pradesh.

Earlier, on March 28, the Andhra Pradesh Assembly passed a resolution supporting Amaravati as the single capital, paving the way for the introduction of this Bill.

The Andhra Pradesh Legislative Assembly unanimously passed the resolution urging the Central government to grant statutory recognition to Amaravati as the permanent capital of the state.

According to an official statement from the Andhra Pradesh government, Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu moved the resolution in the Assembly, which had unanimous support. The approved resolution was forwarded to the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Speaker of the Lok Sabha, Union Home Minister and other concerned authorities.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister reaffirmed that Amaravati is the sole and permanent capital of Andhra Pradesh. He asserted that no force can alter or shift the capital.

The Chief Minister reiterated that Amaravati will be developed as a world-class Blue-Green City, combining sustainability with modern infrastructure. He assured that the capital will emerge as a self-sustainable project and a source of economic growth for Andhra Pradesh.

Chandrababu Naidu expressed confidence that Amaravati will become one of the most livable cities in the country. The Chief Minister affirmed, "A fully developed capital city will take shape by 2028. Amaravati is not just a capital city; it is the foundation for the future of Andhra Pradesh."

- ANI
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has confidently predicted a record-breaking third consecutive victory for the BJP in the upcoming Assam assembly elections. He credited the anticipated win to the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma, claiming a strong positive wave is visible in the state. CM Sarma himself asserted that the BJP has politically destroyed its opponents, specifically targeting AIUDF chief Badruddin Ajmal, and claimed no "indigenous Indian" will vote for Congress. The state is set for a single-phase poll on April 9, with the BJP aiming to secure its position against the Congress challenge.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis predicts a historic third term for BJP in Assam under PM Modi and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership.

Jorhat, March 31 Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday predicted a hat-trick win for the BJP in Assam, saying the party will break previous records under Prime Minister Modi and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership.

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, while talking to the reporters, said, "Yes, BJP is going to strike a hat-trick (in Assam). I believe that the BJP will win in Assam by breaking all previous records. The manner in which, under the leadership of PM Modi, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has worked a very positive wave can be seen in Assam this time. BJP will register a massive victory in Assam."

Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted confidence in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state Legislative Assembly elections.

Speaking with ANI, the CM exuded pride in the Vijay Sankalp Yatra launched by the party in the state and reflected on the people's participation in it. He further took a jibe at the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief, Badruddin Ajmal, and said that the BJP has destroyed the "enemies of the state".

"Our Vijay Sankalp Yatra took place, and a large number of people came and blessed us. We are confident that this time, the historic result will be in favour of the BJP. Whatever Ajmal (AIUDF chief) says, politically, we have completely destroyed the power of the enemies of Assam. Next time, I will end the remaining as well," he said.

Earlier on Wednesday, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state has witnessed a complete turnaround under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that no local "indigenous Indian" will vote for Congress in the single-phase assembly polls scheduled to be held on April 9.

Speaking on the current political scenario, Sarma told reporters here, "We have completely turned around Assam. Today, people are seeing a new Assam, based on our strong culture and heritage. People, except Bangladeshi infiltrators, are with the BJP. No local indigenous Indian people will vote for Congress."

Sarma's remarks come amid growing political tensions in the state ahead of the upcoming elections, as the BJP continues to consolidate its position among indigenous communities in Assam.

Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.

The BJP government, led by Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. The Assam Chief Minister is set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat.

The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced.

- ANI
Brazilian aerospace giant Embraer and India's Adani Group plan to establish a final aircraft assembly line in India by 2028. The joint venture aims to set up the facility in Dholera, Gujarat, as part of a Memorandum of Understanding signed earlier this year. This partnership seeks to develop an integrated ecosystem for regional transport aircraft, covering manufacturing, supply chain, and training. The initiative aligns with India's Aatmanirbhar Bharat and regional connectivity UDAN schemes.

Embraer and Adani Group plan a final assembly line in Dholera, Gujarat, by 2028, boosting India's regional aircraft manufacturing under Aatmanirbhar Bharat.

New Delhi, March 31 Brazilian aircraft manufacturer Embraer plans to set up a Final Assembly Line in India in a joint venture with the Adani Group by 2028, sources said.

The sources also said the company is in the process of finalizing the site of the assembly plant at Dholera in Gujarat.

Adani Defence & Aerospace and Embraer had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in January this year to develop an integrated regional transport aircraft ecosystem in India.

A release had said that the companies aim to collaborate on opportunities in aircraft manufacturing, supply chain, aftermarket services, and pilot training.

It said that the collaborative industrial partnership will aim to establish an assembly line, followed by a phased increase in indigenization to advance India's Regional Transport Aircraft (RTA) program, in alignment with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative and the UDAN regional connectivity vision.

The release had also said that the potential partnership will leverage Embraer's deep engineering and aircraft manufacturing expertise alongside Adani's aviation value-chain footprint that includes airport infrastructure, aerospace manufacturing, MRO services and pilot training.

Embraer has a growing footprint and long history in India, with nearly 50 Embraer aircraft and 11 aircraft types currently operating across commercial, defense and business aviation.

Adani Defence & Aerospace is India's largest integrated private defence and aerospace player.

- ANI
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah campaigned intensively for the second day in the Bagalkot Assembly bye-election, expressing strong confidence in Congress candidate Umesh Meti's victory. He highlighted the developmental legacy of late legislator H.Y. Meti, whose son is now the party's candidate, and stated the electoral atmosphere is favorable for Congress. The CM countered BJP allegations that his extensive campaigning stemmed from fear, asserting it is BJP leaders who are afraid of losing. Siddaramaiah also criticized the previous BJP government for not establishing a medical college in Bagalkote or prioritizing farmer compensation under the Upper Krishna Project.

CM Siddaramaiah campaigns for Congress candidate Umesh Meti in Bagalkot bypoll, highlights developmental legacy and counters BJP allegations.

Bagalkot, March 31 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah continued his intensive campaign for the Bagalkot Assembly bye-election for the second consecutive day on Tuesday. He participated in a campaign meeting held in Mugulolli village, where he released a booklet titled 'Pragatiya Pakshinota,' which highlights the developmental contributions of H.Y. Meti, and campaigned in support of Congress candidate Umesh Meti.

Minister R.B. Timmapur, former Legislative Council Chairman S.R. Patil, MLAs Yashavantrayagouda Patil, Hampanagouda Badarli, Vijayanand Kashappanavar, and former minister Ajaykumar Saranayak were also present.

Speaking to the media while participating in the bypoll campaign in the Bagalkote Assembly constituency, CM Siddaramaiah said that the Congress candidate Umesh Meti is receiving overwhelming public support in the Bagalkot Assembly bye-election.

He stated that the atmosphere in the bye-election constituencies is favourable for the Congress party. Late H.Y. Meti had worked tirelessly for the development of Bagalkote and had served all sections of society.

Describing him as a leader respected by all, Siddaramaiah said that following his demise, his son Umesh Meti has been fielded as the Congress candidate, and expressed confidence in his victory.

He also said that in the Davanagere South Assembly constituency, party member Pylwan Sadiq has been persuaded to withdraw from the contest. Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan will also participate in the campaign, he added.

Responding to BJP's allegation that the Chief Minister is campaigning extensively in Bagalkot due to fear of defeat, Siddaramaiah said that it is the BJP leaders who are making such statements out of fear of losing. He added that it is a tradition in the Congress party to give tickets to the family members of deceased legislators, and that this has been followed in both Davanagere and Bagalkote.

Responding to BJP leader Chalavadi Narayanaswamy's remarks regarding the Chief Minister's post, Siddaramaiah said that he is committed to the decisions of the party high command and declined to respond to BJP's statements.

Siddaramaiah alleged that during its tenure, the BJP did not take steps to establish a medical college in Bagalkote nor prioritised compensation to farmers under the Upper Krishna Project. He said that H.Y. Meti's contribution to the development of Bagalkote remains unparalleled.

- IANS
The Central Board of Direct Taxes signed a record 219 Advance Pricing Agreements in FY 2025-26, bringing the cumulative total since the program's inception to 1,034. This year's achievements include India's first-ever bilateral APAs with treaty partners France, Ireland, Indonesia, and Sweden. Complementing the APA scheme, the enhanced Safe Harbour Rules now consolidate multiple tech services into a single category with a 15.5% margin and a higher eligibility threshold. These frameworks collectively aim to provide taxpayers with transfer pricing certainty and protection against double taxation.

CBDT signs 219 APAs, crossing 1,000 total. New Safe Harbour Rules offer faster certainty for IT services at 15.5% margin.

New Delhi, March 31 The Central Board of Direct Taxes has entered into a record 219 Advance Pricing Agreements in FY 2025-26 with Indian taxpayers, taking the total number past the 1,000 mark to an aggregate of 1,034 APAs since the inception of the programme, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The figure comprises 750 unilateral APAs (UAPAs) and 284 bilateral APAs (BAPAs).

The BAPAs were signed pursuant to entering into mutual agreements with 13 of India's treaty partners, namely the US, Finland, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, France, Indonesia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Notably, this year also marks the achievement of signing India's first-ever bilateral APAs with France, Ireland, Indonesia, and Sweden. The CBDT has consistently been signing a high number of APAs, having concluded 174 APAs in the previous financial year, and in the year before that, 125 APAs were concluded, the statement said.

Safe Harbour Rules complement the APA framework by offering a faster, lower-cost alternative for achieving transfer pricing certainty. Introduced in 2013, the Safe Harbour framework prescribes fixed margins for specified categories of international transactions. The regime currently spans twelve transaction categories, including IT and software services, IT-enabled services, KPO, contract R&D, intra-group financing, guarantees, auto components, low-value-adding services, and certain transactions in the diamond industry.

The Finance Act 2026 has introduced significant enhancements to the Safe Harbour Rules. Multiple technology service segments have been consolidated into a single "Information Technology Services" category with a uniform 15.5 per cent margin. The eligibility threshold has been increased from Rs 300 crore to Rs 2,000 crore. The amendments also introduce a more system-driven and automated framework, reducing the need for detailed scrutiny and administrative interface.

The APA Scheme, together with Safe Harbour Rules, aims to provide certainty to taxpayers in the area of transfer pricing by specifying pricing methods and determining the arm's length price of international transactions in advance for up to five years. BAPAs offer the added benefit of protection against potential or actual double taxation.

- IANS
The remote village of Rekawaya in Abujhmarh, once controlled by Naxalites, is witnessing transformative development following the launch of the "Sushasan Express" initiative. This mobile governance program has facilitated the reopening of schools, enrollment of hundreds of students, and the provision of Aadhar and postal services directly to villagers. Improved security from established police camps has enabled the construction of crucial road connectivity, linking the isolated region. After decades of hardship without basic infrastructure, residents now report a new era of peace and gradual progress.

After decade-long insurgency, Chhattisgarh's Abujhmarh sees schools reopen, roads built, and connectivity improve via the Sushasan Express initiative.

Narayanpur, March 31 The Rekawaya village in the Abujhmarh area of Chhattisgarh's Narayanpur district has begun a new era of development, as an era of darkness of bombs, gunpowder, and guns has been lifted with the launch of the "Sushasan Express" initiative, ending a decade-old Naxalite insurgency.

According to Narayanpur Collector Namrata Jain, under the Sushasan Express initiative, which was launched on January 1, earlier this year, 10 schools have been reopened; meanwhile, 700 students have been enrolled in 24 schools. She added that the administration is also working on improving road and internet connectivity in the region.

"We have better schools, road connectivity... We have reopened 10 schools and also opened 24 new schools with the admission of more than 700 students... The connectivity is also being developed, NH is being constructed, which will connect to Maharashtra... We are even working on mobile and internet connectivity. We started the Sushasan Express on 1 January, which comes with Wi-Fi and an inverter installed. Aadhar operators and people from the Post-Office travel through it to the village for 2-3 days to make their documentation," Namrata Jain told ANI.

A local Villager, Pradeep, hailed the governmental efforts towards restabilising people following the end of Naxalism in the region. He stated that schools in the village are operated by a committee formed by the inclusion of 12 villages; however, it was earlier done through the Naxal Jantana government. The villager said that development is taking place in the region; however, it would take some time.

"Here, schools were operated by the Naxal Jantana government... After them, the school was run by a committee formed by the 12 villages... Constructions for roads and schools started after the police camps, and then the children shifted to government schools to study... Now, Naxals do not come here... Development has started, it will take some time," said the villager.

Rekavaya, a village in Abujhmarh, was earlier extremely difficult to access. It is located around 150 kilometres from the Narayanpur district headquarters, and reaching it required travelling through rough terrain and crossing district boundaries. The area remained largely cut off not only geographically but also from development and administrative services.

Despite being marked on maps, government presence in the region was minimal for many years. Instead, Naxalite groups had significant control, and their influence shaped daily life in the village.

Residents of Rekavaya faced prolonged hardship. For decades, they lived without basic infrastructure such as roads, communication networks, or access to government facilities. Movement was risky due to the presence of IEDs and the threat of ambushes. Educational activities in the area were also affected, with informal systems reportedly emphasising militant ideology rather than the standard curriculum.

Over time, the situation began to change due to coordinated efforts by central and state authorities, along with sustained security operations. These efforts led to a reduction in Naxalite activity, with many individuals surrendering and security forces increasing their presence in the region.

Police camps were established in and around Abujhmarh, improving security conditions. Subsequently, a road was constructed connecting Rekavaya, marking a significant step in improving access. This development facilitated the entry of administrative services and marked the beginning of gradual changes in the village.

- ANI
A 26-year-old Maoist cadre named Bijlu Mandavi, who carried a reward of one lakh rupees, surrendered before authorities in Narayanpur district. His surrender is part of the state government's 'Poona Margem Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation' initiative aimed at reintegrating insurgents into society. Following his surrender, police recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition from Maoist hideouts in the district's forests. Security officials view the increasing number of surrenders as a sign of weakening Maoist influence, attributed to sustained security operations and development work.

A 26-year-old armed Maoist cadre carrying a reward surrenders in Narayanpur, marking progress in anti-Naxal operations and state rehabilitation efforts.

Narayanpur, March 31 As a success for anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, a 26-year-old armed Maoist cadre surrendered before authorities in Narayanpur district on Tuesday.

The youth, identified as Bijlu Mandavi, carried a reward of one lakh rupees on his head and belonged to the North-West Joint Sub-Zonal Bureau technical department of the outlawed CPI Maoist organisation.

Mandavi, a resident of Tushwal Panchayat under Barsur Police Station in neighbouring Bijapur district, laid down his arms and renounced violence in the presence of Superintendent of Police Robinson Gudiya.

His decision to return to the mainstream came under the state government's flagship Poona Margem Rehabilitation to Rejuvenation initiative, which encourages Maoist cadres to abandon the path of insurgency and reintegrate into society with dignity, security, and livelihood support.

According to officials, Mandavi expressed disillusionment with the Maoist ideology and cited the futility of continued armed struggle as key reasons for his surrender. This development marks another step forward in the government's mission to eliminate left-wing extremism by March 2026, a target strongly backed by the Union Home Ministry.

In a coordinated follow-up action with paramilitary forces, Narayanpur police recovered a substantial cache of weapons and ammunition from Maoist hideouts in the dense forests of the district.

The exact details of the recovered arsenal are being verified, but preliminary reports indicate a significant haul that could disrupt local Maoist operations.

Chhattisgarh has witnessed a surge in such surrenders in recent months, particularly in the Bastar division districts, including Narayanpur, Bijapur, and Sukma.

Under the Poona Margem campaign, hundreds of cadres have already returned to normal life, drawn by promises of rehabilitation packages that include cash incentives, skill training, housing assistance, and protection from former comrades.

Security officials view these surrenders as a sign of weakening Maoist influence in the region.

Sustained pressure from joint operations by the District Reserve Guard, CRPF, and state police, combined with developmental works in tribal areas, has created an environment where many young recruits see little future in the banned outfit.

SP Robinson Gudiya appreciated Mandavi's courageous step and assured him of full administrative support for his rehabilitation.

He appealed to remaining Maoist cadres to follow suit, emphasising that the government remains committed to providing a safe and dignified life to those who choose peace over violence.

- IANS
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev has characterized a US airstrike on a Mahan Air aircraft at Mashhad International Airport as likely "collateral damage" in the ongoing conflict. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi to collect humanitarian supplies, a detail Sachdev says is coincidental to the strike. The incident raises concerns over the safety of civilian and aid-linked aviation amid escalating regional hostilities. Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump has threatened to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure if the Strait of Hormuz is not reopened.

Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev analyzes the US strike on a Mahan Air plane at Mashhad Airport, calling it wartime collateral damage.

New Delhi, April 1 Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev has weighed in on the recent US airstrike at Mashhad Airport that struck a Mahan Air aircraft, suggesting the incident was likely a case of "collateral damage" rather than a targeted strike on a humanitarian mission.

While speaking to ANI, Sachdev addressed the complexities of striking infrastructure during active hostilities, noting that while airports are strategic, the distinction between military and civilian sites is critical.

"In situations of war, I do think that airports are normally logical targets, but typically those should be military airports, not civilian airports. It depends on where this plane was parked, but this is collateral damage in the war," Sachdev stated.

The aircraft in question was reportedly scheduled to fly to Delhi to collect humanitarian supplies. However, Sachdev dismissed the idea that the flight's destination influenced the strike, clarifying that "it has nothing to do with the fact that this aircraft was supposed to come to India to pick up humanitarian aid. That is just coincidental."

According to Iranian sources, the Mahan Air aircraft was stationed at Mashhad International Airport and was prepared to fly to New Delhi as part of a broader humanitarian aid operation. "Mahan Air aircraft was hit by the US in an airstrike at Mashhad Airport. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to Delhi for humanitarian aid," sources said.

Reports indicate that the aircraft was expected to arrive in the Indian capital in the coming days to facilitate the transport of essential supplies, including medicines. This disruption has raised fresh concerns over the safety of civilian and aid-linked aviation operations in the region amid escalating geopolitical tensions.

The incident comes at a time when Iran has been coordinating humanitarian shipments with India. Earlier this month, India dispatched aid consignments to Iran, underlining what New Delhi described as long-standing civilisational and humanitarian ties between the two countries.

Mahan Air, the carrier involved in the Mashhad incident, has frequently been at the centre of international scrutiny and has been under US sanctions for years. Washington has previously alleged links between the airline and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), accusing it of transporting personnel and equipment linked to regional conflicts.

The reported strike at Mashhad adds to a series of incidents targeting aviation infrastructure in Iran during ongoing regional hostilities. Earlier conflicts have also seen damage to aircraft at Iranian airports, raising alarm over the vulnerability of civilian aviation assets in such environments.

Turning his attention to the broader rhetoric coming from Washington, Sachdev analysed the aggressive posture adopted by the White House. On US President Donald Trump's statement, he observed, "Trump is playing multiple cards at the same time. As far as obliterating is concerned, this seems to be a new favourite word with Trump and his administration."

This shift in rhetoric was underscored by US President Donald Trump's recent threat to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island, if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

In a social media post, Trump said, "Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island."

The president urged Iran to ensure that the waterway is "Open for Business," tying the resumption of maritime traffic directly to progress in talks aimed at ending hostilities. Trump wrote on Truth Social that Washington is in discussions with a "NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME" to end military operations, adding that the potential destruction of infrastructure would be "in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed."

Despite these threats, Trump has claimed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, are making "positive progress." Speaking about the ongoing backchannel diplomacy, Trump said talks are underway through Pakistani "emissaries", though he declined to provide specific details on a potential ceasefire.

Trump recently noted he is optimistic about a deal, citing "very good negotiations" and Iran allowing 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "sign of respect". Addressing reporters aboard Air Force One, he said, "I do see a deal in Iran, yeah. Could be soon."

However, Sachdev remained doubtful that the US would move against Iran's primary economic lifeline. "I am sceptical that they will take action on Kharg Island," he noted, highlighting the global economic stakes involved. "Iran's oil can only come out into the world through the terminals on Kharg Island."

Kharg Island serves as Iran's main oil export hub, handling the vast majority of the country's crude shipments. Following Trump's post, the global energy market reacted sharply, with oil prices surging amid fears of further disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

While there has been no immediate official confirmation from the United States regarding the reported strike at Mashhad, the development is likely to further strain already tense relations between Washington and Tehran. Details continue to emerge in a fluid situation that carries significant potential for diplomatic fallout.

- ANI
Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Festival, stating the region's spiritual and cultural treasures are vital for shaping a brighter future. He called upon the youth to return to their roots and use cultural heritage as a tool for societal transformation. Sinha highlighted India's extraordinary transformation over the past 12 years under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, establishing new benchmarks in progress. The festival, featuring exhibitions and folk performances, aims to preserve rich heritage and strengthen regional identity.

LG Manoj Sinha says J&K's spiritual & cultural heritage will shape a brighter future, highlighting PM Modi's leadership & a call to youth.

Jammu, March 31 Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said on Tuesday that the culture and spiritual treasures of the Union Territory will play a vital role in shaping a brighter future for all.

Speaking at the inaugural function of 'Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Festival' here, L-G Sinha said: "Jammu's soil brims with rich traditions. Dogri songs weaving life's values, crafts embedding experiences, art infused with devotion are our vibrant legacies breathing new life."

"Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Festival" was organised by Shri Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust in Jammu.

Anant Shri Vibhushit Junapeethadheeshwar Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Pujyapad Shri Swami Avdheshanand Giri Ji Maharaj also graced the occasion.

The L-G said that Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Festival aims to "preserve rich heritage, recommits to folk arts, spiritual foundations, traditions and strengthens our identity".

"I am confident traditional performances will enliven the atmosphere with colour and melody, cultural displays will carry our priceless legacy to all, and farmer awareness programmes will honour the hands nourishing this Union Territory's soul," he added.

He said that emerging India's duty is to empower our knowledge economy and to propagate innovations, cultural values, and philosophical ideas globally.

L-G Sinha noted that in this defining moment as global strife fractures societies and humanity quests for peace, India stands tall to illuminate a new path for the world.

"We are heirs to a civilisation that lit lamps of knowledge, culture, and spirituality across continents millennia ago."

The L-G said that the world awaits fresh ideas, and youth inherit the tradition birthing transformative thought.

He called upon the youth to return to their roots, cultivate new ideas and innovation and use cultural heritage as a potent tool to transform society.

The L-G added: "In this interconnected era, strengthen brotherhood's bond. Champion compassion over conflict worldwide."

He said that art and culture wield profound insight, purpose, and craft, which is essential for nation-building.

"For India, art, spirituality, philosophy, and ethics are bridges linking generations," he added.

"This is modern history's toughest phase, and we are fortunate that Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leading the country, establishing new benchmarks in progress and welfare," the L-G said.

He highlighted that India's transformation over the past 12 years has been extraordinary.

He emphasised that the society must accelerate this transformation collectively.

The L-G said that in the coming decades, we must harness new energy and resolve to build technologies and systems reshaping domestic and global industries.

He also added: "On international platforms, India has reclaimed ancient glory and confidence. Indian engineers, scientists, industrialists, and innovators now steer global discourse; their technologies and talents earn worldwide acclaim. I see this as a renaissance, reviving India's glorious history."

"Jammu and Kashmir Cultural Festival" featured various activities, including cultural exhibition, traditional folk performances, Kisan Mela and free medical camp.

On the occasion, distinguished individuals were also felicitated for their outstanding contributions in their respective fields.

Members of Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, Sham Lal Sharma and Devyani Rana; Mahant Rohit Shastri, Kailakh Jyotish and Vedic Sansthan Trust President; Mukul Kanitkar, prominent citizens, and people in large numbers, attended the cultural festival.

Suresh Kumar Sharma, Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Member; Ramesh Kumar, Jammu Divisional Commissioner; and senior government officials were also present.

- IANS
The Dalai Lama has publicly endorsed Pope Leo XIV's powerful appeal for peace, made during a Palm Sunday Mass. He stated that all major world religions fundamentally teach love, compassion, and tolerance, while condemning violence. The spiritual leader emphasized that enduring resolutions to conflicts, including those in West Asia and between Russia and Ukraine, must be rooted in dialogue and mutual respect. In response to the Pope's remarks, a US White House spokesperson defended the act of national leaders praying for service members.

Tibetan spiritual leader echoes Pope Leo XIV's appeal for an end to violence, urging dialogue and diplomacy to resolve conflicts in West Asia and Ukraine.

Dharamshala, March 31 Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama on Tuesday echoed Pope Leo XIV's appeal for peace amid escalating tensions in West Asia.

Dalai Lama in a post on X said that all religions preach tolerance and peace, and violence is condemned.

"I wholeheartedly endorse the powerful appeal for peace made by the Holy Father, Pope Leo, during his Palm Sunday Mass. His call for the laying down of arms and the renunciation of violence resonated profoundly with me, as it speaks to the very essence of what all major religions teach," he said.

"Indeed, whether we look to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or any of the world's great spiritual traditions, the message is fundamentally the same: love, compassion, tolerance, and self-discipline. Violence finds no true home in any of these teachings. History has shown us time and again that violence only begets more violence and is never a lasting foundation for peace," he added.

He further said that resolution to the conflicts must be rooted in dialogue.

"An enduring resolution to conflict, including the ones we see in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, must be rooted in dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect -- approached with the understanding that, at the deepest level, we are all brothers and sisters. I urge for and pray that the violence and conflicts may soon come to an end," he said.

In a Palm Sunday ceremony marking the beginning of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV said God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them," as quoted by CNN.

When asked to comment on the Pope's statement, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago, almost, on Judeo-Christian values. And we've seen, Presidents, we've seen, the leaders of the Department of War, and we've seen our troops go to prayer, during the most turbulent times in our nation's history. I don't think there's anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas. In fact, I think it's a very noble thing to do."

- ANI
An Air India Express flight from Bagdogra to Delhi was diverted to Lucknow after the crew detected smoke in the aircraft's avionics bay. The pilot issued a PAN-PAN call, signaling a serious but not immediately life-threatening urgency. All 148 passengers and six crew members landed safely and were later accommodated on other flights to Delhi. The aircraft has been grounded in Lucknow for a detailed inspection and repairs.

An Air India Express flight diverted to Lucknow after a mid-air smoke alert. All 154 passengers and crew safe following a PAN-PAN call.

New Delhi, March 31 A Delhi-bound Air India Express flight made an emergency landing in Lucknow after a mid-air smoke alert, with the pilot issuing a PAN-PAN call to report the urgency.

An Air India Express flight carrying 148 passengers was diverted to Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport after smoke was detected during the journey.

The flight was en route from Bagdogra to Delhi when the incident occurred on Monday evening.

Instead of a 'Mayday' distress call, the pilot issued a 'PAN-PAN' call, which is used to signal an urgent situation that is serious but not immediately life-threatening.

The call was made after the crew noticed smoke in the aircraft's avionics bay, which contains critical electronic systems.

There were 148 passengers and six crew members on board, and all of them remained safe. The aircraft landed without any incident in Lucknow, and no injuries were reported.

The airline said the crew acted quickly and chose to divert the flight as a precautionary step, prioritising passenger safety.

After landing, passengers were provided refreshments and later re-accommodated on alternative flights to Delhi.

An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident and said the decision to divert was taken following standard safety procedures.

The airline also apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers.

After the landing, the aircraft was declared 'Aircraft on Ground' (AOG), meaning it has been grounded for detailed inspection and necessary repairs. The plane is currently stationed at the Lucknow airport.

Meanwhile, earlier this month, an aircraft operated by Air India Express faced a technical issue after landing at Phuket International Airport.

The airline said on March 11 that its Hyderabad-Phuket flight experienced a problem with the aircraft's nose wheel after landing in Thailand.

The flight, IX 938, had taken off from Rajiv Gandhi International Airport and was headed to Phuket.

In a statement, Air India Express confirmed that the aircraft encountered an issue with the nose wheel upon arrival at Phuket Airport on March 11.

- IANS
Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta has joined the BJP's campaign for the upcoming Kerala Assembly elections, urging voters to support the party. She criticized the incumbent UDF and LDF alliances for policy paralysis and burdening the state with debt. Gupta promoted her model of clean governance, linking Kerala's development to a 'Viksit Bharat'. She also reiterated her government's zero-tolerance policy on corruption, referencing a recent CBI arrest in Delhi.

Delhi CM Rekha Gupta joins BJP's Kerala campaign, promoting clean governance and a 'Viksit Keralam' vision ahead of the April 9 assembly polls.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday joined BJP's star campaigners in the Kerala Assembly elections, seeking votes for the party and showcasing her clean governance model.

"Namaskaram Alappuzha. The path to Viksit Bharat goes through Viksit Keralam. When the farmers and fishermen of Alappuzha prosper, when the youth become self-reliant, and when every family feels secure, development gains real meaning," said the Chief Minister in a post on X.



"The present condition of Keralam is the result of years of policy paralysis, weak governance, and political opportunism. The reality is evident: UDF and LDF have pushed Keralam into a debt burden that weighs heavily on every household," she said.



"Keralam now needs a new direction, one that is committed to Seva, guided by Sushasan, and dedicated to Vikas. I urge you all to join this mission of Viksit Keralam. Press the lotus and bless Shri M. J. Job ji with a decisive mandate," she said on social media.



Later, on reaching Kochi, she said, "Landed in Kochi. Deeply grateful for the warm welcome from the BJP Keralam family. Looking forward to joining the mission of Vikasita Keralam in Alappuzha and Vaikom."



Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Gupta welcomed the arrest of a senior Delhi civic official in a corruption case by the CBI, reiterating the BJP government's resolve to promote transparency in the National Capital.



"Zero tolerance for corruption in Delhi. Strict action. No exceptions. No protection for anyone. We are unwavering in our commitment to clean and transparent governance. Zero tolerance for corruption in Delhi. Strict action. No exceptions. No protection for anyone. We are unwavering in our commitment to clean and transparent governance," she said on social media.



The Chief Minister also tagged a news item on CBI arresting Abhishek Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi's Shahdara, in a bribery case of Rs 4 lakh.



The Kerala Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 9, with the counting of votes for the 140-member House on May 4.





- IANS
Devotees in Puducherry celebrated Mahavir Jayanti with special prayers and a vibrant chariot procession involving over 500 community members. The procession, starting from Bharathi Street, moved through the city's main streets accompanied by devotional music. President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended greetings, urging citizens to embrace Lord Mahavir's principles. The festival commemorates the birth of the 24th Tirthankara, whose teachings of non-violence and truth remain deeply relevant.

Over 500 devotees joined a chariot procession in Puducherry for Mahavir Jayanti. President Murmu and PM Modi extend greetings, highlighting teachings of non-violence.

Puducherry, March 31 The special prayers were performed at the Jain temple on Bharathi Street in Puducherry on the occasion of Mahavira Jayanti on Tueday. It witnessed the participation of more than 500 Jain community members for the chariot procession.

Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir. It is one the most significant festival for the Jain community, celebrating his teachings of non-violence (Ahimsa), compassion, and truth.

As a part of this, a chariot procession was also held with the statue of Mahavira which saw the participation of more than 500 people from the Jain community living in Puducherry.

The procession was started from Bharathi Street and was passed through the main streets of Puducherry. Bhajans were sung, various instruments were played to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir.

Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, calling upon citizens to continuously strive toward building a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society.

President Murmu further highlighted that Lord Mahavir's teachings inspired people to lead lives rooted in compassion.

"On this sacred occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country, especially to all members of the Jain community. Lord Mahavir taught the principles of non-violence, truth, and self-restraint, and inspired people to lead a life of compassion. Let us draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Mahavir and continuously strive to build a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society," said President Murmu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on Mahavir Jayanti, stating that the life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence, and compassion. He emphasised that these ideals continue to remain deeply relevant in today's world.

"Best wishes on the sacred occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Kalyanak. The life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence and compassion. His ideals are spiritually uplifting and also deeply relevant in today's world. His emphasis on equality and kindness reminds us of our shared responsibility towards society," said PM Modi.

Mahavir Jayanti is observed by the Jain community worldwide. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the revered 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism.

- ANI
Embraer has successfully concluded an intensive cold-weather demonstration of its KC-390 Millennium military aircraft at Sweden's Vidsel Test Range. The campaign showcased the aircraft's ability to perform short takeoffs and landings and rapidly load and deploy heavy military vehicles in Arctic conditions. Company leadership emphasized the aircraft's versatility and 100% reliability in the most demanding environments. The KC-390 is designed for high logistical responsiveness and is fully compatible with modern Agile Combat Employment concepts.

Embraer's KC-390 Millennium successfully concludes Arctic-capability campaign in Sweden, demonstrating short takeoffs and rapid deployment in extreme cold.

Vidsel, March 31 Brazilian Aerospace company Embraer announced on Tuesday that it successfully completed an intensive cold-weather demonstration campaign of the KC-390 Millennium in Sweden. Noting that it was conducted at the Vidsel Test Range military facility, the operation showcased the aircraft's performance and highlighted its capability to operate in Arctic conditions and support Agile Combat Employment concepts, as per an official statement.

The statement noted that during the cold-weather campaign, the crew quickly started the aircraft's engines and systems before performing short takeoffs and landings. The KC-390 also demonstrated its ability to rapidly load and deploy heavy vehicles, such as the SISU GTT military all-terrain vehicles, while still retaining space for troops and additional equipment. This performance confirms the KC-390's perfect suitability for missions requiring high logistical responsiveness in demanding environments.

"The KC-390 Millennium demonstrated once again its versatility and its ability to successfully perform the most demanding missions under the toughest conditions, all with 100% reliability. This next-generation aircraft, which is fully compatible with the Agile Combat Employment concept, represents an unbeatable combination for operations in Northern Europe and the Arctic," said Bosco da Costa Junior, President and CEO, Embraer Defence and Security.

The statement highlighted how the KC-390 Millennium performed complex missions in the most demanding environments and that the medium multi-mission airlift and tanker jet delivers superior performance, operational flexibility, and cost efficiency. It further observed that the capabilities include aerial refuelling, Agile Combat Employment, and rapid response across a wide range of mission profiles.

Embraer manufactures aircraft for Commercial and Executive aviation, Defense & Security, and Agricultural customers. Since it was founded in 1969, Embraer has delivered more than 9,000 aircraft, the statement noted.

- ANI
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated the government is reviewing the recent entry tax increase and will consider rationalisation to prevent law and order issues. He defended the tax, calling protests based on misconceptions, and noted he would speak with the Punjab Chief Minister regarding border tensions. On healthcare, Sukhu detailed subsidies for robotic surgery, with poor patients paying only about 30,000 while the government covers up to 70,000. He also highlighted broader reforms, including upgrading medical colleges and increasing postgraduate seats.

Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhu announces review of entry tax hike and details subsidies for robotic surgery in public hospitals to aid poor patients.

Shimla, March 31 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday said the state government is reviewing the recent increase in entry tax and will consider rationalisation to avoid any law and order situation, while defending the rollout of robotic surgery in public hospitals.

Speaking to the media in Shimla, Sukhu said protests over the entry tax hike were based on "misconceptions" and asserted that the levy is not new.

"Entry tax has existed earlier as well, including during the BJP government's tenure. We have only rationalised it. The perception that there has been a sharp increase is not correct," he said.

The Chief Minister added that the government is preparing a comparative statement and will examine areas where rates can be reduced. "If there is any scope for rationalisation, we will act to ensure that no law and order situation arises. I will also speak to the Punjab Chief Minister, as some claims being made are incorrect," he said, referring to tensions at inter-state borders.

On concerns over the affordability of robotic surgery, Sukhu said the government is working to make the technology accessible to the common man.

"Robotic surgery is being subsidised. Poor patients are being charged only around 30,000, with the government bearing 70,000 as a subsidy. Even for those opting for special wards, a subsidy of 50,000 is being provided," he said.

He acknowledged that the facility is not currently covered under schemes like Ayushman Bharat but said the government is exploring options. "We will take a call after ensuring that the system becomes sustainable. Training of doctors and staff is underway," he added.

Highlighting broader healthcare reforms, the Chief Minister said the government is upgrading infrastructure and moving beyond a 'routine system' that had continued for years. "We are improving medical colleges, increasing postgraduate seats and introducing new technology with the support of doctors to provide better treatment to common people," he said.

Responding to a question on a resolution regarding the impact of free trade agreements (FTAs) on apple growers, Sukhu said he would comment after examining the details. The resolution, moved in the Assembly, raises concerns over imports from countries like the United States and New Zealand affecting local horticulturists.

On the allegations laid on the Chief Secretary, the Chief Minister,when asked for his reaction on the controversy, the Chief Minister said that the matter is not yet in his knowledge. He stated that he will call for all relevant documents and will comment only after examining the facts. He made it clear that it would not be appropriate to make any statement on such a sensitive issue without complete information.

He reiterated that his government remains committed to balancing development, affordability and public welfare while introducing advanced facilities in the state.

- ANI
Dubai authorities have successfully extinguished a fire aboard the Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi in Dubai waters. The incident, cited by Kuwait Petroleum Corporation as a result of an Iranian attack, caused damage to the vessel's hull, raising concerns about a potential oil spill. All 24 crew members aboard the tanker, which was carrying 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia to China, are confirmed safe. The firefighting response followed reports of multiple loud explosions heard in Dubai over several hours.

Fire on Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi extinguished in Dubai after suspected Iranian drone attack. All 24 crew safe, hull damaged, oil spill risk assessed.

Dubai, March 31 The Dubai Media Office on Tuesday confirmed that the fire aboard the Kuwaiti oil tanker Al Salmi has been successfully extinguished, causing damage to the vessel's hull and raising concerns about a possible oil spill.

The tanker, Al Salmi, was carrying 2 million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, destined for Qingdao, China. Thankfully, all 24 crew members are safe, and no injuries have been reported.

In a post on X, the Dubai Media Office said, "Dubai authorities have confirmed that response teams have successfully extinguished the fire involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker. Relevant teams continue to assess the situation and take the necessary measures, and updates will be shared as they become available."

"Authorities in Dubai responded to a fire in an abandoned house in Al Badaa caused by debris following an air defence interception. Four minor injuries were reported among individuals in the vicinity of the house," it said further.

Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said early on Tuesday that the Al Salmi tanker was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored at the port in the United Arab Emirates, causing damage to the vessel and a fire on board, as quoted by Al Jazeera.

The Dubai Media Office said that the incident involving Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters (Anchorage "E"), had no injuries.

"Authorities in Dubai confirm their response to an incident involving a drone affecting a Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters (Anchorage "E"), with no injuries reported. Maritime firefighting teams are currently working to bring the fire under control and manage the incident in line with established procedures. Further updates will be provided as they become available," it said.

"Authorities in Dubai continue firefighting operations in response to the incident involving a Kuwaiti oil tanker. No injuries have been reported, and the safety of all 24 crew members has been secured," it said further.

The authorities had issued an alert earlier when the fire was detected.

"Authorities in Dubai continue to respond to the fire affecting a Kuwaiti oil tanker. Further updates will be shared as they become available," it said.

Multiple loud explosions were heard in Dubai, starting at around 6 or 7 pm local time on Monday until about 1 or 2 am on Tuesday, Al Jazeera reported.

- ANI
Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared India effectively achieved a Naxal-free status by March 31, marking the end of a decades-long conflict. The success is attributed to a comprehensive strategy combining relentless security operations, cutting-edge technology, and a massive infrastructure push in affected regions. A key component was a humane rehabilitation policy offering financial aid, housing, and education to those who surrendered. From 126 affected districts in 2014, the number has plummeted to just two, with the entire top Maoist leadership neutralized.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah declares India effectively Naxal-free after a multi-pronged strategy of security ops, infrastructure, and rehabilitation.

Raipur/New Delhi, March 31 With Union Home Minister Amit Shah declaring that India has effectively achieved a Naxal-free status by meeting the government's self-imposed deadline of March 31, a significant breakthrough has been marked for the country, which was previously seen as a prolonged conflict that earlier governments found challenging to address.

When HM Shah addressed the Lok Sabha on the issue on March 30, the country was face-to-face with a reality. What was once dismissed as an intractable conflict rooted in underdevelopment has been dismantled through a multi-pronged strategy combining relentless security operations, cutting-edge technology, a massive infrastructure push, and a humane yet firm rehabilitation policy.

HM Shah's speech not only celebrated this historic milestone but also debunked long-held myths about the nature of Naxalism. At its peak, the so-called Red Corridor spanned 12 states and covered approximately 70 per cent of India's landmass, directly affecting the lives of over 20 crore citizens. For more than five decades, since the 1967 Naxalbari uprising, this ideological movement claimed over 20,000 lives, including more than 5,000 martyred security personnel.

Naxal groups extorted an estimated Rs 240 crore annually as "tax" from the public, while nearly 92 per cent of their weaponry was looted from police stations and armouries rather than imported.

Amit Shah emphatically rejected the narrative that Naxalism stemmed from poverty. Citing data from the 1960s, he pointed out that the Naxalbari region itself had a higher per capita income than many non-affected areas like Saharsa in Bihar. The movement was driven not by genuine grievances of the poor but by a rigid, imported ideology aimed at capturing power through armed struggle.

The 2005 Jehanabad jailbreak -- where around 1,000 armed Naxals overran a CRPF camp and freed 389 prisoners -- exemplified the audacity and organisational strength the extremists once possessed.

Urban intellectuals and front organisations, often referred to as "Urban Naxals", provided critical logistical, intellectual, and policy cover, complicating the state's response for years. The transformation over the last 12 years has been remarkable.

In 2014, a total of 126 districts were Naxal-affected, with 35 classified as "most affected". By 2026, the number of affected districts has plummeted to just two, and "most affected" districts stand at zero.

The entire top leadership of the CPI (Maoist) -- all 21 members of the Central Committee and Politburo -- has either been neutralised or surrendered. A "zero tolerance" policy dismantled urban support networks and front organisations.

Success did not come from security measures alone. A lucrative surrender-and-rehabilitation policy played a pivotal role: immediate aid of Rs 50,000, a monthly stipend for 36 months, housing under PM Awas Yojana, free education for children up to Class 12, and doubled rewards for group surrenders. Panchayats that became Naxal-free received Rs one crore as an incentive. This approach encouraged thousands to lay down arms and rejoin mainstream society.

Key security operations turned the tide. Missions such as 'Operation Octopus' in Bihar, 'Operation Double Bull' in Gumla-Latehar, 'Operation Thunderstorm' in Jharkhand, and the gruelling 21-day 'Operation Black Forest' -- conducted in extreme 45 degrees Celsius heat with forces surviving on just 300 ml of water daily -- broke the back of permanent Naxal strongholds.

Security forces were empowered with 400 bullet- and blast-proof vehicles, 68 night-landing helipads, and 596 fortified police stations. Technology integration, including UAVs, drones, satellite imaging, and AI-based analytics, provided unprecedented operational superiority.

Parallel to kinetic operations, the government launched an unprecedented development offensive in tribal areas. Over 12,000 km of roads were constructed, with Rs 20,815 crore sanctioned specifically for LWE-affected regions. More than 5,000 mobile towers were installed, and the Prime Minister has directed another 8,000 to ensure tribal connectivity matches urban standards like Delhi.

Financial inclusion saw 1,804 new bank branches, 1,321 ATMs, and over 6,000 post offices opened.

Women received Rs two lakh and men Rs five lakh in loans for self-employment. Education infrastructure expanded with 259 Eklavya Model Schools and multiple ITIs and skill centres.

Healthcare received a boost through facilities like the 240-bed super-speciality hospital in Jagdalpur.

Cultural initiatives such as the Bastar Olympics (involving over 5.5 lakh tribal participants) and Bastar Pandum (with 1.2 lakh artists) fostered pride and social integration.

Home Minister Shah's address underscored a clear philosophy: "Goli ka jawab goli (bullet for bullet)" combined with "development for all".

This dual approach restored the rule of law while addressing the genuine aspirations of tribal communities.

The collapse of Naxalism marks the end of a 56-year-old conflict that once threatened India's internal security and democratic fabric.

As India steps into a new era on April 1, 2026, the achievement stands as a testament to coordinated governance, political will, and the sacrifices of security forces and civilians.

Challenges of sustained development and vigilance against any ideological resurgence remain, but the momentum is irreversible.

The Red Corridor, once a symbol of fear and violence, is giving way to roads, schools, hospitals, and opportunities -- proving that democracy and development, backed by resolute security, can defeat even the most entrenched insurgencies.

- IANS
Official data from Dir Upper district in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa reveals a severe gender imbalance in education, with girls having access to far fewer schools and colleges than boys. The disparity worsens at higher education levels, with only one girls' degree college compared to four for boys. Infrastructure is a critical issue, as schools destroyed by floods remain unrebuilt, and remote areas lack middle or high schools for girls. Experts warn that deep structural barriers like cultural norms and early marriages, combined with overcrowding and poor facilities, will widen the gap without urgent policy action.

Official data reveals stark disparity in girls' access to schools and colleges in Dir Upper, Pakistan, with cultural and infrastructure barriers widening the gap.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, March 31 In Dir Upper, the vision of equal education for girls remains far from reality in 2026, despite repeated government assurances. Official data highlights a stark gender disparity in access to schooling, particularly at higher levels, raising concerns about long-term social and economic consequences, as reported by The Express Tribune.

According to The Express Tribune, figures show that out of 1,017 schools in the district, only 310 are designated for girls, serving just 64,892 students. In contrast, 707 boys' or mixed institutions cater to over 141,000 students, including some girls. This imbalance persists even though women make up more than half of the district's population of 1.08 million.

At the college level, the gap widens further, with only one girls' degree college compared to four for boys. Political leaders have recently announced funding of Rs139.9 million for two new girls' colleges in Larjam-Darora and Asheri Dara. Lawmakers have described the initiative as transformative. However, several previously approved projects remain incomplete, including a girls' college in PK-12. Across constituencies, boys consistently outnumber girls in access to high and higher secondary schools.

Infrastructure challenges compound the issue. Floods in 2010 and 2022 destroyed multiple schools that have yet to be rebuilt, forcing children to study outdoors. In remote areas like Kalkot and Kumrat Valley, there are virtually no middle or high schools for girls, further restricting access beyond primary education.

Officials acknowledge that earlier policies focusing on expanding enrollment helped improve access through community-led initiatives and better monitoring. These measures are no longer sufficient. Overcrowded classrooms, furniture shortages, and limited space continue to affect learning conditions, with many students still sitting on the floor, as cited by The Express Tribune.

Experts point to deeper structural barriers, including cultural norms, early marriages, lack of female teachers, and poor transport facilities, all of which disproportionately impact girls. Without urgent investment in infrastructure and sustained policy commitment, the gender gap in education is likely to widen further, as reported by The Express Tribune.

- ANI
The government has officially notified the Finance Act 2026, bringing the financial proposals of the Union Budget 2026-27 into effect. The budget outlines a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore, with a significant Rs 12.2 lakh crore allocated for capital expenditure to boost infrastructure. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has projected a reduced fiscal deficit target of 4.3% of GDP for the upcoming fiscal year. The government also aims to lower the debt-to-GDP ratio to 55.6%, freeing up resources for developmental spending.

The government notifies the Finance Act 2026, enacting the Union Budget with a Rs 53.47 lakh crore expenditure plan and a 4.3% fiscal deficit target.

New Delhi, March 31 The government has notified the Finance Act 2026 to bring into effect the financial proposals of the Union Budget for 2026-27.

A gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Law and Justice stated: "The Finance Act 2026 received the assent of the President on March 30, 2026 and is hereby published for general information."

The Parliament on Friday approved the Finance Bill 2026 with the Rajya Sabha returning it to the Lok Sabha by a voice vote, completing the legislative process to provide the legal backing for the proposals of the Union Budget 2026-27 to kick in during the new financial year beginning from April 1.

The Lok Sabha passed the bill on March 25, along with 32 amendments. The Rajya Sabha returned the bill after a brief discussion, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman's reply to questions raised by Members of Parliament on her budget proposals.

The Union Budget 2026-27 outlined a total expenditure of Rs 53.47 lakh crore, an increase of 7.7 per cent over the current financial year ending on March 31.

The budget proposes a capital expenditure of Rs 12.2 lakh crore to boost big-ticket infrastructure projects for growth and jobs in the economy. This represents an increase of 2.2 lakh crore over the corresponding figure of the previous fiscal year.

The Finance Minister said that an Infrastructure Risk Development Fund would be set up to accelerate the development of big projects.

Sitharaman has projected a further reduction in the fiscal deficit to 4.3 per cent of GDP for 2026-27 as the government continues on the path of fiscal consolidation to ensure economic growth with stability.

She noted that the target reflects a balance between supporting economic momentum and keeping public finances stable. The fiscal deficit represents the gap between the government's total expenditure and its total revenue.

The government would go for net borrowing of Rs 11.7 lakh crore in FY27 from dated securities to fund its fiscal deficit, while the gross market borrowing is pegged at Rs 17.2 lakh crore, Sitharaman said.

The Finance Minister said the Budget proposes to deliver a powerful push to infrastructure, including highways, ports, railways and power projects, scale up manufacturing in 7 strategic sectors and create champion MSMEs.

She further stated that the government has maintained fiscal prudence and monetary stability whilst maintaining a strong thrust on public investments

The Finance Minister also said that India's debt:GDP ratio has come down to 56.1 per cent in 2025-26 and would be further reduced in the Budget for 2026-27 to 55.6 per cent.

The decline in the debt:GDP ratio will reduce the Government's outgo on interest payments, which will help to keep a lower fiscal deficit and free up resources for development, Sitharaman said.

- IANS
Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta visited the Himachal Emporium in New Delhi, observing a wide range of traditional products. He praised the efforts to promote the state's unique cultural identity and craftsmanship. The Governor emphasized the importance of providing better marketing and infrastructure to support local artisans and weavers. He noted that promoting these products preserves heritage and strengthens the rural economy.

Governor Kavinder Gupta visits Himachal Emporium in Delhi, emphasizes promoting traditional crafts and supporting local artisans for economic growth.

New Delhi, March 31 Himachal Pradesh Governor Kavinder Gupta on Tuesday visited the Himachal Emporium in New Delhi.

During the visit, the Governor observed a wide range of Himachali products displayed at the Emporium and expressed keen interest in the rich craftsmanship and traditional heritage reflected in these items, according to an official statement.

The Governor interacted with the officials and staff of the Emporium and lauded their efforts in promoting the unique cultural identity and traditional craftsmanship of Himachal Pradesh.

He noted that such platforms play a significant role in showcasing the state's indigenous products, including handloom and handicraft items, to a wider national and international audience.

Gupta emphasised the importance of supporting local artisans, weavers and entrepreneurs by providing them with better marketing opportunities and modern infrastructure.

He observed that the promotion of traditional products not only preserves the state's cultural heritage but also strengthens the rural economy and generates sustainable livelihoods for local communities.

The Governor further stated that Himachali products are known for their quality, authenticity and aesthetic appeal, and there is immense potential to expand their reach in domestic as well as global markets.

He encouraged the authorities to continue their efforts in promoting locally made products and enhancing brand value through innovation, quality assurance and effective marketing strategies. Officials of the Emporium were also present on the occasion.

Gupta was appointed Governor of Himachal Pradesh by the President of India on March 5. He replaced Shiv Pratap Shukla, who has been appointed Governor of Telangana.

He entered electoral politics at the municipal level and became the first Mayor of the Jammu Municipal Corporation, serving three consecutive terms between 2005 and 2010.

In 2014, he was elected BJP MLA from the Gandhi Nagar Assembly constituency in Jammu. In March 2015, he became Speaker of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, the first BJP leader to hold the post.

Gupta later served as Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir in April 2018.

Before his appointment as Governor of Himachal Pradesh, he served as the Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, having been appointed to the post on July 14, 2025.

- ANI
Rajasthan Education Minister Madan Dilawar launched the annual 'Pravesh Utsav' to boost enrollment in government schools. He asserted that state schools are superior to private ones, offering free education, meals, and modern facilities. The initiative includes door-to-door campaigns by teachers to motivate parents. The state is upgrading infrastructure with smart classrooms and labs to match private standards.

Rajasthan Education Minister asserts government schools offer better facilities and free education compared to costly private institutions.

Jaipur, March 31 The Rajasthan government will launch its annual 'Pravesh Utsav' across all government schools in the state from Wednesday, with Education and Panchayati Raj Minister Madan Dilawar, calling for a statewide push to ensure that no child is left out of the education system.

Issuing directions to the Education department, Minister Dilawar said on Tuesday that teachers have been instructed to conduct door-to-door campaigns to facilitate new student admissions and motivate parents to enroll their children in government schools across the state.

Making a strong pitch for public education in Rajasthan, the Minister asserted that government schools are superior to private institutions in terms of both facilities and affordability.

"While private schools charge fees running into lakhs, government schools provide quality education along with textbooks, uniforms, mid-day meals, laptops, bicycles and scholarships --completely free of cost," he said.

Minister Dilawar emphasised that government school teachers are highly educated and professionally trained, and the state is continuously working to upgrade infrastructure.

"Modern school buildings, smart classrooms, and well-equipped labs are being developed to match, and in many cases surpass, private school standards," he added.

The Minister appealed to the parents across Rajasthan to take advantage of these facilities and enroll their children in nearby government schools.

He reiterated that the state government is committed to strengthening the public education system and making it more accessible and inclusive.

Minister Dilawar was speaking at the inauguration of a newly constructed building at Government Senior Secondary School in Vati under Badgaon Panchayat Samiti in Udaipur district.

The project has been supported by the IIFL Foundation, which has adopted 102 schools in the Udaipur district.

Among those present at the event were IIFL Foundation Chairman Nirmal Jain, Director Madhu Jain, Udaipur Rural MLA Phoolchand Meena, BJP Rural District President Pushkar Teli, and BJP City District President Gajpal Singh Rathore.

The 'Pravesh Utsav' aims to boost enrolment and strengthen foundational education across the state as the new academic session begins.

- IANS
Grab is increasing its temporary fuel surcharge for ride-hailing trips in Singapore from S$0.50 to S$0.90, effective April 7, 2026. The hike, which will remain until at least May 31, 2026, is a direct response to recent volatility in global fuel prices impacting driver operating costs. The company is rebranding the existing "Driver Fee" to "Fuel Surcharge" to provide greater fare transparency for passengers. Grab states the entire surcharge will be passed directly to drivers, with the company taking no commission from this specific fee.

Grab increases its temporary fuel surcharge from S$0.50 to S$0.90 per ride in Singapore from April 7 to support drivers amid volatile fuel costs.

New Delhi, March 31 Leading taxi and ride-hailing provider in Singapore 'Grab', is set to increase its temporary fuel surcharge for ride-hailing services from SGD 0.50 to SGD 0.90 per trip starting next month.

According to Grab, the adjustment is scheduled to take effect from April 7 and will remain in place until May 31, 2026. The company attributed the move to recent volatility in global fuel prices, which has led to a rise in daily operating costs for its driver-partners.

The Singapore-based platform, which provides on-demand services including ride-hailing, food delivery, and digital payments across eight countries, stated that the change is intended to support its workforce during this period of price fluctuation.

As part of this adjustment, the company is also rebranding the existing "Driver Fee", originally introduced during previous periods of high fuel costs, to "Fuel Surcharge."

The company stated the renaming was done "to provide greater clarity on how your fares support our drivers." The surcharge is not permanent and is subject to further evaluation. The company said that it is "closely monitoring the situation and will review this again closer to date to ensure it remains appropriate for prevailing market conditions."

"100% of this surcharge goes directly to your driver as a direct pass-through to help offset temporary global fuel price increases; Grab does not take a commission from this amount. You will see this reflected as a single 'Fuel Surcharge' line item in your passenger fare breakdown," Grab stated.

The company expressed its ongoing commitment to its partners, stating that "we remain committed to providing our driver-partners with the help they need."

Grab Holdings Limited's stock price stood at 3.53 USD, marking a decrease of 0.04 or 1.12 per cent, as of the market close on Monday, March 30, 2026.

- ANI
Goa Shipyard Limited marked a significant day with the ceremonial launch of the Indian Navy's Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel, INS Shachi, and the formal delivery of the Indian Coast Guard Ship, ICGS Achal. The launch of INS Shachi was conducted by Smt. Shagun Sobti in the presence of senior naval officials, including Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti. Both vessels feature high indigenous content, with ICGS Achal at over 65% and INS Shachi at approximately 76%, aligning with national self-reliance goals. GSL's Chairman highlighted the shipyard's accelerated production, having launched 14 vessels in the last 600 days.

Goa Shipyard achieves dual milestone, launching Next Gen OPV for Indian Navy and delivering new ship to Coast Guard, boosting indigenous defence.

Vasco da Gama, March 31 Goa Shipyard Limited, a premier Defence Public Sector Undertaking under the Ministry of Defence, marked a significant milestone in India's maritime capability enhancement with the ceremonial launch of the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel INS Shachi for the Indian Navy, followed by the successful delivery of Indian Coast Guard Ship ICGS Achal to the Indian Coast Guard. The ceremonial launch of INS Shachi--a key platform under the Indian Navy's NGOPV programme--was carried out by Smt. Shagun Sobti in the esteemed presence of Vice Admiral Tarun Sobti, UYSM, AVSM, VSM, Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff, along with senior officials from the Indian Navy and GSL. The launch marks a major step forward in strengthening India's indigenous naval capabilities, according to a release. On the same day, GSL achieved another critical milestone with the delivery of ICGS Achal, which was formally accepted by Commanding Officer in presence of DIG VK Parmar, TM, PDMAT, Indian Coast Guard. Its induction will significantly enhance capabilities in coastal surveillance, maritime law enforcement, and national security operations.

Addressing the gathering, Brajesh Kumar Upadhyay, Chairman & Managing Director, GSL, highlighted that achieving these two major milestones on the same day reflects GSL's robust execution capability, operational excellence, and strong institutional synergy with the Indian Navy and Indian Coast Guard, according to a release. He further underscored GSL's accelerated production tempo, noting that the shipyard has launched 14 vessels in the last 600 days, translating to an average of one launch every 40-43 days. This remarkable cadence stands as a testament to GSL's enhanced industrial capacity, streamlined processes, and unwavering commitment to the timely delivery of complex maritime platforms. Both platforms exemplify India's growing strength in indigenous defence manufacturing. ICGS Achal has been built with over 65 per cent indigenous content, while INS Shachi incorporates approximately 76 per cent indigenous content, including indigenous design, advanced engineering, and systems sourced from the Indian industry. These achievements strongly align with the Government of India's flagship initiatives of Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India, reinforcing the nation's pursuit of self-reliance in defence production. This dual achievement firmly establishes Goa Shipyard Limited as a strategic force multiplier in India's defence shipbuilding ecosystem, delivering high-quality, indigenous platforms that strengthen national security while accelerating India's transformation into a self-reliant maritime power.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gujarat for a one-day visit, where he was welcomed by the state's top leadership at Ahmedabad airport. He inaugurated and laid foundation stones for multiple development projects spanning power, railways, and highways, with a total worth exceeding Rs 20,000 crore. In a public address, he praised Gujarat's massive state budget and its pioneering role in India's solar energy sector, crediting initiatives begun during his tenure as Chief Minister. The PM emphasized that the "Superfast Express of development" would continue with public trust.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated key projects in Gujarat, addressed a public gathering, and praised the state's leadership in solar power and development.

Gandhinagar, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gujarat on a one-day visit on Tuesday and was warmly welcomed at Ahmedabad Airport by Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi.

On this occasion, BJP State president Jagdish Vishwakarma, Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani, Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya, Chief Secretary MK Das, Additional Chief Secretary of GAD Anju Sharma, In-charge Director General of Police K LN Rao, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik, Major General Gaurav Bagga, and Ahmedabad Collector Sujit Kumar also greeted and welcomed the Prime Minister.

The PM addressed a public gathering at Vav-Tharad after inaugurating and dedicating multiple development projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. These projects span key sectors including Power, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development.

PM Modi assured that the BJP-led government will continue the "Superfast Express of development" with people's trust from local government levels to Parliament.

Hailing Gujarat's budget of Rs 4.08 lakh crores, PM Modi said, "The Gujarat government has presented the budget of over 4 lakhs crores. This money will be spent on the development of villages, town and cities. As long as your trust remains--from the Panchayat to the Parliament--the 'Superfast Express' of development will continue to move forward at this very pace."

The PM noted Gujarat's achievements in solar power production, stating that the state is at the forefront of renewable energy development in India.

"Today, Gujarat is leading the way in solar power, with its achievements shining brightly. The state is at the forefront of renewable energy development in India because it began focusing on this sector when there was little national attention. In 2010, as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I initiated the establishment of a solar park--a multi-technology project that sparked the solar energy movement in the region," he said.

PM Modi inaugurated the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway built at a cost of over Rs 5,100 crore.

Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders and laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-lI) of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.

- ANI
The Haryana government has successfully recovered Rs 127.27 crore from Kotak Mahindra Bank, bringing its total outstanding dues with all banks to zero. This follows a State Vigilance Bureau probe into major discrepancies in fixed deposits held by the Panchkula Municipal Corporation at the bank. Two individuals, including a former bank relationship manager, have been arrested for allegedly providing false reports and siphoning funds. Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini emphasized the government's duty to protect public finances under a strict zero-tolerance policy towards corruption.

Haryana govt recovers Rs 127.27 cr from Kotak Mahindra Bank, clearing all outstanding dues. ACB probe leads to arrests in Panchkula fixed deposit scam.

Chandigarh, March 31 In a significant move to safeguard public finances, the Panchkula Municipal Corporation has successfully recovered a principal amount of Rs 127.27 crore from Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited (HPGCL) has also recovered Rs 25 crore from AU Small Finance Bank. The entire outstanding dues from IDFC Bank had already been cleared, according to an official statement from the state government.

With these recoveries, the Haryana Government now has no outstanding dues with any bank, marking a major achievement in public fund management.

According to DIPR, Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini had issued strict directives to both officials and the banks, emphasising the importance of the timely recovery of government dues. "Safeguarding public funds is the government's duty," he said.

The Chief Minister also noted that under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Haryana government will take every necessary step to protect public funds.

This development follows a probe by the State Vigilance & Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) into alleged irregularities in Panchkula Municipal Corporation's fixed deposits at Kotak Mahindra Bank.

The ACB registered an FIR on March 24, after uncovering discrepancies in fixed deposit receipts and bank accounts maintained at the bank's Sector-11 branch in Panchkula.

The first arrest in the case is Dileep Kumar Raghav, who was serving as Relationship Manager at the bank during the period under investigation. Vigilance officials said Municipal Corporation Panchkula had deposited 16 fixed deposits worth over Rs. 145 crore, with a maturity value estimated at nearly Rs 158 crore.

During scrutiny, investigators found major discrepancies between records maintained by the bank and those available with the Municipal Corporation. Officials said the account balances reflected by the bank were substantially lower than expected, while some bank accounts linked to the corporation were allegedly not recorded in official civic records.

Preliminary investigation suggests that Dileep Kumar Raghav, in alleged conspiracy with other accused persons, provided misleading and false reports regarding the fixed deposits to the Municipal Corporation, leading to serious mismatches in financial records.

In another significant breakthrough, vigilance teams also arrested Rajat Dahra, son of Bhagwan Das Dahra, in the same case. During questioning, Rajat Dahra allegedly disclosed that he received more than Rs 60 crore from two bank accounts between May 29, 2020, and 2025. Investigators suspect that the amount was subsequently transferred to multiple other accounts, which are now under examination.

A case has been registered against unknown officials and employees of Kotak Mahindra Bank and other concerned persons under Sections 13(1)(a) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023.

Senior officials of the vigilance bureau said the investigation is expanding and more arrests are possible as financial trails are being examined.

Haryana follows a zero-tolerance policy against corruption, adding that no individual, regardless of position, will be spared if found involved in the misuse of public funds.

- ANI
TMC MP Yusuf Pathan has extended his best wishes to Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on his return to West Bengal state politics, contesting from Baharampur. However, Pathan firmly backed the Trinamool Congress candidate, Naru Gopal, for the same seat, praising his work for the people of the region. He also supported Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's criticism regarding alleged name deletions in electoral rolls. The election in Baharampur will see a triangular contest between TMC's Naru Gopal, BJP's sitting MLA Subrata Maitra, and Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury.

TMC MP Yusuf Pathan extends wishes to Congress's Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury while backing party candidate Naru Gopal for the Baharampur assembly seat.

Murshidabad, March 31 Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan on Tuesday wished Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on his return to West Bengal state politics and contesting the election from the Baharampur assembly seat.

He further backed TMC candidate Naru Gopal for the seat, asserting that he has worked previously for the people of the region. He further stated that all the party workers want Naru Gopal to win from the constituency.

"Naru Gopal is a well-known leader here. He has always worked well here. He goes among the people. It feels good to see him work. We want him to win this time. All the best. I extend him my best wishes. He is a senior leader. Everyone has the right to contest elections. But Naru Gopal has worked really well here," he said.

Furthermore, on issues related to name deletions in electoral rolls during Special Intensive Revision, Pathan backed Mamata Banerjee's criticism over the issue, adding that she is the "lone CM" who has fought for people. "There are several complaints. Didi is fighting for it. She is the lone CM who approached the Court and fought for the people here. She will continue to fight for them," Pathan added.

TMC's Naru Gopal will be facing sitting MLA Subrata Maitra in Barhampur from BJP. Meanwhile, on the other, the Congress has fielded former MP and LoP Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the seat. Chowdhury is re-entering state politics after 30 years, contesting the West Bengal Assembly election from Baharampur. This move follows his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Adhir, a five-time MP from Baharampur, previously won the Assembly election from Nabagram in 1996 but quit as an MLA in 1999 to pursue national politics.

The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4.

As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9.

For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13.

- ANI
Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder surprised actor Huma Qureshi with a glowing Instagram post, calling her one of the most amazing actors he's worked with on the film 'Army of the Dead'. Huma responded with gratitude, calling Snyder the "best boss man" and sharing a thank you message on her story. The 2021 Netflix film marked Huma Qureshi's debut in Hollywood. The actor is now preparing for the release of her upcoming film 'Toxic', which also stars Yash, Kiara Advani, and Nayanthara.

Hollywood director Zack Snyder surprises Huma Qureshi with an Instagram shout-out, praising her talent in 'Army of the Dead'. Her grateful response inside.

Mumbai, March 31 Tuesday morning became extra special for actor Huma Qureshi as she woke up to a surprise shout-out from acclaimed global filmmaker Zack Snyder.

In an Instagram post, Zack recalled working with Huma in 2021 Netflix zombie heist film 'Army of the Dead'.



Calling Huma an "amazing" actor, Zack wrote, "@iamhumaq -- one of the most amazing actors I've had the pleasure of working with on Army of the Dead. Talent, presence, and pure brilliance on screen."



Have a look at his post here.



In response, Huma dropped a comment filled with gratitude.



"You the best .. boss man," she wrote.



She also penned a thank you message for Zack on her Instagam story.



"Such a sweet surprise getting this shout out from Zack Snyder. Miss you and my AOTD family (Red heart emoji)," Huma posted.



With Dave Bautista leading the cast, the film follows a group of men and women who come together to stage a heist at a casino in Vegas.



Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, Samantha Win, Michael Cassidy, Richard Cetrone, and Garret Dillahunt. also featured in the film, which marked Huma's Hollywood debut.



Meanwhile, currently, Huma is gearing up for the release of 'Toxic' with Yash.



Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, 'Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups' will also feature Tara Sutaria, Kiara Advani, and Nayanthara in key roles.





- ANI
Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S. Sandhu made an unannounced visit to the bustling Kamla Nagar Market near Delhi University. He interacted with students, shopkeepers, and residents, reliving his own college days and enjoying local street food. Sandhu listened to key civic concerns including parking chaos, sanitation, security, and high rental costs for student accommodations. He has promised to take up these issues with concerned departments to ensure they are resolved promptly.

LG T.S. Sandhu makes impromptu visit to Kamla Nagar Market, interacts with students and locals, promises time-bound solutions for parking, safety, and rentals.

New Delhi, March 31 Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S Sandhu on Tuesday visited the Kamla Nagar Market, close to the Delhi University, and mingled with residents there before assuring an early solution to their concerns, including parking, sanitation, security, women's safety, and high rentals for students in PG accommodations.

Sandhu, in his inimitable style of impromptu on-ground interactions with citizens, walked around in the area in the afternoon with minimal security cover and relived his college days, enjoying street food that he used to relish as a student many decades ago.

He posed with college students and took stock of the problems faced by the area residents, setting a new standard in public interaction and accessibility for the Lok Niwas occupant.

In a post on social media, the LG wrote, "Walked down memory lane at the iconic Kamla Nagar Market near University of Delhi. Interacted with shopkeepers, workers, vendors, shoppers, tourists, and students - who continue to throng 'K Nags' with the same vibrant energy."

"Even managed to savour the ever-popular Chache Di Hatti Chole Bhature," said the LG.

"Had insightful conversations with locals on key civic concerns, including parking, sanitation, security, women's safety, and high rentals for students in PG accommodations. Will be taking up these issues with the concerned departments/agencies and officers to ensure they are addressed in a time-bound manner," he said.

On Sunday, Sandhu made a surprise visit to Connaught Place for a first-hand interaction with the business community and daily visitors.

A statement said that he undertook the visit to Connaught Place to personally audit the efficiency of urban management and public infrastructure.

During his visit, the LG emphasised a 'bottom-up' governance model where direct on-ground engagement ensures that administrative execution remains aligned with the highest standards of service delivery.

"He also paid respects on Delhi Fateh Diwas at the iconic Red Fort, commemorating the Khalsa's victory in 1783 under the leadership of Baba Baghel Singh. Such proactive oversight is essential to maintaining the prestige and seamless functioning of the National Capital's iconic landmarks," said a statement issued by the Lok Niwas.

- IANS
India and Algeria held their 7th round of Foreign Office Consultations in Algiers, co-chaired by senior diplomats from both nations. Both sides reviewed their comprehensive partnership, emphasizing trade, investment, and cooperation in sectors like pharmaceuticals, energy, and mining. They condemned terrorism in all forms and agreed to strengthen parliamentary cooperation, including through a new friendship group. The consultations concluded with an agreement to hold the next round in India.

India & Algeria agree to expand trade, energy cooperation & counter-terrorism efforts during high-level talks in Algiers, reviewing bilateral relations.

Algiers, March 31 India and Algeria held the 7th round of Foreign Office Consultations, co-chaired by Neena Malhotra, Secretary, Ministry of External Affairs, and Lounes Magramane, Secretary General, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, National Community Abroad and African Affairs, of Algeria on Sunday in Algiers.

As per an official statement by the Ministry of External Affairs, they expressed satisfaction at the ongoing cooperation, emphasised the importance of continued high-level interaction, and agreed to explore new avenues of cooperation to further strengthen this partnership. They underlined the impetus provided by the maiden and historic State visit by President of India to Algeria in October 2024. Both sides comprehensively reviewed bilateral relations including political, trade & investment, capacity building, tourism, cultural cooperation and people-to-people linkages, in the spirit of South-South cooperation. Human resource development was identified as an important pillar of this partnership.

As per the statement, both sides agreed to strengthen Parliamentary cooperation between the two countries and in this regard, Algeria welcomed the formation of the India-Algeria Parliamentary Friendship Group in Indian Parliament. Condemning terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, both sides agreed to work together to fight this menace. India appreciated the warm welcome accorded to the All Party Parliamentary delegation from India following the Pahalgam terrorist attack.

They expressed happiness at the steadily expanding trade and investment linkages between India and Algeria. Taking into consideration the current bilateral trade at USD 1.7 billion, they emphasized the scope for significant expansion. In this regard, they identified pharmaceuticals, higher education, energy, mining, fertilizer, agriculture as potential areas of cooperation.

It further noted that the two sides exchanged views on key regional and global issues of mutual interest. They reiterate their commitment to continue their close cooperation at the UN and other multilateral fora.

As per the statement, the consultation was held in a cordial and friendly atmosphere, reflecting the close relations between the two nations. The discussions provided an opportunity for both sides to take stock of the current status of bilateral relations and explore ways to further broaden and deepen their mutually beneficial relations across diverse sectors. Both sides agreed to hold the next round of Foreign Office Consultations in India at a mutually convenient date.

During her visit to Algeria, Secretary (South) called on Mohamed Arkab, Algerian Minister of Hydrocarbons and Mines, and discussed ways to further enhance cooperation in hydrocarbon, phosphate, mining and geology sectors and diversifying India's energy sources. She also met Wali (Governor) of Constantine, an Algerian city famous for its Pharmaceutical industries, higher education and tourist attractions. The exchanges included exploring potential collaboration in these sectors, the statement added.

- ANI
Chinese Consul General in Mumbai, Qin Jie, has expressed optimism that India-China relations are progressing positively under the leadership of both countries. He highlighted the consecutive BRICS summits in India and China over the next two years as a special opportunity to deepen connections and friendship. The comments align with earlier statements by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, who called for enhanced bilateral cooperation and mutual support during their respective BRICS presidencies. This diplomatic outreach suggests a push for a coordinated leadership role within BRICS to bring stability and new hope to the Global South.

Chinese Consul General Qin Jie expresses optimism for India-China ties, highlighting upcoming BRICS summits as key opportunities for deepening bilateral cooperation.

Pune, April 1 Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Mumbai, Qin Jie, spoke about the future of India-China ties and expressed optimism as he recalled the meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping.

He added that the BRICS Summit, which will take place in New Delhi, will provide an opportunity to further deepen ties.

The Consul General told reporters, "For the future of the relationship, we are moving in the correct direction in India-China relations under the leadership of our leaders. They have met each other twice in the last two years."

Speaking about the BRICS Summit, which will take place in India this year, he added, "This year, the BRICS summit will be held in Delhi, and next year it will be held in China. This will give us special opportunities to deepen our connection and friendship and make progress for the benefit of our people and stability of the whole world..."

Earlier in March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for enhanced cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing during a news conference held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing.

The senior diplomat emphasised the importance of bilateral collaboration, stating that "India and China must step up and support each other's presidency of BRICS over the next two years." These comments come at a time of significant global upheaval, specifically amid the escalating US-Iran conflict in West Asia.

Highlighting the potential for a unified front between the two Asian giants, Wang Yi underscored the impact their partnership could have on the international stage. "Together, we can bring new hope to the Global South," he stated, suggesting that a coordinated leadership within the BRICS bloc would serve as a stabilising force for developing nations.

- ANI
Last consultations were held in Moscow in 2025

India and Russia held Foreign Office Consultations in New Delhi, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko. The two sides reviewed the entire range of their Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on bilateral, regional, and international matters. They also assessed progress on decisions from the December 2025 annual summit and discussed the agenda for future high-level engagements. Following the consultations, Rudenko met with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to discuss advancing cooperation.

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri & Russian Deputy FM Andrey Rudenko reviewed bilateral cooperation & discussed global issues during FOCs in Delhi.

New Delhi, March 31 Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri held with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko on Monday.

During the consultations on Monday, the two sides reviewed the entire gamut of bilateral ties and also shared perspectives on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

Both sides took stock of progress on implementation of decisions taken at the 23rd Annual Summit held in New Delhi in December 2025.

During the visit, Rudenko also called on External Affairs Minister, MEA said.

The last round of Foreign Office Consultations was held in Moscow in March 2025, as per the MEA.

According to a post on X by the Ministry of External Affairs, "India-Russia Foreign Office Consultations, co-chaired by Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko, were held in New Delhi today. Both sides reviewed the full spectrum of Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership and shared perspectives on bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest."

According to a statement from the Embassy of Russia in India, the discussions also included key items on the bilateral agenda, notably the schedule of upcoming high-level contacts.

"On March 30, in New Delhi, Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko held consultations with Vikram Misri, Foreign Secretary, India's Ministry of External Affairs. The parties discussed a wide range of issues on the bilateral agenda, including the schedule of upcoming contacts, as well as exchanged views on regional and international matters," the statement read.

Following the meeting, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister also met with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

Sharing details of the meeting on X, the EAM said that he had a "good" meeting with Rudenko.

"Good to meet Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko of Russia. Spoke about further advancement of our wide-ranging cooperation. As well as regional and global developments," the post read.

- ANI
A civilian in Assam's Ledo area discovered unexploded World War II-era bombs while digging a pit. The Indian Army's Red Shield Division promptly deployed a Bomb Disposal Team to the site, evacuating civilians and establishing a secure perimeter. The ordnance was safely transported and neutralized in a controlled operation without any collateral damage. This swift action averted a potential disaster and demonstrated the Army's commitment to regional safety.

Indian Army's bomb disposal team safely neutralizes WWII-era unexploded ordnance discovered in Assam, evacuating civilians and preventing disaster.

Ledo, Burma Camp, Lekhapani, March 31 Based on inputs from the civil administration, unexploded ordnance comprising a World War II-era General Purpose bomb and an incendiary bomb was reported at Ledo, Burma Camp, Lekhapani in Assam.

The munitions were discovered by a civilian while digging a pit, posing a serious threat to life and property.

On 31 March 2026, the Red Shield Division of the Indian Army promptly mobilised a Bomb Disposal Team to the site. Civilians were immediately evacuated from the vicinity, and a secure perimeter was established, ensuring strict adherence to safety protocols.

The unexploded bombs were carefully secured and transported to a designated safe location away from habitation. They were subsequently neutralised through a controlled operation, eliminating all risk without any collateral damage.

The operation was executed with professionalism, precision and coordination. The timely response of the Indian Army averted a potential disaster and ensured the safety and reassurance of the local population.

This incident reaffirms the Indian Army's commitment to safeguarding civilian lives and maintaining peace, security and stability in the region.

- ANI
Indian-origin Canadian-American writer and translator Padma Viswanathan has been shortlisted for the 2026 International Booker Prize for her English translation of Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia's horror novella. The shortlist of six books was chosen by a panel chaired by author Natasha Brown and includes Indian novelist Nilanjana S. Roy. In an interview, Viswanathan discussed her journey into translation, referencing a critique by Salman Rushdie about Indian literature. The winning author and translator, to be announced in May, will share the 50,000 prize.

Padma Viswanathan shortlisted for International Booker Prize 2026 for translating Ana Paula Maia's horror novella 'On Earth As It Is Beneath'.

London, March 31 Indian-origin Padma Viswanathan, a Canadian-American writer and translator, has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026.

She is among those been shortlisted for her English translation of Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia's novel 'On Earth As It Is Beneath.'

The shortlist of six books was chosen by the 2026 judging panel, chaired by award-winning author Natasha Brown and includes award-winning Indian novelist and columnist Nilanjana S. Roy.

Formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize, the honour is presented annually for a work of fiction that was originally written in a language other than English, then translated into English and published in the UK and or Ireland. The winner of the 50,000-pound prize money, to be divided equally between the winning author and translator, will be revealed at a ceremony at Tate Modern in London on May 19. The 2026 prize is supported by Bukhman Philanthropies.

Three of these shortlisted novels explore moments in world history: imperialist Japan-controlled Taiwan in the 1930s, Nazi-era Germany and the 1979 Revolution in Iran.

'On Earth As It Is Beneath' is described as a horror novella set in a remote penal colony in which every full moon, the warden releases the inmates into the wilderness - only to hunt them down.

Vishwanathan in an interview with the Booker Prize authorities, talked about the book that made her want to become a translator. "An early seed was Lakshmi Holmstrom's anthology of Indian women's writing, The Inner Courtyard, which includes stories both originally written in English and translated from South Asian languages, implying a fluidity between those categories that felt right to me," she said.

"I acquired it in 1991, six years before Salman Rushdie, whom I worship (Midnight's Children made me see how and why I wanted to write), wrote in The New Yorker that Indian writers were creating 'stronger and more important' work in English than in the 18 recognised languages of India."

"I took offence - he was reading solely in English, amid a documented dearth of translations from South Asian languages - but his assertion is perhaps better taken as a challenge, and translators have been rising to it. Still, it was many years before that seed germinated for me, and in Brazilian soil, not Indian, though I am now becoming increasingly active in supporting translations from South Asian languages," Viswanathan, who grew up in Canada, said.

Mewnwhile, the books on the Booker Prize shortlist are by a majority of women: five of the six authors and four of the six translators are women.

Natasha Brown, Chair of this year's judging panel, said, "With narratives that capture moments from across the past century, these books reverberate with history. While there's heartbreak, brutality and isolation among these stories, their lasting effect is energising."

The other books that feature in the shortlist include, 'The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran' by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin. 'She Who Remains' by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel. "The Director" by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin.

'The Witch' by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump. 'Taiwan Travelogue' by Yang Shuang-zi, has been translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King.

- ANI
Former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran stated that India's strategic silence on the West Asia conflict has worked in favor of the United States, Israel, and Gulf countries. He explained that India's foreign policy balances its interests with Gulf states and maintains friendly relations with Iran. Saran highlighted that this posture is a political judgment call, referencing Prime Minister Modi's visit to Israel. He concluded that while India has taken a side, history will ultimately judge the decision.

Former Deputy NSA Pankaj Saran explains how India's strategic posturing in West Asia protects its interests with Gulf states, Iran, US & Israel.

New Delhi, March 31 Amid the developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, Former Deputy National Security Advisor Pankaj Saran on Tuesday noted how India's "silence" has worked in favour of the United States, Israel and Gulf countries, highlighting how such strategic posturing works to ensure India's interests and values are protected.

He made the remarks in a conversation with ANI while responding to a query on whether India's strategic silence is being interpreted as tacit support for the US and Israel.

Noting that he would concur with the view to a certain extent, Saran said, "To some extent. This is an issue where you have interests, and you have values."

He spoke about the growing backlash in global public opinion against the United States over its military actions, especially in Iran.

He emphasised that India's foreign policy is guided by its strategic interests, especially in maintaining ties across the region, including with the Gulf nations and Iran--underlining the balancing of relations as a consistent feature of India's foreign policy.

"Our interests lie with the Gulf states. They also lie with Iran."

He added, "There has been this element in our policy of where you play Iran and Pakistan against each other. So that's why we maintained, among many other reasons, always a channel and friendly relations with Iran. So this is a balance issue."

He recalled Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Israel and said, "Its a judgment call. It's a political decision of what the government wants to do. The Prime Minister went to Israel two days before. So there is that element here. So the silence that we have maintained is obviously helpful to the Americans and the Israelis. Let's put it that way. And to the Gulf states."

He said that while in some senses New Delhi has taken a side, but eventually history would judge whether the decision was correct.

"In some senses, yes, you have taken a side. It'll only be history which will judge whether you took the right decision or not. It's very difficult at this time when we're in the thick of it."

The remarks come as the conflict between US-Israel and Iran has now entered into its second month, with escalated security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region.

- ANI
IndiGo has appointed William Walsh, the current Director General of the International Air Transport Association (IATA), as its new Chief Executive Officer. Walsh, a former CEO of British Airways and its parent IAG, is expected to assume the role by early August 2026, following the conclusion of his tenure at IATA. He succeeds Pieter Elbers, who resigned earlier this month after overseeing a period of strong growth for the airline. IndiGo's leadership stated that Walsh's global experience and operational expertise make him ideally suited to lead the carrier through its next phase of transformation and growth in a competitive market.

IndiGo appoints IATA Director General William Walsh as its next CEO, succeeding Pieter Elbers, to lead the airline's next growth phase.

New Delhi, March 31 InterGlobe Aviation Limited, the parent company of IndiGo, on Tuesday appointed William Walsh as Chief Executive Officer, subject to regulatory approvals, after Pieter Elbers resigned as the CEO of the low-cost airline earlier this month.

Walsh's tenure at IATA (International Air Transport Association) comes to a close on July 31, 2026, and he is expected to join no later than on August 3, 2026, the airline said in a statement.

Walsh (popularly known as Willie) is currently the Director General of IATA and was formerly CEO of British Airways and IAG (International Airlines Group, a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling).

"His experience in managing large scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics make him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth in an ever evolving and competitive international aviation environment," said Vikram Singh Mehta, IndiGo Chairman.

Earlier this month, Elbers resigned as the CEO of IndiGo, the country's largest airline operated by InterGlobe Aviation Limited, following the low-cost carrier's worst-ever flight crisis in December last year. Elbers, who took over as IndiGo CEO a little over three years ago, oversaw a period of strong growth for the airline.

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo said that "As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo".

"He is an iconic and accomplished aviation leader and brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused airlines, deep industry experience and a values driven leadership, making him exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth," Bhatia said.

In his new role as IndiGo's CEO, Walsh will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the airline with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the company's network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience.

"The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change. I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the organisation to build a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration and sustainable value for all stakeholders," said Walsh.

- IANS
IndiGo's parent company, InterGlobe Aviation, has appointed former British Airways and IATA chief William Walsh as its new CEO. He takes over from Pieter Elbers following a period of mass flight cancellations that disrupted travel in India. Walsh is a highly respected figure in global aviation with a track record of leadership at major airline groups. His mandate will be to strengthen operations, drive strategic growth, and enhance customer experience for the carrier.

Former IATA head & British Airways CEO William Walsh appointed IndiGo CEO to lead growth after mass cancellations. Read more.

New Delhi, March 31 The Board of InterGlobe Aviation Limited on Tuesday appointed William Walsh as the Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Pieter Elbers, months after mass flight cancellations left tens of thousands of passengers stranded in India and drew regulatory scrutiny.

During December 2025, a massive wave of cancellations by IndiGo impacted air travel across India, with hundreds of flights cancelled, resulting in passengers suffering.

William Walsh is currently the Director General of IATA (International Air Transport Association) and was formerly CEO of British Airways and IAG (International Airlines Group, a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling), according to a release.

Welcoming Walsh, Vikram Singh Mehta, IndiGo's Chairman said, "I am thrilled that Willie will be at helm of IndiGo. He is an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record of outstanding leadership across several airlines. His experience in managing large-scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics makes him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth in an ever-evolving and competitive international aviation environment. His appointment will mark a new chapter for IndiGo, as it continues its journey in one of the fastest-growing aviation markets in the world."

Rahul Bhatia, Managing Director of IndiGo, said, "As we enter a new phase of transformation and growth, I am delighted to welcome Willie to IndiGo. He is an iconic and accomplished aviation leader and brings a rare combination of global perspective, operational expertise of having built strong customer-focused airlines, deep industry experience and a values-driven leadership, making him exceptionally suited to lead IndiGo at this pivotal cusp of growth."

Walsh is widely considered one of the most successful, respected, influential and long-lasting leaders in modern aviation history. He is admired for his pragmatic and resolute management, effective complex restructuring, and successful mergers and acquisitions, according to the release.

Walsh's career highlights commence from his role as a pilot, COO and then CEO of Aer Lingus (2000-2005); CEO of British Airways (2005-2011); CEO of IAG (2011-2020); and since then, the Director General of IATA (International Air Transport Association).

According to IndiGo, Walsh will be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of the airline with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the Company's network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience. He will work closely with the Board and the leadership team to rightfully position IndiGo as it scales up to the next phase of its growth.

Commenting on his appointment, Walsh said, "I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead IndiGo. The airline has a strong foundation, a compelling vision and an exceptional reputation. What stands out most to me are its people, their passion, professionalism and commitment. The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change. I look forward to partnering with colleagues across the organisation to build a culture of excellence, innovation, collaboration and sustainable value for all stakeholders."

- ANI
The Indian Navy's guided missile frigate INS Trikand concluded a significant port call in Maputo, Mozambique, strengthening bilateral maritime cooperation. During the visit, India handed over Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) material and conducted a medical camp, with engagements involving senior officials from both nations. The ship also undertook joint Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) surveillance and training activities with the Mozambique Navy before departing. This deployment underscores India's commitment to being a preferred security partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean Region under its 'MAHASAGAR' vision.

Indian Navy's INS Trikand concludes visit to Maputo, hands over HADR relief, conducts joint training, reinforcing security partnership in Indian Ocean.

Colombo, March 31 INS Trikand, frontline guided missile frigate of the Indian Navy, concluded her port call at Maputo, Mozambique on March 29.

During the stay, joint training and professional engagements were progressed, strengthening interoperability and maritime cooperation.

HADR relief material from India was handed over in presence of His Excellency Dr. Ussene Hilario Isse, Health Minister of Republic of Mozambique, His Excellency Shri Robert Shetkintong, High Commissioner of India to Mozambique, and other senior government and military functionaries. A medical camp was also conducted at the Mozambique Navy Hospital.

Capt Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer, called on the High Commissioner of India to Mozambique.

On departure, the ship undertook joint EEZ surveillance and training activities with personnel from Mozambique Navy embarked onboard, prior proceeding for planned operational deployment.

The port call reflects India's vision of MAHASAGAR - Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Region, and reinforces the Indian Navy's commitment to remain the preferred security partner and first responder in the Indian Ocean Region.

Indian Embassy in Mozambique said in a post on X, "INS Trikand leaving Maputo Port (29 March 2026) On completion of its three-day visit to Mozambique, INS Trikand left Maputo port for its next destination in the Swahili coast. Thank you INS Trikand and safe travels."

High Commission of India in Mauritius on Monday hosted a deck reception.

In a post on X, the High Commission said, "A deck reception was hosted by the High Commission of India onboard INS Trikand."

Earlier on March 22, INS Trikand, a stealth frigate of the Indian Navy, departed from Port Victoria, Seychelles, on March 20 on completion of an enriching port call that had commenced on March 16.

Captain Sachin Kulkarni, Commanding Officer of the ship, called on senior Government functionaries and the High Commissioner of India to Seychelles. The ship also handed over critical spares and essential stores to the Government of Seychelles.

- ANI
Israel's parliament has approved legislation mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of terrorist acts with intent to negate Israel's existence. The law, championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, requires only a simple judicial majority and removes appeal rights. It applies exclusively to Palestinians tried in military courts, while Israeli citizens face civilian courts. The move has been condemned by the UN, EU, and Palestinian authorities as discriminatory and a violation of international law.

Israel's Knesset passes law imposing death penalty on West Bank Palestinians convicted of terrorism, drawing international condemnation.

Tel Aviv, March 31 Israel's Parliament, the Knesset, on Monday passed a law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of terrorist acts, drawing condemnation from the European Union and the United Nations.

The legislation, approved by a 62-47 vote, was backed by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, The Times of Israel reported.

According to a CNN report, the bill says that people in the West Bank who kill an Israeli "with the intent to negate the existence of the State of Israel" will face the death penalty.

Judges may impose life imprisonment only under vaguely defined "special circumstances," while executions must take place within 90 days of sentencing.

"This is a day of justice for the victims and a day of deterrence for our enemies. No more revolving door for terrorists, but a clear decision. Whoever chooses terrorism chooses death," Ben Gvir said, as quoted by The Times of Israel.

The law requires only a simple majority of judges to hand down the sentence and removes any right of appeal.

It is designed to apply to future cases and will not be applied retroactively, including to perpetrators of the 2023 Hamas-led attacks on October 7, whose prosecution will be addressed under a separate bill.

While Israel formally allows the death penalty, executions have been extremely rare, with only one carried out - the 1962 hanging of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann.

Previously, capital punishment could only be imposed under narrowly defined circumstances and required a unanimous judicial panel, a threshold never met in terrorism cases.

The legislation applies exclusively to Palestinians, who are tried in military courts, while Israeli citizens are tried in civilian courts, the CNN report noted.

A separate provision allows the death penalty for anyone who "intentionally causes the death of a person with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel," a definition critics say effectively excludes Jewish perpetrators.

The law has drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities and international bodies.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it "a crime and a dangerous escalation in the occupation's policies," adding that Israeli laws do not apply to Palestinians and that the legislation "reveals the nature of the Israeli colonial system, which seeks to legitimise extrajudicial killing under legislative cover."

UN Human Rights Palestine said, "Israel must immediately repeal the discriminatory death penalty law passed today by the Knesset, as it contravenes Israel's obligations under international law. The United Nations opposes the death penalty under all circumstances. The implementation of this new law would violate international law's prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Additionally, this law further entrenches Israel's violation of the prohibition of racial segregation and apartheid as it will exclusively apply to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Israel, who are often convicted after unfair trials."

Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset said, "The vote in the @KnessetIL reinstating the death penalty is a major civilisational setback. A choice that distances those who made it from the system of values upheld by the @COE. They assume a historic responsibility."

Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added, "Our government, together with those of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, through a joint statement, has requested the Israeli government to withdraw the bill that introduces the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners convicted of terrorism. The commitments undertaken, especially with the resolutions voted on at the United Nations, for a moratorium on the death penalty cannot be disregarded. For us, life is an absolute value; arrogating to oneself the right to take it away in order to inflict a punishment is an inhuman measure that violates the dignity of the person."

Earlier in the year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Israeli authorities to drop plans for mandatory death sentences exclusively for Palestinians, saying such proposals violate international law and discriminate against Palestinians.

"When it comes to the death penalty, the United Nations is very clear and opposes it under all circumstances. It is profoundly difficult to reconcile such punishment with human dignity and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people," Turk said.

Turk further stressed that the law conflicts with Israel's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He highlighted concerns over the mandatory nature of the death sentences, which remove judicial discretion and violate the right to life, and criticised the discriminatory targeting of Palestinians.

The UN High Commissioner noted that military courts in the occupied West Bank would be required to impose the death penalty for all convictions of intentional killing, while amendments to Israeli Penal Law would also allow capital punishment for killing Israelis in terrorist attacks. He warned that retroactive application to perpetrators of the October 7, 2023, attacks would breach the principle of legality under international law.

- ANI
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto denied the United States the use of the Sigonella air base after learning of a flight plan involving assets heading to West Asia. The Italian government stated the planned flights were not normal or logistical and thus not covered by existing treaties, and no authorization was requested. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasized Italy's desire to avoid war, while Crosetto acknowledged European allies' "powerlessness" regarding US actions against Iran. Concurrently, US President Donald Trump is reportedly considering ending military operations against Iran within weeks, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed.

Italy denies US request to use Sigonella base for Middle East operations, citing lack of authorization and treaty violations.

Rome, March 31 Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday denied the United States the use of Sigonella base. The denial came after Italy came to know of the flight plan of some US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

However, according to the Italian newspaper, no one had requested any authorisation or consulted Italian military leaders regarding the use. The newspaper reported that the plan had in fact been communicated while the planes were already in flight.

According to La Repubblica, the checks revealed that these were not normal or logistical flights and therefore were not covered by the treaty with Italy.

Meanwhile, in early March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview with RTL radio that, "We're not at war; we don't want to go to war," as quoted by Politico.

According to Politico, Crosetto (Italian Defence Minister) himself conceded the "powerlessness" of America's European allies in a parliamentary debate. He admitted the attack on Iran had "certainly occurred outside the rules of international law" but added no government, European or otherwise, could have prevented the strikes.

The potential use of US military bases in Italy also risks becoming politically explosive in a country where the public has historically been wary of being drawn into US-led conflicts, according to Politico.

The Italian government, according to Politico, insisted that the use of bases such as Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily is limited to logistical and technical support covered by long-standing bilateral agreements.

Using Italian soil to provide support for strikes would require the government's permission, which has not been requested, Italian Prime Minister Meloni said in her comments to RTL radio, according to Politico.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump is considering ending the US military campaign in Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, reported The Wall Street Journal.

He indicated to aides that he is prepared to wind down military operations against Iran within a four-to-six-week timeline, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.

This decision would likely extend Tehran's control over the vital waterway, shifting the focus to diplomatic efforts to reopen it. Trump has expressed willingness to wind down hostilities, having achieved key objectives like weakening Iran's navy and missile capabilities.

According to administration officials, the President believes the US can declare victory by achieving its "core" military goals without being bogged down in a protracted maritime clearance mission, reported The Wall Street Journal.

- ANI
The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is set to sign an MoU with the Himachal Pradesh government to directly procure fresh agricultural produce from local farmers and cooperatives. This initiative aims to provide farmers with a reliable local market, enhance their incomes, and reduce dependency on middlemen. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu emphasized the move would create self-employment and strengthen the economic fabric of border villages. ITBP officials noted a similar model has seen success in Uttarakhand and will also support infrastructure like electrification of Border Out Posts.

ITBP to sign MoU with Himachal Pradesh for direct procurement of local produce, aiming to boost farmer incomes and create sustainable employment in border areas.

Shimla, March 31 Indo-Tibetan Border Police is set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with the Government of Himachal Pradesh for the procurement of locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, milk, paneer, meat, trout fish and other agricultural products.

Under this arrangement, ITBP will directly source produce from farmers, cooperative societies and local producers.

The initiative aims to provide farmers with a reliable market within their own villages, thereby enhancing income opportunities and reducing dependency on intermediaries. The move is expected to generate employment for farmers, horticulturists and rural communities residing in border areas, while also contributing to inclusive and sustainable regional development.

This progressive step is aimed at enhancing the income of farmers by minimising reliance on intermediaries and fostering self-sufficiency in border areas.

By enabling direct market access, the initiative is expected to generate sustainable employment opportunities for farmers, horticulturists and rural households, thereby contributing significantly to inclusive and balanced regional development.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a detailed meeting with senior ITBP officials, including Northern Frontier Commander IG Manu Maharaj and Sector Commander DIG Pawan Kumar Negi, on Monday evening to deliberate on the modalities of the proposed collaboration.

During the discussions, the Chief Minister emphasised that the initiative would not only create self-employment opportunities but also strengthen the economic fabric of border villages. He reiterated the State Government's commitment to bolstering the rural economy, particularly in remote and strategically important regions.

Highlighting the mutual benefits of the arrangement, the Chief Minister noted that while the ITBP would gain assured access to fresh and locally sourced produce, farmers would benefit from a stable and reliable market within their vicinity.

He further observed that the initiative would promote local products, invigorate economic activity in border areas and pave the way for long-term, sustainable livelihoods for rural populations.

Additionally, the move is expected to support infrastructure development and enhance overall border management.

IG Manu Maharaj informed that a similar model has already been successfully implemented in Uttarakhand, delivering encouraging outcomes.

Expressing confidence in its success in Himachal Pradesh, he stated that the initiative would significantly benefit residents of border villages. The meeting also included discussions on the electrification of Border Out Posts (BOPs) under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at improving essential infrastructure in these remote areas.

- ANI
The Cyber Cell in Jaunpur, Uttar Pradesh, has successfully recovered 240 lost mobile phones with an estimated value of Rs 45 lakh and returned them to their owners. The operation utilized the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal and involved coordination across multiple police stations and districts. Devices were traced not only within Uttar Pradesh but also to several other states including Delhi, Gujarat, and Maharashtra. SP City Ayush Srivastava advised citizens to promptly report lost phones to police and register on the CEIR portal to aid in recovery.

UP's Jaunpur Cyber Cell recovers 240 lost mobile phones using CEIR portal, returning devices worth Rs 45 lakh in a major inter-state operation.

Jaunpur, March 31 In a major success for the district police, the Cyber Cell team in Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur has recovered 240 lost mobile phones and returned them to their rightful owners, officials said on Tuesday.

According to the police, the total value of the recovered mobile phones is estimated to be around Rs 45 lakh. The operation was carried out by the Cyber Crime Police Station along with cyber cell teams from various police stations across the district, using the Central Equipment Identity Register (CEIR) portal to trace the devices.

Officials said that the recovery is part of an ongoing drive, under which a total of 1,400 lost or stolen mobile phones have been traced and returned to their owners so far. These devices were not only recovered from different parts of Jaunpur district but also traced to several other districts in Uttar Pradesh, including Azamgarh, Varanasi, Prayagraj, Lucknow, Kanpur, Ballia, Pratapgarh and Bhadohi.

In addition, several phones were tracked and recovered from other states such as Delhi, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Jharkhand, Bihar, and Rajasthan, showcasing coordinated inter-state efforts by law enforcement agencies.

The recovered mobile phones included a range of popular brands such as OnePlus, Vivo, Redmi, Oppo, Realme, Tecno, Poco, Nokia and Samsung. Beneficiaries expressed great happiness after receiving their lost devices and lauded the police for their prompt and effective action.

Speaking to reporters, SP City Ayush Srivastava urged citizens to immediately report any lost or stolen mobile phones at the nearest police station and register complaints on the CEIR portal to enable swift tracking and recovery.

He also advised people to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid falling victim to cybercrime, emphasising the role of public awareness in curbing such incidents.

- IANS
The Jordanian Armed Forces announced the interception and destruction of four missiles launched by Iran towards the kingdom. The Royal Jordanian Air Force successfully neutralized all the incoming threats. Public security units responded to numerous reports of falling debris and projectiles from the incidents. While the events caused some material damage, no injuries were reported.

Jordan's air force destroyed four Iranian missiles. No injuries reported, but falling debris caused material damage across the kingdom.

Amman, March 31 Jordanian Armed Forces- Arab Army announced Iran targeted the Kingdom's territory with four missiles in the past 24 hours.

In a statement, carried by Jordan news agency (Petra), the JAF's Military Media Directorate at the General Command confirmed the Royal Jordanian Air Force intercepted and professionally destroyed all four missiles.

In turn, the media spokesperson for Public Security Directorate (PSD) announced the relevant units responded to 17 reports of falling debris and projectiles in the past 24 hours.

The spokesperson noted no injuries resulted from these incidents, though some material damage occurred.

- ANI
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has expressed strong confidence in a Congress victory in the upcoming Bagalkot assembly by-election. He is campaigning for the party's candidate, Umesh Meti, the son of the late and widely respected MLA HY Meti. The CM dismissed allegations from BJP leaders that his extensive campaigning stems from fear, stating the public response has been overwhelmingly positive. The by-election is part of polls scheduled for April 23, 2026, across eight constituencies in six states.

CM Siddaramaiah campaigns for Congress candidate Umesh Meti in Bagalkot, predicts victory and dismisses BJP's allegations of fear as by-election nears.

Bagalkot, March 31 Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah on Tuesday expressed confidence that there is a strong pro-Congress wave in the Bagalkot assembly constituency ahead of the upcoming bye-election in the region.

Addressing an election campaign rally in the Mugalkolli village, the Chief Minister said the late MLA, HY Meti, was a widely respected and approachable leader who maintained cordial relations across political and social lines.

Describing Meti as an "ajatashatru" (one without enemies), CM Siddaramaiah noted that the by-election was necessitated by his untimely demise. The Congress party has fielded Meti's son, Umesh Meti, as its candidate, and the Chief Minister expressed optimism that he would secure victory with the continued support and trust of the people.

The CM stated that during his campaign across various parts of the constituency, the response from the public has been very positive, with people showing affection and confidence towards the Congress party.

Responding to allegations BJP leaders that his extended campaigning reflected fear of defeat, Siddaramaiah dismissed the claims. He clarified that comparisons with the Badami election were misplaced, as that was a general election, whereas the current contest is a by-election. He accused the BJP of making such remarks out of apprehension over a potential loss.

The Chief Minister further stated that he would campaign for four days in Bagalkot and an additional three days in Davanagere, expressing confidence that Congress candidates would emerge victorious in both constituencies.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) had earlier announced the schedule for by-elections across eight Assembly constituencies in six states.

The constituencies include Ponda (Goa), Umreth (Gujarat), Bagalkot and Davanagere South (Karnataka), Rahuri and Baramati (Maharashtra), Dharmanagar (Tripura), and Koridang (Nagaland).

Polling in the constituencies will be conducted on April 23, 2026 (Thursday). After polling, the counting of votes will take place on May 4, 2026 (Monday), and the results will be declared the same day.

- ANI
The BJP has released its manifesto for the Kerala Assembly elections, promising key welfare measures like two free LPG cylinders per year and a Rs 3,000 monthly pension for needy women and seniors. The party's roadmap includes establishing an AIIMS and a high-speed rail network, built on five foundational pillars for a 'Viksit Keralam'. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi launched a sharp attack, alleging a secret partnership between the BJP and the ruling LDF, claiming both have become "corporate parties". He further accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of controlling Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan through the threat of central investigative agencies.

BJP pledges free LPG, AIIMS & pension in Kerala manifesto. Rahul Gandhi alleges secret BJP-LDF pact & claims PM Modi controls CM Vijayan.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 With the Keralam Assembly polls less than 2 weeks away, political leaders upped the ante with their attacks on Tuesday, alleging collusion between rivals and accusing each other of ignoring the state's issues. The Bharatiya Janata Party released its manifesto, outlining a mix of welfare initiatives, infrastructure expansion, and temple-related measures.

Unveiled by the BJP leadership in the state, the document has been projected as a long-term roadmap for transforming Kerala's economy and governance framework. Speaking on the occasion, State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar described the manifesto as a "ground-up new vision" for the state.

"The manifesto is not just about the Devasam board. This is an absolutely ground-up new vision for Keralam. We have been promising change for the last several months, and this manifesto is the change. This is a manifesto that lays out a roadmap for Viksit Keralam. It is built on five foundational pillars of investment and job revolution, improving the quality of life of every Malayali, human safety and resilience, and there are multiple projects. The fourth pillar is governance, and the fifth pillar is human security. So we are focusing on five basic foundational pillars. It is a manifesto that has been in the works for over four and a half months," he told ANI.

Among the key welfare promises, the NDA pledged a monthly pension of Rs 3,000 for needy women, widows, and senior citizens above 70 years. The manifesto also promises 20,000 litres of free water per month to every household in Keralam.

As part of its welfare outreach, the party said poor families would receive two free LPG cylinders annually, one each during Onam and Christmas. It further proposed a "Bhakshya Arogya Suraksha" card for needy women, with a monthly recharge of Rs 2,500 to cover expenses on medicines and groceries.

On the development front, the BJP promised to establish an All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Keralam and develop a high-speed railway network connecting Thiruvananthapuram to Kannur. The manifesto also places emphasis on temple administration and issues related to Sabarimala.

Echoing confidence in the party's electoral prospects, BJP national president Nitin Nabin invoked the "Modi guarantee," asserting that the party has a track record of delivering on its promises.

"Our promises always come with a Modi guarantee. Now, across the entire country, you can see that whenever we have released a manifesto with the Modi guarantee, we have fulfilled it. In Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh, the Congress released manifesto promises, and they haven't fulfilled them to this day, whereas the BJP has fulfilled what it promised. The development of Kerala was stalled for the past 70 years by the LDF-UDF through match-fixing. The people here are fed up with LDF-UDF, and they want change," Nabin told ANI.

He further added, "I don't get into the numbers of seats. The way youth and women are coming out in Kerala, trust in the BJP is visible on every seat. This time, the BJP will establish itself as an alternative in Kerala."

Rahul Gandhi targeted the BJP and LDF while addressing a public rally in Kannur. He alleged a 'secret partnership' between the Communist Party of India (Marxist) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), claiming both have abandoned their ideologies to become "corporate parties."

Addressing a gathering at the Kannur Police Maidan, Rahul Gandhi reiterated his charge that the Congress-led UDF is fighting the combined forces of LDF and BJP in the State.

The Congress leader further alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi exerts "control" over Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan through the threat of central investigative agencies.

"Narendra Modi controls the Chief Minister of Kerala. The CM knows that the Prime Minister has the key to putting him in jail right now. You will hear Congress attacking Narendra Modi, but you will never hear the Kerala CM attacking Modi, nor will you see Modi attacking the Kerala CM," he said.

Congress leader KC Venugopal also criticised the Centre for ignoring the plight of rubber farmers, while also repeating allegations of a BJP-LDF alliance.

"Both the state and Centre have failed to address issues of rubber farmers and give them the fair price they deserve. Ensuring Rs. 250/kg for rubber is our solemn pledge and we will implement it in the first UDF Cabinet meeting. These two fronts (Centre and State) are working in tandem to fill their own coffers while the people of Kerala wait for a people-first regime that they haven't seen since Late Oommen Chandy ji's government," Venugopal posted on X.

Rubber farmers in Thiruvalla have also voiced deep distress over falling prices, rising costs, and labour shortages, calling the crisis "existential" as political parties trade promises while livelihoods tied to the state's "white gold" continue to deteriorate.

The crisis is no longer just financial; it is existential. With production costs skyrocketing and a volatile market leaving farmers with a meagre Rs 200 to Rs 213 per kg, the "white gold" that built Keralam's middle class is losing its lustre.

Speaking to ANI on the sidelines of a local plantation, farmers painted a picture of a sector in terminal decline. The primary culprit? A crushing labour crisis, adding, "We are caught in a pincer movement," one farmer explained. "On one side, there is an acute lack of tappers. On the other hand, the labour cost is so high that after paying the workers, we are left with nothing. The government promised incentives to bridge this gap, but the money is like a ghost; sometimes it appears, and most times it doesn't."

The resentment toward the political class is palpable. When asked about Rahul Gandhi's recent high-decibel promise to hike prices to Rs 250 per kg (eventually aiming for Rs 300), the response was weary scepticism.

"We've heard these songs before every election. Once the booths close, the promises evaporate. While the leaders fight over whether Rs 250 is enough, the reality is that Rs 300 per kg is the absolute minimum we need just to survive," a farmer remarked.

The polling for Keralam Assembly elections will be held in a single phase on April 9, with counting of votes scheduled for May 4.

Keralam has traditionally followed an alternating pattern of governance, switching between the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) every five years since 1982. This trend was broken in 2021 when the LDF, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, was re-elected for a second consecutive term.

While the LDF and the UDF are frontrunners in the polls, the BJP will attempt to make a mark after its historic win in the Thiruvananthapuram Corporation elections.

- ANI
Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta participated in a Mahavir Jayanti event in Rohini, emphasizing the contemporary relevance of Lord Mahavir's teachings. He framed non-violence not as weakness but as the highest form of courage and a conquest over one's own anger and ego. Gupta highlighted principles like Anekantavada (multiplicity of viewpoints) as a balm for a divided society and Aparigraha (non-attachment) as an ancient answer to the climate crisis. He pledged to propagate these ideals to foster a culture of compassion across Delhi.

Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta calls for compassion, non-attachment, and embracing multiple viewpoints to address modern crises on Mahavir Jayanti.

New Delhi, March 31 Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday joined a religious event organised by Shri Digambar Jain Mahasabha in Rohini, calling for non-violence and compassion towards all creatures.

"One who practices compassion towards all creatures truly walks the path of Mahavir with these eternal principles of Lord Mahavir," said Gupta.

On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, the event was marked by deep spiritual fervour and a collective call for global peace.

During the ceremony, Gupta received blessings from revered Jain saints and was formally honoured for his dedicated service to the citizens of Delhi, said a statement issued by his constituency's office.

Translating the ancient wisdom of the 24th Tirthankara into a roadmap for modern governance and social harmony, Gupta emphasised that Mahavir Jayanti is not merely a festival but a "divine call to introspect and test one's soul".

Reflecting on the life of Prince Vardhaman, who renounced the throne for the eternal truth, the Speaker noted that Lord Mahavir proved that true bravery does not lie in the edge of a sword, but in conquering one's own mind, victory over anger, greed, and ego.

He redefined Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, stating that non-violence is not cowardice but the pinnacle of courage, said Gupta.

The Speaker highlighted the principle of Anekantavada (the multiplicity of viewpoints), calling it a "healing balm" for today's fragmented society, noting that "my truth is not the absolute whole; there is light in your truth as well."

Highlighting the principle of Aparigraha (non-attachment/non-consumption), he noted that Lord Mahavir provided the solution to the global climate crisis centuries ago by teaching us not to exploit nature or indulge in mindless accumulation.

Gupta appealed to citizens of Delhi that the celebration of Mahavir Jayanti becomes meaningful only when we move beyond processions and begin to live his principles.

As the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, he took a formal pledge to ensure that the ideals of Lord Mahavir reach every citizen, fostering a culture of compassion across the capital.

The programme concluded with the Speaker participating in the ceremonial rituals and interacting with the community leaders, reiterating his commitment to the welfare and spiritual heritage of Delhi.

- IANS
Former Chhattisgarh Special DGP RK Vij has hailed the progress towards eradicating Naxalism as a monumental success, crediting the government's political willpower. He emphasized that the mission is the result of joint efforts by central and state security forces. Vij clarified that the Naxal purpose was armed struggle for political power, not development, which severely affected basic facilities in villages. The comments follow Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement in Parliament that Naxalism has been nearly eradicated from Bastar, with development initiatives now taking root.

Former Chhattisgarh Special DGP credits political willpower & joint forces for nearing the goal of a Naxal-mukt Bharat by the 2026 deadline.

Raipur, March 31 Former Chhattisgarh Special DGP RK Vij credited Centre for Naxal-mukt Bharat and lauded the government's unwavering political willpower and joint efforts of central and state forces.

Chhattisgarh is on the cusp of achieving a monumental success in eradicating Naxalism, with the deadline set by Union Home Minister Amit Shah looming on March 31, 2026.

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Vij stated that it is not just a monumental achievement for the government, but the biggest factor to achieve the mission was "political willpower."

"It is a monumental success for the government that the target is now being achieved. It was a huge commitment, and not merely a political statement... Many factors contributed to this. In the last two years, the biggest factor, according to me, was political willpower... This is an outcome of the joint efforts of the central and state forces," Vij said.

The former Chhattisgarh Special DGP mentioned that the people carrying out Naxal activities didn't mean to improve their living standards but specified their purpose, which was to prepare people for war.

"Those who carried out these activities did not aim to improve living standards... They clearly specified the purpose of their mass organisations as preparing people for war... The purpose was to gain political power through armed struggle. The purpose was not development. Therefore, development has been greatly affected. The villagers did not receive the basic facilities they should have," he said.

He further termed the loss of security officials' lives due to Naxalism not just "martyrdom" but "ultimate sacrifice." Vij stated that the main purpose behind all sacrifices was to restore.

"Absolutely not. Martyrdom is the ultimate sacrifice. The purpose behind all these sacrifices was to restore peace... So, somewhere, their souls will find peace," Vij added.

This comes after Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday reflected on the Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi-led central government's efforts in eradicating Naxalism from the country and recognised the Left-wing ideology as the "root cause of Red Terror."

While replying to the discussion in the Lok Sabha under Rule 193 on the efforts to free the country from Naxalism, Amit Shah said that the Left-wing extremists and their supporters had presented a false narrative before innocent tribals that they were fighting for their rights and to deliver justice to them.

He said that Naxalism has now been almost completely eradicated from Bastar, and a campaign has begun to build schools and open ration shops in every village there.

The "Naxal Mukt Bharat" (Naxal-free India) mission is a strategic goal set by the Union Home Ministry under the Modi government to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026.

- ANI
The governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have signed two key agreements during a cooperation conference in Varanasi. One memorandum of understanding is between the trusts of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi and the Mahakaleshwar Temple in Ujjain. The other agreement focuses on promoting cooperation for One District-One Product (ODOP) items between the two states. Officials stated the pacts aim to develop a seamless shared religious tourism circuit, leveraging the spiritual significance of both cities.

Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh sign agreements between Kashi & Mahakaleshwar temple trusts and on ODOP products to develop a shared religious tourism circuit.

Varanasi/Bhopal, March 31 In a significant step for promoting cultural and religious tourism between two Bharatiya Janata Party-ruling neighbouring states -- Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments have signed two crucial agreements during a business summit held in Varanasi on Tuesday.

One agreement was signed between Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (in Varanasi) and Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust (in Ujjain) and the another between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to promote cooperation in the field of One District-One Product (ODOP) products, according to an official statement.

The development came during the 'Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh Cooperation Conference' held in Varanasi in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and several Cabinet Ministers from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Addressing the conference, Chief Minister Yadav said that just as Varanasi holds great religious and cultural significance, Ujjain too has a special spiritual importance.

He added that both the states share geographical, cultural, spiritual and historical ties.

Chief Minister Yadav said that recognising immense potential scope for religious tourism in both cities (Ujjain and Kashi), Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated major development works.

Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister added that both states are ushering in a new era of spiritual and religious tourism.

"Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are jointly developing a shared religious tourism circuit, which will accelerate tourism and provide devotees with a seamless and enriching pilgrimage experience," he said.

The 'Sammelan' (conference) was organised to provide a common platform for the industrial strengths, traditional crafts, ODOP and GI-tagged products, agricultural and food products, investment opportunities and tourism potential of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Minister Nand Gopal Gupta expressed that the 'Sahyog Sammelan' (Cooperation Conference) was a clear example of deep understanding between these two neighbouring states.

He also noted that Baghelkhand, Gwalior-Chambal, and Bundelkhand regions of Madhya Pradesh share close ties with Uttar Pradesh.

- IANS
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited Varanasi to offer prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and tour its newly developed corridor. He credited Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership for boosting religious tourism and economic transformation at pilgrimage sites. Yadav announced plans for an MoU between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh to share best practices and facility details between the Mahakaleshwar and Kashi Vishwanath temples. He also emphasized learning crowd management from the recent Prayagraj Kumbh for the upcoming 2028 Simhastha festival in Ujjain.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple, toured the corridor, and announced an MoU for temple management with UP.

Varanasi, March 31 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath Temple situated in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh and sought the blessings of Baba Vishwanath.

CM Yadav performed the worship rituals inside the sanctum sanctorum of the temple and wished for the happiness, prosperity and well-being of everyone.

The Chief Minister also toured the grand and divine Kashi Vishwanath Corridor during his visit to the temple. Additionally, he paid floral tributes to the statue of Devi Ahilyabai Holkar located on the premises of the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor on the occasion.

"Today, I offered prayers at Kashi Vishwanath temple and under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, there is an arrangement of religious tourism being conducted in all the states across the nation. There is a possibility of great transformation even through religious tourism. With the blessings of PM Modi, the economy of Ujjain transformed with the unveiling of Baba Mahakal's Mahalok. After the construction of Kashi Vishwanath Corridor here, there has been a transformation here too," CM Yadav said.

He further highlighted that striking of friendly relations between states, the government of both the states would exchange an MoU for the sharing of information regarding facilities and arrangements at Mahakaleshwar Temple and Kashi Vishwanath temple.

"Since the number of devotees and visitors is increasing and a new height of development is being achieved, work needs to be done in all areas striking friendly relations between the states. Therefore, we are going to sign an MoU between Mahakaleshwar Dham and Vishwanath Dham under the aegis of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh for the exchange of details regarding all facilities and arrangements, aiming to provide better experience to devotees," the CM said.

The Chief Minister also stressed about understanding crowd management practices from the recent Kumbh fest which was held in Uttar Pradesh's Prayagraj district in view of upcoming Simhastha' which will be held in Ujjain in 2028.

He added, "We are going to host Simhasth fest in Ujjain in 2028. Recently Kumbh fest was held in Prayagraj district and I watched a presentation about how to manage a crowd, maintaining the smooth conduct to offer prayers in such situations. I have come here to understand what else can be done in this changing time."

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav visited the Kashi Vishwanath Temple in Varanasi, offering prayers and conducting a detailed study of the temple corridor's management systems. He focused on learning about pilgrim management, crowd control, and the mobile-app-based token system in use. The CM announced that an MOU is being finalized to strengthen management systems and facilitate information exchange between the shrines of Baba Vishwanath and Baba Mahakal. He also highlighted the growing cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, particularly on projects like the Ken-Betwa Link.

Madhya Pradesh CM Mohan Yadav visits Kashi Vishwanath Temple, studies crowd control & management systems to enhance pilgrim facilities.

Varanasi, March 31 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who is on a day-long visit to Varanasi, on Tuesday offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and undertook a detailed study of the world-renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor.

After reaching the corridor, the Chief Minister said the proposed Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh Conference would further strengthen ties between the two states and open new avenues for public welfare. He performed rituals in the sanctum sanctorum with full scriptural rites and prayed for the happiness and continuous progress of the people of Madhya Pradesh.

During his visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, CM Yadav undertook a detailed study tour of the world-renowned religious site, focusing on pilgrim management, crowd control, and the mobile-app-based token system.

He also held a meeting with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, where a detailed presentation was made on modern management practices, including real-time CCTV monitoring, zone-based crowd regulation, security protocols, and sanitation management.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister announced that a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being finalized to strengthen management systems and facilitate the exchange of information between the shrines of Baba Vishwanath and Baba Mahakal.

"Our objective is to provide devotees with the most efficient and seamless arrangements for worship. Discussion included on modern methodologies for real-time CCTV monitoring, zone-based crowd control, security protocols, and sanitation management," he stated.

Later, he visited the sacred Ganga Ghat to seek the blessings and remarked that the spiritual tranquility one experiences upon visiting the abode of Baba Vishwanath is truly extraordinary.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also highlighted the growing cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the spheres of economic development and infrastructure. He noted that the Ken-Betwa Link Project is transforming the lives of farmers in both states, ensuring that they have access to affordable and uninterrupted electricity.

- IANS
The MP-UP Cooperation Conference in Varanasi aimed to create a common platform for the industrial, agricultural, and tourism strengths of both states. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav emphasized the shared cultural and spiritual heritage, noting major development works initiated in religious cities like Varanasi and Ujjain. Memorandums of Understanding were signed between the Kashi Vishwanath and Mahakaleshwar temple trusts to promote cooperation. The conference also highlighted Madhya Pradesh's focus on industry, investment, and its achievements in the ODOP model, which has significantly boosted exports and artisan incomes.

CM Mohan Yadav highlights MP-UP cooperation for industry, ODOP products, and religious tourism, with MoUs signed between temple trusts.

Bhopal, March 31 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav attended MP-UP Cooperation Conference held in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi district on Tuesday and highlighted that the conference will provide a strong foundation for future possibilities.

The conference was organised to provide a common platform for the industrial strengths, traditional crafts, ODOP (One District-One Product) model and GI-tagged products, agricultural and food products, investment opportunities and tourism potential of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, according to a release.

Addressing the conference, CM Yadav said, "Just as Varanasi holds great religious and cultural significance, Ujjain too has a special spiritual importance. Recognising the immense potential of religious tourism in both cities, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated major development works. Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh share geographical, cultural, spiritual and historical ties, and both states are moving forward with their shared heritage. In this context, the MP-UP Sahayog Sammelan will provide a strong foundation for future possibilities."

During the conference, MoUs were also signed between the Shri Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust and Shri Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust and between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to promote cooperation in the field of ODOP products.

CM Yadav also praised Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh Yogi Adityanath for establishing a strong model of good governance in the state, noting that the officers of Uttar Pradesh have done commendable work in strengthening law and order while promoting development.

He further emphasised that the Madhya Pradesh government is moving forward with a focused approach, giving top priority to industry and investment. After observing 2025 as the Year of Industry and Employment, the state is placing special emphasis on agriculture in 2026.

The CM also highlighted that Madhya Pradesh offers extensive opportunities for investment in tourism. With a progressive tourism policy and strong infrastructure, the state provides an ideal environment for investors. The government is promoting Ease of Doing Business and ensuring end-to-end support with simplified approval processes.

He added that Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in the country to introduce intra-state air connectivity services, including PM Shri Tourism Air Service and PM Shri Heli Tourism Service, which will make access to remote religious destinations faster and more convenient.

Additionally, Principal Secretary, Industrial Policy and Investment Promotion, Raghvendra Kumar Singh, stressed that the objective of the conference is to strengthen the One District One Product (ODOP) concept by giving each district a unique identity based on its products, skills and traditions, while also generating employment and boosting exports.

All 55 districts of Madhya Pradesh have identified ODOP products, benefiting lakhs of artisans and farmers. Sales of ODOP products through self-help groups have crossed Rs 500 crore, and the state's exports have exceeded Rs 65,000 crore. So far, 26 products from Madhya Pradesh have received GI tags, and the state has won a silver medal at the national level in ODOP. A Unity Mall costing Rs 284 crore will be constructed in Ujjain, which will be the largest ODOP showcase in Central India.

- ANI
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav stated that MP and Uttar Pradesh will jointly create a new model of good governance and religious tourism. He made the remarks during a visit to Varanasi's Kashi Vishwanath Corridor for a cooperation conference between the two states. Yadav emphasized learning from the management of the Kashi Corridor and Prayagraj Kumbh for the upcoming Simhastha-2028 in Ujjain. He also highlighted collaborative projects like the Ken-Betwa River Link and announced a cultural event showcasing Emperor Vikramaditya's governance.

CM Mohan Yadav says MP & UP will create a new model of good governance & religious tourism, drawing from shared heritage & development initiatives.

Varanasi, March 31 Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav on Tuesday said that Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh would together script a new model of good governance and religious tourism, drawing inspiration from shared cultural heritage and development initiatives.

CM Yadav made this remark during his visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Corridor in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi. The CM reached Varanasi to participate in the MP-UP Cooperation Conference to highlight investment opportunities, and tourism potential of both the states, said a release.

Ahead of attending the conference, the Chief Minister visited Kashi Vishwanath temple toured the temple corridor.

"Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the country is witnessing a new era of development. The governments of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are embracing the mantra of "development with heritage" and are jointly fostering a shared culture of good governance and religious tourism. This will not only strengthen the ties between the two states but also pave new avenues for public welfare," CM Yadav said.

Chief Minister Mohan Yadav began his visit by offering prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple, where he prayed for the happiness of the people of Madhya Pradesh and continuous progress of the state. He also visited the ghats of the Ganges River and performed rituals with devotion.

In view of preparations for the upcoming Simhastha-2028 in Ujjain, the Chief Minister said that the experiences from Varanasi are highly relevant for the Simhastha and held a meeting with the trustees of the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust.

During the meeting, he closely reviewed a presentation on pilgrim management in the corridor, including crowd control, darshan arrangements, and a mobile app-based token system. He added that lessons from the Kumbh in Prayagraj and the Kashi Corridor will be used to prepare long-term plans for devotees in Ujjain, emphasising that the goal is to provide the best and most seamless darshan experience to pilgrims.

Additionally, he also understood the standard operating procedures (SOPs) for managing religious sites, which included discussions on real-time CCTV monitoring, zone-based crowd control, security protocols, and modern sanitation practices.

The Chief Minister further stressed that a theatrical performance will be staged in Varanasi from April 3 to 5 to showcase the good governance and sense of justice of emperor Vikramaditya of Ujjain to the masses. The program, being organised by the Vikramaditya Research Institute, will feature participation of hundreds of artists.

CM Yadav also highlighted the growing cooperation between Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh in the spheres of economy and infrastructure. He added that the Ken-Betwa River Link Project is transforming the fortunes of farmers in both states, ensuring the availability of affordable and uninterrupted electricity for farmers across both regions.

- ANI
Anti-Naxal activist Farooq Ali stated that Naxalism operated like a parallel government in Chhattisgarh's Bastar region for five decades. He praised the central government's "Naxal Mukt Bharat" initiative, citing increased surrenders and encounters that have weakened the Maoists. Ali explained that Naxals initially gained sympathy by promising to fight for tribal rights over resources but later targeted civilians and security forces. He highlighted improved road connectivity, electricity, and healthcare as key developmental steps helping to rehabilitate affected areas.

Social worker Farooq Ali hails Naxal Mukt Bharat initiative, says Maoist armed power is waning after 50 years of dominance in Bastar.

Sukma, March 31 Anti-Naxal activist and social worker Farooq Ali hailed the "Naxal Mukt Bharat" initiative, calling the March 31, 2026, deadline set by Centre to end Naxalism in the country as "effective."

Speaking to ANI on Monday, Ali highlighted that Naxalism in Chhattisgarh's Bastar felt like a "parallel government" operating for the past 50 years, adding that there were "doubts" about whether such a goal could be achieved or not due to staunch opponents of Naxalism.

"Naxalism has held sway over Bastar for nearly fifty years. Given the sheer extent of its dominance--the way it had entrenched itself--it felt as though a 'parallel government' were operating within Bastar. Consequently, despite being staunch opponents of Naxalism, we harboured doubts as to whether such an outcome was truly achievable. However, considering the manner in which Naxalism has been brought under control over the past two years--marked by a continuous stream of surrenders and encounters that have pushed the Naxals onto the back foot--it appears that this deadline is indeed proving to be effective," said Farooq Ali.

He further stressed that Naxalism in the region, firstly arrived as "sympathiser" to people; however, it later began to target innocent people, security personnel and elected representatives. He added that the Naxals infiltrated Bastar by promising to fight for their rights over water, forests, and land of the tribals.

"Just consider the manner in which the Naxals carried out killings here--how they targeted our security personnel and elected representatives. Even more tragic is the fact that they targeted innocent civilians... Naxalism arrived in the guise of a sympathiser--posing as a friend of the people... By beguiling the masses--promising to fight for their rights over water, forests, and land--and by misleading and exploiting our innocent tribal communities for their own ends, they infiltrated Bastar," he said.

Ali also shared his personal experience of being a target of Naxalism, stating that his elder brother was attacked, and acknowledged that the armed manifestation of Maoism is in decline. He opined that the battle against the core ideology of Maoism will continue, while praising the developmental steps taken by the government to rehabilitate Naxal-affected areas.

"We--the people of Bastar--owe a debt to the families of those soldiers... I have personally endured the pain inflicted by Maoism. My family was attacked; my elder brother was targeted... The armed manifestation of Maoism is, without a doubt, on the decline. However, the battle against its core ideology will continue indefinitely... We certainly harbour high hopes for the concrete initiatives launched by the government; We are confident that the government will complete its developmental work through these very methods," said Farooq Ali.

The anti-Naxal activist praised the road connectivity reaching rural areas within the state, adding that healthcare facilities are also becoming easily accessible.

"We remain hopeful, and--in this endeavour of development--we will extend our full support to the government in every possible way. This is because roads are now reaching even the interior villages, electricity is being supplied, and healthcare facilities are becoming easily accessible. Furthermore, the government is organising health camps on its own initiative; we welcome all these efforts... Chhattisgarh possesses the full potential to join the ranks of India's most developed states," said Farooq Ali.

The "Naxal Mukt Bharat" (Naxal-free India) mission is a strategic goal set by the Union Home Ministry under the Modi government to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026.

- ANI
Union Minister Piyush Goyal launched a sharp attack on the ruling DMK-Congress alliance, labelling it corrupt and responsible for a breakdown in law and order. He expressed the NDA's confidence in winning the upcoming state elections to restore the "good governance" model of the late Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa. Goyal also dismissed the electoral prospects of actor-politician Vijay, citing the historical rejection of film stars in Tamil Nadu politics. The state will vote in a single phase on April 23, setting up a potential three-way contest.

Piyush Goyal attacks DMK-Congress as corrupt, vows NDA victory to bring back late CM Jayalalithaa's governance model in Tamil Nadu polls.

Chennai, March 31 Union Minister and Tamil Nadu BJP Election Incharge Piyush Goyal on Tuesday criticised the DMK-Congress alliance, labelling them as "corrupt" and responsible for poor law and order.

Speaking to reporters, he said, "The strong NDA alliance has started the campaign to defeat and put an end to the corrupt DMK government. The DMK-Congress alliance is responsible for high-level corruption, a bad law and order situation, and for betraying the farmers, fishermen, youth, and women of Tamil Nadu."

Expressing confidence in the NDA's victory, Goyal promised a return to the governance style of the late J Jayalalithaa.

"The strong NDA alliance has started the campaign to defeat and put an end to the corrupt DMK government. The DMK-Congress alliance is responsible for high-level corruption, a bad law and order situation, and for betraying the farmers, fishermen, youth, and women of Tamil Nadu. The people of Tamil Nadu are fed up with this corrupt government; they want a government like the good governance of 'Amma' (Jayalalithaa). This election will decide the future of Tamil Nadu's people. The NDA alliance led by EPS will emerge victorious in this election and bring back good governance here. We are all working together like one family. We will ensure that the people of Tamil Nadu witness the return of that good governance. The people here want change," said Goyal.

He also dismissed the political impact of actor-politician Vijay, citing past failures of film stars in the state's political sphere.

"I do not think Vijay has any understanding of Tamil Nadu's people, their culture and the politics of Tamil Nadu. Many film stars have come in the past, and the people of Tamil Nadu have rejected them. MGR and Jayalalithaa ji were experienced politicians, and after many years and decades of serving the people, they became Chief Ministers. I think he is living in a dream. He is very popular among his fans, but that popularity does not result in votes, as we saw in the case of Vijayakanth, as we saw in the case of Kamal Haasan. This will be one more effort which may give him probably a few votes, but I don't think he will even cross three or four seats in Tamil Nadu," Goyal added.

Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the State. Counting is scheduled for May 4. Vijay, who is making an electoral debut with his party, will look to turn the polls into a three-way contest among the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA.

- ANI
Israeli PM proposes long-term energy solution via Mediterranean pipelines to reduce reliance on the Iran-dominated Strait of Hormuz, as Iran approves new toll plan.

Tel Aviv, March 31 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that rerouting energy pipelines toward the Mediterranean could serve as a long-term solution to the vulnerabilities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with Newsmax.

"Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran's geographic choke point," Netanyahu told Newsmax, stressing the need to reduce reliance on the Strait.



The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy transit chokepoints, handling about 20 per cent of global oil exports. It is bordered by Iran on one side and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman on the other.



Netanyahu noted that Iran's position gives it the ability to threaten global energy flows, particularly during periods of conflict. "A military solution might offer short-term stability," he said, but indicated that a deal or structural shift that diminishes the Strait's importance would be more effective in the long run.



According to the Newsmax interview, Netanyahu suggested that building alternative overland routes for oil and gas exports could ultimately reduce Iran's strategic leverage over global energy markets.



Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Security Committee on Monday (local time) approved the Strait of Hormuz Management Plan, which includes measures to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategic waterway, as reported by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).



According to the IRIB, a member of the National Security Commission announced that the plan was formally approved, detailing key areas of focus, including security arrangements for the Strait, ship safety, environmental protection, financial arrangements, and the implementation of a rial-based toll system.



The plan also explicitly bans passage for American and Israeli vessels, reinforces the sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait. Additionally, it prohibits passage for countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran, as reported by IRIB.



The approved measures come amid ongoing conflict in West Asia between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, currently in its second month, and reflect Tehran's efforts to assert control over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments transit.



Meanwhile, the White House on Monday (local time) claimed the recent movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a virtual blockage amid the West Asia conflict, saying it was a result of ongoing direct and indirect talks between the United States and Iran.



It credited diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump.



Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Iran is selectively allowing certain tankers to pass or imposing informal controls over maritime traffic.



"That's not something we support, and I would reject that they are cherry-picking. In fact, these tankers that are moving through - the 10 that were previously announced and now the new 20, the announcement of 20 additional tankers, which we expect to see over the coming days - are a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the United States and Iran," she claimed.



Leavitt further insisted that such tanker movements would not have been possible without sustained diplomatic engagement by the US administration led by Trump.





- ANI
Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a financial aid package of Rs 6 lakh for the families of each victim of the tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda. The aid comprises Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund. Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary also expressed his condolences and assured government support to the affected families. The stampede, which occurred during a weekly fair, is reported to have been caused by severe overcrowding and insufficient police deployment.

Bihar CM Nitish Kumar announces Rs 6 lakh ex-gratia for families of Sheetla Mata Temple stampede victims. Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary also expresses condolences.

Patna, March 31 Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Tuesday expressed grief on the Nalanda Sheetla Mata Temple stampede and announced Rs 4 lakhs each from Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakhs each from CM relief fund for the next of kin of deceased, according to a press release.

The release stated, "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of devotees in a stampede that occurred at the Sheetla Devi Temple in Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district. The Chief Minister stated that this incident is extremely tragic and has left him deeply distressed. The Chief Minister has directed that an ex-gratia grant be provided to the dependents of the deceased, comprising Rs 4 lakh each from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (totalling Rs 6 lakh). Acting on the Chief Minister's directives, senior officials have reached the accident site and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minister has wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap and has issued instructions to ensure they receive appropriate medical treatment."

Earlier today, Bihar Deputy CM Samrat Choudhary expressed heartfelt condolences to the families of victims who lost their lives due to a stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Nalanda and assured government support to them.

"The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident. The government is providing every possible assistance and relief to the affected families. Arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured. May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families during this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," he wrote.

The stampede occurred at a weekly fair, which was being held at the Sheetla Mata Temple today due to the overcrowding at the site. Devotees present at the scene have stated that the incident occurred due to an insufficient deployment of police personnel.

Currently, in view of the gravity of the situation, shops set up at the fair in the surrounding area have been ordered to close down.

- ANI
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi held a virtual meeting with district collectors to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities and directed enforcement squads to monitor markets. The Union government announced that a 100% supply of natural gas is being maintained and that the country has sufficient fuel reserves to meet demand. Joint Secretary Sujata Sharma detailed steps like reducing excise duty and imposing export taxes to ensure domestic market stability. She confirmed there is no shortage of LPG, with millions of cylinders delivered recently and priority given to commercial establishments.

Odisha CM Mohan Majhi directs market monitoring. Centre assures sufficient fuel, LPG supply. Details on steps to prevent hoarding and panic buying.

New Delhi, March 31 Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi held a virtual meeting with District Collectors on Monday to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities amid the West Asia conflict.

The Chief Minister directed enforcement squads to remain on 24x7 action mode, monitor markets, act against hoarders and rumour-mongers, and maintain team spirit for coordinated crisis management, according to the CMO.

Earlier in the day, the Union government announced that a 100 per cent supply of natural gas is being maintained for domestic consumers and CNG transport, noting that approximately 95 per cent of LPG bookings were done online yesterday.

Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that the country possesses sufficient fuel reserves to meet current demand.

"Our refineries are in normal operation, and crude inventories are adequate. Some retail outlets are in normal operation, but panic buying is also observed in some retail outlets. In this regard, I would like to tell the people of the country that petrol and diesel are available in sufficient quantities with us," Sharma said.

She explained that the government took several steps to ensure domestic stability, including the reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 and the imposition of export taxes to maintain the availability of diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in the local market.

The Joint Secretary detailed the expansion of the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network, noting that several central ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, issued orders to support expansion in residential areas and unit lines.

She added that the government issued a gazette notification on March 24 to expedite last-mile connectivity. Regarding the status of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Sharma confirmed there is no "dry out" at any distributor.

"In the past two days, about 1.4 crore bookings have been made, of which 92 lakh cylinders have also been delivered. As you know, the commercial LPG has been distributed by the Indian government. The Indian government has increased the availability of commercial LPG by about 70% and has talked about prioritising Dhaba, Restaurants, Industrial Canteens and Migrant Labour. I would like to tell you that after the issue of this order in the last week, about 2,60,000 FTL (Free Trade LPG) cylinders of 5 kg have been sold," she said.

- ANI
Former R&AW chief Vikram Sood has clarified that Pakistan's involvement in potential US-Iran peace talks is limited to providing a venue, not active mediation. He expressed scepticism about Pakistan's neutrality, suggesting it is aligned with American interests, and doubted Iran's full trust due to historical Shia-Sunni complexities. Sood also highlighted Pakistan's relative isolation in the Middle East, with few strong ties to Shia-majority nations. Meanwhile, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US and former US President Donald Trump have acknowledged the ongoing, complex facilitation efforts.

Former R&AW chief Vikram Sood downplays Pakistan's mediation role, calling it a logistical venue provider lacking neutrality and Iran's full trust.

New Delhi, March 31 Former Research and Analysis Wing chief Vikram Sood downplayed reports of Pakistan as a mediator in potential Iran peace talks, suggesting its role is limited to offering logistical support rather than active diplomacy.

In an interview with ANI, Sood said, "He's only providing a venue. He's not sitting in monitoring the proceedings."

Sood further remarked that Pakistan may be perceived by the United States (US) as a "reliable chap" that could help facilitate discussions indirectly. "That is my impression that you know you find a room to sit in a neutral place to talk, not neutral actually, he is in America's pockets," he said, indicating scepticism over Islamabad's neutrality in such efforts.

On whether Iran would trust Pakistan, Sood expressed uncertainty, pointing to historical and sectarian complexities. "I don't know. Maybe a bit, but there is the Shia-Sunni angle; there has been trouble in the past. So, I don't think there is full trust," he said.

Highlighting regional dynamics, he said that Pakistan remains relatively isolated in terms of ties with Shia-majority countries."Pakistan, in that sense, is rather lonely in the Middle East. It has very few Shia friends, Shia countries. I think Azerbaijan and a few others, one or two others with a Shia population, like Bahrain, but really not much," Sood added.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, in an interview with Fox News, has said that the efforts to facilitate US-Iran peace talks are underway, but cautioned that the process will be complex and time-consuming.

He underscored the difficulties posed by conditions inside Iran, noting disruptions caused in the communication channels by the ongoing conflict.

"Let's look at the fact that Iran is a war-torn country with the communication channels certainly disrupted, and it is not even easy to get responses in a good time from the system that currently is in place there. So you would have noticed that these deadlines have been extended in the past, in recent past, and we are working religiously with regard to the current deadline," he said.

The ambassador added that while Pakistan is playing a facilitating role, the responsibility for successful negotiations ultimately lies with the "conflicting" parties involved.

"The process will take its own due course, and while Pakistan continues to be the facilitator, it is actually upon the conflicting parties themselves to not only create the prerequisites for negotiations and to be able to conduct them in all earnest, but they will have to take the decisions which make it successful," he said.

Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, are making "positive progress".

Speaking about the ongoing backchannel diplomacy, Trump said talks are underway through Pakistani "emissaries", though he declined to provide specific details when asked whether a ceasfire deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached in the coming days.

- ANI
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran is "beyond the halfway point." He stated the current focus is on securing or removing Iran's stockpile of enriched uranium to block its path to a nuclear weapon. Netanyahu cited successes in degrading Iran's missile capabilities, destroying weapons factories, and eliminating key nuclear scientists. He framed the mission as a strategic necessity to prevent Iran from threatening Israel, the US, and allies with nuclear weapons.

Israeli PM Netanyahu states US-Israel military operation in Iran is "beyond halfway," with current focus on securing Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile.

Tel Aviv, March 31 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran amid the West Asia conflict is "beyond the halfway point", with the current focus of the coalition being to secure or remove Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile.

In an interview with Newsmax, Netanyahu expressed confidence in the progress of the joint military campaign, emphasising that significant steps have been taken to dismantle Iran's military and nuclear capabilities.

"We're beyond the halfway point in terms of mission success," the Israeli PM said, citing major gains in degrading Iran's military, nuclear, and industrial infrastructure.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister, US and Israeli forces have already struck critical components of Iran's war-making potential, including missile systems, weapons factories, and personnel linked to its nuclear programme.

"We've already degraded their missile capabilities, destroyed factories, and eliminated key nuclear scientists," Netanyahu told Newsmax, noting that these efforts have set Iran's ambitions "back significantly".

The prime minister stressed that the operation is aimed not only at weakening Iran in the short term but also at preventing a far more dangerous future.

"They are pursuing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them to American cities. That's what this war is about -- preventing that outcome", he told Newsmax.

Netanyahu added that the current phase of the campaign is centred on Iran's enriched uranium, a critical step to permanently block its ability to develop a nuclear weapon.

"The focus is on their enriched uranium stockpile," he said, noting that US President Donald Trump has demanded the material be removed from Iran, potentially handed over to international authorities.

While Netanyahu did not provide a specific timeline for the conclusion of the operation, he projected continued momentum in favour of the US-Israel alliance.

"Iran is coming out weaker; we're coming out stronger," he stated, highlighting both military successes and rising internal instability within Tehran.

Netanyahu further framed the mission as a strategic necessity to neutralise a long-standing threat, emphasising that the ultimate goal is to prevent Iran from threatening Israel, the United States, or their allies with nuclear weapons.

"We're making steady progress," he said, signalling confidence that the mission's objectives remain within reach.

- ANI
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal stated that the BJP's Assam election manifesto was created based on over 3 lakh suggestions collected from the public through a house-to-house campaign. He expressed confidence that the BJP-led alliance is close to securing 100 seats in the upcoming polls. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma highlighted that women and Gen Z voters are at the forefront of the current electoral momentum. The single-phase polling for all 126 assembly constituencies will be held on April 9, with the BJP aiming for a third consecutive term.

Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal says BJP collected over 3 lakh suggestions house-to-house in Assam to create its manifesto for the assembly elections.

Guwahati, March 31 Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal on Tuesday said that the Bhartiya Janata Party went house to house in Assam to know people's suggestions during the preparations of the Sankalp Patra, before the document was made.

"The background of the preparation of the 'Sankalp Patra' - we went to the people in all parts of Assam. We went house to house and collected people's suggestions regarding what to do in the next term. So, it is the people's suggestions ultimately that have helped us to create this historic document. On the basis of this document and the suggestions of the people of Assam, we will work in the third term. More than 3 lakh people have given their suggestions. It is people's democracy," he said.



He further added, "I have been repeatedly saying that we are close to 100 with our allies."



The Assam Assembly elections are witnessing intense political activity, with major parties campaigning vigorously to secure a mandate from the voters.



Earlier on March 28, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted that women and Gen Z voters are at the forefront of the electoral momentum.



Speaking to ANI on Friday, CM Sarma said, "You will find women at public meetings and youth at rallies. There is tremendous enthusiasm among them. This election is being fought by Gen Z and women, and we are going to see a great result.



"Highlighting his recent campaign trail, the Chief Minister said he addressed rallies in Dhakuakhana and Lakhimpur, constituencies that were closely contested in the previous election. "Last time, we were tense till the final count in these seats. But now, they have turned into A+ seats. With the work done by our government and major initiatives by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, people are set to vote one-sidedly for the BJP-AGP-BPF alliance," he stated.



The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4.



Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly.



The BJP government, led by CM Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power.





- ANI
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah expressed strong confidence in Congress candidate Umesh Meti's victory in the Bagalkote assembly by-election, stating public support is beyond expectations. He defended the party's tradition of giving tickets to families of deceased MLAs, citing examples in Bagalkote and Davangere. The Chief Minister criticized the BJP's previous tenure for not prioritizing a medical college or farmer relief in the region. He also addressed internal party management, noting a rebel candidate in Davangere South was persuaded to withdraw.

Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah says public support for Congress in Bagalkote bypoll is beyond expectations, criticizes BJP's tenure and campaign remarks.

Bagalkote, March 31 Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday said that public support for Congress candidate Umesh Meti in the Bagalkote assembly by-election is "beyond expectations".

Speaking to the reporters while campaigning in the constituency, Siddaramaiah said that the atmosphere in the bypoll is conducive for the Congress. He expressed confidence in Umesh Meti's victory, who is contesting from the seat vacated due to the demise of his father, HY Meti.

The Chief Minister also highlighted the contributions of late HY Meti, saying he worked hard for the development of Bagalkote and served for the prosperity of all classes.

Responding to the BJP's remarks on his extensive campaigning in Bagalkote, Siddaramaiah said the opposition party in Karnataka is making such statements due to fear of defeat. He added that it is a tradition of the Congress to give tickets to the families of deceased MLAs, noting that such decisions have been taken in both Davangere and Bagalkote.

On remarks made by BJP leader Narayanaswamy regarding the Chief Minister's post, Siddaramaiah said he would abide by the decisions of the Congress high command and would not respond to the BJP's statements.

Earlier this month, Chalavadi Narayanaswamy, who is Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka Legislative Council, claimed that Siddaramaiah was an "outgoing Chief Minister" since he was preparing to resign.

The Chief Minister also alleged that the BJP, during its tenure, did not prioritise the establishment of a medical college in Bagalkote or provide relief to farmers under the Krishna Upper River Project. He reiterated that HY Meti's contribution to the development of the region was significant.

Referring to political developments in Davangere South, Siddaramaiah said that Congress candidate Pailwan Sadiq has been persuaded to withdraw from the fray. He added that Karnataka Minister Zameer Ahmed will participate in the election campaign.

Earlier, 'rebel' Sadiq Pailwan withdrew from the bypoll to the Davangere South assembly constituency after meeting Siddaramaiah and Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar in Bengaluru on March 27.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) earlier announced the schedule for by-elections across eight assembly constituencies in six states.

The constituencies include Ponda (Goa), Umreth (Gujarat), Bagalkote and Davanagere South (Karnataka), Rahuri and Baramati (Maharashtra), Dharmanagar (Tripura), and Koridang (Nagaland).

Polling in the constituencies of Karnataka, Goa, Nagaland, and Tripura will be held on April 9, while the bypoll in assembly constituencies of Gujarat and Maharashtra will be conducted on April 23.

After polling, the counting of votes will take place on May 4, and the results will be declared the same day.

- ANI
Union Minister Piyush Goyal met a European Parliament delegation to discuss pathways for the early implementation of the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The FTA, concluded in January, is poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs, and professionals by enhancing market access. It specifically aims to boost India's engineering and manufacturing exports, targeting $300 billion, by integrating Indian manufacturers into European supply chains. The agreement strengthens ties between two economic giants that together account for nearly a quarter of global GDP.

Piyush Goyal meets EU delegation to fast-track FTA implementation, aiming to boost bilateral trade, manufacturing, and economic ties.

New Delhi, March 31 Union Minister Piyush Goyal held discussions with a European Parliamentary delegation led by Angelika Niebler on the early implementation of the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, highlighting its significance for strengthening bilateral ties.

In a social media post, the minister said he was "delighted" to meet the delegation and noted that India-EU relations are witnessing growing dynamism across multiple sectors.



"India-EU ties continue to strengthen, marked by growing dynamism and expanding cooperation across key sectors including trade, technology, green energy, connectivity, defence, space, mobility, education, and people-to-people exchanges," Goyal said.



He described the India-EU FTA as a defining milestone in the partnership, stating that it is expected to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs and skilled professionals on both sides.



"The India-EU FTA represents a defining milestone in our partnership, poised to unlock new opportunities for businesses, MSMEs, and skilled professionals on both sides. We discussed pathways for its early implementation, alongside continued constructive engagement," he added.



India and the European Union concluded negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement on January 27 this year. The agreement aims to boost bilateral trade in goods, services and investment, and is expected to come into force by early 2027.



According to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, the FTA is designed to create a future-ready trade framework that supports next-generation sectors of the Indian economy. A key focus area of the agreement is engineering and manufacturing, where India is targeting USD 300 billion in engineering exports.



By enabling greater access to the USD 2 trillion European market, the agreement is expected to enhance India's global competitiveness and integrate Indian manufacturers more closely into European supply chains.



The framework also places special emphasis on MSMEs and regional industrial clusters, helping them scale up operations and access global contracts.



The European Union is among India's largest trading partners. In FY 2024-25, bilateral trade in goods stood at Rs 11.5 lakh crore (USD 136.54 billion), with exports at Rs 6.4 lakh crore (USD 75.85 billion) and imports at Rs 5.1 lakh crore (USD 60.68 billion).



Trade in services between India and the EU reached Rs 7.2 lakh crore (USD 83.10 billion), reflecting the growing economic engagement between the two sides.



Together, India and the European Union represent the fourth and second largest economies globally, accounting for nearly 25 per cent of global GDP and one-third of global trade.



The government said the agreement is expected to further strengthen economic ties and create new opportunities for growth, innovation and sustainable development.





- ANI
PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Samrat Samprati Museum and launches over 20,000 crore in infrastructure, road, rail, and tourism projects across Gujarat.

Gandhinagar, March 31 The Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar today during his visit to Gujarat to inaugurate multiple projects.

Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain tradition known for his commitment to non-violence and propagation of Jainism, the museum showcases the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Jainism.



In a post on X, PM Modi shared a glimpse of the Samrat Samprati museum.



The Prime Minister will also travel to Vav-Tharad and lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate to the Nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. PM Modi will inaugurate the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway built at a cost of over Rs 5,100 crore.



Further, the Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders. He will also lay the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-l of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.



The Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stone of key road infrastructure projects, including the flyover at Bhaijipura Junction on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road, which will ease traffic congestion and provide organised parking space beneath the structure.



The Flyover Bridge at PDPU Junction on Gandhinagar-Koba-Arodram Road will also be inaugurated. The road connecting Gandhinagar to the airport handles a daily traffic volume of over 1,40,000 vehicles. The flyover will ensure smooth and uninterrupted traffic flow from the CH-0 Junction to the airport between Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.



The Prime Minister will inaugurate key power transmission projects, including the Khavda Pooling Station-2 and associated transmission systems for the evacuation of 4.5 GW of renewable energy, with a combined cost of around Rs 3,650 crore. These projects will strengthen renewable energy integration and transmission capacity.



In the rail sector, the Prime Minister will dedicate to the Nation the Kanalus-Jamnagar doubling project (28 km), part of the Rajkot-Kanalus doubling project (111.20 km), and the quadrupling of the Gandhidham-Adipur section (10.69 km). PM Modi will also inaugurate the Himmatnagar-Khedbrahma gauge conversion project (54.83 km), which will improve rail connectivity and passenger movement in the region. He will also flag off the Khedbrahma-Himmatnagar-Asarwa train service.



The Prime Minister will inaugurate and lay the foundation stone of 44 Urban Development projects worth around 5,300 crore across Gujarat, various Health and Family Welfare initiatives, including the inauguration of an 858-bed Rain Basera at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, and a similar facility at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital and GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar.



Prime Minister will inaugurate Tourism projects, including the Light and Sound Show at Rani ki Vav, Patan, the Water Screen Projection Show at Sharmishtha Lake, Vadnagar, and lay the foundation stone of tourism infrastructure works at Balaram Mahadev and Vishweshwar Mahadev in Banaskantha, aimed at enhancing tourism experience and promoting cultural heritage.



The release said that the Prime Minister will dedicate to the nation two major water pipeline projects worth around Rs 1,780 crore, including the Kasara-Dantiwada Pipeline in Banaskantha and the Dindrol-Mukteshwar Pipeline across Patan and Banaskantha. The Prime Minister will lay the foundation stone for the water supply scheme for Ambaji and the surrounding rural areas.



Prime Minister will also lay the foundation stones for three Sabarmati Riverfront expansion projects in the Gandhinagar district, with a combined investment of around Rs 1000 crore and will also inaugurate the Government Boys Hostel at Vejalpur, Ahmedabad.





- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the grand 'Samrat Samprati Museum' in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti. The museum, dedicated to Jain culture and India's broader heritage, features seven galleries depicting Navpad concepts and teachings of the Tirthankaras. It also serves as a major repository, preserving over three lakh ancient manuscripts collected over decades. The Prime Minister emphasized the museum's role in inspiring global visitors with India's message of peace and the government's commitment to preserving cultural heritage through initiatives like the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission'.

PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum, a world-class Jain heritage centre in Gandhinagar, dedicated to preserving India's cultural and philosophical legacy.

Gandhinagar, March 31 On the occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Jayanti, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the grand, world-class 'Samrat Samprati Museum', dedicated to India's heritage and Jain culture, at Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra, Koba, Gandhinagar.

On this occasion, Jain Acharya Rashtrasant Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji, Governor Shri Acharya Devvratji, Chief Minister Shri Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Shri Harsh Sanghavi were present.

While inaugurating the Samrat Samprati Museum, the PM stated that for years, traditions of study, spiritual practice, and self-discipline have flourished in the vicinity of Koba Jain Tirth. Here, a 'Triveni' confluence of preservation of values, nurturing of cultural ethos, and enrichment of knowledge is created, which forms the foundation of Indian civilisation. Maintaining this confluence continuously is a shared responsibility of all.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India's rich heritage is now being preserved for centuries to come through this Jain Heritage Museum, which will continue to inspire future generations. This museum is a sacred centre of Jain philosophy, Indian culture, and our ancient heritage.

The Prime Minister congratulated all Jain monks and dedicated citizens who contributed to the creation of this museum. Speaking about the historical significance of Emperor Samprati, he said that many civilisations have produced great thinkers and philosophers.

However, when it comes to power and truth, many rulers have set aside ideals and values due to the lure of power, creating a gap between thought and conduct. He said that Emperor Samprati was not just a historical king but a bridge connecting India's philosophy and scholarship.

Describing the grandeur of the museum, the Prime Minister said that the seven galleries here showcase the nation's diversity and cultural richness. These galleries artistically bring to life the Navpad concepts - Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyaya, Sadhu, Darshan, Gyan, Charitra, and Tap - along with stories and teachings of the Tirthankaras.

He stated that when knowledge is 'Samyak' (true and balanced), it becomes the foundation of harmony and service.

This museum not only represents Jain heritage but also proudly showcases other religious traditions of India - Vedic, Buddhist, and more. The harmonious presentation of the Vedas, Puranas, Ayurveda, Yoga, and philosophy reflects a rainbow of traditions together, something possible only in India.

Referring to the current global instability and unrest, the Prime Minister said that the heritage and message established in this museum are important not only for India but for the entire humanity. He appealed that inquisitive visitors, students, and researchers from across the world should visit this museum and carry the message of peace from India and Jainism to every corner of the globe.

The Prime Minister stated that ancient Indian universities like Takshashila and Nalanda were once filled with lakhs of manuscripts, many of which were destroyed by foreign invaders driven by religious intolerance. In difficult times, common people preserved remaining manuscripts across generations.

He added that Acharya Bhagwant Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj spent 60 years travelling across the country in search of such manuscripts. More than three lakh manuscripts written on palm leaves and bhojpatra, some centuries old, are now safely preserved in this museum, serving as an inspiring monument for India's past, present, and future.

Speaking about the government's commitment to preserving manuscripts, the Prime Minister said that compared to previous governments, the current government has launched the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' for digitisation, scientific conservation, scanning, chemical treatment, and digital archiving of ancient manuscripts using technology.

He also mentioned this initiative in 'Mann Ki Baat', which enabled citizens to upload manuscripts preserved with them. This campaign will play a significant role in collecting manuscripts scattered across the country.

He further stated that efforts to preserve, understand, and showcase India's cultural heritage are ongoing at every level, from the restoration of ancient temples and development of pilgrimage sites to the promotion of Ayurveda and Yoga. He mentioned key projects such as the world's largest maritime museum at Lothal, the museum at Vadnagar, and the upcoming 'Yuge Yugeen Bharat Museum' in Delhi.

He added that for the first time, meaningful and holistic efforts are being made to present the true history of India's freedom struggle free from political bias. He emphasised that the mindset of viewing heritage through a political lens has ended, and the nation is progressing with the mantra of 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas', which is the essence of the vision of Viksit Bharat.

The Prime Minister appreciated the tireless efforts of saints in preserving India's heritage and recalled the historic 'Navkar Mahamantra Day' event held in Delhi, where Jain communities came together.

Referring to the ten pledges given on that occasion, he mentioned water conservation, 'Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam', cleanliness campaign, vocal for local, Bharat Darshan, natural farming, healthy lifestyle, yoga and sports, helping the poor, and the tenth pledge added by the community - preservation of India's heritage.

In his distinctive style, the Prime Minister said that today, on the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Mahavir Swami, the program at Koba connects us to our roots, while the second program at Sanand connects us to the world. He added that advanced semiconductor chip manufacturing in Sanand is a matter of pride for Gujarat.

On the occasion of the inauguration of the Samrat Samprati Museum, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel paid tribute to Bhagwan Mahavir Swami and stated that the Prime Minister has established a tradition of pride in our culture, religion, and heritage with the mantra 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'.

The Chief Minister said that recalling the thousand-year journey of unwavering faith and revival through the historic Somnath Swabhiman Parv, India's cultural pride has once again shone globally under the inspiration of the Prime Minister.

The central government has launched the 'Gyan Bharatam Mission' and undertaken the great task of digitising and preserving lakhs of ancient manuscripts. Jain literature preserved in Prakrit and Pali holds a treasure of deep thoughts. By granting classical language status to Pali and Prakrit, the Prime Minister has ensured the preservation of invaluable Jain texts.

Moreover, whether it is depicting Sammed Shikhar at the Parliament entrance or bringing back ancient Tirthankar idols from abroad, many such achievements have highlighted Jain philosophy. Jainism is not only historical but deeply relevant in every era. He added that, in present times, the thoughts of Mahavir Swami alone can guide the world towards peace.

The Chief Minister further stated that the "Samrat Samprati Museum" inaugurated today will become a remarkable place showcasing a living glimpse of Jainism, Indian culture, and spiritual heritage. Built over a vast area of Koba Jain Tirth, the museum displays more than two thousand rare ancient artefacts, manuscripts, and artistic exhibits.

He described it as an important centre that keeps our heritage alive through modern architecture and added that it is not just a museum but a strong bridge between Jain philosophy and spirituality, connecting history with spiritual experience. The seven galleries present the evolution of Jainism chronologically. He expressed confidence that this place will inspire present and future generations to preserve Jain values and culture eternally.

Describing the Navkar Mantra as a collection of sacred vibrations and a rhythmic flow of energy, stability, and light, the Chief Minister said that last year, inspired by the Prime Minister, Navkar Mahamantra events were organised across the country on Mahavir Janma Kalyanak.

The Prime Minister gave nine resolutions for national development and citizen welfare. He urged everyone to incorporate these pledges into daily life and reaffirmed the commitment to build Viksit Gujarat with pride and respect for heritage under the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi stated that Bhagwan Mahavir Swami's birth anniversary is the biggest festival for Jains worldwide. On this sacred occasion, the inauguration of the grand 'Samrat Samprati Museum' by the Prime Minister brings immense joy.

It is a significant event reflecting India's cultural consciousness. The museum houses beautiful artworks, idols of Jain Tirthankaras, and ancient manuscripts spanning thousands of years, representing a confluence of spiritual awareness.

He said that Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj spent decades travelling to build this heritage, which is truly a grand spiritual endeavour to preserve culture. The traditions and values of the Jain community are magnificently embodied in this museum.

He added that the Prime Minister has emphasised that youth should have technology in their hands and the values of the Navkar Mantra in their hearts and minds. This museum will guide us on that path. The spiritual consciousness of the Samrat Samprati Museum is enhancing India's heritage globally, like Ayodhya and Somnath, under the Prime Minister's leadership.

He further emphasised that for the Jain community, efforts have always been made to strengthen facilities at sacred sites like Shatrunjaya Hill, where revered gurus have travelled for years. He noted that when the Prime Minister was the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, he initiated the concept of 'Tirth Van' at pilgrimage sites.

The Gujarat Government remains committed to preserving the sanctity of Palitana and Giriraj Hills. He congratulated everyone on this effort, stating that the museum will serve as a centre of culture and education.

On this occasion, Acharya Padmasagar Surishwarji said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India is transforming its glorious past into the present. The nation is fortunate to have a Prime Minister of strong character, dedication, and vision. He added that the Prime Minister has made significant contributions to national progress and embodies both spiritual and worldly qualities. From challenging wars to crises like the COVID pandemic, under his guidance, both citizens and heritage have remained safe.

Chairman of Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra and Torrent Group Chairman Sudhir Mehta, in his welcome address, said that Bhagwan Mahavir gave the message of 'Live and Let Live' (Jivo ane Jivva do) to the world. The inauguration of this grand museum marks a golden chapter in history.

Due to the Prime Minister's efforts over the past 10-12 years, more than 400 rare ancient idols have been brought back to India from abroad, preserving the nation's spiritual and cultural heritage. This is the world's largest museum of its kind, not merely an exhibition but a treasure of cultural documentation, housing over three lakh manuscripts, which is a matter of pride for all.

On this occasion, Sadhu-Sadhvijio, Shravak-Shravikao, community leaders, MLAs, and dignitaries were present.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep shock and sadness at the sudden demise of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi. Modi recalled their personal meetings and Santokhi's service to Suriname and his role in strengthening bilateral relations. He notably highlighted Santokhi's special fondness for Indian culture, including taking his presidential oath in Sanskrit. India and Suriname share warm relations bolstered by a historical Indian diaspora and various bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

PM Narendra Modi expressed grief over former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi's death, calling him a friend and recalling his efforts to strengthen India-Suriname ties.

New Delhi, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the demise of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, calling it an "irreparable loss" for both Suriname and the global Indian diaspora.

In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora."

Recalling his personal interactions with Santokhi, the prime minister highlighted the late leader's contributions to bilateral ties and cultural affinity with India.

"I fondly recall my many meetings with him. His tireless service for Suriname and his efforts in strengthening India-Suriname relations were clearly reflected in our interactions. He had a special fondness for Indian culture. He won several hearts when he took oath in Sanskrit," PM Modi said.

Extending condolences, he added, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Suriname in this hour of grief."

In November 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the late former Suriname President Chandrikapersad 'Chan' Santokhi on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. The two leaders at that time reviewed the progress of the India-Suriname partnership and discussed ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors.

In July 2025, 71-year-old physician and veteran lawmaker Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was elected as Suriname's first female president, receiving parliamentary approval to lead the South American nation.

According to the MEA brief, India enjoys close, warm and friendly relations with Suriname, reinforced by cultural and people-to-people contacts bridged by the Indian Diaspora's arrival dating back to one and a half centuries.

India and Suriname have bilateral mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation, such as Ministerial-level Joint Commission Meetings, Joint Working Group on Agriculture. India and Suriname have actively cooperated on a development partnership, and India has offered Line of Credits (LOCs) and Grants-in-Aid, according to the MEA brief.

According to the MEA brief, Trade and economic links between India and Suriname are modest. Indian export to Suriname consists of boilers, machinery, iron & steel, electrical machinery & equipment, sound recorders, pharmaceutical products, textiles, vehicles, coffee, tea and spices, rubber, paper, tobacco, organic chemicals, furniture, carpets, ceramic products, footwear and printed books; Indian import consists of wood, aluminum, textiles, herbal products, garments, spices, and electrical machinery.

- ANI
Prime Minister Narendra Modi undertook a whirlwind one-day visit to Gujarat, inaugurating key projects. He launched the Kaynes Technology semiconductor plant in Sanand, a critical part of India's semiconductor mission. The Prime Minister also inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar, highlighting India's cultural legacy. The visit concluded with the dedication of multi-sector development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in Vav-Tharad.

PM Modi inaugurates Kaynes semiconductor plant, Samrat Samprati Museum, and projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in a packed one-day Gujarat visit.

Gandhinagar, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a packed one-day visit to Gujarat on Tuesday, inaugurating projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in Vav-Tharad, launching the Kaynes Semicon Plant in Sanand and inaugurating the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar.

PM Modi began his one-day visit from Gandhinagar, where he inaugurated Samrat Samprati Museum at Korba Pith on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

He praised the architecture and design, saying it beautifully reflects India's grandeur and identity. He highlighted that the museum's seven galleries showcase India's cultural richness and diversity. He noted that the first gallery introduces visitors to the Navpad (Nine Jewels) -- Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu Sangh -- presenting Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge), Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct), and Samyak Tap (Right Austerity).

The Prime Minister also remarked on India's enduring tradition of knowledge. "In India, knowledge has always been a free-flowing stream. In every era, Tirthankaras and sages-thinkers have incarnated. The compilation of knowledge kept growing. With time, much that is new has continued to be added," said PM Modi.

Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain tradition, the museum showcases the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Jainism. The museum features seven distinct wings, each dedicated to unique aspects of India's civilizational traditions.

PM Modi then reached Sanand to inaugurate Rs 3,300 crores Kaynes Technology semiconductor plant. This is the second such plant in India and an achievement in the semiconductor sector. It is being recognised as one of the most crucial initiatives under India's semiconductor mission, as it will accelerate the mission.

PM Modi stated that "a new bridge has been built between Sanand and Silicon Valley," marking the current period as the "decade of India."

Highlighting the rapid growth of the domestic electronics landscape, the Prime Minister projected that by the end of this decade, "India's semiconductor market could exceed USD 100 billion dollars". He noted that the commencement of production at this facility signifies India's strengthening role as a reliable semiconductor supplier in the global market.

The Prime Minister emphasised that India's own company, Kaynes, has now become a strong part of the global semiconductor supply chain. According to the Prime Minister, the intelligent power modules manufactured at the Sanand plant are already witnessing high demand internationally.

Reflecting on the strategic importance of the sector, the Prime Minister noted that the global supply chain has faced significant disruptions due to pandemics and conflicts.

"Friends, this 21st century has brought many challenges to the world from the beginning. The crisis is due to the pandemic, the conflict is due to the global supply chain. Whether it is chips, rare earth minerals, energy, they have been greatly affected by a conflict. These are things related to the rapid development of humanity. Therefore, it is very important for a democratic country like India to move forward in this direction for the development of the whole world," he said.

The Prime Minister detailed the progress of the India Semiconductor Mission, which was initiated in 2021. He described the mission as an "announcement of India's self-confidence" rather than a mere industrial policy.

Currently, 10 projects worth Rs 1,60,000 crore are being executed across six states. Following the initial success, the government had announced the Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in this year's budget, shifting focus toward the production of semiconductor equipment and materials to create a "full-stack Indian semiconductor ecosystem."

PM concluded his visit in Vav-Tharad, where he inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. These projects span key sectors including Power, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development.

PM Modi assured that the BJP-led government will continue the "Superfast Express of development" with people's trust from local government levels to Parliament.

Hailing Gujarat's budget of Rs 4.08 lakh crores, PM Modi said, "The Gujarat government has presented the budget of over 4 lakhs crores. This money will be spent on the development of villages, town and cities. As long as your trust remains--from the Panchayat to the Parliament--the 'Superfast Express' of development will continue to move forward at this very pace."

PM Modi also inaugurated the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway built at a cost of over Rs 5,100 crore.

Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders and laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-lI) of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.

The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of key road infrastructure projects, including the flyover at Bhaijipura Junction on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road, which will ease traffic congestion and provide organised parking space beneath the structure.

PM Modi further inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 44 Urban Development projects worth around 5,300 crore across Gujarat, various Health and Family Welfare initiatives, including the inauguration of an 858-bed Rain Basera at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, and a similar facility at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital and GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar.

- ANI
President Droupadi Murmu addressed the convocation ceremony at Nalanda University in Bihar, emphasizing its role in reviving a historic legacy of learning. She highlighted that the modern university's resurgence is a result of international partnership and shared values. The President noted the diverse student body, with over half being international students from more than 30 countries. She expressed confidence that the institution would emerge as a leading global center for education and Buddhist studies.

President Droupadi Murmu addressed the Nalanda University convocation, urging it to become a leading global institution rooted in ethics and critical thinking.

Rajgir, March 31 At a time when the world faces numerous complex challenges, the need for independent and critical thinking, rooted in compassion, is greater than ever before, President Droupadi Murmu said on Tuesday and expressed confidence that Nalanda University will emerge as a leading educational institution in Asia and across the globe.

President Murmu, who addressed the convocation ceremony of Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar today, said that today's convocation ceremony is a reaffirmation of a civilizational promise - a promise that knowledge shall endure, that dialogue shall prevail, and that learning shall continue to serve humanity.

She congratulated graduating students and said that their achievements are the result of perseverance, discipline, and intellectual commitment.

She noted that over half of the graduating cohort today comprises international students from more than 30 countries.

The President said that the ancient Nalanda University stood as a renowned center of learning for nearly eight centuries. The decline of Nalanda constituted a monumental loss--not only for India but for the entire world. Nevertheless, the concept of Nalanda remained alive.

"Its resurgence in our times symbolizes a national and international commitment to re-establishing that glorious legacy within a modern context," she said.

She underlined that this resurgence has been made possible through visionary leadership, sustained institutional efforts, and the coordination of partner nations.

"It serves as an illustration of how diverse nations can achieve lofty goals when guided by shared values," she said.

The President said that ancient Nalanda welcomed diverse ideologies and fostered a culture of debate and dialogue.

"Here, knowledge was never viewed in isolation; rather, it was inextricably linked to ethics, society, and the broader welfare of humanity."

She emphasized that this ideal remains profoundly relevant even today.

At a time when the world faces numerous complex challenges, the need for independent and critical thinking--rooted in compassion--is greater than ever before. She expressed confidence that Nalanda University will emerge as a leading educational institution in Asia and across the globe.

It will carve out a distinct identity for itself, distinguished not only by its academic excellence but also by its values, she said.

The President said that India has a deep and living connection with Buddhist philosophy and practice.

This connection must be nurtured with seriousness and with a comprehensive understanding of India's classical knowledge traditions. Buddhist scholarship must remain rooted in India's civilizational foundations while engaging with its diverse expressions across Asia.

She expressed confidence that Nalanda University can emerge as a leading global center for Buddhist studies.

The President urged the University to invest in this field with resolve, depth and openness. She said that in doing so, Nalanda University will again be fulfilling a role that is centuries old.

The President said that the library of ancient Nalanda is said to have contained millions of manuscripts.

"With that lofty benchmark as a reference, what we are building here today, will be a lasting legacy," she said, adding that institutions like Nalanda University will play a vital role as India moves towards becoming a developed nation by 2047.

Bihar Governor Lt Gen Syed Ata Hasnain and External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar were among those present.

On the occasion, the President planted a sapling of the Bodhi Tree, an enduring symbol of Buddhist heritage and Indian spirituality, at the University campus. The President also inaugurated the 2000-seater auditorium, 'Visvamitralaya', at the Nalanda University campus.

During the Convocation, degrees were awarded to 606 Master's students and 10 Global PhD scholars graduated between 2016-2025. The President also presented gold medals to 36 gold medallists.

The President also visited the exhibition hosted by village community partners under the 'Sahabhagita' initiative of Nalanda University.

The modern Nalanda University at Rajgir, near the ancient ruins of Nalanda, was established by an Act of the Parliament of India following decisions taken at the second and fourth East Asia Summits held in 2007 and 2009 respectively.

The University aims to revive Nalanda as an international centre for intellectual, philosophical, historical and spiritual studies. Seventeen countries have partnered with India in this initiative.

- ANI
Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra visited the Golden Temple in Amritsar, offering prayers and performing seva by washing utensils. Her visit, marked by humility, sparked excitement among devotees. During her trip, she also shared a post featuring a traditional Punjabi thali, highlighting the region's cuisine. This India visit follows her work on 'The Bluff' and precedes her upcoming film 'Varanasi' with director S. S. Rajamouli.

Priyanka Chopra offers prayers at Golden Temple, performs seva by washing utensils, and shares a traditional Punjabi thali during her India visit.

Amritsar, March 31 Bollywood star Priyanka Chopra offered prayers at the Golden Temple in Amritsar on Tuesday. She also participated in Seva along with other devotees.

Priyanka, who spends most of her time in the foreign soil, arrived at Golden Temple to bow her head in reverence at Sachkhand Sri Darbar Sahib. After paying her respects at the Guru's abode, Chopra listened to the Gurbani Kirtan with deep devotion.

While her arrival sparked a palpable excitement among the congregation, she performed her Darshan with utmost simplicity and humility. After paying her respects at Darbar Sahib, Priyanka Chopra also participated in Seva by washing soiled utensils in the Parikrama (circumambulatory path).

Earlier, actor Priyanka Chopra shared a visually indulgent post featuring a traditional North Indian thali. The image captured a quintessential Punjabi meal, offering a glimpse into the region's celebrated food culture. At the centre of the platter are two golden-brown Amritsari kulchas, likely stuffed with spiced potatoes or paneer and baked in a tandoor.

Accompanying them are small bowls of dal makhani and chole, staples of Punjabi cuisine, along with sides of yogurt, butter, pickled onions with green chilies. Adding to the cultural mood, the story is set to the song 'Sohni Lagdi' by Diljit Dosanjh.

The food post comes amid 'The Bluff' actor ongoing visit to India, which has already sparked curiosity among fans.On March 26, she documented her journey from New Delhi to Amritsar via a digital flight map shared on Instagram Stories.

She also posted short clips of Punjab's lush green farmlands, filmed from her window seat.Before heading to Amritsar, the actor was spotted at the Delhi airport interacting with fans and posing for photograph.

This India visit follows her recent work on the film 'The Bluff' and comes ahead of her much-anticipated collaboration with filmmaker S. S. Rajamouli for the upcoming project 'Varanasi', which is expected to release in 2027.

- ANI
Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai expressed strong confidence in the NDA alliance's victory in the upcoming 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections. He praised the Union Territory as the best in all development indicators, noting significant strides in attracting multinational companies. Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with BJP workers, emphasizing his "BEST" mantraBusiness, Education, Spirituality, Tourismas a roadmap for Puducherry's growth. The BJP is contesting the polls in alliance with Chief Minister N Rangaswamy's AINRC, focusing on grassroots mobilization with the slogan "Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot."

BJP's K Annamalai expresses confidence in NDA's 2026 Puducherry win, citing top development indicators and PM Modi's BEST growth mantra.

Puducherry, March 31 Former Tamil Nadu BJP president K Annamalai on Tuesday expressed confidence in the National Democratic Alliance's victory in the 2026 Puducherry Assembly elections.

Speaking to reporters at Puducherry Airport, Annamalai mentioned the Union Territory to be the "best" in terms of development indicators and noted the growth of multinational companies here.

"We are in Puducherry today. We are very confident that the NDA government under the leadership of Rangaswamy would once again be elected by the people of Puducherry. Puducherry can be called the best with respect to all the development indicators. This government has touched all the social bases. It has taken massive strides in the last five years to bring a lot of multinationals here," the BJP leader said.

Voting for 30 seats in Puducherry will take place on April 9, with the counting of votes scheduled on May 4.

Earlier on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi interacted with BJP workers in the Union Territory, urging them to intensify grassroots outreach and convert public support into votes.

Addressing party workers, PM Modi reiterated his development vision for Puducherry, highlighted the "BEST" mantra: Business, Education, Spirituality and Tourism, as a roadmap for growth.

"When I visited Puducherry, I gave the mantra of BEST for the development of Puducherry... I'm happy that the people of Puducherry, especially our youth, very much liked it," he said.

Emphasising booth-level mobilisation, the Prime Minister called on workers to adopt the slogan "Mera Booth, Sabse Mazboot" and undertake door-to-door campaigns. "Go door-to-door, meet every single citizen, and clearly tell them that - Congress-DMK means Family First, BJP-NDA means Puducherry First, India First," he said, taking a swipe at the Opposition ahead of the polls.

The BJP is contesting the elections alongside Chief Minister N Rangaswamy-led All India NR Congress (AINRC). In the NDA camp, AINRC is contesting in 16 constituencies, the BJP on 10 seats, AIADMK and Latchiya Jananayaga Katchi (LJK) are contesting on two seats each.

- ANI
Russian President Vladimir Putin and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi held a telephone conversation focusing on regional stability and bilateral cooperation. They emphasized an immediate need to end hostilities in West Asia and pursue diplomatic solutions. A significant part of their discussion centered on advancing joint energy projects, including in oil, gas, and renewables. The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening economic, cultural, and technological ties between their nations.

Russian and Egyptian leaders call for ceasefire, discuss oil & gas and renewable energy projects in a phone conversation on bilateral ties.

Moscow, March 31 Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Tuesday in a telephone conversation that covered a wide range of global and regional issues.

During the discussion, both leaders conducted a detailed review of the situation in West Asia. "Both sides emphasised the need for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the pursuit of political and diplomatic agreements that would fully respect the interests of all the states in the region," the Russian Presidential press office said in a statement.

The conversation highlighted the importance of dialogue in resolving conflicts in the region and reiterated the commitment of both Moscow and Cairo to support peace initiatives. The leaders underlined the need for multilateral approaches to ensure stability, development, and security in West Asia, noting that sustained efforts are essential to protect the interests of the countries involved.

Beyond regional security, Putin and el-Sisi exchanged views on current matters in bilateral relations between Russia and Egypt. A significant portion of the conversation focused on the implementation of major investment projects in the energy sector. The leaders discussed collaboration opportunities in oil and gas, renewable energy, and other strategic sectors, underscoring the long-term commitment of both nations to deepen economic and trade ties.

The Russian-Egyptian dialogue reflects a broader pattern of engagement between the two nations, which have strengthened ties in recent years through economic partnerships, infrastructure projects, and joint efforts in international forums.

The discussion also reaffirmed both sides' interest in expanding cultural, scientific, and technological exchanges, which are seen as complementary to the economic and diplomatic collaboration between Moscow and Cairo.

As global tensions continue to affect multiple regions, the conversation between Putin and el-Sisi signals a shared determination to pursue diplomacy and development hand-in-hand. Leaders from both countries agreed to maintain close communication and continue working toward mutually beneficial solutions in both regional and bilateral matters.

- ANI
Qatar has called for urgent de-escalation and dialogue amid rising tensions in the Gulf, warning against actions that could destabilize critical infrastructure. A Foreign Ministry spokesperson emphasized the need to protect energy and nuclear sites, noting threats to facilities like Iran's desalination plants endanger the whole region. Qatar also asserted that the future of the strategic Strait of Hormuz should be determined collectively by regional stakeholders. The appeals come alongside reports of an airstrike in Iraq and diplomatic friction among Western allies.

Qatar urges restraint and regional dialogue over Gulf tensions, warning attacks on energy and nuclear infrastructure risk wider destabilization.

Doha, March 31 Amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region, Qatar has urged restraint, dialogue, and regional consensus, warning against actions that could further destabilise critical infrastructure and maritime security.

In a series of statements, a spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry emphasised the urgency of de-escalation and diplomacy, highlighting the broader regional implications of ongoing hostilities. "The sooner we get to the negotiation table the better it is for the region," the spokesperson said, underlining Doha's push for immediate diplomatic engagement.

Raising concerns over critical infrastructure, the spokesperson warned, "We are calling on all parties to refrain from attacking energy and nuclear infrastructure," signalling fears of a wider fallout if such facilities are targeted. The remarks come amid growing apprehensions about the safety of key installations in the region, which are vital not only for national economies but also for global energy markets.

The spokesperson further noted the risks posed to essential civilian systems, stating, "The threat on Iran's desalination plants is a threat to the whole region." This comment underscores the interconnected nature of Gulf countries, where disruptions to water and energy supplies can have cascading humanitarian and economic consequences.

On the question of maritime security, Qatar stressed that regional stakeholders must have a collective say in determining the future of strategic waterways. "The future of Strait of Hormuz should be decided by the entire region," the spokesperson said, referring to one of the world's most critical oil transit chokepoints.

Highlighting a broader consensus among Gulf nations, the spokesperson added, "Our understanding is that there is a unified stance in the Gulf on ending escalation." The statement suggests ongoing coordination among regional powers to prevent further deterioration of the situation.

Meanwhile, developments on the ground pointed to intensifying conflict dynamics. According to security sources, an airstrike struck a joint checkpoint operated by the Iraqi Army and Shi'ite Popular Mobilisation Forces southeast of Mosul, raising concerns over the expanding theatre of conflict.

In a separate development, Italy reportedly refused to allow the United States to use a military base in Sicily for Middle East operations, signalling possible divergences among Western allies on the handling of the crisis.

Amid these developments, a message attributed to Iranian President Pezeshkian praised Iraq's support, stating: "The Muslim people of Iraq stood bravely alongside Iran in this unjust war; a stance not imposed by geography, but forged by the unity of history, identity, and religious values."

"I warmly shake the hands of the sons of the Iraqi people, the officials, and the mujahideen in the land of the two rivers. We value your steadfastness and take pride in our shared covenant," the statement added.

The situation continues to evolve rapidly, with regional and global stakeholders closely monitoring developments as calls for restraint grow louder.

- ANI
The Rajasthan government is implementing the One District, One Product (ODOP) Policy 2024 to strengthen local development and promote district-specific products globally. The policy provides comprehensive support including margin money grants, subsidies for technology upgrades, and reimbursements for quality certifications and e-commerce integration. It aims to empower local artisans and entrepreneurs by utilizing local resources and preserving regional identities while creating new growth opportunities. Through exhibitions, training, and digital market expansion, the policy seeks to elevate Rajasthan's products onto international platforms.

Rajasthan's One District One Product policy empowers artisans with financial aid, tech upgrades & market access to boost local entrepreneurship.

Jaipur, April 1 The Rajasthan government is actively working to strengthen local development and promote district-specific products at a global level through the One District, One Product Policy 2024.

The policy aims to empower local artisans, entrepreneurs, and small businesses while boosting employment and economic growth across the state. Each district has been assigned a specific product, ensuring better utilisation of local resources and skills, while preserving the unique identity of the region.

The Chief Minister's Office stated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has highlighted the importance of holistic local development in every village, tehsil, and district to realise a by 2047. He noted that the vision of a self-reliant India can be achieved through initiatives such as Vocal for Local and . Under the ODOP policy, this "local to global" vision is taking shape, with Rajasthan's products carving out a distinctive identity on the international stage.

Under this policy, a specific product has been selected for each district, ensuring optimal use of local resources and skills. At the same time, the distinctive identity of each district is preserved while promoting key products. The policy encourages entrepreneurship in villages, providing entrepreneurs with technical support, financial assistance, and better access to markets, creating new opportunities for growth. Industries under this policy receive margin money grants, support for purchasing advanced technology and software, quality certification and intellectual property rights (IPR) assistance, and reimbursement for participating in national and international events.

The state government is offering extensive financial and technical support to empower entrepreneurs under the ODOP policy. New micro and small enterprises can receive margin money subsidies of up to 25% of the project cost (maximum Rs 25 lakh). Additionally, for technological upgrades, micro and small businesses are eligible for financial assistance of up to 50% (maximum Rs 5 lakh) to acquire the latest technology and software.

Entrepreneurs can also receive reimbursements of up to Rs 3 lakh (75%) for national and international quality certifications and intellectual property rights. Participation in e-commerce platforms is supported with 75% reimbursement, up to Rs 1 lakh per year for two years. To encourage technological modernisation, recognised national institutions offer a 50% subsidy (up to Rs 5 lakh) for acquiring advanced technology or software.

Entrepreneurs are also supported in cataloguing services and e-commerce website development, with 60% assistance of up to Rs 75,000, enabling them to expand into digital markets. This support helps enhance product branding and ensures wider market access. Through a combination of financial incentives, technological aid, and market expansion initiatives, the ODOP policy aims to elevate district-level industries onto international platforms.

The successful implementation of the ODOP policy is significantly promoting entrepreneurship and local products across Rajasthan. Many beneficiaries have already received financial assistance, helping with enterprise establishment, marketing support, and product unit upgrades. While margin money assistance has attracted the largest investment, extensive support is also being provided for marketing, e-commerce integration, quality certifications, and technological upgrades.

In addition, the state government has organised national and international exhibitions, entrepreneur training programs, and e-commerce platform integration to showcase ODOP products, providing local products with a new identity and broader market access.

- ANI
Rajasthan has received approximately Rs 2,700 crore from the 15th Finance Commission in just the last four months, a result of Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma's persistent efforts. The state also received 100.61% of its projected National Health Mission allocation and a record Rs 243 crore under the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. These funds are being used to construct and upgrade thousands of health centres and expand diagnostic services, particularly in rural areas. Officials report that expenditure on health infrastructure has reached its highest level in the 2025-26 fiscal year.

Rajasthan CM Bhajan Lal Sharma secures record Rs 2,700 crore from 15th Finance Commission in 4 months, boosting health infrastructure.

Jaipur, March 31 Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma undertook special efforts to ensure the release of maximum possible funds to the state under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, to strengthen health services.

Under the 15th Finance Commission, Rajasthan has received a total allocation of approximately Rs 4,300 crore over the last five years. Notably, about Rs 2,700 crore of this amount was released in just the last four months, a direct result of the Chief Minister's persistent efforts, officials from the Chief Minister's Office said on Tuesday.

The Centre has released record-breaking funds to Rajasthan under the 15th Finance Commission, the National Health Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. 

Under the National Health Mission, the Central Government released approximately Rs 2,398 crore to Rajasthan, compared to a projected allocation of Rs 2,383 crore for the year 2025-26, marking a release of 100.61 per cent of the sanctioned amount.

Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Rajasthan received its highest-ever allocation of Rs 243 crore. Minister for Medical and Health Gajendra Singh Khimsar stated that, under the Chief Minister's leadership and visionary outlook, the Medical and Health Department is working with unwavering commitment to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, expand Health and Wellness Centres, develop diagnostic facilities, and improve basic health infrastructure. 

Consequently, the state has received record-breaking funds from the Central Government across various schemes compared to previous years.

Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, informed that funds have been sanctioned for various components under the 15th Finance Commission.

Over the past five years, with a special emphasis on expanding basic health infrastructure in rural areas, funds totalling Rs 2,604.63 crore have been released for the construction of buildings for sub-health centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centres; Rs 145.38 crore for block-level public health units; Rs 764.14 crore for diagnostic infrastructure to strengthen testing services in rural areas; Rs 495 crore for the development of Health and Wellness Centres; Rs 76.06 crore for diagnostic facilities in Urban Primary Health Centres; and Rs 220.03 crore for Urban Health and Wellness Centres.

The highest amount of funds was released in the year 2025-26. Rathore stated that, under the National Health Mission, the highest expenditure within the state also occurred in 2025-26. 

She noted that the expenditure stood at 72 per cent in 2021-22, 82 per cent in 2022-23, 79 per cent in 2023-24, 97.7 per cent in 2024-25, and 98 per cent in 2025-26. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, the state recorded the highest expenditure on health infrastructure this year as well.

Amit Yadav, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, stated that the funds received from the 15th Finance Commission have facilitated the expansion of primary health services in both rural and urban areas. 

This has led to the construction and upgradation of thousands of sub-health centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centre buildings. Diagnostic services have become easily accessible even in villages and small towns. Preventive and holistic health services have received a boost through the Health and Wellness Centres. 

Furthermore, the capacity for epidemic and disease control has been enhanced through the establishment of Public Health Units at the block level.

- IANS
The Reserve Bank of India has postponed the implementation of its revised capital market exposure framework by three months to July 1, 2026, following industry feedback on operational challenges. The central bank issued clarifications, expanding the scope of acquisition finance to include mergers while restricting it to control-oriented transactions. It tightened refinancing rules, allowing it only after a deal is complete and control is established. The framework also provides operational relief for capital market intermediaries, easing funding for proprietary trading and market-making activities.

RBI defers new capital market exposure norms to July 1, 2026, providing clarifications on acquisition finance and refinancing rules.

New Delhi, March 31 The Reserve Bank of India has deferred the implementation of its revised capital market exposure framework by three months, changing the effective date to July 1, 2026, from the earlier April 1 deadline.

The decision comes after feedback from banks, capital market intermediaries (CMIs), and industry bodies, which highlighted operational and interpretational challenges in implementing the new norms.



The central bank had initially issued the amendment directions on February 13, 2026, following public consultation.



The RBI has also issued targeted clarifications across areas such as acquisition finance, loans against financial assets, and credit exposure to CMIs.



Under the revised framework, the scope of acquisition finance has been expanded to explicitly include mergers and amalgamations, removing ambiguity around their eligibility. However, such financing will be permitted only for acquiring control of a non-financial target company, indicating a focus on control-driven transactions rather than minority investments.



In cases where the target entity is a holding company, banks will need to ensure that the requirement of potential synergy is met across all subsidiaries and not just at the parent level.



The new framework also allows companies to route acquisition finance through Indian or overseas subsidiaries/



At the same time, refinancing norms have been tightened. Banks can refinance acquisition loans only after the transaction is completed and control has been established, and such refinancing must be used solely to repay the original acquisition debt.



Further, where acquisition finance is extended to a subsidiary or a special purpose vehicle (SPV), a corporate guarantee from the acquiring company will be mandatory, strengthening credit safeguards.



For lenders, the deferment provides additional time to align systems and processes with the revised norms, while clearer definitions are expected to reduce legal ambiguity and structuring risks.



For acquirers, the framework broadens access to acquisition finance by including mergers and subsidiary-led deals, but also imposes limits by allowing funding only for control-oriented acquisitions and introducing stricter conditions on refinancing.



For capital market intermediaries, the RBI has provided operational relief by permitting bank funding for proprietary trading against 100 per cent cash or cash-equivalent collateral. It has also removed restrictions on financing market makers against the same securities used for market-making activities.





- IANS
Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna has begun a confident door-to-door campaign in Chennai's Villivakkam constituency for the upcoming assembly elections. Meanwhile, TVK chief and actor Vijay has been booked by police for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct during a campaign event in Perambur. Vijay, contesting from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East seats, held a massive roadshow, with his party accusing Chennai Police of failing to provide adequate security and traffic regulation. The state will vote in a single phase on April 23, with Vijay's entry potentially creating a three-way contest.

TVK chief Vijay booked for MCC violation in Chennai as party's Aadhav Arjuna begins confident door-to-door campaign for Tamil Nadu assembly polls.

Chennai, March 31 Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam General Secretary Aadhav Arjuna on Tuesday held a door-to-door campaign in Chennai, ahead of the upcoming assembly elections.

Arjuna is contesting elections from the Villivakkam constituency.



Hailing the "great response" received from the public during his campaign, Arjuna expressed confidence in winning the election. "There is a great response. People are showing love, affection and hope. Every house, every street, there is a huge response. I am very confident in this constituency," Arjuna told ANI.



Earlier in the day, a case was registered against Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) chief Vijay for alleged violation of the Model Code of Conduct at Peravallur Police Station in Perambur, Chennai.



Based on a complaint lodged by Monitoring Officer Kumar, the police have taken action.



According to the complaint, TVK's candidate from Perambur and Tiruchirappalli East seats, Vijay, allegedly violated election norms by using 30 loudspeakers, blocking the path of an ambulance, gathering more than 5,000 people, and causing inconvenience to the public.



On Monday, Vijay filed nominations from the Perambur constituency for the Tamil Nadu Assembly elections. The TVK chief also held a massive roadshow with a sea of supporters surrounding his vehicles in Perambur.



Vijay is contesting from two seats - Preambur and Trichy East- against DMK's incumbent MLAs RD Sekar and Inigo S Irudayaraj, respectively.



The Preambur constituency used to be a CPI (M) bastion till 2016. RD Sekar has held the seat since winning the bypolls in 2019.



Meanwhile, as a large crowd gathered to attend the roadshow, TVK accused the Chennai Police of not providing police protection and ensuring traffic regulation for the smooth organisation of the election campaign. TVK urged the Election Commission to intervene and direct the Chennai Police to ensure protection and traffic regulations.



"Even after obtaining formal permission for campaigning, while the leader of the TVK is traveling from one campaign venue to another, doubts arise as to whether an unsafe environment is being created, making it impossible for the Tamil Nadu Victory Society leader's campaign vehicle to move from one place to another, due to the complete absence of police protection and traffic regulation," the party said in a post on X.



"The Election Commission must immediately intervene in such one-sided actions by the Chennai City Police and issue instructions to promptly ensure protection and traffic regulation. Swift action must be taken against officials who fail to act accordingly," TVK added.



Tamil Nadu will go to the polls in a single phase on April 23, covering a total of 234 constituencies in the State. Counting is scheduled for May 4. Vijay, who is making an electoral debut with his party, will look to turn the polls into a three-way contest among the ruling DMK-led Secular Progressive Alliance and the NDA.





- ANI
The first look teaser for the Marathi film "Raja Shivaji" has been unveiled, featuring Riteish Deshmukh in the titular role of the legendary warrior king. The film promises a grand cinematic portrayal of Shivaji Maharaj's life, his establishment of the Maratha Empire, and his conflicts with the Mughals. It boasts a massive ensemble cast including Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, and Vidya Balan, with music by Ajay-Atul. Presented by Jio Studios, the film is scheduled for a worldwide release in multiple languages on May 1, 2026.

The teaser for the epic film 'Raja Shivaji' starring Riteish Deshmukh unveils the grand story of the Maratha Empire's founder. Releasing May 2026.

Mumbai, March 31 The teaser of the upcoming Marathi film 'Raja Shivaji' was unveiled on Tuesday. It was released alongside 'Dhurandhar: The Revenge', and tells the story of one of the world's greatest warrior kings. The film stars Riteish Deshmukh in the role of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, who has also helmed the film.

At its core is a powerful story of vision, courage, and conviction, of a son who took a sacred vow and changed the course of history. The teaser offers a glimpse into this stirring journey, combining intensity, emotion, and heroism that resonates across generations.



The film brings to life the extraordinary legacy of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj on a scale rarely seen before in Marathi cinema, mounted as a truly pan-India spectacle. The film blends visual grandeur with a deeply emotional and inspiring narrative rooted in the birth of Swarajya.



Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was the founder of the Maratha Empire in western India. He established an independent kingdom by challenging the Deccan Sultanates and the Mughal Empire. In 1663, Shivaji led a successful raid on Pune, targeting Mughal general Shaista Khan, which weakened Mughal control in the region. In 1664, Shivaji conducted the first sack of Surat, a major Mughal port city, disrupting imperial trade.



In 1666, he was detained in Agra by Aurangzeb and later escaped, returning to the Deccan to rebuild his power. Shivaji was formally crowned as Chhatrapati in 1674 at Raigad, marking the establishment of a sovereign Maratha state. His later campaigns included southern expeditions in Karnataka, expanding territorial control. He developed a strong navy to protect coastal regions and fortified numerous hill forts. Maharaj passed away in 1680, leaving behind a structured administration and a resilient military system that continued to challenge Mughal authority.



Complementing the narrative is a formidable, never-seen-before ensemble cast, bringing together celebrated names from Hindi and Marathi cinema. The film also stars Sanjay Dutt, Abhishek Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Mahesh Manjrekar, Sachin Khedekar, Bhagyashree, Fardeen Khan, Jitendra Joshi, Boman Irani, Amol Gupte and Genelia Deshmukh.



Mounted on a grand cinematic canvas, the film features high-octane action, rich world-building, and top technical excellence. With music by the celebrated duo Ajay-Atul and cinematography by internationally acclaimed Santosh Sivan, Raja Shivaji is set to deliver a visual spectacle with strong emotional resonance.



Presented by Jio Studios and produced by Jyoti Deshpande and Genelia Deshmukh under the banner of Mumbai Film Company, 'Raja Shivaji' is set to release in cinemas worldwide on May 1, 2026, in Marathi, Hindi and Telugu.





- IANS
The Jal Shakti Ministry has released 1,561.53 crore to five states for the 2025-26 period under the newly launched Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0. Uttar Pradesh received the largest share, followed by Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, and Maharashtra. The release follows a new performance-based system requiring states to meet strict technical, financial, and data validation conditions. The restructured mission, with a total outlay of 8.69 lakh crore, shifts focus from infrastructure creation to ensuring sustainable drinking water service delivery.

Jal Shakti Ministry releases 1,561.53 crore to five states under JJM 2.0 for rural water supply, following strict compliance checks.

New Delhi, March 31 Funds totalling Rs 1,561.53 crore have been released to five states under the new Jal Jeevan Mission 2.0 after Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil released its operational guidelines earlier this month, an official said on Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh has been released Rs 792.93 crore, Chhattisgarh Rs 536.53 crore, Madhya Pradesh Rs 154.02 crore, Odisha Rs 65.31 crore and Maharashtra Rs 12.74 crore for 2025-26, following the fulfilment of mandatory compliance conditions, the official said in a statement.

To ensure transparency, accountability and improved service delivery, a system of structured validations has been put in place, which States are required to fulfil prior to the release of funds, it said.

These include: Signing of MoU for implementation of JJM 2.0; Scheme Validation: Schemes having validation against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked Asset Registry; Technical Compliance: Certification of compliance with CPHEEO design norms by State Government, and technical advisory issued by NJJM and Proper financial reconciliation of expenditure incurred on the schemes.

As funds have been released against the approved schemes, their timely completion will be closely monitored to ensure implementation in a time-bound manner, said the statement.

This is supported by a comprehensive review mechanism, under which the Ministry assesses financial utilisation, technical compliance and data validation prior to the release of funds, it said.

Being implemented for the first time, this approach introduces a performance-based and compliance-linked mechanism to strengthen accountability and ensure effective outcomes, it said.

The Union Cabinet on March 10 approved Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, marking the restructuring and reorientation of the mission from an infrastructure-centric approach to a service delivery model.

This transformation is supported by strengthened drinking water governance and an institutional ecosystem to ensure sustainable rural piped potable water supply, said the statement.

As part of this restructuring, the Cabinet approved an enhancement of the total outlay to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, with total central assistance of Rs 3.59 lakh crore, increased from Rs 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019-20, reflecting an additional central share of Rs 1.51 lakh crore, it said.

The reoriented mission focuses on structural reforms aimed at ensuring reliable, safe, and sustainable drinking water services.

- IANS
Summit to be held in Moscow in 2026

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has stated Moscow expects Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit Russia in 2026 for the annual bilateral summit, extending an invitation from President Vladimir Putin. This anticipated visit follows President Putin's own significant state visit to India in December 2023, which included summit talks and a wide range of bilateral discussions. The India-Russia relationship, designated a Strategic Partnership in 2000, has been elevated to a 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership' and remains a cornerstone of Indian foreign policy. Cooperation spans critical areas including defence, energy, trade, and technology, with regular high-level contact deemed essential by both nations.

Russia confirms it expects PM Modi's official visit in 2026 for the India-Russia summit, following Putin's 2023 India trip and ongoing strategic partnership.

Moscow, March 31 Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has expressed that Moscow is expecting a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for a bilateral summit later this year, local media reported on Tuesday.

"This year it is Russia's turn to host the Russian-Indian summit. We hope that the Indian Prime Minister will take advantage of President Vladimir Putin's invitation to pay an official visit to Russia at a convenient time," Russia's leading news agency Tass quoted Rudenko as saying on Tuesday.

He termed it "very important" for Russia and India to maintain regular, systematic contacts at various levels.

Last December, Russian President Vladimir Putin undertook a significant State Visit to India. The visit, spread over two packed days in the national capital, featured summit-level talks, ceremonial engagements and a series of bilateral discussions covering defence, economic cooperation, energy ties and regional security.

During the visit, President Putin held formal talks with PM Modi, with both leaders reviewing the state of the India-Russia partnership as it completes 25 years since being designated a Strategic Partnership.

The discussions were followed by the 23rd India-Russia Annual Summit, during which the two sides released a Joint Statement outlining priorities for the coming years. Cooperation in energy, nuclear power, trade, defence and technology featured prominently.

President Droupadi Murmu also hosted Putin at a banquet in Rashtrapati Bhavan.

In 2024, PM Modi travelled to Russia twice, where he attended the 22nd Russia-India Summit in July and later participated in the BRICS Summit held in Kazan in October.

Russia has been a longstanding and time-tested partner for India. Development of India-Russia relations has been a key pillar of India's foreign policy.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), since the signing of the 'Declaration on the India-Russia Strategic Partnership' in 2000, ties between the two nations have acquired a qualitatively new character with increased levels of cooperation in almost all sectors, including political, security, defence, trade and economy, science and technology, culture, and people-to-people ties. During Russian President Putin's visit to India in 2010, the Strategic Partnership was elevated to the level of 'Special and Privileged Strategic Partnership'.

- IANS
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will visit New Delhi on May 14-15 to participate in a BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting. On the sidelines, he will hold a working visit to meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and other Indian officials. The visit continues high-level engagement, following President Vladimir Putin's trip in late 2025, and aims to advance strategic and economic cooperation. Lavrov has highlighted a bilateral trade target of $100 billion by 2030, with 96% of current trade already conducted in national currencies.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India May 14-15 for BRICS Foreign Ministers' meeting and talks with EAM Jaishankar.

New Delhi, March 31 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is planning to visit New Delhi on May 14 and 15. The purpose of the visit will be to participate in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS.

As quoted by TASS, the Russian deputy Foreign Minister said, "Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to take part in the BRICS ministerial meeting on May 14-15 this year, which will determine the set and general outlines of the final documents that the Indian presidency will submit to the BRICS summit."

TASS further reported that on the sidelines of BRICS events, a separate working visit by Lavrov will take place to meet External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and other Indian officials.

As quoted by TASS, Rudenko said, "In connection with the BRICS events, it is also planned to hold a separate working visit by Lavrov to India to meet with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials."

India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026. This group was founded in 2006, and in 2011, South Africa joined the original membership of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia became full members of the association in 2024.

Indonesia joined the BRICS in 2025. Since the beginning of last year, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan have officially received the partner status and on January 17, Nigeria.

Earlier on March 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Moscow's anticipation for continued high-level diplomatic engagement with New Delhi, highlighting the enduring nature of the bilateral partnership.

In a video address to the participants of the 2nd International Conference "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations," Lavrov stated, "We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2026."

The Foreign Minister noted that the relationship is built upon a "time-tested friendship" that "stands as a model of how interstate relations should be built - on equality, mutual trust and respect, and due regard for each other's interests."

This upcoming visit follows the significant diplomatic groundwork laid during President Vladimir Putin's trip to India in late 2025. Lavrov remarked, "Following President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in December 2025, the alignment of Russia's and India's strategic objectives was reaffirmed, and a substantial package of documents, including policy documents, was signed."

He further emphasised the robust economic cooperation between the two nations, noting that "in 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately $60 billion." Looking ahead, he added, "Our leaders have reaffirmed the goal of reaching $100 billion by 2030."

To achieve these targets, Lavrov highlighted that both countries will "deepen cooperation in logistics, technology and investment, including through the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route." He also observed that "already today, 96 per cent of trade is conducted in national currencies."

- ANI
Russian FM Sergei Lavrov to visit India in May for BRICS foreign ministers' meeting and bilateral talks with EAM S Jaishankar.

Moscow, March 31 Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to visit India in May to attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, local media reported on Tuesday citing a statement from Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to take part in the BRICS ministerial meeting on May 14-15 this year, which will determine the set and general outlines of the final documents that the Indian presidency will submit to the BRICS summit," Russia's Tass news agency quoted Rudenko as saying.



Rudenko further said, "In connection with the BRICS events, it is also planned to hold a separate working visit by Lavrov to India to meet with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials."



India holds the BRICS chair in 2026 guided by the theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting a people-centric and humanity-first approach articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025.



On March 23, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said that India, guided by its humanity first and people-centric approach during its ongoing BRICS chairship, remains focused on deepening engagement with Russia to collectively address common challenges through a balanced and inclusive framework.



While virtually addressing a conference titled 'India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda' virtually, EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi's unwavering commitment to its longstanding partnership with Moscow.



"The evolving multipolar order necessitates greater cooperation including through BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN. India, during its BRICS Chairmanship with a 'humanity first' and a 'people-centric' approach, looks forward to closely working with Russia to address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner," EAM Jaishankar said during his address.



BRIC was formalised at the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in 2006. The inaugural BRIC Summit was convened in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministers' meeting in New York in 2010. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011, according to the official statement.



Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE became full member of BRICS from January 2024 and Indonesia in January 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as Partner Countries in 2025.





- IANS
Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel has directed that the elimination of sickle cell anemia and tuberculosis be given the highest priority in the state. He emphasized that treatment under the sickle cell eradication program in tribal areas is fully covered by the Ayushman Bharat scheme. The Governor reviewed the 'Nikshay Mitra' initiative for TB patient support and called for regular testing in mining areas. Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla also instructed officials to run special campaigns to achieve 100% targets for these health programs.

MP Governor Mangubhai Patel reviews sickle cell anemia & TB elimination, stressing Ayushman Bharat coverage and nutrition support via Nikshay Mitras.

Bhopal, March 31 Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel, on Tuesday, asserted that the efforts to eliminate Sickle Cell Anaemia and TB from the state should be given highest priority.

He directed that during the camps for sickle cell eradication programmes in tribal regions, the general public should be told that the entire treatment process is covered under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The Governor made these assertions addressing a review meeting of Public Health and Family Welfare and AYUSH departments under the Sickle Cell Anaemia Eradication 2047 and TB-Free India Campaign at the Lok Bhavan.

Governor Patel said that sickle cell patients should be given proper information about facilities and eligibility under the Ayushman Bharat scheme.

The Governor also reviewed 'Nikshay Mitras' district-wise and instructed to include more and more people for their contribution, especially in tribal areas, to enhance nutrition and food distribution.

'Nikshay Mitras' are donors -- individuals, organisations, corporates, or elected representatives -- who support TB patients under the Pradhan Mantri TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan.

They provide voluntary, compassionate aid, including nutritional, diagnostic, and vocational support to patients, aiming for a TB-free India.

The Governor directed that TB testing for persons residing and working in mining areas should be conducted regularly.

He also emphasised that people's representatives should actively cooperate in distributing nutritious food to TB patients.

Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Shukla, who also joined the meeting, directed officials to run special campaigns to achieve 100 per cent completion of Ayushman card progress, sickle cell and TB eradication programme indicators.

During the meeting, AYUSH Department Secretary, Shobhit Jain, provided the Governor and Deputy Chief Minister Shukla detailed information about district-wise medicine distribution, house-to-house medicine delivery, testing, and other programmes.

He shared special efforts and innovations for medicine distribution in Scheduled Tribe-dominated districts across the state.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had launched the National Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission from Shahdol district of Madhya Pradesh on July 1, 2023, aiming to eliminate the genetic disease by 2047.

- IANS
The International Film Festival of Delhi concluded with special screenings of 'Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh' and 'Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai'. Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra praised the films for introducing a new generation to national heroes and their contributions. The film 'Shatak' highlights the leadership and nation-building work of RSS founders like Dr. Hedgewar, M.S. Golwalkar, and Balasaheb Deoras. It also showcases the dedication of RSS volunteers during India's challenging periods and links PM Modi's work to the organisation's core resolutions.

'Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh' film on RSS history screened at International Film Festival of Delhi, lauded by Kapil Mishra.

New Delhi, March 31 On the closing day of the International Film Festival, Delhi, special screenings of the films 'Shatak: Sangh Ke 100 Varsh' and 'Lokmata Devi Ahilyabai' were held in Bharat Mandapam.

Delhi Minister Kapil Mishra lauded the films' producers and directors, stating that such films serve to introduce the new generation to the nation's heroes and their significant contributions, as per a press release.

Through the film 'Shatak', the makers have highlighted the leadership and contributions to nation-building by the pillars of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh inlcuding Dr Keshav Baliram Hedgewar, Madhavrao Sadashivrao Golwalkar, and Balasaheb Deoras.

It further sheds light on the contributions of the volunteers to various national movements, and the work they undertook with absolute dedication during the nation's most challenging times, the release said.

Kapil Mishra also noted that the Prime Minister Narendra Modi has successfully realised the resolutions rooted in the spirit of national unity, national security, and cultural nationalism championed by the RSS and the Jana Sangh.

He said Ahilyabai Holkar played an extraordinary role in preserving India's religious and cultural heritage. She made unprecedented contributions towards the construction, reconstruction, and conservation of temples across the country. She played a pivotal role in eradicating social evils and empowering women to become self-reliant.

The International Film Festival of Delhi (IFFD) was held at Bharat Mandapam from March 25 to 31. It featured screenings of films from Bhojpuri Industry, Marathi film industry and Bollywood films.

- ANI
A stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Bihar's Nalanda district has resulted in eight fatalities, prompting national and state responses. Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh for the next of kin of each deceased from the PM's relief fund. Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has announced a total compensation of Rs 6 lakh per deceased victim from state funds and is monitoring relief operations. Senior officials are on-site investigating the incident, which is attributed to the extreme heat.

PM Modi & CM Nitish Kumar announce ex-gratia after Sheetla Mata Temple stampede in Nalanda, Bihar. Death toll rises to 8. Officials investigate.

New Delhi, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep condolences to the families of Nalanda Sheetla Mata Temple stampede victims and announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund to be given to the kin of each deceased. The death toll currently stands at eight.

The injured individuals will be given an ex-gratia of Rs 50,000 each.

In an X post, the Prime Minister's office wrote, "The mishap in Nalanda district, Bihar, is deeply painful. I extend my condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. Prayers for the speedy recovery of those injured. An ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh from PMNRF would be given to the next of kin of each deceased. The injured would be given Rs. 50,000: PM @narendramodi."

Zonal IG Jitendra Rana, Patna Divisional Commissioner, the District Magistrate (DM), the Superintendent of Police (SP), the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), and the Nawada SP on Tuesday arrived at the Sheetla Mata Temple.

The temple has been closed, and CCTV footage is being examined.

The tragedy was caused by the heat. The incident occurred within the jurisdiction of the Dipnagar Police Station.

Cabinet Minister Vijay Kumar Choudhary said that Chief Minister Nitish Kumar is continuously monitoring the situation.

"Eight people are reported to have died in the stampede at the temple fair. This is a heart-rending incident. CM has taken cognisance of the incident. He has directed the officers to undertake all relief operations. As per the direction by the CM, all bereaved families of the deceased will receive Rs 4 Lakhs ex-gratia from the disaster relief fund and Rs 2 Lakhs each from the CM relief fund; Rs 6 Lakhs each for all families. Govt will bear expenses for the treatment of the injured," he said.

According to a press release, Nitish Kumar announced Rs 4 lakhs each from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakhs each from the CM relief fund (a total of Rs 6 Lakhs each) for the next of kin of the deceased.

The release stated, "Chief Minister Nitish Kumar has expressed deep condolences over the deaths of devotees in a stampede that occurred at the Sheetla Devi Temple in Bihar Sharif, Nalanda district. The Chief Minister stated that this incident is extremely tragic and has left him deeply distressed. The Chief Minister has directed that an ex-gratia grant be provided to the dependents of the deceased, comprising Rs 4 lakh each from the Disaster Management Department and Rs 2 lakh each from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund (totalling Rs 6 lakh). Acting on the Chief Minister's directives, senior officials have reached the accident site and are actively engaged in relief and rescue operations. The Chief Minister has wished for the speedy recovery of those injured in the mishap and has issued instructions to ensure they receive appropriate medical treatment."

- ANI
Actress Shweta Tripathi discusses why she avoids comparing her roles and shares her profound experience attending a Hans Zimmer concert.

Mumbai, March 31 Actress Shweta Tripathi, who is known for her work in 'Masaan' and the crime drama series 'Mirzapur', does not appreciate comparisons in life.

The actress attended the International Film Festival Delhi (IFFD) 2026 in the national capital on Tuesday. She spoke with the media stationed at the venue, and shared that she doesn't compare her characters.



She said, "No, like there should be no competition in your children, you should not be choosy, your characters are also like that, every work of yours is special. So you should not compare yourself, and in fact, not just with your characters, I think in life, comparison for me is not a value".



Earlier, the actress travelled to Amsterdam to attend a live concert by the Oscar and Grammy-winning music composer Hans Zimmer. The actress had a long-standing wish to watch him perform live. Hans Zimmer is known for shaping the contours of Hollywood, and adding depth to stories through his music. For Shweta, film music has always been more than just something that plays in the background. It is often the first thing that stays with her after a film ends thanks to geniuses like Hans Zimmer.



His compositions known for his iconic score for films like 'Dune', 'Interstellar', and 'The Dark Knight', in particular, have been a constant presence for her through her years as an actress.



Talking about the same, she earlier said, "His music has always stayed with me long after a film ends. There's an honesty and depth in his compositions that really hits you emotionally. As an actor and a cinema student, I'm drawn to anything that helps me understand emotion better, and his music does that quietly, without explanation. Watching him live feels like the most direct way to experience that energy".



The concert is also an excuse to step away from routine and allow herself to simply absorb something without needing to analyse it too much.



"Music has such a strong role in shaping emotion and storytelling, and seeing it come alive like this feels important", she added.





- IANS
IndiGo has commenced six weekly direct flights between Delhi and Colombo, significantly expanding the air corridor. Sri Lanka's High Commissioner to India highlighted this as part of growing connectivity, with three carriers now operating approximately 27 weekly flights on the route. Bilateral ties heavily focus on multiple connectivity areas, including maritime, energy, digital, and people-to-people links. Key initiatives include ferry services, the resumption of the Chennai-Jaffna air link, and the launch of UPI-based payments in Sri Lanka.

IndiGo starts 6 weekly Delhi-Colombo flights, joining Air India & SriLankan Airlines. High Commissioner highlights growing bilateral connectivity.

Colombo, March 31 High Commissioner of Sri Lanka to India, Mahishini Colonne highlighted growing India-Sri Lanka connectivity as IndiGo launched more flights to the country.

The Bandaranaike International Airport on Monday announced that the airline now operates six flights every week on this Delhi-Colombo route.

Colonne said in a post on X, "The Delhi-Colombo air corridor just got bigger. IndiGo launches 6x weekly direct flights from today, joining SriLankan Airlines (2 daily) and Air India (daily) on this route. Three carriers. ~27 weekly flights. Growing India-Sri Lanka connectivity."

In a post on X, Bandaranaike International Airport (BIA) said, "We are pleased to announce that IndiGo has further strengthened its connectivity to Sri Lanka with the launch of direct flights between Delhi and Colombo. Commenced on 29 March 2026, the airline now operates six flights every week on this Delhi-Colombo route."

As per Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka, Connectivity has emerged as the main focus area of our bilateral ties, including maritime connectivity, air connectivity, energy & power connectivity, trade, economic & financial connectivity, digital connectivity and people to people connectivity. Important projects under this mechanism include commencement of ferry services between Nagapattinam, Tamil Nadu and Kankesanthurai, Sri Lanka (October 2023); resumption of air link between Chennai and Jaffna (since December 2022); and launch of UPI QR based payments in Sri Lanka (virtually launched by PM and then President Ranil Wickremesinghe via video conferencing in February 2024). Other notable connectivity initiatives under discussion include Economic Land Corridor, for developing land access to Trincomalee and Colombo; multi-product pipeline connecting India and Sri Lanka and the power grid interconnection.

Earlier, the then President Ranil Wickremesinghe visited India in July 2023 (bilateral visit) and in June 2024 (to attend the swearing in ceremony of the new Government following Parliamentary Elections in India). A vision document titled "Promoting Connectivity, Catalysing Prosperity: India -Sri Lanka Economic Partnership vision", centred around enhanced connectivity and deeper economic partnership was adopted during July 2023 visit.

- ANI
PM Modi inaugurates projects worth 19,800 crore in Gujarat, linking robust road and rail connectivity to new business investments and state development.

VavTharad, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that India's push to expand renewable energy, transport and public infrastructure is being realised on the ground.

The Prime Minister made the statement while inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 19,806.9 crore in Vav-Tharad district in Gujarat.



Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister said that improved road and rail links would encourage business and facilitate investment.



"When road and rail connectivity strengthens, businesses and new investments come," he said, noting that the suite of projects represented "part of Gujarat's development."



PM Modi connected the scale of the projects to his enduring bond with the region, recalling his deep memories of its villages.



"There is not a single village here where my memories have not been formed. Today, I came here, met many familiar faces, and cannot forget your immense love. You all raised me, and I am returning to you with interest through development works," he said.



He also noted the role of young party workers in implementing programmes locally.



He recalled his earlier responsibilities in the region, noting that 25 years ago the people of Banaskantha and VavTharad had entrusted him with leadership roles.



As Gujarat's chief minister, he said, he had driven development "in missionmode" to advance the state, adding, "I tried my best to get Gujarat ahead, and I am glad that the double-engine government is continuing this work since 2014."



On specific outcomes of government programmes, the prime minister said that nearly 40,000 families have now received pucca houses in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) scheme.



"For them it's their identity, a start for dreaming new aims," he said, adding that such progress was made possible by public support.



PM Modi also spoke about water and agricultural challenges in the region, recalling a time when the area was associated with drought and long distances for water.



He credited initiatives like Sujalam Sufalam with improving water distribution and incomes for farmers, and said the benefits would extend to VavTharad, Patan, Mehsana and Banaskantha.



According to officials, the projects dedicated and initiated span multiple sectors. In transport, the AhmedabadDholera Expressway, an accesscontrolled highway built at a cost of more than Rs 5,100 crore, was inaugurated to improve regional connectivity and support growth in the Dholera Special Investment Region.



Works on highway bypasses and new flyovers were also launched to ease traffic flow.



Energy infrastructure projects included the Khavda Pooling Station2 and associated transmission lines to evacuate about 4.5 GW of renewable energy, reinforcing Gujarat's capacity in green power.



Railway enhancements such as the KanalusJamnagar doubling project, GandhidhamAdipur quadrupling, and the HimmatnagarKhedbrahma gauge conversion were also dedicated, alongside the flagging off of the KhedbrahmaHimmatnagarAsarwa train service.



Urban development initiatives worth around Rs 5,300 crore were among the works inaugurated, covering infrastructure upgrades, drainage systems and projects in cities including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.



Healthcare facilities inaugurated included new 'Ren Basera' night shelters at civil hospitals in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.



Tourism enhancements such as light and sound shows at heritage sites, including Rani ki Vav and Sharmishtha Lake, were also part of the programme.



Water infrastructure projects dedicated to the nation included major pipelines in Banaskantha and Patan districts, and work to strengthen water supply schemes for towns and rural areas.



Foundations were also laid for the expansion of Sabarmati Riverfront works and new educational hostel facilities.



Modi said Gujarat's progress in renewable energy stemmed from work started in 2010, and forecast that the state could become one of the world's largest renewable energy hubs.



"The day is not that far when Gujarat will become the biggest hub of renewable energy," he said.



The Prime Minister also pointed to the growing scale of urban development budgets in the state, noting that the budget for municipal corporations had risen and that the overall state budget for the current year exceeded Rs four lakh crore.



His remarks closed on the theme that continued faith in governance would sustain development, asserting that from "panchayat to Parliament" such work would persist.





- IANS
The thriller sequel "The Housemaid's Secret," starring Sydney Sweeney, has been scheduled for a December 17, 2027 theatrical release by Lionsgate. The film will serve as holiday counter-programming, opening on the same day as major franchise entries like "Avengers: Secret Wars." Sydney Sweeney and Michele Morrone reprise their roles, with Kirsten Dunst joining the cast for this adaptation of Freida McFadden's bestselling novel. Director Paul Feig returns to helm the project, which begins production later this year.

The sequel to the hit thriller 'The Housemaid,' starring Sydney Sweeney, is set for a December 2027 theatrical release against major franchise films.

Los Angeles, March 31 Sydney Sweeney's 'Housemaid's Secret' is set to arrive in theatres on December 17, 2027.

Directed by Paul Feig, the film is a sequel to the hit thriller The Housemaid.



'The Housemaid' became a commercial hit with nearly USD 400 million globally against a USD 35 million budget. That movie opened to a modest USD19 million but remained a major draw throughout the holiday season, as per Variety.



Lionsgate, the studio behind the twisted R-rated suspense thriller, is again positioning the film as counter-programming during the busy Christmas corridor. "The Housemaid's Secret" is currently scheduled to debut on the same day as "Avengers: Secret Wars" and "Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," which hail from male-skewing franchises.



Sydney Sweeney will return alongside Michele Morrone, who also appeared in the first film. Kirsten Dunst is joining the cast. Based on Freida McFadden's bestselling novel, the sequel picks up as Sweeney's Millie -- who was hired in the initial story as the live-in maid for a wealthy family with a dark secret -- taking a job "keeping house for a woman she's never allowed to see -- only to discover the truth behind the locked door that threatens to expose secrets far darker than her own."



'The Housemaid's Secret' will go on floors by the end of this year. Paul Feig is back to direct alongside screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine, who adapted the first book. Feig is also producing with Todd Lieberman of Hidden Pictures, Laura Fischer of Pretty Dangerous and Sweeney through Fifty-Fifty Films.





- ANI
Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a fierce election campaign in Dharmapuri, sharply criticizing AIADMK leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami as an "aggressive slave of the BJP." He campaigned for DMK candidate and Public Works Minister E.V. Velu, praising his administrative record and urging voters to increase his victory margin. Udhayanidhi outlined the DMK government's existing welfare schemes and announced key promises under the "Dravidian Model 2.0," including increased financial aid and expanded benefits. He framed the upcoming election as a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, urging support for the DMK to safeguard the state's rights.

Tamil Nadu Deputy CM Udhayanidhi Stalin calls Edappadi Palaniswami a BJP slave, outlines Dravidian Model 2.0 promises in Dharmapuri campaign.

Dharmapuri, March 31 Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister and DMK Youth Wing Secretary Udayanidhi Stalin on Tuesday held an election campaign in the Dharmapuri area ahead of the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections in the state.

The Tamil Nadu Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 23, 2026, to elect over 234 members. The counting of votes will take place on May 4.

Earlier in the day, Tamil Nadu Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin launched a sharp attack on Leader of the Opposition Edappadi K Palaniswami during an election campaign meeting in Tiruvannamalai.

Addressing a large gathering, Udhayanidhi Stalin criticised Palaniswami, stating, "We have seen aggressive devotees and aggressive party workers, but Edappadi Palaniswami stands as an aggressive slave of the BJP."

He further alleged that the AIADMK leader has become subservient to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and is attempting to bring the BJP into Tamil Nadu.

The campaign meeting was held near the Thiruvalluvar statue in the Tiruvannamalai Assembly constituency in support of DMK candidate and Public Works Minister E.V. Velu. Thousands of party workers and members of alliance parties, including Congress, MDMK, DMDK, VCK, CPI(M), and CPI, participated in the event.

Udhayanidhi Stalin arrived in an open vehicle and sought votes for the DMK's Rising Sun symbol. During his speech, he praised EV Velu, highlighting his administrative capability and experience. He noted that both former Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi and current Chief Minister M.K. Stalin have recognised Velu's efficiency.

He also recalled that Velu had previously won the constituency with a margin of 95,000 votes and urged voters to increase the margin to one lakh in the upcoming election.

He also outlined the DMK government's welfare initiatives, including free bus travel for women, the breakfast scheme for school students, the Pudhumai Penn scheme for girls, financial assistance schemes for youth, employment generation, free laptops for students, and financial aid for women. He accused opposition parties of attempting to block financial assistance schemes through legal means but said the state government ensured payments to beneficiaries.

Looking ahead, he announced key promises under the "Dravidian Model 2.0," including increasing women's financial assistance to 2000, expanding the breakfast scheme up to Class 8, raising monthly assistance for youth and women, enhancing pensions, providing free laptops to 35 lakh students, collateral-free loans for women self-help groups, housing for 10 lakh families, and 8000 household appliance coupons.

Reiterating his criticism, Udhayanidhi said Palaniswami is aligning with Modi and attempting to pave the way for the BJP in the state. He concluded by saying that the election is a contest between Tamil Nadu and Delhi, urging voters to support the DMK to safeguard state's rights.

- ANI
The Telangana government has urgently requested the Centre for additional auto LPG supplies to address a critical daily shortfall of 55 metric tonnes. State Minister N. Uttam Kumar Reddy highlighted that the shortage is severely impacting nearly one lakh autorickshaws, disrupting public transport and livelihoods. He pointed to a sharp price disparity, with fuel costing Rs 93 per litre at private pumps compared to Rs 75 at PSU stations, and called for regulatory measures to curb spikes. The crisis primarily affects the extensive private operator network, which holds 80% of the market share in the state's auto LPG distribution.

Telangana requests urgent LPG supply for autos, cites 55 MT daily deficit, price spikes, and transport disruption affecting lakhs.

Hyderabad, March 31 The Telangana government on Tuesday requested the Centre for urgent additional supply of auto LPG to the state to overcome the daily deficit.

Minister for Civil Supplies N. Uttam Kumar Reddy on Tuesday sent a letter to Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas Hardeep Singh Puri stating that the state is currently facing a daily shortage of 55 MTs.

The state government called for ramping up the auto LPG availability at public sector undertakings' (IOCL, BPCL & HPCL) outlets.

Stating that the auto LPG segment in the state has been significantly impacted, Reddy wrote that this has hit nearly one lakh autorickshaws plying on LPG in the state, disrupting the public transport services, and affecting the livelihoods of auto drivers and their families. He urged Puri to issue immediate instructions to PSUs to support the private marketing companies by supplying the deficit LPG to private entities engaged in auto LPG distribution.

He pointed out prices have surged to Rs 93 per litre at private pumps against Rs 75 at PSU stations and called for regulatory measures to prevent unwarranted price increases by private entities during the crisis.

Uttam Kumar Reddy urged the Central minister to boost supply, support private distributors and curb price spikes. He conveyed that the state is strictly adhering to the directives issued by the Centre to manage the current LPG supply situation arising from the ongoing Middle East crisis.

Domestic LPG supply is being maintained at 100 per cent to meet the essential household needs, and commercial LPG allocations are being regulated in accordance with the Centre's guidelines, he wrote.

The auto LPG distribution network in Telangana comprises both public sector undertakings and private operators. PSUs collectively account for a share of 20 per cent, operating 33 outlets. In contrast, private operators such as Super Gas, Go Gas, Total Energies, Prime Gas, Extra Gas, Aegis Gas and Uni Gas operate a significantly large network of 110 outlets across the state, accounting for 80 per cent of market share.

"Due to prevailing supply constraints, there is a shortfall of around 55 MTs per day of Auto LPG, a majority of private outlets are facing a dry-out, leading to disruption in public transport services and consequent public disorders," reads the letter.

- IANS
President Donald Trump has announced a state visit by Britain's King and Queen to the United States from April 27 to 30. The visit will include a banquet at the White House and is tied to commemorations for America's 250th anniversary. The Royal Family confirmed the visit, stating it will celebrate the historic and modern relationship between the two nations. Following the US trip, the King will travel to Bermuda for his first royal visit there as monarch.

President Trump announces a historic state visit by Britain's King and Queen to the US in April, featuring a White House banquet for America's 250th anniversary.

Washington, March 31 President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Britain's King and Queen will undertake a state visit to the United States from April 27 to 30, with a White House banquet planned as part of commemorations marking America's 250th anniversary.

In a post on social media, Trump said, "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th."

He described the visit as a "momentous occasion" tied to the anniversary celebrations of the United States. "This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country," Trump said.

The President added that he looked forward to engaging with the British monarch. "I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!" he said.

Separately, the Royal Family confirmed the visit, saying it would take place "on advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States".

"The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America," the statement said.

According to the British royal household, the programme will highlight the depth of ties between the two countries. "Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the UK and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence," it said.

Following the US leg of the trip, the King is also scheduled to travel to Bermuda. The Royal Family said, "The King will continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty's first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory."

The visit comes at a symbolic moment for both nations, with Washington preparing to mark 250 years since independence, while London emphasises continuity in its transatlantic partnership.

State visits typically include ceremonial welcomes, bilateral meetings, and high-profile events such as a state banquet hosted by the US President at the White House.

- IANS
President Trump invites King Charles and Queen Camilla for a historic state visit to the US in April, coinciding with the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

Washington DC, March 31 US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that UK King Charles and Queen Camilla will pay a State Visit to the United States from April 27-30 as the country marks its 250th anniversary of Independence.

Sharing the details in a post on Truth Social, Trump said that he looked forward to spending time with King Charles and expressed optimism ahead of the latter's state visit.



"Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th. This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!", he wrote.



Meanwhile, the Royal Family also shared the details of their visit in a post on X, where it said that the visit would celebrate the historic connections and modern-day ties between London and Washington.



"On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America. Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the UK and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence."



The post further noted that King Charles would also visit Bermuda.



As per CBC News, this will be Charles's first official state visit to the US as king. Although as Prince of Wales, he has visited 19 times, including a trip with Camilla in 2005.



This comes after Trump had earlier paid a State Visit to the UK, with First Lady Melania Trump, in September last year.



On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.



In this light, the Salute to America 250 Task Force ("Task Force 250") is executing a full year of festivities, which began on Memorial Day, 2025, and will continue through the end of 2026, the White House said.



The post by Trump comes shortly after he came down heavily on the UK amid the developments in West Asia and the Gulf region.



In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump issued a stark message saying that either countries like the UK that are not able to get jet fuel start purchasing from the US or go to the Strait and "just TAKE IT".



Earlier on Monday, Starmer had reiterated the stance of not getting involved in the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf region. While giving a call to voters, in a post on X, he said, "I will always make decisions that are in the national interest. It's why we aren't getting dragged into the Middle East conflict, and why we are fighting to protect your living standards."



Trump has been insisting allies' greater participation as the US-Israel strikes in Iran enter into their second month now.



Trump was also critical of France for denying the use of its airspace to American planes headed to Israel, loaded with military supplies. In a post on Truth Social, he decried France as "unhelpful" with Iran and said that Washington would remember this.



Meanwhile, reports emerged of Italy denying the United States the use of Sigonella base.



Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday (local time) denied the United States the use of Sigonella base. The denial came after Italy came to know of the flight plan of some US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.





- ANI
President Trump signals a 4-6 week wind-down of US military ops in Iran, even if the vital Strait of Hormuz remains closed, shifting focus to diplomacy.

Washington DC, March 31 US President Donald Trump is considering ending the US military campaign in Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, reported The Wall Street Journal.

He indicated to aides that he is prepared to wind down military operations against Iran within a four-to-six-week timeline, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed.



This decision would likely extend Tehran's control over the vital waterway, shifting the focus to diplomatic efforts to reopen it. Trump has expressed willingness to wind down hostilities, having achieved key objectives like weakening Iran's navy and missile capabilities.



According to administration officials, the President believes the US can declare victory by achieving its "core" military goals without being bogged down in a protracted maritime clearance mission, reported The Wall Street Journal.



Trump characterised the closure as a problem primarily for Asia and Europe, noting that 84% of the oil through the strait is bound for Asian markets. He remained firm that the US is no longer as dependent on Middle Eastern energy.



The closed strait is causing significant disruptions, with oil prices surging past $100 a barrel and potential shortages in fertiliser and other critical goods.



The US could consider escorting tankers or a multinational effort to reopen the strait, but these are not immediate priorities, reported The Wall Street Journal.



Despite the talk of ending the war, the U.S. military footprint in the region continues to grow, creating a contradictory picture of the administration's "exit". The USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have arrived, with elements of the 82nd Airborne and 10,000 additional ground troops under consideration.



Trump has alternately threatened to bomb Iran's civilian energy grid if the strait isn't opened, while simultaneously calling the war a "lovely stay" and an "excursion."



Earlier, the White House on Monday (local time) claimed that the recent movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a virtual blockage amid the West Asia conflict, is the result of ongoing direct and indirect talks between the United States and Iran.



It credited diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump.



Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Iran is selectively allowing certain tankers to pass or imposing informal controls over maritime traffic.



"That's not something we support, and I would reject that they are cherry-picking. In fact, these tankers that are moving through - the 10 that were previously announced and now the new 20, the announcement of 20 additional tankers, which we expect to see over the coming days - are a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the United States and Iran," she claimed.



Leavitt further insisted that such tanker movements would not have been possible without sustained diplomatic engagement by the US administration led by Trump.



"So, you wouldn't have seen those tankers if not for the president's diplomacy and his team engaging on this matter, which we expect that compliance moving forward, and it's again something that we're working on very closely," she added.



On Sunday, Trump said that Iran is allowing 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "sign of respect".



Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that Iran initially agreed to send 10 boats through the strait and then added 10 more, which he considers a positive development.



Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Security Committee on Monday (local time) approved the Strait of Hormuz Management Plan, which includes measures to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategic waterway, as reported by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).



According to the IRIB, a member of the National Security Commission announced that the plan was formally approved, detailing key areas of focus, including security arrangements for the Strait, ship safety, environmental protection, financial arrangements, and the implementation of a rial-based toll system.



The plan also explicitly bans passage for American and Israeli vessels, reinforces the sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait. Additionally, it prohibits passage for countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran, as reported by IRIB.



The approved measures come amid ongoing conflict in West Asia between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, currently in its second month, and reflect Tehran's efforts to assert control over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments transit.





- ANI
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has completely ruled out diplomatic negotiations with the United States, stating the trust level between the nations is nonexistent. He warned that Iranian forces are fully prepared to confront any potential US ground operation, claiming the US would face significant strength. Araghchi also addressed the strategic Strait of Hormuz, confirming it is closed to ships from nations at war with Iran while providing safe passage for friendly vessels. He reiterated that the future status of the vital waterway would be determined jointly by Iran and Oman.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismisses diplomacy with the US, warns of military readiness for any ground attack, and discusses the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehran, April 1 Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs with Washington, stating that the "trust level is at zero" between the two nations. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi asserted that Tehran sees no "honesty" in US actions and has "never had a good experience from negotiations" with the American government.

The Foreign Minister pointed to a history of failed agreements and recent hostilities as the primary reasons for the current diplomatic impasse.

"One time, years ago, we negotiated, and we even got a deal, and then the US withdrew without any explanation. And twice last year and now this year, we negotiated with the US, and the result was an attack by them," he told Al Jazeera.

Amid the ongoing conflict, Araghchi also addressed military tensions, stating that the Iranian armed forces are "completely ready" to confront any potential US ground operation.

Describing such a move as a "mistake," he warned that Tehran is prepared for a land-based conflict.

"We are waiting for them," he said, adding, "I don't think they'd dare to do such a thing. There will be a lot of strength waiting for them."

Araghchi further claimed that US forces have already sustained significant "casualties they've faced in their assets" and personnel, specifically mentioning damage to radars, aircraft, and refuelling tankers.

"We know very well how to defend ourselves. In a ground war, we can do it even better," he told Al Jazeera, insisting that while Iran did not start the war, it has "defended ourselves" with great strength.

Regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Minister clarified that the waterway is currently "closed" only to those at war with Iran.

He argued that the strait lies within the "territorial waters" of Iran and Oman, making it "ordinary" for them to manage the route strategically.

"Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed. That is normal during war - we cannot let our enemies use our territorial waters for commerce," he explained to Al Jazeera.

He noted that while some international shipping firms have avoided the route due to "security concerns" or "high insurance prices," Tehran has provided "safe passage" for vessels from friendly nations.

According to Araghchi, "friends in the region and beyond" are being taken into consideration as Tehran looks towards the future of the maritime corridor.

Araghchi reiterated that the post-war status of the strait would be determined by Iran and Oman.

He maintained that the waterway could eventually return to being a "peaceful waterway for peaceful use," but reaffirmed that his country currently sees "no reason to trust the US" or expect any positive results from future dialogue.

- ANI
Debris from a successful missile interception by UAE air defenses fell on residential houses in southern Dubai, causing minor injuries to four individuals, including two Indian nationals. The incident occurred as the UAE's Ministry of Defence reported engaging numerous ballistic missiles and drones launched from Iran. This event is part of the escalating regional conflict following strikes by Israel and the US on Iran. The wider Iranian attacks have resulted in multiple casualties, including fatalities among various nationalities and injuries to nearly 200 people.

Two Indians among four injured in Dubai after debris from intercepted missiles fell on houses. UAE air defenses engaged Iranian attacks.

Abu Dhabi, March 31 Four people, including two Indian nationals, were injured after debris from a successful interception fell on residential houses in southern Dubai in UAE on Tuesday.

According to a statement released by Government of Dubai Media Office, the incident was handled in accordance with the highest safety standards.

"Authorities confirm that the incident caused by debris from an interception that fell on houses in southern Dubai resulted in minor injuries to two Indian nationals, one Bangladeshi national, and one Sri Lankan national. The incident was handled in accordance with the highest safety standards. Please rely on official sources for updates," Government of Dubai Media Office posted on X.

Earlier in the day, the office said that authorities were responding to an incident caused by debris from a successful interception fell on residential houses in Southern Dubai.

"Authorities confirm that they are responding to an incident caused by debris from a successful interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai, resulting in property damage and minor injuries to four Asian nationals," Government of Dubai Media Office wrote on X.

The latest incident comes amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia which started on February 28 following the strikes carried out by Israel and the US on Iran, which resulted in the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and top military officials. In response, Iran has launched drone and missile attacks targetting the US and Israeli facilities, regional capitals and allied forces in West Asia.

Meanwhile, UAE's Ministry of Defence said that its air defence engaged eight ballistic missiles, four Cruise missiles and 36 Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) launched from Iran on Tuesday. UAE's air defences have engaged 433 ballistic missiles, 19 cruise missiles and 1,977 UAVs since the start of Iranian attacks, according to the statement released by UAE's Ministry of Defence on X.

"The attacks resulted in the martyrdom of 2 members of the armed forces while performing their national duty, in addition to the martyrdom of a Moroccan civilian contracted by the Armed Forces, as well as 8 fatalities of Pakistani, Nepali, Bangladeshi, Palestinian and Indian nationalities," UAE's Ministry of Defence posted on X.

"A total of 188 people were also injured, with injuries ranging from minor to moderate and severe. The injured included nationals of the UAE, Egypt, Sudan, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Pakistan, Iran, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan, Yemen, Uganda, Eritrea, Lebanon, Afghanistan, Bahrain, Comoros, Turkiye, Iraq, Nepal, Nigeria, Oman, Jordan, Palestine, Ghana, Indonesia, Sweden and Tunisia," it added.

UAE's Ministry of Defence expressed its readiness to deal with any threats and vowed to firmly confront anything that aims to undermine the security of the country, in a manner that ensures the protection of its sovereignty, security and stability and safeguards its interests and national capabilities.

- IANS
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon confirmed two peacekeepers were killed and two others wounded when their vehicle was destroyed by an explosion of unknown origin near Bani Hayyan. This marks the second fatal attack on UNIFIL personnel within 24 hours, following another incident where a peacekeeper was killed by a projectile. The IDF stated it is reviewing both incidents to determine if they resulted from Hezbollah activity or its own operations, cautioning they occurred in an active combat zone. UNIFIL condemned the attacks, stating deliberate targeting of peacekeepers constitutes a grave violation of international law and a breach of UN Security Council resolutions.

Two UNIFIL peacekeepers killed, several injured in explosion in south Lebanon. IDF reviewing reports as second fatal incident in 24 hours.

Beirut, March 31 The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon on Monday confirmed that two of its peacekeepers were killed and two others injured after an explosion of unknown origin struck their vehicle in south Lebanon.

According to a statement issued by UNIFIL, the incident occurred near Bani Hayyan in Southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two peacekeepers, while a third one sustained severe injuries and a fourth one was also wounded.

This is the second fatal incident involving the mission's personnel in the past 24 hours. UNIFIL stated that no one should have to lose their life while serving the cause of peace.

"Two UNIFIL peacekeepers were tragically killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt. This is the second fatal incident in the last 24 hours. We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace," the statement read. "We extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those brave peacekeepers who gave their lives in service of peace," it added.

The mission said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion and also expressed hope for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident.

UNIFIL reiterated the urgent need for all parties to comply with international law and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property and stressed that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and breach obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, potentially amounting to war crimes.

"The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end," the statement added.

This incident comes moments after a United Nations peacekeeper was killed and another critically injured after a projectile struck a UNIFIL position near Adchit Al Qusayr in southern Lebanon.

In a statement, the UNIFIL stated that the origin of the projectile remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday said it is reviewing reports of the two separate incidents involving personnel from the UNIFIL in southern Lebanon over the past two days.

In a statement on Telegram, the IDF said the incidents are being "thoroughly reviewed" to determine the circumstances and assess whether they were the result of actions by Hezbollah or IDF operations.

"The incidents are being thoroughly reviewed in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity," the statement read.

The military noted that the incidents occurred in an active combat zone and cautioned against drawing conclusions regarding responsibility.

"It should be noted these incidents occurred in an active combat area. Therefore, it should not be assumed that incidents in which UNIFIL soldiers were harmed were caused by the IDF," it added.

The IDF reiterated that its operations are directed against Hezbollah and not against UN peacekeepers, the Lebanese Armed Forces, or civilians.

- ANI
The Uttar Pradesh government is considering a proposal to declare cancer, with a special focus on childhood cancer, a notifiable disease. This would mandate reporting by healthcare providers to improve tracking and early intervention. The state aims for 100% access to care, 100% financial protection, and a 60% survival rate for childhood cancer patients. Officials and advocates highlight UP's progress and potential to become a global model for large-scale childhood cancer care systems.

Uttar Pradesh considers making cancer, especially in children, a notifiable disease to improve tracking, access to care, and survival rates.

Lucknow, March 31 The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is considering a proposal to include cancer, especially among children, among the list of notifiable diseases to facilitate early detection and cure, said a senior health department official on Tuesday.

A notifiable disease is one that is required by law to be reported to government authorities (health departments) by healthcare providers, laboratories, and veterinarians.

The official said that compulsory reporting of childhood cancer and other patients will allow officials to track disease prevalence and intervene to protect public health.

Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh, reiterated the State's commitment to strengthening cancer care systems, including the possibility of making cancer a notifiable disease.

"Uttar Pradesh is building a model where systems, institutions, and stakeholders come together to ensure that every child with cancer is identified, treated, and supported," said Ghosh.

"Through convergence across departments and partnerships, we are working towards ensuring access, financial protection, and improved outcomes at scale," he said on the sidelines of a state consultation workshop held in Lucknow on Monday.

Poonam Bagai, Member, ICMR Central Ethics Committee on Human Research, Cankids founder and Childhood Cancer International's WHO South East Asia Region Representative, said Uttar Pradesh has also emerged as a leader in financial protection, with schemes that follow the child across state borders, ensuring continuity of care irrespective of where treatment is accessed.

"Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become the world's leading model for childhood cancer care at scale, demonstrating how large, high-burden regions can deliver on 100 per cent access, 100 per cent financial protection, and 60 per cent survival," said Bagai, herself a survivor.

Uttar Pradesh is home to nearly 20 per cent of India's children with cancer and approximately 4 per cent of the global childhood cancer burden. The state has an annual childhood cancer burden of 14,700, with 52 per cent currently accessing care.

The Yogi Adityanath government is also considering a proposal to set up a task force on childhood cancer with the help of other stakeholders, said an official.

"A structured Paediatric Oncology Task Force will enable regular review, coordination, and integration of childhood cancer care within the state's broader cancer strategy," he said.

Since the signing of the State MoU with National Society Cankids Kidscan, Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated measurable progress in strengthening childhood cancer systems. Access to care has increased from 25 per cent in 2019 to 52 per cent in March 2026, reflecting the impact of coordinated action between government, paediatric oncology institutions, and civil society partners.

A campaign has also been rolled out across all the 75 districts for health information dissemination and capacity building of health care professionals, workers and institutions through four childhood cancer divisions - Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi, said an official.

Soon, the State Tumour and Teleconsultation Board with specialists from all tertiary cancer centres in the State will support clinical decision-making and train professionals and service delivery teams, ensuring high standard of care in paediatric oncology treatment, said a statement.

Soniya Nityanand, Vice Chancellor KGMU, Lucknow, said the Uttar Pradesh government's initiative to deliver on 100 per cent access, 100 per cent financial protection, and 60 per cent survival of childhood cancer patients aligns with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and UNGA 80 commitments, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a potential national and global model for large-scale childhood cancer systems transformation.

- IANS
The United States is pursuing a dual strategy of intensified military strikes and active negotiations with Iran, arguing that battlefield pressure is pushing Tehran toward a deal. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated talks are "ongoing" and "gaining strength" even as operations continue under "Operation Epic Fury," with over 11,000 targets struck recently. US officials report the campaign has entered a decisive phase, noting a decline in Iranian missile and drone attacks and impacts on Iranian forces including desertions. The US is prepared to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open but has declined to provide a specific timeline or rule out any military options for the ongoing operation.

US Defense Secretary says military pressure is forcing Iran towards a deal as strikes continue. Officials report decisive phase in conflict.

Washington, March 31 The United States on Tuesday said it is intensifying military strikes on Iran while pursuing active negotiations, as officials argued that battlefield pressure is forcing Tehran towards a deal.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth at a Pentagon news conference said talks with Iran were "very real... ongoing... active and... gaining strength", even as US forces continued operations under "Operation Epic Fury".

"We don't want to have to do more militarily than we have to," Hegseth said. "But... we'll negotiate with bombs."

Officials said the campaign has entered a decisive phase, with US firepower increasing while Iran's capabilities are declining.

"American firepower is only increasing, Iran's decreasing," Hegseth said, adding that "the upcoming days will be decisive."

According to the Pentagon, US forces have struck more than 11,000 targets over the past month, focusing on Iran's missile systems, naval assets, and defence industrial base.

Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said operations were being conducted "around the clock from air, land, sea, space and cyberspace", targeting Iran's ability to project power beyond its borders.

He said US forces carried out "200 dynamic strikes" in a single night, hitting mobile targets based on real-time intelligence.

Officials said Iranian missile and drone attacks have declined in recent days, with Hegseth describing the past 24 hours as seeing the "lowest number" since the conflict began.

US assessments indicate the campaign is affecting Iranian forces on the ground, leading to "widespread desertions, key personnel shortages, and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders".

Hegseth said US strikes have also destroyed key command bunkers, forcing Iranian leaders to operate under increasingly constrained conditions.

At the strategic level, Washington signalled it is prepared to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open, while urging other countries to share responsibility.

"This is an international waterway... the world ought to pay attention," Hegseth said, noting that the US has already taken steps to "set the conditions" for safe passage.

Officials declined to provide a timeline for the operation, saying they would not disclose specific objectives or end dates.

"We would never reveal precisely what it is because our goal is to finish those objectives," Hegseth said.

He also refused to rule out any military options, including ground operations, stressing the need for unpredictability.

"You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do," he said.

President Donald Trump has maintained that Iran must abandon its nuclear ambitions, with Hegseth reiterating that "Iran cannot have a nuclear bomb... and they won't".

- IANS
Campaign aims to push Tehran to negotiations

The United States claims its ongoing military campaign is eroding Iran's armed forces, citing intelligence about declining morale and widespread desertions. Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that US strikes have damaged Iranian military cohesion and destroyed key command bunkers. Pentagon officials report a decline in Iranian missile and drone attacks, with over 11,000 targets struck in the past month. The campaign aims to systematically degrade Iran's ability to project power and push Tehran towards negotiations over its nuclear program.

Pentagon cites intel on Iranian military desertions and shortages after sustained US strikes targeting command bunkers and defense infrastructure.

Washington, March 31 The United States on Tuesday said that its ongoing military campaign against Iran is eroding the country's armed forces, citing intelligence assessments of declining morale, desertions and shortages among key personnel.

Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters at a Pentagon news conference that the US strikes are increasingly affecting Iranian military cohesion and command structures.

"The latest intel is clear... strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian military, leading to widespread desertions, key personnel shortages and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders," Hegseth said in response to a question.

He added that US forces have destroyed key command bunkers, forcing Iranian leaders to operate under constrained conditions.

"We recently destroyed another one of their command bunkers... no water, no power, no oxygen, no command and control," he said.

Officials also pointed to a decline in Iranian missile and drone attacks, describing the past 24 hours as seeing the "lowest number" since the conflict began.

At the operational level, the Pentagon said US forces have struck more than 11,000 targets in the past month, focusing on missile systems, naval assets and defence infrastructure.

Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Gen. Dan Caine said the campaign is aimed at systematically degrading Iran's ability to project power beyond its borders.

"We continue to deliver precision strikes... against key manufacturing nodes, component storage sites, research facilities," he said.

US officials said the combination of sustained strikes and pressure on supply chains is limiting Iran's ability to replenish its military capabilities.

The Pentagon indicated that targeting Iran's defence industrial base would have long-term effects, reducing its ability to rebuild weapons systems over time.

The conflict reflects a broader effort by Washington to weaken Iran's military posture while pushing Tehran towards negotiations over its nuclear and missile programmes.

- IANS
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurated the National Flag Memorial in Champawat, hoisting the Tricolour and paying tribute to freedom fighters. He subsequently held the 'Mukhya Sevak Samvad' program to interact with citizens and representatives from various sections of society. During a road journey through the district, the CM was greeted by large, enthusiastic crowds in towns like Kashipur, Rudrapur, and Sitarganj. He also visited the Mata Bal Sundari Temple in Kashipur, offering prayers for the state's prosperity and announcing a development grant for the temple complex.

CM Pushkar Singh Dhami inaugurates National Flag Memorial in Champawat, holds 'Mukhya Sevak Samvad' and receives massive public welcome during district tour.

Champawat, March 31 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Tuesday attended the inauguration of the National Flag Memorial and the 'Mukhya Sevak Samvad' program in Champawat in the State.

He hoisted the national flag, the Tricolour, joined the gathering in singing the national anthem, and paid tribute to the freedom fighters.

A large number of citizens and BJP workers were present at the event. The Chief Minister was warmly welcomed and felicitated by local public representatives and the people.

During the 'Mukhya Sevak Samvad', the Chief Minister interacted with brave men and women and representatives from various sections of society, sharing and listening to their thoughts, suggestions, and experiences.

Yesterday, Chief Minister Dhami visited Khatima from Kashipur via road.

During the journey, he received a grand welcome from local residents at various points along the route. At several places, people even used bulldozers to showcase their enthusiasm and strong support.

Throughout the journey, large crowds gathered along the roadsides in Kashipur, Bajpur, Gadarpur, Rudrapur, Dineshpur, Kichha, and Sitarganj to catch a glimpse of their leader. Youth, women, and elderly citizens alike warmly welcomed the Chief Minister with showers of flowers.

During his visit, the Chief Minister offered prayers at the Mata Bal Sundari Temple, seeking happiness, prosperity, and continued progress for the people of Uttarakhand.

He also announced a dedicated grant from the Chaiti Mela fund for the beautification of the temple and the comprehensive development of its surrounding areas.

"In Kashipur, at the Mata Bal Sundari Temple, prayers were offered seeking the happiness and prosperity of the state's residents and the state's continued progress. The bhajan evening organised in the temple premises was inaugurated by lighting the lamp, and an announcement was made from the Chaiti Mela fund for the beautification of the temple and the development of its surroundings," said CM Dhami.

- ANI
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the Second Convocation of Nalanda University, emphasizing its revival as a symbol of India's and Asia's intellectual resurgence. He stressed that global progress debates, while focused on technology, must not forget the essential human side, encapsulated in the mantra "Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi". Jaishankar linked the university's international student body to building a more connected world and preparing for a 'Viksit Bharat'. He urged the over 600 graduates from 31 nations to contribute to the university's growth and act as ambassadors for India in their home countries.

EAM Jaishankar addressed Nalanda University's convocation, linking India's heritage with tech progress and a multi-polar world order.

New Delhi, March 31 External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday attended the Second Convocation of Nalanda University, praising the institution's growth and expressing pride in being associated with it.

He focused on the intersection of tradition, technology, and global diplomacy, emphasising the significance of the event for the university's future and encouraged graduates to contribute to its growth.

While speaking at the 2nd Convocation ceremony of Nalanda University today in Rajgir, Jaishankar said that the Nalanda tradition can be a powerful influence in this democratisation of the global order.

In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "600+ Graduates. 31 Nations. One Shared Journey! Honoured to participate in the 2nd Convocation ceremony of Nalanda University today in Rajgir alongside Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji, and other dignitaries. Nalanda evokes memories of India's intellectual heritage & cultural grandeur, reminding the world that technology & tradition - vikas bhi, virasat bhi - must march hand-in-hand."

Jaishankar highlighted the university's historical significance and its revival as a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage and urged graduates to give back by contributing to Nalanda University's growth, leveraging their skills and knowledge.

While acknowledging that current global debates are dominated by technology, he reminded the audience that the "human side" must never be forgotten, encapsulated in the mantra: "Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi" (Development as well as Heritage).

He said, "The very term Nalanda evokes memories of India's intellectual heritage and cultural grandeur. A revival of that tradition in this institution is an indicator not just of the rise of India, but of Asia itself. Today, intense debates are going on about the future directions of growth and progress in the world. Much of that understandably centres around technology. But as the Nalanda spirit reminds us, we should never forget that there is always the human side. The world is becoming more multi-polar because there are many more cultures and many more societies that are making their voices heard. The Nalanda tradition can be a powerful influence in this democratisation of the global order. And also be a reminder that technology and tradition - vikas bhi, virasat bhi - must march hand-in-hand."

Jaishankar connected the graduates' achievements to India's development, emphasizing the importance of education and innovation.

Jaishankar said that he believed each one who is graduating from Nalanda will contribute to the university in their own way.

"I am very privileged to witness this Second Convocation of Nalanda University, that too in the august presence of Hon'ble Rashtrapati. Each such milestone marks an evolution of an emerging institution and is a cause for celebration in itself, and it has been my personal good fortune to be associated with this University from the very start. Now, having studied in a new university myself in my time, I recognise the significance of the event for this institution's future. Each one of you receiving a degree today, each one of you contributing to a degree, by being a fellow student or by being a teacher, will have a justifiable sense of pride. I am confident that those graduating, those receiving their degrees today, would repay by contributing to Nalanda University's growth in whatever capacity you can, from wherever you will be," he said.

Jaishankar said that coming generations must be more connected, to be more sensitive to global developments, and that international students in particular can promote India in their respective countries when they go back.

"This University is unique in its international character. While that has always had a value, it is even more so in this age of globalisation. As we advance towards a Viksit Bharat, it is essential that India is ready for the world and equally, the world for India. This requires coming generations to be more connected, to be more sensitive to global developments, and I am sure the graduating cohorts can make a difference in this regard. International students, in particular, can promote India in their respective countries when they go back. All of you, I know, have given their best here and I know equally that you are taking a part of India back with you," he said.

Nalanda University also lauded Jaishankar's reflection on "vikas bhi, virasat bhi" which beautifully captured the Nalanda spirit.

The university said, "We are truly honoured by the gracious presence and inspiring words of our Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar Ji, at Nalanda University's Second Convocation today, alongside the esteemed presence of Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Your powerful reflection on "vikas bhi, virasat bhi" beautifully captured the Nalanda spirit, where tradition and technology together shape a shared global journey for our graduating scholars."

- ANI
The India Meteorological Department forecasts light rainfall for coastal districts of southern Tamil Nadu over the next three days. Meanwhile, districts along the Western Ghats may see moderate showers, offering brief relief from dry conditions. Concurrently, maximum temperatures across the state are expected to rise by up to 3 degrees Celsius, signaling a gradual intensification of summer. The IMD has issued no warnings for fishermen, and officials advise residents to take precautions against the increasing heat.

IMD forecasts light rain in South Tamil Nadu's coastal areas for three days, with rising temperatures statewide. Chennai to stay partly cloudy.

Chennai, March 31 Over the next three days, coastal districts of southern Tamil Nadu are likely to experience light rainfall, according to the Regional Meteorological Centre of the India Meteorological Department.

The forecast points to a continuation of mild pre-summer weather activity in select parts of the state.



In its latest bulletin, the IMD stated that one or two places in the southern coastal belt may receive light showers during this period.



Meanwhile, districts along the Western Ghats are likely to witness moderate rainfall, which could provide short-term relief from rising temperatures and help ease dry conditions in those regions. However, alongside this rainfall activity, a steady increase in temperature is expected across Tamil Nadu.



The IMD has indicated that maximum temperatures could rise by up to 3 degrees Celsius in several parts of the state over the coming days, signalling the gradual intensification of summer conditions.



In Chennai, the weather is expected to remain partly cloudy. The maximum temperature is likely to range between 34 and 35 degrees Celsius, while the minimum temperature may hover between 25 and 26 degrees Celsius.



The warm and humid conditions are typical for this time of year as the city transitions deeper into the summer season.



Despite the evolving weather pattern, the IMD has not issued any warning for fishermen along the Tamil Nadu coast. This suggests that sea conditions are expected to remain stable, allowing fishing activities to continue without significant disruption.



Weather officials have advised residents to take necessary precautions against the rising heat, including staying hydrated, avoiding prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, and planning outdoor activities during cooler parts of the day.



Vulnerable groups, including the elderly and children, are particularly advised to remain cautious.



While scattered rainfall may bring brief relief in certain areas, the broader outlook indicates a warming trend across the state. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and are expected to issue further updates as weather conditions evolve.





- IANS
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced plans for 25,000 fresh government recruitments in 2026. He emphasized that the process will be transparent and time-bound but not rushed, to avoid legal challenges that have plagued past hiring efforts. The CM highlighted the severe unemployment problem in the union territory, where a lack of private industry makes government jobs highly sought-after. He also critiqued the tendency of government employees to seek postings only near their homes.

J&K CM Omar Abdullah commits to 25,000 transparent recruitments in 2026, aiming to avoid rushed processes that lead to court cases and delays.

Jammu, March 31 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Tuesday that the government would make 25,000 fresh recruitments in 2026, but added that he will not rush through the process to avoid court cases.

Replying to a question in the Legislative Assembly, Omar Abdullah said the government is fully committed to filling 25,000 vacant posts in 2026, while emphasising that the recruitment process will be transparent and time-bound.

The CM was replying to a query from PDP MLA from Pulwama, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, in the Legislative Assembly. The Chief Minister said the issue has been discussed multiple times during the ongoing session, including during debates on the Lieutenant Governor's address, the state budget, and various grant demands.

"Time-bound does not mean the process should be rushed in a manner that leads to court challenges and subsequent halts," the Chief Minister said, underscoring the need for a balanced approach.

He warned against repeating past mistakes where selection lists were framed hastily, only to be challenged in courts.

"In many cases, litigation dragged on for years, and applicants became overage and lost their chance for recruitment," he added.

In another statement, Omar Abdullah said the big problem with the government employees in J&K has been to always look for postings close to their homes. "The problem with government employees in J&K is that every government employee, whether a teacher or a doctor, wants to be posted close to his/her home," Omar Abdullah said.

One of the biggest problems faced by the elected government is the issue of unemployment among qualified youth. There are no major or medium-scale industries in the union territory that would absorb qualified and professional unemployed youth.

Even the services sector is not good enough to provide employment to many qualified youth in the union territory. The result has been that every qualified, professional youth in Jammu and Kashmir wants a government job.

With one of the larger workforce along the states and union territories of the country, J&K finds it very difficult to provide government jobs to the unemployed youth here.

- IANS
Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar, dedicated to preserving Jain artefacts and India's civilisational legacy. He emphasised the museum's role as a crucial beacon of cultural heritage and peace amidst global instability. The museum, named after Emperor Samprati, integrates seven thematic galleries with digital technology for an immersive experience. Gujarat's Chief Minister and Deputy CM highlighted the project as a major centre for cultural preservation and a pride for the global Jain community.

PM Modi inaugurates a Jain heritage museum in Gandhinagar, highlighting cultural preservation as an answer to global instability on Mahavir Jayanti.

Gandhinagar, March 31 Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday highlighted the importance of cultural heritage in addressing global instability as he inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar.

The inauguration, held on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, marked the opening of a museum dedicated to preserving India's civilisational and cultural legacy, with artefacts of the Jain community collected from across the country, some dating back more than 1000 years.

Referring to the current global situation, the Prime Minister said, "At a time when the world is witnessing instability and is scorched by the flames of unrest, the legacy and message of this museum are crucial not only for India but for the entire humanity."

Describing the institution as more than a repository of artefacts, he said, "This museum is a centre for Jain worship, cultural and heritage preservation," adding that it would be open to people from all sections of society.

PM Modi said Koba Tirth has long been a place of peace and spiritual practice, where traditions of dedication, study and discipline have continued over time.

He noted that the museum reflects a confluence of Indian civilisation through the preservation of values, strengthening of cultural traditions and promotion of knowledge.

"The design of the museum presents the grandeur of India at every step and reflects unity in diversity, where traditions such as the Vedas, Puranas and Ayurveda are represented," he said, expressing hope that students and researchers would visit in large numbers.

He also highlighted the contribution of Jain monk Acharya Padmasagarsurishwarji and other ascetics who collected artefacts from across India and Nepal over several decades, dedicating their lives to preserving cultural heritage.

Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka and known for promoting non-violence, the museum presents the evolution and impact of Jainism through its exhibits.

The museum integrates traditional displays with modern digital and audio-visual technology to create an immersive experience.

It houses seven galleries covering Jain philosophy, the lives of Tirthankaras, ancient manuscripts, temple models and historical artefacts, offering a comprehensive view of India's spiritual traditions.

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel said, "This museum will serve as a centre for cultural preservation," adding that 2026 would see India's culture and traditions showcased on a larger scale, alongside ongoing digitisation of literature and artefacts under the Gyan Bharatam Mission.

Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi described the inauguration as a significant moment for the Jain community worldwide.

"It is a matter of pride that the Prime Minister has inaugurated this museum. More than 2,000 artefacts, including ancient texts such as the Vedas and Puranas, are preserved here," he said, adding that the initiative reflects the vision of 'Vikas Bhi, Virasat Bhi'.

- IANS
The Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference for young legislators from three states concluded in Bhopal with a focus on youth leadership for national development. Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh expressed confidence that the 21st century belongs to India if the nation maintains its positive momentum. Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar administered a pledge, framing 'Developed India @ 2047' as a collective resolve of all citizens. The event highlighted themes like technology, citizen participation, and good governance, culminating in a detailed oath by the attending legislators.

Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh asserts India's century ahead, urging young MLAs to lead the charge for a Developed India by 2047 at CPA conference.

Bhopal, March 31 The two-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association conference for young legislators from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan concluded here on Tuesday at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly with a declaration from Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, that India is the world's fastest-emerging economy and is scripting a new history by overcoming challenges effectively.

He expressed confidence that the 21st century will belong to India if the nation maintains a positive, forward-looking mindset.

Singh recalled Swami Vivekananda's inspiring words that youth have the power to change a nation's history, trajectory, and future.

He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Developed India @ 2047' can only be realised through the active participation and energy of young leaders.

"India is advancing rapidly on multiple fronts. If this momentum is sustained, we could achieve developed nation status even before 2047," he said, urging legislators to work with dedication and optimism.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted the need for young legislators to embody dedication, discipline, and a positive outlook while addressing contemporary challenges.

He administered a pledge to the participants, describing 'Developed India @ 2047' as a collective resolve of 1.4 billion Indians rather than a mere government program.

Tomar stressed citizen participation as crucial for strengthening democracy and called for turning development into a mass movement.

He urged the youth to focus on good governance, innovative solutions, and continuous learning, advising them to retain the humble spirit of a student.

Rahul Karad of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association advocated organising such conferences in every State Assembly.

He noted that MLAs act as brand ambassadors of their constituencies and emphasised the transformative role of legislators in shifting societal attitudes.

He also highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), training, and education in modern governance.

Over the two days, around 40 young legislators discussed key themes, including citizen participation in democracy, technology, sanitation, solar energy, quality education, infrastructure, public dialogue, and social welfare.

A legislative journal titled 'Vidhayini', chronicling seven decades of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, was released during the event.

The young legislators also took five-pronged oath, saying: "We pledge to act as an effective bridge between citizens and the government by understanding public concerns, raising them in the Assembly, and formulating transparent, accountable, and people-friendly policies. We will continuously empower citizens through education, technology, and innovation, with special focus on key sectors like education, health, employment, and environment, while ensuring that youth, women, and marginalised sections are brought into the mainstream of development. Despite challenges such as political pressures, resource constraints, and social inequalities, we resolve to work with utmost integrity, dedication, and foresight. We further commit to strengthening our research and analytical capabilities, actively participating in legislative proceedings, and providing dynamic leadership to propel the nation towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047'."

The conference was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Prahlad Singh Patel, former Ministers and speakers, and dignitaries from the three states.

It concluded with the National Anthem and a vote of thanks by Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretary Arvind Sharma.

The gathering underscored the pivotal role of youth leadership in realising Viksit Bharat, fostering innovative governance, and building an awakened citizenry for a stronger democracy.

- IANS
Jain community hails PM Modi for inaugurating the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gujarat, calling it a world-class institution to promote culture.

Gandhinagar, March 31 Members of the Jain community and followers of Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj, on Tuesday, expressed their happiness on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here and hailed the inauguration of Samrat Samprati Museum on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Siddharth, a resident of West Bengal's Kolkata, called the event named 'Bharat Viraasat Mahotsav', "a world class work".



"I have only seen a glance of the museum. That was absolutely outstanding. We want that such world-class institutions should be made in other places too. We will be grateful if such a thing is built at the birthplace of Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj," he told IANS.



Shashikant, another Kolkata resident, added, "What PM Modi has done is a link to Lord Mahavir's message 'live and let live'. We are fortunate that our Prime Minister also follows Jain traditions. People will be motivated."



Another attendee, Sandeep Navlakha told IANS, "We are really proud of the way PM Modi and Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj have promoted our Jain culture and heritage. We run Murshidabad heritage development society."



"Maharaj's birthplace is in Murshidabad. We wish that such a museum, even if in a small form, is made there so that his (Maharaj's) heritage collection is preserved and people get to know about Jain history," he added.



Speaking to IANS, an attendee who came all the way from Patna, said, "Today the Samrat Samprati Museum was dedicated to the country, this will be remembered for ages. This museum will play a key role in India's heritage journey."



An Ahmedabad resident, Rakesh, also spoke to IANS about the inauguration of the museum, adding: "It is a very big event. I myself have been associated with its library for many years now."



Another person, who attended the inauguration event, praised PM Modi's guidance.



He said, "PM Modi's guidance is very important for the future generation. It has been PM Modi's efforts that people know about India and its culture. One can find the blend of all religions in India. The goal of all religions is the same 'live and let live'."



He also added, "Youths will get to know about India's culture (after today's event)."



Mukesh, another member of the Jain community, got emotional while speaking to IANS about the grandeur of the event.



"I have never seen such a big and historic programmee. I also visited the museum. I have not seen such a museum in the country. We are grateful that we got to see Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj as well as PM Modi," he said.



After attending the event, another resident Pragya told IANS, "We are very happy that PM Modi came here. We received a good message."



A resident of Ahmedabad also expressed his happiness with PM Modi's visit.



"Wars are happening around the world but due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership there is peace in India. We are extremely grateful that PM Modi is coming here today," he said.





- IANS
YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy paid floral tributes to Bhagwan Mahavir at the party office in Tadepalli, emphasizing the relevance of his teachings. President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings, urging citizens to build a sensitive and inclusive society inspired by Mahavir's principles. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also shared a message, stating the Tirthankara's ideals of truth and non-violence remain deeply relevant today. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of the 24th and final Jain Tirthankara, observed by the global Jain community.

YSRCP chief Jagan Mohan Reddy, President Droupadi Murmu, and PM Narendra Modi paid tributes and shared messages on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Tadepalli, March 31 YSRCP President and former Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh YS Jagan Mohan Reddy paid floral tributes to Bhagwan Mahavir on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti at the YSRCP central office in Tadepalli on Tuesday.

In a post on X, YSRCP President Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy paid tribute to the teachings of Lord Mahavira, stating that the great sage showed the path to lead a moral life. The path shown by that great sage is always worthy of practice.

"Mahavira, who taught the people the five great vows of Ahimsa, Satya, Asteya, Brahmacharya, Aparigraha, and showed the path to a moral life. The path shown by that great sage is always worthy of practice. On the occasion of the birth anniversary of the spiritual guru of Jains, on Mahavira Jayanti, heartfelt congratulations to all," said Reddy.

Former Minister RK Roja, YSRCP General Secretary and MLC Lella Appi Reddy, General Secretary SV Satish Kumar Reddy, former Chairman of Jain Welfare Corporation Manoj Kothari, Kundan Gandhi (Secretary, SSR JST), Praveen Faulamutha (Correspondent, SSR JST), Praveen Kumar Jain, and Manoj Jain also participated in the program.

Earlier today, President Droupadi Murmu extended her heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, calling upon citizens to continuously strive toward building a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society.

President Murmu further highlighted that Lord Mahavir's teachings inspired people to lead lives rooted in compassion.

"On this sacred occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country, especially to all members of the Jain community. Lord Mahavir taught the principles of non-violence, truth, and self-restraint, and inspired people to lead a life of compassion. Let us draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Mahavir and continuously strive to build a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society," said President Murmu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on Mahavir Jayanti, stating that the life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence, and compassion. He emphasised that these ideals continue to remain deeply relevant in today's world.

"Best wishes on the sacred occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Kalyanak. The life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence and compassion. His ideals are spiritually uplifting and also deeply relevant in today's world. His emphasis on equality and kindness reminds us of our shared responsibility towards society," said PM Modi.

Mahavir Jayanti is observed by the Jain community worldwide. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the revered 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism.

- ANI
Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder has publicly praised Indian actress Huma Qureshi, calling her one of the most amazing actors he has worked with on the film 'Army of the Dead'. Huma made her Hollywood debut in Snyder's 2021 zombie heist film. The actress is now set to appear in the highly anticipated film 'Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups' alongside Yash and Kiara Advani. Huma has also recently been seen in the series 'Maharani 4' and 'Delhi Crime Season 3'.

Hollywood director Zack Snyder praises Indian actress Huma Qureshi for her role in 'Army of the Dead'. Details on her upcoming projects.

Mumbai, March 31 Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder has heaped praise on Indian actress Huma Qureshi, calling her "one of the most amazing actors" he has had the pleasure of working with on "Army Of The Dead."

Snyder took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of Huma, who played Geeta Ranjan in the 2021 post-apocalyptic zombie heist film directed by him.



He wrote: "@iamhumaq - one of the most amazing actors I've had the pleasure of working with on Army of the Dead. Talent, presence, and pure brilliance on screen."



Huma, who made her Hollywood debut with "Army Of The Dead", took to the comment section and wrote: "You the best .. boss man."



Army of the Dead is based on a story Snyder created. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, Huma Qureshi, and Garret Dillahunt.



It follows a group of mercenaries who plan a Las Vegas casino heist during a zombie apocalypse. Snyder conceived the idea for Army of the Dead as a spiritual successor to his 2004 debut film Dawn of the Dead.



Talking about Snyder, after starting his career primarily directing music videos, he made his feature film debut in 2004 with Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name.



Since then, he has directed or produced a number of comic book and superhero films, including 300 and Watchmen as well as the Superman film that started the DC Extended Universe, Man of Steel, and its follow-ups, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.



Aside from comic adaptation, he also directed the animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, the psychological action film Sucker Punch, the zombie heist film Army of the Dead and the two-parter space opera films Rebel Moon and Rebel Moon - Part Two: The Scargiver.



Meanwhile Huma is all set to be seen in Yash-starrer "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups". The makers had earlier unveiled the looks of Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria of the film.



Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages.



"Toxic : A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups" is reportedly a gripping tale of crime and deception set in 1980s Goa, where a powerful drug cartel manipulates lives behind the state's picturesque beaches and vibrant culture.



Huma's latest releases include "Maharani 4" and "Delhi Crime Season 3".



Directed by Puneet Prakash, produced by Kangra Talkies Pvt. Ltd., and created by Subhash Kapoor, Maharani 4, stars Huma, Shweta Basu Prasad, Vipin Sharma, Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Shardul Bhardwaj, Kani Kusruti, and Pramod Pathak.



She was also seen in the third season of "Delhi Crime", which is directed by Tanuj Chopra. Huma stars alongside names such as Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Jaya Bhattacharya, and Anuraag Arora. The cast also includes Sayani Gupta, Mita Vasisht, Kelly Dorji, and Anshumaan Pushkar.





- IANS
First systematic review to track long-term trends across pre- and post-pandemic periods finds dramatic rise in screen use among children and adolescents.

Screen time among children and adolescents has increased significantly over the past three decades, with clear rise occurring after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new systematic review conducted at the University of Turku, Finland.



The review analyzed 60 peer-reviewed studies published between 1991 and 2022 and is the first to comprehensively examine long-term trends in screen time use among individuals aged 0-19 years across both pre-pandemic and pandemic periods.



Postdoctoral Researcher Yuko Mori from the Research Centre for Child Psychiatry at the University of Turku, Finland, the shared lead author, tells that the nature of screen use has changed dramatically, shifting from traditional television to more interactive and personalised digital devices, such as mobile phones and video games. Earlier studies focused mainly on TV viewing, but from the mid-2010s onward, research began to include newer devices, such as smartphones and tablets.

Interestingly, even during the pandemic, television viewing continued to decline." Yuko Mori, Postdoctoral Researcher, Research Centre for Child Psychiatry, University of Turku, Finland

School closures during the pandemic intensified screen dependence

Before the COVID-19 pandemic, research showed a mixed picture, as most studies indicated an increasing trend while others showed mixed results. The majority of studies conducted after the pandemic showed a dramatic increase in both total and leisure screen time among children and adolescents.



Across age groups, older children and adolescents generally reported higher screen time than younger children.



"This likely reflects developmental factors," says shared lead author Sanju Silwal, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Turku. "Adolescence is a life stage where peer relationships, online social interaction, and romantic relationships become increasingly central."



The increase in screen time was observed across socioeconomic groups, but it was more pronounced among children from higher socioeconomic backgrounds. The authors suggest this may reflect greater access to personal digital devices.

Guidance needed for healthy screen use

The sustained rise in screen exposure raises concerns regarding potential impacts on physical health, mental well-being, sleep, and development. Beyond time spent on digital devices, digital environments may expose young people to cyberbullying, inappropriate content, and unrealistic body ideals.



Several countries have introduced regulatory measures in response to growing concerns about youth digital media use. The authors emphasise that effective responses must be grounded in high-quality evidence.

Most research has focused on the duration of screen use rather than the quality, context, or content of digital activities. The authors call for future research to adopt a more nuanced and multidimensional approach, examining not only how much time children spend on screens but also what they are doing online and how it affects their well-being.



"Technology offers tremendous opportunities, but it also presents risks," Silwal notes. "To ensure that children benefit from digital environments, we need continuous research, evidence-based policies, and coordinated efforts from families, schools, communities, and governments."



This systematic review was funded by the INVEST Flagship programme of the Research Council of Finland and the European Research Council under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme.
Boehringer Ingelheim and the Lower Franconian biotech company EMFRET Analytics have signed a cooperation and license agreement for the preclinical development program of the GPVIblocking antibody EMA601. University Hospital Wurzburg has supported the development of this novel compound from the outset. EMA601 specifically targets the platelet surface receptor glycoprotein VI (GPVI). Studies conducted in Wurzburg showed that EMA601 very effectively blocks the GPVI signaling pathway, thereby preventing thrombosis and thromboinflammatory disease processes without impairing essential blood coagulation. This makes EMA601 interesting for use in acute stroke.

Professor Bernhard Nieswandt and his team look back with pride on a long development journey: What began as a discovery by the platelet researcher 25 years ago has become a promising candidate for stroke treatment. A recent agreement between the German pharmaceutical company Boehringer Ingelheim and the Lower Franconian company EMFRET Analytics GmbH & Co. KG now brings this promising candidate one step closer to potential therapeutic application.

Surface receptor GPVI plays a central role in the development of thrombosis and infarction, but is not required for normal blood coagulation

In 2001, Bernhard Nieswandt and his then doctoral student Valerie Orth (nee Schulte) were the first to describe the central role of the receptor GPVI, which is found exclusively on thrombocytes (blood platelets) and their precursor cells in the bone marrow, while working at Witten/Herdecke University (https://doi.org/10.1084/jem.193.4.459). GPVI binds to exposed collagen on injured vessel walls, triggering platelet activation and aggregation  an essential step in hemostasis, or the stopping of bleeding. Excessive GPVI activation, however, can lead to the formation of dangerous thrombi (blood clots) and subsequent vessel occlusion.

In their study, the researchers neutralized GPVI in a mouse model using a monoclonal antibody, preventing platelets from responding effectively to collagen. In these pre-clinical studies this resulted in protection against thrombosis without significantly disturbing normal hemostasis.

One year later, as part of a Heisenberg Fellowship from the German Research Foundation (DFG), Nieswandt established the first research group at the newly founded Rudolf Virchow Center (RVZ) of the University of Wurzburg. At the same time, together with Valerie Orth, Susanne Nieswandt, and Ralph Ziehfreund, he founded EMFRET Analytics GmbH & Co. KG in Wurzburg, which began operations in 2002 at the Wurzburg Technology and Startup Center (TGZ). In 2005, Valerie Orth assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer, while Bernhard Nieswandt focused on scientific leadership as Chief Scientific Officer. In 2006, the company relocated its headquarters to Eibelstadt near Wurzburg.

GPVI inhibitor EMA601 attracts the interest of a leading pharma company

"We are a classic bootstrapped company and built our program independently without external capital," reports Dr. Valerie Orth. "We developed, produced, and distributed antibodies and reagents for research worldwide." This created the financial foundation for longterm projects aimed at developing antibodybased therapeutics for use in humans. "It is a major success that the antibody EMA601 we developed has attracted the strategic interest of Boehringer Ingelheim, one of the world's leading manufacturers of stroke medications," says Orth.

A 2007 study already showed therapeutic protection through GPVI blockade in a preclinical stroke model

In 2007-one year before Bernhard Nieswandt assumed the Chair of Experimental Biomedicine I at University Hospital Wurzburg (UKW)  he and Guido Stoll (then head of the Stroke and Neuroinflammation research group at the Department of Neurology) and other researchers discovered that GPVI blockade is therapeutically effective in a preclinical stroke model (https://doi.org/10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.107.691279). Inhibiting the surface receptor significantly reduced infarct size in the brain, improved neurological outcomes, and did not increase the risk of intracranial bleeding.

These findings laid the foundation for the development of the GPVI inhibitor EMA601.

EMA601 is a very potent GPVI inhibitor

"Our GPVI inhibitor EMA601, discovered in Wurzburg, shows significant efficacy," says Bernhard Nieswandt. According to him, EMA601 is a very potent GPVI inhibitor and has therefore the potential to offer clinical advantages.

In November 2024, Nieswandt and his team  together with scientists from EMFRET and University Hospital Wurzburg  demonstrated this through a combination of biochemical tests, cellbased assays, and animal models, published in the European Heart Journal (https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae482). "We were able to show, first, that EMA601 selectively inhibits GPVI signaling without shutting down the coagulation system. Second, GPVI blockade prevented the formation of pathological clots in a mouse model. And finally, GPVI blockade reduced not only thrombosis but also inflammationdriven tissue damage following ischemia."

Thromboinflammation: a driving force of infarct growth even after successful recanalization of largevessel occlusions

Despite significant advances  from the introduction of intravenous thrombolysis in Europe in 1995 by Boehringer Ingelheim, which dissolves blood clots pharmacologically, to endovascular clot removal by interventional neuroradiology around 20 years later  stroke therapy remains limited. In approximately half of successfully recanalized patients, restoring blood flow alone is not sufficient to achieve good functional outcomes. The underlying problem is socalled thromboinflammation, a term that was largely coined in Wurzburg. "In animal studies, we were able to show that an inflammatory process  thromboinflammation  is triggered in the downstream hypoperfused brain areas as soon as vessel occlusion begins. This process remains active despite recanalization and allows infarcts to continue growing," explains Professor Guido Stoll.

"Against this background, EMA601 may have promise as an adjunct therapy to thrombolysis or thrombectomy, as it was able to inhibit further infarct growth after recanalization in humanized GPVI mouse models," comments Stoll.

A major advantage of EMA601 is the low bleeding risk shown in pre-clinical studies: EMA601 does not appear to impair normal blood coagulation, an especially critical consideration in acute stroke, where otherwise lifethreatening intracranial hemorrhages can occur.

Cooperation and license agreement for the preclinical development of a potential firstinclass compound

These potential advantages convinced Boehringer Ingelheim. The pharmaceutical company has signed a cooperation and license agreement with EMFRET with the goal of jointly advancing the further preclinical development of the novel compound EMA601 and thereby laying the foundation for its clinical testing. If successful, the antibody developed in Wurzburg could become a firstinclass compound that has the potential to transform antithrombotic and antiinflammatory therapy.

"Boehringer Ingelheim has shaped acute stroke care for decades," says Sren Tullin, Senior Vice President and Global Head of Cardiometabolic Diseases Research at Boehringer Ingelheim. "This collaboration represents an important step toward expanding the treatment spectrum for stroke and reflects the shared commitment of the partners to achieve meaningful advances for patients worldwide."

Stroke remains one of the most common causes of death and disability: Approximately 11.9 million new cases occur each year, and 93.8 million people live with longterm consequences. Due to aging and population growth, the global burden of stroke is expected to continue to rise.

"These figures underscore the need for new therapeutic approaches that further improve outcomes in acute care. I am therefore particularly pleased about this Germanybased collaboration, which brings together the excellent basic research on thromboinflammatory mechanisms at University Hospital Wurzburg, the innovative strength of a regional biotech startup, and Boehringer Ingelheim's extensive expertise in clinical development and translation," says Professor Matthias Frosch. The Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Wurzburg congratulates all those involved on this important milestone in the development of EMA601.
A new direct-from-urine test could help doctors choose the right antibiotic for UTIs on the same day, potentially improving patient outcomes while reducing delays that can fuel resistance and serious complications.

Patients with urinary tract infections (UTIs) could receive the right antibiotic far sooner, thanks to a new test that produces results within hours rather than days.

Researchers at the University of Reading, working with colleagues at the University of Southampton and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, have shown that a novel method testing directly from urine can tell doctors which antibiotic will work in an average of 5.85 hours. Standard laboratory testing currently takes two to three days.

The study, funded by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), published in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, tested 352 urine samples from patients with suspected UTIs. The new test agreed with the reference method in 96.95% of cases for the seven first-line antibiotics used to treat UTI. Crucially, a second study of 90 duplicate samples showed 98.75% agreement for direct-from-urine testing when collecting and storing urine samples with and without a preservative.

Dr Oliver Hancox, Chief Executive Officer of Astratus Limited, the University of Reading spin-out company that will take the test to market, said: "By the time the laboratory delivers the result under current methods, a patient may already have finished their antibiotics, or been given ones that do not work.

"Being able to tell a doctor the same day which antibiotic to use means the patient gets the right treatment sooner, reducing the risk of resistance developing and their infection turning into potentially lethal sepsis."

Professor Mike Lewis, NIHR Scientific Director for Innovation, said: "This NIHR-funded research not only has the potential to deliver quicker, more effective treatments to patients suffering with UTIs - but also tackles the broader challenge of antimicrobial resistance. The rapid urine test is a fantastic example of the real-world solutions to AMR that the government committed to developing in its 10-Year Health Plan."

UTI Burden and Antibiotic Resistance Pressure

NHS data shows that UTIs have led to more than 800,000 hospital admissions across England over the past five years, and a quarter of urine samples analysed in NHS laboratories contained bacteria resistant to commonly used antibiotics. Approximately 65 million urine samples are tested annually in the UK alone.

Under current methods, a urine sample must be cultured overnight so the bacteria can grow and be identified before any antibiotic testing begins, a process that can take two to three days in total.

Direct-From-Urine UTI Testing Method

This new test skips the overnight step entirely and involves simple sample processing. A cartridge of fine tubes, each preloaded with a different antibiotic, is dipped directly into the sample and then loaded into an instrument. Optical imaging then tracks whether bacterial growth is detected or not in each tube. If growth is blocked, that antibiotic works against the infection. If bacteria continue to grow, they do not. This tells doctors which drug to prescribe, in under six hours.

Professor Matthew Inada-Kim, a consultant acute physician and AMR Lead at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and researcher at the University of Southampton, said: "UTIs are a common reason that patients need antibiotics, and getting the right treatment first time could be a lifesaver.

"A test that works on samples we already collect as standard, and gives us answers the same day, is exactly the kind of tool that could change how we manage these infections in practice."

Clinical Study Validation and Preservative Testing

In the study, 352 urine samples already collected as part of routine laboratory testing at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital were used to assess the overall accuracy of direct-from-urine testing. To evaluate whether the use of boric acid preservative, routinely used when collecting and storing urine samples, affected results, 90 fresh samples from the hospital emergency department were split into two duplicate sets, and boric acid was added to one set. Results agreed in 98.75% of cases, showing that the preservative does not affect result accuracy. This is the first study to directly compare urine samples with or without boric acid to assess the impact of the preservative on a rapid direct-from-urine method.

The study marks an important milestone for Astratus Limited, the University of Reading spin-out company founded in November 2024 by the research team behind the test.
A precision cancer strategy that selectively kills tumor cells while leaving healthy tissue intact may be within reach for the majority of colorectal cancer patients, according to new research published in Genes & Disease. The study identifies a previously unexplored synthetic lethal interaction between two genes - adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 (ALDH2) - offering a genetically targeted treatment strategy built around one of the most common mutations in the disease.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer death globally, and the APC tumor suppressor gene is mutated in more than 60% of cases, making it one of the most prevalent genetic drivers of the disease. Despite its frequency, APC has proven exceptionally difficult to target directly. The research team, led by scientists at Nanjing Normal University, took a different approach: rather than targeting APC itself, they searched for a partner gene whose inhibition would be catastrophic only in cells that had already lost APC function - leaving normal cells unharmed.

Using bioinformatics screening across multiple synthetic lethality databases, the team identified ALDH2, a mitochondrial enzyme that helps neutralise toxic aldehydes and clear reactive oxygen species (ROS) - chemically unstable molecules that, in excess, trigger cell death. Their central insight was that APC-deficient cancer cells already operate under elevated oxidative stress, producing abnormally high ROS levels and sitting perilously close to a toxic threshold.

When the team inhibited ALDH2 using disulfiram, a compound that blocks the enzyme's detoxifying activity, that threshold was crossed. ROS levels in APC-deficient cells surged past a breaking point, activating a cascade through the ROS/ASK1/JNK signalling pathway that ended in programmed cell death. Critically, CRC cells with intact APC showed no equivalent vulnerability - their ALDH2 continued managing oxidative stress effectively, and the treatment left them largely unaffected.

The effect held across multiple experimental systems. In laboratory cell lines, APC-deficient tumor cells showed dramatically reduced proliferation, G0/G1 cell cycle arrest, and a sharp increase in apoptosis following treatment, with activation of pro-death proteins including BAX, cleaved caspase-3, and PARP1. When copper ions were added alongside disulfiram - a combination known to amplify the compound's enzymatic inhibition - the effect was stronger still. In live animal models, this combination substantially reduced both tumor volume and weight compared to untreated controls, while showing no significant therapeutic effect on tumors carrying wild-type APC, confirming the genotype-specific selectivity of the approach.

The findings reposition disulfiram as a potential precision oncology agent, one whose deployment would be guided directly by a patient's mutational profile. Because APC status is already routinely assessed in CRC diagnosis, identifying eligible patients would require no new screening infrastructure. The authors stress, however, that rigorous clinical trials remain essential, noting important differences between animal models and human pharmacology that must be resolved before the strategy can reach patients.
A new study published in OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery, the peer-reviewed journal of the American Academy of OtolaryngologyHead and Neck Surgery Foundation (AAO-HNSF), finds that children with tympanostomy tubes who swim in treated pools are not at increased risk of ear drainage, while those exposed to untreated or natural bodies of water face significantly higher odds of developing recurrent otorrhea.

Tympanostomy tube placement, commonly known as ear tube surgery, is one of the most frequently performed surgical procedures in children in the United States, typically recommended for those with recurrent ear infections or persistent fluid in the middle ear.

The role of water precautions in tympanostomy tubes has been extensively debated, yet empirical evidence regarding the impact of water type and otorrhea risk is limited. We identified an association between increased otorrhea episodes and exposure to untreated water. Although this is not a definitive study, it can guide providers to counsel families on when to consider water precautions." Kavita Dedhia, MD, MSHP, Assistant Professor, Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head & Neck Surgery, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania

These findings are consistent with the AAO-HNSF's 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline on Tympanostomy Tubes in Children (Update), which are specified in Key Action Statement 15, Clinicians should not encourage routine, prophylactic water precautions (use of earplugs or headbands, avoidance of swimming or water sports) for children with tympanostomy tubes. The CPG notes that water precautions are best reserved for select children rather than applied routinely, with the preferred approach being to allow unrestricted water activity first and introduce precautions only if problems arise. Exceptions include children with recurrent or persistent otorrhea - particularly those with P. aeruginosa or S. aureus in middle ear cultures - those with immune dysfunction, those who experience ear discomfort during swimming, and those exposed to heavily contaminated water or engaging in deep diving.

The authors acknowledge several limitations, including the potential for recall bias among caregivers and the observational nature of the study design, which limits causal conclusions. They call for prospective studies and interventional trials to further clarify the biological mechanisms underlying water-related ear drainage and to identify additional modifiable risk factors. The study also found that younger children were more likely to experience recurrent ear drainage regardless of water exposure type, consistent with prior research on acute otitis media in early childhood.

The authors call for prospective studies and interventional trials to further clarify the biological mechanisms underlying water-related ear drainage and to identify additional modifiable risk factors.
The number of known proteins is infinitely small in comparison to the universe of possible proteins which could in theory be realized. Yet these known proteins are the only major training ground for future protein design. Understanding how representative these proteins are of the overall potential diversity can therefore help inform strategies for a wide range of applications, including therapeutic, biocatalysis, or biomaterials development.

Published in PNAS, an international team from the Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST), the Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), the University of Vienna and the Centro de Astrobiologia (CAB) investigated the relationship between protein evolution and sequence space, identifying the limiting factors behind protein diversification. Their findings reinforce theories of DNA recombination as a driving force of ancestral protein formation and highlight the limitations of many cutting-edge AI protein design methods.

Modern AI methods are thought to be revolutionizing protein design, with the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to the team behind AlphaFold. Yet most of these AI design methods are typically trained on databases of known proteins. So without understanding how representative these known proteins are of sequence space, how confident can we be that such methods can generate truly diverse protein designs?" Professor Fyodor Kondrashov, head of OIST's Evolutionary and Synthetic Biology Unit

Exploring the protein universe

Imagine you have 20 or so different block types, which you can connect in different orders and abundances into chains of tens, hundreds or even thousands of blocks in length. Mapping all possible resulting chains creates a sequence space.

For proteins, the shape and structure of their amino acid building blocks mean only a minute fraction of possible protein sequences can fold up into the correct 3D shape to power a biological function. They need the correct chemical groups in the correct places to create the interactions that will maintain 3D shape or bind to other molecules. Mapping the sequences that fulfil this requirement creates a smaller functional space.

Of these possible functional sequences, it's likely that relatively few have ever existed across evolutionary history. Therefore, the researchers set out to uncover how representative this subset of proteins is of functional space.

The researchers started by mathematically describing the sequence space taken up by known proteins. They then built a model of protein evolutions to understand the biological factors controlling the structural diversification of a wide range of naturally-occurring protein families. From their models, they then predicted how many functional sequences they would expect to exist for a given biological function.

By comparing the diversity of known proteins to these theoretical predictions of protein evolution, the researchers found that point-of-origin effects far outweighed the influence of other key evolutionary processes.

"That starting point is the main evolutionary limit is not necessarily surprising, but the scale of its importance is really quite remarkable," observes lead author Lada Isakova, PhD student within the unit. "As an evolutionary biologist, I was intrigued to see how little selection and epistasis seemed to matter in our results."

What limits protein evolution?

When mutations arise in the genes encoding for a particular protein, these can result in changes to the sequence of amino acids produced, causing protein evolution. Natural selection limits which mutations persist over time based on whether they improve or harm the protein's function or stability. Epistasis - genetic interactions resulting in different outputs - also constrains evolution, as mutations may have limited effects alone, but large effects when present in combination with certain other mutations.

Both selection and epistasis are known to influence protein evolution, yet Isakova and colleagues found that by far, the limiting factor of protein diversity is the origins of our proteins, with relatively small divergence seen from the areas of sequence space of ancestral proteins.

This research provides new insights into the origins of life, reinforcing existing theories on initial protein formation. Isakova explains, "Our simulations suggest that, for the first proteins in the last universal common ancestor to arise, they couldn't just diverge from mutations of a single first sequence, given the time constraints we see. Instead, small pieces of DNA must have shuffled around and recombined to create new DNA molecules which could encode very different proteins."

The team also hopes that the research inspires experimental scientists to expand the known sequence space. Isakova comments, "Neural network approaches for functional protein prediction are limited by the data sets we provide. So based on existing data, most methods won't be able to generalize well beyond the current known sequence space. We can see there's huge swaths of sequence space left to be explored, but it'll take new experimental data to enable expansion into these unknown realms."

This global collaboration was supported by a Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) Adopting Sustainable Partnerships for Innovative Research Ecosystem (ASPIRE) grant, which aims to build a network between top researchers in Japan and around the world, nurturing future scientific leaders.
States are paying contractors such as Deloitte, Accenture, and Optum millions of dollars to help them comply with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act  a law that will strip safety-net health and food benefits from millions.

State governments rely on such companies to design and operate computer systems that assess whether low-income people qualify for Medicaid or food aid through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, commonly referred to as food stamps. Those state systems have a history of errors that can cut off benefits to eligible people, a KFF Health News investigation showed.

These benefits, provided to the poorest Americans, can mean the difference between someone obtaining medical care and having enough to eat  or going without.

States are now racing to update their eligibility systems to adhere to President Donald Trump's sweeping tax and domestic spending law. The changes will add red tape and restrictions. They are coming at a steep price  both in the cost to taxpayers and coverage losses  according to state documents obtained by KFF Health News and interviews.

The documents show government agencies will spend millions to save considerably more by removing people from health benefits. While states sign eligibility system contracts with companies and work with them to manage updates, the federal government foots most of the bill.

The law's Medicaid policies will cause 7.5 million people to become uninsured by 2034, according to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office. Roughly 2.4 million people will lose access to monthly cash assistance for food, including those with children.

In five states alone, company estimates developed for state officials and reviewed by KFF Health News show that changes will cost at least $45.6 million combined.

"This is a pretty big payday," said Adrianna McIntyre, an assistant professor of health policy and politics at Harvard's T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

The law, which grants tax breaks to the nation's wealthiest people, requires most states to tie Medicaid coverage for some adults to having a job, and imposes other restrictions that will make it harder for people with low incomes to stay enrolled. SNAP restrictions began to take effect in 2025. Major Medicaid provisions begin later this year.

Documents prepared by consulting firm Deloitte estimate that a pair of computer system changes for Medicaid work requirements in Wisconsin will cost nearly $6 million. Two other changes related to the state's SNAP program will cost an additional $4.2 million, according to the documents, which Deloitte drafted for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services.

In Iowa, changes to its Medicaid system are expected to cost at least $20 million, according to an estimate prepared by Accenture, a consulting firm that operates the state's eligibility system.

Optum  which operates the platform Vermont residents use for Medicaid and marketplace health plans under the Affordable Care Act  estimated that it could cost roughly $1.8 million to evaluate and incorporate new health coverage restrictions.

Initial changes in Kentucky, which has had a contract with Deloitte since 2012, have cost the state $1.6 million. And in Illinois, Deloitte estimated modifications will cost at least $12 million.

A historic mandate

For six decades after President Lyndon Johnson created the government insurance program in 1965, Congress had never mandated that Medicaid enrollees have a job, volunteer, or go to school.

That will change next year. The tax and spending law enacted by Trump and congressional Republicans requires millions of Medicaid enrollees in 42 states and the District of Columbia to prove they're working or participating in a similar activity for 80 hours a month, unless they qualify for an exemption. The CBO projected, based on an early version of the bill, that 18.5 million adults would be subject to the new rules  nearly half of those enrolled.

Vermont Medicaid officials expect it will cost $5 million in fiscal 2027 to implement changes in response to the federal law, said Adaline Strumolo, deputy commissioner of the Department of Vermont Health Access. About $1.8 million is for Optum to make eligibility system adjustments. Optum is a subsidiary of UnitedHealth Group.

The One Big Beautiful Bill Act will subject nearly 55,000 Vermont Medicaid recipients to work requirements  about a third of the state's enrollees.

The law forced the state "to essentially drop everything else we were doing," Strumolo said in an interview. "This is a big, big lift."

Optum's contract with the state was worth $125.6 million as of October.

Nearly two-thirds of adult Medicaid enrollees nationally are already working, according to KFF. Advocacy groups for Medicaid recipients say work requirements will nonetheless cause significant coverage losses. Enrollees will face added red tape to prove they're complying. And eligibility systems already prone to error will have to account for employment, job-related activities, and any exemptions.

An estimated 5.3 million enrollees will become uninsured by 2034 due to work requirements, the CBO reported.

In Wisconsin, state officials estimate roughly 63,000 adults could lose coverage after work requirements take effect. Not covering those people would save $532.6 million in Medicaid spending for one year.

Wisconsin's eligibility system for Medicaid and SNAP  known as CARES  was implemented statewide in 1994, and initially was a transfer system from Florida, according to a 2016 state document.

Deloitte submitted its cost estimates for Medicaid and SNAP changes to the state in September and December. Elizabeth Goodsitt, a spokesperson for the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, declined to answer questions about whether additional changes will be needed, how much it will cost to make all eligibility system changes to comply with the new federal law, and whether the state negotiated prices with Deloitte.

Bobby Peterson, executive director of the public interest law firm ABC for Health, said Wisconsin has invested "very little" to help people navigate the Medicaid eligibility process, which soon will become more difficult.

"But they're very willing to throw $6 million to their contractors to create the bells and whistles," Peterson said. "That's where I feel a sense of frustration."

New hurdles for vets and homeless people

Medicaid work requirements are only one change required by Trump's tax law that will make it harder to obtain safety-net benefits.

Starting in October, the law prohibits several immigrant populations from accessing Medicaid and ACA coverage, including people who have been granted asylum, refugees, and certain survivors of domestic violence or human trafficking. Beginning Dec. 31, states must verify eligibility twice a year for millions of adults  doubling state officials' workload. And the law restricts SNAP benefits by requiring more adult recipients to work and by removing work exemptions for veterans, homeless people, and former foster youth.

Days after Trump signed the bill in July, Kentucky health officials raced to make changes to the state's integrated eligibility system, which verifies eligibility for Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs. Deloitte operates the system under a five-year contract worth more than $157 million. According to documents obtained by KFF Health News, initial changes costing $1.6 million were labeled a "high priority" and approved on an "emergency" basis, with some of the changes to the nation's largest food aid program going into effect almost immediately.

Officials with Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services declined to answer a detailed list of questions, including how much it will cost to make all the modifications needed.

Deloitte spokesperson Karen Walsh said the company is working with states to implement new requirements but declined to answer questions about cost estimates in several states. "We are delivering the value and investments we committed to," Walsh said.

In most states, government agencies rely on contractors to build and run the systems that determine eligibility for Medicaid. Many of those states also use such computer systems for SNAP. But the federal government  that is, taxpayers  covers 90% of state costs to develop and implement state Medicaid eligibility systems and pays 75% of ongoing maintenance and operations expenses, according to federal regulations.

"Five, 10 years ago, I'm not sure if you would hear much mention of SNAP from a Medicaid director," Melisa Byrd, Washington, D.C.'s Medicaid director, said in November at an annual conference of Medicaid officials. "And particularly for those with integrated eligibility systems  as D.C. is  I'm learning more about SNAP than I ever thought."

The federal law was the topic du jour at last year's gathering in Maryland, held at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center, the largest hotel between New Jersey and Florida.

Consulting companies had taken notice. Gainwell, an eligibility contractor and one of the conference's corporate sponsors, emblazoned its logo on hotel escalators. Companies set up booths with materials promoting how they could help states and handed out snacks and swag.

"Conduent helps agencies work smarter by simplifying operations, cutting costs and driving better outcomes through intelligent automation, analytics, and innovation in fraud prevention," read one such handout from another contractor. "Together, we can better serve residents at every step of their health journeys." Conduent holds Medicaid eligibility and enrollment contracts in Mississippi and New Jersey, their Medicaid agencies confirmed to KFF Health News.

In handouts, Deloitte touted its role in "building a new era in state health care" and as "a national leader in Medicaid program and technology transformation, building a strong track record across the federal, state, and commercial health care ecosystem." KFF Health News found that Deloitte, a global consultancy that generated $70.5 billion in revenue in fiscal 2025, dominates this slice of government business.

"With Medicaid Community Engagement (CE) requirements, states are tasked with adding a new condition of Medicaid eligibility to support state and federal objectives," added another brochure. "Deloitte offers strategic outreach and responsive support to help states engage communities, lower barriers, and address access to coverage."

A $20.3 million bill in Iowa

Before Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Iowa lawmakers wanted to impose their own version of work requirements. They would have applied to 183,000 people before any exemptions. The new law would necessitate a change to Iowa's Medicaid eligibility system, according to documents prepared by Accenture, which operates Iowa's system through a contract worth more than $60 million.

Adding the ability to verify work status would cost up to $7 million, an Accenture estimate from March 2025 showed. By July, the cost to implement the One Big Beautiful Bill Act's work requirements and other Medicaid provisions skyrocketed to roughly $20.3 million. Accenture's analysis said the federal law necessitated additional changes to Iowa's system. An estimated 32,000 Iowans could lose coverage by making employment a condition of Medicaid benefits, according to a 2025 state document.

Cutting 32,000 people from coverage could save $183 million in one year, a fraction of the $8.9 billion Iowa and the federal government spend on Medicaid in a given year.

In Cedar Rapids, most of Eastern Iowa Health Center's patients rely on Medicaid, CEO Joe Lock said. He questioned the government's logic of spending tens of millions of dollars on a policy to remove Iowans from Medicaid.

Most of the health center's patients live at or below the federal poverty level  currently $33,000 for a family of four.

"There is no benefit to this population," Lock said.

Danielle Sample, a spokesperson for Iowa's Department of Health and Human Services, did not answer questions about how much it will cost to implement changes to the state's separate SNAP eligibility system.

In Illinois, the state's work this year is largely focused on meeting major provisions of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. The state estimates that as many as 360,000 residents could lose Medicaid, largely due to the work requirements, said Melissa Kula, a spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services.

Kula confirmed that most of the work detailed in one of Deloitte's estimates  priced at $12 million  is related to Trump's law. The estimate also mentions other work. Kula said Deloitte is charging the state a $2 million fixed fee related to work requirements.

The Trump administration has acknowledged that the work is coming at a cost. In January, top officials for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services said government contractors, including Deloitte, Accenture, and Optum, have promised to offer discounts and reduced rates through 2028 to help states incorporate system changes.

"The companies were extremely excited to do this," said Daniel Brillman, the top CMS Medicaid official. "Everyone's really focused on getting to work."

CMS spokesperson Catherine Howden declined to answer questions about the discounts.

Goodsitt, the Wisconsin Medicaid spokesperson, declined to answer questions about whether Deloitte has discounted its rates. Officials with Kentucky's Cabinet for Health and Family Services did not answer a detailed list of questions, including whether Deloitte extended discounts to make these changes.

It's unclear what discounts, if any, Deloitte and Accenture have offered to individual states. Walsh, the Deloitte spokesperson, declined to answer detailed questions about the discounts the Trump administration announced this year. Accenture did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

Strumolo, the Vermont health official, said state officials discussed the announcement with Optum "in detail."

Optum pledged to offer discounts for a specific module related to Medicaid work requirements. That product is unworkable for Vermont because it would mean "moving to a new system when we don't have to." When asked about whether the company offered discounts, Strumolo said "not explicitly."

In a statement, UnitedHealth Group spokesperson Tyler Mason said Optum supports state implementation of new federal requirements "with a range of options to meet their unique cost and policy needs."

He declined to specify whether Optum discounted Vermont's rates and how it calculated the costs of doing its work. "Optum is helping mitigate upfront implementation expenses so states can focus on approaches that reduce duplication, accelerate implementation, and manage costs over time  supporting better outcomes for individuals covered by Medicaid," Mason said.

Strumolo said Optum's initial changes in Vermont cover items that take effect this year and in 2027  Medicaid work requirements, checking eligibility every six months, and prohibiting certain immigrants from qualifying for health programs.

"There's a lot more that could come," she said.
Last August, as part of the federal government's crackdown on people in the country illegally, the Trump administration sent states the names of hundreds of thousands of Medicaid enrollees with orders to determine whether they were ineligible based on immigration status.

But seven months later, findings from five states shared with KFF Health News show that the reviews have uncovered little evidence of a widespread problem.

Only U.S. citizens and some lawfully present immigrants are eligible for Medicaid, which covers health care costs for people with low incomes and disabilities, and the closely related Children's Health Insurance Program. Both programs are administered by states.

Spokespeople from Pennsylvania's and Colorado's Medicaid agencies said, as of March, the states had found no one who needed to be terminated from Medicaid. That was after checking a combined 79,000 names.

Texas has reviewed records of more than 28,000 Medicaid enrollees at the Trump administration's request and terminated coverage for 77 of them, according to Jennifer Ruffcorn, a spokesperson for the Texas Department of Human Services.

Ohio has checked 65,000 Medicaid enrollees, of which 260 people were disenrolled from the program, said Stephanie O'Grady, a spokesperson for the Ohio Department of Medicaid.

In Utah, 42 of the 8,000 enrollees identified by the Trump administration had their Medicaid coverage terminated, said Becky Wickstrom, a spokesperson for the state's Department of Workforce Services.

In announcing the reviews, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said: "We are tightening oversight of enrollment to safeguard taxpayer dollars and guarantee that these vital programs serve only those who are truly eligible under the law."

Leonardo Cuello, a research professor at Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families, said the reviews ordered by the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services were unneeded because states check immigration status when people sign up.

"It is entirely predictable that all of these burdensome reviews that the federal government is forcing upon states would yield no pay dirt," Cuello said. "The states had already done the reviews once, and CMS was just making them reverify the same information they had already checked. Making states go through the same bureaucratic process twice is incredibly wasteful and inefficient."

CMS spokesperson Chris Krepich said in a statement to KFF Health News that the ongoing checks are verifying eligibility "for certain enrollees whose status could not be confirmed through federal data sources."

"CMS provides states with regular reports for follow-up review, and states are responsible for independently verifying eligibility and taking appropriate action consistent with federal requirements," he said.

But the findings shared with KFF Health News also suggest that many of the enrollees whose eligibility the Trump administration said it could not confirm are indeed U.S. citizens. O'Grady said Ohio found that, of the 65,000 names referred by the federal government, the state already had information on 53,000 confirming them as citizens and an additional 11,000 showing appropriate immigration status for Medicaid.

Caseworkers then worked on the remaining 1,000 names to review their information or reach out for more details, she said.

CMS did not answer questions about the findings from the states sampled by KFF Health News or provide information about responses it received from all 50 states and the District of Columbia, which were instructed to perform verification checks.

The agency also did not respond to a question about whether it's forwarding the names of those whose Medicaid coverage was terminated to federal immigration officials.

In June, advisers to Kennedy ordered CMS to share information about Medicaid enrollees with the Department of Homeland Security, prompting a lawsuit by some states alarmed that the administration would use the information for its deportation campaign against residents living in the U.S. without authorization.

A federal judge ruled in December that Immigration and Customs Enforcement workers could access information only about people in the country unlawfully in the Medicaid databases of the states that sued.

CMS continues to send states lists of names at least every few months, though state officials say the numbers have declined since the first batch last summer.

People without legal status are ineligible for federally funded health coverage, including Medicaid, Medicare, and plans through the Affordable Care Act marketplaces. Medicaid does reimburse hospitals for providing emergency care to people without legal status if they meet income and other program requirements.

Seven states and the District of Columbia provide health coverage regardless of immigration status, funding the programs with their own money.

In March 2025, CMS began financial reviews of those programs. "CMS has identified over $1.8 billion in federal funds that are being recouped through voluntary returns and deferrals of future federal Medicaid payments," Krepich said. He did not answer how much has been collected so far or from which states.

Medicaid's overall spending topped $900 billion in fiscal year 2024.
A landmark trial shows that antibiotic-free microbiota transplants alone arent enough to treat vaginal dysbiosis, yet new insights suggest the therapy could still succeed.

Study: Vaginal microbiota transplantation for treatment of vaginal dysbiosis without the use of antibiotics: a double-blind, randomised controlled trial in women with vaginal dysbiosis. Image credit: H_Ko/Shutterstock.com

Vaginal dysbiosis is relatively common in women of reproductive age, but effective treatment strategies are limited. A recent study in The Lancet reports that vaginal microbiota transplant (VMT) without antibiotic pretreatment did not significantly outperform placebo in restoring a Lactobacillus-dominated microbiome.

Disrupted vaginal microbiome linked to reproductive complications

The vagina is home to a diverse microbial community that contributes to its unique acidic environment. When the normal vaginal microbiome is disrupted, known as vaginal dysbiosis, the typically predominant Lactobacillus species is lost. Conversely, potential pathogens like Gardnerella species, Fannyhessea vaginae, and Prevotella species increase in abundance.

Vaginal dysbiosis is associated with multiple adverse health outcomes. These include infertility, pregnancy loss, and other pregnancy complications like preterm labor. Vaginal dysbiosis affects up to 52 % of women, depending on their geographic location and testing method.

Newer methods, such as DNA sequencing, have advanced the knowledge of the vaginal microbiome. The time-honored diagnostic criteria, such as Amsels criteria or Nugents scoring, are now complemented by molecular techniques. Yet treatment of this condition remains challenging, with up to 60 % of patients experiencing recurrence within a year.

VMT emerged in response to the challenges of treating recurrent vaginal dysbiosis and was first explored in a 2019 pilot study. In that study, five women with recurrent symptomatic dysbiosis received a Lactobacillus-dominated transplant from healthy donors, along with antibiotic therapy, resulting in an 80 % clinical remission rate.

This was followed by the successful treatment of a patient with a Gardnerella-dominated vaginal microbiome, who had severely symptomatic dysbiosis and recurrent pregnancy loss. She was offered antibiotic-free VMT to which she responded with vaginal microbiome conversion and a subsequent livebirth. This is now being followed by a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to replicate and extend the findings. In particular, donor strain engraftment was confirmed in this patient by DNA sequencing, whereas it was not in the original study. This step was therefore incorporated into the current study.

Randomised trial tests antibiotic-free microbiota transplant approach

The researchers conducted the trial at Copenhagen University Hospital. The trial enrolled 49 women between 18 and 40 years, who had molecular vaginal dysbiosis (including both symptomatic and asymptomatic participants) diagnosed at the molecular level.

All participants had <10 % relative abundance of Lactobacillus (all species), but >20 % of Gardnerella species, Fannyhessea vaginae, and Prevotella species. None were pregnant or had any other medical condition. They were randomized to receive a VMT or placebo in a 3:1 ratio, without antibiotics.

The women who donated the vaginal microbiome grafts were in the same age group and had a microbiome dominated by Lactobacillus (>80 %), with the other three taxa making up <5 %.

The study groups received up to three VMT or placebo treatments, respectively, once each in three successive menstrual cycles, without antibiotic pretreatment. They were then followed up for another six cycles to assess dysbiosis resolution: 70 % or higher relative abundance of Lactobacillus and less than 10 % combined relative abundance of the other three.

An extension of the study added antiseptic pretreatment before an additional VMT in women who persistently failed to respond.

VMT fails to improve microbiome restoration over placebo

The study shows that VMT failed to improve conversion to a normal vaginal microbiome in the dysbiosis group, compared to placebo, for up to six months after the last treatment. At this point, 11 % of VMT participants vs 25 % of placebo recipients had converted to Lactobacillus dominance.

However, the donor strain of Lactobacillus was successfully engrafted in the recipient in two of four women who converted and were subsequently tested. The established donor strain remained dominant for up to 199 days (the last test point).

In addition, the recipient vagina showed changes in local gene expression profiles in cervicovaginal secretions, suggesting altered immune activity, including reduced expression of some inflammatory and cytotoxicity-related genes. Despite this, no immunologic changes were observed in analyses of peripheral or menstrual blood immune cells, suggesting that any effects may be localized and modest rather than systemic.

During the extension phase, 27 women received additional treatment in an open-label design. Ten received pretreatment with antiseptic followed by VMT, ten received saline pretreatment followed by VMT, and seven received antiseptic without VMT.

Here, five of the ten women in the antiseptic arm successfully converted, compared with none in the saline plus VMT or antiseptic-only arms. Of the five who converted, three showed engraftment, one converted without engraftment, and one had insufficient data. The engraftment supports, but does not definitively prove, a causal link to VMT rather than these being spontaneous conversions, as in the placebo group.

In both parts of the study, Lactobacillus dominance was more pronounced among women who showed donor-strain engraftment. The antiseptic pretreatment might reduce bacterial load and biofilm burden in the vagina, weakening the tendency of dysbiosis to persist despite treatment. Gardnerella vaginalis is a prominent component of such biofilms.

However, the authors caution that this is only a hypothesis since the biofilm was not examined in this study. They also note the potential to improve graft quality by selecting donor microbiomes with bacteriostatic activity against dysbiosis-associated bacteria, as was done in the single-patient case report. No serious adverse events were observed in any group or at any stage of the trial.

Study limitations

The study used a small sample. The donor grafts were dominated by L. iners, characteristic of a less stable microbiota, whereas L. crispatus dominated in women who successfully converted. The dosing regimen, the preferred outcome in trials, and the use of more diverse and larger sample groups should be the focus of future studies.

Additional limitations include limited statistical power in the extension and substudy analyses, a slight shortfall in per-protocol sample size, a lack of detailed ethnicity data, and the single-country (Denmark) setting, which may limit generalisability.

Antiseptic pretreatment emerges as a potential strategy to improve outcomes

The study does not support the use of VMT without antibiotics for vaginal microbiome conversion under the conditions tested in this trial. Despite this, Lactobacillus engraftment and a subsequent favorable shift in the vaginal microenvironment occurred. These changes help to explain how VMT works while promoting further research into its potential use in vaginal dysbiosis.

According to the authors, this study represents one of the first placebo-controlled RCTs in this area and confirmed the procedure's feasibility and safety.

Moreover, the extension study suggests that antiseptic pretreatment may improve grafting rates and thereby enhance the treatment's efficacy. This may hold promise as a method to increase the success rates of VMT and translate it from the research setting to clinical practice.

Download your PDF copy by clicking here.
Israel's parliament approved a law Monday making hanging the standard punishment for Palestinians convicted in West Bank military courts of deadly attacks, a move that has triggered legal challenges and criticism from abroad and at home. The measure, championed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, requires executions within 90 days of sentencing, allows limited delay, eliminates clemency, and lets judges opt for life in prison instead. Military courts already had the authority to issue death sentences but had never used it, Reuters reports. Israel ended capital punishment for murder in 1954; the only person executed after a civilian trial was Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962.

The new law, whose opponents include Israeli justice officials, also reaches into civilian courts, mandating either life imprisonment or death for anyone found guilty of intentionally killing a person "with the intent of ending Israel's existence." The legislation passed 62-58 after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushed to soften earlier language that had required death sentences for non-Israeli citizens convicted in military courts of lethal attacks. Rights groups, including the Association for Civil Rights in Israel, have appealed to the Supreme Court, calling the law discriminatory and unconstitutional. The law is part of Israel's harder line against Palestinians since the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, per the New York Times.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the law as a violation of international law and said it would not deter what he called a legitimate struggle for statehood. Militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad urged retaliatory attacks, per Reuters. Foreign ministers of Germany, France, Italy, and Britain warned that the measure is effectively discriminatory against Palestinians and undermines Israel's democratic standards, while UN experts said vague definitions of "terrorist" could see the death penalty applied to acts not meeting that threshold. Amnesty International noted there is no evidence capital punishment deters crime more effectively than life sentences, while Israeli group B'Tselem pointed to a 96% conviction rate in West Bank military courts and allegations of coerced confessions.
UPDATE

Mar 31, 2026 5:25 PM CDT

The crews of two AH-64 Apache helicopters that hovered next to Kid Rock's swimming pool while he clapped and saluted on Saturday have been suspended from flying pending a investigation of their actions, a US Army spokesperson said on Tuesday. The suspension is a discretionary, but not unusual, step when an investigation is underway, Maj. Montrell Russell said, per the AP.

"The Army has confirmed that on March 28, two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade at Fort Campbell conducted a flight in the Nashville area that has attracted public and media attention," according to a statement from the Army on Tuesday. The Army is reviewing "the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements."

Mar 31, 2026 2:00 AM CDT

The Army has launched an administrative review after two AH-64 Apache helicopters on a training run hovered near the hillside home of Kid Rock as the outspoken supporter of President Trump saluted their crews, the AP reports. Kid Rock posted two videos on social media on Saturday. Each shows a helicopter hovering alongside his swimming pool while the entertainer claps, salutes, and raises his fist in the air. The Nashville skyline can be seen in the background. "This is a level of respect," Kid Rock posted, that the "Governor of California will never know. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her." Kid Rock and California Gov. Gavin Newsom have often sparred, Politico reports. Newsom's office responded to Kid Rock's videos with a brief statement: "Waste, fraud, abuse!"
Federal agents say an attack on a Michigan synagogue this month was inspired by Hezbollah and the attacker planned to kill as many Jewish people as he could. At a Monday news conference, FBI officials said 41-year-old Ayman Mohamad Ghazali, who rammed his truck into a preschool entrance at Temple Israel in West Bloomfield on March 12, was acting under an ideology in line with Hezbollah, which the US designates as a terrorist organization, the Detroit Free Press reports. "The evidence shows the attacker was motivated and inspired by Hezbollah's militant ideologies," said Jennifer Runyan, who heads the FBI's Detroit office.

Runyan said the bureau reached that conclusion only after a "thorough review and keen evaluation of the facts." Runyan said Ghazali recorded a video minutes before the attack, the AP reports. She said that in the video sent to his sister, Ghazali said, in Arabic, "This is the largest gathering place for Israelis in the State of Michigan in the United States. I have booby-trapped the car. I will forcefully enter and start shooting at them. God willing, I will kill as many of them as I possibly can."

According to investigators, Ghazali immersed himself in online propaganda, repeatedly viewing pro-Hezbollah and Iranian news channels and videos of gun battles, and maintained a Facebook photo folder labeled "Vengance," the Free Press reports. The FBI says he researched Jewish institutions in Michigan, acquired a firearm, and loaded his truck with gasoline and a large cache of commercial fireworks before smashing through the doors of the synagogue's preschool wing. A security guard was injured in the attack; Ghazali exchanged gunfire with guards before killing himself. No children or school staff were hurt.

Runyan said there is no sign Ghazali had local accomplices, though the investigation is ongoing. Authorities said Dearborn Heights police received a 911 call from his ex-wife before the assault, reporting he was mentally unstable. Ghazali, originally from Lebanon, came to the US in 2011 and became a US citizen in 2016. Days before the attack, several of his relatives were reportedly killed in an Israeli airstrike. Authorities said the strike killed two of Ghazali's brothers, including a man Israel says was a Hezbollah commander.
President Trump is again taking aim at the courtsthis time as the Supreme Court prepares to weigh one of his most controversial executive orders. In a Monday Truth Social post, the president blasted what he called a "stupid" judicial system and "dumb judges and justices" as the high court gets set to hear arguments on his attempt to end birthright citizenship, AL.com reports.

The justices will hear arguments Wednesday on whether Trump's executive order from Jan. 20, 2025, his first day back in office, aligns with the postCivil War 14th Amendment and an 86-year-old statute long read to grant citizenship to nearly everyone born on US soil, aside from children of diplomats and invading forces. Lower courts have unanimously found Trump's order unlawful and blocked it. Forbes notes that contrary to Trump's claim, around 40 other countries, including Canada and Mexico, also have birthright citizenship. Lower courts have unanimously found Trump's order unlawful and blocked it.

A decision in the case is expected by the end of June. If the court does side with Trump, the order will apply to people born more than 29 days after his 2025 order, Newsweek reports. Trump has repeatedly lashed out at the Supreme Court after its 6-3 ruling last month that struck down his "reciprocal tariffs." Earlier this month, Chief Justice John Roberts, without naming Trump, said "personally directed hostility" against judges "is dangerous and has got to stop." Last week, Trump said two judges he appointed who sided with the majority in the tariff ruling "sicken" him "because they're bad for our country."
Rep. Eric Swalwell is trying to stop the FBI from airing out an old, closed investigation as he mounts a run for California governor, the Washington Post reports. Lawyers for the Democrat congressman sent a cease-and-desist letter Monday to FBI Director Kash Patel, demanding the bureau abandon what the attorneys call a "transparent attempt to smear [Swalwell]" by preparing a decade-old counterintelligence file for possible public release. Swalwell wants written assurance within three days that the records won't be made public and is threatening legal action if the FBI moves ahead.

The inquiry dates back to Swalwell's contacts with Christine Fang, whom federal officials viewed as a possible Chinese intelligence operative. Fang participated in fundraising for Swalwell during his 2014 congressional campaign, the AP reports. Swalwell cut ties with her after the FBI raised concerns in 2015 and has never been accused of any wrongdoing; a GOP-led House Ethics Committee ended its own probe into the matter last year without action. Swalwell's attorneys argue releasing the files would break privacy laws and Justice Department norms against public investigative steps close to an election, and say it would amount to targeting him for his criticism of President Trump. The FBI has said it prepares documents for many reasons but hasn't addressed this issue specifically.

Rep. Jamie Raskin, the ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, also recently slammed the FBI's move as a smear campaign, the Hill reports. "The FBI is attempting to smear a sitting U.S. Congressman, candidate for governor, and vocal opponent of the president," he said in a release. "What the hell does that have to do with law enforcement? This is plain weaponization of the FBI for partisan political purposes."
Gina Gershon says her Hollywood instincts kicked in earlyand cost her a Friday the 13th lead, USA Today reports. In a recent interview, the 63-year-old actress recalled turning down a starring role in the horror franchise's second installment because it required her character to go topless just before being killed, a moment she felt was there purely to put her body on display. "It definitely felt kind of exploitative to me and a little silly," she told Fox News Digital, adding that the choice taught her to trust her gut in the industry.

In her upcoming memoir, AlphaPussy: How I Survived the Valley and Learned to Love My Boobs, Gershon writes that she saw the scene as "exploitation 101," part of a then-routine formula in slasher films where women died with their chests exposed. She says her father backed her right to decide"It's your body. If you're comfortable with it, I'm comfortable with it"which helped her learn to trust herself to make decisions, Fox News reports. She ultimately passed, deciding nudity should serve a story, not a trope. The scene was reportedly dropped from the 1981 film, while Gershon made her screen debut that same year in Beatlemania: The Movie and went on to roles in films and shows including Showgirls, Riverdale, and New Amsterdam. Her book also addresses a clash over nudity in Showgirls, People reports.
A Florida airport is on track for a high-profile name swap, USA Today reports. Gov. Ron DeSantis on Monday signed a bill to rechristen Palm Beach International Airport in honor of President Trump, who lives at his nearby Mar-a-Lago resort. The longtime New Yorker, who previously lived in the Trump Tower penthouse in Manhattan, made Florida his official residence in 2019. The change isn't immediate: officials must still file a formal request with the Federal Aviation Administration; the FAA must then update various databases. If approved, the change would take effect July 1, the Guardian reports. Airport signage will also need to be changed. A road near the airport has already been renamed for Trump, ClickOrlando reports.
President Trump is signaling to aides he's ready to declare victory over Iran without fully reopening one of the world's most critical oil routes, according to sources who spoke to the Wall Street Journal . Administration officials tell reporters Trump has privately said he's prepared to wind down the US campaign within four to six weeks after degrading Iran's navy and missile arsenal, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains only partially usable. That would effectively leave Iran with significant leverage over a passageway that carries about a fifth of global oil and gas, already driving up energy prices and squeezing industries worldwide. The White House says restoring normal traffic isn't a core military goal for now, with Trump hoping diplomacyor later, a coalition led by US allieswill eventually secure the waterway, sources say.

The approach is drawing sharp criticism from some corners. Brookings Institution Iran expert Suzanne Maloney calls ending operations before the strait is cleared "unbelievably irresponsible," warning the US can't wall itself off from the fallout. Trump and top aides have alternated between downplaying Hormuz's importance to America and threatening strikes on Iranian infrastructure if it isn't "open for business." For now, officials talk up future tanker escorts and multinational efforts, as Iran's hold on the chokepoint helps push US oil above $100 a barrel, with some analysts warning $200 is possible if the standoff drags on.

Meanwhile, Trump on Monday threatened Iran's infrastructure if a deal is not reached "shortly," the AP reports. He said the US would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)," the Guardian reports. The threat came shortly after he floated the idea of using ground troops to seize Kharg Island, the heart of Iran's oil industry, though the AP reports doing so could be a dangerous escalation. Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates are reportedly leading other Gulf allies of the US to urge Trump to continue the war until Iran has been weakened further, the AP reports.
American drivers are once again seeing a number they don't like at the pump: a $4 national average for regular gas. AAA put Tuesday's average at just over $4.01 a gallon, the first time prices have crossed that line since the inflation surge of 2022, when gas ultimately topped $5, reports the Washington Post . This time, the trigger is the war in Iran, which has pushed Brent crude to about $106 per barrel and effectively shut the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint that handles roughly 20% of the world's oil and gas shipments.

The United States isn't facing an immediate shortage, but the global shock is lifting prices nationwide, with the West Coast seeing some of the steepest bills: California's average reached $5.89 per gallon on Tuesday, reports the New York Times. KPMG economist Diane Swonk warns that fuel is only the front edge, telling the Post that higher transportation and production costs are likely to show up next in grocery aisles and elsewhere: "This is only the beginning."

The AP notes that the US Postal Service has already upped some of its prices, with utility costs also at risk of rising. Consumer sentiment slipped almost 6% in March, per the Post. Even if talks with Iran restore traffic through the strait, maritime historian Sal Mercogliano estimates it could take about a week of recovery for every day of the strait's blockagemeaning months before oil markets fully stabilize.

The Trump administration may find it difficult to escape the political fallout. "It is the biggest headache for whoever happens to be in power when something like this happens," former Department of Energy adviser Kate Gordon tells the Times. She says that typically, US presidents don't have much sway over gas prices, but this isn't a case where prices are rising due to a natural disaster or other event beyond Trump's control. "He made the decision to go to war in Iran," Gordon notes.
Weeks of American and Israeli strikes haven't just killed top Iranian leaders, they've made it far more difficult for surviving officials to talk to each other and coordinate both military operations and diplomacy, reports the New York Times . The account is based on officials familiar with intelligence assessments. One key point:

That leaves a government still capable of launching strikesincluding a recent missile and drone attack on a Saudi basebut much less able to orchestrate broader military operations. In terms of diplomacy, the fractured decision-making means negotiators may not know what they can offeror who has the power to say yes. Adding to the confusion: New supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei has yet to be seen in public and may be wounded.

President Trump has said a "very reasonable" new group of leaders in Iran has been more amenable to talks, but, as CNN puts it, it's "not entirely clear to American officials whether the regime figures receiving their messageswhich have been passed along by Pakistan and Turkeyhave the ultimate authority to sign off on any peace agreement, let alone implement one."
Barbie fans in Florida hoping for a life-size Dreamhouse instead walked into what some say looked more like an empty convention hall with a cardboard prop. The three-day Barbie Dream Fest in Fort Lauderdale, billed as an immersive celebration of the classic doll, is now drawing online comparisons to Fyre Fest and that disastrous Willy Wonka pop-up in Glasgow, Scotland, after attendees shared images of sparse decor and pay-per-activity setups. One visitor told People she spent $190 for two adults, a child, and parking, only to find a delayed entry, no music inside the venue, and a "Dreamhouse" that amounted to a cardboard cutout, with a pink blanket and some chairs outside of it and a VW bus you couldn't enter (check out her in-person review here ).

The rest of the venue's ambiance also left much to be desired. "Concrete gray floors, gray walls, gray ceiling ... I didn't fully know what to expect, but it felt like being just trapped in a big, dark warehouse," another visitor tells the New York Times. NBC News notes that ticket prices ranged from a $69 standard pass to a $449 "Dream Pass." Many on-site activities also reportedly cost extra, prompting confusion over what the expensive entry tickets actually covered. Not everything was a flop: Attendees praised crafts giant Michaels for having fun activities at its vendor stand, and celebrities like Serena Williams, Angel Reese, and Marlee Martin did show for their scheduled speaking appearancesthough pics with the stars were a hefty extra cost.

The festival's organizer, Mischief Management, which had dubbed the event an "intimate fan convention," said it's issuing full refunds to all ticket holders. Mattel, which licensed the Barbie brand but didn't run the fest, said it's working with the organizer and wants "every fan experience to be an excellent one." Meanwhile, Misfit Toys Communications, which was originally contracted to help promote the event, said it ended its contract with organizers last fall "due to lack of payment and our concern that the event was not shaping up to be what was originally described."
A women's networking event at a Coca-Cola bottler is now the subject of a federal discrimination case. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has sued Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast over its 2024 "Women's Forum," a casino ballroom gathering in Connecticut for about 250 female employees that featured speakers, team-building, and career discussions, reports the Washington Post . The agency says inviting only women violated Title VII of the 1964 Civil Rights Act by denying men access to a workplace "privilege," per an EEOC release .

The AP frames the lawsuit as part of the Trump administration's crackdown on DEI initiatives, and more such cases are likely: The legal action follows EEOC chair Andrea Lucas's call for white men who believe they've been discriminated against to come forward, marking a shift in the agency's traditional focus. The EEOC's priority has "never been bringing lawsuits on behalf of white males in reverse discrimination situations," Gerald Maatman, an employment law expert, tells the Post. Instead, the agency created under the Civil Rights Act has long served as the "guardian" of workers who wouldn't otherwise be able to sue on their own, he says.

Coca-Cola Beverages Northeast, where more than 85% of workers are men, called the lawsuit "disappointing" and said no unions objected. The distributor is not owned by the beverage giant but instead by a Japanese firm. "The EEOC remains committed to ensuring that all employeesmen and women alikeenjoy equal access to all aspects of their employment," says the agency.
TMZ is now chasing senators with the same zeal it once reserved for Britney and Tiger. As a partial government shutdown enters week seven, the celebrity gossip outlet has turned its cameras on lawmakers' getaways, posting shots of Sen. Lindsey Graham at Disney World and Rep. Robert Garcia at a Las Vegas casino while unpaid federal workers wait for checks . Executive producer Harvey Levin tells NOTUS that TMZ has stationed a producer and photographer on Capitol Hill and "amped up" its political coverage, contrasting lawmakers' trips to the struggles of furloughed employees.

The outlet has encouraged the public to send in sightings of members who left Washington without a Department of Homeland Security funding deal, targeting both parties' leadership. Some lawmakers say they welcome the exposure. "Actually I don't mind what tmz is doing here," Garcia told NOTUS, noting he was photographed at a casino bar on Sunday after having lunch with his father. "Like I said a few days ago, Speaker Mike Johnson should have never sent us all home." According to the Wall Street Journal, TMZ's strategy is likely to further lower Americans' regard for Congress. Photos of shutdown-era travel have taken off on X, with the sighting of Graham viewed more than 5 million times.
President Trump says the high-profile White House ballroom project comes with a big underground twist. Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday, he confirmed the military is constructing a "massive complex" beneath the new 90,000-square-foot event space, calling the work "ahead of schedule" and saying "the ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what's being built under." The information about the military complex "has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed," he said, per NBC News .

Previous reports had focused on a renovation of an existing East Wing bunker that Axios notes was created during World War II, but Trump's comments suggest a larger, still-undefined military facility is underway. The East Wing was demolished in October to make way for the roughly $400 million ballroom, a plan that has drawn fire from Democrats and preservationists. A federal judge last month declined to halt construction but indicated a preservation group might fare better if it retooled its lawsuit. The National Capital Planning Commission will vote on the design in April after receiving a wave of sharply negative public feedback, even as Trump touted the ballroomshown to reporters in glossy renderingsas nearly a twin to the White House and, in his view, potentially "the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world."
A long-awaited ship just broke Cuba's months-long oil drought. A Russian-owned tanker has docked at Matanzas, the country's main oil terminal, carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of crude Havana hopes will ease the severe fuel squeeze that has triggered a national crisis, per the BBC . Aiming to force political change with an energy crunch, US President Trump threatened to slap tariffs on any country that sent oil to Cuba in January after US forces invaded its regional source, Venezuela. That triggered food shortages and blackouts, leaving the island's hospitals, schools, and government offices struggling to operate, and its main tourism economy hindered. Drivers sometimes wait weeks for a capped 20 liters of gas.

Though Washington says the oil blockade is still in place, the US "allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide humanitarian needs," White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday, adding such decisions are made "on a case-by-case basis." Russia confirmed it spoke with Washington about the delivery beforehand, per CNN. Mexico also offered to send oil, but apparently met US resistance, per the New York Times. President Trump said Sunday he had "no problem" with other nations sending fuel because Cubans "have to survive." But he also said "a boat of oil, it's not going to matter." As CNN reports, the delivered crude still needs to be refined over the next few weeks and represents no more than a month's supply for the country.
A woman walking in Hamburg suffered something that folks in Germany almost never do: a wolf bite. Police on Monday said the animal attacked the victim near an Ikea store about 2 1/2 miles from the city center, marking what federal conservation officials describe as the first documented wolf attack on a person in Germany since the animals returned in the late 1990s, per Deutsche Welle . Local media report that the woman was bitten in the face after the confused wolf kept hitting a glass wall and the woman tried to help guide it out of the mess it was in, per Politico .

Officers later tracked the wolf to the Binnenalster lake, where it went into the water and was captured with a snare, per DW. Authorities believe the wolf, thought to be a juvenile that had left its pack, had been roaming the city for days, with sightings reported across Hamburg. Experts say it was likely disoriented by the urban setting and trying to escape. Regional government officials say trying to navigate the city would prove very stressful for a wolf, per the AP. The animal has since been taken to a wildlife park, while the injured woman received stitches at a local hospital and was released.

The incident comes as Germany debates how to manage its growing wolf population. The upper house of the nation's parliament recently backed looser rules on hunting wolves, and the European Union has downgraded wolves' protection status. Researchers stress that attacks on humans remain extremely uncommon and are often tied to disease, provocation, or animals that have lost their fear of people.
A onetime senior aide to Rep. Marcy Kaptur has admitted she quietly drained her former boss' bank account for more than a year. Prosecutors say 40-year-old Courtney Hruska pleaded guilty in federal court in Alexandria, Virginia, on Tuesday to a felony wire fraud charge after transferring nearly $23,000 from the Ohio Democrat's personal account to pay her own credit card bills, NBC News reports. The lawmaker is not named in court documents, but records show Hruska worked in Kaptur's Washington office from 2015 to 2022, eventually serving as administrative director.

According to a signed statement of facts, Kaptur had entrusted Hruska with her personal banking and credit card information for official duties. More than a year after leaving the officeand landing a job at the US Department of Agriculture with help from KapturHruska began making unauthorized transfers from Kaptur's bank account to pay her bills. There were 10 such transfers between August 2023 and July 2024, prosecutors said.

When a check later bounced, the congresswoman discovered the missing funds. Prosecutors said Hruska initially blamed "hackers from the dark web." She later admitted that she didn't think she'd be caught because Kaptur, 79, is not "tech savvy" and "did not use electronic banking in any form." She faces up to 20 years in prison at sentencing in June but is expected to receive less.
A federal judge on Tuesday agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service. US District Judge Randolph Moss in Washington ruled that President Trump's executive order to cease funding for NPR and PBS is unlawful and unenforceable, the AP reports. The judge said the First Amendment right to free speech "does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this type."

The judge noted that Trump's executive order simply directs that all federal agencies "cut off any and all funding" to NPR, which is based in Washington, and PBS, based in Arlington, Virginia. "The Federal Defendants fail to cite a single case in which a court has ever upheld a statute or executive action that bars a particular person or entity from participating in any federally funded activity based on that person or entity's past speech," the judge wrote. Last year, Trump said at a news conference he would "love to" defund NPR and PBS because he believes they're biased in favor of Democrats.

NPR accused the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of violating its First Amendment free speech rights when it moved to cut off its access to grant money appropriated by Congress. NPR also claims Trump wants to punish it for the content of its journalism. Last August, CPB announced it would take steps toward closing itself down after being defunded by Congress. Plaintiffs' attorney Theodore Boutrous said Tuesday's ruling is "a victory for the First Amendment and for freedom of the press."

"As the Court expressly recognized, the First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government powerincluding the power of the purse'to punish or suppress disfavored expression' by others," Boutrous said in a statement. "The Executive Order crossed that line."
A federal judge just hit pause on President Trump's ambitious White House ballroom project. US District Judge Richard Leon on Tuesday ordered a halt to construction of the estimated $400 million, 90,000-square-foot ballroom, ruling that Trump hasn't shown any legal authority to bankroll such a sweeping alteration to the presidential residence without the approval of Congress, the Washington Post reports. "The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!" Leon wrote, adding that "no statute" supports the power Trump is claiming.
An American journalist was kidnapped on Tuesday in Baghdad and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for. A US official blamed the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah, the AP reports. The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed a foreign journalist had been kidnapped but didn't give more details.

Two Iraqi security officials, who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed while being pursued near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province southwest of Baghdad. The journalist was then transferred to a second car that fled the scene.
Small businesses recognized for strengthening communities and addressing local needs

TORONTO, March 31, 2026 /CNW/ - Purolator has announced five Canadian small businesses as the winners of its 2025 True North Small Business Grant Contest, each receiving $25,000 in cash to grow their operations and local impact.

Recipients of Purolators 2025 True North Small Business Grant Contest, representing five Canadian small businesses recognized for their community impact. (CNW Group/Purolator Inc.)

"The True North Small Business Grant recognizes the real impact small businesses have in communities across Canada," said Brett Huttman, Vice President, Strategy, Marketing and Communications, Purolator. "This year's recipients are improving access to healthy food in remote regions, advancing sustainable products and strengthening worker safety. The grant provides funding these businesses can use to grow their operations and extend their impact."

As part of the 2025 contest, two of the five grant prizes were reserved for Purolator customers. Those recipients are SolusGuard and Maplelea Canadian Dolls, both of which rely on Purolator to ship their products to customers across Canada.

"Winning this grant is incredibly meaningful to me and our team. We built SolusGuard with a simple mission, to protect people. This grant allows us to continue keeping those who work alone or in high-risk environments safe, while continuing to build and manufacture in Canada," said Serese Selanders, owner of SolusGuard. "It means a lot to see my shipping company, Purolator, make significant investments in supporting small businesses. Support like this goes beyond funding and helps companies like ours continue to grow and make a real impact."

Winners of Purolator's 2025 True North Small Business Grant Contest

Arctic Fresh , Igloolik, Nunavut, owned by Rhoda Angutimarik Recinos. This Indigenous-owned social enterprise works to improve access to healthy, affordable food in Nunavut. The business operates a retail store and food distribution service that supports food security while creating local employment and training opportunities. Arctic Fresh is also advancing innovative approaches to Northern food production through partnerships that strengthen community resilience and long-term access to nutritious food. Learn more at arcticfresh.ca.

, Igloolik, Nunavut, owned by Rhoda Angutimarik Recinos. This Indigenous-owned social enterprise works to improve access to healthy, affordable food in Nunavut. The business operates a retail store and food distribution service that supports food security while creating local employment and training opportunities. Arctic Fresh is also advancing innovative approaches to Northern food production through partnerships that strengthen community resilience and long-term access to nutritious food. Learn more at arcticfresh.ca. Island Furniture Association , St. John's, N.L., supported by Brian Colbourne, a volunteer Board Member (Chairman). This organization provides meaningful employment and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Operating for more than four decades, the organization sells quality home and office furniture and appliances while reinvesting its profits into community programs that support inclusion, skill-building and long-term employment. Through its work, Island Furniture helps reduce barriers to employment and contributes to stronger, more inclusive communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Learn more at islandfurniture.ca.

, St. John's, N.L., supported by Brian Colbourne, a volunteer Board Member (Chairman). This organization provides meaningful employment and training opportunities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. Operating for more than four decades, the organization sells quality home and office furniture and appliances while reinvesting its profits into community programs that support inclusion, skill-building and long-term employment. Through its work, Island Furniture helps reduce barriers to employment and contributes to stronger, more inclusive communities across Newfoundland and Labrador. Learn more at islandfurniture.ca. Jack59 , Edmonton, Alta. , owned by Vanessa Marshall. Jack59 is an Indigenous-owned, woman-led company that creates salon-quality, vegan shampoo and conditioner bars designed to reduce plastic waste. The company's products replace traditional bottled hair care products with low-waste alternatives, which are made using ethically sourced ingredients. Jack59 combines sustainability, local manufacturing and inclusive entrepreneurship, while creating meaningful jobs and supporting a more eco-friendly economy. Learn more at jack59.ca.

, Edmonton, Alta. owned by Vanessa Marshall. Jack59 is an Indigenous-owned, woman-led company that creates salon-quality, vegan shampoo and conditioner bars designed to reduce plastic waste. The company's products replace traditional bottled hair care products with low-waste alternatives, which are made using ethically sourced ingredients. Jack59 combines sustainability, local manufacturing and inclusive entrepreneurship, while creating meaningful jobs and supporting a more eco-friendly economy. Learn more at jack59.ca. Maplelea Canadian Dolls , Newmarket, Ont., owned by Kathryn Gallagher Morton. This organization designs and sells premium dolls that reflect Canada's culture, geography and diversity. Each character is rooted in a real Canadian community and comes with an illustrated journal that encourages learning, creativity and age-appropriate play. Designed, written and illustrated in Canada, Maplelea's products promote cultural literacy and help children see themselves reflected in Canada's story, while supporting Canadian suppliers and creative talent. Learn more at maplelea.com.

, Newmarket, Ont., owned by Kathryn Gallagher Morton. This organization designs and sells premium dolls that reflect Canada's culture, geography and diversity. Each character is rooted in a real Canadian community and comes with an illustrated journal that encourages learning, creativity and age-appropriate play. Designed, written and illustrated in Canada, Maplelea's products promote cultural literacy and help children see themselves reflected in Canada's story, while supporting Canadian suppliers and creative talent. Learn more at maplelea.com. SolusGuard, Saskatoon, Sask., owned by Serese Selanders. This female-owned company designs and builds Canadian-made safety technology for workers in high-risk and remote environments. Its integrated solution, which includes wearable devices and monitoring software, helps connect workers with emergency support when it matters most. Developed and manufactured in Canada, SolusGuard's technology is used by organizations across the country to help protect frontline and lone workers and improve workplace safety. Learn more at solusguard.com.

Learn about the winners and how Purolator is supporting small businesses at purolator.com/small-business-grant.

About Purolator

Purolator Inc. is a Canadian-owned leading integrated freight, package and logistics solutions provider. Delivering its customers' promises since 1960, Purolator continues to expand its reach, renowned service levels and reliability to more people, more businesses and more places across Canada and around the world, utilizing 200+ facilities across Canada and 30+ branches in the United States. Purolator is committed to contributing to the well-being of the communities it serves and where more than 14,000 of its employees live, work and play.

SOURCE Purolator Inc.

Media contact: Emily Innes-Leroux, Senior Consultant, Corporate Communications, Purolator, [email protected], 416-803-5657
FILE - An oil tanker passes at sunrise while a man fishes in Port Aransas, Texas, Aug. 9, 2025. Eric Gay/AP FILE - Doug Burgum, Secretary of Interior, delivers speech at the reception of the Indo-Pacific Energy Security Ministerial and Business Forum at U.S. Ambassador's Residence, March 13, 2026, in Tokyo. Eugene Hoshiko/AP Susan Holmes, executive director of the Endangered Species Coalition, right, speaks in front of the Interior Department building during a rally to oppose the Trump administration's convening of the Endangered Species Committee, in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Cliff Owen/AP FILE - Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listens as President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office of the White House, March 24, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP Clumps of oil residue lie on the shore after fishing outings were suspended because of an oil spill that Mexican authorities said originated from an unidentified vessel and two natural oil seeps along the Gulf coast in Salinas, Mexico, Thursday, March 26, 2026. Felix Marquez/AP

The Trump administration on Tuesday exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said environmentalists' lawsuits threatened to hobble domestic energy supplies as the U.S. wages war against Iran.

Critics said the move by the government's Endangered Species Committee could doom a rare whale species and harm other marine life. Nicknamed the God Squad by groups who say it can decide a species fate, the committee comprises several Trump administration officials and is chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

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It met Tuesday for the first time in more than three decades amid global oil shocks and soaring energy prices brought on by the Iran war. The U.S. pumps more oil than any other nation, but that hasnt insulated it from spiking prices: The national average for a gallon of gasoline topped $4 Tuesday.

Disruptions to Gulf oil production doesnt hurt just us, it benefits our adversaries, Hegseth told the committee. We cannot allow our own rules to weaken our standing and strengthen those who wish to harm us. When development in the Gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country and as a department.

The exemptions were not expected to immediately impact prices for crude or at the pump. Putting new oil wells into production takes years of planning and development.

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They say it would speed the extinction of the rare Rices whale, which is found exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico. Government biologists say only about 50 of the animals remain.

If Trump is successful here, he could be the first person in history to knowingly extirpate a species from the face of the earth. Thats how precarious the condition of the Rices whale is, said Patrick Parenteau, emeritus professor of law at Vermont Law School. Parenteau dismissed Hegseths claims of a security threat, since companies have continued to look for and extract oil in the Gulf despite legal challenges over the critically endangered whale.

The Center for Biological Diversity asked U.S. District Judge Rudolph Contreras in Washington on Tuesday to cancel the exemption. Last week Contreras declined the environmental group's request to stop the committee from convening.

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Streamlined approvals for drilling

During his last days in office, former Democratic President Joe Biden sought to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, citing the climate crisis.

President Donald Trump reversed that policy and made increased fossil fuel production a central focus of his second term. The Republican wants to open new areas of the Gulf off the Florida coast to drilling, and has proposed sweeping rollbacks of environmental regulations disliked by industry.

Hegseth told committee members Tuesday that Iran's chokehold on traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, underscored the national security imperative of robust domestic oil production. He said litigation from environmental groups threatened to halt Gulf oil production.

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Industry observers said the exemption could have significant implications for energy companies by streamlining approvals of new projects and impeding opponents ability to derail drilling plans.

Serial litigation from activist groups targeting a lawful, well-regulated industry should not be allowed to indefinitely obstruct projects of clear national importance, said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore developers.

The Gulf of Mexico produces about 2 million barrels of oil a day. It accounts for almost 15% of crude pumped annually in the U.S.

The Gulf also has been the scene of environmental disasters such as BPs Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010 that killed 11 workers and spilled 134 million gallons (500 million liters) of oil. Rice's whale numbers dropped 22% following the accident and could take decades to recover, scientists said.

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A spill in the Gulf off the Mexican coast this month spread 373 miles (600 kilometers), contaminating at least six species and polluting seven protected natural reserves.

The Trump administration in mid-March approved BPs new $5 billion ultra-deepwater drilling project in the Gulf.

Whales, turtles and sturgeon at risk

A 2025 National Marine Fisheries Service analysis determined the Gulf oil and gas program was likely to harm several species of whales, sea turtles and Gulf sturgeon. They face potential harm from ship strikes, oil spills and other impacts.

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The Gulf exemption is the first time national security has been cited to justify action by the Endangered Species Committee. Conservation groups asserted it was done illegally.

The Endangered Species Act has not slowed an iota of oil from being extracted from the Gulf, said Defenders of Wildlife President Andrew Bowman. I cannot stress enough how unprecedented and unlawful this action is.

Hegseths request for an exemption was unanimously supported by the committee, which included Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, White House Council of Economic Advisers Acting Chair Pierre Yared, Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Administrator Neil Jacobs and Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll.

Driscoll said he could personally attest that disruptions to oil and gas production in the Gulf would significantly impact the Armys ability to man, train and equip combat-ready formations.

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Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has made it illegal to harm or kill species on a protected list. The committee was formed in 1978 as a way to exempt projects if no alternative would provide comparable economic benefits or if it was in the nations best interest.
Christa Baker, also known as Christa O'Connell, during her arraignment at state Superior Court in Middletown. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Christa Baker, also known as Christa O'Connell, during her arraignment with her attorney John Nazzaro at state Superior Court in Middletown. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW LONDON  A resolution is expected at the May 1 court date for a New London prosecutor who is facing charges of harassment and computer crimes.

Judge Walter A. Menjivar on Tuesday granted the continuance at the request of prosecutors, who said they were waiting to hear from the attorney representing the complainant witness.

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Christa O'Connell, a senior assistant state's attorney, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of computer crimes and a harassment charge stemming from a woman's complaint last summer of alleged harassment and unwanted contact, according to the arrest warrants.

Baker is seeking accelerated rehabilitation, a program that, if granted and successfully completed, would erase the charge after a period of time.

She is on administrative leave from her job as a prosecutor.

The victim told state police Baker texted her husband, who was known to the victim, specific information about the victim's past arrest. The warrant for that arrest was signed by Baker and was four years before the victim and Baker's husband had become known to one another, the warrant stated.

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FILE - National Public Radio (NPR) on North Capitol Street in Washington, April 15, 2013. Charles Dharapak/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Citing the First Amendment, a federal judge on Tuesday agreed to permanently block the Trump administration from implementing a presidential directive to end federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, two media entities that the White House has said are counterproductive to American priorities.

The operational impact of U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss' decision was not immediately clear  both because it will likely be appealed and because too much damage to the public-broadcasting system has already been done, both by the president and Congress.

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Moss ruled that President Donald Trumps executive order to cease funding for NPR and PBS is unlawful and unenforceable. The judge said the First Amendment right to free speech does not tolerate viewpoint discrimination and retaliation of this type.

It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the President does not like and seeks to squelch, wrote Moss, who was nominated to the bench by President Barack Obama, a Democrat.

White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said Moss' decision is a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law.

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NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress already voted to defund them. The Trump Administration looks forward to ultimate victory on the issue, Jackson said in a statement.

PBS, with programming ranging from Sesame Street and Mister Rogers Neighborhood to Ken Burns documentaries, has been operating for more than half a century. NPR has news programming from All Things Considered and cultural shows like the Tiny Desk concerts. For decades, the fates of both systems have been part of a philosophical debate over whether government should help fund their operations.

Punishment for 'past speech cited in decision

The judge noted that Trumps executive order simply directs that all federal agencies cut off any and all funding to NPR, which is based in Washington, and PBS, based in Arlington, Virginia.

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The Federal Defendants fail to cite a single case in which a court has ever upheld a statute or executive action that bars a particular person or entity from participating in any federally funded activity based on that person or entitys past speech, the judge wrote.

Last year, Trump, a Republican, said at a news conference he would love to defund NPR and PBS because he believes theyre biased in favor of Democrats.

The message is clear: NPR and PBS need not apply for any federal benefit because the President disapproves of their left wing coverage of the news, Moss wrote.

NPR accused the Corporation for Public Broadcasting of violating its First Amendment free speech rights when it moved to cut off its access to grant money appropriated by Congress. NPR also claims Trump wants to punish it for the content of its journalism.

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Public media exists to serve the public interest  that of Americans  not that of any political agenda or elected official, said Katherine Maher, NPRs president and CEO. She called the decision a decisive affirmation of the rights of a free and independent press.

PBS chief Paula Kerger said she was thrilled with the decision. The executive order, she said, is textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation. At PBS, we will continue to do what weve always done: serve our mission to educate and inspire all Americans as the nations most trusted media institution.

Last August, CPB announced it would take steps toward closing itself down after being defunded by Congress.

A victory, though incremental, for press freedom

Plaintiffs attorney Theodore Boutrous said Tuesday's ruling is a victory for the First Amendment and for freedom of the press.

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As the Court expressly recognized, the First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power  including the power of the purse  to punish or suppress disfavored expression by others, Boutrous said in a statement. The Executive Order crossed that line.

The judge agreed with government attorneys that some of the news outlets legal claims are moot, partly because the CPB no longer exists.

But that does not end the matter because the Executive Order sweeps beyond the CPB, Moss added. It also directs that all federal agencies refrain from funding NPR and PBS  regardless of the nature of the program or the merits of their applications or requests for funding.

NPR and three public radio stations sued administration officials last May. While Trump was named as a defendant, the case did not include Congress  and the legislative body has played a large role in the public-broadcasting saga in the past year.

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Trumps executive order immediately cut millions of dollars in funding from the Education Department to PBS for its childrens programming, forcing the system to lay off one-third of the PBS Kids staff. The Trump order didnt impact Congress vote to eliminate the overall federal appropriations for PBS and NPR, which forced the closure of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, the entity that funneled that money to the TV and radio networks.

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AP Media Writer David Bauder and AP writer Darlene Superville contributed to this report.
Fairfield police said 22-year-old Connor Dushay, of Milford, has been charged in connection with a December fatal overdose. Courtesy of Fairfield Police Department Fairfield police said 22-year-old Connor Dushay, of Milford, has been charged in connection with a December fatal overdose. Courtesy of Fairfield Police Department

FAIRFIELD  A 22-year-old man has been charged in connection with a fatal December 2025 overdose of a man inside a Mill Plain Road residence, Fairfield police said.

Connor Dushay of Milford is charged with sale of a narcotic substance, tampering with or fabricating physical evidence and possession of a controlled substance, Fairfield police Sgt. Jenna Wellington said in a news release.

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Officers responded after a man was found unresponsive on Dec. 27, Wellington said. The man later was pronounced dead after life-saving efforts were ineffective, she said.

Wellington said a toxicology report showed fentanyl, cocaine and alcohol in the man's system when he died. She said his death was a direct "result of acute intoxication due to the combined effects of" the substances.

Dushay was identified as the person who had supplied the man with the narcotics before the overdose, Wellington said. An arrest warrant then was issued for Dushay, and he turned himself in March 19, Wellington said.

Court records show Dushay is free on a promise to appear and is due at state Superior Court in Bridgeport April 17.
Andrew DaRosa is a SPJ award-winning journalist who has worked at Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2018. He currently works as a Senior Audience Producer and a Trending Reporter for CT Insider and also runs the SEEN section.

He can often be found covering Connecticuts expanding music scene, supposedly haunted sites around the state or keeping track of big winners in the Connecticut Lottery. He has been at the forefront of multiple music-related stories around Connecticut, including the Sound On Sound music festival. With a passion for music, over the past decade, Andrew has interviewed members of Judas Priest, Goose, The National, Trey Anatasio Band, The Head and the Heart and Maren Morris.

Originally from Massachusetts, Andrew graduated from Fairfield University in 2018 with a degree in digital journalism. Since working for Hearst Connecticut, Andrew has become a four-time winner of Connecticut Society of Professional Journalism awards for his coverage of Connecticut band Goose, hiking the state and his human interest stories.

When he isnt writing about Ed and Lorraine Warren or jam bands, Andrew can be found going to concerts with his wife or hanging out with his cat, Spud.
A shopper looks at a rack at Mothership, a vintage and thrift store, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Alyssa Goodman/AP Furniture is for sale at Mothership, a vintage and thrift store, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Alyssa Goodman/AP A chair is for sale at Mothership, a vintage and thrift store, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Alyssa Goodman/AP Furniture is for sale at Mothership, a vintage and thrift store, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in New York. Alyssa Goodman/AP

NEW YORK (AP)  Furniture is one of the biggest hurdles during a move, because good dressers and couches are bulky and expensive.

During a stressful time, it makes sense to crave something cheap delivered straight to your door. That's where fast furniture comes in.

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These are simple pieces made with a mishmash of plastics, fiberboard and chipboard that aren't built to last. They can typically be ordered online, are mass-produced and ship unassembled in a flat-packed box.

They get the job done, but once thrown out, their ingredients generally can't be recycled and don't break down well.

Its of little emotional value, its fleeting, and it is not going to accompany you through your lifes journey, said furniture and design expert Deana McDonagh with the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.

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Americans dumped over 12 million tons (10.8 million metric tons) of furniture in 2018, according to the Environmental Protection Agency, and 80% of it ended up in landfills.

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Moving is chaotic, and fast furniture is a sensible solution. But there are ways to decorate your home that are just as cheap and may furnish other parts of your life.

Community groups can help save money

When Heather Strong moved to her own place in the Los Angeles area, newly single, she felt like she was starting over. Many of her well-loved furniture pieces, like her favorite pan rack, stayed with her ex in the home she'd left.

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That's when she discovered the Buy Nothing Project: an app and network of local Facebook groups where people gave and got things for free. A year and a half later, Strong has furnished her home with dining room chairs, wood furniture and bedding from her neighbors.

Ive had the chance to explore different areas of my own community and venture out a little. And Ive made some friends, said Strong, a business owner.

Buy Nothing's co-founder Liesl Clark recommends asking your neighbors before ordering that unassembled coffee table. Comb through neighborhood Facebook and Nextdoor groups, check gifting sites like Freecycle and see if a friend of a friend knows anyone getting rid of their furniture. Or, look on curbs and front stoops for nice pieces that others have left behind.

You will get so much more satisfaction. Youll save funds that you can then perhaps spend more locally, Clark said.

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Maddie Fischer has furnished most of her Brooklyn apartment with pre-loved pieces. She found one of her living room chairs in a trash bag on the street and nabbed her kitchen table for free in a move-out giveaway, recruiting her sister and friends to carry it down four flights of stairs.

I dont mind when things look like theyve had a little bit of wear and tear, said Fischer, a social media manager. I think it gives them more character.

If you can't find the item you want on the curb, shop secondhand. Try neighborhood thrift stores or sift through sites like eBay, Vinted and Gumtree. There are also furniture rental websites to source quality items for a short time, but can be pricey.

Build a quality furniture collection over time

If finances permit, it's never too early to start thinking about buying high quality furniture. Dressers and tables made of wood and other natural materials are more unique and give the home a personal touch. Plus, they last longer and don't need to be replaced as often.

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Decorating an empty home all at once can rack up a hefty price tag. So McDonagh, the furniture expert, recommended buying one nice piece of furniture every year. If youre doing it for your future self, take your time, McDonagh said.

Buy modular pieces like shelves and storage that stack onto each other and are adjustable based on space constraints. Over time, your home will fill with durable items that also feel homey.

In the meantime, make do with what you have. A stack of books or boxes can function as a makeshift chair while a sturdier piece is on the way, McDonagh said. Outdoor furniture can work surprisingly well indoors too, since the fabrics protect well against scratches and stains.

Fast furniture doesn't have to be fast

Despite the name, fast furniture can last many years if we take care of it. With creativity and a bit of TLC, it doesn't have to be replaced as frequently.

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I dont believe that any furniture is inherently fast. Its our decision as consumers whether its fast or not, said Katryn Furmston, a fast furniture expert with Nottingham Trent University in England.

Maybe you dont want to carry a desk up five flights of stairs. Or the thought of sitting on a used couch icks you out.

If you have to purchase fiberboard furniture, avoid buying from too-good-to-be-true websites thatll leave you with missing parts or a slanted desk. When the piece arrives, treat it well. Cover scratches with a tablecloth or rotate it to face another direction.

When it's time to move away, keep a photo of the product handy to show to friends or co-workers. Give it a second life by selling in a community group or gifting to a neighbor. Do your part to keep the piece in use for as long as possible.

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Associated Press journalist Kiki Sideris contributed to this report.

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Jabari Bush, center, appears at state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media Jabari Bush, center, appears with his attorney Robert Berke, left, during a court appearance in state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media Members of the Bridgeport Fire Department gather outside state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, prior to an appearance by Jabari Bush, who is charged in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media Bridgeport Fire Department Deputy Chief Mark Cody speaks to members of the Bridgeport Fire Department as they gather outside state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, prior to an appearance by Jabari Bush, who is charged in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media Bridgeport Firefighter Terrence Cramer in an undated photo. Stratford police said Cramer was fatally shot early Saturday, March 28, 2026. Courtesy of Bridgeport Fire Department Bridgeport Firefighter Terrence Cramer in an undated photo. Stratford police said Cramer was fatally shot early Saturday, March 28, 2026. Courtesy of Bridgeport Fire Department Bridgeport firefighters wait to enter state Superior Court in Bridgeport March 30, 2026, for the arraignment of Jabari Bush in the fatal shooting of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Jabari Bush, center, appears at state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media Jabari Bush, center, appears with his attorney Robert Berke, left, during a court appearance in state Superior Court in Bridgeport Tuesday, March 31, 2026, in the murder of Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer. Jim Shannon / Hearst Connecticut Media

BRIDGEPORT  A judge Tuesday reduced the bond for West Haven man accused of fatally shooting Bridgeport firefighter Terrence Cramer over the weekend in Stratford, from $3 million to $2 million.

But Judge Robert Golger also granted a request from the state that the defendant, 40-year-old Jabari Bush, be required to post 30 percent of the bond in cash  $600,000  after arguments by Assistant State's Attorney Andres Bermudez Hallstrom and Bush's attorney, Robert Berke.

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While the amount of the total bond was reduced, the judge's ruling effectively doubled the amount of cash Bush would need to post, from 10 percent of $3 million, or $300,000, compared to bond set at his initial arraignment Monday.

Berke said after the hearing that Bush intended to post the bond, declining further comment. Bush remained in custody as of Wednesday morning.

If Bush were to post bond, the judge ordered he be brought to court to be fitted with a GPS bracelet and be put on 24-hour lockdown.

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Bush, who faces charges of murder, home invasion, criminal possession of a weapon and illegal discharge of a firearm, is scheduled to return to court April 8.

Bermudez Hallstrom had asked the judge to require Bush to post 90 percent of the bond in cash. Berke objected, calling the figure unreasonable.

"That's an extraordinary amount of money," he said.

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The prosecutor argued that Bush is a risk to public safety, not only because he is charged with killing Cramer after breaking into a Feeley Street home early Saturday, but because the firefighter's death has forced the Fire Department to adjust its scheduling. In addition, he noted that evidence in the case includes surveillance footage of Bush going in and out of the house, as well as a statement from the surviving victim.

"The state has a very strong case here," Bermudez Hallstrom said, also calling the judge's attention to the fact that Bush, a mechanic at Metro-North Railroad, also had a prior conviction for first-degree assault.

A spokesperson for the railroad said Tuesday that Bush had been "removed from service without pay."

Cramer was a 9-year veteran of the Fire Department.

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Dozens of firefighters packed the courtroom in Bridgeport Monday when Bush was arraigned. Many also were in court Tuesday.

Bush, a West Haven resident, broke into a home on Feeley Street in Stratford where his ex-girlfriend was and fatally shot Cramer, who was in bed, according to an arrest warrant affidavit.

Police later arrested Bush in Derby.

The shooting occurred at 1:44 a.m. Saturday, the affidavit said.

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The affidavit said a woman told police she was awakened by someone she believed to be Bush, her ex-boyfriend, inside her bedroom yelling something to the effect of, "you're here with another man!"

Police found Cramer bleeding heavily from a gunshot wound to the right inner thigh, they said, and despite life-saving measures, he was declared dead at about 2:12 a.m.

The woman told police that that after she woke, Bush punched her in the face and she saw what she described as "sparks" consistent with gunfire, the affidavit said. Immediately after, she said she heard Cramer say, "I just got shot!"

The affidavit said there were no signs of forced entry, but a Ring camera caught Bush at the front door several times throughout the night. About five minutes before the shooting, the affidavit said Bush is seen on the footage and "appears he is trying to put pressure on the door with the weight of his body in an effort to open it" before the video cuts.

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The woman told police she and Bush had been in an on-again-off-again relationship for years, the affidavit said, but that she had ended things for good in January.
A First Student bus arrives to pick up students after the first day of school at Holmes Elementary School in Darien, Conn., on Tuesday August 28, 2024. Christian Abraham/Hearst Connecticut Media

A school bus company that serves multiple districts in Connecticut has reached a preliminary agreement with its drivers' union to avoid a strike, officials said.

In a release, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said it had reached a "strong tentative" deal with First Student. The agreement prevents a strike that could have impacted 96 local chapters, union officials said, adding that members will vote on it in the coming weeks.

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"The deal comes after members voted by an 88 percent margin to authorize a strike, sending a clear message to the company that they were prepared to take action to win a fair contract," the union said.

First Student did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien said the union was unified and prepared to take on First Student nationwide.

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"Our solidarity forced real movement at the bargaining table, and we delivered a contract in the 11th hour that honors the critical work our members do every day," he said. "Teamsters set the standard for the entire school bus industry, and this agreement raises the bar for school bus transportation workers everywhere."

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The union said the agreement establishes a national foundation for economics that will be applied across all local agreements, including stronger retirement benefits, improved access to health care benefits and robust contractual protections for all members.

Matt Taibi, the director of the Teamsters Passenger Transportation Division, said the deal is the "direct result of members standing shoulder to shoulder and refusing to settle for less."

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"Workers showed the company they were prepared to strike if necessary, and that solidarity made the difference at the bargaining table," he said. "This agreement reflects the strength and determination of Teamsters who keep students safe and communities running."
Jayden Nguyen is a Trending Reporter for CT Insider. She has been with Hearst Connecticut Media Group since 2024.

Originally from Louisiana, Jayden graduated from Louisiana State University (LSU) in 2023 with a degree in mass communication and a minor in French.

When she's not writing, she can be found watching Formula 1 races, scrolling through TikTok, singing or listening to anything from K-Pop to rap to Taylor Swift.
A large modified exhaust pipe is installed on a truck in Stamford, Conn., on June 25, 2024. The state may increase the fine for using loud aftermarket products on vehicles. Tyler Sizemore/Hearst Connecticut Media

A state bill that would increase the fine for unnecessary, unusual or excessive vehicle noise from $150 to $1,000 has caused a buzz.

A story by CT Insider about the bill, which the state legislatures Transportation Committee has advanced but has not yet gotten a vote in either the House or Senate, generated a host of questions online about the proposal, the current law and enforcement.

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Here are some answers.

What does the current law say?

State law broadly requires motor vehicles and the devices on them to be built, equipped, adjusted and operated in ways to prevent unnecessary or unusual noise.

The law then gets more specific, requiring a vehicle operated by an internal combustion engine  which includes motorcycles  to have a muffler that is designed to prevent excessive, unusual or unnecessary exhaust noise and is maintained by the owner.

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No one can install or use a muffler that lacks interior baffle plates, a gutted muffler, a muffler cutout or a straight exhaust  though there are exceptions for contests and demonstrations under the law.

It also prohibits the installation and use of any mechanical device that amplifies noise coming from a vehicle and the removal of all or part of a muffler except when repairing or replacing it.

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Extensions or devices on an exhaust system or tail pipe that cause excessive or unusual noise are prohibited as well. And engines must be equipped to prevent excessive fumes and smoke.

The current fine for violations is $150. The only change the bill would make would be an increase of the fine to $1,000.

Another section of state law prohibits people from operating vehicles in a way that exceeds decibel levels set by state regulations, but that doesnt preclude enforcement of the other noise provisions in the law.

How is the current law enforced?

Sgt. Jeffrey Booth, who leads the Stamford Police Departments traffic enforcement unit, said if officers hear a car where the exhaust system, they feel, is making excessive or unusual noise, they can stop it and write a ticket. The statute doesnt define excessive or unusual noise.

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Officers do not need to prove that the vehicle exceeded a certain decibel level, he said.

I can say, Hey, your exhaust is loud and thats definitely not normal, Booth said.

In court, he said, an officer could potentially use camera footage of a car making noise as evidence.

Why are state lawmakers concerned about this?

Lawmakers supporting the proposal said excessive noise is harmful to peoples health, quality of life and local businesses.

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Weve all had our windows rattled by vehicles going by, having to halt a conversation, state Rep. Joe Gresko, D-Stratford, said during a public hearing held by the Transportation Committee. Theres no mechanical or safety reason to have these aftermarket products on a vehicle.

Some legislators said they are particularly concerned about computer modifications that allow cars to make sounds that people could mistake for gunfire.

Besides noise pollution, I think this is a serious public safety hazard, said state Rep. Gary Turco, D-Newington.

Members of the General Assembly said they hope the increased fine, if passed, will act as a deterrent.

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Some want to make additional changes to the existing law to ban the sale of devices that increase an exhaust systems noise beyond what the original system makes, as New York does.

But state Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, D-Ridgefield, the House co-chair of the Transportation Committee, said there may be challenges to enforcing such a ban, and lawmakers need to look at the idea closer. This years regular legislative session is shorter because it is an even-numbered year.

What about automated enforcement?

A state law enacted in 2024 allowed cities and towns to use noise cameras to fine the owners of vehicles making noise 80 decibels or louder. Under the law, if any municipality installs such cameras, it must issue a written notice for a first violation, a $100 fine for a second violation and a $250 fine for violations after that.

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New Haven Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negron speaks at the Sam Tilerey Back to School Rally at Bowen Field in New Haven on August 14, 2025. Her 2026-27 budget proposal is $252 million. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW HAVEN  There is a $35 million gap between what the superintendent and mayor have proposed for the city school district's spending increase for next fiscal year.

Superintendent of Schools Madeline Negron said her proposed $252 million 2026-27 budget would help maintain New Haven Public Schools' "upward trajectory" of improving graduation rates, test scores, chronic absenteeism and more.

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"We must protect the investments that made all of those successes possible," she said at the Board of Education's March 23 meeting. "We must sustain the current level of full-time employees to ensure that every student has access to high-quality core instruction, and the interventions and the enrichment services they require. We must protect the dedicated personnel whose staff or attendance teams support families in overcoming barriers to education."

Amilcar Hernandez, the district's chief financial officer, said the budget package would allow the district to operate at the level it is now, while also catching up with the deficits of the past.

"This request reflects the district's unwavering commitment to providing equitable, high-quality education to all our students while navigating rising operation cost and evolving student needs. ... (It) will cover the increases I showed you for the bargaining units that includes every cost that's recent," he said.

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However, Mayor Justin Elicker's proposed budget only includes a $5 million increase for the school district.

At the Board of Education meeting, Elicker said "I think it's important for us to not have the premise that we should not have grant dollars funding staff. It's not realistic; it's not even close to realistic. But it's also something that is standard across almost all districts, with the exception of some of the very wealthy districts. ... I think the theme here is we need more money from the state."

Hernandez previously told the Board of Education's Finance and Operations Committee that in the past 10 years, New Haven Public Schools has never received the amount of funding from the city that it requested. For example, last year, the district asked for $231.4 million, but the approved budget ended up being $213.2 million.

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District officials created a "mitigation plan" to cut items from the budget, but ultimately, the district has had a deficit. For example, Hernandez said projections showed the district was on track to spend $222 million instead of $213 million, a $9 million shortfall.

"For people to understand, I don't need just the increase for the expenses, I also need to cover the deficits that we keep having every year after year," he said at the March 23 meeting.

Hernandez noted a $252 million budget would mean the district would not have to use grants and special funds for budget items that "should be covered by general funds," including staff, and could actually use them to improve and add programming.

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"So $252 million will solve that part of the issue," he said.
FILE - President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden arrive on the South Lawn of the White House, Jan. 23, 2023, in Washington. Evan Vucci/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Joe and Jill Biden have added a pair of black Lab-mix puppies named Boo and Scout to the former presidents home in Delaware, adopting the sibling dogs after they were rescued from a shelter in Tennessee.

The dogs were paired with the Bidens through a Delaware animal welfare organization that announced the adoption Monday and released a photo of the Bidens smiling alongside the puppies and their cat, Willow.

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Humane Animal Partners said it helped the Bidens find the dogs after learning they were interested in two black Labrador retrievers. Boo and Scout are siblings, originally named Linda and Rocky, who were rescued from an overcrowded shelter, the organization said.

The Bidens were known for their German shepherds during their time in the White House, including two that were sent away after biting incidents. Major was sent to live with friends after biting Secret Service personnel and White House staff in 2021. Commander was removed two years later.

Commander had been a gift to Joe Biden in December 2021, from his brother James.

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Jill Biden recently told The Associated Press that she and the former president decided not to reclaim Major and Commander after they left the White House.

Another of their German shepherds, Champ, died in 2021 at age 13.

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Boo and Scout were hand-picked for the Bidens by staff at the animal welfare group. Our team intentionally brought them to HAP because we believed they would be a great fit for the Bidens and their home, Patrick Carroll, CEO of Humane Animal Partners, said in a statement.
A man inspect the wreckage of an Iranian missile that landed near the West Bank village of Marda, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Majdi Mohammed/AP Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a damaged workshop struck by an Iranian missile in Petah Tikva, Israel, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Oded Balility/AP Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect a site struck by an Iranian missile in Petah Tikva, Israel, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP FILE - Ships sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz as the sun sets in the United Arab Emirates Monday, March 23, 2026. AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday at allies who have been unwilling to do more to support the U.S. war effort against Iran, telling them to go get your own oil and saying it was not America's job to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said the military could end its offensive in two to three weeks and that the U.S. will not have anything to do with what happens next in the strait that has been closed by the Islamic Republic. Instead, he told reporters, the responsibility for keeping the vital waterway open will rest with countries that rely on it.

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Theres no reason for us to do this, Trump said after signing an executive order that seeks to restrict mail-in voting. Thats not for us. Thatll be for France. Thatll be for whoevers using the strait.

The White House said Trump would deliver a prime-time address Wednesday evening to update the public on the war.

In other developments, the closure of the strait sent average U.S. gas prices past $4 a gallon, and U.S. strikes hit the central city of Isfahan, sending a massive fireball into the sky. Tehran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

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The attacks showed the intensity of the war more than a month after the U.S. and Israel launched it. The conflict has left more than 3,000 dead and caused major disruptions to the worlds supply of oil and natural gas, roiling global markets and pushing up the cost of many basic goods.

Trump, whose comments have vacillated between talk that diplomatic progress is being made with Iran and threats to widen the war, had earlier shared footage of the attack on Isfahan.

Fuel prices rise, rattling global markets

Irans stranglehold on the strait, the waterway leading out of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have Tehran's attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

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Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around $107 a barrel Tuesday, up more than 45% since the war started Feb. 28.

In a social media post, Trump directed blame at U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom and France that have refused to enter a war with no clear endgame that they were not consulted on.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Trump wrote.

He singled out France for not letting planes fly over French territory while taking military supplies to Israel.

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France has allowed the U.S. Air Force to use the Istres base in southern France because it had guarantees that planes landing there would not be involved in carrying out strikes.

Allies have refused to get involved

Spain, which has emerged as Europe's loudest critic of the war, said Monday that it had closed its airspace for U.S. planes involved in the conflict.

Italy recently refused to allow U.S. military assets to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for an operation linked to the offensive, an official with knowledge of the matter said, confirming a local press report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

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Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on X that Italy is still allowing the U.S. to use its bases, adding that there has been no cooling of relations between the two countries.

Journalist kidnapped in Iraq

An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad, and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by Al-Monitor, one of the news outlets she worked for.

A U.S. official blamed the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

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Two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed, and a person inside was apprehended. The journalist was then transferred to a second car that fled the scene, according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Dylan Johnson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said on X that the State Department had "fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them.

In a statement, Al-Monitor said it stands by her vital reporting. Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

Another aircraft carrier deploys to Middle East

The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush deployed Tuesday from Norfolk, Virginia, and is slated to head to the Middle East, two U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

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It would be the third carrier sent out to support the Iran war, along with the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is now undergoing repairs, and the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived in the region in January.

Trump warned this week that if a ceasefire is not reached shortly, and if the strait is not reopened, the U.S. would broaden its offensive, including by attacking the Kharg Island oil export hub and possibly desalination plants.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not say if U.S. ground forces would enter the war. We dont want to have to do more militarily than we have to, he said.

A ground invasion could alienate Iranians who despise the ruling theocracy and who rose up in mass protests that were crushed earlier this year. Some could see it as an attack on Iran itself and rally around the flag.

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Since the Iran war began, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 348 wounded, six seriously, according to a formal count provided Tuesday by Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.

Iran hits oil tanker as Israel strikes Iran and Lebanon

The Israeli military said early Wednesday that it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander and another senior leader in two separate strikes in the Beirut area.

Military officials said they launched strikes targeting what they described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel plans to control the area south of the Litani River  some 20 miles (about 30 kilometers) north of the border.

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Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah began launching missiles into northern Israel days after the outbreak of the wider war. Many Lebanese fear another prolonged military occupation.

Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has barred Iranians from entering or transiting the country as the war rages, three major airlines said. The long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, as well as the lower-cost airline FlyDubai, made the announcements Wednesday on their websites.

In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel.

Two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank. In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than 1 million displaced.

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Ten Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, including four announced Tuesday.

___

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands, and Superville from Washington. David Rising in Bangkok, Abby Sewell and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Amir-Hussein Radjy in Cairo, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Giada Zampano in Rome, Giovanna DellOrto in Miami and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.
The Democratic majority on the Appropriations Committee drafted a $28.9 billion state budget plan for the next fiscal year. Jim Michaud/Hearst Connecticut Media State Sen. Cathy Osten, left, and state Rep. Toni E. Walker, right, co-chairs of the Appropriations Committee, discuss a $28.9 billion budget plan drafted by the committee's Democratic majority at a news briefing Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media State Sen. Cathy Osten, left, and state Rep. Toni E. Walker, right, co-chairs of the Appropriations Committee, discuss a $28.9 billion budget plan drafted by the committee's Democratic majority at a news briefing Tuesday at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. Paul Hughes/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  The state legislatures two Democrat-led budget committees advanced separate appropriations and tax bills Tuesday that adopt many of Gov. Ned Lamonts budget recommendations but also propose some significant departures.

The Appropriations Committee proposed spending nearly $150 million more than Lamont recommended to the General Assembly for the upcoming 2027 fiscal year that starts July 1, including nearly $40 million more than the governor proposed to increase Medicaid rates.

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The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee proposed several tax changes that Lamont did not recommend, including a 1.75% capital gains surcharge on millionaires that is projected to raise $260 million beginning in the 2028 fiscal year and a new exemption to the general 6.35% sales tax for electricity and natural gas sold to small businesses with gross incomes of $10 million or less that is expected to cost $23.5 million in lost revenue.

The legislative spending and tax plans form the basis of negotiations over the next five weeks between the legislatures Democratic majority and the Democratic governor before the legislative session adjourns May 6.

Lamont proposed a revised $28.7 billion budget plan that would increase spending $85 million over the original 2027 appropriation that was adopted as part of a two-year, $55.8 billion spending and tax package last year. It represents a 5.7% increase over the enacted $27.2 billion budget for the current 2026 fiscal year that ends June 30. The governors proposal was $1.1 million under the state spending cap.

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State Rep. Toni E. Walker, D-New Haven, and state Sen. Cathy Osten, D-Sprague, the House and Senate chairwomen of the Appropriations Committee, said much of the legislative spending package is based on the governors proposed budget plan.

We consider this a very serious, responsible budget for the people in the state of Connecticut, Osten said.

Legislative spending plan

The Appropriations Committee proposed a $28.9 billion spending plan that represents a $147.6 million increase over Lamonts proposed 2027 spending level. It would amount to a 6.2% increase over the 2026 budget and a 0.8% increase over the original 2027 appropriation. The proposed committee budget would be $16.1 million under the spending cap following a separate budget maneuver involving the state-run pension fund for retired public school educators.

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Osten and Walker said it would also add $36.3 million to the $45 million that Lamont recommended to increase Medicaid rates for health-care providers.

We think it is finally time to complete the promise that we have made to people, Osten said.

We made that promise three years ago, Walker added.

State Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, and state Rep. Tammy Nuccio, R-Tolland, the committees ranking Republicans, said they doubt the proposed spending levels are supportable.

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This is budget is a six-and-a-half percent increase over last year's, and, for me, that is not a sustainable increase, she said.

The Appropriations Committee also approved making a one-time $150 million payment to the Teachers Retirement Board in a separate deficiency bill to offset shortfalls in state agency budgets. As a result, the committee was able to readjust the spending cap calculation so its spending plan falls $16.1 million under the annual limit.

Nuccio and Somers called that $150 million payment a budget gimmick.

Were already in deficit, and they are going to take another $150 million and make us even more in deficit to increase the spending cap for 2027, so they can spend more. Im not happy about that, Nuccio said.

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She and other Republican members noted that the legislatures budget office projected a general fund deficit of $29.8 million for the current fiscal year in the budget report released last week.

Tax breaks and increases

One of the centerpieces of Lamonts budget plan is a $500 million initiative to provide a $200-per-person energy rebate that his administration estimates would benefit 2.2 million residents. The two budget committees did not adopt that proposal, but left the possibility of a tax rebate open to discussion. House Democrats are exploring the idea of offering a one-time rebate for local property taxes.

The governor proposed to increase the threshold of the so-called statutory volatility cap to get the $500 million. Along with the spending cap, it is one of the budget controls dubbed the fiscal guardrails that designates certain income-tax receipts for deposit in the budget reserve fund when collections exceed an annual threshold.

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The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee proposed to increase the volatility cap adjustment to $650 million. The additional $150 million would fund the one-time payment to the Teachers Retirement Board that permitted the Appropriations Committees spending plan to stay $16.1 million under the spending cap.

State Rep. Maria Horn, D-Salisbury, the committees House chair, said the plan is to divide the remaining $500 million between a tax rebate and additional municipal aid.

We have had substantial conversations ... about taking that $500 million and using part of it for tax relief of some kind and using part of it for municipal stabilization payments of some kind, she said. How that gets divided up will be the topic of future conversations.

State Sen. Ryan Fazio, R-Greenwich, the tax-writing panels ranking Senate Republican, said the tax bill fails to provide lasting tax relief and falls short on reducing the states long-term debt. He is a Republican candidate for governor.

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I think two of the great dilemmas faced by Connecticut residents are the high-tax burden and the high-debt burden, and this revenue package does not do enough to alleviate the long-term tax burden faced by our residents, Fazio said.

Fazio and Senate Republicans have proposed a $1 billion plan for cutting income taxes for working- and middle-class taxpayers that they said would provide up to $1,600 in tax relief for joint filers and up to $800 for single filers.

State Sen. John Fonfara, D-Hartford, the longtime Senate chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee, highlighted a proposal to extend the six-year-old film and digital production credit into 2028.

NBC has invested heavily in Connecticut, particularly Stamford. A number of people have come from New York into Connecticut and become taxpayers in Connecticut, he said.

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The tax bill also proposes to triple the exemption for clothing and footwear purchased during the states sales tax-free week from $100 per item to $300. The finance panel voted Monday to permanently exempt clothing and shoes costing under $100 from the sales tax.

The tax bill would additionally dedicate 50% of the revenue from the 1% sales tax on meals and beverages to tourism and municipal aid. Two other proposed sales tax changes would increase the sales price threshold for automobiles subject to a higher 7.75% sales tax rate and quadruple an exemption related to burials and cremations from $2,500 to $10,000.

Senate President Martin M. Looney, D-New Haven, said he is pleased the tax bill included the 1.75% capital gains surcharge that he proposed. The surcharge would apply to single filers earning more than $1 million, heads of households earning more than $1.6 million, and joint filers earning more than $2 million.

It is something Ive been pushing for a long time, and the finance committee actually did report it out last year, as well, Looney said. I think we need to keep pushing that. It is matter of tax equity.

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The state has seven income tax brackets with rates ranging from 2% to 6.99%. Another bill approved Tuesday proposes to adjust income tax brackets and personal exemption amounts annually for inflation, starting with the 2028 tax year.
A customer dumps a bag of cans and bottles onto a counting machine at Simple Bottle Return in Bridgeport on March 6, 2026. The legislature is looking for ways to stop out-of-state cans and bottles from being returned in Connecticut's 10-cent redemption program. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media Bags of cans and bottles wait to be redeemed at Simple Bottle Return in Bridgeport on March 6, 2026. The legislature is looking for ways to stop out-of-state cans and bottles from being returned in Connecticut's 10-cent redemption program. Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said the state should cut the dime bottle deposit back to a nickel. (File photo) Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, D-Wallingford, one of the longest-serving members of the General Assembly. She is a strong advocate of the state's bottle redemption law. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Some state lawmakers believe that Connecticut should at least temporarily cut the 10-cent bottle deposit law back to a nickel until surrounding states also adopt the dime return  which could stop interstate redemption fraud thats costing state beverage distributors millions of dollars.

While majority Democrats are committed to recent legislation that would toughen enforcement with fines of up to $2,000 for repeat redemption fraud, Republicans led by House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford say that it makes sense to admit the 10-cent experiment is currently a failure.

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Going to five cents for now is the easier solution. But I know there are people that dont want to do that and it might not be the path that we can achieve today, Candelora told the tax-writing Finance Revenue and Bonding Committee on Friday.

But what I think gets lost in this conversation ... is that we are financially on the hook for this, potentially. I dont want to get into a situation where we are being sued by (beverage) distributors, he said.

Out-of-state cans and bottles are brought by the truckload to Connecticut, where they can be redeemed for 10 cents each, instead of a nickel.

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Its not sustainable, thats what it come down to, said state Rep. Joe Polletta of Watertown, a ranking Republican on the committee.

In recent years, when lawmakers contemplated the 10-cent redemption that started in January 2024, Candelora said fellow lawmakers were unaware of the consequences of the 10-cent deposits that do not include the per-container handling charges that distributors pay to the redemption centers. Estimates of the distributor losses reach $20 million or more due to the out-of-state redemptions.

Candelora argued that while the current budget includes more than $850,000 for enforcement through police overtime, he said he doubts that much of the amount went to that purpose.

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I do think we have bad actors in New York, in particular, that are actually collecting these, Candelora said. This is not people collecting them in their homes and carrying them over the border. I think we have redemption centers in New York that are collecting these bottles and trucking them across the border into the state of Connecticut and getting double redemption by doing that. Our redemption centers are collecting them because they are also incentivized and being paid for it.

During a recent special session of the legislature, the higher fines  starting at $500 for first offenders  were approved along with more funding for local police enforcement to find out-of-state bottle redemption fraud.

If you dont believe the fraud measures are going to cut it, weve got to stop the bleeding somewhere else, because ultimately Connecticut is going to have to pay this bill and we dont have the money to do it, Candelora said.

State Rep. Mary Mushinsky, a committee member who helped create the original five-cent deposit law in 1978, said that before the dime surcharge was adopted, redemption rates stood at a lowly 40%. She predicted that if the deposit were to go back to five cents, parks and streets would be littered with discarded containers.

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Candelora said its laudable to have clean parks but said the losses are bleeding the distributors.

We also have to have the distributors lean on the manufacturers to mark the containers correctly for Connecticut, Mushinsky said.

But Candelora quoted national manufacturers who say they cannot make special marks for Connecticut-sold beverages. What I know is that as a result of that impasse, its our local mom-and-pop businesses that are suffering. If we need to take a pause, we have to take a pause, he said.

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The committees deadline to vote on the bill is Wednesday.
The bill to broaden eligibility for intellectual disability services has eight Democratic co-sponsors, including Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas, D-East Hartford.

In testimony submitted to the Human Services Committee, Looney argued IQ was not a sufficient measure of whether a person needs state services.

I have had parents contact me because despite their child being clearly developmentally disabled and in need of services, on the day the child was administered the test, the child scored in the low seventies, he wrote. I believe that using the definition from American Psychiatric Associations Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders will lead to better outcomes.

Testimony about the bill at a March 17 public hearing was almost universally in support, with dozens of advocates and parents arguing for the change. One resident shared that he worries what will happen to his brother who is disabled as their parents age.

Without changing the eligibility criteria to align with the DSM-5, I would be forced to make an impossible decision, he wrote. I would have to choose between staying home fulltime to care for him, leaving us without income, or going to work and placing him in an institution.

Both DDS and the Department of Social Services, however, were more equivocal about the proposal, with DSS Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves testifying that she would appreciate an opportunity to speak with the proponents of the bill to better understand their intent and goals of this legislation.

Before the bill can pass through the legislature, lawmakers will likely have to weigh its budget impact. Though the bill itself would not cost the state any money, Eagan and Feinstein said, implementing it in a way that grants more people access to services would require greater funding, which advocates hope officials would allocate.

Feinstein said he views this legislation as one step toward a fairer, more generous system, under which anyone who needs certain benefits is able to get them, regardless of their specific diagnosis.
A waning gibbous moon over New Haven. Peter Yankowski/Hearst Connecticut Media A waning gibbous moon over New Haven. Peter Yankowski/Hearst Connecticut Media

Wednesday night's full moon will be a Pink Moon, but Connecticut residents likely won't get a good view thanks to cloud cover.

The pink moon draws its name from the fact that it coincides with the blooming of moss pink, otherwise known as creeping phlox. The species is one of the earliest flowers of spring.

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Full moon officially peaks at 10:11 p.m. EST on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, residents' chances of witnessing the full moon from Connecticut this week are pretty much nil. The weather forecast for Wednesday night calls for heavy cloud cover.

The full moon comes as members of NASA's Artemis II mission are scheduled to blast off from Cape Canaveral on Wednesday, marking the first time a crewed mission will return to the moon since the end of the Apollo space flights in the 1970s.

Wednesday's mission won't put boots on the moon. Instead, the four member crew will zip around the moon before returning to Earth for a splashdown in the Pacific Ocean.

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Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with rain developing later in the day. High 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 42F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Cloudy with occasional rain in the afternoon. High 61F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible..

Tonight

Rain likely. Low 42F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
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A major celebration of LEGO is set to return to Exeter next month, with organisers promising the "biggest brick-tastic celebration" in the event's history.

The Exeter Brick Festival will take over the Westpoint Arena on Sunday, 26 April, bringing together families, collectors, and adult builders for a day dedicated to the iconic plastic brick.

Established in 2018, the festival was born out of a desire to bridge gaps in the LEGO hobby. Speaking exclusively to Exeter Today, the organisers explained that the event started because they felt existing LEGO shows were missing key elements for fans.

"We had attended several LEGO-themed events that all seemed to miss important areas of the hobby," they said. "We wanted to create the ultimate LEGO-themed event that offered something for every kind of fan, whether you are a family that loves to build, or a die-hard collector."

After refining what they describe as an "event blueprint," the team has spent the last eight years expanding the festival across the country.

What to expect

Following a record-breaking turnout last year, this years festival will feature an expanded range of activities and displays. Attendees can expect:

Master Displays: A brand-new selection of unique LEGO builds created by master builders from across the UK.

Interactive Challenges: Speed-building competitions, mosaic-making rounds, and a dedicated building area.

The Marketplace: Traders will be selling everything from loose bricks and individual minifigures to rare, retired, and collectible sets.

Expert Insight: Visitors will have the chance to meet the "building maestros" behind the displays to pick up tips and inspiration for their own projects.

With previous events regularly selling out, organisers are urging fans to book in advance. Early Bird tickets are available, offering an extra hour of entry (from 10am) and a free LEGO gift.

Adult tickets: From 8

Child tickets: From 6

Family tickets: Available for "extra value"

The event will run at Westpoint Arena, with standard entry times and family packages available via the official festival website.
Cub Scouts from Barnstaple and North Devon have enjoyed a rare opportunity to travel halfway across the country and visit the National Space Centre.

Members of 1st North Devon Scouts joined a 500-strong group from across the UK for the weekend trip to the centre in Leicester, where they were able to explore the wonders of space and aviation first-hand.

Designed to spark curiosity and build skills that arent always within young peoples orbit, such as space science, astronomy and aeronautics, the day provided plenty of handson activities, interactive experiments and stellar learning opportunities.

READ NEXT: Cub scouts get on board at Barnstaple station for a day of discovery

Matthew, a volunteer leader for 1st North Devon Scouts, said: We travelled almost five hours and stayed the night at a local scout camp site, but its been worth the journey!

The young people had a brilliant time and its such a great opportunity for them to earn their space badge but also experience all the amazing activities the Space Centre for the first time.

Above: The event at the National Space Centre had plenty of hands-on activities for the Cub Scouts to join in with. Credit: Scouts

Chief Scout Dwayne Fields said: It was fantastic to join young people from Barnstaple at the National Space Centre. Together, we discovered more about the possibilities of STEM, both in space and down here on Earth.

This is an incredibly exciting time for space with the Artemis moon missions and, who knows, maybe some of our Scouts will be the astronauts and moonwalkers of the future. In Scouts it is days like these that inspire young people, set their sights higher while giving them skills for life.

Above: Chief Scout Dwayne Fields with some of the 500 Cub Scouts  including those from North Devon  who visited the National Space Centre at the weekend. Credit: Scouts

READ NEXT: North Devon town recreates the Easter story with live action Passion play
Danielle Bethell's campaign for the Republican Party nomination for governor has a consistent theme: empowering local government to act on local problems with support from the state. As she sees it, Oregon should work from the bottom up, not from the top down.

Photo provided

The candidate is one of a dozen candidates in a crowded field that includes two who have previously vied for the position: Christine Drazen and Sisters-area resident Chris Dudley.

"I'm the only candidate running an effective government today," Bethell asserted in an interview with The Nugget last week.

The candidate stopped in Sisters on a swing through Central Oregon.

Bethell is a Marion County Commissioner who served as president of the Association of Oregon Counties in 2024. She believes that her position and experience has given her insight into the way in which government should work. In her view, effective government is small government, locally run, government that lives within its means and focuses on delivery of services, one that is "more program-focused and less ideologically focused."

She acknowledged that housing affordability is a critical matter in Sisters as well as across the state. As a Marion County Commissioner, Bethell worked to use Community Development Block Grants for downpayment assistance and homeowner rehab programs and connected renters with financial resources and education to help get them onto a home ownership track.

She argues that the state should support creation of the housing individual communities want rather than creating mandates.

"You just shift the system from top-down to bottom-up," she said. State government should "partner with those communities, not dictate to those communities."

She believes that state government should focus on leveraging resources to partner with communities to create infrastructure to ameliorate costs that impact affordability.

Bethell advocates for increased local control for school districts. Bethell served on the Salem-Keizer School Board before resigning in 2022.

"[School districts] want local control," she said. "They should be able to control their own systems."

She believes the statute allowing the governor to be superintendent of public education should be repealed and that the state department of education should be reformed to focus on academic success. She believes that there should be renewed focus on standardized testing as a measure of student progress - but not to the exclusion of more organic classroom-based measures. She argues that identity-based priorities and programs should be dismantled.

"I believe that character is the most important form of understanding a person," she said.

In keeping with her political philosophy and policy preference, Bethell believes that the state department of education should mobilize funding to support local initiatives rather than creating mandates.

"I believe communities do best when they lift up themselves - and the state just seems to get in the way," she said.

Bethell acknowledged that homelessness is a significant issue statewide - and one that impacts Sisters in unique ways, with encampments on national forest land surrounding the community.

"It's very present for tourists to see and for the locals to be concerned about," she said.

Partnerships and local engagement are, in her view, the route toward mitigating the issue, and she believes it is critical that local voices are heard at the national level in addressing it.

"It is unacceptable to me that ODF and the governor's office would be missing from those [national] meetings," she said.

She advocates for the application of evidenced-based programs emphasizing personal responsibility and long-term results, including work as a commissioner to expand safe homes for people seeking sobriety.

Bethell is convinced that the referendum on a transportation tax to provide $4.3 billion dollars for the Oregon Department of Transportation over the next decade will be shot down by voters.

The transportation bill would provide funding to bridge an Oregon Department of Transportation shortfall through a six-cent gas tax increase, hikes to car registration and title fees, and doubling the payroll taxes used for public transit.

"I don't think we need more taxes at the state level for anything," Bethell said.

Bethell advocates for zero-based budgeting in all departments, and for ODOT to collaborate more with county governments to reduce duplication of services.

"Working together reduces costs," she said.

Bethell criticized Drazen and Dudley for stepping away from debates.

"While we have good candidates in the race, they're not showing up in the debate space," she said. "Skirting that process is disrespectful to the voters, in my opinion. If Sisters or Bend want to have a debate or a forum, I'm coming."
Last week, Sisters firefighters knocked down a RV fire that could have taken out a good chunk of Sisters RV Park. They have recently responded to escaped debris fires and numerous medical calls. Firefighters and paramedics are running 65 percent more calls than they were a decade ago - with an emergency response staff that hasn't increased in 15 years.

Photo provided

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District Board of Directors has placed a local option levy on the May 19 ballot. If passed, Measure 9-182 would levy taxes at a rate of 70 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to maintain and improve emergency services in response to the increased service demands, staffing challenges, and rising operational costs.

Last week, Fire Chief Tony Prior and Finance Manager/Executive Assistant Julie Spor sat down with The Nugget to walk through the state-of-play in the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District.

Chief Prior came on the job a year ago, and he said it was immediately apparent to him that the increased demands on the district were taking a toll on staff.

"It was easy to see very quickly that we're burning our people out," he told The Nugget.

The District runs three shifts with personnel on for 48 hours and off for 96. Overall call volume has increased 63.5 percent over 10 years. Medical emergencies make up about 70 percent of calls, and the number of "stacked" or simultaneous calls has increased by 207 percent since 2019. The District dealt with 333 stacked calls in 2025, and 377 the year before that. That means ambulance crews are running a lot - and they cover 800 square miles of territory, from Cloverdale to about 10 miles west of the Santiam Junction. According to Prior, out of 1,100 or 1,200 medical responses in a year, 700 or 800 will require transport to the hospital.

"We're transporting a lot," he said.

With extensive geographic coverage and the requirement to transport to Bend or Redmond, a single call can easily tie up an ambulance for four hours.

There are currently usually three full-time personnel working on each of the three shifts. According to Prior, two people is a bare minimum for an advanced life-saving response, which means that the District is operating at a thin margin with personnel, and they rely on students and volunteers. Nationally, fire districts have seen a 30 percent decline in volunteerism.

"People are just busy and don't have time to volunteer," Prior said. "Relying on that model is really no longer sustainable for us."

Prior seeks to add full-time emergency response staff, not only to maintain service levels, but to accomplish all of the training, maintenance, and administrative requirements of the service. He noted that each of the full-time staff have responsibilities for making sure that supplies and equipment are response-ready, and that the facilities are in good order. Training is a major component of their work - both achieving and maintaining their own certification and training volunteers and students.

"We have a ton of training that we're required to do each year to stay proficient," Prior said.

"There's really not a lot of downtime for them at all," Spor noted.

Training includes medical, haz-mat, vehicle fire and rescue, technical responses like swift water and rope rescues, structural and woodland firefighting. Training is planned out seasonally. Prior noted that Deputy Chief Tim Craig recently designed a multi-agency simulation for wildfire response in an effort to continually refine coordination for incidents such as last summer's Flat Fire.

Another key need, according to Chief Prior, is a full-time mechanic. Currently, they have the services of a mechanic one day a week. Last year, the District paid out approximately $67,000 in outside repairs. That's not only a cost issue - it takes vital equipment out of service for longer than Prior would like.

"We can't afford to have apparatus shipped over to Ford and be down for a week or two waiting to be fixed," he said.

Prior believes that a full-time mechanic position would pay for itself in short order, and improve the life of expensive equipment.

The Nugget asked Prior to address the commonly held perception that growth should pay for increased services.

Prior acknowledged that this seems like a logical proposition - but it plays out differently in fact. Property tax assessments and collections increased 4.9 percent last year and this year, he and Spor reported. That growth did not keep pace with increased salaries, as the District seeks to maintain staff in the third position among Central Oregon agencies in compensation.

As for increased growth due to urban growth boundary expansion, "We may be a year-and-a-half [from development] before we see any revenue from that," Prior said.

And the increased growth will bring its own increase in calls for service.

"We're not asking for this [local option] for the future," Prior said. "This is what we need now to maintain the service that you expect."

According to election documents, the 70 cents per $1,000 of taxable assessed value will generate estimated revenue of $5,807,284 over five years.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District will hold informational community meetings in four different locations on four different dates:

 Saturday, April 11, 1 p.m. at Station 703, 17233 Buffalo Dr., Whychus Canyon Estates

 Tuesday, April 14, 6 p.m. at Sisters Elementary School, 2155 W. McKinney Butte Road, Sisters

 Saturday, April 18, 2 p.m., Camp Sherman Community Hall, 13025 Metolius River, Camp Sherman

 Monday, April 20, 6 p.m. at Station 701. 301 S. Elm St., Sisters.
A deadly fungal disease that has put at least one bat species on the federal Endangered Species List has been detected in Oregon for the first time.

State Fish and Wildlife officials on Wednesday announced that scientists from the National Wildlife Health Center in March identified six bats in Columbia and Benton counties suffering from white-nose syndrome.

Photo provided

The scientists at each agency will work together to continue monitoring and identifying sites where bats might be infected and coordinate care for the bats with wildlife rehabilitators and the Oregon Veterinary Disease Laboratory at Oregon State University, according to a news release.

The fungus causing white-nose syndrome was previously detected in bat guano collected from a roost in Clatsop County in 2025, but officials had never before detected it in Oregon bats themselves until this month, state wildlife officials said.

Oregon was one of about a dozen states that had avoided the fungus and the disease since it first showed up in New York around 2006. It was first detected in Washington in 2016.

It has so far been found in 38 states and killed nearly seven million bats, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2022, the service announced that the northern long-eared bat, found across much of the U.S. and Canada, would be the first bat species to be listed as endangered due to the disease.

The disease attacks bats' skin while they hibernate. As it spreads, it causes scarring and holes in their wings. It can cause them to break hibernation and fly into the cold to look for food, burning up their fat stores needed to survive winter. Without insects that thrive in warmer months, they can freeze or starve to death.

The fungus spreads primarily through bat-to-bat contact, but humans play a role in the spread via contaminated clothing, gear, and equipment brought into or out of caves or visiting areas near bats' summer roosts. Managed caves, including the Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve in southern Oregon, prohibit any gear, clothing, or shoes that have been in other caves.

There are currently no endangered or threatened bats in Oregon, according to the federal Fish and Wildlife Service. Because the fungus that causes white-nose syndrome has become so common in the U.S., it is unlikely that it will go away, federal wildlife officials say.

Oregon Fish and Wildlife's advice to protect Oregon's bats:

 Disinfect shoes and gear after visiting a cave or other known bat roost before getting in your vehicle or leaving the site.

 Report sick or dead bats to ODFW's Health Lab using the Bat Health Survey or call the health lab and leave a message at 866-968-2600. Never touch or pick up a bat with bare hands. Report sites of known high bat activity using the Bat Colony Reporting Survey.

 If bats are impacting your home or another structure, remove them safely and help prevent future entry. More information is available online, and some wildlife control companies specialize in bat-friendly solutions.

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Professional journalist groups and Oregon news publishers are calling on Gov. Tina Kotek to veto a bill passed last month by the state Legislature that the groups, along with government ethics watchdogs, say erodes public meetings laws.

In recent letters to Kotek and in editorials, the Oregon chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, the Oregon News Publishers Association, The Oregonian, and roughly a dozen small publishers, called on the governor to veto House Bill 4177.

Kotek has until April 9  30 days after it got to her desk from the Legislature  to sign, veto, or let it take effect by default. When asked what action shell take or if she has reservations about the bill, Kotek spokesperson Elisabeth Shephard told the Capital Chronicle in a short email that: The governor reviews all bills that come to her desk.

House Bill 4177 is meant to clarify a 2023 law prohibiting public officials from deliberating and deciding measures via text, phone call, and other chain conversations  essentially meeting through the ether outside the view of the public  to circumvent state public meetings law. House Bill 4177 exempts from the law such serial communications if they are made for the purpose of gathering information relating to a decision that will be deliberated upon or made by the governing body.

Proponents of the bill say its needed to clarify that public officials arent violating state law when they text an article related to an issue to one another, or share their opinion with a reporter ahead of a vote, who then shares that opinion with other members of the governing body in the course of the reporting.

But journalists and leaders of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, the latter tasked with enforcing the public meetings law, say the bill fundamentally redefines what constitutes meetings and deliberations in a way that would allow public officials to do important work in private with little transparency.

Ethics leaders in a memo to the House Rules Committee on March 2 warned of unintended outcomes.

Much of the information gathering that normally occurs in public meetings (work sessions or executive sessions) could instead be done privately, they wrote of the bills consequences. The transparency and accountability that comes with public meetings, where the public has notice of what a governing body is discussing and the media can observe an executive session, will be lost.

State lawmakers passed it anyway just a few days later, vowing to come back in 2027 to make fixes that might be needed.

In a statement Wednesday evening, Susan Myers, executive director of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, said though there are good and well intentioned changes being made to public meetings laws in the bill, there are also areas of serious concern.

OGEC is all in favor of having an informed, considered review of the laws and making updates that work for the public bodies, public officials, members of the public, and the media. That is why OGEC has suggested getting the Oregon Law Commission to take on this project, she said. In the absence of that, we would support further workgroups, legislative or otherwise, to address not only any issues raised with the implementation of HB 4177, but to consider other changes and updates that may be needed.

Rep. Nathan Sosa, D-Hillsboro, a former chair of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission who backed the 2023 law, sponsored House Bill 4177 during the February session. It was conceived of by a workgroup Sosa convened made up mostly of lobbyists and attorneys representing cities, counties and school boards. A lobbyist for the Society of Professional Journalists was the sole press advocate in the group, and several bipartisan lawmakers and state ethics leaders participated in meetings and were consulted about drafts of the bill.

The lack of journalist representation on a bill that could affect reporters access to public meetings and information is among the sticking points for many of the publishers calling on Kotek to veto the bill, as well as what it does not define. Though it allows public officials to text, call, and otherwise communicate privately for the purpose of gathering information it does not define what gathering information means, according to Laurie Hieb, executive director of the Newspaper Publishers Association.

As written, the bill would allow public bodies to meet secretly as a quorum, selectively receive information, include or exclude interested members of the public from the meeting, and hold private discussions about public issues, she wrote in the groups letter to Kotek.

Leaders for the Society of Professional Journalists also raised concerns that Sosa did not share with them or the wider workgroup several emails and memos from state ethics officials he received before the session, warning of the bills unintended consequences and requesting that legislative action be delayed to 2027.

Nick Budnick, sunshine chair of the journalists group, said they only saw those when journalists filed a public records request for communications after the session.

Sosa said the emails and memos were a restatement of the questions, objections, and concerns raised in workgroup meetings by Myers of the Oregon Government Ethics Commission, and the feedback was discussed and debated at-length during meetings.

Government ethics and transparency are topics that I care deeply about, Sosa said in an email. This bill was a good faith effort to provide greater clarity for everyone while preserving the purpose of our public meetings laws.

Other members of the workgroup confirmed they had not seen the emails or memos but they would not have changed their support for the bill.

Scott Winkels, a lobbyist for the League of Oregon Cities, said the 2023 law and the government ethics commission were having their own chilling effects on news gathering and public information.

Thats because commission trainings meant to help public officials understand the new law included materials insinuating that an official of a governing body might be in violation of serial communications rules if they discussed a voting matter with an intermediary, such as a constituent or reporter, who then talked about it with other members of the governing body, Winkels said.

Simply answering constituent questions should never be discouraged. Talking to a reporter  nobody should refuse a speaking engagement. I mean, it got to the point where we had told our members to take our training class and avoid the OGEC one, and we still havent lifted that advice, he said.

He said some public officials  many who are volunteers on boards and committees  opt out of staying in their roles, fearing the reputational damage that can come from being found guilty of a state ethics violation, even if unintentionally perpetrated.

The government ethics commission has reviewed, or is in the process of reviewing, 50 members of eight public governing bodies for potential violations of the 2023 law banning serial communications since it was enacted, according to commission data. Of them, 90 percent of the complaints against the public officials were dismissed with no penalties.

Note: Oregon Capital Chronicle Editor Julia Shumway is board treasurer of the Greater Oregon Pro Chapter of the Society of Professional Journalists, which is requesting Kotek veto the bill referenced in this article. She did not participate in the editing of this item.
Lawmakers who missed the boat on regulating social media now have a chance to address the next emerging technologys effects on youth, Oregon lawmakers contend.

Sen. Lisa Reynolds, D-Portland, and the Senate Early Childhood and Behavioral Health committee she chairs are championing Senate Bill 1546 to regulate artificial intelligence chatbots. The committee voted 4-1 to advance the bill with amendments to the Senate floor Thursday, February 19.

The bill would require AI programs such as ChatGPT to remind users more regularly that they are speaking to an artificial intelligence tool, not a human. The legislation follows a recently passed California law and similar legislation introduced this year in New York and Washington.

Reynolds, a pediatrician, described parents struggles with managing electronic use among youth she works with, as kids spend more time using the internet, social media, and now, AI.

What is coming up for me all the time in my exam room is parents feel like theyre fighting a losing battle, Reynolds said.

Assessing teen AI use

AI use among teens is increasingly common, with 72 percent of teens using AI companions, and more than 50 percent as regular users, according to the nonprofit Common Sense Media. Other research from the organization noted that nearly a third of teens find conversations with AI chatbot companions just as satisfying or more satisfying as real-life conversations.

Robbie Torney, the head of AI and digital assessments at Common Sense Media, said teens are using AI chatbots as companions for emotional support or to discuss mental health.

Our testing shows that they consistently miss subtle warning signs  and even not so subtle warning signs  that another human being, a parent, a friend, or an adult would catch, Torney said.

There have been several cases over the past few years of AI chatbots, including ChatGPT and Character.AI, contributing to teen suicides, according to parents testimony before a U.S. Senate committee last year.

The Oregon bill proposes additional guardrails for youth access to AI, including calling for programmers to note that the platform may not be suitable for minors, to not show or promote sexually explicit content or conduct, and to discourage spending extended time interacting with the platform.

Expanding notifications is one way chatbots can promote responsible AI use, said Linda Charmaraman, senior research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women at Wellesley College and founder and director of the Youth, Media and Wellbeing Research Lab. She supports educating youth about responsible uses of AI, rather than outright bans.

Whether its adults or for minors, just to remind people that there are limits to the technology and that theres inaccuracies, Charmaraman said. If I could wave a wand, I would love for them to really focus on AI literacy from early ages.

Suicide prevention focus

Beyond youth access, Reynolds added that the bills intent is to protect anyone expressing suicidal tendencies.

The proposed legislation would require programmers who make their tools available to Oregonians to develop protocols for their AI platform to detect signs of suicidal ideation, self-harm, or thoughts of intending to do either.

In response, these platforms would be required to refer users to a suicide hotline and other crisis related resources and immediately interrupt conversation between the chatbot and user. The protocol would also be required to be publicly available on the AI program site.

Reynolds has been in touch with Lines for Life, the Oregon-based suicide and mental health hotline, and its sister hotline YouthLine, about potentially being part of the mental health resources that AI chatbots could offer users.

Hotline volunteers have already seen how AI has impacted users, according to Dwight Holton, executive director of Lines for Life. Youth volunteers are increasingly reassuring users in crisis that they are speaking to a human, not AI, he said.

We know that intervention works, Holton said. So, if we can convince our partners in the industry and legislatively, establish guardrails that require that kind of connection to intervention, we will get folks from that path of despair to a path of hope.

Reynolds has also reached out to organizations like TechNet, which supports a network of tech agencies including Google, OpenAI, and Meta.

TechNet officials, while largely supportive of the bill, mentioned some concerns about Oregons potential requirements of more frequent notifications than laws in other states. The bill has since been amended to align with other states notification provisions.

I am working with a coalition of companies to try and make sure that we have clear definitions and clear requirements on notifications and guardrails and looking forward to working with the senator and the committee, said Rose Feliciano, TechNets executive director for Washington and the Northwest.

The bill could face legal challenges if passed because of a December executive order President Donald Trump signed to limit state regulation of AI services. While Reynolds is unclear about where the executive order fits in, her plans remain unchanged in addressing unregulated AI use.

Social media companies have had the opportunity to make some choices that would have kept kids safe from social media but instead they really double down on doing everything they can to keep their eyeballs on social media content for as long as they can, Reynolds said. I see it time and again in my exam room, so I dont want to wait till its too late to put some sideboards on AI tools.

Reprinted under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy of https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Mays vote on a controversial 2025 transportation law will mark the 67th time in state history that Oregonians opposed a law strongly enough to petition for its placement on the ballot.

A majority of voters approved just more than one-third of those laws, including measures that gave sheriffs control of county prisons and closed the Willamette River to commercial fishing south of Oswego. Most recently, in 2018, voters approved higher taxes on hospitals and health insurers to cover funding gaps in the Oregon Health Plan after the first Trump administration cut Medicaid funding.

The remaining 42 times, Oregonians voted against laws that were referred to the ballot, often forcing lawmakers to find alternative solutions to budget constraints. That could very likely be the case for Measure 120, which voters will see on their May ballots.

A yes vote on the measure would raise most vehicle title and registration fees, increase the gas tax from 40 cents to 46 cents and double the payroll tax used for public transit from 0.1% to 0.2% of a workers paycheck until 2028.

This process, known as a referendum, has roots in distrust in the political class, according to Rep. Ed Diehl, a Scio Republican who helped lead the states most recent referendum alongside Sen. Bruce Starr, R-Dundee and Taxpayer Association of Oregon founder Jason Williams. In late 2025, the petitioners submitted to the Oregon Secretary of States office more than 200,000 signatures  more than double the 78,000 signatures they needed  to secure a spot on the ballot.

While theyve sued to keep the vote in November rather than May, those legal attempts have so far been unsuccessful, and a Marion County judge said the law would likely survive other legal challenges.

Its not unusual for a referendum to take place outside of the November general election. The Legislature moved five out of seven referendums since 2000 to special elections in January or February or to the date of the May primary.

While a May vote means there will likely be less voter turnout, it is also true that delays on the implementation of the law will delay much needed maintenance on Oregons roads, according to Reed College political science professor Chris Koski.

Populist roots

Oregon was a pioneer in the West when it came to establishing the initiative process, Koski told the Capital Chronicle.

While South Dakota was the first state to adopt a process giving citizens a chance to veto a law, Oregon followed shortly after when early Oregon lawmaker and populist William URen pushed for ways regular Oregonians could propose laws or amendments to the state constitution, or reject a bill passed by the Legislature.

There was this feeling that parties were not being responsive to populist demands, Koski said. There was this idea that if the Legislature wouldnt respond to what the will of the people were, and that was often happening in machine politics, that the people ought to have a say in a number of different ways.

In 1902, Oregon voters approved a legislatively referred ballot measure creating Oregons initiative, referendum and legislative referral process. This trinity of tools became known as the Oregon System, which Republicans recently warned they would use if Democrats dont take their concerns seriously.

Theyre really influential, Koski said. The threat of an initiative is enough to motivate the Legislature to do something.

Initiatives are widely used in Oregon in comparison to other states because Oregon doesnt just allow citizens to pass laws, but to change the states constitution.

As a result, the Oregon Constitution looks less like a hallowed document like the American Constitution, and more like a document with a bunch of sticky notes all over it associated with different kinds of changes that have been from this initiative process, Koski said.

Oregon voters hate to see a gas tax hike

Through a mix of ballot initiatives, referendums and legislative referrals, Oregon voters have shot down several attempts to increase the gas tax.

In November 1928, 73 percent of Oregon voters voted against a ballot initiative aimed at raising the gas tax from three to five cents per gallon.

In the May 1978 primary, the Legislature asked voters if it would support requiring highway revenue to be used first for maintenance and infrastructure rehabilitation before any new highway construction. That referral also proposed increasing the gas tax from seven cents to nine cents. It failed, with 66% of people voting no.

The Legislature tried asking voters again in November 1980 if they would support increasing the gas tax to nine cents per gallon. Nearly 850,000 Oregonians  74 percent of voters at the time  voted no.

And in May 2000, Oregonians voted on a referendum petition opposing a Republican-led law establishing a diesel fuel tax and increasing the gas tax by five cents to the same 29-cent rate as the diesel tax. Oregonians defeated the law with 87% of the vote.

Gas tax increases are so unpopular because they disproportionately impact people living in rural parts of Oregon who have to commute to work, Diehl said.

As I go around the state, everybody feels like theyre taxed enough, Diehl, who is campaigning for governor, told the Capital Chronicle over the phone. Theyre taxed to death and they do not feel like theyre getting their moneys worth for the taxes theyre paying.

Oregon Capital Chronicle editor Julia Shumway contributed to this story.

Republished under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0, courtesy https://oregoncapitalchronicle.com.
Hikers and bikers in Sisters Country crossing flat terrain of the Deschutes National Forest and nearby BLM lands frequently encounter a striking and unexpected feature: a dark wall of stacked, fractured rock rising indiscriminately twenty to fifty feet from the desert or forest floor and extending hundreds of feet in length. These formations, known as rimrock, are a defining characteristic of Central Oregon.

Indeed, many a street, business, and subdivision around Sisters bear the name rimrock.

The formations are composed almost entirely of basalt, the dense, dark volcanic rock produced by the same geologic forces that shaped much of the Pacific Northwest. Their origin traces to a prolonged period of volcanic activity between six and seventeen million years ago, when enormous volumes of lava erupted from long fissures in the earth across what is now eastern Oregon and Washington.

Unlike the explosive eruptions associated with the Cascade volcanoes, these were low-pressure flows of highly fluid basalt that spread across the landscape in successive sheets, sometimes traveling three hundred miles or more before cooling. Repeated over millions of years, these flows stacked into a plateau thousands of feet thick, a formation geologists call the Columbia River Basalt Group.

Much of the popular Peterson Ridge trail system is dotted with striking example of rimrock providing dramatic views and challenging mountain bike obstacles while giving hikers ample bouldering pleasures.

The characteristic cliff-like appearance of rimrock is the result of how basalt flows cool and how they erode. Each individual flow has distinct internal zones. The top and bottom portions cool rapidly and remain relatively porous and soft, riddled with gas bubbles that create a crumbly material known as scoria. The thick interior of each flow cools slowly under pressure and becomes extremely hard, dense rock.

Over time, erosion works faster on the softer scoria layers, undercutting the hard cap above until large sections break away and accumulate as a rubble slope, called talus, at the base of the formation.

The blocky, stacked appearance of the rock face is the result of a cooling process called columnar jointing. As basalt solidifies, it contracts and fractures along regular vertical lines, breaking the rock into roughly hexagonal or polygonal columns. The same process is responsible for well-known formations elsewhere, including Devils Postpile National Monument in California and the Giants Causeway in Northern Ireland.

When rimrock faces erode and break apart, they do so along these joints, producing the rectangular slabs and boulders that give the formations their stacked appearance.

Rimrock is found throughout Oregons high desert wherever the ancient lava plateau surface has been exposed and cut by erosion.

In addition to the Bend area and Harney Basin, prominent examples appear along the John Day River corridor and across the broad tablelands of Lake and Malheur counties. The formations are typically dark gray to black, often stained with orange and yellow lichen, and can reach lengths of a mile or more in some locations.

The formations serve practical and ecological functions. Rimrock faces provide nesting habitat for raptors, including prairie falcons and red-tailed hawks, and the talus slopes at their base shelter small mammals and reptiles. Historically, ranchers used rimrock as natural windbreaks and as one side of livestock enclosures.

For geologists, the layered structure of rimrock offers a readable cross-section of the regions volcanic history, with each distinct band of rock corresponding to a separate lava flow and a discrete chapter in the long geological record of the Oregon high desert.
In 2001, the Forest Service passed the Roadless Rule Conservation Act. The Trump administration is seeking to rescind the Act. During a brief public comment period, 99 percent of the respondents opposed the idea.

The Roadless Rule affected 58.5 million acres of Forest Service roadless lands and put them off-limits to new road construction, logging, and road reconstruction. As the Forest Service recognized in its original review, these roadless lands have the greatest likelihood of altering and fragmenting landscapes, resulting in immediate, long-term loss of roadless area values and characteristics.

Abolishing protection from logging and roading provided by the Roadless Rules has major economic consequences, both in direct costs and in avoided costs.

For instance, a practical rationale for the rule is the Forest Services acknowledgment that the roughly 370,000 miles of existing Forest Service road network could not be maintained. There is already an $11 billion backlog in road maintenance, and creating even more roads would exacerbate this situation.

For instance, nearly 85 percent of the wildfires that start on National Forest land are human-caused. We spend 2.5 billion fighting these fires, and new logging and roading will only increase firefighting costs. A new study found that from 1992 to 2024, wildfires were four times more likely to ignite within 50 meters of a road than in a forest without motorized roads. Thus, preserving roadless lands will reduce the likelihood of wildfire.

There are other ecological and economic reasons for preserving the Roadless Rule. Some of the highest quality water is found in roadless areas. Many western cities obtain their drinking water from Forest Service roadless areas and require less treatment than water from other sources.

That same high-quality water supports important fisheries, from salmon to trout, that anglers seek, and provides important food for other wildlife, from bald eagles to river otters. Approximately 70 percent of all roadless areas support native trout and salmon, with 92 percent of all species at some risk. This includes the Blue Ribbon trout streams found in Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, and Colorado, all of which flow from roadless areas. In Southeast Alaska, nearly all salmon production occurs in Forest Service roadless lands.

Roadless lands are critical for sustaining populations of elk and deer, important to hunters, and essential as prey for predators like mountain lions and wolves. For example, in Idaho, 98 percent of elk use roadless lands at some point.

Roadless lands are also a major repository of carbon. Carbon emissions are driving climate warming. Just their carbon storage value alone exceeds any economic return from logging.

The idea promoted by the Trump administration that logging our roadless lands can decrease wildfires ignores studies showing that intact forest ecosystems are less likely to burn and burn at lower severity than managed forests.

Finally, intact roadless lands are essential for preserving biodiversity, which is the foundation for ecosystem function and stability. Estimates suggest that 57 percent of vulnerable U.S. wildlife species have suitable habitat in roadless areas.

When all these opportunity costs, as well as actual economic and ecological costs, are considered, any rational person would keep the existing 2001 Roadless Rule Conservation Act intact. Lets hope a few rational people are working in the current administration.

George Wuerthner is an ecologist and author of numerous books on natural history and environmental issues.
Earlier this week, Shanghai-based production company Youhug Media introduced two new actors set to star in an upcoming series of shorts named The Qinling Bronze Occult Chronicles. What sets Qin Lingyue and Lin Xiyan apart from other actors is that they are digital models powered by artificial intelligence.

The AI actors already have their own social media accounts and regularly post updates for their followers. They promised to read and respond to all comments, asking people to interact with them. However, their presentation has been met with skepticism by the general public and sparked outrage among human talent worried that they may soon lose their jobs.

Behind the unemployment of a single celebrity lies a whole group of ordinary workers who could lose their jobs  extras, cinematographers, lighting crew, catering staff, post-production teams, makeup artists, stagehands, and so on, one person commented on Weibo.

Some social media users also addressed the shocking resemblance of the two AI actors with real Chinese film stars. For example, Qin Lingyue is said to have borrowed the look of actor Zhai Zhilu, while Lin Xiyan bears a striking resemblance to several actresses, like Zhao Jinmai, Zhang Zifeng, and Liang Jie.

Not everyone in the Chinese film industry feels threatened by AI actors. Studios are said to plan a gradual replacement of supporting actos, extras and stunt doubles with AI, in order to reduce costs, while still relying on human stars to promote their creations.

Actors with real skill, talented writers, capable directors, you dont need to worry. Humans will prevail. We should adapt to the times, but also have confidence in ourselves, film producer Yu Zheng said.

AI actors have been sparking controversy in the Western world as well. Last year, we wrote about Tilly Norwood, an AI-powered actress that could one day match Scarlett Johansons fame and success.
On April 21, 2025, influencer Monniky Fraga and her husband, Lucas, were approached by three armed men just as they were returning to their home in Igarassu, Northern Brazil. Monniky would later tell her tens of thousands of followers that she and her husband went through a brutal ordeal, but a subsequent police investigation revealed some shocking details.

I was returning home with Lucas, and they surprised me on my street, Monniky told her followers. There were three armed men, and at first I thought they were going to take my car. When they ordered us to get out of the car and get into another vehicle, I understood that the situation was much more serious.

Recounting the ordeal through a series of social media posts, Monniky Fraga said that she and her husband were taken to a forest by a river and forced to pay their own ransom. The armed men kept warning them that they were going to shoot them if they didnt comply, and the influencer was convinced they would never see their family again.

In my head, I was only thinking about my children and saying, Ill give you everything you want, you dont have to do anything with me, when I leave here Ill forget about it,' Monniky recalled. They were threatening me all the time. Im going to shoot you in the knee, Im going to shoot you in the foot, but I begged so much that nothing happened.

Monniky and Lucas were eventually released in a rural area after their families paid the ransom demanded by the kidnappers. The influencers husband, who was reportedly beaten by the three armed men, decided to go straight to a police station and file a formal complaint. The Civil Police launched an investigation through the Special Operations Group (GOE) to identify those responsible.

Soon after police began investigating Monnikys kidnapping, they realised something was off. Phone records showed that she had maintained contact with one of the alleged kidnappers before and after the crime, and analysis of the evidence showed that this extortion by kidnapping was nothing more than a plot between the alleged victim and one of the perpetrators, according to a police commissioner.

There was just one thing that didnt add up. Monnikys husband didnt seem to have had any part in setting up the kidnapping, and the investigation concluded that he had been the only victim. Not only did he believe his and his wifes lives were at risk, but he was also beaten by the armed men during the kidnapping.

On March 25, almost a year after her kidnapping, Monniky Fraga was arrested on suspicion of extortion,

procedural fraud, and filing a false police report. One of her three alleged accomplices is also in custody, another one died last year, and a third is still being sought by police.

Monnikys lawyer has declined to comment on his clients situation at this time.
Highwire launches Highwire Health, a unified healthcare marketing and communications practice focused on helping organizations navigate complex stakeholder environments and high-stakes decision cycles. The new practice, which follows Highwires acquisition of The Bliss Group and Bliss Bio Health, brings together Highwires healthcare expertise under a single operating model. It will combine three focus areasLife Sciences, Health Technology and Digital Innovation, and the Business of Healthinto one integrated team. Highwire Healths work spans corporate narrative and positioning, launches and adoption, corporate reputation, clinical trial recruitment, evidence communications, brand building and revitalization, ecosystem mobilization, reputation and issues readiness, and executive visibility. "Our leaders have held senior roles inside the world's most complex healthcare organizationsthey know what it means to sit across the table from payors, regulators, health system boards, CEOs, CMOs and Chief Scientific Officers, said Highwire Health executive chair Michael Roth. That dual fluencyoperator and strategistis our unfair advantage, and it's what makes Highwire Health different."

Red Fan Communications, an Austin, TX firm focused on strategic B2B communications, announces the launch of its Brand Authority Indexa diagnostic tool that quantifies how companies show up in AI-powered search. The index evaluates seven weighted factorsearned media and market presence, recognition and industry visibility, review platform health, entity coherence, content authority, social and community authority, and technical readinessto reveal where companies fall short and where they excel in AI-driven discovery. It is intended to address a critical gap for B2B companies: understanding whether AI tools recommend their brand or their competitors when buyers ask for vendor suggestions. "The Brand Authority Index provides full transparency into the signals that influence AI recommendations, so companies can make strategic decisions about where to invest in their authority-building," said Red Fan Communications CEO and founder Kathleen Lucente. The launch comes as Red Fan signs on or expands relationships with clients including healthcare system Ascension Texas, banking provider Kinective, Texicare and ESO Solutions, as well as supporting Austins ABC Kite Fest for the eighth consecutive year.

Dreamday introduces its influencer division, which formalizes a core capability within the agencys integrated Performance PR model. The influencer division will work with brands on earned influencer and product seeding; paid influencer campaigns (which includes paid partnerships with influencers and creators across platforms including Instagram, TikTok, Substack and YouTube); and talent and celebrity management. The division will be led by Madeline Reid, who joins the agency from Nike as AVP of digital, alongside recently named SVP of growth Veronica Gauthier. "Influencer done well is hard. It takes taste, relationships and discipline to tie it back to real results. Madeline has all three, and we're so glad she's here," said Dreamday founder & CEO Lauren Kleinman.
Just a few years ago, the prevailing wisdom was that brands and their corporate leaders have a responsibility to speak out on the most pressing political and social challenges facing the world today. And in taking such a proactive, public stance, the assumption was that these brands would also boost their appeal among consumers who naturally prefer supporting companies that share their cultural values.

But things have changed. As an increasing number of Americans express weariness toward the nations current political landscape, purpose-driven messaging appears to have acquired radioactive status. According to the latest Global Communications Report released by the USC Annenberg Center for Public Relations, an increasing number of communications professionals are now ditching their support for corporate advocacy and also expect investment in CSR initiatives to wane in the coming years.

PR pros were asked every year: Do companies have a responsibility to advocate for or support social issues?

The annual report, which focuses on the emerging trends affecting the global communications landscape, found that the percentage of PR professionals who believe companies have a responsibility to advocate or take positions on social issues now stands at only 55 percent, compared to 85 percent in 2024 and 89 percent in 2023.

Suffice it to say, a 34 percent drop in corporate advocacy and social responsibility support in the last three years is a stunning development. Perhaps as a result, more than a third of PR pros (36 percent) now said they expect investments in DEI to decline over the next five years. Nearly half (44 percent) said they also think resources dedicated to sustainability would decline over the same period and nearly a quarter (22 percent) said they expect the same for resources in purpose-driven initiatives.

That doesn't mean PR pros no longer view political polarization as a problem. In fact, 81 percent of PR pros characterized the level of polarization in the United States as high or extremely high, compared with 69 percent of the general public. Additionally, 94 percent of PR pros think polarization is negatively impacting mental health in the U.S., 93 percent think it's negatively affecting our quality of life, 92 percent think its unlikely to end anytime soon and 89 percent think polarization in the U.S. is negatively affecting the rest of the world.

Moreover, almost half (42 percent) of PR pros said they believe political and social polarization has had a negative effect on employee morale. Nearly a third (32 percent) think polarization will harm corporate reputation and the same percentage believes it would hurt communications strategy. And nearly a quarter (22 percent) worried this might harm organizations communications budgets.

That said, virtually all of the communicators surveyed (91 percent) said they think polarization has increased the importance of public relations within their organization.

So, what to do? PR professionals remain divided on what strategies to deploy in our politically charged environment. Agency communicators tend to favor a proactive approach (53 percent), according to the report, while in-house professionals are more likely to favor a more defensive posture (44 percent). Additionally, 41 percent said they think silence can often be the most effective communication strategy in a politically polarized environment, suggesting a quiet shift is underway in corporate communication, where situational approaches to public engagement supersede purpose-driven messaging. Granted, there appears to be a great deal of disagreement on this approach, as only 26 percent of agency pros sign on for this strategy, compared to 52 percent of in-house communicators.

In terms of how PR pros expect resources to be allocated in their organization in the next five years, most (81 percent) unsurprisingly cited an increased investment in artificial intelligence, followed by increased investment in crisis communication (76 percent) and government relations and public affairs (71 percent). Nearly two-thirds (64 percent) additionally said they're investing in influencer engagement and 61 percent said theyre investing in business and financial communications.

Obviously, uncertainty and disruption have roiled the communications industry, thanks to the aforementioned changes around CSR and increased pressures to prove ROI amid the changes ushered in by AI. More than two-thirds of communicators surveyed (67 percent) said they now believe their organization is likely to restructure its communications function in the near future, with 36 percent claiming that such a structural change is very likely.

Despite the industry's myriad challenges, however, 72 percent of PR pros remain optimistic about the profession's future growth, including 31 percent who characterized themselves as very positive.

USC Annenbergs latest Global Communication Report, A Quiet Shift, surveyed more than 700 communication professionals and also held one-on-one interviews with Fortune 500 chief communications officers between December and January. Research was conducted by Meltwater. The report was produced in collaboration with the International Association of Business Communicators.
Learn more about the top online slots and crash games at bet365. We mined the February 2026 Gaming Insights and Performance report to bring the top games and most popular providers.

Join us as we delve into the bet365 Games Rankings and Gaming report for February 2026. The handy reports are drawn from gameplay, payout, and spending data at bet365 Casino, and include insights from over 7500 casino games across 20 markets.

This months report also covers an update on the performance of the operators' in-house jackpot called Jackpot365 for January and February 2026.

Top Performing Games for February 2026

This second report continues to lay bare the global performance of games by region, providing a helpful insight into the themes, paylines, bonus features, jackpot potential, and even return-to-player (RTP) rates that resonate with players in those markets.

With the notable interest in crash games in Brazil, bet365 have added a special interest report just for that region, which we have included below.

Top Casino Games in the UK:

With so many amazing online slots to play in the UK, it is not a surprise to see some movement in the top 10 list. While Gold Cash Freespins (Inspired Gaming) and Eye of Horus (Reel Time Gaming) moved up 3 and 6 spots respectively, to enter the top three, it was the Cops n Robbers Bigger Big Money slot that was the most exciting. This engaging slot machine by Inspired Gaming jumped an incredible 20 spots from 29th to make its Top 10 debut in 9th position!

Top Casino Games in Canada:

Canada, refusing to be outclassed by the British, provided the most outrageous climb to first position we have ever seen. 12 Masks of Fire Drums (Gameburger Studios) moved up an incredible 34 spots, debuting as the region's most popular slot for February 2026.

Canada also saw the arrival of a new game, Amazing Link Zeus Boost (SpinPlay Games), which entered the market for the first time, claiming spot number three on the chart.

Top Casino Games in Ontario, CA:

Due to its licensing and regulatory framework, Ontario get its own top 10 game list from a market-leading online casino. While Buffalo King Megaways (Pragmatic Play) maintained its top spot, three of the top 5 games made massive strides to claim their current positions.

Area Link Bank Boss (Area Vegas) jumped 19 spots to 2nd place, Gold Blitz Ultimate (Fortune Factory Studios) jumped 9 spots to 4th position, and Blue Wizard (Quickspin) jumped 10 spots to secure 5th place.

Top Casino Games in Germany:

February proved to be a very static month for games of chance in Germany, with none of the top 5 games moving at all. The biggest movement surrounded securing the 6th spot, where Cash Connection Sizzling Hot (Greentube) moved up from 12th place to finish in the top 10.

Top Casino Games in Spain:

There appears to be potential for Amazing Link Zeus Boost to become a global success for SpinPlay Games, given that it debuted in Canada at third position and simultaneously debuted in Spain in first position.

The only other notable mover and shaker in the region was Big Bass Vegas Double Down Deluxe by Reel Kingdom, which moved up 8 spots to claim 3rd position on the charts.

Top Casino Games in Brazil:

While the Gates of Olympus Super Scatter slot continued to dominate the Brazilian charts in February, the rest of the lineup was pure chaos with phenomenal advancements from the likes of Gates of Olympus 1000 (up 7 spots), Gates of Olympus (up 18 spots), and Big Bass Splash (up 15 spots).

Regardless of how you analyse the data, it is clear that Pragmatic Play is currently the leading provider in Brazil.

Top Crash Games in Brazil:

It is clear that crash game fans are a little more set in their ways, with the charts for this game category showing very little movement. Aviator and bet3655 High Flyer held firm in 1st and 3rd positions, while JetX moved up two posts to claim 2nd.

It was exciting to see a new game make its debut. Fly365, a bet365 exclusive, entered the charts in February. It will be interesting to see if it can join bet365 High Flyer in the top 5.

Top Casino Games in Greece:

Slot fans in Greece have locked in their favourite games, and theyre not budging. The three slots remained the same for February, with the only real troublemaker amongst them being Pragmatic Plays Gates of Olympus Super Scatter, which made its first appearance in the top 10 by climbing from 12th to 5th position.

Special Report: Jackpot365 Gains Momentum

Launched at the close of 2025, the optional progressive jackpot game, Jackpot365, is proving to be an instant hit with the online casino community. Despite being limited, as of the time of writing this, to the UK, Sweden, and the Netherlands, it paid out 22,000 times in January 2026. The cumulative value of these rewards crossed the 9.9 million mark.

The progressive jackpot game maintained a strong pace moving into the following month, paying out 18,100 prizes in February 2026, for a cumulative value of 9.3 million.

Comparing the two months, you find that both the daily average and average payout per player were greater in February than in January, which speaks volumes of its player appeal and payout potential.
This carefully curated, flash-over-substance public persona has fueled allegations that Carvalho's ego often eclipses the district's work. That dynamic has been on full display in his public feud with his predecessor, Austin Beutner-- a conflict that escalated after Carvalho moved to dismantle Primary Promise, one of Beutner's signature initiatives that the district had previously touted for its documented successes.

The feud intensified after Beutner authored PROP-28 and successfully persuaded voters to pass it. The two have repeatedly clashed over its implementation in Los Angeles. Yet, Carvalho continues to insist that he understands the law's requirements better than Beutner-- even though Beutner wrote it. If critics are looking for evidence of ego, they often point to this moment.

Unable to convince Carvalho to follow the terms of PROP-28, Beutner joined district parents in a lawsuit against the LAUSD. Rather than backing down, Carvalho-- supported by the School Board-- has chosen to fight the lawsuit. The district claims it lacks sufficient funds to expand arts education as required by the law, yet it has found ample resources to mount a legal defense. For critics, it's a revealing contrast in a district that so often invokes the slogan "Kids First."

One of the central disagreements between Carvalho and the author of PROP-28 concerns the law's requirement that these new funds supplement-- rather than supplant-- existing spending for arts education. Carvalho has publicly insisted that all PROP-28 dollars are being used exclusively for new programs. Yet, correspondence he sent to Board members suggests otherwise, raising questions about whether the district is backfilling prior obligations with money voters intended to expand arts instruction.

In a Board Informative dated August 15, 2024, Carvalho wrote that "the District prioritized the use of PROP-28 funds to cover existing staff as well as hire new staff." (Emphasis mine.) This statement amounts to a direct acknowledgment that the district used PROP-28 dollars to support positions that were already being funded-- precisely the kind of supplanting the measure was designed to prevent. For critics, it's a clear contradiction of what voters were promised when they approved the proposition.

With this information in hand, the elected School Board members knew-- months before Beutner filed his lawsuit last February-- that Carvalho was not following the law. In the interest of serving the children of Los Angeles, they could have insisted that the Superintendent meet with his predecessor and take the steps necessary to bring the district into compliance. Instead, they abdicated their oversight responsibility and allowed the issue to fester.

Carvalho's sidelining by federal investigators gives the School Board a renewed opportunity to reassert its legally mandated role as the district's policymaking body. At the most basic level, that means ensuring the district follows the law as written by Beutner and approved by voters regarding how PROP-28 funds are spent. It is long past time for the Board to resolve this dispute and move the district forward.

"You still have time to get things right to satisfy the will of the people by the passing of this proposition." -- Hon. Rupert A. Byrdsong

Carl Petersen is a former Green Party candidate for the LAUSD School Board and a longtime advocate for public education and special needs families. Now based in Washington State, he writes about politics, culture, and their intersections at TheDifrntDrmr.
This article originally appeared at TomDispatch.com . To receive TomDispatch in your inbox three times a week, click here

The World's Most Unbelievable Science Fiction Novel

Or Living on a Dump-Truck (Oops, I Meant Trump) Planet

By Tom Engelhardt

Honestly, I can't believe I'm in this world of ours (or do I mean His?). Yes, this very one and no other!

Almost a quarter of a century after, in response to the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. launched its war in Afghanistan that would last a mere 20 years until Donald Trump prepared for and Joe Biden carried out a humiliating withdrawal of the last American troops there, the U.S. is back big time, dumber and more wildly destructive than ever.

Whew!That's a lot of (terrible) history to get into a single sentence!

And so, here's a TomDispatch question for you: What four-letter country, the first three of which are IRA, has the U.S. now been bombing?No, not Iraq!That war began in 2003 and ended a mere eight years later in 2011.And remind me, how did that work out?It's Iran, of course.

And what a nightmare that is! By now, everyone who didn't vote for Donald Trump (and even some who did) knows that he's an all-American maniac.In his own striking fashion, the former "president of PEACE" has undoubtedly, even proudly, taken possession of the label: the most dangerous man on Earth. And believe me, on this planet of ours right now, that's no small accomplishment. (Think Vladimir Putin for a start!)

And given that he has almost three years (3 years!!) to go in his presidency (if all goes well and he doesn't nationalize the American electoral system and run for a distinctly unconstitutional and unprecedented third term in office), everything we've seen so far is undoubtedly just a prologue to a future from hell! (And yes, sad to say, at this point we are indeed in the second exclamation-point presidency of Donald J. Trump on an exclamation-point of a planet, itself going downhill all too fast.)

Of course, anyone -- and, for that matter, any people -- can make a mistake.And electing Donald Trump president the first time around might once have qualified as exactly that.

But no longer -- not when, having just missed in 2020 with 46.9% of the vote, he won again in 2024 with 49.8% of American voters backing him.

Of course, at some level, we shouldn't be shocked. For so many years, the United States was simply the most powerful country on Planet Earth, an imperial #1 of a sort that arguably hadn't been seen in history. But sooner or later, all great imperial powers do go down. If you don't believe me, just check any history book. That's beyond predictable.

What's been unpredictable is that the United States would begin going down quite so wildly and, as a first in history, that "our" president would distinctly try to take the planet itself down with him. So, here we are blasting the hell out of Iran and, of course, in the process, as all wars do, putting wildly more fossil fuels into the atmosphere. Modern war and preparations for them may, in fact, be the most carbon intensive activity on this ever warming planet of ours.

Of course, century after century, great powers have experienced decline, but seldom have their leaders been quite such a personification of imperial decline as Donald Trump. Yes, the self-proclaimed "president of PEACE," who campaigned in 2024 on the promise that he'd "break the cycle of regime change," is now distinctly the president of WAR, leaving the rest of us not in a Dump-Trump, but all too sadly in an increasingly dump-truck of a world.

The "Con Job" Presidency

If, once upon a time, you had told me about a world in which Donald Trump would be president of the United States (twice!), I would have thought you a genuine nut case.And worse yet, he has proven to be anything but alone in his madness. I mean, how could there possibly be a war in its fifth year right at the edge of the European heartland, another in Lebanon, a third in Iran (and mind you I'm not even mentioning Gaza), and a major civil war underway for endless years in Sudan on a planet that already seems to be going down the tubes in a big-time fashion?(And, mind you, I'm not even counting the never-ending American bombing of Somalia!)

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Can you even remember when the U.S. went to war with Iraq in 2003, when President George W. Bush announced that, "at this hour, American and coalition forces are in the early stages of military operations to disarm Iraq, to free its people, and to defend the world from grave danger"? And that "grave danger" was weapons of mass destruction supposedly in the possession of the government of Iraqi autocrat Saddam Hussein that, of course, didn't exist. In the process of (not) finding those (nonexistent) weapons and (not) winning that war, my country did, however, manage to kill an estimated 200,000 Iraqi civilians, while suffering 4,500 American military deaths in the process.

Worse yet, as the Costs of War Project reminds us, more than 940,000 people are estimated to have been killed by direct post-9/11 U.S. war violence between 2001 and 2023 in one disastrous conflict after another in Afghanistan, Iraq, Pakistan, Syria, and Yemen. And you might think that, from all of that, some lessons might have been learned. But no such luck, since President Donald Trump (in league with Israel's Benjamin Netanyahu) has only recently launched a new conflict, this time in Iran, where hundreds of women and children have already been killed, many of them in a Tomahawk missile attack on an Iranian primary school.

One problem in all of this is that Americans seldom hear what life is like on the other side of such nightmarish conflicts. And with that in mind, while the present nightmare in Iran is still ongoing, let TomDispatch regular Helen Benedict, whose new Iraq war novel, The Soldier's House, is about to be published, take you back to that nightmarish war in Iraq and let you listen to Iraqi civilians who lived through it in an up close and personal fashion. Tom

From Baghdad to Albany

Listening to the Other Side

By Helen Benedict

I'm writing this piece well into President Donald Trump's new war with Iran, which, with the help of Israel, has already killed more than 2,000 civilians, including 175 schoolgirls and staff; displaced some 3.2 million people; and is costing the American taxpayer at least one billion dollars a day. All of which is tragically reminiscent of the last time a Republican president led the U.S. into a war on a river of lies and greed. I'm thinking, of course, about George W. Bush and the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

Weapons that don't exist. Threats to this country that aren't real. Liberation for a people that the U.S. will never win over. Freedom for women about whom nobody in power cares a jot. A war that will bring total victory in only a few days or weeks. All this we heard in 2003, and all this we are hearing again now.

I spent many years writing about the Iraq War, even though it took me some time to figure out how to begin. I was sickened by the Muslim-baiting that had been going on since the 2001 attacks on New York City and the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and disgusted with the Hollywood movies and legacy press articles glorifying our vengeful wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, while deifying our soldiers. I wanted to tell a different story. I just didn't know how.

Then, in 2004, I came across the blog Baghdad Burning by a 24-year-old Iraqi woman who called herself Riverbend. She was the first Iraqi I had ever read on the war, and she taught me that those in an occupied country tell a very different story than do the occupiers.

Back then, if Iraqi men showed up in American books, movies, or journalism at all, it was usually as an enemy or a clown. Meanwhile, Iraqi women were depicted as little more than incomprehensible black-clad figures hovering in the background or wailing over the dead. But Riverbend was none of those. She was a computer technician in a sophisticated city who sounded like an American college student. I was hooked.

Over the next few months, I read her blog religiously. Riverbend's language and thoughts sounded no different than those of my own daughter, except that she was describing what it was like to live, hour-by-hour, through the overwhelming, heart-freezing violence of a U.S. bombing campaign and the occupation of her country.

Today, we can get the same sense of immediacy by reading or listening to brave civilians and journalists in Gaza, but during our post-9/11 wars on Afghanistan and Iraq, hearing any voice from the "other side" was rare. So, Riverbend's blog was not only eye-opening, but it made readers like me feel as though we were experiencing the war right beside her. She wove the mundane moments of her days -- jokes, lighthearted observations, conversations with her family -- in with her terror at the falling bombs and her feelings about the United States as she watched us tear apart her country. Her blog was eventually collected into a book and published by The Feminist Press in 2005.

Soon, I began reading other Iraqi blogs, too, along with every translation I could find of Iraqi poetry and fiction. I also followed videos by Iraqis that were appearing online, telling stories remarkably different from those I was hearing here in the United States. Some of those Iraqi civilians did indeed want democracy, although they didn't believe it could be forced on anyone by a foreign power or bombs. Some had been satisfied living under Saddam Hussein's autocratic rule. Many were too focused on their daily struggles to find food and avoid bombs to think about politics at all. But all of them, whatever their thoughts and opinions, were suffering horribly, not only from our bombs, but from wounds, illnesses, malnutrition, starvation, and threats of all kinds, as well as from bullying, kidnappings, rape, and murder at the hands of the gangs and militias our war had unleashed.

One of the most eye-opening of those Iraqi videos was made by an anonymous woman early in the war, who put on a burqa, hid her handheld camera under it, and drove around the countryside interviewing women about their struggles and poverty. As she explained, what she was doing was so dangerous that she had no doubt her video would only remain up on YouTube for a day or so. Sure enough, it quickly disappeared. I only hope that she didn't disappear with it.

A Bloody Mess

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Each year, voters across the U.S. head to local polling locations to participate in elections.

Read on to learn more about voting locations across the city of Norman ahead of the April 7 election, where voters will consider a runoff election and five city propositions.

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Ward 1

 Norman Seventh Day Adventist Church, 1818 E. Alameda St.

 Christ the King Presbyterian Church, 2373 Classen Blvd.

 Heaven Bound Family Church, 1055 24th Ave. SE

Ward 2

 St. Michaels Episcopal Church, 1601 W. Imhoff Road

 Bethel Baptist Church Annex, 1132 McGee Drive

 Cornerstone Fellowship, 601 24th Ave. SW

 St. Stephens Methodist Church, 1801 W. Brooks St.

 Calvary Chapel of Norman, 1401 W. Boyd St.

 River Church, 1203 Iowa St.

Ward 3

 Quest Church, 6450 36th Ave. NW

 Cross Church, 3201 60th Ave. NW

 Sooner Mall, 3301 W. Main St.

 Norman Public Library West, 300 Norman Center Court

Ward 4

 St. John's Episcopal Church, 235 W. Duffy St.

 Norman Public Schools Administrative Services Center, 131 S. Flood Ave.

 Alameda Church Of Christ, 801 E. Alameda St.

 Goodrich Memorial United Methodist Church, 200 W. Hayes St.

Ward 5

 Hilltop Baptist Church, 11710 E. Stella Road

 CrossPointe Church, 2601 24th Ave. SE

 Norman First Assembly of God Church, 2500 E. Lindsey St.

 Pleasant Hill Free Will Baptist Church, 4800 E. Franklin Road

 Franklin Baptist Church, 7327 E. Franklin Road

 Lakeview Baptist Church, 10510 Alameda Drive

 Lakeside Family Church, 4400 E. Alameda St.

 Faith Baptist Church, 3661 120th Ave. SE

 Little Axe American Legion Post 274, 2020 156th Ave. NE

Ward 6

 Moore Norman Technology Center, 4701 12th Ave. NW

 Northeast Baptist Church, 905 E. Rock Creek Road

 Norman Community Church of the Nazarene, 1801 N. Porter Ave.

 Alameda Baptist Church, 1503 E. Alameda St.

 Wildwood Community Church, 1501 24th Ave. NE

Ward 7

 Cobblestone Creek Club House, 1350 Cobblestone Creek Drive

 University Lutheran Church & Student Center, 914 Elm Ave.

 St. Thomas More University Parish and Student Center, 100 Stinson St.

Ward 8

 Redeemer Church, 3651 Cascade Blvd.

 Sooner Station, 2803 24th Ave. NW

 LifeSpring Church, 600 W. Tecumseh Road

 Concord Missionary Baptist Church, 1500 Stubbeman Ave.

Alternative voting methods

Early voting is available from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the Thursday and Friday before an election. Cleveland County has six early voting locations.

 AST Resource Center, 1970 156th Ave. NE, Norman

 Cleveland County Fairgrounds, 615 E. Robinson St., Norman

 Moore Norman Technology Center South Penn Campus, 13301 S. Pennsylvania Ave., Oklahoma City

 Moore Public Library, 225 S. Howard Ave., Moore

 Noble Public Library, 204 N. 5th St., Noble

 Sooner Mall, 3301 W. Main St., Norman

Early voting is also available from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Saturday before a state or federal primary election, runoff primary election, general election or presidential preferential primary election.

Oklahoma voters can vote via absentee ballot, which can be requested through the OK Voter Portal or the Oklahoma application for absentee ballot. The deadline to request an absentee ballot is by 5 p.m. 15 days before an election.

Mail-in absentee ballots must be received by a voters county election board by 7 p.m. on election day. Hand-delivered absentee ballots must be delivered by the end of business day the Monday before the election.

How, where to register to vote

Voter registration status can be checked through the OK Voter Portal. Voter registration applications are available online, in person and through the mail.

For in-person voter registration, visit the Cleveland County Election Board office at 641 E. Robinson St. Voters can also register at a tag agency. Norman has three tag agency locations:

 Norman Tag Agency, 443 W. Gray St.

 Lanoy Tag Agency, 1315 24th Ave. SW

 Fuson Tag Agency, 1236 N. Interstate Drive

To register via mail, there are two forms a voter can fill out.

 The Oklahoma Voter Registration Application can be found at libraries, tag agencies, post offices and county election boards.

 The Online Voter Registration Application can be filled out online.

Both forms can be printed out and mailed to the Cleveland County Election Board office.

This story was edited by Audrey McClour and Macey Thaxton. Andrew Paredes, Sophie Hemker and Mary Ann Livingood copy edited this story.
Hawaiian Man Turns $2 Bet Into $100,000 in Las Vegas

Connor Richards Senior Editor U.S. Copy link

Two gamblers in Las Vegas received big paydays this month thanks to two big jackpots hitting.

One Hawaiian visitor won $100,000 at The Orleans, while a Las Vegas local won $171,511 playing Paw Gow Progressive at another off-Strip casino, South Point.

50,000x Return on Investment for Melvin

According to Hawaii News Now, a Honolulu resident named Melvin placed a $2 wager in live Keno at The Orleans, a New Orleans-themed casino popular among Vegas locals, on March 15.

Melvin's $2 bet turned into a six-figure payday as all eight of his numbers hit, leaving him with a big $100,000 check to bring back with him to Honolulu.

That's a 50,000x return on investment, and would be enough to pay for 68 nights at the luxurious Turtle Bay Resort.

Melvin Keno Jackpot Winner

Seven-Card Straight Flush at South Point

At another popular off-Strip casino for locals, this one in the south side of town, a player named Eric had a lucky run of Pai Gow.

Playing at South Point, Eric hit a seven-card straight flush on March 16 that paid out $171,511, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

If the six-figure jackpot weren't enough, Eric also received a $10,000 Fortune bonus as a cherry on top.

South Point Poker Room

Eric and Melvin aren't the only lucky gamblers as of late. Three separate six-figure bad beat jackpots hit in the same week at three North American poker rooms, as PokerNews reported earlier this month.

PokerNews will continue to keep an eye on all the biggest jackpot winners in Las Vegas and elsewhere.

*Lead image courtesy of Boyd Gaming

Disclaimer: any promotions presented on this page were correct and available at the time of writing. Promotions can change regularly. We encourage all users to check the promotion displayed matches the most current promotion available by clicking through to the operator welcome page. Please read the terms and conditions carefully before you accept any promotional welcome offer.

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Ukrainian Wins $100K Mystery Bounty A Week After Taking Down KO Games Main Event

Matthew Pitt Senior Editor Copy link

A couple of weeks ago, 888poker Stream Team star Leo "KaizenStyle" Jokura won the 888poker $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty and reached the final table of the $200,000 KO Games Main Event. Ukraine's "Fl4tbush20" has somehow managed to beat those impressive performances. They were crowned the KO Games Main Event champion, and seven days later won the $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event!

The latest RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event saw 896 entries processed. Nine of the mystery bounties were worth at least $1,000, including one weighing in at $10,000. Argentina's "blachu3232" got their hands on that five-figure sum before falling in 20th place.

Both "iBustYa888" and final table bubble popper "M.Flush.N" helped themselves to a $3,000 mystery bounty before they fell by the wayside.

Often in this tournament, there are one or two big stacks with the rest of the finalists trying to claw their way back into contention. That wasn't the case this week, with only nine I linds separating "Vozdushnii" in first place and "picimayi" in fifth. Those closely-packed chip counts led to some interesting battles.

$100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Chip Counts

Rank Player Country Bounties Chip Count Big Blinds 1 Vozdushnii Ukraine $1,536 2,228,146 50 2 Fl4tbush20 Ukraine $1,272 2,202,116 49 3 fishermani95 Romania $136 2,041,194 45 4 MantynisNa Lithuania $1,772 1,949,450 43 5 picimatyi $1,249 1,852,680 41 6 GirlsBluff Ireland $276 1,435,189 32 7 bowladay New Zealand $1,392 1,215,098 27 8 Itzcarlos United Kingdom $544 516,127 12

The first elimination was confirmed 10 minutes after the final table action began. Short-stacked "Izcarlos" open-shoed or under seven big blinds with ace-eight from under the gun, and lost to the dominating ace-queen of "GirlsBluff" who called from the small blind.

Another 35 minutes passed without an elimination, until "picimatyi" exited, breaking the deadlock. Down to 11.5 big blinds, "picimatyi" looked down at king-jack and moved all-in from the button. Unfortunately for them, "bowladay" had been dealt ace-king in the small blind and they reshoved. An ace on the flop and a king on the turn spelled the end of "picimatyi."

It may have taken 45 minutes for the final table to lose two players, but it the tournament was wrapped up within the next 40.

"Fl4tbush20" Takes Down the 888pokerKO Games $200K Gtd Main Event Read more

Ireland's "GirlsBluff" lost more than half of their stack in a hand against "MantynisNa" when they backed into a full house, only to lose to a better full house. That left them with 12 big blinds, and they never recovered. Their final action in the $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event was to open-jam eight big blinds with ace-eight of spades from the small blind and lose to the king-queen of "fishermani95" in the big blind, which improved to an unlikely flush.

Fifth-place went to New Zealand's "bowladay" almost immediately after "GirlsBluff" had crashed out. "Fl4tbush20" min-raised from the button with ace-ten before calling the 19.1 big blind shove from "bowladay," who was in the big blind with the less-than-stellar queen-eight of spades. Neither played paired either of their hole cards, and the final table was suddenly down to four players.

Those four became three with the exit of the start-of-the-day chip leader, "Vozdushnii." They busted on the 75-minute mark after a battle of the blinds with "Fl4tbush20." "Vozdushnii" moved all-in for 11.2 big blinds from the small blind with pocket fives, and "Fl4tbush20" called with king-ten. A king on the flop was enough to reduce the player count once more and send "Fl4tbush20" into the lead.

The $100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty progressed to the heads-up stage when "fishermani95" became the next "Fl4tbush20" victim. "fishermani95" ripped in 8.5 big blinds from the small blind with ace-jack, but that hand couldn't melt their Ukrainian opponent's snowmen.

"Fl4tbush20" went into the heads-up battle with Lithuania's "MantynisNa" holding an 82.9 to 51.5 big blind advantage. What could have been a long, drawn-out affair, due to the deep stacks, was over almost as soon as it had begun.

On the first hand of heads-up play, "Fl4tbush20" raised with jack-ten and called a three-bet from "MantynisNa," which they made with pocket eights. The flop fell four-ten-five, and "MantynisNa" moved all-in for almost 44 big blinds into the 15 big blind pot. "Fla4tbush20" paused for a few moments before calling with top pair. Neither the turn nor the river was eights or running hearts, which meant "MantynisNa" fell in second-place and "Fl4tbush20" had won back-to-back Sunday Majors at 888poker.

$100,000 RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event Final Table Results

Rank Player Country Bounties Prize Total Prize 1 Fl4bush20 Ukraine $1,829 $8,140 $9,969 2 MantynisNa Lithuania $1,772 $6,050 $7,822 3 fishermani95 Romania $204 $4,375 $4,579 4 Vozdushnii Ukraine $1,536 $2,975 $4,511 5 bowladay New Zealand $1,532 $1,975 $3,507 6 GirlsBluff Ireland $344 $1,435 $1,779 7 picimatyi $1,249 $1,000 $2,249 8 Itzcarlos United Kingdom $544 $750 $1,294

The RAKELESS Mystery Bounty Main Event is continuing throughout April, meaning every cent of the $109 buy-in goes into the prize pool. Satellites from as little as $0.10 are available in the 888poker lobby. See if you can win your way into the April 5 edition and prevent "Fl4tbush20" from an unprecedented three-peat.

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Partly cloudy skies in the evening, then becoming cloudy overnight. Low 61F. Winds W at 10 to 15 mph.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Showers in the morning, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High 77F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

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Mount Pleasant, SC (29464)

Today

Rain early. A mix of sun and clouds in the afternoon. High 76F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilMay 1, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Apollo Global Management, Inc. (NYSE:APO) ("Apollo" or the "Company"), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's securities between May 10, 2021 and February 21, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York.What You May DoIf you purchased securities of Apollo and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-apo/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byMay 1, 2026 .About the LawsuitApollo and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.The alleged false and misleading statements and omissions include, but are not limited to, that: (i) the Company's leadership figures, including defendants Marc Rowan and Leon Black, frequently communicated with Jeffrey Epstein in the 2010s regarding the Company's business; (ii) as a result, the Company's assertion that Apollo Global had never done business with Jeffrey Epstein was untrue; (iii) because of the entanglement between Apollo Global's leaders and Jeffrey Epstein, the harm to the Company's reputation was more than a mere possibility; and (iv) as a result, the Company's statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all times.The case is Feldman v. Apollo Global Management, Inc., et al., Case No. 26-cv-01692.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Experienced Tucson criminal defense attorney explains what qualifies as disorderly conduct in Arizona, the legal consequences, and how these charges can be challenged in court.TUCSON, AZ / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Disorderly conduct is one of the most frequently charged offenses in Arizona, yet it remains widely misunderstood. According to Tucson criminal defense attorney Edward F. Cohn, many individuals face charges without fully understanding what behavior qualifies under state law or how these cases are evaluated in court.What Qualifies as Disorderly Conduct in Arizona?Disorderly conduct in Arizona refers to behavior that disturbs the peace or quiet of another person, including fighting, excessive noise, or other disruptive conduct, and is typically prosecuted as a misdemeanor.Why Disorderly Conduct Charges Are More Complex Than They AppearUnlike more clearly defined criminal offenses, disorderly conduct often depends on context and interpretation. Law enforcement officers and courts evaluate whether the behavior:Created a public disturbanceEscalated into a potential threatProvoked a reaction from othersViolated public order standardsBecause of this, similar situations can lead to different outcomes depending on how the incident is perceived and documented."Disorderly conduct is not always as straightforward as people assume," said Edward F. Cohn. "Two individuals can describe the same situation very differently, which makes the evidence and context especially important." Legal Classification and Potential ConsequencesIn Arizona, disorderly conduct is usually charged as a misdemeanor, but the penalties can still include fines, probation, or jail time depending on the circumstances.Even without jail time, a conviction may:Remain on a criminal recordAppear in background checksInfluence future legal mattersWhen Does Behavior Cross the Line Into a Criminal Charge?Certain actions are more likely to result in a disorderly conduct charge, including:Physical altercations or threatsLoud or disruptive arguments in publicUse of language intended to provoke confrontationIgnoring lawful instructions from law enforcementHowever, not every heated situation meets the legal threshold, which is why each case must be carefully evaluated.Can Disorderly Conduct Charges Be Challenged?Yes, disorderly conduct charges can be challenged by questioning the evidence, the intent behind the behavior, and whether the legal definition of the offense has been met.Defense approaches often focus on:Lack of intent to disturb the peaceMisinterpretation of the situationInsufficient or conflicting evidenceThe Role of Evidence in These CasesDisorderly conduct cases frequently rely on police reports, witness statements, and video or audio recordings. Because these sources can conflict, building a defense often involves identifying inconsistencies or gaps in the narrative presented."What matters is not just what happened, but what can be proven," Cohn noted. "That distinction is critical in disorderly conduct cases." Common Misconceptions About Disorderly Conduct in ArizonaA common misconception is that disorderly conduct is a minor issue that does not require legal attention, when in reality it can carry lasting legal and personal consequences. Other misconceptions include:Believing the charge will automatically be droppedAssuming no defense is necessary for a misdemeanorThinking intent does not matter in the outcome of the caseFrequently Asked QuestionsIs disorderly conduct a felony or misdemeanor in Arizona? In most cases, disorderly conduct in Arizona is charged as a Class 1 misdemeanor, though certain circumstances involving weapons can elevate the charge to a felony.Can a disorderly conduct charge be dismissed in Arizona? Yes. A disorderly conduct charge can be dismissed if there is insufficient evidence, lack of proven intent, or procedural errors in how the arrest was handled.Do I need a lawyer for a disorderly conduct charge in Arizona? Yes. Even misdemeanor charges can result in a criminal record, fines, and probation. An experienced attorney can identify weaknesses in the case and pursue reduction or dismissal of charges.About Edward F. CohnEdward F. Cohn is a criminal defense attorney based in Tucson, Arizona, with more than 23 years of experience handling misdemeanor and felony cases, including disorderly conduct, orders of protection, and injunctions against harassment. He is recognized among the National Trial Lawyers Top 100 and holds an AV Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell, awarded consecutively from 2022 through 2026. He also holds an Avvo 10.0 Superb rating and is a Platinum Client Champion on Lawyers.com He represents clients throughout Tucson, Pima County, Marana, Oro Valley, Green Valley, and Vail. Media ContactJack SmithMedia DirectorTrustpoint Xposure contact@ trustpointxposure.com SOURCE: Edward F. Cohn
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Retained executive search firm Caldwell (TSX:CWL)(OTCQX:CWLPF) today announced the addition of Jason Blonstein as a Partner in the firm's Industrial Practice. Blonstein strengthens Caldwell's capabilities in private equity-backed search across manufacturing, industrials, and business services.Jason Blonstein, Partner in Caldwell's Industrial Practice, advises private equity firms and their portfolio companies on recruiting senior executives across industrial and manufacturing sectors.Blonstein brings more than a decade of executive search experience advising private equity firms and their portfolio companies on building high-impact leadership teams. He partners closely with sponsors, operating partners, and portfolio company leadership to recruit C-suite and senior executives who drive value creation, operational improvement, and successful investment outcomes.He has led numerous searches for investor-backed organizations, with a focus on roles tied to strategy execution, organizational transformation, and value creation initiatives. Blonstein has developed strong relationships within the lower middle market private equity ecosystem and has a consistent track record of originating and executing senior-level assignments across industrial and manufacturing-oriented portfolios."Jason brings a strong track record in private equity-backed search and a deep understanding of industrial and manufacturing businesses," said Dave Winston, managing partner of Caldwell's Industrial Practice. "He knows how to build relationships with sponsors and portfolio companies and has demonstrated the ability to deliver leaders who drive performance and transformation. His addition further strengthens our ability to serve clients across the industrial landscape." Prior to joining Caldwell, Blonstein was a partner at Roo Partners, where he focused on executive search for private equity-backed companies. Earlier, he served as managing director at ECA Partners, where he led the firm's strategy and transformation practice. He began his career in executive search with roles focused on industrial and automotive markets, building a foundation in placing senior leaders across operations, strategy, and functional leadership roles.Blonstein began his career as an officer in the United States Army after graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point and later earned an MBA from the University of Illinois."We're delighted to welcome Jason to Caldwell," said Chris Beck, chief executive officer. "He combines origination strength with execution capability and brings a collaborative mindset that aligns well with how we partner across the firm. We're excited to support him as he builds and scales his practice." About CaldwellCaldwell is a leading retained executive search firm connecting clients with transformational talent. Together with IQTalent, we are a technology-powered talent acquisition firm specializing in recruitment at all levels. Through the two distinct brands - Caldwell and IQTalent- the firm leverages the latest innovations in AI to offer an integrated spectrum of services delivered by teams with deep knowledge in their respective areas. Services include candidate research and sourcing through to full recruitment at the professional, executive and board levels, as well as a suite of talent strategy and assessment tools that can help clients hire the right people, then manage and inspire them to achieve maximum business results.Caldwell's common shares are listed on The Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: CWL) and trade on the OTCQX Market (OTCQX: CWLPF). Please visit our website at www.caldwell.com for further information.For further information, please contact:Caroline LomotVice President, Marketing & CommunicationsCaldwellclomot@ caldwell.com +1 516 830 3535SOURCE: Caldwell Partners International, Inc.
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NEW YORK CITY, NY AND NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 /Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors with substantial losses that they have untilMay 18, 2026to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Gartner, Inc. (NYSE:IT) ("Gartner" or the "Company"), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between February 4, 2025, and February 2, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Gartner and would like to discuss your legal rights and how this case might affect you and your right to recover for your economic loss, you may, without obligation or cost to you, contact KSF Managing Partner Lewis Kahn toll-free at 1-877-515-1850 or via email ( lewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com) , or visit https://www.ksfcounsel.com/cases/nyse-it/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court byMay 18, 2026 .About the LawsuitGartner and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On August 5, 2025, the Company announced its 2Q 2025 results, disclosing that overall contract value ("CV") growth declined from 7% the previous quarter to only 5%, and ex-federal CV growth declined from 8% the previous quarter to only 6%. On this news, the price of Gartner's shares fell from a closing price of $336.71 per share on August 4, 2025, to $243.93 per share on August 5, 2025, a decline of about 27.55% in the span of just a single day.Then, on February 3, 2026, the Company disclosed that its CV growth rate had continued to decline another 2% both including and excluding federal contracts, and for the first time disclosed a significant shortfall of its Consulting segment's performance against the Company's internal projections. On this news, the price of Gartner's shares fell from a closing price of $202.40 per share on February 2, 2026, to $160.16 per share on February 3, 2026, a decline of nearly 20.87% in the span of one day.The case is Schmidt v. Gartner, Inc., No. 26-cv-00394.About Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCKSF, whose partners include former Louisiana Attorney General Charles C. Foti, Jr., is one of the nation's premier boutique securities litigation law firms. This past year, KSF was ranked by SCAS among the top 10 firms nationally based upon total settlement value. KSF serves a variety of clients, including public and private institutional investors, and retail investors - in seeking recoveries for investment losses emanating from corporate fraud or malfeasance by publicly traded companies. KSF has offices in New York, Delaware, California, Louisiana, Chicago, and a representative office in Luxembourg.TOP 10 Plaintiff Law Firms - According to ISS Securities Class Action ServicesTo learn more about KSF, you may visit www.ksfcounsel.com CONTACT: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLCLewis Kahn, Managing Partnerlewis.kahn@ksfcounsel.com1-877-515-18501100 Poydras St., Suite 960New Orleans, LA 70163CONNECT WITH US: Facebook || Instagram || YouTube || TikTok || LinkedInSOURCE: Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC
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Leonard Cagno, New York-based business operator, urges companies to prioritise clarity, ownership, and system alignment as growth accelerates.OAKDALE, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Leonard Cagno, Partner at TEG Health and TEG Wellness, is raising awareness around a growing challenge in modern business: operational friction caused by disconnected systems and unclear processes. Drawing from his experience across aviation, finance, and entrepreneurship, Cagno is advocating for a return to structured thinking as companies scale."In fast environments, people think speed solves problems," Cagno says. "It doesn't. If your systems are unclear, you just make mistakes faster." As companies grow, many rely on separate systems for payroll, benefits, and wellness. Without alignment, small gaps turn into repeated errors. According to McKinsey, businesses in high-growth phases see operational error rates increase by up to 30% when workflows are not clearly defined. Meanwhile, Gartner reports that employees spend nearly 20% of their time correcting issues or searching for information across disconnected systems.Cagno points to a common pattern he has seen across organisations. "One company kept fixing payroll issues every cycle," he says. "The real issue wasn't payroll. Benefits updates were delayed. Two systems were out of sync, and no one owned the handoff." He believes this type of friction is often misdiagnosed as a performance problem, when it is actually a design issue."Most operational stress isn't about effort," Cagno explains. "It's about structure. If ownership isn't clear and timing isn't consistent, problems repeat." Research supports this view. Deloitte findings show that organisations with aligned internal processes can reduce administrative costs by up to 15%, while also improving employee satisfaction. In addition, the Global Wellness Institute reports that integrated wellness programmes can lead to 28% fewer sick days and 11% higher productivity - but only when systems are coordinated.A Practical Call to ActionRather than calling for large-scale overhauls, Cagno is encouraging business leaders and teams to start with simple, practical steps:Assign one clear owner to each core processAlign update timing between payroll and benefits systemsDocument one recurring workflow in plain languageRun a short weekly review to identify repeated issuesRemove one unnecessary meeting and replace it with a clear process"You don't need a full transformation to see results," he says. "Fix one workflow. Then fix the next. Structure builds over time." He also encourages individuals to take ownership of their immediate work environment. "Even at a personal level, you can reduce friction," Cagno adds. "Write down your process. Clarify your role. Ask where breakdowns happen. Small changes improve everything." Why It Matters NowAs businesses continue to scale and manage more moving parts, the cost of poor alignment increases. Burnout, delays, and customer dissatisfaction often follow."Growth should not feel chaotic," Cagno says. "If it does, something in the system needs to change." To read the full interview, visit the websitehere .About Leonard CagnoLeonard Cagno is a New York-based business leader and Partner at TEG Health and TEG Wellness. His career spans aviation, financial advisory, and operational leadership. He focuses on system alignment, workflow design, and building scalable processes that reduce friction and improve clarity within growing organisations.Contact:Info@ leonardcagnoentrepreneur.com SOURCE: Leonard Cagno
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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND AND MECHANICSBURG, PA / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / MindMaze Therapeutics (SIX:MMTX) and Vibra Healthcare today announced the results of a two-year multi-site quality improvement program demonstrating real-world evidence (RWE) that the integration of technology-enabled, high-dose therapy into standard inpatient rehabilitation significantly enhances functional recovery for stroke patients. These results were presented during the American Society of Neurorehabilitation (ASNR) annual conference.The initiative, implemented across five of Vibra's inpatient medical rehabilitation facilities (IRFs), successfully delivered supplemental, gamified therapy to 210 patients. The program addressed a critical gap in stroke care: while clinical evidence supports higher doses of therapy for better recovery, staffing constraints and patient fatigue often limit delivery in the traditional standard of care (SOC).Key Clinical OutcomesThis study compared intervention patients to matched controls, revealing that those using MindMaze technology achieved:Superior Functional Gains: Patients in the interventional cohort demonstrated statistically significantly greater improvements over SOC in both mobility and self-care GG scores across every site of care.Enhanced Intensity: Patients averaged a 60% increase in additional therapy per day, totaling approximately 6.2 hours of supplemental training per patient.High Engagement: Participants trained on approximately 75% of their enrolled days, focusing on whole-body functional movements.Faster Discharge to Community Rates: Community discharge rates in the MindMaze Therapeutics cohort were clinically meaningful and higher, representing an opportunity to return patients to their homes more quickly than the SOC.Innovative Technology PlatformThis study's program utilized MindMaze's suite of technology, including MindMotion Go, Izar, and MindPod. These neurotherapeutic systems provide the recommended high-dose, high-intensity, whole-body training that remains engaging for the patient while minimizing the setup burden for therapists.Exceptional Patient ExperienceFeedback from this study's program was overwhelmingly positive, with approximately 77% of patients agreeing that the technology improved their mobility. Patients reported increased motivation and perceived recovery benefits, finding the gamified approach more enjoyable than traditional repetitive exercises."This initiative proves that high-dose, high-intensity technology-enabled therapy is both feasible and scalable across inpatient rehabilitation settings," said Brad Hollinger, Chairman and CEO of Vibra Healthcare. "By integrating MindMaze's platform, we have increased therapy intensity without adding to the staffing burden, leading to meaningfully greater functional recovery for our patients." "The success of this partnership with Vibra Healthcare validates our mission to set a new global standard for neurorehabilitation," added Zach Henderson, CEO of MindMaze Therapeutics. "These RWE results show that the MindMaze Therapeutics platform is not just an add-on, but a vital component in maximizing patient outcomes and ensuring a seamless transition from hospital to home." About VibraVibra Healthcare, LLC is a post-acute care provider based in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. Vibra Healthcare is focused on the development, acquisition, and operation of freestanding specialty acute care hospitals, inpatient medical rehabilitation hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, and outpatient physical rehabilitation centers. Teams of highly trained specialists lead clinical programs at Vibra's specialty hospitals for rehabilitating patients who suffer from stroke, multiple traumas, major orthopedic, neurologic, cardiac, and respiratory conditions. Vibra and its affiliates currently employ over 3,500 employees and own, operate, and manage more than 21 specialty hospitals, transitional care facilities, and hospital-based outpatient physical therapy locations across nine states. For additional information about Vibra Healthcare's network of specialty hospitals and post-acute care continuum, please visit www.vibrahealthcare.com About MindMaze TherapeuticsMindMaze Therapeutics (SIX:MMTX) is a global leader in scalable, precision neurotherapeutics, dedicated to redefining the recovery trajectory for patients around the world. By integrating advanced software, proprietary sensors, and AI-driven data analytics, MindMaze Therapeutics provides a seamless continuum of care from the acute hospital phase to outpatient treatment to home-based therapy. The Company's FDA-cleared and CE-marked products are designed to address the systemic shortage of specialized clinicians, offering scalable, reimbursable solutions for stroke, Parkinson's disease, and other neurological disorders. With an extensive library of rigorous clinical validation and a robust R&D pipeline, MindMaze Therapeutics is operationalizing the future of neurorestorative medicine. For more information, visit https://mindmazetherapeutics.com Media ContactsJenna Fehr, Vibra Healthcare | jlescavage@ vibrahealth.com Jeremy Meinen, MindMaze Therapeutics | ir@ mindmazetherapeutics.com DISCLAIMERThis press release contains forward-looking statements, which may be identified by words such as "believe," "assume," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "will," or similar expressions. These statements are based on current plans and assumptions and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, financial condition, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied. Such factors include, among others, business, economic, financial, regulatory, and competitive factors, as well as the Company's ability to execute its strategy. This communication is provided as of the date hereof, and MindMaze Therapeutics undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained herein as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.SOURCE: MindMaze Therapeutics Holding SA
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THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 (WHICH FORMS PART OF DOMESTIC UK LAW PURSUANT TO THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("UK MAR").NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON TO WHOM, TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OR BREACH OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENTTHIS ANNOUNCEMENT AMOUNTS TO A FINANCIAL PROMOTION FOR THE PURPOSES OF SECTION 21 OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 ("FSMA") AND HAS BEEN APPROVED BY RETAIL BOOK LIMITED WHICH IS AUTHORISED AND REGULATED BY THE FINANCIAL CONDUCT AUTHORITY (FRN 994238). THIS FINANCIAL PROMOTION IS NOT INTENDED TO BE INVESTMENT ADVICE.THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES OF MKANGO RESOURCES LTD.NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, CANADA OR JAPAN.CALGARY, AB / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 /Mkango Resources Ltd ("Mkango" or the "Company") (AIM:MKA)(TSX-V:MKA)RetailBook OfferMkango announces a conditional retail offer of new Common Shares via RetailBook;The Issue Price for the new Common Shares is 33 pence (equivalent to C$0.606375) per new Common Share, representing a discount of approximately 14.5 per cent to the closing mid-price on AIM of the Company's existing Common Shares on 31 March 2026 being the latest practicable business day prior to publication of this Announcement;Investors can take part through RetailBook's partner network of retail brokers, wealth managers and investment platforms, (subject to such partners' participation);Applications for new Common Shares through these partners can be made from tax efficient savings vehicles such as ISAs or SIPPs, as well as General Investment Accounts ("GIAs");The RetailBook Offer is available to both existing shareholders and new investors in the United Kingdom;There is a minimum subscription of 250 per investor in the RetailBook Offer;No commission will be charged by RetailBook on applications to the RetailBook Offer;Brokers wishing to offer their customers access to the RetailBook Offer and future RetailBook transactions, should contact partners@ retailbook.com; UK Investors that wish to receive alerts for future RetailBook transactions should sign up here: https://www.retailbook.com/investors The RetailBook OfferMkango Resources Ltd (AIM/TSX-V:MKA), the AIM quoted and TSX-V listed rare earths magnet company, is pleased to announce a conditional retail offer of new common shares of no par value in the capital of the Company ("Common Shares") via RetailBook (the "RetailBook Offer")at an issue price of 33 pence (equivalent to C$0.606375) per new Common Share (the "Issue Price"), being a discount of approximately 14.5 per cent to the closing mid-price on AIM of the Company's existing Common Shares on 31 March 2026 being the latest practicable business day prior to publication of this Announcement. In addition to the RetailBook Offer, as announced by the Company earlier today (the "Fundraise Announcement"), the Company is also conducting a placing of new Common Shares to institutional investors by way of an accelerated bookbuilding process (the "Placing") together with the LIFE Offering and the Subscription (each as defined in the Fundraise Announcement and together with the Placing, the "Fundraise") to raise gross proceeds of approximately 10 million. For the avoidance of doubt, the RetailBook Offer is not part of the Placing, the LIFE Offering or the Subscription.The RetailBook Offer is conditional on the Placing becoming unconditional and the new Common Shares to be issued pursuant to the RetailBook Offer (the "Retail Offer Shares") and the Placing (the "Placing Shares") being admitted to trading on AIM.Admissionof the Placing Shares and the Retail Offer Shares to trading on AIM is expected to take place at 8:00 a.m. on 10 April 2026. The Fundraise is subject to conditional acceptance from the TSX-V and it is expected that the Placing Shares and the Retail Offer Shares will also commence trading on the TSX-V on 10 April 2026.The RetailBook Offer will not be completed without the Placing also being completed.The Company expects to utilise the net proceeds of the Fundraise to support its growth opportunities (a potential acquisition in Germany), capital expenditure requirements at its UK and German operations as well as for working capital purposes.Reason for the RetailBook OfferThe Company values its retail shareholder base and believes that it is in the best interests of shareholders as well as wider stakeholders, to provide retail and other interested investors in the United Kingdom the opportunity to participate in the RetailBook Offer.The RetailBook Offer is open to eligible investors resident and physically located in the United Kingdom following release of this announcement. The RetailBook Offer is expected to close at 8 p.m. on 31 March 2026 and may close earlier at the discretion of the Company or if it is oversubscribed.Investors can participate through RetailBook's partner network of investment platforms, retail brokers and wealth managers, subject to such partners' participation. More information on RetailBook's partner network can be found here.Applications for new Common Shares through participating partners can be made from tax efficient savings vehicles such as ISAs or SIPPs, as well as GIAs. Investors wishing to apply using their ISA, SIPP or GIA should contact their investment platform, retail broker or wealth manager for details of their terms and conditions, process and any relevant fees or charges.The new Common Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with existing Common Shares including the right to receive all dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after their date of issue.Brokers wishing to offer their customers access to the RetailBook Offer and future RetailBook transactions, should contact partners@ retailbook.com . UK Investors that wish to receive alerts for future RetailBook transactions should sign up here: https://www.retailbook.com/investors Eligibility for the RetailBookOfferThe RetailBook Offer is available to new and existing shareholders of the Company. To be eligible to participate in the RetailBook Offer, applicants must be a customer of a participating partner.Eligible in
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / March 30, 2026 /WHY: New York, N.Y., March 30, 2026. Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of common stock of Boston Scientific Corporation (NYSE:BSX) between July 23, 2025 and February 3, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important May 4, 2026 lead plaintiff deadline.SO WHAT: If you purchased Boston Scientific common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 4, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually handle securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, during the Class Period, defendants made positive statements to investors while, at the same time, disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Boston Scientific's U.S. Electrophysiology segment; notably, that management was aware that the segment's growth rate was unsustainable and that it was approaching an earlier tipping point than the market was anticipating. Due to defendants' statements of confidence and lofty expectations, investors and analysts were left surprised by Boston Scientific's net income miss and underwhelming guidance for the first half of fiscal 2026. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.To join the Boston Scientific class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=55398 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email case@ rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm , on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/ Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.---Contact Information:Laurence Rosen, Esq.Phillip Kim, Esq.The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.275 Madison Avenue, 40th FloorNew York, NY 10016Tel: (212) 686-1060Toll Free: (866) 767-3653Fax: (212) 202-3827 case@ rosenlegal.comwww.rosenlegal.com SOURCE: The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
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BRIDGETON, NJ / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / Shoreline Freezers, a trusted cold storage provider serving the Mid-Atlantic region since 1996, today announced a major expansion of its Southern New Jersey facility. The project will add 128,000 square feet of new temperature-controlled warehouse space, increase capacity to 27,000 pallet positions, and broaden the company's integrated service offerings.Owned and operated by the Reichle family, Shoreline Freezers has built its reputation on hands-on leadership, long-term relationships, and a strong commitment to operational excellence. The company's ownership remains actively involved in day-to-day operations, ensuring responsive decision-making and a customer-first culture.Upon completion, Shoreline Freezers will expand from 7,000 to 27,000 pallet positions, nearly quadrupling its storage capacity. The project is designed to meet increasing demand from food manufacturers, processors, distributors, and logistics providers across the region.Shoreline Freezers facility in Southern New JerseyIn addition to expanded storage capacity, the enhanced facility will offer a comprehensive suite of value-added logistics services, including:LTL (less-than-truckload) shippingCross-dockingCase pickingOcean container services from ports of Philadelphia, Wilmington, New York and BaltimoreRailcar siding accessTogether, these capabilities will enable Shoreline Freezers to deliver more integrated cold chain solutions that improve efficiency, reduce handling time, and support customers with flexible distribution options.Shoreline Freezers' success has been built on experienced management and a commitment to flexibility. Known for responsive leadership and adaptable scheduling, the company works closely with customers to accommodate tight delivery windows, seasonal volume fluctuations, and specialized handling requirements."This expansion represents a significant milestone for our company and an important investment in our customers' growth," said Gene Taormina, Chief Operating Officer of Shoreline Freezers. "For nearly three decades, our focus has been on building strong partnerships and delivering reliable, flexible cold storage solutions. As a family-owned business, we take pride in maintaining a personal level of service while investing in the future growth of our customers." Strategically located in Southern New Jersey, Shoreline Freezers provides convenient access to major transportation corridors serving the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast markets, including connectivity to the ports of Philadelphia, Wilmington, New York and New Jersey, and Baltimore, enhancing import and export capabilities.Construction began in early 2025, with completion anticipated in April.About Shoreline Freezers Established in 1996, Shoreline Freezers is a Southern New Jersey-based, family-owned cold storage facility operated by the Reichle family. Serving the Mid-Atlantic region, the company provides temperature-controlled warehousing and integrated logistics services backed by experienced management, operational excellence, and flexible scheduling to meet the evolving needs of food manufacturers, distributors, and supply chain partners.PRESS CONTACT Stove Boat Communications(202) 595-1212 contact@ stoveboat.com SOURCE: Shoreline Freezers
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CEO and Research Team Present 11 Technical Papers Advancing Geochemical Modeling, Geothermal Solutions, and Natural Hazard QuantificationMIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / March 31, 2026 / TGI SOLAR POWER GROUP INC. (OTC PINK:TSPG) ("TGI"), a diversified technology and environmentally efficient real estate development company, is pleased to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Samuel Epstein, served as senior author and team leader for the presentation of 11 scientific papers at the Regional Northeastern meeting of the Geological Association of America. The event was held in Hartford, Connecticut, from March 21-24, 2026.Under Mr. Epstein's leadership, the research team demonstrated the application of cutting-edge technology across a diverse range of geological and environmental studies, including:Geochemical Modeling & Resource Assessment:Evaluations of gold reserve exploration potential at the Guyazin Alto deposit in southeastern Ecuador.Astro Geological Discovery:Identifying a meteor impact via satellite gravity data-utilizing Earth-moon analogues-to analyze the structural and heat flow history of the supergiant Daqing oil and gas field in northeastern China.Renewable Energy Solutions:Geothermal energy case studies in New York City focusing on energy flow optimization.Hydrocarbon Exploration:The discovery of seven Bahamian salt diapirs through gravity anomalies, correlating structural data with major global oil and gas fields.Advanced Geophysics:Fracture quantification analysis of the deepest core samples in Staten Island.Natural Hazard Mitigation:Risk quantification and potential tsunami modeling resulting from recent seismic and volcanic activity spanning from Santorini to the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts.Mr. Epstein has consistently demonstrated scientific leadership in executing complex project results. Key contributors to these research initiatives include David Buthman, Dennis Askins, Jeff Shammah, Sholom Feldman, Jonah Epstein, Howard Feldman, and Peggy Epstein.About TGI SolarTGI SOLAR POWER GROUP INC. is a diversified holding company. TGI's core strategy is to acquire innovative and patented technologies, components, processes, designs, and methods with high commercial value. These acquisitions are intended to provide a competitive market advantage and generate long-term shareholder value.Safe Harbor StatementStatements contained herein which are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual operating results to materially differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Such statements include, but are not limited to, certain delays that are beyond the company's control with respect to market conditions.For more information, please contact:Samuel Epstein info@ tgipower.com SOURCE: TGI Solar Power Group, Inc.
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TOKYO and TAIPEI, Mar 31, 2026 - (ACN Newswire) - JCB Co., Ltd., the only international payment brand originating from Japan, together with its international operations subsidiary, JCB International Co., Ltd. (collectively, "JCB"), today announced that JCB-branded credit cards issued by Union Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPac will, for the first time outside Japan, support JCB Contactless payments via Google Pay, starting from March 31, 2026.About Google PayGoogle Pay is a contactless mobile payment service available on Android(TM) smartphones and other compatible devices. By adding credit cards or other payment methods, users can make payments conveniently using their smartphones and other devices. With built-in authentication, transaction encryption, and fraud protection, Google Pay helps keep your money and personal information safe.> Learn more about Google Pay (URL)Google Pay requires the Google Wallet app to be downloaded.Android, Google Pay, and Google Wallet are trademarks of Google LLC.About JCB Contactless PaymentsJCB Contactless is a contactless payment solution that enables cardmembers to complete payments simply by tapping their JCB Contactless-enabled cards, or smartphones with JCB Cards registered, on compatible contactless terminals. JCB Contactless can be used at a wide range of merchants and public transportation systems in Japan and overseas.For payments above a certain amount, cardmembers may be required to verify their identity by providing a signature or by inserting the card and entering a PIN, depending on the transaction conditions.> Learn more about JCB ContactlessAbout Union Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPacUnion Bank of Taiwan and Bank SinoPac provide comprehensive financial services in Taiwan, including the issuance of credit and debit cards.JCB has partnered with Union Bank of Taiwan since 2000 and with Bank SinoPac since 1998 to issue JCB-branded credit cards, and both banks have issued a substantial number of JCB Cards in the Taiwanese market.About JCBJCB is a major global payment brand and a leading credit card issuer and acquirer in Japan. JCB launched its card business in Japan in 1961 and began expanding worldwide in 1981. Its acceptance network includes about 71 million merchants around the world. JCB Cards are now issued mainly in Asian countries and territories, with more than 175 million cardmembers. As part of its international growth strategy, JCB has formed alliances with hundreds of leading banks and financial institutions globally to increase its merchant coverage and cardmember base. As a comprehensive payment solution provider, JCB commits to providing responsive and high-quality service and products to all customers worldwide. For more information, please visit: www.global.jcb/en/ ContactAnna TakedaCorporate CommunicationsTel: +81-3-5778-8353Email: jcb-pr@ info.jcb.co.jp
The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) says it has ordered the suspension of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria.

The varieties are MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, and BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002. They were allegedly registered by the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries on 26 March 2026 without the requisite approval of NBMA.

In a statement issued Tuesday and signed by NBMAs Head of Information and Public Relations, Gloria Ogbaki, the agency said its regulatory surveillance and compliance-monitoring mechanisms identified serious compliance abnormalities in the varieties.

The National Biosafety Management Agency (NBMA) wishes to inform the public of recent developments concerning the registration of four new transgenic cotton hybrid varieties in Nigeria  MIC 561 BGII, MIC 563 BGII, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1001, BIOSEED-FIYAH CH1002, the statement said.

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Background

Genetically modified (GM) crops are plants whose DNA has been altered using genetic engineering to introduce desirable traits such as resistance to pests, diseases, or environmental conditions, as well as improved nutritional value.

In Nigeria, the adoption of GM crops has remained contentious. While proponents argue that the technology can boost food production and enhance food security, critics have raised concerns about environmental and health risks, weak regulatory enforcement, and inadequate labelling.

According to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-biotech Applications (ISAAA), more than 30 major food crops have been genetically modified globally. Nigeria has approved four cropsmaize, cowpea, cotton, and soybeanfor commercialisation and is among six African countries leading in biotech crop adoption.

In 2024, the government approved four varieties of Tela maize, further intensifying debates over GM crop safety and transparency.

Concerns also persist over farmers limited knowledge of GM seed characteristics, potential dependence on seed companies, and the broader impact on traditional farming systems.

An investigation by PREMIUM TIMES and international partners in 2024 revealed how the U.S. government, through the now-defunct USAID, funded pesticide and GM-related advocacy campaigns in Nigeria, including efforts that profiled critics of GMOs.

As debates continue, the suspension of the new cotton varieties underscores ongoing challenges around biosafety compliance and regulatory oversight in Nigerias biotechnology sector.

Findings

The agency said its findings confirmed that confined field trials and related activities involving the varieties were conducted without prior authorisation, inspection, or regulatory oversight.

At no time did the National Biosafety Management Agency grant any approval for the confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or commercial release of the new GM cotton varieties, the statement said.

Under the NBMA Act, the agency said, no person or institution is permitted to conduct confined field trials, multi-locational trials, or the commercial release of genetically modified organisms without its explicit approval.

It added that any action outside this framework constitutes a violation of national biosafety regulations.

NBMA said it has directed the National Committee on Naming, Registration and Release of Crop Varieties, Livestock Breeds and Fisheries to suspend further action on the varieties pending the outcome of ongoing investigations.

The Agency will apply all appropriate regulatory measures and sanctions as provided under the law, the statement added.

The agency assured Nigerians that it is handling the matter with seriousness.

There is no evidence at this time of any immediate risk to public health or the environment and all necessary steps are being taken to ensure continued safety and regulatory integrity, the statement said.

NBMA reiterated its commitment to ensuring that biotechnology activities in Nigeria comply with national laws and international best practices, adding that the public will be kept informed as investigations progress.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) has underwritten $2.5 billion in a $4 billion senior syndicated term loan for Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP).

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the bank said the move is aimed at strengthening the refinerys financial position and long-term growth.

Afreximbank is pleased to announce that it has underwritten US$2.5 billion in the US$4-billion senior syndicated term loan in favour of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE (DPRP), the statement said.

Afreximbank and Access Bank served as co-Mandated Lead Arrangers for the five-year facility, which is designed to consolidate existing debt, optimise the refinerys capital structure, and align financing with its operational phase.

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The transaction marks a significant milestone for the Dangote Refinery, Africas largest refinery and petrochemical complex, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

The facility is expected to improve balance sheet flexibility and reinforce the refinerys role as a key supplier of refined petroleum products across Africa and global markets.

Afreximbanks $2.5 billion contribution represents the largest share of the syndicate, the statement noted, underscoring its role in mobilising capital for Africas industrialisation, promoting intra-African trade, and supporting energy security.

Since the refinery began operations in February 2024, the bank said it has provided additional support, including a $1 billion working capital facility and advisory services on the Naira-for-Crude initiative, which enables crude purchases and product sales in local currency.

Speaking during a strategy session in Cairo, Egypt, Afreximbank President, George Elombi, reaffirmed the banks commitment to African enterprises.

He said the bank takes immense pride in being the single largest provider of financing to the Dangote Group and that it does so primarily because Dangote is African.

When we invest in ourselves, we do more than create jobs and wealth or expand government revenues; we build a secure and resilient future for our continent. This is why we are pleased to have invested about US$15 billion in the Dangote Group since 2015, he said.

He explained that Afreximbank and its Board of Directors stand ready to support the realisation of Dangote Groups aspirations because when we build our institutions and provide the requisite support to grow, we will no longer have to look elsewhere for benevolence or salvation in difficult times.

In his remarks, the President/Chief Executive of Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, said the deal strengthens the refinerys financial base.

This financing marks an important step in strengthening the financial foundation of Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals and positions the business for the next phase of its growth, Mr Dangote was quoted as saying.

He appreciated Afreximbanks continued support and confidence in his vision to build world-class industrial capacity that serves Nigeria, Africa and global markets.

The syndicated loan attracted strong interest from African and international financial institutions, reflecting sustained investor confidence in the Dangote Refinery as a transformative industrial project and in Africas broader industrialisation agenda.

The deal further highlights Afreximbanks commitment to supporting large-scale indigenous projects aimed at reducing import dependence, enhancing energy security, and driving economic growth across the continent.
The Nigerian actress turned evangelist, Tonto Dikeh, said she joined a cult and once worked with demons. She said this in Tanzania while speaking about her past.

The Nollywood actress spoke at the Women of Fire Prayer Conference hosted by Rose Shaboka. The event featured other prominent clerics, including Jerry Eze, Funke Adejumo, and Halida Allice, and drew a large congregation of worshippers from across the region.

Ms Dikeh, who rose to fame in 2006 after she emerged from the reality television show The Next Movie Star, said that her life was characterised by darkness. I dipped my hands in filth, she said.

Addressing the congregation, Ms Dikeh did not shy away from describing the depth of her past struggles.

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While trying to find my way in what I now see as a wicked world, I got deeply entangled in darkness, I joined a cult and worked closely with demons, she said.

According to her, those experiences shaped her understanding of spiritual warfare and ultimately pushed her towards a turning point.

Turning point

In December 2025, the 40-year-old actress said she had turned a new leaf after a viral testimony at Jerry Ezes Stream of Joy church.

She has since engaged in social media preachings and prayers and even conducted outdoor deliverance sessions.

Before now, and aside from acting, the actress ventured into philanthropy and politics, including her role as a deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State in 2023.

In her recent sermon in Tanzania, Ms Dikeh told worshippers that her life changed following what she described as a divine encounter that redirected her path.

She added that she believes God restored her and gave her a new purpose.

God said He would take me back, clean me up, and place me on altars to preach His gospel, she said.
Electric vehicle (EV) makers are racing to develop the fastest battery chargers to give them the competitive edge, with Chinese producers once again coming out on top. One of the biggest criticisms consumers have is the length of time it takes to charge EVs, compared to refuelling internal combustion engine (ICE) alternatives. This has led several EV-makers to invest heavily in research and development into charging technology over the last decade. Some EV producers now think they may have the solution - ultrafast chargers.

The race to develop the most effective ultrafast charger commenced in 2022, after the Chinese automaker XPeng launched its S4 ultrafast supercharging technology, which offered a five-minute charge that it said would provide 210 kms of range for its G9 SUV.

In March, Chinas fastest-growing EV-maker, BYD, announced that its most recent Flash Chargers are capable of delivering up to 1.5 MW, or around four times the power being provided by the hyper-fast 350-kW systems available in the United States. Tests revealed that BYD batteries could charge from 10 percent to 70 percent in just five minutes, and from 10 percent to 97 percent in around nine minutes.

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This means that drivers may be able to gain up to 600 miles in not much longer than the time it takes to fill a petrol tank. BYDs CEO, Wang Chuanfu, stated that limiting the charge to 97 percent is recommended, as the remaining 3 percent can be generated from regenerative braking.

BYD was able to achieve this feat by having a strong hold on the whole manufacturing process of its EVs, including vehicles, battery cells, and charging hardware. The firm switched from using lithium iron phosphate to lithium manganese iron phosphate technology, which increases energy density by around 5 percent while maintaining stability under heavy electrical loads. The firm needed to change every component of the batteries to achieve super-fast charging, including the electrodes, electrolytes, and separators, which are now capable of handling the intense current of a 1.5 MW charge without overheating or degrading.

The technology is expected to be launched in BYDs Denza Z9GT in Paris in April. BYD plans to install over 16,000 of its new chargers across China by the end of the year and around 2,000 units in Europe. Each charging station will be fitted with stationary storage batteries to buffer grid demand and offset spikes that could otherwise overwhelm the infrastructure. While the technology had impressive results in the lab, it still needs to be used in a real-world environment to see whether the charger can hold up to BYDs claims.

Other Chinese EV-makers are hot on the tail of BYD, having been developing their own super-fast charging technologies. Chinese automaker Zeekr showcased a fully liquid-cooled ultrafast charger, which it says is capable of providing up to 1.2MW per charging gun, in April last year. However, it is unclear whether the company has developed EVs that are compatible with the new charger.

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Chinas CATL has launched various battery technologies, including its second-generation Shenxing battery. The firm delivered the worlds first sodium-ion battery in 2021, which was promising, as sodium is both cheap and abundant. The new version is thought to deliver 1.3 MW of peak charging power, delivering around 2.5 km of range per second of charging.

Meanwhile, Huawei launched a 1.5 MW fast-charging system last April, which the company believes can charge a 300kWh battery in about 15 minutes, using two charging guns simultaneously. Huawei is expected to make its heavy-duty electric trucks compatible with the superfast chargers.

The United States is also racing to develop super-fast charging technology. While no U.S. company has yet achieved five-minute charging, several companies have driven down the price of batteries while making improvements to EV range. For example, GM launched a lithium manganese-rich (LMR) battery in 2025, which it produced in collaboration with LG Energy Solutions, to deploy in its vehicles starting in 2028. The low cost of some parts of the battery means that GM can reduce the price of its batteries without compromising performance or lifespan.

Meanwhile, other companies are exploring alternative charging methods to make them more competitive, such as wireless charging. The aim is to create a technology to charge a car when parked over a special pad. Studies have suggested that the technology is extremely attractive among consumers. Despite being in the nascent stage of development, wireless charging could become a reality in just a few years, given the necessary government backing and favourable regulatory frameworks.

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As China races ahead in global EV manufacturing, several Chinese firms are rising to the challenge by continually breaking records for batteries and other EV technologies. All the while, companies like BYD are looking to drive down the cost of EVs, which is making them increasingly popular with consumers.

By Felicity Bradstock for Oilprice.com

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Actress and filmmaker Iyabo Ojo has addressed the incident involving her colleagues, Funke Akindele and Toyin Abraham, at the premiere of her film The Return of Arinzo.

PREMIUM TIMES reported that a video showing Akindele snubbing Abraham at the event on Sunday at the Balmoral Event Centre in Lagos quickly went viral.

The footage sparked a discussion on social media, with many users suggesting that the long-standing feud between the two, which has simmered for over a decade, remains unresolved.

Some netizens also criticised Ojo and other celebrities present at the premiere for not intervening in the feud.

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Settlement

In response to the backlash, the mother of two took to her Instagram page on Tuesday to set the record straight.

She urged the public not to malign her character, insult her, or use unprintable names in relation to the incident.

Ojo revealed that she had attempted to mediate between the two actresses, but her efforts were unsuccessful.

Ojo said: I tried my very best to settle both of them, cried, knelt, begged both parties to embrace peace which they both later did, reason you saw them a few months ago interacting with one another, but there was a condition, no one was to shade online if any issue arose, they both promised to address it off camera.

But unfortunately, December came, Toyin made some complaints about her movie in cinemas, claiming some people or a person was trying to sabotage her, some fans pointed accusing fingers towards Funke, which sparked up a fresh beef.

No more begging

Ojo added that she is no longer concerned with mending the rift between Akindele and Abraham.

She expressed that the feud between the two actresses saddened her, emphasising that there is plenty of room in the industry for both to thrive.

I have tried my best, but at this point, I cant beg anyone anymore. I honestly dont want to get involved anymore. Please, you all should respect that.

When both parties are ready, they will make peace. I love them both regardless. The Return of Arinzo will start showing in all cinemas nationwide from the 3rd of April, she said.

Ojo also revealed that she had once fallen out with Akindele, but they later reconciled after acknowledging their mistakes.

Funke and I have been friends for the longest, but there were times we fell out, fault on both sides. I once came online to drag Funke because of Toyins movie. That was a wrong move on my part; I should have handled it better. Funke and I later made up, and we addressed all our issues and put them behind us, said Ojo.

The Return of Arinzo

She also added that she planned to cast Abraham in The Return of Arinzo, but, unfortunately, it did not materialise.

Toyin was supposed to be in it but she said she was exhausted, and she also had to travel, so she pulled out last minute, I was upset bcos it cost me a lot, to rewrite the story, but the show must go on, we had a deadline to film if I wanted The Return of Arinzo to make 3rd of April. She apologised, we made up, and the rest is history.

The newspaper reported that the feud between the actresses has long focused on their box-office success.

Akindele is recognised as Nollywoods top box-office star, having starred in multiple record-breaking films, while Abraham consistently delivers hits and commands a devoted fan base.

Both have achieved milestones: Abrahams Oversabi Aunty surpassed N1 billion in February 2026, making her the first debut solo director to reach this mark, while Akindeles Behind The Scenes, released in December 2025, earned N2.4 billion.
For over two years, I have been transitioning  by the grace of God, not in hospice; and certainly not in my sexual orientation, I remain a man, HIM, HE, and HIS, in cognition, courage and character. But I was transitioning as an employee of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and as a labourer in the vineyard of the Federal Government of Nigeria. After the close of business on 6th February 2026, I finally left the NCC, a denouement to more than 20 years of work with the Federal Government of Nigeria, which started with an appointment as special media advisor to Nigerias Minister of Information and National Orientation in 2005.

More than 17 of those years were spent at the NCC, where I started as the frontline officer of the Commission with the National Assembly (Nigerias bicameral federal legislature), and in the final phase as Head of Online Media, Head of Media Relations, and exiting as a Deputy Director, a rung to substantive directorship. I am so delighted that my plan to leave mainstream public service before the mandatory retirement age has been realised. Earlier, I had made three unsuccessful attempts to leave, though my sojourn at NCC had been an interesting journey. I will recall a few anecdotes, but deeper reminiscences will come later to enrich my memoirs (if I have life and am able); otherwise, others will do it.

My resumption at the Commission after scaling all examination hurdles (despite being headhunted) coincided with the birth anniversary of Ernest Ndukwe, the Executive Vice Chairman and CEO of NCC at the time I joined the Commission. It was on 2nd September 2008, and as I sent him a felicitation note via a regular SMS, he acknowledged and was thankful, wishing me well in my career at the telecom regulatory agency. Seven months later, at a retreat for middle-level staff, while giving a presentation, Ndukwe asked me to rise from my seat. He also ordered another lady, now a director at the Commission, to rise. He asserted that both of us were models who came into the Commission with a clear idea of what to do and a determination to add value, and we hit the ground running.

I did not and still do not know what the lady did that impressed Ndukwe. Still, I came into NCC as the frontline liaison officer of the Commission with the National Assembly (NASS), where the 2008 budget of NCC was yet to scale legislative hurdles in the ninth month. By October, the month after my resumption, as I had promised Ndukwe, the budget was passed, and the Commission did not spend a dime to get it done. We shared meaning afresh with those who consciously shared intention, offered attention and saw purpose in berthing at a common ground. We leveraged goodwill.

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At the place I worked before joining NCC, I was a manager of media strategy and external relations. Still, I think Ndukwe was particularly fascinated by and eager to explore the non-media external relations aspect of my skill set, which explained his preference for me to anchor NASS for NCC. It took Tony Ojobos arrival as Director of Public Affairs Department for me to move to my turf  media relations. I remember Ndukwe had told my boss, Dave Imoko, Ojobos predecessor, that I should give him (Ndukwe) hints about goings-on in NASS as they occurred, before he would receive detailed reports from me through my boss. NASS had become so central to NCC operations and objectively so, considering its role in the deregulation and liberalisation of the telecom industry in Nigeria. For free, I would say the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA) 2003 was a major legislative imprimatur on the Nigerian telecom reforms, and Ndukwe was always mindful.

I think another reason Ndukwe took an interest in me was a blueprint I submitted shortly after I arrived at the Commission to justify the creation of the Legislative and Government Affairs Department. The Department, which became a unit of a broader Public Affairs Department in April 2010, had been a section of the Commission before I arrived, and it was my first port of duty. While government relations as a component of organisational structure was popular in the private sector, I doubt whether any Ministry, Department or Agency (MDA) of government had a clear structure in place as NCC envisioned and set up one.

It would be my lot to prepare a framework that was not just strategic but also justified the creation of the department, as well as to ensure its activities are measurable and connect with the first-tier enterprise operations. My submission captured how NCC would relate to other MDAs, States, Local Governments, and non-state actors mainstreamed as stakeholders. The blueprint, which spoke to multi-stakeholderism and strategic engagements, was adopted with a slight modification by Ndukwe and set the tone for NCCs relationship with the Governors Forum today. The benefits of that relationship can be gleaned from the Commissions increasing collaboration with subnational entities on Right of Way issues and the implementation of the National Economic and Development and Peace Councils decisions as they relate to the telecom industry in the broader context of the digital economy.

Ndukwe was a leader, not infallible, but he could hold his own. Let me illustrate by recalling an incident. One day, Ndukwe rang my line and asked me to come to his office immediately. When I got to his office, he gave me two documents and said, Niyi! Those candidates could not pass our exam. So, we cannot employ them. Tell our people to send us new candidates. We will consider them if they pass our exam and interviews. Those he referred to as our people were the sponsors of those candidates, and their names were written on the respective documents I was directed to deliver. Ndukwes directive in this instance became so consequential in my thoughts and gave me hope that Nigeria may succeed. Nations rise and fall at the instance of leadership.

One other leadership offering to recall at the Commission was that of Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta. Like Ndukwe, like all of us, Danbatta has his foibles, but he was a good leader, towering in intellect and management. Being a scholar, teacher, university administrator and even dean of students at Bayero University Kano (BUK) before he became EVC, Danbatta recognised that I was an activist. He too was one, after all, he was in Wroclaw, Poland, in the days of socialism, and he returned to Nigeria radicalised. Marxist UG they called him at BUK, where he spent much of his life teaching and mentoring. He spoke so much about my activism when he presented my book to the public in July 2023.

When I returned to the Commission in 2019 after my studies, I sent Danbatta two revolutionary memoranda, and he summoned me to his office. He told me why he could not approve my submission as contained in the documents. Dr Niyi, you are going to put me into trouble, he stated, laughing as I stood before him. Then, he continued. I get your point, and I know you are fighting for others since you are already done with your PhD, but we cannot sustain this policy if we start it as you have proposed. He told me with avuncular intonation. Noted, sir,, I responded. I would later learn that he had read those memoranda three times before he sent for me to discuss their content.

The photograph accompanying this piece is deliberately chosen because it tells another story about Danbatta. It was taken at one of the events during the era when I was practically the official compere for key Commission events. This event took place at the NCC Annexe Office in the Mbora District of Abuja. I had been slated to emcee the event, but I suddenly had bouts of fever. I was so febrile and wanted to call in sick, but I remembered Danbattas words during a tete-a-tete after a stakeholder forum in Lagos the year before. As I held his hand to assist him in descending the stage after the event, he said to me: Dr Niyi, I learn something new from you each time you compere events. I admire your versatility and how you connect the contexts. It was those words that stopped me from calling in sick. I got out of bed, got ready, and proceeded to the event. The kind words of a leader can be an elixir. Danbatta gave me a psychological healing, even if momentary.

I do not know what the verdict of history will be on my sojourn at NCC, but a journalist who seemed to have studied my lifes journey attempted a narration at the link below. The report was published in July last year by many media outlets, particularly in the Fifth Estate, when I was enlisted in the 2025 PR PowerList.

Importantly, I am extraordinarily grateful to my Maker, The Almighty God, for the engracement. I am equally thankful to everyone, including external stakeholders that I met on that journey and who toiled very sincerely to make NCC a great brand. As Billy Ocean stated in his 1984 memorable musical rendition, SUDDENLY, if I have to do it all again, I wouldnt change a thing. May Nigeria Succeed.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yusuf Tuggar, has resigned from his position.

Mr Tuggars resignation was confirmed in a Facebook post by his spokesperson, AlKasim Abdulkadir.

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that Mr Tuggar would resign on Monday as he prepares to seek the APC ticket to be the governor of Bauchi State.

President Bola Tinubu had asked ministers and other political appointees seeking to contest in 2027 to resign from their current positions by 31 March.

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Mr Tuggars resignation came a day before the deadline.

Mr Tuggar, who confirmed his resignation later on Monday, said his resignation letter was formally submitted to the president earlier that day through the Office of the Secretary of Government in Abuja.

Today, I formally submitted my resignation letter as Nigerias Minister of Foreign Affairs at the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, in line with the directive of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, and the provisions of the Electoral Act, he wrote.

He stated that the moment marks the close of a significant chapter of his service, which, according to him, focused on improving global partnerships and diplomatic engagement.

He also said, I express my sincere appreciation to President Tinubu @officialABAT for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to contribute to advancing Nigerias foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine.

I express my sincere appreciation to President Tinubu @officialABAT for the trust and opportunity to serve under the Renewed Hope Agenda, and to contribute to advancing Nigerias foreign policy through the 4D Doctrine.

Mr Tuggar is a former member of the House of Representatives. He was elected to represent the Gamawa Federal Constituency in 2007.

He also served as Nigerias Ambassador to Germany from 2017 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Thousands of soldiers from the US Armys elite 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in the

Reuters first reported on 18 March that Mr Trumps administration was considering deploying thousands of additional U.S. troops to the Middle East, a move that would expand options to include the deployment of forces inside Iranian territory.

The paratroopers, based out of Fort Bragg, North Carolina, add to the thousands of additional sailors, Marines and Special Operations forces sent to the region.

Over the weekend, about 2,500 Marines arrived in the Middle East.

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The officials, speaking on the condition of anonymity, did not say specifically where the soldiers were deploying to, but the move was expected.

The additional Army soldiers include elements of the 82nd Airborne Division headquarters, some logistics and other support, and one brigade combat team.

No decision has been made to send troops into Iran, but they will build up capacity for potential future operations in the region, one of the sources said.

The soldiers could be used for several purposes in the Iran war, including an attempt to seize Kharg Island, the hub for 90 per cent of Irans oil exports.

Earlier this month, Reuters reported there had been discussions within the Trump administration about an operation to take the island.

Such a move would be highly risky, since Iran can reach the island with missiles and drones.

Reuters has previously reported that the administration has discussed using ground forces inside Iran to extract highly enriched uranium, though that option could mean US troops deeper inside Iran for potentially longer periods of time, trying to dig out material that is deep underground.

The internal Trump administration discussions have also included potentially putting US troops inside Iran to secure safe passage for oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz.

While that mission would be accomplished primarily through air and naval forces, it could also mean deploying US troops to Irans shoreline.

Mr Trump said on Monday that the United States was in talks with a more reasonable regime to end the war in Iran, but repeated his warning to Tehran to open the Strait of Hormuz or risk US attacks on its oil wells and power plants.

Any use of US ground troops  even for a limited mission  could pose significant political risks for Trump, given low American public support for the Iran campaign and Mr Trumps own pre-election promises to avoid entangling the US in new Middle East conflicts.

Since operations started on 28 February, the US has carried out strikes against more than 11,000 targets, with more than 300 U.S. troops injured and 13 service members killed as part of Operation Epic Fury.

(Reuters/NAN)
The World Trade Organisation will play only a limited role in global trade policy after a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, vowing to seek alternative arrangements with like-minded countries.

Mr Greer, in a statement issued nearly 24 hours after the WTO meeting ended in impasse after an extension of an e-commerce moratorium was blocked by Brazil and Turkey, said he was disappointed at the lack of seriousness shown by many WTO member countries in embracing a broadly acceptable reform agenda.

I have always been sceptical of the value of the WTO, and this weeks conference confirmed that this organisation will play only a limited role in future global trade policy efforts, said Mr Greer, who has been the architect of President Donald Trumps multi-front tariff assault on global trading partners.

READ ALSO: Africa must not miss the boat on the WTO fishing subsidies deal

Mr Greer said that he was disappointed that the e-commerce moratorium on tariffs on digital transmissions had to lapse after being routinely extended for 28 years.

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Fortunately, the United States has secured commitments from dozens of countries  and nearly all of our major trading partners  not to impose tariffs on US digital transmissions, Mr Greer added.

If the WTO cannot achieve this commonsense aim, the United States will work outside of the WTO with all interested partners to get it done.

(Reuters/NAN)
The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) says troops of Operation DELTA SAFE destroyed 101 illegal refining sites and arrested 219 suspects involved in crude oil theft and related crimes in the first quarter of 2026.

The Director of Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, a major general, disclosed this during a quarterly media briefing on Tuesday in Abuja.

Mr Onoja said troops intensified operations across the South-south region and adjoining states to combat oil theft, pipeline vandalism, kidnapping and other criminal activities.

He said troops recovered more than 547,920 litres of stolen petroleum products, including crude oil, automotive gas oil, kerosene and premium motor spirit.

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According to him, in March, troops recovered 193,570 litres of petroleum products and intercepted about 45,000 litres of stolen crude oil in Rivers.

Troops also neutralised suspected kidnappers, rescued victims and dismantled multiple illegal refining sites in Rivers and Imo states.

Additionally, troops arrested suspected kidnappers in Edo and conducted joint operations with the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), leading to the arrest of drug suspects, he said.

Mr Onoja said troops also disrupted illegal oil activities in Akwa Ibom and uncovered a sabotage attempt at a wellhead, where explosives were safely neutralised.

He added that the operations had significantly degraded the capacity of criminal networks involved in oil theft in the region.

The defence spokesperson reaffirmed the commitment of the Armed Forces to sustaining the offensive against economic sabotage and criminality in the Niger Delta.

(NAN)
Nigerian authorities have seized assets belonging to a former education ministry official and his family members, who are on trial for alleged corruption. But real estate records show the family still controls two properties in the US that have not been seized.

Prosecutors allege that Dibu Ojerinde, 78, diverted at least $13.7 million from the education ministrys National Examination Council, as well as the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board. He held positions in those bodies for almost two decades.

Included in the 2019 lost assets seized from Mr Ojerinde and his family are a petrol station, schools, hotels, upscale properties in the nations capital, Abuja, and shares in various companies.

However, property records obtained by Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), PREMIUM TIMES and OCCRP show two additional properties in Florida. The houses  valued at around $1.2 million (N1.6 billion) combined  were not listed among the assets Nigerian authorities are seeking to confiscate in the case.

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Mr Ojerinde is facing an 18-count charge of diversion of public funds, abuse of office, and fraud-related offences, according to a 2021 indictment. A 2023 indictment for a separate case includes three of his children and his daughter-in-law, as well as six companies as defendants.

Mr Ojerindes sons, Adedayo, Olumide and Oluwaseun, are charged with criminal conspiracy to deal with or conceal property that was the subject of a corruption offence.

His daughter-in-law, Mary Funmilola Ojerinde, is facing two charges of concealing or managing property obtained through corrupt practices. The charges relate to her allegedly taking control of corporate management and bank accounts that Mr Ojerinde had allegedly owned and operated with false names.

Mr Ojerinde did not respond to questions submitted to his lawyer. His sons and his daughter-in-law did not reply to emails they had listed as contacts in company documents.

Two of Mr Ojerindes sons, as well as his daughter-in-law, purchased the US properties that didnt make it onto the list of assets to be seized.

Nigerias Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) alleges that Mr Ojerinde owned and managed companies and bank accounts using false identities. He allegedly used these identities to conceal his illicit financial activities while serving as the head of the two education bodies.

Mr Ojerinde allegedly took measures to conceal his ownership and active participation in the management of some of these companies and assets acquired for his corrupt benefit, by using forged documents, stolen identities and synthetic names, according to the 2023 indictment obtained by reporters.

The ICPC alleges that, when Nigeria introduced an antimoney laundering measure requiring a unique biometric identifier for all bank account holders, Mr Ojerinde transferred administration and management of the two companies, as well as their bank accounts to his daughter-in-law, Mary.

Less than a month later, in April 2015, Mary and her husband, Olumide, purchased their first property for $380,000 in Miramar, Florida.

A second property was purchased in June 2017 in Miami by Olumide and another son, Oluwaseun, for $300,000.

The investments have since proven profitable, as the value of the two homes has increased considerably since the purchases.

In 2019, Mr Ojerindes sons and daughter-in-law made moves to transfer ownership of the two properties into trusts, which are legal arrangements that can shield the ultimate beneficiaries from public disclosure.

The Miramar house was transferred to an entity called Lenciaga Land Trust, while the Miami property was meant to be placed under the control of Venchy Land Trust.

However, the transfer of the Miami house did not succeed. Property registry documents obtained through a Freedom of Information request show that Miami-Dade County said it was unable to complete the title transfer because the identity of the trustee responsible for managing the trust had not been specified.

For four years, nothing was done. Then, in April 2023, almost a month after the sons and daughter-in-law were indicted, their US agent asked the county for assistance in correcting the filing.

However, according to public records, the Miami property still officially remains in the names of the two sons.
Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, returned to court on Tuesday for the continuation of hearing in his corruption trial, days afer attending the burial of his late mother.

Mr El-Rufai appeared at the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna under tight security for proceedings instituted by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).

His appearance followed a temporary release granted on compassionate grounds to enable him to attend the funeral of his mother, Ummar El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday.

The burial, held in Abuja on Sunday, drew several prominent political figures, highlighting the former governors enduring influence in Nigerias political landscape.

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Mr El-Rufai is facing 10 charges of fraud, money laundering, abuse of office and unlawful possession or conversion of public propertyallegations he has denied.

The ICPC arraigned him alongside Joel Adoga, whose name appeared as a co-defendant in only one of the 10 counts, while Mr ElRufais name featured in all.

Both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following their pleas, the trial judge, Ridwan Aikawa, ordered that they be remanded in ICPC custody pending the hearing of their bail applications scheduled for today (31 March).

Mr ElRufai had been in custody since 18 February based on a prior court order, which was renewed following his arraignment on 24 March.

But between 24 March and today, ICPC released Mr El-Rufai from custody on its own volition without recourse to the court that ordered his remand. ICPC reportedly released the former governor on Friday on compassionate grounds to enable him to mourn his mothers passing and be part of her funeral rites. The gesture drew criticisms from lawyers and other members of the public who accused the ICPC of snubbing the court order remainding Mr El-Rufai till today.

On Tuesday, he first appeared at the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna, where a separate corruption case is pending against him, before proceeding to the Federal High Court in Kaduna, for the hearing of his bail application.

Charges

In the charges pending at the Federal High Court, ICPC accused Mr El-Rufai of fraudulently taking inflated severance pay of about N289.8 million at the end of each of his two terms in office, instead of N20 million that he was legitimately entitled to on each occasion.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Mr El-Rufai took the first N289.8 million in September 2020  after completing his first term in office in May 2019  and the second N289.8 million in January 2023  months before the end of his second term in May 2023.

The pays totalled N579.7 million, instead of the about N40 million he was said to be entitled to for the two terms.

The commission added that each of the pays represents 300% of your annual basic salary which you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption.

It said the offences were contrary to Section 18(2}(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition} Act, 2022.

In the other eight counts, ICPC accused Mr El-Rufai of receiving deposits of alleged proceeds of corruption and fraud totalling $817,900 in tranches in his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) domiciliary account. He allegedly received the deposits while he was serving as the governor of Kaduna State.

ICPC said Mr El-Rufai, who served two terms as governor from May 2015 to May 2023, received the deposits in tranches, ranging from $4,000 to $320,800. He allegedly received the deposits in the same domiciliary account from various individuals between 2016 and March 2023.

His co-defendant, Mr Adoga, appeared as a defendant in only one out of the 10 counts. But the commission named him in another count as one of the persons who deposited money in Mr El-Rufais dollar domiciliary account.

ICPC rearrested Mr El Rufai on 18 February as soon as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released him after two days of detaining him over corruption allegations.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier this month that the ICPC explained in a court filing that it was detaining Mr El-Rufai to conclude his investigation.

ICPC gave the explanation in a filing opposing a suit Mr El-Rufai filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights. He asked the court to declare the actions of the anti-graft agencies unlawful and to award him N1 billion in damages.

But the ICPC said it started investigating Mr El-Rufai after receiving a petition accusing him and officials of his administration of financial misconduct between 2015 and 2023.

The petition raised allegations relating to loans obtained by the Kaduna State Government, procurement processes, transfers from government accounts and payments to companies and individuals.

ICPC said it began preliminary investigations and obtained documents from banks and government institutions. It then issued an invitation letter dated 9 February.

Mr El-Rufai is also facing prosecution by the State Security Service (SSS) over alleged phone-tapping claims involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 23 April for his arraignment in that case.
The House of Representatives was thrown into fresh political realignments on Tuesday as no fewer than 26 lawmakers formally defected from their respective parties.

The lawmakers cited internal crises, uncertainty and irreconcilable differences ahead of the next election cycle as reasons for defecting from their former parties.

Speaker Abbas Tajudeen announced the defections during plenary after reading letters from the affected members notifying the chamber of their decisions.

The development came shortly after the House suspended its rules to admit high-profile political figures into the chamber, including Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf, Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin, former National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Umaru Ganduje, amongst others.

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The defectors cut across major political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Labour Party (LP), New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), and others, with many finding new political homes in the APC and the African Democratic Congress (ADC).

Among the notable defections, the deputy spokesperson of the House, Philip Agbese (Benue), moved from the APC to the Labour Party, citing internal party crisis in his state.

Others include Aliyu Abdullahi (Kaduna), who defected from the APC to ADC; Akanni Clement (Osun), PDP to Accord; and Ikenga Ugochinyere (Imo), who moved from the PDP to the Action Peoples Party (APP).

In a significant shift, Matthew Nwogu (Imo) also left the Labour Party for the APP, making both lawmakers among the first to join the party from the current Assembly.

Similarly, Deputy Minority Whip George Ozodinobi (Anambra) defected from the LP to ADC, alongside Uchenna Okonkwo (Anambra). Yahaya Tungo (Gombe), Seyi Sowunmi (Lagos), Mani Maishinko (Sokoto), Abdulsahmad Dasuki (Sokoto), and Umaru Yusuf (Sokoto) all moved from the PDP or LP to ADC.

Mohammed Bassi (Adamawa) defected from the PDP to the APC.

A major political shift occurred within the Kano caucus, where several lawmakers elected on the platform of the NNPP defected to the APC.

Leading the group, the Deputy Minority Leader Aliyu Madaki (Kano) justified his defection by citing concerns over developments within the Kwankwasiyya movement.

Other Kano lawmakers who joined the APC include Mustapha Tijani, Mohammed Shehu, Idris Dankawu, Hassan Shehu, Rabiu Yusuf, Mohammed Chiroma, Garba Mohammed, and Tijani Jobe.

The PDP also recorded further losses, with Jafaru Yakubu (Taraba), Sadiq Tafida (Taraba), Ibrahim Mohammed (Kebbi), and Bello Shinkafi (Zamfara) defecting to the APC.

In Osun State, Lanre Oladebo left the PDP for the Accord Party.

Reasons for defection

In their separate letters, the lawmakers attributed their decisions to persistent internal crises, factional disputes, and lack of cohesion within their former parties at both state and national levels.

They said the situations had created uncertainty about their political futures, prompting them to seek more stable platforms.

Several of the defectors added that they consulted widely with their constituents, political associates and family members before taking the decision.

Growing trend ahead of elections

The latest defections underscore a growing trend of political realignments within the National Assembly as parties begin to position for upcoming primaries and general elections.

The movement of lawmakers particularly into the ruling APC and the ADC, reflects strategic calculations tied to electoral viability, access to party structures, and internal party stability.

Tuesdays development follows an earlier wave of defections recorded on 12 March, just before lawmakers proceeded on recess to observe Eid.

At that sitting, 12 members defected from the PDP, Labour Party and Young Progressives Party (YPP) to the APC and ADC.

Among them were four lawmakers from Adamawa State; James Barka, Laori Bitrus, Zakaria Nyampa, and Kobis Thimnu, who left the PDP for the APC.

Also, Midala Balami (Borno) and Mohammed Bargaja (Sokoto) moved from the PDP to the ruling party.

With the latest round of defections, the balance of power in the House may tilt further in favour of the APC, potentially strengthening its legislative control.
The Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday postponed the hearing of former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufais bail application until Wednesday, prompting ICPC agents to take him back into custody after proceedings.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) reportedly released Mr El-Rufai, who is facing corruption charges before the court, from custody on Friday on compassionate grounds following his mothers passing.

The ICPC arraigned him and his co-defendant on 10 corruption charges on 24 March.

Trial judge Ridwan Aikawa then set today (Tuesday) for the hearing of the defendants bail applications and ordered the two defendants to be remanded in ICPC custody pending the hearing.

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However, on Friday, four days before the courts return date, the ICPC chose to temporarily release the former governor so he could attend his mothers funeral.

Many lawyers and other members of the public criticised the ICPC for the gesture, which they believed to be a preferential treatment in favour of a member of the elite class and a disregard for the courts remand order.

The body of his mother, Ummar El-Rufai, who died in Cairo, Egypt, on Friday, was laid to rest in Abuja on Sunday.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier that Mr El-Rufai returned to court on Tuesday, two days after the burial ceremony for the continuation of hearing in his corruption case.

The proceedings were held under tight security and journalists were prevented from entering the courtroom during proceedings.

ICPC sources told one of our reporters on Tuesday that Mr El-Rufai had returned to custody after the funeral. ICPC agents produced him in court for Tuesdays hearing.

But the bail hearing could not proceed on Tuesday as scheduled.

Mr El-Rufais lawyer, Ukpong Akpan, confirmed that the bail hearing stalled but declined to provide details.

Im sorry, I cant talk now, we are in the middle of work. I have to go and file responses. The hearing of the bail application has been adjourned till tomorrow, he told journalists, who were prevented from entering the courtroom during proceedings.

Shortly after the court rose, Mr El-Rufai was escorted out of the premises by operatives of the ICPC in a white Hilux vehicle.

The ICPC had detained Mr El-Rufai since 18 February before the court ordered his further remand in the agencys custody on 24 March.

Before appearing at the Federal High Court in Kaduna on Tuesday, Mr El-Rufai was first taken to the Kaduna State High Court in Kaduna where another corruption case is pending against him.

The arraignment could not take place at the state High Court because Mr El-Rufais co-defendant was absent for health reasons.

Federal High Court charges

In the charges pending at the Federal High Court, ICPC accused Mr El-Rufai of fraudulently taking inflated severance pay of about N289.8 million at the end of each of his two terms in office, instead of N20 million that he was legitimately entitled to on each occasion.

The anti-graft agency alleged that Mr El-Rufai took the first N289.8 million in September 2020  after completing his first term in office in May 2019  and the second N289.8 million in January 2023  months before the end of his second term in May 2023.

The pays totalled N579.7 million, instead of the about N40 million he was said to be entitled to for the two terms.

The commission added that each of the pays represents 300% of your annual basic salary which you reasonably ought to have known that such fund formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act, to wit: corruption.

It said the offences were contrary to Section 18(2}(d) and punishable under Section 18(3) of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition} Act, 2022.

In the other eight counts, ICPC accused Mr El-Rufai of receiving deposits of alleged proceeds of corruption and fraud totalling $817,900 in tranches in his Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) domiciliary account. He allegedly received the deposits while he was serving as the governor of Kaduna State.

ICPC said Mr El-Rufai, who served two terms as governor from May 2015 to May 2023, received the deposits in tranches, ranging from $4,000 to $320,800. He allegedly received the deposits in the same domiciliary account from various individuals between 2016 and March 2023.

His co-defendant, Mr Adoga, appeared as a defendant in only one out of the 10 counts. But the commission named him in another count as one of the persons who deposited money in Mr El-Rufais dollar domiciliary account.

ICPC rearrested Mr El Rufai on 18 February as soon as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) released him after two days of detaining him over corruption allegations.

PREMIUM TIMES reported earlier this month that the ICPC explained in a court filing that it was detaining Mr El-Rufai to conclude his investigation.

ICPC gave the explanation in a filing opposing a suit Mr El-Rufai filed the suit at the Federal High Court in Abuja, alleging that his arrest and detention violated his fundamental rights. He asked the court to declare the actions of the anti-graft agencies unlawful and to award him N1 billion in damages.

But the ICPC said it started investigating Mr El-Rufai after receiving a petition accusing him and officials of his administration of financial misconduct between 2015 and 2023.

The petition raised allegations relating to loans obtained by the Kaduna State Government, procurement processes, transfers from government accounts and payments to companies and individuals.

ICPC said it began preliminary investigations and obtained documents from banks and government institutions. It then issued an invitation letter dated 9 February.

Mr El-Rufai is also facing prosecution by the State Security Service (SSS) over alleged phone-tapping claims involving the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu.

The Federal High Court in Abuja has fixed 23 April for his arraignment in that case.
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Toyota closed 2025 on a historic high. The Japanese automaker sold a record 11.3 million vehicles globally, securing its position as the world's best-selling automaker for the sixth year in a row. That momentum, however, has run straight into 2026 with an asterisk attached. Toyota reported a 3.9 per cent decline in global production for February 2026, marking its fourth consecutive month of contraction, with worldwide output totaling 749,673 units for the month. Global sales followed suit, easing 3.3 per cent to 737,134 units, in line with the supply constraints caused by an ongoing model transition. The culprit is not a lack of demand; it's a single vehicle changing generations: the RAV4.

Toyota (Toyota)

What Makes the New RAV4 Worth the Wait

The shortage of 2025 RAV4s at dealers is severe enough to move markets. So what is everyone lining up for, if the previous generation was so popular? The sixth-generation RAV4 drops the gas-only powertrain entirely, offering only hybrid and plug-in hybrid variants as part of Toyota's broader electrification push. The standard hybrid produces 226 combined horsepower, while the plug-in hybrid steps up to 320 horsepower with 50 miles of electric-only range. Add in Toyota Safety Sense 4.0 and a redesigned interior, and you have a genuinely compelling upgrade. Toyota's factories just need time to catch up. The brand is already up 5.1 per cent in US sales year to date despite the RAV4 shortfall.

Toyota (Toyota)

View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article

Canada Takes the Hit While the US Holds Steady

Canada bore the brunt of the regional decline, with output plummeting 46.2 per cent compared to the previous year, dragging North America's overall production down by 9.1 per cent. This is not entirely surprising. Up to 80 per cent of RAV4 production destined for the US market flows through two Toyota assembly plants in Ontario, making Canada the nerve center of the entire RAV4 supply chain. The numbers make clear this is a localized disruption, not a structural one.

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This story was originally published by Autoblog on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday asked the Senate to approve two fresh foreign loans totalling $6 billion to be obtained from the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

Mr Tinubus request was contained in separate letters read by the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, during the plenary.

In the first letter, the president sought approval to secure up to $5 billion from First Abu Dhabi Bank.

He said the facility would be disbursed in tranches and used to support budget implementation, fund priority infrastructure projects, and refinance relatively expensive domestic and external debts.

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Mr Tinubu added that the loan would also help the federal government meet urgent financial obligations when necessary.

He further requested approval for the issuance of naira-denominated federal government securities as collateral for the facility, as well as the payment of margining obligations in US dollars.

The purpose of this letter is to request for the approval and resolution of the National Assembly pursuant to the provisions of section 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office Establishment Act 2003 to establish a structured Total Return Swap (TRS) derivative external financing programme from First Abu Dhabi Bank of the United Arab Emirates of up to $5 billion which will be made available to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in tranches, the letter read.

$1 billion from UK to reconstruct Tin Can Island

In a separate request, the President Tinubu also sought approval for a $1 billion export finance facility from the United Kingdom, arranged by Citibank.

He said the loan would fund the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Tin Can Island Port and the Lagos Port Complex.

The rehabilitation of the ports project is a strategic modernisation initiative of the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Nigerian Ports Authority to restore and upgrade two of Nigerias most vital ports namely Tin Can Island Port complex and Lagos Port complex Apapa which have reached critical engineering failures, the letter read.

He noted that the rehabilitation would address infrastructure gaps, improve port efficiency, enhance safety standards, and align Nigerias port facilities with global best practices.

Mr Tinubu added that the project would strengthen Nigerias position as a maritime hub and support non-oil trade diversification.

After reading the letter, the senate president referred the requests to the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts for further legislative consideration.

Nigerias fresh borrowing request comes amid concerns over the countrys rising debt burden and debt servicing pressures.

According to the Debt Management Office, Nigerias total public debt stood at over N87 trillion (about $113 billion) as of mid-2023, following the inclusion of Ways and Means advances from the Central Bank of Nigeria. The figure has continued to climb with new borrowings and exchange rate adjustments.

Although Nigerias debt-to-GDP ratio remains moderate compared to some peers, analysts have repeatedly flagged the countrys weak revenue base as a major risk. A significant portion of government revenue is spent on servicing debt, raising concerns about fiscal sustainability.

The International Monetary Fund and the World Bank have both advised Nigeria to prioritise revenue mobilisation, improve tax collection, and ensure that new borrowings are tied to productive investments capable of generating returns.

In recent years, the federal government has increasingly turned to external borrowing to finance budget deficits, fund infrastructure projects, and refinance existing obligations. Officials argue that such loans, particularly those with relatively lower interest rates, help reduce the cost of debt and support critical sectors of the economy.*s 8
The Senate on Tuesday passed the 2026 budget after adding the N9.3 trillion latest request by President Bola Tinubu, bringing the total figure to N68.323 trillion.

In addition to approving the presidents request, the Senate also increased the total budget by N623 billion.

The upper chamber increased the budget from N67.7 trillion, as requested by the president, to N68.323 trillion.

The lawmakers approved the budget with an oil price benchmark of $75 per barrel and an exchange rate benchmark of 1,512/$1.

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The budget was approved by the Committee of Supply, with most senators endorsing it by voice vote.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the budgets passage after most senators supported it.

The lawmakers supported the passage of the budget after they reviewed a report presented by Adeola Olamilekan, chairman of the senate committee on appropriations.

Mr Olamilekan, while presenting the report, recommended the allocation of N4.799 trillion for statutory transfers, N15.809 trillion for debt servicing, N16.427 trillion for recurrent (non-debt) expenditure, and N32.287 trillion for capital expenditure.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the budget approval came a few hours after Mr Akpabio read a letter from President Tinubu requesting an upward revision of the budget by N9.3 trillion, raising it from the initial N58.47 trillion to N67.7 trillion.

In his letter to the lawmakers, the president said the proposed increase was aimed primarily at regularising outstanding legacy capital projects carried over from previous budgets to ensure their completion.

He also noted that the additional spending would support key transport projects, in line with the administrations continuity agenda.

The president noted that the adjustment is further intended to preserve macro-fiscal stability and ease pressure on the domestic financial market.

However, during deliberations, lawmakers did not question the presidents request for additional funds.

Other issues

Mr Olamilekan, the senator representing Ogun West Senatorial District, also urged the executive to ensure the timely and proper release of funds appropriated in the budget to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

He said adequate fund releases to MDAs would be critical to the full implementation of the 2026 budget.

That bureaucratic bottleneck that led to the challenges of late releases of funds in 2025 should be addressed holistically to achieve the Theme of the 2026 Appropriations Bill: From Budget to Impact.

Deliberate efforts must be made in 2026 by the Senate in collaboration with the Executive to implement the 2026 Appropriation holistically, he added.

The appropriations committee chairman also urged his colleagues, who head various committees, to properly scrutinise agencies under their oversight.

The 2026 budget implementation should be monitored by the various committees, with a purpose to manage and guide capital projects implementation with discipline, and pursue infrastructural growth that is broadbased with sustainable legislation, he said.
The House of Representatives has passed the 2026 budget totalling 68.30 trillion, significantly increasing the proposed budget by about 9 trillion from the 58.18 trillion presented by President Bola Tinubu to a joint session of the National Assembly earlier in December.

The revised figure was adopted during plenary on Tuesday, following the presentation of the report by the Chairman of the House Committee on Appropriation, Abubakar Bichi.

The approval came after weeks of detailed scrutiny, including budget defence sessions involving Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), where lawmakers examined spending proposals, revenue projections and implementation plans.

The upward adjustment followed a formal request by Mr Tinubu, conveyed in a letter read on the floor by the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen.

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In the correspondence, the president explained that the increase was necessary to accommodate outstanding commitments, particularly legacy capital projects inherited from previous budgets, with the aim of ensuring their completion.

He further noted that the additional funding would bolster ongoing transport infrastructure projects, aligning with the administrations development priorities.

According to the president, the adjustment is also intended to support macro-fiscal stability and reduce pressure on the domestic financial market.

Tagged the Budget of Consolidation, Renewed Resilience, and Shared Prosperity, the 2026 fiscal plan is designed to sustain and deepen the gains of ongoing economic reforms while positioning the country for long-term growth.

A breakdown of the approved budget shows a strong emphasis on capital investment, with over 26 trillion allocated to infrastructure development across key sectors such as transport, power and public works.

Security and defence received over 5.4 trillion, reflecting the governments commitment to tackling insurgency, improving internal security and creating safer conditions for agricultural activities.

Debt servicing is projected at about 15.9 trillion, underscoring the governments continued obligation to meet its debt commitments while transitioning toward a more sustainable debt management framework.

The fiscal assumptions underpinning the budget include an oil price benchmark of $64.85 per barrel, a production target of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of 1,400 to one US dollar.

During deliberations, House Leader Julius Ihonvbere (APC, Edo), described the 2026 budget as a turning point in Nigerias fiscal trajectory. He noted that, for the first time in recent years, capital expenditure outweighs non-debt recurrent spending.

This is a budget that prioritises development over consumption, he said. It reflects a clear departure from the tradition of recurrent-heavy budgets to one that invests in the future.

In his remarks, Mr Tajudeen commended lawmakers for their diligence and commitment to the process, stressing that the timely passage of the budget is critical to sustaining the January  December fiscal cycle.

Following the approval, the House adjourned plenary until 21 April.
The Senate on Tuesday extended the implementation timeline of the capital component of the 2025 budget to 30 June 2026.

The upper chamber approved the extension during plenary following the consideration of an appropriation bill seeking an amendment to the budget implementation period.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, announced the extension of the appropriation bill after it was read for the first, second and third times on the same day and supported by most of the senators.

The bill was earlier considered at the Senate Committee on Supply.

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This is the second extension of the capital component of the 2025 budget. The implementation period was initially scheduled to end on 31 December 2025, but was first extended to 31 March 2026 to allow the federal government to complete ongoing projects captured in the budget.

Nigerias continuous extension of the capital component of previous budgets has long been a source of concern.

Successive governments, often with the support of the National Assembly, have justified such extensions as necessary for project completion.

The current administration has continued to operate multiple budgets within a single fiscal cycle since assuming office. Lawmakers and economic analysts have consistently criticised the trend.

On 9 October 2025, the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, while appearing before the Senate Committee on Finance on the performance of the 2025 budget, pledged that the government would end the practice of extending budget implementation beyond the fiscal year.

In December 2025, President Bola Tinubu, while presenting the 2026 budget before a joint session of the National Assembly, also promised to end the practice of operating overlapping budgets. He assured Nigerians that by 31 March 2026, all capital liabilities would be fully funded and closed.

Were terminating the habit of running three budgets in one flow. By March 31, 2026, all capital liabilities from previous years will be fully funded and closed. From April, Nigeria will operate on a single budget, the president promised.

However, the latest extension suggests continued reliance on overlapping budget cycles.

The debate

The appropriation bill seeking the extension was presented by Senate Leader Opeyemi Bamidele (APC, Ekiti Central) during plenary.

Mr Bamidele said the extension was necessary to prevent abandonment of projects across the country and to ensure full utilisation of allocated funds.

He said the move was in the public interest.

Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also supported the extension, arguing that ongoing government projects must be completed to avoid waste and abandonment.

After deliberations, Senate President Akpabio put the extension to a voice vote, and the majority of lawmakers voted in support.
The House of Representatives has approved a $6 billion external borrowing request submitted by Bola Tinubu, clearing the way for the federal government to access financing from lenders in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.

The request, contained in two separate letters addressed to the Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, was read during plenary on Tuesday.

In the first communication, Mr Tinubu sought legislative approval to establish a structured Total Return Swap (TRS) external financing programme of up to $5 billion with First Abu Dhabi Bank.

The facility, according to the president, will be disbursed in tranches to support the federal governments financing needs.

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He explained that the request was made in line with Sections 21(1) and 27(1) of the Debt Management Office Establishment Act, 2003, which require National Assembly approval for external borrowing arrangements.

The purpose of this letter is to request for the approval and resolution of the national assembly pursuant to the provisions of section 21(1) and 27(1) of the debt management office establishment act 2003 to establish a structured total return swap (TRS) derivative external financing programme from First Abu Dhabi Bank of the United Arab Emirates of up to $5 billion which will be made available to the Federal Republic of Nigeria in tranches, the letter read.

The president noted that the proposed facility would increase Nigerias public debt stock, which stood at $110.3 billion, approximately 159.2 trillion as of 31 December 2025.

He, however, stated that the funds would be deployed toward budget implementation, critical infrastructure development, and refinancing of existing high-cost domestic and external debts.

In a separate letter, Mr Tinubu also requested approval for a $1 billion export credit facility backed by UK Export Finance and arranged by Citibank, London branch.

The loan is designated for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port, two of Nigerias busiest maritime gateways.

Following the presentation, Mr Tajudeen referred the requests to the House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management for review.

The committees chairman, Abubakar Nalaraba, subsequently moved a motion for the report to be considered at the Committee of Supply.

After deliberation, the House adopted the committees recommendations and approved the presidents borrowing plan

Senate approves request

Also, the Senate on Tuesday granted President Tinubu approval to obtain two fresh foreign loans.

The decision was taken after considering a report of the Senate Committee on Local and Foreign Debts, presented during the plenary by its Chairman, Aliyu Wamakko.

The committees report was debated and approved shortly after the loan requests were referred to it for scrutiny.

The report

Mr Wamakko, the senator representing Sokoto North Senatorial District, while presenting the report, said the committee members had thoroughly examined the presidents request and found it worthy of approval.

The former Sokoto governor recommended the approval of the loans accordingly.

The senate president thereafter put the request to a vote, and the majority of the senators supported it.
Pope Leo XIV has appointed the Bishop of the Diocese of Sokoto Hassan Kukah to a top position in the Vatican City.

The Nigerian priest will serve as a Member of the Council of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, which will enable him to contribute to shaping Catholic Churchs teachings and stance on key global issues like the environment, human rights, migration, and human development.

A statement by Pascal Salifu, a priest and director of communications, Diocese of Sokoto, on Tuesday, said Mr Kukah was notified of his appointment in a letter addressed to him by the Pope.

The letter was signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Peter Parolin, according to the statement.

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By his appointment, Mr Kukah joins other prominent Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops from all over the world to serve a five-year term on the Council, the statement said.

The Dicastery deals with the key thematic issues around the Catholic Churchs Social Teachings covering the environment, human rights, migration, human development, social ethics, among others.

He is to serve in the council alongside the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, Walter McElroy; Cardinal Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Cardinal Conrad Krajewski of Poland, Archbishop Fulgence Mugalu of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.

Mr Kukah was first appointed to the Council in 2022 when it was reconstituted by Pope Francis.

Reacting to his appointment Mr Kukah said he is humbled by the appointment and thanked the Pope for giving him an opportunity to serve the Church.

He said the Dicastery fits perfectly into his areas of research and pastoral interest and looks forward to contributing to helping to infuse the Catholic ethos into public life in a world that has become severely wounded by human greed.

Read the full statement below:

VATICAN MAKES FIRST APPOINTMENT TO THE NIGERIAN CHURCH

The Vatican has announced the appointment of Bishop Matthew Hassan Kukah, Diocese of Sokoto as a Member of the Council of the Dicastery for Integral Human Development, Vatican City. This was contained in a letter addressed to Bishop Kukah by His Holiness Pope Leo IV and signed by the Vatican Secretary of State, Card. Peter Parolin.

Bishop Kukah joins other prominent Cardinals, Archbishops and Bishops from all over the world to serve a five-year term on the Council. Other Members include the Cardinal Archbishop of Washington, His Eminence Cardinal Walter McElroy, Card. Matteo Zuppi of Bologna, Card. Conrad Krajewski of Poland, Archbishop Fulgence Mugalu of Lubumbashi, DRC. Bishop Kukah was first appointed to the Council in 2022 when it was reconstituted by Pope Francis. The Dicastery deals with the key thematic issues around the Catholic Churchs Social Teachings covering; The Environment, Human Rights, Migration, Human Development, Social Ethics among others.

Prior to this appointment, Bishop Kukah was appointed by Pope John Paul 11 of blessed memory in 1996 and re-appointed by Pope Benedict 1V in 2005 to serve in the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue over a ten-year period. He was part of the Vatican delegation to Qatar when that country opened diplomatic relations with the Vatican in 2005. He was appointed by Pope Francis to represent the Vatican on the Advisory Board of the King Abdulazeez International Council for Interreligious Dialogue, KAICIID, 2018-2025.

The Council also announced the appointment of Dr. Emmanuel Okechukwu, Director of Health Services at the Catholic Secretariat, to serve along with Priests, Religious and the Laity who are all expected to bring their expertise into the work of the Council.

On the appointment, Bishop Kukah said he is humbled by the appointment and thanks the holy father immensely for giving him an opportunity to serve the Church. The thematic areas of the Dicastery, he said, fit perfectly into his areas of research and pastoral interest and looks forward to contributing to helping to infuse the Catholic ethos into public life in a world that has become severely wounded by human greed.

Fr Pascal Salifu

Director of Communications,

Diocese of Sokoto.

31/3/26
The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says the approved monthly upkeep allowance for beneficiary students under its scheme remains N20,000.

The agency made the clarification in a statement issued on Monday in Abuja by its Director of Strategic Communications, Oseyemi Oluwatuyi.

Mrs Oluwatuyi said the clarification became necessary following misinformation circulating on social media, suggesting that the monthly allowance had been increased to N25,000.

She advised students to disregard such reports and rely solely on official communication channels of the Fund for accurate information.

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According to her, the approved upkeep allowance for beneficiaries remains N20,000 monthly.

Mrs Oluwatuyi reaffirmed NELFUNDs commitment to transparency, efficiency and the delivery of student-focused support across the country.

READ ALSO: Benue university shut after students protest over NELFUND disbursements

She appreciated students for their cooperation and urged beneficiaries to seek clarification through the Funds official platforms whenever necessary.

The director said inquiries or requests for assistance could be directed to the Fund through its official email and verified social media handles.

She added that NELFUND would continue to provide timely updates to ensure beneficiaries receive accurate and verified information.

(NAN)
Security agencies in Nasarawa State have foiled a kidnapping attempt along a major highway and arrested two suspects for alleged illegal firearms possession.

The police command in the state said it foiled the kidnapping attempt along the Nasarawa EggonAkwanga Highway following a gun battle with the kidnappers.

The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Ramhan Nansel, said the incident occurred when a patrol team attached to the Nasarawa Eggon Division discovered that the highway had been barricaded with stones by armed men suspected to be kidnappers near Rice Mill in Nasarawa Eggon.

Upon sighting the police patrol team, the hoodlums opened fire, prompting a swift and decisive response from the operatives, Mr Nansel said.

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In the ensuing exchange of gunfire, the criminals were overpowered. One of the suspects was neutralised, while others fled into the surrounding bush with possible gunshot wounds.

He said a reinforcement team, deployed on the directive of the Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, secured the area and restored normal traffic along the highway.

According to him, the injured suspect was taken to a medical facility where he was later confirmed dead.

The deceased was identified as Auta Habu of a Ruga in Gidan Waya, Nasarawa Eggon Local Government Area. Investigations revealed he had been involved in several criminal activities, Mr Nansel said.

He added that efforts are ongoing to track down other members of the gang who escaped.

The police assured residents that the highway has been cleared and is now safe for motorists and other road users.

In the other development, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it arrested the suspects in connection with illegal possession of firearms in separate operations across the state.

The State Commandant, Samson Umoru, disclosed this through the commands spokesperson, Jerry Victor, during a briefing in Lafia on Monday.

The arrests were made following intelligence-driven operations by operatives of the Corps, Mr Umoru said.

He identified the suspects as Sumaka Nomsoor, 55, from Angwatashi, and Adam Paul, 34, from Angwan Ganga Duduguru, both in Obi Local Government Area. He said they were apprehended at different locations on 23 March.

Mr Umoru said the arrests form part of efforts by the corps to curb the proliferation of illegal firearms and other criminal activities in the state.

I want to reaffirm the commands commitment to curbing the proliferation of illegal firearms and other criminal activities within the state, he said.

He added that the suspects are currently in custody and would be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.

The NSCDC commandant also urged residents to remain vigilant and support security agencies with credible information.

If you see something, it is not enough to say something, but do something, he said.

Authorities say intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration remain central to efforts to curb criminal activities in the state, while urging continued public cooperation to sustain the gains recorded.
The National Assembly is set to convene a high-level national policy dialogue aimed at overhauling Nigerias planning and budgeting framework, as part of broader efforts to reposition the country for a $1 trillion economy.

The Chairperson of the House Committee on National Planning and Economic Development, Gboyega Isiaka (APC, Ogun), disclosed this on Monday during a press briefing at the National Assembly in Abuja.

He spoke on behalf of a joint committee of the Senate and the House of Representatives.

Mr Isiaka said the two-day dialogue will hold on 14 and 15 April at the Bola Tinubu International Conference Centre.

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According to him, the forum is designed to address longstanding gaps between national development plans and budget implementation.

He explained that the dialogue will bring together stakeholders from government, the private sector and policy institutions to develop a more coherent and implementable development framework.

The initiative, he added, is being organised in collaboration with the Office of the Vice President, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of National Planning and the Budget Office of the Federation, with a focus on aligning development priorities with fiscal realities.

Mr Isiaka said Nigerias current growth rate of about 3.54 per cent is insufficient to achieve its long-term economic ambitions, particularly the $1 trillion economy target.

He noted that growth must significantly outpace the countrys population increase, estimated at 2.7 per cent.

We cannot continue on a business-as-usual trajectory. Our growth must accelerate and be deliberately tied to a structured and implementable national plan, he said.

He recalled previous development frameworks from pre-independence strategies to Vision 2020 and the Economic Recovery and Growth Plan, saying that while some recorded limited success, many were undermined by structural weaknesses, macroeconomic instability and external shocks such as oil price fluctuations.

The lessons are clear: plans alone are not enough. Execution, consistency and adaptability are critical. This dialogue is about getting it right going forward, he added.

Mr Isiaka said the forum would provide a platform for engagement among policymakers, legislators, heads of ministries, departments and agencies, as well as experts in finance, procurement and economic planning. He noted that the goal is to produce practical and measurable outcomes.

We are bringing everyone to the table to build consensus around a planning and budgeting system that delivers real results for Nigerians, he said.

Also speaking, the Deputy Chairperson of the House Committee on Budget and National Planning, Clement Jimbo (APC, Akwa-Ibom), stressed the importance of strategic planning to national development, warning that weak frameworks could continue to hinder economic progress.

If you fail to plan, you are invariably planning to fail, he said, citing countries such as Singapore as examples of how disciplined and forward-looking policies can drive transformation.

Mr Jimbo said even modest gains from the dialogue could significantly improve Nigerias planning outcomes.

Even a one per cent improvement from the ideas generated here will enhance our planning process and results, he noted.

On the current budgeting model, particularly the envelope system, he acknowledged concerns but said no system is without limitations. He explained that while alternatives such as zero-based budgeting have merits, they may be difficult to implement fully given the size of government operations.

ALSO READ: Nigerian govt to host Health Financing policy dialogue in September

With over a thousand MDAs, adopting zero-based budgeting wholesale could be time-intensive and impractical. What we need is a system that reflects our realities while improving efficiency and accountability, he said.

He added that the dialogue would examine options such as performance-based budgeting, with breakout sessions expected to allow MDAs to share experiences and propose context-specific reforms.

Responding to questions on managing potential oil windfalls, Mr Jimbo said while the responsibility largely rests with the executive, there are strategies to ensure fiscal stability, including saving excess revenues and adjusting budgets to reflect changing economic conditions.

There are multiple pathways to managing windfalls effectively, and with the right framework, Nigeria can optimise such opportunities, he said.

The lawmakers expressed optimism that the dialogue would mark a shift in Nigerias approach to development planning, laying the foundation for a more coordinated, responsive and results-driven budgeting system.
The Nigeria Police Force in Akwa Ibom State on Monday kicked off activities for the 2026 Police Week with a statewide sanitation exercise and a medical outreach.

Police Week is an annual event of the Nigeria Police Force aimed at fostering closer ties with citizens through community-based activities.

Timfon John, the police spokesperson in Akwa Ibom, said in a statement on Monday that the outreach is aimed at improving public health and strengthening community relations.

Ms John, a deputy superintendent of police, said the initiative, led by the Commissioner of Police in Akwa Ibom, Baba Azare, involved deploying officers to markets, roads and other public spaces across the state where they carried out extensive clean-up operations.

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The police said the exercise is to show the commands commitment to community service and environmental safety, beyond its core law enforcement duties.

The statement said the command organised a medical outreach to provide residents with free consultations, basic health screenings, and essential medications.

The police said the outreach was designed to support underserved populations and reinforce trust between officers and the public.

Mr Azare, in the statement, urged residents to maintain clean surroundings, stressing that collective responsibility and cooperation remain critical in building safer communities.


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30,000-Mile Update

The excitement of driving our long-term Macan T continues unabated at the 30,000-mile mark despite its less-than-exciting acceleration. As we previously mentioned in the 20,000-mile update, the 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four works better when you select Sport mode. But even with Sport mode activated, theres more flooring in this Porsche than any other since the base Cayenne had a 247-hp VR6 and ambled to 60 in 8.8 seconds. The Macan T is nowhere near that sluggish, but its superlative handling and braking leave you wanting more straight-line speed. It seems to be a victim of its own abilities.

Drew Dorian - Car and Driver

The windshield-glass replacement that happened just before the 10,000-mile mark is likely to blame for the behavior of the Macan's automatic wipers. When we first replaced the glass, the wipers weren't sensitive enough to rain. The Macan gives the driver the ability to adjust the sensitivity on the wiper stalk, but even when switched to the most sensitive setting, the wipers would remain parked too long. This resulted in the replacement of the rain sensor. Unfortunately, we now find the wipers are too sensitive to water on the windshield. Again, this occurs despite playing with the stalk-mounted control.

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Upon hitting 30,000 miles, we took the Macan T to the dealer for another scheduled service. In addition to changing the oil, plus a few other inspections while the car was up on the lift, this stop also calls for replacing the spark plugs. All said, the service set us back $861. So far, the Macan has racked up $1762 in maintenance costs, and that's with a free first service at 10,000 miles.

Marc Urbano - Car and Driver

Despite the expense of the Macan T's purchase price and the cost of service, its mix of refinement and sportiness is unmatched in the compact-SUV world. As it closes in on the end of its time with us, we can't escape its lack of quickness, but it still makes us smile, especially when it's not raining.

Months in Fleet: 14 months Current Mileage: 31,319 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 22 mpg

Fuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 430 miles

Service: $1762 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $1145





Drew Dorian - Car and Driver

20,000-Mile Update

Our Copper Ruby Metallic Porsche Macan T continues to delight with its mix of sports-sedan-like handling, no-fuss operation, quiet refinement, and solid build quality.

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There has, however, been a gremlin related to the prior windshield replacement during Mr. T's second 10,000 miles. After the windshield repair shop replaced the automatic wiper rain sensing pad to remedy their inconsistency, the airbag light immediately illuminated. When the Macan T went to the dealer for its scheduled 20,000-mile service, they found no issues, cleared airbag code, and everything has been quiet since.

In addition to an oil and filter change, the 20,000-mile stop includes a number of inspections, clearing water drains, and a new cabin air filter for a cool $901. Technicians recalibrated the airbag sensor and reset the system under warranty; the warning lights have remained dark since.

Marc Urbano - Car and Driver

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Wishes for more power from the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four have disappeared from the logbook as many of us have adapted to turning the mode-select dial on the steering wheel to Sport mode. This raises idle speed to 1000 rpm for slightly more sprightly acceleration from a stop and keeps the transmission in lower gears longer. Our average fuel economy has improved to 21 mpg.



After driving through winter and summer we've found the Macan T's standard cloth and leather combination on the seats to be the perfect choice. The fabric is softer and warmer (or cooler on hot days) than the optional full leather seat. We'd definitely upgrade to the T from the base Macan for the additional bolstering and more supportive seats alone.

Months in Fleet: 11 months Current Mileage: 23,959 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 21 mpg

Fuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 410 miles

Service: $901 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $1145

Andi Hedrick - Car and Driver

10,000-Mile Update

While the Macan T isn't the car-board darling it was when it first arrived, it continues to impress with its mix of practicality and handling. As new dad and deputy video editor Carlos Lago put it, "This car is great for small families who love to drive."

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There have been some grumblings about the Macan's 261-hp turbocharged 2.0-liter four. It'd be nice if the T brought more power than you get in the base Macanmay we suggest the 328-hp version of the same engine that's in the Audi S3? Another complaint that has surfaced has been directed at the dual-clutch automatic. From a stop, the gearbox takes its time before giving any forward (or reverse) progress. That delay can get challenging when you want to pull out quickly into traffic and the gearbox pauses before giving you first gear.

Marc Urbano - Car and Driver

Throttle response is similarly languid in Normal mode. Select Sport mode, or the Individual mode that allows you to put just the transmission in Sport mode, and the revs rise at idle, which improves throttle response when accelerating from a stop. In Sport, the automatic also holds gears longer before upshifting and will downshift if you brake hard before a corner. That proclivity toward lower gears affects fuel economy. So far, we're getting 20 mpg. Fortunately, the Macan T has a 19.8-gallon fuel tank, so each fill of premium yields about 390 miles of range.



The Macan T's first scheduled service was a 10,000-mile oil and filter change that cost us nothing, as Porsche takes care of the first service. We did spend $1145 on a new windshield after a large crack appeared near the roof. Since that new windshield was installed, we have noticed that the automatic wipers have lost their sensitivity to rain. The installation comes with a reprogramming, and they do eventually wipe, but we'll have it looked at the next time it goes in for service. Until then, we'll have to do things the old-fashioned way, deciding for ourselves when to flick on the wipers. Such hardship.

Andi Hedrick - Car and Driver

Months in Fleet: 8 months Current Mileage: 14,570 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 20 mpg

Fuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 390 miles

Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $1145

Introduction

Over the past 10 years, Porsche has sold hundreds of thousands of Macan SUVs. We've awarded it 10Best laurels, it's stood out in numerous comparison tests, and yet we've never subjected one to a long-term test. We're correcting that oversight with a 2024 Macan T.

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The impatient among you will always want to buy a new car from a dealer's stock, which largely explains why most cars are white, black, or silver. If you're willing to wait and order your car like we did, you can get a color like Copper Ruby Metallic ($700 for 2024, yet that's increased significantly to $2480 for 2025) and pair it with 20-inch Neodyme (bronze-painted) wheels for an additional $1440. The T adds standard adaptive dampers and the Sport Chrono package, the latter bestowing launch control. The T also comes with standard eight-way Sport seats that mix pinstriped fabric on the seating surfaces with black leather bolsters. Black leather is a no-cost option, but we love the gentle support and look of the fabric inserts. Soft yet supportive, we'd pay extra for these seats. With the freedom to build an ideal Macan T and Porsche footing the bill, we kept ticking options, the 1000-plus-watt, 16-speaker Burmester audio system being the largest single-ticket item at $5700. From there we went for the heated rear seats ($570) because much of this test will take place in Michigan, LED headlights with gloss-black trim ($1040), insulating side windows ($920), and several other add-ons. And then we noticed the option for European delivery.

Marc Urbano - Car and Driver

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Picking up a Macan (or any Porsche, except for the Taycan) from the factory in Germany cost $1500 for 2024though that's also increased, to $2500, for 2025but that sum still includes insurance and registration fees. Do it. Not only do you get to play with your new toy in the land of unrestricted autobahns, but Porsche also gives you a full immersion into the world of Porsche at the Experience Center in Leipzig or in Stuttgart. We took delivery in Leipzig to check out the birthplace of the Macan.

Delivery day starts with a coffee and snack and then you're given the choice of playing in the dirt or on the tarmacor both. We chose to get dirty first. An instructor is assigned to you to help you navigate the off-road course. After about 30 minutes of using a Cayenne to climb obstacles, wade through water, and try our best to get stuck, we decided to switch to the 11 corners of the 2.3-mile racetrack. Lined up trackside is a selection of every Porsche model, just as they are in our dreams. You can choose to have the instructor in your car, or you can do a lead-follow where the instructor has you follow in the car of your choice. We chose a Macan GTS since it was as close to the Macan T we were picking up as was available.

Porsche

After an hour or so of redline upshifts and screeching tires, we pitted and walked to the pit garages, where the delivery takes place. Porsche adds a bit of drama to the ceremony by covering the car and then pulling the cover off, as if it were debuting at an auto showand it works. The experience hits you in the guttiwuts as the car you built on a computer screen months ago appears right in front of you. A product expert gives a detailed walkaround and eventually hands over the keys. A tour of the assembly plant is optional and shows the various stations involved in the process. A lunch in the restaurant overlooking the racetrack follows, and then you're free to explore the collection of race and classic cars or take off in your new Porsche. When your European trip is over you drop off the car in one of several locations throughout Europe, and Porsche handles the shipping. After a couple of months, your car arrives to your local dealer.

In addition to Leipzig, Porsche offers delivery services in Stuttgart, as well as closer to home in Atlanta and Los Angeles. Each location features a unique track, but the experience is largely the same wherever you go. And you don't have to even buy a Porsche to get the general experience either; each center offers the same program whether you are taking a car home or not.

Porsche

The Macan's owner's manual indicates that the 261-hp 2.0-liter turbo four and seven-speed dual-clutch automatic want a 1875-mile break-in period consisting of varying engine rpm, limited full-throttle acceleration, and no trips to the 6800-rpm redline, a request that is challenging when an unrestricted autobahn tempts you. Still, we managed to respect the break-in while cruising at 90 to 110 mph. A couple of days of exploring east Germanythe Bauhaus Museum in Dessau is a mustand we returned the Macan T to the Experience Center in Leipzig to begin its journey across the Atlantic.



As the memories of Germany were starting to fade, our $82,980 as-tested Macan T arrived stateside in late September. Break-in period behind us, the Macan reported to the track for its initial test. The Volkswagen-sourced 2.0-liter has a lot more to work against here than it does when bolted into a Volkswagen GTI. Getting 4262 pounds of Macan moving from a stop reveals turbo lag; the engine is largely asleep until you rev past 2500 rpm. Selecting Sport mode helps mitigate some of the laziness as the idle speed rises from about 750 rpm to just below 1000, which helps off-the-line responsiveness. Sport also keeps the automatic operating in lower gears to keep the power at the ready. Even with all that revving, the four remains smooth and largely in the background, as our 77-decibel reading at full throttle indicates. Activate launch control and the revs rise to about 5000 rpm before departure, leading to a 5.4-second run to 60 mph. Think of that as a theoretical number; on the street, the Macan T accelerates more slowly, as the 6.1-second 5-to-60-mph figure reveals. Quick enough, but certainly not quick overall, is how we'd characterize this VW-powered Macan. Plenty of aftermarket tuners offer more power, and that's a route we may explore after our 40,000-mile test is over.



Marc Urbano - Car and Driver

The Macan T's turbo four currently is drinking a gallon of premium every 19 milespossibly because the engine needs to work hard to provide meaningful accelerationmatching its EPA city number. To put that into perspective, the twin-turbocharged V-6s in the Macan S and GTS score 17 mpg in the city. Our lackluster fuel economy went initially unnoticed since the fuel tank measures a large 19.8 gallons, bestowing a decent observed range of 370 miles. Hopefully it will improve once the Macan begins to stretch its legs on road trips.



There have been zero issues with our Macan T thus far. To ready us for the eventual snow that will blanket our Michigan office, we've swapped the Porsche's staggered 20-inch Pirelli P Zero summer rubber for a set of Michelin Pilot Alpin 5 SUV winter tires in original-equipment sizes ($1618 per set on Tirerack.com). Steering feel on the squishier Michelins remains excellent, and the responsiveness is unchanged. There have been a few complaints about the smallness of the 10.9-inch center touchscreen when running Apple CarPlay and the lack of legroom in the second row. But in Germany or in Michigan, the Macan T remains a sufficiently luxurious daily driver that delivers sports-car-like handling and feel, if not straight-line performance.

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Months in Fleet: 3 months Current Mileage: 4706 miles

Average Fuel Economy: 19 mpg

Fuel Tank Size: 19.8 gal Observed Fuel Range: 370 miles

Service: $0 Normal Wear: $0 Repair: $0

Damage and Destruction: $0



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The National Leader of Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), Seriake Dickson, has dismissed insinuations that the party is a proxy of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

Mr Dickson, who represents Bayelsa West Senatorial District, said this in a statement issued in Abuja on Tuesday.

He also defended the legitimacy and independence of the newly-registered political party, saying there was no legal dispute over its registration.

Speaking amid the growing political speculation, the former Bayelsa State governor said the partys registration by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) followed due process and compliance with a court order

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He said: Theres no litigation against NDC registration. INEC has already implemented the court order and cannot reverse it.

Mr Dickson rejected claims that either INEC or the ruling APC was seeking to challenge the party in court, describing such assertions as baseless.

The NDC national leader pushed back strongly against narratives suggesting that the party was created to weaken opposition forces.

Im used to this kind of bully tactics. I am not someone who is swayed by propaganda and blackmail, he said.

The senator described NDC as an ideological platform established to bring together Nigerians who shared similar democratic values.

It remains open to engagement with other political groups, but it is not aligned with any existing party, he said.

While emphasising the constitutional right to political association, he said: No one can blackmail or bully me or any other Nigerian to belong to a party or form a party or take one view or the other.

Addressing calls in some quarters that he and his supporters should align with other opposition platforms such as African Democratic Congress (ADC) or Labour Party, Mr Dickson insisted that Nigerians must be allowed to make independent political choices.

Democracy means you have the right and the freedom to be in the ADC, to be in the APC; to be in the Labour Party and thousands of Nigerians also have the right to be in the NDC, he said.

(NAN)
The African Leadership Strategy and Transparency for Development Initiative (ALSDI), has called on President Bola Tinubu not to assent to the statue-barred Bill for the establishment of the Chartered Institute of Digital Forensics of Nigeria.

ALSDIs Executive Director and Convener, Nelson Ossaieze, who stated this during a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, said through official records, the bill was transmitted to the president through the office of the Clerk of the National Assembly, under a covering letter dated 23 February, 2026 and was duly received by the Presidency on 25 February, 2026.

He said Section 58(4) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides in clear terms that the president shall within 30 days of receiving a bill, signify assent or withhold assent.

By operation of this provision, the constitutional period for the presidential action expired on March 25, 2026 and the position is clear, definitive and not open to manipulation or administrative discretion, as the Bill in question is now statute barred, he declared.

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He cautioned that any attempt to grant assent outside the constitutional prescribed timeframe would amount to a direct violation of the Constitution and a dangerous precedent for the executive branch.

The Executive Director expressed his organisations worries that reports from promoters of the Bill are actively seeking to bypass due process in order to influence the assent process, adding that such conduct is unacceptable and undermines the authority of the Constitution, thereby eroding public trust in democratic institutions.

While commenting on the Bills public hearing process at the National Assembly, the executive director said the Bill faced strong and consistent opposition from key stakeholders within Nigerias security, regulatory and anti-corruption framework, including the Office of the National Security Adviser, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, the Independent and Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, National Information Technology Development Agency and the Computer Professionals Registration Council of Nigeria.

He said the concerns raised were on the necessity, structure and potential implications of the proposed Institute, noting that the alignment of critical national institutions to the Bill served as a serious concern about its credibility and alignment with broader interests.

He also said the decision to proceed with the Bill passage after the objections calls for scrutiny as well as raises questions over legislative judgement. He however, expressed confidence in President Tinubu s ability to do the needful as a leader who understands the weight of constitutional responsibility.

The executive director urged the president to decline his assent to the Bill and reject any form of pressure as well as advised the Bills promoters to return to the National Assembly and commence a fresh legislative process in full compliance with constitutional requirements and stakeholders engagement.
The member representing Ado/Okpokwu/Ogbadibo Federal Constituency of Benue State, Philip Agbese, has said his decision to defect from the All Progressives Congress (APC) to the Labour Party (LP) is driven by the wishes of his constituents dismissing speculations that his action is driven by governorship ambition

Mr Agbese, who serves as deputy spokesperson of the House of Representatives, formally announced his switch during Tuesdays plenary.

The Speaker, Abbas Tajudeen, who read his letter on the floor alongside 25 other letters of defection, noted that Mr Agbeses move marked a rare instance of a lawmaker defecting from the majority party to the minority party.

Speaking with journalists shortly after the announcement, Mr Agbese said his decision was informed by the political preferences of his constituents rather than personal ambition or internal disputes within his former party.

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I want to categorically put it on record that our defection has nothing to do with any crisis between us and anybody. It is about service to our people, he said. Our people have taken a firm position that the Labour Party is the vehicle that will take them to their expected destination in 2027, and as a servant of the people, we have no choice but to align with that position.

Addressing growing speculation about a possible governorship bid, the lawmaker said no such ambition influenced his decision.

There is no governorship ambition in sight at the moment, he stated. We cannot rule out the future, but for now, this is about service. It is not about me; it is about the party and the people of Benue State.

He added that his focus is on strengthening the Labour Partys structure in the state ahead of the 2027 general elections, noting that the party would field candidates across all elective positions.

Benue APC crisis in focus

Mr Agbeses defection comes amid a prolonged internal crisis within the APC in Benue State, largely linked to the rift between the state governor, Hyacinth Alia and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.

The dispute, which dates back to the aftermath of the 2023 general election, has polarised the party in the state. Mr Alia, who won the governorship on the APC platform, has faced resistance from loyalists of Mr Akume, a former governor, widely regarded as the partys longstanding political leader in Benue.

Both camps have traded accusations over control of party structures and influence over elected officials.

While the governors supporters accuse Mr Akume of attempting to dominate party affairs from Abuja, the SGFs allies argue that the governor has sidelined key stakeholders.

Efforts to reconcile both sides including interventions by the Presidency, the APC national leadership, and the Tor Tiv, James Ayatse, have yet to produce a lasting resolution.

Although Mr Agbese denied that the crisis directly informed his exit, political observers believe the instability within the APC may have contributed to shifting loyalties among stakeholders in the state.

Despite leaving the APC, Mr Agbese expressed gratitude to Mr Akume, describing him as a political benefactor.

He remains my father and greatest benefactor. I am grateful to him, he said, while insisting that his decision was driven solely by the will of his constituents.

According to the lawmaker, a surge in grassroots support for the Labour Party in his constituency influenced his move. He cited party registration figures to support his claim that the LP has gained significant traction within a short period.

If you are a good leader, you must listen to the people and follow the direction they are going, he said.

Focus shifts to 2027 elections

Mr Agbese said his immediate priority is to reposition the Labour Party for electoral success in Benue, stressing that the focus should be on winning elections rather than continuing political rivalries.

This is a new party and a new family. It is not time to fight; it is time to win elections, he said.

READ ALSO: Defections hit House of Reps as 26 lawmakers switch parties

He acknowledged the partys national leadership, including its chairman, Nenadi Usman, and Abia State Governor, Alex Otti, describing the latter as a key figure in the party.

Mr Agbese added that the Labour Party would contest all elections in Benue State and could align with broader national strategies depending on decisions taken by its leadership ahead of 2027.

Our strategy is centred on how the Labour Party will win elections in Benue State, he said. For now, it is about the people, mama, papa and pikin and delivering the dividends of democracy.
Usman Aliyu, a correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), alongside three other journalists, was on Tuesday honoured by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command.

The journalists were honoured for their outstanding reportage in the fight against illicit drugs.

The recognition was announced by the state Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, during the commands first-quarter review and award ceremony.

Mr Ofoyeju said that the honour was in recognition of the journalists consistent, fair, and impactful reportage that had helped amplify the agencys anti-drug campaigns.

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He also said that the media remained a critical partner in the fight against illicit drugs.

Our media partners have demonstrated constituency, fairness and insightful coverage of the NDLEAs activities, which is instrumental in raising public awareness and fostering community support.

Today we celebrate dedication, resourcefulness and fruitful collaboration. The award recipients embody our collective effort to secure a drug-free society, he said.

He added that the honour aligned with the recognition culture instituted by the Chairman/Chief Executive Officer of the NDLEA, Buba Marwa, a retired brigadier-general, aimed at motivating stakeholders and strengthening collaboration.

In the same vein, the command honoured several officers for exemplary services across different operational areas, including enforcement, investigation, prosecution, and discipline.

A legal practitioner, Agbako Afamefune of Breakthrough Legal Consults, was also recognised for providing legal aid to indigent defendants, and therefore contributing to fair trial processes in drug-related cases.

NAN reports that the event also featured the unveiling of the commands maiden magazine, which documented its operational successes in 2025 and educated the public about the dangers of illicit drug use.
The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, says it has arrested no fewer than 104 suspected drug traffickers and seized illicit substances worth over N1.8 billion.

The State Commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju, disclosed this on Tuesday in Benin, while presenting the commands operational scorecard.

Mr Ofoyeju said that the arrests and seizures were made within the first quarter of 2026.

He also said that the suspects comprised 71 males and 33 females apprehended through intelligence-led operations across the state.

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I am glad to state that no fewer than 104 suspected traffickers were apprehended with 18,380 kilogrammes of suspected narcotics.

They were arrested during various intelligence-led raid operations.

5,825 kilogrammes of substance suspected to be cannabis sativa were seized within the period under review, while 12,556 kilogrammes of suspected cannabis farm lands measuring 5.02260 hectares were destroyed.

The commander said that the operations had sent a strong signal that Edo was not a safe haven for illicit drug activities.

He explained that a breakdown of the seizures showed cannabis dominating the haul at 18,293 kilogrammes.

He added that other seizures include 6.01 kilogrammes of suspected psychotropic substances, 0.1888 kilogrammes of suspected methamphetamine, 0.023 kilogrammes of suspected cocaine, 0.0151 kilogrammes of suspected heroin, and 81.4 litres of codeine syrup.

Mr Ofoyeju said that beyond enforcement, the command also recorded significant strides in prosecution and rehabilitation.

He said that 36 convictions were secured at the Federal High Court, Benin, within the period under review, adding that those convicted include 32 males and four females.

Our prosecution efforts remain firm. We are ensuring that offenders face the full weight of the law, he said.

In the area of demand reduction, the NDLEA boss explained that the command intensified its anti-drug advocacy, conducting 26 sensitisation programmes across communities.

He further said that 28 drug-dependent individuals were rehabilitated, while 66 others received counselling and have been successfully reintegrated with their families.

He noted that the fight against drug abuse must go beyond arrests, stressing the importance of prevention and rehabilitation.

We are not just enforcing laws; we are rebuilding lives. Rehabilitation and counselling are critical components of our strategy, he said.

The NDLEA chief reaffirmed the agencys commitment to sustaining the momentum.

He said that partnerships with stakeholders and the public remained crucial in dismantling drug networks.

(NAN)
The police in Anambra State say they have detained three robbery suspects in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of the state and recovered some firearms.

Tochukwu Ikenga, the police spokesperson in Anambra, disclosed this in a statement made available to reporters on Tuesday in Awka.

Mr Ikenga, a superintendent of police, said that Rapid Response Squad operatives in Awkuzu arrested the suspects and recovered arms in Ogidi on 21 March.

The command has recorded breakthroughs, following sustained investigation and interrogation.

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The operatives made additional progress with the arrest of the suspected ringleader of the syndicate, one Chukwuka Anene, male, 46, who confessed to being the armourer of the gang, he said.

Mr Ikenga said that the suspect subsequently led police operatives to the gangs hideout in Ogidi, where the firearms and body armour were recovered.

According to him, two pump-action guns, two locally made Beretta pistols, five rounds of 9mm ammunition, and seven live cartridges were recovered.

READ ALSO: IGP submits framework for establishment of state police to Senate

Other items recovered from the suspects hideout included a beret, a knife linked to a cult group, and body armour.

The police spokesperson said that the command had intensified efforts to apprehend other fleeing members of the gang, while the investigation was ongoing.

He reiterated the commands commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all residents and property.

Mr Ikenga urged members of the public to continue to support the police with credible information to help the command prevent and tackle crime.

(NAN)
A former Kano State deputy governor and 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nasiru Gawuna, has resigned from the party.

Mr Gawuna also visited former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), following his resignation from the APC.

In a letter dated 29 March, and addressed to the APC chairman in Gawuna Ward, Nassarawa Local Government Area, Mr Gawuna said his decision to leave the party was voluntary and personal.

I hereby formally resign my membership from the All Progressives Congress (APC), effective March 29, 2026, he stated in the letter.

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READ ALSO: Kwankwaso resigns from NNPP

He earlier resigned as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Mr Gawuna is expected to join the ADC alongside his supporters, who have been calling on him to leave the APC due to what they describe as injustice against him by the party.
The Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) West Africa has unveiled a report examining the political, security and development challenges in the Sahel, with a focus on the growing influence of military-led governments in the region.

Speaking at the official unveiling of the report on Monday in Abuja, the Director of CDD-West Africa, Dauda Garuba, said it reflected the centres commitment to deepening democracy, promoting conflict prevention and advancing people-centred development across West Africa.

Mr Garuba noted that the Sahel had continued to face complex and evolving challenges, particularly the rise in military takeovers, with significant socio-economic and political consequences for affected countries.

The report provides a comparative and multi-dimensional assessment of governance, security and development trends in the region.

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It explores how military administrations influence resource allocation, civil liberties and cross-border mobility, while also analysing the strategies adopted by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to consolidate legitimacy and respond to terrorism threats.

According to him, the report builds on its earlier ones on military populism and the formation of the AES bloc, offering deeper insights into measurable trends, societal impacts and regional interdependence.

The CDD boss expressed hope that the report would stimulate informed debate and provide practical policy direction for governments, civil society and other stakeholders.

He emphasised the need for collaborative efforts to address insecurity, while balancing cooperation, trust and strategic interests in a rapidly changing West African landscape.

Lassane Ouedraogo, presenter of the research findings, argued that the most pressing and long-term challenge facing West Africa was not terrorism itself but the deep disunity it had created across the region.

He said while terrorism remained a serious concern, its wider consequences were even more troubling.

These include military takeovers, the formation of new political alliances and the withdrawal of some countries from ECOWAS. All of these developments are interconnected and continue to reshape relationships within the region.

In examining the relationship between ECOWAS member-states and their Sahelian neighbours, it becomes clear that countries are responding differently to the crisis.

Some nations have adopted a pragmatic approach, separating their security concerns from economic and diplomatic relations, and continuing engagement, where necessary.

Others, however, treat these issues as inseparable, responding with a more rigid stance that combines security, political and development concerns into a single framework.

This divergence in approach is contributing to growing disunity and weakening cooperation among regional institutions. Instead of fostering collective action, it is leading to disengagement and fragmentation across West Africa, Mr Ouedraogo said.

Also speaking, a former Director of CDD-West Africa and Chairman of the occasion, Jibrin Ibrahim, called for a reflection on why citizens in the Sahel favoured military regimes.

Mr Ibrahim said the report urged a shift from focusing solely on terrorism to addressing the fundamental needs and livelihoods of citizens.

He explained that, despite democratic setbacks, military regimes in the Sahel were gaining popular legitimacy and prompting broader reflection on the effectiveness of democracy in West Africa.

They are engaged in trying to demonstrate to their citizens that they are there to address issues that are fundamental to the lives and livelihoods of the ordinary people in the Sahel, Ibrahim said.

In a goodwill message, the First Secretary, High Commission of Canada in Nigeria, Colton Brydges, said any investment in the prevention of coups and the stabilisation of democratic government was important.

In a region where democracy hasnt delivered for so many people, hasnt delivered economically for so many people, alternatives, whatever they may be, are attractive to people.

Its good to see that theres been some progress toward reinvigorating regional alliances around security. We hope that those will continue to bear fruit, he said.

On his part, the Secretary-General, Conference of Speakers and President of African Legislators (COSPAL), Dapo Oyewole, said COSPA believed that no unconstitutional change of government could substitute the long-term benefits of democracy.

According to Mr Oyewole, development without inclusion is unsustainable, adding that resource governance without transparency and parliamentary oversight is an invitation to conflict.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the research jointly carried out by CDD-West Africa and the Ivorian Observatory for Human Rights was tagged: Security, Resource Governance and Development Trajectories: A Comparative Assessment of Post-Coup Governance in the Sahel.

(NAN)
Angry residents have criticised Governor Caleb Mutfwangs response to Sundays deadly attack in Agwan Rukuba in the Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, particularly during his visit to the crime scene.

Governor Mutfwang said 28 people were killed in the attack, pledging justice and stronger security measures.

In a state broadcast on Monday, the governor described the killings as senseless, saying the victims were attacked around 7:30 p.m. while going about their normal activities.

He announced a 48-hour curfew, promised to cover medical bills of the injured, and said a suspect had been arrested.

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This time, we shall pursue the cause of justice to its logical conclusion, the governor said, assuring residents that those responsible would be prosecuted.

PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that gunmen invaded the community, opened fire on residents, and fled through nearby routes, leaving dozens dead, although official figures have varied.

Mr Mutfwang also said he visited the scene with security chiefs and met victims at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, adding that the government would support affected families and ensure dignified burials.

However, residents who witnessed the governors visit to Angwan Rukuba raised concerns about how it was conducted.

The governor arrived the community in an armoured personnel carrier (APC), a military-grade vehicle used for operations in volatile environments.

The vehicle, fitted with a roof hatch, emergency lights and reinforced body plating, was surrounded by heavily armed security personnel.

Mr Mutfwang, dressed in a light-coloured outfit, was seen standing through the open hatch of the APC, holding onto the rim as he addressed residents from above.

Other officials, including aides in suits, stood on the vehicle, while security operatives maintained a tight perimeter around it.

Speaking with PREMIUM TIMES on phone, on Monday, Sati Festus, a resident of the area, said the governor did not step out to engage directly with the people.

He came, but he did not come down. He was inside an armoured vehicle, Mr Festus said. We saw him through the top opening. People were expecting him to come down and speak with them.

Another resident, Mariam Dauda, questioned the scale of security deployed for the governors visit compared to what was available during the attack.

Imagine the number of police personnel that came with him, more than a hundred, he said. How many police were stationed here in Angwan Rukuba when people were being killed?

Dung James, who also lives in the community, said the manner of the visit left some residents feeling disconnected from the governments assurances.

He said he feels our pain, but people wanted to see him stand with them physically, not from inside a security vehicle, Mr Dung said. It raises questions.

These concerns come amid broader frustrations over repeated attacks in Plateau communities, where residents say official visits and promises of justice have not always translated into arrests or lasting security improvements.

In his address, Mr Mutfwang urged residents to remain calm and avoid reprisals, commending the community for showing restraint despite the provocation.

He also directed security agencies to enforce existing restrictions on commercial motorcycle operations within the Jos metropolis as part of efforts to strengthen security.

The governor said the curfew would allow security forces to stabilise the area and prevent further violence, while a review of the states security architecture is underway.

For many residents, however, the immediate concern remains protection on the ground, as they weigh official assurances against their experience of recurring attacks.
Amnesty International has called on President Bola Tinubu to take urgent and decisive steps to halt the wave of killings across Nigeria, warning that continued inaction was costing lives and deepening insecurity.

In a statement on the recent Palm Sunday attack in Angwan Rukuba, Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State, the organisation said the Nigerian authorities must investigate what it described as inexcusable security lapses that enabled gunmen to carry out the attack.

The rights group said the rising death toll, now put at over 30 by residents and local sources, highlights the growing vulnerability of communities to violent attacks.

The attack and timing show how increasingly vulnerable people are to being killed anywhere and anytime, Amnesty said, noting that more bodies were still being recovered and taken to morgues days after the incident.

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PREMIUM TIMES had reported that gunmen stormed Angwan Rukuba on Sunday evening, posing as customers at a beer parlour before opening fire on residents. Witnesses said the attackers later moved through nearby paths, shooting at people as they fled, before escaping toward a hillside.

The attack triggered reprisal violence in parts of Jos North, leading to further casualties and prompting the Plateau State Government to impose a 48-hour curfew. The University of Jos also postponed examinations, while schools around the affected community shut down due to the tension.

Amnesty said the pattern of repeated attacks across Plateau and other states shows that communities are being left exposed.

Patterns of recent deadly attacks on rural and urban areas of Plateau State clearly show that Nigerian authorities have left these communities at the mercy of rampaging gunmen, the organisation said.

It added that similar incidents in Benue, Zamfara and Kebbi states reinforce concerns that the protection of lives and property is not being treated as a priority.

The group criticised what it described as a reliance on official statements without corresponding action, urging authorities to move beyond condemnation.

Issuing statements condemning the attacks is not enough. Genuine commitment must be demonstrated by protecting lives, holding perpetrators accountable and ensuring justice, it said.

The organisation warned that without immediate and effective intervention, the cycle of violence could worsen, with more lives at risk across affected communities.
President Bola Tinubu has strongly condemned the barbaric and cowardly attacks by gunmen in Angwan Rukuba district, Jos, Plateau State.

He equally condemned the attacks in Kahir village in Kagarko Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Describing the attack on the community in Jos and the killing and abduction of wedding guests in Kaduna as an affront to all that Nigeria stands for, President Tinubu assured Nigerians that the barbaric acts will not go unpunished.

Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting, he said.

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He has directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives. He cautioned some sections of the media, insinuating the attacks were religiously motivated.

President Tinubu reaffirmed that security agencies are actively addressing the situation and stressed that public cooperation is vital to maintaining peace and protecting lives and property. He stressed the need for communities to comply with evacuation, relocation, and related advice and processes. He hailed the safe return of two of the Kaduna victims.

I urge our security agencies to be more proactive in preventing these attacks by acting on early warning intelligence. All the remaining abductees from Kahir village must be rescued immediately, the president said.

I commend Governor Caleb Mutfwang of Plateau State for his efforts in containing the situation in Jos and Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State for supporting the rescue and containment efforts. I assure the people and government of the two states of my support. I commiserate with the families of those killed and pray for the quick recovery of the injured. Our government is currently acquiring more sophisticated equipment to enable our security agencies to track and smash criminals, in real time, wherever they are.

Bayo Onanuga

Special Adviser to the President

(Information & Strategy)
A State High Court in Agenebode, Edo State, has voided the Edo State Governments removal of Lukeman Akemokhue as the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella.

The court held that the Edo State Governor, Monday Okpebholo, and the State Executive Council violated constitutional provisions on fair hearing by removing the traditional ruler.

Okuokpellagbe is the traditional stool and title of the paramount ruler of the Okpella community in Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

Delivering judgement on 26 March in suit number HAG/12/2025, Justice O.A. Otamere ruled that the state governments decision to depose the traditional ruler without affording him an opportunity to respond to allegations amounted to an abuse of office and was null and void.

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Mr Akemokhue approached the court in May 2025 to challenge his removal, which was announced via a government special announcement dated 30 April 2025. He argued that the action was arbitrary and breached Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to a fair hearing.

Background

Then-Governor Godwin Obaseki had Mr Akemokhue as the Okuokpellagbe on 27 September 2024. The appointment was gazetted on 3 October 2024.

However, Mr Okpebholos administration, which succeeded Mr Obasekis, said it discovered that the process of the selection of Mr Akemokhue as the Okuokpellagbe was fraudulent, stressing that there was no selection as required by the law. The administration deposed him in April 2025.

Mr Akemokhue argued in court through his lead counsel, A. D. Badaiki, that the governments action was unconstitutional.

Mr Badaiki, a professor of law and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, also said the governments action violated established procedures under the Edo State Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law.

The defendants, including the Edo State Governor, the Edo State Attorney General, relevant chieftaincy authorities and Michael Sado, who was later appointed as the Okuokpellagbe after the claimants removal by government, had contended that the court lacked jurisdiction and that the removal was valid.

Court faults lack of fair hearing

In its decision, the court agreed with the claimant that although the state has powers under the Traditional Rulers and Chiefs Law to settle disputes in relation to traditional chieftaincy matters and to withdraw the approval of the appointment, suspend or depose, any traditional ruler in the interest of peace or order or good government, such powers must be exercised in line with due process.

Justice Otamere held that the Edo State Executive Council failed to investigate allegations against the traditional ruler or give him a chance to defend himself before withdrawing its approval of his appointment.

The failure to accord the claimant a fair hearing renders the entire process invalid, the judge ruled, adding that, A public body or authority with statutory powers must act lawfully and ensure it does not overstep or misuse its authoritysuch withdrawal without due process is an abuse of office and should not be allowed to stand.

The court also criticised the government for proceeding to remove the traditional ruler while the case was pending in court.

It held that the governments action amounted to self-help and an attempt to overreach the judicial process, contrary to the doctrine of lis pendens, which bars parties from taking steps that could prejudice ongoing litigation.

Reinstatement

Consequently, the court declared that there was no vacancy in the stool of the Okuokpellagbe of Okpella and affirmed Mr Akemokhue as the substantive traditional ruler entitled to perform all functions and enjoy the privileges of the office.

The court further ordered Mr Sado to vacate the throne as Okuokpellagbe of Okpella and restrained the Edo State Government and its agents from initiating or recognising any process to appoint or install another traditional ruler for the community.
Former Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State, on Tuesday, withdrew a fundamental rights enforcement suit against a Federal Capital Territory( FCT) chief magistrate.

The magistrate was named as the second defendant in the case.

Judge Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja struck out the magistrate from the suit, following a submission by Ugochukwu Nnakwu, lawyer to Mr El-Rufai.

Mr El-Rufai filed the suit in February seeking N1 billion in damages against the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and other defendants for alleged violations of his rights during the search conducted at his Abuja residence on 19 February.

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Other defendants originally sued alongside the FCT chief magistrate, who issued the search warrant, are the ICPC the Inspector-General of Police, and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).

Tuesdays development did not affect other defendants, as the plaintiff continues pressing the legal action against them.

Meanwhile, PREMIUM TIMES had reported that since the filing of the suit on 20 February, hearing had yet to commence despite repeated adjournments.

On 3 March, the hearing stalled because Mr El-Rufais lawyers had not served the suit on the respondents. The court postponed the hearing until 11 March, when proceedings stalled again to allow parties to regularise filings.

Again, on Wednesday, 25 March, Judge Abdulmalik further adjourned hearing until today after it was learnt that the magistrate had yet to be served.

Tuesdays proceedings

On Tuesday, Mr Nnakwu informed the court that the matter was scheduled for the hearing of the motion ex-parte for substituted service of all court documents on the magistrate.

He, however, said a motion to withdraw the suit against the magistrate had been filed on 30 March, praying the court to strike out the second defendants name and the earlier motion ex-parte.

Ezekiel Rimamsomte, representing the police; Maimuna Shiru for the AGF; and Abdul Mohammed, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), for the ICPC, did not oppose the application.

Judge Abdulmalik struck out the magistrates name and the motion ex-parte.

Mr Nnakwu then sought an adjournment to amend the suit, but ICPCs lawyer, Mr Mohammed, opposed the request.

He argued that reliefs one, two, and three in the suit concerned the magistrates search warrant, and striking out the magistrate meant there is no case before this court.

However, the judge told Mr Mohammed to allow the plaintiff to pursue his case, noting that a counter-affidavit could be filed in response.

She adjourned the matter until 17 June for El-Rufais lawyers to file an amended process.

N1 billion rights suit

Mr El-Rufai filed the N1 billion fundamental rights enforcement suit on 20 February following his detention and the search of his Abuja home.

He asked the court to declare that the search warrant issued on 4 February by the FCT chief magistrate, which authorised the search and seizure at his residence, was invalid, null, and void.

He argued the search violated his rights to dignity, personal liberty, fair hearing, and privacy, and sought an injunction to restrain the respondents from using any seized evidence.

He also prayed the court to order the return of all seized items and award N1 billion in general, exemplary, and aggravated damages.

The ICPC opposed the suit, stating in a counter-affidavit that it acted on a petition against El-Rufai and under statutory powers to investigate, arrest, and prosecute offenders.

The police added that the search was conducted under a warrant issued by a competent court.
President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to approve an increase of N9.3 trillion in the 2026 budget, raising it from N58.47 trillion to N67.7 trillion.

The request was conveyed in a letter read by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Tuesday, following lawmakers resumption from the two-week Eid el-Fitr break.

In the letter, Mr Tinubu said the proposed increase is aimed primarily at regularising outstanding legacy capital projects carried over from previous budgets, with a view to ensuring their completion.

He also noted that the additional spending would support key transport projects, in line with the administrations continuity agenda.

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The president noted that the adjustment is further intended to preserve macro-fiscal stability and ease pressure on the domestic financial market.

Unfunded N5.7 trillion for capital projects

The president also drew lawmakers attention to provisions totalling N5.7 trillion and N2 trillion for capital projects in the 2025 budget that have not been funded and were therefore omitted as outstanding obligations.

He said the proposed increment is intended to address these unfunded capital projects.

According to the president, the projects include light rail developments in Lagos, Kano, Kaduna, and Ogun states, as well as feasibility studies for projects in Maiduguri, urban light rail systems, and the narrow-gauge railway network.

He also disclosed an additional provision of N8.6 billion for detailed feasibility studies on the CalabarMaiduguri corridor, which traverses the North-central zone, as well as the MaiduguriSokoto superhighway

Intervention for health

Mr Tinubu further highlighted an additional $344.8 million (approximately N482.7 billion) earmarked for priority health interventions, in line with existing bilateral agreements and implementation commitments.

Provision for judiciary

The president also prioritised the judiciary in the proposed increment, with N98.5 billion allocated to the Court of Appeal and N36.7 billion to the Supreme Court, in preparation for pre- and post-election matters arising from the 2027 general elections.

A further provision of N98.5 billion for the Court of Appeal and N36.7 billion for the Supreme Court to support adjudicating processes and activities within the architecture of the pre- and post-2027 general elections. For the reinstatement of the budget sealing of the judiciary with considerations from the prospective appoints of additional justices of the court of Appeal and other judges, the letter reads.

After reading the letter, Mr Akpabio referred the request to the Senate Committee on Appropriations for further legislative consideration.

PREMIUM TIMES reports that the National Assembly had yet to pass the 2026 budget before the presidents latest amendment.
The Lagos State Internal Revenue Service (LIRS) has extended the deadline for filing of Individual annual tax returns by two weeks, from 1 April to 14 April.

In a statement issued on Monday, the Executive Chairman of LIRS, Ayodele Subair, explained that the statutory deadline for filing of individual annual tax returns is March 31 every year. He noted that the extension is intended to provide individuals with additional time to complete and submit accurate tax returns.

Mr Subair stated that individuals must give priority to the timely filing of their annual income tax returns, noting that compliance should be embedded as a routine personal practice.

He also reiterated that electronic filing through the LIRS eTax platform remains the only approved method for submitting annual returns, as manual filings have been completely phased out. Individuals are therefore required to file their returns exclusively through the LIRS eTax portal.

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Describing the platform as secure, user-friendly, and accessible 24/7, Mr Subair advised individuals to ensure that their TaxID (Tax Identification Number) is correctly captured in their submissions.

For further enquiries or assistance, individual taxpayers were advised to visit any LIRS office or contact the Service through its channels.

Website: www.lirs.gov.ng

Facebook & LinkedIn: Lagos State Internal Revenue Service

Instagram & YouTube: @lirsgovng

X (formerly Twitter): @lirs_govng

Signed

Monsurat Amasa-Oyelude

Head, Corporate Communications,

LIRS
The Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday affirmed the United Methodist Church in Nigeria (UMCN) as validly registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), describing an alteration to the name pushed by some factional members as illegal.

Judge Obiora Egwuatu In a judgement directed the CAC to immediately reverse the churchs name from Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN) to UMCN.

He also ordered the commission to reverse the change of the names of the churchs trustees made to the certificate of incorporation on 19 October 2024, describing the action as unlawful, invalid, null and void.

The judge further ordered Zenith Bank Plc, the third defendant in the suit, to grant members of UMCN immediate access and control of all church accounts domiciled with the bank.

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Judge Egwuatu held that the alteration of the churchs name to GMCN was unlawful and inconsistent with established legal and procedural requirements.

He said the CAC failed to comply with the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA), particularly on the proper procedure for altering names and trustees of an incorporated body.

He further held that members of an association, such as a church, must abide by its constitution and that the court cannot interfere in its affairs. According to him, anyone who voluntarily joins an association must comply with its rules and regulations.

A member of an association can associate or disassociate from an association and not leave the association by changing the name of the association, he said, citing a judicial precedent.

The suit was instituted by four members of UMCN, who sued for themselves and on behalf of other members. They are Benjamin Simon, Eunice Iliya, a reverend; Emmanuel Ande, a bishop; and Eli Yaku, another reverend.

They named CAC, the Incorporated Trustees of Global Methodist Church in Nigeria and Zenith Bank Plc as the first to the third defendants.

The dispute arose from a leadership split within the church, after a breakaway faction moved to change the churchs registered name with CAC to Global Methodist Church in Nigeria (GMCN).

However, UMCN challenged the action, arguing that due process was not followed and that the amendment violated statutory provisions and the churchs internal governance structure.

Through their lawyer, Chinedu Udora, the plaintiffs presented 23 prayers and four questions for determination. They asked the court to decide whether, under the supremacy clause and Articles 1, 4, 6 and 12 of the UMCN constitution of 14 July 2014, the application for the name change was valid.

Delivering the judgement, Judge Egwuatu granted all the prayers sought by the plaintiffs. However, he made no order as to the cost.

Judge Egwuatu also dismissed a motion filed by CAC seeking to halt its delivery. He agreed with the plaintiffs lawyer that the court had become functus officio and could not allow a further affidavit after the matter had been concluded and adjourned for judgment.

The judge described CACs action as an abuse of the court process.

Reacting to the judgement, Presiding Bishop of the United Methodist Church in Nigeria, Cameroon and Senegal, Emmanuel Ande, a bishop, described it as a victory for the rule of law and due process.

He, however, said the decision did not call for celebration . He said it offered an opportunity for reconciliation among members.

This is not a judgement to celebrate. From the beginning, the church is not supposed to be in court, he said.

Mr Ande appealed to the breakaway members to return, stressing the need for reconciliation.

I want to throw this invitation to my brothers and sisters of Global Methodist Church, that the United Methodist Church is always their home. This church will always be ready to accept them if they want to come back.

But if they choose to continue to form their new denomination, I will advise them to do it respectfully in accordance with the laws of this land, he said.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate for Kano in 2023, Nasiru Gawuna, defected to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Tuesday, following his resignation from the APC.

Mr Gawuna finalised his defection to the ADC in an event in his Gawuna Ward, of the Nassarawa Local Government Area attended by hundreds of supporters.

He was received by the former Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso.

Mr Gawuna completed his registration and received the partys membership card in his Gawuna ward.

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His entry into the ADC comes a day after he left the APC, citing voluntary and personal reasons for his exit.

He had earlier resigned as the Chairman of the Governing Board of the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria (FMBN).

Old allies become new rivals

In a dramatic turn of events in Kano politics, Mr Gawun, the former deputy governor and a staunch ally of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, has now shifted his loyalty to Mr Kwankwaso.

This means both the Ganduje and Kwankwaso camps have now exchanged key leaders, following Governor Abba Yusufs defection to the APC in January.

Mr Gawunas defection is particularly striking given his history. He was the APC standard-bearer in the 2023 governorship election.

READ ALSO: Isa Ashiru dumps PDP for ADC

After a second-place finish, he challenged Governor Yusufs election all the way to the Supreme Court but failed.

For the past 10 years, Kano politics has been about the fierce rivalry between the Ganduje and Kwankwaso factions. The relationship between their respective supporters has historically been marked by tension, making these recent crossovers all the more explosive.

This latest twist sets the stage for a compelling battle in the 2027 general elections. As former friends turned foes and bitter rivals find themselves sharing the same platforms again, the divide has been redefined.
A former Kogi West senator, Dino Melaye, has argued that the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) will defeat President Bola Tinubu in the 2027 presidential election in Nigeria.

Mr Melaye, while praising the recent defection of a former presidential candidate of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Rabiu Kwankwaso, to the ADC, said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that Nigerias redemption was close, given the crop of politicians switching to the opposition party.

Mr Kwankwaso enjoys a large following in northern Nigeria, especially in Kano, where he served as governor for two terms.

There are speculations that the 2023 NNPP presidential candidate is considering running on a joint ADC ticket with Peter Obi in the 2027 presidential election.

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How oppositionll defeat Tinubu in 2027

In the Facebook post, Mr Melaye referenced the voting strength which Mr Kwankwaso enjoyed in Kano State during the 2023 poll as evidence that the opposition party can wrestle power from the APC in 2027.

The former senator specifically argued that the 997,279 votes which Mr Kwankwaso polled in Kano State in the 2023 presidential election were higher than the votes polled by APCs Mr Tinubu in 11 states of Bayelsa, Delta, Taraba, Gombe, Borno, Yobe, Abia, Anambra, Enugu, Ebonyi, and Imo.

PREMIUM TIMES fact-checked this claim and found it to be correct.

Mr Tinubu of the APC polled a total of 946,243 votes during the 2023 presidential election across Bayelsa (42,572), Delta (90,183), Taraba (135,165), Gombe (146,977), Borno (252,282), Yobe (151,459), Abia (8,914), Anambra (5,111), Enugu (4,772), Ebonyi (42,402), and Imo states (66,406).

As of March 2026, 31 out of 36 governors are members of the APC ahead of the 2027 general elections.

But Mr Melaye suggested that the number of states controlled by the APC will have no bearing on the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.

The former senator noted that 22 governors were in the APC before the 2023 general election, yet the ruling party won only 12 of those states.

He contended that Mr Kwankwasos defection to the ADC and teaming up with the PDP candidate in the 2023 presidential election, Atiku Abubakar and his Labour Party counterpart, Mr Obi, will help to ensure Mr Tinubus defeat in the 2027 poll.

Do you know that the opposition votes, that is, Atiku, Obi and Kwankwaso, polled 14,582,740, representing about 64%, while Tinubu got 8,794,726, representing about 36%?

Do you know that in the 2023 elections, Tinubu won in 12 states while the opposition won in 25 states, including the FCT? he said.

PREMIUM TIMES also fact-checked these claims and found them to be correct.

Like Mr Tinubu, Atiku, and Mr Obi won 12 states each while Mr Kwankwaso won only Kano State during the 2023 presidential election.

Opposition parties have enough time to prepare for 2027

Mr Melaye also contended that Atiku, Messrs Obi and Kwankwaso separately secured votes in the 2023 election despite moving to their different political parties six months before the poll.

The former senator stressed that, unlike the 2023 election, the opposition has exactly 12 months until the 2027 poll, which he said is enough time for them to put their house in order.

Well, the moving of Kwankwaso to join Atiku, Peter Obi, Dino Melaye, (Rotimi) Ameachi, Nasir El-Rufai, Malami, Rauf (Aregbesola), Kashim Imam and SIA (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) in ADC is not just a mere political alignment but a political earthquake.

These are empirical evidence, numbers not just rhetorics and social media wishy wishy, he stated.

Redemption is here, the politician remarked.
The senator representing Niger South Senatorial District, Peter Jiya, has defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read Mr Jiyas letter of defection at the resumption of plenary on Tuesday.

The letter read: I was formerly a member of the PDP, which was my sponsoring party.

However, today, I have resigned my membership of the PDP. This decision is due to the ongoing quarrels and significant divisions within the party.

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Furthermore, kindly take notice that effective today, I have decided to join and associate with the All Progressives Congress (APC) in order to continue my political career.

The senator expressed his profound gratitude to his former party, the PDP, for the opportunity to serve the nation and humanity.

I remain grateful and wish the party well in the future, especially if it is able to resolve its internal challenges, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that with Mr Jiyas defection, the latest configuration of senators in the Senate across party lines is: APC, 90; ADC, nine; PDP, four; APGA, one, and NDC, one.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) has one senator and Accord has one, while SDP and Labour Party have none, with three seats vacant due to the demise of their former occupants.

(NAN)
The Nigerian High Commission in South Africa has apologised for the crisis and confusion caused by the coronation of an Igbo king in the Cape Province.

The Deputy High Commissioner, Olajide Ogunmadeji, issued the apology on Tuesday while speaking to a group of protesting South Africans.

He told the protesters that the situation had been misinterpreted, as the coronation was only ceremonial rather than the installation of a traditional authority that defied the existing system.

They are just there to celebrate their cultural activity. It is not a political institution or a traditional institution, he said.

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I offer our apology to the traditional institutions in South Africa. We say sorry for what has happened. The embassy would never encourage the undermining of the authority or institutions; we will not do this.

The coronation of a Nigerian, Solomon Eziko, as the Igwe of Kugompo, South London, a city in the Eastern Cape Province, triggered major outrage that turned into a protest on Monday.

The protest was led by ActionSA, a South African political party. The party argued that the coronation violated the constitutional order.

Local media reported on Monday that during the protest, several cars belonging to foreign nationals were damaged, and a building was burnt.

The protest continued on Tuesday, and this time, protesters marched to the Nigerian embassy, where the deputy high commissioner addressed them.

Mr Ogunmadeji, while speaking to the group of protesters, said the Commission does not encourage undermining the South African traditional system.

READ ALSO: South Africa says France withdrew G7 invitation due to US pressure

He declared that the embassy has no interest or intention to destabilise the country.

The High Commission also issued an advisory to Nigerians residing in the country, urging them to be cautious and limit their movement amid the tension.

It urged the nationals to maintain a low profile and suspend all socio-cultural activities.

They are also to avoid making inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions, particularly on social and mainstream media.
The Senate on Tuesday declared the seats of Enugu North, Nasarawa North, and Rivers South-East Senatorial Districts vacant.

The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, made the declaration during plenary and called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct by-elections in the affected districts.

The seats became vacant following the deaths of the lawmakers who previously represented the constituencies. The deceased senators are Okechukuwu Ezea (Enugu North), Godiya Akwashiki (Nasarawa North), and Barinada Mpigi (Rivers South-East).

Mr Akpabio expressed sadness over the passing of his former colleagues while announcing the vacancies.

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He urged INEC to conduct the by-elections in line with constitutional provisions.

In line with the provisions of our Constitution, the Independent National Electoral Commission is accordingly mandated to conduct fresh polls to fill these vacant senatorial seats in the affected states within the time specified in the Constitution, which is about 30 days from this declaration, Mr Akpabio said.

INEC has since conducted an election to fill the vacant seat of the Anambra South Senatorial District following the death of its former occupant, Ifeanyi Ubah.

How by-elections are conducted

By-elections in Nigeria are special elections conducted by INEC to fill vacant legislative seats before the end of a lawmakers tenure.

First, INEC will issue a formal notice declaring the vacancies and setting the timetable for the elections. This includes key dates such as party primaries, campaign periods, and the polling day. Political parties will then conduct internal primaries to select their candidates, which must be monitored and validated by INEC.

After the candidate nomination, INEC will publish the final list of contestants and begin full election preparations, including voter education, logistics planning, and deployment of sensitive materials such as ballot papers and result sheets. Election officials are assigned to the affected senatorial districts, and security agencies are engaged to maintain order during the process.

On election day, voting takes place simultaneously across all polling units in the affected senatorial districts. Accredited voters cast their ballots, which are counted at polling units immediately after voting ends. Results are then transmitted through INECs designated collation system, moving from ward to local government and finally to the senatorial district collation centre.

The candidate with the highest number of valid votes is declared the winner and returned as senator-elect. INEC then issues a certificate of return, formally confirming the individuals election to the Senate.

Overall, by-elections are designed to ensure continuity of representation while maintaining the same electoral standards used in general elections.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has donated a 1.5 Tesla Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scanner to the Abia State Government to support the administrations healthcare policy under Governor Alex Otti.

The Commissioner for Information in Abia State, Okey Kanu, disclosed this on Monday during an interaction with reporters in Umuahia, according to a statement by the ministrys Head of Information Department, Divine Nwankwo.

MRI is a medical device that uses strong magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed images of organs and tissues, aiding in diagnosis without radiation.

Mr Kanu said the churchs donation of the machine was in recognition of the ongoing transformation in the states health sector.

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The commissioner stressed that the MRI scanner will significantly improve the states diagnostic capacity.

The donation will complement medical services in state-of-the-art health facilities across the state and boost medical diagnosis, he said.
Ndaces tenure at VON is a study in transformation, of an institution, of a narrative, and of the possibilities that emerge when vision meets execution. He has taken a broadcaster on the brink of irrelevance and turned it into a dynamic platform that speaks with clarity and confidence. He has redefined what it means for Nigeria to communicate with the world, not by amplifying noise but by refining voice.

There are institutions that merely endure, surviving the erosion of time through habit and bureaucratic inertia; and there are those that are reborn, reimagined by the grind and grit of an individual who refuses to accept decline as destiny.

Thus is the story of the Voice of Nigeria (VON).

Once drifting towards obsolescence in a media world that had long outpaced its analog paraphernalia, VON, since 2023, has undergone such a rebirth.

At the centre of this transformation stands a man whose tenure as Director General has not only restored relevance to the nations external broadcaster but has redefined its very framework.

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When Ndace assumed leadership, VON was a relic struggling to justify its existence in an era dominated by instantaneous digital flows and multimedia storytelling. Its mandate of projecting Nigerias voice to the world remained noble, but its methods had grown effete. What Ndace brought was not just administrative competence, but also imagination, an understanding that in a world where narratives travel faster than truth, the medium must evolve if the message is to endure.

He began by reshaping VON into a multimedia institution. The shift was neither cosmetic nor symbolic; it was structural. Under his leadership, VON shed its narrow broadcast identity and embraced a layered media ecosystem, integrating audio, video, and digital platforms into a cohesive whole. This multimedia turn did more than modernise output; it repositioned VON within the global information order. Nigerias stories are no longer confined to shortwave transmissions; they now circulate with a renewed vitality.

In the fulcrum of this transformation is Ndaces ambitious expansion of language services. Language, after all, is the architecture of influence. By increasing the number of languages in which VON broadcasts, he has extended Nigerias cultural and diplomatic reach, making the institution not merely a broadcaster but a bridge between worlds. In this expansion lies the aspiration to render VON truly global, Pan-African in its roots and cosmopolitan in its resonance. The broadcasters name, once a formal designation, is now being actualised in spirit: a voice that carries Nigeria into conversations far beyond its borders.

Yet, vision without infrastructure is a hollow promise. Recognising this, Ndace pursued the installation of a cutting edge transmitter, an endeavour that required both bureaucratic dexterity and relentless advocacy. The commissioning of this facility in Lugbe, Abuja, marked a decisive moment in VONs revival. Launched under the auspices of the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, the transmitter symbolises more than technological upgrade; it represents the restoration of capacity, the ability to speak clearly, powerfully, and without distortion to a global audience. It is, in many ways, the physical embodiment of Ndaces philosophy, that a nation must invest in the clarity of its voice if it hopes to be heard and impactful.

Beyond technology, Ndace has introduced ideas that reconfigure the relationship between the broadcaster and its audience by initiating The VON Forum. Perhaps his most innovative institutional intervention so far, it exemplifies a shift in the paradigm in a country where the distance between policymakers and citizens often breeds mistrust. The forum creates a rare dialogic space. It brings together high-ranking officials and ordinary citizens, collapsing hierarchies in favour of conversation. Here, questions are asked, grievances aired, and perspectives exchanged, not in the abstract, but in the immediacy of shared presence.

The significance of the VON Forum lies not merely in its format but in its philosophy. It reimagines broadcasting as participation rather than transmission. Instead of speaking at the audience, VON, under Ndace, listens. And in listening, it earns credibility. The forum has become a space where governance meets scrutiny, where policy encounters lived reality. In doing so, it has placed VON firmly on the map, not just as a media institution, but as a civic platform.

Equally important is Ndaces commitment to professionalism within the organisation. He understands that institutions are only as strong as the people who inhabit them. In an age where journalism is being reshaped by algorithms, artificial intelligence, and shifting audience behaviours, he has prioritised continuous training for both the journalists and the administrative staff of the organisation. This is not a token gesture but a sustained investment in competence.

Journalists are implored to adapt, to acquire new skills, to think critically about the evolving landscape of information.

Administrative staff, too, are not left behind; they are integrated into a culture of growth that recognises their role in the institutions success.

This emphasis on capacity building reflects a broader ethos, that excellence is not accidental but cultivated. Ndaces insistence on training is, in effect, an insistence on relevance. He refuses to allow VON to drift back into complacency. Instead, he pushes it toward a future where it can compete with the best, not by imitation but by innovation.

Underlying these institutional reforms is a quieter, more human concern: staff welfare.

Those who work under Ndace often speak of a leader who does not treat welfare as an afterthought. In a system where neglect can easily become normalised, his attention to the well-being of staff stands out. It is a reminder that leadership is not only about vision but about care, that an institution thrives when its people feel valued.

If Ndaces achievements at VON reveal him as a reformer, his personal life reveals him as something more intimate: a mentor, a craftsman of minds. Across Nigerias journalistic and literary landscapes, there are young men and women who carry traces of his influence. He invests in people with the same intensity he invests in institutions. To encounter him, many say, is to be challenged, to think deeper, to write better, to aspire higher.

Mentorship, in his case, is not a performative act but a sustained engagement. He reads, he critiques, he encourages. He opens doors but insists that those who walk through them must be prepared. The result is a quiet network of individuals who, in their various fields, reflect his imprint. Their successes are, in part, extensions of his belief that talent must be nurtured if it is to flourish.

This commitment to nurturing minds is perhaps rooted in his own identity as a writer and journalist. Before he became an administrator, Ndace was, and remains, a man of letters. His experience as an embedded journalist with the Nigerian Army during the leadership of Tukur Yusuf Buratai placed him at the intersection of conflict and narrative. It is one thing to report from such a vantage point; it is another to transform that experience into enduring literature.

Ndace chose the latter. His writings on Nigerias counterinsurgency efforts have become reference points, not merely for their factual content but for their depth of insight. He understood that war is not only a series of events but a complex human drama, one that demands careful interpretation. In capturing this complexity, he contributed to a body of knowledge that extends beyond journalism into the realm of historical documentation.

What surprises me and many people, however, is his engagement with poetry. Poetry, often regarded as the most elusive of literary forms, demands a different kind of intelligence, a sensitivity to nuance, a capacity for metaphor, a willingness to dwell in ambiguity. That Ndace moves within this space suggests a mind attuned to subtleties, a reflective, discerning sensibility that complements his administrative rigour and sees beyond the surface. This unique sensibility is evident in how he followed his book on counter-insurgency in the North East with a collection of poetry, chanting the valour and heroism of the men on the battlefield; men whose courage helped reduce the insurgency to the point where bombs are no longer an everyday in our nation.

To be both a journalist and a poet is to inhabit two modes of truth: the immediate and the eternal. Journalism captures the urgency of the moment; poetry distills its essence. In Ndace, these modes converge, enriching his perspective and informing his work. It is perhaps this duality that enables him to approach leadership not as a mechanical exercise but as a creative endeavour.

His diligence, often remarked upon by those around him, further underscores this creative discipline. Ndace is known to work late into the night, extending his day beyond the ordinary limits of office hours. Weekends and public holidays do not deter him; they are, if anything, opportunities to advance unfinished tasks.

I encountered him recently during the just concluded Ramadan, and the moment revealed this discipline in a way no account could fully capture. At the time of iftar, the building had gone quiet and no office remained open, yet he was still there, working. He could have easily gone home to dine, as many do, but to him there were responsibilities that could not wait till another day.

He broke his fast right there in the office, simply and without ceremony, and returned almost immediately to his duties. It was not done for notice or praise. It was a choice that spoke of habit, of discipline, of a man who measures time not by comfort but by obligation.

Such dedication is not without purpose. It reflects a belief that leadership requires presence, not occasional, but constant. By immersing himself in the daily rhythms of VON, Ndace ensures that his vision is not diluted in translation. He leads not from a distance but from within, engaging directly with the processes that shape the institution.

His efforts to expand VONs reach through collaborations further illustrate this hands-on approach. By forging partnerships with various entities, he has extended the broadcasters influence into new domains. The diplomatic corps, in particular, has become an important audience, engaging with VON as a credible source of Nigerias narrative. This engagement enhances the countrys soft power, positioning it as an active participant in global discourse.

Ndaces tenure at VON is a study in transformation, of an institution, of a narrative, and of the possibilities that emerge when vision meets execution. He has taken a broadcaster on the brink of irrelevance and turned it into a dynamic platform that speaks with clarity and confidence. He has redefined what it means for Nigeria to communicate with the world, not by amplifying noise but by refining voice.

Yet, beyond the achievements and the accolades, what remains is a portrait of a man driven by purpose. A mentor who invests in others, a writer who interprets the world, a leader who refuses to accept mediocrity. In an era where institutions often mirror the limitations of those who lead them, Ndace stands as an argument for the opposite, that with the right combination of imagination, discipline, and empathy, they can transcend those limitations.

And so, the story of VONs revival is, in many ways, the story of its director general. A story not merely of success, but of possibility, of what can happen when a voice, once fading, is given new life and allowed to speak again.

Awaal Gata writes from Abuja.
Ultimately, the significance of the Tony Elumelu Foundation extends far beyond the provision of seed capital. By fostering innovation in critical sectors such as green energy, agrotech, and the creative industries, TEF is building the infrastructure of the future. As the continent navigates the complexities of the 21st-century global economy and prepares to host the worlds largest workforce by 2050, the TEF model offers the only scalable solution to the challenge of productive engagement.

At the dawn of a century increasingly defined by Africas demographic dividend and its historically underutilised industrial potential, a singular institutional force is systematically recalibrating the continents economic trajectory. The Tony Elumelu Foundation (TEF) stands at the vanguard of a structural transformation, one that deliberately replaces the old models of systemic dependency with the robust mechanisms of enterprise, traditional charity with the democratisation of opportunity.

Rooted in the transformative philosophy of Africapitalism, the belief that the African private sector must play the lead role in the continents development, the Foundation is not merely a conduit for financial grants; it is the architect of a pan-African movement. By placing the levers of economic destiny squarely in the hands of indigenous innovators, TEF is nurturing a resilient generation of entrepreneurs poised to drive inclusive, long-term prosperity across Africa.

At the heart of this vision is Tony Elumelu, a figure whose career as a visionary banker and industrialist has been defined by a commitment to scalable, institutional impact. Elumelus leadership in the financial sector provided the blueprint for his philanthropic approach, a transition from giving to investing in human capital.

Unlike traditional aid systems that often perpetuate cycles of stagnation, Elumelus strategy is anchored on the radical empowerment of the individual as a primary creator of communal wealth. His guiding principle is as profound as it is pragmatic: Africas development cannot be an outsourced endeavour; it must be constructed by Africans themselves, fuelled by domestic ingenuity and sustained by local markets.

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This shift in the developmental narrative represents a move away from the poverty alleviation mindset toward a wealth creation framework that prizes dignity and self-reliance above all.

The operational excellence of the TEF is further codified in the clarity of its mission: to empower African entrepreneurs across all 54 sovereign nations. This is not a localised pilot programme but a continental mandate designed to catalyse a transformation that is both inclusive of marginalised groups and sustainable across economic cycles.

Reinforcing this strategic direction is the Foundations Chief Executive Officer, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, whose leadership has emphasised that TEFs mandate transcends fiscal support to achieve the unlocking of human potential at a historic scale. In the administrative halls of the Foundation, an application is never viewed as a mere request for capital; it is scrutinised as a bold, nascent vision for Africas future.

At its core, the Foundation envisions a self-reliant Africa where entrepreneurship serves as the primary engine for job creation, technological innovation, and social stability. This mission is executed through a meticulously structured ecosystem that synthesises $5,000 in non-refundable seed capital with rigorous business training, high-level mentorship, and unprecedented access to global markets. This holistic approach ensures that beneficiaries are not merely funded in a vacuum but are technologically and managerially equipped to navigate the complexities of competitive global environments.

Reinforcing this strategic direction is the Foundations Chief Executive Officer, Somachi Chris-Asoluka, whose leadership has emphasised that TEFs mandate transcends fiscal support to achieve the unlocking of human potential at a historic scale. In the administrative halls of the Foundation, an application is never viewed as a mere request for capital; it is scrutinised as a bold, nascent vision for Africas future. Under Chris-Asolukas stewardship, the Foundation has positioned entrepreneurship as a unifying socio-political force, a mechanism capable of dismantling the barriers of unemployment, gender inequality, and economic exclusion.

The true metric of success, in this view, is the multiplier effect, the phenomenon where one empowered entrepreneur becomes a localised anchor for dozens of livelihoods, creating a ripple effect of stability for entire regions.

This philosophy finds its most potent practical expression in the TEF Entrepreneurship Programme. Since its inception in 2015, the programme has disbursed over $100 million to more than 24,000 entrepreneurs. The macro-economic implications are staggering: the initiative has facilitated the creation of over 1.5 million jobs and generated $4.2 billion in revenue. These figures are far more than clinical statistics; they represent a fundamental reimagining of the African future. They speak to revitalised communities where the youths no longer consider the japa option as their only path to success, but instead see their own communities as fertile ground for innovation.

The Foundations 2026 milestone further underscores the accelerating momentum. In a landmark announcement that captured global attention, TEF unveiled 3,200 young entrepreneurs selected for its latest cohort, chosen from a staggering pool of over 265,000 applicants. Elumelu has described this initiative as a mission to democratise luck and prosperity, a phrase that acknowledges the vast talent pool currently stifled by a lack of institutional support. His conviction remains steadfast, entrepreneurship is Africas most viable pathway to sustainable development. This perspective reframes the act of spreading wealth not as an act of altruism, but as enlightened self-interest. In an interconnected continent where poverty in one region poses a collective security and economic risk to all, the empowerment of these young Africans becomes the only logical safeguard for the prosperity of the few.

When viewed through a global lens, Elumelus model invites compelling comparisons with the worlds most influential philanthropic icons. While the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has revolutionised global health, Warren Buffett redefined large-scale charitable giving, Jack Ma championed digital inclusion in Asia, the TEF model is uniquely tailored to the African structural reality.

The tangible impact of this model is best viewed through the experiences of the beneficiaries, whose successes validate the Africapitalist theory. In Nigeria, Samira Abdullahi has leveraged the TEF framework to scale her fashion enterprise by 200 per cent, generating $40,000 in annual revenue, while simultaneously providing vocational training to young women in her community. In the southern tip of the continent, South Africas Kemiso Motholo has scaled a venture that now impacts over 20,000 lives, while in East Africa, Kenyas Aisha Langat has pioneered an agro-allied business generating over $500,000 in revenue and providing critical market access to 12,000 farmers. These testimonies illustrate a universal truth: when African entrepreneurs are granted the tools of modern business, they do not merely seek personal profit; they become engines of community development, solving local problems with global standards of efficiency.

When viewed through a global lens, Elumelus model invites compelling comparisons with the worlds most influential philanthropic icons. While the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has revolutionised global health, Warren Buffett redefined large-scale charitable giving, Jack Ma championed digital inclusion in Asia, the TEF model is uniquely tailored to the African structural reality. Beyond these global comparisons, Elumelus work resonates with a profound moral urgency within the African political context. At a time when many on the continent are preoccupied with the accumulation of political and personal capital, Elumelu is deliberately channeling his resources to expand the horizons of others. This contrast highlights a burgeoning shift in the African leadership ethos, a move towards prioritising legacy over accumulation and measurable impact over fleeting influence.

The Foundations success also shines a spotlight on the vital importance of global collaboration. At the recent 2026 unveiling, TEF Co-Founder, Dr Awele Elumelu issued a clarion call for expanded partnerships, noting that while thousands are supported annually, hundreds of thousands of viable ideas remain unfunded due to the constraints of scale. International partners, including the European Union, and the UNICEF, have increasingly recognised the TEF programme as a transformative force capable of reshaping Africas economic trajectory. These partnerships signify a growing global consensus that the most effective way to engage with Africa is through the support of its entrepreneurs.

Ultimately, the significance of the Tony Elumelu Foundation extends far beyond the provision of seed capital. By fostering innovation in critical sectors such as green energy, agrotech, and the creative industries, TEF is building the infrastructure of the future. As the continent navigates the complexities of the 21st-century global economy and prepares to host the worlds largest workforce by 2050, the TEF model offers the only scalable solution to the challenge of productive engagement. It represents a blueprint for a new economic order in which prosperity is shared, opportunity is created through merit, and the African narrative finally shifts from potential to performance. Through the Foundation, the vision of an Africa developed by Africans is no longer a distant aspiration; it is a living, breathing reality that is already in motion, rewriting the history of a continent, one entrepreneur at a time.

Dan Aibangbe is a media and public relations consultant.
Nasir el-Rufai must return to the urgent task of responding to the ten charges before him in the courts of the land. It is not enough to push the beaten line that he is being persecuted by the Tinubu administration because of his loudly proclaimed opposition to it. He said he would do all that is possible to stop Tinubu in 2027, and yet the same Tinubu has been gracious enough to release him to go and bury his mother. He confessed that he had access to the National Security Advisers phone calls.

The release of Mallam Nasir el-Rufai from the custody of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), on temporary, compassionate grounds, on Friday, 27 March, following the death of his mother, Hajiya Ummar El-Rufai in Cairo, Egypt, raises legal, philosophical and communal belief issues that are at once controversial and discernible. The release is wrong. It is an abuse of due process. Mallam Nasir el-Rufai was remanded in custody on the orders of a court of law. Many have questioned this, particularly as El-Rufai insisted that he has been a victim of political persecution. Except that the law is not governed by street sentiments or the emotions of those affected by it. Section 41 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees the freedom of movement, but no right under the Fundamental Human Rights provisions in Chapter IV of the same Constitution is absolute, hence the caveat in section 41(2), a proviso that is further adumbrated in Sections 293  299 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015. Only a court of law can give orders as to remand proceedings. The ICPC has no powers to release Nasir el-Rufai on compassionate ground, or any other ground. The ICPC should have gone back to the Federal High Court that extended el-Rufais detention till 31 March. The process is controlled by the courts to prevent a situation where any agency of government or individual can on its own overrule the courts of the land. It amounts to contempt, impunity and an overreach without a formal court application for such a variation. Nasir el-Rufai is obviously not the first detainee who would lose a loved one while in the custody of the state, and with a valid, subsisting order holding him. The ICPC, in this case, has clearly breached the doctrine of the equality of justice by overruling the Court. An ICPC spokesperson purportedly defended the agencys action on the grounds that it is a sensitive matter: Let us not talk about whether it is a court order or not. His mother died. It is very sensitive.

So, who gave the order for his release? Who is that powerful figure who can so brazenly usurp the authority of the judiciary under Section 6 of the 1999 Constitution? It is an untidy development that can lead to a loss of confidence in the supremacy of judicial decisions. The ICPC cannot possibly act on a whim. Mallam El-Rufai was initially arrested and detained by the EFCC based on a court order. He was re-arrested by the ICPC on 18 February following his release by the EFCC. The Federal High Court further remanded him in ICPC custody, after his arraignment on corruption charges on 24 March. His motion for bail is scheduled for hearing on 31 March, which is today. In the charges that were filed against him on 18 March, the ICPC accused him of taking an inflated severance package of 289 million at the end of each of his two terms in office (totalling 579.7 million) instead of 40 million. He was slammed with ten charges under Section 18 of the Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022. Neither the application for court bail nor the case has been determined. So, what happens today? Will the ICPC produce Nasir El-Rufai in court? Or will the Court adjourn the case on compassionate grounds?

The root of the confusion can be traced to antiquity and folk wisdom. As a student of thanatomimesis, one of the favourite texts in the literature that I know is Sophocles Antigone which deals with the subject of death, honour, duty, and state authority. Antigone is an Athenian tragedy, written in the 5th Century by Sophocles. It tells the story of Antigone who insisted on the principle that the dead must be honoured, and that no one should speak ill of the dead. Antigone wanted a decent burial for her brother, Polynices, who had taken up arms against Thebes, and against his brother, Eteocles, who had refused to share power with him after the death of their father, Oedipus. Both died in the conflict. Their Uncle, Creon who assumed the throne after their deaths decreed that Eteocles should be buried with honour, while Polynices who started a civil war, and was considered a traitor, should not be buried, should be left to rot away for the vultures to devour, and must not be mourned. Antigone defied the King. She buried her brother. She argued that divine law is superior to human law, and that the dead deserve honour, respect and duty. One of the lessons in Antigone is that power destroys when it goes too far. When power is wrongly used, it can make people appear mean and cruel. This is in line with the traditional African philosophy that when people die, they should be mourned and buried properly. It is the same narrative in Hegels submission in the Phenomenology of Spirit that what we face herein is a confrontation between two values  the individual and the universal, but where there is conflict, there can only be one resolution, which instructively is mutual destruction, resulting in tragedy. Hegelian ethics, questioned by Nietzsche, recognises how death serves a fundamental role in human institutions and how a delicate balance between family and the state may resolve the threat of tragedy. Human laws collapse in the face of death, a reminder of the mortality of all men, and rationality. It is perhaps from this understanding that the Tinubu administration, having learnt of the death of Nasir el-Rufais mother, decided to let him return home, temporarily, to bury and honour his mother, knowing fully well that death is the only certainty from which no man will find rescue. Thus, the state submits to folk wisdom and avoids the kind of resolution in Sophocles Antigone.

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But if he were to be in the same situation, would Nasir El-Rufai do the same for another person? In 2021, he wrote on Twitter, as X was then known, that We will write this for all to read. Anyone, soldier or not that kills the Fulani takes a loan repayable one day no matter how long it takes. There is no evidence that it is the Nigerian state that killed Nasir el-Rufai s mother, but as Africans, we understand how a mother seeing a crown child, which Mallam el-Rufai is to her, in distress is enough to translate into sudden aggravation and emotional death. Is he, el-Rufai, possessed of the same spirit of compassion that has been extended to him? It is, however, instructive to see the Tinubu administration, despite the conflict between the APC and el-Rufai, extending a gesture of support and solidarity to him in his moment of grief. If the order to release him came from President Tinubu, it shows that he, Tinubu believes like Antigone, and Hegelian ethics, that it is not always that the state can insist on its own rules, a major conflict in the contemporary interpretation of natural and state law, the argumentation of which is beyond the purview of our present commentary. In expressing his condolences, President Tinubu wrote: Nasir, please accept my heartfelt condolences on the passing of your beloved mother, Hajiya Umma which happened today in Cairo. As someone who had also lost an old mother, I share in your grief. I understand the depth of your loss Losing a mother is a pain unlike any other. I know that no words can fully ease your sorrow, but I pray that the memories of her love, wisdom, and guidance bring you comfort in the days ahead I also hope you find strength in the remarkable life she lived and the values she instilled in the entire family Kind, well chosen words by the President.

But what I find curious is that most of those commiserating with Mallam Nasir El-Rufai are doing so for opportunistic reasons. His mother died. Suddenly he has become everybodys friend. Everyone showed up at his house, at the Janaza prayers at the Abuja Central Mosque, and they followed the corpse to the Gudu cemetery in Apo, Abuja. Nasir El-Rufai is old enough to know those who came to shed crocodile tears, and simply want to be seen taking photographs at his mothers burial. Some of his sworn adversaries even got to the Mosque before him! He has been in detention since 18 February  EFCC and ICPC: please how many members of the funeral party tried to reach out to him? Nigerians are very quick to set up a mourning party, but when fate throws you into the deep end, they will conveniently stay away. In one of the most hypocritical displays at Mama Ummar el-Rufais graveside, we saw former Minister of Communications and Digital Economy (20192023), Isa Ali Ibrahim Pantami, trying to reconcile Mallam el-Rufai and his successor as Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani. Is that the appropriate place and occasion to act as mourner and mediator? Where has Pantami been all this while? His intervention at the cemetery is an ambush-like, opportunistic gesture, short of dismissing it as pure blackmail. Let him return to the obscure space from whence he has re-emerged. Let no one play cheap politics with the death of a noble mother. Some of the more prominent mourners have even been tittle-tattling away from sight that why did Nasir El-Rufai have to take his mother for medical care in Cairo, Egypt. As governor for eight years in Kaduna State, he could not build a health facility good enough for his mother and everyone else?

Nasir El-Rufais mother has departed to the great beyond in a Holy month for women: the month of celebration for women and mothers. Hers is a blessed womb, having given us Nasir el-Rufai who no matter what anyone may think of him, remains one of the shining lights from contemporary Northern Nigeria in terms of intellect, presence, voice and courage. It is hard to agree with his politics or temperament, or sense of loyalty, but he cannot be ignored nonetheless, one of those vocal citizens who cross your path and leave an impression with their active involvement in the Nigerian project. We join others in commiserating with him. Mother is gold. Mother is precious. Every Mother that dies, leaves a message. Every orphan must seek the meaning of that message and navigate this troubled world more carefully. The suckle of a mothers breast is the most personal, intimate, and original heritage that we all share.

That said, Nasir el-Rufai must return to the urgent task of responding to the ten charges before him in the courts of the land. It is not enough to push the beaten line that he is being persecuted by the Tinubu administration because of his loudly proclaimed opposition to it. He said he would do all that is possible to stop Tinubu in 2027, and yet the same Tinubu has been gracious enough to release him to go and bury his mother. He confessed that he had access to the National Security Advisers phone calls. The same NSA wrote a tribute to his mother and showed up to honour her. In the end, there is a subtle separation between that which is divine, natural, communal responsibility in law, and that which is statutory state law. His mothers death cannot become an excuse for evading the law. The people of Kaduna state simply want to hear how their money was spent, how much el-Rufai collected as compensation for serving them for eight years, and whatever other questions may be raised by the prosecution. It is called transparency and accountability, and when any man is called to give account, that is beyond politics, even if there are persons who may argue that whatever El-Rufai benefitted means nothing under the de minimis rule. Nigerians do not accept that doctrine. Nobody is allowed to make away with any sum as a governor and now turn around to say that it is too small to matter. The plight of the people and the future of the country matter.

Reuben Abati, a former presidential spokesperson, writes from Lagos.
The Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Wale Edun, and the Executive Chairman of the Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS), Zacch Adedeji have called for urgent and coordinated reforms to checkmate capital flight, strengthen domestic resource mobilisation, and reposition African economies for sustainable growth.

They spoke separately on Tuesday at the opening of the 5th Session of Sub-Committee on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows of the Specialised Technical Committee on Finance, Monetary Affairs, Economic Planning and Integration (STC-FMAEPI) hosted by the NRS under the auspices of the African Union (AU).

The three-day event which is holding at the Congress Hall of Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja ends on 2 April. Apart from top officials of the Nigerian government led by the Minister of Finance, other top attendees include members of the African Union subcommittees on Tax and Illicit Financial Flows, ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions, heads of revenue, representatives of regional economic communities, and partners from international and regional organisations.

The NRS Chairman, in his welcome address, said the future prosperity of Africa will depend significantly on its ability to build strong fiscal institutions, protect its financial resources, and mobilise the revenues required to finance development from within African countries own economies.

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The Finance Minister said Nigeria was tackling the menace of illicit funds flow through diverse measures, including strengthened transparency and accountability in the management of natural resource revenues. He said President Bola Tinubu signed Executive Order 9 that stipulates that all oil and gas revenues are remitted into constitutionally designated accounts prior to disbursement.

In addition, Mr Edun said the removal of fuel subsidies and the unification of the exchange rate have significantly improved fiscal transparency, reduced distortions, and strengthened investor confidence. He said Nigeria was focused on fiscal reforms, tax administration, and strategies to combat illicit financial flows, widely seen as a major drain on Africas economic potential.

To further enhance trade efficiency and reduce leakages, he said Nigeria recently launched a National Single Window systeman important step in tackling trade-based illicit financial flows.

Mr Edun said that Africa is losing billions of dollars annually to illicit financial flows, a trend that continues to undermine development efforts across the continent.

Describing the present era as a defining moment for Africas economic future, the minister said the question is no longer whether we will reform, but how urgently and how boldly we are prepared to act.

He stressed that Africa, with a population of over 1.4 billion people and vast natural resources, has the capacity to drive its own development but must reduce its dependence on external financing. He stated that reliance on debt, aid, and foreign investment alone is no longer sustainable in an increasingly uncertain global environment.

Africa cannot sustainably finance its development through debt, aid, or external investment alone, Mr Edun said. We must mobilise domestic resources and build resilient economies that can withstand global shocks, he added.

He highlighted ongoing reforms in Nigeria under President Bola Tinubu, including efforts to stabilise the macroeconomic environment, improve investor confidence, and overhaul the tax system.

Mr Edun said the reforms are already beginning to yield results, pointing to improvements in economic stability and renewed investor interest. He added that Nigerias approach could serve as a model for other African countries seeking to implement similar changes.

Central to the discussions at the well-attended event was the scale of illicit financial flows, which Mr Edun restated at about $88bn annually across Africa, adding that the resources could otherwise be channelled into infrastructure, healthcare, education, and job creation.

These are funds that should be building roads, schools, and hospitals, he said. Instead, they are lost through illegal transfers, tax evasion, and other financial leakages.

Mr Edun also pointed to the African Unions Agenda 2063 as a guiding framework for the continents development, noting its emphasis on domestic resource mobilisation, improved tax systems, and stronger financial governance.

The agenda, he said, sets an ambitious target of financing up to 90 per cent of Africas development needs through domestic resources.

Achieving this goal, however, will require deep structural reforms, including strengthening public financial management, expanding capital markets, and promoting financial inclusion.

The NRS chairman, Dr Adedeji, in his address, further emphasised that: the central purpose of our gathering, illicit financial flows, remains one of the most pressing threats to Africas economic progress.

Every year, billions of dollars that should support development across our continent are diverted through illegal financial transfers, trade mispricing, tax evasion, and opaque corporate structures.

These outflows represent lost opportunities, lost hospitals, lost schools, lost infrastructure, and lost investments in the future of our people. The scale of the problem was highlighted in the influential High-Level Panel on Illicit Financial Flows from Africa Report, which brought global attention to the magnitude of financial leakages affecting African economies.

Nigeria has proactively responded in various ways to the Mbeki Panel Report findings and other policy recommendations aimed at tackling IFFs as you will find out from subsequent plenary sessions. Suffice to say for now that addressing these challenges require coordinated action across multiple fronts within our national systems and at continental levels.

Illicit financial flows, being inherently transnational in nature, exploit differences between jurisdictions and weaknesses in international regulatory systems. This is why continental cooperation through platforms such as this Subcommittee is not only useful but indispensable.

The future prosperity of Africa will depend significantly on our ability to build strong fiscal institutions, protect our financial resources, and mobilise the revenues required to finance development from within our own economies.

This meeting represents an important step in that journey. As you begin your deliberations, I encourage you to engage openly, share experiences generously, and proffer solutions that strengthen cooperation across our continent and enable us tackle the malaise of IFFs in our respective countries.

Together, through collaboration and shared commitment, we can advance the reforms necessary to safeguard Africas resources and build the resilient economies that our people deserve, Dr Adedeji stressed.
Several days after President Bola Tinubus recent State Visit to the United Kingdom (UK), the gains, significance, and the deeper institutional logic and strategic weight that underpin engagements of this magnitude have continued to crystalize.

A State Visit to the UK is not an ordinary diplomatic trip; it is the highest form of state-to-state engagement within the British diplomatic tradition, reserved for moments of exceptional strategic alignment. It is neither casual nor frequent. The process is rigorous: the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) identifies countries of critical importance to British interests, designs the diplomatic rationale, and advises the monarch.

The invitation is then formally issued by King Charles III, who acts strictly on government recommendation. With only two such visits accommodated annually, Nigerias selection under the leadership of Bola Ahmed Tinubu signals not excess, but elevated relevanceanchored in trade prospects, energy cooperation, Commonwealth ties, and regional influence in Africa.

State Visits today are not mere ceremonial exchanges; they are complex, multi-layered platforms for negotiation, deal-making, and institutional alignment across sectors. Trade agreements are discussed alongside security cooperation; energy partnerships are negotiated in parallel with investment frameworks; and crucially, sub-national actors are increasingly integrated into these engagements.

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In federal systems like Nigerias, where economic productivity is significantly driven at the state level, excluding governors from such platforms would amount to a strategic omission. The presence of reform-oriented leaders like Peter Mbah reflects a deliberate shift from a purely centralised diplomatic model to one that recognises states as engines of growth, capable of attracting and managing investment independently. In practical terms, investors no longer engage with Nigeria in the abstract; they engage with Lagos for finance, Rivers for energy, and increasingly, Enugu for integrated development opportunities.

Governor Mbahs intervention during the investment engagement in London provides a clear window into how sub-national diplomacy translates into tangible economic value. It was the Enugu-focused UK-Nigeria Project Agglomeration Compact 2026 delivered by Mutandis Africa, a pan-African investment and trade facilitation platform in collaboration with the Dr Zacch Adedeji-led Nigeria Revenue Service (NRS) in the House of Lords on the sidelines of the visit.

The Compact brought Enugu State face-to-face with the global senior investor community, including private equity funds, sovereign wealth investors, development finance institutions, infrastructure platforms, pension capital, and family offices.

Governor Mbahs articulation was not rhetorical; it was grounded in verifiable economic indicators and ongoing reforms. Africas macroeconomic trajectory is well documented: with over 60 percent of its population under the age of 25 and projections indicating that one in four people globally will be African by 2050, the continent represents the future of both labour and consumption.

This demographic reality is reinforced by the operationalisation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which brings together 1.3 billion people in a single market valued at over $3 trillion. Foreign direct investment flows into Africa, which have approached the $100 billion mark in recent cycles, are driven by these fundamentalsyouthful populations, expanding markets, and improving regulatory environments.

Within this continental context, Nigeria remains pivotal, not only as Africas most populous country with over 230 million people, but also as one undergoing significant macroeconomic recalibration. Reforms under the current administration, including foreign exchange unification, fiscal restructuring, and tax modernisation are already yielding measurable outcomes such as improved investor sentiment and gradual macroeconomic stabilisation.

It is within this broader national reform context that Enugu State has positioned itself as a compelling investment destination, and the UK State Visit provided a rare, high-visibility platform to communicate this positioning directly to global capital. The states strategy, as outlined by Governor Mbah, is built on an integrated economic ecosystem rather than isolated projects.

The ongoing expansion of the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, for instance, is not merely an infrastructure upgrade; it is a strategic move to unlock access for an estimated 30 million people across the Southeast who currently lack efficient international connectivity. This single project has multiplier effects: facilitating trade, boosting tourism, and enhancing investor access.

Similarly, Enugus tourism potential, long underutilised despite its natural assets, such as waterfalls, caves, and temperate climate, is being systematically developed through new hospitality investments, conference facilities, and destination branding. These are not speculative ambitions; they are supported by ongoing construction projects and policy frameworks designed to attract private sector participation.

Agriculture in Enugu State is also undergoing transformation from subsistence to commercial scale, driven by agritech adoption and value-chain development aimed at both food security and export competitiveness. This aligns with global investment trends where agribusiness in emerging markets is increasingly seen as a high-yield sector.

In the energy space, the state is addressing one of Nigerias most persistent structural constraints one of which is unreliable power supply by positioning itself to deliver stable electricity to over 15 million people within its regional corridor. This is a critical factor for industrialisation, as power reliability directly influences production costs and investor decisions.

Complementing these efforts are targeted investments in healthcare and education, which serve as foundational pillars for human capital development. A skilled, healthy workforce is not an abstract ideal; it is a prerequisite for sustaining industrial growth and attracting high-value industries.

Yet another humongous ambition of Enugus initiatives is the development of a 10,000-hectare smart city, envisioned as a modern commercial and residential hub that integrates technology, infrastructure, and sustainable urban planning. Projects of this scale are capital-intensive and require long-term investment commitments  precisely the kind of partnerships that are cultivated during high-level diplomatic engagements like a UK State Visit.

The credibility of these initiatives is reinforced by tangible investment inflows: over 500 million in foreign direct investment has already been secured within the past two and a half years, with an additional 2 billion in the pipeline. These figures are not projections; they represent actual commitments and ongoing negotiations with international partners.

Furthermore, projected internal rates of return ranging between 25 and 40 percent place Enugu among the more competitive investment destinations globally, particularly in emerging markets.

Equally important is the institutional framework that underpins these opportunities. Investor concerns such as security, regulatory efficiency, capital protection, and profit repatriation are not theoretical; they are central to investment decision-making.

Enugus response has been the establishment of a one-stop investment centre designed to streamline approvals, reduce bureaucratic delays, and ensure transparency.

This aligns with global best practices in investment facilitation and addresses one of the key barriers historically associated with doing business in Nigeria. The states recognition as the most business-friendly governorship by the African Business Leadership Magazine further validates these efforts, providing third-party endorsement that enhances investor confidence.

When viewed through this lens, the UK State Visit and the delegation that accompanied it emerges not as an exercise in excess but as a strategic convergence of diplomacy and development. It provided a platform where national reforms could be showcased, sub-national opportunities could be directly marketed, and international partnerships could be initiated or deepened. For Enugu State, the benefits are neither abstract nor deferred; they are immediate and measurable in the form of increased investor engagement, expanded project pipelines, and enhanced global visibility.

Ultimately, the conversation must shift from optics to outcomes. In a global economy where capital is highly mobile and competition for investment is intense, countries and regions that fail to show up credibly and strategically are simply left behind. Nigerias presence at this level of engagement, and the inclusion of forward-looking state leadership, reflects an understanding of this reality.

For Enugu, it marks a decisive step toward realising its ambition of becoming a leading economic hub in Africa. The future, as Governor Mbah aptly noted, is not something to be awaited, it is something to be built.

*Dr Ogbu is the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of Enugu State on Strategic Communications
The Defence Headquarters says troops of Operation HADIN KAI eliminated over 100 terrorists, including a notorious commander of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP), in the first quarter of 2026.

The Director, Defence Media Operations, Michael Onoja, a major general, disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at a press conference on military operations.

Mr Onoja said the sustained offensive targeted remnants of Boko Haram, ISWAP, and Jamaatu Ahlis Sunna Liddaawati wal-Jihad (JAS) across Borno, Adamawa, Bauchi, Taraba and Yobe.

He said troops, supported by air components, carried out precision strikes on insurgents enclaves in remote and border areas.

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During the quarter, troops neutralised several terrorist leaders and scores of fighters, arrested 174 suspects and rescued kidnapped victims.

In addition, 19 insurgents and their families surrendered, bringing the cumulative number of surrendered persons to over 122,800, he said.

Mr Onoja said ISWAP had confirmed the death of one of its senior commanders, Abu Yayar al-Muhajir, describing it as a major loss to the group.

According to him, the development underscores the effectiveness of ongoing operations in degrading the groups leadership structure.

Providing details of March operations, he said troops killed top commanders, including Saddam, Sandy, Gary, Kagu and Bahai Pembe in a precision strike on Sambisa Forest.

He added that troops repelled coordinated ISWAP attacks in several locations, including Gajiram, Baga, Marte and Monguno.

The defence spokesperson said troops also foiled a drone attack at Malam Fatori in Abadam Local Government Area, where 74 terrorists were killed and weapons recovered.

On March 11, over 20 terrorists, including a high-value target, Abu Yusuf, were neutralised during a night attack in Yobe.

Fourteen insurgents also surrendered within the period, he said.

He added that troops disrupted terrorist logistics by intercepting fuel supplies and arresting collaborators aiding insurgents.

(NAN)
The Governor of Bauchi State, Bala Mohammed, has indicated plans to defect from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC) on Thursday.

The governor disclosed this on Tuesday while hosting an ADC delegation led by former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Babachir Lawal, at the Government House in Bauchi.

Speaking with journalists after a closed-door meeting with the guests, Governor Mohammed attributed his decision to quit the PDP to the protracted internal crisis in the party.

He stated that despite various interventions, all efforts at reconciliation were unsuccessful.

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We are very conscious of the timeline we are finalising this move by Thursday so that we can be able to be on the same page and not excluded from participation, Mr Muhammed stated

Why ADC and not APC?

Addressing speculation regarding a potential move to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Mohammed said he and his team felt they were not wanted in the APC.

We are not wanted in the APC because we are not being approached. We tried to get there, but certainly, most of the people around us prefer ADC and or other parties than APC, Mr Mohammed stated.

He further elaborated on the strategic choice of joining an opposition platform rather than the ruling party

If they said we should go to the APC, we will go but I think the preference is to go to the opposition party, he stated.

As of now, ADC appears to be a very welcoming and acceptable platform. However, we have not concluded discussions. We are engaging stakeholders to ensure we do not make mistakes, he added.

PDP crisis

Mr Mohammed also alleged that internal divisions within the PDP were being exacerbated by external influences, accusing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of contributing to the crisis.

He added that he had met with key stakeholders, including leaders of the APC and President Bola Tinubu, in efforts to resolve the impasse, but the situation remained unresolved.

Earlier, Mr Lawal said the ADC delegation was in Bauchi at the instance of the partys national leadership, under former Senate President David Mark, to invite the governor to join the party ahead of the 2027 general elections.

He said the move was part of a broader strategy to unite opposition forces and provide an alternative leadership for the country.
The Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), on Tuesday, condemned the attack at Anguwan Rukuba community market in Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau, describing it as heartless and reprehensible.

The Secretary-General of JNI, Khalid Aliyu, condemned the attack in a statement made available to journalists in Kaduna.

JNI, under the leadership of Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Saad Abubakar, expresses shock and displeasure over the Plateau market incident, he stated.

He stated that the recurring killings in Plateau and other parts of the country appear to be well-coordinated and capable of triggering political and religious unrest.

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The organisation stresses the sacredness of human life; therefore, we call for retributive justice for all victims.

Mr Aliyu stated that repeated condemnations without concrete action could only embolden perpetrators.

He urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the dastardly act and ensure they face the full weight of the law.

The secretary-general warned that the persistence of such attacks posed a serious threat to law and order not only in Plateau but in the entire country.

He also expressed concern over disturbing videos showing the mutilation of corpses, deliberately orchestrated to incite division among citizens.

Mr Aliyu, who called for a thorough investigation into the incident, cautioned against stereotyping or premature accusations based on ethnic or religious sentiments, pending the outcome of investigations.

He also called on the federal government to adopt proactive and decisive measures to address insecurity, including overhauling the nations security architecture with clear timelines.

He further urged the Plateau government to take urgent steps to prevent further attacks and possible reprisals, and to provide compensation to victims families and medical care for the injured.

The secretary-general said: JNI calls for a thorough investigation into individuals seen in the viral videos, including an alleged foreign national whose comments at the scene were described as inciting and defamatory.

The organisation appeals to residents of Plateau, particularly youths, to remain calm, law-abiding and committed to peaceful coexistence.

He prayed for the restoration of peace and security in the Plateau and across Nigeria, and for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the attack.

(NAN)
The Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), on Tuesday, said four Muslims were among those killed during the Sunday night attack in the Anguwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. It also said 10 other Muslims are missing, following the attack.

The police on Monday confirmed that 27 persons were killed while many were injured in the incident.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers, who rode motorcycles, invaded the community around 7:30 p.m. firing indiscriminately.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by its secretary, Salim Umar, JNI, a body of Muslim groups, said it confirmed from a series of reports by parents within the Muslim community that Muslims were also victims of the attack.

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The Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI), Plateau State Chapter, regrets to confirm the death of four Muslims and reports ten others missing following the recent attack on Anguwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area.

Following thorough investigation and reports received from Muslim communities, we have discovered that four Muslims were killed while ten are still missing.

The bodies of the victims have been identified at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), while the ten missing persons remain unaccounted for, with their families having no contact with them since Sunday and their phone numbers switched off.

We have also discovered that two persons are currently receiving treatment at JUTH.

JNI is in touch with families of the victims.

We condole with the parents of all the victims who lost their loved ones and call on the public to remain calm. We appreciate the governments efforts in controlling the situation, the statement added.

Kabir Yusuf, an elder brother to one of the deceased, Abubakar Yusuf, said Abubakar was killed while returning with a friend from Fobur community where they went to buy tomatoes.

On Sunday, he went to Fobur on a motorcycle to buy tomatoes. They usually go to the farm, and that day he went with N700,000 and bought the tomatoes.

On their way back, they were attacked in Anguwan Rukuba, but his friend who was on the back of the motorcycle sustained injuries and survived, Mr Yusuf said.

According to Abubakars friends narrative, the hoodlums hit him on the head and he fell to the ground, he added.

The identity of the attackers has yet to be verified and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Some residents and observers initially said the attack was targeted at Christians in the community. However, JNIs statement now suggests that the victims cut across various beliefs.

There were also reports of random retaliatory attacks by aggrieved residents, following the initial attack by the gunmen. It is unclear if the Muslims JNI referenced were killed by the gunmen or in the retaliatory attacks.

Jos and many other parts of Plateau have witnessed several cases of violence, leading to hundreds of deaths in recent years. The killings are caused by several factors such as banditry, and fight for land and resources, but often take ethnic and religious colourations.

The latest attack in Plateau has been condemned by many Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, who vowed to ensure the perpetrators are punished.

Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting, the president was quoted as saying by his spokesperson.

Mr Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives.

In its condemnation, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) described the killings as horrific.

Majority of the victims of the attack are believed to be Christians and the attack was carried out on Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Christians celebrate Easter.

In a statement signed on Monday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN urged the government and security agencies to move beyond periodic reassurances and temporary measures, demanding that the perpetrators be swiftly arrested and brought to justice.

Nigerians are tired of mourning; Nigerians are tired of statements; Nigerians want to see action, the cleric added.
The Cross River State chapter of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) has rejected the partys interim caretaker committee, saying it is against its constitution.

The State Vice Chairman (Central), MacFarlane Ejah, stated this at a press briefing in Calabar on Tuesday.

Mr Ejah said the development threatened internal democracy and could undermine the partys chances in the 2027 general elections.

He alleged that a 29 July 2025 meeting in Abuja purportedly dissolved the elected National Executive and introduced an interim caretaker committee.

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According to him, the committee allegedly included David Mark, Rauf Aregbesola and others in various leadership positions of the party.

Mr Ejah argued that the partys 2018 Constitution does not recognise interim or caretaker leadership arrangements at any level.

He said party officers must emerge through duly conducted congresses, as stipulated in Articles 17 and 18 of the partys constitution.

The ADC chieftain added that the Electoral Act 2026 also mandates political parties to operate through democratically elected structures.

Mr Ejah warned that allowing the alleged leadership to conduct congresses could invalidate candidates for the 2027 elections, describing such a scenario as a legal stillbirth that could cost the party its electoral fortunes.

He said that the state chapter of the party had petitioned the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to intervene in the matter.

The petition seeks to stop the leadership from parading itself and halt planned congresses scheduled from 7 April to April 14.

We want INEC to ensure strict compliance with the partys constitution and electoral laws; we have given them a seven-day ultimatum to act on the petition, he said.

Mr Ejah said failure to act would leave the party with no option but to approach the court for redress.

He reaffirmed the state chapters commitment to the party but insisted on a return to constitutional order, stressing that internal democracy remained a constitutional requirement, and not an option.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that, following the resignation of its former National Chairman, Ralph Nwosu, in July 2025, the party constituted an interim leadership team to rebrand for the 2027 general elections.
Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and Bille Kingdom in Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State have called for the governments urgent intervention to end the suspected underwater gas eruption in the community.

The groups, under the aegis of Environmental Rights Action and Social Action, made the call during their advocacy visit to the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Agency (NOSDRA) on Tuesday.

The Programme Manager of Environmental Rights Action, Kentebe Ebiaridor, said that the visit was to seek clarity on the response efforts of the regulators to the development in the community.

Mr Ebiaridor expressed concern over what he described as inadequate response from regulatory agencies and the government concerning the incident.

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He said that discussions with some officials revealed that there was still no clear timeline for action to address the situation.

According to him, in the absence of clear ownership of the facility linked to the incident, companies operating within Oil Mining Lease 18 should be held accountable.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission had, in a statement issued on 20 March by its Chief Executive, Oritsemeyiwa Eyesan, said it had commenced an investigation into a gas bubbling incident in the Bille Community.

Mr Eyesan said the commission expressed concern over the development and assured residents of its ongoing efforts to address the situation.

Also, the Resource Justice Manager of Social Action, Prince Edegbuo, warned that the situation could escalate into a public health emergency if urgent steps were not taken.

Mr Edegbuo called on relevant authorities to release the test results reportedly conducted in the area, stressing that residents had the right to know the condition of their environment.

He also said that CSOs were prepared to intensify advocacy on the matter, urging the development of emergency response measures, including possible evacuation plans.

We are afraid

A legal practitioner and community stakeholder, Owandemi Deinbo, described a troubling pattern of environmental disturbances that has persisted for nearly a year.

For close to a year now, we have witnessed boiling and bubbles from the ground and even on the river. In some cases, this is happening within residential areas. There have also been incidents of fire outbreaks, though locals have managed to contain them.

He warned that the situation could escalate into a major disaster if not urgently addressed.

He added, We are afraid that if this is not contained, it may lead to more devastating environmental consequences. The people cannot be separated from their environmentonce it is compromised, their survival is at risk.

He appealed to the relevant authorities to come to their aid and find a lasting solution to the problem.

In response, the Port Harcourt Zonal Head of NOSDRA, Bello Augustin, assured the community that he would raise its concerns with the appropriate quarters.

Mr Augustin also commended the CSOs for their advocacy and for their concerns about community development in the state.
The Enugu State Government has alerted residents to the outbreak of rabies in the Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of the state.

The Commissioner for Agriculture and Agro-Industrialisation in Enugu State, Patrick Ubru, disclosed this in a public notice issued on Tuesday.

Rabies is a highly fatal viral disease that affects both animals and humans. It is primarily transmitted through the bite or saliva of infected animals, especially dogs.

Mr Ubru warned residents to be cautious about the outbreak, given that the disease is often fatal once clinical signs appear.

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The commissioner urged all dog owners to vaccinate their dogs and other pets against rabies without delay, and urged other pet owners to confine their animals and prevent them from roaming freely.

Members of the public should avoid contact with stray or unfamiliar animals, he cautioned.

The official advised residents to report to their nearest veterinary authority whenever any animal shows signs of aggression, excessive salivation, abnormal behaviour, or paralysis.

Anyone bitten or scratched by an animal should immediately wash the wound thoroughly with mild soap under running water for at least 10 minutes and seek urgent medical care at the nearest health facility, he said.

Mr Ubru called on community leaders to sensitise villagers on the dangers of rabies and the importance of prevention.

The ministry is actively working with relevant authorities to contain the outbreak and protect public health, he stated.

The outbreak happened less than two years after Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State urged dog owners in the state to vaccinate their dogs against rabies as part of the states efforts to eliminate the continued transmission of the disease.

Rabies infection

Rabies is a neglected tropical disease that primarily impacts poor and vulnerable communities, especially those residing in isolated rural areas.

It occurs in more than 150 countries and territories worldwide. In Nigeria, where several cases have been reported, the disease is transmitted by dogs, especially stray and unvaccinated pets.

Data shows that infection causes tens of thousands of deaths every year, mostly in Asia and Africa. Children are the group most susceptible to rabies.

Experts say children have the greatest risk of exposure because they are frequently the victims of animal bites, due to their small size, playful nature, and their tendency to provoke animals.

Rabies is estimated to cause 59,000 human deaths each year across more than 150 countries, with 95 per cent of these cases occurring in Africa and Asia, according to the WHO.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has rearraigned the CEO of Nadabo Energy, Abubakar Peters, at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja over an alleged N1.4 billion oil subsidy fraud.

According to a statement by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Tuesday, Mr Peters appeared before trial judge Ismail Ijelu.

The statement noted that Mr Peters and his company previously stood trial before another judge, C.A. Balogun of the same court.

However, the case was reassigned to Mr Ijelu following Mr Baloguns retirement.

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The defendants are facing 27 counts of using forged documents to obtain N1.5 billion (N1,464,961,978.24) from the federal government under the oil subsidy scheme.

In one of the counts, the EFCC alleged that Nadabo Energy Limited and Mr Peters, on or about 3 April 2012 in Lagos, fraudulently obtained N978,401,732.09 from the federal government with the intent to defraud.

The commission further accused the defendants of falsely claiming the amount represented subsidy payments for the importation of 19,488,992 litres of petrol purportedly purchased from Ashland SA, Geneva, Switzerland.

It added that the product was transported via MT American Express (mother vessel) and MT St. Vanessa (daughter vessel).

However, EFCC maintained that only 6,505,140.04 litres were actually imported through MT Evridiki (mother vessel) and MT St. Vanessa (daughter vessel).

In another count, the EFCC stated that the defendants forged a document titled Certificate of Marine Insurance No. 0047851, purportedly issued by Staco Insurance Plc, which was allegedly used to facilitate the fraudulent obtaining of funds under the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF).

Mr Peters and his company pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Following the plea, prosecution lawyer S.K. Atteh requested a trial date and prayed the court to remand the defendant in a correctional facility.

However, defence lawyer E.O. Isiramen opposed the application, noting that the defendant had been granted bail since 19 December 2012 and had complied with all bail conditions without jumping bail.

Ruling on the application, Mr Ijelu ordered that the defendant should continue on his existing bail.

The court also directed the sureties to appear on the next adjourned date to reaffirm their undertakings and asked the defence counsel to sign an undertaking to produce the defendant in court.

The matter was adjourned until 19, 20 and 21 May for the commencement of the trial.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES had reported that the matter stemmed from long-running allegations of fraud linked to Nigerias fuel subsidy regime, an area that has faced extensive scrutiny over suspected abuse and financial irregularities.

Mr Peters was initially arraigned on 10 December 2012 before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on on the same set of charges lleged fuel subsidy fraud.

The EFCC alleged that Nadabo Energy Limited fraudulently obtained approximately N1.46 billion from the Federal Government by submitting inflated subsidy claims for the importation of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

According to the prosecution, the company claimed it imported about 19.4 million litres of petrol through structured shipping arrangements involving mother and daughter vessels.

However, EFCC investigations indicated that only about 6.5 million litres were actually imported, revealing a discrepancy between declared and actual volumes.

During trial proceedings, EFCC investigators and witnesses, including former EFCC Chairman Abdulrasheed Bawa, testified that documentary and financial records obtained from regulatory agencies, banks, and inspection bodies showed inconsistencies in the volumes declared by the company.

Evidence presented in court suggested that subsidy payments were made based on inflated import figures. Regulatory agencies and independent inspectors reportedly provided data that conflicted with the companys submissions.

Further allegations centred on the authenticity of supporting documents submitted by the defendants.

Representatives of Staco Insurance Plc testified that the Marine Insurance Certificate tendered in evidence did not originate from their records, raising concerns of forgery.

The defence pleaded not guilty and challenged the prosecutions case at various stages, raising procedural objections, including delays in obtaining certified records needed for cross-examination.

The prosecution maintained that all necessary documents had been provided and that such requests were intended to delay proceedings.

The trial has undergone several procedural stages, including interlocutory appeals. In February 2018, the Court of Appeal in Lagos, struck out an appeal filed by the defendant.

It ruled that it was incompetent and allowed the trial at the lower court to proceed.

At one point during the proceedings, the defence lawyer Emefo Etudo applied to withdraw from the case, citing concerns that the defendant was allegedly attempting to frustrate the trial and evade justice.

The defence lawyer, in an affidavit, also told the court he urged his client to pay back the money upon realising that he had defrauded the federal government.

He urged the court to permit him to withdraw from the case, saying the defendant is a threat to national security and will abscond if he continues on the bail he was granted by the court.

Mr Atteh did not oppose the prayers of Mr Etudo.

Mr Balogun granted the defence lawyer leave to withdraw from the case based on the serious allegations levelled against his client.

Following the withdrawal, the court ordered the defendant to be remanded in custody at that stage of the proceedings.

Subsequently, the defendant was granted bail, which he has maintained since December 2012.

The court has consistently upheld the bail, requiring sureties to reaffirm their undertakings and ensuring the defendants continued presence in court.
Chinese cosmetics company highlights science-driven products, ESG initiatives, and evolving consumer trends at leading international beauty trade show

BOLOGNA, Italy, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From March 26 to 28, 2026, PROYA Cosmetics Co., Ltd. (hereinafter "PROYA Cosmetics") participated in the 57th edition of Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna, featuring its flagship brand PROYA alongside TIMAGE and Off&Relax. Through a coordinated multi-brand showcase, the company further expanded its presence in the global beauty market.

TIMAGE PROYA_Cosmetics__booth Proya_Inaugurating_Intensive_Anti_Wrinkle_Series

As one of the most established trade shows in the global beauty sector, Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna serves as a platform for identifying emerging trends, launching new products, and connecting industry stakeholders. During the exhibition, PROYA Cosmetics unveiled a portfolio of brands, including PROYA, TIMAGE, Off&Relax and INSBAHA, spanning skincare, make-up cosmetics, and scalp care. PROYA focuses on efficacy-driven skincare backed by scientific research. TIMAGE is a color cosmetics brand inspired by Eastern aesthetics, while Off&Relax has established a presence in haircare with an emphasis on holistic scalp wellness. In addition, PROYA's emerging makeup line INSBAHA was also featured on the site. Together, the portfolio demonstrates the company's approach to product development, brand positioning, and consumer engagement.

PROYA Cosmetics' exhibition space also reflected the company's broader brand philosophy. At the booth, the company highlighted its ESG initiatives, including its approach to product evaluation and lifecycle management in formulation and development.

As part of the event's key exchange programs, Dr. Lieve Declercq, PROYA Cosmetics' Chief Scientific Advisor and Vice President of the European Innovation Center, participated in a Cosmotalks roundtable at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna 2026. The session, titled "C-Beauty Breakthrough: How Local Challenger Brands Are Reshaping China's Beauty Market  and What It Means for the World," brought together industry experts from multiple countries who engaged in discussions on market research, skincare innovation, manufacturing, and new approaches to retail.

During the exchange, Dr. Declercq noted that consumers in China are placing increasing emphasis on long-term skin health and the concept of "skin longevity." Compared with some international markets, where this shift is emerging more gradually, Chinese consumers in their early 20s already invest proactively in prevention and optimization for long-term skin health. At the same time, they are becoming more informed about products and ingredientsfocusing not only on efficacy, but also on mechanisms of action, formulation logic, and supporting scientific evidence. This shift is encouraging brands to invest more in preventive approaches, long-term research, and evidence-based product development. She also noted that competition among Chinese brands is evolving beyond price positioning. In premium segments and more specialized categories, Chinese brands are demonstrating growing market traction. Meanwhile, the continued expansion of domestic brands across digital channels reflects improving capabilities in consumer insight, product development, and channel strategy. "An emerging trend is that concepts rooted in Chinese lifestylessuch as holistic skincare and traditional wellness philosophiesare increasingly reaching global audiences through social media, drawing interest from international professionals, influencers, and consumers alike. The global positioning of Chinese beauty brands is defined not only by scientific credibility but also by cultural perspective," added Dr. Declercq.

These developments illustrate how Chinese beauty brands are positioning themselves within the global market. While external attention has often focused on scale, consumer activity, and digital channels, the industry is increasingly defined by advances in skin science, sustained investment in research, and a more nuanced understanding of consumer needs. Within this context, PROYA Cosmetics continues to strengthen its presence through ongoing research, product development, and brand evolution across international markets. Its participation at Cosmoprof Worldwide Bologna affirms this direction, as the company continues to expand its global footprint.

ABOUT PROYA COSMETICS:

As a leading listed company specialized in the R&D, production, and sales of cosmetics in the Chinese cosmetics industry, Proya Cosmetics owns a diverse portfolio of brands including PROYA, TIMAGE, Off&Relax, HAPSODE, CORRECTORS, INSBAHA, Awaken Seeds, UZERO and ANYA. These brands cover a wide range of beauty product areas such as skincare, makeup, body and hair care, and high-efficacy skincare.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946533/TIMAGE.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946534/PROYA_Cosmetics__booth.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946535/Proya_Inaugurating_Intensive_Anti_Wrinkle_Series.jpg
SHANGHAI, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 3SBio Inc. (01530.HK) today released its 2025 annual results announcement. Fueled by the dual core engines of breakthroughs in innovative R&D and strategic global collaboration, the company delivered a high-quality performance with both quantitative and qualitative growth: annual revenue hit RMB 17.7 billion, a historic breakthrough past the RMB 10 billion mark, representing a 94.3% year-on-year (YoY) increase; net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company reached RMB 8.48 billion, surging 305.8% YoY; adjusted net profit attributable to shareholders of the parent company stood at RMB 8.45 billion, a 264.6% YoY rise. The company's profitability achieved a leap-forward growth, demonstrating robust growth momentum.

In 2025, the company's R&D expenditure amounted to RMB 1.52 billion, a 14.6% YoY increase, providing solid support for the advancement of its innovative drug pipeline. As of the end of 2025, 3SBio's total financial resources soared to RMB 20.4 billion, its interest-bearing debt ratio dropped to 9.8%, and comprehensive financial costs contributed a positive RMB 230 million to the company, further optimizing the asset-liability structure. Abundant cash flow and a sound capital structure have fortified the financial foundation for the company's long-term development. Adhering to its stable dividend policy, the company declared a 2025 final dividend of HKD 0.25 per share, delivering solid shareholder returns to convey confidence in its long-term growth.

During the reporting period, 3SBio entered into a global licensing collaboration with Pfizer with a total deal value of over US$6 billion, receiving an upfront payment of US$1.4 billion and a US$100 million equity investment, setting a new record for the highest upfront payment in a single out-licensing transaction for a Chinese innovative drug. Its core product TPIAO secured approval for a new indication; three novel drugs were successively approved for marketing and three products entered the New Drug Application (NDA) stage. The company has built a multi-domain innovative pipeline matrix, further consolidating its global competitiveness and leading position in core therapeutic areas, and injecting strong impetus into its high-quality development.

I. Groundbreaking Global Collaboration with Pfizer Sets a New Record for Chinese Innovative Drug Out-licensing

2025 marked a pivotal breakthrough in 3SBio's globalization strategy, as the company entered into a global collaboration with Pfizer for its proprietary PD-1/VEGF bispecific antibody SSGJ-707a landmark event in China's biopharmaceutical industry.

Under the collaboration agreement, 3SBio granted Pfizer exclusive global development and commercialization rights to SSGJ-707, with the total potential deal value exceeding US$6 billion. The company is also entitled to tiered double-digit royalties based on the product's global cumulative sales. The US$1.4 billion upfront payment plus US$100 million equity investment has set a new record for the highest upfront payment in a single out-licensing transaction of a Chinese innovative drug to date. This landmark collaboration not only attests to the high recognition of international pharmaceutical giants for the R&D quality, standards and systems of Chinese innovative drugs, but also fully demonstrates the core global competitiveness of 3SBio and even China's biopharmaceutical innovation as a whole.

Notably, 3SBio retains the right to supply SSGJ-707 bulk drug substance for clinical and commercial use in China and across the globe. To date, the first batch of SSGJ-707 bulk drug substance for global clinical development has been successfully delivered, marking the official entry of the collaboration into the substantive implementation phase and accelerating the global commercialization progress of the product.

Leveraging Pfizer's world-class global clinical resources, the global clinical development of SSGJ-707 is progressing at a brisk pace. Nine international multi-center clinical trials have been initiated, covering a broad spectrum of high-incidence tumors including squamous/non-squamous non-small cell lung cancer, metastatic colorectal cancer, extensive-stage small cell lung cancer, gastroesophageal junction cancer, transformed small cell lung cancer, locally advanced/metastatic hepatocellular carcinoma, locally advanced/metastatic urothelial carcinoma, and locally advanced/metastatic renal cell carcinoma. Going forward, the two parties will continue to expand the product's indications and combination therapy regimens, fully unlocking the global clinical value and commercial growth potential of this core innovative asset.

II. Fruition of Innovation at Scale Builds a New Growth Engine

From 2025 to early 2026, 3SBio entered a period of intensive product approvals. With three novel drugs launched successively, core products gaining new indication approvals, commercialized products included in the National Reimbursement Drug List and authoritative clinical guidelines, and multiple candidates advancing to the NDA stage, the company has accelerated the translation of multi-dimensional innovation value into growth drivers, fueling sustained performance growth.

Three Novel Drugs Approved, Enriching Clinical Treatment Options

Amdokitug Injection (Yisaituo) : Approved in February 2026 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The product features rapid onset of action as early as Week 2, leading PASI100 response at Week 12, and sustained skin lesion clearance at Week 52. It has no neutralizing antibodies detected, with an anti-drug antibody (ADA) rate of only 0.7% and a lower infection risk. A simplified maintenance dosing regimen of once every 8 weeks significantly reduces the annual dosing frequency for patients, alleviating the burden and psychological stress of long-term treatment, and substantially improving treatment adherence.

: Approved in February 2026 for the treatment of moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis. The product features rapid onset of action as early as Week 2, leading PASI100 response at Week 12, and sustained skin lesion clearance at Week 52. It has no neutralizing antibodies detected, with an anti-drug antibody (ADA) rate of only 0.7% and a lower infection risk. A simplified maintenance dosing regimen of once every 8 weeks significantly reduces the annual dosing frequency for patients, alleviating the burden and psychological stress of long-term treatment, and substantially improving treatment adherence. Loncipoetin Alfa Injection (NuPIAO) : Approved in March 2026 as the first domestic long-acting recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) biweekly formulation (a Class 1 innovative drug), indicated for hemodialysis patients with anemia caused by chronic kidney disease who are receiving erythropoietin therapy. Boasting an ultra-long half-life of 120 hours and low immunogenicity, the product is administered intravenously, making it more suitable for hemodialysis patients. Its biweekly dosing regimen drastically cuts down the dosing frequency, significantly improving patient treatment adherence and providing a more convenient therapeutic option for clinical practice.

: Approved in March 2026 as the first domestic long-acting recombinant erythropoietin (EPO) biweekly formulation (a Class 1 innovative drug), indicated for hemodialysis patients with anemia caused by chronic kidney disease who are receiving erythropoietin therapy. Boasting an ultra-long half-life of 120 hours and low immunogenicity, the product is administered intravenously, making it more suitable for hemodialysis patients. Its biweekly dosing regimen drastically cuts down the dosing frequency, significantly improving patient treatment adherence and providing a more convenient therapeutic option for clinical practice. Eltrombopag Ethanolamine Tablets: Approved in March 2026 for the treatment of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) and severe aplastic anemia (SAA). The product provides a new oral treatment option for patients with hematological disorders, further improving 3SBio's commercial product portfolio in the hematology field.

Core Product Expands to New Indication, Unlocking Incremental Market Potential

Recombinant Human ThrombopoietinTPIAO, the world's only commercialized recombinant human thrombopoietin product, obtained approval for a new indication in December 2025for the treatment of chronic liver disease-related thrombocytopenia (CLDT) in patients scheduled to undergo surgery (including diagnostic procedures). This approval provides a rapid-acting, stable and safe platelet-boosting treatment for a large number of perioperative patients with chronic liver disease, further expanding the market coverage of this core product.

Commercialized Product Earns Authoritative Recognition, Accelerating Clinical Penetration

Paclitaxel Oral Solution (Liporaxel) was officially included in the 2025 CSCO Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Gastric Cancer as a Grade I recommendation (Category 1A) for the second-line treatment of advanced gastric cancer, and was also added to the 2025 National Reimbursement Drug List. Adopting an innovative lipid self-emulsifying drug delivery technology, the product revolutionizes gastric cancer treatment from "hospital-based infusion" to "home-based oral administration", greatly improving medication convenience for patients. Its NDA for the indication of relapsed or metastatic HER2-negative breast cancer has been submitted and accepted, which is expected to further open up its market space.

Three Products in NDA Stage, Delivering Abundant Follow-up Growth Momentum

613 (Anti-IL-1 mAb) : Its NDA for acute gouty arthritis was submitted and accepted in June 2025. The biologic penetration rate in China's acute gout market remains extremely low; as the second domestic product of its class to file an NDA, it enjoys a favorable competitive landscape and is poised to address significant unmet clinical needs with promising market prospects. A Phase II clinical trial for intermittent gouty arthritis is currently underway.

: Its NDA for acute gouty arthritis was submitted and accepted in June 2025. The biologic penetration rate in China's acute gout market remains extremely low; as the second domestic product of its class to file an NDA, it enjoys a favorable competitive landscape and is poised to address significant unmet clinical needs with promising market prospects. A Phase II clinical trial for intermittent gouty arthritis is currently underway. 611 (Anti-IL-4R mAb) : Its NDA for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults was submitted and accepted in February 2026. Non-head-to-head comparisons show its overall efficacy is superior to dupilumab. It supports long-acting dosing of once every two or four weeks, delivering stronger efficacy, higher patient adherence and better long-term disease control. Clinical development for additional indications including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and adolescent and pediatric atopic dermatitis is well underway, continuously unlocking the pipeline's growth potential.

: Its NDA for moderate-to-severe atopic dermatitis in adults was submitted and accepted in February 2026. Non-head-to-head comparisons show its overall efficacy is superior to dupilumab. It supports long-acting dosing of once every two or four weeks, delivering stronger efficacy, higher patient adherence and better long-term disease control. Clinical development for additional indications including chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and adolescent and pediatric atopic dermatitis is well underway, continuously unlocking the pipeline's growth potential. 601A (Anti-VEGF mAb): Its NDA for macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) was accepted in October 2025. The product demonstrates efficacy comparable to ranibizumab, with a favorable overall safety and tolerability profile, providing a new treatment option for ophthalmic clinical practice.

III. Building a Multi-Domain Innovative Pipeline Matrix to Consolidate Long-term Core Competitiveness

In 2025, 3SBio continued to ramp up R&D investment and built a rich and differentiated innovative pipeline matrix focusing on core therapeutic areas including hematology/oncology, autoimmune diseases, nephrology, dermatology, hair disorders and weight management. Multiple products are in key clinical stages with leading-edge target layouts, establishing solid technical and product barriers for the company's long-term development.

Hematology/Oncology: Multi-pronged Layout of Bispecific/Trispecific Antibodies to Forge Differentiated Competitive Advantages

705 (Anti-PD-1/HER2 BsAb) : Currently in Phase II clinical development for HER2-positive advanced solid tumors, it is the only candidate in China actively advancing clinical trials for this target, boasting significant differentiated advantages.

: Currently in Phase II clinical development for HER2-positive advanced solid tumors, it is the actively advancing clinical trials for this target, boasting significant differentiated advantages. 706 (Anti-PD-1/PD-L1 BsAb) : Phase II clinical trials for advanced non-small cell lung cancer and advanced gastrointestinal tumors are ongoing, covering high-incidence tumor types with smooth clinical progress.

: Phase II clinical trials for advanced non-small cell lung cancer and advanced gastrointestinal tumors are ongoing, covering high-incidence tumor types with smooth clinical progress. 708 (Anti-PD-1/TGF- BsAb), 709 (Anti-PD-1/LAG3 BsAb), SSS59 (Anti-MUC17/CD3/CD28 Tri-specific Ab) and SPGL008 (Anti-B7H3 Ab/IL15R sushi-IL15 Fusion Protein) for advanced solid tumors are all in Phase I clinical trials; SSS57 (Long-acting ActRIIB-Ig Trap) for myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS)-related anemia is also in Phase I. The hierarchical pipeline layout in hematology/oncology is continuously improved, reserving high-quality assets for the company's long-term growth.

Autoimmune Diseases: Multiple Products in Key Clinical Stages, Leading Domestic R&D Progress

610 (Anti-IL-5 mAb) : Under Phase III clinical development for eosinophilic asthma, it ranks first in China in terms of R&D progress for this target and is poised for early commercialization.

: Under Phase III clinical development for eosinophilic asthma, it ranks in terms of R&D progress for this target and is poised for early commercialization. 626 (Anti-BDCA2 Ab) : Currently in Phase Ib clinical trial for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), addressing critical unmet clinical needs in the autoimmune disease field.

: Currently in Phase Ib clinical trial for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), addressing critical unmet clinical needs in the autoimmune disease field. 627 (Anti-TL1A mAb) : Phase II clinical trial for ulcerative colitis (UC) has been initiated, laying out the company's presence in the core inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) track.

: Phase II clinical trial for ulcerative colitis (UC) has been initiated, laying out the company's presence in the core inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) track. A portfolio of early-stage pipeline assets is advancing rapidly, including 716 (Anti-OX40L/IL-31RA Bispecific Antibody for atopic dermatitis), 717 (CD3/CD19/BCMA for SLE/lupus nephritis/rheumatoid arthritis), 718 (TL1A/IL-23 for IBD), 719 (IL-4R/TSLP for asthma/chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) and 629 (IL-23R for psoriasis/IBD). These candidates fully cover mainstream and cutting-edge targets in the autoimmune disease field, building a deep technical moat for the company.

Nephrology: Focusing on Core Clinical Needs, Pioneering Domestic Layout of Emerging Targets

SSS55 (C3b-targeting Bi-functional Fusion Protein ) : Phase I clinical trials have been initiated for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), complement-mediated kidney disease (CMKD) and periodontitis. 3SBio is the only company in China actively advancing R&D for this target, filling a critical clinical gap in the domestic market.

: Phase I clinical trials have been initiated for paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH), complement-mediated kidney disease (CMKD) and periodontitis. 3SBio is the actively advancing R&D for this target, filling a critical clinical gap in the domestic market. SSS68 (Long-acting anti-April/BAFF BsAb): Its Investigational New Drug (IND) application for IgA nephropathy has been approved in the US. As the only domestic long-acting bispecific antibody in clinical development targeting the APRIL/BAFF pathway, it features significant differentiated competitive advantages.

Dermatology, Hair Disorders & Weight Management: Forward-looking Layout in High-potential Tracks

WS2403 (Semaglutide Injection) : Phase III clinical trials for the weight management indication are currently underway.

: Phase III clinical trials for the weight management indication are currently underway. WS204 (Clascoterone) : Phase III clinical trials for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 12 and above are currently underway.

: Phase III clinical trials for moderate-to-severe acne vulgaris in patients aged 12 and above are currently underway. SSS67 (Anti-ActRIIA/ActRIIB BsAb): Its IND application for overweight/obesity has been approved in the US. As the only innovative biased bispecific antibody in China to enter the IND stage for this indication, it represents the company's forward-looking layout in the blue ocean of metabolic disease treatment.

Remarks from Dr. Lou Jing, Chairman and CEO of 3SBio

"2025 marked the conclusion of the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Under the coordinated governance of medical insurance, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, China's biopharmaceutical industry has witnessed several landmark changes: commercial health insurance has opened up multi-payment channels for innovative drugs, and Chinese innovative drug out-licensing deals have achieved remarkable results. Our proprietary SSGJ-707 set a new record with a 24% upfront payment ratio in its global out-licensing deal, a testament to the global competitiveness of Chinese biopharmaceutical innovation.

In 2026, the biopharmaceutical industry has been designated as a national emerging pillar industry in China. Driven by national policies, the industry is accelerating its transformation from a major pharmaceutical manufacturing country to a global pharmaceutical powerhouse, and 3SBio's innovation potential has gained wide international recognition.

Building on over 30 years of industry expertise and accumulation, we remain committed to the principle of integrity and innovation. We will continue to deepen our layout in oncology, autoimmune diseases, nephrology and other core therapeutic areas, increase investment in cutting-edge innovation, continuously optimize our R&D pipeline, and accelerate the launch and market promotion of new products such as Liporaxel, Yisaituo and NuPIAO. Guided by our mission to 'make innovative biopharmaceuticals accessible to all', we will strive to bring more high-quality innovative drugs to the market at an early date, benefiting patients worldwide."

SOURCE 3SBio Inc.
GREENVILLE, S.C., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- 4CE Engineering Group, a platform focused on building stronger collaboration across the infrastructure ecosystem, today announced a strategic partnership with ELEMENT Engineering Group, a respected Florida-based engineering firm celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. The partnership marks the first company to join the 4CE platform, establishing ELEMENT as a key growth partner as 4CE expands its network of engineering firms.

4CE Announces Strategic Partnership with ELEMENT Engineering Group

Founded in 2006, ELEMENT Engineering Group has built a strong reputation for delivering high-quality engineering services across infrastructure, transportation, utilities, and surveying throughout Florida. Over the past two decades, the firm has steadily grown through strong client relationships, technical expertise, and a culture centered on delivering practical solutions for complex infrastructure challenges.

The partnership between 4CE and ELEMENT positions the firm for its next phase of growth including expanding capabilities, geographic reach, and services while continuing to operate under the leadership of its existing management team.

"This is an exciting moment for ELEMENT as we celebrate our 20th anniversary and look ahead to the future," said Derek Gil, Founder and President of ELEMENT Engineering Group. "Over the past two decades, our team has built a business we are incredibly proud of. Partnering with 4CE allows us to accelerate that growth, expand our capabilities, and continue building the business in a way that creates opportunity for our people and delivers even greater value to our clients."

4CE was founded with a vision of strengthening collaboration across the infrastructure ecosystem, bringing together engineers, asset owners, contractors, and manufacturers to deliver better outcomes for critical infrastructure projects. Through strategic partnerships with engineering firms, 4CE aims to build a network of complementary capabilities that can better support clients across regions and disciplines.

"ELEMENT represents exactly the type of firm we want to partner with," said Wes Kingery, Founder and CEO of 4CE Engineering Group. "They have built a strong business with a great culture, trusted client relationships, and a leadership team committed to growing the company the right way. Our role is to support firms like ELEMENT with the resources and strategic backing to expand faster, pursue new opportunities, and continue building on the success they've already achieved."

Through the partnership, ELEMENT will maintain its leadership team and continue operating under the ELEMENT brand while gaining access to additional resources that will support future expansion. Over time, the firm expects to grow both organically and through strategic acquisitions that complement its existing capabilities.

"ELEMENT has built an impressive organization over the past 20 years, and we are excited to support the company as it enters its next chapter of growth," said Matt Trotta, Principal, Quad-C, the private equity firm partnering with 4CE. "The firm's strong reputation, leadership, and commitment to its clients make it an ideal foundation for building a broader engineering platform."

The partnership reflects a shared commitment between 4CE and ELEMENT to grow in a way that strengthens client relationships, expands capabilities, and creates long-term opportunity for employees.

As ELEMENT celebrates two decades of success, the firm now looks toward the future with the support of a partner focused on accelerating growth while preserving the culture and relationships that have defined the company since its founding.

About 4CE

4CE is an engineering growth platform designed to partner with select civil infrastructure firms to bring about meaningful, sustainable progress. With deep industry roots, 4CE empowers firms to scale smartly, serve better, and remain true to their mission. www.4ceeng.com and on LinkedIn.

About ELEMENT Engineering Group

Founded in 2006, ELEMENT Engineering is a Florida-based engineering firm providing a range of infrastructure services including transportation engineering, traffic engineering and operations, structures design, stormwater design, civil and site design, surveying and mapping, subsurface utility engineering, and utility coordination. Over the past 20 years, the firm has built a strong reputation for delivering responsive service, technical expertise, and practical solutions for public and private sector clients across the region. www.elementeg.com and on LinkedIn.

About Quad-C

Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Va., Quad-C is a middle market private equity firm focused on investing in well-established services and industrials companies. In its three-decade history, Quad-C has invested over $4.7 billion of capital in 88 platform companies. The Quad-C team is committed to partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to accelerate growth and create long-term value. Learn more about Quad-C at www.quadcmanagement.com.

Media Contact

Jackie Herrera

ChasmBridge

[email protected]

713-791-8284

SOURCE 4CE Engineering Group
HALIFAX, NS, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - ABK Biomedical and the University of Missouri Research Reactor (MURR) are powering the next generation of cancer treatment. Today, the two partners signed a long-term agreement naming MURR as the primary irradiation partner for Eye90 microspheres, an advanced Yttrium-90 (Y-90) radioembolization therapy designed to fight liver cancer.

This strategic partnership builds on seven years of collaboration between ABK and MURR, a relationship that has already driven critical progress in Eye90 development and is fueling the recently-fully-enrolled Route90 FDA IDE clinical trial for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). By formalizing this continuing alliance, ABK secures a reliable and scalable production partner for Eye90 microspheres and brings life-saving treatments closer to patients worldwide.

"MURR is internationally recognized for its leadership in nuclear research and medical isotope production," Mike Mangano, President and CEO of ABK Biomedical, said. "This agreement marks a major milestone as we transition from clinical development to commercialization. It underscores our commitment to Columbia, Missouri, and our confidence in MURR's unmatched expertise."

The agreement also reflects a shared vision for advancing medical innovation. Together, ABK and MURR are creating a foundation for global access to novel cancer therapies, combining ABK's pioneering device technology with MURR's proven capabilities in isotope production and research excellence.

"Today's agreement reflects Mizzou at its very best  bringing together world-class research, industry leadership and unmatched reactor capabilities to solve some of the most urgent challenges in human health," University of Missouri President Mun Choi said. "Our partnership with ABK Biomedical strengthens Missouri's role as a national leader in medical innovation and delivers direct benefits to patients and communities across the state. This kind of collaboration accelerates discovery and improves lives here at home and around the world."

"This partnership represents a powerful win for the entire state of Missouri," UM Board of Curators Chair Todd Graves said. "By expanding high-tech research and advanced medical production right here in Columbia, we're strengthening our economy and delivering innovations that improve health outcomes for Missouri families. Investments like this ensure that our university system continues to drive growth and opportunity in all 114 counties  fueling progress that benefits every community we serve."

"At MURR, our mission is to deliver absolute reliability in the production of lifesaving medical isotopes, and this partnership demonstrates exactly why our reactor is indispensable to patients in Missouri and around the world," Matt Sanford, executive director of MURR, said. "With decades of experience operating at the highest standards, MURR provides the consistency, capacity and scientific rigor required to bring breakthrough therapies like Eye90 to market. We're proud that our work not only fuels cuttingedge innovation but also strengthens Missouri's position as a global leader in nuclear medicine."

Mizzou began a multiyear, strategic partnership with ABK Biomedical in 2019 and is currently the only location in the United States producing Y-90 for clinical and commercial use.

About ABK Biomedical Incorporated

ABK Biomedical is a corporation focused on researching, developing and commercializing medical device therapies to improve treatment outcomes and the lives of patients with benign and malignant hypervascular tumors. ABK Biomedical holds intellectual property in the areas of inorganic polymer microspheres and unique administration systems. The company possesses advanced intellectual capital and its own R&D and manufacturing facilities for developing and commercializing unique embolotherapy products. Eye90 microspheres is considered an investigational product and is not approved for use in any regulatory jurisdiction outside of approved clinical trials.

About MURR

The University of Missouri Research Reactor's (MURR) innovative design and operating cycle  operating year-round, 24 hours a day, 6.5 days a week, 52 weeks a year  enables MURR to produce the active pharmaceutical ingredients in multiple FDA-approved drugs and numerous radioisotopes for industry applications. Because of MURR's unique capabilities, it is a vital resource for patients, health care providers, researchers and industrial partners in Missouri and across the globe.

SOURCE ABK Biomedical Inc.
Session outlines practical architectures for achieving nanosecond-level alignment in complex test environments.

VERONA, Wis., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Ed Sekel, Senior Software Development Engineer at ACS, will present on multi-bus avionics time synchronization at NI Connect 2026 in Fort Worth, Texas. As aerospace test requirements grow more demanding, synchronization, communication, and data integrity have become defining engineering challenges. In multi-bus avionics test environments, timing misalignment doesn't announce itself. It surfaces as unexplained anomalies in post-processing or, worse, not at all until a compliance review.

Ed Sekel, Senior Software Development Engineer at ACS, to present on multi-bus avionics time synchronization at NI Connect 2026

In his presentation, titled "The Gold Standard: Achieving Nanosecond Alignment Across Disparate Avionics Busses," Sekel will provide engineers with a practical framework for selecting and implementing synchronization topologies for their test environment based on system requirements and constraints. The session will include a detailed walkthrough of three distinct architectures for achieving nanosecond-level alignment between the PXI backplane and external bus interfaces:

Direct IRIG-B Integration: B est practices for synchronizing to a facility master clock.

est practices for synchronizing to a facility master clock. Autonomous PXI Mastering: Methods for b uilding a high-stability time source in isolated environments without an external reference.

uilding a high-stability time source in isolated environments without an external reference. Hybrid PTP Solutions: Approaches that combine IEEE-1588v2 with IRIG-B converters for distributed, multi-node systems.

The session concludes with a hands-on implementation case study using NI-XNET and ARINC-825, demonstrating how hardware-timed frames deliver deterministic performance in mission-critical applications.

"It's rare for an avionics test system to be dealing with a single protocol today," says Sekel. "Aircrafts are managing four or five busses simultaneously, each with its own timing reference. Getting the synchronization architecture right isn't a refinement; it determines whether you can trust what you're measuring across all of them."

Sekel brings more than 25 years of experience architecting complex LabVIEW-based test systems and his presentation is a marker of the technical depth behind ACS's NI Aerospace, Defense, and Government industry segment badge and its standing as an NI Gold Partner.

Sekel's session, "The Gold Standard: Achieving Nanosecond Alignment Across Disparate Avionic Busses," is part of NI Connect's Tech Talk track and will be held Wednesday, May 13, from 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., at the Fort Worth Convention Center in Fort Worth, Texas.

About ACS:

ACS designs, engineers, and builds innovative equipment, machines, controls, and facilities for industry leaders in markets including automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing. ACS is a systems integrator, helping companies maximize their facilities' efficiency with systems designed and engineered to work together. ACS combines its knowledge of building design and construction with expertise and understanding of equipment, R&D and production test, process systems, automation, data acquisition, and controls for industry leaders who require high-performance systems. ACS is based in Verona, Wisconsin, with a regional office in Troy, Michigan, and serves customers across North America and around the world. For more information, visit www.acscm.com.

Contact:

Amanda Donahue, Marketing Manager

ACS

[email protected]

(608) 663-1247

SOURCE ACS
NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- American Skin Association (ASA) is pleased to announce the launch of its public-facing podcast, SKINsight Podcast: A Patient's Guide, a series designed to provide patients and their families with accessible, expert-driven insights into common skin conditions. Funded through an educational grant from Sun Pharma, episodes are now available on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

Enhancing ASA's ongoing commitment to advancing skin health education, SKINsight Podcast: A Patient's Guide introduces an engaging, patient-centered platform that brings together leading dermatologists and individuals living with skin disease. Each approximately thirty-minute episode features a dermatologist host, a guest expert dermatologist, and a patient sharing their lived experience. This unique format offers listeners a comprehensive and relatable perspective on diagnosis, treatment, and beyond.

The SKINsight Podcast series is launching four episodes addressing conditions that impact millions of Americans:

"A Patient's Guide to Alopecia Areata" Host: Nicholas Brownstone, MD

Nicholas Brownstone, MD Guest Dermatologist : Benjamin Ungar, MD

: Benjamin Ungar, MD Guest Patient: Anne Becker Schwartzberg "A Patient's Guide to Psoriasis" Host: Nicholas Brownstone, MD

Nicholas Brownstone, MD Guest Dermatologist : Mark Lebwohl, MD

: Mark Lebwohl, MD Guest Patient: Glenn Speer "Insight on Skin Cancer" Host: Jesse Lewin, MD, FAAD, FACS

Jesse Lewin, MD, FAAD, FACS Guest Dermatologist : Courtney Ensslin, MD, FAAD, FACMS

: Courtney Ensslin, MD, FAAD, FACMS Guest Patient: Jaqueline Mills "A Patient's Guide to Atopic Dermatitis" Host: Nicholas Brownstone, MD

Nicholas Brownstone, MD Guest Dermatologist: Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD

Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD Guest Patient: Harry Lewis

"Through SKINsight Podcast, ASA is expanding its educational mission into a dynamic and widely accessible format," said Howard P. Milstein, Chairman of ASA. "By meeting patients on platforms they use every day, we ensure that accurate, science-based information about skin health is available to those who need it most."

This podcast series was developed in collaboration with Dr. Nicholas Brownstone, who assisted in planning and scripting the episodes and served as host for three of the four installments. Dr. Brownstone, a board-certified dermatologist and Assistant Professor at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City, has extensive experience in patient care and education. Dr. Jesse Lewin, Chief of Mohs Micrographic Surgery and Director at The Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Melanoma and Skin Cancer Center at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, hosted the third episode on Skin Cancer. Together with distinguished guest dermatologists and patient participants, the series reflects ASA's commitment to amplifying both clinical expertise and patient voices.

"Our goal with this podcast is to provide clear, trustworthy information to help patients navigate their care journey with confidence," said Dr. Nicholas Brownstone. "Each episode simplifies complex topics and shares real patient experiences, offering accessible, relatable insights on diagnosis, treatment, and physician communication."

The inaugural episode of SKINsight Podcast, titled "A Patient's Guide to Alopecia Areata," was released on March 10, 2026. This episode, and each episode that follows, includes insights from expert dermatologists, along with the personal stories of patients who have undergone treatment and care for these conditions. Across the series, listeners will hear the latest scientific understanding of these skin disorders alongside real patients who offer personal insights into living with the disease. By combining medical expertise with real-world perspectives, SKINsight Podcast provides a supportive and illuminating resource for individuals at every stage of their journey.

The series features leading dermatology experts in each episode. Benjamin Ungar, MD, Director of the Alopecia Center of Excellence and the Rosacea & Seborrheic Dermatitis Clinic at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, specializes in inflammatory skin conditions with a focus on alopecia areata. Mark Lebwohl, MD, Dean for Clinical Therapeutics at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, is a recognized authority in psoriasis research and treatment. Courtney Ensslin, MD, FAAD, FACMS, Assistant Professor in the Division of Dermatologic & Cosmetic Surgery at the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai, is a fellowship-trained Mohs surgeon specializing in skin cancer and reconstructive dermatologic surgery. Emma Guttman-Yassky, MD, PhD is the Waldman Professor of Dermatology and Immunology and Health System Chair of the Kimberly and Eric J. Waldman Department of Dermatology at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and Director of the Occupational Dermatitis Clinic and Director of the Laboratory for Inflammatory Skin Diseases. Dr. Guttman-Yassky is an internationally regarded physician-scientist whose work has advanced the understanding and treatment of atopic dermatitis and other inflammatory skin diseases. Together, these renowned experts bring extensive clinical experience and research insight, contributing to advancements in patient care across a range of dermatologic conditions.

"Education remains at the core of ASA's mission," said Dr. James G. Krueger, President of ASA. "The SKINsight Podcast reflects the organization's continued investment in innovative tools that connect patients with reliable information and expert guidance. ASA is proud to introduce this new initiative and offer hope to patients everywhere suffering from skin disorders."

To listen to the SKINsight Podcast series, visit Apple Podcasts or Spotify.

To learn more about American Skin Association or contribute, please visit americanskin.org.

For more information about the educational grant supporter, Sun Pharma, please visit sunpharma.com/usa/.

ABOUT AMERICAN SKIN ASSOCIATION

A unique collaboration of patients, families, advocates, physicians, and scientists, ASA has evolved over nearly four decades as a leading force in efforts to defeat melanoma, vitiligo, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, and other skin diseases. Established to serve the now more than 100 million Americans  one-third of the U.S. population  afflicted with skin disorders, the organization's mission remains to: advance research, champion skin health, particularly among children, and drive public awareness about skin disease. ASA is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization. For more information, visit americanskin.org.

American Skin Association has earned Candid's 2026 Seal of Platinum Transparency and the Four-Star Rating from Charity Navigator.

SOURCE American Skin Association
GLOMO shortlist and Mobile News Awards win reflect growing industry alignment around transparent, data-driven device management

LONDON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Apkudo today announced recognition in two prominent industry award programs. The Apkudo Device Passport was shortlisted for the GLOMO Award for Best Digital Tech Breakthrough at MWC Barcelona 2026, a category recognizing the most innovative digital technology products. Separately, Apkudo's Diagnostic SDK was named Innovative Product at the Mobile News Awards 2026, a win that reflects the SDK's real-world impact on how businesses assess and process connected devices at scale.

Mobile News Awards Winner Innovative Product

The secondary device market is under pressure. Regulatory mandates are tightening, circular economy expectations are rising, and supply chain participants are still making high-stakes decisions based on fragmented data and inconsistent grading. Apkudo is building the digital infrastructure to change that, and the industry is taking notice.

The two recognitions span different dimensions of Apkudo's platform. The Device Passport Platform creates a unified, verifiable record for every device across its entire lifecycle, replacing fragmented, siloed data that erodes margins and trust throughout the secondary market.

The Diagnostic SDK is a key source of data capture that feeds the passport, is deployable directly within customers' trade-in, insurance, and support workflows, and brings Device AI models from the warehouse directly to consumer workflows. An assessment captured through the SDK is appended to the device's passport, creating a continuous, ground-truth data record that follows the device wherever it goes.

"This recognition reflects something bigger than product milestones," said Chad Gottesman, President of Apkudo. "The market is moving toward accountabilityfor device condition, for data integrity, and for environmental impact. We've been building toward this moment for years, and it's meaningful to see that work validated by independent industry organizations on a global stage. Our focus remains on giving every ecosystem player the tools to operate with confidence and compete on truth rather than guesswork."

The timing is significant. Regulatory frameworks like the EU Digital Product Passport are moving from concept to compliance requirement, creating urgency for businesses that have historically relied on informal or inconsistent standards. Apkudo's platform is designed to meet that moment, not as a point solution, but as the critical digital infrastructure that makes compliance, profitability, and sustainability mutually reinforcing rather than competing priorities.

For customers, the awards add a layer of independent validation to a platform they are already using to drive measurable outcomes: higher residual device values, faster processing throughput, and the kind of auditable data trail that builds trust with downstream buyers and regulators alike.

About Apkudo

Apkudo is the Device Passport Platform for the connected device ecosystem. We capture and unify data from every program, transaction, and touchpoint across a device's lifecycle, creating a single, trusted Device Passport for every asset. For companies that manage, sell, or buy devices, this means a verified record they can act on: to restore buyer confidence, maximize value, and reduce risk at every decision point. Our unique advantage is data fidelity and veracity, built on precision-automated robotics that have processed millions of devices, generating objective, machine-verified data that no competitor can match. To learn more, visit apkudo.com.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Apkudo

Kristen Barry

SVP, Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Apkudo
In the news release, Boyd Street Ventures Launches Boyd Street Capital and Appoints Board to Support $500M Platform Strategy, issued 31-Mar-2026 by Boyd Street Ventures over PR Newswire, we are advised by the company that the media contact has been made public. The complete, corrected release follows, with additional details at the end:

New governance structure strengthens institutional positioning and supports long-term platform scale

NORMAN, Okla., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Boyd Street Ventures ("BSV") today announced the formation of Boyd Street Capital, a new holding company structure designed to support the firm's evolution into a multi-platform investment and commercialization platform targeting $500M+ in assets under management.

The firm also announced the appointment of its inaugural Holding Company Board of Directors, bringing together leaders across healthcare, finance, and institutional governance to support capital formation, platform strategy, and long-term scale.

Boyd Street Ventures launches Boyd Street Capital and appoints board to support $500M+ platform strategy. Post this

The formation of Boyd Street Capital reflects the firm's transition from a single-fund manager into a vertically integrated investment platform spanning venture capital, venture studio execution, and sector-focused strategies.

"Boyd Street Capital represents the next phase of our evolution," said James Spann, Founder and General Partner of Boyd Street Ventures. "We are building a platform designed to identify overlooked innovation, support founders through execution, and deliver strong outcomes for investors. Establishing a highly experienced board strengthens the governance foundation required to scale this platform responsibly."

Establishing an Institutional Platform

Boyd Street Capital will serve as the holding company for the Boyd Street platform, overseeing venture funds, venture studio operations, intellectual property, and platform-level partnerships.

The structure centralizes governance, compliance, and investor engagement while supporting the firm's ability to scale across multiple investment strategies. It positions Boyd Street Ventures to better align with institutional investors, family offices, healthcare systems, and strategic capital partners.

As part of this platform, Boyd Street will continue to expand its HealthTech Platform Fund, a sector-focused investment initiative designed to accelerate the commercialization of healthcare innovation through integrated capital and operational support.

Inaugural Board of Directors

The Boyd Street Capital Board of Directors brings together leaders with deep experience across healthcare systems, institutional governance, financial oversight, and capital formation.

Major General Elder Granger, M.D. (Ret.)

Major General Elder Granger is a retired U.S. Army physician executive and nationally recognized healthcare leader. He previously held senior leadership roles within the Defense Health Agency, overseeing large-scale healthcare systems and policy initiatives. He currently serves as President and CEO of The 5Ps, LLC and has held board roles with organizations including Cigna (20082025), Defense Logistics Health, and Kaleo. Dr. Granger brings deep expertise in healthcare governance, system leadership, and institutional strategy to support Boyd Street Capital's health technology platform.

Dominique "Dom" Haskett

Dom Haskett is a private markets professional focused on capital formation, business development, and investment sourcing. He has worked with institutional investors, family offices, and strategic partners to support deal origination and fundraising across middle-market opportunities. He currently serves as President of the Dallas County Housing Finance Corporation, where he oversees initiatives supporting affordable housing across Dallas County. A U.S. Navy veteran, Mr. Haskett brings a disciplined, execution-oriented perspective and strong network to support Boyd Street Capital's institutional growth and capital strategy.

Tracy S. Harris

Tracy S. Harris is a seasoned financial executive and corporate director with extensive experience in governance, audit oversight, and institutional finance. She serves as Chief Financial Officer of Sunflower Services, PBC, and as an independent director of Bally's Corporation where she chairs the audit committee. She also serves on the board of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield. With more than two decades of leadership across public and private organizations, Ms. Harris brings deep expertise in financial strategy, risk management, and scaling organizations within institutional environments.

Jeff Gorman

Jeff Gorman is a globally experienced executive and strategic advisor with more than two decades of leadership across international markets, particularly in the Middle East. He is the founder and CEO of multiple advisory firms focused on sovereign advisory, geopolitical risk, and cross-border partnerships. His work has supported billions in international transactions across energy, infrastructure, and emerging technologies. With prior experience at General Electric and Raytheon, Mr. Gorman brings deep expertise in global markets, government relations, and strategic capital deployment.

Brian L. Cantrell

Brian Cantrell is a seasoned financial executive and board member with extensive experience in capital markets, energy, and corporate governance. He recently retired as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Alliance Resource Partners, where he served for nearly two decades. He currently serves on the Board of Directors and as Audit Committee Chair of Independence Power Holdings, Inc., and on advisory boards including Genisys Controls, Hydra Service, and Marine Development. Mr. Cantrell brings deep expertise in financial oversight, capital allocation, and institutional governance.

Board Observers

Boyd Street Capital's Board Observers provide specialized healthcare sector expertise, institutional networks, and operational experience that strengthen the firm's governance framework and support its health technology portfolio companies.

Brigadier General (Ret.) Shan K. Bagby, DMD, MHA, FACHE

Brigadier General Shan K. Bagby is a healthcare executive with more than three decades of military and healthcare leadership experience. He served as Chief of the U.S. Army Dental Corps and commanded Brooke Army Medical Center, the Department of Defense's largest medical center and only Level I trauma center. Following his military career, he led care model innovation at Cityblock Health, an Alphabet-backed company. He currently chairs the University Health Foundation Board and serves as an advisor to Army Medical Command.

Patrick Brown

Patrick Brown is a senior healthcare executive serving as Senior Vice President at Surgical Partners, where he focuses on physician partnerships, clinical operations, and strategic growth initiatives. He brings extensive experience working with healthcare providers and operating companies to improve performance, expand service lines, and align stakeholders across complex healthcare systems. Mr. Brown provides a strong operational and provider-network perspective to support Boyd Street Capital's healthcare strategy and portfolio company growth.

Supporting the Platform Strategy

Boyd Street Ventures' platform integrates venture capital investment with operational execution through its venture studio model and sector-focused strategies.

The platform includes:

Boyd Street Ventures Fund I, an early-stage venture fund investing across healthcare, fintech , infrastructure technology, and life sciences

, infrastructure technology, and life sciences The Venture Studio by BSV which provides commercialization and operational support to portfolio companies

The HealthTech Platform Fund, a dedicated strategy focused on accelerating healthcare innovation and commercialization

Together, these initiatives enable Boyd Street to identify promising technologies, support execution, and scale companies positioned to deliver strong venture outcomes.

About Boyd Street Capital

Boyd Street Capital is an integrated investment platform operating under its Mission 2030 strategy, combining venture capital, a venture studio, and sector-focused funds to build and scale high-growth companies. The platform partners with founders, health systems, and strategic institutions to accelerate commercialization, de-risk execution, and drive superior exit outcomes.

Boyd Street Ventures (BSV), the firm's early-stage venture arm, invests in under-the-radar companies across healthcare, life sciences, fintech, and infrastructure technology. Through its venture studio model and strategic ecosystem partnerships, BSV supports company formation, go-to-market execution, and scalable growth.

Together, the platform is designed to deliver consistent, above-market returns through a disciplined, operationally driven approach to venture investing.

For institutional investors, strategic partners, and healthcare organizations interested in Boyd Street Capital's platform, please contact the team at the information below.

Media Contact

Eliza McCloy

Investor Relations

Boyd Street Capital

[email protected]

SOURCE Boyd Street Ventures
MINNEAPOLIS, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Boyer & Associates announced today that it has earned Microsoft's new Support Services designation.

This designation recognizes top partners for outstanding customer support and was formally unveiled at Microsoft's Ignite conference last November. Microsoft is calling the new designation "a differentiator for partners demonstrating support excellence."

Microsoft Solution Partner Designation for Support Services (CNW Group/Boyer and Associates)

"For us, this designation is a big deal, and it confirms that we've been building Client Care on the right path all along," said Travis Hockert, Director of Client Care at Boyer. "It shows that Microsoft recognizes the things that matter most to us: Building strong and experienced teams, surrounded by solid processes that leverage modern, AI-capable case management will lead to incredible results and satisfied customers. It's a very proud moment to see Microsoft recognize what our customers already experience every day."

Before adding the support certification, Microsoft traditionally recognized top partners through six core Solutions Partner designations as part of their AI Cloud Partner program. Boyer already holds two of these designations, in the areas of Business Applications and Modern Work. The addition of the Support Services designation further demonstrates the company's all-around expertise in the Microsoft ecosystem.

Boyer underwent a rigorous evaluation to prove its capabilities as a top-tier support partner for Microsoft solutions and earn the Support Services partner status. The process included a comprehensive third-party audit of Boyer's support procedures and tools, staff skills and performance metrics.

The designation audit specifically praised the company's "solid support team and a clear escalation procedure that allows the internal resolution of most cases, avoiding unnecessary escalations." This means Boyer resolves most customer issues in-house without needing to escalate to Microsoft, a testament to its expertise and efficiency.

The audit also verified Boyer's claim of high-quality support services. The company maintains a 97% customer satisfaction rating on customer-facing surveys and a 4.9 Google star rating, with customers frequently praising the responsive support.

"To me, this recognition is more than a badge  It's a promise," said Hockert. "The rigorous audit was a worthwhile endeavor because it shows our commitment to our customers. It's our promise to them that they can count on support that's structured, measured and, paired with our Premium Partner agreement, backed by top-tier access to Microsoft in the worst-case scenarios. We've built Client Care with the same level of quality and accountability that defines everything we do at Boyer."

As a designated partner for Support Services, Boyer now gains access to exclusive Microsoft benefits that directly enhance its customer support. Notably, Boyer will receive top priority for any support cases escalated to Microsoft on behalf of its clients, enabling faster responses and resolution of complex issues.

Boyer's new designation positions the company as a proven leader in customer support among Microsoft partners.

About Boyer & Associates

Boyer & Associates is a top Microsoft partner, implementing and supporting Microsoft business solutions including ERP, CRM, Power Platform, Microsoft 365 and AI. For more than 30 years, the Minneapolis-based company has focused on helping customers connect systems, automate tasks and scale operations with the Microsoft ecosystem.

A long-time support provider for Microsoft Dynamics, Boyer launched a comprehensive Managed Services & Support program in 2023. The company has continually enhanced the program to best serve its growing number of clients.

Today Boyer offers tiered managed support options coupled with packaged implementations designed to smooth the process of system upgrades and migrations.

For details on Boyer's support services, visit their website.

SOURCE Boyer and Associates
We Sell Restaurants' "WOW" Network Highlights Nearly Double the Industry Average of Women in Business Brokerage

PALM COAST, Fla., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- As more women pursue entrepreneurship and business ownership, some industries are seeing faster progress than others. In business brokerage, a field critical to helping entrepreneurs buy and sell businesses, women still represent just 17% of professionals, underscoring a long-standing gender gap.

At We Sell Restaurants, that dynamic is beginning to shift. Nearly 32% of the nation's largest restaurant brokerage franchise territories are now owned by women or women-led partnerships. The company is supporting this growth through its expanding network, WOW: Women of We Sell Restaurants.

We Sell Restaurants' "WOW" Network Highlights Nearly Double the Industry Average of Women in Business Brokerage. Post this

"Business brokerage hasn't always been an industry where women were well represented," said Robin Gagnon, Co-Founder and CEO of We Sell Restaurants. "What we are seeing now is more women stepping into ownership, building multi-unit businesses, and proving that success in this field comes down to expertise and execution."

The "WOW" network reflects a broader shift in how women are entering entrepreneurship-often through non-traditional paths with diverse professional backgrounds. The result is a growing community of women who are not only participating in business brokerage but actively reshaping it.

This momentum is not happening by chance, it starts at the top with woman in charge. Co-Founder and CEO, Robin Gagnon has helped shape both the brand and the franchising and business brokerage industry by building a model where performance and opportunity, rather than background, define success. A recognized leader in franchising, Gagnon serves on the Board of Directors for the International Franchise Association where she has held key roles including Chair of the Women's Franchise Committee and was Chair of the Franchisor Forum. She is also the recipient of the Crystal Compass Award, recognizing individuals who have made a lasting impact on the industry.

Women to Watch: Turning Opportunity into Ownership:

Across the We Sell Restaurants system, WOW members are translating opportunity into measurable success.

Brittney Gates has grown from an administrative role into a multi-unit owner and one of the brand's top-performing franchisees.

has grown from an administrative role into a multi-unit owner and one of the brand's top-performing franchisees. Debra and Samantha Sawyer, a mother-daughter team, have built a multi-unit ownership footprint and recently closed a seven-figure deal demonstrating the potential for long-term generational wealth.

a mother-daughter team, have built a multi-unit ownership footprint and recently closed a seven-figure deal demonstrating the potential for long-term generational wealth. Allison Gregory, expanded to a second territory within her first year while stepping into leadership roles with the broader brokerage community such as the Colorado Association of Business Broker Intermediaries and speaking roles with the International Business Brokers Association.

expanded to a second territory within her first year while stepping into leadership roles with the broader brokerage community such as the Colorado Association of Business Broker Intermediaries and speaking roles with the International Business Brokers Association. Andrea Szabo is helping drive the brand's expansion into Maryland.

"I started behind the scenes, learning how the business worked day by day," said Brittney Gates, Multi-unit franchise owner of We Sell Restaurants. "That experience gave me the confidence to step into ownership, and now I'm building something I never would have imagined at the start."

According to We Sell Restaurants 2025 FDD Item 19, franchisees earned $263,253 in gross commission income, and more than 50% of all franchisees brokered more than one-million-dollars in sales.*

For more information on franchise opportunities, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com/franchise.

About We Sell Restaurants

We Sell Restaurants is the nation's largest business broker franchise focused exclusively on the sale of restaurants, with 20 years of experience in helping buy, sell and lease hospitality locations. With 1,375 active listings, We Sell Restaurants and its franchisees have sold thousands of restaurants across the country and maintain a listing inventory of nearly $600 million online at their powerhouse restaurant for sale marketplace, including independent and restaurant franchises for sale. We Sell Restaurants is offering franchise opportunities for their brand in select market areas. For more information, visit www.wesellrestaurants.com.

*This information appears in Item 19 of our current FDD  please refer to our FDD for complete information on financial performance. Results may differ. There is no assurance that any franchisee will perform as well.

Media Contact: Jessica Cahill, Fishman Public Relations, (847) 945-1300, [email protected]

SOURCE We Sell Restaurants
DURHAM, N.C., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Baebies announced FDA 510(k) clearance and CLIA-waiver approval for the FINDER Flu A&B/SARS-CoV-2 Test, an ultra-rapid RT-PCR assay on the FINDER platform. This establishes FINDER as the first molecular point-of-care platform with multifunctional capabilities. The compact, automated system delivers PCR-quality results during the patient visit, with positives as early as 15 minutes and negatives in about 20 minutes, giving urgent care centers, emergency departments, clinics, and other decentralized settings the speed, ease of use, and reliability needed for better diagnostic decisions.

Baebies FINDER Flu A&B/SARS-CoV-2 Test Speed Speed FINDER is the first molecular point-of-care platform with both FDA 510(k) clearance and CLIA waiver, combining molecular testing with chemistry, coagulation, and immunoassay capabilities on a single multifunctional system. Simple, three-step workflow enables PCR-quality molecular testing at the point of care, with minimal hands-on time and without a need for complex lab infrastructure. The platform has also received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation for its anti-factor Xa coagulation test. Baebies FINDER logo

"For too long, testing in decentralized settings has been fragmented across multiple instruments," said Richard West, Founder and CEO of Baebies. "This clearance expands our opportunity in urgent care and other near-patient settings, and builds an installed base that can support our expanding menu of multifunctional assays. This milestone reflects the extraordinary work of our team and creates a scalable path to new revenue opportunities as additional tests are introduced."

Powered by digital microfluidics, FINDER combines ultra-rapid PCR with integrated sample preparation in a fully enclosed cartridge. Beyond this launch, Baebies is advancing a broader molecular menu spanning high-plex panels for pathogens detected from blood, urine, nasal and vaginal swabs, host-response transcriptomic assays, and quantitative PCR programs for HIV and HCV. That roadmap positions FINDER not simply as a fast PCR system, but as a more capable molecular platform built for real-world near-patient testing.

FINDER also extends beyond molecular. Baebies previously received FDA 510(k) clearance for the FINDER G6PD Test on an earlier version of the platform, and its FINDER Anti-Factor Xa Test received FDA Breakthrough Device Designation as the first point-of-care heparin monitoring assay. Together, these milestones establish FINDER as a multifunctional platform.

"Call it multimodal, multi-omic, or multifunctional, we have a robust pipeline across assay types," said Vamsee Pamula, PhD, Founder and President of Baebies. "FINDER is designed to deliver the speed and test menu breadth for single-visit diagnostic decisions, helping clinicians get patients the right care without sending them to multiple instruments."

Baebies is a diagnostics company headquartered in Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Baebies pioneered digital microfluidics, with 25+ million tests delivered globally. FINDER was awarded the ADLM Disruptive Technology Award. Driven by its mission Any Test, Anywhere, Everyone, Baebies is shaping a future where diagnostic testing is accessible everywhere, delivering better healthcare for everyone.

Media Contact:

Baebies PR

(919) 891-0432

[email protected]

SOURCE Baebies Inc.
Teams hit the ground, going door to door to make it ridiculously easy for residents to connect to ultra-fast fiber internet

CHARLOTTE, N.C., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Brightspeed, the nation's third-largest fiber broadband builder empowering families and businesses with multi-gig-speed internet service, today announced that its fiber network build is 60 percent complete in Virginia. Now, nearly 122,000 families and business owners across the state have access to the country's fastest internet service.*

The company's fiber network build is 100 percent complete in Chilhowie, Farmville, Fries, Front Royal, Marion and Victoria. Meantime, construction of the fiber network is well underway in dozens of Virginia counties including Rockbridge County where nearly 1,400 homes and businesses already have access to superfast Brightspeed Fiber Internet and once the build is complete nearly 4,600 locations in the communities of Brownsburg, Buena Vista, Glasgow, Lexington and Natural Bridge will be fiber-enabled.

"The launch of Brightspeed's fiber network marks a major step forward for Rockbridge County," said Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors Chairman David McDaniel. "Access to fast, dependable internet is essential to driving local growth, supporting workers, families and students and expanding possibilities for all residents. We know our residents have waited a long time to gain access to fiber internet service. With county contributions from ARPA funds and in partnership with Brightspeed, work is continuing this spring and summer to fill in gaps in our fiber network. This investment not only strengthens our communities today, but it also lays the groundwork for long-term success, future innovation and further expansion into the rural areas of our county through grant-funded development."

Connecting with the community door to door

With construction nearing completion in many communities, Brightspeed is shifting its focus to helping residents and businesses get connected. Brightspeed representatives are currently going door to door in Altavista, Axton, Barboursville, Blackstone, Bristol, Buena Vista, Charlottesville, Chilhowie, Collinsville, Concord, Crewe, Crozet, Farmville, Fries, Front Royal, Galax, Hillsville, Keswick, Lexington, Marion, Martinsville, Montpelier, Ridgeway, Rockville, South Boston, South Hill, Victoria, Weber City and Wytheville to inform residents about upcoming fiber service availability. Virginians can expect:

Who : Friendly, fully trained sales representatives wearing Brightspeed-branded apparel.

: Friendly, fully trained sales representatives wearing Brightspeed-branded apparel. What : Information about Brightspeed's fiber internet service, plan options and benefits.

: Information about Brightspeed's fiber internet service, plan options and benefits. Why: To help bridge the digital divide by expanding access to fast, affordable, and reliable internet in areas where quality options have historically been limited.

"This work goes beyond infrastructureit's about opening new doors for the communities we serve," said Tshacha Romeo, director of sales channel at Brightspeed. "With more neighborhoods across Virginia coming online, residents and small businesses can count on the fast, dependable connectivity they need to succeed. Our teams are on the ground every day, helping people understand that these new opportunities are available right in their own communities."

Leveraging state and federal investments

Brightspeed's expansion in Virginia is supported by both private investment and public funding partnerships. The company recently announced that Virginia awarded Brightspeed more than $16.6 million in federal Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) program funding** to augment its private investment in building its fiber network to reach another 3,500 locations in the state.

Additionally, Virginia awarded Brightspeed more than $2.7 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to give 976 Virginians access to high-speed connectivity they don't have today.

Once construction is complete, Brightspeed Fiber Internet will reach more than 200,000 homes and businesses statewide.

Check availability and get connected

Fast, reliable internet is more than convenient. It creates opportunity. Brightspeed's continued investment in Virginia helps ensure communities aren't left behind in today's digital economy.

Residents and businesses can check service availability and explore internet plans at www.brightspeed.com.

*As determined by HighSpeedInternet.com's 2025 Annual Service Provider Review

**Provisionally awarded pending approval by NTIA

About Brightspeed

Headquartered in Charlotte, N.C. and with assets and associated operations in 20 states, Brightspeed provides broadband and telecommunications services through a network platform capable of serving more than 7.3 million homes and businesses. Our nearly 4,000 employees are committed to building a future where more communities benefit from a more connected life, deploying a state-of-the-art fiber network and a customer experience that makes being connected as simple as it should be. For more information, please visit www.brightspeed.com.

SOURCE Brightspeed
Building Connections to Bridge Divides and Accelerate Decision Making

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Coleridge hosted its 6th Annual National Conference in Arlington, VA, from March 24-27. The event convened nearly 250 data experts, policymakers and thought leaders from 39 states and multiple Federal agencies to explore the transformative power of administrative data in shaping public policy. This year's theme Data Beyond Borders focused on the importance of collaborating across agencies, institutions, and sectors to build an interconnected infrastructure that makes data more actionable and impactful.

"The theme of this year's conference, Data Beyond Borders, captures something essential: data is at the center of everything, including AI," said Ahu Yildirmaz, President and CEO of Coleridge. "Yet, that data must be connected to result in true collaboration and impact. Policy decisions drawn from linked datasets are clearer and more powerful when borders are crossed, both literal and figurative."

In the opening plenary, moderated by Mark Zandi, Chief Economist at Moody's, panelists David Wilcox (Senior Fellow, Peterson Institute for International Economics and Director of US economic research at Bloomberg Economics), Cami Feek (Commissioner for the Employment Security Department (ESD) in Washington State), and Chris Kurz (Assistant Director Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System) shared insights on the current state of statistics, data, and AI in the U.S.

Rob Santos, the 26th Director of the U.S Census Bureau, moderated the subsequent plenary with Robert McGough (Chief Data Officer for the state of Arkansas), Erica Groshen (the 14th Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and Dominique Duval-Diop (Deputy Chief Data Officer and Acting Chief Data Officer, U.S. Department of Commerce). The panel of Federal and state data luminaries shared practical strategies for strengthening the evidence ecosystem to move toward impact.

The conference brought together a wide-reaching community, with rising participation from academic institutions, nonprofit partners, and local education agencies, alongside returning partners from state and Federal government. Together, the group built new connections and networks to strengthen learning and enable meaningful policy impact.

The conference underscored the importance of cross-organizational collaboration and advanced data integration strategies in driving meaningful impact. Discussions included:

The State of Statistics, Data, and AI in the United States

Infrastructure, Governance, and Tools Turn Data into Public Value

Building AI-Ready Data and Secure Enclaves

Administrative Data for Agile Evidence Building

Designing Effective Education-to-Workforce Data Systems

View the full Conference agenda

The Data Champion of the Year Award for 2026 was presented to the state of New Jersey and accepted by Stephanie Walsh, Assistant Director of the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers University, and Lesley Hirsch, Assistant Commissioner for Research & Information at the New Jersey Department of Labor & Workforce Development. Each year, the Award recognizes exceptional leadership in advancing data-driven innovation in the public sector.

"It's an honor to receive this recognition from Coleridge. The key to New Jersey's achievement is our partnership modelamong the agencies who collaborate to govern the New Jersey Statewide Data System (NJSDS) and with the John J. Heldrich Center for Workforce Development at Rutgers," said Hirsch. "We are grateful to Coleridge for the opportunities to network, collaborate, and learn and are inspired by the work of the other states and their partners. Finally, we hope our experience offers proof that our day-to-day efforts can have a real impact on the people we all serve."

About Coleridge

Coleridge is a nonprofit organization working with governments to ensure that data are more effectively used for public decision-making. Coleridge provides agencies with the opportunity to enhance their data literacy and collaborate within and across states to develop new technologies through the secure access and sharing of confidential microdata. Coleridge provides secure data enclave services to a diverse range of clients, including state government agencies, several federal agencies, and local governments, through the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF). The ADRF is a FedRAMP-authorized cloud-based platform that enables government agencies to link their longitudinal data with other states and agencies. To learn more, visit www.coleridge.us

Media contact: Nick Obourn, [email protected]

SOURCE Coleridge
Connect Trade delivers the next step in intelligent finance: AI that trades across a low-latency network of more than 20 brokers on a single, normalized integration.

CHICAGO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Connect Trade, the unified broker connectivity API for fintech platforms, today announced a comprehensive suite of AI-native capabilities. Using Connect Trade's new enterprise-grade remote Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, fintechs can connect users' retail brokerage accounts directly to AI models from any LLM provider, including those powering popular AI products like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity. Client platforms enjoy access to normalized, low-latency brokerage data and seamless trade execution across the Connect Trade broker network.

Connect Trade also released an OpenAPI specification compatible with today's leading AI coding tools, enabling platforms to generate broker integrations straight from the spec.

The announcement comes as AI platforms race to integrate financial data. Connect Trade closes a critical gap in intelligent finance by providing the infrastructure to connect AI agents to brokerage accounts at scale across a normalized, multi-broker network. Connect Trade empowers fintech platforms to deliver AI agents that read account balances, positions, and transaction history, place trades, cancel orders, and stream real-time market data across equities, options, and futures.

"AI that can see your portfolio but not trade it is only half the equation," said Jim Nevotti, a 20-year trading technology veteran and CEO of Connect Trade. "Connect Trade completes the picture. One integration lets fintech platforms put the AI models powering products like Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, and Perplexity to work directly with their users' brokerage accounts across more than 20 brokers. That's the infrastructure layer the market has been waiting for."

MCP SERVER EARLY ACCESS

Connect Trade's enterprise-grade remote MCP server enables AI platforms and fintech applications to access the functionality of the Connect Trade API through the MCP standard. The MCP server gives AI agents structured, permissioned access to brokerage accounts, trading functionality, and real-time market data through a single server-side integration. Connect Trade gives platforms the ability to configure agents that trade automatically or that require manual approval for each order.

Early access to the Connect Trade MCP server is available to qualified platforms. Interested teams can apply at connecttrade.com/contact. Developers ready to start building can get started at connecttrade.com/docs.

AI-NATIVE FROM THE GROUND UP

Most broker connectivity solutions are built for data access. Connect Trade is built for trading, which demands a higher standard of reliability, compliance, and real-time performance across every integration. Connect Trade's API is designed for the AI era:

OpenAPI specification compatible with Claude, ChatGPT, Gemini, GitHub Copilot, and Cursor, enabling AI coding tools to generate working broker integrations automatically





Fully normalized REST and WebSocket APIs across all supported brokers, giving AI agents a consistent data model regardless of which broker the user has connected





Real-time WebSocket streaming for orders, positions, account balances, market data, and options chains, the live data layer AI agents need to act with confidence





OAuth authentication across all brokers, so end users connect their accounts with a single click and no API keys or manual configuration





Complete llms.txt and llms-full.txt documentation, making Connect Trade one of the most AI-friendly broker connectivity APIs available

BROKER COVERAGE BUILT FOR TRADING

Connect Trade supports more than 20 brokers across the full spectrum of retail trading, from active trading platforms to major financial institutions. All integrations are compliance approved and built on official broker APIs. Connect Trade does not use screen scraping or reverse engineering.

Supported asset classes include equities, single-leg options, multi-leg options, and futures. Connect Trade delivers the broadest multi-asset class broker coverage available for AI agents and fintech platforms building trading-enabled experiences.

ABOUT CONNECT TRADE

Connect Trade is a unified broker connectivity API for fintech platforms, built by a team with deep roots in institutional and retail trading technology. One integration delivers real-time trading, market data, and account connectivity across more than 20 compliance-approved brokers, all built on sanctioned APIs and authorized broker partnerships. Connect Trade won Best Embedded Finance at the Benzinga Fintech Day 2025 awards and has been covered by MarketWatch, Yahoo Finance, Waters Technology, Traders Magazine, and Benzinga. Connect Trade is headquartered in Chicago, IL.

For more information, visit connecttrade.com.

For MCP early access, visit connecttrade.com/contact.

API documentation: connecttrade.com/docs

Media Contact:

Jim Nevotti, CEO

Connect Trade

Tel: 773.719.7927

[email protected]

SOURCE Connect Trade
The investment group includes experienced roofing & paving business owners from Mast Roofing & Construction, Nelson Roofing and Eco Paving, which operate across the US and Canada and actively use ContractorHUB within their organizations. Their involvement aligns industry insight with investment objectives, helping ensure the platform continues to support the operational realities of running contracting businesses as it scales.

"Having customers choose to invest in ContractorHUB is the strongest validation we could ask for," said Matt Parks, Founder and Chief Product and Innovation Officer of ContractorHUB. "They understand our customers' needs firsthand, and their involvement will ensure we are able to prioritize customer experience and value as we grow."

Unlike traditional contractor software, like CRMs and point-solutions, that fragment operations across disconnected tools, ContractorHUB functions as a central operating system for home service businesses, improving how leaders manage people, capital, pipeline, and execution within a single coordinated platform.

"As operators, we've experienced how most software underdelivers for contracting businesses," said Aaron Nelson, Partner of Nelson Roofing. "ContractorHUB is designed for how contractors should actually manage their business, the industry hasn't had an option like this before. This, along with an aligned vision, motivated us to partner with the Founders and accelerate ContractorHUB's impact on the sector."

ContractorHUB is currently operating in the United States and Canada through its Founders Beta, supporting a core group of contractor-led organizations that are actively shaping the platform's development. Current customers average between $5M$30M in annual revenue and have teams of 2050 employees. The founders are working directly inside customer operations, meeting weekly with beta participants to iterate on live workflows and prepare for a wider commercial launch.

The investment will support broader product delivery to SMB contractors across the United States and Canada who are currently underserved by existing software solutions. ContractorHUB expects to expand beyond roofing into additional home service verticals, including landscaping, later this year. The company remains focused on delivering modern, effective technology that helps contractors build stronger, more resilient businesses in their local markets.

For more information, visit https://contractorhub.app.

About ContractorHUB

ContractorHUB was built from firsthand experience to help small businesses run smarter, more human-centered organizations that give people back their most valuable assettime. It is an intelligent software platform that enables home service businesses to scale with confidence by centralizing everything they need in one place.

Media Contact:

Sarah Parks

Co-Founder, CEO

[email protected]

SOURCE ContractorHUB
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Dechert LLP announced today the addition of Shannon Reaves as a partner and co-chair of its national security practice group. Mr. Reaves brings almost two decades of experience in cross-border transaction reviews before the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) and Foreign Ownership, Control or Influence (FOCI) mitigation with the Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (DCSA). He joins Hrishikesh Hari as co-chair and will be based in the firm's Washington, D.C. office.

Shannon Reaves

"As the national security regulatory landscape grows increasingly complex, our clients are facing greater demand for sophisticated CFIUS and industrial security counsel than ever before, and Shannon's arrival could not be better timed to meet that need," said Mark Thierfelder, co-chair of Dechert. "His depth of experience advising clients on some of the most complex and high-stakes CFIUS transactions in the market, including deals valued in the tens of billions of dollars, speaks for itself. We are thrilled to welcome him to the firm."

"Shannon is exactly the kind of practitioner who elevates a practice group," said Hrishi Hari, co-chair of Dechert's national security group. "His practice focuses on transactional, compliance and investigations matters in the national security space and his track record representing clients, including sovereign wealth funds, across aerospace, defense, energy, financial services and beyond makes him an exceptional addition. I look forward to continuing to build the practice together."

Mr. Reaves has extensive experience advising clients on all phases of the CFIUS process, including advance transaction analysis, due diligence to identify potential national security concerns and guidance through CFIUS review and investigation processes. He regularly assists clients in assessing whether specific transaction structures fall under CFIUS jurisdiction, negotiating deal terms with government entities and preparing all necessary filings. Mr. Reaves also provides comprehensive counsel on FOCI mitigation and compliance matters before the U.S. Departments of Defense and Energy, with particular depth in negotiating mitigation agreements, including special security agreements, proxy agreements, security control agreements and FOCI board resolutions. Mr. Reaves has been consistently recognized by Chambers USA for International Trade: CFIUS Experts since 2020. Before joining Dechert, he practiced law at an international firm where he likewise focused on national security, CFIUS and compliance matters.

"I am excited to join Dechert and to work alongside Hrishi to grow the national security practice," said Mr. Reaves. "The firm's commitment to this space and its strong client base present a tremendous opportunity, and I look forward to continuing to counsel clients through the increasingly complex national security regulatory landscape."

Mr. Reaves is among more than 30 lateral partners Dechert has welcomed this year. Each has strengthened capabilities in the firm's steeples of excellence in litigation, investment management, finance and restructuring, capital markets and securitization, and mergers and acquisitions. The 2026 laterals have significantly expanded the firm's litigation platform, from the addition of a new accounting defense practice to strengthening our labor and employment, cyber, privacy, and AI and intellectual property teams.

Complementing these strategic hires, Dechert promoted 17 lawyers to partnership at the beginning of the year and has opened offices in Chicago, Dallas and Houston.

Major companies, governments and state-owned entities, private equity firms, investment funds and financial institutions turn to Dechert for transactional, compliance and investigations advice on rapidly evolving national security regulations. The practice has represented clients in hundreds of CFIUS reviews and FOCI mitigation negotiations across industries ranging from aerospace and defense to energy, telecommunications and financial services. With a diverse, multilingual team of lawyers, including former public officials, compliance officers and enforcement agents across the United States, Europe and Asia, the firm advises clients before CFIUS, DCSA, OFAC, BIS, DDTC, the DOJ, the UK Investment Security Unit and other enforcement authorities worldwide.

About Dechert

Dechert is the law firm that helps business leaders lead.

For more than 150 years, we have advised clients on critical issues  from high-stakes litigation to first-in-market transaction structures and complex regulatory matters. Our lawyers in commercial centers worldwide are immersed in the key sectors we serve  financial services, private capital, real estate, life sciences and technology.

Dechert delivers unwavering partnership so our clients can achieve unprecedented results.

Contact

Lauren Salvatore

Senior Coordinator, Public Relations

Dechert LLP

+1 212 649 8747

[email protected]

SOURCE Dechert LLP
STOCKHOLM, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Electrolux Group has decided to close its factory in Santiago, Chile, effective end of April 2026. A restructuring charge of approximately SEK 0.5 billion, of which SEK 0.2 billion is cash-related, will be reported as a negative non-recurring item affecting operating income for Region Latin America in the first quarter of 2026.

The decision follows a review of the cost competitiveness of the Santiago factory and will impact approximately 400 employees.

Electrolux Group in Chile will continue to offer innovative and cost-efficient products, sourced from other factories across the Group and external partners.

This is information that AB Electrolux is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact person set out below, on 31-03-2026 18:30 CET.

CONTACT:

For more information:

Ann-Sofi Jonsson, Head of Investor Relations & Sustainability Reporting, +46 73 035 1005

Maria Akerhielm, Investor Relations Manager, +46 70 796 3856

Henry Sjolin, Investor Relations Manager, +46 76 863 51 85

Electrolux Group Press Hotline, +46 8 657 65 07

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/electrolux-group/r/electrolux-group-ceases-manufacturing-in-chile,c4329567

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/1853/4329567/4018133.pdf Press release Chile March 31 2026 ENG

SOURCE Electrolux Group
The premium mixer brand expands distribution of its tropical-inspired Pineapple Ginger Beer and Classic Mojito Mix to retailers nationwide

Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer and Mojito will be expanding distribution this Spring nationwide, with Pineapple Ginger Beer expanding into Albertsons and Kroger, and Classic Mojito Mix growing availability nationwide in early summer.

Featuring thoughtfully sourced ingredients like Mexican Tahiti limes and Moroccan spearmint, Fever-Tree's Pineapple Ginger Beer and Classic Mojito Mix build on the brand's robust, globally-sourced flavor portfolio.

The expansion comes as  38% of U.S. consumers associate tropical flavors like pineapple with cocktails and rum-forward drinks surge, fueling demand for tropical mixer options.

CHICAGO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Craving a tropical escape this spring? Fever-Tree has you covered  no passport required. With the expanded nationwide rollout of two vibrant mixer favorites, Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mix, you can bring fresh, elevated twists to your at-home serves. Now available at a growing list of retailers nationwide, they're perfectly suited for spring entertaining.

Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mix

With more consumers seeking bar-quality drinks at-home, Fever-Tree is bringing its ingredient-led approach to one of the fastest-growing cocktail flavor trends. 2 Tropical fruit flavors are highly popular and continue to grow. Pineapple is among the top fruit flavors that consumers have tried and liked in alcoholic drinks (44% have tried and liked pineapple). Now, cocktail and mocktail drinkers can enhance cocktails at home with Fever-Tree, from pineapple mules to classic mojitos and even alcohol-free "No-Jitos."

"We know today's drinkers are gravitating towards tropical flavors, whether at the bar or at home and we wanted to deliver a solution that meets that demand," said Tracey Bien Schenck, Senior Director of Marketing, Non-Alc Brands, Molson Coors. "Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer and Classic Mojito Mix tap into that momentum, crafted with the quality of premium ingredients that define the brand and are designed to effortlessly elevate at-home cocktails, with or without alcohol."

Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer

Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer blends the brand's signature three varieties of ginger, pineapple and Mexican Tahiti lime to create a mixer designed for a tropical twist on the classic mule and tiki-forward cocktails. With layers of warm, spicy ginger balanced by tropical pineapple and finished with a hint of Mexican lime, it's the perfect companion for rum, vodka, tequila or a non-alcoholic spirit.

Sold in 200 ml glass bottle four-packs, Pineapple Ginger Beer builds on Fever-Tree's beloved ginger beer portfolio that has become the 3#1 ginger beer by value in the U.S. Crafted with naturally sourced pineapple, it delivers a vibrant, premium mixer designed to perfectly accompany the spirits it's paired with.

Pineapple Ginger Beer has received early honors within the industry, notably earning Double Gold at the 2025 SIP Awards and Gold ratings from distinguished judges at both the Beverage Testing Institute and New York International Spirits Competition (NYISC).

Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mix

Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mix combines sun-ripened Mexican Tahitian limes with Moroccan spearmint for a balanced cocktail, paired easily with rum for a mojito or a non-alcoholic spirit for a no-jito. Available in 750ml glass bottles and made with no artificial sweeteners and colors, it's an upgraded way for at-home hosts and cocktail enthusiasts to recreate one of America's most popular serves with ease.

Fever-Tree Pineapple Ginger Beer and Fever-Tree Classic Mojito Mix are available now at retailers across the U.S. Consumers can check where they can find Fever-Tree products near them at https://fever-tree.com/en-us/where-to-buy.

1 38% of U.S. consumers associate tropical flavors

2 Mintel, Trending Flavors and Ingredients in Alcoholic Beverages - US, 2025

3 Fever-Tree's distinct formula that has become the #1 ginger beer by value in the U.S.

About Fever-Tree

Fever-Tree is the world's leading supplier of premium mixers, crafted to elevate every drinking occasion. Founded in the U.K. in 2005 and launched in the U.S. in 2007, Fever-Tree has helped transform the mixer category with its belief that if three-quarters of your drink is the mixer, mix with the best. Sourcing the finest ingredients from around the globe, Fever-Tree offers a range of beverages for everyone, including Tonics, Ginger Beers, Ginger Ales, Sparklings, and Cocktail Mixers.

Since its launch, Fever-Tree has collected a vast number of awards, including the Best Selling & Top Trending Tonic Water for 11 consecutive years by Drinks International's surveys of the World's Best Bars.

In 2025, Fever-Tree partnered with Molson Coors Beverage Company to expand its U.S. presence and fuel growth nationwide. To learn more about Fever-Tree visit Fever-Tree.com .

About Molson Coors Beverage Company

For more than two centuries, Molson Coors has brewed beverages that unite people to celebrate all life's moments. From our core power brands Coors Light, Miller Lite, Coors Banquet, Molson Canadian, Carling, and Ozujsko to our above premium brands, including Madri Excepcional, Staropramen, Blue Moon Belgium White and Leinekugel's Summer Shandy, to our value brands, like Miller High Life and Keystone Light, Molson Coors produces many beloved and iconic beers. While Molson Coors' history is rooted in beer, it offers a modern portfolio that expands beyond the beer aisle as well, including flavored beverages like Vizzy Hard Seltzer, spirits and non-alcoholic beverages. Molson Coors also has partner brands, such as Simply Spiked, ZOA Energy, Fever-Tree, among others, through license, distribution, partnership and joint venture agreements. As a business, Molson Coors' ambition is to be the first choice for its people, its consumers and its customers, and Molson Coors' success depends on its ability to make its products available to meet a wide range of consumer segments and occasions. To learn more about Molson Coors Beverage Company, visit molsoncoors.com.

Media Contacts:

Molson Coors

Callie Craig, [email protected]

Zeno Group

Paisley Haddad, [email protected]

SOURCE Molson Coors Beverage Company
New addition to AI infrastructure supports agile AI development and sovereign European infrastructure demand

LUXEMBOURG, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Gcore , the global edge AI, cloud, network, and security solutions provider, today announced the launch of GPU Virtual Machines (VMs) on NVIDIA Hopper , delivering flexible, cost-efficient access to AI compute.

As AI development becomes more iterative and central to company functioning, organisations increasingly need infrastructure that can scale dynamically. Gcore's VMs with NVIDIA GPUs make high-performance computing more accessible to a broad range of customers.

This new addition to Gcore's AI infrastructure and software suite is launching first in Sines-3, Gcore's sovereign AI region in Portugal, as a response to growing demand for European-based AI infrastructure. GPU VMs provide access to the same NVIDIA Hopper GPUs with high-bandwidth NVIDIA Quantum InfiniBand networking as Gcore Bare Metal GPU Cloud, without requiring a long-term commitment to hardware. This flexible deployment model is ideal for use cases such as early/growth-phase AI startups looking for performant GPUs without the high fixed costs, EU R&D labs needing sovereign infrastructure for burst PoCs and experiments, and research institutions seeking to run short-term, high-intensity fine-tuning runs on a budget.

Cutting idle costs without complexity

Some AI jobs require the full power and always-on availability of dedicated bare metal clusters. Others need something more agile: compute that can be sized up or down quickly, used for a burst of experimentation, powered down when idle, and spun back up when the next training run begins. Gcore's new GPU VMs allow companies to match GPU capacity and cost to the stage of their project with precision.

One of the biggest advantages of GPU VMs is how they behave when they're not in use. When the instance is powered off, GPU billing pauses automatically. Volumes, IPs, and configuration remain intact, but the GPU meter stops running, so companies only pay for storage and IPs while paused.

When ready to start work again, teams can restart the VMs without needing to set up or reconfigure. They can flexibly use a single Hopper GPU, scale to two or four, or jump to an eight-GPU VM when their workload requires it.

Key product capabilities:

Reduces operational overhead: Power VMs off when idle and resume instantly, eliminating the need to redesign workflows.

Power VMs off when idle and resume instantly, eliminating the need to redesign workflows. Creates flexible, cost-efficient compute: Adjust GPU capacity as workloads scale without committing long-term to a dedicated server.

Adjust GPU capacity as workloads scale without committing long-term to a dedicated server. Maintains trusted infrastructure: Benefit from the same AI infrastructure as Gcore Bare Metal GPU instances, including high-bandwidth InfiniBand networking.

Part of a larger AI infrastructure roadmap

Gcore GPU VMs are the latest expansion of Gcore GPU Cloud, which already includes Bare Metal GPUs and Spot Bare Metal GPUs (a cost-saving option where capacity becomes available when there is spare capacity in a region). Customers can combine and switch between these GPU solutions in the Gcore Customer Portal for precision and flexibility over how their GPU compute is paid for and used.

Seva Vayner, Product Director, Cloud Edge & AI at Gcore, comments: ''This launch reflects Gcore's mission to democratise access to AI and connect the world to AI anytime, anywhere. Whether you're an early/growth-phase AI startup, a SMB looking for performant GPUs without the high fixed costs, an EU R&D lab needing sovereign infrastructure for burst experiments, or a research institution seeking to run short-term, high-intensity fine-tuning on a budget, Gcore GPU VMs deliver the flexibility and cost efficiency you need.''

To deploy a GPU VM workload on Gcore with just 3 clicks, click here . For more information on how to scale AI workloads without compromising on compute price, speak to the Gcore team .

About Gcore

Gcore is a global provider of infrastructure and software solutions for AI, cloud, network, and security, headquartered in Luxembourg. Operating its own sovereign infrastructure across six continents, Gcore delivers reliable, ultra-low latency performance for enterprises and service providers. Its AI-native cloud stack enables organizations to build, train, and scale AI models seamlessly across public, private, and hybrid environments, while integrating AI, compute, networking, and security into a single platform for mission-critical workloads.

Logo : https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2527184/5890277/Gcore_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Gcore
Company to build 260 MW BESS to meet growing energy needs

ATLANTA, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Georgia Power recently started construction on a new 260 megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) in Jefferson County, Ga. just outside of the City of Wadley. The project, approved by the Georgia Public Service Commission (PSC), is located beside the existing third-party owned Wadley solar facility and near existing transmission infrastructure. The new Wadley BESS is a company-owned asset that strengthens the grid and the area's growing renewable energy resources.

Pictured from left to right: Lisa Hopper, Georgia Power Area Manager; Sheriff Gary Hutchins, Jefferson County Sheriffs Office; Commissioner Gonice Davis, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners; Chairman Mitchell McGraw, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners; Dwayne Flowers, City of Wadley Administrator; Mayor Pro Tem John Tubby Maye, Wadley City Council; Commissioner Rodney McKinnie, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners; Mayor Harold Moore, City of Wadley; Councilman James Cunningham Jr., Wadley City Council; Commissioner William Toulson, Jefferson County Board of Commissioners; Jerry Coalson, Jefferson County Administrator; Kerry Bridges, Georgia Power Region Executive

Members of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners, the Wadley City Council, and other community partners joined Georgia Power leaders to break ground on the project, underscoring the strong partnerships that will help bring this project to life. The event spotlighted not only the importance of the project but also the lasting economic impact and benefits it will bring to Jefferson County.

"On behalf of the Jefferson County community, we welcome this Georgia Power project," said Mitchell McGraw, chairman of the Jefferson County Board of Commissioners. "We're so proud to have your investment in Jefferson County, and we hope for more in the future."

Designed to quickly dispatch stored energy over a four-hour period, the 260 MW system will strengthen reliability and support the growing mix of renewable resources on Georgia's electric system. At this battery and solar co-located facility, battery energy storage helps capture power generated by renewable resources to use during peak demand periods, such as on cold winter mornings. Battery energy storage helps capture renewable resources produced during periods when the demand for electricity is lower, to use when the demand is higher, such as on cold winter mornings. These projects help to address the state's growing power needs identified in the 2025 Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) in a cost-effective and strategic manner.

"At Georgia Power, our collaboration with the Georgia PSC and other stakeholders is key to making necessary investments for a reliable and resilient power grid," said Kerry Bridges, region executive for Georgia Power. "With the construction of the 260 MW BESS in Jefferson County, we are able to better serve our customers today and support Georgia's growth. As we expand our energy mix to include more renewable sources, these batteries will play an invaluable role in helping ensure reliability and flexibility, particularly when renewable sources are not available."

The Wadley BESS project, constructed by Burns & McDonnell, is expected to be completed in 2027.

Georgia Power adding BESS statewide

Across the state, Georgia Power is nearing completion of four new BESS facilities totaling 765 MW in Bibb, Cherokee, Floyd, and Lowndes counties, projects previously approved in the 2023 IRP Update.

Building on this momentum, the Georgia PSC approved the construction of nine new BESS facilities strategically placed on seven sites throughout the state, adding nearly 3,000 MW of additional planned storage. The sites were strategically selected based on deployment capabilities, including the opportunity to locate additional resources at existing company plant sites, existing company-owned land, and proximity to substations or current company facilities. New BESS facilities include locations at Plants Bowen, Hammond, McIntosh, Wansley and Yates and stand-alone locations in Hall and McDuffie counties.

To support the increasing demand for renewable energy, the company is also planning two new state-of-the-art solar systems paired with battery storage for a combined capacity of 350 MW. These projects are designed to maximize high solar irradiance, while minimizing land disturbance. New solar + BESS projects include locations in Laurens and Dougherty County.

About Georgia Power

Georgia Power is the largest electric subsidiary of Southern Company (NYSE: SO), America's premier energy company. Value, Reliability, Customer Service and Stewardship are the cornerstones of the company's promise to 2.8 million customers in all but four of Georgia's 159 counties. Committed to delivering clean, safe, reliable and affordable energy, Georgia Power maintains a diverse, innovative generation mix that includes nuclear, coal and natural gas, as well as renewables such as solar, hydroelectric and wind. Georgia Power offers rates below the national average, focuses on delivering world-class service to its customers every day and the company is recognized by J.D. Power as an industry leader in customer satisfaction. For more information, visit www.GeorgiaPower.com and connect with the company on Facebook (Facebook.com/GeorgiaPower), X (X.com/GeorgiaPower) and Instagram (Instagram.com/ga_power).

Cautionary note regarding forward-looking statements

Certain information contained in this release is forward-looking information based on current expectations and plans that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking information includes, among other things, statements concerning the expected completion date for the Wadley BESS project. Georgia Power cautions that there are certain factors that can cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information that has been provided. The reader is cautioned not to put undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is not a guarantee of future performance and is subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside the control of Georgia Power; accordingly, there can be no assurance that such suggested results will be realized. The following factors, in addition to those discussed in Georgia Power's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025 and subsequent securities filings, could cause actual results to differ materially from management expectations as suggested by such forward-looking information: the ability to control costs and avoid cost and schedule overruns during the development, construction and operation of facilities or other projects due to challenges which include, but are not limited to, changes in labor costs, availability, and productivity, challenges with the management of contractors or vendors, subcontractor performance, adverse weather conditions, shortages, delays, increased costs or inconsistent quality of equipment, materials and labor, contractor or supplier delay, the impacts of inflation and trade policies (including tariffs and other trade measures) of the United States and other countries, delays due to judicial or regulatory action, nonperformance under construction, operating or other agreements, operational readiness, including specialized operator training and required site safety programs, engineering or design problems or any remediation related thereto, design and other licensing-based compliance matters, challenges with start-up activities, including major equipment failure, or system integration and/or operational performance, challenges related to future epidemic or pandemic health events, continued public and policymaker support for projects, environmental and geological conditions, delays or increased costs to interconnect facilities to transmission grids and increased financing costs as a result of changes in interest rates or as a result of project delays; legal proceedings and regulatory approvals and actions related to past, ongoing and proposed construction projects; the ability to construct facilities in accordance with the requirements of permits and licenses, to satisfy any environmental performance standards and the requirements of tax credits and other incentives and to integrate facilities into the Southern Company system upon completion of construction; and catastrophic events such as fires, including wildfires, land movement, earthquakes, explosions, floods, high winds, tornadoes, hurricanes and other storms, solar flares, droughts, future epidemic or pandemic health events, wars, political unrest, or other similar occurrences. Georgia Power expressly disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking information.

SOURCE Georgia Power
TOKYO, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund and Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership through co-funding opportunities for research and development (R&D) targeting malaria, tuberculosis, neglected tropical diseases (NTDs), and other infectious diseases with pandemic potential.

The GHIT Fund has invested in the research and development of drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics to manage and address infectious diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and NTDs, which are highly prevalent in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Since its inception in 2013, the GHIT Fund has invested in more than 140 projects, with a cumulative investment amount of 40 billion yen, playing a leading role in advancing R&D and product development in the field of global health. TSRI is a government agency under Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation that promotes research and innovation by establishing the National Plan and Policy for Science, Research and Innovation (SRI) in Thailand, and allocating the SRI budget (Thailand RISE Fund) to government agencies, universities, research institutions, and other organizations in line with national strategies.

Key Areas of Collaboration Under the Partnership

Promotion of product development for drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics targeting malaria, tuberculosis, NTDs, and other infectious diseases with pandemic potential through co-funding opportunities for R&D projects conducted by Thai institutions or implemented in Thailand. Enhancement of research and innovation ecosystems in both Thailand and Japan, fostering further progress in infectious disease research and development. Facilitation of knowledge sharing and capacity building through joint workshops and collaborative networks focusing on NTDs and related infectious diseases.

Through this strengthened partnership, additional funding opportunities will be made available to Thai universities, research institutes, and companies, as well as to global research partners conducting project activities in Thailand. This partnership builds on Thailand's world-leading expertise in parasitic and infectious disease research, including malaria and NTDs. It represents more than a financial collaboration; by combining the expertise of both nations, it aims to significantly accelerate research and development and make meaningful contributions to solving global health challenges.

Moving forward, the GHIT Fund will continue to serve as a catalyst to connect the bridge among pharmaceutical companies, universities, and research institutions in Japan and abroad, further promoting partnerships that advance product development for malaria, tuberculosis, NTDs, and other infectious diseases.

About Co-Investment (Co-Funding) at the GHIT Fund

https://www.ghitfund.org/investment/coinvestment/en

About Thailand Science Research and Innovation (TSRI)

TSRI is a government agency under Thailand's Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation. TSRI aims to promote, support, and advance the national research and innovation system in science, technologies, social sciences, humanities, and interdisciplinary fields. These will help create a body of knowledge; develop public policies; and promote the applications of research and innovation for utilization in the economy and society for balanced and sustainable developments.

https://www.tsri.or.th

About the Global Health Innovative Technology (GHIT) Fund

The GHIT Fund is a Japan-based international public-private partnership (PPP) fund that was formed between the Government of Japan, multiple pharmaceutical companies, the Gates Foundation, Wellcome, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The GHIT Fund invests in and manages an R&D portfolio of development partnerships aimed at addressing neglected diseases, such as malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases, which afflict the world's vulnerable and underserved populations. In collaboration with global partners, the GHIT Fund mobilizes Japanese industry, academia, and research institutes to create new drugs, vaccines, and diagnostics for malaria, tuberculosis, and neglected tropical diseases.

https://www.ghitfund.org/

For more information, contact:

Nancy Moss at +1-908-606-8940 or [email protected]

Eriko Mugitani at +81-36441-2032 or [email protected]

SOURCE GHIT Fund
HYDERABAD, India, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- According to the latest research report published by Mordor Intelligence, the green technology market is experiencing rapid expansion as governments and businesses prioritize sustainability and low-carbon innovation. The green technology market size is estimated at USD 36.24 billion in 2026, growing from USD 29.45 billion in 2025, and is projected to reach USD 102.26 billion by 2031, registering a CAGR of 23.05% during the forecast period (20262031).

This strong green technology market growth is driven by rising investments in renewable energy, energy-efficient infrastructure, smart grids, and low-carbon technologies. Governments across the world are introducing policies aimed at reducing emissions, while private companies are integrating sustainable solutions into their operations. These developments are shaping the green technology industry, positioning it as a key pillar in the global transition toward environmentally responsible economic growth.

Green Technology Market Growth Drivers and Industry Adoption

Policy Pressure Accelerating Sustainable Technology Adoption

Stronger climate regulations and carbon pricing mechanisms are pushing industries to adopt cleaner and more transparent production practices. European sustainability rules are expanding environmental requirements across a wide range of products, making eco-friendly design and monitoring systems increasingly necessary. At the same time, exporters in several Asia-Pacific countries are upgrading manufacturing processes with digital tracking tools to meet stricter emissions reporting requirements. These changes are encouraging global supply chains to adopt common data frameworks and sustainability technologies, expanding opportunities for advanced green solutions.

"Green technology adoption continues to reflect measured, policy-aligned investment patterns across key industries, with growth shaped by regulatory clarity and capital discipline. This assessment is grounded in consistently validated data, structured triangulation, and a transparent research framework designed to support reliable executive decision-making," says Ashish Gautam, Senior Research Manager, Mordor Intelligence.

AI Integration Transforming Corporate Carbon Management

Companies are increasingly embedding AI-powered carbon tracking tools within enterprise management systems to monitor emissions across their operations. By connecting sustainability data directly with finance and operational dashboards, businesses can make quicker decisions about energy use, production schedules, and supplier choices. These digital tools help organizations evaluate the environmental impact of operational changes in real time, turning sustainability from a reporting task into a core part of strategic planning. As more firms adopt these integrated platforms, demand for advanced environmental technology solutions continues to rise.

Green Technology Market Segmentation Analysis

By Component

Solutions

Services

By Technology

Internet of Things (IoT)

Artificial Intelligence and Analytics

Digital Twin

Cloud Computing

Blockchain

Other Emerging Technologies

By Application

Green Building

Carbon Footprint Management

Air and Water Pollution Monitoring

Weather Monitoring and Forecasting

Crop Monitoring

Others

By End-user Industry

Energy and Utilities

Manufacturing

Transportation and Logistics

Agriculture

Construction and Real Estate

IT and Telecom

Government and Public Sector

Other Industries

By Geography

North America United States Canada Mexico

South America Brazil Argentina Rest of South America

Europe Germany United Kingdom France Italy Spain Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific China India Japan South Korea Australia and New Zealand Rest of Asia-Pacific

Middle East and Africa Middle East Saudi Arabia United Arab Emirates Turkey Rest of Middle East Africa Nigeria South Africa Egypt Rest of Africa



For a full breakdown of market size, segmentation data, and competitive intelligence, access all details of the Mordor Intelligence report: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/green-technology-market?utm_source=prnewswire

Green Technology Market Growth Across Key Regions

North America remains a major hub for sustainable technology adoption, supported by strong government incentives and active private investment. Companies in the United States are integrating carbon management tools into enterprise software systems, while Canada is applying similar solutions to track emissions across manufacturing supply chains. Mexico is also advancing environmental monitoring practices within its export-oriented industrial zones, reflecting broader regional efforts to align with sustainability regulations.

The Asia-Pacific region is witnessing particularly rapid momentum as industrial growth combines with stricter environmental policies. Countries such as China and India are encouraging companies to adopt digital monitoring technologies to support sustainability goals, while Japan and South Korea are investing in smart infrastructure and connected urban systems. These initiatives are accelerating the deployment of advanced environmental technologies across industries.

Key Players Shaping the Green Technology Market

The green technology market share is moderately competitive, with global technology companies and sustainability solution providers investing heavily in research and innovation. Key companies operating in the green technology industry include:

General Electric

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Siemens AG

Schneider Electric SE

Oracle Corporation

ABB Ltd.

Tesla Inc.

Vestas Wind Systems

Enel S.p.A.

Explore more insights on green technology competitive landscape: https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/green-technology-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire

Check out related reports published by Mordor Intelligence:

Smartwatch Market Forecast - The smartwatch market is projected to grow from 230.73 million units in 2025 and 279.39 million units in 2026 to 726.73 million units by 2031, registering a 21.07% CAGR between 2026 and 2031. Market expansion is driven by rising demand for health monitoring devices, increasing adoption of wearable fitness technology, and growing integration with smartphones and digital health platforms.

Apple Inc., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd, Garmin Ltd, Fitbit Inc., and Fossil Group Inc. are the major companies operating in this market.

Read more about companies active in the smartwatch market:

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/smartwatch-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire

Augmented Reality Market Outlook - The augmented reality market is expected to expand from USD 99.81 billion in 2025 and USD 125.11 billion in 2026 to USD 387.23 billion by 2031, growing at a 25.35% CAGR during 20262031. Increasing use of AR in gaming, retail visualization, healthcare training, and enterprise applications is driving adoption, along with advancements in AR hardware and immersive digital experiences.

Microsoft Corporation, Meta Platforms Inc., Apple Inc., Qualcomm Technologies Inc., and Google LLC (Alphabet) are the major companies operating in this market.

Read more about companies active in the augmented reality market:

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/augmented-reality-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire

Natural Language Processing Market Trends - The natural language processing market is projected to grow from USD 39.37 billion in 2025 and USD 47.37 billion in 2026 to USD 117.57 billion by 2031, registering a 19.94% CAGR between 2026 and 2031. Growth is fueled by the rising use of AI-powered chatbots, voice assistants, sentiment analysis tools, and increasing enterprise adoption of conversational AI solutions.

Microsoft Corporation, SAS Institute Inc., IBM Corporation, Google LLC (Alphabet), and NVIDIA Corp. are the major companies operating in this market.

Read more about companies active in the natural language processing market:

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/natural-language-processing-market/companies?utm_source=prnewswire

About Mordor Intelligence

Mordor Intelligence is a trusted partner for businesses seeking comprehensive and actionable market intelligence. Our global reach, expert team, and tailored solutions empower organizations and individuals to make informed decisions, navigate complex markets, and achieve their strategic goals.

With a team of over 550 domain experts and on-ground specialists spanning 150+ countries, Mordor Intelligence possesses a unique understanding of the global business landscape. This expertise translates into comprehensive syndicated and custom research reports covering a wide spectrum of industries, including aerospace & defense, agriculture, animal nutrition and wellness, automation, automotive, chemicals & materials, consumer goods & services, electronics, energy & power, financial services, food & beverages, healthcare, hospitality & tourism, information & communications technology, investment opportunities, and logistics.

For any inquiries, please contact:

[email protected]

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/contact-us

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2746908/Mordor_Intelligence_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Mordor Intelligence Private Limited
New platform grants financial institutions access to digital asset trading, custody, and brokerage services through a single regulated offering

DUBAI, UAE, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- HashKey MENA today announced the launch of HashKey Pro, a new institutional-grade, full-service platform designed to help brokers, banks, asset management firms, and other professional institutions access digital asset trading and custody through a regulated, secure, and operationally robust framework.

HashKey Pro combines key institutional services in a single platform, including order book trading, OTC request-for-quote trading, custody, omnibus account support, and API connectivity. The platform is built to meet the needs of institutions seeking more reliable infrastructure for entering and scaling in digital asset markets.

HashKey Pro is designed to give institutions access to both on- and off-ramp capabilities through fiat-to-digital-asset trading pairs, while also supporting larger block trades through an OTC interface that settles safely on-platform. The platform offers sophisticated account structures and brokerage support tailored to professional firms managing client flows or institutional capital.

"Institutions do not need another retail-style crypto venue dressed up for professional users. They need infrastructure that reflects how institutional markets actually operate," said Ben El-Baz, Managing Director of HashKey MENA. "HashKey Pro was designed to meet that need. It combines regulated market access, custody, professional account structures, and technical connectivity in a single, institutional-grade platform."

HashKey Pro's launch marks another step in HashKey MENA's broader effort to build institutional-grade digital asset infrastructure in the UAE and the wider region. The platform is designed for firms that require high service standards, operational flexibility, and regulatory clarity as they expand their digital asset capabilities.

Built for Institutional Workflows

A core part of the offering is HashKey Pro's Omnibus Account structure, which is intended to support brokers, banks, and asset managers serving their own end clients. Under this model, investors open accounts directly with their financial institution, which in turn maintains an omnibus account with HashKey Pro and routes trading and custody activity through the platform.

In addition to trading and custody, HashKey Pro also provides:

Institutional-grade API solutions for trading and customer management

FIX protocol support, including versions 4.4 and 5.0 SP2 with drop-copy functionality

REST API and WebSocket access for seamless integration

Dedicated 24/7 customer support

Regulated, Secure, and Built for Scale

Hashkey Pro emphasizes security and risk controls. The platform offers fully insured custody, dual ISO 27001 and ISO 27701 certifications, and vault management protections, including protection for long-term hot wallet assets with HSM FIPS 140-2 Level 3 security standards.

HashKey Pro is offered by HashKey MENA FZE, which is licensed by Dubai's Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a Virtual Asset Service Provider to conduct Exchange Services and Broker-Dealer Services.

"Institutional digital asset adoption hinges on trust in the underlying infrastructure," added El-Baz. "HashKey Pro was built to give professional firms the security, operational rigor, and regulatory clarity they need to participate seriously in digital asset markets."

HashKey MENA said HashKey Pro will continue to expand its product offering over time to include additional financial products.

About HashKey MENA

HashKey (MENA), the flagship business under HashKey Group, offers licensed crypto asset trading services through its operating entity, HashKey MENA FZE, which is licensed by the Dubai Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority (VARA) as a Virtual Asset Service Provider (VASP Reference: VL/25/03/002). The license allows HashKey MENA FZE to provide:

VA Exchange Services: Limited to offering virtual asset (VA) spot trading, serving Retail Investors, Qualified Investors, and Institutional Investors. VA Broker-Dealer Services: Limited to offering virtual asset (VA) OTC trading, serving Retail Investors, Qualified Investors, and Institutional Investors.

HashKey MENA complies with all applicable laws and regulations and does not service users from Hong Kong, United States, Mainland China, and certain other jurisdictions. Additionally, certain services, features, or campaigns may not be available in your jurisdiction.

https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946506/HashKey_Pro.pdf

SOURCE Hashkey MENA
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

CCC Senator Jameson Zvidzai Timba, who also serves as Convenor of the Defend the Constitution Platform (DCP), has condemned the alleged abduction of Bindura State University student Tafara Magodora, who was reportedly taken by unknown men driving a white twincab vehicle."We are gravely concerned by the reported abduction of Tafara Magodora, a student of Bindura State University, who was allegedly taken by unknown individuals in a white twin cab from a bus stop," Timba said.He said reports indicated that Magodora had been involved in lawful civic mobilisation, encouraging fellow students to defend the Constitution."If this is true, then his abduction represents a dangerous escalation in the use of fear and coercion to silence citizens - particularly young people - who are exercising their constitutional rights," he said.Timba said such actions were unacceptable and violated the basic principles of constitutionalism and human dignity."No citizen, and certainly no student, should be targeted, abducted or disappeared for peacefully expressing views or participating in public affairs," he said.He called on authorities to urgently account for Magodora's whereabouts and safety."I call upon the authorities to act immediately and transparently to urgently account for the whereabouts and safety of Tafara Magodora, to ensure his immediate release if he is in any form of detention, to guarantee access to legal representation and family, to launch a swift and credible investigation into this abduction, and to hold all those responsible fully accountable."Timba warned that Zimbabwe could not continue on a path where citizens are seized in broad daylight for holding lawful views."That path leads away from democracy and towards lawlessness," he said.He urged students, churches, labour, civil society and democratic actors to remain vigilant."The targeting of students is particularly troubling - it signals an attempt to intimidate an entire generation into silence," he said."We stand in full solidarity with Tafara Magodora, his family and the student community. Zimbabwe belongs to its people - not to fear."
All three trim levels feature drive modes, cruise control and expanded capability

Pioneer 1000 Elite becomes Honda's first fully enclosed side-by-side and the first Honda side-by-side equipped with a factory-integrated HVAC system

ALPHARETTA, Ga., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship multipurpose side-by-side platform with a complete overhaul of the Pioneer 1000 lineup, highlighted by two all-new Deluxe trims. In addition, Honda is confirming the all-new Pioneer 1000 Elite. Scheduled to arrive at dealers in late 2026, the Elite is Honda's first side-by-side to come with a fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin and HVAC system, adding a new level of comfort and convenience to the Pioneer lineup.

Honda celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship multipurpose side-by-side with an overhaul of the Pioneer 1000. Post this 2026 Honda Pioneer 1000-4 Deluxe 2026 Honda Pioneer 1000 Elite

Guided by the motto "Work Comfortably, Play Comfortably," the Pioneer 1000 lineup combines jobsite capability with trail-ready performance, introducing significant upgrades to comfort and convenience that make every task easier and every ride more enjoyable. Across the lineup, comprehensive refinements to vehicle design help reduce cockpit heat and noise, while the adoption of throttle-by-wire technology enhances overall drivability and enables advanced features such as cruise control and a variable speed limiter. Meanwhile, the Pioneer 1000 Elite's fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin delivers a new level of year-round comfort.

"For 2026, we took a hard look at what our customers rely on the Pioneer 1000 to do every daywhether that's putting in long hours on the jobsite or heading out for a good time on the trail," said Colin Miller, Manager of Experiential Marketing at American Honda. "With the addition of a throttle-by-wire system, new drive modes and the Pioneer 1000 Elite's fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin, we've enhanced drivability, comfort and convenience across the lineup, while maintaining the durability, capability and quality our customers expect. The result is a Pioneer 1000 family that truly delivers on our promise to help customers work comfortably and play comfortably."

Backed by Honda's legendary quality and reliability, all three 2026 Pioneer 1000 versions offer strong value and are proudly made in the USAplanned in Georgia, developed in Ohio, and produced in Timmonsville, South Carolina, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2026 Pioneer 1000 Deluxe

For the new model year, the three-seat Pioneer 1000 Deluxe and five-seat Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe benefit from comprehensive updates to styling, usability and driving refinement, highlighted by the adoption of throttle-by-wire technology that enhances shift precision and overall drivability while enabling advanced features like cruise control and a variable speed limiter, giving users unprecedented control in work and recreational settings. A new Pro-Connect-compatible cargo bed enhances flexibility for carrying tools, materials and accessories, while reduced noise and heat improve comfort during long workdays and on extended trail rides. Additional refinements improve everyday usability and serviceability, including easier component access, expanded interior storage solutions and a more intuitive control layout. Proven Honda technologies remain at the core of the platform, including a Dual Clutch Transmission for smooth, reliable performance.

Colors: Hero Red; Black Forest Green; TrueTimber  Atera Camo

Atera Camo MSRP Pioneer 1000 Deluxe: $20,999 Pioneer 1000 Deluxe TrueTimber  Atera Camo: $21,799 Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe: $22,399 Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe TrueTimber  Atera Camo: $23,199

Available: May

Info

2026 Pioneer 1000 Elite

The all-new Pioneer 1000 Elite elevates the side-by-side experience with Honda's first fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin, delivering enhanced protection from the elements and year-round comfort for both worksites and trails. This premium configuration delivers comprehensive cabin sealing, a high-performance HVAC system and an exceptionally quiet driving experience. Engineers also prioritized overall vehicle balance and ride quality, with chassis and suspension developed specifically to accommodate the enclosed-cabin configuration. The Pioneer 1000 Elite further benefits from the full suite of platform updates introduced for 2026, including a throttle-by-wire system that enhances shift precision and overall drivability while enabling convenience-focused features like cruise control and a variable speed limiter.

Colors: Crimson Red; Cactus Green

MSRP: TBD

Available: Late 2026

Info

Editors: Additional information and assets can be found at HondaNews.com

About Honda Powersports

Honda began motorcycle sales in America in 1959, and today, offers a full range of Honda motorcycles, scooters, all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) and side-by-sides in the U.S. Innovative technology always has been a Honda trademark, showcasing pioneering engine and chassis design that has set the standard for excellence for more than 65 years. Honda also has announced plans for battery-electric powersports products. Honda Powersports products have been built in America for 45 years and today, all Honda side-by-sides and ATVs are made in America at Honda manufacturing plants in Timmonsville, S.C. and Swepsonville, N.C., using domestic and globally made parts. Learn more at https://powersports.honda.com.

More information about Honda is available in the Digital FactBook.

SOURCE American Honda Powersports
Dr. Weyerbacher's new leadership role is critical to fast-turnaround, high-impact strategy engagements

ORLANDO, Fla., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- inThought Research Inc., a leading provider of decision support for the life sciences industry, today announced the promotion of Dr. Amanda Weyerbacher from Director of Research to Executive Vice President of Projects and Operations. In this new role, Dr. Weyerbacher will lead project execution and oversee operational rigor. She will work with project leaders to maintain project quality and compliance, ensuring each client receives inThought's highest calibre decision support.

Ben Weintraub, President of inThought commented, "Dr. Weyerbacher is the key to inThought's ability to successfully execute opportunity assessments, licensing due diligence, launch planning, competitive positioning, life cycle management, and other fast-paced strategy projects."

Dr. Weyerbacher joined inThought in 2015 and has served as Director of Research since 2023. As a Senior Principal, she has led projects in oncology, immunology, and respiratory disease. Prior to inThought, she was a Senior Scientist at L'Oreal. She holds a PhD in Pharmacology from Weill Cornell Medical College and is a graduate of Skidmore College. Dr. Weyerbacher notes, "I look forward to ensuring that inThought's extraordinary analysts have the tools they need to deliver first class strategic advice to all our clients."

About inThought

inThought Research empowers biopharma leaders with comprehensive strategic insights. We combine Wall Street financial acumen and swiftness, scientific and medical expertise, and advanced AI analytics to navigate the complex landscape of drug development. Our multidisciplinary approach integrates clinical data, market analytics, and stakeholder perspectives. Through inThought Labs, we combine cutting-edge technology with the work of our subject matter experts to transform complex data into actionable intelligence. For more information, please visit www.inthought.com.

Contact information

Doug Foster, Chief Operating Officer

(508) 414-9819

[email protected]

SOURCE inThought Research, Inc.
The QKS Group SPARK Matrix provides competitive analysis & ranking of the leading Enterprise AI Search vendors.

IntraFind, with its mature enterprise search platform (iFinder) and integrated generative AI capabilities through iAssistant and iHub, has been recognized for its strong focus on semantic search precision, rapid deployment, and enterprise-grade integration across complex data environments.

PUNE, India, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- QKS Group announced today that it has named IntraFind as a leader in the SPARK Matrix: Enterprise AI Search, 2025.

Amandeep Singh Khanuja, Practice Director & Principal Analyst at QKS Group, states, "IntraFind has a distinct position in the enterprise AI search market, built on an NLP and linguistics foundation that gives iFinder's retrieval layer more depth than most RAG entrants. The iFinder and iAssistant stack are tightly coupled, with iAssistant generating responses directly from iFinder's indexed content using RAG, ensuring outputs remain grounded in authorized enterprise data. Access controls are enforced through early binding at index time, ensuring users only surface content they are permitted to see. The platform demonstrates strong capabilities in indexing diverse, enterprise-scale data sources, complemented by fine-grained, permission-aware access controls and flexible deployment across on-premises, cloud, and hybrid environments, making it well suited for complex and security-sensitive use cases.""

QKS Group defines Enterprise AI Search as an advanced information retrieval technology that leverages artificial intelligence to enable precise, context-aware searches across an organization's diverse data-sources including documents, databases, CRMs, CDPs, emails, intranets, and more. It employs sophisticated indexing, natural language processing, semantic understanding, and personalization techniques to swiftly surface relevant information. It directly addresses challenges related to inefficient information discovery, time-consuming manual searches, fragmented data environments, and ineffective knowledge utilization. By reducing the time employees spend searching for information, it significantly enhances organizational productivity, accelerates decision-making, and fosters agility in responding to business opportunities.

IntraFind positions itself as a mature enterprise AI search provider by combining strong linguistics-driven semantic search capabilities with an integrated retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) and GenAI stack tailored for complex enterprise environments. Through its iFinder platform, the company delivers high-precision search across structured and unstructured data, leveraging advanced NLP, entity recognition, and support for a wide range of enterprise content formats, while ensuring strict permission-aware access control. iAssistant builds on this foundation by enabling grounded generative AI experiences, including contextual answers, summaries, and document-level insights, while allowing organizations to retain control over model selection and deployment. Complementing this, iHub extends capabilities into broader enterprise GenAI use cases within a secure and flexible architecture. Backed by a consistent focus on organic innovation and deep domain expertise, IntraFind addresses enterprise requirements for accuracy, scalability, deployment flexibility, and controlled AI adoption across evolving enterprise AI search landscapes.

The QKS Group SPARK Matrix includes a detailed analysis of the global market dynamics, major trends, vendor landscape, and competitive positioning. The study also provides a competitive analysis and ranking of the Enterprise AI Search providers in the form of the SPARK Matrix. The study also provides strategic information for users to evaluate different vendor capabilities, competitive differentiation, and market positions.

Franz Kogl, CEO at IntraFind Software AG, states, "We are pleased to be recognized as a Leader in the SPARK Matrix: Enterprise AI Search 2025. This recognition confirms our commitment to delivering AI-powered search that combines performance with trust. We help organizations make knowledge across complex data landscapes accessible in a precise, secure, and efficient way. In our view, enterprise AI creates real value when semantic search, secure generative AI grounded in authorized enterprise data, robust access controls, and explainable answers work together seamlessly."

About IntraFind Software AG:

IntraFind Software AG is a specialist in enterprise search and artificial intelligence, headquartered in Munich. For more than 25 years, the software company has been helping public authorities and enterprises search, connect, and leverage unstructured and structured data from a wide variety of systems. To achieve this, IntraFind relies on modern AI and machine learning methods, including natural language processing and large language models (LLMs). The solution combines search with an AI chatbot to provide fast, context-aware access to information, even across large volumes of data, while meeting the highest standards of data protection, governance, and digital sovereignty. IntraFind's customers include large enterprises, hidden champions, and public-sector organizations.

For more information about IntraFind Software AG, please visit www.intrafind.com

Media Contacts:

Andrea Papperger

PR & Marketing Manager

IntraFind Software AG

Landsberger Strae 368

80687 Munich, Germany

Email: [email protected]

About QKS Group

QKS Group is a global analyst and advisory firm helping enterprises, technology vendors, and investors make trusted, data-driven decisions. Our portfolio spans the flagship SPARK Matrix evaluation framework, SPARK Plus analyst advisory platform, QKS Intelligence for market and competitive tracking, and QKS Community for CXO leaders and practitioners. All offerings are powered by a Human-Intelligence-driven framework and QKS's closed-loop research methodology - integrating expert-led insights, quantitative modeling, and continuous validation to deliver credible, outcome-focused intelligence.

For more available research, please visit Research

Media Contacts:

Shraddha Roy

PR & Media Relations

QKS Group

5th Floor, Wing 2, Cluster C,

EON Free Zone, Kharadi,

Pune, India

Email: [email protected]

Content Source: https://qksgroup.com/newsroom/intrafind-positioned-as-a-leader-in-the-spark-matrix-enterprise-ai-search-2025-by-qks-group-1628

Connect with us on LinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/qksgroup/

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2501519/QKS_Group_Logo.jpg

SOURCE QKS Group
BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Diversified Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and sub-advised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Sub-adviser"), announced today that it has successfully entered into a liquidity agreement (LA) with State Street Bank and Trust Company that allows it to borrow or otherwise access up to $48.0 million (maximum facility amount) through a line of credit, securities lending and reverse repurchase agreements. The addition of leverage is intended to provide the Fund with increased flexibility as it seeks to deliver diversified sources of income across a broad range of asset classes. The Fund intends to use leverage selectively to help enhance income potential and seek to expand the Fund's ability to identify and pursue compelling opportunities. Additional information regarding the LA, as well as the Fund's use of borrowings, is disclosed in the Fund's shareholder report.

Additionally, effective today, Brendan Fludder, CFA, joins Roberto Isch, CFA, as a portfolio manager on the Fund. Mr. Fludder joined Wellington in 2011 and has more than 15 years of experience in the investment management industry. As portfolio manager, Mr. Fludder manages multi-strategy approaches where he is responsible for manager selection, portfolio construction, and risk management. He is a member of the Hedge Fund Advisory Committee and serves as chair of Wellington Management Canada Board of Directors. Mr. Fludder received a BS from Providence College and holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About Manulife John Hancock Investments

We serve investors through a unique multimanager approach, complementing our extensive in-house capabilities with an unrivaled network of specialized asset managers, backed by some of the most rigorous investment oversight in the industry. The result is a diverse lineup of time-tested investments from a premier asset manager with a heritage of financial stewardship.

About Manulife Wealth & Asset Management

As part of Manulife Financial Corporation, Manulife Wealth & Asset Management provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to 19 million individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. Our mission is to make decisions easier and lives better by empowering people today to invest for a better tomorrow. As a committed partner to our clients and as a responsible steward of investor capital, we offer a heritage of risk management, deep expertise across public and private markets, and comprehensive retirement plan services. We seek to provide better investment and impact outcomes and to help people confidently save and invest for a more secure financial future. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulifeim.com.

Media Contact: Gordon Haight

(617) 572-0034 Investor Contact: (800) 843-0090

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
Historic bipartisan legislation advances consumer legal funding access statewide

TOPEKA, Kan., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Legal-Bay, a leading provider of pre-settlement funding, today announced that the Kansas House and Senate have unanimously passed landmark legislation allowing litigation funding in the state. The bill, which is currently awaiting final approval from the governor, is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

The historic measure was initiated and championed by Eric Schuller of ARC (Alliance of Responsible Consumer Funding) and marks a significant step forward for consumer legal funding nationwide. Legal-Bay, a proud ARC member, credited Schuller's leadership and advocacy in successfully guiding the bill through both legislative chambers with unanimous bipartisan support.

Prior to this legislation, Legal-Bay and other funding providers were unable to operate in Kansas due to regulatory restrictions from the state's banking commission, which classified litigation funding as loans. The new bill clarifies the industry's structure, recognizing it as a non-recourse cash advance where funders assume 100% risk of loss if a case is unsuccessful. Litigation funding is sometimes referred to as a lawsuit loan or settlement loans, though it differs significantly from traditional lending.

"This is a great day for the industry," said Chris Janish, CEO of Legal-Bay. "Not only does Kansas validate consumer legal funding as a legitimate and necessary financial tool, but seeing both Kansas and New York achieve unanimous bipartisan support truly reinforces the value of our services for plaintiffs who need help covering everyday living expenses while their cases are pending."

If you're a lawyer or plaintiff involved in an active lawsuit and need an immediate cash advance against a pending settlement, please visit Legal Bay HERE or call toll-free at 877.571.0405.

Consumer legal funding provides financial relief to plaintiffs involved in ongoing litigation, enabling them to pay for essentials such as rent, groceries, and medical bills without being forced into early or unfair settlements.

Legal-Bay remains committed to responsible funding practices and transparency, ensuring that plaintiffs fully understand the non-recourse nature of their advances. The company continues to advocate for fair regulation that protects consumers while expanding access to funding solutions nationwide.

About Legal-Bay

Legal-Bay is a premier provider of pre-settlement funding services, offering non-recourse cash advances to plaintiffs awaiting settlements in personal injury, employment, and civil litigation cases. With a focus on speed, transparency, and ethical practices, Legal-Bay helps clients maintain financial stability during the legal process.

To apply right now for pre settlement funding, please visit the company's website HERE or call 877.571.0405, where agents are standing by to assist.

Contact: Chris Janish, CEO

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Legal-Bay, LLC
Proven Innovation, Recognized by Customers Worldwide for Space- and Energy-Efficient Approach

News Summary

LG Electronics has sold more than 3.2 million LG WashTower units worldwide.

The milestone reflects continued global demand for LG's space- and energy-efficient laundry solution.

The LG WashTower combines a unique, one-body design and features advanced core technologies, including AI DD and DUAL Inverter HeatPump.

SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- LG Electronics' (LG) WashTower all-in-one laundry solution has reached a major milestone, surpassing 3.2 million units in cumulative global sales. Combining a washer and dryer in a single space-saving unit, the WashTower features LG's core technologies and a design focused on everyday convenience.

LG WashTower has surpassed 3.2 million units in cumulative global sales, reflecting strong worldwide demand for space- and energy-efficient laundry solutions. LG WashTower is now available in 77 countries, with cumulative sales exceeding 1.6 million units in North America, 160,000 units in Latin America and 130,000 units in Asia. Leading a new era in laundry lifestyles, the LG WashTower integrates a washer and dryer into a single, space-saving unit that blends core technologies with user-centric design.

Trusted by Consumers Around the World

First launched in 2020, LG WashTower is now available in 77 countries. The product has continued to prove popular with consumers worldwide  reaching cumulative sales of more than 1.6 million units in North America, 160,000 units in Latin America, and 130,000 units in Asia. This strong international demand reflects a growing customer preference for convenient laundry solutions that offer enhanced space- and energy-efficiency.

AI and Core Technologies for Greater Convenience

The LG WashTower's performance is supported by proprietary technologies including Artificial Intelligence Direct Drive (AI DD) and DUAL Inverter HeatPump. AI DD detects load weight, fabric type and soil level, then selects a suitable washing pattern to help clean items optimally while minimizing fabric damage. Utilizing LG's DUAL Inverter Heat Pump, the WashTower delivers low-temperature drying that is gentle on garments and linens. This core intelligence is complemented by features such as AI Wash. Adding to convenience, the model also features Smart Pairing, which allows the washer to communicate with the dryer and automatically select an appropriate drying cycle. The Prepare to Dry function further enhances usability by preheating the dryer before the wash cycle ends, helping reduce overall laundry time.

Expanding Solutions for Diverse Customer Needs

LG continues to expand its laundry lineup to better address customers' evolving lifestyles. The company plans to introduce new models, AI features and color options to suit a wider range of user needs, preferences and space requirements.

LG is set to celebrate its WashTower sales milestone by hosting a range of promotional activities in South Korea, with similar initiatives planned for overseas markets.

"The LG WashTower leverages our proprietary core technologies and advanced AI to deliver a more convenient clothing-care experience to customers around the world," said Baek Seung-tae, president of the LG Home Appliance Solution Company. "We will continue to build on our understanding of customers' lifestyles and earn the trust of global customers through products and solutions that deliver greater convenience."

About LG Electronics Home Appliance Solution Company

The LG Home Appliance Solution Company (HS) is a global leader in home appliances and AI home solutions. By leveraging industry-leading core technologies, the HS Company is committed to enhancing consumers' quality of life and promoting sustainability. The company develops thoughtfully designed kitchen and living appliance solutions and has recently integrated LG's Robot Business Division to incorporate advanced robot technologies into its home solutions. Together, these products offer enhanced convenience, exceptional performance, efficient operation and sustainable lifestyle solutions. For more news on LG, visit www.LG.com/global/newsroom/ .

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2945458/LGE_WashTower_3_2Mil_units_sold_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2945459/LGE_WashTower_3_2Mil_units_sold_2.jpg

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DALLAS, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- L'Mychele & Associates, a strategic meetings and events firm specializing in executive summits, leadership retreats, corporate conferences, and high-level experiences, is proud to announce its national certification as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) by the Women's Business Council  Southwest, a regional certifying partner of the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC).

WBENC Certification is the gold standard for women-owned business certification in the United States and recognizes businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated, and controlled by women.

"This certification represents more than a milestone; it reflects how we show up for our clients and our industry," said LaKessia Hill, Founder & CEO of L'Mychele & Associates. "We partner with organizations to design experiences that are not only well executed but also intentionally aligned with business goals. Being part of the WBENC network allows us to expand those partnerships, contribute to supplier diversity initiatives, and continue delivering work that drives both impact and results."

The WBENC certification process is a meticulous and rigorous review that includes a comprehensive evaluation of the company's ownership, management, and operational structure. It ensures that certified businesses meet the highest standards of integrity, leadership, and strategic capability.

Through WBENC Certification, L'Mychele & Associates is positioned to partner with corporations, growing businesses, and organizations committed to supplier diversity and inclusive procurement practices. The firm brings a strategic, outcomes-driven approach to meetings and eventsdesigning experiences that align teams, elevate brand presence, and deliver measurable results.

By incorporating women-owned businesses into their supplier networks, organizations demonstrate a commitment to diversity, innovation, and economic growthcontributing to a more balanced and sustainable economy.

WBENC Certification, combined with professional development and engagement within the WBENC network, provides year-round opportunities for growth, innovation, and connection with major corporations and fellow Women's Business Enterprises.

To learn more about L'Mychele & Associates, visit www.LMychele.com.

About L'Mychele & Associates

L'Mychele & Associates is a strategic meeting and events firm delivering curated experiences engineered to drive ROI and lasting impact. The firm specializes in executive summits, leadership retreats, corporate conferences, nonprofit galas, and high-level gatherings designed to align teams, elevate brands, and advance organizations.

About WBENC

Founded in 1997, the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC) is the nation's leader in women's business development and the leading third-party certifier of businesses owned and operated by women. WBENC has more than 18,000 certified Women's Business Enterprises, 14 national Regional Partner Organizations, and more than 500 Corporate Members, most of which are Fortune 500 companies.

Thousands of corporations representing some of America's most prestigious brandsas well as many states, cities, and other entitiesrecognize and accept WBENC Certification as a standard for supplier diversity. Through its Women Owned initiative, WBENC is also a leader in supporting consumer-oriented female entrepreneurs by raising awareness for why, where, and how to buy women-owned.

For more information, visit www.wbenc.org and www.buywomenowned.com.

#WBENC #WomenOwned #SupplierDiversity #EventStrategy #CorporateEvents #Leadership #LMycheleAndAssociates

CONTACT:

LaKessia Hill

L'Mychele & Associates

[email protected]

469-402-7825

SOURCE L'Mychele & Associates LLC
Record Revenue Driven by Strong Brand Momentum and Successful Store Matrix Upgrade

Quarterly and Annual Revenue both Hit Record Highs, Exceeding Expectations

Adjusted Operating Profit and EBITDA Delivered Robust Double-Digit Growth in December Quarter

MINISO Brand Posted Its Highest Year-over-year Revenue Growth in 8 Quarters

Chinese Mainland and the U.S. Market Delivered Exceptional Mid-Teens and Low-Twenties SSSG in December Quarter, Respectively

TOP TOY Brand Saw Successive Triple-Digit Revenue(2) Growth

Net New Stores Exceeded 700 in 2025

RMB1,907.0 Million Returned to Shareholders in 2025, Representing 66% of Adjusted Net Profit

GUANGZHOU, China, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- MINISO Group Holding Limited (NYSE: MNSO; HKEX: 9896) ("MINISO", "MINISO Group" or the "Company"), a global high-growth value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring distinctive IP designs, today announced its unaudited financial results for the three months and the full year ended December 31, 2025 (the "December Quarter" and the "Full Year", respectively).

Financial Highlights for the December Quarter

Revenue increased 32.7% year over year to RMB6,254.1 million (US$894.3 million), above the high end of the Company's previous guidance range of 25%-30%.

increased 32.7% year over year to RMB6,254.1 million (US$894.3 million), above the high end of the Company's previous guidance range of 25%-30%. MINISO Group delivered resilient performance with overall same-store GMV (1) growth (the " SSSG ") recording a mid-single-digit level.

growth (the " ") recording a mid-single-digit level. Gross profit increased 30.8% year over year to RMB2,901.1 million (US$414.9 million).

increased 30.8% year over year to RMB2,901.1 million (US$414.9 million). Gross margin was 46.4%, compared to 47.0% in the same period last year.

was 46.4%, compared to 47.0% in the same period last year. Operating profit was RMB910.6 million (US$130.2 million), compared to RMB968.4 million in the same period last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses in December Quarter.

was RMB910.6 million (US$130.2 million), compared to RMB968.4 million in the same period last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses in December Quarter. Adjusted operating profit (3) increased 11.7% year over year to RMB1,062.2 million (US$151.9 million),with adjusted operating margin of 17.0%.

increased 11.7% year over year to RMB1,062.2 million (US$151.9 million),with adjusted operating margin of 17.0%. Loss for the period was RMB139.4 million (US$19.9 million), compared to a profit for the period of RMB809.7 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui Superstores Co., Ltd*() (" Yonghui ") of RMB547.5 million (US$78.3 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB151.6 million (US$21.7 million), (iii) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, (iv) interest expenses related to the equity linked securities issued by the Company in January 2025 ( the " Equity Linked Securities ") and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB75.3 million (US$10.8 million), and (v) other expenses of RMB59.1 million (US$8.5 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives in relation to the Equity Linked Securities under mark-to-market impact, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement (3) .

was RMB139.4 million (US$19.9 million), compared to a profit for the period of RMB809.7 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui Superstores Co., Ltd*() (" ") of RMB547.5 million (US$78.3 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB151.6 million (US$21.7 million), (iii) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, (iv) interest expenses related to the equity linked securities issued by the Company in January 2025 ( the " ") and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB75.3 million (US$10.8 million), and (v) other expenses of RMB59.1 million (US$8.5 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives in relation to the Equity Linked Securities under mark-to-market impact, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement . Adjusted net profit (3) increased 7.6% year over year to RMB852.7 million (US$121.9 million).

increased 7.6% year over year to RMB852.7 million (US$121.9 million). Adjusted net margin (3) was 13.6%, compared to 16.8% in the same period last year.

was 13.6%, compared to 16.8% in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA (3) increased 15.7% year over year to RMB1,419.3 million (US$203.0 million).

increased 15.7% year over year to RMB1,419.3 million (US$203.0 million). Adjusted EBITDA margin (3) was 22.7%, compared to 26.0% in the same period last year.

was 22.7%, compared to 26.0% in the same period last year. Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per American Depositary Share (the "ADS") (3) were both RMB2.80 (US$0.40), representing a year-over-year growth of 9.4%, higher than the year-over-year growth of 7.6% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company.

were both RMB2.80 (US$0.40), representing a year-over-year growth of 9.4%, higher than the year-over-year growth of 7.6% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company. Net cash from operating activities was RMB264.1 million (US$37.8 million) in December Quarter. Capital expenditure (the "CAPEX") was RMB232.6 million (US$33.3 million) and free cash flow was RMB31.5 million (US$4.5 million) for the December Quarter.

Financial Highlights for the Full Year

Revenue increased 26.2% year over year to RMB21,443.8 million (US$3,066.4 million).

increased 26.2% year over year to RMB21,443.8 million (US$3,066.4 million). MINISO Group overall SSSG recorded a low-single-digit level.

recorded a low-single-digit level. Gross profit increased 26.3% year over year to RMB9,648.1 million (US$1,379.7 million).

increased 26.3% year over year to RMB9,648.1 million (US$1,379.7 million). Gross margin was 45.0%, compared to 44.9% last year.

was 45.0%, compared to 44.9% last year. Operating profit was RMB3,303.1 million (US$472.3 million), compared to RMB3,315.8 million last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses related to TOP TOY.

was RMB3,303.1 million (US$472.3 million), compared to RMB3,315.8 million last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses related to TOP TOY. Adjusted operating profit (3) increased 7.9% year over year to RMB3,671.0 million (US$524.9 million), with adjusted operating margin of 17.1%.

increased 7.9% year over year to RMB3,671.0 million (US$524.9 million), with adjusted operating margin of 17.1%. Profit for the period was RMB1,209.8 million (US$173.0 million), compared with RMB2,635.4 million last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui of RMB812.7 million (US$116.2 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB367.9 million (US$52.6 million), (iii) interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB279.0 million (US$39.9 million), (iv) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, and (v) other expenses of RMB70.3 million (US$10.1 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives under mark-to-market impact and issuance cost of derivatives related to the Equity Linked Securities, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement (3) .

was RMB1,209.8 million (US$173.0 million), compared with RMB2,635.4 million last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui of RMB812.7 million (US$116.2 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB367.9 million (US$52.6 million), (iii) interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB279.0 million (US$39.9 million), (iv) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, and (v) other expenses of RMB70.3 million (US$10.1 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives under mark-to-market impact and issuance cost of derivatives related to the Equity Linked Securities, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement . Adjusted net profit (3) increased 6.5% to RMB2,898.2 million (US$414.4 million).

increased 6.5% to RMB2,898.2 million (US$414.4 million). Adjusted net margin (3) was 13.5%, compared to 16.0% last year.

was 13.5%, compared to 16.0% last year. Adjusted EBITDA (3) increased 14.4% year over year to RMB4,959.9 million (US$709.3 million).

increased 14.4% year over year to RMB4,959.9 million (US$709.3 million). Adjusted EBITDA margin (3) was 23.1%, compared to 25.5% last year.

was 23.1%, compared to 25.5% last year. Adjusted basic earnings per ADS (3) increased 8.3% year over year to RMB9.44 (US$1.35).

increased 8.3% year over year to RMB9.44 (US$1.35). Adjusted diluted earnings per ADS (3) increased 7.8% year over year to RMB9.36 (US$1.34). The year-over-year growth of adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS was higher than the year-over-year growth of 6.5% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company.

increased 7.8% year over year to RMB9.36 (US$1.34). The year-over-year growth of adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS was higher than the year-over-year growth of 6.5% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company. Cash position (4) was RMB7,087.9 million (US$1,013.6 million) as of December 31, 2025, compared to RMB6,698.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

was RMB7,087.9 million (US$1,013.6 million) as of December 31, 2025, compared to RMB6,698.1 million as of December 31, 2024. Net cash from operating activities was RMB2,577.9 million (US$368.6 million), with an operating cash flow to adjusted net profit ratio of 88.9%. CAPEX was RMB997.7 million (US$142.7 million) and free cash flow was RMB1,580.2 million (US$225.9 million) for the Full Year.

Store Network Expansion

As of December 31, 2025, the Company's total store count reached 8,485, representing a net increase of 705 year over year.

MINISO Brand : totaled 8,151 stores (647 net new openings in 2025), driven by: Chinese Mainland : 4,568 stores (up 182 year over year). Overseas Markets : 3,583 stores (up 465 year over year).

: totaled 8,151 stores (647 net new openings in 2025), driven by: TOP TOY Brand: totaled 334 stores, representing a net increase of 58 year over year.

Notes:

"Same-store GMV" refers to the GMV generated by those stores that opened prior to the beginning of the comparative periods and remained open as of the end of the comparative periods and closed for less than 30 days during both comparative periods. "SSSG" refers to the year-over-year growth of same-store GMV. Revenue from TOP TOY brand only represents revenue generated from external parties. See the sections titled "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in this press release for more information. "Cash position" refers to the combined balance of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits with original maturity over three months, and other investments recorded as current assets.

The following table provides a breakdown of the Company's store network and its changes on a year-over-year basis. The number of directly operated stores reached 768 on group level. 71.9% of new MINISO stores in the past twelve months were located in overseas markets.



As of

YoY

December 31, 2024 December 31, 2025

Number of stores on group level 7,780 8,485

705 Number of MINISO stores 7,504 8,151

647 Chinese mainland 4,386 4,568

182 Directly operated stores 25 18

(7) Stores operated under Retail

Partner model 4,335 4,522

187 Stores operated under

distributor model 26 28

2 Overseas markets 3,118 3,583

465 Directly operated stores 503 700

197 Stores operated under Retail

Partner model 404 432

28 Stores operated under

distributor model 2,211 2,451

240 Number of TOP TOY stores 276 334

58 Chinese mainland 272 304

32 Directly operated stores 38 35

(3) Stores operated under Retail

Partner model 234 269

35 Overseas markets 4 30

26 Directly operated stores 2 15

13 Stores operated under Retail

Partner model 2 4

2 Stores operated under

distributor model - 11

11

Mr. Guofu Ye, Founder, Chairman, and CEO of MINISO, commented, "December Quarter closed out a year of our solid execution in 2025. Both quarterly and annual revenue have achieved new heights and crossed the milestones of RMB6 billion and RMB20 billion, respectively. In December Quarter, our strategic markets such as Chinese Mainland and the U.S. market were strong outperformers. We were thrilled to see strong momentum in MINISO Chinese Mainland in December Quarter, with highest year-over-year revenue growth of 25.0% over the past 8 quarters, powered by its robust SSSG of mid-teens level. Despite tariff headwinds, MINISO brand in the U.S market reached a robust low-twenties SSSG this quarter. This success reflects our global expertise and strategic foresight, as well as the structural resilience built through an agile supply chain. At the same time, it strongly validates our strategic direction and execution, further bolstering our confidence in our growth.

We remain steadfast in our commitment to high-quality development, propelling our brand momentum to new heights. This year, we achieved higher revenue growth with fewer net store openings, marking a more disciplined and efficient growth model. Leveraging new retail formats across channels, represented by MINISO SPACE, MINISO LAND and MINISO FRIENDS, we are converting global scale into sustainable brand influence. We are evolving our stores into resonant interactive spaces, fostering deeper and more lasting emotional bonds with our consumers."

"Looking ahead, we are continuing to reinforce our creative-driven momentum. By staying curious and committed to continuous learning, we are strengthening a resilient brand ecosystem centered on interest-driven consumption, delivering joy and value that remains steadfast through global cycles." Mr. Ye continued.

Mr. Eason Zhang, CFO of MINISO, commented, "Thanks to outstanding performance of all segments, year-over-year growth of both quarterly and annual revenue outperformed our previous guidance. In December Quarter, gross profit margin reached 46.4%. Adjusted operating profit increased 11.7% to RMB1,062.2 million, with adjusted operating margin of 17.0%. Adjusted EBITDA increased 15.7% to RMB1,419.3 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin of 22.7%. Adjusted earnings per ADS increased 9.4% to RMB2.80. For the year of 2025, net cash from operation activities reached RMB2,577.9 million, as a ratio of 88.9% of adjusted net profit. As of the end of 2025, we still maintained a strong cash position of RMB7,087.9 million. In 2025, the Board approved an automatic share repurchase program to repurchase shares up to HK$1.8 billion from the open markets, underscoring our unwavering confidence in MINISO's intrinsic value and ensuring that our buyback momentum remained uninterrupted even during restricted periods. We have returned shareholders RMB1,907.0 million in 2025, including record-high share buyback of RMB549.2 million and dividends of RMB1,357.8 million, accounting for 65.8% of adjusted net profit for 2025.

In addition, we are pleased to announce a final dividend in the amount of around RMB809.7 million, which was approximately 50% of the adjusted net profit generated in the second half of 2025, payable in April 2026. Our capital allocation strategy in the future will continue to balance growth and our commitment to bringing stable and foreseeable returns to shareholders."

"As we head into 2026, we uphold our commitment to capital discipline, driving operational leverage enterprise-wise. Our focus remains on delivering durable top-line growth and margin improvement by maintaining a flexible and agile posture to mitigate macroeconomic risks as well as sharpening our operational efficiency. By remaining highly responsive to market shifts and capitalizing on new growth drivers, we are well-positioned to navigate external volatility and deliver sustainable and long-term returns to our shareholders." Mr. Zhang concluded.

Dividend Declaration

On March 31, 2026, the Board approved the distribution of a final cash dividend in the amount of US$0.3764 per ADS, or US$0.0941 per ordinary share, to holders of ADSs and ordinary shares of record as of the close of business on April 20, 2026, New York Time and Beijing/Hong Kong Time, respectively. The ex-dividend date for holders of ordinary shares in Hong Kong will be April 17, 2026; and the ex-dividend date for holders of ADSs will be April 20, 2026. The payment date is expected to be on April 29, 2026 for holders of ordinary shares and around May 4, 2026 for holders of ADSs. The aggregate amount of cash dividend to be paid is approximately US$115.8 million (RMB809.7 million), at an exchange rate of RMB6.9931 to US$1.0000), which is approximately 50% of the Company's adjusted net profit for the six months ended December 31, 2025 and will be distributed from additional paid-in capital and settled by a cash distribution.

For holders of ordinary shares, in order to qualify for the final dividend, all valid documents for the transfer of shares accompanied by the relevant share certificates must be lodged for registration with the Company's Hong Kong share registrar, Computershare Hong Kong Investor Services Limited, at Shops 1712-1716, 17th Floor, Hopewell Centre, 183 Queen's Road East, Wanchai, Hong Kong no later than 4:30 P.M on April 20, 2026 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time). The record date is April 20, 2026 (Beijing/Hong Kong Time).

Financial Results for the December Quarter

Revenue was RMB6,254.1 million (US$894.3 million), representing an increase of 32.7% year over year.

Revenue from MINISO brand increased by 27.7% year over year to RMB5,654.4 million (US$808.6 million), including (i) an increase of 25.0% in revenue from MINISO brand in Chinese mainland, accelerating sequentially by quarters since 2025, and (ii) an increase of 30.5% in revenue from MINISO brand in overseas markets. Overseas revenue contributed to 49.2% of revenue from MINISO brand.

Revenue(1) from TOP TOY brand increased by 111.8% to RMB599.0 million (US$85.7 million).

For more information on the composition and year-over-year change of revenue, please refer to the "Unaudited Additional Information" in this press release.

Cost of sales was RMB3,352.9 million (US$479.5 million), representing an increase of 34.4% year over year.

Gross profit was RMB2,901.1 million (US$414.9 million), representing an increase of 30.8% year over year.

Gross margin was 46.4%, compared to 47.0% in the same period last year. The year-over-year change in gross profit margin resulted from strategic product mix optimization to drive top-line performance, partially offset by a structural benefit from higher revenue mix of directly operating business.

Selling and distribution expenses were RMB1,654.9 million (US$236.6 million), representing an increase of 65.3% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling and distribution expenses were RMB1,544.8 million (US$220.9 million), representing an increase of 47.4% year over year. The year-over-year increase was mainly attributable to the Company's investments into directly operated stores to pursue the future success of the Company's business, especially in strategic overseas markets such as the U.S. market. As of December 31, 2025, total number of directly operated stores on the group level was 768, compared to 568 as of December 31, 2024. In the December Quarter, revenue from directly operated stores increased 61.1%, while related expenses including rental and related expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses together with payroll excluding share-based compensation expenses increased 41.1%, decelerating from the year-over-year increase of 54.5% for the first nine months of 2025. Licensing expenses increased 107.0%, which was in relation to the Company's strategic commitment to IP development to pave the way for future growth, as a percentage of around 3% of revenue, compared to 2% in the same period last year. Promotion and advertising expenses increased 30.2%, as a percentage of revenue stabilizing at around 4% in both comparative periods. Logistics expenses increased 19.2% year over year.

General and administrative expenses were RMB377.9 million (US$54.0 million), representing an increase of 36.5% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses were RMB336.5 million (US$48.1 million), representing an increase of 36.3% year over year. The year-over-year increase was primarily due to the increase of personnel-related expenses in relation to the growth of the Company's business.

Other net income was RMB63.1 million (US$9.0 million), compared to RMB36.2 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to an increase in fair value of other investments, partially offset by a larger net foreign exchange loss compared with the same period last year.

Operating profit was RMB910.6 million (US$130.2 million), compared with RMB968.4 million in the same period last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses in December Quarter.

Adjusted operating profit(2) was RMB1,062.2 million (US$151.9 million), representing an increase of 11.7% year over year, with adjusted operating margin of 17.0%.

Net finance cost was RMB93.6 million (US$13.4 million), compared to RMB16.1 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year increase in finance cost was due to (i) increased interest expenses in relation to the Equity Linked Securities and the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui, both of which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2), and (ii) increased interest expenses on lease liabilities corresponding to the Company's investment in directly operated stores.

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net of tax was RMB550.4 million (US$78.7 million), compared to share of profit of RMB3.7 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year change was mainly attributable to share of loss in Yonghui, which has been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Changes in fair value of redemption liabilities were RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million), which was a loss arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025 and has been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Other expenses were RMB59.1 million (US$8.5 million), mainly attributable to loss from fair value change of derivatives under mark-to-market impact, which was in relation to the Equity Linked Securities and has been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Effective tax rate was 384.4%, compared to 15.3% in the same period last year. The elevated effective tax rate in December Quarter was primarily driven by non-deductible losses at the consolidation level.

Adjusted effective tax rate(2) was 20.2%, which excluded the impact on effective tax rate as a result of adjusted items, compared to 15.6% in the same period last year.

Loss for the period was RMB139.4 million (US$19.9 million), compared to profit for the period of RMB809.7 million in the same period last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui of RMB547.5 million (US$78.3 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB151.6 million (US$21.7 million), (iii) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, (iv) interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB75.3 million (US$10.8 million), and (v) other expenses of RMB59.1 million (US$8.5 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives in relation to the Equity Linked Securities under mark-to-market impact, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement(2).

Adjusted net profit(2) was RMB852.7 million (US$121.9 million), increased by 7.6% year over year.

Adjusted net margin(2) was 13.6%, compared to 16.8% in the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA(2) was RMB1,419.3 million (US$203.0 million), representing an increase of 15.7% year over year.

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) was 22.7%, compared to 26.0% in the same period last year.

Basic and diluted loss per ADS were both RMB0.48 (US$0.07) in the December Quarter, compared with the basic and diluted earnings per ADS of RMB2.60 in the same period last year.

Adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS(2) were both RMB2.80 (US$0.40) in the December Quarter, representing a year-over-year growth of 9.4%, higher than the year-over-year growth of 7.6% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company.

Net cash from operating activities as RMB264.1 million (US$37.8 million) in December Quarter. CAPEX was RMB232.6 million (US$33.3 million) and free cash flow was RMB31.5 million (US$4.5 million) for the December Quarter.

Financial Results for the Full Year

Revenue was RMB21,443.8 million (US$3,066.4 million), representing an increase of 26.2% year over year.

Revenue from MINISO brand increased by 22.0% to RMB19,524.9 million (US$2,792.0 million), including (i) an increase of 16.8% in revenue from MINISO brand in Chinese mainland, with its annual revenue exceeding RMB10 billion for the first time, and (ii) an increase of 29.3% in revenue from MINISO brand in overseas markets. The overseas revenue contributed to 44.2% of revenue from MINISO brand.

Revenue(1) from TOP TOY brand increased by 94.8% to RMB1,915.6 million (US$273.9 million).

For more information on the composition and year-over-year change of revenue, please refer to the "Unaudited Additional Information" in this press release.

Cost of sales was RMB11,795.7 million (US$1,686.8 million), representing an increase of 26.1% year over year.

Gross profit was RMB9,648.1 million (US$1,379.7 million), representing an increase of 26.3% year over year.

Gross margin was 45.0%, compared to 44.9% last year.

Selling and distribution expenses were RMB5,265.8 million (US$753.0 million), increased by 49.6% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, selling and distribution expenses were RMB5,045.7 million (US$721.5 million), increased by 43.9% year over year.

General and administrative expenses were RMB1,225.4 million (US$175.2 million), increased by 31.5% year over year. Excluding share-based compensation expenses, general and administrative expenses were RMB1,077.5 million (US$154.1 million), increased by 25.3% year over year.

Other net income was RMB195.6 million (US$28.0 million), compared to RMB114.7 million last year. The year-over-year increase was mainly due to (i) an increase in fair value of other investments and investment income in wealth management products, and (ii) a smaller net foreign exchange loss compared with last year.

Operating profit was RMB3,303.1 million (US$472.3 million), compared to RMB3,315.8 million last year, due to higher equity-settled share-based payment expenses related to TOP TOY.

Adjusted operating profit(2) was RMB3,671.0 million (US$524.9 million), representing an increase of 7.9% year over year, with adjusted operating margin of 17.1%.

Net finance cost was RMB326.5 million (US$46.7 million), compared to net finance income of RMB25.8 million last year. The year-over-year increase in finance cost was due to (i) increased interest expenses in relation to the Equity Linked Securities and the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui, both of which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2), and (ii) increased interest expenses on lease liabilities corresponding to the Company's investment in directly operated stores.

Share of loss of equity-accounted investees, net of tax was RMB834.5 million (US$119.3 million), compared with share of profit of RMB6.0 million last year. The year-over-year change was mainly attributable to share of loss in Yonghui, which has been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Changes in fair value of redemption liabilities were RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million), which was a loss arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025 and has been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Other expenses were RMB70.3 million (US$10.1 million), mainly attributable to loss from fair value change of derivatives under mark-to-market impact and issuance cost of derivatives, which were in relation to the Equity Linked Securities and have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measures(2).

Effective tax rate was 36.8%, compared to 21.3% last year. The elevated effective tax rate was primarily driven by non-deductible losses at the consolidation level.

Adjusted effective tax rate(2) was 20.1%, which excluded the impact on effective tax rate as a result of adjusted items, compared to 20.7% last year.

Profit for the period was RMB1,209.8 million (US$173.0 million), compared to RMB2,635.4 million last year. The year-over-year change was mainly due to (i) share of loss of Yonghui of RMB812.7 million (US$116.2 million), (ii) equity-settled share-based payment expenses of RMB367.9 million (US$52.6 million), (iii) interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest of Yonghui of RMB279.0 million (US$39.9 million), (iv) changes in fair value of redemption liabilities of RMB158.5 million (US$22.7 million) arising from preferred shares issued by TOP TOY in connection with its strategic financing in 2025, and (v) other expenses of RMB70.3 million (US$10.1 million) including loss from fair value change of derivatives under mark-to-market impact and issuance cost of derivatives related to the Equity Linked Securities, which have been excluded in non-IFRS financial measurement(2).

Adjusted net profit(2) increased 6.5% year over year to RMB2,898.2 million (US$414.4 million).

Adjusted net margin(2) was 13.5%, compared to 16.0% last year.

Adjusted EBITDA(2) increased 14.4% year over year to RMB4,959.9 million (US$709.3 million).

Adjusted EBITDA margin(2) was 23.1%, compared to 25.5% last year.

Basic earnings per ADS was RMB3.92 (US$0.56), compared to RMB8.44 last year.

Diluted earnings per ADS was RMB3.92 (US$0.56), compared to RMB8.40 last year.

Adjusted basic earnings per ADS(2) increased 8.3% year over year to RMB9.44 (US$1.35), compared to RMB8.72 last year.

Adjusted diluted earnings per ADS(2) increased 7.8% year over year to RMB9.36 (US$1.34), compared to RMB8.68 last year. The year-over-year growth of adjusted basic and diluted earnings per ADS was higher than the year-over-year growth of 6.5% of adjusted net profit, thanks to the share repurchase of the Company.

Cash position, which was the combined balance of the Company's cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, term deposits, and other investments recorded as current assets was RMB7,087.9 million (US$1,013.6 million) as of December 31, 2025, compared to RMB6,698.1 million as of December 31, 2024.

Net cash from operating activities was RMB2,577.9 million (US$368.6 million), with an operating cash flow to adjusted net profit ratio of 88.9%. CAPEX was RMB997.7 million (US$142.7 million) and free cash flow was RMB1,580.2 million (US$225.9 million) for the Full Year.

Notes:

Revenue from TOP TOY brand only represents revenue generated from external parties. See the sections titled "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" and "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in this press release for more information.

Conference Call

The Company's management will hold an earnings conference call at 5:00 A.M. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 (5:00 P.M. Beijing Time on the same day) to discuss the financial results. Simultaneous interpretation in English will be provided during the conference call. The conference call can be accessed via the following methods:

Access 1

Join Zoom meeting.

Zoom link: https://zoom.us/j/96682426410?pwd=oaoHL89u0ocUW6ysi327wsp64m2PYv.1

Meeting Number: 966 8242 6410

Meeting Passcode: 9896

Access 2

Listeners of the meeting may access the call by dialing the following numbers and using the same meeting number and passcode as access 1.

United States: +1 689 278 1000 (or +1 719 359 4580) Hong Kong, China: +852 5803 3730 (or +852 5803 3731) United Kingdom: +44 203 481 5237 (or +44 131 460 1196) France: +33 1 7037 9729 (or +33 1 7037 2246) Singapore: +65 3158 7288 (or +65 3165 1065) Canada: +1 438 809 7799 (or +1 204 272 7920)

Access 3

Listeners of the meeting can also access the call through the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/.

The replay will be available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the live event at the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.miniso.com/.

About MINISO Group

MINISO Group is a global high-growth value retailer offering a variety of trendy lifestyle products featuring distinctive IP designs. Since opening our first store in Chinese mainland in 2013, the Company has successfully built two brands  "MINISO" and "TOP TOY". The Company's flagship brand "MINISO" has grown into a globally recognized retail brand that offers a frequently-refreshed assortment of lifestyle products through an extensive store network worldwide. The Company's products cover diverse consumer needs and consumers are drawn to MINISO for our products' trendiness, creativeness, high quality and affordability. For more information, please visit https://ir.miniso.com/.

Exchange Rate

The U.S. dollar (US$) amounts disclosed in this press release, except for those transaction amounts that were actually settled in U.S. dollars, are presented solely for the convenience of the readers. The conversion of Renminbi (RMB) into US$ in this press release is based on the exchange rate set forth in the H.10 statistical release of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System as of December 31, 2025, which was RMB6.9931 to US$1.0000. The percentages stated in this press release are calculated based on the RMB amounts.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

In evaluating the business, MINISO considers and uses adjusted operating profit, adjusted operating margin, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net profit, adjusted net margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share and adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS as supplemental measures to review and assess its operating performance. The presentation of these non-IFRS financial measures is not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for the financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. MINISO defines adjusted operating profit as operating profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses. MINISO calculates adjusted operating margin by dividing adjusted operating profit by revenue for the same period. MINISO defines adjusted effective tax rate as the effective tax rate excluding the tax impact of adjusted items, under non-IFRS financial measures. MINISO defines adjusted net profit as profit for the period excluding equity-settled share-based payment expenses, gain or loss from fair value change of derivatives, issuance cost of derivatives and interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities, interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest in Yonghui, share of profit or loss of Yonghui, net of tax, and changes in fair value of redemption liabilities arising from preferred shares. MINISO calculates adjusted net margin by dividing adjusted net profit by revenue for the same period. MINISO defines adjusted EBITDA as adjusted net profit plus depreciation and amortization, finance costs excluding interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities and interest expenses related to the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest in Yonghui and income tax expense. Adjusted EBITDA margin is computed by dividing adjusted EBITDA by revenue for the period. MINISO computes adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS by dividing adjusted net profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company by the number of ADSs represented by the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis. MINISO computes adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share in the same way as it calculates adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per ADS, except that it uses the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis as the denominator instead of the number of ADSs represented by these ordinary shares.

MINISO presents these non-IFRS financial measures because they are used by the management to evaluate its operating performance and formulate business plans. These non-IFRS financial measures enable the management to assess its operating results without considering the impacts of the aforementioned non-cash and other adjustment items that MINISO does not consider to be indicative of its operating performance in the future. Accordingly, MINISO believes that the use of these non-IFRS financial measures provides useful information to investors and others in understanding and evaluating its operating results in the same manner as the management and board of directors.

These non-IFRS financial measures are not defined under IFRS and are not presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures have limitations as analytical tools. One of the key limitations of using these non-IFRS financial measures is that they do not reflect all items of income and expense that affect MINISO's operations. Further, these non-IFRS financial measures may differ from the non-IFRS information used by other companies, including peer companies, and therefore their comparability may be limited.

These non-IFRS financial measures should not be considered in isolation or construed as alternatives to profit, net profit margin, basic and diluted earnings per share and basic and diluted earnings per ADS, as applicable, or any other measures of performance or as indicators of MINISO's operating performance. Investors are encouraged to review MINISO's historical non-IFRS financial measures in light of the most directly comparable IFRS financial measures, as shown below. The non-IFRS financial measures presented here may not be comparable to similarly titled measures presented by other companies. Other companies may calculate similarly titled measures differently, limiting the usefulness of such measures when analyzing MINISO's data comparatively. MINISO encourages you to review its financial information in its entirety and not rely on a single financial measure.

For more information on the non-IFRS financial measures, please see the table captioned "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" set forth at the end of this press release.

Safe Harbor Statement

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by words or phrases such as "may", "will", "expect", "anticipate", "aim", "estimate", "intend", "plan", "believe", "is/are likely to", "potential", "continue" or other similar expressions. Among other things, the quotations from management in this announcement, as well as MINISO's strategic and operational plans, contain forward-looking statements. MINISO may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "HKEX"), in its annual report to shareholders, in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about MINISO's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: MINISO's mission, goals and strategies; future business development, financial conditions and results of operations; the expected growth of the retail market and the market of branded variety retail of lifestyle products in China and globally; expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of MINISO's products; expectations regarding MINISO's relationships with consumers, suppliers, MINISO Retail Partners, local distributors, and other business partners; competition in the industry; proposed use of proceeds; and relevant government policies and regulations relating to MINISO's business and the industry. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in MINISO's filings with the SEC and the HKEX. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and MINISO undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law.

Investor Relations Contact:



MINISO Group Holding Limited

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +86 (20) 36228788 Ext.8039

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (Expressed in thousands)





As at

As at



December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025



(Audited)

(Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 ASSETS











Non-current assets











Property, plant and equipment

1,436,939

2,109,385

301,638 Right-of-use assets

4,172,083

5,121,039

732,299 Intangible assets

8,802

94,951

13,578 Goodwill

21,418

223,187

31,915 Deferred tax assets

181,948

288,679

41,281 Other investments

123,399

201,727

28,847 Trade and other receivables

341,288

247,511

35,394 Term deposits

140,183

-

- Financial derivative assets

-

774,103

110,695 Interests in equity-accounted

investees

38,567

5,486,648

784,580

















6,464,627

14,547,230

2,080,227













Current assets











Other investments

100,000

-

- Inventories

2,750,389

3,691,238

527,840 Trade and other receivables

2,207,013

3,307,129

472,913 Cash and cash equivalents

6,328,121

6,817,129

974,836 Restricted cash

1,026

54,229

7,755 Term deposits

268,952

216,567

30,969

















11,655,501

14,086,292

2,014,313













Total assets

18,120,128

28,633,522

4,094,540

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

(CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands)





As at

As at



December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025



(Audited)

(Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 EQUITY











Share capital

94

94

13 Additional paid-in capital

4,683,577

2,887,905

412,965 Other reserves

1,329,126

2,232,854

319,294 Retained earnings

4,302,177

5,497,910

786,191













Equity attributable to equity

shareholders of the Company

10,314,974

10,618,763

1,518,463 Non-controlling interests

40,548

100,508

14,372













Total equity

10,355,522

10,719,271

1,532,835













LIABILITIES











Non-current liabilities











Contract liabilities

35,145

22,418

3,206 Loans and borrowings

4,310

5,415,416

774,394 Other payables

59,842

72,586

10,380 Lease liabilities

1,903,137

2,713,798

388,068 Financial derivative liabilities

-

1,184,050

169,317 Deferred income

34,983

33,053

4,727

















2,037,417

9,441,321

1,350,092

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION (CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands)

















As at

As at



December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025



(Audited)

(Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 Current liabilities











Contract liabilities

323,292

388,746

55,590 Loans and borrowings

566,955

1,751,018

250,392 Trade and other payables

3,943,988

4,516,491

645,851 Lease liabilities

635,357

950,784

135,960 Deferred income

5,376

965

138 Current taxation

252,221

291,245

41,647 Redemption liabilities arising from

preferred shares

-

573,681

82,035

















5,727,189

8,472,930

1,211,613













Total liabilities

7,764,606

17,914,251

2,561,705













Total equity and liabilities

18,120,128

28,633,522

4,094,540

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Expressed in thousands, except for per ordinary share and per ADS data)





Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,



2024

2025

2024

2025 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 Revenue

4,712,705

6,254,070

894,320

16,994,025

21,443,827

3,066,426 Cost of sales

(2,495,407)

(3,352,941)

(479,464)

(9,356,965)

(11,795,708)

(1,686,764)

























Gross profit

2,217,298

2,901,129

414,856

7,637,060

9,648,119

1,379,662 Other income

3,570

10,458

1,495

21,595

19,377

2,771 Selling and distribution expenses

(1,000,985)

(1,654,883)

(236,645)

(3,519,534)

(5,265,758)

(752,993) General and administrative expenses

(276,870)

(377,915)

(54,041)

(931,651)

(1,225,373)

(175,226) Other net income

36,242

63,091

9,022

114,696

195,610

27,972 (Credit loss)/reversal of credit loss on

trade and other receivables

(7,095)

(12,113)

(1,732)

2,469

(33,241)

(4,753) Impairment loss on non-current assets

(3,742)

(19,161)

(2,740)

(8,846)

(35,611)

(5,092)

























Operating profit

968,418

910,606

130,215

3,315,789

3,303,123

472,341 Finance income

18,999

18,309

2,618

118,672

104,421

14,932 Finance costs

(35,093)

(111,889)

(16,000)

(92,915)

(430,930)

(61,622)

























Net finance (costs)/income

(16,094)

(93,580)

(13,382)

25,757

(326,509)

(46,690) Share of profit/(loss) of equity-

accounted investees, net of tax

3,676

(550,402)

(78,706)

5,986

(834,453)

(119,325) Other expenses

-

(59,134)

(8,456)

-

(70,332)

(10,057) Changes in fair value of redemption

liabilities

-

(158,491)

(22,664)

-

(158,491)

(22,664)

























Profit before taxation

956,000

48,999

7,007

3,347,532

1,913,338

273,605 Income tax expense

(146,272)

(188,373)

(26,937)

(712,104)

(703,524)

(100,603)

























Profit/(loss) for the period

809,728

(139,374)

(19,930)

2,635,428

1,209,814

173,002

























Attributable to:























Equity shareholders of the Company

805,693

(141,524)

(20,237)

2,617,560

1,205,045

172,320 Non-controlling interests

4,035

2,150

307

17,868

4,769

682

























Earnings/(Loss) per share for ordinary

shares























-Basic

0.65

(0.12)

(0.02)

2.11

0.98

0.14 -Diluted

0.65

(0.12)

(0.02)

2.10

0.98

0.14

























Earnings/(loss) per ADS























(Each ADS represents 4 ordinary

shares) -Basic

2.60

(0.48)

(0.07)

8.44

3.92

0.56 -Diluted

2.60

(0.48)

(0.07)

8.40

3.92

0.56



























MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF PROFIT OR LOSS AND OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (CONTINUED)

(Expressed in thousands)































Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,



2024

2025

2024

2025 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

























Profit/(loss) for the period

809,728

(139,374)

(19,930)

2,635,428

1,209,814

173,002

























Items that may be reclassified

subsequently to profit or loss:























Exchange differences on translation of

financial statements of foreign

operations

3,420

8,690

1,243

19,128

2,914

417 Share of other comprehensive loss of

equity-accounted investees

-

(1,046)

(150)

-

(1,046)

(150)

























Other comprehensive income for

the period

3,420

7,644

1,093

19,128

1,868

267

























Total comprehensive income/(loss) for

the period

813,148

(131,730)

(18,837)

2,654,556

1,211,682

173,269

























Attributable to:























Equity shareholders of the Company

812,694

(132,845)

(18,996)

2,635,833

1,210,528

173,104 Non-controlling interests

454

1,115

159

18,723

1,154

165

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES (Expressed in thousands, except for percentages)





























Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,



2024

2025

2024

2025



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

(Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 RMB'000 RMB'000

US$'000

























Reconciliation of operating profit for the

period to adjusted operating profit























Operating profit

968,418

910,606

130,215

3,315,789

3,303,123

472,341 Add back:























Equity-settled share-based payment

expenses

(17,206)

151,555

21,672

85,184

367,869

52,605 Adjusted operating profit

951,212

1,062,161

151,887

3,400,973

3,670,992

524,946 Adjusted operating margin

20.2 %

17.0 %

17.0 %

20.0 %

17.1 %

17.1 %

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED) (Expressed in percentages)























Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,





2024

2025

2024

2025





(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

(Unaudited)





















Reconciliation of effective tax rate to

adjusted effective tax rate:

















Effective tax rate

15.3 %

384.4 %

21.3 %

36.8 %





















Impact on effective tax rate as a result of

adjusted items

0.3 %

(364.2) %

(0.6) %

(16.7) %

Adjusted effective tax rate

15.6 %

20.2 %

20.7 %

20.1 %



MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands, except for per share, per ADS data and percentages)





























Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,



2024

2025

2024

2025 (Unaudited) (Unaudited) (Audited) (Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

























Reconciliation of profit for the period to

adjusted net profit:























Profit/(loss) for the period

809,728

(139,374)

(19,930)

2,635,428

1,209,814

173,002 Add back:























Equity-settled share-based payment

expenses

(17,206)

151,555

21,672

85,184

367,869

52,605 Loss from fair value change of

derivatives(1)(2)

-

59,134

8,456

-

25,668

3,670 Issuance cost of derivatives(1)(3)

-

-

-

-

44,664

6,387 Interest expenses related to Equity

Linked Securities and the bank loans

used for acquisition of the equity

interest in Yonghui(1)

-

75,316

10,770

-

278,973

39,893 -Interest expenses related to the

Equity Linked Securities(4)

-

51,365

7,345

-

192,342

27,505 -Interest expenses related to the

bank loans used for acquisition of the

equity interest in Yonghui

-

23,951

3,425

-

86,631

12,388 Share of loss of Yonghui, net of tax(1)

-

547,545

78,298

-

812,684

116,212 Changes in fair value of redemption

liabilities(1)

-

158,491

22,664

-

158,491

22,664

























Adjusted net profit

792,522

852,667

121,930

2,720,612

2,898,163

414,433 Adjusted net margin

16.8 %

13.6 %

13.6 %

16.0 %

13.5 %

13.5 %

























Attributable to:























Equity shareholders of the Company

788,300

849,492

121,476

2,702,191

2,891,345

413,458 Non-controlling interests

4,222

3,175

454

18,421

6,818

975

























Adjusted net earnings per share(5)























-Basic

0.64

0.70

0.10

2.18

2.36

0.34 -Diluted

0.64

0.70

0.10

2.17

2.34

0.33

























Adjusted net earnings per ADS

(Each ADS represents 4 ordinary

shares)























-Basic

2.56

2.80

0.40

8.72

9.44

1.35 -Diluted

2.56

2.80

0.40

8.68

9.36

1.34

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED RECONCILIATION OF NON-IFRS FINANCIAL MEASURES (CONTINUED) (Expressed in thousands, except for percentages)





























Three months ended December 31,

Twelve months ended December 31,



2024

2025

2024

2025



(Unaudited)

(Unaudited)

(Audited)

(Unaudited)



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000 RMB'000 RMB'000

US$'000

























Reconciliation of adjusted net profit for

the period to adjusted EBITDA:























Adjusted net profit

792,522

852,667

121,930

2,720,612

2,898,163

414,433 Add back:























Depreciation and amortization

253,304

341,735

48,867

808,694

1,206,305

172,499 Finance costs excluding interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities

and the bank loans used for acquisition of the equity interest in Yonghui

35,093

36,573

5,230

92,915

151,957

21,729 Income tax expense

146,272

188,373

26,937

712,104

703,524

100,603 Adjusted EBITDA

1,227,191

1,419,348

202,964

4,334,325

4,959,949

709,264 Adjusted EBITDA margin

26.0 %

22.7 %

22.7 %

25.5 %

23.1 %

23.1 %

Notes:

These adjustment items have been excluded from the calculation of adjusted net profit as the Company does not consider such items to be indicative of its operating performance of core business in the future. The gain or loss from fair value change of derivatives was a non-cash gain or expense that was related to the fair value of the Equity Linked Securities and call spread. It was determined primarily by movements in the underlying share price. The issuance cost of derivatives was a one-off expense that was related to the Equity Linked Securities. For the three months ended December 31, 2025, the RMB51.4 million interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities included RMB46.5 million non-cash portion and RMB4.9 million cash expense.



For the twelve months ended December 31, 2025, the RMB192.3 million interest expenses related to the Equity Linked Securities included RMB173.4 million non-cash portion and RMB18.9 million cash expense.



Adjusted basic and diluted net earnings per share are computed by dividing adjusted net profit attributable to the equity shareholders of the Company by the number of ordinary shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share calculation on an IFRS basis.

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION (Expressed in thousands, except for percentages)





Three months ended December 31,





Twelve months ended December 31,







2024

2025

YoY 2024

2025

YoY



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000



RMB'000

RMB'000

US$'000

Revenue































MINISO Brand

4,428,593

5,654,421

808,571

27.7 %

16,002,565

19,524,901

2,792,023

22.0 % -Chinese mainland

2,296,877

2,871,989

410,689

25.0 %

9,328,231

10,896,147

1,558,128

16.8 % -Overseas markets

2,131,716

2,782,432

397,882

30.5 %

6,674,334

8,628,754

1,233,895

29.3 % TOP TOY Brand(1)

282,808

599,037

85,661

111.8 %

983,525

1,915,618

273,930

94.8 % Others

1,304

612

88

(53.1) %

7,935

3,308

473

(58.3) %



4,712,705

6,254,070

894,320

32.7 %

16,994,025

21,443,827

3,066,426

26.2 %

Note:

(1) Revenue from TOP TOY brand only represents revenue generated from external parties.

MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER OF MINISO STORES IN CHINESE MAINLAND





As of









December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025

YoY

By City Tiers













First-tier cities

587

609

22

Second-tier cities

1,822

1,881

59

Third- and lower-tier cities

1,977

2,078

101

Total

4,386

4,568

182



MINISO GROUP HOLDING LIMITED UNAUDITED ADDITIONAL INFORMATION NUMBER OF MINISO STORES IN OVERSEAS MARKETS



















As of







December 31, 2024

December 31, 2025

YoY

By Regions





Asia excluding China

1,611

1,793

182

North America

350

461

111

Latin America

637

722

85

Europe

295

361

66

Others

225

246

21

Total 3,118

3,583

465



*For identification purpose only

SOURCE MINISO Group Holding Limited
By driving a robust culture of innovation, the hub will provide a collaborative space to test and scale solutions with partners, speeding progress in patient care and operations

SINGAPORE, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The National University Hospital (NUH) has launched the NUH Innovation Hub, a collaborative space designed to accelerate healthcare transformation through partnerships and AI-driven solutions, tackling head on the challenges presented by an ageing population, a shrinking workforce and rising healthcare costs.

The launch of the NUH Innovation Hub was officiated by Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash (fourth from left), Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower. The Hub is a key milestone in the NUHS cluster's collective push to accelerate transformation.

Driven by the Kent Ridge Office of Innovation (KROI), which was established in April 2024, the NUH Innovation Hub reflects NUH's broader mission as an academic medical centre to foster a strong spirit of innovation and incorporate digital solutions across patient care and operations. It is part of the broader endeavour for innovation within the National University Health System (NUHS) and underscores the cluster's continuing efforts to accelerate transformation and emerging solutions.

The launch of the NUH Innovation Hub, officiated by Mr Dinesh Vasu Dash, Minister of State at the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth & Ministry of Manpower, will serve as a springboard for budding smart solutions, providing a real-world validation site for technologies by MedTech and AI startups.

"The NUH Innovation Hub is anchored on what is best for the patient," says Professor Aymeric Lim, Chief Executive Officer, NUH. "An ageing population, growing care complexity, and a workforce stretched by demand. These are not challenges we can simply work harder to solve. We must work smarter, and ask better questions about how we can do better for those under our care. The Hub brings together our people and our partners to translate the bold ideas that startups and researchers bring to our doorstep."

Ms Sandy Ho, Assistant Chief Operating Officer (Plans and Strategy), NUH, who also co-chairs KROI, says: "Embracing a spirit of innovation enables us to stay agile amid challenges, adopt strategic thinking and drive positive outcomes. By forging partnerships with government agencies, such as the Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA), local start-ups, regional and global organisations, we can reimagine healthcare delivery, streamline operations, and elevate patient care."

One of these global partnerships is the newly minted SingaporeShanghai Medical Innovation Centre (SSMIC), formally launched by NUH and the Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine (RJH) in October 2025[1]. The NUH Innovation Hub will house the SSMIC Singapore office, drawing upon the combined expertise of both NUH and RJH, in accelerating innovations such as Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, and 3D printing in orthopaedics.

A plaque marking the launch of the SSMIC will be unveiled at the opening ceremony, commemorating a strategic alliance for translational research, proof-of-concept innovation, and bilateral knowledge exchange.

Strengthening strategic partnerships through academia and industry collaborations

As part of the official opening, NUH will also formalise two strategic partnerships through Memoranda of Understanding (MOU) signed with the National University of Singapore (NUS) College of Design and Engineering (CDE) and Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd respectively, reinforcing the NUH Innovation Hub's role as a nexus for academia-industry-healthcare collaborations.

The partnership with NUS CDE will focus on joint capability development across NUH and CDE, creating opportunities for hands-on learning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and applied innovation. Through structured programmes and experiential learning, the collaboration will enable a two-way exchange of clinical insights and engineering expertise, strengthening innovation capabilities, while developing future-ready talent across both institutions.

In parallel, the collaboration with Elsevier will focus on studying the adoption and user experience of AIbased search engines for clinical content. The partnership aims to gain insights into how clinicians and healthcare professionals use AIenabled tools to access trusted medical knowledge, supporting clinical work and strengthening evidencebased practice across NUH. Insights from this collaboration will help to shape how such tools are used in realworld clinical settings, where they add the most value, and where safeguards are required. This is to ensure AI tools support, rather than replace, clinical judgment.

Together, these strategic partnerships underscore NUH's commitment to advancing innovation through talent development, research excellence, and the responsible adoption of AI, while deepening collaboration across academia, industry, and healthcare.

Pioneering smart AI solutions for patient care and operational efficiency

One of the technologies that will be showcased at the official opening of the NUH Innovation Hub, is KROI's flagship innovation, MedBot, a virtual pharmacy assistant that uses generative AI to provide patients with medication information before prescription collection.

MedBot was developed to alleviate workflow pressures arising from manpower shortage and high patient volumes at NUH. Across NUH outpatient pharmacies and the satellite pharmacies, some 2,500 prescriptions are dispensed daily. Each patient counselling session ranges from three to 20 minutes, which contributes to a longer waiting time for patients.

Since its launch in July 2025 at the Kent Ridge Wing pharmacy, the MedBot has progressively been rolled out to the satellite pharmacy at the National University Centre for Oral Health, Singapore. The advent of MedBot has enabled savings of 28 man-hours monthly and annual savings of about $15,400. Post surveys also showed that almost 96 per cent of users felt comfortable proceeding with their medications after receiving MedBot's guidance, which incorporates robust safety guardrails in its design.

Another impactful AI-driven solution that has transformed healthcare delivery at NUH is the ED Summarizer, conceptualised to alleviate the mounting pressures for clinicians within the Emergency Department, who often spend significant time on documentation across multiple systems.

The ED Summarizer consolidates diagnoses, treatments, investigations, and clinical notes into coherent reports whilst seamlessly integrating with NUH's electronic medical record system. It incorporates rigorous human-in-the-loop processes with safety guardrails to maintain clinical oversight and validation. This enables seamless continuity of care across departments and frees clinicians to focus on patient interactions. The integration of the ED Summarizer in the department's work processes has reduced at least 50 per cent of clinicians' documentation time, allowing the medical team more time for patient care.

Building synergy, scaling solutions

Beyond providing an incubator for AI-solutions developed internally, like MedBot and ED Summarizer, the NUH Innovation Hub will also serve as a sandbox for technology partners and start-ups to co-create and scale emerging technologies, such as digital twins, genomic medicine, and Internet-of-Things-assisted wearable devices, which have the potential to reduce healthcare costs and improve population health outcomes.

The NUH Innovation Hub works closely with IMDA through its Open Innovation Platform, to tap into the local startup ecosystem to identify clinical and operational challenges within the institution. One of the challenges that has been highlighted include the need to enhance the efficiency and accuracy of skin prick testing to help diagnose allergic conditions, through digital measurement and documentation, to aid staff in managing high patient volumes, while ensuring a smooth experience for patients.

The NUH Innovation Hub is also concurrently collaborating with IMDA on two other projects, including an immersive fire preparedness training curriculum for staff, integrating the unique and complex challenges fire emergencies in hospital settings can present, as well as building an integrated digital platform to streamline clinical education operations.

Within the NUHS academic health system, the NUH Innovation Hub is partnering the Digital Advanced Technology Accelerator at the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, to explore the possibility of organising a hackathon with startups, with the aim of advancing health through digital solutions that meet real market demands.

Along the same vein, the NUH Innovation Hub has also been designed to support staff training, directly building capabilities and enhancing uptake of AI solutions that are rolled out across NUH.

"Talent development is a crucial aspect of our work, in driving leadership, deploying AI responsibly and increasing AI literacy, which will enable us to nimbly navigate evolving challenges in the healthcare landscape," says Ms Ho. "To date, more than 3,400 of our staff have attended innovation-related training programmes."

By fostering a robust spirit of innovation and cultivating an environment of co-creation and rapid validation, KROI and the NUH Innovation Hub ensure that innovations  from AI tools to system-level changes  are not only feasible but also scalable, ultimately driving healthcare transformation across the cluster, and delivering meaningful impact to the communities it serves.

About the National University Hospital

The National University Hospital (NUH) is Singapore's leading university hospital. While the hospital at Kent Ridge first received its patients on 24 June 1985, our legacy started from 1905, the date of the founding of what is today the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. NUH is the principal teaching hospital of the medical school.

Our unique identity as a university hospital is a key attraction for healthcare professionals who aspire to do more than practise tertiary medical care. We offer an environment where research and teaching are an integral part of medicine, and continue to shape medicine and transform care for the community we care for.

We are an academic medical centre with over 1,200 beds, serving more than one million patients a year with over 50 medical, surgical and dental specialties. NUH is the only public and not-for-profit hospital in Singapore to provide trusted care for adults, women and children under one roof, including the only paediatric kidney and liver transplant programme in the country.

The NUH is a key member of the National University Health System (NUHS), one of three public healthcare clusters in Singapore. For more information, visit www.nuh.com.sg

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SOURCE National University Hospital (NUH)
The new Floating Pastry Academy establishes an industry-leading long-term model for pastry and baking education at sea, providing Oceania Cruises' culinary talent with a structured pathway to deepen technical expertise and refine their craft.

The new collaboration underscores the luxury line's commitment to serving The Finest Cuisine at Sea while preserving and advancing French gastronomic heritage, and reinforces the classical foundation that defines Oceania Cruises' culinary identity.

The new partnership was the brainchild of Chef Eric Barale, Oceania Cruises Executive Culinary Director and a member of the prestigious Maitres Cuisiniers de France (Master Chefs of France), and founder of The Butter Book, Chef Sebastien Canonne, who has been awarded the Meilleur Ouvrier de France. This award, an international hallmark of excellence and mastery, is the highest designation of professional excellence in France and is bestowed upon the country's finest craftspeople.

"This new academy reflects the respect we share for the traditions that shaped us, and for a passion for culinary excellence at sea. Culinary excellence starts with our people, and this new program will reinforce the consistency, refinement and artistic precision our patisserie demands, while nurturing the professional growth of our chefs," said Chef Barale.

"Investing in your people is essential to sustaining luxury," added Chef Canonne, M.O.F. "This academy creates a model designed for enduring excellence and innovation, supporting the fleet's growth without compromising on technique or quality."

The Floating Pastry Academy will offer expanded training, elevated service standards and enriched onboard experiences. Its launch transforms traditional onboard training into a sophisticated, progressive curriculum featuring:

Multi-year learning pathways tailored to pastry and bakery roles

Mandatory foundations for new team members

Role-based specialization with defined progression

Chef-led digital courses, quizzes and hands-on assessments

Certification at each stage to strengthen long-term culinary careers

The academy complements Oceania Cruises' continued investment in French culinary heritage, including the introduction of La Table par Maitres Cuisiniers de France, the first restaurant at sea created in partnership with MCF, set to debut aboard Oceania Sonata in 2027. The ninth vessel in the Oceania Cruises fleet, Oceania Sonata will be the first of five new-generation ships and will sail her maiden voyage in August 2027.

Additional media information

Chef Eric Barale, Oceania Cruises Executive Culinary Director

Born in Toulouse, France, Chef Eric Barale began his culinary training at 16 and refined his craft in Michelinstarred Relais & Chateaux properties across France, Monaco, Switzerland, and Italy. After earning a master's degree and advanced culinary certifications, he taught aspiring chefs before taking his talents to sea in 1999. He joined Oceania Cruises in 2003 as Executive Chef, rising to Corporate Executive Chef in 2005 and Culinary Director in 2009, overseeing both Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. A Maitre Cuisinier de France since 2010, he became Executive Culinary Director, alongside Chef Alexis Quaretti, in 2024. Chef Barale is renowned for his pursuit of culinary excellence and innovation, both at sea and on land.

Chef Sebastien Canonne, M.O.F.

Chef Sebastien Canonne is a world-renowned culinary and pastry master whose career began with apprenticeships in France. He went on to work in prestigious Michelin-starred restaurants and elite institutions around the world, including the Palais de l'Elysee for President Francois Mitterrand. In 1995, he founded the celebrated French Pastry School and later created The Butter Book Pastry Academy. A Meilleur Ouvrier de France and recipient of numerous international honors, Chef Canonne is recognized as one of France's most accomplished educators and craftsmen.

About Oceania Cruises

Oceania Cruises   is the world's leading culinary- and destination-focused luxury cruise line. The line's intimate, luxurious ships feature The Finest Cuisine at Sea and destination-rich itineraries that span the globe. Expertly curated travel experiences are available aboard the designer-inspired ships, which call on more than 600 marquee and boutique ports in more than 100 countries on seven continents, on voyages that range from seven to more than 200 days. Oceania Cruises has five Sonata Class ships on order scheduled for delivery in 2027, 2029, 2032, 2035 and 2037. Oceania Cruises is a wholly owned subsidiary of Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd. (NYSE: NCLH). To learn more, visit www.nclhltd.com.

About The Butter Book

The Butter Book is an award-winning pastry and baking training platform founded by world-renowned chefs and expert educators. Built on the proven methodology of The French Pastry School and informed by more than 25 years of elite brick-and-mortar culinary training from apprentice to master craftsmanship, the platform delivers scalable digital and hands-on education for hospitality groups, hotels, cruise lines, government culinary teams, and schools. Through 24/7 chef-instructed learning, customizable training pathways, practical assessments, and enterprise-ready integration, The Butter Book helps organizations of all sizes attract, train, retain, and elevate talent while driving greater consistency, strengthening internal talent pipelines, and advancing long-term operational excellence and innovation.

SOURCE Oceania Cruises
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Police have dismissed social media reports claiming that Bindura State University student Tafara Baynes Magodora was abducted, saying he was in fact arrested for assault.In a statement posted on X, the Zimbabwe Republic Police said the circulating reports were misleading."Reference is made to social media reports alleging the kidnapping of a university student, Tafara Baynes Magodora. The ZRP sets the record straight that Tafara Magodora was arrested in Bindura on March 30 for assaulting a fellow student at the campus on March 28. He has since paid an admission of guilt fine and is not in police custody," police said.
As the White House unveils its National AI Legislative Framework and the EU AI Act enters enforcement, OpenBox delivers the governance infrastructure regulators are demanding  available for every organization, from day one.

SAN FRANCISCO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The governance crisis in enterprise AI is no longer theoretical. On 20 March 2026, the Trump Administration unveiled a comprehensive National AI Legislative Framework  its most ambitious federal AI policy move to date  calling for consistent national standards that guard against AI-enabled fraud, protect consumers, and accelerate responsible deployment across American industry. Simultaneously, the EU AI Act's compliance obligations for high-risk AI systems are now in force. Together, these milestones mark a new era: AI governance has become a regulatory and boardroom imperative, not a future consideration.

Today, OpenBox announces its public launch and a $5 million seed funding round led by Tykhe Ventures, bringing enterprise-grade AI governance infrastructure to every organization deploying AI agents, regardless of size, geography, or budget.

WHY NOW: THE REGULATORY RECKONING HAS ARRIVED

AI agents  autonomous systems that access data, call APIs, and make decisions without human review  are proliferating at a pace that governance frameworks have not kept up with. Gartner projects that by the end of 2026, task-specific AI agents will be embedded in 40% of enterprise software applications, up from less than 5% in 2025. Yet the infrastructure to manage them responsibly has been missing.

The Trump Administration's National AI Legislative Framework directly addresses this gap, calling on Congress to combat AI-enabled scams, protect intellectual property, and ensure AI systems strengthen  rather than undermine  American communities and businesses. For enterprises operating under this framework, demonstrating agentic AI governance is now a compliance obligation, not an option.

In Europe, the EU AI Act is already in effect for high-risk applications, demanding audit trails, runtime policy enforcement, cryptographic attestation, and demonstrable risk controls. For multinationals operating across jurisdictions, the compliance burden is compounding fast.

WHAT OPENBOX DOES

OpenBox turns opaque AI agent behavior into governed, attested execution. Where most monitoring tools analyze behavior after the fact, OpenBox enforces identity, authorization, and policy at the point of execution  before actions take effect. This is the difference between a security camera and a lock on the door.

The platform delivers the full compliance infrastructure that regulated environments require:

Real-time audit trails and cryptographic attestation, ready for regulatory inspection

Human-in-the-loop oversight controls for high-stakes agentic decisions

Cross-organization trust infrastructure for multi-agent, multi-vendor deployments

Cognitive behavior analysis that detects agent goal drift before it becomes material risk

Dynamic agent risk scoring that adapts controls to observed behavior  not static rules

OpenBox integrates natively with Temporal, n8n, Mastra, LangChain, AWS, and Cursor requiring no architectural changes. The entire platform  including its most advanced governance features  is available with no usage limits, from day one.

"The regulatory reckoning for AI agents is no longer a future event  it is happening now. Enterprises that cannot demonstrate governance of their AI systems face real and growing exposure. We backed OpenBox because the team combines the technical depth to build this right with the regulatory experience to understand precisely what enterprises and regulators require. That combination is rare, and the window to define this category is now."

 Prashant Malik, Co-creator of Apache Cassandra & General Partner, Tykhe Ventures

THE DEMOCRATIZATION IMPERATIVE

Enterprise AI governance has historically been the preserve of organizations with the resources to build it in-house. OpenBox was founded on the conviction that the infrastructure to trust AI agents should be as accessible as the agents themselves.

"AI agents are being democratized at remarkable speed. The infrastructure to trust them should be too. We built OpenBox so that a five-person fintech in Lagos and a 50,000-person bank in London both have access to the same enterprise-grade AI governance."

 Asim Ahmad, Co-Founder, OpenBox AI

Ahmad brings 15 years of experience spanning investment and strategy, including founding the venture capital firm Eterna Capital and prior roles at BlackRock  where governance and auditability were foundational operating requirements, not afterthoughts.

THE TECHNICAL FOUNDATION

"Every AI agent is an autonomous system capable of accessing data, calling APIs, and making decisions without human review. As enterprises deploy hundreds of these agents, the governance challenge becomes existential  and the tools to address it have simply not existed until now."

 Tahir Mahmood, Co-Founder, OpenBox AI

Mahmood brings deep technical expertise from Microsoft, where he served as Technical Lead for Operating Systems and Programming Languages, and holds more than 40 patents spanning AI, telecoms, and IoT. OpenBox's two proprietary capabilities  cognitive behavior analysis and dynamic agent risk scoring  were developed specifically to address the emergent failure modes of autonomous systems that static rule-based governance cannot catch.

TRACTION AND RECOGNITION

OpenBox already counts billion-dollar enterprises across logistics, healthcare, and media among its customers. The company has been selected for the Accenture FinTech Innovation Lab London 2026 cohort  one of the most competitive fintech programs in Europe.

AVAILABILITY

OpenBox is available now at openbox.ai. The platform is available with no usage limits and can be taken into production at any scale immediately. Advanced features and dedicated support are available as optional paid additions.

About OpenBox AI

OpenBox AI is a technology company building trust infrastructure for enterprise AI systems. It provides governance, verification, and oversight solutions for autonomous AI operating across workflows and organizations. Founded by Tahir Mahmood and Asim Ahmad  with prior experience at Microsoft and BlackRock respectively  OpenBox combines frontier technical expertise with deep regulatory knowledge.

About Tykhe Ventures

Tykhe Ventures is a venture capital firm backing foundational infrastructure companies and AI-first innovators.
Unified solution centralizes key back-office functions to support the unique needs of modern restaurant and hospitality businesses

LONDON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- SuiteConnect London -- Oracle and Oracle NetSuite today announced Oracle NetSuite Restaurant Operations. Powered by NetSuite's AI-powered business system, Restaurant Operations is designed to help restaurants increase operational efficiency and profitability by unifying and simplifying critical back-office functions. Restaurant Operations supports growth and innovation by unifying inventory, procurement, scheduling, production, and cash management data in a single AI-enhanced platform that delivers real-time visibility, actionable insights, and scalable workflows.

"Restaurant and hospitality leaders are under pressure to drive operational efficiencies and do more with less, while delivering an exceptional customer experience," said Alex Alt, executive vice president and general manager, Oracle Commercial Cloud Applications. "Restaurant Operations brings together deep industry-specific expertise, leading technology, and data management in a unified platform with AI-enhanced workflows. With these AI-powered capabilities, restaurant and hospitality leaders can optimize efficiency, reduce costs, and unlock rapid innovation at scale in their Oracle Simphony Cloud or multi-point-of-sale (POS) environments."

Built on more than 25 years of Oracle and NetSuite hospitality and restaurant financial best practices experience, Restaurant Operations delivers flexible and scalable capabilities for restaurants of any size, from single-location startups to global franchises. It enables Oracle Simphony Cloud customers to increase accuracy, speed, and employee productivity by providing an enhanced user interface with elevated materials control and inventory tools as well as embedded AI toolsets that handle repetitive tasks. In addition, AI-driven analysis helps customers enhance decision making by providing the unique insights and recommendations they need to identify trends and make predictions in areas such as inventory management.

To help customers further streamline data and enhance efficiencies across the business, Restaurant Operations also unifies back-office operations by consolidating data from Oracle Simphony Cloud and other POS systems. With a centralized view of key performance indicators (KPIs), trends, and reporting, hospitality and restaurant operators gain a single source of truth to help drive profitability.

"Restaurants have traditionally relied on a patchwork of systems to manage inventory, purchasing, finance, and other critical processes," said Brian Chess, senior vice president of AI, product, and technology, Oracle NetSuite. "Restaurant Operations brings the power of Oracle and NetSuite together in a unified solution with AI embedded across workflows to help automate routine tasks and surface operational trends. By connecting operational and financial data in one system, businesses gain real-time visibility into performance across locations, reduce complexity, and make faster, more informed decisions."

Availability

Oracle NetSuite Restaurant Operations will be available for customers globally within the next 12 months and will support localization in over 110 countries, 190 currencies, and 27 languages.

Future Product Disclaimer

The preceding is intended to outline our general product direction. It is intended for information purposes only and may not be incorporated into any contract. It is not a commitment to deliver any material, code, or functionality, and should not be relied upon in making purchasing decisions. The development, release, timing, and pricing of any features or functionality described for Oracle's products may change and remains at the sole discretion of Oracle Corporation.

About Oracle Restaurants

Oracle Restaurants helps ambitious food and beverage providers transact in new ways, place their guests at the center of every business decision, and deliver exceptional dining experiences. Powered by Oracle Simphony Cloud, an open and extensible digital transaction platform for unified restaurant commerce, our solutions enable operators to inform and automate operations, streamline payments, and personalize both staff and guest interactions. From quick-service to fine dining, restaurants around the world trust Oracle to drive efficiency, scale seamlessly, and innovate for the future. Learn more at Oracle Restaurants.

About Oracle NetSuite

For more than 25 years, Oracle NetSuite has helped organizations of all sizes reach their goals faster and more efficiently. NetSuite provides an integrated business system with embedded AI that delivers powerful financial management, supply chain, customer experience, and HR capabilities. Relied on by more than 43,000 customers in 220 countries and dependent territories, NetSuite is the #1 AI cloud enterprise resource planning (ERP) solution.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at www.oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, MySQL and NetSuite are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation. NetSuite was the first cloud company--ushering in the new era of cloud computing.

SOURCE Oracle
NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Palico is taking a major step forward in the evolution of the secondary market.

With pricing set at just 5 basis points for transactions above $50 million, the firm is introducing a revolutionary model designed to prioritize scale and efficiency.

"This is not about lowering fees. It's about redefining how the secondary market should function at scale," said Antoine Drean, Founder and CEO of Palico. "This pricing only exists because we built Palico as a digital-native platformnot as a traditional intermediary".

The move reflects a strong conviction that, at scale, secondaries should operate as efficient infrastructure rather than a handcrafted market. By automating key parts of the process and directly connecting buyers and sellers, Palico structurally reduces friction and, therefore, costs.

"Five basis points is not aggressive pricing. It's what the market looks like when it finally becomes efficient," continued Drean. "When you remove friction through technology, pricing follows. Five basis points is the natural outcome of that", added Drean.

By replacing traditional and outdated processes with updated technology, Palico is pushing the needle forward to build a more fluid, scalable, and transparent secondary market.

The era of handcrafted transactions is over. Palico is not just navigating this shift, but also building the platform that defines it.

About Palico

Palico is a digital marketplace dedicated to private equity fund secondaries, connecting qualified buyers and sellers globally.

Built as a native digital platform, Palico streamlines the execution of secondary transactions by reducing friction, increasing transparency, and enabling faster deal completion.

From smaller positions to large-scale transactions, Palico provides an efficient and scalable solution across the full spectrum of the secondary market.

Disclosure: All investment opportunities available to U.S. investors are offered through Palico LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Palico SAS. Palico LLC is an SEC-registered broker-dealer, and member of FINRA and SIPC.

Media Contact:

Julissa Bonilla

[email protected]

126 E 56th St, Suite 1200

New York, NY 10022

Image - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2947462/Palico.jpg

SOURCE Palico.com
The two companies unite Peak's NanoPlex LDF film and Advanced Conversion's Power Ring platform to unlock the full performance potential of SiC-based inverters across high-voltage e-mobility

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Peak Nano today announced a strategic partnership with Advanced Conversion (a wholly owned subsidiary of ETI of Clearwater, Florida) to co-develop next-generation DC-link capacitor solutions for high-voltage e-mobility applications, with an initial focus on high-performance and commercial platforms including Formula E and performance automotive, electric buses and heavy trucks, off-highway and industrial vehicles, and electrified aviation.

The 800V+ Shift Is Rewriting the Rules for Power Electronics

The shift to 800V+ power architectures was supposed to unlock the next generation of EV performance, charging speed, and electrified aviation. Instead, engineers keep running into the same wall: DC-link capacitors that weren't designed for the high currents, thermal loads, switching speeds, and voltage stress that Silicon Carbide (SiC) MOSFETs demand. The workarounds (derating capacitors, oversizing the DC link, adding cooling infrastructure) are expensive, weight restrictive, and space-consuming, and they undermine the efficiency gains SiC was designed to deliver.

"SiC has fundamentally changed what the DC link must deliver, and the industry has been working around legacy polypropylene limitations for too long. Engineers designing 800V+ inverter systems shouldn't have to derate, oversize, or add cooling just so their capacitors can keep up," said Edward Sawyer, CEO of Advanced Power Conversion Solutions. "NanoPlex LDF also serves as a direct replacement for polyester-based films where the supply chain has become constrained  we're already seeing strong adoption across our customer base. Partnering with Peak Nano gives us the film technology to match the ambition of our Power Ring platform. Together, we're delivering a DC-link solution purpose-built for 800V SiC inverters and geometrically aligned to integrate directly with motor housings."

A Ground-Up Solution: Power Ring + NanoPlex LDF

This partnership brings together two technologies purpose-built for the 800V+ shift. Peak Nano's patented NanoPlex LDF film design delivers thermal stability and voltage endurance that 800V+ SiC systems require, without the derating penalties that constrain biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) based designs. Advanced Conversion's patented Power Ring platform provides ultra-low commutation loop inductance and superior thermal coupling, enabling fast-switching SiC modules to operate at their full potential in compact, high-heat environments.

Together, they close a critical gap in high-voltage inverter design that neither company could address alone.

"NanoPlex LDF was built for exactly the environment that high-voltage SiC inverters create  high temperature, high frequency, high electrical stress, with no room for derating. Advanced Conversion's Power Ring architecture is the integration platform that can translate that film capability into a complete, optimized system," said Jim Welsh, CEO Of Peak Nano. "This partnership puts the right film and the right manufacturing platform together for the first time, and the products we are developing together will set a new benchmark for DC-link performance in e-mobility on land, sea, and air."

A Domestic, Allied Supply Chain for High-Voltage E-Mobility

NanoPlex LDF is engineered and manufactured domestically. Combined with Advanced Conversion's U.S.-based manufacturing, this partnership delivers one of the few fully domestic, allied-supply-chain DC-link solutions for high-voltage e-mobility, supporting OEMs and Tier 1s looking to de-risk their supply chains while aligning with onshoring and nearshoring priorities in the EV, power electronics, and defense and national security sectors.

Engineering teams from both companies are developing joint products now, with initial releases slated for late 2026. This partnership is structured for long-term co-development across passenger EVs, commercial vehicles, off-highway platforms, electrified aviation, and DC fast-charging infrastructure.

Program managers and engineers are invited to contact Advanced Conversion or Peak Nano to discuss early access and evaluation opportunities.

Advanced Conversion: www.advanced-conversion.com

Peak Nano Films: www.peaknano.com

About Peak Nano

Established in 2016 to bring patented nanotechnology from the laboratory to commercial applications, Peak Nano is tackling challenges across the power grid, fusion, electric vehicles, aerospace, and defense. With AI-powered design and advanced nanolayered technology, Peak Nano's drop-in-ready, industry-disrupting solutions dramatically boost systems' performance.

Our NanoPlex films technology, protected by 20+ global patents, is designed and engineered in the U.S., with a secure supply chain from allied nations, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers. These purpose-built nanolayered solutions enable breakthroughs across critical industries, strengthening American energy independence, leadership, and national security.

About Advanced Conversion

Advanced Power Conversion Solutions Inc (Advanced Conversion) is a wholly owned subsidiary of Electro Technik Industries Inc (ETI) of Clearwater, Florida. Advanced Conversion designs and manufactures advanced DC-link integration solutions for high-voltage power electronics. The company's patented Power Ring platform delivers ultra-low commutation loop inductance and superior thermal performance, enabling SiC-based inverter systems to operate at their full potential across e-mobility, industrial, and electrified aviation applications. Advanced Conversion and its sister company, Arizona Capacitors, have four facilities manufacturing leading-edge capacitor solutions for industry. For more information: www.advanced-conversion.com

SOURCE Peak Nano Systems
Ranking Lauds Marco's Expansion, Culinary Innovation, and Leadership Strength

President & Co-CEO Tony Libardi Honored as Top 25 Executive

Continued Growth, New Formats, Digital Upgrades, and Menu Innovation Set the Pace for What's Next

TOLEDO, Ohio, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Marco's Pizza, one of the nation's fastest-growing pizza brands, earns the No. 2 spot on Pizza Marketplace's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list for 2026. The annual ranking recognizes brands that are shaping the future of the American pizza industry through a powerful combination of high-volume operations and elevated, quality pizza.

Marco's was honored for its continued commitment to expansion and bold culinary innovation. In 2025, Marco's strengthened its executive leadership bench with the strategic appointments of Chief Marketing Officer Steve Kennedy, Chief Financial Officer Bill Schaffer, and VP of Franchise Growth Brad Smith, enhancing its already robust leadership team. This leadership infrastructure further positions Marco's for sustainable expansion and operational excellence.

Marco's Pizza earns the No. 2 spot on Pizza Marketplace's Top 100 Movers & Shakers list for 2026. Post this

Growth remained a key component of the brand's 2025 strategy, opening more than 60 new stores while accelerating expansion across new domestic markets, international territories, and nontraditional venues. Celebrating anniversaries in Puerto Rico and Mexico, Marco's is exploring a widened reach across the Caribbean and LATAM regions with a continued focus on scalability and franchisee support.

Alongside expansion efforts, the brand is simultaneously redefining category expectations with innovative menu offerings. Rooted in flavor-first quality, Marco's Chef Kathleen Kennedy has pushed the limits of elevated menu offerings, including reintroducing the iconic Fiery Flavors pizzas and breads and building on the success of its acclaimed Magnifico lineup to deliver distinct flavor profiles that resonate with today's consumers.

Further underscoring the strength of Marco's leadership team, Tony Libardi, president and CEO of Marco's Pizza, was recognized as a Top 25 Executive for his leadership in the brand's ascent as a powerhouse. In 2025, he oversaw the brand's expansion into Mexico and Latin America, and he continues to lead with a "people-first" mentality, prioritizing operational excellence and digital modernization to drive consistency, convenience, and value.

"This prestigious recognition is truly a testament to our entire network," said Tony Libardi, president and co-CEO of Marco's Pizza. "From our dedicated franchisees and our leadership team's committed focus on quality and innovation, to our guests who uplift our brand every day, we continue to pave the way for the modern pizza industry. We're excited to build off this momentum and evolve while honoring our roots."

Alongside the brand's recent recognition as America's Favorite Restaurant in the Limited-Service Pizza category*, these awards underscore Marco's uncompromising commitment to quality and its continued investment in innovation to deliver bold flavor.

As Marco's continues its upward trajectory, this industry recognition reinforces the brand's long-term vision: delivering superior guest experiences while building a scalable, resilient system for franchisees.

For more information Marco's Pizza franchise opportunities, visit https://www.marcos.com/franchising/ or contact Brad Smith at [email protected] or 419-279-5795.

ABOUT MARCO'S PIZZA

Headquartered in Toledo, Ohio, Marco's Pizza is one of the fastest-growing pizza brands in the United States. Marco's was founded in 1978 by Italian-born Pasquale ("Pat") Giammarco and thrives to deliver a high-quality pizza experience, known for its dough made from scratch and its three fresh signature cheeses. The company has grown from its roots as a beloved Ohio brand to operate over 1,200 stores in 35 states with locations in Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and Mexico. Other recent accolades include being recognized by QSR as one of the "16 Best Franchise Deals for 2025", ranking No. 50 on Entrepreneur Magazine's 2026 "Franchise 500" ranking, earning a coveted spot as the only top 5 pizza chain to rank on Newsweek's 2025 "America's Best Customer Service" in pizza chains list, earning a spot on QSR's Top 50, and being featured on Nation's Restaurant News' prestigious "Top 500" ranking.

*According to Technomic's 2025 America's Favorite Restaurants data, Marco's Pizza secured the top spot in the Limited-Service Pizza category with a 54.6% composite top-box rating, indicating the share of recent guests who gave the brand the highest possible rating for each of the guest experience attributes. Data for America's Favorite Chains comes from Technomic Ignite Consumer, which collects information about how brands impact consumers and how consumers interact with those brands, via online surveys. See here for more information: www.technomic.com/ignite-consumer.

SOURCE Marco's Pizza
NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- PR Boutiques International (PRBI)  the global non-profit network of founder-led boutique PR agencies  today announced newly elected leadership for its 20262028 term, the addition of five new member agencies across four countries, and the agenda for its Annual Meeting in Paris, April 2224, 2026.

New Leadership for 20262028

Julia Labaton, President of PR Boutiques International. Founder of RED PR

PRBI's newly elected Officers bring senior-level, hands-on expertise to one of the most respected independent PR networks in the world:

President: Julia Labaton, Founder, RED PR

Julia Labaton, Founder, RED PR Vice President: Sandy Crisafulli, President, Caryl Communications

Sandy Crisafulli, President, Caryl Communications Treasurer: Jeff Graubard, Principal, The Other Agency

Jeff Graubard, Principal, The Other Agency Secretary: Christina Vanin, Co-Founder, The Edit PR

Christina Vanin, Co-Founder, The Edit PR Members at Large: Catharine Montgomery, Better Together Agency; Thiago Vitale, Founder, Torre Communications

Board of Directors: Amy Rotenberg, Cheryl Bame, Duree Ross, David Ball, Lucy Siegel, Taru Nikulainen

"PRBI's strength has always come from founder-led agencies that stay close to the work while thinking globally. This leadership team reflects the diversity, senior expertise, and collaborative mindset our members rely on as communications become more complex and interconnected."

 Julia Labaton, President, PRBI

Five New Member Agencies Join the Network

PRBI's global footprint grows with five new boutique PR firms spanning India, France, and the United States:

Blue Buzz (Mumbai, India)  Digital-first PR and storytelling across one of the world's fastest-growing media markets

(Mumbai, India)  Digital-first PR and storytelling across one of the world's fastest-growing media markets Hays Frey PR (Buffalo, NY)  Media relations, crisis communications, and AI-driven search visibility strategies

(Buffalo, NY)  Media relations, crisis communications, and AI-driven search visibility strategies Hello SunRise PR (Paris, France)  PR and influence strategies for innovative companies, consumer brands, and startups

(Paris, France)  PR and influence strategies for innovative companies, consumer brands, and startups KTM Agency (Newport Beach, CA)  High-impact communications for nonprofits and lifestyle brands on the U.S. West Coast

(Newport Beach, CA)  High-impact communications for nonprofits and lifestyle brands on the U.S. West Coast MSquared (Atlanta, GA)  Hospitality and lifestyle PR for hotels, resorts, and destinations driving awareness and bookings

2026 Annual Meeting  Paris, April 2224

PRBI members will convene in Paris to shape the future of independent PR agencies. The agenda covers AI integration in PR, cross-border collaboration, and new business growth strategies. Featured speakers include Patrick Ryan of The 300 Consultancy and Benjamin Zenou and Vix Reitano of Suits AI.

About PR Boutiques International

Founded in 2008, PRBI is a global non-profit network of independent boutique PR firms delivering senior-level expertise, personal attention, and cost-effective strategies across corporate, consumer, healthcare, beauty/fashion, crisis management, technology, and more. With over 30 member agencies worldwide, PRBI gives clients access to executive counsel and international reach  without the overhead of large agencies.

Learn more: Website | LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook

Press Contact: Julia Labaton, +1 646.528.3969, [email protected]

SOURCE PR Boutiques International
Investors on Public can now create AI Agents that monitor markets, move money and automate tradeseasily and securely.

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Public, the world's first Agentic Brokerage, today began rolling out Agents, a new innovation that allows investors to automate their portfolio strategies with AI. Now, investors on Public can build Agents that actively monitor the markets and execute trades based on users' specific instructions.

For decades, investing meant manually entering orderswhether by calling a broker, placing a trade on the web, or tapping a mobile app. Agents on Public change that. Instead of monitoring the markets and executing trades, investors can simply describe what they want to do, shifting the experience from manual clicks to expressing intent. Agents on Public monitor conditions in real time and execute investors' strategies exactly as defined.

Agents can support a wide range of portfolio workflows, including trading strategies, cash management, and risk management. Before taking action, the AI asks follow-up questions to help map out a complete Agent workflow. The investor can refine timing, adjust triggers, and set precise conditions, all through follow-up prompts. When the logic looks right, the investor activates the Agent, and it goes to work.

For example, an investor might prompt:

Help me generate $5,000 per month in covered call premiums across my portfolio.

If SPY drops more than 1% in the first 30 minutes of trading, buy same-day call and put options.

If my checking account balance exceeds $20,000, sweep the excess into my direct index.

"Every investor has ideas and strategies in their heads, but executing them used to require being glued to a screen all day, waiting for the right moment to act," said Jannick Malling, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Public. "Agents not only automate strategies for retail investors; they help translate their intent into action."

Investors on Public have full transparency into their Agents' activity, including access to trading history and detailed logs of every action taken within their brokerage account. They can pause, stop, or edit any agent workflow at any time. Crucially, Agents on Public will never run rogue on the internet. They operate entirely on the platform's financial-grade infrastructure, keeping every action strictly within an authenticated environment.

Since Public became the first brokerage to introduce AI in 2023, investors have consistently asked for more ways to integrate the technology into their portfolios. Agents are the answer, and they're live for select members today. Join the waitlist to gain access: https://public.com/ai-agents.

About Public

Public is the world's first Agentic Brokerage. Investors use AI and a vast variety of asset classes, from stocks and bonds to crypto and options, to build portfolios for the long haul. Launched in 2019, Public has been trusted with billions in assets of affluent investors. Headquartered in New York City, it's raised over $400M from investors like Accel and Tiger Global.

Disclosures

Agentic Brokerage is an AI-powered conversational tool that allows you to enter instructions for a set of self-directed, recurring transactions (your "Agent") for your account. Outputs from Agentic Brokerage are provided for informational and illustrative purposes only, and should not be considered investment recommendations or advice. The Agents you create are based on your own instructions and investment decisions. You are solely responsible for determining the suitability of any strategy and for verifying your instructions before activating your Agent. Brokerage accounts and services provided by Open to the Public Investing, Inc. Cryptocurrency accounts and services provided by Zero Hash LLC. All investing involves risk. See additional Agentic Brokerage disclosures.

Media Contact

Rachel Livingston

[email protected]

SOURCE Public
Preeclampsia Foundation focuses 2026 awards on health equity and HELLP Syndrome

MELBOURNE, Fla., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Preeclampsia Foundation and Preeclampsia Foundation Canada announced today that applications are now being accepted for the 2026 Vision Grant research funding program. Three of the four grants focus on health equity; one focuses on HELLP Syndrome.

The Preeclampsia Foundation (USA) will award two scientific research Vision Grants to study preeclampsia and related hypertensive disorders of pregnancy with a special focus on health inequities in the United States, up to $20,000 USD each. The Foundation's Canadian affiliate, Preeclampsia Foundation Canada, will also be awarding two Vision Grants, one focused on HELLP Syndrome, up to $25,000 CAD, and one focused on preeclampsia and health inequities in Black Canadians, up to $20,000 CAD.

"Black and Indigenous women in North America are more likely to develop hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and to have adverse outcomes," said Eleni Tsigas, Preeclampsia Foundation Chief Executive Officer. "By focusing this year's funding on research that includes and centers these highly affected populations, we hope to add to the body of research to better understand those connections, increase representation in our patient registry, and ultimately improve their outcomes."

Vision Grants provide initial funding for novel, innovative research led by promising young investigators. Only post-doctoral, Clinical Fellows, or Early-Stage Investigators are eligible to apply.

Proposed health equity projects will work to better understand and improve outcomes for Black, Indigenous, and other underserved communities, and will use patient enrollment into The Preeclampsia Registry in their study design. International applications are welcome; however, submissions must be in English.

The Canadian Vision Grant focused on health equity will be known as the Maya B. Dash Vision Grant, made possible thanks to generous support from the Doane Grant Thornton Foundation. Only researchers based in Canada will be considered for that award. The other Canadian award will specifically fund HELLP syndrome research and is open to all qualified researchers, thanks to generous support from the Cara HELLPs research fund, created in honor of Cara Kernohan, who at 29 years old, lost her life tragically and suddenly to HELLP syndrome at 35 weeks of pregnancy.

The application deadline is May 27, 2026, with award notification in September 2026. Specific eligibility criteria and instructions to apply can be found at www.preeclampsia.org/research-funding (US) or www.preeclampsiacanada.ca (Canada).

About the Vision Grant Award program

Since its inception, the Preeclampsia Foundation's Vision Grant annual program has invested more than a half million dollars in novel research  ranging from molecular biology and immunology to potential therapies, with the goal of supporting new, potentially groundbreaking concepts. These results have, in turn, generated additional funding, earned scientific presentations at major conferences, and inspired young investigators to challenge a medical conundrum that has baffled the medical community for more than 2,400 years.

Contact:

Danielle Sapienza

(321) 421-6957

[email protected]

SOURCE Preeclampsia Foundation
Funding will accelerate development of AI-powered tools and expand expert-guided support for business owners preparing for transition

CHICAGO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Rowan, the AI-powered platform reimagining small business succession, announced it has secured $3.3 million in seed funding. The round was led by global trading firm DRW, with additional investment from Motivate Ventures, Mercury Fund, and angel investor Eddie Lou. The funding will support Rowan's growing suite of proprietary AI tools to improve succession readiness and outcomes, as well as team expansion and scaling.

"Millions of small business owners spend their lives building incredible companies, yet when it comes time to step away there's rarely a clear path," said Co-Founder and CEO Steven Glod. "Rowan exists to change that. This funding allows us to build the tools, the team, and the infrastructure needed to help owners protect their legacy and transition their businesses on their own terms."

Rowan blends hands-on expert guidance with advanced AI tools to support the full succession journey. The platform gives small business owners access to Fortune 500 capabilities, while creating a structured and transparent transition process for both buyers and sellers.

"A wave of small businesses is coming to market as owners reach retirement age, which is making the marketplace a lot more crowded," said Co-Founder Christopher Weaver. "At the same time, buyers are getting more sophisticated and expectations keep rising. The gap between what sellers are prepared for and what the market expects has never been bigger."

Rowan closes that gap by helping small business owners:

Deploy AI to empower teams and reduce owner reliance.

Organize financials.

Document and modernize operations.

Improve cash flow and predictability.

Attract the right qualified buyers.

As the small business succession crisis grows, Rowan is positioned to be a critical partner for owners navigating one of the most consequential moments in their professional lives. Rowan ensures every transition protects a founder's life's work, preserves legacy, and empowers the next generation of leadership to carry it forward.

Rowan combines advanced AI systems with steady, human guidance to transform owner-run companies into buyer-ready businesses. Through its proprietary platform and dedicated Guides, Rowan organizes financials, structures clean data, documents processes, strengthens cash flow, and connects aligned buyers and sellers, helping owners unlock the full value of what they've built.

Learn more at https://www.trustrowan.com/

SOURCE Rowan
The new cards, created with Visa, offer simplified, flexible rewards across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea  unlocking even more value with every vacation

Key Takeaways

Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America launch the cruise industry's first tri-branded credit cards , enabling travelers to earn and redeem rewards across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

, enabling travelers to earn and redeem rewards across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. New Royal ONE  and Royal ONE Plus cards accelerate rewards earnings on everyday spending and cruise vacations , with flexible redemption across Royal Caribbean Group's portfolio of vacation experiences, no foreign transaction fees, and meaningful travel perks.

 and cards , with flexible redemption across Royal Caribbean Group's portfolio of vacation experiences, no foreign transaction fees, and meaningful travel perks. The cards advance Royal Caribbean Group's broader efforts to reimagine loyalty and unlock more value across its leading brands.

MIAMI, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) and Bank of America announced the upcoming launch of the Royal ONE Visa Signature and Royal ONE Plus Visa Signature credit cards  the industry's first tri-branded cards that simplify how travelers earn and redeem rewards across the company's brands: Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. The Royal ONE cards continue Royal Caribbean Group's multiyear journey to reimagine loyalty and unlock more value for guests to maximize their vacation experiences. The cards will be available in the coming weeks.

Royal Caribbean Group and Bank of America launch the cruise industrys first tri-branded credit cards, enabling travelers to earn and redeem rewards across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea.

Designed to help cardholders earn points faster and use them more seamlessly, the new credit cards award points on both everyday spending and vacation purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea. As rewards add up, Royal Caribbean Group's new Royal ONE program offers cardholders a convenient way to redeem rewards across brands. The Royal ONE cards further the company's expanding loyalty ecosystem and enhancements, including Points Choice and industry-first Status Match.

"Royal ONE and Royal ONE Plus strengthen how we recognize and reward our loyal guests across our leading vacation brands," said Jason Liberty, chairman and CEO of Royal Caribbean Group. "These new cards bring together the ways our guests vacation across Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea  making it easier to earn and use rewards, so every trip delivers greater value and more meaningful experiences."

Royal ONE Credit Card Benefits

Built for travelers who want strong rewards with flexibility

No annual fee 

3X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea

2X points on grocery, gas, and EV charging

1X point on all other purchases

Travel perks for the Royal ONE card include priority boarding for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, $100 anniversary reward after qualifying spend, Visa Signature travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees.

Royal ONE Plus Credit Card Benefits

Designed for frequent vacationers seeking elevated earnings and perks

$99 annual fee 

4X points on purchases with Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea

2X points on grocery, gas, EV charging, plus air, hotel, and dining

1X point on all other purchases

Vacation perks for the Royal ONE Plus card include priority suite boarding for Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises and Silversea vacations, priority luggage handling with Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises, $200 anniversary reward after qualifying spend, $120 TSA PreCheck/Global Entry credit (every four years), Visa Signature travel protections, and no foreign transaction fees.

"We're pleased to expand our long-standing partnership with Royal Caribbean Group, a leader in global vacation experiences," said Lora Monfared, head of consumer card products at Bank of America. "Offering both a no-fee card and an enhanced rewards card gives travelers more ways to maximize spending and earn bigger rewards."

A More Connected Earning and Redemption Experience

The Royal ONE program offers a straightforward way for travelers to earn meaningful rewards across Royal Caribbean Group's brands, whether for cruise savings or onboard credits for experiences like specialty dining, shore excursions, drink packages, WiFi, and more. As part of the company's expanding loyalty vision, the credit cards complement benefits already introduced to help guests earn, choose, and use rewards with more flexibility than ever before.

For information about the rates, fees, other costs, and benefits associated with the use of the card, click here for Royal ONE or click here for Royal ONE Plus and refer to the disclosures.

About Royal Caribbean Group

Royal Caribbean Group is a leading global vacation company spanning cruise, exclusive destinations, and land-based vacation experiences. The company operates 69 ships sailing to more than 1,000 destinations across all seven continents through its three wholly owned brands - Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea - and a 50% joint venture interest in TUI Cruises, which operates the Mein Schiff and Hapag-Lloyd brands.

The Group is expanding its portfolio of private destinations from three to eight by 2028 through its Perfect Day and Royal Beach Club collections, and the company will enter river cruising in 2027 with Celebrity River Cruises. Powered by innovative brands, advanced technology, and an industry-leading loyalty program, the company has built a connected vacation ecosystem, turning the vacation of a lifetime into a lifetime of vacations.

Named to the Fortune World's Most Admired Companies 2026 list and to Forbes' 2026 Best American Companies lists, Royal Caribbean Group is guided by its mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly. For more information, visit royalcaribbeangroup.com .

Bank of America

Bank of America Bank of America is one of the world's leading financial institutions, serving individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses and large corporations with a full range of banking, investing, asset management and other financial and risk management products and services. The company provides unmatched convenience in the United States, serving nearly 70 million clients with approximately 3,600 retail financial centers, approximately 15,000 ATMs (automated teller machines) and award-winning digital banking with approximately 59 million verified digital users. Bank of America is a global leader in wealth management, corporate and investment banking and trading across a broad range of asset classes, serving corporations, governments, institutions and individuals around the world. Bank of America offers industry-leading support to approximately 4 million small business households through a suite of innovative, easy-to-use online products and services. The company serves clients through operations across the United States, its territories and more than 35 countries. Bank of America Corporation stock (NYSE: BAC) is listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

SOURCE Royal Caribbean Group
News / National

by Stephen Jakes

Public consultations on Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 have been described as deeply flawed, with residents accusing Parliament of excluding thousands of citizens from meaningfully participating in the process.At the Bulawayo Large City Hall, more than 3,500 people reportedly attended the hearing, but submissions were taken from only about 100 participants, raising concerns about what residents called a "democratic miscarriage".Residents also criticised the decision to hold consultations at only two venues in the entire city - the Large City Hall and Nketa Hall - saying this left out a significant portion of Bulawayo's population.A concerned resident said the process failed to capture the true views of the people."When only 100 out of 3,500 attendees are heard at a venue like the Bulawayo Large City Hall, we are left with a significant democratic deficit. Mathematically and socially, we cannot claim that the views of this small group represent the silent majority," he said.He added that public consultations often suffer from selection bias, where only the most organised, loudest or politically backed individuals manage to speak."This leaves out the silent majority - thousands who may disagree but lack the opportunity or the microphone courage to speak. In a highpressure environment, complex opinions are often replaced by slogans and applauseseeking statements," he said.He warned that attendance does not equal agreement, arguing that organisers often mistake a large turnout for a successful consultation."Showing up is merely an act of interest, not an act of consent. Without a mechanism to capture the input of the other 3,400 people, the data collected is anecdotal, not representative," he said.The resident said the only credible way forward was a referendum."To move beyond guesswork and echochamber politics, a referendum is the only logical solution. A secret ballot allows citizens to express their true views without fear of victimisation or social pressure. It shifts power from the 100 loudest voices to the thousands with actual votes," he said.He added that the Constitution requires a referendum when a presidential term is being extended, and another when the incumbent stands to benefit from that extension."If the goal is to truly understand the pulse of Bulawayo, 100 voices in a hall of thousands is a conversation, not a consultation. For a decision this significant, the people deserve a referendum," he said.Another Bulawayo resident, Khethiwe Tshuma, said Constitutional Amendment Bill Number 3 must go to a referendum, arguing that "anything else is going against the will of the people".
A securities fraud class action has been filed against NuScale executives alleging misrepresentations about ENTRA1 leading to a 12.4% stock plunge.

NEW YORK, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading securities law firm Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against NuScale Power Corporation (NYSE:SMR) and certain of the Company's senior executives for securities fraud after a significant stock drop resulting from the potential violations of the federal securities laws.

If you invested in NuScale, you are encouraged to obtain additional information by visiting: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit.

Key Details of the NuScale ($SMR) Class Action:

Lead Plaintiff Deadline: April 20, 2026

April 20, 2026 Alleged Misconduct: Misrepresenting the experience and capabilities of ENTRA1 and its role in developing and commercializing NuScale's nuclear power modules

Misrepresenting the experience and capabilities of ENTRA1 and its role in developing and commercializing NuScale's nuclear power modules Largest Alleged Stock Decline: November 10, 2025  12.4% Stock Drop

November 10, 2025  12.4% Stock Drop Court: U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon

U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon Action: Contact BFA Law to discuss your rights

Investors have until April 20, 2026 to ask the Court to be appointed to lead the case. The complaint asserts claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 on behalf of investors in NuScale Class A common stock. The case is pending in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon and is captioned Truedson v. NuScale Power Corporation, et al., No. 3:26-cv-00328.

Why is NuScale Being Sued for Securities Fraud?

NuScale is a nuclear technology company. Its core technology is the NuScale Power Module ("NPM"), a small modular nuclear reactor ("SMR") designed to generate energy within a broader power plant. Prior to the start of the Class Period, NuScale established a partnership with ENTRA1 Energy LLC. Under this agreement, ENTRA1 was responsible for constructing power generation facilities incorporating NuScale's NPMs and managing the financing, development, and initial operations of the facilities utilizing the NPMs.

NuScale allegedly touted ENTRA1's purported wide-ranging capabilities and deep experience developing power plants. According to NuScale, ENTRA1 is an "independent power plant development platform," "led by an executive team of energy, infrastructure, and finance sector veterans," with the type of experience that is "exactly what is required" to commercialize and deploy NuScale's NPMs.

As alleged, in truth, ENTRA1 had never built, financed, or operated any significant project, let alone a project in the complex field of nuclear power generation. Moreover, in contrast to NuScale's representations, ENTRA1 had been organized primarily to support the work of one individual, its principal Wadie Habboush, an investor and entrepreneur.

Why did NuScale's Stock Drop?

On November 6, 2025, NuScale disclosed that its general and administrative expenses had increased from $17 million in the prior year period, to $519 million during 3Q 2025, due largely to NuScale's payment of $495 million to ENTRA1 for its services. Also on November 6, 2025, under pressure from investment analysts, NuScale acknowledged that ENTRA1 did not have any significant experience building nuclear power projects and admitted that ENTRA1 would not actually be "out there building the power plants" but would serve "to coordinate projects, to bring in partners, to get deals and the partners they bring in that can execute."

Following this news, analysts with Guggenheim Securities, LLC published a report stating that ENTRA1 is a "3-year old company that has never built, financed or operated anything" and had just "3 employees and 1 investor," and stated a "more accurate description of ENTRA1 would be that it is an entity supporting the activities of a single individual, specifically Mr. Habboush." This news caused the price of NuScale stock to drop $4.03 per share over two trading days, or more than 12.4%, from a closing price of $32.46 per share on November 6, 2025, to $28.43 per share on November 10, 2025.

Click here for more information: https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit.

What Can You Do?

If you invested in NuScale, you may have legal options and are encouraged to submit your information to the firm.

All representation is on a contingency fee basis; there is no cost to you. Shareholders are not responsible for any court costs or expenses of litigation. The firm will seek court approval for any potential fees and expenses.

Submit your information by visiting:

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit

Why Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP?

BFA is a leading international law firm representing plaintiffs in securities class actions and shareholder litigation. It has been named a top plaintiff law firm by Chambers USA, The Legal 500, and ISS SCAS, and its attorneys have been named "Elite Trial Lawyers" by the National Law Journal, "Litigation Stars" by Benchmark Litigation, among the top "500 Leading Plaintiff Financial Lawyers" by Lawdragon, "Titans of the Plaintiffs' Bar" by Law360 and "SuperLawyers" by Thomson Reuters. Among its recent notable successes, BFA recovered over $900 million in value from Tesla, Inc.'s Board of Directors, as well as $420 million from Teva Pharmaceutical Ind. Ltd.

For more information about BFA and its attorneys, please visit https://www.bfalaw.com.

https://www.bfalaw.com/cases/nuscale-class-action-lawsuit

Attorney advertising. Past results do not guarantee future outcomes.

SOURCE Bleichmar Fonti & Auld LLP
WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- "The reported abduction of American journalist Shelly Kittleson in Baghdad is alarming and unacceptable. Journalists are not targets and treating them as such is an assault on press freedom everywhere. We call for her immediate and safe release and urge those responsible to ensure her well-being."

About the National Press Club

Founded in 1908, the National Press Club is the world's leading professional organization for journalists. With 2,500 members, the Club is a leading voice for press freedom in the U.S. and worldwide.

Media contact: Beth Francesco, Executive Director of the National Press Club Journalism Institute, [email protected]

SOURCE National Press Club
HOUSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Summit Midstream Corporation (NYSE: SMC) ("Summit", "SMC" or the "Company") announced today that it and its subsidiary, Summit Midstream Partners, LP (the "Partnership"), have entered into a securities purchase agreement with an affiliate of Tailwater Capital LLC ("Tailwater"), for a private placement of 1,351,351 shares of the Company's common stock, at a price of $31.08 per share.

The investment strengthens Summit's balance sheet and provides capital to fund the Company's strategic growth initiatives and general corporate purposes.

"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Tailwater Capital through this equity issuance," said Heath Deneke, President, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of Summit. "This $42 million investment represents a significant vote of confidence in our company's outlook and provides us with financial flexibility to execute on our current pipeline of high-return growth projects while continuing to make progress towards achieving our long-term 3.5x leverage target."

Pursuant to the securities purchase agreement, Summit will issue 1,351,351 shares of its common stock at a price per share of $31.08 to raise $42.0 million for debt reduction and to fund growth capital. The $31.08 price per share represents the closing price as of March 30, 2026. The shares are subject to a 6-month lock up period and other terms and conditions. The transaction was unanimously approved by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors, which is comprised solely of independent and disinterested directors.

"As Summit's largest shareholder, we are excited to continue to provide support as the Company enters an exciting phase of organic growth execution around its portfolio, all of which continue to benefit from strong secular tailwinds for U.S. natural gas and crude oil outlook. Summit remains well-positioned to build momentum around its recently announced growth projects and provide best-in-class infrastructure solutions to its customer base," said Jason Downie, Co-founder & Managing Partner at Tailwater Capital. "We value our long-term partnership with Summit and look forward to continued execution across its strategic and financial priorities."

Following the transactions, Tailwater and its affiliated entities are expected to beneficially own approximately 39% of Summit's outstanding equity. Summit intends to use the net proceeds from the private placement to reduce borrowings under the Company's asset-based lending credit facility and fund organic growth capital projects across its operating areas.

Summit is represented in the transactions by Troutman Pepper Locke LLP. Tall Oak Midstream Holdings and Tailwater are represented in the transactions by Kirkland & Ellis LLP.

The offer and sale of the foregoing securities have not been registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The securities were offered and sold to an "accredited investor" as that term is defined in Rule 501(a) under the Securities Act.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any security, nor shall there be any sale of the securities described herein or any other security of the Company, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.

About Summit Midstream Corporation

SMC is a value-driven corporation focused on developing, owning and operating midstream energy infrastructure assets that are strategically located in the core producing areas of unconventional resource basins, primarily shale formations, in the continental United States. SMC provides natural gas, crude oil and produced water gathering, processing and transportation services pursuant to primarily long-term, fee-based agreements with customers and counterparties in five unconventional resource basins: (i) the Williston Basin, which includes the Bakken and Three Forks shale formations in North Dakota; (ii) the Denver-Julesburg Basin, which includes the Niobrara and Codell shale formations in Colorado and Wyoming; (iii) the Fort Worth Basin, which includes the Barnett Shale formation in Texas; (iv) the Arkoma Basin, which includes the Woodford and Caney shale formations in Oklahoma; and (v) the Piceance Basin, which includes the Mesaverde formation as well as the Mancos and Niobrara shale formations in Colorado. SMC has an equity method investment in Double E Pipeline, LLC, which provides interstate natural gas transportation service from multiple receipt points in the Delaware Basin to various delivery points in and around the Waha Hub in Texas. SMC is headquartered in Houston, Texas.

About Tailwater Capital LLC

Dallas-based Tailwater Capital is an energy and infrastructure private equity firm with a well-established track record of working constructively with proven management teams to deliver value-added solutions. Tailwater Capital has raised more than $6 billion in committed equity capital since inception, and the team has executed more than 300 transactions representing over $29 billion in value. For more information, please visit www.tailwatercapital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes certain statements concerning expectations for the future that are forward-looking within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may project, indicate or imply future results, events, performance or achievements and may contain the words "expect," "intend," "plan," "anticipate," "estimate," "believe," "will be," "will continue," "will likely result," and similar expressions, or future conditional verbs such as "may," "will," "should," "would" and "could." In addition, any statement concerning future financial performance (including future revenues, earnings or growth rates), achievement of leverage targets, payment of dividends on any series of stock, ongoing business strategies and possible actions taken by SMC or its subsidiaries are also forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also contain known and unknown risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and beyond management's control) that may cause SMC's actual results in future periods to differ materially from anticipated or projected results. An extensive list of specific material risks and uncertainties affecting SMC is contained in its 2025 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on March 16, 2026, as amended and updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and SMC undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect new information or events.

SOURCE Summit Midstream Corporation
Research by Junior Achievement USA and Ipsos Explores Roles of Financial Literacy, Education, and Income in Advancing Economic Mobility

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey of U.S. adults by Junior Achievement USA (JA) and global research firm Ipsos shows that Americans with a household income of $100,000 a year and above are more likely to tie their struggles with money management to a lack of financial understanding (31%), compared to those with a household income of less than $50,000 (23%). Over a third (35%) of Americans making $50,000 or less say their income isn't enough to cover their expenses, even with careful budgeting, compared to one-in-10 (11%) of respondents with household incomes of $100,000 or more. On the education front, nearly half of respondents (46%) with a college degree describe themselves as "financially stable", compared to less than a quarter (23%) with only a high school diploma or GED. The survey of 1,005 U.S. adults was conducted between March 24 and March 25, 2026.

"This research shows that financial literacy education alone may not be enough to promote economic mobility, the ability of one generation to do as well or better than those who came before," said Junior Achievement USA CEO Jack Harris. "It's well established that completing an educational credential past high school, whether it be a degree or certification, can help generate the level of income necessary to become more financially stable, though this research shows some sort of money management education is also important."

In terms of expenses U.S. adults struggle with in general, they include:

50% - Saving Money

30% - Utilities

28% - Food

27% - Gasoline

24% - Investing for retirement; Housing; Healthcare (tie)

14% - Transportation

7% - Education

4% - Childcare

Additional survey results can be found here.

Junior Achievement recently announced a new strategic approach aimed at better preparing current and future students for the expected impact of AI on jobs and a rapidly changing economy. Under the title, "Education for What's Next," Junior Achievement is ensuring today's Generation Z and Gen Alpha students are equipped with the durable skills needed to succeed tomorrow in a world where AI and automation may make it more difficult to get that first job, or even to find one that pays a living wage. These skills include critical and creative thinking, communication, collaboration, continuous learning, and technological literacy, including AI.

As part of its new strategy, Junior Achievement is placing greater emphasis on promoting life experiences that are linked to increased economic mobility. According to the Camber Collective, these include mentorship during adolescence, pursuing education or training past high school, obtaining a college degree in a high-demand field, and starting a business. Recent research by Ipsos of Gen Y & Z Junior Achievement Alumni (former JA students) shows majorities of alumni credit Junior Achievement for influencing their decisions related to these kinds of life experiences.

A full overview of Junior Achievement's strategic approach can be found at JA.org/Next.

Survey Methodology

These are findings for research that was conducted by Ipsos as part of a multi-client omnibus program, where questions on various topics are included in one interview and clients share demographic information collected. This was collected from one omnibus wave, fielded March 24-25, 2026, resulting in n=1,005 total online completes of U.S. adults aged 18 or older. For this survey, post-hoc weights were made to the population characteristics on age, gender, region, ethnicity and education to be representative based on population targets sourced from the U.S. Census 2023 American Community Survey data. The results of this research have a credibility interval of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points for all respondents.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is one of the largest market research and polling companies globally, operating in 90 markets and employing nearly 20,000 people. Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers or employees. Our 75 business solutions are based on primary data from our surveys, social media monitoring, and qualitative or observational techniques. "Game Changers"  our tagline  summarizes our ambition to help our 5,000 clients navigate with confidence our rapidly changing world.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has been listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120, Mid-60 indices, and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS:FP

www.ipsos.com

35 rue du Val de Marne

75 628 Paris, Cedex 13 France

Tel. +33 1 41 98 90 00

About Junior Achievement USA

Junior Achievement is education for what's next. As a strategic partner working in collaboration with educators, employers, investors, leaders, and the communities they serve, we are dedicated to helping students achieve academically today and economically tomorrow. As a leader in experiential learning operating on a national scale with over a century of experience, we are driving toward lasting change. This means ensuring a generation of students has the transferable skills and competencies needed to navigate a rapidly changing world. By delivering career-connected learning, we are invested in accelerating economic mobility through education. By helping students become confident, capable, and connected today, we can ensure they have access to opportunity-filled futures tomorrow. Junior Achievement reaches more than 4.8 million students annually across nearly 100 U.S. markets, and is part of JA Worldwide, which serves over 19.9 million students in more than 100 countries. Learn more at www.ja.org.

SOURCE Junior Achievement USA
Teamsters Stand Strong in Fight for Fair Return-to-Work Agreement

GRAND BLANC, Mich., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien will join striking nurses and case workers at Henry Ford Genesys Hospital on the picket line on Tuesday, March 31 at 9 a.m. to show Teamsters will not tolerate this employers' illegal behavior.

The group of over 750 nurses and case workers is represented by Teamsters Local 332 and has been on an unfair labor practice strike since Sept. 1. Teamsters remain on the picket line due to this hospital's unwillingness to honor the years of service of striking nurses and agree to a fair and reasonable return-to-work agreement.

Local 332 has remained committed to reaching a deal that respects the work Teamsters nurses and case workers have dedicated to this hospital and calls on Henry Ford management to finally do the same.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 31

9  10:30 a.m.



WHO: Henry Ford Genesys Teamsters

Sean M. O'Brien, Teamsters General President

Chris Swanson, Michigan Gubernatorial Candidate

Members and leaders from Local 332



WHERE: Henry Ford Genesys Hospital

1 Genesys Pkwy

Grand Blanc, MI 48439

Media Contact:

Lena Melentijevic, (347) 208-2279

[email protected]

SOURCE International Brotherhood of Teamsters
De La Calle Introduces Strawberry Citrus, Expanding Its Modern Mexican Soda Line

LOS ANGELES, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- De La Calle, the modern Mexican soda brand inspired by the street tradition of tepache, introduces Strawberry Citrus, a bold new flavor that signals the brand's next chapter in fruit-forward refreshment.

De La Calle Tepache's new flavor, Strawberry Citrus alongside the Frutas Campaign.

Strawberry Citrus blends ripe, juicy strawberries with a bright mix of citrus for a crisp, refreshing soda crafted through fermentation. The flavor balances sweetness and acidity for a vibrant, crushable profile that feels both nostalgic and entirely modern. Inspired by Mexico's everyday street life, Strawberry Citrus honors the tradition of tepache while confidently expanding it into the evolving soda category.

The launch marks a continued evolution for De La Calle as it leans further into expressive fruit flavor and vibrant design. Strawberry Citrus debuts alongside the brand's new Frutas campaign, which celebrates bold fruit imagery, playful collages, and the cultural role of fruit in Mexican street life. Together, the flavor and campaign position De La Calle as a more flavor-led, visually dynamic modern Mexican soda brand.

"When we were developing Strawberry Citrus, we kept coming back to one idea  it had to make your mouth water before you even opened the can. The sweetness of ripe strawberries with that sharp citrus lift feels nostalgic and new at the same time. It's rooted in tradition, but designed for today's soda shelf. For us, it's a clear step forward in flavor and confidence," Alex Matthews Co-Founder and CEO.

Like all De La Calle sodas, Strawberry Citrus is USDA Organic and contains 6g of fiber, 60 calories or less, and 9g of sugar or less, with functional benefits including high Vitamin C. The brand continues to bridge better-for-you credentials with bold, craveable flavor.

Strawberry Citrus launches nationally with Target as a key retail partner and will also be available at additional retailers and online.

De La Calle's modern Mexican soda offers a refreshing, low-sugar, and low-calorie alternative to traditional sodas. With eight times less sugar than conventional Mexican sodas like Jarritos and significantly less than mainstream options like Fanta and Mexican colas, De La Calle's Tepache is a better-for-you, craft-fermented beverage available at an affordable price, starting at $2.49 per can.

Since its launch in 2021, De La Calle's innovative take on the traditional Mexican street soda has rapidly gained popularity. Now available in over 10,000 stores nationwide, including major retailers like Target, Walmart, and Whole Foods Market, De La Calle continues to expand its footprint, bringing a taste of authentic Mexican refreshment to an ever-growing audience.

De La Calle was founded from a love for food, culture, and travel. Co-founder Alex Matthews discovered the delightful and refreshing tepache while exploring Mexico City's markets. Partnering with third-generation tepache maker Rafael Martin del Campo, they created a unique recipe that honors the authenticity of this traditional beverage while incorporating modern ingredients and techniques.

For more information about De La Calle and to explore their range of flavors, visit delacalle.mx and follow @delacalleco.

Hi-res imagery for the new can design can be found here.

About De La Calle

De La Calle's Modern Mexican Soda is a contemporary take on a delicious fermented beverage that hails from the traditions of pre-Columbian Mexico. Crafted from fresh, organic pineapples and enhanced with regionally sourced ingredients, our soda is a better-for-you, craft-fermented drink that combines rich cultural heritage with modern, health-conscious values. With eight times less sugar than traditional Mexican sodas and significantly less than mainstream options, our soda is low in sugar, low in calories, certified organic, and rich in vitamins C and fiber. Discover more about De La Calle and our range of flavors at DELACALLE.mx and follow us on TikTok and Instagram @Delacalleco #ModernMexicanSoda

Contact: Allie Coates

[email protected]

SOURCE De La Calle
SALT LAKE CITY, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Prominently featured in The Inner Circle, Amy Dobbs is honored as a Pinnacle Professional Member Inner Circle of Excellence for her contributions to Client Focused Leadership in Real Estate in Utah.

Amy Dobbs is a trusted real estate professional recognized for her dedication to helping Utah families achieve their real estate goals with confidence and clarity. As a Realtor and certified negotiation, short sale, buyer representation, and relocation specialist, she brings expertise, integrity, and a client focused approach to every transaction.

Amy Dobbs

Ms. Dobbs serves buyers and sellers throughout Utah and provides access to current market data and home search tools across the Western United States. She is known for setting clear expectations, maintaining transparent communication, and guiding clients through every step of the real estate process. Her work is grounded in honesty, hard work, and a genuine commitment to understanding each client's goals and priorities.

Beyond her real estate practice, Ms. Dobbs is deeply involved in community service. She serves as Director of the Windermere Foundation in Utah, where she leverages her professional experience to support individuals and families in need. Her dedication to service reflects her belief that success in real estate is measured not only by results, but also by positive community impact.

Ms. Dobbs is a member of the Women's Council of Realtors and is widely respected for building long term client relationships based on trust and care. Clients value her ability to advocate effectively on their behalf while ensuring each transaction is handled with professionalism and attention to detail.

Looking ahead, Ms. Dobbs remains committed to empowering clients through education, strong representation, and thoughtful guidance, helping them make informed decisions and achieve lasting success in the Utah real estate market.

Contact:

Katherine Green

516-825-5634

[email protected]

SOURCE The Inner Circle
TORONTO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Uniblock, the managed infrastructure layer for blockchain applications, has raised $5.2 million in funding ($7.5M to date). The round brings together investors across the US, Japan, India, Singapore, and the Solana ecosystem, including SBI, AllianceDAO, CoinSwitch, Blockchain Founders Fund, Hustle Fund, AAF Management, NGC Ventures, Alchemy, MoonPay among others, with angel participation from executives at Kraken, Uber, and CoinList.

Alongside the raise, Uniblock has shipped a suite of AI-native developer tools built for how blockchain development actually happens today.

Uniblock Team

The Infrastructure Problem

Blockchain infrastructure has entered a new phase. Stripe has entered the crypto arena in a big way with its $1.1B acquisition of Bridge for stablecoins, Privy for wallets and now Tempo, its own Layer 1 blockchain for payments, with Mastercard, Visa, and UBS already testing on the network. Mainstream media networks broadcast Polymarket prediction market odds in live news tickers alongside war coverage and election results. Tokenized assets trade on regulated exchanges.

At the same time, AI agents are beginning to read and write blockchain data autonomously, and developers increasingly build through AI coding assistants rather than reading documentation line by line.

No single blockchain data provider covers every chain an application may need. No single provider can guarantee uptime. Without a managed orchestration layer, every team builds and maintains its own routing and fallback system. AI agents face the same fragmentation with less tolerance for it.

Uniblock Today

Uniblock operates the managed infrastructure layer between blockchain applications and the 55 data partners they depend on. One API key provides access to over 300 blockchains and more than 3,000 APIs, with patented auto-routing that handles provider selection, failover, and data normalization. Over 3,000 projects and 4,000 developers run on the platform. Customers including Plume Network, Stellar Blockchain, Hypernative, Oku Trade, nReach, and Apechain run production workloads. Plume Network and Apechain run Uniblock as managed RPC infrastructure through ecosystem partnerships.

AI-driven API consumption is a growing segment on the platform. It accelerates Uniblock's own development, powers the product's intelligent routing engine, and represents a new category of infrastructure consumer.

AI-Native Developer Tools

Alongside the raise, Uniblock has shipped a suite of AI-native developer tools designed for how blockchain development happens today:

MCP Server. AI agents call Uniblock's unified APIs directly with no humans in the loop. Live at a public endpoint.

AI agents call Uniblock's unified APIs directly with no humans in the loop. Live at a public endpoint. LLM-Optimized Documentation (llms.txt). Structured API reference built for AI consumption. When a developer's AI assistant queries Uniblock integration details, the answer is accurate.

Structured API reference built for AI consumption. When a developer's AI assistant queries Uniblock integration details, the answer is accurate. Agent Skills. Ready-to-paste context for Claude, Codex, Cursor, and other AI coding environments. Developers drop these into their IDE so the AI writes correct Uniblock integration code on the first attempt.

"Two shifts are happening at once. Mainstream companies are bringing production workloads to blockchain, and AI agents are starting to read and write chain data autonomously. Both need the same thing: reliable infrastructure across hundreds of chains. That's what Uniblock runs."

Kevin Callahan, CEO and Co-Founder, Uniblock

"The next wave of blockchain adoption will depend on infrastructure that simplifies an increasingly complex ecosystem while maintaining dependable performance. Uniblock is building exactly that through a single API layer that simplifies multi-chain access for developers, enterprises, and AI-driven applications, and we are pleased to support the team as it enters this next phase of growth."

Eiichiro So, CEO & Managing Director of SBI Ven Capital

"Stripe bought Bridge for $1.1B. Visa is embracing onchain. AI agents are transacting autonomously. All of them need reliable multi-chain infrastructure. Uniblock built it. 3,000 projects already run on the platform and that number only grows from here."

Aly Madhavji, Managing Partner, Blockchain Founders Fund

Use of Funds

Capital will accelerate platform expansion: deepening chain coverage, scaling the intelligent orchestration engine, and building new API categories including stablecoins, wallets, and prediction markets. Investment continues in AI developer tooling, enterprise go-to-market, and ecosystem partnerships across the US, Japan, India, Singapore, and the Solana ecosystem. The team is scaling engineering and operations from its Canadian headquarters.

About Uniblock

Uniblock is the managed infrastructure layer for blockchain applications. A single API connection provides access to 300+ blockchains and 55 data partners through patented auto-routing with intelligent orchestration. AI-native developer tools, including an MCP server, LLM-optimized documentation, and Agent Skills, are live and in production. 3,000 projects and 4,000 developers run on the platform.

Headquartered in Canada. Visit uniblock.dev.

Media Contact:

Khiem Hoang

[email protected]

(647) 739-0488

SOURCE Uniblock
Link to PDF

TORONTO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Vale Base Metals (VBM) is on track to increase its total Mineral Reserves and Resources in Canada and Brazil by more than 20 per cent by the end of 2027, according to new engineering and exploration reports released today on the company's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources.1,2,3

View PDF Vale Base Metals Releases 2025 Exploration and 2026 Outlook Results; Copper Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources Increase 6% to 53 million tonnes (CNW Group/Vale Base Metals)

Compared to 2024, VBM's copper Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources increased by 6 per cent in 2025 to 53 million tonnes while nickel Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources increased 13 per cent to 14 million tonnes. These increases, along with others for VBM's polymetallic assets that include cobalt, platinum, palladium and gold, will significantly strengthen the company's organic growth pipeline.

"We have a bold plan for the future after a transformational year in 2025," said Chris McCleave, Chief Technical Officer. "Our teams continued to strengthen geological models across several districts while advancing drilling programs that supported Mineral Resource growth and Reserve replacement across the portfolio."

VBM plans to build on its 2025 exploration programs by continuing to advance drilling activity across its major mineral districts in 2026, with a strong focus on copper growth.

"We doubled our copper drilling intensity in Brazil's Carajas District, one of the most prospective copper districts in the world, and we are aiming to double it again in 2026," McCleave said. "We also increased productivity, delivering a 34 per cent reduction in per unit cost."



1 "Vale Base Metals" means Vale Base Metals Limited and its subsidiaries. 2 Mineral Reserves and Mineral Reserves are at Vale Base Metals 100% attributable ownership. Mineral Resources are Exclusive of Mineral Reserve. Mineral Resources are inclusive of Inferred Mineral Resources, unless when stated. A detailed breakdown of the Mineral Resources by Measured, Indicated and Inferred is included in the 2025 Mineral Reserve and Mineral Resource section below. 3 The 20% growth target by end of 2027 is measured against Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources (inclusive of Inferred Mineral Resources) as reported at December 31, 2024. The 2025 results reported herein represent partial progress toward this target.

2025 HIGHLIGHTS:

Copper Mineral Resources inclusive of inferred Mineral Resources increased to record levels of approximately 44.9 million tons (Mt) copper contained, representing a 7 per cent increase year-on-year and supporting more than 65 years of potential production at current mining rates.

increased to record levels of approximately 44.9 million tons (Mt) copper contained, representing a 7 per cent increase year-on-year and supporting more than 65 years of potential production at current mining rates. Copper Mineral Reserves increased to approximately 8.2 Mt copper contained, representing a 2 per cent year-on-year net increase after depletion, reflecting resource conversion and updated engineering studies.

increased to approximately 8.2 Mt copper contained, representing a 2 per cent year-on-year net increase after depletion, reflecting resource conversion and updated engineering studies. Nickel Mineral Resources inclusive of inferred Mineral Resources increased to approximately 7.7 Mt nickel contained, representing a 20 per cent increase year-on-year.

increased to approximately 7.7 Mt nickel contained, representing a 20 per cent increase year-on-year. Nickel Mineral Reserves increased to approximately 5.9 Mt nickel contained, reflecting a 5 per cent year-on-year net increase driven primarily by resource conversion in Indonesia and updated geological models in Canada.

increased to approximately 5.9 Mt nickel contained, reflecting a 5 per cent year-on-year net increase driven primarily by resource conversion in Indonesia and updated geological models in Canada. South Hub (Brazil; Copper): In 2025, 0.6 Mt copper were converted to Reserves from Bacaba, which is now under construction. Another 1.8 Mt copper contained were added to Mineral Resources after drilling and initial assessment of several deposits such as the Sequeirinho Underground, Mata 1, Visconde Leste, Emilia, Cristalino 88 and Borrachudo. In 2025, 31,000m were drilled across the hub. The exploration program focused primarily on improving geological confidence and testing the underground extension of the Sequeirinho orebody (i.e., below open-pit Mineral Reserves) and testing high-grade orebody extensions at Bacaba and Cristalino. These programs continue to confirm the extension of orebodies and resulted in the discovery of down plunge extensions of the orebody below the Sequeirinho Pit.

In 2025, 0.6 Mt copper were converted to Reserves from Bacaba, which is now under construction. Another 1.8 Mt copper contained were added to Mineral Resources after drilling and initial assessment of several deposits such as the Sequeirinho Underground, Mata 1, Visconde Leste, Emilia, Cristalino 88 and Borrachudo. In 2025, 31,000m were drilled across the hub. The exploration program focused primarily on improving geological confidence and testing the underground extension of the Sequeirinho orebody (i.e., below open-pit Mineral Reserves) and testing high-grade orebody extensions at Bacaba and Cristalino. These programs continue to confirm the extension of orebodies and resulted in the discovery of down plunge extensions of the orebody below the Sequeirinho Pit. North Hub (Brazil; Copper): Main activities focused on Paulo Afonso and Furnas. At Paulo Afonso, 0.2 Mt copper contained were added to Mineral Resources, mainly enabled by continued drilling (additional 28,000m in 2025) and modelling to test targets below the existing open pit project and supporting a future underground mine operation. At Furnas, Ero Copper, a VBM partner on the project, completed 26,287m of drilling in 2025, and Ero recently released the initial assessment (PEA) showing a 0.5 Mt copper contained increase in Mineral Resources.

Main activities focused on Paulo Afonso and Furnas. At Paulo Afonso, 0.2 Mt copper contained were added to Mineral Resources, mainly enabled by continued drilling (additional 28,000m in 2025) and modelling to test targets below the existing open pit project and supporting a future underground mine operation. At Furnas, Ero Copper, a VBM partner on the project, completed 26,287m of drilling in 2025, and Ero recently released the initial assessment (PEA) showing a 0.5 Mt copper contained increase in Mineral Resources. Alemao (Brazil; Copper) : Full re-optimization and engineering of the project, including re-design from sublevel caving to sublevel stoping, and addition of satellite deposits (Acampamento Sul and Encantado) have resulted in an increase of 0.6 Mt copper contained to Mineral Resources.

: Full re-optimization and engineering of the project, including re-design from sublevel caving to sublevel stoping, and addition of satellite deposits (Acampamento Sul and Encantado) have resulted in an increase of 0.6 Mt copper contained to Mineral Resources. Salobo (Brazil; Copper) : Salobo already has a large Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources to support mining for at least 30 years. In 2025, the focus was on geological studies to plan 2026 drill programs to test specific orebody extensions, and trade-offs of tailings disposal methods that are currently limiting conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves.

: Salobo already has a large Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources to support mining for at least 30 years. In 2025, the focus was on geological studies to plan 2026 drill programs to test specific orebody extensions, and trade-offs of tailings disposal methods that are currently limiting conversion of Mineral Resources to Mineral Reserves. Ontario & Voisey's Bay (Canada; Copper-Nickel): Drilling, geological model review and initial assessment studies (engineering) across Canada resulted in additions to both copper (+0.5 Mt copper contained) and nickel (+0.9 Mt nickel contained) Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources. Those additions were made near current operating mines, extending their potential life-of-mine. 4

Drilling, geological model review and initial assessment studies (engineering) across Canada resulted in additions to both copper (+0.5 Mt copper contained) and nickel (+0.9 Mt nickel contained) Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources. Those additions were made near current operating mines, extending their potential life-of-mine. Onto  Hu'u Deposit (Indonesia; Copper): Deposit already has significant copper-gold Mineral Resources to support a 50-plus year life of mine. 2025 efforts focused on finalizing pre-feasibility study and setting up advanced water and geothermal data collection.

Deposit already has significant copper-gold Mineral Resources to support a 50-plus year life of mine. 2025 efforts focused on finalizing pre-feasibility study and setting up advanced water and geothermal data collection. Porphyry Greenfield Exploration (Chile and Peru; Copper): In 2025, VBM reprioritized its greenfield exploration program in Chile and Peru, both countries where the company owns significant mineral tenure (116,890 Ha in Chile; 278,429 Ha in Peru) near major known deposits and operating mines.



4 Life-of-mine is based on conceptual mine plans, inclusive of Inferred Mineral Resources.

2026 PRIORITIES

VBM plans to continue advancing exploration programs across its major mineral districts in 2026, with a strong focus on copper growth through nearmine extensions, satellite deposits, and downplunge continuity. The company will also continue to support project advancement with disciplined, returnsfocused exploration programs.

Key priorities for 2026 include:

Increasing drilling activity across the Carajas region, with more than 120,000m of drilling planned  double 2025 levels.

 double 2025 levels. Continued drilling across the Sossego Mining Complex to expand underground Mineral Resources potential underneath the Sequeirinho, Sossego and Mata pits . The team is also planning advanced data collection this year, with underground exploration drifts tentatively starting in 2027.

. The team is also planning advanced data collection this year, with underground exploration drifts tentatively starting in 2027. Continued drilling at Bacaba and Cristalino (South Hub) to delineate full deposit potential to support optimal open pit designs.

(South Hub) to delineate to support optimal open pit designs. Continued drilling across Paulo Afonso and Furnas 5 (North Hub) deposits, with the primary goal to de-risk open pit and underground projects.

(North Hub) deposits, with the primary goal to projects. New drilling programs at Salobo and 118 to test shallow lateral and deep structural corridors of the orebody.

to test of the orebody. New drilling programs at Alemao to increase Mineral Resources potential of satellite orebodies , especially Encantado and Acampamento Sul. Dewatering activities are ongoing to regain access to Alemao orebody exploration drift, and a second exploration drift is planned with focus on shallower areas of Alemao orebody and satellite orebodies.

to increase , especially Encantado and Acampamento Sul. Dewatering activities are ongoing to regain access to Alemao orebody exploration drift, and a second exploration drift is planned with focus on shallower areas of Alemao orebody and satellite orebodies. Targeted drilling programs in Sudbury and Voisey's Bay with a strong focus on sustaining and growing copper and nickel production through brownfield exploration.

with a strong focus on sustaining and growing copper and nickel production through brownfield exploration. Prospective greenfield exploration programs will continue in Chile and Peru, supporting an efficient turnover of projects by executing exploration programs within proven copperendowed mining districts.



5 Exploration activities will be conducted and advanced by Ero Copper.

The complete data on VBM's Mineral Reserves and Mineral Resources and exploration updates on our assets in Canada and Brazil can be found below and on www.valebasemetals.com.

About Vale Base Metals

Vale Base Metals is one of the world's largest producers of high-quality nickel and an important producer of responsibly sourced copper and cobalt. Vale Base Metals Limited is based in London, United Kingdom with its global operations centre in Toronto, Canada. The company also has operations in Newfoundland & Labrador, Ontario, Manitoba, Indonesia, Brazil, the United Kingdom and Japan. Vale Base Metals is 90 per cent owned by Vale S.A. and 10 per cent by Manara Minerals Investment Company.

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains statements that reflect current expectations of Vale Base Metals Limited (VBM) regarding exploration activities, mineral reserves and mineral resources estimates, projects, future exploration plans and other future events. All forward-looking statements involve various risks and uncertainties. VBM cannot guarantee that such statements will prove to be accurate. These risks and uncertainties include, among others, factors related to: (a) operational issues, including health, safety, the environment and social issues; (b) permitting timelines and production planning; (c) talent management; (d) strategy; (e) sustainability and our ability to achieve our sustainability targets and commitments; (f) institutional relations and communication, including changes in the law and regulations; (g) compliance; (h) the countries where VBM operates; (i) the global economy; (j) the capital markets; (k) commodity prices; (l) competition in the markets in which VBM operates; and (m) geological interpretation and the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the exploration of mineral reserves and resources and the development of mining facilities, our ability to obtain or renew licenses, the depletion and exhaustion of mines and mineral reserves and resources. In light of the risks and uncertainties described above, the future events and circumstances discussed in this document might not occur and are not guarantees of future performance.

This release contains information relating to mineral reserves, mineral resources and exploration targets as defined under Subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K, and is based upon information and supporting documentation of a qualified person.

2025 MINERAL RESERVES

Nickel Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage (Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Reserves







Proven Reserves 209.7 1.48 3.1 182.0 1.50 2.7 Probable Reserves 209.6 1.35 2.8 205.8 1.41 2.9 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 419.3 1.42 5.9 387.8 1.45 5.6

(1) Mineral Reserves are dry tonnes run-of-mine material after adjustment for mining dilution ahead of the feed plants for all areas that include screening and drying and Onca Puma where the point of reference is dry recovered tons to the processing plant. (2) Mineral Reserves have been adjusted to reflect our 33.88% ownership of PTVI. (3) The Mineral Reserve economic viability was determined based on a price curve with a long-term price of US$17,625/t for Nickel. (4) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson, Totten mines and the Stobie open pit mine. (5) The PTVI nickel saprolite Mineral Reserves includes material from Sorowako operations, Bahodopi 2-3 and Pomalaa projects. (6) Recovery only for Sorowako Operations since saprolite material from Pomalaa and Bahodopi projects are supported by ROM sales agreements. (7) The PTVI nickel limonite Mineral Reserves include Bahodopi 2-3, Pomalaa and Sorowako Limonite projects material. (8) Estimated consolidated nickel Mineral Reserves of Onca Puma include 5.12 million dry metric tons of stockpile. (9) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (10) Contained nickel (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by nickel grade (%). (11) Numbers have been rounded. (12) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (13) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Copper Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Reserves









Proven Reserves 480.1 0.69 3.3 312.0 0.73 2.3 Probable Reserves 768.7 0.64 4.9 912.4 0.63 5.8 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 1,248.8 0.66 8.2 1,224.3 0.66 8.1

(1) Point of reference for the Mineral Reserve estimate is the point of delivery to the process plant. (2) The Mineral Reserve economic viability was determined based on a price curve with a long-term price of US$9,950/t for copper. (3) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson, Totten and Stobie mines. (4) Estimated consolidated copper Mineral Reserves of Sossego Operations includes Sequeirinho, Bacaba and Mata II pits and 34.66 million dry metric tons of stockpile. (5) Estimated consolidated copper Mineral Reserves of Salobo Operations include 264.8 million dry metric tons of stockpile. (6) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (7) Contained copper (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by copper grade (%). (8) Numbers have been rounded. (9) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (10) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Cobalt Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Reserves









Proven Reserves 115.6 0.10 0.11 89.0 0.10 0.09 Probable Reserves 129.5 0.09 0.11 129.7 0.12 0.15 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 245.1 0.09 0.22 218.6 0.11 0.24

(1) Co grades are % of cobalt. Mineral Reserves are dry tonnes run-of-mine material after adjustment for mining dilution ahead of the feed plants. Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (2) Mineral Reserves have been adjusted to reflect our 33.88% ownership of PTVI. (3) The Mineral Reserve economic viability was determined based on long-term prices of US$39,125/t for cobalt. (4) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson, Totten mines and Stobie open pit mine. (5) Cobalt Reserves are reported on 100% basis and do not deduct the streaming amounts. For a description of our cobalt streaming arrangements, see Information on the CompanyLines of BusinessEnergy Transition MetalsCobalt. (6) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale, except for PTVI where recovery is not applied since the project considers to selling run of mine (ROM). (7) The PTVI cobalt Mineral Reserves are limonite material from Sorowako Limonite, Bahodopi 2-3 and Pomalaa projects with Reserves supported by ROM sales agreements. (8) Contained cobalt (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by cobalt grade (%). (9) Numbers have been rounded. (10) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (11) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Platinum Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Reserves











Proven Reserves 28.9 1.21 1.1 20.0 0.95 0.6 Probable Reserves 41.5 0.92 1.2 51.7 0.79 1.3 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 70.4 1.04 2.3 71.7 0.83 1.9

(1) Point of reference for the Mineral Reserve estimate is the point of delivery to the process plant. (2) The Mineral Reserve economic viability was determined based on long-term prices of: US$1,325/oz for platinum. (3) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson and Totten mines and the Stobie open pit mine. (4) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (5) Contained platinum (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by platinum grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (6) Numbers have been rounded. (7) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (8) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Palladium Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Reserves











Proven Reserves 28.9 1.18 1.1 20.0 0.81 0.5 Probable Reserves 41.5 1.21 1.6 51.6 1.04 1.7 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 70.4 1.20 2.7 71.7 0.98 2.2

(1) Point of reference for the Mineral Reserves estimate is the point of delivery to the process plant. (2) The Mineral Reserves economic viability was determined based on long-term prices of: US$1,025/oz for palladium. (3) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson, Totten mines and the Stobie open pit mine. (4) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (5) Contained palladium (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by palladium grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (6) Numbers have been rounded. (7) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (8) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Gold Mineral Reserves as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Reserves











Proven Reserves 460.3 0.30 4.5 298.0 0.36 3.5 Probable Reserves 760.0 0.32 7.9 897.0 0.33 9.4 Total Proven & Probable

Mineral Reserves 1220.3 0.32 12.4 1195.0 0.34 12.9

(1) Point of reference for the Mineral Reserves estimate is the point of delivery to the process plant. (2) The Mineral Reserves economic viability was determined based on long-term prices of: US$2,650/oz for gold. Gold Mineral Reserves are reported on 100% basis and do not deduct the streaming amounts. For a description of our streaming arrangements with Wheaton, see Vale 2025 20F. (3) Sudbury Mineral Reserves include material from Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Garson and Totten mines and the Stobie open pit mine. (4) Estimated consolidated Mineral Reserves include Sequeirinho, Bacaba and Mata II pits, in addition to 34.6 million dry metric tons of stockpile. (5) Estimated consolidated copper Mineral Reserves include 264.8 million dry metric tons of stockpile. (6) Recovery range is overall metal recovered to point of first material sale. (7) Contained gold (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by gold grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (8) Numbers have been rounded. (9) The reported Mineral Reserves may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (10) Mineral Reserves for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

2025 MINERAL RESOURCES

Nickel Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Resources







Measured Mineral Resources 66.0 1.25 0.8 51.5 1.29 0.6 Indicated Mineral Resources 280.1 1.32 3.7 238.8 1.36 3.3 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 346.2 1.31 4.5 290.3 1.35 3.9 Inferred Mineral Resources 251.2 1.28 3.2 165.9 1.52 2.5

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Point of reference for the Mineral Resource estimate is in situ. (2) Mineral Resources have been adjusted to reflect our 33.88% ownership of PTVI. (3) The Mineral Resource prospects of economic extraction were determined based on prices ranging from: US$13,376/t  US$21,069/t, depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (4) Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Stobie, Garson and Totten mines, the Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Copper Cliff pit projects and the Ella Capre and Blezard deposits. (5) Thompson Mineral Resources include material from T1, T3 and Pipe deposits. (6) The PTVI nickel saprolite Mineral Resources includes material from Sorowako operations, Bahodopi 2-3, Pomalaa and Tanamalia projects. (7) The PTVI nickel limonite Mineral Resources include material from Sorowako Limonite, Bahodopi 2-3, Tanamalia and Pomalaa projects. (8) Contained nickel (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by nickel grade (%). (9) Numbers have been rounded. (10) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (11) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Copper Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Resources











Measured Mineral Resources 798.6 0.73 5.8 873.0 0.75 6.5 Indicated Mineral Resources 3,628.8 0.69 25.0 3,245.7 0.71 23.0 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 4,427.4 0.69 30.8 4,118.8 0.72 29.5 Inferred Mineral Resources 2,459.6 0.57 14.1 2,215.3 0.56 12.3

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Point of reference for the Mineral Resource estimate is in situ. (2) Mineral Resources have been adjusted to reflect our 80% ownership of the Onto project. (3) The Mineral Resource prospects of economic extraction were determined based on prices ranging from US$4,365/t - US$10,000/t for copper, depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (4 Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff, Creighton, Stobie, Garson and Totten mines, the Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Copper Cliff pit projects and the Ella Capre and Blezard deposits. (5) Sossego Mineral Resources include material from Sequeirinho, Cristalino, Mata II, Bacaba, Barao,118, Cristalino 88, Borrachudo, Mata I, Sossego UG and Visconde projects. (6) North Hub Mineral Resources include material from Paulo Afonso, Pojuca, Gameleira and Grota Funda deposits. (7) Furnas project is an earn-in agreement between VBM and Ero Copper Corp. that contemplates Ero Copper earning a 60% interest in the project upon completion of three phases of work resulting in a definitive feasibility study. The Mineral Resource is reported on an in-situ basis with no operational, planned or internal mining dilution, and no mining recovery factors applied. (8) Contained copper (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by copper grade (%). (9) Numbers have been rounded. (10) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (11) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Cobalt Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in %)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (%) Metal (Mt) Mineral Resources











Measured Mineral Resources 37.1 0.07 0.03 27.4 0.06 0.02 Indicated Mineral Resources 172.0 0.09 0.15 148.0 0.08 0.13 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 209.1 0.08 0.18 175.4 0.08 0.14 Inferred Mineral Resources 136.7 0.04 0.06 65.0 0.05 0.03

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Point of reference for the Mineral resource estimate is in situ. (2) Mineral Resources have been adjusted to reflect our 33.88% ownership of PTVI. (3) The Mineral Resource prospects of economic extraction were determined based on prices ranging from: US$33,833-US$56,300/t, depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (4) Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff (including the Copper Cliff project), Creighton, Stobie, Garson, Totten, Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Blezard and Ella Capre deposits. (5) The PTVI cobalt Mineral Resources include Sorowako, Bahodopi 2-3, Tanamalia and Pomalaa projects material from limonites only. (6) Contained cobalt (Mt) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by cobalt grade (%). (7) Numbers have been rounded. (8) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (9) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Platinum Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Resources











Measured Mineral Resources 16.1 0.35 0.2 9.9 1.6 0.5 Indicated Mineral Resources 40.9 0.83 1.1 40.0 0.79 1.0 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 56.9 0.69 1.3 49.8 0.95 1.5 Inferred Mineral Resources 81.4 0.77 2.0 24.3 1.02 0.8

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Tonnage is in millions of dry metric tons. Grade is grams per dry metric ton. Point of reference for the Mineral Resource estimate is in situ. (2) The Mineral Resource prospects of economic extraction were determined based on prices of: US$1,124  1,350/oz for platinum depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (3) Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff (including the Copper Cliff Pit project), Creighton, Stobie, Garson, Totten, Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Blezard and Ella Capre deposits. (4) Contained platinum (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by platinum grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (5) Numbers have been rounded. (6) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (7) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Palladium Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Resources











Measured Mineral Resources 18.8 0.41 0.2 12.8 1.56 0.6 Indicated Mineral Resources 56.1 0.84 1.5 55.5 0.81 1.4 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 74.9 0.73 1.8 68.3 0.95 2.0 Inferred Mineral Resources 104.0 0.77 2.6 46.9 0.70 1.1

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Tonnage is in millions of dry metric tons. Grade is grams per dry metric ton. Point of reference for the Mineral Resource estimate is in situ. (2) The Mineral Resource prospects of economic extraction were determined based on price of, US$925-1,450/oz for palladium depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (3) Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff (including the Copper Cliff Pit project), Creighton, Stobie, Garson, Totten, Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Blezard and Ella Capre deposits. (4) Contained palladium (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by palladium grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (5) Numbers have been rounded. (6) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (7) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

Gold Mineral Resources as of December 31, 2025 (Tonnage in millions of dry metric tons. Grades in grams per dry metric ton)

As at Dec 31, 2025 As at Dec 31, 2024 Category Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Tonnage

(Mt) Grade (g/t) Metal (Moz) Mineral Resources











Measured Mineral Resources 794.0 0.19 4.8 868.9 0.18 5.0 Indicated Mineral Resources 3599.9 0.31 35.4 3229.3 0.32 33.1 Total Measured & Indicated

Mineral Resources 4393.8 0.28 40.2 4098.3 0.29 38.1 Inferred Mineral Resources 2427.5 0.23 17.6 2185.1 0.23 16.2

(1) Mineral Resources are reported exclusive of those Mineral Resources converted to Mineral Reserves. Point of reference for the Mineral Resources estimate is in situ. (2) Mineral Resources have been adjusted to reflect our 80% ownership of the Onto project. (3) The Mineral Resources prospects of economic extraction were determined based on price of US$1,000 - US$2,300/oz for gold, in each case depending on the mine. Variations in price for different mines are associated with timing of the associated estimate. (4) Sudbury Mineral Resources include material from selected zones within the Coleman, Copper Cliff (including the Copper Cliff Pit project), Creighton, Stobie, Garson, Totten, Nickel Rim South Extension (formerly Victor), Blezard and Ella Capre deposits. (5) Sossego Mineral Resources include material from Sequeirinho (including Pista and Phase 07), Cristalino, Mata II, Bacaba, Barao,118, Cristalino 88, Borrachudo, Mata I, Sossego UG and Visconde projects, in addition to TTX Stockpile. (6) Furnas project is an earn-in agreement between VBM and Ero Copper Corp. that contemplates Ero Copper earning a 60% interest in the project upon completion of three phases of work resulting in a definitive feasibility study. The Mineral Resource estimate is reported on an in situ basis, with no operational, planned, or internal mining dilution, and no mining recovery factors applied. (7) Contained gold (Moz) is calculated by multiplying tonnage (million dry metric tonnes) by gold grade (g/t) and divided by 31.10348 grams per troy ounce. (8) Numbers have been rounded. (9) The reported Mineral Resources may differ in quantity or quality from those reported in other jurisdictions, under different standards. (10) Mineral Resources for Vale Base Metals are reported on a 100% basis. Vale S.A. owns a 90% interest and Manara Minerals the remaining 10% interest.

BRAZIL - CARAJAS COPPER DISTRICT UPDATE

2026 Brazil Exploration Plan Summary

Across the Carajas Copper District, VBM is ramping up brownfield exploration diamond drilling to more than 120,000m in 2026, focused on expanding and upgrading copper Mineral Resources adjacent to existing operations and infrastructure.

Drilling is concentrated across key brownfield assets including Sossego, Bacaba, Cristalino, Salobo, Paulo Afonso, and Alemao, with a primary objective of converting mineralization into higherconfidence resources, extending mine life, and advancing underground and expansion project optionality. This largescale, integrated exploration effort underpins VBM's longterm copper growth plan in one of the world's most prospective and infrastructureadvantaged copper districts.

2025 Brazil Exploration Highlights and 2026 Strategy

South Hub (Sossego Complex, Bacaba, Cristalino)

2025 MRMR Highlights

During 2025, positive results from conversion drilling at the Sequeirinho and Mata deposits successfully delineated down-plunge extensions of the mineralization relevant to a future underground operation, resulting in additions to Mineral Resources. A significant milestone was achieved through the addition of new open pit Mineral Reserves at the Bacaba deposit, which represents a key contributor to South Hub growth strategy. Total South Hub Mineral Resources including inferred Mineral Resources have grown 26 per cent to a total of 7.3 Mt copper contained with additional Mineral Reserves of 0.8 Mt (growth 119 per cent vs 2024).

2025 Exploration Highlights & 2026 Plan

The Carajas district remains a cornerstone of VBM's copper growth profile, offering long mine life and scalable expansion potential and lowcost infrastructureleveraged brownfield exploration growth. At the Sossego Mining Complex, VBM completed approximately 31,000m of drilling in 2025, targeting deeper mineralization beneath the Sequeirinho, Sossego, and Mata pits and testing for the continuity of highgrade zones interpreted to support underground mining potential. The Sequeirinho pit drilling confirmed continuation of coppergold mineralization well below the current pit bottom.

Drill results returned multiple long, highquality intersections confirming strong vertical continuity of the mineral system, including:

264m @ 1.25% Cu from 345m, incl. 18m @ 2.29% Cu from 401m and 19m @2.08% Cu from 490m (drillhole SEQ-FD00051)

126m @ 1.79% Cu, incl. 40m @2.32% Cu from 676m and 20m @3.42% Cu from 749m (drillhole SEQ-FD000-48)

92m @ 2.65% Cu from 873.40m, incl. 22m @ 4.08% Cu from 873.40m and 42m @ 2.91% Cu from 924m (drillhole SEQ-FD00050-1)

These results support the advancement of underground development concepts beneath the current open pit operations.

Link to Sossego Operation Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Sossego

Exploration drilling at Bacaba and Cristalino in 2025 further delineated and expanded the zones by intersecting Carajas IOCGstyle mineralization, validating their strong growth potential as satellite deposits within VBM's Carajas copper district.

At Bacaba, VBM completed approximately 8,300m, targeting deeper mineralization beneath the currently defined open pit resource design limit. Results included intersections of:

44m @ 1.56% Cu from 210m, incl. 9m @ 2.56% from 216m and 7m @ 2.96% Cu (drillhole BCB-BACD-DH00285)

32.0m @ 1.43% Cu inc. 8.2m @ 3.57% Cu (drillhole BCB-BACD-DH00291)

A further 30,000-metre drilling program is planned for 2026 to extend mineralization along the strike (W and N sectors), at depth (S-SW sectors) and upgrade resource classification. These results will provide essential information to support the open pit expansion.

Link to Bacaba Project Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Bacaba

At Cristalino, VBM completed approximately 4,100m of drilling targeting upgrade resource classification and deeper mineralization beneath the currently defined open pit shell (W sector). Results included intersections such as:

80.0m @ 0.80% Cu from 123m, incl. 18m @ 1.60% from 123m

55m @0.76% from 390m, inc. 13m @ 1.05% Cu from 432m

75m @ 1.34% Cu from 596m, inc. 11m @ 2.71% Cu from 609m (drillhole CRT-CRTS-DH00001)

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Cristalino

A further 16,000-metre drilling program is planned for 2026, divided into three main sectors: (i) East  3,600m for resource classification upgrade; (ii) North  3,900m to extend mineralization along strike; and (iii) West  8,500m targeting deep high-grade zones beneath the open pit resource shell. The results will provide essential information to support the open pit expansion since orebodies remain open at depth.

North Hub (Paulo Afonso, PGG and Furnas)

2025 MRMR Highlights

During 2025, positive results from conversion drilling at Paulo Afonso Underground and Furnas resulted in significant Mineral Resources addition. Total North Hub Mineral Resources including inferred Mineral Resources have grown 5 per cent to a total of 11.4 Mt copper contained. Currently, no Mineral Reserves are disclosed for North Hub as projects are still advancing.

2025 Exploration Highlights & 2026 Plan

At Paulo Afonso, VBM completed approximately 32,000m of drilling in 2025 targeting deeper mineralization beneath the currently defined open pit resource and testing continuity of high-grade zones interpreted to support underground mining potential.

Results included intersections such as:

162m @1.05% Cu from 613m, incl. 39m @3.15% Cu from 711m (drillhole PUG-PASU-DH00384)

107.8m @2.03% Cu from 622.90m, incl. 22m @6.13% Cu from 631m and 10.95m @2.73% Cu from 676.45m (drillhole PUG-PASU-DH00388)

216m @0.99% Cu from 474m, incl. 31m @3.24% Cu from 624m (drillhole PUG-PASW-DH00114)

89m @1.72% Cu from 353m, incl. 44.25m @2.77% Cu from 355m (drillhole PUG-PAGR-DH00215)

The results confirm vertical continuity of the system and support advancement of underground development concepts.

An additional 20,000-metre drilling program is planned for 2026 to extend mineralization along strike and at depth, upgrade resource classification and support underground mine studies.

Link to Paulo Afonso Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Paulo Afonso

Salobo

2025 MRMR Highlights

Salobo Mineral Reserves reduced due to depletion to a total of 6.1 Mt copper contained, while total Mineral Resources including inferred Mineral Resources decreased slightly due to revised pricing to a total of 3.9 Mt copper contained. Salobo Mineral Reserves growth is currently limited by tailings disposal capacity of existing structure.

2025 Exploration Highlights & 2026 Plan

There was no exploration drilling in 2025 at Salobo.

In 2026, drilling programs are planned for 15,000m, targeting deeper mineralization in both the northwest (NW) and southeast (SE) sectors of the deposit. 10,000m are dedicated to upgrading the resource classification in the area between the current Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserve pit shells. An additional 5,000m is planned beneath the existing open pit resource to assess the continuity of high-grade mineralization at depth and test the deep structural corridor. These results will provide essential information to support underground mining potential.

Link to Salobo Operation Longitudinal Section

Alemao

2025 MRMR Highlights

In 2025, changes to the planned mining method at Alemao from sublevel caving to sublevel stoping, and the addition of satellite deposits, resulted in a 25 per cent increase in total Mineral Resources, including inferred Mineral Resource, for a total of 3.0 Mt copper contained.

2025 Exploration Highlights & 2026 Plan

No exploration drilling was conducted at Alemao in 2025. Activities during the year focused on geological reinterpretation and technical planning, including review of existing data, refinement of geological models, and evaluation of opportunities to upgrade resource classification and define the project's full growth potential.

In 2026, VBM plans to initiate exploration drilling in Q2, targeting both the main Alemao orebody and satellite zones. The program is designed to improve geological confidence, test extensions of known mineralization, and support future resource growth and project development studies.

Link to Alemao Longitudinal Exploration Section

CANADA  POLYMETALLIC DISTRICTS UPDATE

Ontario/Sudbury

2025 MRMR Highlights

In Sudbury, additional drilling and re-engineering has resulted in an increase of total Mineral Resources including inferred Mineral Resources to 1.7 Mt copper contained, and 1.4 Mt nickel contained. Total year-end Mineral Reserves were 1.1 Mt copper contained, and 1.0 Mt nickel contained.

2025 Exploration Highlights & 2026 Plan

Exploration and resourceconversion drilling in 2025 delivered significant results across VBM's Ontario operations, confirming nearmine continuity, depth extensions, and longerterm underground growth potential.

Totten Mine

Exploration diamond drilling was strong at Totten Mine with approximately 55,000m of diamond drilling completed in 2025.

Drilling in the 238 Zone confirmed the northern extension of highgrade copper mineralization on the 1250 Level, including:

12.5m grading 1.49% Cu and 4.5 g/t TPM (drillhole BH#1474810) at approximately 500m depth

Drilling in the 215 orebody (OB) confirmed the southern extension of highgrade copper and preciousmetal mineralization on the 4150 Level, including intercepts of 6m grading 2.06% Cu and 7.08 g/t TPM (drillhole BH#1465460) at approximately 1,250m depth. These results reinforce the potential for longterm underground extensions at Totten Mine.

Focus on resource conversion and minelife extension will continue, with exploration in 2026 prioritizing nearmine and depthextension drilling aimed at upgrading Mineral Resources, improving confidence in mine planning areas, and extending mine life.

Approximately 40,900m targeting aboveinfrastructure CuNi extensions in the 215, 230, and 238 orebodies will follow up on positive 2025 intersections between the 238 and 260 orebodies at depth (from 1250 Level) and encouraging results from the Main South Zone accessed via the 4050 Level exploration drift. Ongoing drilling across the Upper, Mid, and Lower Main OB will support further classification upgrades and integration into updated geological and resource models.

Link to Totten Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Totten

Coleman Mine

Strong drill program delivery of approximately 47,000m of exploration diamond drilling was completed in 2025, combining underground and surface exploration to support shortterm mine planning and longerterm resource growth.

Exploration success near infrastructure was realized with underground and surface exploration confirming extensions and connectivity at East Orebody (EOB), 148 OB, No. 4 UpDip, and the 148153 OB connection, reinforcing the potential for lowcost, nearinfrastructure resource growth.

Exploration expanded footprints, particularly at EOB and No. 4 UpDip. Surface drilling in these programs exceeded initial plans due to strong results, with successful stepouts extending mineralization at depth and along strike. Representative intercepts in EOB include:

41m grading 1.62% Ni and 0.54% Cu (drillhole BH147395-J) at approximately 800m depth and 59m grading 1.03% Ni and 0.32% Cu (drillhole BH1494220) at approximately 1,250m depth

Additional high-value intersections in the lower 148 OB returned:

10.9m grading 0.64% Ni, 3.09% Cu, and 5.7 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1478540) at 1,500m depth

Results in the Western Chutes/West Orebody returned:

17.7m grading 2.99% Ni and 0.52% Cu (drillhole BH1478410) at approximately 1,750m depth

2026 guidance is to drill 41,000m with focus on nearmine, highconfidence growth prioritizing above and nearinfrastructure drilling to support mine plan optimization, resource confidence and potential Mineral Reserve additions. Advancement of the 170 Orebody system will continue with followup drilling at Upper, Mid, and Lower 170 OB and focus on zone continuity extensions at depth. Additional drilling is planned at EOB, 148 OB, No. 4 UpDip, MOB 4 to further delineate mineralization and test strike and downdip potential.

Link to Coleman Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Coleman

Creighton Mine

Approximately 61,000m of diamond drilling was completed in 2025 across nearsurface exploration and inmine exploration targets, reinforcing Creighton's position as a longlife, highconfidence underground asset.

Conversion and stepout drilling at Upper Creighton's 402/Horn and Gertrude West zones included intercepts of:

47m grading 1.15% Ni and 0.55% Cu (drillhole BH1402770) at approximately 500m depth

34m grading 1.55% Ni and 0.68% Cu (drillhole BH1402700) at approximately 1,000m depth

Drilling confirmed strong mineral continuity and downdip potential, supporting advancement of multiple exploration targets toward inferred Mineral Resources. Step-out drilling from the 300 OB returned results of 12.5m grading 3.70% Ni and 2.60% Cu with 6.8 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1475050) supporting western resource expansion at depth.

Multiple exploration targets were refined or upgraded in 2025, notably along the 402 OB/Horn and Gertrude West trends expanding resource continuity in Upper Creighton, and in the 300 OB strengthening Creighton's medium to longterm resource pipeline.

2026 exploration guidance will prioritize near mine and above infrastructure drilling of 31,500m to focus on further resource growth, enhance mining flexibility, extend mine life, and increase mineable tonnes per vertical metre.

Link to Creighton Longitudinal and Cross Exploration Sections

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Creighton

EllaCapre

2025 drill targeting across Ella (contact nickel deposit style) and Capre (footwall copper deposit style) zones focused on copper-nickel resource growth surrounding known mineralization. Drilling totals were 9,626m at Ella and 8,326 m at Capre.

Significant copper-nickel precious metal mineralization was confirmed in the footwall, with multiple mineralized intervals intersected outside the current resource envelope. Drilling returned narrow but very high value zones, with elevated TPM highlighting the footwall as a distinct, higher value mineralized domain including:

15.2m grading 0.95% Ni, 1.30% Cu, and 7.9 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1480460)

7.9m grading 2.21% Ni, 2.17% Cu, and 3.12 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1480260)

Drilling in 2026 will focus on growing known Mineral Resources across Ella Capre. Approximately 30,000m will focus on continued copper-nickel resource growth across further testing of footwall copper potential at Ella, supported by advanced geophysical targeting.

Link to Ella-Capre Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Ella-Capre

Copper Cliff Mine

Strong drilling execution across a broad portfolio. Approximately 48,000m of exploration drilling was completed in 2025, entirely underground supporting exploration and project advancement of multiple orebodies in both North and South Mines.

Drilling below the 810 OB remained a key exploration focus, targeting extensions beneath and north of existing Mineral Resources. Revised drilling strategies in 2025 improved targeting effectiveness and drill density, with results expected to contribute materially to future resource additions. Active exploration programs advanced at 850, 114, 120, 100, 900, and 890/885 orebodies, collectively expanding the exploration target inventory and improving geological understanding of Copper Cliff offset mineralization.

A comprehensive review of historical and recent data resulted in the delineation of multiple new or refined exploration targets highlighting Copper Cliff's campscale coppernickelprecious metal potential adjacent to existing infrastructure.

Exploration in 2026 will continue to prioritize nearmine and depthextension drilling aimed at converting exploration targets and inferred Mineral Resources into higherconfidence Mineral Resources. 810 OB remains a cornerstone target. Ongoing drilling will focus on refining lithological and structural controls beneath the 810 OB, with a revised Mineral Resources model expected to incorporate results from the 20232025 drilling campaigns. Representative drill hole intercepts include:

7.4m grading 1.30% Ni, 1.03% Cu, and 1.9 g/t TPM (drillhole 1451760) within the 810 OB, highlighting continued exploration upside

Advancing highvalue orebodies 850 OB, 120 OB, 900 OB, and 890/885 OB will focus on increasing drill density, understanding orebody connectivity, and advancing zones toward resource classification and future mine planning.

The 2026 exploration program will focus on near infrastructure resource growth in the 810, 850, and 178 orebodies and is designed to extend mine life, enhance production optionality, and reinforce Copper Cliff Mine's role as a long-term copper-nickel contributor within VBM's Ontario operations.

Link to Copper Cliff Mine Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Copper Cliff

Garson Mine

Approximately 42,800m of diamond drilling was completed in 2025. Balanced focus across Ramp and Main Mine with drilling programs advancing both Rampbased orebodies (13 OB, 11 HW, 360 OB) and Main Mine targets, supporting mine planning, resource confidence, and longerterm growth.

Drilling confirmed nearsurface highgrade coppernickel mineralization within the 360 orebody at the Ramp operation with intercepts of:

10m grading 4.0% Ni, 2.8% Cu, and 10.4 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1481620)

20m grading 0.9% Ni, 0.8% Cu, and 9.1 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1481680)

Main Mine exploration drilling targeted the 4 Shear and 5 Shear orebodies, particularly the western extensions, with positive results including:

7.0m grading 2.0% Ni, 1.40% Cu, and 1.9 g/t TPM (drillhole BH1481040)

13.0m grading 1.15% Ni and 1.1% Cu (drillhole BH1481330)

The results prompted UTEM geophysical surveys to refine targeting and improve confidence in structural continuity.

In 2026, renewed exploration momentum includes surface exploration targeting the upper extents of 1 Shear and 3 Shear near the Ramp, alongside underground exploration at the 13 OB and 11 OB.

Underground Main Mine exploration drilling will advance across 4 Shear Upper West, extending east and west, building on encouraging 2025 results and geophysical interpretations.

New block models will be updated in 2026 based on new drilling interpretations and aligned with the 2026 Life-of-Mine Plan, supporting disciplined conversion of exploration potential into mineable inventory.

Link to Garson Mine Longitudinal Exploration Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Garson Mine

2026 Ontario Exploration Plan Summary

VBM expects to drill 195,000m for exploration across its Ontario portfolio in 2026, with a strong focus on sustaining and growing copper and nickel production through brownfield, aboveinfrastructure drilling programs. The Ontario Nickel District offers tierone jurisdictional exposure, extensive existing infrastructure and campscale discovery and minelife extension potential.

Voisey's Bay

2025 MRMR Highlights

At Voisey's Bay, additional drilling resulted in extensions of both Reid Brook and Eastern Deeps deposits increasing total Mineral Resources including inferred Mineral Resources to 0.2 Mt copper contained, and 0.4 Mt nickel contained. Total year end Mineral Reserves are 0.2 Mt copper contained, and 0.5 Mt nickel contained.

2025 Exploration Highlights

Recent exploration programs at Voisey's Bay along the conduit and chamber system have extended mine life to approximately 2039, with operating orebodies remaining open at depth. Continued drilling targeting conduit extensions and structural traps is expected to support further resource growth and potential future mine extensions beyond the current life-of-mine plan. Highlights from recent drilling at Reid Brook include:

94.7m grading 1.77% Ni, 0.69% Cu, 0.14% Co from 1,594m, incl. 58.9m from 1,630.5m grading 2.3% Ni, 0.9% Cu, and 0.2% Co (drillhole VB251386)

33.6m grading 2.48% Ni, 1.06% Cu, and 0.2% Co from 1,144.1m (drillhole VB251387A). In total, 85,679m of drilling was successfully completed

Reid Brook (Divisions 2 to 7)

Exploration drilling within and around planned Reid Brook mining divisions confirmed the resource growth potential with intercepts such as:

58.9m from 1,630.5m grading 2.3% Ni, 0.9% Cu and 0.2% Co (drillhole VB251386)

33.6m from 1,144.1m, grading 2.5% Ni, 1.1% Cu, and 0.2% Co (drillhole VB251387A)

21.3m from 1,160.1m grading 2.7% Ni, 1.3% Cu, and 0.2% Co (drillhole VB251383)

These results support the continuity and extension of high-grade mineral zones and long-term mine life planning.

Discovery Hill

Exploration drilling beneath the open pit further delineated underground extensions of known mineralization. Drill hole intersections include:

14.5m from 222.9m grading 1.4% Ni, 1.0% Cu, and 0.1% Co (drillhole VB251403)

36.9m from 239.1m grading 1.1% Ni, 0.7% Cu, and 0.1% Co (drillhole VB251432)

These results reinforce the economic case to transition the Discovery Hill orebody from open pit to underground mining.

Eastern Deeps  North Dyke Zone

Step out drilling intersected significant mineralization, confirming continuity at depth. Key intercepts include:

15.1m from 520.6m grading 1.1% Ni, 1.0% Cu, and 0.1% Co (drillhole VB251396)

11.1m from 616.4m grading 1.0% Ni, 0.9% Cu, and 0.1% Co (drillhole VB251359)

These results confirm expansion potential within one of Voisey's Bay's most strategic growth areas.

These 2025 results highlight VBM's success in unlocking near-mine opportunities and advancing underground development scenarios, supporting the sustainability of copper and nickel production at Voisey's Bay well into the future.

Link to Voisey's Bay Operation Longitudinal Section

Link to PDF for detailed 2025 exploration results for Voisey's Bay

2026 Exploration Plan and Guidance  Voisey's Bay

VBM exploration at Voisey's Bay in 2026 will focus on near-term mine plan optimization and long-term underground resource growth. The strategy is to aggressively explore around shallower mining fronts and near-term mining areas to bolster and optimize the mining plan. In addition, exploration stations have been established to enable intensive drilling adjacent to the Eastern Deeps orebody, targeting North, South, and East of the main mineralized zone to support the long-term underground mine design and resource growth.

The 2026 drilling programs will include underground drilling of 48,695m to continue near-mine target growth for Reid Brook, Discovery Hill, and Eastern Deeps ore bodies. It will also include exploratory surface drilling of 26,500m to advance near-mine targets and support resource conversion.

Contact: Media Relations Office  Vale Base Metals, [email protected]; Brunswick Group, [email protected], +44 (0) 20 7404 5959

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2946275/Vale_Base_Metals_Vale_Base_Metals%C2%A0Releases_2025_Exploration_and.pdf
DONNELLY, Idaho, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Valley County today approved the establishment of a Commercial Property Assessed Capital Expenditure (C-PACE) program, creating a new financing tool to support commercial development, energy efficiency, and long-term investment across the region.

The vibrant village at Tamarack Resort.

Authorized under Idaho Code Title 67, Chapter 38, the C-PACE program allows owners of commercial, industrial, agricultural, and multifamily properties to access private, long-term financing for qualifying improvements, including energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, and resiliency projects. The financing is repaid through a voluntary assessment on the property, with no use of public funds and no financial obligation to the County.

"Today's approval gives Valley County a powerful, market-based tool to support responsible growth and investment," said Scott Turlington, President of Tamarack Resort. "We will be deploying C-PACE as part of the capital stack for upcoming hotel and mixed-use development at Tamarack. It allows us to move forward more efficiently and creates a compelling opportunity for additional investment aligned with the resort's long-term vision."

The program was approved following a public hearing and the adoption of a resolution establishing the C-PACE framework and program guidebook. C-PACE financing is entirely voluntary and is provided by private capital providers. Valley County's role is limited to administering the program and recording the assessment, with no pledge of public funds or credit.

Media Contact:

Zander Smith

406-381-6743

[email protected]

SOURCE TAMARACK RESORT
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe's emerging steel industry is rapidly gaining ground in Southern Africa, with ArcelorMittal South Africa chief executive officer Kobus Verster warning that the country's growing output poses a significant competitive threat to established producers.Speaking during a recent investor call, Verster said Zimbabwe's production model - anchored on beneficiation, lower input costs, and resource availability - gives it a structural advantage that South African firms may struggle to match."If you look at Zimbabwe, there you have a Government that really supports beneficiation. They have coke production, coke ownership. They have cheap electricity and they have iron ore," he said."The ability of them to produce long steel or any steel at cost that we cannot compete with will be problematic going forward."Latest figures from the Minerals Marketing Corporation of Zimbabwe show that Zimbabwe's steel export earnings reached US$92.1 million in 2025 from 146,314 tonnes - marking a 450% jump from US$16.7 million recorded in 2024.The surge has been driven largely by output from the Dinson Iron and Steel Company plant in Manhize, which began operations in 2024 and is ramping up production towards 600,000 tonnes annually."They are now at 600,000 tonnes roughly and once they stabilise and prove their capacity and quality, they will move into other ranges as well," Verster noted.Zimbabwe's exports are currently dominated by semi-finished and long steel products such as billets, pig iron, and wire rod inputs. These products are critical feedstock for downstream manufacturing and fall outside the scope of some of South Africa's recently tightened tariffs on finished structural steel imports.South Africa recently imposed duties of up to 74.98% on Chinese structural steel and 20.32% on Thai imports following findings of dumping. However, Zimbabwe's export mix allows it to continue accessing regional markets, including South Africa, by supplying intermediate products.Industrialist Nxaba Ndiweni said Zimbabwe's export growth reflects a deeper structural shift rather than a short-term opportunity."Zimbabwe is not exporting into a vacuum. It is supplying into a regional market that is constrained on the supply side," he said."What makes the difference is that the country is producing at a lower cost base while aligning production with regional demand."He added that the focus on semi-finished steel is commercially strategic, enabling Zimbabwe to integrate directly into existing industrial ecosystems across the region.Trade economist Rodney Mupfudza noted that South Africa's tariff regime - primarily targeting finished steel - has inadvertently created space for imports of semi-finished products."What that does is create space for semi-finished imports, and Zimbabwe is well positioned to supply that segment," he said.He further highlighted that South Africa's ongoing scrap shortages and energy constraints are sustaining demand for imported steel inputs, reinforcing Zimbabwe's position in the regional value chain.Beyond cost competitiveness, Zimbabwe is also beginning to gain traction through emerging low-carbon production technologies. Innovations such as carbon composite pellets and modified iron-making processes are improving efficiency and reducing emissions.This shift aligns with growing investor demand for environmentally sustainable industrial projects and could provide Zimbabwe with a competitive edge as global standards evolve.The African Continental Free Trade Area framework is further enhancing Zimbabwe's export potential by lowering trade barriers and enabling producers to scale more efficiently across African markets.Zimbabwe's steel sector remains in an early growth phase, but its rapid expansion and increasing penetration of regional markets signal a significant shift in Southern Africa's industrial dynamics.As protectionist measures rise against traditional exporters, Zimbabwe's focus on beneficiation, semi-finished steel, and cost efficiency is enabling it to capture market share - positioning the country as an emerging force in regional steel production.
HENDERSON, Nev., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- VolitionRx Limited (NYSE AMERICAN: VNRX) ("Volition"), a multi-national epigenetics company, has secured an additional 2.0 million (approximately $2.3 million) in financing from Namur Invest ("NI") and Wallonie Entreprendre S.A. ("WE") in Belgium.

Volition will use the proceeds from the financing for ongoing development of its Nu.Q product portfolio, including taking forward its regulatory transition program for Nu.Q NETs (from IVDD to IVDR), the continued research and development of a Lateral Flow product, specifically to enable access to its Nu.Q NETs product in Low Income Countries and more.

Mr. Nicolas Delahaye, Corporate Relations Manager, Namur Invest commented:

"We are delighted to continue our support of the innovative work conducted by the team at Belgian Volition.

"We hope that this funding can help Volition to expand their manufacturing capabilities and anchor their Research and Development efforts here in Wallonia"

Mr. Gery Lefebvre, Investment Manager, WE added:

"Supporting companies like Volition is core to our mission at Wallonie Entreprendre S.A.. Volition have developed a versatile technology platform and a strong Intellectual Property portfolio over the last fifteen years.

"Through this financing, we aim to support key value inflection points, including clinical validation and the expansion of commercialization efforts, while reinforcing the anchoring of these strategic activities in Wallonia."

Dr. Gaetan Michel, Chief Operating Officer of Volition, said:

"We are enormously grateful to NI and WE for this latest financing, and for the ongoing financial assistance we have received from agencies within Wallonia.

"This is a key part of our financing strategy to actively seek non-dilutive funding, as this provides additional cash at favorable terms to support the Company's continued development and anchorage in Wallonia. This latest funding takes the total non-dilutive funding from all sources to-date to over $25 million.

"We are delighted with the great progress we are making on so many fronts and look forward to achieving many milestones throughout this year."

About the Financing

Approximately $0.4 million of this non-dilutive funding was received in December 2025, approximately $1 million received in the first quarter 2026, with the additional approximate $0.9million to be received in tranches based on certain time and event milestones over the next 12 months.

About Volition

Volition is a multi-national company focused on advancing the science of epigenetics. Volition is dedicated to saving lives and improving outcomes for people and animals with life-altering diseases through earlier detection, as well as disease and treatment monitoring.

Through its subsidiaries, Volition is developing and commercializing simple, easy to use, cost-effective blood tests to help detect and monitor a range of diseases, including some cancers and diseases associated with NETosis, such as sepsis. Early detection and monitoring have the potential not only to prolong the life of patients, but also to improve their quality of life.

Volition's research and development activities are centered in Belgium, with an innovation laboratory and office in the U.S. and an office in London.

The contents found at Volition's website address are not incorporated by reference into this document and should not be considered part of this document. Such website address is included in this document as an inactive textual reference only.

Media Enquiries:

Louise Batchelor, Volition, [email protected] +44 (0)7557 774620

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release may be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that concern matters that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking statements. Words such as "expects," "anticipates," "intends," "plans," "aims," "targets," "believes," "seeks," "estimates," "optimizing," "potential," "goal," "suggests," "could," "would," "should," "may," "will" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements relate to, among other topics, Volition's expectations related to revenue opportunities and growth, the effectiveness and availability of Volition's blood-based diagnostic, prognostic and disease monitoring tests, Volition's ability to develop and successfully commercialize such test platforms for early detection of cancer and other diseases as well as serving as a diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring tools for such diseases, Volition's expectations regarding future publications, Volition's success in securing licensing and/or distribution agreements with third parties for its products, and Volition's expectations regarding the terms of such agreements. Volition's actual results may differ materially from those indicated in these forward-looking statements due to numerous risks and uncertainties, including, without limitation, results of studies testing the efficacy of its tests. For instance, if Volition fails to develop and commercialize diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring products, it may be unable to execute its plan of operations. Other risks and uncertainties include Volition's failure to obtain necessary regulatory clearances or approvals to distribute and market future products; a failure by the marketplace to accept the products in Volition's development pipeline or any other diagnostic, prognostic or disease monitoring products Volition might develop; Volition's failure to secure adequate intellectual property protection; Volition will face fierce competition and Volition's intended products may become obsolete due to the highly competitive nature of the diagnostics and disease monitoring market and its rapid technological change; downturns in domestic and foreign economies; and other risks, including those identified in Volition's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as well as other documents that Volition files with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Volition's business based, in part, on assumptions made by management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this release, and, except as required by law, Volition does not undertake an obligation to update its forward-looking statements to reflect future events or circumstances.

Nucleosomics, Capture-PCR, Capture-Seq and Nu.Q and their respective logos are trademarks and/or service marks of VolitionRx Limited and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, service marks and trade names referred to in this press release are the property of their respective owners. Additionally, unless otherwise specified, all references to "$" refer to the legal currency of the United States of America.

SOURCE VolitionRx Limited
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Ian Lyall, a seasoned journalist and editor, brings over three decades of experience to his role as Managing Editor at Proactive. Overseeing Proactive's editorial and broadcast operations across six offices on three continents, Ian is responsible for quality control, editorial policy, and content production. He directs the creation of 50,000 pieces of real-time news, feature articles, and filmed interviews annually. Prior to Proactive, Ian helped lead the business output at the Daily... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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Oliver has been writing about companies and markets since the early 2000s, cutting his teeth as a financial journalist at Growth Company Investor with a focusing on AIM companies and small caps, before a few years later becoming a section editor and then head of research. He joined Proactive after a couple of years freelancing, where he worked for the Financial Times Group, ITV, Press Association, Reuters sports desk, the London Olympic News Service, Rugby World Cup News Service, Gracenote... Read more

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Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Local airline fastjet Zimbabwe has announced the introduction of an additional afternoon flight between Victoria Falls and Johannesburg, as part of efforts to enhance connectivity and improve travel flexibility for tourists.The new service is set to commence on April 18, coinciding with Zimbabwe Independence Day, before expanding into a daily flight from April 28.Speaking in Victoria Falls, fastjet Zimbabwe spokesperson Nunurai Ndawana said the additional flight is aimed at improving convenience for travellers visiting one of the region's top tourist destinations."We are delighted to announce the introduction of an additional afternoon flight between our tourism hub of Victoria Falls to Johannesburg, South Africa. This service will commence on the 18th of April growing into a daily service from the 28th of April," he said."The afternoon flight will provide tourists with added flexibility in their travel while enjoying the Victoria Falls experience more."The airline currently connects Victoria Falls to key destinations including Bulawayo, Harare, Kruger Mpumalanga, and Johannesburg, forming part of its strategy to facilitate seamless regional tourism and business travel.The launch also reflects fastjet's continued expansion following its 10th anniversary celebrations in October 2025, reinforcing its positioning as a leading homegrown airline in Zimbabwe.Victoria Falls remains one of Southern Africa's premier tourism destinations, attracting visitors from across the globe. Zimbabwe was recently recognised as a top travel destination, reflecting renewed momentum in the country's tourism sector.Industry stakeholders say improved air connectivity is critical to sustaining growth, with additional flights expected to enhance accessibility, increase tourist arrivals, and support the broader hospitality industry.The new route is expected to further strengthen travel links between Zimbabwe and South Africa, one of its key tourism source markets.
The UK financial watchdog confirmed on Monday night that millions of motor finance customers should receive larger compensation under a scheme for those affected by misselling.

An average of 830 compensation is expected this year, the Financial Conduct Authority said, for people treated unfairly by firms who broke the law by failing to disclose important information.

The average payout was increased from an expected average 700 per payout when the regulator issued its first calculations in October.

The FCA now estimates that 75% of eligible consumers will make a claim (down from 85% in the original consultation), in which case total redress paid would now be 7.5 billion.

Lloyds Banking Group PLC (LSE:LLOY) said this morning that: "The details of the final scheme differ from the scheme as laid out in October 2025 and require careful analysis. Accordingly, the group is assessing the implications and impact of the final rules. The group will update the market as and when appropriate."

Last night, Close Brothers Group PLC (LSE:CBG) said it would also be "assessing the potential implications of the redress scheme on the group".

Analysts at Jefferies said investors should "look past the headlines".

While the FCA's estimate that lenders will pay 7.5 billion of commissions back to customers is 9% below its estimate in October's consultation paper, many of the aggregate-level assumptions have changed, "transposing this onto individual bank loss assumptions is a little pointless".

The analysts said: "One would hope that a bank like Lloyds would have struck its firm-specific provision taking most, if not all, of this into account."

When it made its original 1.95 billion provision, Lloyds was clear at the time that the heaviest weighting was applied to a scenario in which there were no changes.

"In conclusion, we are relaxed," the Jefferies analysts said. "We are hesitant to draw firm conclusions given the complexity and, besides, we should find out soon what Lloyds thinks. But our initial view is that it is difficult to see how these final rules will lead to any material increase in their provision, and over time may allow for a modest release."

Shares in Lloyds were up 1.7% on Tuesday, with Close Brothers rising 2.7%.

Barclays PLC (LSE:BARC), which has some exposure, was up 1.3%, as was Vanquis Banking Group PLC (LSE:VANQ).
About this content 

About Angela Harmantas

Angela Harmantas is an Editor at Proactive. She has over 15 years of experience covering the equity markets in North America, with a particular focus on junior resource stocks. Angela has reported from numerous countries around the world, including Canada, the US, Australia, Brazil, Ghana, and South Africa for leading trade publications. Previously, she worked in investor relations and led the foreign direct investment program in Canada for the Swedish government. She earned a Bachelor of... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Lisa Uhlman

Lisa Uhlman is an equities reporter at Proactive Investors, covering ASX-listed companies across the mining, energy, biotech and emerging tech sectors. With a background in legal and financial journalism, Lisa brings a sharp analytical lens to market news and corporate developments. Prior to joining Proactive, she reported for national trade publications and newswires, with a focus on court reporting, regulatory affairs and ESG-related business issues. Based in Sydney, she is... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Jonathan Jackson

Jonathan Jackson is an experienced writer and editor. Over the past 20 years, he has worked in print and digital media across several business and finance titles amd is currently the Australian news editor at Proactive Investors covering the latest news for ASX listed companies as well as current financial trends. He was previously managing editor with Business First magazine, Wealth Creator Magazine and StocksDigital. Jonathan has interviewed some of the world's top CEOs and covered... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
About this content 

About Kerry Stevenson

Kerry Stevenson joins Proactive Australia's broadcast team part time. As the Managing Director of Gold Events Kerry has been hosting the annual Australian Gold Conference for over 14 years, connecting industry and investment professionals and showcasing the value of precious metals. Kerry is passionate about helping others to secure a safe and solid future by understanding money, finance, and strategy. That is why she created the Making Money Matter channel on YouTube, where... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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News / National

by Staff reporter

A public hearing on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 was disrupted at Nketa Hall in Bulawayo after a participant was forcibly removed for wearing politically charged clothing, raising fresh concerns over the credibility of the consultation process.The incident occurred during a session organised by the Parliament of Zimbabwe as part of nationwide public consultations on the proposed constitutional changes.The woman was stopped mid-submission after officials objected to her clothing, which included a T-shirt and head wrap bearing political messages opposing the Bill and the "2030 agenda."Before being interrupted, she questioned the legality of the proposed amendment, arguing that efforts to extend presidential term limits were inconsistent with the 2013 Constitution."There is a lot of ambiguity surrounding this proposed amendment. What Emmerson Mnangagwa is proposing is against our Constitution. He is not following what is contained therein," she said.Her remarks drew mixed reactions from the audience, with some jeering. A member of the parliamentary team ruled that she had breached hearing guidelines by wearing what was described as "regalia" and ordered her removal.The decision sparked commotion inside the hall, with some attendees calling for her removal. After being escorted out, the situation escalated when a group reportedly followed and chased her outside, forcing her to flee into a nearby bushy area.Proceedings were subsequently brought to an abrupt close as officials sought to restore order.Separate concerns have also emerged about the authenticity and inclusiveness of the consultation process. Some attendees appeared disengaged during the session, with reports of individuals struggling to remain attentive.Observers also noted the presence of buses transporting participants to and from the venue, including vehicles labelled from different locations, raising questions about how attendees were mobilised.The early departure of some groups further limited opportunities for others who had been unable to access the venue to present their views.One participant, identified as Nkomo, criticised the process as flawed and exclusionary, arguing that the proposed amendments should instead be subjected to a national referendum."Bill Number 3 is not working for us as Zimbabweans. According to the Constitution, this process should go through a referendum first. This is flawed," he said.He also alleged that some participants had attended prior workshops and were given preferential access to the hearings, undermining confidence in the process.The disruption adds to growing scrutiny surrounding the consultation process for the Constitutional Amendment Bill No. 3, with civic groups and members of the public raising concerns about transparency, inclusivity, and adherence to constitutional principles.
NO INVESTMENT ADVICE

The content on this Site is provided for information purposes only and does not constitute investment advice, a personal recommendation, an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities, or any other regulated activity. It should not be relied upon as the basis for any investment decision.

Before making any investment decision, you should:

Read the relevant prospectus, term sheet, subscription agreement, or other offering documentation in full

Consider whether the investment is suitable for your individual circumstances, financial position, and objectives

Seek independent advice from an appropriately qualified financial adviser

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. The value of investments can fall as well as rise. You may not recover the amount you invest, and in some cases you may be required to pay more.

In exchange for publishing services rendered by the Company on behalf of Poolbeg Pharma PLC named herein, including the promotion by the Company of Poolbeg Pharma PLC in any Content on the Site, the Company receives from said issuer annual cash compensation of typically up to $25,000.
About this content 

About Steve Darling

Steve Darling is an award winning broadcaster who has spent the past 20 years as one of the most recognizable faces in British Columbia, reporting and anchoring at BCTV and Global Television. He spent 15 years as the co-host of the number one morning new program in the province. Steve is a tireless worker for charity hosting some 50 events a year. He is an ambassador for the Canucks Autism Network and hosts numerous events with BC Childrens Hospital and the Child Development foundation of... Read more

About the publisher

Proactive financial news and online broadcast teams provide fast, accessible, informative and actionable business and finance news content to a global investment audience. All our content is produced independently by our experienced and qualified teams of news journalists.

Proactive news team spans the worlds key finance and investing hubs with bureaus and studios in London, New York, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney and Perth.

We are experts in medium and small-cap markets, we also keep our community up to date with blue-chip companies, commodities and broader investment stories. This is content that excites and engages motivated private investors.

The team delivers news and unique insights across the market including but not confined to: biotech and pharma, mining and natural resources, battery metals, oil and gas, crypto and emerging digital and EV technologies.

Use of technology

Proactive has always been a forward looking and enthusiastic technology adopter.

Our human content creators are equipped with many decades of valuable expertise and experience. The team also has access to and use technologies to assist and enhance workflows.

Proactive will on occasion use automation and software tools, including generative AI. Nevertheless, all content published by Proactive is edited and authored by humans, in line with best practice in regard to content production and search engine optimisation.
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Washington, March 31 : US President Donald Trump "would be quite interested" in calling on Arab countries to help pay for the costs related to the ongoing US-Israeli war against Iran, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said.

"I won't get ahead of him (Trump) on that," Leavitt said at a White House press briefing. "But certainly it's an idea that I know that he has and something that I think you'll hear more from him on."

Pentagon officials told the US Congress earlier this month that the Trump administration spent more than $11.3 billion in the first six days of its war against Iran, Xinhua news agency reported.

The figure does not include battle damage and replacement of losses, which likely costs the Pentagon roughly $1.4 billion to $ 2.9 billion over the first three weeks of the war, according to a Wall Street Journal report, quoting Elaine McCusker, former Pentagon budget official who has been tracking the cost for the American Enterprise Institute.

The White House is seeking at least $200 billion in additional military spending from Congress to help fund the military campaign in Iran and replenish the Pentagon's munition stockpiles.

Leavitt also reiterated the Trump administration's assertion that the surge in energy prices will be outweighed by the gains of weakening Iran.

"The overall message, as we repeatedly stated again: These are short-term actions and short-term price fluctuations for the long-term benefit of ending the threat that Iran poses to the United States of America, our troops and our allies in the region," she told reporters.

During the Gulf War, the United States led a broad international coalition of dozens of countries, acting with UN backing and at the request of Kuwait and several Arab states after Iraq's invasion. In contrast, the current conflict with Iran sees the US and Israel acting largely on their own, without a comparable coalition, formal regional support, or the same level of international legitimacy.
Paris, March 31 : French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot strongly condemned Israel over what he called "serious incidents" against the French contingent serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in the Naqoura area.

These violations of security and acts of intimidation by Israeli soldiers against UN personnel are "unacceptable and unjustifiable," especially since deconfliction procedures are followed, Barrot said on social platform X, adding that France has conveyed its strong condemnation to the Israeli ambassador in Paris.

Barrot also condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the shootings that killed an Indonesian UNIFIL peacekeeper and wounded three others on Sunday, as well as an explosion that killed two Indonesian peacekeepers and injured two more on Monday, Xinhua news agency reported.

"Following the extremely serious incidents suffered by UNIFIL peacekeepers, I have requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council," he said.

Barrot also called on all parties to respect UN Security Council Resolution 1701 and to ensure that the safety of UN personnel is respected and guaranteed, noting that UNIFIL must be able to fully implement its mandate and exercise its full freedom of movement.

Though UNIFIL hasn't pointed to Israel as the exact "origin of the projectile," saying that an investigation had been launched into the attacks, Lebanon's National News Agency and local media reports said that Israeli artillery shelling targeted the headquarters of the Indonesian unit serving with UNIFIL on Sunday.

On Monday, Indonesia confirmed the UNIFIL casualties and also reiterated its condemnation of Israel's military actions in southern Lebanon. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Sunday strongly condemned the incident, describing the attacks as grave violations of international humanitarian law and of Security Council Resolution 1701.

Cross-border fighting has continued along the Lebanon-Israel border since March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire agreed on November 27, 2024, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, March 31 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Tuesday to inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, and launch several significant development projects across the state, covering cultural, technological, and infrastructural milestones.a New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Gujarat on Tuesday to inaugurate the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar, and launch several significant development projects across the state, covering cultural, technological, and infrastructural milestones.

Speaking ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said in a post on social media: "The Samrat Samprati Museum is a testament to the rich legacy of Jainism and India's civilisational traditions. It will provide visitors with a chronological understanding of the evolution of Jainism and its contributions to humanity."

At around 10:00 a.m., on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Museum on the campus of the Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra.

Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Emperor Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain history, the museum features seven wings, each dedicated to a distinct aspect of India's civilisational traditions.

Visitors can view over 2,000 rare artefacts, including intricately crafted stone and metal idols, large Tirth Patta and Yantra Patta, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins, and ancient manuscripts.

The exhibits, complemented by modern audio-visual and digital installations, provide an immersive experience for scholars, researchers, and visitors.

The Prime Minister noted, "The museum not only preserves our heritage but also showcases the exemplary Jain culture and its enduring influence on society."

At 12:45 p.m., Prime Minister Modi will inaugurate the Kaynes Semicon Plant at Sanand GIDC in Ahmedabad, marking a key milestone in India's semiconductor journey.

"This adds more momentum to India's efforts to become a hub for semiconductors. It will give impetus to India being self-reliant in high technology manufacturing," PM Modi said.

The facility will begin commercial production of advanced Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), critical components for automotive and industrial applications.

Each module contains 17 chips and will be supplied to California-based Alpha and Omega Semiconductor (AOS).

This plant will be the second semiconductor facility in India to commence commercial production under the 'India Semiconductor Mission', following Micron Technology.

Once fully operational, it will produce up to 6.33 million units per day, strengthening domestic semiconductor packaging capacity and advancing India's vision of self-reliance in high-technology manufacturing.

In the afternoon, PM Modi will travel to Vav-Tharad, where he will lay the foundation stone, inaugurate, and dedicate multiple development projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore.

These projects cover Power, Railways, Roads & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development.

Among the key road projects, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway costing over Rs 5,100 crore, which will improve connectivity and support industrial development in the Dholera Special Investment Region.

He will also lay the foundation stone for the 4-lane Idar-Badoli bypass and upgrade the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vav-Santalpur NH-754K section to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway.

Flyovers at Bhaijipura Junction and PDPU Junction will be inaugurated to ease traffic congestion on roads handling over 1,40,000 vehicles daily.

In the power sector, the Prime Minister will inaugurate the Khavda Pooling Station-2 and associated transmission systems, enabling the evacuation of 4.5 GW of renewable energy with an investment of around Rs 3,650 crore.

Railway projects to be dedicated include the KanalusJamnagar doubling (28 km), part of the RajkotKanalus doubling (111.20 km), and the GandhidhamAdipur quadrupling (10.69 km).

The HimmatnagarKhedbrahma gauge conversion (54.83 km) will improve regional connectivity, and the KhedbrahmaHimmatnagarAsarwa train service will be flagged off.

In urban and health infrastructure, the Prime Minister will inaugurate 44 Urban Development projects worth Rs 5,300 crore, 858-bed Rain Basera facilities at Civil Hospitals in Asarwa in Ahmedabad, and Gandhinagar, and the Government Boys Hostel at Vejalpur for tribal students.

Tourism initiatives include a Light and Sound Show at Rani ki Vav in Patan, a Water Screen Projection Show at Sharmishtha Lake in Vadnagar, and the foundation laying for tourism infrastructure at Balaram Mahadev and Vishweshwar Mahadev in Banaskantha.

In the water sector, key projects include the KasaraDantiwada and DindrolMukteshwar pipelines, along with a water supply scheme for Ambaji and nearby villages, expected to benefit around 1.5 lakh people.

Additionally, expansion work on the Sabarmati Riverfront in Gandhinagar, with an estimated investment of about Rs 1,000 crore, will also be launched.
Washington, March 31 : US President Donald Trump suggested in a media interview that the White House will find out whether Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf is willing to work with the United States "in about a week."

"We're gonna find out," Trump told The New York Post in an exclusive interview. "I'll let you know that in about a week."

Trump described a dramatic shake-up inside Iran, claiming Iran's old leadership has effectively been wiped out and replaced by a new group he said has so far been easier to work with, Xinhua reported quoting The New York Post's interview.

"There has been total regime change because the regimes of the past are gone and we're dealing with a whole new set of people," Trump claimed. "And thus far, they've been much more reasonable."

Meanwhile, Trump repeatedly urged Iran to make a deal "before it's too late."

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said at a press briefing on Monday that Trump hopes to reach a deal with Iran by April 6, which is the new deadline Trump set last week after postponing airstrikes on Iran's energy facilities.

Leavitt also said that Iranian officials negotiating with Washington appear more reasonable, but refused to name them.

"These folks are appearing more reasonable behind the scenes, privately in these conversations, than perhaps some of the previous leaders who are now no longer on planet Earth," said Leavitt.

Earlier on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with Al Jazeera that "it's not quite clear how decisions are being made inside of Iran" as Washington seeks to make a deal to end the war with Iran.

Though Trump has repeatedly claimed that negotiations with Iran are progressing well, no substantive progress has emerged, local analysts say, noting that continued strikes and military reinforcement in the Middle East are further dampening hopes for a swift de-escalation.

Sunday marked the one-month milestone in the US-Israeli war with Iran. Trump threatened on Monday morning to "completely obliterate" all of Iran's electricity-generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if a deal is not reached shortly.
United Nations, March 31 : Amid Middle East hostilities, UN humanitarians pointed to a sharp rise in attacks on healthcare in Lebanon and growing obstacles for humanitarian operations in the Gaza Strip.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said attacks on healthcare facilities, ambulances and medical personnel in Lebanon have risen at an alarming rate.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported seven incidents over the weekend alone, which killed at least nine health workers while they were on duty.

In southern Lebanon, OCHA said that strikes hit ambulances, including vehicles transporting casualties from an earlier attack in the town of Kfar Sir in Nabatieh governorate.

Since the escalation began, OCHA said 87 attacks on healthcare have been recorded, killing 52 health workers and injuring 126 others.

In a joint statement issued over the weekend, UN's deputy special coordinator and humanitarian coordinator for Lebanon Imran Riza and WHO Representative in Lebanon Abdinasir Abubakar called for the protection of health workers and first responders, saying that medical personnel and facilities must never be targeted.

The office said Lebanese authorities reported that at least 96 people were killed over the weekend, bringing the total number of people killed since the escalation began to 1,238, with more than 3,500 injured.

OCHA said that despite deteriorating security conditions, the office and its partners continue to work closely with the government to reach people in need. WHO and health partners have provided more than 33,500 medical consultations to displaced people and delivered essential medicines to over 22,500 people.

In the occupied Palestinian territories, OCHA said lethal attacks affecting civilians continue in both Gaza and the West Bank, as restrictions on humanitarian operations continue to mount.

Over the weekend, airstrikes and shelling reportedly hit residential areas in Gaza. In the West Bank, OCHA recorded reports of fatal shootings by Israeli forces and attacks linked to Israeli settlers.

International non-governmental organizations (NGOs) said Monday they intend to file a petition of appeal with Israeli High Court of Justice challenging a new Israeli NGO registration system, which they say further restricts their ability to operate in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories.

OCHA said that international NGOs play a critical role in the humanitarian response, collectively delivering around $1 billion in assistance each year in the territories. The new registration requirements are among several measures undermining people's access to humanitarian services.

The office called on Israeli authorities to facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of humanitarian relief, to reverse policies that obstruct humanitarian operations, and to ensure that humanitarian organisations can operate in line with humanitarian principles, Xinhua news agency reported.

OCHA said that civilians must always be protected and that in the context of law enforcement, lethal force must be used only as a last resort. Perpetrators of unlawful attacks must be held to account.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A Harare-based businessman has appeared in court facing allegations of facilitating a money-laundering scheme involving the importation of Naphthalene from South Africa.Peter Bhachi, a director of Tamir Customs Clearing (Pvt) Ltd, appeared before Harare magistrate Jessie Kufa facing charges of contravening the Exchange Control Act and the Money Laundering and Proceeds of Crime Act.Prosecutors allege that between April 1 and May 8 last year, Bhachi was involved in suspicious transactions amounting to US$368,695.65.The State claims he used his company to facilitate imports despite not being registered as an importer with the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe.According to the prosecution, Bhachi and his alleged accomplices imported naphthalene using fraudulent documentation as part of a scheme to launder money and legitimise the transactions.The alleged operation reportedly involved Ledim Investments (Pvt) Ltd, which is said to have received the imported goods.Investigations further indicate that the transactions were not processed through official exchange control systems, and authorities say the source of the funds used could not be verified.Bhachi was arrested on August 19 last year and was granted bail of US$200. Two other suspects, who were also arrested, have reportedly implicated him in the alleged scheme.Authorities say none of the funds involved - totalling over US$368,000 - have been recovered to date.The matter remains before the courts, with Bhachi expected to return for continuation of trial.
Mumbai, March 31 : In a shocking case of cyber fraud, a 69-year-old retired senior officer from the DN Nagar area of Andheri in Mumbai was subjected to 'digital arrest' for 25 days and defrauded of Rs 1.57 crore by cybercriminals posing as police and court officials. The accused even staged a mock court hearing via video call, invoking the name of a former Supreme Court judge to intimidate the victim.

According to Mumbai Police, acting swiftly on the victim's complaint, the Cyber Cell arrested an auto-rickshaw driver identified as Ashok Pal, who played a crucial role in the racket. He allegedly allowed fraudsters to use his bank account to route the defrauded money in exchange for a commission.

Police said the incident began on December 6, 2025, when the victim received a phone call from a man identifying himself as Sanjay Kumar Gupta, claiming to be an official from the Department of Telecommunications. The caller alleged that objectionable MMS messages were being sent from the victim's mobile number and that a case had been registered against him at the Bandra Crime Branch.

The call was subsequently transferred to another individual posing as a police officer, identified as Pradeep Sawant, who instructed the victim to report to a police office in the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC). The fraudsters further escalated the situation by accusing the victim of involvement in a money laundering case, falsely linking him to businessman Naresh Goyal. They also referred to an alleged investigation by another officer named Vijay Khanna to deepen the sense of urgency and fear.

To make their claims appear legitimate, the accused orchestrated a fake courtroom setup over a video call, presenting it as proceedings overseen by former Chief Justice of India B.S. Gavai. The victim was threatened with legal action and immediate arrest if he failed to cooperate.

Under immense psychological pressure, the fraudsters instructed the victim to transfer all his funds, including fixed deposits, mutual funds, and savings, into designated bank accounts for "verification" during the investigation. Fearing arrest, the victim complied and transferred Rs 1.57 crore in multiple transactions between December 8, 2025, and January 3, 2026.

The fraud came to light when the calls from the accused suddenly stopped after the transfers were completed, raising suspicion. After consulting family members and acquaintances, the victim approached the Cyber Cell and lodged a formal complaint.

During the investigation, police traced the money trail and found that a significant portion of the funds had been routed through the bank account of Ashok Pal. Upon interrogation, he admitted to allowing cybercriminals to use his account in exchange for a commission.

Police have arrested Pal, while efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the remaining members of the fraud network.

Authorities have issued a public advisory, urging citizens to remain vigilant against such scams. They emphasised that no legitimate government agency or law enforcement body ever demands money transfers over phone or video calls. Officials clarified that terms like "digital arrest" or "online court proceedings" in such contexts are entirely fraudulent.

Citizens are advised not to panic if they receive suspicious calls and to verify claims through official channels. In case of any suspected cyber fraud, people should immediately report the incident to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930.
Mumbai, March 31 : Bollywood star Jackie Shroff, on March 31, paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Bollywood icon Meena Kumari on her 54th death anniversary, further remembering her timeless legacy and contribution to Indian cinema.

Taking to his social media account, the actor shared a monochrome collage featuring many pictures of the actress, celebrating her timeless elegance.

He wrote, "Remembering Meena Kumari Ji on her death anniversary," adding a folded hands emoticon.

The collage features multiple iconic portraits of Meena Kumari from her array of movies, and also highlights her expressive eyes.

One of the central frame in the form of a video, captures the actress from her iconic song, "Piya Aiso Jiya Mein Samaye Gayo Re" originally sung by Geeta Dutt.

Talking about Meena Kumari, the actress was often referred to as the "Tragedy Queen" of Bollywood, and was one of the most celebrated actresses of her time.

She delivered unforgettable performances in many movies like Pakeezah, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Baiju Bawra, and Bhabhi Ki Chudiyan, amongst many others, and went on to earni immense critical acclaim and a massive fan following.

The superstar had begun her career as a child artist and went on to become one of the finest performers in Hindi cinema.

She was known especially for her emotive expressions and soulful screen presence.

While she was ruling the roost as a top star in Bollywood in the 60s era, her personal life was marked by struggles.

She was married to filmmaker Kamal Amrohi, though their relationship reportedly later faced difficulties.

Pakeezah, one of her most iconic films, took years to complete due to various challenges, including her deteriorating health.

The film eventually released in 1972 and went on to become a classic.

There were also reports and rumours linking her with actor Dharmendra during her later years, though neither publicly confirmed the relationship.

Meena Kumari, tragically passed away on March 31, 1972, shortly after the release of Pakeezah, following an illness from which she could not recover.

IANS

rd/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Mumbai, March 31 : Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder has heaped praise on Indian actress Huma Qureshi, calling her "one of the most amazing actors" he has had the pleasure of working with on "Army Of The Dead." Mumbai, March 31 (IANS) Acclaimed Hollywood filmmaker Zack Snyder has heaped praise on Indian actress Huma Qureshi, calling her "one of the most amazing actors" he has had the pleasure of working with on "Army Of The Dead."

Snyder took to Instagram, where he shared a picture of Huma, who played Geeta Ranjan in the 2021 post-apocalyptic zombie heist film directed by Snyder.

He wrote: "@iamhumaq  one of the most amazing actors I've had the pleasure of working with on Army of the Dead. Talent, presence, and pure brilliance on screen."

Huma, who made her debut with "Army Of The Dead", took to the comment section and wrote: "You the best .. boss man."

Army of the Dead is based on a story Snyder created. The film features an ensemble cast consisting of Dave Bautista, Ella Purnell, Omari Hardwick, Ana de la Reguera, Theo Rossi, Matthias Schweighofer, Nora Arnezeder, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tig Notaro, Raul Castillo, Huma Qureshi, and Garret Dillahunt.

It follows a group of mercenaries who plan a Las Vegas casino heist during a zombie apocalypse. Snyder conceived the idea for Army of the Dead as a spiritual successor to his 2004 debut film Dawn of the Dead.

Talking about Snyder, after starting his career primarily directing music videos, he made his feature film debut in 2004 with Dawn of the Dead, a remake of the 1978 horror film of the same name.

Since then, he has directed or produced a number of comic book and superhero films, including 300 and Watchmen as well as the Superman film that started the DC Extended Universe, Man of Steel, and its follow-ups, Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice and Justice League.

Aside from comic adaptation, he also directed the animated film Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole, the psychological action film Sucker Punch, the zombie heist film Army of the Dead and the two-parter space opera films Rebel Moon and Rebel Moon  Part Two: The Scargiver.

Meanwhile Huma is all set to be seen in Yash-starrer "Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups". The makers had earlier unveiled the looks of Yash, Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Rukmini Vasanth, and Tara Sutaria of the film.

Written by Yash and Geetu Mohandas and directed by Geetu Mohandas, Toxic: A Fairytale for Grown-Ups has been simultaneously shot in Kannada and English, with dubbed versions planned in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and several other languages.

"Toxic : A Fairy Tale for Grown-Ups" is reportedly a gripping tale of crime and deception set in 1980s Goa, where a powerful drug cartel manipulates lives behind the state's picturesque beaches and vibrant culture.

Huma's latest releases include "Maharani 4" and "Delhi Crime Season 3".

Directed by Puneet Prakash, produced by Kangra Talkies Pvt. Ltd., and created by Subhash Kapoor, Maharani 4, stars Huma, Shweta Basu Prasad, Vipin Sharma, Amit Sial, Vineet Kumar, Shardul Bhardwaj, Kani Kusruti, and Pramod Pathak.

She was also seen in the third season of "Delhi Crime", which is directed by Tanuj Chopra. Huma stars alongside names such as Shefali Shah, Rasika Dugal, Rajesh Tailang, Jaya Bhattacharya, and Anuraag Arora. The cast also includes Sayani Gupta, Mita Vasisht, Kelly Dorji, and Anshumaan Pushkar.
New Delhi, March 31 : Bihar BJP State President Sanjay Saraogi on Tuesday reiterated the party's concerns over Bangladeshi infiltrators illegally residing in India, calling it a national issue rather than an election tactic.

Backing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's remarks on infiltrators, Saraogi said, "What the Prime Minister has said is right, that Bangladeshi infiltrators have become a problem for the entire country. Go and see in Bihar, especially in the Seemanchal area. Home Minister Amit Shah himself was present in that border area along with senior officials for three days in Bihar. This shows how seriously the Government of India is taking the matter."

"In Assam and Bengal, especially in Bengal, a very large number of Bangladeshi Muslims have settled, due to which the resources of Bengal are being misused today either be it Assam border region, their population is increasing, these infiltrators are making houses there this is becoming a national problem, infiltrators are not just an election matter," he added.

Speaking on West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, Saraogi accused her of making "completely baseless and absurd" statements. "The kind of statements she is making are completely baseless and absurd. In her statements, one can already see the nervousness of defeat even before the elections. Such statements cannot be justified under any circumstances, especially during elections."

"The way the government in Bengal has allegedly encouraged people from Bangladesh to Bengal for the sake of vote-bank politics, and due to this vote-bank politics, a large number of people from a particular community have come there. I say openly that the number of Muslims coming from Bangladesh has increased significantly" he added.

Earlier on Monday, Prime Minister Modi accused the Congress of "allowing" land grabbing by infiltrators in Assam. Addressing BJP booth-level workers ahead of the April 9 Assembly polls, PM Modi said, "Infiltration is not just an election issue. It is an issue to safeguard the identity of Assam and national security. Congress allowed illegal land grabbing by infiltrators."

He highlighted that Assam experienced long periods of instability before the party's double-engine government brought peace over the past decade, and urged workers to remind first-time voters of past misrule to secure a third consecutive term for the BJP in the state.
Paramaribo, March 31 : Chandrikapersad Santokhi, former President of Suriname, has passed away at the age of 67, local media reported on Tuesday (Indian time). The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Santokhi, who served as President from 2020 to 2025, was also the leader of the Progressive Reform Party and had earlier held the position of justice minister in the country.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi condoled his demise, recalling their personal rapport and Santokhi's role in strengthening bilateral ties between India and Suriname.

"Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Mr. Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora," PM Modi said in a post on X.

Reflecting on their interactions, the Prime Minister added, "I fondly recall my many meetings with him. His tireless service for Suriname and his efforts in strengthening India-Suriname relations were clearly reflected in our interactions. He had a special fondness for Indian culture. He won several hearts when he took oath in Sanskrit."

"I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Suriname in this hour of grief. Om Shanti," he added.

The Prime Minister also shared photographs from his previous meetings with the late leader.

Born in Lelydorp in the Wanica district of Suriname, Santokhi hailed from an Indo-Surinamese Hindu family and was the youngest among nine siblings. His grandparents had migrated from Bihar as indentured labourers in the 19th century.

His father worked at the harbour in Paramaribo, while his mother was employed as a shop assistant. Owing to his early career in law enforcement, he earned the nickname 'Sheriff'.

As a leader of Indian origin in a country where nearly 27 per cent of the population traces its roots to Indian indentured labourers, Santokhi played a key role in deepening ties with India across sectors such as trade, energy and culture.

He was conferred the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman and had also attended the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a chief guest.

Of Indo-Surinamese heritage, Santokhi's oath-taking ceremony in 2020, delivered in Sanskrit -- a first for a Surinamese President -- symbolised the strong cultural connection with India and celebrated the country's significant Indian-origin population descended from 19th-century indentured labourers.
Chennai, March 31 : The makers of director Sri Senthil's eagerly awaited investigative thriller, 'Kaalidas 2', featuring actor Bharath in the lead, have now revealed the first look of actress Abarnathi as Sanju in the film, much to the delight of fans and film buffs.

Taking to his X timeline, producer Five Star K Senthil released the first look poster of the actress as Sanju and wrote, "She holds the key to the mystery @abarnathi21 as #Sanju. Four days to go #Kaalidas2 April 3 in theatres."

It may be recalled that the makers had, a few days ago, disclosed actor Kishore's character name in the film as Pandya.

For the unaware, the eagerly awaited film is to hit screens on April 3 this year.

The film, which is the second instalment in the superhit franchise 'Kaalidas', is being produced by Five Star K.Senthil and Dr. N. Yogeshwaran. Written and directed by Sri Senthil, who was also the director of the immensely popular first part, 'Kaalidas 2' will have Ajay Karthi playing the lead along with Bharath.

The film will also feature a host of actors including Bhavani Sre, Sangita, Abarnathi, Ananth Nag, TM Karthik and 'Singam' Jayavel.

The film has triggered huge interest in fans and film buffs for a number of reasons. Firstly, the film is the sequel to the superhit film 'Kaalidas'. Next, it will mark the return of actress Sangita to the big screen after a long gap.

A teaser that the makers released some months ago begins with Bharath, who plays a cop in the film, receiving a call for help from a woman, who is shivering with fear. She tearfully says that she is scared and literally pleads with him to come.

We then hear a voice over that asks, "Can every sin here be forgiven? But then, in there is a punishment for every crime.As per law, there is some punishment. At the same time, the punishment for some crimes isn't delivered by external forces." The teaser shows that along with Bharath, Bhavani Sre too plays a cop in this film. The film has the tag line "Monster Hunt".

Sources close to the unit of the film say that the second instalment of the thriller will have more mystery, more danger, and take a deeper dive into the world of crime and justice.

On the technical front, the film has music by Sam CS and cinematography by Suresh Bala. Editing for the film is by Bhuvan Srinivasan while G Durairaj has served as its production designer.

The film's screenplay has been penned by Aravindan Anand and its art direction has been handled by 'Kaliyuga' A. Raja. The dances in the film have been choreographed by Bobby, while the stunts have been choreographed by Om Prakash.

Tapas Nayak is the audiographer for this film, the lyrics of whose songs have been penned by Mohanraj. Costumes in the film have been designed by Dorothy Jai (DJ).
Srinagar, March 31 : A constable died on Tuesday after sustaining a firearm injury while on duty in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian district, said officials.

Srinagar, March 31 (IANS) A constable died on Tuesday after sustaining a firearm injury while on duty in Jammu and Kashmiras Shopian district, said officials.

Officials said a police constable lost his life after sustaining injuries two days ago in an accidental incident.

The constable was a resident of Noorpora village in Shopian district. He was initially referred to SKIMS Soura in Srinagar city from the Armyas Base Hospital in Badami Bagh Cantonment area after being injured in Shopian.

He had sustained a gunshot wound to the right side of his abdomen when a colleague accidentally discharged a firearm during duty.

He was admitted to the Critical Care Unit (CCU) at SKIMS Soura for treatment, but passed away despite the best efforts of the attending doctors.

More details are awaited.

Authorities have initiated an investigation into the incident to ascertain the circumstances surrounding the accidental discharge.

Injuries and deaths due to accidental firing during discharge of duties have occurred in the past as well in Jammu and Kashmir. Authorities have initiated inquiries into such accidents in the past as well, and during training and refresher courses, deployed personnel are trained to exercise utmost caution while handling firearms.

The J&K Police and the security forces are deployed for the maintenance of law and order, anti-terrorist operations against terrorists, their over-ground workers (OGWs), sympathisers and those involved in drug smuggling and hawala money rackets. It is believed that funds generated by drug smuggling and hawala money rackets are finally used to sustain terrorism in the union territory.

The Army and the Border Security Force (BSF) are deployed on the Line of Control (LoC) and the International Border to prevent infiltration, exfiltration, drug smuggling and drone activities initiated by terror outfits from across the border with the help of Pakistanas ISI. These drones are used to drop payloads of arms, ammunition, drugs and cash to sustain terrorism in the union territory. These payloads are picked up by OGWs of terror outfits and then passed on to the terrorists.
New Delhi, March 31 : Congress on Tuesday extended hearty greetings to all on Lord Mahavir Jayanti and said his teachings of truth, non-violence, sacrifice and compassion are inspirational for the entire world and show the path to human welfare.

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi took to social media 'X' and said, "Hearty greetings to all of you on Lord Mahavir Jayanti. His teachings of truth, non-violence, sacrifice and compassion are inspirational for the entire world and show the path to human welfare."

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also took to social media 'X' and said, "Warm greetings to all fellow citizens on the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. The timeless principles of Bhagwan Mahavira - Ahimsa (non-violence), Anekanta (pluralism), and Aparigraha (non-possessiveness), offer profound guidance in addressing many of todayas challenges. May this sacred festival inspire in all of us a deeper commitment to truth, compassion, harmony, and brotherhood."

Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said on X, "Lord Mahavira showed humanity the path by preaching truth, non-violence, peace, love, and compassion. These are the values aathat are the very essence of our thousands of years old culture. The thoughts and values aaof our great men are our strength; only by assimilating them can we face the modern world. Heartiest greetings to all of you on Lord Mahavir Jayanti."

Mahavir Jayanti, one of the most significant festivals in Jainism, marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara.

Lord Mahavir taught the principles of Ahimsa (non-violence), Satya (truth), Asteya (non-stealing), Brahmacharya (celibacy), and Aparigraha (non-possession). Devotees visit Jain temples, meditate, and participate in charitable activities.

Mahavira was born in 599 BCE in Kundalagram, located in the present-day Vaishali district of Bihar. He belonged to a royal family but chose a path of renunciation in pursuit of spiritual truth.

At the age of 30, Mahavira renounced worldly life and spent years in meditation and penance. After attaining 'Kevala Jnana (absolute knowledge)', he dedicated his life to spreading his teachings.

Devotees celebrate the day by visiting Jain temples, offering prayers and participating in processions. Idols of Mahavira are bathed in a ritual called 'Abhisheka'.

Mahavir Jayanti is not just a religious occasion but a reminder of values like peace, non-violence and self-discipline. It encourages individuals to reflect on their actions and adopt a more ethical and mindful way of living.
Strict monitoring on petrol, diesel and LPG; Over 17,000 raids conducted so far. Image Source: IANS

March 31 : Lucknow: The government is in full action mode to ensure the smooth supply of petrol, diesel, and LPG across the state.

To curb black marketing and illegal sales, a total of 17,581 raids and inspections have been carried out since March 12. During this period, 33 FIRs have been registered against LPG distributors, while 189 FIRs have been lodged in other cases, leading to the arrest of 17 individuals.

Additionally, prosecution proceedings have been initiated against 224 people.

Following directives issued at the Chief Secretary level, district administrations across the state are actively monitoring the situation. District Supply Officers and local administrative officials are conducting regular inspections to ensure timely availability of gas cylinders and fuel to consumers.

At present, the supply of petrol and diesel in the state remains completely normal. There are 12,888 petrol pumps operational across the state.

Between March 27 and 29, thousands of kilolitres of fuel were sold. Currently, around 91,000 kilolitres of petrol and 1.15 lakh kilolitres of diesel are available in stock.

Notably, one kilolitre equals 1,000 litres. The government has appealed to the public not to panic or hoard fuel.

The LPG situation is also reported to be satisfactory. Through 4,107 gas distributors across the state, cylinders are being supplied to consumers as per bookings, and sufficient stock is available. The government is also focusing on expanding the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.

In a meeting chaired by the Chief Secretary, instructions were issued to expedite pending approvals and increase the number of PNG connections.

Meanwhile, the central government has also permitted a 20 percent additional allocation of commercial LPG cylinders from March 23.

To monitor the supply system, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the Food and Civil Supplies Commissioners office. Control rooms are also operational in all districts to continuously track the situation.

The government has reiterated that there is adequate availability of petrol, diesel, and LPG in the state, and strict action will continue against any form of black marketing or hoarding.
Guwahati, March 31 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced a series of major promises while addressing the release of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) election manifesto ahead of the Assembly polls.

Speaking at the manifesto launch event, CM Sarma said the BJP has outlined an ambitious roadmap focusing on development, welfare and strong governance.

He asserted that the party is committed to safeguarding the interests of the people of Assam while accelerating economic growth.

Among the key announcements, the Chief Minister said the government would take strict action against illegal infiltration and pledged measures to detect and deport illegal Bangladeshi immigrants within a defined timeframe.

He also said that land allegedly occupied illegally would be cleared in accordance with the law.

CM Sarma further stated that the BJP government would bring in stringent legislation to curb "love jihad", emphasising the need to protect social harmony.

Highlighting infrastructure development, he said the state government plans to invest Rs 5 lakh crore to strengthen transportation systems and connectivity.

Additionally, Rs 18,000 crore would be spent on flood control measures to make Assam flood-free in the coming years.

On employment, the Chief Minister promised that two lakh youths would be provided government jobs, while financial assistance would be extended to 10 lakh individuals to promote entrepreneurship and self-employment.

In the social welfare sector, CM Sarma announced that poor families would receive essential commodities such as rice, pulses and sugar free of cost.

He also said that education from pre-primary to university level would be made free. The BJP also pledged to establish a medical college, a university and an engineering college in every district to boost access to higher education and healthcare.

Further, the Chief Minister said that financial assistance of Rs 25,000 would be provided to 40 lakh women, and the monthly assistance under the Orunodoi scheme would be increased to Rs 3,000.

CM Sarma expressed confidence that these commitments would secure a decisive mandate for the BJP in the upcoming elections.

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman unveiled the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) 'Sankalp Patra' (manifesto) for the Assembly elections at an event held at Vajpayee Bhawan in Guwahati. The launch programme was attended by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and state BJP president Dilip Saikia, along with other senior party leaders and workers.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Opposition figures have accused the Parliamentary Committee overseeing public consultations on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment Bill No. 3 of deliberately sidelining dissenting voices during nationwide hearings on the controversial constitutional reforms.The hearings, which commenced on Monday and are being coordinated by the Parliament of Zimbabwe, are part of a formal process to gather public input on proposed amendments that include changes affecting presidential term limits and aspects of the governance structure.Former cabinet minister David Coltart said in a post on X that he was repeatedly overlooked during a public hearing despite being present and following procedures to contribute.He alleged that the chairperson failed to acknowledge him and other critical voices, and that the session ended abruptly before he was able to present his submission. Coltart further stated that both he and activist Judith Todd were effectively denied an opportunity to participate.Former legislator Ostalos Siziba also raised concerns about the fairness of the process, alleging that participants brought in from outside areas were given priority over local attendees who held opposing views.He said some contributors appeared to repeat prepared talking points, while others who wished to challenge the Bill were not afforded adequate opportunity to speak.The public hearings are taking place against a backdrop of heightened political debate over the proposed amendments, which critics argue could significantly alter presidential term limits and influence key constitutional and electoral arrangements.Opposition parties and civil society actors have questioned the transparency and inclusivity of the consultation process, calling for stronger safeguards to ensure balanced participation.At the same time, supporters of the Bill argue that the process forms part of broader governance reforms intended to strengthen institutional frameworks and support long-term national development objectives.Parliament continues its nationwide outreach programme as it collects submissions from citizens ahead of final consideration of the proposed constitutional changes.
Lucknow, March 31 : A CBI court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced six individuals to two years' imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each in a wildlife smuggling case involving tiger and leopard body parts, an official statement said on Tuesday.

Lucknow, March 31 (IANS) A CBI court in Lucknow has convicted and sentenced six individuals to two yearsa imprisonment along with a fine of Rs 10,000 each in a wildlife smuggling case involving tiger and leopard body parts, an official statement said on Tuesday.

The convicts -- Mumtaj Ahmad, Jaibun Nisha, Ajij Ullah, Waheed, Sartaj and Majeed -- were found guilty by the court on March 30, the statement added.

The case relates to a major recovery made during the investigation, in which a large quantity of prohibited wildlife articles was seized from the accused personsa residences.

According to the statement, the haul included 18,000 leopard nails, 74 leopard skins, four tiger skins, and bones of both tigers and leopards.

All the seized items fall under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, which provides the highest level of protection and bans their possession, trade, and transportation, the statement further said.

The CBI had registered the case on March 23, 2000, and filed a charge sheet on July 15, 2000, before a Lucknow court after completing its investigation. The probe established the accusedas involvement in organised wildlife smuggling and illegal trade.

Based on the evidence presented, the court convicted all six under Section 49B of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, read with Section 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code and Section 51 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, the CBI statement said.

The agency said the conviction highlights its continued efforts to combat wildlife crime and dismantle trafficking networks, adding that the verdict is expected to serve as a deterrent against such offences and aid in the conservation of endangered species.

The CBI actively investigates wildlife crime, leading to convictions, including fines and imprisonment.

--IANS

skp/
Tehran, March 31 : Iran's parliament has kicked off a process to approve a plan to exercise smart management over the Strait of Hormuz.

Abbas Goudarzi, spokesman for the Iranian parliament's presiding board, said the new plan has been added to the legislature's agenda after gathering over 250 signatures from the members of parliament (MPs). Parliament has 290 seats in total, Xinhua news agency reproted quoting the semi-official Tasnim news agency.

He said the plan aims to enhance the waterway's security and collect tolls from vessels in the local currency, the rial.

Earlier on Sunday, senior MP Alireza Salimi said the double-urgency plan has four main objectives: ensuring shipping security, charging environmental polluters, collecting fees for guidance services, and establishing a regional development fund.

The development came with Iran's tight control over the Strait of Hormuz, where it has, since late last month, barred passage for vessels linked to Israel, the United States and their allies.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Monday accused some European countries of remaining silent about "brutal attacks against the Iranian people" while focusing only on the conflict's economic impact.

Araghchi spoke by phone with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot to discuss the fallout from recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran and rising regional tensions, according to a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry.

He warned that Iran would continue defensive operations, including strikes on US and Israeli military bases in regional countries, and cautioned that any provocative moves in the Strait of Hormuz, including at the United Nations, could escalate the crisis further.

Barrot reaffirmed France's opposition to attacks on civilian targets and called for stronger diplomatic efforts to end the war and restore regional stability, also expressing concern over tensions across West Asia, including in Lebanon, according to the Iranian statement.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched joint attacks on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded by launching waves of missile and drone strikes targeting Israel and US bases and assets in the Middle East.
Guwahati, March 31 : Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday launched a sharp attack on Congress MP Gaurav Gogoi, questioning his alleged foreign assets and challenging him to make his financial details public.

Speaking to reporters, CM Sarma alleged that Gogoi has not disclosed income linked to Pakistan and the United Kingdom, and demanded that he release details of any properties held abroad, particularly in England.

The Chief Minister also referred to discussions in Pakistani media about Gogoi, using it to question the Congress leader's transparency. "He should come forward and declare all his assets, including those in foreign countries. Why has he not disclosed details of any alleged properties in Pakistan?" Sarma asked, further challenging Gogoi to present his bank account details before four senior journalists from Assam.

The Chief Minister also claimed that there have been allegations regarding Gogoi owning properties in multiple countries, including the United States, and said the Congress leader must clarify his financial position to the public.

Turning his criticism towards the Congress manifesto, CM Sarma alleged that if the party comes to power, it will grant land rights to "Miya" settlers, a claim he used to target the opposition's policies on land and identity.

He also exuded confidence in the BJP-led alliance's prospects in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, predicting a decisive victory.

According to Sarma, the NDA could secure more than 90 seats, with the possibility of crossing the 100-seat mark in the 126-member Assembly. In contrast, he projected a poor performance for Congress, stating that the party may be restricted to around 15 to 16 seats.

He further estimated that the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) could win between five and six seats, while regional parties may secure one or two seats.

CM Sarma asserted that the BJP's governance record and development agenda would resonate strongly with voters.
Washington, March 31 : US President Donald Trump has told aides that he's willing to end the US-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing Trump administration officials.

Trump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the crucial global energy waterway would push the war with Iran beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, said the report.

As a result, Trump decided that the United States should focus on achieving its primary objectives of crippling Iran's navy and missile stockpiles while simultaneously pressuring Tehran diplomatically to restore the free flow of trade through the strait, and, if these efforts fail, the White House would press European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening it, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the officials.

Military options remain on the table, but they are not Trump's immediate priority, the officials added.

Despite these assessments, Trump's public messaging on the war with Iran has been inconsistent. On Monday morning, he threatened to "completely obliterate" all of Iran's electric plants, oil wells and Kharg Island if a deal is not reached promptly.

Meanwhile, the administration has taken steps to reinforce the US military presence in the region.

Over the past weekend, the USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit entered the area, and elements of the 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving. The deployment of up to 10,000 additional ground troops is also under consideration, according to The Wall Street Journal.

Trump is reportedly also weighing a complex mission to seize Iran's uranium reserves.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Monday that the United States is working toward restoring normal shipping through the strait, though reopening it is not listed among the administration's core military objectives, which focus on targeting Iran's navy, missile program, defense industry and nuclear infrastructure.
Kolkata, March 31 : A division bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Tuesday, quashed two public interest litigations (PILs) filed by a Trinamool Congress leader challenging the decisions of the Election Commission of India's large-scale transfers of bureaucrats and police officers in West Bengal amid the two-phase Assembly elections in the state next month.

The case was argued in the court by the party's Lok Sabha member, Kalyan Banerjee, who served as the petitioner's counsel.

One of the two public interest litigations was related to the transfer of bureaucrats and police officers at the topmost level, like Chief Secretary, West Bengal Home Secretary, Director General of Police, Commissioner of Kolkata Police, and additional director general (law & order), among others.

The second public interest litigation was related to the transfer of bureaucrats and police officers on the lowest rung in the pyramid of general and police administration in the state, namely block development officers, who are also the returning officers and inspectors of police.

On Tuesday, the Calcutta High Courtas Division Bench of Chief Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Partha Sarathi Sen quashed the two public interest litigations, accepting that the Commission was well within its right to transfer bureaucrats and police officers while the model code of conduct is in force.

The Division bench also rejected the petitioneras argument that such large-scale transfers, and that too at the highest levels of general and police administration in West Bengal, were deliberate since the same was not applicable in other poll-bound states and territories.

Instead, the court accepted the Commissionas argument that transfers and replacements of bureaucrats and police officers vary from state to state since those are done based on the ground realities in the states concerned.

Since the announcement of the two-phase polling schedule for West Bengal on March 15, the Commission has periodically issued transfer orders for bureaucrats and police officers at different levels.

The transfer process began with top-ranking bureaucrats such as the Chief Secretary and Home Secretary, and Director Generals and Additional Director Generals in the case of the police.

In the second phase, transfers were carried out for mid-level officers such as District Magistrates in the case of the bureaucracy and Deputy Inspector Generals, Superintendents, and Deputy Commissioners in the police administration.

The third and final phase of transfers is currently one for the lower levels in the administrative hierarchy, including Additional District Magistrates, Sub-Divisional Officers, and Block Development Officers in general administration, and Additional Superintendents, Deputy Superintendents, Assistant Superintendents, Assistant Commissioners, and Inspectors in the police administration.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday firmly rejected allegations of electoral support from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), calling them "completely baseless" and politically motivated.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday firmly rejected allegations of electoral support from the Social Democratic Party of India (SDPI), calling them "completely baseless" and politically motivated.

He asserted that neither has any support been sought from the SDPI nor is there any form of understanding with the outfit.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said the situation in Nemom remains unchanged, dismissing attempts to draw parallels with the 2021 Assembly elections.

"There may be individuals who feel that the LDF is best placed to defeat the Bharatiya Janata Party, but that cannot be construed as a political arrangement," he said.

Reiterating the Left Democratic Front's ideological line, CM Vijayan stressed that the coalition maintains a "clear and uncompromising anti-communal stance".

The Chief Minister also responded to the controversy in Kollam on Monday, where his interaction with the media drew criticism.

He clarified that his usual practice is to speak for 30 to 40 minutes, but time constraints during the election period necessitate shorter engagements.

"It is not for me to decide who asks questions; that is for journalists to determine," he said.

His conduct on Monday, which he maintained has been consistent with his usual approach, came under criticism.

Vijayan noted that he chose to leave only after the allotted time had elapsed, but returned to clarify matters when a commotion broke out.

Alleging that some individuals had arrived with the intent to disrupt, he said the episode reflected how narratives can be "deliberately distorted".

Highlighting the government's development agenda, the Chief Minister described the Vizhinjam Port project as a "shining chapter" in Kerala's growth story.

He pointed to its potential in the transshipment sector and said all four phases are slated for completion by 2028.

The port has already generated Rs 125 crore in revenue.

He also responded to remarks by Rahul Gandhi, who on Monday sang the now viral "Pottiyee Kettiye" parody song at an election rally in Pathanamthitta.

"All saw where the person reached," Vijayan said tersely, referring to the prime accused Unnikrishnan Potti's reported meeting with Sonia Gandhi in Delhi, without elaborating further.

Vijayan has been holding daily media interactions as part of his statewide campaign, criss-crossing Kerala ahead of the polls.

The state will go to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 legislators. The results will be announced on May 4.
Nalanda, March 31 : Bihar Deputy Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary expressed grief over the loss of lives in the stampede that broke out during prayers at Mata Sheetla Temple in Bihar's Nalanda on Tuesday.

A stampede broke out during prayers at Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda on Tuesday, leaving seven people dead and one seriously injured, police confirmed.

In a post on X, Choudhary said, "The tragic stampede incident at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Nalanda is extremely heartbreaking. I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident."

He assured that all the necessary assistance would be provided to those affected.

"The government is providing every possible assistance and relief to the affected families. Arrangements have been made for the proper treatment of the injured," he said.

"May God grant peace to the departed souls and provide strength to the grieving families during this hour of sorrow. I pray for the swift recovery of the injured," the Deputy Chief Minister added.

The incident occurred at the Madhda Sheetla Temple in the Deepnagar police station area.

Upon learning about the incident, police officials, together with residents, hurried to the location and initiated relief and rescue efforts. Images from the scene depicted numerous devotees assembled within the temple grounds.

Rescue officials reached the site and are carrying out relief operations.

Injured individuals are being sent to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Police are on the site and are trying to determine the cause of the stampede.

Last year in November, at least nine people, including eight women and a 13-year-old boy, were killed during a crowd surge on the Karthika Ekadashi at the Venkateswara Swamy Temple in Andhra Pradesh's Srikakulam district. Around 25,000 devotees were present, overwhelming the facility.

Additionally, the February 2025 Maha Kumbh stampede in Prayagraj claimed several lives. It occurred due to barricades collapsing on Akhara Marg.
New York, March 31 : A broker for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth explored a multimillion-dollar investment in defence stocks just weeks before a US-Israel strike on Iran.

The broker at Morgan Stanley approached BlackRock in February about allocating funds into a defence-focused ETF tied to contractors like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman. Such companies typically benefit from rising military spending amid geopolitical tensions and military activity, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the Financial Times.

The investment did not go through due to Morgan Stanley's platform availability constraints, but the timing is raising scrutiny given Hegseth's prominent role in shaping US policy toward Iran.

The Pentagon said the report was incorrect and demanded a retraction.

"This allegation is entirely false and fabricated," Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell said on social media. "This is yet another baseless, dishonest smear designed to mislead the public."

The report came amid a wider scrutiny of trades made in financial and prediction markets ahead of US President Donald Trump's major policy decisions, local media reported.

Meanwhile, President Trump has told aides that he's willing to end the US-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday night, citing Trump administration officials.

Trump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the crucial global energy waterway would push the war with Iran beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, said the report.

As a result, Trump decided that the United States should focus on achieving its primary objectives of crippling Iran's navy and missile stockpiles while simultaneously pressuring Tehran diplomatically to restore the free flow of trade through the strait, and, if these efforts fail, the White House would press European and Gulf allies to take the lead in reopening it, according to the officials.
Gandhinagar, March 31 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said earlier governments had neglected India's manuscript heritage due to a "colonial mindset", as he inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Gandhinagar, March 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said earlier governments had neglected India's manuscript heritage due to a "colonial mindset", as he inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said it should have been the nation's responsibility after Independence to identify and preserve ancient manuscripts, but this had not been done.

"Due to a colonial mindset, no attention was paid in this direction. The mistake of neglecting manuscripts by earlier governments is now being corrected," he said.

He said the Centre had launched the Gyan Bharatam Mission to conserve manuscripts through digitisation, chemical treatment and scientific research, adding that people were also contributing by uploading manuscripts as part of a national survey effort.

The Prime Minister said the museum, located within the Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra campus, would serve as a centre for Jain worship as well as cultural and heritage preservation.

He said artefacts of the Jain community, some dating back around 1,000 years, had been preserved for future generations.

"Koba Tirth is a place of peace and the penance of saints. For a long time, traditions of dedication, study, spiritual practice and discipline have continued here," he said, describing the site as a confluence of Indian civilisation through the preservation of values, nurturing of cultural ethos and promotion of knowledge.

Referring to history, PM Modi said that while many civilisations had produced thinkers and ideals, several rulers abandoned those values when faced with power.

"Some rulers adopted violence as a tool, whereas Samrat Samprati promoted non-violence while in power," he said, adding that such history had been preserved in the museum.

He said the museum's design reflects India's diversity and unity, with traditions such as the Vedas, Puranas and Ayurveda represented and added that its message was relevant in a volatile global environment.

The Prime Minister credited Jain saints, including Acharya Padmasagarsurishwarji, for dedicating their lives to collecting manuscripts from across the country.

According to officials, the museum showcases the historical, cultural and spiritual legacy of Jainism and enables visitors to understand its evolution chronologically.

The museum features seven galleries displaying rare artefacts, including stone and metal idols, Tirth Patta, Yantra Patta, miniature paintings, silver chariots, coins and ancient manuscripts, integrated with digital and audio-visual installations for visitors and researchers.

Housing more than 2,000 artefacts and over 3,00,000 manuscripts, the museum has been developed as a major repository of India's cultural heritage.

PM Modi also referred to other projects, including a maritime museum at Lothal and a museum at Vadnagar, and said such initiatives were now being undertaken beyond "political narratives and vote-bank considerations".
New Delhi, March 31 : Senior Congress leader and Parliamentary Board Chairperson Sonia Gandhi was discharged from Sir Ganga Ram Hospital on Tuesday morning after recovering from a systemic infection.

According to a statement issued by the hospital, she had been admitted on the night of March 24 at around 10.22 p.m. with complaints of fever.

Chairman of the hospital, Dr Ajay Swaroop, said she was treated with a course of antibiotics for a systemic infection under the supervision of a team of senior doctors, including Dr D. S. Rana, Dr S. Nundy, and Dr Arup Basu. She responded well to the treatment.

"She has now recovered and has been discharged this morning. She will continue her treatment and follow-up at home," the hospital said in its statement.

Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, had to cancel his visit to Kerala on March 25 after her hospitalization on March 24. He was slated to kick off the party's campaign in the poll-going state. In his place, party president Mallikarjun Kharge went to Kerala to launch the party's poll campaign.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Member of Parliament from Wayanad, also visited the hospital following Sonia Gandhi's hospitalization.

This is the second time this year that the veteran leader has sought treatment at the hospital.

She had earlier visited the same hospital on January 5 after experiencing respiratory discomfort. She was discharged a few days later.

Sonia Gandhi, who turned 79 in December last year, remains one of the senior-most leaders of the Congress party.

Just before her hospitalization on March 24, Sonia Gandhi criticized the Centre for its silence on the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on March 3, calling it abdication rather than neutrality.

--IANS

skp/

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
News / National

by Staff reporter

A legislator has called for the inclusion of sex workers in the proposed Occupational Safety Bill, arguing that all categories of workers should be protected under occupational health and safety laws.Shamva South MP Joseph Mapiki said sex workers should not be excluded from legal protections designed to safeguard workers from occupational hazards, injuries and unsafe working conditions."We cannot leave out issues to do with sex workers; if we leave them out, I do not know, but in reality, that is happening," Mapiki said. "We need to ensure that those workers and employers have enough protection."Mapiki also raised concerns about foreign employers operating in Zimbabwe's mining sector, citing allegations of exploitation and poor working conditions affecting local employees.He called for tighter regulation and stronger oversight mechanisms to ensure compliance with workplace safety standards, particularly among foreign-owned mining operations.His remarks come amid growing national concern over occupational safety, especially in the mining industry, where workplace accidents and labour disputes have drawn attention from lawmakers and labour groups.The Occupational Safety Bill is intended to establish a comprehensive framework for protecting workers' health and safety across multiple sectors of the economy.Mapiki said the legislation should take an inclusive approach that ensures protection for all workers, regardless of profession, while also strengthening enforcement mechanisms to improve compliance across industries.
Quetta, March 31 : Gas supply to Quetta and several districts of Pakistan's Balochistan province has been disrupted after unidentified assailants blew up the main gas pipeline at Western Bypass area, local media reported on Tuesday.

Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) spokesperson said, "An 18-inch diameter main gas pipeline was blown up by unknown people," adding that the incident occurred in Akhtarabad area, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

Police said that the armed men planted an explosive device under the gas pipeline and blew it up on Monday evening. A senior police officer said that gas supply to several parts of Quetta and Balochistan was suspended after the pipeline caught fire.

SSGC spokesman said that the gas supply was impacted in Hazara town, Pishin, Ziarat, Kalat, Mastung, Hazarganji, Khaizi, Nohsar and Kuchlak.

SSGC officials said, "A big portion of the gas pipeline was destroyed by the blast," adding that officials had reached the area and the repair work of pipeline would start after security clearance, Dawn reported.

Following the incident, heavy contingent of security personnel had been deployed at gas facilities in Quetta, Dawn reported.

Last week, the Balochistan Liberation Front claimed responsibility for a series of coordinated attacks targeting telecommunications infrastructure and a Frontier Corps (FC) post across Balochistan, reportedly causing casualties among security personnel and significant material damage, according to local media reports.

In a statement to the media, BLF spokesperson Major Gwahram Baloch said the groupas fighters carried out an operation on March 26 in the Bhawani area of Hub Chowki, where they set fire to and destroyed machinery at a mobile tower site, alleging it was being used for surveillance.

According to the spokesperson, in a separate incident on March 22, BLF fighters launched rocket fire at an FC post in the Charfanok area of Shehrak in the Kech district, causing casualties and losses to infrastructure, The Balochistan Post reported.

He further said that in the same incident, machinery at a nearby Ufone telecommunications tower was also set on fire, leaving it inoperable.

Earlier on March 26, a blast targeting Pakistani forces in the Zarkho area of Daghari in the provincial capital, Quetta, resulted in casualties, The Balochistan Post reported, citing sources.

The explosion took place when army personnel on foot reached the site of an under-construction post.

Reports suggest that the number of casualties could not be independently verified.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 : Veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony on Tuesday asserted that a change of government in Kerala is "certain", claiming that the electorate has already made up its mind well before polling day.

Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (IANS) Veteran Congress leader A.K. Antony on Tuesday asserted that a change of government in Kerala is "certain", claiming that the electorate has already made up its mind well before polling day.

Kerala goes to the polls on April 9 to elect 140 new legislators.

"The people of Kerala have already voted in their hearts," Antony said, projecting a decisive return of the United Democratic Front (UDF).

"Like a thunderclap, the UDF will come back. The people have decided this government must go," he added, describing the present dispensation as a mere "caretaker government".

Antony is a three-time Chief Minister and has now retired from active politics, but he arrives at his office in the state party headquarters here and meets people every day.

Launching a sharp attack on Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, Antony alleged that he remains "invisible" to ordinary citizens and accused him of avoiding public interaction.

He likened the State Secretariat to a "fortress of Ravana" and said the Chief Minister is intolerant of criticism.

Antony further claimed that the UDF does not require an extensive campaign, arguing that the very prospect of a third consecutive Vijayan government would be enough to swing voters in its favour.

Highlighting what he termed unprecedented unity within the Congress-led UDF, Antony said the UDF is more cohesive now than ever before.

He argued that the idea of a third consecutive term for the Left Democratic Front has "shocked" the electorate.

"Even if Prime Minister Narendra Modi extends support, the people will not accept a third Vijayan government. It would be a major disaster," he said.

Pointing to shifting political dynamics, Antony said that while dissent was once largely confined to the Congress party, the trend has now reversed, with Left sympathisers increasingly drifting away from the ruling camp.

He maintained that the Bharatiya Janata Party has little electoral space in Kerala and alleged that it indirectly benefits the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Antony also claimed that the BJP is not keen on seeing a Congress Chief Minister in the state and alleged a tacit understanding between the CPI(M) and the BJP, an accusation that is likely to intensify the political battle as Kerala heads to the polls.
Gandhinagar, March 31 : Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj on Tuesday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that while many have ruled Delhi, only he has truly ruled the hearts of the people.

The remarks came after the Prime Minister met Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj and sought his blessings during his visit to Gujarat.

Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the Samrat Samprati Museum at Koba Tirth in Gandhinagar on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. He also toured the museum galleries, where he viewed rare artefacts and historical collections documenting the evolution of Jainism.

Praising the Prime Minister, Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj said, "PM Modi has done a lot and continues to work for the welfare of citizens. His life, simplicity, dedication, and sense of purpose are remarkable. I can say many things, but words fall short in describing him. I would say he is 'aadhe sadhu, aadhe grihastha'."

Expressing his happiness after meeting the Prime Minister, he added, "I met him after a long time and felt overwhelmed. When I spoke to him privately, I felt very happy."

Highlighting the Prime Minister's leadership during challenging times, he said, "When there are conflicts and war-like situations, PM Modi works to safeguard the country so that the people are not affected by crises. I want to thank him for protecting citizens from difficulties."

He further added, "During times of tension, he has given messages of peace and unity. There was a time when we looked up to other countries, but now the world looks at us. We have come a long way in terms of development, and I give full credit to PM Modi for this progress."

Reflecting on cultural revival, the Acharya said, "'Hamari Sanskriti so gayi thi.' People were not aware of their true potential as citizens of 'Arya Bhumi'. They did not fully understand our culture and Sanatan traditions. PM Modi has made efforts to reconnect people with their roots."

He concluded by saying, "Many have come to power, but very few have ruled the hearts of the people. I wholeheartedly bless the Prime Minister and hope he continues to receive support, fulfils the aspirations of the people, and achieves all his goals."
New Delhi, March 31 : The arrest of Lashkar-e-Tayiba (LeT) commander, Shabbir Ahmed Lone, by the Special Cell of the Delhi Police is a major breakthrough for the agencies. Lone was planning attacks on a very large scale and his arrest has thwarted a major plan of the terror group.

Lone was running a complicated network, which had a pan-India presence. Lone had managed to set up modules across the country ranging from Tamil Nadu to Delhi to West Bengal.

Lone who was being handled by LeT's Sumana Babar had managed to recruit youth from Tirupur in Tamil Nadu, Malaga in West Bengal and also from Delhi. He was targeting the Bangladeshi nationals who have been living illegally in India.

To avoid suspicion, Lone would deploy those living in South India for an operation in North India. The operatives that he had recruited had carried out a reconnaissance of several targets. The plan was to orchestrate a series of blasts over a longer period of time.

The plot first came to light, when the Delhi Police arrested six Bangladeshi nationals for posting images in support of Pakistan at New Delhi. The posters while praising Pakistan also hailed slain Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani.

The probe found that this was a test case and Lone was checking on the capabilities of the persons he recruited.

Similarly, he had recruited Bangladeshis living illegally in West Bengal and instructed them to undertake reconnaissance missions. He had instructed the recruits to target temples in particular.

The Delhi Police during the course of the probe learnt that Lone had instructed reconnaissance missions to be carried out at the Gauri Shankar and Kalkaji Temple in Chandni Chowk.

The arrest of the six Bangladeshi nationals was a major blow for the Lashkar-e-Tayiba. These persons had successfully managed to put up the pro-Pakistan posters in New Delhi. The accused persons had recorded videos of themselves putting up the posters and sent the same to Lone.

In the messages that Lone sent to the recruits, he praised them and told them they had executed a perfect job. Lone also speaks about the next course of action and told the recruits to remain on standby.

Until the instructions were received they were told to go on with their normal work at the garment factories in Tamil Nadu, the police have also learnt.

Another official said that the next plan was to carry out the attack on the two temples and then take some time off before the next mission could be executed. All this while, Lone was operating from Nepal.

However the arrests rattled the Lashkar leadership following which Lone was told to rush to India and take stock. While he was entering India through the open border, he was arrested.

The Delhi Police and the central Intelligence agencies coordinated the operation and nabbed Lone at Ghazipur.

An Intelligence Bureau official said that while a major attack has been averted with the arrest of the module members and their boss, Lone, the focus would now be on the rest of the modules that have been set up.

The West Bengal module is the one that the agencies are chasing now. Officials say that there is Intelligence that many trained recruits are waiting to cross over into India through both the Nepal and Bangladesh border.

There have been numerous inputs in recent months of the Lashkar and other terror groups attempting to carry out blasts ahead or during the elections in West Bengal and Assam.

Officials have learnt that a person by the name Saidul Islam is the one overseeing these operations from his hideout in Bangladesh. He was the one who had helped Lone with the recruitments and currently he is planning on sending more men to undertake attacks in West Bengal and the other Northeastern states, an official said.

The agencies are also watching Hatiara area in Kolkata as a base had been established here to oversee the West Bengal operations. This base was being used to coordinate with members of the module who are based in Malda, the official added.
Jaipur, March 31 : Continuing his criticism of the BJP government in Rajasthan, senior Congress leader and former Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Tuesday targeted the Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma-led administration for suspending the construction of a guest house at the Rajasthan International Centre (RIC) in Jaipur.

In the ninth chapter of his digital series "Intezaar Shastra", Gehlot questioned the BJP government over the suspension of the works at RIC, a project initiated during the previous Congress government.

Posting on X, Gehlot said, "Why did the BJP government halt the work on the 'guest house' of that Rajasthan International Centre (RIC), where PM Modi and French President Macron participated in an event and appreciated it?"

"Magnificent events are taking place at RIC, guests are arriving, but by withholding the budget for the guest house, the government is squandering public money on expensive hotels," he said.

"What kind of negative politics is this? Is this a repetition of 2014, when the previous BJP government had stopped the work on RIC, and it resumed only after the Congress government came to power?" he asked.

A video shared along with the post highlighted the RIC building and noted that its foundation stone was laid on April 19, 2013, with an allocation of Rs 130 crore. The project was conceptualised along the lines of the India Habitat Centre in Delhi and was intended to host cultural events, exhibitions and seminars.

The video further claimed that the project was stalled after the BJP came to power in 2014 and was later revived by the Congress government in 2019. The centre was inaugurated on April 17, 2023, and has since hosted several national and international events.

It also stated that a guest house project at the RIC, with a proposed cost of 40 crore, was initiated during the Congress tenure to accommodate participants. However, funds for the project were allegedly halted by the current BJP government, leaving it incomplete.

The "Intezaar Shastra" series, launched by Gehlot, highlights projects initiated or completed during the Congress government that he claims are now stalled under the present regime.
Sanand, March 31 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the outsourced semiconductor assembly and test (OSAT) facility of Kaynes Semicon at Sanand in Gujarat, marking the start of commercial operations at the plant.

According to officials, the Prime Minister inaugurated the facility during his visit to the state, where he also reviewed the plantas infrastructure and ongoing operations.

The Sanand unit has been set up with an investment of about Rs 3,300 crore and is designed to undertake semiconductor assembly, packaging and testing, a key segment in the chip manufacturing value chain.

The facility is part of the Central government's broader push under the 'India Semiconductor Mission' to build domestic capabilities in the sector.

Commercial production at the plant has commenced with the manufacturing of Intelligent Power Modules (IPMs), which are widely used in applications such as electric vehicles, industrial systems and energy-efficient appliances.

Each module integrates multiple chips into a single package to improve performance and efficiency.

The facility, once fully scaled, is expected to have a production capacity of approximately 6.3 million units per day.

The output from the plant will cater to domestic demand as well as international markets, including supplies to global semiconductor firms.

During the visit, the Prime Minister was briefed on the advanced packaging technologies being deployed at the unit, including capabilities for handling complex semiconductor modules.

He also interacted with officials and personnel at the facility and viewed the cleanroom and production lines.

The government said the project is expected to generate employment opportunities and contribute to the development of a skilled workforce in high-technology manufacturing.

The Sanand facility is among the semiconductor projects being developed in the country to reduce dependence on imports and enhance value addition within India, following the inauguration of Micron Technologyas unit in February this year.

The inauguration also took place during the Prime Ministeras day-long visit to the state, during which he will attend multiple programmes.
New Delhi, March 31 : Congress leaders on Tuesday countered Union Home Minister, Amit Shah's, accusation of it nurturing Naxalism in the country. The party highlighted the martyrdom oaf its leader in Chhattisgarh at the hands of Naxals.

The comments came after HM Shah accused Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition, Rahul Gandhi and the Congress party of consistently providing ideological support and a soft corner to Naxalites, during his address in the Lok Sabha. a

Speaking to IANS, Congress MP Imran Masood stated, "Congress leaders have sacrificed their lives because of Naxalism. The Congress leadership in Chhattisgarh had been martyred due to Naxalism, under the regime of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state at that time."

He further emphasised, "The Congress' history is all about martyrdom, whether during India's freedom struggle, due to terrorism or attacks by Naxals. So if you blame those whose history itself is filled with sacrifices, people will counter them instead."

Reiterating Masood's argument, Congress MP Pramod Tiwari mentioned about party leader Vidya Charan Shukla, who died after sustaining injuries in a Maoist attack in Chhattisgarh in 2013.

He told IANS, "We (Congress) have dedicated everything (to the nation) and are now being falsely accused."

Tiwari emphasised that communalism was also as harmful for the country as Naxalism.

"I want to tell HM Shah that just like Naxalism, communalism also is equally harmful for the country, which is being spread by the BJP. Communalism will also be wiped out from the country, according to the Constitution, and the Congress will do it."

Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) MP, Manoj Jha, alleged that the basis of HM Shah's speech was "capsule WhatsApp version of sociology and political economy".

"Blame game is a part of his (HM Shah's) personality," he told IANS.

RJD MP, Abhay Kushwaha, while agreeing with HM Amit Shah that Naxalism has been eliminated from the country to a large extent, underlined that "the citizens are now more aware."

He claimed that Naxalism was eliminated from Bihar to a large extent, even before 2014. "In some places there were people who, in the name of Naxalism, used to carry out such acts to earn money," he said.

Speaking to IANS, Kushwaha urged the government to work towards bringing development in areas which have been freed of Naxals.

Meanwhile, HM Shah on Monday declared in the Lok Sabha that India has virtually become Naxal-free, with the dreaded Maoist central and state leadership structures almost completely eliminated just a day before the governmentas self-imposed deadline of March 31, 2026.
New Delhi, March 31 : Despite claiming limited resources, Maoist insurgents had successfully created a narrative over decades in favour of their "armed revolution against the state" which the NDA government now claims had the support of the then Congress regime, and part of the urban intelligentsia.

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Despite claiming limited resources, Maoist insurgents had successfully created a narrative over decades in favour of their "armed revolution against the state" which the NDA government now claims had the support of the then Congress regime, and part of the urban intelligentsia.

Through this time, it was believed that abject poverty in rural areas, especially among tribals, was among reasons for Maoism to flourish who reportedly extended a helping hand to those in need.

But data provided by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in his statement in Parliament on Monday destroyed that myth.

Facts and figures from the 1960s show Naxalbari had higher per capita income compared to non-affected regions like Saharsa in Bihar, proving the movement was driven by ideology rather than poverty, as he pointed out from documents.

The foundation for the doctrine of Communist China's founding father was laid at Naxalbari, in the Siliguri subdivision of West Bengal's Darjeeling district.

It was around Nepal's Terai region that in 1967, radical Left leaders organised tribal peasants to rise against oppressive landlords to demand land rights.

Inspired by Mao Zedong's "political power comes from the barrel of a gun" phrase, it sought to overthrow feudal structures and establish a more equitable system. But the real aim was to establish a "People's Democratic Republic" through armed insurgency.

The uprising marked the beginning of a broader Maoist insurgency in India. Though suppressed, the uprising ignited similar movements across India, giving birth to the broader Naxalite insurgency.

As the Home Minister pointed out, the 'Red Corridor' spanned 12 States, covering 70 per cent of the country and affecting 20 crore citizens. During this period, over 20,000 lives were lost in the violence, which included more than 5,000 security personnel, he added.

Busting another myth  that the insurgents supported local economy  Shah stressed that investigations have revealed that the Naxals were collecting an annual "tax" of Rs. 240-crore from the public.

Those who have visited the affected areas during this time have also witnessed roads dug, large trees felled on ground, reportedly as defence against operations by security forces.

At the same time, these measures kept all attempts at development, welfare activities, and aid delivery by the state at bay.

Additionally, bomb blasts and intermittent armed surges on factories and areas marked for industries, spread terror. In fact, close to 92 per cent of weapons used by the Naxals were not imported, as the word was spread then, but looted from police stations and armories, according to the Home Minister.

To further spread their daring spirit and raise the fear factor, raids were conducted frequently. In 2005, 1,000 armed Naxals stormed a CRPF camp and a jail in Bihar's Jehanabad, freeing 389 prisoners, Shah added.

Meanwhile, the National Advisory Council (NAC) and various town-based intellectuals  dubbed "Urban Naxals"  provided the insurgents both legal and policy cover.

Ironically, the NAC, an extra-constitutional advisory body, was established in 2004 to advise the Prime Minister on social, economic, and developmental policies that had Sonia Gandhi as its Chairperson. However, since the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government assumed power at the Centre in 2014, a mix of iron fist and velvet glove approach has led to India becoming Naxal-free "as of March 31, 2026, marking the end of a 56-year-old conflict," asserted Shah.

'Affected' districts dropped from 126 (in 2014) to just 2 (in 2026); 'Most Affected' districts fell from 35 to zero, while the entire top leadership were neutralised or surrendered. Meanwhile, a policy of zero-tolerance for "Urban Naxals" and a lucrative surrender policy, where surrendering Naxals receive Rs. 50,000 as immediate aid, monthly stipend for 36 months, education support for children till class 12, and housing under PM Awas Yojana  acted as the velvet glove.

As the Home Minister put it, the path from bullets to ballots lay through 'goli ka jawab goli (bullet for bullet)' and 'development for all' that restored the rule of law. Incidentally, the rewards are doubled for collective surrenders with Rs. 1 crore granted to any Panchayat that becomes Naxal-free.

Finally, it was the government's intent, meticulous planning, and perfect execution that helped both the iron fist and the velvet glove to silence the gun aiming to disrupt democracy.
Jakarta, March 31 : Indonesia has called on the United Nations (UN) to convene an emergency Security Council meeting following the deaths of three Indonesian peacekeepers in Lebanon, officials said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono conveyed the request to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday through a phone call, stressing the need for a swift, transparent, and comprehensive investigation into the incident, reports Xinhua news agency.

"We request an emergency Security Council meeting and a prompt, thorough, and transparent investigation process," Sugiono said in a statement posted on his social media account.

Sugiono also held a telephone conversation with Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji, expressing Indonesia's deep concern over the attacks. Both sides agreed to maintain close coordination in responding to the situation while supporting efforts to de-escalate tensions and safeguard regional stability.

Indonesia strongly condemned the attacks, underscoring that UN peacekeepers must be protected in accordance with international law.

Two more Indonesian personnel serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon were confirmed dead on Monday evening, bringing the total number of Indonesian peacekeepers killed in the country to three, according to Indonesian authorities on Tuesday.

The soldiers were part of the Indonesian contingent deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

"In the incident, two military soldiers were reported dead, while two other soldiers were seriously injured. The soldiers who are currently injured have received medical treatment at a health facility in Beirut," said Brigadier General Rico Ricardo Sirait, head of Indonesia's Ministry of Defence's Information Bureau in Jakarta.

The UNIFIL, through its official statement on X, also confirmed the deaths of the two soldiers, saying they were tragically killed in southern Lebanon when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle.

"This is the second fatal incident in the last 24 hours. We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace," read the statement.

The additional fatalities occurred following an attack in southern Lebanon, where Indonesian peacekeepers were caught amid ongoing conflict in the region. Earlier on Sunday, one Indonesian soldier was reported killed and several others injured in a strike near a UNIFIL position.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Monday strongly condemned the incident, calling on all parties to uphold their obligations under international law and ensure the safety and protection of UN personnel and property at all times.
Patna, March 31 : After a deadly stampede in Bihar's Nalanda district claimed eight lives and injured several others, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep grief and announced compensation for the victims.

The state government will provide Rs 6 lakh each to the families of the deceased -- Rs 4 lakh from the Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.

Bihar Water Resource Minister Vijay Kumar Chaudhary said the government has taken the matter seriously and that the Chief Minister is continuously monitoring the situation.

He assured that all injured persons are being provided proper medical care at the government's expense.

Describing the tragedy as "heart-wrenching", the minister said relief and rescue operations were launched immediately and that officials have been directed to ensure all necessary assistance to the victims and their families.

Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha also expressed sorrow over the incident, calling it deeply painful. He extended condolences to the bereaved families and wished a speedy recovery for the injured, assuring that the government stands firmly with those affected.

The incident occurred at the ancient Sheetla Mata Temple in Maghra village under the Deepnagar police station area, where a large number of devotees had gathered on the occasion of Sheetlashtami during the holy month of Chaitra.

Amid the large crowd, panic suddenly broke out, triggering a stampede.

According to reports, at least eight people, including seven women, lost their lives, while dozens of others sustained injuries and are currently undergoing treatment at nearby hospitals. Some reports have indicated the toll could be higher, and officials are verifying the exact number.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that the heavy crowd and lack of space inside the temple premises led to sudden chaos, resulting in the stampede.

Rescue teams and local administration rushed to the spot and shifted the injured to hospitals.

Relief and rescue operations are currently underway, while authorities are expected to investigate the exact cause of the stampede and assess whether adequate crowd management measures were in place.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ZIMBABWE has handed over 330 metric tonnes of maize to Malawi, as the third consignment of humanitarian assistance to the country.This brings the total support pledged by Zimbabwe to 1 000 metric tonnes, delivered in phases.Nancy Saungweme, Zimbabwe's Ambassador to Malawi, delivered the maize on behalf of her government after learning about the humanitarian challenges facing Malawi."We are one and neighbours. It has pleased His Excellency to support Malawi during this difficult time," she said.Saungweme was referring to President Emmerson Mnangagwa."The donation reflects the spirit of unity, compassion and cooperation between the two nations," she said.George Chaponda, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received the donation on behalf of the Malawi government.He described the gesture as a symbol of strong bilateral relations and regional solidarity."This support has brought hope to Malawians and demonstrates the strong spirit of solidarity between our two countries," Chaponda said.The assistance has arrived at a critical time, as Malawi continues to recover from floods and a worsening food crisis.Despite its own recurrent food insecurity, Zimbabwe has been among countries that have donated to the fellow Southern African nation amid its challenges.Recent flooding has left at least 29 people dead in Malawi.
Tokyo, March 31 : Japan's Defence Ministry said on Tuesday that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service for the first time at two Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) bases in the country, a move that has sparked domestic opposition.

The deployment of the missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defence-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution, reports Xinhua, quoting Kyodo News.

Camp Kengun has been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile that can fly about 1,000 kilometres, far exceeding Japan's territorial boundaries and widely seen as having clear offensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, hyper velocity gliding projectiles have been equipped at a training unit at Camp Fuji. Designed for island defence, the deployed model has a range of several hundred kilometres, with the ministry working to upgrade it to around 2,000 kilometres.

Kyodo News noted that "enemy base strike capability" refers to Japan's ability to launch counterstrikes against adversary bases before actual damage occurs, if it determines that an attack is imminent. However, analysts warn that misjudgments could risk violating international law by constituting a preemptive strike.

Atsushi Koketsu, emeritus professor at Yamaguchi University in Japan, told Xinhua that while the government frames the capability as a means of strengthening deterrence, it "clearly goes beyond the scope of self-defence."

On Tuesday, local residents in Kumamoto staged protests near Camp Kengun, holding placards reading "Oppose deployment" and "No missiles needed," Kyodo News reported.

Protesters expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target, and have repeatedly called on the defence ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place, the report said.

Separately, more than a dozen citizen representatives met with defence ministry officials in Tokyo on Monday, urging the government to halt its military expansion measures, including the missile deployment in Kumamoto. Participants criticised officials for providing vague responses and frequently avoiding transparency.

Citizen representative Kujirai said after the meeting that the government's replies followed a "routine pattern," increasingly citing "confidentiality" as a pretext when declining to answer specific questions. He also criticised Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's push to "make Japan strong and wealthy," arguing it amounts to large-scale military expansion without adequate public accountability. "This is a misinterpretation of the citizens' demands and a very dangerous stance," he said.

Another representative, Akira Saito, told Xinhua that the government officials' response remained very limited. Going forward, in addition to directly questioning Takaichi at the parliamentary level, "it is crucial to continuously expand and amplify our voices through civic movements," he said.
New Delhi, March 31 : Eight people were killed and eight others injured in a stampede at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Bihar's Nalanda district on Tuesday, police said, the latest in a series of crowd crush incidents reported in 2026 and 2025 that have highlighted safety gaps at mass gatherings across the country.

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Eight people were killed and eight others injured in a stampede at the Mata Sheetla Temple in Biharas Nalanda district on Tuesday, police said, the latest in a series of crowd crush incidents reported in 2026 and 2025 that have highlighted safety gaps at mass gatherings across the country.

The latest stampede occurred during prayers under the Deepnagar Police Station limits after a sudden surge of devotees led to overcrowding and chaos within the temple premises.

According to officials, local residents and police personnel quickly launched rescue operations, shifting the injured to nearby hospitals. Senior district authorities reached the spot to oversee relief efforts, and an inquiry has been ordered. CCTV footage is being examined, and forensic teams are working to establish the exact sequence of events.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the loss of lives and announced ex gratia compensation of Rs 2 lakh for the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 for the injured.

The Nalanda tragedy comes amid a worrying pattern of stampedes reported from across India over the past two years, particularly during religious gatherings and large public events where crowd management remains a challenge.

A timeline of major stampede incidents reported this year and last year is as follows:

Early 2025: Maha Kumbh Uttar Pradesh, several people were killed, and dozens were injured in a stampede during the religious congregation as massive crowds gathered for a holy dip.

February 2025: New Delhi Railway Station, at least 18 people died in a crowd crush as passengers rushed to board trains for the Kumbh, leading to chaos on the platform.

June 2025: Bengaluru, multiple fatalities were reported in a stampede outside Chinnaswamy Stadium during a large public event with heavy footfall.

In 2025, separate incidents at temples and public gatherings in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh also resulted in deaths amid overcrowding and inadequate arrangements.

At least 127 people lost their lives in stampedes across India in 2025, underlining the scale of the problem.

Experts have repeatedly flagged systemic issues behind such incidents, including poor crowd flow planning, a lack of real-time monitoring of bottlenecks at entry and exit points, and inadequate coordination between agencies in managing large gatherings.

They have stressed the need for scientific crowd management systems, better infrastructure deployment of surveillance technology, and stricter adherence to safety protocols, particularly during high footfall religious events.

The repeated occurrence of such tragedies despite past lessons has raised serious concerns about preparedness and accountability, prompting renewed calls for reforms to ensure public safety at mass gatherings.
Kolkata, March 31 : The West Bengal unit of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), on Tuesday, submitted a complaint at the office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), accusing Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of incitement, intimidation, threats and making inflammatory speeches in her election campaigns which violates the model code of conduct (MCC) in force in the state.

In the joint letter to the CEO from BJP's state president, party's Lok Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya and the Leader of Opposition in the Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, it has been claimed that such inflammatory speeches by the Chief Minister pose a serious threat to the integrity of the ongoing electoral process, violating the MCC, electoral and criminal laws.

The BJP has claimed that from her speeches, it was clear that the sole aim of the Chief Minister was to instil fear and coerce voters, which was a threat to free, fair, and peaceful elections.

Thereafter, the BJP has given a detailed list of such speeches allegedly made by the Chief Minister during her series of campaign rallies at different pockets in West Bengal.

"It is due to such public threats by the Chief Minister that the State Police force has become mere passive spectators, resulting in the perpetrators being emboldened to carry out violence. It is noteworthy to point out here that similar speeches were made by her in the previous Assembly elections in 2021, which had enticed pre- and post-election violence as well as unrest throughout the State of West Bengal. In a matter of just 45 days, after counting more than 55 of our karyakartas were killed," read the letter to the CEO.

It has also urged the Election Commission of India (ECI) to take immediate cognizance of the statements and incidents, initiate appropriate proceedings under the MCC, and direct the initiation of appropriate and firm legal proceedings under various provisions of the Representation of People Act, 1951, and Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, including the filing of an FIR.

The BJP has also requested the ECI to evaluate the possibilities of banning the Chief Minister from participating in the election campaign rallies.

"Since the local police are complicit and therefore ineffective, ensure enhanced deployment of central forces in sensitive and vulnerable areas and deploy more IAS and IPS officers, from outside the State of West Bengal, as ECI observers to ensure that the state administration and police act impartially and decisively against all acts of violence or intimidation," read the letter.
New Delhi, March 31 : In a significant boost to India's push for self-reliance in defence manufacturing, the Ministry of Defence on Tuesday signed a major capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited for the procurement of two advanced Mountain Radars for the Indian Air Force.

The deal, valued at approximately Rs 1,950 crore, was formalised in the national capital in the presence of senior officials from both sides.

"Strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities under Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make-in-India, Ministry of Defence (MoD) has inked a major capital acquisition contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) for the procurement of two Mountain Radars, including associated equipment and required infrastructure for the Indian Air Force, at a cost of around Rs 1,950 crore," according to the ministry statement.

The contract has been awarded under the 'Buy (IndianIndigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured)' category, reinforcing the government's continued emphasis on the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

The move is aimed at strengthening domestic defence capabilities while reducing reliance on foreign-origin equipment.

The Mountain Radar system has been indigenously designed and developed by the Electronics and Radar Development Establishment, a key laboratory under the Defence Research and Development Organisation.

Manufacturing responsibility will be handled by Bharat Electronics Limited, one of India's leading defence public sector undertakings.

Once installed and commissioned, these radars are expected to significantly enhance the Indian Air Force's surveillance capabilities, particularly in challenging mountainous terrains.

Officials noted that the systems will play a crucial role in strengthening India's air defence network and overall national security architecture.

The procurement is also expected to provide a boost to the domestic defence industry ecosystem by encouraging indigenous design and production, while supporting technological advancement within the country.

"The installation and commissioning of these radars will boost the country's air defence and strengthen national security. The procurement will also reduce the dependency on foreign equipment," the ministry said.
Patna, March 31 : In the aftermath of the tragic stampede at the Sheetla Mata Temple in Maghra village of Nalanda district, in which 8 people were killed, the administration has taken strict action against police personnel for alleged negligence that led to the tragedy.

Following preliminary findings of serious security lapses, Nalanda Superintendent of Police, Bharat Soni, suspended the Station House Officer (SHO) of Deepnagar Police Station, Rajmani, with immediate effect.

Additionally, four other police personnel have also been suspended for dereliction of duty.

Initial investigations revealed alarming gaps in crowd management.

The temple premises were left largely unmanaged. The security responsibility was handled by a single watchman, and senior officials were not informed on time despite rising crowd pressure.

These lapses allowed the situation to spiral out of control, ultimately triggering the stampede.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, a day that attracts a massive number of devotees for special prayers.

As the crowd surged inside the temple premises, panic broke out, leading to a deadly stampede.

As many as 8 women lost their lives, and several others were injured, many of whom are still undergoing treatment.

The tragedy sparked widespread anger among locals and families of the victims, who accused the administration of negligence.

In response, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted to investigate this incident. The SIT is being led by a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) and senior officials, including Patna range IG Jitendra Rana, who visited the site.

The investigation team is examining crowd control arrangements, deployment of security personnel, and communication failures within the police system.

The administration has assured strict action against all those found responsible for the mishap.

Meanwhile, Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar expressed deep grief over the incident and announced compensation for the families of the deceased victims.

The state government will provide Rs 6 lakh each to the families of the deceased. Out of this, Rs 4 lakh is from the Disaster Relief Fund and Rs 2 lakh from the Chief Ministeras Relief Fund.

CM Nitish Kumar also assured that all injured persons are being provided proper medical care at the governmentas expense.
March 31 : Lucknow: Farmers will continue to receive the benefits of Minimum Support Price (MSP) in Rabi season 2026-27. Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi, while interacting with journalists at Lok Bhawan on Tuesday, said that procurement of gram, lentil and mustard will be carried out from April 7 to June 30. During this period, goal is to directly benefit farmers through a transparent digital system, DBT payments and an extensive procurement network.

Surya Pratap Shahi said that under the leadership of CM Yogi Adityanath, state government is continuously working to increase farmers' income, ensure fair prices for crops and strengthen agricultural sector. He added that this strategy for procurement of pulses and oilseeds at MSP will prove beneficial for farmers and make them economically stronger. He also informed that there is no shortage of fertilizers in the state and supplies are being maintained smoothly across all 75 districts.

Agriculture Minister said that Price Support Scheme works as a safety shield for farmers. MSP has been fixed at 5,875 per quintal for gram, 7,000 per quintal for lentil, 6,200 per quintal for mustard and 8,000 per quintal for arhar, ensuring remunerative prices for farmers' produce.

Surya Pratap Shahi said that the state government has set clear procurement targets for the Rabi marketing year 2026-27. He stated that targets have been fixed at 2.24 lakh metric tonnes for gram, 6.77 lakh metric tonnes for lentil, and 5.30 lakh metric tonnes for mustard. The Agriculture Minister said that MSP rates have been increased this year to provide additional benefits to farmers. He added that MSP has been raised by 225 per quintal for gram, 300 per quintal for lentil, and 250 per quintal for mustard, which will directly increase farmers' income. The government is continuously making efforts to enhance farmers' income, and this increase in MSP is an important step in that direction.

Agriculture Minister said that to ensure complete transparency in the procurement process, Aadhaar-enabled POS machines have been installed at all procurement centers. This will ensure identification of genuine farmers and eliminate the possibility of any irregularities. Payments for produce will be transferred directly to farmers' Aadhaar-linked bank accounts through DBT, making process faster and more transparent.

Agriculture Minister said that a large number of procurement centers are proposed to be set up this year to further strengthen the system. Government of India agencies NAFED and NCCF, along with five state agencies UPPCCU, UPPCF, JAFED, and UPSS, will procure produce from farmers and supply it, with benefits directly transferred to farmers' accounts. Coordination among these agencies will make the procurement process more effective and widespread, ensuring that maximum farmers can benefit.

Surya Pratap Shahi said that significant progress has been made in agriculture sector in the state. In 2025-26, more than 5,700 crore was spent by agriculture department on various schemes, which is a record achievement. Implementation of reform measures in 'Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana' has resulted in savings of 303 crore for the state.

Agriculture Minister said that large-scale seed distribution has been carried out to empower farmers. Seeds were provided to 11.25 lakh farmers at a 50% subsidy, while 12.73 lakh farmers received free seeds. To promote Zaid crops, 31,950 quintals of seeds were made available this year, including groundnut, urad and moong.

Keeping in mind the needs of farmers, adequate availability of fertilizers has been ensured in the state. He said that currently, a total of 25.41 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers are available across the state and have been evenly distributed in all 75 districts. This includes 11.26 lakh metric tonnes of urea, 5.08 lakh metric tonnes of DAP, 4.64 lakh metric tonnes of NPK, 3.45 lakh metric tonnes of SSP and 98 thousand metric tonnes of potash (MOP).

This quantity is sufficient to meet the current needs of farmers, and there is no shortage in any district. Distribution of fertilizers is being carried out entirely through a digital system. So far, 63.34 lakh metric tonnes of fertilizers have been distributed to farmers through POS machines, ensuring transparency and that benefits reach genuine farmers only.

Agriculture Minister said that fertilizer stockpiling has also been done in advance planning to ensure no shortage in upcoming Kharif season. Standards for per-hectare fertilizer usage have been set based on scientists' advice to promote balanced use. He appealed to farmers not to pay attention to rumors, as there is sufficient availability of fertilizers in the state. Government is continuously monitoring the situation to ensure timely supply to every farmer.

Agriculture Minister said that to make state self-reliant in seed production, 'Bharat Ratna Chaudhary Charan Singh Seed Park' is being established. An amount of 50.84 crore has already been provided to UPCIDA for its development and construction work will begin soon.

Agriculture Minister Surya Pratap Shahi said that around two crore farmers have already completed their Farmer Registry, while about 50 lakh farmers are yet to do so. He urged such farmers in the state to complete their Farmer Registry by May 15 in order to avail the benefits of central and state government welfare schemes.
Varanasi, March 31 : Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, who is on a day-long visit to Varanasi, on Tuesday offered prayers at the Kashi Vishwanath Temple and undertook a detailed study of the world-renowned Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor.

After reaching the corridor, the Chief Minister said the proposed Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh Conference would further strengthen ties between the two states and open new avenues for public welfare. He performed rituals in the sanctum sanctorum with full scriptural rites and prayed for the happiness and continuous progress of the people of Madhya Pradesh.

During his visit to the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Corridor, CM Yadav undertook a detailed study tour of the world-renowned religious site, focusing on pilgrim management, crowd control, and the mobile-app-based token system.

He also held a meeting with the Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust, where a detailed presentation was made on modern management practices, including real-time CCTV monitoring, zone-based crowd regulation, security protocols, and sanitation management.

The Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister announced that a significant Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is being finalized to strengthen management systems and facilitate the exchange of information between the shrines of Baba Vishwanath and Baba Mahakal.

"Our objective is to provide devotees with the most efficient and seamless arrangements for worship. Discussion included on modern methodologies for real-time CCTV monitoring, zone-based crowd control, security protocols, and sanitation management," he stated.

Later, he visited the sacred Ganga Ghat to seek the blessings and remarked that the spiritual tranquility one experiences upon visiting the abode of Baba Vishwanath is truly extraordinary.

On this occasion, the Chief Minister also highlighted the growing cooperation between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh in the spheres of economic development and infrastructure. He noted that the Ken-Betwa Link Project is transforming the lives of farmers in both states, ensuring that they have access to affordable and uninterrupted electricity.
Srinagar, March 31 : An organisation of Islamic scholars and clerics, on Tuesday, criticised a legislator of the ruling National Conference (NC) in Jammu and Kashmir for his statement on a proposal to ban the sale of liquor in the Union Territory (UT).

Mutahida Majlis-e-Ulema (MMU) Spokesperson, Mirwaiz Umar Farooq, lashed out at the reckless statement by the National Conference MLA and Justice (Retired), Hasnain Masoodi to reporters outside the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, wherein he justified the sale of liquor in the UT for its revenue benefits.

The Spokesperson said that such remarks are deeply unfortunate when there are clear Islamic prohibition on intoxicants, and it is fundamentally at odds with the values and beliefs of Islam.

It also ignores the grave social consequences that liquor consumption has in general on families and society, including domestic distress, financial hardship, and moral degradation.

The Spokesperson also added that such justification coming from a political party that claims to upholding the ethos, culture, and identity of Kashmir, is both disappointing and disturbing.

The MMU stressed that economic considerations cannot be placed above moral, social, and human well-being, and that justifying liquor on revenue grounds reflects a troubling approach to governance.

Calling it a well known menace that steadily erodes the moral and social fabric of society, the MMU asked the National Conference to come clean on the matter and immediately take concrete steps towards a complete ban on liquor in Jammu and Kashmir and strict punishment to those involved in its smuggling in the larger interest of society and future of the UT.

The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is likely to take up for debate the bill of a private member seeking ban on sale and purchase of liquor in the UT.

Sale and purchase of liquor has been legal in Jammu and Kashmir since the British rule in the country.
Raipur/Dantewada, March 31 : Five Maoist cadres, including four women, associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee surrendered before security forces in Dantewada district of Chhattisgarh on Tuesday.

The surrender event was held at the Police Lines in Karli under the Puna Margem initiative, aimed at rehabilitation and mainstreaming of former extremists.

Police officials said, the cadres laid down arms and returned to social mainstream, citing the declining strength and futility of the Maoist organisation.

A combined reward of nine lakh rupees had been declared on them.

The surrendering Maoists included Some Kadti, aged about 42 years, a member of the Bhairamgarh Area Committee from Bijapur district, with a reward of five lakh rupees.

The other four were party members: Lakhma Oyam (19), Sarita Podiyam (21), Jogi Kalmu (20), and Moti Oyam (19), all from Bijapur district.

Acting on intelligence provided by the surrendered Maoist cadres, security forces recovered 40 lethal weapons from various Maoist arms dumps.

The cache included eight SLR rifles, three INSAS rifles, one carbine, one .303 rifle and five BGL launchers, dealing a major blow to the terror group's capabilities.

Dantewada has seen strong results in the anti-Maoist campaign.

Since the beginning of 2024, 607 Maoist cadres have surrendered in the district under the rehabilitation initiative.

In the same period, 92 Maoists were arrested and 54 were eliminated in encounters.

The Dantewada district also conducted successful joint operations with neighbouring Bijapur, Narayanpur and Sukma districts, neutralising several top Maoist cadres.

The event was attended by senior officials, including Sundarraj P, Inspector General of Police (Bastar Range); Rakesh Chaudhary, Deputy Inspector General of Police, CRPF Dantewada Range; Devesh Dhruv, Dantewada Collector; Gaurav Rai, Dantewada Superintendent of Police; and other senior officers from the Central Reserve Police Force and district administration.

Inspector General of Police (Bastar), Sundarraj P, said the "Puna Margem' initiative provides rehabilitation, security and a dignified life to those who abandon violence.

The program aims to build lasting peace, development and trust in the Bastar region.

With consistent surrenders and significant weapons recovery, the Maoist movement in Bastar continues to weaken rapidly.

The Union government is ensuring proper rehabilitation support to help the surrendered Maoist cadres reintegrate into mainstream society.
New Delhi, March 31 : More than 3.1 lakh PNG connections covering domestic, commercial, hostel, and canteen segments have been gasified in March, while another 2.7 lakh new connections have been given and are being gasified to make more natural gas available for cooking amid disruptions in LPG imports due to the Iran war, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Ministry announced on Tuesday.

More than 50 lakh domestic LPG cylinders are being delivered daily on average since March 1, 2026, and no 'dryouts' have been reported at LPG distributorships. Besides, over 3.2 lakh 5 kg cylinders have been sold to migrant labourers since March 23, with more than 63,000 sold on Monday, a ministry statement said.

In the case of piped natural gas (PNG) and CNG for vehicles, priority has been accorded to consumers with 100 per cent supply to meet demand. Supplies to industrial and commercial consumers connected to the grid are being maintained at around 80 per cent of their average consumption, it added.

Measures have been put in place to ensure the uninterrupted availability of petroleum products and LPG across the country, in view of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, the statement said.

All refineries are operating at high capacity with adequate crude inventories, and sufficient stocks of petrol and diesel are being maintained, while domestic LPG production from refineries has been increased to support local consumption, it said.

All petrol pumps are operating normally across the country. However, instances of panic buying due to rumours have been noticed in certain areas, resulting in unusually high sales and crowding at retail outlets. However, adequate stocks of petrol and diesel are available at all petrol pumps across the country, the statement highlighted.

The government has reiterated its advice to the public not to believe rumours and has requested state governments to disseminate correct information through press briefings.

Online LPG bookings have increased to around 92 per cent, while the delivery authentication code (DAC) based deliveries have increased from 53 per cent in February 2026 to 83 per cent at present, helping prevent diversion.

Commercial LPG supply has been restored to 70 per cent of pre-crisis levels, including reform-based allocations. The latest additional allocation prioritises industries such as steel, automobile, textile, chemicals and plastics, especially process industries requiring specialised heating.

Most states and UTs have issued orders for non-domestic LPG allocation, with around 41,503 MT uplifted since March 14.

City gas distribution (CGD) entities have been advised to prioritise PNG connections for commercial establishments such as restaurants, hotels and canteens to address concerns regarding commercial LPG availability.

CGD entities have also been directed to prioritise PNG connections for residential schools, colleges, hostels, community kitchens, and Anganwadi kitchens within 5 days, where pipelines are available.

Supply to operating urea fertiliser plants is now steady at around 70-75 per cent of their last 6-month average consumption. Additional LNG cargoes and Regasified LNG (RLNG) are also being sourced to maintain the supplies and pipeline hydraulics.

CGD companies, including IGL, MGL, GAIL Gas and BPCL, are offering incentives to promote domestic and commercial PNG connections.

The Centre has requested states, UTs, and Central Ministries to expedite approvals for CGD network expansion.

An additional 10 per cent allocation of commercial LPG has been offered to states and UTs to support long-term transition from LPG to PNG, with allocations recommended based on reform measures undertaken by states.
News / National

by Staff reporter

The recovery of Lake Kariba has gathered momentum, significantly improving the outlook for hydroelectric power generation in both Zimbabwe and Zambia.As of March 30, 2026, water levels at the reservoir had risen to 479.10 metres, representing 25.28% usable storage, a notable increase from 476.83 metres (9.18%) recorded during the same period last year. The lake has now moved further above the critical minimum operating threshold of 475.50 metres, easing pressure on power generation systems that have struggled in recent years.The recovery has been driven by significantly improved inflows along the Zambezi River, with key monitoring stations recording substantial increases compared to last year.At Victoria Falls, flows reached 4,206 cubic metres per second, more than double the 1,647 cubic metres per second recorded a year ago. Similarly strong flows were observed at Ngonye and Chavuma, reinforcing the upward trend in water levels.Although some upstream flows have begun to stabilise after seasonal peaks, overall volumes remain well above last year's levels, continuing to support the reservoir's recovery.The rising water levels are already translating into improved power generation conditions. Increased storage enhances turbine efficiency, allowing for greater electricity output and improved flexibility in water allocation.This development is expected to reduce reliance on electricity imports and thermal generation, while also easing pressure on load shedding that has affected both countries in recent years.Energy analysts note that hydropower generation at Lake Kariba is highly sensitive to water levels, making the move above 25% usable capacity a key milestone in stabilising the energy sector.Hydrological trends indicate that the current rainy season has moved past peak inflow levels but remains in a strong and sustained phase. While river flows are gradually moderating, the reservoir continues to benefit from delayed inflow effects, allowing water levels to keep rising.This marks a transition from rapid recharge to a more stable consolidation phase, which is critical for maintaining consistent power generation.If inflows remain favourable into April, Lake Kariba is expected to approach more stable operating levels, supporting steady improvements in electricity generation through the dry season.The continued recovery is likely to reduce the risk of severe power shortages and strengthen energy security in the region.Although the reservoir is still below optimal capacity, the combination of strong inflows and rising storage levels signals a meaningful turnaround, positioning Zimbabwe and Zambia for a more stable power supply outlook in 2026.
Gandhinagar, March 31 : Members of the Jain community and followers of Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj, on Tuesday, expressed their happiness on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit here and hailed the inauguration of Samrat Samprati Museum on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti.

Siddharth, a resident of West Bengal's Kolkata, called the event named 'Bharat Viraasat Mahotsav', "a world class work".

"I have only seen a glance of the museum. That was absolutely outstanding. We want that such world-class institutions should be made in other places too. We will be grateful if such a thing is built at the birthplace of Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj," he told IANS.

Shashikant, another Kolkata resident, added, "What PM Modi has done is a link to Lord Mahavir's message 'live and let live'. We are fortunate that our Prime Minister also follows Jain traditions. People will be motivated."

Another attendee, Sandeep Navlakha told IANS, "We are really proud of the way PM Modi and Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj have promoted our Jain culture and heritage. We run Murshidabad heritage development society."

"Maharaj's birthplace is in Murshidabad. We wish that such a museum, even if in a small form, is made there so that his (Maharaj's) heritage collection is preserved and people get to know about Jain history," he added.

Speaking to IANS, an attendee who came all the way from Patna, said, "Today the Samrat Samprati Museum was dedicated to the country, this will be remembered for ages. This museum will play a key role in India's heritage journey."

An Ahmedabad resident, Rakesh, also spoke to IANS about the inauguration of the museum, adding: "It is a very big event. I myself have been associated with its library for many years now."

Another person, who attended the inauguration event, praised PM Modi's guidance.

He said, "PM Modi's guidance is very important for the future generation. It has been PM Modi's efforts that people know about India and its culture. One can find the blend of all religions in India. The goal of all religions is the same 'live and let live'."

He also added, "Youths will get to know about India's culture (after today's event)."

Mukesh, another member of the Jain community, got emotional while speaking to IANS about the grandeur of the event.

"I have never seen such a big and historic programmee. I also visited the museum. I have not seen such a museum in the country. We are grateful that we got to see Acharya Shri Padmasagar Surishwarji Maharaj as well as PM Modi," he said.

After attending the event, another resident Pragya told IANS, "We are very happy that PM Modi came here. We received a good message."

A resident of Ahmedabad also expressed his happiness with PM Modi's visit.

"Wars are happening around the world but due to Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership there is peace in India. We are extremely grateful that PM Modi is coming here today," he said.
Islamabad, March 31 : Pakistan's Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) offloaded two passengers from a plane at the Multan International Airport over their alleged attempt to use umrah visa for entering Europe, local media reported.

A FIA spokesperson said that immigration staff took action at Multan airport during routine screening of outbound passengers. Two Pakistani nationals - Sikander Alam and Noor Islam - were heading to Saudi Arabia for performing Umrah. However, initial probe raised suspicions, prompting officials to refer them to secondary screening for detailed profiling, Pakistan's leading daily Dawn reported.

During further probe, the officials found Moroccan visas affixed to the passports of Alam and Islam. After questioning, Sikander Alam and Noor Islam said that their actual destination was Spain instead of Saudi Arabia.

The FIA officials said the latest case aligns with recent alerts issued by FIA headquarters about the rising cases in which people try to use Umrah visas as a cover to enter Europe illegally through Morocco.

After the findings, both passengers were offloaded from the plane and taken to the FIA Composite Circle in Multan for further probe.

In January, a report detailed an incident involving two Pakistani individuals trying to travel to France on forged credentials. Uncovered by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) at Islamabad International Airport, it exposed a nexus between immigration fraud, abuse of official authority in Pakistan and the continuous challenge of illegal migration.

"While it initially involved two individuals attempting to travel to France on forged credentials, the implications extend well beyond a routine interception at an airport. The case points to deeper institutional vulnerabilities and raises serious questions about governance, accountability, and the misuse of public office within a key regulatory authority," an editorial in Pakistan-based Business Recorder detailed.

The case involved alleged involvement of a senior tax official at the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), who is accused of facilitating fraudulent French visit visas by exploiting the authority of his position, and credibility of a crucial government department. By portraying themselves as FBR employees and claiming to be part of an official delegation, the suspects tried to hide their plans in bureaucratic legitimacy.

The fabricated email exchange they showed at the airport apparently between a Gmail account and an official-looking FBR email address, with the subject referring to meetings and a visit to the European Parliament a" demonstrating an attempt to avoid probe by Pakistani authorities and foreign embassies, the editorial in the Business Recorder mentioned.

When the individuals were asked for verification, they did not provide any formal travel authorisation, evidence of employment, or official correspondence from the FBR. Further analysis of their travel itinerary, including a same-day Paris to Barcelona trip, contradicted their stated purpose of the visit and indicated their intention to stay in Europe and seek asylum.
New Delhi, March 31 : Delhi Lieutenant Governor T.S Sandhu on Tuesday visited the Kamla Nagar Market areas, close to the Delhi University and mingled with residents there before assuring an early solution to their concerns, including parking, sanitation, security, women's safety, and high rentals for students in PG accommodations.

Sandhu, in his inimitable style of impromptu on-ground interactions with citizens, walked around in the area in the afternoon with minimal security cover and relived his college days, enjoying street food that he used to relish as a student many decades ago.

He posed with college students and took stock of the problems faced by the area residents, setting a new standard in public interaction and accessibility for the Lok Niwas occupant.

In a post on social media, the LG wrote, "Walked down memory lane at the iconic Kamla Nagar Market near University of Delhi. Interacted with shopkeepers, workers, vendors, shoppers, tourists, and students  who continue to throng 'K Nags' with the same vibrant energy."

"Even managed to savour the ever-popular Chache Di Hatti Chole Bhature," said the LG.

"Had insightful conversations with locals on key civic concerns, including parking, sanitation, security, women's safety, and high rentals for students in PG accommodations. Will be taking up these issues with the concerned departments/agencies and officers to ensure they are addressed in a time-bound manner," he said.

On Sunday, Sandhu made a surprise visit to Connaught Place for a first-hand interaction with the business community and daily visitors.

A statement said that he undertook the visit to Connaught Place to personally audit the efficiency of urban management and public infrastructure.

During his visit, the LG emphasised a 'bottom-up' governance model where direct on-ground engagement ensures that administrative execution remains aligned with the highest standards of service delivery.

"He also paid respects on Delhi Fateh Diwas at the iconic Red Fort, commemorating the Khalsa's victory in 1783 under the leadership of Baba Baghel Singh. Such proactive oversight is essential to maintaining the prestige and seamless functioning of the National Capital's iconic landmarks," said a statement issued by the Lok Niwas.
Islamabad, March 31 : Pakistan's Karachi has reported its first case of mpox in 2026, local media reported on Tuesday citing hospital sources.

A 31-year-old man who returned from abroad was screened at Karachi airport, where his symptoms raised suspicion of infection. He was immediately taken to the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital for further evaluation, Pakistan's leading daily 'The Express Tribune' reported.

The patient was admitted to the hospital, where he underwent medical examination and testing. Medical Superintendent Dr Waheed Rajput said that patient tested positive for mpox. However, he was discharged from the hospital within two days after he showed improvement.

On February 7, Pakistan reported its second death related to mpox, after a 53-year-old man from Faisalabad, who was also suffering from HIV and hepatitis B and C, died while undergoing treatment at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS).

According to the hospital and health authorities, the patient was admitted to PIMS with extensive skin and genital lesions consistent with mpox, Pakistan's leading media outlet Geo News reported. However, he died on February 7 while undergoing treatment at PIMS. This marked the second mpox-related death in Pakistan so far.

According to the officials, the patient had no recent travel history, indicating local transmission of mpox in Pakistan. The case has sparked concern among public health experts that the virus is circulating in Pakistan, with clear evidence of community spread.

The latest fatality in Pakistan has been reported after the first mpox-related death was recorded in Islamabad in December 2023, demonstrating the vulnerability of people with weakened immune systems to severe outcomes of the disease.

Officials in Pakistan's federal health ministry and the National Institute of Health said Pakistan reported 53 confirmed mpox cases in 2025, majority of them detected through surveillance at points of entry and hospitals. However, they admitted that the absence of travel history in the latest case indicates local transmission, raising the need for surveillance, early detection and measures to control infection.
New Delhi, March 31 : Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram, on Wednesday, will highlight achievements of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs) at the eighth Foundation Day celebration of the National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) which manages these institutions, an official said on Tuesday.

"Since its inception, NESTS has been instrumental in expanding access to quality education for tribal students through the EMRS network. Significant progress has been made in strengthening infrastructure, enhancing academic support systems and creating new opportunities for tribal youth," a statement said.

In his address, Union Minister Oram is expected to highlight key initiatives and achievements of EMRSs over the past year.

"As on March 6, a total of 499 EMRSs are operational across the country with an enrollment of 1,56,564 students," the statement added.

"Through the EMRS initiative, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs reiterates its commitment to empowering tribal communities through education, enabling students to achieve academic excellence while remaining rooted in their cultural heritage," the statement said.

During the NESTS Foundation Day celebrations at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre in Delhi, students from EMRS Manipur will present cultural performances showcasing the rich traditions and heritage of tribal communities.

"Additionally, meritorious students from across the country will be felicitated for their excellence in academics and extracurricular activities," the statement added.

Other dignitaries expected to attend the event include Durgadas Uikey, Minister of State for Tribal Affairs; Savitri Thakur, Minister of State for Women and Child Development; Faggan Singh Kulaste, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee on Welfare of SCs and STs; and Ranjana Chopra, Ministry of Tribal Affairs Secretary.

NESTS continues to advance its mission of strengthening educational opportunities for tribal communities across the country.

The organisation is mandated to establish, manage and support EMRSs and undertake initiatives aimed at promoting quality and holistic education for tribal students.

"There is a provision of establishing EMRS in every block having more than 50 per cent Scheduled Tribe (SC) population and at least 20,000 tribal persons, as per the 2011 Census," a statement said.

"NESTS has undertaken its first drive for direct recruitment of 10,391 posts through ESSE-2023. Staff selected through this process have been posted in EMRSs. To ensure that academic activities are not hampered, guest teachers are also engaged by State Societies, wherever vacancies arise," it added.

"All new EMRSs having an area of 15 acres, with student capacity of 480 from Classes 6 to 12, are well equipped with modern design," it said.

The Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) have been merged with EMRS with effect from April 29, 2022, the statement added.
New Delhi, March 31 : Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday dismissed rumours surrounding the 'Saheli Pink Card' scheme, asserting that the initiative for women commuters is functioning "100 per cent" efficiently and without any issues.

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Delhi Chief Minister, Rekha Gupta, on Tuesday dismissed rumours surrounding the 'Saheli Pink Card' scheme, asserting that the initiative for women commuters is functioning "100 per cent" efficiently and without any issues.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on her political opponents, alleging that they were uncomfortable with initiatives aimed at empowering women. "They are bothered by girls riding bicycles  how will the 'Saheli Pink Card' ever appeal to them?" she said, taking a swipe at the AAP.

Gupta reiterated that the Pink Saheli Card scheme is operating smoothly and continues to benefit women across the national Capital. "The Pink Saheli Card is working perfectly. It offers free rides. Just tap. Travel without worry," she said in her post.

In a video message accompanying her statement, the Chief Minister addressed what she termed as "false propaganda" being circulated about the scheme. She claimed that certain political elements are deliberately spreading rumours to create confusion among women users of the card.

"Under political propaganda, a few political people are attempting to spread rumours on the 'Pink Card' for the women of Delhi  that if you travel once on a bus and tap it once, and then get off to take another bus, it cannot be tapped again. This is a lie," Gupta said.

She assured commuters that the card remains fully functional for multiple journeys and that there is no restriction as being claimed. "Your cards are working 100 per cent fine. You can travel without any concern," she added.

Highlighting the intent behind the scheme, Gupta said the benefits are directly reaching women and are not being diverted for private gain. "With the Pink Card, the benefits of this travel are not going to any private person, and that is irking some people," she remarked, hinting at alleged vested interests opposing the initiative.

The Chief Minister also urged women to not be misled by misinformation and encouraged them to avail the scheme without hesitation. She added that the process of obtaining the Pink Saheli Card is simple and accessible.

The Saheli Pink Card scheme is aimed at facilitating free and safe public transport for women in Delhi, and has been positioned as a key welfare initiative targeting mobility and empowerment.
New Delhi, March 31 : State-owned Central Bank of India has received a tax demand notice of Rs 296.08 crore from the Income Tax Department for an alleged shortfall in tax payment for the financial year 2024-25, according to its regulatory filing on Tuesday.

The public sector lender said that the notice relates to the assessment year 2024-25 and is linked to an alleged shortfall in tax payment.

In the exchange filing, the bank said it received the assessment order dated March 28, 2026, under relevant sections of the Income Tax Act.

The order includes certain disallowances and additions made by the tax authorities, which led to the demand.

"The demand Notice dated 28.03.2026 for Rs 296.08 Crores was uploaded in the Income Tax Portal by the Assessment Unit of the Income Tax Department which is seen by the Bank on 30.03.2026," it said.

The bank has made it clear that it does not agree with the assessment and will challenge the order.

It said the process to file an appeal before the appropriate authority is already underway and will be completed within the prescribed timelines.

Central Bank of India also expressed confidence in its position, stating that it has strong factual and legal grounds to contest the demand.

Based on past rulings by appellate authorities in similar matters, the bank expects to receive relief in this case.

"The Bank is in the process of filing an appeal before the appropriate forum against the disallowances/ additions made in the aforesaid order within the prescribed timelines," the bank said.

"Looking to the Precedence/ Orders of appellate authorities, the Bank believes that it has adequate factual and legal grounds to reasonably substantiate its position in the matter and considering the Inter expected relief, the Bank expects that the entire demand will subside,' it added.

The lender further said that it does not expect any financial or operational impact due to the demand notice.

It believes that the issue will be resolved in its favour once the appeal process is completed.

"As such, no impact is expected on financial, operations or other activities of the

Bank," the public sector lender mentioned.
Patna, March 31 : After Nitish Kumar resigned from the post of Member of Legislative Council (MLC), political speculation over Bihar's next Chief Minister has intensified.

Amid this, Janata Dal-United (JD-U) MLA from Mokama, Anant Singh, has made a significant statement regarding potential successors to Nitish Kumar.

Speaking to media persons in Patna on Tuesday, Anant Singh endorsed Nitish Kumar's son Nishant Kumar as the most suitable candidate from the JD-U to become the next Bihar Chief Minister.

The Mokama JD-U legislator said: "Nishant (Kumar) is well-educated, capable, and possesses all the qualities required to lead Bihar. He is the most suitable person for the Bihar Chief Minister's post."

Singh emphasised that if the Chief Ministerial post remains with the JD-U, Nishant Kumar should be the natural choice.

He also acknowledged the possibility of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leading the next state government in Bihar.

In that scenario, Singh named Samrat Choudhary as the most appropriate candidate for the CM's post.

"If the Chief Minister is from the BJP, then Samrat Choudhary would be the ideal choice," he added.

Lauding Nitish Kumar's tenure as the Chief Minister, Singh remarked that modern Bihar is largely shaped by his leadership.

"Today's Bihar is Nitish Kumar's creation. Development has taken place across all sectors, and connectivity has improved significantly," he said.

He also noted that people across political lines want Nitish Kumar to remain active in Bihar politics, even as he prepares to move to the Rajya Sabha.

Taking a swipe at Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leader and Bihar Leader of the Opposition Tejashwi Yadav, Singh questioned the political strength of the RJD.

He claimed that despite tall promises during elections, the RJD barely managed to maintain its position.

"Had they (RJD) got even one Assembly seat less, they wouldn't have qualified for the Leader of Opposition status," Singh said.

Anant Singh recently met Nitish Kumar and said that the Chief Minister conveyed his decision to move to the Rajya Sabha was in Bihar's best interest.

He expressed confidence that future industrial growth would generate large-scale employment in the state.

Anant Singh was recently granted bail by the Patna High Court in connection with the Dularchand Yadav murder case.
Guwahati, March 31 : The Indian Army successfully neutralised World War II-era unexploded bombs in Assam's Tinsukia district, averting a potential threat to civilian lives, officials said on Tuesday.

According to officials, the unexploded ordnance, comprising a General Purpose bomb and an incendiary bomb, was discovered at Ledo's Burma Camp area in Lekhapani after a civilian unearthed the munitions while digging a pit. The presence of the explosives posed a serious risk to life and property in the densely inhabited area.

Acting swiftly on inputs from the civil administration, the Indian Army's Red Shield Division mobilised a specialised Bomb Disposal Team to the site on Tuesday. Upon arrival, the team immediately evacuated civilians from the vicinity and established a secure perimeter, ensuring strict adherence to standard safety protocols.

"The situation was handled with utmost urgency and care. All necessary precautions were taken to prevent any untoward incident," an official said.

The unexploded bombs were carefully secured and later transported to a designated safe location away from residential areas.

Officials said the munitions were then neutralised through a controlled operation, eliminating the threat without causing any collateral damage.

"The operation was conducted in a highly professional manner, ensuring the complete safety of civilians and the surrounding environment," another official added.

Such unexploded ordnance from World War II occasionally surfaces in parts of Upper Assam, particularly in areas like Ledo and Lekhapani, which were historically significant during the war due to military activities and supply routes.

Officials noted that the prompt response and coordinated effort by the Army helped avert what could have been a major disaster. The safe disposal of the explosives has brought relief and reassurance to local residents.

The incident once again highlights the Indian Army's preparedness and commitment to safeguarding civilian lives while maintaining peace, security and stability in the region, officials said.
Moscow, March 31 : Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to visit India in May to attend a meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, local media reported on Tuesday citing a statement from Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko.

"Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov plans to take part in the BRICS ministerial meeting on May 14-15 this year, which will determine the set and general outlines of the final documents that the Indian presidency will submit to the BRICS summit," Russia's Tass news agency quoted Rudenko as saying.

Rudenko further said, "In connection with the BRICS events, it is also planned to hold a separate working visit by Lavrov to India to meet with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials."

India holds the BRICS chair in 2026 guided by the theme of 'Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability', reflecting a people-centric and humanity-first approach articulated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 17th BRICS Summit held in Rio de Janeiro in 2025.

On March 23, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said that India, guided by its humanity first and people-centric approach during its ongoing BRICS chairship, remains focused on deepening engagement with Russia to collectively address common challenges through a balanced and inclusive framework.

While virtually addressing a conference titled 'India and Russia: Towards a new bilateral agenda' virtually, EAM Jaishankar reaffirmed New Delhi's unwavering commitment to its longstanding partnership with Moscow.

aThe evolving multipolar order necessitates greater cooperation including through BRICS, SCO, G20 and the UN. India, during its BRICS Chairmanship with a ahumanity firsta and a apeople-centrica approach, looks forward to closely working with Russia to address shared challenges in a balanced and inclusive manner," EAM Jaishankar said during his address.

BRIC was formalised at the first meeting of BRIC Foreign Ministers on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York in 2006. The inaugural BRIC Summit was convened in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009. It was agreed to expand BRIC into BRICS with the inclusion of South Africa at the BRIC Foreign Ministersa meeting in New York in 2010. Accordingly, South Africa attended the 3rd BRICS Summit in Sanya in 2011, according to the official statement.

Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, Saudi Arabia and UAE became full member of BRICS from January 2024 and Indonesia in January 2025. Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Nigeria, Thailand, Uganda, Uzbekistan and Vietnam joined BRICS as Partner Countries in 2025.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Zimbabwe maintained a trade surplus in February, although faster import growth, rising global oil prices and potential disruptions to gold exports are beginning to cloud the outlook.Exports increased by 4.1% to US$1.01 billion, up from US$969.5 million in January. However, imports grew at a much quicker pace, rising 12% to US$963.1 million from US$859.6 million, narrowing the trade margin.Gold remained the backbone of Zimbabwe's export sector, accounting for 45.7% of total shipments. The Dubai market continued to dominate as the leading destination, absorbing US$468.4 million worth of exports, largely driven by bullion trade through the global hub.However, this concentration presents a growing risk. Ongoing geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran could disrupt established gold trade routes and settlement systems, potentially affecting Zimbabwe's export earnings in the near term.On the import side, fuel and related petroleum products remained the largest category, accounting for 18.6% of the total import bill. With global oil prices trending upward, the cost of fuel imports is expected to rise further, placing additional pressure on the country's trade balance.Machinery was the second-largest import category, reflecting ongoing investment and industrial demand within the economy.Zimbabwe sourced most of its imports from South Africa and China, while countries such as Bahrain and Bahamas featured prominently as suppliers of fuel products.While the country remains in surplus for now, the combination of rising import costs and external risks to key export commodities suggests that Zimbabwe's trade position could come under increasing strain in the coming months.
New Delhi, March 31 : The BJP on Tuesday welcomed Union Home Minister Amit Shah's announcement in the Lok Sabha that India has virtually become Naxal-free, hailing his speech as 'historic'. The BJP leaders also defended HM Shah's allegation against the Congress of consistently providing ideological support and a soft corner to Naxalites.

Addressing a debate on Naxalism, HM Shah had provided a detailed account of the massive success achieved under the Modi government's zero-tolerance policy.

BJP MP Dinesh Sharma told IANS, "The Home Minister gave a historic speech." He defended HM Shah for "exposing" the Congress in a "factual and precise" manner.

BJP MP Praveen Khandelwal, while congratulating HM Shah, emphasised that since Naxalism has now been eradicated, the citizens should be made aware of how it came into existence in the country.

Echoing the view of party MP Dinesh Sharma, Khandelwal said, "Home Minister Amit Shah presented the bitter truth about how significant Congress's role was in allowing Naxalism to flourish."

Sharpening the attack on Congress, BJP leader Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi told IANS, "The Congress party's confusing policies on the issues of Naxalism and terrorism led to both of them growing manifold. After the Modi-Amit Shah government came to power, it has been eradicated from the roots, and terrorism is now breathing its last."

BJP MP Jagdambika Pal asserted that Naxalism, which he described as a movement rooted in violence and armed struggle, led to the deaths of more than 20,000 innocent people over the years. He claimed that the so-called "Red Corridor" had expanded across nearly a dozen states during the tenure of the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA), posing a major internal security challenge.

He also targeted the National Advisory Council, which functioned during the UPA era under the chairmanship of Sonia Gandhi, alleging that it interfered in anti-Naxal operations.

BJP MP Manoj Tiwari also reiterated HM Shah's announcement that Naxalism has been eliminated. He further told reporters, "Those few who are left have either surrendered or are in the process of surrendering."

"Naxalism was run by a handful of people with their own ideology. They believed that the path to power goes through the gun. Should power be claimed by the gun or through the electoral process of the democracy?," he said.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 : The proposed amendments to the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), have triggered a sharp political divide, with Congress MP Manish Tewari terming them an encroachment on fundamental rights, and Union Minister George Kurien defending the changes as progressive and legally sound.

Addressing the media in Thiruvananthapuram, Manish Tewari who has arrived for the election campaign in Kerala, said the amendments go beyond minority-majority considerations and strike at the core of rights guaranteed by the Constitution of India.

He described the provisions as "harsh and authoritarian," alleging that they violate key constitutional guarantees, including equality before law and personal liberty.

He argued that the Bill, in its present form, is fundamentally flawed and should either be withdrawn or referred to a Joint Parliamentary Committee or Select Committee for wider consultation and scrutiny.

Responding to the criticism, Kurien said the amendments introduce constructive changes and provide sufficient legal safeguards.

Kurien went on to point that there is ample scope to challenge decisions in court and pursue appeals, which effectively strengthens procedural fairness under the FCRA framework.

"Those opposing the amendments should consider that such an opportunity may not arise again," he said.

Kurien dismissed concerns that the law would enable government takeover of religious institutions, calling such fears misleading.

He clarified that provisions allowing government intervention in cases of non-functioning entities already exist in the current law.

"This is a policy shift with a positive approach," he said.

He further noted that entities whose FCRA registrations are suspended or cancelled can approach courts for relief.

Citing examples, he said FCRA restrictions have been applied in various cases irrespective of affiliation, including instances involving religious figures and organisations.

Kurien added that concerns raised in Kerala have been conveyed to the BJP central leadership and that the issue is likely to be discussed in Parliament.

With both sides holding firm, the FCRA amendments are set to remain a contentious issue in the political and legal arena and could even play spoilsport to the aspirations of the Kerala BJP in the April 9 Assembly polls as the issue has snowballed into a major political flashpoint in the state, with Church leaders and the Congress raising strong objections, even as the Centre firmly rejected allegations of targeting minorities.

Supreme head of the Orthodox Church, Baselios Marthoma Mathews III Catholicos, led the criticism from the Christian community, warning that the amendments could "suffocate" the functioning of churches, disrupt long-standing social service and impose severe constraints on institutions engaged in education, healthcare, and charity.

He revealed that three accounts of the Church had already been blocked, with no clear explanation and despite raising the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, no resolution had been forthcoming till now.

Echoing similar concerns, leaders from other Christian denominations, including the Syro-Malabar Church, cautioned that the proposed provisions, particularly those allowing the Centre to take over assets if licences are not renewed, could severely undermine charitable institutions built over decades.
Nashwauk, Mn : , March 31 (IANS) Mesabi Metallics Company LLC (Mesabi Metallics), backed by the Essar Group, on Tuesday announced that it has entered into a new 520 million dollar senior secured credit facility with Valor Mining Credit Partners II, L.P. (VMP II), a dedicated mining and critical minerals credit fund managed by Breakwall Capital LP (Breakwall) in partnership with Vitol, as it advances toward commercial operations later this year.

Located on more than 16,000 acres in northern Minnesota, Mesabi Metallics is completing a 2.5 billion dollar world-scale merchant Direct Reduction (DR) grade iron ore mine and pellet plant that will onshore a strategically important segment of the United States steel supply chain.

With over 750 construction workers currently onsite, the project represents one of the largest private-sector industrial investments in the state's history.

Essar Group has already invested over 2 billion dollars of equity into the project. The project has also received support from the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM), underscoring growing federal recognition of the project's strategic importance to U.S. manufacturing and supply chain security for the American manufacturing, automobile, infrastructure, shipbuilding and defense sectors.

"The partnership with Breakwall is an important milestone for Mesabi Metallics," said Joe Broking, President and CEO of Mesabi Metallics.

"We are bringing to market a brand-new American source of the highest quality DR-grade iron ore that will help U.S. steelmakers reduce reliance on imported raw materials and international supply chains. America is already the global leader in the next generation Electric Arc Furnace-based steelmaking  the cleanest and most energy efficient way of making steel. Mesabi Metallics will create hundreds of high-quality jobs in northern Minnesota for several decades to come and will support the reshoring of American industrial dominance," he added.

"Mesabi Metallics is a great example of the type of high-quality company and large-scale mining project we seek to partner on  anchored by a long-life resource in an advanced stage of development, with strategic importance to critical industrial development. We look forward to building upon this partnership with Mesabi Metallics and supporting them in their journey," said Daniel Flannery, President and Managing Partner of Breakwall.

"This deal further demonstrates the breadth of our partnership with Vitol, combining credit solutions with global resource marketing acumen, to deliver a multitude of solutions for top-tier companies like Mesabi Metallics and world-class operators like the Essar Group," added Jamie Brodsky, Co-CEO and Managing Partner of Breakwall.
Los Angeles, March 31 : Rapper Kanye West is set to top the bill on all three nights of the upcoming edition of the Wireless Festival 2026.

The event is set for July 10 to 12 at London's Finsbury Park, will mark the rapper's first UK appearance in more than a decade and his first London headline slot since his explosive 2014 Wireless performance, reports 'Female First UK'.

Wireless organisers have said that more acts will be revealed soon. Kanye is hoping the performance will help rebuild his UK fanbase after losing support over his political views and public controversies.

An insider told The Sun newspaper, "He has apologised profusely for his behaviour over the last few years and he wants a fresh start".

The rapper delivered two sets, one in London's Finsbury Park and another in Birmingham's Perry Park, in 2014 after stepping in to replace Drake, who pulled out due to illness. His London performance made headlines for a lengthy midset rant, while his Birmingham show drew a huge crowd and was praised for its energy and production.

As per 'Female First UK', the festival has hosted major names including JayZ, Nicki Minaj, Travis Scott, Cardi B, and Kendrick Lamar.

The announcement follows the release of his latest record, Bully, adding even more anticipation to his longawaited UK comeback. Ye has kept a relatively low profile on the liveperformance front in recent years, focusing instead on music releases and sporadic public appearances.

Earlier, the rapper pushed his show in New Delhi to May, 2026. The rapper took to his Instagram, and shared the update with his followers. He shared that the show has been pushed owing to the rising geo-political and regional tensions. He also informed that the tickets will be valid for the rescheduled show.

He shared, "Due to the prevailing geopolitical situation and regional tensions, the Ye show in New Delhi will now be rescheduled to May 23, 2026. The safety of our fans traveling internationally, as well as that of the artist and the production team, remains our top priority. All tickets remain valid for the new date. Thank you for your understanding and continued support".

The geo-political tensions are at an all-time high after USA and Israel attacked Iran killing its Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The war has impacted the global trade triggering oil crisis.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Raipur/Bijapur, March 31 : In a major boost to anti-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh, 25 Maoist cadres associated with the Dandakaranya Special Zonal Committee have surrendered and returned to the mainstream.

This development occurred under the "Poona Margem" rehabilitation to rejuvenation initiative on Tuesday.

The surrendering cadres, which include 12 women, had a collective reward of Rs 1.47 crore declared on them. Along with their surrender, security forces achieved the largest recovery in Maoist history, seizing assets worth Rs 14.06 crore. This includes Rs 2.90 crore in cash and 7.20 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 11.16 crore.

Additionally, 93 lethal weapons were recovered, including LMGs, AK-47 rifles, SLR rifles, and INSAS rifles.

Among the prominent cadres who surrendered are senior Maoist leaders such as Mangal Korsa alias Motu, Akash alias Phagu Uika, DVCM (divisional committee member) Shankar Muchaki, ACM Raju Raiyam alias Munna, and ACM (area committee member) Pale Kursam.

These individuals acknowledged the futility of continued violence and chose to join the national mainstream. The surrender ceremony was attended by senior officials, including Inspector General of Police Bastar Range Sundarraj P, Deputy Inspector General of Police BS Negi, Superintendent of Police Dr Jitendra Kumar Yadav, and other police and administrative officers, along with family members of the surrendering cadres.

Since January 1, 2024, a total of 1,003 Maoist cadres have surrendered in Bijapur district under the rehabilitation initiative. Combined recoveries in the region now stand at Rs 19.43 crore, including Rs 6.63 crore in cash and 8.20 kilograms of gold.

The Chhattisgarh government, in coordination with central security forces, is providing full support for the rehabilitation, security, and dignified reintegration of these former cadres into society.

Security agencies have appealed to the remaining Maoist cadres to lay down their arms and return to the mainstream, assuring them of a safe and bright future.
Kolkata, March 31 : West Bengal Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President, Samik Bhattacharya, and the Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the State Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday, approached the Election Commission of India (ECI) for the latter's intervention to stop location tracking of their mobile phones by some top police officers in the state.

Both LoP Adhikari and Bhattacharya visited the West Bengal Chief Electoral Officer (CEO)'s Office on Tuesday afternoon and submitted a written complaint there naming several top police officials as the masterminds behind the location tracking of their mobile phones.

Later speaking to the media persons, LoP Adhikari and Bhattacharya also named the police officials whom they accused of being involved in the tower location of their cell phones.

"The Director General of the state's Intelligence Branch, Vineet Kumar Goyal, and the Director General of the State Special Task Force, Javed Shamim, are involved in the phone tracking process. We have definite evidence in support of our allegations," the Leader of the Opposition claimed.

He also said that he had told the ECI that certain other police officers like the state's Director of Securities Manoj Kumar Verma; Superintendent of Jangipur Police District, Mehedi Hasan; and District Police Superintendent of West Midnapore, Palash Dhali, are not implementing the directions of the Commission properly despite the model code of conduct in force in the state amid the crucial two-phase Assembly polls next month.

State Trinamool Congress Vice-President, Jai Prakash Majumdar, refuted the allegations of location tracking of mobile phones by the two top BJP leaders and said that such allegations were reflections of the frustration of the BJP out of the fear of inevitable defeat in the upcoming state Assembly polls.

"The BJP is frustrated and afraid of defeat, and hence they are raising such baseless allegations. These are nothing more than the fear of defeat. The Union Home Minister Amit Shah has Pegasus. Now they are making unfair and false allegations about the crimes they themselves commit," Majumdar added.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 : Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Tuesday joined BJP's star campaigners in the Kerala Assembly elections, seeking votes for the party and showcasing her clean governance model.

"Namaskaram Alappuzha. The path to Viksit Bharat goes through Viksit Keralam. When the farmers and fishermen of Alappuzha prosper, when the youth become self-reliant, and when every family feels secure, development gains real meaning," said the Chief Minister in a post on X.

"The present condition of Keralam is the result of years of policy paralysis, weak governance, and political opportunism. The reality is evident: UDF and LDF have pushed Keralam into a debt burden that weighs heavily on every household," she said.

"Keralam now needs a new direction, one that is committed to Seva, guided by Sushasan, and dedicated to Vikas. I urge you all to join this mission of Viksit Keralam. Press the lotus and bless Shri M. J. Job ji with a decisive mandate," she said on social media.

Later, on reaching Kochi, she said, "Landed in Kochi. Deeply grateful for the warm welcome from the BJP Keralam family. Looking forward to joining the mission of Vikasita Keralam in Alappuzha and Vaikom."

Earlier in the day, Chief Minister Gupta welcomed the arrest of a senior Delhi civic official in a corruption case by the CBI, reiterating the BJP government's resolve to promote transparency in the National Capital.

"Zero tolerance for corruption in Delhi. Strict action. No exceptions. No protection for anyone. We are unwavering in our commitment to clean and transparent governance. Zero tolerance for corruption in Delhi. Strict action. No exceptions. No protection for anyone. We are unwavering in our commitment to clean and transparent governance," she said on social media.

The Chief Minister also tagged a news item on CBI arresting Abhishek Mishra, Deputy Commissioner of Delhi's Shahdara, in a bribery case of Rs 4 lakh.

The Kerala Legislative Assembly elections are scheduled to be held on April 9, with the counting of votes for the 140-member House on May 4.
Kochi, March 31 : Senior Congress legislator Ramesh Chennithala, on Tuesday, demanded an apology from Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and State Cooperation Minister V.N. Vasavan after the Kerala High Court stayed proceedings related to a controversial software deal in the cooperative sector.

Chennithala said the court's intervention prima facie establishes allegations of corruption in the proposed project to install software across primary cooperative societies in the state.

He accused the state government of attempting to award the contract to the Dinesh Beedi Cooperative Society despite it quoting significantly higher rates.

He alleged that when he first exposed the issue, the Chief Minister had mocked him and defended the deal as beneficial to the state government, while the Minister Vasavan had dismissed the claims.

"Both (Vijayan and Vasavan) must now apologise to the people of Kerala for misleading them during the election period," Chennithala said.

Detailing the tender process, Chennithala said that bids were invited to install software in 4,415 branches of 1,612 cooperative societies.

"While Malabar Information Technology Cooperative quoted Rs 231.7 crore for the entire project, the Dinesh consortium quoted Rs 49.9 crore only for 280 branches."

Based on this, Chennithala said, the per-branch cost of the Dinesh consortium bid works out to Rs 17.8 lakh, compared to Rs 5.24 lakh quoted by Malabar IT.

"If extended to all branches, the Dinesh consortium's cost would rise to around Rs 785 crore, causing a loss of nearly Rs 550 crore to the state exchequer," he claimed.

Chennithala also alleged that the tender conditions were designed to exclude major firms, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS), and prevent reputed international companies from participating.

He accused the state government of bypassing standard tender norms and attempting to push the deal during the election period with special permission from the Election Commission.

He said the Kerala High Court was approached by Malabar Information Technology Cooperative against the state government's move to award the contract to the Dinesh consortium.

The reverse auction for the project was conducted in mid-February 2026, with only two bidders qualifying in the technical round.

"The government's attempt to push through a massive scam in the final days of its tenure has been exposed. If implemented, this would have caused a huge financial loss to the state," Chennithala alleged, adding that the Chief Minister's claims of the deal being beneficial were "completely misleading".
Bhopal, March 31 : The two-day Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (India Region, Zone-6) conference for young legislators from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Rajasthan concluded here on Tuesday at the Madhya Pradesh Assembly with a declaration from Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh, that India is the world's fastest-emerging economy and is scripting a new history by overcoming challenges effectively.

He expressed confidence that the 21st century will belong to India if the nation maintains a positive, forward-looking mindset.

Singh recalled Swami Vivekananda's inspiring words that youth have the power to change a nation's history, trajectory, and future.

He emphasised that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of a 'Developed India @ 2047' can only be realised through the active participation and energy of young leaders.

"India is advancing rapidly on multiple fronts. If this momentum is sustained, we could achieve developed nation status even before 2047," he said, urging legislators to work with dedication and optimism.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar highlighted the need for young legislators to embody dedication, discipline, and a positive outlook while addressing contemporary challenges.

He administered a pledge to the participants, describing 'Developed India @ 2047' as a collective resolve of 1.4 billion Indians rather than a mere government program.

Tomar stressed citizen participation as crucial for strengthening democracy and called for turning development into a mass movement.

He urged the youth to focus on good governance, innovative solutions, and continuous learning, advising them to retain the humble spirit of a student.

Rahul Karad of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association advocated organising such conferences in every State Assembly.

He noted that MLAs act as brand ambassadors of their constituencies and emphasised the transformative role of legislators in shifting societal attitudes.

He also highlighted the importance of Artificial Intelligence (AI), training, and education in modern governance.

Over the two days, around 40 young legislators discussed key themes, including citizen participation in democracy, technology, sanitation, solar energy, quality education, infrastructure, public dialogue, and social welfare.

A legislative journal titled 'Vidhayini', chronicling seven decades of the Madhya Pradesh Assembly, was released during the event.

The young legislators also took five-pronged oath, saying: "We pledge to act as an effective bridge between citizens and the government by understanding public concerns, raising them in the Assembly, and formulating transparent, accountable, and people-friendly policies. We will continuously empower citizens through education, technology, and innovation, with special focus on key sectors like education, health, employment, and environment, while ensuring that youth, women, and marginalised sections are brought into the mainstream of development. Despite challenges such as political pressures, resource constraints, and social inequalities, we resolve to work with utmost integrity, dedication, and foresight. We further commit to strengthening our research and analytical capabilities, actively participating in legislative proceedings, and providing dynamic leadership to propel the nation towards 'Viksit Bharat 2047'."

The conference was attended by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Prahlad Singh Patel, former Ministers and speakers, and dignitaries from the three states.

It concluded with the National Anthem and a vote of thanks by Madhya Pradesh Assembly Secretary Arvind Sharma.

The gathering underscored the pivotal role of youth leadership in realising Viksit Bharat, fostering innovative governance, and building an awakened citizenry for a stronger democracy.
Guwahati, March 31 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday addressed a public rally in Assam's Jorhat, striking a strong cultural and political chord as he began his speech with an Assamese greeting and the slogan "Jai Aai Axom," drawing enthusiastic response from the crowd.

Guwahati, March 31 (IANS) Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday addressed a public rally in Assam's Jorhat, striking a strong cultural and political chord as he began his speech with an Assamese greeting and the slogan "Jai Aai Axom," drawing enthusiastic response from the crowd.

Fadnavis invoked Assam's rich heritage, paying tributes to Maa Kamakhya, Ahom general Lachit Borphukan and Vaishnavite saint Srimanta Sankardeva, positioning the BJP as a party that respects and promotes regional identity alongside national unity.

Targeting the Congress, Fadnavis said the opposition has failed to prioritise development and national interest. He alleged that while the BJP has always acted responsibly even in opposition, Congress has indulged in "self-serving politics" and attempts to create instability through misinformation.

Referring to the current global situation, he said that with war-like conditions and instability in neighbouring regions, political parties in India must stand united in the interest of national security. "This is the time to strengthen the country, not weaken it for political gains," he said.

Highlighting the Centre's engagement with Assam, Fadnavis claimed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has visited the state 35 times, reflecting the government's commitment to the region's growth. In contrast, he alleged that previous Congress Prime Ministers had neglected Assam.

He further asserted that under PM Modi's leadership, India has emerged as a strong and stable nation, while accusing the Congress of spreading false narratives.

Taking a swipe at Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi, who is contesting from Jorhat, Fadnavis questioned his connect with the constituency, asking whether he had visited the area even ten times after becoming a Member of Parliament.

The rally also saw BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami seeking public support, expressing confidence that voters in Jorhat would once again back the BJP on the plank of development.

With sharp exchanges between the BJP and Congress leaders, the electoral contest in Jorhat is intensifying ahead of the polls.
The News in Brief Wednesday, April 1, 2026

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Georgian Dream Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze spoke by phone on March 30, focusing on regional security, according to the United States Department of State."They discussed areas of mutual interest, including security in the Caucasus and Black Sea region," the statement said, attributed to spokesperson Tommy Pigott.Kobakhidze said the call addressed restoring relations. "We emphasized the importance of resetting our partnership and reinforcing Georgia's role as a strong partner in the South Caucasus," he wrote. "Committed to strengthening Georgia-U.S. ties and advancing regional stability and connectivity."The call comes as bilateral ties remain suspended. The United States halted its strategic partnership with Georgia in November 2024 under Joe Biden, and relations have not recovered since.Georgian Dream officials have said they expect improvement under Donald Trump.The call follows a visit to Tbilisi by Peter Andreoli, who met officials and opposition figures and visited the Anaklia Deep Sea Port project, which remains delayed.Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) issued a formal statement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, accusing Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew I of interfering in the internal affairs of the Georgian Orthodox Church following the death of Patriarch Ilia II.The SVR stated that Patriarch Bartholomew "continues to persistently pursue a treacherous course toward the schism of global Orthodoxy, guided by the principle of 'divide and rule'." The agency alleged that he is "taking advantage" of the current vacancy in Georgia to bring the church under his influence by promoting specific candidates, namely Metropolitan Abraham (Garmelia) and Metropolitan Gregory (Berbichashvili), whom he reportedly views as "executors of his will."The statement further claimed that "lust for power has become a constant companion of the Constantinopolitan schismatic," accusing Bartholomew of substituting "primacy of honor" with "primacy of power." The SVR concluded by warning that the Patriarch has ignored the historical rules of the Second Ecumenical Council, which forbid regional bishops from extending authority beyond their own territory.
News / National

by Staff reporter

A 32-year-old Mutare man has been sentenced to 10 years in prison after being found guilty on three counts of stealing motor vehicles in Mozambique and illegally transporting them into Zimbabwe for resale.Dickson Nyamura of Dangamvura Area 3 was convicted by Mutare Magistrate Poterai Gwezhira on Wednesday for offences committed between November and December 2025.The court heard that Nyamura stole vehicles in Mozambique, drove them into Zimbabwe through undesignated crossing points, and disposed of them locally.Magistrate Gwezhira suspended three years of the sentence, meaning Nyamura will serve an effective seven-year jail term.According to court proceedings, the first incident occurred on November 29, 2025, when Nyamura allegedly used a duplicate key to steal a Honda Fit belonging to Loide Bernado Tomas of Manica Province. He reportedly drove the vehicle into Zimbabwe via an illegal crossing point in Berma Valley. The vehicle, valued at US$2 000, was later recovered following police investigations.Two days later, Nyamura allegedly stole another Honda Fit belonging to Margarida Paulo Sarapia of Manica Province. The vehicle was driven into Zimbabwe and sold to a buyer in Dangamvura for resale purposes before it was later recovered. It was valued at US$3 500.On December 16, 2025, Nyamura reportedly stole a Toyota Hiace belonging to Saramao Guidione Patricio Uache. The vehicle, valued at US$4 000, was driven into Zimbabwe and later discovered parked at his residence in Dangamvura.Prosecutor Joice Tinarwo led the State's case.
Vavatharad : , March 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that India's push to expand renewable energy, transport and public infrastructure is being realised on the ground.

VavTharad (Gujarat), March 31 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday asserted that India's push to expand renewable energy, transport and public infrastructure is being realised on the ground.

The Prime Minister made the statement while inaugurating and laying the foundation stones for development projects worth Rs 19,806.9 crore in Vav-Tharad district in Gujarat.

Addressing a public gathering, the Prime Minister said that improved road and rail links would encourage business and facilitate investment.

"When road and rail connectivity strengthens, businesses and new investments come," he said, noting that the suite of projects represented "part of Gujarat's development."

PM Modi connected the scale of the projects to his enduring bond with the region, recalling his deep memories of its villages.

"There is not a single village here where my memories have not been formed. Today, I came here, met many familiar faces, and cannot forget your immense love. You all raised me, and I am returning to you with interest through development works," he said.

He also noted the role of young party workers in implementing programmes locally.

He recalled his earlier responsibilities in the region, noting that 25 years ago the people of Banaskantha and VavTharad had entrusted him with leadership roles.

As Gujarat's chief minister, he said, he had driven development "in missionmode" to advance the state, adding, "I tried my best to get Gujarat ahead, and I am glad that the double-engine government is continuing this work since 2014."

On specific outcomes of government programmes, the prime minister said that nearly 40,000 families have now received pucca houses in the state under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Rural) scheme.

"For them it's their identity, a start for dreaming new aims," he said, adding that such progress was made possible by public support.

PM Modi also spoke about water and agricultural challenges in the region, recalling a time when the area was associated with drought and long distances for water.

He credited initiatives like Sujalam Sufalam with improving water distribution and incomes for farmers, and said the benefits would extend to VavTharad, Patan, Mehsana and Banaskantha.

According to officials, the projects dedicated and initiated span multiple sectors. In transport, the AhmedabadDholera Expressway, an accesscontrolled highway built at a cost of more than Rs 5,100 crore, was inaugurated to improve regional connectivity and support growth in the Dholera Special Investment Region.

Works on highway bypasses and new flyovers were also launched to ease traffic flow.

Energy infrastructure projects included the Khavda Pooling Station2 and associated transmission lines to evacuate about 4.5 GW of renewable energy, reinforcing Gujarat's capacity in green power.

Railway enhancements such as the KanalusJamnagar doubling project, GandhidhamAdipur quadrupling, and the HimmatnagarKhedbrahma gauge conversion were also dedicated, alongside the flagging off of the KhedbrahmaHimmatnagarAsarwa train service.

Urban development initiatives worth around Rs 5,300 crore were among the works inaugurated, covering infrastructure upgrades, drainage systems and projects in cities including Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

Healthcare facilities inaugurated included new 'Ren Basera' night shelters at civil hospitals in Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar.

Tourism enhancements such as light and sound shows at heritage sites, including Rani ki Vav and Sharmishtha Lake, were also part of the programme.

Water infrastructure projects dedicated to the nation included major pipelines in Banaskantha and Patan districts, and work to strengthen water supply schemes for towns and rural areas.

Foundations were also laid for the expansion of Sabarmati Riverfront works and new educational hostel facilities.

Modi said Gujarat's progress in renewable energy stemmed from work started in 2010, and forecast that the state could become one of the world's largest renewable energy hubs.

"The day is not that far when Gujarat will become the biggest hub of renewable energy," he said.

The Prime Minister also pointed to the growing scale of urban development budgets in the state, noting that the budget for municipal corporations had risen and that the overall state budget for the current year exceeded Rs four lakh crore.

His remarks closed on the theme that continued faith in governance would sustain development, asserting that from "panchayat to Parliament" such work would persist.
Chandigarh, March 31 : With the wheat procurement season commencing in Punjab from April 1, the Central government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, reaffirming its commitment to farmers, has released a cash credit limit (CCL) to the tune of Rs 30,973 crore at the minimum support price (MSP) of Rs 2,585 per quintal.

The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Punjab unit on Tuesday expressed its gratitude to the Central government for this significant step.

Providing details in this regard, Punjab BJP spokesperson Pritipal Singh Baliawal stated that this initiative by the Central government reflected respect for the hard work of farmers and "is a major step towards strengthening them economically".

Criticising the current Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, Baliawal said that the state government has failed in its responsibilities and has even forgotten to thank the Central government for this commendable decision.

He alleged that the AAP government is attempting to conceal the efforts and achievements of the Central government and mislead the public. He further added that for the past 11 years, the Union government has consistently released this limit on time for the prosperity of Punjab's farmers, whereas in the last four years, the AAP government has made no notable effort in this regard.

BJP leader Baliawal also emphasised that the Punjab government must ensure that farmers do not face any inconvenience in the mandis and that every grain of their produce is procured as per the established norms.

He reiterated that the Modi government has always taken farmer-friendly decisions, and this step is a continuation of that approach. Baliawal assured that both the Central government and the Punjab BJP would continue to work dedicatedly for the welfare of farmers.
New Delhi/Aizawl, March 31 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) said on Tuesday that it has filed its first charge sheet before a court in Mizoram's capital Aizawl in connection with a case involving fraudulent claims of government subsidy.

The ED's Aizawl Sub Zonal Office, has filed a charge sheet on March 30 under Section 45 read with Section 44 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, before the Special Court of the PMLA, 2002 in Aizawl, against Ravi Gulgulia and others for commission of the offence of money laundering, officials said.

An official statement said that the ED initiated investigation on the basis of FIR registered by Mizoram Police's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

A charge sheet was subsequently filed by the Mizoram Police's ACB before the competent court on May 30, 2019.

Investigation under PMLA revealed that Ravi Gulgulia, in criminal conspiracy with Margaret M. Varte, established a coke production unit in the name of M/s Mizo Carbon Products (MCP) near Aizawl with the malafide intention of fraudulently availing Central government subsidies, the statement added.

Investigation established that the unit was non-operational during the claimed period and that various fabricated and forged documents, including fictitious records of production, transportation of goods, procurement of raw materials, and diesel consumption were prepared and submitted to fraudulently claim Central Transport Subsidy (CTS) amounting to nearly Rs 2.47 crore and Central Capital Investment Subsidy (CCIS) amounting to Rs 93.90 lakh.

The total proceeds of crime generated through this fraud amounts to nearly Rs 3.41 crore, the statement said.

The ED investigation further revealed that immediately upon receipt of the subsidy amounts, the proceeds of crime were systematically diverted and layered through multiple entities and bank accounts.

These accounts were controlled by Ravi Gulgulia, including Ravi Gulgulia and Sons (HUF), M/s Shivratri Commodities Private Limited, M/s Thirdwave Suppliers Private Limited, M/s Gulgulia Trade Corporation, and M/s Yash Marketing India, the ED said.

The funds were routed through circular transactions, split into multiple tranches, and ultimately integrated into personal accounts of the main accused and into M/s Global Entrade, a partnership firm controlled by Ravi Gulgulia, which received tainted funds of Rs 45 lakh.

In this case, the ED has already provisionally attached immovable properties worth Rs 38.40 lakh vide provisional attachment order under Section 5 of the PMLA, 2002.

Further investigation is underway.
New Delhi, March 31 : Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta on Tuesday joined a religious event organised by Shri Digambar Jain Mahasabha in Rohini, calling for non-violence and compassion towards all creatures.

"One who practices compassion towards all creatures truly walks the path of Mahavir with these eternal principles of Lord Mahavir," said Gupta.

On the auspicious occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, the event was marked by deep spiritual fervour and a collective call for global peace.

During the ceremony, Gupta received blessings from revered Jain saints and was formally honoured for his dedicated service to the citizens of Delhi, said a statement issued by his constituency's office.

Translating the ancient wisdom of the 24th Tirthankara into a roadmap for modern governance and social harmony, Gupta emphasised that Mahavir Jayanti is not merely a festival but a "divine call to introspect and test one's soul".

Reflecting on the life of Prince Vardhaman, who renounced the throne for the eternal truth, the Speaker noted that Lord Mahavir proved that true bravery does not lie in the edge of a sword, but in conquering one's own mind, victory over anger, greed, and ego.

He redefined Ahimsa Paramo Dharma, stating that non-violence is not cowardice but the pinnacle of courage, said Gupta.

The Speaker highlighted the principle of Anekantavada (the multiplicity of viewpoints), calling it a "healing balm" for today's fragmented society, noting that "my truth is not the absolute whole; there is light in your truth as well."

Highlighting the principle of Aparigraha (non-attachment/non-consumption), he noted that Lord Mahavir provided the solution to the global climate crisis centuries ago by teaching us not to exploit nature or indulge in mindless accumulation.

Gupta appealed to citizens of Delhi that the celebration of Mahavir Jayanti becomes meaningful only when we move beyond processions and begin to live his principles.

As the Speaker of the Delhi Legislative Assembly, he took a formal pledge to ensure that the ideals of Lord Mahavir reach every citizen, fostering a culture of compassion across the capital.

The programme concluded with the Speaker participating in the ceremonial rituals and interacting with the community leaders, reiterating his commitment to the welfare and spiritual heritage of Delhi.
New Delhi, March 31 : Funds totalling Rs 1,561.53 crore have been released to five states under the new Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0 after Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil released its operational guidelines earlier this month, an official said on Tuesday.

Uttar Pradesh has been released Rs 792.93 crore, Chhattisgarh Rs 536.53 crore, Madhya Pradesh Rs 154.02 crore, Odisha Rs 65.31 crore and Maharashtra Rs 12.74 crore for 2025-26, following the fulfilment of mandatory compliance conditions, the official said in a statement.

To ensure transparency, accountability and improved service delivery, a system of structured validations has been put in place, which States are required to fulfil prior to the release of funds, it said.

These include: Signing of MoU for implementation of JJM 2.0; Scheme Validation: Schemes having validation against the Sujalam Bharat GIS-linked Asset Registry; Technical Compliance: Certification of compliance with CPHEEO design norms by State Government, and technical advisory issued by NJJM and Proper financial reconciliation of expenditure incurred on the schemes.

As funds have been released against the approved schemes, their timely completion will be closely monitored to ensure implementation in a time-bound manner, said the statement.

This is supported by a comprehensive review mechanism, under which the Ministry assesses financial utilisation, technical compliance and data validation prior to the release of funds, it said.

Being implemented for the first time, this approach introduces a performance-based and compliance-linked mechanism to strengthen accountability and ensure effective outcomes, it said.

The Union Cabinet on March 10 approved Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0, marking the restructuring and reorientation of the mission from an infrastructure-centric approach to a service delivery model.

This transformation is supported by strengthened drinking water governance and an institutional ecosystem to ensure sustainable rural piped potable water supply, said the statement.

As part of this restructuring, the Cabinet approved an enhancement of the total outlay to Rs 8.69 lakh crore, with total central assistance of Rs 3.59 lakh crore, increased from Rs 2.08 lakh crore approved in 2019a"20, reflecting an additional central share of Rs 1.51 lakh crore, it said.

The reoriented mission focuses on structural reforms aimed at ensuring reliable, safe, and sustainable drinking water services.
Kollam, March 31 : Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Nitin Nabin, on Tuesday, hit out at the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF), calling them 'match fixers'. He also held them responsible for not working for the development of Kerala.

Nabin took part in a roadshow in Kerala's Karunagappalli ahead of the upcoming Assembly election on April 9.

Speaking to IANS, BJP President Nabin accused the incumbent LDF and the previous UDF governments in Kerala of not being involved in the state's development and rather "robbing people through match fixing".

The BJP President said, "In the past 70 years, LDF and UDF have robbed the people through match fixing. They have meddled with the heritage and culture of Kerala. They never focused on the development of this place. Whether it is development, welfare or infrastructural growth, the state government here has pushed back Kerala on all these aspects."

Reiterating his allegation, Nabin claimed, "Both LDF and UDF are match fixers and are the same under the table. Now the people of Kerala are going to punish them (in the upcoming election)."

According to the BJP President, the UDF and LDF governments did not work enough to enhance the state's hospitality and tourism services.

Moreover, Nabin flagged migration as an issue in the state.

"Kerala is known for its hospitality services, that has also been degraded by this (LDF) government. Today people of Kerala are migrating to other states for employment. Backwater tourism served as an identity of Kerala, because of which the state had experienced economic growth, that has also been destroyed by the LDF and UDF governments here," the BJP President said.

He also attacked senior Opposition INDIA bloc leaders for not countering the "insults of Hindu deities" in the country.

"I would like to ask Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi, Hindu deities were being insulted all over the country. His party Congress' ally DMK, Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin and their families, people like (Bihar LoP) Tejashwi Yadav in Bihar, people like (Samajwadi Party President) Akhilesh Yadav in Uttar Pradesh, when Hindu deities are being insulted in the country, they are quiet," he told IANS.

"In Sabarimala's case, they (Opposition INDIA bloc) have come here to do Hindu vote politics. They have nothing to do with the sentiments of the people here. They are the match fixers," Nabin added.

Expressing confidence of BJP's victory in the upcoming state polls, Nabin asserted that the people of Kerala will make BJP an "alternative" for the UDF and LDF governments.

"The way the people of Kerala have increased their trust in the BJP, our leadership, particularly in Prime Minister Narendra Modi, our support has grown from two per cent votes earlier to now around 20 per cent. We believe that the people are fully prepared to see BJP as an alternative in the state," the BJP President said.

The impact of double-engine government will be seen in the development of this state (after the BJP comes to power)," Nabin added.
Lucknow, March 31 : The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is considering a proposal to include cancer, especially among children, among the list of notifiable diseases to facilitate early detection and cure, said a senior health department official on Tuesday.

A notifiable disease is one that is required by law to be reported to government authorities (health departments) by healthcare providers, laboratories, and veterinarians.

The official said that compulsory reporting of childhood cancer and other patients will allow officials to track disease prevalence and intervene to protect public health.

Amit Kumar Ghosh, Additional Chief Secretary and Principal Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare and Medical Education, Uttar Pradesh, reiterated the State's commitment to strengthening cancer care systems, including the possibility of making cancer a notifiable disease.

"Uttar Pradesh is building a model where systems, institutions, and stakeholders come together to ensure that every child with cancer is identified, treated, and supported," said Ghosh.

"Through convergence across departments and partnerships, we are working towards ensuring access, financial protection, and improved outcomes at scale," he said on the sidelines of a state consultation workshop held in Lucknow on Monday.

Poonam Bagai, Member, ICMR Central Ethics Committee on Human Research, Cankids founder and Childhood Cancer International's WHO South East Asia Region Representative, said Uttar Pradesh has also emerged as a leader in financial protection, with schemes that follow the child across state borders, ensuring continuity of care irrespective of where treatment is accessed.

"Uttar Pradesh has the potential to become the world's leading model for childhood cancer care at scale, demonstrating how large, high-burden regions can deliver on 100 per cent access, 100 per cent financial protection, and 60 per cent survival," said Bagai, herself a survivor.

Uttar Pradesh is home to nearly 20 per cent of India's children with cancer and approximately 4 per cent of the global childhood cancer burden. The state has an annual childhood cancer burden of 14,700, with 52 per cent currently accessing care.

The Yogi Adityanath government is also considering a proposal to set up a task force on childhood cancer with the help of other stakeholders, said an official.

"A structured Paediatric Oncology Task Force will enable regular review, coordination, and integration of childhood cancer care within the state's broader cancer strategy," he said.

Since the signing of the State MoU with National Society Cankids Kidscan, Uttar Pradesh has demonstrated measurable progress in strengthening childhood cancer systems. Access to care has increased from 25 per cent in 2019 to 52 per cent in March 2026, reflecting the impact of coordinated action between government, paediatric oncology institutions, and civil society partners.

A campaign has also been rolled out across all the 75 districts for health information dissemination and capacity building of health care professionals, workers and institutions through four childhood cancer divisions  Gautam Buddha Nagar, Lucknow, Gorakhpur and Varanasi, said an official.

Soon, the State Tumour and Teleconsultation Board with specialists from all tertiary cancer centres in the State will support clinical decision-making and train professionals and service delivery teams, ensuring high standard of care in paediatric oncology treatment, said a statement.

Soniya Nityanand, Vice Chancellor KGMU, Lucknow, said the Uttar Pradesh government's initiative to deliver on 100 per cent access, 100 per cent financial protection, and 60 per cent survival of childhood cancer patients aligns with the WHO Global Initiative for Childhood Cancer (GICC) and UNGA 80 commitments, positioning Uttar Pradesh as a potential national and global model for large-scale childhood cancer systems transformation.
Davanagere, March 31 : Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has released the party's manifesto for the Davanagere South bye-election on Tuesday. Senior party leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, after releasing the manifesto, appealed to voters to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in order to "oust the corrupt and destructive Congress government" and "overthrow a bribe-driven administration." Davanagere, March 31 (IANS) Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party has released the party's manifesto for the Davanagere South bye-election on Tuesday. Senior party leader and Leader of the Opposition R. Ashoka, after releasing the manifesto, appealed to voters to support the Bharatiya Janata Party in order to "oust the corrupt and destructive Congress government" and "overthrow a bribe-driven administration."

Speaking on the occasion, he accused Congress of betraying minorities in the constituency and expressed confidence that their votes would go to the Bharatiya Janata Party.

He added that the Bharatiya Janata Party has identified a Dalit leader and given the ticket to Srinivas T. Daskariyappa, expressing confidence that the candidate would work like a son of the soil.

Ashoka alleged that Congress workers had hoped that, apart from one family, an ordinary party worker would be given the ticket in this by-election, but those hopes were dashed.

"Backward classes, Dalits, and minorities were not given the ticket. Muslims were not accommodated. Even when late Shamanur was around, it was said that minorities would be given a ticket. Now minorities themselves are angered," he said.

He further claimed that by once again giving the ticket to the Shamanur family, others would not get an opportunity for at least a generation or two. "Only if Congress loses here will minorities get a chance. Members of the Shamanur family are already ministers and Members of Parliament, and now the son has been given a ticket. The family wants power, but people want development," he said.

Ashoka also targeted Congress leadership, stating that Samarth is D.K. Shivakumar's candidate, while Minister Zameer Ahmad Khan has "left the field and gone to Kerala." He mocked the situation, saying, "There is a star campaigner there, but here there is no star, only 'Gabbar Singh'."

Minister Zameer is reportedly miffed with the statements made by Minister S.S. Mallikarjun, father of candidate Samarth. At the time of ticket distribution, Mallikarjun had strongly objected to Zameer's efforts to secure a ticket for a Muslim candidate. He had questioned who Zameer was and asked him to confine himself to Bengaluru. Later, during the campaign, Mallikarjun stated that it would be better if Zameer did not participate in the campaigning.

Ashoka urged voters to elect the Bharatiya Janata Party to ensure comprehensive development of the constituency. "If one family continues to hold power in the South constituency, arrogance will increase and they will not respond to people's concerns. Even their way of speaking will change. Reject this authoritarianism and support the Bharatiya Janata Party," he said.

Ashoka said priority would be given to improving connectivity, drinking water supply, drainage systems, sanitation, urban management, and education in the constituency.

Criticising the state government, Ashoka said that neither in the constituency nor in the state has Congress undertaken any development work. "Not a single foundation stone has been laid. Siddaramaiah has become 'Saalada Ramaiah' (one who lives on debt). He is unmatched in borrowing. From late Chief Minister K.C. Reddy to Basavaraj Bommai, the total debt accounted for 40 per cent, but Siddaramaiah alone has taken 60 per cent," he alleged.

He also took a dig at the Chief Minister, accusing him of abandoning socialist principles. "Despite presenting a record budget, Karnataka's economy is in the intensive care unit. He has crossed financial discipline and is sustaining it through 'magic'. Even the funds for the guarantee schemes have not been properly disbursed," he claimed.

Ashoka questioned how Congress could seek votes in Davanagere and Bagalkot despite these issues.

"They blame the Centre for everything. This is a 'PhonePe government', a bribe-taking government. When the Bharatiya Janata Party was in power, Siddaramaiah said there was no development, but Congress had not built even a single bus stand. There are no buses, teacher recruitment has not taken place, and Kannada schools are shutting down," he alleged.
Jaipur, March 31 : Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma undertook special efforts to ensure the release of maximum possible funds to the state under various Centrally Sponsored Schemes, to strengthen health services.a

Under the 15th Finance Commission, Rajasthan has received a total allocation of approximately Rs 4,300 crore over the last five years. Notably, about Rs 2,700 crore of this amount was released in just the last four months, a direct result of the Chief Ministeras persistent efforts, officials from the Chief Ministeras Office said on Tuesday.a

The Centre has released record-breaking funds to Rajasthan under the 15th Finance Commission, the National Health Mission, and the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission. a

Under the National Health Mission, the Central Government released approximately Rs 2,398 crore to Rajasthan, compared to a projected allocation of Rs 2,383 crore for the year 2025-26, marking a release of 100.61 per cent of the sanctioned amount.a

Furthermore, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, Rajasthan received its highest-ever allocation of Rs 243 crore. Minister for Medical and Health Gajendra Singh Khimsar stated that, under the Chief Ministeras leadership and visionary outlook, the Medical and Health Department is working with unwavering commitment to strengthen primary healthcare infrastructure, expand Health and Wellness Centres, develop diagnostic facilities, and improve basic health infrastructure. a

Consequently, the state has received record-breaking funds from the Central Government across various schemes compared to previous years.a

Gayatri Rathore, Principal Secretary of the Medical and Health Department, informed that funds have been sanctioned for various components under the 15th Finance Commission.a

Over the past five years, with a special emphasis on expanding basic health infrastructure in rural areas, funds totalling Rs 2,604.63 crore have been released for the construction of buildings for sub-health centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centres; Rs 145.38 crore for block-level public health units; Rs 764.14 crore for diagnostic infrastructure to strengthen testing services in rural areas; Rs 495 crore for the development of Health and Wellness Centres; Rs 76.06 crore for diagnostic facilities in Urban Primary Health Centres; and Rs 220.03 crore for Urban Health and Wellness Centres.a

The highest amount of funds was released in the year 2025-26. Rathore stated that, under the National Health Mission, the highest expenditure within the state also occurred in 2025-26. a

She noted that the expenditure stood at 72 per cent in 2021-22, 82 per cent in 2022-23, 79 per cent in 2023-24, 97.7 per cent in 2024-25, and 98 per cent in 2025-26. Similarly, under the Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission, the state recorded the highest expenditure on health infrastructure this year as well.a

Amit Yadav, Mission Director of the National Health Mission, stated that the funds received from the 15th Finance Commission have facilitated the expansion of primary health services in both rural and urban areas. a

This has led to the construction and upgradation of thousands of sub-health centres, Primary Health Centres, and Community Health Centre buildings. Diagnostic services have become easily accessible even in villages and small towns. Preventive and holistic health services have received a boost through the Health and Wellness Centres. a

Furthermore, the capacity for epidemic and disease control has been enhanced through the establishment of Public Health Units at the block level.a
Kolkata, March 31 : Trinamool Congress General Secretary Abhishek Banerjee, on Tuesday, asked whether the people of Balurghat in West Bengal's South Dinajpur district had actually received the benefits of any Central government schemes despite the presence of a 'double-engine government' in the region.

Citing specific statistics, Abhishek Banerjee issued a direct challenge, explicitly naming both Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Balurghat Lok Sabha MP as well as Union Minister Sukanta Majumdar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

It may be noted that the Trinamool Congress has so far failed to halt the BJP's victory in Balurghat (in 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls).

With an eye on the upcoming Assembly elections, the Trinamool's top leadership is now focusing with renewed intensity on the north Bengal region.

Speaking from an election campaign in Balurghat, the Trinamool Congress General Secretary took a jibe at the BJP, saying, "Balurghat has been the greatest victim of this 'double-engine government.' No other place has had to endure the 'flavour' of this double-engine rule quite as much. For more than five years, the MP here has been from the BJP; the MLA, too, belongs to the BJP. Yet, they have failed to bring in even a single extra penny in Central funds. Look at how many roads have been constructed under our state government's 'Pathashree' scheme, and then ask them (BJP) to produce their own report card. Despite being in office for seven years, the BJP MP has accomplished absolutely nothing."

Abhishek Banerjee also issued a direct challenge to the Central government.

"Let them (BJP) come and see for themselves what our (Trinamool congress) government has achieved in Balurghat versus what Mr. Sukanta Majumdar's 'Modi government' has done. Just as the people of neighbouring Tapan Assembly constituency have benefited from the 'Yuva Sathi' scheme, the people of Balurghat have received those same opportunities."

Responding to comments made by BJP MP Sukanta Majumdar, who while campaigning for the BJP, had made remarks regarding the state's 'Lakshmir Bhandar' scheme.

"Sukanta Majumdar has claimed that if the BJP comes to power, they will supposedly increase the financial assistance provided under the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme. I issue a challenge: let them demonstrate the successful implementation of this very scheme in any one of the states currently governed by the BJP. A scheme where every woman within a single household receives this financial aid. I am stating this on camera: if they can actually accomplish that, I vow that I will never again come forward to seek votes on behalf of the Trinamool Congress," Abhishek Banerjee said.

"We (Trinamool Congress), after all, have already demonstrated that we can do it. Every woman receives the benefits of Lakshmir Bhandar. Our Chief Minister (Mamata Banerjee) announced the Yuba Sathi scheme during the budget presentation and we have delivered on that promise. Defying the naysayers, the funds reached the applicant's account within just 15 days," he added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

Former Chiwundura legislator Livingstone Chimina and 13 others are spending a night in custody after the State successfully requested time to file written submissions opposing their bail application.The group appeared before provincial magistrate Arnold Maburo on charges of contravening Section 7(5) of the Maintenance of Peace and Order Act [Chapter 11:23], relating to allegedly holding a public gathering without notifying authorities.The State alleges that on March 28, police received information that about 20 people had gathered at Matende Bar near Mkoba 4 suburb in Gweru for an unsanctioned meeting. Officers from the Zimbabwe Republic Police reaction unit reportedly attended the scene and found the group convened in an open space near the bar.Prosecutors further allege that the gathering was intended to discuss and disseminate information relating to the Constitutional Amendment Bill.The court heard that some participants were wearing matching white caps bearing the inscription God is in it. Upon noticing approaching police vehicles, the group allegedly dispersed, with some entering the bar while others fled the scene.Police reportedly pursued and arrested 14 individuals, while others escaped. Investigations later established, according to the State, that the gathering had not been notified to the Officer Commanding ZRP Gweru Rural District as required by law.The State, represented by prosecutor Hellen Khoza, indicated that it would file written submissions opposing bail, stating that oral arguments for each accused would be time-consuming and that written arguments would allow for a more comprehensive presentation of the case.Defence lawyer Reginald Chidawanyika opposed the delay, arguing that it was prejudicial to the accused and infringed upon their constitutional rights.Magistrate Maburo ordered the State to file its submissions by noon, with a ruling on bail expected thereafter.The accused include Alois Ziumbwa, Tendai Munhamo, Auther Kazalo, Judith Sibanda, Malvin Chikwekete, Calvin Maganga, Clive Nyathi, Gilson Chibaya, Chimina, Ottilia Mnkandla, Prince Muzhanda, Nicola Chatambudza, Tarisai Machando and Wellington Chimoto.The matter has been remanded to April 13 pending the bail ruling.
Washington, March 31 : US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said that Washington has already taken steps to "set the conditions" to keep the Strait of Hormuz operational, even as military operations against Iran continue.

Washington, March 31 (IANS) US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday said that Washington has already taken steps to "set the conditions" to keep the Strait of Hormuz operational, even as military operations against Iran continue.

"There are many more vessels flowing through today than there were," Hegseth said told reporters at a Pentagon news conference here, adding that the US had made clear to Iran to "open it for business or we have options."

He stressed that the Strait of Hormuz is "an international waterway" and should not be seen as solely a US responsibility.

"The world ought pay attention it's not just the United States Navy," he said, noting that other powers should be prepared to contribute to securing maritime traffic.

Hegseth also pointed to the broader military effort underway, including targeting Iran's naval capabilities such as mine-laying systems, coastal cruise missiles and unmanned aerial systems.

"We've been focused from the beginning on degrading and defeating those capabilities and limiting their options," he said.

US officials indicated that both visible and undisclosed measures are being implemented to safeguard the waterway, which remains a key transit route for global energy supplies.

"There's lots we're doing some of which is known, some of which is not known to set the conditions," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon's emphasis on burden-sharing reflects growing calls for allied participation in securing international shipping lanes, particularly as tensions with Iran raise risks to commercial vessels.

The Strait of Hormuz, linking the Persian Gulf to global markets, is one of the world's most critical energy chokepoints. Any disruption could have immediate implications for oil-importing countries, including India.

The US has repeatedly warned that threats to the Strait would trigger a strong response, underlining its central role in global energy security and maritime stability.
New Delhi, March 31 : Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and General Secretary and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Tuesday condemned the "misinformation" being spread by Aam Aadmi Party workers, with the help of some video journalists, regarding the women's 'Saheli Pink Cards' used in DTC buses.

New Delhi, March 31 (IANS) Delhi BJP President Virendra Sachdeva and General Secretary and MP Kamaljeet Sehrawat on Tuesday condemned the "misinformation" being spread by Aam Aadmi Party workers, with the help of some video journalists, regarding the women's 'Saheli Pink Cards' used in DTC buses.

The Delhi BJP chief appealed to women to beware of misinformation and freely use their Pink Cards as per their convenience.

The Delhi BJP President stated that in recent days, some video journalists are being "misused" by AAP leaders to mislead women into believing that once a Pink Card is tapped in a bus, it cannot be tapped again for the next one hour.

Sachdeva said that this is completely false propaganda. On Monday, workers of the Mahila Morcha tested this by switching buses and successfully tapping the Pink Card three times within just half an hour.

The Delhi BJP chief urged women in Delhi to freely travel anywhere in the city using Pink Cards or Pink Tickets in DTC's modern e-buses as well as other buses.

Sachdeva stated that, considering the time required to issue Pink Cards to lakhs of women, Pink Tickets will continue to be available in buses for the next few months.

The Delhi Transport Corporation (DTC) has also been instructed to facilitate Pink Card issuance among women through the public representatives' offices.

Earlier, Chief Minister Rekha Gupta also asserted that the 'Saheli Pink Card' scheme for women bus commuters is functioning "100 per cent" efficiently and without any issues.

In a post on X, the Chief Minister launched a sharp attack on her political opponents, alleging that they were uncomfortable with initiatives aimed at empowering women. "They are bothered by girls riding bicycles  how will the 'Saheli Pink Card' ever appeal to them?" she said, taking a swipe at the AAP.

Gupta reiterated that the Pink Saheli Card scheme is operating smoothly and continues to benefit women across the national Capital. "The Pink Saheli Card is working perfectly. It offers free rides. Just tap. Travel without worry," she said in her post.

In a video message accompanying her statement, the Chief Minister addressed what she termed as "false propaganda" being circulated about the scheme. She claimed that certain political elements are deliberately spreading rumours to create confusion among women users of the card.
Patna, March 31 : President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday attended the Convocation Ceremony of Nalanda University in Rajgir, where she addressed the graduating students.a

Patna, March 31 (IANS) President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday attended the Convocation Ceremony of Nalanda University in Rajgir, where she addressed the graduating students.a

In her address, the President described the convocation as a reaffirmation of a civilizational promise a" a promise that knowledge will endure, dialogue will prevail, and education will continue to serve humanity.a

Congratulating the graduating students, she noted that their accomplishments are the result of perseverance, discipline, and intellectual commitment.a

She expressed particular satisfaction that more than half of the graduating cohort comprised international students from over 30 countries, highlighting the universityas growing global stature.a

Reflecting on history, the President stated that the ancient Nalanda University stood as one of the worldas most illustrious centres of learning for nearly eight centuries.a

Its decline, she said, was a profound loss not only for India but for the entire world.a

However, the spirit of Nalanda endured through time. Its revival in the modern era symbolises a renewed national and global commitment to restoring that legacy in a contemporary context.a

She emphasised that this resurgence has been made possible through visionary leadership, sustained institutional efforts, and strong caboration among partner nations.a

The President further observed that ancient Nalanda was a beacon of intellectual openness, welcoming diverse ideologies and fostering a rich culture of debate and dialogue.a

Knowledge was never pursued in isolation but was deeply connected with ethics, society, and the broader welfare of humanity.a

She stressed that these values remain highly relevant today, especially as the world confronts complex and evolving challenges.a

Underscoring the importance of independent and critical thinking rooted in compassion, the President expressed confidence that Nalanda University will emerge as a leading academic institution in Asia and globally a" distinguished not only by academic excellence but also by its enduring commitment to values.a

The President further noted that India shares a deep and vibrant bond with Buddhist philosophy and practice.a

She emphasised that this connection must be nurtured with sincerity and supported by a comprehensive understanding of Indiaas classical knowledge traditions.a

Buddhist scholarship, she said, should remain firmly rooted in Indiaas civilisational foundations while actively engaging with its diverse expressions across Asia.a

President Droupadi Murmu expressed confidence that Nalanda University could emerge as a leading global centre for Buddhist studies.a

She urged the university to invest in this field with determination, intellectual depth, and openness, adding that such efforts would enable Nalanda to reclaim its centuries-old role as a beacon of knowledge.

Recalling the grandeur of the ancient Nalanda, the President remarked that its library once housed millions of manuscripts, symbolising an unparalleled repository of wisdom.a

Inspired by that illustrious legacy, she said, the institution being built today has the potential to become an enduring centre of learning for future generations.a

She further underlined that as India moves towards its vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, institutions like Nalanda University will play a pivotal role in shaping knowledge systems, fostering global dialogue, and advancing human values.a

a
Kathmandu, March 31 : India emerged as the largest bilateral donor to Nepal in fiscal year 2024-25, which ended in mid-July 2025, with the southern neighbour disbursing US$107.8 million, according to a government report.

Kathmandu, March 31 (IANS) India emerged as the largest bilateral donor to Nepal in fiscal year 202425, which ended in mid-July 2025, with the southern neighbour disbursing US$107.8 million, according to a government report.

According to the Development Cooperation Report 202425 released by the country's Finance Ministry, the United Kingdom came second with disbursements of US$84.2 million, while USAID ranked third with US$67.1 million.

Japan provided US$58.3 million, and Switzerland disbursed US$30.1 million, ranking fourth and fifth among bilateral donors in fiscal year 202425. The annual publication of the Finance Ministry tracks the disbursement of grants, loans, and technical assistance provided by foreign development partners.

According to the report, of the total Indian aid disbursement, US$73.3 million was received in the form of grants, US$25.8 million in loans, and US$8.8 million in technical assistance.

Multilateral donors, including the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, have traditionally remained the largest contributors to Nepal. The country received a total of US$1.60 billion from both multilateral and bilateral donors in the last fiscal year, the report said.

Even among all donors  both multilateral and bilateral  India ranked third in providing development aid to Nepal. The World Bank topped the list with disbursements of US$541.0 million, followed by the Asian Development Bank with US$443.2 million, and India with US$107.8 million.

Over the past 10 years since fiscal year 201516, India's development aid disbursement has fluctuated but followed a largely upward trajectory, the report suggests.

In fiscal year 202324, India recorded its highest annual disbursement of the decade at US$118.1 million. The data for fiscal year 202425 shows a contraction of 8.7 per cent compared to the previous year.

"India remains a primary bilateral development partner for the government, focusing its assistance on connectivity, high-impact community development projects, and educational infrastructure," the report states.
New Delhi, March 31 : The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has entered into a record 219 Advance Pricing Agreements (APAs) in FY 2025-26 with Indian taxpayers, taking the total number past the 1,000 mark to an aggregate of 1,034 APAs since the inception of the programme, according to an official statement issued on Tuesday.

The figure comprises 750 unilateral APAs (UAPAs) and 284 bilateral APAs (BAPAs).

The BAPAs were signed pursuant to entering into mutual agreements with 13 of Indiaas treaty partners, namely the US, Finland, the UK, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Australia, Denmark, Sweden, France, Indonesia, Ireland, and New Zealand. Notably, this year also marks the achievement of signing Indiaas first-ever bilateral APAs with France, Ireland, Indonesia, and Sweden. The CBDT has consistently been signing a high number of APAs, having concluded 174 APAs in the previous financial year, and in the year before that, 125 APAs were concluded, the statement said.

Safe Harbour Rules complement the APA framework by offering a faster, lower-cost alternative for achieving transfer pricing certainty. Introduced in 2013, the Safe Harbour framework prescribes fixed margins for specified categories of international transactions. The regime currently spans twelve transaction categories, including IT and software services, IT-enabled services, KPO, contract R&D, intra-group financing, guarantees, auto components, low-value-adding services, and certain transactions in the diamond industry.

The Finance Act 2026 has introduced significant enhancements to the Safe Harbour Rules. Multiple technology service segments have been consolidated into a single "Information Technology Services" category with a uniform 15.5 per cent margin. The eligibility threshold has been increased from Rs 300 crore to Rs 2,000 crore. The amendments also introduce a more system-driven and automated framework, reducing the need for detailed scrutiny and administrative interface.

The APA Scheme, together with Safe Harbour Rules, aims to provide certainty to taxpayers in the area of transfer pricing by specifying pricing methods and determining the arm's length price of international transactions in advance for up to five years. BAPAs offer the added benefit of protection against potential or actual double taxation.
Chennai, March 31 : BJP Tamil Nadu state president, Nainar Nagenthran, on Tuesday said he would contest the upcoming Tamil Nadu Assembly elections from Sattur, after ceding the Tirunelveli constituency to the NDA's ally, the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, as part of seat-sharing arrangements within the NDA.

Addressing reporters in Tirunelveli, the BJP state president clarified that the decision was taken at the AIADMK's request and reflected the coalition's commitment to maintaining unity ahead of the polls. 

"Since the AIADMK sought Tirunelveli, I have agreed to contest from Sattur. I will file my nomination there once the candidate list is announced," he said, adding that BJP candidates across the state are expected to submit their nominations on April 4. 

Nagenthran emphasised that the change in constituency would not impact his engagement with the people or the party's broader political strategy. 

"Wherever I contest, my work for the people across Tamil Nadu will continue. Tirunelveli will always remain close to me," he noted, underscoring his long-standing association with the region. 

Framing the Assembly election as a referendum on governance, he launched a sharp attack on the ruling Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam, alleging that the government had failed to fulfill its electoral promises. 

He also claimed that the law-and-order situation in the state had deteriorated under the current administration. 

"We will present a detailed chargesheet against the DMK government," he said, further alleging that press freedom in the state was under strain. 

He cited what he described as a "death threat" issued by a DMK functionary against Prime Minister Narendra Modi as an example of the prevailing political climate. 

Taking aim at the DMK's manifesto, Nagenthran remarked that while the party's previous document had been projected as a "hero," the current one was a "zero." 

He also accused the ruling party of practising selective secularism, alleging inconsistency in extending greetings for religious festivals. 

Responding to recent political controversy, he clarified that former BJP state president K. Annamalai was not present to receive Prime Minister Modi during his Coimbatore visit as he had been out of station at the time. 

Reiterating confidence in the NDA's prospects, Nagenthran said the alliance would mount a strong and coordinated campaign across Tamil Nadu in the run-up to the elections. 
Bengaluru, March 31 : Amid the by-elections campaign, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday strongly rejected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and Member of Legislative Assembly B. Y. Vijayendra's demand for a white paper on Karnataka's financial condition, terming it a reflection of "lack of economic understanding, administrative experience, and political frustration."a Bengaluru, March 31 (IANS) Amid the by-elections campaign, Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday strongly rejected Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State President and Member of Legislative Assembly B. Y. Vijayendra's demand for a white paper on Karnataka's financial condition, terming it a reflection of "lack of economic understanding, administrative experience, and political frustration."

In a detailed press statement, Siddaramaiah asserted that the State Budget presented last month itself serves as a "transparent and honest account" of the government's finances. 

He noted that the Budget had been debated and approved in both Houses of the Legislature, with Opposition members raising questions that were duly answered. 

He added that if doubts remained, he was ready to clarify and even engage in an open debate.

Dismissing allegations that the State is financially bankrupt, the Chief Minister said no department was facing difficulty in paying salaries and maintained that both the economic and political situation in Karnataka remained stable. 

He accused BJP leaders of making such claims out of "helplessness and jealousy" as they were unable to counter the government politically.

Highlighting key economic indicators, Siddaramaiah said the State's Budget for 2025-26 stands at Rs 4,48,004 crore, marking a 9.4 per cent increase over the previous year, compared to the Union Government's 5.6 per cent growth. 

He added that Karnataka's Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) growth rate of 8.1 per cent surpasses the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth of 7.4 per cent, reflecting strong economic performance.

On fiscal discipline, he said the State's total liabilities stand at 24.94 per cent of GSDP, within the 25 per cent limit prescribed under the Fiscal Responsibility Act, while the Centre's liabilities have reached 55.6 per cent of GDP, exceeding norms. 

Similarly, Karnataka's fiscal deficit remains within the 3 per cent threshold, whereas the Centre's deficit stands at 4.3 per cent.

The Chief Minister also accused the Union Government of adopting a "stepmotherly approach" towards Karnataka in tax devolution, Goods and Services Tax (GST) compensation, and centrally sponsored schemes. 

He said the State's share in central taxes had been reduced under successive Finance Commissions, resulting in significant revenue losses.

Siddaramaiah claimed that since the implementation of GST, Karnataka has suffered a cumulative loss of over Rs 2 lakh crore due to reduced tax share, denial of compensation, and policy changes. 

He added that the discontinuation of GST compensation since 2023 has led to revenue deficits, further aggravated by GST rate revisions that have impacted collections.

Criticising the Centre's borrowing, he said the national debt had risen sharply under PM Modi, alleging that the country was being pushed into a "debt trap."

He also targeted the previous BJP government in Karnataka, stating that despite heavy borrowing, it failed to deliver adequate infrastructure or welfare measures, leaving behind a debt burden of over Rs 5.53 lakh crore.

Urging Vijayendra to "do some homework," Siddaramaiah said meaningful debate should be based on facts rather than political rhetoric.


Srinagar, March 31 : A gunfight with hiding terrorists started in J&K's Ganderbal district on Tuesday evening as the joint security forces cordoned off a village on specific intelligence inputs, officials said.

Srinagar, March 31 (IANS) A gunfight with hiding terrorists started in J&Kas Ganderbal district on Tuesday evening as the joint security forces cordoned off a village on specific intelligence inputs, officials said.

Official sources told IANS that following specific intelligence inputs about the presence of terrorists, joint forces, including the army, J&K Police and the CRPF, cordoned off Arhama village in Ganderbal.

The sources said that as the security forces closed in on the hiding terrorists, believed to be two in number, the latter opened fire, triggering an encounter which is now going on.

"All escape routes of the terrorists have been sealed. Two terrorists are believed to be hiding in the village, and they have been engaged in a sustained gunfight," a source said.

Ganderbal district in north Kashmir has been known to be free of any terrorist presence, and Tuesdayas encounter is a matter of concern for the security forces.

On October 20, 2024, terrorists attacked a worker's camp in the Gagangir area of Ganderbal, near the Sonamarg Z-Morh tunnel construction site. Seven people, six non-local labourers and a local doctor, were killed in that terror attack, while several others were injured.

The attack targeted personnel working on the vital Z-Morh tunnel project. The attack occurred in the evening at the Gagangir area in the Ganderbal district, where workers had returned to their camp.

On April 22, 2025, LeT terrorists killed 25 civilians, including 24 tourists and a local Pony owner, in Baisaran meadow of Pahalgam.

The National Investigation Agency and police later released photographs of the suspects based on CCTV footage.

All three LeT terrorists, Pakistan nationals, involved in the October 2024 killing of seven people at the Sonamarg (Gagangir) tunnel construction site and 25 civilians on April 22, 2025, in Pahalgam, were killed by security forces during a subsequent operation on July 28, 2025. The perpetrators were eliminated in a joint mission by the Indian Army, CRPF, and J&K Police in an operation code-named "Operation Mahadev".

Security forces had confirmed that three terrorists linked to the attacks at Pahalgam and Sonamarg tunnel were killed during Operation Mahadev at the foot of the Mahadev mountain peak in Srinagar.
Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 : Even with just eight days left for the April 9 assembly polls in Kerala, the national Congress leadership has issued an urgent directive to its Members of Parliament to reach New Delhi and attend the ongoing session, signalling a coordinated push to oppose the contentious amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).a Thiruvananthapuram, March 31 (IANS) Even with just eight days left for the April 9 assembly polls in Kerala, the national Congress leadership has issued an urgent directive to its Members of Parliament to reach New Delhi and attend the ongoing session, signalling a coordinated push to oppose the contentious amendments to the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA).

All India Congress Committee General Secretary K. C. Venugopal said the move comes in response to the Centre's attempt to introduce the amendment bill at a time when several MPs are engaged in campaigning in poll-bound states.

He alleged that the timing reflects a deliberate strategy to minimise parliamentary scrutiny and resistance.

Terming the proposed amendments "completely unconstitutional," Venugopal warned that the legislation could have far-reaching consequences for civil society.

He argued that the provisions would severely impact non-governmental organisations and community-based groups, particularly those run by minority communities.

"This is not just a legal change; it is an attempt to systematically weaken institutions that play a vital role in social service and democratic engagement," he said.

The Congress leader announced that the party would not allow the bill to pass "under any circumstances" and would mount a strong political and parliamentary challenge.

As part of its protest strategy, the party plans to stage a demonstration outside Parliament at 10:30 am, seeking to mobilise broader opposition support.

Venugopal also sharpened his attack on the Bharatiya Janata Party and PM Modi, accusing them of pursuing a divisive agenda. 

He claimed the bill represents yet another attempt to create mistrust and polarisation among communities.

Describing it as a "sword of Damocles" over minority groups, he alleged that it could be used to exert pressure on organisations, including Christian institutions in states such as Kerala.

Highlighting concerns over increased regulatory controls, Venugopal said the proposed law contains stringent provisions that could "tighten the noose" around voluntary organisations.

The coming days are expected to see heightened political confrontation as the opposition gears up to challenge the bill both inside and outside Parliament.

All the supreme heads of Churches in Kerala are up in arms about the move by the Centre. 

However, State BJP President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, engaged in a do-or-die battle in the Nemom constituency, said this FCRA issue was being kicked up by the Congress on the eve of the elections and was needless.
Bhopal, March 31 : The Opposition Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh engaged in a war of words over the state government's decision to reschedule wheat procurement dates at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).a Bhopal, March 31 (IANS) The Opposition Congress and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Madhya Pradesh engaged in a war of words over the state government's decision to reschedule wheat procurement dates at the Minimum Support Price (MSP).

On Monday, the state government released a new Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), according to which procurement in the Bhopal, Indore, Ujjain, and Narmadapuram divisions will now begin on April 10, rather than April 7.

Similarly, procurement in Jabalpur, Gwalior, Rewa, Shahdol, Chambal, and Sagar divisions, which was earlier scheduled to begin on April 7, will now start a week later, from April 15.

This marks the second time the state government has rescheduled the process. Initially, procurement was scheduled to begin on March 16, which was later deferred to April 1.

State Congress leaders criticised the BJP government's decision, alleging that delays in procurement have distressed farmers, forcing them to sell crops at lower rates in the market.

In a fresh attack on Tuesday, state Congress president Jitu Patwari said many farmers were struggling to repay bank loans borrowed for agricultural purposes.

He alleged that further delays had forced them to sell crops at lower rates to repay loans before March 31.

"After the March 31 deadline, approximately 40 per cent of farmers have reached the brink of default. But the government is rescheduling dates again and again. The failure to initiate procurement is forcing farmers to sell their crops below the MSP," he said.

Reacting to the allegations, state BJP Kisan Morcha head Jaipal Singh Chavda said the Congress has never truly been a well-wisher of farmers.

Speaking to media persons in Bhopal, he explained that the ongoing conflict in West Asia had led to a shortage in the availability of polymers used in manufacturing polypropylene (PP) and high-density polyethene (HDPE) bags, which are used for packaging grains.

He shared that the Centre had allocated an additional 50,000 bales of jute bags to Madhya Pradesh. 

"The BJP government is committed to procuring every single wheat grain of farmers at Rs 2,625 per quintal," he added.
News / National

by Staff reporter

ECONOMIC Freedom Fighters (EFF) Zimbabwe leader Innocent Ndibali has welcomed the large turnout of residents in Bulawayo during public hearings on the proposed Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, saying it reflects strong public engagement with the process.Thousands of residents reportedly attended hearings held at the Large City Hall and Nketa Hall, where they presented their views on the proposed constitutional changes. According to organisers, the majority of submissions expressed support for the Bill.In an interview, Ndibali said the level of participation demonstrated that citizens were actively engaging with and supporting the proposed amendments."The turnout was massive and it is a testament that people are supporting the proposed changes. The contributions from residents were very mature and clearly showed that the majority of the people of Bulawayo are in support of the Bill," he said.Ndibali also reiterated his party's support for the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill, including proposals to extend the presidential term from five to seven years."We have been very clear as EFF Zimbabwe that we are in full support of the Constitution of Zimbabwe Amendment (No. 3) Bill. We have been on record saying there is nothing wrong with extending the President's term from five to seven years," he said.He criticised some opposition figures and civil society actors who have opposed the Bill, accusing them of misrepresenting its intentions. He named politicians including Tendai Biti and Douglas Mwonzora, as well as academic Lovemore Madhuku, among those he said were misleading the public.Ndibali further defended proposals for Parliament to elect the President, saying the model was used in other countries and should not be considered controversial."In South Africa, the President is chosen through Parliament and there is nothing wrong with that. Those elected into Parliament are trusted by the people to make such decisions on their behalf," he said.He added that the strong turnout at the hearings demonstrated public interest in constitutional matters and countered criticism from detractors of the proposed amendments.The nationwide public hearings form part of Parliament's consultation process ahead of potential consideration of the Bill for adoption.
Agartala, March 31 : In a significant achievement for Tripura's healthcare sector, government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala has successfully conducted two consecutive kidney transplants for the first time in the state's history, officials said on Tuesday.a Agartala, March 31 (IANS) In a significant achievement for Tripura's healthcare sector, government-run Govind Ballabh Pant Medical College and Hospital in Agartala has successfully conducted two consecutive kidney transplants for the first time in the state's history, officials said on Tuesday.

Hospital Superintendent Dr Bidhan Goswami said this milestone was made possible through the dedicated efforts of Chief Minister Manik Saha, a dental surgeon who holds the health portfolio.

With the completion of the sixth and seventh kidney transplants on Monday and Tuesday (March 30 and 31), the medical college and hospital have now performed a total of 7 successful kidney transplants. 

In all cases, both donors and recipients are reported to be stable and healthy.

The two latest transplants were conducted under the supervision of specialist doctors from Agartala Government Medical College and Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, in collaboration with experts from a private hospital and research institute in Imphal, Manipur.

"While earlier transplants were performed individually, this marks the first time that two procedures were successfully carried out on consecutive days in the state, setting a new benchmark," Dr Goswami said.

On Monday (March 30), a 36-year-old man from Baikhora in South Tripura district underwent a kidney transplant, receiving the organ from his 33-year-old childhood friend.

On Tuesday, another transplant was performed on a 33-year-old resident of Champaknagar in West Tripura, who received a kidney donated by his 59-year-old father.

According to the latest updates, both donors and recipients are in stable condition and under close medical observation, the hospital superintendent said.

The procedures were conducted by a multidisciplinary team of doctors from the Departments of Nephrology, Urology, and Anaesthesiology, with support from specialists at Manipur Hospital. 

Dr Goswami said nursing staff and operating theatre technicians also played a crucial role, with overall supervision by senior nursing officials.

The sixth transplant procedure began on Monday morning and concluded in the afternoon, lasting approximately six hours, while the seventh started on Tuesday morning and ended in the afternoon, taking about five hours.

The official stated that this achievement reflects the state government's strong commitment to strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

Notably, the first-ever kidney transplant in Tripura was conducted on July 8, 2024, and the fifth transplant was successfully done on November 4, 2025.

Meanwhile, the Tripura government has sought guidance and support from All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, to expand access to advanced healthcare services in the state.

A four-member team from AIIMS, New Delhi, led by its Director, M. Srinivas, visited Agartala Government Medical College, Govind Ballabh Pant Hospital, and other government-run healthcare facilities in June last year to assess the state's medical infrastructure and services. 

The visit was undertaken at the request of Chief Minister Manik Saha.

--IANS

sc/dan
Varanasi/Bhopal, March 31 : In a significant step for promoting cultural and religious tourism between two Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-ruling neighbouring states -- Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh governments have signed two crucial agreements during a business summit held in Varanasi on Tuesday.

One agreement was signed between Kashi Vishwanath Temple Trust (in Varanasi) and Mahakaleshwar Temple Trust (in Ujjain) and the another between Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh to promote cooperation in the field of One District-One Product (ODOP) products, according to an official statement.

The development came during the 'Madhya Pradesh-Uttar Pradesh Cooperation Conference' held in Varanasi in the presence of Chief Minister Mohan Yadav and several Cabinet Ministers from the Uttar Pradesh government.

Addressing the conference, Chief Minister Yadav said that just as Varanasi holds great religious and cultural significance, Ujjain too has a special spiritual importance.

He added that both the states share geographical, cultural, spiritual and historical ties.

Chief Minister Yadav said that recognising immense potential scope for religious tourism in both cities (Ujjain and Kashi), Prime Minister Narendra Modi has initiated major development works.

Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister added that both states are ushering in a new era of spiritual and religious tourism.

"Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh are jointly developing a shared religious tourism circuit, which will accelerate tourism and provide devotees with a seamless and enriching pilgrimage experience," he said.

The 'Sammelan' (conference) was organised to provide a common platform for the industrial strengths, traditional crafts, ODOP and GI-tagged products, agricultural and food products, investment opportunities and tourism potential of Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

On this occasion, Uttar Pradesh Industrial Development and Investment Promotion Minister Nand Gopal Gupta expressed that the 'Sahyog Sammelan' (Cooperation Conference) was a clear example of deep understanding between these two neighbouring states.

He also noted that Baghelkhand, Gwaliora"Chambal, and Bundelkhand regions of Madhya Pradesh share close ties with Uttar Pradesh.
Silchar, March 31 : In a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking, the Assam Rifles, in coordination with Cachar district Police in southern Assam, carried out a successful joint operation leading to the seizure of heroin valued at Rs 7 crore, officials said on Tuesday.

Two drug peddlers were also arrested.

A police official in Cachar district said the operation was launched based on credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement of drugs in the district, which shares inter-state borders with Mizoram and Manipur.

Acting swiftly on the inputs, the joint team intercepted two suspected drug peddlers near Bhaskhandi late on Tuesday night.

Upon thorough checking, heroin consignments were recovered, and the two individuals involved in transporting the contraband were apprehended on the spot.

A vehicle and two mobile phones were also seized from the accused.

All seized items have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Efforts are currently underway to uncover the larger network behind the trafficking attempt, the official added.

The Assam Rifles and Cachar district Police have intensified their coordinated efforts to curb the menace of drug trafficking in the region.

Officials stated that the latest seizure underscores their sustained commitment to dismantling narcotics networks and ensuring peace and security in the area.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the drugs were smuggled from Myanmar, with plans to ferry the consignment to Bangladesh or other parts of India through Assam or Meghalaya.

Neighbouring state Mizoram shares a 510-km-long unfenced international border with Myanmar and a 318-km-long porous, mountainous border with Bangladesh, making the region particularly vulnerable to cross-border smuggling of drugs and other illegal activities.

Myanmar's Chin state is considered a major hub for the smuggling of narcotics, arms and ammunition, exotic wildlife, foreign-made cigarettes, Myanmar areca nuts (betel nuts), and other contraband through six districts of Mizoram: Champhai, Siaha, Lawngtlai, Hnahthial, Saitual, and Serchhip.

Among the most commonly trafficked substances from Myanmar are highly addictive methamphetamine tablets, popularly known as Yaba or "party tablets."

These tablets, often referred to as the "crazy drug," contain a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine and are strictly banned in India.

--IANS

sc/dan
Guwahati, March 31 : Assam Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Dilip Saikia, on Tuesday, intensified the party's election campaign in Tinsukia, asserting that a massive eviction drive would be launched if the BJP returns to power in the state.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a campaign event, Saikia said, "If our (BJP) government comes to power, a strict eviction drive will be carried out. All encroached land in the hands of 'Miya' settlers will be freed."

His remarks come amid heightened political rhetoric ahead of the upcoming Assam Assembly elections.

Earlier on Tuesday, Saikia addressed a public gathering at Manav Kalyan Bhawan in Tinsukia, where he also interacted with BJP workers and local residents.

He urged voters to ensure a decisive victory for BJP candidate Pulak Gohain, lauding his commitment and grassroots connect.

"We need dedicated and honest leadership. Pulak Gohain has worked sincerely for the welfare of the people. I appeal to all voters to support him with a massive mandate," Saikia said.

The BJP leader also launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of misleading the public with what he described as "unrealistic guarantees".

He contrasted this with the BJP government's track record, highlighting several flagship welfare schemes implemented in Assam over the past years.

Saikia claimed that the BJP continues to enjoy overwhelming public support across the state, expressing confidence that the party would secure a strong mandate in the upcoming state polls.

The Tinsukia campaign forms part of the BJP's broader outreach strategy in Upper Assam, a region considered crucial for the party's electoral prospects.

Senior BJP leaders have been actively touring Assembly constituencies to consolidate support and mobilise voters ahead of polling.

With political campaigning gaining momentum, statements such as Saikia's are expected to further intensify the electoral battle in the state.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kochi, March 31 : Film director Ranjith was arrested on Tuesday in connection with an alleged sexual assault complaint filed by a young actress, marking a significant development in a case that has been handled with unusual secrecy by the police.a

The Ernakulam Central Police registered the case, while a special squad led by Kochias Deputy Commissioner of Police carried out the arrest, reportedly acting on directives from senior officers, including the Ernakulam Range Inspector General and the Idukki Superintendent of Police.a

Ranjith was taken into custody after his vehicle was intercepted in Thodupuzha, based on mobile phone location tracking. a

He is currently in the custody of the Thodupuzha police and is expected to be handed over to the Kochi police for further proceedings.a

The complainant, a young actress currently working in a film directed by Ranjith, alleged that he attempted to sexually assault her during the ongoing shoot. a

According to preliminary information, the incident is believed to have occurred on the film set, where he allegedly behaved in a sexually inappropriate manner.a

The film, directed by Ranjith, was being shot in Kottayam and Kochi, with the alleged incident reported to have occurred in Kochi. a

The actress had submitted complaints to the Director General of Police and others. Her confidential statement was recorded at a Womenas Police Station two days ago, following which the police moved swiftly.a

The First Information Report, registered under Section 376 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at the Udayamperoor police station, was filed discreetly.a

Ranjith, a multifaceted personality, is a director, actor, and popular writer. Notably, he had earlier faced allegations from a Bengali actress and another complaint of unnatural sexual assault. a

However, those cases were reportedly settled.a

When the earlier case surfaced, he was the chairman of the Kerala State Chalachithra Academy and resigned at the time. Ranjith is known to be a fellow traveller of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), and in 2021, the party had considered fielding him from a seat in Kozhikode, his hometown, but later dropped the idea.a

--IANS

sg/dan

a
Washington, March 31 : President Donald Trump on Tuesday announced that Britain's King and Queen will undertake a state visit to the United States from April 27 to 30, with a White House banquet planned as part of commemorations marking America's 250th anniversary.

In a post on social media, Trump said, "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th."

He described the visit as a "momentous occasion" tied to the anniversary celebrations of the United States. "This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country," Trump said.

The President added that he looked forward to engaging with the British monarch. "I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!" he said.

Separately, the Royal Family confirmed the visit, saying it would take place "on advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States".

"The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America," the statement said.

According to the British royal household, the programme will highlight the depth of ties between the two countries. "Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the UK and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence," it said.

Following the US leg of the trip, the King is also scheduled to travel to Bermuda. The Royal Family said, "The King will continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty's first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory."

The visit comes at a symbolic moment for both nations, with Washington preparing to mark 250 years since independence, while London emphasises continuity in its transatlantic partnership.

State visits typically include ceremonial welcomes, bilateral meetings, and high-profile events such as a state banquet hosted by the US President at the White House.
Hyderabad, March 31 : Hyderabad Police will make elaborate arrangements for the peaceful conduct of Hanuman Jayanti yatra scheduled on April 2, Police Commissioner V. C. Sajjanar said on Tuesday.

As part of the arrangements for the peaceful conduct of the annual procession, a coordination meeting was conducted by the Police Commissioner with officials and organisers.

He said approximately 168 processions are expected to converge on the main yatra.

To ensure security, nearly 3,000 police personnel, along with additional armed forces, will be deployed at key locations. Organisers have been advised to train volunteers, ensure effective crowd management, and strictly adhere to designated routes, according to the Commissioner.

Special precautions have also been emphasised regarding idol heights in view of flyovers and railway bridges along the route.

The police have urged organisers and participants to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious individuals.

Traffic diversions will be implemented in advance to minimise public inconvenience, and citizens have been requested to cooperate by following police instructions. Additionally, the public has been cautioned against believing or spreading rumours on social media, with strict action to be taken against those posting provocative content.

Following the meeting, the Commissioner conducted a field inspection of the 12-kilometre yatra route from Gowliguda Ram Mandir to Tadbund Hanuman Temple. The meeting was attended by officials from various departments and representatives of different Hindu organisations.

The Police Commissioner said two days ago Ram Navami was celebrated peacefully and exuded confidence that the Hanuman Jayanthi yatra will also be passed off peacefully with the cooperation of people and the organisers.

Meanwhile, the Cyber Crime Unit of Hyderabad City Police said that it achieved a significant breakthrough in curbing the menace of illegal online betting, gaming promotions and fake investment schemes.

During the month of March, through continuous digital monitoring and intelligence-based tracking, the Cyber Crime unit identified 129 social media profiles across Facebook and Instagram that were actively operating and running 494 paid advertisements promoting various online gaming, betting applications and fake investment websites targeting users in India.

These advertisements were strategically designed to attract vulnerable users by promising easy money, bonuses, referral commissions and huge returns on their investments.

The identified profiles were systematically sharing promotional content, referral links, and deepfake videos of well-known personalities to lure the public into unlawful betting and fake investment schemes, the police said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, March 31 : US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Tuesday that the US is largely shielded from supply chain disruptions stemming from tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, but these disruptions are impacting key Asian economies.

"Right now, I think the thing to understand is that the United States is generally insulated from a lot of the supply chain effects when it comes to... direct commodities," Greer told Bloomberg in an interview, noting reliance on "domestic sourcing" and supply from regional partners.

However, he flagged broader global consequences, particularly for Asia.

"We're aware that this has an impact in other countries, particularly in Asia. We know that their supplies are tight. And so we're watching that really closely," Greer said.

The Strait of Hormuz is a critical artery for oil, liquefied petroleum gas, and fertilisers -- commodities vital for economies such as India.

But Greer declined to offer a clear timeline for stabilisation, saying operations were being approached "in terms of weeks" without "artificial timelines".

He added that US objectives in Iran included "destroying ballistic missiles, destroying the Navy, and making progress to make sure that they don't obtain a nuclear weapon".

On China, the US Trade Representative struck a cautiously optimistic tone ahead of planned leadership talks in May.

"Both sides (US and China) want stability. Both sides wanna see continuity," he said, adding: "I see stability with China over the next year."

He said that recent engagements with Chinese officials focused on preparations for the upcoming summit and broader structural trade issues, rather than immediate geopolitical tensions.

"We were focused on preparing for the leaders meeting... We were talking about the WTO itself and the future of it," Greer said.

Greer was sharply critical of the World Trade Organisation's ability to address modern trade imbalances.

"The WTO has never been able to address those things and it won't be going forward. It can barely address issues on its current agenda," he said.

He pointed to failed reform efforts, noting that proposals backed by several trading partners faced opposition.

"That's... exhibit A of how the WTO is unable to address these core challenges," Greer said.

On tariffs, Greer avoided committing to a return to earlier levels on Chinese imports, saying ongoing investigations under Section 301 would determine the outcome.

"I can't prejudge the investigations... we have to go through the legal process," the US Trade Representative said.

Still, he emphasised that Washington would continue prioritising domestic industry.

"The President... is going to keep protecting our economy... so we can continue to have increased production in the US, increased wages here," Greer said.

Greer also highlighted efforts to reduce reliance on Chinese supply chains, particularly in rare earths.

"We have new projects in the United States... we're working with our counterparts... to increase supply chain security," he said.

He added that both sides were working towards formal mechanisms to manage trade flows.

"We've been talking about a board of trade... to help manage trade," Greer said, outlining US priorities such as exports of aircraft, medical devices and agricultural products.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Los Angeles, April 1 : Hollywood actress Eva Longoria has made a vow that her upcoming film 'The Fifth Wheel' is "unapologetically R-rated".

The 51-year-old star is directing the upcoming comedy flick that stars her friend Kim Kardashian in the lead role and says that working on the Netflix picture was her "dream job", reports 'Female First UK'.

Eva told 'People' magazine, "It's so much fun. We just wrapped after three months of filming. We ended in Vegas. It was a dream job. First of all, it's a big, unapologetically R-rated female comedy that feels modern and contemporary".

The Fifth Wheel features Nikki Glaser, Brenda Song and Fortune Feimster as high school friends who "attempt to reconnect during a weekend jaunt to Vegas".

As per the synopsis, "When a hot outsider (Kardashian) crashes the weekend, they're forced to face their messy lives, bad decisions and unraveling friendships".

Eva described Kardashian as "the anchor of the movie", which also stars Jack Whitehall and Will Ferrell, as the reality star serves as a producer on the film.

The 'Desperate Housewives' star said, "Kim is the anchor of the movie. We just had a blast. Kim and I have been friends for 25 years, and when I got the job, she said, 'Oh, thank God Eva knows I'm funny'. And she is, she's so funny. I cannot wait for the world to see how great she is in this movie and hopefully spark more female comedies".

As per 'Female First UK', Longoria explained that the making of The Fifth Wheel was a joyful experience.

She recalled of her favourite moments on set, "Just sitting and kiki-ing with Kim and everyone. Nikki is so profound. She's incredibly insightful and wise beyond her years. I loved just sitting and talking with them. Fortune is just a light, such a joy to be around. Every day, we were laughing non-stop".

Eva said, "It was also really special because we had female writers, producers, cast and a female director. That's not common, and you could feel it. The set felt different because of it".

The actress recently revealed that she was always convinced that she would become successful and that the women in her life have played a major role in her achievements.

-- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed
Explosion dramatique dans un tunnel autoroutier a Chongqing en Chine : 4 morts, 9 blesses. Une fuite de gaz inflammable serait a lorigine du drame. Les autorites ont boucle la zone, lenquete est en cours.

Chine : Quatre morts apres une explosion dans un tunnel autoroutier a Chongqing

La Chine est de nouveau frappee par un drame industriel. Quatre personnes ont perdu la vie et neuf autres ont ete blessees a la suite dune violente explosion survenue dans un tunnel autoroutier de la municipalite de Chongqing, au sud-ouest du pays.

Selon lagence de presse officielle Xinhua, lincident sest produit sur un troncon de lautoroute Enshi-Guangyuan. Les premieres informations font etat dune explosion provoquee par un gaz inflammable a linterieur du tunnel, transformant en quelques secondes cette infrastructure strategique en scene de chaos.

Une intervention durgence rapide

Les equipes de secours ont ete deployees immediatement apres lexplosion. Les operations de recherche et de sauvetage sont desormais terminees, ont precise les autorites locales. Le perimetre a ete entierement boucle afin de securiser la zone et permettre le travail des enqueteurs.

Les neuf blesses ont ete pris en charge par les services medicaux. A ce stade, aucune precision na ete communiquee sur la gravite de leurs blessures.

Enquete en cours

Les autorites chinoises ont ouvert une enquete pour determiner les causes exactes de laccident. Si la piste dun gaz inflammable est privilegiee, les circonstances techniques et les eventuelles defaillances restent a etablir.

Cet accident relance la question de la securite dans les infrastructures routieres en Chine, pays qui dispose de lun des reseaux autoroutiers les plus vastes au monde. Les tunnels, en particulier, representent des environnements a haut risque en cas daccumulation de gaz ou de dysfonctionnement des systemes de ventilation.

Pour lheure, Chongqing reste sous le choc, tandis que les autorites sefforcent dapporter des reponses sur les responsabilites et les mesures correctives a venir.

China: Deadly Explosion in Chongqing Highway Tunnel Leaves 4 Dead, 9 Injured

China has been shaken by a tragic infrastructure accident after a powerful explosion inside a highway tunnel in Chongqing left four people dead and nine others injured.

According to state news agency Xinhua, the incident occurred along the EnshiGuangyuan Expressway. Preliminary reports indicate that the blast was caused by flammable gas inside the tunnel, triggering a sudden and devastating explosion.

Emergency Response Concluded

Rescue teams were immediately dispatched to the scene. Authorities confirmed that search and rescue operations have now been completed. The area has been sealed off to ensure safety and to allow investigators to carry out their work.

The nine injured victims were transported to medical facilities. Officials have not yet disclosed details regarding the severity of their injuries.

Investigation Underway

Chinese authorities have launched a formal investigation to determine the exact cause of the explosion. While flammable gas accumulation is suspected, technical failures or safety lapses have not been ruled out.

The accident once again raises concerns about infrastructure safety in China, which operates one of the worlds largest highway networks. Tunnels, in particular, pose elevated risks if ventilation systems fail or hazardous gases accumulate.

Chongqing remains in mourning as officials work to clarify responsibilities and prevent future tragedies.



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Didier Cebas K.
Four organizations representing various publishers and content creators have filed an amicus brief supporting Concord Music Group in its copyright infringement lawsuit against AI giant Anthropic.

The case, Concord Music Group v. Anthropic, was brought in October 2023 by several music publishers alleging that Anthropic unlawfully used copyrighted musical works, particularly a large corpus of song lyrics, for training its AI product Claude. The case is being argued in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The Association of American Publishers and the Authors Guild are among the parties filing the brief, which argues that copyright law does not permit Anthropic to systematically copy human-authored works without permission.

Anthropics actions, the brief argues, fail to meet the fair use doctrine in at least two ways: it is not transformative and its unauthorized training interferes with copyright holders who are signing licensing agreements with various tech companies.

A healthy and incentivized licensing market advances the goals of copyright by permitting AI companies like Anthropic to access and use high-quality materials to train better, more sophisticated AI models while protecting rightsholders from uncompensated exploitation, the brief states.

As part of its filing, the group includes a graph that shows the various licensing agreements publishers have reached with different AI companies. Among book publishers, HarperCollins and Taylor and Francis have reached agreements with Microsoft; Wiley has deals with P. School, Potato, OpenEvidence, and Perplexity; and the graph cites reports of various unnamed publishers signing agreements with Amazon and Google.

These licensing agreements, the brief argues, are crucial if publishers of original works are to retain their ability to recoup their investment in quality journalism and authorship. Without copyright protectionand the ability to earn revenuethere would be no sustainable business model for the creation and distribution of creative works.

In disputing Anthropics transformative argument, the brief notes that, contrary to AI companies claims that their copying is transformative because copied works are not retained in their LLMs, a recent study by Stanford and Yale researchers confirms that textual works do not disappear once ingested into the models, but instead are memorized by the system and can be reproduced as output.

According to a joint statement from the leaders of the four organizations involved, This case illuminates the critical, collaborative licensing markets that are developing among copyright owners and technology companies for consumer-facing AI products, driving better, safer, and fairer outcomes for all involved. These partnerships are clearly in the publics interest, but they will not be fully realized if categorical fair use arguments are permitted to overtake the equities and promise of the Copyright Act.

In addition to the AAP and Authors Guild, the News/Media Alliance and International Association of Scientific, Technical & Medical Publishers took part in supporting the brief.
Since acquiring World Editions in 2023, Christine Swedowsky, like many small publishers, has found the economics of the industry a challenge.

But she's also gotten creative, releasing about a dozen new titles through her distributor, Consortium and, now, striking on a way to create a new revenue stream for the publisher, which is focused on publishing books in translation.

This fall, Swedowsky will introduce Read the World A to Z, a series of translated novels by authors from one country for every letter of the alphabet. To get the series off the ground, Swedowsky received financial support from the Ian Michalski Foundation.

To create the series, Swedowksy is mining her backlist as well as signing new authors to fill voids in the alphabet. She notes that while English translations of books from such countries as France, Korea, or Columbia are readily available, theres far less access to books from countries such as Yemen or Uruguay. Swedowsky is also on the hunt for titles to fill the gaps for Qatar, Russia or Rwanda, Vietnam or Venezuela, Wales, Yemen, and Zambia.

All titles published as part of the series are written by contemporary, influential authors and reflect the social and cultural dimensions of their country of origin, Swedowsky said.

The first three novels in the series feature authors from Argentina (All That Dies in April by Mariana Travacio, translated by Will Morningstar and Samantha Schnee); Belgium (The Woman Who Fed the Dogs by Kristien Hemmerechts, translated by Paul Vincent); and China (Cocoon by Zhang Yueran, translated by Jeremy Tiang). They will be released October 6.

To support the new series, Swedowksy has created new vehicles for sales and promotion, part of what she calls her launch team. An important element of that effort is a subscription box that will have special discounts as well as swag. The box will be sold through a new direct-to-consumer program that includes improving the World Editions website. Launch team members will also be eligible to take part in a book club that will feature interviews with translators and authors.

Swedowsky said the series was well received at Winter Institute and by such stores as Literati, Interabang, Brazos, Seminary Coop, Boulders Bookstore, Left Bank Books, Brookline Booksmith and Powell's.

"Too many times I have people who want books from various countries, but I can't always find them easilyRead the World A to Z can help ease that, said Kel Russel, lead bookseller at Main Street Books and Second Flight Books in Lafayette, Ind.

Swedowksy said the Read the World series fits in with the current trend of people looking for collectible books. Moving forward, World Editions annual list will include six Read the World titles, released in two batches: three in spring and three in fall.
In God Bless the Pill: The Surprising History of Contraception and Sexuality in American Religion (UNC Press, Apr.), Samira Mehta, a religion scholar at the University of Colorado, Boulder, upends the perception that all religious leaders have historically opposed birth control. In fact, she argues, in the 1940s and '50s there were numerous liberal clergy who actively promoted contraception as a tool to support strong, stable families.

Theres no better time for this book than now, says Cate Hodorowicz, editor at University of North Carolina Press. With the reversal of Roe v. Wade and a barrage of legislation that tries and sometime succeeds to block womens access to contraception, its crucial that we understand why and how birth control improves womens lives, and the lives of their families. Not so long ago, religious leaders not only knew this, but they supported it, too.

PW talked with Mehta about faith, contraception, and the pendulum swing of the last half century.

How did you come to write God Bless the Pill?

I've juggled my academic career with different kinds of women's health advocacy. Birth control seemed like an interesting place to explore questions of religion and the American family.

What did you find about Planned Parenthood appealing to clergy to support birth control in the 1940s?

They tried to reshape birth controls reputation into a tool that moral, religious Christians and Jews would use to create their families. Contraception wasnt about controlling birth so you can have consequence-free sex. It was about carefully planning out parenthood so families could be upwardly mobile.

What is an example of religious leaders influencing access to contraception?

In 1958, birth control was legal in New York State, but not available in New York City public hospitals. A Jewish doctor tried to fit a diabetic Protestant mother for a diaphragm, afraid that another pregnancy would endanger her life. The New York City Hospital Commissioner, a Jewish doctor appointed by the Catholic mayor, denied permission for the diaphragm. Her doctor called the New York Times, which launched a months-long campaign. My favorite headline was, Harlem Pastors Association and Orthodox Rabbinical Assembly Condemn [Hospital Commissioner] Jacobs. They publicly humiliated the New York City hospital system from pulpits and in the press. The hospital system changed its policy, and birth control became available.

That sounds like a huge win.

It was a win. But the hospital policy was more conservative than what the clergy wanted. They said you can't access birth control except if it's medically necessary. Hospitals would not provide birth control to women who were getting married and wanted to be married for two years before having their first babysomething that was absolutely available to wealthy women going to private doctors.

Clergy support faded in the 1970s. Why so?

Clergymen cared about women as mothers. They were worried about women dying from excessive childbearing because they felt step-parent families were less stable. They worried about rising divorce rates and saw birth control as a way couples could have sexually dynamic marriages, which they hoped would keep marriages together. I thought those liberal Protestant and Jewish voices would have hints of feminism in them. But in fact, they sound like people advocating for traditional family values.

What is the role of the American Catholic Church in this story?

In the 1970s, the Catholic priest, sociologist, and novelist Andrew Greeley argued that Humanae Vitaethe 1968 papal encyclical in which the Catholic Church said absolutely not to contraception, including the pillis the moment when the Catholic Church lost its ability to be a meaningful voice about sexual morality to American Catholics. Prior to Humanae Vitae, most Catholic priests held the Churchs party line. After the encyclical, priests stopped denying people communion and started talking about the right of conscience, and Catholic people increasingly exercised the right of conscience on birth control.

What prompted the shift towards the religiously conservative view of contraception since the 1980s?

People who did so much heavy lifting to make birth control available weren't anticipating the wonderful uses [for contraception] that feminists were going to come up with, like women not going to college just to be good, educated mothers, but to enter professions. In a pendulum swing, birth control then got blamed as being something that actually hurts the American family. And today we see a huge push for women to be home raising children, to be tradwives.
The Jewish Book Council celebrated 75 years of presenting the National Jewish Book Awards with a gala on March 25. The event celebrated this years winning authors, as well as their agents, editors, and publishers, for telling Jewish stories in fresh, powerful books.

Elisa Spungen Bildner, president of the council, began by telling the 300 guests gathered at Temple Emanu-El in Manhattan a Hasidic story once shared in a book by Elie Wiesel. Its theme is that stories have saved the Jewish people generation after generation; it concludes with the declaration, "God loves stories."

Jewish Book Council CEO Naomi Firestone-Teeter said the annual awards have always "honored and given visibility to the urgent realities that face the Jewish people, and at the very same time, they've celebrated the richness, creativity, and vitality of Jewish life. That duality is the essence of the Jewish people. We also know there's no single Jewish story."

Winning words

The gala host Jonah Platta musician, community activist, host of the podcast Being Jewishinvited several of the winning authors to the microphone for lightning rounds of questions about their works.

Dani James, translator of Return to the Place I Never Left (Wayne State Univ.) by Belgian Holocaust survivor Tobias Schiff, spoke about why she wanted to bring the book, which won the award for Holocaust memoir, into English from the original Flemish. James, a grandchild of Holocaust survivors, said Schiff's story "made every reader a witness to his experience."

Zeeva Bukais The Anatomy of Exile (Delphinium Books), which took the prize for debut fiction, deals with Israelis and Palestinians in exile, portraying a fraught relationship in perilous times for both groups. Bukai told the audience she made it a very specific story about love and possibilities, adiding, "I think what is happening feels extraordinarily painful at this time, but I had written the story with the idea that hopefully things can change at some point."

Historian Pamela Nadell, whose book, Antisemitism: An American Tradition (W.W. Norton) took honors in American Jewish Studies, tracked Jewish hatred here back four centuries. She described how she began her research after the Tree of Life Synagogue murders in 2018 abruptly reminded her that she had not really paid attention to antisemitism. Once she did, she said, it became clear this virulent prejudice is "not an aberration."

Author Sarah Hurwitz, who took the award for contemporary Jewish life and practice with As a Jew: Reclaiming Our Story from Those Who Blame, Shame, and Try to Erase Us (HarperOne) said she gave her book such an unapologetically emphatic title because she feels "a real sense of joy that it is such a gift to be part of this people."

Highest honors

There were numerous awards for every aspect of Jewish life and every age, chosen by 120 judges from more than 700 applicants. (A full list of honorees and finalists, first announced in February, is here). The evening built up to a finalethe recognition of the Book of the Year, Hostage (Harper Influence) by Eli Sharabi.

David Everett, representing the Everett Family Foundation, called Sharabi to the mic, describing the book as the first memoir released by an Israeli captive of October 7, with a message that "needs to be heard far and wide."

Eli began his remarks by dedicating the award to the memory of his wife, their two daughters, and his brother, all killed by Hamas, who held him for 491 days.

Sharabi called his book "the story of a dark and painful moment in our history, but it is also a story about resilience, about humanity, and about the possibility of hope, even in the most difficult circumstances. My wish is for this book to help someone feel less alone, to find strength, or to better understand the world around them. And that's why the work of the Jewish Book Council and this publishing community is so important."

He thanked all the people in publishing who supported his book and all who upheld him in the worst of times. Finally, he said, "To the readers around the world, thank you, because once a book leaves the hand of its author, it really belongs to its readers."
President Trump recently released his National Security Strategy, the influential document that guides American economic, military, and diplomatic relations with friends and foes alike. Almost immediately, European leaders bristled at its apparent criticism of the continent.

But while the National Security Strategy contains candid critiques of current European policy choices, it is by no means anti-European. Just the opposite. It affirms Europe's strategic and cultural importance to the United States, underscores trans-Atlantic trade as a pillar of American prosperity, and emphasizes the need for a strong Europe to compete with China and other adversaries. The Strategy also calls for helping Europe reverse its trajectory of managed decline.

In short, the National Security Strategy recognizes that strengthening America's prosperity requires making Europe great again. To do so, Congress and the Trump administration will need to press European leaders to embrace the free-market dynamism that has made America the world's richest, most powerful, and most technologically advanced nation -- while rejecting efforts to import Europe's failed policies into the United States.

Europe's approaches to critical sectors provide a cautionary tale for American policymakers flirting with similar approaches.

Take the energy sector, for instance. EU member states have embraced climate alarmists' policy wishlist -- with catastrophic consequences.

Germany, in particular, has closed its nuclear power plants and phased out most of its coal plants, opting instead to rely on intermittent renewable sources. EU industrial consumers now pay roughly 0.19 per kilowatt hour ($0.22/KWh) -- about double the 0.10 paid in 2010.

By contrast, U.S. policymakers have embraced a free-market, all-of-the-above energy strategy. As a result, American industrial consumers pay about $0.0832/KWh, up just 23% from the $0.0677 paid in 2010, and barely a third of what our European peers pay.

Congress can further accelerate energy development, and thus drive down electricity prices, by passing permitting reforms that make it faster and cheaper to break ground on new infrastructure projects. Government policies that enable and incentivize the private sector to produce cheap, abundant energy will set an example for Europeans to follow -- and spark a greater American manufacturing renaissance and economic boom than tariffs or top-down directives ever could.

Europe's approach to the tech industry, meanwhile, is virtually vampiric. In 2024, the EU reportedly earned more money from fining American tech companies than it earned from taxing its own technology firms.

As the Wall Street Journal has noted, Europe's crushing taxes and regulations make it extraordinarily difficult to scale tech startups. There were only 107 privately held European tech companies worth more than $1 billion as of early 2025. And those firms had a collective value of just $333 billion. By contrast, there were 690 such "unicorns" in the United States, with a combined value of $2.5 trillion.

Congress can support and empower the Trump administration's trade negotiators to pressure European partners to end their abuse of American tech firms. And it can reject efforts, at the state and federal level, to similarly hamstring America's leading innovators.

Europe's once-dominant drug industry has fared no better than its energy and tech sectors. As late as the 1970s, European nations developed the majority of new medicines, outpacing America by a two-to-one margin. But as Europe's socialized healthcare systems imposed increasingly stringent price controls, the continent hemorrhaged capital and research talent. In 2024, European companies initiated just 21% of clinical trials globally, down from 44% in 2009.

Yet European policymakers seem unfazed by these losses. They recently finalized their updated General Pharmaceutical Legislation, which weakens intellectual property protections for innovative drugs and thus further disincentivizes research and manufacturing investments.

By contrast, over the past half-century, American policymakers have generally incentivized biotech investments by maintaining a comparatively free-market approach to drug pricing and offering world-leading intellectual property protections.

Congress can spur the continued growth of America's biotech industry -- which supports roughly 8 million jobs, $3 trillion in economic activity, and delivers dozens of lifesaving breakthroughs each year -- by pushing the administration to exert pressure on Europe to improve its pricing and IP policies.

And lawmakers can resist any attempts to import European price controls into the United States under the guise of "Most-Favored-Nation" pricing legislation. Codifying such sweeping statist price controls would gut America's biotech industry, just as they have already gutted Europe's.Consumers, workers, and investors here in America, and across the Atlantic, are counting on Congress to help Europe chart a more prosperous course -- while maintaining the domestic free-market policies that have delivered so much prosperity here at home.

Mr. Burr, a Republican, served as a U.S. senator from North Carolina, 2005-23.
The global impact of the Iran War is clear. Closure of the Hormuz Strait and rising oil prices reveal the dependence of all nations on the free flow of shipping through the Strait. It will take many years for countries to recover from this energy crisis. President Trump vows to end the War and reopen the Strait, but the off-ramp from war is not clear.

Governing structures have been created to guarantee shipping in other straits that provide lessons for creating a new governing structure for the Hormuz Strait. Perhaps the best model for such a governing structure is that created to guarantee passage of ships through the Strait of Malacca. Several states that border the Strait of Malacca, Malasia, Indonesia, and Singapore created a regional security framework to guarantee shipping. That security framework provides coordinated patrols, information sharing, and respect for the sovereignty of regional partners. Cooperation between the countries contiguous to the Strait is not surprising, they have good trading relations and jointly benefit from a governing structure guaranteeing safe passage for shipping. This governing structure is also supported by many nations dependent upon shipping through the Strait, most notably China, Japan, and South Korea.

Asian countries have also benefitted from a broader cooperative agreement, the Regional Agreement on Combating Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Asia (RECAAP). This agreement was formalized in 2004 and grew from 14 Asian countries to 21 nations, including the U.S. The Information Sharing Center created by the Governing Council shares information on emerging nautical threats to ensure safe passage for shipping. RECAAP has been effective in promoting cooperation of member states against piracy and robbery of ships throughout Asia.

A similar governing structure could be created for the Hormuz Strait to provide an offramp from the Iran War. The first task of a new cooperative agreement should be a Hormuz Navigation Treaty guaranteeing safe passage for shipping through the Strait. The Gulf states have the most at stake in reopening the Strait and preventing attacks. The Gulf states should create an independent governing structure to control shipping through the Strait.

The governing agency could create an information sharing center like that created by RECAPP to share information and coordinate efforts to combat piracy and attacks on shipping. The 31 nations participating in RECAPP would have an incentive to support a new agency to govern shipping through Hormuz as well. With the support of the U.S., NATO, and other allies the new governing agency could work to guarantee shipping from attacks by Iran or any quarter. Such an off-ramp is the best path to peace in the Middle East.

However, in the current environment the prospects for creating such a governing structure for the Hormuz Strait are not good, and some would say they are nil. A major barrier is the decision of the U.S. and Israel to go to war without the support of NATO nations and other allies. The U.S. and Israel are now attempting to negotiate a ceasefire, and an off-ramp from the War with Iran. While NATO countries and other allies support these peace efforts, the trust between the U.S., Israel, and our allies has been broken by the unilateral decision to go to war without their support.

For most of the post-World War Two period the U.S. played a leadership role in creating multilateral organizations, most importantly NATO. But the Trump Administration has been critical of many of these multilateral institutions and in some cases has withdrawn our support. This week the President signed an executive order suspending U.S. support from 66 of these organizations, signaling our retreat from organizations the Administration sees as of questionable value. In January of this year the Trump Administration withdrew from RECAAP. This is a signal that the Administration may not be receptive to an agreement creating a new governing structure for the Hormuz Strait that requires cooperation with NATO and our allies.

A Termination of the Iran war should include an International Agreement to ensure that Hormuz stays open. This would be a great contribution to world trade and would include the U.S. working with NATO and other regional allies. The U.S. could again pursue a new Eisenhower Doctrine in the Middle East. This would include a security guarantee for the strait in partnership with the United States, NATO and relevant nations in the region including Saudi Arabia. Oman, UAE, Bahrain, and Iran.

Barry W. Poulson is professor emeritus at the University of Colorado, Boulder Colorado, and on the Board of the Prosperity for US Foundation

William Owens is a former vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He is on the Board of the Prosperity for US Foundation
Shooting competitions are great ways to train, meet people in your community, and have a lot of fun. FAST, Firearms Action Shooting Trials, is a new match series that were excited to shoot soon!

FAST focuses on long par-time, challenging shooting, and enough physicality to add stress to the shooter. Every FAST match is set up like a national-level shooting event designed to test the shooters, their equipment, and what is possible on the clock.

Because every FAST match is its own challenge, free of an overall series, each FAST match is able to cater to the local range hosting the match and allows for an interesting theme for the match. These matches also serve as benchmarks for shooters and offer a way to test skills built in training.

Four matches are planned for the 2026 season:

RULES: 2-GUN & RIFLE ONLY

Each match is broken down into either being a 2-Gun or a Rifle Only match.

2-Gun rules are fairly familiar to anyone who has shot 2-Gun matches before, such as PCSL or Brutality events, but the divisions are a little different and offer some fun flavor. Armored, Gray Man, Irons, Minuteman, Mobile Infantry, and Trooper divisions will test any shooter in new ways.

Gray Man starts totally concealed. Rifle and pistol must be hidden either in a bag or behind cover garments.

Trooper is required to carry all ammo and eqipment with them, not only between stages, but during every stage as well. This old-school division was born out of simulating combat patrols and remains one of the more challenging divisions to shoot.

Minuteman is based on what the average American gun owner already has in their gun safe. Not a lot of gear is required, but keeping it simple isnt always easier.

The Rifle Only matches have special rule sets and divisions based on the theme for the match. Retro Rifles is all about the guns of the GWOT era, with special divisions for Iron Sights, Heavy Irons, and Red Dot.

Intergalactic Rifle Divisions take a Science Fiction spin on things, focusing on short rifles, manual action rifles, bullpups, and battle rifles.

Retro Rifle clothing is the title sponsor for the Retro Rifle match coming up in Buckeye, Arizona!

May 16th and 17th, the Retro Rifle match is coming up soon, and were very excited to shoot it. This match is in partnership with Independence Training, one of the best training outfits in the South-West.

FAST-West Virginia is presented by XTech Tactical! Held at the stunning Echo Valley Training Center, this range is one of the ones you absolutely need to shoot if youre a 2-Gun shooter. Trenches, hills, fields, short range, and long range, Echo Valley has it all. Bring bug spray.

Other sponsors include:

RECOIL  CANCON

Unrivaled Technologies

Whiskey Two Four

IC13

Central Ohio Research Division

RS Regulate

Moons Out 2026

RECOIL staff will be attending multiple matches this year. Were excited for FAST and will be bringing you coverage as the year goes on! Sign up for a match!
Sustainability That Saves: BRAVIA Professional Displays BZ-P Series

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'My resignation is a larger governance and governance-plus kind of an issue, which the board of directors of the bank should be introspecting.'

IMAGE: Atanu Chakraborty. Photograph: R Raveendran/ANI Photo

Atanu Chakraborty, former part-time chairman of HDFC Bank, who stepped down abruptly on March 18, said on Monday that his resignation was not triggered by any single issue.

Instead, he said, it stemmed from a growing 'incongruence' between the bank's practices and his own values and ethics over the past two years.

Chakraborty, a former Indian Administrative Service officer, said a range of concerns had contributed to his decision.

These included the misselling of Additional Tier-I (AT1) bonds in Dubai, the underperformance of the bank's share price, subdued credit growth, low current and savings account deposits, and a high cost-to-income ratio.

Key Points Atanu Chakraborty said his resignation stemmed from a growing mismatch between HDFC Bank practices and his personal ethical standards.

Concerns included AT1 bond misselling, weak share performance, subdued credit growth, and high cost-to-income ratio pressures.

Bank removed executives after identifying gaps in Dubai branch client onboarding linked to Credit Suisse AT1 bond sales.

RBI clarified no material governance concerns, stating HDFC Bank remains well-capitalised with stable liquidity position.

Chakraborty stressed governance introspection, rejecting claims that his resignation caused market value erosion or internal disagreements.

AT1 bond misselling concerns

'My only point was that it was not congruent with my own sense,' he said in an interview with CNBC TV18.

'It is material, but the materiality of it could vary, as I think my standards were different from the prevailing standards.

'In that case, it is better to move away without placing blame, while leaving the door open for introspection for the board.

'If the board introspects and feels all is well, I am a happy person.'

One of the things Chakraborty highlighted was the AT1 bond matter.

Two days after his resignation, the bank asked three executives to leave amid misselling concerns.

According to the bank, it had identified certain gaps in client onboarding requirements at its Dubai International Financial Centre branch in the United Arab Emirates.

Following a review, it took remedial measures in line with internal policies, including personnel changes.

Dubai branch client onboarding gaps

The decision to ask the executives to leave was reportedly linked to the misselling of Credit Suisse AT1 bonds to retail customers at the Dubai branch, where they were marketed to non-resident Indians as fixed-maturity bonds.

These bonds were written off after Credit Suisse collapsed and was taken over by UBS.

Chakraborty said HDFC Bank's chief executive had described the matter as a 'technical lapse' involving documentation and regulatory interpretation.

'I feel that if a large number of customers are hurt, a significant amount of regulatory focus comes on the bank. It also brings reputational risk to the bank.

'Therefore, while the issues have been addressed -- there has been involuntary separation of three senior managers, as well as 12 others being punished, with penalties ranging from major to minor; they are all at very senior levels -- these are posteriori reactions," he said.

'I feel that these conduct issues should not arise in the first place, or tight supervision should ensure that even if they do arise, they are nipped in the bud,' he added, saying this was where the incongruence lay.

RBI governance clarification stance

The Reserve Bank of India had, however, said in a statement after Chakraborty's exit that there was no material concern regarding the bank's conduct or governance.

It had also said the bank remained well-capitalised and its financial position was satisfactory, with sufficient liquidity.

Following Chakraborty's resignation, the RBI approved Keki Mistry as HDFC Bank's interim part-time chairman for three months.

Share price and performance issues

Chakraborty also pointed to other issues.

'There are many other matters... There was underperformance with respect to the share value -- not performing up to the mark -- which meant that shareholders' wealth was not being maximised.

'Also, Casa (current account to savings account ratio) was low and the cost-to-income ratio was high.

'A lot of people say -- and I heard that chatter within the bank as well -- that it was because of the merger.

'No, the merger, if anything, was the best thing that happened.

'It really did not distort the balance sheet, and if at all there was some distortion, it should have been corrected,' he said.

Board introspection governance debate

HDFC Bank's share price has fallen more than 13 per cent since Chakraborty's exit, eroding around Rs 1.7 trillion in market capitalisation.

He said the argument that the erosion in market value was caused by his resignation was misplaced, and he completely rejected it.

He also dismissed suggestions that he had quit because of disagreement over the managing director and chief executive officer's reappointment for another three years.

He said the matter was not taken up for discussion.

Chakraborty reiterated that he had not said anyone was right or wrong.

'What I mentioned was internal to me... it caused a dilemma.

'Whether it causes a dilemma for the bank is for its board to address.

'If it causes a dilemma for me and I find it difficult to live with, I should move on.'

HDFC Bank's board has appointed external law firms to review Chakraborty's resignation letter, in which he alleged that certain 'happenings and practices' at the bank were not in congruence with his values and ethics.

'My resignation is a larger governance and governance-plus kind of an issue, which the board of directors of the bank should be introspecting.

'No external lawyers would do that for them,' he said.

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
A key mistake would be continuing to rely on provisions of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, where the new law now applies, and vice versa.

Kindly note that this illustration generated using ChatGPT has only been posted for representational purposes.

Key Points Income-Tax Act, 2025 replaces the 1961 law from April 1, 2026, introducing structural changes without altering tax rates.

Single 'tax year' concept replaces previous and assessment years, aiming to simplify interpretation and reduce disputes.

Compliance timelines revised, with extended revised return deadline and shorter TDS and TCS correction windows.

India's direct tax system is set for an overhaul, with the Income-Tax Act, 2025, coming into force from April 1, 2026, replacing the 1961 law.

While tax rates and core principles remain unchanged, the transition will require taxpayers to adapt to a new framework even as legacy cases continue to be dealt with under the old law.

What changes

A key change is the shift to a single 'tax year', replacing concepts like 'previous year' and 'assessment year'.

This is meant to reduce interpretational complexities. While the concept of a 'shorter tax period' existed earlier, the new Act formalises it.

"Alongside structural changes, the draft Income Tax Rules, 2026, propose key updates. Thresholds for allowances and perquisites have been raised to reflect current realities. Disclosure norms have been tightened, with added transparency requirements, including specifying the relationship with the landlord for house rent allowance claims," says Sandeep Jhunjhunwala, partner, Nangia Global.

TDS TCS compliance timeline

Compliance timelines have been revised. The window for tax deducted at source (TDS) and tax collected at source (TCS) corrections has been reduced to two years (with a one-time transition window available till March 31, 2026).

"The deadline for revised returns has been extended to March 31 of the following tax year as against the earlier cut-off of December 31. This extension offers greater flexibility to correct errors and align reported income with evolving information," says Jhunjhunwala.

What stays unchanged

The core framework of taxation remains largely unchanged. There is no immediate change in tax rates, slab structure, surcharge, or cess.

So, taxpayers should not expect any direct impact on their tax liability except in a few cases where the old regime may be more beneficial under the new Act.

Key principles such as residential status, income classification, and anti-avoidance rules continue in substance, ensuring continuity.

"The repeal of the Income-Tax Act, 1961, is supported by savings provisions, which protect past assessments, ongoing litigation, and accrued rights," says Jhunjhunwala.

Complexity reduced

One of the key positives of the new Income-Tax Act is its attempt to tackle long-standing complexity in drafting.

Earlier, taxpayers and authorities often interpreted the same provisions differently, leading to disputes and litigation.

The new law moves towards clearer, more direct language, which should reduce such differences and lower the volume of notices and appeals.

"The new Income-Tax Act introduces a leaner, more streamlined structure, making the law easier to navigate, particularly for individual taxpayers and small businesses. It keeps tax rates, deductions and exemptions largely unchanged, providing predictability in financial planning," says Shubham Jain, director, SVAS Business Advisors.

The revised perquisite rules offer relief, with higher limits for meal coupons, gift vouchers, and child education allowances, along with updated valuation norms for company cars and HRA benefits to more cities (Hyderabad, Pune, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru).

"These changes better reflect current cost structures," says Niranjan Govindekar, partner - corporate tax, tax & regulatory advisory at BDO India.

Transitional pains

The shift to a renumbered and reorganised law will require taxpayers and professionals to adjust to new references and formats.

"There is a learning curve as taxpayers and professionals reorient themselves to the new structure," says Jain.

The shift is not a clean break. "The earlier law will continue to apply to past years and ongoing matters, meaning taxpayers and advisers will have to deal with two parallel regimes, adding to the overall complexity. For instance, the same chartered accountant handling your FY 2026-2027 return under the new Act may simultaneously have to deal with a notice for AY 2022-2023 under the old one," says Jain.

How to optimise benefits

Taxpayers can benefit from the new Act by using the navigation tools and comparison utilities offered by professionals and the government.

"They should undertake a comprehensive assessment of the impact of provisions affecting their business or personal tax position, review existing tax positions, documentation and reporting frameworks in light of the new rules," says Sudhakar Sethuraman, partner, Deloitte India.

Taxpayers eligible for HRA, leave travel allowance and other special allowances, and those claiming Chapter VI-A deductions such as Sections 80C and 80D, may find the old tax regime more advantageous.

"Taxpayers should review their choice because of the renewed relevance of the old tax regime," says Govindekar.

Mistakes to avoid

A key mistake would be continuing to rely on provisions of the Income-tax Act, 1961, where the new law now applies, and vice versa.

"Taxpayers should ensure they apply the provisions of the new law from April 1, 2026, and avoid continuing to rely on the Income-tax Act, 1961, beyond its relevant scope. At the same time, they should not assume that ongoing disputes or legacy matters will automatically shift to the new regime," says Sethuraman.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
This article was first published 3 years ago

Sita Ramam is a subtle reminder that, in a world where you can be anything, the best thing you can be is kind, observes Divya Nair.

'How far will you go for love?' is a theme often repeated in love stories.

And when a love story is set against the backdrop of war, emotions are bound to run high.

Director Hanu Raghavapudi chooses to present Sita Ramam, a Telugu language period romance drama against the backdrop of the India-Pakistan conflict in the 1960s.

The story opens in the 1980s at a university in London.

Afreen (Rashmika Mandanna), a young Pakistani student, buys a bottle of whiskey to set fire to an Indian businessman's car.

When she refuses to apologise because he is an Indian national, Afreen is given two choices -- to compensate him for his loss within a month or be rusticated from her college.

Afreen decides to reconcile with her grandfather, hoping he'd help her with the money.

To her dismay, her grandfather, with whom she hadn't been in touch, has passed away, leaving behind a fortune she can inherit only if she accomplishes a task.

She has to find a woman named Sita Mahalaxmi (Mrunal Thakur in her Telugu debut) and hand over a letter written to her 20 years ago by an Indian soldier named Ram (Dulquer Salmaan).

Afreen travels to India to find the elusive Sita Mahalaxmi and, through her, she discovers the hero of the story, Lieutenant Ram.

Sita and Ram's story takes us to 1964, when Ram saves a group of Kashmiri Hindus from a riot incited by Kashmiri Muslims and unites the two groups.

For his sensitive act of humanity, he is hailed as a national hero.

Following an interview with All India Radio, where Ram confesses he is an orphan, he starts receiving countless heartwarming letters from people across India.

While some address him as their son and brother and send him sweets and blessings, Sita introduces herself as Ram's wife.

Even as Ram is thrilled by the thought of having someone who cares for his well-being and longs for this love, he cannot contact Sita because there is no address to reply to.

As the days pass, one of Sita's letters brings them together in the most unexpected fashion.

What is written in that letter?

Does Ram meet his Sita?

What does Destiny have in store for the couple?

Does Sita Mahalaxmi actually exist?

Although the plot is predictable, Sita Ramam is as engaging as its characters.

If Rashmika and Tharun Bhascker play the role of Hanuman to unite Ram with his Sita, Dulquer and Mrunal keep the story alive with their breezy romance and heart-wrenching moments of unrequited love, longing and separation.

When Dulquer introduces himself as Charlie (a doff to his 2015 film), it brings up a smile; you also end up drawing parallels with his previous films in which he enjoyed playing the adventure-seeking mystery boy (Neelakasham Pachakadal Chuvanna Bhoomi, Bangalore Days and, of course, Charlie).

Much as he may hate to be called a romantic hero, and despite trying hard to break free from the image that made him so popular, DQ can't ignore his quintessential skill.

Five years after Solo, he proves he can pull off a mature romance while retaining his innocence.

Mrunal is equally brilliant as his love interest, displaying ample restraint in the emotional scenes as she takes you on an empathic ride through her varying emotions of love, longing and helplessness.

The writing is crisp; the dialogues are good.

The screenplay is stunning and, combined with music and background score by Vishal Chandrasekhar, you are in for an audio-visual treat.

Even for a fictional run-of-the-mill story, Sita Ramam is poignant and relevant because of period the film is set in and the circumstances faced by its characters.

The film may be banned in certain nations and some of us may be tempted to skip it because it's just another love story, but those who watch it will perhaps applaud the makers for the sensitive portrayal of two neighbouring nations that are in conflict with each other and their people; it offers hope that, even in the most testing of times, love can triumph over hate.

Sita Ramam is a subtle reminder that, in a world where you can be anything, the best thing you can be is kind.

Rediff Rating:
What Subedaar lacks is that element of surprise that makes a film worth the viewers time and willingness to engage, observes Deepa Gahlot.

If the concept note for a film about a retired soldier taking on gangsters in a small town landed on a creative team's desk, would it even be greenlit? The very idea is yawn-inducing. The cinema and streaming spaces are just overflowing with uncouth goons. But if a star is looking for a change of pace with an action role -- and Anil Kapoor is one of the producers of the film -- then something like Subedaar could be waved through turnpike.

What Subedaar is about

Directed by Suresh Triveni, Subedaar is set in a riverside town called Kokh (some symbolism there?), where an illegal sand-mining mafia dredges the river and leaves pits that result in children drowning. When the mother of one such child refuses to be silenced, the thuggish brother Prince (Aditya Rawal) of the towns gang leader Babli Didi (Mona Singh) kills her brother and terrorises the family. Babli is in jail, ostensibly because someone up there does not like her.

Still, Prince and his goons run riot, and her chief henchman Softy (Faisal Malik) cleans up after him. The cops, as always in such stories, look the other way.

Subedaar Arjun Mauryas (Anil Kapoor) friend, Prabhakar (Saurabh Shukla) takes him to Bablis mansion to get him a job as a bodyguard because it is a status symbol to employ an ex-military man. Princes vulgar behaviour annoys him, but he puts up with it for the sake of Prabhakar.

Arjun drives a new car that his dead wife (Khushboo Sundar) had gifted him, and that red jeep becomes a bone of contention between him and Prince. (Some bits leaking from Clint Eastwoods Gran Torino?)

When Arjun parks in Princes spot, he vandalises the car, and pees on the seat. An enraged Arjun forces him to clean the car, and the public humiliation is recorded on phone cameras. Obviously, Prince plans revenge, and the film arranges dozens of skirmishes before the final blow-out battle. With a set-up like this, which other direction could the plot take? Princes predilection for urinating in public could have its own back story!

Arjuns wife had been killed in an accident when he was at the front, for which his daughter Shyama (Radhika Madan) remains in a permanent sulk, matched by her fathers unsmiling visage.

It is a rule in the movies that if there is a female relative -- a daughter in particular -- she will become a bargaining chip between the hero and the villain. As if the Prince problem was not enough, Shyama makes an enemy out of another college hooligan, and the harassment from him adds to her problems, and by association, the Subedaars, even though she does not speak to him.

The villain is not menacing enough

There is not much thats fresh about Subedaar, and the sandy, brown landscape is reminiscent of another Kapoor starrer, Thar. By standards of evil that villains are gauged, Prince is just a nasty punk who is not a strong enough antagonist for a man like Arjun, which is why their confrontations do not have that Richter scale of menace that could power a plot so predictable. (Think Rehman Dacait!) Of course, the villain will be defeated in a film -- that is never a spoiler -- but the process should be thrilling.

Subedaar's star performers

Its a walkover for Anil Kapoor.

Aditya Rawal tries hard, but remains one-note.

Radhikka Madan has a couple of good scenes, when she stands up to her harassers, but the father-daughter equation is never emotionally fraught because the misunderstanding could have been sorted with a normal conversation.

Subedaar is not a boring film. What it lacks is that element of surprise that makes a film worth the viewer's time and willingness to engage.

Subedaar streams on Amazon Prime Video.

Subedaar Review Rediff Rating:
The Punjab and Haryana High Court acquitted AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and seven others in a 2013 molestation case after a compromise, highlighting the legal system's approach to resolving long-standing disputes through mutual agreement.

Photograph: Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra/X

Key Points AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and seven others were acquitted in a 2013 molestation and assault case by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The acquittal follows a compromise between the complainant and the accused, leading the court to set aside the previous conviction and quash the FIR.

The court cited the absence of criminal history and the non-heinous nature of the alleged offences as factors supporting the acquittal.

The High Court referenced Supreme Court verdicts that allow for quashing criminal cases with a predominantly civil character when parties reach a bona fide compromise.

The complainant, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste community, had alleged assault by Lalpura and others in 2013, leading to the initial FIR and subsequent conviction.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has acquitted AAP MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura and seven others in a 2013 molestation and assault case following a compromise between the two parties.

Allowing the petition, the bench of Justice Tribhuvan Dahiya set aside the judgement of a court in Punjab's Tarn Taran, convicting and sentencing the MLA and seven others to four years of imprisonment in last September.

The bench also quashed the FIR registered in March 2013 at the Tarn Taran police station under different sections of the IPC along with the provisions of the SC/ST Act.

The complainant woman, who belongs to the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, had alleged that she was assaulted by the accused, including Lalpura and some police personnel from Tarn Taran on March 3, 2013.

The incident took place when the complainant along with her family members visited Tarn Taran for a wedding function. At that time, Lalpura was a taxi driver.

In its order on Monday, the court acquitted all the eight persons, including the MLA from Khadoor Sahib assembly seat, of all charges for all intents and purposes.

The court noted that the petitioners have no criminal antecedents.

"The offences alleged are not heinous in nature and cannot be termed as crime against the society; nor do they show mental depravity of the petitioners. Besides, the incident is about 13 years old and nothing untoward has happened between the parties thereafter," the court said.

"Since disputes between the parties have been amicably resolved by way of the compromise, decision on the pending appeals against conviction on merits will hamper their peaceful co-existence even after resolution of disputes," the court observed.

The petitioners and the complainant reached a compromise on February 4.

A March 25 report of the Tarn Taran Chief Judicial Magistrate stated that the compromise arrived at between the parties was without any pressure, coercion or undue influence.

It also said there is no criminal case pending against the petitioners, nor have they been declared proclaimed person.

The State counsel and the respondent's counsel accepted the compromise and submitted that they have no objection to quashing the judgment of conviction and order of sentence and the FIR.

Legal Basis for the Acquittal

The high court relied on the Supreme Court verdict in the 2012 case of Gian Singh vs State of Punjab and other cases, in which it was held that criminal cases having overwhelmingly civil character, particularly those arising out of commercial transactions or matrimonial relationships or family disputes, should be quashed when the parties have resolved their disputes among themselves in a bona fide manner by entering into a compromise.

The court also took note of the 2012 SC verdict in Shiji alias Pappu and others vs Radhika and another case wherein criminal proceedings for offences under Sections 354 and 394 IPC were quashed since the parties had entered into a compromise and there were no chances of conviction.

Also, even if criminal proceedings have resulted in conviction in cases of non-compoundable offences and thereafter a compromise has been affected between the parties, the judgment of conviction can be set aside by the court in exercise of its inherent powers to secure the ends of justice, according to the 2022 SC judgement in Ramgopal and another vs State of Madhya Pradesh.

"A perusal of the allegations in the FIR as well as the aforesaid report establishes that the present case is of predominantly private nature and falls in the category of cases that can be quashed by the high court in exercise of its inherent jurisdiction under Section 482 CrPC, as per law laid down in the aforementioned judgments," the HC order stated.
TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee sharply criticised the BJP's development record in Balurghat, West Bengal, accusing them of failing to deliver on promises despite having a 'double-engine' government in place.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Abhishek Banerjee criticised the BJP's 'double-engine government' in Balurghat, claiming it brought no additional development.

Banerjee challenged the BJP to present a report card of their work in Balurghat, comparing it to TMC government schemes.

He highlighted the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme, contrasting its universal coverage in West Bengal with BJP-ruled states.

Banerjee asserted the TMC's commitment to development in West Bengal, citing the Yuva Sathi scheme's quick implementation.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday attacked the BJP over the performance of its "double-engine government" in Balurghat, claiming that despite having both an MP and an MLA from the saffron party, the constituency received no additional benefit from the Centre.

Campaigning in support of TMC candidate Arpita Ghosh in Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur district, Banerjee said the constituency was the "biggest victim" of the BJP's oft-repeated promise of a double-engine government.

"No one has tasted the so-called double-engine government more than the people of Balurghat. For more than five years, the constituency has had a BJP MP and a BJP MLA. Yet they have not brought even 10 paise of additional funds or development," he said.

Without naming Union minister and former BJP state president Sukanta Majumdar, the MP of Balurghat, Banerjee said the opposition party should present a "report card" of what it had done for the constituency.

"Look at how many roads have been built under the state's Pathashree scheme, and ask them to bring their report card. Even after being in office for seven years, the BJP MP has done nothing," he alleged.

Banerjee asserted that the TMC needed to win Balurghat to ensure that the "wave of development" in West Bengal was not obstructed.

He also challenged the Narendra Modi government to compare its work in Balurghat with that of the TMC government in the state.

"Just as the people of Tapan have benefited from Yuva Sathi, the people of Balurghat have also benefited," he said.

Tapan is the adjacent assembly constituency.

Clash Over Welfare Schemes

Banerjee also targeted Majumdar over his remarks on increasing the amount in the 'Lakshmir Bhandar', a financial assistance scheme for women, if the BJP is voted to power.

"I challenge him to first implement such a scheme in any BJP-ruled state, where every woman in a family receives the benefit. If they can do that, I will stop campaigning for the TMC," he added.

Banerjee claimed that unlike BJP-ruled states, the Lakshmir Bhandar scheme in West Bengal covered all eligible women in a household.

He also referred to the state government's recently announced Yuva Sathi scheme and said the promised financial assistance had reached beneficiaries' bank accounts within 15 days of the announcement.

The BJP has repeatedly accused the TMC government of failing to deliver development despite being in power in the state for over a decade, while the ruling party has countered by alleging that the Centre has deprived Bengal of its dues.
Ahead of the Tamil Nadu Assembly polls, TVK chief Vijay's election affidavit reveals a substantial net worth of 603.20 crore, showcasing his assets, luxury cars, and extensive bank deposits.

IMAGE: Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) leader and actor Vijay files his nomination papers for the Tamil Nadu assembly elections from the Perambur constituency, Chennai, March 30, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points TVK chief Vijay declared total assets of 603.20 crore, including luxury vehicles and over 213 crore in bank deposits, in his election affidavit.

Vijay's movable assets are valued at 404.58 crore, while immovable assets, including land and properties in Chennai and Kodaikanal, total 198.62 crore.

His spouse, Sangeetha, declared assets worth 15.76 crore, comprising movable and immovable property.

Vijay reported a total income of 184.53 crore in his income tax returns for the financial year 2024-25 and has extended significant loans to family members and trusts.

Vijay disclosed no pending criminal cases and stated that he discontinued his BSc degree from Loyola College, Chennai, in 1992.

In his election affidavit for the Tamil Nadu assembly polls, TVK chief Vijay on Monday declared total assets worth 603.20 crore that included high-end cars like BMWs and a Toyota Lexus, as well as bank deposits exceeding 213 crore in various accounts.

In the affidavit submitted to the returning officer, the 52-year-old actor-politician disclosed movable assets valued at 404.58 crore. His immovable assets, which include agricultural land in Kodaikanal and commercial and residential properties across Chennai, are valued at 198.62 crore.

Specific liabilities listed as being under dispute include a sum of 1.50 crore for the assessment year 2015-16, which is currently pending before the Commissioner of Income Tax (Appeals) and the high court. Additionally, a dispute involving 14.13 lakh for the assessment year 2022-23 is pending before the CIT(A).

The candidate's spouse, Sangeetha, has declared separate assets totalling 15.76 crore, including movable property worth 15.51 crore and immovable property valued at 25 lakh.

Vijay's Assets in Detail

Vijay's personal movable assets include 2 lakh cash in hand and bank deposits exceeding 213 crore in various accounts. He also holds a high-end vehicular fleet, including a BMW 530, a Toyota Lexus, a Toyota Vellfire, and a BMW i7, with a combined value of several crores. His jewellery disclosures include 883 grams of gold and silver articles worth 15 lakh.

The actor-turned-politician declared zero liabilities and no pending dues to banks or financial institutions. For the financial year 2024-25, he reported a total income of 184.53 crore in his income tax returns.

Loans and Advances

However, Vijay has extended significant personal loans and advances to various individuals and family members.

According to the affidavit, he has provided 3 crore to TVK General Secretary N Anand and significant sums to his parents, with 3.02 crore advanced to his father, S A Chandrasekar, and 8.71 lakh to his mother, Shoba Sekar.

Other major advances include 20 crore each to A L P Antonious Britto and the Kokilambal Educational Trust, and 5.84 crore to the Vidya Charitable Trust.

Vijay has also listed that he has lent his wife Sangeetha 12.60 crore, his son Jason Sanjay 8.78 lakh and daughter Divya Sasha 4.60 lakh.

His primary sources of income are listed as self-employment, interest, and rental income from properties.

Legal and Educational Background

Regarding his legal record, Vijay stated in the affidavit that there are no pending criminal cases against him, nor has he been convicted of any offence.

On the educational front, the TVK chief disclosed that he discontinued his BSc degree from Loyola College, Chennai, in 1992. He completed his Class 10 and 12 through private study in 1989 and 1991, respectively.

Vijay is making his electoral debut by contesting from two assembly constituencies -- Perambur and Tiruchi East -- in the upcoming elections.

Legislative assembly elections are scheduled to be held in Tamil Nadu on April 23 and the results will be declared on May 4. Vijay's newly formed TVK is making its electoral debut in the 2026 polls.
Amidst rising tensions in West Asia, Italy has refused the United States access to the Sigonella military base, signalling a cautious approach to international conflicts and prioritising national sovereignty.

IMAGE: US Navy's F/A-18 Super Hornets aboard USS Abraham Lincoln prepare for a nighttime combat mission during Operation Epic Fury, March 25, 2026. Photograph: @CENTCOM/X

Key Points Italy denied the US military use of the Sigonella base for flights to West Asia due to a lack of consultation and concerns over flight purposes.

The Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has expressed a desire to avoid escalation and remain neutral in regional conflicts.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto acknowledged the 'powerlessness' of European allies in preventing attacks on Iran.

Spain has also closed its airspace and military bases to US planes involved in potential attacks related to the conflict.

The Italian government will seek parliamentary authorisation for any future requests regarding the use of Italian military facilities by foreign powers.

Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday (local time) denied the United States the use of Sigonella base.

The denial came after Italy came to know of the flight plan of some US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica.

However, according to the Italian newspaper, no one had requested any authorisation or consulted Italian military leaders regarding the use. The newspaper reported that the plan had in fact been communicated while the planes were already in flight.

According to La Repubblica, the checks revealed that these were not normal or logistical flights and therefore were not covered by the treaty with Italy.

Italy PM Says 'We're Not At War'

Meanwhile, in early March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview with RTL radio that, "We're not at war. We don't want to go to war."

According to Politico, Crosetto (Italian Defence Minister) himself conceded the "powerlessness" of America's European allies in a parliamentary debate.

He admitted the attack on Iran had "certainly occurred outside the rules of international law" but added no government, European or otherwise, could have prevented the strikes.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government has said it would seek parliamentary authorisation should any such requests be made.

Spain Shuts Airspace To US Planes

Earlier, Spain has closed its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran.

"We will not authorise the use of Moron and Rota (military bases) for any acts related to the war in Iran," Italy's Defence Minister Margarita Robles has said, adding that Spain had "made this clear to the American government from the beginning".

Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares stated that the aim of the decision was to "not do anything that could encourage an escalation in this war".
India is set to revolutionise its policing system by integrating artificial intelligence into the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems (CCTNS) 2.0, enhancing crime tracking, criminal profiling, and predictive policing capabilities nationwide.

Key Points India's CCTNS 2.0 will integrate AI for enhanced crime tracking and criminal profiling across 17,000 police stations.

AI tools will enable entity resolution, linking cases to common suspects and creating comprehensive criminal profiles.

Predictive policing features will use AI to identify potential crime hotspots and optimise beat planning.

AI-powered facial recognition and automatic number plate recognition will aid in identifying wanted criminals and managing traffic.

The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) is using AI to detect online crimes and prevent fraudulent financial transactions.

Artificial intelligence tools will be integrated in the under-development second version of the Crime and Criminal Tracking Network & Systems which connects 17,000 police stations across India to a centralised online platform, the home ministry has told a parliamentary panel.

This statement of the ministry was part of the report of Standing Committee on Communications and Information Technology (2024-25), chaired by Lok Sabha member Nishikant Dubey, on the impact of emergence of artificial intelligence and related issues tabled Monday.

AI-Powered Criminal Profiling and Prediction

The National Crime Records Bureau has envisaged many usages of AI for under development CCTNS 2.0 including entity resolution and criminal profiling where system can "resolve" different cases to a common suspect and complete an overall criminal profile of a person based on FIR data present across various police stations within and across states, the ministry told the panel.

Another tool that is being contemplated is the integration of automatic prediction tool which can identify acts and section from FIR content using custom trained AI-LLM model, it said in its submission.

The AI will also help in predicting where crimes might happen and provide beat planning.

"Using Risk Terrain Modeling (RTM), combining crime history, social or cultural events and other local factors (e.g., drug hotspots)," it said.

The tool will also help identifying repeat offenders (history-sheeters) using AI techniques, ingesting offender lists and predicting risk scores for entities, it said.

Enhanced Surveillance and Cybercrime Detection

The artificial intelligence can also be used in automatic number plate recognition, AI-powered facial recognition technology with CCTV surveillance for identifying wanted criminals as well as for efficient traffic management, it said.

"AI is also helping security agencies in enhancing their capabilities for intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism efforts by rapidly analyzing vast datasets, detecting anomalies, predicting patterns, cross linkages etc., thereby improving decision-making, speed and accuracy in such areas of operations," it said.

The ministry also cited increasing use of AI in detection of online crimes through its anti-cyber crime unit Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C).

The agency, in collaboration with IIT Bombay, is exploring the use of AI to assign suspect scores to mule accounts by analysing behavioural and transactional patterns to help identify confirmed mule accounts.

"I4C is also engaging with the Reserve Bank Innovation Hub (RBIH) to develop a model that provides real-time suspect scoring for financial transactions, enabling banks to flag and potentially stop fraudulent transactions proactively, thus offering a robust layer of defence against financial cybercrime," the ministry said.
A B R Ambedkar statue was vandalised in Punjab, India, prompting investigations and condemnation as a pro-Khalistan leader claims responsibility, raising concerns about social harmony and political motives.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A statue of B R Ambedkar in Punjab was vandalised, sparking outrage and protests.

Pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun has purportedly claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Political leaders from BSP and BJP have condemned the act and demanded immediate action.

The incident is being investigated, with police examining CCTV footage and the authenticity of the video claim.

Concerns are raised about a potential political conspiracy to disrupt social harmony and marginalise the Dalit community.

A statue of B R Ambedkar, installed atop a building in Noorpur Jattan village here, was vandalised on Tuesday by some unidentified persons, police said.

A rod-like object was used to damage the statue, which was encased in toughened glass, they said.

Later in the day, a video surfaced on social media in which pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) purportedly claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Officials said they are examining the video for veracity.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Garhshankar, Daljit Singh Khakh, said a case has been registered against unknown people.

Police said no CCTVs were installed there, but their teams are examining camera footage from nearby areas.

This is not the first such incident.

In June last year, the same statue was vandalised, following which an FIR was registered.

Political Reactions and Protests

Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers, led by its Punjab unit chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri, visited the spot and protested.

Karimpuri condemned the act and demanded that the accused be arrested within 72 hours.

He also announced a party rally in the village on April 18, demanding protection for the Dalit icon's statues.

Karimpuri attacked both the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led central government, alleging that they failed to protect Ambedkar's statue.

He said this is the ninth incident of statue vandalism in the region.

Karimpuri asserted that the acts are part of a larger political conspiracy to disturb social harmony and marginalise the Dalit community.

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar also condemned the incident and demanded immediate action from the state government.

Jakhar also appealed to the people of Punjab to remain vigilant against divisive forces and said certain forces operating from abroad are attempting to disturb peace in the state and are even targeting police stations.

He, however, expressed regret that the AAP-ruled state government "failed" to take effective action and said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should focus on improving law and order in Punjab instead of trying to "please" his Delhi-based leadership.

Former Union minister Som Parkash too flayed the incident and said it has deeply hurt the sentiments of the public in general and Dalits in particular.
Tensions rise in Punjab after a statue of B R Ambedkar is vandalised, prompting investigations, protests, and claims of responsibility by a pro-Khalistan leader, raising concerns about social harmony and political motives.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A statue of B R Ambedkar in Noorpur Jattan village, Punjab, was vandalised, sparking outrage.

Pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun purportedly claimed responsibility for the Ambedkar statue vandalism.

Police are investigating the incident and examining CCTV footage from nearby areas.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers protested the vandalism and demanded the arrest of the accused.

BSP leader Avtar Singh Karimpuri alleged a political conspiracy to disturb social harmony and marginalise the Dalit community.

A statue of B R Ambedkar, installed atop a building in Noorpur Jattan village here, was vandalised on Tuesday by some unidentified persons, police said.

A rod-like object was used to damage the statue, which was encased in toughened glass, they said.

Later in the day, a video surfaced on social media in which pro-Khalistan leader Gurpatwant Singh Pannun of the banned outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) purportedly claimed responsibility for the vandalism.

Officials said they are examining the video for veracity.

Deputy Superintendent of Police, Garhshankar, Daljit Singh Khakh, said a case was registered against unknown people.

Police said no CCTV cameras were installed there, but their teams are examining CCTV footage from nearby areas.

This is not the first such incident.

In June last year, the same statue was vandalised, following which an FIR was registered.

Political Response and Protests

Meanwhile, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) workers, led by its Punjab unit chief Avtar Singh Karimpuri, visited the spot and protested.

Karimpuri condemned the act and demanded that the accused be arrested within 72 hours.

He also announced a party rally in the village on April 18, demanding protection for the Dalit icon's statues.

Karimpuri attacked both the AAP-led Punjab government and the BJP-led central government, alleging that they failed to protect Ambedkar's statue.

He said this is the ninth incident of statue vandalism in the region.

Karimpuri asserted that the acts are part of a larger political conspiracy to disturb social harmony and marginalise the Dalit community.
Bengaluru police have arrested 11 individuals and seized 5.14 crore worth of drugs, including MDMA and ganja, in a major crackdown on narcotics trafficking across the city.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Bengaluru police seized approximately 5.14 crore worth of drugs, including MDMA, ganja, hydro ganja, and heroin, in a series of raids.

Eleven individuals, including two foreign nationals, were arrested for allegedly selling drugs in multiple Bengaluru jurisdictions.

The accused confessed to procuring drugs from foreign nationals, other states, and local suppliers, selling them to the public, including college students.

Police are actively tracing unidentified suppliers and continuing investigations into the drug network.

The arrested individuals have been remanded to judicial custody as investigations continue.

Police on Tuesday said they had seized drugs worth approximately Rs 5.14 crore across five police station limits in the city and arrested 11 persons, among them two foreign nationals.

Police said that, on various dates, officers received specific inputs from informants that banned substances such as MDMA, ganja, hydro ganja and heroin were being sold in the jurisdictions of Yelahanka New Town, Adugodi, Bharathinagar, Jalahalli and Pulikeshinagar police stations.

Based on the information, cases were registered under the NDPS Act at the respective police stations, and searches were conducted at locations identified by the informants.

During the questioning, the accused allegedly confessed that they procured drugs from unidentified foreign nationals, as well as from sources in other states and local suppliers at low prices, and sold them to the public, including college students, for profit, police said in a release.

Details of the Drug Seizure

Police seized 2 kg and 7 grams of MDMA, 31 kg and 396 grams of ganja, 220 grams of hydro ganja and 162 grams of heroin. A two-wheeler used in the crime was also seized.

In one of the cases, one accused is absconding, police said.

They added that efforts are underway to trace the unidentified suppliers and that further investigation is in progress.

The 11 accused have been produced in the court on different dates and remanded to judicial custody.

Ongoing Investigation

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said a foreign national was arrested in connection with the seizure of 2 kg and 7 grams of MDMA in the Yelahanka New Town police station limits, valued at around Rs 4 crore in the open market.

"We have gathered certain inputs during his interrogation, based on which details of consumers and suppliers are being traced," he added.
Bengaluru police have cracked down on a counterfeit watch operation, seizing 25 lakh worth of fake goods and arresting five individuals involved in selling them as genuine articles.

Key Points Bengaluru police seized counterfeit watches and spare parts worth 25 lakh.

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) conducted the operation.

Five individuals were arrested for selling fake watches as genuine.

Raids were conducted at five shops in Chickpet, Sultanpalya, Ganganagar, and Dinnur Main Road.

Police are investigating the source of the counterfeit watches and plan to arrest those involved in manufacturing.

Police in Bengaluru have seized counterfeit watches and spare parts of leading brands worth around 25 lakh that were being sold as genuine.

The operation was carried out by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Central Crime Branch (CCB), during which five persons were arrested.

"Five shops were raided where fake watches and spare parts of prominent brands were being sold as genuine. A total of 670 watches and spare parts of 414 watches were seized. The value is about 25 lakh," police said in a release.

The action followed a complaint filed by an authorised representative of one of the brands with the CCB's Economic Offences Wing.

According to the complaint, counterfeit watches and spare parts of reputed companies were being sold as genuine in five shops located in Chickpet, Sultanpalya Main Road, Ganganagar and Dinnur Main Road in the city.

Police said raids were conducted on March 18 and 20, during which the watches and spare parts were seized.

Ongoing Investigation into Counterfeit Watch Manufacturing

Bengaluru Police Commissioner B Dayananda said efforts are underway to trace the source of manufacture of the counterfeit products.

"Those involved in manufacturing will also be identified, raided and arrested," he added.
Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha is defending his request for LPG cylinders for Jain temples, asserting that the backlash is rooted in a broader trend of criticising Hindu festivals and religious events.

IMAGE: People stand in a queue with their empty LPG cylinders outside a gas agency amid supply disruptions following the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Mumbai. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com

Key Points Maharashtra Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha defends his request for LPG cylinders for Jain temples during the Chaitra month.

Lodha claims criticism of his request is part of a broader trend of criticising Hindu festivals and religious events.

The minister insists special arrangements are necessary for major religious events in his constituency, including Ram Navami and Jain programmes.

MNS objects to Lodha's letter, citing inconvenience to common citizens due to disruptions in gas supply and alleging favouritism.

Maharashtra cabinet minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha on Monday said criticising Hindu festivals and religious events has become a "fashion", asserting the backlash against his request for LPG cylinders for Jain temples was part of a larger narrative rooted in this thinking.

A controversy erupted after Lodha wrote to the state government seeking supply of five LPG cylinders each to 16 Jain temples in Malabar Hill for a community festival, drawing sharp criticism from Opposition parties over alleged favouritism towards a particular religion.

The BJP minister, who is the MLA from Malabar Hill in south Mumbai, made the request for cooking gas cylinders as part of arrangements for religious observance "Oli Ayambil" during the month of Chaitra. He made the request in a letter addressed to his cabinet colleague Chhagan Bhujbal, who heads the civil supplies department.

Minister's Defence and Rationale

On Monday, Lodha defended his letter to Bhujbal and hit out at detractors.

In a video message posted on X, the Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation said, "It has become a fashion to criticise Hindu festivals and religious programmes. The criticism against me is also part of the same narrative."

He noted that special arrangements were necessary during major religious events in his constituency.

"Ram Navami, Sai bhandara (community kitchen offering free meals) and Jain religious programmes are important events in my constituency. When there was no gas stock available, it was necessary to make special efforts," the BJP politician insisted.

He added that representatives from different communities had approached him for assistance.

"People organising Sai bhandara and members of the Jain community came to me. Should I not make efforts to ensure they get gas cylinders? If I try to help them, what is wrong in that?" Lodha asked.

The minister asserted he would continue to fulfil his responsibilities as a legislator.

"There is Hanuman Jayanti on April 2 and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's birth anniversary on April 14. These are significant occasions and I will have to make efforts. It is my responsibility as an MLA, and I will not shy away from it," he insisted.

Maintaining that there was no shortage of LPG in the state, Lodha said the government was functioning efficiently and that additional efforts (for cooking gas cylinders) were required only during special religious programmes.

"If anyone feels otherwise or wants to create a controversy, they are free to do so, but I will not evade my responsibility," he affirmed.

Opposition and Concerns

Meanwhile, the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena objected to Lodha's letter and wrote to gas supply agencies highlighting inconvenience faced by common citizens in light of disruption in oil and gas supply from the Gulf countries in backdrop of the ongoing war in West Asia.

The Raj Thackeray-led party alleged that pressure was being exerted in favour of a particular community and warned of strict action if any black marketing of gas cylinders was detected.
An ex-assistant professor has been arrested for allegedly orchestrating over 1,100 hoax bomb threats, driven by deep-seated resentment towards the legal system following a family land dispute.

Key Points Srinivas Louis, a former assistant professor, was arrested for allegedly sending over 1,100 hoax bomb threats to schools, courts, and government offices.

Louis reportedly concealed his IP address using multiple methods, making it difficult for authorities to trace the origin of the threatening emails.

The investigation revealed that Louis harboured resentment towards the judicial system due to a family land dispute.

Louis sent threatening emails in both English and Kannada, targeting institutions across various states in India and even some cities in Pakistan.

Authorities are working to link multiple FIRs registered in different states to Louis and are conducting forensic analysis of his electronic devices.

An ex-assistant professor now behind bars for allegedly making over 1,100 hoax bomb threats was reportedly furious with the legal justice system.

Srinivas Louis, 47, is presumed to be tech-savvy and employed multiple methods to conceal his IP address, making it difficult for agencies to trace the origin of the threatening e-mails, a senior police officer said.

Louis was apprehended on Saturday from his rented accommodation in Karnataka's Mysuru, after a series of coordinated investigations into bomb threat e-mails sent to schools, courts and government offices.

The accused used to frequently change his name and residential address to evade police detection, the probe revealed.

Multiple states are now contacting the Delhi Police for his transit remand to interrogate Louis, the officer said.

A police source said that the accused would send threatening e-mails in quick succession, often targeting multiple institutions in a single day, and then shift his residence and assume a different identity to avoid being tracked or detained.

"The investigation revealed that he primarily used mobile devices to send e-mails in English and Kannada, targeting institutions such as high courts, police establishments and educational institutions across various states," the source said.

He said Louis is a postgraduate and has qualified for the National Eligibility Test (NET). He had previously worked as an assistant professor but was currently unemployed and living with his mother, a retired government employee in Mysuru.

Motive Behind the Bomb Threats

During sustained interrogation, the accused disclosed that he harboured resentment towards the judicial system due to a family land dispute in which his father allegedly did not receive a share.

"This dissatisfaction with court proceedings is suspected to have driven him to repeatedly target judicial institutions with hoax threats," the source added.

Police said he not only sent e-mails within India but also targeted some cities in Pakistan, indicating the wide geographical spread of his activities.

Authorities are now working to link multiple FIRs registered in different states in connection with the threatening messages to the accused.

The accused is currently in police custody, and his mobile phone and other electronic devices have been sent for forensic examination, police said, adding that he will be taken to Mysuru to recover additional digital evidence and devices allegedly used in the commission of the offences.

"Further disclosures are expected following the forensic analysis, which may shed more light on the full extent of his activities and the techniques used to mask his digital footprint.
A British broadcast engineer working on the IPL 2026 matches was found dead in a Mumbai hotel, prompting a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death.

Photograph: BCCI

Key Points Jan William Langford, a 76-year-old British broadcast engineer working for the BCCI, was found unconscious in his Mumbai hotel room.

Langford was in Mumbai for a work assignment related to the IPL 2026 matches.

He was declared dead on arrival at Bombay Hospital.

Police have registered a case of unnatural death and are conducting further investigations into the circumstances surrounding his death.

A postmortem examination found nothing suspicious.

A 76-year-old British broadcast engineer, working with the BCCI for the IPL 2026 matches, died after he was found unconscious in his room at a hotel in south Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.

Jan William Langford was found unconscious in his room on Monday morning, following which he was rushed to Bombay Hospital by the hotel management. He was declared dead on arrival, an official said.

Langford was on a work assignment as a broadcast engineer for BCCI/IPL matches, he said.

Investigation into Engineer's Death

Nothing suspicious was found in his postmortem examination, said a Marine Drive police station official.

A case of unnatural death has been registered, and further enquiries are underway, the official added.
A prominent social media influencer in Thane has been arrested after police discovered a hidden stockpile of illegal weapons at his home, raising serious questions about his intentions and potential criminal activities.

IMAGE: Illustration: Uttam Ghosh/Rediff.com

Key Points Surendra Panduranga Patil, a social media influencer with over 300,000 Instagram followers, was arrested in Thane for illegal weapons possession.

Police discovered a hidden cache of weapons, including pistols, revolvers, air guns, and hundreds of cartridges, at Patil's residence.

The seized weapons, some marked 'Made in USA,' and ammunition are estimated to be worth 1 million.

Authorities are investigating whether Patil intended to create a 'mini-army' or supply weapons to local criminals, despite his claim that they were props for social media videos.

Patil, already a history-sheeter, faces new charges under the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.

A 55-year-old builder and social media influencer has been arrested for alleged possession of a cache of weapons in Maharashtra's Thane district, police said on Tuesday.

The accused, Surendra Panduranga Patil, who has more than three lakh followers on Instagram, was arrested on Saturday night, just a week after being released on bail in a separate case, an official said.

Weapons Cache Discovered

"Acting on a tip-off, our team searched Patil's bungalow in the Dawdi area of Dombivli late on Saturday night. We recovered a cache of weapons hidden behind a fake panel of a newly installed shoe rack that did not match the house's interior," the official from the Crime Branch said.

Five country-made pistols and revolvers, some engraved with 'Made in USA,' and two air guns, were seized, along with 371 cartridges, 167 air gun pellets, a sword, a button knife, a sharp-edged weapon, and two steel rods, he said, adding that the seized items were worth Rs 10 lakh.

Investigation Underway

"The quantity of ammunition suggests the stockpile was fully operational. While Patil claims the weapons were mere 'props' for his gangster-themed social media videos, we are investigating if he was preparing a 'mini-army' or supplying arms to local criminals," the official said.

Patil, a history-sheeter, now faces fresh charges under the Arms Act and the Maharashtra Police Act.
With armed Naxalism reportedly eliminated, Chhattisgarh is now prioritising the development of Bastar by focusing on tribal culture, economic opportunities for youth, and empowering women through self-help groups.

Photograph: / Rediff.com

Key Points Chhattisgarh government claims armed Naxalism is 'completely eliminated' in the state.

The government is now focusing on Bastar's development by preserving tribal culture and creating economic opportunities for youth.

Bastar's economy will be strengthened through minor forest produce and women-led self-help groups.

The government denies rumours of increased mining activities in Bastar.

The Deputy CM believes that the youth of Bastar have the potential to win medals in the Olympics.

With armed Naxalism "completely eliminated" in Chhattisgarh by the March 31 deadline, the state government is now firmly focused on Bastar's development by preserving tribal culture and creating economic opportunities for youth, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said.

The region's economy would be strengthened through minor forest produce and women-led self-help groups, Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio, said in an interview with PTI on Monday evening.

Armed Naxals in the state have been "completely eliminated", with a handful of remaining cadres expected to surrender soon, he stated.

Bastar's Development Challenges and Roadmap

Sharma said development remains the biggest challenge in Bastar, once considered a Naxal stronghold, with a focus on protecting the environment, preserving tribal culture, and creating economic opportunities for youth.

Asked about Bastar's development roadmap, he said there is no fixed blueprint yet, but conceptually, the focus is clear.

"Development is a continuous process, whether in Bastar or Surguja. There is no direct link between lack of development and taking up arms," the deputy CM said.

Queried about promises for Bastar, especially in comparison to the state's tribal-dominated Surguja region, which got rid of the Naxal menace over a decade ago but still faces development challenges, he said there is no place in the world where development is ever complete.

"Tell me any place, in London or the United States, where there is no scope for further development. Development is a continuous process...it will keep happening, whether in Bastar or Surguja," he stated.

Sharma also stressed that the lack of development and insurgency should not be linked.

"We need to understand that development takes time. The absence of development does not mean people will take up arms again. Development and picking up guns are two entirely different things. Socio-economic problems do not inspire people to take up arms...there is no correlation between the two," he said.

Vision for Bastar's Future

Sharma said sustained efforts would be required to transform Bastar.

"We will have to work very hard and do a lot more for Bastar's development," he maintained.

"I firmly believe that the youth of Bastar possess such immense talent that it would come as no surprise if someone from Bastar were to bring home a medal in the 2036 Olympic Games," he said.

Furthermore, the women of Bastar, "our mothers and sisters", are destined to become the true pillars of the region's economy in the future, Sharma highlighted.

"I have absolute confidence that, through the medium of self-help groups, these women will successfully establish major enterprises in the region. As we continue our efforts, Bastar will be seen racing ahead on the path of development, and its youth will be seen making their mark on the global stage," he said.

In the future, Bastar's economy will be built upon the foundation of its minor forest produce, and this process is already underway, the deputy CM noted.

As Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated in the legislative assembly, there is absolutely no substance to the rumours and misconceptions currently being circulated about increasing mining activities and similar issues in Bastar, Sharma asserted.

The CM clarified that no such agenda exists and the government harbours no such plans, he added.
China and Pakistan have unveiled a comprehensive five-point peace proposal aimed at resolving the escalating conflict in West Asia, with a strong emphasis on ensuring safe passage through the crucial Strait of Hormuz.

IMAGE: A boy sits next to fire inside a tent, at a temporary encampment for displaced people, amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, as the U.S.-Israel conflict with Iran continues, in Beirut, Lebanon, March 30, 2026. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Key Points The proposal calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the initiation of peace talks.

Ensuring the safety of non-military targets and navigation in the Strait of Hormuz is a key priority.

China and Pakistan emphasise the importance of upholding the UN Charter in resolving the conflict.

China acknowledges its ships have passed through the Strait of Hormuz, highlighting the importance of safe passage for commercial vessels.

China and Pakistan on Tuesday put forward a five-point peace proposal to end the West Asia war, including a call for safe passage of ships through the Strait of Hormuz.

The peace proposal was put forward after Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi held talks on the Iran situation with visiting Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar.

Dar arrived here to brief Wang about his recent talks with the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Egypt and Saudi Arabia to promote talks between the US and Iran to end the ongoing conflict.

After Dar-Wang talks, the two countries put forward five proposals on restoring peace and stability in the Gulf region and West Asia, as well as safe passage through the Strait.

The proposals included the immediate cessation of hostilities, initiation of peace talks as soon as possible, ensuring the safety of non-military targets and safety of navigation, and safeguarding the primacy of the UN Charter.

The Strait of Hormuz, together with its adjacent waters, is an important global shipping route for goods and energy, a joint statement issued after their talks said.

"China and Pakistan call on the parties to protect the security of ships and crew members stranded in the Strait of Hormuz, allow the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships, and restore normal passage through the Strait as soon as possible," Pakistani media reported, quoting the joint statement.

China's shipping interests

Earlier, China said three of its ships carrying oil supplies had passed through the Strait of Hormuz and thanked relevant parties for facilitation and coordination.

After coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese ships recently transited the Strait of Hormuz. We express appreciation for the assistance of relevant parties, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told a media briefing here, without naming Iran, which is currently controlling the movement of oil shipments from the Gulf crossing the Strait.

Iran is demanding international recognition of its sovereignty over the Strait of Hormuz.

The Strait of Hormuz and waters nearby are an important route for international goods and energy trade. China calls for an immediate end to hostilities to restore peace and stability in the Gulf, Mao said.

This is the first time China, a large importer of Iranian oil for years despite US sanctions, spoke of its ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz amid reports that Iran is permitting Chinese ships to cross the Strait given the close strategic ties.

Ever since the US and Israel attacked Iran, China has been calling on all countries to immediately stop military operations.

Beijing has also been calling for keeping the Strait of Hormuz open, as its closure resulted in widespread disruption of fuel supplies.

While condemning the attacks on Iran, China is also preparing for US President Donald Trump's visit scheduled for May 14-15, during which expectations are high to finalise a trade deal between the two countries.
West Bengal's Bhabanipur is bracing for a pivotal political showdown in the 2026 assembly elections as Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari prepare for a symbolic battle that could define the state's political landscape.

IMAGE: Union Minister of Education Dharmendra Pradhan after filing the nominations of BJP senior leader and Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, the candidate from Nandigram, at Haldia, West Bengal, March 30, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Bhabanipur is poised to be a key battleground in the 2026 West Bengal assembly elections between Mamata Banerjee and Suvendu Adhikari.

Suvendu Adhikari, accompanied by Amit Shah, will file his nomination, aiming to challenge Mamata Banerjee in her stronghold.

Mamata Banerjee will lead a procession to file her nomination, showcasing TMC's strength and connection to Bhabanipur.

The BJP aims to breach South Kolkata and challenge Banerjee's dominance, while the TMC seeks to reaffirm its support in Bhabanipur.

Changes to the voter list in Bhabanipur, including deletions and scrutinised names, could impact the election outcome.

In West Bengal's election season, Bhabanipur is preparing for two processions, two rival political theatres and perhaps the most symbolic duel of the 2026 assembly polls.

On April 2, Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari is expected to file his nomination papers from the south Kolkata constituency, accompanied by Union Home Minister Amit Shah and an array of senior Bharatiya Janata Party leaders in what the party hopes will be a show of strength.

Six days later, on April 8, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is likely to set out from her Kalighat residence and walk in a procession to the Gopalnagar Survey Building to submit her documents, surrounded by the Trinamool Congress leadership that has stood by her through three decades of political battles.

The two marches, separated by less than a week, are set to frame Bhabanipur not merely as another assembly constituency but as the state's principal political battlefield, where West Bengal's two most formidable rivals will once again face one another.

For Banerjee, Bhabanipur is more than a constituency; it is political home turf. It was from here that she returned to the assembly in 2011 after becoming the chief minister, and it was here again that she staged her comeback through a by-election in 2021 after losing the high-voltage Nandigram contest to Adhikari.

This time, however, the battle has followed her home. The BJP has fielded Adhikari against Banerjee in Bhabanipur, turning the constituency into a sequel to the bitter 2021 Nandigram contest.

In Nandigram, Banerjee had gone to Adhikari's backyard and lost. In 2026, it is Adhikari who is entering her bastion.

According to TMC sources, Banerjee's April 8 procession is likely to begin from her residence in Kalighat and proceed to the nomination centre at the Gopalnagar Survey Building.

The march may include state party president Subrata Bakshi, Kolkata Mayor and Urban Development Minister Firhad Hakim, South Kolkata district president Debasish Kumar and nearly all TMC councillors from Bhabanipur and adjoining wards.

The message the party wants to send is unmistakable: that despite anti-incumbency, erosion in urban support and the BJP's aggressive campaign, Bhabanipur remains emotionally and organisationally tethered to Banerjee.

The BJP, however, is preparing an equally symbolic counter-narrative.

Adhikari's nomination on April 2 is expected to be preceded by a roadshow with Shah at its centre, giving the contest national visibility and underlining the BJP's attempt to project Bhabanipur as the seat where Banerjee can be defeated in her own backyard.

Party leaders said Shah's presence is meant to energise workers and consolidate anti-TMC votes in south Kolkata, where the BJP has traditionally struggled to convert support into seats.

The optics are important because Bhabanipur is no ordinary constituency. With its mix of upper middle-class Bengali households, Hindi-speaking traders, minorities, Congress-supporting families and pockets of urban poor, the seat often reflects the social chemistry of Kolkata.

Electoral roll revisions and potential impact

The TMC has long relied on a coalition of women, minorities and local organisational networks in the seat. The BJP, however, believes the arithmetic has changed. That belief has been strengthened by the special intensive revision of the electoral rolls.

According to political estimates, nearly 47,000 names in Bhabanipur have been deleted from the voter list, while another 14,000 remain under adjudication.

The figure is significant because it is only around 11,000 less than the 58,000-vote margin by which Banerjee had won the Bhabanipur bypoll in 2021.

More significantly for the TMC, over 56 per cent of those whose names are under scrutiny are believed to be Muslims, even though the community accounts for around 24 per cent of the constituency's electorate.

The TMC has alleged that the revision exercise could disproportionately affect its support base, while the BJP has maintained that the process is aimed only at removing duplicate and ineligible voters.

The constituency has therefore become the X factor in West Bengal's electoral calculus.

For the TMC, Bhabanipur is not merely another seat on the electoral map; it is the political address from which Mamata Banerjee has ruled West Bengal for a decade and a half.

For the BJP, the constituency offers something larger than one assembly seat. It is the chance to demonstrate that the saffron party can finally breach south Kolkata, puncture Banerjee's aura of invincibility and turn the election into a direct contest centred around her.

That is why both parties are investing the nomination process itself with unusual political meaning. Banerjee's march from Kalighat is meant to project familiarity, emotion and ownership. Adhikari's procession with Shah is designed to convey momentum, aggression and the sense that the BJP is now knocking at the gates of the TMC citadel.

Between those two processions perhaps lies the most consequential battle of the 2026 West Bengal polls.
A police constable in Beed, Maharashtra, has been arrested by the Anti-Corruption Bureau after allegedly demanding a bribe from a citizen seeking assistance with a dispute, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat corruption.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A police constable in Beed, Maharashtra, has been detained for allegedly demanding a bribe.

The constable allegedly demanded Rs 5,000, later reduced to Rs 2,000, for assisting a complainant whose tractor was stopped by farmers.

The complainant reported the bribery attempt to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

The ACB verified the allegations and set a trap, leading to the constable's detention at his residence.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Tuesday detained a police constable for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 2,000 in Maharashtra's Beed district, an official said.

Giving details of the case, Deputy Superintendent of Police of ACB Sopan Chitampalle said the complainant's sugarcane-laden tractor was allegedly stopped by some farmers, who prevented it from leaving a field.

After this, the complainant approached the Sirsala police station and lodged a complaint. Police constable Datta Nighul helped in resolving the issue. But after providing assistance, he allegedly demanded Rs 5,000 on March 27, officials said.

The complainant agreed to give Rs 2,000 to him, but as he was unwilling to pay any bribe to him, he approached the ACB and lodged a complaint. After verifying the allegations, the ACB team laid a trap and detained the constable from his residence.
Delhi police are investigating a murder after a decomposed body was discovered in a Bawana field, with suspicion falling on the deceased's associates.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A highly decomposed body was found in a field in Bawana, Outer-North Delhi.

The deceased has been identified as Pradeep, who was listed as a 'bad character' by police.

Pradeep was last seen with three associates before his disappearance.

Police have registered a murder case and suspect the involvement of Pradeep's associates.

Multiple police teams are working to identify and apprehend the suspects in the Delhi murder case.

A highly decomposed body of a man was found in a field in Outer-North Delhi's Bawana area, police said.

The body was found in a field in Mungeshpur village.

"A police team, along with senior officers, rushed to the spot and found the body of a man in a highly decomposed condition, making identification initially difficult," an officer said.

The deceased was later identified as Pradeep, a local, by his brother Anil.

Police said Pradeep was listed as a "bad character" at the Bawana police Station.

Investigation Details

During the investigation, it was revealed that Pradeep had gone to a liquor shop on March 29 along with three of his associates. The group allegedly purchased alcohol and proceeded towards the Mungeshpur area, where they consumed liquor, police said.

Around 10 pm the same night, Pradeep called his wife and told her that he was near the Sohti-Kutubgarh Road and that his scooter had a puncture.

He told her that he would return shortly, but his phone went off soon after.

On Tuesday, his wife approached a police post in the area and lodged a missing person complaint.

The police found that the deceased was the same person reported missing.

Murder Investigation Underway

A murder case has been filed and police suspect the involvement of the associates who were last seen with Pradeep.

"Multiple teams have been formed to crack the case. Efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the suspects," the officer said.
Delhi Police have successfully apprehended a 24-year-old man, Prateek alias Badal, wanted in connection with a 2025 attempt-to-murder case in Delhi's Patel Nagar, recovering a firearm in the process.

Key Points Delhi Police arrested Prateek alias Badal, a 24-year-old suspect, in connection with a 2025 attempt-to-murder case in Patel Nagar.

The accused, Prateek, was a listed bad character and had been evading arrest.

Police recovered a country-made pistol and two live cartridges from Prateek upon his arrest.

The attempt-to-murder case involved a knife attack following a clash between two groups near Baljeet Nagar in October 2025.

Delhi Police has arrested a 24-year-old man wanted in an attempt-to-murder case in the Patel Nagar area of central Delhi, an officer said on Tuesday.

The accused, identified as Prateek alias Badal, is a listed bad character of the local police station and was on the run in connection with a 2025 attempt-to-murder case, he said.

After receiving specific inputs about his movement, the police arrested Prateek on Monday, recovering a country-made pistol and two live cartridges from him.

Details of the Attempt-to-Murder Case

"Prateek was wanted in a case where, on October 10, 2025, a man was attacked with a knife following a clash between two groups near Baljeet Nagar. Three juveniles in the case had already been apprehended earlier," the officer said.

Further investigation is underway, police added.
Two men have been convicted by a Delhi court for attempting to rob an Amazon delivery agent at gunpoint in 2018, highlighting the risks faced by delivery personnel and the importance of law enforcement.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Delhi court convicted two men for attempting to rob an Amazon delivery agent in Bhajanpura in 2018.

The accused were found guilty under IPC sections 393, 398, and 34, along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.

The Amazon delivery agent managed to escape and alert police, who apprehended the accused with weapons.

The court found the delivery agent's testimony consistent and credible, supporting the conviction.

A court here has convicted two men for attempting to rob an Amazon delivery agent at gunpoint in northeast Delhi's Bhajanpura area in 2018.

Additional Sessions Judge Balwinder Singh was hearing a case against Mohammad Arif alias Shanu and Sameer Khan, who were accused of attacking the delivery agent Dharam Singh on September 9, 2018.

In an order dated March 27, the court said, "The court comes to the conclusion that the prosecution has successfully proved it beyond all reasonable doubts that on the day of the incident, both the accused Arif alias Shanu and Sameer, while they were armed with deadly weapons, that is, a pistol and a knife respectively".

Both were accused under IPC sections 393 (attempt to commit robbery), 398 (attempt to commit robbery when armed with a deadly weapon), and 34 (common intention), along with relevant sections of the Arms Act.

According to the prosecution, the complainant, Dharam Singh, was on his way to deliver parcels in Yamuna Vihar on his motorcycle.

Both accused stopped him near the Bhagat Singh Park and allegedly threatened to kill him if he didn't hand over his belongings.

However, the complainant managed to push Arif away and ran while shouting for help. Two police officials, who were on patrolling duty in the area, heard the victim's cries and reached the spot.

Despite the accused attempting to threaten the police with their weapons, the cops managed to overpower and apprehend both men. A .32-bore country-made pistol with live cartridges and a knife were recovered from them.

The court noted that the complainant's testimony was "completely firm, consistent, and unimpeached".

"The complainant has remained categorical and consistent in his version regarding the occurrence of the incident. He has also correctly identified both the accused in the court, and there is no mistake on his part in identifying the recovered case properties," the judge said.

The court said that the police presence at the spot was duly documented through departure entries, and the forensic report (FSL) confirmed the recovered firearm was in working condition.

"The manner in which the accused persons had committed the incident in question, it also stands duly proved that both of them were also acting in furtherance of their common intention to commit such offences," the court said.

It then convicted both the accused under IPC sections 393, 398 and 34.
Delhi Police have successfully dismantled a major drug racket, arresting four individuals and seizing a substantial amount of cocaine and MDMA, disrupting a network that spanned international borders.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Delhi Police busted a drug racket, arresting four individuals, including two foreign nationals.

The seized drugs, including cocaine and MDMA, are valued at approximately Rs 1.1 crore.

The arrested individuals were part of an organised network that procured drugs from foreign sources.

The operation involved multiple raids and the use of surveillance and CCTV analysis.

The investigation revealed a network of suppliers and distributors operating in Delhi.

Police has busted a drug racket operating in Delhi and arrested four people, including two foreign nationals, with cocaine and MDMA valued around Rs 1.1 crore, an official said on Tuesday.

Police said they were part of an organised network that procured drugs from foreign sources and distributed them through local peddlers.

Mohammad Hasan and Razia, both residents of Delhi, and two African nationals -- Diouf Solomon alias Oskar, a resident of Senegal and Bemah, a native of Liberia, have been arrested.

According to the police, the arrests were made following an operation based on tip-off regarding the supply of psychotropic substances in the area.

"The operation began on March 25 when police received information that Hasan was involved in supplying MDMA and would be arriving near Chitra Vihar jhuggi in Preet Vihar. Following a tip-off, a trap was laid and Hasan (23) was apprehended while he was on a scooter," the officer said.

During his search, 7.58 grams of MDMA was recovered, following which a case was registered. During interrogation, Hasan disclosed that he sourced the drugs from a foreign national identified as Oskar (27), who supplied narcotics at various locations along the Outer Ring Road.

Acting on this lead, the police team conducted further surveillance and laid another trap on the intervening night of March 27 and 28 near Sriniwaspuri.

Oskar was apprehended while transporting drugs on a scooter bearing a fake number plate, which was later found to be stolen from Uttam Nagar area. A small quantity of MDMA was recovered from his possession.

However, he initially refused to cooperate with investigators and did not disclose details about his associates or place of stay. Subsequently, using surveillance and CCTV analysis, police traced his residence in East of Kailash. A raid conducted at the premises led to the arrest of his associate Bemah (30), police said.

Details of the Seizure

During the search, the police recovered 120.18 grams of cocaine and additional quantities of MDMA, along with weighing machines, packaging material, an electronic sealing machine, six mobile phones, two passports and cash.

Further Investigation and Arrests

"Further investigation revealed that Hasan used to supply the drugs to Razia, who would distribute them at higher prices in local markets. Based on this information, another raid was conducted at her residence in Mandawali, leading to her arrest and recovery of more MDMA and related materials," the officer said.
A 30-year-old man in Delhi was tragically stabbed to death by his brother-in-law after a family dispute escalated, leading to a police investigation and arrest.

Key Points A 30-year-old man in Delhi was fatally stabbed by his brother-in-law following a heated family dispute.

The incident occurred in the Nand Nagri area of northeast Delhi, prompting a police investigation.

Police arrested the 20-year-old accused, Ramesh, and recovered the weapon used in the stabbing.

The victim, Neeraj, died in hospital from his injuries, leading police to upgrade the case to murder.

The stabbing followed a verbal altercation that escalated into violence, highlighting the dangers of unresolved family conflicts.

A 30-year-old man was stabbed to death by his brother-in-law following a family dispute in northeast Delhi's Nand Nagri area, an official said on Tuesday.

The incident came to light on the night of March 29 when police received information from GTB Hospital regarding the admission of an injured person with stab wounds, the officer said.

A police team rushed to the hospital, where the victim, Neeraj, a resident of Tahirpur, informed police that his brother-in-law stabbed him. Based on the information, the police registered a case at Nand Nagri police station and took up an investigation, the officer said.

The preliminary inquiry revealed that Neeraj had been attacked by his brother-in-law following a verbal altercation stemming from a family dispute, he said.

Acting on inputs, a police team apprehended the accused, Ramesh, 20, also a resident of Tahirpur, and recovered the weapon at his instance, the officer said.

"During interrogation, the accused disclosed that he attacked Neeraj in a fit of rage after an argument between them turned violent," the officer said, adding that Neeraj succumbed to his injuries during the course of treatment at the hospital, following which the police converted the case into one of murder.

Police said further investigation is underway to establish the sequence of events and gather additional evidence in the case.
Two men suspected of a deadly stabbing spree in Delhi have been apprehended after separate shootouts with police, bringing an end to the violent incidents in the Dabri and Madhu Vihar areas.

Photograph: Andrew Boyers/Reuters

Key Points Two suspects, Rohit Kumar and Prem Sharma, were arrested in connection with a fatal stabbing and multiple knife attacks in Delhi's Dabri area.

The arrests followed separate gunfights with police, during which both suspects sustained leg injuries.

The stabbing incidents occurred in Madhu Vihar, resulting in one death and three critical injuries.

Police investigations have ruled out any communal link to the violence.

Both suspects have prior criminal records, and further investigation is underway.

Two men wanted for a fatal stabbing and a series of knife attacks in southwest Delhi's Dabri were arrested after separate gunfight with the police late Monday night, an officer said.

The accused, identified as Rohit Kumar and Prem Sharma, were wounded in the legs during encounters after they allegedly opened fire on police teams trying to nab them, the officer added.

According to the police, the arrests were made within a day of two stabbing incidents reported in Madhu Vihar on Sunday night. One mad died in the attacks while three others sustained critical injuries.

"In the first incident, 39-year-old Govind Jha was stabbed near Durga Mata Mandir and later succumbed to his injuries at a hospital. In a separate incident minutes later, three persons were stabbed by unidentified goons," the officer said.

The officer stated that investigation have ruled out any communal link to the violence.

Arrest Details and Police Action

Acting on specific inputs, a Special Staff team tracked Rohit Kumar near Dwarka Sector 17. When he allegedly fired at the police, the team retaliated in self-defence, injuring him. A pistol and cartridges were recovered from the spot.

In a separate operation, another team intercepted Prem Sharma near Najafgarh. He allegedly fired three rounds at the police, one of which struck a bulletproof vest of a head constable. Police returned fire, injuring and apprehending him.

The police said that both men have previous criminal records. Further investigation into the matter is underway, they added.
An LPG cylinder booking proved to be the downfall of a former Indian Army captain, leading to his arrest after four years on the run following his conviction in his wife's murder case.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Former Indian Army Captain Sandeep Tomar arrested after four years on the run for the murder of his wife, Shveta Singh.

Tomar's conviction and life imprisonment were upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2022 after initially being convicted in 2014.

An LPG cylinder booking linked to Tomar's PAN card provided the crucial lead for the Fazilka police to track and apprehend him in Madhya Pradesh.

Tomar had been evading arrest by continuously changing his location and identity since being granted bail in 2019 and failing to surrender after his sentence was upheld.

The arrest followed pressure from the high court, which demanded an affidavit from the Punjab Director General of Police regarding the steps taken to apprehend Tomar.

An LPG cylinder booking has helped police nab a former Captain of the Indian Army, who had been on the run for four years after his conviction was upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in his wife's murder case.

Sandeep Tomar was arrested from Pandhurna district in Madhya Pradesh and was produced before a court here, which sent him to judicial custody on Saturday, a police official said here on Tuesday.

Tomar was posted in Abohar in 2013 when he allegedly killed his wife, Shveta Singh.

He initially attempted to describe the incident as suicide, but a detailed investigation later revealed it to be a planned murder, police said.

The trial court convicted him and awarded him life imprisonment in 2014, a verdict that was later upheld by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in 2022.

Tomar was granted bail in 2019, but did not surrender after the high court upheld his sentence in 2022.

Since then, he had been continuously changing his location and identity to evade arrest, police said.

Tomar's father-in-law, Ram Naresh, moved the high court in 2024 demanding that he be arrested.

The high court later ordered that the Punjab Director General of Police should file an affidavit by April 8, explaining the steps taken to take Tomar into custody.

Investigation and Arrest

The Fazilka Senior Superintendent of Police then constituted a special investigation team (SIT), headed by an SP-rank officer to arrest Tomar.

The breakthrough came when the Fazilka police traced a bank account linked to Tomar's PAN card, which he had used to book an LPG cylinder.

Acting on this lead, police tracked his location to Madhya Pradesh, where he was finally apprehended, police said.

One of the officials from the investigation team said that Tomar's bank statement also revealed that he was getting LPG cylinder refill from an agency in Pandhura.

The gas agency was contacted and the delivery address was taken.

This information was shared with the Superintendent of Police, Pandhurna, and the convict was immediately nabbed by the local police, the police official said. He was subsequently brought back to Fazilka and was produced in the court and sent to judicial custody.
A former Income Tax officer in Thane has been sentenced to six months in jail for accepting a bribe in a case that has spanned nearly two decades, highlighting the CBI's commitment to fighting corruption.

Key Points Former Income Tax officer sentenced to six months' jail for accepting a Rs 20,000 bribe.

The bribery case dates back 19 years, involving the finalisation of a tax security assessment.

A CBI investigation led to the conviction of the former Income Tax officer, Deenanath Krishna Puthran.

Two other accused, a Chartered Accountant and a tax assistant, were acquitted due to lack of direct evidence.

The court found the officer guilty of abusing his position as a public servant by demanding and accepting illegal gratification.

A special CBI court in Thane has sentenced a former Income Tax officer to six months' rigorous imprisonment (RI) in a 19-year-old case of taking a bribe of Rs 20,000 from a person to finalise a tax security assessment.

Special Judge (CBI) D S Deshmukh also imposed a fine of Rs 4,000 on the accused, Deenanath Krishna Puthran (77), in the order on March 27, following a trial that lasted more than 18 years.

A Chartered Accountant and a tax assistant accused in the case were acquitted due to a lack of direct evidence.

Details of the Bribery Case

The case dates back to 2007, when Puthran served as an Income Tax officer at Vashi in Navi Mumbai.

Samraj Naikar, Managing Director of M/s Shree Laxmi Electricals and Consultants Pvt Ltd, lodged a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) Anti-Corruption Bureau, alleging that Puthran was harassing him and demanding Rs 40,000 to finalise the scrutiny of his company's tax files and those of his wife.

On January 3, 2007, a CBI team caught Puthran after he accepted a negotiated sum of Rs 20,000. The probe agency also charged CA Jayant Dattatray Adhyapak for alleged abetment and then tax assistant Prakash Gunaji Nevrekar for allegedly accepting an additional Rs 1,000.

The complainant had alleged that Puthran initially demanded a bribe of Rs 50,000 and later it was negotiated to Rs 40,000, as per the court order.

The prosecution has successfully established the allegation against the accused of demand for illegal gratification of Rs 20,000 and acceptance thereof from the complainant by abusing his position as a public servant, the judge said.

During cross-examination, the complainant admitted that while submitting his written complaint to the CBI, he had not made any contentions about abetment by the other accused, the court said while acquitting Adhyapak and Nevrekar.
Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra CM said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 percent of the assurances made have been implemented.

IMAGE: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at 'Prachar Sabha' in support of '100- Jorhat Assembly' (Assam) BJP candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami, in Jorhat, Assam, March 31, 2026. Photograph: @Devendra_Office X/ANI Photo

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday claimed India's neighbours wanted to "break up" Assam by taking advantage of the unrest in the state earlier, but their "dreams were shattered" as the Narendra Modi government brought peace to the region.

Key Points The Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.

Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.

He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.

Militancy has come to an end, and 92 percent of the assurances made in the peace agreements with various groups have already been implemented, he told a poll rally.

Fadnavis maintained that the Bharatiya Janata Party-led government in Assam has not only ensured the state's development but also protected its identity.

He accused the Congress of having neglected the state and the northeastern region by adopting a "step-motherly attitude" towards them, while Modi has put the region at the centre of development.

Addressing a rally in support of BJP's Dibrugarh candidate Prasanta Phukan, Fadnavis said, "Due to the unrest in the state earlier, neighbouring countries thought they would break Assam someday. But their dreams were shattered by Modi ji, and Assam is progressing fast today."

Crediting the BJP government for bringing the militant groups to the mainstream, the Maharashtra chief minister said not only were peace accords signed with them, but 92 percent of the assurances made have been implemented.

"Work is on for implementing the remaining eight per cent of promises also," he added.

Highlighting the various welfare measures of the state government, Fadnavis said special emphasis was being given on women's empowerment in line with the Centre's thrust on it.

"Women have benefited the most under Modiji's government. It will be 'Mahila raaj' from 2029 when 33 percent reservation is implemented in Parliament and state Assemblies," he added.

Speaking at another rally in support of the BJP's Jorhat candidate Hitendra Nath Goswami earlier, the Maharashtra chief minister alleged that infiltration was at its peak in Assam under Congress governments.

"People had to launch a movement against it, and scores were martyred. But the influx did not stop, and the state was burning. It was staring at a full demographic change."

"But the situation changed when Modi came to power. Infiltration has been stopped, and almost all militant groups in the state are returning to the mainstream," he claimed.

Fadnavis claimed that the state's demography would have changed and Assam's history would have been rewritten under the Congress rule.

"But the Modi government works not just for development, but also protects the state's identity, culture, history, and tradition," he said.

He told the gathering that the BJP-led government has ensured massive infrastructure development for the state.

Mentioning the Tata Group's semiconductor unit at Jagiroad, Fadnavis said, "It is a gift of Modi ji to Assam. It will place the state on the global map."

He added that countries with the ability to manufacture semiconductors will be global leaders in the future, and India has joined the elite ranks of a handful of nations.

Taking a dig at the Congress, Fadnavis alleged it had always adopted a "step-motherly attitude" towards the northeast, due to which the region did not see much development, and was embroiled in unrest.

He also criticised the opposition party for its "anti-national stance" during the West Asia crisis, claiming it was trying to create discontentment among the people by raising false doubts over the availability of LPG and fuel.

"We had also been in the opposition, but we had never acted in such a shameful manner," he said.

Taking a dig at state Congress president Gaurav Gogoi, who is also the opposition party's candidate in Jorhat, Fadnavis said, "Those in Lok Sabha should remain there. BJP will return to power, and he will have no work here."
The Congress is gearing up for a major showdown in Parliament, vehemently opposing the FCRA Amendment Bill, which they claim is unconstitutional and targets minority organisations.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Sansad TV/ANI Photo

Key Points The Congress party is strongly opposing the FCRA Amendment Bill, calling it unconstitutional and harmful to NGOs.

AICC General Secretary K C Venugopal claims the bill targets minority communities and Christian institutions.

The Congress party plans to stage a protest outside Parliament against the FCRA Amendment Bill.

The government defends the FCRA Amendment Bill as a measure to enhance transparency and prevent misuse of foreign funds.

Union Minister Kiren Rijiju accuses the Congress and Left parties of spreading misinformation about the FCRA amendment.

The Congress has directed its MPs to urgently reach Delhi and attend the Parliament session, as the FCRA Amendment Bill is likely to be taken up for passage, All India Congress Committee general secretary KC Venugopal said on Tuesday.

Describing the proposed law as "completely unconstitutional," Venugopal, in a statement, alleged that the central government is trying to introduce the bill at a time when MPs from states going to Assembly elections are busy with campaign activities.

A bill to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA) was introduced in the Lok Sabha on March 25, with the government making it clear that individuals engaging in forced religious conversion through foreign funding will not be spared.

Introducing the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai had stated that the legislation aims to enhance transparency and ensure proper utilisation of funds received from abroad.

Congress' concerns on FCRA Amendment Bill

Venugopal claimed that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Amendment (FCRA) Bill would harm NGOs and community organisations, particularly those run by minority communities.

He said the Congress will not allow the bill to be passed under any circumstances.

The Congress leader also announced that the party will stage a protest outside Parliament at 10.30 am on Wednesday against the bill.

Venugopal further accused the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the BJP of "attempting to divide" people who are living peacefully and create tensions among them.

He said the bill is the latest example of such efforts.

Venugopal also described the bill as a "threat" hanging over minority communities, saying it is a deliberate attempt to intimidate and control organisations, including Christian institutions in Kerala.

He also said the bill contains provisions that would tighten control over voluntary organisations and institutions engaged in social service.

Govt's defence

Earlier in the day, Union minister Kiren Rijiju asserted that the FCRA amendment Bill only seeks to stop the use of foreign funding against national security and interests and not to target any religious organisation.

Speaking to reporters at the BJP headquarters, Rijiju slammed the Congress and Left parties, accusing them of "spreading falsehood" on the proposed amendment to the FCRA.

Their claims about the Bill are "completely false, fabricated and misleading", the BJP leader added.
A Zomato delivery agent tragically died in Faridabad after a hit-and-run incident involving a speeding Mercedes, sparking a police investigation to apprehend the fleeing driver.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A Zomato delivery agent, Anand Raj Bind, was killed in Faridabad after his bike was allegedly struck by a speeding Mercedes.

The driver of the Mercedes fled the scene after the accident, prompting a police investigation.

The victim was rushed to a hospital in Delhi but succumbed to his injuries during treatment.

Police have seized the Mercedes and are actively searching for the driver involved in the fatal hit-and-run.

A food delivery agent was killed after his bike was allegedly hit from behind by a speeding Mercedes in Sector 15 area of Faridabad, police said on Tuesday.

The car driver fled the scene after the accident around 2 am on Monday and police have seized the vehicle.

According to the police, the deceased was identified as Anand Raj Bind (28), a resident of Mirzapur, Uttar Pradesh.

For the past several years, he had been living in a rented place in Bhatola village near Chandila Chowk and used to work as a delivery agent for Zomato.

Police said the car hit his bike from behind in front of the fire brigade office in Sector 15. Due to the high speed collision, he and his bike were thrown away, they added.

His brother reached the spot and found him lying unconscious and the Mercedes parked some distance away.

With the help of some people, he took Anand Raj to a private hospital in a private vehicle from where he was referred to Delhi. He was admitted to a private hospital in Delhi, where he died today during treatment, he added.

Police Investigation Underway

Inspector Rajvir, SHO of Central Police Station, Faridabad, said, "Police investigations so far revealed that the Mercedes car was on its way to pick someone up at the airport late at night. The car is registered in the name of a company.

"The (car) driver is still at large but we will arrest him soon," he said.
Himachal Pradesh's Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta vehemently denies involvement in the Chester Hill housing project land scam, sparking a political row and calls for a thorough investigation into alleged land law violations.

Key Points Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta denies allegations of irregularities in the Chester Hill housing project.

CPI(M) alleges violation of land laws and demands investigation into benami land deals.

Gupta claims a conspiracy by former IAS officers and an engineer who he had previously filed complaints against.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu says action will be taken if irregularities are found.

Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur questions the Chief Minister's silence on the allegations.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary Sanjay Gupta on Tuesday dismissed the allegations in connection with the Chester Hill housing project in Solan as baseless, asserting that the truth will prevail once the investigation is completed.

Gupta was speaking at a press conference a day after the CPI(M) claimed violation of land laws in the project and demanded an investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into alleged land mafia activities, including benami land deals, in the state.

Alleging violation of Section 118 of the Himachal Pradesh Tenancy and Land Reforms Act, the Left leaders said that a fair investigation is impossible unless the chief secretary is removed from his position. Section 118 restricts the purchase of land by non-Himachalis without prior permission.

Chief Secretary Alleges Conspiracy

Interacting with the media here on Tuesday, Gupta alleged that two former IAS officers and an engineer are behind the "conspiracy" to malign him as he had lodged complaints against them while serving at the Electricity Board.

Former CPI(M) MLA Rakesh Singha had on Monday claimed that investigations by the Sub Divisional magistrate (SDM) into the Chester Hills project revealed several irregularities during the land acquisition and benami land transactions.

Gupta asserted that he has absolutely no connection to the project, which he said was approved by former chief secretary Shrikant Baldi during his tenure as the head of RERA (Real Estate Regulatory Authority).

He said the allegations against him "are entirely unfounded and baseless".

"The matter is currently under investigation and the truth will eventually prevail," he said.

On questions about the purchase of land in Kharar in Punjab, Gupta said that he bought the land for Rs 1.38 crore using his own personal funds and had all the necessary documents. He said that he duly obtained all requisite permissions from the government for this land acquisition.

Political Reactions

When asked about the allegations, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that he has no prior knowledge of the issue. He added that if any irregularities are discovered in the case, action will be taken in accordance with the rules.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said that "serious allegations have been levelled against the chief secretary who has now levelled counter-allegations of corruption against other officials".

"The chief minister has maintained silence over the issue claiming to be unaware of the details," he said.

The BJP MLAs have also raised this issue twice in the House, demanding an explanation from the government regarding the alleged violation of Section 118.

"We simply do not believe that the CM is unaware of this fact. Is the head of the state truly uninformed about his own top bureaucrat?" Thakur said.

"The CM is completely compromised and unable to take any punitive action," the BJP leader alleged.
A Hindu group protested in Mumbai after police allegedly halted Ram Navami processions during namaz prayers, sparking concerns over religious freedom and police conduct.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points Sakal Hindu Samaj activists protested against Mumbai police for allegedly stopping Ram Navami processions during namaz.

The protesters accused the police of using foul language during the incident in Ghatkopar and Vikhroli.

Mumbai police detained over 50 people as a precautionary measure during the protest in Chembur.

Police officials stated the processions were temporarily halted to prevent any potential unrest during Namaz prayers.

Sakal Hindu Samaj activists protested outside the Additional Commissioner of Police's office in Chembur area on Tuesday, accusing the police of stopping Ram Navami processions in Ghatkopar and Vikhroli areas during namaz prayers on March 26 and using foul language.

Police detained more than 50 people as a precautionary measure during the protest in the evening, officials said.

According to officials, police had temporarily stopped processions to prevent any untoward incident during Namaz prayers.

However, organisers accused the police of using foul language.

On Tuesday evening, members of Sakal Hindu Samaj and some seers demonstrated outside the office of the Additional Commissioner of Police (East) in suburban Chembur.

Following the protest, police detained more than 50 activists as a preventive measure, an official said, adding that the protesters were taken to Chembur police station.
Following a series of mobile phone thefts during an IPL match in Bengaluru, police have arrested a key suspect and several minors, recovering 21 stolen devices and launching a broader investigation into potential links to similar crimes.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A prime suspect and several minors have been arrested in Bengaluru for mobile phone thefts during an IPL match.

Bengaluru police recovered 21 stolen mobile phones worth Rs 18 lakhs.

The thefts occurred during the Royal Challengers Bengaluru vs. Sunrisers Hyderabad IPL match at Chinnaswamy Stadium.

Police are investigating whether the accused are involved in similar thefts at other match venues and locations.

A total of 29 cases have been registered in connection with the mobile phone thefts.

Police on Tuesday said they have taken into custody a prime accused and several children in conflict with law, in connection with a series of mobile phone thefts during the IPL match in Bengaluru on March 28.

Police said they seized 21 mobile phones of different brands, valued at Rs 18 lakhs.

Reigning champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) won against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the opening fixture of IPL 2026, held at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on March 28.

"Mobile phones of the public who had come to watch the tournament were stolen. A main accused and several minors in conflict with law, have been taken into custody in connection with the case, which is under investigation," Police said in a release.

A total of 21 mobiles of different brands have been seized from the main accused, it said, adding that "several of his (main accused) associates and minors have been subjected to inquiry. The investigation is ongoing."

Police Investigation and Recovery

Bengaluru Police Commissioner Seemanth Kumar Singh told reporters that after the IPL match, complaints were received about mobile phone thefts in and around the stadium area, and cases have been registered regarding these thefts.

"Police's crime squad immediately swung into action and nabbed a gang based on CCTV and technical evidence, and have recovered 21 mobile phones from them," he said.

More information is being gathered from those taken into custody and efforts are on to nab others involved, he said, "those involved in the crime had come from other states and stayed at a hotel and committed the thefts....it is being investigated whether they had come for this purpose (mobiles theft) alone and whether they were involved in similar incidents in other places."

Ongoing Inquiries

A total of 29 cases have been registered, he further said, adding that investigations are on to determine if they were involved in similar crimes at other places, including other match venues.
Iranian officials allege a US airstrike on Mashhad airport damaged a Mahan Air plane set to collect vital medical aid from India.

IMAGE: A screengrab from a video shows smoke rising after what the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said was an Iranian target struck at an unknown location, amid the US-Israeli conflict with Iran. Photograph: @CENTCOM/X

Key Points Iranian officials claim a US airstrike at Mashhad airport damaged a Mahan Air aircraft.

The damaged aircraft was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi to collect medical supplies and humanitarian aid for Iran.

US officials have not yet confirmed the Iranian claims regarding the airstrike.

India previously sent medical supplies to Iran through the Iranian Red Crescent Society on March 18.

Mahan Air is a privately-owned Iranian airline operating flights across Asia.

Iranian officials claimed a US airstrike at Iran's Mashhad airport on Monday damaged a Mahan Air aircraft, potentially disrupting a mission to India to collect humanitarian aid.

The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi this week to pick up essential medical supplies and aid for Iranian people, they said.

US officials have not yet corroborated the claim.

The Iranian officials said the aircraft was damaged following the US attack on Mashhad airport.

According to reports, the plane was expected to arrive in New Delhi on April 1.

India sent the first consignment of medical supplies to Iran through the Iranian Red Crescent Society on March 18.

The Iranian embassy in New Delhi thanked the people of India for the aid.

Iran Calls Attack A War Crime

Irans Civil Aviation Organisation strongly condemned the attack, describing it as a "war crime" and a violation of international law.

In a statement shared by Irans mission in India on X, the organisation said the aircraft was carrying medicines and medical equipment sourced from various countries and was engaged in a humanitarian mission.

The organisation stated that targeting a civilian aircraft violated international aviation regulations and principles of humanitarian law. It cited the Chicago Convention (1944), the Montreal Convention (1971), and Article 52 of Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions, which classify attacks on civilian aircraft carrying humanitarian aid as war crimes.

The Civil Aviation Organisation called on international bodies to investigate the incident, prosecute those responsible, and ensure safeguards to protect civil aviation from similar threats.

About Mahan Air

Mahan Air is a privately-owned Iranian airline that operates flights in several countries in West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia and East Asia.
The Central Information Commission has mandated the release of investigative details concerning a retired IRS officer accused of acquiring assets under various identities and then altering his name to assert ownership, highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability in government service.

Photograph: PTI Photo

Key Points The Central Information Commission has ordered the disclosure of an investigation into a retired IRS officer's alleged fraudulent asset acquisition.

The case involves allegations of the officer using alias names during service to acquire assets and changing his name post-retirement to claim ownership.

The Commission criticised the initial denial of information under the RTI Act, citing a lack of reasoning and transparency.

The disclosure aims to ensure public accountability and assess the adequacy of the investigation into the IRS officer's conduct.

The Commission has directed the authority to provide complete information, including file movements and action taken reports, within three weeks, with limited redactions.

In a case pertaining to a retired IRS officer's alleged acquisition of assets under different identities during service and change of his name post-retirement to claim their ownership, the Central Information Commission has ordered disclosure of investigation to unveil this "brilliantly unique" alleged modus operandi.

The commission noted that the disclosure "could be an eye opener".

The matter arose from RTI applications filed with the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs seeking complete action taken report, file movement along with the note sheets, complaint number, and copy of email forwarded by the secretary, Department of Revenue.

The RTI applications were filed by the same person who had earlier lodged a complaint against the officer and later sought details of the probe.

Allegations of Fraudulent Conduct

"The allegations contained in the complaint pertained to serious claims of fraudulent conduct involving an IRS officer, including the alleged use of undisclosed alias names by him and his spouse during his tenure in government service for purposes of acquiring assets under different identities.

"After superannuation from the service of the Indirect Taxes and Customs Department, the officer concerned changed his name to be the real owner of those properties. Such allegations, by their very nature, are grave and warrant a transparent and well-documented examination," the commission said.

Information Commissioner Vinod Kumar Tiwari further remarked, "The alleged modus operandi of an officer by changing his name post-retirement to claim the properties created in that name prior to his superannuation is, of course, brilliantly unique."

The CPIO had denied the information, stating, "The complaint is under examination and the same cannot be provided under Section 8(1)(h) of Chapter II of RTI Act, 2005."

Commission Rejects Initial Denial

Rejecting this, the commission held, "The exemption claimed under Section 8(1)(h) of the RTI Act was not sustainable in the facts and circumstances of the present case, as no active investigation was pending at the relevant time which could have been impeded by disclosure of the information."

"It was not shown as to how providing the requested information, particularly file movement, note-sheets and action taken report in respect of the complaint filed by the appellant himself, would have prejudicially affected the inquiry," it said.

The commission added that the exemption was applied "in a routine and mechanical manner without adequate reasoning".

It also observed, "The commission noted that there is something amiss in the matter."

It pointed out that the complaint appeared to have been examined without associating or informing the complainant.

"Principles of fairness and public accountability require that once an inquiry has been concluded, the complainant be duly informed of the manner in which the complaint has been examined and disposed of, subject to permissible redactions in accordance with law," it said.

Emphasis on Transparency and Accountability

Emphasising transparency, the commission stated, "Denial of access to the complete file details and action taken report, in the absence of any cogent demonstration of likely prejudice to the investigation, creates an impression of lack of adequate transparency on the part of the respondent public authority."

It added, "Accordingly, disclosure is being ordered", noting that such disclosure "could be an eye opener whether adequate investigation was carried out or not."

The commission directed the authority to provide "complete, point-wise information as sought in the RTI applications, including file movement, note-sheets, action taken report and related correspondence" within three weeks.

It allowed limited redaction of officials' names while furnishing the information.

Clarifying the scope, it said, "The commission, however, clarifies that it is not expressing any opinion on the merits of the allegations raised by the Appellant in his complaint against the concerned officer. The scope of the present proceedings is confined to the disclosure of information under the RTI Act."
Getting to Page, Arizona, has always meant a long drive through the desert. That changes on July 2, 2026, when Contour Airlines begins nonstop service between Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas and Page Municipal Airport (PGA). Flights run four days a week on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Sundays, with a flight time of just over an hour each way.

Glen Canyon Dam in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (John Tillison/ ParkRangerJohn)

For outdoor enthusiasts, this is a meaningful development. Page sits at the center of some of the most remarkable public lands in the American Southwest. Until now, reaching them required hundreds of miles of driving from the nearest hub city. This route changes that.

Contour operates 30-seat regional jets with extra legroom and complimentary snacks and beverages on every flight. The airline also has interline agreements with Alaska, American, JetBlue, and United, making it straightforward to connect from most major cities through Las Vegas.

Flight Schedule  Effective July 2, 2026

Route Departure Arrival Days PGA to LAS 9:55 AM 11:00 AM Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun LAS to PGA 12:15 PM 1:20 PM Mon, Thu, Fri, Sun

 Top Outdoor Destinations Near Page, AZ

Antelope Canyon (Upper and Lower)  Guided Navajo Nation tours through sandstone slot canyons. Book well in advance for summer visits.

Horseshoe Bend  Just 5 miles from downtown Page. A 1.5-mile round-trip walk brings you to one of the most photographed views on Earth.

Lake Powell and Glen Canyon NRA  Houseboating, kayaking, paddleboarding, and hiking along over 2,000 miles of red-rock canyon shoreline.

North Rim of the Grand Canyon  About 75 miles south of Page. Far less crowded than the South Rim and open May through October.

Vermilion Cliffs and The Wave  Lottery-permit hiking through surreal, swirling sandstone formations along the Utah border.

Navajo National Monument  Ancient Ancestral Puebloan cliff dwellings set into dramatic canyon alcoves.

Tickets are available at contourairlines.com or by calling (888) 332-6686. Service starts July 2, right at the beginning of peak summer season in canyon country. If this part of the Southwest has been on your list, now is a good time to start planning.
In a recent discussion, India's External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Portugal's Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel addressed the West Asia conflict and explored avenues for enhanced bilateral cooperation, highlighting India's call for de-escalation and diplomatic resolutions.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel discussed the ongoing West Asia conflict.

The ministers explored opportunities to strengthen bilateral cooperation between India and Portugal.

India continues to call for restraint, de-escalation, and diplomatic solutions to the conflict in West Asia.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday spoke with his Portuguese counterpart Paulo Rangel as the two leaders exchanged views on the West Asia conflict besides discussing ways to further enhance bilateral cooperation.

Jaishankar shared the update in a post on X.

"A good conversation this evening with Portuguese Foreign Minister @PauloRangel_pt Exchanged views on the West Asia conflict. Also spoke about further strengthening bilateral cooperation," he said.

Jaishankar has spoken to many of his counterparts from different countries since the conflict began a month ago.

The MEA on Monday reiterated that it continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the Gulf and West Asia region.

"We continue to call for restraint and de-escalation, and at the same time emphasise on dialogue and diplomacy, as a means to an early end to the conflict," MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal told reporters at an inter-ministerial briefing on the West Asia situation here a day ago.
Tragic road accidents in Godda, Jharkhand, claim the lives of four individuals, including a young girl and her aunt, highlighting the urgent need for improved road safety measures.

Key Points A four-year-old girl and her aunt died after a bus collided with their motorcycle in Godda district, Jharkhand.

The fatal accident occurred near Ghorichak Chowk in the Belbadda police station area.

In a separate incident, two brothers were killed when a tractor trolley hit their motorcycle in Shahpur village.

Police have seized the vehicles involved and are investigating both accidents, with the tractor driver on the run.

A four-year-old girl and her aunt were killed as a bus hit a two-wheeler in Jharkhand's Godda district on Tuesday, police said.

The accident happened near Ghorichak Chowk in the Belbadda police station area, they said.

"Four people, including two girls, were riding the motorcycle. The bus hit the motorcycle from behind," said Pankaj Kumar Singh, the officer in charge of the Belbadda police station.

The bus and the motorcycle were seized, and the bodies of the deceased were sent for post-mortem examination, he said.

Second Accident Claims Two Brothers

In another accident in the district on Monday night, two brothers were killed after a tractor trolley collided with their motorcycle, police said.

The accident happened in Shahpur village in the Muffasil police station area, they said.

The deceased were identified as Niranjan Mandal (40) and Sanjay Mandal (37) of Kajra village, they added.

The driver of the tractor, which hit the motorcycle from behind, is on the run, police said.
Jharkhand's opposition is demanding a CBI investigation into a massive Rs 750 crore liquor scam, alleging deliberate delays by the Anti-Corruption Bureau to shield the accused and calling for immediate action to address the corruption.

Key Points Jharkhand's opposition leader calls for a CBI investigation into an alleged Rs 750 crore liquor scam.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) is accused of deliberately delaying the filing of charge sheets to protect the accused.

Many accused individuals have been granted bail due to the ACB's failure to file charge sheets within the statutory time limit.

The opposition leader alleges a conspiracy to protect those involved in the liquor scam, which caused a significant loss to the state's revenue.

The Governor is urged to direct the ACB to file the charge sheet immediately and recommend a CBI investigation.

Leader of the opposition in the Jharkhand Assembly Babulal Marandi on Tuesday urged Governor Santosh Kumar Gangwar to direct the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to file a charge sheet in connection with the alleged liquor scam "involving around Rs 750 crore".

The senior BJP leader charged the ACB with deliberately not filing the chargesheet to protect the accused.

Marandi, who called on the governor, requested him to take an initiative to review the role of the ACB in the investigation of the case, and hand over the probe to the CBI.

"Out of the total 17 arrested accused in connection with the case, 14 have already been granted bail due to the non-filing of the chargesheet on time. The ACB has deliberately not filed the chargesheet against them in the court within the stipulated statutory time limit of 90 days," Marandi said in a letter submitted to the Governor.

Even after more than eight months, the ACB has not filed a single charge sheet in this case, he claimed.

Key Figures and Bail Status

The ACB arrested the then excise secretary Vinay Kumar Choubey and joint excise commissioner Gajendra Singh on May 20, 2025, in a money laundering case linked to the alleged excise scam.

Singh got bail after 56 days of arrest on July 15, 2025, while Choubey was granted 'default bail' on August last year due to non-filing of the chargesheet, Marandi said.

He said that suspended IAS officer Choubey was also granted 'default bail' in a disproportionate assets case on Monday as the chargesheet was not filed within the stipulated period. The investigating agency was required to file the chargesheet by March 29.

Allegations of Conspiracy and Revenue Loss

"In 2022, changes were made in Jharkhand's excise policy to benefit a syndicate, which caused heavy loss to the state's revenue. This scam, which was initially estimated at Rs 38 crore, has now swelled to more than Rs 750 crore," Marandi claimed in the letter to the governor.

Addressing reporters later, he alleged that a well-planned conspiracy was hatched to protect the accused.

"I met the governor today and urged him to direct ACB to file the chargesheet immediately. I also requested him to recommend that the entire investigation into this loot of the state's treasury and the conspiracy to protect the accused be transferred to the CBI," he said.
A joint Pakistan-Afghanistan jirga convened in Peshawar, urging an immediate ceasefire and promoting dialogue to resolve escalating tensions between the neighbouring nations.

IMAGE: Taliban soldiers alongside an anti-aircraft gun look out for Pakistani fighter jets in Khost province, Afghanistan, February 27, 2026. Photograph: Reuters

Key Points The jirga emphasised that neither country should allow its territory to be used for hostile activities against the other.

Participants urged both governments to resolve disputes through dialogue and diplomacy, rejecting war as a solution.

The forum proposed establishing a joint platform for continuous engagement to improve understanding and build trust.

The jirga highlighted the need for confidence-building measures to strengthen relations between Pakistan and Afghanistan.

A joint Pakistan-Afghanistan 'jirga' in Peshawar on Tuesday called for an immediate ceasefire to ease the rising tensions between the two neighbours.

A jirga is an assembly of elders and community leaders in Afghanistan and Pakistan that resolves disputes based on consensus.

The declaration was issued at the conclusion of the jirga, which was attended by former governors, political leaders, ex-diplomats, tribal elders, intellectuals, and religious scholars.

The participants emphasised that both countries must ensure their territories are not used against each other under any circumstances.

"No individual or group should be allowed to use either country's soil for hostile activities," the official statement issued said.

The jirga urged governments of both nations to fully utilise their state capacity to implement mutually agreed decisions to maintain peace.

It also stressed that all disputes and differences should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, declaring these as the only viable options.

"War is not a solution to any problem. Sustainable peace can only be achieved through mutual respect and understanding," the statement added.

The forum also called for the establishment of a joint and permanent platform to ensure continuous engagement between the two countries, which would help improve understanding of each other's positions, circumstances, and constraints.

It further recommended concrete confidence-building measures and their effective implementation to strengthen trust.

Last week, Pakistan said that the operation against the Afghan Taliban was going on and it would continue until the objective of eliminating the threat of terrorism was achieved.
Uttar Pradesh Police dismantled a major illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur, exposing a network of doctors and individuals exploiting vulnerable patients for profit.

Key Points Uttar Pradesh Police busted an illegal kidney transplant racket in Kanpur, arresting five doctors and the alleged mastermind.

The racket involved multiple private hospitals and exploited vulnerable individuals, with kidneys being sold for significant profit.

The investigation revealed a network with potential links to other major cities in India and even Nepal, raising concerns about international involvement.

Authorities are investigating the involvement of foreign nationals and potential violations of transplant regulations.

The alleged mastermind lured donors through Telegram groups, targeting financially distressed individuals and dialysis patients.

Uttar Pradesh Police on Tuesday busted an alleged illegal kidney transplant racket operating through multiple private hospitals in Kanpur, arresting five doctors and the alleged kingpin, officials said.

The arrests followed late-night raids on Monday at Med-Life hospital, Ahuja Hospital, and Priya Hospital (private hospitals) in the Kalyanpur area, conducted jointly with the health department led by the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Haridutt Nemi, Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal said.

The investigation suggests the possible involvement of six to seven more hospitals, police said, adding that further arrests are likely in the coming days.

The police arrested hospital owners -- Dr Preeti Ahuja, 50, her husband Dr Surjeet Singh Ahuja, 54 -- medical practitioners Rajesh Kumar, 44, Ram Prakash, 40, and Narendra Singh, accused of facilitating unlawful organ transplants, he said.

Besides, the police have also arrested alleged mastermind Shivam Agarwal, 32, who reportedly impersonated a doctor, he added.

Preliminary findings suggest that a kidney from an MBA student, Ayush -- originally from Bihar -- was procured for Rs 10 lakh and sold to a patient, Parul Tomar of Meerut, for Rs 60 lakh, pointing to a profit-driven network exploiting vulnerable individuals, police said.

The donor had been admitted to Med-Life hospital, while the recipient, who had reportedly been battling kidney failure for eight years, had been shifted to another facility, they said.

A case has been registered against the six accused under Section 143 (trafficking of person) and 3(5) (A criminal act is done by several persons in furtherance of the common intention of all) of the BNS and relevant Sections of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act.

The racket came to light after the donor, Ayush, alerted police over a payment dispute, alleging he received only Rs 3.5 lakh instead of the agreed amount. The tip-off triggered immediate raids and arrests, an official said.

Modus Operandi and Network Connections

Agarwal, the alleged mastermind, impersonated a doctor and lured donors through Telegram groups. The network reportedly targeted financially distressed individuals and dialysis patients, connecting them through illegal channels, Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal added.

So far, the police have recovered evidence of over a dozen illegal transplants, with the kingpin reportedly confessing to 50-60 such transplants across Kanpur over the past two years, they said.

According to the police, the network is suspected to have links to Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even Nepal.

Investigation and Regulatory Response

Authorities also flagged the involvement of foreign nationals in some cases, raising serious concerns over violations of transplant norms, which require strict government approval, especially for unrelated or overseas donors.

Three hospitals have been issued notices seeking explanations on patient admissions and transplant procedures, Additional CMO Ramit Rastogi told reporters.

Their licences might get cancelled pending further inquiry, he added.

The recipient's and donor's condition reportedly deteriorated after the surgery, following which they were admitted to Lala Lajpat Rai (LLR) hospital for further treatment.

Police have also revealed that a South African woman, Arbica, underwent a kidney transplant on March 3. Though intelligence inputs had flagged the case earlier, officials said the information could not be acted upon in time.
Police in Kanpur are widening their investigation into a major illegal kidney transplant racket, uncovering a network of doctors, hospitals, and potential international connections exploiting vulnerable individuals for profit.

Key Points Uttar Pradesh Police are expanding their investigation into an illegal kidney transplant racket operating in Kanpur, involving multiple private hospitals.

Five doctors and the alleged kingpin have been arrested following raids on hospitals in the Kalyanpur area.

Police have identified four more suspects and suspect the network extends beyond initial findings, potentially with interstate and international links.

The racket was exposed after a donor reported a payment dispute, revealing a significant profit margin between the donor's compensation and the recipient's payment.

Authorities are investigating the involvement of foreign nationals and the violation of transplant norms, with the possibility of hospital licenses being revoked.

Uttar Pradesh Police has identified four more suspects as it widened its probe into an illegal kidney transplant racket operating through multiple private hospitals in Kanpur.

Earlier on Tuesday, the police arrested five doctors and the alleged kingpin of the racket, officials said.

The arrests followed late-night raids conducted on Monday at Med-Life Hospital, Ahuja Hospital, and Priya Hospital in the Kalyanpur area, by a joint team of police and health department officials led by Chief Medical Officer Haridutt Nemi, said Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal.

Ahuja Hospital owners Dr Preeti Ahuja (50), her husband Dr Surjeet Singh Ahuja (54) and medical practitioners Rajesh Kumar (44), Ram Prakash (40) and Narendra Singh were arrested for facilitating unlawful organ transplants, the commissioner said.

Police have also arrested the alleged mastermind, Shivam Agarwal (32), who reportedly impersonated a doctor, he added.

Expanding the Investigation

Later in the day, the investigators identified four more individuals involved in the crime.

"The names of four more individuals -- Dr Afzal, Dr Rohit alias Rahul, Anurag alias Amit and Vaibhav -- have surfaced during the investigation. Search operations are underway to trace the accused individuals, who are currently absconding. We believe their arrest could expose a much larger network involving more doctors and private hospitals. We suspect the racket extends beyond initial findings, with possible interstate links and organised coordination," Lal told PTI.

How the Racket Was Uncovered

The racket came to light when a donor, Ayush, an MBA student originally hailing from Bihar, approached the police over a payment dispute. He complained that he received only Rs 3.5 lakh out of the agreed amount of Rs 10 lakh for his kidney.

The tip-off triggered immediate raids and arrests, an official said.

Preliminary findings suggested that Ayush's kidney was procured for Rs 10 lakh and sold to a patient, Parul Tomar of Meerut, for Rs 60 lakh, pointing to a profit-driven network exploiting vulnerable individuals, police said.

The donor was admitted to Med-Life Hospital, while the recipient, who had reportedly been battling kidney failure for eight years, was shifted to another facility, they said.

However, both the donor and the recipient were later admitted to Lala Lajpat Rai Hospital for further treatment as their condition reportedly deteriorated after the surgery.

A case has been registered against the six accused under Section 143 (trafficking of persons) and 3(5) (criminal act done by several persons in furtherance of a common intent) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant sections of the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act.

The alleged mastermind of the racket, Shivam Agarwal, impersonated a doctor and lured donors through Telegram groups. The network reportedly targeted financially distressed individuals and dialysis patients, connecting them through illegal channels, Commissioner Lal said.

So far, the police have recovered evidence of over a dozen illegal transplants, with the kingpin reportedly confessing to 50-60 such transplants across Kanpur in the last two years, he said.

Potential International Links

According to the police, the network is suspected to have links to Lucknow, Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and even Nepal.

Authorities also flagged the involvement of foreign nationals in some cases, raising serious concerns over the violation of transplant norms, which require strict government approval, especially for unrelated or overseas donors.

The three hospitals have been issued notices seeking an explanation on patient admissions and transplant procedures, Additional Chief Medical Officer Ramit Rastogi told reporters, adding that there is a possibility that their licences could get cancelled.

Police have also revealed that a South African woman, Arbica, underwent a kidney transplant on March 3. Though intelligence inputs had flagged the case earlier, officials said the information could not be acted upon in time.
Mamata Banerjee has accused the BJP of attempting to manipulate West Bengal's voter rolls by illegally including non-residents, sparking controversy ahead of the upcoming elections.

Photograph: @AITCofficial/X

Key Points Mamata Banerjee accuses the BJP of attempting to illegally add non-residents to West Bengal's voter rolls using Form 6 applications.

Banerjee alleges a coordinated effort between the BJP and the Election Commission of India to undermine democratic rights in West Bengal.

The TMC chief claims similar patterns of voter roll manipulation were observed in previous elections in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra, and Delhi.

Banerjee expresses concerns that the Election Commission will approve the applications without proper scrutiny or notice to political parties.

Banerjee cites a Supreme Court order requiring judicial officers to scrutinise voter roll claims and objections, arguing that administrative decisions on Form 6 applications are illegal.

In a strongly-worded letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday accused the BJP of attempting to illegally include voters from outside West Bengal to the poll-bound state's electoral rolls in bulk by means of Form 6 applications.

She termed it yet "another coordinated attempt by the BJP, in conjunction with the Election Commission of India, to interfere with the democratic rights of the people".

The Trinamool Congress chief shot the letter in less than 24 hours after the party's national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee on Monday alleged that nearly 30,000 Form 6s were submitted by the BJP in a day to make residents of other states voters of West Bengal.

Allegations of Widespread Voter Roll Manipulation

"There are serious concerns that these applications may pertain to individuals who are not genuine residents of Bengal and who have no legitimate connection to the state. Similar patterns were reportedly observed prior to elections in Bihar, Haryana, Maharashtra and Delhi," the TMC chief wrote to Kumar.

"Such actions, if true, would be illegal, unconstitutional and fundamentally undemocratic, reflecting mala fide intent and ill motive. This is not the standard expected of a constitutional authority. The people have the right to transparency and to the protection of their voting rights," she added.

Mamata Banerjee stated that she had "reasonable apprehensions" that the 30,000-odd applications would be "allowed by the EC without giving appropriate notice to the concerned booths (sic) and to all the political parties".

Supreme Court Order and Scrutiny of Voter Rolls

Referring to the Supreme Court's February 20 order stating that claims and objections to inclusion or deletion of names in the final electoral rolls would be scrutinised by judicial officers, Banerjee maintained that the decision of the state's chief electoral officer or any other administrative officers on the Form 6 applications was "totally illegal and beyond the scope" of the apex court's order.
A tragic murder-suicide in Muzaffarnagar, India, has left a family of four dead, allegedly stemming from a heated argument over an Eid gift, prompting a police investigation into the devastating incident.

Key Points A man in Muzaffarnagar allegedly poisoned his wife and two children before committing suicide.

The tragic incident was reportedly triggered by a dispute over an Eid gift for the man's sister.

Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the family's death in Sarwat locality.

The deceased have been identified as Irshad, his wife Noreen, and their two young children, Ahil and Aksha.

A 32-year-old man allegedly poisoned his wife and their two minor children before dying by suicide at his residence here, police said, adding that the incident was reportedly linked to a dispute regarding an Eid gift.

The deceased have been identified as Irshad (32), his wife Noreen (30), their son Ahil (2) and a two-month-old daughter Aksha.

Senior Superintendent of Police Sanjay Kumar said upon receiving information, police rushed to the spot in the Sarwat locality and sent all four bodies for postmortem.

During the preliminary investigation, relatives told police that a dispute had arisen between the couple over giving an Eid gift to Irshad's sister, Shaheen, he said.

Following the altercation, Irshad, who was upset, allegedly poisoned his wife and children and later hanged himself from the ceiling in his room, the SSP said. Further investigation is underway.

According to the woman's family, Noreen married Irshad five years ago.
A mephedrone drug factory, cleverly disguised as a poultry farm in Ratlam, Madhya Pradesh, has been busted, leading to multiple arrests and a significant drug seizure, highlighting the ongoing fight against illegal drug manufacturing and distribution in India.

Key Points A mephedrone manufacturing facility was discovered operating within a poultry farm in Ratlam district, Madhya Pradesh.

Four individuals have been arrested in connection with the illegal mephedrone factory.

Police seized 200 grams of mephedrone, estimated to be worth Rs 20 lakh, along with chemicals used in its production.

One of the accused has a history of mephedrone manufacturing and interstate smuggling.

Investigations suggest a larger drug network, with chemicals supplied from Rajasthan and a recent delivery of approximately three kg of mephedrone.

Police in Ratlam district of Madhya Pradesh have busted a mephedrone factory operating under the guise of a poultry farm, leading to the arrest of four individuals and the seizure of 200 grams of the contraband of an estimated Rs 20 lakh value.

Chemicals and other materials which were used to manufacture the drug, also known as 'MD' and 'Meow-Meow', were also seized.

Discovery of the Illegal Mephedrone Factory

Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar said the illegal factory was discovered after a poultry farm was raided in Borkheda village late Monday night, based on a tip-off.

The accused are identified as Jamshed Khan (42), Raees Khan (35), Yusuf Khan (45), and Salim Khan (40).

Accused and Investigation Details

Kumar said one of the accused, Jamshed Khan, is a resident of Pratapgarh district in Rajasthan. He has been involved in various cases of illegally manufacturing mephedrone and interstate smuggling.

Citing preliminary investigations, the police officer stated that two individuals from Pratapgarh had supplied chemicals to the poultry farm for manufacturing mephedrone.

"We have learned that approximately three kg of mephedrone was delivered to a person just a day before the raid on the factory operating under the guise of a poultry farm," he said, adding that a comprehensive investigation is underway and a search is launched for other accused.
In Manipur, security forces have apprehended three militants linked to proscribed organisations for their alleged involvement in extortion, marking a significant step in combating militant activities in the Thoubal and Kakching districts.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Security forces in Manipur arrested three militants from proscribed outfits.

The militants were allegedly involved in extortion activities in Thoubal and Kakching districts.

Two active cadres of the Peoples' Liberation Army were arrested in Thoubal district.

One self-styled sergeant major of the Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group faction) was apprehended in Kakching district.

Security forces arrested three militants belonging to two proscribed outfits for alleged involvement in extortion activities from Manipur's Thoubal and Kakching districts, a police statement said on Tuesday.

The arrests were made on Monday, police said.

Arrests in Thoubal and Kakching

Two active cadres of Peoples' Liberation Army were arrested from Yairipok Khoirom Mathak Leikai area under Yairipok police station in Thoubal district.

One self-styled sergeant major of Kangleipak Communist Party (People's War Group faction) was apprehended from Wabagai Thingel area in Kakching district.
Pakistani security forces successfully neutralised nine militants after they attacked a government school in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, briefly seizing the building and raising their flag in a brazen act of defiance.

Photograph: Screen grab/X

Key Points Militants attacked Government High School Khwaja Mir Kalay in Pakistan's Khyber district.

The militants briefly seized the school, removing the national flag and raising their own.

Pakistani security forces responded, killing nine militants in a gun battle.

The school has been cleared, and the national flag has been reinstated.

Security forces have launched a search operation to find remaining militants and facilitators.

At least nine militants were killed in an operation by Pakistan's security forces after an attack on a government school in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, police said on Tuesday.

The militants stormed Government High School Khwaja Mir Kalay in the Aka Khel area of Bara Tehsil, Khyber district, on Monday, in an apparent attempt to seize control of the building.

During the attack, the militants removed the national flag and hoisted their own flag on the school building.

Security forces responded swiftly, engaging the militants in a fierce gun battle.

Following the exchange of fire, nine militants were killed, and the forces regained control of the school, reinstating the national flag atop the building.

The militants had circulated a video on social media showing their control of the school and the raising of their flag, apparently as a propaganda effort.

In the aftermath of the attack, security forces launched a large-scale search and clearance operation in the surrounding areas to track down any remaining assailants and their facilitators.

The school has since been fully cleared, and the situation is reported to be under control.
A tragic car accident in Mumbai's Chembur area resulted in the death of a 65-year-old woman and injuries to two others after a speeding car collided with their auto-rickshaw, highlighting road safety concerns.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A 65-year-old woman was killed in Chembur, Mumbai, after a speeding car hit the auto-rickshaw she was travelling in.

Two others, including another woman passenger and the auto-rickshaw driver, sustained injuries in the road accident.

The car driver fled the scene but was later apprehended and arrested by Mumbai police.

The driver faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for causing death by negligence in the Chembur auto-rickshaw accident.

A 65-year-old woman was killed and two others were injured after a speeding car rammed into an auto-rickshaw in Mumbai's Chembur area, police said on Tuesday.

The accident took place on Monday and the deceased was identified as Chand Bi Hussain Sheikh, according to officials from the Nehru Nagar Police Station.

The car driver was later arrested.

Another woman, Hafiza Baba Sheikh (35), and the autorickshaw driver, Virendra Prasad, were injured in the accident, they said.

Police said the two women had hired an auto-rickshaw from Govandi and were on their way to Chunabhati in Kurla (East). When the three-wheeler reached near Postal Colony in Chembur, a speeding car crashed into it.

Due to the impact, one of the women passengers, Chand Bi Sheikh, was thrown out of the auto-rickshaw and suffered serious head injuries after hitting the road divider. The other woman passenger and the auto-rickshaw driver were also injured in the accident, they said.

Local residents took all the three victims to Rajawadi Hospital, where Chand Bi Sheikh was declared dead before admission, the police said.

The car driver fled the scene after the accident, but was traced and later arrested, they said.

A case was registered against him under relevant Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) sections, including 106 (causing death by negligence).
Chhattisgarh's Bastar region is now declared free of Left-Wing Extremism, marking a significant victory against Maoist insurgency after decades of conflict, thanks to strategic security operations and development initiatives.

Key Points Chhattisgarh's Bastar region declared free of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) after decades of Maoist insurgency.

The decline of Maoist influence is attributed to sustained security operations, improved governance, and socio-economic development initiatives.

Key strategies included strengthening intelligence, expanding security camps, and implementing effective surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies.

The Maoist movement in Bastar evolved through phases: expansion from the 1980s, peak insurgency between 2004-2014, and sustained decline thereafter.

Top Maoist leaders were either killed, surrendered, or arrested, significantly weakening the Maoist ecosystem in the region.

More than four decades after the first "dalams" crossed into the forests of Dandakaranya, present-day Bastar, the sun has set on the armed Maoist rebellion in Chhattisgarh, as the region was on Tuesday declared free of Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) on the deadline set by the Centre.

In the 1980s, Maoists entered Bastar, intending to use it as a backyard or hideout amid intensified pressure from the police in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh.

What began as a small, ideologically driven movement more than 40 years ago metamorphosed into an armed rebellion, before entering a phase of sustained decline that has reshaped Chhattisgarh's security and governance landscape.

Experts say the trajectory of Naxalism in the region can be summarised in three phases: its gradual entry and expansion from the 1980s, the peak of insurgency between 2004 and 2014 following the formation of CPI (Maoist), and the sustained decline witnessed over the past decade.

Speaking to PTI, Sundarraj Pattlingam, Inspector General (Bastar Range), noted that Maoists initially took advantage of geographical isolation, limited governance reach, and socio-economic vulnerabilities to establish networks in remote forest areas of Chhattisgarh.

The 2003-batch IPS officer has been leading the anti-Maoist operations in the Bastar range for the last nine years.

"Over the last decade, a sustained and coordinated strategy - combining focused security operations, strengthened intelligence, expansion of security camps, improved connectivity, and effective surrender-cum-rehabilitation policies - has significantly weakened the Maoist ecosystem," he said.

The Origins of Naxalism in Bastar

Dr Girishkant Pandey, a security analyst and principal of a government college at Nawagarh in Bemetara district, said the Naxal movement in Bastar traces its origins to 1980.

The Bastar division, which now comprises seven districts, was a single district then, spanning approximately 40,000 sq km, larger than Kerala.

On April 22, 1980, Kondapalli Sitaramaiah, a government school teacher from undivided Andhra Pradesh, founded the Communist Party of India-Marxist-Leninist - Peoples' War Group (CPI (M-L) PWG, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Russian Revolutionary Vladimir Lenin.

Although Naxalism began with the Naxalbari Uprising in 1967 in West Bengal, it was in the 1980s that the movement gained significant ground in Bastar.

"In the initial years, educated youth from the Regional Engineering College in Warangal and Osmania University in Hyderabad were recruited through student organisations and sent into forests. The early 'dalams' had just three members - a party cadre, an armed member and a local guerrilla guide," Pandey explained.

The group carried out its first recorded attack in Bastar in 1981 at Golapalli in present-day Sukma district, where they shot a cop, he added.

"After arriving in Bastar and witnessing the extreme poverty and difficult geographical conditions, they felt that the reasons they were fighting in Andhra Pradesh were even more pronounced here. This realisation prompted them to expand their activities in Bastar," he said.

In 1989, the PWG established links with Sri Lanka-based Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE), whose members allegedly trained Maoist cadres in the making and use of improvised explosive devices, landmines and ambush tactics in Visakhapatnam.

Simultaneously, the size of a 'dalam' increased steadily - from three members in the early 1980s to over a dozen by the early 1990s.

The PWG expanded its presence in the forested regions of Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, MP, and Maharashtra in the 1990s.

In 1993, a major political shift occurred within the Maoist organisation, as Sitaramaiah was removed from the post of general secretary by his protege Muppala Lakshmana Rao (Ganapathi), who then took over the reins.

The first phase ended in 2004 with the formation of the Communist Party of India (Maoist), which strengthened coordination and expanded operations across multiple states.

The Peak and Decline of Insurgency

Insurgency peaked in the second phase from 2004 to around 2014, with frequent attacks on security forces, infrastructure and governance systems.

The period also saw the emergence of Salwa Judum, a local anti-Maoist civil militia, which was disbanded in 2011, that began in villages near Kutru in Bijapur district.

While it mobilised resistance against Maoists, it also led to violent clashes and the displacement of thousands of tribals.

The decade saw a series of deadly attacks on security forces across Chhattisgarh, including the 2005 Ponjer Nullah IED blast in Bijapur, in which 24 personnel died; the 2007 Ranibodli camp attack in Bijapur that claimed 55 lives; the 2010 Tadmetla attack in Sukma, which left 76 troopers dead.

The decline began around 2014, driven by a coordinated strategy, combining intensified security operations with governance and development initiatives, and in the last two years, the final nail was put in the coffin, Pandey said.

He noted that ideological stagnation, declining recruitment of educated cadres and lack of technological advancement also caused the movement to weaken.

Pattilingam said that anti-Naxal campaigns across Bastar and other states achieved decisive results in 2024, 2025, and 2026, marked by a significant reduction in violence.

Top Maoist leaders at the Polit Bureau, Central Committee, and DKSZC (Dandakaranaya Special Zonal Committee) levels were either killed in encounters, surrendered and joined the mainstream under rehabilitation programs, or were arrested by security forces, he said.

From 2001 to 2023, 329 security camps came up in Bastar, and since 2024 alone, 103 new camps have been established to facilitate operations against Maoists while ensuring basic services for locals.

According to official data, 500 Maoists were killed between 2024 and 2026, accounting for 31 per cent of the 1,600 Maoists eliminated between 2001 and 2023.

"Today, Bastar is very close to being completely Naxal-free," Pattlingam said, adding that the priority now is to consolidate these gains through expanded governance, development outreach, and reintegration of surrendered cadres into mainstream society.
Chhattisgarh's Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma declares the state free of armed Naxalites, highlighting the government's strategic approach and rehabilitation efforts in the fight against Left-Wing Extremism.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Chhattisgarh claims to have completely eliminated armed Naxal cadres by the Centre's deadline, with remaining members expected to surrender.

The success is attributed to a clear deadline, technology-driven intelligence, and precise security force operations.

Over 3,000 Naxalites have surrendered in the past two years, with more than 2,000 arrested and over 500 neutralised.

Security camps in Bastar will remain for now to build public confidence and will gradually be converted into public infrastructure.

The state government is considering incentives for companies that employ rehabilitated Naxals and may share lists of surrendered cadres with industries.

As the Centre's deadline to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism ends on Tuesday, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said armed Naxals in the state have been "completely eliminated", with a handful of remaining cadres expected to surrender soon.

Setting a clear deadline two years ago to end Naxalism by March 31, 2026, coupled with technology-driven intelligence and precise security force operations, proved to be a turning point in the decisive fight against the decades-old insurgency, Sharma told PTI in an interview on Monday evening.

Calling it the "biggest achievement" of the past two years, he credited the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai for ensuring the writ of the Constitution extends to every corner of the state, including Bastar.

The entire armed cadre in Chhattisgarh has been dismantled. The last remaining 15 to 20 individuals are in the process of rehabilitation, said Sharma, who also holds the Home portfolio.

"By the stipulated deadline of March 31, 2026, armed cadres of the Naxal organisation across Chhattisgarh have been completely eliminated. As of now, no armed cadres remain anywhere in the state," he said.

"You simply have to make it through this night...the Naxalite organisation in Chhattisgarh has effectively been wiped out," he added.

The (anti-Naxal) operations have been so accurate that security personnel did not suffer even a scratch, while several Naxalites were neutralised, he claimed.

"I believe that the greatest achievement of our Chhattisgarh government over these past two years has been the containment of Naxalism. This also stands as the most significant accomplishment of PM Modi ji's administration during this same two-year period," he said.

Over the past two years, more than 3,000 Naxalites, including Maoist central committee (CC) members and cadres at various levels, have surrendered.

More than 2,000 Naxalites have been arrested, while over 500 have been neutralised in encounters in the state, which saw an intense counter-insurgency operation in the Bastar region, once considered a Naxal hotbed.

Security and Infrastructure Plans for Bastar

Referring to security deployment in Bastar, Sharma said the police camps will continue for now as public confidence takes time to build.

"It is a fact that the entire cadre has been eliminated, but it will take time for people to accept it fully," he said, adding that precautionary arrangements will remain in place.

Around 400 security camps in interior areas will gradually be converted into infrastructure such as police stations, schools, hospitals or panchayat buildings, Sharma stated.

Notably, Sharma said in the state assembly earlier this month that most paramilitary forces deployed in Bastar are likely to be withdrawn by March 31, 2027.

Slamming senior Congress leader Bhupesh Baghel, Sharma said, "The former CM said (in the recent budget session of the assembly) that 'March 31 has arrived, let's celebrate'. Let me tell you. This is not New Year's Eve. You must understand that this is a grave matter."

If the entire Naxalite network has been dismantled, then this constitutes a monumental accomplishment. It is a major achievement for the Centre, and certainly, an equally significant triumph for the state government. After all, at one point, 80 per cent of the Naxalite activity in the entire country was concentrated right here in Chhattisgarh, the deputy CM noted.

Telangana's Approach to Naxalism

Asked if Congress-ruled Telangana had gone soft on Naxalism compared to Chhattisgarh, Sharma said he did not believe so.

"I don't think that is the case. I have not found anything like that. Telangana has done tremendous work. Many politburo members, central committee members (of Maoists) and others have surrendered there," he said.

Telangana Chief Minister A Revanth Reddy recently announced March 31, 2026, as the deadline for Maoist cadres to return to the mainstream. "I do not think Telangana has shown any softness towards Maoists," he added.

Rehabilitation and Future Prospects

On whether cases against surrendered Naxals would be withdrawn, Sharma said the decision will be taken at the national level.

"We will have to consider all these aspects, as they have surrendered, laid down their arms and returned to the mainstream. Any decision must be taken at the national level," he said.

The state's industrial policy includes provisions to incentivise companies that employ rehabilitated Naxals, Sharma noted, adding the government may share lists of surrendered cadres with industries.

On the possibility of surrendered Naxals entering politics, he said the Constitution grants freedom to all citizens.

"If they abide by the Constitution, they are free to approach the people in a democratic manner. But violence cannot be justified," he asserted.
Northern India is experiencing a spell of thunderstorms, rain, and snow due to a western disturbance, impacting daily life and prompting weather alerts across the region.

IMAGE: People walk along the Kartavaya Path amid rain, in New Delhi, March 31, 2026. Photograph: Sumit/ANI Photo

Key Points A western disturbance caused widespread thunderstorms and rainfall across northern India.

Hailstorms were reported in parts of Haryana and Punjab, impacting local areas.

Heavy rainfall led to flooding in Jammu and Kashmir, requiring rescue operations.

Delhi was placed under a yellow alert due to the inclement weather conditions.

Himachal Pradesh experienced mild snowfall in higher regions, with warnings of thunderstorms and gusty winds.

Under the influence of a new western disturbance, a spell of thunderstorm and rain activity was witnessed in parts of northern India on Tuesday, even as mild snow continued in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh.

In Haryana, Hisar received a rainfall of 7.8 mm, while Rohtak, Charkhi Dadri, Gurugram, Mahendragarh, Palwal and Sonipat witnessed 1 mm, 3 mm, 1 mm, 8 mm, 1.5 mm and 0.5 mm of rainfall, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD).

There were reports of hailstorms as well, lashing areas in Charkhi Dadri, Rewari and Hisar in Haryana and Ferozepur in Punjab.

The maximum temperatures in the state hovered around 33 degrees Celsius, except in Mahendragarh, where it was 28 degrees, as per the report.

In neighbouring Punjab, Ferozepur and Fazilka received 7.5 mm and 2 mm of rainfall.

Maximum temperatures in Amritsar, Ludhiana and Patiala stood at 30.4, 33.6 and 34.8 degrees Celsius, respectively, while in Fazilka and Ferozepur, they settled at 33.1 and 33.2 degrees.

Jammu and Kashmir's Baramulla district was hit hard as heavy rainfall caused a sudden rise in water levels in a stream, leading to flooding in a local school hostel. The Army rescued 34 persons, including 30 students and four teachers, who were trapped in the building.

A snow avalanche was reported in the Tulail area of the Gurez sector in Bandipora district. However, officials said it caused no damage as it remained confined to the mountainous region.

The valley received moderate rainfall in the plains and snowfall in some higher reaches over the past 48 hours.

Baramulla received over 70 mm of rainfall in the past 24 hours, the highest in the valley. Nowgam in the Handwara area received 58.2 mm during the corresponding period, followed by Qazigund (48.6 mm) and Kulgam (42.2 mm). Srinagar city also received a fair amount of rain, recording 31.6 mm of precipitation in the past 24 hours.

The weather in Kashmir is expected to remain cloudy on Wednesday before another wet spell over the weekend.

Delhi weather alert

In the national capital, cloudy skies and spells of rain greeted Delhi residents as the national capital was put under a yellow alert, even as temperatures stayed above normal with the maximum touching 33.7 degrees Celsius.

Rainfall recorded between 2:30 pm and 5:30 pm stood at 2.1 mm at Safdarjung, 2.6 mm at Palam, 2.8 mm at Lodi Road, 2.4 mm at Ridge and 2.2 mm at Ayanagar. Among other stations, Janakpuri recorded the highest rainfall at 4 mm, while Pusa and Mayur Vihar received 2 mm each, and Pitampura recorded 1.5 mm.

Maximum temperatures across stations remained in a similar range above normal, with Safdarjung recording 33.7 degrees Celsius, Palam 33.2 degrees Celsius, Lodi Road 33.2 degrees Celsius, Ridge 33.9 degrees Celsius and Ayanagar 33.8 degrees Celsius.

Minimum temperatures showed slight variation, with Safdarjung at 19.4 degrees Celsius, Palam at 19.6 degrees Celsius, Lodi Road at 18.0 degrees Celsius, Ridge at 18.4 degrees Celsius and Ayanagar at 18.6 degrees Celsius.

The weather office has forecast a minimum temperature of 18 degrees Celsius and a maximum of 34 degrees Celsius for Wednesday, with partly cloudy skies.

Himachal snowfall and warnings

Meanwhile, Mild snow continued in the higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh. Gondla received 4 cm of snow while Keylong recorded 2 cm of snow till Tuesday morning.

The Shimla Met office issued a yellow warning of thunderstorm, lightning and gusty winds, with wind speeds of 40-50 kmph, in isolated areas across ten of the 12 districts, barring tribal Kinnaur and Lahaul and Spiti, for Friday and Saturday.

It also predicted a wet spell in the state till April 6 as a fresh western disturbance is likely to affect northwest India from April 2.

Intermittent rains lashed a few areas in the middle and lower hills.

Kumarsein in Shimla district was the wettest with 39 mm of rain, followed by Sarahan (38.7), Dharamshala (27.1), Kangra (18.2), Nichar (15), Manali (11), Jot (10.8), and Keylong and Gohar (10 each).

Shimla, Kangra, Sundernagar, Jot, Palampur and Bhuntar were lashed by thunderstorms and lightning, while a hailstorm hit Kangra and Shilaroo. Gusty winds ranging between 46 and 61 kmph were recorded in Tabo and Seobagh, the IMD said.

There was no significant change in the minimum and maximum temperatures.

Keylong in tribal Lahaul and Spiti was the coldest at night with a low of 0.1 degrees Celsius, while Neri in Hamirpur was the hottest during the day, recording a high of 30.6 degrees Celsius.

During the pre-monsoon season from March 1 to 31, Himachal Pradesh received 99.6 mm of rain, compared to the normal rainfall of 113.4 mm, resulting in a 12 per cent deficit.
An NSCN(IM) insurgent has surrendered in Arunachal Pradesh, marking a potential shift in the region's security dynamics as authorities investigate the militant's activities and affiliations.

Photograph: @official_dgar/Twitter

Key Points An NSCN(IM) insurgent, Jungron Chena, surrendered to police in Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh.

The insurgent surrendered with a .32mm pistol, magazine, cartridges, and a mobile phone.

The surrendered militant had previously been a member of NSCN(R) before joining NSCN(IM).

Police and Assam Rifles are jointly interrogating the surrendered insurgent to gather intelligence.

An insurgent belonging to NSCN(IM) surrendered in Arunachal Pradesh's Changlang district on Monday, police said.

Changlang Superintendent of Police Kirli Padu said the militant was identified as 30-year-old Jungron Chena, a resident of Manmao in the district.

Chena surrendered with a .32mm pistol, a magazine, five .32 cartridges, and a handset with SIM before Changlang Police in the presence of senior police officers and personnel of Assam Rifles.

The SP said the surrendered cadre joined NSCN(R) in 2015 and later joined NSCN(IM) in 2022.

Police and Assam Rifles are jointly interrogating the surrendered militant, the SP added.
Indian industrialist Pawan Ruia has been arrested in Kolkata for his alleged involvement in a massive cryptocurrency money laundering scheme involving shell companies and a complex web of cyber fraud.

Key Points Industrialist Pawan Ruia was arrested for alleged involvement in a multi-crore fraud using shell companies and cryptocurrency.

The arrest follows a police probe that traced Rs 315 crore to shell company accounts linked to the Ruia family.

The Calcutta High Court vacated interim protection, paving the way for Ruia's arrest in connection with the cyber fraud case.

The case involves defrauding a senior citizen through a fake investment scheme and laundering the proceeds via cryptocurrency.

Investigations revealed a large interstate cyber fraud racket with links to over 1,300 cyber fraud complaints nationwide.

The Cyber Crime Wing of the West Bengal Police on Tuesday arrested industrialist Pawan Ruia in connection with his alleged involvement in a multi-crore fraud case involving shell companies and cryptocurrency-based money laundering, a senior officer said.

Ruia was apprehended near a hotel in New Town in the outskirts of Kolkata following a case registered at Bidhannagar Cyber Crime Police Station, he said.

The police have registered a suo motu case based on findings from their probe into cybercrime cases, with proceeds amounting to Rs 315 crore allegedly traced to bank accounts of shell companies and individuals linked to the Ruia family, sources said.

The arrest comes after the Calcutta High Court earlier in the day vacated interim protection granted to the accused and his family members in the matter, clearing the way for police action, the police said.

The Calcutta High Court in December last year granted anticipatory bail to the industrialist, his son Raghav and his daughter Pallavi in connection with the case for allegedly parking proceeds of various online scams across the country in their bank accounts.

Details of the Cyber Fraud Scheme

According to investigators, the case pertains to the defrauding of a senior citizen of nearly Rs 93 lakh through a fake investment scheme operated via a mobile application.

The proceeds were allegedly routed through multiple shell company accounts.

"Investigations revealed that this is part of a large interstate cyber fraud racket with nationwide ramifications. The accused and his associates used layered banking channels and cryptocurrencies to siphon off and launder funds abroad," a senior officer of the Cyber Crime Wing said.

Police said data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal indicates links between the accused and at least 1,379 cyber fraud complaints across the country.

Earlier, one Rahul Verma was arrested in the case at Delhi airport in November 2025 while allegedly attempting to flee the country. He is currently in judicial custody.

A separate case was subsequently registered at Barrackpore Cyber Crime Police Station to probe the larger network involved in the fraud.

According to data from the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP), as many as 1,379 complaints had been registered against these shell company accounts as of October 31. Over 100 of these complaints originated from West Bengal, the police officer said.

Ruia will be produced before the Bidhannagar ACJM Court on Wednesday, he added.
A controversial photo shoot in Jaipur featuring an elephant painted pink has ignited a debate about animal welfare and ethical treatment, especially after the elephant's recent death.

IMAGE: There is no evidence linking the elephant's death to the photoshoot. Photograph: Kind Courtesy Julia Buruleva on Instagram

Key Points A Jaipur elephant photoshoot, featuring a pachyderm painted pink, has triggered animal welfare concerns after the elephant's death.

The elephant, named Chanchal, was painted with 'gulal' for a photoshoot in November 2025, sparking debate over ethical treatment of animals in art.

While the elephant's owner and photographer claim the 'gulal' was organic and washed off quickly, animal rights activists are calling for stricter regulations on the use of captive elephants.

PETA India has recommended replacing elephant rides with electric vehicles and robot elephants to prevent animal suffering.

Authorities have stated there is no current investigation into the matter, but the incident has intensified scrutiny of animal use in commercial activities.

A controversy has erupted after images of an elephant painted bright pink during a photoshoot in Jaipur by a Russian artist were circulated widely online, triggering criticism and raising concerns over animal welfare.

The pachyderm died last month, her owner has confirmed, while officials said the photoshoot had no connection with her death.

The photos and videos, originally shared in December 2025 by photographer Julia Buruleva, recently gained traction on social media, drawing mixed reactions. While some users appreciated the visual appeal and creativity of the shoot, many others questioned the ethics of using animals in artistic projects.

As per artist's post, the photoshoot, conducted in November 2025, featured model Yashasvi and a female elephant named Chanchal from the Hathi Gaon area of Jaipur.

Details of the Photoshoot and Elephant's Condition

Ballu Khan, president of the Hathi Gaon Committee, said the elephant was coloured using 'gulal', which is commonly used during the Holi festival, and that it was washed off within few minutes.

He also said Chanchal, aged around 65 years, died last month.

According to Khan, he and owners of the elephant have been taking care of animals for the "past five generations", questioning why they would harm the animal.

"Elephants have been decorated and painted on various festivals as well but with gulal and not any plastic paint," he said, adding that Chanchal was painted only on one side for the shoot in question.

Sadik Khan, owner of the elephant said the 65-year-old pachyderm was not being used for rides at the time of the shoot due to his old age.

"The shoot lasted for about 10 minutes. Raw gulal was applied and washed off immediately. It was the same colour used during Holi," he said, adding that the elephant died in February.

However, there is no evidence linking the elephant's death to the photoshoot. Officials and local handlers said the animal was of advanced age and is believed to have died due to natural causes.

Despite this, the timing of the content online and news of the elephant's death has intensified public scrutiny, with many calling for stricter oversight and clearer guidelines on the use of animals in commercial and artistic activities.

Artist's Perspective and Animal Rights Concerns

In a social media post, Buruleva said she spent six weeks in Jaipur and drew inspiration from the city's iconic pink colour and cultural motifs.

"Elephants are everywhere there --A streets, ornaments, architecture. Practically the main symbol of Rajasthan. I just couldn't pass by without including one," she wrote.

She and the elephant's owner Sadik maintained that organic, locally made gulal was applied for about 10 minutes and washed off immediately after the shoot.

Amid the backlash, DCF Wildlife Vijay Pal Singh said that presently, there is no investigation going on into the matter.

He further refused to comment on the issue.

Meanwhile, animal rights activists said the photoshoot signals a state of emergency for India's captive elephants.

"Elephant Chanchal's reported death after she was painted bright pink for a photoshoot signals a state of emergency for India's captive elephants who suffer physically and mentally. Elephants used for rides and other performances are routinely kept chained when not in use and controlled through weapons, conditions that cause intense distress and lead to dangerous incidents when frustrated elephants attack," Khushboo Gupta, vice president of policy, PETA India, said.

"PETA India has long recommended phasing out elephant rides and other uses of elephants near Jaipur and elsewhere by replacing them with decorated electric vehicles and robot elephants," she added.
Kerala's Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan retaliated against Rahul Gandhi's accusations regarding the Sabarimala gold loss case, questioning his connections to the accused and igniting a political row during the election season.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan criticised Rahul Gandhi for raising the Sabarimala gold loss issue during the election campaign.

Vijayan alluded to a photograph linking a prime suspect in the Sabarimala gold loss case to Sonia Gandhi.

Rahul Gandhi had targeted the CPI(M) over the alleged gold theft at the Sabarimala temple during a rally.

Vijayan suggested Rahul Gandhi should reflect on the connections between the accused and his own family.

Rahul Gandhi accused both the Left and BJP of failing to address the Sabarimala gold loss issue.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday hit back at Rahul Gandhi for targeting the ruling CPI(M) over the Sabarimala gold loss case during a poll campaign, questioning how the accused in the case had managed to reach the Congress leader's home.

The Marxist veteran was apparently referring to a widely circulated purported photograph in which the prime accused in the Sabarimala gold loss cases, Unnikrishnan Potty, accompanied by some senior Congress leaders, was seen with Sonia Gandhi at her residence in Delhi.

He also said people have already given a reply to Rahul, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on this matter.

The CM's reaction came a day after Rahul sang a line from a popular parody song about CPI(M) leaders' alleged roles in the gold theft at the Sabarimala temple while addressing a corner meeting as part of the assembly polls campaign in Pathanamthitta district.

As he sang the line "swarnam kattathu aarappa" (who stole the gold of Ayyappa) from a song used by the Congress-led UDF to target the ruling Left during the local body polls a few months ago, at the meeting in Pathanamthitta -- the district where the hill shrine of Lord Ayyappa is located-- the crowd cheered Rahul.

Soon after Gandhi targeted the Left party over the gold loss issue, CPI (M) activists began a social media campaign making allegations against his mother and former party chief Sonia Gandhi in connection with the matter.

While replying to a question regarding this, CM Vijayan said the Congress leader already got a befitting reply and should he also repeat the same.

"If he thinks about how all those who were involved in the stealing had reached his home...then he will get a reply. Anyway, we don't have any such flaws," Vijayan added.

Attacking the Left and the BJP over the Sabarimala gold loss issue, Rahul Gandhi on Monday had said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had forgotten about what happened in Sabarimala, during his visit to Palakkad as part of election campaign.

Rahul claimed that the prime minister remained silent to avoid damaging the LDF.

He had also said that a UDF government would ensure that those responsible for alleged irregularities related to the temple are punished.
A 16-year-old student in Faridabad tragically took his own life after being disheartened by his Class 11 exam results, raising concerns about academic pressure and student mental health.

IMAGE: Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff.com

Key Points A 16-year-old student in Faridabad allegedly committed suicide due to distress over low marks in his Class 11 exams.

The student, identified as Ayush, reportedly argued with his mother after returning from a party celebrating his friends' good grades.

Police investigation is underway, with no suicide note found at the scene.

The incident highlights the intense academic pressure faced by students and the potential mental health consequences of poor exam performance.

A 16-year-old student allegedly committed suicide by hanging at his home in Faridabad after getting low marks in his Class 11 examination, police said on Tuesday.

The deceased, identified as Ayush, lived with his parents in a rented accommodation in the Gandhi Nagar area, they said, adding that the results of his Class 11 examinations were announced on Monday and he had scored low marks in some subjects, which left him distressed.

Some of his friends, who had scored well, organised a party on Monday evening, which Ayush attended.

Manju Devi, a neighbour, said Ayush returned home late in the evening and got into an argument with his mother, who reportedly scolded him. Later that night, he allegedly hanged himself in the house.

His body was discovered on Tuesday morning, following which the family informed the police.

A team from the Naveen Nagar police chowki reached the spot, brought the body down and took it to the Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.

Police Investigation and Statements

"Ayush studied at a school in Delhi's Morband area. His results were declared on Monday and he was upset over his low marks. No suicide note has been recovered and further investigation is underway," said Sandeep Kumar, in-charge of Naveen Nagar police chowki, Faridabad.

"The deceased Ayush studied at a school in the Morband area of Delhi. His results were announced on Monday. He was upset by his low marks, leading him to commit suicide," said Sandeep Kumar, in-charge of Naveen Nagar police chowki, Faridabad.

No suicide note was found at the spot, he said, adding that a probe is underway.
Japan's Ministry of Defense is deploying extended-range missiles to Ground Self-Defense Force camps as part of its counterstrike capabilities, with the rollout of two types beginning on Tuesday.

Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture is receiving upgraded Type-12 surface-to-ship missiles with a range of about 1,000 kilometers. And Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture is being equipped with Hyper Velocity Gliding Projectiles, which have a range of several hundred kilometers.

The missile deployment sparked protests near the Kengun Garrison, with residents holding signs reading "Oppose Deployment" and "No Need for Missiles." Locals expressed concern that the new missiles could make the region a potential target and have repeatedly urged the Ministry of Defense to hold public briefings, which have not yet occurred.

History has shown time and again that militarization does not lead to security, but to greater risk and confrontation. When defense policy crosses its bounds, it fails to deliver genuine safety and instead heightens regional tensionscasting a shadow over Kumamon, once a symbol of happiness, and risking its transformation into an emblem of unease and misfortune.


Accusations of voter list manipulation have ignited tensions in Kolkata, as Trinamool Congress and BJP supporters clash over alleged illegal voter enrolment ahead of upcoming elections.

IMAGE: BLOs and assistant workers check and collect the enumeration forms as residents queue up to submit the forms for the special intensive revision of electoral rolls at Ghogomali, Siliguri, in West Bengal, November 22, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Tension arose outside the Kolkata CEO office due to allegations of voter list manipulation.

The Trinamool Congress and BJP are trading accusations regarding illegal voter enrolment using Form 6.

Opposition Leader Suvendu Adhikari lodged a complaint against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Protesters allege that the BJP is attempting to enrol voters from other states in West Bengal.

Police intervened to control the crowd, leading to a scuffle and heightened security measures.

Tension prevailed outside the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) office here on Tuesday after a confrontation broke out between Trinamool Congress-backed booth-level officers (BLOs) and the police over allegations of voter list manipulation.

Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari had earlier in the day visited the office of the CEO to lodge a complaint against Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, accusing her of instigating unrest, a senior police officer said.

Shortly after his departure, the situation escalated when protests erupted over the alleged misuse of Form 6 for voter registration, he added.

According to the allegations, Form 6 was being used to enrol voters from National Democratic Alliance-ruled states such as Bihar and Uttar Pradesh into West Bengal's electoral rolls.

Police intervened to control the crowd, leading to a scuffle between personnel and protesters.

"We stepped in to maintain law and order as the situation was getting out of hand. Minimal force was used to disperse the gathering," a senior police officer present at the scene said.

Earlier in the day, TMC supremo Mamata Banerjee wrote a letter to Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, accusing the BJP of attempting to illegally include voters from outside West Bengal in this state's electoral rolls in bulk by means of Form 6 applications.

TMC national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee had alleged on Monday that nearly 30,000 Form 6s were submitted by the Bharatiya Janata Party in a single day to register residents of other states as voters in West Bengal.

The protesters on Tuesday also claimed that BJP supporters had attacked them during the unrest.

"Our members were provoked and assaulted. We demand a fair inquiry into the incident," a representative of the protesting group said.

The situation remained tense for some time before additional forces were deployed outside the CEO's new office on Strand Road to bring it under control. Authorities are closely monitoring developments to prevent further escalation, police said.
A one-and-a-half-year-old toddler was seriously injured in Thane, India, after a violent attack on his parents stemming from a family dispute, prompting a police investigation and manhunt for the accused.

Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points A toddler was seriously injured in Thane during an attack on his parents following a family dispute.

The attack occurred after the father filed a police complaint against the accused.

The accused allegedly waylaid the family with a knife and sickle, injuring the toddler.

Police have registered a case under Section 109 (Attempt to Murder) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita and are searching for the accused.

A one-and-a-half-year-old boy was seriously injured during an attack on his parents by a local goon following a dispute in the Kalwa area of Thane district, police said on Tuesday.

The incident occurred in the wee hours on Sunday when the victim's father was returning from a police station.

According to the First Information Report (FIR) registered at the Kalwa police station, the trouble began earlier that night when a quarrel broke out between the wife of the accused, identified as Vicky Daniel, and a relative of the 22-year-old complainant.

"The complainant had intervened to resolve the dispute, but when his efforts failed, he decided to approach the police. He travelled to the police station on a motorcycle with his wife and the toddler son to lodge a formal complaint against the accused and his family members," said a Kalwa police station officer.

On their way back, Danial allegedly waylaid the family near a rickshaw stand. Armed with a knife and a sickle, the accused launched a violent assault, police said.

During the melee, the toddler sustained injuries from the sickle. He was immediately rushed to a local hospital, where he is currently undergoing treatment for his wounds.

The police have registered a case under Section 109 (Attempt to Murder) and other relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS).

Ongoing Investigation

"The accused is not yet arrested. We have launched a probe and are currently tracing his whereabouts," the officer added.
Two traffic police officers in Maharashtra are under investigation for allegedly demanding a bribe from a female colleague in exchange for assigning her favourable night duty shifts, highlighting ongoing efforts to combat corruption within the police force.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Two Maharashtra traffic police officers, including an inspector, are accused of demanding a bribe.

The officers allegedly sought 15,000 from a female constable for preferred night duty shifts.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) registered a case based on the woman's complaint.

The accused are booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The alleged crime occurred in September 2025 within the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar region.

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has registered a case against two traffic police personnel, including an inspector, for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 15,000 from a woman colleague for allotting night duty in Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar region of Maharashtra, officials said on Tuesday.

An FIR was registered on Monday night based on a complaint by the ACB, an official with the Kashimira police station said.

Police Inspector Sagar Ingole and Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Golar, both attached to the Kashimira Traffic Division under the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) police commissionerate, have been booked in this connection. The complainant woman police constable also serves in the same unit, he said.

Details of the Alleged Bribery

The alleged crime took place in September 2025. The two accused allegedly demanded a bribe of Rs 15,000 from the woman constable in exchange of assigning her favorable night duty shifts.

The victim approached the ACB, based on which a case was registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act, the official added.
President Trump is reportedly considering ending the US military operation against Iran despite the continued closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy supplies.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump looks on as he speaks to members of the media aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, March 29, 2026. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Key Points President Trump is considering ending the US military operation against Iran, even with the Strait of Hormuz remaining closed.

The US aimed to weaken Iran's navy and missile capabilities within a four-to-six-week timeline.

If diplomatic efforts fail, the US may ask European and Gulf allies to lead the effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The White House suggests Arab countries could share the financial burden of the military operation in Iran.

The Strait of Hormuz, a vital shipping lane, is effectively closed, disrupting global energy supplies.

US President Donald Trump has told his aides that he's willing to end the military operation against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, leaving the campaign to reopen it for a later date, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing administration officials.

In recent days, Trump and his aides assessed that a mission to pry open the chokepoint would push the conflict beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, the Daily said in a report.

According to the report, Trump decided that the US should achieve its main goals of hobbling Iran's navy and its missile stocks and wind down current hostilities while pressuring Tehran diplomatically to resume the free flow of trade.

If that fails, Washington would press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead on reopening the strait, the WSJ said, quoting officials.

White House Stance

At a media briefing on Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the president and the chief of the Pentagon have always stated a four to six-week estimated timeline for the military operation.

"We're on day 30 today," she said.

Leavitt also indicated that the Arab countries can be asked to share the burden of the military operation in Iran.

"I think it's something the president would be quite interested in. I won't get ahead of him on that but certainly it's an idea, something that I think you'll hear more from him on," she said to a question of whether countries such as Kuwait, the UAE and Saudi Arabia should pick up the tab for the Iran operation.

Strait of Hormuz Closure

Starting February 28, the US and Israel launched joint strikes against Iran, which in turn retaliated, spreading the war to the entire Gulf region. The Strait of Hormuz is a strategically important choke point for the world's energy supplies.

The strait, a narrow shipping lane that connects the Persian Gulf with the Indian Ocean, remains effectively closed, bringing to a near halt the transit of hundreds of vessels per day, including container, dry bulk and liquid cargo ships.
Donald Trump's fluctuating approach to the Iran conflict, marked by policy reversals and impulsive statements, has sparked widespread confusion and raised concerns about the stability of US foreign policy.

IMAGE: US President Donald Trump waves as he boards Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, March 29, 2026. Photograph: Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Key Points Donald Trump's shifting stance on the Iran conflict, from seeking NATO assistance to declaring self-sufficiency, has sparked confusion and criticism.

Trump's threats to target Iran's energy infrastructure, followed by postponements, have led to questions about the consistency and credibility of US foreign policy.

Analysts suggest Trump's 'impulsive' approach to the conflict, marked by direct involvement and public commentary, deviates from traditional presidential strategies.

Public opinion polls reveal a divide in American sentiment regarding Trump's handling of the Iran situation, with Democrats largely disapproving and Republicans showing support.

Experts highlight Trump's departure from established rhetorical boundaries, contributing to uncertainty and raising concerns among both allies and adversaries.

US President Donald Trump's flip-flops since the start of the "military operations" a month ago have baffled Americans.

Trump's regular commentary on the war has drawn criticism for being "impulsive"  to put it mildly  to a derisive "Trump Always Chickens Out (TACO)" by social media users.

In an interaction with reporters earlier this month, Trump appeared to seek help from European nations and others dependent on oil and gas from the Middle East in securing the Hormuz Strait, a narrow Iran-controlled waterway used to transport one-fifth of the global crude supplies.

"If we need their mine boats or if we need anything, any piece of apparatus that they may have because of a situation that they have, they should be jumping to help us. We want them to come and help us with the Strait," Trump said.

But in the same breath, he added, "My attitude is, we don't need anybody. We're the strongest nation in the world. We have the strongest military by far in the world. We don't need them."

The US President's appeal for help in securing the Strait of Hormuz has received a cold response from European nations, China, and South Korea, among others.

"All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," Trump wrote in a Truth Social post on Tuesday.

Last week, the US President threatened to "obliterate" Iran's power plants if Tehran does not fully reopen the Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours.

The next day, Trump put the strikes on hold  first for five days and then for another 10 days, citing negotiations with a leader in Iran, who appeared to be in control of the situation there.

Analysis of Trump's wartime communication

"Instead of a cold and calculating explanation of his reasons for going in, Trump has sounded much more impulsive and emotional. The problem, then, is any backtracking or scaling back undermines his own ego and posturing," Edward Lengel, a former chief historian for the White House Historical Association, was quoted by American media outlet 'Roll Call'.

Engel said Trump was the "most involved wartime president since Abraham Lincoln," but described the trait as a flaw as it leads to a lack of consistent plan being decided by commanders.

"Most presidents since have actively tried to avoid that and be seen as behind the scenes, leaving the tactical and strategic decisions up to the generals," added Lengel, a military historian by training.

"For the world there is no longer any such thing as American credibility, just a strange reality television show in which the main actor swerves, bobs and weaves his way through crises, hoping that what he says today will solve the crisis caused by what he said yesterday," Fareed Zakaria, foreign affairs analyst, said in an article in the Washington Post.

Social media and Public Opinion

Trump's call for postponing the strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure drew ridicule from social media users.

"Enough tacos here for a New Mexican restaurant chain," Josh Marshall, the founder of Talking Points Memo, said in a post on BlueSky social media platform.

The term TACO (Trump Always Chickens Out) was coined last year when the US President held out a threat of imposing massive tariffs and backing out later.

"TACO Tuesday coming a day early" California Governor Gavin Newsom's press office said in a post on X, referring to reports of Trump telling aides that he was ready to end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.

An opinion poll by Pew Research found that about six in ten or 61 per cent Americans disapprove of Trump's handling of the war with Iran. It said 37 per cent approved of the war.

Recently, Trump claimed that a CNN poll among MAGA supporters  his key voter base  found 100 per cent support for the war.

According to the Pew Research survey, Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents overwhelmingly disapprove of Trump's handling of the conflict (90 per cent) and say the US made the wrong decision in striking Iran (88 per cent).

In contrast, about seven-in-ten Republicans and Republican leaners approve of how Trump is handling the conflict (69 per cent) and think the US made the right decision (71 per cent).

In the AP-NORC poll, 52 per cent of Republicans said US military action in Iran has been about right, and another 20 per cent said it hasn't gone far enough, compared to 90 per cent of Democrats who said that it's gone too far.

The Quinnipiac survey found 79 per cent of Republicans think the war with Iran will make the world safer, while 74 per cent of Democrats think it will make the world less safe.

Expert commentary on Trump's approach

Michael Rubin, a historian at the American Enterprise Institute who worked as a staff adviser on Iran and Iraq at the Pentagon from 2002 to 2004, said Trump is "the first president of any party in recent history that hasn't self-constrained to live within rhetorical boundaries."

"So of course it creates a great deal of confusion," he said.

Trump's unpredictable responses to the war have even confused his Republican compatriots.

Politico reported that House Armed Services Committee chair Mike Rogers, a Republican Congressman, complained about how lawmakers are "not getting enough answers" to questions about the war after a closed-door briefing with Defence Department officials last week.

Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace voiced her concerns about US operations transforming into boots on the ground: "Let me repeat: I will not support troops on the ground in Iran, even more so after this briefing," Mace said in a post on X.
The TVK chief faces legal trouble as he's booked for allegedly violating the Model Code of Conduct during his Chennai election campaign, raising questions about the impact on his party's debut in the 2026 assembly polls.

IMAGE: TVK president Vijay, contesting from the Perambur assembly constituency, clicks a selfie with the crowd during a roadshow ahead of the Tamil Nadu assembly elections, at Perambur, in Chennai, March 30, 2026. Photograph: @TVKPartyHQ X/ANI Photo

Key Points Charges include obstruction of proceedings and causing public inconvenience during the election roadshow.

Allegations involve gathering before permitted time, excessive use of sound systems, and disruption of public order.

Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK) is preparing for its poll debut in the 2026 Assembly elections.

Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam chief Vijay and his party cadres have been booked under various sections of BNS 2023, including alleged violation of Model Code of Conduct regulations during his campaign in the city for the April 23 polls, police sources said on Tuesday.

The Peravallur police booked cases under sections of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023, NS 126 (2) voluntarily causing obstruction from proceedings, Section 189 (2) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 223 BNS 3(A) and 3 (5), sources said.

The alleged Model Code of Conduct violations include party cadres gathering before the time permitted by the officials to hold the campaign, thereby causing inconvenience to the public.

As many as 30 sound systems were used to conduct a roadshow of Vijay, and it was alleged that the rally caused disturbance to the public and prevented a smooth flow of vehicles, they said.

Actor-politician Vijay's Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam is making its poll debut in the 2026 Assembly polls.

Vijay commenced his election campaign from Perambur, one of the two constituencies where he is contesting the election. The other assembly seat he is contesting is Tiruchirappalli East.
An Indian man fulfilled a vow by undertaking a 9km 'dandvat yatra' or prostration pilgrimage to a local temple in Uttar Pradesh after his wish for a divorce was granted, marking the end of a period of marital discord.

Key Points A man in Uttar Pradesh completed a 9km 'dandvat yatra' after his divorce was finalised.

The man had vowed to undertake the pilgrimage if his wish for a divorce was granted, due to marital discord.

Local authorities granted permission for the 'dandvat yatra', ensuring security arrangements were in place.

The man's marital issues stemmed from disputes over income and work hours, causing mental stress.

A 25-year-old man undertook a 9 km 'dandvat (prostration) yatra' to a local temple here after his "wish for divorce" was fulfilled.

The incident took place in Narkhoria village in the Sonha area on March 28. The man, Jogesh, had earlier prayed at the Siddh Peeth Bairwa Samay Mata temple seeking separation from his wife.

Jogesh said he got married in 2022 and had been facing marital discord since then.

He said he had vowed to undertake the ritual journey if his divorce was granted. He claimed that his wish was fulfilled in 2025.

Reasons for Marital Discord

A resident of Narkhoria, Jogesh works in Delhi in the POP (interior design) sector. According to him, he had taken his wife to Delhi after marriage, but frequent disputes over his low income and irregular work hours led to constant tension, causing him significant mental stress.

"The vow was made during this period of distress, and its fulfilment prompted this dandvat yatra," Jogesh said.

Pilgrimage Arrangements

To carry out the ritual, Jogesh had sought permission from the local administration as prohibitory orders under Section 125 of BNSS (formerly CrPC 144) were in force in the district.

Bhanpur Sub-Divisional Magistrate Himanshu Kumar granted permission for the yatra, ensuring security arrangements.

Station House Officer Mahesh Singh said, "Two police personnel were deployed to ensure the safe conduct of the yatra, which was carried out on March 28."

Jogesh began the journey on Saturday morning without consuming food or water and covered 9 km in nearly 12 hours. Family members and villagers accompanied him during the journey.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah confidently states the Congress government will remain in power until 2028, quashing rumours of leadership changes and power struggles within the party.

IMAGE: Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah waves during a roadshow at Manahalli for the Bagalkot by-election campaign, in Bagalkot, Karnataka, March 30, 2026. Photograph: @siddaramaiah X/ANI Photo

Key Points Siddaramaiah campaigns for Congress candidate Umesh Meti in the Bagalkote by-poll, urging voters to support him.

Bypolls in Bagalkote and Davanagere South were necessitated by the deaths of Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa.

Speculation about a power-sharing agreement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar fuels leadership tussle within the Congress party in Karnataka.

Amid the ongoing power tussle within the ruling Congress in Karnataka, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah on Tuesday asserted that the party-led government will remain in power for two more years and that he will continue in the top post.

He made the remarks while campaigning here for Congress candidate for Bagalkote by-poll, Umesh Meti.

"We will be in power for two more years. I'm the Chief Minister of the state, we will be in power for two more years. If this constituency has to develop, it can be done only if the Congress candidate wins," Siddaramaiah said.

Addressing a gathering, he expressed confidence that Umesh Meti would carry forward the work of his father late H Y Meti, and urged the people to vote for him in the upcoming bypolls.

Bypolls for the Bagalkote and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. The polls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.

Leadership tussle and power sharing

Siddaramaiah's assertion comes days after he said that the party high command would take a final call on his continuation as the CM.

The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government reached the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.

The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.

The current government's tenure will end in 2028.
The Allahabad HC has affirmed a woman's absolute right to her 'streedhan' property, ruling that she cannot face criminal charges for taking it, reinforcing women's financial independence within marriage.

IMAGE: Kindly note that the image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points Allahabad HC affirms a woman's absolute ownership of her 'streedhan' property received at the time of marriage.

The court quashed a criminal case against a wife accused of breach of trust for taking away her 'streedhan'.

Husbands have a moral obligation to restore 'streedhan' used during distress, with no control over it.

The ruling reinforces women's rights to their property and financial independence within marriage.

Observing that a woman is the absolute owner of her 'streedhan', the Allahabad High Court has held that a wife can't face a criminal trial for breach of trust under Section 406 of IPC for allegedly taking the property away.

Allowing a petition filed by Anamika Tiwari and four others, the court quashed the summoning order and criminal case against her and her relatives.

Justice Chawan Prakash in his order dated March 16 observed that properties given to a woman at the time of her marriage constitute her 'streedhan' and do not become the joint property of the husband and wife.

The court said that a wife has all rights to dispose of this property at her own pleasure. It added that while a husband may use it during times of distress, he has a moral obligation to restore the property or its value, and neither he nor other in-laws have any control over the 'streedhan'.

Background of the Case

It was the case of the applicant-wife who got married in April 2012 and her family had provided sufficient dowry. However, she later lodged an FIR against her husband and his family members over alleged demands for dowry. A chargesheet in this matter was submitted in December 2018.

Later, the husband filed a complaint alleging that his wife and the other applicants entered his house in September 2018 and took away Rs 6,400 in cash, ornaments worth approximately Rs 1.5 lakh, and certain household articles.

Based on the husband's complaint and statements from witnesses, the magistrate summoned the wife and her family members to face trial. Challenging the same, she filed the present petition.

Court's Reasoning

The high court examined sections 405 and 406 of IPC to note that if any property is entrusted to someone and that person dishonestly misappropriates or converts the same to his own use, then an offence of criminal breach of trust is made out.

The court, however, noted that since the wife is the absolute owner of her 'streedhan', no offence under Section 406 IPC would be made out against the applicant for allegedly taking away her ornaments.
As the March 31 deadline arrives, a wave of Maoist surrenders suggests insurgency's end, but political and social concerns remain.

IMAGE: Maoist leader and 18 cadres surrendered in Chhattisgarh, joining mainstream society and marking the end of key Maoist leadership, in Bastar, March 25, 2026. Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Key Points Mass surrenders across states signal weakening Maoist presence as government pushes March 31 deadline to eliminate insurgency.

Advanced surveillance technologies and coordinated security operations have significantly reduced Maoist operational capabilities and territorial control.

Historical support base eroded due to economic changes, welfare expansion, and emergence of alternative political mobilisation channels.

Budra Kabasi, alias Sukhdev, has no regrets about either joining the Maoists in 2002 or leaving them in 2016.

"Circumstances were such that I thought joining the organisation was the best possible option at that time," said Kabasi, a resident of the remote Malkangiri district in Odisha.

The school he attended had no teacher.

Frustrated, Kabasi, then 15, and his friends assaulted the local block development officer and the school inspector.

When he learnt police cases had been filed against them, Maoist cadres operating in the area persuaded him to join the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) People's War.

The outfit later merged with the Maoist Communist Centre of India to form the CPI (Maoist) in 2004.

"During my time with the Malkangiri division of the Odisha-Andhra Pradesh-Chhattisgarh committee, I tried to do whatever I could for local people -- from building hostels for tribal children to creating roads and digging ponds -- under the banner of the CPI (Maoist)," Kabasi said.

He rose steadily through the organisation's ranks. But his growing influence, he said, did not sit well with some senior leaders, forcing him to surrender in 2016.

Back in the mainstream, Kabasi tried to rebuild his life. He contested elections and resumed his studies.

Though he received about Rs 5 lakh under the government's rehabilitation package, he is still waiting for a promised government job and the Rs 4 lakh assured to his wife.

Malkangiri is among six districts that have now become Maoist-free, according to Odisha police. Insurgency is currently limited to three districts, they said.

Eleven Maoists surrendered in Kalahandi on Sunday. On March 11, in neighbouring Chhattisgarh's Bastar region, 108 Maoists laid down their arms in one of the largest mass surrenders in recent years.

The state's Director General of Police Arun Dev Gautam did not disclose how many Maoists remain active in the state but said: "We are committed to eliminating Left-Wing Extremism (LWE). We are putting in all our efforts."

With days left before the Union government's March 31 deadline to eliminate LWE in India, Maoist cadres are surrendering in large numbers.

Authorities say the trend could signal the end of the country's longest-running internal insurgency.

On March 7, 130 members of the People's Liberation Guerrilla Army surrendered in Hyderabad in the presence of Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy.

Officials said the Maoists' Telangana state committee had "completely vanished".

In January, 16 Maoists were killed in a gunfight with security forces in Jharkhand's Saranda forests, where officials said only around 60-65 cadres remained.

Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh have already been declared Maoist-free after mass surrenders in Gadchiroli in October last year.

West Bengal, once a Maoist stronghold, has also seen a steady decline in Left-Wing Extremism.

'Our forces will defeat those who dream of building a red corridor from Tirupati to Pashupati,' Union Home Minister Amit Shah said recently.

"Our security forces have lived up to expectations, and the country is now on the verge of eliminating the red rebels.

Technology weakens insurgent strategy

Gautam told Business Standard the progress was possible because of "clear direction, firm political will, and coordination among paramilitary forces, central forces, state forces, and all agencies involved in the operation".

Experts tracking Maoist activity, however, say the recent wave of surrenders cannot be explained by the government deadline alone.

According to Ajay Gudavarthy, a political scientist at Jawaharlal Nehru University, "New technologies like drone surveillance and satellite imaging have made the armed strategy of the Maoists extremely difficult."

Human rights activist and lawyer Biswapriya Kanungo said the logic of armed rebellion has become harder to sustain.

"The Maoists have brought core tribal issues to the forefront. But the state has outmatched them with advanced technological warfare. Declaring an open war against the State is not sustainable in today's circumstances," said Kanungo, whose name was proposed by Maoists in March 2012 as a negotiator with the Odisha government during the abduction of two Italian tourists.

Bhima Sodhi, who joined the CPI (Maoist) in 2004 and surrendered in 2014 along with his wife, agrees. "Earlier, the Maoists could counterattack with the weapons they had, but not anymore.

Fear of being killed in police encounters is the key reason we are seeing mass surrenders and fewer people taking interest in joining the insurgency," said Sodhi, who now works as a homeguard.

Photograph: ANI Video Grab

Agrarian revolt to armed insurgency

Historians trace the ideological roots of Maoism in India to peasant uprisings such as the Telangana armed struggle (1946-1951) and the Tebhaga movement in West Bengal, where sharecroppers demanded two-thirds of the harvest.

The current phase of Maoist insurgency began with the Naxalbari uprising of 1967 in northern West Bengal -- a localised peasant revolt that evolved into an ideological movement advocating armed revolution against the state.

During the 1980s and 1990s, the movement spread from Telangana to Andhra Pradesh and later to parts of Odisha, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra.

It also expanded into the forested Dandakaranya region in central India, forming what came to be known as the 'Red Corridor'.

"In its early years, Maoists gained support among the rural poor and tribal communities by mobilising around issues like land redistribution, bonded labour, caste oppression and exploitation by landlords," said Gudavarthy.

However, this support declined as economic reforms reshaped rural society and welfare programmes expanded.

"After economic reforms in the 1990s, land values rose, migration to towns increased and the informal economy expanded. These changes weakened the agrarian class base that had once sustained revolutionary mobilisation," Gudavarthy said.

He added that factional infighting and the killing of suspected informers further eroded support.

Another factor, he argued, was the Maoists' "strategic mistake of becoming heavily concentrated in parts of Chhattisgarh", making it easier for security forces to corner them.

The rise of Dalit and Other Backward Class political movements also created new democratic avenues for marginalised communities.

"The vote is still seen as a powerful right that brings some benefits," Gudavarthy said.

Kanungo said a lack of political consciousness among newer cadres may also have contributed to the Maoists' growing detachment from people's issues.

Experts also attributed the success of anti-LWE operations to government's targeted development initiatives.

Since FY21, about 8,301 km of roads have been built under the Road Requirement Plan and the Road Connectivity Project for affected areas, while 6,775 telecom towers have been commissioned, according to a ministry of home affairs press release issued in December 2025.

The government has also set up educational institutions, 4,262 post offices and 719 bank branches in these areas.

Government data shows incidents of Left-Wing Extremism declined 81 per cent to 374 in 2024 from 1,936 in 2010.

Deaths of civilians and security personnel fell to 150 from 1,005 during the same period.

The insurgency's geographical footprint has also shrunk sharply, with affected districts reducing from 126 in 2018 to 38 in 2024.

The Union budget for 2026-2027 has increased allocations for security and infrastructure in Maoist-affected areas by more than 20 per cent year-on-year to Rs 3,610.80 crore.

The Chhattisgarh government has also proposed creating 1,500 additional Bastar Fighter posts to maintain a strong security presence in the region.

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IMAGE: A Maoist lays down arms before Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis at the Gadchiroli police headquarters, October 15, 2025.

Debate over rights and crackdown

During the previous United Progressive Alliance government, policymakers often described Maoism as both a political and developmental challenge.

Committees studying the issue pointed to land alienation, governance failures and tribal displacement as major drivers of the conflict.

Security measures intensified during that period. One of the most controversial initiatives was Salwa Judum, a militia movement in Chhattisgarh aimed at countering Maoists.

Activists criticised the campaign for displacing villagers and deepening the conflict.

Experts say the recent rise in surrenders is also linked to rehabilitation policies that offer immediate financial assistance of up to Rs 5 lakh depending on rank, along with other state-specific incentives.

Some analysts argue that the narrative of Maoist decline may also reflect a political framing that overlooks deeper structural concerns.

Kanungo said the anti-Maoist campaign is a continuous process but cautioned that while militants may be surrendering, the ideology behind the movement has not entirely disappeared.

"Maoists have surrendered. Maoism has not."

N Sai Balaji of CPI (M-L) Liberation said surrenders have always been part of insurgencies and should not be seen as unusual.

"Instead of addressing its root causes, adopting this method of killing if not surrendered is not right in a democratic society where the dignity of human life is respected," he said.

What next?

For security officials, the immediate objective remains the elimination of armed insurgency.

DGP Gautam said India's democratic system allows space for diverse political ideologies as long as they do not involve violence.

Analysts warn that the deeper grievances that once sustained Maoism may continue to shape politics in the affected regions.

Gudavarthy argues that Maoism should be seen not as the root problem but as a symptom of broader structural challenges.

If issues such as land inequality, tribal displacement and governance failures remain unresolved, he said, resistance could re-emerge in different forms, through social movements, protests or new political mobilisation.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff
Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Islamabad in what analysts say is the formal opening of a new diplomatic formation that could reshape the post-war regional order.

Their immediate goal is a ceasefire; their larger ambition is to ensure that neither Iran nor Israel emerges from this war in a dominant position.

Pakistan's foreign minister then flew directly to Beijing and mooted a Chinese role as guarantor of any eventual agreement.

Prem Panicker continues his must read daily blog on the Gulf War.

IMAGE: An Iranian cleric walks past a residential building in Tehran, March 30, 2026 damaged by a strike. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

It begins, as such things often do, with a list.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio listed the objectives (external link) of the war.

'Write it down,' he said, signaling that this was the real McCoy:

The destruction of Iran's air force. Its navy. The severe diminishing of its missile capability. The destruction of its factories.

IMAGE: Car wrecks and a residential building in Tehran, March 30, 2026. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

It was war, reduced to neat bullet points in typical corporate fashion -- a to-do list that is finite, and measurable. And surprising, as much for what it left out as for what it included: No mention of nuclear weapons, of the Strait of Hormuz, of regime change.

A little later in the same interaction, Rubio also said that Iran has to stop producing drones and missiles -- an extension of his third point in the list.

Basically, he was telling a country that had been attacked twice in less than 12 months that it had to stop producing the means to defend itself.

And then it got worse. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt explained (external link) that Iranian leaders were killed because they 'lied' in negotiations.

She said it matter of fact, as though the assassination of international leaders (a war crime in its own right) was a corrective to diplomacy.

For his part, President Trump dispensed with even that thin layer of restraint.

In a Truth Social post, Trump threatened (external link) to 'obliterate' Iran's electric grids, oil infrastructure, Kharg Island, even desalination plants, if a deal is not reached.

Not as a military necessity, but as retribution if Iran didn't give him a face-saving way out, and uncaring that he was openly threatening to commit even more war crimes. [Axios (external link)]

Key Points US outlines limited war goals, but escalating strikes on infrastructure signal broader, uncontrolled conflict dynamics in the region.

Strait of Hormuz disruption threatens global oil supply, with shipping impacted and energy prices surging sharply worldwide.

US increasingly isolated as allies avoid direct involvement, forcing Washington to manage a conflict it cannot fully control.

India faces significant risk with heavy crude import dependence on Hormuz, alongside rising fertiliser costs and remittance vulnerability.

Rubio War Objectives Explained

Rubio was attempting to portray that the war is limited, with precise objectives and a finite end point. His list is clean, but the war is not.

Energy infrastructure is already in the crosshairs. Strikes on Iran's South Pars gas field have disrupted production and sent global prices surging (external link), while retaliatory attacks have spread across Gulf facilities.

At the same time, the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's oil flows, remains choked, with shipping disrupted and global markets reeling.

Even the IMF now warns of a shock rippling through the global economy as energy flows freeze. [Reuters (external link)]

IMAGE: A woman reacts inside her brother's home in Tehran, March 30, 2026, which was damaged by a strike. Photograph: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via Reuters

Hormuz Crisis Disrupts Oil Flows

Alongside all of this, the past 24 hours brought another shift in the architecture of the conflict.

Israel, which set this train wreck in motion and which has, at key moments, deliberately escalated when Washington appeared to be searching for an off-ramp, has made clear it will not commit ground forces to the Gulf.

Coupled with the European nations flatly stating that they want no part of this, it means the United States finds itself prosecuting a war it did not script, on terms it does not control, all by itself.

That, more than anything else, likely explains Trump's unhinged Truth Social post -- the act of a bully who finds that his bullying is not working, but knows no other way. Write that down.

US Military Build-Up in Gulf

The Hormuz retreat: Trump is willing to wind down the military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, administration officials told the Wall Street Journal, thus leaving the reopening problem for diplomacy, allies, or a later date.

The 82nd Airborne is being deployed, the USS Tripoli has entered the region, and Trump is still weighing seizing Iran's uranium stockpile, but Hormuz itself is no longer a core military objective.

Rubio put it plainly to Al Jazeera: Once the current campaign wraps, it will be 'up to Iran to decide', or a coalition of nations.

The Brookings Institution's Suzanne Maloney called ending operations before the Strait reopens 'unbelievably irresponsible'. She is not wrong.

A fifth of the world's oil flows through that waterway; 84 per cent of it goes to Asian markets. 'Write it down' -- and then quietly cross it off? [WSJ (external link)]

IMAGE: A blaze erupts at Israel's oil refineries in Haifa after debris from an intercepted Iranian missile struck the site, March 30, 2026. Photograph: Reuters/Handout

Iran Tanker Attack Near Dubai

The tanker attack and what it signals: Iran struck the Al-Salmi, a Kuwait-flagged VLCC fully loaded with crude, in the anchorage area 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, making this the closest attack yet to a major Gulf port.

There is the possibility of an oil spill in surrounding waters.

All 24 crew members survived. Oil jumped nearly 4 per cent on the news, toward $107 a barrel.

The attack is significant for its geography: Iran is now reaching into the UAE's doorstep, demonstrating both range and intent.

The Al-Salmi had been in the Gulf since late February, using its Chinese cargo and Kuwaiti flag as protection. Neither seems to have helped. [Bloomberg (external link)]

IMAGE: A historical map of the Persian Gulf highlighting its strategic importance as a global energy and trade corridor. Photograph: Kind courtesy Verride/wikipedia.org/Creative Commons

The Houthis fire, and what they didn't do: After 30 days of promising to enter the fight, the Houthis launched a single ballistic missile at southern Israel. Israel intercepted it.

The modest nature of the attack tells you more than the launch itself: A movement that spent two years disrupting global shipping sat through the killing of Khamenei and the decimation of the IRGC's command structure before producing one intercepted missile.

The Houthis still have not touched a single American vessel, the Saudi Yanbu pipeline continues to flow at full capacity, and the timing -- the same day Pakistan announced ceasefire talks -- reads as a political statement more than an operational decision.

Meanwhile, their supply chain is under serious pressure: The Bandar Abbas pipeline has been hit, weapons interdiction has been aggressive, and their missile failure rate runs above a third.

They can still launch, but cannot sustain a campaign. [Stimson Centre/Fatima Abo Alasrar (external link)]

IMAGE: Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al-Saud meets Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in Islamabad to discuss de-escalation, March 29, 2026. Photograph: Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs/Reuters

The Islamabad quartet: Egypt, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Turkey met in Islamabad in what analysts say is the formal opening of a new diplomatic formation that could reshape the post-war regional order.

Their immediate goal is a ceasefire; their larger ambition is to ensure that neither Iran nor Israel emerges from this war in a dominant position.

The meeting produced one modest confidence-building measure: Iran agreed to allow Pakistani-flagged vessels through the Strait, possibly two per day.

Pakistan's foreign minister then flew directly to Beijing and mooted a Chinese role as guarantor of any eventual agreement.

Turkey's intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kaln, put the stakes plainly: The war's real objective, he argued, is to lay the groundwork for decades of conflict among the region's foundational nations.

Saudi Arabia's presence in the quartet is the most intriguing element: Riyadh has reportedly been privately urging Washington to finish the job but is clearly keeping its options open. [The Guardian (external link)]

Washington: the hollow core: Lawrence Freedman spent a week in Washington and found an administration running on narrative rather than analysis.

The National Security Council is barely staffed. The State Department echoes with empty corridors.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio is making decisions without the professional assessments that should inform them.

Secretary of War (a designation that takes some getting used to) Pete Hegseth brings the perspective of a disgruntled junior officer to a theatre that requires much more knowledge and gravitas.

And Trump, Freedman observed, increasingly inhabits an alternative reality: One with a consistent internal logic (America is strong, adversaries always bend, critics are malign) that simply has no connection to what is happening on the ground.

Vice President J D Vance, who reportedly knows this is a disaster, stays silent and waits. [Lawrence Freedman/Substack (external link)]

Russia: The unintended beneficiary: Putin has not had to do much this month.

The closure of Hormuz sent Brent past $100; Russia's Urals blend, which had been selling at a $10-$13 discount, flipped to a premium.

Moscow has reportedly dropped plans for significant budget cuts.

The US temporarily eased sanctions on Russian crude to stabilise energy markets, and the Kremlin thanked Washington for the alignment of interests.

Patriot interceptors are being considered for diversion from Ukraine to Gulf allies.

Russia is sharing intelligence with Tehran on US force locations. And a sanctioned Russian tanker docked in Cuba, with Trump's blessing, after quiet US-Russia coordination.

As one analyst put it: Each calibrated action reinforces a narrative of Russian resilience and indispensability, and Moscow knows Trump cannot stay insensitive to it.

The question worth asking, as the month closes, is whether the pattern is a coincidence. [Bobby Ghosh/Substack (external link)]

The Gaza doctrine, exported: A detailed accounting in the New York Review of Books traces what it calls the Gaza doctrine now being applied in Iran and Lebanon: mass displacement, mass destruction of civilian infrastructure, systematic dismantling of health infrastructure.

US-Israeli strikes have damaged 236 health facilities in Iran; Lebanon's health ministry has documented at least 128 Israeli strikes on medical facilities and ambulances in the south alone.

Israel has, in some instances, used ambulances and medical uniforms as cover for military operations, which ironically is the precise war crime it routinely accuses its adversaries of.

The piece places this in the context of a broader collapse of the post-war international legal order, accelerated by an administration that has explicitly rejected the framework.

'No quarter, no mercy,' Hegseth said. [New York Review of Books (external link)]

IMAGE: Israeli rescue personnel at the impact site following Iranian missile barrages in central Israel, March 28, 2026. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

The meme war: Iran is winning the global information war, and America built the weapons it is losing to.

A sharp piece from Coda traces how Tehran has deployed AI-generated propaganda, calibrated separately for US, regional, and third-country audiences.

with a sophistication that exploits the very tools American tech companies made available to the world.

The insight behind the Iranian operation is that the currency of visual information has already been debased; the returns on traditional disinformation are diminishing; and what works now is culturally fluent synthetic content that foregrounds its own artificiality.

Meanwhile, the US has dismantled its own counter-propaganda architecture: The Stanford Internet Observatory is gone, Trust and Safety teams have been disbanded, the Global Engagement Center shuttered. Baghdad Bob, the piece notes, is barely distinguishable from Karoline Leavitt. [Coda/Nicholas Dawes (external link)]

IMAGE: People queue to refill their LPG cylinders outside a gas agency in Patna, March 29, 2026. Photograph: ANI Photo

India Faces Energy Supply Risk

India's exposure: Two dashboards are worth bookmarking for a live read on India's position: The Takshashila Institute's India Risk Matrix and The Core's India Energy Crisis Dashboard, which tracks Brent, WTI, the rupee, fuel prices, fertilizer supply disruption, strategic petroleum reserve levels, and Gulf diaspora remittance risk in real time.

The structural numbers are already alarming: 87 per cent of India's crude is imported, 60 per cent of it transiting Hormuz.

Petronet's force majeure on LNG is active following damage to Qatar's Ras Laffan facility.

Fertiliser supply chains from Oman, Saudi Arabia and Iran are disrupted, with Kharif season input costs up 12 to 18 per cent.

Gold imports in January ran 349 per cent above year-ago levels as households moved to safety.

Over 9 million Indians work in GCC countries; Gulf remittances, the largest share of India's total inflows, are at risk if the conflict extends another quarter.

New Delhi's diplomatic tightrope is becoming harder to hold as the economic pressure compounds. [Takshashila (external link); The Core (external link)]

Trump, Iran and the Shadow of Suez: The most useful historical frame in circulation right now comes from Ishan Tharoor, ex of the Washington Post and now writing occasional pieces for The New Yorker.

Suez 1956: Israel moved fast, Britain and France joined in, the embattled regime closed a critical shipping lane, and the whole thing exposed the declining power of the states that launched it.

The parallel is not perfect, but it is uncomfortably close, and the grimmer version is what Suez revealed about Britain's place in the world.

Tharoor asks whether the Iran war is doing the same for America. [The New Yorker (external link)]

Refusing Battle: Douglas Macgregor in Armed Forces Journal has republished a 2009 essay that reads as if written last week.

The argument: Direct American military involvement in conflicts where the US itself is not attacked and its national prosperity is not at risk should be avoided, because it creates the very regional alliances designed to contain American power that would not otherwise exist.

Lee at Gettysburg is the through-line. And while on this, read David Smith in The Guardian who frames this as two regimes, each constructing its own reality, now engaged in a 'battle of the titans'. [Douglas Macgregor (external link); The Guardian (external link)]

In closing...

Marco Rubio told us to write it down. Donald Trump told us what will happen if talks fail.

Between those two lies the gulf between a war as imagined, and a war as it is actually unfolding.

Making a list is the easy part; it is everything outside of the bullet points that will dictate what comes next.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will become overcast in the afternoon. High 69F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 44F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
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Google Cloud has hired Gretta Svendsen as head of partner and alliance for Australia and New Zealand.

In the role, Svendsen will be responsible for strengthening the cloud giants local channel ecosystem as well as deepening key partner relationships.

In a LinkedIn post, the new partner head said she will be working closely with partners across A/NZ to scale, in turn helping customers unlock their potential and solve complex challenges.

Svendsen takes over the role from Gary Denman, who has been in the position since February 2024.

Svendsen comes into the role after spending a year at SAP as executive general manager for corporate. At the time of her appointment, she was responsible for driving customer acquisition through partner expansion and SAPs digital channel.

Prior to this, she worked at Salesforce, Microsoft, Pepal, Xero, and Commonwealth Bank, among other companies.

Asia Pacific (APAC) managing director for partners and corporate business Anthony McMahon said Svendsens experience will be vital to its channel.

Her deep experience will be instrumental in helping our partners to create innovation and deliver AI-first customer outcomes, he said.
WASHINGTON -- Iran is using tactical delay as a strategy in talks to end US and Israeli strikes that have decimated Tehran's military capabilities amid a continued buildup of US forces in the Middle East, retired US Army General Joseph Votel -- who led US Central Command from 2016 to 2019 -- told RFE/RL in an interview on March 30.

Votel outlined the risks of escalation in the conflict and warned that without a political settlement to keep Iran from blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a prolonged international military presence might be required to keep the the key oil and gas transit route open.

RFE/RL: The United States is in a 10-day pause ordered by US President Donald Trump after threatening strikes on Iran's energy infrastructure, allowing more time for talks. At the same time, Iran has allowed ships through the Strait of Hormuz. Do you see that as a sign Tehran wants a deal, or is it acting in its own interest?

Joseph Votel: We know Iran has a history of trying to prolong, prolong, prolong negotiations, and try to drag things along. So certainly, I think that's a tactic they have tried, so on one hand we have to take that into consideration.

Secondly, in terms of the negotiations themselves, I don't know how far along we actually are in this. I do think we are probably using third parties right now to help us with our negotiations. I know the Pakistanis had stepped up and were trying to assist with this. So it takes a little bit of time to get to some kind of meaningful discussion.

It may be a combination of both: the Iranians are trying to string us along, but also a recognition on the part of the administration that it does take a little bit of time to get these talks set up -- meaningful talks set up -- so that we can move toward some type of end state for the conflict.

RFE/RL: At the same time, the United States is increasing its military presence in the region. Does this buildup suggest something beyond negotiation tactics?

Votel: You have to recognize, first and foremost, that part of the purpose of those deployments is a messaging to the Iranians.

This is also about making sure we can provide the maximum amount of options for our military leaders and our civilian leaders, so that, if the president decides something, he has an array of forces from which his military commanders can devise courses of action and approaches that he might approve.

Those two things -- the messaging aspect and providing flexibility -- are very, very important. And I think that is probably the most important thing these forces are doing right now. Certainly they can do other things, like going to Kharg Island or other actions, for example. But this messaging and being able to provide a lot of options for our leaders are two of the primary things we're doing right now.

RFE/RL: The administration has said it wants to ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains open. From a military standpoint, what would that actually involve? Would it necessarily fall to US forces, or will Israel play a direct role in such an operation? What could these ground operations look like?

Votel: I don't know if the Israelis have forces postured for this. Certainly the United States is trying to do this.

One of the things that's been talked about is going in and securing Kharg Island. And I think the purpose of that would be to secure the oil infrastructure and make sure it is in US hands. That could be a bargaining chip with the Iranian regime.

What that would look like is taking one of these elements that's been deployed -- whether Marines or Army forces -- and deploying them onto the island, sustaining them and protecting them, and making sure they could stay there while we continued to pursue operations.

What that would do is give us control of the primary oil export location that the Iranians rely on. That may force them to act. Of course, that might generate a response from the Iranians -- who probably would respond -- so we would have to be prepared for that. But that's what I think some of this might look like.

RFE/RL: Secretary of State Marco Rubio suggested this could be achieved without ground troops. Do you agree?

Votel: Ground troops play an important role in this, whatever we decide to do. They are going to be critical, if not for seizing this island then as a quick reaction force and being ready to respond to developments as they take place.

We have done escorts through the Strait of Hormuz without troops before, back in the 1980s. But we didn't have the same threats then. Iran didn't have the same capabilities.

So the nature of the threats Iran possesses today makes it more likely that some troops would be required.

In terms of what it looks like and how this ends, I think there are three broad objectives. First, a regime that is effectively "defanged," that does not have the capabilities it had in the past and cannot threaten its neighbors.

Second, its military capabilities have to be diminished to the point where they cannot be effectively employed beyond its borders; that includes missiles, drones, the Iranian Navy, the IRGC Navy, and the ability to close the Strait of Hormuz or rely on proxies.

And third, we have to make sure they have no way to pursue a nuclear weapon. That includes not only destruction of infrastructure, but also bringing the highly enriched uranium they have produced under responsible control.

RFE/RL: During his recent trip to Europe, Rubio discussed with Group of Seven (G7) allies the need for potential long-term international patrols in the Strait of Hormuz. Even if active fighting stops, does this signal the US and its partners should expect a prolonged military presence in the region?

Votel: I definitely think that's right. If we open up the Strait of Hormuz and we don't have some kind of political settlement to the war then we will be doing this for a long period of time, and we need to be prepared for that.

That's why coalition partners and international partners will be critical: to sustain it long term. Without a political settlement, we are going to have to hold this for as long as we can.

RFE/RL: What about Iran's leadership? We're hearing increasing discussion in Washington about potential interlocutors within Iran's current leadership, including parliamentary speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf. Does this suggest the United States is preparing to engage with elements of the existing regime rather than seeking its replacement?

Votel: What is likely, and what the United States government is beginning to appreciate, is that there will be some form of the regime that remains in place.

Our hope is there will be a leader who exhibits a level of pragmatism that we can work with to move this situation in a more positive direction and stop the fighting.

My concern is that the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) leadership appears to have very heavy influence, which means there are significant hard-liners still associated with the government. That may make it more difficult.

It's also important to recognize there is no apparent opposition force ready to take over. The regime is the regime, and we are going to have to deal with it as we move forward.

RFE/RL: How do Iranian-backed groups like the Houthis affect the situation?

Votel: The Houthis could be a problem. They have a lot of capabilities, and while there was a cease-fire in place, they appear to have been taking measures that could allow them to cause real problems.

They are a significant concern. Shi'a militia groups in places like Iraq could also be a problem, but they can be dealt with by host nation forces with some US assistance.

The Houthis are more concerning because they have a much greater capability than many of the other Shi'a militia groups.

RFE/RL: There are increasing reports that Moscow is not only providing intelligence to Iran -- including potentially targeting information -- but also sharing drone technology and battlefield tactics refined during the war in Ukraine. How significant is this kind of support, and how is it shaping both the trajectory and the complexity of the conflict?

Votel: It's a big problem, and it is definitely something the United States should be addressing with the Russians. If they are providing target information or capabilities that are prolonging this conflict, that needs to stop.

That is not necessarily going to be done militarily; it will have to be done diplomatically. We have to put pressure on the Russians to stop because this could prolong the conflict and make it even more difficult for us to achieve what we have already initiated.

The interview has been edited for length and clarity.
China and Pakistan vowed to "strengthen strategic communication and coordination" as they seek to help broker a deal to end the war in Iran, now in its fifth week with no clear end in sight.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi, in Beijing on March 31 and reiterated their call for Iran and the United States to work toward ending the war, which has killed thousands across at least nine countries and is costing economies billions of dollars a day.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said both sides agreed to pursue de-escalation and that the two countries will "jointly advocate for peace and justice, and make new efforts to promote reconciliation and prevent conflict."

Pakistan has emerged as a key player in efforts to broker peace, leveraging its working ties with both US President Donald Trump and longstanding bonds with Iran. The push comes as Beijing and Islamabad seek to position themselves as stabilizing actors while avoiding direct entanglement in the widening conflict.

By publicly pledging to strengthen cooperation with Islamabad on Iran, China is in a way moderating the conflict indirectly and amplifying the voice of Pakistan, which is clearly a trusted ally," Alicia Garcia-Herrero, the chief Economist for Asia Pacific at French investment bank Natixis, told RFE/RL.

Dar hosted foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Egypt in Islamabad on March 29 in an effort to build consensus around a cease-fire and renewed negotiations.

Pakistani officials say the initiative centers on five principles, including civilian protection and maritime security.

"Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate their talks," Dar said in a televised briefing after the talks.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif framed the effort as part of a push to position Pakistan as a "credible intermediary," leveraging ties with Washington and Tehran.

China has publicly backed the initiative, with Mao saying following the talks that Beijing "appreciates Pakistan's efforts."

Iran's response has been cautious, though reports suggest Tehran may be using Pakistani channels for indirect communication with Washington.

On March 26, Dar said Islamabad has been serving as a conduit for message exchanges between Washington and Tehran.

Pakistan is used as a way to give China influence without seeing China in the cease-fire talks," said Garcia-Herrero, who is also a senior fellow at the Brussels-based think tnak Bruegel. "The goal is to stop the fallout, stabilize energy prices, and prevent other unpredictable factors that Trump might be working on.

Shipping Disruptions Intensify Diplomacy

Diplomatic urgency is rising amid mounting disruptions to maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for global energy shipments, particularly oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Shipping has slowed sharply since the United States and Israel launched their military operation against Iran on February 28, with vessels delayed and exports from Gulf producers constrained.

China confirmed that several of its ships recently transited the strait following "coordination with relevant parties." Data from MarineTraffic showed two vessels belonging to the Chinese state-owned COSCO shipping company passing through the strait on March 30 after aborting earlier attempts.

Iran has indicated the waterway remains open to "friendly countries," widely interpreted to include China, its top oil customer.

China relies heavily on energy from the Middle East, particularly seaborne exports that pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

China has so far weathered the worst shocks of the energy crisis thanks to diversified supply, falling domestic demand, and strategic reserves. According to Kpler, a commodity intelligence firm, Chinese refineries had stockpiled between 1.2 and 1.4 billion barrels of oil as of the end of 2025, which could last up to three months.

Beijing's response has been comparatively restrained, analysts say.

"Beijing prefers the restoration of stability over an expanded role in a more turbulent order. It wants access to energy, markets, and influence in the Middle East -- not the burdens of regional stabilization or balancing among competing powers," Zongyuan Zoe Liu, a senior fellow at the Council for Foreign Relations, wrote in Foreign Affairs magazine on March 30.

Trump has sent varying signals about Washington's next steps for the war, saying the United States was already negotiating with Tehran while also suggesting the military campaign could expand.

Iran has repeatedly denied it is in talks with the United States.

With reporting by Xinhua, Global Times, Reuters, Al Jazeera, The News Pakistan, and The Wall Street Journal
Reactive decisions feel productive. Amber Beverage MD Uliana Linenko explains why they are costing your business more than you think.

Reactive decision making does not feel like a problem when you are in the middle of it. It feels like getting things done.

A supplier falls through and you find a replacement. A staff member calls in sick and you cover the shift. A campaign underperforms and you change the messaging. Each response feels reasonable, even necessary. The problem is not any single reaction. It is the pattern they create over time.

When every day is spent responding to what is in front of you, the business stops moving toward anything. It just moves. Uliana Linenko, Managing Director of Amber Beverage Australia, recognised that pattern in her own business during 2025 and made a deliberate decision to break it. We have moved away from reactive, panic-style decision making, Linenko said. Instead of applying short-term fixes to daily challenges, we are prioritising long-term strategic thinking over micro-level decision making. This shift ensures that our actions consistently support our broader business objectives.

The recalibration did not happen overnight. It required stepping back from the daily rhythm of the business to honestly assess what was driving decisions and whether those decisions were actually serving the businesss long term goals.

In todays fast-moving commercial environment, constant recalibration is essential, she said. For us, it has been about stepping back to reassess our core objectives and ensuring our operating structure genuinely supports long-term growth.

What stopping reactive decisions actually looks like

The first practical step Linenko took was embracing what she describes as essentialism, a disciplined focus on the issues most critical to sustainable growth rather than trying to pursue every available opportunity.

For small business owners, that often means making a list of everything currently demanding attention and asking honestly which of those things will matter in twelve months. The answer is usually a much shorter list than the one being managed day to day.

We have prioritised the issues that are most critical to sustainable global development, ensuring our resources and efforts are directed where they will have the greatest long-term impact, Linenko said. Rather than trying to pursue opportunities prematurely, we are taking a disciplined approach that builds stable and scalable growth over time.

The second shift was structural. Reactive decision making is often a symptom of poor visibility. When you cannot see clearly what is happening in your business, you respond to whatever surfaces rather than to what actually matters.

Linenko addressed this directly by investing in technology that improved visibility across both the external business environment and internal performance indicators.

Technology has also played a significant role in this recalibration, she said. Leveraging new tools allows us to more effectively monitor both the external business environment and our internal KPIs, giving us clearer visibility when making strategic decisions.

For small business owners, the tools do not need to be sophisticated. A clear dashboard of three to five key metrics reviewed weekly does more to reduce reactive decision making than any amount of planning if it means you are looking at the right information consistently rather than waiting for problems to announce themselves.

The connection between visibility and strategic thinking is direct. Businesses that operate without clear, current data on their performance are almost structurally forced into reactive mode. Problems only become visible when they are already urgent.

Building even basic systems that surface performance information regularly, cash flow position, sales pipeline, stock levels, customer retention, shifts the decision making environment from reactive to informed. You are no longer responding to what has already gone wrong. You are seeing what is developing and choosing how to respond before it becomes a crisis.

Linenkos experience reinforces this. The combination of clearer internal KPIs and a more structured approach to monitoring the external environment gave her team the visibility needed to make decisions based on where the business was heading rather than where it had just been.

Where to focus instead

Once reactive decision making is reduced, the question becomes what to focus on instead. For Linenko, the answer was straightforward: the fundamentals that actually drive long term growth.

A key priority this year is refining and customising our distribution model for each brand within our portfolio, she said. Ultimately, our goal is to continue building a distribution platform that delivers consistency, transparency and sustainable growth for our partners.

For small business owners, the equivalent is identifying the two or three operational foundations that everything else depends on, whether that is customer retention, product quality, cash flow management or team capability, and directing the majority of strategic attention there rather than spreading it across every problem that surfaces daily.

The discipline Linenko describes is not about ignoring daily challenges. It is about having enough strategic clarity that daily challenges are handled within a framework rather than driving the business off course each time they appear.

Rather than trying to pursue opportunities prematurely, we are taking a disciplined approach that builds stable and scalable growth over time, she said.

For small business owners who have spent the past year firefighting, that shift, from reacting to building, is both the hardest and most valuable one available.

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Huge explosions and fires lit up the night sky in the Iranian city of Isfahan which is home to the Badr military air base. The US reportedly used a large number of bunker-busting bombs overnight on March 30-31, with US President Donald Trump sharing video of explosions on his Truth Social platform.
On the opening day of the war, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles in massive salvos aimed at overwhelming US and Israeli air defenses through sheer numbers. Most were intercepted.

But since February 28, Tehran has launched fewer short and long-range missiles -- about several dozen per day on average. Yet its hit rate has increased, according to military analysts analyzing open-source data.

Why?

That is partly down to the United States and Israel degrading Irans military capabilities, but also Tehran conserving its remaining arsenal and becoming more selective in what it targets, experts say.

US and Israeli strikes have clearly caused significant damage to Iran's launcher infrastructure, said Kelly Grieco, senior fellow at the Stimson Center, a Washington-based think tank. That physical attrition likely accounts for a significant share of the launch rate decline.

But Iran also seems to have also made a deliberate choice to change strategies, she added. Over time, Iran has shifted toward smaller, more precisely targeted salvos aimed at specific high-value targets.

Those targets include key US military installations and radar systems in the Middle East, the critical oil and gas infrastructure of Americas Arab allies in the Persian Gulf, and industrial and energy sites in Israel.

By firing a relatively small number of missiles, Iran appears to be achieving its core war aims -- expanding the battlefield, disrupting the global economy, and imposing direct costs on the United States and its allies.

'Few Rockets Left'

Eliminating Irans large arsenal of ballistic missiles has been a key aim of the monthlong war, with the United States and Israel pummeling the Middle Eastern countrys above-ground missile launchers and stockpiles as well as its underground missile storage factories.

US President Donald Trump said on March 26 that Iran had very few rockets left. Other American officials have claimed Tehrans ballistic missile capabilities have been obliterated.

Israeli and US officials have said more than 10,000 Iranian targets have been hit since the air strikes began.

Washington has pointed to a 90 percent drop in Irans missile launches since the beginning of the war as evidence of its success in all but eliminating Tehrans missile program.

Israel has said at least 70 percent of Irans missile launchers and stockpile has been destroyed since the start of the war.

Still, air raid sirens are a daily occurrence across the Middle East.

The Islamic republic is firing 20 to 30 ballistic missiles per day on average, according to military analysts tracking Irans salvos. On top of that, the country continues to launch scores of cheap but deadly drones each day with devastating effects.

That, experts say, suggests that Iran still retains access to missile launchers and stockpiles, despite heavy US and Israeli bombardment. Iran also appears to be turning increasingly to mobile missile launchers.

A Reuters report appeared to contradict US and Israeli claims that Irans arsenal of ballistic missiles has been effectively wiped out. The news agency quoted its sources on March 27 that the United States can only determine with certainty that it has destroyed about a third of Tehrans stockpile of missiles.

Dr. Farzan Sabet, an Iran expert at the Geneva Graduate Institute, said Iran has invested in a massive missile and drone capacity which is relatively well-dispersed, hardened, and concealed across the country's large expanse and difficult terrain.

It's likely that the Trump administration and Israel have overstated how much they have degraded Iran's ballistic missile and drone capabilities, he said. The US and Israel may have also underestimated Iran's missile stockpile and launcher capacity.

Estimates of Iran's short-range ballistic missiles, alone, range from 2,000 to 8,000.

In other instances, the US or Israel are striking the entrances of Iranian underground missile cities, technically disabling them, Sabet added. But we know the Iranian military has been training on how to quickly re-open entrances of missile cities, allowing them to restore what has been counted as lost missile stockpiles and launcher capacity.

High-Value Targets

Meanwhile, despite the degradation of its arsenal, Iran's hit rate has steadily increased during the war, according to military analysts analyzing open-source data.

The United States and its Arab allies have expended high-end missile interceptors to block Iranian barrages. Israel has been forced to ration its most capable defensive weapons, The Wall Street Journal reported, leaving it more vulnerable to further Iranian attacks.

The US military has fired over 850 Tomahawk cruise missiles during the war, according to The Washington Post. Only a few hundred are made each year, leading to supply concerns.

Gaps in air defenses could also be the result of detection failures, according to Responsible Statecraft, an online magazine affiliated with the Washington-based Quincy Institute think tank. Iran has struck the radars and sensors that form the basis of the integrated air defense network shared by the United States, Israel, and Persian Gulf allies.

Experts say Iran has also become more selective about when, where, and at what it fires its missiles, saving its remaining arsenal for high-value targets.

In a major breach of US air defenses, an Iranian missile and drone strike hit the Prince Sultan Air Base in Saudi Arabia on March 27, wounding at least 12 American troops and heavily damaging at least two KC-135 aerial refueling planes.

On March 21, Iranian missiles for the first time struck the towns of Arad and Dimona in southern Israel, injuring scores of people. The towns are located close to Israels key nuclear research installation and reactor, one of the most protected installations in the country.

By concentrating its drones and missiles against large, fixed infrastructure, such as refineries, airports, and power facilities, even an Iranian near miss can cause significant damage, said Grieco of the Stimson Center.

Each successive wave has also generated operational feedback that Iran is likely incorporating, learning which trajectories and timing windows offer the best odds of penetration, she added.

Grieco said she expects Iran's hit rate to hold steady or continue to creep upwards unless there is a cease-fire or a dramatic shift in the war.
In May 2022, the head of Iran's armed forces posed for photographers alongside the Tajik defense minister at an undisclosed location near Dushanbe, at a ceremony to announce a major new project.

It was, they said, Iran's first drone production facility abroad: a factory for production of Ababil 2 tactical reconnaissance drones with a reported range of around 200 kilometers -- smaller and cheaper than the Shahed drones that have become a hallmark of Iran's military exports.

Neither man is still in office. Defense Minister Sherali Mirzo was replaced in a leadership reshuffle in January last year. Major General Mohammad Baqeri was killed in an air strike during the 12-day war between Israel and Iran in June last year.

But back in 2022, Baqeri was voicing excitement at the glowing prospects for the future.

"Today, we have reached a position where, apart from fulfilling domestic needs, we can export military equipment to allies and friendly countries in order to strengthen security," he said.

The following day, Tajik President Emomali Rahmon met with Baqeri, officially welcoming the "defensive and military cooperation" between the two nations. But nearly four years later, it remains unclear whether the factory produces drones, and if so, where they go and who is using them.

Does It Even Exist?

There was no official response to inquiries by RFE/RL's Tajik Service from the Tajik ministries of Defense, Foreign Affairs, and Industry. But two high-ranking officials in Dushanbe said privately that the factory never opened.

"Creating a drone production facility is not like producing Pepsi-Cola. I am 1,000 percent sure that such a factory does not exist in Tajikistan. Absolutely no such factory," said one.

A Western diplomat based in Dushanbe expressed a similar view, noting the lack of any follow-up reports.

"We read about this in the news at some point. Honestly, after that, we heard nothing about it from either the Americans or our own side," the diplomat said. "If it existed, they would definitely have asked about it and verified it. But nothing like that happened."

Iranian media reported the facility was located in Dushanbe, on the outskirts of the city. Some observers have speculated the factory could be near Ayni Airbase, a major military facility on the periphery of the capital that hosts Tajik and, at times, Russian military assets.

Igor Semyvolos, director of the Center for Middle East Studies in Kyiv, said that with current open-source intelligence (OSINT) -- using satellite and other imagery, and other publicly available data -- production would likely have been detected.

"If we are talking about top-secret production, I don't believe that keeping it absolutely secret is possible given current OSINT capabilities," he said. "The very fact that these drones have not appeared anywhere...means this [project] can quite reasonably be interpreted as a simulation."

The announcement of the factory came just a few months after Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. By the summer of 2022, Iran began supplying Russia with its Shahed drones for use in the conflict.

Against this backdrop, Semyvolos said he believes that as the topic of Iranian drones became politically sensitive for Tajikistan -- where cooperation in military technologies with Tehran or Moscow could invite international scrutiny, sanctions, or diplomatic pressure --Dushanbe may have changed plans.

"Perhaps the Tajik authorities decided not to make their lives more complicated and gradually slowed down this process, putting it on the back burner," he said.

Ababil 2: No Sign In Russian Forces

The most direct official comment from the Tajik government came when the Foreign Affairs Ministry issued a statement on October 30, 2022, denying reports that drones made in the country were being supplied to Russia for use in Ukraine.

In the statement, they did not confirm or deny the factory's existence but said Tajikistan "does not export military equipment to third countries."

Semyvolos also said there had been no sign of drones from the factory on Ukrainian battlefields.

"We have not actually seen the Ababil 2 anywhere. If we are talking about the Russian-Ukrainian front, such drones have not appeared," he said. "Assessing the production volume and the functioning of this factory is extremely difficult."

One of the Tajik officials who spoke to RFE/RL anonymously said the entire inauguration in 2022 was staged to serve Iranian propaganda. They did not elaborate more specifically on the goals.

Eric Lob, associate professor of politics and international relations at Florida International University, told RFE/RL that if the Tajik drone factory inauguration was staged, it could indeed have been for Iranian messaging purposes.

"The pomp and circumstance of these meetings is a way for them to symbolically push back against international isolation, to send signals that Iran is not as isolated [as it seems]. And even for domestic legitimacy, it's sending a signal that this regime has allies and partners and friends," he said.
Iran announced the execution of two political prisoners on March 31, a day after the death penalty was also carried out on two others, in a sign that the clerical authorities are stepping up a crackdown on internal opposition in the country.

The men, identified as Babak Alipour and Pouya Ghobadi, were accused of membership in the Mujahedin-e Khalq (MEK), an exiled opposition group that seeks to overthrow the Islamic republic and that Tehran regards as a terrorist organization.

The executions show that despite US and Israeli strikes wiping out much of Iran's leadership and degrading its military-industrial capacities, there are no visible signs that the clerical authorities are losing control. In fact, repression appears once again to be on the rise.

The men's lawyer, Babak Paknia, wrote on social media that hours after the executions his office had still not received the verdict from the trial that sealed their fate.

"Before the sentence is carried out, it is necessary to notify its contents to the defense lawyers or at least to the defendant himself. The minimum right of the convicted person is to be able to benefit from the right to retrial and to a stay of execution," he added.

Three other men were executed earlier this month.

Torture, Confessions

Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, an Iranian human rights campaigner based in Norway, told RFE/RL's Radio Farda that Alipour and Ghobadi were "kept in solitary confinement for long periods after their arrest. They were tortured and confessions were extracted from them -- confessions that, even under the laws of the Islamic republic itself, are not actually legal."

In a statement responding to the executions, the MEK said "this reflects the regime's fear of the people and their embrace of the resistance units. This bloodshed will forever roll up the disgraceful scroll of the regime."

The MEK described the two men as "heroic" members, but their affiliation with the organization could not be independently confirmed.

Meanwhile, two other defendants in the same case, Vahid Bani-Amirian and Abolhassan Montazer, could face the same sentence.

"The Islamic republic's main threat -- what truly endangers its survival -- is the Iranian people and popular protests. The goal of these executions is to instill fear among the population," Amiry-Moghaddam said.

Iran was wracked by mass protests in January that were brutally suppressed by security forces. HRANA, a US-based human rights monitoring group, said it had verified nearly 7,000 deaths during Iran's crackdown on protesters in January and many more arrests. It says 1,574 civilians have died since the United States and Israel launched air strikes on Iran on February 28.

Before the strikes began, US President Donald Trump had written on social media that "help is on the way" for Iranian protesters and said achieving regime change in Iran would be "the best thing that could happen."

Recent statements by US officials, however, have not listed regime change as a campaign objective, though Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters at a briefing in Washington on March 31 that "regime change has occurred" and the "primary" focus now is getting Iran to make a deal.

'Clashes' In Iranian Prison

State media have reported increasing numbers of people arrested for being "spies" and "mercenaries."

Police chief Ahmadreza Radan was quoted as reporting hundreds of arrests on various charges relating to the war. This also raises the issue of conditions within prisons.

"Access to even basic necessities is extremely limited. Food conditions were already very bad before the war, but since the war started they've become much worse," Reza Younesi, whose father is in Tehran's notorious Evin Prison, told Radio Farda on March 31.

"Beyond that, the explosions in Tehran -- some of which occurred near Evin -- have had severe psychological effects on the prisoners. Fear and anxiety dominate the prison atmosphere under these wartime conditions," he added.

Younesi's brother and father are being held in different prisons, having both been accused of MEK membership.

Younesi, who now lives in Sweden, also described a riot in Iran's Ghezel Hesar Prison, where his brother is incarcerated. The incident occurred on March 30 when two prisoners there, Mohammad Taghavi Sangdehi and Akbar Daneshvarkar, were taken for execution.

"Other prisoners resisted and clashes occurred," he said, adding that about 20 prisoners were taken away and "most likely transferred to solitary confinement, but we don't know exactly where they are."

These latest executions of four men, on March 30-31, follow that of three men on March 19. These three were arrested during the January protests, while those most recently executed had been in jail since 2024.

Amiry-Moghaddam, who heads a group called Iran Human Rights, said the clerical authorities in the country were using the war as a cover for executions.

"In the shadow of war, the political cost of these executions is much lower. Normally, if a protester or a political prisoner were executed, the Islamic republic would face much harsher reactions from the international community. But now attention is focused on the war," he said.

On March 30, a UN expert panel issued a statement expressing "grave concern" about the executions carried out that day, plus the others earlier in March. The statement also condemned US and Israeli military action, stating "the people of Iran are under attack from outside and from within."

The statement also notes that Iran's authorities have imposed an Internet blackout in the country that has now lasted 32 days, "cutting people off from information and causing severe economic harm."
After publicly calling for the release of the Kazakh rights movement Atazhurt, Bagdat Togysbayev was detained for five days by police. But what struck him as odd wasn't being behind bars, it was how his phone worked afterward.

The activist from the Tolebi district in the Turkistan Region, known for criticizing the government on social media, was forced to leave his phone -- a Xiaomi Redmi Note 10 smartphone -- with the authorities while in detention.

When he returned home, Togysbayev noticed something troubling. An automated call his phone makes when it is initiated went out to his younger sister.

"When I learned this, I immediately thought, 'they opened my phone.' Otherwise, my phone was locked and set to 'airplane' mode," he told RFE/RL's Kazakh Service, known locally as Radio Azattyq.

"A few days later, I returned home, I opened my phone and accessed the 2gis map. I found they had enabled the function that shows my location to others. They had set it up so that information would be automatically broadcast whenever I connected to the Internet," Togysbaev said.

Since then, he has taken precautions, often leaving his smartphone at home for days or weeks and turning it on only briefly. Kazakh authorities did not comment on the claims made by Togysbayev in response to a request from Azattyq, but his suspicions appear to be well founded.

An investigation by Radio Azattyq confirms that Kazakh authorities possess tools capable of bypassing passwords on smartphones and laptops.

Among them is UFED, an Israeli-made forensic system produced by Cellebrite, capable of retrieving messages, photos, browser histories, and even deleted data. UFED is used legally in many countries, but only by law enforcement and with judicial approval. It can only be used if authorities have physical access to the device.

Azattyq reviewed import-export data showing how UFED systems reached Kazakhstan.

The devices were purchased from Georgian Digital Forensics, which presents itself as a regional representative of Cellebrite. Two Kazakh companies, AskomMET and IRPLAB, imported UFED systems from Georgia three times in 20222023, according to Azattyqs analysis of some ImportGenius records.

This pathway is further confirmed by a February 13, 2025, email seen by Azattyq, sent by Albert Avraham Katsir, a Cellebrite sales executive, to Giorgi Akhalaia, an official at Georgias Ministry of Internal Affairs.

In the email, Katsir writes: From the entire Caucasus region, Georgia is the only country where we can sell our solutions. Unfortunately, for the first time, I express my concern that at any time this year Georgia could be blocked from selling our equipment.

The email, publicly available on Georgias state procurement portal, does not specify the source of Katsirs concerns.

Cellebrite presents itself as a provider of digital forensic tools strictly for lawful use.

According to the company, its Digital Intelligence solutions are designed for post-event investigations rather than preemptive surveillance, governed by strict licensing policies.

Cellebrite asserts that it vets customers based on human rights records and can disable access to its technology for violations, emphasizing that it positions itself as a partner to law enforcement within legal and ethical frameworks.

In March 2021, Cellebrite officially announced that it would stop selling its Digital Intelligence solutions and services to clients in the Russian Federation and Belarus, citing the need to operate according to internationally accepted rules and regulations.

However, even though the company claims it checks out its customers ahead of time, its technology can still be used in ways that raise legal and ethical concerns depending on local practices.

Concerns Over Forensic Phone Access

The Kazakh Justice Ministry Court Expertise Center confirmed to Azattyq that UFED and similar forensic software are used in practice alongside other systems such as MD-RED and MD-NEXT.

"It is regulated by the Criminal Procedure Code. Several articles address this. A persons smartphone contains private information," parliament deputy Abzal Kuspan, who's also a lawyer, told Azattyq in an interview.

"If it needs to be opened, it should only be done with the authorization of the investigative court. Each step -- searching, seizing, opening -- requires separate protocols filled out by investigators, prosecutors, or other procedural persons."

Lawyer Bauyrzhan Azanov said that even with legal safeguards and oversight in digital investigations, there's little trust in the ability of authorities to stick to the rules.

"During covert investigations, we cannot know what data the investigator accesses or what purpose they have," he said. "Court oversight exists, but our confidence in it is limited. Peoples constitutional, civil, and political rights exist on paper, but only the court can verify if they are respected."

Azattyq reporting also notes that in practice, many detainees provide authorities access to their phones under pressure, though law enforcement may later claim that access was voluntary.

During the trial, if you ask the state prosecutor and investigators why they opened and searched the phone, they say the person gave the password themselves," Azanov said. "They say we did not force or pressure them. What can you do about that? That is the issue. Unlocking the phone or not unlocking it is the persons own right."

Activists And Journalists Under Siege

Kazakhstan has also deployed other surveillance software against activists and journalists.

Amnesty Internationals Security Lab confirmed that at least four Kazakh civil society activists had their mobile devices infected with NSO Groups Pegasus spyware, targeting them from as early as June 2021. Marie Struthers, Amnesty Internationals Director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia, said this case "adds to an already mounting pile of evidence that NSOs spyware is the weapon of choice for governments seeking to silence social movements and crush dissent."

"States across the globe must immediately implement a moratorium on the export, sale, and use of surveillance equipment until a human rights-compliant regulatory framework is in place," she added.

Kazakh authorities investments in and use of advanced digital forensic and surveillance tools, including UFED systems and other commercially available software, come at a time when authorities have increased detentions and administrative actions against political activists and journalists in the lead-up to Kazakhstans constitutional referendum on March 15.

Several independent reporters were briefly detained at polling stations, journalists Saniya Toiken and Maqpal Muqanqyzy faced fines or other restrictions related to their coverage of the referendum.

Journalists Botagoz Omarova, Gulnara Bazhkenova are under house arrest for allegedly spreading false information. Anti-corruption activist Orazaly Yerzhanov was placed in pre-trial detention on March 5 on charges of "obstruction of electoral rights" after publicly calling for a boycott of the referendum.
A man in his 20s was arrested by local gardai following a road collision.

Gardai attended to scene of a single-vehicle road traffic collision at Main Street, Carrick-on-Shannon at around 2:45am on Saturday March 28th.

The male was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged to appear before a special sitting of Sligo District Court on Saturday.

"As this matter is now before the Courts, An Garda Siochana cannot comment further," a spokesperson said.
A man who was involved in the burglary of multiple Roscommon businesses in 2024, before abandoning a stolen car in Athlone and getting the train back to Dublin with black bin bags filled with ill-gotten gains, has been jailed for six and a half years. The sentence of Eugene Traynor (48), with an address in Adamstown, Lucan, County Dublin, is to run consecutively to a sentence he is currently serving, meaning it will only take effect in July of next year.

Mr Traynor appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Roscommon Circuit Court, with an indictment of seven charges, including one for theft, one arson, four burglaries and one criminal damage. All charges related to the early hours of August 13th, 2024.

Mr Traynor pleaded guilty to all counts on the indictment, except for the arson charge, which was marked taken into consideration during Judge Connollys sentencing. It was never indicated that a jury would be required.

The court heard that, at 2 a.m. on August 12th, 2024, there was a burglary at a private residence in Cellbridge, County Kildare, whereby a male entered the house via a downstairs window while the family was asleep, and took a handbag, jewellery and the keys of a BMW.

A man was seen driving away in the vehicle, which was used the following night in the commission of the offences that were before Roscommon Circuit Court. The BMW itself was abandoned in Athlone following the spate of burglaries.

At 1.30 a.m. on August 13th, 2024, there was a burglary at a shop in Frenchpark, which was captured on CCTV, the court heard. Footage showed three suspects enter the premises - one with a distinctive gait, one with a peaky cap and one with glasses. Mr Traynor was later identified as the man with the distinctive gait.

A number of confectionary items were taken, which were later found in the BMW and identified as belonging to the owner of the shop.

At 2.30 a.m., there was an attempted break-in via the roof of an off-licence and shop in Tulsk, the court heard. There was 200 worth of damage done to a bench on the property and the incident was captured on CCTV, but the burglary attempt was unsuccessful.

A further burglary took place at 2.45 a.m. at a motor business in Tulsk, with CCTV footage showing the same men from previous footage. During this incident, the key to a white BMW X5, log books of two cars, and a number of tools were taken, which were later recovered in the BMW in Athlone. A grey BMW valued at 20,000 was also stolen.

The burglaries continued when, at 4.12 a.m., there was a break-in at a Roscommon garage. Windows were smashed, the offices were ransacked and approximately 300 to 400 in cash was taken from the tills. Another room at the rear was completely pulled apart, and a till was later recovered in the abandoned BMW.

Shortly afterwards, at 4.37 a.m., a shop in Knockcroghery was broken into. CCTV with audio showed the two stolen BMWs arriving at the location and the same three males were also captured.

The court heard that the side door was forced open before 1,000 in cash was stolen from the till. The men then stole 13,437 worth of cigarettes and 2,466 worth of vapes. Two till trays were also taken and later recovered in the first stolen BMW.

The grey BMW was later found burned out at a GAA pitch and gardai said it may have crashed prior to being burned out. The first stolen BMW suffered a burst tyre coming into Athlone and was parked in Esker Park.

The court heard that one of the men then made his way to Daybreak to purchase black bin bags before returning to the car, where the three men proceeded to put some of the stolen items into refuse sacks.

They were then tracked on CCTV leaving the estate and going towards the train station. They left the black bags unattended but within view for a short time and CCTV footage shows a seagull pecking at a bag, tearing it and taking two packs of cigarettes. All men are then seen getting on the train to Dublin.

As part of the investigation, two Tallaght-based gardai positively identified Eugene Traynor as the man on CCTV footage with the distinct gait.

On September 27th, 2024, a warrant was executed and a search carried out at the accuseds home, before he was arrested and brought to Castlerea Garda Station, where he was interviewed four times but gave nothing of evidential value.

All offences were committed while Mr Traynor was on High Court bail, the court heard, and he has 36 previous convictions. Included among those were two for criminal damage, one for burglary, three for robbery, one for handling stolen property and four for theft.

Desmond Dockery SC, for the accused, told the court that his client has a long-standing drug addiction and is currently serving a sentence in Mountjoy Prison, which was imposed in April 2025, and will expire in July 2027.

This was an audacious night of ransacking and thieving around the county of Roscommon, said Mr Dockery, before adding that nobody was confronted and nobody was hurt.

Mr Traynor is currently undergoing a methadone course in Mountjoy, and a report from Merchants Quay says he has attended 12 counselling sessions.

We hear from business personnel day to day how hard it is to do business in this country. I accept that entirely. Unless we have someone willing to run businesses, we have no employment and no economy, said Judge Connolly.

This doesnt help in the slightest. Each of these victims are hardworking business people who Im sure are large employers in the area. These sorts of crimes have to be punished very severely indeed. The court must take a tougher stance as regards spree burglaries. There was very significant premeditation in the commission of these crimes, he said, noting the accused was not local to the area where these burglaries and thefts took place and that the group had specifically targeted the area.

The premeditation is perhaps further advanced by the fact that a previously stolen vehicle was used in the commission of these crimes. He noted the accused mans shameful record, with 36 previous convictions over 25 years.

There were elements of sophistication in this plan. Ultimately, the final scene or final act in this crime lacked any sophistication at all, where one of the members of this group is seen at Applegreen buying black sacks to take away their ill-gotten gains. But there was an element of sophistication, said Judge Connolly.

Among the mitigating factors, Judge Connolly noted the extensive investigation required, with 26 witnesses and many, many hours of CCTV, making the plea of guilty one of great value.

He imposed a sentence of four years and six months for the theft of the grey BMW from Tulsk. The count of arson on that vehicle was taken into consideration.

Of the four burglaries, he considered the break-in at the shop in Knockcroghery to be the most substantial and set a global sentence of seven years and six months, taking the other three burglaries into consideration with that sentence.

Finally, for the criminal damage to the off-licence, he sentenced Mr Traynor to nine months imprisonment and ordered that all sentences be served concurrently to each other.

Regrettably, its not appropriate to suspend any part of the sentence. Hes had many opportunities by way of suspended sentences and part suspended sentences and, unfortunately, he hasnt taken advantage of those, said Judge Connolly.

The sentences must also run consecutively to the one he is currently serving, as he was on bail at the time of the commission of these offences. His release date is July 8th, 2027.

The full sentence of seven years and six months is proportionate to the crimes committed, Judge Connolly remarked, but on the totality principal, he opted to reduce it to a sentence of six years and six months, which will come into effect upon the expiration of his current sentence.

He also received credit for six weeks already served in custody on these charges.

*Published as part of the courts reporting scheme.
A man who hid in the attic insulation of a sophisticated growhouse while gardai searched the property two years ago, has been jailed for a total of 20 months.

Edgaras Paulaskas (34), of Greenshank Street, Aston Village, Drogheda, County Louth, appeared before Judge Kenneth Connolly at Roscommon Circuit Court for sentence.

His co-accused, Rimas Abrachimovas (42), with an address at Laburnum Dive, Termon Abbey, Drogheda, County Louth, was jailed for three years in October, while another co-accused, Evaldas Juknevicus (42), with an address at Millbrook, Portlaoise, County Laois, received a five-and-a-half year sentence for his involvement.

Suspicions were raised in March 2024, when gardai noticed the blinds of the unoccupied house in Cloonmullen, Loughglynn were always down, with all the lights switched on at night.

A search warrant was executed on April 9th, 2024 and, when gardai arrived, Mr Paulaskas and Mr Juknevicus concealed themselves in the insulation of the attic, while Mr Abrachimovas hid on the ground floor of the property.

Gardai executing the warrant came upon a sophisticated growing operation, which saw cannabis plants in every room of the house, including the attic, which had been fitted with a complex hydroponics system to water the plants.

In total, gardai discovered 170 plants, the majority of which had been harvested and placed in bags. 36.33kg of cannabis was seized, with an initial estimated street value of 725,940.

However, a report from an independent expert revealed the actual value of the cannabis to be 319,030, as gardai had uncovered 15.951kg of female flowering heads, 18.51kg of ground leaf, and 1.8kg of seeded cannabis.

Desmond Dockery SC for the accused, reminded the court that his client had entered an early guilty plea. Mr Paulaskas job was to feed and water the plants and he was at the lowest end of the chain in the organisation.

He cooperated fully with the investigation and denied any knowledge of packaging or sale or supply, the court heard.

He was addicted to cannabis and was given small quantities of the drug in exchange for his assistance. He was promised 6,000 to 8,000 on completion but he didnt receive that, said Mr Dockery.

A probation report, despite a prior conviction for similar offending, put him at low risk of reoffending in the next 12 months on the basis he has managed to abstain from cannabis use for over a year, Mr Dockery added.

Mr Paulaskas continues to engage with Narcotics Anonymous and is in full-time employment as a truck driver.

He has two boys, aged 12 and 10, with his long term partner, with whom he has been since they were 16 years old. She works part-time, Mr Dockery outlined, but suffers with a heart condition.

The probation report assessed Mr Paulaskas as being suitable for community service but said continued supervision by the probation service would no longer be required.

Mr Paulaskas moved to Ireland from Lithuania 16 years ago and has worked consistently ever since, said Mr Dockery.

He is engaging consistently and meaningfully with psychotherapy and a letter from his employer verified that they have a contract with him to carry out the delivery of concrete.

The quantity of drugs was substantial indeed. This was a seriously professional production and he also has a prior conviction for similar, for which he got an 18 month suspended sentence from a court in Monaghan, said Mr Dockery.

But this is also a case where there is very strong mitigation. He has proven consistently that he was, and is turning his life around. Im asking the court to show leniency to this man in recognition of his efforts so far, and also the confidence the probation service has in him.

They believe he can stay on the course he has set for himself. He pleaded guilty at an early stage, he has a partner, a stable background, everything to live for, and Im asking the court to contemplate the prospect of a fully suspended sentence. Judge Connolly agreed that Mr Paulaskas has done very well indeed, has taken all of this very, very seriously, and seems to have rehabilitated himself. He noted the accused is the primary caregiver to one of his children with significant learning difficulties in circumstances where his partner has her own medical difficulties.

He noted that Mr Paulaskas was one of three co-accused and recalled that the first co-accused, Mr Juknevicus, was sentenced to seven years in prison with the final 18 months suspended, and then, essentially, a deportation order.

The second co-accused, he recalled, was sentenced for cultivation, which is the same charge as this accused, and received five years in prison with the final two years suspended for three years.

He noted there are varying calculations as to the value of the drugs seized but stressed that, regardless, this was a huge amount of drugs.

How is he distinguishable from the co-accused, that hes entitled to a suspended sentence, particularly when hes had a previous suspended sentence? Judge Connolly asked.

The court heard that Mr Paulaskas spent six weeks in custody last year, which made a deep impression on him, and that urinalysis results had come back clear as he had remained off cannabis.

Turning to sentence, Judge Connolly noted that Mr Paulaskas admitted to his role and told gardai he had become involved because he was known to have a good knowledge of cultivation, but he was not the organiser and was to receive a modest payment for his work.

He has three previous convictions, including no insurance, drug driving, and the cultivation conviction from Monaghan Circuit Court, which saw a suspended sentence of 18 months imposed on January 21st, 2022.

It is a very aggravating factor that this detection was made just after the end of that suspended sentence, said Judge Connolly.

However, he noted the very early guilty plea, cooperation at interview, relatively full admissions, as well as the fact he was at the lowest level of the enterprise and has come to no subsequent adverse attention.

He was given the opportunity of a suspended sentence previously, Judge Connolly noted, and he has gone to great lengths to rehabilitate, but he should have learned his lesson after the first detection and so he could not impose a suspended sentence on this occasion.

He set a headline sentence of five years and three months imprisonment but, taking into account such mitigating factors as an early plea, an excellent probation report and an excellent work history, he reduced the sentence to three years and eight months.

I would like to impose a fully suspended sentence, but I feel this is not appropriate, said Judge Connolly.

He suspended the final two years of the sentence for four years, leaving 20 months to be served. The conditions of the suspended portion of the sentence include that he remain drug free and have no association with controlled drugs.

*Published as part of the Courts Reporting Scheme.
Mother and daughter Martina and Ammi Burke have been arrested by gardai as they attempted to visit Enoch Burke at Castlerea Prison, the Irish Times is reporting.

The pair have been detained, and were due to be committed to prison for a two-week sentence, almost a month after warrants for their arrest and committal were issued by the High Court.

Gardai had been trying to find the two women by gathering intelligence and also watching people they may try to meet or visiting locations they are linked to, including their family home just outside Castlebar, County Mayo, Conor Lally wrote this afternoon.

However, neither woman was located until Tuesday afternoon when they were detained at Castlerea Prison. It is understood Enoch Burke was due a visit by another person at the time, but his mother and sister turned up, resulting in their arrests.

Gardai were alerted to their presence at the jail and arrested them as they exited the prison campus.

In the High Court on March 4th, Judge Brian Cregan found Martina and Ammi Burke guilty of contempt in the face of the court over their behaviour  roaring and shouting and intense and venomous interruptions  that led to a February 20th hearing being suspended.

The judge ordered the Garda to arrest the women for committal to prison to serve a two-week sentence he imposed as a sanction for their contempt.
A public meeting is being held on how to protect and restore water quality in the county's rivers and lakes.

The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO) works on behalf of Irelands 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality in rivers, lakes, estuaries, ground and coastal waters. It is holding a community information meeting about water quality and water related issues in the Roscommon Municipal District.

Under Irelands River Basin Management Plan, LAWPRO works in areas where water quality requires protection or restoration. LAWPRO collaborates with other stakeholders in these areas, which are called Priority Areas for Action (PAAs), to implement targeted water quality improvements.

The community information meeting on Thursday, 16th April is being held to make more people aware of work to improve water quality in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with all stakeholders right across the community, including key agencies, special interest groups, voluntary, public and private sectors.

Details of the meeting are as follows:

 Roscommon Municipal District.16th April, 7-8:30pm. Trinity Arts Centre, Church Road, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon, F45 AW27

Over the past number of years LAWPRO has been working in the area as part of the 2nd cycle River Basin Management Plan for Ireland. At the meeting LAWPRO experts will take you through the work that has been carried out in the 2nd cycle and what is being planned for the 3rd cycle Water Action Plan. There will also be opportunities for the public to ask questions and talk to members of the Agricultural Sustainability Support and Advisory Programme (ASSAP).

Ahead of the public meeting, Anthony Coleman, Director of Services with LAWPRO said: As we are coming to the end of 2nd cycle work in the Roscommon Municipal District and begin implementation of the new Water Action Plan we would like to take this opportunity to welcome members of the public to come along and find out more about whats happening in their local waterbodies and river catchments.

We hope to engage as many people as possible at this meeting in Roscommon because public participation and support is key to achieving water quality improvements. We would also like to thank all those whether in a voluntary or paid capacity, working in their local areas to help make a difference to their natural waters and the biodiversity that live in and around them. The public meeting will begin at 7pm in the Trinity Arts Centre in Castlerea and light refreshments will be available.

All are welcome to attend. To register for the event, visit LAWPROs Eventbrite page .

To find out more about the work of the Local Authority Waters Programme please visit: www.lawaters.ie .
For the first time on record, NDSU Extension county agents found zero wheat midge cocoons, potentially reducing farmers' inputs for wheat midge management.

Soil samples from North Dakota counties indicate low levels of overwintering wheat midge larvae (cocoons) for the 2026 season.

"This is the first time since the inception of the survey in 1995 that zero wheat midge cocoons were found in the fall soil survey for the overwintering cocoons of wheat midge," says Janet Knodel, North Dakota State University Extension entomologist.

2025 was the sixth year in a row with a low number of wheat midge cocoons present in soil samples, potentially reducing farmers' inputs for wheat midge management.

In fall 2025, NDSU Extension agents collected 1,970 soil samples (10 cores per field) from 197 fields in 21 northern North Dakota counties. Any larval cocoons would be extracted at the NDSU Extension entomology laboratory.

Historically, wheat midge has caused significant yield and quality losses in spring and durum wheat in the northern tier of North Dakota counties from the mid-1990s through 2010.

"The fact that zero wheat midge was detected in the 2025 soil survey indicates low overwintering populations and reduced risk of economic infestation for the upcoming growing season," says Knodel.

The number of cocoons has been low, below 500 midge larvae per square meter, for the past 10 years. Low midge pressure is tied in part to dry weather and drought conditions, which hinder the successful emergence and overwintering of larvae, according to Knodel.

Also, Fusarium head blight was more common in wheat fields in 2025, prompting farmers to spray fungicides, often tank-mixing them with an insecticide to kill wheat midge and other wheat insect pests, such as true armyworm, cereal aphids and grasshoppers. Knodel says that mixing in unnecessary insecticides isn't good, except when insect populations are economically significant.

"With the low populations of wheat midge for the tenth year in a row," says Knodel, "scouting for wheat midge is diminished and will be most important in continuous wheat fields.

"However, if localized wheat growing areas receive timely rains prior to heading, wheat midge emergence is favored," advises Knodel. "On the other hand, if we remain dry, wheat midge mortality increases, and cocoons can remain dormant for several years until soil moisture returns."

The parasitoid wasp that kills wheat midge depends on its host for survival. As expected, those wasp populations were also low due to the decline in wheat midge. For the past six years, parasitism rates have been low, ranging from 0% in 2021-2025, with 15% in 2023.

NDSU Extension Integrated Pest Management crop scouts and insect trappers also monitored for wheat midge using sex pheromone trapping during the field season. Traps with a powerful pheromone are used as an early warning system to trigger field scouting when wheat is in the susceptible stage, heading into early flowering. If more than 10 midges per trap are observed three days after heading, field scouting is initiated to determine whether a field is at an economic threshold for wheat midge.

Twenty-three pheromone traps were monitored in 19 counties in 2025. The highest wheat midge counts were concentrated in the northwest (Burke, Ward and Williams counties), the north central (Pierce County) and the northeast (Pembina County). The wheat midge parasitoid wasp also increased, with detections on sticky trap bottoms in 13 counties in 2025, up from seven counties in 2024.

According to Knodel, future efforts will focus on pheromone trapping for wheat midge and its parasitoid wasp, as trapping is more sensitive to low wheat midge densities in fields and alerts farmers to first and peak emergence and potential economic infestations. Pheromone trapping also documents the distribution of the wheat midge and its parasitoids, and it guides scouting efforts and pest management decisions for wheat midge infestations.

The North Dakota Wheat Commission supports the wheat midge larval soil survey and pheromone trapping.
BOZEMAN - A delegation of 19 leaders from Montana's natural resource industries has successfully completed a comprehensive ten-day international study seminar in Morocco. The members of REAL Montana (Resource Education and Agriculture Leadership) Class VI traveled across the North African nation from March 4-14. The tour serves as a critical global component of their two-year leadership development program, with a mission to build a network of informed and engaged leaders to advance the natural resource industries in Montana.

The journey began in northern Morocco, where the cohort visited a large dairy followed by a diversified farm to learn about olive and small grain production, including a visit to a seed cleaning and distribution facility. The day ended in Rabat, home to the Royal Palace and breathtaking ocean views. The next stop was Fes, where Class VI toured the Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site rich with history and featuring one of the oldest tanneries in the world, believed to be over 1,000 years old. Moving on to Meknes, the group visited the National School of Agriculture to learn about Moroccan agriculture, challenges facing producers, and current research in olive production. Conversations focused on improving drought resistance, olive oil quality, and innovative uses for olive pit biomass, followed by a visit to a neighboring fruit storage facility where they sampled local apples and dates.

The group then traveled by bus through the Atlas Mountains as they made their way to Marrakech. Along the way, they stopped at one of the largest diversified fruit farms in Morocco, Les Domaines Agricoles, where the Cara Cara orange trees were laden with fruit and ready to be harvested. The class learned about citrus production while sampling fruit fresh from the trees before arriving in Marrakech to meet with experts at the Regional Center for Agricultural Research (INRA). Discussions there centered on date palm, olive, and fruit research, with a continued focus on drought resistance and management. The group also toured modern citrus operations in Chichaoua, where mandarin oranges bound for U.S. grocery stores were ready for harvest. After visiting the impressive Marrakech medina area, the experience culminated in the High Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert, where Class VI studied traditional Berber customs, rode camels, and stayed overnight in a desert camp.

The study tour concluded in Casablanca, where the delegation shifted its focus toward international trade and how Montana commodities fit into the global picture. They toured the IFIM baking and milling school and heard from U.S. Wheat Associates representatives regarding opportunities for Montana wheat in Africa. Finally, the group received specialized briefings from the U.S. Consulate and USA Pulses, highlighting the vital role of global market dynamics and trade relations in supporting Montana's producers. After a final dinner at the historic Rick's Cafe, the cohort returned to Montana prepared to apply these global insights to their roles as leaders for Montana's natural resource industries.

REAL Montana is an intensive leadership program featuring eight in-state seminars, a five-day national study tour in Washington, D.C., and a 12-day international trip. REAL Montana is funded through a partnership with Montana State University Extension and private industry. Applications are currently being accepted through March 31, for Class VII. For more information, visit: http://www.Montana.edu/REALMontana.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday called for mobilizing the whole society to actively participate in afforestation, stressing that a sound ecological environment is shared by all and requires the joint efforts of all.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, made the remarks when taking part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Beijing.

Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang and Li Xi, arrived at the tree-planting site in Changping District of Beijing in the morning. Xi waved to the crowd to extend his greetings before picking up a shovel to join the activity. He planted saplings of multiple types of trees.

While planting the trees, he asked the children at the site about their studies and daily lives, their participation in labor and sports, and their involvement in tree-planting activities. He stressed the importance of setting great goals at a young age, fostering a love of learning, work and nature, and striving to become pillars of society.

Xi also talked with officials and members of the public on site. He said that China has seen sustained increases in both forest area and stock volume, as well as continuous reduction in desertified and sandy land areas. This has made it the country with the largest and fastest increase in greening in the world.

Xi hailed the Ecological and Environmental Code adopted in March, noting that it further strengthens the legal foundation for building a Beautiful China.

Afforestation is an important task in building a Beautiful China, Xi said, urging sustained and solid efforts to advance the initiative.

This year marks the first year of implementing the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030) and the 45th anniversary of the nationwide voluntary tree-planting campaign, Xi noted.

Under the new circumstances, efforts to advance greening programs should place greater emphasis on improving quality, developing related industries, and delivering benefits to the people, he said.

Xi emphasized the importance of facilitating the channels for realizing the value of ecological products, and advancing urban and rural greening in a coordinated manner. 

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd on site during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd on site during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, talks with the crowd on site during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Xi and other Party and state leaders, including Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi, took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Li Qiang plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Zhao Leji plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Wang Huning plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

Cai Qi plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Ding Haitao)

Ding Xuexiang plants a tree during a voluntary tree-planting activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Li Xi plants a tree during a voluntary tree planting-activity at Baishan Town in Changping District of Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. Party and state leaders Xi Jinping, Li Qiang, Zhao Leji, Wang Huning, Cai Qi, Ding Xuexiang, and Li Xi took part in a voluntary tree-planting activity in Changping District of Beijing on Monday. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

Editor: Zhang Zhou
The 30-year anniversary of Watford City Police Officer Keith Braddock's (Badge #1114) Line of Duty Death was commemorated on March 20 this year with the dedication of a section of 14th Ave. SE, Watford City. With appearances from Mayor Phil RieIy, and Chief of Police Jesse Wellen, the ceremony outlined Officer Braddock's dedication to the people of Watford City. Three generations of the Braddock family attended, including Officer Braddock's wife, Mary Braddock.

"I'm proud and grateful for what the... [ Police Department] is doing" said Mrs. Braddock, "It's nice to know he won't be forgotten," she continued. Despite the somber dedication, the family stayed in good spirits especially during the small dedication dinner. Family gathered around one another after their long travels to talk, catch up and reminisce about their beloved father, grandfather and husband. The strength of the Braddock family in this time is commendable, and the way they support one another is inspiring. "It's been bitter sweet," said Mary, "but it takes strength to stay together and move on. My kids and grandkids help me." she concluded.

The Watford City Police Department commemorated their fallen comrade with elegance and dignity, with Carl Rogan VFW Post #29, presenting the colors at his dedication. "We're really appreciative of everybody for coming out and supporting our department and the family of Chief Braddock," said Assistant Chief of Police Korey Lass.

The officers spoke with the family throughout the dedication dinner, showing their care and understanding throughout. Every speaker stressed the importance of family in public service, and what it truly means to be an officer, beyond the badge.

Officer Braddock was a dedicated public servant, he served as military police in Fort Dix, New Jersey, and a volunteer fire fighter for New Jersey, then became a police captain in Bowman, ND, for three years, and on the McKenzie County Ambulance before his time as a police officer in Watford City. He was a kind and well-regarded officer before his tragic passing in the line of duty on March 20,1996. He has been loved, he has been missed, but he will never be forgotten. Braddock Memorial Drive will stand in his honor for all to see.
Guest Opinion

On Jan. 27, 2026, Judge Olivia Rieger in the Montana Seventh Judicial District Court, Wibaux County, granted a Motion to Dismiss filed by five Wibaux County landowners.

The following is taken from Cause No. DV-55-2025-14:

INTRODUCTION AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY

On Oct. 20, 2025, Plaintiff Hiland Crude, LLC, doing business as Hiland Express Pipeline, filed a Complaint for Condemnation against defendants, including David C. Roberts, Dry Creek Land Co., Tracy Weyer and Joette Weyer, James Murphy and Gay Murphy, and Prewitt Ranch LLC (collectively, Landowners). Hiland seeks to exercise the extraordinary power of eminent domain to condemn an easement for natural gas liquids (NGLs), natural gas, and other hydrocarbons across Landowners properties. Hiland already has an easement for the sole purpose of constructing and maintaining a pipeline to carry crude oil, which does not allow the transportation of NGLs. On Nov. 12, 2025, Landowners filed a Rule 12(b)(6) Motion to Dismiss and Brief in Support on the grounds that Hiland lacks authority to condemn under Montana law.

CONCLUSION

The Court finds that Hilands Complaint does not survive a motion to dismiss under Montana law because it does not have the legal authority to condemn. Montanas condemnation statutes, which must be read strictly and in favor of the fundamental rights of property owners, grant condemnation authority only to common carrier pipelines carrying crude petroleum, coal, and the products thereof. Hilands pipeline will not be carrying these substances as they are defined by the plain terms of Montana law. All other statutes Hiland looks to for condemnation authority are inapplicable here due to Hilands failure to plead them in its Complaint.

Accordingly,

IT IS ORDERED:

Landowners Motion to Dismiss is GRANTED.

Court costs and attorney fees are awarded to Landowners pursuant to Sec. 70-30-305(2), Montana Code Annotated.
The Duck Billed Dinosaur from Hateg Country

The Hateg Basin is one of the most important places in Europe for the study of dinosaurs

Dinozaur cu cioc de rata

Calin Cotoiu and Ana-Maria Cononovici, 31.03.2026, 14:00

The Hateg Basin is one of the most important places in Europe for the study of dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous. Paleontologists from the University of Bucharest and the Eotvos Lorand University of Budapest recently discovered a new species of dinosaur in the territory of the Tara Hategului UNESCO International Geopark.

Zoltan Csiki-Sava, Associate Professor and researcher at the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics of the University of Bucharest, spoke to us about this new discovery:

It is about identifying a new genus, or a new species of dinosaur, from the group we call duck-billed dinosaur. Interestingly, the first dinosaur that was identified in Romania, in the Hateg area, more than a hundred years ago, was also a duck-billed dinosaur. And when we discovered this skeleton, obviously, we compared it with this first species. And, to our surprise, we realized that it is something different, and that it also comes from a different area of the Hateg basin and, apparently, according to all our estimates, from rocks that are somewhat older. So it is about a new species of dinosaur, with a duck beak, which is different from the so-called Telmatosaurus Transylvanicus, identified by Franz Nopcsa over a hundred years ago.

And this proves that the dinosaur fauna of Hateg Island, 70 million years ago, was more diverse than previously thought, our interlocutor also told us, mentioning that in recent years we have been in a fortunate period of discoveries in the area, and added:

This series of discoveries began about eight years ago, with the identification of a new species, a new genus of mammal, which lived at the same time as dinosaurs, after which a small Crocodilian that lived in this area was identified, a turtle and, starting in 2022, 5 new species of dinosaurs have been identified so far, from the Hateg area actually. All the dinosaurs that have been identified recently are herbivorous dinosaurs, so basically what we have done is we have increased quite a lot the diversity of herbivores that populated this island and that we can show that they lived in different periods, were part of different associations. So basically these new discoveries show us that the evolution of this island existed, the dinosaur faunas, the vertebrate faunas, over millions of years, changed, new species appeared, which replaced those that existed previously. It is a period in which we managed to add quite a lot of important information, related to the composition of this island fauna. Perhaps the most interesting news that emerged is the one that was published at the beginning of this year, in which not only did we manage to add new species of dinosaurs, related to those previously known, but we managed to show that some dinosaurs that we had already known for some time, in fact, are not what we considered them until now, they are not part of the group that we considered them to be part of until now, but represent a group of completely new dinosaurs, the so-called horned dinosaurs, or Ceratopsians, and which have not been found in the European archipelago until now.

And because, in the Geopark, information must be brought to the attention of the public in an attractive way, we invited Zoltan Csiki-Sava, Associate Professor and researcher at the Faculty of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Bucharest, to tell us the story of the Duck-billed Dinosaur:

The most interesting story, perhaps, is not related to the Hateg area, but to the broader significance of this animal. Because we have talked so far about the Hateg area, which 70 million years ago was an island area. But it was not the only island area, practically all of todays Europe was a huge archipelago, made up of islands of different sizes and separated by sea canals, which practically ended up isolating these animals on different islands, and made each island have a separate species of dinosaur. That is why, for example, in Hateg, we have many names that indicate exactly this. Dinosaurs called Transylvanicus, or Zamolxes, or Transylvanosaurus, and so on, showing that we are dealing with animals that are only known from here. And the newly discovered dinosaur, which was named Kryptohadros, which means the hidden duck-billed dinosaur, because for over a hundred years it was not discovered, it remained hidden from researchers, this dinosaur showed us that its closest relative was actually on another island in an area that today represents the northern part of Italy. Basically, the newly discovered dinosaur indicates kinship relations between the dinosaurs from the Hateg area and the dinosaurs from this area of Italy, and probably also a dinosaur that was recently discovered in Bulgaria. And the interesting thing is that practically at the same time, a little later, duck-billed dinosaurs also appear in the western part of Europe, in Spain, in France, in another island area, but they seem to be totally different. And this tells us the following thing: that practically the European archipelago was colonized by different waves of duck-billed dinosaurs, who came from Asia, and some of them, reached southeastern Europe, colonized this area, and remained on these islands, while others somehow bypassed that region, probably through northern Europe, and reached western Europe and populated those islands, and from there they even reached northern Africa.

Our interlocutor also launched a comparison over time, emphasizing that this whole story with different waves of migrations from Asia, which ended up colonizing different parts of Europe, could find a very interesting historical correspondence with the waves of migratory peoples, who at the beginning of the Middle Ages, the end of Antiquity, also came from Asia and ended up colonizing different regions, including some, the Vandals, reaching North Africa, in the same area where the dinosaurs from Europe arrived 70 million years earlier.
March 31, 2026

A roundup of local and world news

Newsflash

Newsroom, 31.03.2026, 13:55

Moldovan PM visits Bucharest

Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu is paying an official visit to Bucharest. He is attending a conference focused on the security, stability and economic development of South-East Europe. The Moldovan official is expected to meet with President Nicusor Dan and Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan. Talks will focus on strengthening bilateral ties and advancing joint projects in energy, infrastructure and European integration, initiatives expected to directly impact citizens in both nations. According to a statement from the Chisinau Government, Alexandru Munteanu will also meet with representatives of the American Chamber of Commerce in Romania to present new investment opportunities in Moldova.

Emergency Government session

An emergency Government session has been officially announced for this evening in Bucharest. The top priority on the agenda is an emergency decree designed to extend the cap on commercial markups for basic foodstuffs for another three months. The current measure, which has been in place since 2023, is set to expire at midnight. To prevent a legislative gap that could trigger immediate price hikes in stores, the Government must adopt the new decree and have it published in the Official Gazette by midnight.

Separately, the Government aims to finalize the mechanism for reducing fuel excise duties by the end of the week. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that Diesel will be the first priority for this measure, as it is the most widely traded fuel in Romania.

US ambassador on energy security

Romania has the potential to revolutionize the energy sector in Central and Eastern Europe by reducing dependence on Russia, US Ambassador Darryl Nirenberg told his first interview since taking office. Ambassador Nirenberg echoed President Donald Trumps stance that energy security is national security and the key to economic growth. The US ambassador noted that Romania is already tapping into several resources and has more in development. He described the nuclear program as promising, adding that the USA is proud to contribute technology and expertise to the refurbishment of the Cernavoda reactors. Ambassador Nirenberg emphasized that economic opportunity is a top priority of his mandate, noting that the US-Romanian partnership has never been stronger or more vital, especially regarding the Black Sea region and NATOs Eastern Flank.

EU funds and infrastructure

A new project launches in Bucharest today aimed at efficiently managing non-reimbursable external funds and monitoring their impact on sustainable development and the circular economy. European Commission Vice-President Roxana Minzatu is attending the launch alongside 150 representatives from local and central administrations and European institutions. The four-year project is co-financed by the European Social Fund Plus.

European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, is also in Bucharest, meeting with Romanian authorities to examine connectivity projects and strategies designed to boost economic cohesion and support supply chains.

Protests in the Capital

The National Disability Council of Romania organized a protest today near the Government headquarters. The primary grievances focus on the current level of disability benefits and recent changes to their taxation. Daniela Tontsch, President of the Council, told AGERPRES that benefit levels remain stuck at 2024 rates while prices have risen at an alarming pace.

Protesters are demanding a return to full tax exemptions and the cancellation of recent medical evaluation criteria, which they describe as abusive. Tontsch noted that approximately 10,000 individuals with severe disabilities have seen their disability ratings downgraded, a move that has left them without personal assistants and stripped them of their essential benefits.

Diplomatic mission to Kyiv

Romanian Foreign Minister Oana Toiu is attending an informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council scheduled for today in Kyiv. The summit, held in the presence of EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, addresses multi-level support for Ukraine and regional security developments. Ukrainian officials are also participating in the talks. The visit began in Bucha with a ceremony commemorating the victims of the invasion from four years ago. These discussions take place amid intensifying talks regarding Ukrainian territories and a potential end to the war between Ukraine and Russia.

Tensions in the Middle East

Explosions were heard in Jerusalem today as the Israeli military reported attempts to intercept missiles launched from Iran. In a recent interview with an American television network, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that he has achieved more than half of his objectives in the war against Iran.

In Washington, sources within the US administration say President Donald Trump has informed his advisors that he is prepared to end the military campaign against Iran. This holds true even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, as the President is reportedly willing to postpone the complex operation to reopen the waterway for the time being. Trumps primary preference remains reopening the strait by negotiating an end to the war with the Iranian regime. His secondary option would involve calling on allies, specifically Gulf states and NATO, to lead the operations to reopen the maritime channel located between Iran and Oman. (VP)
March 31, 2026 UPDATE

A roundup of domestic and international news

March 31, 2026 UPDATE

Newsroom, 31.03.2026, 19:53

Government. On Tuesday, the Romanian Government adopted an emergency ordinance extending the cap on markups for basic foodstuffs until June 30. We are now in the fifteenth month of this price cap, which has been periodically renewed through emergency ordinances. The measure remains in effect under the same conditions as before, covering a range of basic food items. There is a list, starting with: white bread, yogurt, eggs, oil, chicken, pork, and so on, announced Government Spokesperson Ioana Nadina Dogioiu at the end of the Government meeting. The governing coalition agreed on Monday to cap the markup on basic foodstuffs for another three months. Meanwhile, the government aims to finalize, by the end of this week, the mechanism through which authorities will reduce the excise tax on fuels. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan announced that diesel will be the first to be targeted by this measure, as it is the most widely used fuel in Romania.

Moldova. On Tuesday in Bucharest, President Nicusor Dan assured Moldovan Prime Minister Alexandru Munteanu that the Republic of Moldova can always count on Romanias support, whether regarding accession to the European Union, ensuring energy security, or increasing resilience in the face of hybrid threats. On social media, the head of state stated that Romania and the Republic of Moldova have many major projects that are giving increasingly significant substance to the bilateral relationship. Cross-border interconnection projects in the fields of energy, infrastructure, transportation, and digital networks are particularly important for increasing the Republic of Moldovas connectivity to the European Union through Romania, the head of state emphasized. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also assured his counterpart from the neighboring country in Bucharest that Romania will continue to support the Republic of Moldova both bilaterally and in advancing its European path. In turn, Alexandru Munteanu thanked the Romanian Government for its support and cooperation. The two reviewed the status of implementation of joint interconnection projects, improvements to border transit conditions for citizens and goods, as well as strategic cooperation in the fields of energy and transport infrastructure.

Protest. The National Council for Disability in Romania organized a protest on Tuesday near the Government headquarters. The main grievances concern the level of disability benefits and recent changes to their taxation. Our benefits are at 2024 levels, while prices have risen at an alarming rate. Our tax exemptions have been revoked, and we have been granted insignificant reductions. We demand a return to full tax exemptions and the abolition of medical evaluation criteria, as they are abusive, Council President Daniela Tontsch told AGERPRES. She said that approximately 10,000 people with very severe disabilities were reclassified into lower disability categories and, as a result, were left without personal assistants and without benefits.

Kyiv. European foreign ministers reaffirmed their firm support for Ukraines independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity in a joint statement issued Tuesday in Kyiv. The ministers declared their unwavering commitment to ensuring that the Russian Federation is held fully accountable for any violations of international law in Ukraine or against Ukraine. Foreign Minister Oana Toiu represented Romania at the informal meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) in Kyiv, which took place in the presence of the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas. The European officials visit to Ukraine began in Bucha with a ceremony commemorating the victims of the invasion four years ago. Present at the ceremony, the President of the Romanian Senate, Mircea Abrudean, stated that the Bucha massacre stands as a testament to the cruelest and most inhumane acts committed by Russian armed forces during the occupation of the town on the outskirts of Kyiv. And this must not only be condemned; it must never happen again, anywhere in this world, emphasized the President of the Romanian Senate.

Visit. President Nicusor Dan received Tony Murphy, President of the European Court of Auditors, on Tuesday during his official visit to Romania. On this occasion, the head of state called for the adoption of an ambitious European budget that reflects the European Unions current and future priorities, emphasizing cohesion, competitiveness, and the ability to adapt to new challenges. According to the Presidential Administration, the discussions focused on both parties commitment to strengthening oversight mechanisms and ensuring the efficient and proper management of European funds for the benefit of citizens. For his part, Tony Murphy emphasized that the institution he leads is an essential pillar of the EUs architecture of trust. He highlighted, the Presidential Administration further notes, the importance of close cooperation with national audit institutions to strengthen the protection of the Unions financial interests and the quality of public governance.

Project. European Commission Vice-President Roxana Minzatu, the European Commissioner for Social Rights, Skills, Quality Jobs, and Preparedness, stated on Tuesday that Romanian authorities should also focus on social sustainability, in addition to the efficient management of European funds. According to her, discussions at the EU level are currently focusing less on sustainable development and more on competitiveness and security. The official participated in Bucharest in the launch of a project for the efficient management of non-reimbursable external funds and for monitoring their contribution to sustainable development and Romanias circular economy. Also in Bucharest, the European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism, Apostolos Tzitzikostas, reviewed with Romanian authorities connectivity projects, initiatives, and strategies that stimulate economic cohesion and support supply chains. At a specialized conference, the commissioner stated that infrastructure is currently a strategic asset that can provide resilience, security, and long-term prosperity. According to him, the EUs objective is very clear: infrastructure must be suitable for both civilian and military use. (MI)
Talks on lowering excise duties on fuel

The Romanian government is considering measures to reduce fuel prices.

Photo: IADE-Michoko / pixabay.com

Leyla Cheamil, 31.03.2026, 13:50

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the most important energy transit routes in the world, is affecting the transport of oil and gas, resulting in a global fuel crisis. The blockade has led to significant fluctuations in prices on oil markets, causing hikes in petrol and diesel oil prices, including in Romania, something that is bound to be reflected in the price of products in shops.

The Romanian government is therefore considering a number of schemes to reduce the excise duty on fuel. The ruling coalition decided on Monday not to cut the VAT on the price of fuel, but only the amount of excise duty. How precisely this will be achieved has not yet been established, but government sources have said that its principles have been discussed. The government will analyse the increase in the price of an oil barrel every ten days, as well as that of the price of fuel at the pump and, if necessary, will make a 5% reduction in excise duties. The government is still to decide the percentage from which to start making the reduction, with a proposal of 10% being considered, and the maximum amount of the reduction, with 25% being a possibility.

In an interview on television, prime minister Ilie Bolojan said the government is first looking into the possibility of reducing the excise duty on diesel oil. He explained that, since the start of the war in the Middle East, the price of diesel oil has seen the highest increase recently, and those who use it have been the most affected. He also mentioned the possibility of setting up a solidarity fund, into which oil companies would pay most of the exceptional profits they make from the rise in prices. Prime minister Ilie Bolojan:

The Romanian market has certain characteristics, in that we have companies that extract crude oil from Romania, refine crude oil in Romania, distribute crude oil and sell it at petrol stations. Then we have companies that do not extract crude oil from Romania, that only refine it here and that continue the chain. We have companies that do not refine in Romania, but in other countries, and bring the refined products to Romania. And we also have companies that simply buy from the market and resell. But those who exploit Romanian crude oil or have an entire chain behind them that allows them to make exceptional profits as a result of this crisis situation must contribute most of these exceptional profits to a solidarity fund that would allow us to fund the price reductions.

Ilie Bolojan said that, in the next few days, the government will announce the exact level of the reduction and added that companies in the fuel sector will also contribute to financing the measure. The finance ministry is working on the technical and financial details, so that the measure is applicable and sustainable, the prime minister added.
Two European Commissioners in Bucharest

European Commissioners Roxana Minzatu and Apostolos Tzitzikostas have separately scheduled visits to Romania on March 30 and 31.

Roxana Minzatu si Nicusor Dan (Foto: presidency.ro)

Roxana Vasile, 31.03.2026, 14:00

The European project must focus, above all, on people, on quality jobs, on investments in education, in healthcare and on protecting the rights of every citizen, Romanian President Nicusor Dan said in a post on Facebook, after the meeting he held on Monday in Bucharest, with the Executive Vice-President of the European Commission, the Romanian Roxana Minzatu, European Commissioner for Social Rights and Skills, Quality Jobs and Training. Labor mobility, recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications across the EU, facilitating investments in sustainable housing, supporting vulnerable categories, but also the need for Romanias European Union budget to remain consistent, at least at the current level, in order to maintain the pace of investments in strategic areas, were the topics discussed by Nicusor Dan and Roxana Minzatu. The European officials visit to Romania included participation in the launch of a project co-financed by the EU, to manage non-reimbursable external funds and monitor their contribution to sustainable development.

The project, to be conducted over 4 years, will monitor the coherence of the Cohesion Policy with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals, providing an updated map of non-reimbursable external financing or strengthening skills by training 200 people from the 8 development regions in the field of sustainable development and circular economy, all of which will contribute to an efficient, digitalized and sustainability-oriented administration.

The important topic in Bucharest regarding the acceleration of projects and reforms, some of them delayed, undertaken by Romania under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP) was approached at the meeting that Roxana Minzatu also had with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, who wants the country to make the most of the funds available through this European mechanism.

The situation of fuel prices, transport interconnection projects, military mobility and the dialogue on the development of the future European strategy for sustainable tourism were the main topics that Prime Minister Bolojan addressed, also on Monday, in Bucharest, with Apostolos Tzitzikostas, European Commissioner for Sustainable Transport and Tourism. He highlighted Romanias geostrategic importance for the security of the region and Europe and stressed the need to speed up interconnection projects, stating that Romania is aligned with the priorities of his mandate.

Among the projects were mentioned boosting cross-border cooperation between Romania, Greece and Bulgaria in transport infrastructure, the use of funds through the SAFE program for the interconnection of Romania with the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine via A8 and A7 highways and the development of the Port of Constanta on the Black Sea. (EE)
Clearmind Medicine Inc. (CMND) announced the successful completion of treatment and follow-up for 18 participants in its ongoing Phase 1/2a clinical trial evaluating CMND-100, its proprietary non-hallucinogenic MEAI-based oral drug candidate for Alcohol Use Disorder.



The company said the milestone reflects continued positive progress and strong momentum across its multinational study sites.

Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition marked by compulsive alcohol use and difficulty controlling consumption, often leading to serious , social and emotional consequences. Existing treatments are limited, and many patients struggle to achieve long-term recovery, creating a need for new therapeutic options.

The FDA-approved Phase 1/2a trial is designed to evaluate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and preliminary efficacy of CMND-100 in people with moderate to severe AUD. Clearmind also reported that four additional participants were successfully treated at its Tel Aviv clinical site, further expanding enrollment and demonstrating the operational strength of its Israeli centers.



"We are very encouraged by the successful completion of treatment and follow-up for these 18 participants, alongside the rapid addition of four more patients at our Tel Aviv center," said Dr. Adi Zuloff-Shani, Chief Executive Officer of Clearmind Medicine. She added that the steady progress underscores the favourable safety and tolerability profile of CMND-100 and brings the company closer to potentially delivering an innovative therapy for AUD.

The study is being conducted at leading institutions, including Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, Tel Aviv Sourasky Medical Center and Hadassah Medical Center. Clearmind continues to advance its broader pipeline of non-hallucinogenic, second-generation neuroplastogen-derived therapeutics aimed at addressing widespread and underserved health conditions.

The company implemented a 1-for-40 reverse stock split on December 15, 2025.

CMND closed Monday's trading at $0.99, up 22.70%. During the overnight trading the stock fell to $0.95, down 3.90%.

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Business News
The State Council Information Office (SCIO) holds a press conference on the 6th China International Consumer Products Expo in Beijing, capital of China, March 30, 2026. (Xinhua/Pan Xu)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- International exhibits will account for 65 percent of the total at the sixth China International Consumer Products Expo, up 20 percentage points from last year, a Chinese official said Monday.

More than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions will take part in the upcoming expo, which will be held in south China's Hainan Province from April 13 to 18, Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping said at a press conference.

As this year's guest country of honor, Canada will bring together nearly 40 companies to showcase goods like cosmetics, agricultural products and pet food.

Official delegations from 12 countries and regions, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Ireland, will take part in the event. Russia and Bulgaria, among others, will set up national pavilions at the expo for the first time.

Jointly hosted by China's Ministry of Commerce and the Hainan provincial government, this year's expo marks the first edition of the event since the Hainan Free Trade Port fully launched island-wide special customs operations.

Editor: Zhang Zhou
A giant Kuwaiti oil tanker carrying millions of barrels of oil caught fire in an Iranian airstrike, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said Tuesday.

The China-bound tanker, "Al Salmi," was docked in Dubai, fully loaded with two million barrels of oil from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, when it was attacked with a drone.

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Political News
President Donald Trump has threatened to "obliterate" Iran's energy resources and water desalination plants if a deal to end the month-old Middle East war is not reached "shortly."

In a statement posted on Truth Social Monday, Trump said his administration is in serious talks with a new Iranian regime, which according to him, could end the U.S. military operations in Iran.

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Business News
The United Nations has condemned two consecutive days of deadly attacks on peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid rising hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants.

Two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed on Monday, and two more were injured, in an explosion that hit a UNIFIL logistics convoy, destroying their vehicle.

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Business News
Hangzhou Diagens Biotechnology Co., Ltd. (HKEX: 02526) made a strong public market debut in Hong Kong, with shares more than doubling on their first day of trading in its initial public offering. The medical imaging AI company is listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange under the ticker 02526.

Diagens priced its IPO at HK$99.00 per share and sold 7,999,200 H-shares, raising gross proceeds of approximately US$101 million. Investor demand was exceptionally strong- the public offering tranche was oversubscribed 1,073 times. Shares closed at HK$202.60, up 104.65% from the offer price, giving the company a market capitalization of approximately HK$18 billion (US$2.3 billion). Huatai Financial Holdings (Hong Kong) acted as the sole sponsor.

Diagens is the first company built on a medical imaging AI foundation model to list on a major international exchange, and the third large-model AI company to go public in Hong Kong this year, following Zhipu AI and MiniMax.

The company's flagship product, AI AutoVision, is designed to address a long-standing bottleneck in chromosome karyotype analysis- a critical step in prenatal diagnosis and IVF treatment. Traditional analysis can take 14 to 30 days and requires highly trained cytogeneticists, who are in short supply in China. Diagens' software reduces turnaround time to just 4 to 7 days, a tenfold improvement. The product has been designated a Class III Innovative Medical Device by China's National Medical Products Administration and is currently in final registration review.

Founder and Executive Director Dr. Song Ning said the company aims to "use the certainty of to combat the unknowns of disease," emphasizing Diagens' mission to deliver both social and technological value.

According to Frost & Sullivan, Diagens held a 30.6% share of China's chromosome karyotype analysis market by revenue in 2024- the largest of any provider- surpassing long-dominant imported systems from Zeiss and Leica.

Supporting its product suite is iMedImage which Frost & Sullivan identifies as the world's largest medical imaging foundation model by parameter scale and the first cross-modal model to reach commercial deployment.



The model supports 19 imaging modalities and covers more than 90% of clinical imaging scenarios. It also powers the company's iMed MaaS (Model-as-a-Service) platform, enabling hospitals to build specialized AI models using as few as 200 imaging samples- reducing development timelines from years to under 60 days at more than 90% lower cost. Tencent has already integrated iMed MaaS into its intelligent pre-annotation tools.

Shares of Diagens Biotechnology closed their first trading day up more than 100%, marking one of the strongest HongKong biotech debuts of 2026.

2526.HK has traded between a low of HKD 178 and a high of HKD 215. The stock closed today's trading at HKD 198, down 5.53%.

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Business News
BiomX Inc. (PHGE) yesterday announced that it has appointed Dr. Ehud (Udi) Levi, a former senior Israeli intelligence official and former Deputy Director of the Mossad, to its newly formed Advisory Board.

The company said his expertise will support its evaluation of new strategic directions, including potential expansion into security, defense, and counter-UAS technologies.

Dr. Levi has more than 30 years of experience in Israeli intelligence and security. He previously served in Unit 8200, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, and led counter-terror finance operations. He also coordinated intelligence efforts targeting Iran and other terrorist organizations.

BiomX said he will help assess partnerships, transactions and new strategic directions as the company explores opportunities in defense-related applications. CEO Michael Oster noted that unmanned systems and UAV-based threats are reshaping global security, making Dr. Levi's expertise valuable as the company evaluates counter-UAS technologies.

PHGE has traded between $1.50 and $14.71 over the past year. The stock is currently trading at $5.27, up 17.37%.

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Business News
Tata Motors has been in the news again as the company is updating its most affordable offering for MY26. Were talking about the 2026 Tata Tiago facelift, which has been spied with an ICE version, suggesting both Tiago and Tiago EV may get an update in 2026. This will be the third facelift for Tiago and heres what it brings to the table.

2026 Tata Tiago Facelift

While many OEMs are shying away from hatchbacks, Tata Motors seems to be doubling down on their entry-level Tiago. This vehicle was last updated in January 2025 with its second facelift and the company is expected to launch the third facelift of Tiago in 2026, within just a year or year and a half.

This shows a shift in Tatas strategies too, as the brand has not had an update cycle this quick. Where updates with 2026 model are concerned, they are likely to be minimal and cosmetic. Latest spy shots around Akurdi area in Pune show the upcoming Tata Tiago test mule in full camouflage.

We can see updated tail lights which now get LED turn indicators for the first time. These indicators may get three vertical LED slats and theyre not sequential. Tail lights might be LEDs, this time around. We can see a shark fin antenna, which was introduced in 2025 update. Rear bumper could be redesigned as well.

At the sides, 2026 Tata Tiago will retain its silhouette which we have been familiar with since the past decade. Alloy wheel designs are new and they get a geometric pattern to them. At the front, we can see a new set of headlights, which may be projector LEDs with LED turn indicators. Tata logo might be housed in a black element like in a Nexon or the new Punch.

What to expect?

The redesigned front bumper is notable too. We can see fog lamp positioning that is pushed way below than current model. Updates on the inside are likely to be minimal. We say this because Tata already gave a thorough update to Tiago in 2025. However, one can expect an 8-inch TFT instrument cluster, auto-dimming IRVM, push-button start, 360-degree cameras, front centre armrest, rear AC vents and more.

The current 10.2-inch infotainment system with wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay is likely to be carried over. The same 1.2L 3-cylinder NA Petrol engine and its i-CNG counterpart may continue as is. With 2026 Tiago EV facelift, there might be a bump in battery size. Currently, we only get 19.2 kWh and 24 kWh options with up to 293 km range. Charging speeds could be increased too, similar to what we saw in Punch EV facelift. Launch might happen mid 2026.








Launched in January 2026, the all-new Seltos has emerged a bestseller, commanding close to 15% market share in the 4.2m  4.5m SUV segment

Kias first car for India was the Seltos, and it has achieved several milestones over the years. In 2026, Seltos got its 2nd-gen update, crossed the 6-lakh sales milestone and received top BNCAP safety rating in the ICE segment. Going forward, Kia Seltos is expected to get some additional variants with new features. Lets check out the details.

Kia Seltos new variants

Seltos is likely to get new variants in the GTX and X-Line trims. These will be GTX (O) and X-Line (O), offering optional features. One of these features could be a head-up display integrated with the seat memory function and a dashcam. The latter is likely to be installed by the dealer. When Kia had unveiled the new-gen Seltos last year, it had mentioned the availability of a head-up display (HUD). However, this feature is currently not available with any of the variants of India-spec Seltos.

Hyundai Creta also does not currently have a HUD. A head-up display was earlier available with the previous model of the Seltos. It was an 8-inch HUD, offered exclusively with the X-Line trim. Another addition with the new Seltos variants could be a dashboard camera. This feature was also available with the previous model of the Seltos.

By making these features optional, Kia can simplify the variant selection process for buyers. The GTX (O) and X-Line (O) variants will be available at a slightly higher price, as compared to the current GTX and X-Line variants. However, these new variants of Seltos will still be priced lower than the ADAS equipped variants. It remains to be seen if Kia will also introduce GTX (O) (A) and X-Line (O) (A) trims. In that case, these will emerge as the new top trims of the new-gen Seltos.

Kia GTX and X-Line  Key features

In addition to the lower variants, the GTX variant of the new Seltos has a comprehensive range of exclusive features. Exterior highlights include Ice Cube LED projector headlamps, R18 crystal cut alloy wheels, neon brake callipers and auto reverse ORVMs. Interior features include a 10-way powered driver seat with power lumbar support, integrated memory system (driver seat & ORVMs), driver seat welcome retract function and relaxation power drive seat (one touch with memory).

Seltos X-Line trim focuses primarily on cosmetic touch-ups. Key highlights include black painted 18-inch alloy wheels, robust front and rear skid plates, side door garnish, two-tone interiors with satin metal accents and two-tone leatherette seats. Seltos X-Line has Xclusive Matte Graphite & Aurora Black Pearl exterior colour option. All these features will be available with the upcoming GTX (O) and X-Line (O) variants.

Built on the advanced K3 platform, the new-gen Kia Seltos has improved its safety performance. It is evident with the recent 5-star BNCAP rating. Kia Seltos has 24 safety features as standard across all variants. Key highlights include 6 airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management, hill-start assist control (HAC) and all wheel disc brakes. Also included are features such as rear parking sensors, rollover sensor, rear view camera with dynamic guidelines and tyre pressure monitoring system.
Changes to the terms of the eOselia preferential mortgage program have stimulated activity in smaller cities, with mortgages now issued in 501 localities, said Yevhen Metzger, Chairman of the Management Board of PJSC Ukrfinzhytlo (Ukrainian Financial Housing Company), in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"We use a coefficient [K2, applied nationwide from February 10, 2026; previously it was only 2 for the capital] applied to the indirect cost of housing construction, which is calculated by the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development. For example, for the capital it is UAH 30,081 per square meter, for Lviv UAH 25,598 But our goal is not to stimulate sales in the capital or Lviv. The focus is on other cities. Thanks to the fact that the coefficient of 2 is now applied across the country, projects have started to emerge in smaller towns," Metzger said.

Preferential mortgages have already been issued for housing in 501 localities.

"We receive about 160,000 inquiries per year, based on which we see what kind of real estate citizens are looking for. Therefore, we clearly understand that most people want completed housing, immediately available, at least in a white-box format. We simply and transparently communicate this to developers: look, there is demand in this region, you can build, with this type and price range," Metzger said.

He added that the Ministry for Communities and Territories Development needs to update its methodology for determining indirect construction costs, as the current figures are far from reality but serve as the basis for all state housing programs, including reconstruction.

According to Ukrfinzhytlo, as of March 30, partner banks had issued UAH 42.8 billion in loans to 24,600 families.
The Odesa Port-Side Plant remains a key large-scale privatization asset in 2026, but following last years unsuccessful auction, achieving success this year will require more precise and carefully calibrated sale conditions, said Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture of Ukraine Daria Marchak in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"Odesa Port-Side Plant is a complex asset: the company has debts, including an old debt [confirmed by the Stockholm arbitration] to [Group DF owner Dmytro] Firtash. Therefore, it is obvious that we must fundamentally rethink how we approach the sale of this asset," she said.

"However, in any case, we plan to put this asset up for sale this year and hope that we will be able to find buyers," Marchak added.

According to her, the failed auction for the sale of Odesa Port-Side Plant on November 25 last year sent an important signal that under the current conditions and with a starting price of UAH 4.49 billion, investors are not ready to enter.

"We need legislative changes that will unlock the ability to lower the price for large-scale privatization assets during repeated sales. And here I very much count on the support of members of parliament," the deputy minister stressed.

She clarified that the Ministry of Economy will propose that parliament approve the following sequence for selling such assets: first, at book value or valuation-based price; if the asset is not sold, a second auction is held at a reduced starting price but with upward bidding; if the second attempt also fails, a third auction is conducted with a descending price mechanism.

"This makes it possible to find the true market value and a real investor. Unfortunately, for large-scale privatization at the start of the full-scale invasion, changes were introduced that effectively halted the second and third stages," Marchak explained.

She added that if such changes are not adopted, the Ministry of Economy and the State Property Fund will look for other solutions, possibly through restructuring the companys debt.

"The second asset [for possible large-scale privatization in 2026] is Sumykhimprom. We understand the risks. It is located near the front line, and this is a significant risk factor for the asset. This is not only an economic issue, but also a security one," the deputy minister said.

As reported, a repeat online auction for the privatization of 99.99% of Sumykhimprom shares, scheduled for January 13, 2026, with a reduced starting price of UAH 1.088 billion (excluding VAT), did not take place, as was also the case with the previous auction on June 11, 2025, due to a lack of bidders.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies in construction are currently being used primarily to enhance the efficiency of existing processes, while the implementation of specialized, comprehensive AI systems remains unlikely for now, particularly due to economic factors, said Oleksiy Koval, project manager at Perfect Group.

"AI will likely become a standard component of most software products used by developers. At the same time, proprietary comprehensive AI solutions will be introduced gradually and mainly by large players. As of today, such full-fledged solutions simply do not exist on the market. Even if they do emerge, the question will not only be about technology, but also about economic feasibility," the expert told Interfax-Ukraine.

According to him, such comprehensive systems could integrate resource planning, finances, schedules, contractors, and risks into a single model. Implementing such ERP-class AI systems for a large developer could cost tens of millions of dollars. In addition, annual licensing and support costs could amount to 1015% of the initial investment.

Koval noted that the development of AI in construction is currently taking place mainly through updates to the software used by developers and the expansion of its functionality through AI technologies.

"Even with a five-year payback horizon, the level of optimization required to build a positive business case currently appears unattainable within existing technologies. That is why companies are choosing an evolutionary approach, gradually enhancing existing systems rather than building comprehensive AI platforms from scratch," Koval explained.

Financing and the need to rethink workflows are the main barriers to widespread adoption of AI technologies in construction, said Dan Saltsev, commercial director of the Kyiv office of Greenville. Although AI has not yet become a driver of the industry, that stage still lies ahead, he believes.

Among promising areas for AI implementation, Saltsev highlighted technologies aimed at improving comfort and safety for residents of residential complexes, as well as the digitalization of document workflows.

"Recently I saw statistics showing that a single development project involves on average between 3,000 and 10,000 documents, each going through stages of revisions and approvals. Up to 80% of approvals are still done manually. So this is currently a huge field for implementing AI and digital tools," the expert noted.

Maria Naumenko, deputy head of the marketing department at Intergal-Bud, described the use of AI in Ukrainian development as moderate. According to her, while nearly everyone uses AI technologies for routine tasks, large-scale implementation is only feasible for major developers with the necessary digital infrastructure and data volumes.

"System integrations, from product to sales, remain the exception. The main reasons are the lack of high-quality data, insufficient digitalization of business processes, and the inertia of the market, where the adoption of innovations is slower than, for example, in the financial sector," she said.

In the coming years, AI tools will move from an experimental level to standard business practice, primarily in marketing and sales, automating advertising campaigns, managing leads, and forecasting demand, Naumenko believes. At the same time, further development of AI in construction depends on current investments by developers in data management.

"In the long term, as development gradually becomes a data-driven industry, AI will be able to cover the entire lifecycle of a project, from construction management to operation. Therefore, companies that invest today in digital infrastructure and data will gain a long-term competitive advantage," the expert noted.

According to Zhanna Kriuchkova, co-owner of construction company Stikon, one of the areas of AI development the company is working on is the application of such technologies in engineering calculations.

"One of the company's leading engineers is researching the automation of structural calculations in the LIRA software suite as part of a PhD dissertation. We see this as building internal expertise and a future intellectual asset for the company," she told Interfax-Ukraine.

At the same time, the construction business is a fairly conservative sector that is often not ready for change, Kriuchkova noted. She sees a realistic scenario for AI development in real estate development as a synergy between human expertise and technology.

"It is important to understand that this is not about blindly implementing any technology. Each tool requires testing and evaluation of practical effectiveness. Ultimately, final decisions will remain with humans for a long time, but the volume of routine work will be significantly reduced. In the near future, we will most likely operate in a hybrid model where human expertise and AI complement each other to achieve results," the expert explained.

According to Hanna Layevska, CEO of Sigma+, realistic prospects for AI development in analytics and design currently lie in design, visualization, preparation of advertising materials, and rendering. At the same time, in technical and engineering fields, artificial intelligence still significantly lags behind human capabilities, she believes.

"In technical, engineering fields and in sales, machines still significantly lag behind humans, both in terms of intelligence and emotional components, the ability for creative thinking and flexible communication. In this sense, I remain somewhat skeptical: people are still far more talented and capable of handling such tasks more effectively," Layevska concluded.
Editors note: This story is a personal vignette of a chance conversation with a burglar. The story follows below.



I had quite the interesting conversation a while back with a person who happened to be a former burglar.

It was great timing because I was wondering if something like the skid mark underwear for hiding money would really work. I also figured that if you wanted to know the best place to hide your money from a burglar, a former burglar was the person to ask.

If I have Enough Time, Ill Find Where You Stash Your Valuables

I started off simply and was not surprised by the answer to the question, Where is the best place to hide your money?

At the bank, he said with a sly grin.

When I rephrased and asked where the best place to hide money and valuables in the house would be if you had such items there, I was taken a bit by surprise by his answer:

It doesnt matter how clever you think you are or where you hide it in your house, if I have enough time, I would be able to find where you stash your valuables, he said bluntly. He then explained that what was much more important than the actual place where you hide your valuables is that you understand a burglars motivations. Basically, he has two:

1. To steal your money and valuables

2. To get out of the house as quickly as possible with these goods

When you begin to think of it from this perspective, how you should hide your money changes a bit. Obviously, you dont want to leave all your money in the places where the burglar will first look: dresser drawers, drawers by phones, desks, closets, a safe (if not bolted down), boxes, jewelry boxes, purse, etc. That being said, you also dont want to hide all of your money too well for the following reason:

If I cant find money and valuables in the normal places I usually find them, I would continue to tear the house apart until I found something. Remember, the first rule is to to steal money and valuables. Well keep looking until we find something.

Your best strategy, then, is to actually leave some money in obvious places for the burglar to quickly find (the same applies if you keep all your money in the bank). This can not only save your other stash of money, but may actually keep the burglar from destroying your place as he looks for where you have hidden your money. If they believe they may have found the cash that you have in the house, they are much less likely to keep looking (remember, they want to get out asap). In the end, if you hide all your money well, you may win a moral victory in not letting the burglar find the money, but youll likely have much more damage done to your place that will end up costing you more in the long run.

The next obvious question was How much money should you leave for the burglar to find?

It depends on the area where you live. If you are in a upscale community and only leave $100, I would assume there is more and keep looking. In a different part of town $100 would convince me I found all the money that was there and leave.

When it comes to hiding valuables, his suggestion is to mark an envelope in an easily accessible drawer or with files by your computer with Bank Safe Deposit Box on the outside and a list of items on the inside. This will tip off the burglar that your most valuable items are stored at the bank and will discourage him from tearing up your house looking for them.

So the question of where is the best places to hide money still hadnt been answered?

Your childs room

His number one recommendation for money was in toys in a young childs room. As he explained, young children dont have money, they have an abundance of toys and most parents dont trust a child around money. Therefore, parents will rarely hide money there. In addition, when money is hidden, it is usually hidden away neatly and securely  a childs room is rarely a neat place making it an unlikely place for money to be hidden. Plus with all the stuff in a childs room, it is not someplace that a burglar can search quickly and get out (rule #2).

In a bolted-down safe

If you have a safe, it should be professionally bolted down so it cant easily be removed. If you leave some token money for the burglar to find in the places they normally look for money, then anyplace you wouldnt normally consider a place to hide valuables will usually keep those valuables safe. The underside of trash cans, inside laundry detergent, inside false packaging (but only if the packaging appears real and is in the appropriate place  When you find a Campbells soup can in the bedroom, you have a pretty good idea there is money inside) were some examples he gave.

And my question of whether skid mark underwear would be a good place to hide money?

He laughed. I havent heard of that, but I doubt I would have touched something like that had I seen it.

You also need to be smart about where you hide the money

He related one time a person had left wads of money inside the empty battery areas of electronics around the house. The problem was that although he had not found the hidden money at first, the electronics themselves were worth money and he took those to sell. Only when he got home and was checking that everything worked did he find the hidden cash. The person hid the money well, but not in a good place.

Here are some tips from a personal finance angle

if you do hide money someplace around the house, make sure that your significant other (or someone close) knows where your hiding place is. If something unfortunate happens to you and nobody knows where your hidden stash is, its unlikely that they will be able to find it if a burglar isnt able to find it. Worse, it could very easily be accidentally thrown away depending on where it is hidden.

For More On Preventing Crime In Your Home

The burglar said a lot more, but to wrap this up, I wanted to share an interesting idea for hiding cash in your home, a hidden door safe.

DIY Cost: $0.00.

If you dont want to spend any money and you are pretty handy, consider making a hidden door stash safe. What you do is drill a hole in the top of one of your solid core wooden doors big enough for a cigar tube with a screw-on lid. Include a recessed lip to hold a top thats a bit bigger than the tube  that way, the tube wont fall inside the door (a washer fixed to the cigar tube top is the perfect lid). This stash spot is pretty small, but its big enough for cash and some kinds of jewelry.

Finally, here is an interview with burglar Michael Shayne Durden. Durden was a 20 year career Texas burglar operating in Collin and Dallas counties. His insight is instructive.





Part II: Dont Hide Money In The Toilet: More Conversation With A Burglar

Which of these hiding spots surprised you most? Drop it in the comments.

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If you thought speed enforcement always meant a police officer pulling you over, think again. Across parts of Ohio, portable speed cameras are making a comeback, and many drivers are learning the hard way that tickets can show up in the mail days or even weeks later. Whats even more surprising is the confusion around whether an officer needs to be present when these cameras are used. For drivers, that uncertainty can lead to unexpected fines, frustration, and legal questions. Heres whats really going on, and what you need to know before your next drive.

Why Portable Speed Cameras Are Making a Comeback

Cities across Ohio are revisiting automated traffic enforcement as a way to improve safety. Officials argue that these systems help reduce speeding, accidents, and dangerous driving behaviors. In places like Dayton, photo enforcement programs are specifically aimed at protecting residents and reducing crashes.

At the same time, some communities see these cameras as a way to enforce laws without increasing police staffing. However, critics argue that revenue (not safety) is often the real motivation. This debate has kept traffic cameras controversial across the state. Despite pushback, more municipalities are bringing portable systems back into use.

What Ohio Law Actually Says About Officer Presence

Ohio law has strict rules governing how speed cameras can be used. Under the Ohio Revised Code, a law enforcement officer is generally required to be present when a traffic camera is actively issuing citations.

That said, theres an important nuance that confuses many drivers. If a camera captures a violation, an officer can later review the footage and authorize a ticket.

This means you may still receive a citation even if you never saw an officer at the scene.

Why Drivers Are Getting Tickets Without Being Pulled Over

Unlike traditional traffic stops, camera enforcement happens silently. When a violation is detected, the system records images or video of the vehicle and the license plate. That information is then reviewed, and a citation is mailed to the registered owner.

Theres no immediate interaction with law enforcement, which can feel unusual to many drivers. But legally, these citations are typically treated differently from standard tickets.

Why These Cameras Are So Controversial

Traffic cameras have long been a hot-button issue in Ohio. Some lawmakers have tried to limit their use by reducing funding for cities that rely on them. Others argue they help reduce bias by removing human discretion from traffic stops. At the same time, critics claim they create a ticket-by-mail system that feels unfair.

Concerns about due process and transparency continue to fuel debate. As a result, laws and policies around these cameras are constantly evolving.

Recent proposals aim to tighten control over automated enforcement programs. For example, new legislation would require voter approval before cities can implement camera systems. This reflects growing public concern about how these tools are used. If passed, these changes could limit where and how cameras operate.

Where Youre Most Likely to Encounter These Cameras

Portable speed cameras are often placed in high-traffic or high-risk areas. School zones are one of the most common locations due to safety concerns. Some cities also deploy them in areas with frequent speeding complaints. Unlike fixed cameras, portable units can be moved frequently. That makes them harder to predict and avoid.

But the best way to protect yourself from a speed camera is to stay within the posted speed limits. You should also pay extra attention in school zones and residential areas. Enforcement in these places is more common. There is also typically signage indicating photo enforcement, though it may not always be obvious to drivers.

If you receive a ticket, review it carefully and decide whether to pay or contest it. Keeping documentation and acting quickly can help you avoid additional fees.

Have you ever received a ticket from a speed camera, or do you think theyre unfair? Share your experience in the comments!

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The future of work may be arriving faster than many people expected, and its not just about software anymore. Tesla is pushing forward with plans to deploy its humanoid robot, Optimus, inside its own factories first, a move that could reshape how manufacturing jobs are done. While the company says the goal is efficiency and innovation, labor groups are raising serious concerns about what this means for human workers. Could robots replace thousands of jobs, or will they simply assist and improve productivity? Heres what this shift could mean for workers, businesses, and the economy.

Teslas Plan: Why Optimus Is Heading to Factories First

Teslas strategy is clear. The company wants to start with its own production lines before expanding elsewhere. It plans to build tens of thousands of Optimus robots in 2026, primarily for internal factory use.

These robots are expected to handle repetitive tasks like sorting parts, moving materials, and assisting on assembly lines. By deploying them internally, Tesla can refine the technology in a controlled environment. This also allows the company to test efficiency gains before offering the robots commercially. Its essentially a live experiment in whether humanoid robots can replace (or supplement) human labor.

What the Optimus Robot Is Designed to Do

Optimus isnt just another industrial robot. Its designed to mimic human movement and tasks. It can lift objects, walk like a person, and perform detailed manual work using advanced hand movements.

Tesla envisions it handling unsafe, repetitive, or boring tasks that humans typically perform. Early use cases include bin-picking, machine tending, and material handling inside factories. While these tasks may seem simple, they represent a significant portion of manufacturing labor.

Why Labor Groups Are Raising Concerns

Labor advocates are increasingly worried about what widespread automation could mean for workers. Critics of Teslas move to use these machines are that robots like Optimus could displace thousands of manufacturing jobs over time. Additionally, some experts warn that companies may prioritize cost savings over workforce stability.

Even political leaders have voiced concerns about automation accelerating job loss without proper safeguards. Theres also fear that lower-skilled workers could be hit the hardest by this shift.

From a business perspective, the appeal of robots is easy to understand. Each Optimus unit could potentially save companies tens of thousands of dollars annually by replacing human labor in certain roles. Robots dont require breaks, benefits, or time off, which can significantly reduce operating costs. They also offer consistency, which can improve production quality and efficiency. In industries facing labor shortages, automation may help fill critical gaps.

Why Experts Say Its Not That Simple

Despite the hype, many experts caution that humanoid robots still face major limitations. Tasks that require dexterity, judgment, and adaptability remain difficult for current AI systems.

Some former insiders have even questioned whether humanoid robots are practical for factory work. Others point out that early versions of these robots are still slow, expensive, and not fully autonomous. This means widespread adoption could take longer than expected.

Could This Spread Beyond Tesla?

Tesla is far from the only company exploring automation at this level. Other major players are already testing humanoid robots in warehouses and manufacturing plants. If Teslas approach proves successful, it could accelerate adoption across industries. Companies are constantly looking for ways to cut costs and improve efficiency.

That being said, the rise of robots doesnt mean workers are powerless. Learning new skills, especially in technology, maintenance, and operations, can increase job security. On top of that, staying adaptable is key in a rapidly changing job market.

Workers may also benefit from industries that are harder to automate, such as healthcare or skilled trades. Advocating for fair labor policies and retraining programs can also make a difference.

Do you think robots like Optimus will improve jobs or replace them? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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What if you could walk into a college classroom, learn something new, and pay nothing for tuition? For many older adults in Florida, thats not just a dreamits already happening. The state quietly offers free college courses for seniors in Florida through a tuition waiver program often referred to as the Senior Scholar or senior audit program.

This benefit allows residents age 60 and older to attend classes at public colleges and universities without paying tuition or fees. For retirees looking to stay mentally sharp, explore new interests, or simply enjoy lifelong learning, this is a powerful opportunity. Best of all, its backed by state law and available across Floridas public education system. The only catch is knowing how it worksand how to take advantage of it.

How the Senior Scholar Program Actually Works

The program behind free college courses for seniors in Florida is based on a state statute that allows universities and colleges to waive tuition and fees for residents age 60 and older. However, theres one important detail: these courses are typically taken on an audit basis, meaning you attend classes but dont receive academic credit.

This setup is ideal for seniors who want to learn without the pressure of exams, grades, or deadlines. Classes are available only if space remains after paying students have registered, which means flexibility is key. Still, for those willing to adapt, its a nearly risk-free way to access higher education at no cost.

Who Qualifiesand What You Need to Get Started

To qualify for free college courses for seniors in Florida, you must meet a few straightforward requirements.

You need to be at least 60 years old by the start of the term. You must be a Florida resident, typically proven by living in the state for at least 12 months. Youll also need to apply as a non-degree-seeking student and provide basic documentation like ID and proof of residency. Some schools may require instructor approval before you can join a class.

Once approved, you can sit in on lectures, participate in discussions, and enjoy the full classroom experiencewithout the tuition bill.

The Space Available Rule You Need to Understand

One of the most important aspects of free college courses for seniors in Florida is the space available requirement. This means seniors can only enroll after tuition-paying students have secured their spots.

If a class is full, you wont be able to join, even if youre eligible. This can make popular courses like business, nursing, or technology harder to access. However, many general education and elective classes still have openings each term. Being flexible with your schedule and course selection greatly increases your chances of getting in.

What You Can (and Cant) Expect From These Classes

While free college courses for seniors in Florida offer incredible value, there are a few limitations to keep in mind. You wont earn college credit or a degree for auditing these courses.

You may also need to cover additional costs like textbooks or materials out of pocket. Certain specialized or high-demand programs may be excluded entirely. Despite these limitations, the educational experience itself is nearly identical to that of paying students.

Where You Can Take Advantage of This Opportunity

Free college courses for seniors in Florida are available at many institutions across the state. Public universities and Florida College System schools participate in the tuition waiver program.

Examples include major universities as well as local community colleges, giving seniors options close to home. Each school may have slightly different application steps, but the overall process is similar. Some institutions even have dedicated pages explaining their senior audit programs and how to apply. Checking your local colleges website is often the fastest way to get started.

A Free Education Opportunity Too Valuable to Ignore

Programs like this prove that learning doesnt have an expiration date. Free college courses for seniors in Florida offer a rare chance to expand your knowledge without financial pressure. Whether you want to study literature, dive into history, or finally understand technology, the door is open. Its a powerful reminder that retirement doesnt mean slowing downit can mean starting something new.

Would you take advantage of free college classes if they were available near you? Tell us what subject youd love to study in the comments!

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Finding a place to live is stressful enoughbut what if an algorithm is deciding your fate without you knowing? Thats exactly what New York lawmakers are trying to address with new proposals and rules around AI tenant screening laws. These efforts aim to force landlords to disclose how they evaluate applicants, including whether artificial intelligence is involved.

A recent bill would require landlords to provide a clear written breakdown of all screening criteria before collecting any application fees. That includes financial checks, background screening, and increasingly, automated systems.

For renters, this could finally shine a light on decisions that often feel confusing or unfair. And for landlords, it signals a major shift toward transparency in a rapidly evolving housing market.

Why AI Is Becoming Common in Tenant Screening

Artificial intelligence is quietly transforming how rental applications are processed. Many landlords and property managers now use automated tools to review credit history, income, and background data. These systems promise faster decisions and reduced biasbut they can also introduce new risks.

Federal housing officials have already warned that algorithmic screening can unintentionally lead to discrimination if not carefully monitored. Thats one reason AI tenant screening laws are gaining momentum. As technology becomes more common, regulators want to ensure its used fairly and transparently.

What the New Disclosure Rules Would Require

Under proposed changes tied to AI tenant screening laws, landlords would need to be far more upfront with applicants. The legislation would require a clear and conspicuous explanation of all screening criteria used.

This includes both traditional factors like credit scores and newer tools like automated decision-making systems. Applicants would also need to be informed before paying any application or screening fees. The goal is to eliminate black box decisions where renters dont understand why they were denied.

How This Fits Into New Yorks Broader AI Crackdown

The push for AI tenant screening laws isnt happening in isolationits part of a larger trend in New York. The state has already passed laws banning certain AI tools used to set rent prices.

Other legislation requires companies to disclose when algorithms are used to personalize pricing. There are also proposals to regulate AI systems more broadly to prevent discrimination in housing and lending. Together, these efforts show a clear direction: more oversight and transparency around automated decisions.

What Landlords and Property Managers Need to Know

Landlords may need to rethink how they screen applicants under AI tenant screening laws. Providing detailed disclosures means documenting every factor used in decision-making. That includes any third-party software or automated tools involved in the process. Failure to comply could open the door to legal challenges or penalties.

One of the main reasons behind AI tenant screening laws is the concern over black box algorithms. These are systems where even the user may not fully understand how decisions are made.

For renters, this can feel frustrating and unfair, especially when applications are denied without explanation. Advocates argue that housing decisions are too important to be left to opaque systems. Transparency requirements aim to bring accountability back into the process.

Could This Trend Spread Beyond New York?

New York is often a testing ground for major regulatory changes, and AI tenant screening laws could follow that pattern. Other states and cities are already watching closely as technology reshapes housing decisions. Federal guidance has also signaled growing concern about algorithmic bias in housing. If New Yorks approach proves effective, similar laws could appear nationwide. That would mean more renters across the country gaining access to clearer, fairer screening processes.

The days of mysterious rental denials may be coming to an end. With AI tenant screening laws, New York is pushing for a system where renters understand exactly how decisions are made. This shift reflects a broader demand for fairness and accountability in housing. While technology isnt going away, how its used is now under scrutiny.

For renters, that could mean fewer surprises and more opportunities. And in a competitive housing market, that kind of transparency can make all the difference.

Would you feel more confident applying for an apartment if landlords had to disclose how they evaluate you? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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If youre headed to a Disney park, youre probably looking forward to making memories with your family and/or friends. However, the price of merchandise in the parks can provide you with a little bit of a jump scare. Some of the most common souvenirs, like Mickey ears, could run you $35+. Multiply that by four (or however many people are in your group), and the cost really starts to add up.

That said, you dont have to spend a boatload of money in the parks gift shop. There are several ways to save money on Disney merch without sacrificing authenticity. Here are five of the best ways to get Disney merchandise for a fraction of the price.

1. Shop Disneys Character Warehouse Outlets

One of the biggest secrets for finding cheap Disney merchandise is shopping at Disney outlet stores. Locations like Disneys Character Warehouse sell authentic park merchandise at steep discounts. These stores often carry overstock items from Disney parks, sometimes discounted by 50% to 80%. Youll find everything from apparel to collectibles, just at a fraction of the original cost. The only catch is that inventory changes constantly, so you may need to hunt a bit to find the best deals.

2. Take Advantage of Disney Store Clearance Sales

Another easy way to score cheap Disney merchandise is by shopping at online clearance events. The official Disney Store regularly offers major discounts, including seasonal promotions and extra percentage-off codes. Some items drop dramatically in price, with ornaments, plush toys, and clothing marked down by more than 70%. These sales happen throughout the year, especially after holidays or major releases. If you time it right, you can get high-quality merchandise for less than what youd pay at the parks.

3. Buy Disney Items Outside the Parks

One of the simplest ways to find cheap Disney merchandise is to avoid buying inside the parks altogether. Retailers like Target and Walmart sell licensed Disney products at significantly lower prices. While the selection may differ from park-exclusive items, you can still find popular characters and themed gear. Many experienced Disney visitors recommend buying souvenirs before your trip to avoid inflated park pricing.

4. Hunt for Discount Stores and Clearance Chains

Discount retailers are another underrated source of cheap Disney merchandise. Stores like Burlington, Marshalls, and TJ Maxx often carry overstock Disney items at reduced prices. Even dollar stores occasionally stock smaller Disney products at a fraction of typical retail costs. These items may be older designs or smaller versions, but the savings can be massive. If youre not picky about having the latest release, this is one of the easiest ways to cut costs.

5. Tap Into Secondhand and Community Deals

If youre open to pre-owned or lightly used items, you can find some of the best cheap Disney merchandise through community channels. Buy Nothing groups, Facebook Marketplace, and resale apps are full of Disney gear that families no longer need. Some Disney fans even share or give away items after their trips to help others save money. There are also rare events where unclaimed Disney park items are sold or donated at deep discounts. With a little patience, you can score high-quality merchandise for a fraction of the original price.

The Smart Shoppers Secret to Disney Savings

At the end of the day, saving money on Disney merchandise isnt about luck. By combining outlet shopping, clearance sales, and alternative retailers, you can dramatically cut costs. The key is knowing that you dont have to pay full price to enjoy the magic. With these tips, finding cheap Disney merchandise becomes much easier and more rewarding. And that means more room in your budget for the experiences that matter most.

Whats the best deal youve ever found on Disney merchandise? Share your favorite money-saving tip in the comments!

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By AzerNEWS stuff

The memory of March in the Azerbaijani consciousness is a complex tapestry woven with threads of profound grief and unbreakable resilience. As we stand in the spring of 2026, the dates of March 31st serve as a somber bridge between two eras: the systematic ethnic cleansing of 1918 and the harrowing "Tunnel" massacre of 1993 in Kalbajar. Yet, today, these narratives of victimhood have been fundamentally transformed into a saga of restoration and sovereign strength. To understand the Azerbaijan of today, one must look deep into these scars, not merely as historical footnotes, but as the catalysts for the grand construction policy currently reshaping the liberated territories.

The tragedy of March 1918 remains a cornerstone of our national sorrow, representing a calculated attempt to erase the Azerbaijani identity from the map. Under the guise of revolutionary shifts, Bolshevik-Dashnak forces unleashed a wave of terror across Baku, Shamakhi, Guba, and beyond. This was not collateral damage of war; it was a pre-meditated genocide where tens of thousands were slaughtered for no crime other than their ethnicity. Historical reality reveals a chilling level of cruelty, from the burning of the Ismailiyya building to the desecration of holy sites. The Guba mass grave, discovered decades later, remains a silent, terrifying witness to this brutality, where the remains of women and children tell a story of a hatred that knew no bounds. For a century, this pain was suppressed, but todays reality demands that we acknowledge these facts to ensure that "never again" is not just a slogan, but a state-guaranteed reality.

Seventy-five years after the 1918 massacres, history repeated its darkest patterns in the rugged mountains of Kalbajar. By late March 1993, the district was surrounded, and the civilian population found themselves trapped in a frozen hell. The "Tunnel" massacre of March 31, 1993, stands as one of the most agonizing episodes of the First Karabakh War. As thousands of civilianselderly men, women carrying infants, and the woundedattempted to flee through the only available mountain passage, they were ambushed within the confines of a tunnel. In that claustrophobic darkness, amidst the smoke of burning vehicles and the echoes of heavy gunfire, hundreds of innocent lives were extinguished. Those who survived the bullets often succumbed to the unforgiving frost of the Murov Mountains, walking barefoot through the snow in a desperate flight for survival. The occupation of Kalbajar was a wound that bled for nearly thirty years, symbolizing the displacement of an entire community from their ancestral paradise.

However, the narrative of the 21st century has taken a defiant turn. The liberation of Kalbajar in 2020, achieved through a combination of military pressure and diplomatic brilliance by President Ilham Aliyev, signaled the end of the era of lamentation. Today, the very tunnels that once saw blood and despair are being replaced by state-of-the-art engineering marvels. The vast construction policy in Kalbajar is nothing short of a miracle in the middle of a high-altitude wilderness. The government is not just building roads; it is carving out a future through the hardest rocks of the Caucasus. Modern tunnels under the Murovda? range now symbolize safety and connectivity rather than entrapment. Reportages from the region no longer focus on the debris of war, but on the humming of machinery and the rising silhouettes of "smart" villages and luxury sanatoriums that utilize the regions famous thermal waters.

Central to this rebirth is the human elementthe return of the people to whom this land belongs. The resettlement process is a deeply emotional journey, often highlighted by the Presidents personal visits to the homes of returning families. In these newly built residential areas, the standard of living often surpasses that of modern metropolitan centers. When we see materials from the homes where the President has sat at the dinner table with local families, we see a bridge between the state and the citizen that was missing for decades. These families are no longer "IDPs" defined by their loss; they are pioneers of a new Karabakh. In cities like Lachin and Shusha, and villages like Aghali and Talish, the household life of the residents is a testament to the states commitment to dignity. High-speed internet, green energy solutions, and modern educational facilities are the new reality for people who once lived in the shadow of occupation.

The policy of building and restoration is the ultimate response to the genocides of the past. Every stone laid in Kalbajar, every school opened in the liberated territories, and every child born in a revitalized village is a victory over the darkness of 1918 and 1993. Azerbaijan has moved beyond the status of a mourning nation to a leading regional power that honors its martyrs by creating a prosperous haven for their descendants. As we reflect on the 31st of March, we do so with a heavy heart for the past, but with a firm hand on the steering wheel of the future. The transition from the "Tunnel" of death to the tunnels of progress is the most poetic justice history could provide, proving that while a nation can be wounded, a nation with such a deep will to live can never be broken. Today, the reports from the field do not speak of massacre, but of harvest, heritage, and the eternal return of a people to their rightful home.
DTEK receives almost EUR 0.5 mln in grant money from Norway for development of 650 MW Poltava Wind Farm

Photo: https://renewables.dtek.com/

DTEK Renewables received NOK 5.5 million Norwegian kroner (EUR 487,000) from the Norwegian Development Agency (Norad) to support the development of the 650 MW Poltava Wind Farm, the company's CEO, Oleksandr Selyschev, announced.

"I'm pleased to share good news for the DTEK Renewables team and Ukraine. We have received a grant of NOK 5.5 million (EUR 487,000) from the Norwegian Development Agency (Norad) for the further development of green energy in Ukraine," he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

Selyschev noted that the project is aimed at supporting the development of the Poltava Wind Farm, one of the largest renewable energy projects. The funds received will help finance geological and engineering studies and the development of some of the wind farm's design documentation in 2026.

"This grant funding is recognition of our company's contribution to Ukraine's energy transition," said the head of DTEK Renewables, expressing gratitude to the Norwegian government and the Norad team for their trust and partnership.

According to him, international support is an investment not only in green generation, but also in sustainability, energy independence, and a secure future for Ukraine.

"Together with our partners, we are building a decentralized, modern, and powerful energy system capable of withstanding any challenges," Selyschev emphasized.
The Galapagos lava heron, a small heron that stalks the lava-strewn shores of the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador, may finally have secured its place as a distinct species.

The Galapagos lava heron, a slate-gray to black heron endemic to the Galapagos Islands, has long puzzled ornithologists.

Some classified it as a subspecies of the widespread striated heron (Butorides striata), Butorides striata sundevalli, while others argued it deserved recognition as its own species, Butorides sundevalli.

Now, a DNA analysis led by San Francisco State University and California Academy of Sciences suggests the latter may be correct.

There was always this bird that shows a lot of variation in its plumage, and for a long time there was questions of whether this was a separate species or a subspecies of a bird that lives on the mainland, said San Francisco State Universitys Dr. Jaime Chaves, senior author of the study.

Drawing on thousands of genetic markers and hundreds of museum specimens, the researchers found that the Galapagos lava heron forms a unique evolutionary lineage, separate from its supposed relative.

Rather than being most closely related to the striated heron, the lava heron appears to share a more recent common ancestor with the green heron (Butorides virescens) of North and Central America.

The ancestors of the Galapagos lava heron may have reached the islands after straying far from their usual migratory routes, eventually evolving in isolation.

For any biologist, its a dream to be able to go to the Galapagos, said San Francisco State University graduate Ezra Mendales, first author of the study.

We are still learning things about some of the most investigated systems. Theres always going to be mysteries to solve.

Beyond resolving the identity of a single bird, the study reshapes the broader family tree of these small herons.

The scientists propose that what was once considered a single, globally distributed species should instead be split into several, including separate lineages in the Americas, Africa and Australasia.

Our ultraconserved element (UCE) phylogenetic results indicate that the major divergence within Butorides occurs between Old World and New World populations, the authors said.

The UCE-based phylogeny provides strong support for the monophyly of New World herons, including South American striated herons, green herons, and the Galapagos lava heron.

The findings were published this month in the journal Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution.

_____

Ezra Z. Mendales et al. 2026. Global phylogenetic relationships of Butorides herons (Aves: Ardeidae) reveal the evolutionary history and taxonomic status of the Galapagos Lava Heron. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution 220: 108600; doi: 10.1016/j.ympev.2026.108600
Long thought to be fueled by increased atmospheric oxygen concentration, enormous griffinflies from the Carboniferous period, 300 million years ago, may have grown large for other reasons, according to new research led by University of Pretoria paleontologist Edward Snelling.

In the 1990s, scientists suggested a period of high atmospheric oxygen around 300 million years ago coincided with the occurrence of giant insects.

They proposed that a higher demand for oxygen and larger body sizes of giant insects ought to require a higher atmospheric oxygen concentration.

This made sense, because insects obtain oxygen through their unique tracheal system, which is a branching tree-like system of airways leading to their ends, the tracheoles.

Oxygen must move by diffusion down concentration gradients through the tracheoles to fuel the flight muscle cells.

Researchers reasoned that a flying insect of such gigantic proportions could not exist now, because the level of oxygen in the present atmosphere is too low to support the high demand for oxygen in the flight muscles.

In a new study, Dr. Snelling and his colleagues used high-power electron microscopy to assess how body size affects the number of tracheoles in flight muscle.

They found that the space occupied by tracheoles in the flight muscle is typically only 1% or less in most species, and that this observation holds when the relationship is extended to the griffinflies.

This suggests that the flight muscles of insects are not constrained by atmospheric oxygen levels as they could easily add tracheoles in the muscle, since they take up so little space.

If atmospheric oxygen really sets a limit on the maximum body size of insects, then there ought to be evidence of compensation at the level of the tracheoles, Dr. Snelling said.

There is some compensation occurring in larger insects, but it is trivial in the grand scheme of things.

By comparison, capillaries in the cardiac muscle of birds and mammals occupy about ten-times the relative space than tracheoles occupy in the flight muscle of insects, so there must be great evolutionary potential to ramp up investment of tracheoles if oxygen transport were really limiting body size, said Adelaide Universitys Professor Roger Seymour.

Some scientists counter argue that oxygen flow upstream of the tracheoles, or in other parts of the body, could still limit body size, so the theory of oxygen-constrained insect maximal size may not be dead yet.

Regardless, these new data definitively show that diffusion in the flight muscle tracheoles cannot provide such a limit. Scientists will have to look elsewhere for why these giants existed.

If oxygen does not limit maximal insect size, then perhaps other culprits are responsible for the small size of insects, such as predation from vertebrates, or biomechanical support limits on the exoskeleton itself.

A paper describing this research was published this month in the journal Nature.

_____

E.P. Snelling et al. Oxygen supply through the tracheolar-muscle system does not constrain insect gigantism. Nature, published online March 25, 2026; doi: 10.1038/s41586-026-10291-3
Photo: dpss.gov.ua

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), together with the Government of Flanders (a region of Belgium), launched a $1 million project to support rural communities in Mykolaiv region, the FAO press service reported.

"For farming families in Mykolaiv region, returning to agriculture is not just a matter of seeds and tools. They also face damaged soils and disrupted water supply systems," noted Shakhnoza Muminova, head of the FAO office in Ukraine.

According to the release, the initiative will reach 550 households and small farmers whose operations have been affected by military action, the destruction of the Kakhovka Dam, and soil pollution. As part of the project, 500 vulnerable families, including IDPs and female-headed households, will receive vegetable and potato seeds. Another 50 small farmers will be provided with greenhouse kits, micro-irrigation systems, and vouchers for agricultural needs. Training on climate-smart farming is also planned.

A separate focus of the program will be support for the government's working group on soil damage assessment. FAO will assist in developing methodologies for identifying contamination and recommendations for the safe return of land to use.

"Flanders is proud to contribute to practical solutions that will help rural communities restore production, rehabilitate war-torn lands, and strengthen sustainable agricultural and food systems. This partnership also reflects Flanders' broader Eastern Strategy, through which we support Ukraine's recovery," noted Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele.

The project is being implemented within the framework of the FAO Emergency Response and Early Recovery Plan for Ukraine for 2026-2028.
The introduction of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) by the European Commission from January 1, 2026, could lead to a complete halt in the supply of metal products to the EU in 2030 and the forced closure of metallurgical enterprises in Ukraine.

This forecast was announced by GMK Center chief analyst Andriy Tarasenko while presenting the results of the study dubbed "The Impact of CBAM on the Ukrainian Mining and Metallurgical Complex and its Economy" in Kyiv on Tuesday.

According to him, the APM currently applies to some metal products, but this emissions tax and product range coverage will expand starting in 2028. In 2029-2030, the impact of the CBAM will sharply increase.

"In the near future, exports of commercial steel products, including pig iron, may decline by 2.5 million tonnes, or 25-30% of current production. However, starting in 2030, Ukraine's exports to the EU are likely to be completely eliminated, which could lead to the complete closure of Ukrainian metallurgical plants," the analyst warned.

"This impact of the SBM is limited to the ferrous metallurgy sector. In the worst-case scenario, Ukraine's GDP will fall by 4% in 2030 due to the CBAM," the researcher noted.

According to him, there is currently significant uncertainty regarding CBAM payments in 2026 and part of 2027. The market is trying to navigate expected emissions. Furthermore, a reduction in EU steel import quotas and an increase in scrap metal demand are expected, leading to an increase in EU scrap prices of EUR 60 per tonne.

Tarasenko noted that from January to February 2026, EU steel imports decreased by 18% for flat rolled products, 23% for long products, and 4% for pipes. Meanwhile, Ukrainian steel exports increased by 10% for flat rolled products, 64% for long products, and 44% for pipes during this period.

He also cited the following figures: in the EU, hot-rolled coil prices increased by EUR 110 per tonne from October 2025 to March 2026, while rebar prices increased by EUR 15 per tonne. This will somewhat mitigate the short-term impact, but the risks will increase in 2030. The average weighted CBAM payment for hot-rolled coil imports into the EU this year, according to estimated actual data, is approximately EUR 60 per tonne, while for electric steel it is EUR 20 per tonne.

As Stanyslav Zinchenko, CEO of GMK Center, clarified, at the end of December, the European Commission announced that it saw no reason to exempt Ukraine from the CBAM, while also declaring that the impact would be insignificant  at 0.01% of GDP in 2030. Most experts, industry and business associations, and representatives of major exporters disagreed with this assessment.
Foreign ministers of European Union countries and the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas arrived in Kyiv for the 4th anniversary of the tragedy in Bucha (Kyiv region); they were met at the Kyiv railway station by Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha.

"Welcome to Kyiv, dear European friends, Kaja Kallas and fellow ministers of EU member states! Today we mark the anniversary of the Bucha massacre. On that day, horrific photos of tortured civilians shocked the entire world," he wrote on the social network X.

Sybiha emphasized that such a "strong European presence on this day demonstrates that justice for this and other Russian atrocities is inevitable. Comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes is vital for restoring justice in Europe. And today we will push forward efforts on the track of justice."

Sybiha also noted that these days Ukraine also marks 4 years since the beginning of the liberation of the Kyiv region and other areas occupied by Russia. "They remind the world of the heroism of our defenders. Ukraine knows how to win," he wrote.

"This visit is a sign of true courage and solidarity with Ukraine. I am grateful to High Representative-Vice President Kaja Kallas and all European colleagues who came to Ukraine today," the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine concluded.

In addition to Kallas, the foreign ministers of Germany, Poland, Latvia, and Lithuania  Johann Wadephul, Radoslaw Sikorski, Baiba Braze, and Kestutis Budrys  arrived in Kyiv.
Russian troops shelled settlements in the Donetsk region 15 times, injuring six people, Regional Military Administration head Vadym Filashkin said in an operational update as of the morning of March 31.

"In total, Russia shelled settlements in the Donetsk region 15 times over the past 24 hours. 82 people, including 19 children, were evacuated from the front line," he wrote on Telegram.

According to the official, in the Pokrovsk district, one person was injured in Dobropillia. In the Kramatorsk district, two high-rise buildings and three private houses were damaged in Mykolaivka; 26 private houses were damaged in Nykonorivka, and a house and outbuildings were damaged in Karpivka. In Slovyansk, four people were injured, and 22 private houses and a car were damaged. In Kramatorsk, a retail outlet and a power line were damaged. In Andriivka, a car and outbuildings were damaged. In Druzhkivka, one person was injured, and two high-rise buildings were damaged.
Europe will not allow Ukraine to fall off the radar - Kallas in Bucha

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Valeria Proshchenko

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has stressed that Europe will not allow Ukraine to fall off the radar amid the war in the Middle East, and underlined that achieving a just and lasting peace is impossible without holding Russia accountable for the crimes it has committed.

"There are many important discussions, but I think it is also important to remember that alongside the war ongoing in the Middle East, we do not allow Ukraine to fall off the radar, because this (war  IF-U) is happening here and now," she told journalists in Bucha on Tuesday, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

Kallas stressed that Ukraine is part of Europe, and therefore Europe "is also concerned that the war ends with a just and lasting peace."

She emphasized that the war crimes committed by Russia "are, unfortunately, not isolated incidents."

"This is a pattern that Russia has everywhere it occupies territory, and this is something we must remember. That is why the main focus of our visit today with the EU foreign ministers is on preserving accountability, because without accountability, if these crimes go unpunished, there is no possibility of having a just and lasting peace," Kallas said.

She underlined that justice is part of the peace process, which is why the EU is advancing a Special Tribunal for the crime of aggression, as well as a claims commission where people can submit their claims regarding Russian crimes that have been committed.
The craft winery Lowkowo (Levkov village, Zhytomyr region) became the only representative from Ukraine to receive awards at the Concours International de Lyon 2026 in France, the winerys press service reported.

"I started as an experiment for myself, but it quickly became clear that the result could be presented more broadly. This is not a story about volume. It is an attempt to create a product that does not require explanations about its origin," said winery founder Mykola Yanushevych.

According to the release, Lowkowo Chardonnay Amphora 2025 (91 points out of 100) won a gold medal and a separate trophy for best Ukrainian wine. This is an orange-style Chardonnay, where fermentation and aging take place in Italian clay amphorae. A silver award went to the classic dry white Lowkowo Chardonnay 2025, which scored 81 points.

In total, experts evaluated 10,355 samples from 58 countries as part of the competition.

Lowkowo vineyards were planted in 20182019 in Zhytomyr region, an area that had not previously been considered a winemaking region. The grape varieties were selected based on their ability to adapt to the local climate following soil analysis.

Kraftovy Svit LLC (TM Lowkowo) was founded in 2015. The company is currently in an investment development phase, channeling resources into expanding vineyards and production infrastructure. Annual output is around 3,0004,000 bottles, which are sold through specialty stores, HoReCa channels, and the companys own online store in Kyiv, Lviv, and Zhytomyr.
Decoy Bookstore recently opened its first brick-and-mortar store at 32 South Main St., Suite 8, in North East, Md., but owner Elisabeth Balog "promised she would continue to operate her pop up shops at events across Cecil County," Cecil Whig reported.

Located inside West Street Village Shopping Center (former Shoppes of Londonshire), Decoy was welcomed to its new space with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Cecil County executive Adam Streight, councilwoman Dawn Branch, Jessica Parks with the Chamber of Commerce, and Christie Griest with Cecil County Tourism.

Balog said she named the store as an homage to the county's history of duck hunting and decoy carving. Decoy Bookstore describes itself as a locally owned bookshop "selling new books as well as gifts and accessories. We focus on nature-based books to reflect our location at the top of the Chesapeake Bay but carry fiction and nonfiction books for all ages! Our logo was born out of a desire to reflect our hunting heritage in our family and in our gorgeous, waterfront location. With five local rivers, numerous ponds, and the Susquehanna Flats, an important part of the Atlantic Flyway, bird-hunting is of particular importance in our area."
Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Valeria Proshchenko

Foreign ministers of European Union countries and Ukraine visited Bucha to honor the memory of victims of mass crimes committed during Russias occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022 and to confirm an unwavering commitment to ensuring the full accountability of Russia for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including aggression violating the United Nations Charter.

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, this is stated in a joint statement by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and the representatives of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, the Republic of Cyprus, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Ukraine on the occasion of the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers.

"We gathered today in Kyiv and Bucha to honor the memory of the victims of mass crimes in Bucha committed during Russias temporary occupation of parts of the Kyiv region in 2022 and to confirm our unwavering commitment to ensuring the full accountability of Russia for any violations of international law in or against Ukraine, including aggression violating the United Nations Charter," the statement reads.

Participants of the meeting honored the memory of all victims of the massacre in Bucha and other cities, towns, and villages across Ukraine where the civilian population suffered mass killings, torture, sexual violence, forced deportations, and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights law.

"Evidence gathered after the withdrawal of Russian troops underscores the need to ensure full and comprehensive accountability," the document emphasizes.

"We confirm our commitment to ensuring full accountability for war crimes and other most serious crimes committed in connection with Russias war of aggression against Ukraine. In this context, we welcome recent progress made within the Council of Europe with the support of the European Union toward launching the Special Tribunal on the crime of aggression against Ukraine and establishing the International Claims Commission for Ukraine. We also express our support for the International Criminal Courts investigation into the situation in Ukraine and call on all member states to cooperate fully," the joint statement says.

The ministers emphasize that accountability is an essential element of a comprehensive, just, and lasting peace, as well as adherence to international law.

"In the 5th year of the Russian war of aggression, we confirm our steadfast, firm, and unwavering support for the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, in accordance with the goals and principles of the United Nations Charter and international law," the document states.

The joint statement was released on March 31, 2026, during the visit of EU member state ministers.

Earlier, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiha announced the visit of EU foreign ministers and the head of European diplomacy Kaja Kallas to Kyiv on March 31.

Sybiha expressed hope that the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv would "bring greater clarity" regarding the 90-billion-euro loan blocked by Hungary.

According to him, Ukraine expects the adoption of a joint statement from the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv, as well as discussions on support in the energy and defense sectors. According to Sybiha, Tuesday "will be a busy and important diplomatic day"a visit by EU foreign ministers is expected to hold a special visiting session of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Ukraine.

Sybiha noted that the date of the meeting coincides with a symbolic date related to the tragedy in Bucha, which will be another opportunity to show the world the scale of the crimes committed by Russia in Ukraine.

He informed that President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy would also meet with the foreign ministers.

Also at the meeting, "the emphasis will be placed on the future infrastructure of accountability, namely the special tribunal." "We very much hope that the number of states joining the agreement on the special tribunal will expand," Sybiha stated.

Another focus of the meeting will be energy. In addition, military aspects will be discussed: the front, the situation on the battlefield, briefings from the military, and discussions of specific needs to strengthen Ukraines defense capabilities.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Great Southern drills deep into 3.5km-long WA gold prize Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Murray Ward March 31, 2026  1:57pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Great Southern Mining has officially pulled the trigger on a first-ever deep diamond drilling campaign at the companys wholly owned Golden Boulder discovery, part of its flagship Duketon gold project in Western Australia. The move marks a major escalation in exploration for the company as it hunts for the deep-seated engine room of a gold system already traced over a massive 3.5-kilometre strike length. Great Southern Mining has started a maiden deep diamond drilling campaign at its 100 per cent owned Golden Boulder gold discovery in Western Australia. The centrepiece of the new program is a deep diamond hole at the Ogilvies prospect, planned to reach a depth of up to 700 metres. This high-impact hole is being co-funded by the Western Australian Governments Exploration Incentive Scheme, highlighting the regional significance of the target. Notably, this represents the first diamond drilling ever conducted in the area and the first time a drill bit has penetrated beyond 155 metres in the primary mineralised zone. By drilling deep, Great Southern aims to test the primary structures thought to be the source of the multiple shallow gold lines discovered at surface.

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Great Southern Mining managing director Matthew Keane said: GSN believes that the gold mineralisation intercepted in shallow drilling to date may be the surface expression of a much more significant gold system at depth. A second diamond hole is also on the cards to target the Main Line mineralisation within the 3.5-kilometre Golden Boulder system. This area has already coughed up some shimmering results from previous reverse circulation drilling. These were led by a standout 5-metre hit at 14.57 grams per tonne(g/t) gold from 41m, featuring 1m at a whopping 70.94g/t gold. Other notable historical hits included a sparkling 1-metre slice at 34.5g/t gold within a broader 6-metre section grading 6.7g/t gold from 48m and a third hole, which struck 5m running at 5.1g/t gold from 25m. The current drilling action at Duketon is only just beginning. Great Southern says its already preparing for a massive follow-up, with 10,000 to 15,000 metres of reverse circulation drilling scheduled to kick off in late April or May. This secondary blitz will target the Golden Boulder prospect and the emerging Amy Clarke discovery, where previous air core drilling defined mineralisation over a 4.7-kilometre strike.

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Previous standout results at Amy Clarke included 2m at a punchy 23.9g/t gold from only 10m, whilst another hole bagged 17m at 1.4g/t from 20m, featuring 1m at 11.2g/t. Further strengthening its exploration pipeline, the company has wrapped up an 800m diamond hole into the Diorite Hill Layered Intrusive Complex at its East Laverton project. Core logging and sampling are now underway to assess the potential for platinum group elements and base metals. With its saddle bags full from a fresh A$4.6 million capital raising earlier this month, the company is cashed up and ready to keep the rigs humming. Great Southern is clearly moving into the fast lane at Duketon. With the big rigs finally probing the depths of a massive 3.5-kilometre gold system and plenty of cash in the tin, the next few months are shaping up to be a real game-changer. Punters are likely to keep their eyes firmly on the upcoming assay results. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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EnvironmentSustainabilityRenewables Demand for electric vehicles surges as discounted loans hit market Bianca Hall April 1, 2026  12:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Electric vehicle rentals are booming as drivers try to avoid high petrol prices before the Easter long weekend, and one site has reported that bookings for EVs and hybrids increased by 388 per cent one day this month compared with last year. The Iran war has fuelled surging petrol and diesel prices. The fuel excise reduction will come into effect on Wednesday but consumers have been told that in regional areas, it could take more than a week for it to take effect. Electric vehicles are an increasingly popular option for motorists. Australasian Convenience and Petroleum Marketers Association chief executive Rowan Lee said busy inner-city service stations that turned over rapid fuel sales could offer cheaper petrol and diesel within days, while more remote service stations could sell more expensive fuel for 10 days or more. The fuel that is underground at your local servo at the moment has had the higher level of excise tax applied to it, he said. The faster that goes out of the ground, the faster the lower excise fuel will come in.

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Jake Apps and Theresa Maitre recently booked their first EV rental car. Kiara Maitre Turo managing director Rob Chan said that in March, bookings for EVs and hybrids were up 70 per cent compared with the same period last year, and one day  March 15  had an increase of 388 per cent compared with last year. Were seeing a massive surge in bookings for fuel-efficient cars on the marketplace, Chan said. People travelling in Australia who might never have driven an EV or hybrid before are booking them. Theresa Maitre, of Perth, used car rental website Turo to book an EV for a coming trip to Sydney. Her decision was largely driven by the cost of fuel.

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I currently drive a Prado, and its costing me around $400 to fill the car up, so I was thinking it might be a perfect time to test out an EV, and just see what it was like, she said. On Wednesday, the federal governments $33 billion green bank announced it would offer discounted finance for new and used electric vehicles, offering up to a 1 per cent discount for loans issued by Volkswagen Financial Services Australia. Loading The Clean Energy Finance Corporation says consumer loan customers buying eligible EVs priced under the $92,000 luxury car tax threshold could save more than $1900 on a typical $70,000 loan, over five years, under the offer. Eligible vehicles include Volkswagen, Audi, Skoda, Cupra and Volvo, as well as other eligible EVs bought through Volkswagen Financial Services accredited dealer network.

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Executive director Richard Lovell said the announcement was unrelated to the current energy crisis, although the price of fuels and transition to renewables was obviously topical at the moment. Related Article Renewables Electric trucks take to the road as demand for petrol-free cars surges The reality is that the transport sector is going to be an increasing source of Australias emissions into percentage terms, and by 2030 it will likely be the largest source of emissions by sector, Lovell said. The $100 million funding pool follows a similar offer in February, when the Clean Energy Finance Corporation partnered with Hyundai Capital Australia to offer $60 million in discounted loans, and previous partnerships with Macquarie Leasing, Metro Finance and Eclipx. The discounted loans will be equally funded by Volkswagen Financial Services Australia and the CEFC, both of which will offer a 0.5 per cent discount on finance.

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Electric vehicles A bush camping holiday with a runabout city EV? It can be done Bianca Hall Environment and climate reporter Lovell said the scheme would also finance vehicle-to-grid (V2G) enabled models, which can act as mobile batteries that can charge or discharge to the grid. Were making it easier for businesses to choose advanced electric vehicles, including those with future-ready features like V2G, by reducing barriers like high upfront costs and by encouraging manufacturers to increase model availability in Australia, he said. This investment helps lower costs today and builds a stronger market for affordable, second-hand EVs tomorrow, making clean transport more affordable for more Australians and their businesses. The Albanese government this week halved the excise on fuel for three months, lowering the price of petrol and diesel by 26.3 a litre.

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The government will also cancel the heavy vehicle road user charge of 32 a litre for three months to help ease pressure on the transportation industry. The cuts, which will start on Wednesday, will cost taxpayers $2.55 billion. The price of Brent crude oil was tracking at $US114 a barrel on Tuesday, almost double the $60 a barrel it had hovered around before the war. Research by BloombergNEF last fortnight showed the global adoption of EVs last year had prevented the consumption of 2.3 million barrels of oil a day. Taylor Blackburn, personal finance expert at comparison site Finder, said its consumer sentiment tracker showed the number of Australians ranking fuel as one of their most stressful bills had jumped from 11 per cent in January to 19 per cent in March. For many Australians, fuel has shifted from a routine expense to a major source of financial dread, Blackburn said.
This recipe appears in the most popular recipes of April 2026 collection. See all stories .

Its been 20 years since the Monday Morning Cooking Club first came together to write a cookbook for charity.

The group, from Sydneys Jewish community, met each Monday to test, collect and curate their favourite dishes, eventually going on to release a series of recipe collections from Australia and around the world.

This sisterhood, now comprised of Lisa Goldberg, Merelyn Chalmers and Natanya Eskin, has just released it fifth book, A Year of Jewish Cooking. More than just a recipe collection, its a guidebook designed to pass the torch to the next generation by capturing the heart of Jewish festivals and traditions.

When we started out, our kids were just kids, the women write in the books introduction. Before we knew it, they were all grown up. Now they phone home, asking for the recipes of their memories, the recipes that are soaked with tradition, the recipes that have guided their Jewish life.

For Passover, the trio offers a recipe that balances tradition with the festivals unique demands. Commemorating the Exodus from Egypt, Pesach is without doubt  food-wise  the most complicated and challenging of festivals, yet it remains a season of profound joy and communal feasting.
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Police and local representatives are trying to calm the nerves of a community in Brisbanes inner-south after an outbreak of fights at a local park.

Three teenage boys have been charged for their alleged role in the assault of two 16-year-old boys on the corner of Oxford Street and Stuart Street, next to Bulimba Memorial Park, on March 20.

On Saturday, a 16-year-old Bulimba boy was charged with one count of assaults occasioning bodily harm. Charges against a 15-year-old boy from Norman Park and a 14-year-old Bulimba boy followed the next day.

The alleged assaults were reported at the memorial park on Oxford Street in the riverside suburb. Anzac Square & Memorial Galleries

As part of their media release on the charges, police said they were conducting increased patrols in the park, and in a post on a local Facebook page, said they had established a mobile beat there.
Trump doubles down on threats against Iran

The US president is hailing progress in peace talks with Tehran while doubling down on his threats to the nation.
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An entire city council in the western suburbs has publicly called for the resignation of its mayor just eight days after he was elected, following revelations he provided a reference to a friend on child sex abuse charges. Wyndham Citys Preet Singh wrote a character reference for Kashyap Patel in 2024, when Patel was on trial for grooming and sexually abusing a 15-year-old girl. Wyndham City Mayor Preet Singh faces calls to resign after it emerged he gave a character reference to a child sex offender. Singh wrote the reference in April 2024, before being elected to the council, but has faced pressure to resign since his character reference became public earlier this week. On Wednesday morning, Singh took to social media to announce Cr Jasmine Hill was now acting mayor to ensure the focus remains on the community and the work of council.

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Related Article Liberal Party Moira Deeming gets second chance in re-run preselection The character reference I provided was given prior to my election, I recognise that, regardless of timing, this has raised legitimate questions about judgment. For that, I am deeply sorry, he wrote. I sincerely apologise for any hurt or harm caused, particularly to the victim and those in our community impacted by this issue. Later in the day, the council released a letter signed by all 10 councillors calling for Singh to resign. We have been working behind the scenes to urge Cr Singh to step down. We can no longer remain silent, the letter read.

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Supporting sex offenders is never acceptable in any form. We strongly believe that following Mondays revelations and the Mayors refusal to resign, he is no longer fit to hold the Office of Mayor and will be unable to adequately perform the duties of the role. It comes as angry residents are set to converge on Wyndhams council offices in Werribee at 5pm on Wednesday in protest of Singh. I respect the right of community members to express their views, including through peaceful protest, Singh wrote in his post. I am reaching out to offer to meet with those leading the demonstration, to listen and convey my sincere sympathies directly.

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Related Article Liberal Party How the Moira Deeming preselection debacle reopened deep party wounds Singh conceded earlier this week he had made a serious error of judgment when he provided the character reference, but said he was being subjected to an unfair media trial. On Monday, Dinesh Gourisetty was forced to step down as the Liberal Partys preselected No.1 candidate for the upper house in the Western Metropolitan region after it emerged he had also written a character reference for Patel in 2024. Gourisetty withdrew just 24 hours after being preselected ahead of controversial incumbent Moira Deeming. Deeming has not yet declared whether she will re-contest pre-selection for the safe upper house seat.

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He is very upset about the charges and I truly believe he is extremely sorry to the complainant for what he has done, Gourisettys reference for Patel said. Related Article Exclusive

Courts Property millions frozen: Scandal-plagued founders press conference backfires In his character reference for Patel, written on April 11, 2024, Singh said his friend is very upset about the charges, and I truly believe he is extremely regretful for what he has done. Even though he has been charged, I would continue to trust Mr Kashyap Patel. He has always shown high integrity and is someone I could trust  I believe any behaviour he displayed that caused him to be charged with child grooming and sexual assault was a one-off event. Singh signed the reference in his capacity as a justice of the peace in Victoria.

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Patel in 2024 pleaded guilty to grooming a child under 16, transmitting indecent communication to a person under 16, and sexually assaulting a child under the age of 16 in 2021. He was convicted and sentenced to nine months imprisonment. Singh was elected mayor of Wyndham City Council on March 24. He replaced Josh Gilligan, who was suspended in late February for misconduct for one month after an independent arbiter found a comment he posted on Facebook had breached councils standards. With Hill as acting mayor, Wyndham City has now had three mayors in 36 days. Singh said some Wyndham City councillors had privately urged him to resign over the matter. He said he would make a statement in the coming days.

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Before becoming mayor, Singh was instrumental in launching a contentious six-month trial of ratepayer-funded private security guards around the streets of Truganina, within his own council ward. Security was initially provided by MA Services, until Wyndham cut ties with the scandal-plagued company in March, following extensive reporting by this masthead of the companys criminal ties. Singh also ran as the Liberal candidate for the state seat of Tarneit in the 2022 election, attracting 30 per cent of votes after distributions. Singh did not say how long he would be standing aside as mayor. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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WorldNorth AmericaMiddle East at war American journalist kidnapped in Iraq, suspect linked to Iran-backed militia Michael Koziol Updated April 1, 2026  7:15am ,first published 6:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Washington: An American journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq, and the countrys Interior Ministry said a suspect had been arrested while the others  along with the victim  were still missing. Al-Monitor, an independent media service covering the Middle East, identified the abducted journalist as one of its contributors, Shelly Kittleson. American journalist Shelly Kittleson. Instagram/@shellyrkittleson Her identity was also confirmed by Alex Plitsas, a contributing security analyst at CNN and senior fellow at the Atlantic Council, who said he was Kittlesons designated US point-of-contact. We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday, Al-Monitor said in a statement.

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We call for her safe and immediate release. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work. Related Article Middle East at war US-Iran war as it happened: PM says months ahead may not be easy, asks drivers to use public transport in national address; fuel excise cut kicks in; US wont be involved in reopening Strait of Hormuz, Trump says Kittleson was abducted in Baghdad on Tuesday (Iraq time). Plitsas said on X that his friend may have been taken hostage by Kataib Hezbollah  an Iranian-backed Shiite militia operating in Iraq, which the US has designated as a terrorist organisation. US State Department spokesman Dylan Johnson said the government was aware of the kidnapping in Baghdad, and confirmed the terrorist groups involvement was suspected. The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible, Johnson said.

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An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group [Kataib Hezbollah] believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities. Related Article Updated

Middle East at war Thats not for us: Trump prepared to exit Iran with Strait of Hormuz still closed All Americans were warned not to travel to Iraq for any reason, he said. In a statement on its Facebook page, translated using Google, the Iraqi Interior Ministry said a foreign journalist had been abducted by unknown assailants. Security forces located the kidnappers vehicle, which overturned as they attempted to flee, the ministry said. It said officers apprehended and arrested one suspect, and seized the vehicle, while efforts to locate the victim and remaining kidnappers were ongoing.

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The Ministry of Interior reiterates its firm stance that it will not tolerate any attempt to destabilise security or target foreign guests; its security agencies will remain vigilant and resolute in pursuing those who flout the law and bringing them to justice. According to the Womens Media Centre, Kittleson is a freelance journalist focusing on the Middle East and Afghanistan, whose work has been published across US, Italian and other international outlets. She has contributed to Foreign Policy, New Lines Magazine and Politico, among others. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Honorable Prime Minister of Sint Maarten, Dr. Luc Mercelina, conveys his deepest condolences to the Government and people of Suriname following the passing of former President Chandrikapersad Santokhi.

Prime Minister Mercelina noted that former President Santokhi served his country with distinction and remained committed to the principles of democratic governance and regional cooperation.

On behalf of the Government and people of Sint Maarten, I extend sincere condolences to the family of former President Santokhi, as well as to the Government and people of Suriname. His passing represents a moment of profound loss, and we stand in solidarity with Suriname during this period of national mourning, stated Prime Minister Mercelina.

The Prime Minister also acknowledged the presence and contribution of the Surinamese community in Sint Maarten, recognizing the impact of this loss beyond Surinames borders.

We also extend our sympathies to the Surinamese community in Sint Maarten, whose enduring cultural and familial ties to Suriname make this loss especially meaningful. During this difficult time, we stand with them in reflection and remembrance.

Prime Minister Mercelina further reflected on Santokhis engagement within the Caribbean region and his contribution to strengthening partnerships among nations.

Former President Santokhi will be remembered for his commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and the advancement of shared regional interests. His legacy will continue to resonate within the Caribbean community.

The Government of Sint Maarten joins the regional and international community in expressing condolences and honoring the life and service of a leader.



Caption: Prime Minister Dr. Luc Mercelina and former President Santokhi during a bi-lat meeting between Suriname and St. Maarten during the United Nations General Assembly 2024.
Photo: https://t.me/andriysadovyi

Over 50 ministers of culture, ambassadors, and diplomats from European countries have arrived in Lviv, reported Mayor Andriy Sadovy.

"More than half a hundred ministers of culture, ambassadors, and diplomats of European countries are in Lviv. They came for the Cultural Ramstein. But alsoto see the consequences of the latest strikes with their own eyes. The destruction that affected our UNESCO heritage just last week," he wrote on Telegram on Tuesday.

"This is not about politics. It is about values. Russia has no right to remain a member of UNESCO. When you destroy cultureyou cannot be part of the organization that protects it," he emphasized.

On March 24, Russia launched a massive strike on Ukraine, specifically attacking cities in the western part of the country. There were several hits in Lviv. One of the UAVs struck a residential building in the center and a UNESCO World Heritage sitethe Bernardine Monastery. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, commenting on the attack, called it "absolute perversion." Following this, UNESCO expressed "deep concern" regarding the strike and declared its readiness to provide emergency assistance.

The Cultural "Ramstein" is an initiative of Ukraine announced by President Zelenskyy in November 2024, aimed at creating an international alliance for the protection, recovery, and restoration of cultural monuments destroyed by Russian aggression.
Marigot, Saint-Martin:--- The decision by the Collectivite of Saint-Martin to include a financial provision related to Air Antilles in its budget has sparked concern and debate among several officials, who are questioning both the necessity and the implications of the move.

During recent discussions, members of the Territorial Council expressed unease about the lack of clarity surrounding the provision. While the executive has indicated that the measure is linked to ongoing considerations regarding regional air connectivity, some elected officials argue that insufficient information has been provided to justify the entry.

At the heart of the issue is uncertainty over whether the provision signals a future financial commitment or simply reflects a precautionary accounting measure. Critics within the council have pointed out that no concrete agreement or finalized plan involving Air Antilles has been publicly presented, raising concerns about transparency and financial prudence.

Several officials also emphasized the broader financial context, noting that the Collectivite must remain cautious in managing public funds, particularly given competing priorities and existing budgetary constraints. They warned that any potential engagement with an airline should be backed by a clear strategy and measurable benefits for the territory.

It should also be noted that, according to several members of the majority, the Collectivite did not take a political decision to allocate new funding at this stage, but rather recorded a budgetary provision in line with standard accounting principles. This entry reflects a precautionary measure to account for potential financial risk associated with previous commitments, ensuring the sincerity and legal compliance of the 2026 budget, rather than constituting an immediate disbursement of public funds.

Despite this clarification, questions remain among some council members, who are calling for greater transparency and more detailed explanations from the executive. They argue that clearer communication is essential to avoid misunderstandings and to maintain public trust.

As discussions continue, the issue underscores the challenges the Collectivite faces in balancing fiscal responsibility with the need to support essential services, such as regional air transport. Further deliberations are expected as officials seek to better define the scope and intent of the provision.
PARAMARIBO:--- Former Surinamese President Chandrikapersad Santokhi has died at the age of 67 following a sudden medical emergency at his home earlier on Monday.

According to reports from Suriname, an ambulance was dispatched to Santokhis residence after he fell ill. He was subsequently rushed to the hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.

Santokhi, who served as the ninth president of Suriname from 2020 to 2025, was a prominent political figure and leader of the Progressive Reform Party. His death was confirmed by officials and has prompted an outpouring of tributes from across the region.

Guyanas President Irfaan Ali described Santokhi as a fine statesman, praising his years of public service and dedication to regional cooperation, according to reports.

Current Surinamese President Jennifer Geerlings-Simons also paid tribute, noting that Santokhis contributions to public life would be remembered for years to come.

Born on February 3, 1959, in Lelydorp, Santokhi began his career in law enforcement, rising to become a police commissioner before entering politics. He later served as Minister of Justice and Police from 2005 to 2010 before assuming the presidency in 2020.

During his tenure as president, Santokhi focused on economic reform and international cooperation, guiding Suriname through a challenging period marked by fiscal restructuring and social unrest.

His passing marks the end of a decades-long career in public service that spanned policing, governance, and regional leadership, including a term as Chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).

Funeral arrangements and further official statements are expected to be announced in the coming days.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The Committee for District Councils (CDC) of Parliament will meet on March 31, 2026.

The Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday at 11.00 hrs. in the Legislative Hall at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg.

The agenda point is:

Discussion on proposal to endorse the exploration and piloting of a Community-Drive District Development Fund for Sint Maarten (IS/596/2025-2026 dated January 26, 2026)

This meeting was requested by MP S.A. Wescot-Williams.

Members of the public are invited to the House of Parliament to attend parliamentary deliberations. All persons visiting the House of Parliament must adhere to the house rules.

The House of Parliament is located across from the Court House in Philipsburg.

The parliamentary sessions will be carried live on TV 15, Soualiga Headlines, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and www.youtube.com/c/SintMaartenParliament
ORANJESTAD, ARUBA:--- The Ombudsman of Aruba, Ms. Jurima Bryson LL.M. has published the report Het Luisterend Oog, In kader brengen van instellingen (Dutch for The Listening Eye) on March 9th, 2026. In this report, 564 institutions on Aruba that fall under the National Ombudsman Ordinance have been identified.

The four utility companies are NV Elmar, Setar N.V., Web Aruba N.V. and Serlimar Sui Generis. These were also part of the group that was identified. Because these companies offer essential services and citizens depend on these essential services, it is very important that these companies provide careful and transparent service, including complaint handling.

This report, Het Luisterend Oog, concerns an investigation conducted by the Office of the Ombudsman in the third quarter of 2025. The main objective of the investigation was to identify institutions that fall under the National Ombudsman Ordinance.

The research shows that all utility companies offer general contact options and customer service, but that a clearly defined and publicly known complaints procedure is missing.

For citizens, it is essential that it is clear how a complaint can be submitted, how it is handled, and within what time frame a response can be expected. Such a procedure contributes to trust, legal certainty, and quality of service.

The Ombudsman has sent a letter about this to all utility companies and the ministers involved, and calls upon them to introduce and publish a clear and accessible complaints procedure in the short term.

A good complaints procedure is not a formality, but an essential part of reliable service to citizens, said the Ombudsman.

In addition to the general recommendations in the report, the Ombudsman advised the utility companies to take a number of steps in the short term:

Define and publish a clear and accessible complaints procedure (for example, via the website or customer portal);

Outline the steps, such as deadlines, registration, responsibilities and feedback;

Choose one clear contact person or place for customers.

Describe what customers can do if they are not satisfied with how their complaint has been handled and within the processing time frame.

If applicable, define and publish the general terms and conditions, keep them up to date and easy to find.

Ensure internal awareness and monitoring of complaints, following the recommendations in the report.

Also, there should be greater clarity about how the organizations operate and which laws they follow, so people can better understand how they function and who is responsible.

Also, there should be more clarity about the structure of organizations and which laws are applicable, so people can better understand how they function and who is responsible. These are concerns which the Ombudsman already raised in her letter of concern sent to Prime Minister Mike Eman in February of 2026.

The full report The Listening Eye (Het Luisterend Oog  in kader brengen van instellingen) and the letter of concern are available on the Ombudsmans website, www.ombudsman.aw/en/publications/ .

The Ombudsman will continue to monitor and do follow-ups on these recommendations.

Stay informed about the latest developments
Trump threatens to destroy Iran oil island despite claims of talks



Washington, United States, March 30 (AFP) Mar 30, 2026



US President Donald Trump threatened Monday to destroy Iran's key oil export hub of Kharg Island along with power and desalination plants unless Tehran quickly accepted a deal, even as he suggested that diplomacy was making headway.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of his military aims had been achieved, even as both leaders refused to put a timeline on the operation that has ignited a regional war and sent global oil prices soaring.

More than one month into the war, Trump said the United States was speaking to a "more reasonable regime" in Tehran, which has denied any talks and accused the US president of lying about negotiations as cover while readying a ground invasion.

Trump warned that if a deal were not struck -- including to reopen the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- US forces would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)."

Destroying civilian infrastructure would be illegal under international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime, experts say.

Iran has previously threatened to retaliate by targeting energy infrastructure and desalination plants in its Arab neighbours that host the US military, such as the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi urged Saudi Arabia to "eject US forces", saying Tehran otherwise respects the "brotherly" kingdom.

Showing it will not back down, an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway through which one-fifth of global oil passes.

State television said Iran would forbid the United States and Israel from passing through.

The tolling plan for the strait has outraged the United States, which has spoken of creating a "coalition" to oppose it.

"No one in the world can accept it," Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al-Jazeera.

"It sets an incredible precedent. So this means that nations can now take over international waterways and claim them as their own," Rubio said of the waterway the US president recently called the "Strait of Trump".



- Peacekeepers die in Lebanon -



Israel has also relentlessly pounded Lebanon, including central Beirut, as it seeks to deliver a heavy blow to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed force that had fired rockets in solidarity after Israeli forces killed Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The UN mission in Lebanon said that two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed when "an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle", with two other peacekeepers wounded, one seriously.

Another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday. Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, before the latest war had been lining up to send forces to bring stability to ravaged Gaza following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

France, a key player in Lebanon, condemned the deaths of peacekeepers and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, which was subsequently scheduled for Tuesday at 14H00 GMT.

Economy ministers and central bankers from the G7 club of rich countries meanwhile met in Paris to discuss the war's effects, with many countries introducing energy-saving measures or cutting fuel taxes to help consumers.

Market experts warned that any US ground operation or wider Iranian retaliation could send oil prices to levels not seen since the July 2008 commodity boom, when the cost of Brent crude, the international benchmark, hit close to $150 a barrel.

Brent has already risen nearly 60 percent this month, and the US benchmark WTI by more than half.

Adding pressure, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels over the weekend fired missiles and drones at Israel, posing a threat to shipping on the Red Sea in addition to the Gulf.



- New strikes -



There was no let-up in hostilities.

Israel said its air defence batteries responded to missiles launched from Iran, after earlier announcing it was striking military infrastructure across Tehran.

Israel also confirmed it had hit the Imam Hossein University in the capital, which it said was used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps for advanced weapons research.

In Israel, emergency services reported a fire at an oil refinery in the northern port city of Haifa, which also suffered a blaze on March 19.

Kuwait condemned strikes on a power station and a desalination plant, which killed an Indian worker.

Netanyahu said that Israel had achieved key objectives including by "wiping out" industrial plants and coming "close to finishing their arms industry".

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told US broadcaster Newsmax.

The war -- and the spiraling price of oil -- has been unpopular in the United States, where Rubio again Monday said it would last "weeks" more and not months.



- Egypt pleads for end -



Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country is feeling the economic pinch and has been playing a key role mediating indirect talks, appealed directly to Trump on Monday to find an offramp.

"Please, help us to stop the war, you are capable of it," Sisi told a press conference.

Trump has claimed to be in direct contact with senior Iranian figures whom he did not identify publicly.

Rubio said there were "fractures" within the Islamic republic and voiced hope that the Iranian officials allegedly in contact with Washington had the "power to deliver."

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei again denied any negotiations, saying the United States had sent only a request to talk via intermediaries including Pakistan.

After weeks of strikes, residents of Tehran painted a picture of a city that is still clinging to some routine, with cafes and restaurants open and no shortages reported in supermarkets or petrol stations.

Security remains tight, with checkpoints erected on streets around the capital.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," said Fatemeh, 27, a dental assistant.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."

burs-adp-sct/des
Israel military launches investigation after peacekeeper deaths in Lebanon



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Israel's military said on Tuesday that it had launched an investigation into separate incidents that killed three UN peacekeepers in southern Lebanon.

"The incidents are being thoroughly reviewed in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.

"It should be noted these incidents occurred in an active combat area," where it was operating against Iran-backed group Hezbollah, the post added.

"Therefore, it should not be assumed that incidents in which UNIFIL soldiers were harmed were caused by the IDF," it said, referring to the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said two of its personnel were killed Monday in an explosion and another had died late Sunday when a projectile hit their position.
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/RedCrossUkraine

The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) is working in Poltava at the site of the liquidation of the consequences of a Russian UAV attack.

"The rapid response unit of the Ukrainian Red Cross of the Poltava region immediately left for the site of the attack aftermath liquidation after the explosion to support the work of rescuers. In the morning, the team of the Poltava regional organization of the Ukrainian Red Cross also joined the response," the URCS reported on Facebook on Tuesday.

A relief tent has been deployed. Here, people can receive first aid and psychological support, rest, and get warm. People whose housing was affected by the attack are receiving materials for temporary repairs of the damage.

As reported, in Poltava, as a result of an attack by Russia on Tuesday night, one person was killed and four were injured, including two children. There were hits on an infrastructure facility and in an open areathe fires have been liquidated.
Two more UN peacekeepers killed in south Lebanon



Beirut, Lebanon, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said two of its personnel were killed Monday in the second deadly incident in 24 hours in the country's south, where Israel and Hezbollah are fighting.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed "when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle". Two other peacekeepers were wounded, one of them seriously.

Also in the south, Lebanon's army said an Israeli strike killed one of its soldiers, while a security source told AFP that three Hezbollah members were killed in an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East conflict when the Tehran-backed armed group fired rockets at Israel on March 2 to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader in the opening salvo of the US-Israeli war against the Islamic republic.

Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive in the south. Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began.

UNIFIL said it had launched an investigation into Monday's deaths, which came a day after another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded by a projectile, also of unknown provenance, that exploded near a UNIFIL position.

Israel's military said on Tuesday it was also investigating the two incidents "in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity."

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, strongly condemned "these unacceptable incidents", adding that "all acts that endanger the peacekeepers must stop".

Permanent Security Council member France said it was seeking a meeting of the body over the matter, while Spain also condemned the deadly attacks.



- 'Direct' attack -



Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned "the targeting of peacekeeping forces" in a phone call with UNIFIL's commander.

Aoun "continues to conduct multiple international contacts" in a bid to bring about talks with Israel, a statement from the presidency said.

UN special coordinator for Lebanon Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert called in a statement for "an immediate truce to stop the devastation".

State media reported Israeli air strikes on south Lebanon, as well as in parts of the adjacent West Bekaa area, cutting roads in the region after Israel's army issued an evacuation warning for several towns there.

The Lebanese army said one of its soldiers was killed in "a direct Israeli attack on an army checkpoint" in the south's Tyre region.

A military source told AFP the strike was the first direct targeting of an army checkpoint since the war began.

The army had previously announced the deaths of eight off-duty soldiers in southern and eastern Lebanon.



- 'Command centres' -



Also Monday, two strikes hit Beirut's southern suburbs, one targeting an apartment in the Bir Hassan district, according to an AFP photographer, who said Hezbollah gunmen then cordoned off the site.

A security source told AFP that three Hezbollah members were killed in the strike and three others wounded.

An eyewitness who declined to be identified said victims were evacuated following the strike, which came after an Israeli army warning for parts of Beirut's southern suburbs, where most residents have fled.

The building is located in a residential neighbourhood packed with shops and commercial establishments, several of which were damaged, the photographer said.

The Israeli military said a strike in Beirut killed the deputy commander of a unit "responsible for coordinating" between Hezbollah and "Palestinian terrorist organisations operating in Lebanon, Gaza, Syria" and the Israeli-occupied West Bank, along with two other operatives from the unit.

Other strikes in Beirut and south Lebanon targeted Hezbollah "command centres", the military said.

Hezbollah, meanwhile, claimed a series of attacks against Israeli targets in south Lebanon and across the border, including one targeting an intelligence base on the outskirts of Tel Aviv.

It said its fighters were engaged in "fierce clashes" with Israeli forces in south Lebanon's Ainata.

The Israeli military said a soldier was killed fighting in south Lebanon, bringing the number of Israeli soldiers killed there to six this month.
Iran defiant as Trump threatens to destroy oil island



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran fired new missiles early Tuesday as it vowed defiance against US President Donald Trump, who threatened to destroy the country's oil export hub of Kharg Island along with power and desalination plants unless Tehran quickly accepts a deal to end the war.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of his military aims had been achieved, but both leaders refused to put a timeline on an operation that has ignited a regional war and sent global oil prices soaring.

In Dubai, four people were injured in the early hours by falling debris of intercepted projectiles and a Kuwaiti oil tanker in the port caught fire, according to authorities in the financial hub whose reputation for stability has been shaken by over a month of war.

Saudi authorities said they intercepted eight ballistic missiles. Hours earlier, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi publicly called on Saudi Arabia to "eject US forces," saying Tehran otherwise respects the "brotherly" kingdom.

Refusing to back down, an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels in the Strait of Hormuz, the passageway through which one-fifth of global oil passes, and completely ban ships from the United States and Israel.

The strait had been open before the war, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently has spoken of building a "coalition" to oppose the Iranian tolling plan.

"No one in the world can accept it," Rubio told Al-Jazeera of the tolls.

"It sets an incredible precedent. So this means that nations can now take over international waterways and claim them as their own," Rubio said of the waterway the US president recently called the "Strait of Trump".

Trump said the United States was speaking to a "more reasonable regime" in Tehran, which has denied any talks and accused him of lying about negotiations as cover while readying a ground invasion.

Trump warned that if a deal were not struck -- including to reopen the Strait of Hormuz -- US forces would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)."

Destroying civilian infrastructure would be illegal under international humanitarian law and could constitute a war crime, experts say.



- Peacekeepers die in Lebanon -



Israel has also relentlessly pounded Lebanon, including central Beirut, as it seeks to deliver a heavy blow to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed force that had fired rockets in solidarity after Israeli forces killed Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

The UN mission in Lebanon said that two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed when "an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle," with two other peacekeepers wounded, one seriously. Another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday.

The Israeli military said early Tuesday that it had opened an investigation to determine if it or Hezbollah was responsible.

Before the latest war, Indonesia, the world's largest Muslim-majority country, had been preparing to send forces on a stabilization mission to ravaged Gaza following a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

France, a key player in Lebanon, condemned the deaths of the peacekeepers and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, which was subsequently scheduled for Tuesday at 14H00 GMT.

Economy ministers and central bankers from the G7 club of rich countries meanwhile met in Paris to discuss the war's consequences, with many countries introducing energy-saving measures or cutting fuel taxes to help consumers.

Market experts warned that any US ground operation or wider Iranian retaliation could send oil prices to levels not seen since the July 2008 commodity boom, when the cost of Brent crude, the international benchmark, hit close to $150 a barrel.

Brent has already risen nearly 60 percent this month, and the US benchmark WTI by more than half.

Adding pressure, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels over the weekend fired missiles and drones at Israel, posing a threat to shipping on the Red Sea in addition to the Gulf.



- Netanyahu claims success -



Netanyahu said Israel had achieved key objectives including by "wiping out" industrial plants in Iran and coming "close to finishing their arms industry."

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told US broadcaster Newsmax.

The war, and the spiraling price of oil, has been unpopular in the United States, where Rubio again said Monday that it would last "weeks" more and not months.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country is feeling the economic pinch and has been playing a key role mediating indirect talks, appealed directly to Trump to find an offramp.

"Please, help us to stop the war, you are capable of it," Sisi told a press conference.

Trump has claimed to be in direct contact with senior Iranian figures whom he has not identified publicly.

Rubio said there were "fractures" within the Islamic republic and voiced hope that the Iranian officials allegedly in contact with Washington had the "power to deliver."

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei again denied any negotiations, saying the United States had sent only a request to talk via intermediaries including Pakistan.

After weeks of strikes, residents of Tehran painted a picture of a city that is still clinging to some routine, with cafes and restaurants open and no shortages reported in supermarkets or petrol stations.

Security remains tight, with checkpoints erected on streets around the capital.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," said Fatemeh, 27, a dental assistant.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."

burs-sct/js
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:



- Tanker fire in Dubai -



An Iranian attack sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, state media reported Tuesday, adding there were no injuries.

"The Kuwaiti giant crude oil tanker was subjected to a direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area of Dubai Port in the UAE," official news agency KUNA reported, citing Kuwait's state-owned oil company.

Also in Dubai, falling debris from an air defence interception sparked a fire and wounded four people in the city, authorities said.



- Netanyahu: progress on war goals -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war on Iran had achieved more than half its aims, without putting a timeline on when it would end.

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told the conservative US broadcaster Newsmax.



- Two UN peacekeepers killed -



The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two personnel were killed on Monday in a blast in the country's south, after another peacekeeper was killed a day earlier.

Two other blue helmets were injured in the explosion, one severely, the force said, adding that it had opened an investigation.



- Drone attack targets US embassy in Baghdad -



One civilian was wounded in Iraq's capital Baghdad late Monday after shrapnel from an intercepted drone attack targeting the US embassy fell onto their neighbourhood, a police source said.

The attack follows a rocket strike the previous evening that targeted an Iraqi military base inside the Baghdad airport complex, which also houses a support centre for the US embassy.



- Iran panel approves Hormuz toll plan -



Iranian state media reported that a parliamentary commission had approved plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway vital to oil and gas shipments that has been effectively closed due to the Middle East war.

Citing a member of the parliament's security commission, state TV said the plan involved, among other things, "financial arrangements and rial toll systems" and "implementing the sovereign role of Iran", as well as cooperation with Oman on the other side of the strait.



- G7 ministers pledge action on energy -



G7 economy and finance ministers said they stood ready to take "all necessary measures" to ensure the stability of the energy market, roiled by the war.



- NATO intercepts Turkey-bound missile -



NATO forces intercepted a new missile fired from Iran towards Turkey, the fourth since the start of the Middle East war.

None of the four projectiles managed to hit Turkish soil, according to the authorities.



- Egypt's Sisi asks Trump to help stop war -



Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi urged his US counterpart Donald Trump to help end the war.

"I say to President Trump: no one will be able to stop the war in our region, in the Gulf... Please, help us to stop the war, you are capable of it," Sisi said in Cairo.



- US 'hopeful' in private Iran talks -



US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope for working with elements within Iran's government, saying the United States privately had received positive messages.

Rubio said that there were internal "fractures" inside the Islamic republic and that the United States hoped figures with "power to deliver" take charge.



- Israel strikes Iran university -



Israel's military said it had struck the Imam Hossein University in Tehran run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, claiming the institution was used for advanced weapons research.



- Trump threatens Iran oil hub -



Trump threatened to destroy Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells and power plants if it does not agree soon to a deal to end the war.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social network that while the United States was in "serious discussions" with "a more reasonable regime" in Tehran, if an agreement was not forthcoming Washington would set about "completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)"

burs-mlm/des/js
Iranian attack sparks fire on Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port: state media



Kuwait City, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



An Iranian attack sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, state media reported on Tuesday, as Tehran continues its campaign in the Gulf in response to US-Israeli strikes.

"The Kuwaiti giant crude oil tanker was subjected to a direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area of Dubai Port in the UAE," official news agency KUNA reported, citing Kuwait's state-owned oil company.

There were no injuries, according to the report, and Dubai authorities later said firefighters had extinguished the blaze.

KUNA reported the tanker was fully laden at the time of the attack, which had caused "material damage to the ship's hull" and "the possibility of an oil spill in the surrounding waters."

Kuwait's military also said on Tuesday its air defences were responding to "hostile missile and drone attacks", according to an X post.

The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war late last month.

Tehran has threatened to target vital infrastructure across the Gulf, including energy sites.
Indonesia trims meals programme: what next?



Jakarta, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Indonesia will make cuts to its free school meals programme from Tuesday as it seeks to set aside billions of dollars to counteract budget pressures brought on by the Middle East war and soaring oil prices.

The programme, which feeds an estimated 60 million children and pregnant and breastfeeding women at a cost of nearly a tenth of the annual budget, is President Prabowo Subianto's signature project.

Here's what we know:



- What is being cut? -



At a cabinet meeting over the weekend, ministers and Prabowo decided to trim the programme from six days per week to five in primary and secondary schools starting Tuesday.

In regions with high malnutrition rates, meals will remain available on Saturdays, when many Indonesian schools are open in Southeast Asia's biggest economy.

The move will save "around 40 trillion rupiah ($2.3 billion)," Nanik Sudaryati Deyang, deputy head of the government's National Nutrition Agency, told AFP on Sunday.

The cut may be reviewed if conditions change.

Launched in January 2025, the initiative was touted by the government as a way to tackle a malnutrition and stunting crisis in the country of 284 million people.

The program has a target of ultimately feeding 83 million people, but it has come under the spotlight after thousands of recipients contracted food poisoning.



- A harbinger of more to come? -



The Indonesian government is also weighing options for curbing fuel consumption as the war in the Middle East has disrupted global energy supply.

The country produces crude but is a net importer of the commodity. It heavily subsidises fuel and natural gas for domestic consumers.

The government has so far defended the subsidy, which at $12.3 billion represents about five percent of the total annual budget for 2026.

Observers say the government's hand may be forced given that Indonesia is required by law to keep its fiscal deficit under three percent of gross domestic product.

The 2026 fuel subsidy calculation was premised on a global oil price of $70 per barrel, but prices have since topped $100.

Firman Noor, a political researcher with the government-funded National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), told AFP the cut to the meal programme "indicates that the pressure on our financial strength stemming from the war is already beginning to be felt".

"This is a warning that we must get prepared like other countries. And just be frank, we need an adjustment because we never know when the war will end, which will surely drive oil prices higher."

Previous subsidy cuts have led to mass riots.



- Is it enough? -



Earlier this month, presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi said the government was seeking to set aside as much as 80 trillion rupiah to shield its economy from the Middle East fallout, without disclosing further details.

Measures under consideration include ordering government workers to work from home one day per week, cutting back on official travel and encouraging bicycle, electronic car and public transport use to preserve valuable fuel.

Analysts said savings from trimming the free meals programme were not nearly enough if the government intends to meet its fiscal deficit limit.

"Without changes in big budget (programmes), I don't see steps taken by the government, such as cutting back on free meals from six to five days or one day work-from-home per week, as adequate to tackle" the widening deficit, said Deni Friawan, a researcher of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
Israel military reports Iranian missile attack



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Israel's military said its air defences were responding to Iranian missiles on Tuesday as sirens rang out in Jerusalem.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.

Sirens sounded and at least ten blasts were heard over Jerusalem, an AFP journalist said.

After announcing that air defences were intercepting incoming missiles, a military statement said it was safe "to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country".

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB also reported that Iran had fired a missile towards Israel.
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:

- Four Israeli soldiers killed in south Lebanon -



The Israeli military said Tuesday that four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are clashing with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A military statement named three soldiers from the same battalion who "fell during combat", and a separate statement said another soldier whose name had not yet been cleared for publication had died in the same incident.

Another soldier was severely wounded and a reservist moderately wounded, according to the second statement.



- Israel military says responds to Iranian missiles -



Israel's military said its air defences responded to Iranian missiles on Tuesday as sirens rang out.

At least 10 blasts were heard over Jerusalem, an AFP journalist said.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.



- Local media: Explosions heard in Tehran -



Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported on Tuesday.

"Power outages in parts of Tehran after multiple explosions heard," Fars news agency reported.

Tasnim news agency reported that power has now been restored in the affected areas.



- PMF: US-Israeli air strikes target Iraqi bases -



Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said US-Israeli forces carried out air strikes on two of their bases in the Babil and Anbar provinces.

"The 45th Brigade in the Jurf al-Nasr sector of Babil Governorate was targeted with three airstrikes, while another strike targeted the 31st Brigade in the Karma sector, east of Anbar Governorate," it said on its website.

No casualties were reported.



- Tanker fire in Dubai -



An Iranian attack sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, state media reported Tuesday, adding there were no injuries.

"The Kuwaiti giant crude oil tanker was subjected to a direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area of Dubai Port in the UAE," official news agency KUNA reported, citing Kuwait's state-owned oil company.

Also in Dubai, falling debris from an air defence interception sparked a fire and wounded four people in the city, authorities said.



- Netanyahu: progress on war goals -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war on Iran had achieved more than half its aims, without putting a timeline on when it would end.

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told the conservative US broadcaster Newsmax.



- Two UN peacekeepers killed -



The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two personnel were killed on Monday in a blast in the country's south, after another peacekeeper was killed a day earlier.

Two other blue helmets were injured in the explosion, one severely, the force said, adding that it had opened an investigation.



- Drone attack targets US embassy in Baghdad -



One civilian was wounded in Iraq's capital Baghdad late Monday after shrapnel from an intercepted drone attack targeting the US embassy fell onto their neighbourhood, a police source said.



- Iran panel approves Hormuz toll plan -



Iranian state media reported that a parliamentary commission had approved plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway vital to oil and gas shipments that has been effectively closed due to the Middle East war.

Citing a member of the parliament's security commission, state TV said the plan involved, among other things, "financial arrangements and rial toll systems" and "implementing the sovereign role of Iran", as well as cooperation with Oman on the other side of the strait.



- G7 ministers pledge action on energy -



G7 economy and finance ministers said they stood ready to take "all necessary measures" to ensure the stability of the energy market, roiled by the war.



- NATO intercepts Turkey-bound missile -



NATO forces intercepted a new missile fired from Iran towards Turkey, the fourth since the start of the Middle East war.

None of the four projectiles managed to hit Turkish soil, according to the authorities.



- US 'hopeful' in private Iran talks -



US Secretary of State Marco Rubio voiced hope for working with elements within Iran's government, saying the United States privately had received positive messages.

Rubio said that there were internal "fractures" inside the Islamic republic and that the United States hoped figures with "power to deliver" take charge.



- Israel strikes Iran university -



Israel's military said it had struck the Imam Hossein University in Tehran run by Iran's Revolutionary Guards, claiming the institution was used for advanced weapons research.



- Trump threatens Iran oil hub -



Trump threatened to destroy Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells and power plants if it does not agree soon to a deal to end the war.

Trump wrote on his Truth Social network that while the United States was in "serious discussions" with "a more reasonable regime" in Tehran, if an agreement was not forthcoming Washington would set about "completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)"

burs-mlm/ane/fox
Iran fires missiles across Middle East as Trump threatens oil hub



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran fired missiles across the Middle East on Tuesday as its capital was hit by fresh explosions, after US President Donald Trump threatened the country's key oil export hub, power stations and desalination plants.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of his military aims had been achieved, but both leaders refused to put a timeline on an operation that has ignited a month-long regional war and jolted global markets.

As sirens rang out in Jerusalem, Israel's military said it had responded to fresh Iranian missiles, while local Iranian media reported new explosions in Tehran that caused "power outages in parts" of the capital.

Israel's military also reported Tuesday that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spilled and where they are clashing with Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Before the latest strikes on Tehran, Israel issued a warning on X to residents of an area in the west of the city saying it would "attack military infrastructure" there.

Iran, meanwhile, fired a new salvo of missiles at Gulf nations it accuses of serving as a launchpad for US strikes.

In Dubai, four people were wounded by falling debris from intercepted projectiles while an Iranian attack sparked a fire at a Kuwaiti oil tanker in the city's port, said authorities in the financial hub whose reputation for stability has been shaken by the conflict.

In Saudi Arabia, authorities said they intercepted eight ballistic missiles, hours after Iran's top diplomat called on Riyadh to "eject US forces".

Trump warned Monday that if Iran did not strike a war-ending deal -- which included reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- US forces would destroy "all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!)."

But the Wall Street Journal reported he also told aides he was willing to end the war even if the strait remains largely closed --likely strengthening Tehran's control on the waterway.

Refusing to back down, an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels in the strait, the passageway through which one-fifth of global oil passes, and completely ban ships from the United States and Israel.

The strait had been open before the war, but Secretary of State Marco Rubio has recently spoken of building a "coalition" to oppose the Iranian tolling plan.

"It sets an incredible precedent," Rubio told Al-Jazeera of the tolls.

"So this means that nations can now take over international waterways and claim them as their own," Rubio said of the waterway the US president recently called the "Strait of Trump".



- War 'beyond halfway point' -



Trump said the United States was speaking to a "more reasonable regime" in Tehran, which has denied any talks and accused him of lying about negotiations as cover while readying a ground invasion.

For Israel's part, Netanyahu said his military had achieved key objectives including "wiping out" industrial plants in Iran and coming "close to finishing their arms industry".

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told US broadcaster Newsmax.

The war, and the spiraling price of oil, has been unpopular in the United States, where Rubio again said Monday that it would last "weeks" more and not months.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, whose country is feeling the economic pinch of the war, appealed directly to Trump to find an offramp.

"Please, help us to stop the war; you are capable of it," Sisi told a press conference.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, whose country is acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, was set to travel to Beijing for talks Tuesday on "global issues of mutual interest" with counterpart Wang Yi.

Dar hosted foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey in the Pakistani capital on Sunday, saying Islamabad was ready to host talks between the United States and Iran in the "coming days".

Trump has claimed to be in direct contact with senior Iranian figures whom he has not identified publicly.

But Iranian foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei again denied any negotiations, saying the United States had sent only a request to talk via intermediaries, including Pakistan.

After weeks of strikes, residents of Tehran painted a picture of a city that is still clinging to some routine despite tight security.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," said Fatemeh, 27, a dental assistant.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."



- Lebanon pounded -



On another front, Israel has relentlessly pounded Lebanon, including central Beirut, as it seeks to deliver a heavy blow to Iranian ally Hezbollah, which fired rockets in response to the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei.

The UN mission in Lebanon said that two Indonesian peacekeepers were killed when "an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle", with two other peacekeepers wounded, one seriously. Another Indonesian peacekeeper was killed on Sunday.

The Israeli military said early Tuesday that it had opened an investigation to determine if it or Hezbollah was responsible.

France, a key player in Lebanon, called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting, which was subsequently scheduled for Tuesday at 1400 GMT.

Economy ministers and central bankers from the G7 club of rich countries, meanwhile, met in Paris to discuss the war's consequences, with many countries introducing energy-saving measures.

Market experts warned that any US ground operation or wider Iranian retaliation could send oil prices to levels not seen since the 2008 commodity boom.

Adding pressure, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels over the weekend fired missiles and drones at Israel, posing a threat to shipping on the Red Sea in addition to the Gulf.

burs-jfx/fox
Indonesia urges UNSC meeting after peacekeepers killed



Jakarta, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Indonesia urged warring parties in the Middle East "to respect international humanitarian law" after three of its peacekeepers were killed in Lebanon, and called for an urgent UN Security Council meeting.

"The safety of peacekeeping troops must be the top priority. All parties to the conflict are urged to respect international humanitarian law and ensure the security of peacekeeping personnel," defence ministry spokesman Rico Ricardo Sirait said in a statement.

The UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) said two of its personnel were killed Monday in an explosion and another died late Sunday when a projectile hit their position.

The UN force said it launched an investigation into the separate incidents.

Condemning the "heinous" attacks, Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono said on Tuesday that he had discussed the deaths with UN chief Antonio Guterres, and asked for an emergency UN Security meeting as well as "a swift, thorough and transparent investigation".

"The safety and security of UN peacekeepers is non-negotiable and must be upheld at all times," said Sugiono, who like many Indonesians goes by only one name.

Jean-Pierre Lacroix, UN under-secretary-general for peace operations, condemned "these unacceptable incidents and said "all acts that endanger the peacekeepers must stop".

Permanent Security Council member France has said it was seeking a meeting of the body over the matter.
What the Mideast war means for China's ties with Iran



Beijing, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



The repercussions of the over month-long war in the Middle East have reached China, with petrol and plastic prices up and its diplomats pushing for peace.

Here's what the world's second-largest economy is weighing up in its relationship with Iran and the Middle East:



- How close are China and Iran's economies? -

While China and Iran are sometimes considered part of a broader anti-Western group -- alongside Russia and North Korea -- their relationship is transactional.

"China is interested in Iran primarily as a source of discounted oil," according to William Figueroa, a China-Iran expert at the University of Groningen.

The heavily sanctioned state relies on Chinese oil purchases to fill its coffers.

Beijing bought more than 80 percent of Iranian oil exports last year, a vital source of revenue for Tehran, according to analytics firm Kpler, but that oil only accounted for 13 percent of China's seaborne crude imports.

China is far from reliant on Tehran, whose oil-rich neighbours in the Gulf "are generally seen as offering everything Iran has in a much more stable, US-friendly environment", Figueroa said.

Despite a 2021 agreement for $400 billion of Chinese investment in Iran over 25 years, little of that has materialised.

Meanwhile, Chinese trade with Iran was worth $9.96 billion last year, compared to $108 billion each with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, and $51 billion with Iraq.



- Is China providing military support to Tehran? -

This economic asymmetry explains Beijing's muted response to the US and Israeli military action and reticence to provide direct military support to the Iranian regime.

While China condemned the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Khamenei, it has also criticised Iran's attacks on the Gulf.

"Beijing has stopped short of overt military involvement, emphasising restraint and diplomacy," said John Calabrese, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington.

Iran may, however, be using China's BeiDou satellite navigation system for drone and missile strikes, former French intelligence director Alain Juillet told the independent Tocsin podcast, as its targeting has grown increasingly accurate since its 12-day war with Israel last year.

China has previously supplied Iran with drones, dual-use chemicals, and has "likely shared intelligence", Figueroa said.

US officials have also accused China's state-owned semiconductor manufacturer SMIC of selling chipmaking equipment to the Iranian military.

But Beijing and Tehran have no formal military pact, and China's leaders are unwilling to be dragged into a Middle East quagmire.

They have also resisted calls from US President Donald Trump for help reopening the Strait of Hormuz.



- What diplomatic leverage does China have? -

"China's priorities are stability and continuity: keep energy flows open, protect commercial ties, and position itself for post-war influence," Calabrese said.

This means pushing for an end to the conflict as soon as possible.

Foreign Minister Wang Yi has held calls with major regional players, and special envoy Zhai Jun has toured the region urging a ceasefire.

But China's influence is limited.

Beijing has ended up in an "awkward diplomatic position" of not directly condemning Iran, but criticising violations of sovereignty against Gulf countries, said Andrea Ghiselli, international politics lecturer at the University of Exeter and head of research at the ChinaMed project.

"China hopes that the war will quickly wind down on its own, possibly with an American defeat. Yet, its capability and willingness to shape the situation in that direction should not be overstated," Ghiselli told AFP.

Beijing wants Iran to stop targeting its partners in the region, but has so far failed to prevent it.

In 2023, China seemed to signal its growing clout in the region by brokering the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Iran and Saudi Arabia.

This month, however, it has been unable to stop Iran slamming drones into Saudi oil infrastructure.



- What are the opportunities and risks for Beijing? -

While it may suit China to have the US military bogged down, the war poses major risks.

"Diplomatically, the war is a major gift to China's foreign ministry, which simply has to sit back and allow the US to damage its own prestige and global reputation," said Figueroa.

But high oil prices and the devastation of regional economies represents a threat to China's own development.

"Its greatest vulnerability is the impact this will have on China's export markets," said Henry Tugendhat, a China expert at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

The blowback from the war will likely damage for major buyers of Chinese products in, for example, Europe "at a time when China's economy remains desperately dependent on overseas demand to sustain its domestic economic growth targets", he said.

Ultimately, Beijing sees Tehran as a useful partner and a thorn in the side of the United States, but it does not want a nuclear-armed Iran or further instability.

"It prefers a familiar regime in Tehran but is pragmatic enough to adapt to political change, as it has in many other cases, like in Iran after the Shah," Calabrese said.
Nazrin Abdul



Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Kyiv is prepared to explore multiple ceasefire options, provided Russia stops targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure.

If Russia is ready not to strike Ukraines energy infrastructure, we will not retaliate to theirs, Zelensky wrote on X, emphasizing that Ukraine is responding.

As reported by AzerNEWS, he added that Kyiv remains open to a full ceasefire, an energy ceasefire, or a food security ceasefire, and urged Moscow to propose a concrete timeframe.

Zelensky also addressed rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the issue is being handled by the United States while Ukraine stands ready to support its partners. He highlighted that Kyiv has shared its expertise in securing maritime routes and protecting critical infrastructure.
Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/2026/03/31

The Supreme Court session scheduled for April 3, where a ruling is expected on the lawsuit filed by MP and European Solidarity party leader Petro Poroshenko regarding sanctions imposed against him, may not take place due to deliberate delays in the judicial process, the politician's lawyers believe.

"Unfortunately, regarding the session scheduled for April 3, we are not convinced it will happen. Observing our opponents' tactics, we are certain something will occur. We dont know what yetsomeone will fall ill, there will be an air raid siren, or the power will go out. I would like to be wrong, but we are not in a position to simply hope for the best. We are appealing publicly for the session to proceed on April 3," stated Poroshenkos lawyer, Ihor Holovan.

He believes that representatives of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who enacted the sanctions 14 years ago, "understand their position is losing and that the imposition of sanctions was illegal, so their only option is to drag out the process."

The politician's defense warned against pressuring the court in this regard.

"We fear there may be actual pressure on the judges. The situation is not just about delaying the process to avoid losing; actual pressure may be occurring. A key indicator for us will be whether the proceedings are moved again from the main hallwhich accommodates observers, press, and diplomatsto a small room that cannot physically hold everyone. If we hear again that 'valid' reasons exist for an adjournment or postponement, society and the media will view such claims critically," emphasized lawyer Ilya Novikov.

He also reported that the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has accepted Poroshenko's lawsuit for consideration. "This means the case as a whole is already under review by the ECHR, implying increased attention to our situation," the lawyer stressed.

As reported, on February 13, 2025, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree on the NSDC decision of February 12 "On the Application of Personal Special Economic and Other Restrictive Measures (Sanctions)." According to the annex, sanctions were imposed against five individuals: Poroshenko, Ihor Kolomoisky, former owner of Finance and Credit Bank Kostiantyn Zhevaho, former PrivatBank co-owner Hennadiy Boholiubov, and former MP Viktor Medvedchuk.

Poroshenko challenged the sanctions in the Supreme Court. On April 17, the court began considering the lawsuit in the presence of Ukrainian MPs, as well as diplomats from the EU mission and representatives from the embassies of Germany, Poland, Austria, Sweden, Lithuania, and Denmark. Poroshenko's representatives emphasize that the sanctions were imposed illegally on a Ukrainian citizen residing in the country, noting that only Russia considers him a "terrorist." Therefore, they argue there are no legal grounds for the sanctions.
Dalai Lama warns 'violence begets violence', urges peace in Mideast



New Delhi, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Buddhist spiritual leader the Dalai Lama warned Tuesday that violence only results in more conflict, urging peace as conflict rages in the Middle East and Ukraine.

"History has shown us time and again that violence only begets more violence and is never a lasting foundation for peace," he wrote in a letter on Tuesday.

"An enduring resolution to conflict, including the ones we see in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, must be rooted in dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect -- approached with the understanding that, at the deepest level, we are all brothers and sisters," the Nobel Peace Prize laureate added.

"I urge for and pray that the violence and conflicts may soon come to an end."

The charismatic 90-year-old, who lives in exile in India, said he backed the message of peace that Pope Leo XIV gave during his Palm Sunday address.

"His call for the laying down of arms and the renunciation of violence resonated profoundly with me, as it speaks to the very essence of what all major religions teach," the Dalai Lama added.

"Whether we look to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or any of the world's great spiritual traditions, the message is fundamentally the same: love, compassion, tolerance, and self-discipline," he said.

"Violence finds no true home in any of these teachings."
China says will boost cooperation with Pakistan on Iran issue



Beijing, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



China and Pakistan will "strengthen" their cooperation on Iran, Beijing's foreign ministry said Tuesday, as senior Islamabad officials visited the Chinese capital.

The Asian neighbours have both sought to mediate in the Middle East to prevent the conflict from escalating, with Islamabad saying it was ready to host "meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, who is also deputy prime minister, is visiting Beijing where he will meet with top Chinese diplomat Wang Yi for talks on international and bilateral issues.

"The two foreign ministers will strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and... make new efforts toward advocating for peace," Beijing's foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a press conference, calling China and Pakistan "all-weather" strategic partners.

Dar's visit comes after he hosted his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey on Sunday for talks about trying to end the war in the Middle East, which was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Concerns are running high about the impact of the fighting, including the choking of maritime traffic through the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

China is a key partner of Iran but has not announced military assistance to Tehran, instead repeatedly calling for a ceasefire.

Tehran has refused to admit to holding official talks with Washington but has passed a response to Trump's 15-point plan to end the war via Islamabad, according to an anonymous source cited by the Iranian Tasnim news agency.

Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region, but Beijing has called for "calm and restraint" in Islamabad's own conflict with Afghanistan.

A Chinese special envoy spent a week mediating between the two countries, Beijing's foreign ministry said this month.
US-Israeli strikes damage religious site in Iran's northwest: state media



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



US-Israeli strikes on Tuesday damaged a Shia Muslim mosque and religious site in northwest Iran, state media reported, adding to a growing list of cultural institutions and sites affected by the war.

State television said the building of the Grand Husseiniya, a hall for Shia gatherings and mourning ceremonies, "was damaged following the enemy's morning attack on the Ferdowsi street" in the city of Zanjan.

It added that "parts of the dome and minarets were damaged."

According to the UN, at least four of Iran's 29 UNESCO-listed sites have been damaged in the war.

These include the Golestan Palace in Tehran, the Chehel Sotoun Palace in Isfahan, the Masjed-e Jame mosque in the same city, and the prehistoric sites of the Khorramabad Valley.

The head of Tehran city council's heritage committee, Ahmad Alavi, said last week that airstrikes had damaged at least 120 culturally or historically significant sites across the country since the start of the war.

He named Tehran's Marble Palace, Teymourtash house and the Saadabad Palace complex, one of the most-visited tourist sites of the capital.

Zanjan is an industrial provincial capital located around 300 kilometres (200 miles) northwest of Tehran.
Sweden invests $40 mn in space rocket launch site



Stockholm, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Sweden said on Tuesday it was investing 386 million kronor ($40 million) to boost the country's satellite launch capabilities, citing deteriorating security.

The investment would strengthen the launch capabilities of the Esrange Space Centre outside the city of Kiruna, north of the Arctic Circle.

Defence Minister Pal Jonson told a press conference "deteriorating security" meant more organisations "have a need for satellite-based capabilities."

"Esrange therefore constitutes an important strategic asset for the European Union and NATO -- not least in light of the increasing strategic importance of the Baltic Sea region and the Arctic's increasingly strategic importance," Jonson told reporters.

Jonson also noted that tensions between NATO and Russia had moved north.

"Sweden therefore has great potential to develop as a central space actor in the Baltic Sea region and in the Arctic by providing space capabilities and space services," he said.

The Nordic country dropped two centuries of military non-alignment and joined NATO in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Massive US-Israeli strikes hit Iran after Trump threat



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



US and Israeli strikes hit military facilities in central Iran, damaged a major religious site in the northwest and provoked power cuts Tuesday, after President Donald Trump threatened to blow up the country's oil and energy plants.

Video footage verified by AFP showed at least two massive explosions and columns of smoke in Isfahan, central Iran. State media reported the Grand Husseiniya, a Shia religious centre, was damaged in Zanjan in the northwest.

Iran's Fars news agency reported explosions and power outages in parts of Tehran, where residents painted a picture of a city that is still clinging to some routine despite tight security.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," said Fatemeh, a 27-year-old dental assistant. "And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."

Oil prices were again climbing steadily as markets weighed Trump's confidence that Tehran would soon buckle to military pressure and accept a deal against fears that a possible US ground operation in the Gulf would further escalate the conflict.

Explosions were heard in Dubai and near Erbil airport in northern Iraq, and sirens sounded in Jerusalem and two people were wounded when air defence intervened to intercept a drone near the Saudi Arabian capital Riyadh, civil defence said.

Israeli emergency services said eight people received minor injuries from falling munitions fragments in Bnei Brak, near Tel Aviv. At least 10 blasts were heard in the Jerusalem area after missile launches from Iran were detected.



- 'Direct and malicious' -



Kuwait's state oil company reported that one of its giant crude old tankers was on fire in Dubair Port after a "direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area".

Such attacks on oil tankers and export facilities have world markets jumpy, and all eyes were on the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow maritime channel out of the Gulf that Iran has effectively closed to all vessels except those it approves as not hailing from "hostile countries".

Two Chinese container ships were able to pass the strait, and Beijing expressed gratitude to "the relevant parties", a foreign ministry spokeswoman told reporters.

World oil prices have surged overall since the US and Israel launched the war more than a month ago with strikes on Tehran that killed supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, but fall back every time Trump promises a rapid conclusion to the conflict, leaving markets jittery.

"The fog of war continues," investment adviser Christopher Dembik of Pictet Asset Management said.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Trump's partner in attacking Iran, said more than half of the operation's military aims had been achieved, but both leaders have refused to put a timeline on the war.

Israel's military also reported Tuesday that four more of its soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where the war has spread and where they are battling Iranian-backed Hezbollah.

Trump warned Monday that if Iran did not strike a war-ending deal -- which included reopening the vital Strait of Hormuz shipping lane -- US forces would destroy all of Tehran's oil wells, its main Kharg Island export terminal, power systems and possibly desalination plants.

But the Wall Street Journal reported he also told aides he was willing to end the war even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed -- likely strengthening Tehran's control on the waterway.

Refusing to back down, an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels in the strait, the passageway through which one-fifth of global oil passes, and completely ban ships from the United States and Israel.



- Ready for talks? -



Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, whose country is acting as an intermediary between Tehran and Washington, was to travel to Beijing for talks Tuesday on "global issues of mutual interest" with counterpart Wang Yi.

Dar hosted foreign ministers from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey in the Pakistani capital on Sunday, saying Islamabad was ready to host talks between the United States and Iran in the "coming days".

Trump has claimed to be in direct contact with senior Iranian figures, but has not identified the publicly and the Iranian foreign ministry said that Washington had sent only a request to talk via intermediaries, including Pakistan.

burs/dc/ser
Russian naval ships dock in Jakarta for joint exercises



Jakarta, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A Russian naval unit including a submarine was docked in Jakarta Tuesday, officials said, for joint training with Indonesia, which is walking a diplomatic tightrope in an increasingly multipolar world.

The vessels included the corvette Gromkiy, the submarine Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and the ocean tug Andrey Stepanov, according to the Russian embassy in Jakarta.

The ships arrived Sunday at Jakarta's Tanjung Priok port, welcomed with a ceremony where the nations "emphasised the close and long-standing cooperative relationship in the naval sector", said an embassy statement posted on X with photos of the vessels.

It also underscored a joint "commitment to continue strengthening interactions to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region".

Over the coming days, the vessels will do "joint training in manoeuvres and communications".

Jakarta, while defending its non-aligned diplomatic posture, last year joined the BRICS bloc of emerging economies that includes Russia and US foe China.

But President Prabowo Subianto has also signed a trade deal with US President Donald Trump and joined his so-called "Board of Peace", offering thousands of peacekeepers for Gaza but refusing to pay the $1 billion fee for permanent membership.

Earlier this month, Prabowo said Indonesia could withdraw from agreements with Washington or any other partner if its own national interests were threatened.

Pieter Pandie, a researcher at the international relations department of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, an Indonesian think tank, told AFP the Russian visit was mainly symbolic.

"For Russia, it shows that there are still countries willing to engage with it despite the ongoing war in Ukraine and sanctions from the West," he said.

"For Indonesia, the motive is less clear outside of simply wanting to engage with all partners under Prabowo's so-called 'Good Neighbour Policy'."

mlr/mtp
Strikes in central Iran hit 'military sites': Iranian media



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iranian media reported Tuesday that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some "military sites", without specifying the locations.

"Initial investigations indicate that some military locations in Isfahan were targeted," the Fars news agency quoted Akbar Salehi, a security official at the governor's office in Isfahan province, as saying.

The official also said the extent of the damage and any casualties were not immediately clear.

Isfahan province is a key hub for Iran's defence industry and hosts major nuclear facilities, including Natanz.

The nuclear sites were targeted during a 12-day conflict with Israel last June, as well as in the current war that began on February 28, according to Iranian officials.

The province is home to several major military bases, including the Badr airbase, the 8th Shekari airbase, and the 4th Air Force base.

Strikes during the conflict have also hit civilian and historical infrastructure, including the Isfahan University of Technology.

Several heritage sites listed by UNESCO have been reported damaged in Isfahan's Naqsh-e Jahan Square, including the Safavid-era Abbasi Jameh Mosque and Ali Qapu Palace.

On Tuesday, Hassan Fartousi, secretary-general of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, said in a press conference that damage in the province was "huge".

Industrial facilities were also affected, with strikes hitting the Mobarakeh Steel Company complex.
France's Macron arrives in Japan for talks dominated by Mideast war



Tokyo, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Japan on Tuesday for a visit that initially aimed to strengthen partnerships in nuclear energy and space innovation but will now be dominated by the Middle East war.

Macron landed shortly before 5:30 pm (0830 GMT) in rainy and windy Tokyo, ahead of an expected evening meeting with several cultural figures including a renowned kimono painter.

He will then hold talks with Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Wednesday, and "the crisis in the Middle East will be at the heart of discussions", the Elysee said ahead of his Asia trip, which will also include a visit to South Korea.

The two leaders will discuss "how we can try to find common solutions", it added.

Japan depends on the Middle East for 95 percent of its oil imports and has had to dip into strategic stockpiles to temper the impact of rising fuel prices since the start of the war.

Iran has virtually closed the vital Strait of Hormuz -- through which a fifth of global crude and gas flows -- since the United States and Israel began striking the country on February 28.

Economy and finance ministers of G7 countries, which include France and Japan, said on Monday they stood ready to take "all necessary measures" to ensure the stability of the energy market as they tackled the economic consequences of the war.

Wednesday will be Macron's "first full-fledged meeting" with Takaichi, according to a Japanese foreign ministry official, though the two met on the sidelines of the G20 summit in November.

Among expectations for the talks was "continued communication" with a view towards the "calming down of the situation in Iran", the official said.

The two countries are also expected to discuss security and partnerships in the space sector, and intend to sign a roadmap on nuclear power in Japan, the Elysee said.

Macron's visit, his fourth to the country, comes as China-Japan ties worsen following Takaichi's suggestion in November that Tokyo might intervene militarily in any Chinese attempt to take Taiwan.

Macron visited China in December.

He and his wife Brigitte are due to have lunch with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako on Thursday but a hoped-for viewing of Japan's famous cherry trees in full bloom could be spoiled by rain forecast for the next three days in the Japanese capital.

He will be in Japan until April 2, and he will then visit South Korea at the invitation of President Lee Jae Myung.

"Macron will be the first European leader to make a state visit to South Korea since the launch of (our) new administration," the South Korean presidential office said earlier this month.

kh-fff-aph/mtp
War in the Middle East: latest developments



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Here are the latest developments in the Middle East war:







- Hormuz plant hit -

Strikes have hit a desalination plant on Iran's Qeshm island in the strategic Strait of Hormuz, putting it out of service, Iranian media reported.

It was not immediately clear when the attack took place.



- Dubai injured -

Four people were injured by debris from an interception that fell on residential houses in southern Dubai.

Earlier, AFP journalists reported hearing explosions after UAE authorities warned of missile and drone attacks.



- Israel injured -

Israel's emergency services said that eight people with minor injuries were evacuated to hospitals in the Tel Aviv area, where police reported falling munitions fragments after an alert for incoming Iranian missiles.



- Saudi injured -

A drone interception left two people injured in Al-Kharj province, a Saudi region southeast of the capital Riyadh that houses the Prince Sultan air base, the country's civil defence said.



- Iraq blast -

An explosion was heard Tuesday morning near the international airport of Erbil, a city in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region, an AFP journalist said.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisers attached to a US-led international anti-jihadist coalition.



- China-Pakistan cooperation -

China and Pakistan will "strengthen" their cooperation on Iran, Beijing's foreign ministry said Tuesday, as top Islamabad officials visited the Chinese capital.



- Religious site hit -

US-Israeli strikes caused damage to a Shia Muslim religious site in Iran's northwest, state media reported.

"Parts of the dome and minarets were damaged" of the Grand Husseinya, a hall for Shia gatherings and mourning ceremonies, state television reported.



- Ships through Hormuz -

Two container vessels belonging to the Chinese shipping giant Cosco have successfully passed through the Strait of Hormuz as they have exited the Gulf, ship tracking data showed.

"Following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz; we express our gratitude to the relevant parties for the assistance provided," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a regular press conference.



- Iran 'military sites' hit -

Iranian media reported that initial investigations indicated strikes in central Iran had hit some "military sites", without specifying the locations.



- Iran executions -

Iran executed two men convicted of membership in a banned opposition group and plotting to overthrow the Islamic republic, the judiciary said, a day after two others were hanged on similar charges.



- Israeli soldiers killed -

The Israeli military said that four soldiers had been killed in combat in southern Lebanon, where its forces are clashing with Iran-backed Hezbollah.

A military statement named three soldiers from the same battalion who "fell during combat", and a separate statement said another soldier whose name had not yet been cleared for publication had died in the same incident.



- Strikes on Israel -

Israel's military said its air defences responded to Iranian missiles on Tuesday as sirens rang out.

At least 10 blasts were heard over Jerusalem, an AFP journalist said.

"A short while ago, the IDF identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel," the Israeli military posted on Telegram.



- Blasts in Tehran -



Explosions were heard in Tehran and power cuts hit some parts of the capital, Iranian media reported.

The Tasnim news agency later reported that power had been restored in the affected areas.



- Iraqi bases struck -



Iraq's Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) said US-Israeli forces carried out air strikes on two of their bases in the Babil and Anbar provinces, with no casualties reported

"The 45th Brigade in the Jurf al-Nasr sector of Babil Governorate was targeted with three airstrikes, while another strike targeted the 31st Brigade in the Karma sector, east of Anbar Governorate," it said on its website.



- Dubai tanker fire -

An Iranian attack sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, state media reported, adding there were no injuries.

Also in Dubai, falling debris from an air defence interception sparked a fire and wounded four people in the city, authorities said.



- 'Beyond the halfway point' -



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the war on Iran had achieved more than half its aims, without putting a timeline on when it would end.

"It's definitely beyond the halfway point. But I don't want to put a schedule on it," Netanyahu told the conservative US broadcaster Newsmax.



burs/yad/db
Asia to suffer most from Iran war energy crisis: Kpler to AFP



Singapore, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Asia faces the gravest fallout from the war on Iran and is confronting a major energy crisis, a global maritime analytics firm warned in an interview with AFP on Tuesday.

"We think Asia will, for now, be the ones suffering the most," Kpler president Jean Maynier told AFP at the company's offices in Singapore.

He said the continent did not have enough energy resources of its own to cover the gap, adding: "It will not be enough in China, it will not be enough to cover in big countries like the Philippines or Indonesia. So it's a real energy crisis."

Maynier said the impact of Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz was already visible in countries like the Philippines, where the government has declared a national energy emergency.

"It's really bad for Asia and we are not optimistic if the event continues," said Maynier.

"We hope at some point that politicians will find a solution."

Brussels-based Kpler, which was founded in 2014 and owns the MarineTraffic website, is considered one of the foremost data analytics and ship-tracking agencies in the world.

It has been keeping a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz since the United States and Israel's February 28 attack on Iran.

Seventeen commodities vessels crossed the the strait over the weekend, 12 of them on Saturday, making it one of the busiest days for crossings since March 1, according to Kpler.

As of 1700 GMT on Monday, commodities vessels had made just 196 crossings of the waterway this month, a huge decrease from before the war.

Of those, 120 were by oil tankers and gas carriers and most were travelling east out of the strait.
More than 87,500 Ukrainian service members have undergone training within the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine (EUMAM Ukraine) since 2022, the press service of the General Staff of the AFU reported.

"Since 2022, over 87,500 Ukrainian military personnel have completed training under the European Union Military Assistance Mission in support of Ukraine  EUMAM Ukraine. The mission is a direct response to Ukraine's request for support," the General Staff of the AFU stated on Telegram on Tuesday.

It is noted that the mission's mandate includes: individual, collective, and specialized training for the Armed Forces of Ukraine; coordination and synchronization of member state training activities; EUMAM Ukraine covers a wide range of training programs (tactical medicine, CBRN defense (chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear), demining, logistics and communications, tactical planning and preparation for maneuver actions, coordination of live-fire exercises).

The General Staff emphasized that participation in EUMAM Ukraine is open to non-EU member states.

Financial support for EUMAM Ukraine is provided through the European Peace Facility. The mission works closely with international partners.
China expresses 'gratitude' after three ships transit Hormuz strait



Beijing, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Beijing expressed "gratitude" on Tuesday for coordination that enabled three Chinese ships to transit the Strait of Hormuz, the crucial waterway which Iran has all but closed during the war in the Middle East.

Two of the vessels, belonging to state-owned shipping giant Cosco, passed through the strait while exiting the Gulf on Monday morning, data from the MarineTraffic monitor showed.

A third ship, a Hong Kong-flagged oil and chemical tanker called the Egret, crossed earlier on March 25 sailing from east to west, according to maritime analytics firm Kpler.

"Following coordination with relevant parties, three Chinese vessels recently transited the Strait of Hormuz," foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning told a press conference.

"We express our gratitude to the relevant parties for the assistance provided," she said.

She did not mention Iran or specify who was involved in coordination efforts.

Shipping through the strait has slowed to a trickle since Iran effectively blocked access following US-Israeli attacks on the country.

The two Cosco vessels -- the CSCL Indian Ocean and the CSCL Arctic Ocean -- are both ultra-large container carriers.

They passed close to Iran's Larak Island and are bound for Port Klang in Malaysia.

The ships had aborted an attempt to transit on Friday, according to MarineTraffic.

Cosco declined to comment on the transits when contacted by AFP.

Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz is open to ships of "friendly countries". It maintains healthy diplomatic ties with China.

Cosco said on Wednesday it was resuming bookings for shipments from Asia to several Gulf countries, though without using routes that transit Hormuz.

The Shanghai-based firm had suspended bookings for services through the strait earlier in March due to the war.
Malaysian ships to be spared from Iran's Hormuz tolls: minister



Kuala Lumpur, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Malaysian tankers permitted to pass through the Strait of Hormuz will be exempt from paying any prospective tolls imposed by Iran, Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday.

Iranian state media reported on Monday that a parliamentary commission had approved plans to impose tolls on vessels transiting the vital waterway that Tehran has effectively closed due to the Middle East war.

Malaysia's Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said on Saturday the tankers -- owned by petroleum giant Petronas, Sapura Energy and maritime firm MISC -- were awaiting clearance to safely sail through the strait.

"No, this is a complete no... The Iranian ambassador (to Malaysia) has mentioned this, no toll being imposed on Malaysian vessels," Loke told reporters on Tuesday.

"We are a friendly party. We have a good diplomatic relationship with the Iranian government."

Iran has indicated that it will allow vessels from nations it deems friendly to pass through the strait.

Loke said it would take time for Malaysian vessels to pass through Strait of Hormuz as "there are many ships that are stranded and anchored there".

"But I think that the Iranian government has given their commitment and we think that our vessels will be able to pass through," he added.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in a televised announcement last week, thanked Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian for giving way to Malaysia and "releasing the oil tankers and the workers involved so that they can continue their journey home".
EU probes French aid to EDF for new nuclear reactors



Brussels, Belgium, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



French plans to support energy group EDF in the construction of six new nuclear reactors will come under EU scrutiny, Brussels announced Tuesday, with a probe to assess compliance with competition rules.

The investigation will look into concerns that state aid could reinforce EDF's market power and see Paris shoulder too much of the multibillion-euro project's investment risk, the EU said.

"The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation to assess whether public support that France plans to grant for the construction and operation of six new nuclear reactors is in line with EU state aid rules," Brussels said.

France plans to build the reactors -- with a total capacity of 9,990 Megawatts -- in pairs at three existing nuclear plants.

Construction costs for the units, which are planned for commissioning between 2038 and 2044, are estimated at about 73 billion euros ($84 billion), according to the commission.

Paris would cover about 60 percent of that with a subsidised loan at a preferential rate and provide EDF with "stable revenue" under a 40-year contract, according to the commission.

The French scheme also envisages a risk-sharing mechanism to shield the energy firm from unforeseen events such as natural disasters and changes in national law.

The probe, first reported by AFP last week, would check whether the aid was "necessary and proportionate" as provided by EU rules, said the commission, the EU's antitrust regulator.

The opening of an investigation was a "common step" in such cases and did not prejudge its outcome, it added.

France said it would support the review, which it described as "standard" and expected it to move "swiftly".

"France's new nuclear energy sector will, in the coming years, be a major contributor to EU-generated electricity," the French government said in a statement.

Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen recently pivoted the EU back towards nuclear describing Europe's past turn away from atomic energy as a "strategic mistake", as soaring oil prices rekindle concerns about the bloc's energy vulnerability.
More than 200,000 fled Lebanon for Syria in March: UNHCR



Geneva, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



More than 200,000 people have fled Lebanon for Syria since fighting resumed a month ago between Israeli forces and Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, the United Nations' refugee agency said on Tuesday.

Lebanon was pulled into the Middle East conflict in early March when Israeli-US strikes killed Iran's supreme leader and Tehran-backed Hezbollah responded by firing rockets at Israel.

Since then, Israel has struck targets across Lebanon and sent ground troops into its neighbour's territory. Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed.

"Nearly a month after hostilities intensified in Lebanon, Syria has seen a sharp rise in people crossing the border from Lebanon," Aseer al-Madaien, UNHCR's interim representative in Syria, told a press conference by video link from Damascus.

Between March 2 and 27, "more than 200,000 people entered Syria through the three official crossing points", she said.

"The vast majority -- nearly 180,000 -- are Syrians, including Syrian refugees who had fled Syria seeking safety in the past in Lebanon and (are) now forced to flee again," she added.

"More than 28,000 Lebanese have also crossed into Syria," she told reporters in Geneva.

The figures were provided by the Syrian authorities and confirmed by UNCHR officials on the ground, she said.
US-Israel targeted major pharmaceutical company: Iran govt



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



US-Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday hit one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in Iran which produces anaesthetic and cancer drugs, the Iranian government said.

"During the US and Zionist regime attacks on civilian centres, on the morning of Tuesday, one of the largest companies producing anti-cancer, anaesthetic and specialised medicines was damaged and the drug production line was damaged," the government said in a post on X.

The pharmaceutical company was named as Tofigh Daru Research & Engineering Company, which is owned by the Social Security Investment Company, a state-run holding firm.

On LinkedIn, Tofigh Daru says it develops and produces active pharmaceutical ingredients "in the anticancer, narcotics, cardiovascular to immunomodulatory segments."

Iran has long faced chronic shortages of medicines, partly due to UN sanctions imposed over its nuclear programme.

The sanctions have crippled essential trade services such as banking, while scaring off drug companies from doing business in Iran, even though humanitarian products are exempt.

The Islamic republic relies for the most part on its own domestic production, while importing limited quantities of ingredients and specialised drugs from countries such as India and Japan.

The US and Israel have broadened their strikes beyond the strictly military sphere since the two allies launched the war on February 28.

In recent days, targets have included steel production facilities and universities in Tehran and central Isfahan.

Iran has vowed in each case to retaliate with strikes on similar targets either in Israel or neighbouring Gulf countries.

bur-mz-adp/ser
Qatar says Gulf states 'unified' in calling for war de-escalation



Doha, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



The Gulf states are unified in calling for a de-escalation of the Middle East war, Qatar said Tuesday as Tehran launched new strikes against its neighbours.

"Our understanding is that there is a very unified position in the Gulf on calling for the de-escalation and an end to the war," Qatar's foreign ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari told a regular news briefing.

Gulf countries have faced repeated drone and missile salvos from Iran over the past month in response to US and Israeli strikes that began at the end of February.

Iran has targeted hydrocarbon infrastructure in the oil-rich Gulf nations while effectively closing to shipping the strategic Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil usually passes.

On Monday an Iranian parliamentary committee voted to impose tolls on vessels in the strait and completely ban ships from the United States and Israel.

Ansari said the waterway was "closed due to a military operation", but added that "the future of the strait is something for all the region and the international partners to decide collectively".

"We have taken a decision collectively, I think, in the Gulf, to address this as a collective threat," he said.

Gaps have appeared between the Gulf states in their approaches to dealing with Iran since the war broke out, with the United Arab Emirates taking a more hawkish stance.

The Emirati ambassador to Washington, Yousef Al Otaiba, wrote in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece this week that "a simple ceasefire isn't enough" to end the war.

"We need a conclusive outcome that addresses Iran's full range of threats: nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, terror proxies and blockades of international sea lanes," he said.

He also said the UAE was ready to join an international initiative to reopen the strait.
Asia to be hit hardest by Iran war energy crisis: Kpler to AFP



Singapore, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Asian nations are facing a major energy crisis as a result of the Iran war, with a sharp fall in crude shipments and few alternatives, global maritime analytics firm Kpler told AFP on Tuesday.

"We think Asia will, for now, be the ones suffering the most," Kpler president Jean Maynier told AFP in an interview at the company's offices in Singapore.

The war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, saw Tehran effectively halt traffic through Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the world's crude supplies and a substantial amount of gas normally run.

This has sent shockwaves across global energy markets, leading to price hikes for consumers worldwide.

Maynier said Asia did not have enough energy resources of its own to fill the gap "in China... in big countries like the Philippines or Indonesia. So it's a real energy crisis."

The impact of the de facto closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already led governments to take exceptional measures, like the Philippines which has declared a national energy emergency, Maynier noted.

"It's really bad for Asia and we are not optimistic if the event continues," he said.



- 'No crude' -



"There is almost no crude oil arriving" in Asia currently, and no viable alternatives to energy imports from the Middle East while "inventories are being depleted", Maynier said.

He said that while the attack on Iran had been anticipated, its timing and the duration of the war that has ensued were surprising.

"What is surprising is the length of this event and, especially in Asia, the crisis that we have now with energy."

Brussels-based Kpler, which was founded in 2014 and owns the MarineTraffic website, is considered one of the foremost data analytics and ship-tracking agencies in the world.

It has been keeping a close eye on the Strait of Hormuz since the attack on Iran.

Iranian military officials have claimed to control the waterway and attack vessels from "hostile" nations, but Kpler said some are risking the trip.

Seventeen commodities vessels crossed the the strait over the weekend, 12 of them on Saturday, making it one of the busiest days for crossings since March 1, according to Kpler.

As of 1700 GMT on Monday, commodities vessels had made just 196 crossings of the waterway this month, a huge decrease from before the war.

Of those, 120 were by oil tankers and gas carriers and most were travelling east out of the strait.



- 'Dark vessels' -



Kpler, which provides real-time data for close to 1,000 companies, uses satellites, drones and other tools to track ships, said Maynier.

"All of this combined, and the selection of data sets that we collect from different partnerships help us to really understand what's happening" including when ships "go dark", he added.

A "dark" vessel -- usually a tanker or cargo carrier -- deliberately disables or manipulates transponders in a bid to go undetected by public tracking systems like Kpler's MarineTraffic.

"Dark vessels try to switch off their (tracking) device and try to escape monitoring, usually because they are involved in smuggling or trying to export sanctioned cargoes," Maynier said.

Using satellite images, shore-based antennae, data and other sources, Kpler aims to reconstruct the trajectory of a vessel that has "gone dark," he added.

"It's always hard to be 100 percent, but we can detect more than 90 percent of what's happening in real time."
Iran FM rejects reports it fired missiles at Turkey, offers probe



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday rejected as "completely baseless" reports that the Islamic republic had fired missiles at Turkey and offered to jointly investigate the issue.

In a phone call with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan, Araghchi warned against "false-flag operations by enemies" and said Iran was "ready for joint technical cooperation to examine any possible claim", according to a statement by the Iranian foreign ministry.

On Monday, Turkey's defence ministry said NATO forces had intercepted a new missile fired from Iran -- the fourth since the start of the Middle East war.
Indonesia rations fuel as prices soar over Mideast war



Jakarta, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Indonesia on Tuesday announced fuel rations and mandated work from home for civil servants, as it seeks to conserve energy stocks amid global price hikes due to the Middle East war.

"To ensure fuel distribution, the government will regulate purchases... with a reasonable limit of 50 litres per vehicle" per day for private consumers, said Airlangga Hartarto, the coordinating minister of economic affairs.

Speaking at a virtual news conference from Seoul, he also said that civil servants will work from home every Friday, part of the government's efforts to save energy.

The government said earlier Tuesday it would not increase the price of fuel, which is heavily subsidised in Indonesia.

The Southeast Asian archipelago is an oil producer but nevertheless a net importer.

The government has doggedly defended the subsidy, which at $12.3 billion represents about five percent of the total annual budget for 2026.

Observers say the government's hand may eventually be forced given that Indonesia is required by law to keep its fiscal deficit under three percent of gross domestic product.

The 2026 fuel subsidy calculation was premised on a global oil price of $70 per barrel, but prices have since topped $100.

Airlangga said that "the national economic condition remain stable with strong fundamentals. National fuel stocks are safe and fiscal stability is maintained."

Bahlil Lahadalia, the energy minister, said: "We need the support and cooperation of the public. We need to purchase fuel reasonably and wisely."



- 'No price adjustment' -



A government statement sent to AFP earlier said there would be no increase "for subsidised or non-subsidised" fuel from April 1.

It warned against "misinformation" about a pending price hike, quoting presidential spokesman Prasetyo Hadi as saying "we guarantee the availability of fuel... And there is no price adjustment."

Previous fuel price hikes in Indonesia have resulted in mass protests.

Unlike some of its neighbours, Southeast Asia's biggest economy has not seen long fuel queues as global oil prices have soared due to Iran's de facto closure of the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

A fifth of the world's crude supplies and a substantial amount of gas normally run through the waterway, but traffic has effectively halted during the war, which began with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Earlier this month, the Indonesian presidency spokesman Prasetyo said the government was looking to set aside up to 80 trillion rupiah (about $4.7 billion) to shield the economy from the fallout.

On Sunday, the government announced a one-day-per-week reduction in its free school meals programme, though not for areas with high malnutrition rates.

President Prabowo Subianto seeks to raise the economic growth rate from 5.1 percent last year to eight percent by 2029, powered by high public spending.
Israel says to occupy swathe of south Lebanon after war



Beirut, Lebanon, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Israel's Defence Minister Israel Katz on Tuesday said the military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war against Hezbollah, as warplanes carried out fresh strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs.

Katz's statement was not the first Israeli declaration signalling an intention to occupy parts of the south, but it was the clearest since the Middle East war spread to Lebanon on March 2.

Also on Tuesday, AFPTV's live broadcast showed a strike hitting Beirut's southern suburbs, long a bastion of Hezbollah. The Israeli military said it "has begun to strike Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Beirut".

It also renewed its strikes on Lebanon, particularly the country's south, with Israeli troops carrying out ground incursions in border areas.

The Iran-backed militant group drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge Israel's killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.

"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani," Katz said in a video statement published by his ministry.

He was referring to a river that flows around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

He also said the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese would be "completely prevented" until northern Israel's security was ensured.

Katz added that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished in accordance with the Rafah and Beit Hanoun model in Gaza, in order to remove once and for all the border-adjacent threats from the residents of the north".

Israeli forces devastated Rafah and Beit Hanoun during their two-year war against Hamas in Gaza, triggered by the Palestinian Islamist movement's attack against southern Israel in October 2023.



- Concerns for international law -



Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began, with more than one million others displaced.

On Sunday, Human Rights Watch said it had written to Katz to express its "grave concerns about recent statements made by Israeli officials that undermine respect for international humanitarian law and a willingness to abide by them".

"These concerns arise in the context of a broader pattern of laws-of-war violations by Israeli forces," says the letter, a copy of which was published by HRW.

The organisation cited comments made by Katz on March 16 in which he threatened to prevent the return of people who had fled the region south of the Litani.

"Using the denial of civilian return as a bargaining tool constitutes forced displacement, which is prohibited under the laws of war and a possible war crime," HRW said.

Israeli military spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Nadav Shoshani told journalists on Tuesday that since the start of the war, Hezbollah had fired "somewhere between 4,000 and 5,000 rockets, UAVs and missiles, and mortars... towards Israel, some towards our troops, some towards civilian communities".

Hezbollah meanwhile has been announcing in daily statements that it has targeted Israeli sites and forces, or that it has engaged in direct clashes with Israeli forces in border towns.

The UN peacekeeping mission in Lebanon said on Monday that two of its personnel were killed in southern Lebanon in the second deadly incident in 24 hours.

The EU on Tuesday demanded an investigation into the attacks on peacekeepers, which its spokesman Anouar El Anouni said were "totally unacceptable".
A request for the extradition of suspects in the Midas energy sector corruption case, including businessman Tymur Mindich, has been sent to the Ministry of Justice of Israel after the elimination of deficiencies and errors, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday.

Mariana Haiovska-Kovbasiuk, head of the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office, said that after the office received a petition from the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to extradite the individuals to Ukraine, a number of procedural and technical deficiencies were identified in the document.

"In a working order, the Prosecutor General's Office, together with NABU, processed and completed 24 volumes of materials; the text of the request was also prepared and translated. After the final elimination of deficiencies and errors, the extradition request was sent to the Ministry of Justice of the State of Israel," she informed.

Earlier, Oleksandr Abakumov, head of the NABU detective unit, reported on the program Ye Pytannia (There Are Questions) that anti-corruption authorities had sent documents regarding the extradition of Midas case suspect Mindich to the Prosecutor General's Office two weeks ago, but the request had not yet been signed or forwarded to the competent Israeli authorities.

As reported, on November 10, 2025, NABU and the Specialized Anti-corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) announced a large-scale operation to uncover corruption in the energy sector, named Midas. The activities of a high-level criminal organization were documented, whose members built a massive corruption scheme to influence strategic state-sector enterprises, specifically Joint Stock Company "National Nuclear Energy Generating Company Energoatom" (JSC NNEGC) Energoatom.

Energoatom confirmed that investigative actions took place at the company on November 10.

Among the participants in the Midas scheme identified by NABU are National Energy Regulator (NEURC) member Serhiy Pushkar, businessman Mindich, former executive director for physical protection and security of Energoatom Dmytro Basov, and former advisor to the Minister of Energy and former deputy head of the SPFU Ihor Myroniuk.

According to NABU and SAPO, the primary activity of the criminal organization was the systematic receipt of unlawful benefits from Energoatom counterparties amounting to 10% to 15% of contract values. Specifically, "kickback" conditions were imposed on Energoatom counterparties to avoid the blocking of payments for services provided or products delivered, or to prevent the loss of supplier status.

Using official connections in the ministry and the state company, the former deputy head of the State Property Fund of Ukraine, who later became an advisor to the Minister of Energy, and a former law enforcement officer who served as executive director for physical protection and security at Energoatom, ensured control over personnel decisions, procurement processes, and financial flows.

Mindich left Ukraine on November 10, a few hours before the searches. According to the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, he did so on legal grounds.

NABU Director Semen Kryvonos stated that Ukrainian anti-corruption authorities have no information regarding the alleged interrogation of Kvartal 95 studio co-owner Timur Mindich in Israel.
Next days in Iran war will be 'decisive': Pentagon chief



Washington, United States, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the next days of the Iran war will be "decisive" while refusing to rule out US ground forces playing a role in the conflict.

Hegseth also revealed during a news conference -- his first in nearly two weeks -- that he had visited US troops in the Middle East over the weekend, and said that talks on ending the conflict were "gaining strength."

"The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," Hegseth said.

Asked about concerns among some of President Donald Trump's base about the possible use of ground troops in Iran, Hegseth declined to tip his hand.

"You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground," he said.

"If we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department. Or maybe we don't have to use them at all -- maybe negotiations work," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon chief said talks on ending the war were making progress even as the more than month-long US-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic republic continued.

"They are very real. They are ongoing, they are active, and I think, gaining strength," Hegseth said of the negotiations.

He also said he had made an unannounced trip to visit US troops taking part in operations against Iran.

"We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day. For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named," Hegseth said, referring to the US command responsible for the region.

"Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America," he said.

General Dan Caine -- the top US military officer -- spoke alongside Hegseth, saying that US forces have struck more than 11,000 targets so far.

The United States "continues to destroy Iran's ballistic missile and (drone) capabilities. We remain focused on interdicting and destroying the logistical and supply chains that feed these programs," he said.

And "we continue to assert dominance over the Iranian navy. We remain focused on targeting their mine laying capability, their naval assets," Caine added.
Strike kills two fighters in western Iraq



Baghdad, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A strike on Tuesday in western Iraq killed two fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the alliance said in a statement, blaming the US and Israel for the attack.

Iraq has been drawn into the broader Middle East war that started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region, while strikes have also targeted the groups.

"This heinous attack resulted in the martyrdom of two fighters and the wounding of four others," the statement said of the strike that targeted a checkpoint in Anbar province.

The alliance is also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), and is now part of Iraq's regular armed forces although it also contains pro-Iran factions.

Earlier AFP journalists reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke, after an attack was intercepted near the international airport of Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisers attached to a US-led anti-jihadist coalition.

Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups have usually been intercepted by air defences.

Another AFP journalist said debris from the intercepted attack had fallen on cars and homes near the airport, causing some damage.

A base in northern Sulaymaniyah province hosting the Iraqi Kurdistan regional armed forces was also targeted overnight by a missile and rocket attack, the regional force said, adding there were no casualties.

In southern Iraq, security officials said a drone had fallen in an oil field but there had been no explosions or injuries reported.

Many oil operations in Iraq have been paused since the outbreak of the war.

Overnight, the PMF also said its positions were targeted in Jurf al-Sakher but that there were no casualties.

The base is also known as Jurf al-Nasr, and is one of the strongholds of the pro-Iran US-blacklisted groups Kataeb Hezbollah.
Trump says other countries should 'just take' the Strait of Hormuz



Washington, United States, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



US President Donald Trump said Tuesday the countries that have not joined the Middle East war but are struggling with fuel shortages should "go get your own oil" in the Strait of Hormuz.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said countries "that refused to get involved" should "build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," adding that the United States would not help them.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed that message during a news conference on Tuesday.

"This is an international waterway that we use less than most, in fact dramatically less than most," Hegseth said.

"It's not just our problem set, going forward, even though we have done the lion's share of preparation to ensure that that strait will be open," he said.

Hegseth also said that the next days of the Iran war will be "decisive," while refusing to rule out US ground forces playing a role in the conflict.

"The upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," Hegseth said.

Asked about concerns among some of President Donald Trump's base about the possible use of ground troops in Iran, Hegseth declined to tip his hand.



- Iran talks 'gaining strength' -



"You can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground," he said.

"If we needed to, we could execute those options on behalf of the president of the United States and this department. Or maybe we don't have to use them at all -- maybe negotiations work," Hegseth said.

The Pentagon chief said talks on ending the war were making progress even as the more than month-long US-Israeli military campaign against the Islamic republic continued.

"They are very real. They are ongoing, they are active, and I think, gaining strength," Hegseth said of the negotiations.

He also said he had made an unannounced trip to visit US troops taking part in operations against Iran.

"We were on the ground in CENTCOM on Saturday for about half the day. For reasons of operational security, so those troops are not targeted, the places and bases will not be named," Hegseth said, referring to the US command responsible for the region.

"Suffice it to say, the trip was an honor. I had a chance to bear witness, and I witnessed the best of America," he said.

General Dan Caine -- the top US military officer -- spoke alongside Hegseth, saying that US forces have struck more than 11,000 targets so far.

The United States "continues to destroy Iran's ballistic missile and (drone) capabilities. We remain focused on interdicting and destroying the logistical and supply chains that feed these programs," he said.
Wave of US-Israeli strikes hit key Iran sites



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iranian media reported Tuesday that a wave of US-Israeli strikes hit military bases, a religious site and a cancer drug plant in the more than month-old war rocking the Middle East and roiling the world economy.

US President Donald Trump has sent conflicting signals on whether Washington will further escalate the war, possibly by deploying American ground forces, or try to soon end it through negotiations with Tehran.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking in Washington after he visited US troops in the Middle East, vowed that "the upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it."

Asked about possible next steps, he said "you can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground."

Trump threatened Monday that, if Iran doesn't agree to a deal, US forces would "obliterate" all of Tehran's oil wells, its main Kharg Island export terminal, power systems and possibly its water desalination plants.

On Tuesday two massive explosions shook Iran's central city of Isfahan, seen in video footage verified by AFP, and Iranian state media reported damage to the Shia religious centre of Grand Husseiniya in Zanjan in the northwest.

The Iranian government also said airstrikes had hit a plant making cancer drugs and anaesthetics, claims AFP could not independently verify.

Tehran residents spoke of life in a city during wartime still clinging to some routine, despite tight security and explosions that on Tuesday sparked power outages in parts of the capital.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," dental assistant Fatemeh, 27, told AFP journalists in Paris via a messaging app.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."



- 'Go get your own oil!' -



Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched the war on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei, just after a new round of talks between US and Iranian envoys.

Iran has denied Trump's claims of renewed direct talks and has kept firing at Israel and US allies in the Gulf region, joined in the regional war by Lebanon's armed group Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis.

Explosions were heard Tuesday in Dubai and near northern Iraq's Erbil airport, and two people were wounded near the Saudi capital Riyadh when air defence intercepted a drone, civil defence said.

Kuwait's state oil company said one of its oil tankers was on fire off Dubai after a "direct and malicious Iranian attack", with the crew unhurt and the blaze later extinguished.

Iran has also maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil passes, sending shock waves through the global economy.

The average gasoline price at US pumps soared past $4 a gallon, the highest for nearly four years, while Indonesia announced fuel rationing and ordered civil servants to work from home one day a week to conserve energy stocks.

Trump in a Truth Social post lashed out at countries that have refused to help the United States secure the crucial waterway.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he wrote. "Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

Iran has let some Chinese container ships pass, and its parliamentary committee has voted to impose tolls on other vessels while completely banning US and Israeli ships.

China and Pakistan called for peace talks as soon as possible, as they agreed to boost their cooperation on Iran.

The two countries outlined a joint initiative "for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region", after a visit from senior Pakistani officials to Beijing.



- Threat to water desalination plants -



Trump's threats against Iran have included "completely obliterating" not just energy sites but also "possibly all desalinisation plants!"

An Iranian health ministry official told the ISNA news agency Tuesday that a strike had left one desalination plant, on Qeshm Island in the Strait of Hormuz, "completely out of service", though without saying when.

Iran has vowed to match strikes on its infrastructure with similar raids against its US-allied Gulf neighbours.

If more desalination plants were to be hit, this would pose a major risk in the water-stressed region, and experts have warned strikes on civilian infrastructure could constitute a war crime.

Desalinated water provides 70 percent of drinking water in Saudi Arabia and 90 percent in Kuwait.

Meanwhile, Israel pounded Lebanon, including the southern suburbs of Beirut, as it seeks to deliver a heavy blow to Iran-backed Hezbollah which has joined the war.

Israel on Tuesday reported its own casualties, with four soldiers killed in combat in southern Lebanon and eight people suffering minor injuries from falling munitions fragments near Tel Aviv.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war and that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished".

Israeli strikes have killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, and over a million have been displaced, Lebanese authorities say.

Sheltering in Beirut's largest stadium were some 1,000 people forced from their homes, among them around 50 people with mobility challenges.

"If there's a strike, the people around me could run away and leave me behind," said 62-year-old Fatima Nazli, who uses a wheelchair. "I can't get up and move if no one helps me."

burs/dc-fz/ser
Strike kills three fighters in western Iraq



Baghdad, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A strike on Tuesday in western Iraq killed three fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi, the alliance said in a statement, blaming the US and Israel for the attack.

Iraq has been drawn into the broader Middle East war that started with US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Pro-Iran armed groups have claimed responsibility for attacks on US interests in Iraq and across the region, while strikes have also targeted the groups.

The attack resulted in the death of three fighters, "and the wounding of four others," the statement said of the strike that targeted a checkpoint in Anbar province.

The alliance is also known as the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF), and is now part of Iraq's regular armed forces although it also contains pro-Iran factions.

Earlier AFP journalists reported hearing an explosion and seeing smoke, after an attack was intercepted near the international airport of Erbil, the capital of Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan region.

Erbil is home to a major US consulate complex, while its airport houses military advisers attached to a US-led anti-jihadist coalition.

Regular drone attacks by pro-Iran armed groups have usually been intercepted by air defences.

Another AFP journalist said debris from the intercepted attack had fallen on cars and homes near the airport, causing some damage.

A base in northern Sulaymaniyah province hosting the Iraqi Kurdistan regional armed forces was also targeted overnight by a missile and rocket attack, the regional force said, adding there were no casualties.

In southern Iraq, security officials said a drone had fallen in an oil field but there had been no explosions or injuries reported.

Many oil operations in Iraq have been paused since the outbreak of the war.

Overnight, the PMF also said its positions were targeted in Jurf al-Sakher but that there were no casualties.

The base is also known as Jurf al-Nasr, and is one of the strongholds of the pro-Iran US-blacklisted groups Kataeb Hezbollah.
Iranian attack sparks fire on Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port



Kuwait City, Kuwait, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



An Iranian attack sparked a fire on a Kuwaiti oil tanker at Dubai Port, state media reported on Tuesday, as Tehran continued its campaign in the Gulf in response to US-Israeli strikes.

"The Kuwaiti giant crude oil tanker was subjected to a direct and malicious Iranian attack while in the anchorage area of Dubai Port in the UAE," official news agency KUNA reported, citing Kuwait's state-owned oil company.

There were no injuries, according to the report, and Dubai authorities later said firefighters had extinguished the blaze.

KUNA reported the tanker was fully laden at the time of the attack, which had caused "material damage to the ship's hull" and "the possibility of an oil spill in the surrounding waters".

Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said there had been no oil spill.

UAE authorities had indicated earlier that the tanker was targeted by a drone in Dubai waters. According to the Dubai government's Media Office, the ship's 24 crew members were safe.

Kuwait's military also said on Tuesday its air defences were responding to "hostile missile and drone attacks", according to an X post.

Maritime intelligence agency Vanguard and ship tracker MarineTraffic identified the ship as the Al Salmi, a 332-metre long Kuwait-flagged crude tanker.

Vanguard said it was "struck by an unknown projectile" 31 nautical miles northwest of Dubai.

MarineTraffic said in a post on X that the Al Salmi was en route to Qingdao, China, "carrying an estimated two million barrels of crude oil".

The oil-rich Gulf has borne the brunt of Iran's attacks in response to US-Israeli strikes that sparked the Middle East war late last month.

Tehran has threatened to target vital infrastructure across the Gulf, including energy sites.

bur-ceg/ane/rlp/ser
Iran confirms killing of general sanctioned by US over oil network



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards on Tuesday confirmed the killing in a US-Israeli airstrike of a brigadier general sanctioned by the US in 2025 over an international network shipping oil to China and using profits to fund Tehran-backed regional proxies.

Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief Ahmad Vahidi issued a message of condolences for Jamshid Eshaghi, the head of the budget and financial affairs at Iran's armed forces general staff.

The general staff is a powerful military body that coordinates between the regular army and the ideological force of the Islamic republic, the Revolutionary Guards.

Vahidi, whose predecessor was killed at the start of the conflict, said Eshaghi had been killed along with several members of his family in a US-Israeli strike, without giving a date or further details.

He praised Eshaghi for "improving the strength of the defence forces of the homeland", according to the message published by the state-run IRNA news agency.

In February 2025, the US treasury sanctioned Eshaghi and other individuals, entities and vessels over what it said was an "international network for facilitating the shipment of millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil worth hundreds of millions of dollars to China."

It said revenues are used to fund militant groups in the region including Hamas in Gaza, the Houthis in Yemen and Hezbollah in Lebanon.

It accused the Iran general staff of using "networks of foreign-based front companies and brokers" to enable these shipments and "obfuscate" their Iranian origin.

Eshaghi had previously served as an official with one of these front companies, Sepehr Energy and coordinated with the Guards on the sale of Iranian crude oil to China, according to the US treasury.

He is the latest top Iranian official to have been confirmed by Tehran to have been killed in the war.

Supreme leader Ali Khamenei was killed on the first day of the war on February 28 and the Islamic republic's powerful security chief, Ali Larijani, was killed earlier this month, along with over a dozen other prominent figures.

Israel and the United States have said they have dealt a major blow to Iran by killing top officials, but some analysts say the Islamic republic is still showing resilience and capacity to recover from setbacks.
Iran Bahai arrested over protests in 'imminent danger', supporters say



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A member of Iran's Bahai minority arrested over January protests is in imminent danger, according to community representatives, who say he has been subjected to a forced confession, mock hangings and torture.

Hollywood actors including Mark Ruffalo have taken up the case of Peyvand Naimi, 30, who they say is charged with offences he could not have committed.

The Bahais are Iran's largest non-Muslim religious minority but have never been recognised under the constitution of the Islamic republic, and say they have been persecuted since it was created in 1979.

The Bahai International Community (BIC) group, which represents Bahai interests at the UN, said that Naimi was arrested in January in the southeastern city of Kerman on false charges of instigating unrest.

"He faces imminent danger after enduring two mock hangings, prolonged torture and interrogation, as Iranian authorities attempt to force him to confess to crimes he did not commit," it said.

He was forced to confess in footage broadcast on Iranian television and then faced a "preposterous" accusation of involvement in killing security forces in Kerman, even though these incidents took place while under arrest, it said.

While in prison he was also accused of celebrating the killing of supreme leader Ali Khamenei in an airstrike on February 28 at the start of the US-Israeli war against Iran, although he had no way of finding out the news behind bars, the BIC added.

Iran earlier this month executed three men accused of killing police officers during the protests in January.

"Peyvand has been falsely accused of multiple crimes as part of a systematic effort by an unjust government to blame Bahais for the unrest during the January protests in Iran," Ruffalo said in a video with fellow actors Penn Badgley and Rainn Wilson posted to his Instagram account this week.

Badgley and Wilson are both converts to the Bahai faith, while Ruffalo's father was a Bahai. While not a Bahai himself, the actor is a supporter of Bahai rights and human rights.

Describing the mock executions, he said: "The first one they put a rope around his neck and told him to say his last prayers and then stopped."

"The second mock hanging escalated to the point that the stool was almost kicked out from beneath his feet."

"Bahais like Peyvand are peace builders. Peyvand has committed no crime, stirred up no unrest and has harmed no one," said Ruffalo, calling for an "end to the senseless scapegoating" of the Bahai in Iran.

How many members of the community remain in Iran is unknown, but activists believe there could still be several hundred thousand.

The Bahai faith is a relatively young monotheistic religion with roots dating back to the early 19th century in Iran.

Members have repeatedly faced charges of being agents of Iran's arch-foe Israel, which activists say are baseless.
UN worried by Israeli threats to occupy south Lebanon



United Nations, United States, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



The UN aid chief warned Tuesday that southern Lebanon could become another occupied territory in the Middle East after renewed Israeli threats to seize the area following its war with Hezbollah.

Tom Fletcher drew parallels to Gaza, the Palestinian territory facing a humanitarian crisis, as he told the Security Council that fighting in Lebanon has already displaced 1.1 million people.

"Given the trajectory that some Israeli ministers have described and given what we have seen in plain sight in Gaza, how will you protect civilians?" he said.

"Given the intensity of the coercive displacement that we are seeing, how should we prepare, collectively as the international community, for a new addition to the list of occupied territories?"

Earlier Tuesday, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war against Hezbollah.

Katz's statement was not the first Israeli declaration signalling an intention to occupy parts of the south, but it was the clearest since the Middle East war spread to Lebanon on March 2.

Fletcher, who addressed the Security Council from Beirut, said he had witnessed "anxiety and tensions at levels I have not witnessed in many years, working in and on Lebanon."

"In Lebanon, more than 1.1 million people have been displaced over the past four weeks, including more than 370,000 children," he said.

"Over 200,000 people have crossed over into Syria in the past month. A cycle of coercive displacement is unfolding.

"Displacement on this scale, of course, heightens exposure to additional dangers, particularly for women and girls living in overcrowded and unfamiliar settings," Fletcher added.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge Israel's killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.
UN security source tells AFP Israeli fire killed peacekeeper on Sunday



Beirut, Lebanon, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A UN security source told AFP on Tuesday that Israeli fire had killed an Indonesian peacekeeper at the weekend, after the UN force said it was investigating the incident.

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon had said that the peacekeeper was killed on Sunday evening when a projectile of unknown origin "exploded in a UNIFIL position near Adchit al Qusayr".

The source told AFP on condition of anonymity that investigations had shown the fire came from an Israeli tank, adding that "debris from a tank round has been recovered" at the site.

On Monday, UNIFIL said another "explosion of unknown origin" destroyed a peacekeeping vehicle, killing two more Indonesian troops, and that an investigation had also been launched into that incident.

The UN security source said the origin of that explosion may have been a mine.

Israel's military said on Tuesday that it was investigating the two deadly incidents to "determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF (Israeli army) activity".

"It should be noted these incidents occurred in an active combat area," the military said, adding that "it should not be assumed that incidents in which UNIFIL soldiers were harmed were caused by the IDF".

UNIFIL numbers some 8,200 peacekeepers and patrols Lebanon's de facto southern border area, where Israel and Hezbollah have been fighting since war erupted this month as Israeli troops pursue a ground offensive.

The UN Security Council was holding an urgent meeting on Tuesday at the request of France after the peacekeepers' deaths.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot on Monday accused Israel of unspecified "security breaches and intimidation" experienced by the French UNIFIL contingent in Naqura, where the mission's headquarters are located.

Barrot said that anger had "been conveyed with the utmost firmness to the Israeli ambassador in Paris".
Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/13559

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced a video call with the U.S. side on Wednesday, April 1.

"Tomorrow, a conversation with the American side was planned in video format. I will join it. They also asked me to," Zelenskyy told journalists during Bucha summit on Tuesday.

The president added that from the Ukrainian side, National Security and Defense Council Secretary Rustem Umerov would take part in the call, while from the U.S. side it would include Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation will concern "where we are now" and preparations for a possible "at least trilateral meeting."

Zelenskyy also said he would pass on to the United States a proposal for an energy truce, although no such signals had come from the Russian side.

"There have been no signals from the Russian side to us. At least, we have not received any. Tomorrow I will definitely pass this on to the United States.... I will ask them to convey this proposal to the Russian side," he said.
China and Pakistan outline five-point plan to end Mideast war



Beijing, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



China and Pakistan called on Tuesday for an immediate end to the war in the Middle East, and for peace talks as soon as possible, as they agreed to boost their cooperation on Iran.

The two countries outlined a joint initiative "for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and Middle East region", after a visit from senior Pakistani officials to Beijing.

Both countries have sought to mediate in the Middle East to prevent the conflict from escalating, with Islamabad saying it is ready to host "meaningful talks" between the United States and Iran.

Pakistani Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar met his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi and agreed to "strengthen strategic communication and coordination on the Iran situation and ... make new efforts towards advocating for peace", Beijing said.

Wang backed Pakistan's mediation efforts as "in keeping with the common interests of all parties", according to a Chinese readout of the meeting.

"China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks," Wang said.

Dar's ministry said the two sides had agreed on a five-point plan, starting with the "immediate cessation of hostilities" and the "start of peace talks as soon as possible".

On talks, which the United States claims are ongoing but Iran denies, the governments said dialogue and diplomacy were "the only viable option to resolve conflicts".

"China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks," according to Pakistan's foreign ministry.

The plan also calls for an end to attacks on civilians and non-military targets, such as energy infrastructure and desalination plants.

Shipping lanes should be secured, allowing "the early and safe passage of civilian and commercial ships" through the strategic Strait of Hormuz, it added.

Both countries said a lasting peace should be based on the UN charter and international law.

Dar's visit comes after he hosted his counterparts from Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Turkey on Sunday for weekend talks about trying to end the war, which was triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.

Concerns are running high about the impact of the fighting, including the choking of maritime traffic through the Strait.

China is a key partner of Iran but has not announced military assistance to Tehran, instead repeatedly calling for a ceasefire.

Tehran has refused to admit to holding official talks with Washington but has passed a response to President Donald Trump's 15-point plan to end the war via Islamabad, according to an anonymous source cited by the Iranian Tasnim news agency.

Pakistan is one of China's closest partners in the region, but Beijing has called for "calm and restraint" in Islamabad's own conflict with Afghanistan.

A Chinese special envoy spent a week mediating between the two countries, Beijing's foreign ministry said this month.

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Israel weathers energy shock from Iran war even as world battles crisis



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran's chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz has thrown the global economic system into turmoil, yet Israel, which launched attacks on Tehran alongside the United States, has emerged as a rare exception.

Since Israel and its US ally started the Middle East war on February 28, economies from Asia to Europe and the United States have come under pressure from surging oil and natural gas prices that have driven up fuel and electricity costs.

Israel, however, has remained largely insulated from the shock. Central to this has been a trio of major gas fields sitting deep below the Mediterranean.

"The discovery of offshore natural gas has allowed Israel to be in a situation where it isn't feeling the economic pinch on the energy front the way that other countries are," said Gabriel Mitchell, energy security analyst and Visiting Policy Fellow at the German Marshall Fund.

Natural gas, all of which comes from those three fields, now accounts for 70 percent of Israel's electricity generation and 45 percent of its total energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.

The sale of that gas is governed by long-term, fixed-price contracts which have helped keep prices steady despite the war.

Nevertheless, the conflict has still impacted Israel's gas production.

At the outbreak of the war, Israel ordered energy giants Chevron and Energean to suspend operations at two of the three fields, Leviathan and Karish respectively, as a precaution against potential missile strikes.

The shutdowns also cut off exports to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan, which take the vast majority of Leviathan's output.

A strike on a pressurised, operational gas field would be devastating, said Amit Mor, a senior lecturer at Reichman University.

"Once a platform is hit by a missile, the explosion might be enormous and might be a total loss which takes years and billions of dollars to rebuild," he said.

- 'The existential one' -



That leaves the Tamar field as Israel's energy lifeline.

Producing roughly 11 billion cubic metres (BCM) of gas annually, Tamar nearly covers Israel's entire domestic consumption of 12 to 13 billion cubic metres of gas per year.

"Tamar is the existential one," said Mitchell.

"Israel can live without exporting natural gas to its neighbours. It can live without operating the Karish field temporarily. But from a national security perspective, Tamar is essential."

To compensate for the shortfall created by the shutdowns, Israel has relied on a mix of alternative energy sources.

Coal-fired plants, previously converted to gas but which retained a dual-fuel capability, have been reactivated.

Diesel generation has also been brought online, though at a cost.

Both fuels are significantly more expensive than natural gas, and Israeli electricity consumers can expect tariffs to rise accordingly when the Electricity Authority revises rates in June.

For Israel's gas-importing neighbours, though, the picture is a grim one.

Jordan and Egypt rely heavily on Gulf fuel imports and gas from the now-shuttered Leviathan field.

Egypt this month imposed a 9 pm curfew on shops, restaurants and malls to curb energy use with prices having more than doubled since the start of the war.

Both Amman and Cairo have reportedly formally requested that Israel resume gas exports.

Israel has reportedly rejected their requests, prioritising its own wartime energy security over regional supply commitments.

- Resilient supply chains -



On the oil front, Israel's supply chains have proved resilient, largely because they bypass the Strait of Hormuz.

Most of Israel's oil comes from Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, flowing through pipelines into Turkey before being shipped by sea.

Oil prices, however, are set by the global market and while there haven't been shortages in Israel, prices at the pump have still shot up.

Israel's energy ministry said that petrol would hit eight shekels ($2.50) a litre for the first time in two years. Israel already had among the highest prices in the world.

Oil supplies are also a strategic consideration for the country.

Israel's largest oil refinery, Bazan in the northern port city of Haifa, also produces the jet fuel powering the Israeli air force's long-range strike missions in Iran.

The plant has been struck by Iranian missiles three times, including on Sunday, but was quickly repaired each time and remains largely operational.

"A round trip from Israel to Tehran consumes between 10 and 12 tonnes of jet fuel, depending on the type of aircraft... that is the amount that an average family car utilises in 10 to 20 years," Mor said.

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Canada prime minister denounces Israel's 'illegal invasion' of Lebanon



Montreal, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney on Tuesday denounced Israel's deployment of troops against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as an "illegal invasion" that violates its "integrity and sovereignty."

"The government of Lebanon has banned Hezbollah, is taking action, is trying to take action against Hezbollah and their terrorist activities and their threats to Israel, and that is the purported justification for this invasion," Carney told journalists at an event in Wakefield, Quebec.

"So we condemn it," he said.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.

Carney's comments came as the United Nations Security Council was to hold an urgent meeting over the recent deaths of three UN peacekeepers in Lebanon, possibly by Israeli fire.

The UN aid chief warned Tuesday that southern Lebanon could become another occupied territory in the Middle East after Israel reiterated threats to seize the area following its war with Hezbollah.

Lebanese authorities say more than 1,200 people have been killed since the hostilities began.
UN worried by Israeli threats to occupy south Lebanon



United Nations, United States, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



The UN aid chief warned Tuesday that southern Lebanon could become another occupied territory in the Middle East after renewed Israeli threats to seize the area following its war with Hezbollah.

The aid chief, Tom Fletcher, drew parallels to Gaza, the Palestinian territory facing a humanitarian crisis, as he told the Security Council that fighting in Lebanon has already displaced 1.1 million people.

"Given the trajectory that some Israeli ministers have described and given what we have seen in plain sight in Gaza, how will you protect civilians?" he said.

"Given the intensity of the coercive displacement that we are seeing, how should we prepare, collectively as the international community, for a new addition to the list of occupied territories?"

Earlier Tuesday, Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz said the military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war against Hezbollah.

Katz's statement was not the first Israeli declaration signalling an intention to occupy parts of the south, but it was the clearest since the Middle East war spread to Lebanon on March 2.



- 1.1 million displaced -



Fletcher, who addressed the Security Council from Beirut, said he had witnessed "anxiety and tensions at levels I have not witnessed in many years, working in and on Lebanon."

"In Lebanon, more than 1.1 million people have been displaced over the past four weeks, including more than 370,000 children," he said.

"Over 200,000 people have crossed over into Syria in the past month. A cycle of coercive displacement is unfolding," Fletcher added.

"Displacement on this scale, of course, heightens exposure to additional dangers, particularly for women and girls living in overcrowded and unfamiliar settings," he said.

Hezbollah, the Iran-backed militant group, drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge Israel's killing of Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei.

Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.

Lebanon's UN representative Ahmad Arafa urged the Security Council to condemn the Israeli statements about a planned occupation.

Arafa also called for the Council to "take the necessary measures to compel Israel to halt its incursions and threats to Lebanon's territorial integrity and political independence."

Israeli ambassador Danny Danon said his country would not tolerate Hezbollah attacks against its citizens and would take "necessary measures to defend them."

"We have no desire to remain or operate in Lebanon. Our goal is to protect our communities and to push the threat away from our border," Danon said.
Latin Patriarch says Jerusalem Easter celebrations to happen behind closed doors



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Easter celebrations at Christianity's holiest site will take place behind closed doors, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem said Tuesday, days after Israeli police blocked him from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, sparking international condemnation.

Police prevented Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa from entering the church on Palm Sunday, citing security concerns. Israel has enforced restrictions on gatherings at holy sites during the ongoing war with Iran.

After a widespread backlash, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the Latin Patriarch would get "full and immediate access" to the church.

For Christians, Palm Sunday marks the beginning of Holy Week, commemorating Jesus Christ's final days in Jerusalem leading up to his crucifixion and resurrection at Easter.

"The liturgy of the Holy Week will be celebrated internally with closed doors, without people, with a local community and a few others," Pizzaballa told journalists on Tuesday, specifying that only a handful of people and a bishop would take part.

He added that the church would aim to broadcast all the Easter celebrations live worldwide.

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre contains the sites where Christians believe Christ was crucified, entombed and resurrected.

Pizzaballa said that while there had initially been "some misunderstanding" with the police on Palm Sunday, the officers' conduct had been "very respectful" and a dialogue with Israeli authorities had swiftly been established to resolve the issue.

"We are sorry for what happened, but... this is an occasion to look forward," he said.

"We don't want a privilege, we said also to the police, I think that the same criteria should be applied to all, to the Western Wall, and of course also to Al-Aqsa and any other place," he said, referring to Jerusalem's other holy sites revered by Jews and Muslims.

"I think it's possible to save the principle of security, and also the principle of prayer in such sensitive places," he added.

Pizzaballa said he didn't think there was any intention to bar Christians or Muslims from praying at Jerusalem's holy sites, but that the issue stemmed from "underestimating the importance and sensitivity of these places".

The Custos of the Holy Land, Father Francesco Ielpo, who was also barred from entering the Church of the Holy Sepulchre on Sunday, described the incident as a "painful episode" for Christians everywhere.

But he told journalists on Tuesday that the event was an opportunity to ensure that freedom of worship for all religions was respected in the future.

"It is on this principle that we wish to continue building dialogue and cooperation with the authorities, convinced that mutual respect is the foundation for authentic coexistence and for the protection of the holy places, which belong not only to this land, but to all humanity," he said.
Iran Guards say will target US tech firms if more leaders killed



Tehran, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Iran's Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday that they would target leading US technology firms like Apple, Google and Meta if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

"These companies, starting from 8:00 pm (1630 GMT) Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1, should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran," the Guards said in a statement listing the names of 18 companies it alleged were complicit in the killing of officials.

"We advise the employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to preserve their lives," it added.

The threat comes as President Donald Trump says he is conducting diplomacy aimed at putting an end to the conflict, while also threatening to amplify the US-Israeli campaign against the Islamic republic.

The Guards' statement said the US government and tech giants had "ignored our repeated warnings regarding the necessity" of halting operations targeting top Iranian officials, alleging that the tech firms are the "main element in designing and tracking assassination targets".

As a result, these 18 companies -- who also included Intel, Microsoft and Oracle, as well as electric car company Tesla, analytics firm Palantir, and chip giant Nvidia -- risk retaliation, the statement said.

"Companies that actively participate in terrorist designs will face reciprocal action for every targeted assassination," the statement said.

The warning did not specify where the action would take place, but it added:

"Residents around these terrorist companies in all countries of the region are also advised to leave their locations within a one-kilometre radius and move to a safe place."

In early March, Amazon reported that two of its data centres in the United Arab Emirates were "directly struck" by drones and one in Bahrain damaged by a nearby attack.

Supreme leader Ali Khamenei and Revolutionary Guards commander-in-chief Mohammad Pakpour were killed on the first day of the war on February 28, with the US and Israel seeking to kill an entire echelon of the Iranian leadership.

The Islamic republic's powerful security chief, Ali Larijani, has also been killed, as have many other prominent figures.

Israel and the United States say they have dealt a major blow to Iran by killing top officials, but some analysts say the Islamic republic is showing resilience and capacity to recover from the setbacks.

Also on Tuesday, Iran's army said that in response to attacks on Iranian infrastructure its drones had targeted key "communications, telecommunications and industrial centres" in Israel including centres of industrial giants Siemens close to the main international airport and AT&T in the city of Haifa.

There was no immediate confirmation from Israel that these targets had been hit.

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French state buys nuclear supercomputer firm



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



France's government on Tuesday completed the purchase of the supercomputing arm of IT firm Atos, which builds machines for nuclear weapons development as well as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

The move marked "a decisive step for France's technological sovereignty," economy minister Roland Lescure said in a statement -- a concern that has shot to the top of the agenda in Europe amid transatlantic tensions.

Paris is now the only shareholder of the Atos supercomputing spinoff dubbed Bull, which the company said was valued at up to 404 million euros ($467 million).

Bull has around 3,000 employees worldwide and revenues of 720 million euros in 2025 -- up 16 percent year-on-year.

The unit last year completed Europe's first "exascale" supercomputer, Germany-based Jupiter, able to carry out more than one quintillion (a billion billion) operations per second.

While that computer is powered by chips from American giant Nvidia, the company's US rival AMD will contribute to its next, more powerful project, France-based Alice Recoque, set for completion in 2027.

"We are the only European player capable of building computers and systems suited to AI," Bull chief Emmanuel Le Roux told AFP.

Being spun off "gives us the agility required to respond to a market undergoing far-reaching transformation," he added.

The company has doubled the capacity of a factory in Angers in western France and aims to deliver its first hybrid quantum-classical computer within five years, Le Roux said.

Bull is also aiming to achieve an 80 percent ratio of European components in upcoming supercomputers.

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Atos
Israel says will reduce French defence imports 'to zero'



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Israel will reduce its military imports from France "to zero" in retaliation for French policies it deems hostile towards its interests, a defence ministry spokeswoman told AFP on Tuesday.

"The Director General of the Ministry of Defence, Amir Baram, has decided to reduce defence procurement from France to zero, diverting those funds to 'Blue and White' (Israeli) procurement or to allied nations", the spokeswoman said.

According to the French parliament, Paris does not export weapons to Israel, but components to be used in defence systems or to be re-exported to third countries.

Israeli armament procurement from French defence companies totalled around $260 million between 2015 and 2024, according to the most recent French parliamentary report on military exports, which said global sales in 2024 topped $25 billion.

The Israeli spokeswoman added that the decision was in retaliation for several French government steps perceived as hostile to Israel.

Those were recognising a Palestinian state, Israel's exclusion from defence shows in France and "the recent ban on Israeli aircraft carrying munitions intended for the war against Iran from transiting French airspace".

The Israeli announcement came as the French government said on Tuesday that it was surprised US President Donald Trump had accused France of being "very unhelpful" for not allowing Israel-bound planes carrying military equipment to use its airspace during the Iran war.

The French presidency said in a statement that the decision was "consistent with French policy since the start of this conflict".

Israel's defence ministry accused France of "harming Israel's defence activities and the strategic cooperation between the two countries," adding it viewed the moves "with great severity".

"The French ban was imposed despite prior coordination, despite explanations that the munitions were intended solely for use against Iran, and despite the understanding that this effort serves the security of Europe", the spokeswoman said.

On February 28, the US and Israel launched a massive military campaign against the Islamic republic, which has spiralled into a regional war.
Netanyahu says Israel will continue to 'crush Iran's terror regime'



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel would press ahead with its military campaign against Tehran, declaring that it would continue to "crush Iran's terror regime".

"The campaign is not over," he said in a televised statement. "We will continue to crush the terror regime."

Netanyahu's comments came shortly after Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had the "necessary will" to end the war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.

In his statement, delivered on the eve of the Jewish Passover holidays, Netanyahu said: "We had to act, and we acted."

"We have remained steadfast in our mission and we have changed the face of the Middle East," he added, asserting that despite the ongoing war, Israel had emerged as a "regional power".
Strikes hit Lebanon as Israel vows to occupy swathe of south after war



Beirut, Lebanon, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Lebanon said Israeli strikes hit near Beirut's main airport road on Tuesday, as the UN Security Council held an urgent meeting after three peacekeepers were killed in the south.

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said his country's military would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the current war against Hezbollah has ended.

It was not the first Israeli declaration signalling an intention to occupy parts of the south, but it was the clearest since the Middle East war spread to Lebanon on March 2.

It prompted a denunciation from Lebanese Defence Minister Michel Menassa, who said the plans were "a deepening of the aggression" against his country.

Tehran-backed Hezbollah drew Lebanon into the war by launching attacks on Israel to avenge the killing of Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Israel has responded with broad strikes across Lebanon and a ground offensive.

Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney denounced Israel's deployment of troops against Hezbollah targets in Lebanon as an "illegal invasion" that violates its "integrity and sovereignty".

Fresh Israeli strikes hit the country's south and near Beirut on Tuesday, the state-run National News Agency said.

One strike hit a building next to Beirut's main airport road after Israel's military warned it would strike a "Hezbollah facility" there.

The road is the main means of accessing the country's only international passenger facility.

AFPTV images showed plumes of smoke rising from the site on the edge of Beirut's southern suburbs, a Hezbollah bastion that has largely emptied of residents since the latest hostilities erupted, and where Israel said it struck Hezbollah "infrastructure" earlier in the day.



- 'Security zone' -



The NNA also said an Israeli strike hit Christian-majority suburb of Mansourieh outside Beirut without warning, the first attack there since the war erupted.

Residents said they heard an explosion and saw black smoke rise from the area, while an AFP correspondent saw a hole in the ground and damaged vehicles showered with soil.

Israel's Katz said that "at the end of the operation, the IDF (military) will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon... and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani" River, which flows around 30 kilometres (20 miles) from the border.

He also said the return of hundreds of thousands of displaced Lebanese would be "completely prevented" until northern Israel's security was ensured.

"All the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished... to remove once and for all the border-adjacent threats from the residents of the north," he added.

In response, Menassa said Katz's remarks were "no longer mere threats, but reflect a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory, forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of citizens, and systematically destroy villages and towns in the South."

Lebanese authorities say the hostilities have so far killed more than 1,200 people and displaced more than one million others.

Hezbollah has been claiming dozens of attacks against Israeli targets, and said Tuesday that its fighters clashed with soldiers in south Lebanon's Ainata, around four kilometres from the border.

It also said its fighters attacked Israeli soldiers who attempted to advance towards the town of Bint Jbeil, as well as "a senior Israeli army leadership convoy" near the frontier.

In successive statements on Tuesday evening, the group announced a wave of rocket and missile attacks on northern Israel.



- Security Council meeting -



The UN Security Council was meeting on Tuesday following the deaths in recent days of three Indonesian peacekeepers from the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in two incidents in the country's south.

A UN security source told AFP that Israeli fire had killed one peacekeeper on Sunday, while a mine may have caused Monday's deadly blast.

Israel's military said it was investigating the incidents to "determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity".

In a joint statement, 10 European countries including France and Britain urged all sides to ensure UNIFIL's safety.

UN aid chief Tom Fletcher told the Security Council that south Lebanon could become another occupied territory in the Middle East.

"Given the trajectory that some Israeli ministers have described and given what we have seen in plain sight in Gaza, how will you protect civilians?" he asked.
Russian forces have increased their use of drones on the battlefield, while reducing the involvement of personnel because of training issues, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"As for the increased activity in Pokrovsk axis and generally in the south, it is there. The weather has changed, we understand that there is more drone use, but we see less use of personnel. We believe the enemy has problems. There are issues with the training of personnel," Zelenskyy told journalists during Bucha summit on Tuesday.

The president said Russian losses between January 1 and March 26 amounted to 89,000 personnel killed and seriously wounded. According to him, the enemy had planned to mobilize 409,000 people in 2026, of whom only 20% or 22% had been mobilized, which as of March amounted to 80,000.

Speaking about the situation on the front on Tuesday morning, Zelenskyy added that the situation was under control.
Blasts sow panic in Burundi's main city after arsenal fire



Nairobi, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Multiple explosions ripped through the city of Bujumbura after a fire broke out late on Tuesday at a military arsenal in Burundi's economic capital, an army spokesman said.

The explosions sowed panic across the city of more than a million people, with a projectile landing close to the small African Great Lakes country's national radio broadcaster, a resident living near the building told AFP, requesting anonymity.

In a video seen by AFP, a tall mushroom cloud of smoke loomed over a Bujumbura neighbourhood at nightfall, which another resident described as "spreading terror" across the city.

Tall flames rising into the sky were also visible in images widely shared across social media, while a Burundian media platform relayed unconfirmed reports of gunfire.

"A serious electrical accident in the ammunition store of the FDNB (Burundi National Defence Force) based in Musaga is the cause of the explosions currently being heard in the economic capital Bujumbura," Burundian army spokesman Gaspard Baratuza said.

Musaga sits in the southern suburbs of Bujumbura, the economic capital of a country ranked by the World Bank as the Earth's poorest by GDP per head in 2023.

"We urge the public to remain calm and avoid the surrounding areas; the relevant services are currently intervening," Baratuza added in a message shared in a WhatsApp group for journalists.



- 'Growing panic' -



A resident of the Gasekebuye neighbourhood, located several kilometres from Musaga, told AFP that "the base camp is sending out munitions".

"It's munitions that are burning. They're sending bombs our way. In my house, some windows have already shattered," the resident told AFP by phone.

The authorities were yet to comment on the incident or give a toll several hours after the incident, about which much remains murky.

SOS Medias Burundi, a platform for independent journalism in the country, warned of "growing panic" in the city from people "fearing a rapid deterioration of the security situation", posting footage of red flames in the distance on X.

"Fear is spreading rapidly among residents, with many continuing to flee their homes," the organisation said, adding it had received reports from residents that "heavy and light gunfire is also ongoing".

It cautioned however that "the situation remains unclear and highly concerning".

Bujumbura sits on the shores of Lake Tanganyika across from the conflict-ridden eastern Democratic of Congo, where Burundi has sent troops to help the Congolese government fight the Rwanda-backed M23 militia.

For years, Burundi has been gripped by a profound economic crisis, notably a three-year-long petrol shortage that has paralysed the country.

Since President Evariste Ndayishimiye took power in June 2020, the former Belgian colony has swung between signs of liberalising a government still in thrall to the country's powerful generals and cracking down on the opposition.

Ndayishimiye had just returned on Tuesday afternoon from a trip to the Central African Republic for his Centrafrican counterpart Faustin-Archange Touadera's third-term inauguration.

Both NGOs and the United Nations have criticised breaches of human rights in the country on his watch.
Pope says he hopes Trump looking for 'off-ramp' in Mideast war



Castel Gandolfo, Italy, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Pope Leo XIV said Tuesday he hoped that US President Donald Trump was looking to end the war in the Middle East, as he called for a halt to violence ahead of Easter.

"I'm told that President Trump recently stated that he would like to end the war, hopefully he's looking for an off-ramp, hopefully he's looking for a way to decrease the amount of violence, of bombing," the pope told journalists as he left his residence in Castel Gandolfo, outside Rome, for the Vatican.

That, the pope said, "would be a significant contribution to removing the hatred that's being created and that's increasing constantly in the Middle East and elsewhere".

"I would certainly continue to give this call to all leaders of the world to say: 'Come back to the table to dialogue, let's look for solutions of problems'," said the 70-year-old American pontiff.

With the Christian holiday of Easter approaching, "it should be the holiest, most sacred time of the whole year," said Leo.

"It is a time of peace, a time for deep reflection, but as we all know, once again in the world, in many places we are seeing so much suffering, so many deaths, even innocent children.

"We continually make an appeal for peace, but unfortunately many people want to promote hatred, violence and war."

The pope is preparing to celebrate Easter for the first time as pontiff on Sunday.
Netanyahu vows Israel will 'crush Iran's terror regime'



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that the more than month-long military campaign against Tehran was not over, vowing to crush Iran's "terror regime".

The comments came shortly after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian had said, in a phone call with the president of the European Council, that Tehran had the "necessary will" to end the war provided its enemies guaranteed it didn't flare up again.

Netanyahu, however, insisted the campaign would go on.

"We will continue to crush the terror regime," he said, adding that Israel had "changed the face of the Middle East".

The comment by Pezeshkian -- which boosted markets in the United States -- echoed Tehran's counterproposal to a 15-point US plan last week to end the war, in which Iran demanded a mechanism guaranteeing that Israel and the US would not return to war.

It followed a threat by Iran's Revolutionary Guards to retaliate against leading US tech firms such as Google, Meta and Apple from Wednesday if more Iranian leaders were killed in "targeted assassinations".

The Guards charged that 18 companies, also including Intel, Tesla and Palantir, were complicit in previous killings and warned they "should expect the destruction of their relevant units in exchange for every assassination in Iran".

US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu launched the war on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei and setting off a wave of retaliatory attacks across the region.

Trump has since zigzagged on whether Washington plans to further escalate the war that has roiled the world economy -- possibly by deploying American ground forces -- or try to end it through negotiations with Tehran.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking earlier after he visited US troops in the Middle East, vowed that "the upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it."

Asked about next steps, Hegseth said that "you can't fight and win a war if you tell your adversary what you are willing to do, or what you are not willing to do, to include boots on the ground".

Trump had threatened Monday that if Iran didn't agree to a deal, US forces would "obliterate" all of its oil wells, its main Kharg Island export terminal, and possibly its water desalination plants.

On Tuesday, heavy strikes hit Iran, including the central city of Isfahan and Tehran, where AFP journalists heard blasts, with air defences activated.

Iranian state media also reported damage to a Shia religious centre in Zanjan, while the government said airstrikes had hit a plant making cancer drugs and anaesthetics, claims AFP could not independently verify.



- 'Go get your own oil!' -



Tehran residents spoke of life in a city during wartime still clinging to some routine, despite reported explosions that on Tuesday sparked power outages in parts of the capital.

"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," dental assistant Fatemeh, 27, told AFP journalists in Paris via a messaging app.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."

Iran has kept firing at Israel and US allies in the Gulf, joined in the regional war by its Lebanese ally Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthi rebels.

Kuwait's state oil company said one of its oil tankers was temporarily on fire off Dubai after a "direct and malicious Iranian attack".

Iran has also maintained its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of global oil normally passes.

The average gasoline price at US pumps soared past $4 a gallon, the highest in nearly four years, while the EU urged member states to try to push down domestic demand for fuel.

"It is clear that the more you can do to save oil, especially diesel, especially jet fuel, the better we are off," EU energy commissioner Dan Jorgensen said.

Trump in a Truth Social post lashed out at NATO allies and other countries that have refused to help the United States secure the crucial waterway.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he wrote. "Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"



- Israel vows to stay in Lebanon -



Israel, meanwhile, kept pounding Lebanon in its war on Hezbollah as it mourned four Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon.

Defence Minister Israel Katz said Israel would occupy a swathe of southern Lebanon even after the end of the war, and that "all the houses in the villages adjacent to the border in Lebanon will be demolished".

Lebanon's Defence Minister Major General Michel Menassa said the remarks were "no longer mere threats" but reflected "a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory".

Israeli attacks have killed more than 1,200 people in Lebanon, and over a million have been displaced, Lebanese authorities say.

Sheltering in Beirut's largest stadium were some 1,000 people forced from their homes, among them around 50 people with mobility challenges.

"If there's a strike, the people around me could run away and leave me behind," said 62-year-old Fatima Nazli, who uses a wheelchair. "I can't get up and move if no one helps me."

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Netanyahu says Israel will continue to 'crush Iran's terror regime'



Jerusalem, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday that Israel would press ahead with its military campaign against Tehran, declaring that it would continue to "crush Iran's terror regime".

"The campaign is not over," he said in a televised statement. "We will continue to crush the terror regime."

Netanyahu's comments came shortly after Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian said his country had the "necessary will" to end the war with Israel and the United States, but was seeking guarantees that the conflict would not be repeated.

In his statement, delivered on the eve of the Jewish Passover holidays, Netanyahu said: "We had to act, and we acted."

"We have remained steadfast in our mission and we have changed the face of the Middle East," he added, asserting that despite the ongoing war, Israel had emerged as a "regional power".

Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump launched a new war on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamanei and setting off a wave of retaliatory attacks across the region.

Opposition leader and head of the centre-right Yesh Atid party, Yair Lapid, criticised Netanyahu and his speech.

"Netanyahu delivered for the thousandth time the arrogant speech that says, 'I changed the Middle East.'"

"You almost changed the Middle East; in the end it always turns out that it hasn't changed."
American journalist kidnapped in Iraq by Iran-linked group: US



Baghdad, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad by a suspected Iranian-backed Iraqi armed group, the United States said, as regional security deteriorates following the US-Israeli attack on Iran.

The State Department said it had warned the journalist of security risks and was working to ensure the American's release "as soon as possible".

"An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezballah believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities," Dylan Johnson, the assistant secretary of state for global public affairs, wrote on X.

Iraq said that authorities intercepted a vehicle that overturned as they tried to flee.

"Security forces were able to arrest one of the suspects and seize one of the vehicles used in the crime," the Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement.

"The Ministry affirms that efforts are ongoing to track down the remaining individuals involved, secure the release of the kidnapped journalist," it added.

An Iraqi security source told AFP the abduction occurred in Baghdad. Iraqi authorities did not identify the perpetrator or the victim.

The journalist was identified as Shelly Kittleson, a freelancer, by media advocacy groups as well as Al-Monitor, one of the news outlets for which she worked.

Al-Monitor in a statement said it was "deeply alarmed" by Kittleson's kidnapping and called for her "safe and immediate release".

"We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work," the news organisation said.

Kittleson is a "legitimate journalist" with experience in the Middle East and is based in Rome, according to the International Women's Media Foundation.

Baghdad was previously notorious for kidnappings and attempted abductions, but they decreased as the security situation in the country improved in recent years.

Israeli-Russian academic Elizabeth Tsurkov was kidnapped in Baghdad in 2023. She was held for two years until her release last year.

The United States has warned Americans of rising risks in Iraq, where Iran has sway over several Shia armed groups, after the United States and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

Johnson said that the State Department had "fulfilled our duty" to warn the journalist about threats and reiterated a warning for Americans to leave Iraq.

"The State Department strongly advise all Americans, including members of the press, to adhere to all travel advisories," he said.
George F. Will is a political commentator and author. He writes regular columns for The Washington Post.
Photo: The Presidential Office of Ukraine / www.president.gov.ua

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he is "surprised" that anyone could believe the war, or its hot phase, would end if Ukraine withdrew from Donbas.

"So far, what Russia wants and what some partners are spreading is this: they see the end of the war, or the hot phase of the war, when Ukraine leaves the East. The issue is also that they [the Russians] are now giving the American side new deadlines. I am surprised that anyone can believe this. Simply surprised. So many years, honestly, and the same story continues," Zelenskyy told journalists during Bucha summit on Tuesday.

The president said the Russians are claiming they will seize Donbas in two months, so Ukraine has two months to leave the region, "and then the war will end."

"And if Ukraine does not leave within two months, then Russia will seize Donbas and after that there will be different conditions," Zelenskyy added.

"The logical question, if their goal is only Donbas  and this is my question to our American colleagues  then if they can seize Donbas, why do they say they will go further and then there will be other conditions? So in my view, the issue is not Donbas after all," the head of state said.

According to him, the Russians' goals are clear and they will not be able to seize anything in two months, which is why they are applying pressure.

"I believe that today Russia is putting pressure on America. I believe America can put pressure on Russia. Today Russia is putting pressure on America because the moment of the midterm elections is approaching. That moment is coming, and it is clear that the United States needs to take various steps, both domestically and in foreign policy. We very much hope that on the negotiation track we can still return the issue to logic, rather than the emotionality of Russia, which is now reacting to everything," Zelenskyy said.

"We are in the Middle East  they are calling everywhere, running around in panic, doing everything they can. It is absolutely clear what is happening. We are fighting for Ukraine and for the subjectivity of our state, which already exists everywhere today, and in the Middle East there is clear confirmation of that," the president said.
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Biohs play highlights the dignity of hardscrabble labour and addresses the stories, specifically the female ones, behind the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the American right. Indeed, the author spells this out in a late and contrived speech by Jaja, asking if the authorities want African migrant women to go home before or after they have raised their employers children, cleaned their houses, or done their hair. The ending is telegraphed and melodramatic. For all its flaws though, Jajas African Hair Braiding vividly sketches in unseen lives. I can think of many worse ways to spend 90 minutes than in the company of these funny, feisty women.
"My answer is this: where we can, we will publish our findings as we go, not in a single report years from now. There will be no opportunity for institutions to quietly manage what we find.
It is launching pop-up hubs across the UK to train people on how to get the best out of AI, including quick win demos on areas such as how to automate admin tasks and use agentic tools to carry out tasks and research, as well as guides on building a social media presence.
But Mr Turner, who has been the MP for Kingston upon Hull East since 2010, said: "I am being told that I have had the whip suspended but I have not had any notification from the whips about this.
Charles has visited the US 19 times on official visits as the Prince of Wales, not including private trips, but not yet as monarch, and not since his youngest son the Duke of Sussex quit the monarchy and decamped to California six years ago.
In a fresh attack on Britain on Tuesday, just minutes before the royal visit was confirmed by the Palace, Trump criticised Britain for failing to help in the decapitation of Iran and told the UK to go and get its own oil amid the soaring oil and gas prices from Irans blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.
Mr Trump declared earlier in March that trip was going ahead and that he was "looking forward" to meeting the King again, and more recently revealed: "He's going to be here very soon, as you know, we're going have a state dinner. It's going be great."
Photo: https://www.facebook.com/

The EU is working to overcome obstacles to the approval of the 20th package of sanctions against Russia and to the allocation of a EUR 90 billion loan for Ukraine at the next meeting of the European Council, EU High Representative Kaja Kallas has said.

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, she told journalists this in Ukraine on Tuesday.

Kallas said that there were certain obstacles to adopting the 20th sanctions package, as well as to the disbursement of the loan. She added that work was underway to overcome those obstacles, but that she unfortunately could not provide any good news at present. Kallas said that work therefore continued and expressed hope that the decision would be secured at the next meeting of the European Council.

The next European Council meeting is scheduled for June 19 and 20, 2026.

Earlier, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha announced a visit to Kyiv on March 31 by the foreign ministers of European Union countries and EU's top diplomat Kallas.

Sybiha expressed hope that the meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv would "bring more clarity" regarding the EUR 90 billion loan blocked by Hungary.

According to him, Ukraine expects the informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Kyiv to result in a joint statement and discussions on support in the energy and defense sectors. Sybiha said Tuesday would be "a busy and important diplomatic day," with the visit of EU foreign ministers for a special off-site meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council in Ukraine.

He said the date of the meeting coincides with the symbolic anniversary linked to the tragedy in Bucha, which will provide another opportunity to show the world the scale of the crimes committed by Russian occupiers in Ukraine.

He said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would also meet with the foreign ministers.

Another focus of the meeting will be "the future accountability infrastructure, namely the special tribunal." "We very much hope that the number of states joining the agreement on the special tribunal will grow," Sybiha said.

Another focus of the meeting will be energy. In addition, military matters will be discussed: the front line, the battlefield situation, briefings from the military, and specific needs to strengthen Ukraine's defense capabilities.
From The College Dropout, to Graduation, to Late Registration, to My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy and The Life of Pablo, Ye has created albums that have pushed boundaries and redefined hip hop - in doing so, he established a new sonic blueprint and cemented an enduring, undeniable legacy on the culture.
A just and lasting peace in Ukraine cannot be built on concessions to the aggressor, NATO Parliamentary Assembly President and Vice President of the Portuguese Parliament Marcos Perestrello said.

Perestrello said at Bucha Summit 2026 on Tuesday that the stronger Ukraine was on the battlefield, the stronger it would be at the negotiating table. He stressed that a just and lasting peace could not be built on concessions to the aggressor and had to be secured through strength, unity and resolve.

He added that supporting Ukraine's defense today was the only reliable path to peace tomorrow.

Perestrello said that parliamentarians had to continue urging their governments, the European Union and NATO to act urgently and substantially increase both military support for Ukraine and pressure on Russia. He said the current level of support had proved insufficient to force Russia to commit to a sustainable political process, which was why Ukraine urgently needed additional air defense systems, air-to-air missiles, artillery shells and long-range capabilities.

He also said that the NATO Parliamentary Assembly and Portugal's parliament were steadfast supporters of the creation of a special tribunal to investigate the crime of aggression.

Perestrello added that Russia's leadership had to be held accountable for the attacks committed against the Ukrainian people, as well as for all war crimes, crimes against humanity, acts of genocide and human rights violations that had been widely documented.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas has announced that the European Union is allocating Ukraine an additional EUR 80 million generated from proceeds of frozen Russian assets.

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, Kallas announced the decision after the informal off-site meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

Kallas said that the EU was allocating Ukraine an additional EUR 80 million generated from proceeds of frozen Russian assets.
Photo: President's Office / www.president.gov.ua

The Iranian regime may be preparing for ground operations using FPV drones, while Russia is investing in prolonging conflicts in the Middle East, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said.

"We also see signs that the Iranian regime may be preparing for ground operations using FPV drones. It is also important to understand that Russia is investing in prolonging conflicts in the Middle East. Wars there make it easier to escalate the war here," Zelenskyy said during a meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on Tuesday.

The president said Russia must not end up in any position it could regard as better than before, including in terms of territory, technology, or politics.

"This is critically important for peace in Europe. And that is exactly why, when talks are underway on ending this war, we always do everything possible to ensure Europes presence and that its interests are taken into account," the head of state added.
A civilian attempted to breach a gate at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base on March 30, 2026, and was detained by security forces. (U.S. Air Force )



A civilian attempted to breach a gate at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base and was detained by security forces, the Air Force said.

The person tried to drive through Craycroft Gate at 8 a.m. local time on Monday, but the 355th Security Forces Squadron activated barriers, stopping the vehicle, according to an Air Force statement. The person was detained.

The vehicle then caught fire, and the Davis-Monthan Fire Department responded and extinguished the blaze. The driver was transported to a local medical facility for treatment.

The security of our installation and the safety of our airmen is our top priority, said Maj. Steve Holman, 355th Security Forces Squadron commander, said in the statement. Our defenders are trained professionals who act in accordance with their training and policy to secure the gate.

The incident is under investigation.

Davis-Monthan is 7 miles southeast of downtown Tuscson, Ariz.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow on April 1, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin press service and cited by Russian media, the meeting will focus on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues.

The talks are planned to discuss the current state and prospects of strategic partnership and alliance relations between Russia and Armenia, integration cooperation in the Eurasian space, as well as topical issues of the regional agenda, in particular the development of economic and transport-logistics relations in the South Caucasus, the statement said.
Sybiha: US assured Kyiv weapons bought for Ukraine under PURL not to be redirected to Middle East

Photo: Interfax-Ukraine / Valeria Proshchenko

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha said he had received assurances from US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that Washington had no plans to redirect U.S. weapons purchased for Ukraine to the Middle East.

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, the minister made the statement after the informal off-site meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

"I recently returned from the G7 meeting that took place in Paris. I had a brief conversation with Secretary of State Marco Rubio. And we received assurances that, at this stage, there is no question of redirecting this assistance to other regions," he said at a press conference with EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.
The 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion establishes a field hospital within a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel on March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)



WEST FORT HOOD, Texas  In a space conceived decades ago to hold nuclear weapons underground, Army medics, nurses and doctors trained to establish a field hospital in the narrow passages where many modern communication tools just dont work.

The training intends to prepare troops for future wars that could be fought underground as megacities expand across the globe and munitions targeting becomes so specific that the traditional camouflaging of field hospitals stretching across acres of land is too vulnerable, said Col. Brad Franklin, deputy commander of the 1st Medical Brigade at Fort Hood, Texas.

A lot of that has been reaffirmed by some lessons learned around the world where people have to get underground, he said Monday as he observed training for the brigades 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion.

The 4-year-old war between Ukraine and Russia has shown how drones and technology have drastically reshaped modern warfare, sending people and troops into subway systems, parking garages and other underground infrastructure for safety and to establish battlefield capabilities free from missile strikes.

To test medical personnels ability to work in subterranean conditions, the brigade took advantage of the Cold War-era infrastructure of Fort Hood, Franklin said.

The 61st Multifunctional Medical Battalion establishes a field hospital within a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel on March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

A soldier walks through a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

A surgical team trains within a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel on March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

Sgt. Oluwapelumi Adetunji discusses a patients status in a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

Soldiers work in administrative triage station established in a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)

Soldiers work in administrative triage station established in a decommissioned nuclear storage tunnel March 30, 2026, at West Fort Hood, Texas, as part of a medical training exercise. (Rose L. Thayer/Stars and Stripes)



It is about how are they dealing with this with what they have, knowing you dont have enough people, you dont have enough surgeons, you dont have enough nurses, Franklin said. Its forcing them to triage, reverse triage and take care of the casualties.

First Lt. Zarafina Aninion, battle captain for the exercise, said these shortages forced soldiers to cross-train on jobs outside their normal duties.

The first 24 hours, there were a lot of learning curves, she said. We are utilizing what we had here in the tunnel system. For example, we have bicycles to send runners down the tunnel [with information], and a hardwired phone system.

The 10-day exercise began last week and has incorporated live role players wearing realistically painted wounds on their bodies. Other challenges involved the length and narrowness of the tunnels, the inability to communicate with cellphones or walkie-talkies, no running water, and the logistics of moving people and supplies through dark hallways.

Because these specific tunnels were built to maintain and store nuclear weapons, large cranes and pulley systems hang from the ceiling and there are established electric and ventilation systems.

The tunnels were decommissioned and cleared beginning in 1969, then reopened about 20 years ago to host training exercises.
Fireworks light the night sky in this undated photo. Three American soldiers in Bavaria were taken into custody by military police Monday night after allegedly tossing dozens of lit fireworks from a moving vehicle, according to local media reports. (Quinton Lee/U.S. Navy)



GRAFENWOEHR, Germany  Three U.S. soldiers in Bavaria were turned over to military police Monday night after allegedly hurling dozens of lit fireworks from a moving car, according to local media reports.

The incident, which occurred around 8:40 p.m., was witnessed on a federal highway about 30 minutes northeast of the Armys vast training area in Grafenwoehr, several local news outlets reported Tuesday.

The soldiers, all 20 or 21 years old, were reportedly observed by a passenger in another vehicle tossing about 20 to 30 exploding fireworks from their car windows, some toward oncoming traffic. The men were also allegedly traveling at excessive speeds.

According to reports, the witness who spotted the soldiers alerted authorities, who stopped the vehicle about 12 miles down the road from the incident near Grafenwoehr.

Officers said they found additional fireworks in the vehicle, many of which are illegal in Germany. E-cigarette liquids believed to have come from the Czech Republic were also confiscated. Customs officials are now reviewing those items, Oberpfalz police said in a press release.

The soldiers were handed over to military police for investigation, local authorities said. It remains unclear how powerful the fireworks were, and German police are continuing to assess potential damage to vehicles.

U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria referred questions about the investigation and the soldiers status to V Corps, which did not immediately respond.

Army officials in Germany have previously issued fireworks safety warnings to soldiers, noting that off-post use is only allowed under local law from Dec. 31 to Jan. 1 for New Years celebrations, and personal fireworks are strictly prohibited on post.

Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.
U.S. Marines at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C., become new drill instructors as they graduate Drill Instructor School Class 2-26, on Thursday, March 26, 2026. (Ayden Cassano/U.S. Marine Corps)



(Tribune News Service)  Federal agents will be part of enhanced security in place for Marine graduations in Port Royal.

The Marines have noted the beefed up security for Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island events on their website.

Due to MCRDs increased Force Protection Measures, Federal Law Enforcement personnel will be present at installation access points to conduct enhanced screening and lawful immigration status inquiries during Recruit Family and Graduation Days, the statement stays.

Capt. John Hardin, a spokesman for Parris Island, said the enhanced security is about protecting Marines and visitors, not an immigration enforcement activity. They are a part of force protection measures that were put in place in early March due to the Iran war.

Its not an immigration check, Hardin said. Access to the installation is handled under standard Department of Defense security procedures. That requires visitors to present valid ID. The federal law enforcement is only present in a support role for force protection.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be present, he said.

Weve routinely coordinated with fed, state and local partners to ensure security of our Marines and visitors, he said.

It is the first time in recent memory the Marines have worked with ICE agents, Hardin said.

ICE said on the social media platform X that it will not be making arrests at the Parris Island graduation.

Recruit family day occurs on Thursdays while graduation is held each Friday on the base on Parris Island in Port Royal. During recruit family days, family members of graduating Marines visit the base and see where their son or daughter has been training for the past 12 weeks.

About 16,000 enlisted recruits a year train to be Marines at the 8,000-acre island base in Port Royal, one of two bases in the country where recruits train to become Marines. The other is Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego.

Military installations nationwide are implementing heightened security measures amidst U.S. combat operations in Iran.

On March 2, Parris Island suspended its Trusted Traveler Program until further notice.

At that time, the Marines also said foreign nationals who had not submitted the proper forms for base access would not be granted entry and may be subject to additional screening by government partner agencies.

 2026 The Island Packet (Hilton Head, S.C.).

Visit www.islandpacket.com.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush departs Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, on March 31 to begin operations for its scheduled deployment. (Derek Cole/U.S. Navy)



The aircraft carrier USS George H.W. Bush departed its homeport in Virginia this week to begin operations for its scheduled deployment as the U.S. weighs a potential ground offensive against Iran.

Bush left Naval Station Norfolk on Tuesday, the Navy said in a statement. The George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group includes Carrier Air Wing 7 and more than 5,000 sailors and military personnel, according to the service.

The carrier will join other elements of the group, including the destroyers USS Ross, USS Donald Cook and USS Mason, as it transits the Atlantic Ocean.

The Pentagon has not announced specifically where Bush will go, but the carrier reportedly will head to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe-Africa/U.S. 6th Fleet area of operations, which includes the eastern Mediterranean Sea.

Its unclear if Bush will remain in the eastern Mediterranean or take up station in the Middle East in support of Operation Epic Fury, the ongoing U.S.-Israel operation against Iran in its fifth week.

The groups sailors are ready and able to do the nations bidding, Rear Adm. Alexis Walker, commander of the strike group, said in the statement.

The carriers departure comes as President Donald Trump considers seizing Kharg Island, a Persian Gulf terminal for about 90% of Irans crude oil about 20 miles off the countrys coast and 350 miles from the Strait of Hormuz.

Seizing the island could give the U.S. much needed leverage in reopening the strait to oil tankers and other commercial ships. About 20% of the worlds consumption of crude oil and other petroleum products travel through the strategic waterway each day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The U.S. also is considering sending as many as 10,000 more troops to the region.

On Friday, the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli arrived in Middle East waters. The ship is the lead vessel of the Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group, which includes the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit and some 3,500 sailors and Marines, along with transport and strike fighter aircraft, CENTCOM said in a post to its X account on Saturday.

The aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and its escorts, the destroyers USS Frank E. Petersen, Jr., and USS Spruance, are in the Arabian Sea. Five other Navy destroyers also are operating independently in the Arabian Sea, USNI News reported Monday.

Its uncertain when Bush will relieve USS Gerald R. Ford, which has been deployed for some 280 days, nearing a carrier deployment record held by Lincoln.

In that case, Lincoln was deployed for 295 days, returning to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego on Jan. 20, 2020. That made the carriers deployment the longest in the post-Cold War era, the Navy said at the time.

On Monday, Ford remained in Croatia, according to the USNI News report. The carrier arrived to the city of Split along the Adriatic Sea on Saturday. The port call follows three days at U.S. Naval Support Activity Souda Bay on the Greek island of Crete for an assessment and repairs in the aftermath of a laundry room fire last month.

The Pentagon has not given any indication where Ford will go following its port call in Croatia. Since leaving Norfolk in late June, the carriers more than nine-month deployment has included duty in the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Red seas.

Its destroyer escorts, USS Bainbridge, USS Winston S. Churchill and USS Mahan, also have left the Middle East, having made the northbound transit through the Suez Canal, USNI News reported.

Bush, which completed a pre-deployment certification exercise March 5, was last deployed to NAVEUR-AF/6th Fleet in August 2022. The carrier returned to Norfolk in April 2023 after more than eight months on deployment.

Stars and Stripes reporter Lara Korte based in Germany contributed to this report.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B Lightning II takes off from the flight deck of the USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean on March 28, 2026. (Joseph Helms/U.S. Marine Corps)



Up to 2,500 Marines and three Navy ships that deployed from San Diego last week have arrived in Hawaii, en route to a possible mission in the Middle East.

The Boxer leads the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group. This Wasp-class amphibious assault ship can carry F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters, MV-22B Osprey tiltrotors and various helicopters.

USNI News reported the Boxer arrived Sunday at Pearl Harbor, accompanied by the amphibious transport dock ship USS Portland and the dock landing ship USS Comstock. They are carrying up to 2,500 Marines of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit from Camp Pendleton.

The Boxer was shown passing the retired USS Missouri late Sunday afternoon at Pearl Harbor in an X post from @warshipcam.

U.S. Marines with Battalion Landing Team 3/5, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conduct fire-team patrolling tactics training aboard Whidbey Island-class dock landing ship USS Comstock in the Pacific Ocean, March 24, 2026. (Trent A. Henry/U.S. Marine Corps)



Navy photographs released this week show the Marines training in the Pacific Ocean in jets, helicopters and small boats. The Marine Corps posted photos on X of rapid-reload infantry firearms training by Marines below deck aboard the Boxer.

The Boxer group was deployed a week after the USS Tripoli Amphibious Ready Group was ordered from the western Pacific near Japan to the Central Command area of responsibility, which includes Iran.

The USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East on Friday, U.S. Central Command announced in a post to its X account Saturday.

The Tripoli, an amphibious assault ship, leads the group. The group includes amphibious transport dock USS New Orleans, and elements of the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit of about 2,500 Marines.

USS San Diego, a landing platform dock that was operating with the Tripoli group in late March, remained in port in Sasebo, Japan, according to USNI News.

The movement of the two amphibious ready groups came as President Donald Trump had posted on his Truth Social site that we are getting very close to meeting our objectives as we consider winding down our great military efforts in the Middle East.

Two U.S. Marine Corps MV-22B Ospreys take off from the flight deck of Wasp-class amphibious assault ship USS Boxer in the Pacific Ocean, March 28, 2026. (Joseph Helms/U.S. Marine Corps)



If the Boxer group is deployed to the Middle East, it would increase U.S. forces in the region beyond the current 50,000 service members.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth declined to detail plans for possible use of the Marines in the conflict with Iran. Dont tell your enemy what youre willing to do or not do, and dont tell your enemy when youre willing to stop, Hegseth said.

The U.S. Army has dispatched thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the region. The soldiers are from the divisions Immediate Response Force, a quick-reaction brigade that is always ready to deploy anywhere in the world within 18 hours.

In a separate move, ship spotters in San Diego reported the aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt had left port. Since January, the Navy has sent the carrier out on training exercises off the coast of California following extensive maintenance in 2025.
Japan coast guard vessels sail north of Uotsuri island, part of the Senkaku chain, in April 2024. (Ishigaki city, Okinawa)



Japans coast guard is monitoring a Chinese research vessel that has been conducting a survey in waters near the disputed Senkaku Islands since at least Monday afternoon.

The Chinese marine research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 22 was spotted about 40 miles west-northwest of Uotsuri Island, the largest of the Senkaku chain, at approximately 1:30 p.m. Monday, according to a coast guard news release that day.

Japan administers the islands, but China and Taiwan also claim them as their territory.

The research vessel remained in the area as of Tuesday afternoon, a coast guard spokesman said by phone. The coast guard is continuing to monitor the vessel and demands that it cease its activities, he added.

The vessel was observed on Monday extending pipe-like objects from both sides of its hull and wire-like objects from its stern into the ocean within Japans exclusive economic zone, which extends up to 200 nautical miles from a countrys baseline, according to the release.

A patrol vessel radioed the research vessel and stated that scientific oceanographic research without Japans consent is unacceptable, the release said.

The coast guard believes the vessel is conducting some kind of survey, although the exact purpose is unclear, the spokesman said.

Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity.

Japan and China square off frequently over the five small, uninhabited islands and three reefs off Taiwans northeastern tip. Tokyo often accuses Beijing of harassing Japanese fishing boats there and sends its coast guard to intercede.

In October 2023, Japan lodged diplomatic protests with Beijing after a Chinese research vessel was spotted about 80 miles northeast of Taisho Island. It also appeared to be conducting a survey and had a wire-like object extended underwater from its stern, the coast guard said at the time.

In 2025, Chinese coast guard vessels entered Japanese territorial waters around the islands 27 times, the agency said. They also sailed in the contiguous zone around the Senkakus a record 357 times that year.

Tensions between Japan and China have risen in recent months. During a November parliamentary session, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi said Tokyo could use military force if Beijing attacks Taiwan. Chinese President Xi Jinping has pledged to unify the democratic island with the mainland, by force if necessary.
People pay their respects at the Marukoyama Memorial in Kure, Japan, March 28, 2026. The monument honors the lives lost when an American torpedo bomber was shot down in the closing days of World War II. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)



KURE, Japan  A recent gathering in this city on Japans Inland Sea kept alive the memory of an American torpedo bomber shot down in the closing days of World War II and the lives lost as a result.

About 75 people, including approximately 30 Marines and sailors from Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, attended the annual Marukoyama Memorial Ceremony on Saturday to commemorate the events of July 24, 1945.

Two of the three aviators aboard a U.S. Navy TBM-3 Avenger and four city residents died in the plane crash and resulting fire, according to the program prepared by the Fujinowaki Neighborhood Association.

A Japanese farmer retrieved the remains of the pilot, Lt. j.g. Clarence Arthur Tiege, and buried them on his farm. Tieges remains were later recovered and reinterred in Hawaii.

People pay their respects at the Marukoyama Memorial in Kure, Japan, March 28, 2026. The monument honors the lives lost when an American torpedo bomber was shot down in the closing days of World War II. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)

People pay their respects at the Marukoyama Memorial in Kure, Japan, March 28, 2026. The monument honors the lives lost when an American torpedo bomber was shot down in the closing days of World War II. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)

Marine Corps Maj. Matthew Forshee, executive officer for the Headquarters and Headquarters Squadron at Marine Corps Air Station Iwakuni, presents Jiro Takahashi, chairman of the Fujinowaki Neighborhood Association, with a commemorative letter during the Marukoyama Memorial Ceremony in Kure, Japan, March 28, 2026. (Janiqua Robinson/Stars and Stripes)



This spot is really important because it brings not only the two cultures together, but it recognizes that there is a cost to war, MCAS Iwakuni Command Chaplain (Navy Lt.) John Pollnow told Stars and Stripes after the ceremony.

There is a cost to the things that we do in the military. We know this in peace. We know this right now  that we are in conflict, and that lives do expire, he said. It is really important for us to remember that peace has a price.

The Avengers radioman, Petty Officer 3rd Class Jack Spencer Keeley, was presumed dead in the crash.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Luther Pope Johnson Jr. survived, evaded capture for two weeks in the local wilderness and was interned as a prisoner of war at Ofuna, according to an April 13, 2025, article on the MCAS Iwakuni website.

Johnson died in October 2006, the same year local volunteers restored a trail leading to the site and the neighborhood association started hosting annual ceremonies there.

Twelve houses were destroyed in the fire 81 years ago, and residents at the time turned their anger and grief on the remains of the pilot they found in the ruins.

At that time, the people were impacted by the war, and their frustration and grief had nowhere to go, Jiro Takahashi, association chairman, said through translator Hiroyuki Fukao during the ceremony.

In that moment, Mr. Kazuzou Furukawa, the head of the district, spoke to the people and admonished them, saying, Surely this man also has parents, how would they feel? After that, he buried the remains of the foreign soldier on his own farmland and offered prayers for him, Takahashi said.

Furukawas eldest son was killed in action on New Britain Island seven months before the crash, according to the program. His eldest daughter went missing on Aug. 6, 1945, when the United States dropped an atomic bomb on nearby Hiroshima. His wife was exposed to radiation while looking for her and also died.

After the two countries established a lasting peace in September 1951, Furukawa built a large monument on a hill in Marukoyama to mourn his wife and children. Next to it, he placed a stone with the symbolic inscription, Grave of the U.S. Air Force Brave Flyers, according to the program.

Furukawa maintained the trail to the monument for years but following his death, few knew about the site.

We have inherited this from the life of Mr. Kazuzou Furukawa, a deep sense of mourning for those who lost their lives, as well as the hopeful wish to break the cycle of hatred, Kazuaki Kurotobi, vice chairman of the neighborhood association, said during the ceremony.
Sailors assigned to Naval Station Rota, Spain, stand in formation during a change of command ceremony in June 2025. (Drace Wilson/U.S. Navy)



STUTTGART, Germany  Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that the United States will need to reexamine its security relationship with NATO partner Spain and others in the alliance, after some European countries balked at lending assistance for operations against Iran.

Rubio, who before becoming secretary of state was a vocal supporter of NATO, on Monday questioned the utility of keeping overseas bases if they cant be used in a crisis.

If NATO is just about us defending Europe if theyre attacked but then denying us basing rights when we need them, thats not a very good arrangement, Rubio said Monday on Al Jazeera. Thats a hard one to stay engaged in and say this is good for the United States. So all thats going to have to be reexamined.

Rubios comments could have major implications for NATO and Washingtons ties with the alliance. President Donald Trump has long been critical of NATO, but during his first term he did not fundamentally alter the U.S. approach to the alliance, in part due to pushback from top officials who held more traditional views.

Rubio, however, suggested the current base arrangement needed to be adjusted. He blasted Spain in particular for denying the use of its bases for Iran operations at the outset of the campaign and on Monday denied access to its airspace for military overflights related to the operation.

We have countries like Spain, a NATO member, that we are pledged to defend, denying us the use of their airspace and bragging about it. Denying us the use of their bases. And there are other countries that have done that as well, said Rubio, who didnt specify what other countries he had in mind. And so you ask yourself, Well, what is in it for the United States?

On Tuesday, multiple Italian news agencies, citing unnamed defense ministry officials, reported that the use of Naval Air Station Sigonella for operations against Iran also was denied. The Italian defense ministry later denied reports that it had cut off access to the base in Sigonella, while a Pentagon official told Stars and Stripes that the cooperation agreements between the militaries of Italy and the United States remain strong.

Later Tuesday, Trump took aim at France over a related issue. In a post to his Truth Social website, Trump complained that France wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory.

France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the Butcher of Iran, who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! Trump added.

Spains stance underscores the broader strategic importance of U.S. basing in the country. Spain has long served as the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea for the U.S. Navy, which has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into its base in Rota over the years. The location is home to multiple Navy destroyers that play a key role in NATOs integrated defense system. A separate air base in Moron has also been used for logistics efforts and at times as a hub for crisis-response Marine units.

Troops assigned to U.S. Naval Activities Spain stand at attention during the annual flag raising ceremony at Naval Station Rota, Spain, on July 3, 2025. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week the United States may need to reconsider its troop presence in Spain and elsewhere in Europe after some NATO allies declined to support operations against Iran. (Jett Morgan/U.S. Navy)



In theory, the Navy could potentially shift some or all of its mission to Greece, which has enabled the U.S. to use military facilities in the country to support operations in Iran. Greeces Souda Bay is home to a deep-water port capable of hosting carrier groups. Still, the Navy would be sacrificing a prime location near the Strait of Gibraltar, which serves as a vital global chokepoint connecting the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean.

Spain was in the Trump administrations crosshairs even before events in Iran. At NATOs summit in The Hague last year, Spain was the only country to refuse Trumps demand that allies dedicate 5% of gross domestic product to their respective militaries.

Sen. Lindsey Graham, a South Carolina Republican and close Trump ally, also railed against Spain on Monday after Madrid announced the closure of its airspace.

I would highly encourage President Trump to not let the Spanish governments decision to restrict their air space to the U.S. military go unanswered, Graham said in a statement on X.

He added that he would support imposing sanctions on Spain in connection with the decision.

I would again recommend to President Trump that we close U.S. air bases in Spain and relocate to a country that allows these assets to be used to protect America and the world, Graham said. The sooner this is done, the better.

In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly complained about NATO, saying that a failure to assist in the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz would have consequences down the line.

Im so disappointed in NATO, because this was a test for NATO  Remember this in a number of months from now. Remember my statements, Trump said last week.

The U.S. has about 85,000 troops in Europe, where it has had a persistent presence since World War II. The mission was initially centered on countering the Soviet Union together with NATO allies. After the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, much of NATOs attention shifted to supporting U.S. efforts in Afghanistan. It marked the only time in alliance history that NATOs Article 5 collective defense provision was ever invoked.

More recently, the alliance has shifted its attention back to defending Europe against potential Russian aggression. At the same time, Poland has emerged as a center of gravity for the U.S. Army in Europe along NATOs eastern flank.

Still, U.S. operations in Iran have relied on bases stretching from the United Kingdom and Portugal to Germany, which underpin Washingtons ability to project power beyond Europe even as tensions have ratcheted up inside NATO over the Iran campaign, analysts say.

Europe gives the U.S. operational depth: shorter distances, less refueling burden, a wider basing network, stronger ISR and logistics, said Linas Kojala, director of the Geopolitics and Security Studies Center think tank in Vilnius, in a statement on X. That is the paradox: politically, the war strains transatlantic ties. Operationally, allies keep working together.
An undated satellite image of Kharg Island, located about 20 miles off Irans coast. (NASA)



President Donald Trump is considering seizing Kharg Island, a major source of Irans revenue that could give the U.S. more leverage in opening the Strait of Hormuz.

Doing so would require a large-scale operation and could lead to a significant number of U.S. casualties, experts say.

The island, about 20 miles off Irans coast and 350 miles from the Strait of Hormuz, is the terminal for about 90% of Irans crude oil, acting as a crucial hub for the countrys most valuable export.

Earlier this month, Trump said U.S. forces had totally obliterated every military target on Kharg Island, but opted to leave the oil infrastructure alone.

A map showing Kharg Island. The island is about 7 square miles and sits roughly 20 miles off the Iranian coast in the Persian Gulf. (Noga Ami-rav/Stars and Stripes)



This week, Trump suggested the U.S. could go further.

Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we dont. We have a lot of options, he said Monday in an interview with the Financial Times. It would also mean we had to be there (on Kharg Island) for a while.

In a post later Monday on his Truth Social website, Trump included Kharg Island on a list of Iranian targets he said he was considering blowing up and completely obliterating if Iran does not immediately open the Strait of Hormuz and agree to a peace deal.

The presidents comments come as the U.S. reportedly considers sending up to 10,000 additional troops to the region, adding to the thousands of Marines and sailors who have already arrived.

While a seizure would be a blow to Iran, it also could come at a great cost to U.S. forces, experts say.

We could suffer, potentially, much larger numbers of casualties than weve suffered until now, said Michael Eisenstadt, a former military analyst who now directs the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

Its a very small island. Its right off the coast. It will become a drone and missile magnet.

An EA-18G Growler prepares to launch from the flight deck of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln during Operation Epic Fury on Saturday, March 21, 2026. (U.S. Navy)



Seizure would expose troops to more attacks

There is no guarantee that such an operation could deliver a decisive victory or shorten the war, wrote Ryan Brobst and Cameron McMillan, experts at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, in an analysis last week. In fact, they said, it would likely have the opposite effect.

Iran would likely launch mass attacks against U.S. forces during a seizure and any subsequent occupation, they said. As a result, the U.S. would need to protect troops with robust defense systems, which require a large number of personnel and would be difficult to quickly set up on the island.

Seizing Kharg Island would also require significant support from U.S. air and naval assets, which are already strained across several missions. Deploying warships and fighter jets so close to Iran would also leave them vulnerable to potentially deadly attacks from short-range weapons.

Iran is currently limited to primarily using its diminishing long-range capabilities, but the U.S. placing troops on the island would allow Iran to employ much more of its arsenal, Brobst and McMillan wrote.

Retired Gen. Joseph Votel, who served as the head of U.S. Central Command from 2016 to 2019, said the Marine units deployed in the region are capable of seizing the island, but doing so would require sustained protection, which could pull resources from other parts of the theater for long periods of time.

We can do anything if we prioritize it, said Votel, who is now a distinguished fellow at the Middle East Institute. When you start putting troops on the ground, then you really become anchored in terms of the support that you have to provide them.

Some, like Eisenstadt, have advocated for other options, including mining the waters around Kharg Island, which would prevent Iran from exporting oil and free up troops to do other missions in the Persian Gulf.

The U.S. could also help establish its own blockade of oil tankers on the outside of the Strait of Hormuz, which would put similar economic pressure on Iran.

Theres a lot of ways to skin this cat that involve less risk, Eisenstadt said.

U.S. sailors and Marines aboard the USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East on Friday, March 27, 2025. (U.S. Central Command)



Marines, paratroopers head to Middle East

The Pentagon is surging troops to the region as it prepares for weeks of ground operations in Iran, The Washington Post reported over the weekend.

Sailors and Marines aboard the USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East on Friday, according to U.S. Central Command. The Tripoli is the flagship of its amphibious ready group and the Japan-based 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit.

Marine Expeditionary Units, sometimes referred to as one of the militarys Swiss Army knife forces, are often used in missions that involve seizing territory, conducting raids and intercepting vessels.

The 31st MEU is one of seven in the Marines and features a combination of air, ground and support elements designed to quickly respond to combat and noncombat situations. The Tripoli can carry MV-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft, F-35 fighter jets and a variety of helicopters.

The Pentagon is also sending elements of the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, based near San Diego, and elements of the USS Boxer Amphibious Ready Group to the region.

Nearly 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division were recently ordered to the Middle East. The soldiers are drawn from the units quick-reaction brigade known as the Immediate Response Force, which is designed to mobilize anywhere in the world in 18 hours.

The units have a wide range of capabilities and give the combatant commander flexibility, Votel said.

These are high-end units, he said. They carry a certain reputation that connotes readiness, that connotes aggressiveness, that connotes fighting success.

News reports indicate the Pentagon could deploy additional forces, including infantry and armored units, to serve alongside the Marines and paratroopers.

The vast majority of Democrats in Congress have rejected the idea of a ground invasion, while Republicans remain split on the issue.

Some, like South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, have pushed the president for troops on the ground, saying the U.S. can take Kharg the same way it took Iwo Jima in World War II, a battle that killed nearly 7,000 U.S. Marines.

We did Iwo Jima, we can do this, he told Fox News last week. My moneys always on the Marines.
President Donald Trump has urged European allies to secure their own oil supplies as pressure mounts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. (United States Secret Service)



President Donald Trump said Tuesday countries that have stopped receiving fuel via the Strait of Hormuz should just take it, underscoring rising frustrations over Irans continued chokehold on the vital maritime shipping corridor.

The president, in a post to his Truth Social website, also criticized allied countries, including the United Kingdom, for what he sees as insufficient participation in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran as it enters its fifth week.

Trumps post said nations hurting from the oil shortage should buy from the U.S. or send their own forces to the strait, where Iran has been attacking merchant vessels since the war began on Feb. 28.

Build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT, the president wrote. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

Trumps comments came as Iran launched a drone strike on a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker off the coast of Dubai. Authorities there said the fire was under control with no oil leakage or injuries reported.

One month into the war, the U.S. has reached many of its strategic goals, including killing Irans top leader and destroying much of its navy and weapons arsenal. But oil continues to move through the Strait of Hormuz at a trickle, with Iran allowing only a small number of ships to pass into the Persian Gulf.

In response, Trump has threatened to strike Iranian oil and energy infrastructure, suggesting this week that the U.S. could blow up or seize Kharg Island, a critical oil terminal off the coast of Iran.

Trump has repeatedly urged NATO allies to take matters into their own hands and criticized them for not getting involved. Multiple European nations have prohibited the U.S. from using their territory for operations related to the Iran war, including Spain and France.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the presidents sentiments in a news conference on Tuesday.

There are countries around the world who ought to be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well, he told reporters. Its not just the United States Navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

Oil prices around the globe have surged in the last month as tankers idle near the strait. Brent crude, an international benchmark for fuel costs, was hovering around $108 per barrel on Tuesday, up from about $72 prior to the war. In the U.S., the average price of regular gasoline hit $4 a gallon, the highest since 2022.

The Pentagon has moved thousands of additional Marines and paratroopers to the region, and the president has not ruled out a ground invasion into Iran, which would extend the conflict and likely result in a high number of U.S. casualties, experts say.

Meanwhile, The Wall Street Journal reported Tuesday that Trump told aides he is willing to end the U.S. military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. The president said the U.S. should decimate Irans military capabilities and wind down hostilities while using diplomacy to resume the free flow of trade, the report said.

Asked about Trump supporters who are wary of a ground invasion, Hegseth on Tuesday said that they should put their trust in the president.

I dont understand why the base  wouldnt have faith in his ability to execute on this. Look at his track record of pursuing peace through strength, America First outcomes, he said. What hes simply saying is  were not going to foreclose any option.
EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas said the 20th package of sanctions against Russia would include restrictions targeting Russias "shadow fleet."

As reported by an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent, Kallas made the statement after the informal off-site meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Kyiv.

At a joint press conference with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, Kallas said that ending the war required confronting Moscow rather than rewarding it, and strengthening sanctions rather than weakening them. She added that the 20th sanctions package was ready to be introduced and would tighten the net even further, especially around Russias shadow fleet.
There were 471 reported suicides across the military in 2024, the most recent recent year the statistics have been recorded, compared with 531 in 2023. (Joshua Seybert/U.S. Air Force)



The suicide rate among active-duty troops decreased in 2024 from the previous year, according to an annual report released Tuesday by the Pentagon.

However, the active component rate has increased since 2011.

It remains to be seen whether the short-term decreases observed in 2024 in the active component will signal a change in long-term trends, the 78-page report says.

For years, the Pentagon has struggled to bring down the number of suicides in the ranks. The Defense Department began collecting and reporting quarterly surveillance data on service member suicides in 2018 to help guide prevention efforts.

Overall, there were 471 reported suicides across the total force in 2024, the most recent recent year the statistics have been recorded, compared with 531 in 2023.

The Air Force, Army, Navy, Marine Corps and reserves all saw decreases, but the National Guard rate increased by about 13%, according to the report.

The rate is calculated based on an active-duty force of about 1.33 million troops, and about 770,000 reserve and National Guard personnel combined.

The Defense Department in recent years has aimed to improve mental health care access for troops, amid increases in suicide rates and an outcry from Congress and others.

In 2022, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin approved the establishment of the Suicide Prevention and Response Independent Review Committee, which made 127 recommendations of near- and long-term solutions to address suicides in the ranks. The Pentagon selected 83 of the recommendations from the committee.

The independent panel recommended the department implement a series of gun safety measures to reduce suicides in the force, including waiting periods for the purchase of firearms and ammunition by service members on military property.

The panel said the department should also raise the minimum age to 25 for service members to buy guns and ammunition and should require anyone living in military housing to register privately owned firearms. In addition, the panel said the department should restrict the possession and storage of privately owned firearms in military barracks and dormitories.

Austin released a memo September 2023 outlining more than 100 recommendations to be implemented by 2030 to address the suicide crisis in the military. Some of the recommendations included expanding telehealth services, increasing appointment availability by revising the mental health staff model, launching a comprehensive public education campaign on firearm safety, and updating the amount of suicide prevention training. The department chose not to implement the firearm changes at the time.

Consistent with previous years, firearms were the leading method of death by suicide across the force; most firearm deaths occurred with a personally owned firearm, according to the report.

The Pentagon is developing a secure storage voucher program to be piloted at select locations and creating a multimedia education campaign on secure firearm storage, the report states. It did not provide further details.

As of November, the Pentagon has implemented 27 of 83 recommendations, according to the report.

The 2024 suicide report also included data about military family suicides. The number of suicides reported was the same as 2023.

The national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org.
Revised foreign trade law boosts China's drive towards trader of quality

08:26, March 31, 2026 By Wang Wenzheng ( People's Daily

China's newly revised Foreign Trade Law officially came into effect on March 1, 2026. The legislation aims to strengthen legal safeguards as China accelerates its transformation into a trader of quality. The revision reflects China's specific conditions while aligning with international rules and practices.

The revision aims to advance high-standard opening up, promote high-quality development of foreign trade, maintain foreign trade order, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of foreign trade dealers.

Workers are busy fulfilling export orders at an electromechanical manufacturing company in Suqian, east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/Li Jia)

China currently ranks first in global trade in goods and second in global trade in services, with new business forms such as cross-border e-commerce and digital trade developing rapidly. At the same time, the domestic and international environment for China's foreign trade has undergone profound changes.

An official from the Legislative Affairs Commission of China's National People's Congress Standing Committee emphasized the critical importance of expanding high-standard opening up and building China into a trader of quality for advancing Chinese modernization. "The rule of law and opening up are intrinsically linked," the official stated. "Progress in opening-up must be matched by corresponding advancements in the rule of law concerning foreign-related matters."

The official highlighted that the revision incorporates reform achievements into the legal framework, optimizes the foreign trade environment, and enhances China's legal mechanisms for addressing trade challenges.

A key highlight of the revision is the clarifying China's foreign trade direction. The revised law adds provisions to advance China's efforts to become a trader of quality and safeguard a fair and just international economic and trade order. It also encourages the development of international trade in services across multiple modes.

More specifically, the revised law sets out provisions on proactively aligning with high-standard international economic and trade rules, actively participating in the formulation of such rules, upholding the multilateral trading system, and safeguarding a fair and just international economic and trade order. It mandates the establishment of a trade policy compliance mechanism aligned with internationally accepted rules.

Workers sort parcels for cross-border e-commerce shipments at the Weihai Logistics Park of Shandong Port Land-Sea International Logistics Group Co., Ltd. in east China's Shandong province. (Photo/Zhu Chunxiao)

It integrates reform measures into the legal framework, including the implementation of a negative-list management system for cross-border trade in services, and support for the construction of trade promotion platforms and international transport corridors, the development of new business forms and modes of foreign trade, the digital transformation of trade, and the promotion of digital and green trade.

These changes, responding to new developments and changes in the foreign trade landscape, has drawn widespread attention from foreign trade practitioners, particularly provisions on trade promotion platforms and international transport corridors.

In the Langfang Airport Economic Zone of Beijing Daxing International Airport in north China's Hebei province, the global cross-border e-commerce (Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei) "three centers" integrate an ecosystem hub, a transaction services center, and a digital supply chain center, providing comprehensive support and services for cross-border e-commerce worldwide.

Major platforms like Amazon and Shopee have already joined, fostering an ecosystem focused on platform enablement, business incubation, talent development, and industrial cluster coordination. Such platforms are expected to play a growing role in China's foreign trade.

As a key node in China's international transport corridor network, the Ningbo-Zhoushan Port in east China's Zhejiang province has strengthened its sea-rail intermodal transport capabilities. Its services now cover 67 prefecture-level cities nationwide. The port continues to expand its global network, connecting with over 600 ports worldwide, and ranks second globally on the port connectivity index.

Photo shows foreign trade containers at the container terminal of Lianyungang Port in east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/Wang Chun)

In northwest China's Gansu province, cargo volume at the Gansu (Wuwei) International Land Port surged 100 percent year on year in the first month of this year, driven by accelerating construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan international transport corridor.

The revised law calls for diversified and resilient international transport corridors, which will provide lasting support for the high-quality development of foreign trade.

As Chinese companies deepen their involvement in global trade, foreign-related intellectual property (IP) disputes have become an increasingly pressing concern. The revised law clarifies that China will strengthen IP protection related to foreign trade, build and improve a platform for early warning of international risks regarding IP rights and for providing assistance in defending rights, and enhance the IP compliance standards and risk-management capabilities of foreign trade operators.

Data from the China National Intellectual Property Administration show that by the end of 2025, the country had established 99 overseas IP dispute response guidance platforms across the country, six industry-specific platforms focusing on key sectors such as automobiles and solar power, and overseas working platforms in 11 countries. In 2025, relevant platforms provided guidance and consultation services for enterprises more than 4,800 times, addressing cross-border e-commerce IP disputes and overseas trademark squatting and helping recover losses totaling 2.75 billion yuan (about $398.97 million).

In response to actions by certain countries involving repeated use of "sanctions" and "investigations" targeting Chinese foreign trade enterprises, the revised law also enhances China's legal mechanisms for addressing trade disputes. It supplements and refines corresponding countermeasures. Industry experts suggest these institutional arrangements will bolster the confidence of foreign trade entities in navigating international trade disputes and managing associated risks.

(Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun)
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Antonio M. Romero, Jesus Hinojosa y Jose Antonio Sau Malaga 31/03/2026 a las 14:25h.

If Holy Week were an academic pursuit, Malaga would be graduating with honours this year. The 2026 celebrations have reached a cum laude level of intensity, blending deep-rooted religious fervour with a logistical precision that has seen the citys historic centre swell to capacity.

From the early afternoon of Monday incense-filled air to the hauntingly beautiful saetas sung from balconies at midnight, the brotherhoods (cofradias) have delivered a masterclass in tradition.

The streets of the city have become a theatre of faith, where the weight of the massive tronos (thrones) is carried not just by the hombres de trono, but by the collective spirit of a city that lives and breathes this week.

Unprecedented crowds

The weather, a crucial factor every year, has remained an ally, allowing every scheduled procession to complete its route through the official itinerary. This consistency has drawn thousands of international tourists and locals alike, filling Calle Larios and the Tribuna Pobre to record levels.

A sensory experience

The intensity mentioned by observers this year isn't just about the numbers; its about the atmosphere. The 2026 processions have been characterised by a renewed attention to musical accompaniment and the floral decoration of the images, which have been described by experts as some of the most beautiful in recent memory.

As the week progresses toward Easter Sunday, the city remains in a state of cofrade ecstasy, proving once again why Malagas Semana Santa is considered one of the most significant cultural and religious events in the world.

Easter Monday in Malaga opened in the area around the Green Cross with the departure of the Crucifixion, which premiered the reform of the throne of Christ and the roof of the canopy of the Virgin, and of the Gypsies.

At the exit of the Senor de la Columna there were three legionaries, one of them with the bugle played the prayer song. The brotherhood of Frailes Street carried around 80 mantillas in its procession.

Dolores del Puente and Pasion left the stamp of sobriety and recollection during their penitential station in the Cathedral. The latter brotherhood, on its return to the Santos Martires, once again passed along Calle Carreteria.

Emotions overflowed as the Lord of Malaga and the trail of his white tunic passed along the entire route, especially on the iconic Aurora bridge, with cheers, applause, compliments and tears.

The bishop of the diocese, Jose Antonio Satue, watched the procession pass from the official tribune; he had previously presided for the first time over the Students' act in the Plaza del Obispo. In his speech, the prelate encouraged the young people of Malaga to seek the truth "even if it makes powerful interests uncomfortable".
Jesus Hinojosa Malaga 31/03/2026 a las 12:16h.

The Malaga Local Police will turn a blind eye to people using folding chairs to watch the processions of Holy Week and only sanction those who block access to commercial premises or buildings.

Security councillor Avelino Barrionuevo has confirmed that they will follow the practice of last year's Holy Week. Barrionuevo considers the use of folding chairs to be an "idiosyncrasy" of Holy Week.

According to the councillor, while there is a ban on the use of portable chairs, the regulation has a loophole that allows the police to authorise them on certain occasions.

"The regulation states that they cannot be used 'without authorisation', so if the Local Police do not say otherwise, they are practically authorising them," the councillor said. The city council will maintain the ban where there are "streets with difficult to navigate intersections, narrow streets, access to buildings and public establishments and where moving around may be difficult".

In principle, the police will not require the public to remove these chairs from the streets, "unless they consider that they pose an obstacle due to their size or location".

Both on Palm Sunday and Holy Monday, there was a noticeable increase in the use of folding chairs. One of the most common models is a circular disc that unfolds into a conical shape made up of several hard plastic rings, sometimes in various colors. There are also more comfortable models with fabric backrests.

Barrionuevo has also said that they will open access to the northern part of Calle Nueva to the public. The closure of the street on Palm Sunday drew criticism from the public and local businesses this Palm Sunday. The city council will only decree closure again at times when there is overcrowding, to set up the area as an evacuation route, or when there are processions.
Pilar R. Quiros Malaga 31/03/2026 a las 12:15h.

Malaga city council has announced an important amendment in the regulation for accessing subsidised housing that could be approved soon. While previously applicants had to be registered residents of the city for a minimum of one year, now the city council plans to increase this period.

The amendment has received the majority votes of the local leading parties and the opposition's rejection.

Vox party deputy spokesperson Yolanda Gomez strongly defended the requirement of residency for access to social housing, pointing out that Estepona had already increased the residency requirement to three years for preferential access. Housing councillor Paco Pomares also expressed his support for this measure and highlighted similar measures in other municipalities, such as Barcelona and Bilbao (three years) and Madrid (five).

"Yes to more housing at affordable prices for the people of Malaga," Pomares said to conclude the debate. He said that the housing department is currently working on modifying the 2012 regulation, which then needs to be adapted to current realities and incorporate the changes introduced by the new regional housing law, which came into effect in January this year.

Pomares declined to specify the exact number of years residents will need to have been registered in Malaga to apply for social housing. He said that the municipal groups would soon have access to the draft, which, like all municipal regulations, must be approved by the full council. According to the municipal housing institute (IMV), there are currently about 34,466 applicants for subsidised housing in Malaga.

The left wing strongly opposed this motion. Socialist councillor Pablo Orellana said that the initiative sends a "xenophobic message". He said that many residents had been forced to outside Malaga. According to him, making it difficult for them to register their years of residency would make it impossible for them to return to the city.

Pomares said that this measure needs to be carefully studied to facilitate access to subsidised housing for Malaga residents who live outside the city due to studies or work, but who wish to return.

For deputy spokesperson of Con Malaga Toni Morillas, the amendment is a "shameful, racist and xenophobic initiative from Vox" - a party that recently opposed the extraordinary regularisation of migrants and supported the burka ban. Morillas said that, the way Vox are approaching the status of migrants, they will soon start "asking the migrant population for blood tests".
Nuria Triguero Malaga 31/03/2026 a las 13:18h.

Developer Lagoom Living received more than 7,100 applications in the 15 days after it opened the process for the 62 subsidised rental flats it is building in Malaga's Teatinos district.

The registration period for the allocation of the first homes on plot R3 has closed with a massive response, demonstrating, once again, the urgent need to expand the supply of affordable rental housing in the city.

These 62 homes are part of a development of 530 subsidised rental units. They were allocated on a first come, first served basis. The list of successful applicants will be published on this link at 2pm on 31 March.

The period for submitting appeals is open until 9 April, inclusive. Afterwards, Lagoom Living will public the complete and final list.

Meanwhile, Lagoom Living is already moving forward with planning a second phase of allocation that will include nearly 100 new homes within the same development. The Distrito Universidad institutional collaboration model is a pioneering project resulting from the partnership between the Spanish government, the regional government of Andalucia and Malaga city council and funded by the EU's Next Generation programme.

Of the available properties, 19 are one-bedroom flats, two of which are adapted for people with disabilities, and one is for people with reduced mobility. Their surface area is approximately 60 square metres and rental prices range from 632.11 to 640.13 euros per month, including utilities.

There are also nine three-bedroom flats with a surface area of approximately 90 square metres and a monthly rent of between 864.42 and 873.87 euros, including utilities, as well as 34 four-bedroom flats, each approximately 90 square metres, with rents ranging from 863.82 to 876.30 euros per month, also including utilities.

These homes include parking spaces of 30.17 square metres and storage units of between six and eight square metres, which will be rented at 4.41 euros per square metre per month. Lagoom also offers the option to rent a second parking space for 110.25 euros per month.

Requirements

All applicants had to complete the following criteria: have a registration in the Registro Municipal de Vivienda Protegida de Malaga, provide proof of census registration dating back at least one year and not own any other properties. Furthermore, the rent may not exceed 30 per cent of the total income of the household.

Applicants had to provide proof of a minimum income per household or cohabitation unit for the previous fiscal year. This may not exceed 25,280 euros per year for one-bedroom homes; 34,600 euros per year for three bedrooms; and 34,600 euros per year for four bedrooms.

The maximum income per household or cohabitation unit has to be equivalent to 5.5 times the Iprem (the index that measures eligibility for social aid) depending on the number of members per household. In the case of one member: 53,720.93 euros; in the case of two members: 71,076.92 euros; and in the case of three or more members: 71,076.92 euros.
Jose Antonio Sau 31/03/2026 a las 11:33h.

The total economic impact of Holy Week in Malaga in 2025 amounted to 320.52 million euros, according to a study director of the chair of religious brotherhood studies Benjamin del Alcazar presented on Monday.

The chair's most recent report dates to 2023, when the economic impact was almost 394 million euros, which means that "there has been a decline of almost 19.8% compared to 2023".

The figures relate exclusively to the impact generated in the city during the seven days of Holy Week. Mayor of Malaga Francisco de la Torre, UMA rector Teodomiro Lopez and actor Antonio Banderas attended the presentation.

Calculations

The report highlights that the average expenditure per visit to Holy Week by residents is 53.08 euros, compared with 372.50 euros among non-resident visitors. The local public mostly spends on eating out, transport to the city centre and shopping. Outside visitors spend on accommodation, eating and shopping.

All of this highlights the capacity of Holy Week to generate income for the city through the "urban and tourist experience". The direct economic impact in 2025 amounted to 204.57 million euros, to which the report adds the direct and induced impact on the entire Andalusian productive fabric to reach 320.52 million.

When incorporating the direct and induced effects on the entire Andalusian productive fabric, the impact rises to 320.52 million.

According to Del Alcazar, the decline last year can be attributed to the stabilisation stage following the post-pandemic, "driven mainly by the drop in non-resident visitors". In other words, "2023 was a particularly significant year", after "two years without processions and two years of the pandemic". "Holy Week played a leading role in that significant boom," Del Alcazar said.

Last year's poor weather forecasts further contributed to many visitors' decision not to travel in the end. Del Alcazar reminded the presentation attendees of the rain that ruined Holy Tuesday last year.

In any case, 320 million euros, Del Alcazar said, "is a very significant figure, bearing in mind that we are talking about just seven days of Holy Week".

Furthermore, there were 2.6 million visits in 2025, 22.9% more than in 2023: of these, 91.9% were residents and the rest were non-residents. In terms of procession spectators, the report estimates an attendance of 513,675 people, of whom 81.2% were residents and 18.8% visitors. This difference between visits and spectators reflects the notable increase in the frequency of attendance by the local population, which raised the average number of days spent watching the processions.

The event is deeply rooted in the local community: seven out of ten Malaga residents attended the processions, eight out of ten say they have attended Holy Week celebrations on more than ten occasions and the average number of days attended stands at 5.7, "which confirms the importance of the local community as the social backbone of the event and a key economic driver".

Among non-resident visitors, 61.8% come from the domestic market, whilst the main international markets include Italy, the UK and Portugal. Of all tourists, 35.6% travelled specifically to see Holy Week and 44.4% were in the city on a holiday, which gave them the opportunity to also see the processions. Furthermore, 93.5% of non-residents are tourists staying overnight in the city, with an average stay of 5.4 days.

The average age of procession spectators is 38 and there is a growing female presence, as women account for 60.7% of spectators and 56.3% of visitors. In the tourist segment, almost half of those attending were visiting Malaga's Holy Week for the first time.

Residents give Holy Week a score of 8.4 out of ten and visitors an 8.3. Among the most highly rated aspects are safety, the range of bars and restaurants and the event's information and signage. Areas for improvement include accessibility and, in the case of residents, the official procession route. Visitors and residents associate Holy Week with tradition, passion and religious devotion.

Job creation

Del Alcazar highlighted that last year's Holy Week created 2,975 jobs and stated that it would be necessary to factor in the economic impact generated by the brotherhoods themselves, given their year-round activities.

Another 2025 study estimated the direct, indirect and induced impact at 39.7 million euros. It would also be necessary to quantify the impact generated by "third-party companies that see a potential market of great interest for the development of specific products and services" related to Holy Week.

Antonio Banderas, president of the Lagrimas y Favores foundation, said that they have been operating for 16 years with the aim of promoting "a Holy Week of solidarity". The actor said that in London he had met many young people who were able to pursue postgraduate studies in the US and Canada thanks to the foundation's scholarships.

Banderas said that they collaborate with Cudeca and Corinto. According to him, the chair of religious brotherhood studies is "an extraordinary tool for understanding ourselves, Holy Week in Malaga and the impact it has on many very different levels".

Francisco de la Torre said that Malaga has managed to overcome seasonality, with Holy Week undoubtedly having "a greater impact, as it brings higher occupancy rates and offers visitors an opportunity to get to know the city".

Award-winning work

The event also presented award-winning research works, such as Juan Carlos Galiano Diaz's thesis on processions in Andalucia between 1856 and 1919. The jury praised the work's rigorous analysis of the origins and consolidation of the Andalusian processional march.

Marta Bleda Soler also received an award for her thesis on sacred art and its link to visual culture and contemporary mass media.

Carlos Hidalgo Fernandez became runner-up with his analysis of hymnal heritage in Malaga.
Paco Grinan Malaga 31/03/2026 a las 15:34h.

Since producer Monica Gallego got on stage to collect the Goya award for the animated short film Gilbert at the end of February, Agencia Freak hasn't had a free moment in its schedule. "We thought it would all end after the ceremony, but it turns out that's where it all began," head of the company says.

Mayor of Malaga Francisco de la Torre was among the first people to call Gallego and congratulate her on the victory. Her next goal, however, is to get Gilbert to the Academy Awards in Hollywoo.

Non-stop interviews and a visit with the Goya to Gallego's daughter's school in the Carretera de Cadiz district later, SUR gets the chance to speak with the producer.

"The Goya award qualifies us to submit the short film to the Oscars and we're waiting for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to open the call for entries for 2027," Gallego, adding that it's too early to get excited, because they first need to read the rules and see if they "meet the requirements".

According to the rules from last year, however, they meet all the necessary conditions to register Gilbert in the animated short film category. As soon as they have a confirmation, the Agencia Freak team will design the campaign to "present and promote the film in the US".

The endearing story of postman Gilbert, directed by Arturo Lacal, Alex Salu and Jordi Jimenez, has already premiered in North America, where it has been selected for four festivals and even won the award for Best Short Film at the Bend Film Festival in Oregon. The production company has complete faith in this film, with which it decided to make the leap into animation production.

The outlook for Gilbert couldn't be better, as the film has already screened at nearly 70 festivals worldwide since its premiere at the Shanghai International Film Festival (China). In addition to the Goya award, it has won prizes at eight other festivals in Brazil, Togo, Spain, the US and Portugal.

It recently received the ECFA award at the Lisbon International Children's & Youth Film Festival, which also qualifies it as a finalist for the European Children's Film Association to be presented at the 2027 Berlinale. Gilbert has also been selected to represent Spain in the Les Nuits en Or 2026 programme, organised by the French Film Academy, which aims to screen and promote the best short films in the world awarded by national film academies.

The success of Gilbert, starring a postman who delivers letters with his gondola in an archipelago of floating houses, is complemented by Agencia Freak's own experience at the Oscars. As a distributor, they have been on the Academy's lists with the animated films A Rapariga de Olhos Grandes eo Rapaz de Pernas Compridas (Portugal) by Maria Espanhol and Nade (Norway) by Hedda Mjen. Agencia Freak has entered the shortlists (a pre-selection of 15 titles prior to the five finalists) with Totem Loba by late Veronica Echegui and Tula by Bea Silva. The company even achieved a nomination with Aquel no era yo (2014) by Esteban Crespo.

Two months ago, when they spoke to SUR to announce their Goya nomination, winning an Oscar seemed like just a beautiful dream for the Agencia Freak team, who moved from Extremadura to their base in the Costa del Sol seven years ago. Transferring was a gamble that has paid off well, as both Monica Gallego and her partner, Millan Vazquez, say that they feel "integrated" and settled in Malaga.

This March, they continued to collect awards: at the 29th Malaga Film Festival, where, as distributors, they received two Biznaga awards for Best Short Fiction Film for Las desqueridas by Charlie Garcia Villalba and Gonzalo Ruiz Esteban and another for Best Documentary for El mapa para tocarte by Mercedes Afonso.

Gallego admits that she is disappointed that they didn't get the chance to premiere Gilbert in Malaga despite the Goya award and Oscar aspirations. The film is available on Movistar and Filmin.
SUR in English 31/03/2026 a las 15:36h.

Fifteen secondary and sixth form students from The British School of Malaga gathered at Cines Yelmo on 26 March, to share their ideas on how to shape the future at an event organised in partnership with TEDx.

The 15 speakers, aged between 12 and 17, explored ideas under the theme "The Shape of Possibility," with talks ranging from discovering unexpected paths and reflecting on imperfection, to the fear of failure and how small decisions can lead to meaningful change. Speakers also touched on the power of imagination, kindness and international education in opening new opportunities.

An audience including students, families, teachers, local authorities, media representatives and members of the educational community gathered to hear the students views.

Christian M., a student from The British School of Malaga said the experience pushed him beyond his comfort zone "Meeting new people and sharing ideas has been fun and has taught me how to work with others and communicate better," he said: "I have learned that words can change our futures and inspire many.

Stefan Rumistrzewicz, the school's headteacher, said the theme reflected the school's belief that every student has the potential to shape their own future, adding that the event held extra significance as part of the school's 25th anniversary.

The talks will soon be available on the TEDx YouTube channel, extending the reach of the students' ideas to an international audience.

The British School of Malaga thanked its sponsors and collaborators, including Aramark, Cines Yelmo, Come in English Bookshop and Marbellabus, for their support in making the event possible
(Asamblea de docentes de las Islas Baleares)

M. Casallo 31/03/2026 a las 11:57h.

A teacher at IES Baltasar Porcel secondary school in Andratx (Mallorca) has been the victim of a homophobic attack by some pupils, according to a statement released by the school's faculty on social media. The teachers expressed their "strongest condemnation" and "deep outrage" at the recent incident that, so they claim, is not an isolated case.

In their formal complaint, the teachers warn that this incident is part of a broader pattern of disrespectful behaviour that has persisted for some time. "We are tired of being on the receiving end of insults, threats, slurs and displays of contempt that, far from being the exception, have become all too commonplace," they state. In their view, this normalisation of disrespect is "deeply worrying and totally unacceptable".

The statement stresses that this is not merely an isolated attack on one individual, but a structural problem. Hateful and discriminatory behaviour, whether motivated by homophobia, racism, xenophobia, sexism or other forms of intolerance, they state, "directly harms people's dignity and erodes the basic principles of coexistence" in a democratic society.

In this regard, the faculty insists that what happened reflects a widespread reality in schools and is also present in other social spheres. "This persistence shows that we are facing a deep-rooted and collective problem", they warn.

Beyond this immediate condemnation, teachers are calling for a sustained increase in social awareness and demanding a "clear, decisive and effective" response from the relevant authorities and institutions. This response must guarantee the protection of victims and act firmly against any form of discrimination.

The teachers have also expressed their support and solidarity with the teacher concerned and reaffirmed their commitment to an education based on respect, diversity and dignity. "When they attack one of us, they attack us all", they concluded, further warning of the impact that this type of behaviour can have on peer relationships.

The educational inspection department, part of the regional education ministry for the Balearic Islands, has already been informed of the situation and has activated the corresponding protocols. On Monday, an inspector visited the school to assess the situation.
Bamboo: the tiny giant powering China's plastic replacement drive

11:12, March 31, 2026 By Gu Zhongyang, Dong Siyu ( People's Daily

Bamboo materials are produced in a factory in Anqing, east China's Anhui province, as alternatives to plastic products. (Photo/Wang Xianguo)

A drone featuring innovative "bamboo wings" represents a significant advancement in the emerging low-altitude economy.

Earlier this year, a bamboo-based tilt-rotor drone successfully completed its maiden flight in north China's Tianjin municipality, marking a major breakthrough in the application of bamboo-based composite materials in aviation in China.

"Bamboo materials constitute over 25% of the drone's fuselage, with the entire skin structure crafted from high-performance bamboo composites developed in China. This level of bamboo integration is unprecedented globally for fixed-wing drones," said Qin Daochun, director of the International Center for Bamboo and Rattan.

The drone offers advantages in both performance and cost: compared with lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber, the overall weight is reduced by more than 20 percent, while the cost of bamboo strips is only about a quarter that of conventional carbon fiber fabric.

China houses the world's richest bamboo resources, with nearly 8 million hectares of bamboo forests and an annual output of 150 million tons.

In November 2022, China and the International Bamboo and Rattan Organization jointly launched an initiative to deepen global cooperation on replacing plastic with bamboo, aiming to better leverage bamboo's strengths as an alternative to plastic products.

Over the past three years, China's bamboo industry has continued to expand, forming a diversified system with a wide range of products, business models, and distinctive features. To date, the number of bamboo product categories in China has exceeded 15,000, and the industry's annual output value has surpassed 520 billion yuan ($75.35 billion).

Innovation within the sector is evident. Ganzhou Sentai Bamboo & Wood Co., Ltd. in east China's Jiangxi province has developed a bamboo pipe organ. When struck with bamboo mallets, it produces a clear, pleasing sound.

"By combining the mechanical structure of traditional pipe organs with innovative bamboo soundboards and resonance components, we retain the instrument's core performance features while incorporating the unique tonal qualities of bamboo," said Xu He, the company's general manager.

According to Xu, the company also produces more than 1,500 types of high-quality products, including structural bamboo materials for construction, decorative bamboo materials, and indoor and outdoor bamboo furniture and accessories.

Tourists visit a bamboo forest in Changzhou, east China's Jiangsu province. (Photo/Xu Jianghai)

Beyond musical instruments, bamboo is becoming increasingly integrated into daily life and industry. Bamboo tableware and film bags are now widely used in daily life. Bamboo grilles and cooling tower packing materials are increasingly applied in construction and industrial cooling systems, while bamboo fiber composites have been successfully used in automotive interiors. As a green, low-carbon, and biodegradable material, bamboo is finding broader applications and is becoming an important substitute for traditional materials such as plastic and steel.

Technological breakthroughs are continuously expanding the boundaries of bamboo applications. At a construction site in Dazhu county, southwest China's Sichuan province, bamboo-wound composite pipes have been laid into trenches.

"Our independently developed bamboo-winding composite technology enables bamboo to be processed into large-diameter pressure pipes, urban utility tunnels, and even high-speed train carriages," said Ye Ling, chairman of Xinzhou, a company developing bamboo-based composite materials in Zhejiang province, and the developer of the bamboo-wound composite pipes in Dazhu.

"These materials are lightweight yet strong, offer insulation and soundproofing, resist weathering and corrosion, and are cost-effective and easy to install. They can replace high-energy-consumption materials such as steel and cement across a wide range of applications," Ye added.

As a new infrastructure material pioneered in China, bamboo-wound pipes have already been applied on a large scale in municipal, water conservancy, and transportation projects. They have been installed across more than 700 kilometers in 11 provinces, increasing production efficiency by 25 percent while reducing unit costs by 13 percent.

Bamboo tooth brushes are manufactured in a smart workshop of a bamboo processing company in Shaoyang, central China's Hunan province. (Photo/Teng Zhizhong)

Technological innovation remains the core driver of the bamboo industry's transformation. The National Forestry and Grassland Administration has released 37 key technological achievements related to bamboo-for-plastic substitution. From sodium-ion battery hard carbon anode materials to trendy furniture and fashion, new bamboo-based materials are continually breaking traditional boundaries.

Across the value chain, China is building a comprehensive bamboo industry ecosystem: cultivating large-scale producers upstream; strengthening core sectors such as bamboo home products and bamboo fiber goods while developing emerging industries like bamboo-based pharmaceuticals, chemicals, and bioenergy in the midstream; and promoting the integration of bamboo with tourism, wellness, and cultural industries downstream.

Regions across China are leveraging local conditions to build industrial systems that are integrated, multifunctional, and high-value, with a growing number of "whole-bamboo" utilization models that make the most of every part of the plant.

The industry is expanding beyond bamboo shoot processing and basic manufacturing into areas such as bamboo technology, bamboo-related tourism, and bamboo carbon sinks.

In Nanping, southeast China's Fujian province, the total output value of the bamboo industry exceeded 50 billion yuan last year. In Xingwen county, Sichuan province, a bamboo-themed tourist destination attracted 1.8 million visitors in the first half of last year with full-chain experiences.

Currently, China has more than 10,000 bamboo processing enterprises, employing over 29 million people throughout the entire industrial chain.

As the industry upgrades, China is also actively promoting bamboo products, technologies, and equipment overseas, offering Chinese solutions for global efforts to replace plastic and protect the environment.

In Youxi county, Fujian province, 280,000 mu (about 18,667 hectares) of bamboo forests have received FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certification. A local paper company has developed eco-friendly tableware from bamboo fiber as an alternative to plastic products, with exports rising 35 percent year on year in 2025.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Liang Jun)
J. M. L. 31/03/2026 a las 11:31h.

Women in the Cuenca village of Valera de Abajo, home to around 1,500 people, have renewed their demand to be able to take part in the town's Moors and Christian festival, in which only men are permitted to march.

The women of Valera's campaign gained momentum following controversy in Sagunto (Valencia), when women were banned from participating in the Cofradia de la Purisima Sangre during Holy Week.

The ministry of equality which, through the women's institute, has intervened to address the Valera de Abajo Town Council and the Dulce Nombre de Jesus Brotherhood backing the women's demands.

They cited Organic Law 3/2007 of 22 March, on the effective equality of women and men , and warned that excluding women from participating in the festival constitutes a direct violation of this legislation.

At present, the women are limited to supporting roles during the festival, such as preparing costumes.

Another regional government in Castilla-La Mancha has also expressed a commitment to ensuring equality within the festival. However, unlike in Sagunto, they currently have no intention to revoke the event's status as a festival of regional interest.

A festival with over 400 years of history

The local council of Las Valeras, made up of the villages of Valera de Abajo and Valeria, have asked the festival organisers to cooperate with the local women to find a solution. Officials warn that the conflict tarnishes a festivity with more than 400 years of history and could threaten its cultural status.

In the meantime, the women's group 'Moras y Cristianas', continue their campaign to parade on equal terms with the men in this festival which is celebrated in honour of the Santo Nino and includes three symbolic acts: the Moorish victory, the Christian victory and an act of reconciliation.

Festival organisers have defended their position and pointed out that they do not want to go against women, although they prefer the festival maintain the tradition of giving only men the leading role.

The festivity dates back to 1951, with key elements including guerrillas, verbal battles, the dance of the flag, the sounds of drums, dulzainas ( a traditional Spanish woodwind instrument) and the use of gunpowder.

It was then that the first Lord of Valera, Diego Fernandez de Alarcon, established the festival, to commemorate the battles between Muslims and Christians during the Reconquest.
TN 31/03/2026 a las 11:38h.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has again criticised Spain for vetoing the use of joint military bases and airspace and "bragging" about it. Rubio believes that Spain's decision and the US's inability to use the bases "when it needs to" question the role of Nato.

"We have countries like Spain, a Nato member, that we have pledged to protect but that denies us the use of its airspace and boasts about it," Rubio stated in an interview with television network Al Jazeera on Monday. "There are other countries that have done the same. Then you ask yourself, what does the US gain?" he asked.

Rubio said that one of the reasons he supports Nato is because these bases allow the US to have "influence, flexibility and operational capability worldwide". "If Nato only serves to defend Europe when it's attacked, while they deny us access to their bases when we need them, it's not a very good agreement," he said.

The US, Rubio reminded the public, has tens of thousands of troops in Europe and billions of dollars' worth of weaponry deployed across the continent. "All of this is to defend Europe, not to defend the US," he said. "We're going to have to review all of this" once the offensive against Iran is over, he added.

Rubio stated that the US deciding to withdraw its troops from Europe would mean "the end of Nato".

Rubio also used the opportunity to insist that Iran "should never acquire nuclear weapons", because it would use them to "blackmail" the world. "We will not allow it to happen. The risk is too great," Rubio said..

"They have to stop sponsoring terrorism. They have to stop building weapons that threaten their neighbors. These short-range missiles they are launching have only one purpose, which is to attack Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain," Rubio said.

Finally, regarding Cuba, Rubio stated that the blackouts occurring on the island "have nothing to do" with the US. "They had blackouts last year. They have blackouts because they have an infrastructure from the 1950s and a network that they have never maintained and haven't improved because they are incompetent. That's why they have blackouts," he said.
Susana Zamora 31/03/2026 a las 15:37h.

The right to personal data protection has once again clashed with the administrative practices of academic institutions. The Spanish data protection agency (AEPD) has fined private institution Universitas Nebrissensis 20,000 euros after concluding that requiring a complete, scanned copy of the national identity card (DNI) for the issuance of an official degree violates current regulations.

The conflict arose when a Master's degree student refused to submit the document without pixelating the information he considered irrelevant.

The AEPD bases its decision on the breach of the principle of data minimisation, enshrined in Article 5.1.c) of the GDPR. According to the resolution, the university made the processing of the degree conditional upon the submission of the complete document, ignoring the student's warnings that certain data were unnecessary.

In its defense, Nebrija University stated that, as a private institution, it lacks access to the data intermediation platform, which obliges it to manually verify the graduate's identity to comply with the law. AEPD, however, says that this obligation is not a blank check for collecting excessive information. "Requesting a national identity document (DNI) and taking a copy of it would, in principle, constitute excessive processing and cannot be implemented systematically."

AEPD reminds the public that data processing must be "adequate, relevant and limited to what is necessary in relation to the purposes for which the data is processed". Details such as photographs, handwritten signatures or machine-readable codes on the back are not essential to confirm the identity of a student whose file is already held by the institution.

The university, however, states that current regulations require them to be able to verify the applicant's identity. "This verification cannot be effective if a pixelated ID card is submitted, since it is clearly a manipulated photocopy, edited after scanning, which could lead to identity fraud or inaccuracies in the data that will appear on an official degree with academic and professional validity throughout the country."

The AEPD acknowledges that the law stipulates that official university degrees must include on their front, among other information, the name and surnames of the student, exactly as they appear on their valid national identity document, passport or another valid identity document accepted for this purpose in the corresponding member state. The AEPD, however, states that the university already had the necessary student information available.

The disciplinary proceedings also highlight deficiencies in security protocols. The university requested that the document be sent via standard email, a practice that, in the authority's opinion, "lacked the required security measures appropriate to the level of risk arising from the processing". Although the institution claimed to have secure platforms, the investigation proved that, in this case, the student was instructed to use an unprotected method to transmit personal data.

The ruling rejects the university's argument that there was no infringement because the unpixelated image was not processed. The AEPD states that "the request for personal data is a phase of processing and constitutes the beginning of data collection", so the mere administrative requirement already constitutes a legal transgression.

In addition to the financial penalty, the AEPD has imposed a corrective measure requiring Nebrija University to demonstrate, within two months, the "adoption of appropriate measures to adapt the requested documentation (...) to the provisions of the principle of data minimisation".
Swimwear manufacturers in NE China's Liaoning in full swing amid surging orders

People's Daily Online) 16:07, March 31, 2026

Workers produce swimwear at a workshop in Xingcheng, northeast China's Liaoning Province. (Photo/Ma Dongxu)

Orders for swimwear have been flooding in since the Chinese New Year holiday in Xingcheng, northeast China's Liaoning Province, and the city is now in its peak production season. More than 1,000 local swimwear manufacturers are running at full tilt to fulfill orders from home and abroad.

At Xingcheng Xinhui Garment Co., Ltd., production lines are operating at full speed to meet multiple batches of overseas orders. General manager Yan Han said orders have risen 35 percent year on year so far in 2026, with overseas orders accounting for more than 40 percent of the total. The company sells to markets including Spain, Russia, the U.S., Japan, South Korea, the Middle East and Southeast Asia.

Xingcheng Kaisheng Garment Co., Ltd. is similarly swamped. General manager Liang Bing said the company expects total domestic and overseas orders to reach 3.5 million swimwear pieces this year, with orders from the U.S. alone accounting for 70 percent of that volume.

Of the more than 30,000 swimwear production machines currently in operation across Xingcheng, over 30 percent are advanced imported equipment. Among swimwear enterprises above the designated size, the adoption rate of smart devices exceeds 90 percent, and some companies have achieved fully digitalized production management. AI-assisted design has also become a core driver of industrial upgrading, with more than 800 enterprises across the industry now using AI design tools, significantly shortening design cycles and accelerating new product launches.

Cross-border e-commerce has emerged as another powerful engine of growth. Leading local companies have opened stores on major platforms, including Shein, Temu, TikTok and Amazon, with daily online sales reaching 4,000 to 5,000 pieces and monthly shipments holding steady at around 100,000 pieces.

Xingcheng's cross-border e-commerce shipments account for more than 80 percent of the country's total cross-border swimwear sales. As of 2025, the city had more than 10,000 registered cross-border e-commerce accounts and over 20,000 online stores, with annual swimwear shipments reaching 130 million pieces and transaction volumes approaching 5 billion yuan ($723.4 million).

The swimwear industrial cluster in the city generates an annual output of around 15 billion yuan, with products commanding a domestic market share of over 40 percent and an international market share of over 25 percent. Its products are sold to more than 140 countries and regions.

The city's thriving swimwear industry has brought tangible benefits to the local workforce as well. It now supports 80,000 local workers spanning different age groups, not only providing jobs for local laborers but also attracting workers from nearby areas.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Press Release from Business Wire: Tempo



(AFP) Mar 31, 2026



SAN DIEGO, March 31, 2026 (BSW) - Redoxblox, a leader in thermochemical energy storage (TCES) on a mission to electrify the world with technology that shifts the power dynamic, today announced its rebrand to Tempo . The new identity marks the company's transition from technology development to the commercial scaling of its breakthrough electrified heat platform.

The rebrand, developed in partnership with renowned creative agency Red Antler, aligns Tempo's strategic identity with its unique ability to meet the rigorous demands of heavy industry. The name Tempo is a nod to three core pillars of the company's value proposition: Temperature leadership, the time-shifting of energy, and the pace of both continuous industrial heat delivery and rapid innovation.

"As we move from technical validation toward large-scale commercial rollout, our brand must reflect the scale of the challenge we are solving," said Pasquale Romano, CEO of Tempo."Tempo represents our ability to deliver the extreme temperatures industry requires while giving operators the power to time-shift electricity use, sourcing energy when it is cheapest and most available. Most importantly, it speaks to pace: the continuous, uninterrupted delivery of heat that modern manufacturing demands, and the speed at which we are innovating to meet the challenge."

Precision Heat: From 100C to 1,200C

Heavy industries, including cement, metals, chemicals, and food and beverage, account for roughly 24% of global energy consumption. Most of this energy is currently produced by burning fossil fuels to generate high-temperature heat. Tempo replaces this combustion by delivering a continuous stream of superheated air meeting a wide range of industrial requirements, from 100C to 1,200C.

The Power of Time-Shifting

The Tempo platform is designed to optimize the economics of the modern electrical grid. By offering ultra-rapid charging that can reach full capacity in as little as four hours, Tempo allows facilities to capture low-cost, intermittent renewable energy or off-peak power. This time-shifting capability enables operators to hedge against volatile energy markets while maintaining a reliable, high-temperature heat supply.

Modular, Dense, and Infrastructure-Ready

The Tempo platform is a containerized, high-density system using safe, earth-abundant materials. Key advantages include:

-- Continuous Delivery: A steady thermal pace 24/7 for uninterrupted manufacturing.

-- Versatile Range: Precision delivery of superheated air from 100C up to 1,200C.

-- Fast-Charge Economics: A four-hour charge window to maximize energy arbitrage and grid flexibility.

-- Seamless Scalability: Designed to scale from pilots to large-scale industrial installations alongside existing infrastructure.

Backed by Global Climate Leaders

The company's momentum is supported by a premier group of climate investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, Prelude Ventures, New System Ventures, and Imperative Ventures. Tempo continues to gain international recognition for its potential to transform the industrial energy landscape.

For more information on Tempo's industrial heat solutions, visit the newly launched website at www.tempoenergy.com.

About Tempo

Based in San Diego, California, Tempo develops thermochemical energy storage (TCES) systems designed for energy-intensive industries. The platform enables industrial operators to shift energy use over time by sourcing power when it is most cost-effective and enables the electrification of high-temperature industrial heat at a cost advantage to using fossil fuels. By storing electricity thermochemically, the system delivers a continuous stream of combustion-free, high temperature air at up to 1,200C.

Tempo is backed by leading climate and energy investors, including Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Khosla Ventures, and Prelude Ventures.

For more information, visit www.tempoenergy.com.







View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260331809824/en/









Contact

[email protected]







 2026 Business Wire, Inc.Disclaimer:This press release is not a document produced by AFP. AFP shall not bear responsibility for its content. In case you have any questions about this press release, please refer to the contact person/entity mentioned in the text of the press release.
Stranded whale frees itself again off German coast and disappears



Frankfurt, Germany, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



A humpback whale struggling in shallow waters off Germany's northern Baltic Sea coast has freed itself for a third time and has now disappeared, a police spokesman told AFP Tuesday.

"The whale seems to have left Wismar. However, there have been no sightings so far," the spokesman for the city's water police said.

The 13.5-metre (44-foot) long animal has been struggling in shallow waters in the area for more than a week, having first been spotted in the early hours of March 23 near the city of Luebeck.

It managed to free itself from a sandbank there but ran into further difficulty after swimming east.

It twice became stuck on sandbanks close to the city of Wismar and over the weekend experts warned that its breathing rate had reduced.

Nevertheless experts hope that the whale may be able to make it back to its natural habitat in the Atlantic Ocean.

Speaking on ZDF television on Monday, marine biologist and rescue coordinator Burkard Baschek said the lack of sightings was a good sign.

"We haven't received any further reports so far, which is good," he said, adding: "We can now only hope that it will eventually manage to make it under its own steam."

The whale is believed to be suffering from skin problems due to the lower level of salt content in the Baltic Sea compared to the open ocean.

It is possible the whale came into the Baltic following a shoal of fish or having been distracted by the noise of a submarine.
France condemns effort to delay major IPCC climate report



Paris, France, March 31 (AFP) Mar 31, 2026



France on Tuesday expressed deep concern over attempts by some countries "to slow down and arbitrarily delay" the publication of the next major report by the UN-mandated expert climate panel.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) publishes reports every five to seven years whose findings on the science of global warming are the benchmark reference for the United Nations.

A technical meeting of the IPCC in Bangkok last week became tense, diplomatic sources told AFP, after Saudi Arabia and India insisted that a delay to the next report be formally considered.

The timetable is contentious as some countries want the report published ahead of a crucial COP summit in 2028 which is supposed to take stock of progress to cut global emissions.

Saudi Arabia and India -- which could host the 2028 meet -- want the report released in 2029, according to diplomats. The meeting concluded without agreement on the matter.

"France expresses its deep concern at attempts to slow down and arbitrarily delay the publication schedule for the reports of the IPCC's seventh assessment cycle," France's ministry for ecological transition said in a statement.

France is among countries, including many small-island states vulnerable to rising sea levels, pushing for the best available IPCC science to inform the 2028 COP summit.

At that summit, nations are supposed to undertake a "global stocktake" of collective progress in meeting the goals of the Paris climate pact.

They argue that policymakers need the latest science to know where the world stands, if progress has been made in curbing greenhouse gas emissions, and if not, how much deeper nations need to dig.

"Science is essential to guide climate action," said France's minister for ecological transition, Monique Barbut.

Countries "must take necessary decisions at COPs, which they will not be able to do if the IPCC's 7th report is not delivered on time", she added.

Some nations, including India, Saudi Arabia and China, have argued that more time is needed to incorporate science and data from developing nations, and have proposed a later date in 2029.

France condemned any "actions aiming to postpone the publication" of these reports beyond 2028 but did not refer to any country by name.

"France considers that any delay in taking into account the scientific data relevant to addressing the climate emergency would seriously undermine global climate action."
The awards ceremony will take place on December 2 in Geneva, during a festive and inclusive evening.

It was only a matter of time

Over the years, watchmaking communication has become a central part of brand life. Precision can be measured, and technique can be mastered. But what makes an icon follows different rules. Campaigns, social media, collaborations, experiences, digitalformats: these are now the forces shaping how watches are perceived, understood, and desired. And yet, this essential field had, until now, lacked a true space of its own.

The Alexander Awards place it firmly in the spotlight.

Where watchmaking meets, differently

More than a competition, the Alexander Awards bring the industry together. An evening to reconnect, exchange, and share a common culture. One place. One community. One tribe.An open, vibrant format where conversations start naturally and ideas travel fast. Brands, agencies, and contributors will gather in a shared space, designed to encourage dialogue and spark encounters.

The makers of meaning

Behind every standout launch, every striking image, every meaningful voice, there are talents. Different profiles, often behind the scenes, yet essential. Those who give brands their identity and their ability to stand out. Creatives, communicators, content producers, influencers, media; all contribute to anchoring watchmaking in the collective imagination.

The Alexander Awards bring them to the forefront.

A Prize in Tune with Its Time

The Alexander Awards are rooted in openness. By building bridges with design schools, communication programs, and content creators, they aim to foster dialogue and encourage new perspectives.

The awards will recognize the most compelling initiatives across eight categories, reflecting the ways watchmaking is expressed today: campaigns; digital and social content; photography; video; experiences; collaborations and influence; responsible initiatives; and technological innovation.

THE GREAT.

At the very top, one distinction stands apart: THE GREAT.

A name inspired by William the Conqueror, a figure of vision and lasting legacy. It will honour the most outstanding project of the year, across all categories. The one that asserts itself through its strength, its singularity, and its ability to create a lasting impact.

A Public Choice Award will give a voice to collectors and enthusiasts, while a Young Talent Award will shine a light on the next generation.

Take Part

The Alexander Awards are open to all those shaping contemporary watchmaking communication. Those who give watches a voice, an image, and a broader reach. The entire community is invited to submit projects and concepts, and to take part in this celebration, conceived as a moment of recognition, as well as interaction and dialogue.

Submissions will open soon.

These first entries will write the story of the Alexander Awards.

More information at www.alexander-awards.com

Watchmaking continues to evolve, driven both by its savoir-faire and by new ways of expressing and elevating it. The Alexander Awards were born from this momentum, with the ambition to bring the community together, foster exchange, and spark new ideas. They are at once a competition, a moment of connection, and a celebration of those who give watchmaking its voice and its resonance today. 

 Christian Wipfli, founder of the Alexander Awards
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The Super Mario Galaxy Movie might be the first film intentionally made so it can be divided into parts and uploaded to TikTok with the caption prime mario aura farming [flame emoji]. It certainly feels that way. If The Super Mario Bros Movie (2023) depersonalised the Nintendo games by casting a bored Chris Pratt as Mario the plumber and  mamma mia!  not asking him to even try the Italian accent, then The Super Mario Galaxy Movie doubles down on its own blandness.

Theres barely a plot here. Not a single memorable character. Not even another piano ditty for Jack Black to sing. Its a series of large, vaguely connected explosions that Mario, his bro Luigi (Charlie Day), and his love interest Princess Peach (Anya Taylor-Joy) can land in front of in a superhero pose. Is it OK to ask why these sweet and goofy video game avatars are being treated as self-seriously as Marvels Avengers?

You really get a sense in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie of how homogenous our sense of nostalgia has become, to the point that a generation of kids are being robbed of art that encourages curiosity and imagination, in order for adults to be reassured that the passions of their lost childhoods were very cool and very important. There is one real, solid joke in this film? And its mostly just repeating a bit from Disneys Zootopia.

Instead, directors Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic  behind the Teen Titans Go! series, which is funny and original in all the ways this film is not  have done the work of referencing as many Mario or Nintendo games as possible (great news if you love Pikmin, I guess) and then called it a day.

Princess Rosalina (a charming and underutilised Brie Larson), a mother to the baby-star Lumas who can shoot glowing, five-pointed shuriken out of her wand, has been kidnapped by Bowser Jr (Uncut Gems co-director Benny Safdie) in order to power his Boomsday Machine so he can take revenge on Mario et al for having defeated and imprisoned his dad Bowser Snr (Jack Black). Yoshi (Donald Glover), who is sort of a dinosaur, is also there.

Chris Pratt as Mario in The Super Mario Galaxy Movie ( Universal Pictures )

The Mario games have been willing to reinvent themselves again and again, to deliver the 2D cutouts of Paper Mario and then ship the poor guy off to compete in the Olympics (multiple times). But here, the film jettisons these characters into various universes  Honeyhive Galaxy and the Sand Kingdom  without much reason, as a clear reminder that theres a world of difference between merely replicating something for the sake of familiarity and paying earnest, proper tribute. What could these films actually tell us about why Mario became so popular in the first place?

Peach, who doesnt know where she comes from, yearns for some sense of family. For a scene or two, at most. Bowser tries his hand at being the good guy. For a scene or two, at most. The crew seek out the help of gung ho pilot Fox McCloud (Glen Powell), whose origins are introduced to us via retro, traditional animation. For a scene, at most. Then Fox, as a character, becomes nothing more than the bus driver getting these characters from point A to point B in the plot.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie offers very little to audiences, young or old, who dont already know these characters and spaces like the back of their hand. But, hey, if you take a tequila shot every time something explodes, youll have a great drinking game on your hands.

Dir: Aaron Horvath, Michael Jelenic. Starring: Chris Pratt, Anya Taylor-Joy, Charlie Day, Jack Black, Keegan-Michael Key, Benny Safdie, Donald Glover, Brie Larson. Cert PG, 98 minutes.

The Super Mario Galaxy Movie is in cinemas from 3 April
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Former reality star Lauren Conrad is speaking out about her decision to step out of the spotlight.

Conrad made waves when she walked away from The Hills, MTVs massively successful spin-off of Laguna Beach, at the peak of her fame in 2009  but the fashion designer recently revealed in a rare interview that she never planned to stay in front of the cameras.

I always looked at reality TV as a temporary thing to make my connections and then go on to my dream, the 40-year-old told People for her cover interview.

After five years on the Los Angeles-based show, Conrad left to focus on her fashion career instead and launched her first collection with Kohls later that year.

Now living in her hometown of Laguna Beach with her husband, William Tell, and their two sons, Conrad said she prefers to exist outside of the public eye.

open image in gallery Lauren Conrad opened up about why she stepped away from fame at the height of her popularity from her 'Laguna Beach' spin-off, 'The Hills' ( Getty Images )

open image in gallery Lauren Conrad is People magazine's April cover star ahead of the 'Laguna Beach' reunion ( People/ Ari & Louise )

I really appreciate private moments, she said in the interview published Tuesday. Nobody cares who I am here. Its such a privilege to be able to live my life for myself after putting many years on camera.

The fashion designer was 18 when Laguna Beach first debuted on MTV in 2004. The revolutionary reality series centered around a high school group of friends as they finished their senior years and prepared to start the rest of their lives.

Kristin Cavallari, Stephen Colletti, Lo Bosworth and Talan Torriero also starred in the show, which will be revisited in its highly anticipated 20th anniversary special premiering next month.

Conrad quickly became a fan-favorite on the show due to her fashion sense and girl-next-door relatability.

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Two years after Laguna Beachs premiere, MTV followed Conrad to Los Angeles to film The Hills, which documented her college life alongside her blooming fashion career as an intern at Teen Vogue. The cast also featured stars Heidi Montag, Audrina Patridge and Whitney Port.

Conrad told Seventeen magazine in 2009 that she was leaving The Hills to stay sane.

My biggest thing with the show was that I wanted to walk away from it while its still a great thing. I always want to remember it that way, she said at the time. I gave MTV a deadline and said, This is as long as I can do it and stay sane.

Conrad will return to TV for The Reunion: Laguna Beach, which premieres April 10 on the Roku Channel. The reunion will feature the shows season one cast visiting their former hangout spots and reflecting on iconic scenes from the show.
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Dog Day Afternoon, Sidney Lumets hit 1975 film about a Brooklyn bank robbery and hostage situation, has been adapted  and seemingly reimagined  for the Broadway stage. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis penned the adaptation, which opened Monday night at the August Wilson Theatre to dismal reviews.

Jon Bernthal plays Sonny, the role brought to life in the film by Al Pacino. Starring opposite Bernthal is his The Bear colleague Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Sal (played in the film by John Cazale). The two characters are at the center of the story, as their attempt to rob a bank (for reasons eventually revealed during the course of the show) goes awry.

However, the robbery isnt the only aspect of the production that seems to have gone amiss. Critics across the board have hammered Guirgiss interpretation of the material, with many questioning the 180-degree turn from the films electric suspense to the stage productions slapstick comedy take.

USA Todays Patrick Ryan deemed the production an appalling near-disaster, adding that Guirgis seems to fundamentally misunderstand everything that makes the film so unnervingly devastating, robbing the story of all suspense in favor of broad slapstick and borderline homophobic disdain for its main characters.

He added that Guirgis and director Rupert Goold made the production a farcical comedy of errors from start to finish, undercutting every potentially poignant or frightening moment with a punchline.

open image in gallery Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal in 'Dog Day Afternoon' on Broadway ( Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman )

The New York Times Jason Zinoman referenced a report the publication ran last week, indicating that producers barred Guirgis from entering the theatre during tech rehearsals. Tensions were reportedly running high between Guirgis and Mark Kaufman, the executive vice president and managing director of Warner Bros. Theater Ventures, which is among the plays lead producers. A joint statement was issued to the Times

A playwright fighting for his ideas is not necessarily a bad thing and many great works of art have resulted from ferociously contentious clashes of vision, Zinoman wrote in his review of the production. But theres no getting around the fact that this undercooked staging does feel like the product of an unresolved artistic dispute.

Even while applauding Bernthal as a dynamic whirligig of desperate energy, Zinoman argued that despite being centered around a bank robbery, the production contains little sense of real threat.

open image in gallery Jon Bernthal, Danny Johnson and Jessica Hecht star in 'Dog Day Afternoon' ( Matthew Murphy )

Amiable comic bickering dominates the relationship between the hostages and the criminals  its the kind of play in which a security guard lying on the floor after a heart attack props himself up, for a moment, to suggest where to order doughnuts, then goes limp, Zinoman wrote.

The Hollywood Reporters Richard Lawson, noting the rumored rift and how the production barreled ahead anyway, wrote that the result is a garish disaster of tone and tempo, dull and grating at once.

Guirgis would seem a natural choice to adapt the film. His best plays  Jesus Hopped the A Train, Between Riverside and Crazy  are vivid depictions of hardscrabble New Yorkers, many of them caught in the undertow of crime and consequence, Lawson wrote.

Surely he, so rooted in the argot of the city at the center of Dog Day, could find a way to massage Lumets minimalist approach into something that might proportionately fill a Broadway house. But his instincts fail him badly here. Worse, he seems quite sour on the people of this story, often mocking them when compassion would be far more effective.

Running at the August Wilson Theatre through June 28, 2026
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Meghan McCain is calling out Lindsey Graham, one of her late fathers best friends, for enjoying a Disney World vacation during the Department of Homeland Security shutdown.

The Republican senator, 70, was pictured at the Florida theme park over the weekend amid Donald Trumps escalating war on Iran as well as the governments partial shutdown. He was photographed riding Space Mountain, walking through Magic Kingdom with a bubble wand and brunching at Chef Mickeys restaurant, according to pictures obtained by TMZ.

McCain, who once said Graham was like her uncle, criticized the South Carolina representatives getaway in an X post shared Monday.

South Carolina is a very proper, cultured, extremely influential and important state in American politics, the 41-year-old wrote. They can do so much better than Lindsey Graham holding a bubble wand at Disney World to represent their state.

She posted again on Tuesday and encouraged TMZ to increase its coverage of politicians, writing, Especially with Lindsey Graham!

open image in gallery Meghan McCain said South Carolina can 'do better' than Senator Lindsey Graham after he was pictured at Disney World amid Donald Trump's war on Iran ( Getty Images )

Representatives for Graham did not immediately return The Independents request for comment on McCains remarks.

The former The View co-host also reshared several posts on X ridiculing Graham, including a Daily Wire article branding him the worlds saddest Disney adult.

She reposted right-wing commentator Matt Walsh, who said: While our country is at war, our airports are a mess, DHS is not funded, and our elections are not secure, Lindsey Graham is wandering around Disney World with a bubble wand. This is an image that should live in infamy.

Graham has defended his trip to Disney World by saying that he was in town for business. He insisted the Disney getaway was only after meeting in South Florida on Friday with Trump official Steve Witkoff and others to talk about the possibility of normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel.

McCains father  late Republican Senator John McCain  was one of Grahams best friends on Capitol Hill. The two worked alongside each other during McCains 2008 presidential campaign, and McCain campaigned for Graham during his 2015 presidential bid.

open image in gallery Meghan McCain with her mother, Cindy McCain, and Lindsey Graham during Halloween on the campaign trail for John McCain in 2008 ( Getty Images )

After her father died of brain cancer at age 81 in 2018, McCain distanced herself from Graham due to his alignment with Trump. She wrote on X in 2021, Lindsey Graham may consider himself a member of my family, but he is not and hasnt been for a very long time. He certainly doesnt speak for me or my life experiences. Full stop. The media should stop treating him like he is an expert on anything McCain related.

Earlier this month, she warned Trump officials about Graham advocating for Trumps war with Iran.

Ive known Lindsey Graham since I was a child, McCain wrote on X. I am imploring anyone who will listen in the Trump administration to stop sending this man out as a surrogate. He is scaring people and doing damage to whatever message youre trying to sell to the American public about the Iran war.
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Scott Mills will no longer commentate during the Eurovision song contest, after he was sacked from the BBC over his personal conduct.

The former BBC Radio 2 presenter has featured in the Eurovision semi-finals since 2011, which airs on BBC One on Tuesday and Thursday in the lead-up to the grand final.

A spokesperson for the broadcaster confirmed Mills is no longer contracted to work on any projects, and said: While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.

Since the BBC confirmed that Mills would not be hosting Eurovision, The Sun has reported that Sara Cox is set to replace him. The BBC declined to comment.

Cox commentated on the Eurovision semi finals on BBC Radio 2 last year alongside Richie Anderson. The BBC is yet to confirm the official presenting line-up on either BBC One or BBC Radio 2 for 2026.

The 53-year-old DJ was abruptly taken off air last week and was sacked over the weekend.

It has since emerged that he was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped due to a lack of evidence.

The claims relate to when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, and it is not known if the BBC was told of the investigation at the time. It is not clear if his sacking is related to the police investigation.

The Metropolitan Police said a man, who was in his forties at the time of the interview, was investigated in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences that took place between 1997 and 2000.

He was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

A spokesperson said: In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

Scott Mills, right, meets the King with other presenters of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool ( PA )

As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his forties at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.

News of the DJs sacking led Mondays noon bulletin on his former station, BBC Radio 2, and the broadcaster issued a news alert on Tuesday reporting the closed police investigation.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBCs director of music, wrote: I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when Im able to.

While I appreciate that many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.
I was moved and gripped by the recent departure of much-loved BBC weather stalwart, Carol Kirkwood, 63, and the montage that accompanied it. The news that she was retiring to spend more time with her husband sparked an outpouring of love for the stalwart broadcaster, and her tears at being torn over spending time with her family and leaving a job that she had loved every minute of will have chimed with many.

See too presenter Liza Tarbuck, who recently stepped down from her show on BBC Radio 2 because she wants to get her weekends back. After more than a decade in her Saturday evening broadcasting slot, she said she wanted more personal time rather than being tied to the regular schedule. In the handwritten note, posted on Instagram, she wrote:

I think youve guessed, some fool left a door open & I sneaked out  a French exit! Together we made 2 hours of radio feel like a private members club, thats the stuff of dreams, thousands of people enjoying each others company like great friends. Imagine what else we could do.

Thank you for letting me in, its been a privilege

I couldnt help comparing and contrasting these planned warm departures with the icy, brutal and sudden departure of Scott Mills, the man who until this week presented the flagship Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

The details are vague, but the BBC revealed it had terminated Millss contracts on Friday over allegations about his personal conduct, just days after taking him off air, following new information it received in recent weeks.

The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into the 53-year-old in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000. The BBC confirmed it knew about the police investigation into Mills in 2017, but said it acted decisively after receiving new information in the weeks before his sacking. The corporation has also apologised for not following up after a separate allegation of inappropriate communications by Mills was raised by a journalist last year.

open image in gallery Liza Tarbucks exit from her beloved radio show stands in stark contrast to the erasing of any trace of Mills from the BBCs records ( Getty )

Mills broke his silence on the matter yesterday, issuing a statement in which he confirmed that he was no longer contracted to the BBC and that this has led to the publication of rumour and speculation.

His statement said: In response to this, the Metropolitan Police has made a statement, which I confirm relates to me. An allegation was made against me in 2016 of a historic sexual offence, which was the subject of a police investigation in which I fully cooperated and responded to in 2018.

As the police have stated, a file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined that the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges.

As the rumour continues to swirl, the outgoing BBC director general (who also leaves this week) reportedly demanded Mills go as one of his final acts in the job.

Overwhelmingly, Tim Davies tenure will be remembered for a series of scandals involving older, white, indulged and highly paid male presenters, many of whom seemed to have been getting away with bad behaviour for years. The BBC has been wrestling with the apparent blind eye turned to the peccadillos of its stars for a while. And the unique thing about the recent scandals is that they all apparently involve men of a certain age. Just saying.

open image in gallery As the new director general of the BBC, Matt Brittin inherits a corporation with a repeating propensity for scandals involving men  will he take decisive action? ( BBC )

Its funny, isnt it? How women at the top of media are either disappeared because they get too old, wrinkly and bolshy (become less pleasing as someone put it to me, so are replaced by a younger model) or retire to spend more time with their family  ie, they have a real life as well as a career. By contrast, the men are the ones dominating recent headlines for scandals that have included criminal offences of the worst kind.

This tells its own story.

Theres been lots written about the BBCs women problem  Miriam OReilly famously fought a successful ageism tribunal against the corporation back in 2009, although not much has changed since. But the truth is that the Beeb doesnt really have a women problem; it has a predatory-older-man problem.

Just think about it. There was Jimmy Savile, of course  king of the BBC, who was revealed to be a serial paedophile, hiding in plain sight. Not to mention Chris Denning, who died in prison aged 81 while serving a sentence for abusing boys as young as eight.

There have been longstanding accusations and controversy surrounding John Peels past behaviour, particularly regarding sexual relationships with underage girls when he was younger. While he died in 2004, theyve circulated for years and continue to affect how some people view his legacy.

open image in gallery The Huw Edwards scandal is surely the most incendiary one for the BBC in the last few years ( PA )

And then there was the scandal of scandals: Huw Edwards, 64, the face of the Beeb  the man entrusted with fronting the Queens funeral  who lost his job and ended up pleading guilty to three charges related to indecent images of children that were found in a WhatsApp chat and was sentenced to six months in prison, suspended for two years, and placed on the sex offenders register for seven years.

Of course, its not all men  lots of men are lovely, Im married to one. Scott Mills has also not been found guilty of any crime. But it has to be said that when it comes to the BBC, it is not the older women who are leaving because they are at the centre of a scandal that has brought the corporation into disrepute.

Recommended How I uncovered the real threat to BBC impartiality

So heres a thought for the new (male, ex-Google) BBC director general Matt Brittin: if the BBC really wants to clean up its act and stop the never-ending reputational risk that so many men have put the corporation under, it needs to look to getting more top-notch, excellent midlife women in place. I have scanned the runners and riders of presenters to replace Mills permanently, and there are currently only three women (two in some lists)  Sara Cox, Clara Amfo, and Tarbuck.

We can but hope for the return of the latter, but at the moment, the winds are blowing in the direction of Cox. Its not such a preposterous notion. After all, midlife women are risk-free, responsible, reliable and not known for predatory behaviour. Who knew? Older women could have been the answer to all the BBCs problems all along.

Eleanor Mills is the founder of noon.org.uk  the UKs premier network for women in midlife
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Zendayas recent fashion choices on the global press tour for The Drama have subtly embraced a wedding theme, with the actor sporting something old, something new, and something borrowedalongside co-star Robert Pattinson.

This sartorial nod aligns perfectly with the film's plot, which sees a Boston couple's impending nuptials thrown into chaos by a dark revelation ahead of its Friday release.

Coincidentally, this bridal theme has also fuelled unconfirmed speculation that Zendaya may have already married Tom Holland, with rings she has been observed wearing adding to the rumours.

But back to the fashion: Something old came in Los Angeles on March 17, where the actor wore the same off-the-shoulder Vivienne Westwood Bridal gown  in white, of course  that she wore to the 2015 Oscars.

open image in gallery Zendaya arrives at the premiere of The Drama on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, at DGA Theater Complex in Los Angeles ( Invision )

Our Something Old, her stylist, Law Roach, posted on Instagram.

At the movies March 24 Paris premiere it was time for something new  a white custom Louis Vuitton gown with a very, well, dramatic black bow and train cascading down the back.

Two days later for the Italian premiere in Rome, Zendaya sported a borrowed black Armani Prive dress with a plunging neckline framed with stones, earlier worn by Cate Blanchett at the Venice Film Festival. (somethingborrowed, Roach posted.)

As for something blue  the color may have been subtly referenced by her flowing, multi-hued floral Alexander McQueen dress worn on Jimmy Kimmels show March 16. But that was a little TOO subtle.

Which is why many expect the star to soon be singing the blues.

open image in gallery Zendaya attends The Drama French Premiere, Tuesday, March 24, 2026, in Paris, France ( Copyright 2026 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Earlier in March, Zendaya sported a new ring - which led many to believe shes married to actor Holland.

However, the star isnt confirming it and shared why shes intentional about keeping her personal life private.

I think theres a balance between hiding and then also just like living your life and enjoying your life and protecting things that are special to yourself and I think everyone kind of has to do that in some way, the actor told The Associated Press at The Drama premiere.

She arrived for Tuesday's premiere with what appeared to be a wedding band next to a large ring that started speculation at January's Golden Globes that she was engaged to Holland.

Her representatives have declined to confirm the couple are married, even after Zendaya's longtime stylist Law Roach teased journalists recently that the wedding had already happened.
Get the Well Enough newsletter with Harry Bullmore for tips on living a healthier, happier and longer life Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Get the Well Enough email with Harry Bullmore Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice

While mammograms and smear tests are widely recognised, a crucial screening for bowel cancer often goes unnoticed, with new data revealing that nearly a third of eligible individuals in England are not completing their tests.

This screening, known as the faecal immunochemical test (FIT), was introduced in England in 2006, significantly later than breast screening, which began in 1988. This relative recency means the programme frequently "flies under the radar" for many.

April marks Bowel Cancer Awareness Month. An analysis by Bowel Cancer UK of the latest NHS integrated care board (ICB) data highlighted a national average uptake of 71 per cent for the bowel screening programme across England. This figure indicates that 29 per cent of people are not completing these vital tests.

Regional disparities were also evident, with NHS Devon ICB recording the highest screening uptake at 76 per cent, while NHS North West London ICB showed the lowest participation rate, at just 56 per cent.

open image in gallery As many as a third of people eligible for NHS screening tests do not do them, latest data shows ( PA )

But what is actually involved in bowel cancer screening  and who is eligible for it? We spoke to Genevieve Edwards, chief executive at Bowel Cancer UK, to find out

How common is bowel cancer?

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK and is also the second biggest cancer killer, says Edwards. This is really concerning because it shouldnt be, because bowel cancer is treatable, preventable and curable.

What is involved in the bowel cancer screening programme and who is invited to take part?

Bowel cancer screening uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) which looks for blood in a sample of your poo, according to the NHS website.

Its automatically sent to you in the post every two years from the age of 50 until 74 if you live in England, Scotland, Wales, but the age is slightly higher in Northern Ireland [aged 60] at the moment, says Edwards. It used to start at 60 across the whole of the UK, but we campaigned to bring the age down to 50 because the evidence was there to show that it would be beneficial from that age.

After 74, you wont be sent a test kit automatically, but you can request one every two years if youd like to continue with the screening.

How do you do a faecal immunochemical test?

Its a really easy test to do and has very clear instructions on it, says Edwards. In the test kit theres a little tube with a screw cap and a little stick attached to it with a scoop on the end.

open image in gallery Bowel cancer screening uses a test called a faecal immunochemical test (FIT) which looks for blood in a sample of your poo ( PA )

What you need to do is catch your poo [before it hits the toilet water] either in a container or with some loo roll, and then you have to scoop a little bit of that and coat the bottom of the stick, and screw it back in again, put it in the box, and then stick it in the post.

What happens if you meet the criteria but arent sent a test?

If you havent received one and think you are due a screening test, call your local screening hub, advises Edwards. If you can, find the number online and request one.

Can you get a FIT kit if you are under the age of 50?

If anybody is concerned about their symptoms (such as blood in the poo, bleeding from the bottom or changes in bowel habits), regardless of their age, they should go to their GP and request a FIT kit, recommends Edwards.

How long do you have to wait to find out your results?

The results tend to come back really quickly, usually within two weeks, says Edwards.

You should get a letter telling you the results, but if do not get your results within two weeks, you can call the free bowel cancer screening helpline on 0800 707 6060.

The results will either say nothing to report and well see you again in two years time, or will say wed like to refer you on for further investigation, says Edwards.

If blood is found in your sample, youll usually need to have a colonoscopy.

A colonoscopy can pick up on any cancer in the bowel and can also identify any little polyps growing that might turn cancerous in the future that need to be removed, says Edwards. If cancer is found, a patient would then be referred into the diagnostic pathway and treatment would be recommended.

What do you think puts people off taking part in bowel cancer screening?

Some people can find bowel screening a little bit daunting because it involves poo, and many of us tend to not like talking about poo because it can feel embarrassing, recognises Edwards. However, the evidence shows that when people have done their first test, they usually will do every subsequent test because they realise how simple it is.

In addition, its different to other cancer screening programmes because it relies on people doing it at home.

With other screening programs, you have an appointment to go to, but because bowel screening involves an at-home test, many people have very good intentions to do it, but it often gets put off or completely forgotten about, says Edwards.

What are the benefits of taking part in bowel cancer screening?

If bowel cancer is diagnosed at the earliest stage, stage one, more than nine in 10 people will survive. However, if its diagnosed at the latest stage, then that plummets to less than one in 10, notes Edwards.

Therefore, the bowel cancer screening programme is very important because it picks up those tiny bits of blood that might indicate bowel cancer before people experience any noticeable symptoms. If cancer is spotted early, it increases your chances of survival significantly.
The Duke of Sussex is reportedly hoping for an invitation from his father, King Charles, to holiday in Sandringham, with Meghan and his two children this summer  and spend much-needed family time together.

Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, have not seen their grandfather in nearly four years since they joined Harry and Meghan for the late Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

open image in gallery Archie and Lilibets grandfather will have missed some important milestones in the childrens lives ( Netflix )

Thats a long time ago  and Archie and Lilibet will have been through milestones, including toddler tantrums, potty training, and for Archie, starting school. Meghan has also been estranged from her own father. Since her wedding to Harry in 2018, the duchess has maintained minimal contact with her father through sporadic phone calls, but no sustained in-person relationship.

So, while both their parents struggle in their relationships with their fathers, their children have been left with a grandfather-shaped hole for most of their lives.

Just as the perfect family doesnt exist, when it comes to family estrangement its never going to be the perfect conditions for a reunion. But, when it comes to ageing grandparents, time isnt on anyones side and I know only too well how important the role of a grandfather is since my children, Lola, 10 and Liberty, seven, lost theirs in 2024.

Research increasingly suggests that being a grandfather  or having one  can be beneficial. New findings published this year in the journal Psychology and Aging indicate that grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren tend to show better cognitive functioning than those who do not. Other recent studies have found that the support received from grandparents during early childhood is associated with greater emotional wellbeing as they emerge into their adult life.

And with many parents struggling to afford childcare, which isnt one of the Sussexs concerns, grandparents have stepped up; around 5 million grandparents regularly take on childcare responsibilities, according to the charity Age UK.

Charles is, of course, already a grandfather to William and Kates children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, so hes already reaping the benefits, as they are. But for Archie and Lilibet, hes all theyve got on the grandfather front.

Meghans estranged father Thomas Markle is out of the picture, living thousands of miles away in the Philippines. Apart from Meghans mum, Doria Ragland, grandparents are thin on the ground.

open image in gallery Charles is also a grandfather to George, Charlotte and Louis ( PA )

Thats not a good situation  as I have discovered since my dad died. He had stepped into the grandfather role with perhaps more vigour than most, as I am a single mum. At the age 92, my children kept him going  and, in many ways, kept him young. While his peers were being looked after carers, he was still joining us on family holidays abroad.

He was a quiet and wise presence in their lives  a legacy he left. My children felt genuinely and deeply loved by him and has that has had a long-lasting effect. Even now when Lola feels down, I remind her: Grandpa loved you more than anybody! He thought you were the best thing ever.

When my kids had roaring temperatures  or we had to go to A&E when Lola stuck lego up her nose  it was their grandfather whod call every five minutes to check on them, making them feel special. Now hes gone, they only have a grandmother left.

According to Dr Joanna Fortune, clinical psychotherapist, who specialises in the parent-child relationship and is the author of 15 Minute Parenting, grandparents hold our family story.

They pass that along and our children love to hear those stories. It is not just nice for our children, but research shows that knowing a lot about your family narrative helps to strengthen and enhance confidence, a sense of self-esteem. It helps children to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Leading psychologist Terri Apter, and author of Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations, published earlier this year, says that one of the most surprising things she found while working on her book is how often teen boys say that the person they trust most in the family is their grandfather.

open image in gallery Harry and Lilibet: Dads are good, but their own fathers can bring a new perspective and have a lasting impact on little ones ( Meghan Markle/Instagram )

They described a grandfather as less demanding in terms of expressing affection and more accepting, rarely fussing over school grades and tests. There were clear benefits for grandfathers too. Several said that a lingering low level depression was lifted when they became a grandparent.

She also noted how children facing the upheaval of parents divorce were often supported by contact with grandparents. Research has shown that the harms to children of adverse family events  family financial difficulties, divorce, dislocation  are minimised when grandparents are able to engage and provide support.

Dr Amanda Gummer, founder of the Good Play Guide, adds that grandfathers can play a uniquely powerful role in a childs development. They often bring a different pace and perspective to parenting  less pressured, more reflective  which creates space for meaningful connection. For children, that can translate into a strong sense of continuity, identity and belonging.

open image in gallery Meghans father is estranged, meaning that her mother and Charles are the only grandparents around for the kids ( Instagram )

Importantly, Dr Gummer says, these relationships dont just benefit children in the moment, they leave a lasting imprint. The stories, routines and time shared often become part of a childs internal narrative, shaping how they see themselves and the world long after a grandparent has gone. Supporting those relationships, where possible, is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to strengthen a childs emotional foundation.

Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions, says theres real value in children learning they can be cared for by adults outside of their parents. Grandparents dont have to show up the same way parents do, in fact, they often bring something different, whether thats more play, more flexibility, or a break from daily structure, she says. That contrast helps children learn that relationships can look and feel different, while still being safe and reliable.

Shirley Showalter, the author of 2022s The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Childrens Children, says that the simple presence of a grandfather is important in a childs life. Even if a grandfather doesn't do a whole lot more than sit in his chair or carve the turkey, his weight is felt; his body anchors the family; his opinions matter.

Grandfathering might be a mans last chance to learn to listen deeply Shirley Showalter, author of The Mindful Grandparent

And, she adds, grandfathering might be a mans last chance to learn to listen deeply. Perhaps when his own children were small, he was too pressured or distracted to pay close attention to his children's thoughts and cares.

Grandfathers can be many things, but they also offer that unconditional love and acceptance that enables children to feel understood and appreciated  as my dad did for my kids.

The Sussexs various family rifts means that Archie and Lilibet dont spend time with either of their grandfathers, and that is sad for them. Knowing where we come from is vital, whether that heritage is linked to the deep history of the British monarchy or not.

Harrys relationship with Dianas father was very brief and distant, due to his young age and Earl Spencers passing in 1992, however, he was said to be very close to his grandfather, Prince Philip, who he has publicly described as being a supportive and guiding presence.

Understanding both the loss and the value of a grandfathers presence, lets hope that Harrys trip from America to the UK in July will bring some of that grandfatherly magic into his childrens lives. As parenting experts remind us, few relationships can be as truly special.
For Betsey Gorman, 19, attending school as a child was something of a nightmare. Ive always been very anxious, and I found the school environment overwhelmingly difficult, without understanding why, she says. I didnt express my anxiety outwardly, but I was quiet.

Reserved and hypervigilant throughout the day at her state secondary school in London, Betsey was just holding it together but increasingly having meltdowns when she got home.

Id retreat to my room where Id be in floods of tears. Id be overwhelmingly tearful and anxious and exhausted from the stress of internalising those panicky feelings and holding it together all day. I didnt understand why I was like that and I just kind of thought Id deal with it myself. Im really close to my family and they did know that I was struggling, but they didnt understand why.

She saw an educational psychologist at 13, but even though she described many autistic traits  like overwhelming anxiety, hypervigilance, burnout and meltdowns  she wasnt diagnosed until she was in Year 12. Betsey, who is now studying psychology at university, believes having a diagnosis earlier would have been life-changing.

open image in gallery A study found the median age for autism diagnosis in girls is nearly three years older than that of boys ( Getty/iStock )

I was in an environment that wasnt built for my needs, and it had really taken its toll. If Id got it sooner, I may have got better support at school. It would have prevented a lot of the negative feelings about myself caused by always feeling different and trying to mask in order to fit in, and friends would have been more accommodating.

Autism researcher Uta Frith, emeritus professor in cognitive development at the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, has caused consternation by questioning whether girls like Betsey should be diagnosed autistic at all. Suggesting that the autism spectrum has become too broad, she said that many late-diagnosed girls and women with high verbal ability and anxiety may be better served by different diagnostic labels than autism.

Talking to the Times Education Supplement (TES), she said: This population is different and among them, a lot of young women. These are people without intellectual impairment, who are perfectly able to communicate verbally and non-verbally, but who might feel highly anxious in social situations. They are perhaps characterised mainly by a sort of hypersensitivity these are problems that can perhaps be treated much better than under the label of autism.

For Betsey, Dr Friths comments are wildly off the mark. Autism is considered a spectrum for a reason, she says. Id say its not a simple line of a spectrum, but more a colour wheel with different autistic people having different experiences of autistic traits and how they interact with the world.

This means that some autistic people arent necessarily less autistic than others, but they might, for example, have higher levels of sensory issues than others and lower levels of social difficulties. This doesnt mean their autistic experience should be questioned or diminished.

Other experts in neurodiversity research have challenged Dr Friths views as out of touch, as they disregard contemporary understanding, and the lived experience and needs of autistic people, particularly women and girls. As educational psychologist Dr Sue Franklin wrote in the TES: On the issue of the female presentation of autism, the divide between Friths view and my own is marked. Any stemming of the progress, already too slow in my mind, in how to identify the signs of autism in girls is worrying.

We need to be recognising people as neurodivergent earlier, but there isnt going to be more budget for that in schools, and I fear the training will be insufficient for spotting the more subtle cases Cathy Wassell, founder of the Autistic Girls Network

If Dr Friths comments were implemented, it would mean that girls  already less likely than boys to be diagnosed with autism  are even more at risk of being diagnosed late, or potentially not at all. And that may mean that autistic girls are even more disadvantaged by the Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND) system that was announced by education secretary Bridget Phillipson last month.

Over 1.7 million children in England have SEND  which is roughly one in five children in schools across the country. Many currently have an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP) that legally entitles them to support beyond what is normally available in school.

However, under changes to the SEND system, to be gradually phased in by 2035, every child with additional needs will have a new Individual Support Plan (ISP), many losing their EHCP. ISPs are designed to be implemented as soon as SEND needs are identified, rather than waiting for a crisis or a lengthy EHCP assessment process. But for the many autistic girls whose SEND needs were hidden for many years, the danger is that their problems fail to be identified, meaning years of struggle.

open image in gallery Education secretary Bridget Phillipsons new SEND system may mean that girls face even more of a challenge when it comes to diagnosis ( Getty )

We need to be recognising people as neurodivergent earlier, but there isnt going to be more budget for that in schools, and I fear the training will be insufficient for spotting the more subtle cases, says Cathy Wassell, CEO and founder of the Autistic Girls Network. A 4bn budget divided between schools wont even pay for a teaching assistant for each school. And SENCOs (Special Educational Needs Coordinators in schools) are having even more pressure put on them than before because they are not only going to have to refer children for diagnosis, but theyre also going to have to write ISPs for them.

This new system will increase pressure enormously on mainstream schools, which will have to support far more neurodivergent pupils within the school system, rather than them being entitled to statutory support interventions with an EHCP. Ultimately, mainstream schools will now be solely responsible for supporting a far greater number of children with SEND needs, which will inevitably mean that teachers will be kept busy coping with the most extreme cases, not the ones that are harder to spot.

There is a huge risk that girls will be disproportionately affected by the changes to the SEND system because their signs and symptoms arent as obvious as they are for boys, and their autism often goes undiagnosed until later. The Karolinska Institutet found that autistic boys were diagnosed on average nearly three years earlier than girls  the median age at diagnosis was 15.9 for girls, but 13.1 for boys.

Were deeply concerned about the invisible cohort of autistic girls, the maskers, internalisers and late-discovered autistic girls; that the girl who is achieving academically but is in total sensory and emotional collapse the moment she hits the front door, will miss out, says Wassell. Making support more difficult to get in secondary school, when they are more likely to be in mental health crisis, is a disaster.

Autism diagnosis in girls is often delayed as they dont present in the same way as boys, often masking or camouflaging their difference to appear normal. Studies have found that autistic girls heightened social motivation and associated social coping strategies, such as camouflaging, mean they may be less likely to receive appropriate support in mainstream schools.

If somebody doesn't manifest in your classroom as needing support but just sits there quietly and gets on with their work, they don't flag up as different or neurodiverse, but just a bit shy, says Wassell.

open image in gallery Rebecca Flowers had to push for her daughters autism diagnosis ( Supplied )

Olivia Flowers is nine years old. Her mother, Rebecca, says that when daughter was three, her teachers at her pre-school didnt recognise her worrying behaviour as autism.

Her speech was very delayed and she couldnt stand scratchy labels near her skin, says Rebecca. She had severely disrupted sleep, a common issue for girls with autism. She was clearly extremely anxious and uncomfortable  I knew something wasnt right.

The school felt she wasnt that bad and suggested waiting a year, and the local authority initially refused to assess Olivia. Rebecca pushed for a referral from the NHS speech and language service, but it wasnt until Olivia was six  earlier than average, but still a three-year wait  that she got an autism diagnosis and an EHCP, as a result of which the school made some adjustments, and Olivia received some therapies. However, due to delays and ongoing disputes around her provision, she did not consistently receive therapies in line with what would be typically expected, either within or outside of the school. The delays meant that by the age of seven she was no longer able to attend school.

open image in gallery The delays to Olivia Flowers diagnosis were detrimental to her therapy and impacted her so much that her mum withdrew her from school ( Rebecca Flowers )

At mainstream school she was bullied. She would mask her difficulties when in school, but started having nightmares and showing psychological and physical symptoms of extreme anxiety, so I had to withdraw her, and she now gets three hours hospital education a week, even though the school wanted me to force her to go in. I feared that, for Olivia, the next step would be self-harming. A large 2023 study conducted in Ontario, Canada, found that autistic females have an 83 per cent increased risk of self-harm.

Autistic girls have high rates of co-occurring developmental and mental health conditions that often dont get picked up until later, due to them presenting differently than boys. With attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism, dyspraxia and hypermobility, Olivia has complex needs. But while SEND reforms decree that children with the most complex needs will retain their EHCPs that entitle them to extra support, its unclear what complex needs refers to. Olivias been so traumatised by her school experience that shes barely getting an education, says her mum.

Shermeena Rabbi, a speech and language therapist at Unlocking Language, often sees girls with autism referred by schools later than boys. Boys differences are usually more external  they disrupt, act out or struggle behaviourally, which triggers early concern. Girls are more likely to internalise. They withdraw and mask and work incredibly hard to copy [their peers] and compensate. Many of the girls we see are bright and verbally able, but they struggle with the unspoken rules of communication, social inference, group dynamics and knowing what to say and when. Struggling with social cues, these girls are often bullied. She also sees higher levels of anxiety-linked communication difficulties in girls, including selective mutism, as they typically internalise their symptoms.

Rebecca Flowers believes this means girls autism will be missed by teaching staff, whose training and capacity is unlikely to allow for understanding these subtleties. While the SEND provision sounds good on paper, with the funding and plans to support all levels of autism, when it gets broken down, the reality is theyre only going to help the children that have outward behaviour problems and are causing the biggest problems for schools. As a parent who only got a diagnosis for my daughter because I recognised signs that the teaching staff couldnt see, I fear this will be played out across the UK.

Jolanta Lasota, chief executive of Ambitious about Autism, says its too early to know what the impact of the new system will be on autistic girls. However, we know many undiagnosed autistic girls hide their struggles and therefore are more at risk of slipping under the radar. In order to identify autistic girls who may need help, school staff will need to have a good understanding of the different ways autism presents in girls and boys. This is why autism-specific training for all school staff is so important and something we are calling for the government to implement through these reforms. At the moment, the proposed SEND training offer seems to be very general.

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If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch

If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to access online chat from the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline. This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you
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A mother has spoken of her anguish after doctors allegedly dismissed her concerns about her babys seizures as "maternal anxiety," leading to months of untreated episodes and developmental regression. Olivia Matyus is now fundraising for further specialist stem cell therapy abroad, hoping it will allow her daughter, Ingrid, to continue making progress.

Ingrid, now four, was born "healthy" in April 2021. However, at three-and-a-half months old, during a trip to Romania for her christening, she began experiencing seizures that caused significant developmental regression. Olivia, a 38-year-old custodial manager, recalled that before the seizures, Ingrid could hold her head up and smile socially, but afterwards, she became "blank and absent." Olivia explained: "After the seizures, she went completely back to zero, as if she was a newborn. She couldnt hold her head up, she lost her social smile, and just looked blank and absent."

Upon returning to the UK in September 2021, Ingrids doctors at Luton and Dunstable Hospital managed to control her seizures with steroids and anti-seizure medication. However, Olivia said that when Ingrid was weaned off this medication in December 2021, she began having 10 to 15 seizures daily. Despite Olivia sharing videos of her daughters head dropping and eyes rolling back, a consultant allegedly dismissed her concerns.

"The consultant who was in charge of her said that they are not seizures and refused an EEG test," Olivia claimed. "It took me literally calling them on a daily basis because I knew that something was wrong to get a response." She added: "The consultant told me its just maternal anxiety and I should just stop worrying. I just burst into tears, and I felt so stupid, because I knew something was wrong with my baby, but he was just ignoring me. He agreed to do an EEG and said it would calm my maternal anxiety."

open image in gallery Olivia's parents have moved from Romania to be nearby and help look after Ingrid ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Tests in April 2022 confirmed Ingrid had been suffering from untreated seizures for approximately three-and-a-half months, causing further regression. "She wasnt engaging with us at all, she was in her own world," Olivia said. At the end of 2022, Ingrid was diagnosed with a rare PHACTR1 gene mutation, leaving doctors uncertain about her future. "Theres barely any research on her gene mutation because its so rare  we couldnt find anyone in the UK with the same mutation," Olivia noted. "We just hope someone picks up an interest in it and researches it so we can find out more."

Through their own research, Olivia and her husband, Csaba, an HGV driver, decided to pursue stem cell therapy, which is not available on the NHS. Ingrid has since undergone four rounds of treatment in Slovakia  three in 2023 and one in 2024  costing around 15,000 each time. Olivia reports that Ingrid has been seizure-free since 2023, and the therapy has brought significant improvements.

"Thats when she actually started giving us eye contact and engaging with things around her," Olivia said. "She can chew now  before she had to have blended food. She can walk, although she is wobbly  we think we need to carry on with the stem cell therapy to help her keep progressing." Despite the challenges, Olivia describes Ingrid as "the happiest child" she has "ever seen."

The family, who now live in Northampton, also fund additional private play therapy and physiotherapy, alongside NHS support. They have also taken Ingrid to Bucharest for brain remapping and training sessions. "We work as much overtime as possible to be able to cover everything, were willing to try anything," Olivia stated. They have launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise 20,000 for another round of advanced stem cell therapy at a specialist clinic in Panama.

open image in gallery Olivia said Ingrid is 'the happiest child'. ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Olivia expressed her hopes for Ingrids future: "It would mean everything to us if we got to the target. Small things like getting rid of her nappies and being able to communicate a little more would be amazing  these are huge to us." However, she also voiced fears about Ingrids long-term care: "My parents wont be here one day and as she gets older she might not be able to look after herself. Im terrified of what will happen to her if something happens to us."

Mr Paul Tisi, medical director at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We are very sorry to hear how distressed Ms Matyus has felt about her daughters condition and her experiences at the Luton and Dunstable University Hospital. Caring for children and supporting their families is extremely important to us, and we always aim to work in partnership with parents when managing complex neurological conditions."

He added: "While we cannot comment in extensive detail on individual patients due to our duty to protect confidentiality, we can confirm that Ingrid was assessed urgently on arrival into our care and that appropriate investigations, treatment and referrals (including to tertiary specialists) were made in line with national NHS guidance and the eastern paediatric epilepsy network."

open image in gallery After being medication-free for two months, Olivia said Ingrid began to seize again ( Collect/PA Real Life )

Mr Tisi concluded: "We are sorry that the family felt their concerns were not heard in the way they hoped. However, our records show that the team remained in regular contact, responded to inquiries and took all concerns seriously. We are committed to providing safe, compassionate care and encourage any family who is worried or unhappy about any aspect of treatment to speak with us directly so we can offer support."
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Introverts may be quiet with a group of friends - but that doesnt actually mean theyre listening to you.

In fact, their extrovert friends might have a slight advantage as listeners, University of Minnesota researchers said Tuesday.

People with more social-oriented personalities are better listeners, a new review of interactions between hundreds of people revealed.

While the review did not determine why, researchers suggested the reason could be because listening requires the ability to engage with others while managing self-focused attention, ensuring listeners stay present with whomever is speaking. Thats a behavior extroverts excel at.

It is easy to assume that someone who is quiet is also a better listener, but listening is more nuanced than that, Dr. Beth Campbell, an associate professor in the Department of Work and Organizations, said in a release.

open image in gallery Its long been said that introverts, who are socially less gregarious and more quiet, make better listeners. New research challenges that understanding ( Getty Images )

A contradictory result

To better understand the relationship between social behavior and listening, the researchers asked 217 introverted and extroverted adults to select up to six friends and family members who would evaluate their listening abilities in four different scenarios.

The researchers examined how participants listened to whatever was said out loud, in a team setting where members worked to understand each others perspective, during one-on-one meetings and in a larger conference setting.

How well the participants listened was based on whether or not they interrupted a speaker, how they responded to speakers and how often their replies were self-focused.

Ultimately, the researchers found that there was no support for the notion that people who tend to be more introverted are perceived as better listeners in interpersonal contexts.

Instead, results primarily show no relationship between extraversion and listening, and in a few cases, a positive relationship where individuals higher in extraversion are perceived as better listeners, the researchers wrote.

The findings contradict a widely popular belief and a decade of research on the topic, asserting that introverts were just better listeners. A 2022 study from Harvard researchers found that extroverts may not been seen as paying much attention when listening and suggested behavioral changes to counteract that effect.

The Minnesota researchers included that study in their assessment.

open image in gallery Listening should be seen as a skill to develop, and less related to what kind of personality you have, the researchers say. Anyone can work to become a better listener ( Getty Images )

A skill anyone can develop

Some 80 percent of Americans think they are good listeners, according to a 2025 survey from the non-partisan research group More in Common.

But the researchers say their review reveals a need to revise the general understanding of what - and who - makes a good listener.

Instead of focusing on personality, improving listening is a skill that anyone can develop, they say.

People can do that by practicing active listening. That includes resisting impulses to interrupt, observing tone and body language and snapping back to the subject when attention falters, University of Washington researchers recommend.

Making eye contact also helps to ensure people know youre on the same page, Michigan State University notes.

Our research shows that effective listening is less about whether someone is introverted or extroverted and more about the behaviors that communicate attention and engagement to the speaker, said Campbell.

This is good news because it highlights that listening is a skill that anyone can develop, regardless of where they fall on the introversion-extraversion continuum.
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Defence lawyers representing Tyler Robinson, who stands accused of murdering conservative activist Charlie Kirk, have requested a postponement of a preliminary hearing scheduled for May.

The legal team claims it requires additional time to investigate suggestions that a bullet recovered during the autopsy does not correspond with the rifle found close to the crime scene.

In recent court filings, Mr Robinson's defence highlighted an analysis from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), a federal law enforcement agency.

This analysis reportedly failed to establish a conclusive link between a bullet fragment retrieved during the post-mortem examination and the rifle located near the scene.

Although the ATF's report has been kept private, attorneys have cited snippets in other public documents, confirming its inconclusive findings. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is now conducting further tests, according to court papers.

Tyler Robinson, who is accused of fatally shooting Charlie Kirk, sits beside defense attorney Kathryn Nester during a hearing in 4th District Court in Provo, Utah, Jan. 16, 2026 ( Bethany Baker/The Salt Lake Tribune via AP )

The success of a forensic ballistics analysis largely depends on the size and condition of the bullet fragments. Experts are looking for unique, microscopic markings that are left on a bullet as it passes through the guns barrel. The scratches are like fingerprints in that no two firearms make identical markings.

The defense said in its motion that it may try to use the analysis to clear Robinson of blame during the preliminary hearing, while prosecutors aim to show they have enough evidence against him to proceed with a trial.

Prosecutors intend to seek the death penalty for Robinson, 22, who is charged with aggravated murder in the Sept. 10 shooting of the conservative activist on the Utah Valley University campus in Orem. Robinson has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors have said DNA consistent with Robinsons was found on the trigger of the rifle, the fired cartridge casing and two unfired cartridges. Defense attorneys note that forensic reports indicate multiple people's DNA was found on some items, which they say requires a more complex analysis.

Robinson reportedly texted his romantic partner that he targeted Kirk because he had enough of his hatred," prosecutors have said.

Robinson is due back in court April 17 for a hearing on a defense motion to ban cameras from the courtroom.
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Half of a Colorado sheriffs department have been indicted on charges including the abuse a corpse.

Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez, 63, resigned after he and former deputy Keith Schultz, 45, were charged Friday with four counts of official misconduct and one count of abuse of a corpse due to their handling of human remains on October 2, 2024, 9 News reported.

A resident of Costilla County, just north of the New Mexico border, had called the sheriffs office that fall to report finding human remains, including a skull, teeth and other bones.

Sanchez and Schultz, who resigned last fall, came to the property and collected the skull, but left behind the other remains, according to a grand jury indictment.

Sheriff Danny R. Sanchez was present at the time of collection, but was only on scene briefly and was reported to be more interested in looking for arrowheads than investigating the human remains, the indictment stated.

open image in gallery Former Costilla County Sheriff Danny Sanchez (left) and former Deputy Keith Schultz (right) were indicted Friday on charges relating to the mishandling of human remains ( 12th Judicial District Attorneys Office )

The coroners office later received the skull in what appeared to be a used paper grocery bag, not a forensic evidence bag, according to the indictment.

The bag had no markings or labelling describing the items, the date or location of collection, the identity of the collector, or the chain of custody related to the evidence, and had no tape or seals to protect the integrity of the evidence.

The resident who found the remains followed up with the sheriffs office about their investigation but was told the case was closed. He then requested the police report, which was written on December 31, 2024, nearly three months after the discovery.

The resident contacted the 12th Judicial District Attorneys Office on August 18, 2025, prompting the Colorado Bureau of Investigation to return to the property the next day to collect the remains that were left behind, according to the indictment.

open image in gallery Cruz Soto (left) and Caleb Sanchez (right) were indicted on charges related to use of force against a person experiencing a mental health crisis ( 12th Judicial District Attorneys Office )

Three other employees of the sheriffs office were also indicted Friday on charges from a separate incident.

Undersheriff Cruz Soto, 43, Sergeant Caleb Sanchez, 25, and Deputy Roland Riley, 31, each face charges related to the use of force against a person experiencing a mental health crisis, according to the report.

Caleb Sanchez is the son of former Sheriff Danny Sanchez. The grand jury indictment in that case says that Caleb Sanchez and Riley deployed Tasers on a man having a mental health crisis at the sheriffs department.

Soto was standing next to the deputies as they deployed the Tasers and did not do anything to stop them, according to the affidavit. The deputies involved did not inform the sheriff of the incident, did not document the event and a use-of-force investigation was never conducted.

open image in gallery Three other employees of the sheriffs office were also indicted Friday on charges from a separate incident. Each face charges related to the use of force against a person experiencing a mental health crisis ( Google Maps )

The younger Sanchez and Riley were each charged with second-degree assault, a felony, and third-degree assault, a misdemeanor. Soto was charged with third-degree assault and two counts of failure to report force  both misdemeanors  and four counts of official misconduct.

In announcing the indictments, 12th Judicial District Attorney Anne Kelly said shes committed to investigating and prosecuting crimes, regardless of the offender.

I cannot and will not ignore violations of the trust that a community should have in their police. No citizen of the San Luis Valley should have any doubts about the integrity of their police force, Kelly said during a Friday news conference.

An emergency county commissioners meeting was held Monday to appoint Joe Smith, a current sheriffs office employee, as the temporary sheriff. Voters will pick a new sheriff at the November election.

There are seven law enforcement officials on staff at the Costilla County Sheriffs Office, according to the Associated Press. The undersheriff and deputies indicted in the case are on administrative leave.

Danny Sanchez, Soto, Riley and Caleb Sanchez are due in court Wednesday morning. No court date had been set for Schultz.
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A once-powerful megachurch leader in Texas walked out of Osage County Jail in Oklahoma overnight after serving just six months for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl.

Robert Morris, 64, founder of Gateway Church, was released from custody early Tuesday, according to Osage County Sheriffs Office records.

His release comes six months after he pleaded guilty in October 2025 to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child. Morris case has caused outrage but also led to unwavering support from many of his followers.

Now that Morris has been released, he is required to register as a lifetime sex offender, pay more than $250,000 in restitution and court costs, and will remain on probation for nine and a half years. Morris plans to serve out his probation at his $1.5 million lakefront home in Palo Pinto County, CBS News reported, citing court records.

Authorities say Morris sexually abused Cindy Clemishire beginning in 1982, when she was 12 years old, during visits to her familys home in Oklahoma while he was a traveling preacher. The abuse continued for four years, officials said.

open image in gallery Robert Morris, 64, who founded Gateway Church, was released from jail after serving six months for sexually abusing a 12-year-old girl in the 1980s ( Copyright 2020 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. )

Despite Clemshire reporting the abuse, charges werent brought against Morris until decades later. In October 2025, Morris was sentenced in Osage County District Court to 10 years but under a plea agreement, he only served six months in jail.

Clemishire, who was 55 at the time of sentencing, said she reported the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987 and later attempted to pursue allegations in 2005 and 2007.

Morris founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, in 2000, growing it into one of the largest megachurches in the country with weekly attendance of about 25,000.

In 2016, Donald Trump named him a spiritual adviser and member of his evangelical advisory committee. In 2020, Morris hosted Trump at Gateway Church, where the president praised him as great people with a great reputation.

But things took a turn when Clemishire publicly accused Morris of abusing her in a blog post online in June 2024. He resigned that same year.

At the time, the churchs board released at statement saying it was the elders' prior understanding was that Morris's extramarital relationship, which he had discussed many times throughout his ministry, was with 'a young lady' and not abuse of a 12-year-old child.

Amid the fallout, multiple pastors, including Morriss son James, left the church.

open image in gallery Morris founded Gateway Church in Southlake, Texas, in 2000, growing it into one of the largest megachurches in the country ( Osage County Sheriff's Office )

In 2025, Morris pled guilty to five counts of lewd or indecent acts with a child.

Speaking in court, Clemishire delivered a searing statement: Let me be clear: there is no such thing as consent from a 12-year-old child. You did not just harm me as a child - you stole my innocence, the most sacred possession a child has, and you murdered the future woman, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, and friend I was meant to become.

The most important thing for me was that he pled guilty to all five counts, and that he'd served some amount of time, Oklahoma Attorney General's Office and Clemishire told CBS News Texas following the verdict. And, while most people think it's not enough, for me, it ensured that he would spend time behind bars.

In a statement, Morriss attorneys said he pled guilty because he wanted to accept responsibility for his conduct Pastor Robert made it a point to ask that I tell Ms. Clemishire and her family that he sincerely apologizes.

open image in gallery In October 2025, Morris was sentenced in Osage County District Court to 10 years. Under a plea agreement, he only served six months in jail ( AP )

open image in gallery Cindy Clemishire, center, walks with family and friends into the arraignment hearing for Morris. She reported the abuse to her parents and church leaders in 1987 and later attempted to pursue allegations in 2005 and 2007 ( AP )

The case has drawn international attention and sharp condemnation, but also support from some of Morriss followers. Just after the sentencing in October, many followers flocked to a Facebook post by the 700 Club, defending the former pastor.

God does forgive, and I believe he is a forgiven man, one supporter wrote.

For something that happened 40-plus years ago. UNBELIEVABLE, another wrote.

Another supporter added: Love you, Pastor Robert. Praying for you and your family. God isnt finished with you. Your best has yet to come!
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A man who spent two years wrongfully detained in a Hawaii state psychiatric hospital due to a case of mistaken identity is set to receive a payout of $975,000 from the City and County of Honolulu.

Joshua Spriestersbach, who was homeless at the time, was arrested for crimes committed by another man, Thomas Castleberry.

The error began in 2011 when Spriestersbach, then sleeping at Kawananakoa Middle School, was asked for his name by an officer.

He reportedly withheld his first name, providing only his grandfathers surname: Castleberry.

The officer subsequently found a 2009 warrant for Thomas Castleberry and arrested Spriestersbach, despite his protests that he was not the man sought.

Although the bench warrant for Spriestersbach was later dropped after he missed a court date, the mistaken identity continued to plague him.

Recommended Officials put the wrong man in a mental health facility for two years

In 2015, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers again encountered Spriestersbach. While they confirmed through fingerprints that he was not Thomas Castleberry, the police departments records were never updated, according to a lawsuit filed by Spriestersbach in 2021.

This failure to correct records culminated in his 2017 arrest while he was waiting for food outside a Chinatown facility. He was once more apprehended for Castleberrys outstanding warrant.

Spriestersbach endured four months at Oahu Community Correctional Centre before being transferred to the Hawaii State Hospital, where he remained for over two years until his release on 17 January 2020.

His complaint alleges that police officers, public defenders, and health workers all had opportunities to rectify the error but failed to do so.

"Prior to January 2020, not a single person acted on the available information to determine that Joshua was telling the truth  that he was not Thomas R. Castleberry," the complaint states.

"Instead, they determined that Joshua was delusional and incompetent just because he refused to admit that he was Thomas R. Castleberry and refused to acknowledge Thomas R. Castleberrys crimes."

The lawsuit further contends that city practices, particularly the failure to properly identify homeless and mentally ill individuals and to correct erroneous records, were "the moving force" behind his wrongful arrest and detention.

A majority of Honolulu council members approved the city settlement last Wednesday, though one member voted with reservations.

Spriestersbach may also receive an additional $200,000 settlement from the state to resolve legal claims against the Hawaii public defenders office.

Lawyers for Spriestersbach, HPD, and the mayors office did not respond to requests for comment.
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A California man accused of killing his own wife and mother-in-law has been linked to a third murder, according to prosecutors.

Howard Wang, 43, has been charged over the deaths of his wife Linlin Guo and her mother, Beimin Cheng, on September 18, 2025.

The double killing took place at the couples residence in Walnut Creek, 25 miles east of San Francisco.

Prosecutors now claim Wang murdered another person almost a year beforehand.

On June 8, 2024, Wang and Demarques James Pearl allegedly shot Chengli Li, 41, to death in Los Angeles County.

Howard Wang, who allegedly killed his wife and mother-in-law, has been tied to a third murder, according to the Contra Costa District Attorney's Office ( Google Street View )

According to prosecutors, the pair travelled up to L.A. County from the Bay Area a day before the shooting.

Pearl, 33, has also been charged with murder.

Li, who was killed outside of his apartment in San Gabriel, was the romantic partner of Wangs girlfriend, Yan Wang, officials said.

Yan is also a defendant in the Walnut Creek case, in which she was charged with two felonies and a misdemeanor.

Prosecutors allege that Yan, who has no relation to Wang despite sharing a surname, aided her partner with the intent to help him avoid arrest. On that basis, she was charged with being an accessory after the fact.

Yan was also charged with first-degree residential burglary after allegedly entering Guos residence on September 19.

Prosecutors said Yan faced a charge of destroying evidence, after allegedly damaging cellphones related to the investigation.

Police were called to Guos residence at 11.45 p.m. on the night of her death. Inside the property, officers found both Guos body and that of her mother.

Prosecutors said Wang faced an additional charge of making criminal threats of death and great bodily injury against his wife, around August 2024.

He had also been charged for preventing Guo from reporting a crime to law enforcement officers on January 7, 2023.

This tragic case is a stark reminder of the devastating toll domestic violence takes - not only on the victims whose lives were lost, but on families and the community as a whole, Diana Becton, the Contra Costa district attorney, said at the time of Wangs arrest.

Our office is committed to aggressively pursuing justice in this case.

The Los Angeles County murder will be joined with the Walnut Creek double murders to be prosecuted in Contra Costa County, according to officials.

Wang will be arraigned on April 14 in Martinez.
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A Rhode Island mayor has branded the mural of a slain Ukrainian refugee divisive and called for it to be removed.

Iryna Zarutska was stabbed to death while riding a train in North Carolina last August, having fled the Russia war on her country in 2022.

Tech CEO Elon Musk and influencer Andrew Tate both said they would provide funding for artworks paying tribute to the 23 year-old, one of which is painted on the side of a LGBTQ+ bar named The Dark Lady in Providence.

But Providence Mayor Brett Smiley has hit out at the intentions of those who funded the mural.

open image in gallery A Rhode Island mayor has called for a mural depicting Iryna Zarutska to be removed ( WJAR )

The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like this across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence, Smiley said in a statement obtained by ABC 3340.

I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than further divides us.

Back in September 2025, Intercom CEO Eoghan McCabe had written on X that he was offering $500k in $10k grants to paint murals of the face of Iryna Zarutska in prominent US city locations.

I will contribute $1 million, Musk replied on X.

Tate added, Matched. 1M.

Artist Ian Gaudreau, who painted the mutual, criticized calls to remove the painting on Instagram.

As the artist Im very saddened to hear that the mayor is calling for the art work to be removed before I was allowed to finish speaking, he wrote. I would like everyone to know that the artwork is meant to combat the idea of it being used for a political agenda.

I want the Mural to humanize Iryna.

open image in gallery Zarutska was killed in August 2025 while riding a train in Charlotte, North Carolina ( AP )

Gaudreau also told NBC 10 that everybody was pretty moved by the way that she was just so publicly murdered.

Just the fear in her eyes and the fact that nobody came to hold her hand while she took her last breaths was just pretty horrific, he added.

Speaking to the network, Gaudreau also addressed reports on the funding of the mural.

The mural was funded by a nonprofit organization that was mostly funded by Elon Musk, that is a fact, he said. He did not comment on Tates reported involvement.

Zarutska was killed at East/West Boulevard station while riding the Lynx Blue Line in Charlotte.

open image in gallery The 23-year-old had fled Ukraine following the invasion of the country by Russia ( GoFundMe )

Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr, who has been accused of carrying out the killing, was arrested upon exiting the train. He has been charged with first-degree murder.

Zarutskas killing garnered national attention and led to the passing of Irynas Law in North Carolina, which aimed to tighten measures related to pretrial release and mental health evaluations for defendants.

Zarutskas mother, Anna, was invited to President Trumps State of the Union address in February, where the commander-in-chief recounted the refugees final moments.

The team behind The Dark Lady confirmed in a statement on Instagram that the mural to Zarutska will be removed.

We heard you PVD, the statement read. We are deeply and sincerely sorry for everything that has taken place over the past week.

After reflecting and learning, we have made the decision to discontinue this project and will move forward with removal as soon as possible.

We remain committed to fostering unity, safety, and care for all members of our community, and we will continue to listen, learn and act with those values at the forefront.
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A man in California fell to his death from a hotel patio after a fight broke out near a California cliff.

Monterey police were on patrol in the city's Cannery Row district around 1 a.m. on Saturday when they spotted a fight between two individuals near the Salty Seal Pub. When they got closer to the fight, they found that someone had been knocked unconscious and was lying on the ground.

The second person involved in the fight fled the area when police arrived. Officers gave chase but lost sight of the man. At the same time, other officers assisted with the injured individual and managed the crowd near the bar.

The person taken for treatment refused to provide the police with information about the fight.

Around 8:14 Saturday morning, Monterey police were still searching for the other individual and went to review security footage captured by the Plaza Hotel. While scrubbing through the security feed, they spotted a man jumping over a patio railing around 1:10 a.m.

A view of a patio area behind the Monterey Plaza Hotel and Spa in Monterey, California. A man allegedly fleeing police after a bar fight elsewhere in the Cannery Row district leapt over a railing near the hotel and fell approximately two stories to the rocky beach below. He ultimately died from his injuries later the same day ( Google Maps )

The patio is approximately two stories above the beach, and the ground below is covered in rocks, according to SFGATE.

Around the same time police were viewing the footage, someone visited the Monterey Police Department asking if one of their relatives had been arrested the night prior, noting that they had never returned home. Police confirmed the person had not been arrested but asked for a Monterey Fire Department boat to assist in a search for the missing person.

A searcher spotted the missing man lying on the beach some distance away from where he would have fallen after leaping from the hotel patio.

Emergency workers transported the man to a hospital, but he ultimately died from his injuries.

The investigation into the fight and the individual who died is still underway, and Monterey police have asked that anyone with information contact detectives at the department.

The Independent has requested comment from the Monterey Police Department and the Plaza Hotel.
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A New Jersey man was arrested after police say he groped the Easter Bunny at a Pennsylvania mall.

Shivakrishna Bera, 36, was charged with indecent assault and harassment in connection with the incident at South Hills Village Mall in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania, last week, according to court records obtained by KDKA-TV.

Police say a woman was working in an Easter Bunny costume on March 23, posing for photos with children and families, when Bera approached her and began asking her questions.

The woman, who was not named, tried to get him to speak with an assistant, but he refused, police said.

Instead, police say, Bera touched the womans arm and the top of chest before grabbing her breasts.

open image in gallery Shivakrishna Bera, 36, is charged with indecent assault and harassment in connection with the incident at South Hills Village Mall in Upper St. Clair, Pennsylvania ( Google maps )

The assistant told investigators that Bera asked, Is it a boy or a girl? and also put his fingers in the nose and mouth of the bunny costume.

Authorities reviewed mall surveillance footage and identified Bera, who was later found asleep inside a nearby AMC movie theater.

While being taken into custody, Bera allegedly asked the police, Its a doll, right? in reference to the Easter Bunny.

After being told there was a person inside the costume, he replied, By mistake, my hand touched her if its a lady.

Bera is being held in the Allegheny County Jail on a $10,000 bail. He is scheduled to appear in court on April 2.
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Meta is testing a new premium subscription for Instagram that will allow paying users to anonymously view other peoples Stories.

Only Instagram users in Mexico, Japan, and the Philippines will be able to sign up for Instagram Plus membership, according to TechCrunch, who first reported the news.

Costing between $1 to $2 locally per month, the premium features will also allow subscribers to see how many people have rewatched their stories multiple times.

Other features listed include an animated Superlike reaction for Instagram Stories, and extending their reach by making them available for longer.

Meta, which also owns Facebook and WhatsApp, is also reportedly testing paywalls for its other apps.

Earlier this month, WhatsApp news site WaBetaInfo reported that a new premium subscription plan for Android ans iOS called WhatsApp Plus was under development.

Paid-for features include exclusive ringtones, pinned chats and customisation options.

These include a selection of 14 new icons and multiple color choices for interface elements, the publication reported. This addition will give users more control over the look of the app.

WhatsApp Plus is expected to include even more features over time, expanding the ways subscribers can personalize and enhance their WhatsApp experience. For example, WhatsApp Plus users will access to exclusive stickers that are not available to free users.

The Independent has reached out to the company for further information about Instagram Plus and other premium plans for its apps.

The tech giant appears to be following the model adopted by other social media platforms like Snapchat and X, which both offer extra features for people who pay for the app.

X introduced a premium tier for users after Elon Musk took over the company and made sweeping changes to the platform, including renaming it from Twitter.

There are reportedly around 10 million paying subscribers to X, while Snapchat-owner Snap recently revealed that it has more than 25m subscribers to its Snapchat+.
Jack Montoucet, former secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, left, leaves the federal courthouse Thursday, June 12, 2025, in Lafayette, La.
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Sponsored BusinessCompaniesBulls N' Bears Beetaloo in sweet spot as majors swoop on NT shale gas play Brought to you by BULLS N BEARS Penny Taylor March 31, 2026  11:47am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A surge of corporate activity is sweeping across the Northern Territorys Beetaloo Basin, shining a spotlight on Beetaloo Energys 100 per cent-owned position, presiding over more than 28 million acres. Last week, Japanese giant INPEX confirmed a farm-in of nearby acreage just as Beetaloo is charging towards first gas from one of Australias hottest and most prospective unconventional shale plays. Beetaloo Energy Well Stimulation Equipment on location for Carpentaria Pilot Project 30 day test in Beetaloo Basin, Northern Territory. INPEXs farm-in to Daly Waters Energys leases has sharpened attention on the basin, signalling growing international appetite to secure exposure to one of Australias most promising onshore shale provinces. The oil major is joining a parade of players, including Tamboran Resources and Santos, reshuffling and repositioning around what is emerging as a much-needed new domestic gas province. The move underscores the strategic allure of securing a foothold in the basin, where Beetaloos clean, unencumbered position shines as a rare and highly attractive entry point.

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Our well results and 100 per cent ownership position place us in a unique position as activity accelerates across the basin. Beetaloo Energy managing director Alex Underwood INPEXs deal gives it significant exposure to highly prospective acreage in the Beetaloo sub-basin, aligning the company with a broader push by large-cap energy players to secure future domestic gas supply. The transaction reflects a broader trend of corporates sprinting early to claim stakes ahead of commercial development. While others navigate complex joint venture structures and partner wrangles, including Tamborans partnership dynamics with Falcon Oil & Gas, Beetaloos 100 per cent ownership is emerging as a defining advantage. With no joint venture chains to hold it back, the company retains complete flexibility and full control over development timelines, funding strategies, commercialisation pathways and the option to entertain potential farm-in discussions. Operationally, Beetaloo has been blazing the trail, consistently setting the benchmark. A string of milestones, including successful well stimulation, basin-leading flow rates and final Northern Territory approvals to transition from flare to full gas flow have collectively positioned the project at the forefront of the basins march towards production.

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The companys Carpentaria-5H horizontal well has delivered standout basin-topping results, with a peak gas flow of 11.2 terajoules per day and a 30-day average of 7.1 terajoules per day  among the strongest in the basin to date. The well continues to show low decline rates as it cleans up, with improving gas-to-water ratios pointing to increasing efficiency over time. Coupled with cleared regulatory hurdles, these outstanding results have set the stage for extended production testing in 2026. Carpentaria-5H itself is a technical tour de force, featuring a jaw-dropping three-kilometre horizontal section and stimulated across 67 stages  the most extensive stimulation program completed in Australia. That scale of stimulation, combined with strong early flow rates, is widely seen as a bullish indicator for ultimate recoverable volumes and repeatable, scalable production across the field. Early resource indications are compelling. Independent estimates point to roughly 10 petajoules of recoverable gas per well location in the Carpentaria area. It has reinforced the technical potential for multi-well development across the broader acreage and highlighted the size of the prize, now attracting major corporate attention.

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Meanwhile, broader industry dynamics have shifted decisively in Beetaloos favour. Earlier backing from Macquarie with $65 million in finance for R&D and construction, alongside a $28M capital raise, has strengthened its balance sheet, while support from traditional owners for gas sales has helped de-risk the pathway to commercialisation. Beetaloo Energy managing director Alex Underwood said: Our strong horizontal well results and 100 per cent ownership position place us in a unique position as activity accelerates across the basin. We are focused on delivering first gas while retaining flexibility to capture the full value of our acreage as industry interest continues to build. Crucially, the company has already shifted gears from exploration to full-throttle development mode. Its Carpentaria Pilot project has now got the green light via a final investment decision, locking in a direct route to initial production and cash flow. The project includes the installation of the gas plant, designed with a capacity of 25 terajoules per day to provide in-field infrastructure for up to 10 additional wells. Civil works are underway and commissioning is targeted for later in the year, with first gas sales expected into the Northern Territory market under an existing supply agreement with the NT Government. The domestic focus is strikingly strategic. The project will initially supply gas into the local NT grid using existing pipeline infrastructure, with longer-term upside tied to east coast demand as supply tightens.

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Beetaloo Energy gas plant for Carpentaria Pilot Project in Beetaloo Basin, Northern Territory, nearing completion ahead of first gas 2026. At scale, the Beetaloo region is widely considered capable of supplying the east coast gas market for decades, with some industry estimates suggesting multi-decade coverage of forecast shortfalls if development reaches its full potential  and Beetaloo is aiming to be a meaningful long-term contributor to Australias energy security. From a broader perspective, the Beetaloo Basin is increasingly being compared to leading North American shale provinces, with thick, organic-rich Velkerri shale capable of supporting long-life, high-volume production. Continued strong flow test results across multiple operators are steadily validating that thesis, now drawing in new capital and expertise. Corporate activity is now catching up with the geology. INPEXs entry into the basin comes from a tie-up with Daly Waters on leases acquired from Tamboran in a 2025 chequerboard-style restructuring. Daly Waters is the Australian arm of Texas-based Formentera Partners. The move weaves INPEX into a layered ownership mix, where Formenteras billionaire owner, Bryan Sheffield, brings deep technical pedigree and capital firepower, adding another influential voice to a table stacked with shale heavyweights.

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Elsewhere, Tamboran continues to build momentum in the basin. Its partnership with Falcon Oil and Gas has highlighted the scale of the prize awaiting multiple players in the Northern Territory as development gathers pace. Santos has also continued to reinforce its presence, highlighting the basins ongoing strategic pull and its growing importance to Australias tightening east coast gas market. In contrast, Beetaloo Energys clean ownership structure provides optionality its peers may lack. As majors circle, the company is uniquely placed to advance independently towards production or attract a strategic partner at a time when asset scarcity is becoming more apparent. With technical results continuing to impress, regulatory approvals largely in place and a defined development pathway with infrastructure build underway, the company is not just holding prime ground  it is poised to bridge the gap between exploration success and commercial production. Extended production testing in 2026 looms as a pivotal catalyst, with the potential to unlock Beetaloos assets and further validate the basin as a key hub for Australias future gas supply.

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As the basin edges closer to commercial reality, the combination of scale, control and momentum could prove difficult for larger players to ignore. The majors are circling, the ground is heating up and the wells are proving the play. With full control of its prime patch and a clear run to first gas, momentum is building on all fronts. Beetaloo looks to be sitting pretty, right where the action is about to happen. Is your ASX-listed company doing something interesting? Contact: mattbirney@bullsnbears.com.au

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BusinessWorkplaceMinimum wage Junior pay rates for 18 to 20-year-olds to be scrapped Millie Muroi March 31, 2026  11:59am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Half a million junior workers in sectors such as fast food, retail and pharmacy will receive a boost in their pay, putting them on even footing with their older colleagues. In a landmark decision on Tuesday, the Fair Work Commission said it would scrap discounted pay rates for employees aged 18 to 20, saying they should receive the full award wage. Fast food employers, including McDonalds, will be affected by the Fair Work Commissions ruling. Eamon Gallagher Wages for 18-year-olds in those sectors are currently set at 70 per cent of the full award wage, rising to 80 per cent for those aged 19, and 90 per cent when they reach 20. Minors will still receive junior wages following the latest decision.

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The higher wages for young adults will be phased in over a four-year period from December. It will only apply to those who have had at least six months of experience at their current workplace. The decision took into account factors such as labour market disadvantages for young people, the watchdog added. The SDA, which is the union representing retail, warehousing and fast food workers, said it welcomed the decision, but would be pushing for the overdue change to be applied as quickly as possible. SDA national secretary Gerard Dwyer said the landmark ruling, which he put up there with the introduction of equal pay for women in the 1970s, would mean 18 to 20-year-olds would be treated more equally. 18-year-olds can vote, drive and put their lives on the line for their country, he said. They struggle with the same cost-of-living pressures as every other adult. They do not receive a discount on their rent or the petrol they buy to get to work just because they happen to be 18. Now they will be paid the same as other adults.

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The union noted retail, fast food and pharmacy businesses employed more than 1.5 million Australians, with a disproportionate number of those aged under 21. The Australian Retail Council, which represents large employers such as Woolworths and Coles, said in a statement that the latest decision would add significant costs for retail businesses. Related Article Opinion

Minimum wage Generational wage war: Is a 20-year-old worth less than a 21-year-old? Elizabeth Knight Business columnist The councils chief executive, Chris Rodwell, said junior rates had served Australia well for generations and made it easier for young Australians to land their first job. [Junior rates] recognise that younger workers often have little or no workplace experience and help employers, particularly small businesses, give young people their first opportunity, he said. Crucially, junior rates for workers aged 17 and under will remain in place. Thats important. Early work experience is critical, and we cannot afford to make it harder for young Australians to get their first job.

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Rodwell said small businesses would be hit hard by rising costs and that if wages rose faster than productivity, it would affect hiring, investment and prices. AMP deputy chief economist Diana Mousina said by her calculations, the decision would only affect about 3 per cent of workers, but that it would likely worsen inflation and make the Reserve Banks job harder as businesses pass on costs to consumers. Its not a great policy because it will lift wage growth across the economy [at a] time where we dont need it, she said. Australian minimum wages are already one of the highest in the world. Woolworths, Coles, McDonalds and Bunnings declined to comment. with AAP

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Pay Millie Muroi is the economics writer at The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age. She was formerly an economics correspondent based in Canberras Press Gallery and the banking writer based in Sydney. or email. Connect via X
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Kanye West spent 44 seconds quoting his haters on the song I Love Kanye from his acclaimed 2016 album The Life of Pablo: I miss the old Kanye, straight from the Go Kanye. Chop up the soul Kanye, set on his goals Kanye, he said in his lyrics. I hate the new Kanye, the bad mood Kanye. The always rude Kanye The rap star, who is now known as Ye, spent years mocking and rejecting criticism that he should return to the soulful, socially conscious sound that marked the pink polos-and-a-backpack era of his breakthrough albums, The College Dropout (2004) and Late Registration (2005). Kanye West, who is now known as Ye, has dropped his new album, Bully  which is surprisingly uncontroversial. AP It is surprising then that his return to music comes in the form of a new album titled Bully, which dials the clock back to the early 2000s. But the other shock comes in the form of the albums messaging  he doesnt say anything offensive or controversial. Ye became famous for his chaotic genius, public feuds and mercurial temperament, which always generated headlines. But he ditched the title of provocateur when he began going on offensive rampages on Twitter (later X), targeting Jews in anti-semitic tirades and his former in-laws, the extended Kardashian family.

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Prior to the release of Bully  which dropped in Australia on Sunday  he had hinted at a shift. On January 26, Ye took out a full-page paid advertisement in The Wall Street Journal apologising to all those Ive hurt after hitting rock bottom, when his Australian wife Bianca Censori urged him to seek help. He opened up about the bipolar disorder he was diagnosed with in 2023, and said it led him to use and sell merchandise depicting swastikas. Kanye West with his Australian wife, Bianca Censori. Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP I am not a Nazi or an antisemite. I love Jewish people, Ye said in the apology. In early 2025, I fell into a four-month-long manic episode of psychotic, paranoid and impulsive behaviour that destroyed my life. The black community is, unquestionably, the foundation of who I am. I am so sorry to have let you down. I love us.

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The shift to apologising and owning his mistakes in the album, as well as returning to a sound beloved by his fans (which he previously said he wouldnt do), makes Bully a conciliatory departure from Yes previous three albums. In a further step back from controversy just days before Bullys release, Ye announced the album  which he had earlier said was going to be heavily made with AI  used no AI. Related Article Ye Kanye West has Australian visa revoked after Heil Hitler song release Considering hes spent the better part of the past decade being actively antagonistic, Bully now appears to be an attempted olive branch. It comes after his last official album, 2022s Donda 2, traded in paranoid depravity and featured songs like Scifi that sampled his ex-wife Kim Kardashians remarks about him. And it follows his release last May of a song titled Heil Hitler, which offended many in the Jewish community, 18 months after the October 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas that killed an estimated 1200 people in Israel. The song led to a ban on West entering Australia. At times, the new album feels remarkably like fan service. Punch Drunk is a return to the crowd-pleasing chipmunk soul that old Kanye fans, for decades now, have been yearning for. That its co-produced by Yes 12-year-old daughter North West  who is already carving a path in her fathers footsteps, recently producing the audacious rage beat of UK underground star Skaiwaters Blink Twice  is itself a fascinating wrinkle. The song flips a sample of The Clark Sisters I Can Do All Things Through Christ into something you mightve found on The College Dropout.

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The same is true for songs Whatever Works and Preacher Man, which find Ye flexing his unimpeachable skill for transforming old soul samples into emotionally affecting trips into his own scattered psyche. Related Article Ye Ye apologises for antisemitic remarks, blames bipolar disorder in full-page advert On Mamas Favorite, he samples footage of his late mother Donda celebrating his righteous ego previously seen in the troubling Netflix documentary, Jeen-Yuhs: A Kanye Trilogy. The tone, again, is apologetic: Stay misunderstood, Im often mistaken  They say I go off cause I lack patience, dont think its my job for me to explain it, he raps. Will Bully entice back old fans that Ye deterred with his behaviour? So far, the reaction online has been split. Some are questioning the albums inoffensiveness, and others wonder whether it is a genuine attempt to leave his past controversies behind. Time will tell. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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CultureMoviesDC Universe Its no show without punch: Australias Supergirl soars in new trailer Michael Idato April 1, 2026  8:47am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Australian actress Milly Alcock soars out of the new Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow trailer in full flight, a high-kicking, fast-running action heroine who may yet turn the highly anticipated Superman spin-off into the action blockbuster of the year. This is a high-octane reboot of the Supergirl character, who has, for much of her comic book history, been a well-behaved simulacrum of her higher-profile cousin. For local audiences, its a double whammy: in addition to Alcock, the films director Craig Gillespie is also an Aussie. You think youre having a bad hair day? Milly Alcock as Supergirl in the trailer for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. We have met Supergirl before: back in the 1984 movie, played by Helen Slater, and in the recent TV series (2015-2021), played by Melissa Benoist. Alcocks Supergirl also made a cameo appearance in Superman (2025), but this is the time weve seen her in detail. Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, which will be released in June, is thematically on-brand. Find your place  in the universe, is the thread in the trailer, which sits well with the foundation of the Superman mythology: an orphan boy stranded on an alien world. Those themes recur in Supergirl, and in the wider canon of many comic book mythologies.

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The trailer sets up the story: Ruthye (Eve Ridley) is in pursuit of her fathers killer when she crosses paths with Supergirl. Revenge, it wont take your pain away, Supergirl warns her. But the killer  space pirate Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts)  shoots Krypto the Superdog with a poisoned dart, forcing Supergirl and Ruthye to pursue him for the antidote. The verdict? The trailer is sharp and inventive, and leans heavily into the films action sequences. But it also delves into the layers of a character who, perhaps for the first time, is wholly realised in three dimensions  strengths and flaws, in equal measure  and makes a solid pitch for the film as a companion piece to James Gunns brilliant 2025 reboot Superman. Loading Who is Supergirl? Kara Zor-El is the cousin of Kal-El, the Kryptonian orphan better known as Superman, alias Clark Kent, the mild-mannered reporter for The Daily Planet in the fictional Earth city of Metropolis. The character was created by Otto Binder and designed by Al Plastino, first appearing in Action Comics #252, published in 1959, in a story titled The Supergirl from Krypton.

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Karas father, Zor-El, is the brother of Supermans father, Jor-El. Kara was raised in Argo City, a fragment of the destroyed planet of Krypton; when it also faces doom, she is loaded onto an escape capsule by her parents, Zor-El and Alura. And like all comic book characters, there is a very classic take on Supergirl, which is not the character you will meet in this movie. Ana Nogueiras script is more directly adapted from the 2021-22 comic book miniseries Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow by Tom King and Bilquis Evely. In it, we meet a slightly messier, modern update of Supergirl. The edges are smudged, and she carries her pain and loss in a very different way to her cousin. More on that presently. Superman (David Corenswet) is in the new film In the 1984 movie Supergirl, that eras Superman was reduced to a poster behind a door, and an affecting riff on the John Williams Superman March. In the new movie, at least hes walking and talking.

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You know, Im just worried youre not going to find your stride here, if you keep going off-world all the time, Kara, Kal-El says. Im worried youre not going to find your people. Supergirl replies: Thats the thing, Clark, I have no people. Superman (David Corenswet) in a scene from the trailer of Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. We get to see Supergirls origin story The key difference is that Kara is sent out of the imploding Argo City as a teenage girl, and not a child, as Kal-El was, when his parents Jor-El and Lara sent him to Earth in the final hours of Krypton.

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That sets up the two characters as distorted mirrors of one another: Superman is a well-adjusted, Earth-sensible, square-jawed hero. His trauma is just an echo that seems well reconciled to the upbringing that Smallville residents Jonathan and Martha Kent gave him on Earth. Kara, in contrast, is the product of a substantially more recent trauma  and shows all the signs. When we met her in Superman, even just for a glimpse, she was all reckless trouble and hectic energy, preferring off-world drinking binges to a more serious, settled Earth life. This is one scene-stealing pooch. Krypto the Superdog in the trailer for Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow. This isnt your mums (or your dads, or your gay uncles) Supergirl Supergirls super-suit gets a prominent showing in the trailer, which is a nice touch in an era where those old-fashioned touches are sometimes eschewed for edgy, more contemporary looks. But make no mistake, this is an edgy, more contemporary Supergirl.

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It also sets up the heart of the artistic dilemma of Superman-universe stories: its tough to shake the unchanging, idealistic tone of the characters, particularly in an era where comic books have expanded from Batman and Captain Marvel to Invincible and The Watchmen. Helen Slaters Supergirl was inoffensive to the point of being anodyne, but endures in the culture largely because of affection for Slaters performance, rather than for the film itself. The 1984 Supergirl was unduly burdened with a bad script, poorly realised characters and a belief that the brand could make up any shortfall in the story. Editor's pick Film Surprises, franchises and sequels: 10 new films that prove cinema is not dead Slater is, nonetheless, the antecedent Supergirl, much as we cannot really interpret Gal Gadots Wonder Woman, without understanding Lynda Carters Wonder Woman, and the multitude of things that the first iteration did, to set up the second. But this Supergirl is far more contemporary, and empowered with a more character-defining story, which explores her as a damaged variant of Superman, rather than an innocent, wide-eyed mirror of him. Throw in Alcocks energetic performance, and you have a Supergirl who is, indeed, the Woman of Tomorrow.

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Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow will be released in cinemas in Australia on June 25. Find out the next TV, streaming series and movies to add to your must-sees. Get The Watchlist delivered every Thursday.
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Where organic wheat-flour noodles are the star of the show.

1 / 2 Organic wheat-flour noodles are the star of the show at Ranita Ramen. Supplied 2 / 2 Ranita Ramen co-owners Zoe Erskine and Javier Garcia Tornel. Supplied Previous Slide Next Slide

Ranita Ramen Japanese$$$$

Just across from Schole on Liverpool Street is Ranita, a nine-seat ramen bar where organic wheat-flour noodles are the star of the show. It was recently opened by couple Zoe Erskine and Javier Garcia Tornel, whose offer is concise but considered. There are two soups, including a shoyu ramen with braised pork jowl and a vegetarian shio ramen with pickled shiitake and greens, plus a koshihikari rice bowl with seasonal toppings.

Good to know: Ranita is only open for lunch Tuesday to Friday, and you cant book.

Want to visit this venue? Save it in the Good Food app.
Miss Grand Thailand contestant breaks protocol with wild dance moves

Miss Grand Thailand contestant Dada Kerema only made the top twenty following her unexpectedly energetic routine - but in the eyes of the internet, she was the winner.
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NationalQueenslandQueensland government Queensland promises to use fuel tax windfall on cost-of-living relief William Davis March 31, 2026  4:29pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The excess goods and services tax collected as fuel prices surged would be returned to Queensland households, the state government has promised, as it joined with Victoria to knock back an alternative proposal to cut prices at the bowser. Petrol and diesel are subject to the 10 per cent GST, meaning the amount of tax paid on every litre has climbed significantly since war broke out in the Middle East more than a month ago. We are committed to making sure that any inflated revenue windfalls are appropriately handed to Queenslanders in their pockets through cost-of-living relief, and we will now be doing that work, state treasurer David Janetzki said on Tuesday. Queensland treasurer David Janetzki in Yarrabilba on Tuesday, joined by minister for housing and public works Sam OConnor. William Davis The windfall amount in Queensland is likely to be in tens or hundreds of millions of dollars.

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The tax is collected by the federal government, and then distributed to states. Janetzki said the model of how it would be returned to residents was still being formulated. Related Article National cabinet Crisafulli still wants a fuel dashboard despite no national cabinet love The federal government announced the fuel excise would be halved to ease costs for motorists after National Cabinet met on Monday. At another meeting on Tuesday afternoon, NSW proposed to add an extra reduction to the price at the bowser on top of the 26 reduction to the fuel excise. This would amount to an extra 7-10 per litre off the price of fuel. But there was no consensus on this approach, and negotiations between the states were continuing.

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Theres a lot of pressure on households, theres a lot of pressure on businesses, and well be working through the budget process to make sure that we get cost-of-living relief right in respect of those inflated revenues, Janetzki said. Janetzki showed no interest in making public transport free in Queensland, as has been done in Victoria and Tasmania. Fifty-cent fares is our policy, weve made that clear, he added. Theres particularly large savings that Queensland consumers have made. He continued to advocate for the federal government to create a national fuel dashboard, which would detail localised prices and shortages. Our ask for the national dashboard has fallen on deaf ears federally  that is a key piece of work that must still be undertaken.

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The comments came outside a newly settled home in Yarrabilba, in the growth corridor south of Brisbane, where the treasurer was spruiking the LNP governments Boost to Buy scheme. Under the program, the government makes an equity contribution of up to 30 per cent for new homes and 25 per cent for existing homes. Applications for a second round opened on Tuesday. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaCourts Alleged Cobblebank murder weapon found in fathers shed, court told Erin Pearson March 31, 2026  5:31pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

The mother of the 16-year-old accused of murdering two children on the streets of Cobblebank knew her son had snuck out of the house that night and found him with a sword the next day, a court has heard. Melbourne Magistrates Court heard that the accused murderers father, who cannot be identified, later took the weapon from his son and stored it in his locked shed, where police later seized it as evidence. Cobblebank stabbing victim Chol Achiek, 12. Crown prosecutor Kristy Churchill said forensic testing had revealed blood on the blade that was believed to belong to one of the victims, as well DNA suspected to come from the 16-year-old accused on the handle. The 16-year-old accuseds mother said the weapon had damaged her car interior as she drove him to his fathers house for Fathers Day.

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Thanks to ruining my seat you absolute f---ing asshole, the mother texted her son after discovering the knife had sliced her car seat. Sorry for that can i pay to fix it, the boy replied. The teens mother was compelled to provide evidence on Tuesday despite telling a magistrate that doing so would ruin her relationship with her son, who hasnt spoken to her for four months. Nine witnesses are expected to be compulsory examined over two days this week. Dau Akueng, who was killed in Cobblebank.

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In September, police charged seven people including three adults and four teenagers over the killing of 15-year-old Dau Akueng and 12-year-old Chol Achiek on September 6 in Cobblebank. Emergency services were initially called to the scene about 8pm following reports two children had been killed. Chol was found on Marble Drive, while Dau was located on Cobble Street. Both of the boys were assisted by members of the public before they died at the scene. On Tuesday, the father of the accused 16-year-old boy also objected to giving evidence but was overruled by magistrate Stephen Ballek.

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The father was shown images of the weapon he had stored in his shed, also described as a knife or sword-type blade. He maintained he had never seen it until his son arrived at his house and that he had never discussed the Cobblebank killings with the teen. I hadnt seen him for a long time, the father said. I took [the knife] from him. The 16-year-old watched his parents give evidence via videolink from custody with his camera turned off. The hearing continues.

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A 19-year-old Thornhill man, a 16-year-old boy, a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with the murder of Dau Akueng. A 19-year-old Caroline Springs man, an 18-year-old Wollert man and a 16-year-old boy have been charged with the murder of Chol Achiek. The matters currently remain before the magistrates and childrens courts. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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NationalVictoriaMelbourne childcare crisis Daycare linked to sex abuse allegations shut down over serious child safety failures Nicole Precel Updated March 31, 2026  2:59pm ,first published 1:23pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A childcare centre in Melbournes west where alleged paedophile Joshua Dale Brown briefly worked will be shut for months after authorities revoked its licence due to serious child safety failures. Milestones Early Learning Werribee, owned by the Affinity Education group, has had its service approval suspended for 90 days after the Victorian Early Childhood Regulatory Authority (VECRA) officers identified a range of serious and concerning examples of non-compliance. The Milestones early learning and childcare centre. The Age The authority said babies had been left unsupervised in a room at the Werribee daycare, and that inspectors had found ripped and torn furniture, exposed broken gates, peeling paint, electrical cords and hazardous power cord arrangements posing a danger to children. VECRA also alleged that the centres management failed to notify the authority of the incidents, in breach of its legal obligations.

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The new independent regulatory authority, which took over in January, found that at a compliance check, numerous issues had not been fixed and new issues had arisen, including unsafe sleep practices for babies and failures to follow policies and procedures. The childcare sector was plunged into crisis mid-2025 when former care worker Joshua Dale Brown was charged with alleged child sex abuse. Brown faces 156 charges, including transmitting child abuse material. Brown worked at 23 early learning services, 13 of which were owned by Affinity, including Milestones Early Learning Centre in Werribee from August 14, 2024 to August 16, 2024. Its alleged Brown contaminated childrens food with bodily fluids which prompted unprecedented STI testing for kids at affected centres. His case returns to the Melbourne Magistrates Court on April 21. At a Victorian parliamentary inquiry into the childcare sector in late February, Affinity chief executive Glen Hurley  who took over leadership in October  insisted safety was paramount to the for-profit provider despite its centres being among those where Brown worked.

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Joshua Dale Brown. The Age At the inquiry, Hurley said 2025 was the lowest point for the sector and for Affinity. The inquirys interim report, released on March 31, found the rapid rise of the for-profit sector had shifted the focus from childrens safety to profit, further stretching systems and undermining both child safety and quality. Committee chair Anasina GrayBarberio said the inquiry has heard unequivocal evidence that stronger stewardship is required at both the Victorian and national levels to ensure that safety, quality and accountability are not optional, but guaranteed, across the sector. But the VECRA report released Tuesday into Milestones Early Learning Werribee still showed non-compliance at one of its centres.

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It said while Affinity Education Group had addressed some of the regulators concerns, there continued to be significant compliance issues that put the health, safety and wellbeing of children at risk. And it believed that it would not be in the best interests of children being educated and cared for by the service for the service to continue. The authority said it was simply not satisfied that Affinity Education Group has the necessary management and oversight mechanisms in place at this service to ensure that the non-compliances identified will not happen again. Interim early childhood regulator Adam Fennessy said parents deserved to have peace of mind that their children were safe and well cared for in early learning services. This service was put on notice due to its child safety practices, yet it failed to address these concerns around the health, well-being, and safety of children in its care, he said.

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We will not hesitate to take strong action against any service that puts childrens safety at risk. This includes suspending them until we are satisfied that they can provide the safe and high-quality level of care that they are legally required to do. If Affinity doesnt comply, the company could face cancellation of the service approval or face prosecution, with maximum penalties of $1,034,100. An Affinity Education Group spokesperson said the centre would temporarily close from April 13, and apologised for the disruption it would cause families and educators. She said Affinity was working with families to support alternative care arrangements at nearby centres until it could reopen. Affinity acknowledges that this outcome falls short of both regulatory expectations and the standards we set for our centres, she said. Before the suspension, Affinity had already taken a number of steps to improve practices at the centre, with 90 per cent of remediation activity complete, including revised room layouts to strengthen supervision and repairs completed to equipment and facilities.

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She said they had also done remedial training and refresher courses on appropriate policies and practices at the centre. More work, however, clearly needs to be done and further remediation work is underway, and we will work closely with the regulator while this is completed, she said. Affinity has committed to implementing extra measures including having senior operational leaders overseeing the centre, daily compliance checks and monitoring, refresher training on safe sleep practices, and immediate centre-level investigations into specific incidents. Appropriate action will be taken in line with our policies, including standing down staff where required, she said. The safety, wellbeing, and continued access to quality care for children remains our highest priority. Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
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Timing is everything, and with fugitive Dezi Freeman taken down by tactical police in a remote part of north-east Victoria after seven months on the run, Victoria Polices top cop is going ahead with his plans to take a short break. No doubt relieved that the states biggest manhunt, titled Operation Summit, has concluded, Chief Commissioner Mike Bush is now taking a brief period of leave  something that had been booked into his diary before the events of Monday. Victoria Police Commmissioner Mike Bush speaking to the media on Monday after the shooting of Dezi Freeman. Chris Hopkins Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill will step in with Bush away and as the investigation into how Freeman made it to his ramshackle, off-the-grid bolthole near Thologolong, and who may have assisted him in evading authorities, continues. Freeman sparked a massive multi-agency manhunt after gunning down two police officers, Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart-Hottart, in Porepunkah in August last year.

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Related Article Porepunkah shooting Dezi Freemans short stay at remote property betrayed by inner circle Freeman was finally located and shot dead by police after a three-hour stand-off at the rural property where he was hiding early on Monday. A highly experienced investigative team continues to sift for clues to shed light on Freemans action and interaction over the months since he fled into dense bushland following the shooting at Porepunkah. The chief commissioner is expected to be kept up to date with any developments in the case that has drawn interest from around the world. On Monday, Bush said police were looking for people who had helped Freeman avoid authorities. We have no sympathy or empathy for anyone who has harboured a police killer inside the state of Victoria, he said.

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We will conduct an investigation to see if others have been complicit and aiding him, not just in getting out of the [Porepunkah] area but supporting him whilst hes been on the run. He added: We will track backwards from here to work out how long hes been here, and who helped him to be here. Dude, wheres my car? On Friday last week, Opposition Leader Angus Taylor stepped out of his front door, ready to drive to a petrol station to make a show of calling on the Albanese government to halve the fuel excise, only to discover his car had been stolen. Later that morning, Taylor would front reporters alongside newly minted Nationals leader Matt Canavan and Nationals senator Bridget McKenzie to accuse the government of a failure of leadership, urgency and action over runaway fuel prices triggered by the US-Israeli war on Iran. Glad to see they were able to organise alternative transport.

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Opposition Leader Angus Taylor had his car stolen in Canberra last week. Alex Ellinghausen Word is the car theft was why Taylor was left standing at the servo in only a shirt, despite the 3-degree chill in the air. Not, as wed first assumed, because he wanted to play tough guy standing alongside Canavan, who also appeared sans jacket. Taylors office declined to comment on the car. In response to questions about Taylors car, ACT Policing confirmed that a vehicle had been stolen on March 27 from an address in Canberras inner south. But it looks like the cops were able to run it down quickly. It was located later that day in Turner, just north of the city. The vehicle was transported to an ACT Policing facility for forensic examination, a police spokesman said. The investigation remains ongoing. No word from police on how the vehicle was retrieved, whether it was damaged or if any items were stolen. But were glad to hear it all worked out OK and that nobody was hurt.

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All told, the car probably couldnt have travelled much further than Turner anyway, CBD hears, because the Liberal leader had neglected to fill up the tank and left it running into the red. Cutbacks hit Town Hall biscuit tin Austerity measures are cutting deep at the City of Melbourne. The council abolished catering for this years budget lock-up held on Tuesday morning at the Boyd Community Centre in Southbank. Journalists were locked up to review the lengthy budget documents before a press conference with Lord Mayor Nick Reece but were not offered so much as a cup of tea, coffee or biscuit. In past years, attendees recall biscuits being on offer and even, one year, a selection of pastries. Lord Mayor Nick Reece in City of Melbourne budget mode. Ruby Alexander

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Things got even tighter when they proceeded to the press conference, where there was cash for a City of Melbourne banner and lectern, but not a single chair for one of our pregnant reporters to take a break during the lengthy 40 minutes of questions. Happily, these extreme measures mean that the council is in the black for the third year in a row with a $1.2 million surplus. Perhaps some of those extra funds from the councils parking fees increase can go towards a box of Arnotts Family Favourites. Well take the Butternut Snaps, thanks. Well, the lord mayor must have been reading our mind because late yesterday, following our inquiry, Reece acknowledged the councils caffeine oversight  and dispatched a packet of Arnotts Family Favourites to the CBD team. The packet of Arnotts Family Favourites with a note from the lord mayor sent to The Ages CBD desk after the biscuit drought at the City of Melbournes budget lock-up.

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In hindsight, the Melbourne Magic should be a feature of every budget day  reminding our media colleagues that were lucky to live in the coffee capital of the world, he said. We make no secret that this is a tight budget, but we accept that weve probably taken things too far. We appreciate the snacks and the humour, lord mayor. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Warning: this report contains the name of a deceased Indigenous person, with her familys permission. It also contains distressing details. A West Australian man has been jailed for life over the random, frenzied and fatal attack on his partner that only stopped when three of his friends broke into his house in a bid to stop the assault. Homicide squad detectives travelled to the Kimberley to charge the man in December 2024. Hannah Murphy Samuel Jingle appeared in WAs Supreme Court on Tuesday, having earlier pleaded guilty to the murder of his partner, known as Ms Murray, in 2024. The court was told Jingle had been drinking at a friends house in the afternoon of December 14 that year, before moving to the Fitzroy Lodge in the evening.

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He had a history of domestic violence against Ms Murray. Their relationship had been marred by incidents of infidelity, jealousy, distrust and alcohol abuse at the time of her murder. Jingle had been drinking at the Fitzroy Lodge, the towns only licensed venue. Hannah Murphy Despite his well-known and extensive history of violence, he was not subject to any violence restraining order at the time of her death, and on return from the local pub, he randomly launched a vicious attack on Ms Murray at the familys house on Flynn Drive. Jingle stabbed her 15 times  including behind the left ear, and from the back into her chest  fractured her jaw and ribs, and cut her head, face, elbows, knees and forearms. Ms Murrays aunt, who had been staying at the couples property, walked in on the assault and saw Jingle strangling Ms Murray with a belt on the bed.

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She ran outside to try and find the men Jingle had been drinking with to try and stop him, and he continued his vicious attack while she was gone. The court was told Jingles partner was just 35 kilograms and malnourished at the time of the attack, and he launched a prolonged assault on her  punching, stabbing and strangling her until the bedroom floor was covered in her blood. By the time Ms Murrays aunt arrived back home with three of Jingles friends in tow, the front door was locked, and they had to break in through the rear of the house. One of the men pushed Jingle off Ms Murray, but stopped short when he realised there was so much blood on the floor she was likely dead. Another man reported seeing Ms Murrays lifeless body, and blocked the entrance to the property to stop anyone else from going inside.

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Related Article Police Man charged with murder after woman allegedly stabbed minutes before help arrived in Broome Police and paramedics were called just after 11pm, and Jingle opened the door for them. They found his partner of 10 years face down on the bedroom floor, covered in blood and a blanket. An electrical cord was wrapped around her neck and a belt was hanging nearby. Jingle told paramedics Ms Murray was dead. Her family would later tell police he had a smile on his face when he was arrested and walked away by police in handcuffs.

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While the implements used to stab Ms Murray were never located, it was later determined she had been stabbed 11 times in her back and four times elsewhere. The court heard Jingle had never provided an explanation for the frenzied and brutal attack on the mother of his children, although it was likely he was highly intoxicated and experiencing methamphetamine withdrawal at the time of her murder. This is despite Fitzroy Crossing being a dry community with no takeaway alcohol outlets. The Fitzroy Valley and surrounds does not have any takeaway liquor outlets but experiences significant alcohol-related violence. Hannah Murphy Jingle shared two children with the woman, who are now in the custody of her sister.

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Ms Murrays eldest son told the court in a victim impact statement he was experiencing profound grief, and he had dropped out of school to do handyman work. He told the court he knew Jingle was crazy before his mothers murder. Jingle was said to have extraordinary anger towards Ms Murray and Justice Michael Gething said the sheer brutality of the attack was exceptionally serious. He also praised Ms Murrays aunt, who had run for help to try and stop the attack Jingle was sentenced to life imprisonment with a non parole period of 19 years. His sentence was backdated to the time of his arrest. Ms Murrays brother Gavin spoke outside court on Tuesday and said the sentence was adequate.

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I mean, everybody deserves a second chance, but for him  unlikely, he said. [My sister] was a loving and kind and respectful person, and happy-go-lucky lady. Gavin said he wished something had been in place to protect his sister, given Jingles previous behaviour. Maybe a restraining order or something could [have been] in place, he said. But, you know, its life. We have to live by it and learn from mistakes. And now, its hard to say, but yeah, weve got to carry on and push on for the kids. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
A proposed cut to further cut petrol prices on top of the fuel excise reduction will no longer go ahead after states failed to agree on how best to give back the windfall GST collected from higher petrol prices.

The states had agreed not to pocket the extra GST collected, but havent been able to come to a consensus on how best to use those extra millions.

The NSW Government wanted to add an extra reduction to the price at the bowser on top of the 26 reduction to the fuel excise, which would have been an extra 7-10 per litre off the price of fuel.

At a meeting with state premiers and chief ministers this afternoon, not all states and territories would agree to that proposal.

Negotiations are now continuing between the states.
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TechnologyAI Albanese government reaches deal with $550b AI giant in legal battle with Trump David Swan April 1, 2026  9:30am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Anthropic, the artificial intelligence giant locked in a legal war with the Trump administration over military use of its technology, has signed a formal AI safety pact with the Albanese government. The memorandum of understanding was signed when chief executive Dario Amodei met Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Canberra on Wednesday. It commits Anthropic to sharing research on emerging model capabilities and risks with Australias AI Safety Institute, participating in joint safety evaluations, and collaborating with Australian academic institutions. The agreement mirrors arrangements Anthropic holds with safety institutes in the US, Britain and Japan. Anthropic co-founder Dario Amodei is on a flying visit to Canberra. Bloomberg Anthropic, which is valued at $US380 billion ($550 billion), will also share data from its economic index with the federal government to track AI adoption across sectors including natural resources, agriculture, healthcare and financial services, with a focus on implications for workers. The deal comes as Amodei  who flew into Canberra on Tuesday via chartered jet from San Jose  conducts a blitz of political meetings with Treasurer Jim Chalmers, Industry Minister Tim Ayres and Assistant Technology Minister Andrew Charlton. He is also scheduled to appear at a half-day Futures Forum at Parliament House, where the company will demonstrate its AI agents to public servants and government officials.

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Related Article AI Labor split over renewed push for AI to be able to harvest Australian art Anthropic is one of a small number of companies at the frontier of artificial intelligence development, competing directly with OpenAI  maker of ChatGPT  and Googles DeepMind to build the worlds most advanced AI systems. Founded in 2021 by former OpenAI executives, including siblings Dario and Daniela Amodei, the company has positioned itself as the safety-focused alternative in an industry increasingly defined by its geopolitical significance and breakneck pace of development. Its flagship product, Claude, has become one of the most widely used AI models globally. Alongside the MOU, Anthropic announced $3 million in Claude API credits for four Australian research institutions: the Australian National University, the Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and Curtin University. The funding targets clinical genomics, precision medicine, paediatric heart disease research and computing education. The company also launched a dedicated API credit program offering up to $US50,000 for venture-backed deep tech start-ups working in drug discovery, materials science, climate modelling and medical diagnostics. Australias investment in AI safety makes it a natural partner for responsible AI development, Amodei said.

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Claude maker Anthropic has also confirmed it is exploring data centre infrastructure investment in Australia. Bloomberg Im particularly excited by the work Australian research institutions will be doing with Claude to advance disease diagnosis and treatment. Related Article Opinion

AI The siblings who built a $537 billion giant in five years Stephen Bartholomeusz Senior business columnist The visit carries significant commercial and geopolitical weight. Anthropic is locked in a legal battle with the Trump administration after refusing to allow its AI systems to be used in autonomous weapons or mass domestic surveillance, resulting in the company being designated a supply chain risk by the Pentagon. That designation, currently frozen by the courts, bars US federal agencies and military contractors from using Anthropics products. The company has been branded left-wing nutjobs by US President Donald Trump. Anthropic has also confirmed it is exploring data centre infrastructure investment in Australia, though any deal to use local facilities for model training remains constrained by an unresolved deadlock between the government and the AI sector over copyright licensing for training data. Andrew Charlton has said the current system was failing to protect Australian creators, while tech companies say they need to train their systems on local data to ensure AI outputs reflect Australian nuance, vocabulary and concepts to close cultural gaps for customers.

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The company has hired three lobbying firms  Anacta Strategies, SEC Newgate and Carolyn Houghs Policy Australia  ahead of the visit, and is recruiting for a country head and an external affairs lead in Canberra. Anthropic told a Senate committee last month it would extend its US commitment to cover the full cost of grid upgrades and bring net-new power generation online to any Australian market where it builds infrastructure. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here.
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TechnologyTelecommunications New rules force Telstra to shrink coverage maps by 1 million square km David Swan March 31, 2026  12:07pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Telstra will be forced to strip about 1 million square kilometres  an area larger than NSW  from its mobile coverage maps under new government rules that reject the telcos campaign to preserve its inflated network claims. Communications Minister Anika Wells on Tuesday announced the new industry standard, developed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA), which for the first time sets uniform signal-strength thresholds for how telcos advertise their coverage to consumers. The proposed changes were flagged by this masthead earlier this month. There are longstanding problems with the quality and comparability of mobile coverage maps published by the telcos, and the government is putting a stop to this mess, Wells said. Communications Minister Anika Wells. Dominic Lorrimer Under the standard, which takes effect on June 30, all three mobile network operators  Telstra, Optus and TPG Telecom  must publish coverage maps using four standardised tiers: good, moderate, basic and no coverage. Any signal weaker than -115 decibel-milliwatts (dBm) will be classified as no coverage.

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Telco giant Telstra had lobbied for a weaker cutoff of -122 dBm, arguing its network remained functional at that level and that the stricter standard would erase coverage used by 1.5 million customers each month, including areas where 57,000 emergency calls are made each year. Every other major player rejected Telstras position. TPG Telecom, Optus, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the peak consumer body the Australian Communications Consumer Action Network all backed the -115 dBm baseline, consistent with international precedents including Irelands -115 dBm standard and the United Kingdoms even stricter -105 dBm threshold. Telstra said it agreed with the intent behind a common mapping standard but warned that a framework preventing operators from showing usable coverage could make it harder for customers to access information they needed. Bloomberg An Optus spokesperson said the company welcomed the ACMAs determination, saying the new standard would give consumers and communities the ability to confidently compare mobile service reach across providers. In its February submission, Optus had outlined that it did not believe consumers could achieve reliable, usable coverage below -115 dBm. A TPG Telecom spokesperson said: The ACMA says coverage should mean your phone works.

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Telstra wants coverage to mean your phone might sometimes show a bar but probably cant make a call. Loading The fight comes as submissions to the ACMA consultation from emergency services, farming groups, state governments and community associations paint a picture of coverage maps that have long promised connectivity that does not exist in practice. Related Article Telecommunications Telstras coverage may shrink by an area the size of NSW The Central Highlands Volunteer Ambulance Association warned that relying on optimistic predictive modelling at weaker signal strengths could create life-threatening delays when emergency responders believe they have usable coverage that fails when needed. The National Farmers Federation meanwhile said its members had consistently reported that their lived experience did not match what providers claimed.

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The Mt Tomah and Berambing Community Association in NSW also lodged a formal complaint with the competition watchdog alleging Telstras published maps constituted misleading and deceptive conduct. The group conducted in-field testing and found that what Telstra described as adequate coverage was, in many cases, wholly inadequate and some sites had no usable signal detected. The ACCC warned in its submission that the absence of consistent, transparent mapping standards risked a competitive race to the bottom, where carriers inflated coverage claims through modelling changes rather than actual network investment. TPG Telecoms own drive testing across more than 20 regional Queensland locations where Telstras maps showed full coverage found engineers could not make a basic phone call with a standard smartphone at almost all test sites. In a statement on Tuesday, Telstra said that nothing had physically changed about the companys network. No sites have been switched off. No coverage has been removed, a spokesman said. The only thing that has changed is what will be shown on a comparable map.

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Nerida OLoughlin from the Australian Communications and Media Authority during a Senate estimates hearing at Parliament House. Alex Ellinghausen Telstra said it agreed with the intent behind a common mapping standard but warned that a framework preventing operators from showing usable coverage could make it harder for customers to access the information they needed. The company pointed to $12.4 billion spent on its mobile network to the end of financial year 2025, including $4.7 billion in regional areas, and cautioned the new standard could reduce its incentive to invest at the edges of its network. No sites have been switched off. No coverage has been removed. Telstra spokesman Telstra also flagged it may pursue alternative ways to communicate its coverage to customers outside the standardised maps.

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ACMA Chair Nerida OLoughlin said the maps would be based on predictive modelling and provide plain-English descriptions of what each coverage tier means. Providers who breach the rules face enforceable undertakings, remedial directions and financial penalties. The three network operators must also supply maps to mobile virtual network operators such as Amaysim, Boost Mobile and Aldi Mobile, ensuring the standard flows through to resellers. The government is separately conducting a national audit of mobile coverage, with consulting firm Accenture working alongside Australia Post to test signal at up to 77 locations around Australia and collect crowdsourced data from 160,000 users. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here.
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WorldEuropeKing Charles III Go get your own oil: Trump blasts UK, welcomes terrific state visit from King Charles David Crowe March 31, 2026  11:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: King Charles will meet US President Donald Trump in the next few weeks after deciding to go ahead with a state visit to the United States despite another verbal blast from the White House at the British government. The King announced the plan after weeks of debate about the wisdom of the visit during the confrontation with Iran, as Trump accuses UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being a weak leader and tells Britain to get your own oil from the Persian Gulf. US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose with King Charles and Queen Camilla as they bid their farewells at Windsor Castle during a state visit last September. Getty Images The state visit was announced soon after Trump launched another tirade against Britain on social media, saying it and other countries should build up some delayed courage and go to the Strait of Hormuz to get the oil they needed. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us, he wrote.

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Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! The state visit sets up an opportunity for the King to calm the dispute between Trump and Starmer, given the presidents high regard for the monarchy. The coming visit is the Kings first as monarch to the US. He will visit with Queen Camilla in late April, with planned events expected to include an address to Congress, although this is yet to be confirmed. The couple last visited the US on an official tour in 2005 as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Trump confirmed the visit would take place from April 27 to 30 and would include a banquet at the White House on April 28 to commemorate the founding of the United States in 1776. This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country, Trump posted on social media. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!

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After the US, the King will travel to Bermuda for a state visit. The plan reciprocates the state visit by Trump to the UK last September, when the president enjoyed the high ceremony of a welcome to Windsor Castle and a banquet with guests ranging from tech billionaires to News Corp media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Loading At the banquet, Trump spoke with effusive praise for the King and said his state visit to the UK  an unprecedented second state visit for a US leader  was one of the highest honours of his life. The president also described the relationship between the US and UK in glowing terms.

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Were like two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem, each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together, he said. Relations have soured since then, however, with Trump disparaging Starmer several times since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in February and the UK prime minister declined to send any forces to assist in the attacks. While Starmer has allowed the US to use British bases for defensive purposes, including hosting US Air Force bombers at the Fairford base in England, Trump has called for active support from the UK for the war. In one barb, the president said the prime minister was no Winston Churchill  a reference to the prime minister who led Britain to victory in the Second World War. Starmer has pushed back at the criticism without being offensive, while polls suggest a majority of British voters do not want their country to join the war.

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Related Article Analysis

Middle East at war Why Europes break with Trump is not just a gulf about the Gulf A lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said and done to put pressure on me - I have no doubt about that, I understand exactly what is going on, but Im not going to be wavering, Starmer said on March 23. My job is to be absolutely focused on what is in the British national interest. British politicians have cautioned against approving the royal visit in light of Trumps attacks on the UK, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey saying it should be cancelled. Dame Emily Thornberry, a Labour politician who chairs the foreign affairs select committee in parliament, said on March 17 it would be safer to delay the visit to avoid anything embarrassing for the King and Queen.

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Buckingham Palace noted that the visit to the US was decided with the government. On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America, the palace said in a statement released at 1pm on Tuesday in London (11pm AEDT). Their Majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence. The King will then continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majestys first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.


Anthony Albanese has tonight joined the ranks of just a few prime ministers to give a televised address to the nation.

The last time this happened was when Scott Morrison sought to reassure families that Australia was well placed to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

Then prime minister Scott Morrison addressed the nation in 2020.

This speech occurred on March 12, 2020  just over six years ago.

At the time, there were 140 confirmed cases of COVID in Australia.

The medical experts tell us that, for most Australians in good health who contract the virus, they will contract a mild illness, Morrison said at the time.

While Australia cannot and is not immune from this virus, we are well prepared, and we are well equipped to deal with it. We do have a clear plan to see Australia through.
All three trim levels feature drive modes, cruise control and expanded capability

Pioneer 1000 Elite becomes Honda's first fully enclosed side-by-side and the first Honda side-by-side equipped with a factory-integrated HVAC system

ALPHARETTA, Ga., March 31, 2026 -- Honda celebrates the 10th anniversary of its flagship multipurpose side-by-side platform with a complete overhaul of the Pioneer 1000 lineup, highlighted by two all-new Deluxe trims. In addition, Honda is confirming the all-new Pioneer 1000 Elite. Scheduled to arrive at dealers in late 2026, the Elite is Honda's first side-by-side to come with a fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin and HVAC system, adding a new level of comfort and convenience to the Pioneer lineup.

Guided by the motto "Work Comfortably, Play Comfortably," the Pioneer 1000 lineup combines jobsite capability with trail-ready performance, introducing significant upgrades to comfort and convenience that make every task easier and every ride more enjoyable. Across the lineup, comprehensive refinements to vehicle design help reduce cockpit heat and noise, while the adoption of throttle-by-wire technology enhances overall drivability and enables advanced features such as cruise control and a variable speed limiter. Meanwhile, the Pioneer 1000 Elite's fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin delivers a new level of year-round comfort.

"For 2026, we took a hard look at what our customers rely on the Pioneer 1000 to do every daywhether that's putting in long hours on the jobsite or heading out for a good time on the trail," said Colin Miller, Manager of Experiential Marketing at American Honda. "With the addition of a throttle-by-wire system, new drive modes and the Pioneer 1000 Elite's fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin, we've enhanced drivability, comfort and convenience across the lineup, while maintaining the durability, capability and quality our customers expect. The result is a Pioneer 1000 family that truly delivers on our promise to help customers work comfortably and play comfortably."

Backed by Honda's legendary quality and reliability, all three 2026 Pioneer 1000 versions offer strong value and are proudly made in the USAplanned in Georgia, developed in Ohio, and produced in Timmonsville, South Carolina, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

2026 Pioneer 1000 Deluxe

For the new model year, the three-seat Pioneer 1000 Deluxe and five-seat Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe benefit from comprehensive updates to styling, usability and driving refinement, highlighted by the adoption of throttle-by-wire technology that enhances shift precision and overall drivability while enabling advanced features like cruise control and a variable speed limiter, giving users unprecedented control in work and recreational settings. A new Pro-Connect-compatible cargo bed enhances flexibility for carrying tools, materials and accessories, while reduced noise and heat improve comfort during long workdays and on extended trail rides. Additional refinements improve everyday usability and serviceability, including easier component access, expanded interior storage solutions and a more intuitive control layout. Proven Honda technologies remain at the core of the platform, including a Dual Clutch Transmission for smooth, reliable performance.

Colors: Hero Red; Black Forest Green; TrueTimber  Atera Camo

Atera Camo MSRP Pioneer 1000 Deluxe: $20,999 Pioneer 1000 Deluxe TrueTimber  Atera Camo: $21,799 Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe: $22,399 Pioneer 1000-5 Deluxe TrueTimber  Atera Camo: $23,199

Available: May

Info

2026 Pioneer 1000 Elite

The all-new Pioneer 1000 Elite elevates the side-by-side experience with Honda's first fully enclosed, factory-installed cabin, delivering enhanced protection from the elements and year-round comfort for both worksites and trails. This premium configuration delivers comprehensive cabin sealing, a high-performance HVAC system and an exceptionally quiet driving experience. Engineers also prioritized overall vehicle balance and ride quality, with chassis and suspension developed specifically to accommodate the enclosed-cabin configuration. The Pioneer 1000 Elite further benefits from the full suite of platform updates introduced for 2026, including a throttle-by-wire system that enhances shift precision and overall drivability while enabling convenience-focused features like cruise control and a variable speed limiter.

Colors: Crimson Red; Cactus Green

MSRP: TBD

Available: Late 2026

Info
Another week of rain, hail, thunderstorms across State





Staff Reporter :

State is currently caught in a dramatic weather tug-of-war, as blistering summer heat and sudden pre-monsoon turbulence grip the State simultaneously. While temperatures have soared close to the 40-degree mark in several regions, a series of atmospheric disturbances has triggered a volatile cycle of rain, lightning, and hailstorms. Following isolated rainfall and hail on March 29 and 30, the latest forecast from the Meteorological Centre Bhopal suggests that this unstable pattern is far from over. With a cloudy outlook persisting through April 3, the state is effectively heading into another full week of erratic weather activity. The mercury reached its peak in Khajuraho, which recorded a scorching 39.8C, while the States only hill station, Pachmarhi, offered a cool contrast at 17.6C. Despite the heat, the Indore division, specifically Badwani and Khargone districts, faced the brunt of the recent turbulence, experiencing significant rainfall, thunderstorms, and hailstorms. Data indicates that temperatures in the Gwalior, Jabalpur and Sagar divisions are currently hovering nearly 2C above the seasonal average, while night temperatures in Rewa and Shahdol have jumped by a significant 5C, making for uncomfortably warm evenings.

This prolonged spell of instability is being driven by complex synoptic systems. A Western Disturbance, currently existing as a cyclonic circulation over North Iran and the Caspian Sea, is interacting with an induced cyclonic circulation over Punjab and Haryana. Additionally, a trough line stretching from northwest Uttar Pradesh across Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh to interior Odisha is funnelling moisture into the region. These systems, combined with a subtropical westerly jet stream, are creating the perfect conditions for the localised storms and hailstones witnessed over the last 48 hours. Looking ahead to March 31 and beyond, the Met Department has placed a significant portion of the state under a watch alert. Residents in the northern districts, including Morena, Bhind, Gwalior, Datia and Shivpuri, as well as southern belts like Chhindwara, Seoni, and Balaghat should remain updated on changing sky conditions. The risk of lightning and gusty winds, reaching speeds of 30 to 50 kmph, remains high for the Gwalior and Chambal divisions.

While western stretches like Indore and Ujjain may see calmer conditions, the overall atmospheric instability suggests that a fresh Western Disturbance expected on April 2 across the State. In Bhopal, the weather is set to follow this unpredictable trend. While the day is expected to remain warm with a maximum temperature of 37C, the evening and night hours are likely to see a shift toward partly cloudy skies. The city is on standby for light rainfall and thunderstorms . Winds in Bhopal are expected to hover between 14 to 16 kmph, providing some movement in the air despite the rising humidity. With another week of thunder and hail, authorities have issued a stern advisory for both citizens and the farmers. People are urged to stay hydrated and avoid direct sunlight during the afternoon. Farmers, in particular, are advised to halt irrigation and pesticide application immediately. Protecting harvested produce with tarpaulins and ensuring livestock are kept in safe shelters during lightning activity is crucial as the State navigates this extended period of pre-monsoon volatility.
CM Nitish Kumar resigns from Bihar Legislative Council





PATNA :

BIHAR Chief Minister Nitish Kumar on Monday resigned from his membership in the Legislative Council, fulfilling the constitutional requirement ahead of assuming office as a Rajya Sabha member. Nitish Kumar, who was elected to the Rajya Sabha on March 16 and received his election certificate the same day, is scheduled to formally take oath on April 10. As per constitutional provisions, an individual elected to Parliament must resign from their existing legislative position within 14 days, failing which their new membership stands cancelled. In compliance with this mandate, he submitted his resignation on March 30. The resignation letter was submitted by MLC Sanjay Gandhi on behalf of Nitish Kumar. This resignation also marks the end of Nitish Kumars long association with the Bihar Legislative Council. He first became a member in 2006 and went on to serve four consecutive terms -- 2006-2012, 2012-2018, 2018-2024, and 2024 onwards -- before stepping down. Since assuming office as Chief Minister in November 2005, Nitish Kumar has consistently held his position through membership in the Legislative Council, rather than contesting Assembly elections.

Although he was earlier elected as an MLA from Harnaut in 1985 and also served as a member in the Lok Sabha, his tenure as Chief Minister has largely been anchored in the Upper House of the State legislature. With his upcoming entry into the Rajya Sabha, Nitish Kumar is set to achieve a rare political milestone -- having been a member of all four legislative bodies: the Bihar Legislative Assembly, Lok Sabha, Legislative Council, and now the Rajya Sabha. Following his resignation from the Legislative Council, constitutional norms also necessitate that he step down as Chief Minister. However, provisions allow him to continue in the role for up to six months without being a member of either House of the State legislature. Within this period, he must secure membership again or opt for an alternative political course. Nitish Kumars transition to the Rajya Sabha marks the beginning of a new chapter in his political journey, which began in 1985. His formal induction into the Upper House on April 10 is expected to further shape Bihars political landscape in the coming months.
CM Yadav stresses on simplicity, discipline, humility in pub, State Assembly Speaker emphasises on moral qualities to implement Constitution in true sense





By Bhavana :

Inaugural day of three states Young Legislators Conference witnessed mentoring from veteran law makers and discussions on democratic participation and the vision for a developed India 2047 on Monday. The conference bringing together young MLAs from Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Chhattisgarh. The event, The Role of Young Legislators in Strengthening Democracy, Citizen Participation and Developed India 2047- Responsibilities and Challenges for Young Legislators is a part of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Associations programme aiming to sharpen legislative skills and strengthen democratic traditions among the new MLAs. Addressing the participants, senior leaders urged to maintain balance between public life and personal approach while dealing with critical issues. Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav emphasised to opt for simplicity, modesty-void of arrogance and discipline in public life. Highlighting countrys progress and how now the world is looking at our country, we should display courteous behaviour and work for enhancing public participation in democratic system. We should relentlessly work for the development of our respective constituencies. Along with the Madhya Pradesh CM, State Assembly Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar called for constructive role of Opposition and keeping public service at the helm of affairs.

The programme started with the national song Vande Mataram. Madhya Pradesh Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar, Rajasthan Assembly Speaker Vasudev Devnani and senior officials from all three states were present. MLAs under 45 are actively participating in discussion on impactful role of young leaders to objectives of developed India and citizen in democracy. In his key note address, Speaker Narendra Singh Tomar said, It gives me immense pleasure and a sense of great pride to host the conference. Through the active participation of us all, this conference stands as a pivotal initiative aimed at reinforcing democratic traditions and parliamentary values. Indeed, democracy is not merely a matter concerning a single individual, a specific community, a particular province, or just one segment of society. Rather, democracy is empowered by the freedom, justice, equity, and equality of the nations citizens, along with their inherent dignity and spirit of fraternity. As citizens, the more vigilant and active we remain, the more inviolable and enduring our nations sovereignty and integrity shall remain. On January 26, our Republic completed 77 years. For any nation that has endured a long period of subjugation, this duration in the life of a republic may seem relatively brief; yet, it is a testament to the strength of our countrys culture, intellect, philosophy and civic consciousness that, even within this short span, India has emerged as the worlds most powerful democracy.

Hailing the contribution of Babasaheb Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in democracy, he underlined the address delivered by Babasaheb to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. Babasaheb had observed that no matter how excellent a Constitution may be, it will ultimately prove to be flawed if the people implementing it are corrupt; conversely, no matter how flawed a Constitution may appear, it will ultimately prove to be sound if the people implementing it are virtuous. Viewed in the light of this statement by Babasaheb, this is not merely a ceremonial event; rather, it is a platform for the convergence of democratic ideas, experiences, and perspectives, a space where elected representatives come together to envision a future that fosters a more participatory, inclusive, and accountable democracy. It is a well-known fact that India is the worlds youngest democracy; yet, youth participation here remains a pertinent issue. Statistics reveal that in the First Lok Sabha, approximately 26 percent of the members were under the age of 30, while nearly half of the members were under 45. However, since then, this demographic representation has not seen a corresponding improvement.

Observing the young legislators gathered here evokes a sentiment that politics should be with the youth, not merely for the youth. While Governments can formulate schemes for the youth and the executive branch can implement them, an elected representative, specifically a young legislator, plays an active role on both fronts: from the conceptualisation of policies to their actual implementation; indeed, in a sense, they also assume the role of an overseer. As young legislators, while on one hand they ensure youth participation in policy matters, on the other, they can also play an active role in the development of better citizens. The vision of our nations illustrious Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, has also centered on enhancing the participation of the youth as citizens within our democracy. Prime Minister Modi has stated that achieving ambitious goals is not solely the responsibility of the government machinery; rather, it necessitates the collective effort of every single citizen.
Gadkari defamation row: FIR registered in February; probe names YouTuber





By Dheeraj Fartode :

WHILE reports of a Rs 50 crore defamation case filed by Union Minister Nitin Gadkari against YouTuber and Instagram user Mukesh Mohan have been widely circulating on social media this week, the FIR in the case was actually registered by the Nagpur Cyber Police one-and-ahalf months ago. The YouTuber was not directly named in the FIR, but subsequent investigation revealed his role in the case. Senior Police clarified that Mukesh Mohan was not originally named in the FIR. His involvement came to light later during the investigation of a case registered on February 17 at the Cyber Police Station.

According to a senior police officer, the FIR was initially filed against three persons based on a complaint by Shishir Tripathi, President of the BJPs Nagpur City Social Media Cell. The case was registered under Section 66(d) of the Information Technology Act, along with Sections 3(5) and 356(3) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita. As the probe progressed, investigators identified a wider network of social media activity.We have traced a total of 11 accounts that were allegedly involved in spreading defamatory content against the Union Minister. Notices have been issued to all of them for questioning, the officer said. During the investigation, police found that Mohan had uploaded a 2.27-minute video on March 3, 2026, titled @gadkari.nitin is a cow killer?.

The video was reportedly based on a media report published a few days earlier. Another key finding was related to the Instagram account used to post the video. Police said the account was created using a SIM card registered in the name of Mohans relative, identified as Ghanshyam Dolia. This led investigators to question some of his family members as well. The case is under active investigation, said the official.
Israel Parlt passes $270 billion Budget, Parlt allows Netanyahu to complete his term





TEL AVIV :

ISRAELS Parliament on Monday passed its annual Budget in a marathon overnight session, ensuring that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus Government can complete its term until the fall. Israel needed to pass a Budget before April 1 in order to avoid triggering early elections. Netanyahu still reserves the right to call early elections before then if he wants. The USD 270 billion Budget, Israels largest ever, included a 20 per cent increase for the Ministry of Defence due to the ongoing war against Iran. The Ministrys budget has swollen to USD 45 billion, forcing cuts in other Government ministries. Recent opinion polls in Israel indicate that while Israelis overwhelmingly support the war, Netanyahu and his political coalition dont appear to be benefiting.

Israels Opposition slammed the Budget for increasing funding to Israels ultra-Orthodox communities at a time when the country is facing soaring costs over its war in Iran and is still reeling from a two-year war in Gaza. Opposition leader Yair Lapid called it the greatest theft in the states history. The Government of gluttony and evasion carried out a nocturnal heist, former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is expected to challenge Netanyahu in upcoming elections, wrote on X. Opposition parties were especially furious over a last-minute amendment providing an additional USD 250 million to ultra-Orthodox schools. Anger has increased at the ultra-Orthodox community for its refusal to allow its young men to serve in the military while it is stretched to its breaking point and is in desperate need of additional soldiers. Military service is mandatory for most Jews. Far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich praised the Budget for taking care of all Israeli citizens, without exception.
Lok Sabha passes insolvency law amendments





NEW DELHI :

THE Lok Sabha on Monday passed a Bill to amend the insolvency law to provide for strict timelines, an out-of-court settlement option and enable the framework for cross-border insolvency processes. Piloting the Bill in the Lok Sabha, Finance and Corporate Affairs Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said that 12 amendments are being made in the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), which came into force in 2016, that would help maximise the value for stakeholders and improve the governing process itself. Amendments seek to strengthen the existing insolvency framework, as well as address practical challenges, and incorporate evolving global best practices, the Minister said, and added that the law has been a major factor in improving the health of the countrys banking sector. The Lower House cleared the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (Amendment) Bill, 2025, as reported by the Select Committee. On August 12, 2025, the Government introduced the Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), proposing a raft of changes, including provisions to reduce the time taken for admission of insolvency resolution applications.

The Bill was referred to a select committee of the Lok Sabha, which submitted its report in December 2025. Sitharaman stated that all the committees recommendations have been accepted. IBC has been amended seven times so far. The Bill replaces the underutilised fast-track process with a new creditor-initiated insolvency framework, featuring out-of-court initiation, debtor-in-possession and creditor-in-control model, where management continues to vest in the existing Board of Directors or partners with safeguards, and defined timelines. Deliberations on to bring unorganised sector under EPFO, ESIC: Minister THE Government on Monday said that deliberations are underway to bring the unorganised sector under the ambit of the Employees Provident Fund Organisation and the Employees State Insurance Corporation. Replying to a supplementary question in the Lok Sabha during Question Hour, Union Minister of State for Labour and Employment, Shobha Karandlaje, said that at present, it is being deliberated in the labour department that that the unorganised workers should get pension in the coming days as the prime minister desires that all those who work should get pension and they should come under the ambit of the EPFO and ESIC. She also said that a lot of improvement is happening in the pension scheme, including the launch of the free doorstep service. Those working in the online industry can also be considered for pension in the coming days, the Minister said.
NCP MLAs voice support for merger with NCP(SP)





MUMBAI :

TWO months after the tragic death of then Deputy Chief Minister and Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) chief Ajit Pawar in a plane crash in Baramati, two NCP leaders have voiced support for the merger of the party, now headed by Sunetra Pawar, with the Sharad Pawar-led NCP (SP). Immediately after Ajit Pawars demise on January 28, senior NCP (SP) leaders had claimed that a merger was in the works before the senior leader died. Leaders of the NCP had then dismissed the claim, saying no such decision was taken.

If both the parties are to come together and the NCP is to grow under the leadership of Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar, the time has not passed yet, said Sunil Shelke, NCP MLA from Maval. Shelke, who was considered a staunch loyalist of Ajit Pawar, was supported by Deputy Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, Anna Bansode. Leaders at the State level and district levels think that if two parties unite under leadership of Sunetravahini, it will be good for all, said Bansode, NCP MLA from Pimpri. The remarks by the two NCP leaders on Sunday came amid a row over photographs of Ajit Pawar and his wife and Deputy Chief Minister Sunetra Pawar missing from the banner of a party event in Raigad district attended by State NCP President Sunil Tatkare.
New session in Govt schools to begin without IT classes as instructors services terminated!





Staff Reporter :

As Government schools across the State prepare to welcome students for the new academic session starting April 1, a significant void awaits them in the digital labs. The Directorate of Public Instruction (DPI) has abruptly terminated the services of computer instructors working under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan, ensuring that the new term begins with instructors remaining absent from their posts. The sudden move follows an official order from Manish Verma, Additional Director (Secondary Education), which cancels a previous extension that would have allowed these educators to continue until April 30. The primary trigger for this reversal is a financial stalemate; officials have confirmed there are no funds to continue the services as the central budget and necessary directives from the Government of India for the 2026-27 session, which begins tomorrow, have not yet been passed. Since current funds were only sanctioned through March 2026, the state has no financial provision to sustain these roles in the new fiscal year.

DEO confirms classroom impact : The impact of this budgetary gap will be felt immediately in the classroom. Speaking on the development, District Education Officer (DEO) N K Ahirwar confirmed that the termination remains in force until further notice from higher authorities. The session beginning in April will not see the start of computer classes for the students, Ahirwar stated. Since the terms of the instructors stand cancelled from March 30, they will be absent from the schools until further notice from the higher authority. Clearly, the digital curriculum effectively comes to a halt. This status quo will be maintained until fresh orders are issued regarding the new sessions budget and recruitment.

Principals held personally accountable : The DPI has issued a stern warning to ensure total compliance with the March 31 cut-off. The order explicitly states that if any computer instructor is found working in a government school after the deadline, the School Principal and the respective District Education Officer will be held fully and personally responsible for the lapse. This rigid administrative stance ensures a complete lockout of IT educators from state-run secondary schools. While the infrastructure for IT labs remains in place, the lack of human resources and financial backing means that for thousands of government school students, the new academic year will begin with a closed sign on their computer lab doors, leaving the Digital India mission at a standstill in the heart of Madhya Pradesh.
NMC fails to conduct internal audit, Standing Committee meet wrapped up within minutes





Staff Reporter :

Ruckus marked second meeting of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC) Standing Committee as Opposition Congress corporators claimed that Chairperson rushed through the meeting agenda within 3 minutes to prevent discussion on non-conduct of internal audit in the civic body. Accusing the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of trying to suppress serious breach of rules on part of civic administration, Abhijit Jha, a studied and vociferous member of Standing Committee, said the conduct of Chairperson was surely anti-democratic. The four Congress members were supported by Indian Union Muslim Leagues (IUML) Aslam Khan who too voiced dissent at the high-handedness of suppressing voices of Opposition members.

Admitted that BJP has majority, it has got 11 members in Standing Committee, but each member has right to place his opinion, and Jha questioned as to why ruling party is afraid of fixing responsibility on civic body officials for not conducting Internal Audit, Jha questioned, while sharing his views with newspersons post meeting. As per sections 103 and 104 of Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, Internal Audit is compulsory, its scrutiny of financial expenditure undertaken by different department of NMC. Yet, when Jha said, he tried to initiate discussion, the Chairperson called the five issues listed on the agenda and said they were approved and adjourned the meeting. The first time corporator from Gittikhadan area, say, they were in awe of deep financial knowledge of Standing Committee Chairperson, but in the end, it seems top party bosses word seemed to have prevailed and hence, no discussion on the important aspect of transparency was allowed.

In fact, the senior corporator of BJP Adv Sanjay Balpande himself raised the issue of non-conduct of internal audit. Yet, it seems, something is fishy and hence, no discussion was allowed, and one does not know with BJP having brute majority in Standing Committee, why is it averse to questioning the officials of NMC. The Rules are quite clear. Every departments expenditure has to be audited and if not done, then same is financial impropriety and responsibility in such case has to be fixed. Jha said, the big talks of transparency governance now sound hollow as BJP backtracked on its word by preventing discussion on internal audit matter. Its a breakdown on compliance and is not Standing Committee duty bound to scrutinise the issue, asked the Congress young turk.

River Cleaning: Jha said a whopping Rs 50 crore was spent by NMC during last five-year on annual river cleaning exercise. On the question, the Mechanical Workshop shared data that reveals annually 25 tippers, equal number of JCB and pokelain were utilised and civic body said they spent Rs 10 crore annually, which the Congress corporator said, could have been purchased directly and saved on public funds. Below Rate Tender: The Standing Committee Chairperson also did not allow discussion the last meeting issue of inquiry report into submission of low rate tenders. The Chief Engineer, when questioned, said their own team cross verifies the quality issue and ruled out any need for third party audit. Jha said, this is quite strange, as those who are in dock would themselves examine the quality. He claimed that a simple look at data about below rate tenders shows that only two to three contractors have formed a coterie and disturbed the contracts among themselves.
Nothing is bigger than national security: Nuwal





NEW DELHI :

NOTHING is bigger than national welfare and national security, says Padma Shri Satyanarayan Nuwal who has been rightly conferred the Padma Shri by the President of India Droupadi Murmu for his significant contributions to the defence manufacturing ecosystem. Speaking at a programme to felicitate him at Munshi Memorial Hall by Delhi Kendra of Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan in New Delhi on Monday, Nuwal, who happens to be the founder and Chairman of Solar Group of Industries at Nagpur in Maharashtra, said of the two important aspects of success and morality, he always gives preference to morality over the success. He said morality alone ensures success, but immoral success makes life difficult. Nuwal was felicitated for his achievement on this occasion. Speaking on this occasion, the former Governor of Punjab, Tamil Nadu and Assam Banwarilal Purohit thanked the President and Prime Minister of India for picking Nuwal out of a 150 crore strong pool of population for Padma Shri award. Having known Nuwal since his initial days of extreme struggle, Purohit said the life journey of Nuwal has been much tougher than it appears. Appreciating Nuwal for the large hearted donation for the building of the Centre of Indology at Bhavans, saying the institution is set to play a crucial role in making India a Vishwa Guru fulfilling the dream of the founder of the Bhavans KN Munshi. Underlining Nuwals long association with the Bhavans he said that apart from Vice President of the Bhavans Mr. Vaidyanathan, he is the second person to be awarded with the Padma Shri. Dean of the Centre of Indology at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan Prof Shashi Bala, Director of Delhi Kendra of BVB K Siva Prasad, Vice President of BVB Trustees of BVB from Mumbai Shrihari Aney and Jagadish Lakhani also spoke on this occasion and congratulated Nuwal for his achievements. Notably, Satyanarayan Nuwal, born in Bhilwara, Rajasthan, travelled a journey from adversity to prosperity serving as an inspiration to the youth. Established in 1995, the Solar Group of Industries, founded by him, has gone ahead to become a global leader in industrial explosives and defence equipment. It has grown from a single manufacturing unit into a multinational enterprise with presence in 90 plus countries and operations across four continents.
Regular flights from Ambikapur to Delhi, Kolkata commence





Staff Reporter :

Mar 30 Regular commercial flight operations commenced on Monday from Maa Mahamaya Airport in Surguja district, connecting Ambikapur with Delhi and Kolkata, marking a major step forward in regional air connectivity. Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai formally inaugurated the services virtually from Chandkhuri Police Academy, along with Vijay Sharma. Addressing the programme, Chief Minister Sai said the State Government is working steadily to connect major cities with air services so that air travel becomes accessible to all. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has envisioned a future where even a person wearing simple Hawai Chappal can afford air travel, adding that this vision is now becoming a reality in Chhattisgarh. He congratulated the people of the Surguja region stating that the service became possible due to the efforts of public representatives and the local Member of Parliament. Direct connectivity with Delhi and Kolkata will boost trade, tourism, and economic activity in the region, he added. He said air services in the state are being expanded on a continuous basis. Night landing has recently started at Bilaspur Airport. Provision has also been made in the budget under the CG Vayu scheme to support domestic air operations. Cargo services at Raipur Airport will help local products reach national and international markets, said Sai. Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma also spoke on the occasion. Rajesh Agrawal and Chintamani Maharaj expressed gratitude to the Chief Minister for starting air connectivity between Ambikapur and Delhi.

Surguja Collector Ajit Vasant proposed the vote of thanks. MLA Pramod Minj, Ambikapur Mayor Manjusha Bhagat, senior officials and others were present. With the commencement of air services from Darima Airport, regional connectivity in northern Chhattisgarh is expected to receive a significant boost and open new avenues of development. The first flight from Ambikapur to Delhi departed at around 12.05 pm. According to Airport Director Sushil Kumar Shrivastava, a total of 46 passengers travelled from Ambikapur to Delhi on the inaugural flight, while 14 passengers arrived from Delhi.Alliance Air has commenced operations using a 72-seater ATR aircraft. Flights between Ambikapur and Delhi will operate twice a weekon Mondays and Wednesdays. On Monday the flight will depart from Delhi at 7:50 am and arrive at Bilaspur at 10:25 am, depart at 10:50 am, and arrive at Ambikapur 11:35 am. The return flight departs Ambikapur at 12:05 pm and reaches Delhi at 2:35 pm. On Wednesday direct departure from Delhi at 7:50 am and reach Ambikapur at 10:25 am; onward departure from Ambikapur at 10:50 am to Bilaspur at 11:35 am; departure from Bilaspur at 12:00 pm arriving in Delhi at 2:40 pm. Flights between Ambikapur and Kolkata will also operate twice a week. On Saturday the flight will depart from Kolkata at 7:05 am, arrive at Bilaspur at 8:55 am, depart at 9:20 am reaching Ambikapur at 10:00 am; return departure at 10:25 am reaching Kolkata at 12:15 pm. The schedule for Thursday is direct departure from Kolkata at 7:05 am reaching Ambikapur at 8:50 am; onward departure at 9:15 am to Bilaspur at 9:55 am; departure from Bilaspur at 10:20 am arriving in Kolkata at 12:05 pm.

The airport has been developed under the Centres UDAN Scheme. Originally built in 1950, the runway has been extended from 1,500 metres to 1,800 metres, enabling ATR aircraft operations. Spread over nearly 365 acres, the airport was upgraded with an approved expenditure of 48.25 crore for civil and electrification works in accordance with DGCA standards. The terminal building has been upgraded to handle 72 passengers at a time. A four-lane access road and parking space for about 100 vehicles have also been developed.
Trump mulls seizing Irans Kharg Island oil terminal





DUBAI :

US PRESIDENT Donald Trump openly mused about seizing Irans Kharg Island oil terminal in the Persian Gulf and the United States and Israel kept up their attacks on Monday on the Islamic Republic, even as there were signs of progress in nascent ceasefire talks. He also threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war is not reached shortly. Tehran, meanwhile, attacked a key water and electrical plant in Kuwait, part of its campaign targeting the Gulf Arab States, and an oil refinery in northern Israel. As a diplomatic effort being facilitated by Pakistan toward ending the war moved ahead, President Trump said Iran had agreed to allow 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday as a sign of respect. At the same time, with 2,500 US Marines now in the region and a similarly sized contingent on its way, he raised the idea of taking Irans Kharg Island. Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we dont, he told the Financial Times in an interview published early Monday. We have a lot of options. Trump says diplomatic approach is going well, but suggests military expansion is possible: Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday that the US was negotiating directly and indirectly with Iran, though Iran has insisted that it has not been in any talks with Washington.

Were doing extremely well in that negotiation, but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up, Trump said. In the interview with the Financial Times, Trump suggested it could mean a longer-term commitment if the US decided to try and take Kharg Island, saying, it would mean we had to be there for a while. I dont think they have any defence, he added. We could take it very easily. The US already launched airstrikes once that targeted military positions on the island. Iran has threatened to launch its own ground invasion of Gulf Arab countries and mine the Persian Gulf if US troops land on its territory. Petrochemical facility struck in northern Iran: Israels military launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, saying it was striking military infrastructure across Tehran, and explosions were heard in the Iranian capital. Iranian state media reported a petrochemicals plant in Tabriz, in the north, sustained damage after an airstrike and firefighters had to put out a blaze. They said no hazardous materials had been released.

The company takes oil or natural gas and processes them into chemical products used to make everyday materials like plastics and chemicals. Oil prices rise again as concerns of a global energy crisis grow: Irans attacks on the energy infrastructure of the region and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is shipped in peacetime, have sent oil prices skyrocketing and given rise to growing concerns about a global energy crisis. In early trading, the spot price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, was around USD 115, up nearly 60 per cent from when the US and Israel started the war with attacks on Iran on Feb. 28. Death toll climbs: In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than 1 million have been displaced. Five Israeli soldiers have also lost their lives. In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel. In Iraq, where Iranian-supported militia groups have entered the conflict, 80 members of the security forces have died. In the Gulf states, 20 people have been killed. Four have been killed in the occupied West Bank.
Christa Baker, also known as Christa O'Connell, during her arraignment at state Superior Court in Middletown. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media Christa Baker, also known as Christa O'Connell, during her arraignment with her attorney John Nazzaro at state Superior Court in Middletown. Jim Michaud / Hearst Connecticut Media

NEW LONDON  A resolution is expected at the May 1 court date for a New London prosecutor who is facing charges of harassment and computer crimes.

Judge Walter A. Menjivar on Tuesday granted the continuance at the request of prosecutors, who said they were waiting to hear from the attorney representing the complainant witness.

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Christa O'Connell, a senior assistant state's attorney, is charged with two misdemeanor counts of computer crimes and a harassment charge stemming from a woman's complaint last summer of alleged harassment and unwanted contact, according to the arrest warrants.

Baker is seeking accelerated rehabilitation, a program that, if granted and successfully completed, would erase the charge after a period of time.

She is on administrative leave from her job as a prosecutor.

The victim told state police Baker texted her husband, who was known to the victim, specific information about the victim's past arrest. The warrant for that arrest was signed by Baker and was four years before the victim and Baker's husband had become known to one another, the warrant stated.

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FILE - The FBI seal is pictured in Omaha, Neb., Aug. 10, 2022. Charlie Neibergall/AP FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi talk before President Donald Trump participates in a roundtable discussion on public safety at a Tennessee Air National Guard Base, Monday, March 23, 2026, in Memphis, Tenn. Mark Schiefelbein/AP FBI Director Kash Patel, listens during a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, Thursday, March 19, 2026, on Capitol Hill in Washington. Tom Brenner/AP Attorney General Pam Bondi listens during a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Thursday, March 26, 2026, in Washington. Alex Brandon/AP FBI Director Kash Patel testifies during a Senate Committee on Intelligence hearing to examine worldwide threats, on Capitol Hill, Wednesday, March 18, 2026, in Washington. Rod Lamkey/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Three fired FBI agents sued on Tuesday to try to get their jobs back, saying in a class action lawsuit that they were illegally punished for their participation in an investigation into President Donald Trump's efforts to overturn his 2020 election defeat.

The federal lawsuit adds to the mounting list of court challenges to a personnel purge by FBI Director Kash Patel that over the last year has resulted in the ousters of dozens of agents, either because of their involvement in investigations related to Trump or because they were perceived as insufficiently loyal to the Republican president's agenda.

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The lawsuit in federal court in Washington was technically filed on behalf of just three agents but may have much broader implications given that its request for class action status could open the door for agents fired since the start of the Trump administration to get their jobs back.

The three agents  Michelle Ball, Jamie Garman and Blaire Toleman  were fired last October and November in what they say was a retribution campaign targeting them for their work on the investigation into Trump. The agents had between roughly eight and 14 years of exemplary and unblemished service in the FBI and expected to spend the remainder of their careers at the bureau but were abruptly fired without cause and without being given a chance to respond, the lawsuit says.

Serving the American people as FBI agents was the highest honor of our lives, they said in a statement. We took an oath to uphold the Constitution, followed the facts wherever they led, and never compromised our integrity. Our removal from federal service  without due process and based on a false perception of political bias  is a profound injustice that raises serious concerns about political interference in federal law enforcement.

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Trump's indictment

The investigation the agents worked on culminated in a 2023 indictment from special counsel Jack Smith that accused Trump of illegally scheming to undo the results of the presidential election he lost to Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.

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Smith ultimately abandoned that case, along with a separate one accusing Trump of illegally retaining classified records at his Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida, after Trump won back the White House in 2024, citing Justice Department legal opinions that prohibit the federal indictments of sitting presidents.

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The lawsuit notes that the firings followed the release by Sen. Chuck Grassley, the Republican chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, of documents about the election investigation  known as Arctic Frost  that he said had come from within the FBI. Those records i ncluded files showing that Smith's team had subpoenaed several days of phone records of some Republican lawmakers, an investigative step that angered Trump allies inside Congress.

The complaint names as defendants Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi, accusing them of having orchestrated the firings despite being personally embroiled either as witnesses or attorneys in some of the legal troubles Trump has faced.

Patel, for instance, was subpoenaed in 2022 to appear before a federal grand jury investigating Trump's retention of classified documents and had his phone records subpoenaed, while Bondi was part of the legal team that represented Trump at his first impeachment trial, which resulted in his acquittal.

And now, by virtue of presidential appointment to the pinnacle of federal law enforcement, Defendants are abusing their positions to claim victories that eluded them on the merits, the lawsuit states.

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Spokespeople for the FBI and the Justice Department declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. Patel and Bondi have said the fired agents and prosecutors who worked on Smith's team were responsible for weaponizing federal law enforcement, a claim that was also asserted in their termination letters but that the plaintiffs call defamatory and baseless.

The fired agents want fundamental constitutional protections

Dan Eisenberg, a lawyer for the agents, said in a statement that his clients were fired without any investigation, notice of charges or chance to be heard.

This lawsuit seeks to reaffirm fundamental constitutional protections for FBI employees, ensuring they can perform their duties without fear or favor. We all benefit when law enforcement officers' only loyalty is to facts and the truth, said Eisenberg, who's with the firm of Emery Celli Brinckerhoff Abady Ward & Maazel LLP. We all benefit when law enforcement officers' only loyalty is to facts and the truth.

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The lawsuit asks for the agents to be reinstated to their positions and for a court declaration affirming that their rights had been violated. It also seeks to represent the dozens of agents and employees who have been fired since Jan. 20, 2025, or will be. Those agents also stand to recover their jobs in the event the case is successful and the class is certified.

Others have been fired, too

Other fired employees who have sued include agents who were photographed kneeling during a racial justice protest in 2020; an agent trainee who displayed an LGBTQ+ flag at his workspace; and a group of senior officials, including the former acting director of the FBI, who were terminated last summer.

The firings have continued, with Patel last month pushing out a group of agents in the Washington field office who had been involved in investigating Trumps hoarding of classified documents. Trump has insisted he was entitled to keep the documents when he left the White House and has claimed without evidence he had declassified them.

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President Donald Trump waves to the media as he walks on the South Lawn upon his arrival to the White House, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington. Jose Luis Magana/AP Smoke rises from Kuwait international airport after a drone strike on fuel storage in Kuwait City, Kuwait, Friday, Wednesday, March 25, 2026. AP Fire and plumes of smoke rise after a drone struck a fuel tank forcing the temporary suspension of flights. near Dubai International Airport, in United Arab Emirates, early Monday, March 16, 2026. AP This is a locator map for the Gulf Cooperation Council member states: Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and United Arab Emirates. AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging President Donald Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn't been weakened enough by the monthlong U.S.-led bombing campaign, according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials.

After private grumbling at the start of the war that they were not given adequate advance notice of the U.S.-Israeli attack and complaining the U.S. had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region, some of the regional allies are making the case to the White House that the moment offers a historic opportunity to cripple Tehrans clerical rule once and for all.

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Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behavior, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The push from the Gulf nations comes as Trump vacillates between claiming that Iran's decimated leadership is ready to settle the conflict and threatening to further escalate the war if a deal is not reached soon.

All the while, Trump is struggling to rally public support at home for a war that's left more than 3,000 dead across the Mideast and is shaking the global economy. Yet the U.S. leader is sounding increasingly confident that he has the full support of his most important Mideast allies  including some that were hesitant about a new military campaign in the lead-up to the war.

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Saudi Arabias fighting back hard. Qatar is fighting back. UAE is fighting back. Kuwaits fighting back. Bahrains fighting back, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening as he made his way to Washington from his home in Florida. Theyre all fighting back.

The Gulf countries host U.S. forces and bases from which the U.S. has launched strikes on Iran, but have not joined the offensive strikes.

Gulf allies support the war to varying degrees

While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the U.S. efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.

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The UAE has emerged as perhaps the most hawkish of the Gulf countries and is pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion, the diplomat said. Kuwait and Bahrain also favor this option. The UAE, which has faced more than 2,300 missile and drone attacks from Iran, has only grown more irritated as the war grinds on and the salvos threaten to tarnish its image as the safe, pristine and monied hub for trade and tourism of the Mideast.

Oman and Qatar, which historically have played the role of intermediary between the long economically isolated Iran and the West, have favored a diplomatic solution.

The diplomat said Saudi Arabia has argued to the U.S. that ending the war now wont produce a good deal, one guaranteeing security for Irans Arab neighbors.

The Saudis say an eventual war settlement must neutralize Irans nuclear program, destroy its ballistic missile capabilities, end Tehrans support for proxy groups, and also ensure that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be effectively shutdown by the Islamic Republic in the future as it has during the conflict. About 20% of the worlds oil flowed through the waterway before the war.

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Achieving those goals would require a sharp course correction by the theocracy that has been in charge of the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution or its removal.

Senior Emirati officials, meanwhile, have become more pointed in their rhetoric toward Iran.

An Iranian regime that launches ballistic missiles at homes, weaponizes global trade and supports proxies is no longer an acceptable feature of the regional landscape, Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the UAEs Foreign Ministry, wrote in a column published Monday by the state-linked, English-language newspaper The National. She added: We want a guarantee that this will never happen again.

The White House declined to comment for this story about the deliberations with Gulf allies. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday underscored that the U.S. and its Gulf Arab allies are in sync about Iran.

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They are religious zealots who can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon because they have an apocalyptic vision of the future, Rubio said of Iran in an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. And all of their neighbors know that, by the way, which is why all of their neighbors have been supportive of the efforts were conducting.

Saudi crown prince urges US not to let up

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, has told White House officials that a further defanging of Irans military capabilities and clerical leadership serves the long-term interest of the Gulf region and beyond, according to a person who has been briefed on the conversations.

Still, the Saudis are sensitive to the fact that the longer the conflict goes on the more opportunity Iran has to carry out strikes on the kingdoms energy infrastructure, the heartbeat of its oil-rich economy.

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A Saudi government official underscored that the kingdom ultimately wants to see a political solution to the crisis, but its immediate focus remains safeguarding its people and critical infrastructure.

Irans foreign minister early Tuesday insisted Tehrans attacks on the Gulf Arab states only target U.S. forces, even after assaults have hit civilian targets.

Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, sharing a photo purportedly showing damage to an American aircraft at a Saudi air base. Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security. ... High time to eject U.S. forces.

Trump, in recent days, has sought to spotlight that most of the Gulf countries have stood in lockstep with his administration as the U.S. prosecutes the war, noting how theyve coalesced in the thick of crisis as he criticizes NATO allies for not joining the U.S. in the fight.

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On Friday, he heaped praise on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates for showing bravery as the war has unfolded.

The president, speaking at an event in Miami sponsored by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, was particularly effusive about the Saudi crown prince, hailing him as a warrior and a fantastic man.

Trump also alluded to the fact that the Gulf countries were hesitant about his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus decision to launch the war, but have since rallied.

They werent thinking this was going to happen, nobody was, said Trump, referring to Iran launching thousands of retaliatory salvos around the Gulf. And they turned against them and really became very powerfully aligned. And they were with us, but they werent with us very obliquely. They were with us.

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Will Gulf allies join the fight?

Trump has yet to call on Gulf nations to take part in offensive operations.

One factor may be that the administration might have calculated that its not worth the complications that come with crowding the skies with additional militaries beyond Israel.

Three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire in the first days of the conflict in the midst of an Iranian air assault. All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles.

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And six American service members were killed on March 12, when their KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.

Another factor is that only UAE and Bahrain are among the Gulf states that have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, adding a layer of complication to their calculus, notes Yasmine Farouk, the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at the International Crisis Group

But Iran has warned it will attack its neighbors' critical infrastructure, including desalination plants used to provide drinking water to the region, if Trump follows through on his threat to strike Iran's power plants if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by April 6.

The absence of a clear objective, the absence of the trust that the United States is really going to go until the end and finish the jobs  it's making some of them reluctant, Farouk said. But if there is a consequential or mass casualty (event) in one of those countries, then it would be justified for them to become a belligerent.

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Marc Karun, right, is arraigned in state Superior Court in Norwalk June 17, 2019, with attorney Todd Busstert. Karun is charged with murder with special circumstances and first-degree kidnapping in the 1986 killing of 11-year-old Kathleen Flynn, of Norwalk. Ned Gerard / Hearst Connecticut Media An evidence photograph of a police car on school grounds. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch Kathleen Marie Flynn in a school portrait. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch The pathway leading from Ponus Ridge Middle School Kathleen Marie Flynn used to walk home from school. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch Kathleen Marie Flynn's pink sneakers, seen in an evidence photo. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch The pathway leading out toward Hunters Lane that Kathleen Marie Flynn used to walk home from school. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch Kathleen Marie Flynn's blue and white slacks, seen in an evidence photo Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch A sock on a branch, seen in a tranche of evidence photos from the investigation into the murder of Kathleen Marie Flynn. Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch Kathleen Marie Flynn's blue and white slacks, seen in an evidence photo Courtesy of Connecticut Judicial Branch

NORWALK  Autopsy photos showed deep red ligature marks on the neck and wrists of 11-year-old Kathleen Marie Flynn, who was killed as she walked home from school in 1986.

The jury in the trial of Marc Karun, who is accused of sexually assaulting and killing the child, saw the photos on Tuesday and heard testimony from an employee at the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

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Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Maura DeJoseph testified Tuesday that Kathleen died by ligature strangulation and the manner was ruled a homicide. Kathleen, who went by Kathy, was reported missing on Sept. 23, 1986, and her body was found early the next morning.

DeJoseph, who has worked at the OCME for 12 years, reviewed the autopsy photos and file for Kathleen, who went by Kathy, as early as 2024 and continued to review them to prepare to testify. DeJoseph said the child had blunt impact injuries to her head and neck, as well as ligature furrows on her neck and wrists. The mark on Kathys neck indicated she had been strangled, while the marks on her wrists were consistent with someone being bound, DeJoseph said.

When cross-examined by Karuns attorney, DeJoseph said she never examined the body or recovered hairs, fingernail scrapings or other evidence, and did not have firsthand knowledge of how the body was protected from contamination.

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Karun, who was 21 at the time of Kathys killing, is charged with murder, murder with special circumstances and first-degree kidnapping. The kidnapping charge brought against Karun falls under a provision of the law in which the kidnapper abducts a victim with the intent to violate or abuse them sexually, according to court records.

If convicted, Karun could spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Tuesday was the second day of testimony in the trial. The state said it is expected to rest its case on April 7, and the defense plans to begin its case on April 8. Cameras have been barred from the courtroom for the trial.

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Jurors also heard testimony from Elaine Pagliaro, who worked at the state forensic lab from 1981 to 2008. Pagliaro explained how DNA testing has evolved over the years and what sorts of tests were available in 1986. She said that, in 1986, the lab could note patterns, find out what blood type came from a sample and conduct other tests, but could not conduct DNA analysis.

Documents introduced by Senior Assistant States Attorney Joseph Valdes showed that the lab received paper bags containing fingernail scrapings, hair samples and a blood sample from Kathys autopsy, as well as other evidence in the case, such as clothing and jewelry.

The state lab later received hairs recovered from Karun, which were obtained in December 1988 by a doctor, according to testimony from a retired Norwalk police officer. These hairs were then examined and compared to other items in the case, Pagliaro said.

Pagliaro said that some items, including hairs collected in the autopsy and items in the case as well as hairs from Karun, were sent to a private company, Mitotyping Technologies, for mitochondrial DNA analysis. Mitochondrial DNA analysis examines the DNA a person has from their mothers side, and this could mean multiple people could share the same mitochondrial DNA, Pagliaro testified.

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During cross-examination, Diane Ferrone, who is also representing Karun, asked Pagliaro about a finding in 1988 that the hairs obtained from the childs autopsy and items in the case were dissimilar to Karuns hairs. She noted that samples from two other people were sent to Mitotyping Technologies to compare with the DNA samples in the case.

When questioned again by Valdes, Pagliaro said the hair analysis conducted then was not conclusive but more of a guide, and could not be individualized.

The trial adjourned for the day after Pagliaros testimony concluded. The trial is expected to resume at 11 a.m. on Wednesday.

So far in the case, the jury  consisting of 12 jurors and five alternates  has heard testimony from 11 witnesses brought on by the state.

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During the first day of the trial on Monday, jurors heard from Kathys mother about the day nearly 40 years ago that her daughter disappeared.

Esther Marie Flynn testified that her daughter had started at Ponus Ridge Middle School three weeks before she was killed. On the day Kathy went missing, Sept. 23, 1986, they were planning to go shopping for a new purse for Kathy, Flynn testified.

Kathy recently had begun walking from the school with some friends, taking a nearby paved pathway to get to Hunters Lane; her mother usually met her at an intersection near the school, according to Flynns testimony.

But when Flynn arrived at the intersection that day, Kathy wasnt there. Flynn searched their home, Kathys former elementary school and Ponus Ridge, where she found Kathys bookbag and personal items missing from her locker. She eventually called police, who responded and had Flynns 14-year-old son guide them to the path Kathy usually took home.

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Several retired Norwalk police officers also testified on Monday about the search that located Kathys body the day after she was reported missing.

She was found with ligature marks on her wrists, former Officer Stephen Tyszka testified, and was nude from the waist down with strangulation marks on her neck.

Police considered Karun, now 60, as a suspect early in the investigation.

In January 1986, months before Kathleens killing, authorities had charged Karun with sexually assaulting a woman in the woods behind what is now Norwalk Community College. He was arrested and charged with first-degree sexual assault and kidnapping. But because the charges were reduced and nolled, he ended up only serving a few months in prison.

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Between 1986 and 1988, Karun was implicated in at least two other sexual assaults, an abduction and an attempted kidnapping, according to an arrest warrant.

Investigators homed in on Karun as a suspect in the 11-year-olds killing 2012 after they linked his DNA to Kathys fingernail scrapings. Later testing determined it was inconclusive.

In 2017, police obtained DNA from Karun through a warrant. By that point, advances in DNA technology allowed further testing on previously examined evidence.

The DNA evidence combined with the similarity between Karuns other cases and Kathleens homicide resulted in Karuns arrest. He was taken into custody in 2019 as he left his home in Stetson, Maine.

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Police found dozens of weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition in his home, leading to federal charges against him because Karun was barred from possession firearms as a felon.
A file photo of a Wilton police cruiser. Police say Fernando Fernandez, a New York man, is accused of stealing $5,500 worth of beauty products from the CVS in town. Wilton Police Contributed Photo/Contributed photo

WILTON  A New York man is accused of stealong thousands of dollars worth of beauty products from a local CVS, police say.

In a news release on Monday, the Wilton Police Department said Fernando Fernandez, a 45-year-old from the Elmhurst neighborhood in Queens, was charged with fourth-degree larceny and criminal attempt at fourth-degree larceny.

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Police said Fernandez took over $5,500 worth of beauty products from the CVS in town. They said he was served an arrest warrant at the state Superior Court in Stamford on March 23, where he was already in custody and appearing for a separate case.

Fernandez was booked in the judicial marshals' office and help on a $50,000 bond before being arraigned the same day, police said.
A man inspect the wreckage of an Iranian missile that landed near the West Bank village of Marda, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Majdi Mohammed/AP Firefighters try to extinguish a fire at a damaged workshop struck by an Iranian missile in Petah Tikva, Israel, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Oded Balility/AP Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks to members of the media during a press briefing at the Pentagon in Washington, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP Israeli security forces and rescue teams inspect a site struck by an Iranian missile in Petah Tikva, Israel, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Ohad Zwigenberg/AP FILE - Ships sail through the Arabian Gulf toward the Strait of Hormuz as the sun sets in the United Arab Emirates Monday, March 23, 2026. AP

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday at allies who have been unwilling to do more to support the U.S. war effort against Iran, telling them to go get your own oil and saying it was not America's job to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said the military could end its offensive in two to three weeks and that the U.S. will not have anything to do with what happens next in the strait that has been closed by the Islamic Republic. Instead, he told reporters, the responsibility for keeping the vital waterway open will rest with countries that rely on it.

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Theres no reason for us to do this, Trump said after signing an executive order that seeks to restrict mail-in voting. Thats not for us. Thatll be for France. Thatll be for whoevers using the strait.

The White House said Trump would deliver a prime-time address Wednesday evening to update the public on the war.

In other developments, the closure of the strait sent average U.S. gas prices past $4 a gallon, and U.S. strikes hit the central city of Isfahan, sending a massive fireball into the sky. Tehran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

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The attacks showed the intensity of the war more than a month after the U.S. and Israel launched it. The conflict has left more than 3,000 dead and caused major disruptions to the worlds supply of oil and natural gas, roiling global markets and pushing up the cost of many basic goods.

Trump, whose comments have vacillated between talk that diplomatic progress is being made with Iran and threats to widen the war, had earlier shared footage of the attack on Isfahan.

Fuel prices rise, rattling global markets

Irans stranglehold on the strait, the waterway leading out of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have Tehran's attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

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Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around $107 a barrel Tuesday, up more than 45% since the war started Feb. 28.

In a social media post, Trump directed blame at U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom and France that have refused to enter a war with no clear endgame that they were not consulted on.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Trump wrote.

He singled out France for not letting planes fly over French territory while taking military supplies to Israel.

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France has allowed the U.S. Air Force to use the Istres base in southern France because it had guarantees that planes landing there would not be involved in carrying out strikes.

Allies have refused to get involved

Spain, which has emerged as Europe's loudest critic of the war, said Monday that it had closed its airspace for U.S. planes involved in the conflict.

Italy recently refused to allow U.S. military assets to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for an operation linked to the offensive, an official with knowledge of the matter said, confirming a local press report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

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Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on X that Italy is still allowing the U.S. to use its bases, adding that there has been no cooling of relations between the two countries.

Journalist kidnapped in Iraq

An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad, and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by Al-Monitor, one of the news outlets she worked for.

A U.S. official blamed the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

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Two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed, and a person inside was apprehended. The journalist was then transferred to a second car that fled the scene, according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Dylan Johnson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said on X that the State Department had "fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them.

In a statement, Al-Monitor said it stands by her vital reporting. Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

Another aircraft carrier deploys to Middle East

The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush deployed Tuesday from Norfolk, Virginia, and is slated to head to the Middle East, two U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

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It would be the third carrier sent out to support the Iran war, along with the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is now undergoing repairs, and the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived in the region in January.

Trump warned this week that if a ceasefire is not reached shortly, and if the strait is not reopened, the U.S. would broaden its offensive, including by attacking the Kharg Island oil export hub and possibly desalination plants.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not say if U.S. ground forces would enter the war. We dont want to have to do more militarily than we have to, he said.

A ground invasion could alienate Iranians who despise the ruling theocracy and who rose up in mass protests that were crushed earlier this year. Some could see it as an attack on Iran itself and rally around the flag.

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Since the Iran war began, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 348 wounded, six seriously, according to a formal count provided Tuesday by Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.

Iran hits oil tanker as Israel strikes Iran and Lebanon

The Israeli military said early Wednesday that it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander and another senior leader in two separate strikes in the Beirut area.

Military officials said they launched strikes targeting what they described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel plans to control the area south of the Litani River  some 20 miles (about 30 kilometers) north of the border.

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Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah began launching missiles into northern Israel days after the outbreak of the wider war. Many Lebanese fear another prolonged military occupation.

Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has barred Iranians from entering or transiting the country as the war rages, three major airlines said. The long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, as well as the lower-cost airline FlyDubai, made the announcements Wednesday on their websites.

In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel.

Two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank. In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than 1 million displaced.

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Ten Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, including four announced Tuesday.

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Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands, and Superville from Washington. David Rising in Bangkok, Abby Sewell and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Amir-Hussein Radjy in Cairo, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Giada Zampano in Rome, Giovanna DellOrto in Miami and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.
State Sen. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, a member of the General Assembly since 2009, has announced his retirement from the legislature. Ken Dixon/Hearst Connecticut Media

HARTFORD  Tony Hwang, a Republican serving his sixth term in the state Senate who recently lost a race for first selectman in his hometown of Fairfield, will not seek reelection.

Hwang, who represents Bethel, Easton, Fairfield and Newtown in the Senate, made the retirement announcement Monday night. After nearly 18 years in the state legislature, starting with his election to the state House of Representatives in 2008, he said it is time to move on.

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His departure leaves the field open in the race for the 28th Senate District for Republican Amy Beth Laroche of Newtown, who filed a possible primary challenge in January. Democrat Rob Blanchard of Fairfield, Gov. Ned Lamonts communications director who lost to Hwang in the 2024 election, is expected to run again for the seat.

After many meaningful years of public service, I have decided that the time has come to step away from state elected office and begin the next chapter of my life, said Hwang, who had also represented parts of Weston and Westport before a statewide redistricting, in a statement.

Throughout my tenure in the Connecticut General Assembly, I approached this responsibility with humility and a deep respect for the institution, its traditions and the people we serve. I have sought to represent our communities with integrity, character, and a commitment to thoughtful, principled leadership, he said.

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Hwang, 61, said he tried to work collaboratively in an era of emotional and political polarization  and a troubling erosion of civility in public discourse. "Our democracy depends on the ability to disagree without demeaning one another, and I remain proud that my service reflected that belief.

One of his goals is to work with nonprofit agencies and academic institutions to encourage civic engagement, he said.

My goal is to help future generations understand that community must always come before political labels  and that effective governance requires collaboration, empathy, courage and respect, he said. Hwang added that he expects to return to his former real estate profession while seeking opportunities to teach and mentor young leaders about constructive participation in government, politics and civic life.

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Born in Taiwan, Hwang grew up in the Syracuse, N.Y. area and earned a bachelors degree from Cornell University. Hes a ranking Republican on the tax-writing legislative Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee as well as the Transportation Committee. He became the first Asian American to join the state Senate.

Hwang, in an interview Tuesday, said his achievements include the balanced budget approved in October 2017 when the Senate was evenly tied, 18-18, leading to the so-called fiscal guardrails that spurred robust budget surpluses after several years of deficits. Democrats now hold a 25-11 majority in the Senate and a 102-49 edge in the House.

"At the end of the day, I vote on the principle of representing the district, doing the work that needs to be done and there isn't a party label," Hwang said. "The second part is we've left a legacy that people when they feel a sense of need, when there is a challenge and a struggle, that they look to us to be a resource and help."

He noted he also is proud of school safety and construction measures, as well as advancements in health coverage for first responders, including firefighter cancer.

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Blanchard, in a statement Tuesday morning, thanked Hwang for his public service.
* The Whiffenpoofs is the world's most renowned and historic collegiate a cappella group, spearheading and innovating a cappella music since 1909. The group has performed across the United States and around the world, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of a cappella music.

* Running from March 19 to April 3, the tour brings the Whiffenpoofs to universities and choirs across Chongqing, Chengdu, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Tianjin and Beijing, using songs as a bridge to foster people-to-people ties between China and the United States.

* "The friendship between nations rests on the friendship between their people. Strengthening youth dialogue is a vivid embodiment of people-to-people cultural exchange between China and the United States."

Members of the Whiffenpoofs, a cappella choir of Yale University, and members of a local choir sing together at Zhaoxing Dong Village of Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

GUIYANG/CHONGQING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Set within the natural amphitheater of the Tianshengqiao Bridge -- a centuries-old limestone arch in southwest China's Guizhou Province -- the resonant harmonies of traditional Dong ethnic songs intertwined with the crisp melodies of an American a cappella group, their unamplified voices blending beneath the stone.

The scene unfolded during a visit by the Whiffenpoofs a cappella choir of Yale University to Liping County in the Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture of Guizhou.

The Whiffenpoofs is the world's most renowned and historic collegiate a cappella group, spearheading and innovating a cappella music since 1909. The group has performed across the United States and around the world, captivating audiences with a diverse repertoire of a cappella music.

The performance on March 24 was part of a cultural exchange tour organized by the Beijing Enlai Foundation. Running from March 19 to April 3, the tour brings the Whiffenpoofs to universities and choirs across Chongqing, Chengdu, Qiandongnan Miao and Dong Autonomous Prefecture, Tianjin and Beijing, using songs as a bridge to foster people-to-people ties between China and the United States.

Performers sing a grand song of the Dong ethnic group at a scenic area in Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 24, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

VOICES BRIDGE CULTURES

The musical evening opened with "Eternal Love for the World," a Dong Grand Song performed by a local Dong chorus. The Whiffenpoofs then took the stage, delivering renditions of traditional Czech folk songs that drew cheers from the audience.

Collaborative performances by the American choir and Guizhou village song troupes followed, featuring songs such as "I'll Wait for You in Guizhou," "Jasmine Flower," and "Let the World Be Filled with Love," bringing the crowd to its feet in applause.

The Whiffenpoofs arrived at Zhaoxing Dong Village in Liping on March 23. The members of the choir have toured the rural community, immersed themselves in local ethnic culture, and performed alongside several Dong Grand Song troupes and other local musical groups.

Recognized for its conductorless, instrument-free polyphonic harmonies, the Dong Grand Song was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. Its signature "low chorus and solo high" vocal structure, along with nature-inspired harmonies, creates a striking parallel with the pure vocal tradition of the century-old a cappella form.

"I may not understand the words, but it's beautiful and heavenly music," said Gu Biao, a 73-year-old local Miao villager who performed in the musical evening.

Local residents welcome guests at Zhaoxing Dong Village of Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

"It was the most incredible event," said Ben Jimenez, a 21-year-old member of the Whiffenpoofs from California. "The Whiffenpoofs has over 200 performances every year. So we have a lot of practice just by ourselves, but it's extra special when we get to sing with different choirs and performance groups. I learned a lot about honoring history through singing, as well as honoring culture and community. What was so incredible is that the performances we saw today were rooted in incredible history and culture."

Lucas Oland, 22, a member of the Whiffenpoofs visiting China for the first time, discovered a sense of cross-cultural musical resonance while learning to play the Dong ethnic pipa at a drum tower in the Dong village.

"It's very cool that people from around the world in different cultures are so united by the music and these instruments that function the exact same way, no matter where you are. It's really beautiful," Oland said.

"Through music, young Americans can experience China's long history and deep cultural roots," said Zhang Yixiao, the China tour manager. "Instead of only seeing modern, high-tech cities, they are able to explore minority villages and cultures with centuries of tradition. Having them experience a real, multifaceted China is especially meaningful."

An aerial drone photo taken on March 23, 2026 shows a view of a cultural exchange gala at Zhaoxing Dong Village of Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

FRIENDSHIP THROUGH CULTURAL EXCHANGE

Before they visited Guizhou, the choir members visited southwest China's Chongqing Municipality, winding through its iconic landmarks and ancient alleyways to soak up the energy of the mountain metropolis and its distinctive culture.

Chongqing's three-dimensional urban landscape has gained popularity on overseas social media in recent years. The choir members wanted to see for themselves the unique scenes where the city's transportation and daily life intertwine.

"The architecture is incredible. I didn't quite understand what people meant when I heard that it was an 8D city, but now I completely understand. It's been wonderful walking around today and getting to see everything," said Quincy Rosenzweig, the American choir group's associate financial director. "So I'd say I'm most impressed probably with just how beautiful the city is and how lovely everyone has been to us so far."

In Chongqing, the choir performed on a cruise ship on the Yangtze River and visited millennium-old cliff carvings, cloth workshops and ancient pottery studios. At each stop, they had the chance to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage.

At Zhaoxing Dong Village in Guizhou, the American choir tried their hand at batik and rice pounding, explored the region's farming and musical traditions, and learned about the timber-frame architecture of drum towers and covered bridges. They also toured karst caves and expansive tea terraces.

A member of the Whiffenpoofs, a cappella choir of Yale University, shows his batik work at Zhaoxing Dong Village of Liping County, southwest China's Guizhou Province, March 23, 2026. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

For Oland, the Guizhou journey went beyond music and offered a genuine immersion into the local culture.

"It really puts into perspective for me, who hasn't been outside of America very much before, to see how much culture and music and excitement are outside of it," Oland said. "The art is a really wonderful and perfect way to bond these two cultures and show them what's important to each other."

Local residents presented each choir member with a batik costume. "We are very lucky to have these as gifts," said Elijah Lee, also a choir member. "They're handmade, very beautiful and unique, and kind of symbols of the local area. So we will definitely cherish them forever."

Xie Zongxu, a Miao scholar, serves as the local guide for the event. "The friendship between nations rests on the friendship between their people. Strengthening youth dialogue is a vivid embodiment of people-to-people cultural exchange between China and the United States," said Xie. 

(Video reporters: Liu Qinbing, Yang Yanbin, Cui Xiaoqiang, Zhou Xuanni, and Li Jingya; Video editors: Li Qin, Wang Han, and Li Ziwei)
Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with a high-level delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association, led by Austrian Federal Council President Markus Stotter, in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China's top legislator Zhao Leji met with a high-level delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association, led by Austrian Federal Council President Markus Stotter, in Beijing on Tuesday.

Zhao, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, said under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the connotation of China-Austria relations has been continuously enriched and cooperation in various fields has been steadily advancing.

Noting that this year marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Austria, Zhao said China is willing to work with Austria to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, take into account each other's core interests and major concerns, create new highlights of cooperation in areas such as green transformation and digital economy, enhance people-to-people and cultural exchanges, promote mutual understanding, safeguard multilateralism, and advance the in-depth development of the China-Austria friendly strategic partnership.

Zhao added that China's NPC is willing to enhance exchanges with the Austrian parliament, share experiences in legislation and supervision, and foster a legal environment for practical cooperation. Zhao also introduced the outline of China's 15th Five-Year Plan.

Stotter said the Austrian side attaches great importance to its relations with China and is willing to expand cooperation in economy and trade, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, legislation and other fields, and enhance the friendship between the two peoples. 

Zhao Leji, chairman of the National People's Congress (NPC) Standing Committee, meets with a high-level delegation of the Austria-China Friendship Association, led by Austrian Federal Council President Markus Stotter, in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Rao Aimin)
DHAKA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Bangladeshi government is considering a hybrid learning model for metropolitan schools, combining online and in-person classes, amid a deepening global energy crisis and a surge in measles cases.

Education Minister ANM Ehsanul Hoque Milon made this disclosure on Tuesday after a meeting with Prime Minister Tarique Rahman in the chair.

"We'll prepare a proposal specifying how many days per week will be dedicated to online instruction and how many to in-person teaching," the minister said.

Bangladesh's cabinet is expected to make the final decision in this regard on Thursday.

Bangladesh, which relies almost entirely on imported fuel oil, has currently been experiencing hours-long queues at filling stations.

On the other hand, measles cases began rising in December and have escalated sharply this month.

Of the 38 deaths reported so far this year, 32 occurred this month alone -- 21 of them at the Infectious Disease Hospital in Dhaka, including three on Sunday. 
WINDHOEK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- As Namibia marks its 36th Independence Day, the historical bonds between Namibia and China continue to underpin a deepening strategic partnership, reflecting a model of South-South cooperation rooted in solidarity, equality and shared development goals, said Sophia Shaningwa, secretary general of the country's South West Africa People's Organization (SWAPO).

Namibia celebrated its 36th Independence Day under the theme "Beyond 35: For a Prosperous Future" in late March with President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah presiding over the commemorations. Founded in 1960, the SWAPO has been the governing party since the country gained independence in 1990.

In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Shaningwa said China's solidarity with Namibia dates back to a time "when the forces of apartheid and imperialism sought to crush our legitimate quest for self-determination."

"This solidarity was not merely rhetorical; it was concrete, consistent and rooted in the shared anti-imperialist principles that define South-South cooperation," she said.

According to Shaningwa, China played a pivotal role on multiple fronts during Namibia's liberation struggle. In 1973, the United Nations General Assembly recognized the SWAPO as the sole legitimate representative of the Namibian people.

Shaningwa said that what distinguished China's support from that of some other partners was its principled and consistent nature.

"Unlike some partners whose assistance was sometimes tempered by geopolitical calculations or conditionalities, China's solidarity was rooted in genuine anti-imperialist conviction and mutual respect for national sovereignty," she said.

"It combined political advocacy, diplomatic engagement and practical aid without seeking influence or concessions," she added, noting that the solidarity forged during the liberation struggle later evolved into a development partnership after independence.

"The history of solidarity has forged an unbreakable bond of mutual trust and respect that has seamlessly transitioned from a liberation partnership into strategic cooperation. Since independence, this legacy has manifested in a relationship built on equality, non-interference and shared development goals," she said.

This enduring foundation has ensured that cooperation remains guided by the spirit of South-South solidarity, while Namibia's engagement with frameworks such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and its participation in the Belt and Road Initiative have further deepened bilateral ties, Shaningwa said.

China's role in Namibia's infrastructure development has been particularly visible, with projects delivered by Chinese companies, including major road networks, port expansions at Walvis Bay and energy infrastructure, she noted. "These projects have significantly improved connectivity, facilitated trade, and contributed to employment creation and energy security."

Regarding trade and investment, Shaningwa said the relationship is "mutually beneficial and sustainable," with a focus on "local content, skills transfer and long-term value creation."

"Our partnership with China is one of equals, characterized by mutual respect, non-interference in internal affairs and tangible results that advance national development," she said.

Looking ahead, Shaningwa identified industrialization, renewable energy, digital infrastructure and value addition in key sectors, such as mining and agriculture, as priority areas for future cooperation with China.

"Through continued South-South cooperation, we aim to deepen people-to-people ties, expand trade on equitable terms, and jointly advance the Global Development Initiative. This partnership will remain a cornerstone of Namibia's inclusive and sustainable development," she said. 
DUBAI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- While docked at the Dubai Port in the United Arab Emirates, a Kuwaiti oil tanker caught fire after being attacked by Iranian forces on Tuesday, according to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), a state-owned oil company.

The crude oil tanker, named "Al Salmi", was fully loaded at the time of the incident, which occurred at about 12:10 a.m. local time (2010 GMT), the KPC said in a press statement.

Emergency services and firefighters were immediately dispatched to the scene and were working to control the situation with relevant authorities, said the statement.

The Dubai Media Office confirmed that no injuries have been reported, and the safety of all 24 crew members has been ensured.

Local authorities said that they will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

The Iranian side has yet to respond to the incident. 
BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China has shared details of its progress in combating telecom fraud at the 2026 Global Fraud Summit, calling for improved global anti-fraud collaboration.

The summit, co-organized by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime and the International Criminal Police Organization, is one of the world's premier conferences regarding anti-fraud efforts.

This year, it was held in Vienna on March 16 and 17, and was attended by more than 1,300 individuals from around the globe.

During the summit, the Chinese delegation, which included representatives from the Ministry of Public Security, held in-depth exchanges with other participants on topics such as building a global law enforcement cooperation platform.

Noting the severe harm caused by telecom fraud, it reiterated China's commitment to working with the international community to crack down on transnational telecom fraud.

The Chinese delegation also hosted a side event focused on building an international alliance against telecom and cyber fraud, alongside an exhibition showcasing the nation's practices in combating these crimes. Both events aimed at sharing lessons and fostering cross-border cooperation in this area. 
CANBERRA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government said on Tuesday that it is investigating five social media platforms for failing to comply with the country's world-first social media ban for children younger than 16.

In its first report on the social media minimum age obligation, the federal government's eSafety Commissioner said on Tuesday that it has "significant concerns" about the compliance of the social media giants, including Facebook and Instagram, with the laws that came into effect in December.

Under those laws, social media companies that fail to take reasonable steps to prevent children younger than 16 from accessing their platforms face fines worth up to 49.5 million Australian dollars (33.9 million U.S. dollars).

The eSafety Commissioner report said that it has identified "poor practices," including platforms allowing children to repeatedly attempt age assurance methods to obtain a 16+ outcome and failing to provide pathways for reporting age-restricted accounts.

It said that the five platforms have been notified about the specific issues and an investigation into potential non-compliance has commenced.

Australia's Minister for Communications Anika Wells said in a statement that she expects the online safety watchdog to "throw the book" at companies that have systematically failed to uphold their legal obligations.

"If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws," she said.

The eSafety Commissioner, Julie Inman Grant, said that her office is now moving into an enforcement stage of the social media ban. 
Concerns have been raised about the voters register as the election approaches, while officials maintain that safeguards are in place. How confident are you in the integrity of the register? Share your view in our poll.

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CAPE TOWN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- South African authorities have called for calm after a violent protest erupted in KuGompo, formerly known as East London, in the Eastern Cape province on Monday over the alleged coronation of a "Nigerian king."

At the heart of the unrest is a viral video and images circulating on social media showing the so-called crowning of a Nigerian community leader as the "Igwe Ndigbo na East London" (Igbo king in East London), which was condemned by local traditional leaders as a violation of South African sovereignty.

Local media, including public broadcaster SABC, reported that at least 13 people were injured during the unrest, while vehicles were torched and property damaged in parts of the city.

"The protest began as a planned peaceful demonstration by various traditional leaders over the alleged coronation of an Igbo king" and it later turned violent, the Eastern Cape Provincial Police Commissioner's Office said in a statement.

According to police, violence broke out after some participants moved away from the city hall, where a petition was being handed over.

In an updated statement late Monday, police confirmed that 10 vehicles were damaged and one building was partially torched, with no arrests made so far.

Eastern Cape Premier Oscar Mabuyane condemned the unrest and urged residents to exercise restraint.

"While we recognize the deep-seated frustrations within communities regarding the recent incident involving immigrants of Nigerian descent, no grievance justifies the destruction of property, intimidation of individuals, or the undermining of the rule of law," he said.

He said authorities were aware of tensions arising from a recent cultural event involving members of the Nigerian community, noting that the Nigerian diplomatic mission had clarified that the event was cultural in nature and not an assertion of territorial sovereignty.

"The provincial government therefore calls on all residents to remain calm and refrain from any acts of violence or vigilantism. Community leaders and civil society organizations are urged to play an active role in de-escalating tensions and promoting social cohesion," he added.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (COGTA) said that it condemned the violence and urged communities to remain calm.

"We strongly condemn the acts of violence, destruction of property and intimidation that have taken place," said Deputy Minister Zolile Burns-Ncamashe.

Authorities said the situation remains under close monitoring, with emergency services and law enforcement maintaining a presence in affected areas. 
TEHRAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Tuesday called reports that Iran fired a missile toward Turkiye "completely baseless."

Araghchi made the remarks during a phone call with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, responding to media claims that a ballistic missile from Iran entered Turkish airspace on Monday before being intercepted by NATO defenses, according to a statement from Iran's Foreign Ministry.

He warned against the repetition of "false flag operations by the enemies of peace and friendship in the region" and reaffirmed Iran's commitment to good neighborliness and respect for Turkiye's sovereignty. Araghchi also expressed Iran's willingness to cooperate on verifying such claims.

During the call, Araghchi discussed the ongoing U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and said all governments should condemn "crimes committed by the aggressors." He called U.S. threats against Iran's energy and production infrastructure "criminal" and said they showed a disregard for international law. He urged the international community to take decisive action in response.

Fidan highlighted a recent quadrilateral meeting in Islamabad with the foreign ministers of Turkiye, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, saying that regional countries support efforts to stop the war and promote peace and stability, according to the Iranian statement.

Iran has rejected three previous reports of missiles aimed at Turkiye since the conflict began. 
MNPF condemns

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IMPHAL, Mar 31 : The Manipur Naga People's Front (MNPF) has condemned the recent killing of four cadres of NSCN, Eastern Flank, allegedly by the NSCN (IM) at Hongbei Village, located in Kasom Khullen Sub-Division of Kamjong district.

MNPF, in a statement issued by its secretary publi- city Thomas Numai, stated that the four NSCN, Eastern Flank cadres were tragically shot dead on March 28, while Christians were preparing to observe Palm Sunday.

Expressing strong disapproval of the killing, the Front accused the NSCN (IM) of showing no mercy and failing to understand the value of revolutionary principles.

The MNPF expressed solidarity with the grief of the NSCN Eastern Flank.

Claiming that the killing was part of a conspiracy to divert attention from the Kuki-Naga conflict and facilitate joint trade between the Indian Army, NSCN (IM), and the Kukis, the Front asserted that it is deeply unfortunate for the NSCN (IM) to resort to killing its own kin amid the ongoing ethnic conflict.

It also stated that the alleged misdeeds of the NSCN (IM) have tarnished the image of all revolutionary groups, causing people to lose faith in these movements.

The MNPF further claimed that the NSCN (IM) working at the behest of India at a time when revolutionary groups in WESEA are striving for a unified solution poses a dangerous threat to the region, especially to the Tangkhul community,

The recent incident at Hongbei, according to the MNPF, will be remembered in history as a negative chapter for the Naga revolutionary movement.

As the Naga people, particularly the Tangkhul community, demand justice, the MNPF urged the NSCN (IM) to clarify why the four cadres of the NSCN, Eastern Flank were killed and under whose orders they were executed, to the victims' families and the Tangkhul community.
The growing voice to defer census

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Its no longer a voice of a particular section of the society or a community. Of course, we are referring to the voice demanding identification and deportation of illegal immigrants from Manipur before going ahead with the governments scheduled census exercise. With different communities coming out in support of the particular demand, the voice is growing louder and louder, and it is fast becoming a collective voice of almost all communities, albeit with the exception of a few. If the authorities fail to take heed of this collective voice, we fear, Manipur may face very turbulent days in the near future. At the same time, it will be a very costly blunder and sheer irresponsibility if the state simply opts to dismiss the collective voice and forcibly conduct the census exercise. Even if the state is determined to go ahead with the scheduled census exercise or has no intention to succumb to the public pressure, it must come out with an unequivocal and convincing explanation as to why the census exercise must go ahead as per the schedule. Of course, census is a nation-wide exercise but there can be exceptions and there have been many exceptions in the past too. If the state governments will to go ahead with the census operation as per the schedule is based on the premise that the order comes from New Delhi, it will be nothing short of betraying the people of the state. Moreover, the current situation is quite volatile and not at all conducive for conducting census operations with tens of thousands of people staying away from their native villages in relief camps and other safer places. How could officials conduct house listing of these displaced persons after their houses had been burnt down and their villages flattened? Under the prevailing situation, as reflected earlier, it is hard to imagine any government official going to remote hill areas and collecting factual and accurate data. As a responsible government, the incumbent government needs to look into the concerns and apprehensions raised by the people and it must acknowledge the challenges and threats posed by the growing population of illegal immigrants to the indigenous people. As testified by the prolonged violent crisis in which illegal immigrants played a key role as admitted by the Union Home Minister, the threats posed by illegal immigrants to the indigenous people are no longer a figment of imagination but a harsh reality.

Influx of immigrants is not something new in Manipur but it has been going on for decades. At the height of the violent crisis which erupted on May 3, 2023, the former Chief Minister revealed that 996 villages sprang up across Manipur since 2006. He went on to assert that these new villages were set up by illegal immigrants after encroaching into forests and unsurveyed hill areas. For quite a long time, the influx has been going on and people have a nagging suspicion whether the immigration and settlement of immigrants are patronized by local politicians. Herein lies the significance of the call made by civil society organisations to local politicians to stop patronizing and sheltering illegal immigrants. In case, some local politicians have been indeed patronizing immigration and settlement of immigrants, identification and deportation of the illegal immigrants will be quite tricky unless the politicians rise above vote bank politics. The peoples demand to first update the National Register of Citizens (NRC) before conducting census operations in Manipur needs thorough examination objectively. Already, illegal immigrants have been posing serious demographic, socio-political, economic and security challenges to the indigenous people. It was these challenges which gave rise to a vigorous campaign for updating the NRC with respect to Manipur. The fundamental idea pushing the campaign for NRC is identification of illegal immigrants. If the challenges posed by illegal immigrants must be addressed comprehensively, they must be identified and deported. If not, they must not be given citizenship rights. However, if the census operations are carried out without first updating the NRC or identifying the illegal immigrants, there is a strong possibility of legalizing the illegal immigrants, naturalizing their citizenship and in turn, legitimizing their political demands. This will have serious ramifications and disastrous consequences to the indigenous people, irrespective of community and ethnicity, which will be irreversible.
BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has in recent days consecutively issued new threats against Iran, vowing to either seize or obliterate Kharg Island, Iran's oil export hub.

This is far from the first time Trump has set his sights on the island. As early as 1988, he claimed that capturing the island would be a way to exert pressure on Iran.

Why is Trump so fixated on a small coral island? What are the chances that Washington will attempt to seize it? If such a move occurs, how might it shape the course of the war?

WHY KHARG ISLAND?

Located in the Persian Gulf, Kharg Island is about 25 km off the coast of Iran and less than 700 km northwest of the Strait of Hormuz.

The island has served as Iran's main oil export terminal since the 1960s, when its facilities were built with the involvement of U.S. oil companies. Tehran has since expanded and upgraded its infrastructure over the decades. Today, crude shipped from Kharg forms the backbone of the Iranian government's revenue.

Although it covers only about 20 square km, it handles about 1.5 million barrels of crude oil every day, with 90 percent of Iran's oil passing through a terminal on the island, making it an "economic lifeline" for the country.

"Iran has spent decades building pipelines from major inland producing areas to the (Kharg) island, turning it into the main collection, storage and loading point for crude before it moves to international buyers," according to Kpler, a data analytics firm.

On March 13, U.S. forces "executed a large-scale precision strike" on Kharg Island, destroying naval mine storage facilities, missile storage bunkers, and multiple other military sites.

The strike deliberately spared oil facilities on the island, indicating that Washington may be treating them as its own assets rather than military targets.

For Trump, it may also serve as a strategic bargaining tool in any attempt to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

ANOTHER OIL PRICE SPIKE?

Since the onset of the Middle East conflict, Brent Crude has remained mostly above 100 U.S. dollars per barrel, marking a more than 50 percent increase from pre-conflict levels.

If the United States were to seize the island fully, it could cripple Iran's ability to export oil, The New York Times reported.

Such a move would also carry the risk of driving energy prices higher, particularly if Iran retaliates by targeting other infrastructure in the Middle East or attacking oil tankers in the Strait of Hormuz, it added.

Any operation to seize Kharg Island would be "economic warfare," said Seth Krummrich, a vice-president at security firm Global Guardian.

Iran has officially rejected the U.S. 15-point proposal and responded with its own five-point plan, which includes continued control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Tom Kloza, chief energy advisor for Gulf Oil, a major American global oil company, said that the United States seizing the island makes no sense if the Strait remains blocked.

"It's a silly exercise because all of the oil loaded at Kharg Island pretty much moves through the Strait of Hormuz," Kloza said.

The island's destruction or loss would not only deprive the government of a crucial revenue stream, but also further reduce global oil supply at a time when prices are already rising sharply, U.S. PBS News reported.

A VAIN MOVE

While Trump claimed talks with Iran are happening and are going "very well," several media reports have revealed that the Pentagon has planned for weeks, or even months, potential ground operations to seize the island.

However, getting ships close to Kharg Island would be a difficult task, as it would involve navigating the perilous Strait of Hormuz, which is often referred to as a "shooting gallery," the Financial Times reported, quoting Mark Cancian, a retired Marine colonel and Pentagon official.

Iran's Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said that his country's forces were "waiting for American soldiers," noting Iran would "rain fire" on any U.S. troops attempting to enter Iranian territory.

Deploying U.S. troops from a staging area on land may be another option, said Jonathan Hackett, a Marine Corps veteran, but it would require basing, access and overflight rights from the nearby Gulf states, which would put those countries further in Iran's crosshairs.

"Introducing ground troops is clearly a riskier operation to our own forces," said Karen Gibson, former director of intelligence for U.S. Central Command, emphasizing that the action could trigger continued pressure.

Even with the cover of U.S. ships and aircraft, there would remain a narrow window of time to intercept every drone or missile fired from the mainland at the island, said Michael Eisenstadt, a former U.S. military analyst.

"The coast tends to be mountainous, so the drones can come in through mountain passes where it's hard for our radar to pick up," Eisenstadt said.

Analysts also suggest that Iran could resort to a destructive strategy, potentially destroying its own oil infrastructure rather than allowing it to fall into the hands of its enemy.

That means, even if an operation to capture the island were executed without a hitch, it might have little impact on the United States' overall position in the ongoing conflict with Iran, said Nick Reynolds, a research fellow of the Royal United Services Institute in London. 
Handcuffs ATU Images/Getty Images

EDWARDSVILLE  An Alton man faces several charges after allegedly firing an antique rifle during an argument with another person.

A 65-year-old Alton man was charged March 27 with felon in possession of a weapon, a Class 3 felony; reckless discharge of a firearm, a Class 4 felony; and aggravated assault, a Class A misdemeanor.

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The Alton Police Department presented the case.

According to court documents, on March 25, the suspect was found to be a felon in possession of a Springfield Arms .45-70 rifle; discharged the rifle while under the influence of alcohol, endangering another person; and displayed the weapon to another person in a threatening manner.

It was noted that the suspect has a prior conviction for armed robbery out of Jersey County in a 1977 case, making him ineligible to possess weapons.

The Springfield Arms .45-70 was the main battle rifle for U.S. forces starting in 1873, and it was used through the Spanish-American War and saw limited use through World War I.

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The suspect was ordered remanded to jail.

According to a petition to deny pre-trial release filed by the States Attorneys Office, the assault victim reported that he had argued with the suspect, who struck him. The suspect brought out the gun and threatened the victim.

The victims mother, a witness, convinced the suspect to put the weapon away, and he retreated back into the residence, where he discharged the gun into the floor.

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Alton City Council members Patty Ford, Stephanie Elliott, John Meehan, and Rosie Brown with Treasurer Elizabeth "Betsy" Allen at the meeting on March 25, 2026. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

Alton City Council members and city executives were at odds over how the city permitted the petroleum producer Anzu Power LLC to begin construction of a forthcoming plant, leading to a unanimous Council vote to postpone consideration of a critical special use permit for the plant.

Anzu Power representative Orion Bailey spoke at the City Council meeting on March 25. During Bailey's presentation, he discussed the ongoing construction project located just past Alton Steel Inc. However, as the meeting went on, Alton City Council members and community members appeared heavily resistant to a new plant, centering criticism on a lack of permit information from Director of Planning and Development Greg Caffey.

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We are bringing to life a property here at 10 Cut Street with a 20-acre, 40,000 square foot building to begin. And we have made a commitment to Governor JB Pritzkers office that we just accepted today, officially for $85 million of investment, initially into Alton, Illinois, through Anzu Power, Bailey said on March 25. Bailey added that the company is very proud of that.

Orion Bailey presents on Anzu Power's plans to construct and begin production at a petroleum plant on 10 Cut Street during an Alton City Council meeting on March 25, 2026. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

The promise to the governor's office, Bailey said, included the creation of 85 jobs in Alton over a period of time and up to 25 jobs that will be available right away.

These are all prevailing wage," he told Alderwoman Rosie Brown in response to a question about job creation. "We exceed prevailing wage for federal and state. So these are living wages, high and strong, paying jobs."

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Bailey also said that the process is expected to bring improved technology and environmental performance, turning shredded tires into petroleum through a closed-loop, no-oxygen system that would presumably use no combustion and achieve net-zero emissions.

To put it into context for the layman, there is more emissions from a standard kitchen stove than there would be from our industrial machines, Bailey said.

Concerns grow over regulatory approval, Anzu Power claims

The sign for Anzu Power at 10 Cut Street in Alton, Illinois, on March 26, 2026. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

Alderman Chris Bohn was the first to highlight that Anzu Power's public website said the project is already approved by the city, state, and various stakeholders, despite there being no publicly recorded vote approving the project or any special permit beyond a presentation before the city's planning commission meeting on March 10.

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"On your website, though, it says this has been approved by the City of Alton, the State of Illinois, and EPA approved. Did I miss a vote? On your website, this says that this has already been approved by the City," Bohn said.

A review of publicly available documents from the State of Illinois and the City of Alton showed that, before the March 25 meeting, the project lacked the required state and city permits to build a petroleum factory.

Keeley Construction helps build Anzu Power in Alton

A photo from the March 25, 2026, meeting of the Alton City Council. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

St. Louis-based Keeley Construction said it is "supporting the build" of Anzu Power's new facility.

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In January 2026, Keeley Construction and Anzu Power announced on social media that they were setting "a 67,000-pound pyrolysis machine while our Civil Infrastructure crews poured the concrete foundations supporting the system."

"Proud of the coordination, precision, and teamwork it takes to deliver complex projects like this safely and effectively," Keeley Construction wrote on Facebook on Jan. 20.

As of March 26, a 40,000-square-foot shell was parked at 10 Cut Street. Leaders in Alton's Office of Planning and Development did not respond to a request for comment on local permitting to begin construction.

Alton power plant project faces EPA approval questions

Keeley Construction Group workers and cars are continuing to build and develop the area at 10 Cut Street in Alton, Illinois, on March 26, 2026. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

Bohn also pointed to a missing regulatory component of a new permit to construct power plants in the area: involvement with and approval by the state's Environmental Protection Agency.

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"Youre working with the EPA?" Bohn asked. "You dont have EPA approval. ... On your website, it says EPA approved."

Bailey responded that Anzu representatives spoke with the Illinois EPA as recently as March 24 about their permits and the process. He did not, however, state that the business received the required EPA approval before beginning the construction project.

"Our technologists actually set that standard for the South Coast Air Quality Management District, which was adopted by the EPA," Bailey said in response to Bohn. "So on a general, broad basis, our technology is, in fact, approved by the EPA. However, the IEPA ... is engaged with us to finalize all of that."

Bailey also said that Anzu Power is "happy to modify any of the language" in its public documents and on its website.

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Illinois EPA says no Anzu Power permit was filed

Mayor David Goins, center, presides over the Alton City Council meeting on Wednesday, March 25, 2026. Ivy Lyons/The Telegraph

The Illinois EPA said that no information was available for permit requests at 10 Cut Street in Alton.

"We have no record of a request, permit application, or permit in progress for Anzu Power at the Cut Street location," Illinois EPA spokesperson Kim Biggs told The Telegraph. "We know there was a conversation with agency leaders, but we haven't approved anything for that group."

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Biggs said that the state's environmental agency requires applications from organizations that produce emissions, while other groups may need to obtain permits from the Bureau of Land Management or another local agency, depending on where and how the construction takes place.

Code enforcement is absent, questions go unanswered

Most Alton City Council members' questions during the March 25 meeting were directed at Greg Caffey, the city's planning and development lead. However, he was not present to take questions.

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"In my opinion, they issued this building permit ... backwards. You dont ... issue a building permit without proper zoning, and then they issued a building permit without any other staff looking at it," Alderman Michael Velloff said. "Thats terrible. They dont have a land disturbance permit from the Illinois EPA. They have absolutely no contact with the Illinois EPA. I called them and ... got an email."

At present, the City of Alton has issued a building permit for the foundation, slab, and erection of a pre-engineered metal building, as well as a footing inspection that took place at 10 a.m. on Nov. 26. A building permit was issued on Nov. 21 by City Treasurer Elizabeth "Betsy" Allen, with payment of a $12,050 fee cementing approval of a construction project valued at just over $1.2 million. The building permit itself expires on Aug. 18, 2026.

A review of the Alton City Council resolution for a special use permit, the planning commission's documentation, and the building permit issued to Keeley Construction on Nov. 21, 2025, revealed notable discrepancies.

Mike Velloff is sworn in to represent Ward 3 in the Alton City Council by the new Alton City Clerk Lauren Wilson on Wednesday, May 14, 2025. John Badman/The Telegraph

The Alton building permit from November and the March 25 resolution designate the parcel at 8 Cut Street as the location and lot for Anzu Power's new petroleum plant. While the planning commission's March documents and The Telegraph's interviews with city officials indicate that 10 Cut Street is the current site of this ongoing construction project.

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On March 30, Andi Campbell, the city's planning and development deputy director, said some clerical issues may have occurred after a change to the physical address attached to the parcel of land commonly known as 10 Cut Street  parcel number 23-1-08-18-00-000-019. Campbell also confirmed that Anzu Power's application included the required building plan and site development plan before receiving building permit approval.

The council voted unanimously to postpone consideration of a special use permit for Anzu Power.

Velloff moved that the special use permit not be considered by the full body until an environmental impact statement, or its equivalent, is completed. Anzu Power must also subject itself to a public hearing and "any other required environmental clearances and permits" before the council returns to the postponed matter.

Alton residents question Anzu Power clean energy plan

Before the vote on the resolution, the Alton community placed additional scrutiny on Anzu Power's new plant. During the March 25 meeting, two professors with doctorates in sustainability and energy also criticized the project's lack of information and environmental consideration.

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"Im concerned about air quality. ... What does 'near zero' (emissions) mean, which is the only information I could find online," said Nicholas Johnson, Principia College associate professor of sustainability and economics. "How will the emissions be monitored? How will the public have access to them?"

Nick Pendergrass, a retiree with a doctorate in electrical engineering, similarly questioned the environmental impact that Anzu Power spokesperson Orion Bailey discussed.

"Frankly, the website seems big on self-promotion, but is not actually informative," Pendergrass said, adding that there was "no disrespect intended, but I felt like it was selling snake oil."

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Bailey told The Telegraph that he was disheartened by the researchers' response in the room, in part because he wanted them to review the research and documentation available on the technology Anzu Power is using. He said he hopes to continue working on a way to educate the public on what Anzu Power does, bring jobs to Alton, and provide a clean energy resource to the community.
Louisiana man indicted for child porn, grooming of then-15-year-old Edwardsville girl. The Telegraph

EDWARDSVILLE  A 22-year-old Louisiana man was indicted Thursday by a Madison County grand jury for child pornography and other related charges involving a now-17-year-old girl.

Kendal J. Workman, 22, of Metairie, Louisiana, was indicted March 26 for two counts of child pornography, both Class X felonies; indecent solicitation of a child, a Class 3 felony; and grooming, a Class 4 felony.

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He was originally charged Dec. 18, but the charges were sealed and made public in mid-March. The Edwardsville Police Department presented the case.

According to court documents, on June 18, 2024, Workman solicited a then-15-year-old child to send him photos and videos of her engaging in sex acts; on Oct. 7, 2024, again asked for photos and videos, and solicited specific sex acts; and from Jan. 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025, attempted to seduce, solicit, lure or entice the victim into performing sex acts that would qualify as aggravated criminal sexual abuse.

Additional court documents stated that in June 2025, the Edwardsville Police Department was investigating a separate child exploitation case and found evidence pointing to Workman.

He had been in communication with the victim via Apple Messaging, and she told him she was getting ready to celebrate her 16th birthday. Workman, who identified himself by name and location in the messages, asked her to send him photos and videos of her engaging in sex acts, and sent her child porn.

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The incidents took place over an approximately 17-month period.
Every year, the arrival of April brings with it a sense of lightness and mischief. Suddenly, you can say things you normally wouldnt dare to.

For many, the memories of this day are rooted in school lifeconvincing a friend that there is an unexpected holiday, only to reveal the joke moments later, followed by shared laughter. From those innocent classroom pranks to playful tricks in corporate offices, April Fools Day has always had its own charm.

Even celebrities havent stayed away from the fun. One of Bollywoods most famous pranksters, Ajay Devgn, once teamed up with Rohit Shetty during the shoot of Singham Returns. They convinced the entire crew that the location was haunted. To make it more believable, they even had a spot boy run around in a white cloth like a ghost. The incident remains a notable example of how creatively the prank has been embraced.

Historically, April Fools pranks have also captured widespread attention. One of the most famous instances dates back to 1957, when BBC aired a segment about the Swiss Spaghetti Harvest, showing farmers plucking spaghetti from trees. Surprisingly, many viewers believed itand even called in to ask how they could grow their own spaghetti at home.

Over the years, the way we celebrate April Fools Day has changed. Earlier, it was all about face-to-face pranks and shared laughter. Now, a lot of it has moved onlinememes, prank videos, and stories flooding social media.

Many youngsters today feel that April Fools Day has become a bit childish or repetitive. Instead of planning pranks, theyre more likely to scroll, share, and react online. Social media acts both as a reminder of the occasion and as its primary medium of expression.

While its traditional charm may appear to be fading, April Fools Day continues to hold relevance in new forms.

For brands, April Fools Day is still a golden opportunity to connect with audiences in a fun way. In 2017, Mirinda launched its Half Joke, Half Truth campaign, bringing back relatable school-life moments. Around the same time, PayPal joked that users could print money directly from their phonessomething that definitely made people pause and think.

Dominos, on the other hand, kept it simple and relatable: Reminder to give your friends a pizza treat today kal bol dena April Fool prank tha aur bill split kar dena.

The idea subtly combined humour with a familiar social situation, making it both engaging and memorable.

Even tech giant Google joined in with its Google Play for Pets, offering apps and games for cats and dogs. It sounded so fun that many people secretly wished it was real.

The transformation of April Fools Day also reflects the communication pattern, as interpersonal interaction have increasingly moved online reshaping how humour and engagement are experienced.

While April Fools Day might not be what it used to be, it hasnt completely lost its spark. It remains a day that encourages light-hearted interaction, critical thinking, and a momentary escape from everyday seriousness.
IndiGo has named a new Chief Executive Officer weeks after the abrupt resignation of former chief Pieter Elbers. The airline announced on Tuesday that it was appointing former British Airways chief William Walsh as the company's new CEO.

Walsh was formerly CEO of the British Airways and International Airlines Group (IAG), a holding company which owns Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia, Level and Vueling. Walsh is expected to join by August 3, 2026 after completing his tenure as the Director General of the International Air transport Association (IATA).

Chairman of Indigo, Vikram Singh Mehta, said, I am thrilled that Willie will be at helm of Indigo. He is an exceptional global aviation leader with a stellar track record of outstanding leadership across several airlines. His experience in managing large scale airline operations and navigating complex market dynamics make him ideally suited to strengthen and lead IndiGo for continued growth in an ever evolving and competitive international aviation environment. He said that the appointment marks a new chapter for the company.

Walsh is considered as one of the most successful, respected, influential and long-lasting leaders in modern aviation history, the company said.

Walsh said that he was delighted to lead IndiGo. The airline has a strong foundation, a compelling vision and an exceptional reputation. What stands out most to me are its people, their passion, professionalism and commitment. The aviation landscape is evolving rapidly, and IndiGo is extremely well-positioned to be at the forefront of this change, he said in the company's press release.

Walsh began his carrier as a pilot for Irish Aer Lingus. He later became the COO and CEO of the company before becoming the CEO of British Airways.

He will now be responsible for the overall management and strategic direction of IndiGo with a focus on transformational initiatives to strengthen the operational performance, advance the companys network and commercial strategy while enhancing customer experience, the press release said.

The former CEO Pieter Elbers had announced his resignation 18 months ahead of the end of his term amid mass cancellations in December 2025.

The cancellations were caused by a shortage of pilots, which was triggered by the flight duty time limits norm. The incident left thousands of passengers stranded across India.
Chinese books are pictured at the Chinese book exhibition booth at the Bangkok International Book Fair 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, March 27, 2026.(Xinhua/Sun Weitong)

by Liu Yang, Chen Qianci, Chang Tiantong

BANGKOK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Wandering around the Chinese book exhibition booth at the Bangkok International Book Fair 2026, Parichat Jomklin, a freshman in Thailand's Sripatum University, focused her gaze on a Chinese novel featuring ancient-style detective stories.

After flipping through a few pages, she turned to the staff to purchase this book without hesitation.

"I want to improve my Chinese skills by reading original books. Although I can't fully understand everything now, I believe it will help me to gradually improve my language abilities over time," said Parichat, who majors in Business Chinese.

Fascinated by the Chinese culture and China's economic and social achievements, flocks of readers came for over 700 Chinese books at the Chinese book exhibition booth, which gathered a dozen Chinese publishing houses to open a window for international publishers and Thai readers to understand China.

"Our team is getting stronger and occupies a bigger booth this year," said Li Yan, organizer of participating Chinese publishing houses, noting that they brought more than 500 types of books that meet the local market demands in Thailand and are eligible for copyright exports, aiming to present the latest outcomes of the Chinese publishing industry.

Wang Lei, vice general manager of China Renmin University Press, who participated in the book fair for the first time, said that during negotiations with Thai counterparts, he learned that they are particularly interested in topics such as artificial intelligence, big data, and psychology.

He plans to strengthen contacts and cooperation with counterpart publishing houses of local universities in the future. "It would be a good way to promote cultural exchanges and mutual learning between China and Thailand," he said.

The 12-day book fair, which ends on April 6, witnessed the prosperity of the Thai version of Chinese books, ranging from online literature to children's books.

Thailand's Mangmoom Culture Co. Ltd., focusing on the publication of children's books and translated literature, exhibited many Thai versions of Chinese picture books and novels.

Among them, the hardcover picture book "I Want to Be a Doctor" with interactive designs, introduced from China by the company, gained popularity among Thai parents.

Local resident Trairat and his wife took a liking to the picture book for its excellent design at a glance, and immediately paid the money.

"I work with children, so the book can not only help me with the work, but also be used for my own child," said Trairat, who came to the book fair every year.

Yu Chunhua, deputy general manager of Thailand's publishing house Hongsamut, who has participated in book fairs many times, found that in recent years, Chinese books on encyclopedias and history have also drawn attention among Thai readers, which triggered his inspiration.

Hongsamut released the Thai version of a book on Chinese history during this year's book fair and received a warm response from local readers.

"This reflects Thai readers' desire to further explore Chinese culture," Yu said. 

Chinese books are pictured at the Chinese book exhibition booth at the Bangkok International Book Fair 2026 in Bangkok, Thailand, March 27, 2026.(Xinhua/Sun Weitong)
The Reserve Bank of India has given banks, brokers and industry a three-month breathing space. The apex lender pushed the implementation of its new Amendment Directions on Capital Market Exposures, originally set to kick in from April 1, to July 1, 2026.

RBI stated that the deferral was after receiving a wave of representations from banks, capital market intermediaries and industry associations flagging operational difficulties and seeking clarifications.

The rules in question were finalised by the RBI on February 13, 2026, following a public consultation process. They were designed to do three things: create an enabling framework for banks to finance acquisitions by Indian companies, rationalise the limits on how much banks can lend to individuals against securities (such as shares, units of REITs and InvITs), and introduce a cleaner, principles-based approach to lending to capital market intermediaries (CMIs such as stockbrokers, clearing members and the like).

The RBI is expected to use the 3-month window to sharpen and clarify several provisions in the rules, issuing a set of Revised Amendment Directions across nine regulatory instruments covering both commercial banks and small finance banks.

On acquisition finance, the clarifications are substantial. The definition has been widened to include mergers and amalgamations, not just buyouts. Banks can only extend acquisition finance for acquiring control over non-financial target companies.

If the target is a holding company with subsidiaries, the "potential synergy" test must be satisfied collectively across the group. Corporate guarantees from the acquiring company are mandatory when finance is extended to a subsidiary or special purpose vehicle.

Going forward, refinancing of acquisition finance is only permitted once the acquisition is fully concluded and control is firmly established.

On loans to individuals against securities, the RBI issued a key clarification on individual borrowing caps. It will be 1 crore against eligible securities and 25 lakh for IPO/FPO/ESOP financing at the banking system level. This meant the cap applies across all banks combined, not per bank.

For CMIs, the RBI had removed the earlier prohibition on financing market makers against the very securities they make markets in, provided it is backed by 100 per cent cash collateral.

Nine revised directions have been issued in all, covering commercial banks and small finance banks across credit facilities, concentration risk, capital adequacy, financial statement disclosures and undertaking of financial services. READ these revised notifications HERE.
In what could be seen as another milestone in Indias efforts to become a defence exporter, especially to friendly nations in the Global South, an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-17 Globemaster aircraft landed at the Cheddi Jagan International Airport in Guyana with an H-228 aircraft on Saturday.

Manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), H-228an updated, indigenously produced civil variant of the Dornier Do-228is a twin-engine, turboprop utility aircraft with short take-off and landing (STOL) capability, ideal for maritime surveillance, search and rescue operations, and transport missions.

According to media reports, Guyana received another aircraft on Sunday. These were part of a line-of-credit arrangement between the two countries and added to the growing fleet of Indian-origin aircraft in Guyana.

In 2024, Guyana had reportedly received two similar platforms.

The move reflects a strong and expanding partnership between the two countries, the Indian High Commission in Guyana said.

ALSO READ: Is Israel's war on Iran impacting Indias 30,000 crore MALE drone deal?

The induction of these platforms is expected to boost connectivity in Guyana, especially in remote regions. Built for tough operating conditions, the aircraft is well-suited to Guyanas terrain and would enhance the transport of people, goods, and critical services while also boosting capabilities in emergency response and surveillance operations.

The delivery of the Dornier 228 to Guyana marks a significant step in strengthening Indias strategic footprint in the Caribbean and Latin America, while also showcasing HALs growing ability to export complete defence platforms.

The move also aligns closely with the governments Atmanirbhar Bharat push and its expanding defence export ambitions. Such deals show Indias emergence as a cost-effective and reliable partner for friendly nations, when compared to more expensive Western suppliers.
Kerala police on Tuesday arrested Malayalam film director Ranjith in connection with a sexual assault allegation.

Ranjith was arrested in Thodupuzha while travelling to Idukki as part of campaign for the upcoming assembly elections. He was later taken to Ernakulam as the case was registered by Ernakulam Central Police.

The complainant is an actress who was acting in a film directed by Ranjith. He allegedly tried to grab her inside a caravan at the shooting location of his directorial film, according to Manorama News.

The complaint was initially submitted to the DGP and former SIT. The investigation is led by Ernakulam City DCP Aswathy Gigi. The actress's complaint was recorded two days ago.

Separately, in 2024, a Bengali actress had accused Ranjith of sexual harassment, stemming from a 2009 incident during the audition of Palerimanikyam. Following this, he was forced to resign from the post of Kerala State Chalachithra Academy chairman. However, Ranjith had denied these accusations, adding that the Bengali actress was called for an audition, but was not selected as she was not suitable for the role.
Last year, it was reported that Shah Rukh Khan's "King" will have six major action sequences, with three planned to be shot on real locations and the other three in studios. One of them has reportedly changed plans due to the ongoing tension in the Middle East.

An action sequence for the Siddharth Anand directorial, which was supposed to be shot in the desert in Dubai, has been cancelled, according to a source who spoke to Mid-Day. The new plan would be to create a desert atmosphere in Mumbai.

According to the source, the action sequence, which involves Anil Kapoor and Suhana Khan, was originally planned to begin filming on April 9 and would've lasted a week, for which they had obtained the necessary permission too.

The team had procured the necessary permissions to shoot in the emirate. It was supposed to be a week-long schedule from April 9. But given the dynamic situation in the region, the makers decided not to take any risk with the cast and crew's safety, said the source.

The desert set is now being set up at a studio in Mumbais Vile Parle to allow uninterrupted shooting. The Mumbai studio is said to be a blessing in disguise, apparently. They've gone all out to match the scale that Siddharth envisioned for the set-piece," the source further added. "In fact, this gives them more control over action beats and lighting. The sequence begins with a chase, resulting in an intense combat.

Aside from Shah Rukh Khan, Suhana Khan and Anil Kapoor, the film also features Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukerji, Deepika Padukone, Arshad Warsi, Jaideep Ahlawat, Saurabh Shukla, Abhay Verma and Raghav Juyal in key roles.

The makers are aiming for a December 24 release this year.
CLAIM:

Newborn babies can sometimes be born with teeth, and this is generally normal though rare. These natal teeth do not always require removal unless they cause problems such as feeding difficulties, mobility, or injury.

FACT:

True. Newborns can rarely be born with teeth (natal teeth), and this is generally a normal condition. Most cases do not require treatment and resolve on their own, but experts advise medical evaluation if the teeth are loose, cause feeding problems, or lead to injury or infection.

In a viral reel posted by Dr Imran Patel, a paediatrician with over 1 crore followers on Instagram, the doctor addresses a concern that often alarms new parents: whether it is normal for newborn babies to have teeth at birth.

In the reel, he explains that while it may seem unusual, it is not unheard of. Demonstrating with an example, he says, Do babies have teeth? Yes, let me show you. This is a 3-month-old baby. Her parents were concerned  Sir, this baby is going to bring something extra what? Teeth?

He goes on to reassure viewers that the condition, known as natal teeth, is rare but normal, occurring in about 1 in every 2,0003,000 babies. Addressing common fears and myths, he adds, Some people say this is a good thing, some say its inauspicious. But this is normal. There is nothing to worry about.

At the same time, he outlines situations where medical attention may be needed. If the teeth are moving, you should remove them. If its difficult to feed or if there is an ulcer in the tongue, then removal may be required. Otherwise, let it be, he advises.

The reel has managed to receive significant traction online, garnering over 8.52 lakh views, 22,300 likes, and more than 2,400 shares, sparking conversations among parents about whether teeth at birth are a cause for concern.

Is it normal for newborns to have teeth at birth?

Studies indicate that natal teeth, though rare, are usually not a cause for concern. Management depends on factors such as mobility, feeding difficulties, or risk of injury, with experts consistently advising that stable teeth can often be left untreated under medical supervision.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

A 2006 study highlights that the presence of teeth at birth or within a month post-delivery is a rare condition, noting that a few babies may be born with one or two teeth already visible in the gums. The study emphasises that these teeth are often part of the normal primary dentition and may not require removal if they are stable. As the authors note, teeth which have good support do not need to be removed, sincethese elements will probably compound the deciduous dentition. However, in cases where the teeth are loose, extraction may be necessary due to risks such as aspiration or feeding difficulties.

The study further explains that the exact cause is not always clear, though one commonly cited reason is the superior placement of the tooth germ. It also underscores the importance of careful evaluation, stating that a complete oral examination is recommended in newborns to rule out other oral conditions and ensure appropriate management.

Building on this, a 2023 study provides further clarity on definitions and risk factors. The study highlights that while the condition is rare, certain factors, such as low birth weight or preterm birth, may be associated with a higher occurrence, although findings remain inconsistent across studies.

Importantly, it reinforces that treatment depends on clinical presentation. If the degree of mobility of natal teeth exceeds 2 mm, they need to be extracted to avoid the risk of aspiration, the study states. At the same time, it advises caution, noting that factors such as the babys overall health and vitamin K status should be considered before any procedure. The researchers also stress the importance of follow-up, adding that periodic follow-up with a paediatric dentist is essential to monitor the childs oral health.

More recent evidence from a 2025 study published in Nature further supports a conservative approach. Analysing 52 children, the study found that natal teeth were more common than neonatal teeth and were typically located in the lower central incisors. While nearly half of the cases showed excessive mobility and required extraction, the authors emphasised that not all cases need intervention. As they conclude, in the absence of indications for extraction, they should be retained, highlighting the need for careful clinical assessment rather than routine removal.

What experts say?

Prof. Dr Sanjeev Bagai, Padma Shri awardee and Senior Consultant Paediatrician & Nephrologist, explained that babies born with teeth have a recognised condition known as natal teeth, sometimes also referred to as congenital teeth. He noted that the condition is uncommon, occurring in roughly 1 in 3,000 newborns, and in rare cases may be associated with underlying conditions.

He added that very rarely, it can be associated with certain syndromes, especially cleft palate or midline defects, which are linked to developmental issues during embryogenesis. However, in most cases, these teeth are not a cause for concern.

According to him, natal teeth are often temporary and not firmly developed. By and large, they are loose, they are temporary, and they fall out on their own, he said. In some instances, if the tooth is extremely loose, it may be removed easily. Sometimes it is so loose that just with a simple gauze piece they can be removed, he explained, adding that such removal usually does not lead to excessive bleeding.

At the same time, Dr Bagai highlighted that intervention is not always required. If the teeth are very firm or it is causing problems in feeding, then very rarely these kinds of teeth need to be removed, he said. He also pointed out that while most cases are harmless, there can occasionally be minor complications such as ulceration of the oral cavity or a mild dental infection.

He also emphasised that decisions regarding treatment should be made on a case-by-case basis.

Similarly, Dr Jagdish Kathwate, Consultant Neonatologist & Paediatrician at Motherhood Hospital, Pune, reassured that natal teeth are usually not a cause for panic. He noted that while most cases are harmless, they can sometimes lead to minor issues.

He emphasised the need for medical evaluation, advising that an expert should check them to decide if they need to be removed or can be safely left as they are. In particular, he highlighted that loose teeth can be removed to prevent choking.

Dr Kathwate also pointed out that if breastfeeding becomes painful, supportive measures can help. If feeding becomes painful for the mother, gentle positioning or nipple shields can be used, he suggested.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS
Protein is the gold standard for gym-goers, but fitness influencer Gaurav Tanejaaka Flying Beastis challenging the status quo. His latest product launch has effectively "broken the internet," leaving millions of followers intrigued and baffled by its unconventional approach to traditional fitness nutrition.

Taneja's fitness brand 'Beast Life' has launched a 'protein condom', which is touted as the 'world's first protein condom'. With an erotic, catchy caption, the product was launched on Instagram. "We're coming to upgrade your night performance."

What is a protein condom?

According to Taneja, protein condoms offer protection that boosts blood flow, improves circulation and is powered by L-arginine, an amino acid that helps the body build protein.

However, there is no authenticity of the condom mentioned in the announcement as an actual, scientifically established product.

While 'Beast Life' hasn't officially confirmed the products reality, the post has already gone viral, leaving the online community divided between curiosity and disbelief.

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

The launch of the product just 48 hours before April 1st created a buzz. From a medical standpoint, there is no proven benefit to adding protein (which is meant for muscle repair via digestion) to a contraceptive.

Interestingly, the brand's claim of being the "first" might not be entirely accurate. Last year, the Swedish company LELO launched its 'HEX condom' in Europe, which also features an L-arginine-infused lubricant.

What is L-arginine?

At the heart of the product is L-arginine, an amino acid that helps the body build protein. Though naturally produced by the body, it is also commonly sourced from fish, red meat, beans, and dairy products.

Orally and topically, L-arginine can be used as a supplement. It can also be administered intravenously (IV).

Because L-arginine acts as a vasodilator, opening (dilating) blood vessels, many people take oral L-arginine to treat heart conditions and erectile dysfunction. Studies have found that taking oral L-arginine might improve sexual function in men with erectile dysfunction due to a physical cause.

Consult a doctor before taking the supplements, as it is not recommended for all. L-arginine isn't recommended for those who have had a recent heart attack due to concerns that the supplement might increase the risk of death.

How does L-arginine work topically?

Topical L-arginine works by converting into Nitric Oxide (NO), a powerful vasodilator that relaxes blood vessels and improves local circulation. This process not only enhances oxygen delivery to tissues but also aids in skin hydration and faster healing through collagen stimulation.

Topical L-arginine works in erectile dysfunction (ED) by being absorbed directly into the penile skin, where it acts as a precursor to synthesise nitric oxide (NO). This increased NO relaxes the smooth muscles and widens blood vessels in the penis, enhancing blood flow and improving erection firmness.
Heart failure (HF) is a complex and chronic clinical condition in which the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently to meet the bodys needs. It is not a single disease but a syndrome that develops due to underlying cardiovascular conditions such as coronary artery disease, hypertension, or cardiomyopathy.

Globally, heart failure affects an estimated 26 million people, with its burden rising steadily, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). In India, the scale of the problem is equally concerning. Heart failure accounts for nearly 1.8 million hospitalisations every year and places immense pressure on an already stretched healthcare system. The disease often requires long-term management, repeated hospital admissions, and continuous medication, making it not just a medical challenge but also a significant economic burden for patients and their families.

A new multicentre study published in the journal Global Heart by researchers from the Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute of Medical Sciences and Technology in Thiruvananthapuram sheds light on this financial strain. The findings reveal a stark reality: managing heart failure in India largely depends on out-of-pocket spending, with only about one in three patients having any form of health insurance.

What the study found

For your daily dose of medical news and updates, visit: HEALTH

The study was conducted across 21 hospitals in different regions of India to capture a diverse and representative sample. Researchers recruited 1,859 heart failure patients and collected detailed clinical and economic data using structured questionnaires.

As noted in the study, We recruited HF patients from 21 hospitals across India, selected to reflect regional diversity and varying stages of epidemiological transition. The average age of participants was 55.9 years, which is notably younger than patients in Western or Chinese registries, highlighting how the disease affects Indians during their most productive years.

One of the most striking findings was the low level of insurance coverage. Only 32.2% of participants reported having any form of health insurance, leaving nearly seven out of ten patients financially unprotected.

The financial burden on patients was substantial. The study found that the average annual out-of-pocket (OOP) expenditure was Rs 1,06,566, accounting for 92.6% of total health spending. This means that the vast majority of treatment costs are borne directly by patients and their families.

The economic impact extended beyond medical bills. About one-third of individuals (32.3%) and households (36.2%) reported a decline in monthly income following a heart failure diagnosis. This drop in income is often due to patients being unable to work or caregivers having to reduce their working hours.

The study also highlighted the prevalence of catastrophic health spending (CHS) and distress financing (DF). Catastrophic health spending refers to healthcare costs that consume a large portion of a households income, while distress financing includes borrowing money, selling assets, or taking loans to pay for treatment.

According to the findings, Catastrophic health spending (CHS) and distress financing (DF) were observed in 37.7% and 17.7% of the households, respectively. In simpler terms, nearly two out of five households faced severe financial strain due to heart failure.

Insurance coverage, although limited, did offer some protection. Among insured patients, CHS and DF were lower, 30.8% and 13.6%, respectively, compared to 40.3% and 18.9% among uninsured patients. However, the study points out that, most existing insurance schemes are largely limited to inpatient care, leaving outpatient visits and long-term medication costs uncovered.

The study also identified key predictors of financial hardship. Lower socioeconomic status, rural residence, lack of insurance, and the presence of multiple health conditions were all associated with higher financial burden. Patients from rural areas reported significantly greater economic stress compared to their urban counterparts.

Another important insight was the broader societal impact of the disease. Reduced income not only affects access to treatment but can also worsen health outcomes and overall quality of life. The study noted that similar patterns have been observed globally, where chronic diseases reduce labour force participation and increase economic vulnerability.

Addressing this financial burden, including CHS and DF, is essential for improving clinical outcomes and ensuring health equity, the study concluded.

What are the limitations?

One key strength of the study was its large and diverse sample. As the authors noted, We embedded this study within the National HF Registry (NHFR), one of the largest HF registries in India, with robust representation from all geographic regions. The use of a standardised methodology across multiple centres enhanced the reliability and comparability of the data.

However, the study also faced challenges related to representativeness. It did not include individuals who were unable to seek medical care due to financial constraints or those too ill to attend follow-up visits. This means that the actual economic burden may be even higher than reported.

Our findings may be influenced by the non-representativeness of the sample, as we did not account for individuals who forewent medical treatment entirely due to financial constraints, the researchers stated.

Another limitation was survival bias. The analysis included only those patients who returned for follow-up, potentially excluding more severe cases or those who did not survive. This could lead to an underestimation of both clinical severity and financial burden.

The study also relied on self-reported expenditure data, which introduces the possibility of recall bias. Patients may not accurately remember or report their healthcare expenses, especially over extended periods.

Estimates of OOP and CHS relied on self-reported expenditure data, which is susceptible to recall bias, the authors acknowledged.

From a methodological perspective, the lack of adjustment for clustering, such as differences between hospitals or regions, may have affected the precision of the estimates. Additionally, the study assessed expenditure only immediately after a hospital admission for heart failure.

As a result, it may not fully capture the long-term and cumulative financial burden associated with managing a chronic condition like heart failure.

Expenditure was assessed only immediately after a hospital admission for HF, this represents a limited assessment of financial burden and may not capture the cumulative, long-term economic burden experienced by patients and their families, the study noted.

Despite these limitations, the researchers emphasised that the findings provide valuable insights into the economic realities faced by heart failure patients in India and highlight critical gaps in financial protection mechanisms.

Why affordability remains a challenge: Expert insight

Dr Swarup Swaraj Pal, Chief CVTS Surgeon at Gleneagles Hospital, Mumbai, noted that heart failure occurs when the heart is unable to pump blood efficiently, often as a result of underlying conditions. First, you have to understand what heart failure is and what causes it, he said, adding that the disease is not a standalone illness but develops due to other cardiovascular problems.

According to Dr Pal, heart failure affects a significant number of people in India. He estimated that it affects at least 30 lakh people in the country, and pointed out that the mortality burden is substantial, with over three lakh deaths occurring every month.

He explained that one of the most common causes is ischemic cardiomyopathy, which results from blockages in the heart following a heart attack. In many cases, especially among diabetic patients, the disease progresses silently. They dont feel pain, so by the time they come to a doctor, the heart function is often down to 1520%, he said. In comparison, normal heart function ranges between 60% and 80%.

Patients typically present late, often with symptoms such as breathlessness and reduced physical capacity. Diagnosis is usually confirmed through investigations like a 2D echocardiogram. Dr Pal added that apart from ischemic heart disease, other causes include cardiomyopathy and complications arising in cancer patients.

A key challenge, he emphasised, is delayed presentation. Most patients come to us very late, he said. By that stage, they often require hospital admission, intensive treatment, and expensive medications. Recurrent hospitalisations further add to the financial burden.

Highlighting the cost of advanced care, Dr Pal pointed out that treatment options escalate significantly in severe cases. If medicines dont work, then we have to move to transplant pathways, he said. He noted that heart transplants can cost between Rs 2530 lakh, while artificial heart devices may cost up to Rs 1.3 crore.

Such high costs, he explained, are one of the reasons insurance companies are reluctant to provide comprehensive coverage. Insurance providers see this as a high-risk, high-cost condition, so they are hesitant to cover it fully, he said.

Dr Pal also addressed why insurance coverage remains low among heart failure patients. One major reason, he said, is lack of awareness. Most patients who develop heart failure were healthy a few years earlier, so they dont feel the need to take insurance, he explained.

Even when patients seek insurance after diagnosis, they face multiple barriers. Once you already have heart failure, getting insurance is difficult. Either the application is rejected or there is a waiting period of up to three years, he said, adding that premiums also rise significantlyfrom around Rs 20,000 annually to Rs 50,000Rs 70,000 for high-risk individuals.

He further pointed out that the nature of the disease itself discourages insurers. Heart failure requires repeated hospitalisations, sometimes even monthly, so companies anticipate recurring costs, he said.

Comparing India with other countries, Dr Pal noted that more comprehensive insurance systems can make a significant difference. In many countries, advanced treatments like artificial hearts and transplants are covered by insurance, he said.

He suggested that broader, mandatory insurance coverage could improve access to care in India. If we move towards a system where everyone has insurance coverage, it would work in favour of patients. Otherwise, managing heart failure will continue to be financially challenging, he added.

This story is done in collaboration with First Check, which is the health journalism vertical of DataLEADS
BJPs Nandigram candidate Suvendu Adhikari on Monday filed his nomination, in which he mentioned a list of 25 criminal cases that he has been named in.

These include the following accusations:

attempt to murder

criminal intimidation

deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings

rioting and promoting enmity between groups

video on hateful and casteist remarks

sexual harassment and other remarks that outrage modesty and are casteist

word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of women

assault or force used against a public servant to deter or prevent them from performing their lawful duties

defamation

violations of provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act

violations of provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act

However, Adhikari declared in his affidavit that he was not convicted in any of the cases. Most of the cases filed are in the districts pertaining to rural constituencies with fewer cases filed in the urban constituencies.

The Leader of Opposition (LoP) is also contesting from the urban constituency of Bhabanipur against West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.

Adhikari won from the Nandigram constituency against CM Banerjee in the 2021 Assembly elections by 1,956 votes.

Notably, he only had one case back in 2021, as compared to the 25 cases currently pending against him. Still, Adhikari is confident of his victorynot just in Nandigram, but also in Bhabanipur.

Like Nandigram, Mamata is losing in Bhabanipur, said Adhikari in a public rally after filing his nomination. Adhikari also believes the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) will benefit the BJP in Bhabanipur.

Bhabanipur is BJPs. By stealing votes, unknown outsiders and fake voters, Mamata has won, which after SIR won't be possible. Modiji and Nitin Nabin made me contest from there to stop the hooliganism. Till 23rd I will be in Nandigram, after 24th I will be in Bhabanipur. After stopping Mamatas win on 29th, sealing the strongroom, I will leave. We will see on May 4th, the LOP added.

In his nomination affidavit, Adhikari also mentions his profession as a politician and businessman, with his sources of income listed as his MLA salary, MP pension, and his businesswith his total annual income as declared in the Income Tax returns is Rs 17,38,500.

Adhikari has been a Lok Sabha MP in 2009 and 2014 and has also held the transport and irrigation portfolios as a part of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) government.

As per his last nomination papers filed from Nandigram in 2021, Adhikari's net worth exceeded Rs 1 crore, while his assets currently amount to Rs 83,20,702.
Eight women were killed, and over a dozen more were injured in a crowd crush at a temple in Bihars Nalanda on Tuesday.

The crowd surge took place at the Sheetla Mata Temple under the Dipnagar Police station.

A large number of devotees had gathered on Tuesday morning to offer prayers as it was the last Tuesday of the Chaitra month.

Nalanda, Bihar: A stampede broke out during prayers at Madhda Sheetla Temple, leaving several dead and injuring others. The incident occurred in the Deepnagar police station area



(Visuals from the spot) pic.twitter.com/HaPl6J26XK  IANS (@ians_india) March 31, 2026

Eyewitnesses say chaos broke out among the crowd, which triggered a stampede. As people tried to escape, several women were crushed in the crowd, and some died.

The injured have been taken to Sadar Hospital for treatment. The temple premises have been cleared after the stampede, and police personnel were deployed.

Locals alleged that there was not enough police presence and security arrangements to control the large crowd at the temple.

Two of the deceased are Rita Devi (50), a resident of Bihar and Rekha Devi (45), a resident of Mathurapur Noorsarai.

The temple is located 5 kilometres away from Bihar Sharif or Nalanda.

Mamata Devi, a devotee, said, "It is always crowded here on Tuesday. People come for Sheetla Mata's darshan. We too have come from Patna for darshan. But a stampede broke out, and people died. It happened due to mismanagement. An ambulance has reached here. It is so crowded here. Administration is not here, The Hindustan Times reported

Bihar home minister Samraat Choudhary said that the tragic incident of a stampede at the Mata Sheeta temple in Nalanda is extremely painful. "I express my condolences to the families of all the devotees who lost their lives and were injured in this accident. All possible support and relief are being provided by the government to the affected families. Proper treatment of the injured has been arranged," the deputy CM said.
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has written to Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) Gyanesh Kumar once again, this time regarding the inclusion of new voters using Form 6 amidst the deletion of names and adjudication cases in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process.

BJP agents have been caught red-handed flooding the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer(CEO), West Bengal, with thousands of fraudulent Form 6 applications to smuggle non-residents and outsiders into Bengals electoral rolls. This is an attempt at voter hijacking, the same dirty game, the BJP successfully played in Maharashtra and Delhi, Banerjee wrote on social media.

In her letter to the Election Commission, the Trinamool Congress supremo alleged that the actions of the poll body were undermining the democratic and fundamental rights of the people.

This is not the standard expected of a constitutional authority. The people have a right to transparency and to the protection of their voting rights," she said.

The chief minister mentioned the Supreme Court order of February 20, directing judicial officers to clear cases of logical discrepancies under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR), as 60 lakh cases are under adjudication, and proceedings for these cases are still ongoing.

When such adjudication is in progress, the CEO has reportedly received nearly 30,000 applications under Form 6 for inclusion in the voter list. We reasonably apprehend that all these applications under Form 6 would be allowed by the Election Commission without giving appropriate notice in the concerned booths and to the political parties, Banerjee stated as she called the move illegal and beyond the scope of the SC.

Therefore, we request you not to entertain any such applications for inclusion after the publication of the Electoral Roll on 28.02.2026, she said.

On Monday, Banerjee's nephew and TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee met CEO Manoj Agarwal over the same issue. The questions that we raised had no convincing answers. He avoided the demands repeatedly. The CEO cannot individually submit Form 6s, said Abhishek.

The Diamond Harbour MP further challenged the EC to make public the names of those who have submitted Form 6s and release CCTV footage.
Students perform a recital of Minnan dialect nursery rhyme at Malacca Chinese High School in Malacca, Malaysia, March 30, 2026.(Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Stepping into the Malaysia-China Wangkang Museum in Malacca, Malaysia, visitors are greeted by a towering replica of a "Wangkang" dating back to around 1919. With its intricate patterns, lofty sails, and fluttering banners, the vessel shows vivid cultural vitality.

Wangkang, also known as "Wangchuan" in China, embodies the harmony between man and the ocean and bears witness to the intercultural dialogue among communities.

SHARED HERITAGE ACROSS THE SEAS

The Wangchuan ceremony, a folk practice widely observed in China's Minnan region and coastal areas of Malaysia, is performed to dispel misfortune and pray for peace. It carries centuries of collective memory among local communities, while serving as a cultural link connecting the two countries.

Dating back to between the 15th and 17th centuries, the practice spread from China's Minnan region to Southeast Asia alongside waves of migration and maritime trade. In 2020, the "Wangchuan ceremony, rituals and related practices for maintaining the sustainable connection between man and the ocean," jointly submitted by Malaysia and China, was inscribed on UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, highlighting its global cultural significance.

Officially opened on March 29, the museum presents the development of the Wangchuan tradition in both countries through artifacts, images, and documentary materials. It also displays models of Wangchuan boats and valuable historical records donated by Chinese contributors.

"The Wangchuan ritual represents the nostalgia of Minnan people, a shared cultural memory of the peoples of Malaysia and China, and a vivid example of cultural exchange along the Maritime Silk Road," said Gan Tian Loo, chairman of the Jonker Walk Working Committee in Malacca.

CULTURAL DIALOGUE THROUGH ART

Building on this shared cultural heritage, the 2026 Malacca Minnan Cultural Week was held in Malacca from March 28 to 30, jointly organized by the Xiamen Minnan Culture Research Association, the Xiamen Artists Association, the Jonker Walk Working Committee in Malacca, and the Peranakan Baba Nyonya Association Malaysia.

The event featured a wide range of activities, including artistic creation, heritage preservation, and academic exchange. Among the highlights was the China-Malaysia Inheritance and Transcendence Wangkang Art Exhibition, showcasing works by artists from both countries inspired by the Wangchuan tradition. Previously exhibited in Xiamen, the exhibition's arrival in Malacca offered local audiences a closer look at the artistic charm of this intangible cultural heritage element.

"This exhibition's journey from Xiamen to Malacca is not only an artistic voyage, but also a cultural dialogue," said Zhang Baodong, a retired professor at Jimei University. "Through exchanges with local artists, both sides have deepened mutual understanding."

Zhang added that he hopes this shared cultural heritage will continue to thrive through interaction and resonance, and be passed down from generation to generation.

CONNECTING NEW GENERATIONS

On March 30, the Melaka Minnan Cultures Training Center was officially inaugurated at Malacca Chinese High School, where students also presented a Peranakan dance and a Minnan dialect poetry recital.

Gan noted that the center aims to help younger generations better understand the Minnan history and culture. "The key to cultural inheritance lies in the younger generation. What we pass on is not only dialects, opera, and customs, but also the spirit of perseverance and determination," he said.

He added that the establishment of the Melaka Minnan Cultures Training Center aims to create a platform for exchange and inheritance, bringing together the Minnan language and sentiments, and fostering deeper mutual understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

For his part, Ye Xizhi, president of Xiamen Minnan Culture Research Association, said that over the years, the seeds of cooperation planted by both sides have taken root and flourished.

Ashlyn Lee Yee Jing, a student performer from Malacca Chinese High School, said learning the Minnan dialect has deepened her cultural connection. "It is not just a language, but a culture closely tied to me. I hope to master it and help pass it on," she said. 

A man takes photos while visiting the Malaysia-China Wangkang Museum in Malacca, Malaysia, March 28, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

This photo taken on March 29, 2026 shows the Malaysia-China Wangkang Museum in Malacca, Malaysia. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)

Visitors view a replica of a "Wangkang" dating back to around 1919 at the Malaysia-China Wangkang Museum in Malacca, Malaysia, March 29, 2026. (Xinhua/Chen Zeguo)
Mumbais famously relentless lunch box delivery network has come to a rare halt but not for the reasons many might assume. Nearly 5,000 dabbawalas, who collectively ferry around 80,000 tiffin boxes across the city each day with near-mythical precision, are on a six-day break from March 30 to April 4.

The timing has coincided with an ongoing LPG crisis, sparking speculation about disruptions in the food supply chain. But the Mumbai Tiffin Box Suppliers Association has made it clear that the pause has nothing to do with gas shortages. Instead, it is tradition.

Every year, during the Chaitra month, dabbawalas return to their native villages in Pune district, which includes places such as Mulshi, Maval, Rajgurunagar, Ambegaon, Junnar, Akole, and Sangamner to take part in jatra, an annual village festival dedicated to local deities. For many, this pilgrimage is non-negotiable, a deeply rooted cultural and spiritual commitment that pre-dates the modern logistics marvel they are celebrated for.

This is a long-standing practice. Every year, we take leave to attend the jatra in our villages, Ramdas Baban Karvande, president of the association, told THE WEEK. The entire network, from workers and mukadams (supervisors), shuts down in unison, underscoring the collective nature of the organisation.

What makes this pause particularly seamless, however, is its timing. The six-day break strategically overlaps with multiple public holidays, including Mahavir Jayanti, Hanuman Jayanti, and Good Friday. As Karvande pointed out, this effectively reduces the disruption to just four additional working days. Regular customersoffice-goers who depend on the service for home-cooked meals are well aware of this annual calendar and plan accordingly.

For a city that runs on clockwork efficiency, the dabbawalas temporary absence is less a disruption and more a reminder of the human rhythms behind Mumbais most iconic service. Their system, often studied by global management schools for its Six Sigma-level accuracy, is built not just on logistics but on trust, discipline, and community ties.

That community, it turns out, extends far beyond Mumbais suburban train lines.

Many dabbawalas hail from agrarian families in Maharashtra, and their annual return is as much about reconnecting with their roots as it is about fulfilling religious duties. In an increasingly urbanised and fast-paced world, this pause reflects a rare continuity of tradition where even one of the worlds most efficient supply chains makes space for faith.

Services are set to resume on April 6, when the white Gandhi caps and colour-coded crates will once again flood Mumbais local trains and streets, restoring a system that has become synonymous with the citys daily grind.

Until then, Mumbai waits patiently for its lunch boxes to return.
As election fervour peaks in the states heading to the polls in April, there is solid excitement in the air. Who will win, who will lose, who will bicker, and who will celebrate: it is still too early to say, especially as a significant section of voters may only make up their minds closer to polling day.

Yet, beyond conventional political analysis, there is also curiosity around what astrology has to say about the fate of prominent leaders and sitting chief ministers. Will Himanta Biswa Sarma return to power in Assam, as is being projected? Will Mamata Banerjee once again sit comfortably in the chief ministers chair in Kolkata? Is the road ahead as smooth for M.K. Stalin in Tamil Nadu, as it appears? And, in Kerala, will Pinarayi Vijayan secure a third term, or could this mark the end of the only Communist government in the country?

Vijayan was born on May 24, 1945, Mamata was born on January 5, 1955, Stalin was born on March 1, 1953 and Sarma was born on February 1, 1969.

THE WEEK spoke to some well-known astrologers across the country to understand what the stars may hold for these key politicians.

Mamata is going to create historyshe will become the chief minister of West Bengal for the fourth time. Even this time, the BJP will not be able to secure a victory in West Bengal, said Delhi-based astrologer Manish Aggarwal. In Assam, he predicted a BJP victory, with Sarma continuing as chief minister.

His biggest surprise, however, was Kerala. The BJP will wave the flag of victory in Kerala, and the state will get a new chief minister, he said. On Tamil Nadu, Aggarwal added: The AIADMK-BJP alliance will face defeat. The DMK will win, but a new chief minister will be announced.

Astrologer Vikkramm Chandirramani offered a different view on Kerala. Astrologically, the UDF will win the elections, and Shashi Tharoor will emerge as a central force behind the campaign. Though Tharoor is not contesting, his stature and influence will rise significantly in the post-election power structure, he said.

On Tamil Nadu, Chandirramani believes actor Vijay is being underestimated. He will be the next chief minister, leading a coalition government. Expect major announcements from Vijay by the end of this month. He is likely to have a long and successful political innings, he said.

In Assam, Chandirramani said, Sarma will secure a second term as chief minister.

Astrologer Chitrabhanu K. Poduval pointed to challenges for Mamata. Presently there is a certain dosha in her chart. It will not be easy for her. There could be significant violence, and I see the BJP coming to power in the state, he said. In Assam, he predicted a historic victory for the BJP.

On Tamil Nadu, Poduval said Stalin may fall short of the numbers needed to form the government. The NDA will come to power with the support of a third force, he said. Regarding Kerala, he said, This is not a favourable time for Vijayan. The situation favours the Congress-led UDF. The BJP will significantly improve its position and could win a dozen or more seats.

However, astrologer K.S. Unnikrishnan Panicker disagreed. I see a 95 per cent chance of Pinarayi Vijayan returning to power in Kerala, and a 99 per cent chance for Stalin to return in Tamil Nadu, he said. He also predicted the BJPs best-ever performance in Kerala, estimating 5-6 seats for the party.

Elections to Assam, Kerala and Puducherry will be held in a single phase on April 9, while West Bengal and Tamil Nadu will go to the polls on April 23. West Bengal, though, will have a two-phase election, with the second phase scheduled for April 29. Results will be out on May 4.

Many of the predictions made by well-known astrologers whom THE WEEK had consulted over the years for its articles on election outcomes and the political futures of prime ministers and prominent chief ministers have, in hindsight, appeared to hold true.

In 2017, three astrologers told THE WEEK that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would remain in power until 2029. At the time, the claim surprised many; yet, it seemed prescient when Modi secured a third term as prime minister in 2024.

On other occasions, astrologers featured had suggested that Rahul Gandhi was unlikely to become prime minister anytime soona view reflected in a 2018 report.

The only instance where these predictions missed the mark entirely was in March 2020, on the eve of the Covid-19 outbreak. In that report, barring one exception, most astrologers had predicted that the coronavirus would be eradicated within months. As the world would soon discover, that was far from reality. The pandemic went on to disrupt lives globally for nearly 2-2.5 years.
As tension escalates in the Middle East, the US has reportedly summoned over a dozen A-10C Warthog attack jets to join its operations against the Middle East. Available flight tracking data shows over 20 A-10Cs gathered at Portsmouth International Airport at Pease, New Hampshire, a standard jump-off point for a flight across to RAF Lakenheath in England.

Along with the fleet, three KC-135 Stratotankers are already airborne from RAF Mildenhall, according to The War Zone.

The A-10s have earlier been used in the US campaign against Iranian-backed militias in Iraq. However, this time it is expected that the A-10s will aid the US military in invading Kharg Island or unblock the Strait of Hormuz. They could also provide valuable air support if the US resorts to commando raids deeper into Iran.

Called the flying tanks, the A-10 can carry a massive arsenal of land and air attack weapons and is known for its ability to maneuver and fly slowly at lower altitudes, firing its cannon at enemy ground troops.

Besides the A-10 Warthogs, open source flight trackers say that two U.S. Air Force EA-37B Compass Call electronic warfare jets are on their way to the UK, before heading to the Middle East. This is the first operational deployment of these aircraft. They can provide critical stand-off jamming support, including against enemy radars and communications systems. They also aid in surveillance, reconnaissance and can spot, track and geolocate various types of emitters.

Meanwhile, an image shared by CENTCOM showed amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli (LHA-7) cruising through Indian Ocean toward the Middle East. The ship carries over 2,500 Marines. Though it is unclear what missions the Marines will perform in the region, it is predicted that a ground invasion of Kharg Island is on the cards.

As per reports, the arrival of 2,500 Marines and another 2,500 sailors is keeping the number of American troops in the Mideast region at over 50,000.
Amid talks of Pakistan playing a mediator between the US and Iran in the conflict, China has summoned Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar to Beijing to discuss the situation and to strengthen their cooperation on Iran. The trip is considered extremely significant in Islamabad as Dar decided to take it up despite being given medical advice to rest following a hairline shoulder fracture he suffered on Monday.

A statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry says the two officials are set to discuss regional developments and bilateral matters. When asked further, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning stated on Tuesday that specific information about the visit will be released in due course, and the public can stay tuned for updates.

However, geopolitical experts view the move as Chinas entry as a potential guarantor in any future talks between Iran and the United States.

Washington-based scholar Vali Nasr told Karachi-based Dawn that Iran has sought guarantees in any potential agreement with the US. It hinted that Dar was travelling to China to explore Beijings role as a guarantor. The report also quoted Pakistan-China Institute (PCI) chairman Mushahid Hussain Syed, who claimed Chinas role at this stage was very important, adding that Iran required a strong guarantor for any ceasefire and that China could fulfil that role.

Earlier, there were reports that China was providing support to Egypt and its intelligence service to ensure the success of mediation efforts between the United States and the IRGC. According to experts, Beijing has issued instructions to Tehran to dial down the conflict, but is also wary that overt mediation could result in increased US pressure on Iran, and this could destabilise the balance of power that China seeks to maintain.

Pakistan had also hosted a summit of foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt on Sunday to discuss the Iran conflict.
US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said the coming days will be decisive in the ongoing war in Iran. However, he warned that if Tehran fails to reach a deal, the US will continue the war.

"We have more and more options, and they have less ... in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," Hegseth said.

The war secretary said Iran will cut a deal, if it is wise. "If Iran doesn't make a deal, war will continue with more intensity," he warned

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

Hegseth revealed that the United States is well aware of what China and Russia are doing to help Iran. "As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing. We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it or we're confronting it head on," he added.

He also claimed that the airstrikes have resulted in widespread desertions in the Iranian army and frustration among senior leaders, adding that the country's military's morale is damaged. "Past 24 hours saw lowest number of enemy missiles fired by Iran," he claimed.
President Donald Trump is actively exploring the possibility of asking Gulf nations to shoulder the immense financial burden of America's ongoing war with Iran, a conflict already expected to cost hundreds of billions of dollars. During a press briefing yesterday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that transferring the costs of the conflict to regional states is an idea Trump is keenly interested in pursuing. When asked whether the Gulf countries would step up to help foot the bill, Leavitt declined to get ahead of the president, but made clear that it is very much a concept he has in mind. The public could hear more from him on the matter as the administration weighs its financial options.

The proposal draws obvious parallels with the financial arrangements of the 19901991 Gulf War, when a broad coalition of nations banded together to repel Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. On that occasion, regional states and coalition membersincluding Germany and Japanraised $54 billion, equivalent to some $134 billion today, to help cover the cost of American military intervention. The present situation, however, is starkly different. Unlike the Gulf War, in which the United States led a coalition assembled with the formal consent of its allies, the current military campaign against Iran was launched unilaterally by Washington and Tel Aviv, without the prior involvement of regional partners.

That distinction matters enormously. Because the Gulf states were not party to the decision to go to war, the prospect of demanding that they now fund it represents a considerable political gamble. These nations had explicitly warned that a conflict of this kind would carry devastating consequences for the wider region and those warnings are now bearing out. Regional commentators have described it as a "big ask" to expect countries already suffering the economic and security fallout of a war they did not choose to suddenly underwrite its costs. Gulf states are currently absorbing direct threats and the full weight of regional instability, making any financial contribution politically fraught, however deep their sovereign wealth funds may be. Officials close to the discussions acknowledge that whilst this remains early-stage thinking rather than a formal proposal on the negotiating table, it has already generated considerable pushback. The prevailing sentiment across the region is straightforward: since the United States and Israel chose to act unilaterally, they ought to bear the financial consequences rather than passing the bill to countries that were simply caught in the crossfire.

Other voices aligned with the Trump administration have floated alternative means of financing the campaign. Conservative commentator Sean Hannity recently suggested that any ceasefire agreement should compel Iran to repay the United States in oil, covering the full cost of military operations. The proposition, however, appears largely fanciful. Tehran has actively countered this narrative by placing its own demand for American war reparations at the centre of its conditions for peace. Despite Iran's public dismissal of US peace proposals as unrealistic, Leavitt has maintained that private negotiations are continuing and making meaningful progress, arguing that what Iran says behind closed doors differs markedly from its public posture, and that the administration intends to rigorously test any private commitments Tehran makes.

Privately, while several Gulf allies were initially irked by the lack of advance notice before the US-Israeli strikes began, they have reportedly conveyed through private channels that they do not wish to see the military operation end prematurely. Many of them view the campaign as a historic opportunity to fundamentally weaken Iran's clerical leadership, and are pressing Washington to continue until there is either a dramatic change in Iranian behaviour or a significant transformation in its governance. They believe that halting the conflict now would fail to produce a settlement capable of guaranteeing long-term regional security. They want a durable agreement to comprehensively neutralise Iran's nuclear programme, dismantle its ballistic missile capabilities, sever its support for proxy forces across the region and secure permanent freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has publicly praised these allies for their resolve and alignment with American objectives.

The human and economic toll of the conflict continues to mount. More than 3,000 people have been killed across the Middle East since fighting began, including nearly 2,000 Iranians. The financial cost to the United States is escalating rapidly; the first twelve days of the war alone are estimated to have cost $16.5 billion, prompting the White House to seek at least $200 billion in additional military funding from Congress. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz  through which a fifth of the world's oil supply once flowed  has sparked a global energy crisis, pushing crude oil prices to $116 a barrel and petrol prices at American pumps to $4 a gallon, with ripple effects felt far beyond the region.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) allegedly helped a Mossad spy escape from detention in Lebanon by bombing a nearby building. The man, a Syrian-Palestinian national who also holds a Ukrainian citizenship, escaped the prison and sought refuge in the Ukrainian Embassy, according to reports.

The detail came to light after Lebanon asked Ukraines embassy in Beirut to hand over the man, who Hezbollah, the Iranian proxy group, believes worked with Israels Mossad spy agency, AFP quoted a senior security official and a Hezbollah source.

The alleged spy is accused of parking a motorbike on a road leading to Beirut airport, an area under the control of Hezbollah. The motorbike was planted with an explosive device disguised as a battery, the report said, adding that he was arrested by Hezbollah and imprisoned. Five other members of the group were also arrested along with him.

Two days later, the Ukrainian Embassy contacted the head of general security, Hassan Choukeir, requesting authorisation for its citizen who had lost his passport to leave through Beirut airport. However, on checking his name and photograph, Hezbollah realised that he was the same person who was wanted by the Lebanese. Choukeir told AFP that authorities told the embassy it was obliged to hand the man over, adding he was wanted for involvement in a cell belonging to Israels Mossad planning assassinations and bombings in Beiruts southern suburbs.

It was unclear whether the Ukrainian Embassy took a favourable step in this regard.
In a bid to assert greater control over the Strait of Hormuz amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, Iran's Parliament Security Committee approved a new management plan on Monday.

The plan, which includes measures to impose tolls on vessels passing through the vital waterway, was formally announced by a member of the National Security Commission, according to Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB).

The approved plan outlines several key components, including enhanced security arrangements for the Strait, ship safety protocols, environmental protection measures, and the implementation of a rial-based toll system.

It explicitly bans American and Israeli vessels from passing through the Strait, reinforces Iran's sovereign control over the region, and highlights cooperation with Oman in establishing a legal framework for the waterway. Additionally, the plan prohibits vessels from countries that participate in unilateral sanctions against Iran from transiting the Strait.

The Strait of Hormuz, one of the worlds most crucial maritime chokepoints, has become a central point of contention in the ongoing conflict. Iran has effectively blocked passage through the Strait, disrupting global shipping, and causing a spike in oil prices.

Earlier, the US announced that its military forces would escort oil tankers through the waterway, but vessel movements continue to be heavily impacted.

In an interview with Fox News on Monday, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated that the United States plans to retake control of the Strait of Hormuz, ultimately ensuring freedom of navigation.

The market is well-supplied, and we are seeing more ships pass through daily as individual nations cut deals with the Iranian regime for the time being. Over time, the U.S. will regain control of the Strait, and freedom of navigation will be restoredwhether through U.S. escorts or a multinational effort," he said.

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump reiterated his threat to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil wells, and Kharg Island, if Tehran does not reopen the Strait to global shipping.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has threatened to target US companies in the Gulf region if more Iranian leaders are killed in "targeted assassinations."

Which are the 18 US companies in IRGC list?

Dell Technologies, Microsoft, Hewlett Packard or HP, Cisco, Intel, Oracle, Apple, Meta Platforms, IBM, JPMorgan Chase, Tesla, General Electric, and Boeing are in the list released by IRGC.

"These companies should expect the destruction of their respective units in exchange for each terror act in Iran, starting from 8 pm Tehran time on Wednesday, April 1," the IRGC statement said. "We advise the employees of these institutions to immediately leave their workplaces to preserve their lives."

The IRGC stated that the key element in designing and implementing assassinations are American and ICT and AI companies and hence these companies will be considered as legitimate targets from now on.

For latest news and analyses on Middle East, visit: Yello! Middle East

This comes after US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth warned that the US will continue the war with more intensity if Iran fails to reach a deal.

"We have more and more options, and they have less ... in only one month we set the terms, the upcoming days will be decisive. Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it," he said.

Hegseth revealed that the United States is well aware of what China and Russia are doing to help Iran. "As far as Russia and China, we know exactly what they're doing, what they are or are not doing. We don't have to air publicly what all of that is, but where necessary, we're addressing it, we're mitigating it or we're confronting it head on," he added.
Amid the widenting conflict in the Middle East, a media report on Monday claimed that a broker for US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth attempted to make huge investments in major defence companies in the weeks leading up to the US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran.

The Pentagon quickly dismissed the report as entirely false and fabricated.

According to the Financial Times, Hegseth's broker at Morgan Stanley reached out to BlackRock in Februarydays before the war beganabout making a multimillion-dollar investment in the asset managers defence-focused exchange-traded fund (ETF).

The deal reportedly fell through, as the fund, which launched in May last year, was not yet available for Morgan Stanley clients to purchase, the FT report said, citing sources familiar with the matter.

BlackRocks $3.2 billion equity fund focuses on companies expected to benefit from increased government spending on defence and security amid rising geopolitical tensions. Its top holdings include defence giants RTX, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, and data analytics firm Palantircompanies with close ties to the US Department of Defence.

The FT report did not confirm whether Hegseth was aware of the brokers actions. However, Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell rejected the report, stating that neither Secretary Hegseth nor his representatives had approached BlackRock for such an investment.

The report comes amid growing scrutiny of trades in financial and prediction markets ahead of major policy decisions by US President Donald Trump. As Secretary of Defence, Hegseth has consistently promoted Americas military capabilities, particularly following its military action against Iran.

The joint US-Israeli airstrike on Iran, which began on February 28, resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian officials, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and caused significant damage to Tehrans military infrastructure.

In retaliation, Iran targeted neighboring Gulf countries hosting US military bases, igniting a broader conflict in the region. Tehran also disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global oil chokepoint, causing turmoil in global markets and driving a sharp spike in oil prices.
MADRID, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albares has "unequivocally" condemned the killing of three Indonesian peacekeepers serving with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), expressing outrage at the attacks and demanded an investigation in an interview with Radio Euskadi on Tuesday.

The three Indonesian troops, who were part of a Spanish-led UNIFIL contingent, were killed in two separate incidents in southern Lebanon earlier this week following explosions caused by projectiles of unknown origin. The incidents occurred in an area where Israeli forces are operating.

Spain is one of the troop-contributing countries to UNIFIL, with around 600 to 700 personnel deployed in Lebanon, and leads UNIFIL's eastern sector.

"We are talking about peacekeeping forces under the United Nations flag, who must be free from any kind of attack. We are talking about the deaths of Indonesian soldiers who were under Spanish command," the minister said, insisting that UN peacekeeping forces "must be respected."

"They are completely inviolable, and of course, we demand an investigation, that the circumstances be clarified, and that all those responsible be held accountable," he added.

"These United Nations forces, which include the largest contingent of Spanish military personnel deployed abroad, are there precisely to help bring about peace, the development of Lebanon, and coexistence between Lebanese and Israelis," Albares said.

"That is also what is being attacked, and we condemn it and demand that the facts be clarified," he added.

Albares also criticized the ongoing Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which he said have caused significant casualties and displacement.

"We are talking about a sovereign state with a government that was committed to the future of Lebanon, and that entire future of a peaceful Lebanon has been completely destroyed," he said. 
The brother of Masood Azhar, the founder and leader of the Jaish-e-Mohammad, has reportedly died under mysterious circumstances, Telegram channels that support the group claimed on Monday.

The cause of Hakim Mohammad Tahir Anwars death is not known. A funeral was reportedly held at 11 pm at the Jamia Usman-o-Ali in Bahawalpur.

Tahir Anwar had reportedly played a key role in the Jaish-e-Mohammads terrorist activities. He was one of the five brothers of Masood Azhar. While Tahir Anwar led armed cadres in the ground, another brother, Ibrahim Azhar, managed operations in Afghanistan.

Reports also say that the site where Anwar died was at the Jaishs womens wing, Jamaat-un-Mominat, which was founded on October 25, 2025, following Operation Sindoor.

A message about Anwars death is also going viral on Pakistani social media. One message read Hakeem Mohammad Tahir Anwar, the elder brother of Maulana Masood Azhar, has passed away by the will of Allah."

Security agencies are currently on alert regarding the incident.

Masood had claimed that about 10 members of his family were killed during Indias targeted airstrikes under Operation Sindoor after the Pahalgam terror attack. The Jaish issued a message saying that Masood Azhars family and four close associates were killed in the operation. His elder sister, brother-in-law, his nephews wife, niece and five children were also killed.

Masood is also listed as an international terrorist by the UN Security Council. He has reportedly been behind multiple terror attacks in India, including the 2001 Parliament attack and the 2008 Mumbai attack.
Chinas flag carrier resumed direct flights between Beijing and North Koreas capital of Pyongyang on Monday not long after the restoration of passenger train services between the capitals.

The Air China flight was welcomed by the Chinese ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, and other diplomats, according to Chinese state media.

Passenger train service from China to North Korea had resumed March 12.

Flights and passenger trains to North Korea had been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

North Korean carrier Air Koryo resumed flights between the capitals in 2023.

North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic but has started easing the restrictions, with a Russian tour group entering the country in 2024.

Chinese tour groups had made up 90% of all visitors to North Korea prior to the ban, and the delay on resuming Chinese tours surprised observers.

China is Pyongyangs biggest trading partner and major ally, but Beijing has expressed disapproval over the years at North Koreas test-launches of missiles that could be used to target South Korea and the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing in September to attend a massive military parade, marking the first time a North Korean leader had been present at a Chinese military parade in decades.

(AP)
Cuba prepared on Monday to receive a sanctioned Russian tanker carrying roughly 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the islands first such delivery this year.

It comes a day after U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters he had no problem with a Russian oil tanker delivering relief to the island, which has been brought to its knees by a U.S. oil blockade.

The exact location of the Russian-flagged Anatoly Kolodkin remained a subject of conflicting reports Monday morning. While the Russian Transport Ministry and the state-run news portal Cubadebate stated the vessel had already arrived, ship-tracking data showed it was still navigating Cuban waters with an estimated docking time of Tuesday.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said Monday that Russia had previously discussed its oil shipment to Cuba with the United States. Russia onsiders it its duty not to stand aside, but to provide the necessary assistance to our Cuban friends, he told reporters.

Its final destination is the port of Matanzas, a strategic hub for an island that produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on such imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cubas daily demand for nine or 10 days.

Trump, whose government has come at its Caribbean adversary more aggressively than any U.S. government in recent history, has effectively cut Cuba off from key oil shipments in an effort to force regime change. The blockade has had devastating effects on the civilians Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio say they want to help, leaving many desperate.

Islandwide blackouts have roiled Cubans already grappling with years of crisis, and a lack of gasoline and basic resources has crippled hospitals and slashed public transport.

Cuba has long been at the heart of a geopolitical tug-of-war between the U.S. and Russia, dating back decades. Trump on Sunday dismissed the idea that allowing the boat to reach Cuba would help Russian President Vladimir Putin.

It doesnt help him. He loses one boatload of oil, thats all it is. If he wants to do that, and if other countries want to do it, it doesnt bother me much, Trump said on Sunday. Its not going to have an impact. Cubas finished. They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, its not going to matter.

The U.S., the European Union and the United Kingdom sanctioned multiple vessels, including the Anatoly Kolodkin, used to carry Russian oil following the war in Ukraine.

(AP)
Air Canada announced Monday its CEO will retire later this year, after Michael Rousseau was criticized for his English-only message of condolence following this months deadly crash in New York.

Canadas largest airline, based in French-speaking Quebec, said Rousseau told the board he will leave by the end of the third quarter.

Canada is an officially bilingual nation, and Prime Minister Mark Carney had said the English-only message showed a lack of compassion and judgment. Quebecs premier and others called on the airline executive to resign.

Antoine Forest, one of the two pilots killed in the crash at LaGuardia Airport, was a French-speaking Quebecer. Forest and Mackenzie Gunther died when the Air Canada Jazz flight from Montreal collided with a fire truck on the runway shortly after landing.

Canadas largest airline is headquartered in Montreal. Rousseau previously had been criticized for not speaking French. He delivered his condolence video message in English, with French subtitles. The Office of the Commissioner of Official Languages has received hundreds of complaints about it.

Steven MacKinnon, Canadas transport minister, thanked Rousseau in a social media post and said the government will continue to work closely with Air Canada to ensure it provides safe, reliable, affordable, and bilingual service to all Canadians.

Quebec Premier Francois Legault noted that when Rousseau was appointed president of the airline in February 2021, he promised to learn French.

Quebecs identity has been contentious since the 1760s, when the British completed their takeover of what was then called New France. Quebec is about 80% French-speaking.

(AP)
After weeks of chaos in U.S. airports, the Transportation Safety Administration said Monday that most of its officers received much of their backpay Monday for working during the shutdown.

Weary travelers hope the overdue paychecks will lead to the end of the hours-long security lines travelers experienced at several major U.S. airports in recent weeks.

Wait times at some TSA security bottlenecks, such as the airport checkpoints in Atlanta and Houston, already had improved significantly Monday morning.

But how long it will take for long security lines to consistently return to normal  and how long federal immigration officers will maintain a visible presence in airport terminals  remains unknown as the busy spring break travel season continues.

Working without pay forced more than 500 officers to leave TSA and thousands were forced to call out, said Acting TSA Assistant Secretary Lauren Bis.

The DHS shutdown resulted in not only travel delays but also warnings of airport closures as TSA workers missing paychecks stopped going to work. Those workers were just recovering financially since last falls extended government shutdown.

Wait times still pushed beyond two hours at New Yorks LaGuardia Airport Monday morning. Baltimore-Washington International Airport had minimal wait-times Monday morning, but continued to advise travelers to arrive three hours before their scheduled departure.

President Donald Trump on Friday ordered the Department of Homeland Security to pay TSA officers immediately to ease the lines plaguing airports. The move came after Trump rejected bipartisan congressional efforts to fund the TSA while negotiations continue with Democrats, who have refused to approve more funding without restraints on Trumps immigration enforcement and mass deportation operations.

Democrats are demanding better identification for the officers, judicial warrants in some cases and for agents to refrain from conducting raids around schools, churches or other sensitive places. Republicans and the White House have been willing to negotiate on some points, but the sides have yet to reach a final agreement.

On Monday, there were few signs of progress on Capitol Hill, where the Senate held a short session without considering the House bill and resumed its two-week break. GOP Sen. John Hoeven of North Dakota said afterward that Senate Republicans are talking with Democrats and also the House as they try to find a way to funding DHS.

TSA employees had gone without pay since DHS funding lapsed in February. The departments shutdown reached 44 days on Sunday, eclipsing the record 43-day shutdown last fall that affected all of the federal government.

The DHS shutdown has resulted in not only travel delays but also warnings of airport closures as TSA workers missing paychecks stopped going to work. Those workers had already endured the nations longest government shutdown last fall. Multiple airports experienced greater than 40% callout rates, and nearly 500 of the agencys nearly 50,000 transportation security officers quit during the shutdown.

Trump deployed Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents to some airports a week ago to help with security as TSA callouts rose nationwide. How long they stay, White House border czar Tom Homan said, depends on how quickly TSA employees return to work. A TSA statement said the agency has immediately begun the process of paying its workforce, with paychecks arriving as early as Monday.

The overall absentee rate among TSA officers scheduled to work dipped slightly on Sunday, according to DHS. The highest were concentrated at major airports that have seen consistently elevated absences lately.

Those included BWI, both of Houstons main airports; Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orleans; Atlantas Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport; and John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York.

(AP)
Gunmen killed more than 70 people in South Sudan over a gold mining row on the outskirts of the capital over the weekend, police said Monday.

A video of dozens of bodies lying on the ground was shared online, and a local journalist said many other victims are believed to have fled to the bushes.

The gold mining site at Jebel Iraq in Central Equatoria State has in the past been the site of violent clashes involving illegal miners. Gold mining in South Sudan is largely unregulated, with state governments operating their own sectors independently of national authorities.

Police spokesperson Kwacijwok Dominic Amondoc said he would share more information about the attack once he gets more details. All I know is that unknown gunmen attacked Jebel Iraq at a gold mine. There are more than 70 dead and many more injured, he said.

The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement/Army  In Opposition, or SPLM/A-IO, condemned the attack on Monday and blamed government forces, known as the SSPDF.

Jebel Iraq lies within a zone that is entirely under the exclusive control of the SSPDF. Consequently, full responsibility for the massacre rests with the SSPDF forces that control the area, a statement from the opposition said.

The army spokesperson told The Associated Press he couldnt comment on the incident.

A local civil rights group, the Nile Institute for the Study of Human Rights and Transitional Justice, condemned the attack and called for effective governance and oversight in resource-rich areas.

This horrific act represents a grave violation of the fundamental right to life and highlights the continued vulnerability of civilians in areas affected by a weak security presence and unregulated resource exploitation, the group wrote in a statement.

Human rights activist Edmund Yakani urged the authorities to address the emerging trend of communities competing for natural resources.

My appeal is to the government to intervene and stop this culture of illegal gold mining across the country, he said.

(AP)
New York State lawmakers are seriously discussing raising the corporate tax rate to help bail out New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is facing a projected $5.4 billion deficit in the city budget, sources told the NY Post.

Theres a huge appetite to increase the corporate tax, said a source who recently met with both Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins. Its the most popular of the menu of taxes.

Democrats in the Assembly are described as very firm in demanding some form of tax increase, with lawmakers in both chambers poring over a list of proposals including hikes on millionaires, estates, and corporations. Corporate taxes have emerged as the leading option in closed-door conversations, sources said.

During last years mayoral campaign, Mamdani proposed raising the top corporate income tax rate from 7.25% to 11.5% for major corporations. A separate proposal would increase the citys corporate tax on financial sector firms from 9% to 10.8%, which Mamdanis team projected would generate $1.5 billion annually. The Assembly and Senate have advanced their own versions of similar increases.

The push is on a collision course with Governor Kathy Hochul, who has consistently opposed significant tax hikes as she seeks re-election and works to prevent wealthy residents and businesses from leaving the state. The governors position has not changed, said Hochul spokesperson Jen Goodman.

Business leaders warned the proposals would accelerate an already visible exodus. Apollo Global Management, a $900 billion asset manager, was reported Sunday to be planning a second U.S. headquarters in the Sunbelt amid the tax climate uncertainty.

We are forcing jobs to leave New York, said Steven Fulop, president of the Partnership for New York City. The governor is right to push back, and we hope she holds the line.

The state budget is due Wednesday, though Hochul and legislators remain far from agreement and talks are expected to drag on for weeks. The city budget, heavily dependent on Albany support, is not due until July 1. Lawmakers could also tap the states $14.6 billion rainy day fund to bridge differences if necessary.

In a sign of how delicate the negotiations have become, Mamdani himself skipped a Tax the Rich rally Sunday headlined by his democratic socialist mentor Sen. Bernie Sanders, apparently to avoid antagonizing Hochul ahead of critical budget talks.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
European foreign ministers visited Ukraine on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of atrocities committed in a town near Kyiv by Russias invading forces.

With U.S.-led efforts to end the war on hold and Washingtons attention gripped by the conflict in the Middle East, European governments are keen to keep a spotlight on the continents biggest land war in decades, now in its fifth year.

A group of 12 European foreign ministers, as well as numerous lower-ranking officials, arrived by train in Kyiv where they were welcomed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who noted the grim anniversary of the shocking atrocities in Bucha.

Russian troops quickly occupied the town after invading Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. They stayed for about a month. When Ukrainian troops retook Bucha they found more than 400 bodies left by Russias cleansing operation.

Such a strong European presence (in Ukraine) on this day demonstrates that justice for this and other Russian atrocities is inevitable, Sybiha said in a post on X. Comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes is vital to restore justice in Europe.

At the Church of Saint Andrew in Bucha, after viewing dozens of graphic photographs and a video display of the massacres with his EU counterparts, Polish Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski was grim.

Anybody who claims that (Russian President) Vladimir Putin is not a war criminal should come and see for themselves, Sikorski told The Associated Press.

Authorities say that many of the victims were gunned down in the street. Some had their hands tied behind their backs, and others showed signs of torture or rape.

The United Nations has documented more than 70 summary executions.

Revenge and retaliation

Part of Tuesdays meeting between the EU officials and their Ukrainian counterparts was to focus on reassuring Kyiv of continued European efforts to hold Russia to account for its invasion.

On the way to Kyiv, European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas underlined the importance of ensuring that those who gave the orders to kill in places like Bucha are held to account, as much as those who carried the atrocities out.

One of the things that is really necessary is accountability. Otherwise, you have revenge and retaliation, Kallas said. If you dont see people doing this to your family held accountable, you will want revenge.

The Iran war is currently a top priority for the United States and risks diverting resources that Kyiv needs, such as air defense systems, while providing Russia with windfall profits through high energy prices.

We cant let it (the Ukraine war) slip off the table, Kallas said. We are the ones who have to keep this up because nobody else does.

U.S.-mediated negotiations to end the war are going nowhere, and its unclear when they might resume after being put on ice while the Middle East conflict unfolds.

The talks are stalled, Kallas said.

Long-range drone attacks

The EU has faced its own challenges in helping Ukraine. The bloc failed to approve new sanctions on Russia last month after surprise objections from Hungary. Budapest has also blocked a 90 billion euro ($103 billion) loan to Ukraine as Kyiv runs low on cash. Ukraines application for EU membership, meanwhile, is expected to take years.

Russia, meanwhile, hopes to reap a windfall from a surge in oil prices and a U.S. temporary waiver on Russian oil sanctions designed to ease supply shortages. Russia is one of the worlds main oil exporters, and Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts.

In response, Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russian oil facilities, which have rattled Moscow.

Ukraines Defense Ministry said its forces carried out a series of strikes over the past week targeting Russias oil export infrastructure on the Baltic Sea, hitting key facilities in the Leningrad region used to ship crude and petroleum products.

Ukrainian drones struck oil loading infrastructure and storage tanks at the Transneft terminal in Primorsk on March 2223, starting fire, the ministry said. Further strikes on March 24 and again overnight into March 29 hit the Novatek Ust-Luga port complex, damaging storage facilities and loading docks and igniting large fires.

Alexander Drozdenko, the governor of the Leningrad region, confirmed that the port of Ust-Luga was again attacked by Ukrainian drones overnight, saying it caused unspecified damage to the port facilities.

(AP)
Democrats hopes of reclaiming the U.S. Senate are colliding with a fight within their own party.

In Maine, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer has thrown his weight behind Gov. Janet Mills in a crucial race, but some of his Senate colleagues are backing insurgent candidate Graham Platner in a rebuke of his strategic vision. A similar dynamic is playing out in other battlegrounds, including Michigan and Minnesota, where progressives senators are endorsing non-establishment candidates.

At stake is more than any single race. Democrats are fighting over whether the partys traditional playbook still works in a country that elected Donald Trump for a second time  and whether leaders like Schumer should remain in charge.

Clearly theres a disagreement of strategy here, said New Mexico Sen. Martin Heinrich, who has endorsed Platner.

He added that the business-as-usual calculation for what is going to be successful in a given election cycle does not necessarily, in my view, meet the moment.

The divide reflects a Democratic base frustrated after the last presidential election, when President Joe Biden ran for a second term despite widespread concerns about his age. He dropped out and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris, who lost to Trump.

Nan Whaley, a Democratic strategist in Ohio who ran for governor four years ago, said the debate is no longer about progressive or moderate.

Its really about, who do you trust? Establishment or not establishment, she said. And frankly, the establishment hasnt given us a lot to trust these past few years.

A rebuke of Schumer

In Maine, Schumer and the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee, or DSCC, have backed Mills, a 78-year-old moderate in her second term.

Platner, a veteran and oyster farmer, quickly won the backing of Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., just days after launching his campaign. His bid has since gained momentum despite scrutiny over past controversial comments and a tattoo resembling a Nazi symbol.

In recent weeks, Heinrich, Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego and Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren have endorsed Platner as he builds support on Capitol Hill. Heinrich and Rhode Island Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse held a fundraiser for him, too.

Gallego, a first-term senator who won a battleground race in 2024, downplayed the endorsements as a broader critique of party leadership.

Senate leadership didnt back me at the beginning. So I didnt take that as a critique, Gallego said.

Michigan also has a contentious primary, with three high-profile candidates. State Sen. Mallory McMorrow has said she would not support Schumer as the caucus leader if Democrats regain the majority, and shes been endorsed by four senators.

Abdul El-Sayed, running further to the left, has been endorsed by Sanders and has also run on an anti-establishment platform.

U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens has aligned with establishment figures, working with a former DSCC executive director and securing support from two senators.

Democratic strategist Lis Smith said the endorsements in races like Maine and Michigan are as much as a rebuke of Schumer as it is an endorsement of these candidates.

Its pretty uncommon for sitting senators to endorse against the Senate leader, Smith said. Senators are reading the tea leaves and are getting feedback from the grassroots that they are dissatisfied with Schumers performance as leader.

In Minnesota, an open-seat race has similarly emerged as a test of the partys direction. Rep. Angie Craig is seen as the centrist candidate in the primary, with endorsements from House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Rep. Nancy Pelosi. Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, the more progressive candidate, has been backed by Sanders, Warren and others, including Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, who is vacating the seat.

She understands that right now what we need are fierce fighters, people who are willing to stand up to the status quo, Smith said in her endorsement.

The election may impact Schumers time as leader

Some tensions trace to March 2025, when Schumer voted with Republicans to end a government shutdown, drawing backlash from Democrats who argued he did not push hard enough against Trumps agenda.

Later that year, Democrats held firm in a record-long shutdown fight, helping regain some ground with activists and progressives. But divisions resurfaced when a group of moderates ultimately sided with Republicans, fueling renewed frustration with party leadership even as Schumer opposed the move.

Since he became Senate leader in 2017, Schumers record in elections has been mixed. He led Democrats back to the majority in 2020 and expanded it in 2022 but lost ground in both 2018 and 2024.

Leader Schumers North Star is taking back the Senate and is pursuing a path to do just that, said Allison Biasotti, a spokesperson for Schumer.

Hes recruited high-profile candidates this year in tough Senate races, such as Alaska, Ohio and North Carolina. Maeve Coyle, communications director for the DSCC, said Schumer created a path to win a Democratic Senate majority this cycle with the recruitment.

Senate Democrats overperformed in the last four election cycles and in 2026, we will win seats and flip the majority, she added.

David Axelrod, who served as a top strategist for President Barack Obama, said that being Senate leader is never easy, and that Schumer has been under fire for some time, particularly from progressives in the party.

Schumers time as leader, Axelrod added, is likely directly linked to the outcome of the 2026 midterms.

Theres questions as to whether hell run in 2028. Theres even questions as to whether he might be challenged as leader, he said. I think the results of this election may impact that.

For now, Schumers caucus is tentatively standing behind him. None have explicitly called for him to step aside. But discontent has lingered, with some openly questioning whether the party needs a new direction.

How people did politics in the 1990s is going to feel different than in the 2020s, said Heinrich.

(AP)
President Donald Trump is threatening to deploy ground troops to seize critical oil infrastructure on Irans Kharg Island, a military gambit that experts say would risk American lives and could still fail to end the war.

If Trump wants to hobble Irans oil industry for leverage in negotiations, a better option might be setting up a blockade at sea against ships that have filled up at Kharg Islands oil terminals, the experts said.

The island  located on the other side of the Persian Gulf from U.S. bases in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia  is the beating heart of Irans oil industry, through which 90% of its exports pass. It is important because Irans coastline is mostly too shallow for tanker ships to dock.

Putting people on the ground might be the most psychologically compelling way of striking a blow at Iran, said Michael Eisenstadt, a former U.S. military analyst who now directs the Military and Security Studies Program at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy.

On the other hand, youre putting your own troops at jeopardy, said Eisenstadt, a retired Army reserve officer who served in Iraq. Its not far from the mainland. So they can potentially rain a lot of destruction on the island, if theyre willing to inflict damage on their own infrastructure.

Seizing Kharg Island could escalate the conflict, said Danny Citrinowicz, an Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies.

He said Iran and its proxies  including Yemens Houthi rebels  could intensify their retaliation, including by laying mines in the Strait of Hormuz and striking targets with drones across the Arabian Peninsula, from the Persian Gulf to the Red Sea.

Commodities researchers and investment banks warn major retaliation could have lasting implications for energy prices and the global economy.

It will be hard to take. It will be hard to hold, Citrinowicz said of Kharg Island. And it might damage the economy, but not in a way that will force the Iranians to capitulate.

Trump says maybe we take Kharg Island

Trump is under growing pressure to end the monthlong conflict with Iran, which has attacked U.S. bases and allies in the region.

Iran also has largely closed the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow chokepoint through which 20% of the worlds oil normally flows, causing fuel prices to soar and other economic tumult.

Trump said in a social media post Monday that great progress is being made in talks with Iran to end military operations. But he said that if a deal is not reached shortly and the strait is not immediately reopened, the U.S. would obliterate power plants, oil wells, Kharg Island and possibly even desalination plants.

Trump has raised the idea of American forces seizing Kharg Island.

Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we dont. We have a lot of options, Trump told the Financial Times. It would also mean we had to be there (on Kharg Island) for a while.

Asked about Iranian defenses there, he said: I dont think they have any defense. We could take it very easily.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Friday that ground troops would not be needed to achieve the Trump administrations goals. He did not repeat that assertion Monday after being asked about plans for U.S. ground troops, saying the president has several options at his disposal but diplomacy is Trumps preference.

Now, they are making threats about controlling the Hormuz Strait in perpetuity, creating a tolling system and the like, Rubio told ABCs Good Morning America. Thats not going to be allowed to happen. And the president has a number of options available to him, if he so chooses, to prevent that from happening.

US has hit targets on the island crucial to Iran

The U.S. has already struck various targets on the island, including air defenses, a radar site, the airport and a hovercraft base, according to satellite analysis by the Institute for the Study of War and American Enterprise Institutes Critical Threats Project.

Kharg Island is about 33 kilometers (21 miles) off Irans coast and is the primary terminal through which nearly all of the countrys oil exports pass. It would be difficult for Iran to function without the island because its the main node of the countrys economy, said Petras Katinas, an energy researcher at the Royal United Services Institute.

However, Tehran has too much at stake to surrender over a single asset  no matter how economically significant  and it could still export some oil even if U.S. forces seized the island, said Citrinowicz, the Iran expert at Israels Institute for National Security Studies.

While occupying Kharg might offer Washington some leverage in any negotiations, he said the notion that control of the island could be traded for Irans stockpile of enriched uranium was far-fetched.

Its in no way a decisive blow, Citrinowicz said.

US troops face risk from Irans mainland if they tried to seize Kharg Island

A U.S. Navy ship carrying about 2,500 Marines recently arrived in the Middle East, while at least 1,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division are expected soon. Another 2,500 Marines are being deployed from California. The Trump administration has not said what all those troops will be doing, but the 82nd Airborne is trained to parachute into hostile or contested territory to secure key territory and airfields.

One of the reasons American troops would be vulnerable on Kharg Island is its close proximity to the Iranian mainland, from which missiles, drones and artillery could be fired. Despite continued U.S. and Israeli strikes, the Islamic Republic is still attacking targets across the region, including a Saudi air base hundreds of miles away where more than two dozen American troops were injured last week.

Even with American ships and planes providing support, there would still be a relatively short window of time to shoot down every drone or missile launched from the mainland at the island, Eisenstadt said.

The coast tends to be mountainous, so the drones can come in through mountain passes where its hard for our radar to pick up, he said. And we dont have the warning time.

Eisenstadt says a sea blockade against ships carrying Iranian oil would be a safer strategy and achieve the same goal of controlling most of Irans oil industry.

Throw up a quarantine that seeks to seize Iranian oil shipments that are exiting the Gulf, agreed Clayton Seigle, an energy security expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. It could be done at a distance outside the range of the lions share of Irans weapon systems.

Seigle argued against destroying Kharg Islands oil infrastructure, which Trump also suggested.

We were supposed to be coming to the rescue of the people that had been rising up and protesting for a better future, Siegle said. So to cripple Irans revenue-generating potential for many years to come would definitely not work in that direction.

(AP)
JERUSALEM, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Tuesday that four of its soldiers were killed during operations in southern Lebanon.

Their death brings the number of Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon to 10 since the resumption of full-scale hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah.

The IDF added that during the incident, which occurred on Monday evening, three other Israeli soldiers were wounded -- one seriously and two moderately.

Israel's state-owned Kan TV News reported that an elite IDF reconnaissance unit had spotted Hezbollah militant squads, triggering a brief exchange of fire that resulted in Israeli casualties.

While evacuating the wounded to a designated runway, Israeli forces came under fire from an anti-tank missile, though no additional casualties were reported. The forces responded with tank shelling and airstrikes targeting the militants. 
Leaked audio from a campaign strategy session has caught a progressive Michigan Senate candidate instructing staffers to avoid any comment on the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to avoid upsetting people who are sad about his well-deserved annihilation.

Abdul El-Sayed, a physician and the most left-leaning candidate in the Democratic primary for Michigans open Senate seat, told campaign aides during a March 1 strategy session that he planned to sidestep the Khamenei question entirely given the sensitivities of his target voter base.

I also want to remind you guys that there are a lot of people in Dearborn who are sad today, El-Sayed said, according to the recording obtained by the Washington Free Beacon. So, like, I just dont want to comment on Khamenei at all. Like, I dont think its worth even touching that.

El-Sayed also suggested pivoting to criticism of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee. You know what benefits from the war? It benefits Israel, who has captured too many of our politicians through AIPAC contributions, he said.

Dearborn, Michigan  the city El-Sayed was referencing  has the largest per capita concentration of Arab-Americans and Muslims in the United States and is predominantly Shiite. Khamenei, who was killed by Israeli strikes on the first day of the Iran campaign, held the title of ayatollah under Shia Islam in addition to his role as supreme leader.

When the leaked recording surfaced, El-Sayeds campaign did not dispute its contents but alleged it had been obtained illegally by a disgruntled former staffer. Campaign lawyers contacted the Washington Free Beacon before publication warning of potential legal action.

The campaign is considering its legal options against the individual in question, the lawyers wrote.

In a public statement, El-Sayed kept his focus on the war. Since this illegal and unjustifiable war has started, weve watched 13 brave service members lose their lives, he said, adding that gas prices had risen more than a dollar per gallon.

El-Sayed is currently running third in the Democratic primary behind state Sen. Mallory McMorrow and Rep. Haley Stevens, according to the latest RealClearPolitics polling average, ahead of the Aug. 4 contest. The seat, being vacated by retiring Sen. Gary Peters, is seen as a potential Republican pickup, with former Rep. Mike Rogers holding Trumps endorsement on the GOP side.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
President Trump lashed out at close European allies Tuesday, telling countries that have been sitting out the Iran campaign and are now struggling to access fuel through the blocked Strait of Hormuz to go secure their own oil  without American help.

In a pair of Truth Social posts, Trump singled out the United Kingdom and France by name, castigating both nations for declining to join the US-Israeli military operation against Iran and warning that Washington would not forget.

All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you, Trump wrote. Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us, he continued. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!

France drew separate criticism over its refusal to allow American military aircraft to cross its airspace. The Country of France wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory, Trump wrote. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the Butcher of Iran, who has been successfully eliminated! The USA will REMEMBER!!!

Iran shut down the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for the US-Israeli assault, cutting off one of the worlds most critical oil and gas shipping lanes and triggering fuel shortages and price spikes globally. Several tankers attempting to navigate the route have been attacked by Iranian forces.

Trumps frustration with NATO allies over the conflict has been building publicly. Last week, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump said the alliance was making a very foolish mistake by staying on the sidelines. I wonder whether or not NATO would ever be there for us, he said. This was a great test, because we dont need them  but they should have been there.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An Israeli man was indicted Monday in Jerusalem District Court on charges of knowingly maintaining contact with an Iranian intelligence operative and passing information that could benefit the enemy, prosecutors said.

Ali Jaber, 23, allegedly began the arrangement in January after responding to a job posting in a Telegram group, where a user identified as Joan offered him paid assignments with payment through PayPal. After Jaber submitted a photograph of his identity card and opened an account, Joan deposited roughly $80.

The first task was relatively innocuous: photograph a traffic circle near Eilats central bus station. Jaber complied, sent the image via Telegram, and received payment.

But the assignments escalated quickly. At the time, Jaber was doing renovation work at Ovda Air Base in southern Israel. Upon learning this, Joan asked him to photograph the base. According to the indictment, Jaber photographed a room inside the facility and sent the image, then declined an additional request to photograph the base grounds, the location of an Iron Dome battery, and the barracks.

The indictment states that by this point, Jaber suspected Joan was working for Iran and chose to continue the contact anyway in order to collect money.

In the weeks that followed, Jaber allegedly filmed a roughly seven-minute video of the road leading away from Ovda Base and sent it to the operative, receiving about $150. He later filmed a second road video, about 10 minutes long, while traveling from Eilat to Jerusalem, and received additional payment.

Jaber drew a line at one assignment: the operative sent map coordinates for a house in Eilats Shahamon neighborhood and instructed him to document the property, photograph entrances and exits, park at a distance, approach on foot, and discard an outer layer of clothing afterward. Jaber refused even after being offered roughly 1,000 shekels and receiving a $100 advance.

After seeing that the payment had originated from Iran, Jaber told the operative he wanted no further part in the mission and returned the money. His PayPal account was subsequently frozen.

The operative proposed switching to a digital wallet and continued pressing Jaber for additional assignments in the days that followed, but according to the indictment, Jaber stopped cooperating.

Jaber faces one count of contact with a foreign agent and three counts of transmitting information useful to the enemy. Prosecutors said they may seek a prison sentence if he is convicted and asked the court to order his cellphone forfeited, citing its use in the alleged offenses.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
A month into the war with Iran, Israels military has nearly completed its original target list and has been ordered by political leaders to shift its campaign toward striking the Iranian regimes economic infrastructure, The Times of Israel reported Monday.

Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz and other senior political officials have directed the IDF to begin targeting assets that cause broad economic damage to the regime, according to the report  a strategic pivot that signals Israel believes it has largely accomplished its initial military objectives.

The Israeli Air Force has conducted hundreds of waves of strikes over the past month, dropping more than 13,000 bombs on Iranian military and regime sites. Targets have included air defense systems, ballistic missile launchers, weapons production facilities, nuclear sites, and command headquarters. Dozens of senior Iranian officials have been killed, including former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Mohammad Pakpour.

IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin said over the weekend that within a few days the military would finish targeting the critical assets of Irans military production industries. Israels defense establishment now describes itself as being in the completion phase of the wars original goals  the degradation of Irans military capabilities and the creation of conditions for the regime to fall.

Israel believes that second objective has been achieved above and beyond initial expectations, according to security sources cited by The Times of Israel, though it remains uncertain whether and when the Iranian population will move to topple the government.

With military targets nearly exhausted, Israeli forces have begun hitting sites chosen for their economic impact. A strike on major gas infrastructure in southern Iran came roughly two weeks ago; on Friday, Israeli aircraft struck two of Irans largest steel factories. In both cases, the goal was to inflict maximum economic damage on the regime, according to security sources. The IDF did not publicly comment on either strike.

Additional strikes against Iranian economic targets are planned, according to the report.

Israel has, however, agreed to hold off on striking energy infrastructure specifically, following President Trumps threat last week to target Iranian oil and power sites himself if a deal is not reached by April 6. To avoid cutting across U.S. diplomatic and military strategy, Israel has redirected its economic pressure campaign toward other sectors.

While Israel has struck some Iranian nuclear facilities  both in the current conflict and in the 12-day war last June  Israeli officials say the broader effort against Irans nuclear program is being led by Washington. That includes the disposition of Irans stockpile of more than 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium, which Israeli officials say is sufficient material for approximately 11 nuclear weapons.

The effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz is also being led by the United States, with recent reports indicating the Pentagon has been preparing options for ground operations. Israeli defense sources told The Times of Israel that the IDF has shared intelligence with the U.S. regarding the strait and nearby islands, including Kharg Island, Irans primary crude oil export terminal.

The Iranian weapon production infrastructure has been severely degraded, setting Iran back years, according to Israels defense establishment, though U.S. and Israeli officials acknowledge that Iran retains centrifuges and the underlying capability to reconstitute an enrichment program if its remaining nuclear material is not removed or destroyed.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
An Iranian spy network has been conducting propaganda campaigns and intelligence-gathering operations in Britain under the cover of Press TV, the Iranian states English-language media outlet, The Telegraph reported Monday.

A source also told The Jerusalem Post that Britains permissive environment has been systematically exploited by the Tehran regime, and warned that Press TVs reporting on dissidents and the Jewish community has effectively created a target list for terrorists.

Press TV had its broadcast license revoked by British media regulator Ofcom in 2012 and was banned from YouTube, but the outlet has continued publishing content across social media platforms. A number of left-wing activists and political figures have appeared on its programs in the years since.

The Community Security Trust, a UK charity that protects Jewish institutions, said the site had repeatedly published reports on Jewish schools and had named 14 Jewish charities as organizations it claimed were known to be genocidal Zionist organizations.

Roger Macmillan, a terrorism and security specialist and former director at Iran International, told the Post that the problem extended well beyond Press TV itself to a broader web of regime-affiliated companies operating in London. While those entities are unlikely to appear on any sanctions lists, Macmillan said they are run by individuals with a stake in advancing the regimes objectives. He described the antisemitic content the network distributes as material that inspires others to act against the Jewish community, even when the underlying information is drawn from public sources.

Jonathan Hackett, a US Marine Corps counterintelligence veteran and author of Irans Shadow Weapons: Covert Action, Intelligence Operations, and Unconventional Warfare, told The Telegraph that some Press TV journalists have used their press credentials to identify potential recruitment targets.

They do a lot of early work, being out talking to people, Hackett said, adding that a journalism cover facilitates access to government officials and makes outreach appear routine.

Hackett also alleged that Marzieh Hashemi, a Washington-based presenter for the Iranian platform, played a role in recruiting Monica Witt, a US Air Force counterintelligence specialist who defected to Iran in 2013.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Federal authorities revealed Monday that the shocking attack earlier this month on a synagogue in West Bloomfield, Michigan, was a deliberate act of terrorism inspired by Hezbollah and aimed squarely at the Jewish community.

According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the attacker, Ayman Ghazalia naturalized U.S. citizen originally from Lebanoncarried out the assault on March 12 by ramming a pickup truck into the synagogue while more than 100 children were inside attending school.

Ghazali died at the scene after fatally shooting himself. Miraculously, no one else was killed in the attack.

Investigators disclosed that Ghazali had previously appeared in federal databases due to connections with individuals tied to Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terror organization.

Authorities say the attack was not spontaneous. Planning began several days in advance and intensified by March 9. A review of Ghazalis online activity revealed repeated consumption of pro-Hezbollah and Iranian propaganda, along with searches related to firearms and ammunition.

In the days leading up to the attack, Ghazali closely followed speeches and coverage involving Hezbollahs leader, Naim Qassem, as well as reports about an Iranian-issued fatwa calling for total jihad against U.S. military forces.

Officials also pointed to a possible motive linked to events overseas. Just one week prior, members of Ghazalis family in Lebanonincluding two brotherswere killed in an Israeli airstrike during the ongoing conflict involving Iran and its proxies. The Israeli military later identified one of his brothers as a Hezbollah commander responsible for weapons operations.

The FBI emphasized that the synagogue targeted in the attack is the largest Jewish temple in Michigan, underscoring what officials described as a clear and intentional effort to strike at the heart of the Jewish community.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging President Donald Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasnt been weakened enough by the monthlong U.S.-led bombing campaign, according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials.

After private grumbling at the start of the war that they were not given adequate advance notice of the U.S.-Israeli attack and complaining the U.S. had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region, some of the regional allies are making the case to the White House that the moment offers a historic opportunity to cripple Tehrans clerical rule once and for all.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behavior, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

The push from the Gulf nations comes as Trump vacillates between claiming that Irans decimated leadership is ready to settle the conflict and threatening to further escalate the war if a deal is not reached soon.

All the while, Trump is struggling to rally public support at home for a war thats left more than 3,000 dead across the Mideast and is shaking the global economy. Yet the U.S. leader is sounding increasingly confident that he has the full support of his most important Mideast allies  including some that were hesitant about a new military campaign in the lead-up to the war.

Saudi Arabias fighting back hard. Qatar is fighting back. UAE is fighting back. Kuwaits fighting back. Bahrains fighting back, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening as he made his way to Washington from his home in Florida. Theyre all fighting back.

The Gulf countries host U.S. forces and bases from which the U.S. has launched strikes on Iran, but have not joined the offensive strikes.

Gulf allies support the war to varying degrees

While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the U.S. efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.

The UAE has emerged as perhaps the most hawkish of the Gulf countries and is pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion, the diplomat said. Kuwait and Bahrain also favor this option. The UAE, which has faced more than 2,300 missile and drone attacks from Iran, has only grown more irritated as the war grinds on and the salvos threaten to tarnish its image as the safe, pristine and monied hub for trade and tourism of the Mideast.

Oman and Qatar, which historically have played the role of intermediary between the long economically isolated Iran and the West, have favored a diplomatic solution.

The diplomat said Saudi Arabia has argued to the U.S. that ending the war now wont produce a good deal, one guaranteeing security for Irans Arab neighbors.

The Saudis say an eventual war settlement must neutralize Irans nuclear program, destroy its ballistic missile capabilities, end Tehrans support for proxy groups, and also ensure that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be effectively shutdown by the Islamic Republic in the future as it has during the conflict. About 20% of the worlds oil flowed through the waterway before the war.

Achieving those goals would require a sharp course correction by the theocracy that has been in charge of the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution or its removal.

Senior Emirati officials, meanwhile, have become more pointed in their rhetoric toward Iran.

An Iranian regime that launches ballistic missiles at homes, weaponizes global trade and supports proxies is no longer an acceptable feature of the regional landscape, Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the UAEs Foreign Ministry, wrote in a column published Monday by the state-linked, English-language newspaper The National. She added: We want a guarantee that this will never happen again.

The White House declined to comment for this story about the deliberations with Gulf allies. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday underscored that the U.S. and its Gulf Arab allies are in sync about Iran.

They are religious zealots who can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon because they have an apocalyptic vision of the future, Rubio said of Iran in an appearance on ABCs Good Morning America. And all of their neighbors know that, by the way, which is why all of their neighbors have been supportive of the efforts were conducting.

Saudi crown prince urges US not to let up

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdoms de facto leader, has told White House officials that a further defanging of Irans military capabilities and clerical leadership serves the long-term interest of the Gulf region and beyond, according to a person who has been briefed on the conversations.

Still, the Saudis are sensitive to the fact that the longer the conflict goes on the more opportunity Iran has to carry out strikes on the kingdoms energy infrastructure, the heartbeat of its oil-rich economy.

A Saudi government official underscored that the kingdom ultimately wants to see a political solution to the crisis, but its immediate focus remains safeguarding its people and critical infrastructure.

Trump, in recent days, has sought to spotlight that most of the Gulf countries have stood in lockstep with his administration as the U.S. prosecutes the war, noting how theyve coalesced in the thick of crisis as he criticizes NATO allies for not joining the U.S. in the fight.

On Friday, he heaped praise on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates for showing bravery as the war has unfolded.

The president, speaking at an event in Miami sponsored by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, was particularly effusive about the Saudi crown prince, hailing him as a warrior and a fantastic man.

Trump also alluded to the fact that the Gulf countries were hesitant about his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus decision to launch the war, but have since rallied.

They werent thinking this was going to happen, nobody was, said Trump, referring to Iran launching thousands of retaliatory salvos around the Gulf. And they turned against them and really became very powerfully aligned. And they were with us, but they werent with us very obliquely. They were with us.

Will Gulf allies join the fight?

Trump has yet to call on Gulf nations to take part in offensive operations.

One factor may be that the administration might have calculated that its not worth the complications that come with crowding the skies with additional militaries beyond Israel.

Three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire in the first days of the conflict in the midst of an Iranian air assault. All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles.

And six American service members were killed on March 12, when their KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.

Another factor is that only UAE and Bahrain are among the Gulf states that have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, adding a layer of complication to their calculus, notes Yasmine Farouk, the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at the International Crisis Group

But Iran has warned it will attack its neighbors critical infrastructure, including desalination plants used to provide drinking water to the region, if Trump follows through on his threat to strike Irans power plants if it doesnt open the Strait of Hormuz by April 6.

The absence of a clear objective, the absence of the trust that the United States is really going to go until the end and finish the jobs  its making some of them reluctant, Farouk said. But if there is a consequential or mass casualty (event) in one of those countries, then it would be justified for them to become a belligerent.

(AP)
Former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett on Monday pledged to launch a formal investigation into what he called the deliberate undermining of Chareidi military enlistment, hours after the Knesset approved Israels 2026 state budget in an overnight session that included a last-minute NIS 800 million allocation to Chareidi institutions.

In the new government, I will establish a special commission of inquiry regarding the sabotage of Chareidi enlistment, in a time of war, which harmed Israels security, Bennett said in a live address Monday evening. Everyone who knowingly took part in violating the Security Service Law during wartime will be investigated.

The budget passed in the early hours of Monday following a political maneuver in which dozens of opposition lawmakers inadvertently voted to support an amendment earmarking the funds for Haredi educational institutions. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara later intervened to block the actual disbursement of the funds.

Bennett, who is positioning himself to unseat Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in elections scheduled for October, accused the government of rewarding draft evasion while punishing working and serving Israelis.

They took from us, the serving and working public, another NIS 800 million, and transferred it to Chareidi institutions, he said, adding that the budget punishes those who serve and work, and rewards those who choose to evade the draft.

The Chareidi parties had agreed to support the budget despite the coalitions failure to pass legislation enshrining blanket draft exemptions for yeshiva students, a bill that has since been set aside but may be revived.

Approximately 80,000 Chareidi men between the ages of 18 and 24 are currently believed to be eligible for military service but have not enlisted. The IDF has repeatedly reported a shortage of some 12,000 troops due to the ongoing conflict. IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir recently warned the security cabinet that without a resolution to the manpower shortage, the military would ultimately collapse in on itself.

The High Court ruled in June 2024 that the government must begin conscripting Chareidi men. Since then, yeshivas sheltering draft evaders have faced budget cuts, and draft refusers have lost access to certain government benefits. The IDF has also begun arresting small numbers of evaders. At the same time, the attorney general has told the court that the government has failed to implement sanctions against draft dodgers, and the IDF has alleged that the Israel Police is systematically blocking army efforts to arrest evaders in Haredi neighborhoods.

Bennett closed his address with a political warning. These are the last days of this government, he said. Theyll pay for this plunder at the ballot box.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Monday that the war with Iran has passed its midpoint and outlined a long-term vision for neutralizing Irans stranglehold on global energy markets, including a proposed network of pipelines that would route Gulf oil and gas to the Mediterranean.

Speaking in an interview with Newsmax, Netanyahu said the IDF is currently focused on eliminating Irans remaining nuclear capabilities following significant early progress.

Weve already degraded their missile capabilities, destroyed factories, and eliminated key nuclear scientists, Netanyahu said. He declined to give a precise end date for the conflict, but said the campaign is beyond the halfway point in terms of mission success.

Netanyahu noted that Irans nuclear ambitions pose a threat not only to Israel and the region but to the United States. Iran has been pursuing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them to American cities, he said. Thats what this war is about  preventing that outcome.

He pointed to Irans recent strike on the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean as evidence of how far Tehrans missile reach has extended. It wasnt an intercontinental missile, but its getting there, about 4,000 km, Netanyahu said. That puts much of Europe within range.

On the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu argued that military action alone would not deliver lasting stability. Roughly 20% of global oil exports pass through the Strait, and Iran has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to threaten shipping there. His proposed solution: redirect the energy infrastructure entirely.

Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Irans geographic choke point, Netanyahu said, describing a framework that would strip Iran of its leverage over global energy markets regardless of its military posture.

Netanyahu called on Western governments to treat the Iranian threat with the urgency he believes it deserves, comparing the current moment to years of warnings that went unheeded. He credited President Donald Trump with recognizing the danger early, including his decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal.

The question is whether the West will wake up, Netanyahu said. This is not just Israels problem.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
The U.S. military is constructing a large underground complex beneath the planned White House East Wing ballroom, President Donald Trump disclosed, offering new details about a $400 million renovation project that has drawn criticism from lawmakers, historians, and preservation advocates.

Trump made the disclosure while speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, displaying a rendering of the new building and describing security features including bulletproof glass and a drone-proof roof.

The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and thats under construction, Trump said. The ballroom essentially becomes a shed for whats being built under  including from drones and including from any other thing.

White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt confirmed the construction Monday without elaborating. The military is making some upgrades to their facilities here at the White House, and Im not privy to provide any more details on that, she said at a press briefing.

The 90,000-square-foot ballroom is slated to replace the East Wing, which Trump ordered demolished last October. The original structure housed the Presidential Emergency Operations Center, an underground bunker designed for use during national emergencies. Trump has argued the new facility is a necessary upgrade to what he has called the cramped and outdated reception spaces at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, saying the ballroom will accommodate up to 1,000 guests.

Trump said the underground complex became public partly because of litigation. This has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed, he said.

Critics have objected to the demolition on multiple grounds, citing the administrations decision to raze the historic structure without federal reviews or public comment, as well as concerns about the scale and aesthetics of the replacement. The National Capital Planning Commission, one of two federal bodies required to approve the project, has a vote on the changes scheduled for Thursday.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone Tuesday about efforts to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Middle East, the Egyptian presidency said.

Sisi highlighted Egypt's work with regional partners to "achieve de-escalation and safeguard regional security to avert the risk of the region descending into a state of chaos," according to a statement.

Putin "commended Egypt's efforts to bolster regional security and de-escalate tensions," and expressed hope for "the containment of the current escalation and the restoration of calm," the statement said.

The call came amid heightened tensions following joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran since Feb. 28, which Iran responded to with attacks on Israeli and U.S. interests across the region.

Sisi and Putin also discussed the Palestinian issue and the war in Gaza, stressing the need to fully implement the agreement to end the fighting, ensure the flow of humanitarian aid, and begin reconstruction.

Sisi emphasized the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in line with international resolutions and the two-state solution, calling it "the sole path to achieving permanent stability in the region." 
Amid Israels unprecedented war on multiple fronts, Israels Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara escalated her obsessive war against the Olam HaTorah on Monday, freezing the transfer of millions of dollars to Chareidi yeshivos only hours after the government passed the budget, and submitting a notice to the Supreme Court outlining a series of economic and civil sanctions against bnei yeshivos who fail to enlist.

The document, formulated under her deputy, attorney Gil Limon, details a long list of economic measures that she demands be immediately implemented against bnei yeshivos, including the revocation of discounts on public transportation, subsidized daycare under all criteria, participation in funding afterschool programs, and property tax discounts.

In addition, Baharav-Miara detailed a series of other measures that extend beyond individuals to institutions and programs, demanding that the state enforce full compliance with militarystatus requirements, including scholarships and studyfunding programs, student assistance programs, participation in civilservice tenders, support for Torah institutions, subsidized daycare in programs designated for Torah students, National Insurance discounts, programs for atrisk Chareidi youth, and technologicalstudent tracks through the Ministry of Labor. The Attorney General is demanding the prevention of any state funding that may support those who choose limmud Torah over military service.

She further outlined high-impact measures to be considered later, including revoking rental assistance, housing loans, and even limiting tax exemptions on property transactions, steps that professionals warn could push thousands of families below the poverty line.

In the document, Baharav-Miara demands that all state authorities act immediately to intensify enforcement efforts, including criminal disciplinary and criminal measures against draft dodgers themselves and through withdrawing government funding that directly or indirectly supports them.

Baharav-Miaras notice to the court is far more than a technical legal document but marks a clear shift to a more aggressive policy, demanding that the government leverage budgetary tools, welfare benefits, and civilservice mechanisms to persecute the Olam HaTorah.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
An Iranian cluster missile fired at central Israel on Tuesday morning led to multiple impact sites in Bnei Brak, Petah Tikva, Givat Shmuel, and Tel Aviv.

United Hatzalah reported a total of 29 impact and interceptor shrapnel sites across central Israel, but in a neis, only 13 people were lightly injured despite extensive property damage, including the collapse of the roof of a residential building

There was a powerful impact in Bnei Brak, with footage of the scene showing the moment of impact followed by a blast wave, smoke erupting from the scene, and a large fire.

Your browser does not support the video tag.

MDA paramedics provided medical treatment and evacuated eight lightly injured victims to Beilinson Hospital, Sheba Medical Center at Tel Hashomer, and Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital.

MDA paramedic Yehuda Shoshana described the scene at one of the impact sites in Bnei Brak: When we arrived, we saw destruction in a residential building and a large commotion. We immediately began searches to ensure no one was trapped. During the searches, six lightly injured individuals came out of the buildingtwo women and four children. We provided initial treatment on site, and three of them required further examination. We evacuated a six-month-old baby, a six-and-a-half-year-old child, and a woman around 40 years old.

The Bnei Brak municipality reported that a missile fragment struck the upper floor of a residential building. Three trapped residents were rescued unharmed, while emergency teams continue scanning additional locations following reports of falling debris.

At another site in the city, an impact site was reported at a construction site near a shul. The shul sustained minor damage, and fortunately, there were no injuries in that incident.

Additional impact sites were reported in Petach Tikva and Givat Shmuel. The impacts caused fires to break out at the scene alongside extensive damage to buildings and vehicles.

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MDA and Hatzolah paramedics treated five lightly injured victims at one of the impact sites in Petach Tikvah, including a mother and her infant daughter, and three men aged approximately 3050.

(YWN Israel DeskJerusalem)
The former head of US Central Command said Sunday that the American-Israeli campaign against Iran is outpacing projections drawn from years of military war-gaming, expressing confidence that Tehran will ultimately agree to terms.

Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, who led Central Command under both Presidents Trump and Biden, told CBSs Face the Nation that the operation has exceeded the benchmarks established through repeated simulations of a potential Iran conflict.

Ive simulated this for many years in many positions at Central Command, McKenzie said. Were a little further along than we would have expected to be at this point in all the simulations that Ive seen.

McKenzie said the current phase of the campaign is focused on systematically degrading Irans missile and drone capabilities across southern Iran, with the goal of breaking Tehrans stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz. Iran closed the critical waterway in response to the US-Israeli assault, triggering fuel shortages and price spikes worldwide.

What were doing right now is were reducing Iranian ability to target ships in the strait through their short-range missiles, their drones and other activities, McKenzie said. We do that by maintaining air superiority over southern Iran on a 24/7 basis, looking for where these missiles are and striking them relentlessly.

Once those capabilities are sufficiently degraded, McKenzie said, forces could move in to clear Iranian mines from the strait if needed.

The retired general also pointed to Kharg Island  home to the bulk of Irans oil production infrastructure  as a potential pressure point. If you seize Kharg Island, you really can shut down the Iranian oil economy completely, he said.

Despite the optimistic military assessment, Iran has continued to resist direct negotiations, with its leadership demanding compensation for war damages. With the conflict entering its second month, the Trump administration is reportedly targeting a mid-April timeline for completing major operations, a timeline that could involve the deployment of ground forces inside Iran, according to the Wall Street Journal.

President Trump has outlined several objectives for the campaign, including the dismantlement of Irans nuclear program and the destruction of its regional proxy network.

I believe that they will break, McKenzie said. I believe that they will come to terms.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israels ambassador to Washington said the war against Iran will likely require regime change to achieve its objectives, even as official messaging from both Jerusalem and Washington has increasingly focused on degrading Iranian military capabilities rather than toppling its government.

If that can be done without regime change, okay. Probably cant, though. So at the very least, what we want is regime collapse, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter said on the American Enterprise Institutes podcast, which aired Monday.

Leiter framed the wars core purpose as eliminating Irans nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and its network of regional proxies. The purpose is to make sure that we dont have a power, an entity in Tehran, which is developing nuclear weapons, is developing weapons of mass destruction in terms of these ballistic missiles, and is supporting proxies around the region, he said.

Regime change was never formally listed among the wars stated objectives. While Israeli leaders signaled early in the conflict their desire to see the Islamic Republic fall, recent public messaging from both countries has shifted toward the more limited goal of stripping Iran of its military capabilities.

Leiter also described a deepening alliance between Israel and Gulf Arab states that he said has accelerated over the past month of fighting. Whether its UAE, Bahrain, I think weve become closer to the Saudis, closer to the Omanis, closer to the Kuwaitis for crying out loud, he said, adding that several of those countries had actively requested Israeli assistance during the conflict.

The ambassador pointed to a recent op-ed by Emirati envoy to Washington Yousef Otaiba as evidence of aligned Gulf objectives, noting that Otaiba had called for a conclusive outcome addressing Irans full range of threats, including its nuclear capabilities, missiles, drones, proxy forces, and blockade of international shipping lanes. Leiter said Otaiba was very clear that the conflict would not end simply because the US declared its mission complete.

This isnt going to end even if at some point the US says, Weve done our job. Weve taken out all the production sites. Weve destroyed them militarily, and now were wrapping up,' Leiter said.

He added that Iran has been put on notice that Israel and its regional allies intend to continue acting regardless. This could really make the difference going into the future, he said.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Israels Defense Ministry has moved to cut off arms procurement from France as part of a broader effort to wean the military off suppliers viewed as diplomatically unfriendly.

Defense Ministry Director General Maj. Gen. Amir Baram made the decision, with Defense Minister Yisrael Katz backing an accompanying initiative to expand domestic arms production and shift procurement toward Israeli industries and suppliers in countries considered allies, Channel 12 reported.

The move reflects a wider realignment that Israeli officials have been pushing since the diplomatic fallout from the war in Gaza, during which a number of countries imposed partial or full arms embargoes on Israel, citing humanitarian concerns and the civilian death toll. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said earlier this year that he was seeking what he called maximal independence from foreign military aid, so we dont run out of weapons or ammunition.

France has been among the more assertive in restricting defense ties with Israel. Paris barred Israeli representatives from participating in defense exhibitions and conferences on French soil after the Gaza war began, and, following President Emmanuel Macrons call for an arms embargo in October 2024, France halted the sale of certain weapons usable in IDF operations in Gaza.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
In a matter of seconds, homes turned to rubble. Families were left with nothing  just days before Pesach.

Standing amid scenes of mass devastation, Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu described the aftermath of the Iranian missile strike in Arad in stark terms: It was a very difficult night for the State of Israel.

His remarks came on Sunday afternoon, March 22, just hours after the Motzei Shabbos attack, in what officials described as one of the largest and most destructive missile barrages since the outbreak of the Iran war. The strikes hit residential areas with terrifying force, leaving widespread destruction and hundreds of casualties.

Rescue teams worked through the night  pulling victims from the rubble, treating the injured, and searching desperately for anyone still trapped beneath collapsed structures. Entire buildings were reduced to ruins. Families fled in panic, many escaping with nothing but the clothes they were wearing. Streets that had been alive only hours earlier were transformed into scenes of chaos and heartbreak.

In Arad, dozens of apartments were torn open. Possessions were buried beneath debris. Lives were irrevocably altered in a single moment.

.

PM Netanyahu at the site of the missile strike in Arad. GPO/Avi Ohayon

But beyond the headlines and casualty figures lies a deeper, more painful reality.

170 families are now homeless.

Families who lost everything in an instant  no homes, no belongings, no sense of normalcy.

And Pesach is almost upon us.

Pesach. The Yom Tov of dignity. The Yom Tov of family. The night when every Yid is meant to sit like a king.

But for these families, there is no table. No kitchen. No clothing prepared. No sense of what tomorrow will even look like.

Children who should be asking the Mah Nishtanah at the Seder are instead asking where they will sleep. Fathers who should be preparing the Seder are trying to hold their families together.

And yet  Klal Yisroel did not remain silent.

With open hearts and extraordinary generosity, Yidden across the world stepped forward. With urgency and with heart, they gave. They cared. They refused to let their brothers and sisters stand alone.

Because of that, most of the families have already been helped. They have a place. They have what they need to enter Yom Tov with at least a measure of dignity.

But not all.

Forty-eight families are still waiting.

Forty-eight families with nowhere to go.

Forty-eight families watching the hours slip away.

Two days to Pesach.

Two days until the night when Klal Yisroel sits together and declares, Now we are free.

This is the final moment. The last chance.

In two days, it will be too late.

Help the remaining 48 families bring in Pesach, like true Bnei Chorin.
The president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (front, L) meets with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (front, R) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on March 31, 2026. The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met Tuesday with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to discuss the regional fallout from the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war and its impact on maritime security and global trade. (WAM/Handout via Xinhua)

ABU DHABI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met Tuesday with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to discuss the regional fallout from the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war and its impact on maritime security and global trade.

The two leaders stressed the need for closer coordination to contain tensions and safeguard vital shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, a critical corridor for global oil and gas shipments, according to the Emirates News Agency.

The two sides also condemned attacks on civilians and infrastructure, underlining the importance of defending national sovereignty and protecting citizens in line with international law.

The meeting reviewed bilateral relations and ways to expand cooperation across economic, security, and development sectors.

Gulf Arab states have stepped up diplomatic efforts to manage the widening conflict, which has disrupted trade, raised energy prices, and sparked concerns over broader economic impacts.

Before his UAE visit, the Qatari also visited Saudi Arabia on Monday where he held a trilateral meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud and King Abdullah II of Jordan.

The three leaders warned that continued Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council countries and Jordan, including strikes on civilian and vital facilities, "constitute a dangerous escalation that threatens the region's security and stability," according to the Saudi Press Agency. 

The president of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan (front, R) greets visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani (front, L) in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on March 31, 2026. The president of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met Tuesday with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to discuss the regional fallout from the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war and its impact on maritime security and global trade. (WAM/Handout via Xinhua)
Rescuers approach survived crew members during a rescue operation in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 31, 2026. All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Basarnas Palu/Handout via Xinhua)

JAKARTA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday.

The survivors were found drifting on a raft in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, at around 08:24 a.m. local time by a SAR team from the Palu Search and Rescue Office in coordination with the Gorontalo SAR Office.

"The total number is 21 people, consisting of one captain, one chief engineer, and 19 crew members. This is a fishing vessel," said Head of the Palu SAR Office Muh Rizal, adding that the SAR operation has been officially closed after all members were found safe.

Rizal added that all people have been evacuated and are being transported to the nearby city of Gorontalo before being taken to a local hospital for medical examination."

The motor vessel was earlier reported to have sunk after departing from Taliabu Island to Kema Village on Sunday evening, leaving all the passengers missing, the Palu Search and Rescue Office reported on Monday. 

Rescued crew members are transferred by rescuers during a rescue operation in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 31, 2026. All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Basarnas Palu/Handout via Xinhua)

Rescued crew members are transferred by rescuers during a rescue operation in the waters of South Bolaang Mongondow, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, March 31, 2026. All 21 crew members of the motor vessel Nazila 05 were rescued alive by a joint search and rescue (SAR) team after the boat sank in waters north of Taliabu Island in Indonesia's North Maluku province, local authorities said on Tuesday. (Basarnas Palu/Handout via Xinhua)
ISLAMABAD, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Pakistani security forces killed 10 terrorists in an intelligence-based operation in the northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation took place in Khyber district on Monday night, security sources told Xinhua. The terrorists had briefly seized Khwaja Mir School in Bara, raising their flag and sharing videos online to spread fear.

After fleeing the site, they were tracked through surveillance and quadcopters. Forces raided their hideout and killed all 10 terrorists.

The attackers were linked to banned groups Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan and Lashkar-e-Islam.

Officials said operations will continue to eliminate militant threats in the region. 
In late March, Wolong Lake in Shenyang, northeast China, welcomes its annual migratory bird season. Tens of thousands of birds sweep across the lake, forming a stunning "bird wave."

A key lake in the Liaohe River basin, it becomes a vital stopover each spring for hundreds of thousands of migratory birds, including Siberian cranes, oriental storks, wild geese and grey herons, as they rest and refuel for their journey.
COTONOU, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Though thousands of kilometers away from the Middle East, where conflicts involving Iran, the United States and Israel have claimed lives and devastated local economies, Benin is increasingly feeling the ripple effects, most notably through rising fuel prices.

"Before this conflict, we imported a 25-liter jerrycan of gasoline from Nigeria for 12,000 CFA francs (about 20.97 U.S. dollars), allowing us to sell it at 500 CFA francs per liter on the informal market in Benin," Prospere Koffi, an importer of fuel in Benin, told Xinhua on Tuesday.

Since the onset of the conflict, however, the same volume now sells for between 18,000 and 20,000 CFA francs, according to Koffi.

"Under these conditions, we have no choice but to resell a liter at 800 CFA francs, or even 1,000 CFA francs in some parts of the country," he said.

Meanwhile, the price of gasoline at official service stations in Benin has remained unchanged at 695 CFA francs per liter since Jan. 1, 2025, despite the current situation, Koffi added.

"This price is set by the government, which regularly subsidizes petroleum products to limit the impact of international price fluctuations, particularly in relation to prices in Nigeria," Benin's Ministry of Industry and Trade said in a recent statement.

For consumers, especially motorcycle taxi drivers, fuel remains relatively cheaper at official stations than on the informal market, but supply shortages persist.

"The product is not available in sufficient quantities at state-run service stations. Long queues form for hours before getting just a few liters, and this is not the case at all stations. Those located on the outskirts of Cotonou and surrounding areas are not adequately supplied to meet the high demand," said Patrick Gbeho, a motorcycle taxi driver in the country's largest city.

For many Beninese, the surge in informal fuel prices is eroding household purchasing power.

"The recent rise in gasoline prices in the informal sector has also led to increases in transport costs and in the prices of basic goods, particularly imported rice," consumers said.

Beninese economist Modeste Tamassezodo told Xinhua that the sharp rise in global oil prices is largely linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and Ukraine.

"Strikes in producing regions, such as the Middle East, and threats to energy infrastructure are heightening market risks," he said, adding that risks to key maritime routes, such as the Strait of Hormuz, are disrupting transport and driving up prices.

According to Benin's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the West African country is closely monitoring developments in the Middle East and their implications.

"The government's priority is the safety and well-being of Beninese nationals wherever they may be. Since the onset of the conflict, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has instructed Benin's embassies accredited to Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia, which cover the region, as well as honorary consulates under their jurisdiction (in Israel, Lebanon and Yemen), to strengthen communication mechanisms with compatriots residing in or passing through the region," the ministry said.

It also urged citizens, regardless of their status, to exercise the utmost vigilance, strictly comply with preventive and protective measures implemented by authorities in their host countries, and avoid all non-essential travel. 
BAGHDAD, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Iraqi Foreign Ministry on Tuesday strongly condemned Israel's approval of a bill that permits the "execution of Palestinian prisoners," calling it a "grave violation" of international law.

In a statement, the ministry described the move as a dangerous escalation that contravenes the Geneva Conventions and international humanitarian law.

Israel's parliament on Monday approved a bill making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of "terrorism," drawing widespread international criticism.

In the statement, the Iraqi ministry also denounced the ongoing attacks by Israeli forces in southern Lebanon, including ground incursions, adding that these actions represent a "flagrant violation of international law and a direct threat to regional security and stability."

The statement specifically highlighted the "serious risks" facing the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), noting that escalating hostilities and deteriorating field conditions jeopardize international personnel.

The ministry called on the international community to uphold international law and protect both civilians and international mission personnel, and work toward de-escalation to preserve regional peace and security.

Two more Indonesian personnel serving in the United Nations peacekeeping mission in Lebanon were confirmed dead on Monday evening, bringing the total number of Indonesian peacekeepers killed in the country to three, according to Indonesian authorities on Tuesday. The soldiers were part of the Indonesian contingent deployed under the UNIFIL. 
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A 15-year-old student fatally shot himself after shooting a teacher at a Texas high school on Monday, U.S. media reported, citing authorities.

The shooting occurred at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, a city located in Comal County in Texas, with no other injuries reported, according to the Associated Press.

The student shot the teacher before turning the gun on himself, said Comal County Sheriff Mark Reynolds, adding that investigators were working to understand the relationship between the student and the teacher and looking into how the firearm was obtained.

Class will be canceled at the school on Tuesday, and counselors will be available to meet with families, Principal Julie Wiley said in a statement. 
31/03/2026

England 0 - 1 Japan





Jordan Pickford is reinstated in goal for England but he was beaten by Mitoma in the 23rd minute at Wembley tonight against Japan.

Lots of absentees in the expected England line-up but there was no second start for James Garner despite effusive praise from Thomas Tuchel for his performance against Uruguay.

It was a nice quick Japanese move following a midfield turnover that saw simple yet rapid and incisive movement of the ball across the ragged back line of the retreating England defence who were cut apart with Mitoma having an easy job to fire past a befuddled Jordan Pickford.

James Garner was introduced as a substitute for Mainoo after 70 minutes but could do little to change the course of the game against a lively and quick Japan team.

//

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Let's start with a slap in the face . . .

Here's what Congressman Sam Graves noted this afternoon on his campaign FB page  An endorsement of political activist & podcaster Chris Stigall that passes over Northland Councilman Nathan Willett who had, until now, garnered momentum going into this contest . . .

"As I enter my next chapter, I am proud to pass the torch to the next generation. My friend, Chris Stigall, is the best suited to represent North Missouri in Congress. Chris was born and raised in Missouris Sixth District where he and his wife, Christine, are raising their children today.



"He is ready to work for the people of the Sixth District. Im proud to support him and hope you will join me."

More context on this fight . . .

Missouri GOP loyalists are claiming this move is about a connection to political consultant Jeff Roe who is aligned with Stigall . . . Maybe . . . But that overlooks the reality is Stigall is a far more talented communicator & conservative operative who might connect with constituents in a way that's more meaningful than Willett can reasonably achieve . . .

Meanwhile, Willett is taller and better looking than Stigall and, no matter how much informed voters don't like it . . . That will earn A LOT of votes from a big segment of the electorate.

Also . . .

Willett also has the advantage of earning elected office . . . Albeit, the Northland gig is just one notch above school board with very little influence given that he was shut out of his recent all-gender toilet vote and even lowly 4th District Council dude Eric Bunch rhetorically smacked him around in the aftermath.

The most fun fact from our vantage . . .

Like every young dude, Councilman Willett is bouncing around trying to find his place in the world and he MIGHT look back and see that his State Senate bid was a safer bet . . . But "nothing ventured, nothing gained" and he COULD have a fighting shot in this tumultuous era wherein the GOP will likely be outnumbered in the House after midterms.

Even more hilariously . . .

Little more than a few days ago the KCMO council dude was praising the "integrity & class" of Rep. Graves and now he's calling him out as a member of the swamp . . .

For 26 years Congressman Sam Graves has represented North Missouri. He and his anti-Trump (Jeff Roe) political consultant are trying to hand pick the next person to come after him for the next 26 years. As conservatives, we dont believe in rigging elections - he tried to with his last minute retirement announcement but I am giving the voters a choice.



"The people of North Missouri should get to decide their next Congressman - not the DC swamp."



After we win August 4th, I will work to build back a relationship with Congressman Graves. Until then, I will work to earn the votes of North Missourians with our team & win all 33 counties.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Council Dude Nathan Willett on FB: "After we win August 4th, I will work to build back a relationship with Congressman Graves. Until then, I will work to earn the votes of North Missourians with our team & win all 33 counties.



Developing . . .
This report was too wordy but we pulled an important point that might make up the difference . . .

The Guv campaigning against abortion MIGHT be the key that pushes pro-life advocates over the top in reversing the majority of Missouri voters who sided with pro-choice advocates.

Here's the word . . .

"The proposed ban, which was approved by the legislature in May 2025 and will appear on the November ballot, would outlaw all abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies and for survivors of rape and incenst who seek out an abortion in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. Like 2024s abortion-rights amendment, the abortion ban amendment will also be listed on the ballot as Amendment 3.



"One notable difference this time around is the involvement of Republican Gov. Mike Kehoes office from the outset."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
Known by many nicknames, such as "White City" and "Lion of the South," Arequipa is Peru's second most populated city.

Founded in 1540, the city has become an important industrial and commercial center in Peru. But more than that, its historic center has even been rightfully named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Let's get to know Arequipa.

How to Get to Arequipa

While Arequipa is home to the Alfredo Rodriguez Ballon International Airport, there are actually no international flights that fly directly into the city. Tourists have to fly to Lima first before connecting to Arequipa. There are also domestic flights that connect Arequipa to Cusco.

For those who do not want to fly into the city, buses are the most common alternative, but it will take around 15 to 18 hours to get to Arequipa from Lima.

Where to Stay

As is with countless cities around the world, there are a number of hotels to choose from in Arequipa, including budget, mid-range, boutique, and luxury hotels. Hostels, guesthouses, and vacation rentals are also very common forms of accommodations for tourists in the city.

Those who want to try something different, there are also eco-lodges as well as glamping sites found in Arequipa.

What to See

Arequipa is home to an awe-inspiring mix of architecture and natural landscapes. Of course, no visit to Arequipa will be complete without heading to the historic center, which has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Another important site to visit is the Santa Catalina Monastery and its striking red, blue, and orange walls. For those in search of nature, make sure to find yourself a good view of the El Misti Volcano.

What to Eat

Often considered as Peru's culinary capital, Arequipa is a dream destination for any foodie. Among the must-try local dishes are Rocoto Relleno, which is a stuffed spicy pepper dish, and a pork stew called Adobo Arequipeno.

There's also a shrimp chowder called Chupe de Camarones, as well as a tangy cheese salad called Solterito de Queso. Cap off your meal with a sweet dessert called Queso Helado, a frozen dessert made of milk, coconut, cinnamon, and vanilla.

To complete the experience, make sure to have all these delicious local dishes at a picanteria, which is what they call traditional lunch-only restaurants in Peru.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. A Kazakh delegation will participate in the 13th session of the World Urban Forum (WUF13) in Baku at a high level, Kazakhstan's Ambassador Alim Bayel told Trend.

He made the remark during the opening of the internship program "Innovative Technologies in Public Administration: The Experience of Azerbaijan" in Baku.

WUF13 will be held in Baku from May 17 through May 22, 2026, as part of a collaboration between the UN-HABITAT program and the government of Azerbaijan. The event will bring together representatives of governments, municipalities, the private sector, civil society, youth, and academic circles, as well as international organizations from different countries.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan is developing dynamically in all areas, Kazakhstan's Ambassador Alim Bayel told reporters on the sidelines of the opening of the internship program "Innovative Technologies in Public Administration: The Experience of Azerbaijan," Trend reports.

"The global situation today is very complex, as you can see. Therefore, the Turkic fraternal countries need to keep and work together, strengthening their unity. I'm deeply convinced that the coming period will be filled with great challenges but also great opportunities. During this period, the countries where the people and the government are united, where they present a united front, will survive. In this sense, the state apparatus and civil servants play a very important role," said Bayel.

According to the ambassador, the civil service must be effective and modern.

"Therefore, such programs play a significant role, and we are very grateful to the Azerbaijani side for organizing this training," the diplomat concluded.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Azerbaijans Foreign Ministry has issued a statement on March 31 - Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis, Trend reports.

"Today, 31 March  Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis  marks the 108th anniversary of the atrocities committed by radical Armenian groups against Azerbaijani people.

The massacres perpetrated in March 1918 by armed units of the Baku Soviet, numbering approximately 6,000, together with around 4,000 members of the Dashnaksutyun party, constitute one of the gravest manifestations of ethnic cleansing. Historical records, including the disclosures by Stepan Shaumyan, then Extraordinary Commissar of the Caucasus, attest that these acts, carried out under the pretext of combating counter-revolutionary forces, were in fact driven by ethnic hatred.

Tens of thousands of Azerbaijanis were killed as a result of these crimes, which were carried out systematically in regions such as Baku, Shamakhi, Guba, Garabagh, Zangezur, Nakhchivan, Shirvan, and Iravan. In Quba alone, over 16,000 civilians were killed, and 167 settlements were destroyed. In addition to the mass killings of civilians, religious and cultural sites belonging to the Azerbaijani people, including mosques and historical monuments, were deliberately targeted and annihilated.

Although, following the establishment of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic special institutions were set up to investigate these events and raise awareness in the international community, and 31 March was observed as a day of national mourning, the fall of the Republic hindered the delivery of a political and legal assessment of thesecrimes.

It was only after the restoration of Azerbaijans independence that a proper political and legal assessment was rendered at the state level, through the Decree on the Genocide of Azerbaijanis dated 26 March 1998, signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev.

This bloody policy of genocide at the beginning of the 20th century was continued in subsequent periods, and towards the end of the century it took on a systematic character with the mass deportation of Azerbaijanis from the territory of present-day Armenia, the massacres committed during the occupation of Azerbaijans territories, especially the Khojaly genocide, and other war crimes.

The people of Azerbaijan will never forget these tragic chapters of its history.

On 31 March  Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis, we commemorate with deep sadness the dear memory of all our compatriots who became victims of ethnic hatred and genocide. May Allah rest their souls in peace!" the statement reads.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Azerbaijan ranked among the safest nations in the Global Terrorism Index (GTI) 2026 report, Trend reports.

With 0.123 scores, the country has risen three ranks from 2025, securing the 93rd spot in the 2026 GTI, making it one of the safest countries globally in terms of terrorism threats and scoring a high rating as one of the safest countries in the world regarding terrorism, on a possible rating scale of 1 to 100.

In the report, countries like Pakistan (8.574), Burkina Faso (8.324), and Niger (7.816) found themselves at the top of the heap for having the highest levels of terrorist activity.

In the latest ranking, Syria (7.38) ranked sixth, Israel (6.79) 10th, Afghanistan (6.678) 11th, India (6.428) 13th, Russia (5.593) held the 17th position, Iran (5.477) was 18th, and the U.S. (4.521) 28th, while Germany (4.447) ranked 29th, France (3.224) 35th, Turkiye (3.212) 36th, China (1.311) 54th, Switzerland (0.749) 67th, UAE (0.749) 68th, Georgia (0.506) 77th, and Armenia (0.483) 81st.

The GTI ranking indices are derived from a variety of factors, including the number of terrorist incidents, fatalities, severe outcomes, hostage situations, counterterrorism efforts, the success of terrorism investigations, and many other metrics.

The GTI reports, published periodically by the Institute for Economics and Peace (IEP), serve as a reference source for the United Nations, the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the World Bank, other international organizations, and international academic institutions. The reports are also considered one of the main sources taken into account when foreign investment is made in countries' large-scale economic infrastructure.

According to the reports of international organizations, despite being located in a rather sensitive and complex geopolitical space where terrorist and sabotage threats on religious, political, national, and other grounds are high, Azerbaijan has achieved a very high internal security rating in the world in recent years, thanks to the development, peace, and effective work carried out by security agencies in the fight against terrorism, which have been established as a result of successful domestic and foreign state policies.

As President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev emphasized, security and stability issues should remain the number one issue on any country's agenda more than ever because, without this, all other efforts are meaningless.

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ULAN BATOR, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Nyam-Osor Uchral was appointed Mongolia's 35th prime minister on Monday after being nominated by the ruling Mongolian People's Party (MPP).

During a plenary session of the 126-seat unicameral parliament, or the State Great Khural, 107 lawmakers were present, with 82.2 percent voting in favor of his appointment.

The appointment follows the resignation of former Prime Minister Gombojav Zandanshatar, who stepped down at his own request on Friday.

Uchral, who is the chairman of the MPP, had served as speaker of parliament until earlier Monday. He stepped down from that post after his nomination for prime minister. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. An agreement on cooperation in the field of science and higher education between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan and the Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of Morocco has been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the mentioned agreement was signed in Rabat on February 16, 2026.

After the agreement enters into force, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry must notify the Government of Morocco that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement have been completed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The "Agreement on strategic partnership between the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan, the Ministry of Education of Syria, and the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ICESCO) on the restoration of educational infrastructure in Syria" has been approved, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the mentioned agreement was signed in Rabat on February 17, 2026.

After the agreement enters into force, the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan must ensure the implementation of its provisions.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry must notify the government of Syria and ICESCO that the internal procedures necessary for the entry into force of the agreement have been completed.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Amendments have been made to the "National strategy for the efficient use of water resources" in Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev signed the relevant decree.

According to the decree, the main implementing body for the measures to assess the data reflected in the above strategy based on the use of modern programs and predict climate impacts, electronic geomodeling of water sources, determination of water demand by ecosystem (river, lake, natural, and artificial reservoirs), and assessment of water resources taking into account climatic factors has been determined as the Azerbaijan State Water Resources Agency instead of the Ministry of Ecology and Natural Resources, and other relevant bodies have been determined as the opposite.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The 9th Kharibulbul International Music Festival, organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the Ministry of Culture, will take place in Shusha on May 1415, Trend reports.

This year's festival will also be remembered for its engaging program and performances by talented artists from around the world.

One of the festivals main goals is to promote cultural dialogue and foster creative exchange among musicians. To this end, in addition to Azerbaijani performers and musical ensembles, artists from the United States, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Japan, and other countries have been invited to the Kharibulbul International Music Festival, a significant cultural event.

The festival will start on May 14 with a concert at Jidir-Duzu. The event will last two days and take place at several locations in Shusha.

The Kharibulbul Music Festival, named after a flower that symbolizes Shusha, has been held since 1989. That May, the festival was organized to mark the 100th anniversary of the renowned khanende, educator, and Peoples Artist Seyid Shushinsky in the village of Abdal Gulabli in the Aghdam District; it continued in Shusha and concluded with a final concert in Aghdam.

Since 1990, the festival has gained international status. During the Karabakh conflict, the festivals main concerts were held in Aghdam. Some concerts were also held in Barda and Aghajabedi. Following the historic victory in the Patriotic War and the liberation of our lands from occupation, the festival returned to Shusha. Some of the festivals concerts were also held in the city of Lachin.

This festival of friendship and music, featuring numerous musicians from around the world, not only helps preserve the rich traditions of our cultural heritage but also contributes to strengthening intercultural dialogue.

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The ministers expressed deep concern over the ongoing military escalation in the region and underscored the importance of resolving the conflict through diplomatic means. The Belgian side also conveyed solidarity with Azerbaijan following a drone attack launched from Iran toward Nakhchivan. In addition, Belgium expressed gratitude for the conditions provided to facilitate the evacuation of its citizens from Iran.

The discussion also touched on the normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Bayramov briefed his counterpart on measures being undertaken to ensure lasting peace and stability in the region.

The sides emphasized the importance of maintaining constructive dialogue, including political consultations, mutual visits, and high-level contacts, to further develop cooperation on issues of shared interest between Azerbaijan and Belgium.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. March 31 remains one of the most painful and defining chapters in the historical memory of Azerbaijan, reflecting both national tragedy and resilience, political analyst Azer Garayev told Trend.

According to him, this date is not only a day to honor the memory of innocent victims, but also a crucial reminder of the atrocities faced by the Azerbaijani people.

The March events of 1918 remain one of the bloodiest pages in Azerbaijans history. Amid political turmoil, power struggles, and ethnic tensions in the region, thousands of Azerbaijanis were killed solely because of their national identity. In Baku, as well as in Shamakhi, Guba, Karabakh, Zangezur, Lankaran, and other regions, civilians were brutally massacred. The elderly, women, and children were not spared either. The goal was not only to kill people, but to erase Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands and destroy their history and cultural heritage. Mosques, homes, and entire villages were burned and wiped off the map. According to historians, tens of thousands lost their lives. These are not just statistics; each represents a family tragedy and the pain of an entire nation, he said.

Garayev noted that for many years, the tragedy was concealed and not given proper political or historical assessment during the Soviet era.

Following the restoration of Azerbaijans independence, decisive steps were taken to bring these historical truths to the attention of the international community. By a decree signed by National Leader Heydar Aliyev in 1998, March 31 was officially designated as the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis, an act of profound significance in delivering a just and balanced historical assessment.

Today, March 31, stands not only as a solemn day of remembrance but also as a powerful symbol of national unity and resilience. These tragic events demonstrated that, despite enduring immense suffering, the Azerbaijani people preserved their very existence. Throughout history, even in the face of repeated trials, they have safeguarded their national identity, language, and cultural heritage. The presence of a strong and independent Azerbaijani state today is a testament to this enduring resilience and unwavering national spirit, he added.

Garayev noted that recent archaeological and historical research has once again underscored the scale and gravity of the events of 1918.

The discovery of a mass grave in the city of Guba provided stark and undeniable evidence of the scale of this tragedy. It drew not only national but also international attention to these events. These findings reaffirm that the March 31 tragedy was not confined to a single city but represented a catastrophe for an entire nation. History tends to repeat itself when it is forgotten. Therefore, it is critically important to speak about the events of March 31 and pass this knowledge on to younger generations. Todays Azerbaijani youth must understand the causes, consequences, and enduring imprint of this tragedy. This is essential not only for preserving historical memory but also for preventing similar atrocities in the future. At the same time, it remains vital to communicate these truths to the global community. For many years, the international community lacked sufficient awareness of the crimes committed against the Azerbaijani people. Today, through consistent state policy, these realities are gradually being brought to the worlds attention. Historical facts, archival evidence, and scholarly research all confirm that the events of 1918 were a deliberate and systematic massacre, he said.

The analyst emphasized that March 31 is also a day of remembrance for the nations martyrs. Across the country, people visit memorials, offer prayers, and pay tribute to the victims, reflecting a deep respect for history and collective memory. As he noted, history is not merely the past; it is the foundation upon which the future is built.

While this tragedy has left a profound scar on the collective memory of the Azerbaijani people, it has also strengthened our resolve. Today, a strong, independent, and sovereign Azerbaijan moves forward with confidence, drawing lessons from its past. The hardships endured throughout history have not broken the national spirit; on the contrary, they have reinforced it. March 31, the Day of the Genocide of Azerbaijanis, serves as a powerful reminder that we must know our history, safeguard it, and pass it on to future generations. A nation that forgets its past cannot secure its future. Today, we not only commemorate those who perished but also reaffirm our national identity, unity, and resilience. We bow our heads in memory of the innocent victims and honor their legacy. Their memory will forever live on in the consciousness of our people, and the tragedy of March 31 will never be forgotten, he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. In accordance with the instruction of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, measures aimed at strengthening the material-technical base of the Azerbaijan Army, improving the social and living conditions of the units, as well as enhancing the professionalism of the personnel are being successfully continued, Trend reports via the Ministry of Defense.

The leadership of the Ministry of Defense attended the opening of administrative buildings of the Engineer-Fortification Center of the Engineering Troops, the Psychological Support Department and the Baku Military Psychological Health Center, as well as the Legal Department. Additionally, the leadership of the Ministry got acquainted with the works done at the Baku Military College operating under the National Defense University and at the Emergency Medical Service Unit of the Ministrys Main Clinical Hospital.

Simulator systems that meet modern standards were installed at the newly commissioned Engineer-Fortification Center for the training of junior specialists and for the clearance of mined areas.

After getting acquainted with the conditions created on the territory of the center, the leadership inspected the fire-fighting depot, guardroom, vehicle park, warehouses for engineering combat munitions, military-technical equipment, rocket and artillery weapons, ammunition and supplies, as well as the training sites used in the combat training process at the Engineering Troops training range.

Additionally, engineer armament assets and modern mechanical mine-clearance equipment newly procured to strengthen the material and technical support of the center were demonstrated to the leadership, as well as detailed information on their tactical-technical characteristics and operational capabilities was provided.

The fully renovated administrative buildings of Psychological Support Department and the Baku Military Psychological Health Center newly established as part of staff and structural reforms carried out to maintain the high-level psychological training of the Azerbaijan Army's personnel, were commissioned.

Taking into account the specific requirements of psychological services, special therapy rooms for enhancing the psychological resilience of personnel and supporting post-traumatic recovery, as well as workspaces for training of military psychologists and preparing methodological documentation were established.

The center, bringing together military and civilian psychologists and possessing initial regional experience, will serve to protect and promote the psychological well-being of Azerbaijan Army's servicemen and their family members.

The newly established center will provide individual and group psychotherapy, psychological diagnostics, counseling, stress and post-traumatic psychological rehabilitation, as well as support for the psychological development of children and adolescents.

Following this, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense attended the opening of the newly commissioned administrative building of the Legal Department. The leadership was informed that the Legal Department is an institution that regulates various military legal matters and operates in accordance with legislation in the field of defense.

The Department provides legal advice to the personnel of the Azerbaijan Army, combats military crimes, and regulates matters related to international law. The primary objective of the Legal Department is to provide legal support to the activities of the troops and forces under the Ministry of Defense and to ensure compliance with legislation.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The Academy of Public Administration under the President of Azerbaijan will organize training and internship programs for a group of civil servants of Kazakhstan and postgraduates of the Academy of Public Administration under the President of Kazakhstan from March 31 through April 10, 2026, Trend reports.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the training and internship program titled "Innovative Technologies in Public Administration," Rector of the Azerbaijani Academy of Public Administration, Academician Urkhan Alakbarov, emphasized that the innovative public administration model implemented by President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev plays an important role in the sustainable development of the country.

Alakbarov pointed out that under the leadership of President Ilham Aliyev, consistent and systematic reforms are being implemented in Azerbaijan in the direction of applying modern technologies in public administration, large-scale digitalization, development of human capital, strengthening the ecological approach, and forming an innovation-based economic model. The rector noted that as a result of this policy, Azerbaijan has become one of the countries in the region that successfully implements an innovative development model, widely uses modern management technologies, and effectively applies new approaches in public administration.

He also pointed out that the experience gained by Azerbaijan in the field of public administration is of international interest, and such training programs serve to expand the exchange of experience between the countries.

Alakbarov highlighted that there is deep cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Kazakh Academies of Public Administration and that joint events are constantly being held in the fields of public administration, education, and science. At the same time, he emphasized that this program will make a significant contribution to the further expansion of cooperation between the two countries in the field of public administration, strengthening the exchange of experience, and implementing future joint projects.

Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan Alim Bayel, welcoming the participants of the event, noted that bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are developing successfully in all areas. He noted that cooperation between the two brotherly countries in the fields of politics, economics, humanitarian affairs, education, and public administration is dynamically expanding.

The ambassador underscored that the exchange of experience in the field of public administration, joint training programs, and academic cooperation play an important role in the development of relations between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. According to him, this program, implemented between the Azerbaijani and Kazakh Academies of Public Administration, serves the professional development of civil servants, the improvement of modern management skills, and the further strengthening of cooperation between the two countries.

In his speech, the ambassador of Kazakhstan briefed on the political and economic reforms implemented by the President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. He noted that, at the initiative of President Tokayev, large-scale reforms are being implemented in Kazakhstan to modernize public administration, diversify the economy, develop digital technologies, and improve social welfare. These reforms are aimed at further strengthening the role of Kazakhstan at the regional and international levels and ensuring the sustainable development of the country. The Ambassador also emphasized that the strategic partnership and cooperation relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have been successfully developed by Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Later, the graduate civil servants from Kazakhstan expressed their special interest in coming to Baku and their confidence that such programs will be sustainable.

Within the framework of the training program, lectures and presentations will be organized for participants on topics such as digital transformation in public administration, digitalization in legislative activities, gender equality policy, tourism policy, environmental management, human rights, state sovereignty, and international relations. Also, within the framework of the program, the participants will visit the Azerbaijani Parliament, ASAN Innovation Center, Center for Analysis of Economic Reforms and Communication, Center for Analysis of International Relations, State Committee for Family, Women, and Children's Issues, and other state institutions.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The Turkish Ministry of National Defense has released a publication regarding March 31 - Day of Genocide of Azerbaijanis on its X page, Trend reports.

"In those sad days, which went down in history as a black mark, thousands of innocent Azerbaijani Turks were mercilessly murdered by Armenian armed groups. We haven't forgotten, won't forget, and won't let anyone forget the genocide committed against our brotherhood. We commemorate our martyrs with mercy, gratitude, and respect," the publication said.
KHOJAVEND, Azerbaijan, March 31. The families who returned to Khojavend city have been presented with keys to their apartments, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

At this stage, 64 families (253 people) returned to the city.

After welcoming the newly relocated families, Azerbaijan National Agency for Mine Action (ANAMA) employees informed them in detail about the dangers posed by mines and unexploded ordnance. The families were advised to stay away from unfamiliar objects and objects, and to report such situations to the relevant agencies if they encounter them.

The key-handing ceremony was attended by employees of the Special Representation of the President of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons, and other officials.

Including this phase, a total of 201 families (762 people) have been permanently relocated in Khojavend. The residents have been placed in both apartment buildings and renovated individual houses. The apartments have been renovated in accordance with modern requirements.

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The new group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs) of 64 families, set off in the morning, has reached Khojavend city, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

The families who have reached their apartments will be presented with the keys to their new homes in the coming hours.

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12:31

The new group of former internally displaced persons (IDPs), consisting of 64 families (253 people), has been sent to Khojavend city in accordance with the directives of President of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, as part of the ongoing Great Return to the liberated territories, Trend's Karabakh bureau reports.

Prior to that, the IDPs temporarily settled in various parts of the country, mainly in hostels, sanatoriums, and administrative buildings.

The former IDPs returning to their native lands thanked President Ilham Aliyev and First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for their comprehensive care and expressed gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, which liberated the lands from occupation.

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People buy flowers ahead of Nowruz at Tajrish Bazaar in Tehran, Iran, March 19, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua)

People take part in a rally in Tehran, Iran, March 13, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on March 28, 2026 shows a car service center after a missile strike in Tehran, Iran. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua)

An armed reserve soldier rides a scooter across the street in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 26, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take shelter during an air-raid siren in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 26, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People spend their leisure time in Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua)

Girls stop practicing yoga and take shelter during an air-raid siren in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 26, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People spend their leisure time in Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua)

This long exposure photo taken on Feb. 28, 2026 shows flare trails of the interceptor missiles launched from Israeli air defense systems in Tel Aviv, Israel. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A demonstrator raises hands painted with "No War" slogan during a rally to protest against U.S.-Israeli attacks on Iran and demand an end to all acts of war, in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 14, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Tomer Neuberg/JINI via Xinhua)

A man carries home items from a damaged building in Tehran, Iran, March 12, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Shadati)

People gather to mourn the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran, Iran, March 1, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Mehr News Agency/Handout via Xinhua)

A man rides a motorcycle past destroyed buildings in Tehran, Iran, March 4, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Shadati)

A man spends time with his dog on a beach in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 26, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

This photo taken on March 3, 2026 shows smoke rising after explosions in Tehran, Iran. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Shadati)

A couple hold wedding ceremony in a shelter in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 3, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

People take shelter during an air-raid siren in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 26, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A first responder works at the site of an Iranian strike in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 8, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Photo by Gil Cohen Magen/Xinhua)

A man works in a shelter during an air-raid siren in Tel Aviv, Israel, March 11, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)

A man sits on a sofa among the rubble in Tehran, Iran, March 29, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Shadati)

People wait to donate blood at a blood center in Tehran, Iran, March 7, 2026. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Shadati)

This photo taken on March 26, 2026 shows a view of a decorated space in a shelter in Tel Aviv, Israel. The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 30th day on Sunday, with no end to the war in sight. People in Tehran and Tel Aviv spent day and night amid sirens and explosions, facing devastation caused by the conflict while longing for a peaceful life. (Xinhua/Chen Junqing)
Premium Turkmen exchange external quotations decline amid mixed sector dynamics

Photo: State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan (SCRMET)

The total value of external quotations on the State Commodity and Raw Materials Exchange of Turkmenistan decreased compared to the previous session, driven by declines in petrochemicals, light industry, and agriculture, while mechanical engineering remained unchanged and no quotations were registered for construction materials.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. New projects on the establishment of large industrial enterprises will be announced in Azerbaijan's Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ), Chairman of the Board of the AFEZ Authority, Valeh Alasgarov, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

According to him, these projects will enhance the appeal of the free zone for investment and will provide a significant push for the growth of export-oriented production.

During his interview, the chairman touched on the allure of the AFEZ, the investors keen on the institution, upcoming projects, and various other pertinent matters.

He first talked about the history and attractiveness of the free zone and mentioned that all important aspects have been considered.

"If these factors had not been taken into account, it would not have been possible to create such a zone. In order to be more attractive, the experience of free economic zones operating not only in regional countries but in a wider geographical area has been studied, including their legislation, conditions, and reasons for success or failure. As of today, there are over 4,500 free economic zones globally, but not all of them can be deemed successful.

Based on this analysis, the AFEZ has been located in such an area that it is more attractive compared to other zones. The free zone is adjacent to the Baku International Sea Trade Port and is situated at the intersection of international transport corridors such as North-South and East-West. This provides investors with the opportunity to use sea, railway, and road transport.

Investors in our area know in advance that they can use sea routes, railways, and highways. Additionally, we must consider that companies producing high-tech products mostly send their goods not by rail or road, but by air transport. This allows them to save both time and costs. Therefore, we reached an agreement with the well-known Silk Way air carrier company, and the company has started the construction of a large airport in the territory of the AFEZ. A total of 750 hectares have been allocated for this airport because there, not only the airport itself, but also all the infrastructure must be created to ensure the transportation, storage, and distribution of goods for companies wishing to transport their goods through this airport.

The cargo and business aviation segments of the mentioned airport will be commissioned no later than the end of the first quarter of 2027. The initial annual cargo capacity will be 500,000 tons annually, and it is planned to increase this indicator to 1.5 to 2 million tons in the future. With the launch of the airport, our investors will be able to transport their goods by any type of transport in both export and import operations. This, in turn, increases the attractiveness of the Free Zone. Of course, other companies will also be able to send or receive their goods through the mentioned airport," he delineated.

Alasgarov pointed out that the AFEZ provides investors with industrial land plots with ready-to-use on-site and off-site infrastructure and facilities.

"That is, the investor shouldn't wait for years for the establishment of the relevant infrastructure. For this reason, the provision of ready-to-use industrial land plots in the AFEZ is a very important factor for investors. That is, the area presented to the investor is already provided with infrastructure such as water, natural gas, sewage, communications, electricity, etc. This is a huge advantage. When we look at other zones, we see that most of them do not have such conditions.

Another factor that increases the attractiveness of the AFEZ is the exemption of companies operating here from all taxes and customs duties. In addition, we should also emphasize the legislation of the AFEZ. As you know, the Alat Free Economic Zone was established by a special law of Azerbaijan, the law 'On the Alat Free Economic Zone.' The legislation of the AFEZ consists of this law and the internal rules approved by the AFEZ Authority. This is of great importance for investors. For example, to register in the AFEZ, it is enough to apply to the AFEZ Authority. If the authority considers the proposed project acceptable, the company will be registered. There is no need to apply to any state body of the economy here," he explained.

Investors interested in the Alat Free Economic Zone

Alasgarov emphasized that investors who want to establish export-oriented enterprises in the AFEZ are given more preference.

"Investors who establish their production facilities in the Alat Free Economic Zone and export 75% or more of their produced goods are given more attention. Of course, it's also important that the project complies with advanced European standards.

Sometimes, giving preference to export-oriented projects raises surprise. However, if this were not the case, small or medium-sized enterprises focused on producing products for the local market could arise in the AFEZ, which could create unfair competition for companies in the base economy that pay all taxes and customs duties. Therefore, export-oriented enterprises are given preference. If a company is export-oriented, then its products must meet international standards. Secondly, if a company exports 75% or more of its products, then it must be a sufficiently large enterprise. In this case, more jobs will be generated.

We also strive to ensure employment of Azerbaijani citizens by companies operating in the AFEZ. There are already companies operating in the AFEZ that have employed the citizens at their facilities and have offered these citizens training programs in enterprises located in other countries, giving them the opportunity to acquire new skills. After the training, the citizens return to the enterprise established in the free zone and apply the newly acquired knowledge.

In the first phase, when we started registering investors on the 60-hectare area where construction work was completed, we saw that the demand was extremely high. Therefore, we had to start the construction of the next 138-hectare area much earlier than planned. The construction work on these areas will be completed very soon. Although the construction work isn't fully completed, we have already registered some companies for these areas. Some of them are already ready to begin construction work. A very important point is that in 23 hectares of the mentioned 138-hectare area, Chinas Sunsync company will establish a solar panel production facility. Most of the products produced will be exported, as the production volume will be very large.

From the very beginning, the goal is to enter not just the Azerbaijani market but also the global market. Naturally, we recommend that investors use the solar panels produced by the Chinese company in the construction of the roofs of the facilities built in the free zone. This company will also participate in all tenders held in Azerbaijan for the sale of panels. After the Chinese company starts producing the mentioned products in the AFEZ, it will be more convenient and advantageous for companies building solar power plants to purchase panels from here. We have also informed Sunsync that we are ready to provide land for building a solar power plant. That is, using the solar panels produced by this Chinese company in the AFEZ, a solar power plant can be built, and the green energy obtained from it can be sold to companies operating in the AFEZ.

The chairman also indicated that they are currently engaged in an additional initiative.

"This concerns the production of wind power plants (WPPs). Negotiations are ongoing with several companies for the construction of a facility for the production of wind turbine blades and other necessary equipment for WPPs in the AFEZ. This will reduce production and construction costs, as well as eliminate transportation and logistics difficulties related to the movement of wind power plant equipment.

In parallel, we have already started construction work in the area allocated for heavy industry. We have completed land work on 364 hectares. This year, we also plan to start other infrastructure work. The work within the area allocated for heavy industry will be carried out by the AFEZ Authority. Outside the area, Azerenergy will soon begin the construction of a large substation. Additionally, other state institutions will carry out infrastructure work. It's already a very positive development that applications are coming in to operate in the area allocated for heavy industry. Soon, we will announce projects related to the establishment of large enterprises in the AFEZ

Overall, the work related to the activities of the companies registered in the AFEZ is ongoing at different stages. For example, some companies have already started production, others are about to start producing their initial products, while some are still at the construction or design phase. These companies are mainly from Turkiye, China, Israel, European countries, as well as local Azerbaijani companies," he said.

New opportunities created by transport corridors

Alasgarov also pointed out in the interview that Azerbaijans geographical location has turned it into an international transport hub. He mentioned that there has been a steady rise in the flow of goods to the country, particularly in relation to the Middle Corridor. The chairman addressed the significance of the AFEZ in unlocking the freight potential of the North-South and East-West corridors.

"Previously, there was only access to the Poti port via railways or roads, but today we already have access to Turkiye through the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars railway and from there to the sea ports on the Mediterranean coast. However, once the Zangezur Corridor opens, it will naturally create new opportunities for the transportation of any type of cargo for us. The new route will shorten the distance for transport, accelerate the process, and reduce transportation costs. At the same time, the Zangezur Corridor will provide direct access to the sea ports of Turkiye on the Mediterranean coast. This is a very important issue.

We are in talks about creating an aluminum production facility in the AFEZ. If this facility produces a minimum of 250,000 tons of aluminum per year, it will require at least 550,000-600,000 tons of raw materials. The raw materials will be brought by ship from foreign countries such as Vietnam, Guinea, and others. Therefore, once the Zangezur Corridor opens, the raw materials will be delivered more quickly and easily to Azerbaijan through large ships to Turkish ports on the Mediterranean coast, and then by rail via the Zangezur Corridor. Thus, the opening of the Zangezur Corridor is of great importance," he underscored.

Participation in international events and exhibitions

In conclusion, Alasgarov noted that steps have been taken to promote the institution he leads to foreign investors through participation in international exhibitions.

"We participate in various events in European countries. In April this year, we'll participate in a major exhibition in Hannover, Germany. We also participated in the same exhibition last year and had a large booth. We provide extensive information to companies there about the AFEZ and promote the free zone. At the same time, we meet and negotiate with representatives of companies coming to Azerbaijan from European countries. Earlier this year, we held a meeting with a delegation from the European Union, led by David Cullen, Head of the Directorate for Enlargement and Eastern Neighbourhood at the EU.

We presented them with detailed information about the unique legislative framework of the free zone, industrial land plots equipped with ready-to-use internal and external infrastructure and modern engineering-communication systems, as well as a comprehensive package of financial and non-financial incentives for investors. Special attention was also given to the transport and logistics infrastructure and development potential of the free zone.

Thus, necessary measures are being taken to attract foreign investors to the Alat Free Economic Zone," he added.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The war hasn't seriously affected Iran's electricity production, supply, and exports over the past month, Chairman of the Federation of Iranian Energy Export Industries, Hamid Reza Salehi, told local media, Trend reports.

According to him, any attack on a power plant during the ongoing U.S. and Israeli military airstrikes against Iran actually means an attack on the wealth of citizens.

Salehi said that electricity consumption in Iran is currently very low. Therefore, it's a period when repairs are carried out at power plants, and if necessary, since electricity consumption isn't high, it's possible to immediately activate the suspended plants.

The confederation official said that currently, Iran's electricity export to Iraq is being carried out, and there are no problems. It's just that electricity export is suspended because electricity consumption in the country peaks in the summer.

In general, the electricity production potential in Iran is around 95,000 megawatts. Iran is working to increase its electricity generation potential to 100,000 megawatts.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 31. IT service exports through Kazakhstans Astana Hub reached 328 billion tenge ($681 million), marking a 44% increase, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital Development, Innovation and Aerospace Industry Zhaslan Madiyev said at the government meeting, Trend reports.

Madiyev noted that the sectors growth is driven by key areas, including support for innovation, digital solutions in the subsoil sector, ecosystem development via Astana Hub, and cluster formation.

He added that Astana Hub remains a platform for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship. It hosts acceleration programs such as AIpreneurs, which support artificial intelligence startups from early-stage development to attracting investment. Since September 2024, three program cycles have resulted in the creation of 35 AI startups.

In addition, the Astana Innovations Accelerator, implemented jointly with the city administration, focuses on integrating startups into the urban environment. Eight projects have received funding under the program.

By the end of 2025, Astana Hub residents created over 32,500 jobs, while 537 companies exported IT services to 111 countries.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 31. Kazakhstan is developing infrastructure for training operators of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) as part of the transformation of the EXPO territory into a new-generation technology cluster, Trend reports via the press service of the Kazakh government.

The announcement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development Zhaslan Madiyev during a government meeting on March 31, chaired by Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov.

According to Madiyev, the Exponential Cluster is being created as an integrated innovation ecosystem where science, technological startups, and industry operate within a unified platform. The cluster will encompass specialized hubs in robotics, drone technology, game development, cybersecurity, medical technologies, agricultural technologies, Industry 4.0, and cybersport.

"At the Robotics Center, a humanoid robotics laboratory has been launched, featuring teleoperation technologies and integration with the Alem LLM language model for interaction with users," he said.

Madiyev pointed out that the complete rollout of all centers is on the horizon for later this year.

In the long term, the Exponential Cluster is expected to support the annual launch of up to 500 startups, including more than 100 hardware projects, positioning it as a key hub for innovation development.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze met with Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan Nokerguly Atagulyev in Tbilisi, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen government.

During the meeting, the sides discussed prospects for expanding cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian spheres, as well as exchanged views on the current state and future development of bilateral relations.

The parties noted the steady development of bilateral relations between Turkmenistan and Georgia, as well as effective cooperation within multilateral platforms, including the United Nations.

They also emphasized the importance of high-level visits in strengthening political dialogue and mutual trust.

Previously, Turkmenistan and Georgia formalized an agreement on interparliamentary cooperation in February 2026. The document followed a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her official visit to Tbilisi.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Turkmenistan and Georgia engaged in discussions aimed at enhancing collaboration in the areas of transport, logistics, energy, and foreign trade, Trend reports via the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Nokerguly Atagulyev, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, who was on an official visit to Tbilisi on March 30.

The sides also confirmed that the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Commission on Bilateral Economic Cooperation will be held in Ashgabat on May 67 this year. In addition, a Georgian-Turkmen business forum is expected to be organized in the near future.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze and Tamar Ioseliani; Lasha Abashidze, Director General of Georgian Railways; and Konstantin Sabiashvili, Georgias Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan.

Earlier that day, Deputy Chairman Atagulyev had met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. In their discussions, the two sides explored prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian fields, while also reviewing the current status and future trajectory of their diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Georgia formalized an agreement on interparliamentary cooperation in February 2026. The document followed a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her official visit to Tbilisi.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Turkmenistan has expressed interest in developing and investing in warehouse and logistics infrastructure near existing Georgian ports, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

The issue was addressed during a meeting between Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Nokerguly Atagulyev, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, who was on an official visit to Tbilisi on March 30.

To this end, a Turkmen delegation is set to pay a visit to Georgian ports to take stock of the relevant infrastructure and explore potential avenues for future collaboration and investment.

The meeting was attended by key officials, including Deputy Ministers of Economy and Sustainable Development, Genadi Arveladze and Tamar Ioseliani; Lasha Abashidze, Director General of Georgian Railways; and Konstantin Sabiashvili, Georgias Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Turkmenistan.

Earlier that day, Deputy Chairman Atagulyev had met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. In their discussions, the two sides explored prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian fields, while also reviewing the current status and future trajectory of their diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Georgia formalized an agreement on interparliamentary cooperation in February 2026. The document followed a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her official visit to Tbilisi.

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Premium Azerbaijan's remittances flow to Germany see growth in 2025

Remittances sent from Azerbaijan to Germany increased over the past year, even as flows in the opposite direction recorded a slight decline, according to data from the Central Bank of Azerbaijan.
BANGKOK, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn has endorsed a new cabinet under the leadership of Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, a royal command said on Tuesday.

According to the official Royal Gazette, the king appointed the 35-member cabinet as selected by Anutin, including seven deputy prime ministers and other ministers, following his re-election for a second term earlier this month.

The Bhumjaithai Party, whose leader, Anutin, also serves as interior minister, will lead the coalition government, holding the majority of cabinet seats. Its main coalition partner, the Pheu Thai Party, will command eight ministerial posts.

Key ministers from the previous administration remain in place, including Finance Minister Ekniti Nitithanprapas, Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun, and Foreign Affairs Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow.

The endorsement paves the way for the new cabinet to take an oath of allegiance before the king and present its policy statement to parliament, a final step required before a new administration officially takes office. 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The possibility of establishing a joint investment fund between the Azerbaijan Investment Holding and Chinas Silk Road Fund was discussed, the Minister of Economy, Mikayil Jabbarov, wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

According to Trend, Azerbaijans Minister of Economy Mikail Jabbarov announced this on his X account.

During the meeting with Si Xinbo, Deputy CEO and member of the Investment Committee of Silk Road Fund, we discussed initiatives aimed at diversifying economic relations between Azerbaijan and China.

The discussion also covered the establishment of the Joint Investment Fund between Azerbaijan Investment Holding and Silk Road Fund, the implementation of potential investment projects, and opportunities to expand the use of various financing models, the publication reads.

According to the Central Bank of Azerbaijan, in 2025, Azerbaijans direct investment in China amounted to $9.9 million, which is $7.2 million, or 3.6 times, more than in 2024.

In the reporting year, the share of investments in China in the total volume of foreign direct investment from Azerbaijan amounted to 0.4%.

In turn, China invested $26.8 million in Azerbaijans economy in 2025, which is $9.3 million, or 1.5 times more, compared to the previous year.

Chinas share of total foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan was 0.4%.

In 2024, Chinas total direct investment in Azerbaijan amounted to $17.6 million, while investment from Azerbaijan to China totaled $2.8 million.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Turkmenistan and Georgia discussed increasing cargo flows through Georgian ports and expanding cooperation in transport infrastructure development, Trend reports via the Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development of Georgia.

The issue was addressed during a meeting between Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Nokerguly Atagulyev, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, who was on an official visit to Tbilisi on March 30.

The discussions focused on major infrastructure projects, including the modernization of railways, the East-West highway, the deep-water port of Anaklia, and the new Tbilisi airport.

The Georgian side welcomed active partnership with Turkmenistan in logistics and transport, expressing support for the development of uninterrupted cargo and passenger connectivity between the two countries.

The Georgian side further emphasized the importance of developing safe, reliable, and competitive transport routes and expressed readiness to continue cooperation with Turkmenistan in both bilateral and multilateral formats.

Earlier that day, Deputy Chairman Atagulyev had met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. In their discussions, the two sides explored prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian fields, while also reviewing the current status and future trajectory of their diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Georgia formalized an agreement on interparliamentary cooperation in February 2026. The document followed a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her official visit to Tbilisi.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Georgia expressed readiness to facilitate the transportation of Turkmen natural gas and oil through its territory to Turkiye and further to European countries, Trend reports via the Georgian Ministry of Economy and Sustainable Development.

The issue was addressed during a meeting between Mariam Kvrivishvili, the Georgian Minister of Economy and Sustainable Development, and Nokerguly Atagulyev, the Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Turkmenistan, who was on an official visit to Tbilisi on March 30.

Earlier that day, Deputy Chairman Atagulyev had met with Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze in Tbilisi. In their discussions, the two sides explored prospects for expanding bilateral cooperation in trade, transport, energy, and cultural and humanitarian fields, while also reviewing the current status and future trajectory of their diplomatic relations.

Meanwhile, Turkmenistan and Georgia formalized an agreement on interparliamentary cooperation in February 2026. The document followed a meeting between Speaker of the Parliament of Georgia, Shalva Papuashvili, and Speaker of the Mejlis (Parliament) of Turkmenistan, Dunyagozel Gulmanova, during her official visit to Tbilisi.
Photo: The press office of the President of Mongolia

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Turkmenistan and Mongolia have held their first-ever dialogue between interparliamentary friendship groups in a videoconference format, Trend reports via the press service of the Turkmen Government.

The meeting marked a practical step in implementing agreements reached at the level of the two countries leadership. During the talks, lawmakers agreed to expand contacts between relevant committees, as well as among young lawmakers and women parliamentarians.

In addition, discussions touched upon opportunities to support economic cooperation, with parliamentary diplomacy seen as a tool to facilitate business ties between the two countries.

Following the meeting, the sides reaffirmed their intention to continue dialogue and develop cooperation across multiple areas.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Belavia, the national air carrier of Belarus, has rolled out a summer flight schedule for the Minsk-Turkmenbashi route, Trend reports via the press service of Turkmenistan.

The updated timetable comes into effect on March 31 and will remain in force until October 24, 2026.

Under the new schedule, flights from Minsk to Turkmenbashi will operate twice a week, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, with departures at 22:50 and arrival at 04:55 local time the next day.

Return flights from Turkmenbashi to Minsk are scheduled for Wednesdays and Sundays, departing at 05:55 and arriving at 08:05 local time.

The airline will operate Embraer 195 aircraft on the route.

Earlier, in February, Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador of Belarus to Turkmenistan Stanislav Chepurnoy discussed the development of aviation links between the two countries.

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ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, March 31. Turkmenistan and Turkiye discussed further expansion of cooperation, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA.

The discussions took place during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and Ambassador of Turkiye to Turkmenistan Ahmet Demirok on March 31.

During the talks, the sides focused on strengthening trade and economic ties, as well as cooperation in the energy and transport sectors.

The diplomats also exchanged views on key regional and international issues and noted the high level of political and diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Particular attention was paid to prospects for developing cultural and humanitarian cooperation, including joint events and participation in international forums.

For reference, Turkish companies are among the top economic partners in Turkmenistan, having implemented over 1,400 projects valued at more than $50 billion since 1991, with a strong focus on construction, energy, textiles, and transport. Major Turkish firms like Calk Holding and Polimeks are heavily involved in key infrastructure, industrial facilities, and the "smart city" of Arkadag.

Turkiyes trade with Turkmenistan reached $2.2 billion in 2025. The main goal for bilateral trade is to reach $5 billion, a target set by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Azerbaijan has discussed economic cooperation with a Turkish company, Minister of Economy of Azerbaijan Mikayil Jabbarov wrote on his X page, Trend reports.

"During the meeting with representatives of Turkiyes Fiba Holding, we discussed the development of our business partnership and potential avenues for cooperation.

We assessed opportunities for joint activities in renewable energy and infrastructure projects, as well as in the fields of energy supply, tourism, and construction," he noted.

The Central Bank of Azerbaijan reports that in 2025, Turkiyes direct investment in Azerbaijan totaled $1.2 billion, an increase of $12.8 million, or 1%, compared to 2024.

During the reporting year, the share of investments from Turkiye in the total volume of foreign direct investment in Azerbaijan amounted to 18.7%. Thus, Turkiye ranked second among the countries making the largest investments in Azerbaijan, following the UK and Northern Ireland.

Azerbaijan, in turn, invested $345 million in Turkiyes economy in 2025, which is $96.032 million, or 38.6%, more than in the previous year.

Azerbaijans share of total foreign direct investment in Turkiye amounted to 13.6%. Thus, Turkiye ranked second among the countries to which Azerbaijan directed the largest foreign investments, next to Israel.

In 2024, the volume of Turkiyes direct investments in Azerbaijan amounted to $1.2 billion, while investments in the opposite direction totaled $248.9 million.
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Premium Tajikistan commissions large coal mine in Isfara city

Photo: Press Service of the President of Tajikistan

Tajikistan has officially launched Coal Mine No. 8 of the "Angisht" OJSC, located in the city of Isfara. The mine was officially opened on March 31 by the president of Tajikistan as part of his ongoing working visit to Isfara city.
SYDNEY, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Police in Sydney have charged three men after seizing over 100 kg of drugs and precursor chemicals during raids in the city's west and southwest suburbs.

A police statement said that officers executed initial search warrants at two storage locker facilities on Friday and seized over 100 kg of substances, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and precursor chemicals, as well as 5,600 vapes and items used in the clandestine manufacturing of drugs.

Further search warrants executed at four locations across west and southwest Sydney on Monday resulted in the seizure of more cocaine and methamphetamine as well as heroin and cannabis.

In addition to the drugs, police located and seized about 598,000 Australian dollars (409,772 U.S. dollars) in cash.

Three men, aged 20, 24, and 28, were arrested during the searches on Monday.

The 28-year-old and 20-year-old were both charged with supplying prohibited drugs in a large commercial quantity, which carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment, as well as offenses relating to the manufacturing of drugs.

The 24-year-old was charged with the lesser offenses of dealing with the proceeds of crime and possessing prohibited drugs.

Police estimated that the seized drugs were worth five million AUD (3.4 million USD). 
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Sunsync, the first Chinese company officially registered in Azerbaijan's Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ), has been offered a plot of land for the construction of a solar power plant (SPP) in the AFEZ, the Chairman of the Board of the AFEZ Authority, Valeh Alasgarov, told Trend in an exclusive interview.

He noted that in 23 hectares of the mentioned 138-hectare area, Chinas Sunsync company will establish a solar panel production facility.

"Most of the products manufactured will be exported, because the production volume will be very large. From the very beginning, the goal is to enter not just the Azerbaijani market but also the global market. We recommend that investors use the solar panels produced by the Chinese company in the construction of the roofs of the facilities built in the free zone. Additionally, this company will also participate in all tenders held in Azerbaijan for the sale of panels," he said.

Alasgarov emphasized that after the Chinese company starts producing the mentioned products in the AFEZ, it will be more convenient and advantageous for companies building solar power plants to purchase panels from here.

"We have also informed Sunsync that we are ready to provide land for building a solar power plant. That is, using the solar panels produced by this Chinese company in the AFEZ, a solar power plant can be built, and the green energy obtained from it can be sold to companies operating in the AFEZ.

The chairman also mentioned that they are working on another project.

"This concerns the production of wind power plants (WPPs). Negotiations are ongoing with several companies for the construction of a facility for the production of wind turbine blades and other necessary equipment for WPPs in the AFEZ. This will reduce production and construction costs, as well as eliminate transportation and logistics difficulties related to the movement of wind power plant equipment.

In parallel, we have already started construction work in the area allocated for heavy industry. We have completed land work on 364 hectares. This year, we also plan to start other infrastructure work. The work within the area allocated for heavy industry will be carried out by the AFEZ Authority. Outside the area, Azerenergy will soon begin the construction of a large substation. Additionally, other state institutions will carry out infrastructure work. It's already a very positive development that applications are coming in to operate in the area allocated for heavy industry. Soon, we will announce projects related to the establishment of large enterprises in the AFEZ," he added.

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 29. Kyrgyzstan and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, Trend reports, citing the Kyrgyz Ministry of Finance.

The discussion took place in Beijing during a meeting between Nurbek Akzholov, Deputy Minister of Finance of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Konstantin Limitovsky, Konstantin Limitovskiy, Chief Investment Officer, Public Sector (Region 2) & Project and Corporate Finance (Global) Clients at AIIB, on March 31, 2026.

During the negotiations, the parties discussed current issues of bilateral cooperation, including the implementation of existing investment projects, prospective areas of interaction, and the expansion of AIIBs participation in key sectors of the Kyrgyz economy, such as infrastructure, energy, and transport.

Special attention was paid to improving the efficiency of joint work and developing new initiatives aimed at the countrys sustainable socio-economic development.

Following the meeting, the parties confirmed their mutual interest in further developing the partnership and strengthening cooperation in the priority sectors of the economy.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan discussed the implementation progress of the Green Corridor Alliance during an online working meeting involving transmission system operators and international partners, Trend reports via the Green Corridor Alliance.

According to the Alliance, Azerbaijan was represented by Azerenerji OJSC, Kazakhstan by KEGOC, and Uzbekistan by the National Electric Grid of Uzbekistan (NEGU). Representatives of the Asian Development Bank, which supports the project, and Italys CESI SpA, acting as a technical consultant, also took part in the meeting.

Participants discussed the current status of the data collection process and key issues arising during implementation, as well as coordination mechanisms and synchronization of information exchange to ensure the successful realization of the project, the statement said.

The initiative forms part of the Trans-Caspian Green Energy Corridor project, launched on April 4, 2025, with the support of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB). The participating countries signed a cooperation agreement to prepare a feasibility study (FS), aimed at integrating their power systems and establishing a route for supplying renewable energy to Europe.

To oversee the initiative, the Green Corridor Alliance joint venture was established with its headquarters in Baku. The feasibility study is being carried out with financial backing from the ADB and AIIB.

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Photo: Official information source of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan

ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 31. State funding for science in Kazakhstan has increased sixfold over the past six years, Prime Minister Olzhas Bektenov said at a government meeting, Trend reports via the Kazakh government.

The Prime Minister stressed that the state is creating favorable conditions for the development of science and innovation. In particular, starting January 1 this year, tax incentives of up to 300% of research and development (R&D) expenditures have been introduced to stimulate private investment in scientific research.

According to him, the Budget Code obliges subsoil users to allocate 1% of their extraction costs to finance science and innovation through centralized mechanisms.

Bektenov also pointed out that the tools for venture financing have broadened, while the backing for technology brokerage and business acceleration has been bolstered. Simultaneously, a range of financial instruments is being rolled out to turn research outcomes into viable ventures.

Within grant funding programs for commercialization projects, a minimum business co-financing requirement of at least 25% of the total grant amount has been established.

The Prime Minister emphasized that the development of science and innovation is enshrined in the new Constitution as a strategic priority of the state. He added that innovation is a key driver of productivity growth and the creation of high-tech jobs, directly influencing economic breakthroughs and competitiveness.

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan, March 31. Air Astana has transitioned to its summer flight schedule running from March 29 through October 24, with an expected increase in flights to a number of destinations, Trend reports via the company.

Throughout this timeframe, the airline is ramping up frequencies on current routes, reinstating seasonal operations, and introducing new flight options.

A gradual increase in frequencies is expected from Astana and Almaty to Beijing, Istanbul, and Antalya, while flights from Astana to Frankfurt will become daily starting in May. Additional flights are also planned from Almaty to Urumqi, Tbilisi, and Tashkent, the company said.

On March 29, the airline operated the first flight on the new AlmatyShanghai route, which runs three times a week on an Airbus A321LR. Starting June 2, new routes from Astana to Guangzhou will be launched with twice-weekly flights, alongside services from Astana to Larnaca (Cyprus) and from Almaty to Larnaca starting June 4, all operated on Airbus A321LR aircraft.

Seasonal flights are also being resumed from Almaty to Nha Trang/Danang (Vietnam), Batumi, Podgorica (Montenegro), and Bodrum, as well as from Astana to Nha Trang/Danang, Podgorica, Tbilisi, Bodrum, and Tashkent, and from Atyrau to Tbilisi. In addition, seasonal flights from Almaty to Male (Maldives) have been extended until the end of May.

In this account, Kazakh nationals enjoy the advantage of visa-free access to various destinations such as the Maldives, Turkiye, China, Vietnam, Georgia, and Uzbekistan.

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Photo: Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kyrgyzstan

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan, March 31. Kyrgyzstan and Belarus have discussed expanding further cooperation across a wide range of areas, Trend reports via the Kyrgyz MFA.

The issue was addressed during a meeting between Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers - Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry of Kyrgyzstan, Erlist Akunbekov, and Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to Kyrgyzstan, Sergey Molunov.

During the talks, the parties discussed the development of trade and economic cooperation, industrial collaboration, and interaction in agriculture, transport, and logistics.

They also reaffirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening friendly and partnership relations between Kyrgyzstan and Belarus.

Particular attention was paid to preparations for the reciprocal official visit of the Prime Minister of Belarus, Alexander Turchin, to Kyrgyzstan, scheduled for June 45, 2026.

The visit is expected to include official meetings and events, as well as a KyrgyzBelarusian business forum.

At the same time, the sides stressed the need to intensify efforts within the framework of the Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, and Technical Cooperation, with its next meeting proposed for the second half of 2026 in Minsk.

The Kyrgyz side expressed its readiness to continue close and coordinated work with Belarus to deepen bilateral engagement and deliver concrete results.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. An American long-range MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle was shot down by Iranian air defense forces, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) said in a statement, Trend reports.

According to information, the drone was shot down in the skies over the city of Isfahan, located in central Iran.

The US drone was reportedly shot down by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps' newly developed air defense system, which is under the control of the country's Integrated Air Defense System.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Today, another U.S. long-range MQ-9 Reaper unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was shot down by Iranian air defense forces in Irans central Isfahan province, Trend reports, citing the press service of the Iranian army.

According to the army's statement, with the shooting down of the UAV in question, the tally of UAVs brought down by the Air Defense Forces in Iranian skies has hit 146.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States and Iran over the nuclear program, the U.S. and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Residents stage a protest against Japanese government's deployment of long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, in Tokyo, Japan, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)

TOKYO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Japan's Defense Ministry said Tuesday that long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities have been brought into service for the first time at two Ground Self-Defense Force (GSDF) bases in the country, a move that has sparked domestic opposition.

The deployment of the missiles at Camp Kengun in Kumamoto Prefecture, southwestern Japan, and Camp Fuji in Shizuoka Prefecture, central Japan, marks a significant shift from the country's long-standing exclusively defense-oriented policy under its war-renouncing Constitution, Kyodo News reported.

Camp Kengun has been equipped with a ground-launched version of the upgraded Type 12 land-to-ship guided missile that can fly about 1,000 kilometers, far exceeding Japan's territorial boundaries and widely seen as having clear offensive capabilities.

Meanwhile, hyper velocity gliding projectiles have been equipped at a training unit at Camp Fuji. Designed for island defense, the deployed model has a range of several hundred kilometers, with the ministry working to upgrade it to around 2,000 kilometers.

Kyodo News noted that "enemy base strike capability" refers to Japan's ability to launch counterstrikes against adversary bases before actual damage occurs, if it determines that an attack is imminent. However, analysts warn that misjudgments could risk violating international law by constituting a preemptive strike.

Atsushi Koketsu, emeritus professor at Yamaguchi University in Japan, told Xinhua that while the government frames the capability as a means of strengthening deterrence, it "clearly goes beyond the scope of self-defense."

On Tuesday, local residents in Kumamoto staged protests near Camp Kengun, holding placards reading "Oppose deployment" and "No missiles needed," Kyodo News reported.

Protesters expressed concern that the deployment could turn the area into a potential military target, and have repeatedly called on the defense ministry to hold public briefings, which have yet to take place, the report said.

Separately, more than a dozen citizen representatives met with defense ministry officials in Tokyo on Monday, urging the government to halt its military expansion measures, including the missile deployment in Kumamoto. Participants criticized officials for providing vague responses and frequently avoiding transparency.

Citizen representative Kujirai said after the meeting that the government's replies followed a "routine pattern," increasingly citing "confidentiality" as a pretext when declining to answer specific questions. He also criticized Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi's push to "make Japan strong and wealthy," arguing it amounts to large-scale military expansion without adequate public accountability. "This is a misinterpretation of the citizens' demands and a very dangerous stance," he said.

Another representative, Akira Saito, told Xinhua that the government officials' response remained very limited. Going forward, in addition to directly questioning Takaichi at the parliamentary level, "it is crucial to continuously expand and amplify our voices through civic movements," he said. 

Residents stage a protest against Japanese government's deployment of long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, in Tokyo, Japan, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)

Residents stage a protest against Japanese government's deployment of long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, in Tokyo, Japan, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)

Residents stage a protest against Japanese government's deployment of long-range missiles with counterstrike capabilities in Kumamoto Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, in Tokyo, Japan, on March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Yue Chenxing)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. More than 113,000 residential buildings in Iran have been damaged by airstrikes carried out by the United States and Israel since February 28, the statement of the Iranian Red Crescent Society says, Trend reports.

According to information, 44,400 homes were hit in Tehran province alone, while about 90,000 others were affected across the rest of the country.

During the same period, 307 healthcare and medical facilities, as well as 760 schools, were struck. The air raids also damaged 18 Red Crescent centers, 48 operational vehicles, and 3 rescue helicopters.

In 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Irans nuclear program, and the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which led to the repeal of the previous six resolutions and the lifting of widespread sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear program.

In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran. Irans gradual lifting of the restrictions provided for in the plan was not unanimously accepted by other countries. Consequently, on September 28, 2025, UN Security Council resolutions against Iran were reinstated.

The International Atomic Energy Agencys report, published in May 2025, indicated that Irans stockpile of enriched uranium stood at 9,247 kilograms, of which more than 408 kilograms were enriched to 60% or higher.

Although two rounds of negotiations on Irans nuclear program took place between the U.S. and Iran at different times, the parties failed to reach a concrete agreement, and both rounds of talks ended in conflict. The most recent of these conflicts began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran.

In response, Iran began launching missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in countries across the region. Over time, the conflict expanded significantly and engulfed various countries in the Middle East.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) of Iran has targeted a meeting location of local Israeli front-line commanders in Bnei Brak, Trend reports via IRGC.

This action was part of the 88th stage of Operation True Promise 4, during which the group employed "Emad," "Khorramshahr 4," and "Ghadr" missiles. IRGC also reported strikes on Tel Aviv, Be'er Sheva, Galilee, Negev, Tel Nof, Arad, and the southern Red Sea regions.

In 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Irans nuclear program, and the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which led to the repeal of the previous six resolutions and the lifting of widespread sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear program.

In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran. Irans gradual lifting of the restrictions provided for in the plan was not unanimously accepted by other countries. Consequently, on September 28, 2025, UN Security Council resolutions against Iran were reinstated.

The International Atomic Energy Agencys report, published in May 2025, indicated that Irans stockpile of enriched uranium stood at 9,247 kilograms, of which more than 408 kilograms were enriched to 60% or higher.

Although two rounds of negotiations on Irans nuclear program took place between the U.S. and Iran at different times, the parties failed to reach a concrete agreement, and both rounds of talks ended in conflict. The most recent of these conflicts began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran.

In response, Iran began launching missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in countries across the region. Over time, the conflict expanded significantly and engulfed various countries in the Middle East.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Since February 28, a total of 24 healthcare workers have lost their lives as a result of U.S. and Israeli airstrikes on Iran, the statement of Irans Ministry of Health, Treatment, and Medical Education says, Trend reports.

The Ministry further reports that 114 healthcare workers sustained injuries during this period.

In addition, the Ministrys statement reveals that 17 children under the age of five and 216 adolescents under the age of 18 were killed in these attacks. Furthermore, 66 children under the age of two and 1,830 adolescents under 18 were reported injured.

The statement also highlights that 249 women have been killed and 4,400 women injured due to the strikes.

Moreover, 53 emergency care centers, 44 medical facilities, and 212 medical centers have sustained damage as a result of the attacks.

In 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Irans nuclear program, and the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which led to the repeal of the previous six resolutions and the lifting of widespread sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear program.

In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran. Irans gradual lifting of the restrictions provided for in the plan was not unanimously accepted by other countries. Consequently, on September 28, 2025, UN Security Council resolutions against Iran were reinstated.

The International Atomic Energy Agencys report, published in May 2025, indicated that Irans stockpile of enriched uranium stood at 9,247 kilograms, of which more than 408 kilograms were enriched to 60% or higher.

Although two rounds of negotiations on Irans nuclear program took place between the U.S. and Iran at different times, the parties failed to reach a concrete agreement, and both rounds of talks ended in conflict. The most recent of these conflicts began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran.

In response, Iran began launching missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in countries across the region. Over time, the conflict expanded significantly and engulfed various countries in the Middle East.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, April 1. The United States plans to cease active military operations against Iran within the next two to three weeks, U.S. President Donald Trump said, Trend reports.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump stated, I think we will leave there in two or three weeks, because we have no reason to continue this conflict.

Since no concrete agreement was reached in negotiations between the United States (US) and Iran over the nuclear program, the US and Israel began military airstrikes against Iran on February 28. In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Israel and US military facilities located in countries across the region, starting the same day.

On the first day of the air strikes against Iran, Irans Supreme Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei and several high-ranking military officials were killed. On March 8, Irans Assembly of Experts elected Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei as Irans third Supreme Leader by majority vote.

From March 1 through March 5, the confrontation expanded further, affecting several countries across the Middle East.

According to information, the U.S. side suffered losses of 8 dead and more than 140 wounded.

The ongoing conflict has significantly threatened the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport. Oil prices have surged on global markets due to heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz, prompting several countries to advise their citizens to leave the region.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, March 31. Amid ongoing escalations in the Middle East and disruptions to oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, U.S. President Donald Trump has offered a series of proposals to countries facing aviation fuel shortages, Trend reports.

According to Trumps post on the "Truth Social" social network, he emphasized that each country must ensure the security of the Strait of Hormuz on its own, without relying on the United States.

"All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself; the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!" Trump wrote.

In another post, Trump criticized the French government.

"The country of France wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the Butcher of Iran, who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!!" Trump wrote.

In 2015, an agreement was reached between Iran and the P5+1 group on a Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action regarding Irans nuclear program, and the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, which led to the repeal of the previous six resolutions and the lifting of widespread sanctions against Iran related to its nuclear program.

In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the plan and imposed sanctions on Iran. Irans gradual lifting of the restrictions provided for in the plan was not unanimously accepted by other countries. Consequently, on September 28, 2025, UN Security Council resolutions against Iran were reinstated.

The International Atomic Energy Agencys report, published in May 2025, indicated that Irans stockpile of enriched uranium stood at 9,247 kilograms, of which more than 408 kilograms were enriched to 60% or higher.

Although two rounds of negotiations on Irans nuclear program took place between the U.S. and Iran at different times, the parties failed to reach a concrete agreement, and both rounds of talks ended in conflict. The most recent of these conflicts began on February 28, when the U.S. and Israel launched military airstrikes against Iran.

In response, Iran began launching missile and drone strikes against Israeli and U.S. targets in countries across the region. Over time, the conflict expanded significantly and engulfed various countries in the Middle East.

The conflict has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime shipping under serious threat. Due to security tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, global oil prices have risen significantly. Iran fully controls the Strait of Hormuz and allows passage only to vessels it deems necessary.

Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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NEW DELHI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- At least eight women died, and around 10 people were injured when a stampede occurred at a temple in India's eastern state of Bihar on Tuesday, confirmed a local police officer over the phone.

According to him, the stampede occurred at Sheetla temple in the Deepnagar area of Bihar's Nalanda district, at around 10:00 a.m. local time.

Video footage viral on various social media platforms showed the injured women being rushed to a local hospital. The death toll was feared to rise since some of the injured persons were said to be in a critical condition.

An enquiry was ordered to investigate the stampede. 
Bab el-Mandeb may prove to be The Gate of Tears

The more critical issue regarding their involvement is whether Houthi rebels will attempt to disrupt shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, effectively undermining Saudi Arabias efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz via its East-West oil pipeline

The war against Iran has threatened global supplies of oil and natural gas, sparked fertiliser shortages and disrupted air travel. Irans grip on the strategic Strait of Hormuz has shaken markets and prices. The United States and Israel continue to strike Iran, whose retaliatory attacks have targeted Israel and neighboring Gulf Arab states.

More than 3,000 people have been killed. In this backdrop, the entry of Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in the war, has increased concern regarding shutting down of another passage for oil tankers, through Bab el-Mandeb or Bab al Mandab Strait.

After Yemens Houthi rebels escalated their involvement in the conflict, with two missiles fired toward Israel, international concerns continue to grow about the supply of oil to the world. The development raises fresh fears that the group could again threaten Red Sea shipping routes, a vital global trade corridor, further increasing tensions across an already volatile regional conflict.

Abdul Malik al-Houthi, leader of the militant group, said on March 26, "As the people of Yemen, we repay loyalty with loyalty."

He did not specify what kind of military action his movement might undertake. "Our position is clear and explicit against America and Israel, and we harbour no hostile intentions toward any Muslim country," he said, in an apparent reference to countries in the Gulf.

The more critical issue regarding their involvement is whether they will attempt to disrupt shipping in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, effectively undermining Saudi Arabias efforts to bypass the Strait of Hormuz via its East-West oil pipeline.

To date, no activities by the Houthis in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait have been observed. However, this does not guarantee such incidents will not occur in the future. Currently, tankers continue to traverse the strait.

The Houthis entry could further hurt global shipping if they again target vessels in the Bab al-Mandab Strait off the Red Sea, through which about 12% of the worlds trade typically passes. If the Houthis increase attacks on commercial shipping, as they have in the past, it would further push up oil prices and destabilise maritime security.

The Bab el-Mandeb, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, is crucial for vessels heading to the Suez Canal through the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia has been sending millions of barrels of crude oil a day through it because the Strait of Hormuz is effectively closed.

Houthi rebels attacked more than 100 merchant vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two vessels, between November 2023 and January 2025, saying that it was acting in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war.

The Houthis latest involvement would complicate the deployment of the USS Gerald R Ford, the aircraft carrier that arrived in Croatia on March 28 for maintenance. Sending it to the Red Sea could draw attacks similar to those on the USS Dwight D Eisenhower in 2024 and the USS Harry S Truman in 2025.

Known in Arabic as the Gate of Tears, analysts warn this narrow waterway could soon live up to its name  not just for the region, but for the global economy.

One of the busiest shipping lanes in the world, the Strait of Bab al-Mandeb is another critical artery in the global economy. At just 30 kilometres wide, the narrow waterway acts as a key link between Europe and Asia for oil tankers and cargo ships.

Vessels arriving from the Indian Ocean pass through it to reach the Red Sea and then the Suez Canal  one of the fastest routes between the two continents. Before the Iran war, roughly 12 per cent of the world's oil shipments passed through Bab el-Mandeb, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

As for Mandeb, the Gate of Tears, it's the route that knits together the oil economies of the Gulf region with the markets of Europe and Asia. In the Red Sea, oil tankers from Saudi Arabia's port of Yanbu make their way towards European refineries via the Suez Canal, up north.

In turn, supplies of products from Europe travel down via the Suez, into the Red Sea, and then through the Mandab route to the rest of the world in the south. That is likely to be affected.

Some oil flows are already being redirected, increasing traffic through the Red Sea as exporters look for alternatives.

"We're talking about three to four tankers more per day, which is still a notable difference," Rico Luman, a transport economist at ING bank, told AFP.

Military bases operated by the United States, France and China sit just across the water in Djibouti, underscoring the corridor's strategic importance.

Now, with Iran formalising its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz, the pressure on this southern route is growing.

A simultaneous disruption of both the Hormuz Strait and Bab al-Mandab could significantly intensify pressure on oil markets, even hasten an end to the war.

If the Houthis were to block Mandeb, they mostly disrupt Saudi Arabia's ability to bypass Hormuz for oil shipments. Some ocean carriers are already opting for the far longer voyage around the tip of Africa, reports said. But this does not mean a total halt to shipping; it could just badly squeeze supplies and drive prices further up.

[The writer, Asad Mirza, is Delhi based Journalist and Author.]

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VIENTIANE, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Lao officials gathered to strengthen intellectual property (IP) enforcement and raise awareness of trademark and copyright protection.

The two-day meeting, held from Monday to Tuesday in Vientiane, focused on strengthening authorities' ability to identify counterfeit goods, navigate dispute resolution procedures, and protect trademarks, copyrights, and related rights.

Participants heard presentations from economic police, customs officers, trade authorities, and judicial representatives, along with guest speakers from abroad who shared regional strategies for combating intellectual property violations, Lao News Agency reported on Tuesday.

The seminar also featured hands-on training sessions, where representatives from major brands demonstrated how to identify genuine products and spot counterfeits. Officials said the event is part of broader efforts to strengthen enforcement, raise public awareness, and boost investor confidence in Laos' intellectual property system. 
A Stanford student's account of being allegedly targeted by a suspected Chinese intelligence operative has jolted new attention onto long-standing warnings that US universities are vulnerable to foreign espionage, coercion and intimidation.

The allegations returned to the spotlight after Elsa Johnson, editor-in-chief of the Stanford Review, testified before the House Committee on Education and the Workforce on 26 Mar 2026. In her appearance, she described what she said was a years-long effort to cultivate and pressure female students researching China-related subjects.

Johnson's claims are serious and, in parts, difficult to independently verify in full from public records alone. Yet key elements of her account, including the congressional hearing itself, Stanford's public response, and the FBI's broader warnings about Chinese state-linked intimidation and campus targeting, are documented in official statements and direct-source material.

What emerges is not only a story about one student's fear, but a wider picture of how American universities have become contested spaces in the intensifying struggle between academic openness and national security.

Student Says Contact Turned From Networking To Pressure

Johnson first detailed the alleged approach in a lengthy investigation published by the Stanford Review on 7 May 2025, co-authored with other student journalists. In that report, she said a man using the name 'Charles Chen' contacted female Stanford students through social media while presenting himself as connected to the university.

According to the article, the outreach initially appeared innocuous. It soon became more personal and more insistent. Johnson wrote that the man asked whether students spoke Mandarin, encouraged them to visit Beijing, offered to pay for travel, and urged them to move their conversations to the Chinese version of WeChat. She also alleged he asked one student to enter China for a short enough period to avoid visa scrutiny and publicly commented on social media to demand screenshots be deleted.

In her subsequent public testimony to lawmakers, Johnson said she herself had been 'personally targeted' while conducting research at Stanford on Chinese industry and military tactics. She told the committee that the man who contacted her offered a paid trip to China, sought personal background details, and later appeared to know information she had not shared with him.

Johnson further said the FBI later informed her that the individual had no affiliation with Stanford, despite an online persona that suggested otherwise. She testified that she believes he was acting on behalf of China's Ministry of State Security, and alleged that at least 10 female students had been approached since 2020. That attribution remains her allegation, not a public FBI determination.

Chinese spies are launching surveillance operations on American college students and trying to recruit them as CCP spies



Stanford University student in California says this happened to her



The Chinese spy offered to pay for a trip to China, sent me a flight itinerary to pic.twitter.com/8w6gawRGew  Wall Street Apes (@WallStreetApes) March 30, 2026

Stanford And Washington Confront A Familiar Security Problem

The allegations have landed in an environment where concern about Chinese state-linked activity in American academia is already longstanding. Stanford itself has previously appeared in federal cases tied to Chinese military or research concerns.

In Jul 2020, the United States Department of Justice announced charges against Song Chen, described as a visiting Stanford researcher accused of visa fraud after allegedly concealing membership in the People's Liberation Army. Prosecutors later expanded the charges, alleging false statements, obstruction and document destruction.

On 26 Mar 2026, Johnson's claims were elevated into the national political arena when the House Education and Workforce Committee held a hearing titled 'U.S. Universities Under Siege: Foreign Espionage, Stolen Innovation, and the National Security Threat'. The committee's public materials identified Johnson as one of the witnesses and explicitly framed the issue as part of a broader national security challenge facing higher education.

That hearing did not itself adjudicate Johnson's allegations. But it showed that lawmakers now see campus approaches, recruitment attempts and coercive influence operations as part of a wider strategic threat rather than isolated incidents.

FBI Warnings Point To A Broader Pattern Of Coercion

What makes Johnson's account especially alarming is that it overlaps with conduct the FBI has publicly described under the umbrella of transnational repression, the practice of foreign governments reaching into the United States to intimidate, monitor or coerce people living there.

The FBI says transnational repression can include stalking, harassment, intimidation, cyber targeting, threats to family members and pressure campaigns designed to silence or control victims. In public guidance, the bureau has warned that authoritarian governments can target not only dissidents and journalists, but also students and members of diaspora communities.

Johnson has alleged exactly that sort of escalation. After she began reporting on the issue, she said she received intimidation calls, threatening scam emails and warnings that she and even her family were being watched. Again, those claims come from her testimony and reporting; the FBI has not publicly released a case file or formal charging document connected to her account.

Still, the mechanics of the alleged approach fit known patterns. The FBI has separately warned that Chinese-linked actors have used social media, false professional opportunities and online grooming to identify and cultivate targets. It has also repeatedly flagged WeChat-adjacent pressure, online deception and covert outreach in cases involving China-related influence and coercion.

 the CCP is orchestrating a widespread intelligence-gathering campaign at Stanford. In short, there are Chinese spies at Stanford 



 Given its dominance in AI, Stanford is academic target number one



 of the approximately 1,129 Chinese International students on campus, pic.twitter.com/o4MlGRxo6q  Byron Wan (@Byron_Wan) May 8, 2025

Universities Face Pressure To Protect Students Without Closing The Door

Stanford has publicly acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue. In a statement issued after the original Stanford Review investigation, the university said it took threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party to research universities 'with the utmost seriousness', and said it had contacted federal law enforcement and was reviewing the claims. It also stressed the importance of distinguishing between threats from the Chinese state and Chinese or Chinese-American students and scholars, who remain valued members of the university community.

That distinction matters. US officials, including the FBI, have repeatedly said the threat they are describing comes from the Chinese government, not from people of Chinese descent or the wider Chinese student population.

Yet Johnson's testimony is likely to intensify pressure on universities to show they can do more than issue carefully worded statements. If her account is borne out, it suggests that a student researching a strategic adversary could be approached, cultivated, pressured and intimidated over a period of years before the full seriousness of the threat becomes clear.

For Washington, that is a counterintelligence problem. For universities, it is also a duty-of-care problem. And for students, especially young women navigating opaque online approaches from seemingly well-connected strangers, it is something far more immediate: a reminder that espionage in the digital age can begin not with a dead drop or a diplomatic pouch, but with a direct message.

Johnson's allegations remain, for now, a deeply troubling warning rather than a fully litigated public case, but one that US universities and federal authorities can no longer afford to dismiss.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Cairo-based Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul-Gheit on Tuesday strongly condemned a recently approved Israeli bill allowing the "execution of Palestinian prisoners," warning that it violates fundamental principles of international humanitarian law.

Aboul-Gheit said the law undermines the requirements of justice and reflects "flagrant discrimination against Palestinians," the organization said in a statement.

He added that the measure is part of Israeli efforts to besiege the Palestinian presence, erode what remains of Palestinians' human rights, and pave the way for the annexation of the West Bank.

Israel's parliament on Monday approved a bill making the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of "terrorism," drawing widespread international criticism.

Proposed by Israel's far-right coalition government, the law mandates the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of killing Israelis with intent to harm the state. It does not apply to Israelis who kill Palestinians. 
TEHRAN, March 31 (Xinhua) -- At least 15 people were killed, and 41 others injured in separate U.S.-Israeli strikes in two Iranian provinces, officials said Tuesday.

Four people were killed and 26 wounded early Tuesday in an attack on the administrative building of a religious site in Iran's northwestern Zanjan province, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported.

The strike occurred at about 5 a.m. local time (0130 GMT) and targeted the office building of the Hosseinieh Azam Zanjan mosque, Mehr quoted Ali Sadeghi, the province's deputy governor, as saying.

Sadeghi said the wounded were taken to hospitals and that debris removal and search operations were underway. He added that the attack damaged the site's inn and library, as well as nearby shops.

In a separate incident, Hassan Qamari, deputy governor of Iran's central Markazi province, said 11 people were killed and 15 others injured in a U.S.-Israeli strike on a residential area in Mahallat County, Mehr reported Tuesday. He said the attack took place Monday night and that three children and two women were among the victims.

On Feb. 28, Israel and the United States launched joint strikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities, killing Iran's then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, along with senior military commanders and civilians. Iran responded with waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israel and U.S. bases and assets across the Middle East. 
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND)  A bill moving in the Illinois House could require Latin American history for elementary and high school students. This is the latest proposal to ensure students feel represented in their history courses.

This plan could require school districts to include Latin American history curriculum in social studies classes starting next school year. Sponsors said students would learn about Latino contributions to the economic, cultural, social and political development of the United States and Illinois.

"Currently, Hispanic is included as part of the history curriculum," said Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado (D-Chicago). "This is just broadening that term out because Hispanics generally refer to people who are [of] Spanish origin versus Latino American, which would also include South America, people of Brazilian descent."

Delgado was inspired to file the plan after hearing from several current high school students. Lane Tech High School senior Payton Johnson said her world history teacher brushed off Latin American history as too complicated. She stressed that Latinos make up nearly 30% of all students in Illinois schools.

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"Culture and education are extremely powerful tools," Johnson said. "Learning about history and intercultural dynamics provide an excellent setting for inclusive and educational conversations while cultivating well-informed, empathetic and open-minded global citizens."

The Illinois State Board of Education would work to ensure school districts receive instructional materials and professional development opportunities to develop the curriculum. However, Republicans are concerned that schools won't have enough time to get teachers prepared.

"Here we are at the end of March. School boards will meet in April, May and June," said Rep. Dan Swanson (R-Woodhull). "Most boards don't meet in July, and school starts in August. I don't know if a school board can put the curriculum together in three days, working with the superintendent and staffs in such a short time frame."

House Bill 4372 passed out of the House Education Policy Committee on a partisan 9-3 vote last week. The legislation could be discussed on the House floor when representatives return to Springfield next week.

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Italy takes a giant leap in its space ambitions thanks to deal with NASA.

An Italian astronaut will walk on the Moon under the terms of a landmark agreement signed in Washington by Italy's enterprise minister Adolfo Urso and NASA administrator Jared Isaacman.

The announcement on Tuesday marks a watershed moment for Italian space exploration and cements the nation's position as an indispensable partner in humanity's return to the lunar surface.

Teodoro Valente, president of the Italian Space Agency (ASI), confirmed the news in a post on X, writing that the deepening cooperation between NASA and ASI "will lead to the creation of a base camp on the Moon and an Italian astronaut walking on the lunar surface."

Made in Italy

At the heart of the agreement is Italy's commitment to design and build habitation modules for astronauts stationed on the Moon.

In a statement , Minister Urso described the deal as "an important recognition for Italy and for our companies, which will be called upon to build habitation modules designed to allow a safe and prolonged presence of astronauts on the Moon. The astronauts' 'home' will be 'Made in Italy', built with Italian technologies and by Italian companies."

The statement of intent signed by Urso and Isaacman provides for collaboration between Italy and the US on habitation modules, communication systems and scientific activities on the lunar surface, with the goal of establishing a stable and long-term human presence on the moon.

The agreement sits within the framework of the Artemis programme, which aims to develop a sustainable lunar base under American leadership, with Italy playing a central technological role.

The minister was equally clear about the timeline and location of production. "This bilateral cooperation will allow us to bring an Italian astronaut to the Moon soon, in a habitation module that will be built in Italy, in Turin," Urso declared, pointing to the city's well-established aerospace industrial cluster as the engine of this endeavour.

The overall objective, according to the minister, is to see it all realised within the next seven to ten years.

MPH Module: Italy's first lunar outpost

The centrepiece of Italy's contribution is the multi-purpose Habitation module, known as MPH. Planned for launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in 2033, the MPH module will be the first ever dedicated habitation asset on the lunar surface as part of the Artemis Accords between NASA and ASI for bilateral Moon cooperation.

The MPH will safely host astronauts during their missions, support surface operations, enable scientific research both with and without a human crew, and have the capability to move across the surface.

Historic partnership

"We will return to the Moon, and this time to stay" - Urso stated - "We will do so thanks to Italian technology and with an Italian astronaut on one of the next missions of the Artemis programme."

The agreement reinforces a historic cooperation between Italy and the US in the space sector, which began with the "San Marco" programme that made Italy the third country in the world to reach space with its own launch vehicle.

Urso drew a deliberate line from that heritage to the present, invoking the memory of Rocco Petrone - the Italian-American director of the Apollo programme - at a ceremony held to mark the centenary of his birth.

The agreement also opens the door to the direct participation of Italian astronauts in future missions, in addition to the opportunities already provided for under NASA-ESA cooperation.

ASI president Valente underscored the significance of this dual pathway, calling it a confirmation of Italy's long-term vision in the new space race.
Crosetto blocks US stopover at Sicilian air base as request did not follow standard procedures and flight plan was communicated while aircraft were already in flight.

Italy's defence minister Guido Crosetto has directed that access to the Sigonella air base in Sicily be denied to a number of US military aircraft, Italian media reported on Tuesday.

The decision reportedly took place several days ago, according to Italian news agency ANSA, citing informed sources who confirmed a report in newspaper Corriere della Sera.

The move has drawn considerable attention as European nations recalibrate their positions in relation to the ongoing American military campaign against Iran.

What happened

Italy's chief of defence staff, General Luciano Portolano, was informed by the air force's general staff that the flight plans of certain US aircraft included a scheduled landing at Sigonella, from which they intended to depart towards the Middle East.

However, no prior authorisation had been sought, nor had Italian military leadership been consulted: the flight plan was reportedly communicated to Italian authorities while the aircraft were already airborne.

Initial checks reportedly confirmed that the flights in question were not routine or logistical in nature and therefore fell outside the scope of the agreements concluded between Rome and Washington.

Portolano duly informed Crosetto, who issued the directive: the aircraft would not be permitted to land at Sigonella, on the grounds that they had not been authorised and that no prior consultation had taken place.

Meloni and Crosetto respond

Prime minister Giorgia Meloni's office responded to the press reports on Tuesday with a statement saying there were "no critical issues or tensions with international partners", stressing that "relations with the United States, in particular, are solid and based on full and loyal cooperation".

Crosetto clarified that he merely ensured international agreements were respected, stressing that it did not mean there is tension with the US or that the US has been banned from using military bases in Italy.

"I want to reiterate that there is no cooling or tension with the US" - Crosetto wrote on X - "because they know the rules that have governed their presence in Italy since 1954 just as well as we do."

Legal framework

The incident highlights the structured treaty arrangements that govern American use of military facilities on Italian terrority.

Earlier in March, Crosetto had set out the legal position in a post on social media in response to parliamentary questions from the opposition Movimento 5 Stelle: the use of military bases on Italian soil, particularly those of the US, is governed by agreements including the NATO Status of Forces Agreement of 1951, the Bilateral Infrastructure Agreement of 1954 as updated in 1973, and the Italy-US Memorandum of Understanding of 1995.

Under these arrangements, American forces may use bases such as Sigonella for routine logistical and surveillance purposes; any use as a launchpad for combat operations requires the express authorisation of the Italian government.

Broader context

Since the outbreak of the war with Iran, there has reportedly been a marked increase in drone and aircraft traffic at Sigonella, though until now this had been limited to refuelling, logistics and aerial surveillance operations.

The base, located in Sicily between the provinces of Catania and Siracusa, occupies a commanding position in the central Mediterranean, making it a highly sought-after staging post for operations directed at the Middle East.

In recent days Spain moved to restrict US military use of its territory in connection with operations against Iran, reflecting a broader European unease about the extent to which the continent's infrastructure is being drawn into a conflict in which its governments have not been full participants.

Article published 31 March at 10.34, updated at 15.14. Photo credit: Sanit Fuangnakhon / Shutterstock.com
Italy's new preventative detention powers used for the first time as police detain 91 anarchists in Rome.

Italian police deployed newly enacted preventative detention powers for the first time on Sunday, detaining 91 individuals linked to the anarchist movement in Rome.

Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the operation as proof that her government's controversial security decree is working.

Background

The detentions occurred in connection with a commemoration of Sara Ardizzone and Alessandro Mercogliano, two anarchist militants killed on 19 March while assembling an improvised explosive device at an abandoned property in Rome's Parco degli Acquedotti.

The planned gathering had been prohibited by Rome police, yet groups of anarchists - some travelling from other parts of Italy - assembled at the park from early morning.

The operation

A substantial deployment of police, including mounted officers, monitored the situation. Within a short period, groups of anarchists were intercepted at several entrances to the Parco degli Acquedotti, near the site of the explosion.

For 91 individuals deemed dangerous and suspicious - with the concurrence of the duty public prosecutor - the new preventative detention measure was activated.

The measure, introduced last month, permits police officers during specific public order operations to bring suspects to their offices and hold them for up to 12 hours.

Those detained were taken to police headquarters for photographic identification and the possible issuance of travel restriction notices.

Some demonstrators attempted to evade the cordons, displaying a banner reading "Sara e Sandro caduti per la liberta, vivi nella lotta" ("Sara and Sandro fallen for freedom, alive in the struggle") and setting off black smoke flares.

Others were intercepted while attempting to blend in with worshippers attending a Palm Sunday mass at a nearby church.

Meloni's response

In a post on social media, Meloni declared that the preventative detention of 91 individuals from the anarchist sphere, deemed dangerous and gathered in Rome for an unauthorised commemoration, confirmed the necessity of the new legislation.

Addressing critics on the left who had argued that the measure curtailed the right to protest, Meloni insisted that it served instead to guarantee that demonstrations took place peacefully and without violence, as the Italian Constitution requires, and to protect those wishing to exercise that right in a lawful and orderly manner.

She added that the government would continue to press ahead: more tools to guarantee security for all, and stronger protections for those wishing to demonstrate peacefully.

Political reactions and criticism

The operation and the government's response exposed deep political divisions. Opposition parties had already raised alarm following reports that the European Parliament member Ilaria Salis had been subjected to checks before a separate No Kings protest in Rome on 26 March.

The right-wing Lega party sought to capitalise on the moment, with its spokesperson Eugenio Zoffili announcing plans for a new "Anti-Antifa" law that would formally designate anarchist associations and militant antagonist groups as terrorist organisations, promising zero tolerance.

Critics and civil liberties observers have raised concern that too broad an application of the new preventative detention powers risks placing undue restrictions on the constitutional right of assembly.
By Jonathan McCambridge, Press Association

A delivery driver in Northern Ireland was forced at gunpoint to drive his vehicle to a police station sparking a major security alert, a senior police officer has said.

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said the forces specialist terrorism unit were leading the investigation into the incident in Lurgan, Co Armagh.

A number of roads have been closed in the centre of the town and homes evacuated over the alert.

Justice Minister Naomi Long has condemned the attack (Liam McBurney/PA)

Northern Irelands Justice Minister Naomi Long has described it as a shameful and dangerous attack.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has said the incident bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, probably carried out by dissident republicans.

The alert began around 10.30pm on Monday night.

Church Place, Church Walk and Wellington Street are currently closed to traffic, as are sections of Market Street, William Street and North Street.

A number of homes have been evacuated and the town hall has been opened to support those moved from their homes.

Henderson told the BBC: At about 10.30pm last night, a fast food delivery driver was driving their white Audi car in the Deramore Drive area of Kilwilkie in Lurgan.

The driver, in a terrifying development, was forced to stop their vehicle and threatened at gunpoint, and then the hijackers placed an object inside the vehicle and that driver was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station.

Henderson said the officer drove to the station and then alerted police.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car ACC Ryan Henderson

He added: Since then there has been a really significant policing operation which we have been coordinating overnight to make sure the car and the contents of the car were secure and safe.

That has led to the evacuation of a number of homes in the area.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car, hugely disruptive and distressing event for the local community in Lurgan.

Our specialist terrorism investigation unit have been leading the investigation into it.

Long said: This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.

There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.

I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.

Upper Bann MP Carla Lockhart of the DUP said it was a concerning situation (Niall Carson/PA)

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: This is an extremely serious and deeply concerning situation for the people of Lurgan.

Public safety must always come first, and I would urge everyone to follow the advice of the PSNI and avoid the area while investigations are ongoing.

I recognise the significant disruption this will cause to local residents, businesses and those travelling through the town, but these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of all.

Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said: This has caused massive disruption to local families and businesses.

I hope the town can return to normal as quickly as possible.

No one wants to return to such scenes and we await the outcome of investigations into the vehicle.

I want to thank all those who have assisted the families impacted and offered shelter.
West Waterford councillor Donnchadh Mulcahy has called on the Lismore community to come together to combat dog fouling.

He said that the issue of owners not picking up after their pets has worsened in recent weeks, and he is receiving complaints from residents and visitors.

Of particular concern is footpaths, public walkways and areas regularly used by families.

Ive been contacted again about the level of dog fouling in Lismore, and having looked at it myself, its clear that it has become a serious issue once more. Its not acceptable for people to have to deal with this when using public spaces.

With the tourist season just around the corner, the last thing we want is for visitors to leave Lismore remembering something as simple  and avoidable  as stepping in dog fouling. Lismore has so much to offer, and we want people going home with a good impression, not a dirty shoe, said Cllr Mulcahy.

Read More New report shows increase in the number of people homeless in Waterford

The Sinn Fein councillor pointed out that dog fouling is not just about aesthetics but public health and safety.

He said the councils environment section is to install signs to remind dog owners of their responsibilities, but this alone will not solve the problem.

And he asked that the public report problem areas so the matter can be addressed.

At the end of the day, this comes down to personal responsibility.

"Dog owners must clean up after their pets. Theres no excuse for leaving it behind.

"We all share these spaces and we all have a role to play in keeping them clean and safe.

This is something that can be solved if people take pride in their area. Lismore is a beautiful town, and we need to look after it.

"I would encourage everyone to play their part so we can keep our streets and walkways clean for all, said Cllr Mulcahy.
Waterford Volunteer centre has put a call-out on social media asking people to consider donating yarn to the group.

The centre facilitates a crochet group which makes blankets for Waterford Hospice.

According to the post, the group have already donated two blankets to Waterford Hospice and want to continue the project.

They said: "If you have any spare yarn at home (leftovers, odd ball, or ones you've been meaning to use for ages) we'd be delighted to give them a good purpose."

The group also stated that any yarn can be donated no matter the colour or texture. Waterford Volunteer Centre provides a placement service, matching individuals who would like to volunteer, with non-profit organisations who involve volunteers in their activities.

"We offer advice and support to both volunteers and non-profit organisations through a range of services including information, consultation, volunteer management training and Garda vetting administration," they said in their post.

The organisation's latest project celebrates 2026 being the International Year of Volunteering - they are asking people to volunteer for 26 hours this year - just a little over two hours per month.

The post advises people who would like to donate their yarn to email anna@volunteerwaterford.ie or call 083 1586061.
DUBAI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Four people were injured in Dubai on Monday after falling shrapnel from an aerial interception struck several residential homes in the southern part of the city, authorities said.

Loud blasts were heard across Dubai shortly after 11 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), with officials later confirming that the sounds were caused by successful air defense interception operations.

Emergency response teams have been deployed to the affected areas, authorities said, urging residents to exercise caution and avoid approaching the sites.

Dubai police advised the public not to approach, touch or photograph any fallen debris.

Authorities also urged residents to remain calm, follow official government channels for updates, and refrain from sharing unverified information or videos on social media. 
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Updated NationalWAPetrol prices Bowser bungle sees Cannington servo sell WAs most expensive diesel and cheapest unleaded Hamish Hastie March 31, 2026  10:03am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

A Cannington fuel stations owners have unloaded on Consumer Protection and FuelWatch after a simple error forced them to sell the states most expensive diesel on Tuesday, while at the same time selling the states cheapest unleaded. Burk Cannington took to Facebook to explain why it was selling diesel at $3.93 per litre  more than 50 cents per litre more than the next-most expensive fuel, in the remote Kimberley town of Kununurra, where it was being sold for $3.43 per litre. Burk Canningtons bowser bungle unintentionally led to it having WAs most expensive diesel on Tuesday. Facebook/Burk Cannington We want to be completely transparent with our customers about whats happening, the post reads. Due to a genuine typographical error during our FuelWatch daily price submission, the diesel price for Burk Cannington was incorrectly reported as $3.973/L instead of our intended price of $2.973/L.

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Related Article Petrol prices WA caravan parks brace for Easter as cancellations fill up quick despite fuel pain Despite this being an obvious mistake, FuelWatch has strictly refused to allow any correction and have clearly told us to sell diesel at the advertised (typo error) price. In a twist, Burk Cannington was selling WAs cheapest unleaded fuel on Tuesday, at $2.29 per litre. In the post, Burk Cannington said FuelWatchs refusal to budge meant it had only two options  sell diesel at the extremely inflated and unrealistic price or shut diesel completely for the day. Both options are completely unfair and do not serve the public in any way, it said.

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It is extremely disappointing to see a government system act in such a rigid manner, especially when everyday customers are the ones impacted the most. At Burk, we are committed to looking after our community and making sure our customers are never disadvantaged due to circumstances like this. The station will give all diesel customers a $1.04-per-litre discount all day Tuesday and until 6am on Wednesday. This is the only practical solution we could come up with to ensure our customers are treated fairly despite the situation. We appreciate your understanding and continued support. A spokeswoman for Consumer Protection, which operates the FuelWatch system, said the FuelWatch rules were in place for a reason but she commended Burk Cannington for doing the right thing and offering a post-sale partial refund as a workaround.

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Related Article Petrol prices WA premier threatens emergency powers to get fuel stock information Fuel prices being locked in for a 24-hour period is an essential part of FuelWatch, which has served Western Australian motorists well for more than 20 years by providing transparency, certainty, and fairness, while putting downward pressure on prices, she said. If we changed the rules to allow retailers to decrease prices during the day, they could notify a maximum price for the day and only reduce their price if a competitor has a lower price. This would be unfair on those retailers locking in a more competitive price the day before and also for consumers, who rely on FuelWatch pricing to be accurate. Drivers may end up paying more. The spokeswoman said retailers could lodge their prices for the next day from 8.30am, and it could be corrected until 2pm when the system locks the prices in.

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Allowing changes will undermine the system and allow for anti-competitive behaviour, putting upward pressure on prices, she said. Some retailers will make genuine mistakes, but we dont want others to try to work the system and undermine FuelWatch, which has delivered lower average fuel prices to WA for years. Treasurer Rita Saffioti described the situation as unfortunate and said she felt for the retailer and would speak to relevant ministers about it. As I understand, the rules are there to try and make sure the systems are undermined. This is a very unfortunate case. Happy to take it up with relevant ministers, she said. The mix-up comes as the WA government announced it was establishing a ministerial taskforce to tackle fuel supply and cost issues arising from the Iran conflict.

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The industry support working group will meet for the first time on Tuesday and will be chaired by Deputy Premier Rita Saffioti. Saffioti said the group differed from the group chaired by Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson, which was fuel supply-specific. Saffiotis group was a forum for fellow cabinet ministers to raise issues in specific industries. Minister Sandersons group, as Minister for Energy, is all about making sure theres the delivery of fuel across WA, she said. What its really aimed to do is theres a lot of different industry impacts out there, all contacting their individual ministers. Its bringing it all together in one place, and then we have action plans. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Exclusive NationalWADisability Regulators failed to act on warnings about Perth NDIS operator Carla Hildebrandt April 1, 2026  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Regulators were warned twice about an NDIS-linked operator now embroiled in liquidations, litigation and claims of missing money, with Home Affairs refusing to say what it did the first time it was made aware of the situation, and ASIC declining to act on the second warning. Home Affairs received an anonymous tip-off in March 2021 alleging financial misconduct by Lenard Swanepoel-Trollip and later referred the information to the Administrative Review Tribunal, an independent federal body that reviews government decisions. Christiaan and Lenard Swanepoel-Trollip. Facebook That referral was made during the application process for permanent Australian visas initiated by Lenard, 44, in May 2019 on behalf of himself and his husband Christiaan Swanepoel-Trollip, 58. The tribunals published decision in September 2023 stated the anonymous on-line tip off alleged Lenard had been involved in the wrongful appropriation of funds in South Africa connected to a real estate business, before the pair settled in Australia in 2017.

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Lenard was invited to respond, but did not contest the allegation during the proceedings. As the information did not form part of the reasons for the decision, the tribunal did not place any weight upon it. Related Article Exclusive

Governance The missing money and litigation overshadowing an NDIS network Tribunal member Penelope Hunter affirmed a previous decision to reject the visas and did not make findings on the misconduct allegation, the decision states. Lenard, on behalf of the couple, has rejected any allegation of wrongdoing, fund misappropriation, phoenixing allegations or improper conduct. The decision you reference contains no adverse finding against me whatsoever, he told this masthead.

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The anonymous allegation referred to in that decision was expressly disregarded by the Tribunal, placed no weight upon, and formed no part of the reasons for the outcome. The allegation echoes findings from a liquidators report into the collapse of the pairs South African business, Beyers Realty Group, in 2016, which identified the alleged movement of client trust money into other bank accounts. Lenard had said it was an innocent mistake, stating in an affidavit: I accept I made a mistake in my conduct utilising the trust account funds to support the growth of the business. Further, internal emails seen by this masthead, separate to the tribunal proceedings, show corporate watchdog ASIC was notified of the pairs bankruptcies as early as August 2022, but chose not to act, explaining the department was limited in the formal investigations it could undertake. This masthead revealed in January that both men were declared bankrupt in South Africa, a status that prevents them from operating companies in Australia. Since moving to Australia, the couple have been connected to two business collapses in Perth.

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An ASIC spokesperson told this masthead it was aware of and assessing reports that Lenard and Christiaan Swanepoel-Trollip, who are currently listed as directors of companies in Australia, may be automatically disqualified from managing companies due to bankruptcy orders made in South Africa. There are no recorded court outcomes, convictions or adverse findings of credit against the pair. Home Affairs and the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission both declined to comment. Despite the couples bankruptcy, corporate records show Lenard has since created two new companies in Australia  Ubuntu Support Services on February 27 and Kinnex Pty Ltd on March 6  where he is listed as director and secretary. An Instagram account and website created for Ubuntu Support Services claims the company offers daily living support for vulnerable people, including help with showering, dressing and grooming, household tasks like cleaning and laundry, meal preparation as well as art classes.

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Despite the company only starting last month, the website has five five-star reviews listed, including one listed two months ago, which says: Ive been attending the Ubuntu Hub for three months now and its changed my life ... Best decision I ever made. Meanwhile, in a hearing on March 19, the Supreme Court of Western Australia was told through Lenards lawyer that he wanted to liquidate a further business, NDIS-funded disability provider Bila Counselling and Support Services. Ubuntu Support Services on Instagram. The hearing was in relation to proceedings brought by Lenard in December against his sister Jennifer McAlpine, who is also a Bila shareholder, alleging misuse of client information. McAlpines lawyer Darren Pratt told the court no steps had been taken by Lenard for more than six weeks and his client wanted the case to be dismissed and to receive costs.

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However, Lenards lawyer Mark Williams told the court his client would pursue an application to wind up the organisation on just and equitable grounds, and the future liquidator could continue the legal proceedings against McAlpine. Related Article Disability Perth siblings court case in limbo over NDIS directors overseas bankruptcy Supreme Court Justice Matthew Howard accepted the case had been irregularly commenced, as Lenard Swanepoel-Trollip could not act as a director of the company and therefore cannot sue on behalf of it. Howard told the court mediation was unable to proceed and vacated injunctions imposed on McAlpine in December, but adjourned the case for further applications on cost orders and dismissal. At the same time, entities linked to the network have collapsed with mounting debts.

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Bila Foundation Ltd, a charity Lenard has been a director of since September 16, 2023, according to a business search, entered voluntary liquidation on February 18, with Gregory Quinn appointed liquidator. Lenards sister and mother  Jennifer McAlpine and Magreitha Trollip  are also listed as directors. ASIC documents show the corporation owes at least $245,500, including $141,000 to employees. Another related business, Bila Support Services, entered liquidation in December last year. At the time of the collapse, the company was operated by Lenards sister, McAlpine. ASIC records also show an application was made to deregister Christiaans company Stemineer Pty Ltd in February. Meanwhile, staff working at a care home in Gosnells that provides round-the-clock care to clients, in Perths south-east, run by Lenards Bila Counselling and Support Services allege they were left unpaid and without management oversight during an internal dispute between Lenard and his sister McAlpine.

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One staff member has successfully launched proceedings in the Industrial Magistrates Court against the company, with others preparing similar claims. A staff member who alleged they were unpaid for a month last year told this masthead they did not understand how Bila Counselling and Support Services was still operating. We werent delivering the top care we should have been. I dont know how theyre still operating, the former staffer said. Financial issues across the network date back to at least 2022, when Lenards business Sunshine Counselling entered creditors voluntary liquidation, with a liquidator report alleging the company had no assets and owed an estimated $238,000 to creditors, including $85,000 in employee entitlements and $120,000 to the tax office. Lenard has strongly rejected any allegations of wrongdoing on behalf of himself and Christiaan.

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I categorically deny any wrongdoing, including any allegation of fund misappropriation or phoenixing. These allegations are false, he said. I am in the process of obtaining comprehensive legal advice across all relevant jurisdictions. All other matters referenced are either subject to ongoing legal proceedings or have been addressed in full in my previous correspondence, which remains on record. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.

Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share License this article More: Disability

Perth Carla Hildebrandt is a journalist with WAtoday. She previously worked on ABCs Four Corners and as a court reporter at The Daily Telegraph in Sydney. For secure contact: carlahildebrandt@proton.me. Connect via email
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NationalWACyclones Tourists on buses out of Exmouth ahead of Easter weekend amid Tropical Cyclone Narelle clean-up Hannah Murphy March 31, 2026  12:58pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

Hundreds of travellers are being bussed out of Exmouth in Western Australias north and the clean-up is well under way after Tropical Cyclone Narelle struck the states Coral Coast at the weekend. State Emergency Services have confirmed more than 200 homes have been damaged after Narelle ripped through on Friday last week. Loading Four have been destroyed and eight other structures  including sheds, patios and buildings  have also been wrecked. A number are believed to have contained asbestos, and emergency services have warned locals and tourists to stay away from wreckage to limit potential exposure. Learmonth Airport has been shut following the damage to its buildings and runways and major roads  including parts of the arterial North West Coastal Highway  have left tourists to travel via bus for more than five hours to fly out from Karratha.

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Many travellers were staying in the lead up to Easter, which is typically one of the towns busiest times, and have been provided help by the local shire to re-book flights to leave the Exmouth. Rather than preparing for the busy long weekend, emergency services said on Tuesday they were working to clear Exmouth to begin clean-up work. Damage to a building in Exmouth after Tropical Cyclone Narelle hit. Blue Media Exmouth WA Premier Roger Cook is currently in Carnarvon surveying damage around the coral coast, and said the timing of Narelle would likely impact Exmouth for months to come. We know that a lot of these communities cant take tourists at the moment, but it wont take long for them to be ready to be ready to receive tourists and to be ready to receive tourist dollars, he said.

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Peoples Park in Coral Bay is assessing the damage to its accommodation after Tropical Cyclone Narelle. People's Park I want everyone to stay in touch with your local tourism operator or accommodation provider, and if you can please come to these areas as soon as possible, so that we can continue to see these tourism operators thrive. It is understood a number of cancellations have already been received from the Shire of Exmouths main camping spots and caravan parks, with tourists cancelling their Easter weekend plans in the destroyed town. Peoples Park in Coral Bay said it was beginning its own clean-up, but it would likely be closed until further notice. Our park and beloved community has been put through the wringer thanks to TC Narelle, the park posted to social media.

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We are relieved to hear that everyone is safe  so far we can see that theres damage to reception, fences, weve lost some trees, with other trees being cyclone pruned  needing a further safety cut. Theres also plenty of water and debris and heavy erosion. We havent been as hard as other towns including Exmouth and Karratha, so were feeling a little bit lucky and our thoughts are with them. Work has started at Bayview in Coral Bay to begin clean up. Coral Bay Bayview Unfortunately we remain closed until further notice. The road into Coral Bay is also closed. The good news is that we have some trades and skilled workers that remained on site and in town through the cyclone, so work has already commenced.

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Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall said it was important for tourists to hold on to upcoming future bookings, and not write the town off. Our message, particularly to all Western Australians, is keep your holiday plans, he said. And if you are in a situation where you were planning to go to Exmouth or further north, dont cancel  unless you absolutely have to. [You can] talk to your accommodation provider about postponing your holiday to another point in time. The worst thing for the industry is if we lose all the bookings. The clean-up of Tropical Cyclone Narelle would be similar to the impacts of the Fitzroy Crossing flooding in 2023, with the federal government already pulling the trigger on a number of relief payments that will be available to those impacted by Narelles aftermath.

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The 2023 floods displaced hundreds of Fitzroy Crossing residents and decimated tourism in the region, after the famous Danggu Gorge National Park was all but destroyed. Other industries are also expected to feel the impact of Narelle, with federal government authorities estimating about 70 to 80 per cent of fruit that had been grown in Carnarvon would be lost. Floodwaters after Tropical Cyclone Narelle. DFES Assistant Minister for Emergency Management Josh Wilson was in the town on Tuesday and said he had visited and seen the damage growers had experienced firsthand. Its a mixture of emotions when youre in these communities, he said.

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People [have been] put through the wringer of a fierce cyclone - the second-strongest cyclone after Vance. Related Video Video icon 5:07 Tourist town still reeling after cyclone Its really, really harmful to all kinds of parts of life - households, local governments, community services and businesses here in Carnarvon, particularly pastoralists and crop growers, and banana producers. Cook said authorities were working with locals up and down the Ningaloo coast to get a full picture of the cost. We are in the process of assessing the damage and getting help to people who need it most, he said.

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We need to obviously be aware that there are some smaller and isolated communities, such as Coral Bay, where we need to get to as well, and we just ask people to continue to be patient. Well get to you. While power has been mostly restored to homes and businesses in Carnarvon, Horizon Power said restoring power in Exmouth would take time. A boat lies on its side in Exmouth after the town was struck by Tropical Cyclone Narelle on the weekend. Blue Media Exmouth Some areas may be without power for long periods due to access and safety issues, a statement said. More teams arrived yesterday and today to help local crews.

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Western Power is supporting efforts with their helicopter for aerial inspections to speed up damage assessments. Related Article Extreme weather Carnarvon told to prepare for isolation as floodwaters rise in wake of Cyclone Narelle It is unknown how many houses remain without power. Efforts also continue to be hampered by floodwaters which peaked on Monday, but are expected to continue to recede throughout Tuesday. A number of main roads will continue to stay closed as a safety precaution, but emergency services said they had already been called to rescue 20 people who attempted to drive through floodwater earlier this week.

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The Shire of Exmouth has been notifying locals of the road closures, and said it had now turned its efforts to supporting locals as best as possible - including warning them about the influx of mosquitos currently plaguing the town. We have opened the Ningaloo Centre and are running a community drop-in office if you require any assistance or have questions, our team are here to help you, a statement said. The shire said locals could expect to see an influx of mosquitos as the floodwaters recede, and warned residents about taking proper precautions to prevent any spread of disease. The Department of Communities is also based at Ningaloo Centre for anyone needing support, including with flood relief payments. Start the day with a summary of the days most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
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Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are under investigation for potential non-compliance with Australias world-first social media ban for under-16s, with the eSafety Commissioner flagging major gaps in how platforms are enforcing the law. The watchdogs first compliance report, released on Tuesday, found that while platforms had taken some initial steps  including deactivating more than 4.7 million accounts in the bans first two days  significant problems persist nearly four months after the laws took effect. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the regulator was shifting to an enforcement stance. Alex Ellinghausen Among the concerns: platforms were allowing children who had already declared themselves under-age to repeatedly attempt age verification, failing to prevent new account creation, and lacking effective reporting mechanisms for under-age users. eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said the regulator was shifting to an enforcement stance, with platforms facing civil penalties of up to $49.5 million for non-compliance.

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While social media platforms have taken some initial action, I am concerned through our compliance monitoring that some may not be doing enough to comply with Australian law, she said. Inman Grant cautioned that enforcement required building a sufficient evidence base  not merely demonstrating that some children still had accounts, but proving platforms had failed to implement appropriate systems and processes. Loading Communications Minister Anika Wells said she expected eSafety to throw the book at any company that had systematically failed to meet its obligations. If these companies want to do business in Australia, they must obey Australian laws, Wells said.

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Wells said platforms were giving under-16s limitless chances to pass facial age estimation checks, including allowing children to return with an older sibling to scan on their behalf. That is taking the mickey and not upholding either the purpose of the law or the actual law, she said. Social media platforms are choosing to do the absolute bare minimum because they want these laws to fail. They want as many customers on their platform as possible. That maximises their profit. Social media platforms are choosing to do the absolute bare minimum because they want these laws to fail. The eSafety report also found that in some cases, platforms had not even asked existing users to verify their age  meaning the primary reason children remained on accounts was that their platform had never initiated the check. The findings represent a marked shift in tone from January, when the government revealed more than 4.7 million accounts had been deactivated in the bans first two days and preliminary analysis suggested platforms had made meaningful attempts to comply.

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That figure has since risen to 5 million deactivated or removed accounts in the first 100 days, but the compliance report makes clear that removal at scale has not translated into durable enforcement. The eSafety report found no discernible drop in the number of cyberbullying and image-based abuse complaints from under-16s since the ban took effect  a metric that suggests the law has not yet reduced the harms it was designed to address. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Snapchat and YouTube are under investigation for potential non-compliance with Australias world-first social media ban for under-16s. Bloomberg Despite the compliance gaps, an eSafety survey of 900 parents found the proportion reporting their child had a social media account dropped from roughly half before the ban to about a third afterward. Wells also noted that in some cases, around 33 per cent of under-age users voluntarily deactivated their own accounts. Inman Grant drew a parallel between the social media industrys resistance and historical corporate pushback against regulation. Any cultural change that pushes against the powerful interests and revenue potential of entrenched industry players  whether car manufacturers, big tobacco or big tech  would face resistance, she said, but the regulator would continue to push ahead.

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She also noted that the law was having a broader cultural effect, with parents reporting that the ban had empowered them to refuse their childrens requests for social media accounts  a shift the commissioner described as making parents pivotal partners in this cultural reset. Related Article Cyber bullying Roblox, YouTube caught in major childrens privacy overhaul Wells drew her own analogy, comparing the early enforcement period to the introduction of compulsory seatbelt laws, arguing that widespread non-compliance in the first 100 days did not invalidate the policy. She said more than a dozen countries had moved to follow Australias lead since the ban took effect on December 10, including Indonesia, where she said 70 million children had recently spent their first weekend without social media. The government last week also moved to broaden the scope of the ban, updating the definition of covered platforms to include those with infinite scroll, feedback features such as likes or upvotes, and time-limited elements like disappearing stories. Ten platforms currently fall under the ban, including Threads, X, Reddit, Kick and Twitch, with all set to be assessed against the updated criteria. Platforms that have been flagged have been notified of specific issues and expectations for improvement. eSafety said it would withhold some details to protect the integrity of its investigations. Get news and reviews on technology, gadgets and gaming in our Technology newsletter every Friday. Sign up here
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WorldEuropeKing Charles III Go get your own oil: Trump blasts UK, welcomes terrific state visit from King Charles David Crowe March 31, 2026  8:00pm Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

London: King Charles will meet US President Donald Trump in the next few weeks after deciding to go ahead with a state visit to the United States despite another verbal blast from the White House at the British government. The King announced the plan after weeks of debate about the wisdom of the visit during the confrontation with Iran, as Trump accuses UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of being a weak leader and tells Britain to get your own oil from the Persian Gulf. US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump pose with King Charles and Queen Camilla as they bid their farewells at Windsor Castle during a state visit last September. Getty Images The state visit was announced soon after Trump launched another tirade against Britain on social media, saying it and other countries should build up some delayed courage and go to the Strait of Hormuz to get the oil they needed. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us, he wrote.

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Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! The state visit sets up an opportunity for the King to calm the dispute between Trump and Starmer, given the presidents high regard for the monarchy. The coming visit is the Kings first as monarch to the US. He will visit with Queen Camilla in late April, with planned events expected to include an address to Congress, although this is yet to be confirmed. The couple last visited the US on an official tour in 2005 as the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall. Trump confirmed the visit would take place from April 27 to 30 and would include a banquet at the White House on April 28 to commemorate the founding of the United States in 1776. This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country, Trump posted on social media. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!

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After the US, the King will travel to Bermuda for a state visit. The plan reciprocates the state visit by Trump to the UK last September, when the president enjoyed the high ceremony of a welcome to Windsor Castle and a banquet with guests ranging from tech billionaires to News Corp media mogul Rupert Murdoch. Loading At the banquet, Trump spoke with effusive praise for the King and said his state visit to the UK  an unprecedented second state visit for a US leader  was one of the highest honours of his life. The president also described the relationship between the US and UK in glowing terms.

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Were like two notes in one chord or two verses of the same poem, each beautiful on its own, but really meant to be played together, he said. Relations have soured since then, however, with Trump disparaging Starmer several times since the US and Israel launched the war on Iran in February and the UK prime minister declined to send any forces to assist in the attacks. While Starmer has allowed the US to use British bases for defensive purposes, including hosting US Air Force bombers at the Fairford base in England, Trump has called for active support from the UK for the war. In one barb, the president said the prime minister was no Winston Churchill  a reference to the prime minister who led Britain to victory in the Second World War. Starmer has pushed back at the criticism without being offensive, while polls suggest a majority of British voters do not want their country to join the war.

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Related Article Analysis

Middle East at war Why Europes break with Trump is not just a gulf about the Gulf A lot of what is said or done is undoubtedly said and done to put pressure on me - I have no doubt about that, I understand exactly what is going on, but Im not going to be wavering, Starmer said on March 23. My job is to be absolutely focused on what is in the British national interest. British politicians have cautioned against approving the royal visit in light of Trumps attacks on the UK, with Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey saying it should be cancelled. Dame Emily Thornberry, a Labour politician who chairs the foreign affairs select committee in parliament, said on March 17 it would be safer to delay the visit to avoid anything embarrassing for the King and Queen.

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Buckingham Palace noted that the visit to the US was decided with the government. On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America, the palace said in a statement released at 1pm on Tuesday in London (11pm AEDT). Their Majesties programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence. The King will then continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majestys first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory. Get a note directly from our foreign correspondents on whats making headlines around the world. Sign up for our weekly What in the World newsletter.


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WorldMiddle EastMiddle East at war Opinion The Trump administration is a kleptocracy. That alone offers hope for an end to the Iran war Clinton Fernandes Academic and former intelligence officer April 1, 2026  2:00am

April 1, 2026  2:00am Save You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Share A A A

US President Donald Trumps decisions in the Third Gulf War seem erratic and puzzling, but many of them make sense when you follow the money trail. There is a robust explanation for his stop-start behaviour: Trump and his associates have significant financial investments in pro-US Gulf states, and these may be ruined in an Iranian retaliatory campaign. There are more than 400 desalination plants in the Gulf, which are responsible for more than 40 per cent of drinking water used by the United Arab Emirates, 70 per cent used by Saudi Arabia and 90 per cent by Kuwait. Iranian attacks on this infrastructure would shatter the Gulf states economic prosperity, and with it, billions of dollars that the Trump organisation stands to gain. Modern life there would be unsustainable. Artwork by Marija Ercegovac This is why Trump keeps extending his deadlines on Iran. Since the killing of supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on February 28, Trump has paused strikes on several occasions. On March 22, he threatened to obliterate Irans power plants within 48 hours if it didnt reopen the Strait of Hormuz. On March 23, hours before the deadline expired, he announced a five-day delay, citing very good and productive conversations with unnamed Iranian officials. On March 26, as the world held its breath, he ordered another pause, this time for 10 days to April 6. He said it was as per Iranian government request. What these excuses boil down to is that Trump and his wealthy supporters have too much to lose if the Gulf remains entrenched in war and dysfunction. He faces a competing pressure in the need to show that he isnt scared of American troops being killed in action if needed. Otherwise, great power rivals such as China may doubt his resolve in a war over Taiwan.

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Despite arguments to the contrary, the Trump presidency is the opposite of fascist. Fascism is a political ideology with an economic program, namely that a powerful state led by a ruling party and an all-powerful leader should command the society, the economy and the corporate bosses. Under Trump, the US resembles a wealthy kleptocracy  one in which the state apparatus bows to serve the super-rich. His cliques self-interest serves as a powerful restraint against an energy apocalypse.



Take cryptocurrency. World Liberty Financial  a business venture of the Trump family and the family of his special envoy, Steve Witkoff  received a $US2 billion ($2.9 billion) deposit courtesy of Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed al-Nahyan, who controls $US1.5 trillion of the Emiratis sovereign wealth. Witkoffs son Zach, 32, heads up World Liberty, which has earned the Trump family at least $US1.2 billion in cash in less than two years. Donald Trump Jr and Trumps youngest son, Barron, are listed as co-founders. Days before Trumps inauguration in January 2025, the Emirates purchased a 49 per cent stake in World Liberty by signing an agreement with his middle son, Eric. For his part, the president effectively controls a large stake in World Liberty through an entity called DT Marks DEFI LLC. The Trump family made at least an additional $US2.25 billion in paper gains from other crypto holdings. Related Article Opinion

Middle East at war Trump wants out of this costly war. The Iranian regime has him trapped Clinton Fernandes Academic and former intelligence officer Trumps new-found enthusiasm for cryptocurrencies is in sharp contrast to his earlier public disdain for them. Towards the end of his first term, he said they were not money and their value is highly volatile and based on thin air with the potential to facilitate unlawful behaviour, including drug trade and other illegal activity. But when money talks, the rhetoric walks. Today, thanks to contributions by the United Arab Emirates and others, Trump is both a major crypto dealer and the industrys top policymaker. In April last year, he issued an executive order that resulted in the closure of the National Cryptocurrency Enforcement Team, which investigated crypto crimes. More generally, the Trump cabinet consists of people with a direct interest in keeping the global economy going. His is the wealthiest administration in modern history, with a combined net worth of $US60 billion  five hundred times richer than the $US118 million combined net worth of president Joe Bidens cabinet. Major campaign fundraising organisers and cabinet members include Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, a billionaire, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, an extremely wealthy hedge fund manager.

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BEIRUT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Five people were killed and three others were injured early on Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

Two people were killed, and three others were wounded when an Israeli airstrike targeted a vehicle in the Qasmiyeh area in southern Lebanon. In another strike, two people were killed when Israeli warplanes targeted a town in the Tyre district.

Separately, an Israeli airstrike on a house in the village of Ebba killed a citizen after his home was struck shortly after midnight.

The Israeli army also issued an urgent warning to residents in south Lebanon, located south of the Zahrani River, calling on them to evacuate the area.

Cross-border fighting has continued along the Lebanon-Israel border since March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire agreed on Nov. 27, 2024, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. 
This aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows the Xiong'an Railway Station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A self-driving bus is seen in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 20, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows the Xiong'an Railway Station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A staff member works at a control center for a substation in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A citizen uses a book delivering robot at a library in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A staff member works at a forestry management center in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 19, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This photo taken on March 25, 2026 shows a charging robot at a charging station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This photo taken on March 26, 2026 shows a smart streetlight with the traffic monitoring sensor in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A self-driving taxi is seen in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 26, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This photo taken on March 25, 2026 shows a wireless charging pile at a charging station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

An AI robot makes coffee at coffee shop in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows the Xiong'an Urban Computing Center in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This drone photo taken on March 16, 2026 shows the Xiong'an Urban Computing Center in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

This aerial drone photo taken on March 18, 2026 shows the Xiong'an Railway Station in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A child interacts with a robot at a library in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

An unmanned book delivering truck is seen at a library in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A delivering robot is seen at a hotel in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 26, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

A security robot is seen in a residential area in Xiong'an New Area, north China's Hebei Province, March 25, 2026.

About an hour's drive from Beijing, a futuristic city is rising on the North China Plain -- the Xiong'an New Area.

In recent years, Xiong'an has responded to the national call for innovation-driven development. Technology is not an abstract concept in Xiong'an. It has taken shape in perceptible smart living scenarios.

In April 2017, China decided to establish the Xiong'an New Area as part of a strategy to promote the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB)  A man was found dead Monday afternoon in Louisvilles Newburg neighborhood.

Aaron Ellis, a spokesperson for Louisville Metro Police, said officers received a call at 3:15 p.m. about a report of a body at an apartment complex on Sheehan Landing Drive.

Police said a man was found dead at the location.

It's unknown at this time how the man died. Police said there were no signs of foul play.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Spring break travel is expected to boom at Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, with airport officials expecting one of the busiest stretches of the year.

From Thursday through Sunday, the airport is projecting more than 35,000 outbound seats, signaling a significant uptick in travel demand compared to last year.

"Very busy, about 5% up over where we were last year  near record numbers," said Natalie Chaudoin, a spokesperson for the airport.

While the numbers are up from 2025, they are still expected to fall just short of the airport's record spring travel in 2024.

Airport officials said airline schedules are a strong indicator of demand, with flights already filling up at a high rate. As travelers head out, warm-weather destinations are driving demand.

"Florida is always a top market," Chaudoin said. "We're seeing more seats this year to Orlando, Fort Myers, St. Pete, Clearwater area, (and) Tampa."

The busiest travel days are expected to be Thursday, April 2, and Sunday, April 5.

"And then we expect the following weekend to be pretty busy ... with people returning back," Chaudoin said.

Despite ongoing concerns nationwide tied to the federal government shutdown, airport officials said operations with Transportation Safety Administration workers in Louisville have remained stable.

"Check-in was two minutes," said Allen Lace, who strolled through security at the airport Tuesday.

Lace and others at SDF said smaller airports don't seem to be experiencing the same issues at security checkpoints the way other major cities are.

"Minneapolis was way busier than it normally is," said the DeFrang family, who noted Louisville's airport was operating much smoother.

"All the other airports, we hear, are rough," said Wayne Dossey as he landed in Louisville.

"I flew into Atlanta," added Dossey's wife, Ann. "(Allen) went down before me, and I flew into Atlanta, and the wait  when I got there to go on to Tampa  was about an hour-and-40-minute wait."

Some TSA workers began receiving backpay Monday while others are still waiting.

"We've not seen some of the impacts that you are seeing at airports across the country," Chaudoin said. "Our staffing has been very consistent. TSA has continued to show up, and we've not seen any impact to passenger screening. So those wait times are really good and solid, just like they were free shutdown."

Still, as the spring break rush approaches, travelers are encouraged to plan ahead, especially during peak departure times.

"We do encourage people to arrive two to two and a half hours in advance, just because it is going to be a busier few days, especially if you're heading out on a flight before 830 in the morning," Chaudoin said.

Parking is also expected to be in high demand, with some lots potentially reaching capacity.

Airport officials said travelers can consider alternative options, including shuttle lots, to avoid delays getting to the terminal.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
The Trump administration on Tuesday exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act after Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said environmentalists' lawsuits threatened to hobble domestic energy supplies as the U.S. wages war against Iran.

Critics said the move by the government's Endangered Species Committee could doom a rare whale species and harm other marine life. Nicknamed the God Squad by groups who say it can decide a species fate, the committee comprises several Trump administration officials and is chaired by Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

It met Tuesday for the first time in more than three decades amid global oil shocks and soaring energy prices brought on by the Iran war. The U.S. pumps more oil than any other nation, but that hasnt insulated it from spiking prices: The national average for a gallon of gasoline topped $4 Tuesday for the first time since 2022.

Disruptions to Gulf oil production doesnt hurt just us, it benefits our adversaries, Hegseth told the committee. We cannot allow our own rules to weaken our standing and strengthen those who wish to harm us. When development in the Gulf is chilled, we are prevented from producing the energy we need as a country and as a department.

Environmental groups sought unsuccessfully to block Tuesdays meeting and pledged to challenge the exemption. They say the exemption would speed the extinction of the rare Rices whale, which is found exclusively in the Gulf of Mexico. Government biologists say only about 50 of the animals remain.

If Trump is successful here, he could be the first person in history to knowingly extirpate a species from the face of the earth. Thats how precarious the condition of the Rices whale is, said Patrick Parenteau, emeritus professor of law at Vermont Law School. Parenteau dismissed Hegseths claims of a security threat, since companies have continued to look for and extract oil in the Gulf despite legal challenges over the critically endangered whale.

Streamlined approvals for drilling

During his last days in office, former Democratic President Joe Biden sought to ban new offshore oil and gas drilling in most U.S. coastal waters, citing the climate crisis.

President Donald Trump reversed that policy and made increased fossil fuel production a central focus of his second term. The Republican wants to open new areas of the Gulf off the Florida coast to drilling, and has proposed sweeping rollbacks of environmental regulations disliked by industry.

Hegseth notified Burgum on March 13 that an Endangered Species Act exemption for oil and gas drilling in the Gulf was necessary for reasons of national security.

Hegseth told committee members Tuesday that Iran's efforts to block shipping through the world's busiest oil route, the Strait of Hormuz, underscored the national security imperative of robust domestic oil production. He said pending litigation from environmental groups threatened to halt" oil production in the Gulf.

Industry observers said the exemption could have significant implications for energy companies by streamlining approvals of new projects and impeding opponents ability to derail drilling plans.

Serial litigation from activist groups targeting a lawful, well-regulated industry should not be allowed to indefinitely obstruct projects of clear national importance, said Erik Milito with the National Ocean Industries Association, which represents offshore developers.

The Gulf of Mexico is one of the nations top oil regions, producing 2 million barrels a day. It accounts for almost 15% of crude pumped annually in the U.S., plus a small share of domestic natural gas production.

The Gulf also has been the scene of environmental disasters such as BPs Deepwater Horizon blowout in 2010 that killed 11 workers and spilled 134 million gallons (500 million liters) of oil. Rice's whale numbers dropped by 22% following the accident and could take decades to recover, scientists said.

A spill in the Gulf earlier this month off the Mexican coast spread 373 miles (600 kilometers), contaminating at least six species and polluting seven protected natural reserves.

The Trump administration in mid-March approved BPs new $5 billion ultra-deepwater drilling project in the Gulf.

Whales, turtles and sturgeon at risk

A 2025 National Marine Fisheries Service analysis determined the Gulf oil and gas program was likely to harm several species of whales, sea turtles and Gulf sturgeon. They face potential harm from ship strikes, oil spills and other impacts.

The Gulf exemption is the first time national security has been cited to justify action by the Endangered Species Committee. Conservation groups immediately condemned the action and asserted it was done illegally.

The Endangered Species Act has not slowed an iota of oil from being extracted from the Gulf, said Defenders of Wildlife President Andrew Bowman. I cannot stress enough how unprecedented and unlawful this action is.

Since 1973, the Endangered Species Act has made it illegal to harm or kill species on a protected list. The committee was formed in 1978 as a way to exempt projects if no alternative would provide the same economic benefits in a region or if it was in the nations best interest.

Before this week, the panel had convened just three times and issued only two exemptions. The first was in 1979 to allow construction on a dam on the Platte River in Wyoming, home to the whooping crane. It last met in 1992, allowing logging in northern spotted owl habitats in Oregon. That exemption request was later withdrawn.

Its latest meeting follows a federal judges ruling on Monday that struck down attempts during Trumps first term to weaken rules for endangered species.

The panel's members include the secretaries of agriculture, interior and the Army, the chairperson of the Council of Economic Advisers, and the administrators of both the Environmental Protection Agency and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. They all voted in favor of Hegseth's request for an exemption.
FRANKFORT, Ky. (WDRB)  Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman joined a push Monday calling on Gov. Andy Beshear to authorize the execution of more than a dozen inmates on death row.

The push stems from a case dating back to 1994, when Ralph Baze was convicted of killing two law enforcement officers and sentenced to death.

That sentence has not been carried out, and Coleman said he wants to see that change.

Speaking on the steps of the Franklin County Courthouse, Coleman said enough is enough when it comes to delaying Bazes execution. Baze was convicted in the 1992 killings of Powell County Sheriff Steve Bennett and Deputy Arthur Briscoe.

Since then, about a dozen Kentucky death row inmates have challenged the states execution protocol, resulting in a temporary injunction.

"It is time for this case to end," Coleman said. "Not to sweep anything under the rug, but to uphold the rule of law and to recognize this is needless delay."

Kentucky has not carried out an execution since 2008.

"If the court dismisses this case as we are seeking, it will pave the way for around a dozen death row inmates to finally receive their sentence, and the surviving families in each case will receive the justice they have long awaited," Coleman said.

However, during a hearing Monday, attorneys for the inmates said changes to the states procedures are needed.

"One example is that counsel be allowed to view the insertion of the IV so if something goes awry, as they often have across the country, they are aware of it in time, if need be, to contact the courts," attorney David Barron said.

It is up to Beshear to commute death sentences.

Coleman said Beshear needs to sign off on Bazes execution to provide closure for these victims families.

"Our Commonwealth promised these families, these law enforcement officers and their communities that we would deliver justice," he said. "We will not give up on them."

There is no timeline on when a judge could rule on the dismissal.

Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.
BEIRUT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said on Tuesday that Israel has refused to respond to Lebanese, Arab, and international calls to halt military operations and begin negotiations.

Aoun said the war "will not lead to any practical result but will only increase the suffering of the Lebanese people," stressing that negotiations are the only solution that can restore security and stability to the region, according to a statement by Lebanon's Presidency.

He made the remarks during a meeting with visiting French Minister Delegate for the Armed Forces Alice Rufo, adding that Lebanon supports the efforts of French President Emmanuel Macron to help reach a ceasefire and launch negotiations.

Rufo reaffirmed France's support for Lebanon, as well as its support for the positions announced by the Lebanese president, particularly the negotiation initiative and the decisions taken by the Lebanese government.

During separate talks, Aoun met with United Nations Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Tom Fletcher, who expressed full solidarity with Lebanon and reaffirmed the United Nations' commitment to continuing humanitarian support amid the country's difficult circumstances and growing needs.

Aoun outlined the security and humanitarian challenges resulting from the escalation, particularly the displacement crisis and pressure on infrastructure and basic services.

Israel on Tuesday resumed airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs, targeting the Bir al-Abed area and a building in Ghobeiri in the Dahieh, while intensive drone flights were reported over Beirut and its suburbs at low altitude, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

An Israeli airstrike on the town of Srifa in the Tyre district killed two people and wounded three others, the agency said.

Lebanon's Public Health Ministry said in its daily report that the total number of people killed since March 2 has risen to 1,268, while the number of injured has reached 3,750.

Cross-border fighting has continued along the Lebanon-Israel border since March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire agreed on Nov. 27, 2024, triggering intensified Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. 
SYDNEY, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Three men have been hospitalized with critical injuries sustained during an altercation in western Sydney on Monday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the altercation involving three men in Girraween, 25 km west of central Sydney, around 3:30 p.m. on Monday.

All men, aged 30, 37, and 56, were treated at the scene by ambulance paramedics before being taken to the hospital in critical condition.

The 30-year-old and 56-year-old men suffered several stab wounds to their torsos, while the 37-year-old sustained injuries to his arms.

Police said all three men were known to each other, and local media reported that the altercation stemmed from a dispute between neighbors. 
MADRID, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles said on Tuesday that the United States and Israel "cannot be the ones who decide what rules apply in the world," defending Madrid's refusal to support their military operations against Iran.

Speaking in parliament, Robles reiterated the Spanish government's opposition to what it has described as a war "outside the framework of international law," stressing that Spain's response has been "firm and consistent."

"We cannot accept that two countries have decided to drag the world into their war," she said, in remarks that underscored Spain's criticism of what it views as unilateral action by the United States and Israel.

Robles emphasized that Spain remains fully committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and to multilateralism, rejecting suggestions that its stance signals a shift away from alliance obligations.

Robles said Spain has a "firm and unequivocal commitment to peace" and added that "we do not accept lessons from anyone."

Her comments came a day after Spain's First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo confirmed that Spain had closed its airspace to U.S. military aircraft involved in operations against Iran, which started on Feb. 28 and has moved into their fifth week.

The restriction applies exclusively to aircraft participating in the conflict and does not affect commercial traffic. Spanish authorities have also denied authorization for the use of military bases at Rota and Moron de la Frontera for such operations, although both facilities continue to function normally under existing agreements. 
Leesville, LA (71446)

Today

Cloudy early with thunderstorms developing later in the day. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. High 79F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Gusty winds and small hail are possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Tom Tuite

A Dublin man charged with running a crime gang and cocaine smuggling is to face a non-jury Special Criminal Court trial.

The Director of Public Prosecutions' (DPP) decision in Brian Grendon's case was revealed after fresh charges were brought against him at Dublin District Court on Tuesday.

Grendon, 48, was arrested following an investigation by the Garda National Drugs and Organised Crime Bureau in after returning to the country.

He was remanded in custody on January 26th.

The primary charge alleges that between August 1 and September 17, 2024, within the State, he directed "the activities of a criminal organisation in the importation and distribution of controlled drugs and the money laundering of the proceeds of the sale of those drugs," contrary to Section 71A of the Criminal Justice Act 2006.

Grendon of Greenfort Drive, Clondalkin, appeared again and was charged with five additional connected offences.

They are related to: unlawful importation of cocaine worth 13,000 or more into the State via Rosslare Europort, Co Wexford.

These offences allegedly occurred over three time periods in 2024: August 7th, September 2nd to September 9th, and August 10th to September 13th.

There were also two money-laundering allegations involving the possession of the proceeds of crime, 22,220 and 230,860, at a location within the State on September 16, 2024, and the following day.

Detective Garda John Rourke told Judge Kelly that the accused "made no reply" to each new charge when they were put to him.

Judge Treasa Kelly noted the DPP's decision that the case will eventually be transferred to the Special Criminal Court.

It is normally reserved for gangland or terrorism offences where the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice.

Defence solicitor Wayne Kenny said that he expected the prosecutions book of evidence to be completed soon, because his client had already been questioned regarding the matter a year ago.

Grendon, who has yet to enter a plea, was remanded in custody to appear at Cloverhill District Court on April 7th.

The District Court does not have jurisdiction to consider bail in this case.

The solicitor stated Grendon would apply for High Court bail later this month.

He had previously lodged his application amidst Garda objections in February, but after withdrawing it at a late stage, he was ordered to pay prosecution costs.
By Grainne Ni Aodha, Press Association

President Catherine Connolly has appointed Irish language activist Linda Ervine and Professor Colin Harvey to her Council of State.

Connolly made seven appointments to the body which assists the Irish President in considering various matters.

The President of Ireland must first consult with the Council of State before referring legislation passed by the Dail to the Supreme Court over constitutional concerns.

The president can also communicate directly with the Dail on a matter of public importance after consultation with the Council of State.

Ervine, who is from east Belfast, is the manager of the first Irish language centre to be based in a loyalist area.

She is also the founder of Scoil na Seolta, the first integrated school to teach through the medium of Irish.

Linda Ervine, founder of Turas (PA)

Harvey is a professor of human rights law and a former head of the School of Law at Queens University Belfast.

He is also a commissioner on the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, has served two terms as a commissioner on the Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, and is a member of the Scientific Committee of the EU Fundamental Rights Agency.

Along with Ervine and Harvey, Connolly appointed law professor and Irish speaker Fionnuala Ni Aolain, sociologist Kathleen Lynch, law professor and the Legal Aid Board member Donncha OConnell, law professor and director of the Child Law Clinic Conor OMahony and former president of Ollscoil na Gaillimhe/University of Galway, Ciaran O hOgartaigh.

Connolly said in a statement: May I thank each of the nominees who have agreed to serve as a member of the Council of State.

These seven members bring a unique expertise and range of experience to the Council of State which will be of immense value in considering the matters which may arise over the course of my term of office.

I look forward to receiving their advice and support over the next seven years.

The Council of State also consists of the Taoiseach, the Tanaiste, the Chief Justice, the president of the Court of Appeal, the president of the High Court, the Ceann Comhairle of Dail Eireann, the Cathaoirleach of Seanad Eireann, and the Attorney General.

It also comprises previous presidents, taoisigh and chief justices.
There is shock and outrage over a decision to scrap a major Mayo bus route.

Bus Eireann announced it is to withdraw its Ballina  Galway (Route 52) Expressway service.

The company announced they have notified the National Transport Authority (NTA) and customers that from May 24, a number of Expressway services will be withdrawn including Route 52, Waterford  Dublin/Dublin Airport and Rosslare/Wexford  Waterford.

The Ballina-Galway service made stops in Foxford, Straide, Ballyvary, Castlebar, Breaffy, Balla, Claremorris, Ballindine, Milltown, Tuam, Claregalway and Galway city.

The company said these measures are in response to the continuous significant losses being incurred on these services.

Minister Dara Calleary said efforts are being made to retain the route.

The news that broke on Friday evening last that Bus Eireann intends to cease its Route 52 Service between Ballina and Galway has been met with widespread disappointment by constituents of Ballina and across Mayo. I have been in contact with both the NTA (National Transport Authority) and the Minister for Transport over the weekend, As is the case with any commercial route withdrawals, the withdrawal of BE Expressway routes has now triggered the NTAs PSO Determination process. I have written to the NTA and the Minister strongly advocating for the retention of the Route 52 service. In light of ongoing fuel price increases, the necessity of this service for hospital appointments, college-goers and general connectivity of the region, it is vital that Route 52 is retained. Without pre-empting the outcome of the process, the NTA hope to conclude this over the coming days and I am very hopeful that a positive outcome can be reached, he said.

Sinn Fein TD Rose Conway Walsh has called for urgent intervention by the NTA.

For many people in these towns and villages, this route is a lifeline. Its withdrawal strips away essential transport infrastructure that people rely on daily to access work, education and hospital appointments, and it couldnt have come at a worse time when petrol and diesel prices are soaring," said the Erris TD.

I am particularly concerned about the impact on patients and families who depend on this service to attend either Mayo University Hospital and Galway University Hospital, including those accessing vital cancer treatment. Removing this transport link places additional stress and hardship on people at an already difficult time.

Students commuting to college in Galway or ATU in Castlebar will also be severely affected. At a time when we should be encouraging access to education, decisions like this create further barriers for young people in rural Ireland," Deputy Conway Walsh added.
Hitting one million passengers annually at Ireland West Airport (Knock) could punish rather than reward the airport.

Thats according to Ryanair CEO Michael OLeary, who called on the Government to raise the passenger number threshold linked to state support in order for the airport to grow and expand.

However, Minister for Rural and Community Development Dara Calleary countered that the recent adjustment to the Regional Airports Programme will greatly assist the airport and that the Government are very committed to its future.

The Governments revised Regional Airports Programme, announced earlier this year, extended eligibility beyond one million passengers, with support reducing gradually as traffic rises beyond that threshold.

OLeary argued that the taper still creates a disincentive to push beyond the one million milestone.

Knock handled 946,381 passengers in 2025 and is forecasting between 970,000 and 980,000 this year, with close to 90 percent of those passengers flying with Ryanair.

Wed like to continue to grow with Knock Airport. One of the challenges facing Knock Airport is the regional airport support scheme is capped or tapers off once you get to a million passengers.

We have been advocating for a number of years that the one million should be lifted to two million without any tapering off which would enable Knock to continue to invest here, to receive support for infrastructure investments and we certainly working together with Joe (Gilmore, airport CEO) and his team would be more than happy to put more flights into Knock Airport and continue to grow.

I think we should be looking to grow from a million to a million and a half passengers but there is a big cost penalty for Knock Airport once they go over a million passengers and the government needs to relook at that so that we can continue to invest and grow here, said OLeary.

Speaking yesterday (Monday) at the tenth anniversary celebrations of the Achill Experience and Aquarium Visitor Centre, Minister Calleary argued the adjustments to the Regional Airports Scheme should greatly assist the airport.

The Regional Airport Programme is very important. Up until this year it actually kicked off at one million. It was cliffed and if the airport had grown its passenger numbers to a million and one, it would have lost everything. So what we have introduced this year is rather than that happening, it is stepped. The funding will be reduced on a stepped basis over a number of years so the airport can plan.

Were very committed to Ireland West Airport Knock. I think over the 40 year history, Fianna Fail have been the main governments in terms of its funding, its ongoing funding and I will always fight for Ireland West Airport at cabinet. I did in terms of the context of the design of the new type of funding," Minister Calleary continued.

I certainly will sit down and engage with Joe Gilmore (Ireland West Airport CEO), Arthur French (Chairman) and the team around it but I think weve made a big improvement this year. Unfortunately, we cant write a blank cheque either on any of our programmes, especially at the moment but we will work and we have and I have always been in the airports corner and will continue to be.

Ryanair have been a really valuable partner in those 40 years. Without Ryanair we would not be where the airport is today, nor without the extraordinary commitment of the staff over the 40 years. The success of the airport is a source of enormous pride to the county, I find every time I go in to collect someone from the airport or come in through the airport, you walk a few steps taller, that this was done in spite of all the opposition. Governments in Fianna Fail have stood with the airport in dark days, well stand with it in good days, he said.
BEIRUT, April 1 (Xinhua) -- Israeli warplanes struck a building in the Jnah area of Beirut on Tuesday night.

Xinhua reporters in the area heard three loud explosions, with the blasts shattering windows in nearby buildings. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Mostly cloudy; a dry start, but showers becoming more likely towards later afternoon and evening. .

Tonight

Cloudy skies with some rain showers likely overnight, especially before midnight.
A Palestinian child who returned to the Gaza Strip is pictured at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 30, 2026. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Fighting along the Israel-Lebanon border has intensified amid wider Middle East hostilities, worsening a severe humanitarian situation in Lebanon as dire conditions continue in Gaza, a UN spokesman said Tuesday.

"Our colleagues on the ground report intensified exchanges of fire across the Blue Line between Hezbollah and Israel, strikes across Lebanon and deeper Israeli troop deployments," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.

Dujarric said the escalation has taken a heavy toll on civilians and civilian infrastructure, particularly in southern Lebanon, while northern Israel has also seen renewed deaths, destruction, displacement and widespread fear.

More than 1.1 million people have registered as displaced persons within Lebanon, the spokesperson said.

Damage to key roads in the Bekaa Valley and the destruction of bridges over the Litani River in recent days have left parts of southern Lebanon nearly cut off from the rest of the country. As access routes are severed and the buffer zone expands, residents who remain face growing isolation and limited access to safety and essential services.

The fighting has also driven population movements into Syria. Syrian authorities reported that more than 200,000 people have entered Syria through three official border points from Lebanon.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the movements are taking place amid heavy rains since mid-March, which have caused widespread flooding in the northern and eastern governorates of Aleppo, Idleb, Raqqa, Al Hasakah and Deir al-Zour.

More than 19,000 people were affected in Aleppo and Idleb, with more than 3,400 shelters damaged and hundreds destroyed. In Al Hasakah, at least 6,000 people were displaced after homes and camps were flooded.

OCHA said its partners and local authorities are providing tents, blankets and emergency support, while health teams are assisting displaced families in Al Hasakah City and districts where water contamination and cold exposure pose serious risks.

In the occupied Palestinian territory, OCHA said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators.

The World Health Organization also reported supporting the medical evacuation of 19 patients requiring treatment unavailable in the Gaza Strip.

The office said deteriorating living conditions in the strip are driving an increase in skin diseases such as scabies, while rodents infest tents in search of food. Sanitation partners are expanding hygiene kit distribution, but shortages of chemicals and pest control materials persist.

The UN Office for Project Services said it facilitated the delivery of 400 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza via the Cyprus Maritime Corridor, including urgently needed mattresses and incubators for pediatric wards.

The UN Development Programme (UNDP) has warned of severe economic consequences of the escalation of violence in the Middle East.

New UNDP estimates suggest the crisis could cost Middle Eastern economies between 3.7 percent and 6 percent of their combined gross domestic product, a loss of 120 billion to 194 billion U.S. dollars.

UNDP said unemployment could rise by up to 4 percentage points, translating into 3.6 million jobs lost and pushing as many as 4 million people into poverty.

In a separate report, UNDP said disruptions to daily life and economic activity in Iran could push a significant share of the population into poverty, reversing socioeconomic gains. Iran's Human Development Index is projected to fall by about 0.5 percent, equivalent to losing one to one-and-a-half years of human development progress. 

A Palestinian child who returned to the Gaza Strip is pictured at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 30, 2026.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child who returned to the Gaza Strip is pictured at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 30, 2026.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A Palestinian child who returned to the Gaza Strip is pictured at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 30, 2026.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Palestinian children who returned to the Gaza Strip are pictured at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on March 30, 2026.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said the world body and its partners on Monday facilitated the return of 11 toddlers into the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing. The children were reunited with their families after having been medically evacuated from Al Shifa hospital as infants in November 2023, some while still in incubators. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)
CAIRO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict entered its 32nd day on Tuesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly open to ending the war even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, while Iran threatened to strike major U.S. technology firms in the region.

The following is an overview of the latest developments in the crisis affecting much of the region and beyond.

The United States

-- Trump has told aides that he is willing to end the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday night, citing Trump administration officials.

Trump and his aides recently assessed that a mission to pry open the crucial global energy waterway would push the war with Iran beyond his timeline of four to six weeks, said the report.

-- The United States struck a large ammunition depot in the Iranian city of Isfahan using 2,000-pound bunker-buster bombs, the Wall Street Journal reported late Monday, citing an official.

Israel

-- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israel has smashed Iran's industrial capability and is creating "new alliances" in the region.

-- The Israel Defense Forces said in a statement that four of its soldiers were killed during operations in southern Lebanon.

-- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a video statement that after the fighting ends, Israel will retain the security zone in southern Lebanon up to the Litani River. He added that all residents who evacuated north will not be allowed to return to their homes, and that all houses in villages near the border will be demolished.

Iran

-- Iran's Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC) said that it had hit an Israeli container ship in the Persian Gulf with ballistic missiles during a new wave of attacks against U.S. and Israeli targets, Tasnim news agency reported.

-- The IRGC warned that companies it accused of involvement in "terrorist espionage" could be targeted, naming several major U.S. technology firms and urging employees and nearby residents to leave the areas. It also said that its forces have launched drone attacks on "important and strategic" communication, telecommunication, and industrial centers affiliated with the Israeli army.

-- Iran executed two "armed terrorists" affiliated with the Mujahedin-e Khalq Organization (MKO) for their involvement in several "terror operations" in Tehran aimed at toppling the country's establishment.

-- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi called reports that Iran fired a missile toward Turkiye "completely baseless."

-- Hassan Fartousi, secretary-general of the Iranian National Commission for UNESCO, said that U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have destroyed several historic buildings and damaged universities across Iran.

-- At least 15 people were killed, and 41 others injured in separate U.S.-Israeli strikes in two Iranian provinces, local officials said.

Lebanon

-- Five people were killed and three others were injured early on Tuesday in Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon, according to Lebanon's National News Agency.

-- Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Israel has refused to respond to Lebanese, Arab, and international calls to stop the war and begin negotiations, stressing that a political solution remains the only way to restore security and stability.

France

-- The French presidency confirmed that France has not changed its policy regarding U.S. military aircraft flying over its territory, expressing surprise at recent remarks by Trump, according to local media.

In a post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump claimed that "France wouldn't let planes headed to Israel, loaded with military supplies, fly over French territory," describing the country as "very unhelpful" and warning that the United States would "remember."

On March 5, the French military said that U.S. aircraft not involved in operations in Iran have been authorized to use certain French bases, provided they are used strictly to support regional partners' defense. France opposes U.S.-Israeli military operations against Iran, deeming them "outside international law" and refusing to endorse them.

Spain

-- Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles said that the United States and Israel "cannot be the ones who decide what rules apply in the world," defending Madrid's refusal to support their military operations against Iran.

Speaking in parliament, Robles reiterated the Spanish government's opposition to what it has described as a war "outside the framework of international law," stressing that Spain's response has been "firm and consistent."

Italy

-- Italy recently denied the United States permission to use the Sigonella military air base in Sicily due to a lack of prior notification and authorization, Italian media reported.

According to Corriere della Sera, Italian Air Force authorities learned that several U.S. bombers planned to land at Sigonella en route to the Middle East without prior consent from the Italian side. The flight plan was reportedly communicated only after the aircraft had already taken off.

Britain

-- Britain announced additional air defense support for Gulf partners as regional tensions escalate, with Defense Secretary John Healey confirming new deployments during visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain.

Saudi Arabia

-- Saudi Civil Defense said that two people sustained minor injuries and limited material damage was reported to three houses and several vehicles after debris from an intercepted drone fell in Al Kharj governorate.

Jordan

-- Jordan raised fuel prices for April, its first increase since the regional conflict began, while absorbing part of the global price hike to limit the impact on consumers, according to the Jordanian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources.

The United Arab Emirates

-- The United Arab Emirates (UAE) Fuel Price Committee announced sharply higher fuel prices for April, with petrol and diesel rising significantly from the previous month.

-- The UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, met with visiting Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani to discuss the regional fallout from the ongoing U.S.-Israel-Iran war and its impact on maritime security and global trade.

-- The UAE president also held a phone call with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where the two sides discussed the ongoing military escalation and its negative impact on international maritime navigation and the global economy.

Qatar

-- Qatar called for a regional approach to safeguarding the Strait of Hormuz, stressing its importance for global trade and energy supplies. Majed Al Ansari, a spokesperson for Qatar's Foreign Ministry, said that the issue has "implications for countries worldwide" and requires "regional consensus on security and freedom of navigation."

Egypt

-- Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi and Russian President Putin spoke by phone about efforts to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Middle East, the Egyptian presidency said.

-- Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed efforts to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East during a series of phone calls with his counterparts from Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan.

The consultations focused on ongoing efforts to prevent a regional explosion, emphasizing the vital importance of intensifying joint coordination with friendly nations to contain the current crisis and prevent further deterioration, according to a statement issued by the Egyptian Foreign Ministry. 
UNITED NATIONS, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The UN General Assembly on Tuesday adopted a resolution on mandate creation, implementation and review, part of the world body's reform efforts to make it more efficient and effective.

The resolution was adopted by a recorded vote of 168 in favor, 4 against and no abstentions. Belarus, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Nicaragua and Russia voted against the resolution.

By the terms of the resolution, the General Assembly agreed on a set of principles to guide the creation, implementation and review of all UN mandates.

"The resolution adopted today reflects a shared understanding of the full mandate lifecycle and a commitment to strengthen each step of it," which brings "greater discipline, coherence and transparency to the creation of mandates," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

Guterres said the process encourages "clearer, more focused mandates" and reinforces a culture of continuous improvement grounded in evidence, accountability and results.

"This is a major step. But it is only the beginning," he said. 
A discussion on Japans partnership with South Africa in a changing global world order

When: Wednesday, 01 April 2026 Where:

South West Engineering Building (Postgrad Centre) Start time: 14:00 Enquiries: witsairsrsvp@gmail.com RSVP: Registration link

Join a discussion on JapanSouth Africa relations and how the changing global order is shaping their evolving partnership.

The Wits Association of International Relations Scholars and the Afro-Asia Program are delighted to host a discussion on JapanSouth Africa relations in a changing global world order. We welcome Mr Takamitsu Hida, Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan, and Mr Priyal Singh, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Security Studies (ISS). The speakers will engage with students on the evolving dynamics of JapanSouth Africa relations and explore how shifts in the global order are influencing these ties.
Resist Cognitive Surrender

Five observations presented at Wits by the President of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

Sir John Lazar, a globally respected technology leader, entrepreneur, and advocate for engineering, delivered a keynote address at Wits on Friday, 27 March 2026, during a graduation ceremony for the Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment.

He took to the podium shortly after being awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Engineering, in recognition of his global impact across engineering, education, entrepreneurship, and social advancement.

Drawing on decades of experience, Sir John shared a series of reflections that were both timely and deeply relevant to the engineering profession. He spoke about the true purpose of engineering, the centrality of ethics, and the rising stakes in an era shaped by artificial intelligence.

Reflecting on the profession, he urged graduates not to lose sight of its core mission.

While we engineers are all very different, the common thread I believe, is that we believe we can solve problems.

He encouraged graduates to align themselves with those who create rather than destroy:

My first advice to you is to seek out the builders. And remember, it is so much easier to undermine and destroy than to build.

He emphasised that engineering only finds meaning when it serves society:

Engineering is not interesting unless it solves problems for the people we serve, he said, cautioning against work that is disconnected from real human needs.

On diversity and inclusion, Sir John was unequivocal. These principles, he argued, must be embedded from the outset:

They should never be an afterthought, a bolt-on, because incorporating diverse thinking and backgrounds and working in a cross-disciplinary way, including with social scientists and the humanities, simply produces better decisions and results for all our communities. So it is, of course, a moral imperative but it's ultimately about excellence.

This is something he was exposed to early in his life as a Wits student from 1979 to 1982, where he graduated with a BSc and BSc (Honours) in Computer Science. Read his citation. In his address, he acknowledged Wits University for instilling these values in him, describing it as a place that holds a special place in his family as generations had passed through Wits, including his mother, father, siblings, in-laws  as we all his late aunt who graduated from Wits 98 years ago, becoming one of the first women to earn a Wits degree.

Ethics, he stressed, must remain front and centre in all engineering work.

Cognitive Surrender vs Cognitive Endurance

In a period where advances in AI are breathtaking and head-spinning, Sir John warned of a growing risk: cognitive surrender.

The stakes are high for engineers.

Referencing a previous lecture he delivered in honour of the late Professor Barry Dwolatzky, he reflected on the unintended consequences of over-reliance on AI:

I talked about the danger of AI short-circuiting into laziness and stupidity in the face of seemingly powerful, articulate, and frankly sycophantic AIs.

He expanded on this idea, introducing a critical distinction between cognitive surrender and cognitive endurance:

At the Raspberry Pi Foundation, where Im Chair, we are actively exploring the pedagogy of the future. A central question is how we retain what we call cognitive endurance as we work with these tools, as opposed to offloading so much thinking that we lapse into complete cognitive surrender.

True learning, he argued, requires effort.

Ultimately, cognitive endurance comes from doing the work this is how real learning and intellectual prowess actually develop.

For engineers, the implications are profound. Over-reliance on AI, especially in high-stakes environments, could lead to costly and even life-threatening failures if systems are trusted uncritically despite probabilistic errors.

Sir John acknowledged that he uses AI tools himself, but with discipline.

I use tools like Claude Code every day, but with rigour, critical thinking, and scepticism.

He emphasised the importance of maintaining deep expertise.

It is critical that engineers retain cognitive endurance and continue to develop subject matter expertise. I firmly believe that those who do will be the ones who benefit most from this AI revolution.

An African Optimist

Sir John who mentors and invests in African projects said there is a lot to celebrate about African engineering innovation and entrepreneurship.

While the continent faces many constraints including energy, infrastructure, compute, energy, amongst other challenges  these constraints that can drive highly impactful innovation that can scale to the whole world.

As the co-founder of Enza Capital, the company has set up a new third fund, which will be dedicated to AI in Africa.

In closing he expressed his confidence that collectively, Wits graduates will make a profound impact on Africa and on the world.

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Largest genomic study of kidney function in Africa reveals new genetic risk factors

Widening diversity in genomic datasets opens the door to discovering variants and biological pathways and thereby strengthening genomic science for everyone.

An international research collaboration led by the University of the Witwatersrand and Queen Mary University of London has published the most comprehensive genomic investigation of kidney function ever conducted in African populations, shedding new light on the genetics of chronic kidney disease (CKD) across diverse African populations.

Several newly identified variants were common in African populations but entirely absent in European and Asian populations, highlighting the importance of conducting genomic research directly within African populations rather than extrapolating from studies conducted elsewhere.

Published in Nature Communications, the study analysed genomic data from approximately 26,000 individuals across Eastern, Western, and South Africa, alongside 81,000 individuals of African ancestry in the diaspora.

The research was conducted through the KidneyGenAfrica consortium and represents the largest genome-wide association study (GWAS) of kidney function in continental Africans to date, expanding previous regional sample sizes by eightfold.

The Africa Wits-INDEPTH Partnership for Genomic Studies (AWI-GEN) cohort, led by Professor Michele Ramsay, Director of the Sydney Brenner Institute for Molecular Bioscience (SBIMB) at Wits, and the African Research Kidney (ARK) cohort from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, led by Dr June Fabian, provided the critical data for the publication.

Fabian is a nephrologist and the Director of the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Research Institute. SBIMB researcher, Dr Jean-Tristan Brandenburg, ensured that African data was thoroughly represented in this landmark genomic investigation.

Chronic kidney disease affects an estimated 850 million people worldwide, making it the third fastest-growing cause of death globally. Yet its impact is felt most acutely in Africa, where rates of disability and death remain disproportionately high  a consequence of limited access to care for kidney failure, but also a deeper research gap.

Despite the disproportionate burden carried by people of African ancestry, the disease remains critically understudied in these communities. Most genetic research, including but not limited to kidney disease, has focused on European populations, leaving significant gaps in our understanding of the biological drivers of kidney disease risk in Africa.

Using a three-stage GWAS meta-analysis of estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR)  a key biomarker of kidney function  the team identified four genome-wide significant genetic loci in continental African populations, including two previously unreported variants. A broader pan-African analysis identified 19 significant loci, three of which are novel.

Ramsay explains: Our study demonstrates the importance of widening diversity in genomic datasets. While historic datasets have been invaluable for genomic research, adding more data from the same populations is now yielding fewer new insights. Studying the rich genetic diversity found in African populations opens the door to discovering variants and biological pathways that may not be visible elsewhere, strengthening genomic science for everyone.

The study also examined polygenic scores (PGS), tools that combine many genetic variants to estimate disease risk. Scores derived from genetically similar populations performed significantly better than those based on larger but more genetically distant datasets. This finding highlights the importance of population-matched reference data for developing equitable genomic medicine tools.

One of the study's most striking findings concerns the APOL1 gene. Variants in APOL1 are known to increase kidney disease risk threefold in African Americans and are strongly associated with progression to kidney failure. Surprisingly, the findings show that in continental Africa, these high-risk variants occur at lower frequencies and with reduced effects on kidney function when compared to the African American diaspora  suggesting that the genetic architecture of kidney disease may differ between African Americans and continental African populations. The results caution against applying diaspora-derived risk models to populations living in Africa and demonstrates that genetic risk for kidney disease varies across African populations, highlighting both the scientific value and the global health importance of inclusive genomic research. The study team hopes that the dataset will support future work aimed at improving prevention, diagnosis and treatment of kidney disease worldwide.

Professor Segun Fatumo, Professor and Chair of Genomic Diversity at Queen Marys Precision Healthcare University Research Institute, says, This study marks a major milestone for genomic research in Africa. By combining data from across Eastern, Western and Southern Africa, as well as the African diaspora, we have been able to uncover genetic insights that would have been impossible to detect otherwise.

These findings show clearly that when African scientists and global partners work collaboratively, we can generate discoveries that not only deepen our understanding of kidney disease but also move us closer to equitable genomic medicine. KidneyGenAfrica demonstrates the power of partnerships to accelerate science that benefits communities in Africa and around the world.
CALS Quarterly Issue 31

Read the latest issue of our quarterly newsletter and catch up on our recent highlights

Partnership and solidarity are not just ideals, but necessities in the pursuit of justice. It is only by working together that we can achieve lasting social change and effectively defend the rights of marginalised communities. Collaboration enables us to move beyond individual cases to tackle the root causes of injustice and build collective power. With this in mind, the first quarter of the year has been marked by a number of important partnerships across our litigation, research and advocacy work.



In our litigation work, CALS has made a number of applications to be admitted as a friend of the court with partners in South Africa and across the globe. The first sees CALS leveraging our work with rural communities and our membership of ESCR-Net to bring an international perspective to a case on land reform and historical redress in the Western Cape High Court. CALS has also approached the Court to intervene in a matter brought by Cape Union Mart against the Palestine Solidarity Campaign. We seek to ensure the rights of activists protesting the genocide in Gaza are not unconstitutionally limited.



CALS also submitted a joint amicus curiae intervention in the African Court on Human and Peoples Rights on the Advisory Opinion requested by the Pan African Lawyers Union on the obligations of states with respect to the climate crisis. Finally, we joined public interest law organisations from around the world in an amicus brief to the US Supreme Court in Cisco Systems, Inc. v. Doe. The case concerns the liability of corporations under the US Alien Tort Statute for aiding and abetting human rights violations.



One of our key research projects for the year is a partnership with Brunel University of London, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense Darcy Ribeiro in Brazil, and the British Academy. The project aims to highlight the need for evidence-based policies in public security with a focus on Brazil and South Africa, and is being led by our Civil and Political Justice programme.



On the advocacy side, CALS partners with Embrace: The Movement for Mothers who recently protested outside the Department of Health to draw attention to obstetric violence. We then hosted Embrace as they launched the results of their birthing survey on the nature and prevalence of obstetric violence in South Africa. Earlier in the year, our Environmental Justice team also engaged in the Marginalised and Affected Communities Summit under the theme Towards a people-led transition.

Click the image below for more about these and other recent updates.
ADDIS ABABA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- At least three people were killed and 16 others injured in a traffic accident in Ethiopia's capital, Addis Ababa, on Monday morning, local authorities confirmed Tuesday.

The accident occurred when a minibus carrying 19 people lost control and overturned while traveling downhill around the Lamberet neighborhood of Addis Ababa, killing three people, the Addis Ababa Police said.

Noting that survivors are receiving medical treatment at nearby health facilities, police said that an investigation is underway to determine the cause of the accident.

Police noted that the minibus was overloaded and urged public transport operators to strictly follow city traffic regulations to ensure passenger safety.

The accident is the latest in a series of deadly traffic incidents in Ethiopia, often linked to reckless driving, weak law enforcement, and poor road conditions.

With vehicle numbers rising alongside the country's growing economy and expanding middle class, experts call for stricter safety enforcement and a more rigorous licensing system to prevent future accidents. 
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A U.S. federal judge on Tuesday ordered the Trump administration to pause construction of a White House ballroom, noting that the 400-million-USD project must halt pending congressional authorization.

"The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!" wrote Richard Leon, a senior judge at the United States District Court for the District of Columbia.

President Donald Trump claims that Congress has given him authority in existing statutes to construct his East Wing ballroom project and to do it with private funds, the judge said in a memorandum opinion.

However, the plaintiff, the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the United States, claims the president has no such authority under existing statutes and that a preliminary injunction is necessary to avoid irreparable harm.

"I have concluded that the National Trust is likely to succeed on the merits because no statute comes close to giving the President the authority he claims to have," the judge said.

"As such, I must therefore GRANT the National Trust's Motion for a Preliminary Injunction, and the ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorizes its completion," he added.

Trump lashed out at the National Trust on his social media platform Truth Social shortly after the decision was issued, calling it "a Radical Left Group of Lunatics."

The White House unveiled the ballroom renovation project in late July last year, with an estimated budget of about 300 million U.S. dollars and a target completion date before the end of Trump's term in 2029. According to Trump's posts on social media, the expanded ballroom would exceed 8,300 square meters and accommodate around 1,000 guests.

In October, the Trump administration swiftly demolished the White House East Wing to make room for the ballroom, a move that drew opposition from the National Trust and other historic preservation groups. Recent reports indicate the costs have escalated to 400 million dollars, with the administration claiming funding from private donors.

Congressional Democrats criticized the lack of transparency surrounding the project, noting that Congress had neither been notified nor asked to approve the demolition of the East Wing in advance.

In December, the National Trust sued the Trump administration in attempt to block the project, arguing that the demolition of the White House's East Wing failed to undergo proper review and was unlawful.

The Trump administration quickly appealed the ruling, which will go into effect in 14 days. 
A motion against Zionism and in support of the Palestinians was filibustered at the UK Green Partys Spring Conference held this weekend. Fewer than 1,000 members, out of 220,000, took part in the online event.

The motion, Zionism is racism, identified Zionism as a racist ideology, called for a single democratic Palestinian state in all of historic Palestine with Jerusalem as its capital, and backed the right of the Palestinian people to resistance and liberation from Israeli occupation, domination and subjugation.

Green Party leaders Rachal Millward, Zack Polanski and Mothin Ali [Photo: Green Party/X]

Opponents never even engaged in a debate on the issues. They began by trying to have the motion ruled out of order, arguing that the call for a single Palestinian state could not be moved because it contradicted the partys previous support for a two-state solution.

A vote was delayed by problems with the partys online system, which the Canary suggested might have been the result of a deliberate denial of service attack. Participants were eventually able to block the effort to rule the Zionism is racism motion out of order by an overwhelming majority.

There were then six spurious votes of no confidence in the chair, which the presiding Standing Orders Committee advised had to be taken, each of which was defeated by roughly 600 votes to 40. But the tactic succeeded in running down the clock on the debate, preventing a vote either on the motion or on several proposed amendments.

This debacle followed weeks of antisemitism smears against Green Party members, from the usual quarters: the tabloid media and the Telegraph, GB News, UK Lawyers for Israel and so on.

All of this will be very familiar to those who lived through five years of Jeremy Corbyns leadership of the Labour Party. Beginning with high-profile figures close to Corbyn, like Ken Livingstone and Marc Wadsworth, scandals were manufactured by the right-wing press and the Blairites equating opposition to the Israeli state with antisemitism and declaring the latter to be rampant in the Labour Party. This was rolled out to the wider party in a campaign of slander, intimidation, suspensions and expulsions.

The Labour witch-hunt was able to gain traction because Corbyn and his allies capitulated, to the point of becoming active accomplices. First, they turned a blind eye to their allies being targeted, refusing to name the Blairite slander campaign for what it was, then they endorsed the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism, then they began organising and encouraging suspensions and expulsions themselves.

Zack Polanskis leadership has shown this weekend they will act no differently. Polanski took the excuse provided by the Together Alliance march in London not to be present, consummating a series of evasions on the question of Zionism in the lead up to the conference.

Asked about the subject in an interview with Times Radio last month, he replied, I can give you some different definitions of Zionism, and we can talk about whether theyre racist or not If were talking about the definition that this Israeli government is clearly perpetrating through a genocide in Gaza, then yes, absolutely, thats racist.

After acknowledging that Benjamin Netanyahu and his fascist backers are indeed racist, Polanski said he would wait to hear the debate before deciding how to vote on the motion, having already planned to attend the Together march instead.

Speaking to the BBCs Nick Robinson earlier this month, he said, What I think is happening right now is a certain type of Zionism, by Benjamin Netanyahu, that Ive said I believe is genocidal, so its clearly racist But I am reluctant to use a word that has so many descriptions and say that its racist. He added, I think the nuance needs to happen.

Focusing solely on the current Israeli government ignores the whole 78-year history of the State of Israel and Zionist project, which has proved its fundamentally apartheid, and ultimately genocidal, character.

As World Socialist Web Site (WSWS) chairperson David North wrote in the essay collection, The Logic of Zionism: From Nationalist Myth to the Gaza Genocide, Zionism, which emerged as an offspring of imperialist colonialism and as an enemy of socialism and a scientific conception of history and society, necessarily based itself on the most reactionary elements of nationalist politics and ideology.

The establishment of the Zionist state was not only a tragedy for the Palestinians; it was, and is, a tragedy for the Jewish people as well. Zionism never was, and is not today, a solution to the historic oppression and persecution of the Jewish people.

Polanski holds out the hope of some other form of Zionism as an excuse for shutting down an uncompromising defence of the rights of the Palestinian people. He was therefore very happy to allow the motion to be pushed down the pecking order, then off the table completely. According to Green Party councillor Andree Frieze, it allowed him and his MPs to avoid being put on the spot to oppose it.

Frieze wrote, cheering the defeat of the Zionism motion, Green MP Carla Denyer was planning to speak AGAINST the motion on behalf of the MPs, peers, leader Zack Polanski and Deputy Leader Rachel Millward.

Screenshot of Andree Frieze posting on Facebook stating that Green MP Carla Denyer was planning to speak AGAINST the motion on behalf of the MPs, peers, leader Zack Polanski and Deputy Leader Rachel Millward. [Photo: Andree Frieze/Facebook]

It was clearly insufficient for the anti-Zionist motion to be denied a hearing. To make Polanskis position clear to those in power, he let it be known, via Frieze, that his own opposed position, delivered by Denyer, was also denied an airing by the chairs filibuster.

Another critical issue on which Polanski has publicly squirmed, the imperialist NATO alliance, was also kept off the agenda. Even more pressingly, so was the criminal war on Iran, despite motions being submitted on both. Time was found to debate, and pass (by 478 votes to 192) a motion scrapping a previous conference commitment which declared, The five largest energy supply companies will be nationalised.

Workers and students should take careful note of these events. The Green Party has garnered unprecedented backing in recent months, above all thanks to popular hatred of the Labour Party and disappointments in Corbyns stillborn Your Party. This has extended considerably beyond the Greens traditional sources of support in the middle classespecially among young people.

But it has not changed the fundamentally bourgeois character of the Green Party, committed to capitalism and its nation state system. Indeed, it has barely translated into an organised left of any sort within the party, if fewer than 1,000 people are motivated to attend its online spring conference.

The political issues posed by the Corbyn phenomenon, which mobilised much larger numbers than Polanski, are not solved simply by switching efforts at a left capture from Labour to the Green Party. They have manifested again almost immediately and produced their first major betrayal.

These issues are: the impossibility of mounting a consistent opposition to imperialist war and genocide outside of a struggle against capitalism; the bankruptcy of all purported national solutions to social and democratic questions; the need for a revolutionary offensive against capitalist states impervious to reform; the need, therefore, for an independent party of the working class opposed to all collaboration with the ruling class and its representatives.

The Socialist Equality Party fought and fights illusions in Corbyn on this basis, and does the same today against Polanski and the Greens. Join our revolutionary socialist tendency today.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (L) meets with visiting Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at 10 Downing Street in London, Britain, March 31, 2026. According to a statement released by the British government, the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and underscored the importance of preventing further escalation and restoring regional stability. They also discussed the need for a workable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the economic impact of its prolonged closure and agreed to work with other parties to help restore freedom of navigation. The Strait had served as a shipping route for 20 percent of the world's oil. (Lauren Hurley/No. 10 Downing Street/Handout via Xinhua)

LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer met with visiting Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at 10 Downing Street on Tuesday and discussed ways to advance bilateral relations.

According to a statement released by the British government, the two leaders exchanged views on the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and underscored the importance of preventing further escalation and restoring regional stability.

They also discussed the need for a workable plan to reopen the Strait of Hormuz amid the economic impact of its prolonged closure and agreed to work with other parties to help restore freedom of navigation. The Strait had served as a shipping route for 20 percent of the world's oil.

Ongoing tensions in the Middle East, triggered by joint U.S.-Israeli strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, have now entered their fifth week with no clear resolution in sight.

In a major escalation, Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only ships it considers non-hostile to pass. This maritime squeeze, along with damage to regional energy facilities, has pushed oil prices higher, keeping Brent Crude above 100 U.S. dollars a barrel and up more than 50 percent since the war began.

Meanwhile, Starmer said he hoped the two sides would make further progress on migration-related issues, including returns, border security and efforts to combat people-smuggling networks.

The leaders also agreed that infrastructure rebuilding is vital to Syria's economic transition, and discussed how British businesses could contribute to rebuilding efforts, the statement said. 
ExxonMobil will start laying off workers from April 1 at its Mossmorran ethylene production plant near Cowdenbeath, Fife, Scotland. The plants closure was announced last November. In total some 400 jobs, half of whom are contractors, are to go.

The job losses will impact heavily on the local area. The two towns closest to the plant, Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly, contain multiple areas of severe deprivation. Local residents have expressed fear at the closures economic impact. Comments to local interest group My Cowdenbeath CIC included: every aspect of life will be affected, the local community will be hit hard, and the area has needed help for a while. Cowdenbeath bakery worker Susan Marshall told the BBC the closure was devastating, adding a lot of shops have shut here and now the Mossmorran workers might have to move away from the area.

The Mossmorran plant in 2012 [Photo by Alexnoel66 / CC BY-SA 3.0

The plant closure is being facilitated by Scotlands main political parties. Fife Council is run by a Scottish Labour minority administration under leader David Ross. The Scottish National Party has the largest single group in the council, but do not have enough seats to govern alone. Labour has passed major legislation and budgets mainly through the informal backing of the Liberal Democrats and Conservatives.

The council has set up a Mossmorran Taskforce, promising to work with all partners to explore future opportunities for the site and... do everything within its power to support those affected and to secure a positive future for the area. A miserable 9 million has been allocated across three years for investment, with the council promising workers training and employability support via Fife College, an institution struggling under budget cuts.

Workers can have no faith in any such token gestures, coming from a council that is currently under close monitoring by the Scottish Housing Regulator for systemic failure leading to the areas ongoing homelessness crisis. It is one of several Scottish councils who have chosen to remove reminders for late council tax payments, moving directly to summary warrants, threats of bailiffs, and fines.

The Mossmorran plant was set up in the late 1970s, with production starting in 1985, to process naturally occurring ethane from the North Sea into ethylene, a base component in the production of plastics. The plants closure reflects a worldwide trend as petrochemical companies move production to cheaper, less regulated labour markets and consolidate their capital into more profitable oil and gas extraction, refining and related operations.

By closing the Mossmorran plant, ExxonMobil aims to pass on the costs of market shifts to workers while continuing the bonanza to shareholders. UK chairman Paul Greenwood told the Scottish government that the plant was inefficient and would need 1 billion in spending to make it profitable. ExxonMobil is the third largest oil and gas company in the world and the 1 billion required to modernise Mossmorran is less than 3 percent of 2025s profits. Its reported profits fell by 14 percent in 2025 to $28.8 billion, but the combined total of share buybacks and dividends increased from $36 billion in 2024 to $37.2 billion in 2025.

While vast sums were squandered, noise and pollutants from the Mossmorran operation have blighted neighbouring areas for years. Residents in Cowdenbeath and Lochgelly have been subjected to repeated disturbances from the flaring of surplus gas.

We stayed in South Street [Cowdenbeath] for 24 years, one resident told My Cowdenbeath CIC, As a lot of the older residents would confirm, it was a nightmare up there when Mossmorran was flaring; the houses were shaking and the sulphur coming in the vents was terrible. Residents reported sleep problems, anxiety, bad smells, metallic tastes, asthma attacks, breathing difficulties and nausea. In April 2019, an unplanned flare created a sound like a jet engine that lasted almost a week.

In May 2020, the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency referred flaring violations to the Crown Office for possible prosecution. A pollution-mitigating ground flare, 38 years after production commenced, was installed in July 2023. In October last year, a month before it announced its plan to close the plant, ExxonMobil was fined a derisory 176,000 after pleading guilty in court to the flaring emission breaches 6 years prior.

Greenwood cited windfall and emissions taxes as factors in moving production elsewhere, which is to say that he believed the company should have been permitted to emit as many pollutants as its executives wished.

The trade unions are wholly complicit in the plants closure. Such statements that have been made have appealed to the ruling class to retain Mossmorran alongside the huge Grangemouth complex, some 30 miles away, on the other side of the Firth of Forth.

The oil refinery at Grangemouth ceased production last year while an adjacent ethylene plant will now be Britains only producer. In December, Grangemouths owners INEOS, owned by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, pocketed a 150 million package from the Labour government in exchange for a promise to keep ethylene production running for another five years. The British government views the process, underpinning production of a range of goods including war related industries, as, in the words of Business Secretary Peter Kyle as of strategic national importance.

As the Grangemouth refinery was being closed, Unite General Secretary Sharon Graham warned of an avalanche of redundancies taking place across Scotlands oil and gas industry. She complained that the UK and Scottish governments are failing to protect thousands of jobs. Government policy is also accelerating these huge losses without any credible jobs plan in place. When Mossmorrans closure was first announced last year, Graham merely called for meaningful negotiations with all key players to ensure the future of the plant and jobs.

Unites restriction of opposition to appeals to government and employers ensured that production at both sites was maintained to the last. No united offensive was organised in these key installations to defend jobs and living standards.

Yet, all three facilities have seen repeated strikes over pay and conditions. In February 2020, around 170 Mossmorran workers staged a wildcat strike over site safety and working conditions. From November 2023 to February 2024, repair contractors went on strike for the industry-agreed cost-of-living payment; a paltry increase of 75 pence per hour. The Grangemouth refinery saw strikes which threatened petrol and jet fuel supplies across Scotland and Northern England.

Unites suppressing opposition enabled Exxonmobil to close Mossmorran ahead of schedule, while the Grangemouth refinery closed without any disruption.

Tens of thousands more job losses are threatened as North Sea production continues to dwindle. Nearly one in 30 of Scotlands working population are employed within or support the offshore energy industry. Industry analysis conducted by Robert Gordon University has forecast a fall in Britains oil and gas workforce from 115,000 in 2024 to between 57,000 and 71,000 in less than a decade.

The closures at Mossmorran and Grangemouth underscore the fraudulent character of all claims from the authorities, the energy companies and the trade unions of a just transition to a low carbon economy. Communities affected by closures of sites such as Mossmorran cannot rely on governments, corporations, or the pacifying assurances of pro-company trade unions to effect a transition to a more just, ecological form of capitalism. The just transition to net zero much-promoted by unions and environmental groups suggests that there exists a national route to bypassing the profit motive.

But companies exist to maximise private profit and capitalist institutions are incapable of producing the rational, democratic, and globally organised changes necessary to plan a sustainable future. Today, the struggle over control of oil and gas extraction rights is a major factor in driving US and European imperialism to war against Iran.

Workers in the oil industry and those dependent on it can only defend jobs, living conditions, and democratic rights by organising rank-and-file committees independent of the trade union and company apparatus, seeking to unify with workers across industries and national borders. Contact the SEP today to discuss these questions further.
On Friday, a group of three Israeli soldiers assaulted and detained a CNN news team who were in the northern West Bank village of Tayasir to report on the aftermath of a settler attack and the establishment of a new illegal Zionist settler outpost.

The crewreporter Jeremy Diamond, producer Abeer Salman, and photojournalist Cyril Theophiloswas set upon by armed soldiers who pointed rifles at them, ordered them to sit down, placed Theophilos in a chokehold, damaged camera equipment and detained the team for roughly two hours.

CNN reported that the journalists were speaking with Palestinian residents in Tayasir after settlers had attacked people in the village and erected an unauthorized outpost in the area, when Israeli soldiers intervened to stop the journalists from filming.

Part of the CNN news team being questioned by IDF militia, just before they are beaten and apprehended. March 28, 2026. [Photo: CNN]

The CNN crew was covering a settler assault on Palestinian residents in Tayasir, after settlers had entered the village overnight, fired weapons into the air, attacked several Palestinians, and injured at least four people, including a 75-year-old man, Abdullah Daraghmeh, who was beaten in his home and later filmed in hospital with a swollen face and a bandage across it.

During the assault, a recording made by the team captured a soldier shouting, Stop! Sit down! Sit down! before another soldier approached Theophilos from behind, seized him in a chokehold and forced him to the ground. The video also recorded the soldiers discussing revenge, and making clear that they viewed the West Bank as belonging to Jews.

At least one soldier has been identified in reporting by the Times of Israel as Meir, a masked IDF soldier who spoke on camera with CNNs Jeremy Diamond and said the outpost was illegal under Israeli law but would become a legal settlement. The other soldier who physically assaulted photojournalist Cyril Theophilos has so far not been publicly named.

The Times of Israel report says, Meir and another soldier could also be heard telling Diamond in the report, when asked if they think the West Bank belonged to them: Were here because its our land  the Jews. 

In its initial official response to the attack on press rights, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said the soldiers conduct was incompatible with what is expected of IDF soldiers operating in the Judea and Samaria area, and promised a review. A subsequent response went further, with IDF chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, calling the matter a grave ethical incident, suspending the battalion involved, withdrawing it from the West Bank and ordering additional training.

The IDF also reported that one soldier was dismissed from military service. This response was framed as an internal disciplinary matter without acknowledging that the soldiers were acting as enforcers of the Zionist regime whose day-to-day operations are focused on the dispossession and terrorization of Palestinians.

The attack in Tayasir is part of the escalation that began with the Gaza genocide and has spread across the region. In the West Bank, the killing of Palestinians by Israeli forces and settlers has intensified dramatically throughout the assault on Gaza, with UN and rights groups documenting a rising death toll and repeated attacks by settlers acting under IDF protection. As of March 2026, reports cited by humanitarian and rights organizations placed the number of Palestinians killed in the occupied West Bank at 1,071 since October 7, 2023.

The Gaza genocide was also extended into Lebanon, where Israel has carried out repeated strikes that have killed civilians, journalists and other noncombatants, while occupying southern areas under the pretext of security and buffer zones. Human Rights Watch (HRW) reported at least 3,445 conflict-related deaths in Lebanon from October 7, 2023 to mid-November 2024.

The attack on the CNN team is part of Israels deadly war on journalists. The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) has reported that Israel was responsible for the most journalist deaths in 2025 and that it has killed more journalists than any government on record.

In Lebanon, Israeli strikes have repeatedly killed media workers, including the March 2026 attack that killed Ali Shoaib, Fatima Ftouni and Mohamad Ftouni. In Gaza, where foreign journalists are barred and Palestinian reporters have assumed the burden of bearing witness under bombardment, the toll has been catastrophic.

Meanwhile, according to a United Nations/OHCHR report cited in August 2025, at least 247 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Gaza since October 7, 2023. CPJ has reported that by late March 2026 the total number of press members killed in Lebanon since the war began had reached 11.

The West Bank has long been treated by the Israeli state as a laboratory for legalized criminality. Since 1967, the occupation has evolved into a system in which land seizure, settlement expansion and armed settler violence are shielded by the army and normalized by the state apparatus. Settlers routinely attack Palestinian villages, burn property, assault residents and seize land through new outposts, while the IDF intervenes not to stop the aggression but to manage it in a way that secures the colonization project.

For decades, Palestinians have been killed, beaten and displaced while Israeli authorities shield perpetrators and convert security into a cover for ethnic expansion. The ongoing campaign in the West Bank is not separate from Gaza; it is the same program of dispossession adapted to different terrain.

All these crimes have accelerated under the cover of the US-Israeli war with Iran which began on February 28.

CNN said the assault on its crew was an unprovoked attack and demanded an explanation and accountability for this unprovoked assault. The network also said that its journalists were clearly identifiable as press, that the crew was covering rising settler violence in the area, and that the attack occurred despite the team following wartime regulations.

A statement by the Foreign Press Association on Saturday said, The use of force was excessive and dangerous. Pointing rifles at journalists and civilians, physically assaulting a cameraman and detaining a crew are actions that cross every line. Such behavior reflects a deeply alarming pattern of hostility toward the media and cannot be tolerated under any circumstances.

The US government has not responded to the attack and this silence is sending a clear political message. Washington is the chief sponsor, financier and diplomatic protector of the Israeli states operations in Gaza, the West Bank and Lebanon. The lack of even a token defense of press rights by the Trump administration once again demonstrates that the US ruling class is dispensing with democratic rights in pursuit of global hegemony, and views Israels war crimes as a critical element of its strategic regional goals.
Nerdeen Kiswani speaks at a press conference in New York City, March 30, 2026

Palestinian activist Nerdeen Kiswani addressed a news conference Monday morning in front of New York City Hall to denounce the Zionist-instigated assassination plot that was disrupted last week by the arrest of 26-year-old New Jersey resident Alexander Heifler in a joint FBI-New York Police Department operation.

Three of Kiswanis civil rights attorneys and several other political activists joined her at the press conference, which was covered by a number of local media outlets and drew a supportive crowd.

Kiswani pointed to the activists supporting her and said, Id just like to point out that the largest demographic of supporters that we have today actually came from Muslim women and from Jewish communities who are standing unequivocally against this attack on me.

She added, Today I am standing here not just as an organizer, but as a mother, as a Palestinian, and as someone who was a target of a Zionist assassination plot that I have been warning has been inevitable for far too long. When I learned that someone was preparing to attack my home, building explosives with the intention of taking my life, I was not just processing that as a public figure. I was processing that as a mother, holding my infant, thinking what it means for someone to target my homewhere my child sleeps, where my family is supposed to be safe.

Kiswani explained that Zionist organizations like the Jewish Defense League (JDL) and the fascist Betar organization had waged a coordinated campaign of harassment, threats, stalking, doxxing and placing bounties on her head because of her role as a leader of Within Our Lifetime, which campaigns aggressively in defense of the Palestinian people.

She pointed to the history of Zionist extremist violence in the United States, including the 1985 murder of Palestinian-American civil rights leader Alex Odeh, who was killed by a bomb at his office. The killers escaped to Israel and were never held accountable. Kiswani said that Heifler intended to do the same: carry out a terrorist attack and then seek sanctuary in Israel.

Other attacks include the 2023 murder of six-year-old Wadi Al-Fayoumi outside Chicago, and the shooting of three Palestinian college students in Vermont simply because they were wearing keffiyehs.

Its a pattern where Palestinians are dehumanized, Kiswani explained, where our lives are treated as less valuable, where violence against us is incited, justified, and ignored. So when we talk about Zionism, we have to be honest about who were talking about. Were talking about a political ideology that in its practice has been used to justify the dispossession, dehumanization and killing of Palestinians.

In comments to the WSWS after the press conference, Kiswani said they are trying to suppress anti-genocide, anti-war, pro-Palestinian, pro-freedom advocates by whatever means they can and are resorting to violence.

The more they try to silence us, the louder we will be, Kiswani added. I am not going to give them this win by going into hiding and not speaking out about Palestine anymore.

Eric Lee and Christopher Godshall-Bennett, whose law firm represents Kiswani, both addressed the press conference. Lee drew the connection between the planned violence in New York City and the ongoing violence in the Middle East.

Referring to the would-be assassin, Lee said, His aim of silencing a Palestinian activist and murdering her young child mimics the official policy of Israel, where he planned to escape for protection. His method, that of a firebombing in the dark of night, is the method of the Ku Klux Klan.

An organized group of Zionists was involved in the preparation of the attack, he said. They have group chats. He had a safe house. They have access to financial resources. Serious and credible death threats have continued against Ms. Kiswani in the days since the arrest.

Lee said the assassination attempt came just a month after Kiswani filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against Betar and its New York-based leadershipnaming, among others, Ron Torossian of 5W Public Relations in Midtown, Ross Glick, Yoni Kletzel and John Mantell, along with the groups board of directors. The suit was brought under the Ku Klux Klan Enforcement Act of 1871, which prohibits private individuals from conspiring to deprive people of their rights.

Lee said Betar had spent more than a year targeting Kiswanistalking and harassing her, issuing threats and attempting to terrorize her with beeper intimidation meant to evoke Israels use of explosive devices in Lebanon. He added that the group had repeatedly encouraged others to attack her and had offered a cash bounty of $1,800 to anyone who would assault her.

Betar, Lee said, has urged the Trump administration to strip her of her United States citizenship and has confirmed that it met with the Trump administration in Washington to discuss Ms. Kiswanis case.

Lee raised the question: What were the Trump administrations contacts with Betar, and with the network that has been plotting against Ms. Kiswani for over a year?

Lee argued that the broader political climatemarked by official indifference to, and even celebration of the assassination of Renee Good and Alex Pretti in Minneapolisencouraged violent attacks by signaling that they would be tolerated.

And so the attack on Ms. Kiswani is no accident, Lee concluded. Its not the product of bad apples. Its the deliberate and intended product of a political strategy by the Trump administration to cultivate extra-legal parliamentary militia forces to murder its opponents and suppress dissent in the aim of establishing a dictatorship in this country.

We will do everything that we can in the courts to expose the right-wing conspiracy, but ultimately, the fight against dictatorship and right-wing terror is not going to be led from within the American state apparatus. Its going to come from the population of this country, which is furious at what this government is doing, which is furious at what this terrorist network has done to our client. And here, as we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the revolution that gave birth to this country, we encourage the people of this country to understand that the responsibility of defending our client and whatever remains of democracy falls on you, the people.

Christopher Godshall-Bennett, Lees law partner, detailed his deep personal connection to the case, growing up in New York City and choosing to reject Zionism, founding the first anti-Zionist Jewish organization at Columbia University, the Columbia-Barnard Chapter of Jewish Voice for Peace.

Godshall-Bennett said, I find myself back in New York 12 years later to witness the results of a decade of tireless advocacy led by people like Nerdeen Kiswani. I see a city transformed into a center of solidarity with the Palestinian people and of opposition to Zionist supremacy. That victory is precisely why these Zionists have targeted Nerdeen. They are deeply afraid. They have lost their stranglehold on public opinion. and have fallen back on their original strategy, straight up murder.

Organizations like the Jewish Defense League and Betar, both created in the image of founding Zionists, reflect the dark reality of Zionism, a twisted vision of Jewish life and community, safety through violence, peace through war, life through death.

While we work to hold those accountable who are responsible for this attack, I urge you to see them for what they are. Not fringe elements acting alone, but the very center of Zionism itself. There are those who will say that to do so is antisemitic, but that is a lie. The real antisemitism is that at the heart of Zionism, and in the founding documents of organizations like Betar.  If you want to stand against antisemitism, stand with the Palestinian people. And with Nerdeen. Reject the movement that murders children and then uses Jews around the world as an ideological human shield to evade accountability.

Jonathan Abady, another attorney for Kiswani, said, It is an honor and a privilege to represent her because she is a person of conscience. She is a person of tremendous bravery and courage and conviction. And what brings us here today is cause for great sadness and great outrage.

He said that Kiswani and her supporters were demanding that the authorities thoroughly and vigorously investigate and find the people who are responsible for this, to charge them, to arrest them and to prosecute them. All of them, not just some of them.

Other speakers included Marwa Janini, executive director of the Arab American Association of New York; Amani Al-Katabkur, founder of Muslim Girl, a widely followed social media platform; Dania Darwish, founder and executive director of the Asya Womens Center, which assists victims of Islamophobia; and Morgan Basikas, a member of Jewish Voice for Peace in New York City.

All of them noted the rise in anti-Muslim, anti-Arab and anti-Palestinian attacks, fueled by Islamophobic statements by government officials in Congress and the Trump administration. Basikas declared, We reject Zionism because we reject all forms of racism and white supremacy and colonialism. We reject any attempt to conflate anti-Zionism with antisemitism, which we recognize as a cynical, racist strategy to smear Palestinian activists such as Nerdeen and clearly endanger their lives.

Kiswani and her attorneys took a series of questions from the press after the opening round of statements. She explained, I have been going to bed every night worried about my child, worried about my family, my husband, my family, my siblings, my parents are always making sure that I dont have to go anywhere alone. I share my location with all of them in case anything happens. And that was all before the assassination plot. So for this to happen, it just, you know, it confirms our fears. It validates them, especially because the threats havent stopped.

The attorneys explained that the next action would be a hearing in the Southern District of New York on April 14 on the lawsuit against Betar brought under the anti-KKK Act.
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Latin America

Brazilian dockworkers strike

Dockworkers at the Port of Santos went on strike on Tuesday, March 25. At issue is legislation that would disallow union-controlled hiring halls. Under the terms of the new legislation, workers would be hired directly by the companies involved.

The right to strike is restricted by the Labor Court, which only allows 12-hour stoppages, as long as the port is not fully shut down. Union officials are following this rule and mandating that workers report to their assigned ships, to avoid a R$200,000 fine.

A container ship approaches the port of Santos in Brazil, April 1, 2025. [AP Photo/Andre Penner]

Guidelines that limit the right to strike were released by the union president, Bruno Jose dos Santos, via the organizations social media channels.

The new law, to be discussed by the national legislature beginning on April 10, would reintroduce the shape-up system in which workers had to line up and be appointed every day, at the discretion of management. Shape-ups took place in ports across the world. It took mass struggles in the early 20th century, led by anarcho-syndicalists to abolish that system.

The Port of Santos, in southern Brazils Sao Paulo state, is one of that nations main ports.

Students and workers mark 1964 anniversary of Brazils military coup, demand justice

On Sunday March 29, hundreds of students and workers marched and rallied in the streets of Sao Paulo Brazil observing the 62nd anniversary of the coup that brought on Brazils bloodiest military dictatorship (1964-1985). The marchers carried candles and flowers, honoring the hundreds who died or disappeared during the dictatorships dirty war.

The demonstrators marched from the then torture center of DOI-Codi and ended in the Ibirapuera monument to the victims of the dictatorship.

Students protest in Santiago over right-wing policies of Kast administration

Thousands of high school and college students protested in Santiago on March 26 against the right-wing policies of the recently installed Jose Antonio Kast administration. The students braved police repression. Security forces sought to disperse the protest using water cannon and tear gas.

At issue are proposed budget cuts in education and health. Kast is also taking measures to restrict student loans and eliminate free education for older students. In addition, fuel prices have increased by 60 percent, which will impact the cost of food, transportation and basic services.

Demonstrators also protested against the governments ideological attacks on non-religious education and environmental protection. The Santiago protest was triggered by the administrations emphasis on mining and measures that benefit the oligarchy.

United States

First Student school bus drivers vote to authorize national strike

Some 17,000 school bus drivers for First Student voted by an 88 percent margin to grant strike authorization as the old contract expiration date of March 31 passes. The master agreement covers 96 Teamsters locals, and workers are demanding improved healthcare, retirement benefits, paid time off and guaranteed hours.

Workers want a defined pension benefit instead of the inferior 401(k) plan and implementation of the Teamsters healthcare coverage plan. Also being demanded is a guaranteed six-hour workday instead of the current four-and-a-half hours.

The Teamsters charge that the company has responded by canceling negotiations for March 30 and March 31. The company has also filed a lawsuit in federal court.

First Student is the largest US provider of school busing, covering 1,200 school districts and 43 states. It also provides transportation in seven Canadian provinces.

Omaha beverage drivers enter ninth week on strike against companys concession demands

Striking drivers picket Premier Midwest Beer and Beverage, February 8, 2026 [Photo: Teamsters Local 554]

Delivery drivers for Premier Midwest Beer and Beverage in Omaha, Nebraska are entering their ninth week on strike against managements effort to destroy the old labor agreement. Premier has set its sights on concessions dealing with healthcare, seniority, retirement benefits and wages for the members of Teamsters Local 554.

There are indications that there is broad support for the strike, as bars are refusing to sell the companys products. Recently, firefighters have joined the picket line and provided food aid to the workers. Premier, however, is showing no sign of backing down.

Canada

Quebec post-secondary students take strike action over education cuts

Over 1,000 post-secondary students walked out of classes this past Friday in Montreal and marched in protest against the right-wing provincial government of Premier Francois Legaults punishing cuts to student financial assistance programs and the slashing of monies budgeted for community colleges and universities. The march culminated a week of strike action that mobilized 65,000 students across Quebec and has rekindled memories of the massive student strike in 2012.

The Legault government has announced plans to axe $25 million from student aid programs. It has already raised tuition fees for out-of-province students by 33 percent while it continues to starve higher education institutions of proper funding. During the strike actions, students pinned red felt squares to their chests to reference the 2012 Maple Spring in Quebeca six-month-long mass movement that mobilized 300,000 students in strikes, protests, nightly demonstrations and significant social unrest in the streets of Quebecs cities and towns.

The powerful 2012 strikes, triggered by the provincial Liberal governments announcement of a massive increase in post-secondary tuition fees, were a direct challenge to the entire austerity agenda of the ruling class. At its height, the movement was joined by thousands of workers.

Subsequently, recognizing that the violent state repression it had deployed in the preceding months had not crushed the 2012 strike and restabilized the political situation, the provincial Liberal government, with the collusion of the trade union leaders and pseudo-left student groups, ultimately diffused the mass struggle by calling a provincial election. In the end, the Liberals were voted out of power and replaced by the nationalist Parti Quebecois, itself no stranger to austerity policies.

In the months following the strike, the Pauline Marois-led PQ government imposed its own post-secondary tuition hikes, as part of a new wave of austerity measures, and launched a virulent anti-Muslim agitationa pattern that would be followed by a series of right-wing chauvinist governments in Quebec and across Canada.
Our social life, our economic life, is organized in a way that continuously produces these disasters, and they will continue until a way is found of putting an end to the system which produces them. What is the system? What is this social organization? It is the capitalist system (David North at the IWA-RFC hearing in Detroit on the death of Stellantis worker Ronald Adams Sr.)

On Wednesday, March 25, the trial concerning the death of the young railway worker Simon Hedemann concluded in Hanover. The 19-year-old railway apprentice was killed by a fast-moving freight train at the busy Hanover-Linden freight yard on September 8, 2023.

Simon Hedemann

The Hanover District Court sentenced a 37-year-old signal mechanic for national rail operator Deutsche Bahn (DB) to a fine of 6,300 for negligent manslaughter. This is just below the sentence at which he would be considered to have a criminal record.

The signal mechanic had led the construction crew of the former DB Netz AG (now DB InfraGo) and decided that Simon should attach new QR tags to a track under self-protection rules, i.e., without closing the tracks. His colleagues were supposed to warn the young man of approaching trains merely by shouting. But a freight train, travelling at approximately 90 km an hour, knocked Simon over and killed him on the spot.

The public prosecutor had demanded an eight-month suspended prison sentence, plus a fine. The defence lawyer pleaded for acquittal and claimed that at DB, every employee was personally responsible for their own safety. The accused had allegedly warned Simon of the approaching train in good time by shouting Train coming, but the latter had not reacted. In other words, Simon was, in principle, responsible for his own death.

The judge clearly rejected this. The accused had clearly made mistakes and taken a wrong decision in the position for which he bore responsibility when he sent Simon onto the track under the self-protection rules. However, the accused had not been alone in his misjudgement. Even during the police interrogation, neither his direct superior nor the dispatcher had expressed doubts about the accuseds decision.

Simons parents, who appeared as joint plaintiffs in the trial, had their own say on the last day. They made clear: Had we known all that we have now learned about the railways, Simon would never have written an application and signed his training contract there!

The mother called it sad and incomprehensible:

 that such a terrible accident could happen to Simon during his training period, even though as an apprentice he should actually have been subject to a special duty of care;  that we as relatives were left in the dark about what happened for more than two and a half years;  that no one of those responsible at the railway and the Wulfel base contacted us;  that during the trial no one approached us, let alone did the accused and the witnesses look at us. All eye contact was avoided. 

She summarised what she has learned about the railway:

Simon was just a personnel number that has now been removed from the system. A system that drives employees to bypass rules and regulations in order not to disrupt the smooth running of the operational plan and to avoid train delays through, e.g., line closures. Only the economic aspect seems to be in the foreground. Simon had to pay for this with his life.

In truth, the exact circumstances of the fatal accident remained in the dark until the end. Many question marks remain, the judge also said. The parents confirmed that if these questions are not clarified, then it can happen again any day.

In particular, the question remained unresolved as to whether there had, in reality, been two trains that passed in front of and behind the trainee practically simultaneously. A single witness, the third worker of the construction crew, had spoken of a second train. Astonishingly, however, this question was not pursued further in the trial.

A trial observer, the physicist Roland Morlock, member of a group of critical engineers from Baden-Wurttemberg, participated in the trial as an expert adviser to the parents. In conversation with this author, he confirmed the theory of the second train. He had inspected the scene of the incident, observed the frequency of the trains and compared it with the timetable at the time.

A detailed reconstruction of the events of the accident is still needed, stated Morlock. However, the official version was extremely questionable. Based on our insight into the file material, we have come to the conclusion that there were probably two trains.

But if another train actually passed the accident site at the same moment, then Simon possibly was unable to hear the warning shouts at all. Or the shouts were misunderstood by him, so that he related them to the first train, which he did see and which he had avoided, while a second one was already roaring up from behind.

Simon had no chance because there was no safe space to avoid two trains. The gap between the two tracks was not even four metres. We cannot easily prove that today, Morlock noted. But it is the most likely explanation.

The real scandal is that Deutsche Bahn itself covered up the possibility that there were two trains. There was no proper investigation of the accident. The record of the accident shows gaps, and investigations were not carried out at a sufficiently careful level, was Morlocks assessment. None of the responsible railway authoritiesneither the Federal Railway Authority (EBA) nor the Federal Bureau of Railway Accident Investigation (BEU)had thoroughly investigated this accident.

Only the Federal and Railway Accident Insurance scheme had commissioned a representative to assess the accident. On the first day of the trial, he clearly explained that on the track section in question, where trains also pass at 120 km an hour, the visibility required for self-protection did not exist. It became perfectly clear: if this work was not to be a suicide mission, then a temporary closure of the tracks was the only correct way to conduct it!

This was also confirmed by a final witness who was summoned for the last day of the trial at the request of the joint plaintiffs. This person, whose duties include checking compliance with all accident prevention rules, testified that the staffing ratio was so poor that some operations were never inspected at all.

He explained what the rules normally entailed: Firstly, a clearly formulated work order must be available 20 days in advance. Secondly, a professional safety officer must carry out a risk assessment to determine the safeguarding method to be used.

But the crux lay in the exceptions to the rule: If the headquarters ordered short-term work of a minor scope, then the procedure is shortened. All control procedures are bypassed, and the risk assessment is left to the employees on sitewho have no training for it at all.

On this point, railway expert Morlock said, It creeps in like that because people have much less work with the minor orders. It becomes clear that this accident did not just begin that morning. It began with the way this work on the track had been organised.

In practice, this is apparently the norm. During the trial, in response to the judges questions, several railway employees confirmed that, since the death of Simon Hedemann, Deutsche Bahn had made absolutely no changes to the workflow and rules in order to follow its own guidelines in practice. On the contrary, economic pressure is constantly increasing, jobs are being cut, and the remaining railway workers are subjected ever more brutally to the economic pressure about which Simons mother spoke.

Time and again, terrible accidents occur. Only on March 9, 2026, another fatal railway accident occurred in Cottbus, in which a 23-year-old railway worker lost his life during shunting operations. In 2025, at least 12 fatal occupational accidents occurred on the railways, and at least nine other workers were severely injured.

And in March 2026 alone there were at least three further railway accidents, which did not result in death but sometimes resulted in severe injuries:

On March 5, a worker, 41, was severely injured during vegetation cutting on the Hamburg-Lubeck ICE (express) line. He tried to remove a branch from the overhead line, which caused an electrical arc, and he suffered a severe electric shock and was taken to hospital with burns.

Just a week later, on March 12, a train on the Hamburg Port Railway collided with a car; a 22-year-old railway worker, who was riding at the front as a shunting attendant, was trapped by the car and severely injured.

And on March 20, there was another accident in the Port of Hamburg when a freight train collided with a lorry. A wagon derailed and two people were slightly injured.

The trial in Hanover has shown that a court case will not change these conditions. It can only cast light on them and present them to the public. To better ensure the safety of railway workers, it is necessary that they organise themselves in independent rank-and-file committees. This must be done independently of the railway trade unions EVG and GDL, which work closely with railway management and are tied to the responsible governing parties, the Social Democrats (SPD) and Christian Democrats (CDU).

Only such self-organisation of railway workers can establish awareness among colleagues of the daily dangers and awaken an understanding of the root causes in the capitalist profit system that underlie the deadly conditions. Only in this way can rail workers be protected and living conditionsnot the profits of the shareholdersbe improved.

The allies of rail workers in this struggle are the workers of all countries facing the same major shareholders, banks and railway companies, as well as workers in other industries confronting the same struggles as that at Deutsche Bahn. For example, construction workers face similar dangers as do railway workers: tight cost calculations, constant work pressures and the passing on of many tasks to subcontractors. All these factors yield short-term savings but inevitably lead to more workplace accidents.
Striking Nexteer workers in 2015

A new tentative agreement for Nexteer workers in Saginaw, Michigan, contains sweeping concessions, particularly on pay for new hires and out-of-pocket benefit costs. The sellout agreement is producing tremendous anger among workers at a key node in the global manufacturing network of the auto parts industry.

Details of the agreement have been explained in a leaflet being distributed by workers titled Concessions our Leadership fails to tell you. According to the leaflet, the deal creates a new layer of third class employees among new hires, who would be placed on a sharply reduced wage structure.

Production workers hired under the new contract would start at $19.05 an hour, compared to $22.50 for current hires and $24.75 for legacy workers hired before May 24, 2021. Even after four years, wages would rise only to $20.89, an increase of just 9.7 percent.

Flyer being distributed by Nexteer workers in Saginaw, Michigan [Photo: Anonymous]

Real pay would be further slashed by steep increases in out-of-pocket healthcare costs. Beginning next year, workers in married households hired after May 2021 would see their weekly contributions more than double, from $26.50 to $53.34 for a married couple with children. When dental and vision coverage are included, total weekly contributions would reach $66.34.

The agreement also imposes punitive attendance policies. Attendance points would be reduced from 18 to 12, while the penalty for an hour absence would double from one point to two. New hires would be barred from using accrued sick time until after 120 calendar days on the job. The policy would also count against FMLA (Family and Medical Leave Act), the federally mandated leave for family and medical reasons.

The TA is a slap in the face to the workforce, one young worker told the WSWS. They may as well dress up like Marie Antoinette and sing let them eat cake.

A worker with more than two decades of seniority told the WSWS: All kinds of promises were made to us. Everything was a lie. In 2006 we took an $8 per hour pay cut, virtually lost our pensions. Our $50,000 buydown was cut to $36,000 after the UAW took their cut and Uncle Sam got his cut. I have a thick skin because we have been lied to so many times by the UAW.

Will Lehman, a Mack Trucks worker running for UAW president, issued a statement calling on workers to reject the contract and organize to impose rank-and-file oversight over the vote. There must be vigilance against any attempt by the Local 699 bureaucracy to ram through this deal. In 2021, they declared a deeply unpopular contract ratified by a narrow margin without even releasing a detailed vote breakdown.

This is a reference to the 2021 vote in which the UAW claimed the contract was ratified by a 5248 margin. The result drew widespread suspicion from workers, many of whom called for a recount. Meanwhile, Local 699 President Tom Hurst was quoted by local media at the time as calling the ratification a big relief for the bargaining committee and all of the staff at the union.

Lehman concluded, Workers must organize rank-and-file oversight of the ballot to ensure its integrity and to enforce the democratic decision of the membership. If the contract is rejected in a free and fair vote, then a strike must immediately be called.

The union apparatus has repeatedly used every trick in the book to manufacture its desired outcomes in votes, he continued. At Mack Trucks, where I work, in 2023 we were forced to vote again on a contract we had rejected by 73 percent, only for the bureaucracy to claim it passed by 93 percent the second time.

Lehman called on workers to use [their] collective strength to take the initiative out of the hands of the apparatus and form new organizationsrank-and-file committeescomposed of and accountable to the workers yourselves. These committees can ensure the integrity of the vote, oversee the counting process, provide a platform for genuine discussion, and prepare for strike action under the direct control of workers.

He explained that an appeal must be made to workers across the United States and internationally, adding that if Nexteer workers take a stand, it will resonate widely with [Big 3] workers. He also pointed to a rising wave of strikes, including by auto parts workers in Findlay, Ohio, and throughout Mexico.

For many years in the mid-20th century, parts workers had maintained wages close to parity with those in the assembly plants. However, in recent decades they have been driven down to near sweatshop levels. The spinning off of in-house parts operations into nominally independent contractors has been a central mechanism through which automakers have slashed wages and conditions.

Nexteer itself emerged from this process. It originated as part of Delphi Corporation, which was spun off from General Motors in 1999. After Delphi declared bankruptcy, GM repurchased key operations in 2009. With the help of the UAW bureaucracy, management shed $6.2 billion in pension liabilities and imposed massive wage cuts, with hourly pay slashed from $2630 to as low as $1014. During the four-year bankruptcy process, the workforce collapsed from 50,000 to just 14,000. Nexteer was then spun off again and sold to a Chinese firm less than a year later.

The cost of the electric vehicle transition, combined with far lower than expected sales, is now being imposed on workers. At major automaker factories, thousands of jobs have been eliminated, beginning shortly after the UAW secured ratification of what it called a historic contract in 2023. Among parts workers, the impact is even more severe, as automakers shift losses onto the backs of suppliers.

This resurgence of class struggle is colliding with the entrenched power of the union bureaucracy, Lehman explained. From the national headquartersmisnamed Solidarity Housedown to the local unions, the apparatus operates as a dictatorship, beyond the control of the rank and file, while officials draw millions in income financed by workers dues.

I am running for UAW president to abolish this bureaucracy, which has betrayed workers for decades. My campaign calls for workers to take back the union by replacing the existing hierarchy with a network of rank-and-file committees, democratically controlled from the shop floor. If elected, I will not take up a position in Solidarity House but will remain a worker on the shop floor.

He concluded: This campaign is about building a movement, not reshuffling positions at the top. The critical issue is not what I will do but what you will do. Forming a rank-and-file committee at Nexteer is a decisive step in building this growing rebellion from below.
The Ukrainian ruling class has quickly seized upon the criminal United States war against Iran to strengthen its own domestic defense industry and garner support from the Gulf states in its ongoing NATO-backed war against Russia.

On Saturday, just a day after announcing a defense agreement with Saudi Arabia, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made an unannounced visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to meet with Emirati President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and discuss Ukraines military cooperation with the UAE, specifically its drone warfare capabilities, which the NATO-backed country has employed extensively in its own war with Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky with Saudi Arabias Mohammed bin Salman.

Regarding the meeting, Zelensky wrote on his social media accounts that he and Al Nahyan had agreed to cooperate in the field of security and defense. Our teams will finalize the details.

A day earlier, Zelensky met with Amir of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. Following the meeting, the Chiefs of the General Staff of Ukraine and the State of Qatar signed a 10-year intergovernmental agreement on cooperation in the defense sector. Key areas of cooperation include the development of the defense industry and technologies, air defense, counter-drone capabilities, military training, exchange of experience, cybersecurity, AI, and command and control systems, a statement from the Ukraine presidents office said.

In exchange, Ukraine will receive huge funds to develop its own arms industry and drone production for the war against Russia, and access to foreign technology. Ukraine has also secured a year-long diesel supply deal. It is reportedly also trying to gain access to high-grade air defense systems held by the Gulf states.

The military collaboration between Ukraine and the brutal authoritarian regimes in the Gulf to aid the imperialist war of aggression against Iran not only gives the lie, once again, to the NATO propaganda which portrayed the war against Russia in Ukraine as a war in defense of democracy. Above all, it makes clear that, essentially, both wars are part of a global conflict, in which the fronts in Eastern Europe and the Middle East are closely interlinked.

Even as Zelensky has attacked the Trump administration for its temporary lifting of oil sanctions on Russia and insufficient pressure on Russia, the Ukrainian oligarchy is proving itself a willing enabler and beneficiary of the blatantly criminal war on Iran.

While Zelensky and the Western imperialist press have pitched the deals as simply defense cooperation, in reality, Ukraine has used military drones extensively to carry out offensive attacks, assassinations and other terror operations within Russia against both military and civilian targets.

On Sunday, Kiev carried out a drone attack at the major Russian oil export terminal of the Ust-Luga facility, on the southern shores of the Gulf of Finland near St. Petersburg.

According to Russias Defense Ministry, Ukraine launched more than 345 drones overnight at Russian targets nationwide and 31 drones were downed over the Leningrad region as part of the attack.

It remains unclear from where exactly Ukraine was firing the drones. However, military analysts estimate that Ukraine likely sent the drones from within Ukrainian territory over 935 kilometers away, underlining the increasingly vast distances from which drone technologies are being deployed. Last year, Ukrainian drones hit Russian airfields deep inside Siberia.

Apart from being used in military operations on the battlefield, drones are being used to attack and damage critical infrastructure such as energy plants, dams, oil refineries, electrical substations and more.

The individuals inevitably killed in such attacks while manning these facilities on 24/7 schedules are not soldiers, but workers with no stake in an expanding world war that threatens all of humanity.

Earlier on Saturday morning, the Russian Defense Ministry announced that a total of 155 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight across 17 regions, predominantly in the western part of the country.

Regarding the attacks, Yaroslavl Governor Mikhail Yevrayev wrote on Telegram that One child was killed, who was in one of the private residential buildings in a rural area ... His parents were hospitalized in serious condition.

According to official figures from November 2025, 7,715 civilians have died in Russia since the beginning of the war in February 2022, many of them as a result of drone attacks. Over 17,000 were wounded. The number has no doubt significantly increased since.

The essential role of drones in modern warfare first came to prominence in the 2020 war between Azerbaijan, backed by the US and Turkey, and a Moscow-backed Armenia. Even before, the US utilized drones extensively throughout its 20-year failed war in Afghanistan to carry out targeted assassinations. However, the 44-day war between Azerbaijan and Armenia over the Nagarno-Karabakh region signaled a new stage in warfare with large numbers of soldiers killed by unmanned aerial drones.

The Ukrainian ruling class, observing this development, quickly moved to initiate a close collaboration with NATO-member Turkey to expand its drone capabilities prior to the beginning of the NATO-backed proxy war in February 2022.

In early February 2022, Zelensky met with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey in Kiev. The two NATO-backed presidents signed a free trade agreement, and Ukrainian officials touted a deal to produce Turkish-designed Bayraktar TB2 aerial drones in Ukraine.

Ukraine had first deployed the drones against pro-Russian separatists in East Ukraine in October 2021, even though their use was prohibited by a ceasefire and the 2015 Minsk Accords. The use of the weapon at the time marked a significant escalation in the nearly eight-year-long civil war that had begun in the wake of the Western-backed coup in Kiev in February 2014.

In the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war, Turkish-backed Azerbaijan also employed such drones and was able to achieve a surprise victory over a Russian-backed Armenia. The outcome of that war was likely a factor in the decision of the oligarchic Putin regime to move forward with a full-scale war before Kiev achieved military superiority over the pro-Russian separatists in East Ukraine.

Over the past four years, Ukraines defense industry has been making immense profits off a war that has claimed the lives of hundreds of thousands of Ukrainian and Russian working class soldiers.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense touted at the recent Munich Security Conference that the defense industrys [p]roduction capacity has indeed grown exponentially. In 2022, it was estimated at approximately $1 billion. A year later, it had risen to $36 billion. In 2024, estimates ranged from $10 [billion] to $20 billion annually. In 2025, the figure reached $35 billion, and in 2026 it is expected to total at least $5055 billion.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, right, and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa attend a press conference in Berlin, Germany, Monday, March 30, 2026. [AP Photo/Markus Schreiber]

Had any further proof been needed that Germanys support for the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran has nothing to do with a fight against terrorism or oppression, it was provided by the reception of Syrias transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Berlin.

The German state leadership quite literally rolled out the red carpet for the Islamist leader and de facto dictator. In the morning, al-Sharaa was received by Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) at Bellevue Palace. He then took part in a German-Syrian economic forum at the Foreign Office before Chancellor Friedrich Merz welcomed him at the Chancellery with military honors and in a demonstratively cordial atmosphere.

If the label Islamist terrorist applies to any head of state in the Middle East, it applies to al-Sharaa. Under his former name, Mohammad al-Jolani, he was the emir of the al-Nusra Front, which was initially closely linked to the Islamic State and later directly to al-Qaeda. The United Nations designated the organization as terrorist as early as 2013.

That same year, al-Sharaa pledged allegiance in a video message to the then al-Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri. Subsequently, al-Qaeda supported his militias in the Syrian civil war with fighters and weapons. The al-Nusra Front carried out numerous bloody attacks in which countless civilians were killed.

Since al-Sharaa and his militiarenamed Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)rose to power in Damascus at the end of 2024 with the backing of the Western powers, violence against religious minorities and political opponents has continued unabated. The World Socialist Web Site has reported extensively on this. Thousands of Alawites, Druze and Christians have fallen victim to Islamist terror under al-Sharaa. His inaugural visit to Berlin, originally planned for January, was postponed because he was at that time overseeing a military offensive against Kurdish forces. Nevertheless, the regimes violence is systematically downplayed or ignored in the Western media.

The reasons for this are obvious. The NATO powers view the new rulers in Syria as strategic alliesnot only for controlling the country itself but as part of their broader offensive in the Middle East. As in the genocide against the Palestinians and the war against Iran, the aim is to subjugate the entire region to imperialist control, strengthen Israel as a central outpost, and prepare even wider wars against Russia and China.

German imperialism also sees the escalation as an opportunity to expand its own influence in the region. At the joint press conference with al-Sharaa, Merz proposed the establishment of an international contact group to coordinate measures for the opening of the Strait of Hormuz. Germany, he declared, was prepared to help and to make its contribution to freedom of navigation.

This wording is deliberately misleading. In reality, it is not about help but about the military control of one of the worlds most important trade routes. In other words, under the pretext of securing shipping, the German government is preparing the possible deployment of its own troops.

How far political support for the war has already gone was made clear by Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul after the G7 meeting at the end of last week. In an interview with ARD, he openly stated that Germany shares the US war aim of containing and constraining Iran. The illegal war of aggression, which has already claimed thousands of civilian livesincluding more than 150 schoolgirls in the Iranian city of Minabis thus explicitly legitimized.

Another reason for the silence about the crimes of the Syrian regime lies in the domestic agenda of the ruling class. The German government is preparing the mass deportation of Syrian refugees. Merz called for a reliable return option and announced that over the next three years around 80 percent of Syrians living in Germany are to be sent back to their country of origin. To this end, a joint task force is to be established, and a delegation trip to Damascus is already planned in the coming days.

This policy directly echoes the racist agitation of the AfD and demonstrates that the official policy of the German government is itself taking on increasingly reactionary and authoritarian forms.

Representatives of the Left Party and the Greens have voiced occasional criticism in response to the open collaboration with an Islamist regime. But this criticism is superficial and hypocritical. Both parties bear responsibility for the imperialist rape of Syria and the entire Middle East.

They politically and propagandistically supported the Islamist militias and celebrated the overthrow of the Assad regime as a revolution. The then Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (Greens) personally traveled to Damascus to establish ties with the new rulers and court al-Sharaa.

They also fundamentally support the imperialist aggression in the current war against Iran. The chairman of the Left Party, Jan van Aken, openly welcomed the killing of the Iranian leadership, declaring that it was good that they were gone and should rot in hell. Such statements differ little in their cynicism and brutality from the war propaganda of the governments in Washington, Berlin or Tel Aviv.

The reception of al-Sharaa in Berlin makes clear what is really at stake: not democracy, human rights or the fight against terrorism, but power, influence and the barbaric enforcement of imperialist interestsabroad through war and at home through repression and deportation.
On Saturday, David North, chairman of the International Editorial Board of the World Socialist Web Site, filmed a three-minute video outside the Palace of Justice in Nuremberg, Germany, where the Nuremberg Trials of Nazi war criminals were held 80 years ago. Speaking at the very site where leaders of the Third Reich were convicted and hanged for crimes against peacethe launching of a war of aggressionNorth drew a direct and devastating parallel to the ongoing US bombardment of Iran.

If the principles of Nuremberg were applied today, North declared, those responsible for the launching of the war against Iran, the leaders of the US government, Trump, Hegseth, Rubio, and the rest, would be found guilty of the very crimes of which the Nazi leaders were convicted.

Characterizing the assault on Iran as a criminal act of imperialist aggression, he continued: The war against Iran is a war of aggression. It is an illegal war. It is a war which has been launched for political purposes to achieve the hegemonic, global, political, economic aims of the ruling oligarchy in the United States. Iran posed no threat to the United States. It did not attack the United States. But it is being mercilessly bombed.

North concluded with an appeal to the only social force capable of stopping the drive toward world war: The International Committee of the Fourth International, Socialist Equality Party in the United States, and sections of the ICFI throughout the world make this appeal to the working class. You must stop this war. You must fight imperialism. This is the only way the future of humanity can be secured.

Since its posting, the video has generated a massive response on social media. As of this writing, the video has been viewed more than 165,000 times on Facebook aloneand the number is steadily risingwhere it has received over 1,100 comments and over 11,000 reactions. On Instagram, the video has surpassed 26,000 views with over 200 comments. On X, it has been viewed almost 10,000 times, with thousands more views on YouTube and TikTok.

The comments on both Facebook and Instagram are filled with expressions of support. On Facebook, one widely liked comment read: Well said, I agree with every word. Its down to the people to rise up. Another wrote: Thank you for presenting history and the truth. A third declared: People should listen to this and act accordingly!

On Instagram, one of the most substantive responses stated: Thank you for speaking the truth that the elected officials and mainstream media refuse to admit because they are complicit and the oligarchs that control them share Trump & Cos objective of subjugating the entire world. Another wrote: I agree totally! Unfortunately, our generation has been mentally decimated to a point that we feel powerless and lacking the natural courage needed to battle injustice. Yet another declared: Nuremberg type trials must happen in the USA. And from across the world, a single phrase captured the sentiment of many: Workers unite!

The breadth and depth of this response is politically significant. It demonstrates that an enormous audience exists among working people and youth for the socialist and internationalist perspective advanced by the WSWS. Despite the relentless propaganda of the corporate media, masses of people recognize the criminal character of the assault on Iran and are searching for a way to fight back.

Norths remarks were made shortly after he was barred from speaking at the No Kings rally in Nuremberg on Saturday by Democratic Party-aligned organizers, who blocked him from addressing the crowd because he intended to condemn the illegal war against Iran and the Democrats support for it, raising similar points to those he made in his video on the Nuremberg Trials. Video of the confrontation at the No Kings protest was also widely shared on X and other platforms.

The silencing of North at the official rallyand the explosive response to his video filmed shortly thereafterdemonstrates the chasm between the Democratic Partys efforts to contain opposition to the war and the genuine antiwar sentiment of the masses. What the partys operatives sought to suppress, social media has amplified to hundreds of thousands.

We urge all readers and supporters to follow the WSWS and David North on X/Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, as well as the social media accounts of the IYSSE and SEP internationally. Watch every video in full. Share our content as widely as possible with your coworkers, friends and family. Subscribe to our channels and turn on notifications. Every share, every comment and every new follower helps to break through the wall of censorship and expand the reach of the socialist antiwar movement to the millions who are looking for it.
Oil refinery near Regla, Havana, Cuba [Photo by Marcel 601 / CC BY 3.0

Washington has allowed one Russian oil tanker to dock in Cuba as the Trump administration moves to impose starvation fuel rations on the island of about 8 million people.

The tanker Anatoly Kolodkin, carrying 730,000 barrels of crude from Primorsk, reached the Cuban port of Matanzas on Monday after being escorted through European waters by a Russian warship sanctioned by the US, the European Union, the UK, Australia and Ukraine.

Trump simultaneously boasted on Friday that Cubas next for US military intervention, underscoring that the regime-change operation against the island is accelerating, not easing.

The ships arrival may offer Cuba a brief breathing space but only that. Jorge Pinon, an expert at the University of Texas Energy Institute, says it could take up to 25 days for the crude to be processed in Cubas decrepit refineries, yielding only about 180,000 barrels of dieselenough to meet roughly nine to ten days of demand.

Havana had already acknowledged that no fuel tanker had arrived for three months and that the energy grid was nearing collapse.

Cuban officials have also warned of rising mortality risks tied to the fuel shortage, including a backlog of almost 100,000 non-urgent medical procedures, while contacts speaking to the World Socialist Web Site have described relatives dying because care and transport are being rationed.

One Havana resident, Francis Hernandez, told El Pais, the daily blackouts have become routine: What we have now are no longer blackouts, but only little flashes of light from time to time.

This is a textbook case of the international crime of punitive restrictions against a population or collective punishment as defined under the Geneva Conventions. Trumps decision to permit one tanker while blocking others does not soften that reality; it is not relief, but a controlled drip of fuel to keep the Cuban economy from total collapse while Washington presses ahead with a regime-change operation.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Moscow was glad the shipment had arrived and noted that the issue had been discussed in advance with US counterparts.

Trump, meanwhile, told reporters: If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba right now, I have no problem with that. However, he added:

It doesn't bother me much. It is not going to have an impact. Cuba is finished. They have a bad regime, they have a very bad, corrupt leadership, and whether they have a boat of oil it is not going to matter.

The Russian government has vowed to continue sending oil to Cuba, and Washington has temporarily relaxed sanctions on Russian oil already aboard ships in the context of the closure of the Strait of Hormuz as a result of the US-Israeli war of aggression on Iran.

Just days earlier, Washington forced another vessel, the Hong Kongflagged Sea Horse, to divert course before reaching Cuban waters by tightening sanctions rules on Russian oil shipments to the island.

The White House said it will make decisions on a case-by-case basis but has not changed its sanctions policy and maintains the threat to seize ships.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum effectively confirmed that Mexico is still being drawn into this framework, refusing to respond as to whether fuel exports to Cuba are being permitted, stressing instead food aid and vague trade arrangements with Havana.

The limited allowance for the Anatoly Kolodkin appears designed to buy time for a broader assault on Cuba, leaving the regime with just enough fuel to keep the lights flickering while the pressure for capitulation intensifies.

This is only one front in a far wider escalation. The US war on Iran, the NATO war against Russia in Ukraine, and the drive by US imperialism to impose hemispheric hegemony over Latin America are all converging as the first stages of a global war.

Even as he openly states his intent to expand his genocidal war on Iran to take the oil, Trump said in a forum during the weekend: I built this great military. I said youll never have to use it. But sometimes you have to use it. And Cubas next by the way. But pretend I didnt say that please.

The entire political establishment has lined up behind this agenda. The New York Times, speaking for the Democratic Party, published a piece last week echoing the administrations claim that mere suspicions of Russian and Chinese spy outposts justify denying Cubans access to the essentials of a modern society.

Republican Representative Carlos Gimenez's claims that Chinese sites in Cuba are one of the most brazen intelligence operations ever attempted near the American mainland, adding that supposed targets include a US military facility in Florida that is the only training range that actually can simulate battle in the Taiwan Straits.

The Washington Post editorial board spitefully denounced participants in the Nuestra America humanitarian aid flotilla, dredging up the McCarthyite era anti-communist slur of useful idiots, while implying that they are accomplices in state terrorism.

The Trump administration is following the regime-change playbook used in Venezuela, where the Treasury Department selectively handed licenses for companies to sell Venezuelan oil to gain leverage over sections of the ruling elite. This facilitated the January 3 operation that captured Nicolas Maduro, helping turn Caracas into a semi-colonial outpost for US imperialism.

Since the blockade was launched in January, the US has allowed roughly 30,000 barrels of fuel into Cubas private sector through individual sales arranged through Miami and Texas, often via social media, according to Reuters.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has openly admitted that these exports are intended to put the private sector and individual private Cubansnot affiliated with the government, not affiliated with the militaryin a privileged position. That is, Washington is consciously cultivating a capitalist layer on the island as a lever against the state and against the working class.

Cubas bourgeois nationalist regime has responded with major concessions. It has expanded the role of private business, opened the door wider to public-private partnerships, courted exile capital in Miami, invited FBI experts to the island, and entered into talks with the Trump administration over fuel and security cooperation.

These steps further strengthen the social layers most closely tied to US imperialism and prepare the ground for a more direct assault on the remaining nationalizations and other gains of the 1959 revolution.

In other words, the regimes concessions are enabling the very forces that seek to recolonize Cuba, while the population pays the price in blackouts, shortages and preventable deaths.

The drive to recolonize Latin America and the assault on Cubans right to food, medicine, transport and energy are inseparable from the broader war program of US imperialism. At the same time, the unanimous accommodation to Trump by the Cuban, Venezuelan and other pink tide governments confirms that imperialism cannot be opposed on a national basis under bourgeois leaderships.

The No Kings mobilization Saturday, the largest single-day protest in American history, testifies to mass opposition in the working class against war and dictatorship in the United States and internationally.

What is required is a conscious, political break with all nationalist and pro-capitalist parties and union bureaucracies and the construction of an international movement of the working class against imperialist war and capitalist rule.
LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Britain will provide additional air defense support to Gulf partners as regional tensions continue to escalate, according to a statement released by the British government on Tuesday.

British Defense Secretary John Healey confirmed a series of new deployments during a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain, the statement said.

These include an extension of the deployment of British Typhoon fighter jets in Qatar, the dispatch of the Sky Sabre air defense system to Saudi Arabia, and the integration of Britain's Lightweight Multirole Launcher into Bahrain's air defenses.

The Rapid Sentry, a ground-based air defense missile system, has arrived in Kuwait, where the Royal Air Force's ORCUS drone-detection system is already operating.

In Saudi Arabia, Healey held talks with leaders and defense officials from the three Gulf countries on the conflict in the Middle East, the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical shipping route for world's oil, and broader Britain-Gulf cooperation on regional security.

The latest tensions erupted on Feb. 28 with U.S.-Israeli airstrikes on Tehran and several other Iranian cities. Since then, the attacks have continued, targeting key Iranian military command centers, missile installations, energy infrastructures and nuclear facilities.

In response, Iran has launched over 80 waves of missile and drone strikes against Israel and U.S. military facilities across the Middle East.

In a major escalation, Iran has effectively blockaded the Strait of Hormuz, allowing only ships it considers non-hostile to pass. 
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This image from video provided by U.S. Central Command shows U.S. Sailors and Marines aboard USS Tripoli (LHA 7) arriving in the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility, March 27, 2026. [AP Photo/U.S. Central Command]

On Monday, the 30th day of the US-Israeli war against Iran, US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy all of Irans energy generation and water desalination plants unless it surrendered to his demands. If for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, Trump posted on his Truth Social platform, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).

Destroying all of Irans power plants would uproot the basis of civilized life in the country: cutting off water treatment, hospitals and food refrigeration. And the destruction of its water desalination plants would deepen the already catastrophic water crisis in Iran, which is facing the worst drought in its modern history.

What Trump is threatening is a war crime: the latest in a war full of them. Article 54 of the 1977 Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions states: It is prohibited to attack, destroy, remove or render useless objects indispensable to the survival of the civilian population, such as foodstuffs, agricultural areas for the production of foodstuffs, crops, livestock, drinking water installations...

Trumps threats constitute collective punishmentone of the oldest prohibitions in the laws of war. It is the Gaza model applied to a country of 90 million: the systematic destruction of the infrastructure necessary to sustain human life.

The criminality of the Trump regime is so naked that even the media has been compelled to take note. When NBCs Garrett Haake asked White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt why the president was threatening what would amount to potentially a war crime, she did not deny it. She replied that the US Armed Forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination. And the president is not afraid to use them.

The New York Times published an opinion piece Monday headlined Is Trump Threatening to Commit a War Crime? It admitted that Trumps threat would almost certainly amount to a war crime. One of the central tenets of the laws that govern modern conflict is that the targeting of civilians is off limits in military campaigns.

This is true. But the entire war is criminal and illegal. The Nuremberg Tribunal defined the initiation of a war of aggression as the supreme international crime, differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole. This is precisely what the US-Israeli war on Iran is.

The systematic assassination of Irans political and military leadershipfrom Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to dozens of senior officialsviolates the prohibition on assassination under Executive Order 12333 and the laws of armed conflict prohibiting perfidy and treacherous killing. The bombing of a girls school in Minab that killed more than 170 people, most of them children; the destruction of 61,000 homes and 500 schools; the killing of more than 6,500 peopleevery act flows from the original crime of launching this war.

There is a logic to the increasingly genocidal rhetoric coming out of the White House. The Trump administration, having hoped to overthrow the Iranian government by assassinating its leaders, has failed to achieve its objectives and must either escalate US involvement in the war or face a catastrophic defeat. Trump called it an excursion and said it would be over in days. A month later, thousands are dead, but Irans government remains intact, the Strait of Hormuz remains closed and oil prices have surged 59 percent.

The administration is turning to the Gaza model: the total destruction of a society as a method of war. In Gaza, Israel has killed more than 72,000 people, displaced the entire population of 2.3 million, destroyed every hospital and university and reduced the territory to rubble. Trump is threatening similar methods to a country 40 times the size of Gaza.

US troops are flooding into the Middle East. Thousands of paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division have arrived in the region. Two Marine Expeditionary Units have been dispatched to the Persian Gulf. The Washington Post reported the Pentagon is preparing for weeks of ground operations and drawing up plans for 10,000 additional troops. The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump is planning a military operation to seize nearly 1,000 pounds of enriched uranium from underground facilities deep inside Iranian territory.

The Trump administration operates outside of all legal and constitutional restraint. It is the criminal underworld in power, speaking the language of gangsterism on a global scale. Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday that his preference is to take the oil in Iran, resurrecting the colonial premise that a great power can invade, destroy, and then claim ownership over a nations resources.

A ground invasion of Irana country of 90 million with a large military, rugged terrain and the capacity to inflict serious casualtieswill not produce a swift victory. When the invasion bogs down, when casualties mount, when the political crisis deepens, what will be Trumps next move?

As White House officials are so fond of saying, Nothing is off the table. Mohamad Safa, who served 12 years as the permanent representative of the Patriotic Vision Association to the United Nations, resigned this week, warning that the US is preparing for possible nuclear weapon use in Iran.

The administration has staked the credibility of American imperialism on this war. A defeat would call into question the capacity of the United States to project power against Russia and China, the central strategic preoccupation of both parties. Trumps threat to unleash fire and fury on Iran should, in fact, be taken as a threat to use nuclear weapons.

Trumps threat came the same weekend an estimated 8 million people marched in the largest single-day protest in American history. Sixty-two percent of Americans strongly oppose sending ground troops to Iran. No war in American history has been so unpopular at its outset.

The Democratic Party, which, before Trumps election, had been waging war in the Middle East for over a year, is seeking to divert and neuter this mass popular opposition to the war.

At the No Kings rallies, Democratic politicians either ignored the war or reduced it to a passing phrase. In Boston, Senator Elizabeth Warren did not mention Iran at all. No kings today and we vote in November, as AFT President Randi Weingarten put it. Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison told the crowd to vote for people who dont start wars.

Ellison was telling attendees to vote for the Democrats. But the experience of the Biden administration, together with every other Democratic presidency before it, shows that this is a completely bankrupt perspective. Biden provoked the Russian invasion of Ukraine and then massively escalated the war. He armed Israels genocide in Gaza, which was intended from the beginning as a prelude to war against Iran.

The claim that the crisis will be resolved by electing Democrats in November is a fraud. And what will happen between now and then? The real significance of this focus is to buy time: to give Trump the months he needs to prosecute the war that the Democrats support in its fundamentals.

Trump does not speak and act simply as an individual madman. He is the political personification of a capitalist oligarchy: an American ruling class that has broken with democratic restraints and turns to war abroad and repression at home to defend its wealth and global interests.

The war will not be ended through a vote for the warmongering Democratic Party, but through the independent mobilization of the working class. Already, the war has been a disaster for working people, who are confronted with a massive surge in the cost of living. As the war drags on, the costs will only intensify, together with demands to slash social programs to pay for war. Trump has called for a $1.5 trillion defense budget. Where will this money come from? Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security are already under assault. The social programs built over the past century will be gutted to feed the war machine.

The working class is the only social force capable of stopping this war. Eight million people took to the streets, but that opposition will be strangled if it remains under the control of the Democratic Party. The fight against war requires an independent movement of the working class, organized in rank-and-file committees in every workplace and linked across industries and borders, armed with a socialist program against the capitalist system that produces war, dictatorship and social inequality.
BEIRUT, March 31 (Xinhua) -- At least 14 people were killed and several others wounded in Israeli strikes in southern Lebanon on Tuesday night, according to official and preliminary reports, as cross-border fighting intensified.

Lebanon's Public Health Emergency Operations Center said that an Israeli airstrike on the town of Srifa in the Tyre district killed three people and wounded 19 others. In the village of Jibchit, a man and his pregnant wife were killed, while two more died in a strike on the town of Kafra.

At least six people were reportedly killed in a strike on a house in the town of An-Najjariyah, according to preliminary reports from Lebanon's National News Agency. One person was killed in a drone strike on a car in the town of Tebnine in the Bint Jbeil district.

In response, Hezbollah said that it launched the Khaybar 2 operation, targeting Israeli forces, military sites, and infrastructure with guided missiles, rocket barrages, and drones.

Cross-border fighting has intensified since March 2, when Hezbollah launched rockets toward Israel for the first time since a ceasefire took effect on Nov. 27, 2024, triggering Israeli airstrikes across southern and eastern Lebanon. 
LONDON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa said on Tuesday that Syria will stay out of any conflict unless it is directly targeted, emphasizing the country's focus on recovery after years of war.

"No one is ready to be involved in war, and we will not be in it, unless we are subject to aggression and we have no diplomatic solution," he said at an event hosted by think tank Chatham House in London.

Al-Sharaa said the government's priorities remain stabilizing the economy, rebuilding infrastructure, and facilitating the return of displaced citizens.

"We had enough war. We paid a large bill. We are not ready for another war experience," he said. "Those who have been in war know the value of peace." 
Comedian Rob Schneider attempted to set the record straight Monday following a weekend of online harassment due to a comment he made Friday about reinstating a military draft.

The former Saturday Night Live cast member, who doesnt appear to have served in the military, suggested others should last week.

Each and every American, at eighteen years of age, must serve two years of military service, he posted. They could also choose to serve part of that time overseas or in country in a volunteer capacity.

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Criticism of his comments came fast as U.S. troops continued heading to Iran, where the U.S. and Israel have launched aerial attacks for the past month.

Schneider logged on again Monday afternoon to point out a portion of his prior posting that said mandatory conscription might lead to less fighting.

You are MISSING THE POINT, he told his detractors.

According to Schneider, if no one is exempt from service, poor and wealthy families alike would have a shared military connection.

Congress would think long and hard before sending American troops into another faraway war that isnt vital to our national survival, he wrote. No more cavalier decisions. No more other peoples kids dying while their own kids stay safe at Ivy League schools or in Beverly Hills.

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Schneider stated the nation might stop treating its military like disposable chess pieces if everyone had loved ones in the service or had themselves served.

The U.S. last drafted soldiers in 1973 during the war in Vietnam.

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Another viral TikTok video unintentionally exposed a cheating husband to millions, including his wife, after one womans night out. The TikToker claimed her friend found a soulmate in an Alabama bar, but it turned out hed already pledged that soul to another and proven himself a liar.

Its only a matter of time before half the internet knows this mans name.

Cheater! at the Rodeo

TikToker Mikala West (@mikalawest) would unknowingly upset a marriage with kids on Monday after posting footage of her friend and some womans husband canoodling at a bar after a local rodeo. The video has now gained over 10.5 million views after the wife commented that the man belongs to her.

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West was only trying to track down a man she thought would be a good match for said friend.

SOS, my friend found her soulmate last night in Huntsville Alabama after the lineman rodeo and we know nothing about him except his name is Mike and his friends kept calling him like the birds in finding nemo (Mike! Mike! Mike!), she wrote over the footage, adding, help us get Nemo home!

According to local outlet WAFF48, the rodeo was for power line workers in the area. The contest simulated real power restoration challenges that these workers competed to solve as fast as they could.

But are they faster than a TikTok video can spread to a cheating mans wife?

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Hours after West hit post, Mikes wife Laura left what is now the top comment.

Hi! Im Michaels wife, she wrote. Hes busy explaining this to our two children right now.

Another TikToker tried to claim that the Mike in Wests video didnt look like Lauras Michael, but the tattoo sleeve doesnt lie.

Oh thats him, the guy who I said forever to over 10 years ago, Laura replied.

Looks like Nemo is actually Dory

Fellow TikTokers left hundreds of comments replying to Laura, many offering sympathies or calls to leave Mike behind at the next rodeo. Word soon spread across social media lines, with commenters saying theyd come from as far as Facebook and reposts going viral on X.

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Whew boy. He was just smiling and having a GOOD OL TIME! wrote @smoke_nd_pearlz.

Sometimes I love the internet, said @hell_line0. Karma.

Back on TikTok, anyone not addressing Laura is also not holding back.

Looks like Nemo is actually Dory. Forget where he lived and his family, joked @stacizzls.

I am Mikes grandmother I am also mad at him, claimed @watty647.

I am a Mike, and Im also disappointed in Mike, wrote @newmatic_koala.

The internet is chaoticbut well break it down for you in one daily email. Sign up for the Daily Dots newsletter here.
Reconnaissance aircraft snoop around potentially hostile nations (or their ships) gathering photographic and electronic intelligence.

Their crews would rather they are not referred to as spy planes as this status can affect their safety and treatment if shot down and captured, but this rather more exciting title has stuck.

These shadowy machines shun publicity, quietly changing the course of history and often flying in extremely dangerous or contentious situations. We look at ten crewed aircraft we think are the most important in history.

10: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R Foxbat

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R Foxbat

From the outset, it was planned that there would be a reconnaissance version of the extremely fast and high-flying Soviet MiG-25 Foxbat. The MiG-25R carried cameras and electronic sensors in Soviet service, as well as in a handful of export versions. The Foxbat earns the clean-up spot on the list because of its impact as an intelligence collector on the international stage.

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The March 1971 deployment of Soviet MiG-25s and pilots to Egypt and their unopposed overflights of Israel were a shock to the West. Although their contributions to Egyptian security and intelligence were minimal, their impact on Israeli security was profound.

10: Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R Foxbat

Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-25R Foxbat

Even with only two Mach 2.5 overflights a month, the inability of Israeli F-4s and Mirage IIIs to intercept and destroy the Foxbats raised serious questions in Tel Aviv and in Washington about the ability of Western aircraft to engage what was considered the most dangerous Soviet aircraft yet.

The MiG-25R photo intelligence (PHOTINT) overflights were significant escalations in the so-called War of Attrition, which led to the 1973 October War and the brief superpower diplomatic confrontation over possible unilateral Soviet intervention on behalf of the encircled Egyptian Third Army. For the first time, thanks to the Foxbat, Western military leaders had to take Soviet aerial reconnaissance seriously.

9: Business jets

Business jets

For decades, few nations could afford the sufficiently large and equally expensive aircraft needed to conduct routine communications and electronic intelligence (COMINT and ELINT) collection. That changed with the availability of smaller sensors and on-board analysers as well as the reduced need for multiple operators.

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Earlier bulkier equipment required the use of a large four-engined aircraft, hence the existence of RC-135s, EP-3s, and C-130-IIs in American service, Nimrod R.1s in RAF colours, and the occasional French DC-8 and Soviet/Russian Coot. With technology miniaturisation, at last, almost all nations can afford a poor mans Rivet Joint. in the form of a converted business jet.

9: Business jets

Business jets

This resulted in the procurement and conversion of SIGINT variants of large twin-engine business jets or regional airliners such as the Gulfstream IV (used by Sweden), the G550 Nahshons (used by Israel), and Bombardier Global Express Sentinel R1s (used by the UK). Even the United States, with its huge defence budget, is exploring the use of business jets to replace its ageing fleet of RC-135 Rivet Joints.

Given their main purpose, business jets tend to be relatively fast and long-ranged. They also fly high  usually operating several thousand feet above the cruise altitude of airliners. Theyre also far easier and cheaper to maintain than a large four-engined aircraft. They also symbolise the trend in the last half-century away from the importance of the aircraft type itself and more towards the equipment onboard.

8: Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

If you believe that Boeings B-29 bomber converted into an airliner modified into a tanker was just another aeroplane dripping oil on the ramp, think again. A handful of the venerable C-97s were configured with ultra-discreet intelligence systems and operated for years in plain sight. That was precisely what the US Air Force intended.

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Beginning in the early 1950s, a little-known Texas organization Big Safari installed a 20 ft focal length BIG BERTHA camera in a C-97. Through the clever use of mirrors and masterful camouflage of the aircrafts exterior, the PIE FACE C-97 was indistinguishable internally and externally from any other trash hauler (slang for a transport aircraft).

(Photo shows standard C-97)

8: Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

Boeing C-97 Stratofreighter

Based at Rhein-Main air base in West Germany, PIE FACE quickly began taking superior-quality images of Soviet and East German forces along the border. Although restricted to flying no higher than 10,000 ft, it routinely flew into Berlin along the three air corridors from the West, earning the squadron the nickname Berlin for Lunch Bunch.

Despite its unassuming appearance, the Soviets were keenly aware of its clandestine role. In a chance meeting between pilots after the Cold War ended, a Soviet pilot asked a C-97 pilot, Which were you, pictures or beeps? The C-97s operational life as a spyplane lasted nearly 25 years. BIG SAFARI would become the worlds largest and most successful converter of aircraft into spyplanes.

7: Lockheed EP-3

Lockheed EP-3

The US Navy pegs its first spot with the spooky version of its antisubmarine warfare P-3. In 1963 the CIA wanted a replacement for its RB-69s (converted P2V Neptunes) used in covert reconnaissance and insertion operations in Europe and China. By 1964 three P-3s were configured for ELINT and COMINT.

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Two years later they were transferred to Taiwans secret Black Bat squadron. Reportedly equipped with AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles for self-defence, they flew peripheral SIGINT missions off the coast of the Peoples Republic of China (PRC).

7: Lockheed EP-3

Lockheed EP-3

Eventually, these were returned to the US Navy and by the late 1960s became part of the small EP-3 fleet that operated in conjunction with EA-3s and EC-121s. These missions, which continue today, largely focus on maritime operations and peripheral sorties along coastal areas of interest to the US Navy.

Arguably the most famous EP-3 is the one struck by a cowboy PRC Shenyang J-8 pilot while on a peripheral sortie in April 2001 and made a forced landing on Hainan Island. The aircraft and its secret contents were explored by the Chinese and apparently made some notable discoveries, but the crew and aeroplane were all repatriated. The EP-3 has become the mainstay of US Navy long-range peacetime intelligence collection effort.

6: Douglas EA-3 Skywarrior

Douglas EA-3 Skywarrior

As the US Navy sought to increase its role in delivering nuclear strikes from carriers during the budget battles of the 1950s, the Douglas A3D emerged as a twin-engine heavy bomber. Known variously as the Whale and All Three Dead (it lacked ejection seats), this relatively capacious aeroplane was soon carrying out ELINT missions.

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This proved especially valuable as some of the most precious Soviet naval ELINT was obtainable only during short periods of intense blue-water operations (a blue-water navy is a maritime force capable of operating globally) that could not be covered by land-based aircraft.

6: Douglas EA-3 Skywarrior

Douglas EA-3 Skywarrior

Launching an EA-3 (and RA-3 variants) from a nearby carrier group often bagged the latest data on new shipboard missiles and radar that had cognate systems on the ground such as the SA-N-1 Goa, the same as the land-based SA-3. Several EA-3 aircraft also collected telemetry intelligence (TELINT) and communications intelligence (COMINT) associated with Soviet ballistic missile tests.

Operations included missions from Shemya AFB, AK (original home of the COBRA BALL) and British bases in the Indian Ocean. By the time VQ-2 retired its last EA-3 in 1991, it had accumulated more than three decades of maritime intelligence and peripheral ELINT collection.

5: Boeing RB-47 Stratojet

Boeing RB-47 Stratojet

Along with the B-36, Boeings B-47 acquired a reputation for never having fired a shot or dropped a bomb in anger. While this may have been true of the B-47 bomber, it did not apply to the reconnaissance versions of the Stratojet.

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Piston-powered RB-50s and RB-36s were vulnerable to Soviet MiG-15s, so USAF pinned their hopes on the speedy, high-flying jet B-47. Its first overflight of the USSR was a B-47B photographic intelligence mission above the Chukotskii Peninsula in October 1952, attracting considerable attention from MiGs. Another overflight was chased by dozens of MiG-15s and MiG-17s before safely returning to the UK.

5: Boeing RB-47 Stratojet

Boeing RB-47 Stratojet

The RB-47s most significant overflight of the USSR was the HOME RUN series in early 1956. Flown from Thule AB in Greenland, 20 PHOTINT-configured RB-47Es, SLAR-equipped RB-47Es, and ELINT-configured RB-47Hs conducted 156 deep overflights of the USSR. Amazingly, none were shot down.

Between 1956 and 1967, RB-47s flew thousands of daily, routine missions from bases in the US, England, Japan, and Turkey that established and validated the routes and procedures that SAC and its successor Air Combat Command would use to the present day. It was truly the pioneer of Cold War peacetime aerial reconnaissance.

4: English Electric/Martin Canberra

English Electric/Martin Canberra

If there is a grandfather of modern high-altitude, jet-powered reconnaissance aeroplanes, it would be the English Electric Canberra. When the U-2 first overflew Eastern Europe and the USSR in 1956, the Soviets misidentified it as a Canberra, attesting to its reputation as a highflyer. The Canberra PR.3 was reportedly the first purpose-built photo reconnaissance aeroplane for the RAF, entering service in 1952. By the following year, it was flying ELINT missions from West Germany over the Baltic, as well as sorties over the Black and Caspian Seas and from Iraq.

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License-built by Martin in the United States as the RB-57A, a handful of these conducted high-altitude overflights of the USSR, PRC, and North Korea under programs like HEART THROB and SHORT CUT. Three heavily modified RB-57Ds conducted SACs last overflight of the USSR in December 1956.

4: English Electric/Martin Canberra

English Electric/Martin Canberra

Other missions included Baltic sorties and flights from Turkey. Taiwan operated RB-57Ds on overflights of China. The loss of one of these in October 1959 is believed to be the first airplane shot down by a surface-to-air missile, a lesson not fully appreciated until six months later over the USSR, as well see. Further modified into the RB-57F, the big wing Canberra collected ELINT and PHOTINT as well as particle sampling to detect atmospheric nuclear tests.

Sweden and Pakistan were among the countries that used the Canberra or RB-57 to conduct peacetime ELINT and PHOTINT missions. The PEE WEE RB-57Fs in Pakistan also monitored Soviet ICBM tests in evaluation sorties on behalf of the US.

3: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

On May 1 1960, a US U-2 reconnaissance was shot down over the Soviet Union, and the pilot Francis Gary Powers was held prisoner. It was clear that high-altitude flight was no longer enough to keep an aircraft save from air defences.

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Clearly, the next generation of spy plane would require extremely high speed (over Mach 3)  and a degree of radar stealth. Stealth is several technologies and techniques, then in their infancy, which reduce the distance and ease with which a hostile radar can detect an aircraft.

3: Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird

According to Blackbird pilot BC Thomas, Our advantage, owing to stealth, speed, altitude, sensor operation, and defensive systems would let us be over any spot on earth at any given date and time without too much worry about being shot down. And the pictures were good. How can you get any better a reconnaissance aircraft than that?

Lockheeds SR-71 wasand remainsthe ultimate aircraft used as a spyplane. Mach 3+ at 80,000 ft, exotic fuel, David Clark space suits (the same as the U-2 and RB-57 drivers wore), black, enigmatic, small fleet (32), and sure to please crowds and aviation enthusiasts everywhere surely have to count for something. And it looks deliciously sinister, frankly - though totally unarmed. Despite its 'ultimate' status as an aircraft, as a reconnaissance asset, there are two airframes of greater historical significance and longevity.

2: Boeing RC-135

Boeing RC-135

Derived from the C-135 tanker aircraft, the RC-135 lacks the exotic appearance of some of the other aircraft on this list. It would be easy to mistake the RC-135 for an airliner, but the RC-135 is one of the most important reconnaissance aircraft in the world.

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The aircraft is a veteran, having been around since 1961. RC-135s large size and endurance allow it to go almost anywhere in the world carrying both a sophisticated array of reconnaissance equipment and the crew to operate it. Though only 32 RC-135s were created they come in a bewildering array of variants for specialised missions.

2: Boeing RC-135

Boeing RC-135

RC-135s have three distinct missions: The RIVET JOINT V/Ws have an ELINT/COMINT mission. ELINT or Electronic intelligence is intelligence-gathering by electronic sensors. The purpose is often to assess the capabilities of a target, such as the location and nature of a radar), the COMBAT SENT C-135Us have a specialised ELINT mission.

The COBRA BALL Ss have a MASINT/TELINT mission. MASINT is measurement and signature intelligence which means the detection, tracking, identifying or description of the signatures (distinctive characteristics) of fixed or dynamic target sources. This often includes radar, acoustic intelligence and nuclear chemical & biological intelligence. COMINT aircraft gather information from communications, including radio communication, and telephone calls.

1: Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady

Lockheed U-2 Dragon Lady

The Lockheed U-2 has been snooping around, performing reconnaissance missions, since 1956, meaning on longevity alone it would merit a place on this list. But the U-2 is more than simply venerable, it has also been a brilliantly performing and hugely historically significant machine.

Against 1950s air defences, aircraft had to fly ever higher, and operation in the thin air of such high altitudes requires a massive wing. Designed by the US aircraft design genius Kelly Johnson, the U-2 recycled many features of the F-104 fighter but replaced the 104s famously tiny wing with a vast sailplane-like wing.

1: Lockheed U-2

Lockheed U-2

Apart from its longevity, the U-2 is arguably the most significant spyplane in terms of its impact. Images from overflights of the USSR investigated the Missile Gap, and missions over the Middle East in 1956 forewarned the US of the impending Suez Crisis and reassured President Dwight Eisenhower that the Soviets were not moving troops to Syria in response to the Franco-British-Israeli invasion.

A SAC U-2 took the photographs which showed President John Kennedy the Soviet nuclear missiles in Cuba during the 1962 Crisis, and the loss of U-2 and pilot Rudolf Anderson from a Cuban SA-2 SAM nudged global nuclear tensions closer to the breaking point. China shot down four Taiwanese U-2s in their ongoing argument over independence.

Follow Joe Coles on Substack, Twitter X or Blue Sky. His superb Hush-Kit Book of Warplanes is available here.

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Photo Licence: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.en

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The Weather Channel shared a video from the Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets rescue center, months after three Syrian Brown Bears were saved from appalling conditions. They had been found confined to filthy cages in Yerevan, Armenia.

The bears, Aram, Nairi, and their young daughter Lola, got to experience their first proper hibernation, so you can imagine how groggy and confused they were when they finally popped out of their dens after three months of sleep. We think they look just like us humans trying to figure out whats going on before that first cup of morning coffee!

The Weather Channel shared in the caption, "Watch three Syrian Brown Bears wake up from three months of cozy slumber in their new animal sanctuary after being rescued from captivity last year."

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It's a joy to see them thriving and being able to be real bears instead of neglected pets locked in a cage in someone's backyard.

Related: Tiny Pomeranian Puppies Look Like Grizzly Bear Cubs and Sound Like Squeaky Toys

SIGN UP to get pawsitivity delivered right to your inbox with inspiring & entertaining stories about our furry & feathered friends

More About the Three Rescued Syrian Brown Bears

SWNSshared more about the bears' rescue in an article dated March 10, 2026.

"The rescue involved a court-ordered confiscation, police intervention, and transport under heavy rain and darkness.

Alan Knight OBE, President of International Animal Rescue, was on the ground to witness their rescue. These bears had clearly suffered for many years, and these were some of the worst conditions I have ever seen. The stench, the filth, the sheer cruelty of locking these animals up in tiny cages."

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He added, "To see them happy and healthy, knowing they have a future now, makes everything we went through worth it. Completing their first hibernation and exhibiting these natural behaviours is an incredible sight."

This story was originally published by PawNation on Mar 31, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add PawNation as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
NBC

1. "I was around 13 years old, and I forgot why I was in the ER. But I do remember not feeling good at all. My hometown is a small rural Ohio town with a great hospital, but long wait times in the ER. So I had been there for about an hour and a half. My mom went to the bathroom, and right after she left, a woman was wheeled in in a wheelchair. She was overweight and had a very thick leg (looking back now, I know it was Lymphedema). I remember her leg looked like it was leaking fluid. The person who wheeled her in went to the window to start the check-in process, and the woman was grumbling about her leg itching. She bent over in the wheelchair, reached down, and her leg split in half. Liquid and what looked like fat busted out of her thigh, and she screamed bloody murder. Immediately, nurses came out and took her into the back. When my mom returned, asking what had happened, I didn't even tell her, just, 'I think we might be waiting a bit longer, mom.'"

u/Trumpet6789

2. "I was in the doctors waiting room. There was an 18-year-old woman who was obviously ill. She was sweating profusely, had jaundiced skin, was doubled over, and was limping to the front desk. She was holding a white plastic kitchen garbage bag by the red ties at the top. The bag was filled with dark yellow liquid. She held it up when the receptionist asked if she had brought in her urine sample..."

u/SharonWit

Surasak Petchang / Getty Images

3. "Ill never forget it. I went to the ER with a kidney stone, and there was an older couple sitting across from me, probably in their sixties or seventies. The woman was bickering with the man, complaining about how long theyve been waiting there. The only thing is that this woman was completely purple. Like all of her face and head was this dark purple. She didnt appear to be in any pain, but my god, was she ever purple."

u/PewpyDewpdyPantz

4. "I was in the emergency waiting room with my mom. I was the one with an emergency and was drowsy the whole time. But I remember that at some point a man was wheeled into the room while making throat noises, and my mom took my face in her hands and told me, very calmy and without an inch of panic in her voice, to look through the window and tell her what that weird tree was because she'd never seen one like that (she definitely had). I had no idea what was going on, so I kept staring at that tree, and then it was my turn, so we left the waiting room..."

"Days later, she told me that the man who was wheeled into the room had one of his legs hanging on for dear life and that there was blood everywhere on his pants, but also on his clothes. He was drunk, so he probably had a fight. I hope he's ok now."

u/Magomaeva

Related: I Distracted Myself From The Horrors Of Being Alive In 2026 By Reading These 33 Threads Posts, Laughing At Them, Then Remembering Why I Was Distracting Myself, Then Scrolling More

5. "I saw an ambulance bring in a guy who drilled through a 2x4 while the wood was in his lap. Needless to say, the power drill did its job and then some. It went through the wood, then through his *****. He had the drill and 2x4 stuck to his bloody crotch while screaming. I hope they saved his mangled member."

u/forevercurmudgeon

6. "I was sitting in the ER waiting room, and this young couple came in. The man was pushing his girlfriend in a wheelchair. She was barely conscious, slumped over, and pale. As the boyfriend was checking her in, she woke up and Exorcist-style projectile vomited onto the floor. The nurses rushed her back. The boyfriend then sat down, and not a minute passed before he did the same. Everyone waiting slapped masks on real quick once that happened."

u/Silent_Push_1413

Adene Sanchez / Getty Images

7. "I saw a teenager, maybe 17, come in with his parents. He looked pretty bad, with a black eye, a split lip, and suffering at least some degree of concussion. He refused to tell his parents what happened and just said, 'I can explain later' or 'I dont want to talk about it.' A few minutes later, a guy, maybe around 18 or 19, came in limping heavily and had to be supported by his friend as he entered. He looked around for a seat, saw the 17-year-old, and yelled, 'Thats the guy right there!' His friend sprinted at him, got tackled by security, and was zip-tied. It took nearly every security guard on the floor to keep them separated because, apparently, already being in the ER wasnt enough. They wanted to go another round."

u/the_river_nihil

8. "I had horrible asthma as a kid, and was a frequent flyer in the ER for oxygen when my inhaler wasn't enough. I was in the waiting room, and they had given me a portable oxygen tank in the meantime. While we waited, my mom went to use the payphone to call my grandparents to check on my sisters. I was a really well-behaved child in public, and she trusted me to stay put. I'm sure she also asked someone to keep an eye on me. She came back, but I wasn't there. She immediately started panicking and asked all of the nurses where the hell I went. It turned out some man was brought in by ambulance who had a deadly strain of some contagious disease. The triage nurse realized he would need to pass right by the sick little kid on oxygen, and immediately grabbed me, threw me in a wheelchair, and promptly moved me halfway across the hospital, where I wouldn't be at risk of infection. My mom said she had never been so grateful and furious at the same time."

u/Bi-Bi-Bi24

9. "I went to urgent care for a cortisone shot for an allergic reaction, and while there, I saw a man bring his girlfriend in there. I couldn't tell what happened, but I saw a big amount of blood on the woman's top. The nurse at the front desk was the man's wife, and she threw a fit and started screaming and hitting him. She was screeching and swinging on him like a Hurricane. 'You brought this girl into my job?!' They made the nurse go into the back, they made the man sit on the benches outside the building, and they took his bloody girlfriend to take care of her."

u/PrincessAintPeachy

Pressmaster / Getty Images

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10. "When I was in my early twenties, I had a nasty staph infection I caught at work. Eventually, I ended up having surgery because I was this close to losing part of my ankle tendon due to several pockets being right on it, and the doctor basically rushed me into surgery unexpectedly. Before all of this, though, the Air Force in its infinite wisdom decided they couldn't treat me on base and would just send me to the ER downtown, however many times it would take to have them give me antibiotics to clear it up. One day, I'm in there waiting to be seen when this older, farmer-looking guy walks right up to the front desk holding a small Yeti-style cup. The nurse said, 'Hey. Brought your lunch in today?' and the man responded, 'Nope, just my fingers.' He then held up his other hand, which he had tucked away in his coat and wrapped in bloody rags. 'The **** machine got me again.'"

u/[deleted]

Related: Literally Just 43 Tweets That Made Me Forget Donald Trump Was President For A Few Minutes, Because I Was Too Busy Laughing

11. "I was sitting in a Thai emergency room waiting area a few years back, and a guy calmly sat down next to me, holding his hand to his face. The woman he was with went up to the queue, filled out the paperwork, and so on. I politely said hello in broken Thai, and he said hello back; we then paid no more attention to each other. She reached the front of the line, and the triage nurse rushed over to her immediately, speaking urgently and rapidly. He responded calmly, stood up, and moved his hand, revealing his eye to her. Which was in his hand. Dangling from the socket on a long thing. He and the woman he was with were treating the whole situation like a minor inconvenience."

u/Crow_eggs

12. "When I was waiting on news of a friend who'd been in an accident, I saw a guy in his early twenties come in with his mom because he'd fallen off his roof and dislocated his shoulder. After about an hour of waiting, his mom just says, '**** it! This is taking too long!' and legit began to Google how to reset a shoulder. After about 5 minutes of research, she removed her belt, folded it, and instructed him to bite down on it. She then proceeded to violently shove her son's shoulder back into the socket while he naturally screamed in agony. Security and nurses rushed over to see what the commotion was about, and they needed to pull her off him. Security sat her down, and the nurses took the poor kid and got him treated."

u/August-Dawn

33karen33 / Getty Images

13. "A man in the ER waiting room was just sitting there with an arrow sticking out of both sides of his head. I thought it was a Halloween prop, but it wasn't. Listening to the neurosurgeons looking at the man's brain scans and trying to figure out how the heck they were going to remove it was both fascinating and a bit funny. They had never seen this before and were sort of incredulous. In case you're wondering, they removed it in the operating room, and the man walked out of the hospital a few days later."

u/nellirn

14. "I was in the hospital for a few days with what turned out to be nothing, but one night around 3 a.m., they brought a new patient into my room. As they were getting him into the bed, he started having a full-voice conversation about how he felt fine and being in the hospital was silly. In a very polite, calm, but firm voice. He started saying that he didnt need to be there and was going home, getting progressively louder and angrier. I could tell from the voice he was an older gentleman, and it turned out he had dementia."

"The weird part was sitting there in the dark as a larger and larger group of doctors, nurses, and orderlies came to try and get him to calm down. When that didnt work, another woman who was clearly fairly high up the authority ladder started talking in a slow, loud, and clear voice, telling the crowd (not the patient anymore) that they were going to restrain and sedate hIm.

She narrated every step, while he shouted and threatened. Clearly, she was addressing future lawyers and investigators. The whole procedure took more than half an hour, while orderlies held him (which was different from restraining him). It ended with something like 'we are injecting him to sedate him,' followed by a very quick fade-out before they took him out of the room.

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It was both sad and scary to see (or, rather, hear) someone who had clearly been a fairly intelligent, self-assured, and independent person going down that road. Not understanding what was happening, and getting insulted and then outraged by what he perceived as his mistreatment and loss of autonomy. It gave me a sense of what hell it must be caring for a loved one with Alzheimers disease."

u/Harry_A_Longabaugh

PixelCatchers / Getty Images

15. "At eight years old, I was in a car wreck involving more than 25 cars and many ambulances. For some reason, my mom and brother were put into one ambulance, and I was put into a different one. I just did what the adults in charge told me to do. We ended up at different hospitals. I could walk, so they put me on a bench to wait, but forgot about me. While waiting, they wheeled in a gurney, and several people yelled orders. Suddenly, everyone left in a different direction. I was alone on a bench in a hallway with a gurney, and I saw blood start to leak on the floor. Then someone ran back to get the gurney, and the patient had died by then. They pulled the sheet over the face and left it there, with eight-year-old me sitting there, wondering what I should do."

"I finally needed to pee, so I went looking for a bathroom. I asked a nurse for a bathroom, and she yelled, 'How did you get in here?' I told her the ambulance guy told me to wait on the bench. She took me to a bathroom and got me some food. I had some cuts, but nothing bad. She had me wait in a regular waiting room.

After an hour, I heard someone at the counter saying my parents' names. The woman at the desk said, "Not at this hospital. Other patients went to [X] hospital.' So I found my grandmother, and she drove me to the other hospital, and I was reunited with my family again. It had been about 10 hours."

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u/MontEcola

Related: These 46 Funny Tweets From The Week Have Me Genuinely Howling Like My Dog After Hearing A Squeaky Toy, And Trust Me, I Don't Laugh At Just Anything

16. "I was in the hospital for an infection in the bones of my foot. I take medication for a heart condition and diabetes. The nurse came in one evening to give me my medication. She brings me strange-looking pills. I ask her what they are, and she tells me two medications I've never heard of. I tell her she might have mixed up my medication with someone else's  she says no, she's sure, take the pills. But I refuse. I ask for the floor's head nurse or a doctor. The head nurse comes in, and I ask her what medication I'm supposed to be receiving. She checks my chart, confirms what I'm supposed to be taking. I ask her to ask the original nurse what medication she has in her hand. The nurses leave the room, and a third nurse returns with the correct pills. The head nurse returns and informs me that the original nurse will no longer be responsible for my care."

"The next day, the nurse coordinator comes in with a digital audio recorder and notepad to go over all the details of what happened the night before. From what I learned later, this wasn't the first incident involving this nurse administering the wrong medications. She had done it to a couple of other patients, and I heard she had been suspended pending an investigation. I don't know what happened because nobody ever contacted me after that."

u/structured_anarchist

17. "When I was a kid, my mom used to take me to her job as an ER nurse because she had to, and I would sleep in the break room for nurses. One day, on our way home, she gently picked me up as we were walking down the hallway, and I looked at the floor and went, 'Whats that?' And she calmly goes 'brains.' Apparently, there was a guy who shot his brains out who was rushed into the ER on our way out, and they were still spilling out on his way in."

u/ikissedalambtoday

Serts / Getty Images

18. "I was in the ER, and while in a bed, there was another woman next to me who was there to try and get pain meds like morphine or something similar. She would roll around in agony when a nurse or doctor was in the room, but as soon as they left, shed be snacking or laughing at the TV or calling someone. A few hours in, she gets a phone call, and her mood starts to change. She says her daughter was stabbed, and she needs to go. I knew she was a person addicted to something, but her fear and panic sounded very, very real. She started calling for a nurse to come take her IV out because she had to leave ASAP to go to her daughter. She was crying and ripping out her IV by herself. It was a mess."

"The nurse who is discharging her asks her if her daughter would be taken to that hospital, and the woman says her phone is dead, so she doesnt know. Shes just going to go to wherever she last heard from her. I still think about her and wonder if her daughter was okay (or real, even)."

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u/[deleted]

19. "I was a patient in A&E (accident and emergency), and a young guy came in drunk as hell, and he had ripped his scrotum open trying to jump a bollard. Well, when he saw the needle the nurse had to use to numb his *****, he was not having it. Cue what was almost like a horror version of a Scooby-Doo chase scene, with the guy running in and out of rooms sans pants while getting chased by a bunch of security and nurses. They finally caught him, and he promptly passed out, so they continued his care while he was snoring away. I was just sitting in my hospital bed trying not to laugh too hard and pop my stitches while messaging my mom, 'You are NOT gonna believe what I just watched.'"

u/Dapper-CookieCat

20. "I was told the baby I was pregnant with had no heartbeat from listening with the stethoscope, and because I was admitted through emergency due to heavy bleeding (not the maternity ward), they 'couldnt' get a sonographer to see me for two more days to confirm. The nurse then left my husband and me in a room alone for four hours without even checking on us, despite the fact that I was bleeding heavily and begging them for help. Her words were, 'This happens all the time, youll have another one.' The machine was located upstairs and was being used by other women who had been admitted through the maternity ward. That baby turns eight now. It's so wild how we thought for a day there that hed died, and again during birth. Needless to say, hospitals arent my favorite place."

u/Dutchess_Hastings

Motortion / Getty Images

21. "There was this girl who was trying to get admitted to the mental health unit. It turned out her boyfriend was a patient. She didn't get admitted and wasn't happy about it, but she left. The next thing we know, there's a car doing donuts in the parking lot just outside of the ER entrance. She was throwing things out the window and screaming, 'Am I wild enough now?' She ends up driving around to the other side of the hospital and driving right through some sliding glass doors. She's lucky she didn't kill someone; another 10 feet and she would have crashed over a railing and into the cafeteria below, where staff were napping on a couch. She definitely got carted away, but not to where she wanted to go."

u/beachmonkeysmom

22. "They were doing an intake on some rich kid when it was explained to him that he would be staying there, and they were getting ready to take him to the unit. I was able to see the people in a little double-glazed chicken-wire window and could recognize the conversation they were having. The kid kicked a small, heavy table at both of his parents and ran out of the little room, trying to escape. The staff blocked him from the stairs, and he parkoured over the counter into the unit, stopped in the middle of the hall with the rooms, looked around, and when the other kids laughed at him/cheered and clapped, he put his hands in his pockets and sat on the floor in the corner and pouted."

u/RoseWould

23. "I used to be a frequent patient, so I have seen some stuff. There was a schizophrenic woman in the ward for several weeks, screaming her head off about everything, including the nurses trying to make her wear a pad. Another time, I was walking around the ward and saw the moment a woman passed away, surrounded by her family. They were spilling out of the room and into the ward, and were wheeled out shortly after. The most harrowing thing I saw was in the ER. A man wheeled in his wife, who looked like she was passing away, and gently slapped her to try to keep her awake. Seeing the horror, shock, and pure heartbreak on his face is just stuck in my memory."

u/dmfberd

Related: 18 Non-Political Tweets That Made Me Laugh So Hard I Forgot The World Was Falling Apart

Phil Fisk / Getty Images/Image Source

24. "I fell off my bike and fractured both bones in my wrist while at camp. In the waiting room, there was a young man and a woman, both in Wendys uniforms. The young man was holding a very bloody towel around his hand, and she was holding a bag full of ice and something bloody. I kid you not, his line was, 'So, after they reattach my finger, do you wanna grab a bite to eat?' Then a bunch of cops come in, escorting a man in a full prison jumpsuit with the arm and leg cuffs, bleeding profusely from his head. It was quite the experience."

u/HollywoodHalo560

25. "When I was 16, I spent over a week in the hospital recovering from (relatively) minor surgery. Somewhere down the hall was a young girl, Im guessing about my age, who at night would scream and cry in pain from her (I believe) cancer treatments. She would also sob that she wanted to go home. My heart broke for her, and looking back, I kind of wish I had ventured down the hall to maybe try to console (or at least distract) her. I still think about those screams and sobs sometimes. It makes me feel grateful for my own health, but mainly I feel sorry for those (especially the young ones) who have to go through such trauma."

u/modka

26. "My dad was admitted to the hospital for a stroke. He was on a ward with other older people who could barely talk or move. When the meals arrived, they were placed on the bed tray and left for the patients to feed themselves. These people couldnt do it. One older man was trying so hard to put the spoon in his mouth, but it kept going everywhere but there. If the food wasnt eaten within 20 minutes, it was collected, and the patients were left to starve. I was 15 at the time. Young me could have helped them, but the ward was full of about 12 of these men. I could have complained, but I was not confident. My dad had another stroke when I was 18 and unfortunately passed away."

u/Ok-Skirt8470

Luis Alvarez / Getty Images

27. "The hospital I go to is where the police bring people who are in custody, so its not uncommon for a few officers at a time to accompany someone in cuffs who looks like theyve been through a lot. Once there was a young girl who kicked a nurse in her stomach. The scarier instance was when a very large man broke free (still cuffed) and, while sprinting down the hallway, body checked every person in his way into the walls, and everyone was just shouting that they didnt know what to do. I was still on a hallway bed, and I could feel the air rush when he passed me. It was kinda wild."

u/[deleted]

28. "My (now late) mother and I were in triage in the hospital, and had to wait in the hall to be seen. We were seated next to a man who looked like Bill Fagerbakke (an actor in The Stand and the voice of Patrick in SpongeBob SquarePants). The man appeared to be about 40, and his parents were with him. Everything was fine and dandy, I was twiddling my thumbs, looking down, until I heard a nurse speaking with the man. Nurse: 'What did you eat for breakfast today?' Man: 'A gallon of lighter fluid and two bricks.' Nurse: 'Okay, and what is your name?' Man: 'Bob Marley, MOFO.' Nurse: 'Okay, great. Ill be back in a few minutes.'"

"I realized I was sitting next to someone who likely had schizophrenia or some type of similar disorder. It was wild and fascinating how calm and patient the nurse was with him. A few minutes after that, a woman was being strapped to a bed as she was having a mental break. My mom and I genuinely thought we were accidentally in a psych ward. For years after, 'Bob Marley, MOFO' was our little inside joke."

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u/corncaked

29. And, "I was a patient. There was an older man in the bed next to me, waiting to be transferred to a nursing home. The nursing staff treated him as though he were a difficult patient when, in reality, he was just too frail to do things for himself. One day, the nurse refused to help him go to the bathroom, saying he was just being lazy. I could not help, as I was bedridden myself at the time. He took a fall and hit his head on the floor. The male nurse just threw him back onto the bed. His family arrived, and I heard them asking the female nurse who refused to help him, and why their father was so groggy. The nurse lied, saying nothing had happened, and he was fine. I called the man's daughter over to my bed and told her the whole story. Needless to say, **** hit the fan."

u/working_class_tired

Thomas Barwick / Getty Images

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.

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With Easter right around the corner  it's Sunday, April 5  the time has come to finalize dinner plans, put up decorations, buy a new outfit and stock up on baskets, candy and eggs.

For many it's also a time to reflect on spiritual rebirth and new life, what everyone is doing and can do for those within their communities, hanging on to hope even in the darkest times, and realigning oneself with the teachings of Jesus Christ and their individual connection with God.

In that spirit, five clergy members from eastern Massachusetts parishes shared with Wicked Local the messages they plan to deliver as part of their Easter sermons:

The Rev. Matthew J. Conley

Saint Mary of the Nativity Parish, Scituate

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This Easter season, my hope and my prayer is that we will view the many complicated events happening around us, in the world and in our families, through the lens of the Gospels and Jesus promise to be with us always, even unto the end of time. Be alert, be aware, help one another, and remain at peace in the Lord.

More: When is Easter 2026? Here are the dates for Easter, Good Friday

Thomas Fedorka

Interim lay minister

St. Paul Lutheran Church, Gloucester

My focus will be on Mary Magdalene as a strong female religious leader in the early Christian church.

We read in the Gospel that Mary was the first to see Jesus, according to Matthew, Mark, and John. Why Luke didnt get the memo, well likely never know. I think it is significant. The details change a bit, but the three stories are all very similar with an empty tomb, an angel declaration, and an actual Jesus sighting. Tying this together with the verse from Acts 10, we know that Mary was chosen by God to be the first and that she ate and drank with Jesus after His Resurrection.

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And the marvels of Mary do not end there. After seeing our risen Lord, Mary is the first to testify. Mary rushes to the other disciples, the male disciples. Jesus very specifically says, Go to my brothers and tell them. And notice there is no preamble. No explanation about why Mary was the first. No apology for Mary being sent to tell the guys. Women in Jesus time were still treated poorly and were considered to be second to men. But it was not unusual for women to be teaching or preaching, apparently, because I think thats exactly what Mary Magdalene did here.

Jen Christianson, shown here with her dog Zoe, is pastor at Scituates First Trinitarian Church.

Pastor Jen Christianson

First Trinitarian Congregational Church, Scituate

At First Trinitarian, weve been following a series throughout Lent called "Bread of Life," by Illustrated Ministry. Each week, weve examined important ideas about what we are hungry for, and how God provides for and satisfies us. Weve also considered the community that is built and expanded around the table. On Easter Sunday, well punctuate this series with a story about the risen Christ meeting and feeding his disciples, and sending them out, as he sends us, to feed and care for the world.

'Pastor Jen': Scituate congregational church gets first settled pastor since 2023

Rev. Adrian Robbins-Cole

St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Wellesley

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To be open to the unexpected and to look for signs of life where we least expect them. That will be my basic theme. That fits in with the message of Easter emerging of Christs death on Good Friday. The disciples thought he was all over but in fact it was the beginning of new hope. There is always hope. The world and life can throw us some curveballs, and there are times when it appears we are not blessed. But continue to believe.

Rev. Natasha Stewart

St Luke's Episcopal Church, Scituate

This year as we celebrate Easter, and the joy of our eternal salvation, we do so in the midst of a broken and hurting world. Yet the Gospel story of the women who first discover the joy of Christs Resurrection reminds us that God relies on each of us to share the good news of salvation and bring hope into this world.

Mary Magdalene tells others: I have seen the Lord, and it is through her simple retelling of the incredible miracle they have witnessed, that many others come to share in the hope of new life. Now it is our turn to be the translators of the Easter message into our own words and actions that allow everyone to know the healing power of Gods love and the hope of new life for all of humanity.

This article originally appeared on wickedlocal.com: Five eastern MA clergy share the theme of their Easter Sunday sermons
Trevor Tamura dove for the volleyball to keep it from hitting the sand.

When he came up, he saw two volleyballs, not one.

He blinked, steadied himself, and tried to shake it off. The double vision had been coming and going for weeks, but this time, it felt harder to ignore. It was a July weekend in Breckenridge, just days before he was set to begin medical school at the nearby University of Colorado (CU) School of Medicine.

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When the 24-year-old walked into the UCHealth Emergency Room to determine the cause of his symptoms the following day, the results shocked the aspiring doctor: His scans revealed a cancerous germ cell brain tumor.

Trevor Tamura rings the Children's Hospital Colorado Warrior Bell celebrating the end of his treatment. Tamura was treated at the Childrens Hospital Colorado for his cancerous germ cell brain tumor.

"Everything happened all at once," says Tamura, now 25. "I'm about to start med school, I have orientation this week, but I'm getting all this news, and it seems like my life is now being pushed in a different direction."

While his peers reported to orientation that week, Tamura prepared for brain surgery.

In the year that followed, Tamuras childhood dreams of becoming a doctor were put on pause as he underwent chemotherapy and radiation. Now back at the CU School of Medicine as a first-year medical student, Tamura hopes his unique experience as a patient will shape how he cares for others.

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More: Gen X, Millennials are at greater risk for these types of cancer

'It was just that whirlwind of anger, sadness, confusion'

Tamura was transferred to the Childrens Hospital Colorado's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders after neurosurgery for continuous treatment. Dr. Adam Green, a pediatric hematologist-oncologist who treated Tamura, says his condition was unusual for someone his age.

"It was just that whirlwind of anger, sadness, confusion," says Tamura of the initial diagnosis. "Am I going to die? Like, how serious is this brain tumor?"

Unlike most brain tumors, which develop from brain cells themselves, germ cell tumors originate from reproductive cells that have migrated to the brain during early development. Roughly 90% of these tumors are diagnosed in patients under 20 years old, often around the onset of puberty, making Tamura an outlier.

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"This disease, his age, and the situation is quite rare," Green says.

Tamuras fellow medical students came to visit him after orientation, and continually checked in on him. And while he was excited for them when he saw the photos from their white coat ceremony, he had mentally prepared to be there with them.

"I was really sad, really angry that I was missing that," Tamura says, adding it felt like he had "missed the bus" on what he'd worked for his whole life. He remembers asking himself, "Why did this happen to me?"

Trevor Tamura smiles at his white coat ceremony. Just thinking [about] where I was a year earlier, and everything that I had gone through, when I finally was on that stage and I got the coat, and I got to celebrate with my family and take pictures it really hit me.

Green says diagnoses for young people in this stage of life can be particularly challenging.

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Many young people are transitioning out of school, starting careers and building independence, while still developing the coping skills needed to navigate major health challenges. A diagnosis might affect education and career plans, as well as financial stability at a time when patients might be shifting to new insurance coverage as they move between school and work.

"Kids and young adults are still learning coping skills," Green says. "Its a high risk time for mental illness and mental hardship, even in healthy teenagers and young adults."

Tamura deferred his medical school enrollment. As his peers were in their introductory courses, he began chemotherapy, followed by six weeks of radiation. He completed treatment in December of 2024.

Millennial women are getting cancer. This website is helping them.

Bringing a new perspective to campus

Last summer, Tamura returned to campus, moving into a house across the street from UC Health. This time, he completed his orientation and white coat ceremony as planned, carrying with him the emotions of what he had endured.

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He says his positive experience with his team of providers  the person who gave him the news of his diagnosis was a fourth year medical student  shifted the way he views patient communications.

"Now that I'm learning how to deliver tough news like that to patients, I think of her every single time and how she sat with me, listened to me, connected with me, called my mom for me," Tamura says.

Though he initially planned to pursue virology, his experience shifted his interest toward oncology. Last December, he returned to Greens office, but this time, to shadow him. He hopes to complete a lab rotation with him in the future.

"Seeing some younger patients with him, and seeing what he was able to offer to them and talk with them about because he had that personal experience with it, was really special," Green says.

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Tamura is focused on what comes next. No matter what, he wants his experience as a patient to keep him "humble" and guide how he cares for patients.

"Ill always have that perspective of what it's like to be on the other side," says Tamura. "I never want to lose that."

Rachel Hales role covering Youth Mental Health at USA TODAY is supported by a partnership with Pivotal and Journalism Funding Partners. Funders do not provide editorial input. Reach her at rhale@usatoday.com and @rachelleighhale on X.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Medical student's rare brain tumor discovered just before orientation
A half-blind, 12-year-old New Mexico dog is being called bear slayer after she fended off an ursine intruder at her familys home, protecting dozens of chickens and other animals but only narrowly surviving the violent encounter.

As told by her caretakers, the story of Honey demonstrates the extreme loyalty of dogs to their owners.

Honeys owner, Denise Martinez of New Mexicos Cordova community, said security-footage audio and animal tracks established that the dog, in early March, had battled with a bear who had approached their land.

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The bear was seemingly fresh out of hibernation and hungry, the local Espanola Humane shelter wrote in a Facebook post. But not one of more than 60 chickens cooped up on the property were harmed, and neither were other creatures, including two horses and dogs, after Honey warded the bear off.

Honey, however, paid a steep price physically, Martinez said during a brief telephone interview on Monday. Martinez said security camera audio captured the moment when Honey fell into the clutches of the bear, who made terrifying sounds during their struggle.

Martinezs daughter, Leanna, found the dog in the familys driveway the next morning with nearly fatal injuries: torn flesh, deep punctures, bruising and huge swelling, as first reported by the local news outlet KOB.

The bear just [ripped off] the skin of her neck from below the collar to right under her chin, Denise Martinez said of the wounds on Honey, who previously had been partly blinded from a run-in with a porcupine. It was hard to look at  and it did not look like something Honey would be able to overcome.

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The Martinezes brought Honey to the urgent care clinic run by the non-profit Espanola Humane. There, she underwent surgery and endured daily bandage changes while taking a battery of medications.

Honey withstood her treatment as courageously as she stood up to the bear, according to the shelter, which noted that among her devoted visitors were Denise, her daughter and her son, Darren.

She betrayed the fact that she becomes terrified whenever a running vacuum cleaner is in her vicinity  yet the bravery she showed defending her homestead and then in the aftermath of those heroics had landed her the moniker bear slayer from both the Martinezes and the shelter.

By the time the shelter had published its post about Honey, she was back home, resting amid the horses, her fellow dogs, and the chickens who lay eggs that the Martinezes routinely give away to colleagues and friends, according to the facility.

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She is our little savior  shes always been protective that way, Denise said of Honey on Monday. She risked her life to save not just the coop  but her family  from that bear.

Meanwhile, the shelters post added: Honey didnt just survive. She stood between her family and danger, and chose them  over and over again, even when it could have cost her everything. And because of her familys love, a community who cares, and a little bit of  badassery, this half-blind sassy senior is still here.
New Bedford Guide reported that a Massachusetts fox was fighting for his life after being seen with plastic waste wrapped around his neck for almost a year. Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is working on healing and rehabilitation.

"He has been through so much for so long," a rescue representative said.

What's happening?

Community members repeatedly spotted a fox with plastic wrapped around his neck. They witnessed his health decline. The fox contracted mange, which got worse over time, and his skin deteriorated to the point where he had exposed tendons and ligaments. Additional health effects included infection, a gastrointestinal bleed, severe anemia, septicemia, and rodenticide poisoning.

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It was touch and go for a few days. On the fifth day of treatment, the fox seemed to respond, showing signs of healing.

Why is the impact of plastic waste on wild animals important?

Plastic waste poses a direct threat to the health and survival of wild animals on land and in oceans. Animals can ingest plastic or become entangled in plastic waste left by humans. They often become sick, and in some instances, their interaction with plastic is deadly. Animals do not understand the risks plastic poses to their well-being.

When a wild animal becomes entangled in plastic waste like the Massachusetts fox, it can be very distressing. It can interfere with their normal actions, including movement, food and water consumption, and breathing. Unfortunately, this is a common occurrence.

Plastic waste also affects natural habitats and disrupts the balance of ecosystems even if animals do not come in direct contact with it. Plastic debris can transport invasive species that can threaten native species, leading to a loss of biodiversity.

What's being done about plastic waste?

Reducing plastic waste is critical to a cleaner, healthier planet where wild animals can thrive.

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We can help reduce plastic waste by making conscious choices to reduce our plastic use by supporting companies with commitments to eco-friendly packaging. By finding alternatives to plastic, we can help protect animals by reducing the amount of plastic that ends up in the environment.

The 5 Rs of waste management are good to remember: refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle.

Do you think America is in a housing crisis? Definitely Not sure No way Only in some cities Click your choice to see results and speak your mind.

Every positive action toward the environment helps, so making sustainable choices whenever possible and spreading the word are excellent steps toward a more eco-friendly lifestyle.

Newhouse Wildlife Rescue is doing everything it can to rehabilitate the Massachusetts fox. A representative offered hope, saying, "I just want him to get better," reminding us that every small action helps.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Prosecutors detailed a violent attack that continued despite multiple witnesses attempting to intervene. That suspect was denied pretrial release on Tuesday.

Garland Benton, a 45-year-old Crystal Lake man, has been charged with aggravated battery, sexual abuse, and attempted sexual assault.

He was arrested on Monday morning at a CTA bus stop near 26th and Halsted after prosecutors say he attacked a 20-year-old woman inside a parking garage near Millennium Park at 30 North Michigan Avenue around 6:35 a.m. Monday.

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Prosecutors say the victim had just parked her vehicle when Benton grabbed her, threw her to the ground, hit her in the face, and removed some of her clothing while licking her upper body.

Authorities say the victim's coworker had also just arrived at the garage and tried to intervene. Prosecutors say Benton knocked her to the ground, injuring her.

SEE ALSO: Teen boy charged after 15-year-old girl sexually assaulted at gunpoint in Ravenswood Manor: police

At least three other witnesses also allegedly tried to stop the attack. Some were hitting him with objects, prosecutors say, and eventually, Benton fled, but not before witnesses took some photos of him. The attack was also captured on garage surveillance video.

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Prosecutors say police, using surveillance cameras, were able to track Benton in real time at the Monroe CTA station, where he allegedly put on a hat, scarf, and jacket to cover up his face and clothing before getting on a Red Line train. He was eventually tracked to the Halsted Orange Line stop and was arrested shortly thereafter.

The victim was taken to a hospital in good condition. Regular customers of the parking garage, the entrance of which is right across from the Bean, are surprised and concerned after the attack.

"I use it every week, and the first thing I thought was I need to start bringing my pepper spray because it's something that you don't expect," said customer Lucero Romero.

"It's scary. You know, there's people that come in and out of here every single day, so it's surprising to hear that this would happen," said customer David Gershenzon.

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Prosecutors say Benton has a criminal history dating back to 1998 that includes convictions and prison time in Illinois and other states. Some of the charges include aggravated battery and assault in unprovoked attacks against women.

At the time of his arrest in this case, prosecutors say Benton had a one-way train ticket to Kansas City. Though, it is unclear if that is where he was headed next.

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SHANGHAI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- China has achieved notable phased results since the launch of the 10-year fishing ban on the Yangtze River in 2021, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs said Tuesday.

From 2021 to 2025, a total of 351 indigenous fish species were monitored in the Yangtze River basin, 43 more than in the pre-ban period, while the monitored unit volume of resources in the main stream of the Yangtze River in 2025 recovered to twice the pre-ban level, according to the ministry.

During the same period, the index of biological integrity in key waters including the main stream of the Yangtze River improved compared with the period from 2017 to 2020, reversing the decline in aquatic biological resources.

Fisheries law enforcement capacity has improved across the country, while cross-regional and multi-department joint enforcement has been strengthened, helping curb illegal fishing, transport and sales.

In 2025, the number of fishery-related criminal cases fell by nearly 40 percent year on year.

The ministry said efforts should be made to further strengthen the protection of aquatic life in the Yangtze River, advance flagship species conservation programs, step up the restoration of important habitats, and promote the overall recovery of aquatic ecosystems.

Solid steps should also be taken to secure the livelihoods of former fishers, promote stable employment and social security through multiple measures, and steadily improve their living standards, according to the ministry. 




President Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of sending stimulus-style payments to Americans, funded in part by revenue from new tariffs.

In a February interview with NBCs Tom Llamas, Trump said he was seriously considering the idea.

Im looking at it very seriously, Trump said. Im the only one who can do it because Im taking in hundreds of billions of dollars.

Despite that, there is no indication that stimulus checks will be issued in April.

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Still, lawmakers in Congress have recently introduced proposals that could move the idea forward  though any payments would require congressional approval and are far from certain.

What would need to happen for a new stimulus check?

For Americans to receive any new stimulus payment, a formal legislative process would have to take place and there is no guarantee Congress would approve such checks.

On Dec. 21, during an interview with CBS News Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett said stimulus checks remain a possibility for 2026.

"The deficit relative to last year is down by $600 billion and so, in the summer, I wasn't so sure that there was space for a check like that. But now I'm pretty sure that there is, and so, I would expect that in the new year, the president will bring forth a proposal to Congress to make that happen," said Hassett.

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Hassett added that tariff revenue would be only one potential funding source, noting that Congress ultimately decides how federal revenue  including taxes and tariffs  is spent through the appropriations process, according to remarks reported by USA TODAY.

Is there a stimulus check coming in April?

There has been no official announcement or legislative action indicating that a stimulus check will be issued in April.

But there is some movement on a new bill that could maybe get Americans closer to stimulus payments.

Rep. Henry Cuellar, D-Texas, introduced the American Consumer Tariff Rebate Act of 2026 on March 9. The legislation proposes allocating $231.35 billion  an amount estimated by the Congressional Budget Office and the Joint Economic Committee as the cost consumers have borne from tariffs  to fund rebate payments for Americans, according to The Hill.

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According to The Hill, only taxpayers with an adjusted gross income under $400,000 would be eligible, with payments determined by the number of qualifying taxpayers based on filing status. An extra $125 would be provided for each qualifying child.

Meanwhile, Sen. Martin Heinrich, D-N.M., introduced the Tariff Refunds for Working Families Act in the Senate on March 12. CNBC reported that the proposal would provide rebates of $1,200 to joint filers earning less than $180,000 per year, along with $600 for each additional child.

What happened to the $5,000 DOGE checks?

Last year, Trump said he weighed a proposal to send taxpayers a $5,000 check, funded by savings from the Department of Government Efficiency and framed as a dividend.

Theres even a  under consideration, a new concept where we give 20% of the DOGE savings to American citizens and 20% goes to paying down debt, Trump said at the FII Priority Summit in Miami in 2025.

However, the proposed DOGE checks have not moved forward and are no longer being pursued. Elon Musk, who led the DOGE initiative as a special government agent, stepped down at the end of May 2025, after earlier casting doubt on whether the checks were feasible and noting that Congress and the president would have final say.
THOMASVILLE  An 18-year-old and a 16-year-old have been charged in connection with an argument among teenagers at Thomasville High School last week that resulted in the school being on lockdown, the Thomasville Police Department said.

The 16-year-old, a student at the school, got into an argument with another student at school on Wednesday, March 25, left campus and later returned with the 18-year-old, a relative, and they made threats and implied they had a weapon. The two later left a backpack in woods nearby, and police found a handgun in it.

The 16-year-old, whose name was not released, was charged with possession of a firearm on educational property, carrying a concealed weapon, possession of a firearm by a minor, disorderly conduct, and communicating threats. A secured custody order was issued by Davidson County Juvenile Justice, and he was taken to the Cabarrus County Juvenile Detention Center.

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Zaid Montrell Pannell, 18, of Hunter Street, Thomasville, was charged with possession of a firearm on educational property, aiding a minor with a gun on educational property, second-degree trespass, disorderly conduct, resisting a public officer, contributing to the delinquency of a minor and carrying a concealed weapon.

Pannell was being held with no bond allowed because he had been out of jail on bond awaiting trial on charges of for second-degree kidnapping and common law robbery.

This remains an active investigation, police said.
Investigators are searching for answers after a late-night shooting left two people injured at a restaurant and hookah lounge just steps from Temple University's campus.

Philadelphia police and Temple University police responded just after 3 a.m. to a reported shooting inside Zoe Restaurant and Lounge at the corner of North 10th and Diamond streets in North Philadelphia, a building that also houses off-campus student apartments.

Officers found two men - a 48-year-old and a 28-year-old - shot multiple times inside the business. Both were rushed to the hospital. Police later said one man is in stable condition and the other remains in critical condition.

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Hours after the shooting, the damage was still visible outside the building, with shattered glass lining the sidewalk and a window boarded up. Inside, broken glass revealed sofas and tables knocked over and bottles of alcohol left behind in the BYOB venue.

A Temple sophomore who lives nearby said the gunfire woke them early Thursday morning.

"Last night around 3 a.m., I heard people screaming, 'Go, go, go, move, move, move,'" the student said.

Another sophomore described learning about the incident through messages from loved ones.

"I was very shocked. I got a bunch of texts from my friends and my mom. She was worried about me," Tyler Baughman said.

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The restaurant and hookah lounge sit below Temple Crossings, an offcampus student housing complex that is not owned by the university. Several students said the business had only been open for a few months and was not well known to them.

Former Temple student Shaker Ali described the location as a popular gathering spot.

"This is a party spot, it's a venue," Ali said.

One student said the impact of the shooting reached into nearby apartments.

"I woke up, and there was a bullet hole straight into our apartment complex," a sophomore said.

Temple University released a letter following the incident stating its police department is assisting Philadelphia police with the investigation.

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Students expressed concern and uncertainty as they waited for more information.

"It's definitely tragic. I don't know all the details, but I was excited to see what they had going on," sophomore Jayden Jewell said.

Another student said the noise had been noticeable in recent nights.

"The past few nights I've been hearing a lot of noise, kind of like a party. I didn't know what it was," a sophomore said.

Police have not released information about a potential suspect. Investigators are asking anyone with information about the shooting to contact Philadelphia police.
NEED TO KNOW

Nafisa Dockery, Davana Cochran, and Dionjana Cochran were arrested at Miami International Airport on Sunday, March 29

The trio allegedly rushed onto a Frontier Airlines flight bound for Philadelphia after ignoring an employee's instructions to pay for their extra luggage

The three women have since been charged with resisting an officer and trespassing, while Dockery has additionally been charged with battery

Three women have been arrested after refusing to leave a plane without paying for their extra luggage.

At around 9:50 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 29, Nafisa Dockery, Davana Cochran, and Dionjana Cochran were checking onto Frontier Airlines flight F9-1204 to Philadelphia from Miami International Airport when a tense exchange ensued with a Frontier employee, according to arrest reports obtained by PEOPLE from the Miami-Dade Sheriffs Office.

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The employee explained to the trio that they had only paid for one carry-on bag, but had two with them, therefore, they would need to step out of line and pay for the extra luggage, per the arrest report. A verbal altercation then ensued, with the Frontier employee telling the women they would be removed from the flight if they did not pay for the extra bag.

Credit: Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center

We dont have to listen, lets just go, Nafisa, 30, allegedly told Davana, 26, and Dionjana, 21, per the arrest report.

Miami International Airport

Credit: D.A. Varela/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service via Getty

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Despite the frontier employee warning them that law enforcement would be notified if they tried to board the plane, the three women rushed onto the aircraft by going through a door clearly marked restricted area, authorized personnel only.

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When deputies arrived, the frontier manager explained why the womens boarding passes were being denied and requested they be removed from the plane, according to the arrest report.

The women refused to comply when deputies told them they needed to leave the plane because their boarding passes were no longer valid. As they ignored multiple warnings, all passengers on the plane were made to deboard so deputies could carry out their arrest.

A brief struggle between the women and the deputies occurred before they were taken into custody as they tensed their bodies and pulled their arms away to avoid being put in handcuffs, according to the arrest report.

Frontier aircraft (stock image)

Credit: Kevin Carter/Getty

Nafisa allegedly spat on someone, believed to be a Frontier employee, per Local 10, as she was being taken off the plane.

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A now-viral video shared on the Instagram account, Only in Dade, shows the women being escorted off the flight by deputies as travelers recorded on their phones.

I will beat you the fk up, Davana can be heard shouting in the clip as an onlooker replies, Enjoy prison, baby.

The flight was delayed by over an hour due to the three womens actions, according to the arrest report.

The trio was booked at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center.

They have since been charged with resisting an officer without violence to his person and trespassing on property/after warning. Nafisa has also been charged with battery.

A representative for Miami International Airport and Frontier Airlines did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for further comment on Tuesday, March 31.

Read the original article on People
Attorney General Dave Sunday and the Pennsylvania State Police announced charges Tuesday against four California men accused of running a criminal resale scheme.

The men allegedly used stolen credit card information purchased from the dark web to buy tickets and items online for resale at a discount.

The investigation identified 17 Pennsylvania residents among the victims whose credit card information was compromised. While banks and credit card companies often blocked the purchases before funds were withdrawn from individual accounts, financial institutions face an estimated loss of nearly $2 million.

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Andres Ramirez, Andres Maravilla, Jesus Maravilla and David Santoyo each face charges of corrupt organizations, dealing in proceeds of unlawful activities and identity theft. The Pennsylvania State Police filed the charges following an investigation into how the group obtained and utilized financial data from victims.

The investigation revealed that the four men purchased stolen credit card information off the dark web. They then used that data to buy event tickets and various items online, according to the attorney generals office. Once the purchases were secured, the group used Instagram to advertise and resell the items at discounted prices.

Members of the group referred to the criminal operation as The Method. Santoyo allegedly charged other individuals $500 to teach them how to replicate the scheme.

Attorney General Dave Sunday praised the collaboration between his office and state police in tracking the complex financial transactions across the country. Sunday emphasized that law enforcement will pursue cases involving harm to residents regardless of where the suspects are located.

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These defendants utilized the dark web to steal credit card information from unsuspecting Pennsylvanians, then used that information to make purchases, Sunday said. Even if you are across the country, we will investigate conduct resulting in harm to Pennsylvanians. I applaud the Pennsylvania State Police for the collaboration in navigating this cycle of complex financial crimes.

The Office of Attorney General and state police are currently arranging for the defendants to be extradited from California to Pennsylvania. Upon their arrival in Somerset County, the case will be prosecuted by the Office of Attorney Generals Financial Crimes Section.

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GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK (WATE)  A woman died in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park after falling from a cliff on the Alum Cave Trail.

A spokesperson with the park told 6 News that on March 28, rangers responded after a 65-year-old woman fell around 60 feet from a cliff on Alum Cave Trail. They attempted to resuscitate her but were unsuccessful.

READ: More top stories on WATE.com

The Alum Cave Trail is a popular 4.6-mile trail that goes over the Alum Cave Bluffs and through Arch Rock. The National Park Services website warns that it gets very steep past Arch Rock.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.
At least 66 people were killed and dozens more injured when a Colombian military plane crashed shortly after takeoff Monday morning in Putumayo province, according to PEOPLE.

The C-130 Hercules aircraft went down around 9:54 a.m. local time after departing from Puerto Leguizamo, according to a news release.

The plane was carrying 128 people, including 115 army soldiers, 11 crew members and two national police officers, according to the Associated Press.

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Hugo Alejandro Lopez Barreto, head of Colombias armed forces, confirmed the death toll and said 57 people were evacuated from the scene while four military personnel remained missing.

Sadly, as a consequence of this tragic accident, 66 of our military elements died, Barreto said, according to the AP. At the moment, we have no information or indications that it was an attack by an illegal armed group.

Pedro Sanchez confirmed the crash in a post on X.

With deep sorrow, I report that a Hercules aircraft from our @FuerzaAereaCol suffered a tragic accident while taking off from Puerto Leguizamo (Putumayo), as it was transporting troops from our Public Force, he wrote.

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Colombias Air Force identified six of its members among the dead.

Carlos Fernando Silva said the aircraft had a problem and went down about two kilometers from the airport, according to the AP.

The cause of the crash remains under investigation.

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The family of a girl killed by a drunk driver three decades ago is warning others. The driver who took her life continues to rack up driving under the influence charges.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Its absurd to me, explained Lisa Lingerfelt.

Its been more than 30 years since her 11-year-old stepdaughter Jessica Angel was killed by a drunk driver on Highway 92 in Paulding County.

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However, the anger is renewed for her family.

It just makes me angry, said Matt Angel, Jessicas brother.

Jessicas family is outraged at the driver, Jeffery Palmer, who spent nearly 30 years behind bars for driving drunk and killing Jessica and two family members.

Released in August, Palmer was arrested and charged twice in January for driving under the influence in Paulding County. Hes now serving six months in a plea deal after the two latest DUI charges were merged.

TRENDING STORIES:

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Just knowing that they combined those two DUIs into one DUI, that part really makes me mad, said Lingerfelt.

For now, Paulding County Sheriff Ashley Hensen said Palmer will spend every day of the six-month sentence behind bars. Hes earning credit for good behavior.

What were going to do is when an inmate, regardless of whether they have good time or good behavior, theyre going to serve every day that a judge sentences them to, said Hensen.

He will absolutely put another family through this, said Lingerfelt in her warning to others on when Palmer is released.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the Paulding County Solicitor General, Luana Nolen, who handled Palmers recent charges.

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Nolen said in a statement:

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My heart and prayers go out to the family who lost their loved ones back in 1995, as well as any family that loses someone in such a senseless and preventable way.

Under Georgia law, first, second, and third DUIs within 10 years are misdemeanors punishable by up to 12 months. Those same laws state that an offender cannot serve less than 24 hours on a first DUI, 72 hours on a second DUI and 15 days on a third DUI within 10 years.

Mr. Palmer was represented by the Paulding County State Court Public Defenders Office. After spirited negotiations between his attorney and I, Mr. Palmer decided to enter a negotiated plea to serve 6 months in custody and six additional months on probation to complete the requirements of DUI sentences on March 6, 2026. His Vehicular Homicide conviction in 1996 here in Paulding County played a major role in the vast departure from minimum mandatory DUI sentences.

In addition to the six-month incarceration, Mr. Palmer was also required to complete community service, a Risk Reduction class, a drug and alcohol evaluation, random screens, an ignition interlock, license plate surrender, license suspension and fines with fees, as required in DUI sentences.

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When negotiating cases, we attempt to balance punishment against what we would be able to achieve after a trial. Therefore, we always have to negotiate keeping in mind that the law does not permit the State to introduce prior convictions at trial, with few exceptions. In addition, the State is also not entitled to any amount of discovery from a Defendant in misdemeanor cases."

Palmer also has community service, random screens and his license is now suspended after he is released.

However, Jessicas family pointed out, he was driving with a suspended license when she was killed back in 1995.
A federal judge in Fort Myers has ordered state and federal officials to change how detainees access legal counsel at the Everglades immigration detention site known as Alligator Alcatraz, following two days of testimony earlier this year.

U.S. District Judge Sheri Polster Chappell issued the ruling Friday, March 27, finding that current practices at the facility likely violate detainees' First Amendment rights. The order requires officials to provide confidential legal phone access and to publish clear, written protocols for attorney-client communication.

The court also provisionally certified the case as a class action, meaning any changes will apply to all current and future detainees held at the facility in Ochopee.

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A status conference is scheduled for April 13 to review compliance.

What does the Alligator Alcatraz court order require?

The preliminary injunction mandates that state and federal officials provide detainees with access to timely, free, confidential, unmonitored and unrecorded legal calls.

Chappell ordered that the facility must maintain at least one working phone for every 25 detainees.

Officials are also required to document and publish all policies governing attorney access in English, Spanish and Haitian Creole. That information, including the detainee handbook, must be made publicly available through the Florida Division of Emergency Management and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement websites. While theres no set deadline, compliance will be reviewed at a status conference April 13.

Why did the judge issue an injunction on detainee legal access at Alligator Alcatraz?

The ruling rejects arguments from state and federal attorneys that the case was no longer necessary because conditions had improved.

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During hearings in January, officials described evolving procedures, with one witness saying policies had been "written rather quickly" and later "massaged."

Chappell wrote that the lack of clear, public information created widespread confusion about detainees' rights.

"ICE cannot arrest an individual, whisk him away to Alligator Alcatraz, and not post any information about the who, what, where, when, and why of the facility for public consumption," Chappell wrote in her order.

The order states that undocumented or unpublished policies left detainees and attorneys without reliable guidance and contributed to inconsistent access to counsel.

What did detainees say about conditions and lawyer access at Florida immigrant detention center?

The decision follows a two-day evidentiary hearing held in late January at the federal courthouse in Fort Myers, where former detainees described difficulties contacting attorneys and navigating the legal system inside the facility.

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One witness, identified as H.C.R., testified remotely from Bogota, Colombia. He said he had been living in the United States legally since 2022 and worked managing condominiums across Florida and as a pool assistant before his detention. He told the court he was stopped while returning from work and never successfully reached an attorney while held at Alligator Alcatraz.

He described calls dropping when he attempted to contact legal counsel and said he was kept in handcuffs for extended periods, including while eating, which he said "was detrimental to my health."

People gather in front of the access road into the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport to protest the construction of an immigrant detention center in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The demonstration was led by Betty Osceola, an activist and a Miccosukee tribe member. A steady stream of trucks were seen going into the location. The location is being referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz."

A second witness, J.E., testified remotely from Haiti that 32 detainees in his unit shared three phones that frequently failed.

"The phone would go tuck, tuck, tuck, tuck," he said when describing attempts to reach a lawyer.

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Both men testified they were not given pens or paper. Instead, they used bars of soap to write down phone numbers provided by family members after making contact.

"As soon as I get here I was never able to get in contact with them," J.E. testified.

Naples resident Denise Gunn stands along U.S. 41 outside Alligator Alcatraz in Ochopee, Florida, during a vigil on Aug. 10, 2025.

How did officials describe operations at Alligator Alcatraz prison in SW Florida?

During hearings, state officials offered a detailed look at how the site operates.

Frankie Lumm, an incident response commander with the states Disaster Response Team, testified that the facility was initially intended as a short-term "deportation depot" but has since shifted to long-term detention, with about 1,500 people currently held.

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He described the compound as a series of heavy-duty, aluminum-framed tents designed to withstand hurricane-force winds. The site includes a secured area known as "the wire," surrounded by miles of barbed wire and monitored by hundreds of cameras.

Lumm said detainees are shackled at the hands and feet while being transported to legal meetings and remain shackled to the floor once inside.

He also said writing materials are restricted in housing units because they can be used as weapons.

Mark Saunders, vice president of the Nakamoto Group that oversees legal access operations at Alligator Alcatraz, testified that a "no attorney turned away" policy had been implemented in recent months, though he said he was unsure whether that information was posted for detainees.

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"Reality has changed a little bit because generally we give attorneys the times they request," Saunders testified.

What are attorneys arguing?

Eunice Cho, a senior attorney with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) who represents the plaintiffs, argued that undocumented policies do little to protect detainees' rights if they are not communicated.

"The fact that, for example, detainees don't have things as basic as pens and paper to write down information related to their legal case or even phone numbers of attorneys, that they're reduced to having to write numbers on bed rails with soap in order to collect that information, I think, was pretty chilling," she told The News-Press & Naples Daily News in late January.

Cho has also said that access to attorneys is a legal right, not a privilege, and described the governments shifting explanations as inconsistent.

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During the hearing, state attorney Nicholas Meros argued that all requests from plaintiffs are being met today and that the case should be dismissed.

People gather in front of the access road into the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport to protest the construction of an immigrant detention center in the Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, June 28, 2025. The demonstration was led by Betty Osceola, an activist and a Miccosukee tribe member. A steady stream of trucks were seen going into the location. The location is being referred to as "Alligator Alcatraz."

What happens next?

Chappell did not issue a final ruling on the broader case but made clear that operations at the facility must comply with constitutional standards moving forward.

"Defendants may continue operating Alligator Alcatraz, and ICE may continue to deport illegal aliens. But they must do so by respecting the most basic constitutional rights," Chappell's order states.

The court will review compliance with the order during a scheduled hearing in April.

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The Governors Office, the Florida Division of Emergency Management and ICE did not immediately respond to The News-Press & Naples Daily News' request for comment before publication.

This article originally appeared on Marco Eagle: Absurd  U.S. judge criticizes Florida defense of Alligator Alcatraz
MAPPSVILLE, Va. (WAVY)  The Accomack County Board of Supervisors will continue to fund a service that allows for residents to pick up Hampton Roads TV stations via antenna.

The board made its intentions clear Monday night at the start of the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2027 budget, County Administrator Michael Mason said. Money will be found to keep what is known as the translator television service (TTV) operating.

In service since 1979, TTV allows outlying areas of Accomack County to receive stations such as WTKR, WAVY, WVEC, and WHRO over-the-air. Signals from Hampton Roads television towers can only reach most of Northampton County, according to FCC documents. Using its own transmitter, Accomack County takes a feed from cable and rebroadcasts it from its own tower.

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Originally, Masons budget proposal called for ending the service at the end of this year, as much of the equipment has reached the end of its useful life.

However, resident feedback led the board the change course.

We received two petitions, 110 phone calls and heard from several speakers Monday night, Mason said. The board has sufficient one-time funds to continue TTV, which is one of the last of its kind in Virginia.

Discontinuing TTV would have saved $20,700 annually, according to Mason. However, it is the estimated $130,000 in upgrades Mason said are needed.

A lot of people still use the translator, said Ron Wolff, a former supervisor who spoke at the public hearing. Were so rural, you go down a neck road,  one, it is extremely costly for any kind of broadband service, or streaming service, and the only reception that people have is over the airwaves of the translator. And if they do approve it and spend the money for the upgrade, its just going to make it even better.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
LOS ANGELES, March 31 (Xinhua) -- NASA's Artemis II mission is set to launch Wednesday from the U.S. state of Florida, marking the first crewed mission to the vicinity of the Moon in more than 50 years.

The liftoff is scheduled no earlier than 6:24 p.m. Eastern Time from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Launch teams on Tuesday continued a series of carefully coordinated operations to prepare the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft for the crew's journey around the Moon.

Weather forecasts show an 80 percent chance of favorable conditions at launch time, with potential concerns including cumulus clouds, ground winds and solar activity, according to NASA. The agency, together with U.S. Space Force weather officers, will continue monitoring conditions ahead of liftoff.

As launch approaches, preparations are increasingly focused on crew-related systems, according to NASA. Engineers conducted leak checks on the astronauts' pressure suits inside Orion, ensuring proper airtight sealing and pressure control in the event of cabin depressurization.

The Artemis II mission will send four astronauts on an approximately 10-day journey around the Moon. The crew consists of NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, and Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen. 
A resident in Telford, United Kingdom, experienced firsthand the impact of enforcement, receiving a 1,000 ($1,345) fine in addition to other penalties  a significant win for the environment and the community.

In a press statement, the Environment Agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting local communities by making sure polluters are held accountable. Its case against Brian Anthony Woods, which began in 2019, finally ended in a conviction.

Woods was charged with running a waste operation site without the necessary environmental permit. In 2020, the court had ordered him to remove the waste and not bring in any more.

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In the Environment Agency's press release, an aerial photograph shows a site cluttered with waste materials. Despite repeated checks between 2020 and 2024, much of this waste remained. Woods claimed that he lacked the funds to fully clear the site of waste after his business collapsed.

In August, the Telford Magistrates Court imposed a 1,000 fine on Woods for failing to comply with the earlier order. The fine comes after other penalties, including 100 hours of unpaid community work, 1,470 ($1,977) in costs, and 114 ($153) victim's surcharge.

This case isn't an isolated issue. According to the Environment Agency's survey, the waste industry estimates that roughly 20% of all waste in England is illegally managed. That's approximately 38 million tons of potentially hazardous waste.

Still, it's worth noting that government enforcement is increasing. In Whitehaven, a man was penalized for illegal waste operations. A lessee of a farm in Staffordshire was also fined for using the space as an illegal waste site.

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Improper waste disposal risks contaminating soil, water, and air quality, ultimately leading to adverse health outcomes, as cautioned by the World Health Organization.

It's because of these dangers that the Environment Agency remains steadfast in pursuing individuals and companies who don't comply with regulations.

"Failure to comply with these legal requirements is a serious offense that can damage the environment and harm human health," warned an agency spokesperson, per the press release.

Individuals who want to do more can take local action to protect their own communities. They can also learn how to spot greenwashing to make sure their support goes toward truly responsible companies.

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This case is a reminder that rules protect our neighborhoods  holding polluters accountable keeps communities clean and safe.

Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
A federal appeals court has ruled in the branding spat between two Kentucky businesses claiming to be the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in the state.

The 6th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower district court, finding that claims made by Lexington-based Fresh Bourbon were ambiguous but were not an outright lie, and that Louisvilles Brough Brothers Distillery made no effort to show that consumers were deceived or that their purchasing decisions were influenced.

A Brough Brothers attorney did not immediately reply to a Courier Journal request for comment.

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Attorney Perry Adanick, representing Fresh Bourbon, said he was not sure if Brough Brothers would appeal.

"Fresh Bourbon hopes that this matter is now put to rest once and for all," he said. "Two courts have carefully reviewed the matter, and we believe (as we have all along) that they have reached the right decision."

Victory Global LLC, doing business as Brough Brothers Distillery, sued Fresh Bourbon LLC in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky in March 2021. It claimed the Lexington company was falsely advertising itself by saying it was the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky.

Research barrels of the 1886 Select line of bourbon created by Brough Brothers Distillery in partnership with Kentucky State University, sit in a warehouse at Brough Brothers Distillery in Louisville's Park Hill Neighborhood on Monday, July 7, 2025.

The courts examined the timeline of both Black-owned businesses, which were founded last decade, developed along similar timelines, and originally outsourced distillation before eventually opening their own distilling facilities.

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Brothers Victor, Chris and Bryson Yarbrough organized Victory Global with the Kentucky Secretary of State's office in 2013, though the Brough Brothers Distillery name didnt launch until 2018. Brough Brothers contracted with an Indiana company to distill their bourbon product, which they first sold in 2020.

It wasnt until New Years Eve 2020 that the distillery filled its first barrel of Kentucky bourbon at its own facility in Louisville, having obtained its license the month before.

Lexington-based Fresh Bourbon, owned by Sean and Tia Edwards, countered that it had made bourbon in Kentucky since 2018 through a partnership with Hartfield & Co. Distillery in Bourbon County and sold its first bourbon product in 2020.

It also cited a 2020 resolution from the Kentucky Senate that recognized the company as the first Black-owned bourbon distillery in Kentucky. In 2022, it obtained its license and opened its own Lexington facility.

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The court noted that while Brough Brothers had its own facility and licensing two years before the Lexington company, Fresh Bourbon was involved in the making of its Kentucky-made bourbon two years before the Louisville company.

In short, the challenged statements are ambiguous and could convey a truthful idea under one interpretation of their meaning, wrote Circuit Judge Eric Murphy in a March 26 opinion. Because their truth or falsity depends on how consumers would interpret the message, they cannot qualify as literally false.

To win on a false advertising claim, Brough Brothers needed to prove that Fresh Bourbon made false or misleading statements that were linked to deceiving customers and affecting their purchasing.

Brough Brothers, though, fails to identify any unambiguously false statements that Fresh Bourbon made, so it had the burden to introduce evidence that Fresh Bourbons statements had deceived consumers, Murphy wrote. It made no effort to do so.

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This story has been updated to include additional comments.

Reach growth and development reporter Matthew Glowicki at mglowicki@courier-journal.com or 502-582-4000.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Louisville, Lexington black owned bourbon branding case ruling
The April full moon, known as the Pink Moon, will reach its peak on April 1, but rainy weather in Kentucky could play an April Fools joke on stargazers and make it difficult to see.

April still has treats in store for local astronomy enthusiasts, however, as a meteor shower is set to peak toward the end of the month.

Heres what to know about Kentuckys forecast and the upcoming celestial events.

What date is the full moon in April 2026?

Wednesday, April 1, is the date of the full Pink Moon, according to Astronomy Magazine and NASA.

See moon phases for April 2026

The moon's phases in April are:

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 Full Moon : April 1.

 Last Quarter : April 10.

 New Moon : April 17.

 First Quarter: April 23.

Why is it called the Pink Moon?

A literal pink moon throughout April would be marvelous, but that's not the origin of its name. It comes from the appearance of ground phlox, or "moss pink," which was more prevalent in certain areas of North America around this time, writes the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The full pink moon rises over the skyline of Cocoa Beach, Florida, on April 7, 2020. The name of April's moon comes from the early spring bloom of a wildflower native to eastern North America called Phlox subulata.

Other Native American names for the April full moon

Other names for April's full moon from Native American tribes include the Breaking Ice Moon, Budding Moon, Sucker Moon, and the Moon When the Ducks Come Back.

What time is the full moon in April 2026? When is peak illumination for Louisville?

The full moon should reach peak illumination by around 10:12 p.m. ET on April 1 in the Louisville area, according to Astronomy.com.

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You can check moonrise and moonset times for your zip code by visiting the Old Farmer's Almanac online.

Will the skies be clear in Louisville on April 1, 2026?

The National Weather Service in Louisville predicts an 80-90% chance of precipitation on April 1, as of March 30. There are chances of showers and thunderstorms from before 8 a.m. to after 11 p.m., and temperatures will reach a high of around 80 and a low of about 64.

Lyrid meteor shower peaks in April 2026

The Lyrid meteor shower peaks near the end of April, according to NASA. These "shooting stars" are debris left over from Comet Thatcher. To spot them, astronomers recommend getting away from the bright lights of the city and looking east toward the star Vega, which is part of what's known as the "summer triangle."

The Lyrids will peak April 21-22. An advanced forecast from AccuWeather predicts that skies will be mostly cloudy on April 21 with showers and thunderstorms possible in the afternoon. April 22 is expected to be mostly sunny.

Need help finding planets, stars and constellations? Try these free astronomy apps

The following free astronomy apps can help you locate stars, planets, and constellations.

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What day is the next full moon in May 2026

 May 1: The Flower Moon

John Tufts covers trending news for IndyStar and Midwest Connect. Send him a news tip at JTufts@Gannett.com. Find him on BlueSky at JohnWritesStuff. Reach Marina Johnson at Marina.Johnson@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: April 2026 astronomy events Louisville: Full Pink Moon, Lyrid meteor shower
Iraq is home to ruins from some of the world's earliest civilisations, but teams led by international archaeologists have been forced by drone and rocket attacks in the Middle East war to cut short their expeditions.

Archaeologists told AFP that some of the projects interrupted by the war had been planned for years, but their teams have had to evacuate ancient sites since the United States and Israel attacked Iraq's neighbour, Iran.

Like other countries around the region, Iraq has become engulfed in the war, bringing to an abrupt end a period of nascent stability.

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Iraq's precious archaeological sites, some dating back thousands of years, had for years faced threats ranging from climate change to successive conflicts.

Under normal circumstances, around 60 international teams would have been working on digs, a government official told AFP, but "all of these missions have left Iraq".

- 'Like a musician' -

Adelheid Otto of Germany's Ludwig-Maximilians-University started a long-planned dig at ancient Shuruppak, modern-day Tell Fara, on February 28.

That same day, Israel and the US launched strikes against Iran, sparking a war that has dragged Iraqi armed groups into the fray -- and cutting short Otto's work.

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"We are Near Eastern archaeologists. So that is our work. That is like a musician who can no longer play an instrument," she told AFP.

Her team -- 18 German archaeologists, geologists, geophysical experts and students and seven Iraqi archaeologists -- initially stayed, reasoning travelling the 750 kilometres (460 miles) overland to Turkey was more dangerous.

"After some days we got kind of used to the rockets and drones above our heads," she said.

But Iraqi officials repeatedly urged them to depart, despite their discovery of ancient cuneiform tablets.

"It is impossible" to leave, she told authorities, insisting on staying extra days. "We have to document it. We have to take photos of everything."

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"I told the students you have to work on all the small finds that we have," said Otto, 59, who boasts four decades of experience.

"You never know in any of these countries if you will ever return," she said.

- 'Guarantors' -

Many German institutions had just started relaxing travel restrictions to Iraq after a succession of conflicts, including the 2003 US-led invasion and the extremist Islamic State group.

Now, said Otto, archaeologists once again face being shut out.

Iraq's State Board of Antiquities and Heritage head Ali Obeid Shalgham told AFP Iraqi security forces were the sites' "true guarantors", especially as many are in remote rural areas.

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He said the country is installing so-called protective "blue shields" -- nicknamed "the Red Cross of heritage" -- at archaeological sites.

The presence of foreign teams is "crucial", said Aqeel al-Mansrawi, an Iraqi landscape archaeologist.

"They work to protect heritage through conservation," he said.

He also emphasised the training Iraqi experts receive from foreigners, vital after years of isolation and war.

"We are always training a lot of Iraqi archaeologists and colleagues," said Otto, of the German institute.

"If it would be cut again, it would be terrible," she said.

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Foreign digs must work with Iraqi archaeologists, bringing their international expertise.

Shalgham said the arrangement allows Iraqis "to keep up with global advancements in new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment".

- 'Can't catch a break' -

Chicago University professor Augusta McMahon was in southern Iraq, working at the 6,000-year-old Nippur site, when the war began.

Having worked in the Middle East for almost four decades, this was her third evacuation.

In 2024, she had to leave Iraq, while in 2011, she left Syria.

"We had pressure from a lot of different directions in terms of having to leave," she said, with her eight-person team departing under an Iraqi escort on March 10.

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"It is quite frustrating, along with everything else, I feel terribly bad for [my] Iraqi colleagues," she said.

The war has also rippled beyond the immediate: an initiative to finally return the preeminent Rencontre Assyriologique Internationale (RAI) conference to Iraq was cancelled by the University of Baghdad.

The city last attempted to host the event in 1990, according to the university, but it was scrapped with the Gulf War.

"Now 36 years later, they finally pulled themselves together... and its cancelled again," said McMahon, who was due to be presenting.

"It's like they can't catch a break."

bur-rbu/ser
An armed thief shot and robbed a woman on the city's Northwest Side on Monday night, Chicago police said.

Police said the shooting happened in the Belmont Cragin neighborhood's 5700-block of West Diversey Avenue just before 8 p.m.

An unknown offender approached a 28-year-old woman on the sidewalk, took out a gun, and demanded her belongings, police said.

Police said the suspect took the woman's property, hit her with a pistol and fired shots, striking her in the buttocks and ankle.

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The victim was transported to Loyola Hospital in fair condition.

Area detectives are investigating. Authorities did not immediately provide further information.

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The Artemis 2 astronauts pose for a photograph alongside their zero gravity indicator on March 27, 2026 after arriving at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. | Credit: NASA/John Kraus

The four astronaut's of NASA's Artemis 2 mission arrived in style ahead of their historic moon mission.

What is it?

NASA astronauts Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Reid Wiseman, and the Canadian Space Agency's Jeremy Hansen landed their T-38 jets at the Launch and Landing Facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on Friday (March 27).

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The crew of four landed at KSC shortly before unveiling their zero gravity indicator, "Rise." Zero gravity indicators are small stuffed items that accompany crews into space to serve as a visual signal that they've left Earth's gravity as they begin to float around their spacecraft.

Rise consists of a smiling moon, wearing a cap decorated to resemble Earth, featuring a brim covered in stars.

Rise was designed by second-grader Lucas Ye of Mountain View, California, and was inspired by the iconic Earthrise moment from the Apollo 8 mission, according to a statement from NASA. The agency opened a call for submissions for the Artemis 2 mission's zero-g indicator last year and received over 2,600 submissions from over 50 countries.

Why is it amazing?

NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman and Victor Glover arrive at Kennedy Space Center on March 27, 2026, carrying "Rise," the zero-gravity indicator they will be taking with them on their journey to the moon. | Credit: NASA/Brandon Hancock

Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to lunar space in over 50 years, since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. The flight will test the Orion spacecraft and see the crew carry out experiments that will help NASA prepare for further Artemis program missions.

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The overall goal of the Artemis program is to establish a sustained human presence on the lunar surface, including building permanent moon bases .
This week, NASA is prepared to send four astronauts on a nine-day trip around the moon and back, and Washington has a hand in the historic adventure.

When the Artemis II launches Wednesday evening, a lot of technology from our state will help it launchand equally as importantget the astronauts back home.

41 companies had a part to play on this mission, according to Democratic Senator Maria Cantwells office.

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The Artemis project is our nations return to the moon mission, launching a crew further into space than they have ever been before. The whole program has loftier goals than what started the space race nearly 70 years ago.

Our mission here is to get this technology correct so we can return, land, and build a moon base, Cantwell said.

Cantwell toured two of the companies, L3Harris and Karman Space & Defense, ahead of the launch.

L3Harris has its fingerprints on the early days of space exploration. Its thrusters were put on the Voyager missions, helping carry the billions of miles into interstellar space, decades past when they were expected to fail. John Schnier, L3Harris Vice President of Operations, says that makes it a unique fit for humans return to the far side of the moon.

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[Voyager] has a Redmond thruster on it that still works, Schnieder said. If youre going to put humans on that vehicle and youre going to put them up for an extended period of time in space, Redmond, Washington, and L3Harris is the thruster you want on that vehicle for reliability and safety.

There are dozens of L3Harris thrusters part of the craft that will go to the moon, around, and come back.

Karman helps create the mechanism that launches the parachute to bring astronauts back to the Earth safely. Its one of several components the company built for the mission, according to CEO Jon Rambeau.

It couldnt be more exciting to be a part of this department, Rambeau said. Theres a particular point of pride here for this organization knowing they were able to make a contribution."

Commander Reid Wiseman, pilot Victor Glover, astronaut Christina Koch, and Canadian astronaut Jeremy Hansen are scheduled to lift off on Wednesday around 3:24 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. You can watch the launch live by clicking here.
With a thunderous roar and a blaze of light, NASA successfully launched four astronauts toward the moon, marking the first crewed lunar mission in more than 50 years.

Riding aboard the Orion capsule named Integrity, the crew lifted off within the evening launch window, beginning a historic journey that signals a new era of human space exploration.

Along Floridas Space Coast, thousands of spectators who had gathered near Kennedy Space Center erupted in cheers as the rocket climbed into clearing skies. An earlier afternoon rainstorm had briefly drenched the crowd, but sunshine returned in time for a picture-perfect launch, aided by favorable weather conditions.

(MORE: NASA To Build Weather Centers In Space)

The launch was successfully cleared after resolving a battery issue and an earlier concern involving the rockets flight-termination system.

Photo by Jim Watson / AFP via Getty Images

The Artemis II mission now carries NASA astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and Christina Koch, alongside Canadian Space Agency astronaut Jeremy Hansen, on a 10-day voyage to the moon. (The astronauts won't actually land on the moon this time. That's planned for the Artemis IV mission down the road.)

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Now safely in orbit, the four astronauts will circle the Earth for approximately 25 hours before firing their engines to catapult toward the moon.

(MORE: April Offers These Must-See Skywatching Events)

Just five minutes into flight, Commander Reid Wiseman caught sight of their destination.

We have a beautiful moonrise. Were headed right at it, he said from inside the capsule.

Like the Apollo missions before it, Artemis II will conclude with a dramatic splashdown in the Pacific Ocean. Navy recovery ships will be positioned off the coast of San Diego, where Orion will descend under parachutes and be retrieved, bringing the crew safely home after their journey around the moon and back.

Did You See The Launch?

If you live in Florida or South Georgia, you may have caught a glimpse of the launch this evening as long as clouds didn't block your view!
The Louisiana Department of Education announced the teachers, principals and early childhood leaders who are a step closer to the states overall honors, including three from Ascension Parish.

Shelley Strother, who serves as principal of Galvez Middle School, is one of the principal of the year semifinalists.

Tangi Ambeau Flowers of Little Learner's Preparatory Academy is a finalist for early childhood teacher of the year.

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Jared Smith of Gonzales Middle School is a new teacher of the year finalist in the middle school division.

Finalists for Louisiana teacher and principal of the year will be announced in May, according to the news release.

Overall honorees will be announced for all teacher, principal and leader awards in July during the 20th annual Cecil. J. Picard Educator Excellence Gala.

"Congratulations to each of these exceptional educators, Louisiana State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley said in the release. "They are helping students succeed academically and demonstrating why Louisiana is becoming a national example of what works in the classroom."

This article originally appeared on Gonzales Weekly Citizen: Ascension Parish educators named semifinalist, finalist for Louisiana honors
AP Photo/Alex Brandon

Scott McConnell, a co-founder of The American Conservative, said he felt ashamed and embarrassed for voting for President Donald Trump three times in a row on Monday.

Reacting to the news that Palm Beach International Airport would officially be renamed the President Donald J. Trump International Airport, McConnell wrote, So so ashamed and embarrassed to have voted three times for this person.

So so ashamed and embarrassed to have voted three times for this person. https://t.co/5p8XRArGSi  Scott McConnell (@ScottMcConnell9) March 31, 2026

Asked whether there was any particular moment that pushed him over the edge and prompted him to stop supporting the president, McConnell replied, Iran war.

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Last week, in response to Trumps war against Iran, McConnell urged Vice President JD Vance to attempt to oust Trump using the 25th Amendment.

My advice to Vance: Announce your support of 25th amendment transition. Say Chris Murphy or similar will be veep, wrote McConnell. Announce you will NOT be a candidate in 2028. Use your position, access to the media to explain why this is necessary. Dont resign.

According to the 25th Amendment, Whenever the Vice President and a majority of either the principal officers of the executive departments or of such other body as Congress may by law provide, transmit to the President pro tempore of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives their written declaration that the President is unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office, the Vice President shall immediately assume the powers and duties of the office as Acting President.

The post So Ashamed: American Conservative Co-Founder Says Hes Embarrassed That He Voted for Trump 3 Times first appeared on Mediaite.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

BEIJING, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Tuesday that mediation efforts of the Pakistani side regarding the Middle East tensions are in the common interests of all parties.

Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks in his talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing. During their talks, the two sides exchanged views on current international issues and regional conflicts.

Wang welcomed the visit of the Pakistani side to Beijing for discussion on easing tensions in the Middle East, just after its holding of a quadrilateral foreign ministers' meeting in Islamabad.

He said China supports and looks forward to Pakistan playing a unique and important role in easing the situation and resuming peace talks. This process is no easy task, and Pakistan's mediation efforts are in line with the common interests of all parties, Wang added.

He noted China is willing to make joint efforts with Pakistan to end the hostilities as soon as possible, create opportunities for peace and open the window for peace talks.

On bilateral ties, Wang said this year marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Pakistan, calling on both sides to implement the important consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries and constantly advance the building of a China-Pakistan community with a shared future.

For his part, Dar said the Pakistan-China friendship is precious and deeply rooted in people's hearts, adding that Pakistan is willing to work with China to promote the continuous development of the all-weather strategic cooperative partnership between the two countries.

Dar thanked China for supporting Pakistan's mediation of the situation in Iran, adding that the current conflict has disrupted international energy supplies and caused heavy damage to developing countries.

Noting that solutions can only be found through negotiation, Dar said Pakistan is willing to strengthen communication and coordination with China to push all parties to start peace talks as soon as possible and restore regional peace.

The two sides also put forward a five-point initiative for restoring peace and stability in the Gulf and the Middle East region. 

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, holds talks with Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar in Beijing, capital of China, March 31, 2026. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)
New surveillance video shows the moment a man who was later found dead entered an unlocked patrol car outside of the Azusa Police Station.

The man's family wants answers about what happened and how he ended up dead after he was released from police custody. The Azusa Police Department says many of those answers are still unclear, and it's all part of an ongoing investigation.

Loved ones gathered in Azusa on Friday night to remember the life of a man who was found dead in the back of an out-of-service patrol car parked in front of the Azusa police station.

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The surveillance video released by Azusa police on Monday shows Eric Valencia just as he was released from jail, wandering up to an Azusa PD patrol car parked outside the station, just before 1 p.m. last Monday, March 23.

Over the course of several minutes, the video shows Valencia opening the back door of the SUV, climbing inside and eventually shutting the door behind him. That was the last time police believe Valencia was seen alive.

A still from surveillance video released by Azusa PD shows Eric Valencia getting into the back of a patrol car after being released from custody on Monday, March 23. Azusa Police Department

The cruiser was out-of-service and should not have been left unlocked, according to the police chief.

Several days later, just before 5 a.m. on Thursday, March 26, video shows an officer discovering Valencia in the backseat of the cruiser. Paramedics pronounced him dead at the scene minutes later.

A still from surveillance video released by the Azusa Police Department shows officers discovering Eric Valencia in the back of a patrol car on Thursday, March 26. Azusa Police Department

Valencia had been picked up by Azusa police six days earlier, on Friday, March 20, on suspicion of DUI and felony child endangerment. According to the police chief, Valencia had a blood alcohol level more than twice the legal limit.

A still from surveillance video released by the Azusa Police Department shows Eric Valencia being escorted into the Azusa Police Station on Friday, March 20. Azusa Police Department

Video released by the department shows Valencia being escorted into the station and being processed inside. He was released from custody on Monday, March 23, and video shows him walking out of the police station.

A still from surveillance video released by the Azusa Police Department shows Eric Valencia leaving the Azusa Police Station after being released from custody on Monday, March 23. Azusa Police Department

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His family says they spent days trying to contact him, and even reported him missing to Azusa police.

"There were no signs of major trauma observed on Mr. Valencia, his body. Investigators learned that Mr. Valencia had been reported missing to the Azusa Police Department just hours before his discovery. Investigators also determined that Mr. Valencia had a functioning cellphone with him in the backseat of the patrol unit when he was discovered," Chief Rocky Wenrick said at a press conference.

"They never even called me back. No one at the police department ever called me back to let me know that he was found on Thursday morning. The only phone call I got was from the coroner's investigator to let me know he was already passed," a family member said.

His family says the 37-year-old father lived less than a mile away and had no known medical conditions. They said they will continue to press the police department for answers.

Azusa police say Valencia's cause of death is still under investigation by the medical examiner.
Mar. 30A Beavercreek man was sentenced to prison in a crash that killed a Virginia couple in Xenia Twp. more than three years ago.

Judge Adolfo Tornichio sentenced Carl S. Lindsley, 27, to five years in prison and up to two years of post-release control once he is released, according to Greene County Common Pleas Court records.

The judge also suspended Lindsley's license for the rest of his life.

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Lindsley previously pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated vehicular homicide in January, according to court documents.

Two additional aggravated vehicular homicide charges were dismissed, as well as one count of operating a vehicle under the influence.

On Nov. 22, 2022, Lindsley was driving a 1993 Chevrolet Blazer on U.S. 68 when he hit a 2020 Honda CR-V turning right from Brush Row Road onto U.S. 68, according to a crash report filed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol.

The Chevrolet struck the back left part of the Honda and then crossed the center line and went off the left side of the road, overturning.

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The Honda went off the right side of the road and hit multiple mailboxes before returning to the street and going off the left side of the road.

The Honda then hit the Chevrolet, causing it to overturn again.

Lindsley was traveling at an unsafe speed and had a blood-alcohol level of .204, according to the crash report. The legal limit in Ohio is 0.08.

The report also stated Lindsley tested positive for cannabinoids.

The driver of the Honda, 71-year-old James Dominy, and his wife, 66-year-old Margaret Dominy, both of Chesterfield, Virginia, were taken to Miami Valley Hospital where they died from the injuries.

Lindsley was also transported to Miami Valley Hospital with critical injuries.
NEW BEDFORD  A 31-year-old New Bedford man was arrested on firearm charges following an incident at Vibes Lounge on the night of Monday, March 30. Just before 11 p.m., officers responded to Vibes Lounge, 1669 Acushnet Ave., on a report of a fight possibly involving a firearm, according to a police press release. Upon arrival, officers spoke with a man who said there had been an argument between friends, but that those involved had already left. The man also told officers there was no firearm involved, according to the release.

Life after NBPD: Former New Bedford police chief withdraws POST request, not PI license

A 31-year-old New Bedford man was arrested on firearm charges following an incident at Vibes Lounge on Monday night, March 30.

While checking the establishment, officers entered the mens bathroom and saw a black jacket on the floor. Officers found a Titan Tiger .38 Special revolver inside the jacket, according to the release.

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Water rescue: New Bedford police save man trapped in freezing water

Security camera footage revealed the man they had spoken with entered the bar with the firearm in his right hand and placed it on a shelf behind the bar. A short time later, police said, footage showed the man retrieved the firearm, attempted to place it in his jacket, walked alone into the bathroom, then exited without the jacket, according to police.

The man does not possess a Massachusetts License to Carry, according to the release. He was placed under arrest and charged with carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without an FID card.

How to submit a tip to police

The release states that those wishing to provide information to police anonymously can call 508-99-CRIME or visit the New Bedford Police website and submit a tip.

This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: New Bedford man charged with carrying gun without a license at Vibes
FRANKFORT  Democratic Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear has vetoed a bill that critics say would block Kentuckians from suing pesticide companies for failing to warn of their products hazards.

Beshear called it dangerous for Kentuckians and something that flies in the face of making America healthy.

Beshear in his Tuesday veto message said Senate Bill 199, sponsored by Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, would slam the door shut on citizens access to courts to seek damages from the makers of these pesticides if the product simply has the warning label approved by the federal Environmental Protection Agency.

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These labels do not warn consumers of the risks of using these pesticides, such as possible chronic disease risks like leukemia, non-Hodgkin lymphoma, or other cancers and chronic diseases. They are not enough to allow corporations to escape legitimate lawsuits over their failure to warn, Beshear said.

Advocates for SB 199 include farm industry groups, who argue the bill ensures farmers have crop protection tools available to them amid litigation over those lawsuits. In particular, the company that makes the herbicide Roundup has faced thousands of lawsuits from people who claim it caused their cancer. The World Health Organizations International Agency for Research on Cancer in 2015 found the herbicide was probably carcinogenic.

The bill had passed through the legislature with bipartisan opposition, and an amendment had narrowed its scope to apply only to pesticides used in agriculture. A Republican co-chair of the legislatures Make America Healthy Again Kentucky task force strongly opposed the bill in the Kentucky House of Representatives.

Beshear in his veto message referenced his time as the states attorney general enforcing consumer protection laws, saying SB 199 leaves it to the federal government  the same federal government that approved misleading labels for opioids that destroyed Kentuckians lives  to approve warning labels for products on Kentucky shelves.

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The Republican supermajorities in the GOP-controlled legislature can override a gubernatorial veto with a simple majority in each legislative chamber, and the Kentucky Senate on Tuesday promptly overrode Beshears veto of SB 199.

Howell, the bill sponsor, in a statement said the Senate overriding the veto reaffirmed our commitment to Kentuckys agriculture community and a commonsense approach that protects both agriculture and public health by relying on EPA guidance for pesticide use.

This story was updated with a statement from Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray.
A measure that seeks to overhaul Nashville Electric Services board of directors was revived on March 31 after being deadlocked in a House committee.

Republican leadership proposed House Bill 2418 as a rejoinder to NES failure to prevent extended outages that left tens of thousands without power for more than a week in Nashville.

The bill failed in the House State and Local Government Committee last week in a vote of 9 to 9 with 3 present not voting. But on March 31, House sponsor Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon, amended House Bill 2592 with identical language, and the committee passed it in a vote of 12 to 9, with bipartisan opposition.

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We killed this bill last week, and for you to bring it back is disingenuous, Rep. Vincent Dixie, D-Nashville.

This has statewide implications, he added. Nobody else statewide has been complaining about this until this happened. We had a hiccup, it happens, you learn from you move on, but doesnt mean that we have to change the way that we do business just because you don't like it.

House Bill 2592 now goes to the House Finance Subcommittee. A companion Senate Bill was referred to the Commerce and Labor Committee and has not yet been considered, but the committee has closed for the year.

Three Republicans joined the six Democrats last week voting against the bill: Michelle Carringer, R-Knoxville, Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, and Rick Eldridge, R-Morristown. Three voted present: John Crawford, R-Bristol, Dennis Powers, R-Jacksboro, and Iris Rudder, R-Winchester. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, was present during discussion on the bill but did not cast a vote.

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On March 31, Reps. Todd Warner, R-Chapel Hill and Rick Eldridge, R-Morristown, were the two Republicans to vote against the measure. Carringer, Crawford, Powers, and Rudder all supported the measure on March 31.

A utility line sags along Concord Road during a massive winter storm moving across the region Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026, in Brentwood, Tenn. A state of emergency is in place for the state as residents cope with power outages, ice and freezing temperatures.

The bill would require city-owned electric utilities in Nashville, Knoxville and Chattanooga to add board members from each county they operate in with 3,500 or more ratepayers. If board members from surrounding counties would outnumber the home county, board members from the home county could be appointed to constitute a simple majority.

More: TN bill may overhaul power boards in Nashville, Knoxville, Chattanooga

It gives some representation to municipally-owned power companies to ratepayers outside of city limits, said bill sponsor Rep. Clark Boyd, R-Lebanon.

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Between 12% and 15% of NES ratepayers live outside Davidson County. Brentwood City Commissioners recently passed a resolution requesting a board seat to allow representation of Williamson County residents.

Cody Williams with "The Real Tree Man" helps clear tree debris on Benjamin Street in East Nashville on Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. Tennessee residents are dealing with ice, power outages and freezing temperatures after a winter storm moved through the state.

During the House State and Local Committee hearing last week, Nashville representatives asked Boyd whether he thought the proposal offered fair representation.

So four board members are going to represent 12% of ratepayers, and five board members are going to represent 88% of the ratepayers? Do you think thats fair? asked Rep. Bo Mitchell, D-Nashville.

I like to think of it as 100% of the board members will represent 100% of the ratepayers, Boyd responded.

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Mitchell recalled the legislatures response to other natural disasters.

When we had a disaster in East Tennessee, a hurricane, we saw everyone up here come together and reach out a helping hand. When we saw a flood in Waverly, Tennessee, we saw everybody up here in the General Assembly come together, in fact, me and my Davidson County colleagues went down to help," Mitchell said.

"But when we have a natural disaster in Davidson County, all we get is a foot  and see how much you can kick us," he added.

NES crews work on restoring power after a tree fell across Bluefield Avenue in Nashville, Tenn., Sunday, Jan. 25, 2026. A winter storm brought snow and ice to Middle Tennessee starting on Saturday.

Carringer and Martin questioned Boyd about how the bill would impact boards in Knoxville and Chattanooga.

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Dixie last week called the bill a knee-jerk reaction.

In Davidson County, weve already seen the state try to reduce the seats that we have on our boards, and in this case we want to increase it, Dixie said. This is going to be a tremendous shockwave throughout Tennessee if this gets passed.

Sexton called NES response a total disaster last month, calling for the entire executive team to be replaced.

Vivian Jones covers state government and politics for The Tennessean. Reach her at vjones@tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Bill to overhaul NES, KUB, EPB boards revived in House committee
Two proposals to allow New Hampshire utilities to take a more active role in producing power for the grid were endorsed by their respective chambers last week.

The bills are among others put forward this session as a way to bring down New Hampshires high energy costs. But what they propose has polarized lawmakers and energy experts: While some say the move would reduce costs by incentivizing the development of flexible power in New Hampshire, others say it would restore a partial power-market monopoly to utilities, sending bills soaring higher.

Senate Bill 447, from prime sponsor and Nashua Republican Sen. Kevin Avard, includes a package of energy proposals, including one that would open the door for utilities to own advanced nuclear reactors up to 300 megawatts in capacity. It passed by voice vote on the Senate floor Thursday.

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Meanwhile, House Bill 1775, from prime sponsor and South Hampton Republican Rep. JD Bernardy, proposes allowing utilities to own fossil fuel and nuclear generators, though it also includes a 5 megawatt cap. It passed the full House for the second time Thursday, 198-153.

Each bill will now cross over to the other chamber for hearings, debate, and at least one more vote. Debate so far has touched on the history of how power is produced and sold in New Hampshire, and whether changing that paradigm will help or hurt ratepayers wallets.

Utilities were barred from owning the means of power generation in New Hampshire beginning in 1996, after the construction of Seabrook Station nuclear power plant, initially a project of Public Service Company of New Hampshire (now Eversource), went billions over budget.

Ratepayers were left with that bill. So the idea to separate public utilities from potentially expensive generation projects was intended to take the business risk associated with facilities like that off the backs of ratepayers, residential ratepayers in particular, said New Hampshire Consumer Advocate Donald Kreis, commenting on HB 1775 earlier this month.

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The proposal would amount to walking back restructuring and letting the utilities rebuild their vertically integrated public utility empires, he said then.

During floor debate on the bill last Thursday, Lebanon Democratic Rep. Thomas Cormen said, This bill moves the risk back to the ratepayers.

If utilities are allowed to build generators, they can recover the cost through the rates charged to New Hampshire ratepayers. Cormen said this guaranteed cost recovery would allow utilities to enter the power supply market without risk, giving them an unfair advantage and adding a burden to ratepayers.

But advocates for both HB 1775 and SB 447 say utilities are already allowed to own some generation from renewable sources under 5 megawatts in size, such as moderate wind or solar arrays. (The only utility that has, so far, taken the state up on that is Unitil, which owns a 4.9 megawatt solar array in Kingston.)

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Critics of wind and solar argue they are intermittent sources of power that rely on environmental conditions, as opposed to gas or nuclear, which are referred to as dispatchable, meaning they operate on-demand. During floor debate on HB 1775, Rep. Carol McGuire, an Epsom Republican, said electric rates were rising because the regional power supply was becoming less reliable overall as the resource mix evolves.

But others argue that prioritizing renewable energy is key to lowering costs in the long and short term while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. An analysis released this year by the Union of Concerned Scientists found that offshore wind power, which New Hampshire has taken pains to distance itself from, will help make the New England grid more reliable, particularly on high-use days in winter that tend to coincide with high-wind-speed events like winter storms.

McGuire also said that generating more power locally would reduce transmission costs, something proponents of distributed renewable generation tend to agree with.

But Kreis said allowing utilities to own gas and nuclear generation is far different than allowing them to own wind or solar.

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Nuclear and gas generation is sort of a different animal altogether, he said.

This is not the first time the topic has come up.

SB 447 mirrors the Senates proposed amendment to a House bill from last year, House Bill 710, which failed after the House rejected some of the Senates proposed changes. The amended version of HB 710 also sought to allow utilities to own advanced nuclear resources, including small modular reactors, up to 300 megawatts in capacity.

Thats in line with the projected capacity of the small modular reactor designs currently in development in the U.S., though none are yet approved or commercially available here.

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SB 447 also contends that facilitating more reliable, base-load electricity generation in New Hampshire would help lower rates. As approved by the Senate, the bill also includes measures that would benefit some solar producers, including a proposal to raise the cap on the total amount of projects that can qualify as low-moderate income solar projects in a given year.

It also seeks to extend the ability of utilities to enter into multi-year, rather than shorter-term, energy contracts of up to 20 years, a market change first implemented in 2023. That enabling legislation expired in 2025; SB 447 seeks to extend it through 2040.

The contracts are specific to new generators, or additions to existing generation. The idea was initially billed as a way to support the development of new renewable energy projects and stabilize consumer prices by allowing utilities to lock in contracts with new generators, according to reporting at the time from InDepthNH.

On Thursday, Sen. Cindy Rosenwald, a Democrat from Nashua, said she was worried that long-term contracts would harm ratepayers by locking them into unfavorable terms if market conditions change unexpectedly.

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If New Hampshire enters into a bad deal, ratepayers will be stuck for decades, she said, comparing such a circumstance to the prolonged impact of Seabrook Station on ratepayers.

But Sen. David Watters, a Democrat from Dover, advocated for the bills passage.

By extending the enabling legislation and adding advanced nuclear to the types of power sources that utilities could use it to pursue, the bill reflects a productive, a proactive strategy to stabilize energy prices and increase energy reliability in our state, Watters said.

Both HB 1775 and SB 447 will now receive hearings and debate in the next chamber.
Last week, it took a group of thieves just three minutes to steal three paintings by Renoir, Cezanne, and Matisse from a small Italian museum.

The looted paintings are worth an estimated ten million dollars.

Retired Boston FBI Agent Geoffrey Kelly spent much of his law enforcement career investigating art theft, including the infamous unsolved Gardner Museum Heist in Boston.

Small museums getting robbed is a fairly common occurrence. Unfortunately, this is another example of it, Kelly said.

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Kelly believes the Italian heist was a simple smash-and-grab.

Do you think its unlikely theres some mastermind art collector out there who had a shopping list and sent these guys into that museum? Boston 25s Bob Ward asked.

Im quite confident it was not, what we call a Dr. No scenario, Kelly said.

But if the thieves were looking for a quick score, Kelly tells me they are in for a brutal reality check.

If you are counting on (collecting) ten percent which we say is a kind of the Black Market value, a million dollars for an evenings work isnt bad. But the reality is youre not going to get a million dollars for it because there is no market. And thats kind of the lament of the new art thief, Kelly said.

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Kelly believes thats what happened to the Gardner Museums stolen artwork, and why it hasnt been recovered.

Geoffrey Kellys new book, Thirteen Perfect Fugitives, details the frustrating investigation.

They unwittingly committed the heist of the century, and now they are stuck with these things. And over time (the Gardner art) became more of a liability than any possible benefit, Kelly told me.

The Italian heist comes only five months after a major heist at the Louvre in Paris, France.

Kelly believes the back-to-back heists should put all museums on notice.

You can expect to see more of this, Kelly said. Whether its successful or not there are guys thinking, Hey thats a pretty good idea even though its a terrible idea.

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In Boston, thirty-six years after the Gardner Heist, the Museum is offering a $10 Million Reward.

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State police confirmed to Boston 25 Monday that theyve responded to two similar incidents of stolen vehicles this month stemming from Logan Airports central parking.

Brendon Byrnes, a Boxborough father, said his car was stolen during his trip to St. Lucia in late March.

He told Boston 25 he parked and flew out with his wife and three children from Logan Airport on March 20th. When they returned, he said, his car was missing from his spot in the garage.

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I knew something was wrong, he said.

Byrnes snapped a photo of his parking spot before taking off on March 20th. He said he was certain his car had been taken from the spot.

With the low ceiling in that place, it would be very difficult to tow, he said. It was pretty obvious to me it was stolen.

According to Byrnes, the parking office had no record of the car being towed. He said security drove his family around central parking to search for the truck  but it was nowhere to be found.

He added, Its past midnight. I have my wife and three young kids, and we had to go to the state police and make a report.

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Byrnes said hes been in contact with state police. He claimed a detective combed through surveillance inside central parking and found his car being driven out roughly 36 hours after it was parked.

They went through the gates by following another car, and just went right underneath the gate, Byrnes added. I never thought itd be possible. They have gates, they should have security.

State police confirmed that theyre actively investigating the incident.

A spokesperson also said a similar incident occurred earlier this month.

They wrote:

On March 7, State Police Logan patrols were notified of a male party reporting his truck was stolen from the Central Parking Garage sometime between March 4th and March 7th. The male stated his truck was equipped with a GPS tracker and dash camera and that he tracked the trucks location via an iPad that was left inside it. The vehicle was later located by police in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. It was subsequently towed back to their police station until the owner could make arrangements to retrieve it. F Troop Detectives will be conducting a follow-up investigation.

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Byrnes finished, I did everything right, and, Im not sure, because of some failure in the system, thats how a car can get out and no one notice it. Im at a loss.

State police could not yet say if this was considered a growing trend.

Boston 25 reached out to MassPort for a statement on the incident. They directed us to state police.

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The time is almost here.

Buc-ee's, the widely popular Texas-based gas station chain, is scheduled to open its first-ever Ohio location in Huber Heights, about 65 miles away from Cincinnati. And the opening date is nearly here (after some slight delays).

Here's when you can get your hands on some beaver nuggets and brisket.

When does Buc-ee's first Ohio location open?

Ohio's first-ever Buc-ee's is slated to open Monday, April 6, at 6 a.m., Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore announced in a Jan. 20 Facebook post.

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"Their doors will never close after that!" Gore wrote.

Where is Ohio's first Buc-ee's?

The store is located at the intersection of State Route 235 and Interstate 70 in Huber Heights, Ohio.

Why was the opening date for Ohio's first Buc-ee's delayed?

Ohio's first-ever Buc-ee's is slated to open Monday, April 6, at 6 a.m. The store is located at the intersection of State Route 235 and Interstate 70.

Buc-ee's grand opening in Ohio comes after several delays. An initial opening date was scheduled for December 2025, but unfavorable weather pushed the project back approximately six months.

A legal dispute between the city of Huber Heights and Clark County over which party should provide sewer and water services to the future site then delayed construction by about three weeks, according to Huber Heights Mayor Jeff Gore.

Why is Buc-ee's so popular?

A quick list of fan favorites includes:

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Popular Buc-ee's food items include brisket sandwiches, beef jerky and Beaver Nuggets.

Between the food, Buc-ee's merchandise and its squeaky-clean bathrooms, the average visit to a Buc-ee's store is about "30 minutes or more," Jeff Lenard, vice president of strategic industry initiatives at the National Association of Convenience Stores, previously told USA TODAY.

Many of the stores offer non-ethanol gasoline, charging stations for electric vehicles and car washes.

Contributing: George Petras and Jennifer Borresen.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: When does Buc-ee's open in Ohio? The date is around the corner
NEED TO KNOW

Tyler Robinson's lawyers are arguing in a new court filing that the ATF has been unable to conclusively link the bullet used to kill Charlie Kirk to a rifle "allegedly tied" to their client

Robinson's attorneys are seeking to delay a preliminary hearing currently scheduled for May

Robinson is accused of being the shooter who killed Kirk at an event at Utah Valley University

Lawyers for Tyler Robinson, the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk, argue in a new court filing that authorities have been unable to link the bullet that killed the conservative activist to a gun "allegedly tied" to their client.

The claim is found in a motion to delay an upcoming preliminary hearing scheduled for May, during which a judge will decide whether the case will proceed.

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Robinson's defense team claims that an Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms (ATF) summary report indicated that the agency "was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson."

"Although the State has not indicated an intent to produce this report at the preliminary hearing, the defense may very well decide to offer the testimony of the ATF firearm analyst as exculpatory evidence," the filing states.

"In order to make this determination, it is necessary for the defense and its firearm expert to review the ATF case file and protocols relating to this examination, which have not yet been provided," it continues. "The State has also indicated that the FBI is in the process of conducting a second comparative bullet analysis, as well as a bullet lead analysis, but that these analyses are not yet complete."

Robinson is accused by authorities of killing Kirk while he was speaking at a Turning Point USA event on the campus of Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah on Sept. 10, 2025.

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Kirk was killed by a bullet fired from more than 100 yards away. A multi-day manhunt ensued, culminating in the arrest of Robinson, who authorities said was suspected by a family member, who subsequently alerted a friend.

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Robinson has been charged with multiple felonies, including aggravated murder. He has not yet entered a plea.

Prosecutors have said they intend to seek the death penalty.

Read the original article on People
MAPUTO, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Chinese Embassy in Mozambique on Tuesday launched a short video contest at Eduardo Mondlane University in Maputo, capital of Mozambique, marking the start of activities for the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in Mozambique.

Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Mozambique Zheng Xuan highlighted the growing role of new media in fostering cross-cultural communication, saying that short videos, with a vivid and accessible format, have become an important tool for sharing stories and connecting people across borders.

It is hoped that China and Mozambique will carry forward their traditional friendship and strengthen exchanges and mutual learning between civilizations, said Zheng.

As a key activity under the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges in Mozambique, the contest invites Mozambican participants to document stories of friendship, cooperation, and cultural interaction between the two countries.

According to the organizers, submissions are open to Mozambican citizens, including those who have studied, worked, or engaged with China.

Manuel Guilherme Junior, rector of Eduardo Mondlane University, described the event as an important step in promoting cultural exchanges between Africa and China.

Highlighting the role of youth, he encouraged Mozambican students to actively participate in the contest by sharing their experiences of friendship, cooperation, and cultural exchanges with China.

"Many of our students have had opportunities to study in China and have rich stories to tell. This competition will provide a valuable platform to showcase those experiences," he added. 
Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff, has halted a contentious investigation into a alleged voter fraud that has drawn opposition from the states attorney general.

The move marks a major reversal for Bianco, a prominent Donald Trump supporter who is one of the top two Republican candidates running for the governorship of California.

We are on hold because of the politically motivated lawsuits and court filings, Bianco said in a statement, according to ABC 10 News.

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Bianco has spearheaded a lone wolf investigation for months into allegations that votes were unlawfully cast in last years election that resulted in the passage of Proposition 50.

The proposition, championed by Gavin Newsom, the governor, allowed the state to gerrymander congressional districts in favor of Democrats, in response to similar changes in Republican-dominated states such as Texas.

A group called the Riverside Election Integrity Team, comprising local residents, says that there is a difference of 45,896 votes between the final vote tally and handwritten records of hand-counted tallies in the county.

Local electoral officials have dismissed those concerns, saying the citizen group misunderstood how to interpret the raw data, including the lack of precision of hand-counted tallies. According to state officials, the actual difference was only 103 votes.

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Bianco recently seized more than 650,000 ballots from the election, over the objections of state officials.

Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, asked the state supreme court on Friday to stop Biancos investigation, arguing Bianco did not have the legal authority to seize the ballots. The petition described the seizure as an unprecedented constitutional emergency, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Biancos ballot seizure and maverick investigation also face a lawsuit filed by UCLAs Voting Rights Project.
A bombshell claim in the case against Tyler Robinson, who is accused of assassinating conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year, has social media buzzing.

According to multiple reports, documents in the case claim the bullet used in the assassination does not match the rifle that has been tied to Robinson.

TMZ reported that Robinsons defense team is arguing that there is a discrepancy between the ballistic evidence and the weapon prosecutors say is connected to him.

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Marjorie Taylor Greene shared a headline from the Daily Mail reporting the claim and replied with an eyeball emoji. Greene posted again on X, writing, The ATF could not match the bullet to Tyler Robinsons gun and when the news breaks the sheriff resigns.

Washington County Sheriff Keith Brooksby did resign Monday after 30 years in law enforcement after meeting with the commissioners office to address a few different allegations.

There is no evidence that is tied to the Kirk assassination case, though.

The former Congresswoman from Georgia was not the only person talking about the claim from Robinsons defense team.

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This is not a minor evidentiary dispute, Brian Allen wrote on X. If the bullet doesnt match the gun  the prosecutions case has a fundamental problem.

Where are all my neocons who have been overwhelmed by the non existent evidence against Tyler Robinson? Candace Owens wrote. You should all be ashamed of yourselves. Hope the money was worth it.

There were plenty of wild conspiracy theories being kicked around social media, too.

Kirk, 31, a polarizing but popular conservative activist, was shot and killed while speaking at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10, 2025.

Robinson was arrested a short time later, and is facing multiple charges including aggravated murder and felony discharge of a firearm causing serious bodily injury.

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Filipino and Mexican American farmworkers united in 1965 to strike against California grape growers, under the stewardship of Filipino labor leader Larry Itliong and one of the founders of the National Farm Workers Association, Cesar Chavez. It was a pivotal moment that has been highlighted in books, monuments and even a stage musical.

In the wake of recent allegations that Chavez sexually abused young women and girls in the labor rights movement, Filipino Americans  including descendants of the striking workers  are navigating how to celebrate this historic chapter moving forward.

Filipino groups have canceled plans to march on Cesar Chavez Day, which was Tuesday. Multiple states, cities and counties moved swiftly to rename the day Farmworkers Day. In California, the occasion is a recognized state holiday. State government offices and some local government offices were closed for the day.

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Advocates want to rename the March 31 celebration to focus on Filipino and Chicano farmworkers, particularly women, while acknowledging the survivors of Chavez's abuse.

We really need to kind of center this trauma of women and sexual abuse, said Dillon Delvo, executive director of Little Manila Rising, a longtime Filipino community hub in Stockton, California. Its definitely what the discussion needs to be.

How Filipino immigrants came to work on US farms

When the U.S. exerted colonial rule over the Philippines from 1898 to 1946, many Filipinos studied English and were authorized to immigrate to America. From the 1920s to the 60s, tens of thousands of Filipinos joined the U.S. agricultural workforce, working on farms and in factories and canneries, primarily in the West. The first wave of men  who arrived from the Philippines' Ilocano-speaking region  were known as manong, an affectionate term for older brother.

Many Filipino farmworkers suffered discrimination in the form of inferior wages, shabby housing and poor working conditions, just so they could earn money to send home. They also weathered loneliness since few Filipino women immigrated and anti-miscegenation laws prohibited marrying outside their race.

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By the 1960s, Filipino farmworkers had formed the Agricultural Workers Organizing Committee to plan labor strikes.

It came out of necessity and desperation to protect themselves, to try to live in dignity, said Dennis Arguelles, Southern California director for the National Parks Conservation Association. The region Arguelles, who is Filipino, monitors includes monuments to Filipino farmworkers and Chavez.

Filipino organizers take strike initiative

Itliong and fellow organizer Philip Vera Cruz led the Committee to vote on Sept. 8, 1965, to strike against grape growers in Delano, California. They demanded to be paid at least the federal minimum wage. Itliong, the more fiery union leader, called Chavez who  along with Dolores Huerta  headed the then-named National Farm Workers Association.

Chavez was hesitant to strike, Arguelles said. You didnt feel like the National Farm Workers Association was ready to take on these powerful agribusiness interests. These business structures were very effective in pitting different ethnicities against each other to break strikes.

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A week later, they officially joined forces as the United Farm Workers. The Delano grape strike lasted five years and rocked the industry, ending in collective bargaining agreements for thousands of laborers.

The popular narrative around Itliong's leadership has almost always been attached to Chavez, as they appear together in textbooks, historical exhibits and murals around California.

The allegations against Chavez have sparked warnings against elevating  even deifying  historical figures.

There always seems to be a need to be like a main character, Delvo said. But the problem is that is not what a union is about.

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It's also revived debate about Chavez overshadowing others in the labor movement.

Maybe this is our opportunity to tell a more accurate and comprehensive narrative of what took place, Arguelles said I see that as being a positive thing.

Last week, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors at a public meeting took steps to rename Cesar Chavez Day as Farmworkers Day. Some suggested moving the holiday to Sept. 8 to honor striking Filipino workers. Itliong's 60-year-old son, Johnny, said Chavez had tried to erase the history" of how the Delano strike began.

Ive spent my whole life speaking up for my father and his generation of men and women who fed America, Itliong said at the meeting.

Focus on the women

Larry the Musical: An American Journey, a musical about the Filipino farmworkers movement, refers to Chavez only once, in a scene when Itliong calls him. The producers also made sure the story included the women in Itliong's life. Recent events have reaffirmed the importance of that creative decision.

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From the beginning, we have always centered this musical on the women of the community as those who keep Larry and the community accountable, and the ones who pass on knowledge to the next generation, co-producers Gayle Romasanta and Bryan Pangilinan said in a statement.

Vernadette Gonzalez, an ethnic studies professor at University of California, Berkeley, said educators should seize the chance to herald the unsung heroes of the Filipino farmworkers movement. For example, Hispanic female members of the United Farm Workers were busy raising their families and preparing food for meetings.

Nobody's crediting them in the minutes of the meeting, Gonzalez said. Who's missing from the story? In the United Farmworkers movement, folks will say Its Larry Itliong and the Filipino farmworkers.' But I would also say Where are the women?
NEED TO KNOW

A young child in Brookville, Kan., allegedly fired a shotgun, striking two siblings and killing one of them Saturday afternoon, according to the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office

Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to a home where a caller reported two children had been severely injured

Authorities attempted life-saving measures but a 5-year-old girl was pronounced dead at the scene, while her 8-year-old brother was flown to a Wichita hospital where he remains in critical condition

A young child in Kansas allegedly fired a shotgun, striking two siblings and killing one of them over the weekend, according to authorities.

Around 3:15 p.m. Saturday, March 28, a caller from a Brookville residence south of the intersection of Kansas Highway 141 and Ave. N, reported two children had been severely injured in a shooting, the Ellsworth County Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

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Sheriffs deputies, Kansas Highway Patrol troopers, Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks game wardens and emergency medical responders went to the home and rendered aid to a 5-year-old girl and an 8-year-old boy, per the statement.

According to the sheriff's office, they attempted life-saving measures but the girl was pronounced dead at the scene. Her older brother was flown to a Wichita hospital, where he remains in critical condition.

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Preliminary information indicates that the young child  whose age has not been disclosed  picked up a loaded, unsecured shotgun and fired, shooting the two children, authorities said.

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The sheriff's office declined to release further information citing an ongoing investigation. The agency said when the investigation concludes, the findings will be presented to the Ellsworth County Attorney's Office.

Read the original article on People
Pakistan and China issued a five-point initiative on Tuesday to restore peace and stability in The Gulf and Middle East region, calling for an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"China and Pakistan call for immediate cessation of hostilities and utmost efforts to prevent the conflict from spreading," said a statement issued following high-level talks in Beijing.

Pakistani Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar is in Beijing where he met Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss the peace process and the role Islamabad is playing in ending a raging war in the Middle East.

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"China and Pakistan support the relevant parties in initiating talks, with all parties committing to peaceful resolution of disputes, and refraining from the use or the threat of use of force during peace talks," the statement said.

Both the countries called for the protection of civilians, non-military infrastructure and security of the shipping lanes, the Strait of Hormuz and adjacent waters.

On Sunday, Pakistan said it was ready to host talks between the US and Iran after top diplomats from the region discussed the prospects of peace amid a push to bring the two sides closer to the negotiating table.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced changes to its Sunday meeting services, including having shorter but more meetings each Sunday.

On Monday, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced that it will adjust its Sunday class meeting schedules.

Members of the church are encouraged to attend each and every Sunday for the full meeting time, and regular attendance is typically required for members to participate in temple services and certain ordinances.

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LDS Church to release World Report ahead of general conference, announces more than 1M enrolled in Church education

Previously, each weeks meeting lasted three hours. The first hour was the Sacrament meeting, in which members give talks, administer the sacrament, and gather together. The second hour was Sunday School, which involved religious education, followed by a third hour of smaller quorum or class meetings with age- and gender-specific teachings.

In January 2019, the Church changed its weekly meetings to two hours, with Sunday School and class meetings alternating each week.

Starting September 6, 2026, both Sunday School and class meetings will meet in the second hour of Church each week. Each meeting will last 25 minutes, with brief transitional periods between each period. Sacrament meeting will continue to be 60 minutes.

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Primary, the class for children in the Church, will be 55 minutes long.

Courtesy: Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The Church has stated that this change is meant to support its members in being lifelong disciples and to strengthen gospel learning in homes.

Gathering weekly in every class helps deepen gospel learning by connecting it more closely to personal and family study, said Paul V. Johnson, Sunday School General President.

He added, It also enhances the spiritual support that members get. Though the schedule looks different, the amount of time spent learning together remains the same.

Latest headlines:

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
A "highly mutated" COVID variant that flew under the radar for years has been detected in a growing number of U.S. states, including Ohio, health officials said this week.

The strain, nicknamed "Cicada," had been detected in 25 states as of March 27, according to USA TODAY. The strain accounts for only a small number of cases in the United States, but represents up to 30% in some European countries. Still, the CDC said its monitoring of the spread "provides valuable information" about the strain's potential to infect those who have been vaccinated or immunized from a previous infection.

Starting to feel sick? The Ohio Department of Health offers guidelines on what to do if you test positive for COVID-19, Cicada or otherwise. Learn more about symptoms, prevention and treatment.

Where has Cicada COVID-19 been found?

The Cicada COVID-19 variant has been detected in Ohio and 24 other states, with states in New England and the Eastern Seaboard seeing the most positive tests.

Ohio COVID-19 hospitalizations trending down

Ohio has seen a steady decrease in COVID-19 hospitalizations since a peak at the beginning of January 2026. The state reported 136 hospitalizations for the week ending March 21 (the most recent data available at the time of publication), down from a peak of 857 hospitalizations on Jan. 3, according to the Ohio Department of Health's Respiratory Dashboard.

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Northeast Central Ohio, which includes Stark and Summit counties, and Northwest Ohio, which includes Toledo, have seen the highest number of COVID-19 hospitalizations since the beginning of March 2026, the hospitalization map on the Respiratory Dashboard shows.

What should you do if you test positive for Cicada COVID-19? Ohio Department of Health shares guidance

The Ohio Department of Health advises staying home until youre fever-free for 24 hours without medication and your symptoms are improving.

"Most people with COVID-19 have mild illness and can recover at home, but if you are at higher risk for severe illness, such as those over age 65 and those who are immunocompromised or have a chronic medical condition, talk to your healthcare provider right away, as treatments may prevent you from getting severely ill," ODH stated in an email.

The agency adds that the CDC streamlined its recommendations across respiratory diseases including COVID-19, influenza, and RSV. Core prevention includes staying current with recommended immunizations, washing hands frequently, taking steps for cleaner air, and staying home when sick. Additional prevention strategies such as wearing masks, physical distancing, and getting tested can also further reduce your risk of respiratory illness, the CDC notes.

What are the symptoms of COVID-19?

According to the CDC, common COVID-19 symptoms include:

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Fever or chills

Cough

Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing

Sore throat

Congestion or runny nose

New loss of taste or smell

Fatigue

Muscle or body aches

Headache

Nausea or vomiting

Diarrhea

Individuals with COVID-19 may experience mild symptoms to severe illness that may appear several days after exposure to the virus, the CDC says.

Does Ohio offer free COVID-19 vaccines? How to check

Yes, in some cases. State or local health department immunization programs may offer COVID-19 vaccines, such as the ODH Adult Immunization Program, which provides vaccines to local health departments for uninsured individuals at no charge.

Health Resources and Services Administration-supported health centers provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay with more than 16,000 sites across the country. According to the CDC, most health centers have updated COVID-19 vaccines available and adjust their fees based on income and family size.

What is the COVID variant 'Cicada' (BA.3.2)?

"Cicada" is a nickname given to BA.3.2, a highly mutated COVID-19 variant. It was first detected in a person who did not live in but was traveling to the U.S. from abroad in June 2025 and was nicknamed after the rarely emerging insects because it has largely remained undetected or "underground" since discovery, Dr. Robert H. Hopkins Jr., medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, previously told USA TODAY.The first case in a U.S. patient was diagnosed in January, he said. Between then and the latest available data from Feb. 11, it was detected in wastewater samples from 132 sites across at least 25 states, according to the CDC. The variant was also present in samples from travelers' voluntary nose swabs. Cases began increasing worldwide in September 2025.

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The variant is considered "highly mutated," as its 70-75 mutations make it distinct from the JN.1 lineage, which has been the source of the predominant U.S. strains over the last two years, according to Hopkins.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: What to do if you test positive for COVID 'Cicada' variant in Ohio




A Peninsula school district is bracing for an "urgent, unexpected challenge" tied to the impending closure of a private, tuition-free school founded by Priscilla Chan, the wife of Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

The Primary School, located in East Palo Alto, is slated to close in June 2026. Students are expected to transfer to the Ravenswood City School District, creating a potential enrollment overload, according to the district.

The East Palo Alto school, which enrolls students in preschool through sixth grade, has more than 400 students who will be displaced after the closure.

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Now, the school board is proposing a bond measure on San Mateo County's June ballot to help deal with the 20% jump in enrollment after the Primary School closes.

According to the ballot argument, the district's current buildings won't be able to hold all the new students.

"Hundreds of students will be forced into aging, deteriorating temporary' portables that are decades past their useful life. These deficient spaces lack effective ventilation, are structurally weak, and are not built for students with disabilities," the ballot argument states.

If approved, Measure A would help mitigate the influx of students by allowing more schools to be upgraded or built. The $70 million in bonds would be paid for by increasing property taxes to $27.50 per $100,000 for 27 years.

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The Primary School did not give a clear reason for closing the Palo Alto campus, but it is also closing its other campus in San Leandro.

The Primary School, located in East Palo Alto. (Google Street View)





The closure was a board decision from the Primary School, according to a spokesperson for the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, the couple's nonprofit organization. (The school is separate from the CZI and has its own leadership, the spokesperson said.)

Earlier this year, officials cited the closure as a "difficult decision" and said the CZI will provide $50 million to the nearby communities, such as East Palo Alto, Belle Haven and the East Bay, to help with the transition.

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Of the $50 million, $26.5 million will be allocated toward the Ravenswood City School District, according to a spokesperson from the CZI.

Jenny Bloom, a member of the district's board of trustees, told SFGATE that the bond measure is aimed at helping the long-term needs of the schools.

"We appreciate CZI's investment, which allows us to meet the short-term need, ensuring service for all students stays steady even with the increase in enrollment," Bloom said in an email. "Long-term, we have to think about the generational needs of our community and our facilities and that is why Measure A is on the ballot."

Will Eger, a spokesperson for the district, said district staff doesn't comment on electoral issues but confirmed to SFGATE that the closure of the Primary School will increase the district's enrollment and that the school board voted to approve a bond measure for the upcoming election. The last bond measure for the district was in 2022, when voters approved Measure I, which provided $110 million to renovate three elementary schools.

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Opponents of the bond measure include the Silicon Valley Taxpayers Association, which said the district shouldn't have new classrooms because of declining student performance, the Almanac reported.

"This literally is the worst school district I have ever come across," Mark Hinkle, president of the association, told the news outlet.

According to data from the California Department of Education, approximately 1,449 students are enrolled in the district, and 91.8% of those students come from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds.

Though students in 2025 performed below average for English language arts and math, students improved from the previous year. According to the data, 75% of students improved in English language arts, and 62.4% of students improved in math.

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The Primary School, founded in 2016 by Chan, was created to help underserved communities, specifically families grappling with poverty and inequitable health care, SFGATE previously reported.

The school did not respond to SFGATE's request for comment.



Editor's note: This story was updated at 1:40 p.m., March 31, to correct that the Primary School is in East Palo Alto.

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Sign up for daily SFGATE breaking news alerts here.

This article originally published at Closure of Zuckerberg-backed Bay Area school triggers enrollment overload.
BUCARAMANGA, Colombia (AP)  Colombias army rescued six siblings after they spent three days hiding in the rainforest to avoid being captured by a rebel group in the southwestern province of Caqueta.

Defense Minister Pedro Sanchez said on X that five children and their adult sister were airlifted from a remote location following a precise operation involving helicopters.

Attacking the civilian population, and especially minors is one of the worst inhumane acts, and when you do this repeatedly it becomes a war crime, Sanchez said Tuesday.

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The Defense Ministry said that a rebel group led by Alexander Diaz, a former commander of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, or FARC, was attempting to capture the children after kidnapping their parents.

After the parents escaped captivity last week and sought refuge at a military base, the rebel group threatened to capture their children. In response, the family sent a worker to hide the children in a rainforest near the familys farm in the municipality of Cartagena del Chaira.

The parents shared the children's location with the army, which was able to rescue them in the early hours of Tuesday.

Alexander Diaz, commonly known as Calarca, is one of several former FARC commanders who refused to join a 2016 peace deal with Colombias government.

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He currently leads a group known as the EMBF that is in peace talks with the administration of President Gustavo Petro, and signed an agreement with the government last year in which it had said it would not recruit minors.

The Petro administration has attempted to hold peace talks with Colombias remaining rebel groups under a strategy known as total peace, which has shown few results so far.

According to international observers, groups like the EMBF have used various ceasefires with Colombias military to regroup, rearm and tighten their control over communities.

As rebel groups expand across Colombia, they continue to commit grave crimes against civilians, including kidnapping, forced displacement and the recruitment of children.

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According to UNICEF, the forced recruitment of children by illegal armed groups in Colombia has quadrupled over the last five years. Humanitarian groups have said that these numbers could be an undercount because many families are reluctant to denounce cases of forced recruitment, fearing retribution from rebel groups.

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Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
Cases before the Supreme Court inevitably present hard issues of law and almost always involve questions over matters about which the lower courts have disagreed. But the constitutionality of President Trumps executive order limiting birthright citizenship is an easy question of law and every single judge to rule on it has found it to be unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, the justices will hear oral arguments in Trump vs. Barbara, and even for a conservative court that has repeatedly sided with the president, it is hard to imagine the justices upholding an executive order that is so clearly in violation of historical practice, the text of the Constitution and decided precedents.

When the United States was first established, it followed English law, a system through which everyone born in the country was deemed a citizen. The U.S. Supreme Court tragically departed from this system in 1857 in Dred Scott vs. Sandford, when it held that enslaved individuals were property of their owners and thus were not citizens, even if they had been born in the U.S.

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However, the first sentence of the 14th Amendment, adopted after the Civil War in 1868, was intended to explicitly overrule Dred Scott vs. Sandford and to ensure that [a]ll persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside. Both supporters and opponents of the 14th Amendment shared the understanding that it would automatically grant citizenship to all persons born within the countrys borders, except children of foreign diplomats and invading armies.

In 1898, in United States vs. Wong Kim Ark, the Supreme Court made it explicit that those who are born in the U.S. are automatically American citizens even if their parents are citizens of other countries. The court stated that under English law for more than three centuries, every child born in England to alien parents was a natural born-subject unless the child of an ambassador or other diplomatic agent of a foreign state, or of an alien enemy in hostile occupation of the place where the child was born. The court explained that this was the law among the colonies at the time of the Declaration of Independence and in the U.S. from its inception as a country.

The court was clear that the phrase subject to the jurisdiction thereof was meant to exclude from automatic citizenship only the babies of foreign diplomats or hostile invaders, who are not subject to United States legal authority due to their diplomatic and combatant immunity. Meanwhile, children born in the U.S. are subject to its jurisdiction in every way.

For more than a century it was accepted law that everyone born in this country is counted as a U.S. citizen. But on Jan. 20, 2025, Trump issued his long threatened executive order limiting birthright citizenship. Under it, a child is a citizen only if born to U.S. citizens or those with green cards. Under the Trump executive order children born to parents who are in the country on visas or parents who are undocumented would not be citizens. So, for example, if a student with a valid visa has a baby while living in the U.S., that child is not a citizen.

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Challenges were brought to the Trump executive order in many courts, every one of which declared it unconstitutional. The first to rule was Seattle federal District Judge John Coughenour, who responded, Ive been on the bench for over four decades. I cant remember another case where the question presented was as clear as this one is. This is a blatantly unconstitutional order.

Maryland federal District Judge Deborah Boardman wrote that the Supreme Court has resoundingly rejected and no court in the country has ever endorsed Trumps interpretation of birthright citizenship.

Moreover, even if the Constitution was unclear on this, Trump still would not have the authority to change the 14th Amendment by executive order, which is limited to regulating the conduct of the executive branch of the federal government. This is the president redefining who counts as a U.S. citizen and nothing in the Constitution or federal law gives him the power to do that.

This is a case of profound importance. Once in effect, it would deny citizenship to approximately 250,000 children born in the United States each year. It would leave most of these children without citizenship in any country. Moreover, as the American Civil Liberties Union says in its brief, the Supreme Courts accepting the Trump administration argument would cast a shadow over the citizenship of millions upon millions of Americans, going back generations.

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Conservative justices constantly say the Constitution should be interpreted based on history and its text and its original meaning. All of these sources make the Trump executive order on birthright citizenship unconstitutional. The Supreme Court decision should be unanimous in striking it down.

Erwin Chemerinsky is the dean of the UC Berkeley Law School.

If its in the news right now, the L.A. Times Opinion section covers it. Sign up for our weekly opinion newsletter.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
TUNIS, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Tunisian Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohamed Ali Nafti met on Monday with Nabil Assaf, representative of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Tunisia, to discuss deepening bilateral cooperation and food security, said a ministry statement.

Nafti emphasized the strategic importance of Tunisia's partnership with the FAO in boosting national and regional food security.

He urged greater focus on integrating modern technologies and improving specialized training to tackle challenges like climate change, health crises, and conflicts.

Assaf reaffirmed the FAO's commitment to supporting Tunisia's food security and sustainable development efforts, highlighting Tunisia's valuable expertise in enhancing the FAO's regional impact. 
Sen. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) is calling for generational renewal within the Democratic party as speculation about his own presidential aspirations is heating up once again.

Appearing on NBCs Meet the Press Sunday, Booker offered blunt criticism of his own party during a lengthy discussion of his new book, Stand. When asked about a segment in the book in which he argues Democrats have become quick to cancel everyone who fails a purity test, the lawmaker did not hold back.

Politics: Cory Booker Scolds Trump For Entering U.S. Into Iran War With No Foreseeable Off-Ramp

Im proud of so many things that my Democratic colleagues are doing. But as a whole, our party has failed this moment, he explained. Its why Ive called for new leadership in America. Ive called for a generational renewal, because this left-right divide is killing our country, and our adversaries know it.

Watch a clip of Cory Bookers Meet the Press appearance below.

Like this article? Keep independent journalism alive. Support HuffPost.

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Booker went on to stress the significance of a new vision of our country thats far more uniting than the present one, given that the real challenges both Democrats and Republicans face with regard to technology and the economy will exist long after President Donald Trump has left office.

Our ability to find common ground has always been our greatest hope, he said, after noting that Trump shouldnt be the main character of our narrative right now.

Politics: GOP Pollster Makes Startling Prediction After Cory Bookers History-Making Speech

Bookers remarks come as numerous polls have shown widening partisan divides on foreign policy and other issues. A survey published by The Associated Press and the NORC Center for Public Affairs Research last week, for instance, found that nine in 10 Democrats believe the recent military action in Iran has gone too far, while 52% of Republicans say its been about right.

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Elsewhere in his Meet the Press appearance, Booker said he was definitely not ruling out the prospect of running for president in 2028 after failing to secure his partys nomination in 2020. At the moment, however, hes focused on his reelection campaign this fall.

And when confronted with an archival video of himself jokingly proclaiming he loved Trump before the 2016 election, he noted, Im a Christian, and my faith is very clear: love your enemies, love your adversaries. Never let somebody pull you so low as to hate him. That doesnt mean I wont fight him with ferocity.

Related...

Read the original on HuffPost
A Texas judge is facing the wrath of social media users across the country after a video of the magistrate berating a courtroom IT worker went viral this week.

In the clip, a frustrated Harris County Judge Nathan Milliron is being helped by a court IT technician over an apparent tech issue.

OK, youre good, the worker says. False alarm.

No, it wasnt a false alarm, Milliron shoots back.

Perhaps believing the judge was joking, the IT tech said, False positive, then, and laughed.

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But Milliron, who has reportedly been a civil court judge since January 2025, was having none of it.

Dont joke around, Milliron said, raising his voice. Im serious about this. It was happening.

When the worker said he didnt see the problem Milliron was describing, the judge said, Thank you, get out of my courtroom, before adding, Jesus Christ. Sick and tired of this bullsh*t today.

The clip spread like wildfire on social media, with numerous users weighing in on the rude judge.

One commenter wrote: Watch this pompous, arrogant judge with his elitist attitude berate an IT worker who was trying to help him.

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Another said that Milliron was the perfect example of an a**hole who should NEVER wear that black robe.

Others piled on:

Power-Drunk Harris County, TX Judge

Judge Nathan J. Milliron Snaps on IT Worker in Court. Nothing exposes weak leadership faster than how you treat the guy fixing your problems. The one person there to help gets treated like garbage. pic.twitter.com/T8OfVnJAZ0  Kristin Sokoloff (@ksoklower48) March 30, 2026

how dare he speaks to the IT worker like that. Obviously the judge swore he had a problem, but the IT worker showed that he didn't. It seems it was a one second touch & it still worked well. That the judge wasn't grateful is disgraceful. He should not be the judge of anyone https://t.co/6mgnkEOYYD  Slainte (@slaintedub) March 28, 2026

What a shame you actually became a judge, you ridicule a poor IT worker who was trying to make casual talk because you're so obsessed with yourself you can't handle simple small talk? I hope you're removed  Thomas G (@ThomasSmith246) March 28, 2026

The judge needs get off his high horse. The judge has a degree for his job. Just like the IT worker who has a degree in his line of work. If someone asks for a specialist to help but then gets snotty & think they know more its a clear sign they are ignorant.  FailedForgiven (@FailedForgiven) March 29, 2026

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But hes very important. The IT guy, not so much. That judge will ultimately experience karma one day. Not soon enough but one day. People who treat people like crap for NO reason, always get theirs. In the meantime. Kudos to the worker  Jim (@Jimfromthebx) March 29, 2026

"false alarm" is just a common phrase people use. The judge responded like an insecure child. Honestly those two should switch positions. That IT worker is way more qualified to be a judge.  Spencer (@Spencer8fb) March 30, 2026

I absolutely hate it when people treat IT people like this.. We keep the damn world running.. Abolutely hit my nerve. An arrogant judge with his elitist attitude berate an IT worker who was trying to help him. Harris County, Texas Judge Nathan

Million of the 215th Civil Court  Sean Cormier (@SCormierAZ) March 30, 2026

ABC13 Houston notes that since Milliron is an elected judge, he cannot face discipline for his actions.

But in a statement to the station, the civil courts administrative judge, Judge Rabeea Collier said: We are aware of the concerns raised regarding recent widely circulated footage involving a member of our Civil Division. The conduct of everyone serving in the judicial system must reflect the professionalism, respect, and impartiality that the public rightly expects.

The statement went on: While it would be inappropriate to comment on specific matters that may be subject to review, I want to assure the public that we take these concerns seriously. The Civil Trial Division is committed to maintaining a workplace grounded in respect and to upholding the integrity of the judicial process.



The post Get Out of My Courtroom! Clip of Judge Viciously Berating IT Worker Ignites Trial by Fury on Social Media first appeared on Mediaite.
ORLANDO, Fla.  For thirty years, Julio Varona has built a life in Central Florida, enjoying the special status allowed to Cuban immigrants even though the U.S. government had a standing order to deport him.

Only now, amid high-level talks and heightened tensions between the United States and Cuba, does his deportation seem likely to happen  and advocates worry thousands more Cuban immigrants may be forced to go too, despite deteriorating conditions on the island.

I dont know what is going to happen to me once I get there, Varona said in Spanish.

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Cuban immigrants in Florida, once among the most legally privileged in the U.S., may be forced to relinquish their unique protections and pushed to the forefront of the Trump administrations immigration crackdowns, lawyers and advocates say. Because of his criminal record, Varona could be forced into an early wave of deportees, but there is no reason to think the effort will stop there.

But amid the changes here, many in Central Floridas Cuban community of more than 80,000 believe the communist government is at a breaking point, producing a mixture of dread and hope about the possibility of returning home. A U.S.-imposed oil blockade is putting increasing pressure on the islands leadership, and offering a promise of the transformation in leadership many have longed to see.

Change is coming, said Mel Martinez, a Cuban American former U.S. senator and Orange County mayor who lives in Orlando. Its a brutal way to do it, by denying them fuel they need to run a country, but its the only way they seem to think about this in a way that makes sense.

Varona, an opponent of the islands communist government, filed onto a makeshift raft alongside a handful of others in the 1990s, risking his life and sailing across the waters of the Atlantic Ocean to reinvent his life in Florida. He arrived amid the so-called wet foot, dry foot federal policies at the time, which allowed Cubans  uniquely among all migrants  legal status in the U.S. upon stepping onto American soil.

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His journey was similar to that of many other Cubans.

Martinez left Cuba alone at the age of 16 in 1962 before reuniting with his parents in Orlando, arriving under then-President Lyndon Johnsons policy to welcome Cubans fleeing the Castro regime.

Johnson signed the Cuban Adjustment Act in 1966, a landmark federal law that allowed Cubans in the U.S. for at least one year to apply for a green card. The act still applies today for certain Cubans, but in 2022, following a court decision, the Department of Homeland Security began to hamper recent Cuban arrivals ability to qualify.

Now, Martinez said, That situation has changed pretty dramatically, and now its not easy to come and impossible to enter the U.S. Even more concerning than that is any deportations that might be sending people back to Cuba.

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The court case and the DHS decision signaled a changing tide for Cuban immigrants, said Juan Carlos Gomez, an immigration lawyer and law professor at Florida International University and part of the universitys Cuban Research Institute.

It wasnt so much that Cubans were privileged, it was more that there was a quirk in the diplomatic, political and historical situation, Gomez said. Its a different world now.

Last month the Department of Homeland Security announced 170 Cubans with criminal records had been sent back, marking the first deportations of the year to an island that historically has rejected such deportees. As the situation has evolved, though, the island has become more open to their return.

Varona will likely be on one of those flights next month. In 2000, he was sentenced to 10 years of probation for sexual battery of a minor, but the judge withheld adjudication, meaning he was not formally convicted. He had pleaded not guilty at the time and maintains his innocence now, but in 2001 an immigration judge ordered his removal.

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He was released from ICE custody a few months later and checked in with the agency annually, but was never deported in part because Cuba would not take him. Finally in December, following his regular check-in with ICE in Orlando, Varona left the office with an ankle monitor tracking his movement and was told to prepare for deportation in April.

I try not to tell my mother about any of this, because shes 82 and shes already worried about me going back, Varona said. I dont want to give her a heart attack.

The island he would return to is different than the one he left over two decades ago. Its population of roughly 10 million is reeling from nationwide blackouts, a financial crisis, food and medicine shortages and garbage pileups amid the U.S.-imposed oil blockade.

The New York Times reported the Trump administration is pushing to depose current Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel, who is largely seen as a figurehead, while continuing to work with the communist government  leaving it unclear whether the plight of Cuban immigrants to the U.S. would be better or worse.

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Gomez said a change in leadership of Cuba could trigger the sunsetting of the policies so many Cuban immigrants rely on. They might be forced to navigate the complex immigration system that leaves many in limbo due to rapidly changing policies, enduring the uncertainty faced by Venezuelan or Haitian immigrants whose temporary protected status was suddenly revoked.

Ana Sofia Pelaez, the executive director of the Miami Freedom Project, said shes concerned about Cubans who protested the government during a historic movement in 2021 and who sought refuge in the U.S. will be forced to return to essentially the same government.

One of those Cubans, Pedro Yusbel Gonzalez Guerra, journeyed to the U.S. on a wooden boat three years ago in the wake of the Cuban governments suppression of those protests. He was one of more than 100 immigrants who had appointments at the ICE office in Orlando on just one day in December. Hours after his appointment, he had still not come out of the building. All attempts to contact him since have been unsuccessful.

To have a performative change in government without a meaningful change or ... a path to reform is not what weve been advocating for all these years, Pelaez said. If theres a continuing crisis in Cuba that triggers a migration crisis, theres no adequate response for us to receive them in the U.S.

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Bertica Cabrera Morris fled Cuba in the 1960s when she was in high school. Her father was arrested after the Cuban government accused him of conspiring to help the Americans and held him in a freezer, she said. Her family fled soon after and eventually settled in Orlando after spending a few years in Spain. Today she runs her own successful consulting firm.

I dont think we had preferential treatment , Cabrera Morris said. People that had a different view of what immigration was about, and we came here because we didnt have a choice.

Cubans have been able to deeply integrate themselves into American culture due to the unique, longstanding political history of the U.S. and Cuba, a characteristic not shared by more recent immigrant groups, she said.

I never knew I was Hispanic until somebody told me, Cabrera Morris said. I always felt welcomed in this community.

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Federal policies allowing Cuban immigrants the right to work in the U.S. has propelled them into success, a process Pelaez said should be replicated for other immigrant groups too.

Cuban Americans received the benefit of programs and then showed what they can do given that support, Pelaez said. Cubans make a great case for why a sensible, humane immigration process is valuable and should be extended to more nationalities.

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Police say Irish nationalist militants were likely behind the hijacking and placing of an improvised explosive device in a food delivery vehicle that was ordered to drive to a Northern Irish police station before the device was made safe.

The fast food delivery driver was forced to stop by two masked men at around 10.30pm on Monday and drive to the police station in Lurgan, Co Armagh, around 18 miles from Belfast.

He escaped from the car and alerted security staff that the hijackers had placed an object in the boot, police said.

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More than 100 homes nearby were evacuated while a controlled explosion was carried out to make the device safe. Church Place, Church Walk and Wellington Street are currently closed to traffic, as are sections of Market Street, William Street and North Street.

Northern Irelands Justice Minister Naomi Long has described it as a shameful and dangerous attack.

Ulster Unionist Party leader Jon Burrows has said the incident bears all the hallmarks of a terrorist attack, probably carried out by dissident republicans.

"Our investigation is in its early stages but we believe it's highly likely that dissident republican groups are responsible," Police Service of Northern Ireland Assistant Chief Constable Ryan Henderson said in a statement.

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"We now know that this was a crude, but viable improvised explosive device. As unsophisticated as it was, it posed a significant risk to the life of the terrified delivery worker, our security staff and the local community."

Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) tape near the police station in Lurgan, Co Armagh after a delivery driver was threatened at gunpoint and forced to drive his car with an object inside to the town's police station, sparking a security alert (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Mr Henderson previously told the BBC: At about 10.30pm last night, a fast food delivery driver was driving their white Audi car in the Deramore Drive area of Kilwilkie in Lurgan.

The driver, in a terrifying development, was forced to stop their vehicle and threatened at gunpoint, and then the hijackers placed an object inside the vehicle and that driver was then forced and threatened to drive the vehicle to Lurgan police station.

Mr Henderson said the officer drove to the station and then alerted police.

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He added: Since then there has been a really significant policing operation which we have been coordinating overnight to make sure the car and the contents of the car were secure and safe.

That has led to the evacuation of a number of homes in the area.

Clearly an absolutely terrifying ordeal to the poor man who was forced to drive the car, hugely disruptive and distressing event for the local community in Lurgan.

Our specialist terrorism investigation unit have been leading the investigation into it.

Irish nationalist militants were likely behind the hijacking and placing of an improvised explosive device in a food delivery vehicle that was ordered to drive to a Northern Irish police station before the device was made safe, police said on Tuesday (Liam McBurney/PA Wire)

Ms Long said: This is a shameful and dangerous attack that has put lives at risk and caused disruption and upset to the local community.

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There is absolutely no place for this utterly reckless and abhorrent behaviour.

I would like to commend the police officers who responded quickly and professionally to this incident and my thoughts are also with all those who have been caught up by this despicable attack.

DUP MP Carla Lockhart said: This is an extremely serious and deeply concerning situation for the people of Lurgan.

Public safety must always come first, and I would urge everyone to follow the advice of the PSNI and avoid the area while investigations are ongoing.

I recognise the significant disruption this will cause to local residents, businesses and those travelling through the town, but these measures are necessary to ensure the safety of all.

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Sinn Fein MLA John ODowd said: This has caused massive disruption to local families and businesses.

I hope the town can return to normal as quickly as possible.

No one wants to return to such scenes and we await the outcome of investigations into the vehicle.

I want to thank all those who have assisted the families impacted and offered shelter.
A state judge said progressive activist Sue Altman can be placed on Junes primary ballot in the 12th Congressional District after a challenge from some of her rivals failed to invalidate enough of the signatures on her nominating petition.

Altman, former head of the state Working Families Party and an ex-aide to U.S. Sen. Andy Kim, is one of 13 Democrats who have lined up to succeed Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman, who is retiring at the end of this term. The primary is June 2.

As it became clear Tuesday during a virtual court hearing that the judge would rule in Altmans favor, Altman could be seen hugging staffers and celebrating the news.

Powerful machine and corporate Democrats just tried to bounce my candidate. They lost. It wasnt even close, Altman said on social media, adding the challenges were wildly successful at firing us up.

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Altmans attorney, Brett Pugach, said the campaign is pleased with the ultimate outcome.

Clearly she had well over the number of signatures that were required, despite the scrutiny at the end of the day. So Im just happy that shell be on the ballot, and voters will have a chance to vote for her, and the people that signed her petition dont get disenfranchised in the process, he said.

Altman filed a petition with 1,022 signatures to compete in the district, which includes parts of Mercer, Middlesex, Somerset, and Union counties. Candidates need signatures from at least 500 valid registered voters to get on the ballot.

Hundreds of her signatures were contested by petition challengers tied to Plainfield Mayor Adrian O. Mapp and Princeton professor Sam Wang, two of the other Democrats in the race. A third petition challenger, Eric Salcedo, appeared on behalf of a new and relatively unknown group, the Concerned Citizens Coalition Against Carpetbagging.

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Administrative Law Judge Michael Stanzione heard all three challenges simultaneously during a 14-hour, two-day hearing that ended Tuesday. Throughout the hearing, he and two state election employees compared hundreds of signatures and verified names and addresses of the petition signers before deciding whether they were valid. Among those declared invalid were signatures purporting to be from Jesus Christ, Louie Lunchmeat, and Joe Jackson.

Eighty-three signatures were tossed over a legal technicality involving student circulators. The signatures were gathered by Princeton University students who registered as Democrats in other states. Pugach objected, but Stanzione said he was bound by statute to reject them.

Tuesday morning, Robert Renaud, the attorney representing the Mapp-aligned challenger, dropped his challenge before the hearing concluded.

Ultimately, Stanzione declared more than 350 signatures on Altmans petition as invalid. That whittled down Altmans total signatures to around 660, but it wasnt enough to get her kicked off the ballot.

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Stanzione said he will issue an initial ruling Wednesday, and an official ruling will subsequently be issued by Secretary of State Dale Caldwell, who also serves as lieutenant governor. Caldwell will have the discretion to adopt, reject, or modify the administrative law judges decision.

Shortly after the hearing, Wang supporter Paul Blodgett of Montgomery Township called on Altman to withdraw from the race over the petition issues. He said that 1 out of 3 signatures were fraudulent, and just because she can stay on the ballot, doesnt mean she should.

Confidence in our elections is foundational. Even the appearance of irregularities in the process can undermine trust, Blodgett said in a statement. Any leader of a campaign that falsifies signatures should step aside in the interest of preserving our democratic systems that are actively under attack.

Altman ran for Congress in 2024 in the 7th District and lost to Republican Rep. Tom Kean Jr.

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ALBANY, New York  Democrats have officially kicked GOP gubernatorial candidate Bruce Blakeman out of the states new public campaign financing system.

The move stands to deny the Nassau County executive up to $7 million in public money designed to supplement his small donors, potentially dealing a crippling financial blow to his underdog campaign.

Ultimately, the issue is likely to be decided by the judicial branch though, with Blakeman almost certain to file a lawsuit challenging the denial. The Long Island Republican is running to challenge incumbent Gov. Kathy Hochul in this year's election.

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The Public Campaign Finance Board consists of four Democrats and three Republicans. Members voted along party lines.

Democrats justified the action by citing a rule they authored in December that says gubernatorial candidates and their running mates must apply jointly to enroll in the public financing system. Blakeman received a letter saying he was certified, and the board never published the required form for joint certification. But since the board hadnt received anything signed by lieutenant governor hopeful Todd Hood, Democrats argued, they needed to decertify the entire ticket.

Todd Hood has never filed anything to participate in the program, Democratic commissioner Henry Berger said. And I believe hes an essential part of the gubernatorial candidate  The lieutenant governor is not yet participating in the program, has made no effort to participate in the program.

But to Republicans, the vote reeked of political gamesmanship.

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This is an abomination of trying to do bureaucratic nonsense to try to eliminate candidates from an election, GOP commissioner Brian Kolb said. It defeats the whole purpose of the public campaign finance board.

Republican commissioner Tony Casale said the goal of getting running mates to sign a form is to ensure hes covered under any enforcement actions, which is understandable.

But it was purely a bureaucratic snafu, Casale said. He noted the board never made any effort to notify candidates of the new requirement: We did know and they didnt know, and we didnt tell them.

Blakeman is widely expected to be the Republican nominee for governor. The most recent Siena University poll released today showed him trailing Hochul by 13 points, but that's down from a 26-point lead for the incumbent in January.

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Blakemans campaign attacked Hochul in its response to being denied public financing.

With the race tightening and her poll numbers sagging, its no surprise Kathy Hochuls handpicked appointee would vote to take away funds from Bruce Blakemans campaign, it said in a statement.

The board removed five additional gubernatorial candidates from the program, including Libertarian and GOP hopeful Larry Sharpe.

Despite the plans to boot candidates like him, Sharpe said last week he still hadnt heard anything from the board indicating there might be a problem: So far, Im all good, he said. I am in the program.

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Theres now only one gubernatorial candidate left in the public financing program. But that candidate  Skiboky Stora, who was convicted earlier this month of assaulting strangers and antisemitic, anti-female, and anti-white hate crimes  is not considered a serious contender to make the ballot.

Hochul declined to participate in the voluntary program.

Were not popping any champagne corks here, Democratic commissioner Barbara Lifton said.

I would rather have had this go smoothly, have the filings done properly and be able to say yes. I do believe in making the program inclusionary, having people use it, Lifton said. But push comes to shove, every candidate knows forms have to be filed, they have to be filed on time.

The form Blakeman was required to fill out still had not been created as of the time of the vote. Democrats have said lieutenant governor candidates should have simply applied for the program themselves  even though they're not eligible to participate  and they would have had their filings merged.
Competitive races for governor and Senate in Ohio could give Democrats rare openings in the red state once seen as a critical bellwether.

Two major election handicappers shifted the governors race more toward Democrats this month, citing surveys that have shown a formidible campaign from Democrat Amy Acton and baggage around her rival, Republican former presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy.

Meanwhile, Democrats have also seen signs of a close contest in the Ohio Senate race, where former Sen. Sherrod Brown (D) has lodged a comeback bid against incumbent Sen. Jon Husted (R), signaling the Buckeye State could be in play for Democrats in the fight for control of Congress.

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I think its playing out in Ohio as it plays out across the country.  You have a very unpopular president, you have a vice president whos from Ohio who, I dont think, could get elected today to anything. So I think there is a lot of momentum, said Ohio Democratic strategist Jeff Rusnak, pointing to President Trumps poor polling numbers and Democrats winning streak, which has rattled some Republicans ahead of the midterms.

This month, both Cook Political Report and Sabatos Crystal Ball shifted the Ohio governors race from likely to lean Republican, a notable change in a state thats voted red in the last four gubernatorial elections. Thats a step away from toss up.

Term-limited Gov. Mike DeWine (R) has endorsed Ramaswamy  a biotech entrepreneur and former co-leader at Trumps Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)  as have Trump and Vice President Vance, who represented Ohio in the Senate before heading to the White House. Ramaswamy has also outraised his rivals in whats set to be the most expensive governors race in state history.

But Acton, a former Ohio health director who worked with DeWine during the COVID-19 pandemic, has made the race highly competitive just more than a month out from the primary elections. Acton does not have a primary challenger, and Ramaswamy does not have a serious primary threat.

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Prognosticators have pointed to Ramaswamys lack of elected experience and his provocative approach to campaigning. Theyve also raised concerns that the anti-immigration focus among Ohio Republicans could prevent some voters from rallying behind Ramaswamy, a first-generation American.

In a polling average of the race from Decision Desk HQ (DDHQ), Acton has now overtaken Ramaswamy with an approximate 1-point edge in a hypothetical general election match-up, with 46.5 percent support and to Ramaswamys 45.6 percent.

Ohioans know that Amy Acton is the only candidate in this race who will put Ohio first, Acton campaign manager Philip Stein said in a statement to The Hill on the recent rating changes.

A spokesperson for Ramaswamys campaign shrugged off the polls and predictions, stressing the Republicans fundraising advantage.

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Endorsements from conservative leaders, union workers, farmers, and law enforcement keep rolling in, while liberal Amy Acton offers working families no real solutions. Were confident voters will choose Viveks leadership over her cheap rhetoric, the spokesperson said in a statement to The Hill.

Analysts also noted some polls have overestimated Ohio Democratic support in the past.

Ohio GOP consultant Matt Dole argued that the polls have so far reflected the national mood, which may ultimately be disconnected from state-level races like the one for governor.

In Ohio, at least, theres a disconnect between what happens at the federal level and what happens at the state level, historically. So Im still pretty optimistic, Dole said about Ramaswamys chances, though he acknowledged some Republicans in the state are more concerned.

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When you look at the history of statewide elections in Ohio, really going back 30 years, this model of midterm elections being redder even than presidential election year models  that is a serious headwind that [Acton] has to fight, the GOP strategist added.

Just as Acton and Ramaswamy are considered the presumptive gubernatorial nominees in the May 5 primary, so too are Brown and Husted in the states high-profile Senate race. Husted doesnt have a primary challenger, and Brown does not have a serious threat.

Last year, DeWine appointed Husted, then the lieutenant governor, to temporarily fill the vacancy left when Vance ascended to the vice presidency. Novembers election is a special election to fill out the remainder of Vances term, which runs through 2028, and whoever wins this years contest would need to run again in 2028 to secure a full term.

A DDHQ polling average found the Senate race has narrowed over the past year, with Brown and the Trump-backed Husted now effectively tied at 46.8 percent support and 46.7 percent support, respectively.

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Cook Political Report and Sabatos Crystal Ball both rate the race as lean Republican.

Brown, a major recruit for Democrats, is the best possible candidate Democrats could have gotten, Dole acknowledged. But he argued that the senator is damaged goods after he was ousted by 3.5 points against Sen. Bernie Moreno (R) in 2024.

On the other hand, Brown lost by single digits in a state that went to Trump by 11 points that year, noted David Jackson, a political science professor at Bowling Green State University.

[That] means that [Brown] doesnt need that much improvement in terms of the composition of the electorate, from a partisan standpoint, in order to pull this thing off, Jackson said. And he has the benefit, and Amy Acton has the benefit, that Donald Trump is not going to be on the ballot.

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Asked about the tight race and recent polling, Brown campaign manager Patrick Eisenhauer pointed to soaring costs hitting Ohioans, arguing Husted has done nothing about it in Washington, while voting in support of the Trump administrations actions in the Middle East.

Nick Puglia, regional press secretary for Republicans Senate campaign arm, countered that Brown is too radical for Ohio.

A Senate win in red Ohio could be critical to Democrats uphill battle to win back the Senate this fall.

Ohio was once considered a national bellwether, but the once-purple state has become increasingly red in the Trump era. It swung red in Trumps first election in 2016, and has stayed there since.

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The last two cycles have been, in particular, not great for Democrats.  But I dont think it was as bad as some made it out to be, said Rusnak, a former Brown consultant who is not working in the race, pointing to the 2023 success of a measure enshrining abortion protections in Ohio as one example.

In this years midterms, Ohio could recover some of its lost battleground patina, DDHQ experts wrote in a memo on the Senate and governors races last week, assuming the primaries solidify the expected Brown-Husted and Acton-Ramaswamy showdowns to give Democrats pickup opportunities in the fall.

Sabatos Crystal Ball also shifted two Ohio House races toward Democrats last week, moving Rep. Greg Landsmans 1st Congressional District seat out of toss-up status to lean Democratic, while shifting Rep. Emilia Sykess 13th Congressional District seat from lean to likely Democratic.

A state like Ohio thats been trending away from being the quintessential swing state may, in 2026, be able to reclaim that status as a competitive state, Jackson said.

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If Democrats in Ohio want the state to be perceived of as a competitive state again, 2026 is the election  with the governors race and the Senate race  that they have to win something, to prove that point, to make that case persuasive.

Updated at 12:16 p.m. EDT

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (AP)  For decades, Democrats' only chance of getting elected to Congress from the conservative state of Utah was by convincing voters that they were sensible moderates, not like the zealous progressives from California or Colorado.

But the political landscape has changed, thanks to a redistricting shakeup that created a deep blue district anchored by Salt Lake City. Suddenly, congressional candidates are trying to outflank each other on the left in an unusual race that could help determine whether Democrats take back control of the U.S. House in the midterms.

Exhibit A is Ben McAdams, a former congressman who once described himself as pro-life and voted against a federal minimum wage increase. As he mounts a comeback campaign in a much more Democratic district, he pledged his support for abortion rights and raising the minimum wage during a recent forum for young voters.

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As primary opponents criticized McAdams as the most conservative among them, he insisted that he's only moderate in tone.

It's a far different approach than McAdams used in 2018, when he ousted a Republican incumbent in the midterms of President Donald Trump's first term. While representing the southwest Salt Lake Valley and parts of deep-red Utah County in the former 4th district, he was considered the most conservative House Democrat during his single term by one analysis, before losing reelection to a Republican.

McAdams is now running in the new 1st district, including all of Salt Lake City and much of its suburbs, which emerged from a years-long legal battle over Utah's congressional map.

Whoever wins the primary will likely win the November general election, and McAdams faces a half-dozen Democratic opponents.

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What makes me a strong candidate is the fact that I've actually delivered on a lot of things people are talking about, McAdams told The Associated Press. It's easy to have a strongly worded tweet or talking points, but I can actually follow that up with accomplishments that are making life better.

A potential foothold in a red state

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin views Utah's 1st district as a foothold in a red state that could not only help the party win the House this year but set it up for long-term success. He said the party is pouring more money into Utah than ever before  at least $22,500 a month  to build infrastructure ahead of the 2030 census, when the fast-growing state could gain House seats.

The recipe for success, Martin said, is a willingness to meet voters where they're at and a platform that reflects not just the majority of Democrats, but the majority of the people in the district.

Unlike state Republicans, the Democrats are holding an open primary on June 23, meaning anyone in the district can vote, regardless of party affiliation. That could benefit a candidate like McAdams, who built a broad base during his previous campaign. But state party leaders have said they're confident that registered Democrats have a strong enough majority to decide the primary.

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Democrats have historically struggled to gain solid footing in Utah, where about half the population belongs to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Members of the faith known widely as the Mormon church have long leaned Republican.

Even though the church is headquartered in Salt Lake City, the capital is one of the only places where Democrats hold local control and religion takes a back seat in politics.

Martin expects the youth vote will be key to winning in Utah and building longevity there. Utah is the youngest state, with a median age of about 32.

This is a group thats up for grabs, he told the AP, noting that Democrats too often assume young voters are with them. He said that could mean Utah is one of the biggest potential swing states in the country.

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Robert Axson, chairman of the Utah Republican Party, rejected that notion.

Everything I am seeing shows the younger generation continuing to lead in the promotion of our conservative principles, he said. "While we see the generational passing of the torch, there is not a political swing away from the values that make Utah a wonderful place to call home."

Jockeying for the Gen Z vote

Several young voters who came to meet candidates on a Saturday morning in Taylorsville said they hoped to capitalize on the opportunity to elect a progressive.

Milo Hohmann, 22, of Holladay, said state Sen. Nate Blouin is the firebrand that Utah needs in Congress.

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Perhaps the most vocal Democrat in the Republican-led state legislature, Blouin has racked up endorsements from some of the country's most prominent progressives, including Sen. Bernie Sanders and Reps. Pramila Jayapal, Greg Casar and Maxwell Frost.

Blouin said he aims to energize an electorate that has grown accustomed to settling for someone who will play nice" with Republicans.

He jabbed at McAdams voting record while defending himself against criticisms that he has never passed legislation. Blouin said he's been effectively blacklisted by Republican legislative leaders, and at least two bills that he originally sponsored passed after they advanced under other lawmakers' names.

I dont measure progress by how many times you can get pats on the back from Republicans, he told the AP.

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His stance resonated with Hohmann, a transportation engineer, who said Utah has an electric moment to elect a Democrat who won't compromise their values.

Hannah Paisley Zoulek, 19, of Millcreek, said shes leaning toward Blouin or his colleague in the state Senate, former teacher Kathleen Riebe. But she had a concern about Blouin.

I struggle a bit with Senator Blouins emphasis on how hard he holds his own positions," Zoulek said. "Its great if you want to make a statement, but not necessarily if you want to do the work.

Neither Hohmann nor Zoulek thought McAdams was the right fit for the new district given his more moderate past.

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Ben Iverson, who will be voting for the first time this year, disagrees.

The 17-year-old from Cottonwood Heights considers himself very progressive and said he thinks McAdams is "a great option. He noted that McAdams voted to impeach Trump in 2019, despite knowing it could cost him reelection.

I dont think left-wing voters want a moderate Democrat who will capitulate to the right," Iverson said, adding that he thinks McAdams has successfully shed the moderate label.

Throughout his life, Iverson said McAdams has been a mainstay of local politics. He was Salt Lake Countys state senator, then its mayor, and represented much of the area in his previous congressional district.

I've been in the trenches, rolling up my sleeves, saying not How do we pass a bill that will never become law? but 'How do we actually enact legislation that will make people's lives better?' McAdams said.
Washington  The shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security, now the longest in history at 45 days, is set to stretch on after House Republicans rejected a Senate-passed solution to the standoff late last week.

TSA employees began receiving partial back pay as the standstill in Washington showed no signs of ending. President Trump directed the TSA workers to be paid late last week, and DHS officials said the deposits began hitting accounts Monday and are expected into the coming days.

The situation at airports became dire in recent weeks, with more than 500 TSA agents quitting their jobs as the shutdown wore on. Unlike the last funding lapse, Congress was able to fund the bulk of the government in recent months. But DHS has been the exception, with Democrats demanding reforms to immigration agencies since two deadly shootings by federal agents in Minneapolis.

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After the Senate reached a bipartisan solution to fund the bulk of the department late last week, it was GOP infighting that dashed the path forward.

Senate Democrats and the White House had been negotiating reforms to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in recent weeks. But as a breakthrough remained out of reach, the Senate changed course and began pursuing a plan that left out funding for ICE, a reflection of the intense strain of the shutdown on other DHS agencies, like the TSA. After Mr. Trump announced he would sign the order to pay TSA officers, the Senate unanimously approved funding for DHS early Friday morning. The measure left out funds for ICE and some of Customs and Border Protection.

House Republicans criticized the Senate's strategy. Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, called it a "joke," and moved forward with an alternate measure to fund the entirety of DHS on a temporary basis. Late Friday, House Republicans approved the 60-day continuing resolution with support from just three Democrats.

Neither chamber is set to return to Washington until the week of April 13. And without agreement between the House and Senate, DHS will remain shut down.

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Senate Majority Leader John Thune told Republicans that he's working with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer to determine if there's room for agreement on DHS funding. But a spokesperson for Schumer said the New York Democrat "made clear that Democrats would not accept anything less than what was passed unanimously by the Senate."

With 53 Republicans in the Senate, support from Democrats is necessary to reach a 60-vote threshold to advance most legislation.

Calls for lawmakers to cut their recess short could grow in the coming days. GOP Sen. Mike Lee of Utah urged Senate leaders to bring Congress back into session on Sunday, writing on X that "Waiting for a deal to materialize with Chuck Schumer applies no pressure on Senate Democrats to fund DHS."

"Interrupting their recess and forcing them to debate DHS funding on the Senate floor *would* apply pressure," Lee added. "We can't reward unprecedented obstruction with two-week recesses."

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Lee also pointed to the president's ability to convene one or both houses of Congress "on extraordinary Occasions." Whether the president would take action to prompt Congress' early return remains to be seen.

White House border czar Tom Homan said on "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" on Sunday that he hopes the president will compel lawmakers to return. "They're on vacation right now while tens of thousands of DHS employees aren't being paid," he said.

"The president found a way to pay TSA workers so we can get the American public through those lines," Homan added. "So we just need to get the department funded."

Homan said ICE agents, who have been assisting TSA agents at airports, will remain in place until they return to regular operations.

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"ICE is there to help our brothers and sisters in TSA," Homan said. "We'll be there as long as they need us, until they get back to normal operations and feel like those airports are secure."

Mr. Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday that "the ICE workers have been amazing." He said the administration will pay TSA for "as long as we have to."

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Key differences have begun to emerge between House and Senate versions of a wide-ranging energy bill, setting up a potential battle between the chambers with just two weeks left in the legislative session.

The Utility RELIEF Act, which passed the House in mid-March, was in the Education, Energy and Environment Committee Monday and was expected to be back for more markup Tuesday before it is sent to the full Senate.

But as of now, the bill includes distinct provisions on hot-button topics, including utility rate-setting, data centers and the states signature home energy efficiency program.

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The House version, for example, would prohibit a rate-setting practice known as forecast test years, through which utilities request rate increases based on forecasts of future spending  not their actual costs. The Senate version only requires that regulators study the practice in a formal proceeding  not end it altogether.

Senate President Bill Ferguson (D-Baltimore City) said Friday that there is a benefit to letting utilities use forecasts when they ask for rate increases. But House Speaker Joseline Pena-Melnyk (D- Prince Georges and Anne Arundel) said the restoration of forecasting was frustrating.

This important ratepayer protection is a priority for the House, Pena-Melnyk said in a statement to Maryland Matters. Why does it matter so much? Rules around ratemaking drive utility behavior  and consumer costs.

Senate Education, Energy and the Environment Committee Chair Brian Feldman (D- Montgomery) speaks about the Utility RELIEF Act Monday. (Photo by Christine Condon/ Maryland Matters)

Pena-Melnyk called the practice an open invitation for the utility companies to throw in every conceivable cost in their projections and hope that the Public Service Commission approves it. Its then up to ratepayer advocates, including the Maryland Office of Peoples Counsel, to show which costs are excessive, she said.

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In an analysis released Monday, the Office of Peoples Counsel determined that Maryland utilities raised rates more aggressively when they were using spending forecasts, a fairly new procedure that electric companies were not allowed to use in Maryland until about 2020.

In traditional ratemaking, utilities can only recoup costs from ratepayers after theyve been spent. Because regulators can deny the cost recovery, the utilities take fewer risks, according to David Lapp, the peoples counsel.

Forecasts give the utilities the ability to add to the credit card balance that customers pay much faster than standard rate-setting and they shift huge risks to customers, Lapp testified to the Education, Energy and the Environment Committee last week. Standard rate-making is working fine for the non-Exelon utilities  and worked well for all utilities for more than 100 years.

According to Mondays OPC report, an average customers rates at Baltimore Gas & Electric increased $164 over six years when BGE was using forecasts. During the previous six years, BGE increased rates $55 for the same ratepayer. At Pepco, annual rates increased $323 using forecasts, compared to $157 under traditional ratemaking, the report said.

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Its time to put an end to setting rates based on forecasts of utility spending, Lapp said in a statement. The data undeniably shows the significant costs to customers.

But Ferguson defended the use of forecasts in a news conference Friday.

Do we want to know where the utilities are forecasting their investments? My belief is that we do, Ferguson said. We want to know where their intended investments are, and then we want to be able to evaluate whether they are the best cost and most necessary for the moment.

The Public Service Commission is best-suited to make the final decision, Ferguson said, because it has the expertise to get into the weeds of what the long-term implications are.

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At a last weeks committee hearing, a Pepco representative argued that forecasted test years, which the utilities have used to create multiyear rate plans, have become a critical affordability tool, not only in Maryland, but across the country.

Rob Leming, Pepcos vice president of regulatory policy and strategy, argued that rate increases have slowed down as a result of forecasting. He said forecasts allow alignment on the pace of spending before rates are set. Under historical rate-making, costs are reviewed only after theyve been spent, when they are effectively locked into rates.

In written testimony, BGE and Pepco argued that banning forecasting would make it more expensive for the utilities to finance their projects by decreasing predictability. That could cause customer bills to increase by tens of millions of dollars, BGE argued.

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Pena-Melnyk said the legislature doesnt necessarily need to use forecasting to incentivize more investment in the poles, substations and wires that make up the electric grid. In Maryland, we have already done much to modernize the electricity grid, reducing the need for rapid additional investment, she said.

But in his remarks Friday, Ferguson pointed to the need for continued improvements to the grid.

We know we have upgrades to do. We know our electric system  our infrastructure  is old, he said. We see it with gas and with electric.

EmPOWER Maryland remains in the crosshairs

Meanwhile, home improvement contractors and environmental groups are still fighting hard against cuts to EmPOWER Maryland, the states energy efficiency program.

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Ratepayers support the program through a surcharge on their power bills, averaging $15 to $20 per household. It funds utility-run programs through which ratepayers can receive rebates for actions that reduce electricity demand and greenhouse gas emissions, such as weatherizing their homes or buying a more efficient HVAC system.

Leading Democrats in both chambers have argued that temporarily trimming the program  by decreasing greenhouse gas emissions goals  is one of the few easy ways for lawmakers to quickly cut rates.

Protesters gathered outside the State House Monday to defend the EmPOWER Maryland program against cuts proposed by lawmakers. (Photo by Christine Condon/Maryland Matters)

The House and Senate EmPOWER proposals are similar, but the Senate version would raise greenhouse gas goals back to the current level in 2030, six years sooner than the House. The Senate version also includes language requiring all the residential programs making up EmPOWER meet a certain cost-effectiveness test. The House removed that language.

Ferguson Friday spoke in favor of the cost-effectiveness checks. Now is that period where we just have to be more judicious and really protect ratepayers as much as possible, he said.

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But advocates have argued that the provision would fence out certain options, possibly including expensive HVAC replacements, even though the EmPOWER program as a whole has proven to be cost-effective.

At a rally Monday outside the State House, Emily Scarr, senior adviser for Maryland PIRG, argued that these cost-effectiveness calculations will be provided by the profit-making utilities that run each EmPOWER program.

Were deeply disappointed that the Senate is considering cutting program offerings within the EmPOWER Maryland program, not on actual cost effectiveness, but on projections offered by the utilities themselves, Scarr said. The House, rightfully, already rejected this idea.

She was joined by climate activists from the Chesapeake Climate Action Network, and a handful of contractors from around the state, who warned that cuts to EmPOWER could result in job losses, and increased bills due to greater power demand.

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There are people on job sites as we speak, working hard, but in the back of their minds, wondering if they may soon have to leave an industry they have spent years building their skills in, said Isaiah Allen, operations manager at Advanced Green Home Solutions.

Were deeply disappointed that the Senate is considering cutting program offerings within the EmPOWER Maryland program, not on actual cost effectiveness, but on projections offered by the utilities themselves. The House, rightfully, already rejected this idea.

 Emily Scarr, senior adviser, Maryland PIRG

Data center proposals differ

The Senate committee also approved several amendments from Sen. Katie Fry Hester (D-Howard and Montgomery) to the data center provisions of the Utility RELIEF Act, that are distinct from the House version.

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In part, Hesters amendments would try to catch more data centers in a special tariff for large load customers, which aims to hold large customers accountable for the transmission costs they create.

Both House and Senate would lower the threshold for a large load customer from 100 megawatts to 25 megawatts of consumption. But Hesters amendments would also lower the threshold capacity factor, a measure of how intensely a data center operates, from 80% to 60%.

Both chambers have added a new data center registry at the Maryland Public Service Commission, which essentially requires data centers to go before state regulators rather than just local ones. But Hesters amendments made it so that a data centers registry information will not become publicly available until the center is operational.

Hester would also add a new, tiered benefit system for data centers that build energy storage, buy clean power or participate in programs to lower energy demand.

In the top tier, data centers would get a guarantee that their permit applications would be processed by the Maryland Department of the Environment within 12 months, in addition to prioritization over other data centers for interconnection. They would also get the opportunity to fund a substation, potentially hastening the infrastructure build-out that they require.

Everybodys coming here, right? We just want to prioritize, so that the cleaner ones get reviewed first, Hester said.
DAR ES SALAAM, March 31 (Xinhua) -- At least six people were killed and 55 others injured on Tuesday after a passenger bus overturned in central Tanzania's Singida Region, police and local authorities confirmed.

The accident occurred in Mkiwa Village in Ikungi District when a bus traveling from Dodoma to Mwanza hit a pothole in the middle of the road, causing a front tire to burst and the driver to lose control.

Singida Regional Police Commander Amon Kakwale confirmed the incident, saying officers at the scene were instructed to secure passengers' belongings and establish the identities of the deceased and injured.

Ikungi District Commissioner Thomas Apson said the injured and the bodies of the deceased were taken to Manyoni District Hospital and Singida Regional Referral Hospital for treatment and further procedures.

According to Bwire James, Manyoni district hospital medical officer, the facility received all 55 injured victims -- 34 men and 21 women -- along with six bodies of those who died at the scene. 
President Donald Trump has attacked the Affordable Care Act, calling it the "Unaffordable Care Act," and argued it should be swapped out for cash sent straight to individuals to shop for coverage themselves instead of routing money to insurers. His push comes as state tax incentives are taking shape in at least six states that would reward small businesses for helping workers sign up for ACA marketplace plans.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump framed the current system as unsustainable and said payments should go "directly to THE PEOPLE" rather than to what he described as large, indifferent insurance firms. In his post, he also said the law has "never" been workable over the long run.

Trumps Bold Vision For Healthcare Reform

Trump's message centers on shifting the flow of federal support away from companies and toward consumers, with individuals making their own purchase decisions. He paired that idea with a blunt critique of the ACA's staying power.

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At the same time, states are leaning into the existing marketplace structure instead of preparing for an immediate replacement. The policy movement spans red and blue states and focuses on encouraging employer assistance with enrollment rather than bypassing the marketplace model.

The state efforts rely on a pathway that was finalized during Trump's first term, creating a mechanism for these kinds of incentives. The practical effect is to make small employers a touchpoint for marketplace participation, even as Trump argues the law should be scrapped.

Healthcare Proposals Amid Government Shutdown Crisis

This ongoing debate reflects Trumps earlier stance, as he has previously called for the abolition of the Affordable Care Act, urging federal healthcare funds to be sent directly to the American people. In a post on Truth Social, he criticized the current system, labeling it as a money sucking scheme that should instead empower consumers to purchase their own healthcare.

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Such proposals come in the context of a government shutdown that has already disrupted various federal services, including causing lengthy queues at food banks and impacting Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits. This backdrop highlights the urgent need for effective healthcare solutions amidst the ongoing political impasse.

Will States Embrace Trumps ACA Overhaul?

Those tax breaks are aimed at small businesses that take steps to help employees get covered through ACA exchanges. That approach implicitly treats the marketplaces as a durable channel, at least for now, even amid national calls to replace the framework.

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Trump's post, as reported by Truthsocial, takes a different view by insisting the ACA cannot hold up and should be replaced outright. The contrast is that state-level policy is being built around enrollment support inside the current system, not around a consumer-cash model outside it.

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Direct Payments: A Game-Changer For Consumers?

Under Trump's proposed direction, federal dollars would land with individuals first, and consumers would then select coverage on their own. The post also cast insurers as the wrong destination for those funds.

But the multi-state tax-incentive push suggests policymakers in at least six states are still working to widen participation through the ACA marketplace plumbing. For small businesses, the incentive structure is designed to make it worthwhile to guide employees through exchange sign-ups, reinforcing the system Trump says should be replaced.

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EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  The El Paso County Attorneys Office has obtained a temporary restraining order to immediately shut down an East El Paso bar, following nearly 280 emergency calls from the property and a deadly hit-and-run crash.

Dirty Laundry, located at 3136 Trawood Dr., Suites E-1 and E-2, has closed its doors effective immediately after a district judge signed the restraining order.

The lawsuit was filed against the bar owners and operators, including 3136 Trawood LLC, Ortequi Ltd Texas Limited Partnership, Pro West Industries Corp., and Victor Fernandez, Jose Luis Ortega and Blanca E. Ortega.

According to a press release by the County Attorneys Office, local authorities call the business a common nuisance and under Texas law, a common nuisance is a place where people habitually go to commit crimes and where management knowingly tolerates the activity or fails to make reasonable efforts to stop the activity.

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An investigation with the El Paso Police Department Upper East Regional Command, DWI Taskforce, the Texas Anti-Gang Center, and the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission revealed a pattern of habitual criminal activity. Undercover agents reported that the bar employees facilitated cocaine sales on multiple occasions.

The lawsuit detailed a history of violence at the location, including assaults on peace officers and security guards, according to the County Attorneys Office.

Between February 2024 and March 2026, police generated 79 separate case reports for activity at Dirty Laundry, which included aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, terroristic threats and public intoxication.

As KTSM previously reported, a 59-year-old man in a wheelchair was killed after a hit-and-run crash on Sunday, March 23, 2025.

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The crash happened just after 2 a.m. at the 1700 block of North Zaragoza, where Jesus Flores Garcia, 59, was struck by an SUV that was traveling southbound. Flores Garcia was transported to a hospital and died as a result of his injuries.

Man in wheelchair killed in hit-and-run crash in East El Paso

According to the County Attorneys Office, witnesses told officers the night of the incident that the driver involved had been drinking at Dirty Laundry before the crash.

The County Attorneys Office notes that over the past two years, law enforcement has documented 24 separate DWI incidents, in which the individuals involved had reportedly been at or near the establishment.

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Public safety is non-negotiable, El Paso County Attorney Christina Sanchez said. When a business knowingly permits violence and illegal drug activity, it endangers the families who live and work in the surrounding community. No establishment is entitled to operate in a manner that compromises the well-being of our residents.

Authorities have also said that the business routinely ignored state and local safety regulations, the County Attorneys Office stated.

The bar has been operating without a valid permit for places of assembly since July 2025. Inspections by the City of El Paso Fire Marshals Office documented several violations, such as inoperable exit signs and improperly secured gas tanks.

The County Attorneys Office said this restraining order is the first step in a legal process that may lead to a permanent injunction. A hearing is scheduled at 1:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, in the 171st District Court to determine whether the bar will remain closed while the case proceeds.

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Businesses, property owners, managers and their patrons share a collective duty to protect our fellow community members, including the critical obligation not to overserve individuals who may pose a danger to others by driving while intoxicated. When that duty is ignored, the consequences can be devastating. Sanchez said. My office remains committed to holding property owners and business operators fully accountable when their actions, or inaction, threaten community safety. By seeking closure of this business, we are seeking to remove a persistent source of criminal activity and affirming that this community will not tolerate operations that compromise public safety or enable unlawful conduct.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
March 31 (UPI) -- Increased military pressure by the United States on drug trafficking routes in the Pacific Ocean has forced criminal groups to sharply raise payments to those willing to transport narcotics by sea, a police official said.

In Ecuador's coastal provinces of Manabi and Santa Elena, recruitment costs for local fishermen tasked with moving cocaine to Central America on speedboats have surged to unprecedented levels.

According to Ecuadorian outlet Primicias, in 2023 and 2024 criminal organizations paid up to $20,000 per trip to boat operators and about $5,000 to their assistants.

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However, a large-scale deployment of U.S. and Ecuadorian forces under Operation Southern Spear, launched in October, has increased the risks of these journeys and driven up payments offered by traffickers.

Col. William Calle, head of Ecuador's National Police in Zone 4, said operators piloting speedboats or semi-submersibles can now earn around $40,000 per trip. Assistants receive about $20,000, while those handling mid-sea refueling earn roughly $15,000.

Local reports, including from El Diario de Manabi, indicate payments can reach as high as $90,000 for high-risk missions or large shipments.

Since 2024, U.S. and Ecuadorian maritime authorities have conducted patrol flights and interdiction operations to monitor and intercept drug trafficking vessels in Ecuadorian waters.

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President Daniel Noboa ratified two military cooperation agreements in February. The risk for traffickers has shifted from capture to potential airstrikes in international waters if vessels fail to stop.

Despite arrests and international warnings, criminal groups continue to rely on fishing vessels to transport drugs.

According to El Diario, fishermen detained after operations in Manta and Salinas on Thursday told courts that successful trips carrying one to two tons of drugs can yield payments of up to $90,000. Military intelligence has described these sums as the "price of silence" and compensation for the risk of attack.

Ecuador's Navy said traffickers increasingly use so-called "mother ships" to extend range and cargo capacity, while smaller fiberglass boats serve as logistical support or for transfers at sea. This tactic complicates interdiction efforts, though shared intelligence has enabled several recent seizures.

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Ecuador has become a primary departure point for cocaine produced in the region, with about 80% of shipments moving through the Pacific corridor.

For artisanal fishermen facing economic hardship due to declining catches and piracy targeting boat engines, a $40,000 payment can equal up to a decade of legal earnings.

However, many fishermen say participation is not voluntary but enforced under threats. Organized crime groups such as Los Lobos and Los Choneros control ports, extorting and forcibly recruiting experienced navigators whose knowledge of ocean currents helps evade detection.

The escalation of U.S. military actions under Operation Southern Spear has included at least 47 airstrikes against suspected vessels in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean. These operations, described President Donald Trump's administration as part of a fight against "narco-terrorism," have resulted in at least 150 deaths.

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Authorities have also reported significant seizures, including more than 2.9 tons of drugs near the Galapagos Islands and an additional 2 tons intercepted at sea in March

This month, the U.S. government also launched military and intelligence operations in Ecuadorian territory with authorization from Noboa.

The White House said the operations are aimed at dismantling Los Lobos and Los Choneros, which the U.S. State Department designated as foreign terrorist organizations in late 2025.

According to U.S. Southern Command, these groups are no longer treated solely as criminal organizations, but as threats to hemispheric national security.
An elementary school nurse was arrested Monday on drug-related charges.

Ivy Perdue Burton, a Licensed Practical Nurse working for the Troup County School System, faces two charges related to controlled substances.

A report from the Troup County Sheriffs Office said Burton is accused of stealing Adderall meant for students under her care and placing them in her purse, rather than placing them in storage at the school.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Channel 2s Tom Regan spoke with the parent of a Long Cane Elementary School student, who shared her concerns.

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Its bad because the kids need their medication, and she was trusted to give it to them, so thats bad, Jeannie Douglas, a mother, said. I never thought she would have done anything like that.

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Burton is currently listed as an employee at Long Cane Elementary School, located in LaGrange, Ga.

However, school officials told Channel 2 Action News that she had not been employed with the district since February 2026.

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The sheriffs office report says their investigation began on Feb. 24 and Ivy was placed on leave while the investigation is underway.

Speaking with Regan, Lt. Stewart Smith at the Troup County Sheriffs Office said they still didnt know why Burton was taking the pills.

I dont know if it was for personal use, or if she was selling it or whatever, she was taking that out of the school and the childs possession for her person gain, Smith said.

According to jail records, Burton is accused of being in possession of a Schedule II controlled substance and acquiring or obtaining a controlled substance by misrepresentation, fraud, forgery or deception.

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The Georgia Secretary of States Office, which oversees licensing for Georgia professionals, said they have now opened an investigation into the allegations involving Burton.

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Do you have any Cincinnati education issues you'd like to raise to The Enquirer?

I'm Grace Tucker, The Enquirer's education reporter as of September 2025. I report on all the K-12 public school districts across Greater Cincinnati as well as colleges and universities including University of Cincinnati, Xavier University and Northern Kentucky University.

In the short time I've been an education reporter, I've written about school levies and property tax reforms, homelessness among students, childhood vaccination rates, districts' responses to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and more. And I've merely scratched the surface of what's going on with education in the region.

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Are you a parent, teacher or simply a taxpayer in Greater Cincinnati wanting to share an education concern or story idea with The Enquirer? Join me at my office hours.

Education reporter's April office hours

Thursday, April 23

Time: 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Location: Price Hill Branch Library Meeting Room 209, 970 Purcell Ave., Cincinnati.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Enquirer reporter to host April public office hours
MEXICO CITY (AP)  Environmentalist groups accused Mexico's government of lying about the origins of a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, something authorities promptly denied.

The spill of off the coast of the southern Veracruz state has spread more than 373 miles and into seven nature reserves. It has dealt an environmental blow to the region as turtles and other marine life have been found on sea shores coated in oil, and to fishermen who have been unable to work in the oceans they have fished for decades.

Mexico's government reported that 800 tons of hydrocarbon-laden waste have spilled into the ocean. The government said the spill started in March and the sources were a ship anchored off the coastal state of Veracruz and two sites from which oil naturally flows.

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On Monday, a group of 17 organizations  including Greenpeace Mexico, the Mexican Alliance Against Fracking and the Mexican Center for Environmental Rights, or CEMDA  contradicted that claim and said that satellite images they captured show that the root of the spill was actually a pipeline from Mexico's state-run oil company, Pemex, and that a large oil slick appeared in early February.

All this lack of information is causing massive economic and environmental damage. So far no one has been held accountable, Margarita Campuzano, spokesperson for CEMDA, said Tuesday.

Images from February circulated by the activists match images obtained by The Associated Press on Tuesday through Copernicus, the European climate agency. The photos show a boat floating over a sea clouded with what the groups say is oil, which appears to be streaming out of a platform.

The groups said that the boat in the images is Arbol Grande, which specializes in pipeline repair  implying that the government knew about the spill before it had reported and hid it.

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Pemex called the information and images circulated by the groups inaccurate and said the Arbol Grande boat permanently traverses the Gulf of Mexico, carrying out preventive inspections of platforms and specialized spill response operations.

Campuzano called for greater transparency and more aggressive investigations by authorities.

They're trying to dilute their responsibility when technology makes it very easy to know where this occurred and who is responsible," she said.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum on Tuesday denied the accusations during her morning press briefing and said that up until now, no leak has been reported in state oil infrastructure and that such natural seeps in the Gulf have happened in the past.

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She said the government was investigating with scientists if the spill was due to these natural seeps in the area, which have been reported on many occasions and are well-documented in scientific literature, or a leak from one of the facilities.

Sheinbaum said that it was more probable that the spill came from the natural seeps, and added that teams were hard at work cleaning up the spill and mitigating the effects.

While government officials recognized the impacts on turtles, birds and fish, and the spread to protected ecosystems, they also insisted that it had not caused severe environmental damage.

The accusations come as environmental groups in the United States have also raised alarm after the Trump administration exempted oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico from the Endangered Species Act, saying environmentalists lawsuits threatened to hobble domestic energy supplies during the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

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Critics said the move could harm marine life and also doom a rare whale species.

___

Associated Press writer Teresa de Miguel in Mexico City contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
European Council President Antonio Costa urged Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian in a phone call to stop strikes across the Middle East region.

"I urged for de-escalation and restraint, the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure and the need for all parties to fully respect international law," Costa said on Tuesday after the conversation.

"I urged Iran to stop the unacceptable attacks on countries in the region and to engage positively on the diplomatic track," he said.

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This includes engaging with the United Nations "to ensure the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz," Costa said, adding that "there must be space for diplomacy."

"The EU stands ready to contribute to all diplomatic efforts to reduce tensions and for a lasting solution to end the hostilities," Costa said.
The European Commission has strongly criticized a new Israeli law that would make the death penalty the default sentence for Palestinians convicted of lethal terrorist attacks.

"The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU," a commission spokesman said on Tuesday.

Under the law, Palestinians convicted of terrorist-motivated murder by military courts in the occupied territories would face the death penalty, which judges are required to impose. The Israeli parliament approved the measure on Monday by a narrow majority.

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"This is a clear step backwards, the introduction of the death penalty together with the discriminatory nature of the law," the spokesman said.

"This is a clear negative trend in terms of Israel's obligation vis-a-vis respect of human rights."

The commission has engaged with Israel on the bill, the spokesman said.
EU lawmakers on Tuesday called on Beijing to implement stricter checks on exports during their first visit to China in eight years.

"We have repeatedly stressed that it is important for exports to be subject to stronger controls on the Chinese side," said Anna Cavazzini, chair of the European Parliament's Internal Market Committee, in Beijing.

She added that companies must comply with the law and adapt their policies more swiftly in response to ongoing regulatory proceedings.

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The nine-member delegation tasked with internal market and consumer protection for the European Union will continue their visit in Shanghai, where they are scheduled to meet with representatives from the e-commerce giant Alibaba and online platforms Shein and Temu.

The meetings come after a scandal involving the sale of child-like sex dolls on Shein, which prompted the European Commission to launch proceedings against the company.

Temu is also under scrutiny by Brussels authorities for alleged violations of EU regulations.

The EU has long criticized the surge of low-cost goods from China entering the European Economic Area.

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According to the commission, e-commerce imports into the EU via online marketplaces such as Temu, Shein and Alibaba reached 4.6 billion small parcels in 2024, with 91% originating from China.

This marks the first EU delegation visit to China in eight years, following a period of strained relations driven by trade disputes and China's ties with Russia amid its ongoing war against Ukraine.
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas and several of the bloc's foreign ministers have taken part in events to commemorate Russia's massacre in the Ukrainian town of Bucha four years ago.

"Bucha has come to symbolize the cruelty of Russias war," Kallas said on Tuesday.

When Bucha, located to the west of the Ukrainian capital, was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in March 2022, weeks after if was occupied by Russia, hundreds of dead civilians were recovered.

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Russian officials continue to reject the accusations and claim that the atrocities in Bucha were staged.

"Of the civilians killed, many were shot at close range. Some with their hands tied behind their backs," Kallas said.

"Four years after these mass killings, we remember the victims. What happened here cannot be denied."

Since the atrocities in Bucha were discovered, European countries have been considering establishing a tribunal for Russia's war crimes. Kallas said the EU is committed to holding Russia accountable.

"Comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes is vital to restore justice in Europe. And today, we will advance accountability efforts," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who accompanied EU ministers.

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"We are pushing forward with the special tribunal, the register of damages, and the claims commission to ensure no crime goes unpunished," Sybiha said.

Ukraine has been working with the Council of Europe, an international human rights body based in the French city of Strasbourg and independent of the EU, to set up a special tribunal for Russian war crimes.

Under the plans, the tribunal is to be based in The Hague and is intended to hold senior figures in the Russian leadership accountable. EU countries can decide whether they want to participate in the tribunal.

Tuesday's delegation also included German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul and his Polish and Italian counterparts, Radosaw Sikorski and Antonio Tajani and well as several other EU representatives.

The commemorations in Bucha are to be followed by consultations of EU foreign ministers focused on "the battlefield situation, energy security, and Ukraines path to the EU," Sybiha said.
JOHANNESBURG, March 31 (Xinhua) -- South African agricultural organizations AgriSA and Agbiz on Tuesday welcomed the government's temporary reduction of the general fuel levy, calling it "timely relief" for both producers and consumers, while urging additional measures to protect the country's food system.

The announcement came as South Africa prepares for further fuel price increases in April, with petrol prices expected to rise by around five rand (0.29 U.S. dollars) per litre and diesel by as much as 10 rand per litre, intensifying cost pressures across the economy.

While the government has assured that fuel supply will remain stable in April, AgriSA and Agbiz said a recent survey of farmers and fuel retailers points to a "more nuanced reality," with signs of supply constraints and operational uncertainty emerging at the farm level.

In a joint statement, the agricultural bodies said that the three rand (about 0.16 U.S. dollars) per litre fuel levy cut would provide critical short-term relief, particularly amid heightened volatility in global energy markets.

The measure, which is expected to provide roughly six billion rand in relief, would help ease financial pressure across the agricultural value chain, as fuel accounts for between 12 percent and 18 percent of production costs in most farming systems, according to the statement.

The groups also warned that challenges extend beyond fuel prices, citing supply constraints, operational uncertainty and rising input costs, particularly ahead of the winter and summer grain production seasons.

Against this backdrop, AgriSA and Agbiz said the fuel levy cut should form part of a broader package of interventions aimed at stabilizing the sector.

They called for measures to improve market responsiveness and ensure a steady fuel supply, including more frequent price adjustments during periods of volatility, greater transparency on national fuel stock levels, and extending the diesel rebate for primary users to 100 percent.

The groups also welcomed the government's plan to review the fuel pricing framework and introduce broader support measures over the medium term, saying this would be important for addressing structural inefficiencies and supporting key sectors such as agriculture. 
By Kate Abnett

BRUSSELS, March 31 (Reuters) - The European Union is considering reviving energy crisis measures it used in 2022 when Russia slashed gas deliveries, to address the unfolding disruption to energy markets caused by the Iran war, the bloc's energy chief said on Tuesday.

Speaking after a virtual meeting of EU countries' energy ministers to discuss their response, EU Energy Commissioner Dan Jorgensen said the plans included proposals to curb grid tariffs and taxes on electricity.

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"We don't know how long this crisis will last. And since we don't know how deep it will be, we are also preparing different opportunities and possibilities that look more like the ones we used under the crisis in 2022," he said.

The EU introduced a suite of emergency policies in 2022, after Russia cut gas deliveries following its full-scale invasion of Ukraine. They included an EU-wide cap on gas prices, a tax on energy companies' windfall profits, and targets to curb gas demand.

Jorgensen said the Iran war would likely cause a prolonged disruption to energy markets.

"It will not be short, because even if there was a peace tomorrow, there will still be consequences, because energy infrastructure in the region has been ruined by war," he told reporters after the meeting of EU ministers.

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Europe's heavy reliance on imported fuel leaves it exposed to the Middle East conflict's impact on global energy prices. European gas prices have risen more than 70% since the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran began on February 28.

The bloc's supplies of crude oil and natural gas have not been hit directly by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, since Europe imports most of those energy sources from suppliers outside of the Middle East.

JET FUEL SEEN AS MOST EXPOSED

Jorgensen said Brussels was particularly concerned in the short term about Europe's supply of refined petroleum products such as jet fuel and diesel.

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The last kerosene shipments that passed through the Strait of Hormuz before its closure are due to arrive in Europe around April 10, according to Benedict George, head of European products at Argus Media.

"There's no realistic risk of actually running out" of jet fuel, George told Reuters, adding that European countries' stockpiles can cover up to three months of kerosene demand.

However, "stocks could fall to a level where you have localised shortages" or high and volatile prices, he said.

The EU sources around 15% of its kerosene from Middle East suppliers.

In a letter sent ahead of Tuesday's meeting, Jorgensen asked governments to delay non-emergency refinery maintenance to try to keep oil product supplies flowing.

(Reporting by Kate Abnett; Editing by Inti Landauro, Susan Fenton, Louise Heavens and Ros Russell)
European Union top diplomat Kaja Kallas has arrived in Kiev to take part in events to commemorate Russia's massacre in the Ukrainian town of Bucha four years ago.

"Each visit is a powerful reminder of Ukraines courage and resilience," Kallas said on Tuesday.

When Bucha, located to the west of the Ukrainian capital, was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in March 2022, weeks after if was occupied by Russia, hundreds of dead civilians were recovered.

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"We will do everything we can to ensure full accountability for Russias crimes," Kallas said.

Since the atrocities in Bucha were discovered, European countries have been mulling to set up a tribunal for Russia's war crimes.

"Comprehensive accountability for Russian crimes is vital to restore justice in Europe. And today, we will advance accountability efforts," said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, who welcomed Kallas in Kiev.

Russian officials continue to reject the accusations and claim that the atrocities in Bucha were staged.
NEED TO KNOW

Roebecca Garrett saved her 8-year-old and 10-year-old grandchildren from Lake Eufaula, Oklahoma, on Sunday, March 22

Garrett, 53, died in the hospital, having subsequently come into trouble in the waters herself

"We are heartbroken, and the weight of this loss is almost too much to bear," a family member wrote on a GoFundMe appeal organized to cover her funeral expenses

An Oklahoma grandmother is being honored for her act of heroism before her death.

At around 3:10 p.m. local time on Sunday, March 22, Roebecca Garrett saved two children from drowning at the 9 South Swim Area on Lake Eufaula, Pittsburgh County, KOKO5 News and News on 6 reported, citing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.

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Garrett, 53, was then pulled out of the lake by two bystanders after going under the water herself, according to the outlets. An ambulance rushed her to the McAlester Regional Hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

A family member identified the two children involved in the incident as Garretts 8-year-old and 10-year-old grandchildren on a GoFundMe page organized to cover funeral expenses.

Her selflessness and courage are a testament to the kind of person she was, always putting her family first, no matter the cost, the fundraisers description reads.

Lake Eufaula

Credit: Getty

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The description continues: The shock and pain of losing her so suddenly is something my sisters and I are still struggling to process. We are heartbroken, and the weight of this loss is almost too much to bear.

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The fundraisers organizer emphasized that Garretts death was unexpected, therefore, the family is not financially prepared to give her the farewell she deserves.

We are reaching out to our community for prayers and donations during this incredibly difficult time, the GoFundMe description adds. Any supportwhether its a contribution, a kind word, or sharing our storymeans the world to us.

As of Tuesday, March 31, almost $3,000 has been donated towards the familys $4,000 goal.

Robecca Garrett

Credit: GoFundMe

Garretts death came around a month after a Saint Francis Health System expansion was announced amid work at the old Epic Medical Center Hospital, per 2 News. The medical center is half the distance west of McAlester Regional Hospital, where Garrett died.

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She journeyed 30 minutes to the hospital after being pulled from water that was just 53 degrees, the outlet reported, citing the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. It is unknown whether Garrett would have survived had emergency services been able to get her to the hospital sooner.

"As a tourist community, we're only about 2,800 people throughout the year, but in the summer we get up to 10,000 people, Eufaula City Manager Jacob Foos told 2 News just 12 days before Garretts death.

Especially around the lake, we can be prone to accidents, and we need that urgent care," Foos added. "One great thing is up on the hill, we have air evacuation with the helicopter, so they can get them up there and get that urgent care, then get them in that helicopter if they need to get them to a major hospital."

The Oklahoma Highway Patrol did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for further comment on Tuesday, March 31.

Read the original article on People
A fiscal crunch that threatens to consume Missouris remaining general revenue surplus reduced  but did not eliminate  budget earmarks that send money to politically favored projects and organizations.

The Missouri House on Thursday sent to the Senate four spending bills for state maintenance and construction projects which were greatly pared down from previous years. The appropriation measures add $2.5 billion to the $50.4 billion operating budget sent to the state Senate last week.

But instead of almost 250 earmarked items, the number approved last year, or almost 400, the number of special appropriations in the budget approved in 2024, the capital spending bills debated Tuesday contained only 10 new earmarks. Most are new, but some are items revived, at a reduced amount, from a bill that had more than 100 earmarks that the House refused to pass at the end of last years session.

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Even that smaller number, for the most conservative lawmakers, was too much.

We dont have a revenue problem, we have a spending problem, and thats what it comes down to today, said state Rep. Tony Harbison, a Republican from Arcadia. We dont have the money to fund these projects.

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Most of the $2.5 billion is spent in a bill that uses remaining funds from Missouris $2.7 billion allocation from the American Rescue Plan Act, a COVID-19 recovery bill passed in Congress in 2021. The bill includes $1.3 billion of those funds, plus $324 million of general revenue. Most of the projects in the bill were originally appropriated in 2021 and the bills total represents the remaining money to finish construction.

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The next largest chunk is $638 million, including $137.2 million in general revenue, for major maintenance needs at state facilities.

The bill allocating funds for new construction is the smallest in years, just $123.8 million total, with only $27.3 million from general revenue. The bill includes a handful of items that were in the failed $513 million bill from last year.

The largest item in the bill is $104.1 million for major renovations of the Capitol Building.

Lawmakers put $134 million from that bill into a spending bill passed in June during a special session called to provide incentives for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals to remain in Missouri.

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Items that were in the failed bill from last year that made it into this years construction budget include $250,000 to help rebuild a sheltered workshop in Salem destroyed by a fire in December 2024, $1 million for the Springfield Discovery Center and $4 million for downtown redevelopment in Cape Girardeau.

In last years failed spending bill, those projects were allotted $2.5 million, $2 million and $20 million, respectively.

New items added in the House Budget Committee include $2.5 million for renovating a building at the Sikeston Career and Technology Center, $3 million for a joint wellness center operated by the St. Louis Police Foundation, $1 million for the Ronald McDonald House in Kansas City and $250,000 for a law enforcement training center in Lees Summit.

Lawmakers started sprinkling earmarks into the budget in large numbers in the 2022 session and the trend continued through last year.

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The state treasury accumulated a surplus that peaked at $8 billion at the end of fiscal 2023. As of Feb. 28, the total remaining was $3.9 billion, but projections for declining revenue this year and sluggish growth in the future show the surplus declining to about $265 million on June 30, 2027.

Unlike the last several years, were seeing less of these, said state Rep. Dirk Deaton, a Seneca Republican who chairs the House Budget Committee. Thats going to be expected just because of the fiscal budgetary constraints weve talked about.

The four bills debated Tuesday included an appropriation measure to continue projects currently underway. That bill is usually routine, but state Rep. Stephanie Hein, a Springfield Democrat, said lawmakers should consider cutting projects that havent been started.

She said there were $11 million worth of projects that have yet to begin.

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As we move into tough financial times, Hein said, I would encourage future bodies to really keep an eye on this bill as we are holding general revenue in place for some of these projects to get off the ground.

This article was updated at 10:30 a.m. April 2 to reflect that the bills have passed to the Senate.
Michigan has always been a state that makes and grows things to sell to the world.

That is precisely why smart, consistent trade policy matters so much here at home.

The recent Supreme Court decision limiting the use of emergency powers to impose tariffs only makes the role of Congress clearer. Lawmakers must take the lead on trade policy that creates jobs, lowers costs for families and protects our vital relationship with Canada.

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The Michigan Smart Trade Alliance (MISTA) is a growing, nonpartisan coalition of Michiganians focused on advocating for trade policies that strengthen national security while allowing both our state and national economy to flourish. Strategic trade tools play an important role, but for the Great Lakes State that is deeply integrated with Canada, the unpredictable on-again, off-again tariffs create uncertainty that is harming our workers, businesses and families.

Our coalition continues to grow. Six respected statewide and regional groups that represent small businesses, health care organizations and manufacturers have already joined our coalition, with more to come. As Bill Hallan, CEO of Michigan Retailers, put it: To thrive in our global economy, retailers and small businesses need consistency and predictability.

The Gordie Howe International Bridge, in Detroit, March 24, 2026.

Michiganians see high prices at the grocery store, and they see friends, family members and neighbors being laid off. Our bipartisan poll showed that Michigan voters believe tariffs are driving up the cost of food, clothing and medicine.

The impact spans all sectors of our economy.

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The auto industry is navigating complex supply chains that weave back and forth across the border with Canada multiple times before a vehicle is finished. Trade instability disrupts that system and increases costs, especially given the industrys dependence on imported steel.

Our farmers are hurting, too. They face higher costs for fertilizer and fewer international markets. Tariffs invite retaliation from trading partners to the advantage of our economic adversaries, and federal subsidies cannot replace lost markets that took decades to develop.

Michigan and Canada share more than the world's longest international border. We share assembly lines, supply chains and a century-long economic partnership that sustains hundreds of thousands of good-paying jobs on both sides of the border. Canadian tourists visits to Michigan shops, hotels and restaurants have plummeted. Questions surrounding the scheduled opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge between Detroit and Windsor  a symbol of friendship between the two countries  further threaten that relationship.

Michiganians believe in competing and winning on a level playing field. We support strong, enforceable trade agreements that open markets and protect workers. Its time our leaders in Congress listened to their constituents and focused on advocating for a straightforward trade policy that creates jobs, lowers costs and allows families and farms to plan for a strong future.

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Join our growing coalition at the Michigan Smart Trade Alliance website and learn more about our efforts to encourage leaders, officials and policymakers to set aside politics and focus on the policies that help families in Michigan and across the country.

Mark Fisk is co-founder and partner of Byrum & Fisk Advocacy Communications, and John Sellek is the founder and CEO of Harbor Strategic Public Affairs.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Fisk and Sellek: Smart trade coalition shows importance of Congress in trade policy development
The Pierce County Sheriffs Office is shutting off their automated license plate readers, also known as flock cameras.

This is in response to a newly signed bill by Governor Bob Ferguson regulating how those cameras are used.

Most of those cameras are small devices attached to light poles at major intersections across western Washington. Their job is to collect data on cars passing by.

Deputy Carly Cappetto tells us in Pierce County, the Sheriffs Office uses a dash cam version of the technology mounted inside their cars.

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We can immediately get a camera hit on where that suspects location is and then we can find these dangerous offenders quickly, Cappetto said.

As of Monday, those cameras are now shut off.

The new law signed this week prohibits federal agencies from accessing flock camera data, including Immigration Enforcement.

Any agency using the cameras must also keep detailed logs of what they use the video for.

It also states that flock systems are prohibited from collecting data near schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Deputy Carly Cappetto tells us thats the part that doesnt work for their cameras.

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They (the cameras) dont understand locations, so theres not an ability to turn them off when we are in certain areas and turn them back on, Cappetto said.

If the new rules are broken, the officer could face a misdemeanor charge.

Essentially we are just going back to old school policing where deputies are going to have to manually run a license plate any time they have reasonable suspicion, she said.

Cappetto tells us this will hinder their ability to quickly find missing people and criminals.

Senator Yasim Trudeau says these regulations are needed because We want law enforcement to have the tools they need to solve crime, but we also need to respect community surveillance concerns and ensure the use of this data aligns with our values as a state.

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Cappetto said she hopes there are further talks about the guidelines that everyone can agree on.

As technology grows and develops and maybe can put limitations on where its activated, I think this is just the beginning of the conversations, Cappetto said.

The King County Sheriffs Office said they dont use flock camera technology within their department.

The Snohomish County Sheriffs Office said, Our office is aware of the recent bill passed and we are in regular communication with our legal team to ensure we are in compliance. At this time, we believe all of our flock cameras in unincorporated Snohomish County are in compliance with the community location guidelines outlined in the new legislation.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.  After years of falling further and further behind the Republicans and losing election after election, Florida Democrats are increasingly optimistic about the 2026 midterm elections.

This time, they believe, it isnt just the usual wishful thinking.

At the Broward Democratic Partys annual Obama Roosevelt Legacy dinner this past weekend, they reveled in recent victories  and heard party leaders warn about the perils of complacency and assuming that the voters mood in March will last until November.

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The reaction that were getting from people is amazing. They know whats going on. Theyre concerned about our democracy. We dont have to tell them whats going on. They know it and theyre enthusiastic about voting, said Alan Ehrlich, whos been active in the Democratic Party for decades.

He said he noticed a pronounced change in peoples reactions about five months ago.

Ehrlich, who goes door-to-door on weekends, said the passion among Democratic voters is so great that I wish Election Day were tomorrow.

Laurie Plotnick, of Parkland, president of the Democratic Senior Caucus of Florida, said in a separate interview that she too has picked up a different level of concern and interest among voters, not just Democrats.

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She said it changed when people started feeling both their constitutional rights, and their well-being, were in jeopardy. Unless they had a tremendous 401(k) at the beginning, its tough, she said. Its no longer party, its policy.

Rick Hoye, chair of the Broward Democratic Party, said there is reason for optimism. Across this country, we are seeing signs that the tide is turning. Democrats are winning elections and gaining ground, he said.

Local star

Almost 350 Democrats heard from members of Congress and state and county party leaders. By far the biggest reaction  a standing ovation and roar of approval  was when Emily Gregory was introduced.

She is the Democrat who won the special election in northeastern Palm Beach County to fill a vacancy in the Florida House of Representatives. By flipping territory long held by the Republicans  a district that includes President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago home and resort  she garnered international attention.

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Trump, who also won the district in 2024, endorsed the Republican who went on to lose.

State Rep. Christine Hunschofsky, D-Parkland, who becomes her partys leader in the Florida House after Novembers elections, said there is no guarantee that will keep happening.

There is no mystical magical blue wave that is coming to save us in Florida. It is our work that creates the wave. It is knocking on doors. It is phone banking. It is fundraising. It is getting out in the community and not just telling people you care but showing them you care, she said.

Especially important, Hunschofsky said, is personal contact. Not on social media, actually in real life at the doors. If it was all about Twitter and Truth Social, we wouldnt have state Rep. Emily Gregory.

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Hunschofsky said people didnt think she could win that race, so she said, what do I need to do?

And what she did is she got out in her community, she listened to her neighbors, she listened to people in the community, and she did the work, and thats why she won, and thats the message to everyone, Hunschofsky said. You put in the work, you listen to the community, you reflect their values, and thats how you win.

Gregory also attributed her victory to contact with voters. Every damn door, was the campaigns lodestar. EDD. Go out and knock every damn door because that is how we won House District 87, she said.

Even Florida?

Democrats havent won a top-tier statewide election in Florida since 2012, when President Barack Obama and then-U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson were running for reelection.

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Since then, Democrats won the 2018 election for agriculture commissioner, and Republicans have dominated everything else, including in the congressional delegation, the state Senate and the state House of Representatives, where they hold outsized majorities.

Thats helped them raise far more money than Democrats.

Democrats are also significantly outnumbered in active registered voters. In Broward, Democrats are still far ahead of Republicans and in Palm Beach County Democrats have a slight edge in registered voters.

Andy Madtes, president of the Broward AFL-CIO, cited the same kind of shift described by Ehrlich and Plotnick.

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Dont let anybody sow any seed of doubt in your mind that we cannot win because Im out there every day with working people, he said. And I can tell you right now, there is no better poll when youre talking to people face to face, and I know people who have buyers remorse right now.

There isnt extensive public polling of Florida right now. But a University of North Florida Public Opinion Research Lab poll released on March 1 reported the leading Democratic candidates for Florida governor, David Jolly and Jerry Demings, were within striking distance of Republican frontrunner Byron Donalds. They were 6 to 7 points behind Donalds.

The poll had similar findings in the U.S. Senate race.

Appointed Republican Sen. Ashley Moody was 7 percentage points ahead of Democrat Alex Vindman and 8 points against Democrat Angie Nixon.

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State Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried, who won that 2018 race for agriculture commissioner, said theres more data to suggest Florida Democrats could do well this year.

In Florida elections last year, there was a 17 percentage point movement toward the Democrats. By comparison, she said, the first year of Trumps first term in office there Florida elections shifted more toward the Republicans by another 11 to 15 points.

In addition to the high-profile Gregory victory, Fried pointed to the March mayoral election in Boca Raton.

Though officially nonpartisan, Democrat Andy Thomson won, the first time in decades the office isnt held by a Republican. In December, Democrat Eileen Higgins flipped the Miami mayoral election.

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Obviously were in the drivers seat. Theres no doubt about that, said U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz, a Broward-Palm Beach county Democrat. Id rather be us than them, but, you know, the election is still six, seven months away.

He said it was essential for Democrats to focus on whats most important to people: affordability. Weve got to have a vision for America, not just the hatred for the Trump administration.

Chris Marino, chair of the Broward Republican Party, said results of recent elections touted by Democrats dont necessarily predict what will happen in the fall.

Democrats picking up wins in low-turnout special elections even in districts that typically lean Republican is not an indicator of what well see in November. Historically, the opposite is true. When turnout increases in a general election, Republican voters show up and these seats return to form, Marino said via text. That said, were not taking anything for granted.

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Carl Cascio, chair of the Palm Beach County Republican Party, offered a similar assessment in a recent interview. Still, he said, hed use Democrats boasts that theyre doing well as part of the effort to encourage Republican voters to turn out in November.

Florida hasnt elected a Democratic governor in decades. But Jolly, a former congressman, and Demings, the Orange County mayor, said 2026 could break that losing streak.

Change is here. If the election were held tonight, wed win, Jolly said. The affordability crisis is real. Its bigger than that though. I think were in the midst of an economic crisis where half of the state has lost upward mobility, working harder than ever and falling behind.

Democrats are more motivated than ever and theyre turning out, said Jolly, a former Republican who said the numbers required reaching out to no party affiliation/independents and Republicans who dont like the states direction.

Demings, who repeatedly reminded voters that he has been a Democrat for decades, said this is the partys year. This is going to happen. This is going to continue to happen. Were going to win in November. Watch and see Democrats, he said.

Broward

Broward has more registered Democrats than any other county in the state. Illustrating the partys significance in a statewide Democratic primary, Jolly, Demings, Vindman and Nixon were all at the county partys dinner.

South Florida is going to be important because of the large population that you have here, Demings said in an interview. I have to pay attention to it.

Demings, the Orange County mayor, announced his candidacy 20 weeks ago, and since then said hes made 11 trips to South Florida.

Jolly also has been spending a lot of time in South Florida since he announced his candidacy in June. He completed his paperwork to run at last years Broward Democratic Party dinner, he said.

The county once produced general election numbers for Democrats that were big enough that statewide candidates could overcome the Republican advantage elsewhere in the state. In recent elections, Broward turnout has lagged.

After touting the Palm Beach County results at the Broward dinner, Fried stepped away from the lectern to push Broward Democrats to step it up.

It is time. It is time for Broward to get on the map again and make sure in 2026 it is Broward County coming on strong and hard in every single precinct, Fried said.

Broward, we are counting on you. We cannot win Florida if you are not all committed to the work that needs to get done, she said. It is now your turn to show up and show the rest of the counties of the state what the blue bubble is.

_____
A pregnant woman stabbed outside a Cotswold grocery store says shes feeling relieved after her accused attacker was arrested more than 450 miles away in Florida. The mother, who was injured while getting her child out of the car, said she had never met the suspect and still doesnt know why she was targeted.

READ MORE: Suspect arrested, charged after pregnant woman stabbed in Cotswold parking lot

Channel 9s Hannah Goetz spoke with the victim by phone on Tuesday, who said shes confused about why she was targeted.

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She says she has never met this woman before. She was getting her son out of the car in the Harris Teeter parking lot in the middle of the day on March 18 when the suspect attacked her.

Witnesses jumped in to help.

We need medic pronto, a caller said in newly released 911 recordings. Were at the Sharon Amity Harris Teeter.

Someone was just stabbed by someone, someone told 911 dispatch. They got out of their car and stabbed them.

Shes 38, according to the 911 call logs. And youre pregnant? Shes pregnant.

The suspect, Marvina Butler-Hardy, was caught on Monday in Florida.

How are you feeling since learning that news? Goetz asked the victim.

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(It) definitely brings relief knowing that she, I mean, isnt out there to do it to other people, or me, again, the victim said.

How Florida Highway Patrol arrested the accused Cotswold stabber

How Florida Highway Patrol arrested the accused Cotswold Harris Teeter stabber:



Court documents provide new information on how Marvina Butler-Hardy, the Cotswold stabbing suspect, was caught in Florida.



A Florida State Highway Patrol trooper was patrolling I-95 yesterday in pic.twitter.com/LfXY1xF9Ll  Joe Bruno (@JoeBrunoWSOC9) March 31, 2026

Last week, the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department released surveillance video of a woman accused of stabbing a pregnant woman on March 18 outside the Harris Teeter in the Cotswold Village Shopping Center.

A Florida State Highway Patrol trooper was patrolling Interstate 95 on Monday in Flagler County when the Jacksonville Regional Communication Center got a Be On The Lookout for a silver Hyundai traveling south on I-95 from the Duval area. The vehicle was described as having a paper tag and a taped-up window and was being driven by a female.

The Highway Patrol trooper spotted a silver Hyundai being driven by a female, but didnt see a paper tag or tape on the windows. However, the car had a very large crack on the windshield, obstructing the drivers view. So the trooper pulled her over on I-95.

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The trooper says Butler-Hardy only gave him an ID card instead of a license and when asked why, she said her license is suspended. The trooper provided the name of the woman he pulled over to another trooper who confirmed she was the suspect in the Cotswold stabbing. He then arrested her.

The trooper said upon further inspection of her vehicle, a North Carolina paper tag was found on the rear seat, and the tape which was on the window appears to have been peeled off.

Criminal history

Butler-Hardy had been arrested before for assault before, according to her criminal record in Mecklenburg County.

Other charges include probation violation, possession of a stolen firearm, larceny of a firearm, and a vehicle and more.

Keep her behind bars

Im hoping this charge is enough to keep her behind bars, thats for sure, the victim said. Yeah, I dont know the amount of mug shots you see of this woman. You wouldnt think that she would be on the streets.

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The mother told Goetz she was stabbed in the middle of the chest, and it hit bone, missing major organs. She says shell be left with a scar.

Her unborn child and the one she was getting out of the car are both OK.

Butler-Hardy is being held in the Flagler County Jail until she is extradited to Mecklenburg County.

VIDEO: Suspect arrested, charged after pregnant woman stabbed in Cotswold parking lot
Gift Card Deal Marketplace Inc. has been banned from operating in Florida following a judges ruling on the companys business practices.

The Florida Attorney General sued the business, which also operates as giftcarddeal.com, after receiving multiple consumer complaints.

The judge ruled that the companys website was unfair, deceptive and unconscionable.

The legal action followed at least 75 reports from customers who alleged they did not receive purchased cards or were provided with cards that lacked the promised value.

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The courts decision effectively ends the companys ability to conduct business transactions within Florida.

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The Florida Supreme Court rejected the states request to move forward with the execution of former Mascotte police officer James Duckett.

The decision suspends the execution amid recent DNA testing related to a 1987 murder case.

Last week, the high court granted a rare stay of execution for Duckett while awaiting new DNA test results. Although the tests are now finished, the results were inconclusive, prompting the state to argue that the execution should proceed.

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Duckett was convicted in 1987 of murdering 11-year-old Teresa McAbee. Governor Ron DeSantis authorized the death warrant for the former Mascotte police officer on that basis.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier filed a motion to lift the stay after receiving DNA results. He argued that because the evidence did not prove Ducketts innocence, the legal hold was no longer justified.

Since the test is complete and inconclusive, it does not exonerate Duckett and therefore, the stay of execution should be lifted, Uthmeier said.

Six out of seven Florida Supreme Court justices opposed the states request to move forward with the execution.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa delivers a speech at a media briefing on the successful adoption by the UN General Assembly of the historic Ghana-led Resolution A/80/L.48 in Accra, Ghana, March 31, 2026. Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Tuesday pledged Ghana's resolve to lead a sustained global conversation to promote the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Resolution on reparative justice for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Africa and the peoples of African descent. (Photo by Seth/Xinhua)

ACCRA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Ghanaian Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa on Tuesday pledged Ghana's resolve to lead a sustained global conversation to promote the implementation of the United Nations (UN) Resolution on reparative justice for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade on Africa and the peoples of African descent.

Ablakwa made this pledge during a media briefing on the successful adoption by the UN General Assembly of the historic Ghana-led Resolution A/80/L.48, which declared the transatlantic slave trade and racialized chattel enslavement of Africans as the "gravest crime against humanity," supported by 123 member states.

The minister said the adoption of the resolution marked only a significant beginning to the realization of the objectives for reparative justice and upholding the eternal creed that "all men and women were created free."

The minister affirmed that Ghana, under the leadership of President John Dramani Mahama, as the African Union (AU) Champion on Reparations, will continue to work with deep resolve to put in place the necessary mechanisms to support the implementation of the global resolution.

"The government further reaffirms its commitment to work with member states (of the UN and AU) and partners to sustain the momentum and advance the global conversation on historical justice, equity, and full recognition of the historical experiences of Africans and people of African descent," the minister highlighted.

Ablakwa urged member states of the UN, "including all those who missed the opportunity of voting for the resolution," to join the coalition to push for the dismantling of the structures of discrimination and racism around the world.

The Ghana-led and AU-backed resolution passed last Wednesday calls for formal apologies, restitution, compensation, the return of cultural artifacts, and policy changes to address present-day inequalities linked to slavery's legacy. 
A foreign journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq, the Ministry of Interior confirms, without providing any information about the reporters identity.

The ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that the journalist was kidnapped by unknown individuals in Baghdad, according to the Iraqi News Agency (INA).

Security forces arrested one of the suspects and seized a vehicle used in the abduction after a pursuit of the kidnappers, the ministry said.

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It added that efforts are continuing to find those involved in the kidnapping and secure the release of the journalist.

Iraq has experienced a rise in violence in recent weeks amid the US-Israel war on Iran, with Iraqi security forces targeted in attacks in Anbar province and other areas.

The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said it was deeply concerned following media reports that US freelance journalist Shelley Kittleson was abducted.

CPJ calls on Iraqi authorities to do everything in their power to locate Shelley Kittleson, ensure her immediate and safe release, and hold those responsible to account, said the groups Middle East regional director, Sara Qudah.

#Iraq: CPJ is deeply concerned by reports that American freelance journalist #Shelley_Kittleson was abducted by unidentified individuals in Baghdad on Tuesday. According to Iraqs Interior Ministry, security forces launched an immediate operation based on precise intelligence and pic.twitter.com/cxJgy0z52r  CPJ MENA (@CPJMENA) March 31, 2026

State Department official Dylan Johnson said in a statement on X that the US was aware of the reported kidnapping of an American journalist in Baghdad.

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The State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them and we will continue to coordinate with the FBI to ensure their release as quickly as possible, Johnson said.

He added that an individual with ties to Iraqi paramilitary group Kataib Hezbollah who was believed to be involved in the kidnapping was taken into custody by the Iraqi authorities.

Threats from all sides

Press freedom groups have routinely called on Iraq to do more to protect journalists from intimidation and violence.

Between political instability and financial pressure, journalists face threats from all sides and are up against the weakness of the state, which is failing in its duty to protect them, Reporters Without Borders says on its website.

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The organisation also noted that abductions are often used to terrorise and silence reporters. Influential, high-profile journalists used to be the main targets of this form of intimidation but nowadays it is also used against lesser-known journalists, the group said.

CPJ also has documented a series of press freedom violations since the US-Israel war on Iran began on February 28.

That includes an attack on a television crew in the northern Iraqi city of Kirkuk in mid-March that CPJ said was carried out by fighters affiliated with the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF), a branch of the Iraqi armed forces that includes Iran-aligned members.
Mar. 30A former police lieutenant who was previously accused of texting threats to a person is facing even more charges after he was indicted on stalking and strangulation charges.

Jason Lee Etter, 48, of Perry Twp., was indicted Friday in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court of menacing by stalking, possession of criminal tools and strangulation, all felonies. He is scheduled to be arraigned Tuesday, according to the grand jury report.

According to court documents, Etter is accused of strangling someone either that he is dating or that is in his household, and possessed firearms he intended to use to commit a felony.

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We have reached out to police and court authorities for more information.

At the time of writing, Etter was in the Montgomery County Jail on the indicted charges.

Etter is also facing misdemeanor charges of aggravated menacing and telecommunications harassment in Kettering Municipal Court after he was accused of sending threatening text messages to someone, including a photograph of several firearms that Etter had just gotten back after his probation in a separate case had ended, according to a Kettering Police Department incident report.

That earlier case was after he was accused of pointing a firearm at his neighbors for shooting off fireworks during Independence Day weekend 2024 while off duty and intoxicated.

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At the time, Etter was a lieutenant with the Miami Twp. Police Department. He was fired not long after in August 2024.

In that case, he pleaded guilty in November 2024 to misdemeanor charges of aggravated menacing and handling a weapon while intoxicated in Montgomery County Municipal Court  Western Division.

He was given a six-month suspended jail sentence for the weapons charge and placed on community control for two years. His probation was terminated three weeks ago on March 9.

The telecommunications harassment case is ongoing, and he is scheduled for a telephone pretrial conference April 30.

At the time of writing, Etter was in the Montgomery County Jail on the indicted charges.
By Ryan Woo and Yukun Zhang

BEIJING, March 31 (Reuters) - China is stepping up a years-long anti-corruption drive against securities regulatory officials as Beijing works to improve the image of its regulatory authorities and draw in global investors.

Prosecutors said on Tuesday that Wang Jianjun, previously vice chairman of the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC), illegally took large amounts of money and property while helping to benefit others by abusing his position.

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Wang held the role of CSRC vice chairman from 2021 until April 2025. CSRC backed the decision to investigate Wang, hailing the effort at the time as showing that China would not halt its graft fight.

Wang could not immediately be reached for comment.

The anti-corruption campaign later widened that same year when Wang's former boss, Yi Huiman, became an investigation target of China's highest anti-corruption agency. Yi helmed CSRC from January 2019 to February 2024.

Yi's immediate predecessor Liu Shiyu was also expelled from the government due to corruption charges.

As global capital trickles back to China this year, authorities are working on bolstering the long-term appeal of Chinese markets by cracking down on corruption, especially cases involving initial public offerings (IPOs), rooting out insider trading, and curbing large market swings that trigger regulatory concerns.

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Corruption not only hinders the market's ability to serve the economy but also severely damages the authority and image of regulatory authorities, Li Chao, a CSRC vice chairman, said in unusually candid remarks at a news briefing one month after Yi's departure.

FORMER SUPERVISORS OF IPOS UNDER INVESTIGATION

A number of former CSRC officials who became targets of corruption probes were involved in reviewing IPOs, a procedure that has been undergoing a revamp in the past few years.

China, in 2023, expanded a registration-based IPO system to cover all corners of its stock market to speed up listings and corporate fundraising. The CSRC has also been carrying out further reforms to STAR Market and ChiNext, its two start-up and tech-focused boards, including introducing a pre-review IPO mechanism for qualified, high-quality innovative companies.

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Toh Han Shih, Hong Kong-based consultant of Headland Intelligence, said there was an "inherent, systemic incentive for corruption" at CSRC due to its vetting power in areas such as IPOs.

"Many Chinese companies are lining up to apply for IPOs in the mainland Chinese stock market, so the temptation is for the bosses of these companies to bribe CSRC officials" to approve the applications, Toh said.

On Friday, China's anti-corruption agency said Guo Xudong, a former deputy head of CSRC's issuance supervision department, had abused her power in IPO reviews by adopting "preferential treatment" and accepting equity stakes.

Guo's wrongdoing also included illegally taking large sums of money and accepting job roles at places she used to regulate upon leaving public office, the watchdog said.

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Other senior officials who held roles in the regulator's issuance review departments and were later probed included Wu Guofang, who accepted bribes under the guise of "investing" in companies planning to go public, and Li Xiaoqiang, another former deputy head of the issuance supervision department who "severely disrupted the order of capital market", according to the anti-corruption agency.

In 2025, the top prosecuting agency, the Supreme People's Procuratorate, took action against 29,000 individuals, including high-ranking officials, a figure that is more than a fifth higher than a year earlier.

(Reporting by Yukun Zhang, Ryan Woo and Liz Lee; Additional reporting by Samuel Shen in Shanghai; Editing by Christian Schmollinger, Clarence Fernandez and Saad Sayeed)
Dana Perino said she is unsure whether President Donald Trump cares about Republicans prospects in this years midterms, given that history is working against the GOP.

A little over a year into his second term, Trump is wildly unpopular. On Monday, UMass released a poll showing his approval rating at 33%, while 62% disapprove of the job he is doing. The survey comes about a month after Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu launched a war against Iran on Feb. 28. The war itself is broadly unpopular, and more Americans say it will make the U.S. less safe, according to a Pew poll released last week.

On Mondays edition of The Five on Fox News, Perino addressed the Republicans chances for holding Congress. The GOP holds a slim three-seat lead that most political observers believe will be overtaken by a Democratic majority. Republicans hold the Senate 53-47, and Democrats face a tough map that would require them to retain and flip several swing states.

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Perino praised the military success of Trumps war, but said that more needs to be done, even though Trump himself will not face tangible political consequences.

I dont know what political price he could possibly pay, she continued. Hes not running for president again. If its the midterms, I dont know if he cares that much. He is gonna do what he can, but he understands history and knows that its probably likely that the Republicans wont be able to hold it even if they try. So, the political price to me, is not weighing in on some of these very tough decisions.

Perinos remarks echoed those made by co-host Jesse Watters in December, when he told Republicans, Youre gonna lose the House.

Watch above via Fox News.

The post Foxs Dana Perino Says She Doesnt Know if Trump Cares About the Midterms Because Its Probably Likely Republicans Will Lose Congress first appeared on Mediaite.
France's upper house of parliament, the Senate, voted on Tuesday evening in favour of banning numerous social media platforms for children and young people under 15.

Senators want all platforms whose content or algorithms could harm children's self-development to be off limits. A corresponding list is to be drawn up by the relevant ministry, according to the draft law adopted. Other social media platforms should be available to adolescents with their parents' permission.

The two chambers of parliament thus agree in principle on restricting social media for young people, but must now agree on a common line in order to pass the law definitively.

Could the regulation come later?

This could be difficult mainly because there are differing views on which regulation is legally compliant.

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The National Assembly voted for a blanket ban on social media for children under 15. President Emmanuel Macron's government wants the regulation to take effect by the next school year. It is still unclear whether a solution will be found in time.

France had already attempted several years ago to introduce a minimum age of 15 for teenagers to create their own social-media accounts without parental consent. However, the law could not be enforced due to European Union legislation. Whether the new rules comply with current EU law remains to be seen.

France could become the first EU country with such a regulation.

Australia has already introduced a ban, with children and young people under 16 not allowed to have their own social media accounts on many major platforms since mid-December.

There is also a debate in Germany about whether access to social media should be restricted for children.
A Los Angeles judge on Monday denied a bid for re-sentencing by a Palmdale woman who pleaded guilty to the first-degree murder of her 8-year-old son -- who was routinely beaten, starved, forced to sleep in a closet and tortured until his death nearly 13 years ago.

Pearl Sinthia Fernandez, now 42, was sentenced in March 2018 to life in prison without the possibility of parole for the May 2013 killing of her son, Gabriel, but has since filed two re-sentencing petitions contending that she could not now be convicted of murder because of recent changes in state law that affect defendants in some murder cases.

Her boyfriend, Isauro Aguirre, now 45, was sentenced to death. His automatic appeal to the California Supreme Court is pending.

Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge George G. Lomeli denied Fernandez's first petition in June 2021, saying then that he concluded that she is "not entitled to re-sentencing relief."

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"It has been established by her own admission during her guilty plea that the murder was intentional and involved the infliction of torture over a period of several months...," the judge said at the June 2021 hearing, noting that the record supports the theory that Fernandez was a "major participant in the murder of a child victim."

The judge noted then that Fernandez had agreed to waive any and all of her appellate rights at the time of her February 2018 guilty plea.

Lomeli denied her second re-sentencing petition Monday, saying he found that she could be convicted of murder beyond a reasonable doubt.

The judge also rejected Fernandez's claim in the petition filed in February, which alleged that "the state-appointed defense attorney provided ineffective assistance of counsel" and "coerced me into signing a plea of guilt for a sentence of life without possibility of parole."

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Fernandez noted that she had received assistance with the new petition, which alleged that "the petitioner has comprehension issues and documented verbal comprehension of a second-grade student" and that she was "mistakenly under the impression that her case would then be going to appeal" when she signed the plea agreement.

Prosecutor Jonathan Hatami -- who is now the assistant head deputy of the District Attorney's Complex Child Abuse Unit -- told reporters outside the downtown courthouse, "It's unfair that we constantly have to come here every few years and deal with this issue, where the family gets really, really nervous... What about if Judge Lomeli is not here anymore? What about if people retire? They have to be worried that five years from now, 10 years from now, 15 years from now, this same thing is going to happen again."

SEE ALSO: Changes at LA County DCFS aim to better protect kids from abuse

The Antelope Valley has seen several cases of horrific child abuse. The Department of Children and Family Services says it has been making changes to stop them from happening.

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One of the boy's cousins, Olivia Rubio, who spoke out in court against the re-sentencing bid, told reporters outside court, "All we want (is) this to be over. We do need closure. It's been a hard time, but she's not going to stop, and that's why our voices need to get louder, and that's why we need to stand together, and this is who we are. We stand together and protect all the other children."

Another of the boy's cousins, Emily Carranza, told reporters that it was "nerve-wracking" not to know what might be the outcome of the hearing, and said she believes Fernandez "might try again."

"I wanted her to hear what she's done and the trauma that she's caused the family and her other children, so it's not fair for us to keep coming back," said Carranza, who also spoke in court. "It's unimaginable what she does and what she thinks. She's just a manipulator, and she is not a victim."

Hatami said two of Gabriel's siblings had also reached out to him.

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The prosecutor noted that Fernandez -- who was listening to the hearing via phone from Central California Women's Facility in Chowchilla and said, "I've never, I've never" -- interrupted him as he told the judge that she had admitted torturing and murdering Gabriel. He said she "doesn't want to accept any responsibility and accountability for what she did."

At the March 2018 sentencing for Fernandez and Aguirre, the judge called the case "without a doubt the most aggravated and egregious case of torture this court has ever witnessed."

"You want to say that the conduct was animalistic, but that would be wrong because even animals know how to take care of their young... It's beyond animalistic," Lomeli said then, noting that he hoped the two defendants would wake up in the middle of the night thinking about what they had done to the boy.

In denying an automatic motion to reduce the jury's recommendation of a death sentence for Aguirre to life in prison without the possibility of parole, the judge cited the "repeated beating, binding, burning and starving" of the youngster.

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In a brief statement shortly before she was sentenced, the boy's mother said, "I want to say I'm sorry to my family for what I did... I wish Gabriel was alive. Every day I wish that I made better choices."

During Aguirre's trial, prosecutors told jurors that the boy was routinely beaten, shot with a BB gun, forced to eat cat feces and sleep inside a small cabinet while gagged and bound.

Hatami called Aguirre an "evil" man who "liked torturing" the boy and did so systematically in the months leading up to the child's death.

Aguirre hated Gabriel because he thought the boy was gay, according to the prosecutor. The boy was 7 when the abuse began and was killed three months after he turned 8.

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Los Angeles County Fire Department personnel went to the family's home in the 200 block of East Avenue Q-10 in Palmdale on May 22, 2013, in response to a call that Gabriel was not breathing. He was declared brain-dead that day and taken off life support two days later.

One of Aguirre's trial attorneys, Michael Sklar, contended that Fernandez was the one who hit the boy with a belt, shot him with a BB gun and was responsible for much of the abuse prior to his death.

"I think they both pointed the fingers at each other, which sometimes happens in co-defendant cases," Hatami responded after Fernandez's plea. "The evidence showed, and our office believed that they were both equally culpable in the case, and I think the evidence showed that."

The boy's death and the arrests of Fernandez and Aguirre led to an outcry over the handling of the case by Los Angeles County social workers, who had multiple contacts with the family.

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A subsequent investigation led to the filing of criminal charges against two former social workers and their two supervisors. But that case was subsequently dismissed after a state appeals court panel found that the four "never had the requisite duty to control the abusers and did not have care or custody of Gabriel" for purposes of the child abuse charge leveled against them, and were "not officers" within the meaning of the Government Code section involving falsification of public records.

Copyright 2025, City News Service, Inc.
A Georgia military spouse is speaking out after sparking a federal investigation.

For years, military spouses like local pharmacist Amy Lewandowski say they were forced to start over every time their family relocated.

But after speaking up, she helped spark a federal investigation thats now leading to big changes.

Lewandowski has spent more than a decade supporting her familys military service while also building her own career.

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Shes a pharmacist of 14 years and a military spouse for more than a decade.

Most recently, she relocated from Virginia to middle Georgia near Robins Air Force Base.

But when she got here, she said she hit a roadblock.

TRENDING STORIES:

Instead of getting to work, she was forced to navigate a complex licensing process just to do the job she was already trained to do.

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So, she filed a complaint with the Department of Justice.

Today, definitely, I think marks an important step for military families because this doesnt only affect me, Lewandowski told Channel 2s Michael Seiden.

Federal investigators say Georgia licensing boards failed to properly recognize out-of-state licenses in violation of federal law, and some military spouses were forced to put their careers on hold or leave the state just to keep working.

The stress of moving, relocating your entire family to a new location, and trying to maintain your household, Lewandowski said.

Now, a first-of-its-kind settlement will provide up to $3 million in compensation and require major changes to the system.

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We didnt have to cajole. We didnt have to go through and point out why exactly their practices were wrong. They said, Youve told us about it, were going to fix it. And they did, said Theodore Hertzberg, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Georgia.

Federal prosecutors said up to 5,000 servicemembers and their spouses could be eligible.

It does kind of restore my faith that if you speak up, things can change for the better, Lewandowski said.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has pledged continued support for Ukraine against Moscow's invasion, as he travelled alongside EU counterparts to Bucha to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian massacre.

Putin has "underestimated our staying power and the rock-solid nature of our resolve," said Wadephul in Kiev, warning that the Russian leader "must not be allowed to profit from the current escalation in the Middle East."

"If Putin concludes in Ukraine that wars of aggression pay off, then more will follow," the German foreign minister argued.

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The Russian president "is hoping that Ukraines supporters will eventually turn away," Wadephul added. "But we will not do him that favour."

Earlier, Wadephul visited the small town of Bucha, north-west of the Ukrainian capital, alongside top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas and foreign ministers from across the bloc.

The town stands for "inhumanity and brutality, for the unspeakable targeted crimes against civilians that are an integral part of Russian warfare," Wadephul said, calling the Russian occupation "hell on Earth."

Wherever Putins Russia goes, it brings war crimes and barbarism, the minister said. "Bucha remains an open wound on the soul of Ukraine and on the soul of Europe," said the minister.

As a founding member of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, and through its advocacy for a special tribunal on Russia's crimes in Ukraine, Germany is committed to ensuring "that Russias atrocities do not go unpunished," Wadephul noted.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has pledged continued support for Ukraine against Moscow's invasion, as he travelled alongside EU counterparts to Bucha to mark the fourth anniversary of the Russian massacre.

Putin has "underestimated our staying power and the rock-solid nature of our resolve," said Wadephul in Kiev, warning that the Russian leader "must not be allowed to profit from the current escalation in the Middle East."

"If Putin concludes in Ukraine that wars of aggression pay off, then more will follow," the German foreign minister argued.

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The Russian president "is hoping that Ukraines supporters will eventually turn away," Wadephul added. "But we will not do him that favour."

Earlier, Wadephul visited the small town of Bucha, north-west of the Ukrainian capital, alongside top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas and foreign ministers from across the bloc.

The town stands for "inhumanity and brutality, for the unspeakable targeted crimes against civilians that are an integral part of Russian warfare," Wadephul said, calling the Russian occupation "hell on Earth."

Wherever Putins Russia goes, it brings war crimes and barbarism, the minister said. "Bucha remains an open wound on the soul of Ukraine and on the soul of Europe," said the minister.

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As a founding member of the International Claims Commission for Ukraine, and through its advocacy for a special tribunal on Russia's crimes in Ukraine, Germany is committed to ensuring "that Russias atrocities do not go unpunished," Wadephul noted.

He said he officially informed the secretary general of the Council of Europe on Tuesday that Germany wishes to become a member of the special tribunals administrative council. "This marks the next important step," said Wadephul.

The foreign minister also announced that the German government was making an additional 70 million ($81 million) available for humanitarian aid in Ukraine.

The funds would go to UN organizations as well as local and international non-governmental groups providing urgently needed support to people, particularly in front-line areas.
The German government on Tuesday expressed "great concern" over the Israeli parliament's decision to introduce the death penalty for convicted terrorists.

"Understandably, Israel has taken a hard line against terrorism since October 7," said government spokesman Stefan Kornelius in Berlin. "However, the German government views the law passed yesterday with great concern."

Opposition to the death penalty is a fundamental feature of German policy, he said.

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The German government is also concerned that such a law "would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories," Kornelius added. "It therefore regrets the Knessets decision and cannot endorse it."

The Knesset, Israel's parliament, approved the bill on Monday. It provides that the death penalty or life imprisonment may be imposed for terrorist-motivated murder with the aim of destroying the State of Israel.

Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954 and retained it only in exceptional cases. The execution of the German Nazi criminal Adolf Eichmann in 1962 was the last carried out in Israel.
KABUL, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Afghanistan-Pakistan border crossing at Torkham was reopened on Tuesday morning to facilitate the return of Afghan migrants from Pakistan, according to the provincial government office of Nangarhar.

The Torkham border crossing has reopened to returning migrants, with all necessary preparations now underway at the Omari refugee camp (near the border) to receive and assist the returnees, the provincial government office said in a statement.

The crossing had been closed to returning migrants for nearly a month following cross-border clashes. It was briefly reopened on Thursday, only to be shut again later for unforeseen reasons.

Located in eastern Nangarhar province, Torkham serves as a vital trade and transit point between the two neighbors. The crossing had been closed to bilateral trade and cross-border movement since October last year amid heightened border tensions.

Border skirmishes and subsequent aerial strikes have continued since February, resulting in casualties and damage on both sides. 
A wolf has bitten a human in Germany for the first time since the species returned to the country, authorities said on Tuesday.

The incident on Monday saw a woman injured near an IKEA store in the northern city of Hamburg.

Officers captured the animal later in the evening near the Binnenalster pier in the city centre, pulling it from the water using a snare, a police spokesman said.

"There has not been a case like this since the repopulation [of wolves] in 1998," a spokeswoman for the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation told dpa.

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The wolf has been taken to a wildlife rescue centre in Lower Saxony. There, it has found a "new temporary home," a spokesman for the environmental agency told dpa late Tuesday.

Wolves were considered extinct in Germany for around 150 years, but began repopulating the country from Poland around the turn of the century. The process was natural and not a purposeful reintroduction.

Today, an estimated 1,600 wolves roam the forests of several northern German states, but experts warn that their growing number means encounters with humans are becoming more likely.

Klaus Hacklander, a wolf expert at the German Wildlife Foundation, said it was realistic that the animal that bit the woman in Hamburg was indeed a wolf.

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"The likelihood of a wolf venturing into a settlement or even a city is high due to the large number of wolves we now have," he added.

The growing wolf population has also posed problems for farmers, leading the Bundestag - Germany's lower house of parliament - to pass a bill allowing wolves to be shot in certain conditions earlier this month.

The bill was passed in the upper house, the Bundesrat, on Friday.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  A Republican California sheriff who seized more than half a million 2025 election ballots said he has paused the probe into election fraud allegations, citing mounting legal challenges from the state attorney general and a voting rights group.

Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco, who is also one of two prominent Republican gubernatorial candidates in the state, said in a statement Saturday that his office put the investigation on hold because of the politically motivated lawsuits and court filings.

The reversal comes after Democratic Attorney General Rob Bonta and the UCLA Voting Rights Project launched legal challenges last week, arguing the sheriff has no authority over election materials.

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Bianco previously said that the investigation  and the seizure of more than 650,000 ballots cast in the November election  was legal and approved by a Riverside County judge. He doubled down last week by taking more ballots from a county election office after receiving orders from Bonta's office to stop.

Bonta's office said Monday it will continue with its petitions in the California Supreme Court and the superior court.

Our focus is on what the Sheriff does, not what he says, a spokesperson said in a statement.

The UCLA Voting Rights Project, in a petition filed Monday on behalf of several Riverside County voters, is also asking the state Supreme Court to order Bianco to return the ballots while the case plays out.

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Our election law is clear that voted ballots are to remain in the custody of election officials, and nothing the sheriff has presented changes that basic rule, Sonni Waknin, an attorney with the group, said in a statement.

The dispute started in February and escalated this month when Bianco seized 1,000 boxes of election materials to investigate a complaint from a local citizens group about the ballot count from a November 2025 special election on redistricting. Local election officials told the county Board of Supervisors last month that the complaint was unfounded. After Bonta ordered Bianco to halt his probe, the sheriff seized another 426 boxes of ballots last week.

The ballot investigation came as President Donald Trump has repeatedly disputed the results of the 2020 election, citing unsubstantiated instances of fraud. His administration recently seized ballots and other documents from an election office in Georgia. Some Republicans have mirrored Trumps rhetoric on voting in their states.
LEFT: Thomas Massie (Screenshot) RIGHT: Dan Bongino (Michael Reynolds/Pool via AP)

Conservative commentator and former deputy director of the FBI Dan Bongino unleashed on Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY) on Tuesday, precipitating a brawl between the two online.

Im frequently disappointed in politicians but Tom Massie defied the odds in my unfortunate experiences with him, as he surpassed my lowest expectations. This zero pretends to be a principled defender of liberty but, in the real world, he supports third-world tyranny, wrote Bongino in a post on X. Here are the receipts from a phone call I had with this zero offering him a briefing on multiple investigations he was inserting himself into by publicly commenting on them. Rather than affording the subjects of the cases their constitutional Right to due process, Massie chose to waive off the briefing and litigate it on X for clicks. Notice I tried to call him back but he wasnt interested in facts.

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Its also of note that I never heard a single word from Massie during the process we engaged in to release the Epstein case docs. This process played out in media everywhere and yet Massie never reached out. Not once, he added. Its almost as if he wants to be a moron. As if ignorance is bliss for him. Im horrified I once believed this guy was authentic.

Bongino also attached three screenshots of call records with Massie representing that the pair hopped on one 10-minute call on November 12, 2025, one three-second call on November 13, and that a call was canceled on November 18.

Im frequently disappointed in politicians but Tom Massie defied the odds in my unfortunate experiences with him, as he surpassed my lowest expectations.

This zero pretends to be a principled defender of liberty but, in the real world, he supports third-world tyranny.

Here are pic.twitter.com/bZBfsvXBSq  Dan Bongino (@dbongino) March 31, 2026

Massie fired back in a lengthy tweet of his own:

Dan, in your first call, which I think is the first and last occasion you and I ever spoke: (1) you seemed upset that I had received and had released FBI whistleblower information about the pipe bomb investigation. (2) I informed you that your staff had threatened to criminally investigate my staff as retribution against me (for pipe bomb or Epstein activity?) (3) you threatened to personally finance a defamation suit against reporters on behalf of a suspect. Perhaps it was also a veiled threat to sue me. You said those depositions arent going to fun for the people involved or something like that. In any case, Deputy FBI Director shouldnt be financing civil lawsuits against reporters covering cases the FBI is working on. (4) you said you were going to call every agent in and get to the bottom of the whistleblower issue. (5) you offered me a briefing but I was going to be tied up until at least 6pm on the Epstein files transparency act, so I asked how late i could get the briefing and you said you were going to leave the office at 5pm. (6) I asked you a few questions on the call and your answers indicated to me that you were perhaps less informed than me on some of the issues, or you were going to be less than forthcoming. A few hours after the call, I received and released new FBI whistleblower information regarding the all-hands meeting (which matched what you told me in #4 above), related to concern that the meeting was called to out the whistelblowers [sic]. Your second (attempted) call was the evening I achieved 218 signatures on the Epstein discharge petition and I had been busy thwarting Mike Johnsons last ditch effort to derail the Epstein Files Transparency Act. Not sure why your call log shows 1:36am. You called me in the evening, maybe 8ish? note  my staff also had the unfortunate pleasure of receiving numerous late night calls on Signal from FBI staff telling them there was absolutely nothing in the Epstein case and that I should back off.

Dan, in your first call, which I think is the first and last occasion you and I ever spoke: (1) you seemed upset that I had received and had released FBI whistleblower information about the pipe bomb investigation. (2) I informed you that your staff had threatened to  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 31, 2026

Of course, none of what you just vomited out is even remotely close to what happened. But you know that. You were offered an update on a case and you waived it off to continue bullshitting people on X. You were clear about that on the phone. Youre a grifter and a fraud. And you know it, replied Bongino.

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Do you not remember I informed you that your staff had threatened my staff? asked Massie in response. Careful, there are receipts for this.

Massie was a leading advocate for the Epstein Transparency Act and promoted a since-retracted article suggesting that the January 6 pipe bomber was a former Capitol Police officer in the fall. Just last week, Massie accused the FBI of arresting the wrong person in the case while citing an analysis touted by the two reporters who had made the false allegation Massie had initially promoted.

The congressman is presently facing down a primary challenged from Ed Gallrein, who has been endorsed by President Donald Trump. On Monday evening, former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene railed against Jewish billionaires at a virtual fundraising event for Massies reelection campaign.

The post Youre a Grifter and a Fraud: Trump Alum Dan Bongino BRAWLS With Thomas Massie first appeared on Mediaite.
A Grove City police report says a congressional candidate was arrested at a No Kings protest because sergeants did not feel it was safe to ticket him in front of the crowd, but he refused to move.

Don Leonard, who is running to represent Ohio's 15th district in the House of Representatives, was giving a speech with a bullhorn on March 28 when a Grove City police officer took the bullhorn and informed him he was violating a noise ordinance, according to the police report and a previous interview with Leonard.

Leonard refused to walk to an officers cruiser to be interviewed and cited for the noise violation, and he was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice.

Anti-Trump protesters gather for a "No Kings" protest at the Ohio Statehouse March 28. That same day, a Democratic congressional candidate was arrested at a similar protest near Grove City Hall.

Another man was arrested after he blocked the cruiser Leonard was placed inside. That man was charged with obstructing official business and disorderly conduct, according to court records.

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Leonard said in an interview with the Dispatch he was willing to accept a citation for violating the noise ordinance but wanted the crowd to witness the arrest because he was worried about how the situation was escalating.

What happened at the Grove City No Kings protest?

Two Grove City police sergeants initially responded to a report of a group of juveniles causing a disturbance during the protest at about 1:45 p.m. on March 28 near Grove City Hall, according to the Grove City police report. They could not find the initial caller when they arrived, and the report makes no further mention of the group of juveniles.

The sergeants took Leonards bullhorn and asked him if he was aware of the Grove City noise ordinance when he organized the event, according to the report. Leonard told officers he did not organize the event.

People in the crowd swore at the sergeants as they spoke to Leonard, according to the police report. Leonard continued to address the crowd as one of the sergeants moved a police cruiser that was blocking the road, sarcastically remarking that his noise ordinance violation was the most important thing happening in Grove City right now, according to the police report.

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As the crowd around Leonard grew, the sergeant did not believe it was safe or appropriate to take enforcement action in front of the crowd of protestors that had appeared to become more agitated as Leonard became more agitated, according to the police report. He gestured for Leonard to come over to the cruiser, but Leonard refused.

Leonard refused multiple orders to move away from the crowd, according to the police report. The sergeants told Leonard they were giving him a lawful order to move, but he still refused, according to the report.

Grove City dispatched more officers to the protest for crowd control, the report states. While the sergeants interacted with Leonard he made several remarks to the crowd suggesting the sergeants were overreacting to the situation, police said.

March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Walter the corgi joins protestors in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors in Pickerington, Ohio, fly the flags of the United States and the state of Minnesota. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: A young boy holds a sign he made for a No Kings rally in Pickerington, Ohio. March 28, 2026: A young boy holds a sign he made for a No Kings rally in Pickerington, Ohio. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Drummers provide a beat for a No Kings rally in Pickerington, Ohio. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: An Indivisible marshal hands out water as protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Walter the corgi joins protestors in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: A protestor in Pickerington, Ohio, holds a copy of the United States Constitution during a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally. Hundreds show support at No Kings protest in Pickerington 1 of 56 March 28, 2026: Protestors gather in Pickerington, Ohio, at the corner of 256 and Refugee Road for a No Kings rally.

Protesters and bystanders filmed officers and shouted at them, and when Leonard was arrested, the crowd chanted shame, shame, according to the report.

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Both Leonard and the man charged with blocking a cruiser will appear in the Grove City Mayors Court for their initial appearances April 15.

Leonard said previously he has an attorney and intends to fight the charges. He is a Democrat running for Ohio's 15th Congressional District, which is currently represented by Mike Carey.

Public Safety and Breaking News Reporter Bailey Gallion can be reached at bagallion@dispatch.com.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 'No Kings' protest arrests detailed in Grove City police report
WASHINGTON (AP)  Gulf allies of the United States, led by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, are urging President Donald Trump to continue prosecuting the war against Iran, arguing that Tehran hasn't been weakened enough by the monthlong U.S.-led bombing campaign, according to U.S., Gulf and Israeli officials.

After private grumbling at the start of the war that they were not given adequate advance notice of the U.S.-Israeli attack and complaining the U.S. had ignored their warnings that the war would have devastating consequences for the entire region, some of the regional allies are making the case to the White House that the moment offers a historic opportunity to cripple Tehrans clerical rule once and for all.

Officials from Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Kuwait and Bahrain have conveyed in private conversations that they do not want the military operation to end until there are significant changes in the Iranian leadership or theres a dramatic shift in Iranian behavior, according to the officials, who were not authorized to comment publicly and spoke on the condition of anonymity.

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The push from the Gulf nations comes as Trump vacillates between claiming that Iran's decimated leadership is ready to settle the conflict and threatening to further escalate the war if a deal is not reached soon.

All the while, Trump is struggling to rally public support at home for a war that's left more than 3,000 dead across the Mideast and is shaking the global economy. Yet the U.S. leader is sounding increasingly confident that he has the full support of his most important Mideast allies  including some that were hesitant about a new military campaign in the lead-up to the war.

Saudi Arabias fighting back hard. Qatar is fighting back. UAE is fighting back. Kuwaits fighting back. Bahrains fighting back, Trump told reporters on Air Force One on Sunday evening as he made his way to Washington from his home in Florida. Theyre all fighting back.

The Gulf countries host U.S. forces and bases from which the U.S. has launched strikes on Iran, but have not joined the offensive strikes.

Gulf allies support the war to varying degrees

While regional leaders are broadly supportive now of the U.S. efforts, one Gulf diplomat described some division, with Saudi Arabia and the UAE leading the calls for increasing military pressure on Tehran.

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The UAE has emerged as perhaps the most hawkish of the Gulf countries and is pushing hard for Trump to order a ground invasion, the diplomat said. Kuwait and Bahrain also favor this option. The UAE, which has faced more than 2,300 missile and drone attacks from Iran, has only grown more irritated as the war grinds on and the salvos threaten to tarnish its image as the safe, pristine and monied hub for trade and tourism of the Mideast.

Oman and Qatar, which historically have played the role of intermediary between the long economically isolated Iran and the West, have favored a diplomatic solution.

The diplomat said Saudi Arabia has argued to the U.S. that ending the war now wont produce a good deal, one guaranteeing security for Irans Arab neighbors.

The Saudis say an eventual war settlement must neutralize Irans nuclear program, destroy its ballistic missile capabilities, end Tehrans support for proxy groups, and also ensure that the Strait of Hormuz cannot be effectively shutdown by the Islamic Republic in the future as it has during the conflict. About 20% of the worlds oil flowed through the waterway before the war.

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Achieving those goals would require a sharp course correction by the theocracy that has been in charge of the country since the 1979 Islamic Revolution or its removal.

Senior Emirati officials, meanwhile, have become more pointed in their rhetoric toward Iran.

An Iranian regime that launches ballistic missiles at homes, weaponizes global trade and supports proxies is no longer an acceptable feature of the regional landscape, Noura Al Kaabi, a minister of state at the UAEs Foreign Ministry, wrote in a column published Monday by the state-linked, English-language newspaper The National. She added: We want a guarantee that this will never happen again.

The White House declined to comment for this story about the deliberations with Gulf allies. But Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday underscored that the U.S. and its Gulf Arab allies are in sync about Iran.

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They are religious zealots who can never be allowed to possess a nuclear weapon because they have an apocalyptic vision of the future, Rubio said of Iran in an appearance on ABC's Good Morning America. And all of their neighbors know that, by the way, which is why all of their neighbors have been supportive of the efforts were conducting.

Saudi crown prince urges US not to let up

Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the kingdom's de facto leader, has told White House officials that a further defanging of Irans military capabilities and clerical leadership serves the long-term interest of the Gulf region and beyond, according to a person who has been briefed on the conversations.

Still, the Saudis are sensitive to the fact that the longer the conflict goes on the more opportunity Iran has to carry out strikes on the kingdoms energy infrastructure, the heartbeat of its oil-rich economy.

A Saudi government official underscored that the kingdom ultimately wants to see a political solution to the crisis, but its immediate focus remains safeguarding its people and critical infrastructure.

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Irans foreign minister early Tuesday insisted Tehrans attacks on the Gulf Arab states only target U.S. forces, even after assaults have hit civilian targets.

Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi wrote on X, sharing a photo purportedly showing damage to an American aircraft at a Saudi air base. Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security. ... High time to eject U.S. forces.

Trump, in recent days, has sought to spotlight that most of the Gulf countries have stood in lockstep with his administration as the U.S. prosecutes the war, noting how theyve coalesced in the thick of crisis as he criticizes NATO allies for not joining the U.S. in the fight.

On Friday, he heaped praise on Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and United Arab Emirates for showing bravery as the war has unfolded.

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The president, speaking at an event in Miami sponsored by the Saudi sovereign wealth fund, was particularly effusive about the Saudi crown prince, hailing him as a warrior and a fantastic man.

Trump also alluded to the fact that the Gulf countries were hesitant about his and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus decision to launch the war, but have since rallied.

They werent thinking this was going to happen, nobody was, said Trump, referring to Iran launching thousands of retaliatory salvos around the Gulf. And they turned against them and really became very powerfully aligned. And they were with us, but they werent with us very obliquely. They were with us.

Will Gulf allies join the fight?

Trump has yet to call on Gulf nations to take part in offensive operations.

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One factor may be that the administration might have calculated that its not worth the complications that come with crowding the skies with additional militaries beyond Israel.

Three American fighter jets were mistakenly downed by friendly Kuwaiti fire in the first days of the conflict in the midst of an Iranian air assault. All six crew members safely ejected from the F-15E Strike Eagles.

And six American service members were killed on March 12, when their KC-135 refueling aircraft crashed in western Iraq.

Another factor is that only UAE and Bahrain are among the Gulf states that have formal diplomatic relations with Israel, adding a layer of complication to their calculus, notes Yasmine Farouk, the Gulf and Arabian Peninsula project director at the International Crisis Group

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But Iran has warned it will attack its neighbors' critical infrastructure, including desalination plants used to provide drinking water to the region, if Trump follows through on his threat to strike Iran's power plants if it doesn't open the Strait of Hormuz by April 6.

The absence of a clear objective, the absence of the trust that the United States is really going to go until the end and finish the jobs  it's making some of them reluctant, Farouk said. But if there is a consequential or mass casualty (event) in one of those countries, then it would be justified for them to become a belligerent.

___

Magdy reported from Cairo and Mednick reported from Tel Aviv, Israel. AP writers Darlene Superville aboard Air Force One and Josef Federman in Jerusalem contributed reporting.
BALTIMORE  What is believed to be the first legal challenge to the new Maryland law banning agreements between local law enforcement and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement was thrown out by a Harford County judge.

The case illustrates confusion over Marylands new law, which some lawmakers heralded as prohibiting local law enforcement from cooperating with ICE agents under what are known as 287(g) agreements. But the law allows cooperation in many instances, as Gov. Wes Moore himself sought to clarify when it was initially described.

In this case, an Ecuadorian man sued the warden of Harford Countys detention center, filing a petition arguing that his detention on March 6 was illegal. Jose Toaquiza-Ugshas emergency petition states how many have interpreted the law: Maryland law enforcement officials have no authority to make civil immigration arrests, with or without the existence of an administrative immigration warrant.'

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Harford County Circuit Court Judge Kevin Mahoney ruled that the petition filed by Toaquiza-Ugsha against Daniel Galbraith, warden of the Harford County Detention Center, was moot and closed the case March 24, according to court records.

The case was moot because local law enforcement officials are permitted to cooperate with ICE on immigration detainers, as clarified by Moore shortly after he signed legislation in February prohibiting certain agreements between local police and correctional officers and ICE.

Moore, a Democrat, issued three directives on Feb. 17 clarifying that state and local agencies may still cooperate with ICE on criminal matters and immigration detainers. That drew criticism from Republicans who said the bills appeared largely symbolic. And some political scientists called Moores move to explain the legislation as a political balancing act, given that some polls show Marylanders oppose the law.

In a letter to local elected officials, Moore emphasized that the newly signed law does not prevent local governments from working with federal authorities on criminal investigations or the removal of dangerous offenders. It also does not prohibit notifying ICE of impending releases or coordinating custody transfers within constitutional limits.

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Harford County States Attorney Alison Healey, who represented Warden Galbraith, said Toaquiza-Ugshas petition had no merit, since local law enforcement can still use 48-hour detainers, and he was picked up by ICE within 24 hours.

When asked if challenges to the common 48-hour ICE detainers could become more frequent in the wake of the new state law, Healey said: It certainly felt like this is something you are going to continue to battle.

But, she added: This was not the case to test those waters.

Toaquiza-Ugsha was found guilty on March 5 of driving while impaired by alcohol and fleeing police in Belcamp related to a Jan. 28 incident, according to court records. Hes also scheduled for an April 13 trial for a Jan. 28 traffic charge in Baltimore City.

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After the guilty finding, the Harford County Detention Center held Toaquiza-Ugsha, who Sheriff Jeffrey Gahler said is a citizen of Ecuador and is in the U.S. illegally, to allow ICE to pick him up.

Toaquiza-Ugshas attorney, Ashley Travis, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Harford County had a 287g agreement with ICE. And Gahler has been among the most vocal proponents of working with federal immigration officials and fighting the emergency statewide ban.

In his Facebook post, Gahler called Toaquiza-Ugshas petition ultra sanctuary-state craziness and wrote hes thankful we won in court!

________

(Mennatalla Ibrahim contributed to this article.)

________
The Hartford Police Union is expected to file multiple grievances against the city, contending that there were several procedural violations in the firing of Officer Joseph Magnano.

Magnanos termination was announced Friday by Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam, who said in a statement that the firing was effective immediately and was based on the probationary officers performance when he responded to a mental health call on Blue Hills Avenue on Feb. 27 and fired nine shots at 55-year-old Steven Jones, who died days later in a hospital. Arulampalam said Magnanos response did not measure up to the standards of the Hartford Police Department or the three other officers at the scene who were trying to de-escalate the situation.

Hartford Police Union President James Rutkauski has defended Magnanos actions, calling them in line with both police department policies and the legal standard required to use deadly force. When reached for comment on Monday, Rutkauski said the union will fight the firing.

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We have several procedural violations related to Joes termination that will lead to union grievances, Rutkauski said.

Hartford mayor fires officer who fatally shot man in mental health crisis after calls for justice

Magnanos attorney, Norm Pattis, has walked back comments he made immediately following Arulampalams announcement, initially saying a wrongful termination lawsuit would be filed against the city this week.

I drafted something and passed it along to the union, Pattis said Monday.

He added that union officials have asked him to hold off on any civil litigation until they decide what they are going to do.

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According to Rutkauski, union officials still need to meet with Magnano to determine how he would like to proceed.

A spokesperson for Arulampalam said Monday that the city does not typically comment on anything pertaining to litigation or employment disputes.

Arulampalams decision came amid intense pressure to take action following two fatal police shootings in eight days which led to the death of Jones and 53-year-old Everard Walker. His state of the city speech last week was interrupted by protestors calling for the firing of Magnano and Officer Alexander Clifford, who shot and killed Walker during a mental health call when Walker raised a knife in what authorities say was an attempt to stab a policeman who had fallen, according to a preliminary report issued by state Inspector General Eliot Prescott.

The Connecticut Office of the Inspector General is still investigating both shootings to determine if the officers actions were lawful.

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Days after Arulampalams speech was interrupted, a celebration of life was held for Jones in Bloomfield, where civil rights and social justice activist Rev. Al Sharpton and nationally recognized civil rights attorney Ben Crump were critical of Magnanos handling of Jones. Both men questioned why Magnano felt the need to shoot Jones when three officers who were already at the scene were able to avoid firing their weapons.

The body camera footage released from the shooting showed Jones, armed with a knife, advance toward multiple officers who responded to a home on Blue Hills Avenue after his sister called 911 and said he had cut himself and was experiencing a mental health crisis, Prescotts preliminary report said. The first officer at the scene unsuccessfully tried to use a taser and told Jones sister that he was not going to shoot him, the footage shows.

After two additional officers arrived, police formed a circle around Jones and appeared as though they were able to get him to stop making advances toward police, the footage shows. They were not able to get him to let go of the knife despite several demands that he drop the blade.

Magnano was at the scene for less than 40 seconds before he shot Jones, according to the footage. He immediately approached Jones and the other officers after getting out of his cruiser and shouted for him to drop the knife.

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Jones then began walking toward Magnano as he backed up into the street and made further calls from him to drop the knife, warning him that he would be shot before firing nine shots at him, the footage shows.

Sharpton, who delivered Jones eulogy, and Crump, who is representing the family, each praised Arulampalams decision to fire Magnano and called it the first step in seeking police accountability.

Pattis called the decision a stunning act of cynicism that he alleges was done at the whim of Sharpton and Crump.

Rutkauski was also critical of the move and said it would only worsen recruitment issues that the department is already facing. He also said he believes it will cause officers to hesitate in split-second decisions out of fear of political second-guessing afterward.
A scientific dispute has erupted between NASA and Harvard astrophysicist Avi Loeb over a peculiar cone-shaped object discovered on Mars, with the Harvard researcher publicly challenging the space agency to back up its claims that it is just a rock with more conclusive evidence.

The controversy centers around what NASA describes as a small, naturally occurring rock formation photographed by the Curiosity rover in August 2022 in the Gale Crater near Mars' equator. According to a NASA spokesperson, the smooth, metallic-looking cone is merely another example of wind-carved Martian geology, measuring just 1 centimeter and captured from 13 feet away. The agency suggests the object's unusual "party hat" appearance could be an example of pareidolia, the psychological phenomenon where humans recognize familiar shapes in unrelated objects.

However, Loeb isn't buying NASA's explanation. The renowned astrophysicist, who first questioned the object in a March 8 Medium post, argues that his analysis shows it to be roughly 20 centimeters in size and questions whether it could be "human-made debris." He disputes NASA's wind-formation theory, pointing out that "a rock is not expected to have a smooth cylindrical surface with a flat end."

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The Harvard scientist has thrown down the gauntlet, demanding proof from NASA.

"I challenge the NASA representative to show us another example of a rock that resembles this object in any of the Curiosity rover images," Loeb told the New York Post. "If this object is a rock, we should see other examples of it."

This particular view is not the first one imaged on the red planet that has looked like something else. An image captured by NASA's Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter in December 2022, quickly went viral because of its resemblance to the face of a bear. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your point of view), there are no bears on Mars.
Four Democratic candidates running for U.S. Senate in Kentucky will take part in a forum hosted by The Courier Journal and WHAS11 ahead of the May 19 primary election.

The forum will begin at 7 p.m. April 7, with the following candidates:

Charles Booker , a former state representative who previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2020 and 2022;

Amy McGrath , a former Marine fighter pilot who previously ran for U.S. Senate in 2020;

Dale Romans , a thoroughbred trainer and leader of the Kentucky Horsemens Benevolent and Protective Association;

Pamela Stevenson, a current state representative who serves as House minority floor leader.

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The candidates are among 20 who've filed to run for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell's open seat, including 12 Republicans, seven Democrats and one write-in.

Courier Journal and WHAS11 journalists will lead the one-hour event, which will be livestreamed by both outlets.

Watch the forum at courierjournal.com.

Get the news in your inbox: Sign up for the Courier Journal's On Kentucky Politics newsletter.

Have a politics question, tip or story idea? Send it to cjpolitics@courierjournal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Democratic US Senate candidates to join Courier Journal, WHAS11 forum




Jacob's Well, one of the Hill Country's most iconic swimming holes, is nearly gone and social media is exploding over it.

Hays County Parks and Natural Resources shared a Facebook post on Sunday, March 29, showing photos of Jacob's Well in 2019 and 2026. The former shows the popular swim spot gushing with water, while the later depicts it barely flowing. The post has drawn over 2,000 reactions, almost 500 shares and nearly 300 emotional comments from locals.

Jacob's Well in 2019 flowed strongly, attracting visitors to one of Central Texas' most popular swimming holes. (Courtesy of Hays County Parks and Natural Resources)





Jacob's Well in 2026 shows very low to no flow as drought and growing groundwater demand continue to impact the iconic Hill Country spring (Courtesy of Hays County Parks and Natural Resources)





The post explains the stark reality. Jacob's Well is fed by the Trinity Aquifer, an artesian system where water flows naturally without pumps. The aquifer depends on rainfall in its recharge zone near Johnson City. Hays County parks highlighted that "when there is more water in the Trinity Aquifer, more water flows from Jacob's Well." In 2022, Central Texas received 16 inches, half of its expected regular 32, reducing the aquifer's recharge. Combined with growing groundwater demand from local wells, the system is now out of balance.

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"Many central Texans get their drinking water from the Trinity Aquifer via wells," the post reads. "As the population grows, demand for groundwater continues to increase. The Trinity Aquifer can only sustain so many wells and springs. Today, the entire system is out of balance."

Abbie Maberry warned that the problem extends far beyond Wimberley. She said, "I have been shouting this as loud as I could for years. This is exactly true for our water in Guadalupe, Comal, Bexar, Travis, Wilson, ETC. Growth is coming but it can be done at a much slower rate. With much more care and concern for our natural resources. Our ability to ignore the water emergency around us is over. We are almost completely past we need a couple good rains' to fix this imbalance. It really does concern all of us."

Daniel Carter added a political warning, saying, "We are watching it dry up in real time and we are provided just this one opportunity to elect representatives who will safeguard it for our children."

A woman takes the plunge into the cool waters at Jacob's Well swimming hole. Often referred to as "The Gem of Texas Hill Country," Jacob's Well is in Wimberley, a short, 45-minute drive from Austin. The well was discovered in 1850 and is one of the longest underwater caves in Texas. (BDphoto/Getty Images)





Readers did not hold back. Hundreds commented, sharing their heartbreak and frustration. Sbravo SouthTexas wrote that overpopulation and drought have caused detrimental changes. Jeri Porter called it heartbreaking. Cass Leann said it is gone forever. Briana Coleman joined hundreds who shared the post and wrote, "This is why over development needs to stop! And why conserving water is so very important!! So sad to see it like this!!"

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The viral outrage mirrors what officials have been warning for years. Earlier this year, Hays County Parks Director Karl Flocke said to MySA that Jacob's Well is heading into its fourth straight summer closed to swimmers. Historically, the spring discharged about 2 million gallons per day but now flow is essentially zero. Flocke compared the aquifer to a bank account where withdrawals are exceeding deposits.

Officials told MySA that the drought and groundwater demand behind the spring's decline have created a deficit equal to roughly a year's worth of rainfall, and that it could take several years of sustained average to aboveaverage rain for the Trinity Aquifer to recharge enough to restore steady flow at Jacob's Well.

For now, the spring remains closed to swimmers, serving as a stark reminder of how quickly Texas' treasured natural resources can be strained by climate and growth.

This article originally published at 'Heartbreaking' before, after images show impact of Jacob's Well drought.
SEOUL, March 31 (Xinhua) -- South Korea's corporate bond sale grew last month owing to strong funding demand from financial companies, financial watchdog data showed Tuesday.

The issuance of corporate bonds rose 7.2 percent to 18.91 trillion won (12.5 billion U.S. dollars) in February compared to the previous month, according to the Financial Supervisory Service.

Financial companies' bond sale jumped 37.6 percent to 13.37 trillion won (8.8 billion dollars), but the issuance of asset-backed securities tumbled 42.6 percent to 427.5 billion won (281.8 million dollars).

Bonds sold by industrial companies declined 28.7 percent to 5.11 trillion won (3.4 billion dollars) last month.

Outstanding corporate bonds stood at 748.45 trillion won (493.3 billion dollars) at the end of February, down 0.6 percent from a month earlier.

Equity financing, including initial public offering and rights issuance, ran to 341.5 billion won (225.1 million dollars) in February, up 215.6 percent compared to the previous month. 
By Heekyong Yang and Hyunjoo Jin

SEOUL, March 31 (Reuters) - South Korea has sufficient helium stocks until at least June, two sources said, while the industry minister ruled out any first-half supply disruptions, allaying worries over the Iran war's impact on supplies of the gas crucial for chipmaking.

Prices of helium, a by-product of natural gas processing, have risen sharply after the U.S.-Israel war on Iran disrupted such operations in Qatar, the world's largest supplier of liquified natural gas (LNG).

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But South Korea, home to some of the world's largest chipmakers, including Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, has enough helium inventory to ride out the first half, a government official told Reuters.

The companies are also paying premiums to secure inventory, mainly from top producer the United States, he said, adding, "Price aside, securing the stock right now is the top priority."

The government official and the second source, employed by a helium supplier, declined to be identified as they were not permitted to speak to the media.

Both Samsung and SK declined to comment.

Disruptions in helium supply were unlikely during the first half, Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan told President Lee Jae Myung during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, but did not elaborate.

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Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, which supplies roughly two-thirds of the world's memory chips, have four to six months worth of helium inventory, the second source, at a supplier of helium to Samsung, told Reuters.

The supplier sources helium from both the United States and Qatar, cushioning the impact of disruption in the latter, he added.

Qatar, which produces nearly a third of world supply, ranks second after the United States. Iranian attacks on the Gulf state's gas facilities have forced QatarEnergy to declare force majeure to customers.

Last week Taiwan, another key chipmaking base, said its helium supplies were stable. However, some companies in the chip making supply chain have said some impact was starting to be felt on production.

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Helium and bromine were among the key semiconductor manufacturing materials at risk of supply disruptions from a prolonged Iran conflict, Samsung and business groups told lawmakers this month, besides higher energy costs.

SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won also blamed Middle East tension for costlier energy that pushed the group to seek out other energy sources.

(Reporting by Heekyong Yang and Hyunjoo Jin; Editing by Brenda Goh and Clarence Fernandez)
Houston police said they arrested five men in connection with a home invasion last week.

The suspects -- Norvey Rodriguez Angulo, Elvin Lavon Caicedo, Elvin Caicedo, Eleuterio Castro, and Edward Lozano Tenorio -- were all charged with aggravated robbery. According to court documents, they pointed a gun at a juvenile during a robbery and are all tied to a transnational theft ring.

Houston police could not confirm if the men are linked to other crimes, but sources told ABC13 they are all a part of a Colombian crime ring.

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Earlier this month, ABC13 told you about three arrests out of Fort Bend County with the same criminal ring. Investigators said the suspects targeted people in a Fulshear neighborhood by staking out their victims and law enforcement in what they describe as "pre-burglary surveillance," which is a South American burglary trademark.

This also comes after a story ABC13 first brought you last month, when Houston police said they arrested 20 people in the alleged ring and recovered $4 million in stolen property.
Satellite imagery and verified videos show Ukraine has repeatedly struck key Russian oil export infrastructure near the Baltic Sea in the past week, leaving some facilities burning for several days.

BBC Verify has confirmed at least three oil sites in Russia's Leningrad region have been attacked since 23 March, including the ports of and Ust-Luga and Primorsk - and the inland Kirishi oil refinery.

On Tuesday, Ukraine drone forces commander Robert Brovdi said Ust-Luga had been struck again on Monday night "to keep the fire going".

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Governor of Leningrad region Alexander Drozdenko said three people, including two children, were injured during the attack in which 38 drones were shot down.

According to analysis by the Finland-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (Crea) 20% of Russia's total oil exports departed from Ust-Luga and 22% from Primorsk.

Recent data shows no ships were loaded with oil in any of Russia's three Baltic ports on 26 and 27 March, which Crea said is the first period of two consecutive days with no such activity since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

Satellite images show enormous plumes of smoke rising from burning oil facilities in Primorsk on 24 March, as well as fires at Ust-Luga and extensive damage to Kirishi on 27 March.

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BBC Verify's analysis of the pictures indicates:

Primorsk - at least eight storage tanks destroyed or damaged

Ust-Luga - at least eight tanks destroyed or damaged

Kirishi - at least two storage tanks damaged

Nasa's satellite resource FIRMS, used to detect heat signatures on the Earth's surface, indicates Primorsk was still burning as of 02:54 BST on Monday and at Ust-Luga at 12:28 on Monday.

BBC Verify has also confirmed several videos showing the aftermath of attacks on all three facilities in the past week, including clips showing massive smoke plumes rising into the sky from Primorsk.

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Brovdi had previously said an operation targeting these three Baltic oil facilities began on 23 March, saying the strikes were aimed at "demilitarising Russia's oil arteries, refining capacity and crude export infrastructure".

Ukraine's military has said the Kirishi refinery is among the three largest oilprocessing plants in Russia, including the production of "fuels that support the armed forces of the aggressor state".

[BBC]

At least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity was halted on 25 March following the first attacks, according to calculations by the Reuters news agency based on market data.

According to Crea's analysis, Russia earned about 7.1bn from oil exports in the final three weeks of March, as prices rose sharply due to disruption caused by the US-Israel war with Iran.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Monday that allies have asked Kyiv to reduce attacks on Russia's energy sector because of the global energy crisis. He added they would only end if Russia stopped targeting Ukraine's energy system.

Alexander Lord, an analyst at UK-based intelligence company Sybelline, said it's "likely that Kyiv is attempting to offset the revenue windfall that Russian oil and gas exporters are otherwise currently enjoying".

But Lord added the longer the war continues, the more likely it becomes that the "US will attempt to pressure Ukraine to stop these targeted strikes, as part of wider efforts to suppress global oil prices".

Additional reporting by Daniele Palumbo and Yaroslava Kiryukhina
Hundreds of Palestinians have protested across the occupied West Bank to denounce the passage of an Israeli law approving the use of the death penalty against Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks, which the United Nations human rights chief says could constitute a war crime.

In a statement on Tuesday, Volker Turk slammed the approval of the deeply discriminatory legislation and said that the death penalty becoming the default punishment for Palestinians in the occupied territory was patently inconsistent with Israels international law obligations.

Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime, he said.

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Earlier on Tuesday, demonstrations were staged in several cities  including Ramallah, Tubas, Nablus and Jenin in the north and Hebron in the south  after calls by prisoner advocacy groups.

The Palestinian news agency Wafa said Palestinian prisoner advocacy groups and national factions staged a sit-in in the courtyard of the International Committee of the Red Cross headquarters in el-Bireh.

Participants displayed photographs of dozens of prisoners who have died in custody over the decades, Wafa added.

Palestinians protest outside the Red Cross offices in Ramallah in the West Bank on March 31, 2026 [AFP]

The protest drew a broad crowd, including families of prisoners, senior members of the Fatah party, civil society organisations, trade unions and womens groups.

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More than 9,500 Palestinians are held in Israeli prisons, including 350 children and 73 women. Palestinian and Israeli human rights groups say detainees face torture, starvation and medical neglect, leading to dozens of deaths.

Israels Knesset passed the death penalty legislation on Monday evening in a 62-48 vote.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu voted in support of the law.

European condemnation

Human rights organisations and Palestinian officials have denounced Israels approval of the legislation allowing the death penalty for Palestinians convicted of lethal attacks, arguing that it breaches international law and is fundamentally discriminatory because it does not apply equally to Israeli convicts.

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The human rights group Amnesty International called on Israeli authorities to repeal the law, which it described as a public display of cruelty, discrimination and utter contempt for human rights.

For years, we have seen an alarming pattern of apparent extrajudicial executions and other unlawful killings of Palestinians  with the perpetrators also enjoying near-total impunity, Erika Guevara-Rosas, Amnestys senior director for research, advocacy, policy and campaigns, said in a statement.

This new law, which allows for state-sanctioned executions, is a culmination of such policies.





A European Union spokesperson said passage of the legislation is very concerning.

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We call on Israel to abide by its previous principled position, its obligation under international law and its commitment to democratic principles, he said.

Germany said it could not endorse the new law. The German government views the law passed yesterday with great concern, government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.

The rejection of the death penalty is a fundamental principle of German policy, he said, also warning that such a law would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories.

In a similar condemnation, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez called the legislation a step towards apartheid.

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It is an asymmetrical measure that would not apply to Israelis committing the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. Its another step towards apartheid. The world cannot stay silent, Sanchez wrote on X.

Under the law, executions would be carried out by hanging by prison guards appointed by the Israeli Prison Service. Those involved would have anonymity and legal immunity.

The legislation also mandates transferring the Palestinians sentenced to death to special detention facilities and restricting their visitors to authorised parties. Meetings with lawyers would be limited to video communications.

Since the beginning of its genocidal war in Gaza in October 2023, Israel has intensified measures against Palestinian prisoners. The conflict has killed more than 72,000 Palestinians and wounded 172,000, most of them women and children.
By Anita Komuves

BUDAPEST, March 31 (Reuters) - Hungary's foreign minister and his Russian counterpart discussed EU sanctions in an audio clip released by an investigative news outlet on Tuesday, days before an election that could determine whether Hungary sticks to its pro-Moscow course.

The recording published by Warsaw-based Vsquare.org purports to capture an August 2024 phone call between Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

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Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the audio but in a Facebook video Szijjarto said wiretapping of his phone calls was a "huge scandal."

The leak comes a week after Prime Minister Viktor Orban ordered an investigation into what he described as the wiretapping of Szijjarto, as his government sought to contain the fallout from media reports about Hungary's ties to Russia.

The episode underscores unease among EU officials that Hungary is serving Russia's interests and working from within the bloc to undermine EU efforts to aid Ukraine. Orban says he aims to keep Hungary out of the war and protect its interests.

Orban, a veteran nationalist leader, faces his toughest election in 16 years on April 12. The centreright opposition Tisza party leads most independent polls by a wide margin.

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'WE WILL DO OUR BEST'

According to the recording published by Vsquare, Lavrov called Szijjarto to remind him of a promise to help remove the sister of a Russian businessman from the EU's sanctions list.

In the English-language audio, Szijjarto responds that Hungary and Slovakia would submit a proposal the following week to remove the woman from the list.

"We will do our best in order to get her off," Szijjarto says in the recording.

Vsquare also reported on a separate call, for which it did not provide audio, in which Szijjarto allegedly told Russia's Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin that he was working to repeal EU sanctions targeting Russia's shadow fleet of oil tankers.

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A Vsquare representative told Reuters the outlet independently verified the audio recording using sources in more than one country and with the help of external audio experts.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the authenticity of the recording or the account of the call with Sorokin.

Szijjarto did not deny that the call with Lavrov took place and acknowledged that his conversations had been intercepted.

"It is a huge scandal ... that foreign secret services were continuously wiretapping my phone calls and that these foreign secret services have now made these phone calls public one and a half weeks before the Hungarian parliamentary election," he said in a video on his Facebook page.

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The Russian government did not immediately comment.

The Slovak Foreign Ministry said it "will not comment or convey the details of its negotiating positions or those of other member states".

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico told a news conference removing someone from an EU sanctions list requires the agreement of all 27 member states.

"So you cannot accuse anyone of being a Russian agent; then you must accuse all 27 member states of being Russian agents if they have reached a decision," he said.

WARM TIES WITH RUSSIA

Orban has fostered warm ties with President Vladimir Putin despite Russia's war in Ukraine, while maintaining Hungarys heavy reliance on Russian oil and gas.

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Szijjarto has travelled frequently to Moscow since Russia's fullscale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. On March 4, he met Putin to discuss oil supplies, among other issues.

Earlier this month, the Washington Post reported that Szijjarto had for years made regular phone calls during breaks at EU meetings to brief Lavrov with what the paper described as "live reports on whats been discussed".

Szijjarto initially dismissed that report as "fake news" but later acknowledged consulting with non-EU countries before or after meetings of EU foreign ministers, including Russia, the U.S., Turkey and Israel, saying this was "perfectly natural".

(Reporting by Anita Komuves, additional reporting by Jason Hovet, Jan Lopatka and Alan Charlish; Editing by Ros Russell)
Carmel residents concerned about a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement office moving into the city are taking action.

We are told this ICE office is administrative and for some that's it, City Councilor Anita Joshi said. The decision is made, and that's the end of it. I'm here to tell you that is not how democracy works. That is not how community works.

Joshi spoke during a town hall on the evening of March 30 to a church packed with about 200 community members. Attendees discussed plans to boycott businesses and pressure elected officials until it's clear they dont want ICE in Carmel.

Carmel City Councilwoman Anita Joshi, MD speaks Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. (Grace Hollars/IndyStar)

Previous coverage: ICE is opening an office in Carmel. What does that mean?

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We may not control every decision that is made, but we absolutely control what we tolerate, Joshi said. We control what we normalize. We do not accept fear as part of daily life in Carmel. We do not accept a system that operates without transparency or accountability.

News first broke in February that ICE would be establishing a presence in Carmel. City leaders at the time had minimal information on what that meant.

At a city council meeting a few days later, Carmel Mayor Sue Finkam said ICE would be leasing a privately-owned office that it would use as overflow space for administrative personnel currently working in the ICE office on Woodland Drive in Indianapolis. She did not say where the Carmel ICE office would be.

ICE has not responded to questions from IndyStar.

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A WIRED Magazine article reported that ICE is expanding across the country, leasing new space in nearly every state, mostly in or just outside of large cities. The magazine reported that Carmels ICE location will be at an office park on Pennsylvania Parkway, called Penn on Pkwy.

IndyStar reached out to the apparent owner and leasing manager of Penn on Pkwy for comment but did not receive a reply.

Julia Vaughn, executive director of Common Cause Indiana, a non-partisan organization that helped organize the town hall, encouraged attendees to contact their Carmel city councilors to ask them to pass a resolution stating that Carmel is not an appropriate place for an ICE office.

(A resolution) doesn't carry the weight of law and can't keep ICE from coming to Carmel but it makes clear the legislative body representing the citizens of this community feels that this is inappropriate and basically the message is ICE is not welcome in Carmel, Vaughn said.

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Joshi, the lone Democrat elected to Carmel City Council, was the only elected Carmel official present for the start of the town hall. City councilor Ryan Locke arrived with just a few minutes remaining of the event, and councilor Jeff Worrell sent a statement that was read aloud.

"While the federal government, and not the city council, decides whether an ICE office opens, the city does control zoning, building permits and how local services interact with any federal facility, Worrell said in the statement. I will continue to use every tool available to ensure full public disclosure of the offices' intended activities.

Sharon Boller speaks during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel City Councilwoman Anita Joshi, MD speaks Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Attorney Sharon Cruz speaks on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Christina (declined to give last name) claps her hands during speeches Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Sara Draper speaks during public comments Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Sharon Boller speaks during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents listen to speakers on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Priya Gangwani speaks during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Henry Winckler speaks during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Common Cause Indiana Executive Director, Julia Vaughn writes down questions during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Maaika Mora speaks on Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel. Carmel residents gather to voice opposition to planned ICE office 1 of 17 Sharon Boller speaks during public comment Monday, March 30, 2026, during a town hall meeting for residents to voice their opposition to the planned ICE office at Carmel Friends Church in Carmel.

Previous coverage: Carmel residents express fear as ICE moves in. City leaders pledge communication

Worrell, in the statement, said he would hold community briefings for transparency on the ICE office and collaborate with nonprofit organizations to protect rights and family unity.

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Maaike Alejandra Mora, a 16-year-old Carmel High School student, helped organize her classmates to protest ICE earlier this year. She told town hall attendees that her family has experienced real fear and have been directly impacted by an encounter with ICE.

"Undocumented immigrants are not animals, Mora said. Regardless of their status they should not be left in a cell in critical condition with no medical care or a stable environment. They should be able to have fair, due process. They should be able to have a standard phone call and be exposed to basic human decency.

Sharon Cruz, an Indianapolis attorney and former Carmel resident, told town hall attendees she pivoted from her career as a prosecutor to immigration law after the 2024 election. Cruz made the career change after she started getting calls from the Philippines Cultural Community Center in Indianapolis for help with immigration law cases.

"ICE has not been a responsible law enforcement partner in the communities that they enter, Cruz said. I say this as a former prosecutor. I want our communities to be able to trust our law enforcement partners and they are not going to be able to do that if they are under constant threat of deportation.

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During a comments and questions portion of the town hall attendees emphasized the importance of voting in upcoming elections and joining protests. One attendee suggested crowdfunding to purchase the office space ICE plans to lease before the agency can move into Carmel.

We need to figure out how we can coordinate, and it doesn't have to be a political thing because I know there are Republicans who are disgusted by this, said Josh Lowry, chair of the Hamilton County Democratic Party. We need to protest, we need to boycott, we need to make it as public as possible so that there's an economic reason for (owners of the office space) to not to want to rent to this agency."

No one at the town hall spoke in support of ICE or in support of the agency moving into an office in Carmel.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @Jake_Allen19. Click here to get Hamilton County news sent straight to your inbox and subscribe to the IndyStar North newsletter.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'ICE is not welcome in Carmel': Concerned residents rally at town hall
Following the March 2026 Eid al-Fitr celebrations in South Africa, an image purporting to show South African police arresting undocumented Muslims for praying illegally in Johannesburg was shared on social media, fanning anti-foreigner sentiment. But the claims are false; the image was generated using artificial intelligence (AI). Police also denied the incident.

SAPS members in Johannesburg CBD arrested Muslim illegal foreigners while they were praying illegally in South Africa, reads an X post published on March 21, 2026, the same day South Africa marked the end of Ramadan, the holiest month in Islam.

A screenshot of the X post, taken on March 23, 2026. AI symbol added by AFP

Shared more than 900 times, the post includes a picture of a group of men, mostly in traditional Muslim attire, entering a Johannesburg police prison truck as officers look on.

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AFP Fact Check has previously debunked content published by the account here and here. Much of what is shared by the account disparages foreigners and undocumented migrants.

The claim was also posted on Facebook.

Anti-immigrant sentiments

South Africa remains the continents industrial heavyweight, a status that continues to attract migrants despite experiencing a domestic labour crisis (archived here).

While the unemployment rate dipped to 32 percent in 2025, it remains a key driver of antiforeigner sentiment in the country, often fuelling local tensions which have periodically turned violent or deadly (archived here and here).

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As reported by AFP, South African police used rubber bullets and teargas to disperse hundreds of anti-immigrant protesters in the coastal city of Durban on March 25, 2026 (archived here).

A group marches for stronger action against illegal immigration in Durban, South Africa, on March 25, 2026 RAJESH JANTILAL AFP (RAJESH JANTILAL / AFP)

However, claims that police arrested undocumented Muslims for praying during Eid celebrations are false.

Fabricated image

Online searches failed to yield credible reports matching the information contained in the false posts.

A closer look at the image also shows several anomalies consistent with content generated or manipulated with AI, including distorted hands and feet.

Some of the men also appear to be wearing mismatched shoes, while another seems to be stepping onto invisible stairs.

Screenshot of image with highlighted anomalies, taken on March 23, 2026. AI symbol added by AFP

Further analysis of the image using Hive Moderation, an AI detection tool, found a 99.9 percent probability that it was an AI creation.

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Screenshot showing the Hive Moderation analysis results, taken on March 23, 2026. AI symbol added by AFP

A reverse image search revealed that a nearly identical image had been posted on Facebook a day before the claims emerged, alongside a public advisory message regarding police encounters. It makes no mention of Eid or Muslims.

When you are taken by this leisure vehicle, before you get inside, read what's written outside, because that's where they are taking you to. Call your next of kin and tell them the station written on the vehicle, reads part of the post.

Notably, the image shows a mixed group of people in casual clothing. However, the police officers and the man wearing a white T-shirt, blue jeans and red shoes appear in both versions.

Screenshots comparing both AI images, taken on March 30, 2026. AI symbols added by AFP

The original image is also artificially generated, according to analysis using Googles SynthID, a tool that detects hidden watermarks in content generated by the companys AI tools.

Screenshot of the SynthID detection results, taken on March 23, 2026. AI symbol added by AFP

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However, some parts of the original AI image appear to be real, including the buildings in the background, which we geolocated to Braamfontein, Johannesburg, on Google Maps Street View.

Contacted by AFP Fact Check on March 24, 2026, Gauteng provincial police spokesman Tinswalo Sibeko said that the police were not aware of the incident and there are no arrests related to the false claims.
The problem began at bath time. Brittney Hobbs was adding water to the tub for her 8-year-old son Kru last November to warm up the bath in their Lapel home. Kru had been playing with his toys as the water cooled and slowly drained from the tub. Hobbs turned the taps back on for a few minutes while she readied Kru's towel and lotion.

As she turned back toward the tub, she panicked. The water had turned blood red. Thinking Kru was hurt, Hobbs pulled him from the tub and asked him where he was cut, but he had no injuries.

I looked to the right at the faucet, and it looked like a mix of dirt and blood coming from it, Hobbs said. So, I just dried him off and hoped for the best, and that was the last straw for me.

Brittney Hobbs poses for a portrait on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, at her home in Lapel.

About that same time, a few miles away, Brianna Davis noticed discolored water in the bath she was pouring for her children. And baths were not the only time the two mothers noticed a tint to the water coming out of their taps. The brown fluid splashed into baby bottles Davis tried to clean, poured out of the faucet in Hobbs bathroom sink when she washed her face, and filled the pots in both women's kitchens when they cooked dinner.

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Nor are Hobbs, Davis and the other residents of Lapel alone in their concerns about water quality. Just a short drive away in Alexandria, another Madison County town, residents have also sounded the alarm about a lack of clean drinking water. About 20 miles southwest of Indianapolis, Mooresville residents report finding dirty water filters turning a disconcerting brown.

As brown water runs from the taps in multiple rural areas in Indiana, local governments must also repave potholes, install updated communications lines for residential internet and complete a myriad of other projects that compete for limited tax dollars. These towns are not flush with money and have to do their best to triage which projects move to the front of the growing queue.

Pouring a glass of water from the kitchen sink is something many people take for granted. No one thinks about the miles of underground pipes, and pumping stations and filtration operations between the tap and the source. A problem with those isn't as obvious as a pothole a tire hits on a morning commute.

You dont see drinking water infrastructure, kind of like the sound guy at a church, said Steve Howell, state director of U.S. Department of Agricultures Rural Development office for Indiana. You dont know hes there until theres somethings wrong just like you dont think about the water infrastructure that is 80 years old until the costs of tackling a problem comes up all at once.

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Often residents' best hope lies in funding improvement projects through already steep utility bills. In Alexandria, for instance, councilors recently tried to raise utility costs 60% to fund a clean water project, but after dozens of residents packed a city council meeting to complain, leaders backed down. The initiative remains on hold.

Davis and other residents have spoken out again and again about the water that can resemble urine pouring from their taps. But, they say, town leaders have repeatedly ignored them.

Brianna Davis holds a gallon of brown water from her tap and a store bought jug of water on Thursday, Feb. 12, 2026, in her home in Lapel. Davis buys gallons of water weekly. She does not cook with or drink the water from her tap.

IndyStar tried reaching Lapel councilors for months but none ever responded. Town manager Jenny Reske promised an interview and never followed through.

Small towns struggle with big bills

Not every Indiana town faces such problems, however. Some are fortunate to have a source of clean water and pipes that ensure that water reaches residents' homes untainted.

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Other towns have tapped into state financing to address water issues. While some funding exists to address problems, state documents show, there is not enough money to cover all the drinking water projects that need attention in Indiana.

The Indiana Finance Authority, a state group that funds state and local projects, controls two low-interest loan programs to help cities and towns build and maintain water projects, the State Revolving Fund and the Water Infrastructure Assistance Fund. The federal government funds the SRF while the state funds the WIAF.

Money from these programs finances a dozen or so drinking water projects each year. Recent projects have included lines, water storage and wells that local municipalities are planning to build, upgrade or replace. In a report detailing funds for 2025, SRF money helped Evansville build a water treatment plant and Terre Haute upgrade their treatment facility.

While the IFA refused to grant IndyStar a telephone or in-person interview, spokeswoman Stephanie McFarland returned written responses to questions after multiple requests for interviews.

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"The SRF and the Water Infrastructure Assistance Fund were created to provide low cost financing for water and wastewater infrastructure," McFarland wrote. "These programs are structured to make major infrastructure projects more affordable."

Indianas Office of Community and Rural Affairs also offers financial assistance by providing grants of up to $750,000 per community. Unlike the IFA funding, OCRAs grants are specifically designed to fund projects in cities or towns with under 50,000 residents and counties under 200,000.

The goals of (OCRAs program) are to protect health and the environment, reduce utility rates for low- to moderate-income communities, and improve rural infrastructure for long-term sustainability and growth, said Fred Glynn, OCRAs executive director.

OCRA awards grants to municipalities to make drinking water system improvements such as water towers or distribution infrastructure. In the last five years, the office has awarded grants to 64 different projects totaling about $43 million.

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Water infrastructure projects are one of the main issues facing rural cities throughout the state, Glynn said. Low-income communities often complete these projects in stages rather than handling all parts of the project simultaneously because the bills are just too large.

The city of Bicknell in Knox County in the southwestern part of the state is a prime example of success through a piecemeal response, Glynn said.

"When I spoke with the city of Bicknells mayor, he said he tackled his water issues one part at a time and now their systems are fully updated, Glynn said. When communities wait and aim to update or repair everything at once, we often see this is when it becomes an emergency and can run into serious problems.

But even as these programs help rural towns and cities incrementally fix and upgrade drinking water systems, Hoosiers like Hobbs and Davis still face discolored water running from their taps. The federal and state funding isnt enough to handle the numerous needs of utilities in Indiana.

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The IFA report shows a couple of dozen towns and cities from all corners of the state that asked for help but did not receive money. Towns like Kentland and Claypool need new treatment plants, Garrett and New Carlisle need money for distribution improvements and the list goes on.

The IFA's report outlining funding for the state's fiscal year 2025 shows 10 projects were eligible to receive up to $7.5 million. Another 94 projects applied but were not selected. That means the revolving fund was able to dole out only $74 million when the total amount all 104 projects requested was more than $1.3 billion.

Not only do these smaller, rural communities lack sufficient money to cover the cost of the projects, they also dont have the same ability to chase down the money. Larger cities might have dedicated staff to sit down and write grant applications and apply for loans, but councilors in towns like Lapel have full-time jobs outside of their elected duties and no staff to assist them.

Cities that do have the wherewithal to apply for grants can turn to a federal program under the USDA's Rural Development office.

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Howell, of the USDA, said he sees how rural areas across the state struggle to find support for the water infrastructure programs they need.

Costs can really put the chill on any effort to make improvements, Howell said. These projects seem so overwhelming in a small community.

Howell helps rural Indiana towns find low-interest federal loans, much like the IFAs program. The office targets small communities struggling with aging water systems, some of which still have lead-based water lines.

Howell and his office are making a big push this year to provide a robust outreach program to help as many towns as possible, he said. For the 2025 fiscal year, Howell said his program awarded just over $8 million in grants and another $34 million in direct loans.

Hoosiers just want transparent leaders

At Davis' home cases of bottled water are stacked up against the walls so she and her kids have a reliable source of clean water to drink. Hobbs sends Kru to school with a bottle of water to do her best to limit how much tap water he drinks during the day.

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Both Davis and Hobbs wait for the day that town leaders acknowledge their concerns.

Brittney Hobbs changes a week old filter Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026, at her home in Lapel.

Without any assistance from the city, Davis said, she has spent countless hours of her free time trying to figure out what is in her water and if its safe to drink.

Meanwhile, Hobbs has spent thousands of dollars of her own money to install a water filter and softener in a quest to provide her son with safe water. Her new water filter, which is supposed to last up to six months, turns brown after just a single load of laundry. She and Kru have lived in the home for about two years, and as much as she wanted to update the kitchen, that money instead went to what she said the town should be providing: clean water.

Because as a mom, I need to protect my child, Hobbs said.

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Hobbs and Davis and the other residents of Lapel pay the town for their water, which leaders have assured them it is safe to drink. But showering and cleaning and drinking brown water just feels unsafe. Providing residents with safe, clean water, Hobbs said, should be one of government's basic responsibilities.

I'm a nurse. I've done medical missions for our community, and I've done fundraisers to help the community out, Hobbs said. And I just feel like I spend my day out in the community serving my community. When I get home, I should be able to take a shower without worrying like what is in this water.

Environment and natural resources reporter Sophie Hartley contributed to this report.

Karl Schneider is an IndyStar environment reporter. You can reach him at karl.schneider@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @karlstartswithk or BlueSky @karlstartswithk.bsky.social

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana tap water runs brown in these towns. Why won't someone fix it?
DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP)  A Scottish man, described as a senior figure in an international crime syndicate, was arrested shortly after landing on the resort island of Bali, authorities in Indonesia said Tuesday.

The 45-year-old, identified as Steven Lyons, was taken into custody by immigration officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport on Saturday on arrival from Singapore, according to Untung Widiyatmoko, head of Indonesias branch of Interpol.

The immigration system had flagged him as the subject of an Interpol Red Notice issued at Spains request. A Red Notice is an alert issued by Interpol at the request of a member country for police worldwide to arrest a suspect for extradition.

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Lyons, who is wanted in Spain and the United Kingdom in connection with organized crime, drug trafficking and money laundering, will be extradited to Spain on Wednesday, Widiyatmoko told reporters in Denpasar, the provincial capital of Bali.

Lyons has been on Spains wanted list for about two years, following a murder case there in 2024. Bali Police Chief Daniel Adityajaya said the arrest was part of a joint investigation involving Spanish and Scottish police.

According to Widiyatmoko, Lyons is alleged to have led a crime ring that used shell companies for money laundering in Europe and the Middle East  including in Spain, Scotland, England, Dubai, Qatar, Bahrain and Turkey,

He said police in Scotland and Spain last week carried out raids in connection with Lyons case resulting in multiple arrests with the help of Europol  a European Union law enforcement cooperation hub  and also Turkey, the Netherlands and the United Arab Emirates.

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Scottish media have reported that Lyons survived a 2006 shooting in Glasgow that killed his cousin and later moved to Spain before settling in Dubai, in the UAE. Last May, his brother and an associate were shot and killed in a suspected gangland shooting at a beachfront bar in Fuengirola, southern Spain.

Lyons arrived in Bali with two companions who are believed to still be on the island, said Bugie Kurniawan of Balis immigration office. He said Spain's Interpol has identified them as members of the same criminal cartel but they are not on any arrest warrants.
JAKARTA, March 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia will loan two Komodo dragons to Japan's Shizuoka prefecture, where it is hoped the endangered reptiles will be able to breed, and will receive some red pandas and giraffes in return, an official said on Monday.

The Forestry Ministry said the animal swaps would increase "contributions from both parties toward wildlife protection and conservation, as well as raising public awareness of biodiversity," adding that the programme was intended to breed the Komodo dragons, which the IUCN Red List classifies as endangered.

Ahmad Munawir, a conservation official at the ministry, told Reuters a male and a female will be sent to a zoo in Shizuoka. In return, the prefecture will send several animals to Indonesia, including red pandas and giraffes, Ahmad said.

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The agreement was signed last week, ahead of a visit to Japan by President Prabowo Subianto, who met Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi on Tuesday.

Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) said on Tuesday that the dragons should never be treated as "diplomatic bargaining chips".

"Shipping these highly intelligent animals overseas for captive breeding only reinforces the dangerous myth that conservation can happen behind zoo walls, while any offspring born there would be condemned to a lifetime of confinement," PETA Asia President Jason Baker said, adding that the dragons should remain in their habitat.

Indonesia is home to over 3,000 Komodo dragons, according to government data. The reptiles are the largest lizards in the world, growing up to around 3 metres (10 feet) long. They have a yellow forked tongue and a venomous bite.

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Japan's TV Shizuoka has reported the two dragons would arrive as early as June for the breeding programme. Ahmad said the dragons would be sent after a business-to-business agreement was signed by the zoos in Indonesia and Japan.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by John Mair)
HANOI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Vietnam's fruit and vegetable export turnover was estimated at 1.48 billion U.S. dollars in the first three months of 2026, up 27 percent year on year, according to local media VnEconomy, citing the Vietnam Fruit and Vegetable Association.

The sector's import turnover reached 761.4 million U.S. dollars, up 25.7 percent year on year in the first quarter, according to the report.

Vietnam is targeting 10 billion U.S. dollars in fruit and vegetable exports in 2026, the government portal reported. 
JAKARTA, March 31 (Reuters) - Indonesia summoned officials from Meta and Google over non-compliance with social media restrictions for children under 16 that went into full effect last week, a minister said in a video statement published on Tuesday.

* Indonesia requires social media companies with platformsit deems high risk to deactivate accounts belonging to childrenunder 16, under a regulation that went into effect last week. * Meutya Hafid, Indonesia's Communications and DigitalMinister, said Meta and Google are "two business entities thatare non-compliant with the law" and that they were summoned onMonday to "undergo checks". * Failure to implement the curbs may result in sanctions oreven a block on the platform, the ministry has said. * Meutya said Google and Meta had opposed the curbs from thevery beginning. * Google and Meta did not immediately respond to a requestfor comment on Tuesday. Both companies said last week they hadput in place safeguards for children. * Roblox and TikTok, owned by China's ByteDance, are twoother platforms deemed high risk by the ministry. Meutya saidthe ministry sent a warning to the two companies to be fullycompliant or risk being summoned. TikTok and Roblox did notimmediately respond to a request for comment. * Indonesia's curbs, which the government says are intendedto reduce the risk of cyberbullying and addiction, follow a banin Australia last year over concerns about social media'spotential harms to young people's mental health. * The criteria for high-risk platforms include thepossibility of talking to strangers, addictive qualities andpsychological risks, the ministry said. * Internet penetration in Indonesia reached 80.66% in 2025,according to a survey by the Indonesia Internet ServiceProviders' Association. The survey showed it was 87.8% among"Gen Z" users aged 13 to 28. * There are about 70 million children under 16 in Indonesia,Meutya said.

(Reporting by Stanley Widianto; Editing by John Mair)
By Ananda Teresia and Bernadette Christina

JAKARTA, March 31 (Reuters) - Forest loss in Indonesia surged by 66% in 2025, hitting its highest rate in eight years as a result of weak environmental protections and an ambitious food and energy self-sufficiency drive, an environmental group said on Tuesday.

The archipelago, made up of thousands of islands, has some of the world's thickest forests and most biodiverse regions, but it leans heavily on mining and palm plantations to support its $1.4 trillion economy, which is the biggest in Southeast Asia.

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Auriga Nusantara, a think tank focusing on forestry and biodiversity in Indonesia, used high-quality satellite images combined with on-the-ground visits to 49,000 hectares of forest across sixteen provinces.

It found that a total of 433,751 hectares (4,338 square kilometres) of forest was cleared last year, a dramatic jump from 261,575 hectares in 2024, said Timer Manurung, Auriga's chairman.

"The surge in deforestation in 2025 is truly distressing, taking Indonesia back to a time when... (it) was at its highest," he said, noting that the highest rate of deforestation prior to 2025 was in 2016, when more than a million hectares were cleared.

FOOD AND ENERGY SECURITY GOALS DRIVING FOREST LOSS

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Manurung identified President Prabowo Subianto's food security programme as one of the main contributing factors. The programme aims to boost domestic output of key agricultural products like rice and reduce Indonesia's dependence on imports.

The government allocated 20.6 million hectares of forest areas for food-, energy- and water-related programmes in 2025, 43% of which was natural forest. More than 78,000 hectares of the "food reserve forest" were cleared last year, an area the size of New York City, according to Auriga calculations.

As it cleared parts of the island of Borneo to make room for rice fields, Indonesia said last year that it had achieved self-sufficiency in rice production.

"They are gambling, they are speculating... it's peat land and not suitable for rice," Manurung said.

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Prabowo's bioenergy push also had a heavy impact, with areas converted to industrial forest to produce biomass and another 37,910 hectares cleared inside Indonesia's sprawling oil palm concessions.

An additional 41,162 hectares of forest were converted into coal, gold, and nickel concessions, Manurung said.

"The current presidency is continuing the pattern of former president Joko Widodo, which uses the so-called national strategic projects and Omnibus Law (Job Creation law) that weaken environmental protection," he said.

Indonesia's Forestry Ministry told Reuters that it would strengthen measures to control deforestation.

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"The government continues to regularly evaluate all strategic programmes and ensure their implementation does not neglect forest protection," it said in a statement.

BORNEO, SUMATRA AND PAPUA HIT THE HARDEST

Among Indonesia's islands, Borneo saw forests shrink the fastest last year, with Sumatra and Papua ranking second and third. East Kalimantan, the location of Indonesia's planned new capital, was the hardest-hit province.

Three Sumatran provinces affected by floods and landslides last year showed "dramatic increases in deforestation" with Aceh rising by 426%, North Sumatra by 281% and West Sumatra by 1,034% compared to 2024.

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The government must improve regulation to ensure that natural forest is better protected, and should also expand conservation areas outside forest estates, Manurung said.

"This serves as a warning that must prompt corrective action, particularly as the upcoming dry season brought on by El Nino is likely to result in a high risk of forest and land fires," he said.

(Reporting by Ananda Teresia and Bernadette Christina; Editing by David Stanway)
Indonesia saw the loss of forest hit its highest level in eight years last year, a jump driven in part by a sprawling effort to turn rainforest into rice and sugarcane plantations.

In total, the country lost 1,675 square miles of forest in 2025, up from 1,010 square miles the year before, according to an analysis of satellite imagery from Auriga Nusantara, an Indonesian think tank.

The surge in forest clearing is an abrupt reversal for Indonesia, which had been a bright spot in the global fight to halt deforestation. Over the last decade, it had managed to cut the loss of forest by almost two-thirds. Now, under President Prabowo Subianto, who came to office in 2024, forest-clearing is on the rise.

Forest cleared to grow sugarcane in South Papua, Indonesia. Ulet Ifansasti / Greenpeace

Auriga Nusantara told Reuters that a major factor in the shift is the expanding footprint of Indonesias Food and Energy Estate, which, when complete, will stretch across more than 10,000 square miles of the province South Papua on the island of New Guinea. The estate will grow rice to feed a growing population and sugarcane to make biofuel, with the aim of curbing imports of food and energy.

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Critics say that the estate is the largest deforestation project in the world, while U.N. advisors have warned the project is jeopardizing the survival of local wildlife and endangering the cultural heritage of Indigenous communities that depend on them.

Forest cleared to grow sugarcane in South Papua, Indonesia. Ulet Ifansasti / Greenpeace

Also driving the recent loss of Indonesias forest is the growth in mining, including the extraction of nickel to serve the global market for batteries. A typical vehicle battery contains 56 pounds of the metal, of which Indonesia is the worlds leading supplier.

Auriga Nusantara said that Prabowo is using a law aimed at spurring industry to weaken environmental protections. The Indonesian forestry ministry told Reuters, The government continues to regularly evaluate all strategic programmes and ensure their implementation does not neglect forest protection.

ALSO ON YALE E360

In Indonesias Rainforest, a Mega-Farm Project Is Plowing Ahead
The loud screech of a Typhoon and F-35 jet rips through the night sky above RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. It's followed by the heavier rumble of the larger refuelling aircraft that will join its mission - hunting down Iranian drones.

The RAF Voyager is the giant petrol station in the sky for the Typhoon and F-35 jets which have been patrolling the skies over Cyprus and Jordan for the past month.

The BBC is among the first news outlets to witness these defensive missions in the air being conducted day and night, ever since the US and Israel began their bombing campaign against Iran.

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From the cockpit of the Voyager we watched the shimmering lights of Cyprus fade into the distance. We were getting closer to the coast of Israel and Lebanon.

From that direction we see a brief flash of orange light. One of the crew points to it and tells me: "Quite often you can see either incoming missiles from Iran or the Israeli response."

"It might be the Iron Dome from Israel," the pilot interjects over the intercom, referring to the country's air defence system.

"We don't know for sure," he adds, "but there's a lot of kinetic things happening in that area at the moment".

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Evidence, then, that even after a month of heavy bombing Iran still poses a threat an is still firing missiles and drones.

[PA Media]

During this nine-hour mission, the Typhoon and F-35 jet refuel seven times - taking on a total of 30 tonnes of aviation fuel.

We see them appear out of the dark at speed to make the delicate manoeuvre to feed their fuel-hungry jets - locking on to a hose trailing from the tanker wing.

For the fighter pilots, it's routine. It's the hunting down of Iranian drones which poses more of a challenge.

Over the past month, British jets operating out of Cyprus and Qatar have shot down several. They won't say exactly how many times they've fired their sophisticated advanced short range air-to-air missiles (ASRAAM) to take down a drone, but it's in the single figures. It's an expensive golden bullet to bring down a relatively cheap fibreglass drone.

The Voyager is the RAF's only air-to-air refuelling tanker [PA Media]

On the ground, Squadron Leader "Bally", an RAF F-35 pilot, explains the complexity of the mission.

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"Operating on a fast jet is already a dangerous business", he says. "Let alone when trying to target something close to the surface."

With the drones flying low and slow, he says that "there's a risk of flying into the ground".

The threats, he says, are "not just enemy activity", but also the dangers of flying too close to other jets operating in the area.

On this mission they identify no targets. But the jets have been conducting what's been called "Operation Luminous" since the start of the war.

[BBC]

Despite criticism, government ministers have repeatedly said they made sufficient preparations - moving in additional jets, air defence systems and personnel to Cyprus weeks before the conflict started.

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Maj Gen Tom Bewick, Commander British Forces Cyprus, insisted there'd been "prudent planning" before the war - including additional ground-based air defences and radar.

But that didn't stop a drone hitting the base on the second night of the war. The small drone, probably fired from Lebanon, hit a hangar on a side of the base used by the US Air Force.

It's well known the US regularly flies a U-2 spy plane from RAF Akrotiri, though it's not publicly acknowledged.

The BBC understands the drone - with a two-metre wingspan - had been tracked by radar approaching the base, time enough to sound the air raid warning and to get people out of harm's way.

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But Gen Bewick says the damage was minimal.

"They didn't get much bang for their buck," he says, adding that he "suspects" whoever fired it "hit what they were aiming at".

Since that incident, Gen Bewick says Akrotiri's air defences have been "thickened".

Maj Gen Tom Bewick acknowledges RAF Akrotiri could be attacked again [PA Media]

There are now eight Typhoon jets and eight F-35 jets on the base. There's been the recent arrival of Wildcat helicopters fitted with short range air defence missiles and Merlin helicopters with Early Warning Radar.

The Royal Navy destroyer, HMS Dragon, is now providing additional air defences operating off the coast of Cyprus. Gen Bewick says he's "chuffed to bits" to have a "super high-end" warship in the region, but adds that they now have good air defences on the base.

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Given that Iran has publicly stated that RAF Akrotiri is a target, Gen Bewick says he'd be "a fool not to take the Iranians at their word". He acknowledges the base "could easily be attacked again", but says it's now "as well protected as it can be".

There are signs of reassurance at the base. Most of the service families who left their homes after the attack have now returned. The air raid warnings are less frequent - with improved intelligence and detection.

The UK has also been giving assurances to Cyprus. In the aftermath of the attack, the President of Cyprus called for "open and frank discussions" about the future of RAF Akrotiri.

Gen Bewick says he's now working in close co-operation with the Cypriot authorities, but stresses the UK's sovereignty of the base "is not up for debate".

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No one knows how long this war will last. When and how it ends is completely out of the UK's control. The heightened defence posture at RAF Akrotiri will inevitably stretch the UK's already strained armed forces.

Some of the Royal Navy helicopters now based at RAF Akrotiri were supposed to join the aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales on her planned voyage to the North Atlantic.

RAF jets have paused their decade-long counter ISIS missions "Operation Shader", while they focus on defending Cyprus.

Group Captain Adam Smolak, the Station Commander at RAF Akrotiri, also does not expect a quick end to the war. He predicts they'll be defending the base "for quite some time to come".

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History suggests that US military interventions in this volatile region is rarely quick or easy.
Christee Michelle Yoder, 49, was detained on March 19, 2026, on a charge of fraudulent sales tax exemption claim. She previously served as the Parks and Recreation director for the City of Fruitland Park.

The arrest came after a joint investigation by multiple agencies into claims that Yoder used the citys tax-exempt status to buy over $24,000 worth of personal items on Amazon. Yoder had worked for the City of Fruitland Park for 13 years.

The joint investigation was conducted by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, the Florida Department of Revenue, and the Fruitland Park Police Department. Authorities started their inquiry in November 2025 after complaints surfaced that Yoder was abusing the City of Fruitland Park Consumers Certificate of Exemption for personal benefit.

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Investigators claim that Yoder utilised the citys Amazon business account to buy personal items while performing her official duties. Even though she paid with her personal credit card, her use of the citys account enabled her to sidestep sales tax.

The investigation revealed that from May 2021 to February 2026, Yoder bought over $24,000 worth of personal items. These purchases led to $1,580 in sales tax that was evaded. Those who illegally claimed exemptions face a mandatory penalty of 200% of the owed tax, amounting to $4,730 in this case.

On March 19, 2026, agents secured an arrest warrant for Yoder, who surrendered at the Lake County Jail on the same day.

The Office of the State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit is handling the prosecution. FDLE officials mentioned that the investigation is ongoing.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Iran struck and set fire to a Kuwait-flagged oil tanker Al-Salmi on Monday off the coast of Dubai, amid escalating tensions in the Gulf region.

The attack happened despite US President Donald Trumps warning of potential US military actions against Iran's energy facilities should the country refuse to open the Strait of Hormuz, reported Reuters.

The attack on the Al-Salmi tanker, capable of transporting approximately two million barrels of crude oil valued at over $200m, adds to a series of assaults on commercial vessels since the start of US and Israeli attacks on Iran in late February.

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Kuwait Petroleum, the tanker's owner, is currently assessing damage and has indicated a potential risk of an oil spill.

Dubai authorities managed to control the fire caused by what they described as a drone strike, with no reported injuries.

The ongoing conflict has spread throughout the Middle East, resulting in significant casualties, disrupting energy supplies, and threatening global economic stability.

Following news of the tanker strike, crude oil prices saw a temporary increase.

Gasoline prices in the US have exceeded $4 per gallon for the first time in over three years as global supply constraints have pushed US crude prices above $101 per barrel.

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The conflict shows no signs of abating as Iran-aligned Houthis have launched recent missile and drone attacks on Israel.

Meanwhile, Turkiye said it intercepted an Iranian ballistic missile that briefly entered its airspace, with NATO air defenses reportedly bringing it down.

Israel also launched missile attacks on Iranian military targets and Hezbollah facilities in Beirut, sending plumes of smoke rising over the Lebanese capital.

Furthermore, the Bazan Group said its Haifa oil refinery was affected during Irans latest missile salvo on Israel.

Early reports indicated an impact in Haifas industrial district, likely from a direct hit or from debris falling after an interception.

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According to the company, the incident involved infrastructure inside the refinery complex, which has been struck in previous attacks.

In earlier rounds, shrapnel caused limited damage and short-lived power outages, with no reported injuries.

Haifas municipality later stated there were no signs of hazardous material leakage and that the public was not at risk.

"Iran drone strike torches Kuwait-flagged tanker off Dubai " was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




DUBAI, March 31 (Reuters) - People accused of spying or cooperating with "hostile states" could face the death penalty and confiscation of all assets under a recently enhanced law, an Iranian judiciary spokesperson said, a month into the war with the United States and Israel.

Even sharing photos or videos that could aid enemy targeting may be treated as intelligence cooperation, the spokesman added.

Iranian media have reported more than 1,000 arrests over the course of the month, related to individuals accused of filming sensitive locations, sharing anti-government content online, or "cooperating with the enemy".

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The U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on February 28, since when the conflict has spread across the region, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and hitting the global economy.

The judiciary spokesman said the legislation, passed last year, applies to operational, intelligence and certain media activities deemed to support hostile governments, notably the United States and Israel.

He warned those creating fear through misinformation could face prison terms, with penalties increased in wartime.

He added that authorities have issued around 200 indictments in such cases and were working with security bodies to identify and seize assets linked to suspects, stressing that there would be no leniency in enforcing the law.

(Reporting by Dubai Newsroom; Editing by Alex Richardson)
Sources told The Jerusalem Post that the decision was a result of France taking a hostile attitude toward Israel over the last two years.

Israel has halted defense trade with France, three senior Israeli sources confirmed to The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday morning, with the Defense Ministry later formally confirming the decision.

Defense Minister Israel Katz and Defense Ministry Director General Amir Baram formally ordered the halt, but a decision of such significance could only be made if it were also a priority for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

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Sources told the Post that the decision was a result of France adopting a hostile attitude toward Israel over the last two years, forcing Israel to reevaluate how much it could trust sharing its defense products with the country.

It was unclear exactly how the decision would impact both countries, given that France has been boycotting Israeli weapons since midway through the Israel-Hamas War, and given that a source clarified that existing contracts would be honored and private companies could still make deals.

French soldiers take part in a static display of military vehicles and aircraft during the NATO Cold Response 2026 military exercise in Setermoen, Norway, March 12, 2026. (credit: REUTERS/BERNADETT SZABO)

Israel may still purchase defense products from France

While economic ties between the two nations remain intact, defense cooperation has cooled significantly.

However, for larger deals requiring government-to-government involvement, and even for Israeli products that have only defensive characteristics, France may lose significant opportunities.

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Germany and other NATO countries have been rushing to purchase Israeli air defense and other systems in response to new threats posed by Russia since Moscow began its ongoing war to try to take over Ukraine in 2022.

Some of the major points of friction between Israel and France have been over Pariss push to end the war in Gaza prior to a point where Israels government believed it could bring Israeli hostages home and keep Hamas down as a future threat.

France also led a wave of countries recognizing a Palestinian state in September 2025, viewed in Jerusalem as a penalty for continuing the war.

In addition, France has pressured Israel to reduce its attacks on Hezbollah during the 2023-2024 conflict, while Israels full hostilities remained reduced  but not eliminated  in 2024 and during the current conflict.

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Despite the disagreements, France helped defend Israel from Iranian missiles and drones in 2024, and the countries might still cooperate in various intelligence and other capacities.

For example, France helped snap back global nuclear sanctions on Iran in the summer of 2025.

Nevertheless, President Emmanuel Macron halted the flow of French weaponry to Israel in late 2024, citing the humanitarian toll of the war in Gaza, and for the past two years has blocked Israeli defense companies from exhibiting at arms fairs in the country.

More specifically, the Defense Ministry said that France prevented the participation of dozens of Israeli defense companies at EuroSTORY 2024, blocking the Israeli defense industries exhibition booths at the 2025 Paris Air Show, freezing export licenses to Israel, the UN declaration of a Palestinian state at the height of the fighting with Lebanon, and the recent prohibition on Israeli aircraft carrying munitions intended for operations against Iran from overflying French airspace.

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Next, the ministry said that it views the French governments policy "with serious concern," as it undermines security cooperation with Israel, a country that is actively operating on the front line against Iran and protecting the security of the Western world.

France is actively obstructing the transfer of munitions to Israel, which is engaged in operations against Iran  a country whose ballistic missiles are capable of reaching European cities, including Paris, said the ministry.

Next, the ministry stated that the French prohibition was imposed despite prior coordination, despite clear explanations that the munitions were intended "solely for Iran," and despite the understanding that this effort is critical for European security as well.

In light of these developments, Baram "has decided to reduce all defense procurement from France to zero, replacing it with domestic Israeli procurement or purchases from allied countries.

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In line with the Ministrys strategy, "Israel will continue to build full defense autonomy, without relying on unreliable countries" that fail to meet their obligations and prioritize political moves over the security of Western citizens.

Additionally, the National Security Council and the Ministry of Defense have informed the French Minister of Armed Forces that "we do not intend to hold a meeting with her, and that there will be no new professional engagement with the French military."

A meeting between the sides had been planned for the near future.

Later, US President Donald Trump slammed Macron and France for being "very unhelpful" in the war with Iran.

"The Country of France wouldnt let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory," he wrote in a Truth Social post.

"France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the Butcher of Iran, who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT."

Anna Ahronheim contributed to the report.
Israel's defence minister has said a buffer zone will be set up inside southern Lebanon and that Israel will keep security control over a swathe of the territory even after the end of the current war against the armed group Hezbollah.

Israel Katz said the area to be occupied would go up to the Litani River in southern Lebanon - about 30km (18.6 miles) from the border with Israel.

He also said all houses in Lebanese villages near the Israeli border would be demolished.

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Lebanon's Defence Minister Maj Gen Michel Menassa said Katz's remarks reflected "a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory". European nations, Canada and the UN also criticised Israel's announcement.

Israel sent ground troops into southern Lebanon on 2 March and has also been launching broad strikes across the country.

The action was taken after Hezbollah fired rockets into northern Israel in retaliation for Israel's assassination of Iran's supreme leader in late February, at the start of the war with Iran.

Israel was also carrying out near-daily strikes on Hezbollah before that despite a ceasefire that was agreed in 2024.

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Since early March, at least 1,238 people have been killed in Lebanon, according to the Lebanese health ministry, including at least 124 children. The UN's humanitarian affairs office says 52 health workers have also been killed.

In the same period, 10 Israeli soldiers and two Israeli civilians have been killed by Hezbollah attacks, Israeli authorities say.

Others killed in the south in recent days include three Indonesian peacekeepers, and three Lebanese journalists, according to the UN and the Lebanese health ministry.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed it killed two of the journalists, describing them as "terrorists" without providing evidence to back up its claims. It also said it was aware of reports a female journalist was killed.

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It has not yet been established who killed the peacekeepers.

More than a million people - roughly one in every six in the country - have also been displaced, worsening an existing humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Israeli officials say the aim is to protect communities in northern Israel from Hezbollah attacks.

Speaking in a video statement published by the defence ministry on Tuesday, Katz gave further details on Israel's military intentions in southern Lebanon.

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"At the end of the operation, the IDF will establish itself in a security zone inside Lebanon, on a defensive line against anti-tank missiles, and will maintain security control over the entire area up to the Litani."

"In addition, the return of more than 600,000 residents of southern Lebanon who evacuated northward will be completely prohibited south of the Litani until the safety and security of northern residents are ensured," he added.

"All houses in villages near the border in Lebanon will be destroyed - according to the model of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in Gaza - to remove, once and for all, the threats near the border to northern residents," he said.

Katz had already announced the intention to create a buffer zone in the south of Lebanon earlier in the month. He had also already said displaced residents would not be allowed back until northern Israel was safe and that houses would be demolished.

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But his latest statement goes a step further than his last, as he said Israeli troops would stay in the region after Israel's war with Hezbollah ends.

Lebanon's defence minister said Katz's remarks were "no longer mere threats", but reflected "a clear intention to impose a new occupation of Lebanese territory, forcibly displace hundreds of thousands of citizens, and systematically destroy villages and towns in the south".

Addressing the UN Security Council from Beirut on Tuesday, UN aid chief Tom Fletcher said "the current escalation is compounding a situation that is already critical".

He said 51 primary healthcare centres and four hospitals had closed due to hostilities, with others damaged or operating at reduced capacities.

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"Given the intensity of the coercive displacement that we are seeing, how should we prepare, collectively as the international community, for a new addition to the list of occupied territories?" Fletcher asked the council.

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney called Israel's deployment of ground troops in Lebanon an "illegal invasion", which violates its "integrity and sovereignty".

"The government of Lebanon has banned Hezbollah, is taking action, is trying to take action against Hezbollah and their terrorist activities and their threats to Israel, and that is the purported justification for this invasion," Carney said.

A joint statement signed by the foreign ministers of 10 European countries, including the UK, France and Italy, as well as EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, urged Israel to avoid widening its military operations in Lebanon and to respect the country's territorial integrity.

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They expressed their "full support to the government and the people of Lebanon, who are once again suffering the dramatic consequences of a war that is not theirs".

The ministers added that "the responsibility for the situation lies with Hezbollah", and called for the group to stop its attacks in support of Iran against Israel.

Southern Lebanon is the heartland of Lebanon's Shia Muslim community, Hezbollah's main support base. But it is also home to other communities, including Christians.

The latest Israeli ground invasion has already caused widespread alarm among the Lebanese.

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Under the ceasefire agreement that ended the war in 2024, Hezbollah was meant to disarm and leave its positions in the south. This was to be supervised by the Lebanese government and army.

Progress was made, but it was partial. Israel also maintained several military posts in the south and continued to carry out regular attacks on what it said were Hezbollah targets.

The will may have been there for the Lebanese government to disarm Hezbollah, but it has always lacked the ability to do so. The prospect of a major confrontation between the Lebanese state and Hezbollah has also long been a major concern, reawakening fears of a descent back into civil war.

Katz previously said that Israel was taking action because the Lebanese government had done "nothing".

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Lebanon's President Joseph Aoun has described the Israeli plans as a "collective punishment against civilians", and that they could be part of "suspicious schemes" to pursue an expansion of Israel's presence in Lebanese territory.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said on Tuesday that he plans to destroy all houses in villages near the border in southern Lebanon.

According to his office, Katz said the aim was to "eliminate once and for all" the threat posed by the Lebanese Hezbollah militia to residents of northern Israel.

He cited the towns of Rafah and Beit Hanoun in the Gaza Strip - both largely destroyed during the Gaza war - as a model.

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Many towns in southern Lebanon are considered strongholds of the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. Israeli officials accuse the group of repeatedly launching attacks on civilian areas in northern Israel from these locations.

An army spokesperson said Hezbollah had carried out up to 5,000 attacks within a month, using rockets, mortar shells and drones.

Lebanese security sources reported extensive damage in numerous border villages with entire residential districts destroyed.

According to reports, Katz said more than 600,000 displaced Lebanese residents south of the Litani River cannot return "until the safety and well-being of residents in the north are guaranteed."

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Following the outbreak of the Iran war in late February, Hezbollah resumed its attacks on Israel, prompting heavy Israeli airstrikes and ground operations in Lebanon.

Israeli troops have crossed into Lebanese territory from the border, with fighting continuing intermittently.

Katz has also indicated that Israel intends to maintain control over territory up to the Litani River for the foreseeable future, raising concerns in Lebanon about a possible long-term occupation.

Lebanese security sources added that Israeli forces have intensified strikes in the Bekaa Valley in eastern Lebanon, reportedly aiming to disrupt Hezbollah supply routes to the south.
WELLINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Fifty years after the first aerial survey of New Zealand's Southern Alps glaciers, scientists are reporting no reversal in the overall trend of ice loss despite a temporary reprieve from recent late snow and variable summer weather.

Researchers from Earth Sciences New Zealand, Victoria University of Wellington and the Department of Conservation completed their 2026 end-of-summer survey in March, photographing hundreds of glaciers to assess changes in snowlines and ice volume, an Earth Sciences New Zealand statement said Tuesday.

Andrew Lorrey, principal climate scientist from Earth Sciences New Zealand, said this year's snowline and glacier survey, conducted annually since 1977, saw retained snow on some glaciers, but this was "only a stay of execution and not a reversal in the long term decline of ice coverage."

Researchers said that 2025 was New Zealand's fourth warmest year on record. Globally, the World Meteorological Organization said that 2025 was 1.43 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.

"A warmer planet means less ice, and our glaciers are one of the more visible signs of a warming climate," the statement said.

"Glaciers are an important part of New Zealand's environment, economy and identity. They underpin tourism, deliver meltwater carrying nutrients into rivers and lakes, and feed the hydroelectric lakes that power much of our renewable electricity," Lorrey said, calling for climate warming to be halted quickly to limit glacier decline. 
Italy's parliament voted Tuesday to delay the closure of the country's coal-fired power stations by over a decade, a move experts slammed as "worrying" political propaganda.

In a fresh challenge to the EU's green transition, Giorgia Meloni's hard-right coalition government pushed the shutdown back from 2026 to 2038 on "energy security" grounds.

Italy is heavily reliant on imported gas and Rome is under pressure from industry and consumers over the rise in already sky-high energy costs due to the Middle East war.

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While Brussels insists that phasing out coal is key to achieving the EU's climate goals, Rome says it may be forced to use its coal-fired power stations if gas prices continue upwards.

But experts who spoke to AFP said that reactivating the plants would not lower electricity prices.

Italy's move comes as others including Germany, South Korea, the Philippines and Japan, have similarly signalled that coal-fired plants could ease energy woes caused by the war.

The Italian government's bill extending the phase-out was approved by the lower house of parliament Tuesday, and now goes to the Senate, where the ruling coalition has a majority.

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The delay is "a worryingly backward-looking political signal", while "any security gain is far from guaranteed", Beatrice Petrovich, senior energy analyst at energy think tank Ember, told AFP.

Only Germany, Poland, and Bulgaria share a coal phase-out date as unambitious as Italy's new one, she said.

The EU's climate commissioner, Wopke Hoekstra, who was in Rome Tuesday for a hearing with senators on Italy's energy mix, declined to comment on Rome's decision.

- 'Old fleet' -

Climate think tank ECCO said Rome's postponement was "symbolically damaging, but low-impact in practice -- at least for now".

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"The government is deliberately maintaining ambiguity between 'not dismantling' and 'actually using' coal plants for political gains", it said.

Italy currently has four coal-fired power stations. Two of them are on the mainland, are dormant and lost their authorisation to burn coal in January, ECCO said.

Restarting them would mean applying for new permits, a process that takes years and would be subject to significant legal and community opposition, it said.

The other two are in Sardinia, and are earmarked for closure in 2028-2029, once the island is electrically linked to the mainland via a new submarine cable.

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ECCO's Executive Director Luca Bergamaschi told AFP Italy's "old and largely non-operational coal fleet would be very expensive to restart".

Petrovich agreed that "coal plays a minor role in Italy's power mix and this won't change going forward".

Italy's total coal generation in 2025 was approximately 2,975 GWh, and less than 1 percent of national electricity output, according to state-controlled power grid operator Terna.

There is no financial incentive for operators to return to coal, and the price of coal imported to Europe has recently surged, the experts said.

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Coal is also uncompetitive against gas under the EU's carbon tax scheme.

Including it in the energy security tool-kit "risks being an additional burden on Italy's electricity consumers, who already pay some of the highest electricity prices in the EU", Petrovich said.

ide/ams/rl
Jack Greiner is a Cincinnati attorney. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues.

Shannon Bitzer argued that he did not commit any violence. An earlier version misstated his argument.

Shannon Bitzer, a participant in the January 6 "events" at the U.S. Capitol recently lost a defamation suit because he couldn't convince a judge that WBIR, a Knoxville television station, falsely labeled those events an "insurrection."

Bitzer reminds me of the old saying, "often wrong, never uncertain." He is tenacious, if not successful.

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WBIR published a report about Bitzer which featured this headline: Tennessee man to face several charges, including engaging in physical violence, during Jan. 6 Insurrection. The article stated in its lead paragraph:

"A Tennessee man is facing several charges after authorities said he joined in the Jan. 6 Insurrection in Washington D.C. Documents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation said he illegally entered the U.S. Capitol building and joined in a fight against police officers after being pushed out. The documents also said Shannon Bitzer threw a metal crowd control device at police officers."

Bitzer sued for defamation, which required he prove the report was false. Bitzer argued that it was false to call those activities an "insurrection." I'm not making this up.

I'm also not making this up: Bitzer also claimed the report was false because he was "acquitted" of the charges, and because those charges were found to be "baseless." Bitzer based this contention on the fact that the Justice Department dropped the charges after President Trump issued his blanket pardon. Suffice it to say, the court was unimpressed.

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WBIR moved to dismiss because its article was a fair report of judicial proceedings and was substantially true.

The court agreed. It noted that in nearly half a dozen cases, the D.C. District Court had previously described the January 6 events as an insurrection.

It also cited numerous other courts that used the term as well. The court concluded: "[a]gainst this background, the Court finds that the news articles use of that term was both 'fair and accurate' and 'substantially true,' in that the article was summarizing the criminal charges plaintiff faced in the D.C. District Court, and the D.C. District Court, and other courts, had repeatedly labeled those events an 'insurrection.' In other words, the news article, which reported on the criminal charges from the D.C. District Court, adopted the 'insurrection' label that court had repeatedly used for the same course of events as at issue in plaintiffs criminal case."

As to Bitzer's contention that he'd been acquitted, the court held: "a dismissal of charges based on a presidential pardon is not, as plaintiff claims, an 'acquittal' and is not a dismissal on the ground that the charges are 'baseless.' Accordingly, any allegation that the new articles recitation of the charges in this case is defamatory because plaintiff was 'acquitted' or the charges against him 'dismissed as baseless' are meritless."

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"Meritless" is an incredibly accurate summary of Bitzer and his case.

Jack Greiner is a Cincinnati attorney. He represents Enquirer Media in First Amendment and media issues.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Jan. 6 was an insurrection, judge concludes | Strictly Legal
A land battle that raged for years in two Ocean County towns was finally settled Monday night.

The Seaside Park Council voted 5-0 to add the South Seaside Park section of Berkeley Township to its borough, fulfilling the neighborhoods long-running quest to exit Berkeley and join Seaside Park over the objections of Berkeley.

One council member abstained, citing concerns raised over a possible conflict due to his job in the Central Regional School District, which enrolls students from both towns.

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Upon the ordinance taking effect later this spring, Seaside Park will expand by approximately 10 blocks and several hundred residents.

South Seaside Park is the only part of Berkeley located on the barrier island with Seaside Park. It is separated from the rest of Berkeley by Barnegat Bay.

Berkeley had sought to retain the beachside neighborhood, which represents just over 10% of the townships tax base.

At Mondays meeting, Berkeley Councilman James Byrnes said he wishes the best for Seaside Park, but appeared to question whether the boroughs council had enough information.

It seems like were putting a puzzle together without a lot of the pieces, Byrnes said.

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Other speakers at the meeting acknowledged uncertainty about the projected cost savings and the complexities of absorbing the neighborhood.

A consulting firm hired by Seaside Park initially projected residents could see property tax decreases of 40% to 51%. The firm later revised that estimate to 8% after discovering it had mistakenly counted one figure twice.

Im neither for or against this, resident Dave Arbach of Seaside Park said at the meeting.

I just dont understand why the council wont share a five-year view, best-case worst-case kind of analysis. We just want to understand how youre looking at the data, Arbach said.

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Seaside Park Councilwoman Gina Condos acknowledged requests for some to delay the vote, but said the estimates weighed heavily in favor of adding the neighborhood.

We can be off by quite a bit before it turns into a negative scenario, Condos said, referring to the projected cost savings.

Mondays vote sets in motion an arcane process detailed under New Jerseys law governing annexation.

A six-person committee  made up of three members each from Seaside Park and Berkeley  will meet on the first Monday following the effective date of the ordinance later this spring. The committee will attempt to determine whether Seaside Park owes Berkeley money and settle on an amount.

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Berkeley Mayor John Bacchione has said Seaside Park will have to pay Berkeley for any assets on the towns property in the neighborhood, including beaches, roads and sewer lines.

Seaside Park is just under 1 square mile and has approximately 2,000 residents.

The vote to bring in South Seaside Park was set in motion in July 2025 when the New Jersey Supreme Court upheld the neighborhoods right to pursue an exit from Berkeley, subject to approval from Seaside Parks council.

More than 70% of registered voters in South Seaside Park submitted petitions in support of the proposed exit in 2014. Berkeley Township Council rejected the proposal in 2021, prompting neighborhood residents to file a legal challenge.

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The ordinance authorizing the annexation was introduced at the councils March 19 meeting.

Mondays 7 p.m. meeting used a hybrid format, in which some were in the room and others participated online via Zoom.

Tom Joseph, a Seaside Park resident, spoke at the meeting in favor of adding the neighborhood.

There doesnt appear to be any major gotchas. I just want to say, go forward and do it, Joseph said.

Read the original article on NJ.com. Add NJ.com as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said it arrested 13 people and recovered nine firearms during a Senior Skip Day event on Friday in Jacksonville Beach.

Authorities were made aware of the event after monitoring online chatter that appeared similar to recent teen takeovers, such as the one that occurred at Blue Cypress Park in Arlington.

The operation involved a partnership between the Jacksonville Beach Police Department and the Jacksonville Sheriffs Offices Community Problem Response and Gang Units. The agencies focused on identifying suspicious and dangerous behavior to maintain public safety.

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Eight of the 13 individuals arrested face felony charges. This group includes three minors and five adults. The remaining five arrests were for misdemeanors, involving four minors and one adult.

In addition to the firearm recoveries, officers seized more than 100 grams of marijuana. The joint operation also resulted in the issuance of six traffic citations.

JSO stated the proactive approach was intended to prevent the gathering from escalating into a dangerous situation, as others have in the past. Just last month, four were shot at a takeover event in Jacksonville Beach.

When theres potential for things to get out of hand in our community, were ready, the department said in a statement on social media regarding the arrests.

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A federal judge issued an order to halt President Donald Trump's plan to build a $400 million White House ballroom at the site of the since-demolished East Wing, saying no work can proceed "absent express authorization from Congress."

U.S. District Court Judge Richard J. Leon's ruling comes after the National Trust for Historic Preservation filed an amended lawsuit last month against Trump and several federal agencies asking to stop construction on the 90,000-square-foot ballroom. The nonprofit group argued that Trump should have sought Congress' permission before the demolition of the East Wing.

An earlier December lawsuit had been dismissed by the judge, who said the organization did not sufficiently prove the president was exceeding his powers.

President Donald Trump holds renderings of the planned White House ballroom as he talks with reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Maryland, on March 29, 2026. Now the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed," Trump says. The president characterizes the ballroom as a shelter for the military component: The ballroom essentially becomes a shed for what's being built under the military, including from drones and including from any other thing.

But the latest ruling stops any actions "including but not limited to any further demolition, site preparation work, landscape alteration, excavation, foundation work, or other construction or related work," other than moves that are "strictly necessary" to ensure security in the area.

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Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust for Historic Preservation, said in a statement she was pleased with the decision.

Construction work has been stopped on President Trump's White House Ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. A federal judge has temporarily blocked construction of the new ballroom "unless and until Congress blesses this project." A deep hole is visible as construction work has been ordered halted on President Trump's White House Ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. A federal judge has temporarily blocked construction of the new ballroom "unless and until Congress blesses this project." Construction equipment and supplies are visible along Pennsylvania Avenue as construction work has been stopped on President Trump's White House Ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. A federal judge has temporarily blocked construction of the new ballroom "unless and until Congress blesses this project." Seen from the Washington Monument on Nov. 14, 2025, in Washington, DC, construction crews continue to remove the East Wing of the White House and prepare for the new ballroom construction. Construction crews continue to remove the East Wing of the White House and prepare for the new ballroom construction as seen from the newly reopened Washington Monument on Nov. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. Construction crews continue to remove the East Wing of the White House and prepare for the new ballroom construction as seen from the newly reopened Washington Monument on Nov. 14, 2025 in Washington, DC. An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House. An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing at least $250 million on the eastern side of the White House. An excavator works to clear rubble after the East Wing of the White House was demolished on Oct. 23, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a multimillion-dollar ballroom on the eastern side of the White House. An aerial view shows the Demolition of the East Wing of the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom will be built, in Washington, D.C., U.S., October 23, 2025, in this picture obtained from social media. A golfer tees off as a truck exits a makeshift dump site after dropping soil and debris from the East Wing of the White House in Washington, DC, on Oct. 23, 2025. A construction worker walks through a makeshift dumpsite where soil and debris from the East Wing of the White House are being discarded following U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed ballroom, which is being constructed, at the East Potomac Golf Course in Washington on Oct. 23, 2025. The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on Oct. 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing $250 million on the eastern side of the White House. Heavy machinery tears down a section of the East Wing of the White House as construction begins on President Donald Trump's planned ballroom, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 22, 2025. The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on Oct. 22, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing $250 million on the eastern side of the White House. A truck drives out of the White House as work continues to tear down a section of the East Wing of the White House to begin construction of President Donald Trump's planned ballroom, in Washington, DC, on Oct. 22, 2025. US President Donald Trump held a glitzy dinner October 15, 2025 to thank billionaires and top companies for donating to the new $250 million ballroom he is building at the White House. The guests included representatives from tech firms like Amazon, Apple, Meta, Google, Microsoft and Palantir and defense giant Lockheed Martin, according to US media citing a White House guest list. Ongoing construction on the East Wing of the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trumps proposed ballroom is being built, in Washington, D.C., October 20, 2025. Workers demolish the facade of the East Wing of the White House on October 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. The demolition is part of U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to build a ballroom reportedly costing $250 million on the eastern side of the White House. The facade of the East Wing of the White House is demolished by work crews on Oct. 20, 2025, in Washington, DC. The construction is part of President Donald Trump's plan to build a $250 million ballroom. Ongoing construction on the East Wing of the White House, where U.S. President Donald Trumps proposed ballroom is being built, in Washington, D.C., October 20, 2025. White House East Wing demolished to clear the way for Trump's ballroom: Photos 1 of 20 Construction work has been stopped on President Trump's White House Ballroom on the site of the former East Wing of the White House on April 1, 2026 in Washington, DC. A federal judge has temporarily blocked construction of the new ballroom "unless and until Congress blesses this project."

"This is a win for the American people on a project that forever impacts one of the most beloved and iconic places in our nation," she said.

The order takes effect April 14, 14 days from the date it was issued. The White House team is required to file a report apprising the court of the status of their compliance within 21 days after the date the order takes effect.

"President Trump clearly has the legal authority to modernize, renovate, and beautify the White House  just like all of his predecessors did. We will immediately appeal this egregious decision and are confident we will prevail," White House spokesperson Davis Ingle said.

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Two days before the ruling, Trump said an important part of the ballroom he's building for the White House is a "massive military complex" underneath it that was supposed to remain secret. He blamed the lawsuit for exposing the secret.

Now the military is building a big complex under the ballroom, which has come out recently because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed," Trump said. "But the military's building a massive complex under the ballroom, and that's under construction and we're doing very well."

Minutes after the ruling, Trump railed against the the National Trust for Historic Preservation in a post on X, calling the group a "Radical Left Group of Lunatics whose funding was stopped by Congress in 2005."

Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building. See new renderings of massive 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom 1 of 20 Detailed renderings reveal the scale of the proposed 89,000-square-foot White House ballroom. The images by Shalom Baranes Associateslater removed from the National Capital Planning Commissions websiteshow a new East Wing roughly a city block long, longer than the West Wing and more than half the length of the adjacent Treasury Building.

"The National Trust for Historic Preservation sues me for a Ballroom that is under budget, ahead of schedule, being built at no cost to the Taxpayer, and will be the finest Building of its kind anywhere in the World," he wrote.

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On March 23, a coalition of eight cultural heritage and architectural organizations including the National Trust for Historic Preservation jointly represented by three law firms filed a suit in federal district court in Washington, DC, seeking to require the Trump administration to comply with historic preservation laws and secure congressional authorization before altering the "John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts."

Trump also lashed out against the Kennedy Center lawsuit in his reaction to the ballroom ruling:

"I then get sued by them over the renovation of the dilapidated and structurally unsound former Kennedy Center, now, The Trump Kennedy Center (A show of Bipartisan Unity, a Republican and Democrat President!), where all I am doing is fixing, cleaning, running, and 'sprucing up' a terribly maintained, for many years, Building, but a Building of potentially great importance."

On April 2, the National Capital Planning Commission, the overseer of federal property development and site designs, will vote on the ballroom project following a public hearing which was held last month. The hearing drew more than 35,000 comments, the majority of which were negative.

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Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X @SwapnaVenugopal.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Trump ballroom blocked by federal judge
March 31 (UPI) -- A federal judge in Washington, D.C., ruled Tuesday that President Donald Trump's executive order cutting funding to NPR and the PBS was a violation of their First Amendment rights.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss said the executive order signed in May violated the companies' constitutional rights to a free press because Trump targeted for what he described as liberal views. He described the cut to funding as "viewpoint discrimination."

"The message is clear: NPR and PBS need not apply for any federal benefit because the president disapproves of their 'left-wing' coverage of the news," Moss said in his ruling.

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"It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the president does not like and seeks to squelch," he added.

"To be sure, the president is entitled to criticize this or any other reporting, and he can express his own views as he sees fit. He may not, however, use his governmental power to direct federal agencies to exclude plaintiffs from receiving federal grants or other funding in retaliation for saying things that he does not like."

Trump's executive order, called Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media, ordered the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service to the maximum extent allowed by law.

At the time, more than 70% of CPB's congressionally approved $535 million budget went directly to public media stations through grants.

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According to NPR, about 1% of its annual operating budget came in the form of grants from CPB and federal agencies and departments, excluding CPB funding for the Public Radio Satellite System. Its largest funding stream -- about 36% -- comes from sponsorships, donations, memberships and licensing fees.

According to PBS, federal funding covered about 15% of its revenue.

CPB was founded in 1967 as a private nonprofit corporation to fund public television and radio stations and their programs.

NPR sued the Trump administration later in the month, citing First Amendment and 1967 Public Broadcasting Act violations.
A federal judge in Washington struck down part of President Donald Trumps executive order targeting funding for NPR and the Public Broadcasting Service (PBS) on Tuesday, ruling that it was unconstitutional retaliation that violated their press freedom rights under the First Amendment.

The May 1, 2025, executive order, titled Ending Taxpayer Subsidization of Biased Media, cut off funding to public media - with Trump calling out what he perceived as left-wing bias in NPRs and PBSs news reporting.

The message is clear, U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss, a Barack Obama appointee to the federal bench, wrote in an opinion. NPR and PBS need not apply for any federal benefit because the President disapproves of their left-wing coverage of the news. He added that the action amounted to viewpoint discrimination.

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The portion of the order stipulated that agency heads shall identify and terminate, to the maximum extent consistent with applicable law, any direct or indirect funding of NPR and PBS. Moss issued an injunction halting the federal government from permanently cutting off funding to the two entities.

In a fact sheet issued along with the executive order, the White House excoriated NPR and PBS, saying the media organizations fueled partisanship and left-wing propaganda with taxpayer dollars, which is highly inappropriate and an improper use of taxpayers money. The White House cited an NPR article about queer animals and a PBS documentary about a transgender teenager in deriding the public media giants.

NPR and PBS sued, saying that the presidents targeting of them violated their First Amendment rights. Eleven months later, Moss sided with the outlets.

Moss wrote that NPR and PBS proved their cases definitively. It is difficult to conceive of clearer evidence that a government action is targeted at viewpoints that the President does not like and seeks to squelch, he wrote. To be sure, the President is entitled to criticize this or any other reporting, and he can express his own views as he sees fit. He may not, however, use his governmental power to direct federal agencies to exclude Plaintiffs from receiving federal grants or other funding in retaliation for saying things that he does not like.

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NPR President and CEO Katherine Maher called the ruling a decisive affirmation of the rights of a free and independent press and a win for NPR and its listeners. The court made clear that the government cannot use funding as a lever to influence or penalize the press, whether as a national news service or a local newsroom.

PBS spokesman Jeremy Gaines wrote in a statement that the organization is thrilled by the decision. At PBS, we will continue to do what weve always done: serve our mission to educate and inspire all Americans as the nations most trusted media institution.

Theodore J. Boutrous Jr., a partner at Gibson Dunn representing NPR, wrote in a statement that the ruling was a significant victory for the freedom of the press. The district courts decision bars the government from enforcing its unconstitutional Executive Order targeting NPR and PBS because the President dislikes their news reporting and other programming he said.

While the ruling blocks Trumps executive order, it doesnt override Congress, which, at Trumps urging, eliminated $1.1 billion it had appropriated for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) in a rescission package last year. The CPB, which for decades directed congressional dollars to public media outlets including NPR, PBS and their respective member stations, shut down after a board vote in January.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Judge rules Trump eliminating NPR, PBS funding is unconstitutional
A federal judge said the Trump administration can't enforce the president's order to ax federal funding for National Public Radio and the Public Broadcasting Service, saying in a March 31 decision that the White House can't "extinguish speech" the president dislikes under the First Amendment.

U.S. District Judge Randolph Moss in his ruling said federal agencies can't enforce the "unconstitutional" executive order signed by President Donald Trump last May, which directed agencies to terminate funding to NPR and PBS. It also directed the Corporation for Public Broadcasting to stop funding the networks, but the corporation was dissolved as of January.

More: Board dissolves Corporation for Public Broadcasting after funding cuts

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The executive order crossed a line drawn by the First Amendment, said Moss, who was appointed to the Washington, DC, federal court in 2014 by former Democratic President Barack Obama. The judge wrote the executive order crossed a legal line because it did not use neutral criteria for federal funding.

"Instead, it singles out two speakers and, on the basis of their speech, bars them from all federally funded programs," Moss wrote in a 62-page order.

The White House has not commented on whether it plans to appeal, but spokesperson Abigail Jackson said in an email that the administration "looks forward to ultimate victory on this issue."

"This is a ridiculous ruling by an activist judge attempting to undermine the law," Jackson said. "NPR and PBS have no right to receive taxpayer funds, and Congress already voted to defund them."

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An attorney representing NPR, Theodore Boutrous, said the ruling was "a significant victory for the First Amendment and for freedom of the press."

"As the court expressly recognized, the First Amendment draws a line, which the government may not cross, at efforts to use government power  including the power of the purse  to punish or suppress disfavored expression by others," Boutrous said in a statement. "The Executive Order crossed that line."

Unknown impact of the order, as stations face closures

It's unknown whether the judge's order will bear much impact, since NPR and PBS stations already are facing the consequences of funding hits across the country, with employee layoffs or even full shutdowns, especially rural stations that relied on federal funding to operate.

Across the country, stations have held funding drives and urged communities to make donations in order to stay afloat. But the impact has already started.

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In central Pennsylvania, public media outlet WPSU was among the first stations to close and announce a "wind down" of operations. Free Press, a media advocacy organization, said that as of October, more than 400 public media jobs were slashed.

NPR and PBS did not respond to questions of whether the order would have any impact on their operations, but a PBS spokesperson said they were "thrilled" the judge agreed that Trump's order was "textbook unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination and retaliation."

NPR's President and CEO Katherine Maher said that it was a "win for NPR, our network of stations, and our tens of millions of listeners nationwide."

"The court made clear that the government cannot use funding as a lever to influence or penalize the press, whether as a national news service or a local newsroom," Maher said.

Small win for media outlets facing White House pressure

This order comes at a time of increased pressure on media outlets from the Trump administration.

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It came soon after another DC federal judge blocked a separate Trump administration order, which barred news reporters' access to the Pentagon. In the lawsuit filed by The New York Times, U.S. District Judge Paul Friedman said the policy violated free speech and due process rights.

In mid-March, Federal Communications Chair Brendan Carr threatened to revoke broadcasting licenses for media coverage of the Iran war. Carr has also threatened to wield FCC power against ABC over an interview with Democratic Texas Rep. James Talarico on "The View."

Carr also appeared to threaten the licensure of the Walt Disney-owned ABC stations if they didn't suspend Jimmy Kimmel's late-night talk show, after he faced criticism for comments he made on the deadly shooting of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

This reporting content is supported by a partnership with Freedom Forum and Journalism Funding Partners.

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USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida First Amendment reporter Stephany Matat is based in Tallahassee, Fla. She can be reached at SMatat@usatodayco.com. On X: @stephanymatat.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judge blocks Trump order cutting funds to NPR and PBS stations
Tremaine Jones, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide, possession of a short-barrel rifle and first-degree recklessly endangering safety in connection with the June 26 shooting that led to Milwaukee Police Officer Kendall Corder's death.

Police and prosecutors allege Jones shot at Corder and Christopher McCray 16 times while hiding behind a bush near North 25th Street and West Garfield Avenue in what authorities have described as "an ambush."

McCray was shot in the foot and survived the attack. Corder was taken to a hospital after the shooting, but died of his injuries three days later.

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Corder's killing marked the sixth line of duty death in the city since 2018.

Videos, police testimony are helping mold the prosecution's case

Jurors spent the latter part of the day sifting through video that was recorded near the intersection that night and hearing from more police personnel who responded afterwards.

They also were shown pictures of Corders blood-soaked tactical vest, which was removed to allow first responders to provide life-saving measures on him.

Milwaukee Police Officer Sarah De Leon, works in District 7, but was one of many officers who responded and helped search the area after the shooting. She discovered a black backpack that the gunman was reported to be carrying. It was found nestled between two cars.

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Inside the bag was a work ID card, bearing the name Tremaine Jones.

Martin Saavedra, an MPD detective, testified later that Jones' social security card, birth certificate and a Visa card, all with his name on them, also was found in the bag.

Saavedra said a sales receipt for a rifle also was in the bag. The receipt was dated June 19, 2025  a week before the shooting  and listed Jones as the buyer.

The serial number for the lower receiver on the weapon matched the number printed on the receipt, Saavedra said.

Under questioning from defense attorney Russell Jones, no relation to the defendant, Saavedra testified he couldn't say when the backpack was dropped there.

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Saavedra said the backpack was sent in for processing, but wasn't tested. That's because there is a limit on how many items can be tested.

Milwaukee police officer Kendall Corder gets his badge pinned on by his father, Raymond Corder, at the Milwaukee Police Department graduation ceremony at the Milwaukee Safety Academy on Dec.12, 2019.

The first officers on the scene testify

James Borneman, a field training officer for Milwaukee police, testified he was with Officer Benen Malacara at North 30th Street and West Lisbon Avenue canvassing the area in an unrelated homicide.

Borneman and Malacara, who had been on the force for only five days at the time of the shooting, both testified they heard the call that officers needed help at 24th Street and Garfield Avenue and responded.

There was initial confusion over where the two injured officers were located, slowing response  whether they were at 24th Street or 24th Place, or if they were at Garfield Avenue or Greenfield Avenue.

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Once on the scene, Borneman and Malacara said they found an injured McCray on top of Corder, who was not conscious.

He was frantic," Borneman said of McCray. "Not worried about himself, [but] worrying about his partner."

Openings statements mark second day of Jones' trial

In his opening statement, Assistant District Attorney Grant Huebner told jurors the case actually began on June 25, when a street fight began between two groups of women.

The next day, the friction between the two rekindled. Only this time, a man was with one of the groups.

Someone in the other group of fighters then called Jones, Huebner said. He then came to the home with a long gun and a backpack with a lot of his personal identification inside, Huebner said.

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Huebner told the jury he would prove for them, with 911 recordings, ShotSpotter data and other evidence and testimony, that Jones fired 16 shots, including the shots that killed Corder and injured McCray on June 26.

Defense attorney Abigail Ruckdashel, center, cross examines state witness, Roberto Hernandez during his testimony on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at the Tremaine Jones trial in Milwaukee County Court. Seated nextto Ruckdashel on the left, is co-counsel, Russell J.A. Jones, left, and on the far right is defendant, Tremaine Jones on day 2 of his trial. Jones is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklesty sly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Defense attorney Russell J..A. Jones, left, seated next to defendant, Tremaine Jones, left in his trial on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in Milwaukee County Court, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Jones is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklesty sly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Prosecutor Grant Huebner questions state witness Milwaukee police officer Roberto Hernandez on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 on day 2 of the Tremaine Jones trial at Milwaukee County Courthouse. Hernandez testifies about SpotShotter, a system used to detect gun shot rounds. Jones, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Defense attorney Abigail Ruckdashel, center, cross examines state witness, Roberto Hernandez during testimony on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at the Tremaine Jones trial in Milwaukee County Court, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.. Seated next to Ruckdashel on the left, is co-counsel, Russell J.A. Jones, left, and on the far right is defendant, Tremaine Jones on day 2 of his trial. Jones is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Prosecutor Grant Huebner gives opening statement on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 on day 2 of the Tremaine Jones trial at Milwaukee County Courthouse. Jones, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting deatGh last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Defense attorney Russell J.A. Jones, left, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 in day 2 of the trial of Tremaine Jones, 23, right, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Defense attorneys Russell J.A. Jones, left and Abigail Ruckdashel, center, on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 on day 2 of the trial of Tremaine Jones, 23, right, who is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michelle Havas goes over final details while completing jury selection on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, on day 2 of the Tremaine Jones' trial at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Jones, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. Defense attorneys on the left, Russell J.A. Jones, left and Abigail Ruckdashel, on the right are seated in court with prosecutor Grant Huebner, from the Milwaukee County District Attorney's Office, right, and Milwaukee Police Department Detective Cedric McFadden, left, in Circuit Judge Michelle Havas' court on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 on day 2 of the Tremaine Jones trial in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. A look inside Tremaine Jones' trial Day 2: Opening arguments 1 of 9 Defense attorney Abigail Ruckdashel, center, cross examines state witness, Roberto Hernandez during his testimony on Tuesday, March 31, 2026 at the Tremaine Jones trial in Milwaukee County Court. Seated nextto Ruckdashel on the left, is co-counsel, Russell J.A. Jones, left, and on the far right is defendant, Tremaine Jones on day 2 of his trial. Jones is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklesty sly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack.

Abigail Ruckdashel, one of Jones attorneys, acknowledged the chain of events leading to the shooting was a tragedy, and that no one who is paid to keep the city safe should lose their life on the job.

The one thing that makes this tragedy worse is if we dont have the right person, she said. Its the defenses position  that the state doesnt have the right person.

Family members get emotional when crime audio plays

A woman seated in a section of court designated for members of Corders family became emotional and walked out of the courtroom as audio collected by ShotSpotter technology of the gunshots that were fired that night at Corder and McCray was played for jurors.

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Other members of Corders family could be seen tightly closing their eyes as radio clips of the terrified cries of an injured McCray were played in the courtroom. McCray was frantically reporting that Corder was down and calling for help.

"Shots fired! My partner's hit! My partner's hit!" the injured McCray is heard screaming on the recording.

More: 3 people charged in connection to Milwaukee police officer killed, another injured June 26

Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Michelle Havas goes over final details while completing jury selection on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, on day 2 of the Tremaine Jones' trial at the Milwaukee County Courthouse. Jones, 23, is charged with first-degree intentional homicide, attempted first-degree intentional homicide and first degree recklessly endangering safety in the shooting death last year of officer Kendall Corder. Jones is also charged with felony possession of a short-barrel shotgun or rifle. Corder's partner, officer Christopher McCray, also was shot but survived the attack. (Angela Peterson / Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Jury is selected by mid-morning March 31

A jury was selected for the trial just after 9 a.m. on March 31.

The jury selection process began on March 30 with an initial pool of 100 potential jurors. The pool was whittled to 36 jurors, who were questioned by attorneys later that afternoon.

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The jury is made up of five women and nine men. One juror is Black.

The state is expected to continue presenting its case when court reconvenes at 8:30 a.m. on April 1.

This story was updated to add photos and video.

Chris Ramirez covers courts for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at caramirez@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Tremaine Jones' trial for MPD officer's death continues on day 2
When Supreme Court justices announce their opinions in court, the decisions author summarizes the ruling from the bench. In rare cases, a dissenting justice will dissent from the bench to call attention to an issue.

That happened Tuesday, when Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented in Chiles v. Salazar, a case in which the court sided with Christian counselor Kaley Chiles in her First Amendment challenge to the states ban on so-called conversion therapy for minors.

(The court doesnt broadcast these opinion announcements, even though it has the ability to do so, and does in fact broadcast the oral arguments that take place in the same courtroom. Right after Tuesdays announcement in the Chiles case, the court livestreamed the audio for another case being argued before the justices. When that case, Pitchford v. Cain, is decided in open court later this term, the announcement wont be streamed.)

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In her dissent, the Biden appointee wrote that the practice of seeking to convert a persons sexual orientation or gender identity has been widely discredited within the medical and scientific community and found to cause lasting psychological harm.

Departing from Justice Neil Gorsuchs majority opinion for eight members of the court, Jackson wrote, The conclusion that a State can regulate the provision of medical care even if, in so doing, it incidentally restricts the speech of some providers, fully comports with the First Amendments animating principles.

She continued:Ultimately, because the majority plays with fire in this case, I fear that the people of this country will get burned.

Until now, she wrote, licensed medical professionals couldnt do or say whatever they wanted. States could regulate them, which, she wrote, contributed to the high quality of American care.

Today, the Court turns its back on that tradition, Jackson wrote. And, to be completely frank, no one knows what will happen now. She accused the majority of reaching this momentous decision without adequately grappling with the potential long-term and disastrous implications of this ruling.

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The justice closed her solo dissent by worrying about the majority having opened a dangerous can of worms that threatens to impair States ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect, pushes the Constitution into uncharted territory in an utterly irrational fashion and risks grave harm to Americans health and wellbeing.

Though Jackson and some combination of the courts other two Democratic appointees have joined together in other disputes as recently as Monday, her Chiles dissent is only the latest example of her going it alone when she feels it warranted.

After Tuesdays hearing in the Pitchford case, which deals with race and jury discrimination, the justices will be back on the bench Wednesday to hear arguments in the birthright citizenship case, in an appeal that could put the three Democratic appointees together again, as they were in a previous chapter of the citizenship litigation last term.

The post Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson steps out alone, again  this time on conversion therapy appeared first on MS NOW.

This article was originally published on ms.now
MANILA, March 31 (Xinhua) -- The Philippines' international investment position (IIP), which provides a snapshot of the value of foreign financial assets and liabilities at a given point in time, posted a lower net external liability of 50.8 billion U.S. dollars as of end-December 2025, the Philippine central bank said Tuesday.

The Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) said the latest IIP marks a 2.5 percent decline from 52.1 billion dollars at the end of September 2025. The lower net liability position reflected a faster growth in external assets relative to the increase in external liabilities.

As of the end of December 2025, the Philippines' investment in foreign assets rose by 1 percent to 264.1 billion dollars, and foreign investments in Philippine assets increased by 0.4 percent to 314.9 billion dollars, according to the BSP. 
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended President Donald Trumps latest threat to Iran during Mondays press briefing after NBC White House correspondent Garrett Haake asked if "potential war crimes" were on the table.

Earlier in the day, Trump posted on Truth Social when he declared a variety of Iranian targets would be completely obliterated if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately opened. Haake asked about the message, asking if the president was suggesting hitting civilian infrastructure.

"The president posted this morning about his threat that on leaving Iran he said, Blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells, hard island, and possibly all desalination plants," Haake said.

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Trump Floats Siege On Iran Stronghold As Tehran Loosens Grip On Strait Of Hormuz

"Under international law, striking civilian infrastructure like that is generally prohibited," he continued. "Why is the president threatening what would amount to potentially a war crime with the US military? And how do you square that with the administration repeatedly saying that the US does not target civilians?"

The press secretary quickly responded, "Look, the President has made it quite clear to the Iranian regime at this moment in time, as evidenced by the statement that you just read, that their best move is to make a deal, or else the United States Armed Forces has capabilities beyond their wildest imagination and the president is not afraid to use them."

Read On The Fox News App

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Haake asked if this includes "potential war crimes," prompting Leavitt to say thats "Not what I said."

"And youre saying the word potential for a reason, because Im sure some experts are telling you that in your ear, to try to ask me that question. Of course, this administration and the United States Armed Forces will always act within the confines of the law," Leavitt said.

Karoline Leavitt Blasts Nyt Ballroom Coverage, Calls Out Critics Who 'Never Built Anything'

President Trump posted a message on Truth Social declaring a variety of Iranian targets would be completely obliterated if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately opened.

"But with respect to achieving the full objectives of Operation Epic Fury, President Trump is going to move forward unabated," she added. "And he expects the Iranian regime to make a deal with the administration."

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Haake was then heard shouting another question that went ignored by Leavitt.

In the social media post, Trump also suggested that the U.S. and Tehran are in "serious discussions" about ending the war in Iran and have made "serious progress" Monday.

White House Fires Back At Critics Calling Trumps Massive Arch Too Big

NBC White House correspondent Garrett Haake.

"The United States of America is in serious discussions with A NEW, AND MORE REASONABLE, REGIME to end our Military Operations in Iran. Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched. This will be in retribution for our many soldiers, and others, that Iran has butchered and killed over the old Regimes 47 year Reign of Terror. Thank you for your attention to this matter," Trump wrote on Truth Social.

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Original article source: Karoline Leavitt fires back at NBC News reporter who asked if Trump's Iran threat amounts to a 'war crime'
Police say a nearly five-decade old Kenosha murder was solved after advancements in DNA technology allowed them to identify a suspect who was living across the country.

The Kenosha Police Department and Memphis, Tennessee, authorities arrested James Terry Fowler, 68, in the 48-year-old unsolved murder of Ralph Ambrose Gianoli on a homicide charge. After authorities reopened the case five years ago, they were able to process DNA from fingernail clippings to identify Fowler.

"No victim is forgotten and no case is truly forgotten," said Kenosha Police Chief Patrick Patton at a March 31 press conference.

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Kenosha County District Attorney Xavier Solis charged Fowler in January, but the case was sealed until March 31, according to online court records. Fowler is awaiting extradition from Tennessee to Kenosha and has a $1.5 million bail, he said.

The arrest and charges come nearly five decades after the killing of 48-year-old Gianoli, whose case remained unsolved since 1977. That was when officers found him deceased inside his home with blunt-force trauma wounds to the head and abdomen, according to Kenosha police.

It's not clear what connection the two had, if any.

Fowler would have been 19 at the time, and Captain James Beller said it is believed the two met earlier in the night of Gianoli's murder.

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Fowler was a recruit of the U.S. Navy Reserve in 1977, which has a base about 20 miles from Kenosha, Patton said. He was previously arrested and charged with manslaughter in the killing his father in Alabama in 1983, he said. The criminal complaint detailed a homicide report from that time, where witnesses described Fowler as a loner who was thought to have roamed the country.

In an interview with authorities in Tennessee, cited in the criminal complaint, Fowler seemed confused and described earlier periods of his life as troubled period, when he did drugs and drank too much. He initially told authorities he did not recognize a photo of Gianoli but then acknowledged he did. He appeared to recall Kenosha, after authorities described its location by the water to him.

Fowler told law enforcement he didn't want to talk about Gianoli, agreeing with them it was a "bad day" and said he didn't know why his DNA would be on the other man.

At one point the investigator addressed the murder with him directly, according to the complaint.

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"[The detective] asked the defendant if he had any remorse for killing a man. The defendant indicated he was sorry and mumbled something about coming in there and what was he supposed to do?" the complaint reads.

Beller said officers who initially investigated the murder in 1977 did a "great job" preserving evidence that was later used to identify Fowler as a suspect decades later.

The Wisconsin State Crime Lab and a private company conducted DNA profiling from fingernails that identified Fowler as a possible suspect match in 2023, Patton said. Two years later, Tennessee authorities conducted a search warrant for a cheek swab of Fowler and confirmed his DNA was a match with that of the clippings.

Carla Gianoli-Smith, the victim's niece, said she has met with Kenosha officers since 2007 about the case.

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"To say we are overwhelmed is an understatement and overjoyed with the news," she said.

Gianoli-Smith referred to her uncle as "Uncle Ralph." She is among eight surviving nieces and nephews of the victim.

"It's bittersweet that my dad and Uncle Ralph's other siblings ... didn't live long enough to see this," she said, while thanking authorities for their work. "We're just all so grateful that [police] didn't give up."

David Clarey is a public safety reporter at the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. He can be reached at dclarey@gannett.com.

This story was updated to add new information.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Kenosha police credit DNA advancements for arrest in decades-old cold case
Kentucky authorities have arrested a high school teacher for allegedly sexually assaulting one of her students.

Mary "Hanna" Mattingly was arrested in Nelson County on Monday, March 30.

The Bardstown Police Department said in a social media post the 31-year-old teacher was charged with first-degree sexual abuse and procuring or promoting the use of a minor by electronic means.

Mattingly is a teacher at Bardstown High School, police said. Calls to school administrators were not returned Monday.

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Police allegedly received a report that Mattingly had been sexually assaulting a high school student, and as they investigated the claims, uncovered evidence proving just that.

Biology Teacher at Louisiana All-Girls Catholic School Arrested for Sexually Abusing Student

Cops did not release any additional details about that evidence they've gathered against Mattingly.

In addition to sexually assaulting the student, Mattingly also sent them partially nude photographs.

Bardstown Police said the investigation remains ongoing. It was unclear if Mattingly had an attorney, and records did not indicate any pleas were entered, either by her or on her behalf.

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Us Weekly was unable to determine how long Mattingly has worked at the school.

Anyone who may have additional information is asked to contact the department by calling (502) 348-6811. To make a report anonymously, call (502) 348-HEAT (4328).

Teacher arrests have been on the rise in recent weeks.

Last week, Nadia M. Horn was arrested in Wisconsin after Eau Claire Area School District employees told police there was a potential inappropriate relationship between a staff member and a student.

Authorities alleged Horn, 22, had multiple victims and that their investigation was continuing.

A former middle school teacher was arrested last week in New Jersey after being accused of raping a student. Gloucester County Prosecutor Andrew B. Johns confirmed that Ashley Fisler has been charged with six counts of first-degree sexual assault of a minor, one count of second-degree endangering the welfare of a child and one count of second-degree official misconduct.

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Married HS Gym Teacher Arrested for Sexually Assaulting Student: You Cant Tell Anybody

Fisler, 36, was arrested after the victim reported the allegations to police on January 23. The victim, who is now an adult, said that they were sexually assaulted by Fisler while they were a student in her class at Orchard Valley Middle School.

And in Massachusetts, a former teacher at a prestigious all-girls boarding school was arrested after he was accused of raping two of his students. Matthew Rutledge was indicted by a grand jury after two of his former Miss Halls School students, Hilary Simon and Melissa Fares, testified against him.

Rutledge, 64, was charged nearly two years after Simon, 39, and Fares, 33, first came forward with sexual abuse allegations against him.
King Charles and Queen Camilla will make an official state visit to the U.S. this spring, Buckingham Palace announced Tuesday.

The British royals are embarking on the trip to celebrate the 250th anniversary of Americas independence and were invited by President Donald Trump, according to the palace.

In a social media post, Trump said the royal visit will take place April 27-30. It will include a banquet dinner at the White House on Tuesday, April 28, he noted.

Aaron Chown/Wpa Pool/Getty Images - PHOTO: King Charles III and Queen Camilla bid farewell to President of Nigeria Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu as they depart from Windsor Castle, March 19, 2026 in Windsor, England.

After visiting the U.S., Charles will also visit Bermuda, a British overseas territory, making his first visit to the island as monarch.

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Britain's royal family met by protesters at Commonwealth Day event amid fallout from Andrew controversy

Queen Elizabeth II made the last state visit to the U.S. in May 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia.

Queen Camilla peppered with questions about Epstein

Charles and Camillas visit comes during a tense period amid the ongoing U.K. police inquiry into the Jeffrey Epstein files and the Iran war .

It is unclear if Charles will visit with his second son, Prince Harry, who lives in California with his wife Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex and their two children.
One of the most-watched congressional primaries in the country is in Northern Kentucky, where President Donald Trump is waging political war on incumbent and fellow Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie.

Massie, who has been in office, is being challenged in the primary May 19 by Trump-endorsed candidate Ed Gallrein.

The incumbent has faced three primaries since he took office in 2012 and he won them all with 75% or more of the vote. He's easily won in every general election in a district that's elected a Republican to the House for more than two decades.

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Trump's endorsement still means a lot with voters and Gallrein, a fifth-generation Kentucky farmer and former Navy SEAL captain, is proving to be a well-funded opponent.

Here's a roundup of a few of the top stories  from money to mudslinging  we've written about Massie, Gallrein and Trump in the past few months:

6 things to know about President Trump's visit to Greater Cincinnati

Republican Ed Gallrein revs up the crowd in Hebron, KY while President Donald Trump stands in support of him nearby.

Trump visited Hebron, Kentucky on March 11 to celebrate all things MAGA in front of cheering voters who waited hours in the rain to see the president  and he took the opportunity to make digs at Massie.

He then called Gallrein to the stage where the candidate reveled in Trump's endorsement and cheering crowd.

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Read more here.

Massie says voting record shows Gallrein was a 'Trump traitor'

Republican candidate Ed Gallrein gives a speech to a crowd of people during President Donald Trump's visit to the area on March 11. He's challenging U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie in the Republican primary May 19.

The same week Trump rallied for Gallrein, Massie revealed that Gallrein hasn't always been a registered Republican. He changed his registration to Independent around the same time Trump became the official Republican nominee for president in 2016. He didn't register as a Republican again until 2021.

Read more about it here.

Ahead of Trump visit, 'liberty warriors' say they're for Massie

Republican U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie speaks during a campaign stop at the Jeptha Creed Distillery in Shelbyville, Kentucky.

When President Donald Trump visited Northern Kentucky, he was supported by state lawmakers in attendence  some of the same ones who showed up in support of U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie just weeks before at his campaign headquarters launch party.

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Read more here.

Who's behind the millions being spent in Massie-Gallrein GOP primary?

Thousands of out-of-state donors, a handful of Kentuckians, and at least four billionaires. That's who's pouring money into what's arguably become one of the most-watched congressional primaries in the country this year.

Read more about it here.

At launch party, Massie mocks Trump, talks 'true evil' of Epstein

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Garrison, speaks during a campaign headquarters launch party in Florence on Feb. 21.

U.S. Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Garrison, kicked off his reelection campaign with a headquarters launch party Feb. 21 in Florence.

More than 100 people drove hours from Indiana, northern Ohio, and eastern Kentucky, to see the man who President Donald Trump called the "worst Republican Congressman."

Read more here.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Thomas Massie faces Trump-backed Ed Gallrein in Kentucky 4th district
Utahs early summer preview is coming to an end, as a mix of rain and snow returns to the Beehive State this week.

The shift in weather comes as a high-pressure system thats dominated the states weather over the past few weeks  breaking a slew of records along the way  moves out toward Texas and decays, opening the door for low pressure to return to Utah, said KSL meteorologist Matt Johnson.

Two large systems off the Pacific Coast are forecast to push storms into Utah starting on Tuesday.

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It has quite a bit of moisture with it, he said. Its going to drift in and amplify rain totals.

Storm timing

Some scattered showers are possible in northern Utah on Tuesday morning, especially in higher elevations. Showers may expand to mountaintops in other parts of the state by the afternoon, before more widespread showers develop until later in the day.

Valley rain and mountain snow will become more prevalent Tuesday night and more so early Wednesday as a slug of moisture enters the state, Johnson said. Snow levels will likely start at 8,500 feet, dropping to 7,000 feet by Wednesday morning. Some thunderstorm activity is also possible as the system arrives.

Showers are forecast to linger into Wednesday afternoon, becoming more scattered by the afternoon and evening.

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Another wave of moisture from a different low-pressure system is expected to reach Utahs northern half on Thursday, driving up totals. Snow showers are possible on the valley floors on Friday morning, before the system clears out. Any snow accumulation will likely be low, Johnson said.

Big numbers projected

Mountain areas are projected to receive their biggest boost in weeks, even from the first wave of moisture. Alta and Brighton in the Cottonwood canyons could receive 1 to 2 feet of snow or more by early Friday, according to a National Weather Service model updated on Tuesday.

Areas like Brian Head could still receive 6 to 12 inches of snow, even if models suggest it will miss out on the second storm.

Big precipitation numbers are also projected across valley communities. Over an inch of rain is possible across the Wasatch Front, with the highest amounts near the Great Salt Lake, according to KSL Weather models.

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Most other areas could get at least a half-inch of rain by the end of Thursday. St. George and Moab may end up with some of the lowest totals in the state this week, but they may still collect a quarter of an inch or more.

UTAH STORMS: After 25 days of no precipitation, record heat and 9 ski resort closures the spigot turns back on! Models have trended wetter with 2 storms this week. #utwx



STORM 1: Tuesday PM - Wednesday

STORM 2: Thursday - Friday AM pic.twitter.com/QdqAJULEc6  Matthew Johnson (@KSL_Matt) March 30, 2026

It would be a welcome sight for Utahs resorts and water managers. Almost 70% of the state is now in severe drought following a recent wave of warm and dry weather, which also caused the statewide snowpack to tumble.

Utahs statewide snowpack entered this week at 3 inches of snow water equivalent, about one-fifth of the median average for the end of March, which is the normal peak of the snow collection season. It appears to have peaked at 8.3 inches this season, which would be the lowest level in at least 45 years.

Many resorts have had to close as a result. Seven of Utahs 15 were still open this week, according to Ski Utah.

Cooling down

This week will also be demonstrably cooler than the record-setting warmth from the past few weeks.

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High temperatures will drop from the mid-60s on Tuesday to potentially below 50 degrees in some parts of the region by the end of the workweek. Overnight lows may fall below the freezing point in parts of the region this week, as well.

This comes after places like Salt Lake City have surpassed 70 degrees on 11 of the previous 14 days before Tuesday, while setting a new monthly high-temperature record of 84 degrees on March 21.

Freezing temperatures are expected Friday morning and Saturday morning along the Wasatch Front and in the San Rafael Swell and Western Canyonlands which will affect early season agriculture. pic.twitter.com/97PMA1RKcF  NWS Salt Lake City (@NWSSaltLakeCity) March 30, 2026

The cooldown wont last long, though. High temperatures are projected to return to the mid-60s by Easter Sunday.

It wont be as drastic in southern Utah. Temperatures near St. George will fall from the mid-80s on Monday to the mid-60s on Friday, then warm up again.

Full seven-day forecasts for areas across Utah can be found online at the KSL Weather Center.
Russia has called on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to flesh out his proposal for an Easter ceasefire, while also expressing reservations.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday that Moscow had not yet seen a clear formulation of Kiev's proposal, according to Russian media reports.

"Zelensky should take responsibility and make an appropriate decision so that we can achieve peace  and not just a ceasefire," said Peskov.

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Zelensky floated a potential Easter ceasefire on Monday, but presented it in multiple versions without specifying a date.

Western Christians celebrate Easter this weekend, while Orthodox Christians, such as those in Russia and Ukraine, do not celebrate until April 12.

"It is clear that the Kiev regime urgently needs a ceasefire, any kind of ceasefire, because the dynamics on the front lines  which, incidentally, are being observed not only by our own but also by foreign experts  show that Russian troops are advancing  sometimes faster, sometimes slower  but along the entire front line," Peskov was quoted as saying.

During temporary ceasefires in the past, the warring parties have repeatedly accused each other of violations. Furthermore, both sides accuse each other of using such periods to redeploy troops and rearm.

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Following reports of Ukrainian drones crashing in EU countries in the Baltic region, Peskov also issued a warning to neighbouring states.

"Should countries make their airspace available for 'hostile terrorist acts against the Russian Federation,' this obliges us to draw the appropriate conclusions and take the necessary measures," he said.

Ukraine has been fending off a full-scale Russian invasion for more than four years.
FRANKFORT, Ky.  A sizeable bill making several changes to Kentuckys election laws is heading to Gov. Andy Beshears desk.

House Bill 139, from Rep. Jennifer Decker, R-Waddy, cleared the final hurdle in the state legislature on March 31, when representatives passed it on a 76-17 vote out of the House. It had previously been approved with revisions in the Senate 31-6. The votes were mostly along party lines, with Democrats in opposition.

HB 139, which would go into effect immediately upon final passage, is lengthy legislation that makes a number of tweaks and changes to current elections statutes, including:

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 Requiring the Administrative Office of the Courts to send Kentucky's Board of Elections an all-time list of people convicted of felonies, including those pursuing appeals, and establishing they're ineligible to vote;

 Authorizing the Board of Elections to work with federal agencies to identify dead people or noncitizens who are registered to vote  with those identified as noncitizens to be listed as ineligible to vote unless they're able to prove citizenship  and requiring the list of noncitizens registered to vote to be sent to the attorney general's office;

 Allowing candidates running in judicial races to publicly discuss their political affiliation, though races would remain nonpartisan on ballots;

 And raising campaign contribution limits in Kentucky races ($2,200 per candidate per election, $5,000 for a political party per year) to be in line with higher federal limits ($3,500 per candidate per election, $10,000 for a political party).

Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, presents House Bill 96, an act related to the postsecondary education working group, in the Senate Committee on Education meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026. House Majority Whip Jason Nemes, R-Middletown, presents House Bill 607 during a House Committee on Local Government meeting on March 10, 2026. Rep. Marianne Proctor, R-Union, presents House Bill 4 on the House floor on Feb. 4, 2026. The bill, which would define and criminalize predatory behavior commonly referred to as grooming, was approved unanimously by the House of Representatives. Rep. Ryan Bivens, R-Hodgenville, presents Senate Bill 199, which would limit lawsuits against pesticide manufacturers, on the House floor on March 17, 2026. Rep. Matt Lockett, R-Nicholasville, speaks a bill regarding water fluoridation programs during House floor proceedings on Feb. 5, 2026. Rep. Ryan Bivens, R-Hodgenville, takes a picture of the vote board as his bill related to on-farm animal health, House Bill 111, passes on the House floor on Feb. 20, 2026. Rep. Adam Moore, D-Lexington, sorts through bills on the first day of the 2026 Kentucky legislative session. Jan. 6, 2026 (Left to right), Rep. Josh Branscum, R-Russell Springs, Rep. Peyton Griffee, R-Mount Washington, House Speaker Pro Tempore David Meade, R-Stanford, and Rep. Derek Lewis, R-London, watch the vote count on an amendment to House Bill 2 on Feb. 27, 2026. Rep. Ken Fleming, R-Louisville, presents House Bill 2, which would make sweeping changes to the state's Medicaid program, on the House floor on Feb. 27, 2026. Sen. Stephen Meredith, R-Leitchfield, (left) and Senate Democratic Floor Leader Gerald Neal, D-Louisville, confer on the Senate floor on March 9, 2026. Sen. Steve Rawlings, R-Burlington, speaks on the Senate floor on Feb. 20, 2026. Sen. Jason Howell, R-Murray, speaks on Senate Bill 199 during Senate proceedings on March 5, 2026. State Rep. Josh Bray, R-Mount Vernon, speaks about House Bill 500 on Feb. 26, 2026. Sen. Julie Raque Adams, R-Louisville, presents Senate Bill 2 during a Senate Committee on Education meeting on Feb. 5, 2026. Rep. Kimberly Poore Moser, R-Taylor Mill, presents House Bill 1 on the House floor on Feb. 24, 2026. From left to right, Rep. T.J. Roberts, R-Burlington; Rep. Marianne Proctor, R-Union; and Rep. Nancy Tate, R-Brandenburg, look over bills prior to the House floor proceedings on Feb. 13, 2026. Sen. Matt Nunn, R-Sadieville, presents Senate Bill 104, an act related to impeding a first responder during Senate proceedings on Feb. 19, 2026. House Speaker David Osborne presides over the Kentucky House at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly begins. Jan. 6, 2026. Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives gather at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway. Jan. 6, 2026 House Speaker David Osborne, left, speaks with Rep. Lindsey Burke at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly begins. Jan. 6, 2026. Senate President Robert Stivers speaks to members of the media at the Capitol in Frankfort after the Senate adjourns during the 2026 General Assembly on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Savannah Maddox, right, and Rep. Felicia Rabourn pose for a photo on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort, Ky., before the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Steven Rudy speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Pamela Stevenson speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. House Speaker David Osborne presides over the Kentucky House at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly begins. Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Marianne Proctor takes photos on her phone as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. House Speaker David Osborne and Rep. Pamela Stevenson share a hug on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly begins Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Members of the Kentucky House of Representatives confer on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Lindsey Burke speaks on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Rep. Suzanne Miles shares a laugh on the House floor at the Capitol in Frankfort as the 2026 General Assembly gets underway on Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026. Temporary House chambers at the State Capitol in Frankfort stand empty ahead of the 2026 General Assembly. The purpose-built facility houses both chambers during major renovations to the Capitol. Jan. 6, 2026. Temporary Senate chambers at the State Capitol in Frankfort stand empty ahead of the 2026 General Assembly. The purpose-built facility houses both chambers during major renovations to the Capitol. Jan. 6, 2026. The 2026 Kentucky General Assembly is underway. See photos from Frankfort 1 of 32 Rep. James Tipton, R-Taylorsville, presents House Bill 96, an act related to the postsecondary education working group, in the Senate Committee on Education meeting on Thursday, March 12, 2026.

Rep. Lindsey Burke, D-Lexington, spoke out against the bill, arguing changes it had undergone in the Senate amounted to "irreparable damage" to the legislation and the higher contribution limits would tell voters "were good with letting wealthy people choose our elected officials. Supporters, meanwhile, have said the bill will help fight fraud and provisions requiring the state to send voter information to federal agencies only streamlines a process and do not give the U.S. government access to information it couldn't previously obtain.

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The bill heads next to Gov. Andy Beshear's desk. He'll have a chance to veto it, but the Republican-controlled General Assembly can override that move when it reconvenes in mid-April.

News moves fast: Keep up with our politics coverage in our weekly newsletter.

Other bills passed by Kentucky lawmakers

Several other notable bills were approved in both chambers on March 31, the first day of the legislature's two-day concurrence period, including:

 House Bill 607, sponsored by Rep. Chris Lewis, R-Louisville, would change the makeup of Louisville's ethics commission. The bill would require three members of the commission to be appointed by the mayor and four to be appointed by the legislative council, with each of the two largest caucuses appointing two members.

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Under the bill, ethics commissions could not include more than three members who belong to the same political party. Sen. Keturah Herron, D-Louisville, spoke out against the bill, saying the current ethics commission holds local lawmakers accountable regardless of political party.

Herron said that while Louisvilles metro council elections have become nonpartisan, this bill would make ethics commission appointments dependent on political party.

The bill also lets the council's political caucuses hire and retain their own legal counsel, among other changes.

It passed the House 76-14 and the Senate 32-5.

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 Senate Bill 104, known as a Halo Act, is also on its way to the governor's office. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Matthew Nunn, R-Sadieville, would require people to stay at least 25 feet away from law enforcement and first responders while on a scene and refrain from threatening or harassing responders. After a fourth offense, violators could face a Class D felony charge.The bill received pushback throughout the session from Democrats who raised concerns about First Amendment protections and how the bill would be applied in certain situations, noting the clashes between protestors and Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers in Minnesota.The bill passed the House 79-16 and the Senate 32-6.

Reach Lucas Aulbach at laulbach@courier-journal.com. Reach Keely Doll at kdoll@courier-journal.com.

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky passes election bill requiring immigrants to prove citizenship
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  Three men who believe they were wronged by a corrupt racketeering enterprise at Resorts World Las Vegas filed an amended lawsuit on Monday, seeking treble damages and a jury trial.

The lawsuits claims portray the Malaysian-owned resort as a profit-at-all-costs operation that courted known criminals to gamble in the casino while it looked the other way. The plaintiffs reject leadership changes at the resort, contending illegal gamblers, fraudsters, drug traffickers and other criminal elements were welcome.

Eleven individuals including former Resorts World leader Scott Sibella and prominent Las Vegas attorney David Chesnoff are named in the lawsuit, along with Genting Berhad and Resorts World Las Vegas, are named as defendants.

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Resorts World allowed culture of money laundering for illegal bookmakers, Nevada gaming regulators say

The 107-page lawsuit is filled with the recent history of the anti-money laundering (AML) violations involving Resorts World, including an $10.5 million settlement with the Nevada Gaming Control Board. Sibella lost his gaming license in the affair. The lawsuit was filed in U.S. District Court in Nevada.

Its also a whos-who of illegal gamblers, starting with Mathew Bowyer, the bookie from Los Angeles who took bets from an interpreter for LA Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

Plaintiffs believe that by exposing the full scope of this long-time racketeering enterprise, and by pursuing their claims, justice will ultimately be done, the lawsuit states.

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8 News Now has reached out to Resorts World for a reaction. When a previous version of the lawsuit was filed in December, a spokesman said, We typically do not comment on pending litigation, but this lawsuit repackages old matters and is yet another attempt to bring negative attention to Resorts World Las Vegas and seek some form of compensation. We will vigorously defend ourselves against this meritless action.

The amended lawsuit includes Do as a plaintiff and adds two defendants.

File Stamped First Amended Complaint with new partiesDownload

Each of the plaintiffs has a different kind of claim against the resort.

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Robert Cipriani, who calls himself Robin Hood 702 on social media, is a well-known blackjack player who often shares his winnings with those less fortunate. Cipriani he was the victim of false arrest and was eventually banned from the casino when he became a cooperating witness for investigators looking into money laundering. Cipriani claims that Resorts Worlds actions caused him to be banned from every casino around the world.

For a professional gambler like Plaintiff Cipriani with a record of performance, his losses reached millions of dollars; his reputation suffered serious harm, according to the lawsuit.

James Russell is a steel distributor who lost millions to a fraud scheme. He alleges that Resorts World shielded the man who cheated him, allowing Brandon Sattler to gamble away millions that he owed to Russell.

Andrew Cheng Tao Do claims he was fired from his security job at Resorts World for reporting violations of state and federal laws involving casino customers.

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Its not just that they believe Resorts World wronged them  its how the resort was going about business when it targeted them with retaliation, oppression and wrongful termination. The resort was doing favors for the wrong people.

It was a conspiracy, the lawsuit contends. Under Racketeering Influenced Corrupt Organization (RICO) statutes, the defendants are open to higher damage limits.

Other defendants named in the lawsuit were Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay (aka KT Lim), Matthew Forbes, Doni Taube, Zachary Koep, Joseph Tatonetti, Daniel Madurzak, Tonya Henderson and Elie Samarani.

Henderson attorney Kathleen Bliss and the Washington, D.C., firm The Volkov Law Group PC are representing Cipriani, Russell and Do.

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Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
The leader of a cult-like Amish community in Missouri has been arrested on suspicion of sexual abuse and forced labor at a rural retreat.

Cooper County Sheriff Chris Class said that Sam Shetler was arrested on March 25 after a search warrant was issued at the Mercy and Truth-Amish and Mennonite Retreat, according to KMIZ.

Prosecutors filed charges of two counts of trafficking for forced labor and one count of sodomy against Shelter, 42, on Wednesday, March 25, which were made available on March 27.

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Shetler is scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday, March 31, at 10:30 a.m. for a counsel status hearing.

Wisconsin Couple Arrested on Several Charges After They Left 8 Kids in Filthy RV With Easy Access to Weed

The arrest comes after at least three witnesses spoke to authorities in early 2026 about their experiences at the retreat put on by Shetler, which was described as being run under abusive and controlling conditions.

The retreat was reportedly marketed to people from the Amish and Mennonite communities who are disabled or were in need of counseling or therapy.

The sheriff's office received numerous tips between 2022 to 2026 regarding "cult-like" behavior at the retreat in rural Cooper County, according to court documents viewed by the outlet. Witnesses said they were expedited to work on property without pay, while one witness claimed that children would be "leased out" for work in town with all of the pay going directly to Shetler.

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Additionally, witnesses said that some people at the retreat were forced to sleep in the cold or had pepper put in their eyes as a form of punishment.

One witness claimed that Shetler rubbed oil on them in order to "heal them before sexual abuse, adding that Shetler allegedly touched them inappropriately during one encounter.

The same witness also claimed that Shelter gave them pills one night before they woke up to someone holding their legs and arms down. However, the witness said that they didnt know who was holding them down.

Colorado Sheriff Charged With Abuse of Corpse Resigns, Deputies Charged With Assault

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Court documents also state that Shetler has been accused of making at least three women believe they were possessed by demons and that they could only be healed by his massages.

Sam would mentally manipulate and mentally torture juvenile females, and young women into believing they were 'demon possessed' or that 'evil spirits' were present in order to 'control' them in exchange for self-gratification," a Cooper County deputy wrote in a probable cause statement, per the outlet.

After the allegations came to light, authorities launched a multi-year investigation into the matter before they conducted a search warrant on the property of the retreat.

TikTok Cult Pastors Home Raided by Federal Agents In Fraud, Sex Trafficking Investigation

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"The retreat was under the control of one individual who took advantage of his position in the Amish Community to control, coerce, and force vulnerable people for his own profit in different forms," the sheriff said in a news release.

Shetlers bond has been set at $100,000 cash. It is not currently clear if he has entered a plea or retained legal representation following his arrest.

The Cooper County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to Us Weeklys request for comment regarding the case.
ISLAMABAD, March 31 (Xinhua) -- As Pakistan is beefing up efforts to mediate tensions in the Middle East, Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the country's deputy prime minister and foreign minister, left for China on Tuesday.

At the invitation of Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi, Dar will visit China on Tuesday to hold talks with Wang on current international and regional conflicts and bilateral relations, according to a spokesman of the Chinese foreign ministry on Tuesday.

The visit will provide an opportunity for both sides to hold in-depth discussions on regional developments, as well as bilateral and global issues of mutual interest, according to a press release from the Pakistani foreign ministry on Monday.

The two foreign ministers had a phone conversation on the developments regarding the situation in Iran on Friday. Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said during the talks that China is willing to enhance strategic communication and coordination with Pakistan and make joint efforts to promote peace and end the conflict. 
Iran's ambassador to Lebanon, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, was expelled in mid-March for meddling in Lebanons internal affairs.

Lebanon is facing a crisis as Irans ambassador, Mohammad Reza Sheibani, refuses to be expelled from the country.

The ambassador, who was appointed relatively recently and assumed his role in January, was expelled in mid-March for meddling in Lebanons internal affairs.

However, Iran wont take him back because Tehran appears to view Lebanon as a kind of colony. Iran says the ambassador will stay and continue his work, according to comments from Tehran this week.

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Ostensibly, Sheibani will become an illegal resident in Lebanon. According to the Lebanese media outlet Nida al-Watan, Lebanons foreign ministry is considering legal proceedings against the Iranian ambassador.

However, Sheibani has support, particularly from Hezbollah and the large Shiite Amal party, which is led by Nabih Berri, one of the longest-serving Lebanese politicians, who is the speaker of parliament.

A Hezbollah flag waves among a destroyed building following an Israeli airstrike during a media tour in Baalbek, Lebanon, on March 23, 2026. (credit: Jonathan Labusch / Middle East Images / AFP via Getty Images)

According to the al-Watan report, Never before has an undesirable ambassador been stripped of his dignity and personal integrity, let alone diplomatic decorum, to such a degree of blatant disregard as Mohammad Reza Sheibani and the Iranian Foreign Ministry have displayed by their insistence on forcibly and brazenly imposing his presence.

With this rejection, Sheibani has forfeited his diplomatic status and become a refugee within the confines of the embassy.

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The report claims that Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam and other government officials are discussing what to do next. Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi is also in touch with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun.

Lebanon expects that Raggi will soon respond to Irans decision not to take back the ambassador.

The source confirmed that diplomatic avenues with Tehran remain closed, noting that the Foreign Ministry is currently studying a range of legal procedures and options for dealing with the situation of the expelled ambassador who refuses to comply with international norms, notes al-Watan.

This will create an internal crisis in Lebanon. The country already faces a crisis as Israel continues to deepen operations in its south. Around one million people have had to flee the Israeli incursion.

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These people, many of them Shiites, will now end up in areas of Lebanon where Christians, Druze, and Sunnis live. Although some may move to existing Shiite areas, there is a chance for demographic change.

Groups like Amal, which want the ambassador to stay, are involved in facilitating the movement and aid to the displaced. It is possible that the number of displaced may reach 1.5 million. If the war continues, the pressure on Beirut will grow.

The al-Watan report argues that pressure now falls on Berri to decide if he is more loyal to Iran or to Lebanon. However, considering he has been around politics for some 50 years, he has navigated this issue before.

According to the report, in response to Iranian recklessness, Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea stated that violating the decisions of the Lebanese government is not heroism, but rather the height of contempt for international laws and the principles of interaction between states.

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In any case, we have spent the last four decades of our national life in this reality, and we will certainly do everything in our power to get out of it as quickly as possible.

Geagea is a well-known figure in Lebanon, once upon a time a key leader of Christian fighters, who also spent time in prison after the Lebanese civil war. He has been warning of escalation in the wake of the ambassador being expelled.

Lebanons president is expected to give a speech, possibly on March 31, about what comes next.

In this context, Aoun emphasized that security forces are taking decisive steps to prevent any security breaches among the Lebanese, carrying out arrests and confiscating weapons, says al-Watan.

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Meanwhile, there is a focus on Lebanon because several UNIFIL members have been killed and wounded.

France and Italy have condemned the attacks on UNIFIL. Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto and French minister of the Armed Forces and Veterans, Catherine Vautrin, held a telephone conversation focused on the ongoing crisis in the country, Anadolu media reported.

Al-Watan says that Israel is expanding its operations in areas of southern Lebanon. The Lebanese army command announced that an Israeli attack targeted a checkpoint in Amiriya, on the Qalila-Tyre road.
What was once known as Cesar Chavez Day has officially become Farmworkers and Agriculture Appreciation Day in Fresno County, and Farmworkers Day across the state of California.

The name change follows nationwide outrage over allegations of sexual abuse made against the late labor leader Cesar Chavez by several women, most notably United Farm Workers co-founder Dolores Huerta.

Nisei Farmers League president Manuel Cunha has looked forward to celebrating under the new title, telling Action News the new name shines the spotlight on the right people.

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"Those people worked hard, even back then, in the 60s and 70s, it's been all along," Cunha said. "There was never any day for that at all. That was all thrown under the rug, and it was strictly the movement of Cesar Chavez."

California first established March 31, Chavez's birthday, as a state holiday in the year 2000.

President Barack Obama would later proclaim it a federal holiday in 2014.

Now, Cunha hopes this name change will prompt new legislative action, calling on Congress to revisit the Dignity Act, introduced in 2025.

"Give these people now what they deserve, the dignity and respect of giving them a legal work card," Cunha said.

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The bipartisan proposal aims to increase border security and create a legal, earned pathway for undocumented immigrants.

"Those people deserve it. They do not have to wake up every morning knowing if they're driving to work, to a construction site, to the fields that they might get arrested and not see their family that night," Cunha added.

Celebrations are typically expected throughout the Central Valley, but in light of the allegations, some have expressed hesitation about participating.

Huron mayor Rey Leon is encouraging those in his community and everywhere else to look beyond the individual and instead appreciate those who embody the movement.

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"This celebration, we continue to celebrate the farm worker struggle. Continue to recognize the dignity in the farm workers, in our families, because without us farm workers, the country does not eat," the mayor said.

Like Cunha, Mayor Leon hopes this recognition also brings action.

"We need to invest in farm workers and the families that make it possible that our county becomes a number one ag revenue county in the world," he said.
FRANKFORT  A Laurel County Grand Jury has indicted London Mayor Randall Weddle on four felony counts, alleging he made $93,000 in excessive contributions to the 2023 campaign of Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear and the Kentucky Democratic Party.

The indictment was returned Tuesday afternoon and announced in a brief news release by Kentucky Attorney General Russell Coleman, whose office is leading the investigation.

Each of the counts is a Class D felony punishable by a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $10,000.

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The indictment alleges that in the last days of 2022 Weddle violated the state law that limits the amount a person can give to a political committee. At the time of the contributions, the limit was $2,000 per election to a candidates campaign and $5,000 to the state-regulated committee of a political party.

According to the three-page indictment, Weddle used his personal credit card to make nine specific contributions totaling $18,000 in the names of other people to Beshears campaign and 15 contributions in the names of other people totaling $75,000 to the Kentucky Democratic Party.

The indictment shed little new light on details of the massive donations by Weddles family, friends and associates first brought to public attention by a story in the Kentucky Lantern in April 2023.

Attorney General Russell Coleman

Coleman, a Republican, speaking during a brief press availability later Thursday, said the indictment relates to an issue that has seen a great deal of public attention for many years. He said he could not comment on the indictment. He also said his decisions as a prosecutor were not motivated by a desire to bring attention to allegations involving contributions to Democratic committees.

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Im standing here today announcing this indictment for the people of London, Kentucky,

Coleman said. They know the allegations, but in their eyes, before todays indictment, nothing was being done to hold anyone accountable.

Coleman said Weddle will be arraigned April 15 in Laurel Circuit Court. Coleman declined to take questions about the indictment.

Weddles attorney Guthrie True, of Frankfort, also made mention of how long investigations of the case have lingered. Its deeply disappointing that the attorney generals office would seek an indictment on a matter the facts of which have been known for nearly three years, True said. It seems totally calculated to cause embarrassment to Mayor Weddle and to interfere with his mayoral campaign. Weddle is seeking reelection as mayor this year. The primary election is May 19.

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Eric Hyers, who managed Beshears two campaigns for governor, released a statement saying that when the campaign and Kentucky Democratic Party learned of the excess contributions during the 2023 campaign they immediately refunded the contributions to Weddle. We trust the justice system to determine if these were intentional campaign violations by the donor, but the campaign and the Kentucky Democratic Party did exactly what they should  report and refund the contributions, Hyers said.

The Lantern published a story in April 2023 that revealed massive bundles of contributions from Weddles family, employees, friends and associates  totaling at least $305,500, perhaps much more  all given to help Beshear win reelection that year.

Supporters gather around Randall Weddle after the city council removed him as London mayor on Sept. 5. A court later reinstated him. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley)

The Lanterns story outlined not only the large amount of money listed as donations by the Beshear campaign and Kentucky Democratic Party (KDP), but other unusual aspects of the contributions such as most of the donations were for maximum amounts from donors who had never before made a large political contribution.

Beshear and Hyers declined to talk to the Lantern about the Weddle-related contributions before that story was published.

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At a news conference days after the story was published Beshear avoided directly answering a question about the unusual contributions. Weve had support from Democrats and Republicans, thousands and thousands and thousands of people from across Kentucky and across the United States. But all of those had been voluntary, Beshear said.

But shortly after that news conference, Weddle has said, he reported a problem to Beshear: Much of the money attributed in disclosure reports as contributions from his family and friends had actually been donated on his personal credit card. Weddle contended this had been inadvertent and done because Beshears chief fundraiser, Lucas Johnson, had indicated it was OK to advance campaign contributions of other people in such a manner.

After hearing from Weddle, attorneys for Beshears campaign and the Kentucky Democratic Party told the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance about the matter. The campaign and party refunded to Weddle $202,000  the amount of excess donations he said he had made on his credit card.

Because he was then running for governor against Beshear, Republican Attorney General Daniel Cameron said state ethics laws prohibited him from launching an investigation of his opponent. Cameron referred the matter to the FBI, which has declined to say whether it is investigating the contributions.

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Soon after Beshear beat Cameron in the general election, the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance began an investigation. The registry has the authority to impose fines of up to $5,000 per violation of campaign finance laws, but if the registry determines that a violation is intentional it can refer the case to the attorney general for possible criminal violation.

The investigation nearly came to an end in February of 2025 when the registry staff recommended a finding that Weddles many violations of the law were unintentional and that he be fined $5,000 per violation. But registry board members complained the staff investigation still left many important questions unanswered. Board members  Democrats and Republicans alike  did not want to surrender the option of referring the matter for criminal prosecution and voted 6-0 to continue the investigation.

The Lantern obtained records of the registry investigation through the Kentucky Open Records Act. The investigation found that  despite his early insistence that he had nothing to do with the Beshear contributions  Weddle orchestrated the contributions of late 2022.

The records included 86 text messages between Weddle and Beshear fundraiser Lucas Johnson between Dec. 27 and Dec. 31 in which the pair scrambled to gather contributions before a deadline of midnight Dec. 31. Johnson suggests names to Weddle of Weddles family and business associates who gave big exactly one year before. Weddle transmitted contributions to the portals of Beshear political committees. Johnson confirmed the contributions had been delivered.

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At the end of the exchange on the night of Dec. 30, 2022 Weddle texted, I have got you $219K this week.

Johnson replied, Yessir you have! Thank you so much. Ive let the man know.

This story has been updated.

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(Corrects name of senator to John Curtis not Thom Tillis, in paragraphs 1, 4 and 8)

TAIPEI, March 31 (Reuters) - Taiwan should look at what happened to Hong Kong and not be naive about China's intentions, U.S. Senator John Curtis said on Tuesday during a visit by U.S. lawmakers to discuss stalled defence spending.

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te's proposed $40 billion in extra defence spending, which has been backed by the U.S. administration, is currently snarled in the opposition-controlled parliament.

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Lai says the money is needed to bolster defences against China, which views the island as its own territory. Taiwan's opposition says that while they support defence spending in principle, they will not sign "blank cheques".

HONG KONG EXAMPLE AS A WARNING

Curtis, a Republican who is in Taiwan as part of a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation, told reporters that all opinions should be both shared and debated, but what had happened in Hong Kong should be a warning.

The former British colony returned to Chinese rule in 1997 with a degree of autonomy, but China imposed a sweeping national security law on Hong Kong in 2020 that critics say has stifled freedoms. Beijing says the law was necessary to stabilise the city after months of sometimes violent unrest.

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"And I think my biggest worry for Taiwan is that they underestimate the intentions of China, which I think were made very, very clear by what happened to Hong Kong. And so, yes, we would love peace, but please don't be naive," he added.

"You have a perfect example right in front of you of the intentions of China. And let's make sure what happened to Hong Kong doesn't happen here to Taiwan."

Curtis and the other senators, including Democrat Jeanne Shaheen, ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, met Lai on Monday.

That same day, China announced it had invited Cheng Li-wun, the chairwoman of Taiwan's largest opposition party the Kuomintang, to visit Beijing, an invite she accepted.

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Cheng says her trip, which starts next week, is a peace mission.

Taiwan's government said in a response to Cheng going that China's ambitions to "annex" the island have never changed.

"While we may have ideals about peace, we should not harbour illusions," the Mainland Affairs Council, which is in charge of Taiwan's policy towards China, said in a statement.

(Reporting by Yimou Lee; writing by Ben BlanchardEditing by Tomasz Janowski)
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WASHINGTON  Republicans might make new cuts to health care and food programs to pay for President Donald Trumps war in Iran, as the partys lawmakers search for ways to offset potentially $200 billion in war costs in an upcoming budget bill.

Slashing aid to struggling Americans to pay for a foreign war would be contrary to Trumps America First campaign message, but some Republicans seem oblivious to the contradiction  even as MAGA influencers raise alarms about the squandering of Trumps political coalition.

Politics: Weve All Seen This Trump Performance Before

House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) has been talking about cutting more social programs the way Republicans cut $1 trillion from food assistance and Medicaid last year.

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We have a war on a nuclear Iran that could be paid for by the presidents war on fraud, Arrington said Monday on Fox Business.

Republicans on Capitol Hill have used the word fraud to denote health and nutrition spending that wasnt actually fraudulent, but that they believed went to people who didnt deserve help  namely people who didnt have jobs or who might struggle to fill out paperwork reflecting their employment status.

The so-called One Big Beautiful Bill, which used the welfare cuts to offset part of the cost of tax cuts, was so unpopular that Republicans wound up giving it a new name: the Working Families Tax Cut. Its hard to see how using the cuts to pay for a generally unpopular foreign war would make them any more popular.

Politics: Republicans Unveil Medicaid Cuts For 'Big, Beautiful Bill'

It is ludicrous politics to go in and say, were going to take away your health care to pay for an unpopular, unjust, immoral war, Bobby Kogan, a budget expert at the liberal Center for American Progress, told HuffPost.

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Democrats this week have seized on Republicans nascent budget plans. In a statement on Monday, Brendan Boyle (D-Pa.), the top Democrat on Arringtons committee, noted that around 2 million Americans have already lost health insurance after Republicans refused to extend health insurance premium subsidies. Another several million will lose it as Medicaid cuts go into effect.

Now, Republicans in Washington want to rip health care away from even more people to fund Trumps reckless war in the Middle East. Its shameful, Boyle said on social media.

More money for war. More money for ICE. Less money for health care, quipped Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).

Politics: 'Bad Publicity!': Trump Weirdly Suggests This Official Is To Blame For His Media Troubles

Republicans are embarking on their next budget bill amid an impasse over funding for the Department of Homeland Security. Their plan is to fund the department using a special reconciliation process that sidesteps the Senate filibuster, so Democrats wont be able to stop it. Republicans envision the bill as a catchall for various priorities, including war funding and maybe even voter fraud reforms.

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The purpose of the second reconciliation bill is to make sure there is adequate funding to secure our homeland and to support our men and women in the military who are fighting so bravely, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said in a statement last week. More funding will mean they can complete the task assigned and keep America safe  which is money well spent.

But unifying the Republican conference around a bill they can all support will be easier said than done. Some GOP senators have voiced concerns about the scope of the package, preferring it be more narrowly focused on addressing issues affecting voters at home, like the ballooning cost of living.

We should try to address costs across the board, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) told HuffPost. Whether its gas, premiums, out-of-pocket expenses, those are just surging ... if were gonna do reconciliation, we ought to make affordability issues our No. 1 focus for middle-class people.

Politics: Kristi Noem 'Devastated' Over Report Of Husband's ******

Sen. Roger Marshall (R-Kansas) also threw cold water on the idea of including major voting changes in a reconciliation package, such as the SAVE America Act, because Senate rules likely wouldnt allow it.

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Itll be a miracle for them to put this thing together, Marshall told conservative podcaster Vince Coglianese on Tuesday. How are we going to put the SAVE Act into a reconciliation bill?

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SAO PAULO (AP)  Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday that he will once again have his past rival and current Vice President Geraldo Alckmin as his running mate for his reelection bid in October.

Lula, an 80-year-old leftist, had been under pressure to pick a different running mate from a bigger right-wing party, but his loyalty to the former Sao Paulo state governor prevailed. The 73-year-old Alckmin, a center-right politician who ran against Lula for the presidency in 2006 and lost, is also the government's industry minister.

Brazil's president said that Alckmin will leave his ministerial role to be eligible in accordance with the country's electoral law.

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Our partner Alckmin will have to leave the Industry Ministry. He will have to leave because he will be candidate for vice president once again, Lula said during a Cabinet meeting in the capital, Brasilia.

Brazil's electoral law states that government ministers need to leave their positions in the Cabinet by April 4 if they are running for office in the October general election. Several other government ministers will also exit to bid for other positions.

Alckmin has conservative and right-leaning roots that served Lula well in his narrow victory against then-President Jair Bolsonaro in 2022. This year, Lula is expected to face Sen. Flavio Bolsonaro, one of the sons of his predecessor.

Dr. Alckmin, as many Brazilians call him, is a soft-spoken Catholic politician who governed Brazil's wealthiest state three times. In 2006, he lost the presidency to Lula in a runoff by wide margins. In 2018, he started the campaign as the favorite to win and was later routed by outsider Bolsonaro in the first round. Bolsonaro then beat Workers' Party candidate Fernando Haddad.

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In 2022, Alckmin joined the Brazilian Socialist Party to run with Lula, leaving behind the center-right Brazilian Social Democracy Party he helped found three decades before.

During his time as vice president, Alckmin has been a key member of Lula's administration in tariff discussions with the U.S. government and in the dealings that led to the conclusion of a deal between South American trade bloc Mercosur and the European Union.

___

Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america
A growing coalition of high-profile celebritiesincluding Madonna, Pedro Pascal, Mark Ruffalo, Keke Palmer, and moreis putting renewed pressure on U.S. immigration policy by backing an open letter to shut down a controversial ICE detention facility in Texas.

The letterwhich is still live on Change.orgtargets the Dilley Immigration Processing Center, a family detention site that has faced immense scrutiny over alleged conditions for the children and adults held there. Public figures, medical professionals, and advocates alike have signed the open letter calling for the facility's immediate closure and broader reforms to the detention of migrant families.

Related: 'Appalled and Sickened' Olivia Wilde Wears 'ICE OUT' Pin at Sundance as 'People Are Being Murdered'

The letter reads:

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"No child should be locked in an immigration detention center ... Children held in immigration detention endure trauma, neglect, and conditions that violate basic standards of health, safety, dignity, and human rights.

The harms of detaining children are known and well-documented. Court filings of abuse against children have included refusals to provide clean water, rotten food contaminated with worms, dangerous medical neglect, sleep deprivation, denial of legal counsel, the separation of children from their families, and retaliation against families protesting the inhumane conditions.

Children belong in schools and on playgrounds, not in detention centers."

The renewed attention on Dilley reflects a broader push by activists and public figures to not only close individual facilities but to challenge the system of family detention altogether. The letter goes on to say that the closure of this particular facility would only be the first step. The signees "demand transparency, accountability, and systemic reforms" to prevent the aforementioned abuses from happening elsewhere, as well.

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The Trump administration is estimated to have brought more than 2,300 children into custody during his first year alone. The majority of them are reportedly held at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center.

Stars like Madonna, Pedro Pascal, and Mark Ruffalo have spoken openly about immigration policies throughout the years. Madonna reminded fans on Facebook back in 2015 that "we are all immigrants" and "we all bleed the same color," asking them to "pray for peace."

Pascal has also spoken about being an immigrant himself.

"I want people to be safe and to be protected," he said at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025. "I want to live on the right side of history. I am an immigrant. My parents are refugees from Chile. We fled a dictatorship, and I was privileged enough to grow up in the United States after asylum in Denmark. If it weren't for that, I dont know what would have happened to us. I stand by those protections always."

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Meanwhile, Ruffalowho has been particularly vocal and seen wearing an ICE Out pin at major media eventshas argued that, when it comes to crime across the country, "it's not the immigrants; it's the billionaires."

Related: Celebrities Who Wore 'ICE Out' Pins at 2026 Grammy Awards

Other noteworthy names listed amongst the Change.org letter's signatures include Brandi Carlile, Kesha, Lance Bass, Ben Stiller, Abby Wambach, Eva Longoria, Gracie Abrams, and more.

The letter has gained traction quickly, fueled in part by viral social media advocacy and growing public concern over immigration enforcement practices. Organizers have paired the open letter with a public-facing petition, encouraging broader participation beyond celebrity signatories.





This story was originally published by Parade on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Maine lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill to study the costs of climate change in the state, amending a prior proposal that would have launched a program to get polluters to pay for those damages.

The Senate advanced LD 1870 with a first vote of 19-13 Monday followed by an initial vote of 75-72 in the House of Representatives Tuesday. The votes were mostly along party lines, with Rep. Tiffany Roberts (D-South Berwick) joining Republicans in opposition. The bill will need enactment votes in both chambers before it heads to Gov. Janet Mills for her signature.

LD 1870 directs the Maine Department of Environmental Protection to assess how much money greenhouse gas emissions have cost the state.

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Bill sponsor Sen. Stacy Brenner (D-Cumberland) said the bill is an essential first step.

So yes, this bill is not the final step, but its a necessary one, because if were serious about making polluters pay, we must begin to understand exactly what they owe, Brenner said.

Rep. Vicki Doudera (D-Camden) said Maine people are already paying for the consequences of climate change.

Here in Maine, we believe that if you make a mess, you clean it up, and that should be no different for one of the biggest messes that we have seen in a long time, which is climate change, Doudera said.

The bill was initially introduced last session as an effort to hold polluters accountable by establishing a superfund for large fossil fuel companies to pay into that could be used for repairs and resilience efforts.

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But states that have already passed superfund legislation Vermont, New York, Hawaii and Michigan  are being sued for those policies, including by the U.S. Department of Justice. The Justice Department said the lawsuits are also meant to advance an executive order from President Donald Trump that targets state and local policies involving climate change, environmental justice and carbon emissions reductions.

A federal judge in Vermont heard arguments Monday in that lawsuit, the first legal challenge in the country to a climate superfund law. Vermont has been sued by the United States, the American Petroleum Institute, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and a coalition of 24 Republican-led states attorneys general.

Fossil fuel companies and their allies are trying to avoid responsibility, challenging a law that will make them pay their fair share of costs to adapt to a changing climate, said Kate Sinding Daly, senior vice president for law and policy at Conservation Law Foundation.

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Maine lawmakers said that the amended version of LD 1870 will allow the state watch how those lawsuits play out, while studying the costs to the state.

It directs the State of Maine to assess the cost of climate damage to our state, including in the areas of agriculture, the tourism economy, infrastructure and our natural resources, said Sen. Denise Tepler (D-Sagadahoc) said during debate Monday. We need to have this information to determine the damages owed to Maine by climate polluters, some of the biggest companies and the most profitable companies in the world.

Sen. Joseph Martin (R-Oxford) said he opposed the bill because it spends $600,000 with no direct policy outcomes or guarantee of actionable results.

This bill prioritizes process over results, creating an expensive report instead of delivering tangible benefits to Maine people, he said. The Senate should reject this unnecessary expenditure and focus on efficient outcome driven policies that justify their cost.

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The bills price tag means it will need to be funded  either through the supplemental budget or through the budget committees discretionary spending  in order to take effect.

Rep. Michael Soboleski (R-Phillips) said the bill still risks pulling Maine into the legal battles other states are facing, and dictates how the next Legislature and governor approach this issue.

This amendment is not a compromise, Soboleski said. It is not a reset. It is a strategic deferral of the consequences. It delays action while still steering the future. It avoids responsibility while shaping the next administrations agenda.

Maine Conservation Voters legislative director Sarah Woodbury said Maine residents are already paying the price for climate change.

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Whether it be drought, extreme weather, or sea level rise, climate change is costing Maine a fortune, Woodbury said. LD 1870 is the financially prudent and responsible first step the state can take to assess the damage climate change is costing the hardworking people of this state.

Rep. Cheryl Golek (D-Harpswell) called the bill thoughtful and practical, and said it would help Maine communities prepare for the future.

This is about giving our communities the tools they need to adapt and stay resilient, Golek said. And let me be clear, this is also about protecting our taxpayers at a time when we are all working to balance tight budgets. This bill helps ensure that those who cause the damage help pay for it, instead of shifting the burden on everyday maintenance.

Brenner said that fossil fuel companies have known about the effects of climate change for decades, but chose to protect their business model instead of the public.

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And that matters because it means that the costs were facing today are not just the result of unintended consequences, Brenner said. These  are the result of informed decisions by fossil fuel companies to continue to make untoward profit at the expense of our way of life here in Maine, our security and our financial well being.

The bill was proposed last year, but lawmakers on the Environment and Natural Resources committee held off, wanting to see what progress would be made in the court cases in other states.

We are often told that climate action is too expensive. I believe this assessment will show that it is inaction that we cannot afford.

 Sen. Denise Tepler (D-Sagadahoc)

The committee returned to the issue in January, holding a public hearing and voting 8-4 in support of a proposal that would have established a superfund for large fossil fuel companies to pay for infrastructure repairs, resiliency efforts and other costs, particularly in the rural and low-income communities disproportionately affected by flooding and other disasters.

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But after the bill was not taken up by the full Legislature for over a month, the committee reconsidered it, ultimately voting in favor of an amendment to instead direct the Department of Environmental Protection to conduct a study.

On the Senate floor Monday, Tepler said the amended bill is modeled off of legislation passed in Maryland, which has not seen lawsuits like the ones in Vermont and New York.

We are often told that climate action is too expensive, Tepler said. I believe this assessment will show that it is inaction that we cannot afford.

In January, Melanie Loyzim, commissioner of the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, estimated that the state has spent $100 million in the past few years for storm recovery and implementing resiliency efforts.
A tax generated by property sales helps power Maines various affordable housing initiatives, including a program that assists first-time home buyers and another to prevent foreclosures. Lawmakers are considering adding a new initiative to the list: funding homeless shelters. But deciding how to allocate the money is complicated.

The real estate transfer tax  which collects money from both buyers and sellers each time a property is sold  is expected to grow significantly in the coming years, thanks in part to Maines burgeoning housing market and recent changes to the tax.

Its revenue has trended steadily upward in recent years as the median price of a home in Maine has increased. As of late last year, the tax imposed on the portion of a property sale over $1 million nearly tripled.

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As a result, the tax is projected to bring in $57.4 million this year and as much as $68.6 million by 2029, up from $51.9 million in 2025, according to the states Revenue Forecasting Committee. The totals dont include the roughly 10 percent kept by counties charged with collecting the tax and recording the deeds.

More money brought in by the tax means more money for affordable housing initiatives at a time when the housing market continues to price people out. But the reliance on that tax alone means those programs could be stressed in a real estate slump and raises questions about what issues to prioritize now, those involved in funding decisions and tax researchers said.

What the tax does

A transfer tax is collected any time a person buys a piece of real estate in Maine. The standard rate is $2.20 per $500 in property value. The tax is split by the buyer and the seller. The sale of a $395,000 home, the median cost of a house in February, would incur a $1,738 tax, according to the Maine Revenue Service.

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Last year, the Maine Legislature changed the rules for properties worth over $1 million sold after Nov. 1, 2025. Those now incur the standard rate for the first $1 million, then $6 for every $500 in value above that.

These taxes are sometimes called mansion taxes because they are meant to target higher earners purchasing more expensive property. Under the new rules, a $3 million house would generate about $28,000 in taxes, up from about $13,000 under the previous requirements.

The mansion tax came about as money set aside for Maines affordable housing construction program was running out. Originally introduced as a standalone bill, lawmakers later incorporated the increase into last years budget bill.

Greg Payne, Gov. Janet Mills senior housing policy advisor, tied support for increasing the tax to Maines growing luxury home market. The proliferation of homes selling for over $1 million is distorting the states market, including making it more difficult for first-time home buyers to find affordable options, he said.

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That means many Maine families continue to rent because they cant afford to buy a home, Payne said. But, they also face extraordinary price pressures in the rental market.

By increasing the tax, Maine was able to create its first dedicated revenue source for affordable housing production, Payne said. The increased tax rate is expected to generate $17 million for this fund in its first year.

A transfer tax was historically meant to compensate a countys registry of deeds, which is responsible for recording property deeds and collecting the money, said Jared Walczak, a fellow at the right-leaning Tax Foundation think tank. Some states collect just a small fee to cover those expenses, but others impose a heftier tax and use that money to pay for general government expenses or priority programs, such as housing.

In the early 2000s, transfer tax revenues were fairly evenly split between the states general fund and Maines HOME Fund, which helps pay for first-time home buyer programs. In some years, particularly around the 2008 market crash, most of the money was pulled into the general fund.

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As revenues have trended upward, more has gone into different housing initiatives, such as paying down housing bonds, foreclosure prevention programs and Maines newly created Home For Good, a program that provides housing and on-site support services for people transitioning out of homelessness.

Whether the tax is a useful way to generate money for these initiatives depends on who you talk to. Walczak said a transfer tax allows public officials to say they are raising revenue by charging new buyers of a home proportionally, rather than the politically risky prospect of raising property taxes for everyone.

But he argued a transfer tax penalizes new buyers and movers by adding an additional fee to already expensive housing. And in Maine, which the Tax Foundation ranked 45th in property tax competitiveness in 2026, though 26th in overall taxation, that can present an additional barrier for new, less wealthy homebuyers or discourage people from moving who might otherwise do so, he said.

Maine does employ measures to defray the cost of the tax through some exemptions, including for people using the Maine State Housing Authoritys first-time buyers program or deeds between certain family members.

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Part of the transfer taxs appeal is that the tax only falls on a small group of taxpayers, those who are buying and selling properties, said Ron Rakow, a fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy, a land-use think tank affiliated with the online Claremont Lincoln University.

But revenues from the tax can be volatile, Rakow said. The amount raised can go up when prices are high and properties are selling fast, and can decrease when the market cools.

That fluctuation was visible in 2009 when the housing mortgage crisis hammered state and local revenue. Then, transfer tax revenue dropped from $24.7 million to $17.8 million; and the Legislature took 96 percent of those dollars for the general fund compared with 71 percent the previous year.

To help Mainers during the downturn, lawmakers imposed a transfer tax on foreclosed properties starting in 2010 and dedicated all the proceeds to the states consumer credit protection bureaus foreclosure prevention efforts. It generated $1.5 million, or about 8 percent of that years total revenue. As foreclosures have decreased, revenue from those sales have as well, with $80,191 projected for this year.

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Maura Pillsbury, a tax policy analyst for the progressive Maine Center for Economic Policy, said Maines transfer tax had lagged behind other New England states for decades. She argued that the increased tax rate for homes over $1 million will effectively raise revenue by targeting buyers who are able to afford the extra cost.

For someone looking to buy an expensive home, that tax is not going to change whether they make a purchase or not, Pillsbury said.

And while the revenue stream from transfer taxes can be volatile, Pillsbury said there are signs, such as Maines slowly increasing population, that show it will likely continue as a viable funding mechanism.

Moving chairs around the deck

The increase in funding has prompted prolonged debates about what to do with it.

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A bill recently voted out of the legislative Housing and Economic Development Committee aimed to help the states homeless shelter system by taking money from the increased transfer tax that would have otherwise gone directly to county governments. The proposal was introduced after some shelters, including a youth shelter in Mars Hill and a long-running program in York County, closed in 2025 due to insufficient funding.

Shelter advocates and the governors office supported L.D. 2124 and pitched it as a way to make counties contribute more to shelters. According to Payne, counties contribute $68,000 in total to shelters each year, compared with $7 million from the state.

But the proposal quickly ran into opposition from county administrators and municipal groups, who argued that the money could be raided in the future under a different governor or legislature and questioned why the burden should fall on county governments.

Jean-Marie Caterina, a Cumberland County commissioner and the co-chair of the Maine County Commissioners Associations legislative policy committee, said the proposal came at a time when some counties are struggling financially. They are especially burdened by the cost of Maines jail system, she said.

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Its fabulous to increase money for the homeless, but if this so-called mansion tax is going to increase the states portion, why hit the counties? That makes no sense, she told The Maine Monitor.

The discussion came to a head at a March 3 work session. Some lawmakers, such as Sen. Richard Bennett, I-Oxford, said the state should take a more direct role in helping shelters by taking money from the general fund, not other housing initiatives or from counties.

They are at the very end of the line in terms of their ability to control what theyre doing, he said of Maines county governments. Theyre getting pressured because the real line of contribution is from the property tax, and we all know theres immense pressure from property taxes.

The bill was ultimately amended to take 2 percent from the newly created Housing Production Fund, a program to support housing projects eligible for federal low-income housing tax credits, and use that to support shelters instead.

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Four Republicans and Bennett voted against it, supporting a different amendment that would have taken the money from the general fund. It has been engrossed by the Maine House of Representatives and Senate but awaits further action in both chambers.

Some lawmakers, such as Housing and Economic Development Committee co-chair Rep. Traci Gere, D-Kennebunkport, acknowledged the challenging trade-offs that are being made as the state works with a limited pool of money.

I feel like we're moving chairs around the deck, Gere said. One proposal is to take two percent of that money away from the housing production fund that would otherwise go to producing affordable housing in counties all across the state, with the idea that that has been available for people in vulnerable situations to actually have a permanent place to live.

And so I just want to make sure that we're being really clear about what we're taking from, and what we're moving things to, she went on to say.
A man is facing charges after police say he stabbed another man multiple times during a fight in Westmoreland County.

Police were called to Westmoreland Road in Penn Township at 10:17 p.m. on March 28 for reports of a fight.

Court documents say police saw Timothy Rosario, 29, of Trafford, about to hit another man with a large stick when they arrived.

Police said they ordered Rosario to drop his weapon and get on his knees. He complied and was taken into custody. A criminal complaint said Roasio told police, I stabbed him in the head ... it was self-defense, as they placed him in handcuffs.

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The victim was found to have stab wounds on his head, stomach and shoulder, officials said. He was taken to a Pittsburgh hospital after telling police the incident began after an argument escalated into a fight.

A witness to the incident told officers that she heard the fighting and then saw Rosario run outside yelling, I stabbed him.

Rosaio faces an attempted homicide charge and multiple counts of aggravated assault, among others.

He is being held at the Westmoreland County Prison.

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WELLINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand and fellow members of the Future of Investment and Trade (FIT) Partnership have pledged to work together to keep global supply chains open amid growing risks of disruption to trade flows, a senior New Zealand official said Tuesday.

The joint statement proposed by New Zealand "outlines our mutual interest in ensuring that trade lines stay open, transparent and resilient," Trade and Investment Minister Todd McClay was quoted as saying in a government statement.

"We are already seeing the impact of the current conflict in the Middle East on global supply chains for oil, gas and fuel," McClay added.

The joint statement, issued by FIT partnership members, also committed to working together with other trading partners to keep air and seaports open to support uninterrupted trade.

FIT was launched in September 2025 with 16 small- and medium-sized trade-dependent countries. New Zealand will host the next FIT ministerial meeting in Auckland in July. 
A Greenacres-area man accused of stealing an encrypted USB drive from the Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections office worked three previous elections for the county, said Supervisor Wendy Link.

Arrested on felony computer crimes and theft charges, 59-year-old John Domnick Panicci served as a poll worker in 2016, 2018 and 2024. Investigators say he swiped the USB during a training session days before the March 24 municipal elections, which he was barred from working.

Link said the USB was virtually unreadable without the right software. If decrypted, it contained no real voter data; only fabricated names and addresses used to train poll workers ahead of Election Day. She added that even if he'd swiped one with actual voter data, that information is available to the public to begin with.

A man holds a political sigh outside the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. A man holds a political sigh outside the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. One sign in a group of political signs in a resident's yard near the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. One sign in a group of political signs in a resident's yard near the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. Poll workers stand outside the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. A group of political signs in a resident's yard near the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026. Voting day in Lake Worth Beach 1 of 6 A man holds a political sigh outside the poll at Sunlight Community Church on A Street in Lake Worth Beach, Fla., on March 10, 2026.

"We can't think of any reason why he would have done this," said Link, who learned of the incident on March 27. "But he did steal, even though it's a low-value item, and we have zero tolerance  zero tolerance  for anything that could even potentially affect the integrity of an election."

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In addition to notifying the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office, Link said her staff alerted VR Systems, the Florida vendor who provides the training databases to elections offices statewide. They weren't concerned, Link said.

Despite reassurances from both agencies, the supervisor said misinformation has spread online in the wake of Panicci's arrest. Some claim Panicci worked the March 24 election and could have altered its outcome.

Neither is true, Link said.

She added that in the three previous elections Panicci worked, his role was limited to checking in voters. The check-in system they use runs on a separate server from the one that stores and tabulates votes.

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"Him being a poll worker could not affect the results of the race, because they don't have  nobody has access to that outside of our office," she said.

Panicci arrived early for training, didn't raise concerns

Palm Beach County Supervisor of Elections Wendy Link said that a Greenacres-area man accused of stealing an encrypted USB drive from her office had worked three previous elections for the county.

Link said her office does not conduct background checks on the roughly 5,000 poll workers trained ahead of each election. Instead, they review a returning worker's prior performance: how they were graded by the clerk in charge of their polling location and how well they represented the office in previous elections.

Panicci's own record was clean, Link said, so her office invited him back for the March 24 municipal election. He arrived early for the March 19 training session and took his seat like everyone else, his demeanor unremarkable.

"We have poll workers come in all types of shapes and sizes," Link said. "Nothing particular raised any concerns with him at the time."

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Editorial: Trump voted by mail despite calling it corrupt

A man, identified by Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office as John Panicci, appears to handle a voting kiosk, his movements recorded by a surveillance camera.

It was only after the session ended and staff took inventory that they realized the device was missing. They reviewed surveillance footage and saw Panicci pull the USB drive from an adjacent voter registration kiosk and pocket it.

An elections office manager called Panicci, a registered Democrat, and barred him from working the March 24 election. Panicci initially denied taking the USB, then later said he took it by accident and had already thrown it away, according to his arrest report.

Link and her staff decided on March 27 to alert the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office to what was "at the time, we thought, probably just a misdemeanor." Deputies searched Panicci's home the following day, found the USB and arrested him on suspicion of theft and computer crimes, a felony.

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According to his arrest report, an elections office representative warned the lead detective that if the device were tampered with or reverse-engineered and reintroduced into the system, it could cause significant problems.

"I actually don't know what the worst case scenario is," Link said. "But criminals can be a step ahead of you at any given moment, right? You just don't want there to be any opportunity for somebody to get a leg up."

Palm Beach County supervisor of elections says system is 'working as it should'

Deputies have not yet returned the USB to the elections office, so Link's team hasn't determined whether it was plugged into another machine in the nine days between the theft and its recovery at Panicci's home. She added that her office has no plans to change its protocols in the wake of the theft. The outcome, she argued, proved they work.

"He was prevented from working an actual election," Link said. "That's our system working as it should."

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Panicci is represented by the Public Defender's Office which, as a policy, does not comment on open cases. He is scheduled to appear next in court before Circuit Judge Sherri Collins on May 21. According to public records, his encounters with law enforcement over the last 25 years appear to be limited to traffic infractions.

Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. Reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Man accused of elections USB theft worked polls in 2016, 2018, 2024
A man was arrested on Monday afternoon at a GetGo in Penn Hills after being found with a gun, suspected drugs and a large amount of cash, the Allegheny County Sheriffs Office announced.

Fidell Eberhart, 34, of Aliquippa, is facing firearm and drug charges and a charge of resisting arrest.

The incident occurred just after 4:00 p.m. at the GetGo on Frankstown Road.

A detective from the sheriffs office, who is a member of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Task Force, was conducting operations with two other task force members from the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General and the Allegheny County Police Department when they encountered Eberhart.

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Task force members first spotted Eberhart inside the convenience store with what appeared to be a handgun in the front pocket of his hooded sweatshirt, according to the sheriffs office. He then went into the GetGo restroom. When he exited, detectives ordered him to put his hands behind his back.

Eberhart allegedly attempted to evade the detectives and reached for the weapon in his sweatshirt several times. A detective eventually gained control of Eberharts arms and placed him on the ground. While he was being handcuffed, another task force member retrieved the firearm.

The weapon was identified as a Glock Model 22. Authorities confirmed the handgun had a round in the chamber and a fully loaded magazine. Following the arrest, a search of Eberhart revealed approximately $7,000 in cash and a baggie containing 45 stamp bags of suspected narcotics, according to the sheriffs office.

Eberhart was transported to the Allegheny County Jail.

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A man was shot in Larimer on Monday.

Pittsburgh Police said officers responded to Mayflower Street at 7:45 p.m. after a ShotSpotter alerted them of six rounds being fired in the area.

When officers arrived, they found a man who had been shot in the abdomen, police say. Officers applied a dressing to slow his bleeding.

The man was taken to a hospital and rushed into surgery. He was last listed in critical condition.

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Officers investigated the intersection of Mayflower Street and Emans Way, where they believe the shooting happened. They found multiple shell casings.

No arrests have been made at this time.

This was one of two shootings that happened in the City of Pittsburgh minutes apart from each other. Police do not believe the incidents are related.

Click here for details on that other shooting.

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A man is dead, and a woman is hospitalized with critical injuries after officials say they became trapped in a house fire in New Hampshire early Tuesday morning.

Emergency crews responding to a report of a chimney fire that had extended to a porch at a home at 51 Morse Street in the Cheshire County town of Troy around 1:45 a.m. found heavy flames and learned two people were still inside, New Hampshire State Fire Marshal Sean P. Toomey, Troy Fire Chief Mark Huntoon, and Troy Police Chief David Ellis Jr. said in a joint news release.

Firefighters rushed into the home and brought a 56-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman outside, where they received immediate medical care. The man was then rushed to Cheshire Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. The woman was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital, where she was last listed in critical condition.

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Their names havent been released. An autopsy will be conducted by the New Hampshire Office of the Chief Medical Examiner to determine the cause and manner of the mans death.

Officials noted pets also died in the fire.

The New Hampshire State Fire Marshals Office is leading the investigation into the cause of the blaze.

Anyone with information is urged to contact investigators at 603-223-4289 or fmo@dos.nh.gov.

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Ghost guns have been an ongoing safety concern in New York City. The untraceable firearms, often made at home or with 3D printers, can bypass background checks and lack serial numbers.

On Tuesday, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said the weapons are increasingly showing up in crimes across the city and he is pushing for tougher laws.

"It's here, were seeing it, we've moved from the 'iron pipeline' to the 'kitchen table pipeline,'" said Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

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Bragg's office said it is time to make printing ghost guns and gun parts a felony and a class A misdemeanor to share CAD files with blueprints.

"With recoveries having risen from a few dozen just several years ago, to now several hundred every single year," said Assistant DA David Stuart. "Now we see them used in shootings and homicides across the city."

That includes the homicide allegedly committed by Luigi Mangione in 2024 with a ghost gun and silencer that police say was made mostly of 3D-printed parts.

And just about a year ago, Christopher Fox pleaded guilty to possessing 3D-printed items.

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"This assault weapon in particular was almost entirely 3D-printed and is a popular version of the fgc-9 design, which can be built using the CAD files shared over the internet," Stuart said.

Officials say they have had some success reaching out to the 3D printing industry directly. Several have voluntarily started blocking gun building technology and DIY online videos.

"We called on YouTube to change its algorithm, it's doing that," Bragg said.

But the public safety threat is nationwide.

"The data we collected from 20 cities showed a 1,000% increase over the last five years in 3D gun recoveries at crimes," said Justin Wagner with Everytown for Gun Violence.

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Bragg says swift and strong legislation is needed.

"You can't print counterfeit money, like we don't let you do that, so why would we let you print lethal guns, which is that basic and that simple?" Bragg said.

Gov. Kathy Hochul originated the bill establishing criminal penalties for manufacturing 3D-printed firearms, and she's now included it in the New York State budget, which could be passed as soon as this week.

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Medicaid work requirements that are part of the Trump/Republican One Big Beautiful Bill Act could cause 356,000 people in Ohio to lose their health care coverage, according to a new report, on top of about 113,000 who already have lost coverage after tax credits were allowed to expire.

The work requirements that are part of the Republican spending law claim to break the cycle of dependency. But in Ohio they will take health coverage away from huge numbers who are already employed, in school, or are caregivers, according to the analysis that was published last week.

In fact, it could take coverage away from a full half  or 356,000  of those who get coverage under a 2014 expansion of Medicaid eligibility as part of the Affordable Care Act, said the report by Urban Institute with funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

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Nationally, between five and 10 million low-income Americans covered by their states Medicaid expansions will lose their insurance, it said.

The losses are in addition to at least 113,000 Ohioans who have already lost health coverage this year after Republicans allowed tax credits in Affordable Care Act marketplaces to expire. That number is sure to grow, and nearly half of those losing coverage work for or own small businesses.

The projected losses in Medicaid coverage stem from President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill Act that Republicans passed last summer. It cut taxes on the richest 1% of Americans by $1 trillion over 10 years while cutting Medicaid by almost as much.

Work requirements and their related bureaucracy constitute a major tool driving those savings. Theyre justified as a way to break the cycle of dependency on government handouts by getting the unemployed off their duffs and getting jobs.

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But in practice, that hasnt happened.

When Arkansas tried Medicaid work requirements in 2018, about 18,000 lost coverage in less than a year and the program had no impact on employment.

Even without work requirements, Medicaid beneficiaries say theres a lot of red tape to maintain benefits, and some recipients say work requirements only increase it.

The new Urban Institute study modeled the new requirements, which take effect Jan. 1, to predict their impact on coverage.

It looked at the work requirements themselves and at the mandate that eligibility be redetermined every six months.

It looked at what those requirements will do to the Medicaid expansion population.

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It was created when the 2010 Affordable Care Act allowed states to expand Medicaid eligibility to people making up to 138% of federal poverty guidelines.

For a family of four, thats less than $46,000 a year.

About 770,000 Ohioans are members of the expansion population. More than 21 million are part of it nationally, and a huge portion of them are about to be kicked out, according to the Urban Institute analysis.

Combining the effects of six-month redeterminations and work requirements, we project that between 4.9 and 10.1 million fewer people will be enrolled in Medicaid expansion coverage in an average month in 2028 than under a scenario without either of these two policies, an enrollment decline of between 27% and 55% among those subject to work requirements, it said.

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The report modeled three scenarios: high, medium and low mitigation.

That means how helpful state Medicaid programs would be to people struggling with documentation to maintain their benefits.

The state Medicaid department will be facing a huge new administrative burden.

If it works extra hard to help people get and maintain their paperwork, an estimated 176,000 or a quarter of the expansion population will lose benefits, the report said. If it does just an average job, that number rises to 285,000 or 40%.

If the Medicaid department does a poor job helping clients, 356,000  or half  of the expansion population will lose health coverage by 2028, the Urban Institute analysis said.

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The new burdens were sold on putting people to work. But the overwhelming majority of the group losing benefits is already working or engaged in activities that make employment difficult or impossible.

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Most  93.8%  (of people in the expansion population) were either employed, in school, taking care of family members, participating in an alcohol and drug treatment program, or dealing with intensive physical health or mental health illness (many had comorbid conditions), the Ohio Department of Medicaid reported in a 2018 assessment.

Significantly, the assessment also found that employment among the expansion population had risen since 2016  in the absence of work requirements.

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That might suggest that without work requirements, Ohios Medicaid expansion is helping people get to work instead of helping them stay unemployed.

The Urban Institute report published last week also found that certain groups will be especially hard hit by the new red tape.

Coverage losses will happen not through any fault of many, but because of the administrative challenges the new requirements impose, it said.

One is a group that politicians claim they want to support  entrepreneurs.

Other subgroups face the prospect of even larger coverage losses if states cannot address gaps in available data, the report said.

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Because self-employment income is particularly difficult for states to automatically verify, we estimate that between 30% and 73% of self-employed people subject to work requirements would lose Medicaid with high/low mitigation.

Another comprises sick people.

Though states must provide exemptions for adults who are medically frail or have special medical needs, these exemptions may be difficult for states to verify using available data, or states may define them narrowly, excluding many enrollees and applicants with disabilities or serious health conditions, the report said.

Between 16% and 62% with a condition making them too ill to work will lose coverage, it said.

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A third group that will be particularly hard hit are recipients between 50 and 64. An estimated 30% to 65% of them will lose coverage mainly because they are less likely to be parents living with dependent children younger than age 13 and less likely to be automatically found to have satisfied the work requirement through employment, the report said.

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Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that ships passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted, after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country on February 28.

The Iran war has threatened Gulf ports and disrupted global trade through the Strait of Hormuz, a vital waterway through which roughly a fifth of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas normally passes.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards have warned that ships passing through the narrow Strait will be targeted, after the US and Israel launched strikes on the country on February 28.

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Below is a list of reported attacks:

March 1

A crew member was killed on board Marshall Islands-flagged crude tanker MKD VYOM after it was hit by a projectile as the vessel sailed off the Omani coast, 50 nautical miles (nm) north of the capital Muscat, manager V.Ships said.

Gibraltar-flagged oil bunkering tanker Hercules Star, which supplies fuel to ships, was struck by a projectile 17 nm northwest of UAE's Mina Saqr in Ras Al Khaimah. A fire caused by the attack was extinguished, UKMTO said.

A Palau-flagged tanker was attacked in the Strait of Hormuz, two nautical miles north of Oman's Kumzar. The crew of the US-sanctioned Skylight was evacuated, Oman's maritime security center said.

The Liberia-flagged tanker Shenlong Suezmax, loaded with Saudi Arabian crude, arrives at a port after transiting the Strait of Hormuz amid supply disruptions, in Mumbai, India, March 12. (credit: Francis Mascarenhas/Reuters)

March 2

US-flagged products tanker Stena Imperative was struck by two projectiles in the port of Bahrain, which resulted in a fire and the crew evacuating, UKMTO said.

March 3

Marshall Islands crude oil tanker Libra Trader and Panama-flagged bulker Gold Oak also sustained minor damage about 7-10 nm off the UAE's port of Fujairah, UKMTO said.

March 4

Maltese-flagged container ship Safeen Prestige was damaged by a projectile as it sailed towards the top of the Strait, two nautical miles north of Oman. The attack caused a fire in the engine room and prompted its crew to abandon ship, according to shipping sources.

March 5

Crude oil tanker Sonangol Namibe was hit by a blast while anchored near Iraq's Khor al Zubair port, US representative company Sonangol Marine Services said.

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An Iranian remote-controlled boat laden with explosives was used to target and damage the Bahamas-flagged ship, according to initial assessments from two Iraqi port security sources.

March 6

A tugboat was hit by projectiles in the Strait of Hormuz, six nautical miles north of Oman, while conducting operations with vessel Safeen Prestige, which was struck on March 4, UKMTO said.

March 7

UKMTO reported - citing a third party it did not name - a possible drone attack 10 nm north of Saudi Arabia's Jubail. It said the majority of the crew was evacuated.

March 11

Thailand-flagged bulk carrierMayuree Naree was attacked by a projectile in the Strait, 11 nm north of Oman. A fire broke out on board and prompted the crew to evacuate, the vessel's owner, Bangkok-headquartered Precious Shipping, said in a statement.

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Japan-flagged container ship One Majesty sustained minor damage after it was hit by a projectile 25 nm northwest of UAE's Ras Al Khaimah.

The hull of Marshall Islands-flagged bulk carrier Star Gwyneth was damaged after being hit by a projectile 50 nautical miles northwest of Dubai, maritime risk management company Vanguard said. There was no environmental impact reported and the crew was reported safe, UKMTO said.

Fuel tankers, Marshall Islands-flagged Safesea Vishnu, and the Maltese-flagged Zefyros, were attacked in the Gulf near Iraq, prompting Iraq's oil ports to completely stop operations, according to port officials and the state news agency. One port security official said the body of a foreign crew member was recovered from the water.

March 12

German shipping company Hapag-Lloyd said projectile fragments have hit the Liberia-flagged container vessel Source Blessing near the Strait of Hormuz. Fire was extinguished on the ship, which was chartered to Danish shipping group Maersk, but all crew members were well.

March 17

A projectile struck a Kuwait-flagged tanker 23 nm east of the UAE's Fujairah, causing minor structural damage. Maritime security sources said the vessel hit was the liquefied petroleum tanker Gas Al Ahmadiah, which was at anchor.

March 19

A vessel was hit by an unknown projectile 4 nm east of Qatar's Ras Laffan, UKMTO said, as Iranian aerial attacks caused extensive damage to the complex - the site of the world's largest gas plant. All crew were reported safe.

March 22

An unknown projectile struck a vessel 15 nm north of the United Arab Emirates' Sharjah, but all crew were reported safe, UKMTO said.

March 30

A fire broke out on fully loaded Kuwaiti crude oil tanker, Al Salmi, after it was hit at anchorage by an Iranian attack off Dubai.

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Kuwait Petroleum Corp, the ship's owner, said the attack, caused hull damage, but the fire was extinguished with no oil leak and no injuries to the crew.

Iran's Revolutionary Guards said they targeted a container ship in the Gulf because of its ties to Israel, Tasnim news agency reported. They spelled the name of the ship as Express Halfong, but a Singaporean-flagged HAIPHONG Express container ship was the one at anchorage near Al Salmi tanker, shipping maps showed.
US President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the war with Iran may be over in two or three weeks and it will be up to other countries to secure the vital Strait of Hormuz oil shipping channel.

The White House announced meanwhile that Trump would give an address to the nation at 9:00 pm Wednesday (0100 GMT Thursday) "to provide an important update on Iran."

In other developments, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the joint campaign against Iran had "changed the face of the Middle East" and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran had the "necessary will" to end the war provided its enemies guaranteed it would not flare up again.

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In Lebanon, the health ministry said early Wednesday that seven people were killed in Israeli strikes in south Beirut and a nearby area and the Israeli military said it had struck a senior Hezbollah commander.

Israel's campaign against Iran-backed Hezbollah has left more than 1,200 dead in Lebanon, according to the health ministry, with over a million displaced.

US stocks surged on hopes that a resolution to the month-long war may be in sight and Brent oil futures finished down 3.2 percent at $103.97 per barrel.

Japan's Nikkei climbed more than three percent at the open Wednesday and South Korea's Kospi was up nearly five percent.

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Trump, speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, said the United States would be leaving Iran "very soon," perhaps within "two weeks, maybe three."

"But we're finishing the job," he insisted.

"We want to knock out every single thing they have," Trump said, before adding that "it's possible that we'll make a deal before that."

Trump has zigzagged previously on whether Washington plans to escalate the war that has roiled the world economy -- possibly by deploying American ground forces -- or try to end it through negotiations with Tehran.

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- 'Go get your own oil!' -

As for Hormuz, which has been blockaded by Iran and through which one-fifth of global oil normally passes, Trump said France, China and other countries that seek passage through the waterway will have to "fend for themselves."

"What happens with the strait we're not going to have anything to do with," he said.

In a Truth Social post earlier Tuesday, Trump lashed out at NATO allies and other countries that have refused to help the United States secure the strait.

"The U.S.A. won't be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us," he wrote. "Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!"

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Netanyahu, in a televised statement on the eve of the Passover holidays, said Israeli forces "will continue to crush the terror regime" in Tehran.

"We had to act, and we acted," he said. "We have changed the face of the Middle East."

The United States has not said who it is speaking with in Iran, which has denied it is in talks.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told Al Jazeera that he still receives messages from US envoy Steve Witkoff, "directly, as before, and this does not mean that we are in negotiations."

Iran's Revolutionary Guards also threatened to retaliate against leading US tech firms such as Google, Meta and Apple from Wednesday if more Iranian leaders were assassinated.

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Trump and Netanyahu launched the war on February 28, killing Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and setting off a wave of retaliatory attacks by Tehran across the region.

The Guards charged that 18 companies, including Intel, Tesla and Palantir, were complicit in previous killings and warned they should expect "destruction" if there are any further assassinations.

- 'Darkness and weight' -

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, speaking to reporters early Tuesday after he visited US troops in the Middle East, vowed that "the upcoming days will be decisive.

"Iran knows that, and there's almost nothing they can militarily do about it."

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Trump had threatened on Monday that if Iran didn't agree to a deal, US forces would "obliterate" its oil wells, its main Kharg Island export terminal, and possibly water desalination plants.

On Tuesday, heavy strikes hit the central city of Isfahan and Tehran.

Iranian media reported that two steel complexes in the country had been hit.

Iranian state media also reported damage to a Shia religious centre in Zanjan, while the government said airstrikes had hit a plant making cancer drugs, claims AFP could not independently verify.

Tehran residents spoke of trying to cling to some routine.

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"When I make it to a cafe table, even for a few minutes, I can almost believe the world hasn't ended," dental assistant Fatemeh, 27, told AFP in Paris via a messaging app.

"And then I go back home, back to the reality of living through war, with all its darkness and weight."

burs/cl/mlm
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Tuesday clarified that the target for 80% of the over 900,000 Syrians in Germany to return home in three years was proposed by Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

Merz's remark on Monday came during a visit by al-Sharaa to Germany, which was one of the main destinations for Syrian refugees fleeing the country's devastating civil war under former dictator Bashar al-Assad.

The chancellor said that Syrians are needed to join reconstruction efforts in their home country, while stressing that those "who wish to remain in Germany and are well integrated will be able to stay in Germany."

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"Over the longer term of the next three years - that was the wish of al-Sharaa - 80% of the Syrians currently in Germany should return to their homeland," Merz said, according to a transcript distributed by the Federal Press Office after the press conference.

The comments have drawn criticism in Germany from across the political spectrum, leading Merz to clarify on Tuesday that "the figure of 80% returnees within three years was put forward by the Syrian president."

"We have taken note of this figure, but are aware of the scale of the task," he added.

Critics were quick to warn that returning hundreds of thousands of Syrians living in Germany on such a short time frame would be extremely complicated.

The importance of Syrian workers to the German economy has also been underlined, while some lawmakers warned that missing the high-profile 80% target would provide further fodder for the far right.
When Rep. Elliott Engen, R-White Bear Lake, was arrested on suspicion of driving while impaired early Friday, one passenger in his care was Rep. Walter Hudson, who was also impaired and in possession of a 9 mm Smith & Wesson handgun in his waistband, which police confiscated for safe keeping, according to the Engen arrest report released Monday.

Around 2:11 a.m., a police officer through dispatch called for backup because a passenger in a DUI stop possessed a firearm. The officer confirmed that the passenger also appeared impaired.

More: Minnesota Rep. Elliott Engen of White Bear Township charged with DWI

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Just took a firearm off one of the passengers. Hes more than compliant, a White Bear officer said over dispatch.

The Engen arrest report lists Hudson as one of two passengers.

Engen declined to comment about his passengers.

Im owning it. I screwed up, and Im willing to take the blame and have this make me better in the long run because of it, Engen told the Reformer. I dont drink often. I dont keep it in the house. But when I do, it doesnt mix well with me.

Engen is also a candidate for state auditor. A leading Democratic-Farmer-Labor candidate for state auditor, Rep. Dan Wolgamott of St. Cloud, has also been cited for impaired driving.

Rep. Elliott Engen listens to testimony at a public safety hearing at the Minnesota State Capitol Tuesday, Feb. 24, 2026.

Hudson did not respond to requests for comment Monday.

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House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, released a statement to the Reformer about the incident: The decisions made in this incident were unacceptable and fall short of the expectations I have for conduct of legislators. I will be addressing this directly with both members involved.

White Bear Lake Police in a statement said that at about 1:51 a.m. Friday, officers pulled over a vehicle for traffic violations, including speeding, expired tags and a broken headlight. White Bear officers arrested the driver, identified as Engen, for suspicion of driving while impaired.

Police said Engen took a breath test at the White Bear Lake Police Department, where he blew a .13 blood alcohol concentration. The legal limit is .08.

ECONOMY: Iran war hits Americans' wallets, including one in Foley, Minnesota

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In the citation charging Engen with two misdemeanors  a fourth-degree DWI and a fourth-degree DUI  the arresting officer said that the driver denied drinking.

Detected odor of alcoholic beverage on breath and subject had bloodshot, watery and glassy eyes, the officer wrote. During Miranda interview, driver claimed he only consumed (2) beers between (11 p.m. and 11:30 p.m.).

In the rear of the car, police found a bottle of alcohol in a childs car seat. Hudson said it was his bottle, according to the Engen arrest report.

Hudson is a permit-to-carry holder, which means he could face a misdemeanor for carrying a firearm while intoxicated.

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An officer may require a person with a permit to carry to submit to a screening test to determine how intoxicated they are. The results of the test will determine the misdemeanor punishment.

Permit-to-carry holders are allowed to have a blood alcohol concentration of .04 or lower while carrying. Anything over a .04 is a mandatory suspension of the permit for six months. If a permit to carry holder has a blood alcohol concentration above .10, then their permit is revoked and they cannot reapply for one year after conviction.

Minnesota Reformer is part of States Newsroom, the nations largest state-focused nonprofit news organization.

This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: One Minnesota rep. charged with DWI, second had gun, police say
KUALA LUMPUR, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Malaysia's state-owned oil and gas firm Petroliam Nasional Berhad (Petronas) said it continues to closely monitor the nation's fuel supply to help safeguard stability nationwide amid the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The firm said in a statement on Monday that even though Malaysia is an oil-producing nation, it is not fully insulated from the impact of the crisis, as nearly 40 percent of the country's crude oil requirements transit through the Strait of Hormuz.

It is noted that since the onset of the crisis, crude oil prices have risen by almost 40 percent.

"Consequently, global shipping costs, insurance premiums and delivery-related logistics have also increased significantly. All these developments have impacted Malaysia's fuel supply security," said the firm.

On the product side, it noted that national demand continues to exceed domestic supply.

To address this shortfall, Petronas leverages its integrated value chain, working through its subsidiaries to secure sufficient petrol and diesel supply, to support its market share of nearly 50 percent, up to May 2026, it said, adding that the balance is being supplied by the other oil companies operating in Malaysia.

Meanwhile, Petronas said retail fuel prices in Malaysia are regulated by the government through the automatic pricing mechanism.

Despite global pressures, it highlighted that the government provides subsidies for RON95 and diesel to cushion the impact on Malaysians, making fuel prices in Malaysia currently among the lowest in the region.

It said the firm will continue to work closely with the government and relevant stakeholders to manage any potential disruptions and to prioritize the nation's energy security and well-being.

As the duration and full magnitude of the conflict in Iran remain uncertain, Petronas said it strongly advocates more efficient energy consumption by both industry and members of the public.

"The company would also advise members of the public to avoid panic buying and hoarding of fuels as this would worsen the impact of this crisis," it added. 
An initiative petition campaign seeking to enshrine a fundamental right to public education in the Missouri Constitution is abandoning its efforts to get on the November ballot, promising a return in 2028.

The Missouri Right to Education campaign had only collected around 35,000 signatures  one fifth of the minimum required for constitutional amendments  with little more than a month before signatures were due to the secretary of state.

It took a lot longer to build the coalition that we needed, Spencer Toder, the organizations director, told The Independent. Honestly, in large part because of the lawsuit with the Secretary of State.

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The campaign has been embroiled in a legal battle over ballot language since August after Secretary of State Denny Hoskins wrote a ballot summary describing the proposed amendment as an affront to existing state scholarship programs that provide direct aid to students with disabilities and low-income families.

This summary, which a Cole County judge ruled unfair and ordered Hoskins to rewrite twice, slowed down the campaign, Toder said.

It is hard to build a coalition when language is lying, he said. People dont want to put their name on something that says it could take scholarships away from socioeconomically disadvantaged families and disabled children.

Spencer Toder, during his 2020 run for U.S. Senate seat, speaks with residents at the Black Wall Street 314 Festival in Wellston Loop in St. Louis (Tessa Weinberg/Missouri Independent).

Garnering support wont be as hard in 2028, Toder said, so he will try again in two years. When he launched the campaign in July, he started at zero. Now, the campaign has a growing number of supporters, like the Missouri National Education Association, which confirmed to The Independent that it will provide substantial support for a 2028 attempt.

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There are a bunch of other coalition members that couldnt get on board because of the language, Toder said. Were confident that, coming out firing next time through, well definitely get there.

He is working on creating a nonprofit to inform voters about education policy and hold listening sessions statewide.

We hope to engage people throughout the state, and thats going to begin immediately, he said.

He doesnt see this years efforts as a failure, citing a growing list of volunteers prepared to gather signatures in the future and the campaigns victory in court.

In January, the Western District Court of Appeals ruled against a parent who attempted to intervene in the ballot-language case. The decision limited private parties ability to intervene in ballot-title cases only to challenges, barring them from bringing legal counsel in to support the state.

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This judgment was cited by Columbia Public Schools attorneys in February, arguing against the Missouri Charter Public Schools Associations attempt to intervene in the districts case against the state. The district won its argument, though it is unknown if the case precedent was a determining factor in that decision.

I would hate for people to think that this was a failure when it was anything but, Toder said. We accomplished an amazing amount in the time that we had, with the resources that we had and the team that we had. It has set an incredible foundation.

For this November, Missouri Right to Education has turned its focus to the Respect Missouri Voters petition, which is proposing a constitutional amendment that would enshrine protections for initiative petitions. According to the campaigns latest newsletter, its organizers have gathered 217,000 signatures but are still thousands below its goal.

Getting Respect Missouri Voters across the finish line became our number one priority, Toder said. If we cant have ballot initiatives in the future, then this is all for naught anyway.

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More than 8,000 acres at Egypt Valley Wildlife Area and more than 500 acres at Salt Fork State Park were approved to be fracked during Fridays Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission meeting, which lasted less than 20 minutes.

Four different bid selections were approved for parts of Egypt Valley Wildlife Area in Belmont County  3,846 acres, 2,792 acres, 849 acres, and 746 acres.

One bid selection was approved for 513 acres in Salt Fork State Park in Guernsey County.

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The leases will be put out to bid next calendar quarter.

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Advocates for protecting Ohios public lands from exploitation and degradation slammed the approvals.

The poisonous fruits of fracking will now grow in everyones backyard, Save Ohio Parks said in a statement.

Several people booed and shouted in opposition when the commissions voted to approve the bids.

We do consider all of the factors required by the statute and public comments are certainly one of them, commission Chair Theresa White said when asked how much public comments are taken into consideration.

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Fracking is the process of injecting liquid into the ground at a high pressure to extract oil or gas.

Texas-based EOG Resources Incorporated was chosen to frack about 3.6 acres in Valley Run Wildlife Area in Carroll County and less than an acre of the possible right-of-way along Ohio State Route 151 in Harrison County.

EOG Resources was the only bidder for both. The commission is required to pick the highest and best bid per Ohio law.

The lease bonus is $12,754 for Valley Run Wildlife Area and includes a 12.5% royalty, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources.

The lease bonus is $2,446.50 for the land in Harrison County and includes a 12.5% royalty, according to ODNR.

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Less than an acre of land in the right-of-way along Ohio State Route 513 in Guernsey County was also approved for fracking.

People opposed to fracking protest in front of the Ohio Department of Public Safety building before a Ohio Oil and Gas Land Management Commission meeting. (Photo by Megan Henry, Ohio Capital Journal).

A bid selection containing 18.71 acres of the possible right-of-way along Ohio State Route 513 in Guernsey County was denied.

Part of the nomination had parcels that included federal highways, and based on the coordination between the Ohio Department of Transportation and the Federal Highway Administration, part of their requirements are that the federal government must give permission in writing and give that express written consent, White said.

ODOT did not get federal approval, so White said the commission did not think they had the authority to move forward with leasing the land.

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There were approximately 2,000 incidents associated with oil and gas wells in Ohio from 2015-2023, according to FracTracker Alliance  a nonprofit that collects data on fracking pipelines.

Theres evidence that shows increased exposure to fracking impacts health, in particular childrens health, including low birth weight, preterm births, congenital anomalies, and asthma, according to Yale School of Medicine.

There will be more early childhood cancers and respiratory illnesses from increased natural gas methane emissions, Save Ohio Parks said in a statement.

Our freshwater lakes, rivers and creeks, even groundwater and soils will be even more depleted and contaminated from toxic, radioactive gas and oil wastewater brine.

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Before Fridays meeting, about 20 people gathered outside the Ohio Department of Public Safety building to protest fracking.

Parks werent meant to be silent and vacant industrial zones, said Mary Huck, board member of Save Ohio Parks.

Without the connection with nature our wild spaces give, we become less human.  Mental health suffers in a society without natural green spaces, as does physical health and safety of living in peace.

Follow Ohio Capital Journal Reporter Megan Henry on X or on Bluesky.

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More remains have been found in the south suburban field where officials recovered the bones of a missing man last week, the Will County Sheriff's Office said.

The sheriff's office said additional remains were located during a sweep of the property at Townline Road and Oakwood Drive in Mokena on Monday.

There will be police activity in the area for several hours and into Monday night.

Skeletal remains were initially recovered in the same field on Tuesday afternoon.

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The Will County Sheriff's Office said land surveyors found what appeared to be a human skull, and responding deputies located additional bones scattered throughout the field.

On Friday night, the Will County Coroner's Office confirmed that the remains are that of 36-year-old Terhan F. Gordon, a Joliet man whose family reported him missing in July 2025.

He was last seen in the 1500-block of Route 53 and North Broadway Street in late June.

Gordon's cause and manner of death were not immediately known.

"The Joliet Police Department extends our deepest condolences to Mr. Gordon's loved ones during this difficult time. Our detectives remain committed to working in coordination with the Will County Sheriff's Office and the Will County Coroner's Office as the investigation continues into the circumstances surrounding the discovery of Mr. Gordon," said Joliet Police Chief Bill Evans.

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Will County sheriff's police are investigating. Authorities did not immediately provide further information about the remains recovered on Monday.

Anyone with information related to the case is asked to call 815-727-8575 or submit information anonymously through Crimestoppers of Will County.
Following last week's severe weather, which brought several tornado warnings across the state, storms are expected to target parts of Ohio late Tuesday into early Wednesday, putting northern Ohio at the highest risk for damaging weather such as strong winds, large hail and possibly a few tornadoes.

Storms are expected to develop late Tuesday evening as a cold front moves in from the northwest, spreading southeast across the state through the night.

Forecasters say the setup could support some isolated severe storms, with damaging winds being the primary threat. Hail is possible in areas with stronger, more organized storms, and a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out if storms remain isolated ahead of the main line.

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The storms are fueled by a surge of warmer, humid air from the south interacting with the approaching cold front.

The National Weather Service office in Cleveland warns that if conditions are right, the system "can support all modes of severe weather, with damaging winds the most likely hazard followed by large hail and perhaps a couple of tornadoes."

More: What to do during a tornado warning: How to stay safe at home, outside, in a car

Where will storms hit in Ohio?

The Storm Prediction Center has outlined a Slight Risk  level 2 of 5  for northern Ohio, including Toledo and Cleveland. A Marginal Risk  level 1 of 5 covers central Ohio, including Columbus, with isolated severe storms possible farther south.

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As the storms merge into a line overnight Tuesday, damaging wind gusts will become the main threat across much of northern and central Ohio.

Storm Prediction Center maps show areas of risk from Tuesday, March 31, through Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Storm Prediction Center maps show areas of risk from Tuesday, March 31, through Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Storm Prediction Center maps show areas of risk from Tuesday, March 31, through Thursday, April 2, 2026.

Will Ohio get tornadoes?

A few tornadoes are possible, primarily in northern areas such as Toledo and Cleveland, if storms develop ahead of the main line. Most storms are expected to merge into a squall line, favoring damaging winds rather than rotation. Central and southern Ohio, including Columbus and Dayton, are at lower risk, though isolated tornadoes cannot be entirely ruled out.

Ohio weather watches and warnings

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Brandi D. Addison covers weather across the United States as the Weather Connect Reporter for the USA TODAY Network. She can be reached at baddison@gannett.com. Find her on Facebook here.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Ohio in path of Midwest storms. What to expect, when they'll hit
Gas prices have soared in the United States  topping $4 per gallon for the first time since 2022  and the Washington DC area is among the hardest hit regions.

Rising costs have largely been driven by the Iran war and shipping traffic halted at the Strait of Hormuz, causing prices to surge more than $1 per gallon.

In Washington DC, the average price of unleaded gas Tuesday was $4.19, an increase of $1.13 in the last month, according to AAA.

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Gas was at its cheapest Monday at the Shell station on Minnesota Ave. NE, where GasBuddy.com says it was on sale for $3.82. The Costco on Market St. NE and Citgo on 9th St. NE both had gas at $3.83.

What are the gas prices in Virginia?

Virginia has also seen gas rise more than $1 in the past month, with Tuesday's state average reaching $3.93, AAA says.

It's slightly higher in Northern Virginia, where drivers in the Washington DC metro area can expect to pay around $4.03.

U.S. Sen. Mark Warner, D-Va., predicted the $4 mark in an interview earlier this month, saying it will likely "take months, if not years, to repair" the damaged energy infrastructure that has caused prices to skyrocket.

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I think Americans are soon going to be seeing $4 a gallon gasoline, Warner told the The Virginian-Pilot. And even when the war stops, youre going to see it for years to come.

What are the gas prices in Maryland?

Gas in Maryland has continued a steady climb, reaching $4.01 Tuesday, with the average price in the Washington DC suburbs at $4.07.

Nasia Israel, who was filling up her Mercedes-Benz GLA 250 at an Amoco gas station in Silver Spring, where gas was $4.19 per gallon, blamed the rising costs on "whoever is in charge," adding that her issues are not just with the prices.

"There's something wrong with the quality, everything is wrong with it," Israel said. "It's expensive, it doesn't last. There is something wrong with the quality and price of the gas."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Today's gas prices in Washington DC; what you're paying at the pump
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The Southern Christian Leadership Conference's Poor People's marchers line up near the gates to the Kennedy Space Center prior to a demonstration on July 15, 1969. In the background is a mock up of a Redstone rocket with a Mercury capsule on top. . | Credit: Getty Images

Once at a space conference I attended in Colorado Springs, NASA astronaut Victor Glover  the pilot of NASA's upcoming Artemis 2 mission to the moon  said something that caused a bit of a stir.

It was April 17, 2023, just two weeks after NASA had named Glover to the Artemis 2 crew , a lunar flight that will make him the first person of color ever to visit the moon. Glover was there at the Space Symposium conference with other astronauts to talk about, well, space.

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But he also told a group of reporters about his weekly tradition: Every Monday, he listens to "Whitey on the Moon" on the way to work at NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

Glover happens to be Black. And now he's going to the moon. NASA is targeting April 1 for the launch of Artemis 2 , which will send Glover and three other astronauts on a 10-day lunar flyby mission.

"It's funny, because that Space Symposium caused me a lot of grief in the next months because people tried to quote me out of context," Glover told me in an interview last September. "And it ain't about racism. It's about the human condition."



"Whitey on the Moon" is a spoken-word poem by Gil Scott-Heron published and set to music in 1970. It recounts the challenges of doctor bills, taxes and high rent for Black Americans at a time when the U.S. was spending billions to send astronauts to the moon and beat the Soviet Union during the Cold War space race. You can read the full poem here .

It begins:

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A rat done bit my sister Nell.

(with Whitey on the moon)

Her face and arms began to swell.

(and Whitey's on the moon)

I can't pay no doctor bill.

(but Whitey's on the moon)

Ten years from now I'll be payin' still.

(while Whitey's on the moon)

"That song is a reminder that everybody wasn't having a good time in 1968 when we launched the first Apollo missions . People were struggling," Glover said. "Some people were like, 'These bills and these potholes, like my condition hasn't been improved by NASA .'

Artemis 2 pilot Victor Glover. | Credit: NASA

Glover, 47, who grew up in Pomona, California and has four daughters (named Genesis, Maya, Joia, and Corinne) with his wife Dionna. He started listening to Scott-Heron's song and poem as a way to keep a perspective that many people out there aren't space-loving cheerleaders, and as a way to share that perspective with his colleagues.

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"That song reminds me that, at that time, that community, which is very similar to the community I grew up in, they didn't feel heard," Glover told me. "And so it's a reminder to me that there are more perspectives and more stories out there than you'll hear from the people cheering for NASA on a regular basis."

"But those people? We work for them too."



The public revelation of Glover's "Whitey on the Moon" tradition may have given him some grief, but it was hardly the first time he'd shared personal opinions about social justice.

Victor Glover (right) with the rest of the Artemis II crew | Credit: NASA/John Kraus

In June 2020, after the murder of George Floyd by then-police officer Derek Chavin in Minneapolis, Glover took to what was then Twitter (now called X) to share his feelings.

"My heart is low, my head is level, and my faith is high. So much to process, if you're struggling, that's OK," he wrote at the time . "I see you, I am you. Let's dialogue. Let's think. Let's Work."

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One critic, in a post that has since been deleted, asked why Glover couldn't just stick to space.

"Actually no. Remember who is doing space. People are," Glover replied . "As we address extreme weather and pandemic disease, we will understand and overcome racism and bigotry so we can safely and together do space. Thanks for asking."

But getting back to "Whitey on the Moon," Glover said the perspective from the poem is important because, for some, there has never been any other way to look at life.

"I have never had the option to not have that perspective. I am a Black man in America," he said while speaking with Axios in 2023 at the Space Symposium. (I was there recording.) "I grew up with this."

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"I live in the America that sent me to space, [and] told my grandfather he couldn't fly during the Korean conflict when he was enlisted," Glover added. "We live in a very complicated country."

The SpaceX Crew-1 members seated in SpaceXs Crew Dragon spacecraft during crew equipment interface training.. From left, Mission Specialist Shannon Walker, Pilot Victor Glover, Crew Dragon Commander Michael Hopkins  all NASA astronauts  and Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) astronaut and Mission Specialist Soichi Noguchi | Credit: NASA/SpaceX

Glover, a U.S. Navy Captain and test pilot, joined NASA in 2013 and first flew to space on SpaceX's Crew-1 , a six-month mission to the International Space Station.

"When I came to NASA, they said, 'Hey, we hired you because of who you are,'" Glover told Axios. "Okay, cool. You get all of it."

Last September, during his interview with me, Glover said that our complicated country was on full display during the Apollo missions, which flew at the end of a turbulent decade filled with civil rights protests.

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After the assasination of Martin Luther King on April 4, 1968, his successor, Ralph Albernathy rallied some 500 demonstrators, mostly Black, to protest the Apollo 11 moon mission's launch at the gates of NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It's the same spaceport that Glover and his crewmates will launch from on April 1.

Reverend Ralph Abernathy holds a sign protesting poverty in the U.S. at the Apollo 11 launch. | Credit: Bettmann/Getty

Abernathy and demonstrators brought two mules and a wooden wagon as a stark contrast to Apollo 11's mighty Saturn V rocket , a reminder that the U.S. was paying for moon rockets while others struggled to afford food and housing.

"The NASA administrator went down himself and talked to him," Glover said of Abernathy and then-NASA Administrator Thomas Paine. "And by the end of that conversation, that group of people that was at a protest prayed for the safety of those astronauts in that mission, because they had a human moment."

"They talked, and they heard, and were heard," Glover told me. "And I think that is a lesson."
When the Michigan Public Service Commission approved contracts for a 1.4 gigawatt data center in Saline Township, it did so behind closed doors, with key contract language blacked out and consumer advocates locked out of the process. Accordingly, Attorney General Dana Nessel, along with state Rep. Jennifer Conlin, hosted a town hall Monday at Cleary University in Howell on Demystifying Data Centers.

The event was designed in response to the expansion of data centers in Michigan. Conlin attributed this influx in proposed centers to the passage of House Bill 4906 in January 2025, which grants tax exemptions to data centers. While Conlin initially voted to approve this bill, she noted that she was blindsided by these projects coming into our neighborhood. Conlin subsequently voted against the bill when it came back to the House from the Senate for a final vote.

Conlin also pointed out that the concerns over AI data centers are a largely bipartisan issue, citing an NBC poll that found 57% of Americans believe that the risks of AI outweigh its benefits.

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Still, data center projects seem to be proliferating as rapidly as AI itself. As Nessel explained, this new breed of supercomputer-filled warehouse would be inherently different from the more than 70 existing data centers in Michigan due to its size and AI capacities. In terms of energy usage, its equivalent to adding one million homes to the grid  a substantial increase for a state with 10 million residents.

The development of the Saline Township center was greenlit by the Michigan Public Service Commission via a series of contracts with Oracle. The contracts themselves garnered immediate criticism from Nessel and advocates for being highly redacted to the extent that the names of companies and signatories were blacked out.

Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel holds up a sign showcasing redactions in a DTE Energy to supply energy to a data center planned in Saline Township. Dec. 16, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance

Moreover, the commission opted for a closed door hearing, meaning that all public stakeholders  including the Attorney Generals office  have been effectively shut out of the decision making and development processes. The commission, which consists of three members appointed by the governor, has repeatedly denied Nessels requests to view the unredacted contracts with DTE. Further obscuring the process, the parties involved in the contracts were required to sign non-disclosure agreements.

In a press release issued three days before the town hall, Nessel condemned the commissions apparent lack of transparency.

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Since these secret contracts were first filed in October, I have requested and demanded that my office and other consumer advocates be able to review these contracts and ensure adequate protections for existing utility customers, Nessel said. At every opportunity the Commissioners have shut out everybody, choosing instead to keep DTEs contract terms top secret, fast track their approval, and play fast and loose with the meager terms they claim to put in place.

Nessel reaffirmed this at the town hall, adding that it is extremely alarming that even the Department of Attorney General doesnt get to see whats in this language.

A rendering of Related Digitals planned data center in Saline Township, Mich. Credit: Related Digital

One of the most commonly cited concerns amongst those opposing data centers is the potential increase in utility costs. And while its difficult to find concrete answers in a rapidly shifting technological landscape, the expert panelists ultimately concluded that the burden of cost would fall on consumers. Nessel was similarly skeptical of promises around job creation: most of these promised jobs occur during the construction phase. When it comes to staffing the data centers themselves, employees can work virtually from anywhere in the world, meaning there is little long term benefit for the local economy.

Beyond the closed-door dealings, redacted language, and potential utility hikes, other members of the panel highlighted the potential complications of data center projects.

Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer for the Michigan Environmental Council, speaks at data center town hall at Cleary University in Howell. March 30, 2026 | Photo by Leah Craig/Michigan Advance

The rapid pace at which AI technology is developing is far outstripping our capacity for construction. Energy consultant Larry Crittenden noted that obsolescence is a very real concern, questioning what would happen to these facilities when theyre no longer useful.

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Michigan, with its abundance of empty manufacturing plants and blighted department stores, is no stranger to vacant buildings. With the rate at which AI technology is advancing, Crittenden said theres a possibility that these data centers will be obsolete by the time theyre fully constructed.

Charlotte Jameson, chief policy officer for the Michigan Environmental Council, pointed to three areas of concern when it comes to data centers: energy, water usage, and community impact. But she also emphasized that its hard to tell what the impacts of hyperscale data centers might be. AI is still a very new technology, and very few studies have been conducted.

For example, Jameson noted that data centers used about 228 billion gallons of water in 2023. However, theres little to no information on potential water contaminants derived from that usage, nor are there any requirements for conservation efforts.

Jameson did point out that the council, along with various conservation groups, is working with legislators to draft legislation and gather research to further our understanding of how data centers might impact Michiganders and the environment.

But for now, the questions outnumber the answers. And in the case of Saline, the contracts are already signed.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he expects Iran's government to fall sooner or later.

"The ayatollah regime in Iran is weaker than ever," he said in a video message broadcast on Tuesday evening, adding: "And I tell you, sooner or later it will fall." He did not say when or exactly how a change of power might take place.

At the same time, Netanyahu said the fight against Iran's leadership was not yet over. Iran can still threaten Israel, he said, but can no longer endanger its existence. Tehran was no longer able, for example, to fire tens of thousands of ballistic missiles and cruise missiles at Israel, he said.

The Israeli prime minister has repeatedly addressed the Iranian people directly and called for the leadership in Tehran to be overthrown.
"Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran's geographic choke point," Netanyahu told Newsmax.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that a long-term solution to the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz would include the construction of pipelines that would carry the Gulf state's oil and gas to the Mediterranean.

"Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran's geographic choke point," Netanyahu explained in an interview with conservative US media outlet Newsmax.

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Currently, the Strait is one of the main chokepoints in the energy market, with 20% of global oil exports passing through it.

While Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman have territorial waters in the Strait, the presence of Iran on the other side of Hormuz has made it vulnerable, with the Islamic regime having the capabilities of threatening global energy markets by attacking ships that go through the Strait.

This has been Iran's main strategy during the current war, alongside its missile attacks towards Israel and the Gulf States. Netanyahu's statements noted that, while a military solution might offer short-term stability, a deal that eliminates the strategic importance of the Strait might be the best route long-term.

This image shows the Strait of Hormuz, between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman. The Strait of Hormuz runs between Iran and United Arab Emirates, 2004. (credit: gettyimages)

'Beyond halfway point': Netanyahu avoids giving precise end date to war

In addition to his statements over the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu also said that the war with Iran is "beyond its halfway point," while the Prime Minister avoided giving a precise ending date.

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"We're beyond the halfway point in terms of mission success," Netanyahu said, while adding that the IDF's current focus is on destroying the remaining nuclear capabilities of the Iranian regime.

"We've already degraded their missile capabilities, destroyed factories, and eliminated key nuclear scientists," he explained, and warned, "They are pursuing nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them to American cities. That's what this war is about, preventing that outcome."

Netanyahu also pointed out how the regime was able to attack the Diego Garcia base in the Indian Ocean, with this being Iran's longest strike and a demonstration that their missiles could reach almost any country in the region (including most of Europe).

"It wasn't an intercontinental missile, but it's getting there, about 4,000 kilometers. "That puts much of Europe within range," Netanyahu pointed out.

Netanyahu asks West to 'wake up'

Finally, Netanyahu also said that this attack on Diego Garcia should represent a "wake-up call" for the West, which, in his opinion, has been ignoring the Iranian threat for a long time.

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"The question is whether the West will wake up," Netanyahu said. "Iran has been pursuing nuclear weapons and delivery systems for years, yet many ignored it."

He also compared the situation to the US President Donald Trump, who, according to Netanyahu, "didn't ignore the warnings."

"He recognized the threat decades ago and acted decisively, including leaving the Iran nuclear deal," Netanyahu added and concluded: "This is not just Israel's problem."
Nigeria's high commission in South Africa has urged its citizens there to be cautious following an anti-illegal immigration protest in Eastern Cape province that turned violent.

On Monday, activists were holding a peaceful march in the port city of KuGompo (formerly East London). But disorder erupted after a protester said he was attacked by a foreigner, prompting demonstrators to damage several vehicles and shops.

The trouble came amid tension over the recent installation of a Nigerian community leader in the city, who has a traditional title that can be translated as "king of the Igbo people in East London".

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Some South Africans in the local area saw this as an attempt to grab political power.

Traditional leader Xhanti Sigcawu, who was present at Monday's march, told broadcaster Newzroom Afrika the installation ceremony had left local chiefs feeling "undermined" as the area was the "territory of the Xhosas".

South Africa is home to about 2.4 million migrants, just less than 4% of the population, according to official figures.

Most come from neighbouring countries such as Lesotho, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, which have a history of providing migrant labour to their wealthy neighbour. A smaller number come from Nigeria.

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Xenophobia has long been an issue in South Africa which has been accompanied by occasional outbursts of deadly violence, and anti-migrant sentiment has become a key political talking-point.

The South African authorities, including KuGompo mayor Princess Faku , condemned Monday's trouble, which saw 10 vehicles set alight and local and foreign-owned shops looted.

"We supported the march because it is part of the efforts of defending our sovereignty but cannot condone violence. Violence doesn't solve problems it's very sad that such an important march was turned into violence and chaos," Faku, who belongs to the African National Congress, said.

No arrests have been made.

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The Nigerian high commission urged its citizens to limit movement and avoid public gatherings while tensions remain high.

The protest was organised by various civil society groups and political parties.

A fortnight ago, Solomon Ogbonna Eziko was recognised as the "Eze Ndi Igbo East London" by members of the local diaspora.

Installing an "Eze Ndi Igbo" is a common practice among Igbos living away from home.

The Igbo people, prominent in Nigeria's south-east, are one of the country's largest ethnic groups and are prominent in the diaspora.

While members of the Igbo community in KuGompo have recognised Eziko as their leader, his title is ceremonial and has no political meaning or cultural significance outside his community. Within the grouping, he is recognised as a mediator in minor disputes and is invited to local ceremonies.

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A leader of South Africa's Igbo community, Dr ABC Okokoh, confirmed this, explaining to national broadcaster SABC that the ceremony recognising Eziko was a "private event".

"We are not here to establish a kingdom [or] a king because there are laws in this country that must be respected," he said.

He apologised for the "consequences that played out" as a result of the event.

Some South African cultural experts condemned the installation of Eziko as unlawful and a violation of customary protocols.

The Eastern Cape's cooperative governance department, which oversees traditional affairs in the province, distanced itself from the event and called for the respect of the country's laws.

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During a picket by civil society groups in Pretoria on Tuesday of Nigeria's high commission, a diplomat also apologised to South Africans for the developments that followed Eziko's recognition.

Additional reporting by Adline Okere and Chimezie Ucheagbo

More BBC stories on South Africa:

[Getty Images/BBC]

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

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MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Russia will launch the experimental operation of unmanned aerial systems along the Northern Sea Route and within the Arctic zone to bolster digital and technological innovation, a government statement said Tuesday.

According to a resolution signed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, the experiments will be conducted in areas including the Yamalo-Nenets, Nenets, and Chukotka autonomous okrugs, the Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, Karelia, and Komi.

A primary focus of the digital innovation involves the deployment of ship-based unmanned aerial vehicles for ice reconnaissance, said the statement released on the government's website. These systems are designed to provide real-time data on ice conditions using radar and optoelectronic tools, which are essential for ensuring the safety of navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

In addition to reconnaissance, the experiments will involve aerial cargo delivery and various aviation tasks.

The Russian government plans to conduct at least 600 flights over three years, covering an ice reconnaissance area of approximately 6,000 sq km.

Key participants in the project include the state corporation Atomflot, Moscow Polytechnic University, the Siberian Aeronautical Research Institute, and the Moscow Aviation Institute. A simplified procedure will allow new participants in the experiment.

Mishustin noted during a meeting with deputy prime ministers on Tuesday that testing the related technologies in remote areas and difficult climates will help develop effective scenarios for their future use. He expressed the hope that the successful testing of drone operations will make them part of a comprehensive system for year-round navigation in the northern territories. 
The James Beard Foundation on Tuesday announced that U.S. Sen. Ben Ray Lujan (D-NM) has been named a 2026 James Beard Foundation Impact Award honoree in recognition for his work protecting the federal Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and supporting other aspects of food production in the U.S.

The James Beard Awards recognize culinary excellence each year, as well as people or organizations making a positive impact on the food industry. Lujan was named one of five Impact Award honorees this year, given to changemakers actively working to push for standards that create a more equitable, sustainable, and economically viable restaurant industry and food system for producers, workers, and consumers alike, according to a news release.

The Impact Awards program began last year. This years other honorees include the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights in California; the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation; nonprofit organization ReFED; and Southern Smoke Foundation.

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I am deeply honored to receive this award from the James Beard Foundation, Lujan said in a written statement. My work to protect and improve federal nutrition programs is driven by the folks back home in New Mexico working tirelessly to fight hunger in our communities every day. To these advocates in New Mexico and across the countrythank you for informing the work I do.

Lujan is the ranking member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committees Subcommittee on Food and Nutrition, Specialty Crops, Organics, and Research. He worked in late 2025 to protect SNAP benefits and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) from Trump Administration cuts and during the federal government shutdown. Along with the Senate Democratic Caucus, he introduced the Restoring Food Security for American Farmers and Families Act to return federal funding to the food assistance programs.

In a country as abundant as the United States, allowing our friends, family, and neighbors to go hungry is a policy decision, not an inevitability, Lujan said. SNAP is our best tool in the fight against hunger, helping millions of Americans  including one in five New Mexicans  put food on the table. I look forward to continuing the work to fight hunger and ensure no family in America goes hungry.

The James Beard Foundation also pointed out Lujans work protecting land, water and air in New Mexico, particularly his advocacy for acequias and traditional lands.

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The Foundation also announced nominees in the restaurant categories, which includes Albuquerques Bow & Arrow Brewing Co. in the bar category, and Steve Riley of Albuquerques Mesa Provisions in the best chef Southwest division.

Lujan and his fellow awardees will be honored in a ceremony on June 14 in Chicago.
Tyson Foods announced the closure of its Darlington Drive facility in Rome.

The company said in a statement shared with Channel 2 Action News that the decision comes after careful consideration.

The facility has operated under a unique single-customer model, but recent changes have made continued operations at the site no longer viable, the company said.

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The statement continues, saying that supporting their employees is their top priority and the company is encouraging impacted team members to apply for other roles within the company while working with state and local partners to provide support during this transition.

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The Rome Floyd Chamber of Commerce said the closure of the facility is a significant change for the community, with effects on employees, their families and the local workforce.

The Chambers immediate priority is to support those affected by the facilitys closure. We are committed to providing resources and assistance to help employees navigate the next steps in their careers. Impacted employees are encouraged to utilize the Chambers jobs page. We appreciate the resiliency of our community, and we are committed to doing everything we can to support Tysons employees through this transition, Ethan Branch, Director of Workforce, said.

Channel 2 Action News reached out to the company for further details on how many employees were working at the food preparation facility and when the closure is expected to take effect and is waiting for a response.

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A change in the way NV Energy calculates residential and small business electricity bills in Southern Nevada will be put off until Jan. 1, the Nevada Public Utilities Commission voted Tuesday, as members of the public pleaded with the commission to dump rather than delay the controversial peak demand charge.

The charge, which will be based on a customers highest 15-minute period of usage each day, was to go into effect Wednesday and would have been tested during the high-consumption, hot summer months.

Southern Nevadans, however, will still know to a degree how much the demand charge would have cost them had it been implemented as planned. The utility said it intends to provide customers with comparisons in May and August of their bills with and without the demand charge, based on usage in April and July.

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The prospect renews the possibility that power bills could be an issue in the upcoming race for governor, in which Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat who is fighting the demand charge in court, hopes to unseat Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo, whose PUC commissioners approved the peak demand charge.

NV Energy filed a request with the PUC on March 10 to delay the peak demand charge until Oct. 1, saying its busy providing refunds to customers who were overcharged for more than two decades, and needs more time to educate customers about the new charge.

Some of the personnel that are involved in implementing the daily demand charge are also the same personnel that are responsible for processing customer refunds that were previously ordered by this commission, Commissioner Randy Brown said as the commission voted unanimously for the delay. NV Energy and the PUC are both prioritizing customer refunds over the implementation of the daily demand charge, he said.

Last year, the utility told the commission it would provide educational information regarding the demand charge to customers. A draft order written by Commissioner Tammy Cordova noted the commission had not seen any direct communication with consumers about the charge.

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PUC staff testified the utility has not provided any specific information about its additional customer education, has not explained why it could not provide that additional education before the original implementation and has not stated what it has accomplished since the commissions order approving the rate in November.

On Tuesday, Cordova observed that NV Energy customers already have online access to data on their usage in 15-minute increments.

But senior advocate Mary Ann Blackburn noted during public comment that some seniors are ill-equipped to audit their electricity use until the bill arrives. The enemy isnt just the cost. Its the opacity.

Cordova added the demand rate is not a rate that changes based on the time of the day. It is 14 cents and it will always be 14 cents, unless the commission changes it.

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She said evidence heard by the PUC indicates many residential customers bills will decrease when the demand charge goes into effect.

The demand charge is intended to capture the cost of infrastructure, and is just one of several rates that are intended to do the same, some of which will decrease when the demand charge goes into effect, Cordova said.

NV Energy says the charge is intended to offset what the utility contends is a $50 million annual subsidy paid by full-service customers on behalf of rooftop solar users.
A pole barn contractor who is accused of defrauding consumers of more than $400,000 has learned his sentence, announced Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost.

Ryan C. Needels, owner of Clear View Construction, went to trial in Delaware County on 47 felony counts contained in an indictment dating from August 2023, according to a spokesperson.

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Needels is accused of running a long-term scheme in which he accepted large payments for pole barns or other construction projects, but instead stole the victims money.

Forty-seven convictions speak for themselves, Yost said. Victims were heard, and justice was served.

Judge Richard Frye, who heard the case, listened to testimony from 19 victims. The judge ordered Needels to serve 17 to 22 years in prison and to pay $448,000 in restitution.

The charges included engaging in a pattern of corrupt activity, telecommunications fraud, seven counts of money laundering, and 38 counts of theft. Needels previously entered a guilty plea to some of the counts in the indictment; that plea was appealed, and the convictions were vacated.

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BANGKOK (AP)  Asian nations are increasingly competing for Russian crude oil as an energy crisis mounts amid the month-old war by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, which has choked off roughly a fifth of the worlds oil supply.

Much of the oil from the mostly shut Strait of Hormuz was headed for Asia, hit hardest by recent energy shocks. Over the weekend, Iran-backed Houthi rebels entered the conflict, further threatening shipping.

To shore up global crude oil supplies, the U.S. has temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil shipments already at sea  first for India, then for the rest of the world.

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Demand is rising in Asia while Russia is raking in billions of dollars. But experts say there is a limit to how much Moscow can boost its exports of crude oil, which is unrefined petroleum needed to make fuels like gasoline and diesel, and it is already exporting at a level close to its previous peak.

In addition, Russia's 4-year-old full-scale invasion of Ukraine and recent drone attacks on its energy facilities by Kyiv are hurting its export capabilities.

For desperate countries in Asia the opportunity is short-lived and shrinking, said Muyu Xu, a senior crude oil analyst at the global trade data firm Kpler.

"The real problem is how much cargo is still available in this market, she said.

A flurry of interest

Before the Iran war, China, India and Turkey were the main importers of Russian oil, flouting Western sanctions for a healthy discount.

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U.S. and European Union sanctions were meant to economically hinder Russia after its invasion of Ukraine.

But the U.S. sanction waiver sent energy-hungry Southeast Asia into a flurry. This month, the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam signaled new interest in Russian oil.

Manila, a long-time U.S. ally, imported Russian crude for the first time in five years  days after it declared an energy emergency.

Others may follow, but will compete with China and India for roughly 126 million barrels still at sea, according to Kpler.

India alone typically needs 5.5 million to 6 million barrels of oil per day.

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Analysts say Russia is unlikely to boost exports sharply. In March, flows were about 3.8 million barrels a day, above Februarys 3.2 million but still below the mid-2023 peak of 3.9 million.

Xu said the crisis was a reminder of how quickly geopolitics can shift  sometimes driven by just a few decision-makers  making it hard for countries to plan ahead. She said right now, really the priority is to ensure your supply and all the other considerations are secondary."

Southeast Asian countries competing for the dwindling amount of Russian crude oil at sea are likely hoping the U.S. extends its sanction waiver beyond April, Xu added.

The options are limited for these nations, and safer bets  like crude oil from the U.S., South America or West Africa  are too far for Asia, meaning shipments won't arrive for months. That leaves poorer nations scrambling.

A squeeze in the Philippines

Airlines in the Philippines are weighing fuel rationing. Cash handouts are being rushed to those hit hardest, like transportation workers. On most days, lines at gas stations stretch for blocks.

The nation of 117 million is an early warning for Southeast Asia.

Before the war, the Philippines relied on the Middle East for nearly 97% of its total seaborne oil imports, according to Kpler data. The energy emergency declaration is a new frontier in its scale and magnitude, said Kairos Dela Cruz of the Institute for Climate and Sustainable Cities.

It will definitely drive people down even further in the poverty line," he said.

To ease energy shortfalls, the Philippines imported crude oil, a first since 2021. Other Southeast Asian nations are weighing similar options.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinhs March 23 visit to Russia included agreements on oil and gas cooperation, alongside nuclear energy, as rising diesel prices begin to squeeze Vietnams manufacturing sector.

In Indonesia, officials said all countries are possible partners as they shore up reserves. This includes Russia and the tiny oil and gas sultanate of Brunei, said Indonesian Energy Minister Bahlil Lahadalia.

When you dont have any other options, all options are on the table, said Putra Adhiguna of the Jakarta-based Energy Shift Institute.

While weighing similar moves, Thailand is not as desperate as the Philippines, said Jitsai Santaputra of the energy consultancy The Lantau Group in Bangkok. She added that Thailand will likely wait and see so long as the impact is limited.

But it's growing.

Fuel prices in Thailand jumped on March 26 after caps and subsidies were lifted, with most fuels rising about 20 U.S. cents per liter, with diesel up roughly 18%  a hit to industry and transportation that risks pushing up the price of other goods.

China and India have the advantage

Defying Western sanctions, China and India were major Russian crude oil customers before the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28.

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An additional advantage for India was having U.S. sanctions on Russian crude oil removed about a week before other countries.

They took that chance and snapped up quite many cargoes, Xu said. By the time U.S. President Donald Trump allowed everybody else to buy, she said it was already a bit too late because most of the cargo had already been ordered by China and India.

Even with the head start, Kpler data shows India's crude oil imports from Russia probably aren't enough to offset the lack of supplies from the Middle East.

Its oil imports from Russia jumped to roughly 1.9 million barrels a day in March, from about 1 million barrels before the Iran war. Before that conflict, India imported around 2.6 million barrels per day of crude oil from the Middle East.

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That may not be enough, with the approach of peak summer energy demand  driven by travel, agriculture and freight needs  especially as emergency oil stockpiles run down, said Duttatreya Das of the think tank Ember. He added that short-term buys cover only a few days of supply, leaving any gap hard to fill without extra shipments from the U.S. or Canada.

I don't know how the shortfall will be met, he said.

Despite being the fifth-largest crude producer and pushing clean energy, China still has strong oil demand from its 1.4 billion people. But it also has built a vast oil stockpile.

It has approximately 1.2 billion barrels of onshore crude inventories, Kpler estimates. That is nearly four months of its overall seaborne crude imports, which cushion short term impacts from the war.

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China sourced about 13% of its seaborne crude from Iran, according to Kpler, and roughly 20% from Russia, said financial data group LSEG.

With ample reserves and deep pockets, analysts say some Russian shipments bound for China could be diverted to more desperate countries.

Russia emerges as a major winner from the entire conflict, said Sam Reynolds of the U.S.-based Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis. Given the energy crisis, speed of delivery and temporarily lower prices, he said Asia has "a much larger incentive to import Russian oil.

We can argue whether theres a moral dilemma there, but I think its a reflection of the fact that countries are going to do whatever they need to to protect their energy security, he said.

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___

Chan reported from Hong Kong and Ghosal from Hanoi, Vietnam. Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report.

___

The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.
An influential coalition of U.S. Roman Catholic bishops currently led by an Oklahoman is opposing the Trump administration's efforts to narrowly restrict birthright citizenship in a case is set to be considered by the nation's high court beginning Wednesday.

The citizenship issue is likely one of the most significant matters  with profound consequences at stake  that the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops will weigh in on during the Most Rev. Paul S. Coakley's term as the organization's president. Coakley, who serves as archbishop of the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City, was elected to lead the group in November 2025.

The U.S. Supreme Court will debate whether or not President Donald Trump should have the ability to sharply restrict which children born in the United States are automatically citizens. In his executive order titled "Protecting the Value and Meaning of American Citizenship," issued on his first day returning to the U.S. presidency, Trump directed federal agencies not to recognize the citizenship of babies born in the United States who do not have at least one parent who is an American citizen or lawful permanent resident, also known as a "green card" holder, according to USA Today.

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More: 'Everyone's scared.' How Trump's focus on immigration affects Oklahoma

Although the 14th Amendment, ratified in 1868, says: All persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside, Trump, in his executive order, said the amendment has been misread and he argues that "subject to the jurisdiction thereof" rules out children born to parents who arent citizens because they may feel loyal to a foreign country even if they have to follow U.S. laws while they are in America, according to USA Today. The Justice Department said the Supreme Court's 1898 decision applied to children whose parents had a "permanent domicile and residence in the United States."

The American Civil Liberties Union, which is representing several immigrants, is arguing that birthright citizenship is foundational to who we are as a nation.

In an amicus brief, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops and Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC), a national nonprofit that the bishops' group established in 1988, expressed their opposition to the president's interpretation.

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"Any effort to name or depart from the settled understanding of birthright citizenship would introduce widespread uncertainty, destabilized families and undermine uniform rules of citizenship that have long been recognized by the court," the groups argued.

More: Trump wants to define who is an American. Will Supreme Court let him?

Coakley, 70, has weighed in on other timely issues that reverberated around the country, most notably during a January meeting with Trump and several members of his administration. In the following Q&A, the archbishop talked about his first four months in the high profile role as USCCB president.

Q: What were your initial thoughts when you were elected president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops?

Coakley: I had been nominated three times in the past few years, so I wasnt completely surprised to be elected. Its a tremendous honor to be chosen by my brother bishops; that they have confidence in me and my leadership. Ultimately, while I will serve the next three years as a face and voice of the Church in the United States, my role will be in service to my brother bishops.

Archbishop Paul Coakley is seen in 2012.

Q: Oklahoma is known for being predominantly Southern Baptist and most people don't think of the state having a large population of Catholics. Where do you see Catholics fitting in with Oklahoma's religious communities.

Coakley: The percentage of Catholics in Oklahoma has doubled since I arrived in 2011! We have worked successfully with many faith leaders from around the state to accomplish shared goals whether legislatively or in service to those in need in our communities. I think in terms of the impact, we have provided quality education through our Catholic schools, exceptional health care in our hospitals and served the poor and marginalized through Catholic Charities. Editor's note: There are more than 225,000 Catholics represented by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and more than 65,000 represented by the Diocese of Tulsa.

Q: How have you managed your ministry as Oklahoma City archbishop (with oversight of parishes and other Catholic entities covering two-thirds of the state) and your fairly new leadership role?

Coakley: It's a balancing act every day. Before accepting the nomination, I consulted with my staff, seeking their input, knowing that if I were elected, it would mean a greater burden for each of them. They've been very supportive, as has everyone, really. There are some things I just have to say no to, both within the archdiocese and in my role as president of the conference. You can't do everything. So, I have to prioritize and balance things carefully. I pray for wisdom and guidance, and I bring an awareness of my own strengths and limitations to discern how I can best utilize the talents and the time that I have, limited though they may be. As I settle into this new role, I am getting a better sense of what the expectations are and what the rhythm will be.

Archbishop Paul Coakley sits during Ash Wednesday service on Feb. 18 at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City.

Q: There are several issues that have risen to the surface over the last couple of months and years that U.S. religious communities have weighed in on  immigration reform, immigration enforcement, gender-affirming care and the transgender movement. Have these issues and/or any others become a priority that you feel the USCCB should address?

Coakley: The Church globally and in the United States already is addressing each of those issues along with religious liberty, and many, many more. The USCCB has a robust advocacy and policy-making apparatus. We're weighing in on all issues that are of concern in our society, year in and year out. That's a large part of what we do as the bishops conference in the United States.

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Religious liberty has been a particularly significant priority for the bishops conference for quite a number of years. With a growing secular influence, the rights of churches and the rights of individual believers, the rights of Catholic entities in health care and education, are under threat by intrusion on the part of the government. In health care for example, the Catholic Church has always been a great advocate for expanded health care for as many people as possible. But, we have ethical concerns about allowing our tax dollars to be used to fund abortion. As a matter of conscience, we don't think we ought to be forced to utilize tax dollars to support things we have a moral obligation to avoid.

Archbishop Paul S. Coakley addresses attendees during a private listening session on Feb. 20 organized by the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City for families affected by recent immigration enforcement actions.

Q: It has became apparent that your requests of the Trump administration not only have implications for the U.S. Catholic Church but other religious groups, as well. The request to be able to go into detainment centers to offer pastoral care for detainees will likely affect many faith groups, and the same thing goes with the visa situation for religious workers. Do you see yourself as representing the Church universal in these types of matters?

Coakley: When I sought relief for the religious worker visas, that wasn't just for Catholics, that was for any religious workers of any faith tradition. It is the same with regard to access to detainment centers. I was not seeking access just for Catholics, but to provide pastoral care for anyone who is being detained.

Q: Have any religious leaders from other Christian faith groups, or perhaps non-Christian groups, reached out to you about your advocacy on these two issues?

Coakley: The USCCB is in conversations with many different religious groups on many issues. They strive to cultivate relationships with faith groups on many fronts.

Q: How do you view your role as president of the USCCB as it relates to Pope Leo XIV, the first pope born in the United States?

Coakley: It's exciting to have a pope from the United States, and I very much look forward to meeting with him later this summer. It could be a wonderful opportunity to be able to interact with him in our native language instead of a translator, which inevitably can lead to something being lost in communication. I think he will understand our American perspective on many issues, even though his perspective has been influenced by his many years as a missionary in Latin America, and his role overseeing an international religious congregation. He has a broad, universal perspective on things. Within that, of course, is his own upbringing in the United States.

Congregants file into the pews on Feb. 18 before Ash Wednesday service at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City.

Q: How do you view your role as USCCB president as it relates to Pres. Trump and his administration?

Coakley: As was evident by my meeting with him earlier this year, we want to build a bridge, build a relationship. We want to claim a place at the table to dialogue and to communicate our interests and concerns on a whole range of topics. I think we can work with him. There are quite a number of Catholics in his administration, and we will build bridges wherever we can.

Q: On the day of your election as USCCB president, several news outlets quoted you as saying that it was important to "bring more light than heat." What did you mean by that?

Coakley: I think very often in public discourse, people go to the controversial issues and try to stir up controversy, enrage people. It's becoming a popular mode of communication and a significant barrier to real communication. In saying that I hoped that we would be able to bring more light than heat, I was indicating that I wanted to be able to bring more clarity and mutual understanding to issues, rather than just inflame passions and stir up anger and indignation. That's where the heat comes in. I don't think that gets us very far.

Q: Many news outlets have called you conservative and they point to your role as ecclesiastical adviser for the Napa Institute as a signal that you have ties or connections with U.S. political conservatives. What are your thoughts about this?

Coakley: The Catholic Church can't be pigeonholed into partisan categories. If you advocate for the unborn, youre considered conservative. If you advocate for immigrants, you will be considered liberal. We seek to form our judgments and advocate on behalf of the poor and the vulnerable, and on the side of justice and mercy. I don't think we can allow ourselves to be categorized as either conservative or liberal. We simply seek to proclaim the Gospel and bear witness to the Gospel wherever that may lead us.

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As we bring more people to appreciate the richness that is Catholic social teaching, we find that there is something for everybody and something that people of every party can embrace. It's not partisan at all. It never has been.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Catholic bishops oppose birthright citizenship plan. How Coakley responds
Oklahoma County officials have reluctantly voted to give more money to the jail trust to cover a multimillion-dollar budget deficit and fend off jail layoffs and the need to bring in the Oklahoma National Guard to assist with security.

County Budget Board Chairman Brian Maughan, who also is chairman of the Board of County Commissioners, was ready to ask Gov. Kevin Stitt to send in Guardsmen, with assistance from the Department of Corrections, if staff had to be let go from the jail, as the trust warned.

The infusion of $4.6 million in three installments, with new documentation requirements, comes after dueling special meetings of the Budget Board and jail trust on Tuesday, March 31. Jail administration had whittled about $1.2 million from the $5.8 million rolling deficit that has dogged officials for nearly a year.

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The procedure was untidy, and at times fiery, with the trust convening and recessing twice before a third final session, and the Budget Board convening and recessing once before a second and final session, exchanging seats in the same room packed with spectators. The flurry of action lasted from 9 to 11 a.m.

Jail Trust member Derrick Scobey talks with Budget Board member Maressa Treat. Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Sean Cummings address the trust, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust member Ashleigh Robinson listens to Sean Cummings, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust member Brad Hawley listens to Sean Cummings, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust members Jim Holman and Ashleigh Robinson, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Mark Faulk address the trust, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Mark Faulk address the trust, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust members Derick Scobey and James Johnson listen to a speaker, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust member Derrick Scobey, left, takes part in discussion of a proposal, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust members Steve Buck listens as Tommie Johnson III speaks, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Jim Holman holds up a budget, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust member Derrick Scobey makes a point during discussion, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Rick Warren, left, and Larry Stein, right, take part in a discussion between meetings, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. trust members Myles Davidson, Brad Hawley and Jim Holman in between meetings, Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Butch Freeman, left, and Brian Maughan, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Larry Stein, Jason Lowe and Rick Warren, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Myles Davidson, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Trust member Jim Holman, left, gives budget board member Butch Freeman so information, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Maressa Treat and Rick Warren listen to Mark Faulk, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Ferlin Kearns addresses the Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Brian Maughan, left, and Jason Lowe listen to comments, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. CJ Webber Neal addresses the board, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Butch Freeman, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Maressa Treat listens as Rick Warren speaks, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Budget board members Jason Lowe listen as Maressa Treat spaeks, Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026. Oklahoma County officials meet to discuss jail's funding deficit 1 of 26 Jail Trust member Derrick Scobey talks with Budget Board member Maressa Treat. Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with Oklahoma County jail funding deficit, Tuesday, March 31, 2026.

But the result gave jail operations a clearer path to the end of the fiscal year on June 30, and will lead to more orderly budgeting, said trust Chairman Jim Holman.

"This has been a learning experience for all concerned  the trust, the jail staff, and perhaps even the Budget Board," said Holman, who is resisting calls to step down for allegedly personally authorizing pay raises for staff even as the jail faced financial failure, which he denies.

Holman told The Oklahoman: "We have to be good partners and work together going forward, and that is my intention to make that happen. Obviously, we would like to have more money to operate the jail. ... Were just glad that we dont have to lay people off today."

Sheriff votes no, wanting not to 'just throw money' at the jail; Sue Arnall calls Budget Board to task

Trust members Steve Buck listens as Tommie Johnson III speaks on March 31 at the Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with the Oklahoma County jail funding deficit. (DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Sheriff Tommie Johnson III was the only Budget Board member to oppose the supplemental funding, which took several separate votes to move money from different county accounts.

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The board includes Johnson, Maughan, commissioners Myles Davidson and Jason Lowe; Assessor Larry Stein, Treasurer Forrest "Butch" Freeman, Court Clerk Rick Warren and Clerk Maressa Treat. It was under public pressure to meet the jail's needs, including rebuke by criminal justice advocate Sue Ann Arnall.

The board "continues to divert resources away from the jail," Arnall wrote in an opinion column in The Oklahoman published the day before the special meetings. Arnall is a former trust member who serves on the Oklahoma City Criminal Justice Advisory Council.

"Instead ... members continue voting in support of lower-priority expenditures, including their own raises, large travel budgets, office upgrades and personal lobbyists, while the jail approaches crisis. At the same time, they continue to criticize jail operations they have systematically underfunded," she wrote.

More: Oklahoma County is failing in its most basic duty to fund jail | Opinion

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The sheriff said he opposed more funding for the jail because officials "can't see where the (budgeted) funds went astray" and he didn't want to "just throw money at something that we know nothing about."

Trust member the Rev. Derrick Scobey said during the trust meeting that he couldn't trust the jail's finances either. Scobey is among those calling for Holman to step down over his alleged unilateral approval of pay raises despite a pay freeze imposed by the trust.

A nonprofit called the Neal Center for Justice Inc. has called for Holman to resign and be criminally investigated over the raises.

The rule of law requires that no individual  regardless of position  can override the lawful vote of a governing board and expend public funds without authorization," the center said in a press release. "At the request of Oklahoma County citizens, we are advocating for accountability. This directly impacts hundreds of Oklahoma County taxpayers and represents a serious breach of public trust."

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More: National Guard could be called to the OK County jail if staff cut

Jail Trustee the Rev. Scobey, trust Chairman Holman argue over budget

Trust member Derrick Scobey makes a point during a March 31 discussion at Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with the Oklahoma County jail funding deficit. (DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Scobey, senior pastor of Ebenezer Baptist Church, and Holman, a retired auto sales executive, wound up shouting at, and over, one another over the jail's muddled books, and they argued over which panel is constitutionally responsible for "adequately" funding the jail: the trust or the Budget Board.

In addition to Holman, Scobey, Davidson and Johnson, the trust includes Vice Chairman Brad Hawley and members Ashleigh Robinson, James Johnson, and Steve Buck.

Scobey insisted that the trust has only funds approved by the Budget Board, which he said makes the board ultimately responsible. However, Warren, during the Budget Board meeting, reminded the trust that its indenture, its founding document, obliges it to seek other sources of funding but it never has.

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Several of the elected officials chastised the trust for spending more money than it has, unlike county departments, which manage to live within their means. Lowe, for his part, repeated his call for the trust to be dissolved and the jail to be returned to the Sheriff's Office as a "failed experiment" after five years.

More: Jail trustee wants investigation of chairman over jail staff pay raises

What the OK County Budget Board had to say after sending more money for the jail

Budget board members Larry Stein, Jason Lowe and Rick Warren talk on March 31 at the Oklahoma County Budget Board meeting dealing with the Oklahoma County jail funding deficit. (DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Court Clerk Rick Warren told trust members:

"I'd like to point out, once again, that you're part of the county and each of us sometimes comes up short. But when we do we come to the Budget Board and we ask for dollars. ... For you to just jump out there and do it, that does not represent this board at all, so we need you to start following the budget.

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"We need you to go out and seek other alternatives of support for this county jail, which is in your indenture to do. You have not done it in all the years it's been there. Not one time have you gone out and tried to find other sources of income as your indenture points out to you. I wish you'd take a hard look at that indenture and actually read it."

Assessor Larry Stein told fellow Budget Board members and trust members:

"We have enough information. We just don't have enough money, and that's the problem we're suffering from. I know the trust has been focusing, because they've been appointed to focus, on one budget. But all these people here around this group, we were elected to focus on all of the budgets ... and not one of us is (overspending).

"We've got a budget and we're living inside of it. If I want to buy pencils, I've got to tell you. I can't buy it without the money allocated and dedicated to that. And this is extremely frustrating for all of us who balance a budget every year. And we knew about it, but they didn't change, and it has to change because we don't have funds for next year. This is unsustainable."

County Treasurer Forrest "Butch" Freeman said:

"Had I been king for a day it would not have been done this way. I still think there was a better way to do it. Tim (Kimrey, the county jail administrator), you've got a lot of work cut out for you."

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More: County jail trust erupts over apparently unauthorized staff pay raises

Jim Holman holds up a budget on March 31 at the Oklahoma County Jail Trust meeting dealing with the Oklahoma County jail funding deficit. (DOUG HOKE/THE OKLAHOMAN)

Staff writer Richard Mize covers Oklahoma County government and the city of Edmond. He previously covered housing, commercial real estate and related topics for the newspaper and Oklahoman.com, starting in 1999. Contact him at rmize@oklahoman.com.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma County jail gets more money, avoids layoffs, Oklahoma Guard
After the British tabloid the Daily Mail said a recent filing in the case against alleged Charlie Kirk assassin Tyler Robinson contained bombshell findings, firearm experts have accused the publications choice of words as completely and utterly misleading garbage.

The Daily Mail published a story on Monday about a motion recently filed by Robinsons defense attorneys, which asked the judge to vacate or delay the upcoming preliminary hearing in May because they do not yet have all the evidence needed to prepare their case. Their story quickly went viral with over 22 million views on X.

Why? Likely because of the misleading headline: Bullet used to kill Charlie Kirk did NOT match rifle allegedly used by suspect Tyler Robinson, new court filing claims.

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The filing from the defense team stated that the discovery in this case is incomplete, voluminous, and the processing of it is complex, and also noted that they plan to hear testimony from Robinsons parents and former partner Lance Twiggs.

The preliminary hearing is currently set for May 18, 19 and 21. Robinson, 22, was charged with aggravated murder, along with five other felonies and a misdemeanor, less than a week after Kirk was shot and killed on Sept. 10, during an event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah.

But the Daily Mail highlighted information in the filing pertaining to the bullet recovered from Kirks body.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the defense said, was unable to identify the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly tied to Mr. Robinson. Robinsons team added that they could possibly have the ATF firearm analyst testify before the court as exculpatory evidence.

Ammunition expert weighs in

But being unable to match does not definitely mean it wasnt used with the gun linked to Robinson, according to Justin Nazaroff, CEO of Fenix Ammunition.

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The ATF analyzed a bullet jacket fragment and were unable to determine that it came from the shooters rifle, he said Tuesday morning on The Charlie Kirk Show. Unfortunately, ballistic science is, in a lot of cases, a best guess, and in many other cases, pseudoscience.

A lot of noise was made yesterday about the Daily Mail headline said the ATF could not match the gun to the bullet in the Tyler Robinson trial.@FenixAmmunition joined us today to explain the actual facts. pic.twitter.com/xSKiDhZQB7  Andrew Kolvet (@AndrewKolvet) March 31, 2026

He said that it was as likely to be determined as a match to the rifle as otherwise.

Nazaroff continued, Even people in the firearms community who do understand firearms generally dont really know a lot about ammunition.

Since the Daily Mail drew attention to the bullet findings, many online, including podcaster Candace Owens, are using the headline to support their view that there isnt enough evidence against Robinson.

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But its exactly what Id expect from people who also watch Candace Owens, Nazaroff said. Its actually very difficult to match a bullet to a rifle.

If you think a "bullet jacket fragment" is enough to positively identify (or, rule out) a particular firearm used in a shooting you are announcing to the world that you're incredibly low IQ and that you've received all of your education on "ballistic science" by watching reruns pic.twitter.com/d3bgIEqtHt  Fenix Ammunition (@FenixAmmunition) March 31, 2026

A 2020 collaborative study by the FBI found that firearms analysis often produces inconclusive results, even in controlled studies.

If they had managed to recover a fully intact bullet where the lands and grooves matched perfectly. People on the other side would say, Well, its obvious that the bullet was planted, because youre telling me that a bullet was fired through a human being, and it was, it was in perfect condition, Nazaroff said, emphasizing that understanding that the bullet would be fragmented was common knowledge, just days after the death of Kirk.

Owens even mentioned it in a podcast on Sept. 25.

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It seems obvious that there are people who will latch onto the piece of evidence that they think can be most easily used to confuse people, Nazaroff added. I want people to take away the fact that, again, ballistic science is very inexact at best, and youre dealing with a lot of people on the internet who have no knowledge of it whatsoever.  This is not something that you can draw a 100% conclusions about. This is but one piece of evidence among many.

Former federal prosecutor Cully Stimson said on Fox News that its a delay tactic by Robinsons defense. At the beginning of this year, Kirks widow, Erika Kirk, asked Utah attorneys to guarantee her right to a speedy trial.

Nobody believed in the importance of the United States Constitution more than Charlie Kirk. And although the United States Constitution guarantees criminal defendants many rights, it does not guarantee them the right to cause undue delay in the criminal justice process, Kirks lawyer wrote.
US President Donald Trump is set to have his name on an airport after Florida Republican Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday to rename Palm Beach International Airport as President Donald J Trump International Airport.

The change is scheduled to take effect on July 1, though it still requires approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), according to the new state law.

Trump frequently uses the airport for trips to his Mar-a-Lago estate. His son, Eric Trump, welcomed the decision on X, saying he was proud to have "played a small role in making this happen."

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Media reports indicate the FAA considers the renaming a local matter but noted technical adjustments will be needed, such as updates to navigation data.

Democrats criticized the plan, arguing the $5 million cost could be better spent amid rising living costs.

The airport renaming is part of broader efforts by Trump and his allies to place his name on public spaces.

The Kennedy Center in Washington now also bears Trump's name, a move that has drawn criticism. In Florida, the road from the airport to Mar-a-Lago has been renamed President Donald J Trump Boulevard.

Media reports suggest discussions are ongoing about renaming other transport hubs, such as Penn Station in New York. To mark the country's 250th anniversary, dollar bills signed by the sitting president are also set to be issued for the first time.
One person was seriously injured after the vehicle they were driving slammed into a toll plaza along the Everett Turnpike in New Hampshire and burst into flames on Tuesday afternoon.

New Hampshire State Police say good Samaritans at the Bedford tolls rushed over to the burning vehicle and pulled the driver to safety.

The driver of the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was pulled from the vehicle by witnesses, a post shared by the state police said.

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Drivers were warned to avoid the area because the crash prompted the closure of the northbound side of the highway. Troopers were routing traffic off at Exit 13.

Drivers should anticipate delays and potential detours, seek alternative routes if possible, state police warned.

This is the second wreck at the toll plaza since Sunday, when a Massachusetts driver was charged with driving under the influence after a rollover.

No additional details on Tuesdays crash were immediately available.

An investigation is ongoing.

#UPDATE: The vehicle struck the toll plaza and became fully engulfed. The driver of the vehicle suffered serious injuries and was pulled from the vehicle by witnesses.



The Everett Turnpike North is closed at the tolls. Traffic is being routed off Exit 13. Investigation ongoing. https://t.co/0lwvFHCaAi  New Hampshire State Police (@NH_StatePolice) March 31, 2026

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Two people were killed and over 70 others injured in a petrochemical plant fire in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, the Russian gas processing and petrochemical company Sibur said Tuesday.

Eight of the injured were hospitalized and remained in critical condition, Sibur further said. The plant affected is operated by its subsidiary Nizhnekamskneftekhim in western Russia, according to the company.

The Russian emergencies ministry said a pumping unit at the plant caught fire, triggering an explosion and the subsequent blaze, adding that the fire had been contained.

Russia's Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the incident. 
Seattle police arrested a 37-year-old man accused of breaking into a business and stealing $400 in alcohol.

Just after 4 a.m., officers were called to a shop on Rainier Avenue South.

When they arrived, they found a damaged front door, a broken window, and a metal pry bar on the ground.

Police searching the area found a man a few blocks away carrying a large duffel bag. Inside, officers say they found bottles of hard alcohol.

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Investigators reviewed surveillance footage from the business and say it showed the man breaking in  despite telling them it wasnt him.

Officers recovered the stolen bottles and returned it to the owner. Police recovered the pry bar as evidence.

The store now needs an estimated $2,000 in repairs.

Police booked the suspect, a convicted felon for attempted burglary, into the King County Jail for commercial burglary.
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Pennsylvania school bus driver was allegedly driving under the influence while she was busing students.

Douglass Township Police filed 119 charges, including 54 felony counts of endangering the welfare of children and another 54 misdemeanor counts of recklessly endangering another person against 46-year-old Kelly Weber, of Boyertown, Montgomery County, according to online court documents.

Two empty 50mL Titos vodka bottles were found in Webers jacket pocket, and a 750mL Titos bottle was found in her purse that she had bought earlier in the day, charging documents filed by police said.

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According to the criminal complaint, a report about a school bus driving recklessly, almost hitting multiple vehicles and a telephone pole with children on board, was received by police around 4:11 p.m. on Feb. 6. Upon arriving in the area, police said they saw a bus pulled over in a snowbank in the area of Second Avenue and Gilbert Road, and pulled in front of it.

Woman charged with filing false report after El Rancho sexual assault claims

Police said it was immediately apparent that Weber may have been under the influence because she had pinpoint pupils and glassy eyes, along with being confused. After failing field sobriety tests, Weber was taken into custody.

The empty vodka bottles and a receipt from the liquor store were found when police went through Webers personal belongings, according to the complaint.

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At the time of Webers arrest, police said there were 26 students on the bus, but when Weber left from Boyertown Elementary School, there were 54 students on board. It was noted in charging documents that five of those students were under six years old. Police said another bus was able to come and take the remaining students home.

Video from the bus recorded Weber wrapping items in tissues, then bringing them to her mouth while she tilted her head back, as police described in the complaint. She was also allegedly recorded driving erratically.

Text messages between parents and the on-board students showed the children were scared

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Police said one student was dropped off at a different stop than where they normally would be, and they told police they got off the bus early because they were scared by Webers driving. The students parents were able to pick them up.

Results from a blood draw showed Weber had a BAC of 0.331 and that Delta-9 THC was also in her system, police said.

After Weber was arraigned on Friday, she was placed on unsecured bail set at $50,000. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for April 7.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Editors note: The following is a response to a recent Reformer guest commentary warning of a proposed ban on pet stores selling dogs and cats.

The smooth passage of the Humane Pet Store Bill (HF2627/SF1943) out of committees in both the Minnesota House and Senates judiciary committees with no nay votes is a sign of this legislations measured, commonsense approach. It would prohibit any additional pet stores in the state from selling puppies, while ensuring that the several stores that currently sell puppies adhere to stronger sourcing and transparency requirements.

Should this passes in both chambers, the bill would bring Minnesota in alignment with nine other states and more than 500 localities, 16 of them in Minnesota, with just such a policy in place.

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There are a couple of trade groups trying to cast the Humane Pet Shop Bill as controversial, but the truth is that no Minnesotan needs a pet shop to find the pet of their choice  we currently only have just a couple in the whole state.

Moreover, industry data makes it clear that no pet shop needs to sell puppies to be profitable. A new report from the American Pet Products Association shows that Americans spent $158 billion on their pets last year. The booming pet products and services industry continues to grow, and the future is especially bright for pet shops focused on services, food and other products. Thats because millennial pet owners prefer to shop in-person at smaller, locally-owned pet shops. Minnesota can and will continue to welcome these stores.

The last thing we need is for Minnesota to become just one more state in which the puppy mill-to-pet store pipeline flourishes, sending countless sick and unhealthy animals out into the world, with all the heartache and expense that brings to the families who purchase them.

The Florida Attorney General recently released a study showing that Floridas puppy-selling stores  and specifically their deceptive sales practices, sick animals, and predatory financing schemes  cost Floridians over $25.1 million each year. The Humane Pet Store bill will ensure that Minnesotas puppy store market stays small, and the state doesnt become a safe haven for puppy mill suppliers to pet stores.

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We cannot rely on USDA oversight of commercial breeders as a reasonable alternative to humane pet shop legislation. USDA standards allow for dogs to be kept in stacked, wire cages only six inches larger than their bodies for their entire lives. Mother dogs can be bred repeatedly until their bodies wear out  and then simply disposed of like trash. This is simply not in line with how most Minnesotans and Americans believe dogs should be treated  like family members.

The connection between pet shop puppies and puppy mills is well-documented and undeniable. Puppy stores rely on large-scale commercial breeders and brokers, many with awful animal welfare records, to consistently fill their cages with weeks-old puppies. Responsible breeders simply do not have the volume nor the willingness to supply pet stores with puppies. For those breeders, it is a core tenet of responsible breeding to only sell directly to consumers they have screened.

To state the case plainly, humane pet shop laws curb puppy mill cruelty. USDA data indicates that 550,000 fewer puppies are churned out by puppy mills each year, as compared to 2020. Thats a 44% decrease. Theres also been a 15% decrease in the number of commercial breeders licensed to sell to pet stores and online. If what some opponents of the Humane Pet Store Bill say is true  that humane pet shop laws merely drive people to online sellers  we would not be seeing these declines.

In Minnesota as in many other states, theres a shift occurring in human attitudes about the puppy mills that have for so long plagued the pet trade, confounded regulatory authorities and produced sad and wrenching outcomes for families who have fallen victim to the predatory business model that underpins puppy-selling pet stores.

With their support of the Humane Pet Store Bill, Minnesota legislators are right in step with this compassionate trend, just like the citizens they represent.
Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints.

Starting March 31, Nashville-area customers of Piedmont Natural Gas will be served by a new energy provider, Spire. As we make this important transition for our companies and our customers, I want to take a moment to say thank you to the Nashville community.

For more than 40 years, Piedmont has proudly been not just an energy provider but a trusted partner, neighbor and supporter of the Nashville region. We are deeply grateful to our customers and the broader community for placing their trust in us for decades and allowing us to be part of their daily lives and growth.

Flaring is a controlled and routine pipeline inspection process, during which Piedmont Natural Gas burns off excess natural gas using a flare stack producing a large flame.

While Piedmont will no longer be your natural gas provider, I want to assure customers that they will be in good hands. Spire shares our core value of safety and a strong commitment to supporting the communities it serves. And Piedmonts Nashville employees have joined Spire, so while the name on the trucks and uniforms may be different, the same helpful, friendly faces will be providing you with safe, reliable natural gas service every day.

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It has been an honor to serve Nashville for more than four decades. Thank you for the trust, partnership and support youve shown our employees and our company over the years.

Brian Weisker, President, Piedmont Natural Gas

Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville natural gas customers move from Piedmont to Spire | Letters
The Pierce County Sheriffs Office says it has deactivated its Automated License Plate Reader (ALPR) system, commonly known as Flock cameras.

The move is in response to the recent signing of the Driver Privacy Act by Governor Bob Ferguson.

The law, passed by the Washington State Legislature earlier this month, establishes strict new regulations governing the use of ALPR technology by law enforcement agencies.

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It prohibits the use of license plate readers in proximity to community locations, including hospitals, schools, and other protected areas. Violations of these restrictions carry significant legal consequences, including classification as a gross misdemeanor for individual officers.

At this time, there is no available technology or operational capability that allows the Sheriffs Office to ensure that ALPR cameras can reliably differentiate between restricted and permitted locations in real time. As a result, the department feels that continuing to use it would place its deputies at risk of unintentionally violating state law.

Sheriff Keith Swank informs the community this decision was not made lightly, the department shared on Monday. The loss of this tool is a significant setback for public safety in our community. ALPR technology has been instrumental in locating missing persons, including Silver Alert cases, identifying stolen vehicles, and apprehending dangerous offenders. Without it, our ability to respond quickly and effectively is diminished.

The Pierce County Sheriffs Office also acknowledged that broader concerns surrounding privacy and the potential use of such technologies in connection with federal immigration enforcement, including issues related to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), have contributed to the passage of this legislation.

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While the law intends to address those concerns, its practical impact at the local level is the removal of a critical investigative resource, the department shared.

The Pierce County Sheriffs Office said it will continue to explore lawful and effective alternatives to support its mission of keeping the public safe.
A Plymouth police officer who, along with her husband, is accused of sexually abusing her adopted son over the course of several years had her certification to work in law enforcement suspended by the states police oversight body.

Samantha Pelrine, 31, is charged with three counts of aggravated child rape and one count of statutory rape. Her husband, Daniel Forand, 37, faces 20 criminal charges, including 12 counts of aggravated child rape. Both pleaded not guilty at their arraignments last week.

The Peace Officer Standards and Training, or POST, Commission suspended Pelrines certification on Monday  it does so whenever any officer is charged with a felony.

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Pelrine is on leave from the police department, which said it was appalled and deeply disturbed by the allegations against the couple.

We hold our officers to the highest of standards and expect them to uphold their sworn duty both on duty and off, the department said in a statement posted to Facebook. The conduct alleged is in violation of our values and of our basic principles as police officers, to serve and protect.

The department said it would conduct an internal investigation into Pelrines conduct, and her duty status is under review.

A judge set bail at $10,000 for Pelrine and $25,000 for Forand. Both posted bail after their arraignments. Boston 25 News captured video of the couple departing the courthouse.

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Prosecutors had sought $250,000 bail for each defendant. As conditions of their release, the couple must have no contact with the accuser or contact with any children under 18, surrender all firearms, stay in Massachusetts and surrender their passports.

The couples arrest came nearly two weeks after their accuser, who is now 21, came to the Massachusetts State Police barracks in Middleborough to report the abuse. On March 15, the accuser told police he was assaulted first by Forand, then by Pelrine and Forand together, starting in 2018 and continuing over the course of seven years.

The accuser also obtained an abuse prevention order against the couple on March 17, claiming the couple began abusing him about a year after they became his guardians. He described Pelrine and Forand as church friends of his aunt, who cared for him until the couple took him in.

He said he moved out of the couples home in February but added, They are coming for me, and I am scared for my safety.

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Massachusetts State Police obtained arrest warrants for the couple last week and took them into custody at their Plymouth home.

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Read the original article on MassLive. Add MassLive as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Heavy gunfire that erupted along a normally peaceful section of Prince Avenue early Saturday remains a mystery as to what motivated the dangerous display by unknown persons.

Athens-Clarke police are attempting to find out who fired shots that were heard by a patrol officer about 12:45 a.m. and also detected by technology used by the University of Georgia.

The gunfire occurred on a section of the roadway between Sylvia Circle and Sunset Drive just north of UGAs Medical School.

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We do not have any details to share at this time as its still early in the investigation, police Assistant Public Information Officer Geoff Gilland said Monday.

Police went to the area, interviewed witnesses, and recovered at least 13 shell casings from two different caliber guns. No injuries were reported, and police did not say in the initial report if any property damage was found.

Cold Case Crime: Oglethorpe County man arrested in cold case sexual assaults

The report also noted that UGAs Shot Spotter had detected 20 gunshots in the area.

The Shot Spotter, according to ACC Deputy Chief Harrison Daniel, is technology that can detect gunshots and triangulate the geographic location of the shots.

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Its fairly precise from what I understand, he said. The system, offered by several companies, alerts the agency that deploys the technology, he said. Its something that weve looked at as well and continue to evaluate the return on investment."

Anyone with information on the matter is asked to contact Officer Christina Bradshaw at 762-400-7323 or christina.bradshaw@accgov.com.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Prince Avenue gunfire mystery under investigation
UPDATE:

Family for Russell Henderson confirmed to News Center 7 that he was found safe.

INITIAL REPORT:

Officers are searching for a missing Shelby County man who reportedly drove away from his residence and has not returned home.

85-year-old Russell Lee Henderson was last seen on Fourth Avenue in Sidney, according to a spokesperson from the Sidney Police Department.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

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Officers said that they are concerned for his safety.

Henderson is a white male, 56 tall, weighing 180 lbs. He has gray hair and blue eyes.

He reportedly drove away from his home on Mar. 29 to meet up with a girlfriend, identified as Melesa Browning, who lives in Kentucky.

Henderson is vision-impaired. His last clothing identification is unknown.

He is believed to be driving a dark blue 2003 Town and Country van with an Ohio Plate ABX804.

Officers said that if you see Henderson or the vehicle, call 911 or the Sidney Police Department at 937-498-2353.

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Police and California Highway Patrol officers stopped a planned takeover of the Bay Bridge by dozens of cyclists Saturday afternoon, authorities said.

San Francisco police said department drones tracked the group as they rode the wrong way up the Harrison Street off-ramp toward the bridge's lower deck.

MORE: Illegal dirt bike crackdown revving up in San Francisco

Officers moved in and formed blockades at both ends of the on-ramp, preventing the cyclists from entering the bridge.

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About 85 citations were issued, and 85 bicycles were confiscated, police said.

MORE: Santa Clara man suffers broken ribs, back after brutal attack by bicyclist mob

ABC7 Eyewitness News reached out to the San Francisco supervisor, Danny Sauter, who backed the tougher consequences passed late last year, asking whether regular bicycles should also be included in that legislation. He says, "Our office has been focused on reducing sideshow and dirt bike activity. This past week's actions show the need for enforcement and deterrents to this behavior which can be dangerous and put lives at risk. We'll continue to consider any and all tools we have as a city to respond to prevent and deter this behavior."

Authorities reported the group had been seen swerving in and out of traffic and coming dangerously close to pedestrians before attempting to access the bridge.

Police released drone video showing the cyclists being stopped on the on-ramp.

If you're on the ABC7 News app, click here to watch live
Gov. Mikie Sherrill is entering her first budget season with a 58% approval rating, a significant boost from her predecessors second term ratings, according to a new Fairleigh Dickinson University poll released Tuesday.

Sherrill, a Democrat, has high approval ratings from Democrats and progressives, with 88% approving of how shes handling her job as governor. Her approval rating from Republicans is at 22%, and at just 14% among self-identified MAGA voters. Her approval among independents is 50%.

This is the first independent poll of Sherrills performance since she became governor on Jan. 20.

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Sherrill is getting what no politician on the national level gets these days: the benefit of the doubt, said Dan Cassino, politics and government professor at Fairleigh Dickinson University and executive director of the FDU poll. Independents, and even some Republicans, have nothing bad to say about her yet, and that approval is political capital in her talks with the Legislature.

While Sherrill has been in office for only about two months, shes already clashed with the Trump administration, particularly over issues like immigration enforcement and Gateway tunnel funding, and her administration is on both sides of a number of lawsuits against the federal government.

Forty-two percent of voters want to see Sherrill work with President Donald Trump and 31% say that she should defy him, while 26% said, unprompted, that it depends on the issue, according to the poll. Cassino noted that the latter responses are unusual.

Just 15% of Democrats want to see Sherrill work with the president, and about 80% of Republicans said she should cooperate with Trump.

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Black and Hispanic voters  at 40% and 44%, respectively  were most likely to say that it depends on the situation. Cassino said that while most New Jersey voters may not like Trump, theyre pragmatic and want to see cooperation when its possible.

The poll also found a drop in New Jersey voters who identify as MAGA. In January 2024, as Trump was seeking his second term as president, 27% of voters self-identified themselves that way, and that number has fallen to 16% today.

The MAGA coalition is real, but the fact that its so tied to an individual means that people move pretty freely in and out of it depending on how theyre feeling about Trump at that moment, Cassino said.

The poll was conducted between March 20 and 28, 2026. Respondents were contacted via either live caller telephone interviews or text-to-web surveys sent to cell phones, resulting in an overall sample of 805 registered voters.

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MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Three people, including two police officers, were wounded in a shootout in the village of Nizhny Dzheguntay in Russia's Dagestan region, the Dagestan Ministry of Health said Monday.

"All three victims have been saved. They sustained injuries of varying severity, but there is currently no threat to their lives. Two of the injured have undergone surgery and are receiving intensive care, while the third has been treated on an outpatient basis," the ministry said in a statement.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Dagestan, a brawl broke out among several individuals in the village at around 8:30 p.m. Moscow time (1730 GMT) on Monday.

Police officers from the Buynaksk District Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Dagestan, who were passing by, stopped to assess the situation and attempted to defuse the conflict. At that moment, one of the participants opened fire, wounding two officers, the statement said.

The identity of the third injured person has not been disclosed.

The suspect, a 31-year-old man, has been detained. Law enforcement authorities are investigating the incident.

The shooting marks the second attack on police officers in Russia in the past 10 days. On March 20, a man opened fire on police officers in the Republic of Tuva, which borders Mongolia, and later attacked them with a knife after running out of ammunition. 
A man walks along the shore as oil tankers and cargo ships line up in the Strait of Hormuz, seen from Khor Fakkan, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, March 11, 2026. via Associated Press

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WASHINGTON  A quarter century after retired general and then-Secretary of State Colin Powell warned against invading Iraq by citing what became known as the Pottery Barn rule of you break it, you own it, President Donald Trump is unveiling his own motto for his war on Iran: I broke it, someone else can fix it.

In a social media post on Tuesday, followed up with statements to reporters, Trump is walking away from any responsibility for the global energy crisis he created when he attacked Iran 32 days ago, particularly Irans effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a full fifth of the worlds oil flows.

Politics: Karoline Leavitts Performative Intro At Press Briefing Angers Observers

All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT, Trump wrote in a morning social media post. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!

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He subsequently told the New York Post that the strait will automatically open when the U.S. leaves the area and told CBS News that if other countries want the oil, they should just go get it. Let them come up and take it. They didnt want to give a hand to anybody. NATO is terrible, and theyre all terrible. So if they want oil, come up and grab it, he said.

And in an Oval Office photo opportunity later in the afternoon, he said he would likely end the attacks in two or three weeks after destroying all the targets he wants to hit. In a fairly short period of time, well be finished, he said.

The suggestion that he is ready to wash his hands of opening the strait to unfettered navigation contradicts what he promised on March 3  the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible. No matter what, the United States will ensure the FREE FLOW of ENERGY to the WORLD  and again on Monday, when he demanded that Iran open the strait immediately.

Politics: 'Bad Publicity!': Trump Weirdly Suggests This Official Is To Blame For His Media Troubles

Its a major geopolitical failure, said Robert Kagan, once a senior State Department official in the Reagan administration and now with the Brookings Institution.

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If Trump TACOs now, the net effect of the war will be to give China unprecedented influence in the Gulf, and therefore over the world economy, he added, using the shorthand for Trump Always Chickens Out coined by Wall Street traders when he backed down from his massive tariffs a year ago. Substantially worse than the status quo ante.

While Powell specifically denied calling his advice the Pottery Barn rule, pointing to New York Times columnist Thomas Friedman as the originator of the phrase, he admitted to warning former President George W. Bush about the responsibility for nation-building after an invasion. (Pottery Barn does not actually have a you break it, you buy it policy.)

Trump, who campaigned as a critic of the war in Iraq and American nation-building efforts there and in Afghanistan, has largely avoided talking about improving the lives of everyday Iranians and has instead claimed that Iran was an imminent threat to the United States while pushing a might-makes-right goal of confiscating that countrys oil.

Politics: Trump Trots Out Wildly Contradictory Iran War Claims  And Says He Doesn't Care If There's A Peace Deal

His decision to start a major war without consulting any of Americas traditional allies has inflamed the nations relations with much of the world. In recent days, Spain and Italy have refused to let the U.S. use air bases on their soil for attacks on Iran, while France has forbidden the use of its airspace for military flights to assist Israel, which is also attacking Iran.

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While Americans have seen gasoline prices jump a dollar a gallon and truck drivers are seeing increases of about twice that for diesel fuel, Trumps war is wreaking even worse havoc around the planet. Egypt has ordered earlier closing hours for businesses. China has stopped exporting refined petroleum products. Sri Lanka has declared Wednesdays national holidays, while Slovenia has become the first member of the European Union to impose fuel rationing.

Its unclear whether Trump knows or much cares about the effects on other countries. Thus far, he has claimed that he expected fuel prices to rise much higher and the stock market to fall much lower in the United States and that he expects gasoline prices to fall like a rock when the war is over.

Still, with air attacks likely to produce diminishing returns and with the only remaining alternative to escalate further by deploying ground troops, Trump may finally decide to declare victory.

Politics: 'His Brain Is Broken': Critics Torch 'Unstable' Trump After Wild Social Media Meltdown

I think Trump is looking for a way out, not for strategic reasons, but for domestic political reasons, said John Bolton, a longtime advocate of forcing regime change in Iran and one of Trumps first-term national security advisers. Thats always a mistake.

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I anticipate he walks claiming victory and says the Europeans and the Gulf states have to sort out the strait, agreed Jim Townsend, an analyst with the Center for a New American Security and a former staffer at the Pentagon and NATO.

At this point, Kagan believes, an unwarranted declaration of victory may well be the least bad of the options available.

Because he could also go in on the ground, lose lots of Americans, commit war crimes, and still end up with that result, Kagan said. On top of destroying the alliances.

Political Updates

Read the original on HuffPost
Did anyone win Monday night's Powerball drawing for the jackpot of $180 million?

The cash option for the March 30 jackpot was $80.9 million.

Here's what we know about the drawing on Monday, March 30:

Powerball winning numbers for March 30 lottery drawing jackpot

The winning numbers for the March 30 drawing were 7, 11, 31, 41, 57. The red Powerball was 20, and the Power Play was 2X.

Did anyone win Powerball?

No one won the jackpot in the March 30 drawing. There was one $1 million Match 5 winner in Ohio. There was no Match 5 plus Power Play $2 million prize winner.

When is next Powerball drawing?

The next drawing is on Wednesday, April 1.

What is the Powerball jackpot up to?

The jackpot for the next drawing is an estimated $194 million with a cash value of $87.1 million.

What time is the Powerball drawing?

Powerball drawings take place at 11 p.m. ET every Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

What are the odds of winning Powerball?

The odds of winning the jackpot are 1 in 292.2 million.

Where to buy Powerball tickets

Powerball is played in 45 states, including Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana, and in Washington, DC and the Virgin Islands. You do not have to be a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident to play Powerball.

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You can purchase tickets at gas stations, convenience stores and supermarkets in Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana. Sales cut-off times vary by one to two hours before the drawing, depending on the selling jurisdiction.

Can you buy Powerball tickets online?

In Kentucky, you can purchase tickets online through the Kentucky Lottery website, kylottery.com.

In Ohio and Indiana, people can order Powerball tickets online through Jackpocket, the official digital lottery courier of the USA TODAY Network.

Lottery tickets are sold to residents online through their lottery's official site in the following jurisdictions:

Kentucky

Connecticut

Georgia

Illinois

Kansas

Michigan

New Hampshire

North Carolina

North Dakota

Pennsylvania

Virginia

West Virginia

Washington, DC

How much is a Powerball lottery ticket today?

A single Powerball ticket costs $2. Pay an additional $1 to add the Power Play for a chance to multiply all Powerball winnings except for the jackpot. In Kentucky, Indiana and some other states, players can also add the Double Play for an additional $1 to have a second chance at winning $10 million.

How to play Powerball

To play, select five numbers from 1 to 69 for the white balls, then select one number from 1 to 26 for the red Powerball.

Powerball Double Play winning numbers for March 30

The Double Play winning numbers for the March 30 drawing were 7, 29, 42, 67, 68. The red Powerball was 8.

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You can choose your lucky numbers on a play slip or let the lottery terminal randomly pick your numbers.

How to win Powerball

Match all 5 white balls + Powerball: Jackpot (odds 1 in 292.2 million) Match all 5 white balls: $1 million (odds 1 in 11.7 million) Match 4 white balls + Powerball: $50,000 (odds 1 in ~913,000) Match 4 white balls: $100 (odds 1 in ~36,000) Match 3 white balls + Powerball: $100 (odds 1 in ~14,500) Match 3 white balls: $7 (odds 1 in ~580) Match 2 white balls + Powerball: $7 (odds 1 in ~700) Match 1 white ball + Powerball: $4 (odds 1 in ~92) Match Powerball only: $4 (odds 1 in ~38)

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Powerball numbers last night. Did anyone win Powerball March 30 lottery
After state regulators rejected East Windsors argument that its carrying way too much of the burden of Connecticuts solar energy industry, the town is preparing to appeal the approval of a highly unpopular solar array.

Municipal officials who were once advocates of DESRI Holdings enormous Gravel Pit solar project have changed positions, saying for more than a year that East Windsor no longer wants a 30-acre expansion of the facility.

They tried to persuade the Connecticut Siting Council that the town is now giving up too much acreage to solar panels, but at the beginning of March the council unanimously approved DESRIs expansion.

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The decision infuriated local opponents, who have applauded selectmens decision in mid-March to authorize legal action to try to reverse the vote. Residents are still circulating a petition against the Gravel Pit solar expansion and are up to a little over 2,400 signatures.

It is the kind of conflict that the Siting Council frequently encounters. Charged with advancing the needs of the entire state, the council periodically authorizes cell towers, trash plants, battery storage farms or solar facilities despite loud, angry  but very localized  opposition.

But East Windsor leaders insist this case stands out.

Often times people think our constituents are bringing up NIMBY concerns, state Rep Jamie Foster testified at the Capitol earlier this month. Whats really happening is one community has all of the problems.

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In a letter to the council last year, East Windsor said it shouldnt have to bear so much of the cost of solar energy.

Achievement of the states renewable energy goals should be the responsibility of the entire state, not just a few rural towns, the letter said. The proposed expansion alone would be larger than Tobacco Valley Solar, which was the largest grid-scale solar project in Connecticut before Gravel Pit Solar.

Foster, a Democrat whose district includes East Windsor, and First Selectman Jason Bowsza told state lawmakers that part of whats wrong is the lack of enforcement when Siting Council-approved projects generate unwelcome side effects. Bowsza said homeowners nears large solar projects in East Windsor hear relentless high-pitched buzzing noises whenever the sun it out. The town has no authority to punish the owner, and no state agency has been willing or able to intercede.

Its intrusive on families and children, and there seems to be nobody willing to take ownership of addressing the underlying concerns of that, Bowsza said. Its seemingly the purview of nobody to enforce.

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The Siting Council has maintained it needs independence from influence by town officials precisely because it must make decisions to benefit a whole region or the entire state, even when that displeases a specific community.

But Bowsza and Foster have been advancing an argument that after the Siting Council authorizes a project in a town, it does nothing to help ensure that the operators follow the rules and conditions they agreed to.

They are adamantly not interested in addressing municipalities concerns, Bowsza said.

East Windsor spent more than $60,000 on legal fees to take part in the months-long Siting Council proceedings on the Gravel Pit case, he said.

Well spend more money on appeal. If we have to go beyond Superior Court into Appellate Court, well have to spend more local dollars on that, he said.
A preliminary survey of 2,299 North Carolina middle schoolers found that most bring smartphones to school and many use them despite rules meant to prevent that, researchers told lawmakers Tuesday.

The study, led by Kaitlyn Burnell of the Winston Center on Technology and Brain Development at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, surveyed students in 22 schools and teachers in 19 schools in December. Nearly 300 teachers responded.

These are early findings, with follow-up surveys planned in April and again in the fall to track changes over time. Every school in the sample required phones to be stored in backpacks, lockers or locked containers.

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Despite policies being in place in the schools that we sampled, many are continuing to use their phones, and existing policies are not necessarily always enforced or followed, Burnell told the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee. According to the survey, 76% of student smartphone owners bring their device to school every day.

The findings come after lawmakers passed a law last year requiring school districts to adopt policies limiting student access to phones and other personal devices during the school day, leaving enforcement largely up to local school boards. Students described those rules as strict but unevenly enforced. While 62.9% of students say their school always enforces the policy, a notable minority reported that enforcement is inconsistent. Many said classmates use phones when they are not supposed to.

The survey also found that students often turn to their devices when they feel bored, lonely or stressed, and frequently use them to communicate with friends and parents during school hours.

Teachers reported that students are distracted by both their own devices and those of their peers. Over 54% of teachers reported experiencing at least some level of stress from managing student device usage during instructional time.

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The preliminary survey also found that school-issued devices can be just as disruptive as phones, with 34% of students reporting bypassing school filters to access games and social media. Students also reported using school tools like shared documents to chat about off-task topics.

Rep. Heather Rhyne (Photo: NC General Assembly)

Lawmakers questioned how far to take the findings. While voicing concern for the use of technology in schools, Rep. Heather Rhyne (R-Lincoln) said the survey represents a small number of students statewide, and cautioned against drawing broad conclusions from early data.

Burnell acknowledged the sample represents a very small fraction of the state, but noted the group is demographically representative, including 51.6% white, 12% Hispanic, and 9.6% Black participants

I think its crucial that we pause before we make decisions based on such a small sample size, Rhyne said. Im just not sure that this gives us the information that we need.

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Rhyne also pointed to enforcement, not policy, as the central issue, saying local school boards  not the state  are responsible for carrying out device restrictions.

If students dont feel like their policy is being enforced, or parents dont, those are the people theyve got to turn to, he said.

Rep. Tricia Cotham (R-Mecklenburg) asked whether students are using devices to bully classmates, noting that concerns about cyberbullying helped drive the legislation.

Burnell said the survey captured reports of both cyberbullying and in-school bullying, but said the preliminary data do not yet show how device policies are affecting those behaviors.

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She said the next phases of the study will track whether stricter rules are linked to changes in bullying over time. Previous research, she added, suggests limiting phone use can reduce those incidents, though not eliminate them.

Some lawmakers suggested the state may need to go further.

Sen. Kevin Corbin (R-Cherokee), who said he requested the presentation after hearing concerns from local school boards, floated the idea of a stricter, statewide approach  potentially banning phone use bell to bell during the school day.

Right now, he said, many schools allow phones at certain times, like lunch or homeroom, making enforcement inconsistent.

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Theyre allowing them to use them at different times during the day. Thats very difficult to police, Corbin said.

Researchers plan additional surveys this spring and fall to examine how device use relates to academics, behavior and bullying, including online harassment.
The US has been accused of muddled thinking in its prosecution of the Iran war, but Gulf leaders may be sending confused messages too: calling for de-escalation in public while reportedly urging the White House in private to keep hammering Iran. Officials from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have told their US counterparts they want the conflict to continue until Tehran changes its behaviour, according to the Associated Press. If so, those same Gulf officials may welcome the recent arrival of the US Armys elite 82nd Airborne Division  a move that could presage an assault on Iranian territory.

At the same time, foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Turkiye met in Pakistan on Sunday in search of a diplomatic solution. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatars Emir Sheikh Tamim, and Jordans King Abdullah II then met in Jeddah yesterday, with official readouts focusing on efforts to enhance regional security and joint Arab action to deal with the wars economic impact.

Keeping pace with Washington is difficult. Yesterday, US President Donald Trump again threatened Iran with the complete obliteration of its power and desalination plants if Tehran doesnt open the Strait of Hormuz. But he also told aides he could end the war even if the strait remained closed, according to The Wall Street Journal.
Protesters rallied outside the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors' Office on Monday, calling for the Men's Central Jail to be shut down.

Six years ago, the supervisors voted to close the jail -- which has been notorious for unsanitary conditions, overcrowding and in-custody deaths.

However, the closure process has been slow and marked by numerous setbacks.

"Folks are still dying in the jail. I just want to say that, my family, we miss John terribly. John been gone for 17 years," said Helen Jones, whose son, John Horton, died under extremely troubling circumstances while in custody in 2009.

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The county ended up paying the family a settlement in a wrongful death lawsuit.

After the 2020 vote, the Board of Supervisors put together a Jail Closure Implementation Team (JCIT).

According to the L.A. County chief executive officer's website, the team's mission is to safely and methodically depopulate and eventually close Men's Central Jail. It is guided by the "Care First, Jail Last" vision.

While the website lists "progress to date," including creating the JCIT in 2021 and creating a preliminary set of strategies for mitigating overcrowding, there have been no new entries in the progress section since August 2022.

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"On March 30, 2021, this county produced a report, and that was the Men's Central Jail Closure Report, and that report said, 'We know how to close this jail in 18 to 24 months.' Now, has this County Board of Supervisors done so? No," an advocate said at Monday's rally. "What they have done is give billions of dollars to a sheriff's department and a probations department that tortures people, abuses children, and that is why we saw a $4 billion settlement leave this county, the largest in L.A. County history, to pay for that 'care.'"

"No more. We said 'care first,' and millions of voters voted for it with Measure J. Millions of people here in L.A. County said, 'We want our tax dollars to actually address these issues,'" the advocate continued. "Treatment is more effective, more efficient and cheaper, and actually keeps us safe. Instead, we have a system that makes us less safe and kills more and more people who are not well."

SEE ALSO: California AG Rob Bonta files lawsuit over 'inhumane conditions' at LA County jails

The state Attorney General's Office sued L.A. County and the sheriff's department alleging persistent unconstitutional and inhumane conditions inside the jail system.

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Meanwhile, an advocacy group filed a lawsuit on Monday seeking a judicial declaration that voters' approval of a Los Angeles County charter overhaul measure in 2024 did not inadvertently repeal a previous ballot item that required the county to annually set aside money for jail-diversion and other social service programs.

The Los Angeles Superior Court lawsuit by Californians United for a Responsible Budget seeks a judicial review and declaration that Measure J -- approved by voters in November 2020 -- remains in effect and enforceable, despite the 2024 approval of the Measure G charter-reform package.

Measure J requires the county to set aside 10% of its locally generated, unrestricted money and spend it on jail-diversion programs and other social services aimed at preventing people from landing behind bars. The funds were intended to be used on programs such as job training, business development, housing services and youth development.

But last year, county officials discovered that the measure was never codified in the county charter after it was approved by voters. That gave rise to concerns that when county voters in 2024 approved Measure G, which updated the charter to overhaul county government with changes including an expanded Board of Supervisors and an elected CEO, Measure J was inadvertently repealed.

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County officials said last year that without some type of administrative action, Measure J will go away at the end of 2028.

The Board of Supervisors last year directed its staff to explore ways of correcting the administrative error.

But the lawsuit filed Monday by CURB contends that since Measure J wasn't codified until after the passage of Measure G, the newer measure could not have repealed the previous one.

"A charter amendment that had not yet been filed with the Secretary of State was not part of the charter, and a measure that was not part of the charter cannot have been repealed," attorney Dale Larson said in a statement. "California law does not permit a voter-approved reform of this magnitude to be erased by a clerical error, and we are simply asking the court to confirm what the law already makes plain."

City News Service contributed to this report.
President Trump's decision to launch strikes against Iran has won support from most Senate Republicans, but Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul is the lone exception.

Paul, the chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, said Mr. Trump should not have acted without congressional approval and argues that the president isn't allowed to begin any military action in the absence of that approval or an imminent attack. For the senator, this moment is testing whether the Republican-controlled Congress will assert itself  as one of the country's founding fathers, James Madison, intended.

"Madison said that we would give the legislature certain powers and the president certain powers. And as each tried to grasp for the power, they would check and balance each other," said Paul. "I don't think our founders ever imagined our current Congress that is completely lacking in ambition. They don't check the president."

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As for checking Mr. Trump, Paul started doing that more than a decade ago, when they had competing White House bids leading up to the 2016 presidential election. Since then, the two have mostly patched things up. But the senator isn't afraid to break with Mr. Trump, especially when he feels hawkish advisers are in the president's ear.

"I think he was misled by some of the more aggressive people," said Paul, adding that the president's "basic instincts have been for less war."

Should the Iran war escalate and continue, Paul said the political and economic costs could be significant.

"On the political landscape, I think the longer this goes on, the less likely Republicans are able to hold onto the House and Senate," said the senator, who believes congressional Republicans may face another reckoning soon, as the Trump administration requests $200 billion of additional funding for the war.

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Paul said he will not vote for the supplemental funding because he doesn't want the war to continue. The Pentagon has not specifically responded to the news of how Paul has decided to vote.

"Most people will accept the argument and say, 'Oh, you can't quit funding 'em. They're over there,'" he said of soldiers overseas. "But, actually, if they weren't funded, they'd be brought home."

Closer to home, the partial government shutdown continues over fully funding the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, snarling air travel and causing Transportation Security Administration workers to go for more than a month without pay.

On Friday, Mr. Trump signed an executive order to pay them using funds from the One Big Beautiful Bill that was passed late last year. But the government, Paul says, will keep facing fiscal standoffs.

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"We're going to have another one of these in six months, you know? The spending will expire come the end of September," he said, since the bill to fund DHS would be effective through September. "So, I'm not against the fight. In fact, I want to make the fight such that we're fighting over the increases and not the salaries."

Making things even trickier on the homeland front is Paul's testy relationship with Mr. Trump's new pick to run DHS, Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Paul opposed the nomination over Mullin's character and response to a 2017 incident where Paul was assaulted.

Mullin addressed the conflict with Paul in his opening statement after being sworn in as secretary, saying he "won't back down from a challenge" and will also admit when he's wrong.

Paul said he hasn't had a conversation with Mullin since he was sworn in, but they'll "operate in a professional manner as time goes on."

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The senator's support of Kentucky Rep. Tom Massie, another Libertarian and Republican critic of the Trump administration's handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files, is another flashpoint with Mr. Trump. The president has endorsed Ed Gallrein, Massie's relatively unknown, pro-Trump opponent in the Kentucky primary election.

"You can like Donald Trump and Thomas Massie, because they represent a lot of the same things," said Paul. "But Massie represents an independence of spirit that I think you want in your legislator. If you want a rubber stamp, we could just have AI."

Paul's maverick streak follows in the footsteps of his father, former Texas congressman Ron Paul, a Libertarian hero and three-time presidential hopeful. With the 2028 election just around the corner, the senator said he isn't ruling out another run of his own.

"We're thinking about it, and I would say 50/50," he said, adding that he intends to decide after the midterms. "But I'm not going to do it just to do it. It would be, one, because we need to have a free market wing. We need to have a free trade wing in the party. And we need to have a wing of the party who's not eager for war and tries to at least explore diplomacy as an option to war."

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The ideal election policy is easy to state and hard to achieve. Elections should be well-run and secure while remaining accessible to every eligible voter. Votes should be counted accurately, and the process should inspire confidence. Even if your candidate didnt win, you should know the election was conducted fairly.

Elections are the heart of democracy, wrote former President Jimmy Carter and former Secretary of State James A. Baker III in a 2005 report. When elections are defective, the legitimacy of representative government itself is at risk.

Election reform in Michigan feels daunting. Voters have lived through multiple cycles of election drama, from Green Party presidential candidate Jill Steins 2016 recount to the bitter disputes of the 2020 presidential race. Overwrought rhetoric can crowd out good-faith debate, whether through undocumented claims of voter fraud or blind insistence that fraud never occurs. Each political party analyzes proposals based on how the proposal helps one side or disadvantages the other side.

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No wonder these debates are so difficult.

Michael Reitz

A useful way to think about election policy is a quadrant  lets call it the Election Reform Matrix.

The vertical axis shows which level of government has the authority to act. At the top of the spectrum, some election policy is shaped at the national level by Congress and federal courts. The U.S. Constitution gives the states significant power to administrate elections, which is the middle of the spectrum. At the lower end, local election officials oversee voter-facing interactions.

Quiet at the voting booths early Tuesday morning, in the Michigan primary at Northwest Activities Center in Detroit, Michigan on August 5, 2025.

The horizontal axis asks what a proposal aims to do. On one end of the spectrum are policies focused on election security  preventing illegal votes, requiring photo identification and restricting ballot harvesting. On the other end are policies aimed at ease and access  same-day registration, early voting and ballot drop boxes. These two goals, security and access, are often in tension.

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Nearly every election policy can be plotted on this quadrant.

The Michigan Legislature is deadlocked on voting reforms, so advocates have gone straight to the voters. Voters approved a citizen redistricting commission in 2018, then altered term limits and expanded voting access in 2022. This November, voters may be asked to approve a citizenship verification requirement. Governing elections through ballot initiatives risks a policy seesaw, with election rules swinging back and forth.

So, what is actually possible?

Any election reform effort should start with guiding principles. Reforms should be forward-facing, not an attempt to relitigate past elections. Given Michigans divided government, policymakers should focus on potential common ground rather than the most aggressive options on the Election Reform Matrix. Practical, narrowly focused reforms are more likely to inspire broad confidence. Ideally this includes a serious, bipartisan legislative conversation, informed by county clerks, advocacy groups and the public.

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One possible starting point is the accuracy of state voter rolls. Inaccurate voter lists create downstream problems, from Election Day confusion to opportunities for fraud. Maintaining up-to-date voter rolls is defensible policy where the twin aims of security and access overlap. We can aim for competence, transparency and accuracy.

Another opportunity: Michigan has enacted major election law changes in recent years. Before layering on more changes, policymakers should examine whether those recent reforms are working or if they have created unintended consequences.

The next time you see an election proposal, ask yourself, Where does this idea fall on the Election Reform Matrix? Does the proposal strengthen election integrity without disenfranchising voters? Does it increase the risk of errors?

Michigans leaders can choose to fight the last election, but it would be better to enact reforms that build confidence no matter who wins the next one.

Michael J. Reitz is executive vice president of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy.

This article originally appeared on The Detroit News: Reitz: What election reforms are actually possible?
The states highest court has ordered a lower court to reconsider a lawsuit over the residency claims of one legislative candidate, saying the judge was too quick to dismiss the suit by an incumbent legislator.

After an hourlong hearing Monday, the Maryland Supreme Court overturned an Anne Arundel Circuit Court ruling that dismissed the lawsuit filed by Del. Gary Simmons (D-Anne Arundel) against Democratic challenger John Dove Jr.

In that ruling, Anne Arundel County Circuit Judge Robert J. Thompson said Dove had until May 3 to meet the residency requirement. Simmons lawsuit, the judge ruled, was filed too soon.

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The Supreme Court disagreed.

A majority of the court concludes that Mr. Simmonss challenge is ripe with respect to his claim that Mr. Dove failed to satisfy requirements in the Election Law Article to be lawfully registered to vote in, and to reside or have a place of abode in, Legislative District 12B at the time he filed his certificate of candidacy, the court ruled Monday afternoon.

The order calls for the circuit court to address both the residency requirement as well as whether Dove misrepresented his residential address on the certificate.

The court ordered a new hearing be held with a decision issued no later than noon on April 6. Any appeal of that decision would have to be filed no later than 4 p.m. April 6.

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This decision was the first step toward righting a wrong, said Robbie Leonard, a Towson attorney who represents Simmons. We are grateful for the opportunity to continue to make the case that voters in Maryland deserve to have a representative who is truly a member of their community  not just another name on the ballot.

Simmons, a first-term lawmaker, filed his lawsuit March 11 claiming that Dove is ineligible to run because he does not live in District 12B, where he registered as a candidate.

Simmons alleges Dove lives in a home in Gambrills. A week before the filing deadline, Dove allegedly changed his home address to a property in Pasadena.

Simmons and his attorney maintain that Dove still does not live at the Pasadena home. They further allege that Dove perjured himself by changing his address and later filing to run in a district in which he does not live.

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Dove is represented by Jill Carter, a former state senator.

Carter, in the circuit court case, argued for a dismissal. She said the six-month residency requirement is counted backward from the date of the general election, giving Dove until May 3 to move into the district.

Thompson agreed.

Simmons argument appears to have some support from the Maryland State Board of Elections.

The boards view is that you have to be a valid registered voter in the district for the office that youre running to file for, and you cant be a registered voter in a district that you dont live in, said Julia Doyle, an attorney representing the state board before the Supreme Court Monday.

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The May 3 deadline that he proposes is 13 days after the certification of the ballot. Its after the ballots are printed, she said. Its only a few days, what, six days before they have to mail to overseas voters. And  seven days before they get mailed to domestic voters.

On Monday, Carter called the argument made by Leonard and Doyle an interesting theory.

The Constitution sets the residency requirement, any statutory requirement springs to them. The statutes cannot accelerate what the Constitution says is required, said Carter, who also seemed to acknowledge some conflict between the election calendar and its legal requirements and the wording of the Maryland Constitution.

There may be some work here for the legislature to do, or even the board of elections, but at this point, the circuit court judge, Judge Thompson, was absolutely correct when he said it was premature, Carter said.
No one knows how or when Trump will decide to end the war, and therefore all the Gulf states are worried, one of the sources said.

UAE President Mohammed bin Zayed and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have warned US President Donald Trump in recent days against ending the Iran war without securing meaningful constraints on Tehrans regional threat, two sources familiar with the matter told The Jerusalem Post on Tuesday.

Their concern centers on the possibility that Iran could emerge from the conflict still capable of endangering neighboring states and disrupting maritime traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

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The sources told the Post that both leaders have been pressing Trump behind closed doors not to offer concessions that would leave Irans military posture fundamentally intact.

No one knows how or when Trump will decide to end the war, and therefore all the Gulf states are worried, one of the sources said.

They noted that the Emirati and Saudi leadership view the current conflict as a rare strategic opening to weaken Irans ability to project power across the Gulf.

Their message to Trump and other senior US officials has been that this is a historic opportunity and that any endgame should leave Iran unable to resume the pattern of coercion that has defined its regional posture.

US President Donald Trump gestures as he steps from Air Force One upon his arrival in West Palm Beach, Florida, US, March 20, 2026 (credit: REUTERS/KEVIN LAMARQUE)

Gulf states seek tougher endgame on Iran, Hormuz

Anwar Gargash, diplomatic adviser to the UAE president, recently said that any political resolution to Irans attacks on Gulf states must include guarantees against renewed attacks, as well as compensation for loss of life and damage to critical infrastructure.

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Gargash also made clear that, in Abu Dhabis view, the war should not end with a ceasefire alone, but with concrete limits on Irans nuclear program, drones, missiles, and conduct in the Strait of Hormuz.

Saudi officials have not issued equally explicit public demands, but people familiar with the discussions said Riyadh has privately argued that the conflict should continue until Iran no longer constitutes a serious regional threat.

One of the clearest examples of that concern is the Strait of Hormuz, through which about one-fifth of global oil exports pass. Gulf officials fear Trump could accept an end to hostilities without first ensuring full freedom of navigation there, especially as The Wall Street Journal reported on Monday that the president has told aides he is willing to end the war even if the waterway remains largely closed, one day before publication of this article.

That concern was reinforced during a White House briefing on Monday, March 30, 2026, in the US when press secretary Karoline Leavitt set out the administrations stated war aims. She said the objectives were the destruction of Irans navy, the elimination of ballistic missiles, the dismantling of defense-industrial infrastructure used to threaten the United States and its allies, and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.

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Asked whether restoring full freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz was also a central objective, Leavitt said the administration was working toward reopening the strait, but stopped short of defining it as one of the operations core goals.

For Gulf capitals that have spent weeks under Iranian missile and drone pressure, that distinction has deepened fears that Washingtons definition of success may fall short of their own security requirements.

Gulf pressure grows as Trump weighs wars end

The White House position comes as Trump has publicly mixed threats of escalation with suggestions that a deal may be near. On Monday, he again warned Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on oil wells, power plants, and other infrastructure, while recent reporting also indicated he is considering avoiding a longer military operation to fully reopen the passage by force.

For the UAE and Saudi Arabia, the issue is no longer only the current round of fighting, but what Iran could still do after it ends.

The situation must conclude with curbing the nuclear threat, drones, missiles, and Iranian aggression in the Strait of Hormuz, Gargash said, encapsulating a view increasingly shared across Gulf leadership circles.
HELSINKI, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Finland is moving to speed up plans to strengthen its counter-drone capabilities after two drones entered Finnish airspace and crashed near the southeastern town of Kouvola over the weekend, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Tuesday.

Speaking at a press conference in Helsinki, Orpo said decisions will be taken no later than the cabinet's financial seminar in late April.

"In the coming years, we will spend significant sums on countering the drone threat. If there is an urgent need now, more funding will be made available quickly," he said.

Meanwhile, Orpo reassured that there is no indication that the drones were sent to Finland deliberately. "There is no military threat to Finland," he said.

The incident took place on Sunday morning, when two armed drones, believed to be Ukrainian, entered Finnish airspace and crashed in separate locations near Kouvola, with no injuries reported.

Ukraine has apologized to Finland over the incident. A representative of Ukraine's foreign ministry said on Monday that the drones were not been targeting Finland under any circumstances and that their entry into Finnish territory was likely caused by Russian electronic interference. 
We launched a plan we call For Iran, which is a registration program for homeland defense fighters, Nadali told state media. We set the minimum age at 12 years and above.

The Islamic regimes revolutionary guards has stepped up campaigns to recruit children as young as 12 to join the military, Rahim Nadali, the cultural and artistic deputy of the IRGCs Mohammad Rasoulollah Corps, told Irans Defa Press Agency last week.

We launched a plan we call For Iran, which is a registration program for homeland defense fighters, Nadali told state media. We set the minimum age at 12 years and above.

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The recruitment drive aims to see civilians support the regime with cooking services and medical care; distributing items; and dealing with damaged homes, as well as in security activities, such as staffing checkpoints, operational patrols, intelligence patrols, and vehicle convoys.

Nadali said that [about] intelligence and operational patrols, teenagers and the youth repeatedly have come and said that they want to take part in them. For the Basij checkpoints that you see across cities now, we have had many young people and teenagers demanding to be present in them. Given the ages that were making demands, we have set the [minimum] age at 12. Meaning now there are kids of 12 and 13 who want to be present in this space.

A CHILD sits on a missile warhead at the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) Aerospace Force Museum in Tehran, Iran, November 15, 2024. (credit: Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia press Agency) via REUTERS)

Human rights groups have warned that recruiting minors under the age of 15 constitutes a war crime and is a grave violation of childrens rights.

Children can register at mosques with Basij bases.

Human Rights Watch condemns Iran's military recruitment of children

There is no excuse for a military recruitment drive that targets children to sign up, much less 12-year-olds, Human Rights Watch Associate Childrens Rights Director Bill Van Esveld said. What this boils down to is that Iranian authorities are apparently willing to risk childrens lives for some extra manpower.

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Only days after Nadalis announcement, 11-year-old Alireza Jafari was reportedly killed at a military checkpoint, according to state media. The Basij Teachers Organization confirmed the minor was killed on duty.

Jafaris mother told the Hamshahri newspaper that a personnel shortage had led her husband to take their son to work with him.

The officials involved in this reprehensible policy are putting children at risk of serious and irreversible harm and themselves at risk of criminal liability, Van Esveld said. Senior leaders who fail to put a stop to this can make no claim to care for Irans children.

This is not the first time the Islamic regime has relied on child soldiers to fill personnel gaps. During the Iran-Iraq war, the regime allowed children as young as nine to clear minefields, compensating impoverished families when the children were killed fulfilling their duties.

Former child recruit describes devastating psychological impact

Afshin Javid, a former child recruit for the Basij paramilitary force who was recruited at age 12 to help with morality policing and later went on to clear minefields before joining the executions team, toldThe Jerusalem Post that the psychological impact on children was devastating.

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When a Muslim becomes a true follower of Allah, then you have to go to war. You become a soldier of Allah to go to war with the hope of being a martyr. So the destination is not the destruction or the conversion of the infidel, but the hope is actually more based on the reward that comes, hoping you die, he explained.

From childhood, its taught, Hey, kill the infidels. In this case, kill the Jews. So that idea is rooted in their belief, and then out of that comes the teaching of Islam that is in every family. This is not only child marriages, but the belief in child soldiers. So this is the very womb that creates an environment for all of the child soldiers to be recruited.

Everything from the family unit, the media, and the schooling system teaches children that dying for Allah is a privilege, preventing children from seeing a future as a lawyer or a doctor or dreaming of any career path or family life that could be emotionally and physically rewarding, he explained.

Imagine giving a child the power of holding a gun and saying that you are able to take the life of an infidel and youre going to get rewarded, he concluded, noting that it was a difficult mentality for many to understand.
By Guy Faulconbridge

MOSCOW, March 31 (Reuters) - Russia is going to further clamp down Virtual Private Networks (VPNs), which are used by millions of Russians to get around internet controls and censorship, Russia's digital minister said.

In what has been cast by diplomats as Russia's "great crackdown", the authorities have repeatedly blocked mobile internet and jammed major messenger services while giving sweeping powers to cut off mass communications.

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"The task is reduce VPN usage," Digital Minister Maksut Shadayev said on state-backed messenger MAX late on Monday, adding that his ministry was trying to impose the limits with minimal impact on users.

He said decisions had been taken to restrict access to a number of unidentified foreign platforms without giving details.

After the 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Russia imposed the most repressive laws seen since Soviet times, ordering censorship and bolstering the influence of the Federal Security Service, the main successor to the Soviet-era KGB.

But in recent months, the state has gone much further: it blocked WhatsApp, has slowed down Telegram and has repeatedly jammed mobile internet in Moscow and other cities and regions.

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The Kremlin says foreign platforms have failed to abide by the law and that mobile internet restrictions are necessary to counter mass Ukrainian drone strikes.

By mid-January, Russia had blocked more than 400 VPNs, 70% more than late last year, according to the Kommersant newspaper.

But it is a game of cat and mouse: as soon as the authorities take down one VPN, another appears and many young Russians change their VPNs daily, according to Reuters reporters.

(Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
Russia is using interceptors armed with metallic rods to joust Ukrainian drones in the sky.

One video purports to show a Russian first-person-view (FPV) interceptor drone descending on a Ukrainian Darts-type loitering strike drone before impaling its lithium battery with two metallic rods.

The Ukrainian kamikaze drone bursts into flames and spirals out of the sky. The interceptor miraculously seems intact.

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Similar clips show FPV drones resembling cattle prods launching themselves at cruising Ukrainian fighter drones from above, with mixed success, in what is being called a modern drone joust online.

Some Ukrainian drones use wings made of polystyrene or foam board to lower manufacturing costs and simplify production, making them easy to pierce.

A video of a Russian drone appears to show it skewering the lithium battery of a Ukrainian drone with two metallic rods

Such brute force methods are becoming increasingly visible on the battlefield, with interceptor drones deploying not only metal rods but also trident-like instruments to thrust through enemy unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).

On the Russian side, interceptor drones equipped with rods designed to physically impale Ukrainian low-cost drones have become increasingly common over the past year, said David Kirichenko, a Ukrainian journalist and autonomous systems expert at the Henry Jackson Society.

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This marks an evolution from earlier, where Russian operators simply attempted to collide with targets and knock them off balance, he added.

The primary advantage of using this sort of ramming tactic without the usual explosive warhead would be the option to possibly be able to recover and reuse the interceptor drone after a successful hit, explained Prof Justin Bronk, a senior research fellow for airpower and technology at the Royal United Services Institute.

However, any such theoretical advantages are tempered by the practical limitations of such a clumsy method.

In practice, most such hits would probably end up damaging the interceptor drone too. A direct impact like this one is also more difficult to reliably achieve than a proximity detonation with an explosive warhead, Prof Bronk said.

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Although the war in Ukraine is often credited with beginning a rapid drone arms race characterised by the emergence of futuristic innovations, the proliferation of drones on the battlefield is leading to some rudimentary counter-measures.

Late in February, drone operators in Ukraines eastern Kharkiv region discovered that one of their Backfire bomber drones had been impaled by a trident made from nails and thin steel rods, according to a unit commander who spoke to Business Insider.

The 60cm-long object had apparently been launched from a Russian drone at an altitude of 800m, and had become deeply lodged in the Backfire drones fuselage. However, the UAV bomber, which cruises at around 60mph, had survived the attack.

Earlier this year, Ukrainian paratroopers released footage of themselves going fishing for Russian drones using rods attached to their own UAVs.

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In the clips, members of the 46th Separate Airmobile Brigade ensnare in mid-air at least two Russian drones, a fixed-wing aircraft and a quadcopter, using a hook fixed to a cord protruding from the chassis of the interceptor.

In 2024, Ukraines Special Operations forces shared clips of a Ukrainian drone mounted with a stick using it to repeatedly beat a Russian ZALA reconnaissance drone in mid-air.

Both sides are experimenting with whatever low-cost technologies and solutions that they can field to counter drones. Recently, more footage has emerged of Ukrainian interceptor drones deploying nets to disable Russian UAVs in flight, said Mr Kirichenko.

Samuel Bendett, an analyst with the Centre for Naval Analyses, a think tank in Virginia, described the use of rod impalers as one of the DIY methods used to down drones at the front. He compared it to more established improvised tactics such as the strong string suspended from a quadcopter via weight that entangles adversary drones and makes them crash.

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However, he expressed doubts about the tactics efficacy: Using metal rods to impale a drone could be a one-way trip for both UAVs.

Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.
A Russian-owned tanker carrying an estimated 730,000 barrels of crude oil has docked on the northern coast of Cuba, ending a near-total fuel blockade by the US on the communist-run island.

The tanker's arrival marks the first crude oil shipment to dock in one of Cuba's ports since early January.

It follows an apparent softening in Washington's oil blockade, after US President Donald Trump said last weekend that he had "no problem" with countries sending fuel to Cuba.

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The country has been hit by a series of nationwide blackouts, and most hospitals have been unable to operate normally, with severe rationing in place.

The Anatoly Kolodkin oil tanker arrived in the port of Matanzas, east of Havana, on Tuesday.

Trump said on Sunday that he did not object to other nations sending oil to the island because Cubans "have to survive".

Cuba was cut off from oil supplies in January after US forces captured its main regional ally, Venezuela's socialist leader Nicolas Maduro - and Trump threatened to impose tariffs on countries that sent oil to the island.

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White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday: "We allowed this ship to reach Cuba in order to provide humanitarian needs to the Cuban people. These decisions are being made on a case-by-case basis."

However, Washington said there has been no change in policy and the oil blockade remains in place.

While the crude oil is now in Cuba, it still needs to be refined at an ageing refinery in Havana  a process which could take longer than a week.

The island has been feeling the effects of the blockade with most hospitals unable to function normally and schools and government offices being forced to close. Cuba's main economic motor of tourism has also been impacted.

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Drivers have been limited to purchasing a maximum of 20 litres at petrol pumps, for which they must join a waiting list via a state-run app. Wait times can last several weeks, and the fuel must be paid for in US dollars.

Analysts have said the Russian oil would buy the Cuban economy only a few weeks. Jorge Pinon, an expert on Cuba's energy sector at the University of Texas at Austin, said the more urgent need is diesel, which could be used for backup power generators or for transportation systems.
MATANZAS, Cuba (AP)  A Russian tanker docked Tuesday at the Cuban port of Matanzas laden with 730,000 barrels of oil, marking the first time in three months that an oil tanker reached the island.

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump had allowed the Anatoly Kolodkin to proceed despite an ongoing U.S. energy blockade.

Cubans including Energy and Mines Minister Vicente de la O Levy cheered the ships arrival. A shortage of petroleum has exacerbated a deep economic crisis that has left the population mired in long blackouts and facing a severe shortage of food and medicine.

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Our gratitude to the Government and People of Russia for all the support we are receiving. A valuable shipment that arrives amid the complex energy situation we are facing, de la O Levy wrote on X.

Cuba produces barely 40% of its required fuel and relies on imports to sustain its energy grid. Experts say the anticipated shipment could produce about 180,000 barrels of diesel, enough to feed Cubas daily demand for nine or 10 days.

The arrival of an oil tanker to a country has likely never generated so much news as the Russian one to Cuba, wrote Cuban Deputy Foreign Minister Carlos Fernandez de Cossio on X. Its a sign of the brutal siege Cubans endure with heroism and stoicism. Its a demonstration of the criminal cruelty of imperialism against a nation that refuses to be dominated.

Some Cubans, however, wondered who would benefit from the newly arrived shipment.

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A ship comes; it gives us aid. But who does it go to? Because we dont get anything here, said 54-year-old Matanzas resident Leticia Almeida Barcelo. "The ships that come in with oil or anything else dont give us anything. Because were still stuck with blackouts, with water shortages, with shortages and shortages, and we need everything.

The vessel's arrival was watched by some fishermen as it docked under the early morning sun.

Weve been waiting for the ship to arrive because its been some time since any ship entered, said 50-year-old Armando Ramirez. And it is needed here for the people, for Cuba.

Others celebrating the arrival included Matanzas resident Camilo Galves, who watched the ship dock from his home.

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This is undoubtedly a great relief for the Cuban people and a moment of great joy for us amid so many hardships we are experiencing, he said. Its yet another sign that we are not alone in the world.

Cuba used to receive most of its oil from Venezuela, but those shipments were halted ever since the U.S. attacked the South American country and arrested its leader in early January.

Since then, Mexico also has halted its oil shipments to Cuba as Trump threatened in late January to impose tariffs on any country that sells or provides oil to the island. The U.S. administration is demanding that Cuba's government ease political repression and liberalize its economy for a lifting of sanctions.

On Sunday night, Trump had said he had no problem with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island,

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We dont mind having somebody get a boatload because they need  they have to survive, Trump told reporters as he flew back to Washington.

Cubas finished, he added. They have a bad regime. They have very bad and corrupt leadership and whether or not they get a boat of oil, its not going to matter.

The vessel is sanctioned by the United States, the European Union and the United Kingdom following the war in Ukraine.

On Monday, when asked about Trumps decision to allow the Russian oil tanker and not ones from other countries, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a decision that will continue to be made on a case-by-case basis for humanitarian reasons or otherwise, adding that theres been no firm change in our sanctions policy.

Trump and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio have been pressuring for major changes in Cuba's policies and governance. Both sides have said talks are taking place, as the island's economic and energetic crises deepen.
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI)  Most government offices in San Diego County were closed to the public on Tuesday in observance of what was formerly called Cesar Chavez Day.

On Tuesday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proclaimed March 31 as Farmworkers Day to commemorate those who contribute to Americas agricultural landscape.

San Diego County public offices, family resource centers, libraries and animal shelters closed on Tuesday in observance of a state holiday, although the name change from Cesar Chavez Day has yet to officially take place within the county.

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San Diego to rename facilities named after Cesar Chavez

According to a statement from the countys communications office, the County Board of Supervisors directed the countys chief administrative officer on March 25 to rename Cesar Chavez Day to Farmworkers Day through changes in the county administrative code and compensation ordinance. The chances are expected to return to the board on April 21.

The state holiday closures in San Diego County include the following recreational centers:

Fallbrook Community Center

Lakeside Community Center

Spring Valley Community Center

Spring Valley Gymnasium

4S Ranch Recreation Office only (all parks will be open)

Valley Center Community Hall

Adams Park Pool

Community Teen Centers

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However, all county parks, campgrounds and neighborhood day-use parks remain open. All essential services such as law enforcement and emergency animal control response will continue on Tuesday.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News.




The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday imposed new safety restrictions on landings at San Francisco International Airport, a move expected to reduce the number of flights that can arrive per hour and increase the risk of delays for travelers.

"San Francisco International Airport (SFO) will experience some flight delays due to a runway repaving project and an FAA safety measure," the agency said in a statement to the Chronicle.

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At the same time, the agency said it was prohibiting flights from making side-by-side approaches to SFO's parallel east-west runways, even in clear weather, when pilots can see nearby aircraft.

"It requires staggered approaches, with one aircraft offset from the aircraft on the parallel runway," the FAA said.

The FAA said the change follows an internal review that found the procedures did not align with the agency's aircraft separation policy. The agency noted that side-by-side approaches were already prohibited in bad weather.

The Federal Aviation Administration on Tuesday imposed new safety restrictions on landings at San Francisco International Airport, a move expected to reduce the number of flights that can arrive per hour, increasing the risk of delays for travelers. (Gabrielle Lurie/S.F. Chronicle)





Together, the changes will cut the airport's maximum arrival rate from 54 flights per hour to 36, according to Reuters. The news agency also reported that the FAA does not plan to lift the approach restrictions after the runway project is completed.

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The airport closed Runway 1 Right on Monday for a six-month construction project to repave the surface, upgrade taxiways and complete other improvements. Because of the closure, SFO had already been operating with a reduced arrival rate of about 45 flights per hour.

The new FAA restrictions further cut that capacity to 36 arrivals per hour. While the runway work is temporary, the FAA said the changes to approach procedures are separate and will remain in place.

Once construction is completed, arrival rates are expected to rise back to about 45 flights per hour under the revised FAA rules, according to airport officials.

Side-by-side approaches had been permitted at SFO in clear weather.

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"The FAA has made us aware of this reduced arrival rate," said Doug Yakel, a spokesperson for San Francisco International Airport. "While we were forecasting about 15% of flights being delayed by our runway project, we expect this change will increase the delay potential to approximately 25% of arriving flights experiencing a delay of at least 30 minutes. We are working with the FAA on ways to improve the arrival rate at SFO."

The FAA confirmed it was "exploring ways to safely increase the airport arrival rate."

The runway project, which began this week and is expected to continue through early October, centers on repaving Runway 1R/19L and upgrading adjacent taxiways, lighting and markings, according to airport officials. The $180 million project is partly funded by the FAA.

During construction, arrivals and departures are being consolidated onto Runways 28R and 28L, while Runway 1L is being used as a taxiway.

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Airport officials said some communities could see a temporary increase in departing air traffic overhead.

The changes come as federal regulators increase scrutiny of aviation safety.

Reuters reported that the FAA cited recent incidents involving aircraft and helicopters, including a near miss near San Antonio. The new measures also follow a January 2025 midair collision between an American Airlines regional jet and an Army helicopter that killed 67 people.

United Airlines accounts for roughly half of passenger traffic at SFO, with Alaska Airlines a distant second at about 10%, according to airport data.

This article originally published at SFO flights expected to face major delays under new FAA landing limits.
Seven months ago, few outside of the Australian state of Victoria had heard of the town of Porepunkah, with its population of just over 1,000 people.

But the fatal shooting of two police officers by local Dezi Freeman last August, and the manhunt that followed, thrust it into the headlines not just in Australia, but around the world.

That manhunt - one of the largest in Australian police history - ended on Monday, after officers shot Freeman dead following a three-hour stand-off at a property almost two hours' drive north of Porepunkah.

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Back in the town where Freeman had lived with his family, few wanted to speak on the record.

Those who did speak to the BBC and other outlets expressed a range of emotions: relief bordering on happiness, hope the town might now start to recover, and anger at what it has gone through already. One resident told the BBC the town had been "ruined" by the media spotlight.

But the overwhelming feeling is sorrow, Marcus Warner said, a long-time search-and-rescue volunteer in the region and its chamber of commerce president.

Victoria's Alpine region is home to a very small, close-knit community, in which both the Freeman family and the slain officers Neal Thompson and Vadim de Waart were well-known.

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"There was a degree of shock to hear that had happened and it didn't take very long then for a wave of sadness to fall," Warner said of Monday morning's stand-off, which came a month after police said they believed Freeman to be dead.

"To some degree it's a weight lifted off our shoulders. We feel we can breathe again. Obviously there's still a long healing process, emotionally, psychologically, economically - a lot of the financial losses will never be recovered."

The town of Porepunkah has struggled since the shooting [Annie Brown/ABC News]

In a social media post, Freeman's eldest son Koah said he was struggling to watch some people celebrate his dad's death while his family grieved.

"I am not here to defend my father's actions because I know what he did was wrong," he wrote in a local community noticeboard.

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"Just bear in mind that to you [he] was a cop killer, but to me that's still my father who raised me."

"I hope you all realise that I am looking at everything you are saying, and that you all realise how this is making me feel."

Asking people to have some empathy for his family, he said he is now focused on helping them find peace.

The attention of the media, public scrutiny over reported pockets of conspiracy theorists in the town, and repeated police protestations that people in the region must be helping Freeman have created some angst in the community, Warner admits.

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But he says they remain united.

"What you read online versus what I hear and see each day in our community are poles apart. There are some people with polarising views, but I would say you could count them on one hand. We're a population of several thousand up here."

He hopes the community's strong ties will help those affected - including Freeman's family - to recover.

"I think we might see people rebuilding their lives in different stages and at different speeds, but hopefully they've got the right help and they talk to each other," he said.

"As a community, I think we'll definitely be there for them."

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Alpine Shire Mayor Sarah Nicholas had a similar message: reach out for support.

"Our community has been deeply affected by these recent events, which have had a significant impact on many individuals and families," she said in a statement.

"We will be doing everything we can to continue supporting our community through this difficult time."

Meanwhile, Freeman's former neighbours - named only as Richard and Bianca - told Channel Nine's A Current Affair programme that the 54-year-old's death would mean "less anxious nights" for them.

Even so, they would "have liked it to end a different way", Richard said.

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"But he [Dezi] had to account for his actions. It means we can forget about it. It's not a happy story."

Senior Constable Vadim De Waart and Detective Neal Thompson were named as the officers killed in August [Victoria Police]

In the neighbouring town of Bright - just 6km (3.7 mi) away - business owner Balin Foley hoped the end of the manhunt might now allow the area to rebuild its tourism industry, which had been hit hard.

"That'll take a little bit of time because people are going to remember it for the next couple of years," Foley, 33, told the Herald Sun.

"It was a big event that happened, but I think there's enough good things that happen around the town that will overshadow it eventually."

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Further away, friends of the dead officers were remembering the men they had lost - and speaking of their relief that Freeman had been found.

Peter D'Mello, a friend of De Waart, told The Age it was "bittersweet" that Freeman met the same fate as the two officers he killed in the line of duty.

John Bird, a friend of Thompson's, told ABC it brought a "finalisation" to the case.

"It doesn't bring Thommo back or anything like that, but now there's less talk about it," Bird said.
(The Center Square)  Shreveport has already spent more than $450 million addressing wastewater system deficiencies identified by the Environmental Protection Agency, but the city still faces a long road ahead, with costs projected to reach $1 billion over 20 years.

Addressing wastewater system failures is Shreveports single largest financial obligation, according to a project report.

In the first five years of a 12-year EPA remediation plan, the city exceeded its original total estimate of $350 million by 29%, decades before the program will be complete. The city agreed to fix its problems in 12 years but now says it needs 15-20 more years.The city anticipates a decision by years end regarding its request for an extension to fulfill those repair obligations. In 2014, the city entered into a consent decree to reduce overflows from its sewer system and resolve violations of the Clean Water Act. Plaintiffs include the Department of Justice, the EPA and the state of Louisiana.

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According to the decree, Shreveport agreed to repair the system in five phases by November 2026. City officials have repeatedly said Shreveport cannot not meet the deadline. The city is relying on the approval of an extension. A project report lists the first two phases as done but progress slowed at the third phase due to the citys limited financial resources and inability to fully fund all phase 3 projects, which came during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, the city focused on cleaning and inspection of sewer lines, assessed and repaired lift stations, continued manhole inspections and evaluations. It also updated hydraulic models, including the Southern Hills interceptor and lift station improvements, according to the annual report.

Shreveports inability to successfully manage the infrastructure failure spans four mayors  Cedric Glover, Ollie Tyler, Adrian Perkins and Tom Arceneaux  and three city councils.

Paul Calamita, chairman and managing partner of Virginia-based AquaLaw, is the citys lead attorney and negotiator. Since 2020, the firm has been paid just under $200,000.

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The city of Shreveport does not comment on ongoing litigation," Calamita said in an email to The Center Square.Weve been trying to work with the Justice Department and EPA to accomplish the same things in slightly different orders, and perhaps not the extreme that the original decree required, Arceneaux told The Center Square. Perhaps at the beginning, we bit off more than we could chew without an escape valve.

Ratepayers have felt the effects, particularly low- and fixed-income residents. Between 2013 and 2022, sewer utility rates increased by 177%, according to project documents.

A low-income individual typically spends a larger portion of income on water and sewer costs  considered necessities  so when rates are raised, the impact is relatively greater.

What weve been arguing is that our population cannot sustain the kinds of rate increases that would be required under a quicker resolution of the physical issues, Arceneaux said. That is a big part of our argument for additional time.

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Further straining resources, federal agencies demanded $17.7 million in penalties beginning in 2022. The city is negotiating settlements or forgiveness to lessen the penalties.

Were resisting that strenuously, Arceneaux said. We ought to take that (money) and devote it to solving the problem, instead of putting it into the vast pit that is the federal budget.

Were continuing to spend money to comply with this consent decree  and penalizing us on top of that puts the burden on our ratepayers. To pay that, we have to increase sewer rates and we believe that is unfair, he said. Rate increases would likely be driving people away from Shreveport.The city is attempting to leverage federal loans, state grants and local bond options to secure more funding sources.

This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Shreveport faces $1 billion wastewater system cost and decades to fix
MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A firefighter was killed while responding to a petrochemical plant fire in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, raising the total fatalities in the accident to three, the Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations said Tuesday.

According to the ministry, the 27-year-old firefighter encountered a sudden explosion while extinguishing the fire and rescuing people, and suffered a fatal injury.

Three other firefighters were also injured during search and rescue, as well as fire suppression operations.

Earlier, the Russian gas processing and petrochemical company Sibur said two people were killed and over 70 others injured in the accident.

The plant affected is operated by its subsidiary Nizhnekamskneftekhim in western Russia, according to the company.

The ministry said a pumping unit at the plant caught fire, triggering an explosion and the subsequent blaze, adding that the fire had been contained.

Russia's Investigative Committee has launched an investigation into the incident. 
When Porscha Tynisha Brown collapsed aboard a Korean Air flight from Washington, D.C., to Seoul, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe, members of the cabin crew responded with an oxygen mask to place over her nose and mouth.

However, Brown continued to gasp for air, and soon lost consciousness and became nonresponsive, according to a federal lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

A number of passengers rushed over to assist, as flight attendants alternated between panicking, observing and taking notes, the complaint alleges.

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At no point in time did the Korean Air flight personnel attempt to take charge of the situation, provide instructions to the volunteering passengers, or render aid to Ms. Brown, it contends.

The pilot eventually diverted to Japan, where Brown, a civilian employee for the U.S. Department of Defense, was pronounced dead.

Only after the flight made its emergency landing did [Browns travel companions] learn that the Korean Air flight personnel had never plugged the oxygen mask into the oxygen tank, according to the complaint. Consequently, during the frantic attempts by passengers to save Ms. Browns life, Ms. Brown never received supplemental oxygen from the oxygen tank provided by Korean Air flight personnel.

Had the cabin crew responded properly, Brown would not have experienced intense physical and emotional pain before dying at the age of 33, the complaint states.

Porscha Tynisha Brown (center), a civilian DoD employee, died while flying to Seoul for a vacation with friends. Brown's mother is now suing Korean Air, accusing the cabin crew of not doing enough to save her (Fort Belvoir Public Affairs)

Attorney Hannah Crowe, who is representing Browns estate in the suit, described her as a really remarkable young woman.

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She was at the beginning of her young adulthood, and was a really accomplished and beloved member of her community, Crowe told The Independent.

She said that all airlines have strict policies and procedures for how to respond when passengers have a medical emergency, and to deviate from those protocols is to invite tragedy.

Darren Nicholson, Crowes co-counsel, said he found the circumstances of Browns death particularly disturbing.

What is unusual about this case is that the apparent violations are so bad, it really shocks the conscience how the airline personnel handled this situation, Nicholson told The Independent. There were some very simple things they should have done, that they didnt do.

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Korean Air did not respond to a request for comment.

On March 29, 2024, Brown boarded Korean Air flight 94, set to fly from Washington Dulles International Airport to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. She was going there on vacation with three friends, according to the complaint in her case, filed March 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Brown, a Maryland native with a masters degree and plans to pursue a doctorate, worked at Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army installation in Virginia, as a civilian DoD employee, the complaint states. A workplace safety specialist, Brown received an award of excellence from her garrison commander four days before she left for Korea, the complaint continues.

Brown died aboard a flight from DC to Seoul. Her family is now suing Korean Air, alleging the cabin crew failed to provide sufficient medical assistance (US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia)

Around 12 hours into the 15.5-hour flight, Brown  who had just told one of her travel companions that she was feeling fine  got up to go to the restroom, the complaint goes on.

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A few minutes later, the complaint says a flight attendant got on the PA and asked if there was a doctor on board. Putting two-and-two together, Browns friends hurried to the back of the plane, where they found Brown on the floor, grasping at her chest while repeating, I cant breathe, according to the complaint.

Korean Air flight personnel handed an oxygen mask to Ms. Brown to place over her face, leading [her friends] to believe that Ms. Brown was receiving oxygen, the complaint states. Despite the mask, Ms. Browns belabored breathing continued and she continued to indicate that she could not breathe.

Several passengers tried to assist, but Brown soon blacked out, the complaint says. Flight personnel fetched a medical kit, and the passenger volunteers gave Brown a shot of an epinephrine, which did not reverse her symptoms.

At this point, the crewmembers brought over the onboard defibrillator and set it down, according to the complaint. However, though they were all trained on how to use the machine, the Korean Air crew did nothing and provided no instructions, it alleges.

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Instead, the Good Samaritans were left to figure it out on their own, according to the complaint.

Several times, and in the presence of Korean Air personnel, the machine gave the audio command, [S]hock advised, shock advised, the complaint states. The passengers, who were not trained on the machine, did not know that they needed to press the shock button to administer a shock. Consequently, no lifesaving shock was administered to Ms. Brown.

Brown was headed from DC to Seoul with three friends aboard a Korean Air flight when she collapsed after 12 hours into the trip (AFP via Getty Images)

With the situation getting worse by the second, the captain made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, where she was rushed to Rinku General Medical Center and pronounced dead, according to the complaint.

Ms. Browns Japanese death certificate lists her cause of death as acute cardiac failure, it says.

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Traumatized, Browns three friends then had to figure out the logistics of getting her remains back to the U.S. from Japan, a country none of them had ever been to before and where they knew no one, Crowe told The Independent.

The global incidence of medical emergencies aboard commercial aircraft runs somewhere between 18.2 per million passengers and 39 per million passengers, or one every 212 flights, depending on the study. Survival rates in the event of cardiac arrest are far lower than those that occur on the ground, a team at the Duke University School of Medicine found.

The potential for a very unfortunate outcome is high because flight crews often lack proper training to deal with these types of situations," attorney Abram Bohrer, who specializes in cases involving airlines but is not involved in Browns lawsuit, told The Independent.

When a person dies mid-flight, International Air Transport Association guidelines say the body should be moved to a seat with few other passengers nearby, if possible, and restrained with a seat belt or other equipment.

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Close the eyes, and cover the body with a blanket up to the neck if a body bag is not available, the guidelines suggest.

After Korean Air flight 94 diverted to Osaka, Japan, Brown was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, court papers say (Getty Images)

Last year, a couple were reportedly forced to sit beside a corpse aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Doha, Qatar, after a fellow passenger died 10 hours into the 14-hour flight and was stored next to them for the remainder.

They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldnt get her through the aisle, traveler Mitchell Ring told an interviewer at the time.

Earlier this month, a woman in her 60s died shortly after takeoff aboard a British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London, and was stashed in a galley until the plane landed at Heathrow some 13 hours later. A foul smell reportedly soon began to waft about the cabin, which was blamed on the galleys heated floor.

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In 2024, a Turkish Airlines captain died while piloting a passenger plane from Seattle, Washington, to Istanbul, Turkey, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing in New York. The crew attempted a medical intervention but it was ineffective, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun wrote on X.

The complaint filed in Browns case says the Korean Air crew violated company policy by not rendering effective aid, and accuses them of waiting too long to declare a medical emergency and not diverting sooner.

As a direct and proximate result Ms. Brown was caused to suffer great pain, distress, agony, and mental anguish, the complaint states.

Browns family, via the administrator of Browns estate, is now seeking damages from Korean Air, to be determined by a jury.
CHICAGO  Silver Cross Hospital has been sued over claims it allegedly violated federal law when it fired an employee who asked for exemption from the COVID-19 vaccine to align with her religious beliefs, according to a lawsuit filed last week.

Filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission last week, the lawsuit alleges that the hospital "failed to provide a reasonable accommodation" for the employee, who was a surgical tech there.

The lawsuit states that the employee first requested a religious accommodation from the hospitals COVID-19 vaccine mandate in August 2021 because of her Christian beliefs. The hospital denied her request for an accommodation, the lawsuit states, and retaliated by terminating her employment in November 2021, "even though she could have been accommodated without undue hardship."

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"Workplace rules like vaccination requirementswhile not inherently discriminatorymust adhere to Title VIIs protections for religious accommodation," said Catherine Eschbach, acting general counsel for the EEOC. "These protections are a core safeguard of federal civil rights law. Where an accommodation can be provided without undue hardship, the law requires it. Unfortunately, that did not occur in this case."

The lawsuit alleges that the hospital's actions violate Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits discrimination because of religion as well as retaliation for complaining about it.

The EEOC filed the lawsuit in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement.

The lawsuit seeks monetary damages for the employee, including compensatory and punitive damages, and injunctive relief to prevent similar actions by the hospital.

Silver Cross Hospital Violated Worker's Religious Rights With Vaccine Mandate, Firing: EEOC originally appeared on the New Lenox Patch
(Refiles to fix links in paragraphs 1 and 5)

MADRID, March 31 (Reuters) - Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez condemned as a "step towards apartheid" Monday's approval by the Israeli parliament of a law that would impose death sentence for Palestinians convicted of deadly attacks by military courts.

"It is an asymmetrical measure that would not apply to Israelis committing the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. It's another step towards apartheid. The world cannot stay silent," Sanchez, one of the most vocal supporters of Palestinians among Western leaders, wrote on X on Tuesday.

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Apartheid was the system of racial segregation enforced by South Africa's white minority governments in the second half of last century.

Spain has been embroiled in a diplomatic standoff with Israel since Madrid's sharp criticism of the Israeli government during the 2023-25 Gaza war, which it labelled as genocide. Israel's officials have called Spain's stance antisemitic on several occasions.

The rift worsened this month after Spain's opposition to the U.S.-Israel attacks on Iran, leading Madrid to permanently withdraw its ambassador to Israel on March 11.

On Monday, Israel's parliament passed the law making death by hanging a default sentence for Palestinians convicted in military courts of deadly attacks, fulfilling a pledge by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's far-right allies.

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Critics of the new Israeli law say that its language effectively confines those Israelis who can be sentenced to death to members of the country's 20% Arab minority, many of whom identify as Palestinian, and not to Jewish citizens.

Earlier, the European Commission said Israel's law was 'very concerning' and was "a clear step backwards" in terms of its commitment to democratic principles.

Israel abolished the death penalty for murder in 1954. The only person executed in Israel after a civilian trial was Adolf Eichmann, an architect of the Nazi Holocaust, in 1962.

(Reporting by Madrid Bureau, writing by Andrei Khalip; Editing by Arun Koyyur)
NEED TO KNOW

DNA testing confirmed "with 99% certainty" that Dustin Walker fathered the child carried by his 11-year-old stepdaughter, according to the assistant district attorney

Walkers wife Cherie Walker faces charges of enabling child sexual abuse and multiple counts of child neglect, online court records show

The investigation began when the child was taken to the hospital after she gave birth at home in August 2025

An Oklahoma man has reportedly admitted to sexually abusing his 11-year-old stepdaughter who then gave birth to a child DNA testing confirmed to be his.

Dustin Walker pleaded guilty on Thursday, March 26 to several charges including sexually abusing a child under the age of 12, according to Oklahoma court records reviewed by PEOPLE.

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KJRH reported that he admitted in court to impregnating the 11-year-old.

Walker, alongside his wife and the child's mother Cherie Walker, 33, was initially charged with child neglect after the 11-year-old gave birth in August 2025, KOTV, FOX 23 and KJRH reported at the time.

His charge was amended to include sexual abuse of a child following a DNA test by the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, which appeared to confirm he is the father of the baby the child was carrying, FOX 23 reported.

Assistant District Attorney Janet Hutson told KJRH that the DNA test confirmed "with 99% certainty" that Dustin was the father of the 11-year-old's baby.

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Related: Mother and Stepfather Charged with Child Neglect After 11-Year-Old Was Allegedly Forced to Give Birth at Home Without a Doctor

Dustin Walker (left); and Cherie Walker.

Credit: Muskogee County Sheriff's Office

The investigation began when the child was taken to the hospital after giving birth, according to court documents and statements from Hutson cited by FOX 23 and KOTV, respectively.

The child had not been taken to the doctor for one year at that point, per the outlets.

Hutson told KOTV the parents claimed they did not know she was pregnant.

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Walker is scheduled to be sentenced in June following his guilty plea Thursday.

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Cherie has been charged with one count of enabling child sexual abuse and six counts of child neglect, online court records show.

She was arraigned in February, but the records do not indicate plea information; her attorney was unable to provide that information when inquired by PEOPLE.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, text "STRENGTH" to the Crisis Text Line at 741-741 to be connected to a certified crisis counselor.



If you suspect child abuse, call the Childhelp National Child Abuse Hotline at 1-800-4-A-Child or 1-800-422-4453, or go to www.childhelp.org. All calls are toll-free and confidential. The hotline is available 24/7 in more than 170 languages.

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A wild chase involving a U-Haul came to a tragic end in San Clemente on Monday morning.

Deputies were chasing a stolen U-Haul when it crashed into another vehicle, killing an innocent woman and injuring three others, according to the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The deadly crash happened just before 8 a.m. near South Ola Vista and Avenida Granada.

A quiet San Clemente street is now at the center of a crime scene after a suspect fleeing from sheriff's deputies collided with a Mazda SUV with the four adults inside.

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The driver of the SUV, identified as 53-year-old Maria Ramirezahmad of Anaheim, was pronounced deceased at the scene. Three other adult women in the SUV were taken to the hospital in critical condition.

"All of a sudden we heard like an engine rev like crazy, crazy loud in a really quiet residential area," said witness Lafe Isaacson.

Isaacson was working at a coffee shop nearby just before 8 a.m. when he witnessed the chase with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

Deputies reportedly saw a suspicious U-Haul van with two people inside and no license plates, only about half a mile away from the crash site. When they tried to pull the van over, the driver refused to stop and took off at a high rate of speed.

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Deputies pursued the van, and less than a minute later, the U-Haul collided with the Mazda, the sheriff's department said. Authorities later learned the truck was reported stolen out of Whittier.

"We saw like a brand new U-Haul come flying right by, literally right here, and then a horrendous crash noise, and then the sheriff flew right by as well," Isaacson recalled.

"There's just a big bang, kind of woke me up out of bed," said Tyler Mastracchio, who lives right behind the crash site.

He watched as the passenger inside the U-Haul stayed at the scene, while the driver fled on foot through his alley.

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Sheriff's deputies with guns drawn searched the area, while the suspect ended up half a mile away in a neighborhood east of the 5 Freeway.

"I went outside, and I looked around, and this little guy walked by. He was about this big," said neighbor John Mastroianni. Neighbors called 911.

"Our deputies responded, and he was apprehended with the use of a police K-9. He is also being evaluated for his injuries before being booked into the Orange County Intake Relief Center," said Sgt. Gerard McCann with the Orange County Sheriff's Department.

The passenger of the stolen U-Haul who remained at the scene was identified as 56-year-old Gregorio Horacio Trejochavez of La Habra. The sheriff's office said he was treated at the hospital and later booked into the Orange County Jail for a probation violation.

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The driver who fled was identified as 39-year-old Mathew Alexander Ronquillo of Cerritos. After receiving treatment at the hospital, he was booked "for crimes related to felony evasion, felony evasion causing great bodily injury or death, felony hit and run, gross vehicular manslaughter and possession of a stolen vehicle."

As the criminal investigation into the fatal crash continues, the community surrounding the scene is mourning.

"This is the wildest thing that's happened that I've heard of around here. It is really sad," said Paul Harrison.

"My heart goes out to the family. I feel so bad for them," Mastracchio said.

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An Eyewitness News crew at the scene watched as several members of Ramirezahmad's family showed up at the scene, devastated by what they saw.

Eyewitness News asked what, if anything, was found inside the U-Haul van, but the sheriff's department said that is still part of the investigation.
Space Shirts owner Brenda Mulberry has printed millions of space shirts on north Merritt Island for national retail distribution since her business' 1984 genesis. And she labeled NASA's Artemis II crewed moon mission "a big hit" with space-fan shoppers.

"Everybody loves this shirt  the 'schematic,' as we call it," Mulberry said, gesturing at a black Artemis II T-shirt hanging from a rack.

The shirt's detailed design depicts an engineering-cutaway view of the Artemis II astronauts' 322-foot Space Launch System rocket. Explanatory text describes SLS components in technical terms, ranging from the interim cryogenic propulsion stage to the RS-25 engines.

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"We could be approaching 50,000 already," Mulberry said of this schematic shirt's sales.

Brevard County: NASA Artemis II launch may bring $160 million impact to Florida's Space Coast

NASA's Artemis II mission around the moon and back from Kennedy Space Center could attract 400,000 launch visitors to Florida's Space Coast, generating an estimated $160 million in Brevard County economic impact at retailers, restaurants, hotels and the like.

The four astronauts and their Orion spacecraft are scheduled for liftoff at 6:24 p.m. Wednesday, April 1, from pad 39B at KSC. Space Shirts previously printed mission shirts for every NASA space shuttle launch since STS-26, Discovery's historic 1988 "return to flight."

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The business moved into its North Courtenay Parkway building in 1992, and the store's 20-foot-tall SLS rocket model facing traffic was installed in 2022 ahead of NASA's uncrewed Artemis I launch.

"If you go to the moon, you're going to want a T-shirt. So I want to be the first T-shirt shop on the moon," Mulberry said, laughing.

Artemis II coins, clothing, collectibles and more

Brenda Mulberry, president of Pike Products and Space Shirts, holds up one of the thousands of Artemis II t-shirts she has printed in their north Merritt Island shop. Nancy Ross set up Artemis II t-shirts to have the sleeve printed. Space Shirts on north Merritt Island has been printing thousands of Artemis II t-shirts. Rebekah Atwell and Nancy Ross put freshly screened Artemis t-shirts in the dryer. Space Shirts on north Merritt Island has been printing thousands of Artemis II t-shirts. Matthew Sharp pulls out freshluy printed Artemis iI t-shirts out of the dryer and folds them. Space Shirts on north Merritt Island has been printing thousands of Artemis II t-shirts. Space Shirts on north Merritt Island has been printing thousands of Artemis II t-shirts. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. The Space Shop at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has lots of Artemis II souvenirs, collectibles, mugs, pins, pennants and even a limited edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens. Artemis II brings crowds, souvenirs, merchadise 1 of 19 Brenda Mulberry, president of Pike Products and Space Shirts, holds up one of the thousands of Artemis II t-shirts she has printed in their north Merritt Island shop.

Up the road at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, the tourist attraction is advertising 62 Artemis-themed products on its Space Shop website.

Merchandise ranges from flight jackets to mugs, shot glasses, patches, totes, beach towels, tumblers, cellphone cases, models and more. The Space Shop is even selling limited-edition Artemis II Fisher Space Pens for $119.99.

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Excitement for Artemis continues to build, and were seeing that reflected in strong demand for related merchandise at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex," Interim CEO Howard Schwartz said in an email.

"From limited-edition launch tees to iconic items like the Fisher Space Pen, guests are eager to take home a piece of this historic moment in space exploration," Schwartz said.

The Highland Mint in Melbourne is manufacturing an Artemis II commemorative bronze coin for sale at the KSC Visitor Complex. Measuring 39 mm in diameter, the $34.99 coin features the mission logo on the front side and NASA's classic "meatball" logo on the flip side.

Kevin Draws, vice president of business development, called the Artemis II coin an offshoot of the company's longstanding relationship with KSC. The Highland Mint  which is known for producing the NFL's Super Bowl "flip coins"  previously produced commissioned Apollo- and shuttle-related coins.

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"The collectible industry is out there. And there's a huge space fan (base)," Draws said.

"As we all know, the droves of people that will be descending on little-old KSC (Wednesday) is going to be quite the sight," he said.

For the latest news from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and NASA's Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space. Another easy way: Click here to sign up for our weekly 321 Launch space newsletter.

Rick Neale is a Space Reporter at FLORIDA TODAY, where he has covered news since 2004. Contact Neale at Rneale@floridatoday.com. Twitter/X: @RickNeale1

Space is important to us and that's why we're working to bring you top coverage of the industry and Florida launches. Journalism like this takes time and resources. Please support it with a subscription here.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: NASA Artemis II merchandise seeing 'strong demand' from space fans
Authorities have released new information involving the 30-year-old Indiana woman accused of gunning down the father of her children and his parents in an Illinois suburb earlier this month.

Jenna Strouble is charged with nine counts of first-degree murder stemming from the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, Patrick and Stacy Forde, in Chicago on March 22, according to FOX 32.

According to newly released court documents, Strouble contacted Lambert on the day of the alleged murder asking him to "hang out," later admitting to investigators that she went to the meeting "with an intention" to harm him.

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Jenna Strouble is charged with nine counts of first-degree murder stemming from the deaths of 32-year-old Jacob Lambert and his parents, Patrick Stacy Forde, in Chicago, Illinois on March 22, 2026, according to FOX 32. (Fox News)

Prosecutors allege Strouble drove to Plum Creek Nature Preserve, but pulled over along Burnham Road in Sauk Village upon learning the first location was closed and offered to give Lambert a back massage, FOX 32 reported.

Strouble then straddled Lambert as he laid on his stomach and massaged his back for about 20 minutes, court documents revealed, according to the outlet.

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Strouble allegedly told investigators that when Lambert criticized her technique, she retrieved a Glock handgun hidden underneath the passenger seat and held it to the back of his head for several minutes before shooting him.

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Prosecutors said immediately following the shooting, Strouble drove to Lamberts parents home in nearby Crete Township and attempted to use his keys to get inside before his father, Patrick Forde, came to the door, according to FOX 32.

As Patrick Forde opened the door, Strouble allegedly began shooting from the porch as she entered the home, ultimately striking him 17 times in the chest and abdomen.

As Stacy Forde came downstairs, Strouble allegedly shot her three times in the chest and abdomen, FOX 32 reported.

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Upon being asked if she came to Lamberts parents home to finish her plan, Strouble allegedly told investigators, "Yeah, pretty much."

Immediately after the alleged murders, Strouble is accused of returning to her home in St. John, Indiana and calling her sister to admit to what she had done, with Stroubles sister ultimately notifying police.

Deputies reportedly arrived at the Fordes' home around 2 a.m. on March 23 to find Patrick Fordes lifeless body in the dining room and Stacy Forde lying on the stairs.

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Lamberts body was located in a nearby cul-de-sac in the passenger seat of a 2014 Ford Fusion Titanium, still face down with the seat reclined.

As officers arrived at Stroubles St. John home to take her into custody, prosecutors said Strouble came outside and handed them a loaded Glock 19 fitted with a suppressor, with investigators locating a vehicle registered to Lambert less than a block away, FOX 32 reported.

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Court documents revealed Strouble penned a note the night before the alleged killings providing the names of three of her children and asking others to care for them, according to the outlet.

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Strouble allegedly admitted to purchasing the gun in December 2025 and buying the suppressor online for roughly $589.

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Prosecutors pointed to Stroubles complaints about Lamberts parenting and tensions with his family as a possible motive for the alleged murders, with the pair occasionally maintaining an intimate relationship while co-parenting their two young children.

The mother reportedly admitted to not having a relationship with her children and spending little time with them, adding that she voluntarily handed custody over to Lambert and his family and only recently had them returned to her.

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Strouble also allegedly told investigators she considered killing her own parents because she did not feel her children would be safe under their care.

When investigators asked if she killed Lamberts parents because she did not want them to take custody of their children, she allegedly replied, "thats some of the reasons."

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Prosecutors pointed to an incident in which Strouble allegedly took her fathers rifle and stashed it under her bed, later telling him she thought about killing Lambert but did not have a plan, according to FOX 32.

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Investigators also learned of Stroubles past suicidal tendencies and medication for depression, including one incident in which she wanted to kill herself by jumping out of a window with her children, the outlet reported.

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Strouble is set to appear in court Tuesday, where a judge will make a determination to keep her in custody until her trial.

If convicted, Strouble could face life in prison.

Fox News Digital was unable to immediately locate an attorney assigned to represent Strouble.





Original article source: Suburban mom accused of killing ex, his parents after hang out text, confession revealed in docs: report
Hanaan was 18 years old when she was raped by members of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), a paramilitary group accused of committing widespread war crimes during nearly three years of fighting against Sudans army.

She was walking alongside a female friend to her makeshift home in an encampment for displaced people in South Darfur, when four men on motorbikes stopped them and asked where they were going.

Two took each girl, and they raped us, she told Doctors Without Borders, an international medical NGO known by its French initials MSF.

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I feel uncomfortable in my body, heavy. I dont feel pain, apart from in my back  because they beat me, they beat me with their guns on my back, she said.

Hanaan  not her real name  shared her testimony as part of a report released by MSF on Tuesday, which details the widespread use of sexual violence as a weapon in Sudans ongoing brutal civil war.

The NGO said 3,396 survivors of sexual violence sought treatment in MSF-supported health facilities across North and South Darfur between January 2024 and November 2025.

The data, presented in the report titled, There is Something I Want to Tell You, was drawn from MSF programmes in just two of Sudans 18 states and reflects only a fraction of the crisis, while the true scale of the phenomenon remains unknown.

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Women and girls accounted for 97 percent of survivors treated in MSF programmes. The RSF and allied militias were found to be primarily responsible for the systematic abuse.

Children among the survivors

Sexual violence is a defining feature of this conflict  not confined to front lines, but pervasive across communities, Ruth Kauffman, MSF emergency health manager, said in a statement.

This war is being fought on the backs and bodies of women and girls. Displacement, collapsing community support systems, lack of access to healthcare and deep-rooted gender inequalities are allowing these abuses to continue across Sudan.

Following the RSFs capture of el-Fasher, the capital of North Darfur, on October 26, 2025, MSF treated more than 140 survivors fleeing to Tawila. Among them, 94 percent were attacked by armed men, with many reporting assaults along escape routes.

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The assaults deliberately targeted non-Arab communities as a means of humiliation and terror, echoing previous RSF atrocities such as the dismantling of Zamzam camp, the report said. The RSF took control of famine-hit Zamzam camp in the western Darfur region after two days of heavy shelling and gunfire in April 2025.

Survivors described attacks not only during fighting, but in everyday settings, such as fields, markets and displacement camps.

Children were also among the survivors. In South Darfur, one in five survivors was under 18, including 41 children younger than five, the organisation said.

MSF called on the United Nations, donors and humanitarian actors to urgently scale up health and protection services in Darfur and all of Sudan, and on all parties to the conflict to cease and prevent sexual violence and hold perpetrators accountable.




With birthright citizenship  which was enshrined in the 14th Amendment to clarify the legal status of Black Americans following the Civil War  on the chopping block, civil rights groups are on high alert for threats to all rights, even those long seen as safe.

Theres concern that a decision undermining birthright citizenship could open the door and create a kind of slippery slope, Morenike Fajana, senior legal counsel for the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, told Capital B during a recent press call. She was referring to a growing fear: If birthright citizenship isnt sacred  if the U.S. Supreme Court allows President Donald Trump to rewrite the U.S. Constitution through executive order  then nothing is.

Other protections that we think of now as settled and protected and unmovable could also be subject to the same sorts of rollbacks, Fajana added.

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The court on Wednesday is hearing oral arguments in a case that examines the Trump administrations challenge to birthright citizenship. Civil rights groups warn that a decision against it could not only leave hundreds of thousands children stateless, but also reshape how constitutional rights are understood and applied.

Oral arguments in the case arrive as the federal government continues to direct venomous rhetoric at marginalized groups and crack down on migration to the U.S.

During an appearance on Fox News this month, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi had the internet up in arms when she declared, Being a citizen in our country is a privilege, not a right.

Her comment angered so many because it seemed to ignore what the Constitution itself says about citizenship  that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.

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And during a Cabinet meeting in March, Trump said that Minnesota residents of Somali descent come from a crooked country, disgusting country, one of the worst countries in the world and that they have low IQs, and they rob us blind.

The administration has also tried to end temporary legal protections that have allowed some 350,000 Haitians to live in this country. But a federal judge in February blocked those efforts, and criticized former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for calling foreigners killers, leeches, and entitlement junkies who are flooding our nation.

The court is expected to announce a decision by the end of June. For an overview of the history of birthright citizenship and the implications of overturning it, read on.

What are the origins of birthright citizenship?

To understand where birthright citizenship came from, we must go back to the immediate aftermath of the Civil War, when the U.S. was confronted with a major question: Who, exactly, counts as a citizen?

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Though Black Americans were no longer enslaved, they enjoyed no guarantee of citizenship. And for decades already, they had faced pressure from nearly every quarter of society to leave the U.S. and go elsewhere. They feared that they could meet the same fate as Native Americans, who had been forced to relocate through the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Making matters worse were certain Supreme Court decisions. In 1857, the court observed in Dred Scott v. Sandford that Black Americans had no rights which the white man was bound to respect  including citizenship.

Still, Black Americans continued to maintain that they were citizens; it was their birthright. Progress finally arrived the year after the Civil War ended, in the form of the Civil Rights Act of 1866, which declared that all persons born in the United States and not subject to any foreign power, excluding Indians not taxed, are hereby declared to be citizens of the United States.

Birthright citizenship, in other words, was now the law of the land.

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But uncertainty remained, since an act of Congress could be overturned by future lawmakers. To reinforce the guarantee of citizenship, Congress proposed a constitutional amendment that was then approved by the states. Ratified in 1868, Section 1 of the 14th Amendment ensured citizenship for anyone born on U.S. soil, including Black Americans.

When citizenship was loosely defined, racism could determine who enjoyed constitutional rights, the scholar Martha Jones wrote in a 2018 piece that chronicled the history of birthright citizenship. Thousands of Black Americans were left to live under an ever-present threat of removal. The story of their fight for the right to residence is a cautionary tale for our own time.

Why is Trump attempting to restrict birthright citizenship?

The president and his allies contend that the 14th Amendment has been interpreted too generously, that it was never intended to extend citizenship to everyone born in the U.S.

They often point to language in the amendment such as subject to the jurisdiction thereof. They say that such phrasing excludes the children of undocumented migrants and those who are in the country temporarily  including some 350,000 Haitians  because, technically, they remain loyal to another country.

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As Trump and those of the same mind see it, birthright citizenship has been a kind of loophole that has fueled unauthorized migration.

But legal experts widely dispute these claims.

Congressional records indicate that the 14th Amendments broad guarantee of birthright citizenship was always intended to include the children of immigrants  regardless of their parents legal status, Samuel Breidbart and Maryjane Johnson wrote in February for the Brennan Center for Justice.

As evidence, they point to key historical moments, including a statement from U.S. Sen. John Conness of California. He said that the amendments language declare[s] that the children of all parentage  should be regarded and treated as citizens of the United States, entitled to equal civil rights with other citizens of the United States.

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Additionally, Breidbart and Johnson note the 1898 Supreme Court case United States v. Wong Kim Ark, in which the court held that a child born in the U.S. is a citizen even if that child is born to noncitizen parents.

How could limiting birthright citizenship affect vulnerable groups?

Civil rights groups say that weakening birthright citizenship could fundamentally alter the interpretation and enforcement of constitutional rights.

I think that there is a grave concern that if the Supreme Court allows the president to rewrite the citizenship clause by executive order, we dont know what we can count on and what rights we have, Taryn Wilgus Null, senior counsel at the Democracy Defenders Fund, told Capital B during the press call, underscoring fears that eroding this protection could dramatically destabilize really any right that has long been viewed as safe.

Conchita Cruz, the co-founder and co-executive director of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, highlighted that this agitation is already taking hold in the real world.

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She told Capital B during the call that families, specifically asylum seekers in the U.S. who are expecting, are questioning not only their childrens futures but also their own: If a constitutional guarantee such as birthright citizenship can be undone, Cruz asked, what does that mean for all of their rights?

Theres also the fear, Breidbart and Johnson explained in their story, that without U.S. citizenship, some children could become stateless  citizens of no country.

People who are stateless often lack access to basic rights and services, such as health care, education, and the ability to travel freely, they wrote. Without U.S. citizenship, these children could also end up deported to foreign countries where they have never lived and where their welfare would be endangered.

Taken together, these concerns shine a light on a deep anxiety: that curtailing birthright citizenship would have a major impact not just on whos considered American  but also on how secure that recognition and any number of other rights are for everyone.

The post The Supreme Court Fight That Could Unravel Who Gets to Be American appeared first on Capital B News.
The U.S. Supreme Court ruled against a Colorado law banning the practice of conversion therapy on Tuesday.

In 2019, Colorado adopted a law that banned any practice or treatment that tries to change a minors gender expressions or to eliminate or reduce sexual or romantic attraction or feelings toward individuals of the same sex. Kaley Chiles, an evangelical Christian therapist, sued the state over the law in 2022 arguing it impeded her ability to treat youth who desired to remain consistent with their faith and sought to reduce or eliminate unwanted sexual attractions. In a 8-1 ruling, the court sided with Chiles.

The majority found that banning conversion therapy, insofar as it relates to talk therapy, was an egregious assault on the First Amendment and free speech.

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Colorado may regard its policy as essential to public health and safety, Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote. But the First Amendment stands as a shield against any effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech in this country.

Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented. She wrote that the majoritys ruling opens a dangerous can of worms that threatens to impair states ability to regulate the provision of medical care in any respect.

Cases relating to minors and gender identity have been a hot topic at the Supreme Court over the last year. In June 2025, the court upheld a Tennessee law banning certain gender-transition care for young people and similar laws across more than 20 states. The court will soon decide cases challenging Idaho and West Virginia laws banning transgender girls from womens sports.

The post Supreme Court rejects Colorado ban on conversion therapy appeared first on Salon.com.
MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a government decree approving an updated plan for road infrastructure development from 2026 to 2031, the Russian government announced Tuesday.

Under the "Infrastructure for Life" national project, Russia plans to build and reconstruct more than 2,000 kilometers of federal and regional roads by the end of 2031, focusing on the expansion of the country's core transport network.

The initiative also prioritizes road construction projects included in master plans for cities in the Far Eastern Federal District and the Arctic zone. New projects added to the list include the construction of bypasses for several cities, such as Orenburg and Baykalsk, and the modernization of key stretches along the M-5 Ural and R-504 Kolyma highways.

According to the government, the total volume of federal funding for these activities will reach 9.1 trillion rubles (about 112 billion U.S. dollars).

The plan further allocates resources for the development of municipal road networks in urban agglomerations and the creation of infrastructure to support the growing tourism sector. 
A man walks next to a poster with a picture of Iran

Khamenei replaced his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed when Israel and the United States launched their war on Iran more than a month ago.

Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in the country but is refraining from making public appearances "for understandable reasons," the RTVI news outlet quoted Russia's ambassador to the country as saying on Tuesday.

Khamenei replaced his father, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed when Israel and the United States launched their war on Iran more than a month ago. The US has said it believes Mojtaba himself is wounded and likely disfigured.

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Khamenei has only released ahandful of statements since becoming Iran's supreme leader. His first message was delivered in a letter allegedly written by the Iranian leader himself, while subsequent messages were conveyed by unspecified means.

A banner depicting Iran's new Supreme Leader Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei is displayed on the side of a highway in Tehran on March 10, 2026. (credit: AFP VIA GETTY IMAGES)

Russia has close ties with Iran, with which it signed a strategic partnership treaty last year.

German FM accuses Russia of helping Iran identify strike targets

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul accused Russia of helping Iran identify potential strike targets on Friday, saying President Vladimir Putin was hoping to use the Iran war as a distraction from his attack on Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters at a G7 meeting in France, Wadephul also said he had spoken to United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio to outline Germany's position, that it was willing to help play a role in the Strait of Hormuz after hostilities end.

Tobias Holcman and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.
Rep. Eric Swalwell, a leading Democratic candidate for governor of California, has accused President Trump of trying to sway the election following reports that FBI Director Kash Patel may release documents from a decade-old investigation into the congressman's ties to a suspected Chinese spy.

Patel directed agents in the bureaus San Francisco office to redact the case files for public release, according to a report by the Washington Post, a highly unusual move by the FBI to release case files tied to a probe that did not result in criminal charges.

The investigation centered on Swalwell's ties to a suspected intelligence operative, Christine Fang, or Fang Fang, who worked as a volunteer raising money for his congressional campaign. Swalwell cut off ties to Fang in 2015, after intelligence officials briefed him and other members of Congress about Chinese efforts to infiltrate the legislative body.

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Swalwell, among the frontrunners in the sprawling field of candidates for California governor, was not accused of impropriety.

The White House referred questions to the FBI and the Justice Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"We are at war. Gas prices are soaring. And threats against the homeland are on the rise. But instead of concentrating on the issues most important to this country, Donald Trump and Kash Patel have decided to continue their revenge tour and to interfere in the California Governors election," Swalwell told The Times on Sunday. "They believe they will get a servant in Sacramento."

Swalwell said he has not been contacted by the FBI, but "considering how they have selectively released or not released files recently, I dont trust them one bit. This case is closed."

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Swalwell accused Trump of "desperately trying" to stop him, because he's now the favored candidate for California governor. Swalwell and former Orange County Rep. Katie Porter were tied for top Democrat candidate, according to a poll released earlier this month by UC Berkeleys Institute of Governmental Studies and co-sponsored by The Times.

"What Trump wants the most is to have a Western White House. An enabler on the opposite coast," he said. "A lot of people have bent the knee to this administration. But I will not. And neither will the people of California."

It's not the first time Swalwell has accused the administration of targeting Trump's political opponents.

Last year, Swalwell sued Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte, accusing him of criminally misusing government databases to target Trumps political opponents. Pulte had accused Swalwell of mortgage fraud and referred him to the Justice Department for a potential federal criminal probe. Swalwell dropped that suit this month.

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Read more: Rep. Swalwell's suit alleges abuse of power, adds to scrutiny of Trump official's mortgage probes

Swalwell, a former prosecutor who ran for president in 2020, announced his bid for California governor in November. Swalwell said his decision was driven by the serious problems facing California and the threats posed to the state and nation with Trump in the White House.

On Sunday, Swalwell secured the endorsement of the California Teachers Assn., a powerful force in state democratic politics.

U.S. Sen. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.), who has endorsed Swalwell for governor, shared the Washington Post story on X Saturday, saying, "This abuse of the FBI is as dangerous as it is unlawful." Schiff served with Swalwell on the House Intelligence Committee, where they riled Republicans by investigating President Trump during his first term.

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Schiff served as the lead manager of Trumps first impeachment and Swalwell as a manager of Trumps second impeachment.

"Time and again, the President and his appointees have weaponized the Department of Justice against those who dare stand up to Trump," Schiff wrote. He added that there was no doubt that Trump and Patel "will stop at nothing to try to tell Californians who their next governor should be."

The Post story unleashed a flood of critiques from California politicians, including Rep. Jimmy Gomez (D-Los Angeles), who sits on the House Intelligence Committee. On X, Gomez accused Patel of "wasting resources" on a "closed, decade-old case where Swalwell cooperated with the FBI and was found innocent of any wrongdoing."

"Reopening it now, right as he leads in the polls and ballots are about to drop, is a political hit-job!" Gomez said. "Trump and Kash Patel are weaponizing the FBI against people they deem political enemies."

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Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland, the top Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, released a statement accusing Patel of working at "the behest of the White House" and "wasting the resources of the FBI and perhaps violating the Hatch Act by ordering agents to spend hours preparing a political smear file for a [personal] vendetta."

Read more: Schiff endorses Swalwell for California governor

Fang came into contact with Swalwells campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012. She also participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign and helped place an intern in his office. Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns  and briefed Congress  about Fang in 2015, at which point the California Democrat says he cut off contact with her.

In 2023, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy blocked Swalwell from continuing to serve on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence due to the past connection with an alleged spy. That same year, the House Ethics Committee closed a two-year investigation into the allegations of Swalwell's ties to Fang.

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In closing the probe, the ethics committee wrote in a letter to Swalwell that it had previously reviewed allegations of improper influence by foreign agents and in doing so, cautioned that Members should be conscious of the possibility that foreign governments may attempt to secure improper influence through gifts and other interactions."

Swalwell released a statement after the investigation was closed, stating that he'd assisted the FBI in its counterintelligence investigation of Fang.

"Despite the FBI repeatedly saying I was nothing but helpful and never accused of wrongdoing, this complaint was filed by a House Republican," he said. "It's time to move on."

"If the intent in bringing this complaint and leveling false smears was to silence me, that is not going to happen," he added.

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In an interview with The Times in November, the day before he announced he was running for governor, Swalwell said the FBI and the House Ethics Committee had previously cleared him.

"The FBI said, 'By the way, like he did nothing wrong, he was always cooperative.' And also the House Ethics Committee that McCarthy led said, 'He did nothing wrong.' So, you know, I can't say anything better than, like, what Kevin McCarthy's ethics committee said. But I get why they see me as a villain. And go after me, and that's fine."

On Saturday, Swalwell's campaign team sent out an email referencing the "explosive new reporting," and asking for donations to help "fight back."

Times staff writer Kevin Rector contributed to this report.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
WASHINGTON  It has been more than a week since President Donald Trump announced the U.S. was in conversation with Iran, but despite offers by Pakistan to host in-person discussions, no face-to-face meeting has been set and Iran denies negotiations are taking place.

The two sides have acknowledged exchanging messages through intermediaries, and the top diplomats of Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt have held talks about possible talks. But it wasnt clear whether anything has resulted from the discussions, as thousands more U.S. troops arrive in the Middle East and Trump threatens to attack Iranian energy infrastructure.

In other words, while progress may be playing out behind the scenes, theres little public indication that the war is coming to a diplomatic end anytime soon.

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Meanwhile, oil prices continue to spike, and so do gas prices in the U.S., an issue for Trump as the midterm elections draw nearer.

Trump said Monday on Truth Social that the U.S. was in serious discussions with a new, and more reasonable, regime to end the war in Iran, adding that great progress has been made, but he also threatened to attack key Iranian energy infrastructure if a deal wasn't reached shortly.

Iran has said there are no negotiations.

What has occurred is the submission of requests for negotiations, along with a set of proposals from the United States, which have reached us through intermediaries, including Pakistan, Esmaeil Baghaei, spokesperson for the Iranian Foreign Affairs Ministry, said on X.

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Our position is very clear. At a time when US military aggression continues with intensity, all our efforts and capabilities are focused on defending Iran.

Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the Oval Office of the White House last year. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images file) (Andrew Harnik)

Pakistan army chief Syed Asim Munir, whom Trump has referred to as his favorite field marshal, has become a key go-between for the U.S. and Iran, and Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Sen. Mohammad Ishaq Dar, the deputy prime minister and foreign minister, have also worked on negotiations, according to a regional official and public statements.

The U.S. has proposed a 15-point plan, delivered to Iran via Pakistan. Trump said Sunday and White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt reiterated Monday that Iran has agreed to at least some of those points, the full list of which hasnt been publicly released.

Special envoy Steve Witkoff has offered a few details, among them that Iran cant enrich uranium on its soil  a demand that has been a nonstarter for Tehran in past discussions. He also said that as part of the 15 points, Iran would have to give up its stockpile of 10,000 kilograms of fissile material and that the oversight question would also be solved. All of these are red lines for us, he said.

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Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Monday that U.S. demands included that the Iranian regime can never have nuclear weapons, and they need to stop sponsoring terrorism, and they need to stop building weapons that can threaten their neighbors.

Iran has repeatedly rejected the U.S. plan, including as recently as Monday, and has countered with its own five points, including a complete halt to aggression and assassinations by the enemy, the establishment of concrete mechanisms to ensure that war wont be reimposed on Iran, war damages and reparations, and international recognition of Irans sovereign right to exercise authority over the Strait of Hormuz, a vital passageway that carries over 20% of global oil.

Oil tankers and high-speed craft anchored near the Strait of Hormuz in Oman on Monday. (Elke Scholiers / Getty Images) (Elke Scholiers)

Trump announced Sunday that Iran had allowed 20 ships to safely pass through the strait, in addition to the 10 ships that were allowed to transit last week, and the White House has claimed their passage was a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the United States and Iran.

But Iran still controls the critical passageway, and the world continues to be cut off from a fifth of its oil supply with prices over a $100 a barrel. For the U.S., Iranian control of the Strait of Hormuz is one of many nonstarters.

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Rubio said it was unclear who was even making the decisions in Iran, questioning whether Irans new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, is really in power.

No one has seen him. No one has heard from him, Rubio told Al Jazeera. Its very opaque right now. Its not quite clear how decisions are being made inside of Iran.

Trump said Monday that some of the diplomacy with Iran was with Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, telling the New York Post that he would know in about a week whether Ghalibaf was willing to work with Americans.

Publicly at least, Ghalibaf has dismissed the possibility of diplomacy, and Iran has repeatedly denied that any negotiations are taking place.

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The enemy sends messages of friendship openly, while secretly plotting a ground invasion. We are waiting for their arrival; we will set them ablaze and punish their regional partners forever, Ghalibaf said Sunday.

Baghaei on Monday also denied, yet again, that there have any direct negotiations between the U.S. and Iran, according to Iranian PressTV, and said the U.S. plan included very excessive, unrealistic and irrational demands.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt at a news conference at the White House on Monday. (Aaron Schwartz / Bloomberg via Getty Images) (Aaron Schwartz)

At the White House news briefing, Leavitt downplayed the significance of the Iranian officials remarks, telling reporters the remaining elements of the Iranian regime are increasingly eager to end the destruction and come to the negotiating table while they still can.

Despite all of the public posturing you hear from the regime and false reporting, talks are continuing and going well, she said. What is said publicly is, of course, much different than whats being communicated to us privately.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY)  On March 28, 2015, young men traveling on ATVs and a truck happened upon portions of a human skeleton off Virginia Beach Boulevard near the Birdneck area of Virginia Beach. Eleven years later, cold case detective Amy Lambert is on the case.

Those remains could have been brought there down the creek, Lambert said. It could have been a storm. It could have been animal activity brought them there. We dont actually know that he died there. The [medical examiner] determined that hed been dead over a year, possibly up to two years.

The Virginia Beach Police Department could be one step closer to answering the questions: Who is this man and how did he die? The FBI reconstructed his skull and offered estimates on the rest of his features.

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This ones a White male whos 40 to 65 years old, about 5-foot-2 to 5-foot-7, she said. The man had a broken clavicle and a prior broken nose and we still dont know who he is.

Police are working case with the state medical examiners office  Lara Newell is in charge of The Bone Room, where the remains of 326 other unknown people are stored.

Well, we also hope that you guys will share this information with your partners outside of Virginia as well, Newell said. Just because they are found in Virginia, that doesnt necessarily mean that theyre from Virginia. They may have been here for work, or they just left their house and never came back. We think thats so weird to disappear from the face of the earth.

Virginia Department of Health investigating male remains, seeking publics help to identify

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Using resources from the national clearing house NamUs, detectives and researchers hope technology and concern will help fill the gaps: What is his name? Who loved him? And how did he spend his last days? Investigators also hope to use advanced DNA data to find people who are related to the man.

Its really just getting a whole bunch more DNA so that we can do genealogy, Newell said. So they upload that DNA profile into the genealogy databases, and then the genealogists are able to get matches.

Said Lambert: The biggest thing [that] would help us is if more people are willing to upload their own profiles into the system.



If you believe you know the man whose remains were found in Virginia Beach 11 years ago, call the medical examiners office at 804-786-3174.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
A federal judge in Tyler dismissed a lawsuit on Tuesday that sought to allow churches to endorse political candidates without losing their tax-exempt status, dealing a blow to the Trump administration and other conservatives who have worked to eliminate the decades-old law barring nonprofits from supporting political office seekers.

Several Texas churches and national Christian groups brought the lawsuit challenging the Johnson Amendment, as its commonly known, arguing that their religious beliefs compelled them to speak to their congregations about all aspects of life, including electoral politics. Prohibiting electioneering from the pulpit in order to maintain their tax exemption was a violation of their First Amendment rights, the plaintiffs argued in their lawsuit against the Internal Revenue Service.

In the final days of the Biden administration, the Department of Justice sought to dismiss the case. The Trump administration not only revived it, but sided with the plaintiffs. The two sides asked the judge to approve a deal in which the IRS agreed to not enforce the Johnson Amendment against these churches.

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This would have been a landmark ruling, empowering pastors to more aggressively push politics through the church and undercutting the requirement that has been a mainstay of the U.S. tax code since 1954. It is named after then-Texas Sen. Lyndon Johnson, who first proposed the law.

But District Judge Cam Barker ruled that he did not have the authority to approve the proposed consent judgement. He cited federal laws that prevent judges from blocking taxation that hasnt yet occurred; plaintiffs typically must pay the taxes they want to challenge, and then sue for a refund.

Barker, a Trump appointee who previously served as Texas deputy solicitor general, rejected the argument that these restrictions did not apply because both sides had agreed to the judgement.

Relief enjoining the Johnson Amendments enforcement or declaring that it does not apply to specific conduct would thus directly bear on the amount of tax that could be collected, Barker wrote. Put differently, if the plaintiffs here gave up their  501(c)(3) tax-exempt status, none of the harms they allege could occur.

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Barker noted that there are other avenues to challenge this issue, like by suing after the taxes are collected or disputing the loss of a tax-exempt status caused by a violation of the Johnson Amendment. But this was not the proper venue, no matter how much both sides wanted it to be, he wrote.

Americans United for Separation of Church and State, an advocacy group that attempted to intervene in the case, lauded Tuesdays ruling.

Were glad that the Johnson Amendment will remain a strong bulwark to stop religious extremists from exploiting houses of worship, said Rachel Laser, the groups president. The proposed settlement agreement to exempt only houses of worship and not secular nonprofits would have been unfair and a violation of church-state separation.

Even before the court could approve the judgment, some conservative Christian pastors began touting the victory and preparing to amp up their political rhetoric. Others, like the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, said they would continue steering clear of candidate endorsements from the pulpit, no matter the outcome.

Enforcement of the Johnson Amendment has long been lax, in Democratic and Republican administrations alike. The Texas Tribune and ProPublica identified at least 20 examples over a two-year period of churches violating the statute, more than the IRS had investigated in the past decade.
PLYMOUTH TWP.  The third dog involved in a violent weekend attack on a jogger was located and captured Tuesday morning before later dying from its injuries, police said.

The brown-and-white pit bull was found shortly before 7 a.m. March 31 after a resident spotted it near Fairground Park in the city of Plymouth, according to Plymouth Township Police Department Chief James Knittel.

Officers from both Plymouth Township and the city of Plymouth responded and eventually cornered the dog in the parking lot of a gas station along Ann Arbor Road near Main Street.

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The dog charged at our officers again, similar to what happened on Saturday morning (with another dog), Knittel said, noting officers from both departments fired shots during the encounter with the third dog, injuring it.

Police were able to contain the dog after it crawled under a police car, and used animal control poles to secure it. The dog was transported to a veterinary clinic but did not survive, Knittel said.

The last thing in the world we want to do is harm an animal if we dont have to, he said. But at the end of the day, our job is to keep everybody safe.

The attack that prompted the search occurred around 6:35 a.m. March 28 in the 12000 block of Canton Center Road, where officers responded to reports of a runner being mauled by three dogs.

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When officers arrived, the dogs acted aggressively, preventing access to the victim. An officer fired at the dog after being approached, striking one of the animals.

The victim, a man, suffered extensive injuries and remains hospitalized in stable condition.

Knittel said quick action by two 911 callers and responding officers likely saved the man's life. The victim's family, he noted, is requesting privacy.

Two of the dogs, both Cane Corsos, were located within hours of the attack. One was secured and quarantined, while the other was euthanized due to safety concerns.

The third dog remained at large for several days, moving through neighborhoods in Plymouth Township, the city of Plymouth and Canton, sometimes traveling miles and hiding in wooded areas, making capture difficult, Knittel said. Police used drones and contacted animal rescue groups while urging residents to report sightings, he added.

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Knittel said community members played an important role in locating the dog and consistently alerted authorities rather than attempting to intervene.

Community concern for the jogger has also been overwhelming, he said, with residents calling to to express concern for the man and offer help for his family.

The outpouring of support for our victim has just been tremendous, he said.

Police have identified the dogs owners and are investigating the case as a criminal matter in coordination with the Wayne County Prosecutors Office.

Contact reporter Laura Colvin: lcolvin@hometownlife.com

This article originally appeared on Hometownlife.com: Third dog involved in Plymouth Township jogger attack dies after capture
The Tennessee Supreme Court has denied to hear Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert's appeal, allowing ouster proceedings against her to move ahead.

The order denying Halbert's request to appeal was issued March 31 and upholds an Oct. 27, 2025, ruling from the Tennessee Court of Appeals saying the case was wrongly dismissed.

Halbert's case was originally dismissed by Shelby County Circuit Court Judge Felicia Corbin-Johnson, who said the outside counsel hired by Shelby County government lacked standing to bring the ouster petition.

The case was brought by a private attorney because County Attorney Marlinee Iverson said she had a conflict of interest in representing the county against Halbert. Corbin-Johnson said, in her ruling, the court was "of the opinion" that Iverson did not have the power to hire outside counsel, and that the attorney retained did not have standing to oust Halbert.

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The attorney hired by the county was Robert Meyers.

More: A brief history of the attempted ouster of Wanda Halbert | The week in politics

Shelby County Clerk Wanda Halbert speaks during a Shelby County Board of Commissioners budget committee meeting in Downtown Memphis, on Wednesday, May 1, 2024.

In the appellate court's Oct. 27 ruling, it said Tennessee's ouster statute has long been loosely construed. This meant the appellate court believed there was no limit on Meyers bringing the suit.

The case will now return to Corbin-Johnson's courtroom for further proceedings. Halbert is currently term-limited as clerk, and her term ends this fall. She cannot run for another term as clerk.

Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and Lucas.Finton@commercialappeal.com, and followed on X @LucasFinton.

This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: TN Supreme Court denies appeal, Wanda Halbert's ouster continues
Everyone is talking about talent marketplaces: new AI platforms that match people with opportunities based on skills. Talent marketplaces are GPS for careers, the labor market digital infrastructure weve lacked until now. Job seekers upload or build resumes, complete skills assessments, and are matched to open jobs where theyre an immediate fit as well as provided with an employment roadmap and corresponding upskilling programs for opportunities along the way. More important, talent marketplaces have the potential to become the navigation layer atop our fragmented education and workforce systems.

The U.S. Department of Education is so pumped about talent marketplaces that, last fall, it went out of its way to note that talent marketplaces are an allowable use for $167M in FIPSE (postsecondary education improvement) grants. For another grant program, Trio, which historically had supported college for low-income and first-generation students, ED just announced $175M in new funding and directed applicants to explore talent marketplaces as equally viable and often faster routes to economic mobility as traditional college programs. Finally, a new a $15M talent marketplace challenge completes EDs talent marketplace trifecta. Grant proposals are due at the end of this month. Up to 10 states will divide the funds and willing states will need to convince ED that their action plan is likely to lead to statewide adoption.

Raise your hand if you like talent marketplaces Getty Images

But its not as if Linda McMahon came up with the idea. Without any federal support, states have gotten to work. Under the leadership of Nick Moore  not coincidentally now Acting Assistant Secretary at ED  Alabama launched its Talent Triad. Both Triad and Arkansas marketplace Launch welcome all job seekers and students. The problem, as Alabama learned when, in year three of Triad, only 1,000 jobs were listed on the platform, is chicken-and-egg: why would companies bother listing jobs on a platform unless there are lots of job seekers? Likewise, why would job seekers use a talent marketplace with relatively few jobs? Build it and they will come wont work for talent marketplaces.

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So the most exciting progress has been at workforce agencies which have a built-in audience of job seekers i.e., unemployment insurance claimants required to participate in the workforce system. They also have established connections with companies. Workforce systems already have chickens and eggs.

Equally important, talent marketplaces are a solution for what ails workforce development. If you thought colleges and universities were bureaucratic, allow me to introduce you to Americas workforce system. Workforce agencies arent principally set up to place people in good jobs or launch careers, theyre designed to follow the Byzantine rules that accompany workforce dollars. The results for job seekers, companies, and sometimes training providers, can be bewildering.

Brace yourself for one example. When a worker in Fresno, CA, is laid off and searches for job training, hell land on the California Employment Development Department (EDD) site which reads: Looking for New Skills or Training? Check out our no-cost job and training services available across the state! But theres no obvious link on the page to training programs. Instead, EDD suggests that the worker:

Find out how Labor Market Information can help you prepare for your future (link to charts and graphs that probably arent a priority for a newly unemployed worker) Use Employment Projections to see which jobs will be in demand (inexplicably, link to same charts and graphs) Contact your nearest Americas Job Center of California (two links to arrive at PDF, which has link to AJC finder where he can input his zip code)

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Below this lies the header Where to Get Training. Sounds promising except the link brings him to the California Eligible Training Provider List, which leads a description of ETPL. One more click reveals a link to the CalJobs site which has a section for job seekers and a link for education and training. This brings up a search page. Searching on nursing yields a list of programs. Clicking on a program provides the following:

Description

Program of Study Leads to

Program Prerequisites

Grievance Procedure

Grievance Procedure URL

But no link to the actual program. Speaking of grievance

Beyond the unfathomable lack of assistance for those who need it most, workforce UI/UX makes the Fresno DMV look like a paragon of design; each page looks different, often belonging to a different agency or organization. Everything is text-heavy, opaque, and exceptionally hard to navigate. So one primary reason workers arent taking advantage of the workforce system to reskill is because current digital resources are workforce word salad. Talent marketplaces are the tonic: an urgently needed navigation layer that allows all constituents  job seekers, companies, and training providers  to get what they need by cutting through stifling bureaucracy and legacy bad design decisions (assuming there were affirmative decisions).

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State leaders are beginning to realize theyre not getting what they need. If their workforce systems are accomplishing anything, its speed-to-fill into low-skill, high-turnover positions for low-income, unemployed workers. Upskilling and economic mobility arent occurring in any measurable way. Talent marketplaces have the potential to break workforce development out of this vicious circle.

Leading the talent marketplace revolution at workforce agencies is FutureFit AI, which  as the name suggests  leverages AI for job and training matching as well as for scraping and platforming all posted jobs in the geography (updated daily, thereby addressing the weaker side of the equation for workforce agencies). The FutureFit experience for a dislocated worker couldnt be more different. Within minutes of answering a few questions or uploading a resume, hell have a skills profile and a set of realistic career pathways, not just job listings. Clicking into a pathway provides a step-by-step plan with working links to training options and live jobs.

FutureFits platform is already powering statewide marketplaces in South Carolina, Connecticut, and Colorado, as well as regional marketplaces in San Bernadino and Washington State. Its also big in Canada where it runs talent marketplaces at federal, provincial, and local levels. The outcomes are impressive: high percentages of participants hired into relevant, higher wage jobs. In Connecticut, 7,000 job seekers have been trained for jobs in high-growth sectors and over 85% have been placed. Im not surprised because talent marketplaces do a better job of helping companies ascertain candidate fit and interest than a typical hiring process.

Although federal and state departments of labor havent reached U.S. Department of Education-level enthusiasm for talent marketplaces, the problem and solution are so obvious that it wont be long before state and local workforce agencies are required to leverage technology and implement solutions like FutureFit before receiving workforce dollar one.

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While workforce agencies are the beachhead, talent marketplaces are needed more broadly. With significant AI-driven labor market dislocation around the bend, we need to keep the population requiring workforce assistance from increasing by an order of magnitude. How will talent marketplaces reach college graduates and other career launchers before its too late?

Again, the action isnt at the Department of Education, wherever it might be located. Recognizing that education and workforce navigation is first and foremost a data problem, states have moved quickly to build unified systems that connect education, workforce, and earnings outcomes. California has connected K-12, higher education, financial aid, workforce, and social services data in its Cradle-to-Career data system. Virginia has built the Virginia Longitudinal Data System linking K12, postsecondary, and wage records. Michigan has integrated education and labor market data through the Michigan Longitudinal Data System. And Arizona has developed its Education Progress Meter to track attainment and workforce alignment, tying educational pathways directly to labor market demand. Other states making progress on data integration include Texas, Indiana, Kentucky, Washington, Florida, Colorado, Ohio, Maryland, and Minnesota. The Education Commission of the States has identified 32 states with active longitudinal systems connecting data across at least two sectors.

This may be the most consequential development in workforce development. Because unified education and workforce data make it much easier for job seekers and career launchers to say yes to talent marketplaces. By opting in, it will be possible to populate their education and work data, match to jobs, and identify new education and training opportunities to advance within and expand their zones of proximal development. Through unified state-level data systems, most Americans (i.e., the 75% of us whove never moved to another state) can benefit from a GPS for education and employment decisions. And in so doing, talent marketplaces will evolve from serving workforce agencies to dynamic career navigation systems for everyone.

My first book College Disrupted discussed the prospect of talent marketplaces. Although the term I chose was workforce-wonky  competency management platforms  and the technology took a decade to catch up, the idea was right: Allow job seekers to upload their resume and transcript point to a goal job or career measure the competency gap between where they are and where they want to go recommend educational options for filling that gap based on available time-to-job then map the most efficient path from here to there. Talent marketplaces were bound to happen because while digital marketplaces have revolutionized sectors such as consumer goods, real estate and personal relationships there has not yet been a marketplace for human capital.

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With the emergence of talent marketplaces, it no longer makes sense to make important education and career decisions without technology. As I wrote a decade ago, students wont have to be completely in charge of their own education. Theyll be following a path. Granted, that path will be dynamically created by machines rather than handcrafted on an Ivy-covered quad. But it will be different and better than the current DIY path.

In turbulent times, this is the navigation assistance every young American desperately needs.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Rep. Adam Smith (D-Wash.) on Sunday said immigration policy could have been more secure during the Biden administration while weighing in on lawmakers current impasse on reforms for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

The Biden administration did not do immigration enforcement the way it should have. We should have [had] the border more secure than it was, Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, said during an appearance on Fox Newss Fox News Sunday.

But theres plenty of room between that policy, between the radical-left policy you keep talking about, you know, open borders and all that. And having, you know, masked unidentified ICE agents show up. No probable cause, he added.

Citizens remain subject to a partial government shutdown over ICE funding and tactics, although the Senate approved a funding package for other agencies housed under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) over the weekend.

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House Republicans rejected the bill and countered with an eight-week funding package that would fully fund DHS. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the bill is dead on arrival in the upper chamber.

For weeks, Democrats refused to fund DHS, holding firm to their demands to have ICE agents use judicial warrants and body-worn cameras and remove face coverings.

President Trump and other Republicans have argued that masks prevent agents from being doxed.

The debate over immigration reform stemmed from the deaths of two U.S. citizens at the hands of federal immigration authorities in Minneapolis, Minn., earlier this year.

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On Sunday, Smith said lawmakers must find a middle ground between two extremes on immigration policy and work to fund the Transportation Security Administration (TSA).

And we can have that debate and fund TSA if Mike Johnson would just let us vote on what every single senator, including Sen. Cotton, by the way, supported out of the Senate, Smith told host Shannon Bream, referring to Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

Theres no reason not to pay TSA while were having that other debate. And thats what we ought to be doing, he added.

Airports across the country have been rattled by low TSA staffing levels, leading to longer security lines. President Trump sent ICE officers to several airports to help ease the growing burden due to TSA worker callouts, which have raised concerns for Democrats.

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Trump said ICE officers would remain present at airports for as long as it takes.

Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Douglas Gillison

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. federal watchdog agency for consumer finance expects to finalize new regulations proposed in November that would narrow key civil-rights-era antidiscrimination requirements for lenders, according to a government website.

The new policy from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau would free banks and others from a decades-old requirement to prevent discriminatory impacts on women and minorities, instead focusing solely on preventing explicitly discriminatory conduct.

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Representatives for both the Office of Management and Budget and the CFPB did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Tuesday.

The change makes good on an executive order President Donald Trump issued a year ago, which said requiring companies to prevent "disparate impact" encourages favoritism and unfairly burdens companies.

The website of OMB, an arm of the president's office also controlled by the CFPB's Acting Director Russell Vought, showed on Tuesday that a final version of the regulation was now under review with "no material change" from November's proposed version.

It was unclear when the CFPB would be ready to adopt the new rule or whether OMB experts would recommend any changes.

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The new rule comes over the objections of fair-lending and pro-consumer advocates who say such a change flies in the face of lawmakers' intent when they adopted the 1974 Equal Credit Opportunity Act and subsequent reforms. Industry groups, however, said they supported the proposal as it would free banks and others from unnecessary compliance burdens and legal liabilities.

(Reporting by Douglas Gillison in Washington; Editing by Mark Porter)
MOSCOW, March 31 (Xinhua) -- A Russian An-26 military transport aircraft lost contact during a scheduled flight over Crimea, the Russian Ministry of Defense said Tuesday.

"On March 31, at approximately 6:00 PM Moscow time, contact with an An-26 military transport aircraft was lost during a scheduled flight over the Crimean Peninsula. There was no damage to the aircraft," the ministry said, adding that the fate of the crew and passengers remains unknown.

The ministry said that search and rescue teams had been sent to the suspected area of the incident. 
By attacking Iran and threatening to seize its oil while taking extraordinary measures to block clean energy back in the US, Donald Trump has inadvertently highlighted the dangerous volatility of the fossil fuel era, critics say.

The US and Israels bombardment of Iran and southern Lebanon has caused a humanitarian and environmental toll, with threats of further escalation set to add to these casualties as well as add more planet-heating emissions and destroy drinking water supplies.

Irans blockade of the strait of Hormuz, where a fifth of the worlds oil is normally transported, has threatened economies around the world as energy costs have spiked, with consumers globally paying out more than $100bn extra to fossil fuel companies since the conflict began last month. In the US, the average national cost of gasoline has risen to nearly $4 a gallon.

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Its quite a bet the president has made on fossil fuels and as of today it isnt going so well, said Alice Hill, an energy and environment expert at the Council on Foreign Relations.

Related: Fossil fuel companies finally accept the climate crisis  just not their role in it

This is a very stark reminder that the green transition will have huge benefits for the long-term security of the nation. Countries that have invested in clean energy like solar and wind will be better placed and will weather this. But President Trump has rejected that approach, which just makes us more vulnerable.

Scientists have repeatedly warned that the world must urgently transition away from fossil fuels to avoid the disastrous consequences of an increasingly overheated planet. While carbon emissions are still not falling fast enough to avoid severe impacts, the plummeting cost of wind and solar power has prompted countries to invest in renewables at record levels.

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However, Trump has instead sought to elongate the fossil fuel era, using incendiary language on Friday to dismiss those concerned about the environment. The environmentalists, I mean, they are terrorists, the president said. They are terrorists. I call them environmental terrorists.

Trump has previously called the climate crisis a hoax and a scam and has demanded that not only the US drill for more oil and gas, but that he seize the supply coming from other oil-rich countries  Venezuela and now Iran. To be honest with you, my favorite thing is to take the oil in Iran but some stupid people back in the US say: why are you doing that? But theyre stupid people, Trump told the Financial Times on Sunday.

The fossil fuel-infused nature of the Iran war has been further highlighted by Trumps threat to attack Kharg Island, the 5-mile-long strategic island where 90% of Irans oil is processed. The US president has said that if a deal with Iran is not struck that would reopen the strait of Hormuz shipping lane, the US would destroy all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!).

Destroying civilian infrastructure such as power and water facilities is illegal under the Geneva conventions and would constitute a war crime.

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It would also probably further raise global energy costs, including in the US. As well as promising to not start a war with Iran, Trump vowed before the 2024 election to lower costs for Americans  a pledge that he has so far largely failed to achieve.

The president is locking us into 20th-century energy systems when we have wind and solar that could loosen the chokehold on the strait of Hormuz, said Hill. That retrenchment is very striking when you see oil prices soaring and no clear strategy to end the war.

The multiple dangers posed by an ongoing dependence upon fossil fuels have recently been made apparent both in Iran and the US. Missile strikes upon oil depots in Iran have caused toxic black smoke to shroud communities, causing environmental damage that could last for decades.

In the US, a record heatwave in the western states this month was virtually impossible if it were not for the human-caused climate crisis, scientists recently found. It also became clear that an oil spill, also spewing this month, spread across 600 km (373 miles) of the Gulf of Mexico.

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March also saw a major oil and gas industry conference in Houston where Chris Wright, the US energy secretary, called on producers to drill for more. While the conference was under way, a Texas oil refinery located just an hours drive away exploded, causing a huge plume of black smoke and orders for nearby residents to stay indoors.

Despite such risks, however, the Trump administration has actively attempted to stymie clean energy projects by banning them from federal land and waters and removing their subsidies. Last week, the administration took the extraordinary decision to pay the French company TotalEnergies $1bn in taxpayer funds to not proceed with its plan to erect a new offshore windfarm.

Endangered species laws have also been targeted by the administration in the desire to fulfill the mantra of drill, baby drill. On Tuesday, an unusual meeting of top administration officials will take place to sweep aside protections for rare marine species to facilitate more oil and gas drilling in the Gulf of Mexico.

The rarely used God squad provision in the Endangered Species Act (ESA) allows a president to convene a committee of agency heads empowered to effectively veto protections for species on the brink of extinction. The committee essentially weighs whether the benefits from a proposed project outweigh the continued existence of protected wildlife.

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The Department of Defense has called for an exemption under national security grounds, which would remove protections for species such as the Rices whale, which is only found in the Gulf of Mexico and has only about 50 individuals left. Other animals, such as whooping cranes and sea turtles, would also be left without ESA protection.

This is completely illegal and it wouldnt even release one more gallon of oil, its just a way to drive through this agenda without any possible oversight, said Kieran Suckling, executive director of the Center for Biological Diversity, which is suing the government over the God squad meeting.

There are these bare bones restrictions on boat speeds and whale monitoring that could be lifted and then the Rices whale could go extinct in five years. It will go extinct for no fucking reason.

We need to transition away from fossil fuels to save our planet and our democracy. We are seeing the costs of fossil fuels right now  war, the overruling of democracy and the ignoring of laws. Its not just global warming.
US President Donald Trump has suggested the countries "that are using" the Strait of Hormuz should reopen it after Iran's blockade, while claiming in a New York Post interview it will reopen "automatically" once US combat operations end.

The Strait of Hormuz is an important route for tankers carrying crude oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the resource-rich region.

Iran has largely brought shipping traffic there to a standstill with attacks and threats and has so far allowed only a few tankers through. This has been driving up energy prices worldwide for weeks and is also disrupting supplies of fertilizer.

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More expensive petrol is also fuelling dissatisfaction in the US with Trump's approach.

"Automatically open"

Asked about a Wall Street Journal report saying he could end the US military operation even without the Strait of Hormuz being reopened, Trump said in the New York Post interview published on Tuesday he was not thinking about that.

"My sole function was to make sure that they dont have a nuclear weapon. Theyre not going to have a nuclear weapon. When we leave the strait will automatically open," he continued.

Trump also said in the interview that Iran no longer had any military power. "They have no strength left, and let the countries that are using the strait, let them go and open it," he went on to say.

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Earlier, he had advised countries such as Britain to either buy oil from the US or fetch it themselves from the Strait of Hormuz.

Despite the US military strikes, Iran still appears capable of blocking oil transports. Only overnight, a huge Kuwaiti oil tanker in the port of Dubai caught fire after an Iranian attack.
President Donald Trump moved to exert federal control over voter rolls and mail-in ballots with an executive order that cracks down on a form of voting he frequently criticizes, even as he used it to cast his own ballot this year.

The move escalates the president's bid to place new restrictions on voting ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, when control of Congress is at stake. The action was swiftly condemned by Democrats and voting rights groups, who said it interferes with state election administration and makes it harder for people to vote.

Trump's order requires the Department of Homeland Security to coordinate with the Social Security Administration to create lists of voting-age U.S. citizens who are residents of each state and transmit them to state voting officials at least 60 days before an election.

"No Kings" protesters gathered with signs, chants and costumes on Saturday, part of the third such coordinated demonstration against President Donald Trump 's actions and policies since he took office for his second term. More than 3,000 events are expected throughout the nation . See moments from the protests across the nation. See the signs protesters created.



The Roebling Suspension Bridge near Cincinnati stands tall in the background while a protester holds a sign that reads "Elvis forever Trump never," at a protest against President Trump and his administration's policies on March 28, 2026. Over 700 people participated in a "No Kings" protest on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach on March 28, 2026. A woman holds a sign with a drawing of a glass of iced coffee that reads "I like ICE in my coffee not my streets," at a protest against President Donald Trump and his administration's policies at the Roebling Suspension Bridge in Convington on March 28, 2026. The 'No Kings' rally in Somerville on March 28, 2026, opposing policies of the Trump administration. "No Kings" protesters on Coastal Highway in Rehoboth Beach on March 28, 2026. Over 1,000 people gathered at University Town's Center for a 'No King's' protest on Saturday, March 28. This marks the third nationwide "No Kings" day of action protesting the Trump administration. The 'No Kings' rally in Somerville on March 28, 2026, opposing policies of the Trump administration. The 'No Kings' rally in Somerville on March 28, 2026, opposing policies of the Trump administration. A man wears three different "No Kings" signs on the back of his hat at the Covington protest against President Donald Trump and his administration's policies on March 28, 2026. Signs range from poignant to funny to critical at 'No Kings' protests 1 of 9 "No Kings" protesters gathered with signs, chants and costumes on Saturday, part of the third such coordinated demonstration against President Donald Trump 's actions and policies since he took office for his second term. More than 3,000 events are expected throughout the nation . See moments from the protests across the nation. See the signs protesters created.



The Roebling Suspension Bridge near Cincinnati stands tall in the background while a protester holds a sign that reads "Elvis forever Trump never," at a protest against President Trump and his administration's policies on March 28, 2026.

The U.S. Postal Service would then oversee mail-in ballots, with the order directing the agency to develop rules establishing "uniform standards" for the ballots and preventing it from transmitting ballots of people who are not approved. The Postal Service would provide each state with a list of voters who are "enrolled" with the agency.

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White House Staff Secretary Will Scharf said the Postal Service would "verify that ballots ... are being sent to people who are eligible to vote, and then the ballots being returned are being properly returned by eligible voters only."

Trump has suggested for months that the federal government could nationalize the voting process, generating bipartisan pushback and alarming opponents who worried about the fairness of future contests.

GOP, Dems battle over Trump's SAVE Act. But who will it really help?

States have the authority under the Constitution over "the times, places, and manner" of federal elections. State and local authorities administer voting, though the Constitution gives Congress the power to "make or alter" election rules.

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Trump's effort to assert executive authority over elections is likely to be challenged in court.

NAACP leader: 'Not only is his order unconstitutional, it's unserious'

Marc Elias, a leading election law attorney backing Democrats, said on social media that "If Trump signs an unconstitutional executive order to take over voting, we will sue. I don't bluff and I usually win."

The president signed the order March 31 at a White House event in the Oval Office, saying it "will help a lot with elections" and believes "it's foolproof."

Voting rights groups quickly came out against the order.

Shocking  the mail-in president restricts mail-in voting," NAACP President Derrick Johnson said in a statement. "A hypocrite, as always. Not only is his order unconstitutional, it's unserious."

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Trump has focused on voting legislation in the run-up to the November midterm elections, urging Congress to pass the SAVE America Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote. The legislation has stalled amid strong pushback from opponents.

Trumps second term saw aggressive immigration and trade moves, federal downsizing, and assertive foreign interventions in Venezuela and Iran. President Donald Trump has doubled down on an aggressive immigration agenda, emphasizing record-low levels of illegal border crossings and a sweeping expansion of enforcement. In his February 2026 State of the Union address, Trump highlighted a ninemonth period in which, he claimed, zero illegal aliens were admitted into the U.S.a statement that fact-checkers noted conflated admission with release on parole, though data does show no parole releases during that period. The administration has also promoted major enforcement gains: significant declines in illegal crossings, a dramatic reduction in interior releases, expanded deportation operations, and tightened border controls, according to a February 2026 White House summary of its immigration actions. More broadly, the administration continues implementing executive actions that restrict entry at the southern border and increase immigration enforcement nationwide, including policies tied to TrumpOs 2025 proclamation invoking federal authority to suspend certain entries. [whitehouse.gov] President Donald Trump has intensified his tariffdriven economic strategy in his second term, expanding duties across global partners while positioning tariffs as a central tool to bolster U.S. industry. Despite broad tariff hikes, the U.S. trade deficit surged in late 2025, reaching a record goods shortfall even as the administration sought to curb imports and revive domestic manufacturinga goal undercut by a decline in factory employment during the same period. President Donald Trump has undertaken an unprecedented downsizing and restructuring of the federal government during his second term, marked by aggressive workforce reductions, major agency overhauls, and expanded executive authority over civil service rules. Federal workforce cuts accelerated sharply in 2025, with estimates showing reductions ranging from 220,000 to more than 300,000 employees through voluntary departure incentives, pressure campaigns, buyouts, and targeted firingsNresulting in the smallest federal workforce share recorded since the 1930s. The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) was created at the start of President Trumps second term to drive sweeping federal workforce reductions. DOGE spearheaded mass buyouts, layoffs, and restructuring across agencies, including the rollout of the Deferred Resignation Program and guidance encouraging the firing of probationary employees. Its initiatives contributed to a net loss of more than 150,000 federal workers early in Trumps second term, with broader governmentwide workforce reductions continuing into 2026. Elon Musk was appointed to lead DOGE and initially served as the public face of Trumps governmentshrinkage agenda. However, his influence declined significantly after he stepped away from the department and entered a public feud with President Trump. Many DOGE staffers left government during this period, and DOGE became associated with controversial actions including the dismantling of USAID and alleged improper access to agency data. Musk originally claimed DOGE would identify $2 trillion in government savings, but the departments website later estimated only $215 billion, a figure analysts say was overstated. President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, signed July 4, 2025, reshaped federal tax law by extending lower individual tax rates from the 2017 TCJA, increasing standard deductions, and adding new temporary deductions for tips and overtime. The law also phases out cleanenergy incentives and cuts programs like Medicaid and SNAP, with the Congressional Budget Office projecting a $4.1 trillion increase in deficits over 10 years due to the package. President Trump has aligned many social policies with the goals of Project 2025, targeting reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ protections, DEI programs, and genderaffirming care. His administration has signed executive orders eliminating transgender protections, removing DEI offices across federal agencies, and directing schools to deny funding if they allow transgender girls to compete in girls sports. He has also pursued efforts to defund Planned Parenthood and restrict reproductivehealth accessthough not all proposed measures have succeeded. Trump has moved aggressively to remake federal cultural institutions, ordering the removal of what he calls antiAmerican ideology from museums, national parks, and research centers. Actions include restoring Confederate statues, removing slaveryrelated exhibits and NativeAmerican history signage from national parks, and pressuring institutions like the Smithsonian and Kennedy Center while installing political allies onto boards. Civilrights groups warn these moves risk erasing critical historical truths and reversing decades of social progress During his second term, President Donald Trump has systematically dismantled diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across the federal government. Executive orders have eliminated DEI offices and policies, with agencies placing all DEIrelated staff on administrative leave and shutting down DEI programs entirely. His administration also removed DEI departments at major cultural institutions such as the Smithsonian and National Gallery of Art in early 2025. Trump has framed DEI initiatives as antiAmerican ideology, directing agencies and cultural institutions to strip references to DEI, sexual orientation and gender identity from rules, grants, and regulations. These moves reflect a broader cultural agenda aimed at reversing equityfocused policies across education, federal agencies, and the arts sector. On January 3, 2026, President Donald Trump ordered a largescale U.S. military operation in VenezuelaOperation Absolute Resolveresulting in the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his wife, Cilia Flores. U.S. forces conducted coordinated strikes across northern Venezuela to suppress air defenses before extracting the pair, who were flown to New York to face narcoterrorismrelated charges. The Trump administration framed the action as a lawenforcement mission with military support, asserting inherent presidential authority, while Venezuela and several regional governments condemned it as a violation of sovereignty. In late February and early March 2026, President Donald Trump announced that the United States had begun major combat operations in Iran, launching strikes alongside Israel targeting Iranian leadership, military infrastructure, and missile capabilities. The joint assault targeted highlevel officials, including Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and President Masoud Pezeshkian, and was framed by Trump as necessary to eliminate imminent threats and prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. Trump second term marked by turbulent moves. See photos 1 of 14 Trumps second term saw aggressive immigration and trade moves, federal downsizing, and assertive foreign interventions in Venezuela and Iran. President Donald Trump has doubled down on an aggressive immigration agenda, emphasizing record-low levels of illegal border crossings and a sweeping expansion of enforcement. In his February 2026 State of the Union address, Trump highlighted a ninemonth period in which, he claimed, zero illegal aliens were admitted into the U.S.a statement that fact-checkers noted conflated admission with release on parole, though data does show no parole releases during that period.

Trump has falsely claimed that the 2020 election, which he lost to former President Joe Biden, was stolen, and he regularly targets vote-by-mail as rife with fraud. He said March 31 that "the cheating on mail-in voting is legendary."

Nevada Secretary of State Cisco Aguilar, who chairs the Democratic association for state officials who oversee elections, said Trump is trying to change the voting rules "because he's worried he might lose."

"No matter what he says now, the president knows our election system is safe, secure, and reliable because he himself cast a mail ballot last week," Aguilar said, adding Trump is trying to "bully states into making it harder for people to vote."

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Florida, a state Trump carried by 13 percentage points in 2024, is among states that widely use mail-in ballots. The president cast his ballot by mail in a special election March 24 in Florida.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Trump signs executive order targeting mail-in ballots
A foundation overseeing the construction of President Donald Trumps presidential library has revealed the first renderings of the precedent-shattering project  a towering skyscraper in downtown Miami.

Eric Trump, the presidents son and a trustee of the Trump Library Foundation, shared plans for the presidential library in a social media post on Monday. The post included a video of renderings of the building, slated to be built on property transferred from Miami Dade College.

This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known, Trump said.

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The renderings depict a skyscraper that would loom over Biscayne Bay, emblazoned with Trumps name in large block letters in a similar style to construction projects his company helped develop prior to his entrance into politics.

It would also loom over the adjacent Freedom Tower, a Miami landmark where Cubans fleeing the communist revolution were processed for U.S. residency.

The mock-up suggests the library will feature multiple design details that evoke Trumps redesign of the White House. One image features a hallway with plaques of past presidents, similar to the walk of fame Trump installed at the West Colonnade of the White House. Another rendering shows a large ballroom inside the library with a design closely resembling plans for the new ballroom Trump is constructing at the White House.

Another image suggests the library will include a replica of the Oval Office, featuring the presidents preferred gold trimming, gold drapes and ornate design details.

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A large atrium depicted in the renderings features multiple U.S. military aircraft, including the luxury 747 Boeing aircraft given to Trump by Qatar. At the time the Qataris gift was announced last year, the White House said it would donate the aircraft to Trumps library to take ownership of it after leaving office.

The images mark the first indication of Trumps plans for the 2.63 acre plot of land granted to him in an under-the-radar deal by Miami Dade College and Gov. Ron DeSantis last year. The plot previously served as a parking lot for college employees.

The foundation is aiming to bring in nearly a billion dollars in fundraising, according to tax records obtained by The Miami Herald. Part of that sum comes from settlements in lawsuits filed against media companies.
Donald Trump went on Truth Social and told countries hurt by the Strait of Hormuz shutdown to buy American fuel or go there and just TAKE it. He singled out the United Kingdom and France for refusing to help. He said the hard part is done. He said the United States would not be there to help them anymore.

That post was supposed to sound like strength. It landed hours after two of Americas NATO allies had already made clear they wanted no part of his war.

What Happened Before the Post

Spain did not just grumble. It blocked U.S. use of jointly operated military bases for Iran-related operations, then went further and closed its airspace to U.S. warplanes involved in the attacks. Defence Minister Margarita Robles said Madrid would not authorize either bases or airspace for actions related to the conflict. Spains government has been unusually direct: it sees the war as unilateral and illegal, and it is not hedging; it is refusing.

Spains Defence Minister Margarita Robles. Credit: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa/Wikimedia Commons

Then Italy said no, and that was the more damaging refusal. Spains opposition fits Pedro Sanchezs politics. Italy is different. Giorgia Meloni has close ties to Trump and has been careful not to publicly break with Washington. Yet Reuters reported that Rome denied permission for U.S. military aircraft to land at Sigonella in Sicily because Washington had not sought prior authorization, which Italian treaties require. Italy insisted there were no frictions and that requests are examined on a case-by-case basis. Fine. That still amounts to the same thing in practice. No automatic compliance. No blank check. No free use of allied territory just because Washington says so.

Giorgia Meloni has been one of Trumps closest European allies. Credit: Governo italiano/Wikimedia Commons

When Sanchez says no, the White House can dismiss it as left-wing posturing. When Meloni says no, the excuse disappears. The friendly government followed procedure rather than orders. And that distinction is the one Trumps post was really reacting to.

Iran Noticed the Difference

This detail should worry the White House more than any social media argument. After Spains refusal, Irans embassy in Madrid said it would be receptive to any request from Spain related to transit through the Strait of Hormuz because Spain respects international law.

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Read that carefully. Tehran is openly distinguishing between NATO members it considers hostile and NATO members it thinks can still be dealt with. Spains no bought it something Washingtons yes-men do not currently have  room. Iran is not offering Spain an alliance. It is offering Spain a tier. And the fact that tiers now exist inside the Western alliance based on who stood with the United States and who did not is a bigger problem than one angry president yelling about oil on social media.

The Post Admitted What the Bravado Was Trying To Hide

Strip away the all-caps, and the message was simple. The allies did not come when called. The war is squeezing fuel markets. And the presidents answer was to tell them to fend for themselves. That is not how leaders talk when the coalition is tight. That is how they talk when they expected obedience and got procedure, hesitation, and flat refusal instead.

PRESIDENT TRUMP: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up pic.twitter.com/ovUwFCk6eY  The Kobeissi Letter (@KobeissiLetter) March 31, 2026

Trump can sell this as toughness to his base. The just TAKE it line will play on Truth Social the way all his lines play  as bluster that sounds like command. But outside that audience, the post reads like a man discovering in real time that the war he started is becoming the war he owns. The hard part is not done. The hard part is that the countries he needs are doing the math and deciding that the cost of standing with Washington on this one is higher than the cost of standing apart.

The War Is Sorting Allies Into Categories. Trump Is Helping

The pattern is already visible. Spain refused and got a diplomatic opening from Tehran. Italy refused and kept its procedural credibility intact. The UK and France got called out by name on Truth Social for not helping. And the United States is running a military campaign in the Middle East while its president publicly tells allied nations they are on their own.

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Every war tests an alliance. The question is always whether the coalition holds under pressure or starts sorting itself into tiers  countries that comply, countries that hedge, and countries that refuse. What makes this one different is that the sorting is not happening quietly in back channels. It is happening on Truth Social, in Spanish airspace closures, in Italian procedural denials, and in Iranian embassy statements addressed to individual NATO members by name.

Trump told his allies to go take the Strait of Hormuz. Two of them had already told him they would not help take Iran. So, which is it  an alliance, or a president finding out how many friends he has left when the war is his idea and the bill is everyone elses?
President Donald Trump still has more than two years left in office, but he and his family are already looking ahead to how his presidency will be remembered.

The president posted a video on Truth Social Monday showing renderings of a massive skyscraper in Miami - with "Trump" in large block letters across the top, similar to his hotels.

The downtown tower would house his presidential library, rising over Biscayne Bay on property transferred from Miami Dade College.

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"This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known," Trump's son Eric said in a post on X.

FIRST LOOK: The Donald J. Trump Presidential Library is officially here. Over the past six months, I have poured my heart and soul into this project with my incredible team at @Trump. This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an pic.twitter.com/azV1hx0HG2 - Eric Trump (@EricTrump) March 31, 2026

What the renderings include

Inside, plans call for a large atrium with U.S. military aircraft - including the Boeing 747 that Qatar gifted the White House for use as Air Force One.

The administration says that the plane would eventually be moved to the library after Trump leaves office.

Renderings also show a replica of the Oval Office, with heavy gold trim and gold drapes, and a hallway with plaques of past presidents, similar to the "walk of fame" that the president installed at the White House.

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Also, similar to the White House, the renderings show a large ballroom with a design that closely resembles the ballroom plans for the former White House East Wing.

The foundation behind the project is looking to raise more than one billion dollars to build it. Part of that sum will come from settlements in lawsuits the president has filed against media companies, Politico reports.

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Welcome to From the Politics Desk, a daily newsletter that brings you the NBC News Politics teams latest reporting and analysis from the White House, Capitol Hill and the campaign trail.

In todays edition, Sahil Kapur digs into a key factor driving Republican division on the DHS shutdown. Plus, we run through the latest updates on the Iran war as it stretches into its second month.

Sign up to receive this newsletter in your inbox every weekday here.

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 Adam Wollner

Trumps disconnect in DHS stalemate fuels Republican infighting

Analysis by Sahil Kapur

President Donald Trumps disconnect from the legislative dynamics on Capitol Hill has fueled a new round of Republican infighting as the Department of Homeland Security is in the midst of the longest shutdown of a federal department in U.S. history.

After the Senate unanimously passed a bill early Friday to fund all of DHS except Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Protection, House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., trashed it as a joke and refused to bring it to the floor. He sought to absolve Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., and blame it solely on Senate Democrats, even though the GOP controls the chamber.

Trump didnt weigh in publicly on either the Senate bill or the Houses doomed stopgap measure that would fund all of DHS. Both Thune and Johnson thought they were advancing their conflicting bills with Trumps blessing.

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The finger-pointing intensified today when the Senate came in for a pro forma session and didnt attempt to bring up the House-passed bill.

BUT THAT DID NOT HAPPEN THIS MORNING. Why? Because not ONE Republican senator went to the floor to put this DHS shutdown exactly where it belongs  on the Democrats, Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., posted on X. And I presume thats because they fled Washington.

Some Senate Republicans who declined to object to the passage of the bill and the decision to go on a two-week recess are now seeking to distance themselves from those moves. That includes Sens. Rick Scott, R-Fla., and Mike Lee, R-Utah, who have called for canceling the recess and passing a bill to fund DHS without Democratic votes  which would require nixing the filibuster.

Rep. Randy Fine, the outspoken and controversial Florida Republican, said on X, Its insane that Senate Republicans didnt even introduce our bill to fully fund the Department of Homeland Security. They didnt even try. End the vacations and junkets and get your asses back to DC. Now.

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For his part, Trump called it a shame last night and demanded  again  that Republicans abolish the 60-vote rule.

They should terminate the filibuster and they should vote. Thats what I think, Trump told reporters. I think the Senate is playing it too soft.

But Senate Republicans have made abundantly clear for more than a year they wont do that, with a variety of members deeply dug in on their support for the legislative filibuster.

The lack of a viable direction from the White House has left Republicans on Capitol Hill twisting in the wind, with nobody other than Trump possessing the necessary clout to call the play, and activists and influencers sniping at others within the party as there is still no solution in sight.

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The infighting has given Democrats the upper hand to pin blame for the shutdown on the GOP. A spokesperson for Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said, With the division and intransigence among Republicans it is clear that this is a Republican shutdown.

More from NBC News on the DHS shutdown:

Amid the long lines and delays at airports, travelers tell NBC News they feel deeply sympathetic to the airline workers who have been caught up in the shutdown  and deeply frustrated with politicians in Washington for letting it all happen.

Border czar Tom Homan said that ICE agents would remain at airports until TSA officers are able to resume normal operations, Megan Lebowitz reports.

Follow live updates 

Iran war, Day 31: Trump threatens Irans energy and water if deal isnt reached soon

President Donald Trump threatened the destruction of Irans civilian energy and water infrastructure if a deal to end the war and reopen the crucial Strait of Hormuz is not reached soon.In a Truth Social post this morning, Trump said great progress has been made in talks with Iran. But a spokesperson for Irans foreign ministry said there have been no direct negotiations with the U.S. and called the peace proposals unrealistic and unreasonable.

And in an interview with the Financial Times yesterday, Trump said that he would like to take the oil in Iran and is considering seizing the export hub of Kharg Island, which is responsible for more than 90% of Irans oil exports.

Catch up on NBC News Iran war coverage:

As surging oil prices ripple through the global economy, some analysts are saying the worst could still be ahead as the conflict drags on, Rob Wile writes.

Iran has said it is ready to face U.S. troops on the ground, accusing Washington of secretly planning an assault while seeking negotiations to end the war, Freddie Clayton reports.

While most Iranians are barred from the internet, one of the countrys rising hard-line figures is using social media to take on Trump, Alexander Smith notes.

Russia took satellite images of a U.S. air base in Saudi Arabia three times in the days before Iran attacked the site and wounded American troops, according to a summary of Ukrainian intelligence shared with NBC News by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy .

Activists who spoke with Peter Nicholas at CPAC in Texas said they trust Trump attacked Iran for good reason, but worry about the chaos the war may unleash.

Follow live updates 

 Today's other top stories

 Exclusive interview: Second lady Usha Vance said that she and her husband, Vice President JD Vance , dont always see eye to eye on every issue, but that the room for disagreement creates space for open-minded conversations. Read more 

 Ballroom blitz: Trump said plans for the new White House ballroom include a massive underground military complex. Read more 

 Cuba update: Trump also said he has no problem with a Russian oil tanker off the coast of Cuba delivering relief to the island. Read more 

 SCOTUS watch: Looking to limit birthright citizenship, the Trump administration is turning to an 1884 Supreme Court ruling against a Native American man. Read more 

 Comeback kid: Republican Mark Sanford , the former congressman and governor, launched a bid for his old seat in South Carolinas 1st District. Read more 

 In the battlegrounds: The 2026 elections are poised to bring a changing of the guard to Wisconsin, with a raft of retirements opening up key positions in state government. Read more 

 ICYMI: Throngs of demonstrators gathered in cities across the country Saturday for a third round of No Kings protests against the Trump administration, with the flagship rally held in Minnesotas capital. Read more 

Thats all From the Politics Desk for now. Todays newsletter was compiled by Adam Wollner.

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If you have feedback  likes or dislikes  email us at politicsnewsletter@nbcuni.com

And if youre a fan, please share with everyone and anyone. They can sign up here.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The shortage of TSA officers is still slowing security lines at major airports, where staffing shortages are more severe than the national average, but wait times seemed to be stabilizing Monday. TSA officers were calling out absent at elevated rates Sunday, even as there were signs that part of their back pay over the 45-day partial shutdown was beginning to reach their bank accounts.

Although Congress has failed to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security and lawmakers have left town Friday for a two-week recess, President Trump signed an executive order directing the DHS secretary to pay TSA workers during the shutdown.

Nationwide, the call-out rate stood at 10.6%, or 3,101 officers Sunday, down from a peak of 12.4% on March 27. Even so, the figure remains well above typical levels, which generally fall in the low single digits  around 2%  underscoring continued strain on airport screening operations.

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Baltimore/Washington International Airport reported a 38.5% call-out rate, while Houston's George Bush Intercontinental had a 36.4% rate and the city's William P. Hobby Airport had a 34.1% absence rate. New Orleans and Atlanta each topped 33%, while major Northeast hubs including JFK, LaGuardia and Philadelphia airports all reported rates near or above 20%.

Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents were sent to assist TSA at BWI Airport and other airports over the weekend, and White House border czar Tom Homan told CBS News "Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan" that officers would be in place until the airports "feel like they're 100%." On Monday, all of BWI's checkpoints were open.

"Now that I received the deposit, the cars are all gassed up and I'm ready to go to. I'll be, I'll be at my checkpoint tomorrow," TSA officer and union official Pasqual Contreras told CBS News Monday. Last week, he ran out of gas money to make the two-hour round trip daily commute to Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport.

"It pays the rent. it pays March, but as we can all see, we're in April already. So it doesn't go far," Contreras said. "It's enough to  maybe not continue staying in the red  but not by much."

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CBS News obtained a notice sent to TSA workers indicating that they have received pay for 160 hours, covering the period from Feb. 22 to March 21. They're still missing pay for Feb. 14-21, and it's also not yet clear whether they've been paid for overtime hours worked during the shutdown. After last fall's government shutdown, it took several pay periods to sort out missed pay issues.

DHS officials said some paychecks began to be deposited in workers' accounts as early as Monday, with other workers expected to receive payments Tuesday. The department's goal is to have most workers paid by close of business Tuesday, with an outside deadline of Wednesday, April 1, when a number of bills tend to be due.

The staggered timing reflects banking practices, rather than differences in payroll. DHS transmitted payments on the same schedule, but some financial institutions release funds as soon as they receive notice of an incoming deposit, while others wait until the official settlement date.

The payments follow weeks of disruption during the partial DHS shutdown, which left roughly 50,000 TSA officers working without pay and contributed to widespread airport delays, high absenteeism and staffing shortages. The financial strain forced more than 510 TSA officers to quit.

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The president's executive order only covers pay for TSA workers. ICE agents have continued to be paid because Congress provided funding for them in last year's One Big Beautiful Bill Act, but tens of thousands of DHS workers are continuing to work without pay, among them, Coast Guard, FEMA and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency employees.

CBS News has asked DHS for additional details on which appropriations or funding mechanisms are being used to cover the payments, as well as how long they can keep this up.

TSA wait times at major U.S. airports (Table)

Julia Griggs contributed to this report.

Iran hits more Gulf targets as U.S., Israel continue strikes

Trump sends mixed messages on Iran

NASA head says Artemis II will pave the way for "astronauts planting the Stars and Stripes on Mars"
In the Middle East, Turkey seeks to play a key role if and when the Iran conflict winds down. Ankara will seek to grow its influence as Irans influence declines.

Turkey is positioning itself to play a key role when the Iran conflict winds down. The conflict has led to chaos in the region, and it remains to be seen if the US and Israel can come up with a strategy to deal with Iran or what comes next.

Turkey is also thinking of its next steps. Not involving itself in the conflict enables Ankara to work with both sides.

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Turkey is a NATO ally and has also had amicable ties with Iran in the past.

It also plays a key role in Syria and in northern Iraq. Turkeys Director of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) Ibrahim Kalin delivered important remarks at the Stratcom Summit this week.

Some were clipped for videos that appeared online. Kalin has been a key member of President Recep Tayyip Erdogans team over the years. The Stratcom summit focused on Disruption in the International System: Crises, Narratives, and Search for Order.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan looks on as Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis (not pictured) addresses the media during a joint press conference at the Presidential Complex in Ankara, on February 11, 2026. (credit: Adem ALTAN / AFP via Getty Images)

This can be seen through the lens of the Iran conflict and other conflicts.

Kalin noted that since the pandemic, the world has been passing through multiple critical thresholds, crises, and ruptures, according to a Turkish readout of his speech.

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The Russia-Ukraine War is one feature of the crisis. The conflicts in Gaza and Iran are others.

The 12-day Israel-Iran War that took place in June last year bore a character that both tested and revealed the actual conditions of the conflict we are currently facing, he said, adding that Ankara tried to prevent the current Iran war from breaking out.

On every occasion, we have underlined that a global system grounded in unpredictability, fragility, and the arbitrary use of power can only generate further crises and wars, and we have made every effort to prevent such conflicts and destruction.

Today, as we stand in the midst of this war, we have been making intensive efforts over the past month both to bring it to an end and to ensure that Turkey remains outside this conflict.

Turkey sees Israel as culprit in regional war

Turkey wants to prevent the Iran conflict from spreading. Ankara sees Israel as a key culprit in the wars in the region. This includes Israels current war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, in which more than a million people have been displaced.

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Ankara has positioned itself as one of the main critics of Israels policies over the years. It has supported Gaza and hosted Hamas. Back in 2010, it also enabled a flotilla, led by the Mavi Marmara, to sail toward Gaza.

This resulted in an Israeli raid on the ship in which 10 Turkish citizens were killed. Turkey-Israel ties have been in a downward spiral since that incident and the 2009 war in Gaza. There was a brief warming of ties in 2022, but that quickly faded with the recent war in Gaza.

Ankaras foreign policy has shifted in the last two years. It has moved from being more aggressive in the region, including frequent controversies with Greece and Egypt, as well as public battles with Saudi Arabia and the UAE, to reconciliation.

These days, Turkey has excellent ties with Saudi Arabia and has also patched things up with Egypt. It also works with Pakistan and other Muslim countries.

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As such, Turkey has returned to the AKP party's zero problems roots, which dominated foreign policy from 2003 to 2014. The Syrian civil war, the rise of ISIS, and battles with the PKK, as well as a coup attempt in Turkey, have led to radicalization in foreign policy.

Kalin described the war in Iran as an example of regional fitna or discord.

This reference will be considered important among Muslims. Ankara is arguing that the war in Iran is an attempt to divide the Islamic countries and the Islamic community, or ummah.

It is worth noting that Kalin speaks in Islamic terms to an audience that understands his references. He is not speaking for a Western audience. This matters because the translation of his speech may seem more banal when he speaks about discord.

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He says, I must also underline that a great fire of discord [fitna] is being ignited in our region, adding that the war is laying the groundwork for a fratricidal conflict  a prolonged cycle of hostility among the regions founding peoples, namely Turks, Kurds, Arabs, and Persians, that could endure for decades.

As Turkey, I would like to stress that we will remain on full alert and resolutely counter such attempts.

Ankara is arguing, or at least insinuating, that Israels decision to go to war with Iran and the USs decision to join the conflict may result in new civil conflicts in the region.

This comes at a time when the region was moving toward stability in the wake of the ISIS war, which ended in 2019, and the tragic Israel-Hamas War, which began with the Hamas attack in 2023 but had led to a ceasefire in 2025.

The ceasefire was followed by an immediate drive for war with Iran. Turkey sees this as incredibly damaging for the Middle East.

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However, we are fully aware that those who initiated this war do not intend to limit it to Iran alone. Through faits accomplis in Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian territories, and elsewhere, they seek to create new realities on the ground and pursue policies of destruction, annexation, and occupation, Kalin said.

He also referenced the changes on the border between Syria and Israel, in which Israel used the fall of the Assad regime as an opportunity to seize the peak of Mount Hermon, as well as some areas along the buffer zone of the 1974 ceasefire lines.

Israel claims this is merely defensive in order to preempt threats. Ankara sees it as a kind of expansionist policy that is linked to Israel also seeking to seize part of southern Lebanon and half of Gaza as a buffer.

Ankaras complaints in this regard may be ironic. Turkey itself has made huge claims to its Mediterranean Blue Homeland, where it seeks to assert control over a swath of the East Mediterranean through a deal it signed with Libya.

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Ankara has sent troops into Syria since 2016 and also has troops in northern Iraqs Kurdistan Region.

Turkey says it is fighting terrorism. Israel says it is fighting terrorism.

Turkeys government has become more religious and right-wing, as has Israels. In many ways, the countries share policies. Kalins argument is that today Ankara is seeking to be a peaceful steward of the region, and Israel is like a proverbial bull in a china shop.

In all our engagements and consultations with our friends and brotherly countries in the Gulf, we emphasize the need to pursue an approach grounded in the regions own dynamics in order to bring this war to an end as soon as possible, Kalin said.

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While the attacks carried out by Iran against Gulf countries are undoubtedly unacceptable, we must never lose sight of who initiated this war.

Therefore, pressure must be increased on Israel, and efforts must be concentrated on the actor that started the war in order to prevent it from escalating into a broader regional conflict and a global crisis, he continued.

Turkey seeks to manage what comes next as it coordinates with regional countries. In light of these lessons, we are strengthening our countrys security architecture and enhancing our resilience.

Like Israel, Turkey has a strong defense industrial complex. It wants to position itself as a leader in an increasingly multi-polar world. Kalins speech is part of this drive for a new world order.

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Of particular interest, the statement about his speech says that Kalin stated that, since the 1970s, postmodernist thinkers have argued that the era of grand narratives  such as reason, science, enlightenment, progress, religion, and society  has come to an end, suggesting instead that the course of humanity would continue through more micro-level relations and histories centered on identity, gender, ethnicity, and social classes.

This shows that Ankaras views are not just about the region but also about wider global trends.

None of these has made the world more rational, freer, or more just. On the contrary, we have entered a darker period in which irrational, darker, and anti-freedom forces have come to the fore  almost confirming Freuds projections about the subconscious. We have reached a point where some now refer to this as a dark enlightenment.

Kalin went on to say, referencing our digital age, that the mere production of information is not sufficient for humanity to achieve its goals. Knowledge alone is not enough; knowing is not enough  we must also possess wisdom.

Turkey, he said, in the face of postmodernisms anti-realist tendencies that deny truth and reality, and against todays post-truth inclinations, will continue to defend truth.

Against irrationalism, we will uphold reason grounded in firm foundations; against attempts to enslave reason, we will defend freedom; against mechanization, we will defend the human being; and against dark enlightenment, we will advocate a deeper enlightenment.

We will insist that these are not relative, arbitrary, contextual, class-based, or political constructs, but absolute, binding, and universal values.

This drive for truth would typically reflect a conservative normative mindset in the West. As such, Turkey is very much positioning itself as a conservative state in the world order.

In the Middle East, it seeks to play a key role if and when the Iran conflict winds down. It is likely the Iran conflict will lead to years of more crises. Ankara will seek to grow its influence as Irans influence declines.
WASHINGTON, March 31 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the U.S. military will leave Iran in two or three weeks.

"We leave because there's no reason for us to do this," Trump told reporters at the White House.

In a phone interview with the New York Post on Tuesday afternoon, Trump also said the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran is likely to end soon, and that other countries can reopen the Strait of Hormuz without U.S. military support. 
HENDERSONVILLE  The contractor on a major downtown Hendersonville residential construction project is suing the owner to enforce a lien, claiming the company is owed millions for work done over the past two years.

Turner Construction, which in late February stopped work on the high-rise project at 7th Avenue West and North Church Street downtown, claims the owner, Cedars Lodge and Spa, LLC, owes it almost $7 million plus interest as part of their contract, according to a complaint filed March 30 in Henderson County Superior Court.

According to the suit, Turner requested that the court order payment or declare that Turner has a lien on the property and that said Property be sold according to law, and that the proceeds therefrom be applied to the payment.

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Developer Gregg Covin told the Times-News March 31 that the suit is a formality for Turner to secure a lien during a certain period from the time work ended, set by state law. He said his company is negotiating with Turner to resume work on the project, officially called Fairmont Heritage Place - The Cedars, Hendersonville, once a new round of financing is secured.

Turner Construction workers dismantle a construction crane that's stood over downtown Hendersonville for over a year at the still-unfinished Fairmont Cedars project, planned to include 130 luxury condos in two high-rise towers.

This is not news, Covin said of the suit in a March 31 email to the Times-News.

In North Carolina a contractor is statutorily required to file a lawsuit 180 days after stopping work to preserve their lien rights. We are not fighting with Turner and we are negotiating with them to come back and finish the job as soon as we obtain financing to move the project forward, he said.

According to state law, a claim of lien must be filed within 120 days of work ending and a plaintiff must go to court to enforce it within 180 days, Hendersonville attorney Justice Mullen, whos not involved in the case, told the Times-News March 31.

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A lien on a property, imposed by a court, means that a property owner cant sell that property without paying their debtor.

A plaintiff can still file for a lien after 120 days, but not a mechanics lien, which allows a property under improvement to be used as a security against the cost of that improvement, Mullen said.

The Fairmont Cedars project in downtown Hendersonville is set to include 130 luxury condo units costing from $400,000 to $3.8 million. Construction is paused as developers seek new financing.

The first of two planned six-story towers is left unfinished after funding for the project was interrupted.

The project timeline was impacted by Hurricane Helene, permit delays, an electrical re-engineering requirement by Duke (Energy) and other factors. Our initial construction loan has since expired, and we are actively working on our second construction loan, Covin told the Times-News in a March 19 email.

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Construction loans are short-term loans paid out in installments based on stages of construction and builders typically pay only interest until the project is completed.

Plans for the project, in partnership with the national luxury chain Fairmont Hotels, include 130 condo units across two six-story towers and a renovation of the historic hotel on the property, according to Covin, the projects website and previous Times-News reporting.

Turner Construction workers dismantle a construction crane that's stood over downtown Hendersonville for over a year at the still-unfinished Fairmont Cedars project, planned to include 130 luxury condos in two high-rise towers.

Turner worked on the project from February 2024 until June 2025, when it suspended work for lack of payment, according to the complaint.

Turner continued to maintain and protect work already done until Feb. 28, according to the suit, and dismantled a construction crane over several days around March 19, the Times-News previously reported.

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There hasnt been active construction on the site since the new buildings roof was completed at the end of 2025, Covin said.

Turner filed a claim of lien with the Henderson County Clerk of Courts Office March 6, according to the suit.

The building is about six to eight months from completion and a planned second building will take around 22 months from the time work begins, Covin said.

The total cost of the project is estimated to be $180 million, Covin said, declining to say the amount of the loans.

The Times-News reached out March 31 to Turner Construction and its attorney Ryan Beaver, whos representing the company in the suit.

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More: What can you get at Hendersonville's new eatery Eden's Garden?

More: Hendersonville plans for $31M in flooding mitigation projects

George Fabe Russell is the Henderson County Reporter for the Hendersonville Times-News. Tips, questions, comments? Email him at GFRussell@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: Contractor sues Fairmont-Cedars owner over $7M allegedly unpaid
Funeral services were held Monday, March 23, at New Life Worship Center for Master Sergeant Tyler Grezaffi, a former deputy in Iberville and Pointe Coupee parishes who died in a car crash last week in Angola.

Law enforcement officers from across the state were among more than 600 people who attended the funeral along with Grezaffis family and friends.

She died in a car crash when her vehicle veered off a highway and into a ditch full of water in Angola, where she worked as a master sergeant at the Louisiana State Penitentiary.

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Grezaffi was 27.

Gary Westcott, secretary for the Louisiana Department of Corrections, said Grezaffi will be remembered for her professionalism, commitment and positive spirit.

Her contributions to our organization and the relationships she built with colleagues will not be forgotten, he said. Although Tyler Grezaffi was at the beginning of her promising career in public safety and corrections, she had already made a significant impact through her previous roles with the Pointe Coupee and Iberville Parish Sheriffs Offices. Since joining our department, more than a year ago, her dedication, energy and kindness have left an unforgettable mark on everyone she encountered.

Tyler Grezaffi

Cherie Smith, whose husband, Mark, is a first cousin of Scott Grezaffi, described Tylers deep sense of empathy.

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It began early in childhood, Smith said.

Even as a young child, Tyler recognized when others were hurting, and she didn't shy away from offering comfort and asking what she could do to help, she said.

That trait led Tyler to the path of her chosen profession, Smith said.

When I first learned Tyler was going into law enforcement, I must admit, my first thoughts were, how could our sweet, smiling Tyler deal with this job?

Tyler was masterful, she said. She knew that strength comes in different forms.

She worked for the Iberville and Pointe Coupee Sheriffs Offices early in her career. Tyler is the daughter of Sgt. Scott Grezaffi, a longtime member of PCPSO.

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In a statement on social media, Sheriff Rene Thibodeaux said many in the sheriffs office watched her grow up through the years as she followed in her fathers footsteps and became part of the law enforcement community.

Tyler was a beautiful soul who brought light to everyone around her  both within our department and throughout the community, he said. Her kindness, dedication and bright spirt left a lasting impression on those who knew and worked alongside her.

This article originally appeared on Plaquemine Post South: Tyler Grezaffi remembered for dedication, commitment to law enforcement
By Anita Komuves and Andrew R.C. Marshall

BUDAPEST, March 31 (Reuters) - U.S. conservatives have long pointed to Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban as proof that a Western leader can crack down on immigration, defy global institutions and wage war on woke liberalism  and still win elections.

But as Hungary heads toward an April 12 parliamentary election, some of Orbans most enthusiastic admirers in the U.S., including President Donald Trump, are confronting a onceunthinkable prospect: after 16 years in power, Europes champion of illiberal democracy could be voted out of office.

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Defeat for Orban would reverberate well beyond Hungary, casting doubt on the durability of a political system  marked by hardline nationalism and an erosion of democratic checks  that some on the American right have touted as a blueprint for reshaping Western democracy. It would also come as momentum appears to be slowing for some of Europes far-right parties, with Trumps unpopularity increasingly seen as a liability among European voters.

Opinion polls show Orban and his Fidesz party face the toughest electoral challenge since returning to power in 2010. In most independent surveys, they trail the center-right Tisza party, led by Peter Magyar.

Magyar, 45, has toured hundreds of towns and villages, often giving speeches from what has become a symbol of his campaign: a flatbed truck painted in Hungarys national colors.

While he vows to tackle corruption and democratic backsliding, blaming both on Orbans long rule, Magyars rallies focus on breadandbutter concerns such as low wages, rising food prices and deteriorating public services. Magyar, a lawyer and member of the European Parliament, has drawn strong support from younger voters, with backers attributing his rapid rise to disciplined messaging and slick social media.

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Orban, 62, has depicted Magyar as a risky bet who will bow to the European Union and drag the country into the Ukraine war. Orban maintains close ties with Russia and opposes helping Ukraine. Across Budapest, pro-Orban campaign posters reinforce that message, branding Fidesz as The Safe Choice.

Five political analysts said that even high-profile backing from Washington  including Trumps endorsement and a planned visit by Vice President J.D. Vance on April 7-8  is unlikely to shift the outcome, as domestic issues such as the cost of living dominate the election.

Trump has praised Orban as a truly strong and powerful leader, and conferences in Budapest have drawn conservative figures from across the U.S. to study his political playbook.

Orbans self-described illiberal democracy mirrors key themes of Trump-era America: harsh anti-immigration policies, open disdain for liberal norms, hostility toward global institutions, and attacks on the media, universities and nonprofit groups. He was the first European leader to endorse Trump during his 2016 presidential bid.

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Under the Obama administration, Washington repeatedly warned that Orbans government was eroding democratic norms, including judicial independence and media and religious freedoms, but that criticism largely faded once Trump began his first term.

Since then, as Trumps ties with much of Europe have frayed, Hungary under Orban has moved closer to him, including by joining his Board of Peace, an initiative that challenges the United Nations traditional role.

Another trait that has won Orban admirers on the American right is his readiness to confront the European Union. Orban has repeatedly defied the bloc, most notably by opposing Ukraines bid for membership and maintaining close ties with Russia. His opponent, Magyar, has vowed to pull Hungary away from Moscow and reanchor it in the West.

A spokesperson for Orban did not respond to requests for comment. Magyar, in a previous interview with Reuters, said voters must choose between Europe and development, or a continuation of 16 years of decline.

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ENDORSEMENTS BUT NO MONEY

On his Truth Social platform, Trump has credited Orban with helping the U.S. and Hungary reach new heights of cooperation and spectacular achievement. Trump counted Orban as a close partner, respected leader, and a winner for the people of Hungary  a great ally to the United States, White House spokesperson Olivia Wales said in an email to Reuters.

But the Trump administration has not given Orban the kind of economic backing extended to another ally, President Javier Milei of Argentina. Last year, the U.S. provided Argentina with a multibilliondollar support package to help stabilize its currency and bolster Milei ahead of midterm elections.

After a meeting with Trump at the White House in November, Orban said he had secured an agreement with the U.S. for a financial shield to protect Hungarys economy. But Trump later denied offering Orban any such lifeline. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio, during a visit to Budapest on February 16, made only vague promises of finding ways to provide assistance if Hungarys economy was struggling.

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Were hitting a ceiling (on) what the Americans are willing to really offer, said Zsuzsanna Vegh, a Berlin-based political analyst focusing on Central and Eastern Europe at the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a think tank headquartered in Washington, D.C.

That may signal a level of uncertainty about whether Orban will really win. Trump might not want to be seen supporting a loser, she said.

A White House spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment.

The last general election in Hungary in 2022, which Orban won by a landslide, was deemed free but not fair by election observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, a Vienna-based regional security organization. It said ubiquitous state-funded advertising and media bias gave Fidesz an undue advantage.

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Billboards in Budapest remain dominated by Fidesz today. Changes in election law under Orban have also allowed his party to win supermajorities with less than 50% of votes.

A VANCE VISIT

Vances planned visit, days before the vote, highlights Orbans place in a Trumpaligned global conservative network, a role underscored in March by two Budapest conferences attended by rightwing politicians and activists from around the world.

But even some of Orbans allies doubt the show of support will translate into votes. Domestic issues will determine voter intentions, said Zoltan Kiszelly, a political analyst at Szazadveg, a pro-Orban think tank in Budapest.

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At a March 21 gathering of CPAC Hungary  an offshoot of the Conservative Political Action Conference, a prominent annual forum of U.S. conservatives  attendees included Argentinas Milei, Alice Weidel of Germanys far-right Alternative for Germany, and two Republican congressmen, Russ Fulcher of Idaho and Andy Harris of Maryland. The conference was closed to Reuters and other traditional media.

Anxiety about Hungarys election surfaced in speeches streamed online. Onstage, the conservative media personality Dave Rubin acknowledged a sense of trepidation among delegates. Harris warned of vandals seeking to destroy Christian values and urged Hungarians to throw the vandals out and shut the gate, adding that the future of Western, Christian, free civilization depends on it.

Harris told Reuters Orbans leadership led the way for the victory of many right-of-center leaders in Europe. Of course, that put a political target on him.

Rubin didnt reply to a request for comment.

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Two days after CPAC Hungary, Orban hosted leaders of at least 10 European far-right parties, including Frances Marine Le Pen and Geert Wilders of the Netherlands. Their alliance, Patriots for Europe  founded by Orban and allies in 2024  is now the thirdlargest group in the European Parliament.

Kiszelly, the pro-Orban analyst, said his conservative contacts in the U.S. were unfazed by Orbans polling troubles, arguing that Trumps 2024 victory had taught them not to trust surveys.

He said Orban appeared to be trailing only because of proopposition pollsters, pointing instead to polling by McLaughlin & Associates, a U.S. firm known for its work with Trump and other conservative politicians, that showed Orbans Fidesz leading the rival Tisza party by six points. The firm did not respond to a request for comment.

Kiszelly said such a margin would allow Fidesz to retain power outright or govern with the farright Our Homeland party. The opposition has no chance, he said.

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Most polls, however, suggest otherwise  and give an edge to a challenger whose appeal cuts into terrain long dominated by Fidesz.

Orbans rival, Magyar, is hardly a woke or leftwing figure. Campaigning under the slogan Now or never, his party espouses strict immigration policies, family values and nationalism  themes long associated with Orbans rule. His surname means Hungarian.

The strain of a tight contest is showing on the campaign trail. Orban was booed at a recent rally in the northwestern city of Gyor, a rare experience for a leader whose appearances are usually tightly choreographed.

Visibly rattled, he accused the hecklers of not standing with Hungarians.

(Editing by Jason Szep)
The University of Cincinnati has received a record $43.2 million commitment for its College of Law. Its the largest donation in the nearly 200-year history of the college, which will be renamed the Donald P. Klekamp College of Law in recognition of the gift by the Klekamp family, in honor of their father, Donald Klekamp.

The Klekamp familys extraordinary generosity honors Donald Klekamps legacy while strengthening our ability to prepare the next generation of talented legal minds," said University of Cincinnati President Neville G. Pinto, in the universitys news release. "This investment advances our mission, expands opportunity for our students and positions the college for even greater national impact.

The gift, which will be distributed over time, will support four core areas at the college of law:

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A scholarship program that will blend merit- and need-based financial awards;

Experiential learning, including support to expand the colleges Summer Public Interest Fellowship Program and create an endowed professor of practice to lead its experiential programs;

Student success initiatives that will involve the addition of professional staff focused on guiding and supporting law students as well as the provision of funds to help students prepare for the bar exam;

Expansion of UCs Corporate Law Center, which will include support for a dedicated directorship to mentor fellows, a corporate law/tax endowed chair, and funding for the Corporate Law Symposium and Entrepreneurship and Community Development Clinic.

We know that to reach our full potential, we need the ability to compete for the best students through meaningful scholarship, deepen our dedication to student success and elevate our Corporate Law Center into a nationally prominent program," added Haider Ala Hamoudi, Dean and Nippert Professor of Law, of the UC College of Law. "The Klekamp familys generous gift gives us the capacity to do all of that, and to do it in a way that compounds over time. We have been building something here. This gift allows us to take it to the next level.

About Donald Klekamp

After attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, Donald Klekamp earned his law degree from the University of Cincinnati College of Law in 1957. He was offered a job at a local law firm in 1959 by Charles Keating and John Muething. Eventually, the three men founded the law firm, Keating, Muething and Klekamp, which now employs more than 140 attorneys and 120 professional staff.

Klekamp and his late wife, Marianne, had a long history of philanthropy in the Cincinnati community, including funding the Donald P. Klekamp Professorship of Law at the University of Cincinnati and the Donald P. Klekamp Community Law Center. They also established scholarships at both Xavier University and St. Xavier High School.

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In 2024, the Klekamp family made a $ 60 million planned gift to Xavier University , which is the largest gift in the universitys history.

Klekamp has served on several boards, including the University of Cincinnati Foundation, the Deans Board of Visitors of the University of Cincinnati Law School, the National Coalition for the Protection of Children and Families, Life Issues Institute, and his alma mater, Xavier University. In 1993, Klekamp received the Distinguished Alumnus Award from the UC College of Law, and in 2023, he was honored as a Greatest Living Cincinnatian.

Donald and Marianne Klekamp were married for 65 years. Their children include Peter Klekamp, Jody Klekamp, Amy Geers, Molly Tassone and Rebecca Richart.

I consider myself very lucky, and my sisters do as well, to have them as our parents, said Peter Klekamp, in the universitys news release. They instilled in us many traits that have helped us to succeedhonesty, hard work, giving back. We were loved. He said that his father views the naming as a tremendous honor.

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Jody Klekamp described her father as the very definition of a hard-working and devoted mana loving husband, a steady and guiding father and a respected founder whose impact reached far beyond his profession. She added, "through his dedication, integrity and quiet strength, he earned the admiration of so many in the community. But to me, he is more than all of thathe is a constant source of inspiration, showing by example what it means to live with purpose, lead with kindness and give your all to the people and values that matter most.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Drone attacks in the Middle East are driving new interest in Ukraine's anti-drone tech.

But just buying that gear isn't enough, Ukraine says. They need support systems, integration, and training.

One industry leader told Business Insider that an interceptor drone by itself is "just an instrument."

American allies in Europe and the Middle East are scrambling to catch up to Ukraine on anti-drone tech, but just buying its tech isn't enough to meet the threat, officials and industry figures say.

The Iran war has exposed gaps in the air defenses of the US and its allies in the Middle East. The defenses were built to stop missiles and combat aircraft, not low-cost attack drones that can be sent in massive waves.

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Ukraine, however, has solutions for the Iranian-designed one-way attack drones they now face. For years, the Ukrainians have been battling Tehran-supplied Shaheds and Russia's homemade versions, and they've built a layered defense network grounded in experience-driven expertise focused on beating them.

Other nations are recognizing that and reaching out to Ukraine for both interceptor drone technology and expertise, but the approach is often flawed, overly focused on the tech alone.

"Some may think it is enough to just buy interceptors, and protection is guaranteed. But it is not that simple," Ukrainian President Volodmyr Zelenskyy said this month. He shared that some countries have bought Ukrainian interceptors and then come back asking for help because they didn't have the wider support system.

"The key is the system," he said. "Without a system, any interceptor is just a toy  not a real defender."

Ukraine's interceptor drones offer an affordable way to stop drones that allies lack. Nina Liashonok/Ukrinform/NurPhoto via Getty Images

A good air defense network is layered, which means there are multiple types of defenses stacked to protect against different types of threats. Those systems need to work together, and soldiers need to know how to use every one, separately and together. That takes planning and training.

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Ukraine, for instance, pairs its interceptor drones with radars and acoustic sensors purpose-built to detect hostile drones in ways some legacy systems can't, Zelenskyy highlighted.

Ihor Fedirko, the CEO of the Ukrainian Council of Defence Industry (UCDI), a body that represents more than 100 companies, told Business Insider that his organization and Ukrainian companies have been seeing new requests for technology and expertise since the Iran war began from countries in the Gulf, as well as in Europe.

He said he was surprised when talking to representatives from Gulf countries that he needed to spell out that buying the interceptor alone is not enough. He said countries need to consider "What next?"

Specifically, there needs to be consideration of how they'll use the technology they want to buy, how they will mix it into their existing defenses, and whether they can identify the right targets.

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Ukraine has layered defenses and hard-won experience. The interceptor drone by itself is "just an instrument," Fedirko said, "It's not 100% of the success. The success is this combination of all these systems and knowledge as well."

Missile and drone attacks in the Middle East amid the Iran war have sparked new urgency in acquiring air defenses. AFP via Getty Images

Others in this industry space are saying the same. Latvia-based Origin Robotics, which produces interceptor drones used by Ukraine, told Business Insider it is seeing increased demand as the drone threat expands.

CEO Agris Kipurs said countries are realizing that they are "not well enough equipped." And now many are rushing to secure technology without clear plans for integration.

"You need to now figure out how will you actually deploy these new capabilities, what is involved," Kipurs said. "Because it's more than just buying that new capability."

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That process, he said, is "the main challenge right now."

A year ago, Kipurs said, his company was trying to convince militaries that this tech was necessary, and there weren't many believers.

Things have changed.

"At this point, I think that most countries have come to the realization that it's a critical capability that needs to exist," he said. "Everyone is, I think, at this point, starting to realize that there is a huge gap."

"There's a huge loophole in their air defense capabilities," he assessed.

Closing the gap isn't something that can be resolved with a quick fix, though, especially as demand outpaces production.

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Kipurs said he can't even keep up with all the emails he's getting asking how many interceptors he can ship out in a week or two. "The answer is none," he said. "The production supply chain doesn't work like that."

And then even if a country can get its hands on interceptor drone technology, it may not be effective overnight. That is particularly true if the necessary systems and military structures aren't in place for them.

Ukraine is now exporting expertise, including sending anti-drone specialists abroad.

Zelenskyy said that if an Iranian Shahed drone "needs to be stopped in the Emirates, we can do it. If it needs to be stopped in Europe or the United Kingdom, we can do it."

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"It is a matter of technology, investment, and cooperation."

Fedirko said Ukraine doesn't want to just receive support from allies and "not give anything back." He described Ukrainian companies and experts working with partner militaries and companies as "paying back something for our lives."

Read the original article on Business Insider
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  President Donald Trump lashed out Tuesday at allies who have been unwilling to do more to support the U.S. war effort against Iran, telling them to go get your own oil and saying it was not America's job to secure the Strait of Hormuz.

The president said the military could end its offensive in two to three weeks and that the U.S. will not have anything to do with what happens next in the strait that has been closed by the Islamic Republic. Instead, he told reporters, the responsibility for keeping the vital waterway open will rest with countries that rely on it.

Theres no reason for us to do this, Trump said after signing an executive order that seeks to restrict mail-in voting. Thats not for us. Thatll be for France. Thatll be for whoevers using the strait.

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The White House said Trump would deliver a prime-time address Wednesday evening to update the public on the war.

In other developments, the closure of the strait sent average U.S. gas prices past $4 a gallon, and U.S. strikes hit the central city of Isfahan, sending a massive fireball into the sky. Tehran attacked a fully loaded Kuwaiti oil tanker in the Persian Gulf.

The attacks showed the intensity of the war more than a month after the U.S. and Israel launched it. The conflict has left more than 3,000 dead and caused major disruptions to the worlds supply of oil and natural gas, roiling global markets and pushing up the cost of many basic goods.

Trump, whose comments have vacillated between talk that diplomatic progress is being made with Iran and threats to widen the war, had earlier shared footage of the attack on Isfahan.

Fuel prices rise, rattling global markets

Irans stranglehold on the strait, the waterway leading out of the Persian Gulf through which a fifth of the worlds oil is transported during peacetime, has driven up global oil prices, as have Tehran's attacks on regional energy infrastructure.

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Spot prices of Brent crude, the international standard, hovered around $107 a barrel Tuesday, up more than 45% since the war started Feb. 28.

In a social media post, Trump directed blame at U.S. allies such as the United Kingdom and France that have refused to enter a war with no clear endgame that they were not consulted on.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! Trump wrote.

He singled out France for not letting planes fly over French territory while taking military supplies to Israel.

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France has allowed the U.S. Air Force to use the Istres base in southern France because it had guarantees that planes landing there would not be involved in carrying out strikes.

Allies have refused to get involved

Spain, which has emerged as Europe's loudest critic of the war, said Monday that it had closed its airspace for U.S. planes involved in the conflict.

Italy recently refused to allow U.S. military assets to use the Sigonella air base in Sicily for an operation linked to the offensive, an official with knowledge of the matter said, confirming a local press report. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Italian Defense Minister Guido Crosetto wrote on X that Italy is still allowing the U.S. to use its bases, adding that there has been no cooling of relations between the two countries.

Journalist kidnapped in Iraq

An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad, and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by Al-Monitor, one of the news outlets she worked for.

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A U.S. official blamed the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

Two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed, and a person inside was apprehended. The journalist was then transferred to a second car that fled the scene, according to two Iraqi security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case.

Dylan Johnson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said on X that the State Department had "fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them.

In a statement, Al-Monitor said it stands by her vital reporting. Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

Another aircraft carrier deploys to Middle East

The aircraft carrier USS George H. W. Bush deployed Tuesday from Norfolk, Virginia, and is slated to head to the Middle East, two U.S. officials said. They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive military plans.

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It would be the third carrier sent out to support the Iran war, along with the USS Gerald R. Ford, which is now undergoing repairs, and the USS Abraham Lincoln, which arrived in the region in January.

Trump warned this week that if a ceasefire is not reached shortly, and if the strait is not reopened, the U.S. would broaden its offensive, including by attacking the Kharg Island oil export hub and possibly desalination plants.

Speaking at the Pentagon, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth would not say if U.S. ground forces would enter the war. We dont want to have to do more militarily than we have to, he said.

A ground invasion could alienate Iranians who despise the ruling theocracy and who rose up in mass protests that were crushed earlier this year. Some could see it as an attack on Iran itself and rally around the flag.

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Since the Iran war began, 13 U.S. service members have been killed and 348 wounded, six seriously, according to a formal count provided Tuesday by Capt. Tim Hawkins, spokesman for U.S. Central Command.

Iran hits oil tanker as Israel strikes Iran and Lebanon

The Israeli military said early Wednesday that it had killed a senior Hezbollah commander and another senior leader in two separate strikes in the Beirut area.

Military officials said they launched strikes targeting what they described as Hezbollah infrastructure in the Lebanese capital. Defense Minister Israel Katz said Israel plans to control the area south of the Litani River  some 20 miles (about 30 kilometers) north of the border.

Israel invaded southern Lebanon after Hezbollah began launching missiles into northern Israel days after the outbreak of the wider war. Many Lebanese fear another prolonged military occupation.

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Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates has barred Iranians from entering or transiting the country as the war rages, three major airlines said. The long-haul carriers Emirates and Etihad, as well as the lower-cost airline FlyDubai, made the announcements Wednesday on their websites.

In Iran, authorities say more than 1,900 people have been killed, while 19 have been reported dead in Israel.

Two dozen people have died in Gulf states and the occupied West Bank. In Lebanon, officials said more than 1,200 people have been killed, and more than 1 million displaced.

Ten Israeli soldiers have died in Lebanon, including four announced Tuesday.

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___

Corder reported from The Hague, Netherlands, and Superville from Washington. David Rising in Bangkok, Abby Sewell and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut, Sylvie Corbet in Paris, Amir-Hussein Radjy in Cairo, Qassim Abdul-Zahra in Baghdad, Giada Zampano in Rome, Giovanna DellOrto in Miami and Konstantin Toropin in Washington contributed to this report.
The Naval Surface Warfare Center Crane Division last month revealed the services new Drone Killer Cartridge, or DKC, a small-arms ammunition specifically designed to destroy small quadcopter drones.

In the announcement, Brian Hoffman, chief engineer of NSWC Cranes Man-Portable Weapons, explained that the ammo works much like a shotshell in that it disperses a cluster of projectiles, but its designed to be fired from a service rifle or machine gun instead of a shotgun.

The intent with our ammunition was to simply give operators a better chance of killing drones with cost-effective products that can be used in existing weapons, Hoffman said in the release. If you arent the worlds best shot or dont have a lot of experience engaging aerial targets, your odds go up immediately with DKC.

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The cartridges design, coupled with the range and velocity of typical centerfire rifle ammo, increases the probability of hit and kill against drones, Hoffman said.

In a recent demonstration at Indianas Camp Atterbury, DKC achieved a 92% success rate.

Hoffman explained that the DKC product line is already mature and applicable for not just killing drones but also home defense, personal protection and hunting.

And if it sounds like hes pitching the product line, thats because he is. The other part of NSWC Cranes announcement is that its looking for partners to manufacture DKC ammo.

The tech link

Hoffman explained that the Navy typically relies on the Army for small-caliber ammunition under the Single Manager for Conventional Ammunition directive. However, it procures ammo through government contracts with industry partners if not supported by the SMCA.

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For that reason, NSWC Cranes announcement was also featured on TechLink, a Defense Department-funded organization run by Montana State University that helps businesses license technology from federal laboratories.

Using the website, manufacturers can license and commercialize products, like DKC ammo, which have been fully developed and patented by the federal government. The intent behind the project is to help veterans, the military and small businesses.

As small drones are now seen as a common weapon on the battlefield, military and other agency leaders project needing millions of DKC rounds, Hoffman said.

Ongoing conflicts abroad and operational requirements along the U.S. southern border highlight the immediate utility of DKC and its enhanced yet cost-effective capabilities, he said in the release.

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Exactly who is going to manufacture the ammo has not yet been announced. However, Hoffman added that NSWC Crane recently hosted a DKC-licensing event attended by several U.S. ammo makers, and they received even more interest because of the announcement.

Still, Hoffman said DKC ammo production will evolve in the not-too-distant future.

Given projected requirements, meeting total DKC quantities will likely involve a combination of (GovernmentOwned, ContractorOperated) production and licensed industry partners operating in parallel, he said.
March 30 (Reuters) - The ranking members of the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee questioned the Federal Communications Commission Chair Brendan Carr and criticized his approval of Nexstar's merger with Tegna without a vote from the full commission, Bloomberg News reported on Monday.

Here are some details:

* The letter to Carr was jointly sent by the committee'sRepublican Senator Ted Cruz and Democrat Maria Cantwell, theBloomberg report said. * The senators told Carr that he improperly allowed agencystaff to approve the merger even though it involved waivingmajor anti-consolidation rules, Bloomberg said, citing a copy ofthe letter. * The senators said that significant questions of policymust be addressed by the full FCC in a vote. * The FCC approved the $3.54 billion sale of localtelevision station owner Tegna to Nexstar earlier this month,despite objections from Democratic-led states, after which thecompanies quickly closed the deal. * However, last week, a U.S. judge ordered Nexstar totemporarily keep Tegna's assets separate pending a review ofwhether the deal violates federal antitrust laws. * The FCC, the Senate Commerce Committee, Cruz and Cantwelldid not immediately respond to requests for comment outsideregular business hours.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonali Paul and Thomas Derpinghaus)
The US Supreme Court has ruled against a law in Colorado that bans so-called conversion therapy for lesbian, gay and transgender people.

It sided 8-1 with a therapist from Colorado Springs who argued that the state's restrictions violated her free speech rights guaranteed under the US Constitution's First Amendment.

Conversion therapy - which professional and health associations denounce but some religious conservatives promote - aims to encourage lesbian, gay and transgender people to change their sexual orientation or gender identity.

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The justices ruled that lower courts had "erred by failing to apply sufficiently rigorous scrutiny" to restrictions on free speech.

Kaley Chiles, a licensed counsellor and practising Christian in Colorado Springs, argued the ban in her state interfered with her ability to treat individuals with "same-sex attractions or gender identity confusion" who "prioritise their faith above their feelings".

Chiles argued her First Amendment rights were violated because the law prohibited her from engaging in talk therapy with clients who want her help to "reduce or eliminate unwanted sexual attractions (or) change sexual behaviours".

Writing the majority decision for the court, Justice Neil Gorsuch agreed, saying Colorado's law "censors speech based on viewpoint".

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"The First Amendment stands as a bulwark against any effort to prescribe an orthodoxy of views, reflecting a belief that each American enjoys an inalienable right to speak his mind and a faith in the free marketplace of ideas as the best means for finding truth," the opinion reads.

The justices emphasised that Chiles's talk therapy "involves no physical interventions or medications".

The decision sends the case back to the lower courts.

Colorado officials had said the law does not regulate speech, but instead regulates the conduct of professionals providing mental health treatment. They also argued the law does not prohibit discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation.

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But the majority of justices said "the First Amendment's protections extend to licensed professionals much as they do everyone else".

Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson was the only one to dissent, arguing her fellow justices had failed to consider the context that Chiles was speaking as a medical professional - and that "First Amendment principles have far less salience when the speakers are medical professionals".

"Chiles is not speaking in the ether; she is providing therapy to minors as a licensed healthcare professional," Jackson wrote.

Plus, "such professionals are already subject to a number of other restrictions on their professional practice", Jackson wrote, including that "under Colorado law, licensed therapists must provide therapy that is consistent with the standard of care".

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In a post on social media, Colorado's Attorney General Phil Weiser called the ruling "wrong".

Conversion therapy is "condemned by all medical associations", he said. "That's not about speech."

More than 20 US states have banned conversion therapy for minors.

The ruling comes after the justices appeared sceptical of the law when hearing oral arguments in the case last October.

Chiles sued over the Colorado law in 2022, and multiple lower level courts denied her request to pause the enforcement of the law. Last year, she appealed to the Supreme Court.

More than 1,300 practitioners across the US offer conversion therapy, according to a 2023 Trevor Project report.

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The LGBT advocacy group's leader, Jaymes Black, said in a statement the court's decision was "painful".

"The Supreme Court's decision to treat the dangerous practice of conversion therapy as constitutionally protected speech is a tragic step backward for our country that will put young lives at risk," Black said. "These efforts, no matter what proponents call them, no matter what any court says, are still proven to cause lasting psychological harm."

Critics of conversion therapy say it can be emotionally harmful, cause mental health issues and increase risk of suicide. Some practitioners rely on talk therapy or prayer, but extreme cases have subjected patients to physical violence and food deprivation.

The American Medical Association rejects the idea that same-sex attraction or nonconforming gender identity are mental disorders, saying the claim is not supported by medical evidence.
WASHINGTON, March 30 (Reuters) - The World Trade Organization will play only a limited role in global trade policy after a failed ministerial meeting in Cameroon, U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said on Monday, vowing to seek alternative arrangements s with like-minded countries.

Greer, said in a statement issued nearly 24 hours after the WTO meeting ended in impasse after an extension of an e-commerce moratorium was blocked by Brazil and Turkey, said he was "disappointed at the lack of seriousness" shown by many WTO member countries in embracing a broadly acceptable reform agenda.

"I have always been skeptical of the value of the WTO, and this weeks conference confirmed that this organization will play only a limited role in future global trade policy efforts, said Greer, who has been the architect of President Donald Trump's multi-front tariff assault on global trading partners.

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Greer said that he was disappointed that the e-commerce moratorium on tariffs on digital transmissions had to lapse after being routinely extended for 28 years.

"Fortunately, the United States has secured commitments from dozens of countries  and nearly all of our major trading partners  not to impose tariffs on U.S. digital transmissions," Greer added. "If the WTO cannot achieve this commonsense aim, the United States will work outside of the WTO with all interested partners to get it done."

(Reporting by David Lawder;Editing by Dan Burns)
A person holds a wooden cube bearing the inscription "ifo" in their hand at a press conference held by the Institute for Economic Research (Ifo) in Munich. Leonie Asendorpf/dpa

Nine in 10 German manufacturing companies expect the war in Iran to impact their business, a leading economic institute found on Tuesday.

The Munich-based ifo Institute said only 9% of industrial firms reported in a survey that they do not foresee being affected by the conflict.

"The conflict impacts manufacturing directly but above all causes major uncertainty," said Klaus Wohlrabe, head of surveys at ifo. "Many companies are preparing for additional burdens in the coming months."

More than three-quarters of industrial companies in Germany (78%) cited rising energy prices as the main source of concern, while 36% pointed to restrictions on shipping routes and supply issues with intermediate products and raw materials.

The institute said 16% of companies fear disruption to air freight traffic.

Just under a quarter, or 24%, expect demand to decline in key export markets.

Furthermore, many companies see financial risks, such as uncertain freight and logistics costs, rising insurance premiums or increased payment risks.

"The results make it clear that the economic consequences of the Iran war can already be seen now, and could be compounded via various channels," said Wohlrabe. "The longer the uncertainty lasts, the greater the economic problems will be for the companies."
Verizon Wireless is suing the small, scenic town of Chilmark, Massachusetts, in federal court, escalating a dispute over how best to fix persistent cell service problems on Marthas Vineyard.

The lawsuit, filed March 16, names the town and its Select Board as defendants and challenges a January decision blocking Verizons plan to install 14 small cell antennas along several privately-owned utility poles. The company argues local officials overstepped their authority when they rejected the proposal.

At the center of the conflict is a growing frustration among Chilmarks roughly 1,200 residents, particularly in the up-Island areas, where spotty or nonexistent cell service has been an issue since at least the fall, according to the Vineyard Gazette. With many households no longer using landlines, some residents say the lack of reliable coverage has become a safety concern, leaving them without a dependable way to make emergency calls.

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Town leaders have been actively searching for a solution, holding multiple discussions with both Verizon and American Tower Company, which owns and operates cell towers and other wireless infrastructure. Verizons proposal focused on installing small cell units on privately owned utility poles to strengthen coverage in targeted areas.

But local officials had a different vision. Rather than scattering equipment across more than a dozen poles, the Select Board leaned toward building a larger, centralized tower that could serve the entire community. That preference ultimately led to a unanimous 3-0 vote on January 20 to deny Verizons application.

Chilmarks 1,200 residents, particularly up-Island, face poor cell service amid the Verizon dispute (Getty Images)

Chilmark and Verizon had differing ideas on how to fix the coverage issue, according to reports (Getty Images)

This may be Verizons best plan, but its not best for the town, select board Chair Marie Larsen said at the time, according to Inside Towers.

In its 20-page complaint, Verizon argues the board didnt properly evaluate the proposal and failed to make site-specific findings to justify the denial. The company also claims the town lacks any formal rules or written standards for reviewing applications like this, and didnt apply consistent criteria in its decision-making process.

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The Town has no regulations or written policies establishing standards for the Boards review of applications to attach wireless equipment on utility poles in Town rights of way, Verizon states in the lawsuit, according to the Gazette. The board did not purport to apply any standards in deliberating on and deciding the Application.

The lawsuit goes a step further, accusing the town of unfair treatment. Verizon claims Chilmark is effectively steering the company toward existing infrastructure owned by American Tower Company by allowing that equipment to remain while denying Verizon a similar opportunity to expand.

The Town has unreasonably discriminated against Verizon because it has denied Verizon the right to attach its Small Cells to utility poles in the Town right of way but allowed ATC to attach its DAS equipment to utility poles in the Town rights of way, Verizon wrote in the suit, according to Vinyard Gazette.

The picturesque town says it plans to respond to the lawsuit (Getty Images)

Verizon is now asking a judge to overturn the boards decision and allow the project to move forward.

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Chilmark Town Administrator Tim Carroll told the Vineyard Gazette Friday that the town plans to respond to the lawsuit, but declined further comment, noting the board had not met since being served.

The Independent has contacted Verizon and Chilmark Town representatives for comment.
Fifty-three years after the end of the Vietnam War, veterans and supporters gathered aboard the USS Midway Museum to honor those who served, especially the 591 Americans who came home from enemy prison camps.

The ceremony Monday coincided with Governor Gavin Newsom's proclamation of "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day," a recognition many say is long overdue for veterans who returned to a divided country.

As a missing man formation flew overhead, retired Navy Capt. Jack Ensch stood among the crowd. He was one of those 591 prisoners of war.

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"You're flying along on your mission and suddenly your world turns to chaos," Ensch said.

Ensch flew more than 280 combat missions off the Midway's deck with Fighter Squadron 161 before being shot down over North Vietnam in August 1972. He spent 217 days at the infamous Hanoi Hilton prison before being released March 29, 1973.

"My POW experience was part of my life. It wasn't the end of my life. I'm not a professional POW. I was a professional naval officer," Ensch said.

His wife Kathy, married to Ensch for 63 years, also spoke at the ceremony, reflecting on the families who waited at home.

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"I had to take care of the kids. I did what I thought Jack would have wanted me to do. We kept on keeping on," she said.

Also in the crowd was Medal of Honor recipient retired Capt. Royce Williams, a decorated naval aviator who served in the Korean War.

"My heart goes out to them. I hope people here today take it aboard and feel the appreciation of those leaders on the line," Williams said.

As part of the tribute, Ensch helped dedicate a new exhibit aboard the USS Midway called "Captive Warriors: The Midway 11," honoring the 11 naval aviators from this ship who were held in North Vietnamese prison camps. Ensch was one of them.

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"It's a somber exhibit because it tells the story of torture and all the families who supported them while they were gone," said RADM Terry Kraft, (Ret.) US Navy, CEO and President of the USS Midway Museum.

Inside the exhibit, visitors can step into a re-creation of the actual prison cells from the Hanoi Hilton.

More than 1,500 Americans remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. Monday's ceremony was a reminder they are not forgotten.

"The trauma that those who served suffered, they shouldn't be forgotten," Ensch said. "I thank you. God bless America."
A family was forced to temporarily move into a hotel after a stranger came through the backdoor while on the run from officers.

After doing some work in his backyard, Charles Holland says he briefly went inside his home for a break.

He then heard someone come through the back door and thought it was his children.

Instead, what he was faced with soon unfolded into a deadly SWAT situation.

"You feel invaded. You feel a little threatened," Holland said.

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A family's home of about three years left in disrepair.

"To no fault of your own, watching, yourself, losing more than everything because they're just tearing up everything under the sun to get this individual," Holland said.

Holland said he initially thought it was his four kids, coming home from school.

READ MORE | Wanted man critically hurt after invading Joliet house with homeowner inside, barricading himself

"So, it was, like, 'Hey, you guys had an early dismissal?' And I didn't hear anything," Holland said.

As he turned the corner to go into his kitchen, he found the suspect, motioning him to be quiet.

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Holland said the man did not threaten him with or seem to have a weapon.

That's when he tried to get the intruder out.

"As soon as we began to tussle, it was like beating on the front door. It was, like, you can hear screams: 'U.S. Marshalls, Sheriff,'" Holland said.

Holland got out before that apparent home invasion unfolded into an eight-hour standoff, on Monday at Romayne & St. Francis avenues in Joliet.

At the end, the Will County Sheriff's Office says the suspect shot himself and later died at the hospital.

Investigators say he was wanted for multiple drug felonies and tried to speed away from officers during a stop.

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Sheriff's deputies say the suspect crashed into a fence before he got away, allegedly with a gun in his hand, eventually finding his way through a nearby unlocked back door.

Officials have not released the identity of the suspect.

If you are experiencing suicidal, substance use or other mental health crises please call or text the new three digit code at 988. You will reach a trained crisis counselor for free, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. You can also go to 988lifeline.org or dial the current toll free number 800-273-8255 [TALK].

SEE ALSO: Northbrook home invasion leads to police chase, SWAT response on Chicago's South Side, officials say


The Trump administration is attempting to tout its record with regard to agriculture, but has chosen a very unusual way to do so by launching a new website with a title mimicking one of the internets most popular locations for adult content, drawing criticism and mockery online.

White House parodies OnlyFans for farm policy webpage

On Friday, the White House posted a message on social media asking, Curious how American farmers are benefiting right now  or exactly how much each state has saved? The post features a link, ONLYFARMS.GOV, and is accompanied by a picture of a tractor and farmland; the image has an OnlyFarms logo, with a drawing of the White House inside the O and the tagline Delivering for Farmers & Rural America. The name of the site and the font of the stylized logo are clear references to the adult-content website OnlyFans.

The link redirects to the agriculture page of whitehouse.gov, which features images of President Donald Trump and lists various accomplishments the administration claims with regard to farmers. President Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill (OBBB) made the virtual elimination of the death tax permanent, benefiting more than 2 million family farms, reads the page, followed by a discussion of various tax breaks given to farmers through Trumps signature 2025 legislation, as well as claims that the administration has enacted other cost-saving and export-promoting policies for farmers.

Criticism of OnlyFarms and Trumps track record on agriculture

The White Houses choice to tout its record on agriculture via an OnlyFans parody left some people scratching their heads and others critical of the choice.

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Rep. Thomas Massie, R-Ky., whose X, formerly Twitter, profile describes him as a U.S. Representative KY4, Engineer, Farmer, Inventor. 30 patents. Appalachian American, took issue with the post, writing, Can you arrest Epsteins co-conspirators instead of riffing on a porn site? Massie has broken with the Trump administration in the past over the Epstein files.

Can you arrest Epsteins co-conspirators instead of riffing on a porn site ?  Thomas Massie (@RepThomasMassie) March 28, 2026

The social media account of California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office, which regularly ridicules Trump, posted, The White House spent more time launching a parody porn website than lowering your gas prices this week.

Independent journalist Chris Brunet mentioned that if he were a farmer, he would feel like this administration was spitting in my face.

Some suggested alternative, equally suggestive names for the website. You just could have named it CornHub, Shoshana Weissmann, the digital director and policy advisor at the Abundance Institute, a Utah-based nonprofit focusing on shaping the cultural environment and policy related to emerging technologies.

You just could have named it CornHub https://t.co/65bBrIrWYe  Shoshana Weissmann, Sloth Committee Chair  (@senatorshoshana) March 27, 2026

Trumps unusual online attempt to shore up his record on farming coincided with a Friday event in which hundreds of farmers from across the country were brought to the White House to listen to the president extol his record for them. Trump praised a $12 billion bailout for farmers issued last year and promised additional benefits, such as easing various environmental regulations. The push to strengthen Trumps support among farmers comes as many of them have been hurt by his policies, including tariffs that have harmed American exports of agricultural products and the war in Iran, which has raised the prices of fuel and fertilizer. A majority of farmers responding to a recent Farm Journal survey reported that they were either much worse off or somewhat worse off than they were a year ago.

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With Trumps policies causing financial harm to one of his key constituencies, the president seems desperate to reframe his administration as beneficial to farmers. To do so, the White House is parodying a site famous for pornography. Based on online reactions, many are taking this move to be unserious, distracting, or insulting to farmers and to the public in general.







The post White House Launches OnlyFarms Site, And People Have Questions appeared first on Blavity.
Former City of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan is challenging Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar for his position in the upcoming election.

Ryan, who served as Binghamton mayor from 2006 to 2013, said on March 30 he is currently collecting signatures to run on the Democratic ticket for sheriff. He is challenging Akshar, who was first elected sheriff in November 2022 after representing New Yorks 52nd Senate District for seven years.

Ryan, who also worked as a public defender for 15 years and a youth counselor for nine years, previously ran for sheriff in 2018 and lost to former Broome County Sheriff David Harder. He ran again in 2023 for Broome County district attorney and lost to current Broome County District Attorney Paul Battisti.

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With Akshar running for his second term, Ryan said he "wasn't going to run," but decided to join the race because he believes the sheriff has not "earned the right to run unopposed."

"Youd be surprised how many people on both sides of the aisle are very happy that Im running," Ryan said. "They want to hear alternative views on how to make our county safe."

Ryan's objectives in running for Broome County sheriff

Another part of his reason for joining the race, according to Ryan, is the budget of the sheriff's office. The money, he said, has been given to the office "at the expense of every other agency in the county government."

"I think we can do a lot better on providing a safer county, a safer community and do it in a way that respects humanity more and actually prevents incarceration and crime in the first place," he said.

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Part of his plan is to use resources to focus on prevention tactics like youth programs which reach out to the younger generation in Broome County. The Broome County Youth Bureau, which provides "services, support and opportunities" for disadvantaged children, is something Ryan believes is "way underfunded."

Democrat Matt Ryan, right, will be challenging Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar in the 2026 election. Sarah Eames/Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, Photo Provided by Matthew Ryan

"A lot of that money could be used to prevent crime in the first place instead of just throwing money at an incarceration model that is, quite frankly, not working," he said.

By refocusing on crime prevention, Ryan said he sees a "path forward" for reaching "poor, young men" who he said commit the majority of gun crimes. Another aspect of his plan to redirect funding is to reduce recidivism.

"The people who are in jail will be coming back to our community in a short period of time, so we want them in a better position as they reenter our community  to have a chance to thrive and not commit crime, to not have a high recidivism rate as is usual in this county," he said.

How ICE in Broome County plays a role in sheriff's race

Akshar announced in March 2025 that corrections officers working in the Broome County Jail would be assisting ICE by participating in the warrant service officer portion of ICE's 287(g) program. The program, according to ICE, authorizes state and local law enforcement to perform "specified immigration officer functions" including executing administrative warrants within the jail.

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The sheriff's office does not participate in any active immigration enforcement activities in the community, rather the program applies only to individuals already incarcerated in the jail, according to the sheriff's office. The jail has housed federal detainees for the U.S. Marshals, ICE and the FBI for over two decades.

Since the announcement, various protests, including a recent "No Kings" rally, have been held by residents across the county to voice concern over the collaboration with ICE and the housing of immigrants in the Broome County Jail.

Ryan said the sheriff's involvement in the ICE program was one of the "biggest reasons" he got in the race.

Former City of Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan will be challenging Broome County Sheriff Fred Akshar in the 2026 election.

The Broome County Jail is a 600-bed facility, a number Ryan said is "twice as big as it needs to be." The size, he said, is justified by Akshar through the housing of ICE and other federal detainees.

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For a 600-bed facility, New York State requires a full staff regardless of how many beds may be empty. If there are 400 detainees and 600 beds, a full staff is still required, Ryan said.

"That's blowing a hole in the budget," he said.

Ryan said if elected, he plans to "get rid of the ICE affiliation," a collaboration he says is "immoral," and potentially downsize the jail to save on funding.

"I think if we get rid of (ICE) completely and take a look at the federal detainees as well, downsize our jail, then we could save millions of dollars," he said. "Some of that money can go towards programs and we will truly be a safer community."

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More: Do NY police get away with misusing social media? What records reveal

Akshar responds

In a video posted to his Facebook on March 27, Akshar responded to Ryan's plan to run against him in the upcoming election, saying that Ryan is looking to "cut $10 million in public safety funding."

Akshar said in his statement that Ryan, the "failed former mayor," cut 30 police officers, 16 firefighters, closed a fire station and raised taxes on "the very people that he was supposedly representing by nearly fifty percent" during his term.

"That is who Matt Ryan is, that is his record," Akshar said. "I just want to remind folks that its been the honor of my lifetime to serve in this role and we will never, ever apologize for prioritizing public safety."

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Akshar said he and the sheriff's office will "continue to work incredibly hard to earn your vote."

"We are going to continue to support the men and women who wear the uniform every single day and go out in the community to protect people who live, work and raise their families here," he said.

This article originally appeared on Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin: Former Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan to run for Broome County sheriff
Israeli voters can seemingly contradictorily support the death penalty for terrorists and still doubt that it would deter terrorism.

For years, polling in Israel has shown a broad Jewish-Israeli majority in favor of the death penalty for terrorists. After October 7, the majority did not disappear. In some surveys, it rose. The larger point, though, is continuity. These numbers suggest that the instinct was already there, and that the massacre sharpened it rather than creating it.

That pattern appears across several surveys. In July 2017, the Israel Democracy Institute found that 70% of Jewish Israelis supported the death penalty for terrorists convicted of murdering Israeli civilians on nationalistic grounds, while 66% supported it in cases involving the murder of soldiers.

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Reichman Universitys PDRD/LIBRES series later found support at 61.5% in September 2023, 67.3% in November 2023, and 64.9% in March 2024 for imposing the death penalty on terrorists convicted of murder. Then, in November 2025, a Mashav On the Agenda poll found 81% support among the Jewish public for executing convicted Nukhba terrorists. The exact number changes with timing and wording. The underlying majority is steady.

Still, these surveys are not asking the same question. The 2017 IDI poll dealt with terrorists who murdered Israelis. The Reichman series tracked broader opinion over time. The Mashav poll referred specifically to Nukhba terrorists, the Hamas force identified in Israel with the October 7 massacre.

That wording carries unusual emotional weight. It points to a specific atrocity, not a general legal doctrine. So the 81% figure should be read carefully. It captures the intensity of feeling attached to October 7, not a universal level of support across all possible framings.

An Israel Prison Service officer at Ketziot Prison watches as Palestinian prisoners are prepared for release in exchange for Israeli hostages held by Gazan terrorists, February 26, 2025; illustrative. (credit: CHAIM GOLDBERG/FLASH90)

The internal gradations are as telling as the overall majority. The Mashav poll found especially high support among national-religious respondents and lower, though still substantial, support among secular respondents. Outside Israel, readers may assume this is a view confined to settlers, religious conservatives, or the ideological far right.

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The polling does not support that reading. Support extends well beyond those groups, even if its intensity differs sharply across sectors.

How different sectors of Israeli society view death penalty

That sectoral difference reflects deeper features of Israeli society. National-religious in Israel does not map neatly onto religious conservative in the US. It usually refers to a camp that combines Orthodox observance, Zionist commitment, military service, and a more hawkish reading of sovereignty and security.

Secular Israelis often share some of the same security instincts while speaking in a different idiom, one shaped more by state institutions and civic norms than by religious language. Haredim (ultra-Orthodox) are different again, with politics often centered on rabbinic authority, education, and military exemptions. These groups sometimes vote together, sometimes not. Israeli polling often reflects that layered structure.

This is one reason Israeli public opinion can look contradictory from abroad. A voter can support the death penalty for terrorists and still doubt that it would deter terrorism. That split appears clearly in the INSS survey from December 2025, which found the public divided on deterrence: 50% said such a law would not deter terrorists, while 46% said it would. Among coalition voters, belief in deterrence was much firmer.

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Among opposition voters, skepticism was stronger. Support for the law, in other words, does not automatically mean confidence in its practical effect. It can also reflect anger, a desire for justice, fear of future prisoner swaps, or a demand for finality.

That distinction is familiar in Israel. For decades, Israelis have lived with terrorism as a recurring fact of life, not as a one-time national shock. Suicide bombings, shootings, stabbings, rocket fire, and hostage deals have shaped public instinct. Many Israelis have learned to distrust clean theories of deterrence. They may favor a harsh punishment while remaining doubtful that it changes the logic of militant groups.

Another point that requires care is the distinction between Israeli and Jewish Israeli. Some of the strongest numbers in this debate refer specifically to Jewish respondents, not the full Israeli public. That is not a minor technical note.

Arab citizens of Israel are part of the electorate and public life, but they do not approach Zionism, military power, and October 7 from the same historical and emotional starting point as most Jewish citizens. When international readers see a headline about Israeli opinion, they can easily miss that the underlying data may describe Jewish opinion only. On this issue, that difference can materially change the picture.

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The Knesset approved the law on Monday, after months of debate. That legislative step does not prove consensus, but it does suggest that many lawmakers believed the issue carried broad legitimacy within the Jewish electorate, especially after October 7.

Readers outside of Israel should also be careful not to map Israeli politics too neatly onto American categories. In the US, support for capital punishment is often read through arguments about crime and punishment.

In Israel, this debate sits inside a different frame, one shaped by terrorism, war, hostage-taking, and the belief, widely held in the Jewish public, that a life sentence may not always be final in a region where prisoners have repeatedly been released in exchanges.

The easiest mistake is to read these polls as proof that Israel has moved in one simple direction. The numbers tell a more layered story. They show a stable Jewish-Israeli majority that predates October 7, a sharper edge after the massacre, and clear differences across sectors and political camps.

They also show that support for punishment and belief in deterrence are separate things. That distinction helps explain the country more accurately than any headline number alone.
(The Center Square)  A Wisconsin special committee is advising Attorney General Josh Kauls use of special assistant attorney generals paid for with private funds.

Senate President Mary Felzkowski, R-Tomahawk, said that the attorneys had salary and benefits paid by the Michael Bloomberg-funded New York University State Energy & Environmental Impact Center.

Felzkowski read that the committee found that the use of those attorneys was not authorized by Wisconsin statute, it was never requested to be allowed in the departments budget and it acts as a unallowable gift from an outside influence. Felzkowski noted that a formal complaint about the issue has not been resolved within 412 days.

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We are deeply troubled by the Department of Justices practice of allowing volunteer attorneys paid by out-of-state interest groups to prosecute Wisconsinites. Rather than seeking legislative approval or funding for additional staff, Attorney General Kaul brought in progressive, billionaire funded attorneys who do not answer to the taxpayers of Wisconsin, the committee said in a statement after hearings on the matter. The lack of transparency is astonishing, and the taxpayers of Wisconsin have a right to that transparency. The Department of Justice is not for sale in Wisconsin.

Sen. Melissa Ratcliff, D-Cottage Grove, said the report was false and that the two Democratic members of the committee were not consulted on the final report, instead receiving the committees report on Monday.

This report was not done in a collaborative manner, Ratcliff said.

She called the committee political theater instead of a responsible use of time.

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The report advised the Legislature to put new rules in place to prevent the special interest money from being used to prosecute Wisconsinites in the future.

It noted that one of the special attorneys was not licensed to practice law in Wisconsin at the start of the attorneys tenure and that responsive documents to the committees questions were not received from Kauls office.

Committee member Jodi Habush Sinykin, D-Whitefish Bay, said that the topic could have been addressed by legislation from Sen. Eric Wimberger, R-Gillett, that did not make its way out of committee.

Wimberger said that his bill was about employees but these attorneys are categorized as volunteers, not employees.

Wimberger said that, if this is allowed, then the DOJ is "for sale," calling it "very concerning."
NEED TO KNOW

A woman who became pregnant after having sex with identical twins was told by a court in London that it's "not possible" to identify the father of the baby

The mother of the baby had sex with the two men within four days of one another

Whilst DNA testing establishes that the childs biological father is one of these twins, it is not possible to say which of them it is, a judge said

A woman who became pregnant after having sex with identical twins within four days of one another has been told it isnt possible to identify the father of her child, it was revealed in court.

The babys mother and one of the identical twins asked Londons Court of Appeal to overturn a previous family court decision, after the other twin was registered as the father on the childs birth certificate, per The Guardian.

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The mom and the twin not listed as the father went to court, seeking to take over parental responsibility for the baby, known as child P, Sky News and The Times noted.

However, judges have now ruled that it is "not possible" to work out exactly who the father is, according to a court judgment handed down earlier this month.

A photo of the Court of Appeal in London, U.K.

Credit: Getty

Whilst DNA testing establishes that the childs biological father is one of these twins, it is not possible to say which of them it is, the documents  examined by PEOPLE and posted online by the United Kingdoms Courts and Tribunals Judiciary  stated.

Per the court documents, hearing dates previously took place in November 2025, and the judgment was handed down remotely on March 20.

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Judge Sir Andrew McFarlane said in the ruling that it was not possible to establish the paternity of P, other than to say that the father is one or other of the two identical twin brothers.

It was also mentioned that each of the twins had a 50% chance of being the father.

A stock photo of a mother and a baby

Credit: Getty

McFarlane added elsewhere, Currently the truth of Ps paternity is that their father is one or other of these two identical twins, but it is not possible to say which.

It is possible, indeed likely, that by the time P reaches maturity it may be possible for science to identify one father and exclude the other twin, but, for the coming time that cannot be done without very significant cost, and so her truth is binary and not a single man, the judge added.

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Judge Madeleine Reardon said, per the documents, that at a fact finding hearing last year, she found that both brothers had had sex with [the babys mother] within 4 days of each other in the month when P was conceived.  It is equally likely that each of the brothers is Ps father.

A stock photo of a pregnant woman

Credit: Getty

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McFarlane shared, per the documents, The situation resulting from the judges order and this courts determination on the principal issue is that if [the twin listed as the father] is the legal father he has parental responsibility, but if he is not he does not, yet it cannot be said whether he is or is not the legal father.

That outcome is not in Ps best interests and is contrary to her overall welfare, the judgment stated.

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The judge said, With the benefit of the hindsight now achieved as to the definition of father, in my view it was wrong for the court not to achieve clarity by discharging any parental responsibility that [the twin listed as the father] may have had

He added, The basis for discharging parental responsibility is, firstly, that, as he is not proved to be the father, [the one twin] should not have been registered as father and he is not a candidate for the acquisition of parental responsibility.

Secondly, it is plainly not in Ps welfare interests for this ambiguity as to parental responsibility to continue, McFarlane said in the judgment.

The judge confirmed that any parental responsibility that the twin listed as the father may have acquired shall cease for the moment.

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McFarlane pointed out elsewhere, per the documents, The failure to prove a fact means that that fact is not proved, it does not mean that the contrary is proved. There is a distinction between something being not proven, and making a positive declaration that the fact asserted is not true.

The case continues, per Sky News. None of the involved parties were identified by name in the court documents.

Read the original article on People
Heres what youll learn when you read this story:

On February 19, 1994, a woman brought to the emergency room at Riverside General Hospital somehow sickened nearly two dozen emergency room staff members during attempts to save her life.

There are many competing explanations of this strange event, including mass hysteria or poor hospital maintenance.

A leading theory suggests that dimethyl sulfoxide from a pain-relieving cream reacted with emergency supplemental oxygen to produce the deadly gas that impacted the emergency room staff.

At approximately 7:50 p.m. on February 19th, 1994, Riverside Fire Department responded to a woman in distress. The woman, 31-year-old Gloria Ramirez, had by all accounts lived a quiet life until this moment, but her death would become one of the most well-documented medical investigations in history, transforming her from a well-loved mother of two into what national news headlines dubbed the toxic lady.

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When fire and ambulance crews initially arrived at the home, Ramirezwho weeks earlier received a terminal diagnosis for cervical cancerwas experiencing severe nausea, vomiting, and tachycardia (an abnormally fast heartbeat) and was soon rushed to nearby Riverside General Hospital in Riverside, California. Upon arrival, staff responded to the emergency with textbook effectiveness, administering drugs for sedation and trying to reduce Ramirezs rapid heartbeat. It wasnt until one registered nurse named Susan Kane inserted a catheter and attached a syringe that things went sideways.

Kane smelled the undeniable scent of ammonia while Julie Gorchynski, a medical resident, noticed strange, manila-colored particles in Ramirezs blood. Then, suddenly, Kane nearly collapsed to the floor, as Gorchynski did a moment later, followed closely by respiratory therapist Maureen Welch, whod been trying to force air into Ramirezs lungs with a rubber bladder (Welch later reported completely losing control of her limbs). Sadly, Ramirez died only one hour after ambulances initially arrived at her residence.

While the story of Ramirezs tragically short life was over, an absolutely confounding medical mystery was only beginning. According to a final count, 23 of 37 emergency medical staff experienced symptoms tied to this strange event, and in the following weeks, the search for answers led to three separate autopsies carried out in a specially designed room with HAZMAT suits. Initially, the California Department of Health Services released a report that the event was possibly the result of mass hysteria among the medical staff, but physicians like Welch argued against this characterization in light of the severity of her symptoms. Needless to say, this mass-hysteria explanation didnt stick.

Ramirezs family also suggested that the hospital was at fault. Shorty after Ramirezs death, The Washington Post reported a series of failed inspections in the months and years leading up to the incident, including evidence of sewer gas leaking into the emergency room.

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However, once patient files and biological materials were sent to the Forensic Science Center at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) in California, another plausible alternative began to take shape. LLNL scientists determined that the culprit was likely the organosulfur compound dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), which followed an incredibly strange chemical journey that ultimately generated a toxic concoction.

According to the theory, Ramirez, who was suffering from late-stage cervical cancer, used a DMSO-laden product to ease pain and eventually absorbed an unknown accumulation of the chemical in her blood. When Ramirez received oxygen in the ambulance on the way to the hospital, oxygen molecules combined with the high accumulation of DMSO and formed dimethyl sulfone, a chemical compound thats only a few steps away from being the poisonous nerve agent dimethyl sulfate. What likely happened next is that some of the dimethyl sulfone in Ramirezs blood broke apart and bonded with common sulfates in her body. When her blood was drawn at the hospital, a small amount of dimethyl sulfate evaporated in the syringe and poisoned the emergency room staff. Dimethyl sulfate is a highly toxic nerve agent, and many of the symptoms of exposure to it match the symptoms of the people inside Riverside Hospitals emergency room that night.

But while those matching symptoms are compelling, other scientists have said that this explanation is highly unlikelybordering on impossibleand its likely well never know for certain what happened on that February evening.

On April 19, 1994, exactly two months after the beginning of the bizarre tale, the family and loved ones of Gloria Ramirez held a memorial for their friend, sister, and mother. Ceaseless reporting and public interest had dubbed her the toxic lady, but on this day she was just a cherished person and a painful loss. At the memorial, Ramirezs 12-year-old Evelyn and 9-year-old Angel stood by her flower-flanked casket as Ramirezs sister read a poem written by Evelyn herself:

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Roses are red, violets are blueThe next time I find a red rose, it will be just for you. When the stars shine, it will remind me of you.





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As Women's History Month comes to a close, a national nonprofit expanding into central North Carolina is working to close the gender gap in science, technology, engineering and math.

Women make up about 35% of employees in STEM fields in the United States, according to the Women in Tech Network. That number is even smaller for women who are ethnic minorities. Leaders with TechBridge Girls say those statistics highlight the need for early and sustained exposure to STEM for young girls.

Founded in San Francisco 25 years ago, the nonprofit is now expanding its programming to the Triangle, with a new base in Research Triangle Park. Jennifer Stancil is leading the local expansion, bringing free STEM education resources to schools and youth organizations across the region.

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"As a biologist, as an animal behaviorist, I have been an advocate for girls and women in STEM for my adult lifetime," Stancil said. "It is a pure joy, and I'm grateful for it."

TechBridge Girls focuses on introducing girls who are ethnic minorities to STEM fields through hands-on learning and long-term mentorship. The organization partners with educators and community groups to provide curriculum, training, and workshops at no cost.

While students may take part in activities such as building solar panels or conducting chemistry experiments, Stancil said the program is about more than technical skills.

"It's about building confidence and showing girls that they belong in these spaces," she said.

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That approach left a lasting impression on Aileen Iniguez, who participated in the program 18 years ago. Iniguez is now a data scientist, a career path she credits in part to her early exposure through TechBridge Girls.

"I went into this program and instantly fell in love because I thought it was interesting that it was an organization for girls," Iniguez said. "At that time, I actually didn't know what STEM was."

Iniguez said the program helped shape her academic confidence as she moved into high school.

"When I went into high school, I knew without a doubt that I wanted to continue taking math and engineering courses," she said.

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Educators partnering with TechBridge Girls say they have seen the effects firsthand.

"We wanted to do something more impactful," said Auntaria Johnson of the Dennis Project. "We didn't want a minimal, one-and-done. We wanted a series of workshops that would make a difference, and I feel amazing about the change it has made."

National data underscores the need for initiatives like this one.

"It will always be a moving target," Stancil said. "But who is in it can change drastically. For the next 25 years, we're really looking forward to changing the face of STEM in a way that is equitable and pushing girls forward in a way that helps them believe in themselves."

As technology continues to evolve, organizers say empowering the next generation to see themselves in those careers is critical for equity and innovation.
Courtesy of Scott Scovel

After nearly four decades working in New York City, Scott Scovel was ready for something new.

In 2019, he sold his Manhattan condo for $1.65 million. In 2021, he took a job in Miami. He hoped to benefit from Florida's lack of income tax and relatively lower cost of living.

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The tax savings, it turned out, didn't affect him as much as he expected. While working, he says he saved around $40,000 a year. But the real advantage was how much further his housing budget stretched.

He spent $727,500 on a two-bedroom condo in Miami, which left him with just under a million from the sale of his NYC condo. That cushion allowed him to retire much earlier.

"I suddenly realized I could afford to retire years earlier than I expected," Scovel told Business Insider (1). "For that, I'm extremely grateful to Miami."

His story raises an interesting question: If you have a significant amount of home equity, could a similar move work for you?

No income taxes doesn't mean lower taxes

Florida has no personal state income tax (2), which can be a huge advantage for high earners.

Scovel estimated that when he lived in New York, state and city taxes cost him close to $40,000 in some years. Moving to Florida wiped that out entirely.

But that benefit has a shelf life. Once Scovel retired and stopped drawing a salary, the income tax advantage no longer mattered. Florida doesn't tax investment income (3) or Social Security. New York also doesn't tax Social Security benefits (4), though it does tax investments (5).

What about everyday costs? Scovel found them similar. Groceries were modestly cheaper, but transportation was actually pricier in Miami. He needed a car or costly ride shares instead of relying on the subway, like in New York. Many online purchases, such as clothing and household goods, didnt change in price.

There's also the cost of property taxes to consider. The Florida average property tax rate is about 0.8% (6). In Miami, local taxes can push that closer to 2% (7). Based on the states estimator, Scovel could expect to pay around $14,000 a year.

New York's property taxes can be high as well  as much as 20% (8) when compared to Floridas.

There's also homeowners' insurance to consider. Florida's rates are notoriously high. A policy for a $300,000 home runs around $5,800 a year, more than $3,000 above the national average. A similar policy in New York costs an estimated $1,800 (9).

The lesson: If you're counting on a move to dramatically slash your monthly expenses, run the numbers carefully. Day-to-day savings may be smaller than you think.

Read More: 5 essential money moves to make once youve saved $50,000

Can real estate arbitrage work for you?

The real benefit for Scovel wasn't tax policy. It was the large amount of home equity from his New York City sale and the relatively cheaper housing market in Florida. The idea is simple: Sell a high-value property in an expensive market and buy a similar one for less elsewhere.

If you're considering a comparable move, here are a few things to keep in mind:

You need meaningful equity

This strategy works best if you have significant equity and can move to a cheaper area. Run the numbers on both sides. Be sure to consider costs like homeowners' insurance and property taxes.

Mind the tax bill on your sale

The IRS excludes up to $250,000 in home sale gains from capital gains taxes, or $500,000 for married couples filing jointly, if you've lived in the home for at least two of the past five years (10).

Anything above that is taxable. If your home has increased in value significantly, the tax bill could be substantial.

The numbers can change

Scovel moved in 2021, just after the pandemic. Median home sales have risen since then, though they are cooling this year (11). Still, a strategy that worked a few years ago may not make as much financial sense today.

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Article sources

We rely only on vetted sources and credible third-party reporting. For details, see our editorial ethics and guidelines.

Business Insider (1); State of Florida (2); Smart Asset (3); Fidelity (4, 10); Edelman Financial Engines (5); Tax Foundation (6); Tomas Regalado (7); NYC Department of Finance (8; Bankrate (9); Redfin (11)

This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
LINCOLN  A proposal supporters say is key to making Nebraska child care more affordable so more parents can stay in the workforce took a step forward Monday despite objections that businesses, not government, should bear the brunt of the costs.

Legislative Bill 304 would permanently keep income eligibility levels for Nebraskas child care subsidy program at the higher caps set in 2021, during pandemic recovery efforts. On a 39-8 vote Monday, the Nebraska Legislature advanced it to the second round of lawmaking debate.

State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha, who made the bill her priority for the session, called the subsidy necessary infrastructure for the states economy and said Nebraska cannot afford to lose more workers. Business chambers have estimated that 3,000 families are at risk of losing child care assistance if the bill dies.

Child Saving Institute in Omaha child care program. (Courtesy of the Buffett Early Childhood Institute)

If were ever able to successfully incentivize businesses to come to our state, we need a basic investment in childcare infrastructure, said DeBoer. Thats what LB 304 is.

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She and others noted the average cost of one child in day care is $13,000 a year  more, DeBoer pointed out, than a Nebraska lawmaker earns.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth, on the other hand, said COVID-19 has ended and so should expanded eligibility levels, which are set to expire in October. She was among legislators who thought caps should drop  if not to where they were in 2021, to a compromise in between.

This money comes from our constituents, Kauth said. This is no different than us saying to the taxpayers, Hey, listen, we want to take money from you, so we can give it to someone else so that they can have their child in childcare.

Chamber study echoes concern

As proposed under LB 304, household income eligibility caps would stay permanently at 185% of the federal poverty level rather than lowering back to 130%, as they were prior to the 2021 law. That means eligibility for a family of four would remain at about $59,000 in annual household earnings compared to the previous ceiling of about $42,000.

State Sen. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

A Kauth amendment to set the proposed ceiling at 160% of the federal poverty level and add a sunset provision requiring legislative reevaluation after three years failed on an 18-24 vote.

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DeBoer said COVID was not the only reason she pushed for higher income eligibility levels, saying the pandemic clarified the importance of child care to the economy, but a combination of factors drove interest.

Nebraskas child care subsidy program is funded by federal and state funds and early child care advocates say the total annual expense is roughly $110 million. According to a legislative analysis, LB 304 would cost about $3.16 million more next year, an amount that would be swept from the states Health Care Cash Fund rather than general fund tax dollars.

Families receiving a subsidy generally still pay 7% of their gross income for child care, DeBoer said. Public dollars that pay the remainder go directly to the provider.

Mondays vote came the same day the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce released a regional study intended to underscore the importance of child care access to economic growth. In the chambers eight-county coverage area alone, the findings showed that inadequate child care services translates into potentially 3,909 fewer filled jobs.

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The research also showed an annual loss of $1.02 billion in business input, including both direct and multiplier effects, and $919 million in lost labor income.

Hot dogs, mac and cheese

During Mondays debate, some skeptical state senators said private businesses should bear responsibility for their employees child care costs, while others talked about sacrifices parents make to stay at home rather than work.

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair said that when he and his wife had a daughter, he worked extra hours, lived in a crummy apartment and ate hot dogs and macaroni and cheese until he couldnt stand it anymore so his wife could be a stay-at-home mom.

He said businesses, churches and local city and county governments could step up to help, asking, Where do we draw the line?

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The more government takes care of our children, the less likely parents will, said Hansen.

State Sen. Mike Moser of Columbus said the proposed bill messes with the free market.

State Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralson said that while he worked as a hospital administrator, his employers response was to build and operate an around-the-clock child care center as a cost of doing business and without use of public funds.

We must increase our sources of income and slow down our entitlements, he said.

State Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth. (Courtesy of Nebraska Legislature)

State Sens. Fred Meyer of St. Paul and Tom Brandt of Plymouth were among rural Republican lawmakers who supported the bill. Meyer said a review of his district showed a higher-than-anticipated share of parents who benefit from the subsidy.

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Brandt described a small house in his district that was converted to help meet a child care need. But he said a crazy list of code and safety requirements limits the launch of new providers. Others talked of the high turnover rate of child care employees.

This bill is helpful, Brandt said. If it does not pass, he said, Nebraska would fall to the bottom three states for child care subsidies based on income eligibility. If it becomes law, he said, Nebraska holds kind of in the middle of the pack.

New dad perspective

State Sen. Brad von Gillern, an Omaha lawmaker who chairs the Legislatures Revenue Committee, said some might find his support of LB 304 confusing or surprising  but he needed only look at his own family to see the value.

Von Gillern said one of his daughters is able to work and enroll her kids in child care. Another daughter stays home, because she cant afford to go to work.

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She would truly be trading dollars if she worked outside the home, von Gillern said.

Also concerning, he said, is that some families deterred from working because of high daycare costs might end up more dependent on other forms of government aid.

Are we really about making sure those who want to work can work? he asked.

State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner)

State Sen. George Dungan of Lincoln offered a personal perspective. A brand new dad, he and his wife were elated to have been accepted by their choice daycare provider  until, he said, they learned the $1,300 a month price tag.

The couple now has decided she will go back to work as a mental health professional after maternity leave, and he will run his law practice from home, relying on his support system when he has to appear in court.

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Dungan said not all families are as fortunate.

This is not just a want, it is a need for families across the entire state, he said. If we want to ensure there is truly economic development  and that Nebraska is open for business.

State Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh of Omaha said she does not disagree that employers should help cover child care costs. But she said employer participation is not the reality were in today.

We have to do something today to ensure that families can put food on the table, she said. So that parents can show up to work and know their child is being taken care of.

Mondays debate follows a failed attempt last week to include the child care subsidy proposal as part of the mainline state budget. The Appropriations Committee had tried to include it and a new private school voucher provision in the broader budget package, but both were removed after intense and prolonged debate.

Greater Omaha Chamber report

The Greater Omaha Chamber report, while focusing on Nebraskas largest metropolitan area, echoed conversations that business leaders have had with people throughout the state, said Heath Mello, the chambers president and CEO.

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First Five Nebraska, a nonpartisan nonprofit that focuses on early childhood care, conducted the research that includes analysis from early care, education and economics experts.

The study is titled Working Families, Working Economy: An Examination of the Economic Impact, Supply and Demand of the Child Care System in the Greater Omaha Chamber Region.

Among other findings:

* A service gap exists for potentially 4,730 kids in the chambers eight-county coverage area.

* On average, parents with one child in care pay $250 per week, or $13,000 per year.

* Families who earn less than $100,000 per year are less likely to use child care outside the home compared to families who earn more (32% and 68%, respectively) and are more likely to quit or change jobs (29% and 12%, respectively) due to difficulty accessing child care.

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* The annual turnover rate for the child care workforce in the Omaha chambers coverage area is 19%, with about 32% of the workforce reportedly serving in that career field for at least five years.

Mello, a former Nebraska lawmaker, said the report was intended to inform policymakers as they make decisions.2026 Greater Omaha Chamber Child Care Report

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A new variant of COVID-19, named BA.3.2 or the Cicada variant, is spreading rapidly worldwide. This variant contains a highly mutated genetic composition compared to the original, raising concerns among scientists and epidemiologists that it could evade immunity from prior vaccinations or infection, according to experts.

The symptoms remain similar to the original virus: patients may experience cough, fatigue, fever and body aches, with more serious cases leading to brain fog, shortness of breath, respiratory distress or failure and more devastating long-term effects, per the CDC.

As of last month, infections by the new variant were detected across nearly 23 countries and have continued to spread due to travel and global cross-contamination.

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Assuredly, the original COVID-19 variant devastated the global landscape in 2020, accounting for millions of deaths around the world. Since then, through herd immunity, vaccination efforts and infection-led immunity, mortality due to the disease has decreased significantly. Nevertheless, the virus still accounted for approximately 390,000 to 550,000 hospitalizations and 45,000 to 64,000 deaths during the 2024 respiratory virus season, indicating that it is still capable of causing severe illness.

Where Is The New COVID Variant?

A heatmap has been designed to show where this new virus has been mainly impacting communities; using wastewater data, it shows the following incidence counts: California (two), Connecticut (six), Florida (two), Hawaii (two), Idaho (one), Illinois (one), Maine (19), Maryland (six), Massachusetts (nine), Missouri (one), Nevada (one), New Hampshire (17), New Jersey (three), New York (seven), Pennsylvania (four), Rhode Island (27), South Carolina (one), Texas (one), Utah (three), Vermont (one), Virginia (one) and Wyoming (two).

Although these numbers indicate a relatively low rate of incidence at this point in the United States, some disease experts are concerned that this could be the start of a new wave of infections that will spread rapidly.

Data is being collected to determine whether the new strain may have higher rates of transmission, is indeed more resistant against prior immunity, causes more significant or serious mortality or chronic health effects or exacerbates existing underlying conditions.

What Can People Do To Protect Themselves From The New COVID Variant?

Healthcare professionals recommend taking general precautions, similar to those used to prevent most viral transmission: get vaccinations when appropriate, wear masks in crowded areas or indoors where there is a high risk of transmission, avoid individuals who have known illness or infections, wash hands frequently and continue to stay apprised of local community guidelines and the infections spread.

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Individuals who are immunocompromised or are in particularly vulnerable health states (e.g., have chronic health issues, are being treated with immunpsuppressing medications, have severe metabolic syndrome, etc.) should also pay special attention as they may be more susceptible to viral transmission and more devastating impacts from the virus than others.

Finally, the most important aspect is to remain vigilant and pursue a higher level of medical care when appropriate. Often, viral illnesses can present with mild symptoms before escalating rapidly. Therefore, individuals should not hesitate to seek medical care or attention if they have any concerns, face serious symptoms or are at risk of contracting severe illness.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Bus manufacturer Alexander Dennis is proposing to close its Falkirk plant with the potential loss of 115 jobs.

The move comes six months after the Scottish government announced a 4m furlough scheme aimed at saving the company's operations in Scotland.

The scheme was introduced after Alexander Dennis said it was planning to switch production to Yorkshire, putting up to 400 jobs at risk in Falkirk and Larbert.

The firm is now planning to close its Falkirk facility and convert its Larbert manufacturing facility to a chassis manufacturing site.

Alexander Dennis said the proposal would safeguard about 200 skilled manufacturing and support jobs which were previously at risk of redundancy, but that 115 posts would be lost.

The Unite union said the news would come as a "cruel blow to the workforce".

John Swinney announced a 4m furlough scheme for workers last September [PA Media]

First Minister John Swinney visited the Larbert factory last September to announce details of the furlough scheme, which offered a reprieve for 400 staff threatened with redundancy.

Swinney said the support depended on the manufacturer being able to show it had enough orders to sustain operations in Scotland.

The furlough scheme ended earlier this month and the company says it is in discussions with the Scottish government about an extension.

Last week, it was announced that the firm is due to receive orders for more than 100 zero emission vehicles through a Scottish government scheme.

Transport Scotland announced 45m in government money for five bus operators, with Rock Road and Lothian Buses set to purchase from the Falkirk-based manufacturer.

Speaking in Stirling, Swinney said he was "very concerned" by the latest news.

He said there were some "significant issues" around procurement which needed to be resolved by the UK government.

"I would encourage the UK government to fulfil their promises and their commitments to Alexander Dennis by reforming those arrangements in relation to procurement," he said.

"We'll work with the company to secure continuity of employment as far as we can do so in working to secure the future of the plant."

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said: "We remain grateful to the Scottish government for the furlough scheme support to secure these jobs, maintaining skills and manufacturing capability in central Scotland.

"We will continue to work with the Scottish government, its agencies and the trade unions to support staff during the consultation period."
The Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA), the central bank of the country, is set to end surcharges on most debit and credit card payments for consumers from October 2026.

The move comes after the RBA published a Conclusions Paper detailing the Payments System Boards (PSB) decisions on the Review of Merchant Card Payment Costs and Surcharging.

The PSB decided to remove surcharging on debit, prepaid and credit card transactions on the designated EFTPOS, Mastercard and Visa card networks.

The surcharging framework, introduced more than two decades ago, is no longer achieving its intended purpose of steering consumers towards making more efficient payment choices, the statement added.

The RBA cited several factors behind the change. These include more businesses applying a single surcharge rate across card types, difficulties in enforcing the current rules, and reduced cash usage by consumers.

The central bank added that removing surcharging would make card payments simpler, more transparent and increase competition among payment service providers.

American Express operates under a separate agreement with the RBA and is not subject to this rule change.

The PSB also decided to reduce the caps on interchange fees paid by Australian businesses. The RBA said these changes are expected to lower merchant costs for accepting domestic and overseas card payments. The central bank noted that small businesses are likely to benefit most, as they often pay fees closer to the current caps.

According to a Reuters report, these changes are expected to deliver savings of about A$1.5bn ($1.03bn) annually.

In addition to the surcharging and interchange changes, the PSB decided to increase transparency around fees charged by card networks and payment service providers. The RBA said improved transparency is designed to strengthen competition within the payments chain, put downward pressure on payment costs, and make it easier for businesses to compare providers.

Most measures will take effect on 1 October 2026. This includes the removal of surcharging and the reduced interchange caps for domestic card transactions.

A new interchange cap on foreign cards, along with some transparency measures, will be implemented later on 1 April 2027. The RBA said the later start date is intended to give the payments industry time to deliver more complex changes.

The RBA also plans to launch a separate public consultation in mid-2026.

This will assess whether additional regulation is in the public interest for areas not covered in the current review. These include mobile wallets, three-party card networks, buy-now pay-later services, and e-commerce platforms.
(Stock photo by Imaginima/Getty Images)

Washington has long been a global leader in technology. From cloud computing and e-commerce to clean energy innovation, the state has played a central role in defining our modern digital economy. But in todays rapidly evolving technology landscape, Washington has a critical choice: stay ahead of the curve or get left in the dust.

While Washingtons tech sector continues to grow, policies emerging from Olympia will determine the fate of the very infrastructure that underpins our digital future: data centers.

Data centers are the backbone of our modern digital society that keep hospitals operating, small businesses processing transactions, students connected with their teachers, and so much more. Virtually every element of the 21st century economy is tied to a reliable fleet of data centers.

But as equipment ages, retaining the tax exemption for data centers to upgrade and refurbish outdated components of our digital infrastructure is vital to ensuring all of these daily services remain online, reliable, and efficient as technology advances.

Senate Bill 6231, which recently passed both chambers in the state Legislature, removes this exemption and discourages data center companies and their tenants from upgrading servers and energy infrastructure with the most modern and energy-efficient technology.

Simply put: data centers will keep old equipment, rather than purchase new equipment. Washington will fall behind on data center development, and the long-term job creation and green infrastructure commitments that data center companies have made will be challenging to meet, causing investment to leave the state.

In Washington, we have already seen the substantial economic benefits that data centers bring, with an analysis by PwC last year finding that data centers supported more than 47,000 jobs statewide  ranging from the construction phase to ongoing permanent maintenance and skilled trade jobs in urban and rural communities across the state.

The industry also makes a major contribution to public revenues. In 2023, data centers generated $1.8 billion in state and local tax revenue. In 2022, taxes collected from data center activities were enough to cover all state spending on Washingtons parks and recreation facilities, unemployment insurance, and public employment services.

However, the true value of data center investments can often be obscured by common misconceptions surrounding how these facilities work, how much energy they use, and their impact on the environment.

Washington leaders need to understand that keeping the incentives in place to build and maintain data centers, achieving the states clean energy goals, and enhancing the strength and affordability of our power grid are not mutually exclusive  theyre symbiotic with one another.
The Competence Centre for Human Rights Due Diligence brings together international trade unions, responsible employers and the German government to strengthen workers' rights in sectors including garments, technology and critical minerals.

The centre will collaborate with trade unions and companies to ensure workers play an active role in identifying and addressing rights risks within corporate operations worldwide.

Pilot projects are currently underway with mining sector unions in Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa, as well as with garment sector unions in Cambodia, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The pilots aim to advance worker participation in the due diligence process throughout value chains.

Kelly Fay Rodriguez, head of the new Competence Centre commented: "We are at a pivotal moment. New human rights due diligence and trade laws are fundamentally changing how business is done in global supply chains. The legal infrastructure for responsible business is still being built across the world, but practices must start changing now.

Workers and their unions must be at the centre of company assessment, mitigation and remediation of human rights risks. The Competence Centre will support workers and their representatives to make sure these new laws deliver concrete results for workers in value chains that underpin our global economy."

The centre will operate a virtual helpdesk designed for trade unions seeking guidance on human rights due diligence regulations.

The service will provide advice, referrals to advocacy organisations or legal support groups, and assist unions in using regulatory frameworks to address violations and pursue remedies for affected workers.

The centres steering committee, which includes UNI, IndustriALL and the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), will focus on three main objectives:

Build the capacity of trade unions globally to use HRDD obligations to defend workers' rights. Support strategic interventions using HRDD instruments to address specific workers' rights violations. Advocate for effective HRDD laws and their implementation.

UNI Global Union and IndustriALL Global Union have established this resource with German partners including Friedrich Ebert Stiftung - as well as the DGB.

Funding comes from Investing in Resilient and Sustainable Global Supply Chains, a programme led by Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit and commissioned by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.

The centre operates as a non-profit foundation registered in the Netherlands with a remote team spanning Europe, the US, Asia and Africa.
Large retailers have raised concerns that planned changes to guaranteed working hours could affect more than half of roles in the sector, reported The Guardian, citing The British Retail Consortium (BRC).

They argue that the reforms may make it more difficult for shops to offer part-time work, particularly to younger employees.

Under the Employment Rights Act, new workplace protections are set to take effect from April, covering areas that include sick pay, sexual harassment, parental leave and trade union recognition.

A further package of measures is expected next year, including new rights to guaranteed hours for workers on zero-hours or low hours contracts, rules on flexible working, compensation where shifts are cancelled at short notice, and restrictions on fire-and-rehire practices in most situations.

The government has not yet confirmed two key elements of the guaranteed-hours policy: the maximum weekly hours that would qualify as low hours, and the length of time over which someones working pattern would be assessed when deciding entitlement to guaranteed hours.

The BRC represents some of the UKs biggest retailers such as Asda, M&S, McDonald's, Sainsburys, Starbucks and Tesco.

It is urging ministers to limit the guaranteed-hours provisions to contracts of eight hours a week or fewer.

It is also calling for the reference period used to judge working patterns to be at least 26 weeks, and preferably 12 months, saying this would align better with seasonal variation in staffing.

BRC chief executive Helen Dickinson was quoted by the publication as saying: Flexible retail jobs are a vital part of how millions of people are able to stay in work.

"As the UKs largest private sector employer, retail provides opportunities for students earning alongside their studies, parents balancing childcare, and those managing health conditions. These part-time roles are not only valued but relied upon across the country.

Retailers support the aim to improve job security, but the details of Employment Rights Act implementation will be critical. If reforms treat flexibility as a problem rather than something workers actively choose, the risk is fewer opportunities and reduced access to work. Government must strike the right balance by targeting genuine bad practice while protecting the flexible roles that underpin employment in retail.

The BRC said its analysis shows 55% of retail jobs are part-time, compared with a UK-wide average of 33%.

It also pointed to polling carried out by Opinium for the BRC among 2,000 adults, which found that 52% of respondents considered the ability to adjust working hours around personal commitments to be important.
A recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling striking down tariffs imposed under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) has triggered a wave of refund litigation and forced companies to rethink their tariff strategies, trade attorneys said during a webinar hosted by law firm Dykema.

The webinar, titled 2026 Tariff Turbulence: IEEPA Tariffs, Supreme Court Fallout & Refund Strategies, was held Thursday and featured Dykema attorneys Joanne Zimolzak, John Rhoades and Tina Toma, who discussed the legal fallout from the courts decision and what importers should do next.

Dykema is a Detroit-based national law firm founded in 1926 with more than 400 attorneys nationwide, providing legal services including litigation, corporate transactions, regulatory, tax, labor and employment, and intellectual property law.

Supreme Court ruling reshapes tariff authority

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled earlier this year that tariffs imposed under IEEPA were unlawful because the statute does not grant the president authority to impose tariffs, attorneys said during the webinar.

The court held that the word regulate in IEEPA does not include the authority to impose tariffs, Toma said. Taxing imports is a distinct constitutional power that requires express delegation from Congress.

The decision invalidated tariffs that had been imposed on imports from China, Canada, Mexico and dozens of other countries, affecting hundreds of billions of dollars in trade and setting off a complex process for companies seeking refunds on duties already paid.

The ruling was based in part on the courts finding that IEEPA allows the president to regulate imports during a national emergency but does not explicitly authorize tariffs, which are considered a tax that requires clear congressional approval, according to the attorneys.

The bottom line here is the executive orders imposing IEEPA tariffs are invalid and duties collected under those orders were assessed without legal authority, Toma said.

Refund process could take years

A major focus of the webinar was the ongoing litigation in the U.S. Court of International Trade and the process for issuing refunds on previously collected tariffs.

In terms of precedent for refunds of this scale were looking at about $166 billion, Rhoades said.

The refund claims tied to the invalidated tariffs could far exceed previous large-scale refund cases such as the harbor maintenance tax case, which involved about $2.8 billion in refunds and took years to resolve.
Tax Day is coming. You havent filed yet. In truth, you havent even started.

Preparing a tax return can trigger paroxysms of stress at the best of times. If youre rushing to finish your taxes ahead of the April 15 deadline, you may be rushing things. Between stress and haste, you could wind up making costly errors.

Here, then, is a list of common mistakes people make before filing their taxes, adapted from a March 25 list published by the Illinois CPA Society. To honor the Land of Lincoln, well include comments from Illinois accountants.

Lets start with. . .

Your name

You probably wont forget to write your name on your return. But you need to take care how you write it.

Accountants say you should type your name on your return exactly the way you wrote it on your last return, and as it appears on correspondence from the IRS -- and on your Social Security statements. Ideally, all of those names should match: The same letters, spaces, capitalizations and initials.

If you misspell your name, you could create filing delays, said Charlene Rhinehart, a Chicago CPA. You want to make sure everything is consistent across the board.

Last-minute filers could make costly mistakes on their IRS tax returns. Always check your work.

Filing status

There are a few things to consider when you pick a filing status. If your household situation changed in the last year, your status may have changed. Even if not, accountants say, you should think before you choose one.

Married folks, in particular, should consider filing jointly. Separate filers tend to reap fewer tax benefits. For a start, the standard deduction for joint filers is twice as large.

More: Don't fall for these common tax scams in 2026, IRS warns

You could miss out on valuable deductions and credits if you go the married filing separately route, Rhinehart said.

If you have divorced, you may be eligible for head of household status, which also brings tax benefits, said Larry Johnson, a CPA in Springfield, Illinois.

Social Security Number

No single piece of data on a tax return, perhaps, matters as much as your Social Security number. It serves as your individual tax ID number.

You probably know your Social Security number by heart. Even so, double-check that youve entered it correctly. If not, it could lead to a rejected return, Rhinehart said.

Income

The goal here is both accuracy and thoroughness: You need to make sure all of your income from 2025 finds its way onto your tax return.

If youre a salaried employee, the key form is probably your W-2. But you should also gather all of your 1099s, the forms that report income not earned directly from an employer. There are many kinds of 1099s, covering income from interest, dividends and other sources.

You may have to download some forms yourself. Make a list of all the forms you expect, the CPA Society suggests, and check them off as you find them.

Direct Deposit information

The Trump administration is phasing out paper checks from the IRS, largely because mailed checks are targets for fraud.

You can get a paper check, Johnson said, but I dont know a good reason to get a paper check.

The fastest and safest way to get a refund in 2026 is via direct deposit. But take care that you enter your account and routing numbers correctly. Make a mistake, and your refund will be delayed.

Your signature

After all your hard work, dont forget to sign and date your return. The IRS cant accept it without a signature.

You can seek an extension to the April 15 deadline to file your taxes. But be careful of late penalties on any tax you owe.

That April 15 deadline

Your tax return is due on midnight, April 15.

Lets talk briefly about what happens if you miss the deadline.

If you fail to file your return on time, the standard penalty is a whopping 5% of any tax you owe for every month the return is late, up to 25% of the unpaid balance.

If you file a return but dont pay any taxes you owe, you typically face a much smaller monthly penalty: 0.5% of any unpaid amount.

And heres an important point: That late payment penalty applies even if you get an extension.

People may think that an extension to file gives them more time to pay, Rhinehart said. It does not.

When you request an extension, its best to pay any tax you think you owe. That way, you wont face penalties later on.

Check your work

Both Rhinehart and Johnson recommend that taxpayers read over their entire tax return one last time before hitting the file button.

That step is especially important if youve prepared the return in a hurry.

When you finish your work, Rhinehart said, consider setting it aside until the next day, when you can review the return with a fresh set of eyes.

Consider last-minute IRA, HSA contributions

This last item isnt about mistakes so much as missed opportunities.

The Illinois accountants note that you can contribute to a tax-advantaged Individual Retirement Account or Health Savings Account for 2025 all the way up to April 15, 2026.

Those contributions are a great way to reduce what you owe to the IRS. Contributions to an IRA or HSA reduce your taxable income and, thus, your tax.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Tax deadline is coming soon. Avoid these 7 IRS filing mistakes
The Trump administration is pushing for American retirement savers to gain access to "alternative" investments, including private equity and cryptocurrency. That push is feeding debate on whether those potentially risky assets belong in retirement accounts.

On March 31, the Labor Department issued a proposed rule that would ease legal and regulatory barriers against adding alternative investments to retirement plans. The rule follows an executive order from President Donald Trump in 2025.

The introduction of private equity into 401(k) accounts is a controversial initiative of the Trump administration. Firms that invest in private assets have been lobbying for access to lucrative workplace retirement plans. Critics warn that private assets are risky, complex and opaque. Recently, concerns have mounted about the fundamental health of the private credit industry.

"Anyone who cares about the financial security of working people should oppose this proposed rule," said Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Massachusetts, in a March 30 statement.

Industry leaders applauded the administrations efforts.

"Private investment has delivered strong, stable returns and provided diversification for public pension funds for decades; everyday savers should be able to enjoy those benefits, too," said Will Dunham, CEO of the American Investment Council, a private equity industry group.

401(k) retirement savers are gaining access to private equity

In the past, the private investment world has been populated mostly by wealthy investors, endowments and pension funds.

That is changing. Last summer, BlackRock announced it would offer a 401(k) target-date retirement fund that includes private investments. Empower, another retirement giant, made a similar move. Other 401(k) providers are studying the idea.

BlackRock announced in 2025 that it would offer a 401(k) target-date retirement fund that includes private investments.

In an August 2025 executive order, Trump gave a big boost to private equity and other "alternative" investments in retirement plans.

"It is the policy of the United States that every American preparing for retirement should have access to funds that include investments in alternative assets," the order said, provided the investments enhance returns on retirement investments.

What is private equity? What's an 'alternative' investment?

The executive order covered several categories of alternative investments: basically, anything other than traditional stocks and bonds, the bread and butter of traditional investing. Alternative investments can include private equity, real estate, cryptocurrency and direct investment in private companies.

Private equity firms raise money to buy, manage and sell companies for profit. Investors are typically wealthy individuals or institutions. The private credit marketplace loans money to companies or individuals outside the banking and fixed-income industries.

In the past, everyday retirement savers havent had much access to that world. The minimum investment in a private equity fund might be in the millions, or at least the hundreds of thousands, according to Investopedia. Your money might be tied up for years.

But retirees have long had access to private investments through pension plans, which have a history of investing in private markets.

What are the pros and cons of private investments?

Private equity is attractive to well-heeled investors and pension fund managers because of its potential to outperform the stock market.

Private equity yielded average annual returns of 10.5% from 2000 through 2020, outdistancing the S&P 500, Investopedia reports. Private equity is considered a high-risk, high-return alternative to stocks.

There are steep downsides to private investment. Private companies face fewer regulations and reporting requirements than public ones. It can be hard to divine how much money a private company earns.

"These are private companies, and with that comes less transparency," Robert Brokamp, a senior adviser at The Motley Fool, told USA TODAY in 2025.

Private equity has the potential to outperform the stock market. But there are downsides.

Stocks are risky. Private equity can be riskier

Stocks carry risk, but a retirement saver who puts money in an S&P 500 index fund is "investing in some pretty well-established companies," Brokamp said.

Private equity, by contrast, often involves companies in distress. Bankruptcies run higher.

"Private equity is riskier than public equity," said Caleb Silver, editor in chief of Investopedia, speaking to USA TODAY in 2025. "Its more speculative in nature because you are investing in companies that, in some cases, have no proven track record."

Given the risk, Silver suggests an everyday retirement saver should not invest "more than 10% of your portfolio" in private investments: "Its simply too risky."

Is there room for private investments in a 401(k)?

Some prominent voices have questioned the wisdom of opening up the 401(k) industry to private investment.

In 2025, Warren, the Massachusetts senator, penned a letter to the CEO of Empower about its plan to offer private investments in 401(k)s.

"Given the sectors weak investor protections, its lack of transparency, expensive management fees, and unsubstantiated claims of high returns, we are seeking information on how your company will ensure the safety of the billions of dollars of retirement savings it safeguards as it implements this program," Warren wrote.

Empower responded, essentially, that retirement savers deserve a crack at the lucrative private investment market, after decades of exclusion.

Some economists have raised similar doubts. Alicia Munnell, senior adviser at the Center for Retirement Research at Boston College, critiqued Trumps executive order in a 2025 essay.

"As far as I can see, the only party pushing for private equity in 401(k) plans is the private-equity industry," Munnell wrote. She added, "My view is that people should invest in stuff they understand, and private equity is not a transparent investment."

Contributing: Reuters. This story has been updated with new information.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: You can add private equity to a 401(k) in Trump plan. Should you?
Investing.com -- UBS shares climbed on Tuesday after senior Swiss lawmakers privately assured the banks executives that they would water down stringent new capital requirements, according to a report by the Financial Times (FT).

The banks shares rose around 3%, but remain down nearly 18% this year.

A core group of parliamentarians has told UBS executives they would "solve the problem by agreeing on a compromise" on proposals from the finance ministry that would increase the banks capital requirements by $22 billion, the report said, citing people familiar with the matter.

The governments decision on the package could be published as soon as April, with the most contentious element  foreign capital requirements  then moving to parliament for debate, the report added.

The "too big to fail" reform package was unveiled last year by Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter following the collapse of Credit Suisse in 2023. Regulators argue the rules are necessary to protect depositors, while critics, including UBS itself, say they would harm Switzerlands competitiveness and leave the bank more strictly regulated than peers in the U.S. and U.K.

The package has two main components. The first involves executive regulation changes focused on the quality of UBSs capital, tightening the treatment of deferred tax assets, in-house software and other hard-to-value assets, adding between $2 billion and $3 billion to core capital requirements.

Yet, analysts estimate the broader impact could reach $11 billion as the measures would restrict the types of capital UBS can count toward its regulatory requirements, the FT report said.

The second would require UBS to hold substantially more capital against its international operations, ensuring foreign subsidiaries can be stabilised independently in a crisis without relying on the Swiss parent.

Lawmakers have greater scope to influence or dilute the larger foreign subsidiary component, raising the prospect that the final burden could be materially reduced. A key parliamentary economic affairs and taxation committee is expected to take over the process in May.

"We will have more decision-making power," from that point, one person reportedly told FT, with a full parliamentary debate likely from June.

UBS executives have grown frustrated with what they see as the Swiss governments unwillingness to negotiate directly, and have warned privately that failure to reach a compromise could push the bank to move to a more favourable jurisdiction.

An earlier compromise proposal, which would have allowed UBS to use additional tier one debt to meet half of the new capital demands, was rejected by the finance ministry late last year.
UK food-and-drink export volumes increased in 2025 despite the impact of US tariffs, as the sector continued to adjust to postBrexit trading friction.

Figures from trade body The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) showed a welcome recovery in shipments, with kilogram exports up 6% to 8.9bn and litre exports up 6.2% to 1.3bn over the year.

Despite the jump, the industry body stressed volumes remain considerably lower than pre-Brexit levels.

In value terms, UK food and drink exports climbed 4.8% to a record 25.6bn ($33.76bn) in 2025, the first time the sector has broken through the 25bn barrier.

Excluding alcohol, exports rose 6.9% to 18.1bn.

Europe remained the UKs dominant trading partner in the food and drinks sector, accounting for 62.5% of exports and 74.1% of imports, with exports to the region rising 6% in value to 16bn.

The FDF said the value of UK food and drinks exported to the EU stood at 14.8bn, up from 14bn in 2024. UK exporters are still feeling the impact of Brexit, the organisation said.

The export volume graph underlines how UK exports have structurally reset at a lower level since 2020. Despite some recovery in 2025, food export volumes are 31% lower in 2025 than in 2019, the FDF said.

The UK and the EU are in talks over a new sanitary and phytosanitary agreement, which they are aiming to implement in mid-2027.

Last year, Ireland and France remained the two largest destinations for UK food-and-drink exports, followed by the US.

With a 10% levy now in place, UK food-and-drink exports to the US fell 8.6% year-on-year in the second half of 2025, with categories including infant formula seeing sharp declines. Exports to the US grew 3.6% to 2.8bn during 2025 as a whole.

Looking at the data by category, dairy products were among the strongest performers in 2025. Milk and cream exports rose 22.5% in value and 10.3% in volume, nearing the 1bn mark, while cheese exports grew 9.4% to 971m.

Whisky remained the top-selling UK food-and-drink export, though sales fell 0.8% to 5.5bn and by 4.3% in volume terms.

Elsewhere, exports to India increased 12.4% to 330.3m. The FDF described the UKIndia free trade agreement, signed in July last year, as the most significant post-Brexit trade deal highlighting that the period before implementation should be used to build distributor relationships and prepare to scale up.

The UKs accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) also started to deliver first meaningful returns in 2025, the FDF added.

While total exports to CPTPP members slipped 1.4% in value terms to 2.1bn  dragged by alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks  food export volumes to member countries rose 7.8%. Mexico was a standout with exports jumping 26.2% to 148.4m.
By David Lawder

WASHINGTON, March 31 (Reuters) - The U.S. customs agency said on Tuesday it was making progress in setting up a streamlined process for refunding some $166 billion in tariff collections deemed illegal by the Supreme Court, but that its new system could take up to 45 days to review and process refund applications.

More from Yahoo Scout Which importers get priority in the refund process? What challenges do smaller importers face getting refunds? What Supreme Court ruling triggered the $166 billion refund? How will the new CBP refund system work?

In a filing with the U.S. Court of International Trade, U.S. Customs and Border Protection official Brandon Lord said development of a new refund claims portal, review, processing and refund system is now between 60% and 85% complete. He did not provide a start date for applications, but the agency previously had indicated a 45-day goal, a deadline that ends in late April.

In the declaration filing on Tuesday, Lord said the new system will begin accepting claims in phases, with first priority given to those customs entries liquidated, or finalized, within the preceding 80 days and entries whose liquidation status has been "suspended, extended, or under review."

The initial phase will also accept declarations containing warehouse and warehouse withdrawal entries, Lord said.

The filing also said some 26,664 importers of record had completed the process to receive electronic refunds, representing 78% of entries for which duties or deposits under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act had been paid, an amount totaling $120 billion.

The U.S. Supreme Court last month struck down President Donald Trump's broadest global tariffs under IEEPA, dealing a blow to the central economic policy of his administration.

More than 330,000 importers paid the IEEPA tariffs on 53 million shipments, according to court documents.

The Supreme Court did not provide guidance on refunding the tariff payments that had been collected from importers since February 2025, leaving that matter to the Court of International Trade in New York City.

Many large importers such as FedEx sued CBP to protect their right to a refund, which Trump said could take up to five years. Many smaller importers feared the cost of the refund process would outweigh the benefits of trying to get reimbursed.

Judge Richard Eaton of the Court of International Trade earlier this month ordered CBP to begin processing refunds using its existing system, but the agency instead proposed a new process that would be ready to accept refund applications as soon as next month and would not require importers to sue.

(Reporting by David Lawder; Additional reporting by Tom Hals in Wilmington, Delaware; Editing by Paul Simao)
Xeinadin has acquired Campbell Crossley & Davis (CC&D), an insolvency specialist founded in 1994, to expand its corporate recovery operations in the UK.

CC&D was established over 30 years ago by Ian Williamson and has been working with small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) through shifting economic conditions.

The Blackpool-based practice serves clients across Greater Manchester, Lancashire and Cumbria, with a focus on owner-managed businesses dealing with financial pressure.

Its work covers business restructuring, formal insolvency procedures and resolving financial difficulties for companies in the region.

As part of the transaction, CC&Ds partners  founder Ian Williamson along with partners Chris Brindle and Francesca Vivace  are joining Xeinadins corporate recovery team.

Under the agreement, Brindle and Vivace will remain in post as partners, and the existing CC&D team will continue to operate from Blackpool.

Xeinadin said the enlarged corporate recovery practice will focus on early engagement with struggling SMEs, providing restructuring advice and handling formal insolvency processes to help firms review their options before their financial position worsens.

Xeinadin CEO Derry Crowley said: Corporate Recovery is a critical part of the advice SMEs need in the current climate.

Bringing Campbell Crossley & Davis into Xeinadin represents a deliberate investment in strengthening that specialist capability, ensuring we can support business owners through every stage of the cycle across the UK and Ireland.

The firm added that the integration of CC&D comes at a time when insolvency levels remain high compared with pre-pandemic period.

Williamson said: Joining Xeinadin allows us to retain our local focus in Blackpool, operating as usual, while benefiting from wider infrastructure, technical support and access to a broader client base.

It also enables us to work more closely with colleagues across tax, restructuring and advisory, ensuring clients understand their options at an earlier stage.

Earlier this month, Xeinadin acquired UK-based accountancy and business advisory practice Gregory Priestley & Stewart (GP&S).

"Xeinadin buys Campbell Crossley & Davis to bolster corporate recovery arm" was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand.




Christian Patriarchs in Syria Condemn Muslim Attacks on Christian Village

The Patriarchs of the Christian Churches in Syria issued a joint statement on March 29, 2026, condemning recent events in Al-Suqaylabiyah (story) and calling for peace and stability across the country.

The meeting took place at the headquarters of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch in Damascus, bringing together John X of Antioch, Ignatius Aphrem II, and Youssef Absi.

During their discussions, the Patriarchs focused on the latest developments in Syria, particularly the situation in Al-Suqaylabiyah in the Hama countryside, as well as the broader national context and the condition of Christian communities throughout the country.

Expressing deep concern, they highlighted the serious challenges facing Syria, especially those threatening peaceful coexistence between Muslims and Christians. They stressed the urgent need to control the spread of unregulated weapons and to ensure security and stability for all citizens.

The Patriarchs also emphasized the importance of protecting human dignity and reaffirmed that this must be based on the principles of citizenship, equality in rights and duties, and respect for both individual and public freedoms.

On the occasion of upcoming religious feasts, they extended their blessings to the faithful, while recommending that celebrations be limited strictly to prayer services within churches.

Concluding their statement, the Patriarchs offered prayers for peace in Syria, as well as in Lebanon and across the world.
Oil prices seesawed on Tuesday as market participants evaluated the likelihood of US President Donald Trump potentially ending military actions against Iran, in contrast with the ongoing impact of the Strait of Hormuz's partial closure.

By 06:55 GMT, Brent crude futures for May increased by $0.65 to $113.43 per barrel, after swinging between a 2% gain and a 1% loss during the session, reported Reuters.

The May contract is set to expire on Tuesday, while the June contract stood at $107.31.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for May edged up $0.02, or 0.02%, to $102.90 a barrel, rebounding from earlier losses to reach their highest level since 9 March.

Citing undisclosed administration officials, The Wall Street Journal reported that Trump has indicated to aides his willingness to cease military efforts against Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely blocked, opting to address its reopening at a later time.

On Monday, Trump threatened severe action against Iran, including targeting its energy facilities if Tehran fails to reopen the crucial waterway.

The effective blockage of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran has driven Brent futures up by 59% in March, a record monthly increase, while WTI has risen by 58%, marking the highest surge since May 2020. The passage is responsible for about one-fifth of global oil distribution and significant liquefied natural gas (LNG) transport.

Amidst these tensions, Kuwait Petroleum reported that its crude oil tanker Al Salmi was hit by an alleged Iranian attack in a Dubai port.

Furthermore, Yemen's Houthi forces aligned with Iran targeted Israel with missiles on Saturday, heightening concerns over disruptions to the Bab el-Mandeb strait. This strategic channel links the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and is pivotal for shipping between Asia and Europe through the Suez Canal.

In response to these developments, Saudi Arabia has rerouted its crude exports via the Red Sea port of Yanbu from the Gulf with shipments reaching 4.658 million barrels per day last week, a significant increase from January and February averages of 770,000 barrels per day (bpd) as per Kpler data.

"Oil seesaws as traders weigh Trumps Iran stance, Hormuz disruption" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.




JPMorgan plans to double daily transaction values on its blockchain platform to $10 billion  and a new deal with Mitsubishi may help it achieve its goal.

Since its 2020 launch, Kinexys, JPMorgans digital asset service, has processed over $3 trillion worth of transactions. But Zack Chestnut tells DL News that this number is only set to grow.

Our goal is to meaningfully grow these figures as quickly as we can, the global head of business development for Kinexys said. We would be pleased but not satisfied to see daily transaction value get above $10 billion per day in the foreseeable future.

Mitsubishi is only the latest firm to sign up to JPMorgans blockchain network. Kinexys serves hundreds of clients across five continents, including central and commercial banks to the tune of $5 billion in transactions per day, Chestnut said.

The expansion of Kinexys also highlights Wall Streets growing adoption of crypto and blockchain technology.

Traditional financial services are launching crypto-trading services, signing partnerships with industry-native firms, tokenising assets, acquiring crypto startups, and increasingly using digital ledger technology to boost efficiencies.

And JPMorgan, led by CEO and ardent crypto-sceptic Jamie Dimon, has found itself at the centre of this wave.

What is Kinexys?

Originally known as Onyx, JPMorgans bespoke blockchain first saw the light in 2020. The JPMD deposit token is at the centre of the firms payments strategy.

Like a stablecoin, these deposit tokens enable near-instantaneous payments and settlements at a fraction of the price. But instead of being backed by assets like US treasuries, deposit tokens represent funds held in a bank account.

And unlike stablecoins, they can be moved between bank accounts, on- and offchain, without needing to use intermediaries.

In our experience, many of the efficiencies on offer from using blockchain rails are most valuable in complex, cross-border money movement flows for sophisticated global institutions, Chestnut said. As such, the appeal of Kinexys is global

Mitsubishi is the first Japanese corporation to adopt Kinexys.

As we are developing and operating businesses globally across a wide array of industries, it is essential that funds raised in the market and cash generated across our operations can be allocated efficiently throughout our consolidated group, Kazuyoshi Kawakami, Mitsubishis treasurer, said in a statement.

Wall Streets crypto push

JPMorgan is not the only traditional financial behemoth to tap into blockchain technology.
KuCoin Hit with Permanent U.S. Ban and $300M in Penalties

The U.S. Court for the Southern District of New York has finalized a permanent injunction against Peken Global Limited, the operator of the KuCoin cryptocurrency exchange. This consent order resolves allegations by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) that the firm illegally allowed U.S. residents to trade on its unregistered offshore platform.

Key Penalties and Terms

More From Cryptoprowl:

Under the settlement, Peken Global is required to:

- Pay a $500,000 civil penalty

- Cease all unregistered U.S. operations, effectively banning U.S. users from the platform unless the exchange registers with the CFTC

- Accept a permanent injunction against future violations of federal commodity laws.

The Findings

The CFTCs investigation revealed that KuCoin, one of the largest spot crypto exchanges in the world, functioned as an unregistered foreign board of trade. Despite branding itself as the "Peoples Exchange," the regulator found the firm used "sham" identity-verification KYC (Know Your Customer) procedures. These lapses allowed U.S. customers to generate roughly $110 million in trading fees for the exchange through futures, swaps, and leveraged transactions.

Cooperation and Parallel Criminal Case

While the civil penalty is $500,000, the broader financial impact is much higher. In a parallel criminal case, Peken Global pleaded guilty to operating an unlicensed money-transmitting business, resulting in nearly $300 million in fines and forfeitures. As a consequence of these fines and the firms cooperation with the investigation, the CFTC opted not to seek additional disgorgement in the civil matter.

Resolution of Defendants

As part of this final judgment, the court dismissed all claims against other related KuCoin entitiesnamely Mek Global Limited, PhoenixFin PTE Ltd., and Flashdot Limited. Peken Global entered the settlement without admitting or denying the CFTCs specific allegations, effectively closing the litigation that began in March 2024.
Italian paytech firm Nexi has deepened its long-standing partnership with PayPal across Europe.

The alliance, which began in Italy in 2016, aims to help businesses digitise faster and simplify payments for customers.

At its core is the full integration of the PayPal ecosystem into Nexis merchant platform, enabling Nexi to serve as the collecting payment service provider (PSP) for PayPal transactions.

This creates a streamlined experience for businesses, eliminating the need to manage multiple payment platforms, noted Nexi.

For PayPal, the move represents a strategic push to strengthen its footprint in the European payments landscape and make its solutions more accessible to merchants.

The rollout will initially focus on high-growth digital markets, such as Italy, the Nordics, and Poland.

According to the Italian firm, the unified system will support easy onboarding, consolidated fund management, and simplified reporting.

In Italy, which remains a central hub for innovation between the two companies, the partnership now includes complete integration of PayPal Checkout and PayPal Pay Later.

This allows consumers greater flexibility at checkout, with instalment options spanning 3, 6, 12, or 24 months.

Beyond the immediate integrations, Nexi and PayPal are exploring future-oriented solutions, including AI-powered payment experiences and new digital commerce models.

The companies aim to anticipate evolving consumer demands and deliver more integrated digital journeys that support businesses in their ongoing digital transformation.

PayPal general manager for Europe Samba Natarajan said: This collaboration strengthens our commitment to making digital payments simple and convenient."

Nexi Group chief business officer for Merchant Solutions Roberto Catanzaro added: By integrating PayPal directly into our platform, we give merchants a powerful tool to grow their business through a simple, scalable digital solution."

The announcement follows Nexis partnership expansion with Swedish buy now, pay later (BNPL) Klarna last year.

"Nexi expands alliance with PayPal" was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand.




The Labor Department responded by creating a set of process-based safe harbors that legally protect plan managers who follow the right steps when adding these assets. Before this, the Biden administration's guidance urged employers to exercise extreme care before including crypto in any retirement plan, and that language was enough to keep almost every plan sponsor away. The guidance was rescinded in May 2025, and this new rule goes further by giving fiduciaries an actual framework to follow.

The rule itself comes from President Trump's August 2025 executive order titled "Democratizing Access to Alternative Assets for 401(k) Investors," which directed the Labor Department to make it easier for retirement plans to offer assets like crypto.

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

The $10.1 trillion number sounds incredible for crypto, but the reality of how that money actually reaches XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is more complicated than you might expect. XRP ETFs already exist as a regulated way to hold the token inside a retirement account, so the infrastructure is there, but whether this rule actually moves the XRP price depends on how much money makes it through and how long that takes.

For decades, the 401(k) has been limited to stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. However, on March 30, 2026, the U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule that would open the door for retirement plan managers to include crypto for the first time. American 401(k) plans hold $10.1 trillion in retirement savings, and even a small percentage allocated to crypto would dwarf the total amount that has flowed into XRP ETFs since they launched.

TD Cowen analyst Jaret Seiberg expects it could take several years before fiduciaries feel legally safe enough to act on the rule.

XRP would not appear as a standalone option in the 401(k)retirement money would reach it indirectly through crypto ETFs that include XRP alongside Bitcoin and Ethereum.

The U.S. Department of Labor proposed a rule on March 30, 2026 that would allow 401(k) plans to include crypto, opening a potential path for some of the $10.1 trillion in retirement savings to reach XRP ETFs.

Story Continues

If you are expecting to log into your 401(k) and see XRP or Bitcoin as an option, that is not what this rule does. Mayer Brown partner Erin Cho was direct about it by stating that workers are not going to wake up one day and find a bunch of standalone crypto funds on the menu. Your exposure to crypto would most likely come through target-date funds, which are the default investment option in most 401(k) plans, and those funds might allocate a small percentage to crypto through regulated ETFs.

The rule is also far from final. A 60-day public comment period is now open, and after that the Labor Department will review feedback and decide whether to finalise it. TD Cowen analyst Jaret Seiberg wrote that fiduciaries are unlikely to act on this "until the courts have concurred that this language protects advisors from litigation," adding that it could be several years before the rule has any real impact.

Senator Elizabeth Warren has already pushed back as well, arguing that the rule would expose workers to unnecessary risk while crypto prices are falling and private equity returns are at 16-year lows.

How Would 401(k) Money Actually Reach XRP?

Rix Pix Photography / Shutterstock.com  Rix Pix Photography / Shutterstock.com

The exposure would be indirect, but the pool of money behind it is hard to ignore. American 401(k) plans held $10.1 trillion as of Q4 2025, according to the Investment Company Institute. If plan managers allocated just 1% of that to crypto, it would mean $101 billion flowing into the market.

XRP's entire market cap right now is around $80 billion, and total XRP ETF inflows since they launched in November 2025 have been roughly $1.4 billion. So even a fraction of that 1% reaching XRP through regulated funds would represent more demand than anything the token has ever experienced.

Your 401(k) money would not go directly into XRP, though. Most workers never pick individual investmentstheir contributions go into target-date funds, which automatically adjust between stocks and bonds based on when you plan to retire. Under this new rule, those target-date funds could start including a small crypto allocation through ETFs.

ARK Invest has already filed for a CoinDesk 20 Crypto ETF that allocates 19.88% to XRP. If a target-date fund put 2% of its portfolio into a multi-asset crypto ETF like that, and XRP makes up roughly 20% of the fund, your XRP exposure would be about 0.4% of your total retirement savings.

Seven spot XRP ETFs are already trading in the U.S. with around $1 billion in combined assets, and all of them are eligible for retirement accounts, so the on-ramp from a 401(k) to XRP already exists. Indiana has also passed a bill requiring state retirement plans to offer a crypto investment option by July 2027, and several other states are exploring similar paths. This means some retirement money could start flowing into crypto even before the federal rule is finalized.

Will the 401(k) Rule Impact the XRP Price?

This rule is not going to move the XRP price this quarter, and probably not this year either. The comment period, the regulatory review, and the time it takes for plan sponsors to feel legally safe enough to act all point to a multi-year timeline before meaningful retirement money reaches crypto ETFs.

What makes it worth paying attention to is the amount of money that would eventually come in. Right now, roughly 84% of XRP ETF flows are retail investors who buy when sentiment is high and sell when the Fear & Greed Index drops. Retirement money works differentlyit flows in automatically through paycheck deductions regardless of what the market is doing, and it stays in the account for 20 to 30 years.

XRP has lost over 60% of its value since mid-2025 largely because short-term holders keep selling, and the one type of demand that could change that pattern is a pool of buyers who never look at the price before contributing.

Data Shows One Habit Doubles Americans Savings And Boosts Retirement

Most Americans drastically underestimate how much they need to retire and overestimate how prepared they are. But data shows that people with one habit have more than double the savings of those who dont.

And no, its got nothing to do with increasing your income, savings, clipping coupons, or even cutting back on your lifestyle. Its much more straightforward (and powerful) than any of that. Frankly, its shocking more people dont adopt the habit given how easy it is.
Alaska Airlines has selected PrimeFlight Aviation Services to handle cargo for the carrier at London Heathrow International Airport ahead of the May 21 launch of daily nonstop widebody service from Seattle to London.

Alaska Airlines (NYSE: ALK) will carry cargo to London in the bellyhold of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft inherited in the acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska began service between its Seattle hub and Tokyo and Seoul, South Korea last year, marking the companys entry into long-haul international flying, and this spring will also add service from Seattle to Rome.

PrimeFlight Aviation Services said in a news release on Friday that it will load and unload Alaska aircraft, build and breakdown pallets, and receive ground shipments from freight forwarders.

PrimeFlight has a pre-existing relationship with Alaska Air, providing cargo support services at airports in Columbus, Ohio; Milwaukee; Omaha, Nebraska; Ontario, California; San Francisco; and Orange Country, California. The February acquisition of airline caterer GAT also means PrimeFlight serves Alaska Air on the passenger side at 11 domestic airports.

This appointment represents another important milestone in the continued growth of our cargo division, reflecting the increasing confidence airlines place in PrimeFlights operational capability, service quality, and customer-focused delivery model, said Sascha von Wolfersdorf, vice president of operations for PrimeFlights Europe operations. Our cargo operation at LHR continues to expand, supported by ongoing investment in people, equipment and infrastructure to meet the demands of our cargo customers.

PrimeFlight also has ground handling operations in Italy. It entered the European market through the 2025 acquisition of Airworld. It also picked up an air container maintenance and cabin maintenance business at London Heathrow and Frankfurt airport in Germany last year.

Alliance Ground International

In related news, Alliance Ground International, the largest American-owned cargo handling agent for airlines, has a new owner.

Lone Star Funds, based in London, announced last week that it has acquired Miami-based AGI from private equity firms Audax Group and Greenbrier Equity Group. AGI provides cargo, ground and mail handling, security and hospitality services at more than 60 airports in the United States and Canada, and employs more than 12,000 people.

We are excited to partner with the AGI management team to drive the business forward, said Lone Star CEO Donald Quintin. The company has a superior service offering and a track record of success across its integrated operations. We see opportunities to continue to invest in the business and its people to continue to grow its capabilities and ensure it remains best-in-class in delivering for the aviation industry.
Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) ranks among the recent spin-off companies that hedge funds are piling into. On March 16, Truist Securities reaffirmed its Buy rating on Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) with a $75 price target. The firm stated that Amrize has gained prominence since its spinoff, especially for its cement revenues and margins.

Truist believes Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) is one of the few names that do not require a residential cycle to expand, citing price increases in aggregates as well as cost-cutting efforts. The firm also noted increased industry concerns about a potential cement tariff, which might favor local players like Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) with volume and pricing increases over the summer.

In a separate vein, Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) confirmed the conclusion of its acquisition of PB Materials Holdings, Inc., which expands its operations in West Texas with 26 new locations. This acquisition increases Amrizes foothold in a region with a growing infrastructure and energy project pipeline.

Amrize Ltd (NYSE:AMRZ) provides building solutions for infrastructure, commercial, and residential construction markets in North America through its Building Materials and Building Envelope segments.

While we acknowledge the potential of AMRZ as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Your favorite spot for slow-cooked riblets might be cooked.

Most Read from Fast Company



A number of Applebees Neighborhood Grill + Bar restaurants have closed their doors in the wake of mounting financial distress and declining foot traffic, according to a recent bankruptcy filing.

The 10 shuttered stores, located in Florida and Georgia, are all owned by an Atlanta-based Applebees franchisee that last week became the latest regional restaurateur to seek Chapter 11 protection.

The list of impacted locations includes long-standing Applebees restaurants near top tourist destinations such as SeaWorld, Walt Disney World, and the Daytona International Speedway.

Most of the locations were closed at some point before the franchisees initial bankruptcy petition on March 24, although online reviews suggest that some of the restaurants were still operating as recently as last week.

Applebees had roughly 1,520 franchised locations as of December 2025.

Which franchisee went bankrupt?

According to court records, the bankrupt franchisee operates as a holding company called NRPF Group Two, along with multiple subsidiaries. Together, they own more than 50 Applebees locations in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama.

Unfortunately, not all of its restaurants are going to survive the bankruptcy process.

NRPF (short for Neighborhood Restaurant Partners Florida) is now seeking to reject the leases at the 10 properties in Florida and Georgia where the locations have shuttered, court documents reveal. Applebees restaurants had operated at the locations for more than a decade in some cases, with one lease dating all the way back to 1995.

Its unclear how many jobs have been impacted by the closures, or if more restaurants are expected to shutter.

At the time of its bankruptcy filing, NRPF said it employed around 2,000 workers, including employees and independent contractors. The restaurant group has hired GGG Partners, a turnaround firm, to oversee its restructuring process.

Fast Company reached out to GGG Partners for comment.

News of the bankruptcy comes as increasing numbers of struggling chain restaurant franchisees appear to be turning to the courts to manage unsustainable debt loads.

Earlier this year, a Miami-based owner of roughly 130 Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen locations closed at least 17 establishments after filing for bankruptcy. Franchisees for Subway, Dominos Pizza, and Firehouse Subs have also filed for bankruptcy in recent weeks.
Arm Holdings (ARM) has transitioned from being a familiar face in the semiconductor licensing industry to being one of the more intriguing plays in the AI infrastructure space. This transformation has accelerated in recent times, especially after Needham & Company upgraded the company to a "Buy" rating with a $200 price target, citing its riskier strategic bets are now starting to pay off. The timing of the move by Arm Holdings also coincides with the growing realization by investors that CPUs are now set to be much more important in agentic AI and inference-heavy data centers than was anticipated just a year ago.

This sets the stage for the recent run in ARM stock's price. While the shares retreated partially on Friday, they are still significantly higher than the 52-week low and are trading within about 20% of the 52-week high. On a broader level, the market appears to be rethinking Arm as a winner in the AI platform space rather than just a royalty collector, especially after the company announced its first in-house-designed data center chip.

More News from Barchart

About Arm Stock

Arm Holdings is a semiconductor IP company based in Cambridge, UK, with a market capitalization now of roughly $163.5 billion. While the company has traditionally made its money through the licensing of its chip designs in exchange for royalties, the company now appears to be making a more concerted effort to move into higher-value compute subsystems, data center CPUs, and AI infrastructure opportunities. According to Reuters, the company announced its new AGI CPU designed for agentic AI workloads with Meta (META) as its lead partner.

From a stock performance perspective, it has not been easy to ignore the company in recent weeks. Yes, the stock fell hard on Friday and is already looking choppy today, but it still remains nearly 80% above its 52-week low of $80 a share and only 20% below its 52-week high of $183.16, as the data in the table above illustrates.

www.barchart.com

Yes, the valuation remains rich. ARM trades at 41.4 times sales and nearly 159 times forward earnings, as the data in the table above illustrates. Still, the market is not only willing to pay high prices for ARM anymore. It is willing to pay a premium for a company that now has exposure to the growth in artificial intelligence royalties, compute subsystems, as well as silicon. The upgrade by Needham & Company reflects this change in market perception.
This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

Bank of America has agreed to pay $72.5 million to settle a lawsuit filed by an alleged victim of late financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, according to court documents filed Friday.

Attorneys for the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank and Jane Doe reached a settlement in principle March 11, after engaging in mediation sessions with a former federal judge who also mediated the Jane Doe case against JPMorgan Chase. U.S. District Court Judge Jed Rakoff is set to consider the settlement at a Thursday hearing.

BofA did not admit any wrongdoing as part of the settlement. While we stand by our prior statements made in the filings in this case, including that Bank of America did not facilitate sex trafficking crimes, this resolution allows us to put this matter behind us and provides further closure for the plaintiffs, a bank spokesperson said in an email.

More from Yahoo Scout What were the key legal developments in this case? How does BofA's settlement compare to other banks? What specific allegations did the lawsuit include? What led to Bank of America's $72.5 million settlement?

Dive Insight:

Does attorneys, David Boies of law firm Boies Schiller Flexner and Bradley Edwards of Edwards Henderson, said the settlement represents a favorable and fair result for the Class of plaintiffs, according to court documents.

The class includes all women who were sexually abused or trafficked by Jeffrey Epstein, or by any person who is connected to or otherwise associated with Jeffrey Epstein or any Jeffrey Epstein sex-trafficking venture, between June 30, 2008 and July 6, 2019, according to terms of the settlement.

Settlement amounts for class members will be determined by severity, type and extent of alleged abuse or trafficking, the nature and duration of relationships with Epstein and cooperation with government investigations, among other factors.

The attorneys said they may pursue up to 30% of the settlement amount to cover legal fees. The two firms also represented alleged victims in 2023 cases against JPMorgan and Deutsche Bank.

Proposed class-action lawsuits, filed in October 2025 by Doe, accused BofA and New York City-based BNY of participating in and benefiting from Epsteins sex trafficking enterprise.

Both banks sought to dismiss the lawsuits, calling the allegations threadbare and razor-thin. Doe added more allegations in an amended complaint in December, after the judge expressed skepticism about the lawsuits, which he said were frequently conclusory and failed to demonstrate the banks wrongdoing.
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MAI Capital Management, the $72.6 billion registered investment advisor, is set to have a familiar new owner.

Private equity firm Carlyle has gone from owning a stake in MAI through its investment in Galway Holdings to agreeing to acquire the Cleveland-based RIA outright. The purchase, which is expected to close in the second half of 2026, values MAI at more than $2.8 billion and sees previous Galway investors Harvest Partners and Oak Hill Capital exit their positions.

Carlyle makes the move a year after MAI made one of last years larger pure RIA acquisitions for Los Angeles-based Evoke Advisors, which gave it a major boost to its asset count and ability to work with upper-high-net-worth clients that include Hollywood actors, musicians, media executives and pro athletes. Chairman and CEO Rick Buoncore, who bought MAI in 2007 when it had $900 million in assets, said Carlyle was a natural fit as it had been witnessing the firms growth from the sidelines as a minority stakeholder.

Whats great about Carlyle is that they appreciate the management team we have, and weve built a really deep bench now, Buoncore said. When I talk to them, Im not explaining the business; were talking about the business, and theres a big difference there.

Buoncore also noted that MAI will be Carlyles only majority bet in the RIA sector. Carlyle also holds a minority interest in RIA aggregator Captrust.

When the deal is complete, Carlyle will hold board seats and work alongside Buoncore and MAIs management team. Buoncore, Evoke Managing Partner David Hou, and other firm employees hold minority stakes, according to its Form ADV.

Buoncore said he is rolling over 100% of his equity in the deal to continue his bet on the firms growth as a scaled RIA. Some senior leaders are taking some chips off the table, such as cashing out 20% and keeping in 80%, he said.

By and large, managements rolling significant amount of money into this, because we see the next five to 10 years in our industry to be as good as theyve ever been, he said. You have had this transition from the old wirehouse model to the RA model. ... We get to do whatever the client needs to help their life goals, and thats the big other theme I see happening in our business, which is that its going from a wealth management business to life management.

Ardea Partners was MAIs financial advisor, and Houlihan Lokey advised Carlyle.

Washington, D.C.-based Carlyle is one of the largest private equity firms in the U.S., with $435 billion in AUM. Its doubling down on MAI, showing its interest in the RIA sector and its belief that it can keep growing a firm that had $9.2 billion in assets as of 2021, when it initially invested in the firm through Galway.
Cathie Wood, head of Ark Investment Management, usually buys the dip during market selloffs. But last week, she shifted course, selling large chunks of major tech names amid the market downturn caused by the U.S.-Iran war.

Last year, the flagship Ark Innovation ETF gained 35.49%, far outpacing the S&P 500s return of 17.88% in the same period. But as of March 30, Woods flagship Ark Innovation ETF (ARKK) was down roughly 18.4% year to date, while the S&P 500 dropped 7.3%.

Wood gained a reputation after the Ark Innovation ETF delivered a 153% return in 2020. But her style also brings painful losses in bearish markets, as seen in 2022, when the Ark Innovation ETF tumbled more than 60%.

Those swings have weighed on Woods long-term gains. As of March 27, the Ark Innovation ETF has delivered a five-year annualized return of -10.6%, while the S&P 500 has an annualized return of 11.5% over the same period, according to data from Morningstar.

Cathie Wood expects a great acceleration

Wood focuses on high-tech companies across artificial intelligence, blockchain, biomedical technology, and robotics. She thinks these businesses have great growth potential, though their volatility often brings fluctuations to the Arks funds.

From 2014 to 2024, the Ark Innovation ETF wiped out $7 billion in investor wealth, according to an analysis by Morningstars analyst Amy Arnott. That made it the third-biggest wealth destroyer among mutual funds and ETFs in Arnotts ranking. The analyst hasnt updated the 2025 ranking.

In the 12 months through March 27, the Ark Innovation ETF saw roughly $1.35 billion in net outflows.Getty Images  Getty Images

In a recent Bloomberg podcast, Wood says the global economy is not heading into a downturn, but into what she calls a great acceleration driven by AI and other breakthrough technologies.

Were not going into the Great Depression, were going into the great acceleration, Wood said, pointing to how past technological revolutions reshaped economic growth.

She noted that global real GDP growth averaged just 0.6% between 1500 and 1900, before the Industrial Revolution lifted it to around 3% for more than a century. Now, she argues, a new wave of innovation could push growth much higher.

We think [technologies] are going to take growth into the 7 to 8% range, Wood said, adding that the number may actually be conservative.

Wood also emphasized that AI is rapidly driving down costs across industries.

Related: Cathie Wood sells $2.1 million of megacap tech stock

These technologies are deflationary, she said. AI training costs are dropping 75% per year, and inference costs are falling as much as 85% to even 98% annually.
D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) is one of the 7 Best Quantum Computing Stocks to Invest In According to Analysts. On March 10, Sujeeva De Silva of Roth MKM reiterated his Buy rating on the D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) stock and maintained a price target of $30. The price target suggests the stock could more than double from here. This bullish view is supported by the companys solid cash position of $884.48 million and limited debt of $43.46 million, which together allow funding of operations without the need for financing.

D-Wave Quantum (QBTS) Gets Bullish Reco, Jumps 13.78%

The companys management reported at the Q4 2025 earnings call last month that during the ongoing quarter, bookings have already exceeded the annual bookings figures for any year in the companys history. On top of that, the firm expects a much higher revenue growth in the second half of the ongoing year. As a result of this increasing demand, operating expenses are likely to increase 15% QoQ. The increase is also due in part to the launch of the US Government Solutions unit during the previous quarter.

D-Wave Quantum (NYSE:QBTS) makes quantum computing systems along with the accompanying software and services. Its quantum computing systems are called Advantage and Advantage 2, while the suite of open-source tools is called Ocean. It also offers the Leap Quantum cloud service, which allows people to remotely connect to its quantum computers. The company operates in Canada and the United States.

While we acknowledge the potential of QBTS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If youre looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 8 Best American Stocks to Buy and Hold in 2026 and 12 Best Mid Cap AI Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds.

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What Happened?

Shares of energy and industrial distributor DNOW (NYSE:DNOW) fell 4.4% in the afternoon session after markets reacted to President Trump's threat to "completely obliterate" Iran's energy infrastructure and the critical Kharg Island hub. The ultimatum raised the specter of a total energy supply shock. Notably, Kharg Island handles 90% of Iran's crude exports. The escalating rhetoric, including potential ground force deployment to seize fuel hubs, drove a flight to safety.

The shares closed the day at $11.63, down 5.1% from previous close.

The stock market overreacts to news, and big price drops can present good opportunities to buy high-quality stocks. Is now the time to buy DNOW? Access our full analysis report here, its free.

What Is The Market Telling Us

DNOWs shares are quite volatile and have had 16 moves greater than 5% over the last year. In that context, todays move indicates the market considers this news meaningful but not something that would fundamentally change its perception of the business.

The biggest move we wrote about over the last year was about 1 month ago when the stock dropped 19.1% on the news that the company reported disappointing fourth-quarter 2025 financial results, which included a significant loss and missed Wall Street's expectations.

For the quarter, DNOW posted revenue of $959 million, which fell short of analysts' estimates. The results were particularly weak on the bottom line, with the company reporting a GAAP loss of $0.95 per share, a significant miss compared to the profit of $0.15 per share that analysts had anticipated. The quarter's performance, which came after the company's recent all-stock acquisition of MRC Global, was also marked by a sharp decline in profitability. Adding to investor concerns, DNOW's operating margin fell to negative 17.7%, a steep drop from the positive 5.1% margin recorded in the same period of the previous year.

DNOW is down 10.1% since the beginning of the year, and at $12.01 per share, it is trading 30.6% below its 52-week high of $17.31 from April 2025. Despite the year-to-date decline, investors who bought $1,000 worth of DNOWs shares 5 years ago would now be looking at an investment worth $1,182.

WHILE YOURE HERE: The Next Palantir? One satellite company captures images of every point on Earth. Every single day. The Pentagon wants it. Hedge funds are using it to beat earnings. Youve probably never heard of it.

This is what the early days of Palantir looked like before it became a $437 billion giant. Same playbook. Different technology. If you missed Palantir, you need to see this. Claim The Stock Ticker for Free HERE.
With a market cap of $39.3 billion, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc. (ODFL) is a U.S.-based less-than-truckload motor carrier providing regional, inter-regional, and national freight services, along with expedited transportation and supply chain solutions. It operates a large fleet of tractors and trailers to support its extensive logistics network across North America.

The Thomasville, North Carolina-based company is scheduled to release its fiscal Q1 2026 results soon. Ahead of this event, analysts forecast ODFL to post an EPS of $1.05, a decrease of 11.8% from $1.19 in the year-ago quarter. It has surpassed Wall Street's earnings estimates in three of the last four quarters while missing on another occasion.

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For fiscal 2026, analysts expect the trucking company to report an EPS of $5.10, up 5.4% from $4.84 in fiscal 2025. Moreover, EPS is anticipated to surge 20.4% year-over-year to $6.14 in fiscal 2027.

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Shares of Old Dominion Freight Line have returned 10.6% over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 11.9% gain and the State Street Industrial Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLI) 23% increase over the same period.

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Shares of Old Dominion Freight Line climbed 9.9% on Feb. 4 after the company reported Q4 2025 EPS of $1.09 and revenue of $1.31 billion, both beating Wall Street expectations. Investors reacted positively despite a year-over-year decline, as the earnings beat signaled stronger-than-expected performance in a challenging environment, supported by pricing discipline and a 4.9% increase in LTL revenue per hundredweight (excluding fuel surcharges).

Analysts' consensus view on ODFL stock is cautious, with a "Hold" rating overall. Among 25 analysts covering the stock, eight recommend "Strong Buy," one "Moderate Buy," 12 suggest "Hold," and four advise "Strong Sell." The average analyst price target of $203.69 is a premium of 8.2% to current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
The Transamerica Pyramid has been officially sold to a foreign investor, with the final price tallying $691.6 million. (Jessica Christian/The Chronicle)





San Francisco's most high-profile downtown office deal in years closed Friday, as the Transamerica Pyramid and two adjacent buildings on the same property sold for about $691.6 million, public records show.

The deal means that the buyer - Cypress-based investment firm Yoda Plc - officially took ownership of one of the city's most recognizable landmarks after a years-long effort by its previous owners to upgrade the 48-story tower at 600 Montgomery St., including costly renovations aimed at attracting tenants back to the city's core. The group is entering the U.S. real estate market for the first time with its acquisition of theTransamerica Pyramid Center, which includes the Pyramid, a 20-story office tower at 505 Sansome and a much smaller, nine story historic building at 545 Sansome. As of late last year, the property was about 85% leased, according to its now former operator, New York developer Michael Shvo.

The sale price comes out to around $933 per square foot for the entire property. Separate deeds recorded for the three buildings show that the Pyramid alone was purchased for $600 million, or $1,170 per square foot.

"We are investing in the United States, the largest and most sophisticated real estate market in the world, on this most sought-after landmark in San Francisco. This investment establishes our presence in a Tier-1 U.S. gateway city through one of the most recognizable commercial assets globally and provides immediate scale and operational infrastructure," said Alon Bar, CEO of Yoda Plc, in a statement.

Bar added that the transaction is not a "standalone investment" for his company.

"The Transamerica Pyramid Center structure will serve as the anchor from which we intend to expand, accelerating the growth of our U.S. portfolio over the coming years," he said.

For the sellers, that price represents a loss on an investment of close to $1 billion, including renovations, made when the downtown office market's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic was elusive, but optimism was high. The sale also highlights ongoing challenges for the broader market: Vacancy continues to impact about one-third of downtown's offices, even as leasing activity is rebounding, and investors are adjusting expectations for the city. At the same time, the deal shows that prime, iconic buildings still attract attention, including from foreign investors, many of whom had largely retreated from the San Francisco market in the years following the start of the pandemic.

Notably, it also marks the end of a short-lived but ambitious investment era in San Francisco for Shvo and his German investors, Deutsche Finance America and Bayerische Versorgunksammer (BVK).
March 26 wasnt a pleasant day for social media stocks, which fell sharply after a Los Angeles jury found that Meta Platforms (META) and YouTube were negligent in protecting children on their platforms and deliberately structured their platforms to make them addictive. The ruling comes at a time when broader markets are already under pressure amid uncertainty over the Iran war.

Specifically, META stock fell nearly 8% on March 26 and had its worst day in months, while YouTube parent company Alphabet (GOOG) fell just over 3%. Reddit (RDDT) and Snap (SNAP) also plunged, with the latter witnessing a double-digit dip after the European Union opened a child safety probe against the company.

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GOOG Stock Is Nearing Bear Market Territory

After yesterdays fall, GOOG stock extended its year-to-date (YTD) decline to more than 10% while the drawdown from its peak is almost 20%, pushing the stock on the verge of bear market territory. Alphabet stock has fared better than its average "Magnificent Seven" peer this year, however, and was also the best-performing constituent of the coveted group last year.

While Alphabet stepping up its artificial intelligence (AI) game with Gemini 3 helped propel shares in 2025, a key legal victory also drove the rise in GOOG stock. The company won a major reprieve in a U.S. Department of Justice antitrust case as U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta allowed it not only to retain Chrome and Android but also to continue its partnership with Apple (AAPL) that makes it the default choice on iPhones. That case was like a hanging sword for GOOG stock and had been dampening sentiments.

However, legal woes are now back to hitting shares, and while the combined damages that Meta and Alphabet will have to pay after the Los Angeles verdict are a mere $6 million, the ruling could open up a can of worms. Moreover, the ruling comes at a time when there is global clamor over teen social media addiction.

Teen Social Media Addiction Is a Burning Issue

Australia has already banned kids below the age of 16 from using social media, becoming the first country to do so. Several European countries are also at various stages of enforcing such bans. In Asia, Indonesia and Malaysia plan to ban social media for children while in India  which is the biggest market for Meta in terms of users  the state of Karnataka has banned children below 16 from using social media.
Jim Cramer gave top insight on Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG), sharing a game plan of what to buy, sell, and hold right now. During the episode, a caller asked for Cramers thoughts on the company, and he said:

Man, I gotta tell you, I thought candidly it was going to hold at this level. This is the crunch time. Its at $30. I think it can do so. But heres the problem. Its got to show some better-than-expected numbers, and it hasnt been able to do that yet. Scott Boatwright, you must deliver a better quarter. You got one month left. April 29, you gotta deliver. Have to.

Photo by Joshua Mayo on Unsplash

Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG) owns and operates restaurants that provide burritos, bowls, tacos, salads, and other menu items. A caller asked what Cramer thinks of the stock over the long term and highlighted that they were in the house of pain. In response, the Mad Money host commented:

The house of pain is a terrible place to be. Though I had the Chicken al Pastor, man, that was dynamite, but thats not going to be dispositive to the stock. I think the stock is marking time, but that the numbers are going to turn here. Scott Boatwright is doing everything right. Its been at $34, $35 since its reported. Im feeling okay about it, but I dont like the restaurant group that much because it translates as being, if gasoline is up, restaurants are down. Thats the way it is.

We recently discussed the stock as part of our list of best restaurant stocks to buy for growth in 2026. You can read more here.

While we acknowledge the potential of CMG as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years

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Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) is one of the 11 Best Stocks Youll Wish You Bought Sooner.

Leidos (LDOS) Raises $1.39 Billion in Notes

On March 2, 2026, Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) raised approximately $1.387 billion through an unsecured offering of senior notes maturing in 2029 and 2036. The company aims to use the proceeds to fund the acquisition of KENE Parent, Inc., the parent company of Entrust. The notes were managed under a 2020 indenture with Citibank. To safeguard the interests of bondholders and highlight its acquisition-based growth strategy, the notes include a special mandatory redemption clause at 101% of principal if the transaction is not finalized by mid-August 2026. While the debt issuance is not strictly contingent on the deals closure, Leidos maintains strategic flexibility to utilize the proceeds for general corporate purposes, potentially impacting its long-term leverage profile and acquisition-driven growth strategy.

In another development, on March 11, 2026, Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) announced that it had secured a $454.9 million contract to modernize the U.S. Air Forces Cloud One platform. The company partners with major cloud providers such as Amazon (AMZN) and Google to improve security and automation. This initiative supports the NorthStar 2030 strategy and assists in speeding up the mission-critical cloud adoption across the military.

Founded in 1969, Leidos Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:LDOS) is a Fortune 500 science and technology company with a focus on serving defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. Based in Virginia, the company offers mission-critical solutions in cybersecurity, data analytics, and systems engineering.

While we acknowledge the potential of LDOS as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Best Diagnostics and Research Stocks to Buy According to Analysts and 15 Set-It-and-Forget-It Stocks to Buy in 2026

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Q : Are you still pursuing the foldable screens market, given the potential growth with products like the Apple foldable phone? A : Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We are still in the market through our partner offering glass technology. However, progress is slower than expected as customers are conservative with technology changes. The fundamental potential remains intact, and we are actively engaging with partners to explore opportunities.

The Solar segment experienced a weak year, significantly below plan, due to a focus on the shift to perovskites, which is not yet mature for volume ramp-up.

Order intake was significantly below the previous year at EUR91.6 million, reflecting a backlog and slow phase in the Solar business.

Revenue for 2025 was EUR115.3 million, down 6.2% from the previous year, and at the lower end of the adjusted guidance.

LPKF has improved its free cash flow significantly by 400% through better asset management and earlier cash collection from customers.

The North Star program has already realized part of its cost savings, aiming for a double-digit EBIT margin by 2028.

In advanced packaging, over 80% of customers are qualifying with LPKF equipment, providing a strong foundation for future ramp-ups.

The company experienced moderate growth in Rapid Prototyping and exceeded expectations in Welding, driven by a large order from China.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript .

Story Continues

Q: Could the co-packaged optics (CPO) market develop sooner than anticipated due to the increasing interest in photonics? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We are monitoring the CPO market closely. While various architectures are being evaluated, a clear winner has not yet emerged. We expect to reach a decisive phase by 2027, at which point we will position ourselves for volume offerings.

Q: Is the expectation for LIDE business to reach low triple-digit sales still valid? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: Yes, our expectations remain unchanged. Customer volume demand profiles align with our previous market model, supporting our sales projections.

Q: What is the outlook for the perovskite solar technology market? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We anticipate high-volume orders by 2027, with significant ramp-up expected in 2028. The technology development progress of our customers will be crucial in meeting these timelines.

Q: Can the Welding segment return to growth with new customer sectors like consumer electronics? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We are focusing on completing the transformation this year with realistic revenue expectations. By 2027, we expect growth driven by a superior cost structure and new market opportunities in consumer and medical sectors.

Q: Has the cost of downsizing ARRALYZE been accounted for in the 2025 figures? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: The costs are out with Q1 2026. We are in talks with an external partner to continue the business, aiming to finalize this by the end of 2026.

Q: What can you share about the LIDE ramp-up in Q1 and Q2? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We expect initial production investments from multiple customers, though not in large volumes yet. More details will be shared in the Q1 and Q2 results.

Q: How is the competition in the Asian markets affecting your business? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: Competition in Asia is intense, with aggressive pricing and local preferences. We focus on our KPIs and cost competitiveness to maintain our market position.

Q: What is the expected path for the Solar segment in 2026? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We have a realistic revenue plan for 2026, with some backlog orders already in place. We are monitoring purchase orders closely to meet our targets.

Q: Can you provide more details on the expected order intake for the Electronics segment in Q1 and Q2? A: Klaus Fiedler, CEO: We see growth prospects in laser depaneling, with delayed large-scale projects expected to materialize. However, geopolitical factors like the Iran situation could impact results.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Molson Coors logo displayed with Coors Light bottles, representing brewing giant amid takeover speculation in beverage industry.

Key Points

The recent acquisition of a popular cocktail brand highlights the company's successful strategic expansion beyond its traditional beer portfolio.

Several key financial metrics suggest that Molson Coors is fundamentally undervalued, making it an attractive opportunity for discerning investors.

Recent share purchases by company insiders signal strong confidence in the brewers future prospects and its commitment to enhancing shareholder value.

Interested in Molson Coors Beverage Company? Here are five stocks we like better.

A sudden jolt of investor interest has put Molson Coors Beverage Company (NYSE: TAP) in the spotlight. Shares of the brewing giant recently rose after analyst commentary identified Molson Coors as a prime takeover target. This speculation comes as the broader beverage industry is buzzing with M&A activity, prompting Wall Street to look more closely at the numbers and strategy behind one of the consumer staple sectors most established names.

The buyout whispers are not random market noise. They are rooted in a growing recognition of the significant value embedded within this legacy brewer. For investors, this creates a compelling situation where the market may finally be waking up to a discounted opportunity. The chatter is forcing a deeper look into Molson Coors's fundamentals, its proactive strategy, and the industry trends that make it a logical acquisition candidate.

 Down 25%, Chinese Giant PDD Could Be a Strong Long-Term Value

Beyond Beer: A Perfect Target in a Changing Market

The potential for a Molson Coors buyout is supported by a powerful strategic case. The global alcohol sector is in a period of consolidation, with large companies actively seeking to gain market share and enter high-growth categories. The potential for a merger between giants like Pernod Ricard (OTCMKTS: PRNDY) and Brown-Forman highlights this trend, creating a favorable environment for further deals. In this landscape, a company with Molson Coors' brand recognition and distribution network becomes a highly valuable asset.

More importantly, Molson Coors management is playing offense with its Horizon 2030 strategy, a clear plan to adapt to evolving consumer tastes. The most significant proof of this proactive pivot is the recent acquisition of Atomic Brands, the maker of Monaco Cocktails. This move is an aggressive, strategic push into the booming, high-margin Ready-to-Drink (RTD) market, a segment projected to grow faster than traditional beer over the next five years. This acquisition complements an already successful push into beyond beer products, including the popular Vizzy Hard Seltzer and a distribution partnership for Topo Chico Hard Seltzer.
Valuations of some of Wall Streets previously most popular stocks have gotten too low amid the Iran war, analysts and a big-name hedge-fund manager now argue. - Majid Saeedi/Getty Images

The U.S. and Israeli war with Iran has entered a fifth week. The S&P 500 is down five weeks in a row, its worst run since August, having shed 8.7% since its record-high close in January.

Sometimes its hard to work out whats moving markets, but this is not one of those times. As oil prices spike, the Middle East war has badly hit investor confidence that had already been shaken by concerns about the spending relating to, and the disruption caused by, artificial intelligence.

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But some investors think the pessimism is overdone. In a post on X over the weekend, hedge-fund billionaire Bill Ackman said investors should ignore the bears.

Some of the highest quality businesses in the world are trading at extremely cheap prices, said the CEO of Pershing Square. Ignore the MSM [mainstream media]. One of the most one-sided wars in history that will end well for the U.S. and the world. And we have the potential for a large peace dividend.

He added that it is now one of the best times in a long time to buy quality.

It should be noted that Ackman  whose Pershing Square Holdings fund is down 19% this year  is generally a staunch supporter of the current U.S. administration and of Israel. And his post did attract some negative responses alluding to that, and that he was underestimating the economic damage to be wrought by spiking energy costs.

Nevertheless, his message dovetailed with some fresh market commentary noting how erstwhile darlings of Big Tech, in particular, have been so badly hit that they are now highly attractive.

Its time to add more info tech to the portfolio, said Michael Darda, chief economist and market strategist at Roth Capital, in a note published Sunday.

Darda gave three reasons for his call. First, earnings estimates are up 28% from the fall of last year when the S&P 500 information-tech sector peaked. Second, despite that, the sector is down 17.2% from those all-time highs.

And third, those two moves together mean that forward price-to-earnings ratios have collapsed to just over 20, which is roughly where they were at the tail end of the markets reciprocal-tariff pullback in 2025.

Indeed, Darda observed that the info tech sectors forward multiple has now fallen to 77% of its three-year average, which is about where the sector bottomed during the bear market of 2022  though that was against far lower earnings estimates.
The stock market ripped Monday morning after the White House signaled it may no longer be Americas job to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The S&P 500 rose more than 1.5%, while the Nasdaq climbed nearly 2%.

Overnight, a Wall Street Journal report indicated that President Trump would be ready to walk away from the war in Iran; by the morning, he was telling allies that they should build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

More from Yahoo Scout Why are gas prices rising above $4 per gallon? What global economic impacts is the Iran conflict causing? What is Trump's strategy regarding the Strait of Hormuz? How is the Iran war affecting stock markets?

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us, Trump wrote on his social media platform, Truth Social.



Meanwhile, the average price of gas in the U.S. crossed $4 a gallon Tuesday, up more than a dollar from $2.98 on Feb. 27, the day before the war began. Its the first time gas prices have crossed the $4 threshold since 2022, when Russias invasion of Ukraine triggered an energy crisis. At the same time, Trumps approval rating is tanking; according to Nate Silver, its now at 16.7, a record low for his second term.

Throughout the war, the White House has catered its messaging to the stock market, which is desperately trying to hold on to its yearslong rally, even as consumer costs climb. And while Americans face pain at the pump, Southeast Asia is confronting fuel shortages that are forcing people to work from home or even wear short sleeves to conserve air conditioning.

As Trump continues to optimize for the American market, he reinforces a type of America-first trade, where those who are invested win while other nations absorb the cost. Recently, Gulf allies of the U.S. have implored Trump to continue the war until the Iranian regime is fully crippledunable to fund its proxies or continue to hold the strait as a point of leverage. Jamie Dimon echoed the view during an interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox News Tuesday morning, saying: Its much more important that this be successfully completed than what the market does.



We should all hope that these bad peoplethat we win this thing and clean up the straits and that Iran is no longer a threat to everybody, Dimon said.

However, the White House, on multiple fronts, has tried to tamp down expectations for the Strait of Hormuz. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Monday that reopening the Strait of Hormuz is not one of the core objectives Trump has set for the military campaign, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth reinforced the message Tuesday morning at a very friendly presser at the Pentagon, listing the destruction of Irans missiles, drones, and navy as the missions goal, but not Hormuz.



This Strait of Hormuz issue is not just a United States of America problem, Hegseth said.



Leavitt added Tuesday that once the war is over, gas prices will plummet back to the multiyear lows American drivers enjoyed before these short-term disruptions.
During prepared remarks, Foley briefly referenced McCormicks first-quarter fiscal 2026 performance, saying the company delivered strong growth in sales, adjusted operating income, and adjusted earnings per share, supported by the McCormick de Mexico acquisition and organic growth across Consumer and Flavor Solutions. He added that margin expansion was driven by top-line performance, acquisition accretion, and disciplined cost management.

Foley emphasized multiple growth levers management expects to pursue, including expanded distribution, accelerated innovation, premiumization, and a scaled foodservice platform. He also highlighted significant, clearly actionable cost synergies layered onto what he described as an already strong margin structure.

Brendan Foley, McCormicks chairman, president, and CEO, called the transaction a major milestone and said the combination brings together two leading organizations to form a flavor-focused company positioned to succeed in a dynamic environment. Foley said the two businesses are aligned strategically and culturally, with brand portfolios spanning herbs, spices, seasonings, bouillon, condiments, and sauces.

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC) used its conference call to focus on its announced combination with Unilever Foods, outlining the strategic rationale, deal structure, and expected financial profile of the combined business. While the call was originally scheduled to review McCormicks first-quarter fiscal 2026 results, Faten Freiha, McCormicks vice president of investor relations, said the discussion would instead center on the transaction and its strategic logic.

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Management expects pro forma 2025 net sales of about $20 billion , initial operating margins ~ 21% with a target of ~2325% by year three, roughly $600 million of annual runrate cost synergies realized by year three (twothirds by year two), and leverage at or below 4x at close targeted to decline to ~3x within two years while remaining accretive and maintaining a consistent dividend policy.

The deal is structured as a Reverse Morris Trust with a fixed share issuance that yields a 65/35 ownership split (Unilever/Unilever shareholders 65%, McCormick shareholders 35%), includes $15.7 billion in cash to Unilever, and implies ~ 13.8x EBITDA multiples on the stated 2025 bases.

The companies will combine to form a described global flavor powerhouse, aiming to expand distribution, scale highgrowth brands, accelerate innovation and foodservice reach while keeping McCormick leadership in place and headquarters in Hunt Valley with an international HQ in the Netherlands.

Story Continues

Growth priorities: distribution, brand expansion, foodservice, and innovation

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Foley described flavor as a structurally advantaged category, calling it the number one purchase driver and arguing it aligns with health and wellness trends as consumers cook more at home and seek healthier eating patterns. He pointed to Gen Z as a contributor to these trends.

He outlined four priority areas for the combined company:

Leveraging expanded distribution across a complementary portfolio

Scaling high-growth potential brands into new geographies, channels, and occasions

Integrating McCormicks Flavor Solutions with Unilever Food Solutions to enhance the dual-engine model

Accelerating innovation by combining R&D and technology capabilities

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Foley said the combined brand lineup would create an end-to-end flavor proposition, from cooking to condiments, with minimal overlap and maximal adjacency. He cited the potential to broaden the reach of brands such as McCormick and Knorr, and to expand condiments including hot sauce, mustard, and mayonnaise.

As an example of brand expansion, Foley noted McCormick holds leading share in U.S. hot sauce with Cholula and Franks RedHot, and said Cholula has already seen success in Europe, including France. He said Unilever Foods presence could accelerate expansion not only in Europe, but also in Latin America and Asia Pacific. He also pointed to Maille, describing it as an almost 280-year-old French brand, and said McCormick sees opportunities to scale it into additional large markets.

In foodservice, Foley said the combined business would have approximately $6 billion in pro forma annual sales, positioning it among the largest global foodservice players. He described McCormicks front-of-house brand equity and tabletop presence as complementary to Unilever Food Solutions back-of-house relationships and culinary expertise, creating cross-selling opportunities and a virtuous cycle between foodservice visibility and retail demand.

On innovation, Foley said the companies bring complementary strengths, citing McCormicks seasoning and natural ingredient expertise, and Unilevers emulsion technology and ability to use protein as a flavor.

Unilever cites strategic fit and brand investment

Unilever CEO Fernando Fernandez said Unilever is very enthusiastic about the combination and believes it produces a compelling outcome for all stakeholders. He described the deal as an extension of Unilevers efforts to sharpen focus, reshape its portfolio, and strengthen operations, while giving Unilever shareholders meaningful participation in the upside of a scaled flavor-focused leader.

During Q&A, Fernandez addressed concerns about the sustainability of Unilever Foods margins, saying Unilever has been investing around 10% in brand marketing investment behind the food business. He cited brand scale including Knorr at EUR 5.5 billion and Hellmanns at EUR 2.5 billion, and said gross margin was in the mid-to-high 40s%.

Deal structure: Reverse Morris Trust with cash and stock, 65/35 ownership split

McCormick EVP and CFO Marcos Gabriel outlined the transaction structure, describing it as a Reverse Morris Trust in which McCormick will issue a fixed number of shares to Unilever Foods upon closing. He said the share issuance is expected to result in pro forma ownership of 65% for Unilever and its shareholders and 35% for McCormick shareholders.

Gabriel added that Unilever will receive $15.7 billion in cash, and said the deal implies an enterprise value of approximately $44.8 billion for Unilever Foods and approximately $21 billion for McCormick. He said this reflects an EBITDA multiple of roughly 13.8x for both companies, based on calendar year 2025 EBITDA and a one-month volume-weighted average share price.

On leadership and footprint, Gabriel said Foley and he will remain in their current roles and McCormick will remain globally headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland. He also said the combined company will have an international headquarters in the Netherlands and retain a substantial presence there in areas including R&D.

Synergies, reinvestment, and balance sheet targets

Gabriel said the combined company would have pro forma 2025 net sales of $20 billion and operating margins of 21%, and he highlighted plans to reinvest synergies to drive growth. He said about $100 million would be reinvested in brands, including marketing and innovation support.

He also projected $600 million in annual run-rate cost synergies, describing them as actionable and identified through diligence across procurement, media, manufacturing, logistics, and SG&A. Gabriel said the company expects to realize the $600 million by year three, with about two-thirds captured by the end of year two.

Gabriel said the transaction is expected to be meaningfully accretive in the first full year across sales growth, adjusted operating margin, and adjusted earnings per share. When asked for a specific magnitude of EPS accretion, Gabriel said the company was not providing a number at this time, adding that more detail may come closer to closing.

By year three, Gabriel said the company expects sustainable organic sales growth of 3% to 5% and operating margin expansion to approximately 23% to 25%, supported by synergies and reinvestment.

On leverage and shareholder returns, Gabriel said net leverage is expected to be at or below 4x at closing and targeted to decline to about 3x within two years. He added that both companies historically have dividend payout ratios of around 60% and said the combined company expects to maintain a dividend consistent with its history.

During Q&A, Foley said the deal does not include India Foods. He also said management is early in the regulatory process and declined to speculate about potential overlap concerns in mayonnaise, indicating the company would work with regulators and address the issue later.

Foley and Fernandez both pointed to planning and transitional service agreements as key to maintaining continuity through closing and separation. Fernandez said Unilevers organizational model has made the foods business more than 80% a standalone organization with its own manufacturing, distribution, and sales force, and he said transitional service agreements could run around two years in areas such as IT and distribution to support a smooth transition.

About McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE:MKC)

McCormick & Company, Incorporated (NYSE: MKC) is a global leader in spices, seasonings and flavor solutions. Headquartered in Hunt Valley, Maryland, the company traces its origins to the late 19th century and has grown into a major manufacturer and marketer of branded and privatelabel flavor products for consumer, industrial and foodservice markets.

McCormick's product portfolio includes pure spices and herbs, blended seasonings, marinades, rubs, sauces, extracts and specialty flavorings, along with ingredient systems and custom flavor development for manufacturers and foodservice operators.

The article "McCormick & Company, Incorporated Q1 Earnings Call Highlights" was originally published by MarketBeat.
McDonalds has announced a series of senior management changes across its US and global operations as it seeks to scale its operations.

The fast food major has appointed Skye Anderson to the newly created role of US chief operating officer (COO).

In this role, Anderson will work to unify the teams responsible for restaurant execution.

Her responsibilities will include leading US national operations, restaurant development and McOpCo restaurants, which are directly owned by the company. She will also oversee the US supply chain and US technology to establish an integrated operations team.

Anderson has previously worked in the US business and led Global Business Services (GBS).

Skyes new role allows McDonald's USA to ensure that the systems, tools and supplies needed to deliver consistently strong restaurant experiences are aligned from end to end, the company said in a statement.

In addition, McDonalds has also named Mason Smoot as global franchising and delivery senior vice-president.

Smoot will join the global senior leadership team and will oversee worldwide franchising benchmarks and systemwide franchisee engagement to ensure uniform operations across markets.

Smoot has been with McDonalds for three decades and most recently served as chief restaurant officer for McDonalds USA.

With Anderson moving back into the US business, Mattijs Backx has been promoted to chief transformation and services officer. He will also sit on the global senior leadership team.

In this role, Backx will lead GBS to streamline operations, enhance service delivery, and build the capabilities needed to drive global growth.

The company said the new leadership moves are aimed at sustaining momentum and supporting growth, execution and enterprise-wide transformation.

Earlier this month, Capgemini renewed its partnership with McDonalds for another five years, focusing on the continued integration of modern digital solutions for both customers and staff.

"McDonalds reshuffles senior leadership to support growth plans" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand.




While major indexes and many growth stocks started 2026 sluggishly, investors have been finding their way back to value and dividend stocks. One beneficiary has been Altria (NYSE: MO), which is up more than 12% year to date as of March 26.

It's obviously a plus that Altria's stock is up, but its main selling point to investors is its consistently attractive dividend. It's routinely one of the highest you'll find in the S&P 500 (SNPINDEX: ^GSPC).

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Given its nice start to the year and lucrative dividend, is Altria a no-brainer buy? Well, it depends on the investor.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

A glance at Altria's elephant in the room

Altria is the parent company of popular tobacco brands such as Marlboro, Black & Mild, Copenhagen, and a handful of others. It's the leading tobacco company in the country, but the biggest concern with Altria's business is the declining number of U.S. adult smokers.

The company has been able to use its pricing power to raise prices and help offset falling volume a bit, but that's not the best long-term strategy. At some point, raising prices won't suffice, and consumers will adjust accordingly.

Altria has been actively trying to get a meaningful presence in the smoke-free category, but it hasn't had real success. It lost nearly $13 billion on its Juul investment, illegal vape products account for a lot of the category, and Philip Morris International's Zyn has a stronghold on the nicotine pouch market.

That said, Altria has plenty of resources to continue investing and do everything in its power to make it happen.

One of the best dividend stocks on the market

Few companies prioritize their dividends as much as Altria. It has increased its annual dividend for 57 consecutive years, making it one of a small number of Dividend Kings (companies with at least 50 consecutive years of increases).

As of market close on March 26, Altria's dividend yield was 6.5% ($1.06 quarterly). That's in line with its average yield over the past decade and more than 5.5 times the S&P 500's average.

Who is Altria stock a no-brainer for?

If you're a value investor, want to add a stock that holds up well in recessions, or are retired and want a reliable income stream, Altria's stock is a no-brainer buy. It generates strong cash flow and prioritizes returning shareholder value through dividends and stock buybacks (it repurchased $1 billion worth in 2025).
This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

Insights from the Latest N-PORT Filing

Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (Trades, Portfolio) recently submitted its N-PORT filing for the first quarter of 2026, shedding light on its strategic investment decisions during this period. Established on August 31, 2007, the Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (Trades, Portfolio) aims for long-term capital appreciation by investing at least 80% of its net assets in smaller Japanese companies. These companies are defined as those with market capitalizations in the bottom 15% of all Japanese companies. The fund's investment strategy focuses on identifying good businesses with exceptional management, trading at attractive prices. The portfolio managers employ rigorous, on-site research to select stocks based on market growth potential, management quality, earnings quality, and balance sheet strength. The fund seeks to capitalize on arbitrage opportunities between a company's fundamental value and its market price, maintaining a concentrated portfolio of the managers' best ideas.

Musashino Bank Ltd: A Significant Exit by Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund

Summary of New Buy

Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (Trades, Portfolio) added a total of 9 stocks, among them:

The most significant addition was Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank Ltd (TSE:8361), with 93,000 shares, accounting for 2.53% of the portfolio and a total value of 3,383,240 million.

The second largest addition to the portfolio was Hokuhoku Financial Group Inc (TSE:8377), consisting of 83,200 shares, representing approximately 2.13% of the portfolio, with a total value of 2,849,320.

The third largest addition was JVCKenwood Corp (TSE:6632), with 259,000 shares, accounting for 1.57% of the portfolio and a total value of 2,093,620.

Key Position Increases

Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (Trades, Portfolio) also increased stakes in a total of 14 stocks, among them:

The most notable increase was Towa Corp (TSE:6315), with an additional 77,500 shares, bringing the total to 160,100 shares. This adjustment represents a significant 93.83% increase in share count, a 1.12% impact on the current portfolio, with a total value of 3,085,930.

The second largest increase was CKD Corp (TSE:6407), with an additional 52,300 shares, bringing the total to 128,100. This adjustment represents a significant 69% increase in share count, with a total value of 3,401,980.

Summary of Sold Out

Hennessy Japan Small Cap Fund (Trades, Portfolio) completely exited 9 holdings in the first quarter of 2026, as detailed below:
Mike Wilson said the S&P 500 has adjusted sufficiently to reflect the elevated price of oil. - Getty Images/iStockphoto

Morgan Stanleys chief U.S. equity strategist reckons the S&P 500s SPX correction is not far from over, and, citing important differences to other oil price shock-induced drawdowns, he doesnt sense the complacency in the market that other analysts have.

Since its 2025 high, the S&P 500s forward price-earnings ratio has compressed 17%, Wilson wrote in his weekly warm-up research note. Thats comparable to historical corrections in the absence of a recession or a Fed-hiking cycle. Half of the Russell 3000 RUA have fallen by at least a fifth from their 52-week highs.

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Moreover, Wilson said that the market has discounted the jump in oil prices  so far, at least. Morgan Stanleys commodity strategists have noted ongoing constraints. They predicted that crudewould reach $110 a barrel in the second quarter before declining to $80 a barrel.

Wilson acknowledged a greater risk to international markets, owing to their heavy dependence on imported energy.

Based on prior oil-price shocks, Wilson drew some important distinctions this time round: Earnings growth for the market is accelerating (as opposed to decelerating or turning negative), this shift in oil prices has been less dramatic than previous versions, and the chances of a resumption of tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz are higher than those of a U.S. recession.

This period looks very different than prior episodes of an oil-price spike. The oil move is more modest thus far. - Bloomberg, Morgan Stanley Research

Importantly, however, one risk is a tighter monetary policy, Wilson said. He found the inverse correlation between rates and stocks is deeply negative at negative 0.5  and the markets rate sensitivity is as high as its been in several years. The U.S. Treasury market is now partially discounting a rate increase in 2026, although Morgan Stanleys economists factored a few cuts into their models.

Wilson said that the U.S. 10-year yield BX:TMUBMUSD10Y is approaching 4.5%, and it was this level last year that persuaded the White House to pivot and backtrack on tariffs.

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On-demand packaging solutions supplier Packsize has appointed James D Thomas as its new chief financial officer (CFO).

Thomas has more than two decades of experience in strategic planning, corporate finance, and capital management, having worked with large public companies in various capacities.

Packsize CEO David Lockwood said: "Were excited to welcome James to Packsize.

"As we continue to grow globally, his experience leading large organisations will help us strengthen our financial rigour and scale the business responsibly. Hell be a key partner with the executive team as we focus on execution and sustainable growth."

Before joining Packsize, Thomas was CFO at Nu Skin Enterprises, where he was responsible for the companys financial operations and advised both the CEO and the board of directors.

During his time at Nu Skin Enterprises, Thomas contributed to a shift in the companys business model by moving from a direct-selling approach to an affiliate-based platform, and helped expand its presence in technology, manufacturing, and direct-to-consumer areas.

Thomas commented: Im excited to join Packsize at this point in its growth.

The company has a strong foundation, and I look forward to working alongside the team to build on that momentum - scaling the business, improving operational execution, and creating long-term value.

Earlier this month, Packsize expanded its partnership with Veritiv Operating Company.

The collaboration is focused on increasing the use of automated corrugated packaging as businesses seek improved efficiency, waste reduction, and cost management.

"Packsize names James Thomas as new CFO " was originally created and published by Packaging Gateway, a GlobalData owned brand.




Finnish food and beverage group Paulig has sold its Risenta brand to Swedish consumer goods company Midsona for Skr45m ($4.7m).

In a statement today (31 March), Paulig said the sale is part of its strategy to sharpen focus on world foods and Tex Mex.

Lenita Ingelin, the SVP of Paulig's branded business area, said: Pauligs growth and results are primarily driven by world foods and Tex Mex and this is where our ambition lies going forward.

The disposal covers Risentas brand, intellectual property, the associated business and connected production lines, according to the statement.

Paulig added the deal does not involve transferring any staff to Midsona.

The Risenta business sells products in Sweden, including seeds and kernels, flours and breakfast items. The brand has been owned by Paulig since 2015.

In a separate statement, Midsona said it views the acquisition as an opportunity to further strengthen its position as one of Swedens leading companies within healthy foods.

Henrik Hjalmarsson, Midsona president and CEO, added: Risenta is a brand that fits well into our platform of well-established brands with strong positions within healthy foods on the Nordic market.

Midsona said the deal is forecast to lift its EBIT margin and earnings per share, while adding around Skr130m in annual revenue.

The companies are targeting 1 June to close the transaction, which remains subject to regulatory review.

Paulig has recently been reshaping parts of its manufacturing footprint.

In January, Paulig said it planned to end production at a spices plant in Molndal, south of Gothenburg, and shift operations to Estonia, citing higher input costs.

In July, it announced plans to invest 12m (then $14.1m) to expand capacity at its Berga facility in Barcelona, including the installation of a new flour tortilla line, which the group said responds to the growing global demand for Tex-Mex products.

"Paulig agrees sale of Risenta brand to Midsona" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand.




This story was originally published on Grocery Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Grocery Dive newsletter.

Dive Brief:

The Raleys Companies President and CEO Keith Knopf has left the supermarket operator after nearly 11 years working for the company that included more than seven serving as its chief executive, according to a Friday announcement.

The company, which oversees the Raleys and Bashas supermarket brands, has named Mike Teel, its owner and chairman, to replace Knopf.

Raleys made significant advances with Knopf at the helm, including acquiring Bashas in 2021, and improving its loyalty and e-commerce capabilities.

Dive Insight:

Knopf began his run as CEO of Raleys in October 2018, when he was promoted to succeed Teel as chief executive after serving as president. He joined the company in 2015 as chief operating officer following a stint as a senior vice president for department store chain Kohls, according to his LinkedIn profile.

Raleys did not indicate what Knopfs next move would be now that he has departed the company.

After eleven fulfilling years of service, I have reached a natural inflection point, and having achieved significant milestones, chosen at this point in time to step away, Knopf said in a statement. Serving as President & CEO has been an immense privilege, and I remain deeply proud of what our team has accomplished together. I am grateful for the support and partnership of the Board throughout my tenure.

Raleys doubled its store fleet under Knopf through multiple acquisitions, most notably its purchase in 2021 of Arizona-based Bashas. That deal added more than 100 stores and a distribution center to Raleys, which created a new business enterprise to oversee its two grocery chains. The Raleys Companies currently runs approximately 230 stores in seven states and four Tribal Nations under banners including Raleys, Raleys O-N-E, Bashas, Nob Hill Foods, Food City and AJs Fine Foods.

Teel praised Knopf for his leadership of the California-based retailer.

He is leaving us with a strong, capable leadership team, and I am stepping back into this role with confidence in the people and the foundation, Teel said in a statement. Our focus remains where it has always been  on our customers, our team members, and the communities we are proud to serve.

The Raleys Companies also said on Friday that it has promoted two executives in conjunction with the CEO transition. Tiffanie Burkhalter has become president and CFO, while Jen Warner is now president and chief operations officer.
By Paul Sandle

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - Single-board computing company Raspberry Pi reported a better-than-expected 25% rise in annual earnings, helped by strengthening demand and price increases linked to higher memory chip costs, sending its shares up 26% on Tuesday.

The British company shipped 4 million units in the second half, giving a total of 7.6 million for the year, up 7% on 2024.

Constraints in the DRAM memory market as cloud providers and hyperscalers have ordered huge amounts of memory have caused prices to rise sharply.

The memory used in around two-thirds of Raspberry Pi's products had increased in price by around seven times in the last 12 months, the company said.

RASPBERRY PI HAS PASSED ON COST INCREASE

Chief Executive Eben Upton said Raspberry Pi had been able to pass on the increase in memory costs through its supportive channel partners.

"It's probably not done, so we'll keep passing those through," he told Reuters. "Obviously it's painful for an organisation that prides itself on being cost effective."

Resellers price the Raspberry Pi 5, its flagship board, with 8GB of memory, at around $125.

Shares in the company, which went public in June 2024 at 280 pence a share, jumped 26% in early deals to 365.5 pence.

The company said it had also seen strong growth in its semiconductor product range, with 8.4 million units shipped, up 47% on 2024 and exceeding single board computers and compute modules in volumes for the first time.

Raspberry Pi said the sales momentum had carried into the opening months of this year, but cautioned that second-half visibility was limited.

Increased memory costs and associated changes in product pricing would result in "substantially higher" revenues this year, it said, with profits expected to be in line with market forecasts.

(Reporting by Paul Sandle; editing by James Davey and Barbara Lewis)
With a market cap of $27.9 billion, Raymond James Financial, Inc. (RJF) is a diversified financial services firm that provides wealth management, investment banking, asset management, and banking solutions to individuals, corporations, and institutions across the United States, Canada, and Europe. It operates through multiple segments, including private client services, capital markets, asset management, and banking.

The Saint Petersburg, Florida-based company is set to announce its fiscal Q2 2026 results after the market closes on Wednesday, Apr. 22. Ahead of this event, analysts forecast RJF to report an adjusted EPS of $2.92, an increase of 20.7% from $2.42 in the year-ago quarter. It has exceeded Wall Street's earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters while missing on two other occasions.

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For fiscal 2026, analysts expect Raymond James Financial to post an adjusted EPS of $11.95, up 12.1% from $10.66 in fiscal 2025. In addition, adjusted EPS is anticipated to grow 13.5% year-over-year to $13.56 in fiscal 2027.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Raymond James Financial have dropped marginally over the past 52 weeks, lagging behind the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 11.9% increase. However, the stock has shown less pronounced decline than the State Street Financial Select Sector SPDR ETF's (XLF) 4.7% decrease over the same period.

www.barchart.com

Shares of Raymond James Financial fell marginally following its Q1 2026 results as a 21% drop in capital markets revenue to $380 million signaled weakness in its investment banking business, particularly due to lower mergers and acquisitions and advisory revenue. This decline overshadowed growth in other segments, even though asset management revenue rose 11% to $326 million and private client group revenue increased 9% to $2.77 billion.

Additionally, profit fell to $562 million ($2.79 per share) from $599 million ($2.86 per share), and non-interest expenses rose 8% to $3.01 billion, further pressuring investor sentiment.

Analysts' consensus view on the stock is cautiously optimistic, with a "Moderate Buy" rating overall. Among 15 analysts covering the stock, five recommend "Strong Buy" and 10 "Holds." The average analyst price target for Raymond James Financial is $185.85, suggesting a potential upside of 31.5% from current levels.

On the date of publication, Sohini Mondal did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
South Korean semiconductor company Rebellions has secured $400m in a pre-IPO funding round, led by Mirae Asset Financial Group and the Korea National Growth Fund.

This investment brings the companys total capital raised to $850m and values the business at around $2.34bn.

In the last six months, Rebellions has raised $650m, over three-quarters of its aggregate funding to date.

The company intends to use these funds to accelerate its expansion in the US, scale production of its Rebel100 platform, and prepare for an initial public offering.

The firm is increasing its international presence, particularly in the US, where demand for AI infrastructure is growing among cloud service providers, telecom operators, and government-related projects.

Marshall Choy, who recently joined Rebellions as chief business officer, is leading these global growth initiatives.

Rebellions approach relies on a software-driven AI stack for production-level deployment in data centres.

The stack is cloud-native and integrates with widely used open source tools, such as vLLM, PyTorch, Triton, Hugging Face, and OpenShift.

The platform aims to support distributed inference workloads and provide broad model compatibility without dependence on proprietary systems.

Choy said: Organisations are looking for infrastructure that works within their existing environments, extends the life of their current investments, and enables new revenue-generating AI applications. That is where we are focused today.

Rebellions has launched two new products, RebelRack and RebelPOD, which extend its offerings from chips and software to complete AI infrastructure platforms.

RebelRack serves as a deployable unit for inference computing; RebelPOD combines multiple racks into clusters intended for large-scale AI operations.

Both solutions are available now and can be deployed across different data centre environments using Rebellions chiplet-based Rebel100 NPU technology.

The Korea National Growth Fund selected Rebellions as its first investment under the K-Nvidia initiative as part of efforts to strengthen domestic AI and semiconductor capabilities.

Mirae Asset Financial Groups participation follows a history of backing companies that shape core industries.

Mirae Asset Venture Investment vice chairman and CEO Eung-Suk Kim said: We are proud to support Rebellions the first company backed by the Korean National Growth Fundas a strategic partner in demonstrating its capabilities and value on the global stage.

With additional capital support and expanded operations, Rebellions continues to advance towards a planned public listing.
Schroders has appointed Patrick Schwyzer as its new head of Client Group, Europe.

Schwyzer, who joins the firm from UBS (previously Credit Suisse), brings over 20 years of experience in private banking and asset management.

In his upcoming role, he will be responsible for developing and implementing Schroders client strategy across European markets.

Schwyzer is expected to work with country heads to advance Schroders business among wealth, wholesale, and institutional clients.

His remit includes adapting global objectives to address the specific requirements of clients in the region and expanding the companys presence across different market segments.

Previously, Schwyzer served as CEO of Credit Suisse (Luxembourg), now under UBS, overseeing more than 350 employees in several European countries.

His responsibilities included managing and expanding the wealth management platform and guiding its strategic direction.

Schwyzer is set to start his new position on 7 April 2026 and will be based in Zurich.

He will report to Matt Oomen, Schroders' global head of Client Group.

In recent results, Schroders EMEA division generated more than 700m ($924.3m) in net operating revenue for 2025 and managed 135.1bn in assets.

The firm has also expanded its product range in Europe, notably launching active ETFs that have attracted over $1bn in assets within four months.

The appointment comes as Schroders continues to add to its senior leadership team, with recent hires including head of ETFs and head of UK Institutional.

This February, Nuveen agreed to acquire Schroders for about 9.9bn, covering all issued and to-be-issued shares.

Under the terms, shareholders will receive 5.90 per share in cash at completion, totaling 9.5bn, along with dividends up to 22 pence per share before closing, resulting in a full valuation of 9.9bn.

"Schroders names Patrick Schwyzer client group head for Europe" was originally created and published by Private Banker International, a GlobalData owned brand.




President Donald Trump recently gave Micron Technology (MU) a rare public endorsement, calling it one of the "hottest" stocks in the U.S. following a White House meeting with CEO Sanjay Mehrotra. For investors, that kind of presidential praise is difficult to ignore.

But here's the thing: MU stock has been falling even as it reported stellar numbers in the recent quarter.

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Despite record-breaking earnings and glowing analyst upgrades, MU stock is down 27% from 52-week highs. That raises a fair question: is this a buying opportunity, or is something more serious going on?

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Microns Solid Q2 Numbers

Micron makes the memory chips that power artificial intelligence systems. In fiscal Q2 of 2026, Micron reported revenue of $23.86 billion, up from $8.05 billion in the year-ago period. It also estimates gross margins to exceed 80% in fiscal Q3.

Micron is benefiting from a tight memory supply environment. On Micron's post-earnings analyst call, Chief Business Officer Sumit Sadana put it plainly: "Our supply is nowhere close to being able to meet the demand that we see for the foreseeable future."

The supply crunch spans both DRAM (used in AI servers and PCs) and NAND (used in storage). Sadana noted that Micron is the first company globally to have a next-generation Gen6 SSD on the market, one that works especially well with Nvidia (NVDA) systems, and that demand for it far exceeds what the company can ship.

Why Is MU Stock Falling?

A few things are working against the semiconductor giant.
U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) is included among the 14 Safest Stocks with Highest Dividends.

U.S. Bancorp (USB) Appoints Toby Clements as Chief Operations Officer

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On March 26, U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) announced that Toby Clements will take on the role of senior executive vice president and chief operations officer. He is expected to oversee client service centers and global operations teams, leading more than 16,000 employees. He will report to CEO Gunjan Kedia, with the appointment effective April 13.

Clements will also join the companys managing committee and succeed Souheil Badran, who had previously announced his retirement. Kedia said Clements is seen as a strong and engaging leader with a focus on serving clients and running the business effectively. She added that his understanding of the company, its customers, and its partners is expected to support more integrated, simple, and innovative experiences.

Clements joined U.S. Bancorp in 2017, starting as an executive officer in its European operations. Over time, he has taken on broader responsibilities and, over the past year, led the companys client service centers. Before that, he held executive roles at Permanent TSB in Dublin and Tesco Bank in Edinburgh. He also worked in consulting and strategy roles at Navigant and Barclays in London. He holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Southampton and a global MBA from INSEAD.

U.S. Bancorp (NYSE:USB) is a financial services holding company. Its segments include Wealth, Corporate, Commercial and Institutional Banking, Consumer and Business Banking, Payment Services, and Treasury and Corporate Support.

While we acknowledge the potential of USB as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: Dividend Stock Portfolio for Income: 15 Stocks to Invest In and Dividend Capture Strategy: 14 High Yield Stocks to Buy in April

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
Unilever Has Finally Managed to Shave off Its Food Business - Moby

THE GIST

Unilever wants to spin off its food division and merge it with spice maker McCormick, creating a $60 billion flavor business. Unilever shareholders would keep majority ownership and walk away with $1516 billion in cash. Everyone wins, in theory.

WHAT HAPPENED

Unilever is in talks to merge its food business, valued at $3035 billion, with McCormick, roughly doubling the combined value to $60 billion with some debt layered in. The resulting portfolio would put Hellmann's, Knorr, and Marmite under the same roof as French's, Frank's RedHot, and Cholula. Unilever's Indian business stays out of the deal as the company has no interest in giving up that market share.

The transaction would use something called a Reverse Morris Trust, a structure that lets a company spin off a division and merge it with another without triggering corporate tax on the sale. Had Unilever simply sold its food arm, it would have faced capital gains tax running into the billions. This way, it spins it off and merges instead, same outcome, different tax zip code. The newly combined entity assumes the debt, shareholders get their shares plus a $1516 billion one-time cash payout, and Unilever extracts value without writing a check to the IRS.

WHY IT MATTERS

Unilever has been slowly offloading its food business for a couple of years, targeting roughly 800 million in cost savings through 2027. It started with smaller disposals like Graze, then moved on to its ice cream unit. Food has been the underperformer dragging down the portfolio, growing at just 2.5% last year while beauty and personal care ran ahead. Investors noticed.

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The pressure got louder in 2022 when activist Nelson Peltz disclosed a stake in the company. Peltz has since been associated with the exits of two CEOs, Alan Jope and Hein Schumacher, as the board's patience with portfolio bloat ran out.

McCormick came to the table motivated. Talks with Kraft Heinz collapsed weeks ago, and this deal does something transformative for a company that's still mostly known for the red tin in your spice rack. McCormick has been quietly repositioning itself around flavor as a growth category like higher-margin sauces, condiments, and taste enhancers rather than commodity spices. It picked up French's and Frank's in 2017, Cholula in 2020, and this would be the capstone. The strategic logic fits neatly into a broader food culture shift: if consumers are cutting carbs and rethinking what they eat, they're compensating by demanding that whatever's left on the plate actually tastes like something.
Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) is among the 5 Most Profitable Real Estate Stocks Right Now. As reported by TheFly on March 23, Scotiabank lifted the price target on Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) to $321, up from $319, and reiterated an Outperform rating. This optimism comes after the earlier announcement of the $10.5 billion all-stock acquisition of National Storage (NSA) Affiliates.

Back on March 16, Truist Securities maintained a Buy rating on Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) with a price target of $317 following the NSA acquisition. The firm believes that this agreement is advantageous to the companys shareholders, saying that the joint venture structure used in the deal is a thoughtful solution to an otherwise complicating factor in the acquisition.

Public Storage (NYSE:PSA)

On the same day, Mizuho reiterated a Neutral rating and a price target of $285 on Public Storage (NYSE:PSA), highlighting that the going-in yield relatively matches the private-market cap rates. The firm believes this transaction marks the beginning of the companys new era, driven by the PS4 initiative and WELL collaboration. Mizuho noted that meaningful net operating income upside is required for the company to accelerate its going-in yield by nearly 100 basis points.

Public Storage (NYSE:PSA) is a Maryland-based REIT that engages in the acquisition and development of self-storage facilities. The company had 3,533 self-storage facilities in 40 states as of December 31, 2025.

While we acknowledge the potential of PSA as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 33 Stocks That Should Double in 3 Years and 15 Stocks That Will Make You Rich in 10 Years

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An aerial view of a Grocery Outlet store on Feb. 25, 2025 in San Rafael, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

In these tough times, some discount chains have been thriving, but California's Grocery Outlet has been closing stores as it tries to remedy a hangover of overexpansion.

The Emeryville-based company earlier this month announced plans to close 36 underperforming stores nationwide because of overexpansion by the end of the year. Nine of those will be in California.

Grocery Outlet did not say which stores would close, but the advisory firm Gordon Brothers, the chain hired to handle its leases, listed 36 stores "available for sublease."

Six Southern California stores appeared on the list: Azusa, Brawley, El Cajon, La Habra, Ontario and Poway.

In Central California, the Kerman, Patterson and Ridgecrest stores are expected to close. No stores in Northern California appeared on the list. Grocery Outlet did not respond to interview requests.

The company has not said if there will be layoffs associated with the closures.

Outside California, Grocery Outlet appears to be closing eight stores in Maryland, six in New Jersey and six in Ohio, as well as a few in Pennsylvania and Idaho. The company does not plan to fully exit any state.

Grocery Outlet still plans to open more than 30 stores in 2026. It has had a tough year, reporting a net loss of $225 million for fiscal year 2025, compared to a net income of $39 million in 2024.

"Our outlook for 2026 reflects a business that has more work to do than we expected," Grocery Outlet Chief Executive Jason Potter said on an earnings call earlier this month.

Grocery Outlet is hoping to turn things around by closing struggling stores to focus on building clusters around its high-performing ones, said Catherine Douglas Moran, an editor at the trade publication Grocery Dive.

The company apparently got ahead of demand for its brand in an effort to cater to investors' growth mindsets, Moran said. The closures in Cincinnati and Hazlet, N.J., indicate locations that opened in isolation struggled to perform.

The changes are meant to improve brand awareness and deepen the company's knowledge of consumer demographics and shopping patterns, since managers of neighboring stores can share expertise, Moran said.

In December, Grocery Outlet told investors to expect weaker-than-usual sales because the government shutdown caused federal food assistance to lapse, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission filing. The company said in the filing that November 2025 comparable store sales from EBT were down more than 8% compared to last year.

Grocery Outlet, founded in 1946 in San Francisco, is known for selling discounted overstock items, such as holiday foods and drinks nearing expiration. The company and its subsidiaries have more than 560 stores across the U.S., most of which are on the West Coast.
Airlines are scrambling to protect their business as the Iran war pushes jet fuel costs to multiyear highs.

The market is splitting into two camps as carriers test the limits of pricing power, according to Morgan Stanley analyst Ravi Shanker. While heavyweights like Delta (DAL) and United Airlines (UAL) have the ability to raise prices without losing customers, others are being left behind.

Shanker noted that Delta has already raised its revenue target for the first quarter, expecting its earnings to hold steady because its wealthy flyers are absorbing the costs. "That said, DAL's refinery is expected to provide a meaningful fuel cost hedge starting in the second quarter," Shanker said.

Unlike its competitors, Delta owns the Monroe Energy refinery in Pennsylvania  allowing the airline to produce its own jet fuel and capture refining profits. This setup helps Delta offset high costs during industrywide price fluctuations and is unique to the carrier. Other carriers typically buy fuel from third-party suppliers, which often charge steep markups.

Read more: $100 oil could send airfare soaring this summer. These tips could save you.

Meanwhile, circumstances for Alaska Air Group (ALK) are grimmer. "ALK remains disadvantaged on the [West Coast] due to refinery margins," Shanker said. West Coast refineries typically charge an extra markup compared to the rest of the country.

To avoid these high prices, Alaska is using a "tanker" strategy: buying cheaper fuel in Singapore and shipping it across the ocean to the Pacific Northwest. Even though fuel prices in Singapore have spiked since February, they started so low that it's still cheaper to ship fuel from Asia than to buy it from a US supplier, per Shanker.

Raymond James analyst Savanthi Syth warned that "faster action is prudent particularly for airlines with previously elevated growth ambitions and or weaker balance sheets." She notes that without such action, disadvantaged carriers will be forced to "tolerate margin compression" to remain competitive.

A looming $400 million expense hit per carrier is expected this quarter due to the Middle East conflict.

Alaska provides the first proof of this blow. The company's stock fell roughly 6% after projecting a wider-than-expected first quarter loss. In an 8-K filing, the carrier pointed to a staggering 400% surge in refining margin costs  the fee refineries charge to process crude oil into fuel  on its Singapore-sourced fuel since February. US refining costs jumped 140% over the same period.
CoreWeave (CRWV) stock jumped 12% on Tuesday after the Nvidia-backed (NVDA) company secured $8.5 billion in financing to expand its artificial intelligence cloud platform.

The loan is the first of its kind, CoreWeave said, as it achieved investment-grade ratings from Moody's and DBRS for financing backed by artificial intelligence hardware, such as Nvidia graphics processing units (GPUs). CoreWeave said the facility is designed to enhance access to low-cost capital, helping it meet customer demand.

The incremental term loan will enable CoreWeave to initially borrow $7.5 billion, with the option to borrow an additional $1 billion as it builds out AI infrastructure.

The loan facility brings CoreWeave's total equity and debt financing commitments over the past year to $28 billion.

"This reflects confidence in AI adoption and represents continued market validation of our model that is proving both repeatable and scalable, enabling us to meet accelerating demand from our customers," said Brannin McBee, chief development officer and co-founder of CoreWeave.

The financing is critical for CoreWeave, which expects to double capital expenditures this year amid increasing competition from hyperscalers such as Amazon (AMZN) and Microsoft (MSFT).

CoreWeave's stock has been sliding over the past month and is down over 60% from its highs reached last summer. CEO Michael Intrator told Reuters in late February that the company's planned capital expenditures of $30 billion to $35 billion in 2026 would put pressure on margins, with Q1 serving as "the low point."

Markets have been punishing growth companies for their capital expenditures  for either spending too much or too little  as the artificial intelligence boom shifts into a "show me" story for analysts.

While the CoreWeave's revenue backlog surged to $66 billion at the end of last year as demand for AI remained strong, investors have also become worried about risks to that revenue if the company is unable to meet its delivery obligations or bring data centers online in time.

"CoreWeave remains hyper focused on three key pillars: scale, cost of capital, and risk mitigation," Deutsche Bank analysts wrote in a note last week after meeting with executives. "With capex being success based and backed by signed contracts, the business remains confident in securing financing as needed."

CoreWeave's stock has doubled since it went public almost exactly one year ago.

CoreWeave founder and CEO Michael Intrator attends his company's IPO at the Nasdaq Market in New York City on March 28, 2025. (Reuters/Brendan McDermid)  REUTERS / Reuters

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By Andrew MacAskill and Muvija M

LONDON, March 31 (Reuters) - More than two dozen ships sanctioned for being part of Russia's so-called shadow fleet have passed through UK waters since Prime Minister Keir Starmer last week authorised the military to detain vessels used by Moscow to export oil.

The figures based on ship tracking data analysed by Reuters show that oil tankers sanctioned by Britain are continuing to travel along England's southern coast in the same numbers as before the announcement.

British officials said almost a week ago that the military was preparing to board the vessels for breaches of sanctions and the government hoped the announcement would force the ships to take longer routes away from British waters. Russia called it a "deeply hostile move" and said it could retaliate.

Since that statement, the British military has not announced it has boarded any Russian vessels while at least 25 sanctioned ships have entered British waters when travelling through the Channel as before, according to the Reuters analysis.

STARMER SAYS RUSSIA COULD PROFIT FROM OIL PRICE RISE

James Fennell, a former British naval officer, said the British military would probably target Russian vessels only selectively, citing the complexity of an operation, the threat of legal challenges and the risk that such action could bring Britain "one step closer to war with Russia".

"The government is hoping the threat acts as a deterrent and will gauge the effect before sanctioning a potentially risky boarding operation," he said. "They will be using back channels to tell Russia to cease and desist."

Britain's Ministry of Defence said any enforcement action would be "considered on a case-by-case basis" and it would not provide "a running commentary" on potential action.

Starmer said last Wednesday evening he had authorised the boarding and detention of Russian vessels to prevent Russian President Vladimir Putin from making "dirty profits" from the sharp rise in oil prices driven by the U.S.-Israeli war with Iran.

Russian ships in the so-called shadow fleet of tankers used by Moscow to fund its four-year war against Ukraine sail through the Channel as it is the most convenient route for travelling between the Baltic and southern Europe and beyond.

Other European nations, including France, Belgium and Sweden, have in recent months boarded and detained vessels to disrupt the network of ships.

Trump this month temporarily eased sanctions on Russian oil as part of his administration's attempt to tame energy prices.
Palantir (PLTR) stock has been in the limelight with the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Further, with healthy growth and deal acceleration, PLTR stock has trended higher by over 60% in the last 52 weeks.

With a focus on innovation for the government and commercial enterprises, its likely that Palantir will continue to create value. It was recently reported that Anduril Industries and Palantir Technologies are working on software for the Golden Dome missiledefense initiative for the United States. The Golden Dome project initiative is worth $185 billion and is focused on a space-based missile shield for countering ballistic and cruise missile threats.

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Palantir is also working with GE Aerospace (GE) on a multi-year partnership thats focused on the deployment of advanced agentic AI-powered solutions that allow GE to maximize production and keep aircraft mission ready. Therefore, with critical projects that are backed by continued innovation, Palantir is attractive.

About Palantir Stock

Headquartered in Aventura, just north of downtown Miami, Palantir is a provider of operational artificial intelligence platforms. These AI-driven platforms support decision-making in critical government and commercial enterprises in the United States and internationally. The companys current software portfolio includes AIP, Gotham, Foundry, Ontology, and Apollo.

For FY25, Palantir reported robust revenue growth of 56% on a year-on-year (YoY) basis to $4.5 billion. The companys operations remain U.S.-focused, with 73.3% of FY25 revenue from commercial and government clients in the country. Besides healthy top-line growth, Palantir reported adjusted free cash flow of $2.3 billion, which provides high financial flexibility for continued investment in innovation.

Amidst strong partnerships, healthy growth, and an increasing number of deals, PLTR stock has corrected by 19% in the last six months. This correction provides a good entry opportunity for long-term investors. Amidst the selloff, UBS opined last month that PLTR stock is attractive at 50x 2027 FCF estimates.

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Strong Guidance for FY26

For FY26, Palantir has provided robust growth guidance, with the top line expected at $7.2 billion. This would imply a YoY growth of 60%. Further, Palantir expects adjusted free cash flow of $4 billion.
By John O'Donnell and Andreas Rinke

BERLIN, March 31 (Reuters) - Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany party has used surging energy prices to revive its longstanding call for Berlin to turn once more to Russia for cheap energy after scoring some of its best results in two state elections this month.

German petrol prices have jumped by more than 15% since the U.S. and Israel began their war on Iran a month ago, and the AfD's argument won a ready hearing this month among voters in Baden-Wuerttemberg, a centre of the German car industry.

"That was the defining issue," said Markus Frohnmaier, the AfD's leading candidate in Baden-Wuerttemberg, pointing to energy prices around twice as high as those in China or the United States.

"This election campaign was all about the economy, the economy, the economy."

AFD NOW GERMANY'S SECOND PARTY

The AfD consolidated its position as Germany's second party by winning around 20% of the vote in both Baden-Wuerttemberg and in neighbouring Rhineland-Palatinate, where it recorded its best ever result in a western state.

"The situation in the German economy at the moment is dire," Frohnmaier said. "It is essential for Germany's energy sovereignty, as well as for affordable electricity ... that Germany begins to import Russian gas and oil again."

Russia had supplied over a third of Germany's crude oil imports and more than half of its natural gas needs, until Moscow's invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and the abrupt shutdown of the Nord Stream pipeline left Berlin scrambling to find alternative suppliers, which now include Norway, the Netherlands and Belgium.

With the exception of indirect imports of small quantities of liquefied natural gas, it has eliminated Russian oil and gas from its energy mix, statistics office data shows.

For two decades, under chancellors Gerhard Schroeder and Angela Merkel, Germany's economic model had been built around access to cheap Russian energy. The shock helped push Germany into a two-year recession from which it has only just begun to emerge.

Combined with steadily mounting job losses at manufacturers squeezed by higher energy costs and growing competition from China, this has helped to create fertile ground for the AfD's promotion of Russian energy.

"This argument is much more closely linked to people's everyday lives than abstract geopolitical statements," said Johannes Hillje, a political scientist and specialist in the AfD.

For many in Germany's main parties, the calls for a return to Russian energy are part of a wider drive, by a party long accused of being sympathetic to Moscow, to undermine Russia's isolation.
By Waylon Cunningham and Juveria Tabassum

March 30 (Reuters) - In a triumph for Starbucks board of directors over a coalition of labor-focused shareholder groups, investors this week overwhelmingly reelected two directors accused by the groups of turning a blind eye to risky labor relations.

The tallies were disclosed on Monday.

Negotiations between the company and its unionized baristas, which represent 6% of U.S. stores, broke down a year ago, but both sides recently announced they are in talks to resume bargaining soon.

The coalition of shareholder groups, many with affiliations to organized labor, had urged investors to vote against the reelection of board members Jorgen Vig Knudstorp and Beth Ford over fresh concerns about the boards recent dissolution of an independent committee dedicated in part to overseeing the companys labor relations, including its approach to the union.

Proxy advisory firms Institutional Shareholder Services and Glass Lewis also flagged concerns about the dissolution of the "impact committee," citing a recent New York City settlement over employee scheduling, and Glass Lewis recommended shareholders vote against Ford.

Starbucks in filings earlier this year said oversight of labor relations now belongs to the full board of directors - which is under the control of chairman and CEO Brian Niccol - and that the committee was dissolved to simplify its board structure.

A spokesperson for Starbucks, Jaci Anderson, said in a statement this month that the board has "the necessary skills and experience to effectively oversee our strategy, including human capital management."

Starbucks board of directors created the Environmental, Partner, and Community Impact Committee in 2023 under pressure from many of the same shareholder groups that lost the vote this week, including Trillium Capital, the New York State Comptroller and the union-affiliated SOC Investment Group.

These groups won a vote in April 2023  roughly a week before Niccols predecessor Laxman Narasimhan took the reins as CEO - that forced Starbucks to hire an outside auditor to review its approach to the union. The auditors findings prompted the board under Narasimhan to create the independent impact committee.

Niccol became CEO in September 2024, and the impact committee was dissolved in November 2025.

Ford and Knudstorp, the current and former chairs of the boards governance committee, had also served on the impact committee.

Starbucks' top shareholders include Vanguard Group, Capital World Investors, and BlackRock, according to LSEG data.

(Reporting by Waylon CunninghamEditing by Rod Nickel)
By Jonathan Stempel

March 31 (Reuters) - Warren Buffett on Tuesday declined to commit to continuing his annual multibillion-dollar donations to the Gates Foundation, following the recent release of materials about late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein's relationship with the nonprofit and its co-founder Bill Gates.

In his first televised interview since stepping down in January as Berkshire Hathaway's chief executive, Buffett told CNBC he has not spoken with Gates since the U.S. Department of Justice released documents in February, showing that Gates and Epstein met repeatedly to discuss philanthropy following Epstein's 2008 guilty plea to Florida prostitution charges.

Buffett, 95, who remains Berkshire's chairman, began giving away his fortune in 2006, and has donated more than $47 billion of the conglomerate's stock to the Gates Foundation.

He has donated Berkshire stock to the foundation and four family charities annually around mid-year, with additional donations to the family charities in November. Last year's Gates Foundation donation totaled more than $4.5 billion.

"Ill wait and see what unfolds," Buffett said, when asked if the Gates Foundation donations will continue. "Im learning things I didnt know."

In February, the foundation said Bill Gates "took responsibility for his actions" when the Microsoft co-founder discussed Epstein in a town-hall meeting with employees.

A spokesperson for the Gates Foundation declined to discuss Buffett's comments, but in a statement called him an "extraordinarily generous partner" whose financial support helped "accelerate progress on some of the world's toughest challenges."

In a separate statement, a spokesperson for Bill Gates said: Gates has acknowledged it was a serious error in judgment to meet with Epstein. As he's stated before, he is committed to answering all questions and demonstrating that he was never a part of Epstein's criminal activity."

In 2024, Buffett said his donations to the Gates Foundation would end when he dies, with 99.5% of his remaining wealth going to a charitable trust overseen by his children.

The New York Times said Buffett had by then grown concerned about the foundation's bloat, and its reduced appetite for taking risks that could lead to more effective philanthropy.

BUFFETT NOT SORRY FOR GATES FOUNDATION DONATIONS

Documents released by the Justice Department included photos of Gates posing with Epstein, as well as with women whose faces are redacted.
Warren Buffett said he's not totally done with Berkshire Hathaway.

In an interview with CNBC's Becky Quick, the 95-year-old "Oracle of Omaha" said he's still closely involved in investment decisions at the massive financial conglomerate he built with his late business partner Charlie Munger.

The billionaire investor officially handed the reins to successor Greg Abel at the end of last year, following a six-decade run shaping the textile manufacturer into the country's most valuable financial giant.

"I go in every day to the office," Buffett said, adding that he's still making investments for Berkshire. "I still contribute a tiny bit."

Buffett said he recently made one "tiny" new purchase without giving more details.

Berkshire Hathaway chair Warren Buffett attends the Berkshire Hathaway annual shareholders' meeting in Omaha, Neb., on May 3, 2024. (Reuters/Scott Morgan)  REUTERS / Reuters

Since Buffett announced in May that he would step down at the end of the year, Berkshire stock (BRK-A, BRK-B) has dropped about 11%. The S&P 500 (^GSPC) is up over 13% during the same period.

Buffett also said in the interview that Berkshire bought $17 billion worth of US Treasury bills this week. As of the end of 2025, Berkshire had more than $370 million in cash equivalents on its balance sheet. The bulk of the pile was held in US Treasury bills.

In a November 2025 letter to shareholders, Buffett said he will no longer speak at Berkshire Hathaway's annual meeting. Abel, who became CEO on Jan. 1, wrote the firm's annual letter to shareholders, which came out at the end of February.

During Buffett's final quarter as CEO, Berkshire sold more equities than it bought, further trimming big stakes in Apple (AAPL) and Bank of America (BAC) and slashing a more modest stake in Amazon (AMZN). Apple remains Berkshire's biggest stake, with Berkshire's holdings valued at $62 billion as of the end of last year.

With hindsight, Buffett said he began trimming Berkshire's Apple position too soon but that he doesn't regret his decision. "I sold it too soon. But I bought it even sooner, so," he told CNBC.

Berkshire also increased its stakes in Chevron (CVX) and Chubb (CB) while taking a new, smaller position in the New York Times (NYT).

Retirement is a "move that in many ways, I could have done it earlier and Greg would have been better than I was," Buffett said.

"Greg covers more ground in a day than I would in a week, even when I was at my peak," he added. "Greg is so good, it's kind of embarrassing."

David Hollerith covers the financial sector, ranging from the country's biggest banks to regional lenders, private equity firms, and the cryptocurrency space.
Bayan Mining joins US defence consortium to target rare earths supply chain Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Bayan Mining and Minerals Ltd (ASX:BMM, OTC:BMMKF, FRA:7JL) has secured membership of the US Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC), opening a pathway to engage directly with US defence programs and funding linked to critical minerals.

The membership enables participation in US Department of War-backed initiatives, including grants, cooperative agreements and technology development programs aligned with rare earths supply chains.

Bayans acceptance into the DIBC represents a significant step in advancing our strategy to align with US defence supply chain. The DIBC provides a direct pathway to engage with the US Department of War and participate in programs supporting the development of secure and resilient critical mineral supply.



"Our Yttrium Upgrade patent positions us as a potential enabler of future US yttrium supply at a time when the United States is fully reliant on imports. Combined with our broader rare earth processing technology portfolio and the Desert Star project, DIBC membership enhances our ability to pursue collaborative opportunities, funding pathways and longterm commercial partnerships in the United States.

Access to funding and defence programs

DIBC operates under the US Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework, which allows flexible and non-dilutive funding, faster contracting timelines and potential progression from prototype projects to production contracts.

The membership provides direct access to defence program offices and collaboration opportunities with contractors, research institutions and government agencies, strengthening its position within the U.S. industrial ecosystem.

The company added that successful projects could transition to follow-on production contracts without requiring a new competitive tender process.

Yttrium focus aligns with US supply concerns

The strategic focus centres on yttrium, a rare earth element classified as critical to US defence applications, including radar, optics, aerospace systems and advanced electronics.

The US is currently 100% reliant on imported yttrium, with more than 70% sourced from China, highlighting supply chain vulnerability.

Bayan said its proprietary yttrium upgrade technology, which uses iminodiacetic acid functionalised resin, has demonstrated the ability at laboratory scale to produce an enriched yttrium oxide stream while reducing processing complexity and cost.

The company also holds licences over three additional rare earth processing technologies from the Colorado School of Mines, covering beneficiation and leaching methods.
The average price of regular gasoline in the U.S. crossed $4 a gallon on Tuesday, reaching a level not seen since August 2022, according to AAA. The national average stood at $4.018, up from $3.99 the day before and $2.982 a month ago.

Regular gasoline prices have surged roughly 35% over the past month, AAA data shows  a sharp acceleration that began as February came to a close. Premium gasoline averaged $4.904 a gallon and diesel reached $5.454, according to AAA.

"We have this obsession with gas prices because they dictate a lot of 'Can we drive? Can we do things we enjoy?' And now some of that is at risk," GasBuddy analyst Patrick De Haan told The New York Times.

The rapid increase at the pump follows weeks of escalating conflict in the Middle East and rising oil prices. Brent crude reached almost $116 a barrel earlier this week, while West Texas Intermediate climbed to around $102, as fighting in the U.S.-Israeli war against Iran entered its second month and the Strait of Hormuz  a chokepoint accounting for roughly 20% of global oil flow  remained blocked.

President Donald Trump said earlier this week that the U.S. is in talks with what he called "a new, and more reasonable, regime" in Iran, and predicted oil shipments through the strait would resume. Trump told reporters the two sides "will make a deal," though Iran has disputed that talks are even occurring.

The jump in gasoline costs is broad across fuel types. Diesel prices are now 44% above their pre-war level, The Times reported. De Haan estimated U.S. motorists would soon have accumulated an additional $10 billion in gasoline costs since the conflict began.

State-level prices vary widely. AAA data shows the highest-priced states averaging between $4.199 and $5.887 a gallon for regular, while the lowest-priced states are seeing averages between $3.272 and $3.625.
By Syed Fazl-e-Haider

On February 26, Pakistan launched Operation Ghazab lil-Haq (Righteous Fury) against the Taliban regime in Kabul. The operation is widely interpreted as an attempt by Islamabad to pursue regime change in Afghanistan. Under Taliban rule, Afghanistan has effectively become a base for terrorist activities targeting not only Pakistan but also other Central Asian states, including Tajikistan. Russia has warned that Afghanistan-based ISIS seeks to expand its so-called caliphate in Central Asia, while China has expressed concern over the presence of Uyghur militants and other anti-China groups in the country. In this context, regime change in Kabul has emerged as a strategic priority for Islamabad and Beijing. Meanwhile, the persistence of terrorist safe havens in Afghanistan and the ongoing war has stalled major trans-Afghan connectivity projects intended to link Central Asia with Pakistani seaports.

BACKGROUND:

Since 2021, following the Talibans takeover of Afghanistan after the U.S. withdrawal under the Doha Agreement, Pakistan has experienced a significant increase in terrorist attacks. Islamabad has accused Afghanistan-based militant groups of conducting cross-border operations within its territory. Prominent among these are Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) and Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA), which have been responsible for numerous high-profile attacks. Pakistan has repeatedly urged the Taliban government to take action against these groups, which continue to operate from Afghan territory with relative impunity; however, these requests have largely gone unheeded.

China, which shares a 47-mile border with Afghanistan, has long been concerned that the country could become as a sanctuary for Uyghur separatists in proximity of its Xinjiang region. The Taliban government has assured Beijing that Afghan territory would not be used for activities against China. In return, China has offered economic assistance and investment to support Afghanistans reconstruction and development, and has since emerged as the largest foreign investor in the country.

Other anti-China groups operating from safe havens in Afghanistan include the TTP and the BLA. Both organizations have been implicated in several high-profile attacks targeting Chinese nationals in Pakistan.

In March 2024, a suicide attack on a van killed five Chinese engineers working on the Dasu dam project in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. A similar attack at the same site in 2021 resulted in the deaths of nine Chinese engineers. The TTP was implicated in both incidents. The BLA, in turn, has conducted more attacks on Chinese nationals and assets than any other separatist organization. Notably, in 2022, the BLA deployed its first female suicide bomber, who carried out an attack outside the Confucius Institute at the University of Karachi, killing three Chinese instructors.

Although China has pursued a pragmatic engagement policy toward the Taliban since the U.S. withdrawal in 2021, investing in mining, energy, and infrastructure, the Taliban have shown limited willingness or capacity to dismantle militant networks such as the TTP and BLA operating from Afghan territory.

Tajikistan, which shares a 1,400-kilometre border with Afghanistan, has also been affected by cross-border militancy. In December 2025, five individuals, including two Tajik security officers, were killed in an armed confrontation on the TajikAfghan border when militants attempted to infiltrate Tajik territory.

Russia, the only country that has formally recognized the Taliban regime in Afghanistan, has expressed concern that the regime undermines regional stability by allowing jihadist groups to operate from Afghan territory. These concerns intensified following a suicide attack on February 24 outside Moscows Savyolovsky Railway Station, which killed a police officer. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov linked the incident to Afghanistan-based groups. The Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has estimated that Afghanistan hosts between 20,000 and 23,000 militants, including approximately 5,000 to 7,000 affiliated with the TTP. Notably, Russia released this assessment of terrorist networks in Afghanistan two days before Pakistan initiated its military campaign against the Taliban, a move that may be interpreted as implicit political support.

The Taliban have also moved closer to Pakistans regional rival, India. Islamabad has alleged that groups such as the TTP and BLA operate as Indian proxies, a claim that New Delhi denies. The Talibans growing engagement with India has further raised concerns in Beijing. Amid mounting frustration over the Talibans inaction against militant groups operating from Afghan territory, Pakistan launched a large-scale military operation against the Taliban government on February 26, involving airstrikes across major Afghan cities, including Kabul.

IMPLICATIONS:

Operation Ghazab lil-Haq can be interpreted as an attempt to impose regime change in Kabul, though Pakistan is unlikely to achieve such an objective independently, without securing Chinas support and involving Tajikistan. It must also obtain backing from anti-Taliban groups such as the National Resistance Front (NRF), led by Tajik leader Ahmad Massoud, son of the late Ahmad Shah Massoud. Tajikistan presently hosts the NRF leadership. Pakistans airstrikes against the Taliban regime may create opportunities for the NRF and other opposition forces to weaken the Talibans internal control over Afghanistan.

Officially, Beijing has called on both Islamabad and Kabul to exercise restraint and has advocated a ceasefire. However, Pakistans ongoing military campaign against the Taliban likely carries tacit Chinese approval and support for a potential regime change effort. For such an operation, Islamabad would first need to secure control over the Wakhan Corridor in northeastern Afghanistan. This narrow strip of territory, often referred to as Afghanistans Chicken Neck, extends approximately 350 kilometers to Chinas Xinjiang region, separating Tajikistan from Pakistan. Control of the corridor would provide Pakistan with direct access to Tajikistan and Central Asia beyond Afghanistan. For China, the Wakhan Corridor represents a critical node for safeguarding its strategic connectivity with South and Central Asia under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). While China appears to be adopting a cautious, wait and watch approach, Pakistan is actively seeking to reshape Afghanistans political landscape.

The PakistanAfghanistan conflict is likely to adversely affect trans-Afghan connectivity projects aimed at linking Central and South Asia, whether in the planning, negotiation, or implementation stages. For example, regional connectivity featured prominently in PakistanKazakhstan discussions during President Kassym-Jomart Tokayevs visit to Islamabad in February 2026. A proposed US$ 7 billion railway project envisaged connecting Kazakhstan to the Pakistani ports of Karachi and Gwadar via Afghanistan and Turkmenistan.

Similarly, the UzbekistanAfghanistanPakistan (UAP) railway project is a trilateral initiative designed to connect Central Asia with the ports of Gwadar and Karachi through Afghanistan. Envisioned in 2021, the 850-kilometer corridor is expected to provide the first direct railway link between Central and South Asia. The US$ 4.8 billion project, scheduled for completion by 2027, will connect Tashkent to the Pakistani city of Peshawar via Kabul.

The US$ 10 billion TurkmenistanAfghanistanPakistanIndia (TAPI) gas pipeline is a major strategic energy project intended to transport gas from Turkmenistans Galkynysh field, the worlds second largest, to energy-deficient markets in South Asia, particularly India and Pakistan. However, the project has already been delayed for over three decades due to persistent instability and conflict in Afghanistan.

Regime change in Kabul that ensures peace and stability in Afghanistan would facilitate a conducive environment for the implementation and completion of strategic connectivity projects between Central and South Asia. Conversely, if such efforts intensify conflict in the already war-torn country, these projects are likely to face indefinite delays.

CONCLUSIONS:

Officially, Islamabad frames its military campaign as an effort to compel the Taliban regime to withdraw support for Afghanistan-based militant groups targeting Pakistan. However, the operation also appears intended to convey that regime change is a clear option, should the Taliban fail to take verifiable action against such groups operating from Afghan territory. For a comprehensive regime change effort, Pakistan, China, and Tajikistan would have to align their positions on the jihadist threats emanating from Afghanistan, which, after more than four years of Taliban rule, has effectively become a safe haven for militant groups. The outcomes of the current operation will in turn have a significant impact on the future of trans-Afghan connectivity projects.

AUTHORS BIO:

Syed Fazl-e-Haider is a Karachi-based analyst at the Wikistrat. He is a freelance columnist and the author of several books. He has contributed articles and analysis to a range of publications. He is a regular contributor to Eurasia Daily Monitor of Jamestown Foundation.

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
JetBlue has raised checked bag fees to offset the impact of higher jet fuel prices amid the Iran war.

Passengers must now pay at least $39 to check a bag, up $4 per bag from the previous $35 fee. Checking a second bag now costs at least $59, up from $50. Those rates apply to bags checked more than 24 hours before departure.

If passengers check their bags within 24 hours of departure, they will be charged an additional $10 per bag on top of those rates, according to the airline's website.

JetBlue increased the fees as airlines maneuver to cover their rising jet fuel costs, which have soared since the Iran war began. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has constrained oil supplies, driving up transportation costs for a range of industries.

Brent crude, the global benchmark, rose to $115 a barrel on Monday before falling to $107.95, according to data from Oilprice.com and FactSet. West Texas Intermediate, the U.S. benchmark, rose 2% to $101.70.

"As we experience rising operating costs, we regularly evaluate how to manage those costs while keeping base fares competitive and continuing to invest in the experience our customers value," JetBlue said in a statement to CBS News on Monday. "Adjusting fees for optional services used by select customers, such as checked baggage, allows us to continue offering more competitive fares."

The airline added that it only increases fees "when necessary."

Some airlines are passing higher fuel prices on to consumers in the form of jet fuel surcharges or higher ticket prices.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby last week told CBS News senior transportation correspondent Kris Van Cleave that elevated oil prices "create a lot of stress" for airlines, noting that United's airfares have increased between 15% to 20% over the past month.

On Friday, the average airfare for a same-day JetBlue flight was up 16.2%, to $368 for a one-way ticket, according to research from Deutsche Bank. Tickets for flights departing later in April were up 24%, to $286, for the airline.

Jet fuel costs account for roughly one-fifth of airlines' operating expenses.

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Namibia Critical Metals amends Lofdal JV with JOGMEC, adds funding for feasibility study Proactive uses images sourced from Shutterstock

Namibia Critical Metals (TSX-V:NMI, OTCQB:NMREF) said it has agreed with joint venture partner Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security to amend their earn-in agreement for the Lofdal heavy rare earths project in northwestern Namibia, adding funding to advance the project toward development.

Under the revised terms, JOGMEC will increase its earn-in expenditure commitment by C$3 million to support completion of a definitive feasibility study for the Lofdal 2B-4 deposit, alongside engineering, mine optimization and infrastructure planning work, the company said.

The additional funding will also cover resource drilling at the planned Area 2B mine and the Area 5 prospect, as the partners seek to de-risk the project and refine development plans.

The amendment includes an option for JOGMEC to provide pre-final investment decision capital funding, which would be non-interest bearing and non-dilutive to Namibia Critical Metals. The company holds the option to maintain its ownership stake by contributing its share of funding following a final investment decision.

The partners are targeting completion of the feasibility study in the second quarter of 2027. The amendment does not change the broader strategic framework of the joint venture, which is focused on developing Lofdal as a long-term supply of heavy rare earth elements for Japanese industry.

Lofdal is one of a limited number of deposits globally enriched in heavy rare earths, materials considered critical for advanced technologies including electric vehicles and wind turbines.
[Getty Images]

The global benchmark Brent crude oil price briefly hit $119 (90) per barrel on Tuesday, close to its highest since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Responding to the US-Israel air strikes which began on 28 February, Iran has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a key passage for ships carrying oil.

Wholesale oil prices have surged since and car fuel prices have jumped to their highest in years.

Countries are responding differently to rising oil prices, with Australia making bus travel free while Egypt asks shops, restaurants, and cafes to close early to cut energy use.

The global benchmark oil price is a contract to buy a barrel Brent crude one month from now. Its price pushes up the price of car fuel in turn, as oil is a key ingredient.

In the US, petrol prices at the pump topped $4 a gallon for the first time in nearly four years, according to the AAA motoring organisation.

In the UK, petrol has hit 152.8p a litre, its highest in two years and around 20p more than the start of the war, according to the RAC motoring organisation.

The average diesel price rose to 182.77p, its highest level since December 2022 and 40p more than at the start of the war.

RAC's head of policy Simon Williams said the price of petrol could stabilise "if the cost of oil doesn't increase further, although diesel still looks likely to rise".

Average energy bills in the UK are also forecast to rise an average of 288 a year from July for a typical dual-fuel household.

Last shipment of jet fuel

Airlines meanwhile have also been affected, as the price of jet fuel surges.

The last shipment of jet fuel in transit from the Middle East to the UK is due to arrive this week, according to data firm Vortexa.

The shipment, first reported by the Financial Times, is due to arrive on Thursday or Friday.

"In 2025 there were an average of eight cargoes en route from the Middle East to the UK at any one time, so having none en route is quite unusual," said Mick Strautmann, market analyst at Vortexa.

A UK government spokesperson said jet fuel shipments are continuing to arrive in the country.

"The UK receives imports of jet fuel from India, USA and the Netherlands as well as smaller amounts from a range of other countries," the spokesperson added.

However, Strautmann said while India has historically been a jet fuel supplier to the UK, "they are prioritising exports to Southeast Asia at the moment given very high prices and shorter distances".

"There have been some loads from West Africa, the US and to a smaller extent Netherlands and France heading to the UK, but overall volumes do not make up for the loss from the Middle East," he said.
T1 Energy Inc Q4 2025 Earnings Call Summary - Moby

Strategic Foundation and Operational Evolution

Management characterizes 2025 as a foundational year, with 2026 serving as a bridge to full vertical integration through the G2_Austin solar cell fab.

The G1_Dallas facility achieved maximum daily run rates over its 5 gigawatt capacity, validating operational scalability ahead of integrated production.

Strategic partnerships with Hemlock, Corning, and NextPower are being leveraged to establish a fully integrated American polysilicon-based solar supply chain.

Performance in Q4 was bolstered by merchant sales as customers cleared inventory to comply with new federal foreign content and ownership rules effective January 1.

Management is pivoting away from legacy service agreements with Trina, a move expected to save between $30 million and $100 million annually at full run rates.

The company successfully monetized its first Section 45x tax credits, validating a key cash flow stream under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).

2026 Bridge Year and 2027 Growth Trajectory

Phase 1 of G2_Austin is on schedule for first cell production by late 2026, with an initial annual capacity of 2.1 gigawatts.

Management maintains 2026 production targets of 3.1 to 4.2 gigawatts, expressing increased confidence in reaching the high end of that range.

Financial guidance assumes a sequential improvement in sales and EBITDA throughout 2026 as higher-margin contracted volumes replace legacy mix.

The company anticipates a significant shift in sales volume from Q1 to Q2 2026 due to customer requests and evolving regulatory timelines.

Strategic focus for 2027 centers on delivering a step-change in earnings through high domestic content modules that command premium pricing.

Regulatory Impacts and Asset Monetization

A $34 million sales commission waiver was received but could not be recognized in the P&L due to accounting standards, despite the positive cash impact.

Inventory sales into a weak year-end market resulted in $16 million lower net sales as the company prioritized 45x credit eligibility.

Higher-than-forecasted tariffs on imported cells created a $15 million headwind in advance of new supply chain restrictions.

Management is actively marketing Nordic data center assets, including a 50-megawatt grid allowance in Norway, to unlock non-core capital.

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Capital formation and funding timeline for G2_Austin Phase 1
Valued at a market cap of $102.8 billion, Boston Scientific Corporation (BSX) develops, manufactures, and markets medical devices for use in various interventional medical specialties. The Marlborough, Massachusetts-based company focuses on addressing unmet clinical needs across a wide spectrum of complex conditions, including cardiovascular, respiratory, digestive, oncological, neurological, and urological diseases. It is expected to announce its fiscal Q1 earnings for 2026 in the near future.

Before this event, analysts expect this healthcare company to report a profit of $0.80 per share, up 6.7% from $0.75 per share in the year-ago quarter. The company has topped Wall Streets bottom-line estimates in each of the last four quarters. Its earnings of $0.80 per share in the previous quarter exceeded the forecasted figure by 2.6%.

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For the current fiscal year, ending in December, analysts expect BSX to report a profit of $3.45 per share, up 12.8% from $3.06 per share in fiscal 2025. Furthermore, its EPS is expected to grow 13% year-over-year to $3.90 in fiscal 2027.

www.barchart.com

Shares of BSX have declined 31.4% over the past 52 weeks, notably underperforming both the S&P 500 Index's ($SPX) 11.9% return and the State Street Health Care Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLV) 1.2% drop over the same time period.

www.barchart.com

BSX has had a difficult start to the year, with its shares declining roughly 27.5% year-to-date. The downturn was triggered in part by its fourth-quarter results released on Feb. 4, after which the stock dropped 17.6%. On the surface, the results reflected solid operational performance. Its net sales increased 15.9% year-over-year to $5.3 billion, slightly ahead of analyst expectations of $5.27 billion. Its adjusted EPS rose 14.3% to $0.80, also beating the consensus estimate of $0.78.

However, markets tend to focus more on future outlook than past performance. Managements guidance for the first quarter came in slightly below Wall Street expectations, shifting investor sentiment toward near-term uncertainty despite strong quarterly execution.
Major supermarket chains, which have battled big-box retailers such as Walmart and Target for the nation's grocery business, are closing underperforming stores, as well as fulfillment centers and warehouses they no longer need.

The Kroger Co. said it will close three store locations in California in March and lay off 171 workers, according to WARN notices filed with the California Employment Development Department.

Kroger in November 2025 also closed nine fulfillment centers across the country and eliminated about 1,700 jobs. The company, which operates about 2,700 supermarkets across 35 states and Washington, D.C., also revealed in June 2025 that it would close 60 stores over 18 months.

Another major supermarket chain owner, Ahold Delhaize USA, said its Giant Food and The Giant Company supermarket chains would close six centralized e-commerce fulfillment centers located in Pennsylvania and Virginia in early 2026, as the grocery chains transition to a local, store-first fulfillment network.

Albertsons closing 2 Texas stores

Albertsons Companies Inc. has been closing stores as well, as it filed notices with the state of Texas and its employees, notifying them that it will close two North Texas supermarkets and lay off 138 workers by April 25.

The Boise, Idaho-based supermarket chain filed Worker Adjustment & Retraining Notification notices on March 25 with the state for Store No. 4286 in Fort Worth, Texas, and Store No. 106 in Euless, Texas, asserting the stores will close.

In the Euless notice, the company said it informed employees on March 9 that it would close its 1155 N. Main Street store and lay off 82 employees by April 25.

Albertsons is closing two supermarkets in North Texas and laying off 138 workers.Shutterstock  Shutterstock

Company sends WARN notices

"On Monday, March 9, 2026, we had meetings to notify our associates of the closure of Albertsons Store No. 0106," the company wrote in the notice, WFAA-TV reported.

The Fort Worth notice said the company will close its store at 6700 W. Freeway and lay off 52 workers on or before April 25.

Albertsons workers offered other positions

"Opportunities for continued employment at other company locations are available and it is our intent to place as many associates as possible," the company wrote in the notice.

Albertsons closed two Tom Thumb grocery locations in Plano and Allen, Texas, in 2025, but also opened a Tom Thumb store in Denton, Texas, in December 2025.

"In such a competitive environment, the company must sometimes make the tough decision to close an underperforming store while reinvesting in the remaining stores in the marketplace," an Albertson's spokesperson told The Dallas Morning News.
San Diego, California-based ResMed Inc. (RMD) develops, manufactures, distributes, and markets medical devices and cloud-based software applications to diagnose, treat, and manage respiratory disorders in the United States and internationally. Valued at $32.1 billion, the company is expected to release its Q3 2026 earnings soon.

Ahead of the event, analysts expect the companys EPS to be $2.77 on a diluted basis, up 16.9% from $2.37 in the year-ago quarter. The company has exceeded Wall Streets EPS estimates in each of its last four quarters.

More News from Barchart

For fiscal 2026, analysts project the companys EPS to be $10.98, up 15% from $9.55 in fiscal 2025. Moreover, its EPS is expected to rise by roughly 9.1% year over year (YoY) to $11.98 in fiscal 2027.

www.barchart.com

RMD stock has declined marginally over the past 52 weeks, underperforming the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 11.9% rise but slightly rallying the State Street Healthcare Select Sector SPDR ETFs (XLV) 1.2% decline during the same time frame.

www.barchart.com

On Jan. 29, RMD stock declined marginally following the release of its Q2 2026 earnings. The companys revenue increased 11% from the prior years quarter to $1.4 billion and surpassed Wall Street estimates. Moreover, its adjusted EPS for the quarter amounted to $2.81, also topping the Streets estimates. However, the stock has been exhibiting slower-than-average revenue growth compared to its competitors, leading to a loss of investor confidence.

Analysts are moderately bullish on RMD, with the stock having a Moderate Buy rating overall. Among the 19 analysts covering the stock, eight are recommending a Strong Buy, two recommend a Moderate Buy, eight suggest a Hold, and one analyst advises Strong Sell for the stock. RMDs average analyst price target is $295.23, indicating an upside of 33.9% from the current levels.

On the date of publication, Aritra Gangopadhyay did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com
WTW has introduced new organisational structures to its Insurance Consulting and Technology operations in the EMEA region.

The changes include the creation of dedicated P&C (Property & Casualty) and Life business units for the region.

According to WTW, these changes are a response to increasing technological changes in the insurance sector and client requirements.

Tim Rourke has been named leader of the new EMEA P&C business.

Rourke has over 25 years experience in the industry and most recently was UK head of P&C pricing, product, claims and underwriting.

In the new position, he will focus on growing the P&C sector, strengthening links between offices across EMEA, and connecting the firms insurance innovation and AI services with client demands.

Michael Kluttgens will lead the EMEA Life business.

Earlier divisional leader for Northern and Central Europe at WTW, he is taking on responsibility for developing the divisions life consulting services, including analytics, AI applications, and technology-driven solutions for clients.

Tammy Richardson, formerly European regional leader for Insurance Consulting and Technology, has moved into a wider role focused on implementing WTWs global AI transformation strategy.

WTW Insurance Consulting and Technology global leader Frank Schepers said: Strengthening our P&C and Life leadership reflects the scale of demand for integrated, technology-enabled insurance solutions across EMEA. Tim and Michael bring exceptional client insight, deep industry expertise and proven leadership.

Together, they will help drive our next phase of growth as we sharpen our focus on the unique needs of our clients and accelerate AI adoption across the insurance value chain.

WTWs Insurance Consulting and Technology arm provides software and advisory support to insurers in P&C, life, and health sectors.

Its services extend to pricing, underwriting, reserving, capital modelling, claims management, portfolio oversight, and regulatory reporting. The division operates in 35 markets with more than 1,700 employees.

WTW returned to profit in 2025, with net income reaching $1.61bn, compared with a net loss of $88m in 2024. Full-year revenues dropped by 2% to $9.71bn.

"WTW overhauls EMEA insurance leadership" was originally created and published by Life Insurance International, a GlobalData owned brand.




The easiest way to miss whats happening is to stare at the consumer apps and congratulate yourself on spotting the obvious. On that surface, the U.S. still gets to feel nice and sovereign. SSRS said this month that 52% of Americans use AI platforms weekly, with ChatGPT at 36%, Gemini at 26%, and Copilot at 14%. Similarwebs U.S. rankings still lean heavily American, too , putting ChatGPT, Gemini, Claude, Grok, and OpenAI in the top five. The storefront looks domestic enough to keep the branding neat and the nerves calm.

Chinas open approach has essentially created a feedback loop where adoption drives iteration and then more adoption  a self-reinforcing competitive advantage, as the USCC said; some estimates now put Chinese open-source models inside around 80% of U.S. AI startups. A Stanford HAIs DigiChina brief says that Chinese-made open-weight models are now unavoidable in the competitive AI landscape and are increasingly being adopted in the U.S. Washington is selling sovereignty. The market is buying whatever works.

Thats a lot of fancy bureaucrat language for a very simple problem: The U.S. keeps grandstanding about a national mission while China keeps shipping a product that travels well.

Washington has already been warned that this growing migration isnt some niche side plot for engineers with tabs open on Hugging Face. In mid-March, the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission warned that Chinese open-weight models have become hard to wave away. The report said that China has gone all in on open-source AI, that widespread adoption is feeding faster iteration, and that the result is creating alternative pathways to AI leadership. The open ecosystem, the report said, enables China to innovate close to the frontier despite significant compute constraints  and now Chinese labs have narrowed performance gaps with top Western large language models.

While the public face of AI in the U.S. still looks comfortably domestic, more Chinese technology keeps slipping into the guts of the machine  the coding tools, the cloud marketplaces, and the parts of the stack most people never see. The stars-and-stripes rhetoric is getting harder to square. Patriotic branding is easy. Patriotic procurement is where things can get ugly.

The U.S. patriotic sales pitch is everywhere now  global AI dominance, national mission, strategic race, democratic values, and all the usual chest-thumping language that the AI industry has started borrowing from Washington. But behind the red, white, and blue branding, developers and platforms keep making a different calculation: Chinese models are good, cheap, open, and increasingly hard to avoid.

American AI has started speaking in the booming baritone of national purpose. But its doing a lot of flag-waving for an industry that keeps letting Chinese models into the building.

Story Continues

The more consequential shift is happening backstage, where engineers pick base models, companies choose tooling, and procurement decisions turn into architecture before anybody bothers to call them strategy. According to Hugging Face, China has surpassed the U.S. in both monthly and overall downloads on its platform, with Chinese models accounting for 41% of downloads over the past year. Stanford HAIs DigiChina brief says that between August 2024 and August 2025, Chinese open-model developers made up 17.1% of all Hugging Face downloads, slightly ahead of U.S. developers at 15.8%. Last week, seven of the 10 most popular models on OpenRouter were Chinese.

OpenRouters 100 trillion-token study found that Chinese open-source models rose from a negligible base in late 2024 to nearly 30% of total usage in some weeks, averaging about 13% of weekly token volume over the year it studied. DeepSeek was the single largest open-source contributor by volume on the platform, with Qwen ranked second. The work itself is changing, too. OpenRouter says Chinese open models are no longer mainly for roleplay and hobbyist messing around; programming and technology together now make up a combined 39% of Chinese open-source use on the platform.

Cursor, one of the hottest American AI companies around, admitted this month that its Composer 2 coding model was, in a licensed partnership, built on top of Moonshot AIs Kimi K2.5 before layering on its own training. Moonshot, one of Chinas most promising AI startups, is based in Beijing  and valued at around $18 billion, more than quadrupling its value in three months. Seeing our model integrated effectively through Cursors continued pretraining & high-compute RL training is the open model ecosystem we love to support, Moonshot wrote on X. Cursor executives said that Kimi performed best in the companys evaluations, and Business Insider reported that the resulting product came in at about one-tenth the cost of Anthropics Opus 4.6.

Companies ranging from Airbnb to Siemens have openly used Chinese models. So AI startup darlings and established companies alike are increasingly passing over expensive proprietary U.S. models in favor of lower-cost Chinese ones that have closed much of the performance gap. The market has started treating model nationality as secondary  and largely irrelevant  to whether the thing works well, ships fast, and costs less.

Open has become a geopolitical business model

The White House itself has said that open-source and open-weight systems matter because startups need flexibility and because companies with sensitive data cant always ship to a closed-model vendor. Thats true. Thats also exactly why Chinese open models have become such a headache for the American AI nationalism story. The U.S. governments recognition arrives after years where American AI prestige became bound up with closed APIs, elite model subscriptions, and the idea that the best systems should be tightly controlled by a handful of companies. That approach may still win at the very frontier, but its less obviously suited to winning the layer underneath, where developers pick and choose what they can actually afford to use.

Beijing has increasingly framed open-weight AI as part of a broader diplomatic and commercial pitch  a model of shared technological development contrasted against U.S. export controls, supply-chain restrictions, and closed systems. Open models as a soft-power product. They tell countries that Chinese AI is modifiable and not locked behind an American API tollbooth. Stanford researchers have warned that broad adoption of Chinese open-weight models could reshape global reliance patterns, creating new technological dependencies even when the model weights themselves are downloadable.

Alibabas Qwen family has built the largest model ecosystem on Hugging Face, with more than 113,000 derivative models, or more than 200,000 if you count everything tagged Qwen  surpassing Metas Llama in cumulative downloads on the platform. RAND found in January that traffic to China-based LLMs had jumped 460% in two months and that Chinese models global market share had risen from 3% to 13% over that stretch. RAND also said Chinese models  such as DeepSeek, Qwen, and Zhipus ChatGLM  can run about one-sixth to one-fourth the cost of U.S. rivals. Thats a nasty combination for any American company trying to sell patriotic virtue at premium pricing.

The old story had America building the tools and the rest of the world renting access. The newer one has Chinese labs becoming the substrate for tools that may still wear American branding on the surface.

More than a dozen Chinese organizations are openly releasing powerful models. Hugging Face says the number of repositories from popular Chinese organizations exploded in 2025, with ByteDance and Tencent sharply increasing releases and firms that once leaned closed moving toward open releases. China has been shipping a coherent theory of spread. The U.S. has been shipping a mixed economy of premium closed models, open-weight branding, and internal arguments about what open even means. The U.S. open field is split among open-weight branding, genuinely open research, lightweight portable families, and agent-focused stacks  see: Metas open-weight-but-restricted Llama, Ai2s genuinely open OLMo line, Googles lighter Gemma family, NVIDIAs agentic stack  which makes the ecosystem stronger in spots but less unified as a doctrine.

Even Chinas own market has started treating openness less as an ideology than as a go-to-market plan. In February, Baidu  long one of the loudest defenders of closed models  said it would make its next-generation Ernie model open-source, a major strategic reversal. DeepSeek had upended the sector, and Baidus CEO said opening things up would help the technology spread faster. Open in this race increasingly means scalable distribution, faster adoption, and broader developer lock-in.

U.S. cloud giants are normalizing Chinese models

It would be one thing if Chinese open models were still living out on the internet as vaguely exotic artifacts for hobbyists. In that case, the patriotism problem would be manageable. But they arent. The hyperscalers have brought them inside.

Amazon Bedrock says it supports more than 100 foundation models, including DeepSeek, Moonshot AI, MiniMax, and OpenAI. AWS has also rolled out specific DeepSeek and Qwen offerings, and its marketing around DeepSeek is enterprise-grade security, unified infrastructure, and customer data that is not shared with model providers. Microsoft is doing the same thing in a tidier corporate dialect. Azure Foundrys catalog includes DeepSeek and Moonshots Kimi among the models sold directly by Azure, and Microsofts own Foundry updates have touted Kimis reasoning chops as part of the platforms expanding lineup. Foreign model in, respectable enterprise product out. The geopolitical edge gets sanded down by procurement convenience, unified billing, and the general corporate desire to pretend every uncomfortable choice is merely a feature.

A Chinese open model inside an American cloud, billed on an American invoice, wrapped in American enterprise controls, stops looking like a geopolitical event and starts looking like procurement.

Google Clouds Vertex AI has gone down the same road. Its DeepSeek docs say the models are available as fully managed, serverless APIs, and Google explicitly recommends pairing DeepSeek R1 with Model Armor for production safety. Elsewhere in Vertex AI, Google lists open models with global endpoint support that include DeepSeek, Kimi, MiniMax, Qwen, and GLM right alongside OpenAIs gpt-oss models. Any geopolitical edge gets sanded down by the product design itself: same console, same endpoint logic, same managed-service vocabulary, same enterprise reassurances.

Nvidia lists DeepSeek in its model catalog. Databricks has joined the party, too. This month, it put Qwen3-Embedding-0.6B into public preview for retrieval and agent workloads, pitching it as a state-of-the-art multilingual embedding model optimized for vector search and AI agents. Thats how dependencies settle in. One team adopts it for search. Another team plugs it into agents. A few quarters later, the strategic problem has release notes and a renewal cycle.

There are two different China problems hiding in the AI story. One is the Chinese-hosted app problem. DeepSeeks privacy policy says it directly collects, processes, and stores personal data in the Peoples Republic of China. The other is the Chinese-origin model problem  weights and model families that get pulled into U.S. clouds, U.S. products, and U.S. workflows. A national project starts looking a lot less national when its most useful parts keep showing up from somewhere else. American AI wants the pageantry of sovereignty and the convenience of a global shopping aisle. It wants Washington to treat it like a national champion and developers to treat every foreign model like a harmless bargain. But markets are funny that way. They keep buying what works.

Running an open model locally or on trusted infrastructure can mitigate some data and governance risks. Thats why the hyperscalers matter here. They turn a politically fraught dependency into something that feels manageable and corporate. The result is that many enterprise buyers can have Chinese model performance without the unnerving part of feeling as though they are leaving the American stack.

That leaves the U.S. in a strange position. It still has enormous advantages in chips, cloud infrastructure, capital markets, and top-end frontier labs. But the countrys political language around AI keeps assuming that technical leadership will naturally translate into downstream loyalty. It wont. Not in open models  and not in software generally. Developers are promiscuous. Procurement teams are unsentimental. Cloud platforms are agnostic right up until the invoice clears. If Washington wants American values to matter in AI purchasing, itll need more than speeches about bias and dominance. Itll need American models that are open enough, cheap enough, and ubiquitous enough that choosing them doesnt feel like a patriotic sacrifice. Right now, the market seems increasingly unwilling to pay that premium.
By Rocky Swift

TOKYO, March 31 (Reuters) - Massive investments in artificial intelligence that underpinned record runs in equities face a major hurdle as the Middle East crisis clouds prospects for growth and energy costs, said Melissa Otto, head of research at S&P Global Visible Alpha.

Before the Iran war broke out, tech giants Microsoft, Amazon, Alphabet and Meta planned to spend about $635 billion on data centres, chips, and other AI infrastructure in 2026, S&P Global has said.

That figure was up from $383 billion the prior year and just $80 billion in 2019.

Although tech companies have yet to signal cutbacks in those capital investments, persistently high oil prices could force spending revisions in the first and second quarters, bringing a "really meaningful correction in all equity markets," Otto said.

"I think if the capex numbers get pulled back, if in fact energy prices are not reflected in earnings, that could be a catalyst," she added in an interview in Tokyo on Monday.

Euphoria over AI had carried global stock indexes beyond the highs of 2025, with bright hopes for the trend to run further, but it has lost steam since the conflict.

At the same time, energy costs are becoming a constraint.

Data centres require vast amounts of electricity, making the AI dependent on power prices and infrastructure capacity.

At the CERAWeek energy conference in Houston last week, oil executives warned supply risks are not fully reflected in prices, Otto said, raising concerns about further increases with ripple effects for the global economy.

"We're seeing this big question around global growth," Otto added. "Because if you have energy prices jumping 30%, that's going to hurt consumers, that's going to hurt companies."

(Reporting by Rocky Swift; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Ernie Hudson has spoken about his enduring friendship with Bill Murray.

Ernie Hudson has spoken about his enduring friendship with Bill Murray

Revealing that his former Ghostbusters co-star still calls him out of the blue decades after the films release, Ernie, 80, reflected on his long-running connections with fellow cast members from the 1984 film while speaking to Page Six, describing how he remains in contact with Bill and Dan Aykroyd.

Ernie added Bills unconventional communication style remains unchanged, noting the actor does not regularly use a mobile phone.

The actor said: (Bill) will call me out of the blue and invite me to something or other that Im probably not able to do. I tell him, You call me out of the blue. But when I call you, you never return my call!.

Ernie also recalled a moment from the filming of Ghostbusters, when he nearly left without taking a keepsake from the production.

He said Harold Ramis, who died aged 69, encouraged him to take his costume.

Ernie said: I didnt think wed be allowed to take (the iconic costume.)

And Harold Ramis said, Ernie. Were the Ghostbusters. Take the jumpsuit! So, I have my jumpsuit.

Ernies comments come as he continues to work across film and television, most recently starring alongside Donnie Wahlberg in the CBS series Boston Blue, a spin-off of Blue Bloods.

The original show, which also starred Tom Selleck, aired from 2010 to 2024 and followed a family involved in law enforcement.

Ernie plays Reverend Peters in the spin-off, which follows Donnies character relocating to Boston and forming new relationships.

Ernie said he remains connected to Dan through family ties, noting that his wife, Linda Kingsberg, is friends with Dans wife, Donna Dixon.

He added discussions about future plans with Bill have taken place, including the possibility of travelling together.

Ernie also spoke about his current work on Boston Blue.

He said the episode Beautiful Broken Things offered insight into his character.

Ernie added it was very revealing for me, character-wise and great to be able to play.

Ernie said he would welcome the chance to work with Tom.

He added: I would love to have a chance to work with Tom, just to meet him. Because Ive been out here acting for over 60 years and hes been around about all that time as well. Im still hoping he might visit (Boston Blue.)
Venture capitalist Chamath Palihapitiya argued that brand moats are heading to zero as cheaper, faster, better products erode brand pricing power across most categories.

Brand Pricing Power Fades

Speaking on the All-In Podcast, Chamath discussed the factors that create strong competitive advantages for businesses, known as moats. He also expressed skepticism about the long-term strength of brands in the face of AI-driven innovation.

If I had to bet, Im going to bet that brands go to zero, Chamath said. He argued that in a world of digital abundance, consumers prioritize products that offer better value and quality over brand loyalty.

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Legacy Brands Lose Ground To Value

Chamath cited Tesla Inc. displacing BMW, Mercedes and Porsche, and what BYD Co. and Geely Automobile Holdings Ltd. have done to legacy automakers in China, as an example of value-eroding brand pricing power.

The data support Chamath's point: in January, Tesla's four U.S.-made models claimed the top four positions on Cars.com's 2025 American-Made Index, with the Model 3 returning to No. 1.

Meanwhile, BMW's i4 sold 20,114 units in the U.S. in 2025, a 14.1% decline from the previous year.

Even globally, BYD outpaced Tesla with a 28% increase in pure electric vehicle sales in 2025, claiming the top spot in the global EV market and expanding beyond China.

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Abundance Over Affiliation

Chamaths core thesis is that companies delivering abundance at lower unit costs capture share  and that even luxury is not immune. He also pointed to the stock charts of LVMH Moet and Ferrari as evidence that pricing power is eroding across categories, though the Silicon Valley investor noted this is not a commentary on the quality of the products themselves.

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock/ wutzkohphoto

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Changan Automobile officially launched production at its new plant in Anapolis, Brazil, as the Chinese state-owned automaker continued to step up its overseas expansion strategy. The new facility was built in partnership with its local distributor, CAOA Group, with the aim of producing vehicles for sale domestically and for export to markets across Latin America.

The BRL 5 billion (US$ 952 million) facility has an initial production capacity of 90,000 vehicles, with the first locally assembled model, the Changan UNI-T SUV, rolling off the production line at the end of March 2026. The Changan UNI-T is powered by the companys 1.5-litre Turbo GDi BlueCore Flex engine, which can run on gasoline, ethanol, or a combination of the two. The company plans to also produce battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and hybrids at the plant.

Changan said it plans to ramp up local content in Brazil by integrating its operations with the local automotive ecosystem and by supporting technology transfers from China, as part of its global expansion drive. The company pointed out that its vehicles are now sold in 118 countries and regions, with overseas sales rising by 19% to 637,000 units last year  accounting for more than 20% of its 2.91 million global sales.

"Changan launches vehicle production in Brazil" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand.




This story was originally published on Manufacturing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Manufacturing Dive newsletter.

March has seen large manufacturing announcements from Apple, GE Aerospace and Toyota. Here are five other smaller but notable investments ranging from AeroVironment to TerraPower, in alphabetical order.

AeroVironment

AeroVironment plans to invest more than $30 million to expand its manufacturing operations in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The investment will expand operations across its three existing manufacturing sites in the Sandia Science & Technology Park while supporting major capital equipment purchases and workforce growth. The project is supported by an initial $5 million from New Mexico and $1 million from Albuquerque under the Local Economic Development Act and is tied to hiring milestones.

AeroVironment acquired Empirical Systems Aerospace, a producer of unmanned aircraft systems and advanced air mobility platforms, for $200 million. ESAero is recognized for its deep engineering expertise, innovative electric and hybrid propulsion capabilities, rapid aerospace prototyping, and AS9100 Certified UAS manufacturing, AeroVironment said in a news release. It said the purchase will help the firm transition from design to advanced manufacturing, as well as strengthen its ability to produce electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

Fanuc America

Fanuc America announced plans for a $90 million investment for a new 840,000-square-foot facility in Michigan providing space for the potential expansion of the companys existing U.S.-based manufacturing capabilities for robots. Scheduled for completion in late 2027, the project expands Fanuc Americas engineering and advanced manufacturing to support growing demand for automation solutions across North America, including physical AI, virtual commissioning and digital-twin technologies, the company said in a news release.

Hyundai Translead

Hyundai Translead plans to expand its trailer-manufacturing operations into the United States with two advanced manufacturing facilities in Will County, Illinois. The $450 million investment will increase the companys annual capacity and create about 2,500 full-time jobs, it said in a news release. According to Hyundai Translead, the new facilities will span 52 acres comprising former Caterpillar and Lion Electric sites. The company said they will enhance logistics capabilities and product delivery by reducing landed costs and lead times, as well as leverage a growing dealer network.
Oracle has cut an unspecified number of jobs as the software giant looks to reduce costs and continue growing its artificial intelligence business, according to former employees and multiple reports.

Numerous former employees posted on LinkedIn on Tuesday, March 31, that Oracle fired them. It's uncertain how many workers were affected, but CNBC reported that the company's layoffs were in the thousands, citing persons familiar with the move.

Those who posted about the firings held positions in software engineering and cybersecurity. Elsewhere on Reddit, in what is labeled an Oracle employees group, there was discussion about job cuts in Canada, India and the United States over the last week.

Oracle declined to comment to USA TODAY. As of March 31, the company had not filed a recent Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act notice, a legally required warning that employers with 100 or more employees must provide 60 calendar-day advance notice of planned closings and mass layoffs.

Gas prices: Per gallon price reaches highest point in years. How Iran war is hitting consumers

Why would Oracle want to lay off employees?

Workers were notified by email, several online commenters said. The emails began arriving in employees inboxes at about 6 a.m. local time, Fast Company reported.

"After careful consideration of Oracle's current business needs, we have made the decision to eliminate your role as part of a broader organizational change," read copies of the email obtained by Business Insider. "As a result, today is your last working day."The job reductions could account for about 30,000 jobs, or about 18% of Oracle's total workforce, Luke Yang, an analyst with the research firm Morningstar, told USA TODAY.

The layoff "should improve Oracle's operating efficiency  and boost its revenue per headcount significantly," to match competitors such as Microsoft, Yang said.

"The main areas affected are most likely software engineering because AI-based coding tools (Codex, Claude Code) have dramatically improved software engineers' efficiency," Yang said. "This round's layoff is global. We see some engineers in India got impacted, too. I don't think the layoff would affect Oracle Cloud Infrastructure's ramp-up plans."

Oracle had been planning to cut thousands of jobs as early as the end of March, Bloomberg reported on March 5, to save money and offset its AI data center expansion.

In January, President Donald Trump announced the Stargate venture to ramp up U.S. AI deployment, with Oracle Executive Chairman Larry Ellison, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, and SoftBank CEO Masayoshi Son at the White House. Ellison said the first of the project's data centers is currently under construction in Texas.
RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is one of the best defense contractor stocks to buy right now. On March 13, RTX secured a $2.01 billion contract modification from the US Air Force. The contract covers work on the Advanced Extremely High Frequency (AEHF) terminal system.

RTX Corporation (RTX) Secures $2.01 Billion US Air Force Modification Contract

AEHF is a satellite communications system that delivers secure, jam-resistant communications for high-priority military assets. The modification is poised to increase the total value of the original contract signed in 2021 to $2.97 billion from $960 million. RTX is to conduct operations under the modification contract at the Marlboro, Massachusetts, and Largo, Florida, facilities.

The $2.01 modification contract comes on the heels of the US Navy awarding RTX a $498 contract last year for the production, testing, and delivery of fully integrated Navy Multiband terminals.

RTX has also confirmed that it has completed the expansion of its Redstone Raytheon Missile Integration facility. Completion of the 26,000-square-foot expansion follows a $115 million capital investment and is poised to increase the facilitys capacity by more than 50%.

RTX Corporation (NYSE:RTX) is a premier global aerospace and defense company that provides advanced systems to commercial, military, and government customers. It produces advanced weapons systems, such as the Tomahawk Land Attack Missile and the Patriot air defense system.

While we acknowledge the potential of RTX as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: 10 Robinhood Stocks with High Potential and 15 Best Forever Stocks to Buy Now.

Disclosure: None. Follow Insider Monkey on Google News.
SEOUL, March 31 (Reuters) - South Korea's Samsung SDI said it has extended the maturity of a 1.6 trillion won ($1.05 billion) loan to StarPlus Energy, its battery joint venture with Stellantis.

The company said in a regulatory filing that the loan, which will be used to fund capital investment, has its term extended from March 31, 2026, to June 30, 2026. The loan was first announced in April 2024.

Last month, Bloomberg reported that Stellantis was looking to exit its U.S. battery joint venture with Samsung SDI as the automaker scales back its electric vehicle plans.

Stellantis previously announced more than $26.5 billion in writedowns, hammering its shares as traditional automakers pay the price of misjudging the switch to cleaner driving.

Shares in Samsung SDI closed 1.1% down outperforming a 4.3% fall for the benchmark KOSPI index.

($1 = 1,526.9000 won)

(Reporting by Heejin Kim and Heekyong YangEditing by Himani Sarkar, Jamie Freed and David Goodman)
Laura Dern is attached to star in a new limited series about the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein.

Laura Dern is attached to star in a new limited series about the investigation into Jeffrey Epstein

The actress, 59, will portray journalist Julie K. Brown in the scripted series based on Browns book Perversion of Justice: The Jeffrey Epstein Story, with the project now being shopped by Sony Pictures Television.

It centres on Browns reporting for the Miami Herald, which renewed scrutiny on Epsteins crimes and legal treatment.

The series is described as charting Browns years-long investigation, during which she identified 80 victims, persuaded survivors to go on the record and exposed a secret plea deal between Epstein and federal prosecutors, ultimately leading to the arrests of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

The adaptation is being written by Sharon Hoffman, who will also serve as executive producer and co-showrunner alongside Eileen Myers.

Laura will executive produce in addition to starring, with Adam McKay and Kevin Messick producing through Hyperobject Industries.

Brown will also serve as an executive producer on the project.

In its official description, the series is described as an explosive account of an investigative reporter exposing the secret plea deal between Epstein and federal prosecutors.

It adds: Drawing from Browns experience as a groundbreaking reporter for the Miami Herald, the book and the limited series follow her relentless years-long investigation that identified 80 victims, persuaded key survivors to go on the record, and led to Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwells arrests.

The project is expected to be the first scripted series focused on the Epstein case, which has previously been explored through documentaries and documentary series.

Epstein operated a high-profile sex trafficking ring for years, involving influential figures and prompting widespread media coverage and legal action.

Adam McKays production company has increasingly focused on projects addressing topical subject matter.

He first gained recognition directing comedies such as Anchorman and Talladega Nights, before moving into films including The Big Short and Dont Look Up, as well as producing television series such as Succession.

Laura has established a long career across film and television, receiving nine Emmy Award nominations and winning in 2017 for her supporting role in Big Little Lies.

She has also received three Academy Award nominations, winning best supporting actress for Marriage Story.

Her additional credits include the Jurassic Park franchise, Little Women and Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
The BA.3.2 variant of SARS-COV-2, nicknamed Cicada, is gaining ground across the U.S. and globally. Grafissimo/iStock via Getty Images Plus

A variant of COVID-19 called BA.3.2, which has circulated under the radar since late 2024, is now spreading quickly across the United States.

As a pulmonary and critical care doctor, I see many patients who are at high risk for severe COVID-19 due to chronic lung disease, as well as patients living with long COVID. All of them ask me how worried they should be about new variants of the virus.

Theres no sign so far that BA.3.2, nicknamed Cicada, is any more dangerous or causes more severe disease than the variants that were circulating in the winter of 2025-26. But because its significantly different from them, the current COVID-19 vaccine may not be as effective against it.

Where did the BA.3.2 variant come from?

BA.3.2 is descended from the omicron variant, which emerged in late 2021.

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Compared to the current predominant strains of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, BA.3.2 carries 70 to 75 genetic changes in its spike protein, the part of the virus that helps it get into cells. The spike protein is also the part of the virus that vaccines rely on to coax peoples immune systems into recognizing the virus.

Researchers first identified BA.3.2 in November 2024 in Africa. It started its global trek in 2025 and had made it to 23 countries as of February 2026.

The first U.S. case was detected in a traveler coming into the U.S. in June 2025. Since then, it has been detected in patients and the wastewater systems of 29 states.

Wastewater monitoring is one of the best early methods of detecting strain shift, though the number of states submitting wastewater data to the CDC has declined since around 2022, after the height of the pandemic.

What makes BA.3.2 variant different?

All viruses change over time  and the type of virus that causes COVID-19 does so especially quickly. Every time the virus copies itself inside a cell, its genetic material mutates. Most of these changes disappear, but occasionally one gives the virus an advantage over other variants, allowing that version to spread.

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These changes make it harder for the immune system to recognize the virus.

Think of it like showing up to your 25th high school reunion and seeing people who have put on weight, dyed their hair and started wearing tinted contacts. You will recognize them, but it might take longer. Had you seen them every month or so for those 25 years, you would recognize them right away.

Similarly, changes to a virus genetic material also affect how well vaccines work. Vaccines prime peoples immune systems by reminding them of what the virus looks like. Scientists design vaccines based on the most common versions of a virus circulating at a given time.

Current COVID-19 vaccines are made to protect against strains from the JN.1 lineage of the virus, which have been the most common strains in the U.S. since January 2024. However, BA.3.2 is the new kid in the block  its almost a complete stranger to residents of the U.S. It is different enough from the JN.1 strains that the vaccine may not do as good a job of priming the immune system against it, allowing it to evade detection.

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This doesnt mean you shouldnt get a vaccine  a large body of evidence shows that they reduce hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19. But a poorly matched vaccine simply wont recognize the new variant as quickly, which means it takes longer for the immune system to mount its defense.

What dangers does the BA.3.2 variant pose?

Because peoples immune systems arent as good at detecting BA.3.2, this variant may infect people more widely, potentially leading to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

But even though BA.3.2 is spreading quickly, theres no indication that its any more dangerous or that it causes more severe disease than the COVID-19 variants that have circulated widely over the past few years.

The immune systems of people in the U.S. are not familiar with the new variant. Guido Mieth/DigitalVision via Getty Images

However, especially given that current vaccines may not be as effective against it, protection remains important. Thats particularly true for people with chronic health conditions, who can experience severe illness from a COVID-19 infection.

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And while the number of people who develop long COVID has declined as the virus has changed since early in the pandemic, it still occurs in about 3 in 100 cases.

Protecting yourself and your community

People can take these commonsense steps to avoid getting or spreading COVID-19:

First, wash your hands after using the bathroom, before preparing food or eating, and after being in contact with a sick person. Hand-washing decreases the chance of a respiratory infection by 16% to 21%.

Second, if you feel unwell, stay home  not just to take care of yourself, but to prevent spreading disease. You may be hesitant to miss work or school, but the person sitting next to you might have a condition, such as cancer or chronic lung disease, that puts them at risk for severe infection, or they might live with someone who does.

Third, get outside. Reducing your time in crowded environments reduces your chance of exposure.

Finally, if you have concerns about your risk of developing a severe infection due to your own health conditions, talk to a trusted clinician who can offer advice thats specific to your circumstances.

This article has been updated from a previous version that incorrectly referred to the viruss genetic material as DNA. The virus that causes COVID-19 is an RNA virus.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Kyle B. Enfield, University of Virginia

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Kyle B. Enfield does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
Artemis II Is Not Safe to Fly

Our test facilities cant reach the combination of heat flux, pressure, shear stresses, etc., that an actual reentering spacecraft does. Were always having to wait for the flight test to get the final certification that our system is good to go.Jeremy VanderKam, deputy manager for Orions heat shield, speaking in 2022

On Wednesday, NASA will attempt to send four astronauts around the moon on a mission called Artemis II. This will be second flight of NASAs SLS rocket, and the first time the 20-year-old Orion capsule flies with people on board.

The trouble is that the heat shield on Orion blows chunks. Not in some figurative, pejorative sense, but in the sense that when NASA flew this exact mission in 2022, large pieces of material blew out of Orions heat shield during re-entry, leaving divots. Large bolts embedded in the heat shield also partially eroded and melted through.

NASAs initial instinct was to cover up the problem. In early press releases, they stressed that both rocket and spacecraft had performed exceptionally, while declining to publish the post-flight assessment review. The first mention of heat shield damage came from Orion program manager Howard Hu on a call with reporters in March of 2023. Hu said: we observed there were more variations across the heat shield than we expected; some of the expected char material that we would expect coming back home ablated away differently than what our computer models and what our ground testing predicted.

Asked by a journalist to quantify the char loss in a January 2024 phone call, Moon-to-Mars Deputy Administrator Amit Kshatriya said: it was very small localized areas. Interestingly, it would be much easier for us to analyze if we had larger chunks and it was more defined. A Lockheed Martin representative on the same call added that "there was a healthy margin remaining of that virgin Avcoat. So it wasnt like there were large, large chunks.

It wasnt until May 2024, when the Office of the Inspector General released photographs of the heat shield, that the extent of the damage became clear. The problem wasnt char loss or excessive ablation, but deep gouges and holes in many of the Avcoat blocks that comprise the heat shield.

The Avcoat material is not designed to come out in chunks. It is supposed to char and flake off smoothly, maintaining the overall contours of the heat shield. But Orion is a fat and heavy spacecraft, about twice as heavy as the Apollo command module it is modeled after. And the Avcoat heat shield is an experimental design. No one has flown a segmented heat shield like this at lunar return speeds, let alone on a spacecraft this heavy.

The substance of the OIG report was as alarming as the pictures. The OIG identified three issues that could potentially kill the crew on Artemis II:

Heat shield spalling. This is the technical term for all those divots. Since spalling leaves voids and gaps in the heat shield material, it can expose the unprotected body of the capsule and lead to burnthrough. Spalling also changes the pattern of hypersonic airflow around the capsule, creating the potential for localized hot spots and cascading effects. Impact from heat shield fragments. When spalling sends pieces of heat shield into the hypersonic airstream, they can strike the top of the capsule, damaging the parachute compartment. Whether this happened on Artemis I is unknown. As the OIG report pointed out with some frustration, NASA failed to recover either the parachutes or the parachute cover, despite making elaborate plans to do so. Any evidence of debris impact is now at the bottom of the Pacific Ocean. Bolt erosion. The OIG report noted erosion and melting in four large separation bolts that sit embedded in the heat shield. These bolts are packed with a heat-resistant material and are supposed to be rugged enough to survive re-entry. But three of the four bolts had melted through, due to a flaw in the heating model NASA had used in designing them. The report further noted: separation bolt melt beyond the thermal barrier during reentry can expose the vehicle to hot gas ingestion behind the heat shield, exceeding Orions structural limits and resulting in the breakup of the vehicle and loss of crew.

So Orion had come back from the moon with damage severe enough to kill a crew three different ways. Not good!

This left NASA in a quandary. The Orion capsule for Artemis II was already mated to its service module. Taking it off to make changes to the heat shield, even if the agency knew what changes to make, would take years. Nor was there room in the schedule to conduct a flight test, or any spare hardware to conduct the flight test with. Each Orion costs north of a billion dollars, and the only rocket it can launch on (SLS) costs two to four billion dollars a shot, depending on how you do the accounting.

Here its worth quoting Admiral Harlold Gehman, who chaired the Columbia Accident Investigation board, on what happens organizationally when a rigid schedule meets an immovable budget:

If a program manager is faced with problems and shortfalls and challenges, if the schedule cannot be extended, he either needs money, or he needs to cut into margin. There were no other options, so guess what the people at NASA did? They started to cut into margins. No one directed them to do this. No one told them to do this. The organization did it, because the individuals in the organization thought they were defending the organization. They thought they were doing what the organization wanted them to do.

And so NASA looked for ways to talk itself into believing it was safe to fly a defective heat shield.

In April 2024, the agency convened an independent review panel. The findings of that panel were not made public, but in December NASA announced that it had found a root cause for the heat shield damage. The Avcoat on the Artemis I heat shield was not sufficiently permeable, and so gas trapped under layers of the material had expanded and blown pieces out of the heat shield. The process had been exacerbated by the re-entry trajectory, which had heating occur in two distinct phases.

This was an awkward finding, since the heat shield NASA would use on Artemis II had been made even less permeable, to make it easier to do ultrasonic testing. But you fly with the heat shield you have, and the agency said it was confident that a change to the re-entry trajectory would be more than adequate to offset any spalling issues.

Somewhat confusingly, they also announced their intention to switch to a new heat shield design, starting with Artemis III. In other words, the Artemis II shield was completely safe to fly, but they were never going to fly it after this mission, and the replacement design would be tested for the first time on a future lunar mission, with astronauts on board.

All of this was kind of preposterous. As the YouTuber Eager Space has pointed out, if a commercial crew capsule (SpaceX Dragon or Boeing Starliner) returned to Earth with the kind of damage seen on Orion, NASA would insist on a redesign and an unmanned test flight to validate it. But the agency does not hold its flagship program to the high standard it demands from commercial crew, even though the same astronaut lives are at stake.

Nor was it lost on observers that the tools and models NASA used to arrive at its new analysis were the same ones that had failed to predict the spalling problem in the first place. While the agency was able to work backwards from flight data to induce flaking in a test coupon of Avcoat, they had no way of predicting how the full-size heat shield would behave in the new flight conditions it would experience on Artemis II.

You dont have to be a random space blogger to find all this fishy. The most energetic voice of public dissent has been heat shield expert and Shuttle astronaut Charles Camarda, the former Director of Engineering at Johnson Space Center. Aghast at what he saw as a repeat of the motivated reasoning that had led to the loss of Columbia and Challenger, Camarda began making noise both inside and outside the agency, believing that astronauts' lives were at stake.

In a show of openness, NASA invited Camarda and two journalists to attend a briefing on the heat shield in January of 2026, and gave him limited access to some research materials that have not been made public. But the experience only deepened Camardas distress, and he ended up publishing a cri de coeur that I encourage everyone to read in full.

In a nutshell, Camarda argues that NASA is demonstrating the same dysfunction that led to the Columbia and Challenger disasters. Faced with an unexpected engineering failure, it has built toy models to convince itself that the conclusion it wants to reach (its safe to fly) are supported by evidence. These toy models are not grounded in physics, but because they appear to be quantitative, they create a false sense of security and understanding, an epistemic fig leaf for management to hide behind.

Put more simply, NASA is going to fly Artemis II based on vibes, hoping that whatever happened to the heat shield on Artemis I wont get bad enough to harm the crew on Artemis II.

What makes the situation even more frustrating is the fact that, by the programs own logic, theres no reason to fly Artemis II with a crew at all.

In the original scheme for Artemis, Artemis II was the only opportunity to fly Orion with astronauts on board before the lunar landing attempt on Artemis III. Artemis III would be a scary mission full of technical firsts (first landing, first use of the lunar lander, first docking in deep space, etc), and it made sense to retire as much technical risk as possible on a dry run around the Moon.

But in early 2026, NASA decided to add an additional Artemis mission to the manifest. The new Artemis III would fly in 2027 as a near-Earth mission to test docking with whatever lunar lander (Blue Origin or SpaceX) was available. The first moon landing would be pushed back to the mission after that, Artemis IV.

This change removed any rationale for flying astronauts on Artemis II. If there are issues with Orion, it is safer for the crew to encounter them in Earth orbit than on a long trip around the Moon. And Artemis II could fly just as easily without astronauts on board, giving ground controllers launch experience and validating (or discrediting) NASA's heat shield model without endangering a crew. NASA would lose a little face by essentially repeating Artemis I, but doing so would demonstrate that the agency really believes in the safety culture it so often gives lip service to.

Unfortunately, it looks like sunk costs and issues of face will win the day.

The engineers and managers at NASA are not stupid, and they are not cavalier with astronauts lives. Theyve read the Rogers Commission and CAIB reports, and many of them remember Challenger and Columbia firsthand. But they exist in a context.

That context is a moon program that has spent close to $100 billion and 25 years with nothing to show for itself, at an agency that has just experienced mass firings and been through a near-death experience with its science budget. The charismatic new Administrator has staked his reputation on increasing launch cadence, and set an explicit goal of landing astronauts on the Moon before President Trumps term expires in January of 2029.

So people are tying themselves into pretzels to avoid saying the obvious, that the Orion heat shield needs a successful flight test at lunar re-entry speeds to avoid unacceptable risks to the crew.

If the Artemis II crew dies during re-entry, well get another lavishly researched report laying out contributory factors that are plainly visible to anyone following the program right now. The space program will be delayed by years, waiting for investigations to finish and the wrath of Congress to abate. NASA will beat itself up and add more layers of safety bureaucracy, until the same program pressures lead it to make the same mistake again on a future flight.

Its likelyhopefully very likelythat Artemis II will land safely. But do we really have to wait for astronauts to die to re-learn the same lessons a third time?

Good luck and godspeed to the astronauts on Artemis II.

If you enjoy my writing on space, I invite you to subscribe to my Substack, Mars for the Rest of Us, where I write weekly short essays on topics around Mars exploration.
NetApp is the only enterprise storage vendor with first-party, co-engineered services inside AWS, Azure, and Google Cloud. That's not a marketing line; it's a structural advantage that took years to build and nobody else has replicated.

Ashish Dhawan, Senior Vice President of Cloud Sales and Chief Revenue Officer at NetApp, and Matt Swinbourne, CTO of Cloud Architecture for APAC, sat down with me at the company's INSIGHT Xtra event in Sydney to talk about what's changed, what's shipping, and why the "just move your data to the cloud" era is already over  as NetApp is connecting enterprise AI services directly to customer data, wherever it already lives.

The announcements, rapid fire

NetApp came to Sydney with a full hand. Since its NetApp INSIGHT conference in October 2025, the company has been very busy, launching AFX, a new storage series built for hyperscale, scale-out workloads on a disaggregated architecture. It shipped AI Data Engine (AIDE), which converts raw enterprise data into vectorised, metadata-rich knowledge ready for AI consumption. And on the cloud side, things got specific fast.

Google Cloud NetApp Volumes picked up block storage support. AWS's FSx for ONTAP gained S3 access points, connecting on-premises data to 50-plus AWS services. And Azure NetApp Files got FlexCache and SnapMirror, two features NetApp customers have relied on for years in their own data centres.

That's a lot of product in one morning keynote.

Born of the cloud, not bolted on

Here's where NetApp's pitch sharpens. Swinbourne was pointed about the distinction.

"The services that Ashish is referring to are born of the cloud. They're part of Azure, Amazon, and Google. They are inside. This is not something that we're going to marketplace and buying an add-on that runs on."  Matt Swinbourne, CTO Cloud Architecture APAC, NetApp

That word "inside" matters. NetApp's cloud services aren't third-party appliances sitting in a hyperscaler's marketplace. They're co-engineered, first-party offerings. The Google integration connects directly to Gemini and Vertex. The AWS integration wires into Bedrock, Athena, and SageMaker. Azure hooks into Databricks and Data Lake.

No other enterprise storage vendor has managed to build first-party services across all three major hyperscalers simultaneously. It's a competitive position that took years to construct, and one that's very difficult to replicate.

The flywheel that sells itself

Dhawan described the commercial engine behind all of this as a flywheel, and it's a clean one.

Cloud migration brings data into the cloud. More data in the cloud makes AI outcomes easier to achieve, because it's already sitting next to the hyperscaler's AI platforms. Better AI outcomes drive more workloads to the cloud. And so it spins.

"Cloud migration leads to more AI work. And AI leads to more cloud migration work. That's the most important commercial engine that we are trying to build."  Ashish Dhawan, SVP Cloud Sales, NetApp

The sales conversation has shifted accordingly. NetApp's cloud team doesn't lead with storage capacity anymore. They lead with workloads. "Are you trying to move SAP to the cloud?" becomes the opener. Once SAP lands, data gravity kicks in. Then the next question arrives: "How about supply chain optimization with AI?"

It's outcome-first selling, and the storage conversation becomes a byproduct.

This infographic created by Gemini Nano Banana 2 based on this article, which continues below, please read on!

Stop moving data around

A clear philosophy ran through the entire conversation: data should stay where it is, and the compute should come to it.

This sounds obvious, but it contradicts the way most enterprises have operated for years. The traditional approach (ETL pipelines, data warehouses, batch transforms) worked fine when decisions could wait 24 or 48 hours. That patience has evaporated.

Swinbourne offered a sharp example.

"If you are waiting for an ETL, it could be 24, 36, 48 hours before you get insight into when your jet lands at the destination airport as a chief operating officer with fuel price volatility. I want to be in a position to know what decisions I have to make about purchasing commodities now."  Matt Swinbourne

Some Australian organizations have started creating "chief question officer" roles. The idea: someone whose entire job is to ask better questions of the company's data. That only works if the data is accessible in minutes, not days.

FlexCache, S3 access points, and the Gemini integration all serve this philosophy. Cache what you need, where you need it, when you need it. Don't copy the whole dataset. Don't transform it into a different format first. Just point the AI engine at it.

100 exabytes, available now

At AWS re:Invent, NetApp floated a staggering number: 100 exabytes of enterprise ONTAP data potentially connectable to AWS AI and analytics services through S3 access points.

So how much of that install base is actually ready?

Dhawan's answer was surprisingly definitive: all of it.

"You don't even need to change any protocols. You can just keep the data in its original format and shape. Block data doesn't need to get converted to object. File data doesn't need to move to object." Ashish Dhawan

S3 access points expose existing ONTAP data to AWS services without requiring migration, format conversion, or protocol changes. Customers can connect on-premises data to Bedrock for AI, Athena for analytics, or SageMaker for machine learning, all while the data stays put. If they eventually want to migrate, FlexCache and SnapMirror handle the data mobility. But they don't have to.

That "don't have to" is doing a lot of commercial work.

Google Cloud gets the zero-pipeline treatment

The Google integration is perhaps the most striking technically. Enterprise data stored in NetApp Volumes becomes a native source for Gemini-powered AI agents. No custom code. No RAG pipelines. No ETL.

Swinbourne stripped it down: once a NetApp customer has data in Google Cloud, it's instantly queryable through the Gemini platform. No transformation step. No metadata extraction pipeline. No vector database plumbing.

"We're instantly able to interrogate it via the Gemini platform. There is no need to go through an ETL to form it or a data pipeline to create metadata and vector data."  Matt Swinbourne

For enterprise AI teams that have spent months building and maintaining RAG infrastructure, that simplification is significant. The question isn't whether it works for every use case (it won't). The question is how many use cases it removes friction from entirely.

Every protocol, one service

Google Cloud NetApp Volumes now supports file (NFS and SMB) and block (iSCSI) in a single service. Combined with S3 access on the AWS side, NetApp effectively offers every major storage protocol through cloud-native services.

The obvious counterargument: doesn't multi-protocol across multi-cloud just create more complexity?

Swinbourne pushed back. ONTAP has been a unified, multi-protocol platform in the data centre since (as he put it) "forever." NFS for the Unix and Linux world. SMB for Windows. That same data, exposed through S3 access points in AWS, opens up 50-plus ready-built services that customers can switch on whenever they want.

Dhawan framed it from the customer side.

"We needed a service that does not put the additional pressure on the customer to do data gymnastics. Change protocols, move from here to there without there being a business need for it."  Ashish Dhawan

The pitch is clean (and I think it mostly holds): your business need dictates where data lives and how it's accessed. NetApp adapts to the need. If you want cloud, they're there. On-premises, same. Storage as a service, covered. Specific protocol, supported. The customer doesn't contort to fit the infrastructure.

Cloud bursting, finally real

FlexCache in Google NetApp Volumes creates a unified global namespace across on-premises and cloud environments, with data only transferred when actually requested. For workloads like electronic design automation or large-scale media production, this is the cloud bursting promise that's been talked about for a decade.

Swinbourne told a story about an Australian university running HPC workloads. They'd been overrun with grant money and academics who needed to run jobs immediately. No time to procure more data centre equipment. Within days, they cached their on-premises data into a hyperscale cloud, connected it to their job manager, and started bursting analytics workloads.

The data pulled in automatically as the compute spun up. They could warm the cache proactively to reduce compute time and cost. And when the work was done, everything in the cloud could be destroyed. No data left behind. No lingering attack surface.

"You don't have to build a big rocket to get off planet data centre."  Matt Swinbourne

That's a good line. It's also a good description of what FlexCache actually does: it removes the gravitational pull that's kept data pinned to on-premises infrastructure.

Security is job zero

In cloud sales conversations across APAC, security has become the conversation, not a secondary concern behind cost and performance.

Dhawan was emphatic. NetApp's autonomous ransomware protection detects threats early, and (more critically) restores data faster than any competitor. That restoration speed matters because the cost of ransomware isn't just the ransom; it's the downtime.

Every platform carries the same security stack. FSx for ONTAP, AIDE, Azure NetApp Files, Google Cloud NetApp Volumes: all of them include built-in ransomware detection, snapshots, and the full data protection layer. Keeping data in place (rather than copying it across pipelines and services) means customers retain those protections end to end.

Advanced ransomware resiliency services are also becoming available through hyperscaler marketplaces, which means customers can consume them without a separate procurement process.

AIDE as the orchestration layer

AI Data Engine launched (it's live, not vapourware), and hybrid cloud support is coming. When asked whether AIDE will become the orchestration layer that sits across all of NetApp's cloud-native services, Swinbourne's answer was direct: "I think that's exactly where we're headed."

The shift is conceptual as much as technical. Traditional storage conversations happen at the volume and LUN level. AIDE pushes the conversation up a layer, to metadata, dataset descriptors, and the ability to move, cache, and protect datasets to the appropriate AI engine, wherever that engine happens to live.

"AIDE levels us up to that next level to start talking about metadata, start talking about the descriptors of the datasets, the ability to move, cache, protect those datasets to the appropriate AI engine, no matter where that will ultimately go."  Matt Swinbourne

If NetApp executes on this, AIDE becomes the connective tissue between on-premises storage, multiple clouds, and the AI platforms running inside them. That's a significant position to hold.

The first step for fragmented enterprises

For the ANZ enterprise that's already multi-cloud but fragmented (different storage in AWS, different in Google, legacy on-premises), Dhawan's advice was pragmatic: start with business outcomes, not technology.

Identify the problems. Map the outcomes you need. Then work with NetApp and its partner ecosystem (Cisco FlexPod, the hyperscalers, NVIDIA) to find the right platform for each outcome. NetApp funds infrastructure assessments through its partner program, and those assessments align with the hyperscalers' own optimization and licensing programs.

The choice architecture is the differentiator. On-premises or cloud. This protocol or that one. This hyperscaler or that one. NetApp's position is that the customer shouldn't have to pick one and abandon the rest.

"Stop thinking you can't"

Asked what one thing they'd tell an ANZ IT leader in the audience, Dhawan returned to business outcomes and the AI imperative. Every business outcome today requires AI. AI requires a complete dataset (structured and unstructured) to be accessible for analytics and inferencing. NetApp's cross-platform presence makes that complete dataset available.

Swinbourne went somewhere different, and more interesting.

"My advice would be to unencumber your mind as to what you think you can't do. A lot of us, particularly technical people, we think with constraints in mind. I think the world is ready for a different kind of thinking. That's when we find true genius, when we're asking the questions that nobody thought, but after they asked them seem so obvious."  Matt Swinbourne

It's a philosophical note to end on, but it lands because the technical announcements back it up. The tools exist now. The data is accessible. The AI platforms are connected. The protocols are unified. The security is built in.

The constraint isn't the infrastructure anymore. It's the imagination of the people using it.

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New research reveals 96% of teachers would take part in free AI training, but only 32% of teachers have access to approved tools they can use in the classroom. Amazon and Tech Futures Australia launch nationwide programs to help bridge this gap.

Amazon and digital technology education charity, Tech Futures Australia (TFA), formally Code for Schools, today launched two education initiatives designed for

Australian school teachers: Virtual Teacher Training (VTT), a free professional development program for digital technologies, and Lumen AI, an AI learning environment designed for K-12 school teachers as part of Amazon Web Services (AWS) flagship AI Spring Education Program.

The VTT program was developed to address many of the challenges teachers face, and is a free, selfpaced program providing structured, curriculum-aligned content covering Python programming, computational thinking, and classroom implementation strategies, all delivered through a flexible online platform that teachers can complete at their own pace.

VTT includes ready-to-teach lesson materials and a browser-based coding environment, removing the need for additional software installation and reducing technical barriers. It's designed to accommodate the reality of teachers' workloads while building their capability progressively.

Lumen AI complements this by providing a curriculum-aligned, safe classroom tool for K-12 teachers. It offers users structured exposure to AI through guided, curriculum-aligned activities, such as essay development and image generation. This enables them to build foundational understanding of a responsible approach to AI, how AI systems work, their limitations, and the real-world applications. The broader AI Education Program will help to meet current and future needs for AI skills by equipping K-12 students, teachers, parents, and carers with AI literacy and skills.

The two programs address a need voiced by Australian teachers to bring AI and digital training into their classrooms that they can use safely with students. New research commissioned by Amazon reveals that while 76% of teachers feel enthusiastic about using AI in the classroom and 78% are already using AI tools for their own productivity, only 32% of teachers have access to approved tools they can use in the classroom.

The message from educators is clear: they want to teach these critical skills, but they need support to do it confidently and safely.

Tech Futures Australia, with support from Amazon and AWS, is creating locally developed, curriculumaligned programs that equip Australia's most critical education enablers, teachers, with the knowledge, confidence, and practical tools needed to prepare themselves and the next generation for a digital and AI future, said Louise Stigwood, Managing Director, ANZ Public Sector, AWS.

By empowering teachers first, we're helping to create a foundation for long-term impact that will benefit students, workers, and the Australian economy for years to come.

The research paints a picture of educators caught between enthusiasm and constraint. Nearly all teachers surveyed (96%) said they would participate in free, self-paced digital technologies training that includes ready-to-use materials.

However, the barriers facing teachers are systemic, with 43% of teachers citing a lack of formal training in digital technologies, 39% identify a lack of curriculum-aligned resources as a major challenge, and 24% are unsure how digital technologies fit within the curriculum. These findings demonstrate a lack of practical support required to translate their enthusiasm into classroom outcomes.

We built these programs because Australian teachers told us exactly what they needed  structured training, curriculum-aligned resources, and safe, practical tools they could actually use in the classroom, said Megan Fyfe, CEO of Tech Futures Australia.

That's what Virtual Teacher Training and Lumen AI deliver. With the support of Amazon and AWS, we're able to bring them to teachers across the country at no cost, helping ensure every student has the opportunity to build the digital and AI skills that will shape their future.

The timing is critical for Australia's economic future. According to the Tech Council of Australia, AI is projected to contribute up to $600 billion to GDP by 2030, with demand for skilled workers expected to increase significantly. However, without early intervention, Australia faces a projected shortfall of 60,000 AI professionals by 2027.

"By providing practical training, real-world context and safe learning environments, initiatives such as VTT and AI Spring Lumen AI are designed to empower teachers to confidently deliver these skills in the classroom and expand access for students across the country," said Stigwood.

Building digital capability and understanding must start at the school level, but it can only happen if teachers have the confidence, training, and tools to deliver it. These programs are designed to create a pathway from teacher capability to student outcomes to ensure Australia can continue to forge its path as a global leader, build our national capability for success on the global stage, said Stigwood.

Virtual Teacher Training is available now at no cost to all Australian teachers. The program can be accessed online and completed at the teacher's own pace, with no software installation required.

Lumen AI will be rolled out nationally throughout 2026, with additional modules for K12 students and parents to follow.

By listening to what teachers need and responding with practical, accessible solutions, Amazon and Tech Futures Australia are working to ensure that every Australian student has the opportunity to develop the digital and AI skills that will define their future.
Slipstream Cyber , a specialised provider of 24/7 cyber defence and advisory services has appointed Chris Pallister as its new Head of Cyber Engineering and Operations , strengthening capability in managed security services and security operations centre (SOC) delivery.

Chris joins Slipstream Cyber from CyberCX, where he most recently served in a senior cyber leadership role, bringing nearly 15 years of experience across the IT and cyber security industries in the UK and Australia. His background spans technical engineering, consulting and executive cyber leadership roles, including leading large-scale infrastructure programs, building cyber security practices and designing and operating complex, multiregion SOC environments.

In his new role, Chris will be responsible for Slipstream Cybers managed cyber security services and 24/7 SOC operations, with a focus on expanding operational capability, advancing AIenabled security operations and strengthening proactive, intelligenceled threat detection for customers.

Security operations centres must evolve beyond responding to threats at human speed, Pallister said. My focus is on accelerating SOC capability so we can respond at machine speed - operationalising threat intelligence and using AI to augment analysts, not replace them. Thats how security teams stay ahead in todays threat environment. said Chris Pallister, Head of Cyber Engineering and Operations at Slipstream Cyber.

Prior to joining Slipstream Cyber, Chris held senior leadership roles across both managed services and specialist cyber security organisations, where he built and matured penetration testing teams, governance, risk and compliance functions and largescale SOC operations supporting customers across multiple continents, time zones and regulatory environments.

Australia has exceptional cyber security talent, Pallister said. As the industry undergoes rapid consolidation, its increasingly important to continue investing in strong sovereign cyber security capability - ensuring Australian organisations are protected by teams focused on securing local businesses, critical infrastructure and communities. said Chris Pallister, Head of Cyber Engineering and Operations at Slipstream Cyber.

David Kaplan, General Manager Cyber Security for Slipstream Cyber added Chris brings deep operational cyber experience and a strong customer-first mindset. His leadership in scaling sovereign SOC operations and advancing AIenabled security will play an important role as we continue to evolve our 24/7 cyber defence capability.

Slipstream Cyber continues to invest in modernising its SOC capability, with a strong focus on AIenabled operations, threat intelligence operationalisation and customercentric security outcomes, supporting organisations facing an increasingly sophisticated and fastmoving threat landscape.

About Slipstream Cyber

Founded in 2017, Slipstream Cyber, a business of Interactive, is a specialist firm providing comprehensive, 24/7 cyber defence solutions. Its services include an Australian-based Security Operations Centre (SOC), managed detection and response and penetration testing.

Founded by a former industry Chief Information Security Officer (CISO), our mission is to build a business to meet the needs of other CISOs. Our core principles are robust process, investment in people, enablement with world-class technology, and a focus on flexibility.

Slipstream Cyber is a business of Interactive which allows us to offer multi-disciplinary perspectives on the challenge our customers face.

Operating a true 247, sovereign Security Operations Centre, we deliver services to customers across Australia and internationally.

To find out more, visit: slipstreamcyber.com
Rege-Jean Page finds attending the Met Gala a lonely experience.

Rege-Jean Page at the Met Gala

The 36-year-old actor met his You, Me and Tuscany co-star Halle Bailey at the 2025 fashion extravaganza, which had the theme of Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, and he was grateful to make a friend there because "almost everyone" is on their own inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Speaking to Esquire magazine, Rege - who also attended the 2022 Met Gala - said: What no one tells you about the Met Gala is that everyone, almost everyone, is on their own.

"Theres the most glamorous room, the most exclusive echelon of society, all utterly lost and alone and searching for connection.

Youre dressed as well as youre ever going to be dressed. But youre also in a very vulnerable place, ready to lean on your co-star immediately.

The Bridgerton actor was happy to star in the film and noted it was the first time he had a Black woman as his love interest since he starred in the 2016 remake of Roots, which is largely set on a plantation, a fairly unimaginative place to only find Black love interests.

He said: "I think its important to normalise your own existence.

To normalise seeing two Black leads in a film that is about a universal experience of escaping to find true love in Italy.

Rege is set to star in a West End production of The Great Gatzby and promised the stage show will stay true to the discussions of race in F. Scott Fitzgerald's novel.

He said: We keep those explicit discussions in there, because I think you cant separate class and race in America, certainly not in America in the 1920s.

"I think we see an opportunity there not to invent anything but to delve deeper into revealing what Fitzgerald is writing in that book.

The actor also has a film adaptation of The Count of Monte Cristo coming up, which is based on a novel by Alexandre Dumas, who was the grandson of an Afro-Caribbean slave and existing in 19th century France as a Black man.

Rege added: "He writes about a society that contains a lot of Black folks in it in France, with nuances and politics that are not the same that race has had in the 21st century, but I dont think we represent those very often.

I think its important to paint that picture with the understanding we have now, not to invent it, but to paint it with greater detail.

The Black Bag actor has set up his own production company, A Mighty Stranger, which he believes is a "natura evolution" for his career, drawing parallels to pop stars who "creatively direct" their own music, even if they don't write all their own songs.

He said: I think theres an illusion of how passive an actors role needs to be.

We know all the writers on Beyonce or Taylors albums, but we also expect that to be their product that they crafted for us in an artistic manner.

Read the full interview with Rege at https://www.esquire.com/uk/culture/film/a70880148/rege-jean-page-interview/.
Australians and New Zealanders clock more sleep than anyone else on the planet. They're also waking up earlier than almost every other country. And then spending their days absolutely drowning in stress with barely a break to recover.

That's the headline finding from OURA's new ANZ: The State of Sleep Report 2026, dropped at a Sydney launch event that doubled as an immersive "Sleep Studio" at the Centennial Homestead.

The Finnish smart ring maker flew in executives and a Harvard sleep scientist to walk through the numbers. The data paints a picture of two nations that are brilliant at sleeping, terrible at resting, and biologically wired to be morning people.

The Numbers: 7 Hours and Change

New Zealanders sit at the top of the global sleep rankings with 7 hours 11 minutes per night. Australians are right behind at 7 hours 9 minutes.

Both countries pull back the sheets just after 7am, nearly an hour before OURA members in the UAE, who don't stir until closer to 8am.

"If there was a sleep Olympics, you guys win."  Dorothy Kilroy, Chief Commercial Officer, OURA

The reason for these early starts sits in the biology. Around 43% of Australians and 39% of New Zealanders fall into early morning or morning chronotypes (the highest percentage globally). Only 5% of Aussies and 4% of Kiwis identify as evening types.

Put plainly: most people in these two countries are wired to feel sharpest first thing in the morning. Their sleep schedules reflect it.

Here is the full launch video, upon which this article is based, and which continues below, please read on!

Champion Sleepers, Stressed-Out Workers

Here's where the good news runs out.

Australians log an average of 107 minutes of physiological stress per day. They get just 55 minutes of recovery time. That's the lowest daytime rest and recovery of any country OURA analysed.

New Zealand fares slightly better with 101 stressed minutes per day, but Kiwis are still struggling to build in restorative pauses.

"Recovery is a 24-hour equation: if stress isn't managed during the day, the body carries that load into the night."  Doug Sweeny, CMO, OURA

The pattern looks like two nations compensating for hectic days with longer nights. Sleeping more to make up for never truly stopping during waking hours.

This infographic created by Gemini Nano Banana 2 - this article continues below, please read on!

Deep Sleep: Where Australians Actually Win

One nugget that surfaced during the panel discussion: when you look past raw sleep duration and into sleep quality, Australians pull ahead of New Zealanders on deep sleep.

Dr Rebecca Robbins, sleep scientist at Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, explained why that matters.

Deep sleep is where your body enters the closest thing humans get to hibernation. Blood pressure dips. Body temperature drops. Your immune system does its heaviest repair work. Muscles regenerate.

"During deep sleep, we enter the closest thing that we get as humans to hibernation, and that is vitally important," Robbins told the audience.

Her tips for getting more deep sleep were refreshingly un-fancy: exercise regularly and manage stress throughout the day (not just before bed).

The Brain Drain That Happens While You're Awake

Robbins dropped the most compelling science of the evening when she talked about what happens inside your skull during sleep.

There's a 60% increase in the flow of cerebrospinal fluid while you sleep. That fluid acts like a drain cleaner for your brain, rinsing away toxic particles that, if allowed to accumulate, are associated with Alzheimer's disease and dementia.

"Your sleep tonight, tomorrow, and into the future matters for your brain health," she said.

It's the kind of data point that makes you reconsider that extra Netflix episode at midnight. Your brain is literally washing itself while you sleep, and cutting that process short has consequences that compound over decades.

Alcohol: The Sleep Wrecker You're Quietly Ignoring

The panel didn't dodge the question about booze.

Kilroy said alcohol is one of the biggest habit changes OURA sees in new members. "In the first few weeks, they'll say, 'Oh my goodness, I had no idea what alcohol was doing to my body,'" she recounted.

Robbins put a finer point on it: one glass probably won't cause much damage, but two or more glasses of wine will "totally change" the structure of your sleep. You'll still sleep, but you'll spend far more time in light sleep and far less in the restorative stages.

"I'm a big fan of day drinking for that reason. It's very far away from sleep."  Dr Rebecca Robbins, Harvard Medical School

(A sleep scientist endorsing day drinking at a corporate launch event. I've now seen everything.)

Robbins' actual advice was about timing and moderation, not abstinence. She acknowledged that drinks shared over meals have social value. Kilroy's personal hack: she simply shifted when in the day she drinks, applying the same logic people already use with caffeine cut-off times.

The One-Tip Challenge

When pressed for a single sleep tip, Kilroy's answer was blunt: get off your devices. "It's probably the cheapest, easiest hack for your health."

Robbins added a layer. She's writing a book about the bedtime process. Her observation: kids in our society have excellent bedtime routines. Adults have absolutely demolished theirs.

"We have a stress response, we know that, but not a rest response, and it is something that does take a little bit of work," she said.

Her recommendation: pick 1 or 2 things to do before bed that are deliberately relaxing (reading, breathing exercises, mindfulness routines on the OURA app) and be consistent about it.

Why OURA Is Betting Big on Australia

OURA was founded in Oulu, Finland in 2013, a fishing village near the Arctic Circle. The company has since grown into a wearables heavyweight, valued at approximately $11 billion after a Series E raise in 2025, with over 5.5 million rings sold worldwide (2.5 million of those in the last 8 to 9 months alone).

Doug Sweeny, OURA's CMO, explained the product's appeal in simple terms at the event: "We give everybody a voice. Oura is essentially a translation device for your body."

The ring weighs about as much as a piece of paper, is made from titanium, lasts a full week on a single charge, and (critically) doesn't have a screen pestering you for attention. It tracks 50+ health metrics continuously, covering sleep, activity, stress, readiness, women's health, and heart health.

Famous Australians like Chris Hemsworth and Miranda Kerr already wear it.

The article continues below this Oura post on X, please read on!

In Australia, Oura Ring 4 and Oura Ring 4 Ceramic are available through JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman. In New Zealand, you can grab one at Noel Leeming. Or buy direct from ouraring.com.

"Oura is essentially a translation device for your body." - Doug Sweeny, OURA

Kilroy flagged that OURA is also partnering with Saint Haven in Australia, a wellness space where sleep and recovery insights "come to life in real-world spaces."

George Abbott, who runs OURA's retail business across APAC and MEA, hosted the experiential portion of the evening. Guests blended their own sleep mists, mixed sleepy teas with Australian botanicals, grabbed "blind dates with books" (screens down, pages up), and experienced sound baths. The whole thing was designed as a prototype evening wind-down routine, stripped right from the sleep science the panel had just discussed.

I didn't get a chance to participate in all of the activities at the launch, but here is Ali Skiba from AliSkiba.com conducting and performing a sound bath experience - the article continues below, please read on!

A Moment of Cultural Significance

The evening included a Welcome to Country from Aunty Maxine Ryan of the Darug Nation, who spoke about the Aboriginal community's 60,000+ year connection to the land and water. She wove in messages about respect, caring for country, and the importance of nurturing the next generation.

It was a grounding moment in an evening otherwise filled with biometric data and sleep architecture, and a reminder that wellbeing and connection to place aren't new concepts on this continent.

The Bottom Line

OURA's ANZ sleep data tells a story that'll resonate with anyone who's ever collapsed into bed after a relentless day and thought, "At least I'll sleep well tonight."

Australians and New Zealanders are doing the sleep part right. 7+ hours, aligned with their natural chronotypes, with solid deep sleep numbers (especially the Aussies).

But 107 minutes of daily stress against 55 minutes of recovery? That's a ratio that's working against you, no matter how good your sleep score looks.

The ring on your finger can show you the problem. The fix, as every speaker at this event kept emphasising, is decidedly low-tech: move more, scroll less, build a bedtime routine you'd be proud to give a 5-year-old, and maybe shift that glass of wine to lunch.

Sleep science is still a young field. Robbins pointed out that many of its biggest breakthroughs have come in just the last 20 to 30 years. With 5.5 million rings now collecting data worldwide, OURA is sitting on one of the largest real-world sleep datasets ever assembled.

For Australians and Kiwis, the message from OURA's first major ANZ push is clear: you're already great sleepers. Now fix the other 16 hours.

Here's the video again if you didn't get a chance to watch above. A more detailed infographic is pasted below this video to conclude the article!

This infographic created by Gemini Nano Banana 2 based on this article:
Australian patient experience provider Five Faces has deployed a Patient Check-In and Queueing solution for ambulatory care appointments at Peninsula University Hospital in Frankston, Melbourne.

Commissioned by the new hospitals builder, Lendlease, the system aims to improve the patient experience and flow for pre-booked hospital appointments for outpatient care and check-in on the day of surgery.

Patients use their mobile device to access a Patient Hub that guides their journey before, during and after their outpatient appointment. This includes viewing and managing appointments, receiving information and resources, completing digital forms, using secure messaging, checking in, and completing surveys.

The solution is designed to address patient needs related to accessibility, cultural and language differences, and digital skills. For example, checking in to an appointment can occur via mobile, a multi-lingual kiosk, or with staff assistance.

Administration and clinical staff gain workflow efficiencies and real-time visibility of patient status on the day of the appointment.

The $1.1 billion project was delivered in January 2026 by the Victorian Government as a public private partnership. Peninsula University Hospital will remain as a public hospital with all clinical services operated by Bayside Health. Other facilities on the hospital campus have implemented a similar Patient Check-In and Queue Management solution from Five Faces as Phase 1 of the overall project, supporting multiple specialist areas across the Peninsula University Hospital site, including Womens and Childrens, Orthopaedics, Oncology, and the Frankston Public Surgical Centre.

This dynamic digital solution is helping to improve the overall journey for our patients, said Paul Butler, Executive Director, Strategy, Capital and Digital at Bayside Health Peninsula. We are delighted that this cutting-edge facility is matched by equally modern, seamless technology that meets the needs and expectations of our patients.

We are delighted to modernise the patient experience for the new and existing facility in Frankston, said Nicole Nixon, CEO of Five Faces. Patients now expect a digital-first approach that not only gives them more control over their journey, but also keeps them informed every step of the way. Whether its managing appointments, understanding next steps, or receiving updates on expected wait time, they want clear communication and transparency. At the same time, staff benefit from reducing the burden of manual administration, making it a win-win situation for both patients and healthcare providers.

About Five Faces

Five Faces is an Australian digital patient experience software company that helps hospitals and health services deliver a unified digital experience across complex care journeys. Clients include leading health services such as NSW Health, Bayside Health, and Kings College Hospital London in Dubai.

Five Faces has been recognised through joint digital health innovation awards with healthcare clients, including the NSW Government Premiers Award and a 2025 Queensland iAward from the Australian Information Industry Association. www.fivefaces.com.au

About Bayside Health

Established in January 2026, Bayside Health brings together the combined expertise of five health services to deliver high-quality care at every stage of life.

With more than 15 major sites and a range of clinics, we provide care that welcomes newborns, supports older people, and cares for the important stages in between.

Our network includes Australia's busiest Emergency and Trauma Centre and largest Intensive Care Unit at The Alfred, ensuring critical care is always within reach. From here we offer nineteen statewide services that support communities across Victoria.

Among our community care services, MePACS  a personal alarm service  provides peace of mind for around 50,000 elderly and vulnerable people throughout Victoria and Australia.

The new Peninsula University Hospital in Frankston opened in January 2026, with the state of the art facility revolutionising local care provision. The new Community Hospital on Phillip Island will also provide a much needed local facility for locals and visitors when it opens in 2026.

Our team of more than 22,000 dedicated staff deliver exceptional, equitable, and locally connected care through shared expertise, genuine compassion, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
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The Israeli military suspended a battalion of reservist soldiers on Monday, days after it detained a CNN crew in the West Bank village of Tayasir.

Jeremy Diamond, CNN's Jerusalem correspondent, and his team were in Tayasir on Thursday reporting on attacks by Israeli settlers on Palestinians, when soldiers from the Israel Defense Forces' Netzah Yehuda unit intervened. One of the soldiers placed Cyril Theophilos, a CNN photojournalist, in a chokehold, brought him to the ground and damaged his camera, the network reported. The crew members were detained for about two hours. .

In an article published Saturday on CNN's website, Diamond wrote that the incident "laid bare the settler ideology motivating many of the soldiers who operate in the occupied West Bank - and the ways in which soldiers frequently act in service of the settler movement." Soldiers from the unit, including the one who assaulted the cameraman, asserted that all Palestinians are terrorists and that the West Bank belongs exclusively to Israel, Diamond wrote.

Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, commented on Herzog's letter, saying that reports of violence by Israeli settlers are misdirected. "These criminal acts are NOT by settlers. They're UNSETTLERS," he posted on X. "I know many settlers-good, decent ppl. Those who steal, vandalize, & injure others are terrorists."

The IDF took a rare step this weekend, condemning the battalion over the incident - even before announcing its suspension.

"It was a bad incident that shouldn't have happened," Nadav Shoshani, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, said at a news briefing Sunday. "It doesn't represent how our soldiers should speak or act.  It's already been investigated yesterday and presented to senior commanders today, and, hopefully, we'll have conclusions and better things to say today."

Those conclusions came early Monday.

"In light of the inquiry's findings, the Chief of the General Staff decided to adopt the commanders' recommendations," said an IDF statement posted on Telegram. "Accordingly, the operational deployment currently being carried out by the reserve battalion will be suspended. The battalion will remain in reserve service and will undergo a process aimed at reinforcing its professional and ethical foundations." The IDF also said it would release the full findings of its inquiry in the near future.

CNN declined to comment beyond what the outlet has reported.

Netzah Yehuda, also known as the 97th Battalion of the Kfir Infantry Brigade, is an ultra-Orthodox Israeli military unit that has come under intense scrutiny for alleged human rights abuses in the West Bank. In the final months of President Joe Biden's administration, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stopped short of authorizing sanctions on Netzah Yehuda after suggesting for months that he would, in what would have been an unprecedented condemnation of Israel's armed forces.

On Monday, Israeli President Isaac Herzog condemned violence by "extremist elements in Judea and Samaria," in a letter addressed to Jewish diaspora leaders, using the biblical term for the West Bank.

"I share your conviction that these acts of violence stand in stark contradiction to the values upon which Israel was founded and to the enduring ethical tradition of the Jewish people," he wrote. "Our heritage emphasizes the sanctity of human life, and grounds it in a basic biblical tenet: 'You shall love the stranger' - a foundational moral principle that has defined the Jewish people across generations."

(COMMENT, BELOW)




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If during his last days American biologist Paul Ehrlich had followed events in Singapore , he would have heard something remarkable. Fertility fell to a record low last year, confounding efforts to shore it up. Politicians described the development as an existential challenge.

Ehrlich, who saw population control as vital to humanity's viability amid a deteriorating environment, was proven wrong. Not only is humankind doing pretty well, leaders in some of the most successful economies want the opposite of what the Stanford University professor prescribed: more babies. China , South Korea , Japan and many European nations are wrestling with ultra-low birthrates and shrinking labor markets. Combined with the swelling ranks of seniors, these forces promise to reshape workplaces, tax systems, immigration and defense.

This isn't the world that Ehrlich, who died on March 13 , envisaged when he published "The Population Bomb" in 1968. The book was a smash hit, and the author's frequent appearances at conferences and on television did much to propagate the idea that many of the world's most pressing difficulties could be addressed by clamping down hard on headcount. It might even be too late, he wrote, to avoid apocalyptic outcomes: mass famine, plagues, world wars resulting from food shortages, and pollution so severe that it would be a battle to survive.

"We can no longer afford merely to treat the symptoms of the cancer of population growth; the cancer itself must be cut out," Ehrlich wrote. Calamity would push the United Nations to imposes a "survival tax" that transfers resources to poor countries. Implausibly, an international agency would decide who gets to have children and where.

Viewed from today, the teachings are extreme. The big problem now, according to many policymakers in Asia and beyond, is that there may not be enough of us. The globe's population did, indeed, grow quickly. But it's now projected to begin declining after the mid 2080s, according to the UN, sooner than anticipated.

Initiatives unthinkable in the world Ehrlich predicted are catching on. Seoul is paying people who underwent vasectomies to get them reversed, Singapore is dangling incentives at couples to get busy, and the Tokyo municipal government has launched a dating app. They won't move the needle in any major way, though they underscore the message that over-population isn't something to be feared.

It's important to recognize that Ehrlich was part provocateur, part popularizer. He wasn't the first to question the ability to provide for more humans on the planet. British economist Thomas Malthus, born in the mid-eighteenth century, argued that land could support only so many mouths. In the 1960s and 1970s, the need to husband resources led to the birth of the modern environmental movement. Even Richard Nixon saw the appeal and founded the Environmental Protection Agency . The first Earth Day was celebrated in 1970.

Art also tapped the sense of pending disaster. The 1973 movie "Soylent Green" starred Charlton Heston as a detective in an over-crowded New York of the future. Food, according to the plot, is by then nominally plankton based. He discovers it really came from human corpses.

What Ehrlich missed was that fertility rates were already falling notably and that leaders in Asia had been emphasizing family planning before it was fashionable. For them, it was a route out of poverty  and a means for their countries to survive after the ravages of World War II. The global fertility rate was around 5 the year the year before "The Population Bomb" was published. By the end of the following decade, it was down below 3. At the turn of the century, it was 2.7. The UN reckons the global figure is 2.2  and falling. In key Asian economies, it's well below the replacement rate of 2.1 children per woman.

Not everything Ehrlich prophesized was off the mark. Hunger hasn't been banished, even if multitudes haven't perished on the scale he envisaged. And his description of borders being closed owing to pandemics sounds eerily like Covid. Ehrlich was a publicist for a cause that reflected the times. The gasoline shortages and global downturn that followed the 1973 Arab-Israeli War underscored the sense that natural resources aren't infinite.

Leaders and citizens are facing profound questions on population. "At the macro level, a declining population means less vitality in our city and our economy," Gan Kim Yong , Singapore's deputy prime minister said in a Feb. 26 speech. It also "raises the deeper question of what Singapore will be 50 or 100 years from now  will we remain vibrant, livable and relevant?" (Headcount is still growing, slowly, thanks to immigration.)

Population, just as Ehrlich imagined, would be shaping economics well into the 21st century. He was gravely wrong about the manner. The world hasn't  yet  come to a nasty end. It's ironic that too few individuals might be able to savor that resilience. The trends he championed won't be easily reversed, no matter how much policymakers strive to do so.

Daniel Moss is a Bloomberg Opinion columnist covering Asian economies. Previously, he was executive editor for economics at Bloomberg News .

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Former BBC broadcaster Scott Mills was investigated by police over alleged sexual offences involving a boy under the age of 16.

Scott Mills has been sacked by the BBC

The organisation confirmed on Monday (30.03.26) that Mills, 53, had been dismissed from his role and would no longer be hosting his radio breakfast show on BBC Radio 2 after being taken off-air last week with a statement announcing he was "no longer contracted to work with the BBC".

It emerged Mills was questioned by police in 2018 over allegations of "serious sexual offences against a teenage boy" but the case was closed in 2019 because "the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges".

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said in a statement to the Mirror newspaper: "In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

"The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

"As part of these enquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

"A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019."

The BBC reports the Met Police stated the boy at the centre of the investigation was under the age of 16. It has not been confirmed if Mills' dismissal from his role at the company is linked to the previous police investigation.

The BBC said in a statement: "While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC."

Mill hosted his own show on BBC Radio 1 between 2004 and 2002 before moving to BBC Radio 2 to take over the station's breakfast show from Zoe Ball in January 2025.

According to the Mirror, the BBC's Director of Music Lorna Clarke broke the news to staff in an email.

She reportedly wrote: "I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the Breakfast show, and the BBC. "I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

"Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV. I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

"Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too.

"I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when Im able to. While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now."

Mills is yet to comment publicly on his departure.
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21:01 East, central and northwest India to witness heatwave days Above-normal heatwave days are likely over some parts of east, central and northwest India and the southeast Peninsula between April and June even as above-normal rainfall is expected in April, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said in its monthly forecast on Tuesday. Between April... Read more >

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17:46 4 held in Delhi drug bust; cocaine, MDMA worth Rs 1.1 cr seized File image The police busted a drug racket operating in Delhi and arrested four people, including two foreign nationals, with cocaine and MDMA valued around Rs 1.1 crore, an official said on Tuesday. The police said they were part of an organised network that procured drugs from foreign sources and... Read more >

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13:32 Kudos KTDC! The Kerala Tourism Development Corporation (KTDC) capitalises on a recent occurrence with an ad that did not break the bank. Or KitKat. Yesterday, Nestle confirmed that a large shipment of KitKat chocolate bars was stolen in Europe. In a statement shared on its official Instagram handle,... Read more >

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12:17 8 women devotees killed in stampede at Bihar temple Eight women devotees killed in a stampede at temple in Bihar's Nalanda district. The stampede took place at Mata Sheetla Temple in Maghra Village, which is nearly five kilometres from Bihar Sharif in Nalanda district. As this was the last Tuesday of the month of Chaitra, a massive crowd of... Read more >

12:15 Continue to eliminate Iran's power projection capabilities: US Central Command The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday (local time) released a video which claimed to show American military strikes targeting Iranian naval vessels and aircraft, amid escalating tension in West Asia. In a post on X, CENTCOM said, US forces continue to eliminate the Iranian... Read more >

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11:08 4 Israeli soldiers killed in southern Lebanon Representational image Four IDF soldiers died while fighting in Southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday, Jerusalem Post reported. The military shared the names of three of the soldiers, Captain Noam Madmoni, Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, while the fourth... Read more >

10:56 Govt plans overhaul of skilling course content The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is likely to roll out a pilot project in the next two months to develop new digital content for government skilling programmes, according to two officials aware of the matter.The initiative will involve the creation of nine modules, 50... Read more >

10:53 NHAI monetises Rs 28,307 cr highways in FY26 The National Highways Authority of India has realised Rs 28,307 crore through a combination of public Invit. private Invit, and Toll-Oper-ate-Transfer (TOT) in 2025-26, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways said on Monday.The ministry has already monetised two bundles of TOT (Bundles 18 and... Read more >

10:50 Independent news creators may come under MIB purview The Union government on Monday proposed bringing independent news and general affairs content creators on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook and X within the ambit of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Under the... Read more >

10:26 Centre relaxes kerosene supply rules for 60 days amid LPG shortage The government has relaxed kerosene distribution rules for cooking purposes for the next 60 days amid a liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) shortage in the country due to the ongoing West Asia crisis. Select petrol pumps, operated by state-run oil marketing companies (OMCs), have been permitted to... Read more >

10:17 Kuwaiti oil tanker struck by Iranian drone in Dubai waters Representational image Dubai authorities said Tuesday they had successfully put out the fire onboard a Kuwaiti crude carrier the Kuwaitis said was struck by an Iranian drone.The Dubai government said no injuries were reported and that all 24 crew members were safe.Earlier, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) said... Read more >

10:07 Florida airport to be renamed after Trump Pic courtesy @EricTrump US President Donald Trump's son and businessman, Eric Trump announced on Monday (local time) that the Palm Beach International Airport is now being renamed as President Donald J. Trump International Airport.Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill to rebrand the Palm Beach International... Read more >

10:00 Don't agree with my husband on every issue: Usha Vance US Second Lady Usha Vance said she considers herself a trusted adviser to her husband J D Vance, the US Vice President, especially when he's taking a position on an issue that is important personally. Usha, the first Indian American Second Lady, in an interview with NBC News, also said she... Read more >

09:47 17,581 raids held in UP to check black marketing of LPG cylinders The Uttar Pradesh government has conducted more than 17,000 raids and inspections across the state since March 12 to curb black marketing and ensure smooth supply of LPG and petroleum products.During this period, 17 people were arrested, the government said in a statement issued late on Monday... Read more >

09:37 Hormuz block: Netanyahu suggests Mediterranean pipeline rerouting Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that rerouting energy pipelines toward the Mediterranean could serve as a long-term solution to the vulnerabilities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with Newsmax. Long-term solutions include rerouting energy... Read more >

09:24 Trump willing to end war without reopening Hormuz: WSJ US President Donald Trump has told his aides that he's willing to end the military operation against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed, leaving the campaign to reopen it for a later date, the Wall Street Journal reported, citing administration officials.In recent days,... Read more >

09:09 Trump shares video of huge explosions in Iran's Isfahan United States President Donald Trump posted a video clip on his Truth Social platform showing a series of powerful explosions, reportedly in Iran's Isfahan, shortly after a fresh wave of attacks hit Tehran. Trump did not specify when or where the blasts occurred, but media reports suggest it... Read more >

08:37 Operations in Iran 'beyond the halfway point': Netanyahu Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (local time) said that the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran amid the West Asia conflict is beyond the halfway point, with the current focus of the coalition being to secure or remove Tehran's enriched uranium... Read more >

00:43 Amritsar: Loud explosion-like sound near police station cause panic Amritsar Rural Police said they have launched an investigation into the loud explosion-like sound some villagers in the Rajasansi area said they had heard on the intervening night of Sunday and Monday. Villagers near Bhindi-Saidhan police station, under the jurisdiction of Amritsar Rural... Read more >

00:41 Plane damaged in US strike ahead of humanitarian mission to India: Iran File image A US airstrike at Iran's Mashhad airport on Monday damaged a Mahan Air aircraft, potentially disrupting a mission to India to collect humanitarian aid, Iranian officials claimed. The plane was reportedly scheduled to fly to New Delhi this week to pick up essential medical supplies and aid... Read more >
Its one of the most recognisable images in history, but acclaimed filmmaker Julian Doyle  whose work includes Monty Pythons Life of Brian  believes the familiar scene of Jesus crucifixion may not stand up to scrutiny. Here, he examines the details that dont quite seem to add up.

The cross is one of the most enduring symbols in history but what we picture today may be centuries of interpretation not a historical reality Credit: Pixabay/Pexels

Every Easter, the same image comes back into focus: the cross. Its one of the most recognisable symbols in the world  so familiar that most of us never stop to question it. The upright beams, the nailed hands, the bowed figure. We assume we know what the cross that held Jesus looked like.

But what if that image is wrong?

Its a question that first occurred to me not in a church or a history book, but on a film set. While working on Monty Pythons Life of Brian, we had to stage a crucifixion scene  and in trying to make it look convincing, something about the standard version didnt seem to make sense.

That was enough to send me down a rabbit hole Ive been following ever since, looking more closely at how crucifixion is usually described, and whether the details stand up when you think them through.

Early Christian imagery didnt always centre on the cross  symbols like the Chi-Rho were widely used instead, suggesting the now-familiar image developed over time. Credit: Chi-Rho Mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, Ravenna  Wikimedia Commons

Where Are the Early Images?

One of the first things that struck me was visual. Despite the central importance of the crucifixion in Christianity, there are no official images of it for centuries after the event. In fact, the earliest recognised depiction appears around the 5th century, roughly 400 years later.

If this was such a defining moment, why does it take so long to appear  and why does that early image look so different from the one we know today?

The Cross Wasnt Always the Symbol

Even the symbol of the cross itself isnt as fixed as we might assume. Early Christian imagery often used the Chi-Rho  an X-shaped symbol  rather than the familiar vertical cross. Contemporary accounts of Roman Emperor Constantines vision  in which he described seeing a symbolic sign in the sky before a battle  point closer to this form than the later, standard cross.

So the symbol we now take for granted wasnt always the obvious or inevitable choice. Rather, it emerged over time, shaped as much by interpretation and tradition as by any single historical moment.

The Practical Problem

While filming Life of Brian in Tunisia back in 1978, we quickly ran into a problem while filming the iconic final crucifixion scene.

The version of the crucifixion everyone recognises simply didnt behave the way its supposed to.

A full-sized wooden cross is extremely heavy  far heavier than the versions usually shown. Even moving it a short distance proved difficult, which raises an obvious question about how it could have been carried as commonly depicted, unless it was smaller or only part of the structure was used. And thats before you even get to fixing a body to it.

Traditional imagery shows nails through the hands. But from a purely physical point of view, the hands alone would struggle to support the full weight of the body. Some researchers suggest the wrists  or additional support  would have been needed.

Its the kind of detail you dont think about until you try to make it work  which, as the films cinematographer, I had to  and once you do, it becomes harder to take the standard image at face value.

One of the earliest surviving depictions of the crucifixion, from the 6th-century Rabbula Gospels  showing how the image was already being shaped and interpreted centuries after the event. Credit: Public domain (Wikimedia Commons)

Details That Dont Quite Add Up

Look a little closer, and more questions follow.

How were crosses constructed and reused? If large numbers of people were crucified, were new crosses made each time or were they used again and again? How were they fixed into the ground, especially in rocky terrain like Jerusalem?

Even familiar details like the small footrest seen in paintings raise practical issues. Was it standard? Was it adjusted for each person? Or was it added later by artists trying to make the scene work visually?

They may sound like minor points, but they shape the image we all think of when we imagine the crucifixion.

How People Actually Died

Theres also some debate about what actually caused death during crucifixion.--Some explanations focus on blood loss or exposure; others point to asphyxiation, with the bodys position making it increasingly difficult to breathe. The reality may have varied from case to case.

What it does suggest is that even the basic mechanics of crucifixion are not as settled as theyre often presented  which makes the certainty of the familiar image harder to take at face value.

The Power of Imagery

Our idea of crucifixion has been shaped over centuries by artists, writers and filmmakers.--Early depictions often show a more upright, composed figure; later ones place far greater emphasis on suffering. Over time, that shift becomes embedded, until one version comes to feel like the standard.

But that familiarity can be misleading because it reflects how the image has developed, not necessarily how things actually were.

Julian Doyle is a distinguished British filmmaker with an outstanding career in the film industry. He is widely recognised for his long-standing collaboration with Monty Python, where he worked on their most celebrated films including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Life of Brian, and The Meaning of Life. While internationally recognised for his work in film, he is also an expert on biblical history and is the author of multiple books on the subject including The Gospel According to Monty Python, The Secret Life and Hidden Death of the Galilean, and Who Killed Jesus? His latest book, The Smallest Book unravels the BIGGEST LIE Ever Told, is available now on Amazon.

By Acclaimed filmmaker Julian Doyle for Female First

by Natalie key for www.femalefirst.co.uk


Thousands of people have taken part in festivities to mark the historic final hours of 97 years of local rule in London.

A throng of 250,000 people have gathered on the South Bank in London, home to the Greater London Council, which will not exist from midnight tonight.

Festivities will end with the largest display of fireworks ever seen in the city after a week of events costing 250,000.

Six other Labour-led metropolitan county councils will come to an end today ending 12 years of the strategic administration of the metropolitan county councils.

These are the West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Tyne and Wear, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire councils.

The disbanding of seven of the largest councils in Europe was ordered by the government to cut bureaucracy and increase efficiency, amid a swathe of criticism across the political spectrum.

The government insisted transferring their powers to local councils and quangos would create greater electoral accountability.

But hopes of achieving 7,000 job cuts in London, with a corresponding saving of 50 million, have proved an overestimate as most have moved to jobs within the new organisations.

In the metropolitan districts some 32,000 staff and 600 councillors are affected by the changes, with the same number of councillors and 20,000 staff affected in London.

Despite job cuts staff are out supporting the festivities around the country and in London there are giant screens bearing farewell messages from celebrities.

The last GLC concert to be staged at the festival hall will include Haydns Farewell Symphony, by the Philharmonic Orchestra, lit with candles until the final one is blown out by its leader Ken Livingstone.

Many people are wearing badges bearing the message well meet again, mirroring a banner on the GLCs building County Hall, where flags are flying at half-mast, opposite the Houses of Parliament. []

Courtesy BBC News

In context

Once Labour regained control of the GLC from the Tories in May 1981 the Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was determined to abolish the council.

There began a four year political battle to remove the council, run by the Labour politician Ken Livingstone, whose far-left policies earned him the title Red Ken.

An initial attempt was defeated, but a Bill published in 1984 precipitated the end of the GLC.

In May 1997 Labour was elected to power with a manifesto commitment to allow Londoners a referendum on whether they wanted a new mayor and a Greater London Authority.

They overwhelmingly voted for a council which came into existence in July 2000 with Ken Livingstone as mayor.

He won the mayoral election as an independent after Labour expelled him for not supporting the partys official candidate.

He was re-admitted into the party in January 2004 after Prime Minister Tony Blair admitted he was wrong about his prediction that Mr Livingstone would be a disaster for London.

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Macau flag carrier Air Macau recorded net losses of RMB655 million (MOP764.8 million) in 2025, according to the annual report of the companys major shareholder, Air China.

The result accounts not only for the sixth consecutive year in the red but also for the companys higher annual loss post-pandemic.

When compared year over year with the previous year, the 2025 figure represents a 10.1% increase in losses, which grew significantly from the RMB595 million recorded in 2024.

The same report noted that despite worsening losses, the airliner increased its operating revenue by 2.6% in 2025 to RMB3.19 billion (MOP3.72 billion).

This improvement was largely due to an increase in the number of passengers transported throughout the year, which reached approximately 3.18 million, up 2.1% from 2024.

As the Times previously reported, the last year the airliner reported net profits was 2019, when the results totaled slightly over MOP50.4 million. Even so, at the time, the company was already recording a significant decline, having posted a 29.3% drop year-over-year when compared to 2018.

The same Air China report also notes a decline in Air Macaus Revenue Passenger Kilometers (RPK) and Available Seat Kilometers (ASK), by 1.3% and 3.2%, respectively.

RPK is a key airline industry metric measuring passenger traffic, calculated by multiplying the number of paying passengers by the distance flown. In contrast, ASK measures passenger-carrying capacity, representing the total number of seats available for sale multiplied by the distance flown.

On the other hand, the companys assets increased year-over-year, with total assets valued at approximately RMB6.19 billion (MOP7.22 billion) at the end of 2025, up 11.3%.

In an attempt to tackle such financial woes, the company presented a series of new and resumed routes, namely targeting the Southeast Asian market.

Earlier this month, Air Macau confirmed an expanded schedule that would take effect from late this month, with key additions including flights to Shanghai, Chengdu, Taiyuan, Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung, Bangkok, Hanoi, and Kuala Lumpur.

Seasonal flights to Fukuoka are also scheduled for July and August, while Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang province, is expected to join the network in the near term.

Starting July 1, the airline will also resume services to Manila (Philippines) after nearly two years of suspension.

Further expansions include destinations in Northeast China, such as Shenyang and Dalian, as well as Urumqi, Xian, and Lanzhou in the northwest.

Despite the difficulties, Air Macaus losses follow on those of Air China itself, which have been soaring for the past six years.

According to the report, Air China posted a net loss of approximately RMB1.78 billion (MOP2.07 billion) last year, a major widening of the losses recorded on the previous year (RMB232.6 million).

Intense domestic competition from high-speed rail and suppressed airfares have justified these major losses.

Last year, Air China carried a total of 161 million passengers, 3.4% more than in 2024.

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The Artyzen Hospitality Group in Macau (Artyzen) has supported the worldwide event Earth Hour 2026, marking the 20th anniversary of the global movement. Organized by the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), the event encourages individuals, businesses, and communities to switch off non-essential lights for one hour on the last Saturday of March each year.

Since its launch in 2007, the initiative has grown into one of the worlds largest environmental movements, inspiring millions to take action for the planet beyond the symbolic hour.

As part of its commitment to sustainability, Artyzen transformed this global initiative into a shared experience, encouraging guests to participate by switching off the lights in their rooms for an hour.

On March 28, from 8:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., the Artyzen Grand Lapa Macau and Grand Coloane Resort properties dimmed or switched off non-essential lighting across exterior buildings, landscapes, and resort and club areas.

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Chief Executive (CE) Sam Hou Fai appealed to Macaus youth to synchronize their aspirations with national development and the territorys prosperity, stressing the importance of the greater good of the nation.

Speaking at the inauguration of the seventhterm leadership of the Macau Youth Federation, the CE shared three hopes for the citys youth, emphasizing that the government highly values youth development and will continue to improve policies and programs to support it.

The CE linked his speech to the national 15th FiveYear Plan outline, stating it reflects the central governments strong support for Macau. He repeated that his administration is speeding up the drafting of Macaus third FiveYear Plan to guide the territorys economic and social development over the next five years and to align it with the national outline. He also encouraged young people to share ideas and voice their generations views and suggestions.

In his remarks, Sam outlined three hopes for young people, emphasizing that their growth depends on personal dedication but encouraging them to align their ambitions with national development and Macaus prosperity. He urged youth to study hard, confront difficulties bravely, and pursue challenges through persistent effort and concrete actions, reflecting the enterprising spirit of Macaus new-era generation. He also called on them to be innovative and take responsibility in seizing major development opportunities and tackling future challenges in the regions work.

I hope young people will dare to explore and experiment, dare to be pioneers, lead breakthroughs with innovative thinking, and embrace transformation with a sense of responsibility, the CE said, adding that they should inject fresh vitality into society and open up new possibilities for the times.

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Chinas flag carrier resumed direct flights between Beijing and North Koreas capital of Pyongyang yesterday not long after the restoration of passenger train services between the capitals.

The Air China flight was welcomed by the Chinese ambassador to North Korea, Wang Yajun, and other diplomats, according to Chinese state media.

Passenger train service from China to North Korea had resumed March 12.

Flights and passenger trains to North Korea had been suspended since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

North Korean carrier Air Koryo resumed flights between the capitals in 2023.

North Korea banned all foreign tourists during the pandemic but has started easing the restrictions, with a Russian tour group entering the country in 2024.

Chinese tour groups had made up 90% of all visitors to North Korea prior to the ban, and the delay on resuming Chinese tours surprised observers.

China is Pyongyangs biggest trading partner and major ally, but Beijing has expressed disapproval over the years at North Koreas test-launches of missiles that could be used to target South Korea and the United States.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un traveled to Beijing in September to attend a massive military parade, marking the first time a North Korean leader had been present at a Chinese military parade in decades. MDT/AP

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China announced yesterday that it is sanctioning a conservative Japanese lawmaker close to Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, accusing him of colluding with separatists in Taiwan, the latest incident that underlines growing tensions between Tokyo and Beijing over the self-governed island.

Chinas Foreign Ministry said the sanctions include banning the entry of Keiji Furuya to China, including to Hong Kong and Macau, and prohibiting his activities with organizations and individuals in China, effective immediately.

Furuya heads a bipartisan Japan-Taiwan lawmakers consultation council and has visited Taiwan regularly. He most recently visited Taiwans capital of Taipei, where he held talks with Taiwanese leader Lai Ching-te in mid-March.

Furuya is a close ally of Takaichi who headed the election strategy for their governing Liberal Democratic Party ahead of the partys electoral victory in February.

China accused Furuya of repeatedly visiting Taiwan despite Chinas strong opposition and of colluding with Taiwan independence separatist forces.

The ministry said Furuyas activities violate the one-China principle and grossly interfere in Chinas internal affairs and seriously undermine Chinas sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Furuya said the notice came via the Japanese Foreign Ministry. He defended his actions, telling reporters that it is only natural for parliamentary groups to promote exchanges between countries with shared values.

Furuya said he had not visited China for decades and had no personal assets in that country, so I dont think there is any impact from the sanctions.

The move marks the latest example of growing tensions between Beijing and Tokyo since Takaichi infuriated Beijing last November by saying a hypothetical Chinese military action against Taiwan would amount to a survival-threatening situation for Japan that would justify Japanese troop engagement.

The comment broke with Japans past vague stance on how Japan would respond if China used force against the island.

China views Taiwan as its internal matter and opposes any foreign involvement in the island, and it reacted with a range of diplomatic and economic steps.

China last year also sanctioned a Chinese-born and naturalized Japanese opposition lawmaker, Seki Hei, for allegedly spreading fallacies about Taiwan and other disputed territories. MARI YAMAGUCHI, TOKYO, MDT/AP

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With shrinking kindergarten class sizes likely to spill over into primary schools, lawmaker Ella Lei has questioned the governments study of schoolage demographic trends and asked about planned response strategies for local education.

In a written inquiry submitted to the Legislative Assembly (AL), Lei warned that Macaus birth rate has declined for ten years, citing data that shows 2,871 newborns registered last year, a figure that represents a 20.3% decrease from 2024.

According to the lawmaker, the decline has already led to the loss of 26 kindergarten classes and 63 early-childhood teachers this school year. She said that the education sector is concerned, citing educators who say changing [career] paths is not easy, even though officials have promised to help expand career and development options for schools and teaching staff.

She proposed several measures, including increasing the teachertochild ratio in early childhood education from 1:1.9 to at least 1:2; implementing funding policies such as assigning two teachers per childcare worker; enhancing education at all levels, especially preschool, to improve teaching quality; optimizing resource allocation for smallclass systems to better meet childrens needs; and reinforcing each schools unique character based on its traditions and a comprehensive development approach.

The inquiry also cited educators who said they were unsure how to implement recent proposals to improve the School Development Plan subsidy application. This plan was originally meant to subsidize after-school programs, support eligible schools transition to continuing education institutions, fund facility renovations, or provide training in new fields. She expressed concern about how non-higher education institutions should pursue transformation to stay competitive.

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Kushtrim Ajvazi is proud to be part of a successful business in one of the poorest countries in Europe. The company where he is a manager produces potato chips and other snacks that can be found in almost every shop in Kosovo and are exported abroad.

But Ajvazis company faces unplanned challenges because of a steep rise in fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, whose ripple effects have reached this small corner of southeastern Europe.

The Pestova company has nearly 100 acres of potato fields in eastern Kosovo that are used to make the potato chips sold under the name Vipa. Both the firm and its distribution network were hit when the wholesale price of fuel rose from 1.10 euros to up to 1.7 euros per liter, Ajvazi said.

Kosovo does not have its own fuel production. The price of diesel and gasoline is determined by importers whose profit margin is capped at 12%.

Ajvazi urged the government to help ease the burden. Spring is potato planting season.

The company needs a lot of fuel so costs are extremely high, he said. Fertilizer prices also have gone up, but the company had reserves.

We are analyzing and calculating every additional cost, and if we see that this process of rising costs continues, we will be forced to adjust our prices, Ajvazi said.

While other countries in Balkans have put in place measures to ease the effects on farmers, Kosovos government is yet to act. The government did not respond to questions.

Romania, Hungary and Serbia have introduced special diesel prices for farmers or lowered the state tax income.

In Kosovo, economic experts warned that the government should urgently respond in case of a further price increase, to prevent greater damage to the economy.

There is not one sector that is not affected by the price increase, economist Safet Gerxhaliu said.

Ajvazi said his company faces additional problems because around 40% of production is exported with prearranged, fixed prices that can be changed only with a 90-day advance notice. He said it is hard to plan anything without stable prices.

We call on the government to ease this phase for us, he said. We are a company that exports to more than 23 different countries, including those in Europe.

The price hike has also burdened ordinary citizens. Bardh Mehmeti, an IT professional from the capital, Pristina, said he now pays 100 euros ($115) for a full tank, up from 80 euros ($92) before the crisis. Mehmeti is now seriously considering ways to get an electric car.

Kosovos economy has struggled ever since the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a war. Serbia does not recognize the split, and the unresolved situation has stalled the countries in their bids to join the European Union.

Also affecting Kosovos economic situation has been a prolonged political crisis that left the country without a fully functioning government for much of last year. The current government of Prime Minster Albin Kurti is again in a stalemate over a failure to elect a new president.

The main opposition Democratic Party has criticized what it calls government inaction and urged temporary tax cuts to help ease the burden on citizens and businesses. ZANA CIMILI, PRISTINA, MDT/AP

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President Donald Trump openly mused about seizing Irans Kharg Island oil terminal in the Persian Gulf and the United States and Israel kept up their attacks yesterday on the Islamic Republic, even as there were signs of progress in nascent ceasefire talks. Tehran, meanwhile, struck a key water and electrical plant in hard-hit Kuwait, part of its ongoing campaign targeting the Gulf Arab states.

As a diplomatic effort being facilitated by Pakistan toward ending the war moved ahead, Trump said Iran had agreed to allow 20 oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz starting Monday as a sign of respect. At the same time, with 2,500 U.S. Marines now in the region and a similar sized contingent on its way, he raised the idea of taking Irans Kharg Island.

Maybe we take Kharg Island, maybe we dont, he told the Financial Times in an interview published yesterday. We have a lot of options.

Iran launches attacks on Israel, Gulf states

Sirens sounded at dawn near Israels main nuclear research center, a part of the country that has been targeted repeatedly in recent days. Israels military also said it had taken out two drones launched from Yemen, where the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels entered the war on Saturday with its first missile attack.

Iran kept up the pressure on its Gulf Arab neighbors, as Saudi Arabia intercepted five missiles targeting its oil-rich Eastern Province, Bahrain sounded a missile alert, and a fireball erupted over Dubai as an incoming missile was taken out by defenses.

In Kuwait, an Iranian attack hit a power and desalination plant, killing one worker and injuring 10 soldiers, the state-run KUNA news agency reported.

Desalination plants remain crucial to water supplies in the Gulf Arab states, and an Iranian attack previously damaged a desalination plant in Bahrain during the war. The facilities are typically paired with power plants, because of the large amount of energy required to remove salt from the water to make it drinkable.

New wave of attacks on Iran

Israels military launched a new wave of attacks on Iran, saying it was striking military infrastructure across Tehran. Iranian media also reported that one of the facilities of Tabriz Petrochemical was struck in a northern province of the country. They said no hazardous materials had been released.

In Lebanon, which Israel has invaded by ground, an Indonesian peacekeeper was killed and three others wounded when a projectile exploded near a village in the south.

Over the weekend, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military will widen its invasion, expanding the existing security strip in that countrys south as it targets the Iran-linked Hezbollah militia.

Irans attacks on the energy infrastructure of the region and its stranglehold on the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of the worlds oil is shipped in peacetime, has sent oil prices skyrocketing and given rise to growing concerns about a global energy crisis.

In early trading, the spot price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, was around $115, up nearly 60% from when the U.S. and Israel started the war with attacks on Iran on Feb. 28.

As pressure has grown on Trump to bring an end to the conflict, the U.S. has presented Iran a 15-point plan that includes it agreeing to open the Strait of Hormuz to shipping. Iran, meantime, has produced a five-point plan with its own terms, including maintaining its sovereignty over the key waterway.

Pakistan announced Sunday that it would soon host talks between the U.S. and Iran, though there was no immediate word from Washington or Tehran, and it was unclear whether discussions on the monthlong war would be direct or indirect.

Pakistans Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar the talks would be held in the coming days.

Trump says diplomatic approach going well but suggests military expansion is possible

Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One late Sunday that the U.S. was negotiating directly and indirectly with Iran, though Iran has insisted that it has not been in any talks with Washington.

Were doing extremely well in that negotiation but you never know with Iran because we negotiate with them and then we always have to blow them up, Trump said.

Earlier, Irans parliament speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, dismissed the talks in Pakistan as a cover after more U.S. troops to get to the area. He said Iranian forces were waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever, according to state media.

In the interview with the Financial Times, Trump suggested it could mean a longer-term commitment if the U.S. decided to try and take Kharg Island, saying it would mean we had to be there for a while. JON GAMBRELL, DUBAI, MDT/AP

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Senior military officials from Morocco and Kenya held high-level talks in Rabat on Monday, March 30, as part of a working visit by General Charles Muriu Kahariri, Chief of Staff of the Kenya Defence Forces.

The Kenyan official was received by General Mohammed Brit, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces and Commander of the Southern Zone, at the headquarters of the Royal Armed Forces General Staff in Rabat.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed the current state of military relations between the two countries and identified avenues for broadening and deepening existing cooperation. The two generals expressed satisfaction with the existing level of collaboration, reaffirming a shared commitment to elevating it toward wider and more diversified horizons.

Particular emphasis was placed on the importance of joint action to reinforce defense capabilities and foster the exchange of expertise and operational experience  a priority both sides view as essential in responding to contemporary security challenges across the continent. The talks also underscored the depth of the bonds uniting Morocco and Kenya at both bilateral and regional levels.

A significant development emerging from the visit is the prospect of a formal defense cooperation agreement between the two nations, with a draft accord currently under review. Officials indicated that the agreement would provide a structured and durable legal framework for the partnership. This visit reflects the growing momentum in Morocco-Kenya relations and confirms both countries shared orientation toward strengthening coordination in the service of regional security and stability.

The Kenyan delegation, led by General Kahariri, is on a five-day visit to Morocco from March 30 to April 3, 2026.
From protest marches in Kolkata to viral feminist comedy in Beijing, social media is giving women something powerful: a sense they are not alone, says sociologist Dr Stephen Whitehead.

Social Media Credit: Andrea Piacquadio/Pexels

Theres a moment that happens to women online  youve probably felt it. You post something, or read something, and suddenly it clicks: I am not alone in this.

That feeling  recognition, solidarity and a quietly growing sense of anger  is changing the world more than most of us realise.---Social media was never designed with womens liberation in mind. The platforms are imperfect, often toxic, and full of the same misogyny women are trying to escape. Cyberbullying, trolling and stalking remain daily realities for millions. Yet despite this, social media has become a powerful force in what I call independent femininity  a simple idea: living life on your own terms, with your own values, voice and choices at the centre.

Nowhere is this clearer than in India and China  two countries that together account for nearly 1.4billion women, around 28% of all women on earth, and where the barriers women face remain significant.

In India, a rape occurs every 16 minutes. Expectations around how women should look, behave and live still carry enormous weight. And yet India now has one of the highest proportions of feminists  73%

The protest in Kolkata, India reflects a wider shift where shared experience online is increasingly driving women into visible, collective action. Credit: Porshi Photographer, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

That shift hasnt come from nowhere. It has been shaped, in part, by WhatsApp groups, Instagram feeds and the steady effect of women finding each other online. Research by Madhu Kumari, published in the International Journal of Scientific and Technology Research, shows how social media has helped empower Indian women socially, psychologically and financially  giving them space to speak, organise and build communities.

This became strikingly visible in August 2024, when the rape and murder of a young trainee doctor in Kolkata spread across social media within hours. What followed were some of the largest protests India had seen in years, with hundreds of thousands marching to reclaim the night. Women organised, amplified their voices and refused to be ignored.

A 2024 study by Nadeem Alam of Aligarh Muslim University found similar patterns, showing how campaigns such as #MeToo, #IWillGoOut and #PinjraTod have challenged gender norms, pressured institutions and strengthened feminist networks across the country.---India shows how social media can amplify voices. China shows something more unexpected: how those same connections survive even under restriction.

Chinese women operate within one of the most tightly controlled online environments in the world. Feminist content is often censored, and users risk punishment for sharing it. Even so, women continue to find ways to connect and organise.

More than a billion people use social media in China, and nearly half are women. They have created movements such as #SeeFemaleWorkers, which by 2020 had attracted over 520 million views. These campaigns highlight women in roles often overlooked or ignored, from engineers to firefighters.

Research published in Feminist Media Studies shows how these online movements have helped women recognise that their experiences are shared  and rooted in wider systems, not personal failings.----Women have also used hashtags such as #MeToo, #BeenRapedNeverReported and #StandByHer. At the same time, humour has become a powerful tool. In summer 2024, millions watched a stand-up performance by comedian Caicai, tackling topics like menstruation and male discomfort. Before her, comedian Yang Li sparked national debate with one pointed question: Why are men so mediocre and yet so confident?

A 2024 study of feminist discourse on Weibo found that online voices are increasing awareness, encouraging empathy and building solidarity, even in the face of censorship.---In 2021, a young woman, Zhang Zirui, described lying in bed scrolling through Weibo when she came across posts arguing that women dont owe their families obedience. For the first time, she said, I knew women could live differently. This is also happening in countries where womens freedoms are less visibly restricted.

In the UK, research funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council, published as Digital Feminist Activism (Oxford University Press, 2019), found that online activism can have a direct impact on womens lives. The study showed how girls and women are using social media to document sexism, challenge harmful attitudes and build support networks that previous generations didnt have access to.

These spaces are still flawed  and often hostile. But the connections they enable are real, and growing. Step back from the data and the same pattern appears: a woman, alone with her phone, reading something that changes how she sees herself.

Independent femininity isnt a formal movement or a fixed ideology but something quieter  the realisation that the version of womanhood youve been shown isnt the only one available. Social media hasnt created that desire for change  it has simply given it a place to grow. It has given women a way to share experiences, build connections and see new possibilities, across countries, cultures and even heavily controlled online spaces.

When you combine the estimated number of feminists in India and China alone, you reach close to 600 million women  before counting the many more who are beginning to question expectations and define their own paths. --The glass ceiling still exists. But more and more women are no longer waiting for permission to break it. They are building something new  and sharing it with each other online.

Dr Stephen Whitehead is a sociologist, author and consultant internationally recognised for his work on gender, leadership and organisational culture. With more than two decades in academia, he served as Senior Lecturer in Education and Programme Director at Keele University before moving to Asia, where he has lived since 2009, building an international consultancy for schools and universities across the region. He is the author of 20 books, translated into 17 languages, including Men and Masculinities, Toxic Masculinity: Curing the Virus, Self-Love for Women and The End of Sex: The Gender Revolution and its Consequences. His concept of Total Inclusivity has been widely applied in workplaces, schools and universities, and his writing has helped shape global debate on identity, gender and organisational change. For more on Dr Stephen Whiteheads take on modern organisations and their culture, see his recent book, Total Inclusivity at Work (London: Routledge).

By: Sociologist Dr Stephen Whitehead For Female First
Chain snatching cases in Mumbai and Thane have dropped to double digits for the first time in five years, signalling a breakthrough for the police in curbing a once rampant crime network.



From 120 cases each in 2023 and 2024, the number has fallen to 85 in 2025. Of these, 81 accused have already been arrested, reflecting a significantly improved detection rate.



Police attribute the decline largely to dismantling the influence of a notorious chain-snatching gang operating out of Ambivali near Kalyan.



Earlier, this gang had a strong presence and created havoc across the city. Now, their influence has drastically reduced, with several members booked under MCOCA, a police official said.



Officials said Matunga was once a key hub for chain snatching, with gangs targeting temple-goersparticularly from the South Indian communitywho often wore gold jewellery while visiting religious places.



The areas proximity to highways also provided quick escape routes for offenders. However, police say the gangs hold has now been completely dismantled. Two decades ago, the gang operated freely here. Continuous vigilance has now reduced their presence to zero, police said.



A key turning point came in 2025 when Chennai Police gunned down Jaffer Gulam Hussain, a notorious gang member wanted in multiple Mumbai cases, in an alleged act of self-defence. Officials said the encounter created fear among gang members, weakening their operations.



Authorities also credit sustained patrolling and close monitoring of CCTV footage for the decline. We have intensified surveillance and act swiftly on even minor leads. That has helped us curb incidents significantly, an officer said.



In Thane, a focused crackdown led by Zone 3 under DCP Atul Zende has further tightened the net. Police have compiled detailed records of known offenders, leading to the arrest of around 35 accused wanted in over 10 cases across districts. These individuals have been handed over to respective police units.



Additionally, 15 accusedincluding womenhave been externed from the jurisdiction. Police have also invoked stringent laws such as the NDPS Act and MCOCA to target organised criminal activity.



Officials noted a worrying trend of younger individuals being drawn into crime, particularly drug-related offences and quick-money schemes, prompting stricter preventive action.



The impact of these measures is evident on the ground. Notably, recent operations have seen zero attacks on police personnelincidents that were relatively common just two years ago.



Beyond enforcement, police have also initiated social interventions.



Senior officers have encouraged education within vulnerable communities, facilitating better schooling access in areas previously associated with criminal gangs, including the Irani network.



The human cost of crime, however, remains stark. One accused, recently released on bail after five years in custody, recounted his ordeal.



Arrested in connection with a friends case, he lost his father during incarceration and missed his funeral. My wife was pregnant then. After five years, I am seeing my daughter for the first time, he said.



Determined to rebuild his life, he now hopes to work as a fitness trainer. Many from our community are doing well through honest means. I want to follow that path, he said.




The Housemaid's Secret will be released in 2027.

The Housemaid's Secret will release in 2027

The highly anticipated sequel to The Housemaid - which sees Millie Calloway (Sydney Sweeney) lying on her resume to become a live-in nanny for wealthy couple Nina (Amanda Seyfried) and Andrew Winchester (Brandon Sklenar), who have dangerous secrets - is in early development with an earlier release date than fans might have expected.

Lionsgate has announced that The Housemaid's Secret will be released on December 17, 2027.

The movie will share a release date with The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and upcoming Marvel blockbuster Avengers: Secret Wars.

Production is set to get underway later this year, with Paul Feig returning to direct alongside screenwriter Rebecca Sonnenshine.

The follow-up to this year's R-rated thriller is based on author Freida McFadden's novel of the same name.

Sweeney will reprise her role as Nina in the sequel, while Michele Morrone (Enzo Accardi) is back, and Kirsten Dunst is joining the cast.

Erin Westerman, Lionsgate Motion Picture Group president, said in a statement: "It is a privilege to bring The Housemaids next chapter to the screen with Kirsten Dunst.

"She is an icon. Her career reflects extraordinary range and fearlessness. Opposite the ever-magnetic Sydney Sweeney, she will be an electrifying force in a world where nothing is ever quite as it seems."

Feig, 63, recently revealed that The Housemaids Secret will start shooting this autumn as the cast and crew are "ready to go".

He told The Hollywood Reporter at the Academy Awards on March 15: "We're going to start shooting in the fall. The script is all finished, we're just doing a little bit of rewrites on it. We're ready to go.

"Sydney's coming back and Michele's coming back and then some new very exciting actors are coming in."

In January 2025, Seyfried, 40, said she wants to make a cameo appearance in a potential sequel, which Sweeney and McFadden will produce.

She told Variety: "No one's said anything about number two, but I guarantee there will be number two.

"And I almost guarantee that I'm gonna be some small cameo in it because it's about Syd and her working for a new family. There's so much that happens, especially with Michele [Morrone]'s character Enzo.

"I really want to see how she keeps Nina Winchester in her pocket, because I will jump the f*** back into that."
A contempt application filed last week before the NDPS Special Court in Mumbai has shined a spotlight on the functioning of the e-Sakshya digital evidence portal, a technology-driven system introduced to streamline access to case evidence.



The petition arises from an NDPS case involving Noorullah Hussain Sharif alias Ajmal, who is currently in judicial custody. In his application, Sharif has alleged that, despite clear judicial directions, the prosecution has failed to provide crucial evidence, effectively obstructing his right to defence.



According to the plea, the accused was arrested on June 14, 2025, under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 (NDPS Act). On January 13, 2026, he moved an application seeking compliance with Section 105 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 (BNSS), specifically requesting access to evidence, including video recordings related to the case. Acting on this plea, the court, on February 10, 2026, directed the investigating agency to supply the video recording of the seizure panchnama dated July 26, 2025, within seven days.



However, the defence has alleged that the order has not been complied with. The application claims that, despite communication of the courts directions to the investigating officer through official channels, including the court officer and prosecutor, the prosecution has failed to furnish the required material.



Advocate Ayaz Khan, appearing for the accused, criticised the functioning of the e-Sakshya portal, stating that it is creating procedural roadblocks for the defence. He pointed out that OTP-based authentication often prevents lawyers from accessing crucial evidence, as the required OTPs are not consistently shared by the investigating officer. According to Khan, this technical barrier effectively denies the accused a fair opportunity to verify and challenge the prosecutions case.



He further said that even in cases where courts have issued explicit directions to provide evidence, such as video recordings of seizure proceedings, there is continued non-compliance by investigating agencies in Maharashtra. Such delays, he argued, not only violate court orders but also raise concerns about transparency and the possibility of evidence being altered or withheld.



The plea also raises apprehensions of possible tampering with video evidence, suggesting that the delay in providing access could be deliberate and prejudicial to the accused. It contends that such non-compliance not only violates the courts order but also strikes at the root of due process and the right to a fair trial.



The contempt plea seeks action against the investigating officer and other responsible officials for wilful disobedience of the courts order. It urges the court to take serious note of the alleged non-compliance and grant appropriate relief to ensure adherence to legal procedures.



Advocate Ravi Gurnani, who appears in NDPS matters, pointed to the mandate under Section 230 of BNSS. He said the provision requires the magistrate to supply the accused with copies of the police report and all relevant documents without delay, and in any case within 14 days of their appearance.



However, he added that this mandate is often not followed in practice. We are unable to effectively access evidence from the investigating officer. In some central agency cases, evidence is shared through pen drives and is easily accessible. But in state cases, the mandatory use of the e-Sakshya portal has made the process extremely cumbersome, he said.



Gurnani added that access to video evidence depends on OTPs controlled by the investigating officer, who is often unresponsive. Even when an OTP is provided, it allows only one-time access. We are forced to repeatedly approach the officer, which defeats the purpose of Section 230, he said.



Gurnani said that, due to these hurdles, his client has been facing delays for over two months, with the bail application still pending as the defence is unable to properly examine the evidence.



Public Prosecutor Suresh Panjwani, however, defended the system, stating, These processes have been put in place to ensure that evidence is not tampered with. The contempt petition is currently before the court, and appropriate directions will be issued in the matter.




For a civic body often accused of moving at a glacial pace, the appointment of Ashwini Bhide as municipal commissioner marks a sharp shift in tone  and possibly temperament. The 1995-batch IAS officer on Tuesday became the first woman to head the BMC in its 150-year history, stepping into one of the most politically and administratively complex roles in urban India.



But Bhide made it clear on Day 1 that there is nothing different about a woman heading the citys top civic post.



At every step, there is mention of the first woman commissioner because perhaps such opportunities did not come earlier. But there is no need to view this any differently because I am a woman, she said.



Bhides appointment also marks a rare moment when all three key positions in the BMC  mayor, opposition leader and now commissioner  are held by women.



She took charge from Bhushan Gagrani, a senior IAS officer who retired on March 31 after serving as BMC chief for two years.



Bhide assumes office at a time when Mumbai is grappling with multiple pressures: An aggressive infrastructure rollout, citizen backlash over roadworks and pollution and questions over environmental safeguards.



Efficiency vs empathy?



Within bureaucratic circles, Bhide is seen as a hard taskmaster  detail-driven, deadline-focused and unwilling to dilute project timelines. Supporters credit her with pushing through complex infrastructure work, including Metro projects and arterial road upgrades.



Critics, however, say that the same approach often leaves little room for consultation, especially on projects with environmental or community impact.



That tension  between speed and sensitivity  is likely to define her tenure at the BMC.



Emphasising continuity over symbolism, Bhide said the civic bodys legacy would remain her guiding principle. The municipal corporation has a heritage of over 150 years. Past civic chiefs have worked to maintain and strengthen that legacy, and I will continue in the same direction, she said.



The Aarey line she drew



The most defining  and divisive  chapter of Bhides career remains the Aarey Metro car shed controversy.



In October 2019, after the Bombay High Court cleared the project, more than 2,000 trees were felled in Aarey Colony, many during late-night operations that triggered massive protests across Mumbai.



As the face of the project at the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited, Bhide defended both the necessity of the car shed and the choice of Aarey as the site. Her firm, often combative public stance  including sharp online exchanges with activists  cemented her image as an officer unwilling to bend under pressure.



For the citys environmentalists, the episode symbolised disregard for Mumbais shrinking green cover. For the administration, it was a test case in executing infrastructure despite resistance.



The fallout was swift.



Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aaditya Thackeray emerged as the face of opposition to the Aarey project, bringing Bhide into direct confrontation with the then undivided Sena. When the Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) came to power, Bhide was shifted out in January 2020  a move widely read as political signalling. Her appointment remained on hold for three months, from January to March 2020.



Bhides career since has mirrored Maharashtras shifting political equations.



In March 2020, the MVA-led government appointed her as additional municipal commissioner, bringing her back during the Covid-19 crisis to assist civic operations. She also handled key projects such as the Mumbai Coastal Road  considered a flagship project of the Thackerays  during her tenure. After the 2022 regime change, she was reinstated to key infrastructure roles while continuing as additional municipal commissioner until 2024, reinforcing her image as an officer with strong backing from the BJP-led establishment.



Appointment amid friction



Her elevation as BMC commissioner, sources say, was not without internal churn. It came despite several senior IAS officers being in the fray. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis ultimately picked Bhide over names such as Milind Mhaiskar, Aseem Gupta, Vikash Kharge and Lokesh Chandra.



There was reported friction between Fadnavis and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde over the choice before Bhide emerged as the final pick, largely on the strength of her execution track record.



The message is clear: The government wants delivery.



A city that pushes back



But the BMC is not a project site  it is a pressure cooker. From hawker regulation and road concretisation to air quality, flooding, housing and environmental compliance, the commissioners office sits at the centre of competing interests. Unlike infrastructure agencies, civic governance plays out in full public glare.



Bhide will also inherit a city where citizen groups, activists and courts have become increasingly assertive, often halting, reshaping or questioning projects.



The test ahead



For now, Bhides appointment signals a bet on administrative steel over political accommodation. On urban safety and accessibility, she noted that Mumbai is considered relatively safe for women in terms of commuting and policing  a factor that has contributed to a higher number of working women in the city. We will continue working to make the city more accessible, she said.



Facing her first immediate test  the monsoon  Bhide acknowledged delays in pre-monsoon desilting works but said a review would be undertaken soon. Over the past several years, multiple flood-resilience measures have been implemented. Their impact will be seen this monsoon. We will work to ensure that waterlogging is minimised, she said.



Drawing on her previous stint in the BMC during the pandemic as additional commissioner, Bhide said her experience would help. Even then, corporators were in place and the administration worked closely with elected representatives. This familiarity with the system will be useful, she said.



Bhide, who was serving as additional chief secretary in the Chief Ministers Office and managing director of Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Ltd (MMRCL), will continue to hold additional charge of MMRCL. Whether that translates into faster delivery, sharper conflict  or both  will become clear soon.



Mumbai has a new commissioner. But it also has one the city already has strong opinions about.




What should have returned as a rare breathing space in congested Prabhadevi now resembles an informal parking bay  rows of vehicles standing where children once ran drills and residents gathered.



The Nardulla Tank ground, a site layered with civic and political history, has slipped into visible neglect. Its prolonged closure during the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation (MMRCL) project was expected to culminate in its revival.



Instead, what has been handed back to the public is only a fragment  quickly overrun and barely usable. For nearly seven years, the ground remained out of bounds as work progressed on the Siddhivinayak Metro station. When a portion was finally reopened two years ago, it was expected to restore much-needed open space in a neighbourhood starved of it.



That expectation has not materialised. Today, residents say, the space functions less as a playground and more as a spillover parking zone for unauthorised vehicles. With no entry barriers, enforcement, or supervision, cars move in freely  and remain.



The ground was shut for years. When it finally opened, it was supposed to be for the public. Instead, it has been taken over, said resident Santosh Dalvi. There is no other playground within a 3 km radius; Shivaji Park is the closest option.



Repeated attempts by locals to deter parking have failed in the absence of official action. We try to stop vehicles, but without enforcement, nothing changes. The youth here have nowhere to play, said Yogesh Hule.



No guard, no ground



The issue has now reached the civic system. At Mondays ward committee meeting, Shiv Sena (UBT) flagged the encroachment and demanded immediate intervention from the BMC.



Local corporator Shashikant Shinde questioned both accountability and the lack of basic safeguards. There is no gate to prevent vehicles from entering. I have asked for a status report and clarity on who currently holds possession of the land. The BMC must take responsibility, he said. Residents also pointed to gaps that underscore the neglect.



Despite heavy daily footfall, there is no provision for drinking water. Despite being known as Nardulla Tank Park, there is no provision for water  not for drinking or even for ground maintenance, said Santosh Pawge.



A legacy



parked aside



The condition of the ground stands in stark contrast to its past. Built in 1824 as a water tank to combat drought, the site was later reclaimed and evolved into a prominent venue during the Sanyukta Maharashtra Movement, hosting large political gatherings. That legacy, residents say, now survives only as the backdrop to a parking lot.



What remains is not just a misused ground, but a familiar urban pattern: infrastructure projects take over public spaces, but their return  partial, delayed, and poorly managed  fails the very communities they are meant to serve.




Sacramento, CA A bill aimed at clarifying Californias self-defense laws advanced out of its first policy committee with bipartisan support, Assemblymember Heath Flora announced.

Assembly Bill 2584, introduced by Flora, initially sought to update state law by defining when individuals may lawfully act in self-defense in the face of an imminent threat. Lawmakers amended the bill during committee discussion to focus specifically on civil liability, addressing when a person can be held legally responsible for actions taken in self-defense. Flora, whose district includes communities such as Copperopolis, La Grange and Oakdale, along with several neighboring areas in the Central Valley, said the measure is intended to provide clarity for residents facing real-world threats.

AB 2584 is about clarity and fairness, Flora said. No one should be put in the position of facing legal consequences for taking reasonable action to lawfully protect themselves from harm.

Testimony during the hearing included input from subject matter experts, including former police officer and mixed martial arts referee Mike Beltran, who described how quickly physical confrontations can escalate and the need to recognize imminent danger. Martial arts instructors and practitioners also spoke in support of the bill. Supporters argued that existing law relies on outdated language that does not fully reflect how rapidly situations can unfold, leaving uncertainty for individuals forced to make split-second decisions. The revised measure maintains the legal standard of reasonableness while seeking to protect individuals from civil lawsuits when acting in self-defense.

AB 2584 now heads to the Assembly Judiciary Committee for further consideration
House Democratic Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries recently spoke on the House Floor against House Republicans DHS funding bill.

Jeffries was Tuesdays KVML Newsmaker of the Day. Here are his words:

I rise today in strong opposition to this partisan political stunt that Republicans have brought to the Floor, masquerading as legitimate legislation. Theres a bipartisan bill that if brought to the Floor today can end the 42-day Trump-Republican shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security. Republicans have concluded that they would rather continue to force TSA agents to work without pay, inconvenience millions of Americans all across the country and create chaos at airports. Why is this happening? Its because Republicans have chosen to continue to authorize spending billions of taxpayer dollars to brutalize or kill American citizens like Renee Nicole Good or Alex Pretti or to violently target law-abiding immigrant families.

Mr. Speaker, we believe that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, just and humane. Thats not whats happening right now. ICE is out of control. The American people know it, which is why changes need to be made that are bold, meaningful, dramatic, transformational and common sense at the same period of time. Instead, Republicans have chosen to double and triple down on their extremism, on their brutality and on their violence that has been unleashed on everyday Americans all across the country.

Now, theres a bipartisan bill sent over from the Senate. Every single Senate Democrat, every single Senate Republican supported that legislation. It would reopen the TSA, reopen FEMA, reopen the Coast Guard, reopen the ability for our cybersecurity professionals to do their job, while at the same time allowing for discussionstough negotiationsto continue. On one side of that negotiations are my Republican colleagues who want to continue to spend taxpayer dollars to brutalize and kill American citizens, unleashing masked, untrained ICE agents, in some cases storming homes of everyday Americans, ripping them out of their beds in the middle of the night, ripping children away from their families, detaining people in inhumane conditions, refusing to allow state and local authorities to investigate ICE violence and brutality in ways that will be designed to bring about accountability.

This debate, at the end of the day, is really all about: Do you want to compel ICE to conduct themselves like every other cop, police officer or law enforcement agency in the country? Or do you want to continue to spend billions of taxpayer dollars to violently target American citizens and law abiding immigrant families? We choose the American wayfair, just and humane. Now, many of my Republican colleagues have come to the Floor to suggest that this legislation is about defunding ICE. Thats a stone cold lie. Because we know that in the Republican One Big Ugly Bill, which ripped away Medicaid from 14 million Americans, the largest cutalmost a trillion dollarsto Medicaid in American history, at the same period of time, extremist Republicans in their One Big Ugly Bill enacted a $186 billion cut to nutritional assistanceliterally ripped food from the mouths of hungry children, seniors and veterans.

And why did Republicans do that in their One Big Ugly Bill? In part, to provide their billionaire donors with massive tax breaks that they did not need and did not deserve. And, at the same period of time, give the Department of Homeland Security $191 billionwatch this$75 billion in a slush fund to ICE. Is that defunding? No. The One Big Ugly Bill defunded Medicaid. It defunded nutritional assistance for everyday Americans. It defunded some affordable housing programs. It defunded the ability for everyday Americans who are struggling under Republican policies to actually afford their utility bills. That was the defunding that has taken place in this chamber during this Congress.

Defunding ICE? How do you stand up here as Republicans and say that to the American people with a straight face when you gave ICE a $75 billion slush fund and then turned around and gave CBP a $65 billion slush fund in the same One Big Ugly Bill? The reality is that we can end this shutdownthis 42-day extreme Trump-Republican shutdowntoday if Republicans had the courage and the patriotism to actually bring a bipartisan Senate-passed bill to the Floor, which would pass this chamber with Democratic and Republican votes, maybe not the extremists, but it would pass with Democratic and Republican votes.

Mike Johnson has chosen to say no to a bipartisan bill so he could say yes to continuing to force TSA agents to work without pay. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan bill so he can say yes to continuing to inconvenience millions of the American people across the country. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan bill so House Republicans could say yes to chaos at airports all across the country. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan bill so House Republicans can continue to say yes to ICE brutality. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan Senate-passed bill so House Republican could continue to say yes to ICE violence. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan Senate-passed bill so House Republicans could continue to say yes to the corruption that weve seen at the Department of Homeland Security. Mike Johnson has said no to a bipartisan Senate-passed bill that would reopen the Department of Homeland Security so House Republicans could say yes to the Freedom Caucus, which is clearly driving the train here.

And it was amazing to me that, at the Rules Committee, you had some Republican Members try to lecture America about Article I and separate and co-equal branches of government. Really? You want to talk about the House and the Senate? Im not interested in that debate. Lets talk about the difference between Article I and Article II. Because the framers of this Constitution designed the Article I branch, the Congress, to be the first amongst equals. Thats not how House Republicans have been acting from the very beginning of this Congress.

Instead, House Republicans running around this town acting like nothing more than a reckless rubber stamp to Donald Trumps extreme agenda. And thats whats happening right now. Because what House Republicans want to do is to continue to fund Donald Trumps violent extreme mass deportation machine that has resulted in the death of at least three American citizens. Lecture us about Article I and Article II. Youve got to be kidding. And so, Mr. Speaker, Im going to continue to speak truth to power on this Floor as a duly elected Member. And the more you stand, the longer Ill speak. And so, our view is very clear. We can reopen this government today if you bring to the House Floor a bipartisan Senate-passed bill today because as Democrats, we believe that immigration enforcement in this country should be fair, it should be just and it should be humane.

Donald Trump promised to target violent felons who are here illegally. Thats what Republicans promised. Youve broken your word. Its American citizens and law-abiding immigrant families who are being targeted violently by untrained and masked ICE agents. Our position is pretty clear. Lets pay TSA. Lets fund FEMA. Lets fund the Coast Guard. Lets fund our cybersecurity professionals. Stop holding the American people hostage to an extreme right-wing agenda. Taxpayer dollars should be spent to make life more affordable for the American people.

Thats what Democrats will continue to focus on in an environment where life has become more expensive under the extreme policies that President Trump and House Republicans continue to jam down the throats of the American people. The Trump tariffs, increasing costs on everyday Americans by millions of dollars in totality, thousands of dollars per year for everyday Americans as a family. House Republicans have refused, Senate Republicans refused, Donald Trump refused to do anything to make life more affordable. Housing costs are out of control. Healthcare costs are out of control. Grocery bills are out of control. Gas prices are out of control because Republicans have decided to get us into a reckless war of choice in the Middle East, spending billions of dollars to drop bombs in Iran.

Mr. Speaker, were here dealing with a partisan spending bill that the Senate has already indicated is dead on arrival. And so Republicans have taken the decision to own this shutdown decisively. There is no doubtas Ranking Member Jim McGovern stated earlierthere is no doubt as to why we are still facing a shutdown that is inflicting pain and chaos and uncertainty on the American people.

So I rise in strong opposition to this so-called spending billdead on arrivalthat will do nothing, accomplish nothing other than continuing the shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security and the chaos that Republicans have unleashed in airports all across America. House Democrats are going to continue to fight for what is right. Were going to continue to fight to lower the high cost of living, fix our broken healthcare system, clean up corruption, stop this reckless war of choice in the Middle East, get ICE under control, pay TSA, end the chaos at these airports and end this national nightmare that Donald Trump and Republicans are inflicting upon the American people.

Vote no against this partisan political stunt. Lets say yes instead to a bipartisan bill that would reopen the Department of Homeland Security, end the chaos at airports and stop the inconvenience of the American people.

The Newsmaker of the Day is heard every weekday morning at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 on AM 1450 and FM 102.7 KVML.
Tuolumne, CA  An investigation into digital crimes escalated into a major law enforcement operation on March 19 resulting in the arrest of four individuals on charges ranging from child exploitation to felony firearm possession.

The operation began when detectives served a search warrant at a Tuolumne residence following a CyberTip from the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. The investigation initially centered on 20-year-old Johnathan Garrette Webb, the suspected owner of an X (formerly Twitter) account allegedly used to distribute Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM),

While deputies were securing the scene, 25-year-old Vincent Sydney Daniels-Foster arrived at the property brandishing what appeared to be a Glock handgun. According to officials, the weapon was later identified as a realistic replica lighter.

Authorities state that Vincent Foster threw the object, ignored repeated commands, and physically resisted deputies. He was eventually subdued and taken into custody. In addition to charges for resisting and obstructing officers, he faces counts of possession of methamphetamine and an unprescribed narcotic.

While Webb was not initially present at the home, a search of the premises uncovered several illegal weapons:

Two people who were at the home (and cooperative with the investigation) were taken into custody.

Detectives say 23-year-old Kaleb Joseph Daniels-Foster had a loaded handgun equipped with a 15-round magazine in his bedroom. Daniels-Foster, a convicted felon currently on probation, was arrested for unlawful possession of a firearm, ammunition, and a large-capacity magazine.

Additional firearms were discovered inside an RV parked on the property. Investigators determined 44-year-old Carissa Shindana Foster is a convicted felon, leading to her arrest for felony firearm possession.

The focus of the initial warrant, Johnathan Webb, was contacted by detectives later that day. After agreeing to an interview with investigators, Webb was arrested and booked into the Dambacher Detention Center. He faces charges specifically related to the possession of CSAM found during the digital forensic search of his social media account.

This case highlights the critical intersection of digital monitoring and physical community safety, law enforcement officials noted, citing the cooperation between the ICAC Task Force and local deputies.

All four suspects remain in custody pending their initial court appearances. A juvenile present at the scene was reported to be cooperative and was not arrested.
Tuolumne County, CA Yosemite Clean Energy, which is planning a gasification bioenergy facility in Tuolumne County, has been awarded a $416,000 catalyst grant from the Sierra Jobs First Governing Council.

The funding, part of the statewide California Jobs First Initiative, will support the development of a cutting-edge biomass and timber inventory model. This predictive tool is designed to foster a sustainable bioeconomy across the Central Sierra Nevada region, including Amador, Calaveras, Tuolumne, Mariposa, Alpine, Mono, and Inyo counties.

The company converts biomass into renewable hydrogen biofuel.

The eventual planned facility in Tuolumne County aims to transform forest waste into a high-value resource. The plant will utilize up to 100,000 bone-dry tons of wood biomass annually to produce carbon-negative hydrogen.

By utilizing Austrian-based gasification technology, the project aims to reduce wildfire risk and create jobs. The Tuolumne facility will directly employ 70 people, with dozens of other indirect positions likely to be established in the local timber and transport sectors.

Yosemite Clean Energy CEO Thomas Hobby emphasized that, unlike many developers, his team is prioritizing a biometric survey to ensure long-term viability.

We are grateful for this funding to support a robust feedstock analysis, Hobby said. This inventory and planning tool will help us ensure the success of our project as we seek to work with our local, state, and federal agencies.

The project is also a community effort. Yosemite Clean Energy is partnering with Columbia College and the Yosemite Rivers Alliance, employing eight students and several staff members to conduct the forest inventory work.

Proponents note that the project represents more than just energyit represents safety. Former Tuolumne County Supervisor Sherri Brennan, now an internal consultant for Yosemite Clean Energy, noted that the region is still dealing with the scars of the 2013 Rim Fire.

Locally, we all remember the devastation, Brennan said. Infrastructure investments like this will bend the catastrophic wildfire curve we can regain forest balance and minimize the impact of fire on our community, wildlife, and air quality while providing living-wage jobs. What a win!

Sierra Jobs First, which awarded the grant money, is a regional initiative working towards high-quality job growth, climate resilience, and economic prosperity.
WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP)  A small explosive device was found by an apartment building door in suburban New York after residents heard booms early Monday, police said.

The White Plains Police Department said it was talking to two people of interest in the matter Monday afternoon.

No injuries were reported, and no property was damaged by the odd events on Odell Avenue in White Plains, about a 45-minute drive north of midtown Manhattan. But nearby residents had been told to stay indoors for a while, and city and county police, FBI agents, experts from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and an ATF bomb-sniffing dog were on the scene for hours.

The FBI declined to provide details on the probe later Monday but said there was no threat to public safety.

White Plains police said in a news release that residents reported what they thought was a transformer explosion around 4:30 a.m. Police checked out local transformers and found nothing out of the ordinary. Then an officer noticed the device near the door of a small apartment building just after 6 a.m.

White Plains Public Safety Commissioner Wade Hardy told the Journal News that the explosive object wasnt set up for remote detonation.

Neighbor Yulissa Severino told the news outlet that she heard two loud booms during the night  and has heard similar noises in recent weeks.

Those other times, I thought someone was going to blow up the block, it was so loud, Severino said. She said she watched from her balcony Monday as police led two men away in handcuffs.

An effort to reach the buildings owner wasnt immediately successful.
BELGRADE, Serbia (AP)  International observers at a local election in European Union candidate Serbia said Monday they had witnessed violence and irregularities during the vote.

Yesterday, the delegation observed procedures inside polling stations often largely in line with provisions but was alarmed by the situation outside the premises, the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe said in a statement.

Congress observers witnessed acts of violence  and in all but one of the municipalities visited, saw heated arguments and the threatening presence of large groups of people, often unidentified and sometimes masked, they added.

The vote in Serbia on Sunday was held in 10 towns throughout the country. It was seen as a test for autocratic President Aleksandar Vucic following more than a year of youth-led street protests that shook his tight grip on power.

Vucic has declared victory for his right-wing populist Serbian Progressive Party in all 10 municipalities. The Serbian president has led the campaign himself, as he sought to reaffirm his rule after the protests that first started in November 2024, triggered by a train station tragedy in the countrys north.

Violent incidents erupted in at least three towns on Sunday. Student activists and some observers said they were attacked by Vucics supporters, some of whom were masked. The president and his party accused the other side of stirring incidents.

Violence and coercion are unacceptable barriers to the free expression of the will of all voters, the Congress monitors said. No voter should feel threatened when exercising his or her democratic right.

In addition, the statement said, a number of irregularities, related to breaches of voting secrecy and voters taking photos of their ballot papers, was also highly worrying. The preelection campaign, the group said, was highly polarized and focused on national priorities and actors.

Vucic has faced accusations of curbing democratic freedoms in Serbia since he came to power more than a decade ago. Though he is formally seeking EU entry for the country, the process has been stalled as he maintained also ties with Russia and China.

Both presidential and parliamentary elections are expected in Serbia late this year or next year. Support for Vucic is believed to have eroded though mass protests have subsided in recent months.

Serbian independent monitors also reported scores of violent incidents and clashes in some of the towns, and voting irregularities during Sundays election. Videos from the scene showed clashes and even a man with a gun in one town.

The independent Center for Research, Transparency and Accountability said that this can hardly be called an election.

The group alleged violations of voting secrecy and organized voting, along with repeated scuffles that included employees of state institutions. Several people were injured and police in riot gear deployed in some towns.

The whole atmosphere was marked with high intensity of tensions, violence, pressures, Jovana Djurbabic, from CRTA, told The Associated Press. I would not call these elections free, they are not free at all.

Vucic has also alleged logistical support to his opponents during the election from a neighboring country. He has in the past repeatedly accused Croatia of supporting the student-led movement that led protests against his rule.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic said Monday he was canceling an annual regional meeting planned in May because it was impossible to host Vucic in the country following his recent comments.

Vucics political statements and actions  inflict damage on relations between the states and jeopardize peace and stability in southeastern Europe, the statement from Milanovics office said.

Relations between Croatia and Serbia have been strained since Belgrade backed in 1991-95 a Croatian Serb rebellion against the countrys independence from the Serb-led former Yugoslavia. More than 10,000 people died in the war.

By JOVANA GEC

Associated Press
BERLIN (AP)  German Chancellor Friedrich Merz raised the prospect of many of the Syrians who came to his country returning to their homeland over the next few years as he met Syrias leader on Monday, arguing that they are needed to help rebuild the country.

Syria is trying to rebuild and improve its economy after a long civil war that killed nearly half a million people and caused widespread destruction ended with the ouster of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024.

The war also prompted huge numbers of Syrians to flee the country. Germany was a favored destination, and still hosted more than 900,000 Syrian citizens last year. Many people who arrived from Syria have gained German citizenship in recent years.

Reducing migration in general, and stepping up returns of migrants who arent entitled to stay, has been one priority of Merzs government, which took office nearly 11 months ago.

Merz emphasized as interim President President Ahmad al-Sharaa made his first visit that Germanys priority is to send back to Syria migrants who have committed crimes. We have a small group here, but a group that causes us problems, of Syrians who have offended whom we now urgently want to repatriate, he said at a news conference.

In the longer perspective of the next three years, that  was the wish of President al-Sharaa, about 80% of the Syrians currently living in Germany should return to their homeland, he added. We have an interest in those who live here, want to stay and are well-integrated  that these people stay in Germany. But many who are here are needed at home.

Al-Sharaa didnt confirm the 80% figure. He noted that the many Syrians in Germany include 6,000 doctors working in hospitals, and more than a quarter of a million people who pay taxes and contribute actively to the German economy, and described them as common national assets to the two countries.

Therefore, we are working with our friends in the German government to establish a circular immigration model that allows skilled Syrians to contribute to the reconstruction of their motherland without giving up their stability and the lives they built here, for those who wish to stay, al-Sharaa said.

The Syrian leader also attended a German-Syrian economic roundtable in Berlin as he sought support for his countrys revival.

You can count on Germanys support on the way to a good future, Merz told al-Sharaa. Success is more important than ever in view of the ongoing war in Iran in this region.

___

Abby Sewell in Beirut contributed to this report.

By GEIR MOULSON

Associated Press
King Charles and Queen Camilla will make a state visit to the United States next month.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit the US in late April

The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House - with the 77-year-old monarch making a speech to Congress - on a visit to mark the 250th anniversary of American independence and "celebrate the historic connections" between the UK and US.

Buckingham Palace said: "On advice of His Majestys Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

"Their majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States."

US President Donald Trump says the "momentous" visit will take place from April 27-30.

He wrote in a Truth Social post: "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th.

"This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC."

It will mark the first time a British monarch has paid a state visit to the US since the late Queen Elizabeth did so back in 2007.

The King will follow this with a solo trip to Bermuda in what will be his first visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

It is hoped that the royal visit can help smooth relations between Trump and the UK amid the US President's aggressive rhetoric during the ongoing Iran war but over 140,000 people have signed a petition calling for the trip to be cancelled.

Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey has called for the visit to be scrapped and said that sending the King to the US would be a "humiliation" amid Trump's criticism of Britain's conduct in the conflict with Iran.
Fighting as Israel invades southern Lebanon killed U.N. peacekeepers and Israeli soldiers, officials said Tuesday, as U.S. President Donald Trump and Iranian officials issued contradictory statements about negotiations to end their war.

Israel is trying to push Hezbollah militants, who have fired rockets and drones across the border, out of southern Lebanon in a campaign that Israeli officials suggest could become a prolonged occupation.

The U.N. Security Council is set to discuss the situation after three U.N. peacekeepers were killed in southern Lebanon in less than 24 hours, although its not clear who was responsible. Israel said early Tuesday that another four of its soldiers had been killed in the offensive.

U.S. President Donald Trump said the U.S. is negotiating with Irans parliamentary speaker, Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, in an interview with the New York Post published Monday. The former Revolutionary Guard commander was previously floated as Washingtons negotiating partner, but has denied Iran is talking to the U.S. and said Pakistan-facilitated discussions were merely a cover for American troop deployments.

Trump also threatened widespread destruction of Irans energy resources and other vital infrastructure, including desalination plants, if a deal to end the war with Tehran is not reached shortly.

U.S. stocks edged higher in shaky trading Monday as oil prices keep climbing because of uncertainty about when the war could end.

Here is the latest:

Search team boards disabled Thai vessel but does not find missing crew

The operator of a Thai cargo ship struck by a projectile near the Strait of Hormuz said a search team was able to board the vessel but did not locate its missing three crew members.

The Mayuree Naree was disabled after being hit just north of Oman earlier this month.

Precious Shipping Co., Ltd said in a statement to the Stock Exchange of Thailand on Monday that all accessible areas on the Mayuree Naree ship were searched under challenging conditions, including the presence of fire damage, residual smoke, and flooding in the engine room. It said the families of the three crew members were notified accordingly.

Images suggest highly enriched uranium was moved to Irans Isfahan site before June war

A satellite image taken just before the 12-day war in June between Iran and Israel suggests Tehran transferred a truckload of highly enriched uranium to its nuclear facility at Isfahan.

The image from an Airbus Defense and Space Pleiades Neo satellite shows a truck loaded with 18 blue containers going into a tunnel at the Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center on June 9, 2025. The war began June 13, The United States bombed the Isfahan facility along with two other nuclear sites on June 22.

Francois Diaz-Maurin, an analyst with the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists, wrote that the truck likely carried 18 secured containers of as much as 534 kilograms (1,177 pounds) of uranium enriched up to 60% purity. Thats a short, technical step to weapons-grade levels of 90%.

This calculation suggests that Iran could have transferred all of its stockpile of highly enriched uranium to Isfahan via the truck seen in the satellite image, Diaz-Maurin wrote in his analysis.

The Washington-based Institute for Science and International Security also suggested the vehicle was transferring the highly enriched uranium. The French newspaper Le Monde first reported on the images.

Irans foreign minister claims attacks on Gulf Arab states only target US

Irans foreign minister early Tuesday insisted that Tehrans attacks on the Gulf Arab states only target U.S. forces, even after assaults have hit civilian targets throughout the region.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchis comments, addressed to Saudi Arabia, come as growing Gulf Arab anger has those states encouraging America to continue to prosecute the war.

Iran respects the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and considers it a brotherly nation, Araghchi wrote on X, sharing a photo purportedly showing damage to an American aircraft at Prince Sultan Air Base in the kingdom. Our operations are aimed at enemy aggressors who have no respect for Arabs or Iranians, nor can provide any security.  High time to eject U.S. forces.

By The Associated Press
The Ministry of Health has ordered the immediate withdrawal of several peanut butter brands from retail shelves after laboratory tests detected dangerously high levels of aflatoxin. This toxic substance poses severe health risks to consumers when ingested. The crackdown targets popular brands including Nutie, Kismat, Pannaj, and Muleka after investigations revealed contamination levels that far exceed the national safety limit of 15 parts per billion (ppb).

In a circular issued on March 25, 2026, Health Director General Patrick Amoth informed County Public Health Officers that laboratory results confirmed a significant breach of safety thresholds. The data paints a worrying picture of the extent of the contamination.

For instance, a 250g jar of Nutie Peanut Butter (batch 230925) recorded a staggering 934ppb  over 60 times the legal limit. Other Nutie batches and various sizes of Kismat Peanut Butter also showed elevated levels, ranging from 29.78 ppb to 207.44 ppb. Similarly, tests on Pannaj and Muleka brands returned results of 47.7ppb and 134.4ppb, respectively.

Due to the immediate threat these products pose to public health, the Ministry has directed authorities to seize and destroy all existing stock of the affected batches. Officials continue to monitor the market to ensure these hazardous items do not reach unsuspecting households.

Health Director General Patrick Amoth has instructed county public health officers to intensify market surveillance and inspect the factories responsible for the contaminated peanut butter. He ordered an immediate halt to all processing and distribution until the manufacturers implement effective corrective measures.

To protect the public, Amoth mandated the seizure and disposal of all existing stock currently on the market. He also advised officials to broaden their surveillance to include all food products to prevent further safety breaches.

The Director General noted that all enforcement actions must strictly follow the Food, Drugs and Chemical Substances Act (Cap 254) and the Public Health Act (Cap 242). To ensure a coordinated response, he directed that all updates on these measures be sent to his office and copied to the Division of Food Safety. Amoth described these steps as a necessary shield for consumer health, urging a high level of vigilance across all counties to eliminate the risk of further toxin exposure.

This order comes at a critical time as the Ministry of Health tightens its grip on food safety standards in 2026. Data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics suggests that the food processing sector is under increased scrutiny following recent regional alerts about aflatoxin in grain and nut products. For consumers, the immediate removal of these specific batches is intended to prevent aflatoxicosis  a serious condition caused by high-level toxin intake that can lead to acute liver failure.
The national government cautioned contractors against dragging their feet on the Galana Kulalu irrigation project, warning that further delays will carry serious consequences. During an inspection of the site, Olando Sitati, the acting head of the Government Delivery Unit (GDU), pointed out that vital sections  including the electrification of the Ksh2.9 billion project  remain unfinished despite the state allocating sufficient resources.

Sitati declared that the government will refuse any further negotiations to extend contracts if these firms fail to hit their deadlines. Backing this firm stance, Coast Regional Commissioner Rhoda Onyancha stated that the contractor must complete the electrification phase by September this year.

We have looked at all the factors that are making the project from taking off soon, and we have agreed on what all those involved should do. By September, we should be fully lit, Onyoncha said.

Sitati also shared plans to scale up the Galana Kulalu project once the contractor finishes a dam intended to supply the necessary water.

We already have a contractor for the construction of the dam, and within the course of the year, once the dam is complete, we will expand the project by 20,000 acres to support agriculture in this county, Sitati said.

Spanning 2.9 million acres across Kilifi and Tana River counties, the Galana Kulalu irrigation project remains a cornerstone of Kenyas coastal development. The government designed this massive initiative to strengthen food security through large-scale irrigation, focusing heavily on maize and soybean production.

The inspection team toured several major infrastructure projects, including the Ksh1.49 billion Galana Bridge, the electrification site, the Ksh2.3 billion Baricho Bridge, and the Ksh650 million Baricho Water Works Solarisation Project. Despite the recent setbacks, the team praised the general progress and voiced optimism that these enabler projects will soon finish, allowing investors to move in and unlock the irrigation ventures full potential.

Overall, we are happy with what we have seen today. We have agreed on the way forward regarding the bottlenecks we witnessed, and I am confident that when we return in two months, the projects will be much further along and nearing completion, Ms. Onyancha told journalists after the tour.

Mr. Sitati also revealed that the government has already identified investors to launch new developments on the Tana River side of the site.

This project started in Kilifi County but we have identified investors who will open up at least 100,000 acres towards the Tana River side, Mr. Olando said.

Some photos from the inspection tour
Wiper leader and Azimio coalition chief Kalonzo Musyoka has clarified his understanding of the late Raila Odingas stance on political alliances, asserting that the former prime minister never actually supported the current broad-based government.

During a live interview at his Karen headquarters on Sunday, Kalonzo drew on his extensive history with the veteran politician to provide context for the current political landscape. He pointed to long-term allies like James Orengo and Anyang Nyongo as true mirrors of Railas ideological leanings, suggesting their current positions reflect the late leaders authentic vision.

Kalonzo spoke with a sense of personal conviction, framing his insights as a product of years spent at the center of Kenyan opposition politics. By highlighting his close ties to the late leader, he sought to distinguish Railas original principles from the collaborative governance structure now in place.

I spent a sizeable chunk of my political life working with Raila Odinga, and I knew his mind, and that is why I went to mourn him in my own way when he passed on. I happen to know he was not for this broad-based government, he said.

The Wiper party leader has stepped up his 2027 presidential campaign with a sharp critique of the current administration, accusing it of fostering a culture of impunity and systemic power abuse. Kalonzo shifted his focus toward the struggles of young Kenyans, specifically addressing the violent suppression of youth-led demonstrations. He noted that the use of lethal force against peaceful protesters represents a fracture in the nations democratic foundation that cannot be resolved through financial settlements.

In a direct challenge to President William Ruto, Kalonzo argued that the executive has frequently overstepped constitutional boundaries. He pointed to the breakdown of professional decorum within the presidency as a symptom of a deeper governance crisis.

Looking ahead to the next general election, he framed his candidacy as a mission to restore the rule of law and transform the police service into a body that genuinely serves the public interest rather than the states political whims.

You cannot compensate monetarily for a life lost. Young people with the whole future ahead of them were killed peacefully demonstrating, and that is why this election is revolutionary. We must conclude the revolution started by the youth in 2023, he said.

When you have a president calling his deputy a murderer, you wonder whether we are in a democratic country, Kalonzo said, referring to past public insults.

Kalonzo has outlined the core pillars of his presidential agenda, focusing on education reform, tax simplification, and the restoration of investor confidence. He argues that the current administrations management of health, infrastructure, and the economy has created an unpredictable environment that deters investment. By streamlining the tax regime, he intends to foster a climate where businesses can thrive and return the nation to the developmental trajectory envisioned in Vision 2030.

Turning to the 2027 elections, the former vice president called for the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) to guarantee a free and transparent process. He specifically voiced concerns regarding the continued reliance on Smartmatic technology and warned against any attempts to manipulate the voter register. He encouraged citizens to take an active role in the democratic process by registering to vote and exercising their constitutional rights.

Kalonzo also confirmed that his bid for the high office carries the full support of his party and an emerging coalition. He positions his campaign as one defined by experience and integrity, promising a government that prioritizes the rule of law and creates genuine opportunities for youth empowerment.

A country that cannot be predictable in its tax regime cannot attract investors. We will create an environment for this country to prosper and get back on the road to Vision 2030, he said.

I will be the first among equals if my colleagues take that decision. The country deserves a government run under the Constitution and by God-fearing leaders, he said.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has dismissed proposals to move Kenyas capital away from Nairobi, labeling the idea as a practical and legal impossibility.

Speaking before the Senate Committee on Devolution and Intergovernmental Relations on Monday, March 30, 2026, Mudavadi argued that any attempt to establish a new capital would collide with the countrys complex land tenure system. He explained that the unique legal framework governing land ownership in Kenya does not offer the same flexibility found in other nations that successfully executed such moves.

While acknowledging that countries like Nigeria and Tanzania successfully transitioned their seats of power from Lagos to Abuja and Dar es Salaam to Dodoma, Mudavadi clarified that Kenya faces a different set of hurdles. He noted that while those regional neighbors could navigate the administrative and territorial requirements for such a shift, Kenyas current land laws and practical constraints make a similar relocation unfeasible.

We cannot relocate the capital to another city. In Tanzania, they were able to do that with Dodoma and in Nigeria, they moved away from Lagos. Our land tenure system cannot provide a solution like the one in Tanzania and Nigeria, Mudavadi told the senators.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary pointed to private land ownership as a primary barrier to any relocation plans. He explained that since citizens own the majority of urban land, the government would have to compromise or seize private property to establish a new administrative center. Beyond the legal hurdles, Mudavadi highlighted the staggering financial cost of such an undertaking. He specifically noted that the country has already sunk massive investments into fixed infrastructure, such as the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which connects directly to the current capital.

These remarks served as a direct response to the Senate committees inquiries regarding whether a new city could solve Nairobis chronic struggles with flooding and illegal construction on riparian land. While the committee suggested expansion or relocation as a potential fix for these urban crises, Mudavadi argued that the state must instead prioritize alternative interventions. He called for a focus on improving Nairobis existing infrastructure and urban management systems rather than attempting a costly and legally complex move.

A lot of the land in urban areas belongs to Kenyan citizens. Even if you move beyond that, you would be looking at compromising peoples land to create a new city, Mudavadi said.
The National Police Service (NPS) has reported a grim rise in fatalities linked to the ongoing floods ravaging various parts of the country. As of March 29, 2026, the official death toll reached 110, marking a significant escalation in the national crisis.

In a formal update released on Monday, March 30, 2026, the police confirmed that the situation is deteriorating rapidly. Persistent heavy rains across several regions continue to cause widespread destruction and the mass displacement of residents.

Beyond the loss of life, authorities have tracked extensive damage to the countrys transport networks and essential public utilities. The floods have cut off key supply routes and interrupted critical services, hampering both daily life and emergency response efforts. According to the NPS, the disaster now affects 30 counties, leaving a trail of ruined infrastructure in its wake.

Widespread flooding continues to affect communities across the country, impacting 30 counties and causing extensive damage to critical infrastructure, including transport networks and public utilities, NPS said.

The national death toll has increased by two, with these most recent deaths occurring in the Western and Nyanza regions. In response, authorities have maintained active coordination efforts to bolster safety measures and provide emergency assistance to the hardest-hit communities.

The National Police Service (NPS) has urged the public to utilize 24-hour emergency lines to report any incidents for a rapid response. Citizens can reach help via 999 or 911 or use the toll-free #FichuaKwaDCI line. Additionally, a dedicated WhatsApp channel remains open for real-time reporting. As the country navigates this unfolding disaster, the NPS has called on everyone to monitor regular updates and weather alerts from the Kenya Meteorological Department to stay informed of shifting risks.

The death toll had risen to 110 as of yesterday evening, following two additional fatalities reported in the Western and Nyanza regions. Coordinated response efforts remain active to enhance safety and provide assistance, NPS added.

National Police Service emergency lines are accessible 24/7: 999, or 911. Members of the public can also report incidents through #FichuaKwaDCI on 0800 722 203 (toll-free) or via WhatsApp on 0709 570 000, NPS added.

Further, to enhance preparedness and response to weather-related risks, the public is encouraged to regularly access updates and alerts from the Kenya Meteorological Department via https://meteo.go.ke. The National Police Service remains steadfast in its commitment to serving and protecting the public, NPS stated.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has officially distanced his administration from the discovery of 33 bodies at Makaburini Cemetery in Kericho Town, clarifying that the county only authorized the disposal of 13 remains. The governor explained that the Nyamira District Referral Hospital released the 13 bodies for transport and burial in Kericho, maintaining that the entire process complied with established legal procedures.

According to the governor, the county followed all necessary protocols, including obtaining court orders to facilitate the disposal in a public cemetery. He noted that the administration assigned an officer and a vehicle specifically for the 13 authorized bodies, ensuring full compliance with the law. Nyaribo expressed deep concern over the reports of additional remains, stating that Nyamira County has no knowledge of how an extra 20 bodies ended up at the site.

The governor confirmed that officials from both Nyamira and Kericho counties are currently in custody as part of a thorough government investigation. He added that his administration remains anxious to uncover the origin of the unauthorized remains.

As a government, we followed the procedure. We got court orders to dispose those bodies in any public cemetery. We released an officer and a vehicle with 13 bodies, fully compliant following all the laws, he said.

We are not aware of 33 bodies. Those involved from the county government of Nyamira and Kericho are in custody, and the government is doing thorough investigations. We are anxious to know where these other bodies came from, Nyaribo added.

The Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) has recovered 33 bodies from a mass grave at Makaburini Cemetery, identifying 25 infants and eight adults among the remains. This grim discovery followed a court-authorized operation that initially targeted only 14 bodies believed to have been buried at the site.

Investigators have since established that the remains originated from the Nyamira District Referral Hospital. The bodies were reportedly transferred to the Kericho cemetery after remaining unclaimed in the hospitals morgue for an extended period. The discrepancy between the 14 authorized burials and the 33 recovered bodies remains the central focus of the ongoing investigation.

This incident has sent shockwaves through the Lake Victoria Basin region, leading to a temporary suspension of all public cemetery disposals in Kericho County. Forensic experts from the DCI are currently conducting DNA profiling to help identify the remains and determine if any of the bodies are linked to missing persons reports filed in Nyamira and Kericho over the last year.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has detailed the expansive impact of a new cooperation agreement between the national government and Nairobi City County, framing it as a vital step for the citys future. He told the Senate Standing Committee on Devolution and Inter-governmental Relations that this framework will fundamentally overhaul the capitals infrastructure and service delivery while boosting its global competitiveness.

Mudavadi characterized the partnership between President William Rutos administration and Governor Johnson Sakaja as a deliberate strategy to tackle the persistent urban challenges that have long hindered the city.

In his submissions, Mudavadi pointed out that Nairobis success remains tied to its unique status as a regional and international powerhouse. He argued that the citys responsibilities extend far beyond those of a typical county, given its role as the economic heartbeat of East Africa and a major hub for the United Nations. By strengthening the link between the two levels of government, he believes the state can better meet the diplomatic and economic obligations inherent to a global city.

This agreement represents a deliberate and structured effort by both levels of government to strengthen collaboration in the delivery of critical services and infrastructure within the Capital City, Mudavadi told senators.

Nairobi is far more than an ordinary county. It is the political and economic capital of East Africa, a critical international centre for the United Nations and a hub for diplomatic missions, global organisations and multinational corporations. Its performance therefore carries national, regional and global obligations that no other county bears, Mudavadi said.

The cooperation agreement commits approximately Sh80 billion to urban transformation projects throughout Nairobi. Mudavadi noted that the scale of this investment underscores the urgent need to close infrastructure gaps and eliminate inefficiencies in service delivery.

Drawing on the latest data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, he pointed out that Nairobi generates more than Sh4.1 trillion in annual economic output, contributing 27.5% of the countrys Gross Value Added. He argued that enhancing the citys functionality will provide a substantial boost to the national economy.

The partnership targets several sectors that have struggled with fragmented management between national and county agencies. Key priorities include solid waste management, road construction, pedestrian infrastructure, street lighting, and the development of markets and housing. Water supply and sanitation services also sit at the core of the plan.

Mudavadi stated that these areas will finally benefit from a unified approach to planning and execution, ensuring that both levels of government work in sync to provide efficient urban services.

The agreement establishes a unified framework for planning and implementation, reducing fragmentation and duplication across agencies, he said. It ensures both levels of government work in a synchronized manner to deliver urban services efficiently.

The Prime Cabinet Secretary pointed to immediate actions, such as desilting drainage systems and reopening river pathways blocked by illegal structures, as early proof that the new partnership is already delivering results.

To maintain this momentum, Mudavadi explained that the agreement establishes a two-tier governance structure to manage the workload. He chairs the Joint Steering Committee, which provides high-level policy direction and strategic oversight.

Meanwhile, Governor Sakaja chairs the Implementation Committee  co-chaired by the Principal Secretary for Housing and Urban Development  to handle the daily coordination and execution of specific projects. Mudavadi noted that this collaborative design ensures that long-term strategy and actual field execution remain perfectly aligned.

By pooling national and county resources, the government aims to break down the institutional silos that have historically delayed major infrastructure projects in Nairobi. This streamlined approach is expected to accelerate delivery times and improve service quality across roads, housing, waste management, and water services.

Mudavadi also revealed that his office has produced seven white papers detailing specific commitments, procurement schedules, and delivery milestones. These documents will serve as a roadmap to hold both levels of government accountable for tangible progress.

This collaborative architecture ensures continuous alignment between strategy and execution, Mudavadi said. It enables both levels of government to reduce duplication, accelerate delivery of priority services, and ensure accountability through continuous progress tracking and resolution of bottlenecks.

I wish to reiterate that the Cooperation Agreement is a lawful and constitutionally grounded framework that strengthens intergovernmental collaboration without undermining the principles of devolution, he told the committee.

The government remains committed to ensuring that its implementation results in tangible improvements in service delivery, infrastructure development and overall quality of life within the Capital City.
The simple act of sharing a casual hug at a bus stop or a goodbye kiss near a matatu stage has reportedly led to unexpected encounters with the law for some Nairobians.

While these moments represent ordinary partings for many, social media platforms have recently revealed accounts of individuals ending up in handcuffs over such gestures. These claims of arrests linked to public displays of affection (PDA) have sparked a heated debate regarding whether hugging or kissing in public actually violates Kenyan law.

One viral account describes an incident in the city center where two people were allegedly handcuffed by officers immediately after a brief embrace near the Archives. Another individual shared a similar experience from City Park, where three officers reportedly intervened during a hug, claiming the act constituted illegal PDA on public premises. These stories have left many residents questioning the legal boundaries of affection in the capitals public spaces.

My friend was hugging his man at Archives just before parting ways home, then out of nowhere two policemen came and started handcuffing them, a user claimed.

It happened to me some years back at City Park. I was hugging a male friend, then three police officers came and insisted that it was PDA on public premises.

Kenyas legal stance on public displays of affection remains a complex, ambiguous space, as the country lacks a law that expressly criminalizes the act. Historically, the state relied on Section 177 of the Penal Code to address indecent acts and public nuisance, providing a justification for punishing behavior deemed obscene. However, that specific provision  part of Chapter XVII, which deals with offenses against health and convenience  was deleted in 1966 and is no longer in force, removing the primary direct statutory prohibition against PDA.

Despite the absence of an explicit ban, the law does not offer full protection. Instead, law enforcement officers often rely on broadly framed provisions within the Penal Code, interpreting them to fit various situations. While these sections do not mention kissing or hugging by name, they address conduct that could be construed as disruptive or offensive to the public.

Section 175 of the Penal Code remains a key tool for these interventions. It states that anyone who performs an act not authorized by law or causes inconvenience to the public commits the misdemeanor of a common nuisance, which is punishable by up to one year in prison. Because the scope of this provision is intentionally wide, it grants officers significant discretion to determine what constitutes an interference with public comfort or order.

any person who does an act not authorised by law or  causes inconvenience to the public in the exercise of common rights, commits the misdemeanour termed a common nuisance and is liable to imprisonment for one year.

Section 182 of the Penal Code adds another layer of complication by addressing idle and disorderly conduct. This rule dictates that anyone who performs an indecent act in public without a lawful excuse commits a misdemeanor.

While first-time offenders face a month in jail or a small fine, the law fails to provide a clear definition for what constitutes indecency. This lack of clarity creates a significant gray area where a gesture one person considers a harmless expression of affection might be interpreted as a criminal act by an arresting officer.

Context further dictates how these laws are applied in the field. Although no specific county bylaws explicitly list public displays of affection as a punishable nuisance, other legislation introduces strict considerations for public behavior. For instance, the Children Act of 2022 mandates that the best interests of minors remain the primary concern in all public spaces. Consequently, exposing children to behavior deemed obscene or indecent can trigger criminal liability, regardless of whether the act is otherwise legal between consenting adults.

The legal landscape becomes even more precarious for same-sex couples due to provisions addressing gross indecency. Sections 162 and 165 of the Penal Code classify certain acts between men as felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison. Although the statutes do not define gross indecency with precision, the courts have historically interpreted the term to include non-penetrative acts. As of early 2026, the Court of Appeal continues to review the constitutionality of these colonial-era provisions, but for now, they remain active, making any public display of same-sex affection especially vulnerable to legal scrutiny.

every person who, without lawful excuse, publicly does any indecent act is guilty of a misdemeanour and is liable for the first offence to imprisonment for one month or to a fine not exceeding one hundred shillings, or to both.

any male person who, whether in public or private, commits any act of gross indecency with another male person  is guilty of a felony and is liable to imprisonment for five years.

Ultimately, the law does not categorically ban PDA, nor does it clearly shield it. Instead, the legal framework leaves significant room for interpretation, enforcement discretion, and occasional courtroom challenges. Law enforcement typically invokes these sections to address overt sexual activity in public areas like parks or vehicles, where the line between private affection and public indecency is more easily drawn.

For most people, mild expressions of affection such as holding hands or a brief hug are unlikely to trigger legal trouble. However, more intimate conduct remains vulnerable if an officer deems it explicit, disruptive, or offensive within a specific public setting.

In such cases, the validity of an arrest often hinges on how convincingly the behavior is framed as a nuisance or indecent act under existing statutes. Until the legislature provides more specific definitions, PDA in Kenya will remain in its current state: not explicitly illegal, but not entirely risk-free.

Legal Context Update (March 2026)

The landscape for these nuisance arrests shifted significantly in early 2026. On February 12, 2026, the High Court of Kenya struck down Section 95(1)(b) of the Penal Code  the law regarding creating a disturbance likely to cause a breach of peace  declaring it unconstitutional for being vague and overly broad.

Also Read  Justice for Free Expression: High Court Declares Disturbance Law Unconstitutional

While this ruling primarily addressed political activists, it signals a growing judicial intolerance for gray area laws that allow for arbitrary police enforcement of social conduct.
Lawyer Paul Mwangi, who served as the late Raila Odingas legal advisor, revealed what he describes as a calculated political strategy used by the former prime minister during his final political maneuvers. Speaking in an exclusive radio interview on Saturday, March 28, 2026, Mwangi claimed that the veteran leader deliberately positioned Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna as an exit plan while cooperating with President William Ruto.

Mwangi explained that Raila carefully structured his moves to ensure he never found himself trapped in a single political corner. According to the lawyer, Raila maintained parallel factions within the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) as a safeguard for his political survival.

When Raila started working with Ruto, he had an exit strategy the people who were fighting his cooperation with Ruto, that is Sifunas side, Mwangi said.

Mwangi explained that a dissenting faction allowed Raila to maintain leverage during negotiations, giving him a clear path to pivot if the alliance crumbled.

If things were not going to work out, he would have turned to his militant side and told them, Come get me, Mwangi added.

He further argued that Railas tactic of balancing competing internal camps served him well across various coalitions throughout his career.

The aim of having two factions while entering into a deal was that he was a good strategist he would never allow you to box him in, he said.

The lawyer noted that this delicate balancing act helped Raila navigate complex political deals while protecting his influence and bargaining power. Mwangi suggested that ODMs current internal turmoil stems from the loss of Railas unifying authority.

The problem that we have today is that he passed away before he called people to order, he said.
Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will reportedly not attend the royal familys traditional Easter Sunday church service in Windsor.

Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie will reportedly not attend the royal familys traditional Easter Sunday church service in Windsor

Amid continuing scrutiny linked to the Jeffrey Epstein scandal involving their parents Andrew Windsor and Sarah Ferguson, its said Beatrice, 37, and Eugenie, 35, have agreed not to join senior members of the royal family at the Easter Matins service  a decision understood to have been made with the agreement and understanding of King Charles, 77. The service, held at St Georges Chapel and followed by a private lunch at Windsor Castle, is a longstanding fixture in the royal calendar.

The apparent upcoming absence of Beatrice and Eugenie, reported by the Daily Telegraph, comes after their names appeared in emails connected to Jeffrey Epstein, 66 at the time of his death, released by the US Department of Justice in February.

The correspondence has drawn renewed attention to the scandal that led to the withdrawal from public life of their father, the former Prince Andrew, 66, and scrutiny of their mother Sarah also 66.

It is understood the decision does not amount to a permanent exclusion from royal events.

Beatrice and Eugenie are expected to attend future family gatherings, despite reports suggesting they had been frozen out.

Their looming absence from Easter follows claims they may also not be invited to Royal Ascot this summer, an event they have regularly attended.

Reports state the sisters were taken to New York by Sarah shortly after Epsteins release from prison in July 2009, following a 13-month sentence for soliciting a minor for prostitution.

Their names appear multiple times in the tranche of emails disclosed earlier this year, contributing to heightened media attention.

King Charles, who is still battling cancer, and Queen Camilla, 78, are expected to attend the Easter service alongside other members of the royal family.

The gathering traditionally brings together senior royals at St Georges Chapel before they return to Windsor Castle for a private meal.

In 2024, Prince William, 43, and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, 44, did not attend the Easter service, instead spending the holiday privately with their children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven.

Andrew made what was thought to be one of his final public appearances at the event last year.

He arrived briefly, entering the chapel quickly before reappearing shortly before the King and Queen and remaining at the back of the group.
Lawmakers in the European Parliament are backing a plan to reshape tourism across the EU.

European lawmakers tackling overtourism

The Transport and Tourism (TRAN) committee has approved a proposal this month which is intended to reduce pressure on overcrowded destinations by spreading travel across the regime.

The proposal, which still needs approval from Parliament itself, is calling for tighter regulation of short-term rentals, stronger transport links, and new initiatives to push visitors towards less-visited locations.

Members of the European Parliament have noted that 80 percent of tourists visit just 10 percent of destinations across the global.

Lawmakers are now keen to redirect travellers to lesser-known places, including mountain areas, rural regions and remote destinations that have the capacity to hose more tourists than they currently see.

It's thought that areas like wine, gastronomy, beer, heritage and more could attract people beyond peak seasons, while generating income for regions that don't typically benefit from mass tourism.

The European Commission has been urged to strengthen sea, air and land connections to such destinations, as well as making travel as a whole smoother and more sustainable.

For short-term rentals, lawmakers want a new EU framework to launch clearer rules, including different categories of hosts, and zoning rules.

Daniel Attard, the reports rapporteur and part of Malta's S+D group, said: "This report is a first step towards shaping Europes first sustainable tourism strategy."

A full European Parliament vote could take place in April.
New Delhi [India], March 31: Dili, Timor-Leste The inauguration of the new MBBS Building at Universidade Catholica Timorense (UCT) marks a significant milestone in the evolution of medical education in Timor-Leste. The facility was formally inaugurated by distinguished dignitaries including H.E. Jose Honorio Da Costa Pereira Jeronimo, Minister of Higher Education, Science and Culture; H.E. Cardinal Virgilio do Carmo da Silva SDB; Dr. Joel Casimiro Pinto, Rector of UCT; Father Augusto Do Carmo Martins, President of the So Paulo Foundation; and Dr. Raja Thangappan, Founder of MBBS Program in Timor-Leste and Chairman of IndoMed Educare Lda.

The newly unveiled infrastructure includes advanced classrooms and a state of the art, fully functional laboratory, reflecting Timor-Leste's commitment to delivering world class medical education.

Timor-Leste is rapidly emerging as a preferred destination for MBBS abroad, especially for Indian students, with programs fully aligned to National Medical Commission (NMC) FMGL regulations. The MBBS course follows a structured 4.5 years academic program plus 1 year of compulsory internship, ensuring global compliance and eligibility for licensing.

The Competency Based Medical Education (CBME) curriculum emphasizes early clinical exposure, hands on training, and integrated learning. Students gain real time patient interaction with disease patterns and clinical scenarios similar to India, supported by experienced Indian faculty.

A key advantage is the seamless licensing pathway, where international students are trained and assessed on par with local students, ensuring a smooth and transparent process.

Beyond academics, Timor-Leste offers a tropical climate similar to India, creating a familiar environment for both living and clinical training. Students also benefit from Indian style mess and comfortable accommodation facilities, making the transition easier and more student-friendly.

Strategically located near Australia, Timor Leste combines affordability, safety, and rising academic standards, making it an increasingly attractive choice for MBBS aspirants.

The Honourable Minister and dignitaries commended this pioneering development as a transformative step toward strengthening the nation's medical education ecosystem.

This progress reinforces a shared vision to build a globally recognized hub for quality medical education, nurturing competent and compassionate doctors.

www.uct.tl

(ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same.)
Congress leader and former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel slammed Union Home Minister Amit Shah, calling his statements in the Lok Sabha on Naxalism "an outright lie" and accusing the Centre of politicising the issue. In a post on X, Baghel said, "What Union Home Minister Amit Shah said in the Lok Sabha while speaking on the Naxalite issue is an outright lie. During the five years our government was in power, meetings were held with the Chief Ministers of Naxal-affected states... But in none of these meetings did the central government ever raise the objection that any state was shielding Naxalites." He further challenged Shah, saying, "I challenge Amit Shah ji to publicly produce any evidence... If no objection was raised then, why are you saying all this today? Don't play politics over the Naxalite issue." Baghel also defended his government's record in Bastar, stating, "If our government hadn't set up camps in the remote areas of Bastar, the operations you're able to conduct today would never have been possible. Remember that we've endured greater pain than the BJP. We've lost our senior leaders to Naxalite attacks. In that very Naxalite attack whose investigation the BJP leaders didn't allow to happen." https://x.com/bhupeshbaghel/status/2038625084378866118 The remarks come after Amit Shah, replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha, asserted that India is close to becoming "Naxal-free" and alleged that previous Congress governments had "shielded Naxalites." He also targeted the Leader of the Opposition, Rahul Gandhi, accusing him of associations with individuals linked to Naxal ideology. Shah said security forces had intensified action, noting that thousands of Naxals have surrendered, been jailed, or killed in encounters. Defending the Centre's approach, Chhattisgarh Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Sharma said, "Both the Central Government and the state government have worked with full political will to eliminate the Naxal cadre... Under the guidance of Prime Minister Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah has worked with such strategy and intensity... the entire Chhattisgarh is peaceful today, Naxal-free." Union Minister Jual Oram also backed Shah's claim, stating, "The facts presented by Home Minister Amit Shah are correct. I thank him because a lot of peace has come to the tribal areas...it (Naxalism) had the most impact in the tribal areas...now there will be more speed in development." Meanwhile, Azad Samaj Party chief Chandrashekhar Azad struck a cautionary note, saying, "They said that this is an ideology. We have said that no support can be given to any ideology that divides the country...We want India to be Naxal-free, but no innocent should be killed; the government should keep this in mind" (ANI)
Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Majhi held a virtual meeting with District Collectors on Monday to ensure an uninterrupted supply of essential commodities amid the West Asia conflict. The Chief Minister directed enforcement squads to remain on 24x7 action mode, monitor markets, act against hoarders and rumour-mongers, and maintain team spirit for coordinated crisis management, according to the CMO. Earlier in the day, the Union government announced that a 100 per cent supply of natural gas is being maintained for domestic consumers and CNG transport, noting that approximately 95 per cent of LPG bookings were done online yesterday. Speaking at a joint inter-ministerial briefing, Sujata Sharma, Joint Secretary (Marketing and Oil Refinery) at the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, stated that the country possesses sufficient fuel reserves to meet current demand. "Our refineries are in normal operation, and crude inventories are adequate. Some retail outlets are in normal operation, but panic buying is also observed in some retail outlets. In this regard, I would like to tell the people of the country that petrol and diesel are available in sufficient quantities with us," Sharma said. She explained that the government took several steps to ensure domestic stability, including the reduction of excise duty on petrol and diesel by Rs 10 and the imposition of export taxes to maintain the availability of diesel and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) in the local market. The Joint Secretary detailed the expansion of the Piped Natural Gas (PNG) network, noting that several central ministries, including the Ministry of Defence, issued orders to support expansion in residential areas and unit lines. She added that the government issued a gazette notification on March 24 to expedite last-mile connectivity. Regarding the status of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Sharma confirmed there is no "dry out" at any distributor. "In the past two days, about 1.4 crore bookings have been made, of which 92 lakh cylinders have also been delivered. As you know, the commercial LPG has been distributed by the Indian government. The Indian government has increased the availability of commercial LPG by about 70% and has talked about prioritising Dhaba, Restaurants, Industrial Canteens and Migrant Labour. I would like to tell you that after the issue of this order in the last week, about 2,60,000 FTL (Free Trade LPG) cylinders of 5 kg have been sold," she said. (ANI)
While seeking further custody of seven foreigners, including 6 Ukrainians and one US citizen, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) said that new facts have revealed the accused persons' involvement in the offence of Conspiracy of terrorist act under Section 18 of UAPA. It also said that there are several aspects, including why the accused persons came to India; why they went to Myanmar; whether drones were used for imparting training; and whether they are linked directly or indirectly to any Indian insurgent groups, required investigation. After hearing the submissions by the special public prosecutor (SPP), the Special NIA Court was in agreement to extend the custody of all 7 accused persons. On March 27, Special Judge (NIA) extended the remand of 7 Accused persons, namely Matthew Aaron Van Dyke (US citizen), Hurba Petro (Ukranian citizen), Slyviak Taras (Ukranian Citizen), Ivan Sukmanovskyi (Ukranian citizen), Stefankiv Marian (Ukranian Citizen), Honcharuk Maksim (Ukranian Citizen), and Kaminskyi Viktor (Ukrainian citizen) for 10 days. "Why had the accused persons come to India? Why do they travel to Myanmar? What was their objective in using drones? Did the accused persons use drones to impart training to any person? whether any Indian or any member of a rebel ethnic group in India is linked with the accused persons, directly or indirectly? What infrastructure was used by the accused persons while visiting India and beyond? Such questions and questions of like nature need investigation. I am in agreement with NIA, based on the contents of case diaries, that the facts of this case are sensitive in nature," Special Judge said. Accused persons were produced before the Special NIA Judge at NIA headquarters. Probe Agency had sought a further 10 days' custody to investigate the case. They have been arrested for allegedly supporting ethnic war groups in Myanmar by supplying weapons, terrorist hardware and training them. They have been arrested in a case lodged under Section 18 (Terror Conspiracy) and BNS. The hearing was conducted at the NIA headquarters at the request of the agency in view of the security concerns. The NIA submitted that further custody of the accused persons is required for investigation. Earlier, while seeking remand, it was alleged by the NIA that accused persons, during custody, would also show that they were in direct touch and abetted in their terrorist/illegal activities by unknown terrorists carrying AK-47 rifles. NIA has alleged that the accused persons, linked with ethnic armed groups, are supporting certain proscribed Indian insurgent groups by supplying weapons and terrorist hardware and training them. "Said aspects definitely affect the national security and interests of India," said NIA. While granting 11 days' remand, the court earlier had said, "So, it is not the situation that FIR does not make a whisper about illegal acts, being done by accused persons, against national security and interests of India. In other words, Section 18 of UA(P)A broadly applies." NIA arrested 3 Ukrainians, who were arrested from Delhi, 3 from Lucknow; and one US citizen from Kolkata. Special public prosecutor (SPP) Atul Tyagi, along with Amit Rohila, had appeared for the NIA. It is alleged that NIA got information that 14 Ukrainians entered India on tourist visas on different dates and flew to Guwahati and thereafter travelled to Mizoram without necessary documents and entered Myanmar illegally, and they were to conduct pre-scheduled training for Myanmar-based Ethnic Armed Groups (EAGs), known to support terrorist organisations or gangs operating in India in the domain of drone warfare, drone operation, assembly and Jamming Technology etc. targeting Myanmar Junta. It is also alleged that they came to India on a visa and then entered Mizoram, which is a protected area. Thereafter, they entered Myanmar and contacted ethnic war groups. NIA claimed that they were trained in Myanmar and were training ethnic war groups associated with insurgent groups in India. It is also alleged that they brought a huge consignment of Drones from Europe via india. (ANI)
The Dwarka District police conducted two separate operations on Monday night, leading to the arrest of two wanted criminals who were involved in a murder case reported on Sunday. In the first encounter, the Special Staff of Dwarka District arrested a wanted criminal identified as Rohit alias Noda. Rohit was wanted for murder and attempted murder in the district just a day prior. During the operation, he sustained a gunshot wound to his leg. According to the police, the accused, along with an associate, had carried out the crime using sharp-edged weapons. The second encounter was carried out by the AATS (Anti-Auto Theft Squad) team of Dwarka District near the Old Najafgarh Drain on Kakrola Road. The criminal in this instance has been identified as Prem alias Himanshu, who sustained a gunshot injury to his right leg. The police had received specific intelligence regarding his movement from the Najafgarh area. When the police party cornered him and ordered him to surrender, the accused opened fire on the team. In the ensuing retaliatory fire, the police shot him in the leg, successfully overpowering and taking him into custody. Prem was also allegedly involved in the murder case that took place on Sunday, along with his associates. In a separate incident, earlier in the day, the Delhi Police team at Gokulpuri Police Station successfully solved a shocking attempted murder case within hours. Three accused persons, including two juveniles classified as Children in Conflict with Law (CCLs), have been arrested, and the weapon used in the crime - a knife - has been recovered. The incident took place on the evening of March 28 near Ganga Vihar in the jurisdiction of Police Station Gokalpuri. Two teenagers, both aged around 17 years, were found seriously injured with stab wounds. They were immediately rushed to GTB Hospital for urgent medical treatment. According to the complainant, one of the victims had received a call from a friend asking him to meet. He went to the spot near the pipeline area along with his friend. There, they came across Kartik and two other persons. What started as a casual meeting soon turned into a heated argument over a trivial matter. In the heat of the moment, Kartik and his associates allegedly pulled out a knife and stabbed both victims before fleeing from the location. Acting swiftly on the leads, the police team traced and arrested Kartik, aged 19 years, son of Suraj, a resident of Jwala Nagar, Shahdara. During sustained interrogation, Kartik revealed the identities of his two accomplices. Based on his disclosure, the two 17-year-old juveniles were also apprehended by the police team. All three accused confessed to their involvement in the stabbing during questioning. (ANI)
The Report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India on Union Government (Defence Services-Army) was presented in the Parliament on Monday, with the report calling for digitisation of site records and also flagging the lack of maintenance in some military hospitals. The report also highlighted that "a large number of Army personnel did not get prompt and correct payment of their dues." This report comprises three chapters containing the results of audit of (i) Functioning of Pay and Accounts Offices and Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Officers) of Defence Accounts Department (ii) Internal Control and Quality Assurance in Execution of Military Engineer Services (MES) Contracts and (iii) Management of Military Hospitals under the Ministry of Defence. According to an official statement, the report observed "shortcomings in the maintenance of site documents which diluted the accountability of contractors and did not provide adequate assurance on the veracity of test results." "Audit recommended that the Ministry undertake digitisation of site records; the amendments regarding maintenance of CPM charts in only major works and amendments regarding provision of site lab according to type and value of work may be carried out expeditiously in a time-bound manner," the statement read. The audit also highlighted that non-carrying out of review of Provisional Final Settlement of Accounts (PFSA) as per prescribed timelines had resulted in a huge one-time recovery at the time of retirement of Officers/JCOs/ORs, causing undue hardship to retiring personnel. Further, non-incorporation of relevant business rules in IT systems resulted in incorrect disbursements/payments to Army Personnel. The Compliance Audit was conducted to assess the timeliness and correctness of the disbursement of pay and allowances and other dues by PAOs and PCDA (O) to Army Personnel and the reasons for any shortfalls. On the issue of non-payment of dues, the report attributed it to the "systemic weaknesses and deficiencies in the functioning of both the Army and the DAD (Defence Accounts Department)." The Defence Accounts Department (DAD) functions under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The responsibilities of the DAD include inter-alia maintaining the pay and accounts of the Indian Army Personnel. The disbursement of pay and allowances of Officers is carried out by the office of the Principal Controller of Defence Accounts (Officers) (PCDA (O)) and that of Junior Commissioned Officers/Other Ranks (JCOs/ORs) is done by the Pay and Accounts Offices (PAOs). The report has, among other things, recommended the Defence Ministry to streamline the process to reduce the timelines for publishing PTOs (Privilege Ticket Order) in HRMS (Human Resource Management System). "The applications for processing of PTOs may be harmonized to ensure synchronization of master database, validation checks and mapping of business rules to reduce rejection rates of PTOs. Further, it has been recommended to introduce an automated monitoring system for review of rejected PTOs which should be visible both in DOLPHIN/SULEKHA as well as HRMS/ARPAN applications," the official statement read. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) also found "deficiencies" in the infrastructure of Military Hospitals (MH), mainly due to the delay in modernising the buildings, which in turn "which hampered the pace of addition of new specialities and technologies." "Despite buildings being very old, regular structural audit of hospitals was not being carried out. In one particular instance, a part of MH Lansdowne had collapsed in June 2022. There were some deficiencies in providing essential facilities like Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system and firefighting system. Further, due to vintage buildings and storage constraints, the AFMSDs were unable to properly stock up medical stores," the official statement mentioned. Audit recommended that the Ministry undertake expeditious modernisation of hospital buildings, regular conduct of Structural Audit, adherence by MHs to fire safety guidelines and statutory provisions pertaining to discharge of hospitals' effluents, ensure availability of CDL drugs in AFMSD and timely and free replacement of unconsumed medicines or recovery of due amount from concerned suppliers. Audit also noted that despite prevalence of statutory provisions there was non-compliance pertaining to discharge of hospitals' effluents as per Bio-Medical Waste (Management and Handling) Rules 2016, non-maintenance of documents as per Medical Termination of Pregnancy (MTP) Regulations and operation of X-ray machines without the prescribed licenses. The Compliance Audit was conducted to assess the timeliness and correctness of disbursement of pay and allowances and other dues by PAOs and PCDA (O) to Army Personnel and the reasons for any shortfalls "AFMSDs (Armed Forces Medical Stores Depots) could not meet one-third of the medicine demands received from MHs, as also the demands for the Common Drug List (CDL) medicines. Additionally, non-replacement/adjustment of medicines before expiry by two AFMSDs led to blockage of public money to the extent of 13.52 crore," the statement read. Among the total 7 commands reviewed, Western Command exhibited the most non-compliance across key control parameters, according to the statement. However, the audit also highlighted that the Ministry of Defence has taken corrective steps on some of the audit observations which have been highlighted in the report. (ANI)
Helen Worth quit Coronation Street because she grew "tired" in her final year on the cobbles.

Coronation Street icon Helen Worth reveals why she really quit the cobbles

The Corrie icon was part of the show's furniture for 50 years as Gail Platt, but she bowed out of the legendary role on Christmas Day 2024 after she had started to "rattle a bit" in her half a century in Weatherfield.

According to The Sun, she said at event An Evening with Helen Worth at Hope Mill Theatre: "It was only a bit towards the end when I got a bit tired. But the first, how many years? 49 years, were a dream.

"My final husband, John Thomson, was absolutely gorgeous to me, because by then I was rattling a bit.

"It was around about 4,000 episodes and I was rattling a little bit. And he was very sweet."

Helen admitted she didn't ever want her time on Corrie to "ever change", but admitted the filming schedule had got "worse" over the years.

She said: "It just went on and it didnt stop until last year when Id done 50 years.

"I mean theres not many actors can say that and it just kept coming and I just kept loving it."

Helen was in conversation with former Coronation Street star Julie Hesmondhalgh at the event, and the Hayley Cropper actress said about her previous cobbles filming schedule: "Youd be burying your husband on the Monday, marrying him on the Tuesday ... youre just like: 'Where am I, what am I doing.' "

Helen said: "Its even worse than that now, because it can be a scene from one week, and then a scene from another episode, and then go back to the second week and do a scene in the same day."

The legendary actress briefly reprised her role as Gail Platt on Christmas Day 2025 in a video call to her family.

Gail left Weatherfield to start a new life in France a year earlier, on Christmas Day 2024, after marrying Jesse Chadwick (John Thomson).

But she almost didn't marry Jesse after finding out he was moving to the South of France to convert a villa using laundered cash.

However, they eventually said "I do" in the Viaduct Bistro.

The newlyweds later jetted off to France, despite Gail initially being hesitant to leave behind her children Nick (Ben Price), David (Jack P. Shepherd) and Sarah (Tina O'Brien).
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D. K. Shivakumar has asserted that the Congress will win a two-thirds majority in the upcoming Assam Assembly elections, countering claims made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah. Responding to Shah's statement that the Bharatiya Janata Party would secure a two-thirds majority, Shivakumar expressed confidence that the numbers would favour the Congress instead. "Mr Amit Shah is saying they (BJP) will win two-thirds seats, but we will win two-thirds, and they will win one-third," he said. His remarks come amid intensifying political exchanges between major parties ahead of the Assam Assembly polls, with both sides expressing confidence in securing a decisive mandate. On March 29, ahead of the Assam Assembly elections, Union Home Minister Amit Shah launched a sharp attack on the Congress, accusing it of altering the state's demographics for vote-bank politics, while asserting that a BJP government would identify and deport "every infiltrator" within the next five years. Addressing a public rally in Nalbari, Shah said, "Driven by the greed for vote banks, the Congress party changed the entire demographics of Assam. Dhubri and its nine surrounding districts are now teeming with infiltrators." He further alleged that previous Congress governments had allowed illegal infiltration for decades. "The Congress government had kept the doors open for infiltrators inside Assam for years. Our Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, has shut the borders... and reclaimed 1.25 lakh acres of land that had been occupied by infiltrators," Shah said. Shah further claimed that incidents of violence and bomb blasts have ceased under BJP governance, asserting that the state has witnessed stability over the past decade. Linking governance with cultural identity, Shah asserted, "This land, soil and culture belong to us. No infiltrator has any right over it."He also announced that the BJP government plans to implement the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) in Assam, stating it would ensure equality and curb practices like multiple marriages. Shah's remarks came as Assam gears up for a single-phase polling across all 126 Assembly constituencies on April 9. Counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, according to the Election Commission of India. Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly. The BJP government, led by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. (ANI)
Anti-Naxal activist and social worker Farooq Ali hailed the "Naxal Mukt Bharat" initiative, calling the March 31, 2026, deadline set by Centre to end Naxalism in the country as "effective." Speaking to ANI on Monday, Ali highlighted that Naxalism in Chhattisgarh's Bastar felt like a "parallel government" operating for the past 50 years, adding that there were "doubts" about whether such a goal could be achieved or not due to staunch opponents of Naxalism. "Naxalism has held sway over Bastar for nearly fifty years. Given the sheer extent of its dominance--the way it had entrenched itself--it felt as though a 'parallel government' were operating within Bastar. Consequently, despite being staunch opponents of Naxalism, we harboured doubts as to whether such an outcome was truly achievable. However, considering the manner in which Naxalism has been brought under control over the past two years--marked by a continuous stream of surrenders and encounters that have pushed the Naxals onto the back foot--it appears that this deadline is indeed proving to be effective," said Farooq Ali. He further stressed that Naxalism in the region, firstly arrived as "sympathiser" to people; however, it later began to target innocent people, security personnel and elected representatives. He added that the Naxals infiltrated Bastar by promising to fight for their rights over water, forests, and land of the tribals. "Just consider the manner in which the Naxals carried out killings here--how they targeted our security personnel and elected representatives. Even more tragic is the fact that they targeted innocent civilians... Naxalism arrived in the guise of a sympathiser--posing as a friend of the people... By beguiling the masses--promising to fight for their rights over water, forests, and land--and by misleading and exploiting our innocent tribal communities for their own ends, they infiltrated Bastar," he said. Ali also shared his personal experience of being a target of Naxalism, stating that his elder brother was attacked, and acknowledged that the armed manifestation of Maoism is in decline. He opined that the battle against the core ideology of Maoism will continue, while praising the developmental steps taken by the government to rehabilitate Naxal-affected areas. "We--the people of Bastar--owe a debt to the families of those soldiers... I have personally endured the pain inflicted by Maoism. My family was attacked; my elder brother was targeted... The armed manifestation of Maoism is, without a doubt, on the decline. However, the battle against its core ideology will continue indefinitely... We certainly harbour high hopes for the concrete initiatives launched by the government; We are confident that the government will complete its developmental work through these very methods," said Farooq Ali. The anti-Naxal activist praised the road connectivity reaching rural areas within the state, adding that healthcare facilities are also becoming easily accessible. "We remain hopeful, and--in this endeavour of development--we will extend our full support to the government in every possible way. This is because roads are now reaching even the interior villages, electricity is being supplied, and healthcare facilities are becoming easily accessible. Furthermore, the government is organising health camps on its own initiative; we welcome all these efforts... Chhattisgarh possesses the full potential to join the ranks of India's most developed states," said Farooq Ali. The "Naxal Mukt Bharat" (Naxal-free India) mission is a strategic goal set by the Union Home Ministry under the Modi government to eradicate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 31, 2026. (ANI)
Keralam CM Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday said that the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) amendment has created a sense of insecurity among a section of society and demanded that the centre withdraw the measure. "The FCRA amendment has created serious concern among minority communities. It is causing a sense of insecurity among a section of the country. The central government should not adopt an approach that alienates any group. The Centre's stance is dangerous. The central government must urgently correct this and completely withdraw the measure," he said. "Has Congress stated its position on the FCRA amendment? The Congress continues to follow its old soft Hindutva stance," he added. The Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2026, was introduced in Lok Sabha on March 25 and seeks to amend the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act, 2010, and is aimed at enhancing the transparency and accountability of foreign contributions in India. Further, the Keralam CM flagged communalism as the biggest threat in the country, underlining that the Left Democratic Front (LDF) always tries to ensure the protection of the minority community. He added that false propaganda is being surfaced to tarnish the image of LDF as supporters of majority communalism. "The greatest threat in our country has been majority communalism. The LDF has always taken steps to ensure the protection of minorities. There is an attempt to portray us as supporters of majority communalism. Minority communities have accepted the Left, and some have realised that this could pose a challenge to them. That is why there has been an attempt to create a false image. As part of this, efforts are being made to spread a misleading narrative about the LDF. Such false propaganda will not affect us. Those who thought they would win easily are now facing a serious setback," he said. "The LDF is gaining more acceptance than before. No smokescreen will affect us. We do not align ourselves with any form of communalism," he added. Speaking on the Vizhinjam International Seaport, Vijayan said that it is a shining chapter in Keralam's development. He pointed out that the centre has not approved the Vizhinjam Ring Road project. "Containers that once depended on foreign ports are now reaching Kerala. Vizhinjam Port is a project that lays a strong long-term foundation for Kerala's economic growth. We have turned this project into reality by overcoming many challenges. The state has already received Rs 125 crore in revenue from the port. However, central approval for the Vizhinjam Ring Road project has not yet been granted, despite approaching the Central Government multiple times," he said. (ANI)
Amid reports that voters who do not cast their votes in the upcoming West Bengal elections may face deletion from future electoral rolls, Bengali migrants living in New Delhi are returning to their native districts to ensure they can vote in the state elections scheduled for April 23 and 29. Several migrant workers from West Bengal reported instances of deletions or discrepancies in the electoral rolls following the revision exercise. As a result, they are travelling back home not only to cast their votes but also to verify or correct their voter registration status before the April 19 deadline. One migrant labourer said his name has not yet appeared on the voter list. Of the four brothers in his family, only one has been listed, while the other three are currently being treated as "foreigners." He added that although people across his settlement plan to travel for voting, arranging transport has become difficult due to the large number of travellers. He also noted that while some names, particularly of those who voted in 2002 have been included, others have been delayed, leaving time for re-verification before the deadline. "Our voting is on the 23rd, and we will go to cast our votes. People from the whole settlement will go, but since so many are going, there is some issue with tickets (travel). Some people's names are on the list--those who voted in 2002--but for others, the names came late or are delayed. They also have a chance to get it sorted; the deadline is 19th April, and there's time for re-verification. So people will start going from the 1st. My name is not on the list yet--it hasn't come. Among four brothers, only one has his name on the list; the other three don't. Right now, we three brothers are considered 'foreigners,' and one brother is 'Indian'," he told ANI. Another migrant from Cooch Behar said she plans to travel home with her family to vote and expressed confidence that such issues may not be widespread now. She acknowledged, however, that similar problems had affected members of the previous generation, with some relatives having their names removed from voter lists in the past. "Yes, I will also go with my family to vote. I haven't really heard anything like that. Basically, this issue happened with the last generation. I don't think something like this can happen now. I have many relatives whose names were removed earlier--there was an issue created at that time," she told ANI. A third migrant shared that while his own name remains on the list, his wife's has been deleted without explanation. He said such cases are not isolated, adding that in his family, both his wife's and sister-in-law's names have been removed from the electoral rolls. "Yes, we will go to vote. Yes, names have been removed--my wife's vote was removed. Mine is fine, but my wife's vote got deleted; I don't know why. There are many such cases where names have been removed. In my family, two votes were removed--my wife's and my sister-in-law's," said the person. Earlier on March 24, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee resumed her criticism over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) process, alleging that a nexus between the Election Commission of India and the BJP is attempting to strip people of their voting rights. Meanwhile, the Supreme Court has verbally remarked that the Election Commission of India (ECIs) decision to undertake Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise of voter rolls has undergone relatively smoothly in States, apart from West Bengal. The Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant remarked that there was hardly any litigation (court dispute) in terms of SIR exercise in other states. "Except West Bengal, whichever states where SIR is done, everywhere it went smoothly. Even in other States there are complications, if not equally, but there are complications. But by and large hardly any litigation came from other States", the CJI said. The remarks came as the Court was hearing a batch of pleas flagging various procedural irregularities in the ECIs SIR in West Bengal. Considering the peculiarity of the situation, the apex court had earlier issued. Currently, the Special Intensive Revision in West Bengal is taking place under supervision of the judiciary. After the SIR exercise, the total number of voters in West Bengal now stands at 7,04,59,284 voters (7.04 crore) as compared to 7,66,37,529 (7.66 crore) before the SIR exercise, showing a change of more than 61 lakh names in the list. As per the Commission, 60,06,675 electors were under adjudication, and the first supplementary list of adjudicated names has been released. The allegations come amid heightened political tensions in West Bengal, with parties gearing up for the upcoming state Assembly elections. The state will go to the polls in two phases, with voting scheduled on April 23 and April 29, while counting will take place on May 4. In the 2021 Assembly elections in the state held in eight phases, the Trinamool Congress recorded a landslide victory with 213 seats amid an intense contest with the BJP, which jumped to 77 seats. Congress and Left Front drew a blank in the last state polls. (ANI)
President Droupadi Murmu on Tuesday extended her heartfelt greetings on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, calling upon citizens to continuously strive toward building a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society. President Murmu further highlighted that Lord Mahavir's teachings inspired people to lead lives rooted in compassion. "On this sacred occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all citizens of the country, especially to all members of the Jain community. Lord Mahavir taught the principles of non-violence, truth, and self-restraint, and inspired people to lead a life of compassion. Let us draw inspiration from the teachings of Lord Mahavir and continuously strive to build a more sensitive, peaceful, and inclusive society," said President Murmu. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also extended his greetings on Mahavir Jayanti, stating that the life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence, and compassion. He emphasised that these ideals continue to remain deeply relevant in today's world. "Best wishes on the sacred occasion of Bhagwan Mahavir Janma Kalyanak. The life and teachings of Bhagwan Mahavir continue to illuminate the path of truth, non-violence and compassion. His ideals are spiritually uplifting and also deeply relevant in today's world. His emphasis on equality and kindness reminds us of our shared responsibility towards society," said PM Modi. Additionally, Home Minister Amit Shah and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, recalled the enduring lessons and philosophy of Lord Mahavira. "Heartfelt congratulations to all fellow countrymen on the occasion of Lord Mahavira's Janma Kalyanak. Lord Mahavira's five principles of conduct are not merely spiritual guidance, but an unbreakable foundation for building a strong, ethical, and harmonious nation. His ideals of truth, non-violence, non-possession, and equality inspire the youth to move forward on the path of discipline, sensitivity, and national interest," said Shah. "On the sacred occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, heartfelt greetings to all of you. The thoughts and philosophy of Lord Mahavir, associated with peace, restraint, and goodwill, are auspicious for the welfare of the entire world. May Lord Mahavir's blessings remain upon all of you--this is my heartfelt wish," said Singh. Congress leaders also paid tribute to the lessons and teachings of Lord Mahavira on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti, emphasising the timeless relevance of his message of peace and non-violence. Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, said that the teachings of Lord Mahavira continue to inspire the whole world. "Heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Lord Mahavira Jayanti. Their teachings on truth, non-violence, sacrifice, and compassion are inspiring for the entire world and show the path to human welfare," said Gandhi. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra asserted that the values of the 24th Jain Tirthankara form the essence of India's culture. "Lord Mahavira showed the path to humanity by preaching truth, non-violence, peace, love, and compassion to the world. These are the values that form the life essence of our millennia-old culture. The thoughts and values of our great saints are that strength of ours, by internalizing which alone can we face the modern world. Heartfelt congratulations to all of you on the auspicious occasion of Lord Mahavira Jayanti," said Vadra. Mahavir Jayanti is observed by the Jain community worldwide. The occasion marks the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the revered 24th and final Tirthankara of Jainism. (ANI)
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday predicted a hat-trick win for the BJP in Assam, saying the party will break previous records under Prime Minister Modi and CM Himanta Biswa Sarma's leadership. Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis, while talking to the reporters, said, "Yes, BJP is going to strike a hat-trick (in Assam). I believe that the BJP will win in Assam by breaking all previous records. The manner in which, under the leadership of PM Modi, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma has worked a very positive wave can be seen in Assam this time. BJP will register a massive victory in Assam." Earlier, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma asserted confidence in the victory of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the upcoming state Legislative Assembly elections. Speaking with ANI, the CM exuded pride in the Vijay Sankalp Yatra launched by the party in the state and reflected on the people's participation in it. He further took a jibe at the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) chief, Badruddin Ajmal, and said that the BJP has destroyed the "enemies of the state". "Our Vijay Sankalp Yatra took place, and a large number of people came and blessed us. We are confident that this time, the historic result will be in favour of the BJP. Whatever Ajmal (AIUDF chief) says, politically, we have completely destroyed the power of the enemies of Assam. Next time, I will end the remaining as well," he said. Earlier on Wednesday, CM Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the state has witnessed a complete turnaround under the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), asserting that no local "indigenous Indian" will vote for Congress in the single-phase assembly polls scheduled to be held on April 9. Speaking on the current political scenario, Sarma told reporters here, "We have completely turned around Assam. Today, people are seeing a new Assam, based on our strong culture and heritage. People, except Bangladeshi infiltrators, are with the BJP. No local indigenous Indian people will vote for Congress." Sarma's remarks come amid growing political tensions in the state ahead of the upcoming elections, as the BJP continues to consolidate its position among indigenous communities in Assam. Assam will witness a fight between the incumbent BJP-led NDA government and Congress for the 126-seat assembly. The BJP government, led by Sarma, will look to secure a third consecutive term, while the Congress aims to defeat the ruling party to return to power. The Assam Chief Minister is set to contest from his traditional Jalukbari seat. The polling for all 126 Assembly constituencies will be held in a single phase on April 9, while the counting of votes is scheduled for May 4, the Election Commission of India announced. (ANI)
Trinamool Congress MP Yusuf Pathan on Tuesday wished Congress leader Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury on his return to West Bengal state politics and contesting the election from the Baharampur assembly seat. He further backed TMC candidate Naru Gopal for the seat, asserting that he has worked previously for the people of the region. He further stated that all the party workers want Naru Gopal to win from the constituency. "Naru Gopal is a well-known leader here. He has always worked well here. He goes among the people. It feels good to see him work. We want him to win this time. All the best. I extend him my best wishes. He is a senior leader. Everyone has the right to contest elections. But Naru Gopal has worked really well here," he said. Furthermore, on issues related to name deletions in electoral rolls during Special Intensive Revision, Pathan backed Mamata Banerjee's criticism over the issue, adding that she is the "lone CM" who has fought for people. "There are several complaints. Didi is fighting for it. She is the lone CM who approached the Court and fought for the people here. She will continue to fight for them," Pathan added. TMC's Naru Gopal will be facing sitting MLA Subrata Maitra in Barhampur from BJP. Meanwhile, on the other, the Congress has fielded former MP and LoP Lok Sabha Adhir Ranjan Chowdhury from the seat. Chowdhury is re-entering state politics after 30 years, contesting the West Bengal Assembly election from Baharampur. This move follows his defeat in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Adhir, a five-time MP from Baharampur, previously won the Assembly election from Nabagram in 1996 but quit as an MLA in 1999 to pursue national politics. The state will conduct elections in two phases, on April 23 and April 29, with counting of votes for both phases scheduled for May 4. As per the Election Commission of India (ECI), the last date for filing nominations for this phase is April 6, while scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 7. Candidates will be allowed to withdraw their nominations until April 9. For the second phase, which covers 142 Assembly constituencies, the gazette notification will be issued on April 2. The last date for filing nominations is April 9, and the scrutiny of nominations will take place on April 10. Candidates can withdraw their nominations until April 13. (ANI)
Union Minister Kiren Rijiju hit out at the Congress, asserting that its top leadership, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, should be questioned over their meeting with individuals associated with Left Wing Extremism. Speaking to ANI here, regarding the Union Home Minister Amit Shah's statement on Left Wing Extremism in the Lok Sabha on Monday, Rijiju said the Centre's position on Naxalism was "very clear" and rooted in years of violence caused by extremist ideology. "If you hear the statement of Union HM Amit Shah very carefully, it is very clear. When Left Wing Extremism spread across the country, common people lost their lives, thousands of security force jawans lost their lives, even several Congress leaders and workers died," he said. Taking a direct aim at the opposition, Rijiju added, "Now, Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi are meeting with leaders spreading Left Wing Extremism, Maoist. So, don't pose questions to just us. It is the Congress leaders who should be questioned. Congresspeople are also killed." The remarks come after Amit Shah declared in Parliament that India has become "Naxal-free," describing it as one of the PM Modi government's biggest achievements. He argued that Naxalism did not arise due to poverty but instead hindered development in affected regions. Shah had also accused Gandhi of 'meeting' with Naxals and their sympathisers on numerous occasions, alleging that several Naxal frontal organisations participated in the Congress leader's Bharat Jodo Yatra."Throughout his long political career, Rahul Gandhi was seen on numerous occasions with Naxals and their sympathisers. There is a record showing that several Naxal frontal organisations participated in the Bharat Jodo Yatra. In 2010, in Odisha, he shared a stage with Lado Sikoka (Naxal leader). From that very platform, Sikoka delivered an inflammatory speech and even garlanded Rahul Gandhi," the Union Home Minister said. Shah slammed Rahul Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and alleged that the Congress leader has been seen on numerous occasions with Naxals and their sympathisers. He gave details of action taken by security forces in tackling Naxalism and said 4,839 (Naxalites) have surrendered, 2,218 have been sent to jail, and 706 who refused to surrender and remained in hiding were gunned down by the police in encounters. "We had set a target to make the region Naxal-free by March 31st. After the entire process, I'll inform the nation. However, I can state with absolute confidence that we've indeed become Naxal-free," he said. "Bihar had become Naxal-free prior to 2024. Maharashtra, barring a single tehsil, had become Naxal-free before 2024. Odisha had become Naxal-free prior to 2024. Jharkhand, except for one district, had become Naxal-free before 2024," he added. Amit Shah alleged that the Congress government, which was in power in Chhattisgarh, had "shielded Naxalites". (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Gujarat on a one-day visit on Tuesday and was warmly welcomed at Ahmedabad Airport by Governor Acharya Devvrat, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, and Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghavi. On this occasion, BJP State president Jagdish Vishwakarma, Agriculture Minister Jitubhai Vaghani, Minister of State for Health Praful Pansheriya, Chief Secretary MK Das, Additional Chief Secretary of GAD Anju Sharma, In-charge Director General of Police K LN Rao, Ahmedabad Police Commissioner GS Malik, Major General Gaurav Bagga, and Ahmedabad Collector Sujit Kumar also greeted and welcomed the Prime Minister. The PM addressed a public gathering at Vav-Tharad after inaugurating and dedicating multiple development projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. These projects span key sectors including Power, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development. PM Modi assured that the BJP-led government will continue the "Superfast Express of development" with people's trust from local government levels to Parliament. Hailing Gujarat's budget of Rs 4.08 lakh crores, PM Modi said, "The Gujarat government has presented the budget of over 4 lakhs crores. This money will be spent on the development of villages, town and cities. As long as your trust remains--from the Panchayat to the Parliament--the 'Superfast Express' of development will continue to move forward at this very pace." The PM noted Gujarat's achievements in solar power production, stating that the state is at the forefront of renewable energy development in India. "Today, Gujarat is leading the way in solar power, with its achievements shining brightly. The state is at the forefront of renewable energy development in India because it began focusing on this sector when there was little national attention. In 2010, as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, I initiated the establishment of a solar park--a multi-technology project that sparked the solar energy movement in the region," he said. PM Modi inaugurated the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway built at a cost of over Rs 5,100 crore. Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders and laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-lI) of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway. (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a packed one-day visit to Gujarat on Tuesday, inaugurating projects worth over Rs 20,000 crore in Vav-Tharad, launching the Kaynes Semicon Plant in Sanand and inaugurating the Samrat Samprati Museum in Gandhinagar. PM Modi began his one-day visit from Gandhinagar, where he inaugurated Samrat Samprati Museum at Korba Pith on the occasion of Mahavir Jayanti. He praised the architecture and design, saying it beautifully reflects India's grandeur and identity. He highlighted that the museum's seven galleries showcase India's cultural richness and diversity. He noted that the first gallery introduces visitors to the Navpad (Nine Jewels) -- Arihant, Siddha, Acharya, Upadhyay, and Sadhu Sangh -- presenting Samyak Darshan (Right Faith), Samyak Gyan (Right Knowledge), Samyak Charitra (Right Conduct), and Samyak Tap (Right Austerity). The Prime Minister also remarked on India's enduring tradition of knowledge. "In India, knowledge has always been a free-flowing stream. In every era, Tirthankaras and sages-thinkers have incarnated. The compilation of knowledge kept growing. With time, much that is new has continued to be added," said PM Modi. Named after Samrat Samprati, the grandson of Ashoka and a revered figure in Jain tradition, the museum showcases the rich historical, cultural, and spiritual legacy of Jainism. The museum features seven distinct wings, each dedicated to unique aspects of India's civilizational traditions. PM Modi then reached Sanand to inaugurate Rs 3,300 crores Kaynes Technology semiconductor plant. This is the second such plant in India and an achievement in the semiconductor sector. It is being recognised as one of the most crucial initiatives under India's semiconductor mission, as it will accelerate the mission. PM Modi stated that "a new bridge has been built between Sanand and Silicon Valley," marking the current period as the "decade of India." Highlighting the rapid growth of the domestic electronics landscape, the Prime Minister projected that by the end of this decade, "India's semiconductor market could exceed USD 100 billion dollars". He noted that the commencement of production at this facility signifies India's strengthening role as a reliable semiconductor supplier in the global market. The Prime Minister emphasised that India's own company, Kaynes, has now become a strong part of the global semiconductor supply chain. According to the Prime Minister, the intelligent power modules manufactured at the Sanand plant are already witnessing high demand internationally. Reflecting on the strategic importance of the sector, the Prime Minister noted that the global supply chain has faced significant disruptions due to pandemics and conflicts. "Friends, this 21st century has brought many challenges to the world from the beginning. The crisis is due to the pandemic, the conflict is due to the global supply chain. Whether it is chips, rare earth minerals, energy, they have been greatly affected by a conflict. These are things related to the rapid development of humanity. Therefore, it is very important for a democratic country like India to move forward in this direction for the development of the whole world," he said. The Prime Minister detailed the progress of the India Semiconductor Mission, which was initiated in 2021. He described the mission as an "announcement of India's self-confidence" rather than a mere industrial policy. Currently, 10 projects worth Rs 1,60,000 crore are being executed across six states. Following the initial success, the government had announced the Semiconductor Mission 2.0 in this year's budget, shifting focus toward the production of semiconductor equipment and materials to create a "full-stack Indian semiconductor ecosystem." PM concluded his visit in Vav-Tharad, where he inaugurated and dedicated to the nation multiple development projects worth more than Rs 20,000 crore. These projects span key sectors including Power, Railways, Road Transport & Highways, Health, Urban Development, Tribal Development, and Rural Development. PM Modi assured that the BJP-led government will continue the "Superfast Express of development" with people's trust from local government levels to Parliament. Hailing Gujarat's budget of Rs 4.08 lakh crores, PM Modi said, "The Gujarat government has presented the budget of over 4 lakhs crores. This money will be spent on the development of villages, town and cities. As long as your trust remains--from the Panchayat to the Parliament--the 'Superfast Express' of development will continue to move forward at this very pace." PM Modi also inaugurated the Ahmedabad-Dholera Expressway, an access-controlled highway built at a cost of over Rs 5,100 crore. Further, the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for the construction of the 4-lane Idar Badoli bypass section with paved shoulders and laid the foundation stone for the upgradation of the Dholavira-Mauvana-Vauva-Santalpur section (Package-lI) of NH-754K to a two-lane paved shoulder carriageway. The Prime Minister also laid the foundation stone of key road infrastructure projects, including the flyover at Bhaijipura Junction on the Gandhinagar-Koba-Airport Road, which will ease traffic congestion and provide organised parking space beneath the structure. PM Modi further inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of 44 Urban Development projects worth around 5,300 crore across Gujarat, various Health and Family Welfare initiatives, including the inauguration of an 858-bed Rain Basera at Civil Hospital, Asarwa, Ahmedabad, and a similar facility at Gandhinagar Civil Hospital and GMERS Medical College, Gandhinagar. (ANI)
Jordan Brook is feeling "more and more positive" each day.

Jordan Brook gives hospital update amid meningitis battle

The TOWIE star, 31, is in hospital battling viral meningitis and encephalitis, and he is now awaiting results of a lumbar puncture, a medical procedure performed in the lower back to diagnose infections.

He said in an Instagram video: "Little update. We're getting there. A little IV drip of my antivirals still going in.

"I'm awaiting results from a lumbar puncture to see what this virus is doing around my body.

"It's a long road, but we're getting there

"I'm feeling more and more positive every day."

Jordan - who is expecting a baby boy with his pregnant girlfriend, former Geordie Shore star Sophie Kasaei - is determined not to "give up", and he is feeling "a little bit brighter" this week.

He added: "I've just got to keep going and not give up.

"That's all I've got the energy for today really.

"But, as you can see, I'm a little bit brighter.

"Getting there.

"The clocks have gone forward, which is nice. Summer is coming.

"Small wins, small positives. This won't beat me."

Jordan's latest update comes just days after he revealed his body was "struggling" to accept medication.

He wrote: "Hospital update. Sadly after turning a bit of a corner on Friday I feel I have reached a plateau in hospital.

"Canulas are failing to stick I have had over 30 fitted. My body feels battered and bruised and is struggling to accept my anti viral medication.

"I am tired, exhausted and feel like I have gone 10 rounds with Mike Tyson.

"Still suffering with pressure on the frontal lobes of my brain. Really fighting a mental battle at the moment."

Earlier this week, Sophie told how Jordan is "getting stronger" each day.

She wrote on Instagram: "Seeing him up and walking daily is the biggest milestone to see. He's so determined and I just admire him so much.

"Spent weeks by his bedside and praying for these days he can talk and walk again and here we are. Every day he's getting stronger. The brighter days are coming - I can't wait for us just to be home together."
Adding a new dimension to the high-voltage elections in West Bengal, which is revolving around issues including religion, language, SIR, infiltration, and others, the people of Haldia constituency are speaking about pollution, its impact and efforts for a proper solution to the problem. Although the people of Haldia are well aware of the allegations and counter-allegations being levelled by political parties during this ongoing poll campaign, they wanted a solution for air and water pollution. Similarly, large numbers of workers employed in industrial units operational within Haldia are voicing for the opening of ESIC hospital and trauma unit as well as disposal of issues linked to their salary disparity. Speaking to ANI, a local youth, SK Manirul Islam, said that "the major issue in Haldia is pollution. Regardless of any party or the government, they should look toward the common people and ensure that pollution is reduced here." "This is an industrial and dusty area with a port; more trees should be planted, and ways to reduce pollution must be considered so that the common man can breathe in peace. Due to industrial dust, air pollution is at its peak here, and everyone in Haldia is troubled by it," Islam added. "Necessary steps need to be initiated to curb the air as well as water pollution," he said. "Whoever comes into power, our main issues are related to water pollution. All three major rivers are being polluted, which is making women, children, and the elderly fall ill. Whichever government comes to power, our request is that they work to reduce the pollution levels and improve the water quality here," SK Simsur, a resident of Haldia. When asked about the poll issues of Haldia, an industrial worker, Shankar Nayak said that there has been no agreement for industrial workers since 2021, nor have there been any promotions. There are 67 factories across Haldia, and not a single one has an agreement in place. We have been working for 5 years without any promotions. Our demand is that agreements be implemented in all companies and promotions be given on time. Shedding details about the Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC) hospital and trauma centre, yet to be started, Shankar said, "ESIC is a Central Government project; the state government has taken it over, but hasn't been able to start it yet. As a result, the industrial workers are deprived of their benefits." "In case of an emergency-like situation, workers have to face a serious problem as the hospital is yet to be operational," said worker Dipankar, adding that the hospital building has been built, but it hasn't started operations even after the passing of several years. There has been no development here in the last 15 years, according to Dipankar, and he further said that none of the large factories has implemented any labour agreements. Uday Das, an industrial worker, alleged that a major issue here is that Central Government projects are not being implemented. "There is an ESIC hospital and a Trauma Care Centre built in Haldia, but the government here is not allowing them to function simply because they are Central Government projects. This government does not want any welfare for the workers," Das said. (ANI)
Haryana police have apprehended an accused identified as Kapil, son of Lajja Ram and a resident of Rajpura, from Sirhind in connection with the Municipal Corporation Panchkula fraud case. The arrest is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial irregularities involving municipal funds and suspected diversion of public money. According to investigating officials, an amount of Rs. 2.36 crore was allegedly transferred from the account of Municipal Corporation Panchkula into Kapil's bank account. Authorities said the transaction is a crucial aspect of the case, and efforts are underway to trace how the funds were diverted and to identify all those involved in the alleged fraud. Police further stated that Kapil is known to the co-accused Rajat, who is currently in police custody in connection with the case. Investigators believe that this connection may help uncover a wider network behind the alleged embezzlement of public funds. Officials are closely examining the roles of the accused, their financial dealings, and the sequence of transactions. In a related development, officials said another accused in the case, Vinod, also a resident of Rajpura, had died earlier on August 17, 2024. Police have obtained his death certificate as part of the ongoing probe. Authorities are now examining his possible involvement and any financial links he may have had with the other accused before his death. The case pertains to the alleged misuse and diversion of municipal funds, raising concerns over financial oversight and internal checks within the Municipal Corporation of Panchkula. Investigators are continuing to analyse bank records, transaction details, and other relevant evidence to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud and identify any lapses in the system. Police have indicated that the investigation is ongoing, with further efforts focused on tracing additional financial transactions and identifying other individuals who may be linked to the case. (ANI)
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Monday in an interview with Fox News that the United States is going to retake control of the Strait of Hormuz, which would eventually have freedom of navigation. He said that while individual deals have been cut by countries to cross the Strait of Hormuz, eventually the US would regain control over it either through American escorts or a multinational escort. He told Fox News, "The market is well supplied and we are seeing more and more ships go through on a daily basis as individual countries cut deals with the Iranian regime for the time being. over time, the US is going to retake control of the straits and there will be freedom of navigation, whether it is through US escorts or a multinational escort." His remarks come against a backdrop of heightened global concern over the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a critical chokepoint for nearly one-fifth of world oil flows. Also on Monday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, in an interview with ABC News, said that the United States has caused significant damage to Iran's navy and defence industrial base. He added that US President Trump would not allow Iran to control the Strait of Hormuz in "perpetuity", underlining that the country is going to achieve its objectives in a matter of weeks. Speaking to ABC News, Rubio said, "We are destroying Iran's navy. We are destroying their missile launchers by a significant percentage. We're going to wipe out their defense industrial base, meaning their ability to make new missiles and new drones in the future, because it poses a great threat to the region. This Iran that you're seeing now, this is Iran at its weakest point." Speaking about the Strait of Hormuz, the US Secretary of State added that President Trump has several options on the table to prevent Iran's hegemony over the straits. "Now, they (Iran) are making threats about controlling the Hormuz Straits in perpetuity, creating a tolling system and the like. That's not going to be allowed to happen. And the president has a number of options available to him if he so chooses to prevent that from happening. " Rubio further noted, "The Department of War would be in charge of those things... There is a way forward here to achieve our objectives. We are going to achieve our objectives in a matter of weeks, not months." As per Press TV, Baghaei said during a press conference, "It seems quite natural that when the US raises the issues of negotiations and diplomacy, sensitivities will be increased. It is not clear how much, even inside the US, the country's claims about diplomacy and negotiations are seriously taken into account. Reactions and reflections also show that the extent of global trust in the US claims in the field of diplomacy is very limited". He slammed the US and said that Iran, while Washington's stance has been constantly changing, Tehran has had a clear stance on the negotiations. The Foreign Ministry Spokesperson emphasised that Iran did not participate in a four-sided meeting in Islamabad on Saturday hosted by Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and attended by the foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt. His remarks come after the Financial Times had reported that US President Donald Trump claimed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, are making "positive progress". The developments come as Trump has threatened to target Iran's civilian energy infrastructure, including power plants, oil wells and Kharg Island, if Tehran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz. In a social media post, Trump said, "Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately 'Open for Business,' we will conclude our lovely 'stay' in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island." He noted that Washington is engaging in "serious discussions" with a "new and more reasonable" leadership in Tehran to bring an end to US military operations, a conflict that has lasted more than a month amid escalating regional tensions. The president urged Iran to ensure that the waterway is "Open for Business", tying the resumption of maritime traffic directly to progress in talks aimed at ending hostilities. The developments come as the conflict between the US-Israel and Iran has now entered into its second month, with an escalated security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region. (ANI)
Israel's Parliament, the Knesset, on Monday (local time) passed a controversial law mandating the death penalty for West Bank Palestinians convicted of terrorist acts, drawing condemnation from the European Union and the United Nations. The legislation, approved by a 62-47 vote, was backed by Israel's far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, The Times of Israel reported. The bill says that people in the West Bank who kill an Israeli "with the intent to negate the existence of the State of Israel" will face the death penalty. Judges may impose life imprisonment only under vaguely defined "special circumstances," while executions must take place within 90 days of sentencing. "This is a day of justice for the victims and a day of deterrence for our enemies. No more revolving door for terrorists, but a clear decision. Whoever chooses terrorism chooses death," Ben Gvir said, as quoted by The Times of Israel. The law requires only a simple majority of judges to hand down the sentence and removes any right of appeal. It is designed to apply to future cases and will not be applied retroactively, including to perpetrators of the 2023 Hamas-led attacks on October 7, whose prosecution will be addressed under a separate bill. While Israel formally allows the death penalty, executions have been extremely rare, with only one carried out - the 1962 hanging of Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann. Previously, capital punishment could only be imposed under narrowly defined circumstances and required a unanimous judicial panel, a threshold never met in terrorism cases. The legislation applies exclusively to Palestinians, who are tried in military courts, while Israeli citizens are tried in civilian courts. A separate provision allows the death penalty for anyone who "intentionally causes the death of a person with the aim of denying the existence of the State of Israel," a definition critics say effectively excludes Jewish perpetrators. The law has drawn condemnation from Palestinian authorities and international bodies. The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it "a crime and a dangerous escalation in the occupation's policies," adding that Israeli laws do not apply to Palestinians and that the legislation "reveals the nature of the Israeli colonial system, which seeks to legitimise extrajudicial killing under legislative cover." UN Human Rights Palestine said, "Israel must immediately repeal the discriminatory death penalty law passed today by the Knesset, as it contravenes Israel's obligations under international law. The United Nations opposes the death penalty under all circumstances. The implementation of this new law would violate international law's prohibition of cruel, inhuman or degrading punishment. Additionally, this law further entrenches Israel's violation of the prohibition of racial segregation and apartheid as it will exclusively apply to Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and Israel, who are often convicted after unfair trials." Secretary General of the Council of Europe Alain Berset said, "The vote in the @KnessetIL reinstating the death penalty is a major civilisational setback. A choice that distances those who made it from the system of values upheld by the @COE. They assume a historic responsibility." Italy's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani added, "Our government, together with those of Germany, France, and the United Kingdom, through a joint statement, has requested the Israeli government to withdraw the bill that introduces the death penalty for Palestinian prisoners convicted of terrorism. The commitments undertaken, especially with the resolutions voted on at the United Nations, for a moratorium on the death penalty cannot be disregarded. For us, life is an absolute value; arrogating to oneself the right to take it away in order to inflict a punishment is an inhuman measure that violates the dignity of the person." Earlier in the year, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk urged Israeli authorities to drop plans for mandatory death sentences exclusively for Palestinians, saying such proposals violate international law and discriminate against Palestinians. "When it comes to the death penalty, the United Nations is very clear and opposes it under all circumstances. It is profoundly difficult to reconcile such punishment with human dignity and raises the unacceptable risk of executing innocent people," Turk said. Turk further stressed that the law conflicts with Israel's obligations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. He highlighted concerns over the mandatory nature of the death sentences, which remove judicial discretion and violate the right to life, and criticised the discriminatory targeting of Palestinians. The UN High Commissioner noted that military courts in the occupied West Bank would be required to impose the death penalty for all convictions of intentional killing, while amendments to Israeli Penal Law would also allow capital punishment for killing Israelis in terrorist attacks. He warned that retroactive application to perpetrators of the October 7, 2023, attacks would breach the principle of legality under international law. (ANI)
The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) on Monday (local time) confirmed that two of its peacekeepers were killed and two others injured after an explosion of unknown origin struck their vehicle in south Lebanon. According to a statement issued by UNIFIL, the incident occurred near Bani Hayyan in Southern Lebanon, resulting in the deaths of two peacekeepers, while a third one sustained severe injuries and a fourth one was also wounded. This is the second fatal incident involving the mission's personnel in the past 24 hours. UNIFIL stated that no one should have to lose their life while serving the cause of peace. "Two UNIFIL peacekeepers were tragically killed in south Lebanon today, when an explosion of unknown origin destroyed their vehicle near Bani Hayyan. A third peacekeeper was severely injured, and a fourth was also hurt. This is the second fatal incident in the last 24 hours. We reiterate that no one should ever have to die serving the cause of peace," the statement read. "We extend our sincerest condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of those brave peacekeepers who gave their lives in service of peace," it added. The mission said an investigation has been launched to determine the cause of the explosion and also expressed hope for the swift recovery of those injured in the incident. UNIFIL reiterated the urgent need for all parties to comply with international law and ensure the safety and security of United Nations personnel and property and stressed that deliberate attacks on peacekeepers constitute grave violations of international humanitarian law and breach obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1701, potentially amounting to war crimes. "The human cost of this conflict is far too high. The violence, as we have said before, must end," the statement added. This incident comes moments after a United Nations peacekeeper was killed and another critically injured after a projectile struck a UNIFIL position near Adchit Al Qusayr in southern Lebanon. In a statement, the UNIFIL stated that the origin of the projectile remains unknown, and an investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the incident. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) on Tuesday said it is reviewing reports of the two separate incidents involving personnel from the UNIFIL in southern Lebanon over the past two days. In a statement on Telegram, the IDF said the incidents are being "thoroughly reviewed" to determine the circumstances and assess whether they were the result of actions by Hezbollah or IDF operations. "The incidents are being thoroughly reviewed in order to clarify the circumstances and determine whether they resulted from Hezbollah activity or from IDF activity," the statement read. The military noted that the incidents occurred in an active combat zone and cautioned against drawing conclusions regarding responsibility. "It should be noted these incidents occurred in an active combat area. Therefore, it should not be assumed that incidents in which UNIFIL soldiers were harmed were caused by the IDF," it added. The IDF reiterated that its operations are directed against Hezbollah and not against UN peacekeepers, the Lebanese Armed Forces, or civilians. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Monday (local time) shared a video of an explosion on his social media platform Truth Social without providing any context. The posted video of the explosion comes amid the ongoing conflict, when the tensions between the US and Iran are at an all-time high and when deployment of additional US troops in West Asia had been confirmed. Earlier, the White House on Monday (local time) said the deployment of additional US troops in West Asia provides President Donald Trump with "maximum optionality" in the ongoing conflict in the region, despite ongoing negotiations with Tehran to end the conflict. Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about the deployment of additional US Troops in the region, said that they are part of efforts to maintain strategic flexibility as the war rages on in the region, with diplomatic channels working in the background to strike a deal to end it. "The president is focused on achieving the objectives of Operation Epic Fury with respect to forces that are on the ground in the Middle East. It's the job of the Pentagon to create maximum optionality for the commander-in-chief," Leavitt said. The Press Secretary further stated that while the US President has been asked about potential ground operations, he has declined to rule them out. "The president has been asked about boots on the ground or alleged ground operations various times. He's obviously declined to rule them out. It's the Pentagon's job to provide maximum optionality to the president; it does not mean he's made a decision, nor would he ever notify the media of such a decision so as not to tip off our enemy," she added. This comes after reports that the Pentagon is preparing plans for the possibility of extended ground operations in Iran for several weeks, as per The Washington Post. According to The Post, citing US officials familiar with the development, the preparations are aimed at supporting a more sustained military phase if Trump decides to intensify the conflict. Earlier on Sunday (local time), US President Donald Trump said it's a "big day" for Iran, stating that the US military has destroyed many key targets in the country. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the US military had destroyed many sought-after targets in Iran. He said, "Big day in Iran. Many long-sought-after targets have been taken out and destroyed by our GREAT MILITARY, the finest and most lethal in the World. God bless you all! President DJT." When being gaggled with the press on Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Trump said that Iran's entire Navy and Air Force have been knocked out, and most of their missiles are gone. Trump also hinted at regime change in Iran, saying the current leadership is "very reasonable" and a "new group of people@. Meanwhile, Speaker of Iran's Parliament, MB Ghalibaf, accused the US of "secretly plotting a ground invasion" and assured that Tehran is prepared for it. He also warned the Gulf countries, which are allowing the US to launch an attack from their soil, vowing to "punish" the regional partners. "The enemy sends messages of friendship openly, while secretly plotting a ground invasion. We are waiting for their arrival; we will set them ablaze and punish their regional partners forever." Ghalibaf said. (ANI)
Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of a Chinese sortie, six naval vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6am (local time) on Tuesday. The sortie entered Taiwan's southern part ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "1 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 1 sorties entered Taiwan's southern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2038783335376543898?s=20 Earlier on Monday, Taiwan's Ministry of National Defense detected the presence of a sortie of Chinese military aircraft, nine naval vessels and an official ship operating around its territorial waters. The sortie crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern part ADIZ. In a post on X, the MND said, "1 sorties of PLA aircraft, 9 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 1 out of 1 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's southwestern and southeastern part ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/2038420953076498510?s=20 China's claim over Taiwan is a complex issue rooted in historical, political, and legal arguments. Beijing asserts that Taiwan is an inseparable part of China, a viewpoint embedded in national policy and upheld by domestic laws and international statements. Taiwan, however, maintains a distinct identity, functioning independently with its own government, military, and economy. Taiwan's status remains a significant point of international debate, testing the principles of sovereignty, self-determination, and non-interference in international law, as per the United Service Institution of India. China's claim to Taiwan originates from the Qing Dynasty's annexation of the island in 1683 after defeating Ming loyalist Koxinga. However, Taiwan remained a peripheral region under limited Qing control. The key shift came in 1895, when the Qing ceded Taiwan to Japan after the First Sino-Japanese War, marking Taiwan as a Japanese colony for 50 years. After Japan's defeat in World War II, Taiwan was returned to Chinese control, but the sovereignty transfer was not formalised. In 1949, the Chinese Civil War resulted in the establishment of the People's Republic of China (PRC) on the mainland, while the Republic of China (ROC) retreated to Taiwan, asserting its claim to govern all of China. This led to dual sovereignty claims: the PRC over the mainland and the ROC over Taiwan. Taiwan has operated as a de facto independent state but has avoided declaring formal independence to prevent military conflict with the PRC, United Service Institution of India. (ANI)
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has suggested that rerouting energy pipelines toward the Mediterranean could serve as a long-term solution to the vulnerabilities surrounding the Strait of Hormuz, according to an interview with Newsmax. "Long-term solutions include rerouting energy pipelines westward, across Saudi Arabia to the Red Sea and Mediterranean, bypassing Iran's geographic choke point," Netanyahu told Newsmax, stressing the need to reduce reliance on the Strait. The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world's most critical energy transit chokepoints, handling about 20 per cent of global oil exports. It is bordered by Iran on one side and Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and Oman on the other. Netanyahu noted that Iran's position gives it the ability to threaten global energy flows, particularly during periods of conflict. "A military solution might offer short-term stability," he said, but indicated that a deal or structural shift that diminishes the Strait's importance would be more effective in the long run. According to the Newsmax interview, Netanyahu suggested that building alternative overland routes for oil and gas exports could ultimately reduce Iran's strategic leverage over global energy markets. Meanwhile, Iran's Parliament Security Committee on Monday (local time) approved the Strait of Hormuz Management Plan, which includes measures to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategic waterway, as reported by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). According to the IRIB, a member of the National Security Commission announced that the plan was formally approved, detailing key areas of focus, including security arrangements for the Strait, ship safety, environmental protection, financial arrangements, and the implementation of a rial-based toll system. The plan also explicitly bans passage for American and Israeli vessels, reinforces the sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait. Additionally, it prohibits passage for countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran, as reported by IRIB. The approved measures come amid ongoing conflict in West Asia between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, currently in its second month, and reflect Tehran's efforts to assert control over one of the world's most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments transit. Meanwhile, the White House on Monday (local time) claimed the recent movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a virtual blockage amid the West Asia conflict, saying it was a result of ongoing direct and indirect talks between the United States and Iran. It credited diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump. Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Iran is selectively allowing certain tankers to pass or imposing informal controls over maritime traffic. "That's not something we support, and I would reject that they are cherry-picking. In fact, these tankers that are moving through - the 10 that were previously announced and now the new 20, the announcement of 20 additional tankers, which we expect to see over the coming days - are a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the United States and Iran," she claimed. Leavitt further insisted that such tanker movements would not have been possible without sustained diplomatic engagement by the US administration led by Trump. (ANI)
Pakistan's Ambassador to the US, Rizwan Saeed Sheikh, in an interview with Fox News has said that the efforts to facilitate US-Iran peace talks are underway, but cautioned that the process will be complex and time-consuming. Speaking on the network's programme "Special Report", Sheikh highlighted initial confidence-building measures as a step towards negotiations. "And in terms of the who exactly dealing part we are dealing with is the fact that the confidence-building measure demonstrated in movement of ships that were allowed, eight in the first instance and now another twenty in the second instance, is not just a concept of operation, but a proof of concept that has been implemented to induce confidence in the system, which has to be a prerequisite for commencement of the actual negotiation procedure, but contacts are in place, " he said. He underscored the difficulties posed by conditions inside Iran, noting disruptions caused in the communication channels by the ongoing conflict. "Let's look at the fact that Iran is a war-torn country with the communication channels certainly disrupted, and it is not even easy to get responses in a good time from the system that currently is in place there. So you would have noticed that these deadlines have been extended in the past, in recent past, and we are working religiously with regard to the current deadline," he said. The ambassador added that while Pakistan is playing a facilitating role, the responsibility for successful negotiations ultimately lies with the "conflicting" parties involved. "The process will take its own due course, and while Pakistan continues to be the facilitator, it is actually upon the conflicting parties themselves to not only create the prerequisites for negotiations and to be able to conduct them in all earnest, but they will have to take the decisions which make it successful," he said. Earlier, US President Donald Trump claimed that indirect negotiations between the United States and Iran, facilitated by Pakistani intermediaries, are making "positive progress". Speaking about the ongoing backchannel diplomacy, Trump said talks are underway through Pakistani "emissaries", though he declined to provide specific details when asked whether a ceasfire deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz could be reached in the coming days. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump is considering ending the US military campaign in Iran, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed, reported The Wall Street Journal. He indicated to aides that he is prepared to wind down military operations against Iran within a four-to-six-week timeline, even if the Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed. This decision would likely extend Tehran''s control over the vital waterway, shifting the focus to diplomatic efforts to reopen it. Trump has expressed willingness to wind down hostilities, having achieved key objectives like weakening Iran''s navy and missile capabilities. According to administration officials, the President believes the US can declare victory by achieving its "core" military goals without being bogged down in a protracted maritime clearance mission, reported The Wall Street Journal. Trump characterised the closure as a problem primarily for Asia and Europe, noting that 84% of the oil through the strait is bound for Asian markets. He remained firm that the US is no longer as dependent on Middle Eastern energy. The closed strait is causing significant disruptions, with oil prices surging past $100 a barrel and potential shortages in fertiliser and other critical goods. The US could consider escorting tankers or a multinational effort to reopen the strait, but these are not immediate priorities, reported The Wall Street Journal. Despite the talk of ending the war, the U.S. military footprint in the region continues to grow, creating a contradictory picture of the administration''s "exit". The USS Tripoli and the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit have arrived, with elements of the 82nd Airborne and 10,000 additional ground troops under consideration. Trump has alternately threatened to bomb Iran''s civilian energy grid if the strait isn''t opened, while simultaneously calling the war a "lovely stay" and an "excursion." Earlier, the White House on Monday (local time) claimed that the recent movement of oil tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, despite a virtual blockage amid the West Asia conflict, is the result of ongoing direct and indirect talks between the United States and Iran. It credited diplomatic efforts led by US President Donald Trump. Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt rejected claims that Iran is selectively allowing certain tankers to pass or imposing informal controls over maritime traffic. "That''s not something we support, and I would reject that they are cherry-picking. In fact, these tankers that are moving through - the 10 that were previously announced and now the new 20, the announcement of 20 additional tankers, which we expect to see over the coming days - are a result of the direct and indirect talks that are taking place between the United States and Iran," she claimed. Leavitt further insisted that such tanker movements would not have been possible without sustained diplomatic engagement by the US administration led by Trump. "So, you wouldn''t have seen those tankers if not for the president''s diplomacy and his team engaging on this matter, which we expect that compliance moving forward, and it''s again something that we''re working on very closely," she added. On Sunday, Trump said that Iran is allowing 20 oil tankers to pass through the Strait of Hormuz as a "sign of respect". Speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One, Trump said that Iran initially agreed to send 10 boats through the strait and then added 10 more, which he considers a positive development. Meanwhile, Iran''s Parliament Security Committee on Monday (local time) approved the Strait of Hormuz Management Plan, which includes measures to impose tolls on vessels passing through the strategic waterway, as reported by Iranian state media, Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB). According to the IRIB, a member of the National Security Commission announced that the plan was formally approved, detailing key areas of focus, including security arrangements for the Strait, ship safety, environmental protection, financial arrangements, and the implementation of a rial-based toll system. The plan also explicitly bans passage for American and Israeli vessels, reinforces the sovereign role of Iran and its armed forces, and outlines cooperation with Oman in establishing the legal framework for the Strait. Additionally, it prohibits passage for countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran, as reported by IRIB. The approved measures come amid ongoing conflict in West Asia between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition, currently in its second month, and reflect Tehran''s efforts to assert control over one of the world''s most critical maritime chokepoints, through which a significant portion of global oil shipments transit. (ANI)
While the United States and Israel have struck Iranian military targets, their failure to halt Tehran's oil exports has handed Iran a windfall: the country is now earning nearly twice what it made each day from oil before the war began.

According to a report by The Economist published on 29 March 2026, Iran is earning close to double its pre-war daily oil revenue, as a surge in global crude prices has inflated the value of every barrel Tehran ships. Kharg Island, the small Persian Gulf outpost that handles around 90% of Iran's crude exports, has remained largely operational, with Kpler shipping data showing very large crude carriers continuing to load at the terminal through the first weeks of the conflict.

The war's most painful economic consequences have fallen on Iran's Gulf rivals, whose exports have been strangled by the very disruptions Tehran engineered.

How Iran Kept Exporting While the Strait Closed Around It

Iran imposed a near-total blockade on commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, through which roughly 20 million barrels of oil and petroleum products flow on a typical day, while quietly maintaining its own tanker traffic. CNN reported on 16 March 2026 that Iran was shipping oil through the strait in almost the same volumes as before the conflict, effectively exploiting its own closure to lock out competitors while keeping its own revenues intact.

Tehran prepared for the disruption. According to Windward shipping intelligence cited by CNN, the average daily volume leaving Kharg Island in February 2026 reached 2.04 million barrels, roughly a quarter higher than the previous year's average.

Absolutely remarkable. "Iran is now earning nearly twice as much from oil sales each day as it did before American and Israeli bombs started falling on February 28th. It may be pummelled on the battlefield, but the regime is winning the energy war." https://t.co/Nnky62LjAW  Shashank Joshi (@shashj) March 29, 2026

JPMorgan analysts found that Iran increased exports from Kharg to near-record levels in the days before the escalation, with shipments between 15 and 20 February reportedly exceeding three million barrels per day.

Iran has also, according to Al Mayadeen's summary of The Economist report, been exporting between 2.4 and 2.8 million barrels per day during the conflict, including 1.5 to 1.8 million barrels of crude, with China absorbing over 90% of those volumes. Crucially, oil that Iran once had to sell at a substantial discount to Brent crude is now trading at near-Brent prices, as global supply tightness has eliminated buyers' bargaining power.

Terrifying reality check. BNP Paribas Head of Energy Strategy reveals Trump's war on Iran will trigger a catastrophic Asian energy crisis. With the Strait of Hormuz closed, Asia loses 70 percent of its supply. Massive shortages will absolutely devastate the global market. pic.twitter.com/RQwZMNH35M  Furkan Gozukara (@FurkanGozukara) March 30, 2026

Kharg Island: Operational Despite Strikes, Untouched Oil Infrastructure

Kharg Island sits roughly 25 kilometres off Iran's coast in the northern Persian Gulf and handles around 94% of Iran's seaborne crude exports, according to Kpler's 12-month tracking data. Its deep-water berths can accommodate the world's largest crude carriers, very large crude carriers, or VLCCs, a capability most of Iran's coastline does not offer.

The island's terminals have a loading capacity of roughly 1.3 to 1.6 million barrels per day, and its storage infrastructure, according to Kpler, held around 18 million barrels as of early March, giving Iran a buffer to smooth exports during periods of disruption.

On 13 March, US President Donald Trump announced via social media that American forces had struck military targets on the island, but had deliberately spared the oil infrastructure. In a subsequent Oval Office statement, Trump said the US military 'took out every single thing in Kharg Island, except one thing. We left the pipes.' He followed that statement with a threat to reconsider that restraint if Iran continued to obstruct shipping in the strait.

In the first two weeks of March, Kpler data recorded at least eight crude loadings at Kharg totalling nearly 14 million barrels, including cargoes loaded on 11 March, just two days before Trump's post. Miad Maleki, a former US Treasury sanctions official and senior adviser at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, told TIME that Kharg generates 61 billion ($78 billion) a year in energy revenue, with irreplaceable deep-water berths no other Iranian port can replicate.

A Price Shock That Enriches the Sanctioned While Punishing the Global Economy

The war has produced an extraordinary inversion: the country under military attack is profiting from the crisis it helped engineer, while the countries aligned against it absorb rising costs. Brent crude surged from roughly 50 ($65) per barrel before the conflict began to above 79 ($100) within weeks, and briefly reached 94 ($120) as markets priced in the risk of sustained disruption. That price trajectory directly multiplied Iran's per-barrel revenue.

The International Energy Agency has described the disruption as the 'largest supply disruption in the history of the global oil market.' Gulf producers including Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Kuwait, and the UAE have been forced to suspend or severely curtail exports, as tankers will not transit a strait where Iran has struck more than a dozen commercial vessels since hostilities began. CSIS estimated that bypass pipeline capacity from Saudi Arabia and the UAE can redirect only about 3 million barrels per day, leaving roughly 85% of normal Gulf export volumes stranded.

The World Economic Forum described the strategic logic plainly: Iran, unable to match the US and Israel militarily, is raising the cost of escalation by targeting energy, shipping, and civilian infrastructure across the Gulf. Chatham House analysts note that when energy prices rise, income transfers from importing to exporting nations. Iran, with its exports intact and prices at multi-year highs, sits firmly on the winning side of that transfer.

Every day the war continues without a strike on Kharg Island's oil infrastructure, Iran converts its adversaries' military campaign into a windfall that funds the very war being fought against it.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Monday (local time) released a video which claimed to show American military strikes targeting Iranian naval vessels and aircraft, amid escalating tension in West Asia. In a post on X, CENTCOM said, "US forces continue to eliminate the Iranian regime's ability to project power in meaningful ways outside of Iran's borders." The video reportedly captured precision strikes carried out against assets linked to Iran's military capabilities at sea and in the air. https://x.com/CENTCOM/status/2038721345052143633 Earlier, the White House on Monday (local time) said the deployment of additional US troops in West Asia provides President Donald Trump with "maximum optionality" in the ongoing conflict in the region, despite ongoing negotiations with Tehran to end the conflict. Addressing a press briefing, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, when asked about the deployment of additional US Troops in the region, said that they are part of efforts to maintain strategic flexibility as the war rages on in the region, with diplomatic channels working in the background to strike a deal to end it. "The president is focused on achieving the objectives of Operation Epic Fury with respect to forces that are on the ground in the Middle East. It's the job of the Pentagon to create maximum optionality for the commander-in-chief," Leavitt said. The Press Secretary further stated that while the US President has been asked about potential ground operations, he has declined to rule them out. This comes after reports that the Pentagon is preparing plans for the possibility of extended ground operations in Iran for several weeks, as per The Washington Post. According to The Post, citing US officials familiar with the development, the preparations are aimed at supporting a more sustained military phase if Trump decides to intensify the conflict. Earlier on Sunday (local time), US President Donald Trump said it's a "big day" for Iran, stating that the US military has destroyed many key targets in the country. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said that the US military had destroyed many sought-after targets in Iran. He said, "Big day in Iran. Many long-sought-after targets have been taken out and destroyed by our GREAT MILITARY, the finest and most lethal in the World. God bless you all! President DJT." When being gaggled with the press on Air Force One en route to Joint Base Andrews, Trump said that Iran's entire Navy and Air Force have been knocked out, and most of their missiles are gone. Meanwhile, Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf condemned the enemy's aggression, stating that it will be met with a strong response amid reports of the US. military build-ups in West Asia, including the arrival of thousands of U.S. Marines on the USS Tripoli. He emphasised that the people of Iran, led by the Supreme Leader, will not only defend their rights but also make the enemy regret their actions. By claiming the "enemy promotes its desires as news," Ghalibaf accused adversaries of using psychological operations or "soft war" to destabilise the country before or alongside military action. (ANI)
The Israel Defense Forces on Tuesday said that they have completed another wave of strikes against Iran. The IDF said it continues to strike the infrastructure of Iran. In a post on X, the IDF said, "IDF continues to deepen the damage to the infrastructures of the Iranian terror regime: Another wave of strikes completed in Tehran. The IDF has just completed another wave of strikes targeting infrastructures of the Iranian terror regime in the heart of Tehran, further details to follow." https://x.com/idfonline/status/2038845927050322294?s=20 Earlier, the IDF said it had struck 170 Iranian regime targets in the past day using approximately 400 munitions. The IDF said, "The Air Force, guided by Military Intelligence, completed this morning another sortie of strikes targeting infrastructure of the Iranian terror regime across Tehran. In the strike sorties, the IDF continued to deepen the damage to the regime's weapons production industries, including: A central site used to produce significant components for a variety of weapons in Iran, Sites for producing engines for unmanned aerial vehicles, An industrial complex where components for weapons were developed and a research and development site." In western Iran, the IDF said it had struck several central command headquarters of the armed forces subordinate to the Iranian terror regime, including the central Basij compound in the city of Dehgelan and a police station of the internal security forces in the city of Sanandaj. Meanwhile, the US Central Command said that the U.S. forces continue to eliminate the Iranian regime's ability to project power in meaningful ways outside of Iran's borders. CENTCOM also shared a video of the strikes carried out by US forces. In another incident, four IDF soldiers died while fighting in Southern Lebanon, the Israel Defense Forces confirmed on Tuesday, Jerusalem Post reported. The military shared the names of three of the soldiers, Captain Noam Madmoni, Staff Sergeant Ben Cohen, and Staff Sergeant Maxsim Entis, while the fourth soldier's name is still under the wraps, as per Jerusalem Post. During the incident, two additional soldiers were wounded, one in serious condition and the other with moderate wounds. The families of all affected soldiers have been notified, the military said. Nine IDF soldiers have been killed fighting in Lebanon since the beginning of Operation Roaring Lion on February 28, as per Jerusalem Post. Since the begining of the war, 22 civilians have died by rocket and missile fire from Lebanon and Iran. On Thursday, 43-year-old Uri Peretz was killed in Nahariya by a direct hit after Hezbollah launched a wave of rockets at northern Israel, injuring twenty-five additional people, as per Jerusalem Post. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday (local time) said that the ongoing US-Israel military operation against Iran amid the West Asia conflict is "beyond the halfway point", with the current focus of the coalition being to secure or remove Tehran's enriched uranium stockpile. In an interview with Newsmax, Netanyahu expressed confidence in the progress of the joint military campaign, emphasising that significant steps have been taken to dismantle Iran's military and nuclear capabilities. "We're beyond the halfway point in terms of mission success," the Israeli PM said, citing major gains in degrading Iran's military, nuclear, and industrial infrastructure. (ANI)
Tibetan Spiritual Leader Dalai Lama on Tuesday echoed Pope Leo XIV's appeal for peace amid escalating tensions in West Asia. Dalai Lama in a post on X said that all religions preach tolerance and peace, and violence is condemned. "I wholeheartedly endorse the powerful appeal for peace made by the Holy Father, Pope Leo, during his Palm Sunday Mass. His call for the laying down of arms and the renunciation of violence resonated profoundly with me, as it speaks to the very essence of what all major religions teach," he said. https://x.com/DalaiLama/status/2038857754061017401?s=20 "Indeed, whether we look to Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism or any of the world's great spiritual traditions, the message is fundamentally the same: love, compassion, tolerance, and self-discipline. Violence finds no true home in any of these teachings. History has shown us time and again that violence only begets more violence and is never a lasting foundation for peace," he added. He further said that resolution to the conflicts must be rooted in dialogue. "An enduring resolution to conflict, including the ones we see in the Middle East or between Russia and Ukraine, must be rooted in dialogue, diplomacy and mutual respect -- approached with the understanding that, at the deepest level, we are all brothers and sisters. I urge for and pray that the violence and conflicts may soon come to an end," he said. In a Palm Sunday ceremony marking the beginning of Holy Week, Pope Leo XIV said God "does not listen to the prayers of those who wage war but rejects them," as quoted by CNN. When asked to comment on the Pope's statement, US White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said, "Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago, almost, on Judeo-Christian values. And we've seen, Presidents, we've seen, the leaders of the Department of War, and we've seen our troops go to prayer, during the most turbulent times in our nation's history. I don't think there's anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members and those who are serving our country overseas. In fact, I think it's a very noble thing to do." (ANI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday expressed deep grief over the demise of former Suriname President Chandrikapersad Santokhi, calling it an "irreparable loss" for both Suriname and the global Indian diaspora. In a post on X, PM Modi said, "Deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden demise of my friend and the former President of Suriname, Chandrikapersad Santokhi Ji. This is not only an irreparable loss to Suriname but also to the global Indian diaspora." https://x.com/narendramodi/status/2038836336845803684 Recalling his personal interactions with Santokhi, the prime minister highlighted the late leader's contributions to bilateral ties and cultural affinity with India. "I fondly recall my many meetings with him. His tireless service for Suriname and his efforts in strengthening India-Suriname relations were clearly reflected in our interactions. He had a special fondness for Indian culture. He won several hearts when he took oath in Sanskrit," PM Modi said. Extending condolences, he added, "I extend my heartfelt condolences to his family and the people of Suriname in this hour of grief." In November 2024, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the late former Suriname President Chandrikapersad 'Chan' Santokhi on the sidelines of the 2nd India-CARICOM Summit in Georgetown. The two leaders at that time reviewed the progress of the India-Suriname partnership and discussed ways to enhance cooperation across various sectors. In July 2025, 71-year-old physician and veteran lawmaker Jennifer Geerlings-Simons was elected as Suriname's first female president, receiving parliamentary approval to lead the South American nation. According to the MEA brief, India enjoys close, warm and friendly relations with Suriname, reinforced by cultural and people-to-people contacts bridged by the Indian Diaspora's arrival dating back to one and a half centuries. India and Suriname have bilateral mechanisms to enhance bilateral cooperation, such as Ministerial-level Joint Commission Meetings, Joint Working Group on Agriculture. India and Suriname have actively cooperated on a development partnership, and India has offered Line of Credits (LOCs) and Grants-in-Aid, according to the MEA brief. According to the MEA brief, Trade and economic links between India and Suriname are modest. Indian export to Suriname consists of boilers, machinery, iron & steel, electrical machinery & equipment, sound recorders, pharmaceutical products, textiles, vehicles, coffee, tea and spices, rubber, paper, tobacco, organic chemicals, furniture, carpets, ceramic products, footwear and printed books; Indian import consists of wood, aluminum, textiles, herbal products, garments, spices, and electrical machinery. (ANI)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is planning to visit New Delhi on May 14 and 15. The purpose of the visit will be to participate in the meeting of the foreign ministers of the BRICS countries, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko told TASS. As quoted by TASS, the Russian deputy Foreign Minister said, "Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov plans to take part in the BRICS ministerial meeting on May 14-15 this year, which will determine the set and general outlines of the final documents that the Indian presidency will submit to the BRICS summit." TASS further reported that on the sidelines of BRICS events, a separate working visit by Lavrov will take place to meet External Affairs Minister Jaishankar and other Indian officials. As quoted by TASS, Rudenko said, "In connection with the BRICS events, it is also planned to hold a separate working visit by Lavrov to India to meet with Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and other Indian officials." India holds the BRICS presidency in 2026. This group was founded in 2006, and in 2011, South Africa joined the original membership of Brazil, Russia, India and China. Egypt, Iran, the United Arab Emirates and Ethiopia became full members of the association in 2024. Indonesia joined the BRICS in 2025. Since the beginning of last year, Belarus, Bolivia, Kazakhstan, Cuba, Malaysia, Thailand, Uganda and Uzbekistan have officially received the partner status and on January 17, Nigeria. Earlier on March 23, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed Moscow's anticipation for continued high-level diplomatic engagement with New Delhi, highlighting the enduring nature of the bilateral partnership. In a video address to the participants of the 2nd International Conference "Russia and India: Towards a New Agenda for Bilateral Relations," Lavrov stated, "We look forward to welcoming Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Russia in 2026." The Foreign Minister noted that the relationship is built upon a "time-tested friendship" that "stands as a model of how interstate relations should be built - on equality, mutual trust and respect, and due regard for each other's interests." This upcoming visit follows the significant diplomatic groundwork laid during President Vladimir Putin's trip to India in late 2025. Lavrov remarked, "Following President Vladimir Putin's visit to New Delhi in December 2025, the alignment of Russia's and India's strategic objectives was reaffirmed, and a substantial package of documents, including policy documents, was signed." He further emphasised the robust economic cooperation between the two nations, noting that "in 2025, bilateral trade reached approximately $60 billion." Looking ahead, he added, "Our leaders have reaffirmed the goal of reaching $100 billion by 2030." To achieve these targets, Lavrov highlighted that both countries will "deepen cooperation in logistics, technology and investment, including through the development of the International North-South Transport Corridor and the Northern Sea Route." He also observed that "already today, 96 per cent of trade is conducted in national currencies." (ANI)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday attended the Second Convocation of Nalanda University, praising the institution's growth and expressing pride in being associated with it. He focused on the intersection of tradition, technology, and global diplomacy, emphasising the significance of the event for the university's future and encouraged graduates to contribute to its growth. While speaking at the 2nd Convocation ceremony of Nalanda University today in Rajgir, Jaishankar said that the Nalanda tradition can be a powerful influence in this democratisation of the global order. In a post on X, Jaishankar said, "600+ Graduates. 31 Nations. One Shared Journey! Honoured to participate in the 2nd Convocation ceremony of Nalanda University today in Rajgir alongside Hon'ble President of India Smt. Droupadi Murmu ji, and other dignitaries. Nalanda evokes memories of India's intellectual heritage & cultural grandeur, reminding the world that technology & tradition - vikas bhi, virasat bhi - must march hand-in-hand." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/2038895755386347631?s=20 Jaishankar highlighted the university's historical significance and its revival as a symbol of India's rich cultural heritage and urged graduates to give back by contributing to Nalanda University's growth, leveraging their skills and knowledge. While acknowledging that current global debates are dominated by technology, he reminded the audience that the "human side" must never be forgotten, encapsulated in the mantra: "Vikas bhi, Virasat bhi" (Development as well as Heritage). He said, "The very term Nalanda evokes memories of India's intellectual heritage and cultural grandeur. A revival of that tradition in this institution is an indicator not just of the rise of India, but of Asia itself. Today, intense debates are going on about the future directions of growth and progress in the world. Much of that understandably centres around technology. But as the Nalanda spirit reminds us, we should never forget that there is always the human side. The world is becoming more multi-polar because there are many more cultures and many more societies that are making their voices heard. The Nalanda tradition can be a powerful influence in this democratisation of the global order. And also be a reminder that technology and tradition - vikas bhi, virasat bhi - must march hand-in-hand." Jaishankar connected the graduates' achievements to India's development, emphasizing the importance of education and innovation. Jaishankar said that he believed each one who is graduating from Nalanda will contribute to the university in their own way. "I am very privileged to witness this Second Convocation of Nalanda University, that too in the august presence of Hon'ble Rashtrapati. Each such milestone marks an evolution of an emerging institution and is a cause for celebration in itself, and it has been my personal good fortune to be associated with this University from the very start. Now, having studied in a new university myself in my time, I recognise the significance of the event for this institution's future. Each one of you receiving a degree today, each one of you contributing to a degree, by being a fellow student or by being a teacher, will have a justifiable sense of pride. I am confident that those graduating, those receiving their degrees today, would repay by contributing to Nalanda University's growth in whatever capacity you can, from wherever you will be," he said. Jaishankar said that coming generations must be more connected, to be more sensitive to global developments, and that international students in particular can promote India in their respective countries when they go back. "This University is unique in its international character. While that has always had a value, it is even more so in this age of globalisation. As we advance towards a Viksit Bharat, it is essential that India is ready for the world and equally, the world for India. This requires coming generations to be more connected, to be more sensitive to global developments, and I am sure the graduating cohorts can make a difference in this regard. International students, in particular, can promote India in their respective countries when they go back. All of you, I know, have given their best here and I know equally that you are taking a part of India back with you," he said. Nalanda University also lauded Jaishankar's reflection on "vikas bhi, virasat bhi" which beautifully captured the Nalanda spirit. https://x.com/nalanda_univ/status/2038897920792043717?s=20 The university said, "We are truly honoured by the gracious presence and inspiring words of our Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, S Jaishankar Ji, at Nalanda University's Second Convocation today, alongside the esteemed presence of Hon'ble President of India, Smt. Droupadi Murmu Ji. Your powerful reflection on "vikas bhi, virasat bhi" beautifully captured the Nalanda spirit, where tradition and technology together shape a shared global journey for our graduating scholars." (ANI)
China's newly introduced "Ethnic Unity and Progress" law on March 12, 2026, has raised serious concerns over the preservation of linguistic and cultural identity among ethnic minorities, particularly Tibetans, according to a report by the Central Tibetan Administration (CTA). As cited by the CTA report, the legislation mandates the use of Mandarin as the primary language of instruction from preschool through high school for ethnic minority groups, including Tibetans, Uyghurs, and Mongolians. The policy prioritises Mandarin across education, public life, and media, alongside a revised "Standard Language Law" that further strengthens state control and promotes cultural assimilation. The report highlighted that the law enforced compulsory Mandarin education for children from ethnic minority backgrounds starting before kindergarten and continuing through the end of high school. This shift effectively replaces native language instruction in several core subjects, posing what the CTA describes as a "significant challenge" to the preservation of the Tibetan language and cultural heritage. In response to these developments, the CTA report noted that the Parents Committee (2025-26) of the London School of Tibetan Language and Culture, under the guidance of Representative Tsering Yangkyi from the Office of Tibet in London, has initiated a weekly inter-house reward programme aimed at promoting the use of Tibetan among students. As detailed in the report, the initiative encouraged students to actively speak Tibetan within the school environment. Those who make genuine efforts are awarded five points in the form of 5 prop money by adult members of the school. Each morning, the parents' committee distributes this prop currency to adults, who then reward students accordingly. Students submit their earnings to their respective house prefects, and weekly totals are calculated, with winners announced during the Sunday morning assembly. The CTA report further stated that to reinforce language usage, students are assigned simple topics such as "My School," "My Family," and "My Country Tibet" to prepare at home and discuss in Tibetan at school. The initiative has reportedly received an enthusiastic response, with students actively engaging and making sincere efforts to incorporate Tibetan into their daily interactions. Building on the programme's success, and following further guidance from Representative Tsering Yangkyi, the school is set to introduce additional measures from July 1, 2026. As cited by the CTA report, these include the introduction of a gentle corrective approach when non-Tibetan languages are used, particularly by adults, to set a strong example for students. Additionally, short video messages of the Dalai Lama will be played in Tibetan during morning assemblies. Gyalrab (Tibetan history) lessons, which are currently conducted in English, will transition to Tibetan. Parents are also being strongly encouraged to use Tibetan at home and to ensure that children respond in the language. The CTA report concludes that with the implementation of such policies in Tibet, the Tibetan language and cultural identity face an increased risk of systematic erosion. However, it underscores that through strengthened individual and collective efforts, at home, in schools, and within the broader Tibetan community, there remains hope that Tibetan language and heritage will continue to thrive for future generations. (ANI)
US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) came down heavily on France for denying the use of its airspace to American planes headed to Israel, loaded with military supplies. In a post on Truth Social, he decried France as "unhelpful" with Iran and said that Washington would remember this. "The Country of France wouldn't let planes headed to Israel, loaded up with military supplies, fly over French territory. France has been VERY UNHELPFUL with respect to the "Butcher of Iran," who has been successfully eliminated! The U.S.A. will REMEMBER!!! President DJT", Trump wrote Truth Social. Meanwhile, Jerusalem Post reported today that Israel has halted its defence sales to France, citing 'hostile attitude'. According to the Jerusalem Post, sources said that the decision was a result of France taking a hostile attitude toward Israel in the course of the last two years. It further reported that Defence Minister Israel Katz formally ordered the halt, but a decision of such significance could only take place if it was a priority of PM Netanyahu. As per the Jersualem Post, one Israeli official added that French President Emmanuel Macron's decision not to allow US aircraft to pass through French airspace en route to Israel was "the straw that broke the camel's back," which led to the decision to halt defence procurement. The latest development after reports emerged of Italy denying the United States the use of Sigonella base. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday (local time) denied the United States the use of Sigonella base. The denial came after Italy came to know of the flight plan of some US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. However, according to the Italian newspaper, no one had requested any authorisation or consulted Italian military leaders regarding the use. The newspaper reported that the plan had in fact been communicated while the planes were already in flight. According to La Repubblica, the checks revealed that these were not normal or logistical flights and therefore were not covered by the treaty with Italy. Meanwhile, in early March, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni said in an interview with RTL radio that, "We're not at war; we don't want to go to war," as quoted by Politico. Earlier in March, Trump had reiterated his stance on cutting trade with Spain over the NATO ally's refusal to allow the use of its military bases for operations linked to the war with Iran. "We may cut off trade with Spain," the US President said when asked about bilateral ties. Since the conflict in West Asia, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has reiterated his opposition to the US-Israel joint military strikes killing 86-year-old Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28. Sanchez has emphasised that his government stands firmly against war. He said, "This government is consistent in its principles and values: No to war." (ANI)
United States Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dan Caine briefed the media on the progress made on Operation Epic Fury, amid speculation over the country preparing for a ground operation in Iran. Hegseth candidly spoke about his visit to the US Central Command's base and how he interacted with the troops. Hegseth said, "Visited our troops on CENTCOM grounds on Saturday. Suffice it to say, the trip was an honour. I witnessed some of the finest American warriors, a brotherhood of men and women on active duty, the National Guard, and the Reserves, demonstrating sheer competency."Hegseth also underscored the importance of Operation Epic Fury's swiftness while comparing it with previous American missions to Iraq and Afghanistan.He said, "Rotational units in Iraq and Afghanistan never know when a mission will end. During Operation Epic Fury, I observed the urgency to achieve mission success, the sheer focus of every crew member, and their motivation to push forward. A crew chief told me, 'It's been busy. It's tough stuff.' I asked each young American if anyone wanted to be sent home. Nobody did. They all said, 'Let's finish the mission.'" He also shared details of his interaction with the crew members He said, "Privately, I spoke to one Air Force crew that had successfully shot down an enemy missile. I witnessed American ingenuity firsthand, met with Air Force intelligence personnel, and saw extraordinary lethality, bigger bombs, sunken enemy ships, and operations executed with wartime speed." "We have dropped bombs over Tehran because the world cannot allow Iran to have nuclear weapons. The troops want to finish this fight for their children and grandchildren. We have more options, while the adversary has fewer. In just the last month, in a 24-hour period, the latest intelligence confirmed that our missiles are damaging Iran with over 200 dynamic strikes in addition to preplanned targets. Iran has even shut off the internet," Hegseth stated further. He also warned the "new" regime to be wiser when dealing with US troops as "President Trump doesn't bluff." He said, "President Trump doesn't bluff. This new regime in Iran should be wiser than the last. Today, standing here in this briefing room, I witnessed the dedication of our air defenders and the remarkable professionalism of our armed forces." (ANI)
US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday (local time) that UK King Charles and Queen Camilla will pay a State Visit to the United States from April 27-30 as the country marks its 250th anniversary of Independence. Sharing the details in a post on Truth Social, Trump said that he looked forward to spending time with King Charles and expressed optimism ahead of the latter's state visit. "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a Historic State Visit from April 27-30th, which will include a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28th. This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!", he wrote. Meanwhile, the Royal Family also shared the details of their visit in a post on X, where it said that the visit would celebrate the historic connections and modern-day ties between London and Washington. "On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America. Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the UK and the US, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence." The post further noted that King Charles would also visit Bermuda. https://x.com/RoyalFamily/status/2038949626875613423?s=20 As per CBC News, this will be Charles's first official state visit to the US as king. Although as Prince of Wales, he has visited 19 times, including a trip with Camilla in 2005. This comes after Trump had earlier paid a State Visit to the UK, with First Lady Melania Trump, in September last year. On July 4, 2026, the United States will commemorate and celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In this light, the Salute to America 250 Task Force ("Task Force 250") is executing a full year of festivities, which began on Memorial Day, 2025, and will continue through the end of 2026, the White House said. The post by Trump comes shortly after he came down heavily on the UK amid the developments in West Asia and the Gulf region. In a post on Truth Social on Tuesday, Trump issued a stark message saying that either countries like the UK that are not able to get jet fuel start purchasing from the US or go to the Strait and "just TAKE IT". Earlier on Monday, Starmer had reiterated the stance of not getting involved in the conflict in West Asia and the Gulf region. While giving a call to voters, in a post on X, he said, "I will always make decisions that are in the national interest. It's why we aren't getting dragged into the Middle East conflict, and why we are fighting to protect your living standards." https://x.com/Keir_Starmer/status/2038600732228653210?s=20 Trump has been insisting allies' greater participation as the US-Israel strikes in Iran enter into their second month now. Trump was also critical of France for denying the use of its airspace to American planes headed to Israel, loaded with military supplies. In a post on Truth Social, he decried France as "unhelpful" with Iran and said that Washington would remember this. Meanwhile, reports emerged of Italy denying the United States the use of Sigonella base. Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto on Monday (local time) denied the United States the use of Sigonella base. The denial came after Italy came to know of the flight plan of some US air assets, which involved landing at Sigonella before heading to West Asia, according to Italian newspaper La Repubblica. (ANI)
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing sharp questions over religious freedom in Jerusalem after Catholic officials said Israeli police halted a private Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, blocking senior clergy from entering the site where Christians believe Jesus was crucified.

The rare move, said to be the first in centuries and reported on Sunday in the Old City, is at the centre of growing anger abroad over what prompted Benjamin Netanyahu to allow Palm Sunday worship to be curtailed.

Church officials say the clash took place against the backdrop of the continuing Iran conflict. They note that Jerusalem's major holy sites, including the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, have been formally closed to the public because of repeated Iranian missile strikes. Even so, the Latin Patriarchate in Jerusalem maintains that small, private Masses for clergy had been quietly going ahead inside the church since late February without any problems.

Palm Sunday Mass And Safety Conditions Inside The Old City

According to the Latin Patriarchate, police officers stopped Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, and the head of the Custos of the Holy Land from entering to celebrate a Palm Sunday liturgy.

In a statement, the Patriarchate condemned the intervention as 'a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure'.

The decision landed with particular force because Palm Sunday marks the start of Holy Week, one of the most sacred stretches of the Christian calendar. Church leaders insist they were seeking only a modest, closed-door service with senior clergy, not a large public procession through the narrow streets of the Old City.

Cited by the Associated Press, Israeli police said they had informed Catholic authorities that no Palm Sunday Mass could take place, arguing that safety conditions inside the Old City were not adequate. They pointed to the lack of proper access for emergency vehicles in the cramped streets and what they described as limited shelter options in the event of further missile strikes.

From the Catholic side, the central complaint is not that security concerns exist, but that the rules appeared to shift without warning. The Latin Patriarchate noted that private Masses had been held at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre since the Iranian attacks began on 28 February and said it could not understand why this particular service and these particular priests were treated differently.

Farid Jubran, a spokesperson for the Patriarchate, said the decision had struck at the heart of Christian observance. Palm Sunday, he stressed, is 'a very, very sacred day for Christians' and in the church's view 'there was no justification for such a decision or such an action'.

Global Outrage Over How Benjamin Netanyahu Handled Palm Sunday

What followed was not just a local dispute but a diplomatic flare-up. The closure drew criticism from Israel's closest allies, who accused the authorities of overreaching.

US Ambassador Mike Huckabee described the move as 'an unfortunate overreach' and suggested it was difficult to justify.

French President Emmanuel Macron went further. In a statement and a post on X, he argued that the incident formed part of a 'concerning increase in violations of the status of the Holy Sites in Jerusalem'. Macron insisted that 'the free exercise of worship in Jerusalem must be guaranteed for all religions'.

Japporte mon plein soutien au patriarche latin de Jerusalem et aux chretiens de Terre Sainte, empeches de celebrer la messe des Rameaux au Saint-Sepulcre.



Je condamne cette decision de la police israelienne, qui sajoute a la multiplication preoccupante des violations  Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) March 29, 2026

Italy's political class, often divided on Middle East questions, was unusually unified in its response. Politicians from across the spectrum condemned the fact that Cardinal Pizzaballa, an Italian citizen and widely seen as a leading contender for the papacy in the 2025 conclave, had been turned away from the church.

Netanyahu Pledged Quicker Access For Holy Week

Pressed by the international reaction, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu insisted there had been no 'malicious intent' behind the police action and repeated the argument that the cardinal had been blocked solely because of safety assessments tied to the Iran conflict.

'Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three monotheistic religions in Jerusalem with ballistic missiles. In one strike, missile fragments crashed meters from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,' Netanyahu wrote on X. 'To protect worshippers, Israel asked members of all faiths to temporarily abstain from worshipping at the Christian, Muslim and Jewish holy sites in Jerusalem's Old City.'

I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.



Over the past several days, Iran has repeatedly targeted the holy sites of all three  Benjamin Netanyahu -   (@netanyahu) March 29, 2026

Netanyahu said Israel's security services were now working on a plan to allow partial reopening of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre over the coming days so that Christian leaders could pray there during the rest of Holy Week.

'I have instructed the relevant authorities that Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin Patriarch, be granted full and immediate access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem', he said.

'Even though I understand this concern, as soon as I learned about the incident with Cardinal Pizzaballa, I instructed the authorities to enable the Patriarch to hold services as he wishes', he added.

Catholic authorities say a centuries-old pattern of access for senior clergy was abruptly broken, with inadequate consultation and no clear explanation of why this Palm Sunday posed a greater risk than previous weeks. Israeli officials continue to frame the decision as a necessary response to an external threat.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
Indian-origin Padma Viswanathan, a Canadian-American writer and translator, has been shortlisted for the International Booker Prize 2026. She is among those been shortlisted for her English translation of Brazilian author Ana Paula Maia's novel 'On Earth As It Is Beneath.' The shortlist of six books was chosen by the 2026 judging panel, chaired by award-winning author Natasha Brown and includes award-winning Indian novelist and columnist Nilanjana S. Roy. Formerly known as the Man Booker International Prize, the honour is presented annually for a work of fiction that was originally written in a language other than English, then translated into English and published in the UK and or Ireland. The winner of the 50,000-pound prize money, to be divided equally between the winning author and translator, will be revealed at a ceremony at Tate Modern in London on May 19. The 2026 prize is supported by Bukhman Philanthropies. Three of these shortlisted novels explore moments in world history: imperialist Japan-controlled Taiwan in the 1930s, Nazi-era Germany and the 1979 Revolution in Iran. 'On Earth As It Is Beneath' is described as a horror novella set in a remote penal colony in which every full moon, the warden releases the inmates into the wilderness - only to hunt them down. Vishwanathan in an interview with the Booker Prize authorities, talked about the book that made her want to become a translator. "An early seed was Lakshmi Holmstrom's anthology of Indian women's writing, The Inner Courtyard, which includes stories both originally written in English and translated from South Asian languages, implying a fluidity between those categories that felt right to me," she said. "I acquired it in 1991, six years before Salman Rushdie, whom I worship (Midnight's Children made me see how and why I wanted to write), wrote in The New Yorker that Indian writers were creating 'stronger and more important' work in English than in the 18 recognised languages of India." "I took offence - he was reading solely in English, amid a documented dearth of translations from South Asian languages - but his assertion is perhaps better taken as a challenge, and translators have been rising to it. Still, it was many years before that seed germinated for me, and in Brazilian soil, not Indian, though I am now becoming increasingly active in supporting translations from South Asian languages," Viswanathan, who grew up in Canada, said. Mewnwhile, the books on the Booker Prize shortlist are by a majority of women: five of the six authors and four of the six translators are women. Natasha Brown, Chair of this year's judging panel, said, "With narratives that capture moments from across the past century, these books reverberate with history. While there's heartbreak, brutality and isolation among these stories, their lasting effect is energising." The other books that feature in the shortlist include, 'The Nights Are Quiet in Tehran' by Shida Bazyar, translated from German by Ruth Martin. 'She Who Remains' by Rene Karabash, translated from Bulgarian by Izidora Angel. "The Director" by Daniel Kehlmann, translated from German by Ross Benjamin. 'The Witch' by Marie NDiaye, translated from French by Jordan Stump. 'Taiwan Travelogue' by Yang Shuang-zi, has been translated from Mandarin Chinese by Lin King. (ANI)
Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Mumbai, Qin Jie, spoke about the future of India-China ties and expressed optimism as he recalled the meeting between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping. He added that the BRICS Summit, which will take place in New Delhi, will provide an opportunity to further deepen ties. The Consul General told reporters, "For the future of the relationship, we are moving in the correct direction in India-China relations under the leadership of our leaders. They have met each other twice in the last two years." Speaking about the BRICS Summit, which will take place in India this year, he added, "This year, the BRICS summit will be held in Delhi, and next year it will be held in China. This will give us special opportunities to deepen our connection and friendship and make progress for the benefit of our people and stability of the whole world..." Earlier in March, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi called for enhanced cooperation between New Delhi and Beijing during a news conference held on the sidelines of the fourth session of the 14th National People's Congress in Beijing. The senior diplomat emphasised the importance of bilateral collaboration, stating that "India and China must step up and support each other's presidency of BRICS over the next two years." These comments come at a time of significant global upheaval, specifically amid the escalating US-Iran conflict in West Asia. Highlighting the potential for a unified front between the two Asian giants, Wang Yi underscored the impact their partnership could have on the international stage. "Together, we can bring new hope to the Global South," he stated, suggesting that a coordinated leadership within the BRICS bloc would serve as a stabilising force for developing nations. (ANI)
Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has dismissed the possibility of diplomatic breakthroughs with Washington, stating that the "trust level is at zero" between the two nations. In an interview with Al Jazeera, Araghchi asserted that Tehran sees no "honesty" in US actions and has "never had a good experience from negotiations" with the American government. The Foreign Minister pointed to a history of failed agreements and recent hostilities as the primary reasons for the current diplomatic impasse. "One time, years ago, we negotiated, and we even got a deal, and then the US withdrew without any explanation. And twice last year and now this year, we negotiated with the US, and the result was an attack by them," he told Al Jazeera. Amid the ongoing conflict, Araghchi also addressed military tensions, stating that the Iranian armed forces are "completely ready" to confront any potential US ground operation. Describing such a move as a "mistake," he warned that Tehran is prepared for a land-based conflict. "We are waiting for them," he said, adding, "I don't think they'd dare to do such a thing. There will be a lot of strength waiting for them." Araghchi further claimed that US forces have already sustained significant "casualties they've faced in their assets" and personnel, specifically mentioning damage to radars, aircraft, and refuelling tankers. "We know very well how to defend ourselves. In a ground war, we can do it even better," he told Al Jazeera, insisting that while Iran did not start the war, it has "defended ourselves" with great strength. Regarding the strategic Strait of Hormuz, the Foreign Minister clarified that the waterway is currently "closed" only to those at war with Iran. He argued that the strait lies within the "territorial waters" of Iran and Oman, making it "ordinary" for them to manage the route strategically. "Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed. That is normal during war - we cannot let our enemies use our territorial waters for commerce," he explained to Al Jazeera. He noted that while some international shipping firms have avoided the route due to "security concerns" or "high insurance prices," Tehran has provided "safe passage" for vessels from friendly nations. According to Araghchi, "friends in the region and beyond" are being taken into consideration as Tehran looks towards the future of the maritime corridor. Araghchi reiterated that the post-war status of the strait would be determined by Iran and Oman. He maintained that the waterway could eventually return to being a "peaceful waterway for peaceful use," but reaffirmed that his country currently sees "no reason to trust the US" or expect any positive results from future dialogue. (ANI)
TOKYO, Mar 31 (News On Japan) - Visiting a restaurant is no longer just about eating, as immersive dining experiences that transport customers into entirely different worlds the moment they step inside are rapidly gaining popularity.

One such experience can be found at Korakuen, located in Tokyos Shibuya Ward, where stepping through the entrance reveals a vibrant, otherworldly space filled with colorful lanterns, beckoning cat figurines, and bear ornaments, all designed around the concept of a phantom utopia.

This is so cute! Its incredibly colorfulit feels like stepping into a strange new world, a reporter remarked upon entering.

The shop specializes in sweets such as cakes, including a signature dessert shaped like Mount Fuji, with its visually striking design drawing attention from both domestic and international visitors.

A tourist from the United States said, It feels like a fairy tale. I love the colorstheyre amazing.

Such immersive-style restaurants are increasingly common across Japan.

Mos Food Services, which operates Mos Burger, has partnered with Sega XD to launch a limited-time mystery-solving restaurant, where diners can enjoy their meals while solving puzzles as part of the experience.

Another popular destination recreates a completely different setting. Upon entering, customers are greeted by suspicious-looking signs and walls covered in text, leading further inside to a neon-lit streetscape that evokes a bygone era.

Ken Lo, art director of Jzai Sakaba, explained, This is not just a place to enjoy good foodits a restaurant where you can fully experience the atmosphere of Hong Kong.

The interior faithfully recreates the streets of Hong Kong from the 1970s and 1980s, with the design handled by a film set production team from Hong Kong, and since opening in September last year, the restaurant has drawn crowds eager to relive the citys past.

I was overwhelmedit really feels like Hong Kong, said a customer in their 50s, while another added, The neon lights really capture the image of Hong Kong.

The appeal extends beyond the atmosphere. The restaurant serves authentic Chinese cuisine prepared by a former hotel head chef, including Hong Kongs iconic char siu rice and classic Cantonese dishes, with many customers praising the genuine flavors.

A visitor in their 30s said, Even compared to photos I took in Hong Kong 10 years ago, the slightly worn-down feel has been recreated so well that it feels like Im actually there.

For some, the experience even brings back memories from a decade ago.

Another customer noted, It only cost me about 360 yen to get here from home, prompting staff to ask how much a trip to Hong Kong would cost, to which the customer replied, Youd have to add three zeros.

As immersive dining offers an easy and affordable way to enjoy the feeling of travel, such venues are expected to attract even more attention amid rising prices.

Source: TBS
TOKYO, Mar 31 (News On Japan) - JR East is set to enter the QR code payment market under the name teppay, as competition intensifies following the withdrawal of services such as LINE Pay, raising questions over whether the railway operator can carve out a position while differentiating the service from its widely used Suica platform.

The name teppay combines several elements, with T representing travel, E conveying ease of use, and P symbolizing partnerships that connect people and communities, although at first glance it may appear to reference railways directly.

The service is scheduled to launch in the autumn of 2026 and will be accessible through the existing mobile Suica app by switching the top screen, allowing users to make payments for shopping and transfer money between users, offering functions similar to other QR-based payment platforms.

Integration is also planned with the PASMO app by the spring of 2027, expanding the ecosystem across transportation-related services.

Rather than replacing Suica, the company appears to be positioning the two services for different uses, with Suica continuing to serve as a transportation IC card while teppay is aimed at retail payments, reflecting the broader shift toward QR-based cashless transactions driven by aggressive point-reward campaigns from competitors.

While the current upper limit for touch-based electronic money payments will remain at 20,000 yen, teppay will allow balances of up to 300,000 yen through bank account transfers, making it more suitable for higher-value purchases at station buildings and JR East Group retail facilities offering apparel, accessories, and electronics.

The company is also expected to link the service with JRE Bank, aiming to expand its user base through financial integration, as competition intensifies among so-called economic zones built around telecommunications carriers and shared point systems that encompass services ranging from mobile communications to e-commerce and securities.

A key question will be whether teppay can break into these established ecosystems, although JR East holds significant potential with more than 35 million combined users of Mobile Suica and Mobile PASMO, allowing for adoption without requiring users to install a new app.

Given the heavy foot traffic through stations and station-adjacent commercial facilities, particularly during commutes, the company is seen as having a natural advantage in encouraging usage.

Industry observers also expect aggressive point-reward campaigns, potentially prompting countermeasures from rivals such as PayPay, which could benefit consumers while reshaping the competitive landscape of loyalty programs and prompting users to reconsider which points they accumulate.

At the same time, questions remain over whether JR Easts expansion into financial services, including teppay and JRE Bank, could divert attention and resources from its core transportation operations, especially as recent service disruptions on lines such as the Yamanote Line have raised concerns over maintenance and staffing amid labor shortages and an aging workforce.

As a railway operator, ensuring stable and reliable transportation services will remain fundamental, even as the company seeks growth in the increasingly competitive cashless payments sector.

Source: Kyodo
OSAKA, Mar 31 (News On Japan) - Universal Studios Japan, a popular theme park in Osaka, marked its 25th anniversary on March 31st with a special ceremony and a series of events expressing gratitude to visitors over the years.

To commemorate the milestone, USJ held a one-day-only pre-opening ceremony on March 31st, bringing together beloved characters such as Snoopy and Elmo, delighting attendees gathered for the occasion.

After the park opened, staff welcomed visitors while conveying their appreciation for 25 years of support, creating a festive and heartfelt atmosphere throughout the venue.

Murayama Taku, president of USJ, said, "We believe that reaching our 25th anniversary is thanks to the support of each and every guest. Lets come together to make this anniversary celebration a success."

The celebration also features exhibits including part of a conceptual model released in 1998 ahead of the parks opening, as well as photographs from a show held to mark its 10th anniversary.

A popular 25th anniversary parade will be held daily through January 11th next year, offering visitors ongoing opportunities to join in the celebrations.

Source: KTV NEWS
Morocco has entered a new chapter in the management of its collective lands with the adoption of a Decree, published in Official gazette. The regulation introduces a comprehensive set of governance mechanisms designed to bring greater transparency, traceability, and accountability to the administration of lands held by Soulaliyate communities.

Historically, these collective lands  estimated to cover several million hectares across the country  have been managed through customary practices rooted in community legitimacy and oral tradition. The Soulaliyates, the ethnic groups that hold these assets, have long administered them with a high degree of local autonomy. While this model provided a measure of stability, it also generated significant gaps in financial transparency, legal formalization, and conflict resolution.

The new decree addresses these shortcomings through a series of concrete obligations. Chief among them is the creation of a centralized registry documenting all collective properties, including detailed information on each parcel, its legal status, and the terms of its use. This registry will serve as the official reference in disputes, reducing reliance on oral testimony and customary interpretation.

On the financial side, communities will now be required to produce annual reports on all income generated from collective land use. These reports must be certified by qualified professionals, ensuring a higher standard of accuracy and accountability. The measure is intended to eliminate zones of opacity that have sometimes surrounded the financial management of these assets.

The decree also tightens oversight of major patrimonial decisions. Operations such as asset transfers, long-term leases, or borrowing will require prior approval from the supervisory authority, with mandatory economic justification. Additionally, Soulaliyate community members now enjoy a formal right of access to information, allowing them to consult documents related to land management  a significant step toward internal democratic oversight.
The Sudan Peoples Liberation Movement-Revolutionary Democratic Front on Monday, March 30, rejected the unilateral move leading to the reactivation of the Empowerment Removal Committee, arguing that the decision lacked consensus within the Somoud coalition.

Led by Yasir Arman, the group stressed that national priorities should centre on addressing Sudans worsening humanitarian crisis and protecting civilians, rather than pursuing political restructuring.

The movement, which suspended its participation in coalition activities in July 2025, criticised the decision-making process, noting that the committees restoration was neither approved by coalition leadership nor discussed within its institutions.

The Committee, chaired by Mohamed al-Faki Suleiman, has resumed operations four years after its dissolution following the October 2021 Sudan coup, though its enforcement capacity amid the ongoing conflict remains uncertain.

While reaffirming the importance of dismantling the former regimes influence, the SPLM-RDF said the current war demands urgent focus on ceasefire efforts and humanitarian interventions, including facilitating aid delivery, restoring essential services, and protecting civilian infrastructure.
Libyan Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah called for the acceleration of maritime border demarcation procedures with Malta and Greece, emphasizing the strategic importance of clearly defined territorial waters for Libyas sovereign rights and regional stability.

On 30 March 2026, Dbeibah directed the National Committee for Land and Maritime Border Demarcation, operating under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, to expedite technical and legal coordination with the two Mediterranean neighbours.

He underscored that completing the demarcation work would strengthen Libyas position in safeguarding its maritime jurisdiction and contribute to enhanced cooperation in areas such as resource management and security.

The Prime ministers remarks reflect ongoing efforts by Tripoli to engage diplomatically with neighbouring states on boundary issues, amid broader regional discussions on exclusive economic zones and maritime rights in the Mediterranean.

Dbeibah reiterated the governments commitment to adhering to international law throughout the demarcation process, noting that clarity in maritime borders is pivotal for economic development, investment certainty, and the sustainable utilization of marine.
Pakistan has stepped forward as an unlikely broker, saying it is prepared to host discussions between the US and Iran. Whether those talks will actually happen remains unclear as neither Washington nor Tehran has confirmed participation, and for now the proposal hangs in that familiar diplomatic limbo where ambition outpaces agreement.

Between cautious offers to host talks and open threats of escalation, the conflict surrounding Iran shows little sign of settling into anything resembling calm.

Islamabad Positions Itself As Middle Ground

Foreign Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar struck an optimistic tone after hosting counterparts from Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia.

'Pakistan is very happy that both Iran and the US have expressed their confidence in Pakistan to facilitate the talks,' he said, adding that the country would be 'honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in the coming days.'

Pakistan has maintained workable relations with both capitals, and officials describe weeks of quiet, behind-the-scenes diplomacy. Yet the silence from the two principal actors is telling. The US has not publicly endorsed Islamabad's offer, and Iran's mission to the United Nations declined to comment. Here, there is barely a footprint.

US President Donald Trump, speaking aboard Air Force One, gave little away. He acknowledged ongoing discussions with Iran and said, 'We're doing extremely well in that negotiation,' adding that Tehran had responded to a proposed 15-point ceasefire plan by giving 'most of the points,' but did not elaborate.

Tehran's Rhetoric Turns Sharper

If Pakistan's message was one of mediation, Iran's senior figures offered something far more combustible. Mohammad Bagher Qalibaf, the country's parliamentary speaker, dismissed the prospect of talks in Pakistan as little more than a cover for military preparations.

According to state media, he warned that Iranian forces were 'waiting for the arrival of American troops on the ground to set them on fire and punish their regional partners forever'.

The threats did not stop there. Iranian officials have also warned that the homes of US and Israeli 'commanders and political officials' in the region could be targeted. A military spokesperson, Ebrahim Zolfaghari, framed this as a response to what he described as the 'targeting of residential homes of the Iranian people'.

For civilians, the rhetoric is not abstract. 'We don't know at what moment our homes could be targeted,' said Razzak Saghir al-Mousawi, a 71-year-old who has fled to Iraq. 'I am definitely afraid.' It is a blunt reminder that beneath the strategic calculations, ordinary people are living with the consequences.

A War Expanding Beyond Its Borders

The conflict itself has already spilt well beyond its original flashpoints. Israel has intensified its military campaign, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signalling plans to widen operations in Southern Lebanon while continuing to target Hezbollah, and more than one million people have been displaced there.

Israel's military said it dropped more than 120 munitions in Tehran over a 24-hour period, hitting sites linked to weapons research and production. Iran, for its part, reported power outages following attacks on electricity infrastructure, though some areas have since been restored.

Elsewhere, Iranian-backed Houthi forces in Yemen have launched missiles towards Israel, while maritime routes face renewed uncertainty. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy supplies, remains under Iran's influence, and any disruption there carries immediate consequences for international markets.

Trump claimed that Iran had agreed to allow 20 ships carrying oil to pass through the strait 'out of a sign of respect', a phrase that feels more political than diplomatic. Even so, any easing of restrictions suggests Tehran is aware of the economic stakes.

Diplomacy Struggles To Keep Pace

Efforts to create a framework for talks continue, though they appear fragile. Egypt's foreign minister, Badr Abdelatty, said meetings in Pakistan were intended to open a 'direct dialogue' between Washington and Tehran, a notable shift from the indirect channels that have dominated in recent years.

Iran has publicly rejected the US proposal for a 15-point 'action list', while reportedly drafting its own five-point plan that includes demands for guarantees against future attacks and recognition of its control over the Strait of Hormuz.

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has threatened to treat Israeli universities and branches of US institutions in the region as 'legitimate targets' unless assurances are provided for Iranian academic sites. Universities in Beirut have already moved classes online as a precaution.

Casualty figures continue to climb across multiple fronts. Iranian authorities report more than 1,900 deaths, while over 1,200 have been killed in Lebanon. Israel has recorded 19 fatalities, and at least 13 US service members have died. The numbers are stark, and they continue to rise.

What makes this moment particularly uneasy is the disconnect between diplomatic language and military reality. Pakistan is offering a table for talks. Iran is threatening to escalate. The US is signalling progress without detail.

If negotiations do take place in Islamabad, they will unfold against a deep mistrust and active conflict.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
What is Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S)?

Occupational Health & Safety (OH&S) refers to the policies, procedures and practices used to protect employees' health, safety and well-being in the workplace. It focuses on identifying hazards, preventing injuries and illnesses, and creating safer working conditions.

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Japans heavy dependence on imported energy is being put through a real-time stress test. The crisis triggered by the war in Iran and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz has exposed the structural vulnerabilities in one of the worlds largest energy importers. With roughly 90% of its crude oil sourced from the Middle East, Tokyo has already moved to release around 80 million barrels from its strategic petroleum reserves  equivalent to roughly 26 days of domestic oil demand. This should be sufficient to stabilize the immediate fuel balance, particularly as Japan covers nearly 100% of its gasoline and around 95% of its diesel demand through domestic refining. Yet the oil reserve drawdown addresses only part of the problem. The broader energy system  electricity and heat generation in particular  remains exposed to the ripple effects of the crisis.

Japans natural gas balance is no less dependent on imports. Around 98% of domestic gas demand is met by LNG imports, although overall consumption has been declining in recent years due to slower economic growth, the expansion of renewables, and the gradual restart of nuclear power. In 2025 Japan imported 66.3 Mt of LNG, down 1.5% year-on-year, retaining its position as the worlds second-largest buyer after China. Roughly 6% of this supply transits the Strait of Hormuz (from Qatar and the UAE) while the majority comes from Australia (26 Mt), Malaysia (10 Mt), Russia (5.8 Mt, supported by Japans sanctions exemption for Sakhalin-II in which Mitsui and Mitsubishi hold a 22.5% stake), and the United States (4.5 Mt). The disruption of Gulf-origin LNG volumes is therefore manageable in physical terms and is unlikely to materially alter Japans overall supply balance.

Related: Chinese Publication Claims U.S. Has Two Months of Rare Earths Left

Australia remains Japans largest LNG supplier, but the relationship is now evolving under pressure. As Canberra faces acute shortages of refined fuels, the two countries have entered discussions on potential LNG-for-products swap arrangements, whereby Japan could supply gasoline and diesel in exchange for continued LNG flows. At the same time, Tokyo has cautioned Australia against imposing a windfall tax on LNG exports  an option the Albanese government has been considering amid soaring commodity prices. Given the intensifying domestic fuel shortages in Australia, it appears increasingly likely that such populist taxation measures will be kept for less critical times in favour of preserving supply security and bilateral cooperation.

The importance of gas to Tokyo is real. Within Japans energy mix, natural gas remains the dominant fuel, accounting for around 32% of power generation, followed by coal at 28%, nuclear at 9%, and oil-fired generation at 7%. However, gas-fired powers share has been gradually declining as nuclear capacity returns and renewables expand. The structure of gas demand is heavily skewed toward the power sector, which absorbs roughly 5565% of total consumption. However, around a quarter is used in industry, particularly in petrochemicals and refining.

This industrial component is now under pressure. Natural gas is a key input for hydrogen production in refining and petrochemical processes, but with crude and naphtha supplies tightening (around two-thirds of Japans naphtha imports previously passed through Hormuz, while the domestic refining system is skewed towards gasoline production) industrial activity is expected to slow. Gas suppliers are already pointing at a likely near-term drop in industrial demand, which could partially offset the Middle Eastern LNG imports decline.

Related: No Magnets, No Drones: How China Controls the Future of Warfare

In this context, the issue for Japan is less about physical gas availability and more about prices. The JKM benchmark has surged to around $20/MMBtu in recent days, up sharply from approximately $10.5/MMBtu prior to the conflict. At the same time, Australian FOB Newcastle coal prices have climbed from around $115/t at the end of February to approximately $135/t. Despite this increase, coal remains a comparatively more economical option for power generation, reinforcing its role as a short-term substitute.

Japans coal supply is heavily concentrated in one country, Australia. In 2025, Australia accounted for roughly two-thirds of imports, supplying 100.6 Mt out of a total of 153.8 Mt. Indonesia followed with 25 Mt and Canada with 13.7 Mt. Australian coal (with its higher calorific value and overall better quality), trades at a premium to Indonesian material, which is typically discounted in Asian markets. While Japan continues to import significant volumes from Indonesia, it is likely to favour increasing purchases from Australia due to higher quality , outbidding other players in the Asian market, thanks to its greater financial capacity. This shift is very likely to come at the expense of smaller buyers such as Vietnam and Malaysia, effectively pricing them out of the Australian coal market over the upcoming months and pushing regional coal prices higher.

A recently announced US-Japan energy deal adds a geopolitical dimension but is unlikely to shift market fundamentals. The agreement, lauded by Donald Trump in October 2025 as part of a broader bilateral trade framework, involves a multi-year $100 million supply deal for US thermal coal from Global Coal Sales Group to Tohoku Electric Power. Volumes remain small (although not announced, the financial side of the deal points at around 1 Mt of coal spread across several years) relative to Japans 150 Mt annual imports, and US thermal coal generally offers lower calorific value than Australias Newcastle-grade supply. Not to mention the freight costs, substitution potential is limited, leaving Japan sensibly tied to Australian cargoes.

Coal may provide a short-term buffer, but Japans longer-term response is unlikely to hinge on a sustained increase in coal-fired generation. Despite the palpable political and social sensitivities following the Fukushima disaster in 2011, nuclear power remains central to Tokyos strategic energy outlook. Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO) has been working to restart the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa plant  the worlds largest nuclear facility, wielding a capacity of 8 GW. After 14 years of inactivity, trial power transmission began in February, with commercial operations initially targeted for late February. However, technical setbacks have delayed the process several times. Current output remains limited to around 20%, with transmission suspended, and TEPCO is now targeting April 16 for a full restart. The plant is expected to supply electricity to the Tokyo metropolitan area, where approximately 70% of power generation currently relies on gas-fired plants.

Therefore, Japans strategic trajectory points towards nuclear. The current crisis is reinforcing the countrys long-standing objective of reducing vulnerability to imported fuels by accelerating nuclear restarts and expanding domestic generation capacity. In that sense, the disruption is not only a test of resilience  it is also a catalyst for structural change and a good talking point for the politicians in their dialogue with nuclear-energy sceptics. Over the near term, however, Japan is likely to tighten availability in the Asia-Pacific coal market, reinforcing upward pressure on Newcastle benchmark prices. This shift will not go unnoticed for others. If Japan increases its spot?market coal purchases, upward price pressure is inevitableand the impact will be felt most acutely by Asias more financially vulnerable economies.

By Natalia Katona for Oilprice.com

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Turkmenistan is the only Central Asian state that runs a trade surplus with China, and gas is by far the dominant export  making the volume discrepancy more than a rounding error.

The three existing pipelines connecting Turkmenistan to China can handle up to 55 bcm per year, meaning they are currently running well below capacity.

Turkmenistan's paramount leader told CGTN that his country ships roughly 40 bcm of gas to China annually and is pushing to raise that to 65 bcm  but China's own ambassador put 2025 exports at just 30 bcm three days later.

Chinas leading international broadcaster, CGTN, aired an interview March 24 with Turkmenistans paramount leader, Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, touting how mutual trust and centuries-old exchanges shape present-day bilateral relations. But such messaging struck a discordant note during the actual interview, when Berdymukhamedovs figures for his countrys natural gas exports to China proved significantly different than those subsequently proffered by Chinese officials. During the interview, taped while the Turkmen leader was in Beijing in mid-March, Berdymukhamedov indicated that the recent average annual volume of Turkmen gas shipped to China was about 40 billion cubic meters (bcm). He went on to announce that Beijing and Ashgabat are currently jointly working on increasing natural gas exports to 65 bcm. Chinas ambassador to Ashgabat, Ji Shumin, told reporters on March 27, however, that Turkmenistan only exported roughly 30 bcm to the PRC in 2025, adding that Beijing expects the volume to stay about the same this year. He also clarified that boosting exports to 65 bcm would require the completion a new pipeline connecting Turkmenistan and China, the so-called Line D, but this project is still under discussion. The construction of Line D formally commenced back in 2014. Since then, the project experienced stops and starts, and eventually ground to a halt several years ago, reportedly over pricing disputes. There have not been any recent indications that the impediments that caused the project to stall have been cleared up. The three existing pipelines, A, B and C, can handle about 55 bcm of Turkmen gas every year, but Jis comments indicated that the lines are presently not filled to capacity. Turkmen gas exports to China accounts for the vast majority of annual trade between the two states. Turkmenistan is the only Central Asian state to run a trade surplus with China.

In his CGTN interview, Berdymukhamedov also mentioned that more than 10,000 Turkmen citizens are currently studying in China. If true, that makes the PRC the second most popular destination for Turkmen students after Russia. The number of Turkmen students in the United States is believed to be in the low double digits.

Kazakhstan

Jiaxin International Resources Investment Ltd., a Chinese mining company focused on developing Kazakhstans Boguty tungsten mine, one of the worlds largest, reported revenue of about $136 million, and profit of around $42 million in 2025, after suffering a loss of $22.5 million in 2024. The companys $300 million tungsten ore processing facility began commercial production in April 2025 and produced just over 5,000 tons of tungsten concentrate by the end of the year, making Kazakhstan one of the top three producers in the world. All of the facilitys output was reportedly exported to China, helping the PRC both generate profits and keep its tight control of critical minerals. At full capacity, the Boguty facility is expected to produce 10,000 tons of tungsten concentrate annually for up to 35 years.

Kazakhstan-based PetroKazakhstan Kumkol Resources, co-owned by Chinas state-owned oil and gas giant CNPC and Kazakhstans state-owned KazMunayGas, will pay $50 million in dividends for the first quarter of 2025. Two thirds of the sum will go to CNPC, reports the Kazakh news outlet Kursiv.

Related: Chinese Publication Claims U.S. Has Two Months of Rare Earths Left

An intergovernmental agreement is being prepared to increase the transit of Russian oil to China through Kazakh territory from 10 to 12.5 million tons per year, writes to PetroCouncil.kz, citing KazTransOil.

Chinas customs authority introduced new rules for feed meal producers, worrying Kazakh producers because it may lock some of them out of the Chinese market, while others may face delays and penalties for failing to fulfill delivery obligations in a timely manner, reports APK News. The producers are lobbying Kazakh authorities for help in getting Beijing to modify the regulations. Meanwhile, Kazakh exporters are complaining about glitches of the Keden customs information system operated by Kazakhstans State Revenue Committee, reports BES.media. The glitches are reportedly causing delays that result in increased export costs.

A joint Chinese-Kazakhstani music television show titled Voice Beyond the Horizon recently premiered on screens in Kazakhstan, according to the Peoples Daily, the official organ of the Chinese Communist Party. Produced by Chinas National Radio and Television Administration, the Hunan Broadcasting System and Kazakh partners, the show reportedly has registered high viewer ratings. Following the reality-show genre, the program tracks young musicians from China, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Serbia, Malaysia and Italy as they give concerts at locations along the ancient Silk Road trade route.

Kyrgyzstan

Bishkek has been lobbying Beijing for wider access to Chinas food market, with limited success. Kyrgyzstan has commenced corn exports to China, shipping an initial batch of 25 tons, reports Economist.kg. Also, Kyrgyz companies will be able to export frozen fruit to the PRC after registering with the Chinese customs administrations CIFER system, according to 24.kg.

Related: The Three Companies Rebuilding Americas Rare-Earth Arsenal

Kyrgyzstans Minister of Emergency Situations Kanatbek Chynybaev met with Chinas ambassador in Bishkek, Liu Jiangping, seeking to enlist Beijings support for joint projects aimed at modernizing the [ministrys] technical base, according to a ministry statement. Liu was non-committal to the Kyrgyz pitch. Chynybaev also thanked China for supplying funding for firefighting equipment and mobile hospitals.

Uzbekistan

Chinese tourism in Uzbekistan is surging. The number of Chinese tourists during the first two months of 2026 totaled about 49,000, over triple the number during the same period the previous year. Even so, Chinas share of the burgeoning Uzbek tourism sector remains comparatively low. Uzbek officials reported about 1.8 million people visited Uzbekistan during the January-February period of this year.

Chinas e-commerce giant Temu is facing market re-entry difficulties after being restricted in March 2025 for failure to comply with tax obligations and consumer protection requirements, reports Podrobno.uz. According to NAAP, Uzbekistans e-commerce regulator, six Temu delegations have visited over the past 12 months for negotiations. But successive rounds of talks have failed to satisfy Uzbek regulators.

By Eurasianet.org

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Iran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sharpened the strategic importance of Guyana's growing exports  about a third of which already flow to the U.S.

Guyana hit 926,550 barrels per day by late February 2026, with four more projects under development expected to push output to 1.7 million barrels per day by 2030.

Guyana, once among South America's most impoverished nations, is experiencing an epic oil boom. In a mere four years, the country of less than one million went from first discovery to first oil and is now lifting over 900,000 barrels per day. There are signs of significant production growth ahead. This is occurring at a crucial time for a world experiencing an energy crisis after oil spiked to well-over $110 per barrel after Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli airstrikes.

Guyana's oil boom is significantly reducing the Americas' traditional dependence on Middle East petroleum. By February 28, 2026, Guyana was lifting 926,550 barrels per day, securing the former British colony's place as South America's second largest oil producer behind Brazil and ahead of Venezuela. There is significant growth ahead for a country described by analysts as a major non-OPEC contributor to global oil supply growth.

An ExxonMobil led consortium has made over 30 major discoveries in the prolific offshore 6.6-million-acre Stabroek Block, where the supermajor is the operator holding a 45% working interest. Chevron, through its 2025 acquisition of Hess, controls 30% with the remaining 25% held by Beijing controlled CNOOC. To date Exxon's discoveries are estimated to hold at least 11 billion barrels of crude oil.

The consortium has developed four facilities in the block, Liza Phase 1, Liza Phase 2, Payara, and Yellowtail, with a further four projects in varying stages of development. The $12.7 billion 250,000 barrel per day Uaru facility is nearing the end of construction and is expected to come online late this year. This will lift Guyana's petroleum output to over 1.1 million barrels per day. A sixth project, Whiptail, will commence operations in 2027 adding 250,000 barrels per day to the tiny country's oil production lifting output to nearly 1.4 million barrels daily.

The seventh development to be sanctioned in the Stabroek Block is the Hammerhead facility. If construction goes to plan, this project will come online in 2029 adding 150,000 barrels per day to Guyana's petroleum output. An eighth major project Longtail is in the planning stage with Exxon recently submitting an environmental impact assessment study. The Longtail development will receive a final investment decision (FID) this year with a planned start-up during 2030.

This operation is different from earlier projects because it is targeting natural gas and condensate reservoirs. Longtail will have capacity to lift 250,000 barrels of condensate and 1.2 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. This is a crucial development for a region where natural gas supply is dwindling, particularly in the Caribbean where Trinidad and Tobago's dwindling reserves caused natural gas export to plummet by 40%.

Related: 5 Stocks to Buy Now That The Strait of Hormuz is Closed

By 2030, it is anticipated Guyana will be pumping around 1.7 million barrels of oil per day, cementing the former British colony's place as South America's second largest oil producer. This will go some way to addressing the energy security risks facing the United States and other countries in the Americas, particularly those which arose after Israeli and U.S. strikes on Iran. Tehran in response to airstrikes closed the Strait of Hormuz which is a major choke point for world energy supply with around a quarter of all oil consumed globally passing through the waterway daily.

Already, around a third of Guyana's oil exports are destined for the U.S. with another two thirds bound for Europe. During 2025, the U.S. imported an average of 208,000 barrels per day from Guyana, which despite being the largest quantity from any South American country, only represents 3.4% of all petroleum imported that year. As Guyana's oil production grows with the completion of the facilities currently under development the country will provide additional oil shipments to the United States, reducing dependence on the Middle East.

U.S. President Trump's intervention in Venezuela, which saw illegitimate President Nicolas Maduro captured in a daring night raid, eliminated the main threat to Guyana's flourishing oil boom. You see, during 2023 Maduro escalated his aggressive campaign against Guyana in an attempt to seize control of the Essequibo. Venezuela's illegitimate leader was even threatening to use the military to annex the territory.

This dispute, which dates back to the 19th century, threatened Guyana's territorial integrity. You see, the mineral rich Essequibo accounts for around 70% of the former British colony's landmass. Maduro's aggressive saber-rattling endangered Guyana's thriving oil boom. The Essequibo's territorial waters contain the prolific Stabroek Block. As part of Caracas' aggressive saber-rattling, Venezuela's coastguard was making threatening incursions into the Stabroek Block, while land forces were amassing along the border with Guyana.

The tiny South American country of less than one million is now one of the fastest growing non-OPEC contributors to global petroleum supply. Guyana's oil production is forecast to reach 1.7 million barrels by 2030, with most of that output destined for export. With Guyana less than 3,000 miles (4,828 kilometers) from U.S. Gulf Coast refineries this will enhance energy security for the world's largest economy by reducing dependence on oil shipped through the Middle East.

By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com

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The push comes as Big Tech faces mounting pressure to solve its runaway energy demand, with nuclear increasingly viewed as the only option that can scale to meet data center load growth.

Microsoft and NVIDIA are rolling out an AI-powered toolkit designed to cut the permitting, design, and engineering timelines that have made new U.S. nuclear plants notoriously slow and expensive to build.

Tech giants Microsoft and NVIDIA are collaborating on an artificial intelligence project designed to accelerate the development of nuclear energy  in order to feed the growing energy needs of AI. The project aims to develop an ecosystem of AI-powered digital engineering tools that will be used to shorten the considerable timelines of nuclear power plants and bring them online a lot more quickly as the rate of energy demand growth continues to skyrocket around the world.

The nuclear power sector in the United States is beset with bottlenecks ranging from complicated and costly bespoke design and engineering processes to lengthy regulatory processes characterized by miles and miles of red tape. The most recent nuclear power plant to come online in the United States, Georgia's Plant Vogtle, showcased exactly how devastating and extensive these delays can be. When the plant was finally completed in April of 2024, it had taken 15 years and $35 billion to complete, making it the most expensive infrastructure project of any kind in United States history.

The project has been such a bloated disaster that many pundits think it could be make-or-break for the wholesale future of the United States nuclear sector, I wrote about Vogtle back in 2024. But there are two ways to interpret the cautionary tale presented by Vogtle: either you think that the lesson is not to build new reactors, or the lesson is to build nuclear reactors better.

Big Tech is clearly choosing the latter option. Nuclear power has gained favor in Silicon Valley as a potential solution to its runaway energy demand, which has been pushed into overdrive by rapid AI integration. As the public and the government ratchet up pressure for Big Tech to solve its energy problem  the burden of which currently rests on consumers, whether they support or benefit from AI or not  many tech bigwigs are starting to pour investment dollars into the nuclear sector.

Enter the Digital Age for Nuclear.

Microsoft and NVIDIA are throwing their enormous weight behind solving the major hurdles preventing a new nuclear era in the United States. They think that digitizing the analog processes upholding the sector will be a game-changer for allowing more efficient growth. This would be critical for allowing nuclear power generation capacity growth to come anywhere close to keeping pace with energy demand growth from data centers.

The new ecosystem being rolled out by the two companies provides end-to-end tools that combine AI and digital twins for creating faster iterative design and engineering solutions, Interesting Engineering described in a recent report. Licensing and permitting is handled by Generative AI for document drafting and gap analysis.

Related: 5 Stocks to Buy Now That The Strait of Hormuz is Closed

More sophisticated modelling capabilities will also ease the process of designing new reactors. While traditional 3D models only map physical space, 4D (time scheduling) and 5D (cost tracking) simulations can virtually construct the plant before shovels hit the dirt, states a Microsoft press release related to the project.

These benefits are not just theoretical  Microsoft says that they are already seeing efficiency gains thanks to the collaborative initiative. The toolkit is already being rolled out in smaller spaces like Aalo Atomics and Idaho National Lab. And the results have been astonishing. Aalo has reported a 92% reduction permitting timelines, resulting in an estimated annual savings of $80 million.

Two things matter most: enterprise-scale complexity and mission-critical reliability, Yasir Arafat, CTO of Aalo Atomics, was quoted by Interesting Engineering. Were deploying something complex at a scale only a company like Microsoft really understands.

In addition to streamlining the development and deployment of conventional nuclear reactors, Big Tech is also heavily invested in unlocking commercial nuclear fusion, which many proponents view as a sort of silver-bullet solution to creating huge amounts of energy without compromising on climate goals or producing hazardous nuclear waste. And, once again, theyre counting on AI to crack the code.

By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com

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US President Donald Trump has renewed his warning to Tehran to reach a deal to end the war soon and open the Strait of Hormuz, or he will order air strikes with the aim of "completely obliterating" Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells, and power plants.

For the second day in a row, the US leader said a deal is likely at hand, but he also said in a social media post on March 30 that "if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached" US forces will react " by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet 'touched.'"

A day earlier, Trump hailed progress in talks with Iran, saying they were being held directly and indirectly with "reasonable" leaders and asserted Tehran was partially opening the crucial Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which some 20 percent of the world's oil and natural gas supplies pass.

But he has yet to elaborate on what he called direct talks with Iran, whose leaders deny negotiations are taking place. Tehran has said it received, reviewed, and rejected a 15-point US peace plan that was delivered through Pakistani emissaries.

On March 30, Iran called the plan "unrealistic, illogical, and excessive" while launching more missiles and drones at targets in Israel.

"What has been discussed so far have been messages about America's willingness and request for negotiations, which we received from some intermediaries, including Pakistan," Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ismail Baghaei said.

Trump has imposed an April 6 deadline for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz and accept a deal ending the war or face US strikes on its power plants.

The energy sector has become a key focus of the war with Iran, which began on February 28 with US and Israeli air strikes that killed the Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior Iranian leaders.

Iran has effectively closed the Strait of Hormuz by launching air strikes at cargo ships in the waterway.

Further complicating the situation, Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen entered the fray over the weekend by launching missiles toward Israel, including a third salvo early on March 30.

The choking of cargo through the Strait of Hormuz has boosted the price of benchmark crude oil by more than 55 percent in March. In early afternoon European trade, Brent crude was up another 2 percent at $114.85 a barrel.

In a sign of how deep the crisis is running, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told reporters in a WhatsApp chat on March 30 that Kyiv was ready to reciprocate if Russia stops attacking Ukraine's energy system.

"Recently, following such a severe global energy crisis, we have indeed received signals from some of our partners about how to reduce our responses in the oil sector and the energy sector of the Russian Federation," he said in the chat.

Meanwhile, Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) confirmed the death of commander Alireza Tangsiri in an Israeli air strike last week.

The IRGC's Sepah News website said on March 30, five days after Israel reported the death, that Admiral Alireza Tangsiri "succumbed to severe injuries" from the attack.

Israel had said the commander was killed in a strike in Bandar Abbas, a key southern port city on the Strait of Hormuz.

The IRGC did not provide further details in the statement about Tangsiri's death or his possible successor.

In June 2019, the US Treasury Department designated Tangsiri as a "specially designated global terrorist."

The IRGC Navy coexists with Iran's regular naval forces and specializes in "guerrilla" warfare, often using fast-attack boats, in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz.

By RFE/RL

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At least 28 ships, including vessels carrying crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and LNG supplies to India, are currently stranded near the Strait of Hormuz, the Indian government has confirmed.

The vessels include at least 10 foreign-flagged cargoes with supplies to India and 18 India-flagged ships, including those carrying energy products, according to Rajesh Kumar Sinha, Special Secretary in the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.

The stranded foreign-flagged vessels include four crude oil tankers, three vessels carrying LPG, and three LNG carriers, Sinha told a media briefing, as carried by Indian media.

India-flagged vessels anchored around the Strait of Hormuz number 18, of which four are crude oil tankers, three are LPG carriers, and one is carrying LNG. Another tanker is currently loading LPG in the region, according to the Indian government, which noted that all 485 Indian seafarers aboard the vessels are safe.

The war in the Middle East has stranded much of the energy supplies typically going to India via the Strait of Hormuz, creating a crunch in oil and gas supply in the worlds third-largest crude oil importer, which also depends on LPG for most of its cooking fuel.

Indias priority now is to ensure safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz of India-flagged vessels carrying vital cargoes, which include LPG, the Indian official said.

Over the past few days, eight India-flagged vessels have transited the Strait of Hormuz, he added. The ships that made it through the Strait include two LPG carriers, which are expected to arrive in India on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sinha said.

Early last week, two other India-flagged vessels carrying LPG passed through the Strait of Hormuz close to the Iranian coastline, in a sign that Iran is allowing some Indian vessels to transit the worlds most vital chokepoint for energy flows.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Writing a check is one way to support an institution. Sitting on its governing board is anotherand the two forms of engagement produce different kinds of impact. For Jean-Pierre Conte, managing partner of family office Lupine Crest Capital, board service has been a consistent thread running through decades of philanthropic work, spanning a research university, an academic medical center, a major public policy institution, and an urban hospital system, among others.

Conte's governance positions include: trustee at Colgate University, where he graduated in 1985; board member of the UCSF Foundation; member of the Board of Overseers at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University; and foundation board member at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco. The scope of this portfolio is less a product of accumulated appointments than a deliberate extension of where he has directed both financial resources and sustained personal attention.

What Does Board Service at Major Institutions Actually Require?

Board membership at institutions of this caliber carries real governance weight. Trustees at research universities participate in formal actions: faculty appointments, budget approvals, accreditation decisions, and major capital planning.

The Hoover Institution's Board of Overseers carries a similarly substantive mandate. For donors who also hold these seats, the combination of financial commitment and governance access creates a qualitatively different kind of institutional relationship.

According to BoardSource's 2025 best practices guidance, clearly defined roles, active participation, and ongoing education are essential to meaningful board performanceand the Chronicle of Philanthropy has noted that boards are more important than ever as nonprofits work through financial and political uncertainty. For Jean-Pierre Conte, those aren't abstract principlesthey describe the terms of engagement he has maintained across four institutions simultaneously.

How Do Conte's Board Roles Connect to His Philanthropic Giving?

At Colgate, the governance and giving are directly linked. Jean-Pierre Conte donated $25 million to fund the Jean-Pierre L. Conte Social Center, announced in 2025 as part of Colgate's Campaign for the Third Century, which has now surpassed $745 million in total commitments. Colgate President Brian W. Casey said of the broader initiative: "Colgate intends to offer the strongest residential liberal arts education in America, and the Lower Campus initiative is key to achieving that vision."

At UCSF, where Conte sits on the Foundation board, he contributed $5 million to the Department of Neurology in late 2024 to fund Parkinson's and neurodegenerative disease research, establishing two endowed professorships. His father, Pierre, was diagnosed with Parkinson's diseasea personal history that gives his UCSF engagement a dimension that goes well beyond standard institutional philanthropy. His board position places him within the governance conversations where research priorities, faculty recruitment, and endowment management are addressed.

The Hoover connection follows the same logic. Conte serves on the Board of Overseers, and in 2024 endowed both the J-P Initiative on Immigration and the inaugural J-P Conte Family Senior Fellow position. His governance role and his philanthropic commitment at Hoover are expressions of the same long-term investment in evidence-based immigration policy research. At CPMC, one of San Francisco's major hospital networks, Conte serves on the foundation board, an extension of his engagement with healthcare institutions that spans both his investment career and his philanthropic work.

Applying a Business Lens to Nonprofit Governance

Jean-Pierre Conte has been consistent about bringing the same analytical discipline to nonprofit governance that informed his career leading a San Francisco-based private equity firm. He has observed that many nonprofits are not run with the operational rigor that produces durable results. When Sponsors for Educational Opportunity needed organizational change, Conte's involvement in recommending new leadership produced measurable outcomes. "We multiplied the reach of SEO in the Bay Area by five to seven times," he has said.

That outcome illustrates what separates governance engagement from passive philanthropy. A donor who also holds a board seat can observe organizational performance across years, raise questions that outside funders cannot, and help institutions make course corrections before problems compound. According to the 2025 Bank of America Study of Philanthropy, donors are applying more measurement and evaluation to their grants than in prior years, with 81 percent of affluent Americans making charitable contributions in 2024 and average gifts exceeding $33,000, more than ten times the giving level of the general population. Conte's model takes that accountability further: participating in the governance structures where outcomes are actually determined.

Why Board Diversity Across Institutional Types Matters

The breadth of Jean-Pierre Conte's board experiencefrom a liberal arts university, to an academic medical center, to a public policy think tank, and a hospital foundationproduces a cross-institutional perspective that single-sector governance rarely provides. According to a 2024 Candid report analyzing nearly 60,000 public charities, boards with broader demographics and diverse professional backgrounds outperform peers in both fundraising growth and community trust. Engaging across distinct institutional types gives Conte exposure to how governance principles operate differently depending on mission, funding structure, and stakeholder relationships.

His approach to evaluating institutions before committing to them is unusually direct. When establishing the Conte First Generation Fund, he personally visited and assessed each of the 11 universities before committing fundsexamining administrative capacity, existing support infrastructure, and genuine institutional conviction. "I interviewed each school, visited each school, and learned that some of the schools were really good at it, good at providing resources, attracting that talent, and even mentoring that talent while they were at school. So they had the resources and the focus to do it. And other schools didn't. They were either too small, didn't have the resources, or both, and sometimes schools didn't have the talent or the conviction to do it," he has said. That kind of institutional due diligence is precisely what long-term board engagement makes possible.

"I've always felt the need to give back," he has said.

Click here to learn more about Jean-Pierre Conte >>

* This is a contributed article. The HNGN news staff was not involved in the creation of this article and this content does not necessarily represent the views of HNGN.
Iran has assured Malaysia that Malaysian tankers can safely transit the Strait of Hormuz without paying a toll that the Islamic Republic wants to exact from shippers, Malaysian Transport Minister Anthony Loke said on Tuesday.

The Iranian ambassador has mentioned that no toll is being imposed on Malaysian vessels, Loke said today, as quoted by Bloomberg.

We are a friendly party, we have good diplomatic relationship with the Iranian government, the Malaysian minister added.

Iran has selectively allowed a small number of vessels, apart from its own, to transit the Strait of Hormuz since the war erupted a month ago.

The Strait of Hormuz, the worlds most critical oil and gas chokepoint, is near-closed, with hundreds of vessels stranded, as Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) only allows vessels flying flags of friendly countries to transit.

Traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has collapsed from more than 100 ships transiting every day to fewer than 10 per day, most of which with critical supplies bound for China, India, and Pakistan.

Irans Parliament on Monday approved a bill to collect a toll from vessels wanting to transit the Strait of Hormuz.

Last week, Iran allowed seven tankers owned by Malaysian companies, including Sapura Energy and state energy giant Petronas, to safely transit the Strait of Hormuz, Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said.

The tankers are awaiting a safe window to proceed after Iran approved Malaysias request to allow the vessels to exit the Strait.

Since the war began, Iran has de facto closed the narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman to most traffic, especially vessels owned or linked to the U.S., Israel, and Western countries.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed to normal commercial navigation, with selective transit continuing under Iranian control, maritime intelligence firm Windward said on Monday.

Iranian exports remain active, supported by ongoing loading at Kharg Island and continued refined product flows.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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An Iranian drone reportedly hit a Kuwaiti oil tanker anchored at Dubai port, setting the vessel on fire, media reported earlier today, adding in later updates that the fire has been brought under control, per statements by the Dubai authorities, cited by Reuters.

The very large crude carrier Al Salmi, with a capacity to hold 2 million barrels of oil, was fully laden at the time of the attack, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation said earlier today, as quoted by Gulf News.

The drone attack had caused damage to the vessel's hull and the outbreak of a fire onboard, with a potential oil spill in the surrounding waters, the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation also said.

The news pushed oil prices higher but briefly. At the time of writing, Brent crude was trading at $112.94, which was a dip from Monday, while West Texas Intermediate was trading at $102.73 per barrel.

The latest price spike came despite assurances from President Trump, made on social media, that he wants to end the war and that the Iranian side is on board with negotiations. Iran has repeatedly denied Trumps claims of negotiations and potential for a quick agreement.

Yet the U.S. president has been alternating between such updates and threats to Iran, the latest released yesterday and containing references to all of Irans power plants and its desalination plans, which Trump said would get obliterated if Tehran did not agree to a deal. Legally, the targeting of civilian infrastructure is a war crime, media have noted in coverage of the news.

Trump recently set another deadline for the deal with Iran, April 6. Meanwhile, the average gas price in the U.S. passed the $4 per gallon mark for the first time in over three years, according to Reuters. This makes ending this war an urgent matter for the U.S. federal government and the Republican Party. For now, the chances of that happening, however, seem remote.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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Oil prices could jump to $200 per barrel and even higher if the Strait of Hormuz remains near-closed as it is at the moment, Fereidun Fesharaki, Chairman Emeritus of energy consultancy FGE NexantECA, told Bloomberg on Tuesday.

Although the oil market is moving on sentiment and U.S. President Donald Trumps social media posts about the war, the fact is that every week, 100 million barrels of oil is not going through, and every month, 400 million barrels are not going through, Fesharaki told Bloomberg Television.

Within a period of time, these losses to the market will be astronomical, the expert said.

If the situation at the Strait of Hormuz does not improve in the next six to eight weeks, the prices will go through the roof regardless of what President Trump says, Fesharaki noted.

We are looking at $150 oil first, and $200 oil and beyond $200, he added.

Related: The Invisible Metals Powering a Trillion-Dollar Economy

In a note on Monday, Fesharaki said FGE NexantECA assumed at first that the war and the crisis would run for four weeks, then six weeks, and now it is extending the assumption to 8-12 weeks.

Assuming 10% flows in the strait and 90% closure, say for another 4-8 weeks beyond the present, this would send oil prices to US$150-200/bbl and spot gas prices to US$40.5/MMBtu or US$250-300/bbl oil equivalent to force sufficient demand destruction, Fesharaki said.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) will likely do another release of strategic stocks by mid-April and another one possibly in June, according to FGE NexantECA, which also added that a world without Hormuz is becoming a credible scenario  one that could persist for months or longer, forcing structural adjustments across global energy, logistics, and trade flows.

In such a case, we have a global disaster on our hands, Fesharaki said, adding that in that case There will be a serious global recession, and the economy will suffer for several years.

Analysts at FGE NexantECA are not the only ones warning of $200 oil if the Strait of Hormuz flows remain choked for a few more weeks.

At the end of last week, analysts at Macquarie Group warned that oil prices could hit a record $200 per barrel if the war in the Middle East drags on through the entire second quarter.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The United States is extending by a month through May 1, 2026, the deadline for potential buyers to negotiate buying the foreign assets of Russia's second-biggest oil producer, Lukoil, which the U.S. sanctioned in October to force Russia to negotiate peace in Ukraine.

The U.S. Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) authorized in a new general license negotiations of potential deals until May 1, provided that such agreements are approved by the OFAC in separate authorizations.

Earlier this year, Lukoil announced it had agreed to sell most of its international assets to private equity giant Carlyle.

However, the agreement is not exclusive and is subject to conditions such as the procurement of necessary regulatory approvals, including permission from the OFAC for the transaction with Carlyle.

Lukoil continues negotiations with other potential buyers, Russia's second-largest oil producer noted in the press release at the end of January announcing the non-exclusive preliminary agreement with Carlyle.

In February, reports emerged that a consortium comprising Chevron and a group led by an investment bank continues negotiations with Lukoil and U.S. officials to buy the Russian firm's international assets.

Related: Is This The No.1 Way To Play the Rare Earth Crisis?

The non-exclusivity of the preliminary agreement with Carlyle means that Chevron and other potential buyers remain in the race.

A tie-up of Chevron and Texas-based Quantum Energy Partners is one of the bidders still in talks to potentially buy Lukoil's international assets, while investment bank Xtellus Partners leads another consortium with American billionaire Todd Boehly and the UAE's Allied Investment Partners, multiple sources with knowledge of the ongoing talks told Reuters in February.

Following the U.S. sanctions on Lukoil and Rosneft, "as a result of Russia's lack of serious commitment to a peace process to end the war in Ukraine," Lukoil announced in October it would sell all of its international assets, initiating a formal process to receive bids from potential buyers.

Lukoil's foreign assets are estimated to be worth about $22 billion.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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By Lars Larson

NW and national radio host,

The Northwest Nonsense

Ever wonder why Americas political left wing is so ready to tear down statues of real heroes like President Abraham Lincoln?

Consider the Cesar Chavez firestorm going on right now.

A major investigation with lots of personal testimony documents that the farm labor leader previously revered by American progressives was a child rapist and serial abuser of young women.

Proof of the charges is essentially impossible at this point.

Chavez died more than 30 years ago.

Many of the victims are very old and most of the incidents happened more than half a century ago.

But in the meantime, liberal blue cities put Chavezs name on a lot of stuff to honor him.

Portland has a major street named for the man who now appears to have been a pedophile.

In a dark irony, North Portland has a K thru 8 school named for him too.

The political left picks some real perverts.

In the Northwest Former Governor Neil Goldschmidt, unindicted child rapist. Tiger suit Congressman David Wu. Teen boy chasing former Mayor Sam Adams.

At least the blue city folks now scrubbing Chavezs name off have lots of practice.

Thats the Rose City Rap. Join me at noon on KXL for 4 hours of Honestly provocative talk. Im Lars Larson


By Taxpayers Association of Oregon Foundation,

Oregon serial killer, Jeffrey Paul Cutlip (also known as Jesse Andre DBreeze) confessed to killing two women and one teen girl. He tied up his victims and abused their bodies after they were killed. Because Oregon had the death penalty back in 2012, the issue of the death penalty was part of his final plea deal. Now, Oregon has no death penalty, except under certain narrow circumstances, because of a law passed by liberal lawmakers a few years ago.

Without a death penalty, there is less reason for serial killers to enter in to plea agreements, even if they confess.

Without a death penalty, taxpayers continue to foot the bill to house criminals. In this case, the killer likely cost taxpayers $1.1 million in prison costs for his internment spanning nearly 15 years.
Event Description - World Ethanol & Biofuels lands in Madrid, 2026

World Ethanol & Biofuels conference will take place in Madrid (Spain) on 6-8 October 2026.

Key themes at World Ethanol & Biofuels:

- Scaling sustainable feedstock supply chains is a critical priority, focusing on innovative solutions to expand feedstock availability while ensuring environmental sustainability and economic viability.

- Decarbonising global transportation across land, aviation, and maritime sectors remains a central challenge. Ethanol and other biofuels play a vital role in reducing emissions and supporting the achievement of global climate goals.

- Advancing technology and innovation in biofuels production is essential for the industrys growth. Cutting-edge research and modern processes aim to improve efficiency, scalability, and cost-effectiveness.

- Policy, partnerships, and global collaboration are also key drivers of progress. Regulatory frameworks, international cooperation, and cross-sector partnerships are instrumental in accelerating the development and adoption of biofuels.

This October, global producers, traders, technology leaders and policymakers gather at the iconic Hotel Riu Plaza Espana for the most established and influential week in the ethanol calendar.

For nearly three decades, World Ethanol & Biofuels has set the benchmark for price discovery, policy intelligence and commercial dealmaking. This year, 400+ senior decision makers from Europe, the Americas, Asia, and beyond will gather at Hotel Riu Plaza Espana to shape the future of ethanol and biofuels across land, sea, and aviation.



Do not hesitate to contact us if you need to know any details regarding this conference.
By Purna Bahadur Pokhrel

The world today feels increasingly fragile. Between headlines of rising tensions and the stark reality of regional conflicts, there is a pervasive sense of unease about our global direction. While it may be too soon to predict a total global conflict, the current climate suggests it is the ideal time to act. Peace is not merely the absence of war; it is a conscious, daily choice made with foresight and a shared sense of responsibility. For nations like Nepal, this choice is guided by the timeless principles of Panchasheelthe five pillars of mutual respect, non-aggression, non-interference, equality, and peaceful co-existence. By adhering to these rules, we demonstrate that global stability is built on mutual respect rather than raw power.

The United Nations was born from the powerful idea that we are stronger when we work together. However, in todays polarized landscape, "cooperation" must be more than a convenient buzzword used in formal declarations; it must be felt on the ground. True multilateralism is not found solely in signed documents or high-level summits in New York. Instead, it is built through the difficult, often quiet work of restoring broken trust and choosing conversation over confrontation. As a non-aligned nation, Nepal carries a unique responsibility to act as a neutral bridge. By refusing to take sides in "Great Power" rivalries, we provide a rare space for honest dialogue, helping to mend international relationships before they reach a breaking point.

In diplomacy, as in life, timing is everything. We should not wait for a fire to engulf the neighborhood before looking for water. By prioritizing preventive mediation, the global community can address tensions while they are still whispers. Nepal fulfills this responsibility actively as one of the world's top contributors to UN Peacekeeping. By sending our "Blue Helmets" into conflict zones, we do more than just monitor borders; we protect the vulnerable and maintain the order necessary for diplomacy to function. Sending experienced envoys to negotiate before a single shot is fired is not just a strategic moveit is a humanitarian one. It is far easier to fix a friendship than it is to rebuild a nation from the rubble of war.

Furthermore, we must redefine how we view sovereignty. While often seen as a nations right to independence, in our deeply interconnected world, sovereignty is also a promise to be a good neighbor. When a country honors its international commitments and engages in honest dialogue, it is not surrendering its power; it is using that power to ensure its people, and its neighbors' people, can live without fear. Nepals long-standing policy of "Friendship with all, enmity with none" proves that even a small nation can be a global leader through consistency and integrity. Even when politics fail and conflict breaks out, our humanity must remain. Humanitarian corridors are vital reminders that life remains sacred even in the darkest hours. These small windows of peace often become the foundation for permanent bridges between warring factions.

Ultimately, the path to a stable future is not paved with complex theories or military build-ups, but with the simple recognition of our shared responsibility. The United Nations provides the stage, but the nations themselves are the actors. Lasting peace comes from the courage of leaders who are willing to take the first step toward a negotiation table and from major powers choosing to be stabilizing forces rather than adding fuel to the fire. By choosing to act nowwith empathy, transparency, and a commitment to the principles of Panchasheelwe can move away from the edge of conflict. We must build a world where the next generation does not have to wonder whether they are safe, but can instead focus on building a collective, prosperous future.
Samsung has introduced a new Android application called Hearapy, designed to help reduce motion sickness through sound-based therapy.

The app works best when paired with the company's latest earbuds, the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, although it can also be used with other headphones or earphones.

Science-Backed Approach Using 100Hz Sound Waves

The concept behind Samsung Hearapy is based on findings from a Japanese study conducted at the University of Nagoya. Researchers found that exposure to a 100Hz sine wave at around 7585 decibels may temporarily reduce symptoms of motion sickness.

According to the study, this specific frequency is believed to stimulate the inner ear's vestibular system, which plays a key role in balance and spatial orientation.

By doing so, it may help reduce the sensory mismatch between what the eyes see and what the inner ear senses, one of the main causes of motion sickness.

How the Hearapy App Works

As SamMobile wrote, the Samsung Hearapy app generates a precise 100Hz tone that users listen to for about one minute. The tech giant says this may provide temporary relief that can last for up to two hours, depending on the individual.

For best results, the company recommends using the Samsung Galaxy Buds4 Pro, as they are tuned to deliver more accurate frequency reproduction. However, users can still try the effect with other audio devices, although results may vary based on sound quality and frequency response.

Users are also advised to set the volume to a level that feels loud but still comfortable. The tone can be replayed whenever symptoms return, making it a flexible option for travel situations such as car rides, flights, or boat trips.

How Motion Sickness Happens

Motion sickness occurs when the brain receives conflicting signals from the eyes, inner ear, and body. The vestibular system, located in the inner ear, is responsible for maintaining balance. When it detects motion that doesn't match visual input, symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, and discomfort can occur.

GSMArena reported that the 100Hz tone used in Hearapy is believed to help "reset" or stabilize this system by gently stimulating the balance organs, though researchers emphasize that results may vary from person to person.

Originally published on Tech Times
American couple arrested in Mahahual facing drug trafficking charges

Mahahual, Q.R.  A man and woman, both American, are facing charges of drug trafficking after their Mahahual arrest. On Tuesday, the SSC (Secretary of Citizen Security) said James Heatherington N and Robin Marie N, both U.S. citizens, were arrested.

They were taken into police custody from Oxtankah Street in the Casitas residential area of Mahahual after being seen handling bags of suspected drugs.

Officers who searched them reported finding bags of marijuana, cocaine and methamphetamine (meth).

Both have been transferred to the city of Chetumal where they will face charges.

In a statement, the SSC (Secretaria de Seguridad Ciudadana) of Quintana Roo said James Heatherington N and Robin Marie N, both U.S. citizens, were arrested for alleged involvement in drug trafficking.

Members of the Centurion Group of the Secretariat of Citizen Security, in coordination with the Mexican Navy, the Secretariat of National Defense and the Municipal Police, noticed a man and a woman handling a clear plastic bag, apparently containing a green plant material similar to marijuana.

The incident occurred on Oxtankah Street at the intersection with Manglar Street, in the Casitas residential area of Mahahual, Othon P. Blanco municipality, where the corresponding search was conducted.

The following items were seized: a vest, a wallet, a bag containing a green, dried plant material consistent with marijuana, 102 small, clear synthetic bags with a front print containing a white powder consistent with cocaine, five small, clear synthetic bags containing a crystalline substance consistent with methamphetamine and two cell phones.

The transfer was carried out before the Specialized Prosecutors Office for Combating Drug Trafficking.
Illegal call centre selling Cancun and Playa del Carmen vacation packages to tourists seized

Cancun, Q.R.  An illegal call centre found selling vacation packages to Riviera Maya tourists has been dismantled in Cancun. Police arrested four people and seized one building during the weekend operation.

The raid took place on Bacalar Avenue in SM 46 where the fake call centre office was located.

According to initial investigations, the property operated as a call centre where the detainees allegedly posed as vacation advisors for companies dedicated to tourist services in Playa del Carmen in order to offer fraudulent vacation packages, police reported in a statement.

Aurhoritis said the search warrant was executed at a residence located in Superblock 46 on Bacalar Avenue where agents arrested Limberg Adrian N, Ricardo N, Jessica N and Brayan N.

At the location, they seized various documents, a laptop, a MacBook computer, cell phones, a payment terminal, and dried green plant material resembling marijuana.

The investigations stem from a complaint filed by a couple who stated that on March 20 of this year they established telephone communication with a subject who offered them a tourist package through the purchase of a travel certificate.

The cost for that package, police detailed, was 70,194 pesos, which included a stay of five days and four nights for six adults in three rooms. Over the course of additional phone calls, the victims were sent digital documents such as the supposed hotel website, tax status certificate, experience form and travel certificate, in order to give credibility to the offer.

One of the victims made a credit card payment in two installments. Later, upon contacting the hotel directly, they were informed that there was no record of the purchase or reservation in their name

The house they used as an office was seized during their arrests. March 28, 2026.

However, the bank confirmed that the payments had been made to an account, thus establishing fraud. Following the corresponding complaint, police started an investigation that allowed the search warrant to be obtained, where the capture of the four people was achieved.
Pair accused of private vehicle sales fraud arrested in Playa del Carmen

Playa del Carmen, Q.R.  Two men accused of private vehicle sales fraud in PDC and Cancun have been arrested in Playa del Carmen. On Monday, State Attorney General (FGE) head, Raciel Lopez Salazar, said Manuel Jesus N and Mario Arturo N are in custody.

During a Security Roundtable Conference he said a criminal gang dedicated to fraud in the sale of vehicles was dismantled.

Elements of the Investigative Police arrested Manuel Jesus N and Mario Arturo N in the vicinity of the Mision de las Flores neighborhood in Playa del Carmen. The pair were initially picked up on drug possession, however, they are now facing additional charges.

During the operation, police seized a dried green herb resembling marijuana, a crystalline substance resembling methamphetamine and a Nissan March with license plates from the state of Yucatan, which is linked to an ongoing fraud investigation in Cancun, he reported.

Investigations indicate that both detainees are linked to at least two investigations for the crime of fraud, stemming from the sale of vehicles that were later reported as stolen.

In one of the cases, a victim reported that on September 29, 2023, he purchased a Nissan March 2023 model vehicle for 192,000 pesos from Mario Arturo N who allegedly usurped the identity of another person to complete the transaction after having offered the vehicle on a digital platform for 200,000 pesos, Lopez Salazar detailed.

The delivery of the vehicle, as well as an alleged endorsed invoice, took place in the parking lot of a Lopez Portillo Avenue shopping plaza of Cancun.

As a result of the investigation, on March 27 of this year, members of the Investigative Police located the Nissan March vehicle, white in color, with the same serial and engine numbers but with different license plates, in the Mision de las Flores neighborhood in Playa del Carmen, which was driven by Mario Arturo N at the time of his arrest.

In the same operation, Manuel Jesus N, identified as the former brother-in-law of the person listed as the vehicles owner, was arrested.

It should be noted that both detainees are related and that one of them had previously reported the supposed discovery of the vehicle to the 911 emergency number, as part of a fabricated crime.

According to the investigations, the defendants simulated the sale of vehicles using forged documents and later reported the vehicles as stolen.

Likewise, both subjects were recognized by another victim for their probable participation in the crimes of fraud, falsification and use of false documents after the sale of a Ford Figo vehicle for the amount of 85,000 pesos which had a theft report and alterations in its serial and engine numbers.

Earlier this month, a group of Americans were stopped for driving a stolen SUV they had rented from a central Playa del Carmen car rental company. Police did not say if these stolen vehicle cases may be related.
CPC leadership deploys guidance teams to oversee Party-wide education campaign

Xinhua) 08:00, March 31, 2026

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee has decided to dispatch eight guidance teams to oversee a Party-wide study and education campaign for the establishment and application of a correct understanding of what it means to perform well, an official statement said on Monday.

The teams will guide and supervise relevant work in eight provincial-level regions and 12 institutions, including government departments, financial institutions, state-owned enterprises and universities, the statement added.

A training meeting for the guidance teams was held in Beijing on Monday. According to the meeting, the move is a key step to ensure the campaign delivers solid results by strengthening oversight and promoting effective problem-solving.

It stressed that the guidance teams should carry out precise and effective supervision, thoroughly identify problems, ensure resolute rectification, and address pressing public concerns.

The teams were also instructed to help identify institutional weaknesses, improve regulatory frameworks, and ensure strict implementation of rules, according to the meeting.

The CPC Central Committee initiated the campaign in late February, prodding Party members, particularly officials at the county and director level and above, to fix their mindset regarding governance performance.

The campaign, which will run until July, aims to correct misguided views on governance that often breed vanity projects, hidden risks, heavy burdens on local communities, and public discontent.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
The bullet recovered from Charlie Kirk's autopsy did not match the rifle tied to Tyler Robinson, according to a defense filing reported Monday, adding a new forensic dispute to the murder case.

The claim comes as Robinson, 22, faces capital murder charges over Kirk's killing at Utah Valley University in September 2025. Prosecutors have said the case includes DNA evidence, text messages, and a rifle found near the scene, while the defense is now pressing for more time before the preliminary hearing.

In the new filing, Robinson's lawyers said the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives could not connect the bullet recovered at autopsy to the rifle allegedly linked to him. They are seeking to delay the hearing for at least six months so they can review firearms and DNA reports, according to The Gateway Pundit.

Investigators previously said a bolt-action rifle was found near the shooting site and that DNA on a towel wrapped around the weapon matched Robinson. They also said a screwdriver recovered from a rooftop matched him, and that messages and other evidence pointed to his involvement in the attack.

Court records show the case has been moving through early hearings as both sides argue over evidence and procedure. Robinson has not entered a plea, and prosecutors are seeking the death penalty if he is convicted of aggravated murder.

The shooting happened on Sept. 10, 2025, during a campus event at Utah Valley University in Orem, Utah, where Kirk was speaking before a large crowd. Witnesses and video captured the moment a single gunshot struck him, and he was later pronounced dead at a local hospital, PBS reported.

Authorities said the manhunt ended about 33 hours later when Robinson was taken into custody after relatives and a family friend contacted police. Investigators also said they recovered online messages and other material that they believe link him to the shooting.

The reported ballistics dispute gives the defense another avenue to challenge the case, but it does not erase the other evidence investigators say they have collected. A judge will now decide whether to delay the hearing and how much of the evidence will be examined before trial, as per Live Now Fox.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
By H.E. Zhao Yong, Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone

Not long ago, Chinas Two Sessions of 2026  the annual meetings of the National People's Congress (NPC) and the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) concluded successfully in Beijing. NPC deputies and CPPCC members from all parts of the country and all walks of life gathered for this annual event, carrying the expectations of the people as they deliberated on the future of Chinas governance. The Two Sessions approved the Outline of Chinas 15th Five-Year Plan (20262030) for National Economic and Social Development, setting the course for the crucial next five years in advancing Chinese modernization and injecting much-needed certainty into global peace and development. China has, in a world marked by change and turbulence, offered an answer that looks to the future and benefits the world  one defined by unwavering strategic resolve, vibrant innovation, openness and inclusiveness befitting a major country, and steadfast commitment to improving peoples lives.

China's 15th Five-Year Plan strengthens the foundations of Chinese modernization. The Five-Year Plan is not only the golden key to Chinas development, but also a distinctive strength in modernizing national governance. It remains people-centered, takes high-quality development as its theme, and places new quality productive forces at the forefront. It coordinates effective qualitative improvement with reasonable quantitative growth, with priorities in innovation-driven development, public well-being, green and low-carbon transformation, and security. The Plan sets clear targets: cutting carbon dioxide emissions per unit of GDP by 17 percent over five years, raising the share of non-fossil energy to 25 percent, creating more than 50 million new urban jobs, increasing per capita disposable income by over 5 percent annually, and boosting total R&D spending by more than 7 percent a year. Taken together, these figures make one thing clear: Chinas new Plan is not about pursuing speed for its own sake, but about embedding high-quality development in a balanced framework of innovation, peoples well-being, green transition and security.

A new intelligent economy is taking shape, with scientific and technological innovation unlocking fresh drives of growth and injecting strong momentum into digital transformation. The Two Sessions made clear the need to foster new forms of the intelligent economy, to promote the deep integration of artificial intelligence across industries, and to develop intelligent computing clusters, industrial internet and the satellite internet, while making forward-looking arrangements for embodied intelligence, quantum technology and the low-altitude economy. By 2030, the value added of core digital economy industries is expected to account for 12.5 percent of GDP. The scale of AI-related industries is projected to exceed 10 trillion yuan, reshaping the drives of growth. Through digital technology, China is turning intelligent technologies into public goods for inclusive development, and helping countries of the Global South bridge the digital divide.

Institutional high-standard opening up: linking China with the world. Opening up is Chinas basic national policy and a defining feature of Chinese modernization. China's 15th Five-Year Plan remains committed to expanding institutional opening-up, steadily advancing alignment in rules, regulations, management and standards, pursuing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, and upholding an open world economy. China has announced that, from May 1, 2026, it will fully implement zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries having diplomatic relations with China, using the subtraction of tariffs to bring about the addition of trade and the multiplication of livelihoods. As an important partner in the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and Belt and Road cooperation, Sierra Leone is among the first to benefit from easier access for exports to China, the value-added development of mineral resources, the development of free trade zones, and smoother logistics corridors. This will enable more livelihood projects to take root. China has been Sierra Leones largest trading partner for many years. In 2025, bilateral trade reached a record high of 16.32 billion yuan, underscoring the enormous scope and potential for future cooperation between our two countries.

A correct understanding of governance performance makes development more people-centered and more sustainable. The Two Sessions stressed the need to foster such an understanding of governance performance  valuing hard work, real results, peoples well-being and long-term impact, and taking the peoples sense of gain, happiness and security as the yardstick. This means balancing immediately visible results with lasting foundations, balancing development and security, and balancing efficiency and fairness. China has always remained committed to development for the people and to sharing the fruits of development. This resonates strongly with Sierra Leones Big Five Game Changers, particularly its focus on youth employment, human capital development, technology and infrastructure, and public services.

The year 2026 marks the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Sierra Leone. It is also the 2026 China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. The friendship between our two countries runs deep. Cooperation across various fields has borne rich fruit. The successful conclusion of Chinas Two Sessions has sent a positive signal to African countries including Sierra Leone. As a Sierra Leonean proverb goes, one finger cannot lift a stoneKrio:Wan finger no da pik stone na grown. China stands ready to work with Sierra Leone to strengthen high-level exchanges, deepen practical cooperation, and continue translating the certainty, openness and inclusiveness of Chinas economic development into new opportunities, new outcomes and new benefits for China-Sierra Leone cooperation. Together, we will take the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between our two countries to new heights and deliver more tangible benefits to both countries and our two peoples.




On March 30, 2026, President Xi Jinping sent a congratulatory letter to the World Data Organization (WDO) on its inauguration.

Xi Jinping pointed out that the world is embarking on the intelligent era at an accelerated pace, and the role of data as a fundamental resource and innovation driver is becoming increasingly evident. With the tenet of bridging the data divide, unlocking datas value, powering the digital economy, WDO provides a beneficial platform for deepening international data cooperation and improving global data governance.

Xi Jinping emphasized that China will uphold the principle of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits, support the role of WDO, and work with all parties to build consensus on data governance rules, promote digital and intelligent technological innovation, facilitate secure, orderly flow and efficient development and utilization of data, support the healthy development of the global digital economy, and enable the benefits of data to better serve people around the world.

Under the theme of jointly building a data cooperation platform and sharing digital development opportunities, the Inaugural Assembly of the WDO was held in Beijing on the same day. WDOs members include enterprises, universities, think tanks, international organizations, financial institutions and other entities related to the data sector all over the world.
Last week, President Donald Trump did a funny two-step on Iran. He began by threatening to obliterate Iranian power plants unless the Strait of Hormuz was safely opened back up. He gave a 48-hour deadline. Then, right before that deadline hit, Trump pulled back on his ultimatum. But a few minutes before he did that, the oil markets saw a massive spike in activitya spike so huge that it seems clear that somebody knew something.

It sure looked as if closely guarded national security information was being used to make a quick buck. As Nobel Prizewinning economist Paul Krugman reasons, if a spy were giving our adversaries this kind of info, wed certainly call it treason. So why not use the same language now?

This is also not the first time White House moves have been tied to suspicious trading patterns. When the president rolled out and then clawed back Liberation Day tariffs a year ago, some wondered whether Trump was putting the country on a financial roller coaster so that his pals could buy the dips. In other words, everything here is happening out in the open.

On a recent episode of What Next, host Mary Harris spoke to Krugman about how people are making a killing off the war in Iran. This transcript has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Mary Harris: I want to focus on what happened with the Iran situation and the oil futures. How does someone make money on a trade like this? We see a lot of activity right before an announcement is made. What happens then that results in me getting a bunch of cash, theoretically?

Paul Krugman: You could sell a bunch of oil futures at 6:30 in the morning at, lets say, $98 a barrel, and, actually, you could even sell oil futures you dont have. You could basically just borrow them and then buy them back at 7:07, after Trump has made his announcement, for $90 a barrel. So youre ahead. Youve sold stuff at $98 and you bought it back at $90. The actual amount of money you make is not the entire volume of the trade. But its a lot of money. Youre basically arbitraging between the price just before and the price just after.

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Do we have a sense of how much money some person or persons made here?

I have not actually run the numbers, but if we say there was something like a 10 percent movement in oil prices, and there was $580 million of transaction volume, then somebody collected 10 percent of that. So lets say it was $58 million.

How would we know the identities of these traders? It seems like that is something that is knowable. Does that just rely on a completely different administration, a completely different Securities and Exchange Commission? What would be the typical play here if we were in a normal world?

I dont do financial investigations, but Im pretty sure that at some level, these orders have to have been placed with somebody. They might have been anonymized, but Im pretty sure that if you did an investigation with subpoena power to require the financial institutions that have to act as brokers to reveal information, there would be a pretty clear trail pointing to it. But of course, we dont know that. Ordinarily, these things are not public knowledge. Thats how financial markets work in many cases.

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Could the trail dry up? I understand that maybe something wont be investigated now, but I just wonder if time means that the investigation becomes less possible?

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Its possible. The people who placed these trades almost certainly have to reckon with the possibility that they could be tracked, that eventually they would be found out, and theyre just operating on the presumption that they will never be held accountable. Maybe they think that we are effectively a one-party nation now, or they just think by the time it has passed there will be enough people to protect them, but its pretty amazing. If somebody suggested to me, Look here, you can make a million dollars by using this deeply classified national security information, and, trust us, youll never be found out, I would not do it. Leaving patriotism and morality aside, I would say, Gee, I dont trust that. But somebody obviously did.

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Can you lay out your case for this being more than insider trading? You did it really well in your Substack.

Insider trading of this kind would be illegal. If you were a corporate insider who knew stuff about XYZ corporations finances and traded on that basis, that would be illegal too. But in this case, there are three things. First, the nature of the information. There is hardly anything that is more sensitive and protected. Thats more than knowing that theres some unrealized losses on a corporate balance sheet.

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Do you really think that foreign governments are, at this point, with a magnifying glass, looking at our markets and thinking that something might be about to happen?

Of course they are! Thats the easiest thing. It doesnt require any deep undercover operations. Put it this way: The fact that financial media was on this almost immediatelyif CNBC and the Financial Times are watching these things, how can you imagine that the Russians and the Saudis and the Chinese arent watching it? The second thing is that this does reveal information.

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But its not specific, right? Its not specific. Its inoperational information, right?

Its pretty close to! If theres suddenly a large transaction and were in the middle of a war with Iran and the transaction is somebody betting that things will look less dire, then this is clearly signaling that Trump is going to de-escalate in a few minutes, right? And specifically that he was going to offer a four-day window, or something about nonbombing.

Youre really making the case there that this actually is maybe the most reliable signal you would get?

Yeah. Trump having announced that hes engaged in productive negotiations with the Iranian government, theres no reliability about his pronouncements about whats happening. But if you see what looks like an insider making a large financial transaction, that carries much more weight than a simple statement.

Because youre putting your money on the line.

The third was a little bit less conclusive, but as I see it, the morality, the general nature of essentially trading on or selling national secrets through financial transactions is not really different from just plain selling the national secrets. Somebody is willing to place a $500 million bet in the futures market on the basis of national security. How different is that from just plain selling that information to a foreign power? Or a domestic power!

It shows what you value. You value making money off it.

Yeah, and for what its worth, this is pure speculation, but my guess is this was not actually somebody close to the White House directly making the trade. This was somebody close to the White House selling the information to some large financial operator to make the trade.

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ProPublica did a bit of an investigation into government staffers who seem to have been making suspicious stock trades in this second Trump administration. Basically, they looked at, like, This happened on Liberation Day, you seem to have traded $20,000 or $50,000 worth of stocks. What happened? It was interesting because part of what stood out to me was how hard it was to prove that these trades were made with insider information. They had to have a line in there. It was basically like, We dont know that this is proofwe just know the timing looks suspect. Is it possible that what looks very suspicious to you and me is sloppiness somehow?

Ordinarily, I would have said, Well, this is really hard to prove, and putting the finger on any individual is going to be very difficult. But the fact is that this is not a number of transactions made within a day or so, but actually a large slug of money, basically all at once, just 15 minutes before the big announcement. That could be a coincidence, but its also possible that a meteor will come crashing through my window and hit me right now. Its not very likely. And so the circumstantial evidence for some kind of wrongdoing is really strong here.
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The Supreme Court delivered a major blow to one of the triumphs of the LGBTQ+ rights movement on Tuesday, imposing stringent constitutional restraints on laws that bar professional counselors from attempting to change a minors sexual orientation or gender identity. These measures, enacted by more than half the states, shielded children from a discredited and abusive practice that fails to achieve its aims while inflicting serious, lasting psychological harms. Now, by an 81 vote, SCOTUS has held that, under the First Amendment, such protections are presumptively unconstitutional as applied to talk therapy, severely restricting their scope. Even the liberal Justices Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan signed onto this sweeping opinion.

Whats most frustrating about the courts decision in Chiles v. Salazaraside from its devastating real-world consequences for LGBTQ+ youthis its profound hypocrisy masquerading as principle. Justice Neil Gorsuchs majority opinion praises itself for preserving Americans inalienable right to think and speak freely by rejecting Colorados alleged effort to enforce orthodoxy in thought or speech. But as Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson explained in her lone dissent, the majority really took sides in the culture wars: It affirmed the constitutional rights of anti-LGBTQ+ therapists while continuing to disregard the rights of trans-affirming doctors, abortion providers, and other medical professionals disfavored by this court. More ominously, Jackson wrote, the majority appears to have made this momentous decision without adequately grappling with its potential long-term and disastrous implications for all manner of medical regulations, which are suddenly vulnerable to a First Amendment attack.

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Because the majority plays with fire in this case, Jackson warned, I fear that the people of this country will get burned.

LGBTQ+ children will feel that burn first. Almost 30 states have curbed or outlawed therapy that seeks to change minors sexual orientation or gender identitythat is, to make them stop being gay, bisexual, or transgender. These measures take the form of professional licensure rules, subjecting therapists to fines (and eventually loss of license) if they try to turn an LGBTQ+ minor straight or cisgender. Nonprofessional counselors, including family and clergy, can still engage in this conduct, as can professional counselors outside of their paid practice. Every major American medical association to consider this issue has come out in opposition to conversion therapy for youth and endorsed its prohibition. These groups have explained that it is impossible to change a persons identity in this way and deeply unethical to try. Survivors of the practice have attested to its inefficacy and dangers, including a heightened risk of suicide.

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Anti-LGBTQ+ advocates, however, have long argued that these laws are not legitimate medical regulations, but rather invidious censorship that violates the First Amendment. So the far-right Alliance Defending Freedom, which rejects the validity of transgender identities and supports the criminalization of homosexuality, engineered Chiles v. Salazar as a Supreme Court test case. ADF argued that its client, a Colorado counselor named Kaley Chiles, has a First Amendment right to disregard the states conversion therapy ban and attempt to convert her LGBTQ+ patients. Colorado argued that its statute does not meaningfully implicate the First Amendment because it regulates conduct and only incidentally burdens speech. A federal appeals court agreed, upholding the states law under a lenient standard of review.

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On Tuesday, the Supreme Court sided against Colorado, reversing the appeals courts decision. Writing for every justice but Jackson, Gorsuch declared that Chiles talk therapy is the quintessential form of protected speech. He rejected the states argument that speech carries fewer First Amendment protections when delivered as a medical treatment. Chiles therapy is not conduct at all, Gorsuch wrote, but pure expression. And Colorados law censors that expression based on viewpoint, allowing her to affirm LGBTQ+ patients identities but not to critique or reject them. Thus, the state seeks to silence a viewpoint she wishes to express. This kind of viewpoint discrimination, Gorsuch concluded, is presumptively unconstitutional, and must survive strict scrutiny, meaning it is narrowly tailored to serve compelling state interests.

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After this wind-up, the reader might expect Gorsuch to declare that Colorados law does not pass strict scrutiny and therefore violates the First Amendment. But he did not. Instead, having walked right up to that point, he stepped back, and sent the case back down to the appeals court, directing it to apply the test instead. He strongly implied that the Colorado ban, and others like it, would not survive this review as applied to talk therapy. But he left the question open for the appeals court to answer.

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Why? In theory, the majority might have felt it was proper for the lower court to take the first stab as a matter of appellate procedure. But in other cases, SCOTUS has had no problem holding that a lower court applied the wrong First Amendment standard to a law, then immediately applying the correct standard to invalidate it. Perhaps Sotomayor and Kagan were only willing to join the majority if it stopped short of that step. Its also possible that the two justices negotiated to have the majority focus on Colorados alleged discrimination against viewpoint rather than content. Kagan, joined by Sotomayor, wrote a brief concurrence arguing that this distinction was not academic, because content-based speech restrictions are not subject to quite as rigorous review. Had Colorado enacted a content-based but viewpoint-neutral law, Kagan wrote, it would raise a different and more difficult question, allowing the court to recognize complexity and nuance.

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It is, frankly, difficult to parse this concurrence. What would such a law actually look like? Would it bar licensed therapists from any discussion of a minors sexual orientation or gender identitymeaning a counselor could neither affirm nor reject their LGBTQ+ identification? If so, why would any state want to do that? Outlawing LGBTQ-affirming therapy would itself hurt children and defeat a key purpose of these laws. Maybe Kagan sought to prevent the majority opinion from undermining countless other state laws that restrict speech in the medical context. Her concurrence is too cryptic, though, to be of much use to lower courts trying to make sense of Gorsuchs maximalist rhetoric.

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Jacksons dissent is far clearer. Colorados law, she explained, restricts treatment-related speech uttered by medical professionals only as part of a larger regulatory scheme aimed at ensuring that providers tender high-quality medical care to patients. In other words, Chiles may be engaged in expression, but that expression is a medical treatment that Colorado has every right to regulate. (Colorado imposes no regulations on this speech outside of formal medical practice.) The state is not targeting speech as speech, but a range of services that include verbal communication. And why wouldnt such speech-based medical treatments be subject to reasonable state regulation like any other kind of medical care?

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The justice did not invent this concept; it is rooted in the Supreme Courts own decision in Planned Parenthood v. Casey, in a part of the opinion that was not overturned by Dobbs. There, the court upheld a law that ordered doctors to provide anti-abortion propaganda to a patient before terminating her pregnancy. It found that this requirement passed First Amendment muster because it regulated speech only as part of the practice of medicine. In other words, it was one part of a broader abortion regime, and should not be plucked out and assessed as a standalone regulation of expression. The same is true here, Jackson wrote: Colorado outlawed all kinds of conversion therapies, ranging from physical interventions (like electroshock) and counseling conversions. Under Casey, the state had every right to regulate therapists speech as one component of a larger law regulating the medical profession.

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Yet anti-LGBTQ+ therapists now enjoy a First Amendment right that is denied to abortion providers. But as Jackson pointed out, the inconsistency runs deeper. After Chiles, parents who seek to convert their transgender children have a constitutional right to do so. But thanks to last years decision in Skrmetti, parents who seek to affirm their transgender children with medication have no such right. States can ban gender-affirming medication but evidently cannot ban anti-transgender talk therapy. And the majority does not explain why anti-LGBTQ+ speech receives heightened protections when other viewpoints do not. Surely, Jackson wrote, a state can direct doctors to discourage, and not encourage, smoking cigarettes. It can prohibit doctors from telling an anorexic patient to eat less while allowing them to recommend eating more. It can stop doctors from encouraging patients to end their lives. These laws, too, censor speech on the basis of the states preferred viewpointin Gorsuchs words, they enforce orthodoxy. Why is it, then, that nobody seriously argues that theyd violate the First Amendment, too?

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Then there are the larger implications of the courts decision for medical licensure and malpractice laws. States, Jackson noted, have long assumed the power to punish medical professionals for what they say in addition to what they do. They have closely regulated the provision of medical advice, for instance, and authorized malpractice suits when that advice leads to harm. If a doctor tells a patient not to get a cast because he believes God heals broken bones by himself, can he wield the First Amendment to defeat the patients lawsuit? Does a state enforce orthodoxy when it insists upon swift treatment for bone fractures? Could a patient sue a doctor who counsels against the measles vaccine in the midst of an outbreak? Or would such a suit punish the doctor for their expression by taking sides in an active debate?

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The reality, Jackson wrote, is that medical regulations cover a vast range of speech that is now presumptively protected by the Constitution. So the fallout from Chiles could be catastrophic. Some states, for instance, order doctors to make every reasonable effort to promote the welfare, autonomy and best interests of their patient. Others require humane and dignified treatment while outlawing services performed in an incompetent or cruel manner. After Tuesday, these kinds of regulations become unenforceable if the healthcare provider risks harming patients with their speech. Doctors who use speech to harm their patients can now assert a First Amendment right to carry on, regardless of these standards.

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To put it bluntly, Jackson continued, the court could be ushering in an era of unprofessional and unsafe medical care administered by effectively unsupervised healthcare providers. In a worst case scenario, the nations medical system unravels as various licensed healthcare professionals begin broadly wielding their newfound constitutional right to provide substandard medical care that takes the form of speech. It is baffling that we could now be standing on the edge of a precipitous drop in the quality of healthcare services in America, the justice concluded. But the court sees fit to bring us one step closer to that fate today. And by an 81 vote at that.

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The best-case scenario is, in a way, just as disturbing. It is hard to believe that the majority truly wants to jeopardize all the laws that Jackson highlights. More likely, the conservative justices have a unique hostility toward pro-LGBTQ+ protections, and concoct bespoke reasons to strike them downrules that are not applied to laws that these justices favor. We saw this move in 2023s 303 Creative v. Elenis, which undermined another Colorado law protecting LGBTQ+ people from discrimination in the marketplace without fully dismantling all civil rights law. And we could see it again in Chiles. This time around, Kagan and Sotomayor may have sought to mitigate the damage rather than take a loss on the chin. But Jacksons pessimism gives us every reason to fear that her colleagues have crafted a doctrine that lets them impose their own orthodoxy in the name of free expression.
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For a long time, Americans believed that Election Day was simple. Polls opened in the morning. Ballots were cast. By nightfall, the country would begin to learn the outcome. Federal law seemed to reinforce that intuition. For more than a century, Congress has required that federal elections occur on the Tuesday next after the first Monday in November.

Watson v. RNC, now before the Supreme Court, asks whether that familiar rule might quietly disenfranchise thousands of voters.

The dispute arises from Mississippis practice of counting absentee ballots that arrive several days after Election Day so long as they were mailed on time, a method similar to that of dozens of states across the country. Challengers argue that federal law does not allow such flexibility. Congress established a single day for federal elections, they say, and ballots must therefore be received by that day. The 5th Circuit agreed, concluding that Mississippis rule conflicts with federal statutes governing the timing of federal elections.

At first glance, the argument sounds technical. In reality, the case raises a much more significant question about the structure of American democracy and who ultimately controls its rules. Critically, it has frightening echoes to a number of recent voting cases before the court, including a major one in which the justices rejected the same intellectual impulse that has been revived in Watson.

To see why, it is important to understand what Congress was trying to accomplish when it created a uniform Election Day. In the early 19th century, states often held elections weeks apart. That practice created obvious opportunities for political manipulation. Voters in later-voting states could react to results from earlier contests. Congress intervened in 1845 to establish a single national election datea rule later extended to congressional electionsso that federal elections would occur simultaneously across the country.

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Properly understood, the goal was coordination, not micromanagement. Voting in that era occurred almost entirely in person. Ballots were cast at polling places and immediately collected by election officials.

Modern election administration looks very different. Millions of Americans now vote by mail. Ballots may be mailed days before Election Day and received afterward. Postal delays, natural disasters, and other logistical realities sometimes slow the delivery of ballots that voters mailed on time.

States have responded to these realities in different ways. Some require ballots to arrive by Election Day. Others accept ballots that arrive a few days later if they were postmarked before the deadline. These rules reflect pragmatic judgments about access, reliability, and the realities of modern voting systems.

The litigation now before the court seeks to replace those practical decisions with a single rigid rule.

The consequences of such a rule would reach far beyond Mississippi. Many states allow ballots from military and overseas voters to arrive after Election Day so long as they were mailed before the deadline. Postal delays can affect ballots mailed by elderly voters, rural voters, or voters who lack reliable transportation to polling places. If federal law requires strict receipt by Election Day, those ballots could be discarded even though eligible voters complied fully with state law.

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This dispute also arrives at a moment when the Supreme Court continues to grapple with deeper questions about who controls election rules.

Only a few years ago, the justices confronted the independent state legislature theory in Moore v. Harper. That theory argued that the Constitution gives state legislatures near-exclusive authority over federal elections. In its most aggressive form, the theory would have sharply limited the role of state courts in reviewing legislative election rules under state constitutions.

The Supreme Court rejected that sweeping claim. Yet the intellectual impulse behind it has not disappeared. Instead, it has resurfaced in more targeted disputes about statutory interpretation and federal preemption. The connection between that earlier theory and the present case is structural rather than doctrinal. The independent-state-legislature theory sought to free state legislatures from traditional checks by limiting the role of state courts. The argument now before the justices pursues a different path toward a similar result. It would strip states of long-standing administrative flexibility by transforming 19th-century federal statutes into rigid nationwide rules governing ballot receipt. Both approaches narrow the range of institutions that can shape election administration. Both concentrate authority over elections into fewer hands. And both risk pushing the law toward technical rules that operate to the detriment of voters themselves.

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Understanding that dynamic helps explain why it is essential to distinguish the present dispute from cases in which courts are being asked to intervene to protect democratic participation.

Consider the issue currently before the Supreme Court in Callais v. Louisiana. That case concerns whether Louisianas congressional map unlawfully dilutes Black voting power in violation of the Voting Rights Act. There, the judiciary is being asked to perform the familiar and necessary function of interpreting a federal civil rights statute enacted specifically to guard against racial discrimination in voting and of enforcing federal protections designed to ensure equal political participation.

Like in other similar cases, in Callais, the court confronts allegations that state laws restrict voting rights. Judicial intervention in such circumstances protects democratic participation rather than narrowing it.

The Mississippi dispute, on the other hand, presents the opposite situation. The challenged rule was designed to ensure that voters who mail their ballots on time are not disenfranchised by postal delays beyond their control. The litigation asks the court to invalidate that rule in the name of a rigid interpretation of federal statutes enacted nearly two centuries ago.

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My own experience watching these debates unfold has underscored how quickly abstract legal theories can translate into concrete consequences for voters. During my clerkship at the North Carolina Supreme Court, I was present when the court issued the decision that ultimately became the basis for the U.S. Supreme Courts review in Moore v. Harper. Later, while working at the Brennan Center for Justice on election administration and voting rights issues, I assisted with research examining the independent-state-legislature theory as it moved toward the court.

Those experiences made clear how rapidly theoretical arguments about constitutional structure can reshape the mechanics of elections. What begins as a debate about statutory text or constitutional interpretation can end by determining whether thousands of ballots are counted or discarded. We would all be fortunate if the court were to ultimately approach the present case with that reality firmly in mind.

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Congress unquestionably possesses the authority to impose nationwide rules governing federal elections. When it chooses to exercise that power, however, it speaks clearly. The Election Day statutes were enacted to ensure that federal elections occur simultaneously across the country. They were not written to regulate the timing of ballot receipt in a modern voting system that did not yet exist. Transforming those statutes into rigid ballot-receipt deadlines would stretch them far beyond their historical purpose.

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It would also invite a new wave of litigation focused not on protecting voting rights but on narrowing them through technical interpretations of federal law. Election administration would increasingly be shaped by judicial rulings rather than by the practical judgments of state officials responsible for running elections.

In an era when public trust in elections is already fragile, that shift would shrink opportunities to vote while concentrating the power to decide which votes count into an ever-smaller set of hands. It would revive an approach the Supreme Court only recently resisted at the expense of the voters it would be claiming to protect.
Judy Marie Wood, nee Dean, 79, of Hollywood, Maryland passed away on March 24, 2026 at The Hermitage in Solomons, MD. Judy was born on November 27, 1946, in Leonardtown, MD, to the late Calvin Herbert Dean and Dorothy Virginia Dean, nee Weddle. She grew up in St. Mary's County, MD, and graduated as the valedictorian of her class at Margaret Brent High School in 1964. She went on to attend St. Mary's College of Maryland, where she completed an Associate's Degree in 1966, and met her husband, C.D. Wood. They were married on April 8, 1967. Judy's career included work at the Patuxent River Naval Air Station and the Register of Wills of St. Mary's County.



Judy was deeply dedicated to her family, including her husband, daughters, and grandchildren, creating many lifelong, cherished memories for all of them. She was passionate about researching the genealogy of her and her husband's families and logged many volunteer hours at the St. Mary's County Historical Society. As part of the Margaret Brent High School Alumni Association, she participated in planning gatherings, where she always looked forward to dancing to favorite music. Judy always loved the annual autumn pilgrimage to the Blue Ridge Mountains of southern Virginia to explore her mother's birthplace, hike the Buffalo Mountain, capture photographs of local historical sites, and enjoy fellowship with her loved ones. Her children and grandchildren will always cherish warm, welcoming memories of her home  always filled with music, laughter, and holiday cheer.



A lifelong member of the Methodist Church, she grew up attending Mt. Zion United Methodist in Laurel Grove with her parents, and later joined Hollywood United Methodist Church, where over the years she was not only a member, but also the secretary and served on several committees, including assisting with the genealogical history of the church spanning back to the years of the original Joy Chapel.



Judy is survived by her husband of nearly 59 years, Charles Dolie Wood III, known as "C.D."; and her daughters, Janet Wood Varner (Ash) of Hollywood, MD and Kristen Wood Springer (Mike) of Port Republic, MD; her grandchildren: Mariah Naciye Demirkan of Ardsley, PA, Brent Aslan Demirkan of Baltimore, MD, Megan Amanda Springer and Benjamin Calvin Springer of Port Republic, MD; and bonus granddaughter, Elizabeth Nicole Varner; She is preceded in death by her parents and brother, Raynor Dean.



The family will receive friends on Saturday, April 11, 2026, from 10-11 AM at Mt. Zion United Methodist Church, 27108 Mt. Zion Church Road, Mechanicsville, MD 20659. A celebration of Judy's life will begin at 11 AM, co-facilitated by Reverend Corey Sharpe and Reverend Matthew Tate, with the opportunity for attendees to share a favorite memory of her. Interment will be private.



Memorial contributions may be made in Judy's name to Hospice of the Chesapeake, P.O. Box 838, Prince Frederick, MD 20678.



Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.



Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
Joseph Patrick Cullison passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026, and was undoubtedly welcomed by angels at Heaven's gate. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, companion, and friend whose kindness, wisdom, and unwavering love left a lasting impact on all who knew him.



Born on Saint Patrick's Day, March 17, 1929, in Ridge, Maryland, Joseph lived a life defined by faith, devotion to family, kindness, and hard work. His quiet yet thoughtful presence was a comfort unlike any other.



Affectionately known as "Joe Pat" or "Poppop," he spent much of his life in Virginia, where he built a life centered around family and his business ventures, including Heishman BMW and First Choice Auto Body Shop in Arlington.



Joseph shared 55 blissful years of marriage with his beloved wife, Dorothy Ann (Farrell) Cullison, until her passing in 2012. He returned to Maryland full time in 2016, where he enjoyed time with family and friends in Bushwood.



He was known for his steady presence, his willingness to show up for others, and his genuine interest in the lives around him. He found joy in storytelling, fishing, boating, working on cars, and spending time with loved ones and friends, especially during his daily McDonald's morning coffee meetups.



He is survived by his sister, Varrina "Tink" Yost; his son-in-law, M. Phillip Kalnitzky; his granddaughters, Victoria DeFruscio (Dominic), Amanda Kalnitzky (Dalhton Rose), and Mackenzie Kalnitzky (Tyler Kowalski); his great-grandchildren, Carson Patrick Kalnitzky, Audrey DeFruscio, Charlotte DeFruscio, and soon-to-be great-grandson, Braeden Joseph-Taylor Rose; as well as several beloved nieces and nephews, including "Joe's Three Amigos," who were devoted and offered exceptional care and support. He is also survived by his longtime companion, Nita Knott, whose love and care meant so much to him and his family.



Joe was preceded in death by his wife, Dorothy Ann; his daughter, Pamela Ann Kalnitzky; his parents, Anna Maria (Peacock) and Francis Chester Cullison; his sisters, Sister Mary Rita Cullison, Sister Marie Francis Cullison, Carolyn Clark, and Anita "Betty" Raley; and his brothers, Edward Cullison and John "Jack" Gregory Cullison.



Joseph's life was a testament to faith, family, and love. He often said he had "no regrets" and truly enjoyed every moment. Though he lived 97 full years, it would never have been enough for those who loved him.



Visitation and Mass will be held on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, at St. Michael's Catholic Church, 16566 Three Notch Road, Ridge, MD 20680. Visitation will be held at 10am with Mass at 11am. Interment will follow at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Bushwood, Maryland. The family invites you to join them for a celebration of life meal following.



In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Michael's Catholic Church in Ridge, Maryland, the church that stood across the street from where he was born and remained the foundation of his life or Hospice of St. Mary's in Callaway, Maryland.



Condolences to the family may be left at www.brinsfieldsfuneral.com.



Arrangements by Brinsfield Funeral Home, P.A., Leonardtown, MD.
A 15-year-old student allegedly shot a teacher at a Texas high school Monday morning before dying from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, and the teacher was taken to a hospital in unknown condition, authorities said.

The shooting happened at Hill Country College Preparatory High School in Bulverde, about 30 miles north of San Antonio, according to the Comal County Sheriff's Office. Officials said the campus was placed on lockdown, and students were later evacuated to reunite with their parents.

Authorities said the suspect died at the scene, and investigators believe he turned the gun on himself after shooting the teacher. Officials have not released the student's name, the teacher's name, or a possible motive, according to ABC News.

The school said the lockdown began at 8:34 a.m., shortly before classes were scheduled to start. One student told local reporters they heard multiple gunshots and screams, while another said they heard shouting before a teacher told students to take cover.

The case has added to concerns about school shootings in the U.S. In one recent incident, a shooting at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, left one instructor dead and two others injured after a gunman opened fire in a classroom used by Reserve Officers' Training Corps students, NBC News reported.

Authorities said the gunman in that case was Mohamed Bailor Jalloh, a former Army National Guard member who had previously been convicted in a terrorism-related case. Investigators said the attack is being examined as a possible act of terrorism, and campus police said ROTC students helped subdue the shooter.

Gun Violence Archive's website shows 2025 ended with 18,532 deaths recorded in categories it tracks, along with 115,586 injuries and 2,247 mass shootings. Separate 2026 updates posted by the archive's account listed 2,747 gun deaths, 4,678 gun injuries, and 80 mass shootings as of March 23.

School safety researchers say 2026 has already seen shootings on K-12 and higher-education campuses across multiple states, with the South and Midwest among the most affected regions. One tracker said there had been 47 campus incidents by March 23, although only a smaller share resulted in injuries or deaths, as per Omnilert.

Originally published on Lawyer Herald
Are TSA wait times still bad in Florida? See times for MCO, FLL, MIA

As of Tuesday, March 31, the partial government shutdown is still ongoing. But is the Transportation Security Administration still strained?

The answer is mostly no. Airports across the country are returning to normalcy as thousands of TSA workers started receiving pay again on Monday.

The Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) previous funding agreement lapsed on Friday, Feb. 13, as Congress failed to reach a new funding agreement in time. As of March 29, it became the longest government shutdown in US history, with 44 days, counting partial shutdowns.

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In the midst of politicians debating funding bills that would end the shutdown, President Donald Trump signed an order on Friday, March 27, to redirect federal funds already reserved for DHS to pay TSA workers.

"Most TSA employees received a retroactive paycheck today that included at least two full paychecks covering pay periods 4 and 5 today," Department of Homeland Security Acting Assistant of Secretary of Public Affairs Lauren Bis told USA TODAY. "A small population might see a slight delay due to a variety of reasons, including financial institution processing times or issues with their direct deposit. We are working aggressively with USDAs National Finance Center to complete processing for the half paycheck they are owed from pay period 3 as soon as possible."

Heading to the airport this morning? Here are the current wait times for TSA at Florida's major airports, as of 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, March 31 and how to check them throughout the day.

TSA wait times at Orlando International Airport, MCO

A statement on its website still reads, "TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both active, and the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority does not anticipate major disruptions to operations. We remain committed to the best in traveler safety and security and are working closely with our federal partners, who are critical to air travel."

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MCO's website lists the following wait times for travelers:

Gates 1 through 59 : 3 - 7 min

Gate 70 through 129 : 3 - 7 min

Gate C230 through C249: 29 - 32 min

TSA wait times at Miami International Airport, MIA

MIA's website lists the following wait times for travelers:

Checkpoint 1: General: N/A TSA-PRE: 6 minutes

Checkpoint 2: General: 10 minutes Priority: 5 minutes TSA-PRE: Closed

Checkpoint 3: General: 10 minutes Priority: 0 minutes

Checkpoint 4: General: Closed Priority: 0 minutes

Checkpoint 5: General: 3 minutes Priority: Closed TSA-PRE: 3 minutes Clear: 3 minutes

Checkpoint 6: General: 6 minutes Priority: 8 minutes

Checkpoint 7: General: 4 minutes Priority: 10 minutes

Checkpoint 8: General: 7 minutes Priority: 7 minutes TSA-PRE: 4 minutes Clear: 3 minutes

Checkpoint 9: General: 3 minutes Priority: 3 minutes Clear: 3 minutes

Checkpoint 10: General: Closed Priority: Closed

Checkpoint FIS: General: 6 minutes TSA-PRE: Closed



TSA wait times at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, FLL

According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport currently range from 15 to 30 minutes.

All of its terminals are open, as of 4 a.m. To see hours, check here.

TSA wait times at Tampa International Airport, TPA

On its website, TPA features the current message, "While TPA is currently experiencing high passenger volume due to spring break, our TSA security checkpoints are not seeing any significant delays or backups. As always, passengers should arrive 2 hours before a domestic flight and 3 hours for international travel."

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According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Tampa International Airport are currently under 15 minutes.

TSA wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport, RSW

According to Flight Queue, security wait times at Southwest Florida International Airport are currently under 15 minutes.

TSA wait times at Jacksonville International Airport, JAX

According to its website, the security wait times at Jacksonville International Airport are:

Standard : 2 minutes

TSA-Pre Check : 2 minutes

Premier/Special Needs/Military in Uniform: 1 minutes

Why are TSA lines so long? Reason behind the government shutdown

The Department of Homeland Securitys (DHS) previous funding agreement lapsed on Friday, Feb. 13, as Congress failed to reach a new funding agreement in time. The Department of Homeland Security oversees TSA. Roughly 50,000 TSA officers have been working without regular pay for over 45 days.

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Another contributing factor to long lines is that the partial shutdown is intersecting with spring break. According to USA TODAY, a record-breaking spring travel period is expected, with 171 million passengers expected to fly, up 4% over the same two-month period last year.

Is there a way to see current TSA wait times? Find Florida airports' TSA wait times

Although many airports across the U.S. are seeing hours-long lines at TSA checkpoints, Florida airports haven't been affected as much as those in other states. And wait times are shorter for travelers with TSA PreCheck and for families or military members using dedicated lines where available.

Need to know when to be at the airport? Here are some ways to monitor TSA lines in real time:

Airport websites: Many official airports post checkpoint updates so you can see how it's going today.

The MyTSA mobile app: The TSA's free app provides estimated wait times for many U.S. airports based on TSA data and traveler reports, along with other TSA information.

3rd party sites: There are unofficial websites, such as fly.com, takeofftimer.com, flightqueue.com and tsawaittimes.com that provide estimated wait times, but you should double-check official sources for the most up-to-date information.

Samantha Neely is a trending reporter for the USA TODAY NETWORK-Florida, covering pop culture, theme parks, breaking news and more. You can get all of Floridas best content directly in your inbox each weekday by signing up for the free newsletter, Florida TODAY, at https://floridatoday.com/newsletters.

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This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida airport TSA wait times today. See MCO, JAX, FLL, RSW
Safety pieces can get sloppy fast, either by scaring people for clicks or by pretending a destination is risk-free when no such place exists. To keep this one honest, I used Numbeos 2026 Crime Index and Safety Index as a comparable snapshot, then checked those results against current U.S. State Department travel advisories. Numbeo says its Crime Index is based on user-contributed perceptions, which may differ from official government statistics, so it works best as a traveler-useful comparison tool rather than a legal verdict on any country. The advisory levels matter too: Level 1 means exercise normal precautions, Level 2 means exercise increased caution, and Level 3 means reconsider travel.

That combination produces a more useful list than a raw ranking alone. A country can score well on day-to-day safety and still require common sense around pickpockets, nightlife zones, mountain roads, or remote areas. On the other side, a place can be rewarding and still deserve a harder pause before booking if comparative crime data and official warnings keep pointing in the same direction. So this is not a morality play about good and bad countries. It is a practical travelers map of where the odds look friendlier right now and where the margin for error looks thinner.

1. Andorra

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Tiny countries do not usually dominate travel-safety conversations, but Andorra has a real claim to the spotlight. Numbeos 2026 rankings place Andorra at a 15.2 crime index and an 84.8 safety index, and the U.S. State Department lists Andorra at Level 1, exercise normal precautions. That is about as clean a profile as a traveler can realistically hope to see.

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The bigger surprise is how easy it is to enjoy that peace. A trip here tends to revolve around mountain scenery, ski culture, hiking, and a small-scale rhythm that rarely feels frantic. That calmer setup helps, because the safest destinations often share one trait: they are easier to navigate without constant friction. You still keep track of your passport and wallet, of course, but Andorra is the sort of place where the baseline stress level stays pleasantly low.

2. Singapore

Image Credit: Richard Whitcombe / Shutterstock.

Singapore has long had a reputation for order, and the current numbers do nothing to weaken it. Numbeos country rankings put Singapore at 22.5 on the crime index and 77.5 on the safety index, while the U.S. State Department lists it at Level 1 and says Singapore is generally a safe destination for travelers. That is a strong mix for travelers who care about moving around confidently after dark.

What makes that especially appealing is the way safety supports spontaneity. You can stay out late, hop between neighborhoods, and use public transport without feeling that every small decision needs a defensive strategy. That does not mean carelessness is smart, because scams and petty trouble can exist anywhere. Still, for first-time Asia travelers or anyone who wants a city break with very little ambient anxiety, Singapore is a superb bet.

3. Japan

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Japan keeps earning its reputation the old-fashioned way by making daily travel feel smooth, readable, and unusually calm. Numbeos 2026 rankings place Japan at 22.8 on the crime index and 77.2 on the safety index, and the U.S. State Department currently lists it at Level 1. Those numbers line up with what many visitors report after they go.

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That matters because Japan is not a sleepy destination built around one beach and an early bedtime. It is a place of giant rail hubs, crowded neighborhoods, late-night food, and urban movement, yet it still manages to feel remarkably manageable. Travelers who worry that a big trip will mean constant vigilance often relax quickly once they are on the ground. Common sense still applies, but Japan remains one of those rare places where scale and reassurance coexist beautifully.

4. Slovenia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

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Slovenia rarely gets the loudest headlines, but for careful travelers, that can be part of the charm. Numbeos country rankings show Slovenia at 24.5 on the crime index and 75.5 on the safety index, and the U.S. State Department lists Slovenia at Level 1. Those are strong numbers for a country that gives visitors a great deal without asking them to absorb much chaos in return.

That composure matters more than people realize. A trip becomes more enjoyable when train stations, city centers, and evening walks feel straightforward instead of mentally taxing. Slovenia is a good example of how safety can make a destination feel more generous because you spend less energy scanning for problems and more enjoying where you are. For travelers who want Europe with beautiful scenery and a lower pulse rate, it is an excellent choice.

5. Iceland

Image Credit: Veronika Primm.

Iceland has a habit of showing up near the top of almost every safety conversation, and 2026 is no exception. Numbeos 2026 country rankings place Iceland at 25.5 on the crime index and 74.5 on the safety index, and the U.S. State Department lists Iceland at Level 1. That is a strong match between traveler perception and official caution levels.

The catch is that Iceland reminds us safety is not only about crime. You may feel very comfortable from a personal-security standpoint, yet weather, roads, and nature can still punish careless decisions. That is why the country feels so ideal for travelers who mix confidence with respect. You are unlikely to spend the trip worrying much about street crime, but you do need to treat the landscape seriously.

6. Czechia

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Czechia rounds out the reassuring group because it pairs a strong score with the kind of mainstream city tourism people actually book. Numbeos 2026 rankings place the Czech Republic at 26.4 on the crime index and 73.6 on the safety index, and the State Department lists Czechia at Level 1. Its advisory also says the country is generally safe while warning travelers to stay alert for petty crime in tourist areas and on public transportation.

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That is a very believable pattern in Europes most visited urban centers. You can go, enjoy yourself, and feel broadly comfortable, but the usual crowded-city habits still matter. For travelers who want a classic European city break without an unusually high stress load, Czechia remains a solid choice.

7. Switzerland

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Switzerland belongs in the low-stress group because it combines a strong comparative safety score with a clean official advisory profile. Numbeos 2026 rankings put Switzerland at 27.4 on the crime index and 72.6 on the safety index, while the U.S. State Department lists it at Level 1. The same travel guidance also tells visitors to stay alert in congested and popular tourist areas, which is a sensible reminder rather than a red flag.

That makes Switzerland feel reassuring in a practical way rather than a naive one. Big rail stations, mountain resorts, lakeside cities, and postcard towns can all stay on the itinerary without creating much ambient tension. It is a place where ordinary travel habits still matter, but the baseline atmosphere is calm enough that the country keeps earning its reputation.

8. South Africa

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

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Now for the think twice group, which is not the same thing as never go. Numbeos 2026 rankings place South Africa at 74.5 on the crime index and 25.5 on the safety index, among the weakest country-level safety scores in the table. The U.S. State Department lists South Africa at Level 2, exercise increased caution, due to crime, terrorism, unrest, and kidnapping. Its advisory summary says violent crime is common and more frequent in downtown areas of big cities, especially after dark.

Plenty of people still take extraordinary trips there, and that is why this is a think twice choice rather than a blanket dismissal. The country offers wildlife, wine regions, dramatic coastlines, and one of the most memorable travel mixes on the continent. But it also demands more planning discipline than the countries above, especially around neighborhoods, driving, arrival times, and how freely you move after dark.

9. Trinidad and Tobago

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Trinidad and Tobago lands here because the numbers and the official language point in the same direction. Numbeos 2026 rankings give it a 71.2 crime index and a 28.8 safety index. The U.S. State Department rates it Level 3, reconsider travel, and says violent crime is common, including murder, robbery, assault, sexual assault, home invasion, and kidnapping.

That does not erase the destinations appeal. Carnival, beaches, music, and food culture still make the twin-island nation compelling. The issue is that the margin for careless travel is thinner than many vacationers assume when they picture a Caribbean break. A destination can be vibrant and worth seeing while still being a place where you should research neighborhoods, transport, and local conditions with real seriousness before you go.

10. Jamaica

Image Credit: Shutterstock.

Jamaica is the trickiest inclusion because it is one of the most beloved leisure destinations in the region, yet the risk language remains sharper than many casual travelers realize. Numbeos 2026 rankings place Jamaica at 67.4 on the crime index and 32.6 on the safety index. The U.S. State Department lists the country at Level 2, exercise increased caution, and says some areas have increased risk.

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The important nuance is that think twice does not mean cancel the island forever. It means decide what kind of trip you are taking, where you are staying, how you are moving around, and whether you are stepping outside well-managed tourist zones without enough homework. Jamaica can still deliver a fantastic vacation. It just does not belong in the same low-stress category as Andorra, Japan, or Iceland when you are looking strictly at comparative crime and caution signals right now.

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People looking to visit Las Vegas on a budget are in for a treat this upcoming month. April is the cheapest month to fly to the Southern Nevada city, according to Expedia.

"There's less demand then, so you're likely to score a great deal. Planning your trip outside of school and public holidays can also help you save," the travel company said.

But there are other things travelers can do to lower the cost of traveling to Las Vegas: visiting on certain days of the week, booking a certain amount of time in advance, and buying tickets on a certain day all reduce the cost of flying into Vegas.

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Here's everything you need to know about booking Las Vegas flights the cheapest way possible.

How to get cheap flight tickets to Vegas?

Visiting Las Vegas in April can help ensure lower airfare. If travelers would rather not visit Las Vegas in April, Expedia also notes May as a cheap month to fly into Las Vegas. Hopper, another travel company, said August and October are cheap months to fly to Vegas.

What is the cheapest day to fly to Las Vegas?

Sundays are typically the best day to get the lowest prices on tickets to Las Vegas, Expedia said. Savings are around 8% compared to booking on a Friday, the most expensive day to book.

However, Hopper said Wednesday is the cheapest day to buy flights, with Saturday being the worst day to book.

How far out should I book my flight to Vegas?

Hopper suggests booking tickets to Las Vegas at least 14 days in advance to save up to $200 on flights. Expedia recommends securing travel dates to Las Vegas up to 28 days in advance.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Cheapest travel days to Las Vegas in April. See dates, prices
The White House has defended President Donald Trump's war in Iran after Pope Leo XIV condemned leaders who 'wage war', with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt insisting there was 'nothing wrong' with calling on Americans to pray for troops.

Speaking at a Monday afternoon briefing in Washington, Leavitt was pressed on the Pope's remarks about the monthlong conflict, which has killed 13 US service members, wounded more than 300 others and rattled global oil markets, and was asked directly whether the Vatican's warning applied to President Trump.

The news came after Pope Leo appeared to denounce the USIsraeli campaign against Iran in a Sunday address, declaring that 'God does not listen to the prayer of those who wage war'.

White House Backs Trump And Sidesteps Pope Leo's Rebuke

When reporters invited Karoline Leavitt to respond to Pope Leo's intervention, she did not directly engage with the core of his criticism. Instead, she framed the issue as one of faith and tradition rather than of moral responsibility for launching a war.

'Our nation was a nation founded 250 years ago almost on JudeoChristian values. And we have seen presidents, the leaders of the department of war, and our troops go to prayer during the most turbulent times in our nation's history,' Leavitt said.

Leavitt framed the prayer call as standard practice. 'I don't think there is anything wrong with our military leaders or with the president calling on the American people to pray for our service members overseas,' she added.

She suggested that US troops were grateful for the prayers being offered on their behalf.

Pope Leo's Appeal To 'Renounce Weapons'

Pope Leo's comments were not limited to a single line about prayer. In early March, a few weeks after Washington launched joint operations with Israel against Iran, he used the Vatican's monthly video message to urge nations to 'renounce weapons and choose the path of dialogue and diplomacy'.

His words, delivered as part of a regular series that usually focuses on prayer intentions, called on leaders in Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran to 'abandon projects of death, halt the arms race and place the lives of the most vulnerable at the centre'.

'May the nuclear threat never again dictate the future of humanity,' the Pope added in the video.

The Vatican did not name Trump personally. The United States and Israel had only recently initiated strikes in the region, and international criticism of the campaign had been growing since the first wave of attacks in late February.

Trump's Shifting Justifications For The Iran War

According to the reporting cited, President Trump has offered several overlapping explanations.

He has argued that the campaign is necessary to prevent Iran's Islamic regime from building a nuclear weapon, casting the war as a grim but essential step to head off a future catastrophe. Yet that sits awkwardly with his earlier boasts that US airstrikes in June had "obliterated" Tehran's nuclear capabilities.

After the initial strikes in the current conflict, Trump again altered his emphasis, claiming Iran was only months away from acquiring a nuclear device, a claim that raised immediate questions about the quality of the intelligence he was relying on.

The tension became harder to ignore when the president's own National Counterterrorism Center Director resigned several weeks after Pope Leo's message. The official cited a report concluding that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States.

European allies have also expressed scepticism that Iran can be bombed or sanctioned into surrendering its nuclear ambitions. From their perspective, the idea that the regime will simply relinquish its capabilities under pressure looks more like wishful thinking than strategy.

Pope Leo XIV's plea to 'halt the arms race and centre the vulnerable' hit as Iran war support waned. Energy markets have buckled, fuel costs soared and nuclear fears loom in a region prone to missteps with global fallout.

The White House digs in. Leavitt's claim that there is 'nothing wrong' with wartime prayer reveals a team more focused on its own righteousness than answering the pope's point that war-makers cannot just pray their way clean. No word yet from Trump or his inner circle on the pope's 'projects of death' line.

Originally published on IBTimes UK
A coastal Georgia community recently received national attention.

World Atlas included Brunswick, Georgia, on its list of the "13 of the Prettiest Towns in the United States," highlighting the port city's waterfront views, historic charm and deep-rooted seafood industry.

The report noted that narrowing down thousands of incorporated cities, towns and villages across the country is no small task. Yet Brunswick earned a spot thanks to its scenery and historic landmarks.

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Here's what to know.

Why was Brunswick named one of the prettiest towns?

According to World Atlas, Brunswick stands out for both its natural setting and cultural history.

Once called the "Shrimp Capital of the World," Brunswick is recognized as Georgia's main production center for shrimp. The town's working waterfront and connection to the fishing industry helped shape its identity along the southeastern coast.

Beyond seafood, the town features several notable attractions, including the centuries-old Lover's Oak. The sprawling live oak tree is estimated to be around 900 years old and stretches more than 13 feet in diameter.

Local folklore has long surrounded the tree, adding to its appeal for visitors.

A fountain in Hanover Square in downtown Brunswick Georgia.

What can visitors see in Brunswick?

"In addition, step back in the time machine and traverse the Brunswick Old Town Historic District, where you can explore various historical monuments including the towns century-old city hall, and the 124 year-old Ritz Theatre, which still operates to this day," World Atlas wrote.

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Brunswick sits along Georgia's coast near the Golden Isles, making it a convenient stop for travelers looking for waterfront views, historic streets and access to nearby beaches.

What are the prettiest towns in the US?

Sitka, Alaska

Mount Dora, Florida

Carmel, California

Sag Harbor, New York

Canyon, Texas

Wellsboro, Pennsylvania

Brunswick, Georgia

Gatlinburg, Tennessee

Gloucester, Massachusetts

Breckenridge, Colorado

Beaufort, South Carolina

Jackson, Wyoming

Laie, Hawaii

For more information, visit worldatlas.com/cities/13-of-the-prettiest-towns-in-the-united-states-51430.

Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: Why World Atlas has named this Georgia town 1 of 13 prettiest in US
In 2022, the hospitality group Wake first emerged onto the scene in Medellin with a seemingly impossible promise: to transform what travel to Colombias second city would look like. In less than four years, it already has.

Wake got its start with Wake Living, a collection of upscale, apartment-style accommodations in the heart of the citys popular El Poblado neighborhood. Now, it has expanded even further with the debut of Wake BioHotel. After opening in August of last year to much fanfare, the luxury hotel has quickly garnered praise from everyone from locals to celebrities, even welcoming the likes of Lionel Messi and the Inter Miami team earlier this year.

With tourism in Medellin growing by double-digit percentage points year over year, Wake BioHotel is far from the first new hotel to open in the city in recent years. However, it feels immediately distinctive from all the rest. I think what stands out most is its location, views, and what it promises as a brand, which makes it both distinctive and appealing to travelers, affirmed Simon Piedrahita, founder of Vaciaggio, a boutique luxury travel agency based in Medellin.

Taking in the view from the private terrace of one of Wake BioHotel's residences. Wake BioHotel

Wake reflects both the reality of the city and its challenges, namely that, without major global luxury hotel brands, many tourists still hesitate to visit Medellin, said Piedrahita. Wake has a major advantage over others by being curated and tied to the Design Hotels category within Marriott Bonvoy, which gives it a level of excellence in service and facilities that other hotels dont have.

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To step inside Wake BioHotel is to instantly intuit why the hotel has so quickly set a new standard for luxury travel for the city. Sweeping views from nearly every window remind you that youre in the heart of the city, and a beautiful one at that. Yet the property curates a space where the noise of the city floats away almost instantly, leaving guests with a sense of silence and solitude, the deep breath they likely didnt realize they so desperately needed.

It is this feel makes the hotels wellness and longevity travel focus seem like such a natural fit. As wellness travel booms into to what is expected to be a $1.4 trillion industry by the end of 2027, many destinations tepidly embrace additions that feel like an afterthought, perhaps converting an unused conference room into a retreat space with the edition of a few yoga mats. That is not the case at Wake.

Wake BioHotel is part of Design Hotels, a Marriott-affiliated collection of 300+ independent, design-minded properties around the world. Wake BioHotel

We want wellness to feel naturally integrated into every aspect of a stay at Wake BioHotel, said Sebastian Vallejo, commercial manager of Wake. And that it does. In addition to a small but high-tech fitness center, the property has an expansive yoga and pilates studio that offers everything from group classes to sound baths and private energy healing sessions.

It also boasts a spa and its own longevity club, Sastra. To tour Sastra is to encounter all manner of high-tech machinery and medical-grade equipment designed to optimize every aspect of a guests wellbeing. Soon, guests will even be able to book an appointment with an on-site doctor, who will be able to use tools like a body competition machine and diagnostic tests to recommend wellness-enhancing treatments.

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The truly wellness-minded will love the propertys tech-powered BioRooms, which feature everything from red light panels to circadian rhythm-tuning lights that help regulate sleep cycles. Hatch machines can wake guests to the sound of birdsong rather than an alarm, while grounding mats use quartz to help bring the body back to center after a long day.

Silo at Wake BioHotel. Wake BioHotel

Delightfully, Wake BioHotel is far from a place where wellness means deprivation. No where is that more clear than at Silo, the hotels all-day restaurant lofted high above the city for sweeping views.

Silo prides itself on using fresh, local, and traceable ingredients to create healthy, longevity-optimizing meals, but there is plenty of comfort food here. At breakfast, guests can grab for champagne to make mimosas, or stick to ultra-fresh protein shakes. The dinner menu is just as friendly to those counting macros and micronutrients it is to those looking for a cool cocktails and an oversized cheeseburger, made mindfully with local ingredients.

Herein lies a core principle that has helped make Wake BioHotel so immediately successful with such a wide range of visitors: wellness means many different things to many different people. It can look like meditation and sound healing sessions, or getting buzzed on the locally-harvested Colombian coffee from Pergamino that is provided in every room. It can also be as simple as a deeply plush bed and the ultimate luxury of returning from a day spent in such a vibrant city: silence, space, and peace.

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Wake BioHotel manages to do all of these things thoughtfully. I believe what Wake is achieving marks an important step forward, helping pave the way for major hotel chains that will undoubtedly elevate the city to the next level in tourism, hospitality, and luxury, said Piedrahita.

The exterior of Wake Medellin, set to open in June 2026. Wake BioHotel

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Wake is far from done when in Medellin, with what may be its most impactful project yet still to come. In June, it will debut Wake Medellin, a multi-use space featuring even more luxury apartment-style accommodations, and something different: an outsized culinary and cultural offering that is already the talk of the town.

It will debut as the new home of some of the citys most popular culinary concepts, including Krudo Viches y Vinilos and Chef Adolfo Cavalies TEST Kitchen Lab, both of which will relocate to the space. It will also welcome new arrivals like Osso from Lima, Peru and a cheeky new wine bar named Glu Glu. The most hotly anticipated opening of all is Boro, the newest restaurant from Colombian chef Jaime Rodriguez, whose Cartagena restaurant Celele is among the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants.

Wake is not alone in reshaping Medellin into an increasingly attractive destination for travelers. The city has benefited from the blossoming of an entire ecosystem of culinary, cultural, and hospitality projects that has earned it recognition by the likes of National Geographic and Conde Nast Traveler as one of the best places to travel this year. But for now, Wake BioHotel is certainly doing what it promised: remaking what it means to visit Medellin.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com
Updated March 30: Earlier modeling from sources like Powder suggested potential for 1030+ inches in the hardest hit spots like Bear Valley and Kirkwood. However, the latest National Weather Service forecasts (Reno and Sacramento offices) indicate more modest accumulations of between six and 11 inches at higher elevations. Totals could still increase if the system strengthens, but current guidance is more conservative, and the article has been updated to reflect that.

Forecasters are predicting a surprise late-season winter storm system that could unload up to 11 inches of snow and bring wind gusts exceeding 45 mph this week. The weather will offer one final burst of winter just as many people were expecting that to be over for months.

How Much Snow Is Actually Expected This Week?

Dramatic scene of multiple vehicles traveling along a curving mountain road blanketed in fresh snow. Photo by Omer Urer/Anadolu via Getty Images (Photo by Omer Urer/Anadolu via Getty Images)

Forecasters are calling for heavy snowfall of between six and 11 inches to arrive in the Sierra region of California this week. The winter storm is expected to strike from Tuesday, March 31, until early Friday, April 3. Until then, they are expecting dry weather to continue on Monday, giving residents and tourists a brief calm before the storm. The forecasted winter storm could also bring wind gusts reaching speeds from 15 mph up to more than 45 mph at times.

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These figures represent estimations based on early modeling, with the potential for numbers to vary depending on how the storm evolves.

Why This Late-Season Storm Matters

Typically, when winter storm warnings are issued, it causes a great deal of concern for residents of the area for very good reason. After all, those kinds of weather systems can wreak severe damage and cause serious risks to those affected. However, there are also instances when heavy snowfall arriving not only doesn't make people upset, it is celebrated.

As Men's Journal's meteorologist, Jonathan Warren, recently covered, the 2026 winter season has been upsetting for many as they have been left asking a simple question. Where is the snow?

While heavy snowfall and powerful winds striking the Sierra region of California require locals to take the potential dangers seriously, many will rejoice at the impending storm. After weeks of watching snow melt away, this unexpected influx offers one last taste of the winter conditions they have been hoping for.

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Recently, CBS News reported that warm March weather was forcing the early closures of some Sierra ski resorts. Businesses like Homewood Mountain Resort and Sierra-at-Tahoe already shut down ahead of schedule, and others have scaled back their operations. So, being struck by a fresh batch of heavy snowfall may bring a welcome rejuvenation for the resorts that hadn't quite closed their doors yet.

This story was originally published by Men's Journal on Mar 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Travel section. Add Men's Journal as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Visitors are already starting to arrive on the Space Coast for Wednesdays launch around the moon. It has businesses cashing in.

Brenda Mulberry is seeing a boost in business at her store called Space Shirts as the launch approaches. Weve literally printed more than 50,000 shirts of this Artemis II. She says shes feeling a mix of emotions. Its apprehension and anticipation, a little bit, because weve been here through the good launches, and weve been here through the bad launches.

Customer Timothy Knox remembers watching the first trip to the moon years ago. I was 11 years old vacationing in Ocean City, Maryland, when I saw the first moonwalk on a black-and-white television. It was a huge thrill. Its a great thrill now.

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Analyst John Boyd of The Boyd Company says he expects around 400,000 people to watch the launch, including watch parties around Central Florida. The vast majority, of course, about 70%, will be Floridians. There will also be a 25% national and 5% global component. He tells us having a Canadian on board the rocket helps attract those global visitors. Fourteen hotels are already sold out, proving space can launch its own type of customer.

Its a really unique asset that Florida has above and beyond the beaches and Disney World.

Back at the store, visitors are already looking to shop for space souvenirs. Tourist Orie Knox says, Looking for probably a T-shirt or two, and then I always get a postcard for my mom to send to her. Mulberry says customers come from far away. All over the country. Oh my gosh. People come from Germany, you know, out of the country, out in the world. Its all over the place.

Day passes to Jetty Park are sold out for Wednesdays launch.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Back Roads: Apr 2

Welcome to the worlds second largest Cornish festival, Kernewek Lowender, on South Australias Copper Coast.

Paul West is guest presenter on Back Roads this week, visiting the worlds second largest Cornish festival, Kernewek Lowender, on South Australias Copper Coast.

Take a spin around the maypole, at the worlds second largest Cornish festival, Kernewek Lowender, on South Australias Copper Coast. Guest presenter, Paul West celebrates the spirit of Cornish miners where traditions like pasty making, and maypole dancing helps keep the culture alive.

Many Australians share Cornish ancestry, but for most, the connection stops at the humble pasty. Dig a little deeper, though, and youll uncover a rich ancient culture. Guest presenter, Paul West embarks on a journey to explore the enduring Cornish legacy along South Australias Copper Coast, home to the worlds largest Cornish festival (outside Cornwall), the Kernewek Lowender.

After copper was discovered in 1861, thousands of Cornish miners crossed the globe to settle in this part of Australia. Among their descendants are Paul and Liz Rowan, who have inherited a remarkable collection of old glass slides  images passed down the generations, that expose the brutal conditions underground in the mines.

Reverence for tradition and family remains at the heart of Cornish culture. At the Dressing of the Graves ceremony  an unexpectedly touching festival event  Uniting Church Minister, June Ladner pays tribute to ancestors. June also teaches pasty making using her grandmothers fiercely protected recipe-strictly no carrots allowed!

Another festival favourite is the summer maypole dance, a lively echo of pagan times. Local schoolchildren, dressed in old-fashioned attire, weave colourful ribbons with pride. Teacher, Tegan Mengersen was once a dancer herself, and now her own daughters take part.

Nonagenarian, Lilian James is one of the oldest living Cornish Bards, and dons the traditional blue cloak to honour the Cornish language and lore. Even teaching Paul West a phrase or two along the way.

8pm Thursday on ABC.
Eurovision Asia confirmed for Bangkok 2026

Updated: Asia Pacific spin-off is confirmed by EBU, wth 10 nations locked in for Bangkok event -but not Australia.

Its official (again).

The Eurovision Song Contest Asia is on, set to be staged in Bangkok in November.

The European Broadcasting Union and Voxovation together with S2O Productions have announced that Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be held on Saturday 14 November, 2026, broadcast in partnership with Thailands Channel 3.

10 countries are so far confirmed with more to be announced:

Bangladesh  NTV

Bhutan  Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)

Cambodia  TV5 Cambodia

Laos  Vientiane Capital Television (VTE9)

Malaysia  Media Prima (TV3)

Nepal  Himalaya TV

Philippines  ABS-CBN

South Korea  ENA (SK Telecom / KT Group)

Thailand (Host)  Channel 3

Vietnam  Vietnam Television (VTV3)

Martin Green CBE, Eurovision Song Contest Director (EBU) said, As we mark the 70th anniversary of the Eurovision Song Contest, it feels especially meaningful to open this next chapter with Asia, a region rich in culture, creativity and talent.

This is about evolving Eurovision together with Asia, building something that reflects the voices, identities and ambitions of the region, while staying true to what has always made the Contest special.

Eurovision Song Contest Asia will be shaped by the artists, broadcasters and audiences who make it their own, continuing our shared journey of being United by Music.

Peter Settman, CEO & Co-Founder of Voxovation said, From day one, our ambition has been to build the Eurovision Song Contest Asia together with the regions best creative talent, creating a show that truly reflects Asias identity and creative energy.

Together with S2O Productions, we are shaping a show where artists and fans connect across borders in new ways, through participation, community and deeper engagement beyond the stage, with ZOOP helping bring that fan experience to life.

I grew up watching Eurovision, singing in front of the TV, dancing to the winners at the disco and now seeing my own kids just as excited, predicting the outcome. To bring this incredible show to a new continent is something very special.

This isnt the first time an Asia-Pacific contest has been attempted.

The EBU previously licensed an Asia Pacific Contest to Asiavision Pte. Ltd., which announced an event for Macau in 2009, then Mumbai in 2010, including with an Australian entry from SBS. Neither of those events were ever realised.

SBS then announced an Asia-Pacific Eurovision in 2016, licensed by the European Broadcasting Union, to be held in 2017 in Australia with 20 countries competing.

But the project stalled for several years after SBS spent a number of years trying to figure out how to mount it .and then the global pandemic came along.

Updated:

An SBS Spokesperson said, SBS has long recognised the strong appetite for Eurovision and its unique ability to connect audiences through music and shared cultural moments. While SBS is not competing in this newly announced Eurovision Asia Contest, were pleased to see continued interest in celebrating these kinds of connections across the region and will be watching with interest as it develops.
Nine Board apppointment

Chris Halios-Lewis, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of WIN, joins Nine Board.

Nine last week appointed Chris Halios-Lewis, currently Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of WIN Corporation, as a Non-Independent, Non-Executive Director to its Board.

He is also Chief Financial Officer of Birketu Pty Ltd, the private investment company owned by billionaire Bruce Gordon, and Nines largest individual shareholder at 25%.

Mr Halios-Lewis has more than 25 years of experience in finance and accounting, predominantly within the media sector. He holds a Bachelor of Science Accounting degree from Cardiff University, and is a Fellow of Chartered Certified Accountants.

Nine Chair Peter Tonagh said, We are pleased to welcome Chris to the Nine Board, with his broad experience within the media sector making him a valuable addition.

Mr Halios-Lewis said, I am thrilled to be joining the Nine Board in these exciting times. Nine has built itself a position of strength within the Australian media sector, augmented recently by the acquisition of QMS. Nine has clearly embraced the structural changes occurring in media in Australia and is well advanced transforming itself into a digitally-based media business, well-equipped to grow into the future. I know the Company, Board and management team well and look forward to working with them to deliver further value to all shareholders.

Nines Board is now: Peter Tonagh (Chair), Chris Halios-Lewis, Andrew Lancaster, Timothy Longstaff, Mandy Pattinson and Mickie Rosen.
Tomb Raider pauses production following Sophie Turner injury

Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury. As a precaution, production has briefly paused."

Filming has been halted on Prime Videos Tomb Raider in the UK, following a minor injury to star Sophie Turner.

Sophie Turner recently experienced a minor injury, the studio said in a statement to Deadline. As a precaution, production has briefly paused to allow her time to recover. We look forward to resuming production as soon as possible.

It is unclear whether Turner suffered the injury on set.

British tabloid The Sun also said the former Game of Thrones star has aggravated a pre-existing back injury.

According to sources, the shutdown is expected to last two weeks, and the crew will be paid during it.

Tomb Raider, from Fleabag creator Phoebe Waller-Bridge, is an adaptation of the popular video game franchise of the same name. The cast also features Sigourney Weaver, Jason Isaacs, Martin Bobb-Semple, Jack Bannon, John Heffernan, Bill Paterson, Paterson Joseph, Sasha Luss, Juliette Motamed, Celia Imrie and August Wittgenstein.
Don Bridges receives Equity Lifetime Achievement Award

Showbiz veteran recognised by his peers after six decades of work in film, theatre, TV, radio.

The MEAA Equity Foundation has honoured veteran actor Don Bridges with the 2026 Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his extraordinary career and deep commitment to the performing arts community.

Bridges has six decades of work across television, film, theatre and radio in Australia and the United Kingdo,m with more than 130 film and television credits, hundreds of short film performances, and more than 25 productions with the Melbourne Theatre Company.

His screen credits include Judy and Punch, Romper Stomper, Evil Angels, Malcolm, Gettin Square, The Hard Word, The Oyster Farmer, Charlottes Web, The Twelve, Nautilus, The Clearing, Jack Irish, Miss Fishers Murder Mysteries, Blue Heelers, Neighbours, Something in the Air and Upper Middle Bogan. He was also famously Norm the Kangaroo in 1980s Kids TV hit Shirls Neighbourhood.

MEAA Equity Federal President Asabi Goodman said, Choosing a recipient for this years Lifetime Achievement Award was no easy task.

Ultimately, we chose someone who not only has an impressive resume and longevity in the industry, but who also exemplifies what it means to be an Equity member  someone who has acted as an advocate for the community, supporting the ideas of collective bargaining that help strengthen our industry.

Bridges is also an accomplished musician, director, voice artist and acting teacher and mentor, and Vice President of the Victorian Actors Benevolent Trust.

I have always just tried to do the best work I can, and to always be there for younger performers, offering guidance and advice when needed, he said.

Passing it on is surely the best thing we can do for our industry and our colleagues.

He joins previous winners including Bruce Spence, Maggie Dence, Peter Carroll, Bob Hornery, Jill Perryman, Ron Haddrick, Kevan Johnston, Toni Lamond AM, Grant Page, Anne Phelan, Noeline Brown, Julia Blake, Terry Norris, Lillian Crombie, Ningali Lawford-Wolf, John Bell, Anna Volska, Chris Anderson and Nancye Hayes AM and will receive his award at a ceremony at the Sydney Theatre Company in June.

Language
Renewed: For the Love of Pets

Third series for Nine now filming at RSPCA Queensland and Queensland Veterinary Service's Pet Emergency Hospital.

Context Media has begun production this week on Season 3 of its animal care docuseries For the Love of Pets for Nine, with filming underway in Queensland at RSPCA Queensland and Queensland Veterinary Services (QVS) Pet Emergency Hospital.

Season 3 will once again feature animal welfare organisation, RSPCA Queensland and centre on its Brisbane, Wacol campus as well as QVS Pet Emergency, a separate private 24/7 specialist and emergency veterinary hospital at North Lakes. The series follows the frontline work of animal rescue, treatment and rehoming, alongside human stories behind the care.

Season 3 is executive produced by Context Medias Peter Jenetsky and Tim Clucas, alongside Series Producer, Ian Withnall.

Blue Ant Rights is handling global distribution across Seasons 13 and recently presented the title to buyers as part of its London Screenings slate. Internationally, the series is known as Operation: Pet Rescue and has been licensed into the US (NatGeo Wild) UK (C5) and Germany (sixx).

Context Media Managing Director and Executive Producer Peter Jenetsky said: Were delighted to be back in Queensland working with RSPCA Queensland and QVS. For the Love of Pets has connected strongly with audiences here and internationally, and Season 3 gives us access to even more compelling, character-led stories from the frontline of animal care.

Barnaby Shingleton, SVP, Acquisitions of Blue Ant Rights: For The Love of Pets has already been enjoyed by audiences across North America and Europe and were excited to continue to represent this returning, broad-appeal franchise into its third season with even more heart-warming stories of pets and their owners.

It will premiere on Nine later in 2026.
Located about 160km from Hanoi, Lang Son has become a popular destination in northern Vietnam, thanks to its convenient transport, short travel time and affordable costs, making it ideal for food-focused trips.

Below are some dining spots and dishes visitors should not miss, based on recommendations from Nguyen Minh Duc, a travel blogger from Hanoi.

Roast duck - the signature flavor

No mention of Lang Son cuisine is complete without its famous roast duck.

After being thoroughly cleaned, the duck is marinated with onion, pepper and mac mat leaves - a local herb that gives the dish its signature aroma. The ingredients are stuffed inside the duck before it is sewn shut, while the skin is brushed with honey.

The duck is first roasted over charcoal for about 15 minutes, then dipped into hot oil and turned repeatedly until the skin becomes crispy and golden brown.

The dish is typically sold for VND280,000 - VND290,000 per duck (US$11 - US$11.5), depending on its size.

Minh Duc recommends trying roast duck at Nga Doanh restaurant on Bac Son Street, where the meat is tender, flavorful and paired with a rich dipping sauce made from duck juices, soy sauce and chili.

The dish is typically sold for VND280,000 - VND290,000 per duck (US$11 - US$11.5), depending on its size.

Roast duck pho - a rich breakfast choice

Another highlight is roast duck pho, a local variation that combines soft rice noodles with fatty broth and slightly sour bamboo shoots.

I chose roast duck pho as my first meal upon arriving in Lang Son. The noodles were soft and thick, the broth light yet rich, and the duck meat perfectly seasoned, Duc shared.

He suggests Pho Vi Tang on Dai Hue Street, a popular spot among locals, where a bowl costs around VND40,000 (US$1.6).

Roast duck pho is a popular dish among both locals and visitors in Lang Son.

Char siu sausage pho and sour pho

Beyond roast duck pho, visitors can explore other unique variations such as char siu and fresh sausage pho.

At Dung Son eatery near Loc Binh market, the dish features thinner noodles and a lighter broth, with sliced char siu and aromatic sausage creating a balanced and fragrant combination.

Sour pho, however, stands out as one of Lang Sons most distinctive dishes.

Unlike traditional pho, it is served without hot broth. Instead, it is mixed with a cool, sweet-and-sour sauce, similar to a salad.

A typical bowl includes blanched noodles, char siu, pork offal, roasted duck, thinly sliced sausage, crispy fried sweet potato or potato strips, herbs and cucumber.

The sauce is made from duck fat or broth, combined with fried garlic, fish sauce, vinegar, sugar and ginger, then thickened slightly for texture.

According to Duc, the dish impresses with its refreshing taste, generous herbs and a balance of sour and sweet flavors.

He recommends a well-known eatery on Than Cong Tai Street, where sour pho is served throughout the day from VND40,000 per bowl (approximately US$1.6).

Two unique noodle dishes in Lang Son: sour pho and char siu sausage pho.

Unique local cakes

In addition to hot dishes, Lang Son is also known for a variety of traditional cakes that are both unusual and delicious.

Cao chang cake is made from rice flour, minced meat and a tangy sauce, often served with chili sauce and soy sauce.

Cooc cake resembles dumplings and is eaten with a sour dipping sauce.

Coong phu, similar to glutinous rice balls, features a soft outer layer with mung bean filling, served hot in sweet syrup with crushed peanuts and grated coconut.

Another standout is ngai cake, made from mugwort leaves, giving it a dark green color and a mild herbal taste. The filling typically includes cane sugar and roasted sesame.

Visitors can also try grilled bread, a simple yet appealing street snack.

A variety of traditional cakes in Lang Son offer unique flavors and textures.

Grilled bread is another simple but popular snack in Lang Son.

Affordable and memorable experience

During his two-day culinary exploration, Minh Duc spent around VND500,000 (US$20) on food.

Among all the dishes, roast duck left the strongest impression due to its rich seasoning and juicy texture.

Many places serve roast duck, but Lang Sons version has a distinct flavor that really sets it apart, he said.

Beyond food: cultural highlights

In addition to its cuisine, Lang Son offers a range of cultural and historical attractions.

During the trip, Duc visited Lang Son ancient citadel, Thanh Pagoda, Ta Phu - Ky Cung Temple, Tam Thanh Pagoda, as well as Tan Thanh and Huu Nghi border gates.

He also experienced the Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival, one of the largest traditional festivals in the province.

Minh Duc experiences the Ky Cung - Ta Phu Temple Festival, one of the provinces largest traditional events.

Thao Trinh
Nguyen Chi Dong, Deputy Head of Data Governance Solutions Division, Viettel Information Technology Center

Before the introduction of a centralized data platform, reporting across Viettel relied on a fully manual, multi-layered process. Each district had its own reporting staff, data was consolidated at the provincial level, and then further aggregated at the group level. The result was fragmented data, slow updates and inevitable inconsistencies.

To get a complete picture, information had to pass through many intermediate layers. Decision-making was neither fast nor accurate, Dong recalled.

This bottleneck became the starting point for a nearly four-year journey to build Viettels big data platform, known as VLP.

Rather than serving as a simple storage system, VLP was designed as a data backbone - collecting, processing and standardizing information from multiple sources in real time.

Once deployed, it fundamentally changed how the organization operated. Data was no longer a static end-of-day report but a continuous stream supporting real-time management decisions.

When data becomes the core of decision-making power

Dongs work goes beyond technology. At its core lies a shift in management culture.

Data, he argues, only has value when it is activated. Scattered across software systems, paperwork or individual memory, even vast amounts of data become meaningless.

To make data-driven decisions, you first need data. But more importantly, you need systems that turn it into usable information, he said.

For a multi-sector, multinational corporation like Viettel, the sheer volume of data is enormous. Yet fragmentation had long been its biggest barrier.

The VLP platform addresses this by unifying and standardizing data, enabling real-time analytics. Leaders can now monitor daily revenue, evaluate the performance of individual service packages, and detect operational anomalies - insights that previously took days or even weeks to compile.

In this context, data is no longer just a support tool. It becomes the very foundation of decision-making power.

Nguyen Chi Dong receives the Outstanding Young Vietnamese Faces award for 2025.

Democratizing AI and breaking the expert barrier

If data is the foundation, artificial intelligence is the tool that unlocks its value. But AI has traditionally been seen as a domain reserved for specialists.

Dong and his team set out to change that.

They developed Viettels machine learning platform (vMLP) with a clear goal: to automate the entire AI lifecycle, from data processing to model deployment.

The result is striking. Development time for AI applications has been reduced by up to 75 percent, enabling various units to adopt AI without requiring large teams of experts.

We want AI to no longer be the privilege of a few, but a tool accessible to many, he said.

This philosophy extends to GenBI, a system that allows users to query data using natural language instead of relying on technical reports.

It marks a shift from reading reports to asking data.

Hundreds of billions in value and the Make in Vietnam equation

The platforms developed by Dong and his team have moved far beyond the conceptual stage.

Viettels big data platform has been deployed across the entire corporation and in all 10 of its international markets. It also serves major clients including the Party Central Office, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Vietnam Oil and Gas Group, Vietnam Airlines, and Northern Power Corporation.

The system has generated more than VND260 billion (approximately US$10.4 million) in revenue while saving Viettel around US$9.2 million in costs by replacing foreign solutions.

Meanwhile, the vMLP platform contributes roughly VND12 billion (approximately US$480,000) in annual value, and GenBI delivers additional savings of tens of billions of VND by substituting comparable international products.

Yet the numbers tell only part of the story.

More significant is the fact that a Vietnamese engineering team has successfully built core technology platforms - an area traditionally dominated by global tech giants.

We are not just building for internal use. We are proving that Vietnamese engineers can master core technologies, Dong emphasized.

A small team, massive infrastructure, and no ready-made answers

Behind these achievements lies a demanding journey.

The core development team consists of around 10 engineers, yet they manage a system spanning hundreds of servers and vast volumes of data.

The challenge extends beyond individual technologies. It lies in integrating multiple components into a stable, continuously operating system capable of handling real-world pressures.

The hardest part is not any single technology, but ensuring everything works together seamlessly and reliably, Dong said.

Without predefined formulas, the team had to learn, experiment and optimize continuously - studying global technologies while building and refining their own solutions from scratch.

Their approach reflects a distinctly Viettel philosophy: launch a functional version, deploy it, and then continuously improve.

Taking Vietnamese data platforms to the global market

Having proven their effectiveness internally and across major domestic clients, Viettels data and AI platforms are now entering a new phase - expanding internationally.

From the outset, the systems were designed not only for internal use but as open architectures adaptable to various industries and markets.

If we only solved internal problems, the product would struggle to grow long term. So we designed it to be packaged and deployed across different sectors and countries, Dong explained.

The advantages of Make in Vietnam platforms go beyond cost competitiveness. They offer flexibility in customization and, crucially, stronger control over data security - an increasingly sensitive issue worldwide.

As governments and businesses grow wary of dependence on foreign technology platforms, Viettels solutions are finding opportunities in markets seeking alternatives.

However, the global arena presents intense competition against established tech giants with decades of experience, mature ecosystems and rigorous standards.

To compete, products must meet international benchmarks not only in functionality, but also in performance, stability, security and scalability.

We go through strict evaluation processes, directly compared with leading global platforms. The pressure is high, but so is the opportunity, Dong said.

A key strategy lies in ecosystem integration. Rather than entering markets in isolation, Viettels data and AI platforms can accompany the groups telecommunications, e-government and digital transformation projects already underway in multiple countries.

This approach shortens market entry time while leveraging local knowledge and existing relationships.

Beyond one engineer: a broader question for Vietnam

Nguyen Chi Dongs recognition as one of Vietnams Outstanding Young Faces in 2025 reflects not only individual achievement, but a broader shift.

As data and AI become foundational across industries, his story raises a critical question: are Vietnamese organizations truly ready to embrace data-driven decision-making?

Because, as Dong himself noted, technology is not the biggest barrier. Mindset is.

When every organization truly treats data as its foundation, when every decision is based on numbers, thats when digital transformation truly begins, he said.

Perhaps that is the larger challenge engineers like him are pursuing - not just building systems, but reshaping how an entire economy operates.

Thai Khang
A strategic reset for the AI era

For years, Apple has been expected to deliver a breakthrough in AI. But as competition intensified and internal progress lagged, the company seems to have acknowledged a difficult reality: winning the AI race alone may not be feasible.

Rather than doubling down on a struggling strategy, Apple is pivoting toward a model that leverages its core strengths - hardware, ecosystem and user loyalty.

According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, Apple is restructuring its AI roadmap ahead of its upcoming developer conference.

At the heart of this shift is a simple idea: let others handle the intelligence, while Apple controls the platform.

Turning Siri into a gateway, not a competitor

The new plan, expected to be unveiled at WWDC on June 8, consists of two major components.

First, Apple is developing an Extensions feature for iOS 27, allowing users to install and use AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Claude directly within Siri. This would effectively transform Siri into a gateway for multiple AI services rather than a standalone assistant.

In parallel, Apple is reportedly preparing a dedicated section within the App Store focused on AI tools - an AI App Store layered inside the existing ecosystem.

The second component involves rebuilding Siri itself using Geminis underlying technology, ensuring that Apples default assistant remains functional and competitive from the outset.

A familiar model, applied to a new frontier

The strategy mirrors Apples long-standing approach with apps. While the company offers its own services like Mail or Maps, users are free to choose alternatives such as Gmail or Google Maps - all while Apple continues to benefit from its platform.

However, AI represents a deeper shift. Unlike traditional apps, AI is increasingly becoming the next interface layer of computing - something closer to an operating system than a simple tool.

Opening the iPhone to third-party AI, therefore, is not just a feature decision. It is a fundamental redefinition of Apples role in the technology stack.

Admitting limits, unlocking new possibilities

Internally, Apple has already undergone significant restructuring after delays and underwhelming progress in its AI initiatives. Features under the Apple Intelligence umbrella have yet to meet expectations, and Siris long-promised upgrades have repeatedly been postponed.

Seen in this light, the pivot is both pragmatic and strategic.

Recognizing when to change direction is often as important as innovation itself. By shifting to plan B, Apple is effectively turning a weakness into an opportunity - allowing top AI developers to compete for presence on iPhone, while the company captures value through its ecosystem, including its standard 30% commission on subscriptions.

The real test lies ahead

The success of this strategy will ultimately depend on user experience.

Will iPhone users feel they are interacting with a powerful, seamless AI system? Or will Apple be perceived merely as an intermediary between users and third-party intelligence?

That question will define whether this pivot marks a quiet retreat - or the beginning of a new kind of dominance in the AI era.

Hai Phong
The emergence of Enterovirus 71 is raising serious concern as children diagnosed with hand foot and mouth disease face a heightened risk of rapid deterioration, with dangerous neurological complications possible if not detected and treated in time.

A highly dangerous strain

Severe complications in hand, foot and mouth disease cases are often caused by the EV71 virus. Photo: MOH







In the first 11 weeks of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City recorded more than 7,000 cases of hand, foot and mouth disease, an increase of around 240% compared to the same period in 2025. Severe cases, classified from grade 2B and above, accounted for approximately 1.3%.

At Childrens Hospital 2, 330 children required inpatient treatment in just the first three months of the year. About 97% of these patients were preschool-aged, mostly under two years old. Notably, 52 cases were classified as severe.

Laboratory results indicate the circulation of Enterovirus 71 (EV71), a strain known for its ability to cause serious neurological complications and for its rapid progression, significantly increasing the risk of death.

According to Dr Nguyen Dinh Qui, head of the infectious diseases department at the hospital, EV71 is particularly dangerous due to the speed at which it attacks the body. The virus shows a strong affinity for the central nervous system. After entering through mucosal surfaces, it quickly spreads to lymph nodes, causes viremia, and then directly targets the brain and cardiovascular system.

In some cases, the disease can worsen dramatically within just 24 hours, requiring immediate emergency intervention.

Recognizing early signs in children

Amid growing concerns, doctors are urging parents to pay close attention to early symptoms.

Typical signs include mouth ulcers appearing on the palate, gums or tongue, causing pain and irritability, as well as rashes on the palms, soles, knees or buttocks.

For children monitored at home, parents are advised to manage fever properly when it exceeds 38.5 degrees Celsius, using cooling measures and ensuring the child wears light clothing. Soft, cool foods are recommended to ease swallowing discomfort, while maintaining strict hygiene in both personal care and living environments.

Children diagnosed with hand, foot and mouth disease should stay home and be isolated for at least 10 days from the onset of symptoms to prevent transmission.

Parents should seek immediate medical care if a child develops a high fever above 39 degrees Celsius that is difficult to reduce or persists for more than two days, experiences sudden jerking movements especially when falling asleep, tremors, unsteady walking, persistent vomiting, lethargy, or altered consciousness.

Dr Nguyen Tien Thanh, a member of the Vietnam Dermatology Association, noted that a common mistake is waiting for visible rashes before suspecting the disease. In reality, early symptoms often include fever, fatigue, loss of appetite, sore throat and irritability, with ulcers and blisters appearing later.

Prevention remains critical

To prevent infection, experts emphasize strict hygiene practices.

Hand hygiene is the first and most important rule. Caregivers should wash hands with soap before preparing food, before feeding children, after changing diapers, after cleaning a child, and after contact with potentially infectious secretions.

Children should also be taught proper handwashing, particularly before meals and after using the toilet. The long-standing principle of three cleans - clean eating, clean living and clean hands - remains a cornerstone of prevention.

Regular cleaning of frequently touched surfaces is equally essential. Toys, furniture, door handles, floors and personal items should be disinfected regularly, especially if a case has been identified at home or in school. Young children who often put objects in their mouths face a higher risk if hygiene is neglected.

Finally, children who are ill should not attend school or visit crowded places, as limiting contact is key to controlling the spread of the disease.

Recent cases highlight the urgency of early detection, as EV71 continues to drive more severe and fast-progressing infections. Without timely intervention, the consequences can be life-threatening.

Phuong Thuy
Editorial note:

Rising tensions in the Middle East have triggered sharp fluctuations in global fuel markets, directly impacting economies worldwide, including Vietnam. As supply chains face disruptions and prices surge, economies are placed under significant strain, with the risk of stagflation - high inflation coupled with slow growth.

Over the past month, however, domestic fuel supply has largely remained stable, with supply chains operating smoothly. Price increases have been brought under control, and from their peak, fuel prices have eased to more manageable levels, helping reduce pressure on production, business operations and household expenses.

Flexible fuel price management, combined with swift and decisive government actions and responsive policymaking in the face of external shocks, has reinforced confidence among businesses and the public, supporting economic stability and growth.

VietNamNet presents a series of articles offering insights into this issue.

Stepping up energy diplomacy and flexible policymaking

Petroleum supply remains fundamentally stable. Photo: BSR

The escalation of military conflict in the Middle East in recent weeks has sent shockwaves through global fuel markets, raising the risk of supply disruptions and sharp price volatility.

Vietnam remains a net importer of fuel. In 2025, the country imported 14.1 million tonnes of crude oil and 9.9 million tonnes of refined petroleum products, with a combined import value of US$14.5 billion, underscoring its exposure to external supply fluctuations despite domestic production and refining capacity.

As a result, the domestic fuel market has been affected by disruptions in input materials for production, while imports have faced challenges due to export restrictions imposed by some countries in the region. Notably, feedstock supply for the Nghi Son Refinery - which accounts for around 40% of Vietnams fuel consumption - has been particularly sensitive to external volatility.

Stabilizing fuel prices is important, but the top priority is securing alternative crude oil sources to ensure energy security, said Nguyen Tu Anh, Director of Macroeconomic Policy Research at the Green-X Center (VinUni University). According to him, only by maintaining sufficient fuel supply can the economy avoid falling into crisis.

In practice, over the past month, phrases such as ensuring fuel supply, diversifying import markets, and maintaining energy security have appeared frequently in directives issued by the Politburo, the Government and relevant ministries.

Just days after the Middle East conflict escalated, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh signed a decision to establish a task force on energy security, emphasizing a firm commitment to prevent fuel shortages under any circumstances.

The Government also reduced preferential import tariffs on certain petroleum products to 0% from March 9 to April 30, 2026, enabling businesses to better access supply amid global market volatility.

At the same time, Vietnam has intensified energy diplomacy efforts to secure and diversify crude oil sources. The Prime Minister has held phone talks with leaders of multiple countries to promote cooperation, ensure continued crude oil supply and discuss broader energy partnerships.

On March 20, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 14-KL/TW on ensuring fuel supply and stabilizing prices in the new context. It assigned Party committees of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Industry and Trade, and Finance to proactively engage with international partners, facilitating domestic enterprises in sourcing raw materials and ensuring supply for production and business activities.

These coordinated actions demonstrate how both the Politburo and the Government moved swiftly to stabilize fuel supply and prices.

Refineries maintain sufficient input to run at full capacity

The refinery has sufficient crude oil supply to operate at full capacity. Photo: BSR
Dien Bien Provincial Party Secretary Tran Tien Dung presents flowers to congratulate Le Van Luong on his re-election as Chairman of the Dien Bien Provincial Peoples Committee.

During the session, delegates voted to elect the chairman, vice chairmen, and members of the provincial Peoples Committee for the new term.

Le Van Luong, deputy secretary of the provincial Party Committee and chairman of the Peoples Committee for the 2021-2026 term, was re-elected to continue serving as chairman of the Dien Bien Peoples Committee for the 2026-2031 term.

The vice chairmen of the provincial Peoples Committee for the new term include Lo Van Cuong, Nguyen Van Doat, and Nguyen Minh Phu.

At the same session, delegates also re-elected Le Thanh Do as chairman of the provincial Peoples Council for the 2026-2031 term.

Le Van Luong was born in 1968 in Ninh Binh province. He holds a bachelors degree in education, a bachelors degree in accounting, and a masters degree in economic management.

He previously served as chairman of the Inspection Commission of the Lai Chau provincial Party Committee and as standing deputy secretary of the Lai Chau provincial Party Committee.

In July 2023, he was appointed deputy secretary of the Lai Chau provincial Party Committee and chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee for the 2021-2026 term.

On November 16, 2025, he was assigned and appointed as deputy secretary of the Dien Bien provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term.

Duc Hoang
According to the ministry, its Environmental Police Department (C05), in coordination with investigative units and local police in Hanoi and Bac Ninh, has simultaneously launched three major cases targeting irregularities in the installation, operation and management of automated monitoring systems deployed by several enterprises.

The investigation has so far determined that 168 out of 306 inspected monitoring stations - accounting for more than 54.9 percent - had their environmental data interfered with or altered.

Authorities have initiated criminal proceedings and charged 74 suspects across 10 different offenses. These include illegal access to computer networks, falsification of documents, violations of bidding regulations, bribery and receiving bribes, abuse of power in official duties, tax evasion, accounting violations and the illegal issuance or trading of invoices and financial documents.

The case involves multiple companies operating in the environmental technology sector, including Deahan Industrial Equipment and Environmental Technology JSC, Seiki Group JSC, Viet An Environmental Engineering JSC and Minh Thanh Group Co., Ltd.

Among those charged are several individuals holding senior positions in both public agencies and businesses. Notably, Hoang Van Thuc, former Director General of the Environment Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, has been implicated, along with Tran Thi Minh Huong, Director of the Northern Environmental Monitoring Center, and Le Viet Cuong, Deputy General Director of Quang Ninh Thermal Power JSC.

Investigators have also clarified the methods used to manipulate monitoring data. In some cases, suspects remotely accessed systems via internet-connected software to alter transmitted data. In others, they directly interfered with sampling systems and analytical equipment at monitoring stations to adjust output indicators.

These actions enabled operators to reduce reported pollution levels, ensuring that transmitted data remained within permitted thresholds despite actual emissions exceeding regulatory limits.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing, with efforts focused on expanding the probe, fully clarifying the nature of the violations and identifying all individuals involved. At the same time, agencies are working to recover assets for the State.

The case is one of the most significant investigations into environmental monitoring integrity in recent years, raising concerns about oversight mechanisms and the reliability of pollution data used in regulatory enforcement.

Dinh Hieu
After training as a veterinarian and working in both state agencies and foreign enterprises, Tran Thanh Ngoc chose a different path - returning to his hometown in Quang Tri to build a farming business that now generates nearly VND9 billion (US$370,000) in annual revenue.

Recognizing the potential of the native chicken breed, he focused on research, selective breeding, and developing crossbreeds suited to local conditions and market demand. Photo: Hai Sam

Graduating in veterinary medicine in 2009, Ngoc, born in 1979, spent years working across various roles, from public institutions to foreign companies and animal feed firms. These experiences allowed him to travel widely, providing technical support in livestock farming while accumulating hands-on expertise.

Recognizing the untapped potential of agriculture, particularly indigenous breeds, he began nurturing the idea of starting his own venture. Eventually, he decided to shift direction and focus on breeding chickens in his hometown.

Building from small beginnings

Ngoc launched his business in 2010 with a modest scale of around 1,000 meat chickens raised at home. Step by step, he applied his professional knowledge to improve care and disease prevention.

Seeing the promise of the native ga kien breed, he concentrated on research, selective breeding and crossbreeding to develop a line suited to local conditions and market demand.

In 2012, he made a bold move - leasing land and investing nearly VND300 million (US$12,000) to build farm infrastructure, including barns and incubation systems.

At that stage, the farm produced about 400 eggs per day, equivalent to more than 10,000 chicks per month. With a selling price of around VND12,000 (US$0.50) per chick, annual revenue reached over VND1.4 billion (US$57,000), yielding nearly VND400 million (US$16,000) in profit.

Drawing on my training and persistence, I developed breeding lines based on local chickens. The meat is firm, fragrant and naturally sweet, so it consistently commands higher prices, Ngoc said.

A decisive turning point

After years of balancing employment and farming, Ngoc made a defining decision in 2017. Despite earning nearly VND30 million per month (US$1,200) at a company, he resigned to focus entirely on agriculture.

He also identified a critical gap in the market. Previously, chicks were mainly sourced from northern Vietnam, with long transport distances leading to high mortality rates.

I wanted to produce chicks locally to ensure stable supply and reduce losses, he explained.

One of the breeding chicken coops. Photo: Hai Sam

Eggs are carefully selected. Photo: Hai Sam







Newly hatched chicks are vaccinated against four diseases from their very first day. Photo: Hai Sam

His crossbred chickens reach a market weight of around 1.6 kg after four months of raising and are favored by consumers. Photo: Hai Sam







The model creates jobs for around 10 local workers, with monthly incomes of VND89 million (US$320360). Photo: Hai Sam







After more than 15 years of development, Ngoc has invested nearly VND8 billion (US$330,000) into a closed farming system equipped with modern incubation technology, covering nearly one hectare.

The farm now maintains about 9,000 laying chickens and 6,000 young breeders.

Each month, it supplies around 60,000 chicks to the market at an average price of VND13,000 (US$0.53) per chick, generating nearly VND9 billion (US$370,000) in annual revenue and about VND1.2 billion (US$49,000) in profit.

Strict disease control protocols are applied throughout the production chain. Parent flocks are fully vaccinated, eggs are carefully selected before incubation, and newly hatched chicks receive four types of vaccines within their first day. This ensures a survival rate of up to 90 percent.

The hybrid ga kien chickens reach a market weight of around 1.6 kilograms after four months and are widely favored by consumers.

Challenges behind the success

Despite impressive revenue, Ngoc emphasized that farming remains a demanding field.

Costs for feed, electricity and vaccines are significant, with vaccine expenses alone exceeding VND1 billion (US$41,000) annually, and electricity costs surpassing VND600 million (US$25,000).

Agriculture doesnt offer easy profits. It requires patience and precision. Even a small mistake can lead to major losses, sometimes worth billions of dong due to disease outbreaks, he said.

Today, the farm provides stable employment for around 10 local workers, each earning between VND89 million per month (US$330370), contributing to rural economic development.

Local authorities consider Ngocs model a standout example of effective production. Beyond generating income, it creates jobs and supplies high-quality breeding stock for farmers both within and beyond the province.

His proactive research and development of indigenous breeds, tailored to local conditions, is seen as a sustainable direction that deserves wider replication.

Hai Sam
In a traditional ancestral house in Deo Doc area, Hoanh Bo ward, old sets of sacred paintings are carefully hung whenever rituals take place. Their colors have faded, the paper worn thin, yet for the Dao Thanh Phan people, they remain indispensable objects in spiritual life.

Caption: Ritual paintings are indispensable items that shamans use to perform the cap sac initiation ceremony. Photo: My Dung

According to Ban Huu Hong, a local elder with deep knowledge of community customs, such paintings are now rarely found outside ancestral homes and are mainly used by ritual masters during major ceremonies.

Today, sacred paintings are mostly kept in ancestral houses and used only for important rituals. In ceremonies like the coming-of-age ritual or seasonal rites, they are indispensable, he said.

For the Dao Thanh Phan, these paintings are not merely ritual objects but a bridge connecting humans with ancestors and deities. During the cap sac ceremony, which marks a mans transition into adulthood, the paintings are placed at the center, where ritual masters and the entire clan conduct sacred rites.

Each painting reveals a layered cosmology. From the underworld and the earthly realm to the heavens, all are depicted through intricate visual narratives. The three supreme deities - Ngoc Thanh, Thuong Thanh and Thai Thanh - appear alongside figures such as the Jade Emperor, Thai Thuong Lao Quan and Thien Loi, reflecting a clear blend of Taoism, Buddhism and Confucianism in Dao spiritual life.

Ritual paintings are indispensable items that shamans use to perform the cap sac initiation ceremony.







The composition follows a strict hierarchy of power. Major deities occupy the center, drawn larger and in sharper detail, while lesser figures are rendered more simply. Bright colors - red, blue, yellow, purple and white - create a sense of solemnity while remaining visually accessible.

Behind each set of paintings lies an arduous process. Artisans once made their own paper from do bark, prepared glue from sticky rice and created pigments from natural materials. Completing a full set could take months, even up to a year. Each work is therefore both an artistic creation and a repository of indigenous knowledge and belief.

Yet these values are gradually receding into memory.

Today, only a handful of artisans still possess the skills to create sacred paintings. The craft demands years of dedication and deep understanding of spiritual traditions, while younger generations show little interest in continuing the practice.

The high cost of a painting set - often reaching tens of millions of VND (US$400 to US$800 or more) - has also discouraged many families. Few households now own their own sets, relying instead on those of ritual masters during ceremonies. At the same time, traditional rituals are no longer held as frequently, reducing demand even further.

A respected community figure, Party Secretary and head of Khe Tien village, Duong Phuc Thim, speaks and exchanges with a VietNamNet reporter.
At the event, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, he awarded the First-Class Military Order and the 40-year Party membership badge to Politburo member and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The General Secretary also presented the First-Class Military Order and the 45-year Party membership badge to Politburo member and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh.

The First-Class Military Order was awarded to Phan Dinh Trac, Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee, former head of the Central Internal Affairs Commission, as well as to Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Standing member of the Subcommittee for Documents of the 14th Party Congress.

General Secretary To Lam presents flowers to congratulate current and former leaders awarded the First-Class Military Exploit Order. Photo: Nhat Bac

During the ceremony, the General Secretary also presented the 40-year Party membership badge to Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son and the 30-year Party membership badge to Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc.

Speaking at the event, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that these prestigious honors represent a profound recognition and a great distinction, reflecting a long journey of dedication, training, contribution and sacrifice for the revolutionary cause, for the Party and for the people.

The Military Order acknowledges outstanding achievements and exceptional contributions made by these officials during their service, particularly within the Peoples Public Security forces, as well as their broader contributions to safeguarding political security and social order in key leadership roles of the Party and the State.

The Party membership badges marking 45, 40 and 30 years symbolize a sacred milestone, honoring a steadfast journey of loyalty to the Partys ideals, wholehearted devotion to the nation and the people, and the responsibilities carried over decades of service.

General Secretary To Lam delivers a speech. Photo: VNA

General Secretary To Lam presents flowers to congratulate the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Ministers awarded the Party badge. Photo: Nhat Bac

The General Secretary noted that these two honors, when combined, further illuminate the portrait of exemplary communist Party members - unwavering in ideals, exemplary in ethics, dedicated in their work, loyal to the Party and closely connected to the people.

Those honored at the ceremony, he said, are officials who have matured through various roles, environments and challenges, consistently demonstrating strong political resolve, a high sense of responsibility, innovative thinking, decisive action and a commitment to aligning words with deeds. In every position, they have placed the interests of the nation and the people above all else, while maintaining moral integrity and striving to fulfill the responsibilities entrusted to them.

On behalf of the Party and State leadership, General Secretary To Lam extended congratulations and expressed deep appreciation for the significant, sustained and distinguished contributions of the officials. He expressed the hope that, with their experience, intellect, resilience and prestige, they would continue to contribute ideas, share insights, inspire and support future generations of cadres.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivers a speech. Photo: VNA
The project sets a target for Vietnam to rank among the worlds top 15 countries in the Global Cybersecurity Index by 2030. It also envisions the establishment and development of a regional training center in Vietnam for cybercrime prevention and cyber security, aimed at strengthening the countrys position and leadership capacity in the region.

Another key objective is to develop at least 10,000 highly specialized cyber security experts by 2030, with 20% meeting international standards.

Under the plan, 100% of specialized cyber security protection forces will be placed under the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense. Cyber security units will also be organized across ministries, sectors, provincial-level Peoples Committees and agencies managing critical national information systems. Personnel directly responsible for operating level-3, level-4 and level-5 information systems in state agencies and enterprises must hold certifications verifying advanced cyber security knowledge and skills issued by competent authorities.

In parallel, 90% of internet users are expected to gain access to awareness programs, skills training and tools to ensure cyber security. The country will also prioritize research, development and gradual mastery of strategic cyber security technologies.

The project highlights the goal of building an ecosystem of cyber security products and services developed and mastered by Vietnamese entities. The State will select at least two organizations or enterprises for each key product or service category to focus resources and drive development.

At least 70% of ministries, sectors, localities and critical national information systems are expected to adopt strategic Make in Vietnam technology products. All cyber security products and services must undergo inspection and evaluation before being put into use, with priority given to critical national infrastructure and systems within the political system.

Looking ahead to 2045, Vietnam aims to become one of the leading countries in the Asia-Pacific region in cyber security, with strong capabilities in defense, active response and suppression of cybercrime and hostile forces. The goal is to firmly safeguard digital sovereignty and ensure the safety of all activities of the State, businesses and citizens in cyberspace.

The cyber security industry is expected to emerge as a key economic and technical sector, with at least three Vietnamese cyber security companies ranking among the worlds top 50 solution providers and exporting products, services and technologies globally.

To achieve these goals, the project outlines several key tasks and solutions. These include strengthening the National Cyber Security Steering Committee and its subcommittees across ministries, sectors and localities, as well as consolidating specialized cyber security agencies within the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of National Defense.

The plan also calls for building a network of domestic and international cyber security experts to support national efforts, expanding the national cyber incident response alliance, and developing a highly skilled workforce capable of mastering critical technologies such as AI, post-quantum cryptography and blockchain at a world-class level.

Annual training programs will be organized based on practical needs, delivered through in-person, online or hybrid formats for agencies of the Party, State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front from the central to grassroots levels.

Human resource development remains a central pillar, with stronger connections between universities, research institutes, businesses and state agencies in the cyber security field. The project emphasizes public-private partnerships and nurturing the next generation of cyber security experts.

The government also requires a review and publication of priority lists of core national cyber security technologies, products and services to be mastered domestically. Mechanisms will be promoted to enable state agencies to commission enterprises to develop cyber security products, with priority given to piloting and testing technologies developed in Vietnam.

In addition, Vietnam will strengthen bilateral cooperation with advanced countries and major organizations in cyber security through information sharing, technical support and workforce training. Priority partners include the US, the European Union, Japan, South Korea, India, Israel, China, the UK, France and Germany.

Tran Thuong
Global supply chain disruptions triggered by tensions in the Middle East are pushing up logistics costs and input prices, placing direct pressure on agricultural production and the competitiveness of Vietnamese goods.

In response, Politburo member and Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang has called on the business community, particularly suppliers of agricultural inputs and logistics services, to stabilize or reduce prices and maximize capacity to ensure domestic supply and support production.

Answering the call, many enterprises and industry associations have begun implementing concrete measures under the principle of harmonized benefits, shared risks.

Livestock feed producers hold back price increases

Vietnams livestock feed industry depends heavily on imported raw materials, many of which originate from the Americas.

Typically, these materials are transported by sea across the Atlantic Ocean into the Mediterranean, then through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea into the Indian Ocean before reaching Vietnamese ports. Since the outbreak of conflict in the Middle East, however, shipping routes have been disrupted, forcing vessels carrying soybeans and corn to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing costs.

Despite these pressures, many companies are taking practical steps to support farmers.

Chamnan Wangakkarangkul, deputy CEO of C.P. Vietnam, said the company is striving to keep feed prices stable. If rising raw material and transport costs eventually make price adjustments unavoidable, increases will be implemented as slowly and minimally as possible.

Japfa Comfeed Vietnam, meanwhile, is focusing on technical support and livestock breeding assistance to help farmers maintain efficiency even as feed prices rise.

Nguyen Minh Tri, a company representative, said that while price adjustments have become necessary due to prolonged global volatility, Japfa continues to strengthen nutrition programs, improve feed conversion ratios, and expand farmer training and advisory services.

Rice exporters move to secure supply

Expanding linkages under the one-million-hectare high-quality rice project is a sustainable solution for the rice sector in the Mekong Delta. Photo: Kim Anh







While the Middle East conflict has placed the rice sector in a difficult position, some businesses in the Mekong Delta see it as a historic opportunity for Vietnamese rice.

Pham Hoang Lam, chairman of Lam Rice Group Inc in Ho Chi Minh City, pointed to three major opportunities ahead.

First, global uncertainties are prompting countries to prioritize stable, long-term supply sources, creating an opening for Vietnam to become a strategic food partner. Second, markets such as the US, Canada, and the EU are increasingly shifting toward high-quality, traceable rice products, favoring varieties like Vietnams ST25. Third, the value of rice now lies not only in production but also in branding, distribution systems, and retail channels.

To capitalize on these trends, Lam emphasized the need to build a true national rice brand - not just Vietnam Rice but Vietnam Premium Rice with clear positioning and storytelling.

Nguyen Vinh Trong, director of Viet Hung Co. Ltd in Dong Thap, noted that China has already consumed more than 60 percent of its rice import quota for 2026, with around 500,000 tons expected to be imported in the remaining months of the year. Demand from African markets also remains strong.

In response, Vietnamese firms are stepping up production planning and temporary stockpiling to support farmers.

Truong Van Chinh, director of Chon Chinh Import-Export Co., said the company is diversifying export markets to remain flexible. During the 2025-2026 winter-spring crop, it is purchasing around 200,000 tons of rice, with part of the output traded through African partners and routed via a trading hub in Dubai.

Pham Thai Binh, chairman of Trung An High-Tech Agriculture JSC in Can Tho, said the company is working closely with farmers, purchasing around 81,000 tons of rice across 9,000 hectares. Farmers participating in these linkages benefit from relatively stable prices of around VND6,000 per kg (US$0.24), rising to VND6,100-6,200 per kg (US$0.24-0.25) for higher-quality output.

However, Nguyen Viet Anh, CEO of ORICO, noted that despite sufficient capital, the industry faces storage constraints. With around 1.5 million hectares of winter-spring rice harvested within a short period, the volume exceeds the capacity of existing procurement systems.

He suggested developing large-scale storage infrastructure to allow farmers to hold their produce and sell when prices improve, helping avoid the recurring cycle of bumper harvests followed by price drops.

Meanwhile, industry leaders also highlighted the need to strengthen branding and distribution networks. Much of Vietnams rice is still exported under OEM arrangements, limiting control over final markets. Expanding into premium markets such as the EU, the US, and Japan remains challenging due to strict standards, particularly on pesticide residues.

Poultry sector commits to stable supply

Nguyen Thanh Son, chairman of the Vietnam Poultry Association, said member companies are actively implementing measures to stabilize supply and prices.

These include reducing operating costs, maintaining reasonable pricing, strengthening intra-industry cooperation, and building integrated value chains to cut intermediaries and lower input costs by at least 10 percent.

Enterprises have also committed to maintaining purchases from farmers even during market fluctuations to prevent price collapses.

The association has proposed several policy measures, including preferential credit packages, administrative reforms, stricter controls on low-quality imports, and support for domestic transportation costs.

Fertilizer firms weigh cautious price adjustments

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Seen too often ADBRO is the full service ad network for high impact contextual advertising with direct access to the exclusive in-image inventories across major local publishers. We provide free creative adaptation into rich media, interactive and playable ads formats. Campaigns in our channel are delivered under guaranteed prices for actions with programmatic & managed delivery. We provide contextually segmented in-target audiences for over 60 industries with a full range of brand safety solutions. ADBRO operates across SE Asia, including Singapore, Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Philippines and Malaysia. To test our channel for your advertising campaigns or consider partnership programs for publishers, please contact us at www.adbro.me Trung An Company (Can Tho City) mobilizes its full storage system to handle the large volume of commercial rice in the 2025 - 2026 winter-spring crop. Photo: Kim Anh







VPA member enterprises commit to maintaining stable supply, reasonable pricing, and minimizing the transfer of logistics cost pressures to product prices for member businesses and farmers. Photo: Hong Tham

As global fertilizer prices rise due to geopolitical tensions and export restrictions, domestic prices in Vietnam have also increased.

However, some companies are taking steps to ease the burden on farmers. Binh Dien Fertilizer JSC, for example, maintained stable prices until March 25, 2026, thanks to previously secured raw materials.

From March 26, as new inputs became more expensive, the company was forced to adjust prices but limited increases to 5-10 percent, despite some raw materials such as urea rising by up to 50 percent, from around VND12,000 per kg (US$0.49) to VND18,000 per kg (US$0.73).

The company is also promoting more efficient farming practices, helping farmers reduce fertilizer use by up to 20 percent.

Other fertilizer producers are similarly exercising caution, seeking to balance cost pressures with farmers ability to sustain production.

Seed companies cut costs, accept lower profits

According to Tran Xuan Dinh, vice chairman and secretary general of the Vietnam Seed Trade Association, the current disruptions have had limited immediate impact on domestic seed production due to seasonal factors.

However, rising exchange rates, transport costs, and insurance fees are likely to increase seed prices, particularly for imported vegetable seeds, of which Vietnam still relies on imports for 75-85 percent.

In response, companies are optimizing operations, cutting costs, and accepting lower profit margins to stabilize prices.

At the same time, the situation is prompting businesses to improve production management, adopt digital technologies and artificial intelligence, and streamline distribution channels.

Dinh stressed the need for a long-term strategy to modernize the seed industry, including investment in research, post-harvest technology, and regulatory reforms to create a more enabling environment for innovation and sustainable growth.

Government Portal
In recent days, the security situation in Israel has continued to evolve in a complex manner, with widespread missile alerts reported. Notably, attacks have targeted a chemical industrial zone in southern Israel, Neot Hovav, and the Bazan oil refinery complex in Haifa, raising concerns about potential hazardous material leaks and environmental and public safety risks.

Several areas across Israel have also recorded localized incidents affecting civilian infrastructure and daily life. In response, Israeli authorities have maintained strict nationwide civil defense measures.

According to an announcement on March 30 by Israels Home Front Command, civil defense policies will remain in effect from 8:00 am on March 30 until 8:00 pm on April 4, unchanged from the previous period. Across many regions, restrictions on activities continue. In-person educational activities are suspended; gatherings are limited to a maximum of around 50 people provided that standard-compliant shelters are available; workplaces are permitted to operate only if safety requirements are met; and beaches remain closed.

Given the situation, the embassy advises Vietnamese citizens to regularly monitor guidance issued by the Home Front Command in their area and to prepare plans to quickly access the nearest shelters.

Residents are urged to stay away from high-risk locations such as chemical plants, industrial zones, airports, seaports and critical infrastructure facilities. If located near areas where incidents occur, they should limit movement, remain indoors, keep doors and windows closed, and strictly follow instructions from local authorities.

The embassy also emphasizes that citizens must not approach, film or photograph areas that have been attacked or show signs of danger.

According to the Vietnamese Embassy, after more than one month since the conflict escalated, the Vietnamese community in Israel remains safe.

Tran Thuong
Speaking after the vote, Chairman Tran Tri Quang described the trust placed in him by the Peoples Council as both a great honor and a heavy responsibility before the Party organization, authorities and people of the province.

He pledged to work with the leadership collective to maintain unity, foster innovative thinking and enhance governance capacity and effectiveness. The administration, he said, would remain committed to serving the people, strictly following Party guidelines and State laws, and effectively implementing resolutions passed by the Peoples Council.

For the new term, the provincial government has identified key priorities including promoting sustainable economic growth, developing synchronized and modern infrastructure, accelerating administrative reform and digital transformation, improving human resource quality and ensuring social welfare. Maintaining national defense and security while leveraging strengths in high-tech agriculture, eco-tourism and green economy development are also central to the agenda.

The provincial leadership emphasized that it would build upon the achievements of previous terms, remain open to feedback and act decisively and effectively to meet development goals, aiming to position Vinh Long for faster and more sustainable growth in the coming years.

Nguyen Minh Dung, born in 1980 in Vinh Long, holds a Masters degree in Public Management and a degree from the National Academy of Public Administration. He previously served in various roles, including Secretary of the provincial Youth Union, Deputy Head of the provincial Party Organization Commission, Deputy Secretary of the Binh Minh Town Party Committee and Chairman of its Peoples Committee, Secretary of the Binh Minh Town Party Committee, and Vice Chairman as well as Standing Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Council.

In July 2025, following the merger of Vinh Long, Ben Tre and Tra Vinh provinces, he was appointed Deputy Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Peoples Council of the newly formed Vinh Long. In January 2026, he was elected an alternate member of the 14th Party Central Committee.

Tran Tri Quang, born in 1977 in Dong Thap province, holds a Masters degree in transport engineering. He has held multiple positions in the former Dong Thap province, including Vice Chairman of Sa Dec City Peoples Committee, Deputy Director and later Director of the Department of Transport, Secretary of Cao Lanh City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee, Acting Chairman, and later Chairman of the Dong Thap Peoples Committee.

In July 2025, following the merger of Dong Thap with Tien Giang, he was appointed by the Prime Minister as Chairman of the newly established Dong Thap province. In November 2025, he was assigned by the Party Secretariat to serve as Deputy Secretary of the Vinh Long provincial Party Committee for the 2025-2030 term, before being elected Chairman of the provincial Peoples Committee.

Hoai Thanh
This message was highlighted at a workshop organised by the Agriculture and Environment magazine under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment in Hanoi on March 30, where officials noted that Vietnams agricultural sector is under mounting pressure from climate change, resource depletion, and stricter global requirements such as the EU Deforestation Regulation and Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, making traditional resource-intensive growth models no longer viable.

Pham Thi Truc Hoa Quynh, from the Institute of Strategy and Policy on Economy and Finance under the Ministry of Finance, emphasised that Vietnam has clearly identified greening and digitalisation as an objective requirement, a development priority, and a central pillar in economic restructuring and growth model innovation.

Digital green transformation is increasingly becoming an essential component of corporate development strategies. Many enterprises have begun digitising data, standardising processes, and applying digital technologies in governance and production, gradually moving towards more comprehensive transformation.

Mac Quoc Anh, secretary general of the Hanoi Small and Medium-sized Enterprises Association, noted that Vietnam currently has around 900,000 active enterprises, more than 97 per cent of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). In recent years, awareness of digital and green transformation among these businesses has grown significantly.

However, enterprises continue to face considerable barriers. Initial investment costs remain high, especially for green technologies in manufacturing. In addition, there is a shortage of high-quality workers, while many SMEs still face limitations in technological capacity and governance.

Despite these challenges, the opportunities are substantial. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the adoption of digital technologies could help developing economies boost GDP growth by 1-2 per cent annually.

Anh proposed several key policy measures to accelerate the transformation process. It is necessary to further refine institutions supporting the digital and green economy, including regulations on data governance, carbon markets, and circular economy frameworks. Vietnam should also strongly develop a green finance ecosystem, including green credit, green bonds, and technology investment funds.

In addition, targeted support programmes should be established to assist SMEs in technology adoption through consulting, training, and technology transfer. Greater investment is needed in human capital development, particularly in digital skills, environmental, social, and governance, and green technologies.

Accelerating investment in national digital infrastructure will also be crucial to underpin the digital economy. At the same time, business associations should play a stronger role in connecting enterprises with technological, financial, and market resources.

Nguyen Van Long, director general of the Department of Science, Technology and Environment under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, stated that digital and green transformation was becoming a dominant global development trend.

Requirements related to traceability, supply chain transparency, environmental standards, and low emissions are becoming increasingly stringent, directly affecting production models and the competitiveness of the agricultural sector.

Domestically, although significant achievements have been made, agricultural production still depends heavily on natural resource exploitation, with high input costs and suboptimal efficiency.

Therefore, encouraging digital transformation alongside the application of sci-tech in green production and circular economy models is an urgent and long-term strategic requirement.

To support this transition, Long outlined several key solutions, including improving institutional frameworks to integrate digital transformation, green growth, and circular economy principles; developing digital infrastructure and interoperable data platforms; and mobilising diversified financial resources for technological innovation and green production.
Fairmont Hanoi opened its doors on March 30, marking the first Fairmont Hotels & Resorts property in Vietnam. An assembly of Vietnamese government officials, international representatives from Fairmont Hotels & Resorts, and executives from GELEX Group gathered to witness this defining milestone in Hanois evolution as a global luxury destination.

"The grand opening of Fairmont Hanoi is a significant moment for our brand, as we unveil our inaugural property in Vietnam," said Omer Acar, CEO of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts.

"Fairmont hotels are the social epicentres of their destinations, and Hanoi  a city of remarkable character and energy  is the perfect setting for Fairmont to contribute to its emergence as a leading luxury destination in Asia. Fairmont Hanoi is conceived as a genuine gathering place, from its world-class culinary offerings to its spa. This is more than a hotel; it's a home within the city where we can 'Make Special Happen' for our guests," he added.

Le Tuan Anh, deputy CEO of GELEX Group, representing the owner of Fairmont Hanoi, said, "Fairmont Hanoi is envisioned as a hotel project that sets a new benchmark for sophisticated living and unparalleled experiences. We anticipate it will become a premier destination, inspiring iconic experiences and contributing to the elevation of Hanoi's stature on the regional map of luxury tourism and hospitality."

The grand opening event offered an evocative journey that demonstrated Fairmont Hanoi's immersive design philosophy. Inspired by the Red Rivers flow and the citys profound heritage, the event showcased how the hotel seamlessly blends heritage and modern elegance. This celebration marked the full realisation of the hotels vision, inviting all to experience a tranquil retreat within the vibrant rhythm of the capital, where traditional cultural nuances meet contemporary interpretations.

A Fairmont Gold Room at Fairmont Hanoi

Fairmont Hanoi presents a curated tapestry of exceptional services and unparalleled comfort, meticulously designed to redefine luxury in Vietnam.

The hotel features 241 elegantly appointed guest rooms, including 38 Fairmont gold rooms and 12 spacious suites, each offering refined serenity. These spaces provide a sanctuary of calm and quiet confidence, boasting captivating views of Hanois historic Old Quarter or the dynamic city skyline.

It includes eight distinctive restaurants, bars, and lounges, presenting an extraordinary gastronomic adventure. From Chef Luke Nguyens contemporary interpretations of Vietnamese heritage at Tran Dynasty and the sophisticated Japanese offerings of Hiryu, to Michelin-starred Chef Nicolas Isnards vibrant Italian flavours at Bacco, each venue promising memorable moments for exquisite tastes. Further delightful experiences are available at the tranquil Pool Terrace & Bar alongside the welcoming 10 Central Cafe, YY Bar, and Fairmont Gold Lounge.

Fairmont Hanois Italian restaurant Bacco

At the Cirua Spa, Fitness & Wellness Club, guests can enjoy ritual-led treatments in a signature bathhouse with hydrotherapy and thermal facilities, or work out in a state-of-the-art fitness studio. The urban oasis is designed for physical restoration and inner balance.

Fairmont Hanoi also unveiled its extensive event facilities, including the Old Quarter's largest ballroom  a 1,115 square metre column-free space. Additional ballrooms and meeting rooms with natural light form a flexible destination for cultural events and conferences, with the hotel's meetings and events centre encompassing over 4,000 square metres of versatile space.

Fairmont Hanoi offers the largest ballroom in Hanois Old Quarter

With its grand opening, Fairmont Hanoi has positioned itself as a place where heritage and innovation converge, and where culture is presented and celebrated.

"Tonight, we do not merely open the doors to a city's landmark; we awaken a heart that has been years in the making," said Jean-Francois Brun, general manager of Fairmont Hanoi. "This property is the first Fairmont in Vietnam, a sanctuary where the city's thousand-year legacy is woven into a tapestry of modern elegance. It is a milestone that redefines what it means to experience luxury in Hanoi. We are honoured to create a place where these legacies meet, and where meaningful, lasting moments can unfold for every guest who walks through our doors."

Fairmont Hanoi is now open, marking a new beat in the capital's luxury landscape.

Fairmont Hanoi is an iconic luxury destination located in the vibrant heart of Vietnam's capital. Seamlessly blending contemporary design with authentic local artistry, the hotel embodies its positioning as "The Modern Heartbeat of Hanoi," offering discerning travellers an immersive experience into the city's rich heritage. As the inaugural property of Fairmont Hotels & Resorts in Vietnam, Fairmont Hanoi is committed to delivering distinctive luxury and unforgettable, authentically local moments.

Fairmont opens first Vietnam property in Hanoi Fairmont Hotels & Resorts has made its debut in Vietnam, marking a notable expansion of the luxury hospitality segment in Hanoi.
Officials call for scaled-up finance as Forest Investment Marketplace convenes in Hanoi

The event is organised in Hanoi from March 30 to April 1 with the participation of over 60 representatives from Asia, Africa and beyond, including from forest country governments, private sector investors, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and international organisations.

Opening sessions featured remarks from senior representatives of UNEP and the UN-REDD Programme, alongside high-level government representatives from Vietnam and international partners.

Over the course of the event, discussions are structured around three main themes, including pipeline and enterprise readiness. The theme focuses on how forest enterprises can be supported through incubation and acceleration programmes, and how policy and institutional frameworks can enable their development.

Participants will share experiences from different regions, including Southeast Asia and Africa, where enterprises in sectors such as bamboo, rattan and non-timber forest products are navigating increasing demands for traceability, sustainability and compliance with international standards.

At the second theme, named finance and de-risking instruments. Speakers will clarify the reason capital exists globally but often does not reach forest-based SMEs due to perceived risks, high transaction costs and misalignment between financial products and enterprise realities.

The third theme, JREDD+ and Inclusion, examines the role of jurisdictional REDD+ frameworks as enabling platforms for investment. As countries advance REDD+ programmes, these frameworks are increasingly seen not only as tools for carbon accounting but also as mechanisms to strengthen governance, clarify tenure, reduce deforestation risk and support sustainable value chains.

Annette Wallgren, UN-REDD Asia-Pacific coordinator at UNEP, said, Over the past 15 years, UN-REDD have supported more than 65 countries in building the foundations for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation, what we can call REDD+, including strengthening national forest monitoring systems, developing safeguards and benefit-sharing mechanisms, and supporting institutional readiness."

"Our focus has shifted from readiness to implementation and market access. This means helping countries navigate a rapidly evolving forest finance landscape - connecting jurisdictional initiatives to demand, ensuring integrity and supporting countries to engage with carbon markets and results-based finance. At the same time, the UN-REDD supports social forestry and forest enterprise development for a strong local ownership.

Thomas Gass, Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam, underscored the need to translate growing global interest in forests into real-life, scalable investments that reach enterprises on the ground.

If we want to achieve our ambitions, we need to find the right financial instruments and build enabling conditions to attract and enable investments to flow into the sustainable management of forests. To achieve this, we need the perspectives of policymakers, of investors, of entrepreneurs and of development partners to identify the ways to overcome the various challenges today and identify the most promising solutions for tomorrow, he said.

At a time when global attention is increasingly focused on climate mitigation, biodiversity conservation and sustainable supply chains, forest-based enterprises are emerging as critical actors. Yet despite their potential, these enterprises continue to face systemic barriers.

According to recent assessments under the UN-REDD Programme, global finance for forests must triple by 2030 to meet climate and biodiversity goals, while the majority of existing funding remains public or grant-based. Risk-tolerant capital for early-stage enterprises, particularly in developing economies, remains scarce, and pathways to markets and investment are often unclear.

The Forest Investment Marketplace is responding directly to these challenges by creating a structured space for dialogue and cooperation. Rather than focusing solely on individual components such as enterprise incubation or investment mechanisms, the event adopts a systems approach - bringing together actors across the full-value chain, from enterprise development and supply chains to finance and jurisdictional governance frameworks, particularly those associated with REDD+.

The programme opened with a field visit on March 30, offering participants the opportunity to engage directly with local forest and nature-based enterprises in Vietnam. The country provides a particularly relevant context for these discussions. As a major producer of forest-based commodities such as bamboo and rattan, the country is deeply integrated into global supply chains that are undergoing rapid transformation.

New regulatory frameworks, including deforestation-free requirements and environmental, social and governance standards, are reshaping market expectations. For Vietnamese enterprises, this creates both challenges and opportunities, highlighting the need for stronger linkages between production, compliance, finance and international markets.

Beyond dialogue, the Forest Investment Marketplace is designed to generate practical outcomes. By the end of the three days, organisers expect to have advanced a shared understanding of how to move from fragmented support systems to more integrated investment ecosystems for forest-based enterprises. In doing so, the Marketplace aims to contribute to a broader shift in how forests are valued, not only as environmental assets but also as foundations for sustainable and inclusive economic development.

The Forest Investment Marketplace is part of ongoing efforts by UNEP and the UN-REDD Programme to support countries in mobilising finance for forests, strengthening governance frameworks and encouraging sustainable livelihoods. By convening diverse stakeholders in Hanoi, the event seeks to catalyse new forms of collaboration that can help bridge the gap between ambition and implementation in forest and climate finance.

$100 million initiative launched to protect forests and boost rural incomes Vietnam on January 29 received a major green investment, with international partners committing over $100 million to protect forests, reduce emissions, and strengthen rural livelihoods.

Vietnam forest protection initiative launched Vietnams Forestry Administration and German Development Agency, on February 6 held a kick-off meeting for the Management and Protection of Protected Areas with Diverse Ecosystems in Vietnam project.

Agro-forestry and fisheries exports jump nearly 30 per cent in January Vietnams agro-forestry and fisheries export turnover reached an estimated $6.51 billion in January 2026, up 29.5 per cent year-on-year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.
On March 27, the Climate Resilient by Nature (CRxN) initiative was launched in Tram Chim, Dong Thap province, in collaboration with Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment. Funded by the Australian government through the Mekong Climate Resilience Partnership, the next phase will restore 1,750 hectares of critical freshwater ecosystems and support nearly 2,000 vulnerable residents in Dong Thap and Tay Ninh.

Le Ha Luan, director of Dong Thap Department of Agriculture and Environment, said the province is shifting from conventional agriculture to climate-smart approaches to address climate challenges and sustain livelihoods.

"Nature-based solutions are the key to restoring the natural flood dynamics of the Mekong Delta, which is essential for long-term sustainability," he said. "Through our partnership with WWF-Vietnam, Dong Thap is committed to scaling up successful practices and securing financial support to make them permanent."

According to a 2023 forecast by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, approximately 40 per cent of the Mekong Delta could be inundated by a one-metre sea-level rise, threatening the livelihoods of more than 17 million people. In response, the initial phase of the CRxN saw WWF-Vietnam successfully pilot nature-based solutions, that supported communities to adapt to changing flood dynamics.

By introducing innovative flood-based livelihood models such as floating rice cultivation and integrated lotus-fish farming, the scheme proved that ecological restoration and economic growth can go hand-in-hand. These scientifically backed models restored the natural floodplains, boosted local incomes, and contributed to a 25 per cent reduction greenhouse gas emissions.

Gillian Bird, Australias Ambassador to Vietnam, stated, Were excited to partner with Vietnam to support a more inclusive and resilient Mekong subregion. By building on the strong foundation of our earlier work, we will have a positive impact on local peoples lives and the planet, by restoring ecosystems, supporting sustainable livelihoods and building resilience to climate shocks.

Running through to 2029 across Dong Thap and Tay Ninh, Phase II marks a transformative shift from piloting climate-resilient farming models to scaling proven solutions that restore ecosystems and strengthen community resilience, enabling people and nature to thrive together. This phase will primarily target marginalised communities in the buffer zones of the Lang Sen Wetland Reserves and Tram Chim National Park.

Vuong Quoc Chien, regional programme manager of WWF-Greater Mekong, said, The success of Phase I was made possible by the commitment and expertise of all our partners and communities. As we enter Phase II, our focus is on strengthening collaboration to drive landscapelevel restoration, where healthier wetlands, resilient livelihoods, and longterm climate security reinforce one another. This shared vision is what will enable the Mekongs people and ecosystems to thrive well into the future.

Charlotte Sterrett, senior manager of Community Resilient & Adaptation at WWF-Australia stated, "Phase II of Climate Resilient by Nature programme marks progression from piloting solutions to building pathways for scale. By making value of high-integrity locally led naturebased solutions visible, we can unlock investment that sustains community-led approaches long after project cycles end."

Dong Thap asserts key status as Mekong Delta gateway Dong Thap is driving economic transformation after merging with Tien Giang province, aiming to become the Mekong Deltas strategic gateway through infrastructure upgrades, investment growth, and decisive government reform.

Can Tho poised to become Mekong Delta growth engine Can Tho continues to attract major investors, aiming to tap the citys strategic location, resources, and growth potential.
Households in Wales who use heating oil or liquid petroleum gas and are registered for Council Tax Reduction are to receive a one-off 200 payment as global fuel prices rise following the conflict in the Middle East.

The Welsh Government confirmed the payment is drawing on 3.8 million allocated to Wales by the UK Government.

Local authorities will contact eligible households directly and invite them to apply. Residents will need to confirm their fuel type and provide bank details, with money paid into accounts directly. The scheme runs for six months from launch.

For Wrexham residents, the payments will be administered through Wrexham County Borough Council.

Those who do not qualify but face severe financial hardship can apply to the Discretionary Assistance Fund. The maximum award for heating oil through that fund has been raised from 500 to 750, and people can now apply up to twice within a 12-month period. Applications go through local authorities and partners including housing associations and organisations such as Citizens Advice.

Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice Jane Hutt said: The cost of living continues to put pressure on many households across Wales, and the conflict in the Middle East is driving up prices, adding to the anxiety many people already feel about paying their bills and heating their homes.

Supporting people through these pressures is a priority for us and we are doing all we can for those who need it most.

Hutt pointed people struggling with heating costs towards the Nest Warm Homes scheme, which offers free energy efficiency advice and improvements to low-income Welsh households. The scheme, along with the Optimised Retrofit Programme, provides more than 130 million a year for free energy efficiency improvements including insulation and heating upgrades.

Residents unsure what support they are entitled to can contact Advicelink Cymru for confidential advice on 0800 702 2020. Those struggling to heat their homes can contact Nest on 0808 808 2244.

Spotted something? Got a story? email us at Got a story? email us at news@wrexham.com
The Bureau of Land Management can move forward with the Rhyolite Ridge mine after a Nevada court reaffirmed their approval for the project.

The lithium-boron project is located in the Silver Peak range in Esmeralda County.

Tuesday's decision comes after the Center for Biological Diversity sued the BLM claiming the mine would threaten an endangered wildflower species in the area. But, the United States District Court for Nevada said the plan did not violate the Endangered Species Act and upheld approval for the project.

Ioneer says the project will mine and process two critical minerals in Nevada and provide a significant new source of two materials necessary for permanent magnets, batteries and semiconductors.

Ioneer issued the following statement:

Ioneer is pleased that the District Court denied all challenges to the Rhyolite Ridge mine plan. For more than six years, we have worked closely with state, federal and tribal representatives, as well as the Fish Lake Valley community, to responsibly develop our Rhyolite Ridge Lithium-Boron Project.

This favorable outcome is a significant milestone and allows us to continue advancing our work in delivering lithium and boron for the United States.

Rhyolite Ridge will create hundreds of new American jobs, reduce reliance on foreign materials and processing, and provide a domestic source of two critical minerals.

We look forward to completing our strategic partnering process and beginning construction.

JULY 18, 2025

There have been some bumps in the road, but the Rhyolite Ridge lithium and boron mine is still expected to start production on schedule.

2 News Nevada went up to the mine last year to get into its economic impact, residential feedback, and environmental concerns.

Recently, the Australian based company, Ioneer, that's spearheading the project, announced it is looking for a new equity partner. This comes after Sibanye-Stillwater backed out in February.

"They made a decision focusing on their primary business that they did not want to move forward with an additional investment," said Chad Yeftich, Vice President of Corporate Development and External Affairs, Ioneer.

Yeftich says that Sibanye-Stillwater's primary business is in platinum.

The company said they formally started looking into a partner or partners, in late June. They expect to have those decided in about four months. Then once that business is handled, they will take another month or two to make the final investment decision.

Once the decision is finalized, they will start construction. Groundwork construction is expected to start in 2026, and production is still scheduled to start in 2028.

The Rhyolite Ridge mine is located in the Silver Peak range in Esmeralda County. The closest town is Dyer, and the closest city is Tonopah.

The mine is in rare air, as it will produce lithium, a mineral known for batteries and electric cars, but also boron. Having a mine produce both minerals is the only of its kind known in North America.

"In looking at making a sizeable investment for a long period of time, the idea that you're able to hedge your lithium volatility with a stable co-product is important and unique," Yeftich said.

The project is expected to bring lots of jobs and millions of dollars a year to Nevada's economy once the mine is operational.

Yeftich says there are some key ingredients when putting together a project of this size.

"There's always three things you need to build," he said. "You need permits. You need financing, and you need engineering."

When looking into the finances, Ioneer has invested about $200 million of its own money into the project. The U.S. Department of Energy has loaned $996 million.

Permitting was set in stone back in October when the Bureau of Land Management announced an approval. The project also got the state's blessing for the water and air quality report.

On the engineering side, they say things are going great.

"This project remains the most well engineered in terms of design completion of any lithium project in the U.S. that's under development," Yeftich said. "70 percent design complete. Normally projects go into constriction with about 20 to 30 percent design complete."

The price of lithium has plummeted since about 2022, but Yeftich says he is not concerned with the drop, because in 2021, the price of lithium was very similar to where it is today.

They also say they will produce the mineral at about half of the current average global rate. Yeftich says it will cost about $5,700 a ton to produce it and says the current lithium price is between $9,000 to $10,000.

"This is a project where we have a 98-year mine plan in our reserve forecast, so we want to plan for the longer term and make sure those benefits stay here in Nevada," Yeftich said.

In the meantime, Goldman Sachs & Co will be acting as the advisor to help Ioneer find equity partners.
BAGHDAD (AP)  An American journalist was kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors, Iraqi officials said. The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for.

A U.S. official blamed the Iran-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

The Iraqi interior ministry confirmed a foreign journalist had been kidnapped but didn't give more details. Two Iraqi security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said the kidnapped journalist is a woman and a U.S. citizen.

They said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed while being pursued near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province southwest of Baghdad. The journalist was then transferred to a second car that fled the scene.

The interior ministry said security forces had launched an operation to track down the kidnappers, and intercepted a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers that overturned as they tried to flee. One suspect was arrested and one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was seized, but others remain on the loose, the statement said.

The two Iraqi security officials said the journalist was abducted in central Baghdad's Saadoun Street, and that an alert was sent to all checkpoints, leading to the pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed toward Babil province.

Al-Monitor, a regional news site covering the Middle East, said it was deeply alarmed and identified the journalist as Kittleson, a freelancer who contributed to the publication.

We call for her safe and immediate release, the statement said. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.

Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

The U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment. The U.S. State Department issued a statement, saying the Trump administration "has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and that it is tracking these reports.

Dylan Johnson, U.S. assistant secretary of state for public affairs, said on X that the State Department previously fulfilled our duty to warn this individual of threats against them.

An individual with ties to the Iranian-aligned militia group Kataib Hezbollah believed to be involved in the kidnapping has been taken into custody by Iraqi authorities, Johnson added.

A second U.S, official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to privacy concerns, said the abducted journalist had been warned multiple times, including as late as Monday night, that she was in danger and should leave Iraq immediately.

Iraqi officials have not publicly said anything about the kidnappers' affiliation.

Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran. Since the war began on Feb. 28, the U.S. Embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in Iraq to leave.

Iraqi militias have also kidnapped foreigners in the past.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After she was freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she said that she had been held by Kataib Hezbollah.

The group never officially claimed responsibility for kidnapping her.

Sewell reported from Beirut. Associated Press writers Stella Martany in Irbil, Iraq, and Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.
Norway presents hikers with enormous space. Plateaus stretch for miles, valleys open wide, and mountains appear more as borders than obstacles.

In many countries, this kind of scale comes with a sense of danger or exposure. In Norway, it rarely does. Even when you are far from towns or roads, the landscape feels neutral rather than threatening. That balance between size and comfort is one of Norway's most defining qualities, and it shapes how people move through the country on foot.

Openness Replaces Confinement

One reason Norway feels non-hostile is its openness. Trails often cross broad ground where visibility extends far in every direction. You can see weather approaching, identify terrain changes ahead, and understand your surroundings without effort.

The Terrain Rarely Forces Urgency

Norwegian landscapes rarely push hikers into making quick decisions. Slopes are generally gradual, paths are wide, and transitions happen slowly. Even in mountainous areas, the ground invites steady movement rather than sharp reactions.

Distance Feels Manageable Rather Than Intimidating

Distances in Norway are often long, but they don't feel overwhelming because they are not stacked with obstacles. You may walk for hours, but the effort remains consistent. There are few sudden drops, exposed scrambles, or technical surprises on standard routes.

The Landscape Does Not Test You Constantly

Norway does not design its hiking routes to challenge or provoke. Trails follow natural contours and established paths. There is little sense that the land is daring you to continue.

Water and Open Ground Soften the Experience

Lakes, rivers, and wetlands appear frequently along Norwegian routes. These features break up the scale and provide visual anchors. They also create natural resting points that make long days feel segmented rather than endless.

The Absence of Crowds Reduces Psychological Pressure

Norway's hiking regions rarely feel crowded, but the lack of people does not translate into isolation. Instead, it creates a sense of space without competition. You're not measuring yourself against others or adjusting your pace to match a group.

This absence of social pressure makes the environment feel neutral rather than intimidating. You walk without comparison, which makes scale easier to absorb.

Routes Allow Retreat Without Drama

Another reason Norway doesn't feel hostile is that retreat is usually straightforward. Trails remain readable in poor visibility, and turning back rarely involves technical risk. You don't feel trapped by the landscape.

Knowing that you can exit calmly changes how you perceive the space around you. Vastness feels less threatening when it doesn't trap you.

The Culture Assumes Competence, Not Heroism

Norwegian outdoor culture treats hiking as normal activity rather than heroic pursuit. The land is respected but not dramatized. This attitude influences how routes are maintained and how people move through them.

You are expected to be prepared, not exceptional. This expectation creates an environment where vast spaces feel accessible rather than exclusive.

Weather Is Part of the Scale, Not an Enemy

Weather in Norway contributes to the sense of size without turning it hostile. Cloud movement, wind, and changing light emphasize openness without creating panic. Conditions change, but they do so in visible ways.

This visibility allows hikers to respond calmly. Weather becomes part of the landscape's scale rather than a threat layered on top of it.

Where Structure Fits In

For those who prefer added support, Norway hiking tours provide structure without altering the nature of the terrain. The landscape remains open and expansive, but guidance helps distribute responsibility.

Why Norway's Vastness Feels Different

Norway feels vast because it is. It feels non-hostile because it doesn't compress that scale into confrontation. The land gives you space to move, time to adjust, and clarity to orient yourself.

This balance creates a hiking experience that is spacious without being aggressive. You are not challenged by scale; you coexist with it. That coexistence is what makes hiking in Norway feel expansive without ever feeling like the landscape is pushing back.
Construction may feel like it's at every corner of the city right now, but officials say each project is well planned in hopes of avoiding an extreme increase in traffic delays.


2025 Annual Financial Report

Perth, Mar 31, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Image Resources NL ( ASX:IMA ) ( I5R:FRA ) review of operations for CY2025 saw the completion of construction, project commissioning and start of mining and processing operations at the Company's Atlas mineral sands project located 170km north of Perth in the North Perth Basin. Operations at Atlas commenced after an 18-month revenue gap following the completion of mining operations at Boonanarring in the latter part of CY2023 with final revenue from operations from the sale of Boonanarring heavy mineral concentrate ("HMC") received in November 2023.



Image's operational strategy, as outlined in its 2017 Bankable Feasibility Study, was for the self-funded development of the Atlas project following the completion of mining and processing at Boonanarring. While Atlas construction and commissioning were self-funded, the 18-month delay in receipt of final permitting for Atlas required the Company to secure a US$20 million Prepayment Facility with its HMC offtake partners in Q4 2024 for working capital.



Atlas Construction commenced in August 2024 and advanced rapidly with the completion of the Atlas accommodation camp (Nambung Village) and dismantling of the Boonanarring wet concentration plant for transport to Atlas in September.



In November 2024 the Atlas construction site was affected by a major bushfire that burned on all sides of the construction area resulting in limited losses of physical equipment consisting of some slurry pipelines and related equipment. The fire also caused delays in the construction timeline of 3-4 weeks.



Despite the setbacks to the construction schedule construction and commissioning of all critical components of the processing plant and associated infrastructure were completed in Q1 2025 resulting in a declaration of operational status at Atlas from 1 April 2025. Ore processing ramped up quickly in April allowing for the first shipment of a nominal 10k tonnes of HMC



in April 2025. Name-plate capacity was achieved in June with sufficient HMC production to facilitate the completion of two additional shipments of HMC totalling a nominal 25k tonnes in June 2025. This resulted in the June quarter (the first operating quarter for Atlas) being operationally cashflow positive.



The June quarter was not without its challenges, as the innovative CT1 spirals incorporated into the wet concentrate plant ("WCP") design for Atlas, proved to be problematic due to the accumulation of root fibres in the pinch points within the spirals, resulting in substantial loss of heavy mineral recovery and spiral blockages. A backup plan was quickly implemented and the CT1 spirals were removed and replaced with conventional MG12 spirals in early May, with minimal downtime.



Other operational challenges included unusually high winter rainfalls impacting Atlas mining operations and causing delays at the Geraldton port from frequent storm surge events. In addition, mineral sands commodity prices started to weaken in late June and continued to weaken through the second half CY2025.



Despite the setbacks and challenges, your Company closed out CY2025 by beating guidance for C1 cash costs (A$334/t HMC produced versus A$340-400 guidance), and beating All-In Sustaining Cash Costs ("AISC") (A$396/t HMC produced versus A$410-470 guidance) and only narrowly missing original guidance on HMC tonnes produced (174.5k DMT versus 175-195k guidance), whereas HMC tonnes shipped was within the guidance range (154.4k DMT versus 150-170 guidance). HMC production was missed as a consequence of higher HM ore grades not being encountered until later in the year than forecast.



Working Capital Funding



Funding for working capital requirements for Atlas was secured in late CY2024 on more favourable terms than conventional debt through Image's long-standing HMC offtake partner Shantou Natfort Zirconium and Titanium Co., Ltd ("Natfort") in China through an Offtake Prepayment Facility for US$20 million.



Drawdown of an initial US$5 million from the Natfort Prepayment Facility occurred in late December 2024, and the balance of US$5 million from Natfort plus US$10 million from a second Prepayment Facility with Billion Sunny were received in January 2025. These facilities had an initial one-year term from drawdown.



A relatively weak mineral sands market has negatively impacted Image's HMC product demand and pricing. The Company is working closely with its offtake partners for the timely delivery of HMC and repayment of debt under the Prepayment Facilities with final repayment of the debt due at the end of 2026, subject to commodity market pricing.



Business Strategy



In contrast to Image's Chapter 1 simple business model of operating Boonanarring and then Atlas as one mine at a time, producing a single product (HMC) and marketing the HMC to a single geographical jurisdiction (China), the Company is advancing studies on its other 100%-owned mineral sands projects under its Chapter 2 ambitions which involve multiple mines operating simultaneously, producing multiple products including potentially synthetic rutile, and marketing into multiple geographic jurisdictions.



The Company published a positive Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on its Yandanooka project on 19 April 2024, and due to the positive results, work on a Bankable Feasibility Study (BFS) was started. However, due to cash conservation measures adopted to ensure Atlas construction could be self-funded, the BFS was put on hold. However, discussions and negotiations with the landholder to secure access for mining continued and are ongoing.



The intermediate strategy is to investigate extensions to mining at Atlas and Atlas North, or at Image's Hyperion project located in the vicinity of Atlas for processing via the current Atlas wet concentration plant.



In addition, Image is also advancing a PFS on its Durack deposit with a goal of finalising this study at the end of Q1 CY2026.



The strategic objective is for mining to commence at Yandanooka or Durack in sync with the completion of mining and processing at Atlas. The Yandanooka and Durack projects are located on actively cultivated private farmland and therefore permitting timelines were anticipated to be shorter than any of Image's other projects due to lower environmental and heritage sensitivities. However, access for mining must first be secured through compensation agreements which remain in negotiations.



Looking Forward



The Atlas project was operationally cash flow positive from its first full quarter of operations (Q2 CY2025). In addition, HMC production increased quarter-on-quarter for the balance of the year, with record production of 73k DMT in the December quarter. This strong operating performance allowed the delivery of record HMC shipments of 75k DMT in Q4 and to close the year with 20k DMT HMC in stock, providing a solid base for CY2026 HMC sales.



Based on Atlas operational and sales performance in CY2025, the Company is confident in achieving the following market guidance for CY2026: HMC Production: 170-190k DMT; HMC Sales: 180-200k DMT; C1 Cash Costs/t HMC Produced: A$300-360; and AISC/t HMC Produced: A$370-430.



While the Company's operational focus will be squarely on Atlas for CY2026, efforts will be directed at advancing Image's other mineral sands projects including desktop studies related to dry mining at Durack and Yandanooka as well as longer term and larger scale, potential dredge mining operations at McCalls, Mindarra Springs and Bidaminna.



In addition, in January 2026, the Company announced a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 2.1mt @2.1gpt Au containing 139,000 ounces of gold at its Erayinia King gold project. Given the very buoyant gold price, the Company initiated a strategic review in CY2026 to identify and assess options to unlock value for shareholders from Erayinia King and Image's overall gold tenements with additional drilling and metallurgical testing planned.



2025 in Review



Operations



Following receipt of all relevant Atlas approvals in August 2024 and relocation of mining and processing equipment from Boonanarring, Atlas site construction activity accelerated rapidly and was funded from cash reserves. Mining at Atlas commenced in September 2024.



Despite the challenges of a major bush fire late in CY2024 impacting construction and challenges with the innovative CT1 spirals, first HMC production was achieved on 19 February 2025, operating status was declared from 1 April 2025 and first shipment of HMC followed later in the same month.



In CY2025 the Company produced 174,000 DMT HMC, just below the lower end of guidance, from just over 2 million tonnes of ore processed. CY2025 sales were 154,000 DMT. CY2025 C1 costs were A$334/DMT produced and AISC were $394/DMT produced, both below the lower end of guidance.



Mineral Sands Commodity Prices and FX



The Company's HMC pricing model for Atlas is based on the underlying content of zircon (as % ZrO2+HfO2) and titanium dioxide (as % TiO2) in the HMC and benchmark market prices for the various products (zircon, rutile, and ilmenite) at appropriate quality specifications. The majority of the value of Boonanarring HMC (circa 80%) was derived from the zircon content, whilst the value of Atlas HMC is relatively evenly split between zircon and titanium. Benchmark prices are denominated in USD.



Market pricing for mineral sands commodities (zircon, ilmenite and rutile) declined in CY2025 compared to CY2024.



- Zircon: The average benchmark price for CY2025 was approximately US$1,800 per tonne (CY2024: US$2,050).



- Ilmenite: The average benchmark price in CY2025 was approximately US$295 per tonne (CY2024: US$310 per tonne).



- Rutile: The average benchmark price for 2025 was slightly above US$930 per tonne (CY2024: US$1,200).



Market Dynamics & Impact on HMC Pricing



Atlas HMC remains in demand with its relatively good processing characteristics and quality end products plus a small monazite credit encouraging offtakes to pay good rates compared to benchmarks. While the weaker commodities markets in CY2025 (driven by oversupply in China) resulted in offtake parties seeking some relief on sales volumes, the offtakers have expressed a desire for increased HMC shipments in Q1 2026.



Corporate



In respect of the CY2025 the Company reported a Net Loss of A$83 million (CY2024 Net Loss of A$9.4 million), including an exceptional item write down of mineral sands assets totalling A$53 million. The higher loss was a result of the commencement of operations at Atlas, combined with lower mineral sands prices impacting both operating margins and carrying values of assets associated with the Atlas mining operation.



In addition, the Company incurred a deferred tax asset write-off ($8 million).



The Company closed the year with A$7.7 million in Cash and HMC Prepayment Facility debt of A$16.7 million. The Company is reliant on ongoing HMC shipments from its Atlas operation to be able to meet creditor and debt obligations.



The Company entered into FX hedging contracts during CY2025 which provided some protection against a strengthening in the Australian dollar against the United States dollar. At 31 December 2025 Image had US$10 million of collars remaining with a put strike at 0.582 and Call Strike at 0.625 with maturities ranging from January 2026 to December 2026.



Growth and Sustainability



Growth Strategy

The Company's original operating strategy and plan outlined in its 2017 Bankable Feasibility Study ("BFS") was to mine and process all available Ore Reserves at Boonanarring and then self-fund the relocation of the mining fleet and processing equipment and support facilities to Atlas. Ore processing at Boonanarring ended in Q3 2023, however permitting for Atlas was significantly delayed and not finalised until August 2024, creating a much longer gap in production between Boonanarring and Atlas that extended beyond a minimal gap anticipated in the 2017 BFS. The original strategy of operating Boonanarring and Atlas in series and generating a single HMC product supplied to a single geographical jurisdiction is referred to as 'Chapter 1' strategy.



"Looking to a Bright Future"



The current growth and sustainability strategy under the banner of Chapter 2 expanded on the original strategy and incorporates the potential development of multiple mining/processing operations operating simultaneously, producing multiple products through a mineral separation facility and potentially upgrading ilmenite to SR and expanding to a global market, subject as always to regulatory approvals, land access agreements where required, positive bankable feasibilities, project funding and final investment decisions.



Beyond operations at Atlas, Image's Development Team continues to assess the Company's options to extend mining and production in the Atlas area through mining at Atlas North or nearby Hyperion, and to advance future development options beyond Atlas at the Company's 100%-owned deposits at Yandanooka, Durack, and other Eneabba projects, as well as at Bidaminna and further into the future, the McCalls project.



During Q4 CY2025, Image applied for a grant through the WA Investment Attraction Fund - New Energy Industries Round 2 regarding the Company's novel synthetic rutile (SR) production process currently under final patent application. If successful in securing grant funds, a demonstration SR plant is proposed to be constructed at the Boonanarring site in 2H CY2026.



In early January 2026 the Company announced a maiden Mineral Resources estimate of 2.1mt @ 2.1gpt Au containing 139k ounces of gold at our Erayinia King gold project. (ASX announcement dated 7 January 2026 'Erayinia Maiden MRE') The Company is now undertaking a strategic review to assess options to unlock value for shareholders from this asset given the current very buoyant gold market. Options being considered include divestiture or other commercial arrangements for all of Image's gold tenements, as well as options for the development of the Erayinia King project, including potentially by Image.



*To view the full Annual Report, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/21481IJ3





About Image Resources NL





Image Resources NL (ASX:IMA) is a mineral sands focused miner and supplier of critical minerals titanium dioxide, zircon and monazite containing rare earth elements for sale into global markets. The Company has a demonstrated track record of successful project development and operations at its Boonanarring project located 80km north of Perth in the infrastructure rich North Perth Basin.

Boonanarring was a high-grade, high-zircon, low capital cost mine development that was constructed on-time and on-budget in CY2018 and then ramped up to name plate capacity in the second month of operation and went on to operate profitably through Q3 2023. Debt for the project was paid off early in February 2021 and the Company paid dividends to shareholders in April 2021 and April 2022.

Image completed critical construction of the Atlas project in January 2025 and started commissioning and achieved first HMC production in February 2025 and will be ramping up production and revenue from Atlas in Q2 CY2025.

Chapter 1 operating strategy for Image involved the transition from advanced explorer to active miner in CY2018, operating a single mine and producing a single product (HMC) sold into a single jurisdiction (China). Chapter 2 strategy (post Atlas) will focus on the Company's growth and sustainability ambitions which includes the operation of multiple mines in parallel, producing multiple products (separating HMC), and selling into a global market.

The Company is also investigating a significant value adding step of upgrading its ilmenite to synthetic rutile using a lower GHG emissions, innovative process which Image has provisionally patented, and aims to demonstrate the technical and economic feasibility of this novel process in CY2025-26.

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Malibu, CA, Mar 31, 2026 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Join The Ellis Martin Report for a conversation with John Passalacqua, CEO of First Phosphate Corp. ( CNSX:PHOS ) ( FRSPF:OTCMKTS ) ( KD0:FRA ), as the company advances a vertically integrated, North American supply chain for lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries.



First Phosphate recently secured a C$16.7 million non-repayable contribution from the Government of Canada, reinforcing its role in building a domestic critical minerals ecosystem. The funding supports feasibility work and engineering studies as the company moves toward a final investment decision.



At the same time, the company has completed an expanded 40,000-meter drill program at its flagship Begin-Lamarche project in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec. The results confirm strong continuity of high-purity phosphate mineralization and include new discoveries in both northern and southern zones, strengthening the overall geological model.



In this interview, we discuss:



Why LFP batteries are rapidly replacing traditional lithium-ion chemistries

The importance of phosphate as 61% of the LFP battery composition

The strategic need to onshore battery supply chains in North America

Progress toward feasibility and production decisions

The significance of government backing and non-dilutive funding



With strong technical validation, government support, and a clear path forward, First Phosphate is positioning itself as a key player in the future of energy storage, data centers, robotics, mobility, and national security applications.



To Listen to the Interview, please visit:

https://www.abnnewswire.net/lnk/5W0ZEI83



*To view the press release, please visit:

https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/IRY1926B







About First Phosphate Corp.





First Phosphate Corp. (CNSX:PHOS) (OTCMKTS:FRSPF) (FRA:KD0) is a mineral development and cleantech company dedicated to building and onshoring a vertically integrated mine-to-market lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery supply chain for North America. Target markets include energy storage, data centers, robotics, mobility and defense.

First Phosphate's flagship Begin-Lamarche Property in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada is a North American rare igneous phosphate resource yielding high-purity phosphate with minimal impurities.

About The Ellis Martin Report

The Ellis Martin Report (TEMR) and Money Talk Radio feature interviews with industry leaders in mining, biotech, energy, and technology. The program is globally syndicated through multiple financial platforms and streaming services.

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Consumer expo to underline Chinese market's enduring appeal

Xinhua) 08:24, March 31, 2026

Visitors view the Ducati motorcycles at the 5th China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) in Haikou, capital of south China's Hainan Province, April 14, 2025. (Xinhua/Zhou Huimin)

BEIJING, March 30 (Xinhua) -- The sixth China International Consumer Products Expo (CICPE) is set to reaffirm the lasting appeal of the Chinese market, with robust international participation underscoring global businesses' continued confidence in the world's second-largest economy.

Scheduled to take place in south China's Hainan Province from April 13 to 18, this expo will see the participation of more than 3,400 brands from over 60 countries and regions, Vice Commerce Minister Sheng Qiuping said at a press conference on Monday.

International exhibits will account for 65 percent of the total, up 20 percentage points from last year.

Since its launch in 2021, the expo has become an important platform for multinationals to stay abreast of consumer trends in China's gigantic market, with over 3,800 enterprises and more than 12,000 brands from 92 countries and regions participating over the past five editions.

Sheng noted that the expo has become a "bridgehead" for high-level opening up, with over 230,000 domestic and overseas buyers participating across the five expos to date.

"It has opened a fast-track channel for high-quality consumer goods from around the world to enter the Chinese market, and injected continuous new momentum into upgrading consumption and unlocking the potential of China's vast market," he said.

Canada, this year's guest of honor, will bring nearly 40 companies to showcase cosmetics, agricultural products, pet food and more. Russia and Bulgaria are among the nations setting up national pavilions for the first time, while official delegations from 12 countries and regions, including Switzerland, the Czech Republic and Ireland, will also attend.

Beyond the main venue, a health exhibition area in Boao will feature 120 international pharmaceutical and medical device companies, and a yacht show in Sanya is expected to host over 200 yachts, with international brands accounting for 70 percent.

This year's expo carries added significance as it will be the first edition since the Hainan Free Trade Port (FTP) fully launched island-wide special customs operations in December last year.

Under the new rule, the "first line" linking Hainan with overseas markets allows most imported goods to enter tariff-free with faster clearance, while the "second line" between Hainan and the mainland applies standard customs oversight.

For exhibitors and consumers alike, this year's consumer expo offers a first glimpse of how the new policies will reshape trade and consumption dynamics.

Bateer, vice governor of Hainan Province, emphasized that the event is not only a platform for showcasing global consumer goods but also a window for the concentrated release of favorable policies following the launch of special customs operations.

For exhibitors, this means enhanced customs clearance efficiency and lower logistics costs. The expansion of the zero-tariff goods list to over 6,600 items opens up new possibilities for setting up production and supply chain hubs in Hainan, catering to both the vast mainland market and Southeast Asia.

For consumers, the experience is becoming more immersive and accessible. Thanks to the duty-free policy for imported exhibits during the expo, consumers can purchase a wide range of new and unique products from around the world directly at the venue, all at duty-free prices.

The expo is also positioning itself as a global launchpad for lifestyle trends and a must-visit destination for the latest innovations. According to Bateer, more than 200 new products are expected to be unveiled at this year's expo, doubling the number from the previous year.

Among them will be new models of flying cars, intelligent robots and smart public transport stations. The expo will also feature a dedicated pavilion highlighting consumer goods from 22 countries and regions under the theme of "exporting to China," setting a new record for the number of participating national and regional pavilions.

"It is fair to say that the CICPE has effectively transformed the policy dividends of the FTP into market vitality, industrial momentum and tangible development results," Sheng said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
Beirut, Lebanon (PANA) - More than a month since war erupted in the Middle East, UN agencies confirmed on Tuesday that huge numbers of people have returned to Syria from Lebanon "exhausted, traumatized and with very, very few belongings"
A passenger aboard Delta flight DL104 recorded the moment the left engine failed, emitting flames immediately after takeoff at Sao Paulo Airport. The aircraft, heading to Atlanta, diverted back to GRU, landing safely. https://t.co/AFQF0NaKGz pic.twitter.com/YWMGmr6Wwo  Turbine Traveller (@Turbinetraveler) March 30, 2026 Flug DL104,  XSL

 aero.de | Abb.: Airbus | 31.03.2026 10:43

SAO PAULO - Im Steigflug aus Sao Paulo schlagen Flammen aus dem linken Triebwerk - der Airbus A330-300 von Delta Air Lines kehrt an den Flughafen zuruck. An der Landebahn bezieht die Flughafenfeuerwehr Stellung, mehrere Fluge fallen aus. Das ist uber den Zwischenfall bisher bekannt.Flughafen Sao Paulo Guarulhos, 29, Marz 2026: Delta 104 startet nach Atlanta. Der Airbus A330-300 ist erst wenige Sekunden in der Luft als aus dem linken Triebwerk weithin sichtbare Stichflammen schlagen.Der Zwischenfall wird aus der Kabine und vom Boden gefilmt - mehr als eine Minute zungeln Flammen aus dem PW4000. Die Piloten schalten das Triebwerk ab und kehren nach Sao Paulo um. Dort nimmt die Feuerwehr die N813NW in Empfang. An Bord des Flugs befanden sich 272 Passagiere und 14 Besatzungsmitglieder.Der Zwischenfall wird jetzt von der brasilianischen Ermittlungsbehorde Cenipa untersucht.Nach Flughafenangaben fielen wegen des Einsatzes auf der Landebahn 28 Fluge aus, mehrere Maschinen im Anflug auf Sao Paulo mussten umgeleitet werden.
India Now 'Naxal-Free', Amit Shah Declares in Parliament; Targets Congress Over Past Failures 2

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Monday declared in Parliament that India has effectively become free from Naxalism, stating that the Maoist leadership and central structure have been nearly dismantled.

Replying to a debate in the Lok Sabha on efforts to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), Shah said the governments target of making the country Naxal-free by March 31, 2026, has largely been achieved. He added that a formal announcement would follow once the process is fully completed.

Their Politburo and central structure have been almost completely dismantled. I can say that we have become Naxal-free, Shah told the House, highlighting major successes of security forces across affected states.

Detailing the progress, Shah said members of Maoist state committees in Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Chhattisgarh have surrendered, while most remaining cadres in Odisha and Telangana have either been neutralised or have laid down arms.

He credited the achievement to coordinated efforts by Central Armed Police Forces, state police units, specialised forces like CoBRA and DRG, and support from tribal communities in affected regions.

Targeting the Congress, Shah alleged that previous governments failed to tackle the decades-long insurgency and allowed the Red Corridor to expand across multiple states. He questioned why the issue remained unresolved for years despite Congress being in power for a significant period after independence.

The Home Minister also accused Congress leader Rahul Gandhi of showing sympathy towards Naxal-linked elements, citing past public appearances and social media activity.

Shah reiterated the governments dual approachrehabilitation for those who surrender and strict action against those who continue violence. Talks are only with those who lay down arms; a bullet will be answered with a bullet, he asserted.

Highlighting the human and economic cost of the insurgency, Shah said Naxal violence had claimed around 20,000 lives, including 5,000 security personnel, and kept nearly 12 crore people deprived of development across affected regions.

He added that areas like Bastar, once heavily affected by Maoist influence, are now witnessing development as the shadow of red terror recedes. Shah credited the Modi governments welfare initiatives and infrastructure push for improving conditions in these regions.

Reaffirming the governments stance, Shah said India will not tolerate any form of armed insurgency and emphasised that justice must be pursued through constitutional means, not violence.
UP Cracks Down on Fuel Black Marketing: 17,000+ Raids, 17 Arrested Across State 2

The Uttar Pradesh government has carried out an extensive crackdown on black marketing of LPG and petroleum products, conducting over 17,000 raids and inspections across the state since March 12.

According to an official statement issued late Monday night, a total of 17,581 raids were conducted during this period, resulting in the arrest of 17 individuals. Authorities also registered 33 FIRs against LPG distributors and 189 FIRs in other related cases, while initiating prosecution proceedings against 224 people.

The action follows directives from the Chief Secretary, with district administrations actively monitoring the supply situation. District supply officers and local officials have been tasked with ensuring the timely availability of cooking gas cylinders and fuel to consumers through regular inspections.

The government said petrol and diesel supplies remain stable, with approximately 91,000 kilolitres of petrol and 1.15 lakh kilolitres of diesel currently in stock. Across the state, 12,888 petrol pumps are operational, and fuel sales have continued steadily in recent days.

Authorities have urged citizens not to panic or engage in hoarding, emphasising that the supply chain remains uninterrupted.

The LPG supply situation has also been described as satisfactory, with 4,107 distributors ensuring delivery of cylinders as per bookings. Adequate stock is available to meet consumer demand, the statement said.

Efforts are also underway to expand the city gas distribution (CGD) network, with instructions issued to fast-track approvals and increase the number of piped natural gas (PNG) connections.

In addition, the central government has allowed a 20 per cent increase in the allocation of commercial LPG cylinders from March 23 to support demand.

To maintain constant oversight, a 24-hour control room has been set up at the office of the Food and Civil Supplies Commissioner, along with similar monitoring centres in all districts to track supply and prevent irregularities.
American leftists held another No Kings rally last weekend. Democrats and their ideological allies gathered in city parks and town squares to tell the rest of us how awful we are. They screamed obscenities and called us fascists and Nazis. They demanded President Trumps removal from office. Some even brazenly wished for his death.

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To non-leftists, these things are cringeworthy spectacles. The participants look loony and behave immaturely. They are not serious people. Their messages make no sense. How are they able to protest so vocally if they are living under the yoke of tyranny? How are they able to call for President Trumps death if he is truly a malevolent king? Such riddles are never asked or answered. We are expected to treat their hurt feelings as reasonable justification for their demands to overthrow the government.

Democrats tantrums resemble nonsensical petitions listing infantile grievances, such as: (1) Hillary really won! (2) Russia, Russia, Russia! (3) Dont forget Epstein! (4) Trump incited an insurrection on January 6! (5) Biden should have imprisoned Trump! (6) Kamala really won! (7) The War in Ukraine is good; the War in Iran is bad! (8) Trump is attacking the press! (9) Trump is raising oil prices! (10) Trump has lost his mind! (11) Trump will never leave office! (12) Trump must leave Venezuela and Cuba alone! (13) Israel controls Trump! (14) Were all going to die from climate change! (15) Trump wants to bring back slavery! (16) Trump is committing violence against trans kids! (17) Trump is intentionally dividing the country! (18) Undocumented immigrants are Americans! (19) The votes of undocumented voters must be counted!

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This writ of grievances sounds as if it came from the addled minds of a bunch of nutters hopped up on amphetamines. Leftists want to overthrow the government but insist that Trump should be in prison for trying to overthrow the government. They think Biden was of sound mind but that Trump has lost his marbles. They ignore all of Epsteins ties to Bill Clinton and other Democrats, while insisting Trump did something nefarious. They call for hate speech and misinformation to be prosecuted as crimes, while denouncing Trumps attacks on free speech. They want Trumps monarchy to impose climate regulations that would increase fuel costs, while condemning Trump for causing gas prices to rise. They accuse Trump of fomenting division, while organizing nationwide protests fomenting division. They insist that Trumps speech represents violence but that their violence is protected speech. Its all very crazy. If you are incapable of bending over and sticking your head up your own derriere, then you probably cant make sense of anything they say.

One social media guru named Yogi beautifully lampooned the No Kings protests: The modern lefts definition of fascism: You love your country? Fascist. You want to enforce the border? Racist. You think parents should raise their kids? Bigot. You want to know whos voting in your elections? Jim crow. Yogi then pointed out how ridiculous leftists are for ignoring all the aristocrats who have been ruling over them for decades:

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Congress has a 15% approval rating. 80% of Americans disapprove. 97% of incumbents got re-elected. Chuck Schumer. 46 years. Longer than Stalin. Steny Hoyer. 45 years. Longer than Mao. Mitch McConnell. 42 years. 5x more than Napoleon. Nancy Pelosi. 39 years. Longer than Henry VIII. Maxine Waters. 35 years. Longer than Mussolini. Bernie Sanders. 35 years. Triple Hitlers entire reign. Trump. 5 years and 3 months. Won the popular vote and the electoral vote. But Trump is the king.

Online and in the streets, leftists call for violence against anyone who disagrees with them. They bully young conservatives. They target Republicans at their places of business. They dox ICE agents. They vandalize churches. The corporate news media almost entirely ignore these threats to Americans. Democrat politicians are rarely asked whether they condone such intimidation and violence, but when they are asked, Democrat officeholders go out of their way to paint the aggressors as victims and the victims as aggressors. In this upside-down world, Democrats can commit all kinds of crimes and never be punished, while Republicans are prosecuted for made-up crimes.

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This two-tiered justice in the United States is leading to disaster. It is no longer possible for the non-leftist half of the country to ignore the fact that leftists commit crimes with impunity, while abusing the court system to target conservatives. The Trump administration must find some way to hold accountable those who have caused the most harm, while restoring balance and impartiality to the justice system. So far, little has changed.

The Russia Collusion Hoax nearly took down a sitting president. Hillary Clinton and her campaign team fabricated a dossier to frame Donald Trump as a Russian agent. Barack Obama, John Brennan, James Comey, and so many other major players within the American Intelligence Community conspired to push rank disinformation upon the American people that would somehow justify the fact that the FBI and CIA were spying on the Trump campaign (and every other 2016 Republican primary candidate, for that matter). We endured unethical lawyer Andrew Weissmanns two-plus-years investigation of President Trump, and the whole thing was a scam meant to cover up Deep State crimes. The corporate news media played their role as propagandists by treating the fake scandal as the most important story in the world. To this day, the country is completely divided over the Russia Hoax. Democrats have been brainwashed to believe both that the Russian Federation got Trump elected and that Trump secretly works for Vladimir Putin. When close to half the country has been indoctrinated to believe such outrageous lies, someone important must go to jail! Instead no-one has been held accountable.

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Similarly, non-leftists watched Democrats and their allies burn down cities during 2020s Black Lives Matter riots. Leftists caused billions of dollars in property damage, and several dozen people were killed. Nevertheless, Kamala Harris and other prominent Democrats raised money to bail out anybody arrested. The corporate news media ignored all the violence and destruction and instead framed the countrys costliest riots as some glorious victory for civil rights.

Six months later, however, every American who showed up in D.C. to protest 2020s election fraud was treated as a violent criminal. Establishment politicians and corporate news propagandists immediately framed the three-hour frolic through the Capitol as an insurrection. The FBI spent the next two years raiding the homes of Americans with no criminal records. Prosecutors and judges shamelessly conspired to depict the election protest as an organized attempt to overthrow the government, even though none of the protesters carried firearms. Nancy Pelosi convened a congressional show trial to drum up charges of sedition and treason against President Trump and his MAGA voters. Only Trump voters were killed on January 6. A Capitol Police officer shot and killed unarmed Air Force veteran Ashli Babbitt. Nevertheless, politicians (including installed president Joe Biden) and news propagandists continue to lie to the public by claiming that J6 protesters murdered police officers that day. Congress even put up a plaque honoring the same Capitol Police who felt the need to kill unarmed women.

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Tina Peters sits in jail for fighting election fraud in Colorado. Social media platforms still censor conservative voices. A leftist assassinated Charlie Kirk. Other leftists have repeatedly tried to assassinate President Trump. And leftists continue to call us fascists.

Until leftist criminals who promote violence against the rest of us are held accountable, America will continue to descend into madness. Until prominent Democrats are prosecuted for serious crimes, two-tiered justice will remain. President Trump takes his constitutional oath seriously. It is the Democrat Party that is filled with lawless, bloodthirsty kings.

Image via Pexels.
Thirty days into a hot war with Tehran, the American taxpayer is still being forced to bankroll the very Iraqi militias currently trying to assassinate our Kurdish allies, kill our soldiers, and burn our bases and diplomatic missions to the ground.

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As of today, the United States is barely more than thirty days into a high-intensity conflict with the Iranian regime. While U.S. and Israeli jets pound IRGC command centers in Tehran following the start of Operation Epic Fury, a surreal and self-defeating drama is playing out across the border in Iraq. In Baghdad, American strategy has reached a level of absurdity: we are effectively the primary financial and legal underwriters of the very militias trying to kill us.

The smoke rising from the residence of Kurdistan Regional Government (KRG) President Nechirvan Barzani in Duhok this past weekend is not merely a sign of regional instability, but is the physical manifestation of a decade-long American policy failure. While the U.S. State Department issues boilerplate condemnations and forms high-level committees with the government that shields these attackers, the reality is far more damning: Washington has spent ten years building, funding, and legitimizing the forces now trying to incinerate American diplomatic missions and kill U.S. personnel.

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To understand how we reached this precipice, one must look back to the Obama administrations 2016 decision to stand by while Baghdad legalized the Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) through Law No. 40. By institutionalizing a hodgepodge of sectarian militiasmany of which are direct proxies of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)the Iraqi state granted sovereign protection to these groups.

What was sold as a temporary necessity to fight ISIS has become a permanent, state-funded parallel army. Today, groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Asaib Ahl al-Haq are not outlaw groups but are government employees with state-issued IDs, driving U.S.-funded vehicles, and drawing salaries from a budget supported by American-backed oil flows. We helped build the system that sustains them.

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For years, the U.S. has effectively bypassed its own Leahy Law, which prohibits aid to foreign security units that commit gross violations of human rights. Because these militias are now integrated into the Iraqi security apparatus, the State Department maintains the fiction that it is supporting a legitimate Iraqi Army.

At this point, U.S. equipment and funding flow into a system where prohibited units are indistinguishable from the state. The result is a strategic contradiction: American resources help sustain the broader security structure within which these same militias operate against U.S. interests.

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The most galling aspect of this partnership is the structure of the Iraqi state budget. Under the current arrangement, the U.S. facilitates the flow of billions of dollars in oil revenue to Baghdad, which in turn provides a multi-billion-dollar annual budget to the PMF. This isnt an abstract security fund but is, instead, a direct salary line for U.S.-designated terrorist organizations.

Groups like Kataib Hezbollah and Harakat al-Nujaba, both designated by the State Department for killing Americans, operate as Iraqi state-recognized units. Their commanders, such as Abu Fadak al-Mohammedawiwho replaced Abu Mahdi al-Muhandisare technically senior Iraqi government officials. When these groups launch drones at the U.S. Consulate in Erbil or fire rockets at Al-Asad Airbase, they do so while wearing the uniforms of a sovereign partner and drawing a government check that Washington indirectly guarantees.

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The current Iraqi government under Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has taken this dynamic further. Last week, while the U.S. Embassy was drafting joint statements on cooperation, the al-Sudani government was reportedly reinforcing self-defense orders. These orders grant the PMFthe same groups launching rockets at Americansthe authority to confront and respond to U.S. counter-strikes.

In this legal framework, a militia strike on a U.S. diplomatic facility is framed as national protection, while a U.S. defensive response is labeled a violation of Iraqi sovereignty. We are honoring the sovereignty of a militia-influenced state that treats American self-defense as illegitimate.

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Just last week, Erbil International Airport and the U.S. Consulate were targeted by drone swarms. These werent protests or political expressions. They were, instead, direct attempts to kill American diplomats and military personnel.

The militias have moved past harassment. They are testing the limits of air defenses, looking for the one drone that gets through to trigger a mass-casualty event. They operate with the confidence of actors whose funding, fuel, and legal cover are ultimately sustained by the very nation they are targeting.

While Washington plays joint committee games in Baghdad, the Kurds are paying the price. The drone strike on President Barzanis home was an assassination attempt on one of Americas most reliable partners in the region.

The message from IRGC proxies is clear: they intend to dismantle the KRG, which remains a barrier to full Iranian dominance in Iraq. By continuing to prioritize a unified Iraq that is deeply influenced by Tehran, the U.S. is contributing to the erosion of its most dependable allies.

The height of this absurdity came on March 27, 2026, when the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad announced a High Joint Coordination Committee to intensify cooperation and prevent attacks.

This reflects a retreat into unreality. You cannot intensify cooperation with a host that enables your attackers. You cannot secure territory when elements of the security forces are launching the drones. While the Embassy issued its statement, the militias were likely preparing their next strikes.

If Washington wants to stop subsidizing its own vulnerability, it must stop treating the militia-influenced state in Baghdad as a delicate partner and start using the leverage it already has.

First, the U.S. must immediately freeze Iraqs access to its oil proceeds held at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. It must be made clear to the Sudani government that no further American-backed hard currency will flow into Baghdad until Law No. 40 is repealed and the PMF is stripped of its legal status.

Second, the U.S. must end the charade of cooperation with a security apparatus that includes forces targeting American personnel. If the Iraqi government is unwilling or unable to remove these actors from its payroll, Washington must reassess its engagement and consider direct measures against those responsible for attacks.

The choice for Baghdad is simple: reclaim sovereignty from IRGC influence or lose the financial and military support that sustains the current system.

The United States has helped create a system in Baghdad that now works against its own interests. Continuing to treat that system as a stable partner only deepens the contradiction.

At what point do we stop subsidizing a government that protects forces targeting Americans? At what point do we prioritize the survival of our actual allies in the KRG over maintaining a diplomatic fiction? If the current path continues, the U.S. risks further enabling the very networks that threaten its personnel, partners, and strategic interests.

AI image based upon a screen grab of the strike on President Nechirvan Barzanis home.
Last Saturday, March 28, 2026, is a day that will live in something-or-other. I was driving down Seattles Aurora Avenue to take a car in for service and saw a young lady near a bus stop waving an 86 47 protest sign. It looked something like this:

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Thank goodness the young woman was a lefty. Otherwise, experts would have agreed to condemn her as a would-be assassin.

Later on, during my daily walk, I passed a silver-haired liberal woman proudly carrying a No Kings sign home under her arm. Theres another woman, at the top of the hill, who tacks No Kings posters all over her picket fence a couple of weeks before each protest.

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Have you noticed that peaceful protests these days have become very much of a girl thing? I suppose that explains why protesters are complaining about injustice rather than rioting about it, as explained by my philosophical theory that women have a Culture of Complaint.

Philosophers agree that the word riot has been replaced with peaceful protest in regime media to align with women and their Culture of Complaint.

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What do the organizers of the protests, Indivisible and a network of about 500 groups with an estimated $3 billion in annual revenue, think this is all about? Grok says:

The "No Kings" protests are a series of large-scale, nationwide demonstrations against the second Trump administration, framed by organizers as resistance to authoritarianism, "tyranny," and policies they describe as favoring billionaires over ordinary people. Advertisement

Okay, and pretty soon all the nations billionaires will be living in Florida, so the protesters will know where to find them.

To be fair and balanced, we need to ask what the critics of the protests think. Grok says:

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It's a protest against everything and nothing specific.

Its Performative catharsis with little impact.

Its Nostalgia for the pre-Trump status quo or partisan mobilization.

And Right-leaning voices have called them "hate America" rallies or Marxist-tinged. My take is that if I were the Soros Open Society Foundation, one of the funders of Indivisible, Id be using the No Kings protests to identify activists that might help drive turnout in the midterms.

Of course, maybe its all explained by the fact that Donald Trump exemplifies the male Culture of Insult -- as in his parting insult at the passing of the noble public servant Robert Mueller -- and that liberal women, living the truth of their Culture of Complaint, say they cant believe he said that.

But now let us leap up into the empyrean and think the highest thoughts imaginable about women and protest.

Back in the day, Suffragettes were chaining themselves to the fence in Downing Street. And in living memory, professional activist Greta Thunberg voyaged across uncharted oceans to Gaza in a Freedom Flotilla with food and medical supplies for the suffering Palestinians. Just last week, CODEPINK founder Medea Benjamin led a "Nuestra America" humanitarian aid convoy to Cuba.

What are we to think?

I propose that women, as they have entered into politics, have transformed politics to suit their feminine sensibility. And that means it is not enough to say, with Curtis Yarvin, that there is no politics without an enemy. Women do not say of their enemy, I am going to beat her into a pulp. That kind of talk is boy stuff. In their Culture of Complaint, women say, I am never going to speak to her again. Alternatively, they could chain themselves to a fence, cosplaying as slaves.

Then there is gifting. Experts agree that a fundamental part of feminine existence is gifting. If you pay attention to the women in your life, they are always thinking about gifting their friends. They are also complaining about gifts received that dont quite fit them or suit them. Such a gift shows that the gifter in question is not a real friend who really cherishes them.

So the question is: what are the Gazan and Cuban women saying to each other about the gifts from Greta and Medea? Nothing very complimentary, I suspect. You see, a showy gift made by a woman publicly before all the world never measures up to the gift given privately that exactly demonstrates the depth of the givers friendship and understanding of the receiver.

Many of our far-right friends are joking about the unseriousness of the No Kings mostly peaceful protests -- yes, there was some mostly activity involving masked agitators. But, joking apart, imagine that on 3/28 there were 3,000 extremist protests involving 500 far-right organizations with $3 billion in funding from far-right billionaires. Our friends in the legacy media and all the Democrat politicians in the land would call for authorities to put down the armed insurrection, and Soros prosecutors across the land would immediately move to indict the leaders of the movement. And as for Biden- and Obama-appointed judges

The cry would go up for the Confiscation of the property of all billionaires and rebels.

Christopher Chantrill @chrischantrill blogs at The Commoner Manifesto and runs the go-to site on US government finances, usgovernmentspending.com. Also, get his American Manifesto and his Road to the Middle Class.
Europe has been singularly uncooperative in President Trump's military action to end Iranian mullah terror once and for all.

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So now he's cutting it off, saying the U.S. may pull out of its Iran operations without securing the Strait of Hormuz, anmd telling Europe that if they want Strait of Hormuz oil, they'll have to go get it.

Donald J. Trump Truth Social Post 07:11 AM EST 03.31.26 pic.twitter.com/SjrMaNrC0h Advertisement March 31, 2026

Rubio, too:

NATO: If Europe wont allow us to use the bases we man and fund for their defense when we need them we ought to close them down and remove our troops from Europe. If they get attacked by Russia we can discuss whether or not we have the time to help. pic.twitter.com/KAo6KvrdEA Advertisement March 30, 2026

The Wall Street Journal has a useful 'where are we now' analysis:

Trump: Go get your own oil



Hes now saying hed end the US military campaign against Iran even if the Strait of Hormuz remains largely closed. That could extend Tehrans grip on the waterway and leave a complex operation to reopen it for a later date.

https://t.co/2DrIUQdoHd  Juan Forero (@WSJForero) March 31, 2026

And all one could think is that they needed to hear this, cossetted and confident as they were that the U.S. would do all its combat work for them.

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Things seem to be deteriorating fast, meaning, that Trump may have known about these things before we now know them:

 Countries that have closed their airspace to the U.S. military:



 Spain

 Italy

 France

 Switzerland



 Poland: refused to provide missile batteries to U.S



 Something incredible is happening: Europeans are making their own decisions and sidelining a U.S. president https://t.co/WlJ1jTVbYH pic.twitter.com/lY3PxiyHhR  Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) March 31, 2026

BREAKING:



Israel ends all defense deals with France



The Israeli Ministry of Defense has suspended all defense procurement from France and terminated existing contracts.



This decision follows Paris's refusal to allow U.S. aircraft carrying military supplies for Israel to pic.twitter.com/FimF4khziP

What happens to Latin America if the Strait of Hormuz remains closed? I made a map. https://t.co/5SzZvaqkaw pic.twitter.com/00BxPYhHlx Advertisement March 31, 2026

With bright spots, too:

BREAKING: Huge uplift in vessel traffic through the Strait of Hormuz today.



The regime has lost control.

pic.twitter.com/TFPmDEWEF1  Eyal Yakoby (@EYakoby) March 31, 2026

 | ULTIMA HORA



El Ministro de Defensa de Italia, Guido Crosetto, desmintio categoricamente las versiones que sugerian que el gobierno de Giorgia Meloni habria ordenado a los Estados Unidos abandonar sus bases militares en suelo italiano ante el conflicto con Iran. Crosetto pic.twitter.com/UshpdVDlXD  UHN Plus (@UHN_Plus) March 31, 2026

Meaning, we may be winning anyway.

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Powerline has linked a useful analysis by Henry Olsen of the Brussels Signal explaining that Europe is torn between its own defense, as it still has a lot to worry about with Russia's president, Vladimir Putin, who could be easily attack them as they send forces to the Middle East.

On the other hand, Olsen argues, this is precisely why Europe needs to grow up -- to be able to provide for its defense, including the continuous threat from Iran.

President Trumps continued online fulminations against NATO will not likely lead to American withdrawal from the alliance. Europeans should, however, note two important facts his behaviour has revealed: Trump views alliances as relationships, not treaties, and Europe remains much too militarily weak to defend its core interests. Europes military weakness is well known, but it bears reiterating how massive the gap is between its might and its interests. America has sufficient oil and gas production to guarantee its economy can operate, albeit at a higher cost, while the Strait of Hormuz is closed. Europe does not yet it does not have the military might to ensure that the Strait can remain open to free navigation.

It has wanted to have it both ways for a long time -- being Iran's pal and business partner, while letting Israel and Uncle Sam deal with it when it tries to murder someone, or sell drugs into Europe or export terrorists.

Now it's gotten itself into a fight with its main ally via Trump, and faces vassalhood either by Putin or the mullahs.

It's quite a pickle to be fighting with your liberator because you can't fight your other enemies. No wonder Trump's statement was so harshly, and rightly, worried.

Image: Official photo, via X // public domain
Port Sudan, March (PANA)  Sudan on Tuesday said it is extending for three months the opening of the sole border point that facilitates delivery of badly needed humanitarian relief from Chad into Darfur in Sudan
Theres an old saying that if Democrats didnt have double standards, they wouldnt have any standards at all. Id like to introduce you to the living embodiment of that expression: Providence, Rhode Island, Mayor Brett Smiley, a man who has spent most of his life as a Democrat political operative in Rhode Island. This mayor, who is perfectly comfortable in a city that hosts a lot of George Floyd and BLM public art, is trying to pull the plug on a mural commemorating Iryna Zarutska, the Ukrainian refugee who had her throat slit by a repeat offender.

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You know meI always like to provide background, so here goes:

In 2020, George Floyd, a violent repeat offender, robbed a store in Minneapolis. Unluckily for the police, when they caught up with him, his system was full of illegal drugs, including fentanyl, and he was in the process of dying. Floyd resisted arrest, an adrenaline-rich process that put even more pressure on a heart overwhelmed by illegal drugs and chronic heart disease. With his heart not working, Floyd began the process of internal suffocation.

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Unaware of Floyds health problems, and fully aware that nothing external was obstructing his airways, Officer Derek Chauvin put the wildly resisting Floyd in the standard hold recommended in the police training manual: Face down on the ground with the officers knee on his shoulder blade. What was also unfortunate for the police was that an aggressive crowd quickly gathered, making it impossible for the ambulance that the police had called to get to Floyd.

And so it was that Floyd died, Minneapolis burned, BLM riots swept the nation, where other places burned and almost two dozen were murdered, and four police officers were (in my opinion) wrongly convicted, with Chauvin almost getting stabbed to death in prison.

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One other thing happened thanks to Floyds death: America was suddenly festooned in public art commemorating the dead Floyd, who lived his life as a totally worthless, dangerous human being, and BLM generally. Here are just a couple of random examples that Grok located for me. There are dozens, perhaps hundreds, more examples of BLM and George Floyd art:

Oh no !!!! They unveiled a mural of George Floyd today and made him look like a transvestite clown



George Floyd mural unveiled in Houston https://t.co/DSB33uYaI4 pic.twitter.com/qKvq4QzXS6  Tammy Texoma (@TammyTexoma) October 18, 2020 When we created #BlackLivesMatter Plaza in June 2020, we sent a strong message that Black Lives Matter, and that power has always been and always will be with well-meaning people. Now, we have transformed the mural into a monument, a place for reflection, planning and action. pic.twitter.com/oE0zMsrgbV Advertisement November 2, 2021

One of the cities that went all-in on George Floyd and BLM public art was Rhode Islands capital of Providence, a predominantly Hispanic city (I bet you didnt know that) of almost 191,000 people. As of 2020, blacks made up only 13.5% of the city (on par with the national average), while whites were 37.7% and Hispanics were 43.9%. Here are some examples of pro-BLM public art from Providence, all done with the citys approval and participation.

Nor did the city object to homages directed at George Floyd. There was the say their names mural and the I cant breathe graffiti, as well as a big homage to the whole BLM movement, complete with a Black Power fist. There was even a big George Floyd face on a wall:

Huge shoutout to Kendel Joseph for this beautiful George Floyd mural today. From Kendel: "Thank you @AS220 and @AvenuePVD and all of y'all who came out and showed support. I'm glad you enjoy. This was made for the community, and maybe it can bring you some peace. #georgefloyd" pic.twitter.com/lCHy1u0TyM  AS220 (@AS220) June 5, 2020

Fast forward to August 2025. Iryna Zarutska, 23, who escaped war-torn Ukraine to live in Charlotte, North Carolina, was sitting on the light rail, silently looking at her phone. Seated behind her was Decarlos Brown, Jr., who had already been arrested 14 times for serious, often violent felonies, and who had a history of schizophrenia. Nevertheless, there he was, riding the train, having been arrested and released without consequences only months before.

Suddenly, for a reason known only to Browns violent, broken brain, he lunged forward and slit Irynas throat. She swiftly died in a puddle of her own blood, bewildered, cold, and alone, on the floor of a light rail train.

A few days ago, in Providence, artist Ian Gaudreau began to paint a mural of Iryna on the exterior of a building housing The Dark Lady, an LGBTQ+ club in downtown Charleston. While Mayor Smiley (who is gay, although I dont know if that ties in with his being offended by the murals location) smiled on BLM, he could not tolerate Irynas face:

BREAKING: Democratic Mayor of Providence, RI, Brett Smiley is demanding the removal of a mural honoring slain refugee Iryna Zarutska, claiming it divides us simply because @elonmusk donated to the project.



The downtown mural honoring the murdered woman remains unfinished as pic.twitter.com/ctULnusjYd  I Meme Therefore I Am  (@ImMeme0) March 30, 2026

(You can see a better version of the video here, at the new stations website.)

Smileys official statement (keeping in mind his comfort with all the BLM protest art) was a masterpiece of double standards:

The murder of the individual depicted in this mural was a devastating tragedy, but the misguided, isolating intent of those funding murals like the one across the country is divisive and does not represent Providence. I continue to encourage our community to support local artists whose work brings us closer together rather than divide us.

And its not just Smiley. Another mayoral candidate viewed putting Irynas face on the wall as a heinous right-wing movement:

#New: We caught up with Providence mayoral candidate @DavidMoralesPVD to ask for his thoughts on the mural.



He says the project is part of a right-wing movement that is exploiting Iryna Zarutska's death. @NBC10



You can watch part of our interview here: pic.twitter.com/EQgNQ3Hht2  Ryan Medeiros (@RRyanmedeiros) March 30, 2026

Now ask him the same question about George Floyd...but sadly, media types never ask the follow-up questions.

Anything I say at this point would be obvious. You can draw your own conclusions, and Im pretty sure Id agree with you.

Header image: 10 WJAR screen grab.
The motley assortment of grungy commies and anti-American Lefties (who hypocritically appreciate billionaires who fund their professional protests), were a month too early in organizing their bizarre No Kings Day. The King and Queen of the U.K. and Commonwealth realms wont be gracing our shores until late April, 2026.

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President Trump seems legitimately excited about it, as expressed in this post: This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!

It must be discouraging to be a leftist because they are always on the wrong side of history. Instead of learning from their socialist silliness, the elusive pursuit of their egalitarian utopia will always be different this time. It never is, and that cognitive dissonance contributes to their existential emptiness. They hate America. They hate Western Civilization. They hate tradition. Haters gonna hate.

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Now that the King and Queen of the mother country will soon be on their way, theyll be going completely batty. After all, President Trump describes the pending occasion as a historic State Visit that will commemorate the anniversary of our great country. It will simply be too much for the lefties to bear: celebration of America with proper Kings and Queens, no less.

Americans are resolutely anti-monarchist when it comes to governing; nevertheless, there is nuance. In fact, the British monarchy remains relatively popular with Americans (higher than any American politician, per Gallup). Leftists, generally speaking, are opposed to the monarchy, viewing it as anachronistic, to be euphemistic. By contrast, conservatives tend to be more sympathetic, and occasionally demonstrate some grudging respect for the symbolism, tradition, stability and good ol pomp and circumstance that the monarchy engenders. Indeed, President Trump wrote this as part of his Truth post (linked above), I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect.

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Leftists dont harbor such respect (many seem to even hate themselves, let alone respect anyone else). Given President Trumps royal affirmation during our all-American extravaganzas, theyll likely turn even more sour. Kings, a Queen, commemoration of Americait will be more than the loony leftists can tolerate. During our 250th Independence Anniversary, theyll spiral into madness more debilitating than King Georges. The shrinks should have a blockbuster year tending to their derangement syndromes. Lets hope the airlines do, too, by flying leftists on the wings of hate to socialist Spain, one hopes.

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Has there ever been a bigger slimeball blowhard than Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz?

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Granted, it is extremely difficult to pick a G.O.A.T. slimeball blowhard from amongst todays unprecedentedly bizarre and repulsive collection of Democrats, but, even so, Walz stands out as a peerless and superlatively incompetent and corrupt loser.

The man, who is even now in the process of utterly destroying a once great state, carefully shepherded countless Somali fraudsters and their, um, businesses, into being and obscene profitability. He, and his remarkably corrupt Attorney General, continue to deny any wrongdoing, even thoughstate Attorney General Keith Ellison is on tape virtually admitting to colluding with the corrupt Somalis to secure their votes for Democrats. From the Feeding Our Future fraud fiasco to a staggering array of fake and fraudulent daycare and learing centers, NMET companies, to bogus trucking, hospice, and autism entities, Walz has overseen billions and billions of dollars of fraud.

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The whole damn state government appears to be a sham whose sole goal is to enrich themselves while courting an ever-growing voting bloc.

One might logically think that anyone, particularly a governor, involved in -- or accused of -- such massive corruption would be contrite and co-operative.

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Nope.

Walz is demanding reparations for his state  and, according to his recent statements, possibly for himself personally as well, due to his rancor towards ICE and its attempt to cleanse Minneapolis of illegal aliens, pedophiles, rapists, murderers, and assorted other criminals.

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They hurt his feelings. This, even though the ICE controversy completely took the medias and officials eyes off the massive fraud story and allowed Walz to start painting himself in a positive light, as, you guessed it, an oppressed person. He should be thanking ICE profusely.

But Walz is an entitled and bitter soul, in keeping with his Democratic brethren. This lunatic should have faced justice by now, but the Republican Congress appears to have no desire to fight corruption, even among its political opponents, uphold any standards, or abide by the mantra of equal justice under the rule of law.

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So, Walz is enabled to double down and call for reparations. Moreover, he recently gave a speech in which he went out of his way to give a special thank you, and a special acknowledgement to the burgeoning numbers of Somalis in his state. He further pledged that we will never leave the side of our Somali Minnesotans, vowing that their great-grandchildren will still be here when that orange clown is in the dustbin of history.

The fact that the vast majority of Somalis in Minnesota are on government assistance  and many of the rest are busy defrauding the government and stealing from taxpayers across the fruited plain  does not deter Walz from heaping praise on them. To Walz and his Kleptocrat Democrat party, that is a feature, not a bug.

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But, seriously, reparations? Reparations?! If there is a God in heaven  and/or a brain and spine in the bodies of the majority of Minnesotans, Walz and company should be made to pay them reparations. So should the modern-day Somali pirates who have been endlessly plundering the private property, namely the money, of U.S. taxpayers everywhere. American citizens deserve reparations for all the ubiquitous fraud. Every kind, everywhere. And we deserve reparations not just to our pocketbooks, but to our trust, dignity, and hope for the future.

This is akin to Hamas asking for reparations from the Jews. Oh, wait, I think they might have actually done that. This is akin to the families of the 9/11 terrorists who flew planes into the World Trade Center buildings asking for reparations from New Yorkers.

Minnesota, California, New York, Illinois  Canada, etc. Is it all fraud? There should be a tax freeze until at least some of this rampant fraud is dealt with, until at least a few of the guilty are perp-walked and put away. This is beyond taxation without representation. This is deception and theft. Perhaps Walz, Ellison, Newsom, and the rest of their ilk should be tarred, feathered, and tossed into Boston Harbor. Maybe that would wake people up.

Probably not.

Image: Screenshot from Forbes video, via YouTube
The era of managing the Islamic Republic is over; the era of dismantling it has begun.

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At CPAC 2026, Prince Reza Pahlavi issued a terminal diagnosis for the worlds leading state sponsor of terrorism and presented the only viable blueprint for what comes next. For 47 years, the West has viewed Iran through the distorted lens of a regime that worships death. Pahlavi just shattered that lens, positioning himself as the indispensable architect of a transition that replaces Death to America with a trillion-dollar strategic partnership.

The primary argument against regime change has always been the fear of a power vacuum. Skeptics point to the wreckage of the Arab Spring as a warning. However, Pahlavis Iran Prosperity Project (IPP) is the direct, technical answer to that fear. This is not a vague collection of hopes; it is a granular 180-day plan for national recovery.

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Pahlavi is the only figure capable of holding the center. He has secured a digital defection platform, where over 100,000 Iranian military and security officials have already registered their intent to protect the people rather than the mullahs. While the regime relies on the IRGC  a terrorist conglomerate that prioritizes Khomeinist ideology over the 93 million people it holds hostage  Pahlavi has unified a coalition ranging from secular republicans to traditionalists. He is the bridge to a national referendum, ensuring that the collapse of the theocracy leads to a democratic state rather than balkanization.

To understand why Pahlavi is the only alternative, one must understand that the Islamic Republic is an occupying force, not a government. The regimes culture of public hangings, mandatory veiling, and rhythmic chanting is an alien graft onto the Persian soul. Pahlavis movement is a cultural restoration.

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True Iranian culture is defined by the Cyrus Cylinder, the worlds first charter of human rights. This 2,500-year-old heritage of religious pluralism and tolerance is the bedrock of Pahlavis vision. This legacy directly inspired Thomas Jefferson and the American Founding Fathers. By invoking this history, Pahlavi isnt just asking for a change in leadership; he is calling for the return of a civilization that once led the world in science, art, and the empowerment of women.

The Iranian people proved their true character on 9/11. While the regime celebrated in the halls of power, the people of Tehran held spontaneous candlelight vigils for Americans. This innate empathy and pro-Western sentiment are the untapped assets that Pahlavi intends to mobilize.

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The most profound shift in Pahlavis platform is the Cyrus Accord. Currently, the regime spends billions of the Iranian peoples wealth to export the revolution via proxies like Hezballah and Hamas. Pahlavi intends to export engineers, energy, and stability.

By expanding the Abraham Accords into a Cyrus Accord, a free Iran would immediately recognize Israel and transform from the central banker of terrorism into the anchor of Middle Eastern peace. This isnt just diplomacy; its a return to the historic Irano-Judaic alliance that existed for centuries before 1979. This shift would effectively end the regional Cold War, allowing the Middle East to transition from a theater of conflict into a global economic corridor.

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The regimes expiration date was written in blood this past January. When millions of Iranians ignited the largest wave of protests in modern history, the Islamic Republic declared war on its own youth. Verified reports indicate at least 3,428 protesters were slaughtered in a matter of weeks, with some estimates reaching 20,000. Security forces utilized heavy weaponry against civilians and conducted mass arrests of over 40,000 people. And in 2025 and 2026, the arrest of Christians nearly doubled, with believers labeled foreign agents for the crime of private prayer.

Pahlavis message to the U.S. and its allies was clear: The snake cannot be reformed. You do not negotiate with a venomous entity; you remove it. The military operations of 2025  Operations Midnight Hammer and Epic Fury  degraded the regimes hardware, but only the Iranian people, unified under Pahlavis transitional authority, can delete its software.

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To the American taxpayer, Pahlavis pitch is pure realpolitik. A free Iran doesnt just mean fewer wars; it means a massive boost to the global economy. By dismantling the corrupt IRGC-controlled monopolies, Irans massive oil and gas reserves can finally serve as a reliable energy alternative for the West, breaking the grip of extremist-influenced markets.

Prince Pahlavi did not come to CPAC to ask for a handout or an American invasion. He came to offer an alliance. He has secured the support of the military, the youth, and the diaspora. As the United States celebrates its 250th birthday in 2026, the movement led by Pahlavi is ensuring that this year is also remembered as the year of Irans rebirth.

Prince Reza Pahlavis vision is the only one that reconciles Irans ancient, glorious past with its democratic future. He is the singular leader capable of turning a state of terror back into a state of progress. By staying the course and refusing to provide lifelines to a crumbling theocracy, the West can finally witness the dawn of a truly free Iran  one that stands as a partner in peace and a beacon of stability for the 21st century.

Image: Reza Pahlavi. Credit: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
Trump had a paradoxical political advantage going into the war with Iran. He had the same kind of credibility that made Nixons opening to China possible. Nixon could reach out to communist China in 1972 because no one doubted his anti-communist instincts; Trump could escalate against Iran because much of his base believed he was deeply opposed to the kind of open-ended Middle East occupations that defined the Iraq era.

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His repeated attacks on forever wars gave him cover to argue that pressuring Iran  through sanctions, confrontation, and even targeted military force  was not a return to Bush-style interventionism but a way to avoid another quagmire. In that sense, Trumps antiwar rhetoric did not make him dovish. It made him believable when he claimed that aggressive action against Iran was the surest way to prevent a larger war.

The analogy to Nixon is not perfect: Nixon used hawkish credibility to justify conciliation, while Trump used restraint credentials to justify escalation. But the underlying political logic is similar. In both cases, ideological reputation created room for a move that would have been much harder for a more conventional politician to make.

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With Venezuela, his restraint credentials helped him too, but the politics were easier from the start because Venezuela did not carry the same domestic memory of a catastrophic U.S. ground war. Trump could be quite aggressive there  recognizing Juan Guaido, tightening sanctions, freezing Venezuelan government assets, and repeatedly refusing to rule out force  without most supporters sensing another forever war. When he boldly extracted Maduro from his compound, flying him to face drug charges in a U.S. federal court, he had the full backing of Republicans in Congress.

Both in Venezuela and Iran, Trump is following a strategy of applying pressure without occupation. Occupation and nation-building has gotten a bad reputation with American voters as of late. It was not always that way. The reconstruction of Germany and Japan after WWII were widely viewed as a success. Two historically militant powers, Germany and Japan, that previously stood outside the community of civilized nations, were firmly ensconced within the political and economic framework of the Atlantic and Pacific defensive alliances and the Bretton Woods international monetary and financial order that fostered economic stability and recovery after the war.

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However, it should be said that postwar Germany and Japan had functioning bureaucracies, educated populations, national identities, and industrial economies. The U.S. was not trying to invent a nation from scratch. In Iraq or Afghanistan, by contrast, Americans often felt they were being asked to create stable political orders where legitimacy, institutions, and national cohesion were much weaker or more contested. The public learned to associate nation-building with vague goals, huge expense, corruption, mission creep, and no clear definition of success. So even when reconstruction might be necessary, the label now triggers memories of failure.

Trump has also been fortunate in that he could leverage his past success in securing the Abraham accords which shifted the attention of Saudi Arabian and the Gulf states away from the issue of a Palestinian statehood and toward the need for a unified front against Iranian aggression. Stretching back into historical times, Persia (modern day Iran) has been the traditional rival of the Arabs. The Sunni/Shia sectarian division in Islam has its roots in this rivalry. The British in the 1800s artfully exploited it to their advantage, and so has Trump. Trump as the consummate politician continues to surprise everyone on both the domestic and international stage with his talent for carving out a position that gives him incredible strategic flexibility.

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The oldies were everywhere, with Country Joe blasting from their iPhones.

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It was Chicago 1968, and those confrontations with the police all over again. The flags were there too, including some red ones that we have not seen in a while. Yes, I am talking about those communists who will always join an anti-U.S. march. Lets check this out:

Across the country, similar preparations have been underway among socialist, communist and Marxist activist groups from the Singham network that have openly discussed using the demonstrations to spread what they describe as revolutionary organizing. Advertisement In New York, the Peoples Forum called on members to join the New York #NoKings protest. Its an organizing hub in the Singham network and sent Americans to Cuba in recent days to defend the communist regime there. In Washington, D.C., Party for Socialism and Liberation called on supporters to assemble as part of a Socialist Contingent. Advertisement In Grand Rapids, Mich., the Freedom Road Socialist Organization instructed supporters to gather at the Rosa Parks Circle stage at noon as part of what it described as the Anti-Trump Contingent. Freedom Road Socialist Organization activists have previously led aggressive demonstrations targeting Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in Minneapolis. The group has an image on Instagram, using an upside-down triangle symbol that Hamas used to mark targets during attacks in Israel. Advertisement One message said, People everywhere are becoming increasingly hostile to the Trump agenda, and more sympathetic to revolution. Now is not the time to sit on the sidelines, its the time to go out and join the people, get our revolutionary message in front of them, and turn a day of protest into long-term gains for the peoples movements. Communist leaders talk about peoples movements.

It was a No Kings march, or so they tell us. However, I saw a lot of flags that represent dictators or countries where the opposition does not get to protest.

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What did we really see?

First, it was a lot about President Trump and people who just hate the guy. We saw some of this madness when Europeans were marching against President Reagan and nuclear weapons back in the 1980s. Or, when President Bush decided to remove Saddam Hussein from Kuwait. Or, when President Bush fought back after 9/11. They hate a strong U.S. and prefer weaker presidents who sign climate change agreements or give bad guys loads of cash.

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Second, it was another example of left-wing groups backing demonstrations: they print the placards, deliver the talking points, and organize the march.

Third, the left loves kings as long as they use an executive order to give us DACA or eliminate school loans. Nobody marched about that. Or, what about Democrat governors shutting down states and hurting school children over COVID?

So dont overstate the political strength of these marches. They do not represent the country, but they do make a lot of noise.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts, and videos.

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New York, US (PANA) - The United Nations has condemned two consecutive days of deadly attacks on peacekeepers serving with the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL), amid rising hostilities between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants
Bus firm Alexander Dennis is proposing to shut its Falkirk site and convert its Larbert manufacturing facility, with up to 115 jobs at risk of redundancy.

However, the company said the proposal would safeguard about 200 skilled manufacturing and support jobs which were previously at risk of redundancy.

The company said the proposals would enable it to better align with the current market and represent the best possible outcome in the current climate.

It comes after the Scottish Government in 2025 stepped in to fund a furlough scheme for staff at Alexander Dennis after the firm announced it was considering consolidating its operations at a single site in Yorkshire, putting about 400 jobs at risk.

It is understood that about 85 employees have since left the business.

Alexander Dennis has now announced it is consulting on plans to convert its Larbert manufacturing facility to a chassis manufacturing site, supporting all of its low-emission and zero-emission bus products, while the company would close its facility in Falkirk.

Paul Davies, Alexander Dennis president and managing director, said: We are proposing to retain jobs and restart manufacturing at Larbert with a focus on chassis manufacturing.

This represents the best possible outcome for our business, employees, customers and supply chain partners in the current climate.

This new approach would enable us to better align with the current market whilst improving our efficiency. It also allows us to continue to adapt to rapidly changing and challenging market dynamics.

We remain grateful to the Scottish government for the furlough scheme support to secure these jobs, maintaining skills and manufacturing capability in central Scotland.

We will continue to work with the Scottish Government, its agencies and the trade unions to support staff during the consultation period.

We are absolutely committed to doing the right thing by our team members and our stakeholders to protect jobs, invest in our business and maintain strategically important manufacturing capability in Scotland.

Alexander Dennis said that the UK domestic bus manufacturing sector has lost significant market share in 2025.

More than half (51%) of all zero-emission buses purchased in the UK are sourced from overseas manufacturers, the company said.

Mr Davies said: We continue to repeat the same calls to both governments to level the playing field, recognise the cost of manufacturing in the UK and the fact that these higher costs flow through the supply chain.

Manufacturing in this country needs to be better supported if we are to generate the economic benefit that the country so badly needs.

Last week, it was announced that Alexander Dennis Limited (ADL) is due to receive orders for more than 100 zero emission vehicles through a Scottish Government scheme.

Transport Scotland announced 45 million in Government cash for five bus operators, with Rock Road and Lothian Buses set to purchase from the Falkirk-based manufacturer.

Speaking to the Press Association in Stirling, First Minister John Swinney said he was very concerned by the news.

He said: Weve just allocated an award of 100 new buses to take forward the work of the company, he said.

Obviously, there are some significant issues around about procurement issues that remain outstanding that have to be resolved by the United Kingdom Government and I would encourage the UK Government to fulfil their promises and their commitments to Alexander Dennis by reforming those arrangements in relation to procurement.

Well work with the company to secure continuity of employment as far as we can do so in working to secure the future of the plant.

Scotlands Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes called for action from the UK Government.

John Swinney said he was concerned by the announcement (Robert Perry/PA) (Robert Perry)

She said: It is vital that the UK Government ensures a long-term pipeline of orders and a supportive approach to reserved matters such as subsidy and procurement.

A first step would be changes to the Subsidy Control Act 2022 in order to create that pathway for procurement reform.

The future viability of companies such as Alexander Dennis with a long history and commitment to Scotland depends on the UK Government acting now.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said: When Scotland needs more buses built by Scottish firms, it is devastating to see Alexander Dennis downscale and workers lives thrown into uncertainty. My thoughts are with every worker and family affected.

But just six days ago, John Swinney used Scottish taxpayers money not to stand up for Scottish workers, but to subsidise jobs halfway around the world.

John Swinneys failure on buses  like his ferry fiasco  is both bad leadership and bad economics. These avoidable job losses should be on his conscience and have happened on his watch.

Scottish Liberal Democrat Falkirk West candidate, Lucy Smith, said: Just days after Transport Scotland announced millions of pounds in support for Alexander Dennis we get the terrible news that more than a hundred workers in Falkirk are at risk of redundancy.

Its ridiculous that the SNP Government are sending money to Chinese bus and coach manufacturers while Scottish jobs are chucked on the scrap heap.

Scottish Conservative candidate for Falkirk West Neil Benny said: The closure of the Alexander Dennis site at Falkirk is a devastating blow for the local community, with 115 jobs at risk.

SNP ministers have overpromised and underdelivered as usual, boasting about a furlough scheme that has failed to protect workers long-term  despite millions of pounds of taxpayers money being spent.

The SNP have let workers down in Falkirk.

Unions have reacted angrily to the proposals.

Sharon Graham Unite general secretary said the news is shattering.

She said: It is an economic shock which the company has chosen to inflict on the workforce and the wider community when it has other viable options. This doesnt need to happen.

Robert Deavy, GMB senior organiser in manufacturing, said: How many Scottish jobs must be lost and factories closed before our governments understand the risks of sending contracts around the world?

He added: We are losing crucial skills and supply chains and that, in such an uncertain world, is economic madness and a senseless risk.

Responding to news of the consultation, a Scottish Government spokesperson said: The Scottish Government remains in regular contact with Alexander Dennis and trades unions and stands ready to discuss all options, across a range of areas, to protect skilled jobs and achieve the best economic outcome for Scotland.

The company retains the option to evidence a claim for up to 4.1 million of Scottish Government funding to support its staff furlough scheme, subject to conditions being met. No claim has yet been received.

A UK Government spokesman said: The UK is a global leader in bus manufacturing, with around 60% of buses funded through our zero-emission bus programme built by UK-based companies, supporting skilled jobs and a cleaner transport network.

Weve committed 15.6 billion through the Spending Review to help local leaders improve transport and support the transition to greener buses.

Our UK Bus Manufacturing Expert Panel has also taken action to strengthen the market by providing greater certainty for industry.
The Boston City Council is set to hold an emergency hearing on Tuesday to address what parents describe as the worst year of school bus service in recent memory, with one Roslindale family reporting that their assigned bus was either significantly late, missing, or untracked 21 times during the current school year.

Laura Gonzales McKenna, a Roslindale resident whose three children, ages 5, 8, and 10 attend the Rafael Hernandez dual-language immersion school in Roxbury, said the 21 missed or delayed trips amount to "almost exactly one month of school where we did not have a school bus," according to an email she received from the district's transportation director in late February.

On Mar. 20 alone, the morning bus for her children did not arrive at school until 9:18 a.m., more than 45 minutes after classes had already started, according to WBUR.

The emergency hearing, sponsored by City Councilor Enrique Pepen, who represents Roslindale, Mattapan, and Hyde Park, aims to examine the chronic delays and their impact on students and families. Pepen said delayed buses have been among the top concerns he has heard since taking office two years ago. "I think the biggest concern as a parent is just having that fear of, where is my child?" he said.

Data from the start of the school year through January shows that Transdev, the private company that has managed Boston Public Schools bus operations since 2013, is falling short of its contractual benchmarks. The company averaged just 90% on-time performance in the morning and 84% in the afternoon, both below the required 95% threshold outlined in its contract with the district.

Despite 3,469 instances from August through Mar. 13 in which buses missed daily trips or arrived more than an hour late to stops, the district has not issued a single $500 penalty against Transdev, Boston25 News reported.

Boston Public Schools spokesman Chris McKinnon said "Past experience has shown this is not the most effective lever for improving performance." He cited staffing vacancies, absenteeism, mechanical issues, and inclement weather as contributing factors.

Another Roslindale parent, Erin Ramsey-Tooher, whose three children also attend the Hernandez school, said she has resorted to starting a WhatsApp group where parents can arrange last-minute rides and carpools. She called it "flabbergasting" that taxpayer dollars are wasted when a bus arrives two hours late for afternoon pickup, long after families have already found other ways to get their children home.

Transdev operates a fleet of more than 700 buses that transport roughly 22,000 students to more than 200 schools daily. In a statement, the company said it understands "how disruptive and frustrating it is when buses are delayed" and that it is "committed to addressing these concerns." The district's transportation budget currently stands at $189 million and is expected to surpass $200 million in the next fiscal year, as per GBH.
Go get your own oil, Donald Trump tells his erstwhile friends and allies  with some chutzpah, even by his standards. Bemoaning their supposed cowardice and pathetic helplessness, especially that of the British, the US president suggests that it is for others to clear up the appalling mess left behind by his Operation Epic Fury. America, he implies outrageously, has completed its mission in Iran  now, it is for the rest of the West to free the Strait of Hormuz.

It is cynical beyond belief for the US president to treat his friends and allies in this way. America, as Mr Trump often brags, is self-sufficient in hydrocarbons. The United Kingdom, among many others, is not.

Having cratered the world economy with his Iran excursion, now he tells us to build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT. Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

As is often the case, it is difficult to know where to start with this beauty, as Mr Trump might put it. But its worth stating a few obvious facts.

First, a few weeks ago, before the Americans were persuaded by Israel and a couple of rogue senators that war would sort everything out, there was no need for anyones navy to attempt to patrol that crucial waterway. Until the attacks on Iran began on 28 February, the maritime trade of the entire world passed through the Strait of Hormuz without let or hindrance.

Back then, the price of a barrel of crude oil was about $70 (53), rather than the $100-plus (76) it stands at today. Before this war of choice was started by Israel and the US, the tax exiles and tourists in Dubai were living their best life; no one in Saudi Arabia feared a shortage of clean running water; and the Russian war machine was running out of money. There was no fresh humanitarian disaster stalking Lebanon. The giant Qatari gas field was powering the worlds boilers.

No longer  thanks to Donald Trump, and no one else.

As Shahed suicide drones rain down on the Gulf states, the global economy is being held to ransom. The Strait of Hormuz and its counterpart, Bab el-Mandab  on the other side of the Arabian peninsula, at the mouth of the Red Sea on the path to the Suez Canal  are both controlled by Iran and its Houthi rebel associates. This is a direct consequence of the US presidents poorly planned, perpetually confused, deluded, deeply unpopular and ultimately disastrous military excursion. Operation Epic Fury should rightly be renamed Operation Epic Fail.

President Trump, tangibly frustrated by the lack of success of his mission, is  predictably  blaming others for the blunder. In particular, he claims that Nato allies werent there for the US when it needed them. Leaving aside his oft-repeated claim that they werent needed anyway, no other government, with the exception of Israel, was ever asked to take part, or even consulted  until everything started to go wrong, and the president found himself in a trap of his own making.

Mr Trump told the world on 3 March that if necessary, the United States Navy will begin escorting tankers through the Strait of Hormuz, as soon as possible. Or maybe not.

Any country that had agreed to join his unlawful campaign  which was always doomed to fail  would only have shared in the ultimate ignominy of defeat. It was not a lack of courage that made Sir Keir Starmer and every other US ally reluctant to back the operation, but common sense.

The sensible thing would have been to advise the president to return to the negotiating table and sign the near-completed deal the Omanis had so painstakingly brokered with Iran in Geneva. By all accounts, Tehran had effectively agreed to abandon its nuclear ambitions, renounce its stockpile of uranium, and allow international supervision.

It was not enough for Israel and its bellicose prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Mr Trump almost agreed with him, but, as is now obvious, Israeli interests are not always aligned with those of the US or the West. Mr Netanyahu wants Iran destroyed, and doesnt much care if it becomes a failed state. Even Mr Trump cant go along with that.

It is also an inconvenient strategic reality that, even after Operation Midnight Hammer in 2025 and the latest bombardments, Iran is still in possession of perhaps as much as 400kg of partially enriched uranium. There is no possibility, now, of Tehran voluntarily giving it up  or of the Americans being able to find and extract it.

It is, as the world knows only too well, difficult to believe what Mr Trump says  even, or perhaps especially, when it is communicated via his own Truth Social media channel. Taken at face value, his latest epistle is an exercise in face-saving as the US, with its mighty armada, retreats.

The easiest way to claim to win a war that has had to be abandoned is to change the war aims to fit what has been achieved, ignoring the previously declared objectives. So here are US secretary of state Marco Rubios revised post-hoc Iran war aims: 1. The destruction of Irans air force; 2. The destruction of their navy; 3. The severe diminishing of their missile launching capability; 4. The destruction of their factories.

After a turbulent month that was supposed to have included regime change, the Islamic Republic has survived. It still has plenty of drones and ballistic missiles. It controls the worlds trade, and is now holding it hostage. Irans people were invited to rise up because help is on its way. But it wasnt.

Then there was the confident expectation of unconditional surrender  the world is still waiting for that. A fortnight ago, Mr Trump promised that one way or the other, we will soon get the Hormuz Strait OPEN, SAFE, and FREE! We know how that turned out.

A deal was always imminent, until it wasnt. And of paramount importance was the notion that Iran was to have its nuclear programme re-obliterated, which has not happened, and will not now happen. Brute force did not work. Diplomacy will have to resume.

A war that was supposed to be won in days, with the fall of the Iranian regime and transformative consequences for stability and peace in the Middle East, has been a miserable failure. It has been worse than futile. No wonder Mr Trump is running away as fast as he can. The rest of us, in whats left of the Western alliance, facing fuel shortages and a recession, are not quite so lucky.

To borrow one of the presidents well-worn phrases, we will remember.
The U.S. State Department said it is closing tracking these reports (AFP via Getty Images)

An American journalist has been kidnapped in Baghdad and Iraqi security forces are pursuing her captors.

The journalist was identified as freelancer Shelly Kittleson by one of the outlets she worked for. The Iraqi interior ministry said in a statement that a foreign journalist had been kidnapped, without giving more details about the person's identity.

Two Iraqi security officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case, said the kidnapped journalist was a woman with U.S. citizenship.

They said that two cars were involved in the kidnapping, one of which crashed and was apprehended while being pursued by authorities near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province southwest of Baghdad, and the journalist was transferred to a second car that fled the scene.

The interior ministry said that security forces had launched an operation to track down the kidnappers, acting on precise intelligence and through intensive field operations after intercepting a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers that overturned as they tried to flee.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in the country to leave (AFP via Getty Images)

One suspect was arrested and one of the vehicles used in the kidnapping was seized, but others remain on the loose, the statement said.

The two security sources said the journalist was kidnapped from central Baghdad, on Saadoun Street. They added that an alert was circulated to all checkpoints, leading to a pursuit of the kidnappers as they headed southwest of Baghdad toward Babil province.

Al-Monitor, a regional news site covering the Middle East, identified the journalist kidnapped Tuesday in Baghdad as Kittleson, a freelancer who contributed to the publication. In a statement, Al-Monitor said it is deeply alarmed by her kidnapping.

We call for her safe and immediate release, the statement said. We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.

Kittleson has been a longtime freelancer in the region, reporting extensively from Syria and Iraq.

A spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad declined to comment.

The U.S. State Department said in a statement, The Trump Administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans" and that it is tracking these reports.

"Due to privacy and other considerations, we have nothing further to share at this time, the statement said.

It was not immediately clear if the kidnapping was related to the ongoing regional war, but Iran-backed militias in Iraq have launched regular attacks on U.S. facilities in the country since the beginning of the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran.

Since the start of the war, the U.S. embassy has warned of kidnapping risks and urged citizens in the country to leave.

Iraqi militias had also kidnapped foreigners before the war.

Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Princeton graduate student with Israeli and Russian citizenship, disappeared in Baghdad in 2023. After she was freed and handed over to U.S. authorities in September 2025, she said that she had been held by the Iran-allied Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah.

The group never officially claimed responsibility for kidnapping her.
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday lifted the suspensions of a group of helicopter pilots who were pulled from duty after flying near MAGA musician Kid Rocks Nashville-area home over the weekend.

Thank you Kid Rock, Hegseth wrote on X. [U.S. Army] pilots suspension LIFTED. No punishment. No investigation. Carry on, patriots.

Earlier in the day, the Army announced the helicopter pilots who flew near the singers home had been suspended.

The personnel involved have been suspended from flight duties while the Army reviews the circumstances surrounding the mission, including compliance with relevant FAA regulations, aviation safety protocol, and approval requirements, Army Spokesman Maj. Montrell Russell said in a statement to The Independent. Since the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to discuss specific findings at this time.

The flight involved two Apache helicopters from the 101st Combat Aviation Brigade stationed at Fort Campbell, the official said.

A pair of military helicopters flew near the home of MAGA musician Kid Rock on Saturday. Crews on both flights were initially suspended, though the suspension was soon lifted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth (Kid Rock)

The Army takes any allegations of unauthorized or unsafe flight operations very seriously and is committed to enforcing standards and holding personnel accountable, he added.

The military previously said it was reviewing the flyby, which Kid Rock revealed in a Saturday video on X showing two helicopters operating near his mansion as he saluted and cheered. In the video, one of the choppers appears to point its cockpit directly in the musicians direction as it hovers level with his swimming pool. The scene drew outrage from some online who questioned the use of military resources.

A 101st Airborne Division spokesman added in a previous statement that the helicopters were not tied to a Saturday No Kings protest in Nashville, Tennessee, which drew thousands of participants. Two military helicopters were filmed flying near the demonstration.

These helicopters were flying a route in the Nashville vicinity for training purposes, a division spokesperson told WSMV. Any association with the No Kings Rally also happening in Nashville that day is entirely coincidental.

The musician told the Associated Press he has spoken with local military pilots, who he says are aware of the location of his home.

I think they know this is a pretty friendly spot, he said.

President Trump told reporters on Tuesday that he hadnt seen the video of the pilots but said he was sure they had a good time (AP)

Ive talked to some of these pilots, he added. Ive told them, You guys see me waving when you come by the house? Im like, You guys are always welcome to cruise by my house, any time.

President Trump told reporters at the White House on Tuesday that he hadnt seen the video.

I'm sure they had a good time, Trump said.

Well, they probably shouldnt have been doing it, he continued. Youre not supposed to be playing games, right? But Id take a look at it. They like Kid Rock? I like Kid Rock. Maybe they were trying to defend him.

Kid Rock has been a longtime supporter of President Donald Trump and has become a favorite among the MAGA crowd (Getty Images)

In his post on X, Kid Rock praised the military pilots and took aim at California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a regular foil of the musicians ally President Donald Trump.

This is a level of respect that s*** for brains Governor of California will never know, Kid Rock wrote. God Bless America and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice to defend her.

The Michigan-born musician has been closely tied to administration efforts, appearing in a recent promotional video about healthy exercise habits with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and visiting the Oval Office last year for the signing of an executive order regulating live music ticketing practices.

The Trump administration has been accused of using military aircraft for personal purposes in the past.

Last May, the president used Marine One to fly to a Washington-area black-tie gala for top buyers of his cryptocurrency. At the event, President Trump spoke at a lectern with the presidential seal then gave attendees a private tour of the White House.
Critics have questioned the efficiency of Kemi Badenochs policy, claiming it would be unlikely to cut household bills. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian (Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian)

Kemi Badenoch is peddling a dangerous fantasy about North Sea energy in her attempt to reverse a ban on new oil and gas licences, a leading campaign group has said.

The Conservative leader is expected to call on the government to lift its suspension of the licences as part of a drive to reduce energy prices, as the party launches a new campaign aimed at boosting the fossil fuel sector.

However, critics have questioned the efficiency of the policy, claiming it would be unlikely to cut household bills.

Related: More North Sea drilling will put UK at mercy of fossil fuel markets, ministers say

Tessa Khan, executive director of the renewable energy campaign group Uplift described it as vapid, political game playing at the expense of ordinary people.

Kemi Badenoch is peddling a dangerous fantasy on the North Sea and is completely out of step with the UK public who just want an affordable supply of energy, Khan said. More drilling will do absolutely nothing to lower energy bills, a fact that she knows and members of her Cabinet have admitted.

In 2023, when serving as energy secretary, Conservative MP Claire Coutinho admitted that new licences wouldnt necessarily bring energy bills down but argued they would improve the security of supply. Coutinho now has the energy brief in Badenochs shadow cabinet.

The Labour government last year decided to ban new oil and gas licensing, shifting its focus to homegrown renewable energy.

Global oil prices have soared since the strait of Hormuz was in effect closed amid ongoing conflict in Iran, prompting concern about the longer term effect on energy costs.

Badenoch will launch her partys get Britain drilling campaign on Monday on an oil rig off the North Sea, near Aberdeen.

She has previously said that drilling in the North Sea is one few ways households can be protected from rising bills, a sentiment echoed by Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage.

However, experts have consistently said that North Sea production is too small to influence global prices.

The Guardian reported on Saturday that hundreds of new North Sea licences granted by the Conservatives between 2010 and 2024 have so far produced just 36 days of gas, according to research by Uplift and the energy consultancy Voar.

However, Badenoch said: Labours ban on new oil and gas drilling licences was stupid when they put it in their manifesto, in the middle of an energy crisis its completely crazy.

Drilling our own oil and gas is about energy security, its about financial security, its about national security.

Its more jobs, good for business and provides tax revenues that could be used to bring down bills.

Badenoch is also expected to call on the government to scrap the windfall tax on energy profits and lend more financial support to the fossil fuel industry. Khan described this as tone deaf at a time when the public is incredibly anxious about their bills skyrocketing again.



She added: Politicians who refuse to acknowledge the reality of the declining North Sea are endangering our security and economy. Not only that, they are betraying workers who need long-term, secure jobs  which will only now come from renewables  not some pipe dream.

Greg Jackson, the chief executive of green energy company Octopus, argued that drilling for more gas in the North Sea would have little effect on prices because the UK is highly integrated with the European and global markets.

The USA is often cited as a case where a lot of drilling has kept prices lower, he said. On gas, theyre not as integrated with global markets as we are but their oil is  and as a result you see their petrol prices rising a lot during this crisis despite so much domestic production.

More UK oil and gas would give more security of supply if governments controlled exports, but I dont think the drilling advocates are proposing that.

And big picture  the oil and gas industry are never going to build excess production so therell never be meaningful spare capacity in global fossil fuel supply, which is why whenever theres a big supply shock it has such catastrophic effects on prices.

A Labour spokesperson said: The awkward truth is Badenochs own shadow energy secretary admitted that new licences would not cut energy bills.

Energy bills will be falling this week thanks to the actions of a Labour government that the Conservatives opposed.

The Conservatives and Reform want to outsource Britains energy security to fossil fuel markets over which we have no control. Labour is taking back control with record investment in clean homegrown power.


Albert Einstein and Gstaad could yet be supplemented for the Betfred 2000 Guineas after mistakenly being scratched from the Newmarket Classic on Tuesday morning.

The much-vaunted Albert Einstein headed ante-post lists for the Rowley Mile showpiece prior to his disappointing reverse in Saturdays Gladness Stakes at the Curragh, after which trainer Aidan OBrien suggested his charge could revert to sprinting while leaving the option of a possible Guineas bid open.

Gstaad, winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer and the Breeders Cup Juvenile Turf at the end of his two-year-old campaign, looked firmly on course for the May 2 Classic after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at the Curragh on Sunday, but he too was scratched on Tuesday.

OBrien said both horses had been scratched from the 2000 Guineas due to a computer error but connections ultimately failed in a bid to have them reinstated.

The British Horseracing Authority did confirm that they could be re-added at the supplementary stage on April 27, albeit at a cost of 30,000 per horse.

When asked whether both horses could now be supplemented for Newmarket, OBrien told the Press Association: Well get closer to the race but Id imagine something like that (supplementing).

At the moment were thinking of Newmarket for both of them and well see how it goes.

Puerto Rico is still in there too but he could go to France, hes already won in France.

A BHA spokesperson said in a statement: Following the scratchings earlier today of Gstaad and Albert Einstein from the Betfred 2000 Guineas, trainer Aidan OBrien contacted the BHA to explain that this had happened in error.

Such scratchings are immediately communicated to the media and betting markets. This is a policy that is applied consistently across all races in Britain and to all connections and, while we understand that this will be a frustrating outcome for all concerned, it is for this reason that the horses in question cannot be reinstated after the event.

Should connections wish for either horse to compete in the Betfred 2000 Guineas, a supplementary entry can be made following the process outlined in the race conditions.
Barbie fans have been left outraged after Barbie Dream Fest turned out to be more of a nightmare.

In a disastrous event rivalling the likes of Glasgows Willy Wonka Experience in 2024, ticket holders who paid up to $450 for last weekends event in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, discovered that instead of the life-sized DreamHouse and glittery installations that had been promised, they were met with empty concrete floors and swag bags filled with $1 hand sanitizer.

Pictures from the convention center during Barbie Dream Fest showed cardboard sets, pink traffic cones to set up a bicycle course, and limited vendors. The VIP tickets  which cost up to $452.50  came with a swag bag that included a plastic hairbrush and dollar store brand hand sanitizer.

This was honestly so insulting to arrive after paying almost $80 for it to be soooo underwhelming with the lack of effort in decorations and nothing entertaining to do for anyone, one person wrote on the events Instagram page.

Barbie Dream Fest was put on by Mischief Management, which licensed the Barbie brand. The event was even promoted by Mattels official Barbie brand on Instagram. Standard single-day passes for the event  which featured brief appearances by Serena Williams and Angel Reese  cost $72.

Barbie Dream Fest was supposed to celebrate all things Barbie, but people who bought tickets were furious with the Florida event (Getty Images)

There was no music playing inside the giant venue, and someone on Reddit described the DreamHouse as a cheap backdrop with a picnic table on some fake turf/grass.

One Reddit user who said they spent nearly $1,000 on tickets and travel for the convention wrote: Immediately, I was disappointed as getting to the convention center was chaotic. There were no signs pointing on how to get into the convention center, and Google was telling me to go around the convention center to the back and the Fort Lauderdale police telling me to go to the cruise terminal. I got lost and I was very frustrated.

They added that there was no schedule or map, and that several events were canceled or moved.

Flabbergasted, I went to guest services and I just asked, Im sorry, is this it? the Reddit user wrote. The lady looked disappointed and said Yeah, weve gotten that question a lot. But as far as vendors are concerned, this is it I was defeated.

Barbie Dream Fest is being compared to Fyre Fest by disappointed attendees after the three day event went viral for all the wrong reasons



Fans called it nightmare over chaotic organization, weak swag bags, and a tiny marketplace. pic.twitter.com/k73d5N6rxU  Dexerto (@Dexerto) March 28, 2026

Mattel said in a statement, Barbie Dream Fest was created by Mischief Management, which licensed the Barbie brand from Mattel. We are working with Mischief Management, who are managing attendee feedback and issuing full refunds to everyone who purchased tickets. We want every fan experience to be an excellent one.

A spokesperson for Mischief Management said: Mischief Management is incredibly grateful to everyone who joined Barbie Dream Fest. We appreciate the passion and engagement from the Barbie community. Bringing fans together alongside Barbie role models, designers, partners, and global icons who embody the true spirit of Barbie  was at the heart of this event.

Barbie Dream Fest was created as an intimate fan convention designed to foster meaningful connection, inspiration, and closer access to Barbie and her world. We will be providing full refunds to everyone who purchased tickets, concluded the statement from the company.

Mischief Management is known for hosting BroadwayCon for theatre fans and EnchantiCon for fans of fantasy.

The fiasco is sparking several comparisons on social media to the Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow, Scotland, which went viral at the time over pictures of its cheap decor, AI-generated pictures and its singular Oompa Loompa.

The Willy Wonka experience has a sequel and nobody asked for it, a radio host on the Elvis Duran Show said. Another wrote, You're telling me it's like the Willy Wonka Experience in Glasgow, but in Barbie mode ?

Another said, It's Glasgow Willy Wonka all over again, but this time in pink.
The BBC has announced it is to air a factual drama based on the story of Sarah Everards abduction and murder.

Ms Everard was abducted by serving police officer Wayne Couzens in March 2021, when she was walking home from a friends house in Clapham, south London, which prompted a national conversation about entrenched issues of misogyny and institutional failings within the police.

The BBC says the dramas production team are in contact with Ms Everards family, and that it will be handled with sensitivity and respect.

A vigil being held for Sarah Everard (Lucy North/PA) (Lucy North)

Jeff Pope, writer and executive producer, said: Wayne Couzens should never have been a police officer, but opportunities to deny him that privilege were missed.

That he was still a serving officer on the night of March 3 2021, after committing numerous sexual offences over a long period of time, was a tragedy waiting to happen, and the key question asked by this drama.

The currently untitled series will air on BBC One and iPlayer and will look at how Couzens was able to become a Metropolitan Police officer, as well as how his offending was dismissed and evidence against him was not collected.

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, said: Drama has a unique ability to sensitively and respectfully tackle real-life subjects and this series will explore the impact of this horrific crime, the misogyny and failings from within the Met Police and what lessons can be learnt.

Award-winning writer Jeff Pope will treat this with the utmost care, helping to ensure that the issues that led to Sarah Everards murder remain in the public consciousness for years to come, whilst continuing to hold the police to account.

The drama will be split into two hour-long parts, produced by Etta Pictures, with a release date yet to be announced.

Further information is expected to follow in due course.
John Mahama, the president of Ghana, has been at the forefront of a campaign that led to the UN passing its resolution on slavery - Jeenah Moon/Reuters

We should treat demands for slavery reparations as hostile acts, and sanction states that make them. If Barbados wants to come after Britain, we should cancel our aid programmes there. If Ghana wants to lead a Third Worldist posse against us in the United Nations, we should deny all visa applications from that country.

To target Britain, which did more than any other nation on the planet to stamp out what had previously been a universal institution, is not just bad manners. It is an act of aggression to which we should respond in kind.

Instead, we berate ourselves, which is precisely why the grifters keep trying their luck. No one asks for reparations from, say, China (which did not abolish slavery until 1910) or Ethiopia (1942) or Saudi Arabia (1962), because these countries do not encourage the shake-down artists.

On Wednesday, the UN passed a motion condemning the Atlantic slave trade and demanding a good-faith dialogue on reparatory justice, including a full and formal apology, measures of restitution, compensation, rehabilitation, satisfaction, guarantees of non-repetition and changes to laws, programmes and services to address racism and systemic discrimination.

The resolution was moved by Ghana on behalf of the African Union, which has indicated that it intends to pursue Britain and various European countries through the courts. China, Ethiopia and Saudi Arabia were among the states that backed the motion. So, shamelessly, were North Korea, Eritrea and Mauritania, the three places where slavery is most prevalent today.

How did Britain respond? Did we remind our Ghanaian friends that, even when we were locked in battle with Bonaparte, we were diverting ships to hunt down slavers off their coasts? Did we talk of how we had protected their coastal populations from Ashanti slave raiders while promoting palm oil and other industries to encourage alternatives to human traffic? Did we recall that slavery ended in inland Ghana as a direct consequence of British rule, the establishment of the Gold Coast Crown Colony being followed by a proclamation that every child born from that date was free?

Of course not. Incredibly, we did not vote against the resolution, choosing instead to abstain. Our officials even suggested that Britain would have backed the wretched thing had it not been for a pernickety concern about retroactive law.

We engaged constructively throughout the negotiations on this resolution in the hope of reaching a consensus-based text, said James Kariuki, our ambassador. However, it is important to acknowledge, with deep regret, that the prohibitions on slavery, the slave trade, and what are now considered crimes against humanity had not yet been established in international law at the time of the transatlantic slave trade.

What will the opportunists make of such a milquetoast attitude? How, come to that, did we expect them to respond to the sight of Keir Starmer offering to pay Mauritius to take British territory? They pick on us because we keep asking for it.

Imagine the argument the other way around. Suppose that Britain wanted reparations from Ghana on grounds that we had expended a great deal of blood and treasure defeating its slavers. What might Ghana say in its defence?

My guess is that, as well as the retroactivity point, it would argue that slavery was not the only evil in history; that Ghana had hardly been alone in practising it; that whatever had happened before 1875 was in any case not the responsibility of present-day Ghanaians; and that there had been subsequent population movements, so that some of the recipients of any compensation would in fact be Ghanaians in east London. It would be right on all four counts.

The UN passed a motion condemning transatlantic slavery on Wednesday - Jeenah Moon

The singular focus on the Atlantic slave trade is misplaced. Slavery was utterly evil. That said, it is not the only past injustice. Can we confidently say that slavery was worse than, say, the Cambodian killing fields, the Holodomor, the Mongol conquests or the sack of Carthage?

Even if we do make that argument, why should transatlantic slavery be treated as radically different from all the other versions? Some 17 million Africans were sold as slaves in the Islamic world, for example, many of them being castrated to serve as eunuchs. Britains only involvement with that trade was to halt it.

Having blocked the Atlantic traffic, and having been roused by David Livingstones accounts of the misery in East Africa, Britain switched its efforts to the Indian Ocean, pressuring the Sultan of Zanzibar to close his slave markets and sending frigates to run down the dhows.

How are we thanked for that effort, which continued into the 20th century? On Wednesday, both the East African beneficiaries of British abolitionism and every Arab country that had been involved in the trade (except Oman, which had the decency to abstain) backed Ghanas motion.

Even if none of these considerations applied, there would still be something peculiarly abhorrent about resuscitating the notion of ancestral guilt. It is not only indefensible on practical grounds, owners of Barbadian plantations being likelier to have descendants in Barbados than in Britain; it is offensive on moral grounds, because it revives the logic of vendetta.

Who, in any case, are the current victims of the transatlantic trade? Since it had been stamped out by 1860, there are obviously no immediately injured parties. Barbadians are more than three times as wealthy as Jamaicans, which suggests that the financial differences have more to do with the policies pursued by their respective post-independence governments.

Countries, like individuals, are responsible for most of their own success or failure, and grasping this point is the essence of maturity. Every human being alive today is descended, if we go back far enough, from both slaves and slave owners. All of us have ancestors who have suffered horrors. The only thing we get to choose is whether to let those horrors define us.

Few people have been on the receiving end of more violence (including several bouts of slavery) than Jews. While the suffering is remembered in their rituals, Jews generally prefer to aim for present success than to cling to old grudges. I sometimes wonder whether modern anti-Semitism is prompted by their conspicuous refusal to wallow in victimhood.

Let us review the story one more time. Yes, Britain was a major player in the 18th-century slave trade. Although there was no slavery in Britain itself  anyone enslaved overseas who reached our island was automatically emancipated  there were slave-worked plantations in our Caribbean colonies.

Towards the end of the 18th century, following campaigns by religious groups, notably Anglicans and Quakers, Britain began to see slavery as morally abhorrent, banning the trade in 1807 and slavery itself in 1833, raising the then colossal sum of 20m through taxation and government borrowing to buy and free every slave in its dominions.

It then made restitution in the most practical way possible. It adopted an almost unbelievably ambitious plan to wipe out slavery worldwide. It went on to spend vastly more on global suppression than it had earned from slavery in the previous century, amounting to 1.8 per cent of its national income every year in the six decades after 1807. It pressured other nations to impose their own bans, meeting stiff resistance from African kings, who fought to keep the institution. In the end, Britain prevailed.

Yet, of all the nations in the world, it is Britain that is now targeted by the grievance-mongers. Which prompts a final observation. Does anyone imagine that, if we caved in and paid these countries, they would treat it as a final settlement? We all know the answer. Victimhood is a state of mind, a condition that leaves sufferers drained, miserable  and hungry for more. Until we are prepared to hit back, this will not end.
Bruce Springsteen returns Tuesday to the Streets of Minneapolis." After honoring its residents in song for their courage in standing up against the federal immigration crackdown, he's using the city to launch his latest US tour.

The New Jersey rocker released Streets of Minneapolis in late January amid the nationwide outcry over the shooting deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti by federal officers. On Tuesday night, the Boss and the E Street Band are expected to perform it when they take the stage at Target Center to kick off the Land of Hope & Dreams American Tour.

This tour is going to be political and very topical about whats going on in the country, Springsteen told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview published Wednesday. Minneapolis and St. Paul, that was the place that I wanted to begin it, and I wanted to end it in Washington.

Springsteen told a New York City audience on March 23, during a 30th anniversary celebration for the independent news program Democracy Now!, that his tour will head next to Portland, Oregon, and Los Angeles, two other cities where they had to deal with ICE, ICEs terror. It ends May 27 in Washington, D.C., where he said hell have a few choice words for the White House.

Bruce Springsteen performs anti-ICE song at 'No Kings' protest (No Kings)

Streets of Minneapolis was one in a series of tributes released by international artists and countless local performers as thousands of Minnesotans took to the streets. Springsteen played a solo version Saturday during the national flagship No Kings rally at the state Capitol in St. Paul.

This past winter, federal troops brought death and terror to the streets of Minneapolis, Springsteen told a crowd estimated by the Minnesota State Patrol to be 100,000 people. Well, they picked the wrong city. The power and the solidarity of the people of Minneapolis, of Minnesota, was an inspiration to the entire country. Your strength and your commitment told us that this is still America, and this reactionary nightmare, and these invasions of American cities will not stand.

The gritty video that Springsteen released for Streets of Minneapolis captured a city under siege by 3,000 federal officers, which President Donald Trump's administration called its largest immigration enforcement action anywhere in the country.

Well take our stand for this land/And the stranger in our midst, Well remember the names of those who died, On the streets of Minneapolis, Springsteen sang.

The video shows masked and armed agents in tactical gear, including the face of the operation, Greg Bovino, who was pulled out of Minneapolis amid the backlash and is preparing to retire. It also shows 5-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos, wearing a bunny hat and Spider-Man backpack, surrounded by immigration officers, whose photo stirred outrage around the world.

And it also showed the makeshift memorials that sprang up where Good and Pretti were killed, interspersed with clips of the final moments of the two as they confronted officers. It climaxes with video of thousands of residents who filled the streets of Minneapolis as they chanted ICE Out!

Bruce Springsteen performs during tthe "No Kings" protest (AP Photo/Tom Baker)

There's no love lost between Springsteen and Trump, who have long feuded. During his European tour last year, Springsteen slammed the Trump administration as corrupt, incompetent and treasonous, and denounced Trump as an unfit president leading a rogue government of people who have no concern or idea for what it means to be deeply American.

Trump, in turn, has called Springsteen a dried out prune of a rocker. In a social media post, the president once wrote, Never liked him, never liked his music or his Radical Left Politics and, importantly, hes not a talented guy  just a pushy, obnoxious JERK, he wrote on social media.

Springsteen has long emphasized socially conscious music, which brings up another Minnesota connection. In 1984, when he released his album Born in the USA, with its title cut, an often-misunderstood lament of a disillusioned Vietnam veteran, he kicked off his tour in St. Paul.
Gavin Newsom at an event in San Lorenzo, California, earlier this month. Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images (Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images)

California will impose new standards on artificial intelligence companies seeking to do business with the state, defying Donald Trumps demands to keep the controversial industry as deregulated as possible.

The states Democratic governor, Gavin Newsom, signed an executive order on Monday that gives California four months to develop AI policies that prioritize public safety.

Companies hoping to sign contracts with the state will have to show they have policies to keep AI from distributing child sexual abuse material and violent pornography.

Related: Federal judge sides with Anthropic in first round of standoff with Pentagon

They will also have to show how their models avoid incorporating harmful bias and detail policies aimed at avoiding unlawful discrimination, detention and surveillance. The order directs the state to come up with best practices for watermarking AI-generated or -manipulated images and videos.

Californias always been the birthplace of innovation, Newsom wrote in a statement. But we also understand the flip side: in the wrong hands, innovation can be misused in ways that put people at risk.

California leads in AI, and were going to use every tool we have to ensure companies protect peoples rights, not exploit them or put them in harms way.

Californias changes are the latest in a series of state-level attempts to regulate an AI industry that has repeatedly raised public safety concerns and worries that the expensive tech will degrade the value of labor and kill jobs.

States have passed more than 100 laws to shield children from chatbots and to block AI companies from pilfering copyright-protected material, according to the New York Times.

The White House issued a national policy framework for AI in December that discouraged states from passing such regulations.

To win, United States AI companies must be free to innovate without cumbersome regulation, Trumps executive order announcing the framework reads. But excessive state regulation thwarts this imperative.

Trumps order directed the justice department in December to establish an AI litigation taskforce to challenge state AI regulations.
Italy's competition authority has launched two investigations into LVMH-owned beauty brands Sephora and Benefit Cosmetics over allegations that the companies deployed young micro-influencers to promote adult skincare products, including anti-aging creams, to children as young as 10 years old.

The Autorita Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato (AGCM) announced on Friday, Mar. 27, that it is probing Benefit Cosmetics LLC, Sephora Italia S.r.L., and LVMH Profumi e Cosmetici Italia S.r.L. for what it described as "possible unfair commercial practices" tied to the marketing of adult cosmetics to minors.

At the center of the probe is what AGCM called a "particularly insidious" marketing strategy, according to Beauty Packaging.

The regulator said the brands appeared to use very young micro-influencers, content creators with followings in the thousands, to encourage children and adolescents to make compulsive purchases of face masks, serums, and anti-aging creams.

Micro-influencers, typically defined as creators with fewer than 100,000 followers, are often viewed as more relatable by young audiences.

"The investigations were opened over concerns that important information, such as warnings and precautions for cosmetics not intended for, or tested on, minors, may have been omitted or presented in a misleading manner," the AGCM said in its statement. The authority warned that frequent use of a wide range of such cosmetics by minors without proper awareness can be harmful to their health.

On Thursday, Mar. 26, AGCM officers and Italy's financial police carried out inspections at the Italian offices of Sephora Italia, LVMH Profumi e Cosmetici Italia, and LVMH Italia as part of the inquiry.

The regulator said these practices are fueling a growing problem known as "cosmeticorexia," a term used to describe an unhealthy obsession with skincare among young people, CNBC reported.

A recent study published in the Journal of Dermatology and Therapy defined the condition as "a culturally reinforced fixation or obsession with attaining 'flawless' skin, potentially leading to excessive, inappropriate, or compulsive use of cosmetic products and procedures."

Dermatologists have warned that such products can cause skin irritation, allergic reactions, and in some cases, lasting skin damage in children.

The investigation comes amid the viral "Sephora Kids" trend on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram, where children film themselves purchasing and showcasing skincare products under hashtags such as "Sephora kids haul" and "Sephora kids GRWM." Sephora has nearly 23 million Instagram followers and over 2 million on TikTok.

In response, LVMH said it would "fully cooperate" with the investigation but declined to comment further on the ongoing inquiry. "All companies reaffirm their strict adherence to relevant Italian regulations," the company said in a statement.

The teen personal care market is projected to grow by 6.6%, or an estimated $12.75 billion globally, between 2025 and 2030, as per Fast Company.
Chad Bianco of Riverside county speaks during a news conference in Washington DC in 2024. Photograph: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images (Photograph: Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

Chad Bianco, the Riverside county sheriff, has halted a contentious investigation into a alleged voter fraud that has drawn opposition from the states attorney general.

The move marks a major reversal for Bianco, a prominent Donald Trump supporter who is one of the top two Republican candidates running for the governorship of California.

We are on hold because of the politically motivated lawsuits and court filings, Bianco said in a statement, according to ABC 10 News.

Bianco has spearheaded a lone wolf investigation for months into allegations that votes were unlawfully cast in last years election that resulted in the passage of Proposition 50.

The proposition, championed by Gavin Newsom, the governor, allowed the state to gerrymander congressional districts in favor of Democrats, in response to similar changes in Republican-dominated states such as Texas.

A group called the Riverside Election Integrity Team, comprising local residents, says that there is a difference of 45,896 votes between the final vote tally and handwritten records of hand-counted tallies in the county.

Local electoral officials have dismissed those concerns, saying the citizen group misunderstood how to interpret the raw data, including the lack of precision of hand-counted tallies. According to state officials, the actual difference was only 103 votes.

Bianco recently seized more than 650,000 ballots from the election, over the objections of state officials.

Rob Bonta, the California attorney general, asked the state supreme court on Friday to stop Biancos investigation, arguing Bianco did not have the legal authority to seize the ballots. The petition described the seizure as an unprecedented constitutional emergency, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Biancos ballot seizure and maverick investigation also face a lawsuit filed by UCLAs Voting Rights Project.
A Canadian tourist died trying to summit the Tiger Cave Temple in Thailands Krabi, officials said.

The man reportedly collapsed near the 1,100th step of the temples 1,260-step staircase. He was climbing to the top along with his 61-year-old Thai wife when he died on 29 March.

The mans identity wasnt immediately known.

The incident occurred three days after a 68-year-old Thai man collapsed and died at the summit.

The Tiger Cave Temple, also known as Wat Tham Suea, is one of Thailands best-known religious sites. Its known for the demanding 1,260-step ascent to the hilltop shrine, where tourists are rewarded with stunning views of the island. Climbing the stairs is especially taxing during hot weather.

Emergency responders from the Krabi Phithak Pracha Foundation went to the location after the tourist was discovered unconscious on the staircase.

(Chase for Adventure/YouTube)

Bystanders reportedly attempted reviving the man before paramedics arrived, but rescue personnel reported that he had no pulse and could not be brought back.

His body was subsequently transported down the steep steps.

According to police, the mans wife said he had complained of feeling dizzy shortly before collapsing.

She said they were in Krabi on a visit and were going to the temple to pay respects at the Buddha statues. The couple had undertaken similar climbs in the past, she said.

Following the incident, many Thai social media users urged authorities to introduce stricter safety precautions at the temple.

Proposals ranged from installing a cable car to limiting access for older visitors and implementing health screenings for those attempting the climb amid growing concerns over repeated accidents and medical emergencies on the staircase.

In March 2023, a 70-year-old Australian tourist died after completing the climb, while in January 2023, a 19-year-old German tourist was injured after fainting and falling close to the summit.
Oscar-nominated actress Carey Mulligan has said whoever takes over from Daniel Craig as the next James Bond has big shoes to fill, as she was made a CBE at Windsor Castle.

The Promising Young Woman star is due to appear later this year in the Netflix adaptation of The Chronicles Of Narnia, alongside Craig and Meryl Streep.

The 40-year-old, who attended the ceremony with her husband, musician Marcus Mumford, said working on the adaptation of CS Lewiss series of novels had been a dream job.

She was speaking to the Press Association as she was made a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire by the King for her services to drama.

Asked who would be best to take over as 007, she added: Oh, my gosh, thats so hard. Really hard, isnt it?

Hes got big shoes to fill. I think the thing about Daniel is that he was an extraordinary actor, I dont think he was sort of the person you would have thought of for that part.

I think the main thing is its just got to be someone whos an incredible actor.

In 2010 Mulligan won the Bafta for best actress for her role in An Education.

She added: I feel so unbelievably lucky to get to do a job that I really, really love.

To have this kind of recognition on top is just sort of extraordinary to me.
Crunch talks between resident doctors and the Government are set to continue in a bid to avert strike action.

Sir Keir Starmer has given the resident doctors committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) a deadline to reconsider a deal on pay and jobs which includes an offer of thousands of extra NHS training posts.

It is understood the proposal will be removed from the deal if resident doctors in England press ahead with a six-day strike from April 7 in a row over jobs and pay.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the resident doctors committee of the union, said: It is wrong for Government to withhold desperately-needed jobs as part of negotiating tactics.

Anyone who works in the NHS knows that patients need these 4,000 jobs created as soon as possible.

We made that very clear to Government in our meetings today.

We are not interested in arbitrary deadlines  we will be looking to get this dispute ended right up to the last minute.

We believe there is a deal there to be done if Government is willing to withdraw the changes it made at the last minute that reduced the funding for pay rises. Talks continue.

It comes as senior medics announced they were escalating their disputes with the Government.

Consultants and other senior doctors are to be balloted on industrial action after ministers announced they would be getting a 3.5% pay award.

The BMA is threatening a six-day strike after Easter (Owen Humphreys/PA) (Owen Humphreys)

Simultaneous ballots of consultants and specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors will run from May 11 until July 6.

Addressing resident doctors, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote in The Times: The truth is this: no-one benefits from rejecting this deal.

Resident doctors will be worse off. Instead of improved pay, progression and support, they will receive the standard pay award this year, with none of the reforms that would have strengthened their working lives.

The deal sets out a minimum of 4,000 new additional specialty posts to be delivered over the next three years.

NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey confirmed the offer to expand training places will come off the table if an agreement is not reached.

The walkout, which is due to run from 7am on April 7 until 6.59am on April 13, will be the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors in England since 2023.

In a letter to health leaders, Mike Prentice, national director for emergency planning at NHS England, wrote: We expect this round to be challenging as there is a shorter notice period, bank holidays within the notice period and the action itself falling during the Easter holidays.

This will represent a significant strain on staffing resources to provide safe cover.
Australias skies turned blood red on Friday as Tropical Cyclone Narelle approached the west coast, with residents describing "apocalyptic" scenes and "the sky issuing a final warning.

The colour change took place as the storm whipped iron-rich soil from northern Western Australias distinctive red landscape into the atmosphere, AccuWeather said.

The soil undergoes a weathering process of oxidation over millions of years, according to the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

"In this type of environment, these rocks actually begin to rust," the agency explained. "As the rust expands, it weakens the rock and helps break it apart."

That process gives the dirt its reddish hue, with coloured dust scattered by the storm across Shark Bay, Denham and Karratha on the Pilbara coast.

Angus Hines, senior forecaster at the Bureau of Meteorology, told the ABC a thick layer of cloud deepened the effect considerably. Dust storms in the Pilbara and Gascoyne are common but they typically occur under blue skies where direct sunlight softens the colour of particles in the air. On Friday, dense clouds blocked that single light source entirely.

"When you have got the thick cloud cover, the light doesn't feel like it's coming from a single source," he said. "It feels like the light is evenly illuminating the ground, like a panel of lighting as opposed to one bright spotlight."

He described it as "the most striking example of that phenomenon that I've ever seen.

Denhams skies turn red (X/AccuWeather)

The Shark Bay Caravan Park in Denham said the dust arrived gradually before engulfing the area entirely. "Incredibly eerie outside and everything is covered in dust," the park wrote on Facebook.

The dust cleared quickly once the cyclone's wind and rain arrived.

The phenomenon, known as mie scattering, occurs when sunlight hits large numbers of microscopic particles matching the wavelength for red light.

Similar scenes have been witnessed before. In 2019, fires along Australia's east coast turned daytime skies black and then blood red. And that same year wildfires in the central Sumatran province of Jambi produced a red sky over Indonesia.

Narelle was a rare triple-strike system. It made landfall first in far north Queensland, then crossed the Northern Territory before reaching Western Australia.

In Exmouth, roofs were torn from buildings and the marina was badly damaged. At least 30 pastoral properties were extensively damaged and a banana grower in Carnarvon said 80 per cent of his crop had been destroyed.

The storm also forced a halt to production at Australia's two biggest liquefied natural gas plants, run by Chevron and Woodside, adding to pressure on global energy supplies already strained by the war in the Middle East.

The cyclone was downgraded to a subtropical system on Saturday, although authorities warned of continued heavy rainfall and strong winds.

Western Australia premier Roger Cook announced one-off payments of up to $2,000 for damaged homes and $4,000 for destroyed ones, as a lengthy clean-up got under way.
Veteran broadcaster David Dimbleby has branded a visit by the King and Queen to US president Donald Trump an acute embarrassment, saying the government should have postponed it.

The royal couple will attend a state dinner at the White House, and the King will address Congress during next months visit, Buckingham Palace announced on Tuesday.

Mr Trumps critics in the UK have opposed the planned visit for weeks, and more than 140,000 people have signed a petition calling for the trip to be cancelled, after Mr Trumps repeated verbal attacks on Britain, on Nato and on European countries that did not join the US in his war on Iran.

David Dimbleby said he had hoped the government would postpone the royal trip (Ian West/PA) (PA Archive)

Mr Dimbleby, who has previously said he is irritated by deference to the monarchy and who made a television series called Whats the Monarchy For?, said the visit was not a good idea and accepting the invitation was an acute embarrassment.

The King was at the mercy of the government, he told BBC Radio 4s PM. The government says, go, so he goes.

He said: I feel sorry for him going and, you know, having to sit down to a state dinner with a man who has insulted the British troops in Afghanistan and said they werent particularly important and werent needed, whos insulted  Im not talking about insulting the government  but insulted our Royal Navy.

Referring to Mr Trump, the former BBC Question Time host added: You know, [he] goes out of his way to be rude about Britain and about Nato and whos a narcissist and a bully, and the way to stand up for bullies is not to take it  but it seems that that's not the governments view.

He said: I was rather hoping that they might find a way of dodging the column by postponing the visit while what was going on in Iran, was going on and say, this not perhaps an appropriate moment to go.

Jonathan Dimbleby, David Dimblebys brother, is a long-time friend and confidant of the King.

Just minutes before Buckingham Palace announced the royal visit, Mr Trump launched into a bitter tirade against the UK over the war on Iran, warning the US wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us.

He wrote on Truth Social that Britain should build up some delayed courage and go and take oil itself now that the US had done the hard part.

Dimbleby at a reception with the King and Queen (Getty Images)

The visit, which will mark the 250th anniversary of American independence, will celebrate the historic connections between the UK and the US, officials said.

It will be the first state visit by a British monarch to America for nearly 20 years, since that of Queen Elizabeth II in 2007, when President George W Bush winked at her on the White House lawn after making one of his famous gaffes.

The UK rolled out the red carpet for Mr Trumps second state visit to the UK last September, which was a glittering occasion featuring a sumptuous banquet served on 200-year-old silver.

The presidents rants have strained the US-UK relationship. Mr Trump has branded the UKs approach to the conflict terrible and repeatedly lashed out at Sir Keir Starmer, including describing him as not Winston Churchill.

In January, the US leader provoked anger among British politicians and veteran fighters by claiming Nato soldiers avoided the front lines in the war in Afghanistan.

Mr Trump suggested that Nato allied troops had stayed a little off the front lines.

Last week, Mr Trump likened UK aircraft carriers to toys, telling Sir Keir Starmer not to bother sending vessels to the Gulf.

We don't need it, and we don't need it, and we don't need them. They're toys compared to what we have, he said.

And US defence secretary Pete Hegseth mocked the Royal Navy.

There are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well, he said referring to the Strait of Hormuz.

Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.
The aircraft was one of 16 operational E-3s, which carry sophisticated monitoring equipment to warn of airborne threats. Photograph: Social Media/Reuters (Photograph: Social Media/Reuters)

The destruction of a US E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft in an Iranian strike on a Saudi Arabian airbase has raised questions over how a critical surveillance asset was left unprotected, and how Iran was able to launch a direct strike on the plane.

The plane was one of 16 operational E-3s, which first went into production in the 1960s and carry sophisticated monitoring equipment that allow them to warn of airborne threats such as missiles, as well as surveil and monitor their assigned battle space including communications, troop and equipment movements and air defence sites.

The attack that destroyed it on 27 March, while it was parked at Prince Sultan airbase, underlined once again the continuing ability of Iran to attack and accurately strike high-value targets in the region despite a month of US and Israeli air raids.

Images from the scene of the attack, which also injured US servicemen and damaged several in-flight refuelling aircraft, show a direct strike on the E-3s radar dome located near the tail, suggesting a high degree of accuracy.

Ukraines president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Ukrainian intelligence had information that a Russian spy satellite had photographed the base three times before the attack, on 20 March, 23 March and 25 March.

We know that if they make images once, they are preparing. If they make images a second time, its like a simulation. The third time it means that, in one or two days, they will attack, Zelenskyy said.

Zelenskyys comments follow reports earlier this month that Moscow was providing intelligence to Iran on the location of US forces in the Middle East  a claim denied by Russias foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov.

The E-3 aircraft was one of six that had been reportedly deployed to the Saudi Arabian base.

The ageing aircraft have long suffered from maintenance issues, according to the Air and Space Forces website, which has suggested that in 2024 the US air forces E-3s had a mission-capable rate of about 56%, meaning a little more than half were able to fly and carry out missions.

The E-3 can track up to 600 targets at a given time over a large area, acting as the eyes and ears for fighter pilots.

The loss of this E-3 is incredibly problematic, given how crucial these battle managers are to everything from airspace deconfliction, aircraft deconfliction, targeting and providing other lethal effects that the entire force needs for the battle space, Heather Penney, a former F-16 pilot and director of studies and research at the US Air and Space Forces Associations Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies, told the publication.

While US and Israeli commanders have claimed a marked decrease in Irans ability to fire missiles, experts had anticipated a drop-off in the high intensity of Tehrans launches from the early weeks of the war, as it changes pace to husband its missiles and other military resources. Iran could also be pushing to extend the timeline of the war to leverage its impact on the global economy.

Some experts say Iran appears to be targeting key enablers of US airpower, including radar systems and support aircraft, as part of a deliberate campaign after initial success by the US and Israel in controlling Irans airspace.
Demonstrators raise their hands covered in red paint during a protest near the Knesset after Israel's parliament passed the death penalty law on Monday. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters (Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters)

A new Israeli law that would allow the execution of Palestinians convicted on terror charges for deadly attacks, but not Jewish extremists accused of similar crimes, would constitute a war crime if enacted, according to one of the UNs most senior human rights officials.

Speaking amid mounting international condemnation of the bill, the UNs high commissioner for human rights, Volker Turk, described the law as patently inconsistent with Israels international law obligations, including in relation to the right to life. He added that it raises serious concerns about due process violations, is deeply discriminatory, and must be promptly repealed.

Its application in a discriminatory manner would constitute an additional, particularly egregious violation of international law. Its application to residents of the occupied Palestinian territory would constitute a war crime, Turk said.

The legislation, passed on Monday by the Israeli Knesset, has faced a wave of criticism, including from European leaders and human rights groups.

The death penalty bill in Israel is very concerning to us in the EU, the EU spokesperson Anouar El Anouni said in Brussels. This is a clear step backwards  the introduction of the death penalty, together with the discriminatory nature of the law.

Related: Israeli former PM calls on ICC to halt West Bank Jewish terrorists after prosecutions stop

The Spanish prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, wrote on X: It is an asymmetric measure that would not apply to Israelis who committed the same crimes. Same crime, different punishment. That is not justice. It is a step closer to apartheid.

Germany, traditionally one of Israels closest allies in Europe, said it could not endorse the law. The German government views the law passed yesterday with great concern, the government spokesperson Stefan Kornelius said in a statement.

The rejection of the death penalty is a fundamental principle of German policy, Kornelius said, adding: Such a law would likely apply exclusively to Palestinians in the Palestinian territories.

The legislation makes the death penalty the default punishment for Palestinians in the Israeli-occupied West Bank found guilty of intentionally carrying out deadly attacks deemed acts of terrorism by a military court.

According to the bill, those sentenced to death would be held in a separate facility with no visits except from authorised personnel, and legal consultations conducted only by video link. Executions would be carried out within 90 days of sentencing.

Israel has rarely used the death penalty, applying it only in exceptional cases. The Nazi war criminal Adolf Eichmann was the last person to be executed, in 1962.

The national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, one of the bills strongest backers, has repeatedly worn a noose-shaped lapel pin, symbolising executions under the proposal.

A security committee made some amendments to the bill, which last week passed its first vote. Israels public broadcaster, KAN, reported that executions would be carried out by hanging.

The measure would allow courts to impose the death penalty without a request from prosecutors and without requiring unanimity, instead permitting a simple majority decision. Military courts in the occupied West Bank would also be empowered to hand down death sentences, with the defence minister able to submit an opinion.

Adam Coogle, the deputy Middle East director of Human Rights Watch, said: Israeli officials argue that imposing the death penalty is about security, but in reality it entrenches discrimination and a two-tiered system of justice, both hallmarks of apartheid.

The death penalty is irreversible and cruel. Combined with its severe restrictions on appeals and its 90-day execution timeline, this bill aims to kill Palestinian detainees faster and with less scrutiny.

Shaista Aziz, Oxfams campaign engagement lead, said: This bill is another horrifying act of violence. Israel is violating international law. This new law effectively ensures that the death penalty in Israel will apply only to Palestinians, even as the illegal Israeli occupation has lately seen a surge in the coordinated attacks and executions of Palestinians by settler militias and military.

Israel holds more than 9,000 Palestinians in its jails  many unlawfully and subject to inhumane conditions, starvation and torture as state policy.

In Israel, the law is already facing legal challenges. Several Israeli human rights groups and three members of parliament filed petitions to the supreme court seeking to overturn it.

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel said the law created two parallel tracks, both designed to apply to Palestinians and should be struck down on constitutional grounds.
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Jon Bernthal, Danny Johnson and Jessica Hecht in 'Dog Day Afternoon' (Matthew Murphy)

Dog Day Afternoon, Sidney Lumets hit 1975 film about a Brooklyn bank robbery and hostage situation, has been adapted  and seemingly reimagined  for the Broadway stage. Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Stephen Adly Guirgis penned the adaptation, which opened Monday night at the August Wilson Theatre to dismal reviews.

Jon Bernthal plays Sonny, the role brought to life in the film by Al Pacino. Starring opposite Bernthal is his The Bear colleague Ebon Moss-Bachrach as Sal (played in the film by John Cazale). The two characters are at the center of the story, as their attempt to rob a bank (for reasons eventually revealed during the course of the show) goes awry.

However, the robbery isnt the only aspect of the production that seems to have gone amiss. Critics across the board have hammered Guirgiss interpretation of the material, with many questioning the 180-degree turn from the films electric suspense to the stage productions slapstick comedy take.

USA Todays Patrick Ryan deemed the production an appalling near-disaster, adding that Guirgis seems to fundamentally misunderstand everything that makes the film so unnervingly devastating, robbing the story of all suspense in favor of broad slapstick and borderline homophobic disdain for its main characters.

He added that Guirgis and director Rupert Goold made the production a farcical comedy of errors from start to finish, undercutting every potentially poignant or frightening moment with a punchline.

Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Jon Bernthal in 'Dog Day Afternoon' on Broadway (Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman)

The New York Times Jason Zinoman referenced a report the publication ran last week, indicating that producers barred Guirgis from entering the theatre during tech rehearsals. Tensions were reportedly running high between Guirgis and Mark Kaufman, the executive vice president and managing director of Warner Bros. Theater Ventures, which is among the plays lead producers. A joint statement was issued to the Times

A playwright fighting for his ideas is not necessarily a bad thing and many great works of art have resulted from ferociously contentious clashes of vision, Zinoman wrote in his review of the production. But theres no getting around the fact that this undercooked staging does feel like the product of an unresolved artistic dispute.

Even while applauding Bernthal as a dynamic whirligig of desperate energy, Zinoman argued that despite being centered around a bank robbery, the production contains little sense of real threat.

Jon Bernthal, Danny Johnson and Jessica Hecht star in 'Dog Day Afternoon' (Matthew Murphy)

Amiable comic bickering dominates the relationship between the hostages and the criminals  its the kind of play in which a security guard lying on the floor after a heart attack props himself up, for a moment, to suggest where to order doughnuts, then goes limp, Zinoman wrote.

The Hollywood Reporters Richard Lawson, noting the rumored rift and how the production barreled ahead anyway, wrote that the result is a garish disaster of tone and tempo, dull and grating at once.

Guirgis would seem a natural choice to adapt the film. His best plays  Jesus Hopped the A Train, Between Riverside and Crazy  are vivid depictions of hardscrabble New Yorkers, many of them caught in the undertow of crime and consequence, Lawson wrote.

Surely he, so rooted in the argot of the city at the center of Dog Day, could find a way to massage Lumets minimalist approach into something that might proportionately fill a Broadway house. But his instincts fail him badly here. Worse, he seems quite sour on the people of this story, often mocking them when compassion would be far more effective.

Running at the August Wilson Theatre through June 28, 2026
The partys real agenda is revealed by the organisations with which they are happy to march alongside - Ben Montgomery

Having surveyed the entertaining chaos into which the Green Party spring conference descended, how many voters will relish the same toxic mix of anarchy and Marxism applied to government?

Just imagine a future Whitehall populated with Green activists-turned-ministers obsessing about pronouns, regularly demanding votes of confidence in each other, and arguing over whether opposition to a homeland for Jews qualifies as racism or not.

What happened on Saturday was what always happens when the extreme Left gets control of any political party. Its what could have happened to Labour in the early 1980s, and did actually happen to it in the second half of the last decade under Jeremy Corbyn.

The difference is that, in Labour, the large majority of sensible MPs, and a significant proportion of moderate activists, remained in the party and refused to allow the hard Left to get it all their own way.

In the Greens, that solar-powered ship sailed a long time ago. Since the end of the Cold War, disillusioned Marxists have targeted the party as their natural home, and gradually shaped it into a vehicle more suited to their own ideals: away from environmentalism and towards Critical Race Theory, anti-Zionism and gender ideology.

That the public face of the Greens was always cheery, university-educated, upper-middle-class activists who only wanted everyone to be kind helped disguise what was happening underneath: ravenous anti-Semitism and Islamist-adjacent ideology increasingly holding sway.

Those middle-class cheerleaders were enough in number to provide public relations cover for the Greens in their wealthy enclaves of Brighton and Bristol, but they were never enough to shape the political direction of the party.

It became increasingly anti-West, anti-American, anti-Israel and anti-British, just as every single iteration of revolutionary Marxist philosophy did in the past. The difference this time, however, was timing.

When Zack Polanski, former Liberal Democrat cheerleader and hypnotist of questionable motive, became the Greens leader in 2025, the old two-party system had fractured, perhaps permanently.

Centre-Right voters were looking for an alternative to the Conservatives after a disastrous 14 years in office, while Labour were doing its best in Government to prove that they were little better. Polanskis entry on to the national stage was serendipitous: here was a good communicator with a wealth of shallow cliches to hand with which he could answer all the easy questions, safe in the knowledge that the media would never press him on the hard ones.

Zack Polanski joins people taking part in the Together Alliance march, March 28, 2026 - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

Suddenly, the extremists on the Left found themselves in a party that was actually electorally successful. That had never happened before, aside from the brief window of optimism under Corbyn in the Labour Party.

This represents the culmination of entryist Marxism in Britain over many decades: the Trotskyist mission was always to infiltrate existing parties, since it was recognised even by Trotsky himself that voters, being dull-witted and gullible victims of the capitalist system, would never vote for an avowedly revolutionary party themselves.

Perhaps the entryists over-stretched themselves by seeking too soon to embed their own anti-Semitism and support for Islamism in the Green policy agenda. Saturdays chaos resulted in the key motion, which labelled the Jews right to self-determination as a racist enterprise and smeared every supporter of Israel as a racist, not even being voted on, thanks to the number of votes of confidence in the unfortunate individuals who were trying to chair the event.

Even Polanski, who has made much out of his own Jewish background to defend his party against charges of anti-Semitism, has carefully avoided expressing a view on the motion.

Pity the 1,000 or so delegates who logged on to the conference instead of attending the march against the far-Right in central London, happening at the same time, and where Polanski himself was.

Everything the Green Party appears to support was represented in the flags that some of the marchers proudly waved: Pride, trans rights, Palestine, the ayatollahs regime in Iran. No British flags, of course.

Consider what those flags represent, aside from the ever-present demand that men should be able to use services explicitly set up for the exclusive use of women and girls: support for a regime which executes and tortures its citizens for disobedience to the Koran and for being gay.

Judge people by the company they keep. Saturdays conference chaos was amusing. But the Greens real agenda is revealed by the organisations with which they are happy to march alongside. When a political party tells you who it is, for Gods sake believe it.
As phones, tablets, gaming systems, and artificial intelligence tools become a bigger part of everyday life, parents and caregivers face growing pressure to help children develop a balanced relationship with screens.

Updated Guidelines Shift the Focus

In January 2026, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released updated digital media guidelines that move beyond strict screen time limits. The new recommendations focus on three factors: quality of content, context of use, and family conversations around media.

The AAP now advises no screens before 18 months of age, except for video chatting, and one hour of high-quality content per day for children ages 2 to 5. For school-aged kids and teens, the goal is balancing online activities with homework, friendships, exercise, and sleep.

Dr. Katherine Williamson, a pediatrician at Rady Children's Mission Hospital, suggests parents think of screen time like dessert. "Like a food treat, screen time is not inherently bad," she said, according to the CHOC Children's Hospital.

However, she warns that when screens replace sleeping, exercising, and free play, "we are losing out on all the things that make us healthy, and ultimately losing out on living life."

Be a Role Model

One of the most effective ways to teach healthy technology habits is to practice them yourself. Children closely observe how adults use devices, and they tend to copy what they see.

Titania Jordan, parenting specialist and chief marketing officer at Bark Technologies, puts it simply. "If we are constantly glued to our phones, our kids will follow suit," she said. She advises parents to limit their own tech usage around their children and to focus on meaningful, face-to-face interaction.

Create Tech-Free Zones and Routines

Setting clear boundaries around when and where devices can be used helps build consistency.

Jordan suggests creating phone-free rituals at home. "Designate specific tech-free zones, like bedrooms, or designated times at home, such as during breakfast, dinner, or car rides," she said.

Keeping devices out of bedrooms at night is especially important, as screen exposure before bed can disrupt sleep. The AAP recommends turning off screens at least one hour before bedtime.

Read more: Study Habits That Help Kids Perform Better in School

Prioritize Unstructured Play

Encouraging kids to step away from screens and engage in unstructured play supports creativity and problem-solving. Activities like playing outdoors, building with blocks, or daydreaming give children a chance to recharge in ways that screens cannot.

Jordan encourages parents not to fear boredom. "Boredom ignites creativity. It allows children to invent, solve problems, and simply be kids," she said.

Build Digital Literacy Early

Teaching children how to navigate the online world responsibly is just as important as limiting screen time. The AAP's Center of Excellence on Social Media and Youth Mental Health recommends ongoing conversations about recognizing ads, protecting personal information, and understanding that online posts are permanent, Healthy Children said.

Dr. Williamson stresses that young brains are highly impressionable. "The developing brain cannot easily differentiate between what is real and appropriately modeled behavior, as they are still creating norms in their mind," she explained.

For younger children, she recommends content restrictions on devices. For teens, she advises parents to open a dialogue by asking them to share what they found interesting on their feeds that day.

Make It a Family Effort

Rather than imposing strict rules from the top down, experts recommend involving children in the process. Jordan suggests creating a family tech agreement where everyone helps define what is acceptable. This collaborative approach reduces arguments and builds cooperation.

Parents should also check in regularly about how technology makes their children feel. "Ask them how they can identify false information, scrutinize sources, and comprehend algorithms," Jordan advises. "These skills are increasingly important," as per Parents.

Teaching kids healthy technology habits is not about banning screens. It is about guiding children to use technology with purpose, balance, and awareness so they can thrive both online and offline.
No other film this year will make you feel as uncomfortable as The Drama. Dont miss out on it. Its provocative and compulsively watchable  a romcom that obliterates the very meaning of the word, by thrusting love under the psychoanalysts microscope and tearing laughter by force from its viewers throats.

That makes it a small miracle in our modern artistic landscape: a film that never spoon-feeds its audience or worries too much about having every screw on its carriage tightened. Its conflicted, messy, ambiguous, and imperfect, but its treated with enough of a delicate, scrupulous hand to test the moral waters and not degrade itself in the process.

Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star  in the first of a triptych of collaborations this year, to include The Odyssey and Dune: Part Three  as Emma and Charlie, a pair of comfortably affluent Bostonians in the run-up to their nuptials. An idle, drunken conversation with their closest, married friends (Mamoudou Athies Mike and Alana Haims Rachel) leads to a round of confessions. As they move around the table, each sheepishly reveals what they believe to be the worst thing theyve ever done. A bad boyfriend. A bully. A thoughtless child. Its all laughed off, until Emmas turn  and what she says next immediately sucks the air from the room.

The point here is less the shock value of The Dramas big twist  details of which, if youre curious, have already leaked online and begun to garner controversy  than whats exposed in the fallout, as the characters scramble to act in the most ethically correct fashion inevitably exposes them as hypocrites and narcissists. After all, their confession game leads on directly from a conversation about whether Emma and Charlie should fire their wedding DJ because they caught her smoking heroin out on the street.

What Emma did (or didnt) do itself offers a nauseous portrait of the collective American mind that cant be discussed here. But there are broader questions, too, that connect the film with Norwegian writer-director Kristoffer Borglis previous works Sick of Myself (2022) and Dream Scenario (2023)  about who our empathy extends to, and under what circumstances, and whether were able to make peace between the quality of a persons soul and how their actions have been shaped by public perception.

Robert Pattinson and Zendaya in Kristoffer Borglis The Drama (A24)

And Borgli, whose film is produced by horrors current champion of neuroses, Eddingtons Ari Aster, allows these ideas to roam wild by keeping a steel grip on tone. Editor Joshua Raymond Lee works in a constant state of attack; what humour there is remains pitch-dark but never flippant, while Zendaya and Pattinson circle each other with twitchy, elastic energy.

Theres a desperate desire on Charlies part  and the audiences, too  to contextualise Emmas thoughts and behaviour in order to make sense of them. How much is she a product of her culture? Is there some trauma there? To what extent is the fact that shes a biracial Black woman relevant to what she did, and to how people choose to react? Can we believe that shes no longer the person she once was? Is there a difference between intent and action?

The Drama asks questions Im not sure I have the answer to. And that makes me uncomfortable. It makes me feel exposed and challenged. It also makes me want to talk about it with every person I meet. And if thats not the point of art, then what is?

Dir: Kristoffer Borgli. Starring: Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Mamoudou Athie, Alana Haim, Hailey Gates, Zoe Winters. Cert 15, 105 minutes.

The Drama is in cinemas from 3 April
EasyJet cabin crew member injured during flight turbulence as plane forced to return to UK

An EasyJet cabin crew member was injured during flight turbulence as the aircraft was forced to return to the United Kingdom.

Flight EZY439 was due to take off from Glasgow International Airport before 12pm on Sunday and fly to Jersey.

Data from FlightRadar24 showed the plane depart after midday, before it was forced to turn around 15 minutes into the flight and return to the Scottish city. The plane landed after approximately 40 minutes in the air.

The flight was in the air for less than an hour (FlightRadar24)

A crew member required medical assistance following turbulence which started shortly after take off, the airline said. All passengers were seated with seat belts on when the turbulence took place.

An EasyJet spokesperson said: Flight EZY439 from Glasgow to Jersey on 29 March returned to Glasgow due to a cabin crew member requiring medical assistance.

The flight landed normally in Glasgow and was met by medical services on the ground. We plan for passengers to continue their journey to Jersey later today and apologise for any inconvenience.

The safety and wellbeing of passengers and crew is always easyJets highest priority.

Flight EZY439 has been rescheduled to fly to Jersey on Tuesday at 8.35 am, according to Glasgow International Airports website.

Glasgow International is the second-busiest in Scotland, after Edinburgh Airport, and the ninth-busiest in the United Kingdom.
Lawyers representing Representative Eric Swalwell have issued a cease-and-desist letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, demanding an immediate halt to any attempts to release records from a decade-old investigation.

The inquiry, which involved the California Democrat and a suspected Chinese operative, concluded without any criminal charges being filed against Swalwell.

The letter, sent Monday, warns Patel that proceeding with the release of these investigative files would contravene both federal law and long-standing Justice Department policy. Swalwell's attorneys are seeking a response within three days, confirming compliance with their demand, and have threatened legal action should efforts to publicize the files continue.

"The Congressman has never been accused of wrongdoing in that matter and your attempt to release the file is a transparent attempt to smear him and undermine his campaign for Governor of California," stated the letter from Swalwells attorneys, Sean Hecker and Norm Eisen. They added, "Your actions threat to expose you, others at the FBI and the FBI itself to significant legal liability. Indeed, disclosure of the investigative file would violate federal law in several respects."

Swalwell is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and served as one of the House managers in the second of two impeachments of Trump (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Washington Post first reported that Patel had directed agents to review and redact files from the investigation in preparation for their release even though it is extraordinarily unusual for the Justice Department to publicly disclose records from criminal inquiries that do not result in charges. An FBI spokesperson did not immediately return a message seeking comment Monday but earlier told the Post that the FBI prepares documents for numerous different reasons.

The investigation concerned interactions that Swalwell was reported to have had with the suspected operative, Christine Fang, who came into contact with Swalwell's campaign as he was first running for Congress in 2012 and participated in fundraising for his 2014 campaign.

Federal investigators alerted Swalwell to their concerns and briefed Congress about Fang in 2015, at which point Swalwell says he cut off contact with her. He was not accused of wrongdoing and a House Ethics Committee investigation that was opened in 2021 closed two years later without any action.

Swalwell is a vocal critic of President Donald Trump and served as one of the House managers in the second of two impeachments of Trump during the Republican's first term. He has also openly clashed with Patel, who named Swalwell and dozens of other perceived adversaries of Trump in a 2023 book he wrote called Government Gangsters.
Euphoria has unveiled a first look at its long-awaited third season, offering a final glimpse of Eric Dane on screen before his death at the age of 53.

The former Greys Anatomy actor died in February, almost a year after revealing he had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a progressive neurodegenerative condition.

Shortly after going public with his diagnosis in April 2025, he returned to filming, reprising his role as Cal Jacobs  the closeted father of Nate Jacobs, played by Jacob Elordi  in the HBO drama.

In the newly released teaser, Cal is seen crossing paths once again with Jules, portrayed by Hunter Schafer, the former high school student he shared a one-night encounter with in the first season.

Remember me? Jules asks as she approaches him at a bar. How could I forget? he replies.

Eric Dane, who died in February, appeared in the trailer for the third season of Euphoria (HBO)

According to IMDb listings, Dane appears across all eight episodes of the upcoming series.

The trailer also hints at several new storylines, including Rue, played by Zendaya, being questioned in a police interrogation room about a trip to Mexico; a wedding between Nate and Cassie (Sydney Sweeney); Lexi (Maude Apatow) pursuing a career as a Hollywood screenwriter; and Jules working as a model.

In the beginning, we had to make a choice about who we were and what we wanted, Rue says in a voiceover. But what we didnt realize was how far we were willing to go.

The third season arrives three years after the second instalment aired in 2022.

Creator Sam Levinson has confirmed the story will pick up five years after the characters leave high school, marking a significant time jump.

The actor passed away almost a year after revealing he had been diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) (Getty Images)

Reflecting on the series following the second season, Dane told Variety: There arent words to describe how much I love the show.

These kids  Im calling them kids, can you believe that? he added. These young adults are so talented. It blows me away every time I watch their work.

Production on the new season faced repeated delays, including disruption from the Hollywood writers and actors strikes, the death of Angus Cloud, who played Fez, in 2023 and scheduling challenges as much of the cast moved on to high-profile projects.

Speaking to Elle in August 2024, Levinson described the upcoming season as a film noir, adding that Zendayas character will explore what it means to be an individual with principles in a corrupt world.

Season 3 of Euphoria premieres this April on Sky, NOW, and HBO Max
Robert Jenrick waves signals at Heathrow Airport on Tuesday after a press conference with Nigel Farage - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

These are competitive times for attention. Even with Parliament in recess, our hard-working, sorry alarm clock, politicians can never be sure they wont be knocked off the front pages by Ed Davey wielding an inflatable hammer or yet another BBC presenter quitting under a cloud.

Consequently, part of Reform UKs strategy seems to be to pop up unexpectedly a few times a week, like one of those submarines the Navy used to be able to put to sea.

For Tuesdays announcement, Nigel Farage and Robert Jenrick hauled the press out to Heathrow, where they stood in front of a window overlooking the runway. Anyone drifting off could pass the time by counting airlines. The ayatollahs have their 40 virgins; Reform offered us 40 Virgin Atlantic planes.

If you found yourself dreaming of a pina colada, that was the point. Reform wants to scrap air passenger duty for adults flying with children, saving alarm-clock families 45 on flights to Europe and 48 on domestic routes. We appreciate thats not a huge amount of money, but its an important saving, said Jenrick, with the air of a hotel manager offering a complimentary glass of bubbles.

Nigel Farage on the runway at Heathrow - Stefan Rousseau/PA Wire

In the ensuing Q&A, Bob and Nige played the hits: small boat crossings, grooming gangs, benefit scroungers, people who dont get up till midday, North Sea drilling. On the doctors strikes, Farage even offered a rare flash of agreement with the Prime Minister. Unusually, Keir Starmer has taken a strong position, Farage said. Theres a first time for everything, I suppose.

There is, however, one other area where Starmer has taken a strong position: the war in Iran. The Prime Minister has looked unusually robust in refusing to be dragged further into the conflict. It plays to his qualities; there is nothing a lawyer likes better than saying no slowly.

Farage mentioned Trump, but ignored the elephant in the petrol station, which is that he was rather keen on the bombing, at least at first. In the early days of the war, the Reform leader said Iran was potentially a bigger danger than Putin and we should support Trumps war with everything we had. He backtracked once he remembered that what we have amounted to HMS Belfast and the Red Arrows, but his position remains hard to pin down. As far as I can work out, the Reform view is that we should have supported the US, except we cant, and may not want to anyway.

A month or so out from polling day, Farage seems to realise he is not having an ideal campaign. Reforms poll numbers are wobbling. They were thumped in Gorton and Denton. Their candidate, Matt Goodwin, supposedly one of the partys intellectuals, has endured an embarrassing row over claims he used AI to write his latest book and, whats worse, a catchy nickname: MattGPT. Meanwhile, Zack Polanskis Greens are in clover, or wherever they prefer to be these days now they have given up on plants.

To cap it all, the Reform leaders old pal Trump is waging a war that is sure to make flying, driving and heating your home, all popular with voters, more expensive. Farage looks like he needs a holiday. He should probably book it.
Myanmars military junta has appointed former intelligence head Ye Win Oo as commander-in-chief, elevating a longtime loyalist to one of the most powerful positions in the country.

The appointment comes as junta leader Min Aung Hlaing prepares to step into the presidency following a widely criticised election, consolidating his influence even as he relinquishes direct control of the armed forces.

Ye Win Oo, 60, played a central role in the February 2021 coup, leading troops that arrested Aung San Suu Kyi during the operation that toppled her government and plunged the country into a civil war.

He is the first intelligence chief to lead Myanmars military. Analysts and insiders point to his close ties to Min Aung Hlaing as decisive in the appointment.

Min Aung Hlaing has chosen to hand over power to his most trusted inner circle loyalist, Naung Yoe, a major who defected from the military following the coup, told Reuters.

He appointed Ye Win Oo so that he can maintain influence and authority and continue to dominate the military through someone who listens to him.

The appointment coincides with a political transition in the country as the parliament chooses a new president in what authorities describe as a return to civilian rule.

Critics say the process is designed to entrench military rule behind a civilian facade, with lawmakers backed by the military wielding decisive power.

Ye Win Oos rise reflects years of patronage and proximity to Min Aung Hlaing. Unlike many senior officers trained at the elite Defence Services Academy, he came through the Officer Training School and built his career in infantry before entering the former commanders inner circle while serving in Yangon. His promotion to chief of military security affairs in 2020 placed him in charge of intelligence and interrogation operations, a role that significantly expanded his influence.

General Ye Win Oo, right, attends an event with prime minister Min Nyo Saw in Naypyidaw on 28 March 2026 (AFP via Getty)

Ye Win Oo has gained significant power through Min Aung Hlaing's patronage, serving as a vital pillar for the leaders grip on power, Naing Min Khant, an analyst at the Institute for Strategy and Policy in Myanmar, said.

As intelligence chief, Ye Win Oo was credited by some analysts with strengthening surveillance and counterinsurgency operations in urban areas.

Under his supervision, intelligence operations relatively improved, an anonymous Myanmarese analyst in contact with military officials told Reuters.

Myanmars security forces, though, have faced widespread condemnation in recent years. They have been accused by UN investigators of perpetrating systematic abuses, including torture and killings in detention facilities.

The abuses include beatings, electric shocks, strangulations, and torture by pulling out fingernails with pliers, the Independent Investigative Mechanism for Myanmar said in a report last year.

Despite the leadership reshuffle, analysts expect continuity in the militarys strategy as it continues to battle resistance forces across large parts of the country.

For at least two years, the commander-in-chief will be compliant to the president, the analyst said. We won't see any radical or critical changes from the status quo.
Fox News host Laura Ingraham questioned whether President Donald Trump was fully briefed about the risks of the Iran war, as more of his once-loyal allies are beginning to turn amid the conflict raging in the Middle East.

The 62-year-old Trump backer has secured multiple interviews with the president since he returned to office  and he even appointed her to the Kennedy Centers board last year. But now, even the Fox News host is wondering what the president has been told about the war.

With different leaders in place, Iranian negotiators may have little knowledge about what their government is willing to concede, or even whom precisely to ask. So if we cannot come to some type of peace deal with people who cant be trusted, then what? she said on Mondays episode of The Ingraham Angle.

Ingraham explained that it looks like the U.S. is going to escalate, and pointed to Trump's recent threats against Iran.

Now, knowing what little time we have and how quickly this can spiral out of control, we still have a lot of questions, Ingraham said. For instance, was the president fully briefed about the risks of all of this from the beginning?

Fox News host Laura Ingraham questioned whether President Donald Trump was 'fully briefed about the risks' of the Iran war (Fox News)

She continued: And was he then able to take it all in and understand the complexity of this, how complex it could actually get and further possibilities of casualties or other damage, the difficulty of dealing with these people? Or was he told this would be relatively quick in and out?

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

Ingrahams questions come as a report Tuesday detailed how the risks of the war spiraling out of control were downplayed to Trump by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Nobody in the room during that critical meeting emphasized the potential risks, according to the CNN report.

Earlier Monday, Trump wrote on Truth Social that if Tehran does not agree to a deal and open up the Strait of Hormuz soon, U.S. forces will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their Electric Generating Plants, Oil Wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinization plants!), which we have purposefully not yet touched.

The Fox News host is just the latest MAGA figure who appears to be changing their tune on the president due to the war. Over the weekend, Politico reported mounting discontent among White House staffers who are younger and more-right wing.

Ingraham, pictured with Trump during a Fox election town hall in 2024, has previously been supportive of the president (AFP via Getty Images)

Theyre very frustrated. They didnt love the war to start with, and since it began, the constantly contradictory messaging from the president himself, is just brutal, brutal for staff to deal with and making their life really hard, an unnamed source familiar with the situation told the outlet.

Some Republican lawmakers, such as Representative Nancy Mace, have also expressed concern amid growing speculation a potential ground operation in Iran.

Just walked out of a House Armed Services briefing on Iran. Let me repeat: I will not support troops on the ground in Iran, even more so after this briefing, Mace wrote on X last week.

Republican Representative Tim Burchett told NewsNation he doesnt think theres a will for a ground conflict among congressional lawmakers.

I know a lot of Republicans dont support that, and I know all the Democrats dont support it, so I firmly believe there is room there for it, but I dont think that now is the time, he said Sunday.
Actress Hermione Norris has disclosed her battle with long Covid, a condition that left her questioning her physical capabilities.

The 59-year-old Cold Feet star, now recovering, described the lasting impact on her body as a "shock".

Her experience comes as she joins six other celebrities on a challenging pilgrimage through north-east England to Lindisfarne, a significant British holy site, for the upcoming BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island.

She was joined by stars including Ashley Banjo, Patsy Kensit and Tasha Ghouri for the programme but said she had concerns about her health before setting off.

She told Prima magazine: Im not great at extreme discomfort. I had long Covid a few years ago, so I was worried about my physical fitness and the demands of walking so much every day, plus carrying the backpack.

Hermione Norris attending the ITV 70th celebration event at the Guildhall in London (Ben Whitley/PA Wire)

But we did a couple of massive walks and I was fine. I was pleasantly surprised.

She added: Having been ill [with long Covid], my focus is on being well and healthy.

Its about exercising, not to make me look good but to keep me strong. I stretch a lot, and Ive really got to start lifting weights.

I also use an infrared sauna for my autoimmune condition. I get really stiff joints. Im so much better after the long Covid, but I feel different, physiologically.

It gave me a shock, as Ive always been quite fit and strong.

Long Covid is when the symptoms of Covid-19 last longer than 12 weeks, according to the NHS website.

Symptoms include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, aching muscles and brain fog.

Norris, best known for her role as Karen Marsden in cult 90s drama Cold Feet, said she has also noticed significant changes since going through the menopause, telling the magazine: Menopause talk is everywhere now. But the alchemy that happens is unquestionable. The masks drop.

I feel like a different person from who I was in my 40s  mentally and physically  in a good way.

Now I enjoy simple things. My morning coffee, a walk, my doggies, beautiful skies. The joy is in the day-to-day of living, not the big things.

The May 2026 issue of Prima is now on sale.
Gold and silver prices jumped on Tuesday afternoon, as risk aversion returned to the market amid concerns about the conflict between Iran and the US and Israel, which is now well into its fifth week.

In a new post on the Trump-owned social media site Truth Social, the US president said countries like the UK that are worried about oil shortages should build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait [of Hormuz], and just TAKE IT".

He said countries are going to have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us.

"Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done," the post adds.

Read more: FTSE and Wall Street push higher as Trump willing to end Iran war without Hormuz deal

Gold (GC=F) futures contracts traded around the $4,616 an ounce mark, up 1.3% in the afternoon. For March, the commodity is set for an 11.9% decline, however.

Gold spot prices rose 1% to $4,571 per ounce shortly after the US opening bell.

Silver (SI=F) prices gained 3.5% to nearly $73 per ounce. For the month, silver is down more than 31%.

Precious metals are headed for their worst months since 2008, pulling back from previous historic highs as investors took the opportunity to shave off some profits.

Bond yields and the US dollar have both moved higher, and against this backdrop gold has demonstrated its traditional inverse sensitivity to these metrics, falling as a result, Wayne Nutland, investment manager at Shackleton Advisers explained on CNBC on Tuesday.

Golds declines have perhaps also been exacerbated by the strength of the gold price going into 2026 and possibly a desire amongst investors to liquidate profitable positions.
The Duke of Sussex is reportedly hoping for an invitation from his father, King Charles, to holiday in Sandringham, with Meghan and his two children this summer  and spend much-needed family time together.

Prince Archie, six, and Princess Lilibet, four, have not seen their grandfather in nearly four years since they joined Harry and Meghan for the late Queen Elizabeth IIs Platinum Jubilee celebrations in June 2022.

Archie and Lilibets grandfather will have missed some important milestones in the childrens lives (Netflix)

Thats a long time ago  and Archie and Lilibet will have been through milestones, including toddler tantrums, potty training, and for Archie, starting school. Meghan has also been estranged from her own father. Since her wedding to Harry in 2018, the duchess has maintained minimal contact with her father through sporadic phone calls, but no sustained in-person relationship.

So, while both their parents struggle in their relationships with their fathers, their children have been left with a grandfather-shaped hole for most of their lives.

Just as the perfect family doesnt exist, when it comes to family estrangement its never going to be the perfect conditions for a reunion. But, when it comes to ageing grandparents, time isnt on anyones side and I know only too well how important the role of a grandfather is since my children, Lola, 10 and Liberty, seven, lost theirs in 2024.

Research increasingly suggests that being a grandfather  or having one  can be beneficial. New findings published this year in the journal Psychology and Aging indicate that grandparents who provide care for their grandchildren tend to show better cognitive functioning than those who do not. Other recent studies have found that the support received from grandparents during early childhood is associated with greater emotional wellbeing as they emerge into their adult life.

And with many parents struggling to afford childcare, which isnt one of the Sussexs concerns, grandparents have stepped up; around 5 million grandparents regularly take on childcare responsibilities, according to the charity Age UK.

Charles is, of course, already a grandfather to William and Kates children, Prince George, 12, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, seven, so hes already reaping the benefits, as they are. But for Archie and Lilibet, hes all theyve got on the grandfather front.

Meghans estranged father Thomas Markle is out of the picture, living thousands of miles away in the Philippines. Apart from Meghans mum, Doria Ragland, grandparents are thin on the ground.

Charles is also a grandfather to George, Charlotte and Louis (PA)

Thats not a good situation  as I have discovered since my dad died. He had stepped into the grandfather role with perhaps more vigour than most, as I am a single mum. At the age 92, my children kept him going  and, in many ways, kept him young. While his peers were being looked after carers, he was still joining us on family holidays abroad.

He was a quiet and wise presence in their lives  a legacy he left. My children felt genuinely and deeply loved by him and has that has had a long-lasting effect. Even now when Lola feels down, I remind her: Grandpa loved you more than anybody! He thought you were the best thing ever.

When my kids had roaring temperatures  or we had to go to A&E when Lola stuck lego up her nose  it was their grandfather whod call every five minutes to check on them, making them feel special. Now hes gone, they only have a grandmother left.

According to Dr Joanna Fortune, clinical psychotherapist, who specialises in the parent-child relationship and is the author of 15 Minute Parenting, grandparents hold our family story.

They pass that along and our children love to hear those stories. It is not just nice for our children, but research shows that knowing a lot about your family narrative helps to strengthen and enhance confidence, a sense of self-esteem. It helps children to know that they are part of something bigger than themselves.

Leading psychologist Terri Apter, and author of Grandparenting: On Love and Relationships Across Generations, published earlier this year, says that one of the most surprising things she found while working on her book is how often teen boys say that the person they trust most in the family is their grandfather.

Harry and Lilibet: Dads are good, but their own fathers can bring a new perspective and have a lasting impact on little ones (Meghan Markle/Instagram)

They described a grandfather as less demanding in terms of expressing affection and more accepting, rarely fussing over school grades and tests. There were clear benefits for grandfathers too. Several said that a lingering low level depression was lifted when they became a grandparent.

She also noted how children facing the upheaval of parents divorce were often supported by contact with grandparents. Research has shown that the harms to children of adverse family events  family financial difficulties, divorce, dislocation  are minimised when grandparents are able to engage and provide support.

Dr Amanda Gummer, founder of the Good Play Guide, adds that grandfathers can play a uniquely powerful role in a childs development. They often bring a different pace and perspective to parenting  less pressured, more reflective  which creates space for meaningful connection. For children, that can translate into a strong sense of continuity, identity and belonging.

Meghans father is estranged, meaning that her mother and Charles are the only grandparents around for the kids (Instagram)

Importantly, Dr Gummer says, these relationships dont just benefit children in the moment, they leave a lasting imprint. The stories, routines and time shared often become part of a childs internal narrative, shaping how they see themselves and the world long after a grandparent has gone. Supporting those relationships, where possible, is one of the simplest and most powerful ways to strengthen a childs emotional foundation.

Alyssa Blask Campbell, author of Tiny Humans, Big Emotions, says theres real value in children learning they can be cared for by adults outside of their parents. Grandparents dont have to show up the same way parents do, in fact, they often bring something different, whether thats more play, more flexibility, or a break from daily structure, she says. That contrast helps children learn that relationships can look and feel different, while still being safe and reliable.

Shirley Showalter, the author of 2022s The Mindful Grandparent: The Art of Loving Our Childrens Children, says that the simple presence of a grandfather is important in a childs life. Even if a grandfather doesn't do a whole lot more than sit in his chair or carve the turkey, his weight is felt; his body anchors the family; his opinions matter.

Grandfathering might be a mans last chance to learn to listen deeply

Shirley Showalter, author of The Mindful Grandparent

And, she adds, grandfathering might be a mans last chance to learn to listen deeply. Perhaps when his own children were small, he was too pressured or distracted to pay close attention to his children's thoughts and cares.

Grandfathers can be many things, but they also offer that unconditional love and acceptance that enables children to feel understood and appreciated  as my dad did for my kids.

The Sussexs various family rifts means that Archie and Lilibet dont spend time with either of their grandfathers, and that is sad for them. Knowing where we come from is vital, whether that heritage is linked to the deep history of the British monarchy or not.

Harrys relationship with Dianas father was very brief and distant, due to his young age and Earl Spencers passing in 1992, however, he was said to be very close to his grandfather, Prince Philip, who he has publicly described as being a supportive and guiding presence.

Understanding both the loss and the value of a grandfathers presence, lets hope that Harrys trip from America to the UK in July will bring some of that grandfatherly magic into his childrens lives. As parenting experts remind us, few relationships can be as truly special.
Prestigious international award recognizes landmark discoveries in biomedical and global health research.

TORONTO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - The Gairdner Foundation today announced the nine 2026 Canada Gairdner Award laureates, honouring world-leading scientists whose pioneering biomedical and global health research has transformed our understanding of human health and disease.

2026 Canada Gairdner International Award

The five 2026 Canada Gairdner International Award laureates are recognized for seminal discoveries or contributions to biomedical science:

Dr. Wolfgang Baumeister

Director Emeritus and Scientific Member, Max-Planck-Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany; Distinguished Professor, ShanghaiTech University, China

Awarded "For developing cryo-electron tomography, a method that visualizes molecular structures inside intact cells at near-native resolution, creating a new way to study cellular architecture and revealing the inner workings of life at the molecular level."

The Work:

Wolfgang Baumeister has transformed structural and cell biology by developing cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), a method that lets scientists see the 3D organization of molecules inside cells in a close-to-live state. Whereas traditional structural biology isolates proteins, losing context about how they function together, cryo-ET preserves the cell's natural environment, revealing molecular interactions as they actually occur.

To make cryo-ET effective for studying cells, Wolfgang Baumeister helped adapt and advanced several key approaches. These included using cryogenic ion beams to make cellular samples electron transparent, automating electron microscopy to collect images reliably, reducing electron exposure to prevent radiation damage, and developing computational tools to identify molecular complexes in cells. Prof. Baumeister initially applied this technique to proteasomes  large protein complexes that perform essential tasks in the cell  uncovering their arrangement, dynamics, and supramolecular organization. The technology has been applied to many other cellular processes in recent times.

Through this pioneering combination of biology, imaging, and computation, Prof. Baumeister created a new approach to explore the molecular architecture of life.

The Impact:

Wolfgang Baumeister's innovations have fundamentally changed how scientists study the inner workings of cells. Cryo-electron tomography allows researchers to observe molecular assemblies in their natural environment, revealing how proteins and complexes interact to carry out essential cellular processes.

These insights are transforming our understanding of health and disease, from how cells maintain protein quality to how cellular structures respond to stress. By pioneering both the technology and the practical workflows for cryo-ET, Prof. Baumeister has trained and inspired a global community of scientists. Today, researchers worldwide use cryo-ET to address key questions in structural biology, cell biology, and medicine.

His work has opened entirely new avenues for research, allowing the molecular machinery of life to be seen in unprecedented detail, and establishing cryo-ET as a cornerstone tool for exploring the cellular foundations of biology and disease.

Prof. Jeffery W. Kelly, PhD

H. Lutcher Brown Professor of Chemistry, Department of Chemistry, Scripps Research, La Jolla, United States

Awarded "For discovering the anti-aggregation drug, tafamidis, the first effective treatment for a human amyloid disease, specifically transthyretin amyloidosis, providing the first pharmacological evidence that protein aggregation drives neurodegeneration."

The Work

Jeffery W. Kelly's insightful mechanistic studies on protein aggregation led to the discovery of tafamidis, the first effective drug for slowing the progression of a human amyloid disease, specifically transthyretin amyloidosis. Transthyretin amyloidosis occurs when the normally stable tetrameric protein, transthyretin, dissociates, misfolds and forms harmful clumps and fibers that damage nervous systems and organs. Disease-causing mutations, as well as aging-associated processes in the case of wild-type transthyretin weaken this tetramer leading to polyneuropathy / dementia and cardiomyopathy, respectively.

Tafamifis binds to and stabilizes the tetramer, preventing it from breaking apart and forming damaging aggregates. Dr. Kelly's laboratory also identified naturally occurring genetic variations, called interallelic trans-suppressor mutations, that slow tetramer dissociation, explaining why some individuals are protected from the disease.

Tafamidis inhibits newly made transthyretin from aggregating and depositing in tissue, without clearing the amyloid fibrils already deposited, suggesting that the soluble aggregates in circulation play a critical role in neurodegeneration.

The Impact

In the early 1990s, Kelly was among the first to demonstrate the foundational concept that protein shape changes alone were sufficient to convert proteins into aggregates, including amyloid fibrils. By translating these mechanistic insights into a pharmacological strategy to prevent these shape changes, he provided the first drug-based evidence that the healthspan and lifespan of patients afflicted with the third most common amyloid disease, transthyretin amyloidosis could be extended through inhibiting transthyretin aggregation. Seventy thousand patients are taking the Pfizer drug tafamidis for this purpose, discovered in Kelly's laboratory.

Beyond transthyretin amyloidosis, this achievement shifted scientific and medical consensus toward embracing aggregation modulation as a viable therapeutic strategy, catalyzing the development of ten aggregation-modulating therapies that are now regulatory agency approved for treating human amyloid diseases, such as for ameliorating Alzheimer's disease, hereditary ALS, and other protein-misfolding disorders. His discoveries established a new paradigm for treating neurodegenerative diseases, offering hope to millions and showing that controlling protein aggregation can fundamentally change the course of these devastating illnesses.

Prof. John R. Yates III, PhD

John Lytton Young Endowed Chair and Professor, Department of Integrative Structural and Computational Biology, Scripps Research, La Jolla, United States

Prof. Ruedi Aebersold

Professor Emeritus, Molecular Systems Biology, Institute of Molecular Systems Biology, Department of Biology, ETH Zurich, Switzerland

Prof. Matthias Mann

Director of Department of Proteomics and Signal Transduction, Max Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Martinsried, Germany

Awarded "For establishing the foundations of modern systems proteomics through transformative innovations in quantitative protein measurement, mass spectrometry technologies, and computational analysis."

The Work

John Yates, Ruedi Aebersold, and Matthias Mann collectively established the foundations of modern proteomics -the large-scale study of proteins- by solving three interdependent problems: how proteins can be measured at scale, how those measurements can be made quantitative and reliable, and how complex protein data can be interpreted biologically.

Yates pioneered shotgun proteomics through the development of the computational methods that interpret tandem mass spectra to identify proteins enabling large-scale, unbiased identification of proteins from complex mixtures, fundamentally transforming biological research.

Aebersold transformed protein analysis by moving the field from 2D gel electrophoresis to quantitative proteome analysis and later to targeted approaches and to the measurement of the functional state of the proteome, establishing proteomics as a rigorous, systems-level and quantitative science.

Mann transformed the field through innovations spanning mass spectrometry methods, computational analysis, and biological application. His development of MaxQuant, one of the most widely used computational platforms in proteomics, set new standards for protein identification and quantification. His laboratory pioneered methods that enabled the accurate measurement of over ten thousand proteins and their modifications in single experiments, and extended mass spectrometry-based proteomics into clinical diagnostics through plasma proteomics and into spatial biology through Deep Visual Proteomics.

The Impact

By making it possible to comprehensively study the molecules and their functionally relevant properties that carry out key cellular functions and serve as targets for many drugs, Yates, Aebersold and Mann made contributions to protein analysis that reshaped biomedical research and medicine.

Proteomics is now central to understanding disease mechanisms, enabling advances in cancer research, neurodegenerative disease, immunology, infectious disease, and precision medicine. Their collective work has opened new avenues of understanding the biological processes of proteins in the cell and their disruption in disease, enabling drug discovery, and strengthening the pathway for translation of basic research into clinical benefit.

2026 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award

The two 2026 John Dirks Canada Gairdner Global Health Award laureates are recognized for outstanding achievements in global health research:

Prof. John D. Clemens, MD

Senior Scientific Advisor to the Director General, International Vaccine Institute, Seoul, South Korea; Adjunct Professor of Epidemiology, UCLA Fielding School of Public Health, Los Angeles, United States

Dr. Jan Holmgren, MD, PhD

Senior Professor, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden

Awarded "For advances in understanding cholera disease and immunity, and for the development and evaluation of safe, effective, and affordable inactivated oral cholera vaccines that have enabled cholera control worldwide."

The Work:

John Clemens, an epidemiologist, and Jan Holmgren, an immunologist, have worked together for over 40 years to transform global cholera control by creating oral cholera vaccines made from inactivated, or killed, bacteria that are safe, effective, and affordable. Their work spans laboratory research, vaccine development, clinical trials, and public health programs.

Holmgren's fundamental research showed how cholera causes disease and how immunity develops, demonstrated that oral vaccines provide strong protection, identified the components needed for effective immunity, enabling him to develop Dukoral, the world's first oral cholera vaccine to be internationally licensed and WHO-prequalified.

Building on Holmgren's discoveries and vaccine development, Clemens led large field trials in cholera-affected communities, beginning at the International Centre for Diarrhoeal Diseases Research, Bangladesh. The studies, which led to the licensure of Dukoral, showed that the oral cholera vaccines were safe, offered lasting protection, and reduced transmission in the wider community, while also introducing methods to measure vaccine impact under real-world conditions.

To reach those most at risk in low-income settings, they also worked with Vietnamese and Indian manufacturers to develop Shanchol, the first affordable, WHO-prequalified oral cholera vaccine, whose introduction into public health practice was supported by Clemens' research showing it was practical, widely accepted, and effective for large-scale use.

The Impact:

Cholera is a severe diarrheal disease that can spread quickly in communities without access to clean water and proper sanitation, causing thousands of deaths each year. The work of Drs. Clemens and Holmgren has transformed how the disease is prevented and controlled. Their research provided the evidence that led the WHO to recommend oral cholera vaccines for both ongoing outbreaks and areas where cholera is common, and it supported the creation of the world's first global oral cholera vaccine stockpile.

Since the stockpile was established, millions of vaccine doses have been distributed through national programs and emergency responses. These vaccines have been safe, effective, and able to reduce transmission in entire communities. Their work has led to large declines in cholera cases and continues to protect and save lives around the world.

2026 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award

The two 2026 Peter Gilgan Canada Gairdner Momentum Award laureates are Canadian mid-career investigators recognized for exceptional scientific research contributions with continued potential for impact on human health.

Dr. Karen Maxwell

Professor, Department of Biochemistry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Canada

Awarded "For uncovering the molecular strategies bacteria use to defend against viruses, revealing how viruses known as bacteriophages evade these defences, and laying the foundation for next-generation precision phage therapies to combat antibiotic-resistant infections."

The Work:

Karen Maxwell studies how bacteria defend themselves against viruses known as bacteriophages, and how the viruses evolve to bypass these bacterial immune systems. Her research integrates genetics, biochemistry, and structural biology to uncover sophisticated molecular strategies.

Dr. Maxwell's research group has discovered and characterized multiple new bacterial immune systems and the mechanisms that regulate when these systems turn on during infection. This work helps us understand exactly how bacterial immunity works and how these defences are deployed at the right time. Among Dr. Maxwell's key discoveries is that some bacteria produce small chemical compounds that block viral replication as a form of "chemical immunity."

Her work also shows that bacterial immunity is shaped by genes carried on mobile pieces of DNA, including viral DNA left behind in bacterial genomes. These dormant viral elements can actively protect their hosts by detecting invading viruses and triggering rapid immune responses. Together, these studies have reshaped the scientific framework for understanding microbial immunity and virushost interactions.

The Impact:

Antibiotic resistant bacterial infections are a major global health challenge, threatening millions of lives each year. The work of Dr. Maxwell has transformed how scientists understand the battle between bacteria and the viruses that infect them. Her discoveries revealed new bacterial defence strategies and the ways phages bypass them, providing a foundation for designing precise, next-generation phage-based therapies.

These insights are already guiding the development of treatments that can target harmful bacteria while preserving beneficial microbes, and they are informing genome-editing technologies and synthetic biology applications. By mapping the strategies of both bacteria and phages, Dr. Maxwell's research is opening new paths for fighting infections, managing antibiotic resistance, and advancing biotechnology, with broad benefits for human health.

Dr. Aaron Phillips

Associate Professor, Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Cardiac Sciences, Physiology and Pharmacology, University of Calgary; Associate Dean, Innovation and Commercialization, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Canada

Awarded "For pioneering work that restores blood pressure control after spinal cord injury, reducing life-threatening complications, improving daily functioning, and transforming clinical care for people living with paralysis."

The Work:

Aaron Phillips' research focuses on a major consequence of spinal cord injury: unstable blood pressure caused by damage to the body's autonomic control systems. Through a series of foundational studies, he discovered the specific regions within the spinal cord that play a central role in regulating blood pressure.

Using this insight, Dr. Phillips developed an implantable neuroprosthetic system that delivers targeted electrical stimulation to the spinal cord. The system can continuously monitor blood pressure and adjust stimulation in real time, acting as an artificial reflex to restore stability. He translated this approach from laboratory studies into human clinical trials, demonstrating that the technology could safely and reliably correct severe blood pressure instability in people with chronic spinal cord injury.

The Impact:

Spinal cord injury affects more than 27 million people worldwide, and unstable blood pressure is one of its most disabling and dangerous consequences. Dr. Phillips' work has shown, for the first time, that this problem can be effectively treated rather than simply managed. Clinical studies revealed that his therapy restores stable blood pressure, reduces reliance on medication, and allows people to sit upright, participate in rehabilitation, and engage more fully in daily life. This first-in-class therapy that has received FDA Breakthrough Therapy Designation and is now advancing through pivotal trials for market approval.

Beyond spinal cord injury, this work is reshaping how autonomic disorders are understood and treated. By demonstrating that targeted spinal stimulation can restore essential bodily functions, Dr. Phillips has opened a new therapeutic direction with the potential to improve care for a wide range of conditions involving blood pressure dysregulation.

Quotes

"The discoveries recognized by the Canada Gairdner Awards this year demonstrate how fundamental research can deepen our understanding of biology and lead to advances that improve health around the world. We are proud to honour scientists who are expanding the frontiers of knowledge and shaping the future of medicine."

- Janet Rossant, President and Scientific Director, Gairdner Foundation

"Congratulations to all the 2026 Gairdner Awards laureates! Your work demonstrates the incredible power of science and research to transform lives all around the world. I'm honoured to highlight the achievements of two Canadian researchersDr. Maxwell's advancements to our understanding of bacterial immune systems and Dr. Phillips' innovations to restore blood pressure control after spinal cord injury. Canada is a place where the brightest scientific minds can thrive, and the government is committed to securing Canada's place at the forefront of discovery and innovation."

- The Honourable Melanie Joly, Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Government of Canada

"We believe in the power of science to improve health and create a better world. The Government of Canada's support for the Gairdner Foundation reflects our commitment to supporting research that will build a stronger, more resilient and healthier Canada."

- The Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health, Government of Canada

"Congratulations to the 2026 Canada Gairdner laureates on receiving this international recognition for their pioneering research. Their discoveries will have a lasting impact on the health of Canadians and people around the world and inspire future generations of scientists to dream bigger and reach further."

- Maggie Chi, Member of Parliament for Don Valley North and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Health, Government of Canada

About the Gairdner Foundation

The mission of the Gairdner Foundation is to celebrate, inform and inspire scientific excellence around the globe.

Established in 1957, the Gairdner Foundation is dedicated to fulfilling James A. Gairdner's vision to recognize major research contributions to the treatment of disease and alleviation of human suffering. Through the prestigious annual Canada Gairdner Awards, the Foundation celebrates the world's most creative and accomplished researchers whose work is improving the health and wellbeing of people around the world. Since its inception, 434 awards have been bestowed on laureates from over 40 countries, and of those awardees, 103 have gone on to receive Nobel Prizes.

The Gairdner Foundation brings people together to openly discuss science in order to better engage the public, understand the problems we face, and work together to find solutions. Through Gairdner Connects, our national outreach program, we bring science to communities across Canada to inspire future innovators and spark public dialogue about the role of research in addressing the world's most pressing health challenges.

https://gairdner.org/

SOURCE Gairdner Foundation
As a self-proclaimed proud Jew, Zack Polanski should know that Zion is another name for Jerusalem - Aaron Chown/PA Wire

We might forgive Zack Polanski for equivocating over how he would have voted on the bungled motion at the Green Partys spring conference that was set to declare Zionism racist. He was born, as I was, in the decade after that toxic formula was adopted by the United Nations.

But unlike me, he did not spend five years in the archives studying the road to that vote and the long campaign to repeal it. At the risk of sounding superior  a risk worth taking, given the stakes  it is time he and his party were given a basic history lesson.

The charge that Zionism is racism did not begin with a critique of Benjamin Netanyahu, the Gaza war, or West Bank settlements.

It was created as a Soviet ploy during UN deliberations on racial discrimination in 1965. As the world grappled with the post-Holocaust persistence of anti-Semitism in Europe, the United Nations sought language condemning racial hatred.

The Soviets, anxious that such language might expose their own vicious anti-Semitism, reached for a familiar trick: if anti-Semitism was to be condemned, then Zionism must be condemned, too. It was a classic act of inversion: take reality and turn it upside down until falsehood poses as truth.

A Zionism is Racism motion could yet be voted on at a future Green Party conference - Maja Smiejkowska/PA Wire

At first, the attempt was too absurd to succeed and the language was dropped. But the Soviet bloc did not let the matter rest. Over the next decade, together with Arab states and the Non-Aligned Movement, it pushed to brand Zionism as a form of racism. When efforts to expel Israel from the General Assembly failed, the next best thing was to declare Jewish sovereignty itself illegitimate. In 1975, that is exactly what happened.

Many countries understood the UN resolution for what it was: a cynical and malicious fraud. They fought for years to overturn it. In 1991, with the Soviet Union collapsing and the Gulf War reshaping international politics, the resolution was finally repealed. That repeal was effectively an acknowledgement that the formula was a political disgrace. The formal stain was removed. The poison, however, remained.

Within a decade, it had seeped into civil society, where Israel was increasingly cast as uniquely illegitimate even during years of territorial compromise and diplomatic concession such as the Oslo Accords and Camp David. Then came the Durban Conference in 2001, where activists resurrected the charge in draft declarations with renewed fervour. There, Israel was accused of genocide  decades before the current war against Hamas.

Some of the groups responsible for the hostile language on Zionism also trafficked in imagery that belonged to the classic anti-Semitic repertoire: hooked noses, blood libels, grotesque caricatures reminiscent of Der Sturmer. The point was never merely opposition to one Israeli government or another. The point was that Jewish nationhood itself was treated as a civilisational disgrace.

The Durban Conference in 2001 saw renewed accusations of illegitimacy against Israel - Anna Zieminski/AFP

Few other national movements have been subjected to this kind of sustained moral delegitimisation and none with quite the same obsessive intensity. Tom Lantos, the Holocaust survivor who led the American delegation, called Durban the worst outburst of anti-Semitism he had seen since the Second World War. Elie Wiesel warned that history is giving us Jews a signal. The tragedy is that so few were willing to read it.

What began as a Cold War diplomatic weapon did not die with the Soviet Union. It migrated through Durban, NGOs, activist networks and parts of the political Left into a new accepted wisdom, where the old slogan returned stripped of its history and presented as enlightened morality.

But the error in calling Zionism racist is not only historical. It is conceptual. Zionism, at its core, is the belief that the Jewish people are entitled to self-determination in their ancestral homeland. That should matter to Polanski, who has said he is proud to be Jewish. A proud Jew should know that Zion is another name for Jerusalem, invoked throughout the Tanakh, the Hebrew Bible.

For thousands of years, Jews around the world  including those he seeks to represent in London, and the Jews of Golders Green whose Hatzola ambulances were vandalised  have turned toward Jerusalem in prayer. In Jewish law, even the mundane act of eating a slice of bread requires recalling Zion.

After October 7, one might have expected at least some clarity about the kind of enemy Israel faces, and about why a Jewish state is all the more necessary. Yet Polanskis party can still speak airily of one state, as though Jews are being asked to join a Scandinavian constitutional experiment rather than entrust their future to an Islamist leadership among whom lynching, hostage-taking and mass murder have been openly celebrated and are still being reinforced in a new generation of children.

One may oppose governments, borders, occupations, military campaigns, or settlement policy without declaring the national principle itself uniquely illegitimate. To call Zionism racist is not to criticise this or that Israeli government. It is to say that Jewish collective self-rule, alone among the worlds national movements, is inherently suspect.

It is to deny Jews their history, their present, and their future. Given the UKs rising anti-Semitism problem, maybe thats exactly the point.

Dr Batsheva Neuer is a historian of contemporary anti-Semitism and Jewish political identity and a postdoctoral fellow at INSS-ISGAP, Tel Aviv University
Greg Gutfeld denies Trump is a narcissist and claims he never worries about his poll numbers

Fox News host Greg Gutfeld has claimed President Donald Trump is neither a narcissist, nor obsessed with his own poll numbers, despite how often he refers to them.

Speaking on The Five Monday, Gutfeld picked up a thread from co-host Charles Hurt who called the president: The only politician weve ever had who is always willing to spend political capital on something other than just getting himself re-elected.

Yeah, Gutfeld agreed. Its the complete opposite of how hes painted, as this narcissist who is worried about his poll numbers, when, in fact, all hes trying to do is build capital so he can spend it.

Greg Gutfeld offers an unlikely defense of President Donald Trump on Monday's episode of The Five on Fox News (The Five/Fox News)

Jessica Tarlov, the panels token liberal, could hardly contain her disbelief. Not worried about his poll numbers? she gasped. He says everything is fake!

When theyre low, hes like, eh, whatever, Gutfeld insisted. It doesnt bother him.

Tarlov then directly turned to the camera to express her shock her colleagues comments, given Trumps long history of complaining about unfavorable results.

It was only last week that the president called into the very same show and complained about his score in the latest Fox poll.

The network had found that 59 percent of registered voters now disapprove of the job Trump is doing in the White House, a second term low and an eight percentage point drop on the totals seen in an equivalent Fox poll from March 2025.

Calling into The Five Thursday, the president griped: I hate Fox polls. Honestly, whoever does your polls is terrible.

Jessica Tarlov can barely contain her disbelief at Gutfeld's defense of Trump (The Five/Fox News)

Tarvlov was absent for that episode but was nevertheless attacked by Trump, who said he was not a fan of hers and accused her of quoting fake statistics to his detriment: Shell give, Well, hes only polling 42 percent. Thats not right. Im polling very high actually.

He is not, and it is not only the Fox survey that currently finds the president under water.

As of Monday, Trump had an average approval rating of 39.9 percent and a net approval rating of -16.7, according to composite figures compiled by polling expert Nate Silver.

The proportion of Americans who strongly disapprove of the president has also hit a second-term high at 46.7 percent, Silver found.

The analyst concluded that rising gas prices, now north of $4 a gallon, as a consequence of the Iran war were a key factor but stressed that Trump was also facing profound problems that are likely to prove more lasting, not least a fracturing base torn by in-fighting over the validity of Operation Epic Fury.

Another Reuters poll last week put Trumps favorability even lower, at just 36 percent, attributable to the same factors identified by Silver.

Contrary to Gutfelds claim, Trump is regularly infuriated by poll results that go against him and typically claims they are inaccurate or unreliable (AFP/Getty)

The president previously exploded at Fox over its polling last April when it found that voters were unhappy with his policies on nearly every issue other than border security and that his approval rating was, at that point, at an 80-year low.

These people should be investigated for ELECTION FRAUD, and add in the FoxNews Pollster while youre at it, Trump raged on Truth Social late at night.

They are Negative Criminals who apologize to their subscribers and readers after I WIN ELECTIONS BIG, much bigger than their polls showed I would win, loose [sic] a lot of credibility, and then go on cheating and lying for the next cycle, only worse.

They suffer from Trump Derangement Syndrome, and there is nothing that anyone, or anything, can do about it. THEY ARE SICK, almost only write negative stories about me no matter how well I am doing (99.9 percent at the Border, BEST NUMBER EVER!), AND ARE TRULY THE ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE!
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Hegseth believes blowing s*** up is the best way to keep his job as he quickly backed Trumps plans to attack Iran

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth believes that blowing s*** up is the best way to keep his job, as he swiftly backed President Donald Trumps plans to launch an attack on Iran, according to a report.

The Pentagon chief was one of Trumps biggest cheerleaders for pressing ahead with the war in Iran, now entering its fifth week, and downplayed the inherent risks of the conflict spiraling out of control, according to a CNN report, citing three sources familiar with the matter.

So far, 13 U.S. troops have died in the Middle East conflict.

Hegseth, an Army veteran and former Fox News host, is as fervent about bombing Iran off-camera as he is during his Pentagon briefings about the war, the network noted.

Hes very trigger happy, a source familiar with Hegseths current mindset told CNN. A senior White House official reportedly pushed back on the idea that Hegseth has any concern over his job.

Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth believes that blowing s*** up is the best way to keep his job, as he swiftly backed President Donald Trumps plans to launch an attack on Iran, according to a report (Getty Images)

Hegseths penchant for blowing s*** up was on full display at his latest briefing Tuesday, where he gleefully claimed U.S. service members told him: Get us even more bombs, bigger bombs, more targets.

Our strikes are damaging the morale of the Iranian military, leading to widespread desertions, key personnel shortages and causing frustrations amongst senior leaders, Hegseth said. Just last night, we had 200 dynamic strikes alone.

Hegseths bombastic performances during press briefings on the war have helped to bolster his standing following scandals that have dogged his tenure at the Pentagon, namely using the Signal platform to discuss sensitive military operations.

This approach is reportedly going down well with Trump. The president is very pleased with him, and was before the Iran situation, the source told CNN.

The Independent has contacted the Pentagon for comment.

Hegseth is very trigger happy, according to an official, and his penchant for blowing s*** up was on full display at his latest Pentagon briefing (AFP via Getty Images)

Last week it was reported that Trump receives a daily video briefing about the war in Iran curated by U.S. military officials, who show him a reel of stuff blowing up.

Trump has been shown a highlight reel, approximately 2 minutes long but sometimes more, every day since the bombing campaign began on February 28, depicting U.S. Central Command striking Iranian equipment and military targets, NBC News reported.

Hegseth was scrutinized last year by lawmakers for ordering missile strikes on alleged drug vessels in the Caribbean. On his watch, the Pentagon authorized a second strike on an alleged drug boat on September 2 after two survivors were seen clinging to the wrecked vessel.

The bombing campaign in the Caribbean has so far killed at least 163 people, according to The New York Times.

If Pete Hegseth wants to blow s*** up without accountability, he can go play a video game, not run our military, Democratic Sen. Jacky Rosen of Nevada said in January of the strikes in the Caribbean. As long as he is the Secretary of Defense, he's accountable to the American people and we deserve answers about the strikes he's ordered on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific.
Nicky Henderson sees no reason to deviate from the plan after Constitution Hill was given a perfectly fair official Flat rating of 101 by the British Horseracing Authority following his all-weather victories at Southwell and Kempton.

Switched to the level after falling in three of his final four races over obstacles, Nicky Hendersons former champion hurdler made a spectacular start to his new career at Southwell in February and while last weeks Kempton success was not as visually striking, he ultimately won with plenty in hand.

Henderson told the Press Association: The mark is round about what we were thinking and now we have that there, so we have the options.

Its perfectly fair, Im sure its not easy to rate a horse like that and its fine.

Henderson had indicated his preferred next move with Constitution Hill would be Newburys Group Three John Porter Stakes, with the master of Seven Barrows keen to learn more about what level his former Champion Hurdle hero can achieve on the level at his local track on April 18.

He added: I dont think its changed our thinking and at Newbury hes going to be taking on horses rated quite a bit higher than him, but weve got to press on.

He is nine and we havent got time. Weve got the first bit done and now well stick to the plan, I see no reason why not.

Explaining the assessment of Constitution Hill, BHA handicapper Adam Barnes suggested it was his Southwell debut where he blitzed his rivals by upwards of nine and a half lengths, rather than his Kempton follow-up, that has been the major contributing factor to his three-figure rating.

Speaking on the BHA podcast on Tuesday morning, Barnes said: His Southwell win was a very visually impressive performance and the form has a really solid look to it.

The horses in the places were both previous winners who both had penalties and they give the form plenty of substance. He got quite a high figure for that run, which is what his opening mark will actually come from.

Its hard to say exactly what he had in hand at Southwell. The bare form would have been a low to mid-90s performance and Ive added half a dozen lengths of poundage on top of that, just because of the style of the win.

Hes going to be rated 101, which is a high figure for a horse coming out of novices, but could potentially turn out to be a lenient figure for a horse like him with the ability we know hes got from being such a high-class hurdler and he retains plenty of that ability.

Barnes also explained Constitution Hill may need to up his game by around 10lb to play a major role in the John Porter, where he could meet established names of the summer scene, such as William Haggas pair of previous race winners Hamish and Al Aasy.

He continued: It will be interesting to see how high he can go in the Flat sphere. Connections have mentioned the John Porter as a possible next target, that is a well established Group Three, and generally youd want to be running to around 110 plus to get really involved in a race like that.

Over the last decade winners have ranged from around 106 up to 115. William Haggas has mentioned horses like Hamish or Al Aasy could go there and theyre rated 117 and 115, so that gives you an idea of the kind of level hell need to be at to win a race like that.

I think a Group Three like the John Porter is a realistic target to find out where he sits. If he were to win that then obviously they can look at bigger Group-race targets, or if he were just to run well without winning a race like the Ebor would be a possible target as well. That low-100s figure would probably be ideal for a race like that.
Hermione Norris has revealed she has suffered from long Covid, which left her concerned about her ability to take on physical challenges.

The Cold Feet star, 59, said she is now much better but the change to her body has been a shock.

Norris is one of seven celebrities who embarked on a pilgrimage through north-east England to one of Britains most important pilgrimage sites, Lindisfarne, for new BBC series Pilgrimage: The Road To Holy Island.

She was joined by stars including Ashley Banjo, Patsy Kensit and Tasha Ghouri for the programme but said she had concerns about her health before setting off.

Hermione Norris is best known for her role in 90s drama Cold Feet (Prima/Sarah Brick/PA)

She told Prima magazine: Im not great at extreme discomfort. I had long Covid a few years ago, so I was worried about my physical fitness and the demands of walking so much every day, plus carrying the backpack.

But we did a couple of massive walks and I was fine. I was pleasantly surprised.

She added: Having been ill [with long Covid], my focus is on being well and healthy.

Its about exercising, not to make me look good but to keep me strong. I stretch a lot, and Ive really got to start lifting weights.

I also use an infrared sauna for my autoimmune condition. I get really stiff joints. Im so much better after the long Covid, but I feel different, physiologically.

It gave me a shock, as Ive always been quite fit and strong.

Hermione Norris on the cover of Prima (Prima/Sarah Brick/PA)

Long Covid is when the symptoms of Covid-19 last longer than 12 weeks, according to the NHS website.

Symptoms include extreme fatigue, shortness of breath, joint pain, aching muscles and brain fog.

Norris, best known for her role as Karen Marsden in cult 90s drama Cold Feet, said she has also noticed significant changes since going through the menopause, telling the magazine: Menopause talk is everywhere now. But the alchemy that happens is unquestionable. The masks drop.

I feel like a different person from who I was in my 40s  mentally and physically  in a good way.

Now I enjoy simple things. My morning coffee, a walk, my doggies, beautiful skies. The joy is in the day-to-day of living, not the big things.

The May 2026 issue of Prima is now on sale.
Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto speaks with the media as he arrives for a meeting at the European Council building in Brussels, on March 16, 2026.

Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Tuesday denounced "foreign interference" in Hungary's election campaign, after investigative media published telephone conversations suggesting he passed on information to Russia.

Calling it a "very big scandal", Szijjarto lambasted "the interception of his calls by foreign secret services, who made them public" a week and a half before the parliamentary elections "in the interest of Ukraine", he wrote on Facebook.

A consortium of Eastern European media outlets  The Insider, VSquare and Delfi  claimed in an investigation published Tuesday that Szijjarto had provided Moscow with "direct-line" access to "strategic information on crucial issues".

The investigation cited leaked recordings and transcripts of phone calls, in one of which Szijjarto is alleged to have told Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov, "I am at your service."

Commenting on the story, Ukraine's foreign minister Andriy Sybiga said that "these are not conversations. This is obsequious reporting to Russian patrons. Disgusting, it is a disgrace, and it really should be subject to investigation."

Hungary's pro-Russian nationalist Prime Minister Viktor Orban has repeatedly held up EU sanctions against Russia and blocked aid to the war-torn Ukraine, even trading barbs with Kyiv.

Read moreEU leaders fail to sway Hungary's Orban on 90 billion Ukraine loan

The accusations against Szijjarto, a close ally of Orban, come ahead of the parliamentary elections on April 12 in which the nationalist leader faces his biggest ballot-box challenge in years.

Orban is vying to be re-elected for a fifth term despite accusations from the opposition of disloyalty towards European Union partners, as well as of allowing Kremlin interference.

Peter Magyar, who is the frontrunner to unseat Orban, suggested on Tuesday that Szijjarto should face life in jail "treason".

"It is now obvious that Peter Szijjarto, Sergei Lavrov's 'errand boy'. defends neither Hungarian nor European interests, but instead reports directly to the Russian leadership via a secure line, passing on confidential information," the opposition leader told a forum in Hungary.

"The Hungarian Criminal Code defines this as treason. And, incidentally, this crime is punishable by life imprisonment."

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)
Joshua Spriestersbach was wrongly committed to a psychiatric hospital

A man who spent two years wrongfully detained in a Hawaii state psychiatric hospital due to a case of mistaken identity is set to receive a payout of $975,000 from the City and County of Honolulu.

Joshua Spriestersbach, who was homeless at the time, was arrested for crimes committed by another man, Thomas Castleberry.

The error began in 2011 when Spriestersbach, then sleeping at Kawananakoa Middle School, was asked for his name by an officer.

He reportedly withheld his first name, providing only his grandfathers surname: Castleberry.

The officer subsequently found a 2009 warrant for Thomas Castleberry and arrested Spriestersbach, despite his protests that he was not the man sought.

Although the bench warrant for Spriestersbach was later dropped after he missed a court date, the mistaken identity continued to plague him.

In 2015, Honolulu Police Department (HPD) officers again encountered Spriestersbach. While they confirmed through fingerprints that he was not Thomas Castleberry, the police departments records were never updated, according to a lawsuit filed by Spriestersbach in 2021.

This failure to correct records culminated in his 2017 arrest while he was waiting for food outside a Chinatown facility. He was once more apprehended for Castleberrys outstanding warrant.

Spriestersbach endured four months at Oahu Community Correctional Centre before being transferred to the Hawaii State Hospital, where he remained for over two years until his release on 17 January 2020.

His complaint alleges that police officers, public defenders, and health workers all had opportunities to rectify the error but failed to do so.

"Prior to January 2020, not a single person acted on the available information to determine that Joshua was telling the truth  that he was not Thomas R. Castleberry," the complaint states.

"Instead, they determined that Joshua was delusional and incompetent just because he refused to admit that he was Thomas R. Castleberry and refused to acknowledge Thomas R. Castleberrys crimes."

The lawsuit further contends that city practices, particularly the failure to properly identify homeless and mentally ill individuals and to correct erroneous records, were "the moving force" behind his wrongful arrest and detention.

A majority of Honolulu council members approved the city settlement last Wednesday, though one member voted with reservations.

Spriestersbach may also receive an additional $200,000 settlement from the state to resolve legal claims against the Hawaii public defenders office.

Lawyers for Spriestersbach, HPD, and the mayors office did not respond to requests for comment.
The BBC has confirmed it has sacked Scott Mills from his breakfast Radio 2 show.

The corporation has not said exactly why Mills, 53, has left, but they did state: While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted and has left the BBC.

In a message circulated to BBC staff, it was noted that this news will be sudden and unexpected and therefore must come as a shock.

Mills has been with his partner producer, Sam Vaughan, since 2017, after meeting at a radio event in Wales the year before.

Sam Vaughan, Scott Mills and their dog Ted (Instagram/Sam Vaughan) (Instagram/Sam Vaughan)

Vaughan regularly posts snaps of him and Mills with their cavapoo, Ted, and they also manage an Instagram account for the dog, Teddy the Cavapoo.

However, there was a hurdle at the start of their relationship, as they spent six months apart.

"The more time we spent together, the more I could see we were right for each other. I just needed him to see that too, Mills previously told The Times.

"So when we had the conversation about taking it forward and he said "I'm not ready", I was devastated.

Being friends with someone you're in love with doesn't work. We didn't speak for six months."

Their relationship then progressed, as Mills proposed in 2021, with the pair then having a star-studded wedding ceremony in 2024.

The couple exchanged vows in at Xalet Del Nin, a breathtaking Mediterranean villa on the coast near Barcelona.

The big day attracted a slew of famous faces including Rylan Clark who shared a series of snaps from the event.

The 35-year-old presenter captioned his post "Best wedding ever. Love u both xx," which featured photos with other celebrity guests including UK Eurovision sensation Sam Ryder while Zoe Ball, Jordan North, Vick Hope and husband Calvin Harris were in attendance also.

Reflecting on their special day, Mills shared: "We both had the most incredible day. Celebrating with our close friends and family in Spain was truly special.

We're excited to spend the rest of our lives together.

Viewers of Race Across The World will also know Vaughan, as Mills and his husband won the celebrity edition of the show in 2024.

Scott Mills and husband Sam Vaughan celebrating their win at the finish line (BBC/PA) (Local Library)

The pair beat Ted Lasso actor Kola Bokinni and his cousin Mary Ellen Moriarty to the base camp of the Osorno Volcano in Frutillar, Chile, after racing almost 7,800 miles from the Amazon Rainforest.

Speaking of the victory, Mills said: Speechless, when you open that book, and there are no other names in it  theres no other feeling like it.

I can confirm its the best feeling ever.

Its been exhilarating, its been tough, its been so frustrating at times, but weve been there for each other, the good, the bad, the ups and downs.

It just proves were a great team  a winning team.
The US has struck a large Iranian ammunition depot with 2,000lb (907kg) bunker buster bombs.

Donald Trump shared footage of the large-scale attack, which showed primary and secondary explosions in the city of Isfahan, a central hub for Irans military and nuclear infrastructure.

A US official confirmed to the Wall Street Journal that the military had struck a large ammunition depot on Monday night and that a large number of the penetrator munitions were used.

The city is thought to house Irans uranium stockpiles in facilities deep underground, according to Rafael Grossi, the director-general of the International Atomic Energy Agency.

Iran, meanwhile, attacked a fully loaded crude oil tanker anchored off the United Arab Emirates, the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the start of the war.

On Tuesday morning, the Al Salmi, a Kuwaiti vessel, was struck on its starboard side by a projectile, causing a fire on board.

Kuwaits Petroleum Corporation confirmed that the vessel was carrying a full cargo at the time of the incident.

Damage to the Kuwait-flagged Al Salmi oil tanker following an Iranian strike - Kuwait Petroleum Corporation/via REUTERS

Dubais media office later confirmed that the fire had been extinguished, no injuries had been sustained and no oil spill had occurred.

Crude oil prices spiked briefly after the attack on the tanker, which can carry around two million barrels of oil, worth more than $200m (160m) at current prices.

Brent crude rose more than 2 per cent following the attack as the conflict continues to drive up the price of oil.

The strike on the Al Salmi is the latest in a string of assaults on merchant vessels by missiles or explosive air and sea drones in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on Feb 28.

The month-long conflict has spread across the Middle East, killing thousands, disrupting energy supplies and threatening to send the global economy into a tailspin.

Mr Trump has suggested that if negotiations between the US and Tehran collapsed he would obliterate Irans energy and water facilities and leave the vital waterway under Iranian control.

The US president has indicated that he may send troops to seize control of Kharg Island, a key Iranian oil export terminal in the northern Gulf, while reports said the White House was considering sending in special forces to take Irans uranium stockpile.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Mr Trump wrote: Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!)...

Thousands of soldiers from the USs 82nd Airborne Division have started arriving in the Middle East, reinforcements that would expand the presidents options to include a ground assault in Iran and its territories, even as talks continue to be pursued.

Elsewhere, the United Arab Emirates confirmed that four people had sustained minor injuries after falling debris from an air defence interception caused a fire at an abandoned house. The incident took place in Al Badaa, a residential area.

A telecommunications company building was also targeted in a drone attack in neighbouring Sharjah, with no injuries recorded.

In Saudi Arabia, authorities said they had intercepted eight ballistic missiles, hours after Irans top diplomat had called on Riyadh to eject US forces.

As sirens sounded in Jerusalem, Israels military said it had responded to fresh Iranian missiles, while Iranian media reported new explosions in Tehran that caused power cuts in parts of the capital.

As the war entered its 32nd day, Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, claimed that Israel and the US were more than halfway to completing their war aims in Iran.

However, he did not commit to saying when fighting would end, telling the US outlet Newsmax: Its definitely beyond the half way point, but I dont want to put a schedule on it. He added that he meant that in terms of missions, not necessarily in terms of time.

On Tuesday morning, Israel confirmed it carried out missile strikes on what it described as military infrastructure in Tehran and infrastructure used by Hezbollah in Beirut.

The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-linked Tasnim news agency reported that sounds of explosions were heard in parts of eastern and western Tehran minutes after Israel issued a warning of imminent strikes in the city.

It added that residents in the eastern Pirouzi district also reported power cuts after the blasts and that officials from Irans energy ministry had begun attempts to restore power.

On Monday, Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, said Mr Trump wanted to reach a deal with Iranian leaders before a second deadline  now April 6  for Iran to open the Strait of Hormuz.

Ms Leavitt said talks with Iran were progressing, adding that what Tehran had said publicly differed from what it had told US officials in private.

The regime said on Monday that it had received US peace proposals via intermediaries, following weekend talks between foreign ministers of Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and Turkey.

Esmaeil Baghaei, an Iranian foreign ministry spokesman, said the proposals were unrealistic, illogical and excessive.

He told a press conference: Our position is clear. We are under military aggression. Therefore, all our efforts and strength are focused on defending ourselves.
The US could launch a ground invasion in Iran to seize 450kg of near-weapons-grade uranium

Should Donald Trump order American soldiers to seize Irans uranium, they would not fight insurgents hiding among civilian populations or terrorists in the shadows.

Instead, they would be up against an enemy unlike any the US military has confronted in a generation: an organised army of hundreds of thousands of fighters who see dying in defence of their homeland as their highest purpose.

Tehrans army is but one obstacle American special forces would face after Iran has spent four decades and billions of dollars preparing for a ground invasion by the US.

Its defensive architecture is based on multiple interlocking layers, each designed to counter different threats at different ranges and altitudes.

Irans elite IRGC forces would form the vanguard of any effort to resist a US ground invasion - Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto via Getty Images

Mr Trumps plan to seize 450kg of near-weapons-grade uranium, should Tehran decline to give it up, could see the ultimate test of these preparations.

The mission would require hundreds of troops on the ground in Iran at one or more nuclear sites in a high-risk strategy.

US forces would have to fight their way inland and fly over Irans mountain defences, sites designed specifically to resist such attacks, package radioactive material while under fire, then fight back through a country where a million people have been mobilised for defence.

Such an invasion plan would require potentially the largest special forces operation in history, said James Stavridis, a retired US admiral and former Nato commander.

Irans most sensitive nuclear sites occupy positions chosen specifically to complicate American military options.

Each site is more than 600 miles from the nearest potential staging areas  US bases in the Persian Gulf states or aircraft carriers in surrounding waters.

That distance alone is a logistical challenge for any ground or air force attempting to reach, secure and extract material from multiple locations simultaneously.

The terrain also functions as a defensive system. The Zagros Mountains  stretching about 1,000 miles across western Iran with very high peaks  form a natural barrier between the coast and the interior where key sites are located.

Even if American forces somehow reached the exteriors of nuclear sites away from the islands, they would confront the prospect of fighting their way through collapsed tunnels while defenders inside destroyed equipment, and possibly the uranium stockpile itself as a final resort.

Irans defensive doctrine relies not on preventing American forces from entering the country  a military impossibility against US air power and capability  but on making any incursion unsustainable through sustained attrition.

If the US somehow manages to evade attacks and successfully land forces on Iranian islands like Kharg, Bu Musa, or Larak, there remains a fundamental problem with holding them, even for a short period, state media reported over the weekend.

The primary defensive burden falls on the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), which has spent decades preparing the defensive layers for asymmetric warfare against technologically superior forces.

The system evolved from lessons learnt during the 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq war, when Iraqi missile attacks on Iranian cities revealed critical vulnerabilities.

The outermost defensive ring consists of long-range air defence systems designed to detect and destroy threats at extreme distances and altitudes.

The middle defensive layer uses medium-range systems with high mobility, designed to engage fighters, cruise missiles and drones at intermediate distances.

Iran also produces a range of man-portable air defence systems including the Misagh and Shahab Saqeb  lightweight shoulder-fired missiles effective against helicopters and low-altitude aircraft, deployable by individual soldiers for point defence.

Iranian troops fire a Misagh shoulder launched missile. A ground invasion would present far greater risks for the US than its air attacks do

It claims to have organised over one million fighters for ground combat, a figure that includes IRGC forces, Basij militia and volunteers.

While actual combat effectiveness remains unknown, the numbers present a challenge for any occupation force.

The biggest mistake America would make after starting this war would be entering Iran by ground, and it makes no difference whether its Kharg Island or any other island, said Eshaq Jahangiri, the former vice-president of Iran.

Once upon a time, some countries drew red lines saying they might occupy one of Irans islands, and officials during the war responded that occupiers must cross through a sea of blood to occupy one inch of Irans soil. That sentence remains the definitive answer of Iranians.

If American forces were able to seize nuclear sites, the missions objective would be to remove 450kg of enriched uranium.

One of Irans nuclear sites near Natanz built for uranium enrichment - VANTOR/REUTERS

This is a unique challenge that goes beyond conventional military operations.

Weapons-grade uranium requires specialised handling, transport containers and decontamination procedures.

Forces would need to bring equipment to safely package radioactive material while under potential attack, then transport it hundreds of miles back to secure areas.

The uranium exists in multiple forms at multiple sites.

Some are in gaseous form in centrifuges, while some have been converted to powder or metal for research purposes  and most of it is under rubble, after the sites were bombed last year, according to Iranian officials.

Extracting it all would require not just capturing sites but maintaining control long enough for specialists to identify, package and prepare transport material  hours or days during which Iranian forces would concentrate every available asset on preventing exactly that outcome.

Iran has also made clear that any American ground operation would trigger regional escalation.

Military officials warned they would open other fronts as a surprise if US troops landed, a threat that encompasses attacks on state infrastructure in the Gulf, American bases across the Middle East and potentially closing the Bab al-Mandeb Strait in the Red Sea in addition to the Strait of Hormuz.

Tehrans explicit goal is to make any American ground operation in Iran simultaneously trigger costs across the Middle East that far exceed the value of the mission itself.

State media has published analyses suggesting that opening multiple simultaneous fronts would force American commanders to choose between continuing operations inside Iran or defending vulnerable assets elsewhere.

The closest historical parallel may be the attempted rescue of American hostages in Tehran in 1980, which ended in disaster in a desert 200 miles short of the capital.

That mission involved fewer than 200 troops attempting to reach a single location in Tehran and rescue 52 people.

Remains of a burned-out US helicopter in Iran after an abortive raid in April 1980 - AP

The scale difference between that operation and seizing nuclear material from multiple fortified sites hundreds of miles apart shows the exponential increase in difficulty.

More recent experience in Iraq and Afghanistan demonstrates the challenges of sustained ground operations in hostile territory filled with armed forces ready for martyrdom.

Even with local allies and secure supply lines, American forces found maintaining control over territory costly and difficult.

Iran offers neither friendly populations in most areas nor secure logistics routes from friendly bases.

Defenders fight on familiar ground, operate on interior lines that allow rapid reinforcement, and will fiercely fight for their homeland.

Every tactical advantage seems to belong to Iran. But it is a test neither side has ever faced before.
TORONTO, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN) today released a national report examining the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, concluding that AI is transforming both the scale of cyber threats and the way organizations must defend themselves.

The report is being unveiled at the NGen Advanced Manufacturing Conference in Toronto, where leaders from industry, technology, and government are discussing the future of Canada's digital economy and the role of secure digital infrastructure.

A stylized maple tree anchors the cover, its roots and branches intertwined like digital networks. It represents how artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital trust are becoming foundational to Canada's digital economy. Subtle fractures in the tree hint at the risks emerging from AI, while its deep roots symbolize the resilience created by strong cybersecurity and trusted digital systems that support innovation and economic growth.

The findings highlight a rapidly emerging reality. Artificial intelligence is simultaneously accelerating cyberattacks while becoming one of the most powerful tools ever introduced for defending against them.

Across industries, organizations are embedding AI into products, workflows, and decision making at unprecedented speed. At the same time, cybercriminals are increasingly using AI to automate reconnaissance, generate convincing phishing campaigns, and produce deepfake impersonations of executives and employees.

Global incident data referenced in the report indicates that synthetic text used in malicious emails has doubled in recent years. Ransomware actors are also beginning to use large language models to assist with malware development and fraud campaigns.

Yet AI is not only a threat multiplier. Artificial intelligence is also emerging as a critical defensive capability in modern cybersecurity operations. Security teams are using AI to analyze alerts, detect anomalies across complex digital environments, and accelerate investigations. Organizations that integrate AI and automation into security operations report faster breach detection and containment along with lower breach costs.

The result is a cybersecurity environment where both attackers and defenders are operating at dramatically higher speed.

"Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the foundations of the digital economy," said Francois Guay, Founder and CEO of the Canadian Cybersecurity Network. "The question is no longer whether AI will change cybersecurity. It already has. The real challenge is whether organizations can govern these systems safely and responsibly."

The report highlights a shift taking place inside organizations. As AI systems move from experimentation into operational decision making, leadership teams must move beyond managing technology toward governing increasingly autonomous systems operating at machine speed.

Cybersecurity is also becoming closely tied to economic competitiveness. Enterprises, insurers, regulators, and supply chain partners increasingly require organizations to demonstrate credible cybersecurity practices before allowing them to connect systems, exchange data, or participate in critical operations.

In this environment, digital trust is becoming a defining competitive advantage.

"Cyber maturity is rapidly becoming a passport to participate in the digital economy," Guay said. "Organizations that can demonstrate strong governance and secure use of AI will be better positioned to innovate, collaborate, and compete globally."

The report also warns that rapid AI adoption is introducing new categories of cyber risk including prompt injection, model manipulation, data poisoning, and dependencies on external AI models.

For Canada, the report concludes that this moment presents both opportunity and urgency. Canada has a globally recognized AI research ecosystem, a strong cybersecurity talent base, and a tradition of collaboration between government, academia, and industry.

"In the emerging digital economy, competitive advantage will not be defined only by innovation," Guay said. "It will be defined by trust."

The full report, The State of AI, Cybersecurity and Digital Trust in Canada, is available at:

https://canadiancybersecuritynetwork.com/reports

About the Canadian Cybersecurity Network

The Canadian Cybersecurity Network (CCN) is Canada's largest cybersecurity and digital trust community, connecting more than 46,000 professionals, companies, universities, and government organizations across the country. Through research, collaboration, and community initiatives, CCN works to strengthen cybersecurity talent, support innovation, and advance digital trust across Canada's economy.

Media Contact

Francois Guay

Canadian Cybersecurity Network

236 983 7300

[email protected]

SOURCE Canadian Cybersecurity Network
How countries are responding to oil price surge due to Iran war

After the US and Israel launched their joint war on Iran by assassinating supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei four weeks ago, Donald Trump urged the Mideast nations people to take back their country.

There was no uprising, however, and as Irans new leadership started firing missiles and drones at Israel and American installations in the Gulf region, it soon became clear there was to be no quick resolution to the crisis.

In spite of the US president continuing to push a narrative around peace talks and fresh threats, markets are more skeptical than ever, with oil prices hitting $117 a barrel on Monday, triggering further fears of shortages worldwide.

The issue is that Iran is blocking the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime route through which about a fifth of the worlds oil is transported. This is forcing governments around the world to take steps to safeguard their interests. Here we take a look at what some of them are doing.

UK

On Monday, diesel prices jumped to their highest level since December 2022, with the average price per litre at UK forecourts hitting 181.2p, according to RAC analysis.

In response, chancellor Rachel Reeves was urged to reconsider plans to raise fuel duty by 5p per litre at the end of August. The government was yet to make any announcement and Sir Keir Starmer gave no indication to reporters on Monday.

Irans blockade of the Strait of Hormuz sparks energy crisis around the world (PA Graphics)

Last week, Ms Reeves said that contingency planning was underway for "every eventuality" after acknowledging that the full impact of the war on the UK economy was uncertain.

In keeping with previously announced plans, energy bills will fall from April under Ofgems price gap, but may rise again before the summer.

Australia

The governments of Tasmania and Victoria made public transport free from this week in a bid to ease the cost of living as energy prices continued to soar.

Egypt

Arguably the country that is imposing the most severe restrictions is Egypt, which relies heavily on imported fuel. Starting last weekend, restaurants, shops and cafes were ordered to close by 9pm to save energy.

Street lights and roadside advertising were dimmed and many people were told to work from home at least one day a week.

Myanmar

The military regime anticipated a fuel shortage soon after the war broke out and launched sweeping rationing for private vehicles early in March, featuring QR codes to deter multiple daily refills. It also told government employees to work remotely every Wednesday.

By mid-March, the pump price of diesel had jumped to 3,800 kyat ($1.80) per litre, up from 2,450 kyat ($1.16) in February.

Domestic airlines running low on jet fuel, large quantities of which Myanmar imported from Iran, suspended routes and adopted strict limits on baggage, with ticket prices tripling on sectors still operational.

Myanmar depends on regional processing hubs of Middle East crude, such as Singapore and Malaysia, for the diesel imports crucial for its struggling economy and farm sector.

Motorists queue up to refuel their vehicles outside a petrol station in Naypyidaw in Myanmar (AFP via Getty)

Pakistan

The South Asian nations enacted sweeping emergency austerity and fuel conservation measures, mandating a four-day working week for government workers and moving back spring holidays for school.

People were asked to restrict social gatherings, with weddings and parties capped at 200 guests and limited to one main dish.

Ministers, parliamentarians and officials were told to make foreign trips only for essential purposes and in economy class.

Japan

The price of premium gasoline has risen by 20 yen per litre or about nine per cent, adding over 100,000 yen in expenses for the popular season of cherry blossom viewing on cruises in Tokyo.

Fuel subsidies, though, have offset rising raw material costs from a weak yen at a time when annual core inflation has slowed to a nearly two-year low.

Popular snack makers such as Yamayoshi Seika confirmed a hit to their production, especially to flagship products like Wasabeef, after running into heavy oil shortages.

The continued shutdown of the Strait of Hormuz and surging oil prices will increase inflationary pressure and prod the Bank of Japan to raise interest rates further.

Philippines

Similar to Pakistan, the Southeast Asian country has moved all government offices to a four-day week.

President Ferdinand Marcos has ordered all government agencies to reduce their fuel and power consumption by up to 20 per cent and banned study tours and team-building activities for public servants.

Thailand

In spite of making a deal with Iran to allow its oil vessels to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, Thailand still faces restrictions due to the crisis.

A man in Cairo, Egypt, closes his shop after earlier closing hours applied (AP)

On 10 March, the government asked civil servants to conserve energy, wear short-sleeved shirts to work and use stairs instead of lifts.

It also suspended overseas trips for government employees and ordered them to reduce electricity use in offices by switching off lights and electrical equipment when not needed.

Sri Lanka

A four-day week was introduced for state institutions earlier this month with Wednesday declared a holiday. The measure also applies to schools and universities.

The country also introduced fuel rationing, with drivers limited to 15 litres a week.

Bangladesh

Nearly a week into the conflict, Bangladesh closed all its universities and brought forward the Eid holidays as part of emergency measures to conserve fuel amid a worsening energy crisis.

Officials said the measures applied to all public and private universities and would not only reduce electricity consumption but also ease traffic congestion.

On Monday, the government said it was seeking roughly $2.5bn in external financing to support fuel and liquefied natural gas imports and tide over rising energy costs and mounting pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Vietnam

The government has scrapped with value added tax for gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel until at least 15 April.

Officials have strongly encouraged the public to stay at home and consider using transport options like bicycles when taking journeys.
Jajas African Hair Braiding: babirye bukilwa, Dolapo Oni, Karene Peter, Jadesola Odunjo (Manuel Harlan)

Fear of deportation underlies the spirited banter of Jocelyn Biohs broad but lively, all-female workplace comedy, set in the titular hair salon in Harlem. Not that youd know it from the bulk of the daily interactions between these West African and African-American women, which chiefly consist of rivalries, gossip, romantic upheavals and the buying of socks and jewelry from itinerant street vendors.

And of course, theres the meticulous, laborious, finger-blistering process of braiding hair, which is very convincingly evoked. Over the course of a single sweltering New York day in 2019 we become au fait with the hierarchy of chairs in a salon and acclimatised to demands for packets of real hair bought from Malaysia or China: No 2 at 38 inches!

Bioh is also an actress, and her ear for dialogue is finely tuned. The characters are not fully fleshed and the arc of the plot is obvious, but the vibe and the texture of the play are strong. Jajas was nominated for six Tony awards from its 2023 Broadway run, including Best Play, but won for costumes and for hair and wig design.

Jajas African Hair Braiding (Manuel Harlan)

Here, director Monique Touko  who also helmed the successful UK premiere of Biohs School Girls: or the African Mean Girls Play at the Lyric  fills the stage with atmosphere and attitude. The air conditioner churns against the summer heat outside; African sitcoms and music videos chunter on the TV; images of plaited and cornrowed hairstyles ripped from magazines peel from the windows of Paul Willss compact and detailed salon set.

Everyone here is chasing the American dream, or at least the Nollywood version of it. Senegalese Jaja, played by Zainab Jah, makes only one bombshell appearance, late on. But shes built this business herself and sweated to put her daughter Marie (Sewa Zamba, in an impressive stage debut) through school, albeit using an ID borrowed from a cousin. It is Jajas wedding day to her white lover Steven  the women delight in pronouncing his name with contempt  which will finally get her her papers.

Meanwhile Miriam (Jadesola Odunjo), sweet and girlish but with a raunchy sexual confidence, dreams of making enough money in the States to return in glory to her lover and their five-year-old daughter in Sierra Leone. Queenly Bea (Dolapo Oni) broadcasts confidently about owning her own premises one day and wages a simmering war with the magnificently unbothered new girl Ndidi (Bola Akeju), to whom Beas harassed clients are gratefully defecting. Aminata (babirye bukilwa, who spells their name entirely in lower-case letters) wont let a wastrel boyfriend or a furious customer dampen their booty-shaking swagger. Much is said here through body language: a wagged finger, a jutted pelvis.

Zainab Jah (Manuel Harlan)

There are fine performances, particularly from Odunjo and Akeju, and even the brasher characterisations among the main cast are hugely entertaining. The customers that come in however, apart from Karene Peters friendly Jennifer, are caricatures, mostly heedless expressions of citizenly privilege in contrast to the braiders precarious lives. This is a fault in the writing and direction rather than the efforts of Renee Bailey and Dani Moseley, who play three women apiece. But a shout out is due to Demmy Ladipo, who successfully differentiates all four male characters who flit briefly but amusingly in.

Biohs play highlights the dignity of hardscrabble labour and addresses the stories, specifically the female ones, behind the anti-immigrant rhetoric of the American right. Indeed, the author spells this out in a late and contrived speech by Jaja, asking if the authorities want African migrant women to go home before or after they have raised their employers children, cleaned their houses, or done their hair. The ending is telegraphed and melodramatic. For all its flaws though, Jajas African Hair Braiding vividly sketches in unseen lives. I can think of many worse ways to spend 90 minutes than in the company of these funny, feisty women.

To 25 April, lyric.co.uk.
JD Vance and Marco Rubio are front-runners to replace Trump  but only one attended secret Republican donors meeting Monday

Vice President JD Vances presence at a closed-door donor summit this week intensified speculation about the 2028 presidential race, where he and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are viewed as leading contenders to succeed Donald Trump on top of the Republican party.

On Monday at the Four Seasons in Nashville, Tennessee, Vance headlined a meeting of the Rockbridge Network, a donor group he helped establish in 2019 while working as a venture capitalist, according to CBS News.

Roughly 250 members attended the political pow-wow, where tickets ran upwards of $100,000, an unnamed source told the outlet.

The former Ohio senator and Hillbilly Elegy author spoke of his anti-fraud push and the looming midterm elections  while refraining from remarking on the 2028 presidential election.

It obviously wouldn't be too smart to do that, the source said.

JD Vance and Marco Rubio are the front-runners to replace Trump in 2028, but only one of them attended a secret donor summit on Monday, according to a new report (Getty Images)

Still, that didn't deter deep-pocketed attendees  who included billionaire heiress Rebekah Mercer and business executive Omeed Malik  from speculating on the vice president's political future and their potential role in bankrolling it.

Rockbridge Network members are the people that will be rallying around JD, and they want to back JD, a conservative venture capitalist told the outlet.

Chris Buskirk, the co-founder of the donor group, also helped start 1789 Capital, a venture capital firm tied to Trump family allies.

"There is a Venn diagram where Rockbridge and 1789 meet, and they want JD to be the heir apparent," a second conservative investor told CBS News.

Other attendees on Monday included veteran GOP strategist Chris LaCivita, former Arizona Senate candidate Blake Master and MAGA music star Kid Rock.

Notably absent from the Tennessee summit was Rubio, whose star has risen within the Trump administration as he has steadily expanded his portfolio, most recently by taking a leading role in overseeing the war in Iran.

The Independent has contacted the White House for comment.

The pair, who are close friends, have remained tight-lipped about their plans for 2028, though several signs point to the possibility of them running for president (Getty Images)

Vance and Rubio, who are close friends, have remained tight-lipped about their 2028 ambitions, but several signs point to the possibility that they may enter the race  including their high popularity among Republicans.

In a survey of respondents at the Conservative Political Action Conference last weekend, 53 percent said they prefer Vance to be the GOP presidential nominee in 2028, while Rubio came in second with 35 percent. By comparison, 61 percent backed Vance in the 2025 poll, while just 3 percent favored Rubio.

In recent months, President Donald Trump has pitted the two men against each other by repeatedly naming them as potential successors.

Theyre both very capable, Trump said earlier this year. I do think this: The combination of JD and Marco would be very hard to be beaten, I think. But you never know in politics, right?

Privately, the president has also tossed the question to allies and confidants: Marco or JD?, Axios reported last month.

Vance-Rubio is the president's dream ticketand to be clear, that's Vance on top, an unnamed Trump adviser told the outlet. But would Trump be happy with a Rubio-Vance ticket? Absolutely.

The secretary of state has publicly stated that he would not challenge the vice president if he chooses to run, telling Vanity Fair last year: If JD Vance runs for president, hes going to be our nominee, and Ill be one of the first people to support him.

However, a circle of GOP donors has quietly begun strategizing ways to elevate the secretarys political profile ahead of the presidential election, a campaign thats been dubbed Draft Rubio, ABC News reported.

When reached for comment, a State Department spokesperson pointed The Independent to a July 2025 interview with Rubio, during which he told Lara Trump: I think JD Vance would be a great nominee...Hes a close friend, and I hope he intends to do it.

Meanwhile, Vance has said in recent conversations that he hasnt made up his mind about running in 2028, sources told The Washington Post. The Iran war, which polls show is unpopular, could prove a sticking point for the Marine veteran who has previously spoken out against foreign military interventions.

In an interview this week, Second Lady Usha Vance, who is expecting a fourth child, also expressed uncertainty about her husbands future. She told NBC News that the vice presidents political prospects arent a priority in our conversations, adding that he is very focused on the midterm elections right now.

The vice president, however, has a new book due out this spring about his religious faith. Such book launches  and the crosscountry tours that often accompany them  are widely viewed as an effective way to test the waters for a presidential run.
Vice President JD Vance has a new book coming out in June, a fresh hint that he is gearing up for battle for the 2028 GOP nomination.

Communion: Finding My Way Back to Faith comes out June 16, the HarperCollins Publishers imprint Harper announced Tuesday.

HarperCollins also released Hillbilly Elegy, the million-selling memoir from 2016 that helped make Vance a national figure.

The story of how I regained my faith, of course, only happened because I had lost it to begin with, Vance, 41, said about his new book.

The interesting question that hangs over this book, and over my mind, is why I ever strayed from the path. Why the Christian faith of my youth failed to properly take root, he wrote.

The announcement Tuesday is likely to ramp up speculation that Vance will seek the presidency in 2028, a possibility the Republican vice president has said hes not focused on right now, indicating hed wait until after the 2026 midterm elections to decide on a campaign.

JD Vance found massive success with his first book, Hillbilly Elegy (AP)

Presidential hopefuls often, though not always, release books before launching a campaign, giving them a moment in the spotlight before new audiences and a chance to crystallize their message embarking on a campaign.

Already, potential 2028 candidates on the Democratic side have published books or are planning to roll them out this year, including Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and former Vice President Kamala Harris.

Vance wrote the 304-page Communion himself, according to his publisher, working on it off and on since 2019, and it will include material on his time in politics. Vice presidents from Walter Mondale to Mike Pence have published books, but Vance would be the first in recent memory to do so while in office.

In 2022, HarperCollins told the Associated Press that Vance had set aside a planned religious memoir. Some of Communion is drawn from that project.

Vance has said he evolved from Christianity to atheism to Catholicism. He converted in 2019 and credits his new faith with giving him a sense of purpose he didnt get through his education at Yale University or working in the financial industry.

Hillbilly Elegy, Vances memoir about his rural roots, was widely read upon its publication and only grew in popularity after Republican Donald Trumps stunning presidential victory in 2016, when Democrats sought out the book as a way of understanding Trumps appeal. Ron Howard adapted Hillbilly Elegy into a 2020 movie starring Glenn Close and Amy Adams.

Vance initially was a critic of Trump but became a close ally. He was elected to the Senate as a Republican from Ohio in 2022 and was chosen two years later by Trump as his running mate, becoming the youngest vice president since Richard Nixon served under President Dwight Eisenhower in the 1950s.

The news about Vance's book followed Monday's announcement by his wife, Usha Vance, that she has started a podcast called Storytime with the Second Lady to promote reading among children.

The Vances have three young children, and Usha Vance is pregnant with their fourth, a boy due in late July.
Donald Trump with renderings of the planned White House ballroom - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

A judge has halted construction of Donald Trumps 90,000 sq ft White House ballroom.

A legal challenge was brought by a historical preservation group after the buildings East Wing was demolished to make way for the $400m project.

District Judge Richard Leon ruled that the building work must be stopped immediately because the US president did not have the authority to make such drastic changes to the White House.

He added that the measure would need to be approved by Congress.

A judge ruled that the US president did not have the authority to make such drastic changes to the White House - McCrery Architects/White House

This isnt any national park, the judge wrote. This is an iconic symbol of this nation.

The President of the United States is the steward of the White House for future generations of First Families. He is not, however, the owner!

He added that the ballroom construction project must stop until Congress authorises its completion. Tuesdays decision halts the project for at least 14 days. The Trump administration said it would appeal.

Referring to the group that brought the claim, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: The National Trust for Historic Preservation, a Radical Left Group of Lunatics whose funding was stopped by Congress in 2005.

The ballroom is something Mr Trump talks about often, during political rallies and even meetings with foreign leaders.

On Sunday he showed reporters on Air Force One large renderings of the plans. It would be the greatest ballroom anywhere in the world, he said.

Polls suggest two-thirds of Americans are opposed to the project. However, the US president insists the addition will be essential for events such as gala dinners during state visits.

He referred to the plan during a Medal of Honor ceremony at the White House on March 2, just a few days after the start of the war in Iran, where three service members were remembered, two of them posthumously.

We have a lot of great service members here with us, too, in this beautiful building, said Mr Trump. Isnt it beautiful? Were adding on to the building a little bit.

He said that while the first lady, Melania Trump, did not enjoy the sound of construction hammers, he thought it was the most beautiful sound.

In February, the same judge rejected the preservationists attempt to stop construction, saying they were unlikely to succeed with their legal arguments, adding they would have a better chance of success if they rewrote their lawsuit.
Donald Trumps threats to blockade the Strait of Hormuz have sparked fears Iran could counterattack by urging its Houthi allies in Yemen to halt sea traffic through another major shipping corridor in the Middle East.

The entry of the Houthi rebels into the Iran war at the end of March sparked concerns that the group, known for its attacks on shipping, could block the vital Bab al-Mandab strait to oil tankers, causing further economic chaos.

Like the Strait of Hormuz, the strait, also known as the Gate of Tears, is a chokepoint in the region through which large volumes of petroleum and liquefied natural gas pass. Crucially, its a vital strategic link in the maritime trade route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Indian Ocean, via the Red Sea and the Suez Canal.

Hundreds of commercial vessels have been unable to leave the Strait of Hormuz (Getty)

The Strait of Hormuz usually accounts for the transit of around a fifth of the worlds oil and gas. But most Western commercial shipping has been effectively halted by Iran since the outbreak of war. Meanwhile, Iran has still been able to sell oil to its allies  particularly China  through the use of so-called dark transit vessels, which have turned off their location transponders.

Meanwhile. Bab al-Mandab sees around 12 per cent of global oil shipments pass through it, as well as other goods, meaning an escalation that results in its closure would deliver yet another blow to the economies relying on imports from the Middle East.

If the US proceeds with its plan to blockade the strait [of Hormuz], Irans escalation strategy could dictate that it ensures Gulf countries cant export, either, Mona Yacoubian, an expert at the US's Center for Strategic and International Studies, told Fox News.

This could translate to further attacks on Gulf energy infrastructure or even deploying the Houthis to blockade the Bab al-Mandeb, she added.

Irans control of the Strait of Hormuz has meant that around 20 per cent of the worlds oil supply has been constrained since the beginning of the war  a far larger figure than the 1973 oil crisis, during which around just 7 per cent of the worlds oil supplies were brought to a halt in the Middle East.

Brent crude, the global oil benchmark, soared back past $100 a barrel on Monday, rising by more than 7 per cent to $102 (76) in morning trading and sparking fears of a worsening global energy crisis.

Oil had fallen back below the psychological $100 barrier last week after the US and Iran had agreed on a two-week ceasefire deal, which included reopening the Strait of Hormuz. Before the war in Iran, it cost $78 (58) per barrel.

Bab al-Mandab separates Yemen and Djibouti (Reuters)

Where is the strait?

The Bab al-Mandab strait, also known as the Gate of Tears, resides between Djibouti and Yemen. The route, around 50km long and 16km wide, is where vessels travel between the Red Sea and the Arabian Sea.

The strait provides access to a number of vital ports, such as Saudi Arabias Yanbu, Djiboutis Doraleh, Eritreas Assab, as well as Somalias Kismayu and Somalilands Berbera.

How important is it economically?

Between 2020 and 2023, Bab al-Mandab saw a growing number of barrels transit the strait daily, peaking at 9.3 million a day, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

This dropped drastically to 4.1 million in 2024 after the Houthis launched systematic attacks on commercial ships associated with Israel using the strait.

The International Monetary Fund said that trade through the Suez Canal fell by 50 per cent in the first two months of 2024 compared to the year before, while trade through the Panama Canal fell by 32 per cent.

As traffic fell, insurance costs surged. Major shipping firms rerouted vessels to go past the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa instead, adding an additional 10-14 days to journeys.

What impact would closing it have?

Yanbu, a key port for Saudi Arabia, relies on Bab al-Mandab (Getty Images)

Closure or disruption to two of the worlds main strategic waterways could be catastrophic for global trade, with energy supplies from the region potentially cut off.

Bab al-Mandab has allowed a trickle of oil to leave the Middle East through circumvention. Saudi Arabia has used the strait strategically to export crude through its vital Yanbu port.

Yanbu is on the west coast of Saudi Arabia, receiving oil through the countrys east-to-west pipeline.

Matthew Wright, a freight analyst for Kpler, told The Independent earlier this month that the pipeline was being pushed to the maximum.

While all the attention is rightly on whats happening in the strait, Yanbu is significant in that its the most active port out of the Middle East gulf at the moment, and if anything were to happen there, it would be a massive blow to continued crude exports from the Middle East, he said.

According to analysts, as of April 2026, Saudi Arabia was exporting around 4.6 to 5 million barrels per day of crude oil from Yanbu, with 80 per cent of exports bound for Asian markets.

Mr Wright warned that potentially losing this, on top of the loss of shipments through Hormuz, would be a major problem.
Is Kharg Island Irans Achilles Heel? Why Trump has designs on tiny oil hub in the Persian Gulf

US forces have launched multiple strikes on Kharg island, a small but key location in the ongoing war with Iran.

With just hours to go until Donald Trumps deadline for Iran to make a deal and end the month-long conflict, the United States military confirmed on Tuesday it had targeted Kharg.

Previously Trump has mused about seizing the island altogether, though this would require troops on the ground and has yet to transpire.

The strategically-important location handles some 90 per cent of Irans oil exports, and taking it would give the US the ability to disrupt Irans energy trade and place enormous pressure on the economy.

Below we look at the island and why it could prove pivotal to the war.

Kharg sits 16 miles from the coast in the northern end of the Gulf and just northwest of the Strait of Hormuz, a strategically important shipping route that Iran has effectively closed to pile pressure on the US.

While US forces could likely seize Kharg quite quickly, analysts say that an occupation is more likely to expand and prolong the war than it is to deliver a decisive victory or leverage in negotiations.

Iran has fortified the island with additional surface-to-air missiles and laid traps including anti-personnel and anti-armour mines in the waters surrounding it, CNN has reported, citing people familiar with US intelligence.

Taking Kharg could cut off Irans oil lifeline

US administration officials say discussions on seizing Kharg Island have taken place, according to Axios. The land, which is smaller than the City of Westminster in London, could choke off Irans economy and leave a devastating impact for years to come.

Seizing the island would cut off Irans oil lifeline, which is crucial for the regime, Petras Katinas, research fellow in climate, energy and defence in the Europe office of the Royal United Services Institute, told The Telegraph.

Of course, with shipping via the Strait of Hormuz now stopped, they cannot sell oil anyway, but looking ahead, seizure would give the US leverage during negotiations, no matter which regime is in power after the military operation ends.

Shipping through the Strait has largely come to a halt since the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) took complete control of the major waterway.

A satellite image shows an oil terminal at Kharg Island (Planet Labs PBC)

Global supply chains have been severely affected and experts have warned of a devastating economic impact across the world if it continues.

Oil prices surged to well over $100 a barrel since the war began, and the IRGC has warned that it could reach $200 if hostilities escalate.

Should he take Kharg, rather than destroy it, he can not only ensure the regime can never again pay the salaries of its bureaucrats and soldiers, former Pentagon official Michael Rubin wrote in an article for the American Enterprise Institute in January this year, before Trumps assault.

The IRGC, of course, could target Kharg with ballistic missiles, but that would sign their death warrant. Not only would Trump respond in kind, but such action would end Iranian oil exports for months to come, again leaving salaries unpaid.

The US faces multiple challenges if it wants to seize the island

A former commander of the US Central Command, Joseph Votel, told TWZ.com that while only 800 to 1,000 troops would be needed on Kharg Island, they would require logistical backup that would need protection as well.

Votel said that US troops would be very vulnerable and doubted that taking the island would provide any particular tactical advantage. It would be "kind of an odd thing to do ... But we could certainly do it if we had to," he said.

Troops already navigating traps would also likely have to contend with an onslaught of missiles and drones. Irans parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf has said.

Paratroopers from the United States 82nd Airborne Division have been sent to the region (Reuters)

The enemy signals negotiation in public, while in secret it plots a ground attack, he said in a message broadcast on Iranian state media last month.

Gulf allies have warned the administration not to put troops on the ground in Iran, saying it could trigger more retaliation from Tehran, possibly against their energy and civilian infrastructure, a senior Gulf official told Reuters on condition of anonymity.

The President has previously boasted that US strikes in mid-March had obliterated Iranian military outposts on the island, but left its oil infrastructure alone for now.

Island could be used as bargaining chip in talks

Other analysts have suggested the island could be used as a bargaining chip as oil exports make up nearly 40 per cent of Irans government budget.

However, it would make American and Israeli troops vulnerable to attacks by Iranian forces.

If President Trump were to decide to seize this pivotal hub, it would deal a significant blow to the Iranian regime, as it would deprive them of a critical source of revenue, oil analyst Tamas Varga told CNBC.

Trump shared a video showing apparent strike on Kharg Island in mid-March (@realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Such a move would be reminiscent of the US intervention in Venezuela at the beginning of the year, when it effectively took control of the countrys oil sector.

The island was previously attacked by Saddam Hussein in 1984, sparking the oil tanker war in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Iraq.

But this isnt the first time Kharg appears to have been in Trumps sightline. He previously made a throwaway remark about the island nearly 40 years ago while promoting his book The Art of the Deal in an interview with The Guardian.

Theyve been beating us psychologically, making us look a bunch of fools, he said of Iran in 1988. One bullet shot at one of our men or ships, and Id do a number on Kharg Island. Id go in and take it.

An Iranian military boat patrols next to the Artavil oil tanker, at Kharg Island, in Persian Gulf, (EPA)

Capturing island would send markets into tailspin

Neil Quilliam, an energy policy and foreign affairs analyst at Chatham House, told The Independent that while it is unlikely Trump would take over the territory, any attempt would likely send the markets into a tailspin. It could also block any future resolution between the countries, leading to an endless standoff.

The US would effectively control Irans major export terminal, but the Iranian leadership would remain in control of the countrys production so there would be a standoff, he said. It could also be a major cause for concern for Gulf countries, setting a dangerous precedent.

It is Irans Achilles heel in this war, but fighting for and occupying Kharg could cause irreparable damage to the terminal and hurt any successor regimes chances of managing the economy, he continued.

Previous presidents have steered away from Kharg, understanding its strategic importance to global oil markets.
The King may still be reluctant to invite Prince Harry and his family to stay over the summer due to "low trust and bitter experience" following a series of leaks, claims and media briefings in recent years that have undermined the relationship between father and son, according to reports.

The comments, which come from a "source close to the monarch", and reported in the Daily Mail suggests the relationship between Charles and Harry remains difficult.

The source, also described as being "a friend of the King", said: "If Harry truly wishes to see his father, he would do well to encourage his supporters to allow such matters to be discussed privately, since low trust and bitter experience in this regard remains one of the principal barriers to progress."

The Duke, 41, has met with his father just twice in the last two years after he and his wife Meghan stepped back as senior royals in 2020 and moved to the US following a public falling out with the Royal family, which included controversial TV interviews and the publication of his memoir, Spare.

Harry and Charles at the funeral of Elizabeth II on 14 September 2022 (AFP/Getty)

But in recent months there have been several reports that Harry wants to patch things up with his father and enable the King to see his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, six and four, who have not seen their grandfather for four years.

This weekend it emerged that Harry would reportedly welcome an invitation from the King to Sandringham, his estate in Norfolk, as he believes this would permit him to bring his family with him.

A key consideration is security. The Duke and Duchess of Sussex lost their tax-payer-funded bodyguards when they stepped back as senior royals. They are currently awaiting a government decision on security entitlements and Harry has said he would not feel safe bringing his family to the UK without armed police protection.

However, this weekend a friend of Harry's told The Sunday Times: If he was invited by the King, he would get a package of security that automatically kicks in.

"Hed like an invite to Sandringham. Would he go? It would depend who was there. If the King was to say, Come up and spend some time with the family, hed love that.

The friend reportedly added: "There are lots of scenarios to make it work, but it's all out of Harry's hands. No father would want to put their kids at any risk."

Despite this assessment, the Daily Mail has cast doubt on whether the Sussexes would be entitled to an automatically enhanced security protection for a private family visit.

Publicly-funded security is supposedly only for attending official events at the monarch's request or invitation, such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, or the King's coronation in 2023.

Charles and Harry during a discussion about violent youth crime at a forum held at Clarence House in 2018 (Steve Parsons/PA) (PA Archive)

Harry last saw his father on 10 September last year when they met for less than an hour at Clarence House for the first time in 19 months. Afterwards, a source close to the duke told The Sunday Times: He always loves seeing his father and would love to see him as much as possible.

The pair are believed to have spoken multiple times since, although they notably didn't meet despite Harry being in London for his ongoing court case against Associated Newspapers. He and his brother the Prince of Wales are still estranged.

Prior to the September meeting, Harry and Charles last met face to face in February 2024 when the duke made a transatlantic dash to see the monarch after hearing of his cancer diagnosis. On that occasion, they spent just over 30 minutes together before the King left to recuperate in Sandringham. Charles is still receiving treatment for the disease.

Harry has previously spoken of his hopes for a reconciliation with his family, saying: Of course, some members of my family will never forgive me for writing a book. Of course, they will never forgive me for lots of things.

But despite the allegations in his book, Harry said last year he had now forgiven them.

I would love a reconciliation with my family. There's no point in continuing to fight any more, he said. I don't know how much longer my father has.

Buckingham Palace and Harry and Meghans representatives have been approached for comment.
King Charles will not be able to meet with Epstein victims on US state visit

The King and Queen will not be able to meet with survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during next months state visit to the US, according to a new report.

US congressman Ro Khanna wrote to the King Monday, calling for him to meet survivors privately during the state visit which will take place in late April.

It is understood that the couple will not be able to meet survivors while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, and Lord Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, were arrested last month on suspicion of misconduct in public office over their connections with the paedophile financier.

They have since been released under investigation.

US congressman Ro Khanna wrote to the King on Monday to call for him to meet survivors privately (PA Wire)

Charles and the Camillas long-expected historic trip is scheduled to take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed or even cancelled because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

US president Donald Trump declared the trip will be a momentous occasion in a post on his Truth Social site, adding that there would be a beautiful Banquet Dinner at the White House on the evening of April 28.

He also revealed the historic state visit will take place over four days from April 27-30, despite Buckingham Palace deciding not to release the exact dates in its own official announcement.

I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!, Mr Trump added.
King Charles is facing a call to meet with the victims of Jeffrey Epstein during his upcoming visit to the US.

Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna has urged the monarch to privately meet the survivors of the convicted sex offender to hear how powerful individuals and institutions failed them.

He noted that members of Congress have wanted testimony from the Kings younger brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, about his ties to Epstein.

The former prince, who was stripped of his titles in October after more information came to light about his friendship with the late paedophile, has consistently denied any wrongdoing.

Buckingham Palace has previously said that the Kings sympathies have been, and remain with, the victims of any and all forms of abuse.

Charles and Queen Camilla are set to visit the US in late April to celebrate the 250th anniversary of American independence. While the trip has not been confirmed, it is believed to contain a trip to Washington DC and an address to Congress.

King Charles stripped his brother of his royal titles in October (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

In a letter to the King, Mr Khanna, who co-sponsored a law that called on the US justice department to release the Epstein files, said that this is not solely an American matter.

He wrote that the connections with British public figures raise broader questions about how Epstein was able to maintain influence, credibility and protection across borders for so long.

In his letter, Mr Khanna said: "Epstein's network had significant ties to the United Kingdom through Ghislaine Maxwell, through Epstein's relationships with British public figures, and through the social and political circles in which he operated."

The Independent has approached Buckingham Palace on Mr Khannas request.

Following Mr Mountbatten-Windsors arrest in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office, the King said the royal family were ready to support the police investigation.

In a statement, the King said: "I have learned with the deepest concern the news about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor and suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested in February on suspicion of misconduct in public office (Reuters)

"What now follows is the full, fair and proper process by which this issue is investigated in the appropriate manner and by the appropriate authorities.

"In this, as I have said before, they have our full and wholehearted support and co-operation. Let me state clearly: the law must take its course.

"As this process continues, it would not be right for me to comment further on this matter. Meanwhile, my family and I will continue in our duty and service to you all. Charles R."

In 2022, the former Duke of York reached an out-of-court settlement with Virginia Giuffre, who accused him of sexually abusing her at Epstiens property when she was 17 years old. The settlement contained no admission of liability and Mr Mountbatten-Windsor has strenuously denied any wrongdoing.
Issued on behalf of Americore Resources Corp.

VANCOUVER, BC, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- USANewsGroup.com  In November 2025, the U.S. Geological Survey added silver to the Critical Minerals List for the first time. In January 2026, China imposed a complete ban on silver exports. And throughout that period, silver prices climbed from under $30 to over $121 per ounce, shattering a 45-year-old record. The message from the market is unambiguous: silver is no longer just a precious metal. It is a strategic industrial commodity, and the world does not have enough of it.

The Silver Institute projects a sixth consecutive year of structural supply deficit. Solar panel manufacturing alone is forecast to consume the majority of silver reserves by mid-century. Samsung SDI's silver-carbon solid-state battery technology requires nearly one kilogram per vehicle. And with China  responsible for roughly 20% of global mine supply  now keeping every ounce for its own manufacturing base, the supply squeeze is tightening from both ends.

The producers positioned for this environment are delivering record results. First Majestic Silver (NYSE: AG) produced 15.44 million ounces of silver in 2025, near the top of guidance, and completed a $970 million acquisition of Gatos Silver that gave it a 70% interest in the Los Gatos mine in Mexico. First Majestic gets an industry-leading 58% of revenue from silver, making it one of the purest plays in the sector. Endeavour Silver (NYSE: EXK) achieved commercial production at its new Terronera mine in Mexico in October 2025 and acquired Compania Minera Kolpa in Peru for $145 million, expanding its operating footprint across two countries.

Fresnillo (OTC: FNLPF), the world's largest primary silver producer, is advancing brownfield and greenfield projects to boost its production platform through 2030, with analysts projecting 380% earnings growth in 2025 and 20% growth in 2026. MAG Silver (TSX: MAG) operates the high-grade Juanicipio mine in Mexico, one of the most significant silver discoveries of the past decade, before being acquired by Pan American Silver for $2.1 billion  a transaction that valued its silver ounces at a premium that set the benchmark for the sector.

But the structural deficit cannot be closed by existing producers alone. The market needs new domestic supply. And that's where the opportunity sits.

Americore Resources Corp. (TSXV: AMCO) (OTCQB: AMCOF) is advancing the 100%-owned Trinity Silver Project in Pershing County, Nevada  22,700 acres of consolidated, past-producing silver ground where U.S. Borax mined approximately 5 million ounces between 1987 and 1988. The company has expanded the historic resource base to over 36 million ounces of Silver Equivalent, completed a 350 line-km drone-magnetometer survey in early 2026, and is now permitting a Q2 2026 drill campaign designed to upgrade the resource from Inferred to Indicated. The BLM permitting pathway requires only a Notice of Disturbance for under five acres.

CEO Jeff Poloni described the program as targeting both confirmation and expansion drilling, with an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate targeted for Q2 2026  the event that would convert a historic resource into a current, bankable, institutionally visible reality. The company is also evaluating monetization of an existing above-ground stockpile at Trinity as a potential near-term revenue stream.

Silver is a Critical Mineral. China banned exports. The deficit is structural. And the only silver that matters now is the silver under American soil. Americore Resources (TSXV: AMCO) (OTCQB: AMCOF) controls one of the largest consolidated silver land packages in Nevada and is about to drill it.

For more information on Americore Resources Corp. (TSXV: AMCO) (OTCQB: AMCOF), visit USANewsGroup.com

Read this and more news for Americore Resources at: USANewsGroup.com

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The King and Queens state visit to the US is to go ahead next month, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.

Charles and Camillas historic trip to visit President Donald Trump will take place in late April despite calls for it to be postponed because of the ongoing Middle East conflict.

The visit will be the King's first visit to the US as monarch and the first state visit by a British sovereign to America for nearly 20 years, since Queen Elizabeth II's tour in 2007.

Following the confirmation by the Palace the visit will go ahead, President Trump said: This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th Anniversary of our Great Country. I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!

But questions over whether the royal tour should go ahead as planned have grown in recent weeks.

Trump has branded the UK's approach to the Middle East conflict "terrible" and repeatedly lashed out at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, including describing him as "not Winston Churchill", with the special relationship between the two allied nations appearing increasingly strained.

In a fresh attack on Britain on Tuesday, just minutes before the royal visit was confirmed by the Palace, Trump criticised Britain for failing to help in the decapitation of Iran and told the UK to go and get its own oil amid the soaring oil and gas pricesfrom Irans blockade of the Strait of Hormuz.

Full details of the visit have yet to be disclosed, but Charles and Camilla will commemorate the 250th anniversary of American independence, attend a glittering state dinner at the White House, and the King will address Congress, the Palace confirmed. President Trump said the visit would take place between April 27 and 30.

US President Donald Trump and the King will meet once again during Charless trip to America (Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA) (PA Archive)

Charles will stop off afterwards in Bermuda - without Camilla - for his first royal visit as monarch to a British Overseas Territory.

US ambassador to the UK Warren Stephens said the King had been invited to address both Houses of Congress during his stay.

The late Queen became the first British monarch to address Congress in 1991 when she attended a joint session in the Capitol building during her state visit in aftermath of the Gulf War.

Among voices to suggest the trip be postponed were senior Labour MP Dame Emily Thornberry, who suggested it would be "safer to delay", warning Charles and Camilla could be left feeling "embarrassed" because of the current crisis.

But Mr Stephens said it would be a "very big mistake" to postpone the visit, adding it would be a "very meaningful trip" for the King.

Buckingham Palace said: "On advice of His Majesty's Government, and at the invitation of The President of the United States, The King and Queen will undertake a State Visit to the United States of America.

"Their Majesties' programme will celebrate the historic connections and the modern bilateral relationship between the United Kingdom and the United States, marking the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

"The King will then continue to Bermuda to undertake His Majesty's first Royal Visit as Monarch to a British Overseas Territory."

Donald Trump and US First Lady Melania Trump greet Charles and Camilla ahead of a dinner Winfield House, the residence of the US Ambassador duriong his first UK state visit in 2019 (AFP via Getty Images)

State visits are rarely postponed, except for security reasons and illness, and the royal family's soft power diplomacy is viewed as an important and unique way of engaging with the billionaire-turned-politician Mr Trump, who is well known for his love of the monarchy.

Mr Trump declared earlier in March that trip was going ahead and that he was "looking forward" to meeting the King again, and more recently revealed: "He's going to be here very soon, as you know, we're going have a state dinner. It's going be great."

He added: "He's a friend of mine."

The president was feted with a second state visit to the UK, unprecedented for an American leader, last year.

He hailed the King as a "great gentleman and a great King" during his stay, praised the Princess of Wales for being "so radiant and so healthy and so beautiful", and later said he ate "whatever the hell they served us" at the sumptuous state banquet.

The King's youngest son the Duke of Sussex, with whom he has had a troubled relationship, lives on the US West Coast with his wife the Duchess of Sussex and the King's youngest grandchildren Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet.

Charles's tour will raise questions over whether he will see Harry, whom he last met face to face six months ago, and reunite with Archie and Lili after four years apart.
Keir Starmer and Wes Streeting are in for an unpleasant wake-up call - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images

One of the most interesting paradoxes of British politics lies in the relationship between the NHS and the party that created it.

Few could have predicted todays headlines in which a Labour prime minister, after less than two years in office, is threatening striking doctors with the removal of 4,000 new speciality training posts unless they cancel their planned strike action.

One of the many reasons this is a surprising development is that we have been told, repeatedly and by the Labour Party itself, that the NHS represents the very best of Britain, that its staff are literal angels of mercy and that only they, Labour, can be relied upon to invest in the service to ensure its future.

We have been asked to swallow the fallacy, over the space of nearly a century, that Labour is essential to the NHS. Folk songs are still sung that tell the tale of brave Nye Bevan and his march from the Welsh valleys to Westminster, battling the medical establishment in the interests of the working classes, creating the NHS in the face of vile opposition from the Tories and going down in history as a giant of the Labour movement. Much of that is true, which makes it all the more peculiar that Labour has ended up where it is, the bogeyman to the doctors heroic stance on behalf of patients.

Labour has been increasingly mocked over the years for its members evocation of the NHS as the jewel, not in the crown of Britains welfare state, but in its own crown of political achievements. Ask almost any Labour activist what they are most proud of when it comes to being British and you will find that the NHS is right up there alongside tolerance and diversity. As Nigel Lawson once presciently said, the NHS is the closest thing the English have to a religion.

That was proved beyond a doubt during the Covid pandemic when the entire nation stood on its doorsteps to applaud the dedicated men and women who were working so hard to steer us through the crisis. But seriously? Standing outside so that your neighbour could see you clapping your hands? We all went a bit mad, didnt we?

If Keir Starmer and his health secretary, Wes Streeting, have had an unpleasant wake-up call to the grim realities of running the health service, they only have their own party to blame. The only people in the country who believe that Labour is the party of the NHS are Labour activists themselves. And there is no evidence  none whatsoever  that this symbiotic political relationship exists or has ever existed.

Consider this: if the British people shared Labours view that it and it alone can protect and defend the NHS, why have they voted to appoint the Conservatives as the services steward for 49 years of its existence, while allowing Labour to control it for only 29 (and counting)?

If the NHS is seen in most voters minds as bearing the imprint Made by Labour, why has it never delivered an election victory for the party? At the first election following the NHSs creation in 1948, Labours majority fell from 146 to just six. A year later it lost office completely and remained in opposition for 13 years.

At no subsequent general election was the NHS considered a key factor in Labours rare victories. This is not to suggest that the British people dont value the health service: they surely do. They just dont necessarily consider it to be a partisan political achievement. Yet at election after election, Labour MPs and candidates persist in claiming, with zero evidence, that they and only they can secure its future.

Having claimed sole credit for the NHSs existence, Labour must continue to extol the virtues of every single worker, especially since the trade unions representing most workers in it are affiliated to the party and fund it to the tune of millions of pounds every year. So what happens when the irresistible force of reform and budgetary discipline slams up against the immovable object of doctors demands and saintly public perception?

Who is likely to come out worse from such a conflict: Keir Starmer or young, white-coated, overworked doctors who spend their days saving our lives? Hmm, its a tough one, right enough.

The historic error Labour has made is in elevating the NHS far above the esteem in which every other public service is held. Those who work for the countrys biggest employer are not saints or angels; they are professional people who expect to be paid well, just like everyone else. Some are better at their jobs than others  just like in every other sector of the economy. And most have secured a job for life with a generous pension  unlike many workers in many sectors.

Labour has been hoisted by their own petard: if you repeatedly pronounce any group of workers as better than everyone else, more important, less dispensable, then you will pay the price  literally  if you dont want your rhetoric exposed as hollow and opportunistic. The NHS is an essential and indispensable service. Its workers should be valued. But lets stop treating them like a religious order. Respect doesnt need to mean worship.
A man has been jailed for 10 years for being the owner of one of two XL bully dogs which mauled 68-year-old Esther Martin to death while dangerously out of control at his then home in Jaywick, Essex.

It is the first fatal attack case since a ban on the dog breed came into force.

Two dogs  named Beauty and Bear  killed Ms Martin on February 3, 2024, two days after the start of the ban on February 1, 2024.

The law makes it a criminal offence to own or possess an XL bully dog in England and Wales without a certificate of exemption.

Ashley Warrens earlier trial at Chelmsford Crown Court was told he left Ms Martin with the two dogs, and eight puppies of the same breed, at his home in Hillman Avenue in Jaywick.

Esther Martin, 68, was killed by two XL bully dogs (Essex Police/PA)

Warren, 41, was found guilty of being the owner of the dog named Bear which caused injury resulting in death while dangerously out of control in a private place.

He was acquitted of being a person in charge of the dog named Beauty - which belonged to his girlfriend - which did the same.

Warren, now of Addlestone, Surrey, was sentenced at the same court on Tuesday.

Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Warren asked the 5ft 3in woman to mind the animals so that he could travel to London to film a music video.

(Essex Police/PA Wire)

Mr Paxton said Ms Martin was left alone with the dogs despite her mobility issues, lack of dog training and "little to no experience" of being left alone with them for a prolonged period of time.

Hours after her arrival Ms Martin sustained "dozens and dozens" of injuries, including a bite through the tissue of her arm and a "complete fracturing" of the bone, the court heard.

Mr Paxton told jurors: "It was, you may think, a tragedy waiting to happen, given the imbalance that arose between 68-year-old Esther, short in stature, and the towering power of these banned XL bully dogs."

Police had been to the property about an unrelated matter 11 days before the attack, and a video recording, played to jurors, showed Warren telling the officer "it's a shame about the laws" and "my boy's got papers already".

Mr Paxton said: "If that was a reference to an exemption certificate, that was a lie."

Warren accepted in court that he did not hold exemption certificates and had not applied for any.

The defendant was also found guilty of having a bladed article without good reason or lawful authority at Clacton railway station on February 3 2024, after officers found a knife which he said was a prop in a music video he had been making that day in London.

He was sentenced to an additional three months in prison for this offence.
Mexican president: Were going to take several steps to protest the death of yet another Mexican national - Quetzalli Nicte-Ha/Reuters

The Mexican government will report deaths of migrants in ICE detention centres to the human rights commission.

Claudia Sheinbaum, the president of Mexico, said the country planned to issue diplomatic notes on the deaths and take them to the Inter-American Court of Human Rights.

Her comments follow the death in custody of Jose Guadalupe Ramos-Solano, a Mexican immigrant, last week.

At least 14 Mexicans have died in US custody this year, according to Mexicos government.

Donald Trump deployed new executive powers and significantly expanded ICEs detention capacity as part of a mass deportation initiative after he was elected in 2025.

Protesters burn a flag outside Portlands ICE facility - Reuters

Last year, ICE reported the deaths of 31 detainees, the highest number for two decades.

Ramos-Solano, 51, suffered several medical conditions, including hypertension and diabetes, after being taken into ICE custody last month.

He died in Adelanto, about 100 miles northeast of Los Angeles, after being found unconscious in his bunk and taken to hospital.

ICE said: He received constant medical care while he was in custody, including daily medication to treat his illness.

But rights activists have questioned the medical care that immigrants receive at ICE facilities.

Earlier this month, 19-year-old Mexican Royer Perez-Jimenez became the youngest person to die at an ICE facility.

Royer Perez-Jimenez died in ICE custody on March 16 - Volusia County Sheriff's Office

He was found unconscious and unresponsive in his room on March 16 at the detention centre in Moore Haven, Florida.

He died of a presumed suicide; however, the official cause of his death remains under investigation, ICE said.

Meanwhile, in January 2026, a man believed to be Mexican national Heber Sanchez died at the ICE detention centre in Georgia.

In May last year, Abelardo Avellaneda Delgado, a 68-year-old citizen of Mexico, died after spending time in a US ICE centre in Atlanta.
US President Donald Trump threatened to destroy Iran's oil export hub of Kharg Island, oil wells and power plants if it does not agree soon to a deal to end the war.
Tyiece Oninski, 41, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after she allegedly murdered her 14-year-old daughter, Kuren Rein, claiming to Rock County, Wisconsin dispatchers that she did it to protect her from X CEO Elon Musk (Rock County Sheriff's Office)

A Wisconsin mother allegedly claimed that she murdered her daughter to protect her from X and Tesla CEO Elon Musk, according to police.

On Friday, March 20, Tyiece Oninski, 41, called the Rock County Communications Center to report that she had killed her 14-year-old daughter, Kuren Rein.

She spoke with a worker for more than 13 minutes and explained that she killed her daughter and then attempted suicide, according to Fox 5 Vegas.

Oninski reportedly told the dispatcher that she murdered [her daughter] to protect her from somebody else, period, and later revealed that the person was Musk.

She then requested an ambulance and a hearse to her house. When dispatchers asked if she wanted the ambulance for her daughter, Oninski reportedly replied, "She's dead, honey. She needs a hearse."

Tyiece Oninski, 41, has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide after she allegedly murdered her 14-year-old daughter, Kuren Rein, claiming to Rock County, Wisconsin dispatchers that she did it to protect her from X CEO Elon Musk (Rock County Sheriff's Office)

Madison police responding to the call went to Oninski's home and found her with a deep cut on her neck, as well as slashes across both of her wrists and what they believed was a stab wound on her cheek.

They also found her daughter dead from multiple stab wounds. Officers reportedly located a sheath and a knife near the girl's body.

Kuren was a freshman at Beloit Memorial High School, according to MyStateline.

While investigating the home, the officers reported that they found a footprint inside and later realized that Oninski's foot was covered with blood.

Kuren's grandfather, who lived in a separate section of the house, told investigators that he had just woken up when they arrived and said he thought the 14-year-old had already left for school.

The woman was taken to the hospital and tested for drugs. The test allegedly confirmed that she had benzodiazepines, amphetamines, and THC in her blood.

Oninski has been charged with first-degree intentional homicide and is being held on a $1 million cash bond.

Under Wisconsin law, first-degree intentional homicide is considered a Class A felony and is punishable by life in prison.

Oninski's next court appearance has been scheduled for April 14.
More doctors could join picket lines after senior medics announced they were escalating their disputes with the Government.

Consultants and other senior doctors are to be balloted on industrial action after ministers announced they would be getting a 3.5% pay award.

It comes as crunch talks are to take place between resident doctors and the Government.

Sir Keir Starmer has given the resident doctors committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) a 48-hour deadline to reconsider the deal, which includes an offer of thousands of extra NHS training posts.

It is understood the proposal will be removed from the deal if resident doctors in England press ahead with a six-day strike from April 7 in a row over jobs and pay.

The union said it was seeking to talk with officials on Tuesday with every intention of achieving a meaningful outcome that could see the strikes called off.

The BMA has also announced that simultaneous ballots of consultants and specialist, associate specialist and specialty (SAS) doctors will run from May 11 until July 6 as both sets of medics escalate disputes with the Government.

Writing in The Times, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said: The truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal.

Resident doctors will be worse off. Instead of improved pay, progression and support, they will receive the standard pay award this year, with none of the reforms that would have strengthened their working lives.

Sir Keir Starmer (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (Stefan Rousseau)

Sir Keir added: I say this to the BMAs resident doctors committee: reconsider.

Give members a say and put this deal to a vote.

To resident doctors, I say this: make your voice heard. This deal improves your pay, your progression and your future. Do not let others decide for you.

There are still 48 hours left to choose a better path. For patients, the NHS, and our doctors  I urge you to take it.

The deal sets out a minimum of 4,000 new additional specialty posts to be delivered over the next three years.

NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey confirmed the offer to expand training places will come off the table if an agreement is not reached.

He told LBC Radio: The reality is that those extra training places cost money. If were going to be spending money on managing industrial action, pay for their colleagues, extra cover shifts, that money will disappear.

The BMA is threatening a six-day strike after Easter (Owen Humphreys/PA) (Owen Humphreys)

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA resident doctors committee, said: The Government made very late changes to the pay offer, reducing the pay investment and stretching it over a longer period in a way that had not been previously talked about.

Ministers effectively moved the goalposts on the deal at the last minute.

He added: Removing potential doctors posts at a time when corridor care and GP queues are already putting the NHS under pressure is clearly bad for patients.

Creating posts and improving patient care should not be dependent on calling off a strike.

Posting on X, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: The BMA seems surprised that if they reject the deal on offer and go on strike their members dont get what the Government is offering.

We have time before Easter weekend to resolve this dispute.

A deal on jobs and pay is on the table.

Kemi Badenoch criticised the Governments latest move (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok)

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told broadcasters on a visit to Hertfordshire: I dont think he should be using training places as a bargaining chip. I dont really understand why hes doing that.

Id like to hear an explanation, because those training places, my understanding is that they are for patients, they are to increase patient support, patient safety, patient welfare.

NHS leaders have said the strike, which coincides with the Easter holiday, will be challenging.

In a letter to health leaders, Mike Prentice, national director for emergency planning at NHS England, wrote: We expect this round to be challenging as there is a shorter notice period, bank holidays within the notice period and the action itself falling during the Easter holidays.

This will represent a significant strain on staffing resources to provide safe cover.

The walkout, which is due to run from 7am on April 7 until 6.59am on April 13, will be the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors in England since 2023.
Oliver Robinson, 34, killed himself in November 2023. Photograph: Family handout (Photograph: Family handout)

Oliver Robinson felt he had exhausted conventional therapies when he left the Priory, a private mental health facility where he was treated for depression and addiction between 2019 and 2022. Initially he found relief from a new kind of prescription elsewhere. But by the time he took his own life in November 2023, aged 34, his family believe his medicine was making him worse.

In January, an inquest concluded that Robinsons prescription for medicinal cannabis had probably contributed to his death. Catherine McKenna, the coroner for Manchester North, also ruled that his continued use of the prescription, first issued to him in May 2022 by Curaleaf Clinic, a private cannabis provider, acted as an obstacle to him receiving appropriate psychiatric and addiction care. His family understand this to be the first ruling of its kind.

Now, Olivers brother, Alexander Robinson, is launching a campaign for tighter controls on UK private cannabis clinics, including a ban on prescribing to patients with serious mental illness, and greater oversight of a rapidly expanding industry.

Alexander worries that others in Olivers position could be harmed by accessing medicinal cannabis. If things do not change he is not going to be the last, he said.

Medicinal cannabis was legalised in 2018 after the mother of a young boy from Northern Ireland with severe epilepsy had cannabis oil she had brought from Canada seized at airport customs. The law was changed so that cannabis-based medicinal products (CBMPs) could be prescribed by doctors on the General Medical Councils (GMC) specialist register.

Today, the NHS typically prescribes only a small number of licensed CBMPs  those approved by the medicines regulator  for conditions such as severe epilepsy, multiple sclerosis and chemotherapy-related pain. Legally, specialist doctors can prescribe cannabis-based medicines, including unlicensed products, in NHS and private settings where they judge it clinically appropriate.

According to the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the healthcare regulator that oversees private cannabis clinics, most products prescribed privately are unlicensed, meaning they have not been approved by the medicines regulator. The government reported about 5,000 NHS prescriptions for licensed CBMPs in 2023.

Freedom of information data from NHS Business Services Authority showed there were 659,293 unlicensed cannabis products privately prescribed in 2024, more than double the 282,920 issued in 2023.

About 80,000 people in the UK are thought to be in receipt of a private prescription. But there is limited evidence that cannabis is a suitable treatment for depression.

Under current British National Formulary guidance, medicinal cannabis should not be prescribed to someone with a history of severe psychiatric disorder, Dr Pavan Chahl, an expert psychiatrist, told Olivers inquest. There is a lack of evidence for efficacy in depression and evidence it can cause or worsen depression. On this evidence, Oliver Robinson should never have been prescribed medicinal cannabis.

Alexander argues the safeguards are not strong enough for vulnerable psychiatric patients. Olivers law calls for a ban on prescriptions for people with serious mental illness, mandatory consultation with NHS mental health teams, face-to-face assessments for complex cases rather than video consultations, tougher CQC oversight (including routine audits and publication of prescribing data), mandatory reporting of serious harms and clearer General Medical Council sanctions for unsafe prescribing.

Oliver had long struggled with his mental health. Once a successful property developer in his home town of Bury, he was treated for depression and low mood by the NHS and the Priory, including two inpatient admissions, after the breakdown of his business and a relationship.

At the Priory he was diagnosed with recurrent depressive disorder. He had been a cannabis smoker since the age of 13, and addictive behaviours were identified as a significant factor affecting his mood.

After leaving the Priory for the second time, he returned to using cannabis after finding an old stash in a drawer at home. He wasnt feeling happy, he tried some and found that it gave him some relief from his depressive symptoms, Alexander recalled. Oliver told his brother that because of the antidepressant medication he was taking, smoking helped him access his emotions in therapy.

Oliver signed up to Curaleaf Clinic shortly afterwards. In May 2022 he underwent a video consultation with Dr Urmila Bhoskar, a child and adolescent psychiatrist, providing a GP summary that was nine months old .

After reviewing his case, Curaleafs multidisciplinary team of clinicians agreed that proceeding with a trial of medical cannabis would be appropriate. Oliver received prescriptions for medicinal cannabis.

Doses of medicinal cannabis products can be especially potent, containing up to 27% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive compound in cannabis. Street cannabis is thought to contain between 15% and 20% THC.

That summer, Alexander said, he began receiving calls from his mother about Oliver, who was behaving violently. She was panicked, he recalled. Ive never heard her that scared before.

Oliver would have blazing rows with his mother, raging against her disapproval of his use of medicinal cannabis. There were times shed lock herself in the bedroom, Alexander said. At one point he threatened to firebomb the home.

Police were regularly called to the house. As Olivers behaviour became more threatening and destructive, his mother was classified as a victim of domestic abuse. Police recommended she take out a restraining order against her son. For the final year of his life, she did not see him.

Now unable to live with his mother, Oliver tried renting an Airbnb but was evicted because of his cannabis use. He began living in a tent. He had lost his job and taken out a payday loan to fund his prescription, which was now costing up to 1,000 a month. He was also accessing street cannabis when he could not afford the clinic.

Communication with family was fragmented. With Oliver now unable to contact his mother, Alexander and his father made sure to keep channels open. But they were receiving abuse, too. Oliver had become fixated on his prescription and aggressively dismissed anyone who challenged his belief that it was helping him.

I have 11 months of emails and WhatsApp messages that are not my brother, Alexander said. They are the angriest and most vitriol-filled messages I have ever read.

The next 11 months were the most traumatic and hellish of my life. I knew he was in the utter doldrums, and in constant pain, and I knew he was struggling with the depression.

Oliver had told his family that his Priory therapist, Dr Justin Haslam, supported his cannabis use. After the firebomb threat, Olivers family wrote to Haslam to confirm what they were being told. He replied that he was gravely concerned and that he believed Oliver needed more acute care than the Priory could offer, and referred him to NHS psychiatry.

That summer, Oliver began seeing an NHS psychiatrist in Bury, who diagnosed bipolar disorder, depression and cannabis dependency. Oliver was referred to addiction services and warned that cannabis was contributing to his deterioration. He rejected the diagnosis and refused to engage.

By November 2023, Olivers condition had worsened significantly. He starts sending me videos of him attempting to cut his wrists with a blunt penknife, Alexander said.

On 24 November, a family friend called to say Oliver had been in touch, telling them he was going to kill himself. It was not the first warning. Wed had several that week, Alexander recalled.

But this time felt different. He wasnt showing online at all, which was unusual for him, Alexander said. At 6pm, he received the call to say his brother was dead.

After the inquest into Olivers death, the coroners report set out a series of failings in his care: prescribing decisions had been based on an out-of-date GP summary care record and incomplete information; the consultant psychiatrist had no consultant level experience in treating adult patients with Olivers complex presentation; Curaleaf did not communicate directly with Olivers NHS or private psychiatrists once they found out he was receiving care.

A prevention of future deaths report has been issued by the coroner to Curaleaf, which submittedits response to the coroner on 17 February. It was also sent to the Care Quality Commission, which rated the clinic good last year.

A CQC spokesperson said: While the coroner did not make CQC a named recipient of this report, we are reviewing the report to consider if any regulatory action is needed.

Curaleaf said in a statement: Our thoughts are with Mr Robinsons family. The coroners findings and our detailed response to them, are publicly available. We take clinical governance seriously and many of the improvements identified were already in place before the inquest.

Every prescribing decision at Curaleaf Clinic is made by a multidisciplinary team, not a single clinician, and is informed by an evidence base that is kept under continuous review. Our commitment to responsible, clinically led care is absolute, and we will continue to support our patients by listening, reflecting, and improving our practice.

It added: We note the specific proposals set out by the campaign. Questions of regulatory policy are a matter for the relevant bodies, including the CQC, MHRA [Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency] and GMC. Curaleaf Clinic will engage constructively with any review or consultation that aims to strengthen patient safety across the sector.

 This article was amended on 31 March 2026. An earlier version stated the 23 April deadline for Curaleaf to respond to the coroners prevention of future deaths report, but did not include that the clinic has already submitted its response (dated 17 February). The opening paragraph was also amended to clarify it was the familys belief that medical cannabis had worsened Oliver Robinsons symptoms. The quoted statement of response from Curaleaf was also extended.


California Governor Gavin Newsoms office compared a rendered gold statue of President Donald Trump, to be featured in his new presidential library, to statues of dictators from around the world, including North Koreas Kim Il-Sung and Turkmenistans Saparmurat Niyazov.

The presidents son, Eric Trump, released a video Monday of renderings depicting the proposed Donald J. Trump Presidential Library in Miami, Florida. At one point, the video shows an auditorium of raked seating looking to a stage that features a massive gold statue of Trump raising his fist.

The gold statue in Trumps new library (of himself) looks awfully familiar to a few others from around the world, Newsoms office wrote on X, alongside a series of photos of dictators.

That includes a gold statue of former Chairman of the Chinese Communist Party Mao Zedong, North Koreas Kim Il-Sung and Turkmenistans Saparmurat Niyazov.

White House Spokesman Davis Ingle responded to the California governors criticisms saying: Gavin Newscum is the worst and dumbest governor in America.

Trump's presidential library renderings feature a tall gold statue of the president with his fist raised (Trumplibrary.org)

Newsoms office has often used its social media accounts to troll Trump, and in the past has accused him of being a wanna-be dictator and cosplaying as a dictator.

Trump is known for his affinity for gold decor  and has redecorated the White House Oval Office with gilded accents and furniture to fit his desired aesthetic.

But hes also known to unabashedly promote his likeness.

In North Korea, the Immortal Statue of Kim Il Sung reminds citizens of the country's first dictator (Getty Images)

Across the White House, dozens of paintings and pictures of the president hang. Some, in places where portraits of former presidents lived. A painting of Trump surviving an assassination attempt replaced the area where former President Barack Obamas portrait hung, according to reports.

The administration has hung giant banners featuring the president on buildings housing the Department of Justice, the Department of Agriculture and the Department of Labor.

Trumps name has also been tacked onto the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, the Institute of Peace, a new class of battleships, an initiative to lower prescription drug costs, government-sponsored investment accounts for children and more.

The Trump administration has used the presidents face on massive banners that hang on federal buildings (AFP via Getty Images)

Trumps proposed presidential library, a sleek skyscraper, is being designed by Florida-based firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners.

Other features included in the renderings are a gold escalator, a rooftop patio, the Air Force One jet gifted by Qatar, a replica of the Oval Office during his second administration, a ballroom and, notably, few books.
Reforms Robert Jenrick holding a press conference with Nigel Farage at Heathrow airport on Tuesday. Photograph: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock (Photograph: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock)

By day 31 of the war in the Middle East, Nigel Farage had become somewhat less vocal about the closeness of his relationship with Donald Trump.

Trying to read whats really in the minds of people in the White House right at the moment is a mugs game, said the MP, as he unveiled his partys latest pledge to cut the cost of living on Tuesday.

Perched on a stool against the backdrop of departing flights, Farage had come to Heathrow airport to promote a plan to scrap taxes on short-haul journeys.

Yet when the questions inevitably came about the conflicts potentially catastrophic impact on Britains economy, the Reform leader was forced to grapple with what has suddenly become the primary barrier to people voting for his party: Donald Trump.

Related: The greatest challenge Farage has ever faced  convincing the world he was never besties with Donald Trump | Marina Hyde

The US president is now underwater in terms of his favourability even with Reform voters, who were previously the only set of UK party supporters who saw him positively, according to polling by More in Common.

Reforms Trump problem is particularly stark among British women, with 25% of those polled last week listing Farages support for Trump as the primary reason they would not vote for his party.

Among men and women it was 23%, ahead of a range of other reasons including the party being seen as too rightwing, racism on the part of some candidates, its lack of government experience or perceptions that they only represent the rich.

From focus groups, the idea of something like [the] Minnesota [immigration raids] happening here but also the general sense of chaos he might bring in the UK is kryptonite to would-be Reform voters, particularly women and those in Reforms second 15%, [who] they need to get close to forming a government, said Luke Tryl, the executive director of More in Common.

They cant understand why Farage associates with Trump, and its the thing that makes them more nervous about rolling the dice.

With Reform voters as vulnerable as any other  more so, in some cases  to the looming economic storm, the daily uncertainty of the war is now also becoming a problem for the party. Even though its voters were found by YouGov to be more positive than others towards the US strikes, their expectations still tend to be negative when it comes to everything from geopolitical stability to household finances.

It is a far cry from the days after the 2016 US presidential election, when the president-elect first started to moot the then Ukip leader as a man who would do a great job as Britains ambassador to the US.

In the years since, Farage would routinely emphasise his ties to Trump, boasting in January last year that he had the incoming White House administration on speed dial.

Asked by the Guardian on Tuesday if he was concerned that his relationship with Trump was beginning to damage him with Reforms base, Farage responded: Im not going to lie about it, am I? Im not going to pretend I dont know him. I do.

I think what he has done on the border [with Mexico] is admirable, added Farage, who listed other supposed Trump achievements, including on the economy certainly in the first term, and on energy policy.

So there are things hes done that I agree with hugely. There are other things he has done that I dont agree with, and the American and the British public can judge that. But, you know, he is not dictating policy to me. Im dictating policy to me.

Related: Nigel Farage says Iran bigger danger than Putin in New Statesman interview

Earlier, the Reform leader was again less certain about Trump when asked if the president should end the war without securing the strait of Hormuz. He also appeared less assured about his own earlier belief that regime change in Iran was about to be realised, expressed at a previous Reform event in the immediate aftermath of US and Israeli strikes.

I dont think we should take literally everything right now that Donald Trump says, Farage said on Tuesday. But the last thing hes going to do, or the last thing his colleagues in the White House do, is to give the Iranians any idea of what their true intentions are and frankly, I dont know ... Was it to remove nuclear capability? Was it aimed at regime change? I dont think any of us quite know the absolute truth about that.

Whatever impact the Trump-Farage relationship has in the months and years ahead, it is a relationship that appears to be changing.

Farage faced mockery at the end of the first week of the war after he announced that he was flying to Mar-a-Lago to meet Trump, only to fail to secure a meeting.
One-day Conference Explores How AI is Transforming Dispute Resolution

NEW YORK and BOSTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Arbitration Association (AAA) and Suffolk University Law School will host Arbitration and Mediation in the Age of AI, a one-day conference on Friday, June 12, in Boston. The program will bring together litigators, in-house counsel, arbitrators, mediators, legal technologists, and other professionals to examine how AI is reshaping dispute resolution and what that means for legal practice, policy, and access to justice.

This conference builds on ongoing conversations in the field by focusing on AI real-world applications, current deployments, and practical implications. Attendees will gain practical insight into how AI tools are being developed, deployed, and evaluated across dispute resolution settings through a day of practical and interactive programming, including expert-led panel discussions, interactive debates, live demonstrations, and real-world case studies.

"AI is no longer theoretical in dispute resolution," said Bridget McCormack, AAA president and CEO. "These tools are already shaping how disputes are resolved and how people access the legal system. At the same time, we're working through critical questions around reliability, ethics, and oversight, while recognizing the opportunity to expand access to justice in ways not previously possible."

A key focus of the conference is how AI is already being applied in dispute resolution. Discussions and demonstrations will draw on examples including:

The AAA's AI Arbitrator, which evaluates the merits of a dispute, applies legal reasoning, and produces a draft award for a human arbitrator to review and finalize.

The AAA's Resolution Simulator, which provides a non-binding, simulated decision to help legal teams evaluate their positions before formal proceedings begin.

The AAA-Suffolk ODR Innovation Clinic, where Suffolk Law clinical students are building a customized version of AAA's ODR.com platform to help couples navigate procedural requirements for uncontested divorces. The project addresses a persistent access to justice challenge observed by Clinic Director Hon. John Casey (Ret.), who, during his time on the Massachusetts Probate and Family Court, saw individuals repeatedly turned away at the registry due to incomplete filings.

On Saturday, June 13, following the conference, attendees are invited to participate in a hackathon, hosted by ODR.com, AAA-ICDR Institute, and Suffolk University Law School, that brings together law students, technologists, and practitioners to collaborate on solutions at the intersection of AI and dispute resolution. This hands-on session moves from discussion to development, giving participants the opportunity to translate ideas from the conference into practical tools and applications. Attendees of the ODR2026 Forum at Harvard University are encouraged to join the hackathon. For more information and to secure your spot, visit https://www.vibeodr.com/.

To register for Arbitration and Mediation in the Age of AI, visit: https://feature.adr.org/2026-AAA-Suffolk-AI-Conference.

About the American Arbitration Association

The American Arbitration Association is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) services in the world. Marking its centennial in 2026, the American Arbitration Association has transformed how legal issues are resolved for better since 1926, turning disputes worldwide into opportunities for understanding and progress. A not-for-profit organization, the American Arbitration Association's mission is to deliver ADR services with integrity, transparency, and innovation. For more information, visit https://adr.org/.

About Suffolk University Law School

Suffolk University Law School's Legal Innovation & Technology (LIT) Center prepares students for a rapidly evolving legal profession through hands-on education in technology, process improvement, and legal design. Its LIT Lab has built tools deployed across multiple states, helping tens of thousands of self-represented litigants navigate court filings. The LIT programs have twice been named a Bloomberg Law "Top Law School Innovator." Suffolk launched the nation's first LIT Concentration for JD students and the first STEM-designated LLM in Legal Innovation & Technology. For more information, visit https://sites.suffolk.edu/legaltech/.

SOURCE American Arbitration Association
There are no plans for the King and Queen to meet survivors of convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein during their state visit to the US, despite calls for them to do so.

The couple are not able to do so while there are ongoing UK police investigations into matters related to Epstein, it is understood.

Ro Khanna, a US congressman, wrote to the King on Monday asking him to meet survivors privately during the state visit in late April.

Politics Hub: Follow the latest updates

Buckingham Palace earlier announced that the state visit to the US would go ahead, despite calls for the historic royal trip to be scrapped or delayed because of the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor, the former Duke of York, was arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office last month, following the release of the Epstein files.

Lord Peter Mandelson, the former UK ambassador to the US, was also arrested separately on suspicion of the same offence.

Both were later released under investigation on suspicion that they had shared sensitive information with Epstein, and both have denied any wrongdoing in connection with Epstein.

Trump backs 'terrific' trip

Donald Trump has posted his support for the trip, suggesting it would take place between 27 - 30 April and include a White House banquet dinner.

"I look forward to spending time with the King, whom I greatly respect. It will be TERRIFIC!" he wrote on Truth Social.

The Liberal Democrats have called on Sir Keir Starmer to cancel the state visit, not because of Epstein, but over the war in Iran.

Iran war latest: Trump tells UK 'get your own oil'

The party's leader Sir Ed Davey accused the prime minister of "showing a staggering lack of backbone" while Mr Trump "treats our country with contempt" after he "dismissed our Royal Navy as 'toys'".

Will Trump embarrass the King?

The confirmation of the state visit comes as Mr Trump continues his attacks on Sir Keir's reaction to the conflict in Iran.

But Defence Secretary John Healey said he is "not concerned" about the prospect of the US president "embarrassing" the King.

Speaking to reporters during a trip to the Middle East, he also said the state visit would "help reinforce the uniquely close relationship" between the two nations - a so-called 'special relationship' which has been strained in recent months.

"The King is a unique leader, a unique diplomat, and a great asset for Britain," Mr Healey added.

As Prince of Wales, Charles visited the US a total of 19 times, but this will be his first state visit as the monarch.

Read more from Sky News:

Wars are bad for US-UK relationship

Badenoch: UK should react to Trump

Listen: Andrew's arrest over Epstein files

In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: "Melania and I are pleased to announce that Their Majesties, the King and Queen of the United Kingdom, will visit the United States for a historic state visit from 27-30 April, which will include a beautiful banquet dinner at the White House on the evening of 28 April.

"This momentous occasion will be even more special this year, as we commemorate the 250th anniversary of our great country."
Ajvazi's company faces unplanned challenges because of a steep rise in fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, whose ripple effects have reached this small corner of southeastern Europe (Associated Press)

Kushtrim Ajvazi takes immense pride in managing a thriving business within one of Europe's most economically challenged nations.

His company, Pestova, produces popular potato chips and snacks, a staple in almost every Kosovan shop and a growing export.

However, this success is now overshadowed by unforeseen challenges, primarily a steep surge in fuel prices.

These increases, attributed to the war in Iran, have sent ripple effects across to this small corner of southeastern Europe, impacting Pestova's operations significantly.

The company cultivates nearly 100 acres of potato fields in eastern Kosovo, which supply the potatoes for their Vipa brand chips.

Both the firm's production and its extensive distribution network have been hit hard, as the wholesale price of fuel escalated from 1.10 ($1.27) to up to 1.70 ($1.96), according to Mr Ajvazi.

Kosovo lacks its own domestic fuel production, meaning prices for diesel and petrol are set by importers, whose profit margins are capped at 12 per cent.

With spring marking the crucial potato planting season, Mr Ajvazi has urged the government to intervene and alleviate the financial burden.

Ajvazi's company faces unplanned challenges because of a steep rise in fuel prices caused by the war in Iran, whose ripple effects have reached this small corner of southeastern Europe (Associated Press)

He stated that the company's fuel costs are "extremely high." While fertiliser prices have also risen, Pestova had sufficient reserves to mitigate that particular impact for now.

We are analysing and calculating every additional cost, and if we see that this process of rising costs continues, we will be forced to adjust our prices," Ajvazi said.

While other countries in Balkans have put in place measures to ease the effects on farmers, Kosovo's government is yet to act. The government did not respond to questions.

Romania, Hungary and Serbia have introduced special diesel prices for farmers or lowered the state tax income.

In Kosovo, economic experts warned that the government should urgently respond in case of a further price increase, to prevent greater damage to the economy.

There is not one sector that is not affected by the price increase," economist Safet Gerxhaliu said.

Workers at Pestova firm, inspect the potatoes for the Vipa Chips factory in the village of Pestove, Kosovo (Associated Press)

Ajvazi said his company faces additional problems because around 40 per cent of production is exported with prearranged, fixed prices that can be changed only with a 90-day advance notice. He said it is hard to plan anything without stable prices.

We call on the government to ease this phase for us," he said. "We are a company that exports to more than 23 different countries, including those in Europe.

The price hike has also burdened ordinary citizens. Bardh Mehmeti, an IT professional from the capital, Pristina, said he now pays 100 ($115) for a full tank, up from 80 ($92) before the crisis. Mehmeti is now seriously considering" ways to get an electric car.

Kosovo's economy has struggled ever since the country declared independence from Serbia in 2008 following a war.

Farmers of Pestova firm on the back of a tractor plant potatoes in the village of Pestove, Kosovo (Associated Press)

Serbia does not recognise the split, and the unresolved situation has stalled the countries in their bids to join the European Union.

Also affecting Kosovo's economic situation has been a prolonged political crisis that left the country without a fully functioning government for much of last year. The current government of Prime Minster Albin Kurti is again in a stalemate over a failure to elect a new president.

The main opposition Democratic Party has criticised what it calls government inaction and urged temporary tax cuts to help ease the burden on citizens and businesses.
Nicole Daedone, the founder of a controversial womens wellness company known for promoting "orgasmic meditation," has been sentenced to nine years in federal prison on forced labor charges.

A federal court in Brooklyn also ordered Daedone to forfeit $12 million, the amount she received when she sold her stake in OneTaste Inc., according to John Marzulli, a spokesperson for the Office of U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York.

Prosecutors had pushed for a 20-year sentence, asserting in pre-sentencing filings that Daedones scheme left "scores of victims financially, emotionally and psychologically scarred."

They argued that "Daedone and her co-conspirators exercised control through economic pressure, psychological manipulation, physical exhaustion and emotional degradation, leaving behind a trail of financial ruin and lasting trauma."

However, Daedones lawyers contended that a lengthy imprisonment would be "bonkers," advocating for a term of approximately two years.

They highlighted her lack of a prior criminal record and presented over 200 letters to the court "attesting to her character, her generosity, and her positive influence."

Daedones lawyers presented over 200 character letters to the court, including one from CNNs Van Jones (The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Her defense team wrote in their sentencing memo that she "has lived an uncommon and impactful life, and she is deeply respected by people from all walks of life, including many entirely unconnected to OneTaste."

They described her as "a prolific writer, teacher, and spiritual practitioner whose work has long focused on reducing suffering and fostering meaningful human connection."

Among those who submitted letters of support were CNN correspondent Van Jones, a former adviser to President Barack Obama, and actor Richard Schiff of "The West Wing."

Jones characterized Daedone as "a woman of uncommon wisdom, grace and moral courage" who has "dedicated her life to helping others find healing, empowerment and a deeper sense of human connection."

Schiff argued she deserved leniency because she has "spent her life trying to bring compassion, awareness, and honesty to a part of human experience that is often shamed or misunderstood."

During the roughly month-long trial, prosecutors detailed how Daedone and former sales director Rachel Cherwitz, who is set to be sentenced later, ran a years-long scheme.

They allegedly groomed adherents, many of whom were victims of sexual trauma, to perform their bidding.

Daedones lawyers presented over 200 character letters to the court, including one from CNNs Van Jones (The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The two women were accused of using economic, sexual, and psychological abuse, intimidation, and indoctrination to coerce OneTaste members into sexual acts they found uncomfortable or repulsive, such as engaging with prospective investors or clients.

Followers were told these acts were essential for achieving "freedom," "enlightenment," and demonstrating commitment to the companys principles.

One of Daedones lawyers, conversely, portrayed her as a "ceiling-shattering feminist entrepreneur" who established a unique business centered on womens sexuality and empowerment.

OneTaste was co-founded by Daedone in San Francisco in 2004 as a self-help commune that posited female orgasms as crucial for sexual and psychological wellness and interpersonal connection. A core practice was "orgasmic meditation," or "OM," which involved men manually stimulating women in a group setting.

The company garnered positive media attention in the 2010s as a pioneering enterprise focused on womens sexual pleasure, expanding with outposts from Los Angeles to London.

Daedone sold her stake in 2017 for $12 million, a year before OneTastes marketing and labor practices came under intense scrutiny.

The companys current owners have since rebranded it as the Institute of OM Foundation, maintaining that its work has been misrepresented and the charges against its former executives were unjustified.
President Trump suggested that Britain and other countries learn how to fight - Elizabeth Frantz/Reuters

Donald Trump told Britain on Tuesday to get your own oil as he urged Americas allies to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

Singling out the UK, the US president rebuked countries for refusing to get involved in the American-Israeli war against Iran, suggesting they learn how to fight.

Nato partners have been reluctant to help reopen the critical waterway, through which 20 per cent of the worlds oil typically travels. Tehran has effectively closed the strait for weeks, sending global oil and gas prices spiralling.

In an outburst on Truth Social, Mr Trump wrote: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you.

Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Mr Trumps post on Truth Social said: The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! - truthsocial.com

He added: Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!

Later on Tuesday, Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, reiterated Mr Trumps criticisms of the UKs refusal to send warships.

Framing the mission as a global responsibility, he said: Its not just the US navy, last time I checked there was meant to be a big, bad Royal Navy to help as well.

The Trump administration has shown frustration with long-time allies for not taking part in the US-Israeli war against Tehran, exposing the widening rift between Washington and European capitals.

Sir Keir Starmer said on Monday that reopening the strait to commercial shipping was easier said than done. British defence officials are considering fitting the RFA Lyme Bay landing ship with minesweeping drones as ministers weigh their options in what could be a highly risky operation.

The conflict, now in its fifth week, has exposed the widening rift between Washington and Europe.

On Tuesday, Mr Trump also turned his criticisms towards France, branding it very unhelpful for not letting Israeli planes carrying military supplies fly over its territory.

The U.S.A. will REMEMBER, he warned.

Emmanuel Macrons office said it was surprised by the accusation, adding: France has not changed its position since day one.

Italy also blocked US warplanes from using an American air base in Sicily on Tuesday, while Spain  one of the loudest European opponents of the war  has closed its airspace to all US military planes. In retaliation, the US president threatened a trade embargo on Pedro Sanchezs socialist government.

Brussels has accused the Trump administration of having incoherent war aims and has shown little appetite to take part in naval missions to secure the strait.

This is not Europes war, Kaja Kallas, the EUs top diplomat, said earlier this month.

But a panicked White House has been looking for an off-ramp, while simultaneously threatening to escalate the conflict with Tehran.

The US president is now willing to end the US military campaign even if the strait remains closed, officials told the Wall Street Journal.

If Tehran will not end its blockade through diplomatic means, Washington intends to press allies in Europe and the Gulf to take the lead.

The Royal Navy said last week that it was willing to lead potential coalition operations to reopen the strait, but plans are in their early stages. As ministers explore options, a landing ship, the RFA Lyme Bay, is preparing to be fit with advanced minesweeping drones.

Meanwhile, the US, is sending its third aircraft carrier to the region, officials said. The USS George HW Bush and its accompanying warships will join the USS Abraham Lincoln and the USS Gerald R Ford carrier strike groups in the region.

Britain is also bolstering its forces in the region, deploying additional troops and air defences to help protect its allies.

On a visit to the Gulf states, John Healey, the Defence Secretary, announced that he would send Britains best, including Sky Sabre, a ground-based air defence system, to Saudi Arabia and further Typhoon fighter jets to Qatar.

The RAF has been conducting defensive missions across the Gulf against Iranian missiles and drones.

On Monday, the International Monetary Fund warned that the UKs economy was especially exposed to the energy crisis because of its reliance on gas-fired power.

The disruptions to global shipping are also worsening medicine shortages. Sir Jim Mackey, the head of NHS England, said health bosses were really worried about supplies, including syringes, gloves and intravenous bags.
For many homeowners, remote assessments are part of the process (Getty Images)

Most people have a broad sense of how solar panels work. You install them on the roof, they generate electricity, and your bills should come down.

But for homeowners considering solar, the installation journey can feel slightly opaque. There is the initial quote, then some kind of survey, then scaffolding appears, and at some point an app starts showing you how much electricity the system is generating. In reality, the process is more structured than that, even if it varies slightly from installer to installer.

The good news is that it is usually less disruptive than many of us may fear. The less obvious news is that quite a lot happens behind the scenes before a single panel goes on the roof.

Get a quote for solar panels for your home

Use our comparison tool to get free quotes from leading solar panel installers.

It starts with a consultation, not an install date

The first step is usually a short consultation, either online or over the phone. Ed Janvrin, director of franchise at OVO, says the company begins with a free consultation lasting around 10 to 30 minutes to discuss the customers current energy needs and bills. That early conversation is important because a credible solar panel installer should not jump straight to a fixed price without understanding the property and how the household uses electricity.

At this stage, the installer is usually trying to establish some basics, such as how much electricity the home uses, whether the customer is interested in battery storage, and whether solar is worth exploring at all. It is also often the first point at which a customer receives a rough sense of the potential costs involved.

The first survey is often remote

For many homeowners, the next surprise is that the first survey may not involve a visit. Both solar installers OVO and Sunsave say remote assessments are now a common part of the process. Installers may use satellite imagery, specialist software and photos supplied by the customer to analyse a roof, available space, electricity meter, loft access and possible scaffolding needs.

Janvrin says OVO carries out a virtual survey using software to remotely assess the roof, loft, electricity meter and access points for scaffolding. Alfie Ireland, head of operations at Sunsave, says this kind of remote assessment helps installers work out whether their home is suitable for solar, how many panels are likely to fit on the roof, and how complex the installation may be.

That doesnt mean the survey is superficial. A good remote assessment should still examine factors such as roof size, orientation, pitch, shading, tile type and any obvious barriers that could affect the design.

Then comes the formal quote

Once the installer has enough information about the property, the homeowner can usually expect a more tailored quote.

This is where the process becomes more concrete. The quote may set out the proposed system size, the likely number of panels, whether a battery is being recommended, and an estimate of savings or payback. Some installers will also talk through the design with the customer on a phone call to explain the rationale and answer questions.

Janvrin says OVO encourages customers to take a few days to review the quote, with zero pressure to commit. That is worth bearing in mind more broadly. A good installer should be comfortable with scrutiny. If the company is pushing hard for a quick signature before the design has been properly explained, thats not a great sign.

The technical survey confirms what the online quote cannot

If a customer decides to move forward, there is usually a second, more detailed layer of checking. In some cases, that means an in-person technical survey. In others, it may involve additional photos of specific parts of the home, such as the loft space, electricity meter or preferred battery location. Often, it is a mix of both.

Janvrin says OVO carries out a one-hour in-person technical survey after a quote is accepted, in order to check for safety hazards and confirm details such as sun exposure. Ireland adds that customers may be asked to send photos of their loft, meter and proposed battery location before installation can go ahead.

This stage is where the installer confirms the on-site realities that a remote assessment cannot fully verify. That may include the condition of the roof, whether it can support the panels, the safest route for wiring, where scaffolding can be placed, and whether the home is genuinely suitable for solar in practice.

This is also the stage where issues such as consumer unit upgrades or grid permissions may come into play. Ireland points out that if an installer designs a system with an inverter larger than 3.68kW, the property will usually need permission from the Distribution Network Operator through a G99 application before it can connect to the grid.

Paperwork and permissions happen in the background

This is the part of the journey that homeowners often have the least involvement with, even though it can shape the timeline significantly.

Once the survey and safety checks are complete, the installer may need to handle paperwork, schedule the installation, and in some cases submit applications to the local grid operator. The customer may not have much to do during this phase, but it can still take time.

Janvrin says that at OVO, paperwork and booking typically take between two and four weeks once the survey process is complete. That helps explain why solar installations are not usually booked in immediately after the quote is accepted.

This stage is also important because it helps determine whether the system will be ready for export payments after installation. If everything is done properly, the customer should emerge with the documents needed to sign up for the Smart Export Guarantee once the system is live.

Installation day is usually shorter than people expect

The physical installation itself is often quicker than the earlier stages. Ireland says that most installations take one to two days, with scaffolding going up a few days beforehand. Janvrin says installations at OVO can take up to five days, depending on factors such as scaffolding, roof complexity and building size.

In practical terms, the work usually involves carefully lifting roof tiles, attaching mounting brackets to the rafters, securing the panels in place, and running cables from the roof to the inverter and, if included, the battery. The system is then connected and tested.

This is also the stage where a household may notice the main disruption. Janvrin says that while OVO connects the system to the customers consumer unit, there may be a power outage of around one to two hours.

Even so, the reality is often less dramatic than people expect. The process is usually noisy and a little disruptive, but it is not a major home renovation.

Commissioning is when the system comes to life

For many homeowners, the installation is the visible part. Commissioning is the part they may not have heard of.

This is the stage where the installer tests the system, ensures it is operating correctly, connects it to the grid, and makes sure the homeowner can monitor what it is doing. In other words, this is when the solar installation stops being a collection of components and becomes a working energy system.

Ireland says that installers will test everything thoroughly and commission the system so it is connected to the grid and ready to go. Janvrin adds that technicians will also help customers set up the monitoring app so they can see generation in real time.

This handover is an important part of the process. A good installer shouldnt simply finish the wiring and leave. They should explain how the system works, how to read the app, and what documents the customer is receiving.

What happens immediately afterwards?

The journey does not end the moment the installer drives away. Ireland says it is best practice for scaffolding to remain in place for a week or two after installation, in case any immediate issues arise. This is a detail many homeowners may not expect, but it makes sense if adjustments are needed shortly after commissioning.

Customers should also receive a handover pack and supporting documentation. Janvrin says OVO leaves customers with a full pack, including the MCS certificate, which allows them to move on to Smart Export Guarantee registration.

At this stage, the homeowner should have a fully functioning solar panel system, visibility into its performance, and the paperwork needed to prove the installation has been completed to the appropriate standard.

Aftercare matters more than many buyers realise

One of the biggest differences between installers often only becomes clear after a system is up and running: the aftercare. Ireland points out that many installers offer workmanship cover of two to five years, even though solar panel systems are expected to last far longer.

This is important because the real installation journey isnt just the survey day and install day. Its also about what happens if output drops unexpectedly, if a component needs replacing, or if a homeowner is unsure whether the monitoring data is showing a fault.

Ireland argues that long-term maintenance support is an important part of the package, because many homeowners will not know whether a small drop in performance is normal or whether it signals a bigger problem. That kind of support can make the difference between a system that quietly keeps saving money and one that leaves the homeowner trying to work out warranty claims alone.

How long does the solar installation process take?

There is no single answer, but both installers suggest it is best to think in weeks rather than days.

Janvrin says the entire OVO process usually takes between four and eight weeks from first consultation to completion. For a simpler installation with no major delays, it may be on the shorter side. More complex properties, busier installation calendars, or extra paperwork can extend the timeline.

What matters most is not just speed, but clarity. A good installer should be able to explain what stage you are at, what still needs to happen, and whether any delays are normal.
The dust may have settled at Broadcasting House following the BBCs shock firing of Scott Mills in March, however the presenter  who was sacked over allegations about his personal conduct  is still yet to be replaced on Radio 2.

Mills was the reliable broadcaster taking charge of Radio 2s Breakfast Show when the BBC suddenly announced that he was leaving after almost three decades at the corporation. It emerged shortly after that he had been investigated by the Metropolitan Police in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences involving a teenage boy under 16 between 1997 and 2000, however he was not charged.

With Mills no longer attached to any BBC projects, fans of the station have spent weeks wondering when a new name will commit to those early wake-up calls  with resident stand-in Gary Davies taking the radio reins for now.

Scott Mills has been fired as BBC Radio 2 breakfast show host (BBC/Owen Scurfield)

With Zoe Ball, Chris Evans, Ken Bruce and Terry Wogan among those whove filled the coveted slot in the past, the pressure will be on to find a fitting replacement.

Below are the main contenders running through who could replace Mills in the role.

OJ Borg

OJ Borg is reportedly a contender for the Radio 2 Breakfast Show (BBC)

OJ Borg has been a safe pair of hands for BBC Radio 2 over the last eight years, with the broadcaster manning the graveyard shift since 2018. However, theres a chance that hell be getting (a tiny) lie-in and leaving his midnight starts behind as hes in the running to take over from Scott Mills.

It was reported in April that the BBC are looking to choose someone whos not the biggest name, but is well-liked at the station  and Borg fits the bill. A source told The Sun : OJ is someone who has proven he can do the job. He ticks all the right boxes and could be the perfect fit  even though hes not one of the top stars vying for the job, picking him may feel like a surprise choice, but it would be a clean slate for the breakfast show.

The Independent has contacted Borg for comment. The BBC said: Further news on a permanent replacement will follow in due course.

Vernon Kay

Kays mid-morning show on Radio 2 currently attracts 6.7 million listeners each week (PA)

By some bookmakers estimation, the man in pole position to take over from Mills is another BBC Radio 2 host, Vernon Kay. Born in Bolton, Greater Manchester, Kay, 51, has been an enduring figure in and around British radio, having hosted the mid-morning slot on Radio 2 since May 2023, when he took over from Ken Bruce. Previously, Kay presented his own show on Radio X, and is known for his live coverage of Formula E racing.

In 2020, he starred on the ITV reality series Im a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here!, ultimately finishing in third. Last month, BBC Radio 2 station head Helen Thomas stated that Kays programme was the most listened-to show on UK radio, attracting 6.7 million listeners each week  making him a strong contender for Millss former role.

Sara Cox

BBC presenter Sara Cox has a decades-long career with the broadcaster (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

BBC listeners are also likely to be familiar with Sara Cox, who has worked with the corporation since the Nineties. Cox hosted a succession of programmes on BBC Radio 1 between 1999 and 2014, the most high-profile of which was the breakfast show (from 2000 to 2003). Taking over the role from Zoe Ball, Cox, 51, initially prompted a growth in listenership, earning Radio 1 its largest breakfast audience ever.

After leaving the station, she went on to enjoy a fruitful career on Radio 2, hosting a variety of programmes that led to her taking over the drivetime slot from Simon Mayo in 2019. On television, she is known for presenting The Great Pottery Throwdown, Back in Time For, and her own ITV series The Sara Cox Show.

Dermot OLeary

The former X Factor host has been a trusted Radio 2 fixture since 2004 (Getty)

Sometimes, the most obvious choices are the best ones, which is why producers might be considering asking Dermot OLeary, 52, to replace Mills. Firstly, the former X Factor host has been a trusted Radio 2 fixture since 2004 and is the very definition of a safe pair of hands, worming his way into listeners hearts with his impassioned dancing to Bruce Springsteen on his shows live streams.

Secondly, he already presents a breakfast show on the station, but on Saturdays. Whether hed want to have five very early mornings rather than one remains to be seen, but theres no doubt listeners would welcome him with open ears.

Rylan Clark

Rylan Clark at An Audience With Kylie at The Royal Albert Hall in December 2023 (Getty)

Rylan, 37, is more than capable of hosting the breakfast show. He is a favourite among current Radio 2 listeners thanks to his upbeat Saturday afternoon show, and could no doubt nab some listeners from Radio 1 with his cheeky wit, which would make him an ideal candidate in producers eyes.

But lets address the elephant in the room  he is good friends with Scott Mills, with the pairs camaraderie particularly becoming a welcome presence on Radio 2s Eurovision coverage in recent years. This could throw an awkward spanner in the works should he be offered the role. If he does take over, though, itll be the biggest appointment yet for someone whose career began as a joke contestant on The X Factor.

Gary Davies

The 68-year-old veteran broadcaster has never been able to secure a permanent role on Radio 2s top spot (BBC)

Theres an element of always the bridesmaid, never the bride, for Gary Davies  a 68-year-old veteran broadcaster who cut his teeth on Radio 1 in the 1980s and is now Radio 2s resident stand-in when things go awry. He stepped in when Ken Bruce left the station, but kept the seat warm for Vernon Kay, who started a few months later, and has now done the same following Mills abrupt firing.

Maybe this is his time  hes essentially been doing successful trial runs for the station since 2017 and listeners clearly feel comfortable in his presence. But with ratings at the forefront of producers minds, it could be that they want more of a household name to take on the role.

Clara Amfo

Clara Amfo has been a fixture of British TV and radio for more than a decade (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Clara Amfo, 41, has been a fixture of British TV and radio over the past decade-plus, having joined BBC Radio 1Xtra in 2013, as host of the weekend breakfast show. In 2015, she succeeded Fearne Cotton as host of the BBC Radio 1 mid-morning show. She is also known for hosting Radio 1s Future Sounds series between 2021 and 2024, having taken over the role from Annie Mac.

The big reasons Amfo is being considered a contender are that she is familiar with the BBC, a well-known household name, and is currently available. Addressing her decision to leave BBC Radio 1, Amfo said last year that she had felt completely satiated by the job and wanted to avoid it becoming a chore. On television, Amfo is known for presenting at the Brit Awards, Top of the Pops and The One Show.

Romesh Ranganathan

The daily Radio 2 slot may be one job too many for the hard-working Ranganathan (Getty)

Whether you like it or not, Romesh Ranganathan, 48, is everywhere  from Prime Videos Last One Laughing and The Weakest Link to BBC Radio 2, where he hosts Saturdays lunchtime show. Given that hes already proven himself to be a safe pair of broadcasting hands, the comedian would be a wise choice for Mills breakfast show replacement.

What could stop him, though, is his workload. With projects airing on Sky, ITV and the BBC, as well as his upcoming stand-up tour and stint in the West End, the daily Radio 2 slot may be one job too many for the hard-working Ranganathan. The man does have a family!

Richie Anderson

Anderson certainly has what it takes to take over from Mills  if the station is willing to give him a chance (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

While prime time presenters like Vernon Kay, Sara Cox and Rylan Clark may spring to mind when thinking of Mills potential replacement, the role could be the perfect gear change for travel news reporter Richie Anderson. The former footballer, 38, joined Radio 2 in 2019 as its weekday mornings travel news reporter before switching to afternoons 16 months ago.

Like Mills, he competed on Strictly Come Dancing (before being voted off fairly early) and later joined the presenting team for the BBCs coverage of Eurovision, commentating on the semi-finals with Sara Cox last year. A reliable and infectiously sunny voice on Radio 2, Anderson certainly has what it takes to take over from Mills  if the station is willing to give him a chance.
Crunch talks are to take place between resident doctors and the Government after ministers threatened to remove a key element of the deal currently on the table.

Sir Keir Starmer has given the resident doctors committee of the British Medical Association (BMA) a 48-hour deadline to reconsider the deal, which currently includes an offer of thousands of extra NHS training posts.

It is understood that the proposal will be removed from the deal if resident doctors in England press ahead with a six-day strike from April 7 in an ongoing row over jobs and pay.

The union said that it was seeking to talk with officials on Tuesday with every intention of achieving a meaningful outcome that could see the strikes called off.

Elsewhere the BMA has also announced that senior doctors in England are to be balloted over the prospect of industrial action.

The union said that simultaneous ballots of consultants and specialist, associate specialist, and specialty (SAS) doctors will run from May 11 until July 6 as both sets of medics escalate their disputes with the Government.

It comes after the Prime Minister accused resident doctors of recklessly walking away from the deal without putting it to members for a vote.

The truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal, he wrote in The Times.

Resident doctors will be worse off. Instead of improved pay, progression and support, they will receive the standard pay award this year, with none of the reforms that would have strengthened their working lives.

The BMA is threatening a six-day strike after Easter (Owen Humphreys/PA) (Owen Humphreys)

Sir Keir wrote: Walking away from this deal is the wrong decision. It is reckless. And doing so without even giving resident doctors the chance to vote on it makes it worse.

Because the truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal.

He added: So I say this to the BMAs resident doctors committee: reconsider.

Give members a say and put this deal to a vote.

To resident doctors, I say this: make your voice heard. This deal improves your pay, your progression and your future. Do not let others decide for you.

There are still 48 hours left to choose a better path. For patients, the NHS, and our doctors  I urge you to take it.

NHS resident doctors outside St Thomas Hospital in London during a strike in November (James Manning/PA) (James Manning)

The deal sets out how there will be a minimum of 4,000 new additional specialty posts, which will be delivered over the next three years.

NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey confirmed that the offer to expand training places will come off the table without reaching an agreement.

He told LBC Radio: The reality is that those extra training places cost money. If were going to be spending money on managing industrial action, pay for their colleagues, extra cover shifts, that money will disappear.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA resident doctors committee, said: The Government made very late changes to the pay offer, reducing the pay investment and stretching it over a longer period in a way that had not been previously talked about.

Ministers effectively moved the goalposts on the deal at the last minute.

He added: Removing potential doctors posts at a time when corridor care and GP queues are already putting the NHS under pressure, is clearly bad for patients.

Creating posts and improving patient care should not be dependent on calling off a strike.

Posting on X, Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: The BMA seems surprised that if they reject the deal on offer and go on strike their members dont get what the Government is offering.

We have time before Easter weekend to resolve this dispute.

A deal on jobs and pay is on the table.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch criticised the Governments latest move (Yui Mok/PA) (Yui Mok)

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch told broadcasters on a visit to Hertfordshire: I dont think he should be using training places as a bargaining chip. I dont really understand why hes doing that.

Id like to hear an explanation, because those training places, my understanding is that they are for patients, they are to increase patient support, patient safety, patient welfare.

NHS leaders have said the strike action, which coincides with the Easter holiday, will be challenging.

In a letter to health leaders, Mike Prentice, national director for emergency planning at NHS England, wrote: We expect this round to be challenging as there is a shorter notice period, bank holidays within the notice period and the action itself falling during the Easter holidays.

This will represent a significant strain on staffing resources to provide safe cover.

The walkout, which is due to start at 7am on April 7 and run until 6.59am on April 13, will be the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors in England since 2023.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said President Donald Trumps willingness to acknowledge both Ukrainian and Russian casualties in the ongoing war makes him an empath.

During a Saturday interview at the Conservative Political Action Summit, the HHS secretary repeatedly praised Trump for highlighting the human cost of armed conflict, as thousands of U.S. troops were deployed to the Middle East amidst the escalating war in Iran.

President Trump is exactly the opposite of everything that I believed him to be, Kennedy said on stage in Texas. And I basically drank the Kool-Aid that he was this bombastic narcissist who didnt read books, was ill-informed.

Youll see that every time he talks about the Ukraine war, he talks about the casualties on both sides, the secretary added. You will not hear any Democrat ever talk about that. And he talks about the Russian kids who are dying. He gets the reports every week, and they make a huge impression on him about the death rate.

Since taking office, Trump has repeatedly tried to resolve the conflict he once vowed to end within 24 hours on the campaign trail, when he styled himself as the candidate of peace. Hes hosted diplomatic summits with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, which have so far proved unsuccessful.

HHS Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr claimed that President Donald Trump is 'an empath' since he talks about casualties on both sides of the Ukraine war (AFP via Getty Images)

The European war has now ground on for more than four years  following Putins February 2022 invasion  leading to the deaths of 325,000 Russians and 140,000 Ukrainians, according to a recent estimate from the Center for Strategic and International Studies.

A thousand kids a day are dying, Kennedy said. He understands that these are peoples children.

During the same interview, the HHS secretary also spoke about Trumps handling of the war in Iran, this time commending his apparent deep knowledge of the region.

One time, he grabbed a placemat, turned it over, took a Sharpie, and drew a perfect map of the Middle East, Kennedy claimed. Then he marked the troop strength of every country along each border on that map. It challenged a lot of the assumptions I had been told about him.

On Saturday, US Central Command announced that about 3,500 Marines and sailors had arrived in the Middle East, as the Iran war stretched into its second month (US Centcom)

The Iran war, which has engulfed large swaths of the region in violence, has now stretched into its second month, showing no signs of abating.

The U.S. has struck more than 15,000 targets in Iran, the Pentagon has said. Last week, Trump promised to keep bombing our little hearts out if a peace deal cannot be struck with Irans leaders, whom he has described as evil.

Tehran, which has described the war as illegal, has retaliated by bombarding numerous nearby nations with missiles and drones, including Israel, Qatar, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia.

To date, more than 1,500 Iranians have died, including at least 175 killed in a strike on a girls school near the Strait of Hormuz, Iranian officials have said. Thirteen U.S. service members have been killed, according to the Pentagon.

Trump has offered no clear timeline for when the war will be resolved, and recent developments indicate the U.S. may be preparing for a protracted campaign. On Saturday, U.S. Central Command announced that about 3,500 Marines and sailors had arrived in the region.

Multiple recent polls show that the majority of Americans do not support the war.

Fifty-nine percent of respondents in a recent Pew Research Center survey said the U.S. made the wrong decision by using military force in Iran, while just 38 percent said it made the correct choice. At the same time, 65 percent of Americans believe Trump will launch a ground war in Iran, according to a March 19 Reuters survey. Just 7 percent support this idea.
The Prime Minister has accused resident doctors of recklessly walking away from a Government pay deal without putting it to members for a vote.

But the British Medical Association (BMA) said that the Government had moved the goalposts on the deal at the last minute.

The union said that it was seeking to talk with the Government on Tuesday with every intention of achieving a meaningful outcome that could see the strikes called off.

The Prime Minister has issued an ultimatum (PA) (Jaimi Joy)

Sir Keir Starmer gave the resident doctors committee of the BMA a 48-hour deadline to reconsider the offer, which would have seen medics given a pay rise of 35% over three years.

The Prime Minister said: The truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal.

Resident doctors will be worse off. Instead of improved pay, progression and support, they will receive the standard pay award this year, with none of the reforms that would have strengthened their working lives.

NHS England boss Sir Jim Mackey confirmed that the offer to expand training places will come off the table without reaching an agreement.

Resident doctors in England are planning to strike for six days from April 7 in the ongoing row over jobs and pay.

NHS leaders have said the strike action, which coincides with the Easter holiday, will be challenging.

Writing in The Times, the Prime Minister said patients would be left paying the price.

He said the offer was made after months of collaboration with the BMA.

The BMA is threatening a six-day strike after Easter (Owen Humphreys/PA) (Owen Humphreys)

Sir Keir wrote: That is why walking away from this deal is the wrong decision. It is reckless. And doing so without even giving resident doctors the chance to vote on it makes it worse.

Because the truth is this: no one benefits from rejecting this deal.

He said resident doctors, the NHS and patients will be worse off, highlighting that each strike costs the health service 250 million.

Progress slows. Waiting times fall more slowly. Pressure on staff increases, he added.

That is what makes this so frustrating  and so completely avoidable.

So I say this to the BMAs resident doctors committee: reconsider.

Give members a say and put this deal to a vote.

Failing to do so will mean resident doctors are left with less, the NHS is weakened, and patients pay the price.

To resident doctors, I say this: make your voice heard. This deal improves your pay, your progression and your future. Do not let others decide for you.

There are still 48 hours left to choose a better path. For patients, the NHS, and our doctors  I urge you to take it.

The deal sets out how there will be a minimum of 4,000 new additional specialty posts will be delivered over the next three years.

Sir Jim told LBC Radio: The big element of the package that has been referred to today by the PM is the jobs offer.

This was always about pay and jobs. We went really as far as we could by trying to create extra training places for resident doctors.

And that is the bit that I think would have to come off the table if we couldnt reach agreement. It was up to 4,000 extra jobs over the period of the deal.

He added: I would rather we just reached agreement, I think thats the ideal position  theres still a chance, my preference would be colleagues get in the room, sort it out.

But the reality is that those extra training places cost money. If were going to be spending money on managing industrial action, pay for their colleagues, extra cover shifts, that money will disappear.

Asked if he knew about the ultimatum, Sir Jim added: I wasnt personally aware of it, no.

Dr Jack Fletcher, chairman of the BMA resident doctors committee, said: The Government made very late changes to the pay offer, reducing the pay investment and stretching it over a longer period in a way that had not been previously talked about.

Ministers effectively moved the goalposts on the deal at the last minute.

He added: Removing potential doctors posts at a time when corridor care and GP queues are already putting the NHS under pressure, is clearly bad for patients.

Creating posts and improving patient care should not be dependent on calling off a strike.

But these negotiations are not about arbitrary cutoffs, as the Prime Minister seems to think.

NHS resident doctors outside St Thomas Hospital in London during a strike in November (James Manning/PA) (James Manning)

Any deadline disappears the moment there is a credible and sustainable offer on the table.

Our focus remains on getting a good deal for both doctors and for patients, and we are seeking to talk once again with the Government later today with every intention of achieving a meaningful outcome that could see the strikes called off and a pay deal we can support.

Dr Fletcher told BBC Radio 4s Today programme that the dispute will end in a negotiating room adding: Im very happy to sit down with the Government at any point to try and negotiate a settlement, but I dont think thats done by writing in newspapers and issuing threats unilaterally.

Asked if he was initially in favour of putting the pay offer to members, Dr Fletcher said: Two weeks ago, the Government took that investment, reduced it, and then stretched it over three years.

That is a very, very, very different outcome to the one that we were discussing just two weeks ago.

He added: Ive been really clear to the Health Secretary in person last week that this does not represent a credible offer, and it does not go far enough.

It comes after Mike Prentice, national director for emergency planning at NHS England, said that the timing of the action will lead to significant strain.

In a letter to health leaders, he wrote: We expect this round to be challenging as there is a shorter notice period, bank holidays within the notice period and the action itself falling during the Easter holidays.

This will represent a significant strain on staffing resources to provide safe cover.

The walk out, which is due to start at 7am on April 7 and run until 6.59am on April 13, will be the 15th round of strikes by resident doctors in England since 2023.
The BBC has lined up a new presenting duo for its Eurovision coverage following Scott Mills sudden departure, according to reports.

Mills, 53, would traditionally have fronted commentary for the semi-finals of the annual song contest, which this year takes place in Austria. However, changes are understood to have been made behind the scenes after he was taken off air last week.

Now, it has been reported that Sara Cox and Rylan Clark will step in for this years Eurovision coverage. Both presenters are familiar faces to BBC audiences and have previously been involved in the broadcasters Eurovision output.

The presenter was abruptly pulled from the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show before it was confirmed he had left the corporation.

Mills was dismissed following an allegation relating to his personal conduct, reportedly linked to a relationship with a teenage boy under 16 more than a decade ago, which was previously investigated by police but resulted in no charges due to insufficient evidence.

Rylan Clark will be returning as Eurovision host (PA Wire)

A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

Sara Cox will also be taking over hosting duties (Grant Buchanan/Dave Benett/Getty Images)

As part of these enquiries, a man in his 40s was interviewed under caution in July 2018.

A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, which determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.

Mills had signed off his final breakfast show last Tuesday with See you tomorrow, before being replaced on air by colleague Gary Davies without explanation.

Scott Mills (PA Archive)

The BBC later confirmed his exit, saying: While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.

According to reports, staff were left shocked by the news, with some said to have been shell-shocked when the announcement was made internally.

Mills only took over the flagship breakfast slot in 2025, succeeding Zoe Ball.

The Standard has contacted representatives for Sara Cox and Rylan Clark for comment.
China-backed Mekong children's heart care project launched in Cambodia

Xinhua) 08:56, March 31, 2026

People attend the launching ceremony of a Mekong children's heart care project in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, March 30, 2026. A China-backed Mekong children's heart care project was officially launched in Cambodia on Monday, aiming at delivering life-saving treatment to children with congenital heart disease (CHD). (Photo by Phearum/Xinhua)

PHNOM PENH, March 30 (Xinhua) -- A China-backed Mekong children's heart care project was officially launched in Cambodia on Monday, aiming at delivering life-saving treatment to children with congenital heart disease (CHD).

Funded by China through the Global Development and South-South Cooperation Fund, the landmark project is implemented by the Mekong Institute, in close partnership with the Ministries of Health of Cambodia and Laos, with technical support from the Fuwai Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences.

"The project will screen at least 40,000 children in Cambodia, including 10,000 ultrasound screenings, provide full-cycle treatment for at least 40 children with CHD, and train more than 100 healthcare professionals," a press release said.

It added that the project will also provide essential medical equipment and support advanced training for Cambodian doctors.

Hok Kimcheng, director general for Health at Cambodia's Ministry of Health, said CHD remained a public health concern, affecting the lives of many children and families, early detection, timely diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are essential to improve the survival and quality of life.

"This project reflects our shared commitment to strengthen the health system through the technology transfer, capacity building, and regional cooperation," he said.

Kimcheng added that the project has adopted a comprehensive approach, combining school-based screening, advanced diagnostics, referral systems, treatment, and follow-up care.

"We are confident that this collaboration will not only benefit Cambodian children, but also contribute to the broader regional effort in addressing CHD," he said.

Suriyan Vichitlekarn, executive director of Mekong Institute, said the project reflected China's firm commitment to advancing the Global Development Initiative and accelerating progress toward the UN 2030 Agenda, as well as shared determination to improve access to care for children with CHD.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun)
MITCHELL, S.D., March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of the United States' 250th birthday, the Idaho Potato Commission (IPC) and County Fair Foods unveiled the world's largest Idaho potato display, built using 250,000 Idaho potatoes as a patriotic tribute to America's agricultural heritage and community spirit.

Stars, Stripes & Idaho Potatoes: Volunteers from VFW Post 2750 stand in front of a record-breaking display built from 250,000 Idaho potatoes during a celebration of Americas 250th anniversary on Monday, March 30, 2026, in Mitchell, S.D.

Unveiled just ahead of National Tater Day on March 31, the quarter-million-spud installation highlights the role Idaho potatoes have played in feeding American families for generations. Constructed with 250,000 Idaho potatoesenough to make five million French friesthe display brings to life the scale and impact of America's favorite vegetable.

"This was a fun, meaningful way to celebrate America's 250th while spotlighting a potato that's no stranger to attention," said Ross Johnson, VP of Retail and International for IPC. "County Fair Foods took it to another level by building the world's largest Idaho potato display!"

The event brought together veterans, families, local shoppers, and city leaders, reflecting the strong sense of community pride in Mitchell. "We were proud to host an event that celebrates both America's 250th birthday and the Idaho potato farmers who help feed our country," said Mayor Jordan Hanson, City of Mitchell. "Seeing County Fair Foods build the world's largest Idaho potato display in our community highlights the importance of agriculture, local business, and patriotism working together to honor our nation's history."

The celebration also supported hunger relief efforts through a partnership with Feeding South Dakota. County Fair Foods coordinated a retail-driven donation effort to help provide meals to families across the region, reinforcing the spirit of giving back during America's milestone anniversary.

"We are grateful for partners like the Idaho Potato Commission and County Fair Foods who help make events like this possible," said Susanne Gale, Feeding South Dakota. "When agriculture and retail come together, it helps us reach people in need and strengthens communities across South Dakota."

About the Idaho Potato Commission

Established in 1937, IPC is a state agency responsible for promoting and protecting the famous "Grown in Idaho" seal, a federally registered certification mark that assures consumers they are purchasing genuine, top-quality Idaho potatoes. Idaho's growing season of warm days and cool nights, ample mountain-fed irrigation, and rich volcanic soil give Idaho potatoes their unique texture, taste, and dependable performance. These ideal growing conditions differentiate them from potatoes grown in other states. For more information, visit idahopotato.com.

SOURCE Idaho Potato Commission
Former BBC Radio 2 presenter Scott Mills was questioned by police over allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy in 2018, but the case was dropped due to lack of evidence.

The breakfast show host was abruptly taken off air by the BBC last week before his sacking over allegations related to his personal conduct was announced on Monday.

The 53-year-old last hosted his show on Tuesday March 24 and signed off with: See you tomorrow.

The claims relate to when Mills was working at BBC Radio 1, and it is not known if the BBC was told of the investigation at the time. It is not clear if his sacking is related to the police investigation.

Scott Mills hosted his final breakfast show last Tuesday (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Police said a man, who was in his 40s at the time of the interview, was investigated in 2016 over allegations of serious sexual offences that took place between 1997 and 2000.

He was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

Mills was not charged with a criminal offence and the case was closed due to lack of evidence.

The Metropolitan Police does not identify people who are subject to an investigation before any charges are brought.

A spokesperson said: In December 2016, the Met began an investigation following a referral from another police force.

The investigation related to allegations of serious sexual offences against a teenage boy. These were reported to have taken place between 1997 and 2000.

As part of these inquiries, a man who was in his 40s at the time of the interview was questioned by police under caution in July 2018.

A full file of evidence was submitted to the Crown Prosecution Service, who determined the evidential threshold had not been met to bring charges. Following this advice, the investigation was closed in May 2019.

Scott Mills joined the BBC in the late 1990s (David Davies/PA) (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

News of Millss sacking led Mondays noon bulletin on his former station BBC Radio 2 and the broadcaster issued a news alert on Tuesday reporting the closed police investigation.

In an email sent to staff on Monday, Lorna Clarke, the BBCs director of music, wrote: I wanted to personally let you know that Scott Mills has left the breakfast show, and the BBC.

I know that this news will be sudden and unexpected, and therefore must come as a shock. Not least as so many of us have worked with Scott over a great many years, across a broad range of our programmes on R1, 5Live, R2 and TV.

I felt it was important to share this news with you at the earliest opportunity.

Of course, it will also come as a shock to our audience and loyal breakfast show listeners too. I will update everyone with more information on plans for the show when Im able to.

While I appreciate many of you will have questions, I hope you can understand that I am not going to be saying anything further now.

The BBC said it would not comment beyond an earlier statement: While we do not comment on matters relating to individuals, we can confirm Scott Mills is no longer contracted to work with the BBC.

Mills has been contacted for comment.
The end of any animal's life is heartbreaking, but it's especially horrific to consider the thousands of shelter pets who are euthanized every year. There can be many reasons why an animal may find themselves on the euthanasia list, though for most, it's simply bad luck.

Frances Buckley is a 6-year-old Siberian Husky who was surrendered to Southern California's Downey Animal Care Center after his family moved away without him. Despite his excellent manners, his expressive personality, and his stunning looks, he found himself on the list no animal wants to be on. Fortunately, on March 26, @amandacardinal17 and Concerned Citizens Animal Rescue broke him out of the shelter and into an adoring foster home.

Frances Buckley is such a charmer! With his fluffy, white coat, he has first impressions in the bag, and there was no questioning how ready he was to leave the shelter. He might have been the most polite shelter dog, but he'd been cooped up for too long!

"Hes so chill and gentle," one commenter noticed. "Why would no one want him?" Sadly, incedible dogs like him get overlooked for reasons beyond their control. There were likely dozens of other dogs competing for potential adopters' addention, and not everyone has the space and time to commit to a larger breed.

Related: Stray Husky Falls Asleep in the Bath After Being Shown Love For the First Time

Frances Buckley would have been a grateful rescue dog regardles of who picked him up, but Amanda's spacey car and affinity for treats made this Husky's freedom ride unforgettable. When he stood up with his head in the sunroof, I nearly shed a tear! I was pleasantly surprised to see how gentle he was while eating chicken nuggets, but it makes sense considering how sweet and polite he'd been so far.

Considering how comfortable he was in his very first moments with Amanda, it's clear he's going to thrive in his foster home. From there, it's only a matter of time until his perfect forever family steps up to bring him home!

Fostering Rescue Dogs

Giving rescue dogs their freedom ride is only the beginning of the foster journey. From there, it's time to let them adjust and decompress at their own speed. Sometimes, this happens almost overnight, but other imes, pups might need weeks or months to start showing their true colors.

Luckily for Amanda, Frances Buckley felt safe enough to start sharing his personality straight away. If he keeps this up, he's gong to lock down a forever family in no time at all!



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This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Mar 30, 2026, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
A 14-year-old timber wolf, stands on top of her den at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center (CWWC) in Divide, Colorado on March 28, 2023. (AFP/Getty)

A woman has been bitten by a wolf in a busy German shopping district, in what is believed to be the first such attack since the animals returned to Germany in 1998. Authorities confirmed the incident occurred on Monday evening before the wolf was later retrieved from a city lake.

The woman was transported to a Hamburg hospital following the unusual encounter, according to German news agency dpa. Her condition remained unknown on Tuesday, and police have not disclosed the exact location of her injuries or what prompted the attack.

The incident took place in a retail area near Altona station, situated west of Hamburgs city centre.

Mapped: Altona station

Late on Monday, police officers successfully pulled the wolf from the Binnenalster lake in downtown Hamburg, responding to multiple reports of the animal's presence. Local media outlets have since reported that the wolf has been moved to an enclosure on the outskirts of the city.

Officials believe it's likely that the wolf involved was the same one that was sighted in Blankenese, an outer suburb of the city, over the weekend.

Binnenalster Lake in Hamburg (Google)

Experts believe that animal is a young wolf searching for a territory of its own that accidentally wandered into the city. Hamburg's regional government noted that wolves generally avoid contact with people and dogs, and the unusual urban environment would be very stressful.

Germany's Federal Agency for Nature Conservation said it was the first time a person was known to have been attacked by a wild wolf since the animals reappeared in the country after 150 years' absence nearly 30 years ago, dpa reported.

Wolf attacks on livestock in Europe have been a growing concern to farmers for years, however. Last year, the European Parliament voted to change wolves' status from strictly protected to protected.

Last week, the German parliament gave final approval to legislation making it easier to shoot wolves that kill or wound livestock.

The news comes in the wake of calls and proposals to reintroduce large predators to parts of the UK and Ireland centuries after they disappeared.

These calls spark debate, with livestock farmers tending to raise concern in relation to predators at the top of the food chain like lynx and wolves.

The issue hit the headlines again earlier last year after the illegal release of four Eurasian lynx into the Scottish Highlands.
When Porscha Tynisha Brown collapsed aboard a Korean Air flight from Washington, D.C., to Seoul, clutching her chest and struggling to breathe, members of the cabin crew responded with an oxygen mask to place over her nose and mouth.

However, Brown continued to gasp for air, and soon lost consciousness and became nonresponsive, according to a federal lawsuit reviewed by The Independent.

A number of passengers rushed over to assist, as flight attendants alternated between panicking, observing and taking notes, the complaint alleges.

At no point in time did the Korean Air flight personnel attempt to take charge of the situation, provide instructions to the volunteering passengers, or render aid to Ms. Brown, it contends.

The pilot eventually diverted to Japan, where Brown, a civilian employee for the U.S. Department of Defense, was pronounced dead.

Only after the flight made its emergency landing did [Browns travel companions] learn that the Korean Air flight personnel had never plugged the oxygen mask into the oxygen tank, according to the complaint. Consequently, during the frantic attempts by passengers to save Ms. Browns life, Ms. Brown never received supplemental oxygen from the oxygen tank provided by Korean Air flight personnel.

Had the cabin crew responded properly, Brown would not have experienced intense physical and emotional pain before dying at the age of 33, the complaint states.

Porscha Tynisha Brown (center), a civilian DoD employee, died while flying to Seoul for a vacation with friends. Brown's mother is now suing Korean Air, accusing the cabin crew of not doing enough to save her (Fort Belvoir Public Affairs)

Attorney Hannah Crowe, who is representing Browns estate in the suit, described her as a really remarkable young woman.

She was at the beginning of her young adulthood, and was a really accomplished and beloved member of her community, Crowe told The Independent.

She said that all airlines have strict policies and procedures for how to respond when passengers have a medical emergency, and to deviate from those protocols is to invite tragedy.

Darren Nicholson, Crowes co-counsel, said he found the circumstances of Browns death particularly disturbing.

What is unusual about this case is that the apparent violations are so bad, it really shocks the conscience how the airline personnel handled this situation, Nicholson told The Independent. There were some very simple things they should have done, that they didnt do.

Korean Air did not respond to a request for comment.

On March 29, 2024, Brown boarded Korean Air flight 94, set to fly from Washington Dulles International Airport to Incheon International Airport in Seoul, South Korea. She was going there on vacation with three friends, according to the complaint in her case, filed March 27 in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Brown, a Maryland native with a masters degree and plans to pursue a doctorate, worked at Fort Belvoir, a U.S. Army installation in Virginia, as a civilian DoD employee, the complaint states. A workplace safety specialist, Brown received an award of excellence from her garrison commander four days before she left for Korea, the complaint continues.

Brown died aboard a flight from DC to Seoul. Her family is now suing Korean Air, alleging the cabin crew failed to provide sufficient medical assistance (US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia)

Around 12 hours into the 15.5-hour flight, Brown  who had just told one of her travel companions that she was feeling fine  got up to go to the restroom, the complaint goes on.

A few minutes later, the complaint says a flight attendant got on the PA and asked if there was a doctor on board. Putting two-and-two together, Browns friends hurried to the back of the plane, where they found Brown on the floor, grasping at her chest while repeating, I cant breathe, according to the complaint.

Korean Air flight personnel handed an oxygen mask to Ms. Brown to place over her face, leading [her friends] to believe that Ms. Brown was receiving oxygen, the complaint states. Despite the mask, Ms. Browns belabored breathing continued and she continued to indicate that she could not breathe.

Several passengers tried to assist, but Brown soon blacked out, the complaint says. Flight personnel fetched a medical kit, and the passenger volunteers gave Brown a shot of an epinephrine, which did not reverse her symptoms.

At this point, the crewmembers brought over the onboard defibrillator and set it down, according to the complaint. However, though they were all trained on how to use the machine, the Korean Air crew did nothing and provided no instructions, it alleges.

Instead, the Good Samaritans were left to figure it out on their own, according to the complaint.

Several times, and in the presence of Korean Air personnel, the machine gave the audio command, [S]hock advised, shock advised, the complaint states. The passengers, who were not trained on the machine, did not know that they needed to press the shock button to administer a shock. Consequently, no lifesaving shock was administered to Ms. Brown.

Brown was headed from DC to Seoul with three friends aboard a Korean Air flight when she collapsed after 12 hours into the trip (AFP via Getty Images)

With the situation getting worse by the second, the captain made an emergency landing in Osaka, Japan, where she was rushed to Rinku General Medical Center and pronounced dead, according to the complaint.

Ms. Browns Japanese death certificate lists her cause of death as acute cardiac failure, it says.

Traumatized, Browns three friends then had to figure out the logistics of getting her remains back to the U.S. from Japan, a country none of them had ever been to before and where they knew no one, Crowe told The Independent.

The global incidence of medical emergencies aboard commercial aircraft runs somewhere between 18.2 per million passengers and 39 per million passengers, or one every 212 flights, depending on the study. Survival rates in the event of cardiac arrest are far lower than those that occur on the ground, a team at the Duke University School of Medicine found.

The potential for a very unfortunate outcome is high because flight crews often lack proper training to deal with these types of situations," attorney Abram Bohrer, who specializes in cases involving airlines but is not involved in Browns lawsuit, told The Independent.

When a person dies mid-flight, International Air Transport Association guidelines say the body should be moved to a seat with few other passengers nearby, if possible, and restrained with a seat belt or other equipment.

Close the eyes, and cover the body with a blanket up to the neck if a body bag is not available, the guidelines suggest.

After Korean Air flight 94 diverted to Osaka, Japan, Brown was rushed to the hospital, where she was pronounced dead, court papers say (Getty Images)

Last year, a couple were reportedly forced to sit beside a corpse aboard a Qatar Airways flight from Melbourne, Australia, to Doha, Qatar, after a fellow passenger died 10 hours into the 14-hour flight and was stored next to them for the remainder.

They tried to wheel her up towards business class, but she was quite a large lady and they couldnt get her through the aisle, traveler Mitchell Ring told an interviewer at the time.

Earlier this month, a woman in her 60s died shortly after takeoff aboard a British Airways flight from Hong Kong to London, and was stashed in a galley until the plane landed at Heathrow some 13 hours later. A foul smell reportedly soon began to waft about the cabin, which was blamed on the galleys heated floor.

In 2024, a Turkish Airlines captain died while piloting a passenger plane from Seattle, Washington, to Istanbul, Turkey, forcing the crew to make an emergency landing in New York. The crew attempted a medical intervention but it was ineffective, Turkish Airlines spokesperson Yahya Ustun wrote on X.

The complaint filed in Browns case says the Korean Air crew violated company policy by not rendering effective aid, and accuses them of waiting too long to declare a medical emergency and not diverting sooner.

As a direct and proximate result Ms. Brown was caused to suffer great pain, distress, agony, and mental anguish, the complaint states.

Browns family, via the administrator of Browns estate, is now seeking damages from Korean Air, to be determined by a jury.
Social media ban for under-16s not the right approach, says Google UK boss

A ban on social media for under-16s is not the right approach and could push children towards more dangerous and unsupervised corners of the internet, Googles UK boss has warned.

Kate Alessi, managing director and vice-president of Google UK and Ireland, told the Press Association the tech giant  which owns YouTube  is not supportive of blanket bans as the Government faces mounting calls to stop children having access to social media.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer signalled at the weekend he was prepared to take action to curb features that keep young people addicted to social media, with the Government currently consulting on an outright ban for under-16s.

A landmark court case in the US last week saw Facebook owner Meta and Google found liable for a womans childhood social media addiction through deliberately designing addictive products, and ordered to pay damages of six million US dollars (4.6 million) between them.

Ms Alessi said Google does not agree with the verdict and plans to appeal.

She said a social media ban is not the answer to childrens online wellbeing and cautioned if countries such as the UK followed the lead of Australia, which introduced a world-first social media ban for under-16s in December, it could have unintended consequences.

Ms Alessi told PA: We dont believe thats the right approach.

We believe blanket bans take choices away from parents and push kids out of supervised spaces.

But she said it was important that appropriate guardrails are in place, with YouTube recently introducing features to help prevent addictive behaviours in children and teenagers, such as timers for its Shorts format, as well as customised Bedtime and Take a break functions.

We want to make sure our products are built to be as safe as possible, Ms Alessi said.

Well work with Government and continue to partner with them as they work through this, she added.

The comments come as Google announced its latest community programme to boost artificial intelligence (AI) knowledge and skills to help Britons progress professionally.

It is launching pop-up hubs across the UK to train people on how to get the best out of AI, including quick win demos on areas such as how to automate admin tasks and use agentic tools to carry out tasks and research, as well as guides on building a social media presence.

The pop-up hubs  called Squeeze the Juice bars  will be based in Leeds, Liverpool and Birmingham and the Governments so-called AI Growth Zones in Oxfordshire, the North East, Wales and Lanarkshire.

The firm is also launching a tour of university campuses nationwide, while it has earmarked nearly 2 million in funding through its Google.org charitable arm to help fund AI initiatives run by social enterprise group Inco, childrens charity Chance and the Good Things Foundation.

Google hopes the programme will uplevel AI use, with recent research commissioned by the firm showing only a quarter of AI users believe they are getting significant value and only one in 10 see themselves as advanced users.

Ms Alessi said: Unlocking real value means moving beyond basic adoption to squeeze the juice from these tools.

With AI Works for Britain, well bring practical AI skills to people in every corner of the UK  from juice bars to Jobcentres  to help them use AI to achieve their goals.
Keir Starmers deal to hand over the Chagos Islands to Mauritius has been dealt another major blow after a judge ruled that islanders expelled in the 1960s have the right to live there.

The landmark court ruling is a further setback to the beleaguered prime minister, whose efforts to resolve the future of the Chagos Islands, which houses the crucial US-UK airbase on Diego Garcia, have been turned against the government, undoing almost six decades of previous legal judgements on the islands.

The deal was already in trouble because of opposition from Donald Trump after a row over whether the US could use the airbase for attacks on Iran, but now, the judgment handed down by Justice James Lewis, the judge for the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Court, could finish off the deal altogether.

Sovereignty of the Chagos Islands have been disputed (U.S. Navy)

The case was brought after four Chagossians occupied one of the islands earlier this year in a bid to reclaim their homes, and the BIOT governor attempted to have them removed.

One of them, Louis Misley Mandarin, who said he was elected first minister of the Chagossian government-in-exile last December, told the court: We are Chagossians... We have long wanted to return, and we had sought permits to visit, but no one answered us, so we have come here to prove we would still like to return.

In his judgement, Justice Lewis overturned a 2004 law for the islands brought in by Tony Blairs government to prevent a return to the islands by Chagossians. He has also reversed previous rulings by the Law Lords on their original removal in the 1960s and 1970s.

He concluded that the governments previous case that there could not be a return to the islands on national security or defence grounds no longer applies because the proposed deal with Mauritius means that the government now accepts the islands can be populated.

He also stated that the cost to the UK taxpayer of the Mauritius deal, which he estimates to be 51bn  higher than any other previous estimate of 35bn over 99 years  means that the argument that it is too costly to enable Chagossians to return has also been invalidated.

Justice Lewis drew on the UKs United Nations obligations to conclude that the islanders have a right of abode on their homeland, which makes it almost impossible to give the islands to Mauritius.

The government has already lodged an appeal against the judgment, which has been granted and will be heard by the BIOT Court of Appeal.

The original decision to negotiate a deal with Mauritius came from a ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was not binding on the UK, but stated that the islands belonged to Mauritius.

However, this ruling was based on Mauritius being the former colonial administration centre for the islands. Other parts of the British Empire that had been administered from Mauritius gained independence because they were populated.

James Tumbridge, the lawyer acting for the Chagossians, has told The Independent: Once a population is established on the islands, it changes the entire legal status and means that they should be looked at as their own entity.

The return of the Chagossians to the islands came in an expedition funded by Reforms biggest donor, Christopher Harborne and led by former Tory MP and Reform defector Adam Holloway.

But in his ruling, Justice Lewis appears to be critical of Nigel Farage and others from Reform, specifically stating that they do not have the right to go to the islands. Mr Farage had tried to join the four Chagossians last month.

In response to the courts ruling, Mr Mandarin said: "Today justice has finally begun to catch up with history. For generations, we have lived with exile, with loss, and with the denial of our most basic rights. This judgment restores not just a legal principle, but our dignity as a people.

"We have returned peacefully to our homeland. We ask only to live, to remember, and to belong. Today, the law has recognised what we have always known, that our connection to these islands cannot be erased."

Mr Tumbridge added: "This judgment shows justice works when people are given the chance to be heard. The decision to forcibly remove British subjects from British land, for the Crown to take away the right of abode, should never have been allowed. Today we can start to right that wrong."

Claire Bullivant, chief executive of the Great British PAC, which has led the campaign supporting the Chagossians, said: "This is a historic victory. For decades, Chagossians have been denied the most basic right, the right to live in their own homeland. Today's judgment confirms that the legal basis for that exclusion cannot stand.

It is hard to overstate the importance of this moment. The government's entire approach to Chagos, built over more than twenty years, has been fundamentally called into question."

Shadow foreign secretary Dame Priti Patel MP said: Keir Starmers 35 billion Chagos Surrender is a complete betrayal. And throughout the process, he has sought to sideline the Chagossian people, treating them as nothing but an inconvenience.

Chagossians, many of whom have no desire to see the islands handed over to an ally of China, ended up taking matters into their own hands. And now this latest humiliation has further undermined the governments case.

Starmer needs to face reality and abandon this appalling deal cooked up by Peter Mandelson and Jonathan Powell.

An FCDO spokesperson said: "We do not agree with this judgment, and we understand the BIOT Administration have appealed it. The government has been clear that we consider the arrival of the Mandarin Group on Ile du Coin to be an irresponsible political stunt that has wasted tax-payers money and put peoples lives at risk."
The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra crisis committee today amid warnings that household energy bills could soar by almost 300 this summer.

Sir Keir Starmer said ministers will look at "making sure that everything that we need to have in place" to respond to the looming economic crisis sparked by the Iran war is set up.

Average energy bills are forecast to rise by 288 from July as soaring wholesale costs caused by conflict in the Middle East are set to push up Ofgem's price cap.

Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdog's price cap from July to September now stands at 1,929 for a typical dual fuel household - an increase of 288 or 18 per cent on April's cap.

Motorists are already counting the cost of the war, with drivers paying 544 million extra for fuel since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began.

The Prime Minister will chair a Cobra meeting (PA Wire)

Iran's selective blockade of the Strait of Hormuz - a vital oil and gas shipping route - and its attacks on the Gulf states has pushed up global energy prices.

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping in the region, a Kuwaiti oil tanker was attacked off the coast of Dubai.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves has already indicated that targeted help for poorer households could be available if bills continue to rise.

There are particular worries about the impact in the autumn, when energy use increases as temperatures drop.

The price most households pay for energy under regulator Ofgem's cap will fall by 117-a-year to 1,641 from Wednesday, driven by the Government's promise to cut bills by an average of 150 by removing green subsidies.

Cargo ships in the Gulf, near the Strait of Hormuz (REUTERS)

Energy consumers minister Martin McCluskey said: "Tackling the affordability crisis is our number one priority and I know many families will be thinking about how events in the Middle East might impact the cost of living at home.

"We will continue to fight people's corner through this crisis and, as the Energy Secretary (Ed Miliband) has said, if it's necessary to intervene, we will."

The costs for homes reliant on heating oil, which are not covered by the Ofgem cap, have already risen significantly.

Government figures showed the average price per litre of standard grade burning oil stood at 104.1p in March, nearly double the average in February (53.5p) and the highest monthly figure since official data began in January 1989.

The Government has announced a 53 million package of support for heating oil customers.
Adrian Dennis/WPA

Has there ever been a British government less aware of our national interest, less willing to fight for it, or more lacking in ideas or simple spine than that led by Sir Keir Starmer?

Nowhere have the Prime Ministers defects been clearer than in his handling of foreign affairs. Every time Sir Keir takes the international stage, we seem to find ourselves humiliated and taken advantage of by countries with far cannier negotiators than a former human rights lawyer who still believes the world runs on legal fables.

The Chagos debacle is perhaps the perfect example of these failures, tying together three of Sir Keirs most foolish obsessions. The Left-wing obsession with so-called decolonisation, combined with a particular supremacist view of international law, led the Prime Minister to negotiate a humiliating surrender of an island chain Britain could quite easily have held on to indefinitely.

In doing so, he has placed a prized British military asset at risk. Irans failed missile attack on Diego Garcia, and its greater luck in applying pressure to closer installations, have underlined the strategic value of the air base as a safe harbour for air assets conducting operations in the Middle East.

Yet Sir Keir has managed to undercut the legal status and long-term security of this base, and in the process somehow agreed to fork out 35bn of taxpayers money to the Mauritian government. It is unusual, to say the least, for the state acquiring territory to demand a handsome sum for doing so, but Sir Keir somehow managed to make sure that Britain found itself on the losing end of this arrangement.

The naivete with which Sir Keir approached this matter has been repeated in his dealings with the European Union, which is slowly drawing the United Kingdom back into its regulatory orbit as the Labour Government signs up to alignment deals in its attempt to undo Brexit. The Prime Minister has made little secret of his desperation to find some impetus for economic growth, and Brussels has seized on his weakness to its own advantage.

Now we find that it is doing so again over the Chagos Islands. The treaty has not yet been ratified, but the European Commission is already working out how best to open the 640,000 square kilometres surrounding the archipelago to its trawlers. The result, in the words of Reform leader Nigel Farage, would be to open the worlds largest marine protected area to an EU fleet already engaged in rapacious destruction of West African fisheries.

It is a remarkable turn of events. A Government which emphasises its green credentials when it comes to blocking production of North Sea gas and oil, and the revenue and energy security those supplies could deliver, is willing to look the other way when it comes to Brussels pillaging the stocks of what one professor called a genetic lifeboat that the Indian Ocean desperately needs to survive a warming climate.

It serves only to underline the one consistent thread in Sir Keir Starmers premiership: no matter what issue he finds himself confronted with, no matter the constraints he is operating under, the Prime Minister will find a way to make sure Britains interests are undermined.
Strictly Come Dancing professionals including Vito Coppola and Amy Dowden are among the stars who have paid tribute to Michelle Tsiakkas after the news that she has stepped down from the show.

The 30-year-old made the emotional announcement on Instagram on Tuesday and said she had hoped to have more time on the BBC dancing competition.

The Cyprus-born dancer also revealed that she had made the very hard decision to pull out from the upcoming Strictly: The Professionals tour.

Speaking about the tour, which kicks off in May, she wrote: I was really looking forward to performing for you all and sharing the stage with my friends, but I know that right now I wouldnt have been able to give you my very best, and you deserve the best.

Tsiakkas said Strictly is a show Ill always hold close to my heart, and beneath the post she wrote: A chapter ends, but a new one begins. Forever grateful for your love and support.

She was partnered with former EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick during her four-year tenure on the show.

Tsiakkas also danced with Westlife star Brian McFadden for a one-off performance during last years Christmas special.

Her departure comes after fellow professional dancers Karen Hauer, Nadiya Bychkova and Luba Mushtuk announced they were leaving the show.

Luba Mushtuk was the most recent dancer to leave the show (Ian West/PA) (Ian West)

Coppola, who has been a professional dancer on Strictly since 2022, was among the stars offering their support in the comments beneath Tsiakkass post.

The 33-year-old Italian wrote: We love you Mish. You are an amazing person, so talented and a beautiful soul. Proud to be your friend. Cannot wait to see you keep shining. You can always count on me, as real friendship never dies.

Welsh dancer Dowden, who has been on the show since 2017, said: Sending you all the love darling.

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, who came fourth in the latest series of the show, wrote: You are such a beautiful dancer and human, Michelle.

Doors will open, new opportunities will come. And, I for one will be following and supporting your journey. Sending you love, always.

Other celebrities to comment included Tsiakkass Strictly co-stars, professional dancers Johannes Radebe and Nancy Xu and judge Motsi Mabuse.

She was also praised in a post on the BBC Strictly Instagram page for her talent, dedication and energy during her time on the show.

The broadcaster wrote: Thank you to Michelle Tsiakkas for everything she has brought to Strictly Come Dancing over the past four series.

During her time on the show, Michelle has delivered some excellent performances, whether in the series group routines, alongside guest music artists, or with celebrity partners across the main series and the Christmas special whom she has always taught with professionalism, respect and kindness.

Her talent, dedication and energy have been much appreciated, and everyone wishes her all the very best for what comes next.
Donald Trump launched another scathing attack on the UK over the Iran war, telling Britain and other countries who are not doing more to support the US war effort to go get your own oil and secure the Strait of Hormuz themselves.

In a fresh tirade against the UK and other allies over a refusal to join the US-Israeli offensive, the US President also warned the countries to start learning how to fight for yourself because America wont be there to help you anymore, just like you weren't there for us.

Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil!, he wrote on his Truth Social social media platform.

Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, reiterated Trumps comments, calling on countries around the world  to be prepared to join the mission to reopen the waterway.

Its not just the US navy, last time I checked there was meant to be a big, bad Royal Navy to help as well, he said in an apparent mocking of the British armed forces.

The latest US attacks on Britains response to the war comes after Sir Keir Starmer repeated his pledge to not involve the UK in a potential ground invasion of Iran.

The comments also came in the wake of reports in the Wall Street Journal that Trump would be willing to end the US military campaign even if Iran maintains its stranglehold over the strait, a vital shipping route for global oil and gas supplies.

Iran's effective blockade of Hormuz and its attacks on the Gulf states have pushed up global energy prices.

Trump has hit out at allies over the Strait of Hormuz (ES Composite)

The global benchmark brent crude oil price hit $119 (90) per barrel on Tuesday, close to its highest since the start of the US-Israel war with Iran.

Rising oil and gas prices are hitting UK consumers. The Prime Minister chaired a meeting of the Cobra crisis committee on Tuesday to consider the impact on households and the wider economy from soaring energy costs.

President Trump wrote in his post: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.

The President's comments came less than an hour before Buckingham Palace announced the King and Queen will make a state visit to the US in late April, giving an indication of the diplomatic tensions Charles and Camilla will have to navigate during the visit.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey later announced Britain plans to send additional air defence equipment and troops to help its allies in the Middle East as as he visited Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain.

Sir Keir said ministers will look at "making sure that everything that we need to have in place" to respond to the looming economic crisis sparked by the Iran war is set up.

Average energy bills are forecast to rise by 288 from July as soaring wholesale costs caused by conflict in the Middle East are set to push up Ofgem's price cap.

Cornwall Insight said its prediction for the watchdog's price cap from July to September now stands at 1,929 for a typical dual fuel household - an increase of 288 or 18 per cent on April's cap.

Motorists are already counting the cost of the war, with drivers paying 544 million extra for fuel since the US-Israeli bombing campaign began.

UK airlines are not experiencing disruption to their supply of jet fuel, industry association Airlines UK said.

A spokesperson said: "UK airlines are currently not seeing disruption to jet fuel supply and continue to engage with fuel suppliers and Government to monitor the situation.

However the last shipment of jet fuel in transit from the Middle East to the UK is due to arrive this week, according to data firm Vortexa.

In the latest sign of the risk to shipping in the region a Kuwaiti oil tanker a loaded Kuwaiti crude oil tanker was struck in an Iranian attack while anchored off Dubai, officials said, with the warning of a potential environmental catastrophe.

President Trump posted a video on Truth Social showing a large explosion in the Strait of Hormuz. However, the post included no caption, and it remains unconfirmed whether the footage depicts the fire onboard the Kuwaiti oil tanker.

President Donald Trump posted the uncaptioned video (realDonaldTrump/Truth Social)

Authorities said the vessel sustained hull damage after being hit, sparking a fire and raising concerns over a potential oil spill.

Emergency crews have since brought the blaze under control and are assessing the extent of the damage.

The incident marks the latest escalation in a series of maritime attacks in the Gulf and Strait of Hormuz since the US and Israel attacked Iran on February 28.

The Kuwaiti Petroleum Company said the tanker, Al Salmi, was fully loaded.

The vessel is huge, with a capacity of two billion barrels, so if an oil spill did occur the environmental impact would be catastrophic.

However, in an update on Tuesday morning, the Dubai media office confirmed there had been no leakage from the Kuwaiti crude oil tanker.

Dubai authorities confirm that response teams have successfully contained the incident involving the Kuwaiti oil tanker in Dubai waters, with no oil leakage and no injuries reported, it said on X.

No injuries were reported in the blaze and all 24 crew members are safe, authorities confirmed.
London-Based Arcas Agentic Partners with Seekr to Bring Trusted AI to European Mid-Market Ahead of EU AI Act Enforcement

LONDON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Seekr, a leader in explainable and trustworthy AI, and Arcas, a London-based AI solutions firm specializing in secure, governed, and explainable AI for mid-sized European organizations, today announced a strategic partnership to deliver explainable AI applications to enterprise customers in the EU operating in sovereign EU critical infrastructure environments. The partnership positions Seekr to capture growing European demand for AI systems that can explain their decisions, are auditable, and support AI governance under incoming regulatory requirements.

The announcement comes as the EU AI Act begins phased enforcement in August 2026, requiring AI systems deployed in a professional capacity to provide explanations for automated decisions. Seekr's dual-use technology serves highly regulated commercial and government environments, enabling organizations to trace AI outputs back to specific training data and run models entirely on European infrastructure using their own data.

Arcas customers are seeing immediate, measurable impact using SeekrFlow, Seekr's AI Operating System, deployed directly in their sovereign environments. A legal publisher in Luxembourg achieved a 78% reduction in manual review time using Seekr's automated content database summaries. A regulatory advisory firm serving European fund managers cut compliance research time by 65%, with every response linked to source documentation for instant verification, all running within their own infrastructure.

"Simply put: there is no governance or ability to audit AI systems without true explainability and transparency. Seekr's platform was built for environments where every decision demands an explanation; European firms facing the EU AI Act need those same capabilities, deployed within the security and confidentiality of their own sovereign AI datacenters," said Rob Clark, President of Seekr. "We are excited to partner with Arcas to bring explainable AI to their customers, allowing them to move faster with AI while providing all the guardrails they need."

"In Europe, the regulatory bar for AI is here. Firms have a relentless demand for AI, but scaling it effectively means being able to defend every output to regulators," said Chiara Buck, Co-Founder of Arcas Agentic. "Seekr's technology has made that possible. We are proud to partner with Seekr to deliver explainable AI solutions to our customers and move at the pace they demand."

Unlike general-purpose AI models from US cloud providers, SeekrFlow enables European firms to run fine-tuned AI models on their own infrastructure, including private or public EU clouds, while maintaining full visibility into decision-making. Built-in evaluators automatically select the right foundation model for each use case from the start, while verification tools continuously test and validate model accuracy, without the need to hire a dedicated team to do it manually. Seekr's attribution framework, including data attribution and context attribution, ensures every AI-generated output can point to the specific training documents that influenced it, meeting EU AI Act transparency requirements for high-risk applications.

About Seekr

Seekr is a leader in explainable, defensible AI built for critical decisions in environments that demand accuracy and accountability. Seekr's technology and products help enterprises and government agencies deploy domain-specific large language models (LLMs), vision language models (VLMs) that understand the physical world, and AI agents trained on their own data  across any infrastructure, including sovereign deployments. Backed by robust verification and validation tools that surface the provenance and intent behind every model decision, Seekr delivers AI that organizations can audit and defend across all modalities.

About Arcas

Arcas is an AI solutions partner that builds and deploys secure, governed, and explainable AI for mid-sized EU organisations. Arcas focuses on end-to-end implementation  from use case definition through to production deployment  with a specialisation in regulated industries and complex document environments. Arcas operates on European infrastructure and is committed to AI that is both powerful and trustworthy. Learn More.

Media Contact:

[email protected]

SOURCE Seekr Technologies
Dustin Burrows takes parliamentary inquiries from during a special session at the Texas state capitol in Austin on 20 August 2025. Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images (Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images)

The speaker of Texass house of representatives says he is entertaining the idea of expanding the state by annexing some New Mexico counties.

Dustin Burrows, who has been the chambers speaker since 2025, ordered a state legislative committee on 26 March to look into the legal and economic options to add one or more contiguous counties of New Mexico to the state of Texas.

The office of the New Mexico governor, Michelle Lujan Grisham, and some of her fellow state Democratic politicians summarily dismissed the idea, with Lujan Grishams office saying it is not a serious proposal.

Burrows set off the controversy by issuing an order to establish a new committee to study whether counties in the south-eastern part of New Mexico could be annexed.

For years, south-eastern New Mexico counties have pointed to political differences between themselves and the states capital, Democratic-led Santa Fe.

In January, representatives from one of those counties, Lea county, introduced a legislative amendment that would allow voters to decide to secede from the state. Lea county has claimed that cultural and political differences with Santa Fe make it more apt to join Texas.

When that amendment was introduced, Burrows publicly supported the idea, posting on social media that Texas would gladly welcome Lea county back to Texas, where it rightfully belongs.

In the 1830s, when Texas seceded from Mexico and briefly became an independent country, it also took much of what is modern-day New Mexico under its dominion.

The pro-secession amendment proposed in New Mexico has since been postponed indefinitely.

Burrows proposal from 26 March formed a legislative committee tasked with studying the constitutional, statutory, fiscal, and economic implications of adding to Texas one or more contiguous counties of New Mexico.

Javier Martinez, the Democratic speaker of New Mexicos house of representatives, was among politicians in his state to criticize Burrows proposal, which called to mind the rhetoric Donald Trump has pushed throughout his second presidency of annexing Greenland for the US.

I suggest that Speaker Burrows get offline, touch some grass, and get his own house in order, Martinez said. I am certain Texans would much rather see their elected leaders come up with real solutions to the soaring healthcare, grocery, and energy prices brought on by the reckless actions of  Trump and his Republican friends in Washington DC. Were good.

In another statement published by the news station KOAT in Albuquerque, a gubernatorial spokesperson also dismissed Burrows push.

We have every intention of keeping the great state of New Mexico fully intact, said Michael Coleman, the communications director for Lujan Grisham. This is not a serious proposal, but Texas can study it all they want.
Almost a third of people eligible for bowel screening in England do not complete their test, according to a charity.

Bowel Cancer UK said that while great work has been done to improve screening uptake, there is still room for improvement.

Bowel cancer screening was introduced in England in 2006.

People aged 50 to 74 are sent a stool sample kit  known as the faecal immunochemical test (Fit)  which looks for blood in the stool.

The sample is collected at home the returned by post.

NHS home use bowel cancer screening test kit (Alamy/PA)

Bowel Cancer UK examined the latest screening data from NHS integrated care boards (ICBs) and found that the national uptake average for the programme in England was 71 per cent, meaning 29 per cent of people do not complete their tests.

NHS Devon ICB had the highest screening uptake at 76 per cent, while NHS North West London ICB has the lowest uptake at 56 per cent.

All the ICBs in greater London also fell below 71 per cent.

Genevieve Edwards, chief executive of Bowel Cancer UK, urged anyone who receives their bowel cancer screening test to complete it and return it as soon as possible.

She said: While theres been great work to date when it comes to people taking part in bowel cancer screening, these figures show that theres still room to improve screening uptake even further.

Bowel cancer is the UKs fourth most common cancer, but screening is one of the best ways to spot the disease early or remove polyps that might develop into cancer.

The earlier bowel cancer is found, the more treatable its likely to be, with more than nine in 10 people surviving the disease when diagnosed at the earliest stage.

Bowel cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer in the UK - but many people do not know the signs or about the screening process.

Talking about bowel movements is still often viewed as a taboo for many people, but letting a doctor know about any unusual changes is crucial to spotting anything serious early.

Common signs include blood in the stool, changes in how your bowels are working, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss and bloating can indicate something is wrong with your bowels.
Travelodge boss Jo Boydell answered questions on BBC Breakfast Monday morning (BBC Breakfast/PA Wire)

A woman who was sexually assaulted at a Travelodge said it is quite shocking the boss of the hotel chain cancelled a meeting with MPs.

The survivor, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was attacked by Kyran Smith in December 2022 after he had been given a key card to her room by the hotels reception

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wrote to the companys chief executive, Jo Boydell, saying he was very concerned after she cancelled a meeting with MPs about the utterly appalling assault.

Asked for her reaction to the letter, the survivor told ITVs Good Morning Britain (GMB): I think if you are the CEO of a company, then you have a responsibility to answer these questions and engage in that situation, and say how youre going to now improve.

Youre not protecting people and I mean, I personally find it quite shocking.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has written to Jo Boydell after her scheduled meeting with MPs was cancelled (PA Wire)

In a separate interview with BBC News, the woman said of the chief executive: If youre really that worried about safeguarding and protecting people and like making sure your guests are safe, then why are you not attending, you know, these kind of meetings with MPs?

Ms Boydell apologised to the victim in a statement earlier in March, and said the company had made immediate changes to its door key policy.

She repeated her apologies in interviews with ITV and the BBC, telling the latter she was genuinely sorry for the companys handling of the incident.

The survivor said suggestions from the chief executive there had been deadbolts on the doors were deflection, and she knew she had locked her door on the night of the attack.

Speaking to GMB, Ms Boydell said of the woman: Im really sorry if she did feel dismissed, and we are definitely listening to what she has to say.

The hotels with key cards have deadbolts, but clearly something went wrong here, and that needs to be investigated.

Ms Boydell said she was aware of other instances of unwanted people entering customers rooms, and had only found out about Smiths assault this month after he was jailed more than three years on from the attack.

She said: Weve certainly heard of other instances, different to this one, in terms of not keys being obtained by deception, but you know, any instance of somebody entering a customers room that they havent given explicit permission to, we understand, would be upsetting.

Jo Boydell, Travelodge chief executive, said on various broadcasts Monday morning she was genuinely sorry for the companys handling of the incident. (Travelodge)

She added: Weve made some changes immediately in terms of how we handle serious incidents.

I would have expected it to be escalated. It wasnt, so something went wrong.

The chief executive said she can completely understand that the survivor felt insulted after she was initially offered 30 in compensation by Travelodge.

The woman is taking legal action against the hotel chain, according to the BBC.

Before the attack, Smith, from Staines in Surrey, had lied to reception staff at the hotel in Maidenhead, Berkshire, telling them he was the victims boyfriend.

He had been at the same party as the woman before they and others retired to their rooms.

The woman said staff told her Smith had passed their security checks by providing her name.

Smith was jailed in February for seven-and-a-half years following the assault.

Earlier this month, MPs were told they can take part in an independent review into Travelodges room security measures  which will be led by barrister Paul Greaney KC.

The review, which will involve a leading violence against women and girls expert, will examine room security procedures and how the incident was handled, according to Ms Boydell.
Trump admin shuts down Greg Bovinos social media accounts after he refused to hand them back: report

Former Customs and Border Patrol "commander at large" Greg Bovino has had all of his official government social media accounts shut down after he refused to turn them over to the federal government, according to a new report.

Bovino became the face of President Donald Trump's anti-immigration raids in so-called sanctuary cities in 2025, and built a social media presence around his self-administered commander-at-large title. He stepped down from his role after nationwide backlash to Trumps immigration raids and the shooting deaths of two protesters, Alex Pretti and Renee Good.

Bovino was active on social media, especially X, but also on Facebook and Instagram, which together had some 850,000 followers. After taking over as "commander at large" of the agents sent into Los Angeles to conduct immigrant raids, he began posting flash social media videos hyping up the actions of ICE and Border Patrol agents while infuriating advocates for immigrant communities and those who had been on the receiving end of DHS enforcement.

The accounts he used to promote himself and the agencies actually belonged to the Border Patrol's El Centro, California, regional office.

On Thursday, the accounts were shuttered, according to a Washington Examiner report.

Former U.S. Border Patrol El Centro Sector Chief Greg Bovino with masked Department of Homeland Security agents in Chicago, Illinois. His social media accounts, which belong to the U.S. government, were seized after his retirement despite his wishes to keep them (Reuters)

Chief Patrol Agent Bovino has retired from federal service and no longer has access to official government social media accounts, a spokesperson from U.S. Customs and Border Protection wrote in an email to the Examiner on Friday.

The outlet spoke to five people familiar with the conflict between Bovino and the federal government over the social media account.

One source told the Examiner that Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott gave Bovino a direct order to return the pages/accounts names to reflect El Centro Sector and that new accounts would be created.

Bovino was reportedly upset because he believed he had grown the account and that the followers were there for him, not for the El Centro Sector. He wanted to keep his social media follower count high.

Bovino refused, arguing that the followers were his. He said he earned the followers and that his followers expected him to post from new cities, the source said. It was all about Greg Bovino getting attention and nothing else.

On August 4, Bovino posted an announcement on his accounts, noting that he was changing the name of an official government account to reflect his role.

"The @USBPChiefELC Facebook page will be changing names to 'Gregory K. Bovino, Commander-Operation At Large CA' - @CommanderOpAtLargeCA," he wrote at the time. "Moving forward, all content posted here will be related to Operation at Large in Los Angeles, CA."

No other Border Patrol region chief has ever renamed a regional social media account to reflect their persona assignment.

Another source told the Examiner that when Bovino was told to give up the accounts, he said, "Those are my followers, so I'm taking them with me."

Corey Lewandowski, President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign manager and a special employee for former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, allegedly protected Bovino from CBP's push to reclaim his social media, according to the sources.

Corey prevented the Commissioner from taking any action against Bovino, so that just empowered Bovino and his ego even more, a third source told the paper. Ever wonder why [Border Patrol] put boats on the river in Chicago? Bovino was willing to make agents literal sitting ducks just for the photo op.

A U.S. Customs and Border Patrol boat in the Chicago River in 2020 (U.S. Border Patrol)

While Bovino was dabbling as a social media influencer, the El Centro region was left without an account to post news about developments there. The CBP allowed it to create three new accounts  one on Facebook, one on X, and one on Instagram  to post updates. But that meant starting fresh with zero followers and thus a diminished ability to share news widely.

An official claimed that Bovino's decision to take the social media account for himself "damaged" the El Centro region's ability to communicate with the public and the media.

Bovino left his "commander at large" role after the fatal shootings of two protesters by DHS agents in Minnesota. He retired two months later.

The Independent has requested comment from Bovino.
Donald Trump shows an illustration of the White Houses new East Wing to reporters on Air Force One - Mark Schiefelbein/AP

Donald Trump has revealed that the US military is building a massive complex beneath the new ballroom at the White House.

Last October, the president gave his approval for a wing to be bulldozed to make way for a ballroom to host receptions and state dinners.

Mr Trump, alongside other donors, is paying privately for the project. Its budget has doubled from $200m (160m) to $400m.

The military is building a massive complex under the ballroom, and thats under construction, and were doing very well, so were ahead of schedule, Mr Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One on Sunday.

Its part of it, the ballroom essentially becomes a shed for whats being built under the military [complex] including [protection] from drones and including from any other thing. The glass on the windows is extremely thick  its high-grade bulletproof glass.

Without elaborating further on the proposals, he said information about the plan had emerged because of a stupid lawsuit that was filed.

Construction cranes for the new ballroom at the White House - Julia Demaree Nikhinson/AP

Showing reporters an illustration of the new White House ballroom, Mr Trump said: We just got these in from the architects. A lot of people are talking about how beautiful the ballroom is.

For 150 years, theyve wanted to build a ballroom at the White House, and other presidents have wanted it [for] when we have dignitaries coming, like President Xi of China, or anybody else, and we have very small rooms that are not big enough to handle the kind of capacity that you need.

This [the ballroom] is the same height as the White House  its an incredible fitting. I think itll be the finest ballroom of its kind anywhere in the world.

A lot of people are giving it really good reviews, some are giving it reviews without even seeing the building, because these pictures just came out today.

An illustration of how the ballroom will look - McCrery Architects/White House

Mr Trump said he was so busy that he thought it would be easier to reveal the illustrations on Air Force One.

He continued: I dont have time to do this. Im fighting wars and other things. But this is important because this is going to be with us for a long time.

The US president has previously been criticised over the plans. Hillary Clinton, his former presidential rival, wrote on social media that he was destroying the White House, which was not his house.

An architects drawing shows how the new East Wing would dwarf the main White House building - McCrery Architects/White House

However, Mr Trump has long complained that the East Room, the propertys largest entertaining space, is not big enough. It holds about 200 people, meaning that guests for state dinners have to be seated in a marquee on the White House lawn or in overflow rooms.

He has said the ballroom will cover 90,000 sq ft and accommodate up to 1,000 people.

The design has proven controversial. It will dwarf the executive residence of the White House and block the view from the main building from Capitol Hill down Pennsylvania Avenue.

In October, the president sacked all six members of the Commission of Fine Arts who were reviewing the ballroom proposals. A White House official suggested he wanted members who were more aligned with his America First policies.

No firm completion date for the ballroom project has been given, but the White House has said it will be long before the end of Mr Trumps term.

The National Capital Planning Commission is scheduled to take a final vote on approving the plan on Thursday. It was unanimously approved by another panel, the Commission of Fine Arts, after being discussed for 12 minutes.

Eager to leave his mark on the US capital, Mr Trump has also renamed a performance venue as the Trump-Kennedy Center, and plans to build a grand arch in Washington inspired by the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Donald Trump said he could blow up Irans electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island - Mark Schiefelbein/AP Photo

Donald Trump said he was willing to end the Iran war without a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

The US president, with no concrete signs of a diplomatic breakthrough, suggested that if negotiations collapsed, he would obliterate Irans energy and water facilities, but leave the vital waterway under Iranian control.

He wrote on his Truth Social platform: Great progress has been made but, if for any reason a deal is not shortly reached, which it probably will be, and if the Hormuz Strait is not immediately Open for Business, we will conclude our lovely stay in Iran by blowing up and completely obliterating all of their electric generating plants, oil wells and Kharg Island (and possibly all desalinisation plants!)...

The comments suggest the US could abandon the war in Iran without finding a way to reinstate freedom of navigation in the Gulf, presumed to be a key war goal.

The US president suggested that he could end the war without reopening the Strait of Hormuz

Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, appeared to reiterate the presidents remarks, saying on Monday that the US was working to reopen the strait but she failed to list it as one of four core objectives in the war.

In his post, Mr Trump did not repeat earlier threats to land troops on Kharg Island or other parts of southern Iran to reopen the crucial sea lane by force.

The White House is under growing pressure to resolve the conflict, which has triggered a global energy crisis. But the president is also aware that deploying American troops could be costly and sap his personal approval ratings further.

On Saturday, a US marine expeditionary unit with the USS Tripoli arrived in the Middle East, while a second unit attached to the USS Boxer is on its way. Together, they comprise about 5,000 assault troops.

Hundreds of special forces soldiers have been mobilised.

Pakistan is trying to broker talks between the US and Iran, despite huge gaps between their public positions.

Ms Leavitt told reporters that Iran had a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make a deal with the US by abandoning its nuclear ambitions.

She insisted the Iranian regime was increasingly eager to come to the negotiating table despite its public posturing. If it did not, she warned, it would pay a grave price and face the full force of the US military.

Iranian firefighters clear rubble in northern Tehran - AFP via Getty

Hinting at a potential hurdle in peace talks, Ms Leavitt said the US was still working out exactly whos in charge of Iran as much of its senior leadership has been killed by air strikes.

On March 16, after Britain and other Western allies snubbed Mr Trumps call to contribute warships to reopen the strait, he said: Maybe we shouldnt even be there at all, because we dont need it [oil].

However, more recently he has appeared to focus on the importance of reopening the strait by diplomacy or force.

Diplomatic sources told The Telegraph that Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, presented a plan for a multinational consortium to take over management of the Strait of Hormuz to G7 foreign ministers last week.

Under the proposal to end the war, Mr Rubio stressed there would be no fees, and free circulation through the key shipping route, according to one interpretation of his intervention.

However, details have emerged of proposals sent to the White House to reopen the strait with a Panama Canal-style fee structure.

Pakistani sources told Reuters that Turkey, Egypt and Saudi Arabia could form a consortium to manage oil flows through the waterway, and had asked Pakistan to participate.

Ships which pass through the Suez Canal must pay a special toll determined by their weight, size and consignments.

Sources said the consortium proposal had been discussed with the US and Iran.

Mr Trumps latest threat to blow up Irans energy infrastructure comes amid a self-imposed embargo on such attacks until April 6.

After air strikes over the weekend left parts of Iran with power cuts, and the Islamic Republic responded by attacking Kuwaiti power and water desalination facilities, it is unclear to what extent that restraint still holds.

An assessment by an Iranian news agency affiliated with the regimes Revolutionary Guards argued that an immediate end to the war that left Tehran in control of the Strait of Hormuz was the USs least costly option.

Smoke rises from buildings in Tehran after US and Israeli attacks on Sunday night - Xinhua/Shutterstock

Christopher Hill, the former US ambassador to Iraq, told The Telegraph that the US and Iran appeared locked in maximalist positions.

The US had excessive confidence after seizing Venezuelas Nicolas Maduro in January, while Irans leaders had an overblown opinion about their accomplishments, he said.

Its easy to start a war, said Mr Hill, the state departments top negotiator in the talks that led to the end of the Bosnian war.

One party can do that, but it always takes two parties to end it.
Marco Rubio at the Bourget airport outside Paris, France, on Friday. Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/Reuters (Photograph: Brendan Smialowski/Reuters)

The United States has directed every American embassy and consulate across the world to launch coordinated campaigns against foreign propaganda and endorses Elon Musks Twitter/X as an innovative tool to help do it.

The cable, signed by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, on Monday and obtained by the Guardian, also suggests embassies and consulates work alongside the US militarys psychological operations unit to address the problem of rampant disinformation. It lays out a sweeping set of instructions for how embassy staff should push back against what it describes as coordinated foreign efforts to undermine American interests abroad.

The cable also endorses Musks platform X by name  specifically its Community Notes feature  as an innovative and crowdsourced instrument to cull disinformation in countering anti-American propaganda operations without compromising free speech or privacy.

It comes as the United States is at war with Iran, whose government has for decades operated one of the worlds most sophisticated and prolific state disinformation apparatuses, and as Russian and Chinese influence operations continue to target American allies across Europe, Asia and Latin America.

US directs its embassies to wage campaign against foreign hostility  with Musks help

The cable, signed by the secretary of state, Marco Rubio, tells diplomatic offices to coordinate their work with the Department of Wars Psychological Operations  the military unit more commonly known as Miso, or Military Information Support Operations, formerly Psyop, which is part of the Pentagon.

Read the full story

Trump appears to relax de facto oil blockade on Cuba as Russian oil tanker arrives

Donald Trump has signalled a new flexibility in allowing oil into Cuba, hours before a Russian oil tanker under US sanctions arrived in the Caribbean island amid a de facto oil blockade imposed by Washington.

Speaking to reporters onboard Air Force One, the US president said: If a country wants to send some oil into Cuba, right now, I have no problem whether its Russia or not.

Read the full story

Trump to revoke protections for endangered species in Gulf of Mexico

Donald Trump is dispatching a so-called God squad of top officials to revoke protections for endangered species in the Gulf of Mexico, purportedly to protect national security by expanding oil and gas industry operations.

If successful, the administration may kill off dozens of protected species  from Rices whales and whooping cranes to sea turtles.

Read the full story

TSA employees receive back pay after Trumps executive order

The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued its employees back pay on Monday, after Donald Trump signed an order for them to be paid even as a partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security drags on, with no end in sight.

Read the full story

Trump threatens to obliterate Irans energy grid if ceasefire not reached shortly

Donald Trump has threatened to obliterate Irans power stations and fresh water plants if Tehran does not agree to peace terms shortly, even as he claimed diplomatic progress in ending the war that was instigated by the US and Israel.

Read the full story

Two-year-old held by ICE sick and not getting adequate care, Democrat warns

A two-year-old detained in a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, is sick and not getting adequate help, said Joaquin Castro, a Democratic congressman from San Antonio. The boy, Kaleth, has a fever and is not eating the food served at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention center, which Castro said detainees have complained of having mold and worms.

Read the full story

US judge calls aspects of new Pentagon press policy weird

Federal judge Paul Friedman seemed skeptical of the new press policy implemented by the Pentagon last week, calling aspects of it weird and Kafkaesque. Friedman struck down key aspects of the previously implemented Pentagon media policy on 20 March, but at the latest hearing on Monday stopped short of ruling on a motion filed by the New York Times to force compliance of his decision.

Read the full story

What else happened today:

Catching up? Heres what happened Sunday 29 March.
Trump releases his vision of a skyscraper presidential library with gold escalator and no books in sight

President Donald Trump has unveiled plans for his proposed presidential library in Miami, Florida, sharing a video of a towering waterfront skyscraper that closely resembles existing commercial Trump buildings.

Over the past six months, I have poured my heart and soul into this project with my incredible team at [The Trump Organization], the presidents son, Eric Trump, wrote on X. This landmark on the water in Miami, Florida will stand as a lasting testament to an amazing man, an amazing developer, and the greatest President our Nation has ever known.

The mock-up, created by Florida-based firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, shows a sleek skyscraper with a red, white and blue spire and the word Trump in large illuminated letters above an American flag.

The library, which also bears a resemblance to New York Citys One World Trade Center, is set to have the presidential 747 jet gifted to Trump by Qatar on display.

Other touches include a gold escalator, like the one in Trump Tower in New York that the Republican rode down to announce his 2016 presidential campaign, and a gold statue of the president raising his arm, appearing to model his defiant pose after surviving an assassination attempt in 2024.

The mock-up, created by Florida-based firm Bermello Ajamil & Partners, shows a sleek skyscraper with a red, white and blue spire and the word Trump in large illuminated letters above an American flag (Trumplibrary.org)

The plans, which appear to be AI-generated, include replicas of the Oval Office and the presidents under-construction White House ballroom.

The Independent has contacted the presidents library foundation and Bermello Ajamil for comment.

Gold, gold and more gold

The video reveals gold covering much of the 47-story tower, intended to mark Trumps election as the 47th president.

The entrances to the building feature a large gold arch, a presidential seal and the words Donald J. Trump Presidential Library written in gold across the skyscrapers concrete platform.

Gold can be seen covering much of the massive tower and surrounding both of its entrances (Trumplibrary.org)

The plans, which appear to be AI-generated, include replicas of the Oval Office and the presidents under-construction White House ballroom (Trumplibrary.org)

The mock-up also shows a banner hanging on one side of the building, depicting Trump along with the words Make America Proud Again.

Another clip appears to show highlight reels of Trump being projected along the side of the skyscraper, which is set to be located downtown next to Miamis historic Freedom Tower.

Air Force One on display

Other clips of the library appear to show Air Force One on display, in a setting similar to the Air Force One Pavilion at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library, as well as several other aircraft.

Trump has previously said that the luxury 747 he was gifted by Qatar would go to his presidential library once he leaves office.

The library plans also feature a display of the presidential 747 jet gifted to Trump by Qatar (Trumplibrary.org)

The library, set to be located downtown next to Miamis historic Freedom Tower, may climb as high as 47 stories, to mark Trumps election as the 47th president (Trumplibrary.org)

Images of the plans show shiny golden escalators inside the building, allowing visitors to take in the presidential plane from different floors.

One clip also appears to show the plane positioned behind massive windows, making it a sight to be seen even from the street below.

Other clips show visitors dressed in ballgowns and tuxedos, milling around the aircraft.

Trump-themed theater, replicas of Oval Office and White House ballroom

The plans also appear to include a modern-looking theater or lecture hall, as well as replicas of the Oval Office and the White House ballroom, which is under construction.

A modern-looking theater or lecture hall can be seen in the promotional video, complete with a massive gold statue of Trump holding his fist in the air (Trumplibrary.org)

The plan also seems to include a recreation of Trumps Oval Office (Trumplibrary.org)

The video also shows a massive ballroom that appears to be a recreation of the one currently under construction at the White House (Trumplibrary.org)

The video briefly shows a packed room of visitors appearing to listen to someone speaking behind a podium. The speaker in the clip is standing in front of a massive gold statue of Trump, which is positioned in front of a wall of windows.

On one side of the theater, the presidential seal appears to be projected onto the wall, while on the other side is an image of Trump holding up his fist.

The video then shows a replica of Trumps Presidential Hall of Fame, as well as a recreation of his Oval Office.

The plan also shows a lavish ballroom teeming with guests in formal attire, seemingly recreating the White House ballroom that Trump is in the midst of constructing.

How is the library being funded?

Congressional Democrats are probing how the library project is being funded. Media companies that settled lawsuits with Trump around the time of the 2024 election transferred at least $63 million into a library-related fund that dissolved last year.

Trump also shared a link for people to donate to the librarys foundation (Trumplibrary.org)

Media companies that settled lawsuits with Trump around the time of the 2024 election transferred at least $63 million into a library-related fund that dissolved last year (Trumplibrary.org)

Now it is unclear where this money has gone, exacerbating concerns about corruption that were apparent at the time of the settlement, the lawmakers wrote in a letter to companies that settled with Trump, including ABC, Meta, Paramount and X.

Presidential library nonprofits do not have to disclose their donors.

Along with the video, Trump shared a link on Truth Social where people can donate to the Donald J. Trump Presidential Library Foundation Inc.

Trump shared the video of his library project on the same day the state of Florida renamed Palm Beach International Airport after the Republican, the latest in a string of efforts to add Trumps name to institutions including the Kennedy Center and the U.S. Institute of Peace.
A voter drops their ballot off during early voting in Athens, Georgia, in 2020. Photograph: John Bazemore/AP (Photograph: John Bazemore/AP)

Donald Trump signed an executive order directing his administration to compile a national voter file and to restrict the use of mail-in ballots, an unprecedented move that is probably unconstitutional.

The executive order directs the Department of Homeland Security to work with the Social Security Administration to compile a list of verified US citizens who can vote in every state. It also directs the United States Postal Service (USPS) to begin rule-making on a process that would require states to notify the agency of voters who intend to receive a mail-in ballot and prohibit them from receiving one unless they are on a USPS-approved list of eligible voters.

Trump repeated a series of falsehoods about voting before signing the order in the Oval Office on Tuesday, claiming that cheating with mail-in voting was legendary. Repeated studies and investigations have shown there is no widespread voter fraud, including fraud through mail-in voting. The president himself voted by mail earlier this month.

Theres not a single provision in here that will withstand judicial review. This is a wholly unconstitutional EO, said David Becker, the executive director for the Center for Election Innovation and Research, a non-profit.

The US constitution gives the president no authority over elections and expressly authorizes states to set election rules. Trump signed an executive order last year seeking to impose citizenship requirements on voter registration as well as mail-in voting restrictions on election rules that was struck down.

Several key details remained unclear from the order and underscored why implementing would probably be difficult.

The order requires the administration to provide a verified citizenship list within 60 days of an election. But voters will probably register after that cutoff; federal law says that the earliest a state can cut off voter registration is 30 days before election day. It is unclear what would happen if an eligible voter was not included on the list.

It is also unclear how the Trump administration will know which state voters live in based on DHS and SSA data.

That may be why the justice department has been pressuring states to turn over their voter rolls to the federal government, including sensitive information like the last four digits of their social security number and drivers license information. The department has not won any of the dozens of lawsuits it has filed seeking the information and has already lost three.

Moments after Trump signed the order, Democratic elections officials in at least two states where mail-in voting is popular announced plans to sue. The secretaries of state in Oregon and Arizona accused the administration of executive overreach, and warned that the order was the latest attempt to gain access to sensitive voter data.

This move is nothing more than a push to weaponize the sensitive personal information of voters in this country, an effort my office will continue to fight unrelentingly, the Arizona secretary of state, Adrian Fontes, said in a statement. He said his office was working with the state attorney general, and vowed: We will not let this order stand without a fight.

My message to the President: Well see you in court, Tobias Read, the Democratic secretary of state in Oregon, said in a statement.

Chuck Schumer, the Democratic leader in the Senate, pledged legal action against the measure: See you in court. You will lose, he posted on X.
Donald Trump has lashed out at Britain, saying the US wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us in an extraordinary rant against his allies over the Iran war.

The president told countries that did not take part in strikes against Iran to get your own oil, saying they should attempt to reopen the Strait of Hormuz themselves now that the US had done the hard part.

He also reignited his row with Sir Keir Starmer, saying Britain had refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran and needed to start learning how to fight for yourself.

The incendiary comments came moments before Buckingham Palace confirmed that King Charles and Queen Camilla are to go ahead with a state visit to Washington later in April, despite calls for the trip to be postponed or even cancelled because of the conflict in the Middle East.

Donald Trump said the UK should attempt to unblock the Strait of Hormuz to get oil supplies going again (PA)

Britain is to deploy extra troops to the Middle East, bringing the UKs military presence in the region to around 1,000.

Defence secretary John Healey, who is on a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain  countries that have borne the brunt of Irans retaliatory action  said Britains best were helping to protect partners and allies in the region.

Mr Healey said that, in his recent discussions with Gulf leaders, they underline how valued Britains defensive help is  and they also underline the fact that they judge us by our actions and not our words.

Multinational efforts continue to secure freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and restore this economic lifeblood and artery in the worlds economy, he added.

Iran has imposed a de facto blockade of the waterway, upending global oil and gas supplies and causing energy prices to surge. The Islamic Republic has allowed some ships to pass through in a tollbooth system, where vessels pay as much as $2m (1.5m) per voyage, while others have been permitted to transit the strait subject to certain political and financial conditions.

Mr Trumps outburst came after he reportedly told senior aides he was considering withdrawing from the conflict without a plan in place to reopen the waterway. That would leave Tehran in control of the vital shipping lane, prolonging economic chaos around the world.

On his Truth Social platform, the US president wrote: All of those countries that cant get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the U.S., we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT.

Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the U.S.A. wont be there to help you anymore, just like you werent there for us. Iran has been, essentially, decimated. The hard part is done. Go get your own oil! President DJT.

The Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi crude oil tanker was reportedly damaged in a strike (Reuters)

Later, US defence secretary Pete Hegseth hit out at the Royal Navy, saying that other countries ought to be prepared to step up on [unblocking] this critical waterway.

He told a press conference: It is not just the United States navy. Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

Smoke rises from the area of Kuwait International airport after a reported drone strike hit a fuel depot (AFP/Getty)

Earlier on Tuesday, an Iranian drone attack set alight an oil tanker off the coast of Dubai. The fire, on the Kuwait-flagged Al-Salmi, which was carrying 2 million barrels of oil valued at more than $200m, was brought under control.

Meanwhile, Sir Keir chaired a Cobra crisis committee to consider the impact on British households and the wider economy.

Costs for homes reliant on heating oil, which is not covered by a broader energy-price cap, have already soared, prompting ministers to announce a 53m package of support for customers.

Sir Keir has previously promised to keep plans for a rise in fuel duty from September under review in light of whats happening in Iran.

It is not the first time that President Trump and Sir Keir have been at loggerheads during this war. Within days of the conflict starting, the PM dramatically U-turned to allow the US permission to use RAF bases to tackle the threat from Iran for the limited specific defensive purpose of protecting British and US allies across the Middle East.

Within weeks, President Trump said he was not happy with the UK, asserting that it should be involved enthusiastically in efforts to reopen the strait.

He also said Sir Keir was no Winston Churchilland later branded Nato allies, including the UK, cowards.
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The facility in Dilley, Texas, has been criticized for not providing adequate care and food for families. Photograph: Eric Gay/AP (Photograph: Eric Gay/AP)

A two-year-old detained in a family detention center in Dilley, Texas, is sick and not getting adequate help, said Joaquin Castro, a Democratic congressman from San Antonio. The boy, Kaleth, has a fever and is not eating the food served at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention center, which Castro said detainees have complained of having mold and worms.

When his mother asked for help, the staff said it was all mental, Castro wrote in a post on X. A vulnerable child at the Dilley trailer prison was suffering and ICE denied their reality and their needs. Its shameful and must stop.

Dilley has been criticized for not providing adequate care and food for families. In February, the detention center reported two measles cases. Its the same facility where five-year-old asylum seeker Liam Conejo Ramos and his father were kept for a week after being detained in Minneapolis.

Castro has been calling for the detention center to be shut down immediately and has long said Donald Trumps immigration agenda is inhumane.

The congressman has sought to get several immigrants released from Dilley. Castro said: I am calling for ICE to provide proper medical care to Kaleth and to release him and his mother Joani immediately.

Earlier this week, Castro posted a video on his social media underscoring his demand to close Dilley. As a country we have made the decision to commodify child suffering, he said. We have allowed investors to profit from the imprisonment of innocent children. Some are as young as two months old. We must shut down the Dilley trailer prison and #FreeOurChildren.

The facility, formally titled the South Texas Family Residential Center, is run on behalf of ICE by the private corrections and detention company CoreCivic, which expects to make $180m annually in revenue from the property through at least March 2030.

Brian Todd, manager of public affairs for CoreCivic, said in February that allegations regarding access to clean drinking water were patently false, and that healthcare was available to all detainees. The health and safety of those entrusted to our care is the top priority for CoreCivic, he said.

Children and their parents who have had to spend weeks or months at Dilley have reported shortages of clean drinking water, chronic sleep deprivation and kids struggling for hygiene supplies and prompt medical attention.

A court filing from 15 September gave detailed and disturbing accounts of the lockups allegedly inhumane conditions, including descriptions of a prison-like environment where the guards reportedly call people imprisoned there inmates despite them not being criminals, and said they live in cell-like trailers.

Alexandra Villarreal contributed reporting
The UK has failed to agree a new deal with France to stop small boats crossing the Channel after negotiations stalled following a disagreement over policing on Calais beaches.

Ministers were instead forced to agree a two-month extension to the existing multimillion-pound agreement with just hours to go before it expired at midnight on Tuesday.

A spokesperson for Shabana Mahmood said the extension was necessary because the home secretary is driving a hard bargain with the French to deliver the best deal for the British people to prevent illegal migrants getting to Britain and risking their lives, adding that ministers want more bang for our buck from the deal.

It is understood that the Home Office is pushing for a significant increase in law enforcement officers on French beaches and a ramping up of measures to prevent migrants from making the dangerous crossings, including intercepting boats in the water.

It has previously been reported that the home secretary was pushing for performance-related clauses that would link a package of 650m in funding to the number of boats intercepted by the French.

Ms Mahmoods spokesperson also took aim at Nigel Farages Reform UK, which has previously said it would not give France another penny and described the deal as a scam.

Reform's comments are completely reckless, and would see a surge of migrants crossing the Channel and risking their lives. This is completely reckless.

Look at the work that we've done with the French since being in government: 42,000 migrants being stopped from making that perilous journey. Farage would risk their lives and open them with welcome arms into Britain, the spokesperson said.

Shabana Mahmood is pushing for more policing on French beaches (PA)

The existing arrangement, a 478m package, was announced in 2023 and expires at the end of March.

When it was announced, the previous Tory government said it would fund a new detention centre in France and hundreds of extra law enforcement officers on French shores.

But crossings in the Channel have since spiralled, with some 41,472 people arriving in the UK by small boat in 2025, and Ms Mahmood is now under pressure to bring numbers down.

Last week, amid growing speculation about the future of the deal, Downing Street insisted that Britain and France are united in their aim to stop small boat crossings and said the UK is looking to ensure long-term value for money as part of any new agreement with Paris.

But the prime ministers spokesperson refused to be drawn on how much money the government was prepared to hand France for a fresh deal.

Asked whether Sir Keir Starmer wanted to see the existing deal improved, his spokesperson said: We always want to improve where we can improve our abilities to prevent small-boat crossings.

I wont get ahead of negotiations but we are looking at how we can build flexibility and innovation into any deal with the French to ensure that there is long-term value for money and a real impact on small-boat crossings that builds on the 40,000 crossing attempts that have been prevented since this government came into office.

Asked whether the agreement had provided value for money, he said the preventions were a testament to the work our teams have been undertaking with French teams.

We are united in wanting to stop small boat crossings, which put lives at risk, the official added.

So far this year, some 4,169 people have arrived in the UK on small boats, according to official figures.

The deals extension came as charities and campaign groups urged the government to do more to stop people from losing their lives in the Channel, calling for them to open up safe and legal routes for refugees.

Imran Hussain, director of external affairs at the Refugee Council, said: Policing the Channel alone is not enough to stop small boat crossings. If the government are truly going to smash the gangs, they must address the root issue of why people take dangerous journeys in the first place.

Migrants wade into the sea to try and board a dinghy into the English Channel on 5 March (Getty)

We know from our frontline services that there are many reasons why people fleeing persecution and brutal conflict in countries like Sudan and Afghanistan want to come here  many already speak some English, have family here, or have cultural connections to Britain.

But the government has shut down the few safe and legal pathways available, including family reunion, a route that overwhelmingly helped women and children. All this does is push more desperate people into the hands of smugglers.

Meanwhile, Tim Naor Hilton, the chief executive of Refugee Action, said it was scandalous that UK governments have spent hundreds of millions of pounds of public money per year paying the French state to brutalise people seeking safety.

He added: Instead of renewing its cruel and costly deal with France, which has made no impact on Channel crossings, the government should invest that money in establishing new safe routes for people to seek asylum without having to further risk their lives.
The British defence secretary, John Healey, meeting the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, in Doha. Photograph: Amiri Diwan/Reuters (Photograph: Amiri Diwan/Reuters)

The UK is sending more military support to the Gulf, taking the total deployment to 1,000 troops, amid more jibes from Donald Trump about Britains refusal to get involved in offensive operations against Iran.

Speaking from Qatar where he met UK troops, the defence secretary, John Healey, said the extra deployment was in response to an expanding threat from Iran.

He confirmed that the UK would send more Typhoon jets to Qatar, as well as the Sky Sabre anti-drone and missile system to Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.

Healey said: Whats struck me being here over the last couple of days is how clear it is in the Middle East that Iran is expanding its attacks, which I totally condemn as its continuing to menace the region.

Healey would not be drawn on how many extra troops were being deployed, but he said across the Middle East now, a thousand British troops were involved in reinforcing UK bases and those of its Gulf allies.

Earlier, the US president lashed out at the UK for refusing to get involved in the decapitation of Iran. Writing on his Truth Social platform he said of the UK and other allies: Youll have to start learning how to fight for yourself, the USA wont be there to help you any more, just like you werent there for us.

Asked about Trumps comments, Healey said: We wont get drawn into the wider war. Throughout this conflict, weve been consistently taking decisions in Britains interests because we need to defend our people, and we want to defend allies in the region.

He added that Gulf leaders would judge us by our actions and not our words. We continue to do with the US, defensive operations in the Middle East.

Asked about his claim that Tehran was expanding its attacks, Healey said Iranian drones and missiles were now threatening universities, steel works and aluminium plants in the Gulf.

He revealed that during his tour of the Middle East he had discussed options for trying to reopen the strait of Hormuz.

I will have met in 36 hours two kings, two prime ministers and three defence secretaries [and] in all the discussions, the concern and the challenge of the strait of Hormuz has come up.

He added there was a determination that Iran cannot be allowed to hold the strait of Hormuz hostage and blackmail the world by stopping shipping in the way that its doing.

Talks with Gulf leaders had focused on what options can be developed to secure safe shipping. He added that there was a recognition that it cannot just be military and that it must involve the widest possible range of nations alongside the US.

Healey said the extra deployments to the Gulf were only for defensive operations. Having

met officials in Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Bahrain during his visit, he said: My message to Gulf partners is: Britains best will help you defend your skies.

The Ministry of Defence said the Sky Sabre system and a team of operators from the Royal Artillery would move to Saudi Arabia this week. The system, composed of radars, control node and missile launchers, can intercept munitions and aircraft.

It will be integrated into broader Saudi and regional air defences, according to the MoD.

The RAFs joint Typhoon squadron with Qatar was deployed to the Gulf in January amid rising tensions in the region. After US and Israeli strikes on Iran prompted retaliatory strikes in the Gulf, Keir Starmer announced the deployment of four more fighter jets to Qatar.
Shelly Kittleson was abducted in the Iraqi capital on Tuesday

An American journalist has been kidnapped in Iraq by a suspected Iran-backed militia.

Shelly Kittleson, who has worked for the BBC, Politico and numerous other international publications, was abducted from central Baghdad on Tuesday. Her current whereabouts are unknown.

A spokesman for Iraqs interior ministry said one suspect had been arrested and that efforts were ongoing to free the journalist.

No group has claimed responsibility for the kidnapping. However, a US state department official confirmed the person in custody has ties to the prominent Iraqi-based militia group Kataib Hezbollah.

Footage, broadcast on local television stations, appeared to show the moment armed men bundled Kittleson into a car in broad daylight on a busy road.

It was not immediately clear whether the kidnapping was in response to the ongoing war in the Middle East, but Iranian proxies in Iraq have launched regular attacks on US facilities since the conflict began.

Shelly Kittleson is understood to have been bundled into a car on a busy Baghdad road

Earlier this month, the US instructed all of its citizens to leave Iraq owing to the significant threat posed by Iran-aligned terrorist militia groups. It warned Americans that there would be a high risk of kidnappings.

Kataib Hezbollah, a Shia paramilitary group backed by Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, has taken foreign citizens hostage in the past.

In 2023, the militia kidnapped Elizabeth Tsurkov, a Russian-Israeli academic and Princeton graduate, from a Baghdad cafe. She was held hostage for 903 days before being freed under a deal brokered by Washington.

The group never officially claimed responsibility for the kidnapping.

Trump administration closely tracking reports

The US state department said it was aware of Kittlesons kidnapping and had been working with Iraqi authorities to secure her release.

The Trump administration has no higher priority than the safety and security of Americans. We are closely tracking these reports, it added.

State department officials said they had previously warned Kittleson of the threats against her.

She has reported extensively across the Middle East, particularly Iraq and war zones in Afghanistan and Syria.

Kittleson was kidnapped near the Baghdad Hotel, a known location for foreign journalists due to its strong security.

Iraqi authorities said they had followed a vehicle belonging to the kidnappers who were heading south-west of Baghdad.

Iraqi police sources told Reuters that the vehicle  with the journalist inside  was involved in a crash near the town of Al-Haswa in Babil province.

Images of a wrecked car, believed to have been involved in the kidnapping, were shared on social media

Kittleson was transferred to a second car that fled the scene, the sources said.

Footage shared on social media showed the mangled wreckage of a car with swarms of people standing around it.

In a statement, Al-Monitor, a regional outlet Kittleson freelanced for, said: We are deeply alarmed by the kidnapping of Al-Monitor contributor Shelly Kittleson in Iraq on Tuesday. We call for her safe and immediate release.

We stand by her vital reporting from the region and call for her swift return to continue her important work.
The proposed private beach club in Lelepa, Vanuatu, by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean, which says it will incorporate feedback into its final impact assessments. Illustration: Facebook/Royal Caribbean (Illustration: Facebook/Royal Caribbean)

Indigenous community leaders in Vanuatu have raised concerns over plans by the cruise operator Royal Caribbean to build a private beach club on the island of Lelepa, arguing environmental impact assessments by the company are incomplete and misleading.

The community leaders outlined the issues in a letter sent to Royal Caribbean on 26 February, which has been seen by the Guardian. The leaders also said the development could harm fragile ecosystems and a nearby Unesco world heritage site.

Royal Caribbean has leased parts of Lelepa, a 5km-long island home to about 500 people in Vanuatu  to develop a resort capable of hosting up to 5,000 visitors a day. The project is due to open in 2027. Cruise ships will take passengers from Australia to the resort in Lelepa, as part of a tour of the Pacific.

Construction has not yet commenced, but Royal Caribbeans promotional material said the development will have 10 bars, two eateries and two private beach resorts, including an adults-only area.

Related: Fiji wrestles with plans to restore Indigenous rights over world-famous surf breaks

There needs to be lots of consultation so every person here understands what they are doing and can approve the work to go ahead, Lelepas paramount chief Ruben Natamatewia III said. Natamatewia III is the highest-ranking customary leader on the island and a signatory to the letter.

In the letter, Lelepas council of chiefs, which represents several customary landowners on the island, criticised an environmental impact assessment (EIA) commissioned by Royal Caribbean. They said the report was inadequate and local communities had not been properly consulted as part of the process.

The current EIA is incomplete, misleading, and does not meet the standards required under Vanuatu law, the letter said.

The chiefs are calling for construction work not to go ahead until outstanding assessments and consultations are accepted by the chiefs and customary owners, the letter states.

The council has also called for a cultural heritage assessment to ensure customary sites are not affected by Royal Caribbeans plans. Chiefs raised concerns with the Guardian about Fels Cave, a culturally significant world heritage site to the islands south that contains ancient rock art.

Natamatewia III said the Royal Caribbean project was a good thing, but worried the environmental assessment was not realistic.

There needs to be more consultation with the communities, he told the Guardian.

Natamatewia said he was unhappy that the island had been advertised as a private beach resort despite these outstanding issues.

Chief Tungulman Albert Solomon Peter Manaure, an Australia-based representative of the council, said while landowners broadly supported tourism development many remained concerned about the potential impact of the resort on turtle nesting sites and fishing grounds.

Manaure, who also owns a tourism business on Lelepa, said: The ocean and the land are our bank  thats where we harvest our resources, where we turn it into food or into cash.

If Royal Caribbean wants to do this project on Lelepa, we want to make sure it is done in the right way, with the environment properly protected, he said.

In response to questions from the Guardian, Royal Caribbean initially said it had submitted its EIA and ensured it complies with Vanuatu environmental regulations, adding that its development was at the opposite end of the world heritage site.

After further questions, Royal Caribbean said it was still incorporating feedback from public consultation into the final EIA ahead of submission, and that this would include matters related to environmental protection and waste management.

Royal Caribbean is progressing all necessary permits in relation to the EIA to support and advance the Royal Beach Club Lelepa development, a spokesperson said.

The company said it was working with government, chiefs, environmental organisations and local people to ensure the natural environment is protected. Royal Caribbean said it would prioritise the protection of Lelepas natural ecosystems, and that it worked closely with the government and custom landowners to secure leases for the development.

Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, has been a regular stop-off port for Royal Caribbean cruise ships, with passengers ferried ashore to take part in beach visits, hikes and cultural activities as part of its Pacific tour. The company has been in discussions with local landowners since at least 2018 about establishing this permanent tourism facility on Lelepa, similar to its exclusive beach clubs in the Bahamas.

Vanuatus government was contacted for comment but did not respond to the Guardians questions.

The environmental impact of cruise ship travel has come under greater scrutiny in recent years, with several European port cities introducing restrictions on cruise ships amid concerns over pollution and overtourism. Nevertheless, the sector is booming, with more Americans travelling on cruise ships in 2025 than in any other year on record.

Joseph Cheer, a professor of sustainable tourism and heritage at Western Sydney University, said developments of this scale often highlight the tension small island nations face between attracting tourism and protecting local environments and communities.

Cruise tourism is often criticised for its adverse environmental impacts, questionable economic impacts and the way it wields power and influence over small island countries, Cheer said. With good governance of the sector, it is possible to overcome evident friction points.

 This article was amended on 1 April 2026 to say Port Vila has been a stop-off port for cruise ship passengers, not Lelepa as previously stated.
Pete Hegseth took a swipe at the "big bad Royal Navy" in the Trump administration's latest insult to the US's allies, as he called for Britain and other nations to join the effort to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to global shipping traffic.

Speaking at a Pentagon news conference on Tuesday (31 March), the US defense secretary said: There are countries around the world who ought be prepared to step up on this critical waterway as well.

"Last time I checked, there was supposed to be a big, bad Royal Navy that could be prepared to do things like that as well.

It comes after Donald Trump likened UK aircraft carriers to toys, telling Sir Keir Starmer not to bother sending vessels to the Gulf.
Alum Cave Trail, Great Smoky Mountains, Tennessee (Getty/iStock)

A 65-year-old woman has died after falling from a 60-foot cliff-edge in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

The hiker was walking the Alum Cave Trail, south of Gatlinburg, Tennessee on 28 March when the incident occurred.

Rangers responded after receiving reports a woman had fallen, but they were unable to resuscitate her.

On Monday, the park was still attempting to contact the womans next of kin, the Knoxville News Sentinel reported.

As of 31 March, park authorities had not yet released the womans name.

Great Smokey is the most-visited national park in the United States, with 11.5 million visitors in the 2025, according to the National Parks Service.

The park is the most visited in the U.S. (Getty/iStock)

It spans a half-million remote and mountainous acres along the North Carolina-Tennessee border and hosts a section of the 2,200 mile-long Appalachian Trial.

Alum cave trail follows a 4.6 mile path and winds past Alum Cave Bluffs and through Arch Rock.

The National Park Service cautions hikers on their website that the trail can become very steep as it leads to Mount LeConte, which attracts millions of visitors every year.

A day earlier, on Friday, two park visitors were hospitalized after massive boulders smashed into their vehicle during an unexpected rockslide, according to the Charlotte Observer.

The two vehicle occupants sustained serious injuries but are expected to survive.

The 2,200-mile-long Appalachian Trail passes through the Great Smoky national park (AP/Mingson Lau)

The death on Saturday is the fifth in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park this year, compared to 16 deaths in 2025 and nine 2024.

Fatal injuries occur every year in Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Motor vehicle accidents and drownings are the leading causes of death, the park said on their website.

In 2024, the it ranked fourth on a list of the most dangerous national parks in the U.S, recording a total of 104 fatalities between July 2013 and July 2023.

More than a third of these fatalities involved motor vehicles, with most occurring in September.

The geysers at Yellowstone, the oldest U.S. National Park (AP/Hannah Schoenbaum)

The parks website also warns of venomous snakes, stream crossings, and  even in summer  hypothermia.

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park was established in 1934 by the U.S. Congress and was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1983.

It was the first national park to be part funded by the federal government; parks previously being run and maintained with only state funds or private contributions.
A small East African territory has told the Trump administration it would willingly assist with the extradition of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar after Vice President JD Vance accused her of committing immigration fraud.

Responding to a clip of a Newsmax interview with Benny Johnson discussing Vances accusation against Omar, the semi-autonomous region wrote on X (Twitter): Deportation? Please youre just sending the princess back to her kingdom. Extradition? Say the word

Johnson, a prominent MAGA influencer, interviewed Vance over the weekend and raised allegations of widespread fraud among the Somali community in Omars state  whipped up earlier this year by conservative YouTuber Nick Shirley  before turning to the congresswoman herself.

The president and the White House have been out saying that she married her brother, that there is immigration fraud going on here, Johnson said. These are deportable, denaturalization offences, can you give us an update on that?

Vice President JD Vance accuses Minnesota Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of engaging in immigration fraud during a new interview with MAGA influencer Benny Johnson (The Benny Show)

The vice president answered: Yeah, so we actually think that Ilhan Omar definitely committed immigration fraud against the United States of America.

And I talked to Stephen Miller about this, actually, recently, and were trying to look at what the remedies are.

Thats the thing that were trying to figure out is what are the legal remedies now that we know that shes committed immigration fraud  how do you go after her, how do you investigate her, how do you actually do the thing, how do you build a case necessary to get some justice for the American people?

He continued: Theres a related issue Benny, which is, she has been at the center of a lot of the worst fraudsters in the Somali community. So do I know that Ilhan Omar was aware that the Quality Learning Center [in Minneapolis] was defrauding the American people?

Im not certain of it, but we at least need to investigate it because if people can commit wrongdoing without even the fear that theyre going to be found out, thats a fundamental problem.

Rep. Omar  who was born in Mogadishu, Somalia, but has been a U.S. citizen since 2000  has long been targeted with smears about her past and remains a hate figure to Republicans, not least over her willingness to fight back and denounce President Donald Trump.

When the president attacked her at a rally in December, she hit back on X by saying, Trumps obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.

Rep. Omar has long been a hate figure to Republicans, not least because of her willingness to go on the attack (Getty)

Since he has no economic policies to tout, hes resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead. He continues to be a national embarrassment.

Responding to the vice presidents new attack on her, Rep. Omars chief of staff, Connor McNutt, told The Independent his accusations amounted to a ridiculous lie.

This is rich coming from someone who literally said they were willing to create stories to redirect the media, he said.

This is a ridiculous lie and desperate attempt to distract from the pedophile protection partys unpopular war of choice, increasing gas prices, and rapidly dropping polling numbers.

The Independent has reached out to the White House for further comment.

In the Newsmax interview to which Somaliland responded, an animated Johnson said the Minnesota fraud allegations makes my blood boil as an American taxpayer, insisting the country is going over a cliff, and warning against allowing people who are not harmonious with Western civilization into the U.S. because they would loot our nation dry.

Get her out, tutted anchor Rob Schmitt in reference to Rep. Omar, with both men agreeing the accusations were mind-boggling.

The Port of Berbera in Somaliland, which has been called the key to ending 'the weaponization of geography' by states at war, with the blockading of oil shipping routes becoming increasingly common (AFP/Getty)

As to why the Republic of Somaliland, a small territory on the Horn of Africa with a population of 5.7 million, would be so hostile to the congresswoman, the answer is that she has opposed their claim to independence from Somalia.

Somaliland has been self-governing since 1991, has its own currency and military and has held six elections, but is struggling to win recognition as a standalone nation. Israel is the only United Nations member to have done so.

However, it has been argued that an independent Somaliland would enable its Port of Berbera to take a more prominent role in the global oil trade, opening up the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden and ending the weaponization of geography seen in the Ukraine and Iran wars, in which blockaded shipping routes have caused chaos on the international energy markets.

The transactional Trump administration has clear incentives to move on Somaliland  strategic access, rare earth minerals, and a footing just down the coast from Beijings first overseas military base, Daniel Herszberg wrote recently for Euractiv, noting a bill seeking recognition for the state was currently sitting with the House Foreign Affairs Committee in Washington.

Recognition of Somaliland would unlock alternative critical infrastructure and protect European consumers from shipping lanes threatened by piracy, Houthi missile attacks and the weaponization of geography.
Chris Rokos with Prof Deborah Prentice, the University of Cambridge vice-chancellor, after the announcement of his donation

The University of Cambridge has received a record-breaking 190m donation from a British philanthropist.

Chris Rokos, a 55-year-old billionaire investment fund manager who is one of Britains richest men, is making a 130m up-front donation to the university, with a promise of a further 60m to come.

It is believed to be the biggest single donation to a British university in modern times.

This autumn, the university will open the Rokos School of Government  a direct rival to Oxford Universitys Blavatnik School of Government.

Education is one of Britains greatest soft power assets, exporting British values to the rest of the world via politicians, business leaders and other major players who have attended schools and universities in the UK. Cambridge will use the donation to attempt to become the foremost training ground for future world leaders.

A quarter of the worlds countries have a head of state or prime minister educated in the UK  the most of any country  although the US is increasingly rivalling the UK for that accolade.

The donation is believed to be the biggest single gift to a British university in modern times - Graeme Robertson/Getty Images

Historically, the University of Oxford has produced more world leaders than any other British institution, with Bill Clinton, Lord Cameron, Boris Johnson, Baroness May, Liz Truss, Rishi Sunak, Sir Keir Starmer and Sir Tony Blair among its alumni.

In 2010, Oxford opened the Blavatnik School of Government with a 75m donation from Sir Leonard Blavatnik, a Soviet-born British-American businessman, giving it a further edge over Cambridge, but the latter hopes to redress the balance with the new institution to be built in the Cambridge West Innovation District.

The Rokos school, which will open in temporary accommodation while an architect is sought for the permanent campus, will offer PhD courses lasting three years as well as one-year Masters degrees, whereas the Blavatniks flagship course is the one-year Master of Public Policy.

The Rokos school aims to have the edge over its Oxford rival by giving its students access to Cambridges world-leading science and technology institutions, enabling future leaders to master the technology that is likely to drive change in decades to come.

Mr Rokos, 55, who studied maths at Pembroke College, Oxford, attended a state primary school where his teachers identified his potential and encouraged him to apply for a scholarship to Eton.

After attending Eton and graduating from Oxford with a first-class degree, he worked for Goldman Sachs before setting up a hedge fund and, later, Rokos Capital Management, which handles more than 16bn of investors funds.

He has a long history of philanthropy, having paid for an extension to his old Oxford college, where a quadrangle is named after him. He also funds scholarships at Eton and Cambridge.

Mr Rokos is also spending 175m on the renovation of Tottenham House, a Palladian mansion in Wiltshire that he bought in 2015.

He said he wanted the school to be a unique forum for radical and remarkable thinking, capturing the inspiration of the brightest minds from around the world and harnessing new technologies in order to meet the needs of modern government.

He added: I was fortunate to be given the opportunity of an education which transformed my life, and I would like to give something back to Britain. My hope is that, in time, the influence of the Rokos School of Government across the world becomes an important element of that soft power which has been a great asset to the UK.

Prof Deborah Prentice, the University of Cambridge vice-chancellor, said: Tackling the enormous challenges facing our world requires radical ways of thinking and approaches to leadership.

Cambridge, with its strengths across all disciplines and its convening power, is uniquely positioned to drive this innovation.
Misley Mandarin, the Chagossian first minister, and three other islanders travelled to the archipelago last month

The Chagos islanders who returned to their ancestral homeland have had their eviction notices quashed in a blow to Sir Keir Starmers handover deal.

Misley Mandarin, the Chagossian first minister, and three other islanders who travelled to the archipelago will be able to stay on Ile du Coin for the time being, a court has said.

The court said the eviction orders, served by the Foreign Office, needed to be revised and take into account the Chagossians heritage rights.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) administration has appealed the decision.

Campaigners hailed the judgment as a victory for the Chagossian people and a blow to Sir Keirs controversial deal to hand over sovereignty of the islands to Mauritius.

In particular, they pointed to the courts decision that legislation dating back to 2004 declaring that no person has the right of abode in the territory was unlawful.

Last month, Mr Mandarin made an undercover boat journey to the Chagos Islands with a small group of islanders to establish a settlement on the archipelago.

Mr Mandarin and other islanders travelled by boat to the Chagos Islands last month

But they were soon served with removal orders, also known as Section 12 notices, which told them they faced a three-year prison sentence or a 3,000 fine if they refused to leave.

Lawyers acting on behalf of Mr Mandarin and the other Chagossians lodged an appeal within hours of the orders being issued.

Tuesdays judgment said that the Section 12 removal notices are quashed and need to be redetermined in the light of a fair procedure which includes the claimants representations.

The British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT) Court said that the Chagos islanders had entered the territory illegally and without a permit.

It said: Nothing in this decision creates a right for the claimants to set up a permanent camp on the Ile du Coin without the necessary permits.

However, the judgment added: Any future decisions of the defendant in relation to the grant of permits need to take into account all the circumstances including heritage rights and the right of abode of any Chagossian entitled to them.

The islanders insisted they would not leave the territory

In May last year, the Prime Minister agreed to hand over sovereignty of the Chagos Islands to Mauritius.

But Mr Mandarin insisted that he and the other islanders wished to remain British and for the atoll to remain under British sovereignty.

He had said that he would not leave the island, writing for The Telegraph last month that Government would be committing a fresh crime against humanity if it tried to remove him.

Mr Mandarin said on Tuesday: Today, justice has finally begun to catch up with history. For generations we have lived with exile, with loss, and with the denial of our most basic rights.

This judgment restores not just a legal principle, but our dignity as a people. We have returned peacefully to our homeland. We ask only to live, to remember, and to belong.

Mr Mandarin said of the judgment: Today justice has finally begun to catch up with history - Vuk Valcic/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images

Nigel Farage, the leader of Reform UK, said he was thrilled for the Chagossians on Ile du Coin.

Dame Priti Patel, the shadow foreign secretary, said: Keir Starmers 35bn Chagos surrender is a complete betrayal, and throughout the process he has sought to sideline the Chagossian people, treating them as nothing but an inconvenience.

Chagossians, many of whom have no desire to see the islands handed over to an ally of China, ended up taking matters into their own hands, and now this latest humiliation has further undermined the Governments case.

As part of Sir Keirs deal, Britain is set to rent back the island of Diego Garcia, which houses a joint military base with the US, at a cost of more than 30bn over the next 99 years.

Donald Trump has repeatedly flipped between supporting the handover and opposing it. In January, the US president called it an act of great stupidity, but later said he believed the agreement was the best Sir Keir could have struck to maintain control of the base amid legal challenges from Mauritius in the international courts.

The islands have become a fresh sticking point since relations between Mr Trump and Sir Keir soured over the war in Iran.

The Prime Minister initially refused the US permission to launch bombing raids against Iran from the Diego Garcia base, which Mr Trump said was a big mistake.

Sir Keir later allowed Washington to use the facility for limited defensive strikes against Iranian drone and missile sites threatening British interests.

After Tehran fired ballistic missiles towards Diego Garcia, ministers allowed Washington to use the bases for US defensive operations to degrade the missile sites and capabilities being used to attack ships in the Strait of Hormuz, a key oil and gas route.

A Foreign Office spokesman said: We do not agree with this judgment, and we understand the BIOT Administration have appealed it.

The Government has been clear that we consider the arrival of the Mandarin Group on Ile du Coin to be an irresponsible political stunt that has wasted taxpayers money and put peoples lives at risk.
APPLE VALLEY, Minn., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Scheduled for May 3-6, 2026, at the historic Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center in Nashville, Tenn., the inaugural GF Flow Symposium will join builders, developers, contractors, engineers, and executive leaders to explore the future of system solutions across residential, commercial, infrastructure, and industrial markets. This event combines practical, hands-on learning with forward-looking insightfrom interactive demos focused on real jobsite challenges to perspectives from leaders shaping the future of construction, regulation, and building systems. The event kicks off with a dynamic keynote and continues with several headliner speakers from companies such as Bechtel, Hoffman Construction, and ConstructConnect.

Today's building design and construction professionals are tasked with delivering solutions that improve efficiency and promote more reliable outcomes while overcoming labor shortages and compressed project timelines. Through workshops and interactive product showcases, the symposium will present the tools, systems, and services that make these solutions possible while driving long-term value.

Featured speakers and session topics include:

Elliott Eisenberg, Ph.D., of Graphs and Laughs, LLC: 2026 Economic Forecast Fun: An Entertaining Look at the Current Economy and the Impact on Future Business

Hosted Panel with Fred Mills of B1M: Megaproject Construction Trends: Harnessing Opportunities, Anticipating Challenges, and Maximizing Results

Dustin Demetriou, Ph.D.: The Twin Engines Driving the AI Era: Innovation and Impacts of Semiconductors and Data Centers

Panel Discussion with Senator Joe Manchin: Working Together to Build the Future of America: How Government, Manufacturing, and Construction Partnerships are Propelling Purposeful Growth

Catherine Hunt Ryan of Bechtel: Delivering Confident Predictability

Adam Tarr of Hoffman Construction: The New Productivity Paradigm: Offsite Prefabrication with Onsite Construction Purpose

Michael Beatty of Nalco Water: Maintaining AI Amid Major Challenges: Water Treatment for Data Centers and Chip Fabrication

Other session topics include:

Building the Workforce of Tomorrow: Tackling Labor Shortages and Retaining Skilled Tradespeople

Energy Efficiency, Sustainability, and Clean Water: CuttingEdge Strategies Shaping the Next Generation of HighPerforming Buildings

Time, Talent, and Takeoff: Why Estimator Economics Are Driving AI Strategy

Protecting Cycle Times While Reducing Risk: Creating Intelligent Single-Family Plumbing Designs

Residential Fire Protection: Everything Plumbers Need to Know

"This event comes at a pivotal time in the industry as construction leaders face mounting pressure to produce large-scale projects and dynamic developments with fewer resources," says Anna Picchetti, VP of Marketing & Strategy at GF Building Flow Solutions Americas. "We welcome the opportunity to connect leaders across North America as we confront these challenges head-on and ideate on the future of flow."

Revealing trends in data centers, microelectronics, life sciences, advanced plumbing, and more, industry experts will take the stage and offer practical insight on what it takes to build with confidence.

"The current infrastructure build cycle is unfolding at an extraordinary scale. From hyperscale data centers and semiconductor fabrication facilities to critical water infrastructure, our industry faces unprecedented challenges in delivering the capacity required. Meeting this demand will require a pace of innovation, industrialization, and project execution unlike anything we have seen before," says James Jackson, Head of Americas, GF Industry & Infrastructure Flow Solutions. "The GF Flow Symposium will bring together many of the top business leaders from across North America's construction industry to explore the latest technologies and management strategies shaping the future of infrastructure."

The symposium marks the first flagship customer event hosted by both company divisions  GF Building Flow Solutions, home of the Uponor brand, and GF Industry and Infrastructure Flow Solutions. To learn more about GF Flow Symposium, including featured speakers and registration details, visit georgfischer.com/symposium2026.

To download images, visit here.

Media contact

Courtney Hieb

Corporate Communications Manager

GF Building Flow Solutions Americas

T 612 816 0592

E [email protected]

Agency contact

John O'Reilly

GreenHouse Digital + PR

T 708 428 6385

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Corporate Profile

With a rich history in industrial innovation since 1802, GF is reshaping the future of Flow Solutions by delivering Excellence in Flow through mission-critical products and solutions that enable the safe and sustainable transport of water and other fluids for Buildings, Industry and Infrastructure. Headquartered in Switzerland, GF employs around 13'300 professionals across 46 countries. In 2025, GF's Flow Solutions business generated sales of CHF 3 billion. GF is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. For more information, visit www.georgfischer.com.

#ExcellenceInFlow

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SOURCE GF Building Flow Solutions
While witnesses claimed they had never heard Theo talk of Dartmoor, the judge ruled Theo had a deep connection with the park - ChrisAt

A father has won a High Court battle with his ex-partner for custody of the ashes of their son, who died aged 18.

Theo Read died on railway tracks near Reading, Berkshire, while making his way home after a night out in August 2024.

Since his death, his father Paul Read and his mother Julie Hoarean have been in a dispute over what to do with his ashes.

Mr Read thought Theo would have wanted his ashes to be scattered near Hound Tor, on Dartmoor, while Ms Hoarean wanted the ashes to be split and half of them interred in her family grave in the Reading area.

Theos parents split up when he was a child. He lived with his mother until the age of eight before he then lived with his father and his paternal grandmother.

At the time of his death, he was living with friends, the High Court in London was told.

Theos body was held by a coroner until a judge ruled in favour of Mr Read in December 2024. However, his ashes were still being held by the coroner as Ms Hoarean fought to reverse the courts decision.

Deep connection with Dartmoor

Ms Hoarean argued in her appeal that Theo was estranged from his father, and she put forward evidence from two witnesses who said they had never heard Theo talk of Dartmoor.

Mr Justice Rajah threw out her challenge, ruling that Mr Read had a close relationship with his son and that Ms Hoarean had had no direct contact with Theo since 2016 and was effectively estranged from her son.

He also ruled that Theo had a deep connection with Dartmoor that developed in his teenage years.

Appearing in court last week, Mr Read told the judge: I just want to seek completion, hes been sat in a box since January last year.

We have a pretty good idea of what he would have wanted. His mum didnt see him since 2016. She didnt know what he was like as a teen, what kind of lad he was. She didnt have a relationship.

Permanent memorial

The judge refused a request for a further adjournment by Ms Hoarean, who cited health reasons, and said: There has already been considerable delay in dealing with the ashes of Theo.

He said that a plaque at the family grave would serve as a permanent memorial where Ms Hoarean can pay her respects and that she could attend the scattering if she wishes.

The judge said a reference in the 2024 judgment to Theo having taken his own life was an error and that a subsequent coroners inquest had recorded death by misadventure.

Mr Read told the court that it was thought Theo, who was described at the inquest as drunk, curious, impulsive and reckless when he walked onto the railway, had been trying to use the tracks as a guide to make his way home.
Seyed Ali Mousavi, the ambassador of Iran to the UK, praised Sir Keir Starmers initial position before he allowed the US to use British bases - Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire

Iran is considering strikes on British military bases, its ambassador to London has said.

Seyed Ali Mousavi, Tehrans ambassador to the United Kingdom, raised the prospect of retaliatory attacks on bases used by the United States in the war against Iran.

The US has launched air strikes on Iran from RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and Diego Garcia in the Chagos Islands since war broke out last month.

Sir Keir Starmer initially refused Donald Trump permission to use the bases but changed course after Tehran began blockading the Strait of Hormuz.

In an interview on Tuesday, Mr Mousavi hailed Sir Keirs initial position and said Iran would consider every option in how to defend ourselves in response to his change of mind.

This is a very important matter we are considering, he told Times Radio. This is a very important matter for our self-defence. The military sections of our system will decide appropriately.

It depends on your activities. It depends on the British decision about this matter. Every option should be considered. We are very careful and delicate [about] how to defend ourselves.

Sir Keir Starmer has allowed the US to launch strikes from RAF Fairford - Alastair Grant/AP Photo

The threat came a week after former military chiefs warned that Britain was defenceless against a potential Iranian missile attack.

Israel has previously warned that Tehran had developed intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of hitting London.

Iran launched two missiles at Diego Garcia, the joint British-American base in the Indian Ocean, earlier this month. One was intercepted by a US warship and the second failed in flight in what was Tehrans first confirmed use of long-range ballistic missiles.

But Britain would be reliant on Nato allies in Europe to protect it from ballistic strikes by Tehran because of a lack of anti-missile defences.

Sir Keir pledged 1bn towards improving Britains integrated air defences as part of his strategic defence review last year.

However, a funding row between the Ministry of Defence and the Treasury has delayed the release of the defence investment plan, which will spell out how Britain will equip its military over the next decade. It was expected to be published in the autumn, but has yet to be released.

Irans blockade of the strait has caused a sharp increase in international energy prices and Mr Trump has called on Nato allies to help reopen it.

On Tuesday, the US president singled out Britain and told Sir Keir to get your own oil over Nato members reluctance to reopen the waterway.

Sir Keir said on Monday that reopening the strait to commercial shipping was easier said than done.

The Prime Minister has previously criticised Mr Trumps decision to conduct offensive strikes in Iran, arguing that his plans were not thought through or credible. He has also rejected his request to send a British aircraft carrier to the region.

In return, Mr Trump has said Sir Keir is not Winston Churchill and accused him of undermining the transatlantic relationship.
Attempting to eke out the remaining oil and gas from the North Sea was not the answer to the challenges facing the UK, said the retired R Adm Neil Morisetti. Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian (Photograph: Murdo MacLeod/The Guardian)

More drilling in the North Sea would do nothing to improve the UKs energy security, former military leaders have said, as a new analysis finds no fossil fuel importer is safe from chokepoints in the global supply chain.

The government should focus on a rapid transition to a mix of wind, solar, tidal and nuclear energy to ensure the UKs future security, the former military leaders told the Guardian, as well as a programme of energy efficiency and a major renewal of the electricity grid.

They made the comments as the Conservative party leader, Kemi Badenoch, launched a get Britain drilling in the North Sea campaign on Monday. It is the latest call from rightwing politicians and fossil fuel corporations to reverse the Labour partys ban on new licences.

Retired R Adm Neil Morisetti, a professor of climate and resource security at University College London, said attempting to eke out the remaining oil and gas from the North Sea was not the answer to the challenges facing the UK.

It will not bring down the price for consumers, nor will it deliver long-term energy security. The international markets will determine the price and destination; that is not energy independence, he said.

Morisetti acknowledged that the UK would need oil and gas for years to come, but said the turmoil created by the wars in Iran and Ukraine had led to increasing uncertainty over supplies and rising prices.

He argued that the UK needed an energy strategy that was focused on greater energy efficiency to reduce demand.

It needs to include a clear plan to rapidly transition away from fossil fuels to solar, wind, tidal and nuclear power, and a major renewal of the grid, with associated storage, to support the distribution, he said.

A separate report from the E3G thinktank warns that structural chokepoints in the global supply of oil and gas mean that increasing the supply of fossil fuels anywhere will not improve a nations security. It says disruptions can arise from physical blockages to a small number of existing supply routes, but also from paper chokepoints, including the withdrawal of insurance.

The report says reducing a countrys reliance on oil and gas  through electrification, efficiency, grids, storage and domestic clean energy  provides the most durable way to reduce exposure to chokepoint risk.

Maria Pastukhova, a senior policy adviser at E3G, said: Energy systems are a backbone of national security, but for many importers, that backbone depends on infrastructure and routes far beyond their control. Reliance on distant supply chains and chokepoints means disruption risk is built in. Clean energy systems are not immune to shocks, but they shift more of the system under domestic control and reduce exposure to geopolitical and market volatility. That is the strategic energy security lesson from this crisis.

The Guardian reported on Saturday that hundreds of new North Sea licences granted by the Conservatives between 2010 and 2024 had so far produced just 36 days of gas, according to research by the energy transition campaign group Uplift and the energy consultancy Voar.

Tessa Khan, the executive director of Uplift, said this underlined the irrelevance of calls to max out the North Sea, describing them as vapid, political game-playing at the expense of ordinary people.

Lt Gen Richard Nugee, a retired army officer who held several key posts during his 36-year military career, told the Guardian that what had happened in Spain in recent months was illustrative.

The majority of the time [the Spanish] electricity price is no longer set by fossil fuels but by renewables. The net effect is that they are less affected by the straits of Hormuz, and more prepared to stand up to President Trump, he said.

Nugee said that was a real case of sovereignty not dependency, adding: Going for gas is both lengthy and finite and dependent on factors outside the countrys control. Going for renewables gives greater independence, greater sovereignty, less vulnerability to attack and more opportunity.

Amid growing calls for the government to row back on its ban on new North Sea oil and gas licences in recent weeks, experts point out that the North Sea is a mature basin, with its output declining by 75% since its peak. Issuing new licences would not bring down UK bills and would make almost no difference to gas imports in the short or long term.

Khem Rogaly, a co-director at the Transition Security Project, said relying on expensive and volatile fossil fuels  with prices set by global markets we cant control  makes British families vulnerable to shocks from US-led oil wars.

He added: Green energy delivered through public ownership can protect us from energy shocks while helping the UK develop a foreign policy independent of coercion by the US and its energy dominance agenda.

James Meadway, the director at the economic policy thinktank Verdant, said: What is being revealed by the Iran war is that large, centralised systems are vulnerable to attack  most dramatically in the form of actual drone and other missile strikes, but also more subtly in forms of hybrid warfare and cyber-attack. Cyber-attacks on European power infrastructure have doubled in recent years.

He called for more domestic solar generation, heat pumps and better insulation as part of a smaller-scale and more decentralised system. This also applies to extreme weather events, which are obviously becoming more frequent  single, large generation systems and centralised grids are more vulnerable to extreme heat, floods and storms.
Archie Rycroft, 19, and Kayla Smith, 18, appeared at Leeds magistrates court, along with a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons

Two teenagers charged with murder after the stabbing of a 16-year-old have been pictured.

Kayla Smith, 18 and Archie Rycroft, 19, appeared at Leeds magistrates court on Tuesday, along with a 17-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Chloe Watson Dransfield died in hospital after being found with stab wounds in Austhorpe on Saturday. The area is a quiet suburb east of Leeds.

All three of those charged are from Leeds and gave their ethnicities as white British.

The hearing was told the three teenagers were jointly charged with murdering Chloe on Saturday.

Mr Smith and Ms Rycroft were remanded into custody, while the 17-year-old was remanded into secure accommodation until their next hearing at Leeds Crown Court on Thursday.

Chloe Watson Dransfield died in hospital after being found with stab wounds on Saturday - West Yorkshire Police/PA

A total of six people have now been arrested. Another 18-year-old from Leeds has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in custody, while a third 18-year-old and a 17-year-old girl who were arrested on suspicion of murder have been released on bail pending further inquiries.

Chloe, from Gomersal, died in hospital following an incident in the Austhorpe area of the West Yorkshire city, at about 6am on Saturday.

Shantelle Watson, Chloes cousin, said her life had been taken over a boy.

On a fundraiser set up on GoFundMe, she wrote: 16 years young, didnt even make it to her 18th. Her whole life was taken in a flash over a boy, her mum is distraught, she has left two younger siblings behind.

She was beautiful, full of joy

On Monday evening, Chloes father and other family members issued a tribute, saying they were utterly devastated and she would never be forgotten.

We miss every single thing about her. She was beautiful, full of joy, and had a wonderfully cheeky personality, they said.

She embraced life with such happiness, and she had her whole future ahead of her. Chloe was loved by everyone who knew her, and the absence she leaves behind is immeasurable.

In a separate tribute, Chloes mother said that she cannot put into words the loss of her beautiful princess.

You are my life, my world, my best friend and I know that I am yours. I cannot live without you  I need you.

You are stunning, confident, loyal, honest and my family-oriented princess. Theres a big hole in my heart that can never be filled.

Your two sisters and big brother will always love and miss you to infinity. You will always and forever be in our hearts.

Flowers were laid in the quiet street of bungalows while officers in white protective clothing were seen going into one of the homes on Monday.
NEW YORK, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ --

Why: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, announces a class action lawsuit on behalf of purchasers of common stock of Coty Inc. (NYSE: COTY) between November 5, 2025 and February 4, 2026, inclusive (the "Class Period"). A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 22, 2026.

So what: If you purchased Coty common stock during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

What to do next: To join the Coty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47083 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than May 22, 2026. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

Why Rosen Law: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved, at that time, the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

Details of the case: According to the lawsuit, throughout the Class Period, defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or concealed material adverse facts concerning the true state of Coty's slowing growth in the beauty market, notably, the Consumer Beauty market was underperforming, margins were compressed by increased marketing investments and there was slowing growth in its Prestige fragrance segment. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Coty class action, go to https://rosenlegal.com/submit-form/?case_id=47083 or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

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The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

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New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

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Todays headlines: Kuwaiti oil tanker ablaze following Iranian attack off the coast of Dubai; Israel has approved the controversial law introducing the death penalty for Palestinian terrorism; human rights NGOs will appeal to the Supreme Court; New attacks by Pakistan in Afghanistan; The World Data Organisation has been established in Beijing to promote cooperation on the digital economy; The first Asian song contest promoted by Eurovision will take place in Bangkok in November.

INDONESIA

From today, Indonesia will scale back its free school meals programme to cope with budgetary pressures caused by the war in the Middle East and soaring oil prices. The initiative, strongly backed by President Prabowo Subianto, provides meals to around 60 million children and to pregnant and breastfeeding women. Ministers and Prabowo have decided to reduce the programme from six to five days a week in primary and secondary schools. According to the government, the measure will save around 40 trillion rupiah (2.3 billion dollars, ed.).

WAR IN THE MIDDLE EAST

A Kuwaiti oil tanker carrying millions of barrels caught fire after being struck by an Iranian drone whilst moored in Dubai: the 24 crew members are safe and the fire is reportedly under control. Overnight, further cross-border attacks were reported in Israel and Iran, with some areas of Tehran temporarily left without electricity. On the diplomatic front, contradictory reports are mounting: according to some rumours, US President Trump has told allies that he would be willing to end the war even without the immediate reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.

PAKISTAN-AFGHANISTAN

Whilst Islamabad is engaged in mediation over the conflict in Iran, on the Afghan front its army has resumed its military campaign against the Taliban in full force following the truce declared for the Islamic festival of Eid al-Fitr. Sources in Kabul report a further 18 people killed or injured in the last few hours in bombings in Kunar province.

ISRAEL

The Knesset yesterday approved the controversial law introducing the death penalty for Palestinians in the West Bank convicted of carrying out deadly terrorist attacks. MPs voted 62 to 47 to make hanging the standard punishment for West Bank residents convicted of deadly terrorist acts by military courts. Although judges may opt for life imprisonment in the presence of vaguely defined special circumstances, the death penalty would otherwise be mandatory and carried out within 90 days of the verdict. The measure was strongly backed by the far-right Minister of National Security, Itamar Ben Gvir. Israeli human rights organisations have announced they will appeal to the Supreme Court, highlighting the discriminatory nature of the measure, which does not apply to Israeli citizens responsible for acts of terrorism.

CHINA

The World Data Organization (WDO), the first international organisation dedicated to data development and governance, was officially launched yesterday in Beijing. Based in the Chinese capital, it operates as a non-governmental platform for dialogue, regulation and global cooperation. Its mission is to bridge the digital divide, harness the value of data and support the digital economy. Data is crucial for tackling global challenges, but significant inequalities persist between countries. The WDO therefore aims to improve access, capacity and the benefits of digitalisation globally.

THAILAND

The Eurovision Song Contest will also launch an Asian edition of its show this year. Broadcasters from 10 countries in the region  Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Nepal, the Philippines, South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam  have already joined the initiative, but according to the contests website, others are set to follow. The countries will host their own national selections ahead of the final in Bangkok, which will be broadcast live on 14 November.

RUSSIA

Apple, at the request of the regulatory agency Roskomnadzor, has removed several popular VPN services from the Russian section of the Apple Store, including Streisand, V2Box, v2RayTun and Happ-Proxy Utility, which will continue to work for those who have downloaded them, but will no longer receive updates, as they provide illegal content in Russia and effectively allow users to bypass many blocks and bans on platforms deemed undesirable in Russia.

KAZAKHSTAN

Kazakhstan is using the Israeli-made Ufed (Universal Forensic Extraction Device) system to extract personal data from mobile devices, including call logs, messages, videos and photographs, as evidenced by the trial of activist Bagdat Togysbaev from the Turkestan region, who was arrested by the police for criticising the authorities, and the seizure of his social media data and chat messages whilst he was detained at the police station.
by Joseph Masilamany

Out of 107 recorded cases, 43, or about 40 per cent, involve parliament. This is the highest figure in the last 11 years, when the survey began. For the report, it is "a mirror held up to our society." Meanwhile, the arrest of a journalist is fuelling fears about freedom of the press and information.

Kuala Lumpur (AsiaNews)  Malaysia saw a record number of cases of racism in 2025, this according to a study released yesterday.

Conducted by the human rights organisation Pusat KOMAS, the Malaysia Racism Report 2025 provides a snapshot of a society where critical elements emerge, particularly regarding tolerance and coexistence.

Specifically, it documents at least 107 incidents of racism and intolerance last year, the highest number since the survey began 11 years ago.

The study highlights persistent structural discrimination and a rise in racist rhetoric, particularly in political life, and calls for urgent reforms and greater accountability.

It details incidents across social settings, public discourse, and government institutions, highlighting what it describes as deeply embedded patterns of discrimination."

This report is not just a compilation of incidents. It is a mirror held up to our society, said Pusat KOMAS director Jerald Joseph.

Of the 107 recorded cases, 43, or about 40 per cent, involved parliament, making it the largest and most critical category overall.

The report attributes this to the growing use by elected officials of racialised majority narratives, xenophobic language, and religiously motivated rhetoric, a trend that risks normalising divisive language at the highest levels of the state.

Deputy Minister for National Unity Yuneswaran Ramaraj acknowledged the problem, stating that divisive narratives can undermine trust.

Politicians and Members of Parliament must take greater responsibility to lower the temperature when the fires of racism flare, he said.

In addition to politics, the report notes that racism continues to impact everyday life, including the workplace, education, and housing. These cases, though less visible, often have a major impact on individuals and communities.

Yogavelan Balamurli, of Pusat KOMAS, said the findings also highlight systemic gaps.

Racism in Malaysia is not isolated  it is structural, reproduced through policies, narratives, and everyday practices, he explained.

Officials also raised concerns about the role of digital platforms. Yuneswaran highlighted how many hateful comments circulating online appear to be generated or amplified by artificial intelligence, complicating efforts to manage public speech.

The deputy minister reiterated the government's commitment to boosting national unity, including the creation of an independent Harmony Commission and the promotion of more inclusive political frameworks.

Meanwhile, the arrest of journalist Kalidas Subramaniam, who was documenting the conditions of undocumented migrant workers, has drawn harsh criticism from Charles Santiago, a former MP for the Klang constituency.

At a time of great concern over rights, such an episode is "deeply troubling, he said, and a threat to press freedom in the country.

For Santiago, detaining a reporter in the course of his work sends a dangerous signal not only to media practitioners but also to the wider public.

Journalists play a critical role in documenting realities that are often deliberately obscured, particularly when it comes to vulnerable communities, the former lawmaker said in a statement. To arrest a reporter for doing his job sends a chilling message to the media and undermines the publics right to information.

Kalidas was reportedly detained under alleged trespassing provisions while investigating the living and working conditions of undocumented migrant workers  an issue Santiago described as both sensitive and systematically hidden from public scrutiny.

Malaysia relies heavily on migrant labour, particularly in sectors such as construction, plantations, manufacturing, and domestic work.

While millions of foreign workers form the backbone of the economy, a significant number remains undocumented, often due to systemic failures, exploitative recruitment practices, and bureaucratic hurdles.

Undocumented workers are especially vulnerable to abuse, including unpaid wages, unsafe working conditions, and the constant threat of arrest and deportation.
The return of more than 900,000 migrants has caused the flow of money from abroad to drop by more than 20 per cent, according to a report from the Cambodian central bank. This situation is squeezing households' financial means and creating new pressures on the domestic labour market. Meanwhile criticism of the government and tensions with Thailand along the border continue.

Phnom Penh (AsiaNews)  The return of Cambodian migrant workers from Thailand is impacting the countrys economy due to the sharp decline in remittances and new pressures on the domestic labour market.

According to the latest financial stability report from the Cambodian central bank, inflows from abroad dropped by 23.6 per cent in 2025, to approximately US$ 2.1 billion.

The decline is linked to border tensions between the two countries, which have prompted hundreds of thousands of Cambodian workers to leave.

Overall, Thailand accounts for over 77 per cent of remittances sent home by Cambodian migrants, but the latter saw a sharp contraction of 28.4 per cent.

Transfers from South Korea also decreased (-15.2 per cent), due to a series of legal crackdowns on online scam centres, which led to several repatriations. Remittances from Japan were an exception, recording a 22.5 per cent increase.

Between July and December 2025, more than 900,000 Cambodian workers returned from Thailand, reducing the spending power of many families, now compounded by the energy crisis resulting from the war in the Middle East.

These workers will experience uneven reintegration into the domestic market, partly due to significantly lower wages than in Thailand.

Furthermore, a report by the Center for Alliance of Labor and Human Rights (CENTRAL), published on 21 March, highlighted how migrants who returned in recent months are exposed to deceptive job offers, indebtedness, and limited access to support services.

Cambodias Ministry of Labour, however, reported that approximately 650,000 returnees have already found stable employment, while more than 90,000 jobs are still available, primarily in agriculture and industry.

The government's own data, which are different from those of the central bank, indicate that Cambodians abroad sent home US$ 1.86 billion in 2025, a sharp decline compared to US$ 2.95 billion the previous year.

The armed conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, sparked by a border demarcation that is not recognised by either side, has also impacted trade, exacerbating the economic hardship for Cambodian families.

Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, who reiterated his governments commitment to a peaceful resolution of the territorial dispute, denied recent claims circulating on social media that Cambodia had ceded territory to Thailand to end the fighting.

Photo: Raywatta chitthipaisan / Shutterstock.com
31 March 2026 14:10 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

For decades, Azerbaijans economic narrative has been written in oil and gas. The silhouettes of derricks against the Baku skyline served as the primary symbols of a nation fueling regional energy security. However, as the global energy landscape undergoes a seismic shift toward decarbonization, Azerbaijan is pivotally rewriting its script. The recent announcement that a major solar panel manufacturing facility will be established in the Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) marks more than just an industrial contract; it signals the birth of a high-tech manufacturing ecosystem that could redefine the countrys non-oil GDP.

The move to transition from an energy exporter to a renewable technology producer is a masterstroke of economic diversification. By inviting international expertise to build a 23-hectare solar manufacturing hub, Azerbaijan is moving up the value chain. It is no longer enough to simply harvest the sun; the goal is to build the tools that capture it. This shift carries profound implications for the national economy, ranging from trade balance improvements to the cultivation of a specialized workforce.

The primary advantage of this manufacturing leap is the orientation toward export. While Azerbaijans domestic demand for renewable energy is growing, the scale of the planned facility is designed for the global stage. By positioning this hub within a free economic zone, the country leverages its unique geography at the crossroads of Europe and Asia.

Solar panels planned to be produced in Alat will have streamlined access to international markets, transforming Azerbaijan into a regional "green hardware" hub. This generates a sustainable stream of foreign currency that is not tied to the volatility of Brent crude prices. In an era where the European Union and neighboring states are scrambling to meet ambitious net-zero targets, Azerbaijan is positioning itself as a nearby, reliable supplier of the essential components for the energy transition.

Beyond exports, the localization of solar technology provides a massive boost to domestic infrastructure projects. One of the greatest hurdles to rapid renewable adoption is the high capital expenditure associated with importing heavy, fragile components. By producing panels within its own borders, Azerbaijan effectively eliminates the "logistics tax" on its green transition.

When local developersand even the governmentlook to build massive solar farms in the liberated territories or across the Absheron peninsula, they will have "at-home" access to world-class technology. This reduces the overall cost of electricity production, making green energy more competitive than subsidized fossil fuels. Furthermore, the initiative to encourage rooftop solar installations on new industrial facilities within the economic zone creates a circular green economy where businesses produce their own power using locally made tools.

The arrival of advanced manufacturing acts as a catalyst for what economists call "industrial clustering." The solar plant is not an isolated project; it is a magnet. We are already seeing the ripple effects, with negotiations underway for wind turbine component manufacturing, including blades and essential equipment.

This creates a specialized industrial corridor. When a high-tech firm sets up shop, it brings with it a "knowledge spillover." Local engineers, technicians, and researchers gain exposure to cutting-edge Chinese and international manufacturing standards. This human capital development is perhaps the most lasting benefit. It prepares an Azerbaijani workforce for the "Fourth Industrial Revolution," ensuring that the labor market is defined by tech-literacy rather than manual extraction.

Azerbaijan is preparing to host COP29, a moment that puts its environmental credentials under a global microscope. Transitioning the economy from "oil-rich" to "tech-forward" is the most effective way to communicate this evolution. The development of the heavy industry zone in Alat, supported by robust infrastructure like new substations from Azerenerji, demonstrates a holistic state commitment to this vision.

The integration of solar manufacturing is a pragmatic response to a changing world. It acknowledges that while oil and gas provided the foundation for Azerbaijans modern statehood, renewable technology will provide the ceiling for its future growth. By producing the hardware of the future today, Azerbaijan is ensuring that its economic relevance remains as bright and constant as the Caspian sun.

The establishment of a solar manufacturing facility in the Alat Free Economic Zone is a defining moment for Azerbaijans industrial policy. It successfully bridges the gap between high-level climate goals and ground-level economic necessity. By focusing on exports, reducing domestic transition costs, and fostering a high-tech industrial cluster, Azerbaijan is doing more than just building a factoryit is building a new economic identity. As the first panels roll off the assembly line, they will represent more than just energy; they will represent a nation's resolve to lead the regional energy revolution.
31 March 2026 16:36 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

A Chinese company has been offered land in Azerbaijans Alat Free Economic Zone (AFEZ) for the construction of a solar power plant, as the country steps up efforts to expand renewable energy capacity and industrial output, AzerNEWS reports, citing Trend.

Valeh Alasgarov, Chairman of the Board of the AFEZ Authorized Body, said that Sunsync, the first Chinese company officially registered in the zone, will initially establish a 23-hectare solar panel manufacturing facility.

The plant will bring advanced technologies and innovative capabilities to Azerbaijan, with most of its output intended for export due to its large production capacity.

From the outset, the goal is not only to serve the domestic market but to access global markets, Alasgarov said.

The AFEZ administration is also encouraging investors operating in the zone to use locally produced solar panels for rooftop installations on new facilities. In addition, Sunsync is expected to participate in tenders across Azerbaijan for the supply of solar panels.

Alasgarov noted that once production begins, companies building solar power plants will benefit from easier and more cost-effective access to panels manufactured within the zone.

Authorities have also indicated their readiness to allocate land to Sunsync for the construction of a solar power plant within AFEZ. This would enable the company to generate green energy using its own panels and supply electricity to businesses operating in the zone.

In parallel, AFEZ is working on another major initiative focused on wind energy. Negotiations are underway with several companies to establish a facility for the production of wind turbine components, including blades and other essential equipment.

Local manufacturing of such components is expected to reduce construction costs for wind farms and eliminate logistical challenges associated with transporting large-scale equipment.

Meanwhile, infrastructure development in the zone is progressing steadily. Construction work has already begun in the area designated for heavy industry, where land preparation has been completed across 364 hectares. Additional infrastructure projects are planned for later this year.

Within the heavy industry zone, development work is being carried out by the Authorized Body. Outside the area, the state energy company Azerenerji is expected to begin construction of a major substation in the near future, alongside other infrastructure projects led by government agencies.

Alasgarov emphasized that investor interest is already growing, with applications submitted for operations in the heavy industry zone. Major industrial projects in AFEZ are expected to be announced in the near future.
31 March 2026 13:55 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A feature-length documentary "Nargin" will be screened at Nizami Cinema Center on March 31, AzerNEWS reports.

The film tells the story of Turkish soldiers imprisoned on Nargin Island during World War I, highlighting the selfless heroism of Sona Hajiyeva.

Based on real events, the film presents historical moments and personal stories from a dramatic perspective, offering audiences a vivid glimpse into the past.

The screenplay, based on real events, portrays historical incidents and personal stories through a dramatic lens.

Directed by Elmaddin Aliyev and Khayyam Abdullazade, the film was produced by Karvan Production with the support of the Azerbaijan Cinema Agency.

The film screening will begin at 19:00, and admission is free.
31 March 2026 18:24 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A new Azerbaijani literature section has been inaugurated at the Szechenyi National Library in Budapest, Hungary, AzerNEWS reports.

The opening ceremony was attended by David Rozsa, Director of the Hungarian National Library, as well as officials from both Azerbaijan and Hungary.

Speakers highlighted that the new section will make a significant contribution to the development of cultural cooperation and literary ties between the two countries, while also promoting mutual understanding among their peoples. It was underlined that libraries serve not only as effective tools of cultural diplomacy but also as platforms that connect diverse nations.

The Szechenyi National Library now offers readers more than 150 Azerbaijani publications.

Plans are also underway to open a Hungarian literature section in Baku in 2024, reflecting the ongoing and reciprocal nature of this cultural collaboration.

During the event, attendees had the opportunity to explore the newly established section and review the range of Azerbaijani literary works on display.

The National Szechenyi Library is Hungary's national library and one of the country's most important cultural institutions. It was founded in 1802 by Ferenc Szechenyi, who donated his extensive private collection to the nation with the aim of preserving Hungarian written heritage.

Located in the historic Buda Castle, the library houses more than 8 million items. Its collections include books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, newspapers, and audiovisual materials. Among its most valuable holdings are rare medieval codices, early Hungarian prints, and the famous Corvina collection, which dates back to the Renaissance library of King Matthias Corvinus.

The library plays a central role in collecting, preserving, and providing access to documents related to Hungary's history, language, and culture.

It also serves as a major research center, supporting scholars from Hungary and around the world. In addition, the National Szechenyi Library is actively involved in digitization, managing one of Central Europe's largest digital archiving initiatives to make its collections accessible online.
Shareholders approve all board-proposed agenda items

Cumulative voting, electronic general meetings and the revision of the quarterly dividend record date so as to enhance shareholder rights were introduced

SEOUL, South Korea, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Coway Co., Ltd., the "Best Life Solution Company," has announced that it today held its 37th Annual General Meeting (AGM) at its Yugu office in Gongju City, Chungcheongnam Province, South Korea.

Jangwon Seo, CEO of Coway, speaks at Coways 37th Annual General Meeting

This year's AGM saw shareholders approve all agenda items as proposed by the Board of Directors. Key agenda items included the ratifying of financial statements, consolidated financial statements and statements of the appropriation of retained earnings; partial amendments to the Articles of Incorporation; the appointment of directors; the appointment of outside directors to serve as Audit Committee members; and approval of the director remuneration limit.

During the meeting, Junhyuk Bang, Jangwon Seo and Soontae Kim were reappointed as inside directors. Simun Jeon was newly appointed as an outside director, while Catherine Heyjung Sonu and Heesun Chung were newly appointed as outside directors to serve as Audit Committee members.

Shareholders also approved the Amendments to Coway's Articles of Incorporation during this year's AGM. Coway will be introducing a cumulative voting system as well as electronic general meetings. Furthermore, the company revised provisions to allow the record date for quarterly dividends to be set after the dividend resolution date.

Meanwhile, shareholder proposals that would see the Audit Committee be comprised entirely of outside directors and that would appoint an outside director as Chair of the Board were not approved.

Jangwon Seo, CEO of Coway, said, "Coway will work to further strengthen communication with our shareholders, as well as to continue our efforts to achieve sustainable growth and enhance corporate value."

About Coway Co., Ltd.

Established in Korea in 1989, Coway, the "Best Life Solution Company," is a leading home environment appliances company making people's lives healthy and comfortable with innovative home appliances such as water purifiers, air purifiers, bidets, and mattresses. BEREX, the company's sleep & wellness brand, aims to improve the quality of life through cutting-edge mattresses and massage chairs. Since being founded, Coway has become a leader in the home environment appliances industry, with intensive research, engineering, development, and customer service. The company has proven dedication to innovation with award-winning products, home health expertise, unrivaled market share, customer satisfaction, and brand recognition. Coway continues to innovate by diversifying product lines and accelerating overseas business in Malaysia, the USA, Thailand, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Europe, based on the business success in Korea. In 2025, the company launched Coway Life Solution, a premium elder care platform offering personalized care solutions tailored to different life stages. For more information, please visit http://www.coway.com/ or http://newsroom.coway.com.

SOURCE Coway Co., Ltd.
31 March 2026 11:03 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

In line with the directive of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Ilham Aliyev, comprehensive measures to strengthen the material and technical base of the Azerbaijani Army, improve social and living conditions of servicemen, and enhance personnel professionalism are continuing successfully.

As reported by AzerNEWS, citing the Ministry of Defense, senior leadership attended the opening of several newly renovated and established facilities. These included the Engineering and Fortification Center of the Engineering Troops, the Psychological Support Department, the Baku Military Psychological Health Center, and the administrative building of the Legal Department.

The delegation also reviewed ongoing improvements at the Baku Military College under the National Defense University, as well as the Emergency Medical Unit of the Central Clinical Hospital of the Ministry of Defense.

The newly commissioned Engineering and Fortification Center is equipped with advanced simulator systems designed to train junior specialists and support modern demining operations. Officials inspected key infrastructure at the site, including fire stations, guard facilities, vehicle depots, ammunition and equipment storage units, and training grounds used for combat engineering exercises.

In addition, newly acquired engineering equipment and modern mechanical demining systems were presented, with detailed briefings on their tactical and technical capabilities.

As part of structural reforms aimed at maintaining high levels of psychological readiness among military personnel, newly renovated facilities for the Psychological Support Department and the Baku Military Psychological Health Center have been put into operation.

These centers feature specialized therapy rooms designed to enhance psychological resilience and support recovery from post-traumatic conditions. Dedicated workspaces have also been established for military psychologists, including areas for training and methodological coordination.

The center considered among the first of its kind in the region, will bring together military and civilian psychologists to support the psychological well-being of servicemen and their families. Services will include individual and group psychotherapy, psychological diagnostics, counseling, stress and trauma rehabilitation, and developmental support for children and adolescents.

The Ministrys leadership also attended the opening of the newly inaugurated administrative building of the Legal Department. Officials noted that the department plays a key role in regulating military legal matters in accordance with national legislation.

Its responsibilities include providing legal assistance to military personnel, combating military-related crimes, and addressing issues related to international law. The departments primary mission is to ensure legal compliance and support across all units and forces under the Ministry of Defense.
31 March 2026 11:25 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Georgias first full-scale oil refinery, Black Sea Petroleum (BSP), has announced plans to fully replace Russian crude with alternative sources, as it seeks to expand exports and align with European market requirements, AzerNEWS reports.

The companys co-founder and CEO, David Potskhveria, said in an interview that BSP, which initially began operations refining Russian oil, is now actively diversifying its raw material base.

In the future, this will allow BSP to export products to the European Union market. Our goal is to completely replace Russian raw materials. For this, we are already working with Turkmen oil, and at the next stage we plan to use Kazakh and other alternative sources, Potskhveria stated.

He emphasized that diversification is critical for unlocking export potential, noting that the European Union currently restricts imports of products derived from Russian oil. Transitioning to non-Russian feedstock would remove this barrier and open access to the EU market.

Potskhveria also highlighted the role of regional logistics, particularly via Azerbaijan, in facilitating new supply chains. After the start of supplies via this railway network (via Azerbaijan), the transit of other sources, including Kazakh oil, will be automatically possible, he said, referring to planned shipments of Turkmen crude.

According to Georgian media, BSP aims not only to diversify exports but also to fully meet domestic demand for oil products. The refinery, located in Kulevi, currently produces semi-finished products used in gasoline, diesel and aviation fuel production, with plans to transition to Euro-5 standard fuels by 2027.

The projects first phase has already been completed, with current annual capacity standing at around 1.2 million tons. Once fully developed, output is expected to reach 4.5 million tons. Total investment in the refinery is estimated at $600 million.
31 March 2026 08:00 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced Monday that Kyiv is prepared to explore multiple ceasefire options, provided Russia stops targeting Ukraines energy infrastructure.

If Russia is ready not to strike Ukraines energy infrastructure, we will not retaliate to theirs, Zelensky wrote on X, emphasizing that Ukraine is responding.

As reported by AzerNEWS, he added that Kyiv remains open to a full ceasefire, an energy ceasefire, or a food security ceasefire, and urged Moscow to propose a concrete timeframe.

Zelensky also addressed rising tensions in the Strait of Hormuz, noting that the issue is being handled by the United States while Ukraine stands ready to support its partners. He highlighted that Kyiv has shared its expertise in securing maritime routes and protecting critical infrastructure.
31 March 2026 09:00 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

Spain has closed its airspace to US aircraft involved in operations against Iran, Defence Minister Margarita Robles confirmed, AzerNEWS reports.

We will not authorise the use of Moron and Rota [military bases] for any acts related to the war in Iran, Robles said, stressing that Madrid had made its position clear to Washington from the outset.

Foreign Affairs Minister Jose Manuel Albares explained that the move aims to avoid anything that could encourage an escalation in this war.

The US has yet to respond, though President Donald Trump previously threatened a full trade embargo on Spain over its opposition to the Iran conflict.

Since the war began in late February, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been one of the most outspoken critics of US and Israeli strikes on Iran, calling them reckless and illegal. Earlier this month, he confirmed Spain had denied US access to the jointly operated bases at Rota and Moron in Andalusia.

Last week, Sanchez announced that Spain had rejected every single flight plan related to the Iran operation, including refuelling missions. We are a sovereign country that does not wish to take part in illegal wars, he declared.
31 March 2026 10:21 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Irans parliament has approved a draft law introducing transit fees for vessels passing through the Strait of Hormuz, a strategic chokepoint for global energy supplies, AzerNEWS reports, citing the Fars News Agency.

Mojtaba Zarei, a member of the Iranian Parliaments National Security Commission, provided details on the initiative.

Zarei stated that the bill regulating the management of the Strait of Hormuz has been endorsed by the relevant parliamentary committee. The draft legislation includes several key provisions:

The introduction of transit fees denominated in Irans national currency, the rial, along with related financial regulations.

A ban on transit for vessels linked to the United States and Israel.

Restrictions on passage for countries participating in unilateral sanctions against Iran.

Enforcement of Irans sovereign rights and the authority of its armed forces in the area.

Measures to ensure maritime security in the strait and across broader sea transport routes.

Environmental protection provisions.

Strengthening legal cooperation with Oman.

For the bill to enter into force, it must be approved by the relevant parliamentary committee, passed by parliament, reviewed by the Guardian Council, and ultimately signed by the president.
31 March 2026 12:05 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

As tensions continue to escalate in the Gulf, Arab nations appear increasingly divided over how the conflict with Iran should proceed, with some backing continued military pressure while others push for a diplomatic resolution, AzerNEWS reports via Associated Press.

According to the report, Donald Trump has received encouragement from key Gulf powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to maintain the current course of military operations against Iran. These countries argue that Tehran has not yet been sufficiently weakened and that halting the war prematurely could undermine long-term strategic outcomes.

The UAE is reported to have adopted a particularly assertive position, with discussions extending to the possibility of a ground operation. Meanwhile, Saudi officials have stressed that ending the conflict at this stage would not yield what they describe as a good deal, signaling concerns over any agreement that falls short of their security expectations.

Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are said to be pushing for concrete guarantees, including the neutralization of Irans nuclear and missile programs, as well as firm assurances that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and not be used as leverage in future confrontations.

In contrast, countries such as Oman and Qatar are advocating for diplomacy, emphasizing dialogue and de-escalation as the preferred path forward.

The Kuwait Petroleum Corporation has reported that an Iranian attack on the giant Al-Salmi oil tanker at Dubai port has caused a fire, warning that this incident could potentially lead to an oil spill.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Al Jazeera that President Donald Trump "always prefers diplomacy," but he cautioned Iran of "real consequences" in response to the partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

In light of the recent killing of three UN peacekeepers in Lebanon over the past 24 hours, France has requested an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council.

During a summit in Jeddah, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Jordans King Abdullah II condemned the Iranian attacks on regional civilian infrastructure.
31 March 2026 13:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Iran has taken a new step toward tightening control over one of the worlds most critical energy chokepoints, as a parliamentary commission approved a bill introducing fees for passage through the Strait of Hormuz, AzerNEWS reports via Iranian media.

Mojtaba Zarii, a member of the National Security Commission of the Iranian parliament, confirmed that the draft law on managing the strait has been approved at the committee level.

Zarii stated that the bill includes financial regulations mandating transit fees to be paid in Irans national currency, the rial. It also provides for a ban on passage for the United States and Israel, along with potential restrictions on countries that have joined unilateral sanctions against Iran.

The proposed legislation further emphasizes Irans sovereignty over the waterway, outlining an expanded role for its armed forces in enforcement, while also addressing maritime security, environmental considerations, and legal cooperation with Oman.

Before entering into force, the bill must pass a full parliamentary vote, receive approval from the Guardian Council, and be signed by the president.

Separately, Alaeddin Boroujerdi, another member of the National Security and Foreign Policy Commission, stated on March 22 that Iran has already collected around $2 million in transit fees from certain vessels passing through the strait.
31 March 2026 16:51 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

At least two people were lightly injured and six homes damaged in Al-Kharj, located in Saudi Arabias central region, after debris from a drone destroyed by the countrys air defense systems fell to the ground.

As reported by AzerNEWS, according to a statement from Saudi Arabias Civil Defense, the incident occurred when remnants of the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) struck residential areas.

The countrys defenses intercepted eight ballistic missiles launched from Iran throughout the day, three of which were headed toward the capital, Riyadh.

Additionally, the Ministry of Defense reported that ten UAVs violating Saudi airspace were detected and destroyed in recent hours.

Saudi authorities continue to monitor the situation closely and ensure civilian safety in affected areas.
31 March 2026 16:19 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

European Union member states must be ready for potential long-term disruptions in energy supplies due to the ongoing conflict in Iran, EU Energy and Housing Commissioner Dan Jorgensen has warned in a letter to ministers of the bloc, AzerNEWS reports.

Although the current impact on Europes energy supply remains under control, Jorgensen stressed that governments should take timely measures to prepare for any prolonged interruptions.

The warning comes against the backdrop of renewed tensions over Irans nuclear program. Under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) between Iran and the P5+1 group, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2231, suspending previous sanctions and limiting Irans nuclear activities.

However, after the United States withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, Iran gradually abandoned some of the plans restrictions, drawing international concern. By September 28, 2025, UN sanctions against Iran were reinstated.

According to a May 2025 report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has stockpiled 9,247 kilograms of enriched uranium, including 408 kilograms enriched above 60%.

Despite multiple negotiations between the U.S. and Iran over the nuclear program, no concrete agreement was reached, and tensions escalated. Since February 28, 2026, the U.S. and Israel have carried out airstrikes against Iranian targets, prompting Iran to respond with missile and drone attacks on Israel and U.S. military sites in the region. The conflict has since spread across several countries in the Middle East.

The escalation has placed the regions energy infrastructure and maritime transport at serious risk. Heightened security tensions around the Strait of Hormuz have driven global oil prices sharply higher, with Iran maintaining strict control over which vessels may pass through the strategic waterway.

The EU is now being urged to develop contingency plans to mitigate potential disruptions in energy supplies amid the ongoing regional instability.
31 March 2026 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

The Israeli Defense Ministry decided to annul all of its defense agreements with France, Israel's Channel 12 reported on Tuesday, AzerNEWS reports.

According to the report, the Israeli Defense Ministry issued the order as France has been acting "hostile" toward Israel ever since the events that took place in October 2023.

Last year, France shut some of Israel's stands at a Paris airshow. At the time, Israeli officials condemned the decision, calling it "bluntly antisemitic." France has also called for an arms embargo on Israel in the past.

It was unclear exactly how the decision would impact the countries, given that France has been boycotting Israeli weapons since mid-way through the Israel-Hamas War in Gaza, and given that a source clarified that existing contracts would be honored and private companies could still make deals.

In addition, France has pressured Israel to reduce its attacks on Hezbollah during the 2023-2024 conflict, while full hostilities were reduced but not gone in 2024, and during the current conflict.

Despite the disagreements, France helped defend Israel from Iranian missiles and drones in 2024, and the countries are still cooperating in various intelligence and other capacities.

For example, France helped snap back global nuclear sanctions on Iran in the summer of 2025.
New On Point Loyalty Report Highlights Growing Strategic Importance of Airline Loyalty Programs

SINGAPORE, March 30, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Air Lines' SkyMiles has been ranked the world's most valuable airline loyalty program, with an estimated valuation of more than USD 31 billion, according to the latest On Point Loyalty Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs 2026 report.

American Airlines' AAdvantage ranks second at over USD 26 billion, followed closely by United Airlines' MileagePlus at more than USD 25 billion. Together, these programs underscore the growing role of loyalty platforms as core drivers of airline enterprise value.

Loyalty Programs Move to the Center of Airline Economics

Once considered a secondary marketing tool, airline loyalty programs have become critical financial assets within the aviation industry.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines relied heavily on the predictable cash flows and profitability of their loyalty programs, using them to secure record-breaking financing transactions when traditional funding sources were constrained.

"The value that loyalty programs can bring for airlines has never been greater" said Evert de Boer, Managing Partner at On Point Loyalty.

"This edition marks the fourth time we are publishing the report, allowing us to deploy a consistent and robust framework to develop and compare valuations over time. Our report shows an overall positive trajectory for valuations, with 62 programs realizing higher valuations compared to 2023."

Comprehensive Global Analysis

The report is based on an extensive analysis of more than 170 airlines worldwide, combining publicly available data with On Point Loyalty's proprietary insights and valuation models.

Over 50 variables were incorporated into the analysis, spanning:

Airline operational and financial performance

Loyalty program attractiveness, structure and economics

Country-level macroeconomic and regulatory factors

This approach enables a consistent, comparative valuation framework across global airline loyalty programs.

Top 10 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs (2026)

Rank Program Airline(s) Valuation (USD m) 1 SkyMiles Delta Air Lines 31,783 2 AAdvantage American Airlines 26,732 3 MileagePlus United Airlines 25,329 4 IAG Avios Aer Lingus, British Airways, Iberia,

Vueling 10,345 5 Rapid Rewards Southwest Airlines 8,941 6 Miles & More Air Dolomiti, Austrian, Brussels Airlines,

Croatia Airlines, Discover,

Eurowings, ITA Airways, LOT

Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Lufthansa

City, Luxair, SWISS 8,709 7 Flying Blue Air France, KLM, Transavia 7,473 8 Aeroplan Air Canada 7,379 9 Qantas Frequent Flyer Jetstar, Qantas 7,012 10 PhoenixMiles Air China, Air Macau, Beijing

Airlines, Dalian Airlines, Air China

Inner Mongolia, Kunming Airlines,

Shenzhen Airlines 5,898

A Strategic Asset Class for Airlines and Investors

The findings reinforce a broader industry shift: airline loyalty programs are increasingly viewed as stand-alone, high-value businesses rather than ancillary marketing functions.

Their combination of recurring revenue streams, strong margins, and scalable partner ecosystems has attracted growing interest from investors and financial markets.

Access the Full Report

The full ranking of the Top 100 Most Valuable Airline Loyalty Programs, along with detailed methodology and insights, is available at:

www.onpointloyalty.com

About On Point Loyalty

On Point Loyalty is an advisory firm specializing in loyalty strategy, program economics, and financial optimization of loyalty programs.

We work together with our clients across aviation, hospitality and retail to define and implement the optimal loyalty strategy and structure.

Within the airline loyalty ecosystem, we support airlines and investors to develop and implement strategies that maximize the long-term value of a loyalty program.

Our services span:

Loyalty program strategy

Organizational design and structure

Program economics

Financial modelling and valuations

Partner ecosystem development

To offer a complete suite of solutions to our clients, On Point Loyalty partners with Fidivio, the world's first SaaS platform that automates accounting and FP&A for loyalty programs. Together we bring to bear a unique combination of expertise and tools to realize maximal value from your loyalty program.

SOURCE On Point Loyalty
31 March 2026 18:00 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to hold talks with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Moscow on April 1, AzerNEWS reports.

According to a statement released by the Kremlin press service and cited by Russian media, the meeting will focus on a broad range of bilateral and regional issues.

The talks are planned to discuss the current state and prospects of strategic partnership and alliance relations between Russia and Armenia, integration cooperation in the Eurasian space, as well as topical issues of the regional agenda, in particular the development of economic and transport-logistics relations in the South Caucasus, the statement said.
31 March 2026 15:28 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

Qatar has issued a strong call for restraint in the ongoing regional conflict, urging all parties to avoid targeting energy and nuclear infrastructure, warning that such actions could trigger severe and far-reaching consequences.

Speaking on behalf of the Foreign Ministry, a Qatari spokesperson emphasised that attacks on critical infrastructure would not only escalate the conflict but also risk destabilising global energy markets and regional security, AzerNEWS reports, citing Aljazeera.

The spokesperson confirmed that Qatar has already taken diplomatic measures in response to recent developments, including the expulsion of several Iranian diplomats. The move underscores growing strain in relations between Doha and Tehran amid the intensifying crisis.

We see attacks on Qatar as having a catastrophic effect on the relationship between the two countries, the spokesperson said, signalling that bilateral ties have entered a period of heightened tension.

Despite the deterioration in relations, Qatar indicated it remains open to dialogue. We will find a way to work together, the spokesperson noted, while criticising efforts to draw the country into the broader conflict. The choice to drag us into the war has caused tension.

Reiterating its longstanding position, Doha stressed its opposition to any form of escalation, warning that continued hostilities would only deepen losses across all sides. Any further escalation will mean more losses for all parties, the spokesperson added.

Qatars remarks come at a time of growing concern over the potential expansion of the conflict, particularly as fears mount over the vulnerability of strategic energy assets and sensitive nuclear facilities in the region.
31 March 2026 15:40 (UTC+04:00)

Akbar Novruz Read more

United States President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the countries that are having issues with jet fuel supply because of the Strait of Hormuz, should go there and "TAKE IT", AzerNEWS reports.

"All of those countries that can't get jet fuel because of the Strait of Hormuz, like the United Kingdom, which refused to get involved in the decapitation of Iran, I have a suggestion for you: Number 1, buy from the US, we have plenty, and Number 2, build up some delayed courage, go to the Strait, and just TAKE IT," Trump said in a post on Truth Social, telling the allies to learn "how to fight for yourself," as Washington won't be there to help them anymore as they were not there to help the US before.

The US president also stated that the "hard part" is already done, since Iran has been "essentially decimated."

As tensions continue to escalate in the Gulf, Arab nations appear increasingly divided over how the conflict with Iran should proceed, with some backing continued military pressure while others push for a diplomatic resolution.

According to the report, Donald Trump has received encouragement from key Gulf powers, including Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, to maintain the current course of military operations against Iran. These countries argue that Tehran has not yet been sufficiently weakened and that halting the war prematurely could undermine long-term strategic outcomes.

The UAE is reported to have adopted a particularly assertive position, with discussions extending to the possibility of a ground operation. Meanwhile, Saudi officials have stressed that ending the conflict at this stage would not yield what they describe as a good deal, signaling concerns over any agreement that falls short of their security expectations.

Both Riyadh and Abu Dhabi are said to be pushing for concrete guarantees, including the neutralization of Irans nuclear and missile programs, as well as firm assurances that the Strait of Hormuz will remain open and not be used as leverage in future confrontations.

In contrast, countries such as Oman and Qatar are advocating for diplomacy, emphasizing dialogue and de-escalation as the preferred path forward.
31 March 2026 20:21 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Kazakhstan is set to launch an experimental self-driving car project in collaboration with international technology companies, AzerNEWS reports.

This was announced by Jaslan Madiyev, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development. He emphasized that the country is placing special focus on the development of unmanned technologies.

In Kazakhstan, we plan to launch an experimental self-driving car project with participation from international technology companies. The project is scheduled for the second quarter of 2026, Madiyev said.

He added that the necessary infrastructure for these technological solutions is already being established. As part of a private initiative, a pilot project is underway to introduce delivery drones, which will test new models of urban mobility and logistics.

Interestingly, experts note that Kazakhstans push into autonomous vehicles and drone technology could position the country as a regional hub for smart city innovations, attracting investment and accelerating the adoption of AI-driven transport solutions.
31 March 2026 20:45 (UTC+04:00)

By Alimat Aliyeva

Thailand has officially introduced rules allowing sellers of alcoholic beverages to assess customers for intoxication and refuse service to those deemed drunk, AzerNEWS reports.

While selling alcohol to visibly intoxicated people has long been prohibited in Thailand, the new regulations provide clear criteria for determining intoxication. Three simple tests have been approved for use by shop and bar employees.

Customers may be asked to touch the tip of their nose with their eyes closed, walk a few meters in a straight line with a circle turn, or stand on one leg for 30 seconds, raising the other at least 15 centimeters off the ground. Failing any of these tests can result in a denial of alcohol service.

Other signs of intoxication include the smell of alcohol, slurred speech, unsteady gait, red eyes, sudden mood swings, aggressiveness, and reduced concentration. Establishments that violate these rules can face heavy fines.

Interestingly, experts note that these measures could make Thailand one of the few countries with a standardized, behavioral approach to preventing alcohol-related incidents. Some bars and shops may even use these tests as a lighthearted way to promote responsible drinking while keeping patrons safe.
31 March 2026 23:31 (UTC+04:00)

AzerNEWS Staff Read more

King Charles III is set to make an official state visit to the United States this April at the invitation of the American government, according to a statement from Buckingham Palace, AzerNEWS reports.

The visit will commemorate the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, underscoring the enduring ties between the two nations. The King will be accompanied by his wife, Queen Camilla.

The royal program will focus on both the historical foundations and modern dynamics of UK-U.S. relations, highlighting the close diplomatic, cultural, and strategic partnership between the allies.

As part of the trip, King Charles III is also expected to travel to Bermuda, marking his first visit to a British Overseas Territory since ascending the throne.

The visit is being seen as a significant diplomatic moment, reinforcing the long-standing special relationship between United Kingdom and United States.
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- After more than six weeks of uncertainty, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents will begin receiving paychecks as the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown continues. Despite this development, staffing shortages are still expected to affect airport operations at some airports.

As TSA delays persist heading into peak Spring Break travel season, experts at Squaremouth, a leading travel insurance marketplace, are advising travelers not to let their guard down, as airport operations are unlikely to improve overnight. With that in mind, Squaremouth has outlined the following tips to help travelers protect their time and investment.

Spring Break Tips for Travelers:

Monitor Wait Times and Airline Updates: Airline apps and airport websites can provide live updates on key information, such as TSA wait times, delays, and gate changes. Staying informed can help you avoid unnecessary stress.

Plan for Extra Time and Flexibility: Because some TSA wait times are still lengthy, arrive a few hours early. Consider traveling during off-peak hours when possible.

Pack Smart: Keep essential items with you, such as snacks, a power bank, and headphones, to make waiting more manageable. Make sure you practice TSA guidelines for a smoother experience; follow liquid and electronics rules, keep your ID and boarding pass on hand, and limit carry-on clutter.

Expedite Screening When Possible: Services such as TSA PreCheck or CLEAR can help avoid long wait times; however, availability can vary depending on the airport. Make sure to check availability for your specific airport.

Understand the Travel Insurance Implications: Standard travel insurance generally won't cover interruptions caused by long TSA lines. Travel delay or missed connection benefits only apply when the disruption is caused by covered perils, like severe weather, airline mechanical issues, or other unforeseen events listed in your policy. That said, travel insurance remains valuable protection for other events that can compound an already disrupted trip, such as a cancelled flight due to severe weather, a sudden illness that forces you to cut your trip short, or a lost or delayed bag. Review your policy carefully and keep all receipts and documentation in the event you need to file a claim.

Read more about travel insurance during and after a government shutdown here.

About Squaremouth

Squaremouth is a trusted travel insurance comparison platform with over 20 years of experience. Known for its no-nonsense approach, award-winning customer service, and commitment to transparency, Squaremouth has helped more than 4 million travelers easily search, compare, and buy coverage. Squaremouth offers the largest portfolio of carriers and products in the U.S.

Contact

Lauren McCormick

Manager, Public Relations & Social Strategy

[email protected]

SOURCE Squaremouth
In this weeks Truth for Our Times, we consider the troubling pattern surrounding gambling and corruption, what history teaches about the dangers of delaying decisive action in war, and why silence in the face of cultural defiance is not neutralitybut surrender.



When Gambling Expands, Something Good Declines



A look at North Carolinas political history reveals a sobering pattern: wherever gambling gains ground, ethical concerns and troubling influences often follow close behind. From corruption scandals to questionable financial entanglements, the evidence raises an unavoidable question: Does gambling bring more than it promises, and at what cost to the integrity of public life?



What Americas Past Wars Can Teach Us About the War with Iran



Calls for restraint in the face of conflict are not newthey echo the very arguments made before America entered two world wars. But history also warns of another danger: waiting too long to confront a growing threat. The question is not simply whether war should be avoided, but whether inaction may invite something far worse.



When Silence Is Surrender (Part 2 of No Time for the Light to Go Dim)



The story of David and Goliath is more than a tale of courageit is a reminder that moments of open defiance against God demand a response. In an age when truth is increasingly challenged, silence is not neutrality. It is surrender. And the question before the Church is clear: who will step forward in the name of the Lord?



Scripture for Reflection



I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord (Psalm 122:1)



A Word for Our Times



He cast our sins behind His back, He blots them out; He says that though they be sought for, they shall not be found.



-Charles Spurgeon

Share Truth for Our Times

If this newsletter encourages you, please consider forwarding it to a friend, pastor, or family member.

Speaking Engagements



Churches, ministries, and civic organizations are invited to prayerfully consider Rev. Mark Creech as a speaker for worship services, revival meetings, conferences, and special events. Rev. Creech speaks on biblical faith, cultural engagement, public policy, and the Christian worldview, delivering messages that are faithful to Scripture and deeply relevant to the challenges of our time.



For scheduling inquiries:

RevMarkCreech.org/booking

919-915-3033

mark@revmarkcreech.org
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High near 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers in the evening will evolve into a more steady rain overnight. Low 46F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun early, then becoming cloudy later in the day. High around 70F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Showers early, becoming a steady rain late. Low 46F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%. Rainfall around a quarter of an inch. Locally heavy rainfall possible.
Being in here in the last three weeks has been so wonderful and relaxing for patients because we have space, owner Christina Meucci said. There's a peaceful energy about this place It's not so tight and squeezed.
Janis Joplin and the Kozmic Blues Band were not the first Tanglewood contemporary performers, but they were the first real hard-rocking act that performed under the famed pavilion.
The East Housatonic Street bridge will close for at least six weeks starting Wednesday for state-managed repairs to structural damage, with traffic detoured via Main Street.
The Marine Plastics Ambassadors program focuses on providing participants with advocacy training and policy engagement opportunities.

WASHINGTON, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- From rivers and lakes to coastal ecosystems, plastics continue to infiltrate the systems that sustain communities, wildlife, and economies around the world. To accelerate solutions, EarthEcho Internationalfounded by explorer and ocean advocate Philippe Cousteau, Jr.is launching its largest cohort of Marine Plastics Ambassadors, a growing national initiative funded by SC Johnson designed to empower young changemakers with the tools, training, and platforms needed to advance solutions that protect watersheds and ocean environments from plastic waste.

The Marine Plastics Ambassadors program equips participants with advocacy training and leadership development to address plastic pollution at its source. Through mentorship and hands-on policy engagement, Ambassadors will work to drive scalable solutions, tailored to their home communities, that reduce plastic waste and strengthen environmental protections nationwide.

"Young people recognize their own power and agency and are engaging with policy makers to affect positive change. The Marine Plastics Ambassadors are leading the way, and EarthEcho is proud to build a community of practice that empowers them to change the world." Philippe Cousteau.

"It's encouraging to see young people stepping forward to help tackle this important issue," said Fisk Johnson, Chairman and CEO of SC Johnson. "As a company, we advocate for smart government regulation as a crucial tool in tackling the plastic waste crisis. We're pleased to partner with EarthEcho to support this next generation of leaders in their advocacy efforts."

Visit earthecho.org/plastics-ambassadors to meet the 2026 Marine Plastics Ambassadors, who will have the opportunity to come together this summer in Washington, D.C., to advance their policy priorities, engage with legislators and demonstrate the power of youth-driven solutions to reduce plastic pollution.

Marine Plastic Pollution Facts

Over 430 million tons of plastic are produced around the globe each year - two thirds of which are single-use plastics, designed to be used once or for a few minutes and then thrown away (OECD, 2022).





Approximately 11 million metric tons of plastic waste enters oceans annually (the equivalent of a garbage truck load of plastic every minute) with estimates of that number nearly tripling by 2040 (Pew Charitable Trusts, 2020).





Plastic litter and resulting microplastics have devastating effects on marine ecosystems (UNEP, 2021). Microplastics can now be found throughout the food chain, including within humans (WHO, 2022).

For more information, visit www.earthecho.org/plastics-ambassadors and follow us on social media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/earthecho

Instagram: @EarthEcho

LinkedIn: @earthecho-international

For information about EarthEcho International, please visit www.earthecho.org.

SOURCE EarthEcho International
The citys delegation to Beacon Hill is working to find additional funding for the Pittsfield Public Schools as the district works to make up more than $4 million in budget cuts for next school year.

A supplemental budget passed by the Massachusetts House of Representatives on March 18 includes a $300,000 earmark for Pittsfield for special education transportation costs. It's one of several efforts by lawmakers to find dollars to help the Pittsfield district and neighboring rural districts.

The funding for the $1.8 billion supplemental budget, for the current fiscal year, comes from revenue collected under the Fair Share Amendment, also known as the "millionaires' tax."

While school districts across the county are facing difficult choices, Pittsfields situation stands out: The district is attempting to reinvent its middle school program and address longstanding inequities while navigating a $4.3 million budget deficit. Those financial difficulties are a factor as the School Committee considers whether to close Morningside Community School in June.

The idea is we might be able to save a few positions, state Rep. Tricia Farley-Bouvier, D-Pittsfield, said Friday. Whatever we can do to blunt this is what were trying to do.

Farley-Bouvier also said shes watching to see if Pittsfield will qualify for additional minimum aid in the coming budget year under a state program for underfunded districts.

Because Pittsfield has received additional state funding to help educate its high percentage of students in poverty over the past several years, it has not qualified for minimum aid. That program guarantees additional funding to districts in communities where local and state school funding isnt enough to offset increased costs.

Now that Pittsfield is no longer at Tier 11 for aid to high-poverty districts  a change resulting in much smaller growth in aid for fiscal 2027  it might qualify for minimum aid funding this year, Farley-Bouvier said. If that's funded at $150 per pupil, as last year, it could help save more positions, she said.

Meanwhile, state Sen. Paul W. Mark said hell work to support that earmark when the body takes up its version of the $1.8 billion supplemental spending bill. He also said hed look for opportunities for additional funding to narrow the gap for Pittsfield specifically."

If we can add a couple hundred thousand dollars, thats my No. 1 priority for this particular budget bill, he said.

County lawmakers agree that the states education funding formulas need an overhaul, and that many lawmakers support such an effort.

We need to address the whole problem," Farley-Bouvier said. "It took 10 years to do the last [formula]. We need to start that rolling immediately.

She added that such efforts should remain focused on districts with a high density of high-need students and rural districts facing both declining enrollment and increasing expenses. The Student Opportunity Act, for example, provided significant investments for gateway cities such as Pittsfield, but wasnt nearly as helpful to rural regional districts.

For the rest of Berkshire County, the rural district funding is really problematic, she said.

State Rep. John Barrett III, D-North Adams, said hes spoken with the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education, and he's concerned that without action, a citizen lawsuit will force the Legislature's hand.

And state Rep. Leigh Davis, D-Great Barrington, is a House co-sponsor of a Senate bill seeking to better align the funding formula with actual costs for expenses such as special education, transportation and communities' ability to pay.

Whether its the inner city of Boston or the smallest towns in my district or the Cape and Islands, its impacting everybody, Mark said. Well work together with our counterparts to try to figure out how we take this money and make sure its invested in the smartest way possible."

That said, Mark is wary of funding formulas as magic bullet solutions.

There is this idea that you can find something that works for everybody, and thats not really the truth, said Mark, whose district includes Pittsfield (population 43,959) and Rowe (population 424). You need targeted investments to be made to make sure every community is being treated fairly.

As for rural aid, Davis and Barrett were co-sponsors of an amendment adding $2 million to that program within the supplemental budget.

Its a big deal for these districts, because theyre hurting bad, Barrett said.

Davis also obtained another $2 million for the special education "circuit breaker" that helps districts defray high costs. Pittsfield, for example, is counting on more than $3 million from that source in fiscal 2027.

"It's a step  not the solution  but I'll keep pushing until we fix the formula and deliver the level of support our rural schools truly need," Davis said.

Barrett also successfully obtained $100,000 to continue the Northern Berkshire Regionalization Committee undertaken by four North County school districts. That study has stalled for the moment, as bids submitted by consultants exceeded the $125,000 in grant money available for the work.
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Where was Jesus crucified? The crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth is one of ancient historys most proven events. The fact has been substantiated by theologians and historians alike. It has been written without hyperbole:

Even those scholars and critics who have been moved to depart from almost everything else within the historical content of Christs presence on earth have found it impossible to think away the factuality of the death of Christ. -John McIntyre, 'The Uses of History in Theology'

An example of this statement is the affirmation of Dr. Bart Erhrman of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. While critical of the New Testament in many instances and denying the supernatural essence of Christianity, the noted secular scholar affirmed this in his 'The Historical Jesus: Lecture Transcript and Course Guidebook, Vol. 2:'

One of the most certain facts of history is that Jesus was crucified on orders of the Roman prefect of Judea, Pontus Pilate.

The four Gospels assert this pivotal landmark in redemptive history. Secular authorities of the day confirmed it. The Early Church affirmed it. Millions and millions believe it. But where did the crucifixion happen? The answer to that question is closely related to Gods will and Gods ways. To put it simply, the location of the crucifixion of Jesus is both known and unknown.

Get your FREE 8-Day Prayer and Scripture Guide - Praying Through the Holy Week HERE. Print your own copy for a beautiful daily devotional leading up to Easter.

Where Was Jesus Crucified?

Do we know exactly where was Jeus crucified? The Gospels affirm that Christ was crucified outside of the gates of the city of Jerusalem. Both John and the writer to the Hebrews affirm this fact:

Then many of the Jews read this title, for the place where Jesus was crucified was near the city; and it was written in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin (John 19:20, NKJV).

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate (Hebrews 13:12, NKJV).

The Bible also confirms that the crucifixion was carried out by officials of the Rome Empire in confederation with Jewish rabbinical leaders, the Sanhedrin. The presence of Roman military personnel point to the military nature of the mission and the significance of the execution to both locals and, due to local pressure, the Roman provincial government (recommended book: Jesus: A New Vision). We know that one could see the Roman execution on the cross from a great distance. For we read,

There were also women looking on from a distance; among them were Mary Magdalene, and Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. -Mark 15:40

Most significantly, we know the name of the place where Jesus was crucified. C. W. Wilson writes, It is clear . . . that Christ was crucified at a known spot, with a distinctive name . . . For after being humiliated and harassed by carrying his cross through the crowded streets of angry onlookers, leading to the execution site, Jesus of Nazareth was crucified at a place called Golgotha, that is to say, the place of the skull (Matthew 27:33 ESV). Golgotha is the Greek transliteration of the Aramaic Gulgulta, which corresponds to the Hebrew Gulgoleth, according to Wilson. The Greek equivalent is kranion (from which the English word, cranial, is derived). It is Dr. Luke who uses the Latin word, calvaria. The English transliteration is the well-known designation, Calvary. The actual translation into English would be skull or cranium (Carl Hensley, Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible).

The Jewish Wars of Rebellion (A.D. 66-73) that witnessed the A.D. 70-71 destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by Titus (A.D. 39-81), undoubtedly added to the digression of local terrain (Lawrence Schiffman, From Text to Tradition). Finally, the noted church historian of antiquity, Eusibius, journeyed to Jerusalem to discover the site of the Lords crucifixion. The great church father and scholar went there with Queen Helena (A.D. 246-330), the Roman Empress and mother of Constantine the Great (A.D. 272-337). The local Jerusalem Christians led Eusibius and Helena to a site outside of the gates of the old city (the walls were enlarged in the sixteenth century), a site where liturgical celebrations had been held until A.D. 66 (Jerome Murphy-O'Connor, The Holy Land). The landscape went through significant changes when Hadrian (A.D. 36-138), in 135, built temples to Roman deities, including Aphrodite and Jupiter, in the Aelia Capitolina (the new Roman name that Hadrian gave for Jerusalem).

Jerome Murphy-O'Connor states, Despite the evidence of Jerome and certain late Byzantine texts the Holy Sepulcher remains the most probable site of the Capitoline temple. And that is a remarkable statement. For in A.D. 326, Helenas son, Constantine began construction on a Christian edifice, the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, which would enclose both Golgotha, the place of crucifixion, and Joseph of Arimatheas tomb, the burial place and the site of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Murphy-OConnor, in the Oxford Archeological Guide from the Earliest times to 1700, summarized both the history and archeology of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher and the alternative possibilities and concluded, Is this the place where Christ died and was buried? Yes, very probably.

What We Dont Know about the Location of Jesus' Crucifixion

In answer to the question above, and despite the unequivocal assertions of some, we must reply, plenty. We know what we dont know, and we are certain that we dont know what we dont know. Lets take just the clear biblical claim that our Lord was crucified at Golgotha. While we know what the word, Golgotha, or Calvary, means (i.e., skull), we dont know whether it is referring to one of three origins to the name.

What Does "Golgotha" Mean?

Golgotha, the Place of the Skull, might refer to the legendary place of Adams skull.

Yes, thats right. The Church Father, Origen (A.D. 185-253), both a Hebrew scholar and a resident of Jerusalem, relates Golgotha to the place where Adams skull was believed to be buried. If you think Origen is a little off, one might challenge your view by pointing to other leaders of the Early Church who believed that Jesus was crucified in the field of Adams burial. This number would include the respected Athanasius (A.D. 296-373), Epiphanies (A.D. 312-403), and Basil of Caesarea (A.D. 329-379).

The second view of Golgotha is more logical, but still differs from the majority view:

Golgotha May Be a Roman Killing Field

Where was Jesus crucified? In this scenario, the place where our Lord was crucified was a common killing field for rebels and criminals hostile to Roman occupation. Thus, the area was littered with skulls of condemned criminals (Wilson, Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre). Once the flesh was gone from the skull and skeleton, the family members would bury the remains. No less than the preeminent Christian scholar and Bible translator, Jerome (A.D. 347-420), and the English historian and monk, Venerable Bede (A.D. 673-735), held to this position. There is a famous burial ground in London called Bunhill Fields (Alfred Light, Bunhill Fields). The word Bunhill is a colloquial pronunciation of Bone Hill. Nonconformist ministers and others outside of the pale of the Church of England were buried there. This second view of Calvary purports that the hill where Christ was crucified was, also, a Bunhill Fields.

Now, the third view is likely the one that you have heard.

Golgotha Might Refer to a Geological Formation Resembling a Skull

This understanding has remained the most popular view of the place of Golgotha since at least the eighteenth century. Some have, thus, written of Golgotha as a bald hill top, a rock formation that resembles a human skull. Yet, we must remember that there are no references to this in the Bible. Yes, it was an elevated place that could be seen, but it is not called Mount Calvary by any Biblical writers, nor any Greek, Jewish, or Roman observers. It appears to be a late Western notion (Wilson, Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre).

Now, all of this might be somewhat upsetting to some who have believed one or the other concepts about Golgotha. Moreover, the controversy underscores the reality: we really are only sure about what the Bible says. And is that enough?

We Know All We Need to Know

The Bible tells us that our Lord Jesus Christ was crucified on a cross between two thieves, one repentant and one not. The Bible also tells us who crucified Christ: a conspiracy of Roman officials and Jewish religious leaders. In other words, Gentile and Jew alike were represented in the cosmic crime of deicide (the murder of God by Man). We know that the cross could be seen from a long way. We know that there were women there, including the mother of Jesus. We know that the Apostle John was there. We know that many deserted our Lord Jesus Christ in his greatest hour of need. But there is much more that we dont know. It is as if the Holy Spirit has placed a permanent veil over the scene. We must remember that the deed was so awful that the earth quaked in repulsion and darkness descended upon the awful scene, as if Creation itself could not bear the visage. But as to the precise location where Jesus Christ was crucified, we cannot be certain. It may very well be that the Church of the Holy Sepulcher covers the site of Calvary and the tomb of Joseph of Arimathea where our Lord was raised from the dead.

So, there are some things that we know from Scripture. And there is enough archaeological evidence and ancient literature to substantiate Christs crucifixion and to suggest a location. And there is much that we do not know. We remember the warning from Deuteronomy 29:29:

The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.

But this we know: Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ died for us at a place called Calvary. It was there that the Creator of the world was crucified by those whom he had created. he died for our sins and fulfilled the Covenant of Works (if you disobey you shall die). He took the wrath of God upon his sinless soul and met all of the demands of the Law for all who would receive him (The Covenant of Grace). Jesus Christ was crucified upon the roughhewn timber from a forest that he made, with nails fashioned from iron that he created. And yet in that location, Jesus looked down upon those who crucified him and unjustly spit upon him and sought to humiliate him, and said, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do (Luke 23:34 KJV).

There is a narrative in the life of our Lord that is important to us in our study. In the transfiguration (Matthew 17:1-8; Mark 9:2-8; Luke 9:28-36), Moses and Elijah appear to Peter, James, and John to attest to the divinity of Jesus. This is a powerful theological touchpoint in redemptive history. For in that glorious moment, the Law and the Prophets affirm the Person of Jesus as the One they wrote of; the Old Covenant yields to the New; the ancient prophecies were fulfilled; Christs identity is fully revealed to the disciples and supernaturally confirmed; eternity touches time; heaven comes down (once more) to earth. It was a resplendent scene to be sure. Peter wanted to erect three tents to commemorate the event (perhaps, to return to the tent markers and build a greater temple). Our Lord Jesus told Peter on the Mount of Transfiguration that he should not build (as Peter wished to do) any sacred edifice to mark the physical place of that great gathering.

The Lord also told the Samaritan woman at the well, in John 4:21-23, that from now on believers must worship God in spirit and in truth, not on this mountain nor on that mountain. Its not about a place. Its about a Person. Its not about the physical any longerland, temples, altars. It is about the eternal. Its not about the signs. Its about the Savior.

And maybe that is why we know enough about the location of his crucifixion, but we dont know everything. It is by faith that we look upon that old rugged cross to see its best location: This cross is the place where a Great Exchange took place. For Jesus assumed the punishment for the sins of all of those who would call upon him in repentance and faith, and it is the place where the holiness of Christ was granted to sinners like me. Or, as I used to tell our churchs children in Confirmation Class, At Calvarys cross, Jesus took your sin. You received his perfect life.

This Easter, and in every season of our lives, the precise place where Jesus was crucified for you and me is that place where we turn to Him in brokenness and in love. It is that place where by faith we join Mary and John and the Roman centurion who confessed, Truly, this was the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). That soldier knew. And you can know, too. Where was Christ crucified? Jesus Christ was crucified at the crossroad of Gods love and your brokenness. Of that, you may be certain.

Related Articles

What Does the Bible Say about the Resurrection?

Where Was Jesus Crucified? - Golgotha "the Place of the Skull"

References

Armstrong, Chris. Divvying up the Most Sacred Place. ChristianityToday.Com. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2002/julyweb-only/7-29-52.0.html.

Borg, Marcus J. Jesus: A New Vision. HarperSanFrancisco, 1991.

Ehrman, B. D. The Historical Jesus: Lecture Transcript and Course Guidebook, Vol. 2. The Teaching Company, Chantilly (2000).

Eusebius of Caesarea. Onomasticon (1971) Translation by C. Umhau Wolf. Last modified Original c 330AD. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.tertullian.org/fathers/eusebius_onomasticon_02_trans.htm#G_THE_GOSPELS.

Ignatius of Antioch. St. Ignatius of Antioch to the Smyrnaeans (Roberts-Donaldson Translation). Last modified 110AD. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/ignatius-smyrnaeans-roberts.html.

Light, Alfred W. Bunhill Fields: Written in Honour and to the Memory of the Many Saints of God Whose Bodies Rest in This Old London Cemetery. Vol. 1. CJ Farncombe & Sons, Limited, 1915.

McIntyre, John. The Uses of History in Theology (In Honour of A.C. Cheyne). Studies in World Christianity 7, no. 1 (April 1, 2001): 120. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.euppublishing.com/doi/abs/10.3366/swc.2001.7.1.1.

Murphy-OConnor, Jerome. The Holy Land: An Oxford Archaeological Guide from Earliest Times to 1700. Oxford University Press, 2008.

Murphy-O'Connor, Jerome. The Location of the Capitol in Aelia Capitolina. Revue Biblique (1946-) 101, no. 3 (1994): 407415. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.jstor.org/stable/44089200.

Sandy Grant. Crucifixion Historicity. The Briefing, May 24, 2013. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://matthiasmedia.com/briefing/2013/05/crucifixion-historicity/.

Schiffman, Lawrence H. From Text to Tradition: A History of Second Temple and Rabbinic Judaism. KTAV Publishing House, Inc., 1991.

Wilson, C. W. Golgotha and the Holy Sepulchre: Edited by Colonel Sir C. M. Watson. Committee of the Palestine Exploration Fund, 1906. https://books.google.com/books?id=ti4yAQAAMAAJ.

Wolf, Carl Umhau. Eusebius of Caesarea and the Onomasticon. The Biblical Archaeologist 27, no. 3 (1964): 6696. Accessed April 8, 2019. https://www.jstor.org/stable/3211009.

Photo credit: Unsplash/Alicia Quan
Preventing Cancer with HPV vaccines

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Features | By Sanjiv Das

A three-month HPV vaccination drive by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for adolescent girls was launched on February 28 with much fanfare. The free, World Health Organisation (WHO)-approved single-dose Gardasil-4 vaccine is being touted as a game changer in the long-term fight against cervical cancer. However, the initiative may face initial hurdles, and a stronger awareness campaign will be essential to ensure that more girls receive the vaccine.

image credit- freepik

The Government of India launched a three-month nationwide Human Papillomavirus Vaccination (HPV) Programme on February 28, 2026, for the prevention of cervical cancer among women. The campaign was launched for 14-year-old girls from Ajmer, Rajasthan, marking a historic milestone in Indias fight against cervical cancer.

The single dose Gardasil-4 vaccine is a World Health Organisation (WHO) pre-qualified vaccine used in immunisation programmes across the world, and is now being given to adolescent girls aged 14 years.

The free of cost vaccine will be available at all government primary and community health centres, district and sub-district hospitals, and government medical colleges and hospitals across the country through central-state/UT government collaboration.

A thumbs up initiative

HPV vaccination has been validated and recommended by global and national expert bodies including WHO and Indias National Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (NTAGI).

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign as a pivotal step toward empowering Indias Nari Shakti and safeguarding the health of mothers and daughters across the country.

The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus congratulated Indian leadership for its commitment in addressing cervical cancer through large-scale public health initiatives. He lauded the nationwide HPV vaccination campaign, describing it as the worlds largest free HPV vaccination drive. Commending the initiative, he noted that approximately 12 million adolescent girls will be vaccinated every year under the programme, marking a significant step toward protecting future generations from cervical cancer.

The WHO South-East Region congratulated the Indian government for launching the initiative. In a Tweet, Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO-South East Asia mentioned that the landmark step at the highest level of the government, reflects Indias strong commitment to protecting adolescent girls from cervical cancer.

The Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare Jagat Prakash Nadda during his virtual press briefing at the WHO Headquarters underscored Indias strong commitment to eliminate cervical cancer as a public health problem and strengthen global cooperation on pressing health challenges. Nadda stated that the HPV vaccination programme is voluntary, with parental consent serving as a cornerstone of the campaign, reflecting respect for community values and family autonomy.

The Government of Meghalaya launched the National Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Vaccination Campaign at Ganesh Das Hospital, Lawmali, Shillong in alignment with the national launch at Rajasthan.

Rajasthan launched a vaccination drive for 8.32 lakh girls with 188 sessions held on the first day. Gujarat is targeting to vaccinate 5.5 lakh girls. Madhya Pradesh plans to vaccinate eight lakh girls aged between 14 and 15 years across the state with over 7,58,500 doses have been supplied by the Central government followed by other states.

Why the need for Gardasil-4

Gardasil-4, a quadrivalent HPV vaccine protects against HPV types 16 and 18 (which cause cervical cancer), as well as types 6 and 11. It can be noted that cervical cancer remains a significant public health concern globally and in India. It is the second most common cancer among women in India, with over 1,20,000 new cases and nearly 80,000 deaths reported annually as per the WHO GLOBOCAN report 2022. Persistent infection with high-risk Human Papillomavirus (HPV) types, particularly types 16 and 18  has been established as the primary cause of cervical cancer.

The vaccine has been approved by India's drug regulator and meets stringent quality and cold-chain standards. The vaccine is being procured through a transparent mechanism in partnership with GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance.

Smooth campaign implementation

In a country like India, the launch of new healthcare initiatives is often viewed with a degree of suspicion. In the case of the HPV vaccine, which involves vaccinating adolescent girls, healthcare workers must foster a positive and informed mindsetnot only among those receiving the vaccine but also among parents whose consent is essential.

The success of the HPV vaccination programme will depend heavily on the readiness of frontline healthcare workers. Since this vaccine targets adolescent girls rather than infants, healthcare staff must be trained not just in administration but also in counselling parents and addressing concerns around safety. Adequate staffing and consistent training will be critical to ensure high coverage and public confidence in the programme.

An example can be sited of Capital Delhi that had a lower turnout in the first 10 days of the launch of the campaign. The three-month long campaign aims to immunise around 160,000 adolescent girls across the Capital, with 4,000 sessions planned over three months. In this case academic exams were blamed for the lower turnout.

Ranjan Chakrabarti, Ex VP- Discovery Research, Dr. Reddys Lab and Global Biologics, US Pharmacopeia mentions that a massive training initiative is underway for 50,000 to 60,000 personnel, including Medical Officers, ANMs (Auxiliary Nurse Midwives), and ASHAs (Accredited Social Health Activists) to manage HPV vaccine delivery, which will be a single-dose regimen and given to adolescent girls.

He adds, This is not a child vaccination, so communication and social mobilisation for both the recipients and their guardians are very important for its success. Schools and rural bodies (panchayats etc.) need to be involved in such activities. Like other vaccines, it has to be integrated into the routine immunisation (UIP) process and the government has to ensure financial and regulatory sustainability.

Integration of digital platforms (like U-WIN and e-VIN)

Beneficiaries of the vaccine may pre-register and schedule appointments on the U-WIN digital platform, or opt for walk-in vaccination at designated government health facilities. Parental/guardian consent is mandatory and will be recorded digitally on U-WIN. In areas without internet connectivity, consent may be obtained in hard copy as per prescribed format.

Digital tracking systems will play a crucial role in reducing dropouts and ensuring that beneficiaries complete the full schedule. These platforms also help identify low-coverage areas early, enabling faster corrective action. The U-WIN platform will be used for session planning, registration, recording and reporting, while the e-VIN portal will manage vaccine stocks and logistics.

The GIS mapping and microplanning. This will facilitate the identification of hard-to-reach schools and communities. Customised session calendars can be developed to prevent scheduling conflicts with examinations or holidays. The maintenance of e-VIN-style stock visibility will be essential to prevent stock-outs, which is proportionately impacting vaccination in remote areas.

Effective vaccine deployment, particularly in rural and remote locations, will likely face several obstacles. There is also a crucial need to adhere to strict protocols for vaccine storage and handling to maintain vaccine efficacy and minimise wastage.

Says Vandana Iyer, Research Director, TechVision Growth Opportunity Analytics, Frost & Sullivan, To ensure socio-economic equity, all delivery channels must remain free of charge at government facilities as mandated for the campaign. Additionally, the existing PHC (Primary Health Centre) and sub-centre network should be leveraged to enhance accessibility for rural populations which will reduce travel expenses.

Need for better logistics

The cold chain network spans from manufacturers to session sites and necessitates a comprehensive equipment infrastructureincluding Ice-Lined Refrigerators (ILRs), Deep Freezers (DFs), Walk-In Coolers (WICs), Walk-In Freezers (WIFs), cold boxes, vaccine carriers, insulated vans, and temperature monitoring devices. Any disruption within this chain, especially in areas with unstable power supply or insufficient equipment maintenance, can jeopardize the delivery of viable vaccines at the last mile.

Vaccines are highly temperature-sensitive and require robust logistics and reliable last-mile delivery systems. Maintaining cold chain integrity remains one of the biggest operational challenges, particularly in rural and hard-to-reach areas. The HPV vaccine requires strict temperature control, and gaps in storage capacity, electricity supply, and transport infrastructure can affect vaccine potency. In addition, reaching out-of-school girls in remote and underserved communities will demand strong micro-planning, community engagement, and targeted local outreach.

Sheetal Sapale, Vice President, Commercial, Pharmarack Technologies, says, HPV vaccination needs sustained budget allocation, integration into the national immunisation schedule, and a structured school-based delivery model. Long-term success will depend on consistent supply, clear operational guidelines, and continued awareness efforts to normalise HPV vaccination as part of preventive healthcare. Equitable access will require focused efforts to reach girls in rural areas, urban slums, and out-of-school populations. Free vaccination through public facilities is an important step, but targeted outreach and community engagement will be essential to ensure no eligible beneficiary is missed. Over time, expanding access across regions and socio-economic groups will determine the programmes true public health impact.

Outcome

HPV vaccination is undoubtedly a commendable initiative undertaken by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to prevent cervical cancer and other HPV-related diseases. However, despite several awareness campaigns, convincing adolescent girls and their parents about the long-term benefits of the vaccine remains a slow and challenging process for health officials across various Indian states. Public hesitancy is partly driven by limited awareness and concerns about possible side effects.

Mridu Gupta, CEO, Cancer Awareness Prevention and Early Detection Trust (CAPED) mentions, HPV vaccination is a historic step for India, but eliminating cervical cancer will require more than a vaccine. Awareness, screening, and community trust will determine the real impact of this programme. Making the vaccine available is the first step. People must know about it, trust it, and feel confident in accepting it. Schools, teachers, and frontline health workers can play a transformative role in building awareness and encouraging vaccination.

While available evidence indicates that the vaccine is largely safe, some individuals have reported mild side effects such as headache, nausea, or fatigue. To ensure the success of the vaccination programme, a more effective and transparent communication strategy is requiredone that clearly explains both the benefits and potential side effects of the vaccine, while building trust through sustained community engagement and outreach.

Sanjiv Das

[email protected]
How Global Alliances are Powering Indias AI-Healthcare Innovation

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Features | By Vrushti Kothari

The rapid convergence of artificial intelligence (AI) with healthcare is ushering in a new era of cross-border innovation, with India emerging as a key global collaborator. This trend was well highlighted during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, held from 1620 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. Being described as the first major global AI summit hosted in the Global South, the event witnessed participation of more than 100 countries, with many either exploring new partnerships with India, or strengthening the existing ties. Lets take a look at how AI-based healthcare innovation is building up globally.

image credit- shutterstock

Through collaborations with governments, multinational technology companies, global health organisations, and international research institutions, India is now leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to build new solutions and address healthcare challenges. As AI continues to reshape healthcare worldwide, Indias collaborative approach is positioning it as a key global hub for AI healthcare innovation.

Marking a significant step towards strengthening cooperation in AI-based healthcare between India and France, Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare, J P Nadda and Emmanuel Macron, President of the French Republic inaugurated the Indo French Centre for AI in Health (IF-CAIH) at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, during Macrons recent visit to India, along the lines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

The IF-CAIH is a pioneering initiative aimed at advancing AI-driven research, medical education and clinical innovation to address complex healthcare challenges. It has been established pursuant to a Joint Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between AIIMS New Delhi, Sorbonne University and Paris Brain Institute.

AIIMS New Delhi has also entered into a partnership with Germanys TU Dresden to drive innovation in surgery through AI and deep-tech solutions, focusing on translational research, clinical application of digital technologies, and joint startup incubation to develop cost-effective, next-generation tools for surgical care.

India and Germany are also currently collaborating for the development of AI-based diagnostic systems designed to provide faster, more precise, and highly accurate care for animal health. Likewise, India and the Netherlands have collaborated in health-tech and AI, with both countries focusing on digital health, remote monitoring, and AI-powered solutions, particularly developed by companies in Karnataka.

Further, India has joined the HealthAI Global Regulatory Network (GRN), collaborating with international regulators including European partners to develop safe and responsible AI governance frameworks for healthcare.

Another recent development has been made when University of Torontos President Melanie Woodin met with Indian officials at an innovation-focused event in Mumbai, earlier in March 2026. University of Toronto and the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru have agreed to develop a centre of excellence that uses AI to build predictive healthcare systems, to improve early diagnosis, enhance clinical decision-making and expand equitable access to medical services.

Looking at the US, Google has announced a new round of investments and partnerships to expand its AI footprint in India, adding to its previously announced $15 billion plan to establish an AI hub in Visakhapatnam. Under the new plan, Google DeepMind is collaborating with Anusandhan National Research Foundation to provide AI-for-science models; and generative AI tools are being integrated into over 10,000 schools through Atal Tinkering Labs under NITI Aayogs innovation mission.

On the other hand, Apollo Hospitals has partnered with Microsoft to integrate AI and digital transformation into healthcare delivery, to focus on co-innovation, research, and the development of advanced healthcare solutions. Key areas of work include disease progression, genomics, and multi-modal models. In addition, Microsoft is investing $3 billion in cloud and AI infrastructure in India over the next two years, including the establishment of new data centres.

Australia is another key collaborator for India to leverage complementary strengths in AI. For instance, Andhra Pradesh government has launched the Bharat Biodesign Research and Innovation (BRAIN) programme, with the APAC Biodesign Alliance, and Stanford Biodesign (USA), along with the AIM Foundation of the University of Western Australia, to accelerate AI-powered affordable healthcare and medical technology innovation.

Simultaneously, in a significant step towards strengthening AustraliaIndia cooperation in the field of AI, Deakin University, Australia, and the Department of Information Technology, Electronics and Communications (ITE&C), Government of Telangana have collaborated in multiple areas including healthcare, among others.

At the industry level, TeleMedC, an Australia-based leader in artificial intelligence (AI)-powered retinal disease diagnostics is expanding its footprint in India, through a strategic partnership with Mumbai-based startup AND Healthcare Solutions to deliver low-cost, AI driven eye screening solutions to millions.

Global partnerships will be critical to scale innovations. However, important considerations remain. Many AI models are developed and validated in high-income settings and often lack high-quality, representative data relevant to Indias diverse population and health systems. Without deliberate efforts to build inclusive datasets, AI tools risk reinforcing existing inequities rather than reducing them. At the same time, the growing involvement of large technology companies in health data ecosystems raises important questions around ownership, control, downstream use of data, and equitable distribution of benefits derived from it. Establishing transparent data governance frameworkscovering data access, privacy, and benefit sharingwill therefore be critical. In an increasingly geopolitically contested technological landscape, international partnerships must also balance collaboration with the protection of national interests, said Lakshmy Ramakrishnan, Associate Fellow, Observer Research Foundation.

Within Asia, one of the most notable collaborations has emerged through the IndiaKorea AI Quantum Healthcare Alliance, which focuses on developing next-generation medical technologies using AI and quantum computing. Moreover, Japanese firms are partnering with the Telangana government to build a large AI data centre cluster with an investment of about Rs 10,500 crore (around $1.25 billion). This facility is expected to become Indias largest AI computing cluster, enabling research and development across sectors including healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and medical analytics.

India and Singapore are jointly supporting the creation of a Network of AI-for-Science Institutions, for connecting researchers, companies, and policymakers to accelerate scientific discovery using AI technologies.

Additionally, the IndonesiaIndia CEOs Forum held in New Delhi in 2026 emphasised strengthening alliances in sectors such as digital technology, pharmaceuticals, and healthcare innovation, which can support AI-based healthcare development.

Undoubtedly, as the global healthcare industry continues to embrace AI, cross-border partnerships will become increasingly important for translating research into real-world solutions. And with India expanding its AI capabilities and research ecosystem, its role as a key partner in global AI collaborations is likely to grow even stronger in the years ahead.

According to Neeti Sharma, Chief Executive Officer, TeamLease Digital, The opportunity for AI to transform healthcare in India is huge. Gen AI alone could improve productivity in the sector by nearly 30-32 per cent by 2030, especially in areas like diagnostics, clinical workflows, and hospital operations. But actual progress will depend on fixing some basic challenges, as health data today is fragmented, digital infrastructure is uneven across regions, and there is a shortage of specialised AI and health-tech talent. Companies and governments will need to invest in digital health skills, build strong, secure data platforms, and implement clear guardrails for responsible AI use. If these foundations are built well, India has the potential not just to scale AI in healthcare at home, but also to create global models for affordable, technology-led and inclusive care.

Vrushti Kothari

([email protected])
AI Takes India Pharma Reins

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Features | By Sanjiv Das

The Indian pharmaceutical sector, one of the largest in the world, is undergoing a strategic transformation in the way it operates. As artificial intelligence (AI) gains prominence across the industry, companies are actively adopting AI-driven solutions to enhance efficiency across the entire pharmaceutical ecosystem. Organisations are investing in AI training programmes to keep their workforce future-ready, foster innovation, strengthen supply chains, and transition away from manual record-keeping. In this industry analysis, experts share their perspectives on how AI is shaping the future of the pharma sector.

image credit- shutterstock

AI may be the buzzword of the moment, but in reality it represents a structural shift rather than a standalone technology. It is emerging as an enabling layer across the pharmaceutical value chain  from drug discovery and clinical development to manufacturing and patient engagement.

While AI is widely touted as transformative for the pharma industry, its adoption is not without caveats. There are several ifs and buts around data quality, regulatory expectations, integration with legacy systems, talent readiness, validation standards, and cultural acceptance. The promise is significant, but real impact will depend on how thoughtfully and responsibly the technology is implemented.

On the sidelines of three big events related to the pharma sector recently viz, AI India Impact Summit in New Delhi, BioAsia 2026 in Hyderabad and IPA Summit in Mumbai, pharma stalwarts all agreed to one fact that embracing AI is the only option as it will not only help the sector rise to newer heights but also make people gain more knowledge and work faster. However, a few experts gave a worrying outlook where questions on the job at stake lingered.

While concerns around employment continue to surface in industry discussions, the broader consensus among experts is that AI adoption is no longer optional. Beyond the headlines and speculation, the real driver for adoption lies in the tangible advantages AI offers across research, development, regulatory processes, and manufacturing operations. Understanding why companies are investing heavily in AI provides greater clarity on the sectors long-term strategic direction.

Why leverage AI?

AI has a huge role to play in the pharma industry. Ranging from drug discovery, a formulation scientist's assistant, a manufacturing optimiser, a clinical trial accelerator, a regulatory tool, a safety surveillance system etc, AI is being touted as a game changer for the pharma sector.

Generative AI and molecular simulation tools can explore chemical space orders of magnitude faster than bench chemistry allows, and the first AI-designed drug candidates have already entered human clinical trials.

On one hand where the industry loses enormous value to late-stage trial failures that could potentially have been predicted earlier, AI has a much larger role to play.

Even the FDA published draft guidance in 2025 on using AI to support regulatory decision-making for drug and biological products. AI-assisted literature review, benefit-risk modelling, and labelling are becoming part of the submission workflow.

As the potential of AI becomes clearer, leaders across Indias pharmaceutical ecosystem are increasingly outlining how these technologies could reshape the way companies operate. Several senior executives emphasise that while the opportunity is enormous, successful adoption will depend on organisational readiness, workforce transformation, and a willingness to rethink traditional ways of working.



What the pharma stalwarts are saying?

Pharma stalwarts while being optimistic about the role of AI that needs to be embraced also urged the need to upskill the workforce.

According to Dilip Shanghvi, Executive Chairman, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, there is an enormous opportunity to look at AI. He mentioned using AI to identify the root causes, for identifying the right CAPA (Corrective and Preventive Action). We can immediately embrace it and it will help us make our product more consistently and also possibly at much better cost. All of this level requires a change in culture, says Shanghvi.

Adding to it, Sharvil Patel, Managing Director, Zydus Lifesciences & President, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA), says Everyone will have to find new skill sets, new skilling capabilities, new ways of doing things, new ways of using knowledge rather than brute force and repetitiveness. You have to go AI tech with the enterprise mindset. AI will completely revolutionise ERP systems. So, AI will truly transform the manufacturing sector and other sectors all around. We all have to get re-skilled, including at the very top. These will lead to significantly better efficiencies in terms of speed and time to do a manufacturing process including technology.

Lilly has made significant investments in this space and recently opened a new centre in Hyderabad dedicated to technology and AI. According to Winselow Tucker, Senior Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Loxo Oncology, Lilly, AI is accelerating innovation across the pharmaceutical value chain. The real question is not just how quickly we can innovate, but how we can bring that innovation to market in a way that delivers a more personalised experience for patients.

Sudarshan Jain, Secretary General, Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance (IPA) emphasises that AI represents affordable innovation at scale, and embarking on that journey could be a transformative starting point for Indias pharmaceutical sector. While the industry continues to strengthen quality standards and manufacturing capabilitiesareas where quick wins are possiblehe stressed that the larger priority must be advancing affordable innovation.



Nilesh Gupta, Managing Director, Lupin mentions, To unlock Indias healthcare potential, we must innovate relentlessly. By placing AI at the forefront of transformation, India can redefine global manufacturing standards and emerge as a healthcare leader by 2047.



While providing his outlook on AI, Madan Mohan Reddy, Whole-Time Director at Aurobindo Pharma, shares that global credibilityparticularly with regulatorsmust be continuously reinforced rather than taken for granted. The adoption of AI is set to become inevitable. Sustaining operational continuity without AI will be difficult highlighting that regulators increasingly demand greater data transparency and tighter oversight. He argued that manufacturing must transition to fully digital systems, where real-time analytics replace manual, retrospective reviews.

While industry leaders highlight the importance of adopting AI, the responsibility of preparing the next generation of professionals also falls on academic institutions and specialised training bodies. Universities and skill-development platforms are increasingly integrating AI into their curricula to ensure that future pharmacists and researchers are equipped to work in an AI-enabled healthcare ecosystem.

Role of institutions

For India, which supplies roughly 20 per cent of the world's generic medicines, getting AI-enabled Quality by Design right is not just an academic interest; it is a supply chain imperative.

JSSAHER JSS College of Pharmacy, Mysuru is engaging students with AI as a support tool for future pharmaceutical research. The institute has established a dedicated AI Unit within JSS College of Pharmacy. A white paper was also released covering responsible AI in pharmacovigilance, Software as a Medical Device, biomarkers, and data governance. That is not the output of an institution that is tentatively exploring AI.

The institute has revised the pharmacy curriculum to include AI, ensuring that the graduates are equipped for the evolving landscape of medicine.

Says, Dr TM Pramod Kumar, Dean, Faculty of Pharmacy & Principal, JSS College of Pharmacy, JSS Academy of Higher Education & Research (JSSAHER), Our curriculum reforms, industry partnerships, AI Unit, and research collaborations are all oriented toward producing graduates who will not merely survive the AI transition but will drive it. We believe the pharmacy profession, with its unique combination of clinical knowledge, drug expertise, and patient-centered care, is exceptionally well positioned to assume leadership roles in the AI-enabled healthcare ecosystem of tomorrow.

Similarly Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE), an initiative of the Indian Pharmaceutical Alliance, being promoted by 13 top pharma companies, has been formed with the objective of setting up a worldclass, cutting edge institute to provide state-of-the-art training to fresh pharmacy graduates and existing employees of leading pharma companies, thereby promoting a culture of manufacturing and quality excellence. At present, PAGE is developing various courses based on virtual reality (VR), where participants will have the chance to: Explore equipment and processes in immersive environments, undergo SOP training with gamification elements, experience post training assessments enhanced by AI.

Dr Pranav Jogani, Professor Consultant, Pharmaceutical Academy for Global Excellence (PAGE) mentions, "We are seeing great potential of AI in the area of post training assessment. With the help of AI, we will generate dynamic scenarios to test participants in real time. I see great potential for AI in addressing concerns in critical areas such as data integrity, compliance, and patient safety. I would like to see AI applied more and more in preventing errors, ensuring real-time quality assurance, and supporting workforce training and knowledge."

Beyond workforce training, industry analysts are also observing a deeper structural shift taking place across the pharmaceutical ecosystem. Strategic reports and research studies suggest that AI is not only improving individual processes but is fundamentally reshaping how innovation, manufacturing, and supply chains interact within the industry.

Reshaping speed and decision-making

EY-Parthenon India launched its latest report Pharmas New Architecture: Where Novel Science Meets AI and Manufacturing Power at Bio Asia 2026. The report highlighted that the industry is moving beyond incremental product development toward platform-led innovation models that integrate discovery science, AI-native R&D, advanced manufacturing and resilient supply chains into unified systems.

Elaborating more on the report, Suresh Subramanian, National Lifesciences Leader, EY Parthenon India said, Indian biopharma is undergoing a structural reset. Scientific breakthroughs alone are no longer enough. The winners will be those who integrate discovery, AI-native intelligence and manufacturing into disciplined, repeatable platforms. The shift from one-off products to reusable engines  from mRNA and CRISPR to AI-driven design stacks  is redefining speed, reliability and scale. It is about building systems that compound learning and consistently deliver therapies to patients. This will help India pivot to large molecules and new modalities where the larger opportunities moving forward will emerge.

During Bio Asia 2026, Shakthi Nagappan, CEO, Telangana Lifesciences said that the life sciences sector is being reshaped by a deeper integration of biology and digital technologies. He mentions, As research becomes more data-intensive, AI and advanced analytics are helping bridge the gap between discovery and real-world application  accelerating insight while maintaining scientific rigour. This shift extends beyond R&D into clinical development and manufacturing, creating more coordinated and resilient systems.

At the same time, technology providers are developing practical AI-driven platforms designed to address everyday operational challenges in pharmaceutical manufacturing and compliance. These solutions aim to simplify workflows, reduce human errors, and improve regulatory readiness.

Simplifying pharma manufacturing

AI powered platform Leucine simplifies pharmaceutical manufacturing, making it faster, fully compliant, and always audit-ready. The company helps to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and achieve lasting excellence in pharma production. LeucineOS connects 16 applications across the manufacturing compliance workflow - from batch execution through cleaning validation, training, environmental monitoring, deviation management, change control, and quality release - on a single data platform with purpose-built AI agents that operate inside the compliance context.

Vivek Gera, CEO, Leucine mentions, The pharmaceutical industry is right to be excited about AI. The technology is genuinely transformative. AI that generates a report which a human must then act on adds a step. Most pharmaceutical manufacturers are trying to layer AI on top of fundamentally disconnected systems. The result is a copilot that accelerates paperwork - not an agent that prevents compliance failures.

CitiusTech brings healthcare ready AI to pharma and health organisations by combining deep clinical and operational expertise with advanced data, cloud, and engineering capabilities. The AI platform CitiusTech Knewron helps teams work faster and smarter with copilots, taskspecific agents, clinical information extraction, automated testing, and more than 100 healthcare accelerators.

Says Srinath Rao, EVP, CitiusTech, "We expect to see deeper use of agentdriven automation, domainspecific models, and policyaware AI systems that work reliably in real clinical and operational settings. Healthcare and pharma will increasingly rely on AI systems that can interpret multimodal data, encode clinical and regulatory knowledge, and work safely within highstake environments. The shift will come from understanding entire value chains rather than building disconnected use cases."

Despite these technological advancements, the rapid adoption of AI has also sparked anxiety among sections of the pharmaceutical workforce. Concerns around automation and potential job losses continue to surface in industry discussions and conferences.

Will AI reduce employment opportunities

Panic has set in among the major work force in the pharma sector. With random Chinese whispers and a few sections of the industry openly announcing that AI will gobble up jobs has raised eyebrows among many. At one of the pharma conferences held in Mumbai, one expert was critical about jobs being taken away by AI.

That AI will transform and not eliminate pharmaceutical employment is what should ponder over.

Routine, high-volume, and repetitive tasks such as manual data entry in pharmacovigilance case processing, literature screening, MedDRA coding, and basic quality checks will increasingly be automated.

Pharmacists and scientists can focus their expertise toward complex clinical decision-making, safety signal interpretation, regulatory strategy, and patient engagementactivities where human judgment, ethical reasoning, and contextual knowledge remain irreplaceable.

And all these can be achieved when an employee can embrace AI, get more educated on recent AI tools and keep a positive outlook.

According to Amit Sheth, Founding Director, India AI Research Organisation (IAIRO) & Professor, University of South Carolina, the pharma sector is one of the highest R&D-investing industries globally. The value creation potential is enormous, and AI can have an immediate and measurable impact.

Sheth outlined three priorities:

First, to create world-class AI talent in India.

Second, to generate original intellectual property and move rapidly from research to products.

Third, to work with startups and corporations to create near-term economic impact.





Historically, technological shifts in pharma  from automation in manufacturing to digital clinical trials  have led to role evolution rather than large-scale displacement. This according to Joydeep Ghosh, Life Sciences & Healthcare Industry Leader, Deloitte India will increasingly move toward higher-value analytical roles, cross-functional digital capabilities and human-AI collaboration models over the next 1020 years. The key will be reskilling and upskilling to ensure talent evolves alongside technology.

Ghosh adds, The principal challenge is availability of data on several fronts, in the right quality, quantity, granularity and timeliness. One example is fragmented healthcare data, which is scattered across different healthcare providers, laboratories, insurance companies, and pharmaceutical companies. The data is often stored in different legacy systems with limited interoperability.

Beyond workforce concerns, another major challenge for AI adoption lies in organisational readiness. Many pharmaceutical companies are experimenting with AI tools, but integrating them into existing processes, governance structures, and decision-making frameworks remains a significant hurdle.

Organisational readiness

The reality is that most pharma companies are already leaning heavily into AI, but the real bottleneck is not the technology, it is organisational readiness. Legacy workflows, siloed data structures, and traditional team models were never designed for AI-native ways of working.

Says Dr Purav Gandhi, Founder and CEO, Healthark, The challenge today is less about adopting AI tools and more about reorienting processes, governance, and talent structures to embed AI seamlessly into day-to-day decision-making. The transition will not happen overnight, but over a 10 to 20 year horizon it will become deeply integrated into how organisations operate. Importantly, history tells us that such shifts do not necessarily eliminate jobs, they reshape them. When ATMs were introduced, there was widespread fear that bank jobs would disappear. Instead, banks evolved, routine tasks were automated, and employees moved to higher value, relationship-driven and advisory roles.

Taken together, the perspectives of industry leaders, analysts, academic institutions, and technology providers point to a common conclusion: AI is not merely another digital tool but a foundational shift in how the pharmaceutical industry will operate in the future.

Embracing AI holds the key

On how quickly and deliberately Indian pharma can use AI to shift from world's largest supplier by volume to its most valuable innovation hub.



People will need to get reskilled. According to experts, future plants will have less human interaction and AI will have a major role to play. One has to build the capability to manage future compliance. Adopting the capability will lead India to become the most trusted manufacturing powerhouse.





Sanjiv Das

[email protected]
GARBH-INi to strengthen India's fight to combat premature birth through AI

March 23, 2026 | Monday | News

GARBH-INi integrates science, technology and healthcare for better birth outcomes: Dr Jitendra Singh

image credit- pib

Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology, Dr Jitendra Singh said that India's largest pregnancy cohort study on 12,000 women under the GARBH-INi initiative is aimed at solving the problem of preterm births indigenously. The aim is to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)-based solution. Premature birth is one of the leading causes of neonatal mortality and morbidity in adulthood.

Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing an event titled "Dissemination of Findings and Outcomes of GARBH-INi (Interdisciplinary Group for Advanced Research on Birth Outcomes)" at India Habitat Centre in New Delhi. The programme is an initiative of the Department of Biotechnology.

The Minister said that around 12,000 pregnant women have been successfully enrolled under this initiative, creating one of the largest pregnancy cohorts in South Asia. The programme has generated a vast repository of over 1.6 million well-classified bio-samples and more than one million ultrasound images, creating a strong foundation for advanced research.

Dr Jitendra Singh said the outcomes of the programme include the development of AI-based pregnancy dating models specifically tailored for the Indian population, identification of microbiome-based indicators of preterm birth, rapid diagnostic tools, and identification of genetic markers for early risk assessment.

He also said that such indigenous solutions are extremely important for improving maternal and child health outcomes in the country.

The Minister released a compendium documenting the key learnings and outcomes of the GARBH-INi programme. He said that the initiative has also established the National Bio-Repository and the GARBH-INi-DRISHTI data-sharing platform, enabling wider access for the research community and contributing to global scientific publications.

On the occasion, key partnerships and technology transfer programmes were formalised- The transfer of microbiome-based biotherapeutics technology to GARBH-INi-AnandiMaa initiative from DOTO Health; and signing of Letters of Intent with DOTO Health and Qure.ai Technologies for AI-enabled ultrasound reporting systems and risk stratification platforms under the GARBH-INi-AnandiMaa initiative.
First rooftop bar in heart of Powell to feature globally inspired small plates, curated cocktails and exceptional hospitality in a relaxing, upscale atmosphere

DUBLIN, Ohio, March 31, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The much anticipated debut of Powell's first rooftop bar and restaurant  Lani Rooftop Lounge  is almost here. As part of COhatch's new Lifestyle Group, the third-story Lani Rooftop Lounge will open to the public on April 9. The opening marks the completion of COhatch's main building at its downtown Powell campus, following the March 2 launch of its coworking and meeting space at the same address.

Lani Rooftop Lounge offers a modern, sophisticated yet casual atmosphere. Guests can enjoy globally inspired small plates and curated cocktails with unique panoramic views of downtown Powell.

Lani will showcase globally inspired small plates rooted in Japanese, French and Italian flavors and techniques, paired with hand-crafted cocktails and delivered with truly exceptional hospitality for a unique dining experience. With a modern, sophisticated yet casual setting, Lani offers unique panoramic views of the Powell area alongside indoor and outdoor dining options. Guests can choose between relaxing at the bar or reserving space in one of its three dining areaspatio, main and sky room.

"We are focused on offering the Powell community and our members an elevated experience that blends social, professional and personal together," said Matt Davis, CEO and co-founder of COhatch. "The new Lifestyle Group was created to embody this extended experience that we are creating for our members and the communities that we serve. Our mission is to provide world-class hospitality and to be the most innovative and community-focused developer, coworking and lifestyle company on the planet."

The new rooftop bar is another step forward in the ongoing revitalization of the downtown Powell area and represents the first upscale bar and restaurant owned and operated by COhatch's Lifestyle Group. In addition, Lani is available for corporate events and life celebrations, such as weddings and baby showers. In the coming months, Lani will be joined by the Eyrie Lounge in Hamilton, Ohio and Reds in the Riverview Village development in Dublin, Ohio.

Under the direction of award-winning Culinary Director Lingo Quichocho, guests can expect small plate deliciousness with the best locally and globally sourced ingredients on a seasonal basis. Featured items from the spring and summer menu include: olives + cucumbers, tuna tartare, artisan lettuces, smoked fish spread and wagyu meatballs along with mouth-watering dessert selections.

COhatch members will have easy access to Lani Rooftop Lounge and will enjoy member perks while dining, including complimentary dining options and enhanced access to reservations.

"Lani Rooftop Bar is more than a neighborhood gathering placeit's a destination," said Tania Lehotay, partner and head of the Lifestyle Group for COhatch. "For those seeking an elevated experience, Lani is where atmosphere, design and hospitality come together perfectly to satisfy even the most discriminating of guests."

Cuisine driven by excellence

COhatch Lifestyle Group Culinary Director Lingo Quichocho will oversee all of COhatch's culinary experiences. He is known for his innovative approach to global flavors and leadership in creating dining experiences that feature bold pairings and inventive presentations. His goal is to get people to think about food differently. Quichocho has honed his craft in top kitchens across California, Massachusetts and Guam including working under well-known Chef Roy Yamaguchi and at the critically acclaimed Kitchen 1540, a progressive American cuisine standout.

Working alongside Quichocho at Lani will be local Columbusite Head Chef Michael Gadd, who has been profiled as one of the city's notable up-and-coming chefs. Gadd also has held leadership positions at many Central Ohio restaurants and in California as executive chef at Park James Hotel.

Hours of operation

Lani will open to the public on April 9 with reservations available through OpenTable. The restaurant will operate from Wednesday through Saturday with the following hours: 4 to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Thursdays; 4 to 11 p.m. on Fridays; and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. Parking will be available at street level and in Powell's public parking lots.

COhatch Powell and Lani reinforce COhatch's vision of creating meaningful lifestyle experiences and collaborations in downtown suburban spaces that support entrepreneurial and small business growth in towns that members love. COhatch provides a unique mix of access to convenient spaces, capital, relationships, and shared resources.

About Lani Rooftop Lounge

Lani Rooftop Lounge is Central Ohio's newest destination for elevated dining, handcrafted cocktails, exceptional hospitality and sunset views. With its sophisticated yet modern atmosphere, Lani is the perfect location for meeting family and friends to celebrate life and special occasions in style. Located in downtown Powell, Lani is led by award-winning Culinary Director Lingo Quichocho and local standout Head Chef Michael Gadd. Learn more about Lani at www.lanirooftop.com and follow Lani on Instagram and Facebook.

About COhatch

COhatch is a thriving ecosystem designed to create opportunities and empower thousands of non-profits, startups, small businesses, and freelancersgiving them a place to work where they belong, pursue their ambitions and lead fuller, healthier lives. Members enjoy access to services, event spaces, activities, and amenities that integrate work, family, well-being, and community impact. Founded in 2016 in Columbus, Ohio by a group of friends inspired to build better lives and stronger neighborhoods, COhatch has grown into a hub of innovation, collaboration and connection, helping to anchor and uplift local economies. Learn more at www.cohatch.com and follow COhatch on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn.

Contact:

Janet Brumfield

IdealPR+ for COhatch

614.582.9636

[email protected]

SOURCE COhatch
4baseCare signs MoU with Maharashtra Govt to establish Centre of Excellence for precision oncology

March 31, 2026 | Tuesday | News

Centre will be equipped with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to enable comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer patients

Bengaluru-based startup 4baseCare has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Government of Maharashtra to establish a Centre of Excellence for Precision Oncology in the state.

The MoU aims to integrate genomic-driven cancer care into Maharashtras public health system. As part of the collaboration, 4baseCare will deploy its OncoTwin platform, an artificial intelligence (AI)-based tool that enables oncologists to derive actionable treatment insights by mapping each patients genomic and clinical profile against large, real-world outcomes datasets. OncoTwin was recently selected for the MSK iHub programme of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Centre, New York, USA.

The MoU signing took place at PULSE 2026, Indias leading Healthcare and Medical Education Summit, that was held in Mumbai recently.

Commenting on the MoU, Hitesh Goswami, CEO & Co-Founder, 4baseCare, said, This MoU marks an important step towards creating more effective and personalized cancer treatment approaches, and we are pleased to see Maharashtra taking the lead in making this easily accessible to a wider population. At 4baseCare, our aim is to integrate genomic insights into routine cancer care, enabling oncologists to make more informed, evidence-based treatment decisions.

The Centre of Excellence will focus on enabling access to precision oncology, building local clinico-genomic datasets, and supporting oncologists across government healthcare institutions in Maharashtra with data-backed treatment insights. The Centre will be equipped with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) technology to enable comprehensive genomic profiling for cancer patients. This will support Oncologists in making more targeted, personalised treatment decisions based on each patients genomic profile.
Trust is fundamental to any meaningful use of AI in healthcare

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Views | By Sanjiv Das

With the aim of fostering dialogue around the future of healthcare innovation, Apollo Hospitals organised the International Health Dialogue (IHD) 2026 in Hyderabad. The event brought together global experts to explore how emerging technologies are redefining healthcare systems while reinforcing the importance of human-centred care. In an interaction with BioSpectrum India, Dr Sangita Reddy, Joint Managing Director, Apollo Hospitals, shared her insights on the future of digital healthcare and the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in India.

How is Apollo Hospitals integrating AI across the continuum of care?

We are integrating AI across key stages of the patient journey  from early detection and diagnosis to inpatient monitoring, recovery, and ongoing health management. Advanced clinical intelligence engines and generative AI copilots assist clinicians with realtime decision insights, helping structure data, reduce documentation time, and support more consistent quality of care. AIdriven imaging and decision tools are accelerating diagnosis in timecritical conditions such as stroke and oncology, while predictive analytics combined with connected monitoring devices  including remote and inhospital patches, ECG and other vitals monitoring  enable earlier identification of clinical deterioration.

Could you provide an overview of the recent MoU with Roche Diagnostics in India?

The MoU with Roche Diagnostics India is designed to strengthen AI-led clinical decision support and accelerate early diagnosis of complex diseases, while improving workflow efficiency across care delivery. As part of this collaboration, Roches Navify, a cloud-based clinical decision support platform, will be deployed alongside Apollos existing clinical systems.

In what ways are these technologies improving clinical decision-making and patient outcomes?

These technologies improve outcomes by reducing three delays.

Delay in seeking care: Risk scoring and smarter screening bring concerns to attention before a crisis event is triggered.

Delay in diagnosis: AI-assisted workflows and integrated systems reduce turnaround time and help clinicians reach decisions faster, while taking away repetitive documentation burden that contributes to fatigue and variability

Delay in action: When results, clinical context, and decision support sit inside the same workflow, treatment decisions happen sooner and with more consistency across settings, including remote and distributed care.

What is Apollos longterm vision for AI in healthcare?

We view AI as a foundational pillar of the future healthcare ecosystem, central to delivering earlier, more preventive and personalised care at scale. Ongoing investments are focused on predictive diagnostics, realtime clinical intelligence, and precision medicine, building on Apollos clinical intelligence engine, risk models, and AIenabled monitoring capabilities. For example, the collaboration with Siemens Healthineers is advancing AIbased detection and noninvasive risk stratification for liver disease, including early fibrosis identification. As these technologies mature, Apollo is scaling them across its hospital network and digital health platforms to broaden access, enable earlier intervention, and support more proactive care for large patient populations in India and beyond.

How is AI contributing to cost optimisation and sustainability in healthcare?

Efficiency gains created through AI translate to better utilisation of scarce clinical and physical resources. Automation of administrative and documentation tasks reduces clinician workload, allowing doctors and nurses to dedicate more time to complex patient needs while also mitigating burnout. Predictive monitoring and early warning systems help prevent complications and unplanned escalations of care, which can in turn reduce ICU days and avoid certain readmissions.

How should healthcare systems approach ethical and responsible AI adoption?

Trust is fundamental to any meaningful use of AI in healthcare. Patient data must remain secure, and AI must always operate within strong clinical governance and dataprotection frameworks. At Apollo, AI tools are developed, piloted, and validated under clinician supervision, with a focus on safety, relevance for Indian patient populations, and collaboration with global institutions for external validation. Transparency is equally important  clinicians and patients should understand how AI is supporting, not replacing, clinical judgement  and balanced regulatory frameworks are essential to foster innovation while ensuring ethical, equitable, and safe deployment of AI across healthcare systems.

Sanjiv Das

([email protected])
Vaccines and Immunisation 2.0

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Views | By Neeraja V, Senior Analyst, Advanced SciTech, Everest Group

India firmly established its position as a global leader in vaccine manufacturing and innovation during COVID-19. After addressing the pressing global vaccine demands back then, India continued to strengthen its R&D capabilities and diversify its vaccine development strategies, while expanding immunisation programmes to tackle deadly diseases.

India has emerged as an important innovation hub for vaccine R&D. In the past few years, India has witnessed multiple outbreaks of fatal viruses such as the Nipah virus and has made significant progress in developing home-grown vaccines. In March 2025, Pune-based Gennova Biopharmaceuticals received grants worth $13.38 million to develop self-amplifying mRNA (saRNA) from the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI). Gennova will play a crucial role in validating the potential of the saRNA platform for vaccine development against nipah virus. The vaccine manufacturer aims to set new benchmarks using its saRNA platform. Gennova will also collaborate with the Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI), and deploy advanced AI technology to accelerate vaccine development research.

In 2025, CEPI, Serum Institute of India and the University of Oxford entered a collaboration to manufacture ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccines for Phase II trials. Funding of $7.3 million from CEPI will be used by Serum Institute of India for manufacturing of the NipahB vaccine candidate and create an investigational ready reserve of up to 100,000 doses making it the worlds largest reserve of nipah virus vaccine. Upon successful completion of clinical trials, ChAdOx1 NipahB vaccine could be the worlds first vaccine against nipah virus.

Another notable development is the phase I clinical trials for a fully home-grown vaccine against Kyasanur Forest Disease (KFD), a tick-borne viral infection, which causes 300-500 infections annually among communities in the Western Ghats. Early this year, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) completed animal studies for the two-dose adjuvanted inactivated vaccine, which has now progressed to clinical trials.

Apart from focusing on developing vaccines for deadly viruses with no commercially available vaccines, India is also investing in developing advanced/ enhanced vaccines to overcome re-emergence of diseases such as TB and Malaria. Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Bhubaneswar, in collaboration with the Institute of Life Sciences (ILS) Bhubaneswar, are developing India's first indigenous, next-generation subunit vaccine against tuberculosis (TB). Last year, pre-clinical trials were successfully completed for the next-generation TB vaccine Hsp16.3C4. Hsp16.3C4 is a superior vaccine candidate compared to the traditional TB immunisation approaches. Researchers have integrated the use of advanced biotechnology and AI to develop the Hsp16.3C4 vaccine.

Promoting high-performance and sustainable biomanufacturing

In 2024, the government of India approved the BioE3 (Biotechnology for Economy, Environment and Employment) Policy to promote high-performance, scalable and sustainable biomanufacturing. The BioE3 policy will help India achieve its long-term vision of economic self-reliance, environmental sustainability, and global leadership in science.

The strong vaccine manufacturing infrastructure set up in India over the past decade has led to the scale-up of vaccines for hepatitis A, cholera, meningitis, pneumonia, shingles, and cervical cancer, catering to domestic and global requirements. In September 2025, ICMR granted manufacturing and commercialisation licenses for its indigenous multi-stage malaria vaccine AdFalciVaxs to Indian Immulogicals, Techinvention Lifecare, Panacea Biotec, Biological E, and Zydus Lifesciences. This public-private collaboration will boost Indias vaccine manufacturing capability to address malaria.

Global pharmaceutical players such as Takeda also see a huge potential to tap into the Indian market demand for vaccines. Takeda aims to launch their dengue vaccine, Qdenga, in India in 2026. Takeda has collaborated with Biological E for its manufacturing capabilities to scale up Qdenga under the Make in India Initiative. This collaboration is expected to produce 50 million doses of QDENGA per year.

Commitment toward large scale immunisation programmes for public impact:

Indias efforts toward immunisation programmes have been commendable, with growing expansion of public coverage. India marked a significant milestone at the start of 2026, with World Health Organization (WHO) granting prequalification (PQ) status to the novel oral polio vaccine type 2 (nOPV2) developed by Indias Biological E. The companys new polio vaccine is genetically designed to be more stable compared to traditional polio vaccines. This allows Biological E to become the second full nOPV2 manufacturer to not only eliminate polio risks and lead immunisation programmes in India, but also support global polio eradication programmes. Bharat Biotech, a global leader in manufacturing of oral polio vaccines, and Bilthoven Biologicals B.V., (BBio), a wholly owned subsidiary of Serum Institute of India Private Limited, have collaborated for the production and supply of oral polio vaccines (OPV) within India and globally.

To address immunisation needs at home, India has set up notable immunisation programmes such as the Universal Immunisation Programme (UIP) catering to 30 million pregnant women and 27 million newborns annually. The programme protects a broad range of diseases, such as measles, diphtheria, and polio. India successfully brought down its number of zero-dose children from 1.6 million in 2023 to 0.9 million in 2024 as per WHO and UNICEF reports.

Indias efforts in preventing cervical cancer also continue to grow strong. In February 2026, the central government of India launched a programme called the Swastha Nari Mission, a free nationwide HPV vaccination drive aimed at vaccinating girls of 14 years of age.

Under this programme, 1.2 crore adolescent girls turning 14 years every year are expected to be vaccinated. Gardasil (quadrivalent HPV vaccine), protecting against four Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) types (6, 11, 16, 18) is to be administered under the programme. Apart from central government initiatives, state governments are also taking independent initiatives to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer. The Telangana government launched a statewide HPV vaccination programme and procured 4.6 lakh doses of Gardasil to vaccinate adolescent girls.

Digital mapping of the vaccine supply chain and immunisation rollout

Indias digital platforms supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), such as the U-WIN and eVIN (Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network), have played an important role in strengthening UIP and bringing out commendable immunisation outcomes. Using Electronic Vaccine Intelligence Network (eVIN), which is a smartphone and cloud technology-based app, it has been easy to track information on the vaccine stock and temperatures across the country, enabling a smooth vaccine supply chain and ensuring vaccine availability on time.

U-WIN, an electronic vaccination registry was launched as a pilot programme in 2024 to address gaps in vaccination and aims to strengthen the UIP. Since launch, it has been scaled across the nation and as of February, 2026, 11.12 crore children and 3.78 crore pregnant women have been registered on the U-WIN portal.

An advanced edition of the eVIN has also been launched, enabling an end-to-end supply chain solution for tracking vaccines from manufacturers to vaccination sites. These digital platforms have significantly improved transparency, efficiency, and resilience in the vaccine supply chain and will remain central to ensuring equitable access to all.

India poised to grow in vaccine manufacturing and innovation

India continues to support indigenous vaccine developers, create a collaborative environment for R&D, manufacturing, and commercialisation of next-generation vaccines along with rising deployment of digital tools for vaccine design and optimisation. Indias focus on volume and value has resulted in an advantageous position to emerge as both R&D hub as well as a manufacturing leader. Overall, India remains committed to producing high-value vaccines, expanding strategically, and investing in digital platforms to retain its position as a global leader in vaccine manufacturing.

Neeraja V, Senior Analyst, Advanced SciTech, Everest Group
How Indias Life Sciences Boom Is Creating a New Risk Economy

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Views | By Anurag Mishra, Director  FINCAS, EDME Insurance Brokers

Indias life sciences boom is shifting from a pure growth story to a test of risk architecture. As companies expand into regulated global markets, they import stricter oversight and liability exposuremaking governance, compliance, and resilience as critical as scale in defining the sectors next winners.

Indias life sciences story is no longer a growth narrative  it is increasingly a risk-architecture narrative. Hyderabad and Bengaluru are scaling R&D platforms. Gujarat, Telangana, Maharashtra, and Himachal continue to industrialise manufacturing depth. Exports to regulated markets are rising, and Indian companies are moving up the value chain: complex generics, injectables, biologics, specialty APIs, and increasingly, contract development and manufacturing (CDMO).

But there is an under-discussed second-order effect: as Indian pharma and biotech expand into the US and EU, they dont just export products, they import jurisdiction  and with it, a new kind of risk economy.

Compliance scrutiny is becoming balance-sheet risk

In regulated markets, quality and compliance are not operational hygiene; they are license-to-revenue conditions. Regulators can effectively pause capacity through import actions, warning letters, and heightened surveillance. The U.S. FDAs inspection regime is built to surface objectionable conditions through inspectional observations (Form 483), which feed compliance escalation pathways. Thats the key shift Indian leadership teams must internalise: regulatory outcomes have become capital outcomes.

A material regulatory adverse finding doesnt stay inside a plant boundary. It quickly becomes:

Supply disruption (and customer contractual penalties),

Remediation capex and consultant-heavy quality rebuilds,

Pricing and launch delays,

And, increasingly, governance fallout at board level.

This is why the risk conversation is evolving from QA/QC and regulatory affairs into the CFO and boardroom.

CY2025 signals: enforcement is not theoretical

If you want a clean indicator that scrutiny is real, look at the public record of FDA warning letters for India-linked facilities across calendar 2025. In 2025 alone, FDA issued multiple drug-related warning letters to India-based manufacturers and associated entities  including, among others, Granules India (Feb 2025), Glenmark Pharmaceuticals (Jul 2025), Amneals India facility (Aug 2025), Hikal (Aug 2025), Somerset Therapeutics (Sep 2025), Macsen Drugs (Mar 2025), and Mentha & Allied Products (Apr 2025).

This isnt naming and shaming. It is acknowledging an executive reality: regulated-market exposure is now inseparable from compliance optics, and enforcement footprints are increasingly visible and searchable.

A very mini micro-case: why one plant issue becomes an enterprise issue

Consider the practical chain reaction in a typical enforcement trajectory. In the Granules India warning letter, FDA cites CGMP issues observed during inspection and escalates expectations on corrective action.

Even if the initial trigger is technical (cleaning, maintenance, contamination controls, documentation discipline), the downstream impact is enterprise-wide:

customers re-evaluate supplier risk,

counterparties tighten quality agreements and audit rights,

banks and investors ask governance questions,

and leadership time gets consumed by remediation and communications.

This is what I mean by a new risk economy: the cost is not just compliance remediation  it is capital friction.

Product liability has globalised faster than risk governance

The second leg of this new risk economy is product liability and cross-border litigation.

In the US, litigation is not merely a legal event; it is a financial system  plaintiff law firms, class action mechanics, discovery burdens, expert-driven causation battles, and (in some cases) punitive damages dynamics. In the EU, strict liability frameworks and enforcement expectations can be unforgiving.

For Indian exporters, a quality event can cascade into:

recall costs (including reverse logistics, destruction, and replacement),

third-party bodily injury/property damage claims (rare, but catastrophic when they occur),

contractual indemnities between CDMOs, brand owners, distributors, and logistics providers,

and reputational devaluation that persists longer than the CAPA.

This is exactly where the insurance conversation changes: the objective is not buy a policy. The objective is to engineer a defensible loss architecture.

D&O: the governance multiplier nobody wants to price honestly

Once the industry accepts that regulatory actions can move earnings, the next step is obvious: Directors and Officers (D&O) exposure rises.

When compliance issues surface, markets and shareholders ask predictable questions:

Did the board have adequate visibility?

Were risks disclosed appropriately?

Were quality systems underfunded relative to growth ambition?

Was managements narrative consistent with reality?

This is not a moral judgement  it is how modern capital markets metabolise risk. The consequence is that D&O has moved from being a public company hygiene cover to being a strategic governance instrument, especially as Indian pharma firms scale US/EU revenue and investor scrutiny.

Trade credit and supply chain: receivables are leverage disguised as revenue

Export-led growth creates a quieter concentration risk: receivables dependence. When buyers are concentrated, and shipments are high-value, working capital becomes an implicit bet on counterparty stability and smooth cross-border clearance. Trade credit insurance is increasingly relevant not only as protection against insolvency, but as a liquidity stabiliserparticularly when regulatory friction can delay shipments, trigger disputes, or create temporary import disruption.

Clinical trials, bioequivalence, and the research risk layer

Life sciences growth is also shifting India deeper into research-heavy domainsbioequivalence work, clinical trials, data handling, and outsourced lab ecosystems. FDA warning letters are not restricted to factories; they can extend into clinical/research conduct environments where governance and data integrity are central.

As India scales innovation velocity, the risk stack broadens:

human subject / trial liability,

protocol deviations and ethics scrutiny,

IP disputes,

and technology transfer liabilities that sit between commercial and scientific domains.

ESG touchpoint: environmental compliance is moving from reputation to restriction

Two ESG vectors now matter in a hard, non-theoretical way.

First, effluent discharge and environmental compliance: pharmaceutical manufacturing has real environmental externalities, and regulators (and communities) are increasingly intolerant of lapses.

Second, carbon disclosure and climate risk: not because it is fashionable, but because global buyers, lenders, and investors are embedding climate and sustainability representations into contracts and financing.

As an industry, we should be intellectually honest: Indias manufacturing scale has outpaced the uniform maturity of compliance ecosystems. Even Indias own regulatory tightening cycles in areas like contaminated syrups show how quickly the narrative can shift from growth to trust repair when quality fails.

What structured risk looks like in the new risk economy

This is where the conversation becomes constructive. In our work at EDME Insurance Brokers Ltd., the most resilient life sciences organisations are not those that buy the most insurance  they are the ones that structure risk like infrastructure.

Practically, that means:

Global liability towers designed for US/EU jurisdiction sensitivity (limits, defense strategy, and consistent claims protocols).

Product recall programmes that treat recall as a logistics-and-communications event, not just a legal event.

D&O programmes aligned to real securities and governance exposure, not last years pricing comfort.

Trade credit insurance used intelligently for receivables concentration and liquidity continuity.

Captive strategies explored as strategic risk capitalwith one caution: captives dont eliminate loss; they formalise it, and they only work when governance, data, and actuarial discipline are real.

The conclusion Indias life sciences leaders should sit with

India has mastered scale. The next decade will test whether it can master risk architecture at scale. The winners in this cycle will not be defined only by cost competitiveness or capacity. They will be defined by the ability to operate under relentless scrutiny, withstand cross-border liability shocks, and reassure capital markets that governance is not trailing growth. That is the new risk economy forming underneath Indias life sciences boom.

Anurag Mishra, Director  FINCAS, EDME Insurance Brokers
India is well positioned to emerge as a major market and a manufacturing hub for monoclonal antibodies

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Views | By Dr Manbeena Chawla

Ahmedabad-based biopharmaceutical company Kashiv BioSciences has recently secured funds for advancing its world-class infrastructure, to pursue research, development, and manufacturing strategy in both US and India. The companys new facility in Pipan, Ahmedabad, is emerging as one of Indias largest single-use commercial manufacturing facilities of monoclonal antibodies, serving customers in the US, Europe, and rest-of-world markets. In alignment with the Biotechnology Policy and schemes implemented by Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission, Dr Sandeep Athalye, Global CEO, Kashiv BioSciences spoke to BioSpectrum about the companys journey to expand biomanufacturing capacity in India.

The company has recently secured financing of Rs 648 crore from the Union Bank of India. What are the major plans in utilising these funds?

The capital is being deployed across three strategic priorities: capacity expansion, quality and regulatory excellence, and innovation-led manufacturing. At the core is the rapid development of our single-use commercial biologics facility in Pipan, Gujarat, with a planned capacity of up to 50,000 litres. This facility is designed to enable commercial-scale production of complex biologics and reinforce Indias role in advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing. We are also advancing digital manufacturing, automation, and data-enabled process control to drive efficiency, consistency, and scalability.

In parallel, we are strengthening globally aligned quality systems and advancing regulatory readiness to meet the expectations of the most stringent international markets. This strategic focus is aligned with broader national priorities to position India as a global biopharma hub, including the Biotechnology Policy, key schemes implemented by GSBTM (Gujarat State Biotechnology Mission), and the Biopharma SHAKTI programme announced by the Government of India in the Union Budget 202627. Beyond infrastructure, our focus on talent development, workforce upskilling, and collaboration with academic and public-sector partners ensures we continue to build long-term scientific and manufacturing leadership.





How do you plan to strengthen the company's presence in India, and globally? What challenges do you foresee in this process?

Strengthening our global presence is anchored in a vertically integrated, dual-engine strategy that combines scale and cost efficiency in India with regulatory proximity and market access in the United States. This integrated approach allows us to maintain the value chain from development to commercial manufacturing.

Our focus is on building a seamless innovation-to-manufacturing ecosystem. The expansion of our manufacturing facility in Pipan, Gujarat is central to this vision. Designed for commercial-scale production of complex biologics, the facility strengthens Indias role as a credible hub for advanced biopharmaceutical manufacturing while enabling us to serve both domestic demand and global markets efficiently. Additionally, we are expanding and strengthening our US manufacturing footprint in Piscataway to support our global markets. This US presence enhances our ability to engage closely with regulators, partners, and customers, while accelerating global filings and marketisation.

Together, the IndiaUS research to manufacturing ability provides strategic flexibility, resilience, and scalability. While challenges such as regulatory complexity, supply-chain volatility, and competition remain, our investments in integrated infrastructure, talent, and partnerships position Kashiv for sustainable growth and long-term leadership in the global landscape.

How do you view the growth of the monoclonal antibody market in India?

The monoclonal antibody (mAb) market in India is one of the most compelling growth segments within the biopharmaceutical landscape. Over the past decade, mAbs have evolved from niche, high-cost therapies to essential treatments for cancer, autoimmune, and chronic inflammatory diseases, driven by Indias rising burden of non-communicable diseases and increasing clinical adoption of targeted therapies.

Several forces are converging to accelerate this growth. Demand for mAbs and biosimilars is rising as clinicians gain confidence in the therapies. At the same time, cost-competitive mAbs and biosimilars are significantly expanding access to patients.

Policy momentum will also play a catalytic role. The launch of the Biopharma SHAKTI programme by the government will strengthen the ecosystem through investments in clinical trial infrastructure, regulatory capacity, and research institutions, all of which are critical for next-generation monoclonals.

Challenges will remain, including high development costs, stringent regulatory requirements, and the need for robust clinical evidence. However, the outlook is positive. India is well positioned to emerge as both a major market and a manufacturing hub for mAbs, reinforcing its role in the global biologics value chain.

What do you believe will define success for biopharma companies in the next 510 years?

Over the next decade, success in biopharma will be defined by impact, both scientific and societal. Companies that deliver differentiated, meaningful therapies while building resilient, future-ready organisations will emerge as industry leaders.

Innovation will remain foundational, but the future will reward companies that combine scientific excellence with scale, capability, and speed. The ability to translate breakthrough science into globally accessible products both rapidly and reliably will distinguish leaders from followers.

Manufacturing excellence and resilience will be a decisive competitive advantage. Companies must move beyond incremental advances toward next-generation biologics, supported by AI-enabled discovery and data-driven development platforms. Simultaneously, flexible, scalable, digitally enabled manufacturing systems, built on quality-by-design and adaptability will be essential to managing complexity, ensuring supply continuity, and accelerating time-to-market. Ultimately, those that combine manufacturing strength with speed and disciplined execution, moving efficiently from lab to launch will secure meaningful market advantage.

Global regulatory integration will further shape competitiveness. Proactive engagement with regulators and alignment to multi-jurisdictional standards will be critical for companies operating in regulated markets.

Equally important will be accessibility and affordability. As healthcare systems prioritise outcomes and value, companies that expand access to advanced therapies will create lasting societal and commercial impact and value.

Capital, however, will stand as a defining enabler of success. In a capital-intensive industry, sustained investment across research and development, infrastructure, regulatory pathways, and global expansion is essential. Equally important is disciplined capital allocation, deploying funds strategically to balance growth, risk, and long-term value creation.

Lastly, long-term success will hinge on ecosystem leadership: nurturing talent, building partnerships across academia and industry, and contributing to stronger public-private frameworks.

Which set of skills will the next generation of biopharma leaders need to develop?

The future of biopharma leadership will require a multidimensional skillset that blends scientific depth with strategic, regulatory, and ethical leadership.

Scientific and technological fluency will remain foundational. Leaders who understand the complexities of biologics, cell and gene therapies, AI-enabled discovery, and digital biomanufacturing will make high-impact decisions in increasingly complex environments. Equally important will be regulatory intelligence. As global frameworks become more rigorous and interconnected, leaders need to anticipate change, guide cross-border strategies, and embed quality and compliance into decision-making. Apart from intellect, a collaborative, adaptive, and ethical approach will distinguish long-term winners, as the industry delivers the next wave of transformative therapies.

What are your expectations from the government to strengthen the biopharma sector?

Looking ahead, a few priorities remain central. First, regulatory harmonisation for approval pathways with global benchmarks can shorten development timelines and improve investor confidence. Second, sustained support for high-risk biologics research, stronger academia-industry collaboration, and expanded funding mechanisms can help build a robust innovation pipeline. Complementing this, there will be clinical infrastructure including accredited trial sites, streamlined approvals, and robust data frameworks. Lastly, enhanced manufacturing incentives for advanced biologics would further accelerate capacity creation.

Finally, talent development and investment in specialised skills will be a forward-looking trade framework that can help Indian companies scale globally and position India as a trusted, innovation-led biopharma leader on the global stage.







Dr Manbeena Chawla

([email protected])
Healthcare cybersecurity regulations in India are still evolving

April 01, 2026 | Wednesday | Views | By Narayan Kulkarni

As healthcare and pharmaceutical ecosystems become increasingly digital and interconnected, cybersecurity is emerging as a critical priority for the sector. From ransomware attacks on pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities to vulnerabilities in connected medical devices and hospital systems, cyber threats are growing both in scale and sophistication. In this context, organisations are increasingly focusing on strengthening cyber resilience to protect patient data, ensure operational continuity, and safeguard critical healthcare infrastructure. In an interaction with BioSpectrum India, Santosh Jinugu, Partner, Deloitte India, discusses the evolving cybersecurity risks facing the healthcare and pharma sectors, the need for a risk-based approach to cybersecurity investments, and how industry collaboration and initiatives such as cyber simulation labs can help organisations prepare for emerging threats.

What are the major cybersecurity challenges currently facing the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors?

Over the past few years, the healthcare and pharmaceutical industries have been under increasing cyber pressure. If you go back two or three years, many Indian pharmaceutical companies faced significant ransomware attacks that disrupted production. These were highly targeted incidents, and they exposed the vulnerability of systems that were either legacy or not designed with cybersecurity in mind. Pharma companies operate in a heavily regulated environmentwhether it is FDA or other international regulatory requirementsso many of their systems were historically not fully connected or modernised. However, as connectivity increased, cybersecurity was not always integrated into system design. These attacks were a wake-up call for leadership teams and boards, highlighting that cybersecurity is critical not only for business continuity and brand reputation but also for ensuring operational safety.

How is the rise of connected medical devices changing the cybersecurity landscape in healthcare?

Today, we are seeing a rapid increase in connected medical equipmentfrom devices used in laboratories and emergency rooms to personal healthcare devices. These systems are connected not only to hospital management systems and laboratory information systems but also to broader ecosystems that allow doctors and patients to access information for better diagnosis and treatment. However, many of these devices were not originally designed with cybersecurity as a core component. Hospitals also operate under tremendous operational pressure and are often high-traffic environments, which makes them potential entry points for cyberattacks. Disruptions in diagnostic systems or theft of medical records can have serious consequences. While medical data may not have been viewed as extremely sensitive in India earlier, awareness is growing that patient data protection is critical.

What steps are healthcare and pharma companies taking to strengthen cybersecurity?

Following several high-profile incidents, many organiations have started taking cybersecurity more seriously. Boards and leadership teams are now actively investing in strengthening their cyber resilience. Companies are focusing on improving security at the network perimeter, implementing proactive threat detection, and adopting zero-trust architecture principles. In fact, cybersecurity has increasingly become a regular agenda item in board discussions, with organisations reviewing their cybersecurity posture on a quarterly basis. This shift shows that the industry now recognises cybersecurity as a strategic priority rather than just an IT issue.

Given limited resources, how should healthcare organisations prioritise cybersecurity investments?

Cybersecurity investments should always follow a risk-based approach. Organisations must first identify which systems, divisions, or products are most critical to protectwhether it is patient data, medical devices, or brand reputation. Once risks are clearly understood, companies can prioritise their investments accordingly and gradually enhance their cybersecurity maturity over time. A few years ago, many boards did not have a clear understanding of their top cyber risks. Today, organisations are increasingly adopting enterprise risk management frameworks and cybersecurity standards that provide a holistic view of risks and mitigation strategies.

How is Deloitte supporting healthcare and pharma organisations in strengthening cybersecurity?

We support organisations in multiple ways. At the advisory level, we help companies understand cybersecurity frameworks and implement governance structures that strengthen risk management. At the implementation level, we assist clients in deploying cybersecurity solutions that detect and monitor threats across their systems. In some cases, we also operate cybersecurity services on their behalffor example, through 24/7 monitoring centres that continuously track potential threats. We also help pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities integrate cybersecurity into their digital transformation journeys, ensuring that cyber considerations are embedded from the beginning rather than added later.

Does Deloitte also provide support for designing secure medical technologies and infrastructure?

Absolutely. Our support spans the entire lifecyclefrom the design phase to implementation and managed services. For instance, if a medical device manufacturer is developing a new product, we can help ensure cybersecurity is embedded at the design level. We also work with organisations on securing their network architecture, hospital infrastructure, and manufacturing plants. In addition, we collaborate with various technology partners, including cloud providers such as Google Cloud and AWS. However, our approach is solution-agnosticwe recommend technologies based on the specific needs and environment of the client.

Are there opportunities to work with governments and policymakers on healthcare cybersecurity?



Yes, we work with several government bodies, regulatory agencies, and public sector organisations. Our work includes advising on cybersecurity frameworks, supporting policy development, and assessing the security posture of critical government systems and infrastructure. For example, our teams are also involved in initiatives related to emerging areas like quantum security, helping governments assess risks and prepare future cybersecurity strategies.

Do you believe stronger regulations are needed to improve cybersecurity in healthcare and pharma?

Healthcare cybersecurity regulations in India are still evolving. In many countries, regulations mandate cybersecurity requirements for patient data protection and medical devices. In India, frameworks such as the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act exist, but there is still a need for more sector-specific guidance, particularly for connected medical devices and healthcare systems. Often, regulatory changes happen after major incidents. However, the industry should ideally take proactive steps to improve cybersecurity rather than waiting for regulations to enforce it.

How do initiatives like cyber simulation labs help the industry prepare for emerging cyber threats?

Cyberattacks today are complex and layered, often involving multiple systems and actors working together. Simulation environments and cyber labs help organisations visualise how attacks actually unfold in real-world scenarios. By demonstrating these threats and enabling organisations to test their defences, such platforms help build stronger detection, prevention, and response mechanisms. Ultimately, the goal is to educate organisations and strengthen resilience so that they are prepared before a major incident occurs.

Narayan Kulkarni

([email protected])
^ Original-Research: INDUS Holding AG - from Parmantier & Cie. GmbH

31.03.2026 / 15:00 CET/CEST Dissemination of a Research, transmitted by EQS News - a service of EQS Group. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this research. The result of this research does not constitute investment advice or an invitation to conclude certain stock exchange transactions.

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Classification of Parmantier & Cie. GmbH to INDUS Holding AG

Company Name: INDUS Holding AG ISIN: DE0006200108

Reason for the research: Update Recommendation: Buy from: 30.03.2026 Target price: EUR 35.00 Target price on sight of: 12 months Last rating change: none Analyst: Daniel Grojohann & Thomas Schiele

Strong Q4 and record order book - despite a challenging environment, INDUS will be able to increase revenue and adjusted EBITA in 2026

Revenue (EUR1.735 billion; +0.8%) and adjusted EBITA (EUR147.8 million; -3.8%) for 2025 had already been provisionally reported. EAT (EUR69.8 million; +28%) and EPS (2.77; +34%) increased disproportionately. However, this success was aided by one-off effects that had a positive impact on the tax rate. The overall economic environment in 2026 remains challenging and difficult to predict (war in Iran). We expect INDUS to succeed in expanding revenue in 2026 and also increasing adjusted EBITA. Q1, however, could be weaker than the same quarter last year. Based on our estimates, the INDUS share remains attractively valued with a 2026 P/E ratio of 9.4 and a dividend yield of just under 5%.

All three segments are expected to contribute to revenue growth in 2026. In the Infrastructure segment, INDUS anticipates a moderate rise in revenue, accompanied by a sharp increase in earnings. For the Engineering segment, a slight rise in revenue is expected alongside a moderate increase in earnings; the record-high segment order book will only have an impact in the medium term (large-scale plant construction projects in the US). In Materials Solutions in particular, rising raw material prices (which are largely passed on to customers) play a key role in the expected moderate rise in revenue, although margins here will decline.

As rising raw material prices (particularly metals) will lead to higher working capital (inventories), free cash flow in 2026 is expected to be lower than in 2025. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for INDUS, as smaller competitors unable to bear these costs could consequently exit the market.

Group outlook: For the 2026 financial year, INDUS is forecasting revenue of between EUR1.8 billion and EUR1.95 billion, with adjusted EBITA expected to be between EUR150 million and EUR170 million. This corresponds to an adjusted EBITA margin of between 7.5% and 9.5%. FCF is expected to exceed EUR70 million.

DISCLAIMER LEGAL NOTICE

This research report ('Investment Recommendation') was prepared by Parmantier & Cie. Research, with contributions from Mr. Grossjohann, and is distributed solely by Parmantier & Cie. Research. It is intended only for the recipient and may not be shared with other entities, even if they are part of the same corporate group, without prior written consent. The report contains selected information and makes no claim to completeness. The investment recommendation is based on publicly available information ('Information'), which is considered correct and complete. However, Parmantier & Cie. Research does not verify or guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this information. Any potential errors or omissions do not create liability for Parmantier & Cie. Research, which assumes no liability for direct, indirect, or consequential damages.

In particular, Parmantier & Cie. Research accepts no responsibility for the accuracy of statements, forecasts, or other content in this investment recommendation concerning the analyzed companies, their subsidiaries, strategies, economic conditions, market and competitive positions, regulatory frameworks, and similar factors. While care has been taken in preparing this report, errors or omissions cannot be excluded. Parmantier & Cie. Research, including its partners and employees, accepts no liability for the accuracy or completeness of statements, estimates, or conclusions derived from the provided information in this investment recommendation.

To the extent this investment recommendation is provided as part of an existing contractual relationship (e.g., financial advisory services), Parmantier & Cie. Research's liability is limited to cases of gross negligence or intentional misconduct. In cases of breach of essential obligations, liability is limited to simple negligence but is restricted to foreseeable and typical damages in all cases. This investment recommendation does not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell securities.

Partners, managing directors, or employees of Parmantier & Cie. Research or its subsidiaries may hold responsible positions, such as supervisory board mandates, in the companies mentioned in this report. The opinions expressed in this investment recommendation may change without notice and reflect the personal view of the research analyst. Unless otherwise stated, no part of the research analyst's compensation is directly or indirectly related to the recommendations or opinions contained in this report. All rights reserved.

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Contact for questions: PARMANTIER & Cie. GmbH info@parmantiercie.com

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